LIFESTYLE OPINION SPORTS Charity intern makes a difference Narcissism in media Emerson hires AD search group

The Berkeley Beacon Emerson College’s student newspaper since 1947 • berkeleybeacon.com Th ursday, September 5, 2013 • Volume 67, Issue 1 New food provider starts service at college

Brittany Gervais, Beacon Correspondent

Emerson will see a number of changes to its dining hall and recycling methods this year with the arrival of the school’s new service provider, Sodexo. Th e switch to the France-based company happened early last month, when Sodexo was chosen from three other food service provid- ers to replace ARAMARK, a company which had been with the college for 15 years. Steve Canario, the new general manager of dining services from Sodexo, said the com- pany is already working with students to meet their individual needs. “Serving healthy food is one of our main focuses,” he said. “We try to do a great job of labeling our food.” Sodexo, a France-based company, replaced previous provider Sodexo will off er new programs to provide ARAMARK on campus • Andrew Harwood/Beacon Staff students with easier ways to eat healthy. By logging onto My Fitness Pal, an online calo- dining Karen Jew will also be available on cam- "Serving rie counter and diet plan, students and staff pus to answer questions and advise students on healthy can see nutritional information for any of the any of their nutritional concerns. meals served in the dining hall that day. Each Along with introducing some changes to food is one dish will also have color-coded tongs to tell the dining hall, Canario said he also wants to students which meals served are healthy, and start taking an aggressive stance when it comes of our main which they should eat in moderation, accord- to composting and recycling. focuses." Boylston Place could be transformed with future construction of a dormitory building. Resi- ing to Canario. Emerson and Sodexo have recently an- dence halls may replace Sweetwater Tavern and Th e Estate. • Andrew Harwood / Beacon Staff For students with specifi c dietary needs, nounced their partnership with Planet Police, a – Steve Canario said Sodexo will introduce a new area compost hauling service, with a plan to develop Canario, in the dining hall called My Zone. Th is is an a composting program on campus. Th is will in- College announces expansion area set aside for students who follow a dairy- clude releasing a monthly report to let students Sodexo GM free, gluten-free, or peanut-free lifestyle. So- to the neighborhood. dexo dietitian and director of undergraduate See Sodexo, Page 2 Laura Gomez, Beacon Staff Built in 1915 as an offi ce building and converted to a dormitory and dining hall Instead of stepping into the bar of the in 1995 by the college, the Little Building’s Sweetwater Tavern for a pitcher of beer, stu- need for repair and restoration is recog- Boston Strong creators earn celebrity recognition for dents could be walking into a new 18-story, nized by the college community. residence hall with a roof terrace and views “I’m happy to see the LB will be re- T-shirt campaign and attend Video Music Awards of the Boston Common and the State House paired,” said senior performing acts major by Spring 2016. James Murray. “If they can get rid of the ing a resident assistant training session On August 26, Emerson College sub- scaff olding it would be great.” Kathryn Bennett, Beacon Staff Aug. 13 about the progress of their cam- mitted a report to the city on a proposed Th e construction of the new Boylston "It's been paign. When they arrived at the Bill Bor- project at 1-3 Boylston Place to transform Place dormitory and the repairs to the Little A personal invitation to the MTV Vid- dy Th eater Emerson alumna and MTVu the existing four-story, 24,000-square-foot Building are expected to begin in Spring amazing eo Music Awards seems out of reach for personality Quinn Marcus appeared with commercial properties into an 18-story, 2014 and Summer 2014, respectively, ac- anyone without a platinum album. But a camera crew in tow. 89,900-square-foot residence hall. cording Ings. and abso- Lane Brenner, a recent Emerson gradu- “Quinn came out of nowhere, celeb- Th e 1-3 Boylston Place residence hall “Th e new residence hall will provide lutely sur- ate, found herself on the guest list when rities were holding our shirts and saying could be the tallest campus structure at 171 replacement housing for 407 students cur- she, along with co-founders of the Bos- our names, and then we got invited to the feet tall, rising over the Walker Building and rently living in the 750-bed Little Building real to see ton Strong campaign Nick Reynolds and VMAs,” said Brenner. Piano Row. Rooms would have a suite-style dormitory while repairs are being done on businesses, Chris Dobens, were surprised with tick- MTVu, a network owned by MTV, set-up, similar to the Paramount Building’s this building,” wrote Ings in the letter intro- ets to the network’s famous award show which focuses solely on college life, sur- layout said Margaret A. Ings, Emerson’s as- ducing the report, known as Project Notifi - celebrities, for their charitable work. prised groups of college students across sociate vice president. cation Form. “I was happy, shocked, crying, bab- the country with tickets to the VMAs for Th e LEED Gold-certifi ed building would Th e city requires the form, which is sub- and every- bling, and speechless,” said Brenner. “Ob- a segment on one of their program Ran- only be used for residential purposes and, ject to public review, for large construction day people viously far too many emotions in a short dom Acts of MTVu. Th e creators of Bos- according to design renderings detailed in projects. A Project Notifi cation Form de- amount of time.” ton Strong were the fi rst to be recognized. the report, would display a contemporary scribes in detail features of the building plan helping out “We were so excited to receive MTV’s Th eir surprise involved a video of celebri- style of architecture using materials like such as fl oor layouts, design renderings, with Boston invitation, and the show itself was ev- ties including Robin Th icke, Fall Out Boy, brick terracotta and refl ective glass on the and the transportation and environmental erything we hoped it would be. I mean, and Shay Mitchell of Pretty Little Liars exterior of the building. impacts the construction would have on the Strong in *NSYNC was there,” said Reynolds, a se- holding the now-iconic Boston Strong T- Th e need for a new residence hall stems neighborhood. nior visual and media arts major. shirts and personally thanking Brenner, from the college’s desire to repair the Little Residents of the Little Building would different Dobens, Brenner, and Reynolds started Dobens and Reynolds for all they have Building’s exterior and interior structure. be rotated to the new dormitory as partial ways." – Boston Strong aft er the Boston Marathon done to raise money for the One Fund. “Th e Little Building has done the ma- construction is completed in the new build- bombing to help raise money for the One Boston Strong has raised over jority of housing for our students, but ing and repair of the residential fl oors of the Nick Reyn- Fund, which pays hospital bills and other $900,000, according to their Facebook now it needs to be fi xed,” said Ings, at a Little Building begin, said Ings. Ultimately, olds, Boston expenses of those aff ected by the bomb- page, and the founders have no plans to Sept 3 community meeting held at the when both project are completed, the Little ings that went off near the marathon fi n- stop anytime soon. Hyatt Regency Boston, where the col- Strong ish line. lege presented the development proposal See Expansion, Page 2 Th e group was scheduled to speak dur- See Boston Strong Page 2

