Profile Issue: Faces of Fredonia
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PROFILE ISSUE: FACES OF FREDONIA THE LEADER 04.18.18 | Issue 25 | Volume CXXIV NEWS | 2 LIFE & ARTS | 7 SPORTS| 14 THE SCALLION | 20 PROFILE OF DR. ICLAL ROSLIN SMITH: A LIFE OF 30 YEARS LATER: JEFF A PROFILE OF THE TIN MAN VANWESENBEECK TAKING OPPORTUNITIES MEREDITH’S HOCKEY ON THREE MAN HILL LEGACY 2 The Leader April 18, 2018 The Leader NEWS Advertising: [email protected] S206 Williams Center Twitter @LeaderFredonia ‘I think, more than love, I realized Fredonia, NY 14063 Instagram @leaderfredonia I needed literature’ [email protected] Facebook LeaderFredonia A profile of Dr. Iclal Vanwesenbeeck, English professor www.fredonialeader.org ALEXANDRIA SMITH “My family and friends are scattered Special to The Leader around the world,” she said. “I do research Editor in Chief Asst. Art Director on things that are abroad, I collaborate with Claire O’Reilly Hannah Orlousky She found the connections between myths people who live in different countries and to Mattea Guldy Managing Editor and reality, traveled the world and has hosted places I am curious about.” Travis LeFevre Photo Editor a number of events. All the while, she was Speaking of traveling, and teaching, Angelina Dohre and remains a literature Vanwesenbeeck takes students News Editor professor here at Fredonia. to Iceland. In fact, there’s a trip Dan Orzechowski Asst. Photo Editor Vacant This adventurous life coming up soon. From these Asst. News Editor belongs to Dr. Iclal two things came incredible Seth Michael Meyer Copy Editors Vanwesenbeeck. and treasured memories it Victor Schmitt-Bush Ben Anderson Life, for her, began seems. Brandon Safe Life & Arts Editor with a fantastical setting, “I think because I am about Vacant Asst. Copy Editor living close to the ancient to teach my Iceland course Victoria Barnes Hellenic ruins. again, I’d say being on a Asst. Life & Arts Editor Kelsea Halloran “My mom worked glacier with my students is a Elyse Grieco Business Manager in a school sandwiched unique experience. Hugging Sports Editors Lauren Finke between the Jewish newly born Icelandic lambs Vacant elementary school and is also up there with glaciers,” Ad. Sales Manager the ruins of a Greek she said with a smile. “One Asst. Sports Editor Taylor Staight Avril King Agora,” she said. “I think time, I got lost in catacombs Quintin James Asst. Ad. Sales Manager imagining the ancient in Malta and saw light of day Aiden Pollard Zachary Roberts world occupied my mind again thanks to a film crew. as a kid, and it still does, I went to Djerba, allegedly The Scallion Editor Sales Representatives Emma Patterson Ryan Shakya and my love for the the island of Lotus Eaters in Tyler Witt Mediterranean world Homer’s Odyssey, and had a Asst. Scallion Editor Alexis Sorbello kindles that scholarly fire.” heat stroke and almost forgot Vacant Joe Sciera Her family also owns everything, too.” Web Editor Social Media Manager a vineyard and an olive Other interests of Jason Cheung Avril King grove, and according to Vanwesenbeeck’s are music Vanwesenbeeck, “Add a Dr. Iclal Vanwesenbeeck fosters a and farming. Asst. Web Editor Asst. Social Media Manager few goats and you have the love for reading. “I don’t own a farm but I Vacant Angelina Dohre Photo courtesy of Roger Coda Sarah Hughston Virgilian pastoral.” think I might some day . Of Design Editor At around the age of 13, she began to course in [Western New York] my farming life Jessica Tompkins Adviser read the works of Sartre, Camus, Kafka and is limited to tomatoes and green vegetables, Elmer Ploetz Montaigne. but who knows what the future holds.” Asst. Design Editor Benjamin Rockafellow “They made literature relevant to my life,” The advice she was willing to give she said. “I think, more than love, I realized I demonstrated not only the breadth of life Art Director needed literature.” experience that she has but also the passion Marissa Doing Vanwesenbeeck later achieved a bachelor’s she has for her students. degree in western languages with their “Find a way to be optimistic and happy,” The Leader is funded through advertising revenue and a portion of the respective literatures and a doctoral degree in she said. I think without optimism, it is hard mandatory student activities fee. It is published by the students of SUNY comparative literature. to do the work you need to do in life, or Fredonia. