Karson Brandenburg: Final Project

Featured Artist Designs Poster with ‘Retro’ Twist

Posters for Oxford’s annual Double Decker Arts Festival generally depict a red bus as the focus. The featured artist for the 2013 festival used his artistic license to spice things up.

This is Thomas Grosskopf's fourth year at the festival. He said he understood why many artists focus on the bus, but he wanted to take the poster down a different path. His first idea, “Terror on the Square” depicted aliens abducting people from Oxford’s town square. Grosskopf said the arts council wanted something a little more “retro." The current design shows a woman holding a paint palette and brush.

Video: Artist Thomas Grosskopf introduces the poster for Oxford's 2013 Double Decker Arts Festival.

Audio: Grosskopf's wife, Sarah, talks about the artist's progression from student to featured artist.

Clips can be found on youtube at  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDPVZ2c4nXA

Alysia Steele: The Photographer that Cares

Alysia Steele shares a laugh with laugh with two of her students as she teaches a seminar of DSLR cameras.

University, Miss. – She was part of a Pulitzer Prize winning team at the age of 36.  She was a picture editor at the “Dallas Morning News” and the deputy director of photography at the “Atlanta Journal Constitution” before the age of 40.  She was chosen to be picture editor and the layout designer of his “Arnold Schwarzenegger Sports Festival” coffee table book.  But while she is proud of the work she’s done, Alysia Steele does not revel in her awards or accomplishments.  She simply finds new work and continues.

“My husband and mom had to convince me to take my awards out of boxes [for display],” she said.  “I’ve won a lot of awards. They just don't mean that much to me” 

Women in general are not common in Photojournalism, but African-American women are far less regular.  However, Steele did not let that fact discourage her. She began working and setting goals.  “Once I started working in Columbus, I gave myself 10 years to become a Director of Photography.  I was the Deputy Director at the [Atlanta Journal Constitution] in nine.” 

Steele does admit that she would hear “affirmative action” comments while working, but she pointed out that she doesn’t believe that gave her any real advantage or disadvantage for that matter. 

“Every job I have had, I did not apply for.  I was contacted first,” Steele said.  “Sure, you hear the comments, but in the end it’s your work that speaks for itself.”

After nine years working for daily newspapers, Steele realized that her field was changing, and if she were going to continue to succeed, she would need to change with it.  So, she left her job making over six figures of income, and enrolled at Ohio University to earn a master’s degree in journalism focusing on multi-media.  At first, it appeared Steele’s plan had backfired.  “I could not find a job [after getting her master’s].  It was so bad that I wound up answering phones for $8 an hour at an insurance company.  It was quite humbling.”  But, eventually Steele returned to work at "The Columbus Dispatch" before making her way south.

Steele’s path to Oxford was not exactly premeditated, at least not by her.  Will Norton, Dean of the Meek School of Journalism, made the decision to emphasize and improve the photography aspect at the school.  And he decided adding Alysia Steele was a vital part of the improvements.  So, he brought her to Oxford last April while spring was blooming and made his pitch.

“I had never even been to Mississippi until [Ole Miss] brought me here.  But, Dr. Norton sold me, and I have fallen in love with the place,” she said.

Steele came to the University of Mississippi in the fall of 2012 receiving the title Journalism Professional in Residence.  Her purpose is to create “the best photography program in the country” for the Meek School of Journalism while also furthering her own photography career.  When asked how she felt her progress was coming, she responded “I’m not satisfied because I want it done now.” 

Steele’s demand for perfection is not a coincidence but rather a product.  She was raised by her grandparents in a “strict but encouraging” home. That home came with responsibilities though.  Steele said, “I could not do what I wanted to do until I had done my chores and done them to my grandparents’ satisfaction.”  She learned from an early age she learned the rewards of a job well done, and she carried that attitude into her professional career. 

Though she has only been on campus for a little under a full academic year, Steele has already made an impression on students.  One of her photojournalism students, Jared Senseman said, “She has helped me find my passion of photojournalism.”  In addition to helping students in the classroom Senseman believes that much of her success as a teacher should be attributed to the fact that “she genuinely cares about her students.”

