Cover letter

Dear Potential Employer,
My name is Jasmine Stein, and I recently graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Mass Communication and Journalistic writing, and a minor in Business Management and marketing. My future career goals are exstensive, but I plan to lead a successful career in publishing, and devote a large portion of my life to writing, and constantly learning. below is a compilation of both published and unpublished clips ranging from music reviews, to 2008 presidential campaign coverage.

Over the past few years, I have spent time working across several different publishing platforms including writing, editing, digital, marketing, fashion, sales & PR. This summer I interned at Essence magazine at Time Inc., where I was able to hone in on my analytical skills in departmental sales, connect with my creativity in integrated marketing, and work on structure and planning in promotional marketing, experiencing all that corporate marketing in publishing has to offer. I was able to work exstensively on the Essence Music Festival. I also contributed to several marketing and sales campaigns in travel, beauty and lifestyle categories.

Before I left Purdue University, I was able to write as a full-time reporter for the daily Exponent, as well as serve as the Features department editor. I also held several other leadership roles in a vast range of organizations. A few months ago, i returned from a 6 month study abroad stint in Cairo, Egypt studying journalism and creative writing in the Middle East. I feel confident that I am ready to take on a full-time role in a challenging and demanding environment, where I can utilize my already acquired skills, and obsorb the expertise from the intelligent professionals around me.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,
Jasmine Marie stein

Resume

Jasmine Stein
jasminestein@gmail.com
515 W. 111th St.
New York, NY. 10025
Permanent Address
(248) 342-9875
Jasminesteinrez.blogspot.com

Education:
Purdue University, School of Liberal Arts, West Lafayette, IN
American University of Cairo, Study Abroad. Cairo, Egypt.
Major: Mass Communication, Journalism
Minor: Marketing, Business Management
3.7 GPA, 4.0 in Major
Expected graduation: May 2009

Experience:
TIME Inc. Summer Internship Program – Essence Magazine
May 2009- Present, Marketing Intern. Time Warner STARS Intern.
New York, NY
• Developmental Sales, Integrated Marketing, Promotions
- Essence Music Festival, MRI & PIB Research, Excel spreadsheets, Salesforce
- Integrated Marketing campaigns: L’Oreal, Medizine partnership,
- Pantene Sweepstakes, Disney Sweepstakes, Coty Sweepstakes
- Sales Presentation: Magic Campaign, Smart Beauty
- Updated 2010 Media Kit
The Exponent - Daily Newspaper
January 2007- May 2009, Features Editor. West Lafayette, IN.
• Staff reporter, assigned feature stories to staff, edited features stories,
- Beats: Purdue Music Association, music & movie Review
- College Politics, Performing Arts
TERRANCE SULLIVAN – Designer Clothing Line Summer 2008, Marketing & PR Intern, Detroit, MI.
•Head of E-mail Campaigns
•Campaign Member: Pop-up boutique, Complementary alterations,
Trunk show 2008, 2008 skinny jean. Composed press packets
HELEN Magazine - On Campus September 2007 – May 2009, Editorial Assistant. West Lafayette, IN.
•Editorial & Fashion Assistant
- Helped compile story ideas, wrote articles for the features section, fact checker, Researcher. Assisted on photo shoots.
CollegeOTR - New Media Website Summer 2007, Student editor, Intern. New York, NY.
• Editor- in -chief of the Purdue blog
• Managed and recruited bloggers for 7 Midwest schools for CollegeOTR.com

Extracurricular Activities/Awards:
• Purdue Writers Club Member
• The Purdue Underground Music Project – Co Founder
- PR Chair
•Fast Track T.V News- Reporter
•B.A.S.E- Black American Students for Education
- Secretary
-St. Francis Literary Conference Honorable Mention (2008)
• PRSSA – Public Relations Student Society of America
– Com Day 2008 Event Planning Chair
• College Democrats
-Obama for America Team
• Sudanese Refugee School
- Volunteer
• Women in Business

Personal:
• Extremely fluent in word, excel, research tools (e.g. LexisNexis), team player, poised under pressure
• I enjoy writing, fashion, discovering new music, traveling, photography, and taking chances.

She and Him Vol I.

Most people usually dread the yearly albums mass produced by the greedy movie stars turned singers. However, the little Santa’s helper, Zooey Deschanel from the film Elf recently released an album that is as sweet as she is. The little pixie is apart of the two member group She & Him with singer/songwriter M.Ward. She & Him released their self-titled, “She & Him: Vol. 1” in March and every song is a throwback to 50’s pop. Zooey sings about heartache like an innocent 15 year old girl whose heart could get broken a thousand times, and she would still come knocking for more.
The opening title, “Sentimental Heart” is a charming introduction to a new band and it hastily shuts up any critics afraid that She & Him is just more movie star to singer album fluff. “Sentimental heart” begins like a lullaby and as soon Zooey opens her mouth she sings the poignant lyrics with such clarity. “Cried all night till there was nothing left, what use am I as a heap on the floor? Oh what can you do with a sentimental heart”? “Sentimental Heart” begins with Zooey singing timidly as if she has been crying all night, over a single piano, and as the song evolves horns and background vocals add to the melancholy. Ironically, the song is adorable, and as depressing as each and every word is, it is also extremely catchy and will be an album favorite.
The next track “Why do you let me stay here” is playful and upbeat. The lyrics are irresistible and although it almost sounds like she is whining through it, it is the perfect song that harkens the feelings of begging for a lover’s attention. At one point Zooey blatantly moans “You make me feel like I am just a child”. The whole song sounds like a nursery rhyme bouncing around between fanciful and light melodies.
“Change is hard”, and “You got me” are the official country tracks on the album and they both have the “I done him wrong” twang in every syllable. The album is not without a few slow lounge ballads, fully equipped with whistling backgrounds and M.Ward singing background vocals for Zooey. The 1962 Miracles “You really got a hold on me” is the eighth track on the album, and every other song fits so well in that generation, you almost forget it’s a cover. M.Ward almost never sings on the album, but when he does his raspy vocals pair up against Zooey’s strong country flair making for a unique arrangement of indie, country-folk confusion. Especially, on “I should have known better” which begins with Zooey singing over classic country rifts, there is a clear lean to country although Zooey’s strong voice beats with a soul that is lacking in most country stars, M.Ward takes it to a completely different place. He brings a sexier sound to the music that Zooey may be incapable of bringing and leaves a hint of funk while he’s at it.
The 13 track album will bring every listener into a time warp; music just simply isn’t made like this anymore. She & Him takes the simple heartache lyrics from country and puts it’s over a piano blues and folk guitar. The mix taste like cotton-candy on a rainy day and makes it nearly impossible not to clap your hands and wish for the old days when every heartbreak was relished, every kiss stopped time, and love was simply enough.

