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Rip or Rave: An Interview with Freshman Honors Student Mary Cox

11/20/2014

Mary Cox is a freshman Telecommunications major who is also part of the Honors College.
In addition to being in the Honors program, she has recently become involved in Rip or Rave, a
communication-based club on campus.

Interview by Olivia Power

News & Notes: What is Rip or Rave?

Mary Cox: It’s kind of like Ball State’s “Fashion Police.” It’s a show that airs once a month and
showcases fashion tips for the average college student, reviews runway trends, and, like Fashion
Police, reviews red carpet looks from big events.

N&N: Where does Rip or Rave air?

MC: It airs on Cardinal Vision, also on YouTube at the Rip or Rave account, and also on
Xfinitity on-demand.

N&N: How did you find out about Rip or Rave?

MC: It was in the pride guide and I signed up officially at the CCIM [College of Communication
Information and Media] Superparty.

N&N: What is your function in the Rip or Rave community?

MC: I run their Instagram account (@riporrave). I post to let people know when episodes are
airing and what can be expected in each episode. I also try to get our followers more involved
with #OOTD contests and stuff like that. I do post the occasional fashion tip and trick.

N&N: You are only a freshman. How does your status affect your authority within Rip or Rave,
if at all?

MC: I definitely feel that it’s an open environment as far as idea-sharing goes. Geordan, the
executive producer who is a senior, is open to ideas and sharing. Even as a freshman, I have a
pretty good position in running the Instagram. I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes, which is the
only reason I wouldn’t suggest things. And, they [Rip or Rave production crew] have been open
to letting new members like me try new things, like running the cameras.

N&N: How does Rip or Rave affect what you want to do in the future?

MC: I want to go into sales and promotions. Even though I don’t necessarily have the “classroom
knowledge,” having an experience in an organization that lets me get my feet wet is beneficial to
my learning process. And, upperclassmen have offered to connect me with people high-up in the
TCOM [telecommunications] program, which is the area I want to be in.

N&N: What’s your favorite part thus far of Rip or Rave?

MC: The people are really funny. The comments they make about fashion get me #rollin.

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Who's Doing What in the Honors College

11/16/2014

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By Alexis Kiesel

Honors College students at Ball State come from many different colleges and majors. There are various types of students in numerous schools of study.

The largest portion of the Honors population comes from the College of Sciences & Humanities, which includes many majors, with 467 students. The second largest section is the College of Communication, Information & Media with 152 students closely followed by the College of Fine Arts with 129 students.

The fourth most populated category is the Miller College of Business with 106 students; fifth place goes to the College of Applied Science & Technology with 93 students. In sixth place is the College of Architecture & Planning with 85 students. The seventh largest group of Honors students inhabits the Teachers College with 47 students.

Eighth with 13 students, ninth with 12 students and tenth with 3 places go to Undeclared majors, Honors College, and Interdepartmental categories, respectively.

These statistics were obtained from the dean of the Ball State Honors College, Dr. James Ruebel.

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Speaker Stresses Stories told by WWI Vets

11/1/2014

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by Samantha Carson

Every year, the Honors College presents the Bruce F. and Ildiko B. Meyer Honors Memorial lecture to honor former Honors College Dean Bruce Meyer, who presided 1996-98.

This year, Ball State University welcomed author Richard Rubin.

In his latest book, The Last of the Doughboys, Rubin records the stories of World War II veterans, eighty-five years after they enlisted.

Rubin describes World War I as “the most memorialized war in U.S. history, and yet the most forgotten.”

The theme of the “forgotten men” frequently appears in Rubin’s lecture, and it is clear he is passionate about the topic.

“I think they deserve better,” he said, wondering why he was the first person to interview these World War I veterans.

Rubin’s lecture barely focused on the the events that made up the “war to end all wars.” Instead, Rubin discussed the importance of oral history, and gave some insight into the process of interviewing these veterans.

Rubin admitted to wondering how much these men, ranging in age from 106 to 113, could actually remember from a war that occurred more than eighty-five years before.