“I honestly lay awake at 4 a.m. thinking [about my students],” Steele says when asked about her thoughts on teaching.  “When students don’t turn in their best work, it deeply bothers me.”

“She won’t accept anything less than my best,” Senseman said. 

Her natural impulse to care is what makes her successful at her job.  Yes, talent is a factor, but there are many who are talented with a camera.  But, the fact that she cares so deeply about students and those around her, is what sets her apart.  When asked what her greatest achievement in her life has been, she took a deep breath and stared at her desk thinking before she responded, “Easing my aunt’s pain as she died from Lou Gehrig’s Disease.”  This answer is from someone who has a Pulitzer Prize. 

2006 Dallas Morning News Pulitzer Portfolio

Arnold Sports Festival

Alysia Steele's Twitter

An Unexpected Democrat

Oxford, MS-  The Republican Party has reigned over the south for years. White Americans have helped keep the conservative Republicans popular, however, this political science professor at the University of Mississippi is breaking the stereotypical idea of  white men in the south are all Republican.

Illinois native, Robert Brown, Ph. D, teaches multiple political science courses and on the first day of each semester, he makes his democratic views very clear.

“The first day of class, he came and was like ‘ you probably think I’m some white man from the south who’s a republican, but you’re sadly mistaken.’ he was hilarious”, sophomore nursing student, Kendra Pegues, said.

Democrats are a minority in the south and Brown says he is proud to be apart of this minority despite his skin color.

“I know there are not a lot of white democrats in the south, however, I am not a democrat because I want to be different. I am a democrat because I don’t believe in what those conservative Republicans believe in,” Brown said.

According to students in Brown’s class, many say he is extremely vocal about his liberal point of view.

Brown was raised on the outskirts of Chicago, Illinois. Both of his parents are politically moderate. Often times they agree with different points from both parties. However, both parents were educators and that helped shaped his political views.

Despite his strong views, students enjoy his class. Brown embraces debate inside of his classroom and wants his students to speak their opinion. He says his goal is not to make his students become democratic, rather, his goal is to make his students of different political backgrounds to see the potential merits in arguments from other sides.

“Clearly most of the students are quite conservative…one of the principle problems in our current political environment is an unwillingness to compromise. I try to get students to see the necessity in this,” Brown said.

Junior business major, Ashley Welch, said that some students get offended when he speaks his opinion. However, she does not understand why.

“I am a Republican and I don’t get offended at all when he talks negatively about Republicans… a lot of the time he gives a chance to debate and he makes us think,” Welch said.

The amount of democrats on the universities campus is an extreme minority. During elections time, many students wore shirts with “Rebels for Romney” expressing their Republican views. On the night of Election Day, students gathered throughout different locations and protested against President Barack Obama being re-elected.  An “Obama and Biden” campaign sign was burned and some students shouted racial slurs.

“What happened on election night was not a reflection of Republicans, as much as I would love to give them credit for it,” Brown said laughing. “ What happened on election night was a result of what happens when kids get too much alcohol in their system.”

Although he is apart of a minority in the south, the amount of controversy he has had to endure is scarce. Nevertheless, Brown said that living in Mississippi for nearly 20 years, has been interesting.

“I’m not sure I’ve run into any real controversy, but it has certainly been interesting.  Certainly seeing the Klu Klux Klan come to campus was something you don’t expect…” Brown said. “I’ve come to love Oxford and consider it my home. Mississippi is an interesting state, with a difficult history that has an impact. It can be very frustrating at times to see some of the things our legislature does, much of which (from a Democratic perspective) is quite misguided.” 

http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/political_science/brown.htm

http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/political_science/politicalscience.htm

Courtney Pearson a new type of queen

Brandon Skaggs

JOUR 271 Section 7

4/19/13

Profile Story

WordCount: 648 

Ole Miss has long been known as a school with deep ties to it’s history and tradition, but some traditions have to be broken for a university to grow and adapt.  Courtney Pearson being crowned Ole Miss’ Homecoming Queen for 2012 is one of those groundbreaking moments.