Exploring Skin Whitening Cream Across the World Essay Sample

A Color Complex

Sharma is an avid user of Dermaline (a popular skin whitening cream) and she wanted to share her success story with others in order to inspire hope. “I used to look at fair skinned people, and used to dream to become like one, finally my dream has come true” (skin-whitening-product.com). Sharma and many other women in the Middle East are following a trend that has been one of the most popular products to buy in Asia for centuries. Skin whitening products such as B-White, Fair and Lovely, Dermaline and many others has been a constant subject of controversy for years, and yet the idea of skin whitening cream remains a fascinating subject. Many company’s will swear that the cream is 100% natural and that their products are used to restore the skin and remove blemishes, while others clearly promote an idealistic beauty standard for beauty’s sake alone. Many groups across the world have publicly condemned the cream for being “racism in a bottle”, and perpetuating the stereotype of white people being superior and more beautiful. Many people are less concerned with the social implications of skin whitening cream, and more concerned with the health risks. Skin whitening creams, pills, and gels has been known to contain chemicals that can produce serious damage to the skin and body. FDA proposed a ban in 2006 due to possible health problems related to a drug called hydroquinone.

Skin whitening cream has been banned in South Africa since 1992 due to possible health risks, but the product continues to be a prevalent part of society. With the year 2008 almost done, and with arguably the most powerful country in the world electing an African American man to be it’s leader as the first black president of the United States, and with a thunderous rejoice heard around the world, one would easily assume that the preference for white skin must be a fixture of the world’s past. Nevertheless, skin whitening cream products are not going anywhere fast. Men and Women in the Middle East avidly cover up when in the sun to avoid darker skin, and many Arab men, especially within a certain class would never consider marrying a woman with a dark complexion. Although it is nearly impossible to examine the root of racial preference both in the Middle East and in the United States, it is possible to explore when the preference turned into desperation to become light-skinned. Since Barack Obama’s 2008 win was received so well across the world, is racial preference today just an issue of beauty? Do people hope for light skin only to be considered beautiful, or do they think that lighter skin will not only get them a husband but a job too? Although skin whitening creams are more prominent outside the United States, they do exist and the preference for white skin is certainly easy to find. Nevertheless, driving down a busy intersection with a large billboard for B-white cream in the U.S, like in the Middle East, Africa and Asia would never occur. Is America more progressive with their racial equality, or is the blatant use of skin preference that is used outside the U.S simply a more honest tactic?

Skin whitening products come in many forms but most seem to contain the chemical Hydroquinone. Hydroquinone decreases the formation of melanin in the skin, and in some cases can bring about a lighter pigmentation. In 1996 The U.S food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed a ban for skin whitening cream that contained the chemical Hydroquinone because there had been substantial evidence that the drug caused cancer in rodents. According to FDA, in 1996 there were over 200 different types of skin whitening products containing Hydroquinone in the United States alone. Under the FDA ban, the products would only be given to patients through prescription. Most skin whitening products can still be bought in any pharmacy, no questions asked.

Most people think that skin whitening products are only an issue in outside the U.S, where the cream is a social norm. Allison Leblanc, an American study abroad student at AUC admitted not even knowing the product existed until she came to Egypt. “I think it’s silly, I don’t think people in the U.S use it, but I see advertisements here for it all the time”. Although the market is far more disguised in the U.S, it is a health concern for FDA who says the number of U.S users would shock, and that the product has gained much success on the internet. (Medicine Net.com). It only takes a simple click of the mouse and a quick search on Google to have the product boxed and shipped to your house in 4-6 business days. Google returned over 70,000 websites that sold some form of the product on-line. Magic-Potions.com only distributes there product, The Beauoxi White pill online internationally. MagicPotions.com sold soaps, lotions, gels and even an injectable Glutathione product all for skin whitening. The site has an area for video testimonials and a 24-hour customer service hotline. In short, Magic-Potions is clearly not running a “fly by night” sort of operation. Although, FDA and many Doctors find Hydroquinone to be extremely harmful, some professionals think that evidence of skin-lightening products causing harm is not substantial enough. A Boston Newspaper reported after speaking to Dr Lerner, a Boston University Dermatologists who said that he prescribes Hydroquinone to patients every day, and that in his opinion “the pigmentation problem is of more concern than the possible cancer one (TheBostonChannel.com)”.

Health is only one issue concerning the controversy that surrounds skin-lightening products. Many people are in debate over the issue proposing the question of whether selling skin-lightening products is moral. During my investigation I learned that most products advertise a product that can get rid of blemishes, or lighten birth marks and scars. Nevertheless, I find it rather interesting that nearly all of the products contain the word usage of skin-whitening. Those words do not advertise women of darker skin tone to restore their dark complexion from blemishes and scars, yet they are still encouraging people of dark complexion to buy the product.

On the website Magic-Potions.com they have a large advertisement of a black woman of very dark complexion with the phrases; do you want to be whiter? do you have Acne Problems? And start looking younger now, next to her. The two following sentences do not coincide with the first. Looking younger and removing acne has nothing to do with being whiter. The first sentence is printed in larger font, and clearly the only sentence that the company wants the reader to notice, since the latter don’t even make sense. Removing blemishes and leveling out the skin tone seem to be advertisement facades that are there to quiet down the moral oppositions of the product. However, the moral issue remains intriguing because fighters against the product claim hatred and racism, while the conglomerate big businesses that produce the product say they are only putting out a product that has a demand.

Moral fiber has never been something that could be easily found in large manufacture companies, so how can blame be put on the company that is simply in it to turn out a profit. The real question is who are the people that are buying the product? Heather Hunt an American transfer student at AUC from Texas reflects on things that her Egyptian boyfriend says concerning race. “He always makes comments about sitting in the sun too long, or how dark his skin is compared to mine and he isn’t even dark skinned”. Oprah did a show recently revealing that all across the world, the idea of beauty varies. In parts of Africa obese woman are considered to be the most beautiful, where in Thailand woman wear brass bands around there neck in order to elongate the neck because women with long necks are considered to be the most beautiful (oprah.com). Most people would not find anything morally wrong with this behavior and would consider it to fall under cultural practices. Therefore, shouldn’t skin bleaching fall into that category as well. “I know my boyfriend finds my fair skin beautiful and probably wouldn’t ever date someone with a dark complexion, but I just think it’s his cultural background, I don’t think he’s racist,” Hunt said.

