Bryant Hosts Special Olympics on May 3 by Jenna Morris Work Finally Come Together on the Day of Games
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Volume 76, Issue 19 Smithfield, RI April 24, 2009 Bryant hosts Special Olympics on May 3 By Jenna Morris work finally come together on the day of games. “I think this event sends a very posi- Staff Writer tive impact on Bryant. It gives students a Bryant University will host the Northern Rhode chance to come and be a part of an amazing Island Special Olympics on Sunday, May 3rd. The organization,” says Assistant Games Director, Special Olympics committee held the first ever Kick- Stephanie Kirk. Off event in the Rotunda on April 8th, which proved The games this year will be dedicated to to be a huge success. The student body at Bryant Mack Qualls, a former athlete from the Lin- clearly showed an interest in the Special Olympics coln North Stars who recently passed away. event on campus, and over 120 students signed up His coach, Barbara Crosby, attended one of to volunteer at the event. the committee’s meetings and told us of The Special Olympics committee has been hard Mack’s story and brought pictures of him, his at work planning, promoting, and raising money for teammates, and family. He was a very dedi- this event for months. The volunteer committee has cated and positive athlete, who continued to planned numerous events to raise money for the participate in all of the Special Olympics Northern Rhode Island Special Olympics, including games, even after he lost his ability to speak an Uno’s fundraiser on Thursday, April 23rd at the and walk. His teammates all loved him and Smithfield Crossing Uno’s. will greatly miss him at this year’s event. The committee cannot wait to see all of their hard People with intellectual disabilities and (Courtesy of Rhode Island Special Olympics) their families have many obstacles to over- Lauren Gainor has been on the Special Olympics come, yet the athletes in Special Olympics and the committee in the past, and looks forward to watch- other people involved with this organization are so ing the event come together this year. “When I saw dedicated to these games and are an inspiration. the games take place in my freshman year as a gen- “Too often people at Bryant, including myself, com- eral volunteer, I couldn’t get over the smiles of the plain about small and insignificant tasks, yet no one athletes, families, and volunteers. So for this year I ever stops to think about what life is like for those can’t wait to see the smiles and look of accomplish- with intellectual disabilities. I can only imagine ment on the athletes’ faces. Many athletes look for- what these athletes and their families have over- ward to this event all year, and the fact that I helped come in their personal and social lives… This event make this happen means so much. I can’t wait to be has helped me keep faith that there are good people around hundreds of other individuals who are as out there who are willing to give their time and ef- passionate about Special Olympics as the committee fort for nothing in return,” says Lauren Gainor, and I are. The Special Olympics committee has Games Director. worked endlessly to put together this event, and I These obstacles have been experienced firsthand think to see this day take place would mean so by Nick Mancuso, this year’s Student Senate Liai- much to them.” son. “My brother Thomas was born with Down Syn- If you would like to volunteer at this event, drome. Since then I have worked tirelessly for please contact Todd Degnan at [email protected] Lauren Gainor, Games Director, Nick Mancuso, inclusion, creating support networks for people or if you would like to donate money please contact Student Senate Liasion, and Stephanie Kirk, As- with special needs, and making sure that we all get Tom O’Connor at [email protected]. sitant Games Director make up this year’s Spe- afforded the same opportunities regardless of our cial Olympics E-board. (Jenna Morris) abilities and disabilities.” Got marketing? Purple Cow moooves into Bryant By Ma'hew Juszczyk judged by company representatives and CEO advi- that features live music, healthy foods, and free sor Mike Roberto. Participants were asked to de- yoga lessons. He also suggested using viral market- Contributing Writer velop a logo that is simple and elegant and to create ing by engraving the company’s website address in Bryant’s CEO organization recently held its third an alternative to the relatively ineffective catalog four different live strong wristbands. Janis empha- annual Purple Cow Competition. The competition, that All That Matters dedicates 95% of their adver- sized that the occasional use of flyers and radio is designed to help local businesses enhance their mar- tising budget to. In addi- important, but keting plans and