The fiery, slam poetthrew her whole body, soul,and voice into the passionateperformance, and the audi-ence responded with cheers,laughter, fervent attention,and finally—a thunderousstanding ovation. This wasthe scene of Tuesday’sSecond Annual Gay,Lesbian, Bisexual,Transgender and AllyAlliance (GLBTA) Banquet,where feminist spoken wordartist, poet, and activist AlixOlson inspired the gatheredaudience at Rollins College,leaving them breathless withher scathing challengestowards corrupt mainstreampoints of view. By the night’send, those in attendance leftactively discussing thepoints raised and praising

Olson’s forceful and engag-ing performance.

The enlighteningevening started out withRollins’ Assistant Professorof Communications Lisa

Tillman-Healy reading herarticle “Remembering a CoolSeptember: Pain, Prejudice,and Patriotism.” Tillmann-Healy, author of Between Gayand Straight: Understanding

Friendship across SexualOrientation, will have thearticle published in the jour-nal Cultural studies - CriticalMethodologies. The article

Rollins College Winter Park, FloridaMarch 28, 2003 Vol. 109, No. 19

Musician/songwriterClay Cook preparesto release his firstlong play album, “SelfServing.” Read moreon

page 4

Mike Reese, ‘03,recently received sev-eral awards for hisachievements on thebaseball field.

page 8

on the inside

Andrew Merkin, ‘03,is one of seven final-ists for the FloridaCollege Student ofthe Year Award.Read more about thisgreat scholar on

features

War is understand-ably an emotionaltopic, but one writerasks for us all to berespectful of eachother’s opinions.

opinions

The Oldest College Newspaper in Florida

Money motivatespeople. Find outwhat some studentswould do for one mil-lion dollars that theywould NOT do for tenthousand.

on the street

entertainment

page 3

page 5

page 6

sports

visit us at www.thesandspur.org

Open Your Mind

photo / NATALIE MILLANARTIST, POET, AND ACTIVIST: Alix Olson speaks out against ignorance and intolerance atthis year’s GLBTA Banquet on Tuesday evening.

This year’sGLBTAAwareness Weekis a large success.by Natalie Millan

photographer

The Rollins Collegeboard of trustees recentlyelected a new president tolead the board, Frank H.Barker. Along with Barker,Cynthia Wood was electedto vice president of institu-tional advancement.

Barker is no stranger tothe Rollins community. Bothhim and his wife are alumniof Rollins classes of 1952 and1953.

He is not only an alum-nus but also the recipient ofthe Distinguished AlumnusAward in 1992, and has beenon the board of trusteessince 1992. A very accom-plished man as the formercorporate vice president ofJohnson & Johnson, Barkerhas been instrumental inmaking Rollins what it istoday.

The Barker’s impressiverecord of support for Rollinsincludes funding scholar-ships in economics and ath-

letics, contributing to theCrummer Business School’snew Bush Executive Center,and the purchase and instal-lation of the flagpole onMills lawn.

Another noteworthycontribution on behalf of theBarker family to our schoolwas the one million dollardonation that they gavetoward the construction ofthe fitness center located inthe Alfond Sports Center.

Barker played baseballand basketball here atRollins, and his monumentaldonation “reflects the fami-ly’s long-held belief in theimportance of health promo-tion and disease prevention.Now as the chair of theboard of trustees, Barkercontinues to leave his legacyhere at Rollins.”

“It is a great honor tochair the board of trustees ofmy alma matter,” Barkerhighlighted after receivinghis new position. JoiningBarker in a newly electedposition is Cynthia Wood, asthe vice president of institu-tional advancement.

Wood also has a longhistory here at Rollins. In

by David Grassostaff reporter

Rollins CollegeBoard of Trusteeselects new lead-ers.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

As the war with Iraqcontinues into its secondweek of combat, anti-war aswell as pro-war rallies ragein cities across Americaincluding New York, LosAngeles, and Seattle. AtRollins College, students areorganizing both anti-warvigils as well as initiatingpro-war discussions.

Although some stu-dents are taking action andexpressing their viewpointsopenly, for many it mayseem as though life is “busi-ness as usual” aroundRollins when compared tosome other regions acrossthe nation. Though theRollins student body maynot outwardly seem overlyimpacted by the war, inactuality, many students areindividually affectedbecause they have a loved-one overseas that is in themilitary.

“I feel affected person-ally,” said Whitney Jones,

who has a friend from highschool who was deployed toKuwait a month ago. “Itmakes me realize how goodI have it here and how shel-tered I am. It’s frustratingbecause you really don’tknow if they are okay ornot.”

Noelle Moore also has aloved-one abroad and alongwith Jones, recognizes thedifficult uncertainty of notknowing where the troopsare and whether they aresafe. “[My boyfriend] is inKorea now,” said Moorewhose boyfriend, SeanStokes, is a navy seal. “Hedoes a lot of undercoverwork, though. He could bein Kuwait right now and Iwould never know becausehe can’t tell me a lot ofthings.”

Another student,Natalie Jackson also has asignificant other who isinvolved in the military. Herboyfriend, Jeff, is in thereserves. “He is in Ft.Stewart, Georgia now but heis leaving this week for anunknown location,” shesaid. “He’ll be going toeither Iraq or Kuwait, he just

Hitting Close to Home

by Kate Alexanderstaff reporter

As the war con-tinues on, Rollins’connection grows.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

A New Era of LeadersCONTINUED ON PAGE 2

news2 the sandspur rollins college, winter park

doesn’t know which one. It’sjust sad.”

Like, Jackson, RachaelWahlin also has a close rela-tion in training for war. “Heis in training in California,”said Wahlin of her 19-yearold ex-boyfriend. “A lot ofhis friends his age got sent tothe middle east. He doesn’tknow when and where hewill be sent when he is donewith training.”