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Th e Beacon Beat: our weekly news recap BerkeleyBeacon /BerkeleyBeacon /BerkeleyBeacon berkeleybeacon.com/go/beacon-beat news The Berkeley Beacon September 5, 2013 2 College police plan for heightened building security in spring tion. Security will also tighten in dormitory up in the Little Building lobby. This desk will Jackie Tempera, Beacon Staff buildings. also provide maps and directions for visitors “We don’t have a problem [with delays] to the campus, said Smith. The Emerson College Police Department in [Paramount] to be honest,” said Smith. A slight alteration in the check-in pro- will roll out a series of new procedures this “And it will really make a difference as far as cedure for guests to residence halls may be academic year, including changes to build- security goes.” implemented as well. Students may need to ing entry policies, pending approval from Benjamin Halls, the security council’s sign these guests in at the Securitas desk, President M. Lee Pelton. The changes would SGA representative, said he is not pleased rather than with resident assistants. tighten security on campus, said Chief of Po- with this portion of the changes. He said he The school also underwent some tech- lice Robert Smith. feels tapping will take too much time and nology upgrades over the summer. College According to Smith, he and the secu- students will be late to class. building entryways are now wired different- rity council — a group of faculty and staff “I told [President Pelton] it shouldn’t be ly, and can be locked down in seconds from members with one student government as- implemented,” said the senior writing, litera- a switch in the police department’s office. sociation representative — began to review ture, and publishing major. “One problem “During the Marathon bombing, it took campus security after the Sandy Hook El- with an ID and then no students are getting us five minutes to get exterior doors shut ementary School shooting last December. up the stairs or to class.” down, which was good, but now we can be “It started after the school shooting,” said But Smith said he has accounted for po- even quicker,” said Smith. Smith. “But even more so after the Mara- tential delays that may occur at the begin- Defibrillator machines have also been in- thon bombings. We needed to reevaluate ning of his plan. stalled around campus. security so we know who is coming into our “We will give students as much informa- Smith said he was unsure what these up- buildings.” tion as possible,” said Smith. “The more we grades cost, but that Jay Phillips, the associ- The Boston Marathon bombing occurred give, the greater likelihood it will be success- ate vice president for facilities and campus in April, when two bombs detonated at the ful and not disruptive.” services, had the figures. Phillips declined to finish line of the annual race. The college was In giving students more notice, Smith comment. placed under lockdown during the scare. said he believes that students will be better In coming weeks, Smith said he will meet The most notable proposed change in the prepared and have their IDs readily available with Pelton to finalize these changes, and plan concerns building entry policies. Cur- to quicken the pace of the taps. said he hopes to complete them as soon as rently, when students enter the Ansin Build- Similar changes may come to the dormi- possible, so students can begin to prepare. ing, Walker Building, or Tufte Performance tory buildings. Smith said he will speak to Pelton sent an email to students in May, and Production Center buildings for class, Pelton in coming weeks about keeping resi- outlining the changes he said were slated for they do not need to show their student iden- dence hall doors locked in the evening, and the fall semester. But Smith said he will be on tification. But to access the Paramount Cen- adding tapping machines to the exterior of Emerson’s upcoming Los Angeles campus ter, every student must “tap” — or touch their the buildings. Students would then need to frequently, developing security procedures school-issued ID to a pad — at a checkpoint. use their ID card to open the doors. for the site, which is why he elected to begin The protocol in the Paramount Center is dif- “You can still tap in and enter the build- the changes in the spring. ferent because there are also dormitories in ing,” said Smith. “But we have a lot of very “This is something I want to be around the building, said Smith. popular nightclubs, and on the weekends for,” he said. “We need to make sure the Starting in the spring semester, every students feel like [non-students] congregate change happens as smoothly as possible.” classroom building may follow the Para- in entryways and lobbies.” jacktemp mount Center’s procedure, and every per- An information desk where faculty and New changes may require students to use IDs in all classroom son entering might have to show identifica- staff members can check in guests may be set [email protected] buildings. • Andrew Harwood/Beacon Staff

