Volume CXXXV, Number 23, May 18, 2018
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The Student Newspaper of Lawrence University Since 1884 THE LAWRENTIAN VOL. CXXXV NO. 23 LGBTQ group hosts first LU Pride Prom Some of the organizers of the event: junior Rebecca Bernheimer, freshman Spencer Washington, sophomore Taylor Blackson, freshman Hezekíah Ortiz, sophomore Jessenia Zelaya and sophomore Susie Francy. Photo by Angela Caraballoa. Stephanie Meyer had posted. It was both educational clearly done a lot of meaningful Staff Writer and fun.” work in the Houston area.” ______________________________________ Colores not only took the Zelaya reported that the dona- On Friday, May 11, Colores opportunity to create a fun and tion collection at prom resulted in held Lawrence’s first ever Pride welcoming space for Lawrence’s raising a lot of funds and added Prom, a celebration for LGBTQ stu- LGBTQ community, but designed meaningfulness to the prom itself. dents of color and their allies. the event in a way that advo- “It was cool because we wanted “I think there is a big need for cated for the values that Colores to make sure that our issues and expression of pride at Lawrence believes in. One of the ways Colores our core values were represented, because, at the moment, there achieved this was through fundrais- and so we wanted people to have hasn’t really been any spaces, ing during the dance for the Latina fun but also know that they could besides Colores, for LGBTQ stu- Trans Organization of Texas. Zelaya participate in something bigger,” dents,” said sophomore Jessenia explained that this specific orga- said Zelaya. Zelaya, cofounder of Colores. “I nization is currently experiencing The best part of Pride Prom think that the LGBTQ-identifying a great deal of hardship due to was the sense of community and students here really wanted some- the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey welcoming. “It was nice to see thing to celebrate, something to be and other struggles. Recently the people who I’ve seen around cam- a part of at the end of this year.” Latina Trans Organization has not pus, who I never really interacted Zelaya described how the been able to raise enough money to with but all came together in a Colores board worked together pay their rent, and as a result they really nice way,” said Zelaya. “It was Jill Beck Director of Film Studies Amy Ongiri and sophomore DeAndre King were in to create an event that would be charge of music for the event. are at risk of losing the space they all very respectful and fun, and I Photo by Spencer Washington. something special and have mean- have, which serves as a shelter and think people really just needed the coordinator. to add to our space and learn from ing for Lawrence’s LGBTQ com- community center for trans people space to dance and sing and just be Zelaya gave suggestions on us, and we can learn from them.” munity. of all ethnicities in the Houston themselves, in a school that doesn’t how Lawrence students can sup- Zelaya also added that another “We put a lot of work into it area. often let people be themselves.” port people of Colores and the gen- way to support the Colores com- and we did not want it to be just Zelaya saw the value in fun- The feeling of just being able eral LGBTQ community to make munity is to attend their meetings another generic pride event. Like draising for such an organization. to be oneself struck home for many Lawrence a truly inclusive environ- every Monday night at 7 p.m. in this was specifically about us and “I saw that a lot of people were of the promgoers. ment. Memorial Hall 114. They only ask we made sure we included a his- donating, but really not enough “Pride prom to me means “I think that just coming to our allies to come with an open mind tory of Colores itself, but also a his- to cover the rent,” Zelaya said. being able to dress however I want, publicized events is a great way to and a willingness to work with tory of LGBTQ people and people “I thought that, because we are act however I want in a support- get to know us, like Pride Prom was their ally coordinator whenever of color,” said Zelaya. “We included an organization centered around ive space – in a space where you an event that was specifically open they have any questions of chal- a lot of figures on the wall and I LGBTQ people of color, what better won’t be judged by what you wear to anybody,” Zelaya said, “so when lenges. saw a lot of people checking out organization to support than them, or who you are,” said sophomore we open up to others, we hope that the posters and the materials we as they are in clear need and have Susie Francy, Colores’ ally-ship those people come in and are able Variety Sports Features A&E Op-Ed Break a record, break a I want to be a cowboy, Chill Out The Meaning of Life Vijay Iyer record baby! PAGE 3 PAGE 4 PAGE 6 PAGE 8 PAGE 10 THIS WEEK 2 NEWS May 18, 2018 THE LAWRENTIAN Associate Dean of Students to depart from LU Her work with seniors “is mostly “in the end, it’s about supporting tions, but has not figured out what seling, along with her interest in to celebrate the time they spent on students and families through col- to do yet. “In the meantime stu- the mental health and wellbeing campus,” said Wicker. lege,” said Wicker. dents are hurting,” said Wicker. “In of students, inspired her to go into CORE and working with CORE Wicker has served as the advi- the meantime students are leaving, this area of research. Rikke Sponheim Staff Writer Leaders has been one of Wicker’s sor for the Black Student Union they’re transferring, they’re not She wants to study how cam- _________________________ favorite aspects of working at for about seven years. “It’s been a having the greatest of experiences puses deal with trauma, how staff To continue her education, Lawrence, and emphasized that “it privilege” said Wicker, “just seeing at Lawrence.” and administration are trained to Paris Wicker ‘08 is leaving her posi- has a need, and not everyone is that organization grow and change Helping students of color with deal with trauma. “Particularly tion as Associate Dean of Students going to go – I understand that and advocate on campus. I’m really the challenges they face on cam- how it relates to retention,” said for Student Transitions, Support – but I think those who choose proud of what our students have pus was one of things that moti- Wicker, “are institutions doing or and Persistence at Lawrence to partake really find it valuable.” done, and honored that I can be a vated Wicker to get her Ph.D. in knowing what they need to know University to pursue her Ph.D. in Wicker has also enjoyed working part of that journey.” Educational Leadership and Policy and do in order to support stu- Educational Leadership and Policy with first generation students, and While Wicker has enjoyed Analysis. Also, working in admis- dents”. Analysis as a full-time student at helping them figure out what they much of her time at Lawrence, sions and student life were what “I initially applied part time,” University of Wisconsin-Madison. need to be successful. there have been difficulties work- made Wicker realize that she said Wicker. “My goal was to stay at Wicker will officially leave the posi- Another component of ing and being a student here. “It’s wanted to work in higher educa- Lawrence.” However, the University tion in August 2018, and Lawrence Wicker’s work at Lawrence has bittersweet,” said Wicker. Some of tion. Wicker’s goal is to gain the of Wisconsin-Madison offered will be searching for someone to been supporting students who are the things that Wicker has found research and experience that will Wicker a full ride for five years to fill her position. underrepresented on campus, such to be the most challenging for her allow her to be at the executive research race and education which As an Associate Dean of as first-generation students, low have been the lack of communica- level in higher education and let required her to be a full-time stu- Students, Wicker ‘08 focused on income students, military students tion between students and admin- her have a say in decision making. dent. “I realized that this was a helping students transition into and transfer students. “I look at istrators, and the problems stu- Wicker hopes to study mental great opportunity for me to go and college life. Wicker focused on each group specifically to see what dents of color face on this campus. health in students of color, and do the research that will eventually helping students transition to dif- they need, and act accordingly,” “The administration and also trauma in higher education. hopefully help students like the ferent stages of colleges with pro- said Wicker. the students, we want the same Having a master’s degree in coun- students here at Lawrence.” grams such as CORE for freshmen, After graduating from things,” said Wicker, “but some- the majors fair for sophomores and Lawrence with a Bachelor of Arts how we don’t seem to see that in working with seniors to help them with majors in Music and French, each other.” Seeing students have decide what to do after college. Wicker was asked to work in demands that align with what the Upcoming Events admissions, where she worked for administration is working towards, 7 years.