Those students withpersonal ties to the war oftengrow frustrated when theysee anti-war rallies becausethey view anti-war senti-ment as anti-troop senti-ment. “I think they go hand-in-hand,” said Moore of therelationship between anti-war and anti-troop senti-ment. “I understand whypeople are protesting, but I

think some of the people aremisinformed. Some stu-dents can’t even give a goodreason for why they areprotesting. This war isn’tabout political parties. I feelwe can’t negotiate [withIraq] anymore.”

“[The troops] give theirlife for me,” Jones said. “Iam proud to be an American.I am kind of insulted whenpeople protest, especiallysince we are already in thewar. They should spend thattime to support the familiesthat run the risk of losingloved-ones.” Jones plans onsetting up a booth in thecampus center this week forRollins students to write let-ters of support to the troops.

Although many stu-dents who have personal tiesto the war support it, Wahlintakes a different perspective

on the issue. “I don’t know ifwe should be acting againstIraq yet,” she said. “I don’tthink that we should gowithout the [UnitedNations]. I think both pro-troop and anti-war rallies arehappening and I think youcan be pro-troop withoutbeing pro-war.”

Regardless of the stand-point that the students takeon the war, each recognizesthe bravery and intenseresponsibility that their gen-eration of soldiers and citi-zens must accept and deeplyhopes for the safe return oftheir friends and boyfriends.“This is my world,” saidJones. “This war makes merealize that my generationhas to step up and deal withthings that are going onaround us. It is very sober-ing.”

the last 13 years, she has helda multitude of positionsincluding the director ofcommunity relations, execu-tive vice president of theAlumni Association, assis-tant vice president of alumnirelations, and interim vicepresident.

As a result of Wood’sguidance, the RollinsAlumni Association was rec-

ognized twice by the Councilfor Advancement andSupport of Education forexcellence in “board devel-opment and strategic plan-ning” and “young alumniprogramming.”

A long time resident ofCentral Florida, Wood spent10 years as a speech andhearing specialist for theOrange County School sys-tem. She then pursuedextensive volunteer efforts in

the area of fundraising andcommunity relations, whichultimately brought her hereto Rollins.

“Cynthia is a provenleader who is held in highrecord by Rollins’ alumniand friends,” said PresidentRita Bornstein.

We welcome Frank H.Barker and Cynthia Wood asthey lead Rollins into a newera.

discusses Tillmann-Healy’sfeelings of detachment afterthe September 11 tragedies,and how a patriotic displayof support by two gay malefriends provoked her toprocess what it means to beboth patriotic and gay incontemporary U.S. culture.Tillmann-Healy also headeda discussion Monday at theRice Family Bookstore con-cerning raising conscious-ness about GLBT issues andcivil rights, collaborativecooperation towards socialchanges, and relationshipsacross sex orientations.

A delectable Asian-styledinner was followed byOlson’s intense and thought-provoking performance—her spoken and shouted lyri-cal masterpieces dealt withdesires, sex, the meaning ofborn and made families,government exploitations,and the apathetic, unjuststate of the country. Olson,who prides herself on beinga “global citizen”, lesbian,and radical feminist, spokeagainst ignorance and intol-erance, and urged listenersto action against abusiveinstitutions, and unfair priv-iliges/entitlements. Theaudience remained spell-bound as the outrageous,charismatic, extremely vocalperformer voiced her opin-

ions—a brief taste of thekind of wit and grace thatone finds in Olson’s works.Alix Olson has been featuredin numerous publications,and is currently touring thecountry. Those looking formore information on thispowerfully talented poet-activist can go towww.alixolson.com.

The rest of GLBTAAwareness Week was equal-ly and impressively event-ful, with Wednesday’s “TakeBack the Night: MarchAgainst Fear” and a latenight-movie marathon onFriday. Overall, this year’sGLBTAAwareness week wasa hit, fulfilling it’s focus of“Creating Change” byinspiring all those open-minded enough to attendthe week’s events to questionour society’s rigid guidelinesconcerning gender, sexuali-ty, and politics.

Hopefully the enlight-ening content of the week’sevents will inspire activismand cooperation towards thekind of positive socialchange that Rollins Collegewould so greatly benefitfrom. Many thanks go out toall those involved in makingthis GLBTA Awareness weekpossible—it is your effortthat helps to make progres-sive thinking and action arefreshing reality.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1New Trustee Board Leaders

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

GLBTA Awareness WeekCONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Rollins Connections to the War

In “The Prime of MissJean Brodie,” an eccentric,young teacher instructs herfemale pupils in the ways oflove, politics, art, and life in1930’s Scotland. Miss JeanBrodie’s unorthodox teach-ing methods and flirtatiousways turn many of her col-leagues into her enemies, buther determination to instillin the girls a sense of inde-pendence, passion, andambition; and her quest toshow them the meaning of“Goodness, Beauty, andTruth,” inspires loyalty fromher young students.However, the loyalty of oneof these girls may not run asdeep as Brodie believes….

This unforgettable anddelightful play by Jay Allen,based on the novel by MurielSpark, will be performed inThe Annie Russell Theatrefrom April 18-26. Be sure tolook for the following per-formers in the cast of thiseagerly anticipated produc-tion.

CAST (in order of appearance)

Sister Helena Jill Franklin

Mr. Perry Alex Johnson

Understudy Chris Holz

Jean Brodie Peg O’Keef

Sandy Keira Keeley

Jenny Natalie Andrews

Monica Alanna Woonteiler

Mary MacGregorSarah Kathryn Moore

Ensemble: Jill Jones, Gillian Cummins, Amy Brown, Shannon Bagwell

Miss Mackay Melissa Ortiz

Gordon LowtherTravis Pasternak

Miss McCreadyJessica Karansky

Miss CampbellKatie Scuderi

The new certificationexam being developed forMBA students is well on itsway to completion. Theexam, which tests studentsin the four core curriculumareas required in all MBAprograms, was recentlygiven as a Beta test to agroup of MBA students.