New building would house students Sodexo to expand healthy options for campus food while fixes to Little Building occur Continued from Sodexo, Page 1 dent of facilities and campus services, said he know how much the school is composting, feels confident Sodexo is a good choice for Em- as well as how these efforts have impacted the erson. Continued from Expansion Page 1 Today, out of the 3,586 full-time under- environment, according to Canario. “We will be making sure that [Sodexo’s] food graduate students enrolled, 55 percent are Eco Reps, volunteer students who will ex- options include healthy, sustainable options and will remain functioning as residential fa- housed by the college. With the new dormi- plain how to properly compost leftovers, will have good value,” Phillips said in an email inter- "I don't cilities, said Ings. tory completed and LB repairs finished, 66 be stationed next to the recycling area a couple view. “LB needs a rejuvenation and a chance percent of the full-time undergraduate stu- days a week in the dining hall to talk about the However, Sodexo does have a complicated know if to be cared for,” said Melissa Obleada, se- dents could be living on campus. process, said Canario. past. The company has faced complaints of low Sodexo nior marketing communication major. “But According to the Project Notification Canario also said the dining hall will close at wages, sexual harassment, inadequate sick-leave I feel bad for the small businesses.” Form, the construction of the new residence 9 p.m., one hour later than last year, and a newly policies, a lack of health coverage, and anti-union knows how In March 2010, Emerson College bought hall will require the demolition of buildings remodelled C Store, a convenience store on behavior. In March 2001, Sodexo was accused unpopu- 1-3 Boylston Place, space currently leased 1-3 Boylston Place, but the college plans to campus, will be a bigger, more modern space. of racial discrimination when nearly all mid- through March 2015 to the Estate night- preserve the façade of 3 Boylston Place be- Some ARAMARK employees were offered jobs level black employees realized they were denied lar ARA- club at 1-2 Boylston Place and Sweetwater cause the project’s architects find historical with Sodexo if they wished to remain on Emer- promotions because of their race. It became one Tavern at 3 Boylston Place, according to the and architectural value in the façade’s cop- son’s campus, according to Canario. of the biggest race-related job bias settlements in MARK documents filed by the college to the Boston per bay windows and the Romanesque Re- Alexandra DePalma, a sophomore market- the last decade, according to Fox News. was. Redevelopment Authority, the city’s plan- vival style of the building. ing communication major, said students who Last year, all frozen beef products used by ning and economic development agency. Initially, the college proposed to build a weren’t fans of ARAMARK hope Sodexo will Sodexo in the U.K. were withdrawn in Febru- People The fate of Sweetwater Tavern and the 280 foot high structure located at 1-6 Boyl- bring solutions to past complaints. ary following the discovery of horse DNA in a have high Estate nightclub is uncertain, but the college ston Place that could house 750 students “I don’t know if Sodexo knows coming in sample, according to The Guardian. is currently in contact with the two estab- and include a dining facility, a fitness center, how unpopular ARAMARK was,” she said. To keep a line of communication open, expecta- lishments, said Ings. an equipment distribution center, and the “People have high expectations.” Canario said he wants to address any concerns Obleada said said she regularly hangs Emerson Police Department, according to a Sarina Clement, a sophomore writing, litera- students may have and create an open dialogue tions." – out in Sweetwater Tavern, and enjoys its letter of intent filed to the Boston Redevel- ture and publishing major, transferred to Emer- by introducing Napkin Notes, an informal pro- Alexandra proximity to school. opment Authority on June 5. son from Endicott College in Mass. this year, a gram that will allow students to post their ques- “It’s nice to have a close by bar and res- However, the Boston Redevelopment school whose food provider is Sodexo. tions or complaints to Sodexo on napkins, and DePalma, taurant that can be a regular place for Em- Authority did not support the plan and told She said she thought the the food was good get back a response within a day or two. The sophomore erson students,” she said. the college to scale down the project to 171 at first, but then things began to sour. bulletin board is posted near the recycling area Olivia Moriarty, a senior perform- feet, said Ings at a September 3 neighbor- “At first, I thought to myself, ‘Great, I won’t in the dining hall. marketing ing arts major, feels Sweetwater is a staple hood meeting held at the Hyatt Regency have to starve,’” she said. “Then I started getting Until then, Canario said he’s going to keep his among students. Boston. As a result, the Tavern Club, part- headaches and stomachaches, and I think it was ear to the ground and find out as much about commu- “When you turn 21, you go there. It’s ners in the project and owners of 4-6 Boyl- from the food.” Emerson students as he can. nication fun, it’s cheap, and it’s on campus,” she said. ston Place properties, decided to terminate Clement said she is living off campus this “So far so good,” he said about his experience Sweetwater Tavern and Big Night Enter- their partnership because they found the year. While she already planned on cooking so far. “But we definitely need to communicate major tainment Group, the managing company of lower height discouraging to their enter- most of her meals, she said when she found out with the students about the types of services Estate, declined to comment on the project. prise, according to Ings. Sodexo was coming to Emerson, she went out they need. Communication is really important Ings said that repairs to the Little Build- The Boston Redevelopment Authority and got a new lunch box so she could bring food to us.” ing could take at least five to seven years to will review the project and take comments with her to class instead of going to the dining be completed, and the new dormitory is ex- from other city agencies, neighborhood hall for lunch. pected to be ready for occupancy in Spring groups, and the public until September 27, Jay Phillips, Emerson’s associate vice presi- [email protected] 2016. according to Melina Schuler, associate di- Emerson does not expect to increase or rector of media and public relations at the decrease enrollment during construction Boston Redevelopment Authority. Boston Strong to continue raising money or after both projects are completed. With The filing of the Project Notification approximately 400 new beds, the college Form is only the first step of a process that Continued from Boston Strong, Page 1 “Its still hard to believe how much work hopes to increase its housing capacity to 70 could lead to certification by the city for MTV put into getting celebrity endorse- percent of the student population, accord- implementation of the project as outlined said Brenner. “If victims continue ments for the T-shirts, and the VMAs ing to Ings. by city code. to need the money, we want to still sell were just the icing on the cake.” Currently, Emerson’s four residence halls shirts.” can house a total of 1,948 students: Little “It’s been amazing and absolutely sur- Building houses 750, Piano Row houses lagomezr real to see businesses, celebrities, and 564, Paramount houses 262 and Colonial everyday people helping out with Boston @kathrynb56 [email protected] houses 372 students. Strong in different ways,” said Reynolds. [email protected] editorial The Berkeley Beacon September 5, 2013 3 Ain't no dormitory high enough If you’re reading this from your fifth- rent limitations in our residence halls’ the difference in convenience between a At issue: floor Cambridge “apartment” with its capacities. two-mile walk and a two-flight walk can fake fireplace and assorted kitsch from With nearly half the student body For stu- mean a lot to a busy student. Emerson hopes to Sunday’s Allston Christmas, after endur- moving off campus after their sopho- dents accus- For students accustomed to a six- ing a 40-minute ride on the Green Line more years, Emerson lacks an overarch- building campus that — situated ad- build a new dorm on to and from school — Emerson is work- ing sense of community that many other tomed to a jacently — would span less than a city Boylston Place ing on a solution for more on-campus institutions of higher education seem to six-building block, the inconvenience of living off- housing, although it’ll probably be too have. This is a sense of community that campus is a major issue. Being off-cam- late for you. cannot be gained through once-a-week campus pus requires several lifestyle changes, But if you’re an underclassman living meetings, occasional run-ins at Boloco, including adjusting to an increased time that — situ- Our take: in a spacious Piano Row suite with an un- and a mutual disdain for Suffolk, but spent commuting and scheduling classes paralleled view of the Common — you’re rather, a place we can all call home. With ated ad- in blocks of time maximizing junctures A good first step in in luck. this new dormitory, more students will spent on campus. And although Emer- New plans to build an additional resi- be able to have the full four-year college jacently — son officially estimates that the cost of guaranteeing more dence hall housing 407 students have experience — allowing for a true college would span living off-campus is comparable to liv- been announced, with construction community at Emerson. ing in dorms, financial aid subsidies for on-campus housing slated to begin in spring 2014. This new Incoming transfer students could find less than a housing can’t always be transferred when space will offer temporary housing to the struggle to find last-minute, off- students move away from the Common. The editorial is written solely by the Little Building residents as that build- campus housing relieved with the expan- city block, Although it’s fun to pick out new Editor-in-Chief Evan Sporer, Managing ing undergoes renovations in summer sion. It costs $300 to be put on a waitlist the incon- furniture, having HBO, and argue with Editors Ryan Catalani, Trelawny Davis and 2014. The additional space provided for transfer housing at Emerson and your landlord over whether that hole in Andrew Doerfler, Opinion Editor Hunter by the new building, to be located at it’s a poor investment if you’re a spring venience of the wall was there before you moved in, Harris, and Assistant Opinion Editor Liana 1-3 Boylston Place, will not prompt an transfer with little-to-no possibility of living off- that can wait until after graduation. Genito without consultation from other increase in enrollment, but offer more housing. It is hard enough to integrate staff memebers, and does not influence any available housing for transfer students, into a new school, and even more isolat- campus is a other stories. Op-Eds reflect the view of only upperclassmen, and other students now ing to live off-campus. Despite the var- their authors, not The Berkeley Beacon. forced to live off-campus because of cur- ied overall costs of Boston apartments, major issue.

