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(10/12/09 10:00pm)
Do you know anyone who is a supporting fan of Kean Dance Theater (KDT) or artistic, skillful dance in general? If so, then mark October 18, 2009 on your calendar to join the energy of KDT in their fourth participation at the "Arts in the Gardens" venue held at Jersey Gardens Mall. The venue is an amalgam of instrumental performances, vocals, and dance performances. The three day annual celebration, running from October 16 to 18, will be especially distinctive as this will be the tenth anniversary of the mall, and KDT plans to bring their "A-game" for the special occasion. The dances that will be preformed are the continuously worked product of extensive training, practice, and strive for perfect execution. Having demonstrated the upcoming performance at last April's "Visceral Impact Show" in Wilkins Theater, KDT is ready to take stage with other local talent that the center court of the mall will be host to. The dances are mostly student choreographed. One dance piece will be the contribution of Dr. Luis Martinez, the artistic director of KDT. Dance style will vary culture influence and consist of mostly modern and jazz pieces, with the inclusion of a hip-hop dance amongst the whole.
The newest president of KDT, Jahir Calderon, a junior majoring in finance, will be showcasing two original dances in the performance and be returning for his third year participation in the "Arts in the Gardens" venue. "I'm pretty excited to show how much we as a group have improved," says Calderon. "A lot of the dancers from last year's performance are returning; this will give us the chance to show where we are at with our technique."
Since the performance will take place in front of a massive audience, all of which are expecting to be awed by what the venue has to offer, it is no wonder that third year veteran, Christopher Saurez, is still nervous about the performance. Saurez, a junior physical education major has been with KDT since their first performance at the venue and says despite his "butterflies", when it comes to execution, "it's time to man up and perform."
The performance at "Arts in Gardens" will be just one of many huge performances KDT will put on for this coming semester. On the October 23, KDT will have to tackle their performance at Kean's prep-rally which goes from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m at the alumni stadium and then follow it up with a stellar encore at Homecoming on the October 24.
The performance time for KDT's "Arts in the Gardens" participation will be at 12 p.m. on the last day of the venue. It is advised to get a spot early for the performance as the crowds are sure to gather to see the incredible Kean talent. For those unfamiliar with the Jersey Gardens Mall, the outlet is located on Kapkowski Road in Elizabeth, NJ at exit 13A off the NJ Turnpike. Of all days to make a first time visit, this one would be ideal and beyond memorable.
(10/05/09 10:00pm)
Lines swiftly extended and the masses of students huddled around the University Center Little Theatre doors long before Kean University's 2009 Talent Show got underway. At 8 p.m. on September 30, students with a broad spectrum of talent and culture took the stage and delivered a night to remember. The night kicked off with an acoustic guitar and vocal performance from first semester freshman, Mike Schwartz, with his rendition of Kanye West's Heartless. The charismatic performance impressed the crowd and even had host, Dayna Smith, saying, "Wow, didn't even know that song could be played on acoustic." Smith was one of three spirited hosts for the night. The others were J.R. Sahou. and Candice Corbett, .As the night continued, students watched acts of gospel a cappella, head-to-head rapping, harmonica beatboxing, impromptu rhymes, and captivating poetry. The crowd roared with each performance. Fourteen performances entertained the two hour event with a crowd dance contest serving as the intermission. Four female students transitioned from audience to act almost instantly when the DJ announced $40 would be awarded to the best dancer on stage. After four close rounds, accounting major, Eugenia Fowler knocked out the competition in a fifth and final round demonstrating she could do "the jerk" better than the rest. Fowler's confidence grabbed her an earlier lead in a crowd favorite, but it was that final round that sealed the deal and landed her the cash prize.
Some performers got to showcase a multitude of talents in their single performance. "EZ BoyZ", Alker-Kelly Antoine, a sophomore psychology major, and Pekens Antoine, a freshman biology major, sung a duet a cappella mesh of two of their own written songs I Give All I Have and How Come? Alker-Kelly noted, "We Just came out to have fun. You know, show some school spirit."
Joining them in showcasing the singer/songwriter talent was Mariam Abouhait, a freshman English major, who belted out her song Baby Boo. Kean Radio veteran, Lamar Green, who was introduced by his handle "Redikalis" held his stage with lyrical demand as he bust out rhymes that keep the audience on the edge of their seat.
