I wonder how many people read the OWU magazine.

I decided to write about the OWU magazine for this entry because the magazine arrived at my house and I thought I would like to share my thoughts on it. The theme of the magazine for the Winter edition is "The Faces of Leadership." Throughout the entire magazine, there are examples of leadership from students, faculty, and alumni alike. They are the innovators and the people who I see often on campus and have input in how OWU is being run or how they motivate other people in their skills whether that is verbally or physically. I think everyone who comes to OWU came to the campus because of one main thing: the opportunity to develop one's self into something bigger and better. Eventually, these people who graduate from OWU realize that it is important to give back to the college campus that have granted them so much in experience and development in all assets of their lives. I knew that alumni were the foundation for a lot of things to happen on the OWU campus but this Winter edition (as well as the Fall edition which showcase the generosity of giving by OWU alumni) shows current students, prospective students, parents, faculty, and the administration that the work and the commitment of creating a better life at OWU.
On the cover page, you see pictured Evan Corns and Patricia Belt Conrades. Most may recognize Patsy Conrades as one of the donors (along with her husband) to the Science Center. Many of you may have heard the name Evan Corns because of the contribution he gave to OWU in October. I do not personally know the two but their names are synonymous with helping OWU thrive. I read the article in the magazine and I was enlightened about the direction that is taken towards the comprehensive campaign by the two. I will not get into my innermost feelings about the campaign as I know students are concerned since they are the ones that will be here at OWU when the first moves are made from the campaign. I know have a couple of questions- just out of curiosity for myself.

• For me, it is obvious that the pair care for OWU and its future with their past endeavors. I think a growing question particularly with students in their junior and sophomore is is that "Will we be able to see the products and the results of where the money is going?" When I leave OWU in 2010, I want to be able to see something rather than an empty promise. I think this is reasonable for me to say.
  
• I know that fundraising and mini campaigns are on the horizon. As a representative of the people at OWU by way of an at-large member on WCSA and initiative such as the President's Council on Racial and Cultural Diversity, I want to know ideas in which I can tell my constituents without leaving them empty-handed or wanting more than I can tell them at the moment. There are people that want to see change now, even though I know that most changes are not instantaneous.

Everything that was mentioned in the magazine seemed promising and actions in the past have become made into a reality in the past even though students may not always see it firsthand. I know that with the people at the realm of the campaign that OWU should be able to benefit more. Hopefully, the OWU magazine was read by many people and they will form their own thoughts about the campaign.

I read the article about Jesse Jean. Before I read the article, I thought about my run-in with Jesse. Many people know Jesse as the star basketball player who is a leader on the court. Off the court, Jesse is a really cool guy. However, I did not know his background until now. When I read the article, the article opened up another side of him- one that is aware of the world around him because of his experiences. Honestly, I had no idea and unless a person opens up about their past, I do not ask them about it since we are living in the present and not focusing on the past. I do not think it is my place to do that. Learning about this other side of Jesse was eye-opening because most of the time, I only think about the side a person portrays at OWU, not what led to pursue OWU. Seeing why Jesse is so passionate about Sociology-Anthropology, I think why he is the way he is on the basketball court and in academia. I am happy that is here at OWU pursuing his dreams and growing along the way.
On a more general, it is always interesting to see OWU students featured in the magazine. This shows that the magazine is not just geared toward alumni or parents, but for anyone. If I was a parent looking at the magazine on a visit to OWU, I would look for the featured student because this would give the sense that the school cares for its students and that the featured student might even be relatable to the prospective student in their experience before OWU, major, or other attributes. Unknowingly perhaps, the magazines can serve as a recruitment tool for students looking for a school like Ohio Wesleyan over a bigger school like Ohio State.
Homecoming 2007 was featured for the Winter Edition. I think that if the OWU magazine would have known all of the events for Homecoming, then the events may take up another magazine. That is how extensive the events were for this year. I am impressed in the fact that the featured Homecoming was not catered to Alumni but to everyone. I know that it was not possible for the cameraman to be everywhere and if he/she was, it would not be possible to take all of the pictures and fit them into this magazine. They did mention practically all of the events that happened so I think that is important not to make any group that participated in Homecoming unimportant. I already told you about my experiences with Homecoming so I will go on.
I did not realize this but a lot of the coaching staff here at OWU are alumni themselves. This is testimony to a strong and supportive alumni base. Telling by the success of Alumni Weekend, I knew that Homecoming would be the same. Having the coaches as alumni is something I can only see as advantageous to students. The passion is here and the experience is there. This passion and experience can and will led to wins and eventually championships. These coaches have been here and done that; they are willing and able to share their experiences almost as a sacrifice to make sure that the players will not make the same mistakes. I do not play any sports but if I had a coach that was an alumni of OWU, I would not be as nervous if I was with a coach who did not attend OWU. I would think that the connection is not as tight as it would be with a coach who graduated and played that sport.
I like reading the OWU magazine. There are so many people featured in the magazine whose stories may or may not be known to the OWU general population. You may read about an alumni who has gotten married recently that you did not know about. You may also read about get-togethers in the past or in the near future that parents or students may want to attend. The amount of information in the magazine is a lot to digest but good to read about. I hope that students take the time to read it during the Break and students thinking about joining the OWU community and their parents will be able to get their hands on a copy especially if you are visiting the school. Reading the magazine just may change your opinion and even your life.




Writing for knowledge and awareness,
Hasani Wheat
Class of '10