Courtney represented a different side to Ole Miss that is not really displayed to the public, she represented the “underdog.”  Courtney is a non-greek, African American,  English Education Major at Ole Miss.  She does not fit the general stereotype for what Ole Miss usually picks for homecoming queen, as a matter of fact she is the first African American homecoming queen at Ole Miss.

Her winning the crown in 2012 coincided with the 50th anniversary of James Meredith’s acceptance into Ole Miss.  Meredith was the first African American to attend Ole Miss.  

Courtney was prepared for the race factor to come into play when she began campaigning.  She was ready for the onslaught of bigots and racists, but what she didn’t expect was the focus on her weight.  She found the insults on her weight the hardest to deal with out of the whole campaign since she was a Type Two Diabetic. 

“I was never uncomfortable with the way that I looked,” said Pearson, “I’m fat and I’m beautiful.”

What seemed to bother Pearson most about comments on her weight were the people she felt were “medically diagnosing” her because of her weight.  She said that people would comment on pictures of her and call her unhealthy or even stated that she was going to die within a few years.  

One man known as Tommy Sotomayor has expressed his opinion on Courtney’s appearance. He posted a video to his account TNN Raw on YouTube.com.  In this video he attacks her relentlessly and refers to her as “disgusting” and “fat.”  Sotomayor even went as far as to say that she is an “embarrassment,” to her race.

Courtney’s eyes got rather red as she began tearing up talking about Sotomayor’s video.  Pearson continued talking not stopping for the tears as she explained her first experience seeing the video.

“He was ripping into me,” said Pearson through red eyes.  One day the stresses became too much for her and she was sitting in one of her classes and told her professor “I just can’t do it today.”

“I know some people can be mean - and sometimes they were mean,” said Sean Higgins, a close friend who worked on the campaign.

Courtney’s campaign manager Adam Blackwell did not seem to notice Pearson’s weight to have any effect on the running.

“I honestly never even thought about Pearson’s weight throughout the campaign,” said Blackwell.

Blackwell did admit that in the beginning he did not have high hopes for the campaign, but once they started he threw all negativity out the window.  Blackwell also felt that the image and representation of Courtney as a symbol of the underrepresented at Ole Miss helped her win as well as her dedication and work with the University itself.

“I think Pearson’s commitment and love for the University of Mississippi, as well as her beautiful personality and likable, approachable persona were a major factor in helping us win,” said Blackwell.

Pearson is now close to graduating and has moved past the backlash against her win in the past few months. Pearson is no longer diabetic, from working out on the elliptical to eating a lot of spinach leaves she is taking even more control of her life.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EE6GIJyAEs

http://news.olemiss.edu/courtney-pearson-first-african-american-to-be-elected-homecoming-queen-at-um/#.UXGYh6XpBmA

http://www.olemiss.edu

 Courtney Pearson relaxed and confident talks about herself, "I'm fat and I'm beautiful."

Sources:

Courtney Pearson, Homecoming Queen 2012- (901) 489-0399

Sean Higgins, personal friend and Courtney Pearson- (605) 691-9317

Adam Blackwell, Courtney Pearson’s Campaign Manager- ablackwe@go.olemiss.edu

Murphy Holloway decides whether or not to go from the court to the field

Murphy Holloway in the training facility at Ole Miss.

OXFORD, Miss-

After a season record of 27-9 and obtaining the winning title of the SEC Championship this year, senior Ole Miss basketball star, Murphy Holloway, begins to transition himself from the court to the field.

Murphy Holloway has encountered many ups-and downs these past four years. After his first two years with the Ole Miss men’s basketball team, he made the decision to transfer to South Carolina as a walk-on in order to be closer to his daughter there. After being red-shirted the entire season, Holloway petitioned the NCAA to waive the year-in residence requirements for transfers; they alter allowed him to return to Oxford.

“I’m glad to be back because I never wanted to leave,” says Holloway. 