Orientation Leaders and Resident As- could not say enough about how apprecia- tinue contribute to help us enhance the Letters to the Editor sistants, tive they were for your muscle, your kind- Emerson experience in the days ahead. If you want to respond to, or share an opin- ness and of course, your dance routines. Thank you, thank you, thank you for The selflessness you displayed and the Best wishes for a wonderful semester, ion about, an article in the Beacon, you can helping us re-open the campus in such support you provided undoubtedly helped write a short letter to the editor. Email it to a spirited and caring manner. Your at- get our freshmen and transfer students off Dean Ludman, Ph.D. tentiveness, thoughtfulness and untiring to a good start. Dean of Students [email protected]. effort created an extraordinary sense of Please know that all of us at Emerson welcome for our new students and their are deeply grateful for all that you contrib- families. The parents of our students uted and all that we know you will con-

The Berkeley Beacon Editor-in-Chief News Editor Sports Editor Arts Editor Business Manager Evan Sporer Jackie Tempera Carl Setterlund Jason Madanjian Crystal Witter Twitter Phone @BeaconUpdate (617) 824–8687 Managing Editors Deputy News Editor Assistant Sports Editor Deputy Arts Editor Chief Copyeditor Trelawny Davis Laura Gomez Kyle Brasseur Erica Mixon Katie Hubbard Website Office Address Andrew Doerfler berkeleybeacon.com Piano Row, Rm. L-145 Assistant News Editor Assistant Sports Editor Assistant Arts Editor Copyeditors 150 Boylston St. Managing Editor Martha Schick Connor Burton Dillon Riley Phillip Gohary Boston, MA 02116 and Design Director Kate Tarbell Ryan Catalani Opinion Editor Lifestyle Editor Photography Editor Austen Wright Hunter Harris Katy Rushlau Andrew Harwood © 2013 The Berkeley Beacon. All rights reserved. Video Producers The Beacon is published weekly. The Beacon recieves Jean Merlain Assistant Opinion Editor Assistant Lifestyle Editor Assitant Design Director funding from the Student Government Association of Ryan Williams Liana Genito Thea Byrd Hana Phifer Emerson College. Anything submitted to the Beacon be- comes the sole property of the newspaper. No part of the Advisor SGA Correspondent Associate Editor, Features publication may be reproduced by any means without the Ric Kahn Kathryn Bennett Kelsey Drain express written permission of the editor.

Editorial Cartoon by Holly Kirkman

The all-too familiar move- in experience opinion The Berkeley Beacon September 5, 2013 4

Narcissistic characters on television mirror viewers’ own narcissistic tendencies, especially the infamous mirror pic. • Photo illustration by Andrew Harwood She loves my big ego

Ross Middleton You tend to see narcissists a lot now on arrogant with a grandiose sense of en- ways Sunny in Philadelphia, and Sheldon sism in a neutral light, neither good nor Middleton is a television shows. titlement. Normally you’d think a person Cooper from The Big Bang Theory all fall bad. sophomore writing, From the serial philanderer and tor- who acted like that would be insufferable. within this same category. In these TV comedies, the plans of literature, and tured ad man Don Draper on Mad Men However, nearly all critically-acclaimed The real question is why we find these the self-absorbed often go astray. (The publishing major & (with secrets as dark as his perfectly gelled TV comedies have exploited the narcis- characters so funny. Often on social me- countless business proposals of the gang a Beacon corre- hair) to Walter White and his twisted for- sistic qualities of their protagonists to dia sites we see idiotic comments, Insta- in Always Sunny, the various relationship spondant ay in the world of meth to spare his fami- earn laughs, and big-budget TV dramas gram pictures of duckfaced middle school problems of Charlie Harper, and so on.) ly in Breaking Bad, TV is full of egotists of have started exploring the sinister under- girls, and other examples of self-absorbed What’s important about the comedic ele- the highest order. It’s normal to see vain, side of the narcissistic lifestyle. people. As we’ve created more ways of ment is that there’s a hope of redemption self-absorbed people in drama; egotists Archer, an ani- communicating for these characters. Conversely, charac- go as far back as Richard the III and are mated show about over the internet, ters like Don Draper and Walter White as modern as Hank Moody from Califor- bumbling spies, In a fictional setting, we’ve become al- will remain dramatic characters because nication. But more and more often, ego- shows how both most less social; we their arrogance is all about self-preser- tistical characters are serving as the main the dapper killer these narcissistic char- talk face-to-face vation in the face of an intense identity characters on comedic shows. known as Sterling less and rely more crisis, and reality television stars show From Two and a Half Men’s Charlie Archer and the acters serve as a mirror on texting, Skype, off a style of narcissism with no filters Harper to Archer’s Sterling Archer, we’re insane, glue sniff- Twitter, Tumblr, attached. TV comedies, unlike dramas, starting to laugh at these selfish charac- ing secretary Carol to highlight our faults. and other social show the stupidity of narcissism and the ters. By laughing at these egotists, we see can be gripped media outlets. true consequences of conceit. the idiotic side of self -absorption that’s by the same destructive vanity. Peter I’m not a technophobe, but I think So if you’re feeling bad about your re- prevalent in reality television and in- Griffin’s mad schemes on Family Guy modern technology is making us more cent Facebook post about cats or the most creasingly on social media. In a fictional often cause huge amounts of damage to self-aware in both good ways and bad. recent gutter crawl through the streets of setting, these narcissistic characters serve his family life and his town of Quahog. Self-love is good in moderation, but too Boston, sit back, turn on some comedy, as a mirror to highlight our faults. Homer Simpson and Eric Cartman could much can lead to selfish or senseless and watch the real losers do it. Narcissism is defined as both a mental be said to suffer from the same destruc- thoughts and actions. While reality tele- disorder on the Axis II chart and a cul- tive egotism. Live-action shows are no vision shows highlight these attributes, tural problem. People who are defined exception: Charlie Harper in Two and a they don’t do much about them. The me- [email protected] as narcissists are usually shameless and Half Men, the Paddy’s Pub Gang in It’s Al- dia portrays these forms of hyper-narcis- Rage against the voting machine Hunter Harris I have not forgotten that during the read a few of the impossible-to-confirm newly-passed legislation, and expressed order to cast a ballot” that would mini- Harris is a sopho- 2008 presidential election, I had to wait reports of buses full of foreigners at- little faith in the measure’s motives. At mize “bureaucratic burden[s].” more visual and in line for nearly four hours to vote. tempting to cast votes (presumably for the CEO Forum in Raleigh, North Caro- But it only serves to maximize them: media arts and the In the bitter cold, I stood in a long, their Democratic antagonists), and have lina, he remarked, “You can say what you McCrory’s measure prohibits polling opinion editor of winding line to exercise my basic consti- concluded that voter fraud is sweeping like, but there is no voter fraud. How places from extending hours due to long the Beacon tutional right. I was lucky that a canceled the nation. can it be widespread and undetected?” lines, eliminates pre-registration for 16- afternoon class allowed me to eventually It’s not. And that’s the thing: Conservative and 17-year-olds, and outlaws paid vot- cast my vote, but there should be a con- Voter fraud is so unlikely that an on- legislation espousing the intent to com- ing registration drives and provisional centrated effort by politicians to ensure going study produced by the Brennan bat these rare cases only serves to dis- voting if the voter goes to the wrong An unen- that voting is easily accessible to us all. Center for Justice at New York Universi- proportionately affect those less likely to precinct. gaged, un- Of course, that’s not what has been ty’s School of Law found that an Ameri- vote for their party’s candidates. An unengaged, uninformed, non- happening. In many states in the South can is more likely to win the lottery than Disenfranchisement, a word used voting populace is a much more present informed, and Midwest, strict and unnecessary to commit voter fraud. A separate entry to describe the Grandfather clause (a threat than a handful of cases of voter Republican-sponsored voter ID leg- in the same NYU study explains that not nineteenth-century provision used to fraud. As an African-American woman non-voting islation has aimed to disenfranchise only is the Republican-described incar- disallow freed African-Americans from under 21, my right to vote was hard populace and alienate liberal-leaning voters. nation of voter fraud rare, but “much voting in the South), is not an antiquat- fought: Four separate constitutional Too many Republican leaders, includ- of the problems associated with alleged ed phenomenon. These recent efforts amendments (the 15th, 19th, 24th, and is a much ing some in Texas, Kansas, Arizona, Ar- fraud in elections relates to unintention- across the South and Midwest to pass or 25th) secure my ability to cast a bal- kansas, Tennessee, and a host of other al mistakes by voters or election admin- bolster controversial voter ID laws only lot for the office of the President of the more pres- states, have read inflammatory articles istrators.” serve to promulgate the disenfranchise- United States without paying a poll tax. on GOP fan sites like Townhall.com that Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative ment of students, the elderly, minorities, Voting isn’t an inalienable right that ent threat claim “Obama Likely Won Re-Election journalism site ProPublica cited a New and members of the lower and middle should be made harder to practice. than a Through Election Fraud.” These law- York Times article that discovered “120 classes. makers feel Mitt Romney wasn’t elected cases [of voter fraud] filed by the Justice North Carolina governor Pat McCro- handful because millions of Democrats voted Department over five years,” only 86 ry described HB 589, a piece of legisla- often. of which resulted in convictions. Even tion he signed into law in mid-August, @hunteryharris of cases of They didn’t. esteemed Republican Colin Powell ex- as “a common sense law that requires voter fraud. And some GOP leaders conceivably pressed condemnation for the state’s voters to present photo identification in [email protected] arts The Berkeley Beacon September 5, 2013 5