After the Beta testwas administered, 70 per-cent of students who tookthe test indicated that theywere using the exam toincrease their personal dif-ferentiation among competi-tors in the job market, and 84percent agreed that the examwould help to increase theattractiveness of theirresume.

The CMBA exam,which is being developed bythe InternationalCertification Institute as away of testing MBA mar-ketability and as a resourceaid in the MBA hiringprocess, is something whose

implementation is excitingmany prospective employ-ers.

According to RobertBunnell, the senior accountexecutive of the QuixoteGroup, employers are look-ing forward to “the thirdparty verification that theCMBA exam offers.”

“Its results allowemployers to expect moreout of the people that theyhire,” says Bunnell.

After the Beta testwas concluded, subject mat-ter experts from thePrometric Corporationbegan to review the testquestions. “They are makingsure that the questions arefair, unbiased, and clearlyworded,” says Bunnell.

Although the firstofficial CMBA test will notbe administered until May 5,Bunnell is very excited aboutthe progress of the test.

“I think that this testis a great way for MBA stu-dents to make themselvesunique in the job market,” hesays.

The CMBA exam issomething that will providea new hope for MBA stu-dents looking to find jobs.There is no doubt that itsimplementation will be suc-cessful.

Rollins studentAndrew Merkin, ‘03, hasrecently been named part ofa prestigious group. As oneof the students nominatedfor the Florida CollegeStudent of the Year award,Merkin is one of seven final-ists representing the mostoutstanding scholars inFlorida.

The Florida CollegeStudent of the Year programacknowledges students whohave managed to excel aca-demically, acted as activevolunteers, and been politi-cally active, all while sup-porting their own education.Merkin has gone above andbeyond these expectations.Merkin is the Vice Presidentof the Student GovernmentAssociation. He has alsobeen a member of the AllCampus Planning andPriorities Committee, theorder of Omega GreekHonor Society, the BlackStudent Union, thePinehurst organization, andis a brother of the fraternityTau Kappa Epslion, as wellas countless other organiza-tions.

Merkin was a stu-dent tutor, a peer mentor,and a disc jockey on WPRK.In addition, he has helped toorganize and run suchimportant events as the 2002Flight School LeadershipRetreat and the September11 Memorial Service. He alsoparticipates in off-campusvolunteer activities such asHabitat for Humanity andthe annual Day of Service.

Merkin says that it is

not too difficult for him tomaintain such a busy sched-ule and still attain a highGPA. “I make the sacrifices,”he says.

Merkin also avoidsthe stress that could easilycome along with his work-load. “I don’t get stressed atwork, I have fun,” he says.“It’s not like I have to gohome and party to havefun.”

While he is proud ofthe achievements that he isbeing recognized for,Merkin still insists, “I knowpeople more successful thanme who haven’t had a singleposition,” he says. “I justwant to leave where I’vebeen a little bit better, to helppeople and situations.”

Merkin will continueto help people after he grad-uates, when he heads toSoutheast Asia to join thePeace Corps. He is expectingthe experience to help redi-rect him. “The Peace Corpsis supposed to change yourlife,” he says.

There is clearly a lotfor Merkin to look forwardto, including gaining thepossible title of FloridaCollege Student of the Year.The winner will beannounced at a press confer-ence in Tallahassee on April11, and will receive $60,000dollars in scholarship andprizes from various spon-sors of the award. All of thefinalists will be featured inthe April, “Student of theYear” edition of FloridaLeader Magazine.

Andrew Merkin hasplenty to offer. He hopes toleave Rollins having “affect-ed the administration, facul-ty and students.” When hegraduates in May he willcertainly have made animpression on Rollins, andon the state of Florida as awhole.

THIS WEEK’S

WEATHER

features the sandspur 3rollins college, winter park

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Partly Cloudy

79°/66° 20 % Chance of Rain

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77°/49° 60 % Chance of Rain

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81°/65° 10 % Chance of Rain

With Honors

Florida recog-nizes the manyaccomplishmentsof Andrew Merkin,‘03.by Eliza Osborn

features editor

photo /PROVIDED BY ANDREW MERKIN A TRUE SUCCESS: Senior Andrew Merkin is being honoredwith a nomination for Florida College Student of the Year.

Examining Their FutureStudents and

employers awaitthe implementa-tion of the CMBAexam.by Eliza Osborn

features editor

School is in SessionThe cast of

“The Prime ofMiss Jean Brodie,”is announced.by Natalie Millan

photographer

As he patiently waitsin a trendy Atlanta eatery,you might think that he islike any other of the younghip patrons, but although

you may not recognize hisface, chances are you haveheard his songs.

Clay Cook has beena popular fixture in theAtlanta acoustical scene forthe past several years. Aftertwo years of studying at theprestigious Berklee Collegeof Music in Boston, Cookreturned to his nativeGeorgia with a drive to suc-ceed and the help of anequally driven songwritingpartner, John Mayer. Cook

and Mayer met at Berkleeand during their yearstogether in Boston, theyfocused on writing anddevolping their own unique

entertainmentthe sandspur4 rollins college, winter park

THETHEHOT SPOT: HOT SPOT:

PPARKARK AAVEVE CCOMPACTOMPACT DDISCSISCS

photo / BRAD ABOFFLOCAL MUSIC MART: Park Ave. CD’s is a great Winter Parktreasure, just steps away from Rollins.

When you made your last CD purchase at one ofthose mega-corporate superstores, did you wake up thenext morning feeling guilty?

Stop the morning after shame by shopping at ParkAve. Compact Discs, a proud member of the Coalition ofIndependent Music Stores. Inside the store, shoppers canfind anything from the latest Linkin Park to the hard to findvinyl releases.

