HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Here's a podcast to get you all in the Thanksgiving mood. Hope all of y'all have a great break :)

http://www.freefileconvert.com/converted/4ecaab4093255/Guilford_Podcast.aac

Kickin' it Old School

All of my posts deal with what's going on with present day Guilford College. I thought it would be a nice change to take it back to when Guiford was first founded- take it all the way back to 1837 and share a little bit of history behind Guilford with all of my readers.

"Quakers, as social reformers and pacifists, created the Native American rights movement after 1755, the crusade to abolish slavery and the temperance, women's rights, and peace movements."

The Underground Railroad ran actively through what would eventually become Guilford's campus. Abolitionists/Quaker Levi Coffin and his family lived on the land at that time. Coffin's family s well as other New Garden Quakers in the area aided slaves with a place to stay on their journey to freedom in the North. 

(Levi Coffin -->)

In 1837 the Quakers living around the New Garden area opened New Garden Boarding School. This coeducational institution was initially established for the children on the Religious Society of Friends As the years progressed, New Garden Boarding School started to serve adolescents of all religious affiliations and eventually transitioned into Guilford College, a four-year liberal arts college, by 1888.

Guilford has drastically changed over the centuries but has managed to never lose sight of the 5 main Quaker testimonies which are 

• integrity
• simplicity
• peace
• equality
• direct and immediate access to  God/Truth. 

These testimonies have been incorporated into Guilford's curriculum and also share a close relationship with the schools seven core values of community, diversity, equality, excellence, integrity, justice and stewardship.

Quaker schools are rare around the country but are becoming more a more popular choice of interest amongst parents and students when considering different colleges. 

"We chose a Quaker school for our son because the environment stimulates students' intellect and creativity but also engenders an awareness of the larger world, encourages personal responsibility, and celebrates human differences while affirming the dignity and value of each human being."

Guilford is now focusing as a college on becoming more "green" and eco-friendly. Sustainability plans are in full effect with recycling bins being placed in every dorm room as well as in different places around campus, solar panels on top of several dorms and buildings and a garden is even being grown on Guilford's very campus. It helps supply the cafeteria with vegetables and also saves money on food products.

Guilford has certainly come a long way from when it was first established in 1837, however with the changes that have been made, it is till able to remain true to its Quaker heritage and core values. 

RESOURCES

-"Quaker Education for a Socially Just World; Pulitzer Prize Winners Anthony Shadid and Caroline Elkins; Dean of Harvard College Evelynn Hammonds; Former Chair of Quaker UN Committee Don McNemar; MIT Professor Helen Elaine Lee Explore Social Justice in Quaker Education." Internet Wire 9 Dec. 2008. Global Reference on the Environment, Energy, and Natural Resources. Web. 13 Nov. 2011.  

-"The Library Quarterly." p.54. Chicago Journals. Web. 13 Nov. 2011. <http://www.jstor.org.ezproxy.guilford.edu/openurl?volume=60&date=1990&spage=44&issn=00242519&issue=1>.

-Keiser, Melvin R. "Holiness: the Soul of Quakerism; an Historical Analysis of the Theology of Holiness in the Quaker Tradition." EBSCO Host. 2009. Web. 13 Nov. 2011.

-"Quaker Heritage." Guilford College. Web. 13 Nov. 2011. <http://www.guilford.edu/about-guilford/quaker-heritage/>

Guilford Football?!

Okay, so I'm not trying to make this blog solely about sports by any means but after I heard that the Guilford football team actually won another game, this was a blog opportunity that I simply could not pass up.

Guilford traveled to D.C. this past Friday to play and came out on top with a 34-27 win over Catholic. Zach Halbert threw the winning touchdown to Rob Fields with 32 seconds left. This is Coach Rusiewicz's first ODAC win. The only other win that the football team has recorded this season was actually the very first game they played against Greensboro College.

Stats from the Guilford/Catholic game:
Aaron Mcneeley 24 carries, 100 yds. Z. Halbery 25-36 276 yds, 2 TD. Ben King 12 catches, 200 yds, TD

Congrats Quakers! 

Let's see if y'all can pull out another victory before the season is up!

Go Lady Quakers!

As I've told you all before, I'm on the women's basketball team here at Guilford. We've been working really hard in the pre-season, so hopefully it'll pay off once we start actually playing. We were picked 2nd in the ODAC Women's basketball coaches poll. What that means is that all the coaches from the ODAC conference had to rank where they thought each team would place at the end of the season, and we were ranked 2nd overall. That's definitely exciting but it means that we're going to have to work that much harder to prove how good we can really be this season.

Here's the official article from Guilford's site telling about the rankings.

Brandon Rothfuss

Brandon is a freshman here at Guilford. He plays on the men's soccer team, number 25, at midfield and defense. "I'm also half-black & half-white so I'm the best of both worlds!" The mens soccer team finished their season with a record of 6-9-2. Brandon feels as if their record doesn't really show how hard they worked as a team though. 

Brandon also likes to rap. I would have never thought he had this talent just because he is such a funny person to be around and doesn't come across as the stereotypical "rapper". He's really good though!

Here is a video  of Brandon performing one of his original pieces.

