STAFF PROFILE

STAFF PROFILE: DR. SHARON YANG

by Hayley Colange Stefan

Staff hours may be a readily available commodity on campus, but students rarely take the time to get to know who their professors are. Recently I was able to sit down with English Department Associate Professor, Dr. Sharon Yang to discuss her role at Worcester State College, her new book and her life outside of school.

Hayley: What made you want to go into education and become a professor?

Dr. Yang: I really like teaching, sharing ideas with others, seeing what others say. I enjoy reading and writing, too. I read a lot. It’s a job that let me do something that I love.

H: I understand you’ve got a new book.

Y: Yes. Goddesses, Mages and Wise Women: The Female Pastoral Guide in Sixteenth and Seventeenth-Century English Drama.

H: Can you tell us about it?

Y: I still need to make revisions on it. Publication is contingent on making the revisions on it, but it’s quite doable. The book is about this figure, the female guide of the Pastoral world. It focuses on drama and Renaissance literature. No one noticed that she existed. People tend not to notice women in the past; it gets downplayed, not perceived. It expresses a variety of views of women’s agency in Renaissance. They are repressed, crushed by the patriarch. Even though women aren’t equal to men, they have power in family and education. The female pastoral guide is prominent in the theatre, which shows that these views of women were more predominant than expected. Looking at this helps us broaden our views of how women were perceived in sixteenth and early seventeenth century. They couldn’t bring it up if it was something people condemned. To think, write and learn was more respected than was recognized. Women’s texts weren’t available.

H: What do you like to do when you’re outside of school?

Y: Tons of stuff with my husband, who is really great. He’s my best friend. We like to bike, take nature walks, watch old movies, go ballroom dancing, see plays. I like to be active. I love my cats, I like to play and take care of them. I like to read and write fiction, especially murder mysteries. I finished four, none published yet. I’m hoping now that I’ll click with the right agent and publisher I’ll work on my fiction next summer. I sent out a lot of queries over the summer. Dr. Haber [one our the professors in our English department] helped me look over it. The most frustrating part was the query I made to an agent. She told me I needed to get it under 90,000 words, and I carved out 20,000 words. And I got it back to her, but she had gotten out of the business.

H: Well, that’s unfortunate! Hopefully you have better luck over the summer. What class would you like to teach if you could teach anything?

Y: A few because if I taught the same thing all the time I’d be bored. I really enjoy my Film and Literature class. It brings together two of my favorite areas. I love film noir, and I love literature. I especially love to get people in the classes who are not familiar with one or the other.

H: What do you think you are known for around Worcester State College?

Y: What do you think? Maybe my sense of humor is second.

Congratulations, Dr. Yang! We’re all very proud of you.

EDITORIAL

The Grad School Fad

by Hayley Colange Stefan

 

Just when we thought that senior year meant that it was time to relax, the time has come for us to decide what we are going to do after we leave Worcester State College. Graduate school may present the best path for many, especially considering the lack of jobs in our continually plummeting economy. For most of us, it has been four years since we have had to worry about the hassle and stress of choosing a school, building our achievements up and then waiting five agonizing months while being judged meticulously by people whom we have never met.

Here are some helpful tips for getting you through the graduate application process with as minimal hair loss as possible:

 

• · Plan for the future.  Determine what you are most interested in studying, and be sure that you have done research on how this degree will benefit you. Think about what you want to get out of your studies, what states or countries you would like to stay in and how much you can afford. USNews.com offers rankings of the best national programs for various specialties if you are unsure of what you’re looking for.

 

• Scout out schools early.  Get information on the schools in which you are interested. Websites such as PhDs.org has an extensive search capability, which allows you to search for and compare graduate programs based off a variety of categories including tuition costs, job placement at time of graduation and location, among others. Check out university websites and written pamphlets. It may also be a good idea to contact faculty or graduate students of the program you are interested in to answer any question that these do not address.