On a recent visit to the 528 Park Avenue South loca-tion during the Winter Park Arts Festival, the store waspacked with a mix of tattooed, pierced, punk rockers brows-ing the racks alongside soccer moms.

Who says there can’t be peace in the world? In business since 1978 and selling CDs since 1984,

Rollins students have long considered Park Ave. CDs astheir musical best friend.

As if offering a vast selection of both new and usedmusic was not enough, Park Ave. CDs is also the home to agrowing snow globe collection. Over the years, patronshave donated snow globes from all over the country to dec-orate the store walls.

Current owner, Sandy Bitman, is a former Rollinsgraduate and past editor of The Sandspur, who started out asan employee of the store in 1992. Six years later, Bitmanbought the place. Inheriting its pale blue walls and stylishmetal sculptures, Bitman had the business savvy to nurturerelationships with label reps, area clubs and local bands.

“I took one business class,” jokes Bitman.Adding two new locations, one near UCF and the

other in Clearwater, Park Ave. CDs has showed that a com-mitment to customer service and a connection to the com-munity will equal success, a lesson yet to be learned by bothbig chain retailers and the recording industry.

Bitman’s “nice guy” approach with label reps recent-ly led to two store appearances (Winter Park andClearwater) from spinART recording artist and formerPixies front man, Frank Black. Over a hundred peopleturned out for the Black appearance at the Winter Park loca-tion. Other in-store appearances have included John Mayer,Guided By Voices and local jazz legend Sam Rivers.

Park Ave. CDs now sells tickets to upcoming showsat both Backbooth and The Social. Upcoming events includea midnight sale on April 1 for the new release, “Elephant,”from the White Stripes.

Do yourself a favor and check out Park Ave. CDs.

Written By Chris Ramsey

The War on Iraq iswell at hand and you wouldliterally have to be living in acave to not have heard any-thing about this war. TheMTV generation does noteven have an excuse in thiscase. The media is coveringthis war more than any pre-vious war, and in the spec-trum of world events, mostwould chalk this war up as anon-event. Media coveragespans almost the entire pro-gramming day on mostchannels, with the most upto date information inter-rupting other programmingwhen necessary.

Is this too much cov-erage for something likethis? The word “Top Secret”might as well also be voidedfrom our vocabularybecause our weapons arebeing detailed on nationaltelevision as if they werepart of a violent infomercial.Saddam Hussein watchedthe Gulf War on CNN, yetwe televise troop move-ments and fleet locationsregardless. Are we so arro-gant that we want Husseinto know the exact locationsof our troops and how faraway we can be to use ourweapons in order to givehim more time to retaliate?We are already in a waragainst the better judgmentof the United Nations; do wehave to be arrogant about itat the same time? The worldalready sees this as anempire building strategy, wedo not have to then go andundermine it some more bygiving Saddam a head start.

MTV is one of thebiggest culprits of thisstrange new phenomenon ofmedia involvement in war.

MTV, or MUSIC Television ifyou have been living in abox, is a station that claims itis up to date with the youthof the world in all facets oflife. In this case the war onIraq has been showed onMTV just as much as CNN.

The catch here is notthat the station has corre-spondents in Iraq, butinstead they are just show-ing the exact feed fromCNN. They have little

footage of either Pro or Antiwar protests and the footagethey do have is repeatedalmost every hour until youget sick of hearing the manu-factured song, “Move Bush,get out the way” to the tuneof a popular Ludacris song.

The only relatedoriginal programming onMTV was a show in whichthe Prime Minister of GreatBritain, Tony Blair, sat downwith college students fromaround the world to answertheir questions about thelooming war. The only thingMTV is doing to the war isgiving it a modern soundtrack. Lets add the themesong “B.O.B. (Bombs overBaghdad)” by Outkast tocomplete the new agesoundtrack for world events.

Fox News, one of themost “Liberal” news stationshas Gheraldo Rivera as theirstar war correspondent,which makes listening to

what he has to say almostimpossible. This ratherbiased coverage of the waron Iraq makes one wonderwhether the war is being runon Madison Avenue orPennsylvania Avenue.

If you are at all intuned to your TV screen youhave seen footage of the“shock and awe” campaign,but you should be reallyshocked and awed at theoverwhelmingly bad and

biased coverage of the war.The problem in America isthat we do not necessarilyget another news channelsuch as the BBC to comparecoverage with, we have tojust stick with what we seeon American conglomeratestations like NBC, ABC,CNN, FOX, CBS, and nowMTV.

Everywhere youturn you cannot escape thewar no matter which chan-nel you turn on. I somehowdoubt that even children areable to escape this intenseblitzkrieg of slanted newscoming through the veryTVs that we hold so close toour hearts. If you hope tofind a way to escape fromthe media coverage of thewar, do not hold your breathtoo long, because you mightjust have to wait until thewar is over for that to hap-pen.

Real Reality TVWith the Iraqi

War being playedout in the media, itis becoming moredifficult to escape.by Matt Moore

photographer

photo / WWW.MTV.COMYOUTH OF A NATION: Americans are finding it hard to turnon the television set and find something other than war.

Man on the MoveClay Cook talks

about his new CDand his singing/songwriting dayswith John Mayer.by Kim Burdges

entertainment editor

With so much to think about with school andwork, who has time for arbitrary questions?Apparently, most of Rollins students. This week, wedecided to find out, “What would you do for one mil-lion dollars that you would NOT do you ten thousand.”

“I would probably streakthrough campus.”

– Bethany Dowes, ‘04

“There’s too many thing,none of which should be

printed.”

– Jasmine Liddington, ‘05

“I would give the presi-dent a Lewinski.”

– Robert Walker, ‘05

“Jump out of a plane.”

– Matt MacKelcan, ‘03

“You’d have to give me amillion to see the helmet

Red Sox play.”