Emerson writing, literature, and publishing major Donnie Welch is back on campus in Boston for his senior year. • Portrait by Andrew Harwood / Beacon Staff Welch lights up the New Orleans poetry scene Senior WLP major debuts Leaving Dynamite on social media

The piece, entitled Leaving Dyna- these tragic events. was initially in awe of his talent. Dillon Riley Beacon Staff mite, was billed as a monologue “explor- “I felt that in order to stop things like “He has this ability to approach top- ing the recent trend of young American these from happening, we have to un- ics that most people don’t really know Most writers aren’t exactly keen on men to execute extreme, public acts of derstand why they happen,” said Welch. how to articulate very succinctly,” said letting their audience in on their pro- mass violence.” “The mission behind Dynamite was to Ates. “He is able to express what needs cess. First drafts are meant for editors Inspired in part by the recent Boston present possible reasons why and to see to be said in a way that just resonates.” only, and show-and-tell is usually left for Marathon bombings, as well as a mass if we can do something about them.” Moving forward, Welch and Ates have the finished product, not the hard work shooting that took place in New Orleans While presented in the unusual po- already begun edits on the piece. With a that goes into preparing it. But, senior around the same time, Dynamite’s pur- etic perspective that Welch brings to all deadline set for October and graduation writing, literature, and publishing major pose was not only to approach “what of his work, what really set Dynamite on the horizon for Welch, plans are ten- Donnie Welch doesn’t see it that way. motivates these sort of events, but also apart was the way he performed it. He tatively set in motion to further develop A decorated slam poet, Welch rewrote the public perception behind what oc- recruited director and 2013 Emerson "In order Dynamite. the script by debuting an initial draft curs and how that affects exposure,” said graduate Alex Ates, and the duo used “I’m free in the spring to travel and of a poem he wrote online to an audi- Welch. social media — a platform they felt was to stop really give this piece the attention it de- ence through a live stream feed just last At the heart of the poem was the de- well adapted to expressing art and en- serves,” said Welch. “But I don’t really month. sire to really dig into what surrounds gaging an audience — to workshop the things know what my next step is.” poem. like these As for their respective futures post- The actual platform in question was graduation, Ates intends to continue Howlround, a livestream feed site run from working with artists in some capacity in by the Emerson Center for the Theater New Orleans, while Welch’s next move Commons. The stream, filmed at an arts happen- is a little unsettled, but not without op- high school in Ates’ hometown of New tions. A budding poetry career aside, SHOP BACK TO SCHOOL LOOKS FOR LESS! Orleans, went off without a hitch, reach- ing, we Welch is now a recording artist and ing an audience of nearly 50 people at touring musician who collaborates with its peak. have to indie-folk artist Freddie Wilson under “As we suggested, the piece was really under- the pseudonym Welch & Penn. a sort of rough sketch, so we wanted to Combining folk and beat poetry, SHOP THRIFT sort of capture what goes into the pro- stand Welch said the group originally released SHOP THRIFT cess of creating something like this,” said music together strictly as a means of Ates. “We were also hoping to engage the why they funding a tour they undertook. The suc- at audience and promote instant feedback happen." cess of said tour led to some recording FIGHT AIDS through the use of the Internet.” opportunities in Nashville. FIGHT AIDS While the two felt they were success- “Hanging out in the studio especially ful in doing so, the feedback they did re- -Donnie was crazy,” said Welch. “I’d never really ceive wasn’t exactly immediate. Welch been in an environment like that and I’d “There was definitely a positive re- never really thought I’d end up there as sponse to it, which was cool, but there a poet.” wasn’t a lot of active feedback from the The same went for putting together stream,” said Welch. “It was more per- Leaving Dynamite. sonal things like emails and texts.” “I don’t think I’ve experienced any- Clothing, accessories, housewares, electronics, Welch and Ates have a bit of a history. thing more difficult than trying to make books, CDs, records and more! Fast friends during their time spent as theater,” said Welch. “But putting out the resident assistants in the Little Building, live stream was this moment of total ela- they eventually collaborated during a tion.” Shakespeare Society event at Emerson a shopboomerangs.org few years back when Welch was brought in to read some of his work. Ates said he [email protected] lifestyle The Berkeley Beacon September 5, 2013 6 OL training plays up their unique strengths Leaders embrace program to welcome new students cluded the StrengthsQuest program into Thea Byrd, Beacon Staff its orientation leader training,” Meier said. “Our OLs are able to identify what All students’ first experience with they’re the best at and how to use it Emerson College’s particular flair be- when working with our new students.” gins at move-in: The image of orienta- The success of StrengthQuest among tion leaders in rainbow tutus, sparkly orientation leaders has led to a new spanks, and bizarre hats burns into the class that will be open and free for all brains of Emerson students taking their students next spring, said Meier. It will first steps onto campus for as long as focus on the leadership training tech- anyone still here can remember. niques of StrengthQuest, which Meier “No one does move-in quite like Em- described as “a multi-faceted training erson College… It’s quite the produc- program that helps students discover tion and I love the reaction from new their inherent strengths and how to use students. It’s electric,” said Jason Meier, them in day-to-day activities.” director of student activities. And this OLs utilized the program to learn year was certainly no exception — so- self-awareness and how to use that to cial media blew up with pictures of and unite the school, Enters said. comments about OLs’ dancing, sporting “It’s about embracing the person you bow ties, and wearing banana suits. are and want to be,” said Enters. “Not ev- Although OLs are traditionally some eryone is going to love or even like their of the most spirited and unique mem- Orientation week, but if every incoming bers of the Emerson community be- student makes at least one meaningful cause of the responsibilities the job en- connection during the week, we suc- tails, the goal of orientation is to make ceed.” everyone feel at home, no matter how Even returning OLs were able to em- active they are in the social and extra- brace the changes in the program. curricular worlds, according to Emily “I love orientation training,” said Jen Enters, chair of undergraduate orienta- Tiedemann, a second-year OL and ju- tion core staff. nior performing arts major. “There’s a “I’ve heard a lot of feedback in the strong focus on team-building, and I communication major. “It was a lot of smiles on the new students’ faces and Orientation Lead- past about how our orientation program love that. We all come to realize what fun but also exhausting,” how excited they are to be in this new ers from the 2012 is overwhelming or targeted towards our strengths are and how we benefit But the exhaustion doesn’t end with place, but also help the ones that are a program sing and more outgoing students, but I don’t the orientation program.” training for OLs. As St. Louis described little overwhelmed become more accli- dance on Boyl- think that’s true,” said Enters. “The OLs OLs returned to Boston early to go it, waking up before dawn and attend- mated to the community,” ston Street during we had on staff this year were a great re- through a four-day training program ing events all day was the norm for OLs new student minder that you don’t have to be ‘crazy’ before freshmen arrived for move-in on during orientation week itself. move-in. to fit in at Emerson.” August 26. “Although it is hectic, it is a good Katy Rushlau, lifestyle editor and an Ryan Catalani / With this awareness in mind, a new “The process reminded me of camp. hectic,” said Caroline Lacy, an orienta- orientation leader, did not edit this ar- Beacon Staff training program has been implement- It could even be called OL Training tion leader and junior performing arts ticle. ed for OLs. Camp,” said Noelle St. Louis, an ori- major. “You are having fun doing all of “This year, the Student Life team in- entation leader and junior marketing these things because you get to see the [email protected] Intern inspires Children's Hospital patients shows for us.” “They have to love to get down on a One of his favorite components, he child’s level and just have fun,” she said. said, was the interactive nature of the “Ben consistently demonstrated dedica- studio, which allowed him to meet pa- tion and was always willing to jump in tients and brighten their days. The sta- and assist in any way.” tion, he said, tries to cheer up even the Recalling some of the highlights, sickest of patients with special features Whalen said the