Holloway lead his team to victory with 23 points and 10 rebounds during the SEC championship in Nashville against the Florida Gators. Holloway says that winning the SEC championship his senior year was his goal from day one here on campus at Ole Miss. 

“Winning during my senior season was great and was a perfect way to conclude my Ole Miss basketball career,” Holloway says. “I look forward to watching my younger teammates build on our success this year.”

But now, the 6’7 power-forward from Irmo, South Carolina, is faced with a bigger decision than which college to play for: the NBA or NFL.

“I'm open to either, at this point I'm not limiting myself to one or the other,” Holloway says. “I know I can be successful at either sport; I am confident that I would be a threat on the football field as well as the basketball court.”

OMSpirit (scouting for Ole Miss) confirmed earlier this week that Holloway was practicing at the IPF in front of NFL scouts. They also posted an article saying they don’t know if Holloway has even played football before. The man himself gave me the inside scoop on his past football experience:

“I haven't played football since early in my high school career, I played several different positions due to my size and speed,” Holloway says. “I enjoyed running pass routes the most.”

Todd Wade, former NFL player who is running for mayor of Oxford, says, “I have talked with Murphy, I’m excited for him. He’s got the frame and athleticism to go either way.” 

Wade, who also played football for Ole Miss, says that transitioning from basketball to football, especially in the NFL, isn’t an easy thing to do.

“Being an athlete in college requires a lot of determination. But also, you have a lot more time to get things done and to have a life. That’s not how it is in the NFL. It is a 9-7 day, all day everyday, 300 days out of the year,” Wade says. 

Jeffery Vanderburg, a sophomore at Ole Miss, says that Holloway has the potential to do whatever he puts his mind to.

“He’s the kind of guy that will work hard at anything, whether it be football or basketball. His intensity on the court will definitely be the same on the field,” Vanderburg says. 

The one person that Holloway knows will support him in whatever career path he chooses is his mother, Sonja. 

“She has supported me all my life and often times made the impossible possible,” he says with a smile. “I know that through all of this, she is my biggest cheerleader and will hopefully have the opportunity to cheer me on- either from the football or basketball stands very soon.”

http://www.olemisssports.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/holloway_murphy00.html

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jan/28/home-again-home-again/

http://www.statesman.com/feed/sports/college/murphy-holloway-is-actually-trying-out-for-the-nfl/fGL6Z/

Brooks Turner- A Man with True Determination

OXFORD,Miss- A vibrant, rising student at the University of Mississippi takes a leap of faith in becoming  a part of a prestigious brotherhood.

Brooks Turner, a Kosciusko native, had thoughts of becoming a part of a fraternity entering his first year of college. After a couple of years of attending the university, Turner began to take a liking to the black fraternities on campus.

“They has much smaller groups of guys and seemed to be a genuine brotherhood” said Turner.

Turner mentioned to a friend, who is now his line brother, he wanted to become a part of a fraternity. Being that he was of a different race, attempting to join a predominantly African American fraternity was a big step for him as well as for the university. He knew that it could maybe cause conflict, but he believed and went after what he wanted. After researching different organizations on campus, the came upon the organization that he thought would fit him best.

“Alpha Phi Alpha really stood out because of the quality and the character of its prominent members” said Turner.

After Turner realized that he wanted to be a part of this organization, he decided to attend the Greek forum. There he listened to a speech given by EJ Edney, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, and it enthused Turner. From that day on he knew that he wanted to be included in this organization. Luckily for Turner, there was an interest meeting the next week.

A semester later, spring of 2010, Brooks Turner, a junior, was inducted into the fraternity of Alpha Phi Alpha.

Tremarcus Rosemon, a sophomore and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, expresses how Turner has influenced him and the organization as a whole. Being that Rosemon is younger than Turner, he has helped him and showed him great work ethic. Rosemon explains that Turner has given him the mindset that you can do whatever you put your mind.

"He has greatly influenced me with his undying perseverance and courage” said Rosemon.

