President's Day is Excuse For Three Day Weekend

Photo Courtesy Great Mall of the Great Plains

      On every third Monday in February, the United States celebrates President's Day, though many people are confused about what they are actually celebrating. Most people are just happy to have a day off work or out of school, but do they actually know why? There are many common misconceptions about President's Day. Some people believe that it is George Washington's birthday, while others believe that it is a combination of George Washington's and Abraham Lincoln's birthdays. Abraham Lincoln's actual birthday is February 12th, while George Washington's actual birthday is February 22nd. What most people don't know is that it is actually impossible for either George Washington's birthday or Abraham Lincoln's birthday to fall on the third Monday of February. Because of the leap year and how short the month of February is, the latest date that President's Day can occur is February 21st. Stephanie Miller, a local Avila University student, said that she assumed that President's Day was just a celebration of all of the Presidents. Clearly, there is confusion about what the day is actually about and why it was decided to be the third Monday of February.



 

Luke Staudacher, local college student.

     In 1968, a bill was passed called the Uniform Monday Holiday Act that moved the celebration of Washington's birthday to the third Monday of February in order to create more three-day weekends for federal employees. Even more interesting is the fact that the legislation does not actually mention Abraham Lincoln or President's Day at all. The holiday that occurs on the third monday in February is actually legally called "Washington's Birthday". Our modern day President's Day is really just a jumbled mess of confusion perpetuated by department store sales and elementary school teachers who tell their students that it's a celebration of all presidents. The real question is whether or not it is okay to misrepresent history in order to gain three day weekends? Theresa LaRose, an analyst at Ericsson, said that "if we are changing history for our own benefit, it loses it's meaning." While some, like Theresa, feel that it is entirely unethical, others seem to be more apathetic. Luke Staudacher, a local college student, feels that while it is unethical, it doesn't really both him that much. For video from our interview, see below.

Tips for Transfers

Being a transfer student can sometimes be a difficult experience. It takes time to adjust to a new school and to meet new people. Avila University is very transfer-friendly and has the school spirit of a larger institution. However, like most schools, it can be hard to get involved in the school’s community when you haven’t been there from the beginning. Here are a few tips to help a transfer student get involved in Avila’s community:

1. Live on campus! If saving money isn’t a huge priority, then living on campus is a great way to get involved without having to do much of anything. It will automatically place the student in a situation where they meet new people, and put them within close proximity to any activities that may be occurring on campus.

Two of Avila University’s three residence halls: Ridgway Hall and Jeanne Collins Thompson Hall. Thompson Hall is Avila’s newest residence, with dorm rooms that are very similar to apartment living. There are four persons per suite and each person gets their own bedroom. Not pictured: Carondelet Hall.

2. Join intramurals! Students don’t have to be the greatest athlete in the world to join some of the intramural sports and clubs. Avila University offers a wide range of intramural sports and activities, from soccer to golf. It’s a good way to stay active, meet new people, and share school spirit.

3. Join a club/organization! Avila currently has almost 50 student clubs and organizations that are available for students to join, and the number is growing year after year. Some clubs require a certain academic standing to join while others do not. There is a large variety of clubs and organizations, and no matter what interests the student has, they are sure to find one that fits their interests. Student organizations are a good way to meet new people, to network, and to express yourself. If you can’t find one you like, start your own!



 One of the many colorful bulletin boards on the Avila University campus. On these bulletin boards you can find information about club meetings, sporting events, and organizations looking for new members. It’s a good way to see some of the things occurring on campus.



Students are Top Priority for President

Photo by Frank Thorp

     In this year’s State of the Union address, President Barack Obama not only listed to the American people his plans for our nation’s future, but also thoroughly explained his ideas in a way that most people could understand. This made his speech very powerful and influential to those who watched it, and most importantly, it brought hope. Maybe there actually is a light at the end of this dark tunnel of economic depression.

     Students, college level and even younger, seemed to be one of Obama’s top priorities. Not only was it proposed that high school students be required by law to go to school until they turn 18, but there were also a lot of issues brought up for college students as well. Avila students will be happy to know that he wants to double the amount of work-study positions available to college students over the next five years. Obama sees the importance of being able to work hard for your money while also being able to focus on your education, because in the end, getting an education will not only better yourself, but better our society as well.

     Not only is Obama trying to ease the worries of the current college student, but he is also trying to open up options for the college graduate. He wants to offer tax breaks to companies that create new jobs or bring jobs back to American soil. This could help open up a job market to the mass amounts of people looking for work, including Avila University graduates. Barack Obama’s plans may take time to implement, and as Avila students, we can only hope that he doesn’t meet too much opposition.

Creativity is Universal

     On Thursday, February 9th, Avila University hosted a Creative Symposium where students could come and learn about the creativity of others as well as learn about the creativity they have within themselves. The moderator was Steven Fischer, who has been nominated twice before for Emmys for writing and producing. The panel was comprised of 6 local Avila artists, all speaking on their lives as they became the artists they are today. The purpose was the give advice to the students in the audience, which ranged from theater majors to Avila athletes.

     There were two portions to the Creative Symposium, which lasted from 10am to 5 pm, with a short lunch break in between. The first half to the symposium included the panel answering questions posed to them by the moderator as well as answering questions from students in the audience. One student asked, “How do you allow your creativity to flow while also dealing with deadlines?” Amy Mendenhall, an Editorial/Art Director at Hallmark, responded quickly, “You can’t do it all… and sometimes you just have to tell the perfectionist in you to shut up.” Many people have probably felt the same was as Amy has, especially college students who frequently have to deal with deadlines in their classes, regardless of what their major.

     The second half of the Creative Symposium included students actually working together on these long stretches of paper to create artwork that had a little piece of everyone. It’s fascinating to see that so many different types of students were drawn to the symposium. Creativity is universal, and each student, no matter what their major or preferences, creates art. A football player creates art on the field. A student majoring in English creates art in their papers and stories. As panelist Stanley E. Banks said, it’s all about “putting pain and passion on paper”, or whatever your medium is.

Avila University students getting to know some of the panelists.