September 2014
USD’s language programs look to attract more students through ‘renewed focus’
As the world gets seemingly smaller through the ease of global communication, several changes in the languages department at the University of South Dakota this year aim to broaden students’ horizons past those of the rural Midwest. What was once known as the Department of Languages, Linguistics and Philosophy has been renamed to the Department of Modern […]
Modern languages department restructured for the better
If you would have asked me what I thought about the Modern Languages and Linguistics Department at the University of South Dakota last year, you would hear of the consistent frustration I endured. Frustrated my voice was not being heard, in course evaluations or my verbal complaints, my two years in the program were a […]
USD graduate becomes one of City Council’s youngest members
Local government is seeing a bit of youthful ambition with the summer election of a recent University of South Dakota graduate. Parker Erickson, 23, graduated from USD in May with a bachelor’s degree in sports management. Four months later, he is one of the youngest council members in Vermillion’s history. Erickson grew up in the […]
Mick Jenkins’ “The Water” is a great 57 minutes
Alabama-born, Chicago-based rapper Mick Jenkins’ self-released album, The Water[s], is a great, 57-minute piece of music. Like many other Chicago rappers, Jenkins writes more for the poetry aspect of music rather than trying to strike big with lyrics that don’t make any sense. With a flow similar to that of Kendrick Lamar and a bass […]
Tom Petty’s latest album resembles classic style
Tom Petty is still the same Tom Petty he was 30 years ago — a laid-back blues guitarist who plays without a worry in the world. Except now it seems Petty needs a little more push to get his iconic voice out of his throat, since he is not writing hit songs like “Mary Jane’s Last […]
Cooking without class: Vegan pizza makes for a perfect Friday night
When I was growing up, Friday night was pizza night. Between my two brothers and me, our palate was limited. As my age has matured so has my palate. My younger self would say, “Vegetables on pizza? Ew.” In my teenage years I said, “I will take the chicken Alfredo pizza, good sir.” I never thought my pizza choice […]
The art in film history: Charlie Chaplin perfected comedy
Picture your favorite comedy movie. You got it? Is it funny because of the jokes or the actions of the characters? Now imagine watching that same movie on mute, the entire duration of the movie. Would it still be funny? In 1925, movies were silent without dialogue and sound effects, though not two years later this […]
USD claims ‘signature win’ over ranked Northern Arizona
The University of South Dakota Coyotes football team got a big win heading into their bye week. In what’s likely head coach Joe Glenn’s biggest win in the DakotaDome to date, the Coyotes knocked off the no. 23 ranked Northern Arizona Lumberjacks 28-21. “I think this was a signature win – one of those that […]
Failures allow oneself to grow as a person
College is one place you don’t want to mess around, but at the same time we should not be afraid to fail. Author Jarod Kintz once said, “College has given me the confidence I need to fail.” This quote should not only embody each of us, but also should empower us. Maybe it’s just me, but […]
Stress and eating: a match made in college
I used to think I handled stress well. This was mainly because I haven’t outright clobbered anyone or broken down screaming about whether Andrew Garfield or Tobey Maguire was a better Spiderman (yet). My strategy tends to be, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going to the vending machine.” It occurs to me […]