Despite a willingness to accept a cultural preference for white skin, most people still feel uneasy about the idea of using products in order to achieve a lighter complexion. “I think using that stuff is taking it one step too far,” Hunt said. Although it appears that most of the world tends to find more beauty in a lighter complexion, it seems that Americans tend to hide any usage of it and find the products horrifying when confronted about it. Therefore, maybe the idea of openly using skin-whitening products is cultural. In Japan skin whitening cream is so common and not only acceptable but a beacon of pride. Every year there is even a “Fair and Lovely” Pageant hosted by “Fair and Lovely” the world’s most popular skin-whitening cream. In Egypt, the willingness to brag about their new skin-whitening cream is not as prevalent as in Japan but it doesn’t seem to be as shameful as in the states. “I personally have never used the stuff, but I know people who have. I think most people here could probably say the same thing” said Amina Darwish an AUC student..............

Questioning Ideology Essay sample

The word ideology is complicated. In al of the texts that I have examined, ideology is a recurring issue. Ideology can be used as a type of curse, used to impose a predetermined destiny. Ideology can be used as a way to break away from the provided path in a quest for freedom. Ideology can be used as a form of oppression, something those in power use to remain in power. It appears that ideology is just a representation of reality, an ever-changing phenomenon that humans use to make sense of their world. At the start of this course we learned that reality itself is created by representation. Language, words, stories, narratives, and literature are all things that we piece together in order to form a reality. Nevertheless, all of those things are directly influenced by ideologies. Since we base our lives around ideologies that have been influenced by other ideologies it appears that human beings have no real control over their lives.

Quite often I feel that human existence has become so contrived that our likes and dislikes are all force fed to us by the hierarchal structure of our society. The idea to break away from the given ideology and search for individuality is a paradox. Individuality has been written down, published and sold to the masses. Is there such a thing as individuality or truth? The sheer idea of taking a person’s criticism of an ideology and adopting it, is simply buying into another ideology already in place. Perhaps the only way to achieve individuality or truth then is to take a person’s criticism of an ideology, and use it as a way to create your own ideology. However, it seems impossible to achieve individuality or truth that is free of influence. With that said, is it still truth if it is influenced? In order to further examine the relationship between ideology and truth; Foucault’s discourse and power theory, re-presentation, and the post-colonial theory on colonization and culture must be examined as well.

A narrow definition of discourse can be given as the relationship between language and power. In the Foucault reader, we first examined the idea of a central structure used to command power over the non-dominant society. We first looked at this idea when we discussed the panopticon. The panopticon consists of a tower surrounded by buildings divided into levels and cells. The prisoner can see nothing but knows that a supervisor is watching and that he will be punished if he does not behave accordingly. The point of the panopticon is that after a while, a supervisor is not required, “if the prisoner is never sure when he is being observed, he becomes his own guardian (Foucault, 19).

It is the idea that you can take the center out of the system, but that the idea becomes so internalized that the original manipulation of the system becomes blurred. The blurring of discourse and adopting it as your own is how I viewed the author function, and the integration of discourse from an idea into language. The author function is a metaphor for the system of knowledge and power that is currently in place. In the author function, Foucault describes the author as being a perceived beacon of truth. The author’s name becomes synonymous with truth. In fact, the authors name becomes so powerful that it overshadows whatever it is that the author produces. “Even when an individual has been accepted as an author, we must still ask whether everything that he wrote, said, or left behind is part of his work” (Foucault, 103). It is extremely dangerous expelling so much power to a figure in which we are supposed to take all his/her ideals based on their name. Foucault said in The body of the condemned when referring to the relationship between power and knowledge, that “it is largely as a force of production that the body is invested with relations of power and domination” (Foucault, 173). Foucault meant that when we think people have knowledge, that we give them power over us.

The author function reminds me of the United States of America Presidential position. The President as I understand it in a democracy is supposed to be the leader and voice of the American people, not in any way is he all knowing. However, somehow the President has become so powerful that his voice is the only voice that matters. Too often the American people listen to what the president has to say, and take his ideas as the truth. A very good example of that is the war in Iraq. The American people were lied to in many instances but still managed to re-elect the man back into office who was responsible for the lying. How can something like that be explained? I learned in an interpersonal communication class that people have the tendency to maintain an attribution once it has been made, even in the face of contradictory evidence. The American people have attributed the position of President with trustworthy, honest and always having the public’s best interest in hand. The distinction between President and the man is lost. The relationship between language and power is one in the same when people allow themselves to buy into ideologies such as the author function.

In the story At the auction of the ruby slippers the ruby slippers hold a power that may or may not be what the masses expect it to be. However, the fact that people believe so immensely in the ruby slippers is the power. “We revere the ruby slippers because we believe they can make us invulnerable to witches; because of their powers of reverse metamorphosis, their affirmation of a lost state of normalcy in which we have almost ceased to believe and to which the slippers promise us we can return” (At the auction of the ruby slippers, 92). People from all walks of life come to the auction in hopes that the ruby slippers will return their state of chaos to normalcy. It is never revealed if the ruby slippers power is real or a fallacy, but the ideology is in place, and people believe in the shoes. The belief in a power that the ruby slippers may possess seems harmless, like believing in God with ought really knowing if he exist. Nevertheless, the ruby slipper story parallels the Wizard of OZ. In the end, the great Oz had no truth to relay upon Dorothy and her friends, his magic was a sham. However, in the end the morale that you are supposed to learn from the Wizard of OZ is in the journey that Dorothy took.

Dorothy ended by finding the truth on her own, as did the lion and the tin man. The Wizard of OZ story is important because when studying imperialism in the Roman Empire and truth through the “falsum” and aletheia, that there is no such thing as a quest for truth, but that the quest is the truth. If that is true, then it doesn’t matter if the ruby slippers hold the power that the villagers want it to, but that the path they take to obtain the ruby slippers, the quest to return to normalcy may be the truth. On the flip-side of that, I always watched the Wizard of OZ thinking that Dorothy and her friends sure did waste a lot of time, and get in to a lot of trouble because of the false hope that they instilled in the OZ. In many ways, the belief that OZ was their only hope of getting home, courage or a heart was their downfall. It took the dismantling of the center in place for them to realize that they could get home, find courage and a heart all along.