find new ways to compete, teaches tion to the need for a should not be the students about real world business challenges and redesigned logo and new company’s major allows students to combine what they learned in the advertising media, All focus. According to classroom and adapt it to help companies. The That Matters also wants to Janis, one way to event was organized by Emily Murphy and Haley focus on changing their attract men is to Trenholm. message to appeal to a use humorous bill- This year, All That Matters requested that Bryant male audience. board advertising. students help them re-tool their marketing plan. Caitlyn Vandervelde Katie Colton The company’s owner, Joan Dwyer, dropped out of (Class of 2011) suggested (Class of 2012) con- college in search of her passion and “learned a lot that the company expand cluded that the from trial and error.” According to Dwyer, the true into the radio or TV mar- company could spirit of an entrepreneur is the “spirit of independ- ket by developing a com- save monetary re- ence” and that it is important to act with conviction. mercial that highlights sources by e-mail- Her company is currently in its 15th year of opera- some of the company’s ing their catalog to tion and is the largest yoga studio in New England, core competencies. She customers instead employing more than 60 workers and offering addi- also suggested the use of of printing them. tional services such as healing and self-development monthly specials and dis- By regularly e- workshops. count cards that would mailing customers, In response to All That Matter’s need for new help create an incentive Colton felt the marketing perspectives and ideas, students submit- for people to visit and be- (Amanda Dunn) company could ted a written proposal to the CEO Executive Board, come customers. Van- stay in touch with and six teams advanced to the final round to be dervelde proposed that one way to attract more existing customers. Colton also likes the company’s male clientele could be use of mini calendars, but felt the company should the company’s work- feature their name and logo more prominently. She place stress manage- also felt that incentives like referral programs and ment program, which coupons could result in more effective viral market- could be expanded ing. Colton suggested that the company could at- rapidly by coordinat- tract more men by planning an open house that ing with other busi- conveys the benefits of the company’s stress relief nesses. programs. Daniel Janis (Class Burr Tomlinson (Class of 2011) felt that to in- of 2010) developed crease male participation, All That Matters could his marketing proposal separate males and females in the classrooms and around a theme of workshops. Tomlinson proposed that the company “what matters to you?” could cooperate with the University of Rhode Is- and emphasized the im- land’s sports teams to treat injured athletes. Further- portance of taking risks. more, Tomlinson mentioned that the catalog in its Janis suggested that the current form was too lengthy and that it should be company should do streamlined. more in the public rela- Margaret Gorman (2011) & Timothy Lagarce tions sector by having an event in Providence See ‘Purple Cow’ on page 2 page 2 april 24, 2009 Purple Cow Continued from Front Page (2011) thought that the company’s ho- catalog and organizing it by services wants to see the company reposition First place winner, Daniel Janis won listic aspect would be useful for hospi- would likely lower costs and make it its brand to focus on: power, serenity, $100.00 for his proposal, second place tals and to those who are sick and more readable. and fitness by pursuing a major fit- winner, Burr Tomlinson won $75.00, threatened by major diseases and that Tyler Murphy (Class of 2011) con- ness intensive, edgy atmosphere to at- and third place winner Tyler Murphy physical therapy offices could use ducted market research when he de- tract a male audience. He suggested a won $50.00. The judges thanked the some of the services of All That Mat- veloped his marketing proposal for balanced use of TV, radio, newspa- participants and were appreciative of ters to create long-term customers. To All That Matters. From his research, pers, and flyers to convey the new the creative and feasible ideas that attract men, Gorman proposed target- he determined that four words enter company brand. were presented by the participants. ing golf courses and shops through the minds of potential customers The company representatives from CEO would like to thank all those in the use of flyers. With regards to the when they view the company’s adver- All That Matters and CEO advisor attendance, with a special thanks to company’s dependence on the catalog, tising materials: peaceful, harmony, Mike Roberto used a rubric to deter- the participants.