Even the Kean women's basketball team came out to perform. The two athletes busted out dance moves, combining beatboxing with a cappella, and wrapped up things with homage to The Lion King's Mighty Jungle. One audience member shouted through the cheers proceeding their ending, "Ohhhh, they brought it back to Disney!"
The night's energy started high, and ended on a higher note. The night served as an open forum for talent, not as a competition. If there was a winner of the night, it would be the Kean student body for having such a night available to them. For students who missed the chance to join in this celebration of talent, keep an eye out for other University talent.
(10/05/09 10:00pm)
In celebration of the vast talent that the fine arts adjuncts here at Kean has to offer, the James Howe Art Gallery opened its doors to an exhibition filled with decades of experience and a multitude of diverse perspectives. The Fine Arts Adjunct Facility Exhibition features 30 adjuncts from different backgrounds, each displaying an original piece to demonstrate their style and talents. More than just an in-depth look into these professors' talents, this gallery serves as a bridge between instructor and student body, allowing the campus to see first hand what the mentor has to offer including aspects of art they may bring to the classroom. Some professors seized the moment and served as a direct link to that bridge. "I attended the opening and I had my 2 D Design students join me. The faculty exhibition is an important learning experience for students," says Professor Mona Brody who showcased her piece, Deconstructed Purple - an encaustic combined with oil and charcoal.
The collection is an assembly of different and mixed mediums ranging from the classic oil on canvas, to the unconventional, yet unique combination of polystyrene, fiberglass, ink, brass, and beeswax. That specific combination is in the piece entitled Pelele, by Professor Joan-Marie Permison.
"I work with a variety of materials and like to combine them to create interesting textures and color," Permison says. "Lately, I'm exploring the use of mold making with plastics, acrylics and silicone rubbers."
Some of the other mediums used are acrylic, silk screening, hand colored wood, a combination of fiber glass and metal, digital print, furniture, and even video. While the exhibition does not have a general focus on the theme of the works displayed, they are connected through a celebrated pride and admiration for the adjuncts fine arts adjuncts that grace our university.
With so many of the works stemming from whole collections themselves, it is no wonder some of the professors were quite particular about which one piece could embody their style and vision. When making the choice of which to show, Professor Paul Bonelli said this about his piece A History of Art:
"I debated between a few, but decided on this one because the bold colorful design looks good from a distance and has the kind of complexity and detail that draws viewers in and gives them a lot to look at and interpret."
Special thanks were given directly by many of the thankful adjunct professors involved to Professor Jane Thompson George who did an amazing job in organizing and installing the show. The opening ceremony took place on September 15; the exhibition will run until October 23, 2009. The visiting hours are Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.; and Friday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Some of the artists displaying at the exhibit have included their resumes listing their past showings, both group and solo; previous teaching experience; and artist's statements.
(09/28/09 10:00pm)
As the decision for graduate school draws closer for pensive upperclassmen, look no further than Kean University to continue the path for higher education. The Nathan Weiss Graduate College (NWGC) is the next level of schooling that Kean University has to offer. With 26 master degree options and 45 program options, NWGC proves to be more than a one-note, limited option for Kean undergraduates. From their extensive education degrees to their broad choice of concentrated psychology and business options, Kean's graduate college aims to touch in all disciplines for prospective students.It should come as no surprise that the NWGC serves as one of the most affordable graduate options in the state. Mirroring the convenient tuition cost of Kean University's under-graduate fees, the graduate course beats out the competition by a long shot. The estimated cost of the 2009 - 2010 school year for undergraduates is $14,638. Rutgers University falls between an estimated $22,691 and $22,229, New Brunswick and Newark locations respectively; Montclair University is an estimated $19,811; William Patterson is an estimated $18,610; and New Jersey City University is an estimated $17,692.
Additional funding for Kean University's Nathan Weiss College of Graduate Students is also accessible through scholarships, financial aid, and specific education majors programs. One of those programs incorporated with NWGC is the 2004 established New Jersey Center for Science, Technology and Mathematics Education Program (NJCSTME) that accepts incoming freshman into a 5 year course that takes them from initiation of undergraduate courses to a completed master's degree.
In addition to NWGC's master's degrees and program options, the graduate college also proudly offers two doctoral degrees and two professional diploma programs. The doctoral degrees includes a doctor of psychology (Psy.D) which is a combined program in school and clinical psychology; and a doctor of education (Ed.D) with a concentration in urban education - established by Kean University in response to the acknowledged need of schools in NJ to utilize every tool available within the community. The professional diploma programs include one in marriage and family therapy and one in school psychology. Nathan Weiss's professional diploma for school psychology is also one of only two in the state of New Jersey that is national accredited.
