The Reporter

REPORTER Stetson University's Student Voice | blog.stetson.edu/reporter | DeLand, FL | Tuesday, April 12,2011 NIOR EXHIBIT M.14' displays works from the class of 2011 Top: Self Portrait 4 by Ana Francis Bottom: BA by Jessica Salmon This year's Senior Art Thesis Exhibition, Modular 14 or M.14, was created and titled by the students, who thought that boith their class and the pieces they wanted to show were modular. This year's exhibit, which is being held now until the 21st, is attended heavily and is one of the largest student events at Stetson. The Senior Art Thesis Exhibition is a way for the Stetson University and Deland communities to view and appreciate the final pieces created by the Stetson class of 2011. To be eligible, each student passed a review in their Junior year which consisted of a half-hour long presentation of their work and intent for future development in their field. The students then had to enroll in a Senior Proposal class where they BY KR1STEN THOMAS had to formally declare their plans and ideas in the art world, and their overall plan for their final exhibition. In December, they showed their progress achie- iving the results needed for the exhibition, if they did not pass this inspection, they could not move forward to the final show. On April 19th, The Stetson Undergraduate Research and Creative Arts Symposium (SURCASJ will display all of the pieces from the M.14 Exhibit, with one person being named Best-in-Show. Modular 14 provides unique insight into the world of Stetson artists. The Exhibit can be found at the Hand Art Center, cultural credit is available. Numerous benefits, responsibilities come with graduation Being a Stetson alum means you have a lifelong relationship with the university, including financial responsibility, access to a number of free resources, and representing your alma mater after graduation, explained Director of the Office of Alumni Relations Colleen Cooper. Resources for those who graduate Stetson are unlimited—from something as small as the ability to keep your Stetson email for life, to free help from career services, to networking in alumni groups around the country if you move to a new city or want to stay engaged in meeting other alumni or helping recruit for the university, said Cooper. Stetson is a tight-knit community, and the office of alumni relations wants those relationships to continue after graduation. People often think of their relationship with the university as a transaction, said Cooper. You pay a certain amount of money to get a degree, and then the exchange is over. However, her office is trying to change people's understanding of that relationship and encourages alumni to have expectations of the university after they graduate. Last fall, 74 alumni participated in 80 college fairs throughout the country, lightening the load on the admissions office by representing the university all over, said Cooper. This is an example as to how alumni can continue that relationship with the university after graduation. "We have amazing, successful alumni," said Cooper, who explained that the university is always looking to brag about alumni's achievements and use them as recruitment tools. She encouraged seniors to stay connected and inform the university staff of what they achieve after graduation. There's even a social networking-type tool set up, HatterNet, where current students, faculty, and alumni can register and create a profile. Currently, over 5,000 people are registered. HatterNet is essentially a career tool, where people, primarily alumni, can interact and give their contact information to those who may be looking for internships, jobs, or connections in a certain field, Coo- ^^ It's so wonderful to see alumni giving back to help the next generation.^ UN! per said. Alumni aren't just encouraged to interact with each other, but to come back to Stetson and watch as changes develop. While the alumni association puts on about 50 events per year in different districts, ranging from baseball game tailgates to Off-to-School parties for incoming students, being a Stetson alum is also about being at the university or making the experience possible for someone else. Stetson gets most of its funding from • donors, particularly alumni. About 95% of students are receiving some kind of financial aid, and that money doesn't automati- BY MEGHAN MOIST r cally rejuvenate each year, explained Vice President of University Relations, Linda Davis. Davis explained that getting in the practice of giving to the university on a regular basis, even if it is just $5 or $20 a month, is extremely important! "It's not what you get, it's that you give," said Davis. People who donate can choose exactly where their money is going, whether it's toward the new football program, a certain academic department, or for a certain building. Many alumni just donate the money toward the students, which gives academic scholarship to those who otherwise wouldn't be able to enroll in the university, said Davis. "It is so wonderful to see alumni giving back to help the next generation of students, just as they were helped by donors when they were students...When alumni give back, it's a reflection of the transformational educational experience they had at Stetson. Philanthropy is a life-changing experience, for both the donor and the recipient. It's a good habit to cultivate," said Davis. Kate Pearce, Director of Annual and Planned Giving, also stressed the importance of giving back to the university. At the senior celebration this year, graduates will receive information and piggy banks with Phil the Pig on them. With the help of Pearce, her department, and the Student Philanthropy Association, Phil the Pig is an initiative that is trying to make sure that alumni know the importance of starting to give back to the university right from the get-go. Stay If you're a graduate of Stetson University and have a child, the Alumni House will put your photo in their magazine and send you a Stetson baby t-shirt. Make classroom visits after graduation and interact with current students. Get resume, interview tips, and job resources for as long as you live from Stetson's Career Services. Take a leadership role, whether working in your district to connect alumni or serving on the board. Buy a SU license plate, bumper sticker, or souvenir to make Stetson a more recognizable name—increase the value of your degree! Chris Hager leaves Stetson NEWSIPAc A closer look at the Senior Exhibition I-RTAINMENTIPAGE4 Hatter Baseball swings for the fences SPORTS ! PAGE 6 Contraception and prophylactics OPINION 1 PAGE 7 JPPI|