School shootings always a tragedy

The school shooting that occurred at the University of Central Arkansas this week didn't receive the same amount of press that previous situations have warranted. As a matter of fact, I wouldn't have known about it if someone hadn't casually mentioned it in my Monday lab. Since then, I haven't heard another word about it.

Why is that? Is it because fewer people were wounded? Or are we just becoming desensitized to the magnitude of violence that occurs on college campuses? I'd hate to think that was the reason.

Leave a post and let me know your thoughts.

'World Class' provides entertaining weekend

No blog about Marietta College would be complete without a post about Homecoming. Amidst the myriad of events including a 5K run, a football game and a luncheon enhanced by the musical stylings of MC's most talented, it seemed that many most enjoyed the social aspect of the weekend. After all, that's what Homecoming is really about--taking the opportunity to reconnect with friends, faculty and the people at Marietta that feel like family.

While for me, Homecoming really translates to running-around-the-mall-in-a-choir-dress-so-as-not-to-be-late-for-yet-another-singing-committment, I still managed to enjoy myself. I'm curious to know what your favorite part was. Because, personally, I really liked the croon. (There's something about singing that gets me.)

College requires blogging

Most summer reading assignments follow the same pattern: Read the book, write the essay and do the best you can to never think about the topic again. Wouldn't it be fun to switch it up a bit? Dartmouth University certainly thinks so.

According to an Oct. 20 article in The Herald News, Dartmouth took the doldrums out of required reading by having incoming students blog about their reactions to the novel. And tomorrow, the author of their summer reading book will be speaking at the school.

I feel having students blog about books would be a great way to encourage them to create relationships with their fellow classmates before arriving on campus. It also would get them thinking about the topic of the novel in a more unique, personal way.

If you have any thoughts about college blogging, please leave a comment.

Sandella's gives way to subs

Eating on campus may never be the same again. While it could be argued that college dining is never the most appetizing choice, as of today, it got a little worse. Izzy's has undergone a monumental change.

Now, instead of serving nice, warm paninis and wraps, Izzy's will be offering sub sandwiches. Which is kind of exactly like Upper Gilman. Which kind of sucks. Sandella's has left the building.

The college Web site doesn't have anything to say about this upset, but students certainly do. Please feel free to leave your thoughts below, and enjoy your cold sandwich.

Locks of Love event tonight

This evening, five sophomores from the leadership program (including myself!) are holding a Locks of Love hair drive at the Gathering Place from 7 p.m. to midnight in honor of Make a Difference Day. This day celebrates a national weekend of service. Citizens are encouraged to complete a project or volunteer in their communities.

The event tonight will feature approximately 15 people cutting off six or more inches or hair. This hair will be give to Locks of Love, an organization that uses the donations to create wigs for children who are suffering from cancer.

Tonight, will also be a raffle, pool and darts tournament, open mic night and free food for both the donors and those who wish to stop by and support them.

You have an opportunity to make a difference every day. I encourage you to find a way to change your community for the better this weekend. Please feel free to post your experiences and share them with the rest of us!

Joe Biden in Marietta

Last night, a democratic rally was held outside the armory on Front Street featuring Joe Biden as a guest speaker. The vice president hopeful expressed his desire to make "the American Dream" attainable for all American people, stating that he and Barack Obama will lower taxes for 95 percent of the country if elected. Biden also said that he and Obama will implement a community service plan to make college more affordable for students. Perhaps the most surprising of Biden's promises was his pledge to bring the Delta Queen back to Marietta, which elicited a rousing audience response.

If you missed the rally, you can check out an article about event at WTAP.com

Library lowdown

It's come to my attention that a few Marietta students aren't so happy about the library construction. For starters, the campus is loud. It's difficult to trek from McKinney to Hermann without pausing for a roaring dump truck.

Also, the campus smells. While we students can appreciate the fact that the library will one day be nicely landscaped, whatever it is they're using to grow grass just smells like poop. That's kind of a shame, seeing as we recently had a batch of prospective Marietta students touring the school.

The final (and perhaps most trivial) complaint I've heard is that the bricks being laid for the library that connect with the mall don't match. They're too red.

I tried to look up information about library progress on the Web site, but it's nowhere to be found. Feel free to post your library knowledge and complaints.

Debate between Palin, 'Obiden'

There is something about Sarah Palin that fascinates me, and I can't put my finger on what it is. While I personally felt that Senator Joe Biden won the debate last week, I couldn't help but watch Palin instead. Perhaps it was her use of phrases such as "Joe six-pack" or her continual references to soccer moms that drew me in. Maybe it was the way her hair never moved, or the fact that she looked directly at the camera while delivering most of her reubutals.

If you missed the debate, you can access it on youtube. I'm curious to hear what you think. Because, while impeccable delivery isn't everything, it certainly is an important skill for a president to possess; don't you agree?

Mischief in Marietta

Today in my 9 a.m. class, 15 cell phones buzzed simultaneously with a warning from the college that a thief was on the loose and could potentially be roaming campus. We were directed to the college Web site for more information. Upon investigation, our class found that we should be on the lookout for a 5-foot-6-inch African American male weighing 192 pounds.

I'm curious to hear what the rest of you heard about this situation. Various news sites were reporting the incident differently. Our school's Web site says that the man was apprehended in a local Kmart. To get the basis of the story, check out the article in the Marietta Times.