For the students who seek to broaden their horizons internationally on a professional level, Nathan Weiss has just the degree option for that as well. NWGC's M.B.A. in global management offers international experience options with opportunities to study abroad, intern in foreign countries, and participate in international study tours. Because of its promising presence at Kean, the M.B.A. degree is catching the eyes of outside, international accreditation agencies as well. EPAS, a European federation for management development, will be visiting Kean University's graduate college to consider the M.B.A. degree for international accreditation. If that was not exciting enough, Kean University will be the first U.S. University that the agency considers.
The Kean undergraduate should also be aware of the benefits that one may have with the familiarity from same-school retention. It is strategic to kick off graduate school with a university that already has linked networks and sources. Kean University already utilizes their personal student-teacher relationships and small classroom size on an undergraduate level, and that connection only becomes stronger. Joanne H. Morris, M.A., director of academic operations for the NWGC said, "At Nathan Weiss, you are not just a body. We take a personal interest in you as a person."
For interested students looking to advance their undergraduate degrees and seek a graduate college that is right for them, the Nathan Weiss Graduate College at Kean University will be holding an open house on Sunday, October 4, 2009, at 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Registration runs from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. As an added bonus, the graduate application fee for Nathan Weiss will be waved for prospective students whom attend this Fall open house event.
(09/28/09 10:00pm)
If you were told to name the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Greek life, what would you say? Is it brotherhood or sisterhood, merit or value, community or philanthropy? If not, then more than likely one of the unfortunate stereotypes has sewn itself into the face of what being Greek means. Perhaps red cups have become synonymous with the Greek community; and then, according to Zeta Phi Beta president, Claudette Rolling, "people are just getting an external view of the few, detrimental to the whole."Greek life on Kean is far more active than most of the student body may realize. Last year alone, Greeks on campus raised over $11,000 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital - a research hospital dedicated to finding cures and saving the lives of children. This brings Kean's total to an outstanding +$45,000 within a five year span. The bulk of this contribution stems from the Up Til Dawn event held annually on campus. Kean University is also the very first campus in New Jersey to aid St. Jude's Hospital. In this upcoming school year, the goal for continued contribution has been aimed at $15,000, and with $600 already obtained from pure donation alone at the Meet the Greeks event, the outcome seems optimistic.
The Greek life contribution to St. Jude's is a model example of commitment and involvement, but by far is not the end to all the service put forth. For Alex Louis, advisor of Greek life on campus and assistant director of the center for leadership and service, one of the most memorable experiences to be involved in is the holiday party with the children of Summerset Hills. The best aspect of that visit, Louis says smiling, "is the joy on the kid's faces." The Greek life at Kean has been active with this annual visit for thirteen years.
The service is necessary, but also wholly rewarding to the Greek students involved. Scott Smith, president of Gamma Psi Epsilon, recalls the prolific progress made for young women at the Isaiah House - a non-profit agency for families and children facing rough times and homelessness. "It's nice to give back, because I know what these girls are going through," say Smith.
Zeta Phi Beta shares a similar attachment to the past service when they helped to feed the homeless at a Salvation Army in Elizabeth, NJ. For the celebration of past service and the confident succession of such deeds, the center for leadership and service's department of Greek life has changed their motto to the fitting "Caring for our Community - Educate. Impact. Involve."
There is no question that students involved in Greek life are now giving their all to contribute in ways that are admirable; but what support does their foundation have? The answer is strong and promising. This past Meet the Greeks event attracted some fraternities' and sororities' new member interests upwards to 50+. These are leaders of the Kean endeavor to aid a community in the making. If successful with their process, the new members of these organizations will posses the qualities that some Greek leaders say are essential for the future.
RJ Sobocinski, president of Nu Sigma Phi adds this:"Being Greek can have an immense impact on a college student's future. The primary skills you learn as a Greek are teamwork, leadership and communication. These three skills will help you dominate while you are a student; and their benefits will carry over into your post-college life where employers search for applicants whom possess these traits."
Vallerie Miller, President of Rho Theta Tau, agrees that the character of the individual grows through their process of becoming Greek, but also adds the importance of learning to create that unspoken connection. Miller says, "Becoming a sister allowed me to become a part something bigger than myself."