Brandon is majoring in criminal justice and plans on eventually becoming a lawyer. He's always fun to be around and if you don't know who he is, then you should re-evaluate your life.

Fall Fever!

Now that Guilford has caught "fall fever" so to say, I have noticed that more accessories are being added to outfits. I've also noticed that there are different trends arising.

Accessories such as scarves, knit hats and gloves are having a greater presence on campus now that this November weather has became quite chilly. Leather jackets, pea coats, long sleeve flannels, boots and leggings are all trends that Guilford students are sporting.  I have leggings, a leather jacket and boots that I wear when I'm going out with my friends, so I guess I follow Guilford's trends too!

My personal favorite way to dress during the fall is in sweats though. It's so nice to go to class feeling warm and cozy. I see a lot of people wearing sweats all over campus which makes me believe they all feel the same way I do.

BAWSTIN!

Kate Malcolm is from Boston, Massachusetts. 

One of the things I like most about her is her accent! I joke around with her about her accent and she picks on me about mine. Some of our lingo is different. So, I thought it would be fun to compare and contrast the differences in our regional dialects. 

Kate says it like: Pahk

I say it like: Park

Kate says it like: Consit

I say it like: Concert

Kate says it like: Ahm

I say it like: Arm

Kate says it like: Doe-uh

I say it like: Door

Kate says it like: Fatha & Dotta

I say it like: Father & Daughter

Kate says it like: Lahj Coffee

I say it like: Large Coffee

Kate says: You guys

I say: Y'all

Kate says: Tonic

I say: Coke

Kate says: aren't

I say: aint

A typical sentence to come from Kate would sound like: "Anytime people heah ahm from Bawstin, they go: Say pahk yaw cah in Hahvid Yahd. And ahm like, you cahn't pahk theyah. You'll get towed to Meffa."

I know this is a lot to take in at once but it's what makes Kate part of What's up with Guilford!

Going Green!

Guilford's all about being "environmentally conscious".  There are numerous changes to the campus this year that Guilford's "Green Team" has made possible. Solar panels have been put on each dorm to conserve energy, recycling bins have been put in each dorm room and even water conservation high efficiency toilets have been put in the bathrooms. Guilford has also recently started growing their own food and serving it in the cafeteria!

I thought it would be neat to see what other colleges were taking the initiative to go green, and that's when i discovered 10 of The Best College Environmental Programs In The U.S. 

This website gives you a little more insight to some of the colleges that were listed in the previous link. It's nice to see that other colleges are taking the initiative to GO GREEN as well!

SQUIRRELS! 

I'm sure you're thinking, "What does this post have to do with Guilford College?" I promise it makes sense once you think about it though! Squirrel's are everywhere on this campus! I have been noticing here lately that the squirrels on campus seem to be less scared of humans every time I see them. I'll walk past one that's sitting literally 3 feet away from me & it'll never even move. 

I'm personally not a fan of them but I did enjoy this commercial!

It seems like almost everyone on campus has their fair share of "squirrel stories".

Here are some squirrel stories that you can take a look at to see how yours compare!

Fall Break

So, with mostly everybody being gone for fall break, that leaves Guilford College looking like a ghost town. And even though it is nice to have some peace and quite, it is also lonely.

Where is everybody?! :(

The majority of people here are athletes. I'm on the women's basketball team here (which is why I have to stay) & we started our season out by having two-a-days for the whole week...talk about being sore!

After a day of two practices

The grill & pizzeria are closed, leaving only the caf open. The food is not that good and the options are slim.

What I have eaten for the past week!

So to all of you who are enjoying your fall break, I'm happy for you! But if you're still here, like me, then looks like we'll just have to tough it out till everyone else returns.

& That's WHAT'S UP with GUILFORD this week.

Change of Plans...

Okay so this blog was originally going to be focused on interviewing the people of Guilford...however, with balancing school and basketball, it's been difficult to find the time to meet new people and interview them. So, I decided that What's Up Guilford will now focus more on what's going on with Guilford such as trends, big changes and events taking place and will still incorporate some interviews of the people of Guilford as well. Hopefully you all will still find my posts of interest!

-Logannnn :)

International MJ

Majid Al-Rashidi, also known as MJ, is an International Student from Kuwait. He is very friendly, approachable, and easy to talk to. I thought it would be interesting to interview MJ because he has such an unique background. I learned a lot about MJ that i didn't know prior to this interview which gives me a greater respect for him. So, allow me to introduce all of you to MJ.

-Backround:

"I'm from Kuwait and I'm an international student. I cherish my family. My family always comes first. My dad is an ambassador and my mom owns a company. I have an older brother and we're really close friends even though we fight a lot. He graduated from MIT this past summer."

-Why Guilford?

"My advisor back in Kuwait recommended that I come to Guilford. I felt like it would be a good move for me because I wanted the southern experience. I like it here but I'm transferring to Boston University in the fall."

      -Why?

          "I'm a city life person. Plus, everything is already set in place for me to transfer. I knew this coming into Guilford that I would only stay a semester."

-What's the hardest thing you've had to adjust to with coming to the States?

