Students learn ways to preserve culture
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Juan Araujo discussed the importance of passing culture and heritage to future generations during a session in the SE Library Oct. 23.
The University of North Texas at Dallas professor talked about different ways of passing one’s culture and heritage to generations to come. This includes anything from prose, poetry, lyrics or essays.
“Our culture is our future,” he said.
Every culture is different, not only in how it expresses its heritage but also how it passes that heritage along, Araujo said. Some pass it on through carvings in stone or wood while others through poetry and music. For example, much of the Hispanic culture and heritage is derived from music and dancing, he said. The Hawaiians also pass their culture in a unique way — carving small to large statues called tikis. The tikis represented important authorities, guardians and spiritual powers within the culture.
Students should take the initiative to pass on their culture and heritage by writing essays, poetry or anything else, Araujo said. As the family tree grows and expands, these expressed forms of culture will be passed along those branches.
“A generation that knows their culture and heritage is one that will succeed as that is what makes people who they are,” he said.
Culture is one of the building blocks of mankind, and it is one that should keep building through the various forms of expression people have now, Araujo said. Students do not have to use written means of expression. Araujo said it could be anything from keeping a blog online to writing a book.
— Shu Patel
Stress management keys to be discussed
To assist people in understanding the impacts of stress, the NE advising and counseling center will present Dealing with Student Stress Nov. 7 on NE Campus.
Marjeanna Burge, a NE academic advisor, will explain the physical and mental effects of stress.
“I want the attendees to hear the techniques for dealing with stress and seriously consider using them when they get to a point of being overwhelmed, which we all do at times,” she said.
As a former student balancing the pursuit of her master’s degree and working part time, Burge has empathy with others who have much on their plates.
“I remember the feelings of being overwhelmed with reading assignments, writing assignments and comprehensive tests on the horizon,” she said.
The presentation allows students, faculty and staff to learn not just the impacts of stress but also methods and techniques to defeat stress.
The presentation will be 2:30-3:30 p.m. in College Hall (NCAB 1111). Snacks and refreshments will be provided.
Students can register at http://tccdne.volunteerhub.com or call 817-515-6811 for more information.
— Jonathan Kahan
South’s discussion to honor veterans
South Campus students and community members will get a behind-the-scenes description next month of an upcoming opera during Glory Denied: Coming Home from Modern Conflict, a Post-War Life Conversation.
Glory Denied tells the story of Col. Floyd James “Jim” Thompson’s experience in a number of North Vietnamese prisons as he was held for nearly nine years as a prisoner of war. Best-selling author and military journalist Tom Philpott wrote the book of Thompson’s ordeal.
Glory Denied is not only a book but an opera by Tom Cipullo that will debut during the Fort Worth Opera Festival this spring.
In recognition of Veterans Day, South Campus, KERA and the Fort Worth Opera will present an evening of conversation and testimonials. The segment will compare and touch on the challenges of today’s veterans and those who served in the Vietnam War. The participants will discuss the way homecoming experiences have changed since Vietnam, creative outlets for those impacted by war and the stories of their journeys.
KERA’s Jerome Weeks will lead the discussion with Philpott, Cipullo and South psychology professor and veteran Charles Overstreet — each affected by war.
This free event will take place 7:30-9 p.m. Nov. 5 in SRTA 1102 on South Campus. To reserve a seat for the presentation, go to fwopera.org.
— Jasmine Fagan
SE volleyball games open for registration
SE Campus will host a volleyball intramural tournament Nov. 9 1-5 p.m. in the gym [ESEB 1210]. Student teams of four will compete against each other for first- and second-place prizes, and all participants will receive a T-shirt.
Students must attend a captain/free agent meeting in ESEC 1511 at 1 p.m. Nov. 2 to register, choose team captains or receive team placement for students who sign up individually.
No previous volleyball experience is required, and all SE students are encouraged to participate.
For more information, call intramural director Shahzad Nazir at 817-515-3170.
— Elaine Bonilla
SE veteran shares military bright spots
SE Campus students heard about the lighter side of military life Oct. 24 in the first of two Untold Stories presentations given by armed service veterans.
Larenzo Maxwell, a student who is still in the military, shared his experiences of six years in the Army, some of it spent in Iraq, but hurt and despair weren’t part of what he had to say.
After graduating from high school in El Paso in 2001, Maxwell worked as a security guard at an apartment complex and a registrar’s aide at El Paso Community College before deciding that joining the military was the best way to pay for college and other things.
“I was unemployed for a couple months, and I was like, ‘Man, I need to get back to school,’” he said.
Maxwell then went to a recruiting station where the recruiter told him the Army had the money.
“Well, you got me,” he responded.
Maxwell’s first experience was basic training at Fort Jackson in South Carolina. He described the “fun” he had with the drill sergeants.
“Drill sergeants are always bananas,” he said. “I remember when I made my bed up for inspection, and the drill sergeant jumped on my bed.”
There were things to laugh about even in Iraq. Maxwell remembered the night his base came under mortar attack and one of the men from his unit ran out of the showers unclothed.
On a serious note, Maxwell pointed out a benefit of military service.
“The military can help you accomplish what you need to accomplish a lot of your goals … if you have any.”
The next Untold Stories presentation will be Nov. 9.
— Anderson Colemon
Speech to encourage empathetic listening
A NE instructor will tell students to hear with their hearts during the Women in New Roles network meeting Nov. 10.
Janine Lund, NE WINR instructor, will present Listening with Your Heart; Speaking Up for Yourself.
“I will be covering what it takes to listen to your heart sympathetically and carefully. I want women to listen to what people are saying rather than how they are saying it,” she said. “I want them to be assertive rather than being aggressive. Learn how to balance the two. Be assertive, but don’t let people walk all over you.”
The WINR network meets periodically during fall and spring semesters 12:30-2 p.m. Saturdays, discussing numerous topics to help, encourage and motivate women with their personal and educational aspirations, Lund said.
“I hope that the audience will recognize that we need to listen to people we love,” she said. “We need to pay more attention, and that is the greatest gift. Also learn how to speak up for yourself, ask for sympathetic listening.”
Students or nonstudents are encouraged to attend and listen to this presentation at the Ol’ South Pancake House at 1509 S. University Drive (near Interstate 30) in Fort Worth.
“I find it to be tremendously important that people come out to hear this presentation,” Lund said. “Satisfying relationships is crucial. You need to know when to listen and when to speak up. I want women to be able to practice listening and relationship skills.”
— Javine Toms