This idea is the same for At the auction of the ruby slippers because perhaps if all these people weren’t relying on the ruby slippers as their only hope to fix their problems, they could figure out what is wrong and fix their own problems. Still, examining the story further leads me to ponder if the normalcy that the villagers are aching to return to exist. Later in the story, they mention “home has become such a scattered, damaged, various concept in our present travails. There is much to yearn for, there are so few rainbows anymore, they promised to take us home”(At the auction of the ruby slippers,93). The italicized home emphasizes the fact that home may be a fabrication that people idealize as home, but the idea of it is far more powerful than any innate feeling it may truly possess, just like the ruby slippers. Zack Braff explains the idealized meaning of home perfectly in the movie Garden State. “You know that point in your life, when you realize that the house you grew up in isn’t really your home anymore? All of sudden even though you have someplace where you can put your stuff, that idea of home is gone. It’s like you get homesick for a place that doesn’t exist. Maybe that’s all family really is, a group of people that miss the same imaginary place” (Garden State, 2004). The imaginary place that Large misses in garden state is the same imaginary power that all of the people lined up at the auction are hoping to find in the ruby slippers............

Analytical Essay Of NYTimes Political Coverage

Does the New York Times Favor liberal Candidates?

Printed on the left hand corner of every New York Times newspaper reads it’s motto, “All the news that’s fit to print”. After analyzing a week’s worth of political coverage by the New York Times I found the Times motto to be rather intriguing. At first glance, the motto seems trite and insignificant. Nevertheless, I found the wording to be quite revealing. “All the news that’s fit to print”. Is it possible that the New York Times is telling it’s readers right on the front page that they have the right to pick and choose what is newsworthy? However, isn’t that the job or at least the power of any media outlet? Therefore, if every media outlet is picking and choosing what news deserves to be discussed and broadcasted to the world, is it possible for any publication to be truly unbiased? Throughout the week of October 8th, I carefully examined all of the McCain and Obama coverage printed by The New York Times in order to attempt to answer such questions by paying close attention to the story they are trying to tell, the language used and sheer amount of coverage for each candidate, and finally whether it matters at all.

On October 8, 2008 the headline read, “McCain Excites Crowds With Criticism of Obama”. Sometimes it can be hard to tell whether a reporter is criticizing a public figure, or simply stating the truth. One of the clear indicators of a bias in the press is through careful examination of language. However, examination of the context that surrounds the situation is also a very important determining factor. Since McCain announced Palin as his running mate, the campaign has taken a noticeable turn. Palin clearly resonates with a certain “type” of citizen and alienates the other. The New York Times seems to be painting a definite negative picture of John McCain’s rallies. “As the crowd booed angrily at each mention of Mr. Obama’s name, Mr. McCain threw himself more vigorously into his speech” (NYTimes.com. 10/08/2008).

Throughout the Times article Bumiller, the reporter emphasizes not only on McCain and Palin’s reactions, but the result of those actions. “Where it is the sharp criticism of Mr. Obama, rather than Mr. McCain’s once over comments on the economy that draw the biggest, loudest response from the conservative and almost all-white crowds that come to see Mr. McCain and Ms. Palin” (NYTimes.com. 10/08/2008). It is clear that the Times wants to paint a picture of a narrow group of people that makes up a small portion of our country. In the Times article, McCain is never portrayed as a man that can help to bring people together, in fact it appears that he is a man that stirs up crowds which creates alienation. Ironically, Barack Obama’s entire campaign is based on the exact opposite approach. An article written on October 14, by Adam Nossiter goes even further to cast particular characters as the main focus of the story that are directly linked with McCain and the “type” of campaign he seems to be running. In the third paragraph of the article, Nossiter introduces his audience to Ricky Thompson, a factory worker from Mobile Mississippi. “He’s other, It’s in the Bible. Come as one. Don’t create other breeds” (NYTimes.com. 10/12/2008), said Thompson when referring to Barack Obama. Excluding the tiny population of Mobil Mississippi, and southern towns alike it wouldn’t be unreasonable to assume that the majority of American people would find this statement to be ludicrous, and down-right laughable. Adam Nossiter and the New York Times are very aware of this fact. Nossiters article makes McCain supporters sound like uneducated “poor white trash”. An opposing argument to the tactics of The New York Times would point out that of course the responses to Obama in a rural southern area would resemble such ridiculous and racist views. However, are the residents of Mobil Mississippi not McCain supporters? Are the residents of Mobil Mississippi not eligible to vote in the United States of America? Suppose that Nossiter went to a Hollywood movie premier and asked celebrities the same questions that were asked to the mobil citizens. I believe that it would be just as easy to predict the answers from that crowd as it was to predict of the Mobil citizens. Where exactly in America can you find a fair playing ground where no predictability can be accountable for? The answer is nowhere. However, a solution to that problem might be to question citizens from many different areas. The New York Times article never does that. Rossiter interviewed several people from a few different small southern towns and although as the article progresses, the blatant racism and ignorance does appear to lighten up, every patron still has some type of racist undertone and overall every answer is stupid. In the end, the article will not disappoint in widening millions of readers mouths across the globe, and closing there papers thinking if these are the type of people that follow John McCain, I don’t think I will put myself with the likes of them.