– Pete Mcewan, ‘06

“Wear polyester.”

– Tim Bratcher, ’05,Shereena Dann, ‘05

entertainment the sandspur 5rollins college, winter park

word on the street

by Heather GennaccaroWord on the Street

style. “The style that Johnand I write, we formulatedup there,” states Cook. “Inthe year we were together atBerklee, we got togetherevery night and wrote,recorded and listened tomusic. It was pretty intense.”

But at 20 years old,Cook and Mayer felt thatthey were wasting time andwith the support of their par-ents they left Berklee to trav-el to Atlanta and explore thegrowing acoustical circuit. “Ididn’t have a direction bymyself,” says Cook. “If wehad never met each other, heprobably would have goneback to working at Mobil gasstation; I probably wouldhave gotten my degree andended up teaching [inBoston]. And it’s just one ofthose things, that’s the rea-son things happen.”

Their popularity rapid-ly grew and the “Lo-FiMasters,” as they calledthemselves, were becominga hit. As their success andpopularity began to grow;Cook and Mayer ended theirpartnership, so that theycould both follow their owncreative paths.

In the summer of 2002,Mayer became a fixture onmainstream radio due large-ly to the popularity of the hit“No Such Thing,” co- writ-ten by Cook. Mayer’s multi-platinum album “Room ForSquares” became an instantsensation and soon Cook’ssongs and backing vocalswere being played across thecountry. Now as Cook pre-pares to release his first LPrecord, “Self Serving,” hediscusses his early songwrit-ing days, his hopes for thefuture and the journey thathas led him to the eve ofimpending success.

Although Cook hasreleased two short albums,“Self Serving” will be hisfirst long play album. It wasrecorded in Atlanta atOrphan Studios, where othersuccessful artists includingShawn Mullins, CollectiveSoul, and John Mayer havefrequented. The album’s pro-fessional production and the

fact Cook plays all of the fea-tured instruments willshowcase his experiencedmusicianship. “The first two[EP’s] were based on necessi-ty to get songs out there inany fashion. It didn’t matterhow well it sounded,” saysCook. “This one has some ofthe same songs on it-rehashed and professionallydone.”

Cook states that thesound of his CD will havemore of a rock influence thanone might think. “I don’tlike to use the comparison,but it’s a lot like John’s stuff,but it rocks a little more,”says Cook. “That is the maindifference between us,besides the voice, is themusic. I grew up on morerock n’ roll than he did.”

As Cook begins to carvea name for himself outside ofhis Grammy winning song-writing partner’s shadow, heis not blind to the compar-isons of Mayer that will fol-low him. “I have to live withit,” Cook says. “Not onlybeing a writing partner, butsharing everything that wedid. There is just no wayaround it, so I have come tolive with it pretty quick.”However, Cook does credithis participation in the suc-cess of “Room For Squares”with creating helpful con-nections. “[The CD’s successhas] afforded me to do a lotof things now as far asmoney,” says Cook. “And atthe same time, it will proba-bly open doors a lot fasterfor this record.”

Cook also credits him-self with being more of aperformer than a recordingartist, an important aspectthat he thinks most upcom-ing musicians overlookwhen trying to sell theirrecords. “I see a lot of guyslive, who I really enjoy, butthen I buy their records, I’mnot as happy with it,” saysCook. “I think there has to bea happy medium. I willalways be a live performer.”

Although Cook focuseson his live performances, heis also using his new albumto showcase his talent of

playing many instruments.“I came up with the ideaabout four years ago,” saysCook. “I was going to makea record and play every-thing, but I wasn’t the musi-cian I am now and so it wasreally easy for me this time.If I had tried to then, itwould not have ended up asgood as it is now.”

Cook wrote all of thesongs on his album with theexception of two which wereco-written with Mayer: aMayer concert favorite “Manon the Side” and “NorthStar” written especially forCook to sing. Cook’s humbleperception of being a musi-cian before a songwriterinfluences his writing ofsongs. “The music definitely[comes first],” says Cook. “Iwrite lyrics out of necessity.All lyrical ideas come fromfinding the right idea. Onceyou get the idea down, itnormally takes like an hourto get the lyrics, it’s just find-ing the right idea and usual-ly [it happens when] you’rejust driving in the car andyour head is going a millionmiles an hour. Then all of thesudden you develop thisgood idea”

The fact that Cookplayed the entire accompani-ment to his songs also creat-ed a unique recordingprocess. “You have to havethe whole product runningthrough your head, so thatyou leave space for anotherinstrument,” states Cook. “Irecorded it with MattMangano. I played acousticand sang the song to ametronome. We got the firstnine songs in one day, andthen we laid down thedrums and built on that.”

Even with the successand popularity of Cook’soriginal songs, he states thathe is still first and foremost amusician. “It’s a point I keepmaking in conversationswith other songwriters, whotry and pick my brain a littlebit,” says Cook. “I’d behappy, if I just ended upbeing a musician playing forsomeone else, but I still thinkI have some things to say.”

photo / WWW.ORPHANSTUDIOS.COMRENAISSANCE MUSICIAN: Clay Cook lays down tracks for his first LP album at Atlanta’sOrphan Studios playing all of the instruments including guitar, bass, drums, and keyboard.

Donna O’Connor,director of International pro-grams, once told me thatwhen people ask whatRollins is like, she likes torespond, “It’s a womb with aview.”

In the past, students’biggest complaint aboutRollins (or at least what Ioften heard) was thatnobody cares about any-thing, that we were all toowrapped up in our Rollinsbubble to care about, letalone talk about, what isgoing on in the “real world.”

However, some-where between September11 and Operation Iraqi free-dom, Donna’s statementceased to be true (or, let’ssay, as true as it once was).Nowadays, I can’t go any-where without hearing (orbeing involved in) a heateddebate about the war, or for-eign policy, or some otherpolitical topic.