If the past has been any indication of Kean's Greek life capabilities, the future is more than promising. Should the next time you think of Greek life, may something positive come of that initial thought. Perhaps even, you may someday feel inspired to join the contributions. This one's for you Kean Greeks - wear those letters proudly.
(09/14/09 10:00pm)
Can you remember the last time a news headline caught your eye? With the surge of news coming from a vast number of sources, some even to our very fingertips via mobiles, it's no wonder printed headlines are almost alien to some us. Such was not always the case though. Once upon a time, people actually had to wait for the news. Ever wish you could have been there, seen the articles that shocked and awed an America of the past? You can - Kean University Galleries is currently showing an exhibition that travels a history of printed news spanning more than two and a half centuries and celebrating the progression to present day. The Karl and Helen Burger Galley in the Maxine and Jack Lane Center for Academic Success building opened its doors on September 10, 2009, for the opening show of the exhibition Headline News: The Life and Transformation of the Great American Newspaper. On display are articles that cover everything from sports to politics to entertainment, each one front lined with a caption that captivates its reader. An old fashioned journalist's desk is propped up to set the newsroom ambiance. A few feet from a historical article by John Adams hangs the equally historic headline from Obama's inauguration. A large showing of the word "WAR" grabs your attention in another direction. Headline topics vary from controversial to inspirational. The collection is an amalgam of memorable, must-see moments that the nation engulfed itself throughout the many years.
Miguel Scholis, a student at Kean University, says while enjoying the staged newsroom replica, he was probably most impressed with the Man Walks on the Moon article. "Its something I've never seen before."
The news documents are preserved originals from Kean's own Liberty Hall Museum. Only one article from the collection is unoriginal. Kean University and Liberty Hall's own Terry Gollway and Bill Schroe are the exhibit's curators. The exhibit will remain open until October 28, 2009 and can be seen on Mondays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesdays through Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. As a unique feature, an audio tour of the exhibit can also be taken, accessible right through your cell phone.
(09/14/09 10:00pm)
Imagine where you are going to be in four or five years. Do you have a clear image, and if so, are you completely certain of its details? Perhaps you want to pay a visit to the Student Gallery in the Vaughn Eames building. Kean University alumna, Christina Symanski, is living proof of the turns that life can take, and her endeavor has transformed into art that she hopes will inspire. In the summer of 2005, Symanski, a 24 year old elementary art teacher at the time, suffered a diving accident that rendered her permanently paralyzed from the chest down. Despite being a quadriplegic, Symanski was driven by her ambition to inform and express to the world what the life of someone with paralysis is like. Using only her mouth, Symanski uses brush and oil medium to depict her dreams, fears, strength and advocacy.
"They are a message of education," says Stuart Topper, a former professor in the department of design and personal friend to Symanski. "Her work is an extremely personal view into her life, into someone's life who has endured. They are more than paintings, they are statements."
While some of Symanski's works are deeply personal, some are also strong political statements. Veto, a 2008 painting of Symanski's, targets the subject of stem cell research. Her goal for the exhibit is to not only spread awareness of those living with spinal cord injuries (SCI), but to get others involved with funding and finding a cure for them.
Symanski says, "I hope when people see my work that they gain a small understanding of what it's like to live with paralysis. I believe if people are educated about paralysis (spinal cord injuries specifically) they will be more likely to support research for a cure."
For Symanski, having an exhibit at Kean is especially dear to her. She shares her alumna status with much of her immediate family and, despite being a commuter student, she remained quite active on campus. For her, she says, Kean has been like a second home. Symanski adds, "So many people I've met through Kean have been there for me since my accident. I don't think too many people could say that about another University."
This is Symanski's third exhibit since September 2008. Last summer, Symanski participated in a group showing at Arts Unbound, a community gallery in Orange, NJ dedicated to displaying art from the physically and mentally disabled. This will be her second solo exhibit. The exhibit will continue to run until October 1, 2009, and will be open weekdays from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. in the Student Gallery.
When not organizing exhibitions, Symanski is deeply involved with spreading awareness through her cite www.myspace.com/sci_cure. This site includes articles on SCI's and paintings from Symanski's collection. The site serves as a forum for people to obtain information about the cause as well as show support and find ways to get involved. Symanski wished to share this closing thought with the student body: "Every now and then, it's important to take a moment to appreciate all the small things we take for granted. Because in the grand scheme of things, it's the things we take for granted that can have the biggest impact on us once they're gone.