 

• · Talk to your advisor/professors early. They have been through the process before and can give you insight into how it is done. Most applications require anywhere between 3-5 letters of reference, with at least two educational references. Professors receive many requests, so be sure to ask early on. Your employers, directors at volunteer organizations or church leaders might provide character references as well. These forms sometimes have specific instructions for the applicant, so remember to fill out any necessary information prior to giving the forms to your references. Be sure to thank everyone for their help, and if possible/applicable, provide them with stamped, addressed envelopes to mail out the letters of recommendation. If it is an online application, remember to direct them to the correct site!

 

• · Write your personal statement. This is a crucial part of the application process. Each application may ask specific questions, so be sure to verify what each one is looking for. Highlight any work and volunteer experience that has been developmental towards your future. Include any interests you may have, scholarships you have been awarded and what you plan on doing after you receive your degree. Be sure to have your draft reviewed. It helps to have a professor look it over, as they will have a better idea of what the graduate panel is looking for. Check each program’s requirements to see if they ask for additional writing samples. The Writing Center in room S306 is also available free of charge to help you during the writing process or to revise your completed work.

 

 

• · Standardize-Test your way through the fall. Many graduate schools require results from the Graduate Record Examinations, also known as the GREs. There are two versions of this test: the Subject test and the General test. The Subject tests are offered in the areas of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology; Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Literature in English, Mathematics, Physics and Psychology, and are given by paper three times a year. The General test is available all year on the computer at various testing centers, and examines your ‘verbal reasoning’, ‘quantitative reasoning’ and ‘analytical writing’. Check out the official website at ETS.org for further information and to register for your test dates. Remember to choose which schools you wish to send your scores to at the time of your registration- it costs extra to send additional scores after this point.

 

• · Apply. Get those applications out! The earlier you can get this done the better. Just think, the sooner they are mailed out, the sooner you can forget about this whole process until the spring.

 

Even though the process can be stressful, the US Census Bureau reports that those with Master’s degrees make $61,014.00 on average, compared to the average earnings of $46,277.00 for a person with a Bachelor’s degree. Work hard and try not to let yourself get too discouraged. The quicker you get your applications out, the more time you will have to enjoy your senioritis!

EDITORIAL

Cell Phone Etiquette, or Lack Thereof

by Jenn Robbins

In today’s society, who doesn’t have a cell phone? Whether a person’s cell phone is used for work, personal or emergency reasons, it is impossible to go anywhere without seeing one.  This new use of technology is great for quick communication and organizing schedules; however, with the progression of technology comes the digression of proper manners and common sense.

When cell phones were first introduced people were outraged that face to face conversations were becoming a thing of the past.  We have now advanced to an even more out-of-touch way of communication, texting.

It appears that since the introduction of this communication device, people have forgotten how to act appropriately in public situations.  Often times when sitting in a restaurant I will hear a cell phone, on full volume, ring constantly until someone loudly yells into the phone that they are in a quiet restaurant.  How thoughtful of them to acknowledge the people around them and not carry on a conversation (hint of sarcasm).

I’ve discovered recently that going to dinner with a friend doesn’t mean that you will have their full attention.  You will constantly have to fight to keep your conversation more interesting than the one they are having through text messages.  If you lose this battle, just become wiser by staying home to a microwave dinner rather than paying money to go out and eat. You will be living smarter in a recession and your friend won’t know the difference.

Walking through campus has become an obstacle course over the last few years.  Students are too busy paying attention to their phones to watch where they are walking.  Just last week, I tried to walk up a side stairway in Sullivan Building and found myself at a dead end.  A student had stopped mid-stairway to text.  As I attempted to squeeze by he told me to “wait a minute.”  Once he was finished I was able to continue up to the third floor.  I was utterly shocked that someone had the lack of manners and common sense to not step to the side and allow me to pass.

Not only is this problem occurring around campus, but it is most prevalent in the classrooms.  Most professors require cell phones to be on silent, unless there is an outstanding personal reason.  Students, however, don’t seem to care much about the rules and continue to text anyways.  Texting during class shows the professor that they are not worth your time and that you have more important personal matters to attend to.  People, these professors did not get their degrees for nothing! They are intelligent and interesting people, not to mention you pay to listen to what they have to say!

Unfortunately, it is not only the students who can’t seem to turn down the volume of their phones, but faculty members and guests as well.  In one class a guest speaker was invited to talk about their business and give some pointers to the students.  During the presentation he spent just as much time texting as he did talking.