organization often and broadcasts such as a live magic invites a myriad of celebrity guests, in- show, meditation programs, and a bingo cluding Taylor Swift, who paid a visit to game on air. "Ben consis- CHOP this past July. “A lot of kids don’t know about [the Whalen, who is also a brother in the studios],” said Whalen. “Once they dis- tently dem- Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, said his cover it, they seem to love it and we see onstrated coursework at Emerson provided him them back every day.” with the basic skills and knowledge he With over 25 hours of live program- dedication needed to thrive in the fast-paced tele- ming per week, interns serve as hosts, vision environment. technical directors, board operators, and was al- “I’d never worked on television be- and camera crew over the course of their ways willing fore,” he said. “However, every day I had jobs. This, Whalen said, allowed him to a good foundation of the tools we were Junior Ben Whalen interned at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Seacrest dive into areas of television production to jump in using and how we’d be using [them].” Studios this past summer. • Portrait by Andrew Harwood / Beacon Staff that he was unfamiliar with and make He also said the internship itself gave the most of his internship. Alongside and assist in him insight and experience with the life-threatening illnesses, said Whalen, his fellow interns, Whalen learned the any way." technical side of television, unlike other Katy Rushlau, Beacon Staff a visual and media arts major. ins and outs of editing programs Final internships he applied for, which had a “It’s all about giving the kids some- Cut and Avid, and contributed to each -Kris more direct focus. Landing that dream internship is thing to do, raising their outlook, and show’s unique brand, content, and pro- “I wanted to get involved in all differ- often a quintessential component of a giving them something positive to look duction needs. Schrader, ent areas of the production processes, student’s summer break, providing op- forward to,” he said. According to CHOP’s Media Pro- and this job definitely provided that,” portunities to gain skills in numerous As part of the program, Whalen said grams Manager, Kris Schrader, the pro- Children's he said. fields. When junior Ben Whalen began he helped young patients participate graming must be interactive, entertain- Hospital of Though Whalen eventually hopes his internship with The Children’s Hos- in live shows that air on the hospital’s ing, educational, and therapeutic for to work on the commercial side of the pital of Philadelphia’s (CHOP) Patient closed-circuit channel, Galaxy 51. Daily viewers, which also offers the unique Philadel- television industry, he said his work Media Programs, he said he strived to programs, he said, included a vari- opportunity for interns to experience with CHOP not only prepared him for learn the many facets of the live televi- ety of game shows, sports call-in pro- just about every possible aspect of pro- phia media his future, but also allowed him to give sion process. But through his work, he grams, and ‘The Countdown,’ a lineup duction. programs back to his community. also managed to brighten the lives of of the day’s hottest songs. Whalen said “The unique hands-on production “Growing up outside of Philadelphia, many terminally ill children. the interns mainly instigated the pro- environment allows us to both train in- manager the hospital is a huge part of our com- Joining a group of six interns, crew grams, working on a pre-determined terns and engage children of all ages in a munity,” he said. “That element of [ser- members, and volunteers, Whalen said list of shows and creating daily con- variety of ways,” said Schrader. vice] and working with children was not he worked in CHOP’s Seacrest Studios, tent. Whether the patients participated Schrader also said they look for something I originally sought out, but it one of four children’s hospital media in the live audience or simply from the high-energy, passionate individuals made my time there that much better.” centers in the country. The state-of-the- televisions and phones in their rooms, with a great deal of initiative to fill the art facilities were founded by television Whalen said he enjoyed helping the intern positions. Whalen and the rest of personality Ryan Seacrest through his children get involved. the program participants, she said, were organization, the Ryan Seacrest Founda- “The kids get very into it,” said expected to work independently with- @katyrushlau tion, according to its website. The foun- Whalen. “We want them to participate out direct supervision throughout the [email protected] dation aims to inspire children facing and sometimes they end up running the summer. sports The Berkeley Beacon September 5, 2013 7 Welcome to the NEWMAC: Lions leave GNAC chusetts Institute of Technology, Spring- trainers will be tested, our strength and could be tough.” Connor Burton, Beacon Staff field College, the U.S. Coast Guard Acad- conditioning coaches will be tested be- Although the NEWMAC will bring Kyle Brasseur, Beacon Staff emy, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute, cause we’ve got to raise our level. So our tougher opponents, Eli Kell-Abrams, among other top Division 3 schools. student athletes have to be in the best a junior point guard on the men’s bas- After 18 years of competition, char- Phil McElroy joined Emerson in 1999 “I like the shape possible… we’re competing at a ketball team, said he is expecting some ter member Emerson College has left as an assistant softball coach, and in 2003, higher level, and so we’re still working on growing pains, but is ultimately looking the Great Northeast Athletic Conference he took over as head coach of the softball challenge. all those aspects.” forward to the opportunity the Lions and joined the New England Women’s team. McElroy has compiled the most For the first time in NEWMAC his- will have this season to test themselves and Men’s Athletic Conference. wins of any Emerson head coach, boast- Instead of tory, preseason coaches’ rankings were against stronger teams. In 1995, the GNAC was established ing a 337-201 record over 10 seasons. released for each sport. The fall rankings “It’s like going from the Atlantic 10 to with Emerson as one of the original Despite his success, McElroy said NEW- playing are out now and show the high level of the ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference) or group of 12 NCAA Division 3 colleges MAC opponents will present a greater competition Emerson will be facing dur- the Big East, but nobody ever became the and universities. Emerson was unani- challenge. down to our ing its first season in the NEWMAC. best by playing easy teams,” Kell-Abrams mously voted in as the 11th member of “In the GNAC, I felt comfortable going The reigning GNAC champion wom- said. “However, I like the challenge. In- the NEWMAC back in Feb. 2012, the first into every year saying we were going to competi- en’s volleyball team, which went to the stead of playing down to our competition expansion of the conference’s member- be a top four team. Since 2007, we have NCAA Tournament last year, is only we can play up.” ship in 14 years. been. I felt comfortable every year saying tion we can ranked sixth out of 11 teams. After reach- Emerson will play its first conference “In the big scene, we’re looking to be that we had a chance to win the confer- ing three consecutive GNAC champion- games on Sept. 21, when men’s soccer competitive, lay the foundation [and] get ence,” McElroy said. “I think when you play up,” ship games, women’s tennis is also ranked hosts an MIT team ranked second in the us up to speed in terms of how the NEW- get into the NEWMAC, you are talking sixth, but out of nine teams, while wom- preseason poll. That same day women’s MAC runs their organization,” said In- about every one of the schools being the said junior en’s cross country has been projected to volleyball will kick off its NEWMAC terim Athletic Director Stanford Nance. same. Whatever the top four teams in the finish 10th out of 11 schools. Men’s soc- schedule at Mount Holyoke. “Each year we’re looking to get better and GNAC were, there are going to be 10 or basketball cer and men’s cross country were both better.” 11 of those teams in the NEWMAC.” picked eighth out of eight teams. Thirteen of Emerson’s 14 sports teams McElroy’s expectations aren’t just player “It’s going to be a real struggle for joined the conference this semester. based on an intuition. Emerson teams some programs, maybe even us includ- Connor Burton Men’s volleyball, which is not a NEW- went a combined 0-11 against NEWMAC -Eli Kell- ed,” McElroy said. “You can hope for as [email protected] MAC sport, will remain in the GNAC. opponents last year. much success as possible, but I think we Kyle Brasseur The Lions’ new, more challenging slate “We are very, very happy to be going Abrams have to prepare our coaches and players. of conference opponents will include to this new league, but we also know that A lot of people have talked about having @kylebrasseur Babson1995 College, Clark 1996 University, 1997 Massa - 1998there’s an adjustment,” 1999 2004Nance said. “Our 2005 2006 2007us as coaches 2008 be supportive 2009 because 2010 it [email protected] 2011 2012 2013 GNAC Timeline 1995 1996 1998 2004 2005 2007 2009 2012 2013