Apparently, the answer is a great deal.

Amidst anecdotes about his experiences interviewing these men and women, Rubin highlighted the positives and negatives that come from interviewing these veterans.

For example, speaking of his interview with 107-year-old William Lake, Rubin discussed a heartbreaking moment in which he asked Lake the name of his father and the veteran realized he could not remember.

There were moments of triumph as well, such as a time when Rubin found out the fate of Lake’s fallen comrade, Captain Elijah Worsham.

Along with presenting the importance of oral interviews, Rubin also commented on the enduring spirit of the people he interviewed. He praised their upbeat attitudes, even in the face of some of the most challenging times in American history, including World War I, the Great Depression, and World War II.

“A lot of them had a lot of sorrow and hardship in their lives, but you wouldn’t know from talking to them,” he said.

Editor's Note: Richard Rubin's book, The Last of the Doughboys, was published in 2013. A copy is available for check out from Bracken Library for those who want to know more about the "forgotten generation."

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Murder Mystery Delights at Annual Party

11/1/2014

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by Noah Patterson

Festivities at the annual Student Honors Council Honors House of Horrors Halloween Party held this Wednesday included music, dancing, “terrorific” treats, games and activities, a Haunted House, and more.

“I thought it went really well. We anticipated 150 students, but even more came out, Emily Brumfield, president of Student Honors Council, said. “This was the first time in Park, and it was great to see the party work so well in a different venue. The Student Honors Council members planned this for weeks, and did an amazing job. I’m super proud of all of them.”

The Haunted House was a favorite among party-goers. The attraction featured a Clue-themed murder mystery where participants were led through a series of obstacles to their ultimate demise.

“My friends and I couldn’t see. We ran into each other, especially when we had to crawl,” Emily Barsic said. Barsic dressed for the party as a young, wealthy woman yet to make her societal debut.

Joe Hannon, SHC committee chair for the Haunted House, said he was pleasantly surprised by the turnout.

“The biggest scare seemed to come from the kitchen in our Haunted House, when we banged pots and pans by everyone’s heads,” Hannon said.

The Haunted House’s other scares included a sudden mist of water to the face, gusts of hot air and each group suddenly being bound together with a rope before their release.

Other activities for the night were a donut eating contest, a mummy wrap game, a costume contest and a candy corn guessing game.

“The costume contest was the most popular event, with the mummy wrap as a close second,” said Taylor Hedges Inman, Committee Chair of games and activities.

The menu for the night included sugar cookies, chocolate chip cookies, chocolate pretzel bites and a red sherbet punch.

“The food was successful. We ran out of nearly everything, and baked enough for 150 people. The chocolate chip cookies and punch were favorites,” Garrett Evers, Committee Chair for the “terrorific” treats, said.

Goody bags filled with candies and treats were also passed out to party goers.

“The music is great,” Brumfield said. “Our DJ did a great job this year.”

Songs included V.I.C’s “Wobble Baby,” Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” Lady Gaga’s “Applause” and countless other danceable hits.

“If you couldn’t make it this year, make sure you make it out next year, because it’s going to be even better,” Hedges Inman said.

A handmade sign adorns DeHority's entrance for the Halloween Party.

Students at the Honors House of Horrors Party dance in the Park Multi-Purpose Room.

Costume contest winners by category:

Most Hilarious: Caleb Gekker, as a tree
Best Group or Duo: Caleb Chowning and Emily McDaniel, as Mermaid Man and Barnancle Boy, respectively, from Spongebob Squarepants
Spookiest: Abe Richardson, as a zombie
Do-It-Yourself: Natalie Broton, as Wendy from Where’s Waldo
Classic: Lizz White, as Rosie the Riveter

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Rip or Rave: An Interview with Freshman Honors Student Mary Cox

Who's Doing What in the Honors College

﻿Speaker Stresses Stories told by WWI Vets

Murder Mystery Delights at Annual Party

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Speaker Stresses Stories told by WWI Vets