What is this word coming to? If these are the types of examples that we are being exposed to, then no it is wonder why students don’t know how to act appropriately.  Do we have to require students to take a class on etiquette?  Shouldn’t these things be common sense?

We are forgetting our manners, you know—holding doors, saying “please,” “thank you,” and “excuse me.”

Detaching yourself from your cell phone for an hour or two won’t kill you.  Professors understand that there are emergencies, just be courteous enough to let them know before class.

So please, I beg you, learn your manners so that generations to follow will have positive examples to look up to.  If not, things will only get worse for everyone.

CD REVIEW

CD REVIEW: RAIN MACHINE RAIN MACHINE
by M. R. Brown

One of the most poignant pieces of art and music created recently comes in the form of Rain Machine’s self-titled new release. The anticipated debut is the solo effort by TV On The Radio’s singer/guitarist Kyp Malone. Malone refers to Rain Machine as “a nearly full spectrum of frequencies audible to the human ear, a reflection of a variety of emotions and situations real and imagined – some rhythm some rhyme.”

With music styling’s likened to the range of fellow Anti-Records artist Tom Waits, Rain Machine pulls influences of jazz, modern rock guitars, ambience, folk, tribal drum beats and synth-rock spread throughout each song. The album’s first single “Give Blood” rips across distorted fields of drum infused sounds with guitars longtime TV On The Radio fans have come to expect.

The pacing of the album is as jagged as jazz bop choruses, pacing from melodic wanderings into frantic spasms. Though this may be off-putting to general audiences, Rain Machine is a lyrically driven juggernaut that makes no aims to be found anywhere but left of the dial.

Malone puts his lyrical prowess on display with deeply personal and engaging songs including “Leave the Lights On” and “New Last Name.” The most affectionate of which is “Winter Song” in which Malone passionately proclaims “All is love” with an even more driving repetition and forcefulness than Bob Dylan’s “I Want You.”

One of the most respectable goals for a solo effort by any artist is to separate previous endeavors from new individual ones. Rain Machine sounds very different than a TV On The Radio album and could only slightly be compared to something culled from b-sides and rarities, if comparable at all. For any who appreciate the power of music, Rain Machine is on the “must” list of this year’s new releases.

Rain Machine is available now on Anti-Records.

CAMPUS NEWS

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: ABBY AND AMANDA COSENZA

 by M. R. Brown (Editor in Chief)

      Ryan Durkee (Business Manager)

If you have been walking around campus and feeling like you are having déjà vu when you see a certain girl, don’t think twice, it’s alright. Twins Abby and Amanda Cosenza are seniors here at Worcester State College.

            The Shrewsbury natives are both a part of the WSC lacrosse team and dance company. Both each play starting attack wings in lacrosse while participating in 3 years of dance for the college. Beyond exercising, the sisters are also avid sports fans and manage the football team for Shrewsbury High School. The similarities, though, stop here.

The twins both share a passion for active participation in the community but differ in future aspirations. Amanda, upon graduation, sees herself working for a community outreach program. She enjoys helping others, and she mentioned possibly working with a female outreach program in the future as well. Abby hopes to one day teach at a pre-school or kindergarten and eventually open her own preschool or child center. 

            One of the troubles with playing alongside your twin sister on a sports team is the instant identification as one-in-the-same individual. A nickname of “Abmanda” is the starting point to a few of these issues. Abby likens the type of frustrating misrepresentation to “wanting to be your own person, but I get how it’s hard to tell sometimes.” According to Amanda, among the most angering of questions for the two sisters is, “when someone asks ‘Are you two twins?’ That’s always annoying and it’s pretty obvious.” After many years of confusion and uneven attention from sports teams, Abby and Amanda finally “feel equal” here at WSC.

To help dispel rumor from fact, the two gave surprising insight into twin rumors. In the case of Abby and Amanda, the rumor of a dominant twin is seen by the sister’s acknowledgment that Abby is more outgoing than Amanda. The two also frequently have similar dreams and thoughts. Abby will ask a friend a question and shortly after Amanda will ask the same question without prior knowledge of Abbey’s doing. They were even taken out of their second grade class once because teachers thought they were cheating through some form of telepathy. Arguable as it may be, identical test scores on the SAT exam years later may have those same teachers smiling.