Now, let me just saythat I would normally be thefirst to get excited at this

notion. I mean, controversyat Rollins? Who would havethought it? It is a good thing,right?

Not exactly.First of all, I am

hardly jumping up anddown that it took a war tobring this change about.Secondly, it seems inappro-priate to get excited aboutanything that this war hascaused when people arebeing killed overseas.

Those issues aside,what is really bothering isthe manner in which peopleare arguing about these top-ics. It’s quite disturbing.

I think it is our dutyas citizens of the UnitedStates and as students atRollins to actively partici-pate in a dialogue about ourgovernment (in times of warand in times of peace), but Ialso think it is our duty to bemature and respectful whendoing so, and this is wherewe as students (and faculty),of Rollins College, are failingmiserably.

Although it is nice tohear people talking aboutwhat is going on in theworld, it seems we have lostthe ability to convey ourideas reasonably and in amanner that is neither offen-sive nor attacking (and Iadmit that I have been guiltyof this as well). If you don’t

know what I am talkingabout, I’ll give you an exam-ple:

Joe: “I think theseanti-war people are morons.Why don’t they go live inIraq for a few days?”

Bob: “What are youtalking about? You’re themoron if you think this waris a good thing.”

Joe: “Whatever, man,I just support our troops. Imean, they are dying overthere.”

Bob: “That’s not theissue, here. The issue is thatBush is a crazy cowboy.”

Joe: “How can yoube such an unpatriotic jerk?”

I think you get thepicture.

My theory is thatsince there has been such alack of controversy at Rollinsin recent years, we have verylittle experience with being“good” arguers. We do notknow how to state our posi-tion and listen to (and con-sider) the other side withoutgetting mean. I have heardstories of people stormingout of class during heateddebates and overheard morethan a few nasty exchangesbetween students (andsometimes faculty. Ahem,recent campus-wide emails).

I understand thatwar is an emotional topic—as well it should be—but

that does not mean that weshould direct those negativeemotions toward the personor people to whom we arespeaking.

What we are missingout on here is the ability tocome to a greater under-standing of our worldthrough dialogue and theopportunity to comfort eachother—not upset eachother—in this, the mostuncertain and horrible oftimes. After all, we are noteach other’s enemies.

So, I invite you tojoin me in my vow to at leasttry, from now on, toapproach controversial con-versations with an openmind, a relatively calm andnon-threatening tone ofvoice, and no pocketknife. Ialso vow not to name-calleither political figures or theperson to who I am speak-ing, and to have the inten-tion to listen to othersinstead of assuming I knowwhat they are thinking.

I bring this upbecause, let’s be honest, whoknows what is really goingon? I do not, and trust me,you do not either. So let ustry to be respectful of eachother and pray that this warends quickly and withoutmany casualties. We can atleast do that much for eachother.

opinions6 the sandspur rollins college, winter park

ELIZA OSBORNFeaturesSALLY SMITHOpinionsKIM BURDGESEntertainment

DANIEL TOZZISportsKIMBERLYHENRYCopy

The Oldest CollegeNewspaper in Florida

FOUNDED IN 1894MARCH 28, 2003

VOLUME 109, NUMBER 19

ESTABLISHED IN 1894WITH THE FOLLOWING

EDITORIAL:“Unassuming yet almighty,

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JENNIFER L. WILLIAMSEditor-in-Chief

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STAFF

I saw the “Shock andAwe” footage of the warwith Iraq on television lastFriday. They should havecalled it “Scare and Terrify.”The pictures looked likesomething straight out of amovie. The segment Iwatched was live footage ofthe U.S. bombing one ofIraq’s major cities. Theexplosions were there for allto see as they were happen-ing. Personally, I do notneed such graphic visualcoverage of the war.

You may not agree withme, but I assure you that Iam not the only one whothinks this way. I had a dis-cussion with several othercollege students concerningcoverage of the war withIraq. Surprisingly, we allseemed to agree that there isno reason for coverage to beon so many channels and insuch visual detail. Not onlyare they constantly talkingabout what is going on, butthey also have live camerafeeds to show the destruc-

tion we are causing.At first, we were think-

ing of how much the mediawas invading our homes,but then we realized thegreater scope. Not only is iton all the time when we tryto watch television in ourhomes, but it is shown inpublic places. We were atTaco Bell on Saturday andthe televisioninside wasshowing morecoverage of thewar. There werechildren every-where, and I justcould notbelieve it. Why would theychoose to show that in apublic venue in the middleof the day when there are somany children around?

I do not think peoplerealize that there is reason tobe alarmed for the childrenof our country. How arethey supposed to handlesuch graphic coverage?They barely understand theconcept of war, yet they are

watching it live on televi-sion. How do you explain toa child what they are seeingon television? Should wetell them we are blowing upone of Iraq’s major cities inthe hopes of killing theirleader? This explanationmay appease some, butmany will turn that aroundand ask if Iraq will do the

same thingsback to us.Then what canwe say? Wecan not say yesor no becausewe have noidea how Iraq

will retaliate. Saying that wedo not know only instillsfear into children.

Children are under-standably going to bescared. How can they besure that they will not go toschool and come home tofind their house blown up?They do not understand thedifference between civilianand military targets. Allthey understand is that the

U.S. is fighting with Iraq andcurrently, cities are beingblown up.

What are parents to do?It seems that the only thingthey can do is turn off thetelevision set. Their childrencan not watch televisionwithout seeing graphicfootage of the war, so itmakes sense to turn it offcompletely. However, is thatany way to handle the situa-tion? Some children will seethis as a punishment and notknow what they did wrong.

I think that the morepractical solution would befor media coverage of thewar to be limited to CNNand one other public station.People who wanted to checkon the war could do so, andparents who did not wanttheir children to watch theconstant destruction couldmake sure that they did notwithout turning off the tele-vision set altogether.