Being that he Turner did what it took to become a part of the brotherhood even though some people did not understand and others were against it, to Rosemon it showed a lot of determination and drive.
“Brooks is a great guy and fraternity brother. He will definitely go far in life.” said
Rosemon.

Kwanza Boone, his line brother and close friend, tells how he admires Turner and the steps he took to become a part of a prestigious organization and beating the odds. Boone expresses that Turner has established a “cohesive relationship” amongst the brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha. Boone describes him as a hard worker. He implements great ideas and promotes a common good in the serving of the community.

“He became my brother in a bond that not only last a day or month but a lifetime” said Boone.

Not only has Turner accomplished the goal of becoming a part of a predominantly black fraternity, he has also been accepted into UMC’s medical school where he will be starting next August.





Brooks Turner and other fraternity brothers perform at a step show.

 

http://home.olemiss.edu/~cajohans/

http://www.alpha-phi-alpha.com/index.php

http://www.olemiss.edu/orientation/faq_greek.html

Resources:

Brooks Turner- jbturner@go.olemiss.edu

Tremarcus Rosemon-  tdrosemo@go.olemiss.edu

Kwanza Boone- kdboone@go.olemiss.edu

Ole Miss Professor Ahmet Yukleyen Describes His Research All Around the World

OXFORD, Miss.—The life of Ahmet Yukleyen has been far from boring. Born in the Netherlands to Turkish parents, he has checked quite a few incredible things off his bucket list. But how did Ahmet end up in Oxford, Mississippi?

            It all began when Ahmet received his high school and undergraduate education from institutions in Turkey. After graduation, he knew he wanted to broaden his horizons and study overseas.

            “I always dreamed of studying in the United States or the UK,” Ahmet said. “The appeal of the US was greater.”

            Denver, Colorado was location Ahmet chose to pursue his master’s degree. HE began studying international relations not knowing he would soon spark an interest in anthropology.

            Ahmet began studying cultural anthropology after reading a book on civil society in the Middle East by an anthropology professor at Boston University. Drawn to learning more about these cultures, he began traveling and conducting research.

            “I traveled to Morocco to observe the Islamic Movement in Morocco,” Ahmet said. “They were very much the strongest opposition movement that was challenging the King at the time.”

            According to Ahmet, Morocco was the most different country he has ever visited. Although he speaks Turkish, Dutch English and German fluently, language can still be a challenge when conducting research.

            “The language barrier was somewhat difficult in Morocco,” Ahmet said. “An interpreter has to help translate everything being said from the Arabic language.”

            Ahmet’s research has gone beyond Morocco. He has also studied several different European cities.

            “I love travelling to all of these different places because they are each so unique from one another,” Ahmet said. “I have a special connection with each of my research locations”

            Ahmet relocated to Memphis in order to maintain a steady lifestyle with his wife. Recently, they have welcomed a new baby girl.

            “I love walking on the streets of Memphis and not thinking that I will be recognized,” Ahmet said. “I really don’t like New York because it is too big and crowded, but I do love Boston.”

            Every Tuesday and Thursday, Ahmet travels from his home in Memphis to Oxford where he serves as Croft Associate Professor of Anthropology and International Studies.

            “Ahmet is a cheerful, congenial colleague,” said Edward Sisson, Associate Professor of Anthropology. “He is a very productive scholar whose many publications have enhanced the reputation of our department.”

            Sisson says the University is lucky to have a scholar like Ahmet available.”

“Ahmet as his research interests are very significant for the understanding of contemporary Europe,” Sisson said. “Ahmet devotes considerable time and effort to the support of his students, especially those working on their theses.”

            Ahmet is also a greatly appreciated by his students. He teaches several classes of all course levels.

            “Taking Anthropology 101 was very interesting, especially with Professor Yukleyen as my teacher,” said Katherine Henson, freshman. “Very few classes are as intriguing to listen to as my anthropology class was.”

            Overall, Ahmet has lived a far more interesting life than most his age. As for the future, he says anything can happen.

            “Who knows where my future travels and researching will lead me,” Ahmet said. “All doors are open.”