Word usage can be a powerful indicator of bias. Phrases set a certain tone to writing that although subtle, are definitely pertinent. Word usage of even, but, unlike, or an overall sarcastic tone can give the story a biased appearance. Phrases like “unlike his opponent, Senator John McCain” (NYTimes.com. 10/8/2008) indicate a superior feeling towards Senator Obama. This type of phrasing sends a subliminal message that Senator Obama has done something right “unlike his opponent John McCain” with ought blatantly saying Obama is good, McCain is bad. The words that New York Times journalists focus on give an overall feeling that seems to favor one candidate over the other. McCain is almost never mentioned with ought any criticism and it usually focuses on comparing him to Barack Obama. On the contrary, whenever Senator Obama is mentioned, any criticism is always coupled with a complement or some sort of explanation for the candidates mishaps. “`Interviews with a dozen people suggest that Mr. Obama, 47 has played down his contacts with Mr. Ayers. But the two men do not appear to have been close” (NYTimes.com.8/8/2008). The rebuttal to this argument is purely opinion, and I highly doubtthat the Times would have felt the need to clear up negative press that has been leaked about John McCain. Besides word usage and the tone of The Times that seems to indicate a clear bias in favor of Senator Obama, the sheer volume of article written about John McCain is telling in itself. During the week of October 8th, I examined ten news articles and two Opinion columns printed by the New York Times. Both Opinion Articles revolved around Senator Barack Obama, The article entitled “The Terrorist Barack Hussein Obama” that was printed October 11, 2008 not only blatantly criticizes McCain and Palin’s rallies that revolve around “raucous and insistent cries of Treason and Terrorist and Kill him! And off with his head,” but he also appeals to action, “They are alarms. Doing nothing is not an option,”(NYTimes.com. 10/11/2008). The other opinion article also published October 11, 2008 didn’t even mention John McCain. The entire article entitled “Do Polls Lie About Race?” focused on the tendency for American Polls to overestimate a candidates likely hood to win when race is involved implying that voters lie in order to not appear racist. In my opinion the article was a wake up call, and possibly a warning. Both articles are opinions and although it is clear in both cases who the reporters will be voting for November 4th, there is no problem with that since these are opinion articles. On the other hand, It is impossible not to become skeptical of the Times for choosing to print two extremely biased opinion articles that lean the same way, and focus on the same person.

In the end, does it matter that The New York Times appears to blatantly support one candidate over the other, and lean towards the liberal side. The Times was founded in 1851, and since then has won 98 Pulitzer Prizes (Wikipedia.com). For a newspaper that has earned such a reputable name, they might just have the right to print whatever they choose biased or not. In a column printed on July 25th, 2004 the then public editor, Daniel Okrent addressed the biased question with the headline “Is the New York Times a Liberal Newspaper?”. Okrent answered the question in the very first line of the article with a short and concise statement, “Of course it is” (NYTimes.com.7/25/2004). He later goes on to explain that The New York Times is a product of it’s environment. “But if your examination of the paper’s coverage of these subjects come from a perspective that is neither urban nor northeastern nor culturally seen-it-all, if you are among the groups the Times treats as strange objects to be examined on a lab slide, (devout Catholics, gun owners, orthodox Jews, Texans); if your value system wouldn’t wear well on a composite N.Y Times journalist, then a walk through this paper can make you feel like you’re traveling in a strange and forbidden world” (NYTimes.com.7/25/2004). In a cute and funny way Okrent was basically saying of course were a liberal paper, republicans are weird and live on a different planet, ie. devout Catholics and Texans. However, Okrent does make an important point when calling out the context in which the New York Times is created. New York is the city of every color, every race, gay, straight, and weird. Right wing conservativeness doesn’t exactly walk the streets in Manhattan, so why shouldn’t it’s paper reflect those people and their values. In a nut shell, the articles have a clear audience, and the Times write for its audience. The Mobil Mississippi residents interviewed by Adam Nossiter are a strange other to the people of New York City, and so consequently they are a strange other to the New York Times. It appears that during this 2008 election, the people that fall in the “strange other” category are also standing side by side with Mr. McCain. Therefore, it is impossible not to see favoritism towards Senator Obama in the New York Times. According to Daniel Okrent, “Taking the New York, out of the New York Times would be a really bad idea” (NYTimes.com. 7/25/2004).

Claire Porter Performance Story - October 2007

Artist creates poetry with muscles
By Jasmine Stein

Staff Reporter

Publication Date: 10/05/2007

Claire Porter's performance Thursday began from when the doors opened and a dramatic single spotlight illuminated the empty wooden chair placed in the middle of the stage.

At 7 p.m. a tiny woman with an enormous presence charged into the room and was immediately in character. Porter would remain in character, and take on about a dozen other personas until her last word was spoken.

She performed poetry from her new book, "Namely Muscles," which allowed her to use muscles to tell a story about humor, life, hope and sometimes nothing at all.

"It was really funny, it definitely kept my attention," said Kristina Katrus, a senior in the College of Liberal Arts.

The Dance Studio in Yue-Kong Pao Hall was filled to capacity and for an hour straight the only sound that left the room was repetitive laughter intertwined by constant chuckling.

Sally Wallace, a professor of visual and performance arts described Porter's art as "reality with a different twist."

Porter's word usage and pairing to ask questions about every aspect of life; she creates a vision for her audience through her movement.

"I thought I saw hope in a muscle once, I couldn't believe it either. At least not yet, one can only hope," Porter said.

When asked by an audience member why she chooses to pair poignant topics like hope and grace with laughter and humor, Porter responded with, "I'm sort of floating those things out there, where's the merciful muscle? There's no answer."

Every word Porter spoke had a different movement, a different gesture and a different personality. She frolicked across the stage gracefully, reciting off the names of the different muscles of the body.

"Go ahead sweep me off my feet, Soleus dear, go ahead," Porter said.

Wallace introduced Porter by sharing a story about her and a co-worker 15 years ago, dreaming of the day when they would have a performance and dance building at Purdue, and how one of their first performers would be Porter.

Wallace and her co-workers' dream came true last night, and Porter's performance was all about dreams and things falling into place.

"Where there's life, there's my muscle, and there all connected, you know. When one moves, they all have to adjust," Porter said.

Sterling Plumpp Story - November 2007

Award-winning poet shares writings, inspirations, with audience
By Jasmine Stein

Staff Reporter

Publication Date: 11/09/2007

While reading his poetry with his eyes tightly shut, he remembered 1945.

Sterling Plumpp, an award-winning poet, was brought to Purdue Thursday by the Black Cultural Center to perform his blues- and jazz-inspired poetry in person.

Plumpp shared poetry that paid homage to his childhood, favorite musicians and even his mother.

Plumpp described the poem that he wrote to his mother as an outlet that helped express what he needed to say to her.

"When a parent dies, it's almost like looking up in the sky, and the moon or the sun is not there," Plumpp said.

Juanita Crider, program adviser for the BCC, said she couldn't think of anyone whose work and life better reflected the blues than Plumpp.

"I am partial to the bad news, because the good times won't let you grow," Plumpp said.

Plumpp went on to discuss the process of writing as a poet and compared it to the work of a painter.

"I am more of a painter than a photographer. If you're a writer, you should stay in the process of writing until it is right."

Joseph Dorsey, a professor of history and African-American studies, thanked Plumpp for the influence Plumpp had on him as his first African-Americans studies professor at the University of Illinois. Plumpp's influence led Dorsey to seek the same profession at Purdue.