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in Even though traveling seems to be a hobby commit to yourself and to the world around any form or by any means except as may be expressly permitted in writing by for her, Vanwesenbeeck has a variety of you.” the editor in chief. All opinion writings in The Leader reflect the opinion of reasons why she has been all over the world. the writer, with the exception of the editorial, which represents the opinion of the majority of the editorial board. The Leader editorial board holds its staff meetings, during the academic semesters, weekly on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. On the Cover: Correction: In Issue 24, Courtney Gfroerer’s title was incor- Letters to the editor must be 350 words or less and have a deadline of 4 p.m. rect. She is a communications specialist at Elderwood. A bitmap collaged image. on Friday. The Leader is printed by the Buffalo News in Buffalo, New York Correction: In Issue 24, Sylvana Dussan’s name was spelled and is distributed free on campus and in the surrounding community. Press Jessica Tompkins/Design Editor incorrectly. run is 2,500. Spring is never coming. Sorry. Clarification: A revised article regarding Fredonia Art Forum will be printed in Issue 26 Proud member of The Associated Collegiate Press. fredonialeader.org The Leader 3 Connor Aitcheson: international man of student advocacy JOSH RANNEY second trip was to Antigua, Guatemala,” he said. “I first got involved in student government at Assistant News Editor These trips developed Aitcheson's JCC as a compromise with my advisor who said appreciation for witnessing and taking in diverse just being the mascot (JJ the Jayhawk) shouldn’t The President of the Student Association: cultures first-hand. This perspective is one that be the extent of my campus involvement,” said everyone votes for them, and they represent each is shared by numerous Fredonians who travel Aitcheson. student but not everyone knows who they really all over the world each semester. In his first few semesters of student are. Aside from his work in linguistics, Aitcheson government, Aitcheson became SGA vice President Connor Aitcheson was elected is the chief representative of the students president and eventually president. last semester and began his term on the first of Aitcheson said the rewarding experience this year. Four months into his term, some may he found in student government led him know him from General Assembly meetings or to immediately seek out Fredonia’s Student SA social media. But not many know him as a Association once he transferred here. student like the rest of us. He served as a class representative and Aitcheson grew up down the road assistant speaker of the assembly before from Fredonia, in Dunkirk, where he being elected president. graduated from Dunkirk High School. It’s an opportunity that he welcomes After high school, Aitcheson attended and is honored to have, but explains Jamestown Community College. that things did not unfold the way he “Location, affordability [and] expected. scholarship opportunities,” were “This wasn’t my original plan,” reasons for Aitcheson going to JCC he said. “I was actually planning on out of high school, like many other studying abroad in Costa Rica this Fredonia students. semester, but unfortunately those Aitcheson said that he plans fell through.” transferred to Fredonia because of But when the possibility of the great transfer agreement with becoming SA president came up, JCC. But as far as he is concerned Aitcheson lept on it because of what he now, Fredonia is the place to be. described as the perfect opportunity to “The overall atmosphere on the practice student advocacy. Fredonia campus is welcoming and In all, it’s an experience that has been dynamic,” he said. a rewarding for Aitcheson. “The most Here at Fredonia, Aitcheson is a Spanish rewarding part of being president is watching adolescent education major — a field that he students advocate and educate on matters they found interest and love for thanks to his roots. are passionate about . being able to play a “Growing up in a community with a notable minor role in providing that platform is an Spanish speaking population,” said Aitcheson, “I extremely rewarding experience,” he said. befriended many people of diverse backgrounds Connor Aitcheson is the current president of Being the chief representative and who had unique perspectives and interesting the Student Association here at Fredonia. Photo spokesperson for the students of Fredonia does stories that were often overlooked or ignored courtesy of Matthew Anderson not come without its challenges, though. simply because of the language they spoke.” The biggest challenge Aitcheson faces is, After college, Aitcheson said he hopes to be a of Fredonia as president of the Student “ensuring that all student voices have a seat at middle or high school Spanish teacher. Association. the table and that we, as the representative body, Exploring this field not only lets him work This is not a line of work that was new are considering the many diverse perspectives,” with his passion, but has provided some unique to Aitcheson when he came to Fredonia. His he said. opportunities. Aitcheson has studied abroad – involvement in student government goes back to Aitcheson makes sure to acknowledge twice.