GNAC established, Emerson Conference expands to Joe Walsh, former Emerson Women’s cross country, Women’s volleyball wins one of eleven New England 14 schools women’s basketball coach lacrosse, softball and conference championship NCAA Division 3 charter and athletic director, takes volleyball all win conference members over as GNAC's first full-time championships, most in a commissioner year for Emerson

Men’s golf team captures Rob Hennigan , current general Emerson’s softball team wins Emerson leaves the GNAC, Emerson’s first conference manager of the NBA’s Orlando Magic, the school’s first NCAA joins the NEWMAC title becomes Emerson’s first Division 3 tournament game All-American (men’s basketball) Search for permanent Emerson AD on the horizon “The goal there was to try and kind promoted Nance from associate athletic Carl Setterlund, Beacon Staff of benchmark where we were in com- director to interim athletic director, a parison to these schools that we’re going position he has filled without restric- Emerson College went the full 2012- to be competing against in the NEW- tion since. 13 academic year without a permanent MAC,” Ludman said. “The thinking “Maybe the process took so long be- athletic director, but now, some 15 there was, ‘Well, before we go and hire cause so many great people already in months after former Emerson Athletic an athletic director, let’s make sure we the athletic department stepped up, so Director Kristin Parnell resigned, the fully understand what the needs of the they felt like they had the role filled,” administration’s plans are finally com- program are.’” said junior Kat Rice, a middle blocker ing into focus, with movement expected According to Ludman, he submitted on the women’s volleyball team. Rice by this winter. the Athletics Working Group’s findings gave positive reviews of Nance’s family- “I want to let you know that Emer- to both President Pelton and the board oriented leadership style. son has retained the services of Alden of trustees, who approved the opening Ludman noted improved morale & Associates, Inc. to help the College of an AD search. among staff and students under Nance. conduct a national search for a perma- “I started to do a little research and “Emerson wants the best athletic nent Athletic Director,” wrote Dean of called three different schools that all director to lead the organization and Students Ronald Ludman, who oversees had done relatively recent searches,” through a national search that’s what the athletic department, in an Aug. 13 said Ludman, who said he reached out you’re going to get,” Nance said. “It may email to student-athletes. to other well-regarded private colleges be me, it may not be me, but it’s going Alden & Associates is an executive in Babson, Bowdoin, and Wheaton. to be the best person. And we all want search and consulting firm that oper- Babson and Wheaton are both in- the best person because if you’re a par- ates out of Florence, Mass., listing a state schools and two of the original six ent you want the best person leading specialty in intercollegiate athletics on members of the NEWMAC. Bowdoin the department that can take you to that its website. Formed in 1999, the firm is a fellow Division 3 college located in next level.” cites having previously done high-level Maine. Nance said he has not yet considered athletic administrative searches for four As far as any specific qualities Em- his response if he were to be passed over members of the New England Women’s erson will be looking for in its athletic for the permanent athletic director po- and Men’s Athletic Conference of which director, Ludman said strong manage- sition and asked to return to his former Emerson is now a member. ment and people skills will be impor- role, but feels that he has “a pulse for Emerson President M. Lee Pelton an- tant. Other than that, he’s waiting for what we need,” due to his time at Em- nounced the formation of the Athlet- Alden & Associates to visit the cam- erson. ics Working Group in an email to the pus sometime during the fall semester, A disciple of recently deceased for- student body on April 25, 2012, nam- whereupon they’ll conduct interviews mer Emerson AD Rudy Keeling, who ing Ludman as chair. The 14-member with athletes, coaches, administration, preceded Parnell, Nance was hired as group — which included interim athletic and other key stakeholders in Emerson’s assistant athletic director in 2003 after director Stanford Nance — met over the athletic interests. coaching men’s basketball under Keel- Fall 2012 semester. Parnell announced Ludman estimated that from there, ing at Northeastern University. her resignation on May 17, but an AD a search would take roughly three Stan Nance has been interim athletic director since May 2012. search was postponed until the group months. @carlsetterlund Ryan Catalani / Beacon Archive concluded its research. Upon Parnell’s resignation, Pelton [email protected] Th e Berkeley Beacon September 5, 2013  feature There and back again Kevin Bright aims to make a name for his alma mater in the city where he made his