Running Off at the Mouth: The Editor Speaks

Jennifer L.WilliamsEditor-in-Chief

War-Instigated Talks AroundCampus Get Ugly

Students and faculty need torethink offensive,attacking lan-guage.by Sally Smith

opinions editor

The Rollins Collegecrew team held a home meeton the familiar turf of LakeMaitland last Saturday.Hosting JacksonvilleUniversity, Barry University,and University of Georgia,the competition began at8:00 a.m.

The team, went outin several boats for their 25-minute warm-ups prior tothe race, and proceeded tothe start line to face theirfierce competition in a seriesof races. Emerging victori-ously were the varsitywomen’s eight-boat and themen’s novice four-boats,while the other universitiesunfortunately left the otherboats defeated.

The women’s varsityeight began the race behindJacksonville University andalong side with Barry

University, which happensto be Rollins’ main competi-tor.

Right at the 1000-meter mark, things took aturn for the better. “We pro-ceeded to utilize the strategydubbed ‘the ducks fly atmidnight,’ which caused usto fly ahead of Jacksonvilleand ultimately take the race”highlighted MeredithGibboney.

The men’s novicefour also came out with awin on Saturday. Made upof the four fastest first-yearrowers, the team, althoughthey had already enduredthe trial of a 2000-meter race,raced toward the finish lineand squashed their competi-tion.

Competing withJacksonville University, whohad taken the vast majorityof the other races, the noviceboat came off the start linewith an extremely fast start,pulling out half a boat infront of them. With all theirstrength, the team held thelead through the second 500.

Coming up on the

end of the third 500, in thesame fashion as the winningwomen’s boat did, theypulled out their strategy byyelling what Skylar Wilsondescribed as the “putting thenail in the coffin” strategy.Pulling away, giving a com-manding lead, the men’sboat came in with a com-mendable four boat lead.

The secrets behindthe crew boat’s success areno mystery. The Coxswain,steering the boat and moti-vating the rowers, is themastermind behind the racestrategies. Working in con-junction with the coach,everything that is to be saidduring the race is writtendown and analyzed beforethe race.

Other members,such as Maya Gibboneyclaim, “The power of sea-weed wrapped around theoars gives us really greatluck.” It seems the wholecrew team has their ownway of ensuring success forthe race.

Conference play gotoff to a rainy start for theRollins baseball team as theytook on the St. Leo Lions lastweekend. After the game onFriday was rained out, thetwo teams split a double-header on Saturday withRollins losing 8-6 in the firstgame, recovering to win 2-1in the second game. Thegame from Friday wasrescheduled for Sunday butwas rained out as well due totorrential downpours.

After having to waitfor conference play to startafter the postponement ofFriday’s game, the Tars gotoff to a good start in the firstgame on Saturday. Rollinsstarted fast out of the gates,scoring three runs in the firstwith RBIs credited to JasonCloar, Toby Rice and LuisDieguez.

Rollins would buildtheir lead in the fifth inning,scoring two runs with Cloaragain picking up an RBI.After five the score was 5-0in favor of Rollins but unfor-tunately that was as good asit was going to get in gameone for the Tars.

After pitching fiveinnings of shutout balls,Rollins starting pitcherStephan Edsall was pulledand the St. Leo Lions begintheir comeback. St. Leowould score the next eightruns of the game off fourRollins relievers. The Tarsfell 8-6.

In the second game,the Tars got their secondsolid effort in a row fromtheir starting pitcher andthis time they were able topull out a victory. StarterGator Brooks pitched 5 1/3

innings of one-run ball. Rollins scored the

first run of the game in thefourth with Jason Cloar scor-ing from third on a passedball by St. Leo’s catcher. St.Leo would be held scorelessuntil the sixth, when theymanaged to score their onlyrun of the game.

Rollins starterBrooks left runners on sec-ond and first with one outwhen reliever David Pringleentered. Pringle gave up arun scoring single but thencoaxed a double play out ofSt. Leo’s second baseman toget out of a jam.

With the score tied at1-1 going into the Rollinshalf of the sixth, secondbaseman Chris Munozstepped to the plate with oneout and hit a double, only toadvance to third during thenext at bat on a wild pitch bySt. Leo’s starter.

Toby Rice then cameto the plate and, with twoouts, hit a groundball to theleft side of the infield. In acontroversial call, Rice wascalled safe at first after thethrow pulled the first base-man off the bag. Rice doveto avoid the tag and wascalled safe. St. Leo’s coachesdisagreed with the call andhad to be warned to quittheir complaining. WithRice safe at first, Munozscored easily and Rollinswas up 2-1.

Rollins relieverPringle was replaced withone out in the ninth by NickManson, who shut down St.Leo to pick up his first saveon the season. Pringle wascredited with the victory, hisfirst of the year.

The Tars continuedtheir winning ways bydefeating the PhiladelphiaPhillies Rookie League team6-3 on Tuesday.

sports the sandspur 7rollins college, winter park

CREWsing In Competition Conference PlayBaseball works

hard, winning twoout of three. by Jake Kohlman

staff reporter

The rowingteam gives it theirall in a home meetat Lake Maitland.by David Grasso

staff reporter

This past Friday,March 21, the women’s ten-nis team won against theU.S. Military Academy at 6 -3. Lindsey Soffes andFrances Giron were verypleased with the outcome.

“It was a good matchfor us to win. They’reDivision I and it was 5 – 4last year, so we played well,”reported Soffes. Carla Prietoand Vanessa Caddick wonboth singles and doublesand the rest of the teamplayed well.

On Tuesday March25 the team played NorthernMichigan, a team they hadnever played before. WhileNorthern Michigan isranked 30th in the countryand not as strong of a team,Coach Buckley still wantedthem prepared and to enterthe match the same way theywould against any otheropposing team.