Dorsey said he was most touched by Plumpp's take on the "cultural rhythms of poetry, as a fan and as a creator."

Plumpp's poetry centered around culture, ranging from the cotton fields of Mississippi to the jazz clubs of Chicago.

"For me, African-American is a culture. For some people maybe it's a color, but the only thing you know is the world you come up in," Plumpp said.

Plumpp shared a story with the audience about a Chicago musician who wouldn't open his eyes until the show was over, saying that "all the greats close their eyes".

Plumpp opened his eyes once his poem had ended and admitted to an eager audience,
"I'm not just saying this because I'm here, but I have long pulled for the Boilermakers."

Students Help Rebuild After Katrina Story - November 2007

New organization will help rebuild Katrina homes
By Jasmine Stein

Staff Reporter

Publication Date: 11/14/2007

Students remember families crying after they saw reconstructed homes following Hurricane Katrina.

A new student organization hopes to bring the tradition Indiana University started of re-building the coast after Hurricane Katrina to Purdue. Youth Advocating Leadership and Learning was founded at IU right after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005. This is the organization's first semester at Purdue.

Holly Bougher, copresident of Y'ALL and sophomore in the School of Management, said the organization was named for its motto and eagerness for people to "c'mon and volunteer, y'all."

Patrick Jennings, copresident of Y'ALL and senior in the College of Agriculture, went on the IU trip and wanted to bring an organization that focused on service learning to Purdue.

Their first trip will take place over winter break. The students are hoping to plan a trip for spring and summer as well.

Students will work in small groups of five to 10 people for six days to collectively conquer a huge goal. Last year a few members went down with the IU chapter and 43 people did $36,000 worth of labor.

"It's all about knowing that you helped someone get one step closer to moving back into their house and get back to normal," Jennings said.

Before her first trip, Bougher wondered what would need to be done 18 months after the storm.

"Then you get down there and you realize the enormity of the situation," Bougher said.

The students will be departing for Biloxi, Miss., on Dec. 16. Biloxi is a nearby city of New Orleans and was not hit by the most severe part of the storm; the city was, however, still devastated by the impact.

"Everyone knows about New Orleans, but no one really talks about nearby places like Biloxi," said Teresa Kam, a junior in the College of Pharmacy, Nursing and Health Sciences.

The students will be staying on a campsite with facilities similar to a summer camp. They will be doing a range of work including dry walling, painting and gutting houses. The entire trip will cost the students only $200.

"The camp provides us with everything we need," Bougher said. "We did entire gutting of houses that hadn't even been touched yet."

The organization is open to all majors and prides itself on having members from all walks of life.

"It's really neat to see students from all majors, schools and interests come together for a good cause," Kam said.

She said she had only seen pictures of what Hurricane Katrina had done, but she wanted to help people and see firsthand what had happened.

Students participating in Y'ALL are collecting money for their winter trip; all interested in going should send e-mails to yallrelief@purdue.edu.

Alumni Abroad Story - February 2008

Alumna's experiences abroad dictate life's path, purpose
By Jasmine Stein

Staff Reporter

Publication Date: 02/12/2008

One Purdue alum lives by the rule that as long as she has her passport and a credit card, she will be fine no matter what situation she finds herself in.

Laura Smiley, who received her BA and MA from Purdue in Spanish education and German, has spent much of her post-college life traveling the world.

Smiley is a German teacher in Texas, and plans to lead a 12-day student tour through China this summer with the company Educational Tours.

"For the students, I feel that their experience and understanding of the Chinese culture will help in their future understanding of world issues, could influence their career decisions and will help their employment opportunities," Smiley said.

Smiley's background was not focused on Asian language. However, she is ready to expand her knowledge and experience with another culture.

"Regardless of where one travels, it helps their perspective and appreciation of everything," Smiley said.

Smiley began her expedition abroad during an undergraduate semester study in Vienna, Austria.

"I didn't speak any German at the time," Smiley said. "The scariest part was going to the grocery store."

Smiley describes these minor nerve-wracking situations as humbling experiences that help bring forth a new appreciation for life.

"I had to quickly bag my groceries, listen to how much I owed in German, count money in another currency and get out of the way before the person behind me," Smiley said.

Since her first trip abroad, Smiley has taught Spanish in southern Mexico, worked as a missionary in Germany and lead a 10-day tour in 2007 to Germany, Austria, Italy and Switzerland with students from Harrison High School in Lafayette.

"I am happy to provide the opportunity for others to have experiences that I have had," Smiley said.

For many students, the opportunity for experience surfaced when they were placed in situations outside of their comfort zones.

"Everything was amazing; I had to learn how to squat and pee in a rest stop in Switzerland," said Veronica Ensminger, a student from Smiley's 2007 Germany tour. "That was quite an experience."

Ensminger's favorite place in Germany was Beer Hall, where she was surrounded by what she called the stereotypical Germans.

"It was very loud. But it wasn't just tourists, it was cool being around the German people," Ensminger said.

Smiley said that international travel can also broaden a young person's perspective and help him or her appreciate the differences and similarities in other cultures.

"There are so many opportunities out there, you just have to find them and be creative," Smiley said.

"Her Crowning Glory" Exhibition Story - March 2008

Exhibit features hats of African-American women
By Jasmine Stein

Staff Reporter

Publication Date: 03/07/2008

A heavy-set woman wears her hat as an extension to her inner beauty and as a way to break down barriers.

The Black Cultural Center solicited an advertisement for Lafayette women to submit their church hats to form an exhibition as a way to demonstrate the role and strong tradition that hats play in the black community.

The exhibition of hats, entitled "Her Crowning Glory," will be on display in the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette today through April 12.

Brittany Johnson, a senior in the College of Liberal Arts, interviewed the women and wrote a short article to go along with each hat to explain what the hat means to each owner.

"The heavy-set women said that she was respected more when she would wear her hats," Johnson said. "The hats made people have a different take on her, and disregard her weight."

Johnson said she went into the project with an interest in fashion, and in the end really had the chance to learn from the women and grow.

"It really helped me understand why women started wearing these hats because it helps them present this whole other character to other people," Johnson said. "It brings elegance and can make you feel like a totally different woman."

According to Johnson, the black community is known for its eccentric style and that the exhibit is supposed to explain that there is meaning behind that.

According to a verse in the book of Corinthians in the Bible, a woman who prays with her head uncovered dishonors her head.