ing was working,” Perry said. Andrew Doerfl er, Beacon Staff Since joining his alma mater’s faculty in 2006, Bright, 58, has oft en shown the One late July evening this year, Kevin same hands-on approach. He has led 11 and Claudia Bright opened the backyard “Kevin Bright Workshops,” a course where of their Los Angeles home to more than he teaches students to produce a television 400 people. Th e couple was hosting the show. For years, he has also advised Emer- kickoff event of a campaign to raise $20 son’s annual EVVY awards. million for Emerson’s Los Angeles Center, “Even when it’s hectic and there are a scheduled to open early next year. million things going on, he’s good at stop- “All Emerson affi liated, supposedly,” ping and talking one-on-one with stu- Kevin Bright later joked of the attendees, dents,” said Perry, who fi rst worked with who included alumnus and America’s Fun- Bright as an actor in one of the Kevin niest Home Videos creator Vin Di Bona Bright Workshops. “He pushes them and Larry David, whose daughter attends creatively and professionally. It’s a bal- Emerson. “I should have checked to see if ance — these are students, but he’s also they had their IDs to make sure. I think training professionals.’” there were some freeloaders.” Paige Newman, a senior visual and me- Bright, who was one of the original dia arts major, was a supervising producer executive producers of the mega-hit TV on last spring’s Kevin Bright Workshop show Friends, had been appointed to lead and worked on multiple EVVYs shows. the Los Angeles Center in May. And he She said that Bright has a knack for getting was likely too busy that night to worry his students to come up with good ideas about verifying his guests’ identities. Be- on their own. fore addressing the crowd as one of the “Sometimes you think he’s just talking, night’s speakers, Bright chatted with at- but he’s always teaching,” she said. “He’ll tendees to paint a picture of his vision for motivate you to fi nd the perfect answer.” the Center. On top of that, he ensured the Bright said that while he doesn’t make event’s program went smoothly, noticed decisions for the students, he tries to steer Jordan Perry, a junior visual and media them in the right direction. arts major who co-emceed the night at “I don’t feel the lesson is ‘Go out and Bright’s request. make your mistakes, and you’ll learn from “He was able to have two hats — to play your mistakes,’” Bright said during a re- host and open up his home, but then di- cent visit back to Boston. “Some mistakes rect the event as he was hosting, talking have already been made many times.” with A.V. guys and making sure the cater- Many students arrive at Emerson hop-

Kevin Bright, named founding director of Emerson’s Los Angeles Center in May, in front of the building site. Jenna LoSavio / Beacon Correspondent

ing to end up in Los Angeles — fewer NBC’s Rock Center with Brian Williams. make it big in Los Angeles and then come He said he’ll miss the ties he’s formed in back to Emerson. Bright graduated from Boston as he takes on a role that Emerson "I know he's the college in 1976 and, aft er working for president M. Lee Pelton said only Bright COLLEGE a few years in his native Manhattan, went could fi ll. Bright had originally been on been out on to Los Angeles to work on comedy spe- the search committee tasked with fi nding STUDENTS filming at cials and TV shows including In Living a director for the center. But aft er narrow- midnight. Color and Friends. He joined Emerson’s ing the applicant pool to a group of fi nal- ALL faculty in at a transitional time in his life, ists, Pelton and Bright agreed that none 20% OFF full-price He has following the cancellation of the Friends- of the candidates fi t had the vision they ® spinoff Joey, for which he served as execu- were looking for. Bright, though, had been EMS brand items remark- tive producer. involved with the plans for the L.A. pro- ALL “Aft er Friends I was reminded you gram for years and had a vision for where 15% OFF full-price able com- don’t automatically continue the path you it should go, said Pelton. national brand items mitment." were on. You go back to square one. And “When I say he’s a creative genius, he’s square one can be painful because you lose much more than that. He’s also a business- –Emerson control again,” Bright said. “Th ey wanted person. He ran a complex business called EMS Boston Stores president M. something that was going to be Friends Friends for a long time.” said Pelton. “ again. Th at’s hard to do. I just wanted Pelton said he has also been impressed Lee Pelton something that was going to be Frasier.” with Bright’s eagerness to help students at (He also doesn’t hesitate to point out that any time. “I know he’s been out fi lming at the numbers Joey posted before cancella- midnight,” said Pelton. “He has remark- tion would make it one of TV’s top com- able commitment.” edies these days.) (Pelton, who said since coming to Em- He said former college president Jac- erson he’s become friends with Bright, queline Liebergott asked him to come took special care to note the importance aboard for a semester. He had already been of Bright’s wife, Claudia, in Bright’s accep- on the school’s faculty since 2003, but had tance of the position. “He doesn’t make little teaching experience outside of a few signifi cant decisions without her counsel courses at the American Film Institute. and support and love,” said Pelton.) He didn’t expect to stay on so As the director of the Los Angeles Cen- long — during his fi rst year on the faculty, ter, Bright said his major goals are to hire the Beacon reported that Bright said he the staff for the new building, to transition had not ruled out staying for one more the existing program into the building, to semester. But since that request from Lie- develop new programs, and prepare for bergott, he has served as executive artist- the March 7, the tentatively scheduled in-residence, a visiting professor, an asso- ceremonial opening. In the longer term, ciate professor, and, now, the leader of the he wants to expand the appeal of the Los school’s west coast expansion. Angeles program for students outside of “It was a door that was continuously visual and media arts and acting majors. opening,” Bright, who split his time be- Th e overall goal is to create a “synergistic” tween Boston and Los Angeles while program that off ers something unique to teaching at Emerson, said of his longer- Los Angeles but builds on the curriculum than-expected stay. “Th e projects at the in Boston. end of each semester kept encouraging me Eventually, “once things settle,” he said to keep going.” he also hopes to start something like the Without actively seeking to get back Kevin Bright Workshop in Los Angeles – into the professional TV business, Bright though the possibilities for new programs said there weren’t any projects beckoning will evolve slowly. him back to Los Angeles, either. “What’s really going to drive that is the “To a certain degree when you leave students — what can we give them that’s Los Angeles, they pretty much take it that going to be a unique experience there?” you’re not available,” he said. Bright said. “But I’d love to continue what He also found himself forming other I started here.” It all starts here. ems.com ties to Boston during his stay. For the last Boston 1041 Commonwealth Ave., 617-254-4250 several years, he’s taught fi lm at the Per- kins School for the Blind, for which he @adoerfl er was featured in the Boston Globe and on andrew_doerfl [email protected]

11329 AD 3.78X8 EmersonCollege_Boston.indd 1 8/27/13 10:52 AM