Buckley alwayswants the team to work ashard as possible and never towalk into a match feelingconfident or as though it will

be an easy win. The womenended up beating NorthernMichigan at 9-0.

The team is nowtraining on the court twohours a day and is lifting inthe gym up to three times aweek. The women arefriends and play and warmup together, which helpskeep their team unity andprovides a high moralebefore games.

Coach Buckley’sbiggest focus is on doublesbecause it sets the tone forthe rest of the match. Somepractices focus completelyon doubles play and its con-sistency as well as beingaggressive on the court. It isimperative to avoid theopponent dominating thematch and for the player totake control.

The most importantthing that the team is work-ing on in singles is also con-sistency; during practice thegirls rotate and play eachother because “each playerhas a different style of play,”says Soffes. This way, theplayers are constantly chal-lenging and learning fromeach other.

Another way that theplayers can learn from eachother is by having team dis-cussions about their previ-

ous matches and seeingwhat they learned and howto improve. Before eachmatch, the team gets togeth-er an hour early and practicebefore cheering “Go Tars!”right before it starts.

The next goal for thegirls’ tennis team is to winagainst Barry and Lynn inMarch which will ultimatelydecide their fate in the cham-

pionships. The team hasimproved this year due toBuckley’s solidifying thedoubles’ teams and findingcombinations of players thatwork well together. Rightnow, the team is taking onematch at a time and focusingtoward winning.

Meet Michael Reese,21, a Senior majoring in com-puter science and a memberof the Baseball Team for fouryears, maintaining his cur-rent position as an outfield-er. Reese is noted for hisstandout offensive weapon,excellent arm, and outstand-ing plays.

Mike Reese graduat-ed from West Orange HighSchool in Orlando, Floridastarting in both baseball andfootball.

Today, as a senior heis first team all-metro, all-county, and third team all-state. He was also nominat-ed by Baseball America as asummer All-American afterearning MVP honors in theCoastal Plains League.

Mike recalls hishighlight game this yearwhen Rollins defeated theUniversity of Evansville dur-ing Baseball Week (20-5),with Reese scoring four

times with 2 RBI’s. The keyto Reese’s success, he admits,is that he always “relaxesand tries to have fun.”

As a local ofOrlando, Mike decided toattend Rollins Collegebecause of its reputation andthe fact that it was so close tohome. He notes that one ofhis biggest inspirations is hismother, who as a single par-ent raised his six brothersand sisters alone whilesimultaneously working.

Mike notes, “my momwould do anything for us.She’s amazing!”

Here at RollinsCollege, Reese is a memberof the Student AthleticAdvisory Committee(SAAC). Reese confessesthat his four years at RollinsCollege have been filled withgreat memories, lots offriends, and an overall greattime. “There’s nothing Iwould change.”

Upon graduation,

Mike hopes to relax andeventually find a job orinternship and while base-ball is something he wouldlove to pursue professional-ly, he mentions that he will,“act like it’s not going tohappen” and instead focushis energies on other things.“I just want to be happy,”said Reese. In five years hesees himself in a nice job tak-ing things day-by-day.

sports8 the sandspur rollins college, winter park

What’s Happening?

RROOLLLLIINNSS

CCAALLEENNDDAARRFFrriiddaayy 33-2288

Alumni Reunion WeekendMen’s Tennis, BuckyCopeland Memorial,

Doubles Tournament, 10 a.m.

Men’s Baseball, FLSouthern College, 7 p.m.

SSaattuurrddaayy 33-2299Men’s Baseball, FL Southern

College, 1 p.m.Sailing, SAISA Team Race

ChampionshipsMen’s Tennis, Bucky CopelandMemorial Doubles Tournament

Amanda’s Lane’s Senior Recital,Rogers Room, 4 p.m.

Happy Birthday Vanessa Nelson &Kathleen Reynolds

SSuunnddaayy 33-3300Women’s Tennis, Clayton

College, 10 a.m.Sailing, SAISA Team Race

ChampionshipsMen’s Tennis, Bucky CopelandMemorial Doubles Tournament,

10 a.m.Happy Birthday Sara Klemann

MMoonnddaayy 33-3311

Men’s Golf, Nova SpringClassic

Bach Choir Rehearsal,Roger Room, 7:30 p.m.

TTuueessddaayy 44-11Men’s Tennis, Martin Courts,

2:30 p.m.Bacchus Meeting, Bierbach & Reed,

6:30 p.m.DEVO Meeting, Darden Lounge,

7 p.m.ACE Meeting, Warden Dining, 7 p.m.

Men’s Baseball, Alfond SportsStadium, 7 p.m.

Happy Birthday Chris Tillson

WWeeddnneessddaayy 44-22

SAG Meeting CancelledSGA Meeting, Galloway Room,

6 p.m.Senate Meeting, Galloway Room,

6:30 p.m.Wickit Wednesday, Dave’s Down

Under, 8 p.m.

TThhuurrssddaayy 44-33Music at Midday, Roger Room,

12:30 p.m.Sandspur Meeting, Workroom,

5:30 p.m.RHA, Bierbach & Reed,

6:45 p.m.Rollins Horn Ensemble,

7:30 p.m., X2233Happy Birthday

Ethan Del Re

Batter Up: A Look At ReeseMichael Reese

discusses life out-side of baseball.by Chantel Figueroa

calendar

Tars Shut Out The OppositionWomen’s tennis

dominates in twohome games.by Marissa Block

staff reporter

photo / MATT MOOREKEY CONTRIBUTOR: Carla Prieto, ‘04, shows dominance asshe wins both her singles and doubles matches.

photo / MATT MOOREMVP: Michael Reese, ‘03, leads the men’s baseball team on and off the baseball diamond asan academic role model and a standout player.