SPORTS

The Boston Sports Guy Column

by Chris Grady (Sports Editor)

It’s been two weeks since we last saw each other and since then a few things have changed for our favorite sports team. The Boston Red Sox have certainly begun to hit their stride heading into October despite being swept by the despised New York Yankees. They hold a 6 game lead over the slumping Texas Rangers for the wild card.

As the Sox headed into New York this past weekend, excitement brewed with hopes of catching the Yankees for top spot in the AL East. After dropping the first game, the excitement of reaching the top of the conference faded. This series was more about getting a feel for the Yanks because there’s a good chance the two could meet up again in a couple weeks to duel for a spot in the World Series.

The series didn’t do much for the Sox psyche against the Yanks but they did see a quality pitching performance by the everlasting question mark, Daisuke Matsuzaka. 

Heading into October, health is the number one priority for all managers, which is why you will see Beckett, Lester, and Buchholz work less innings once their playoff spots are clinched.  These three have dominated opposing batters over the past two months and have shown that they can all be Ace’s. This alone could be the most telling factor for the Sox in their playoff future.

Jason Bay’s bat has shown some serious life along with the rest of the lineup. David Ortiz has begun to reemerge as one of the games deadliest power hitters (steroids be damned). Jacoby Ellsbury is showing that he can in fact be a true leadoff hitter, while Dustin Pedroia continues to set the table behind him. The Sox have shown inconsistencies and weaknesses throughout the year, but in the most important time of the year, they are showing that they are a legitimate World Series contender.

Sit back Boston and watch what will prove to be a very interesting playoff run unfold.

STUDENT POETRY CORNER

MY BACKPACK

 Let me tell you all about my backpack

My backpack is with me wherever I go

I’ve got ingredients for making dough

I’ve got a sewing kit if you need to stitch something up

I’ve got silverware and plates. Does anyone need a cup?

If anyone gets hurt, I’ve got my first aid kit

I’ve got  a folding stool if you need a place to sit

I’ve got my wallet with my lunch money

Is your tea okay? Do you need some honey?

I’ve got fun toys for your baby

I’ve got flowers for your lady

I’ve got kitchen tiles and fishing hooks

I’ve got bedtime story books

I’ve got the job description for “hospital clerk”

And best of all

I’ve got no room for my homework

 

by: Asma Kayal

WEEK 4 NFL PICKS

Week 4
SUN, OCT 4	TIME (ET)	TV	LOCATION	DURKEE’S PICK
Detroit @ Chicago	1:00 pm ET	FOX	Soldier Field	Chicago
Cincinnati @ Cleveland	1:00 pm ET	CBS	Cleveland Browns Stadium	Cincinnati
Seattle @ Indianapolis	1:00 pm ET	FOX	Lucas Oil Stadium	Indianapolis
NY Giants @ Kansas City	1:00 pm ET	FOX	Arrowhead Stadium	NY Giants
Baltimore @ New England	1:00 pm ET	CBS	Gillette Stadium	New England
Tampa Bay @ Washington	1:00 pm ET	FOX	FedEx Field	Tampa Bay
Tennessee @ Jacksonville	1:00 pm ET	CBS	Jacksonville Municipal Stadium	Tennessee
Oakland @ Houston	1:00 pm ET	CBS	Reliant Stadium	Houston
Buffalo @ Miami	4:05 pm ET	CBS	Dolphin Stadium	Miami
NY Jets @ New Orleans	4:05 pm ET	CBS	Superdome	New Orleans
Dallas @ Denver	4:15 pm ET	FOX	Invesco Field at Mile High	Denver
St. Louis @ San Francisco	4:15 pm ET	FOX	Candlestick Park	San Francisco
San Diego @ Pittsburgh	8:20 pm ET	NBC	Heinz Field	Pittsburgh
MON, OCT 5	TIME (ET)	TV	LOCATION	DURKEE’S PICK
Green Bay @ Minnesota	8:30 pm ET	ESPN	Metrodome	Minnesota

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