"Many people don't know that it used to be very inappropriate not to have your head covered in most black churches," Johnson said.

The Black Cultural Center decided to display a total of 29 hats for their exhibit, but each woman had anywhere from 30 to 50 hats in their collection and a compelling story to go with each one.

"One woman started wearing hats as a child to church for Easter and was taught that when worshipping the Lord, she should dress the part," Johnson said.

The exhibit is being paired with a musical production of "Crowns," based on the book by Craig Marberry and Michael Cunningham, also presented by the Black Cultural Center.

"We wanted to build a collaboration with community organizations," said Renee Thomas, Director of the BCC. "That is why we chose to pair with both the art museum and the civic theater."

The play and the exhibition are both centered around telling many different stories and themes that are woven around a unified idea.

"This is about more than just a cherished item. Each hat speaks to you in very different ways," Thomas said.

Due to the tendency of the church system to be segregated, many people have not had the chance to see these types of flamboyant hats, said Thomas.

"We want to introduce these types of hats to the public, and hopefully they will gain an appreciation for the role they play in the black community."

Holocaust Presentation story - April 2008

Presentation depicts plight of refugees
By Jasmine Stein

Staff Reporter

Publication Date: 04/10/2008

A television show portraying the accounts of Jewish refugees escaping into Palestine helped students reflect on the Holocaust.

Janet Afary, an associate professor in the department of history, showed the audience a controversial television show that chronicled the lives of a Palestinian man who falls in love with a Jewish woman whom he helps escape into Palestine.

"It was compelling and real," said Joseph Brian, a graduate student. "It didn't seem contrived in any way."

Many people in the audience of the Krannert Auditorium held their hands over their faces while the Jewish refugees were persecuted and gunned down during a presentation on the Holocaust debate inside Iran.

Afary spoke about the debate that many leaders in Iran have discussed: whether to recognize Jews in Iran during the Holocaust.

"I'm a history teacher, and I didn't even know Jews went into Iran," said Michelle Napoletano, a graduate student.

Afary ended with questions and a brief discussion about Iraq, Iran and United States relations today.

"It was really interesting hearing about this from an Iranian woman's point of view," Brian said.

The Holocaust Remembrance Conference ends today, but many students continue to reflect on the importance of remembering the lives that were lost.

"This is not the only genocide that has taken place," said Michele Sparks, a Lafayette citizen. "If you don't take the time to learn about it, history will repeat itself."

New Music Class Story - October 2007

New class introduces lesser-known music
By Jasmine Stein

Staff Reporter

Publication Date: 10/31/2007

A new class in the department of visual and performing arts is designed to draw attention to influential female artists in the male-dominated world of musical composers.

MUS 375N, "Women of Note: Composers Past Through Present," is scheduled for next semester and will focus on introducing students to the wealth of female composers who the general public knows little about, said Helen Brown, associate professor of visual and performing arts.

Female composers have been around since the Greek and medieval ages, but for the most part have ceased to make it into the history books.

"In a recent text on woman composers, a list was compiled of women mentioned in top music appreciation books, and the numbers are appallingly low," Brown said.

"Even here at Purdue, every music course could be entitled a course on men composers," she said.

Because female composers are largely overlooked, the class will allow students a chance to listen to new music that has yet to be explored.

"In most music survey courses, there is not enough time to delve into music of less widespread and influential composers, and unfortunately woman composers are often in that category," said Martha Riley, professor of visual and performing arts. "A course like this gives students the opportunity to hear beautiful music that is not in the least inferior, but simply less well-known."

Female composers have and continue to face adversities. Therefore, Brown wants students to have the opportunity to read what women have written about their music and their lives.

"Just last week, an article was published reviewing a female classical musician and the article was more focused on what she was wearing rather than her music," Brown said. "I want to discuss these types of issues as well."

Brown asked to teach this course because she feels that there is still so much music to introduce students to. She hopes that the course will serve as a way to provide a balance between male and female composers.

The last day to sign up for this course is Nov. 1, and with already disappointing enrollment, it may never be offered again.

"Our goal is to come to know composers of great music that is not limited to divisions between male composers and female composers," Brown said.

Alumni Publishes Book Story - January 2008

Alumnus publishes dream book as act of self-discovery
By Jasmine Stein

Staff Reporter

Publication Date: 01/25/2008

Barry Morgan recently escaped from an aquatic labor camp with Will Ferrell, a stick of dynamite and a head of lettuce.

At least, he did in his dreams and in his new self-published book, "So You Think Your Dreams Are Weird?!"

Morgan graduated from Purdue in 1997 in the College of Liberal Arts, and after a vivid dream and a difficult period in his life, Morgan decided, "I'm gonna do this, I'm gonna pay attention to my dreams."

Morgan recorded every dream he could remember from May 31, 2006, to May 31, 2007.

"He would set an alarm at 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. every night and record the craziest dreams; I didn't sleep for like, six months," said Jennifer Braje, Morgan's girlfriend.

Morgan said his book is about the waking reality, and working to bring forth the subconscious mind.

"He would wake up and go, 'I had the craziest dream last night'," Braje said. "It made me want to remember my dreams; I think the book will help people pay attention more."

Morgan decided he would give himself 10 years to conquer his dream. He described the months leading up to writing his book as a point in his life where he was experiencing a lot of change.

"I wanted to attain a better understanding of myself and be creative in a period of time when I wasn't," Morgan said.

"Every day, I would log daily highlights and headlines," Morgan said. "The war in Iraq affected some of my dreams. I hope the reader feels engaged."

Morgan said he wants readers to know that his book is more than just a dream journal. According to him, the book will inspire interactive readers to start paying attention to their own dreams and realize where the dreams come from.

Morgan is currently writing a children's novel and plans to apply to graduate school at the University of Maine. He is also interested in creating a database or social network where people can share dreams.

"I've written several screenplays; I know I want to write for a living, maybe make movies," said Morgan. "I just want to be happy."

Fashion show story - March 2008

Array of student collections fill runway
By Jasmine Stein

Staff Reporter

Publication Date: 03/31/2008

A "zebra" stomped down the runway to Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean," wearing a teal and black zebra print dress.

The Purdue Fashion Association transformed the Shively Media Center at Ross-Ade Saturday into a fashion experience with loud music, imaginative themes and lots of attitude.

Rachel Crawford, a senior in the College of Consumer and Family Sciences named her collection "Desert Oasis" and transformed each of her dresses into a different animal, sending a zebra, tiger, cheetah, frog, snake and gecko down the runway.

Each designer carefully planned poses, walking speed and facial expressions in order to add to the overall theme of their designs.

Kat Goodrich, a senior in the College of Consumer and Family Sciences, paired her "Harlow" inspired collection titled "Galactic Lagoon" with black bobbed wigs and leopard with denim.

"I really liked the attitudes of the models, her collection was fun and very Dita Von Teese," said Ryan Evans, a sophomore in the College of Liberal Arts.

Upon entering the Shively Media Center, the rhythmic techno music and winding runway that ran through the center of the entire room set a scene of creativity and originality that continued to be a recurring theme with every model and song change.

Aja Aktay, a senior in the College of Consumer and Family Sciences chose to highlight her tie-dyed racerback jumper and classic wide leg jeans with a rhythmic percussionist to further emphasize her bold color choices.

"Her music was the most original with the live drummer," said Lexie Hall, a senior in the College of Liberal Arts, about her favorite collection.

Some of the students were awarded for their hard work during the show. Stephanie Gabourel, a sophomore in the College of Consumer and Family Sciences, was awarded the academic achievement award and hopes that her studies will lead to a future career in the industry.

"I'm planning on going to FIT in New York next year," Gabourel said. "I know this is a long shot, but I eventually want to work with Jean Paul Gaultier and design coats."

The show was professional with a playful twist, and some of the designs were fantasy-like while others were ready-to-wear.

"My line was inspired by the '80s and roller derby," said Monica Chambless, a senior in the College of Consumer and Family Sciences. "It was designed to be a line for American Apparel, and we actually got them to donate material."

Each student has been working on their designs for the majority of the year; and after long hours and careful planning they finally got to see their designs walk the runway.

"The general rule of thumb is to take the X amount of hours intended for a design and times it by four," Chambless said. "You just have to plan for things to go wrong."

Peace Corps Story - November 2006

Fall 2006 Issue
Regular features



Lessons that can't be learned in a classroom
Elizabeth Munz and husband Joshua

with children from the village they lived in during

their years in the Peace Corps
Three department graduate students share,

gain knowledge in Peace Corps stints

By Jasmine Stein Mass Communication, Sophomore

It was an experience Elizabeth Munz never imagined having but will never forget. She was standing in a dugout canoe on a river in Suriname, South America, spear in hand, attempting to catch fish as part of an ancient ritual called "ponso."
She and husband Joshua Munz had been invited by the villagers of Godo-olo to participate. The night before the ritual, villagers head upriver and string hammocks along the side of the river. In the morning, men beat vines called "neko" with wooden clubs. Beating the vines allows a narcotic juice to seep into the river. The neko intoxicates the fish and makes them come to the surface, making them easier to spear.
"There were tons of canoes darting around with people standing on the edges of them spearing the fish. We caught a ton of fish that day and it was the best fish I have ever tasted," she said. "The ritual was unlike anything I had ever seen, and it is an unforgettable memory."
Munz is one of three current graduate students in the Department of Communication who joined the Peace Corps preceding their graduate studies to experience another culture and to help find their purpose in life.
Jessica Trimble, right, with a Nicaraguan family
Munz, Ph.D. student, and Jessica Trimble, M.A. student, both regretted not taking advantage of study abroad opportunities during their undergraduate studies, so they decided to experience a new culture by joining the Peace Corps. Joshua Frye, Ph.D. student, was a second generation Peace Corps volunteer.
"My parents served in the Peace Corps in the late sixties a few years after President Kennedy inaugurated the program," he said. "Over the years, meeting my parents' old Peace Corps friends, seeing slides, photos and hearing stories stuck with me, and I wanted to carry on the legacy."
Munz, who served from 2002-2004, taught English to adults, helped with small business endeavors, drinking water initiatives, and facilitated a seminar on caring for the elderly. Trimble, who served her time in Dipilto Nuevo, Nicaragua, in 2002-2003, taught basic health classes at the elementary school, gave health education talks, created health activities for pre-schoolers, and taught a health class to expectant and breast-feeding mothers. Frye served his time from 1997 to 1999 in San Rafael, Lempira, in the mountains of western Honduras. He was a sustainable agriculture extensionist, teaching residents soil conservation; organic soil improvement, such as composting and mulching; and integrated pest management.
All three encountered people who not only humbled them and changed their lives forever, but who enlightened them with their rich history.
The 1,500 villagers in Godo-olo are called Maroons and are descendants of African slaves, said Munz.
"During the plantation era in Suriname when it was a Dutch colony, several slaves escaped into the jungle. The people we stayed with were the descendants of those escaped slaves," said Munz.
All three received monthslong training prior to their assignments. Still, the Peace Corps tested their communication skills as they were faced with learning new languages and tackling other difficulties that come with being so immersed in a foreign language and culture. It also was hard being out of contact with family and friends for up to six weeks at a time, or adjusting to life without conveniences taken for granted in the United States.
"I remember writing home and telling my parents we laughed in the face of labels boasting 'refrigerate after opening.' We ate well but had to do without milk or cheese or yogurt," said Munz. The couple caught rain water off their zinc roof into a durotank and used a filter given to them by the Peace Corps.
Joshua Munz built a shower out of bamboo and "although it was cold, that was a nice luxury and was something other volunteers tried to adopt if possible. The other option was a bucket bath," said Munz. And the latrine "was not a hardship but is something I don't miss," she said.
The thatched "porch" was an addition by Josh Munz
Trimble said she was constantly amazed at how the villagers improvised.
"It changes your perspective on the world and forces you to think differently. It humbles you when you realize what you do not know and how much others can teach you," said Trimble.
Frye was so touched by his experience that he wanted to leave a gift for the farmers he said "had taken a risk to trust and work with me." He applied for a grant and secured funds for the construction of eight, 2,000-pound capacity metal silos to preserve grain in.
"Then, as my going away party, I invited eight of the most ambitious and accomplished farmer-leaders to my house. We had a training session and then I gave them the silos," Frye said. "They were so ecstatic. We then had a big feast which involved chasing and killing some village chickens, building a corncob fire, deplucking, deboning and cooking."
His experience also spurred his interest in studying social movement persuasion and leadership from the communication perspective.
Munz said while her transition back into her studies has been challenging, she believes she is much more prepared for it after her Peace Corp experience.
"I feel like I have useful real life examples to apply to theories and research projects," she said.