"I think it would just have to be leaving behind my family and my girlfriend. I miss them a lot."

-Plans for the future:

"I want to follow in my fathers footsteps and become an ambassador of Kuwait. I also want to be a business man."

-Something people typically don't know about you?

"I train falcons. I started training them 6 years ago and it's something I learned from my father. It's something honorable that I've been able to learn to do because I have gained my fathers respect by doing it. Another thing people don't really know is that i don't really get upset, but when I do, I need my space and I need to be left alone."

-For fun?

"I'm always having fun. I make the best out of any situation! But I like to spend time with my friends, I like to hunt and just do anything really."

-Most important thing in your life right now?

"Probably just finishing college and not letting my parents down."

-Fast Facts: 

• Favorite color: Red
• Favorite food: "I love hot dogs!"
• Favorite song: Hello by Lionel Richie
• Favorite memory: Getting my first car
• Favorite season: Winter

-Quote to live by:

         "Live. Laugh. Love."

  "I'm not cocky, I'm confident."

      -Majid Deyad Farham Daifalah Sabir Bin Saad Bn Khaled Al-Rashidi

Focusing on AMBER

Amber Weaver is a freshman here at Guilford. She is from Monroe, North Carolina, and came here for basketball. I've known Amber for about a month now and in that month I have came to realize the type of a person she is. She's shy at first but once she's comfortable around you, she's funny, kind and a such a fun person to be around. I thought it would be interesting to interview Amber because I wanted to see what shapes her as a person. So, let's focus on Amber!

-Background:

"I'm from Monroe, North Carolina. I have an older brother and sister..yes, I'm the baby! I go to Midway Baptist Church and I worked at Pizza Hut as a waitress during high school- since I was a sophomore actually. I still work there some on the weekends that I come home from college. I make bank there!"

-Why Guilford?

"I decided to come to Guilford because I'm going to play basketball. I feel like it's a good college and I liked the feeling of studying at a small school where I could interact more with the professors."

       -What do you think about it so far?

               "It's different but I like it pretty good. I like the class sizes because I like the individual help that I'm able to get."

-Major?

"Right now i want to major in exercise and sports science, but I'm probably going to end up changing it to education so I can be a teacher."

-For Fun?

"I like to play basketball, hang out with friends and this is going to sound nerdy, but I like to read...like good books- not books for school. I also spend a lot of time with my family when I'm able to and I enjoy going to church."

-Church

"I got saved when I was 14 and I'm really involved in my youth church group back at home. I go to Lawndale Baptist Church while I'm here at school though."

-Something people don't typically know about you?

"I'm really shy when I first meet people. I like to meet new people but I'm shy- I don't like to talk a lot."

-Most important thing in your life right now?

"My walk with God is the most important thing and it always should be."

-Fast Facts:

• Favorite color: lime green
• Favorite tv show: Friends
• Favorite movie: Despicable Me
• Favorite artist: Casting Crowns and Mercy Me
• Favorite place to vacation: the beach
• Favorite number: 24
• Favorite memory: "Probably just going to the beach with family every year. I look forward to that all year."

-Quote to live by:

"For I know the plans I have for you, plans to give you a hope and a future, not failure."

        Jeremiah 29:11

-Favorite saying:

"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger."

Lauren CATalano

When you first meet Lauren Catalano a few things may come to mind. You might notice her bubbly personality or maybe how easy it is to talk to her. Every time I have ever talked to Lauren, she has always been in a good mood. She's usually surrounded around a group of people which tells you that others enjoy her company too. I thought it would be interesting to interview her because she's so approachable and because I wanted to learn a little bit more about her. So, here's Lauren's story.

-Background:
"I was born on August 26, 1993. I've lived in Maryland my whole life. I have two older brothers, Ryan and Chris. During high school I was always playing a sport for every season and I was voted most athletic my by senior class. I love my cat, Tiger and I'm also a Raven's fan!"

-Hobbies?
"I like any type of sport really and I like to hang out with my friends."

-What sports do you mainly play?
"In high school I played basketball, field hockey, lacrosse and I swam and ran track. I'm only going to play basketball and lacrosse here at Guilford though."

-Why Guilford?
"I decided to come to Guilford for basketball. I really liked what they have to offer here and I also like the distance from home."

-Would you say that you're fitting in well here at Guilford?
"Yeah, I get along with everyone and it's such a different atmosphere than what I'm used to, but I think it's a good thing to be out of your element sometimes."

-What do you plan on majoring in?
"I want to major in exercise science because when I get a job, I want it to deal with athletes and I want to be in that type of environment."

-Hardest thing about adjusting to college life?
"I think the hardest thing would have to be leaving everyone back at home and always having a lot of work to do."

-Well kept secrets about you?
"I don't like cheese or french fries! I just never really have. I also took dance for a big portion of my life. But it took a backseat to sports once I started getting older."

-Something you couldn't live without?
"I can't live without my cat..and my family. I should probably put my family before my cat, but I can't live without either!"

-Fast Facts:

• Favorite color: "Can I say every color!?"
• Favorite hobby: Hanging out with friends
• Favorite movie: Stepbrothers
• Favorite artist: Taylor Swift
• Favorite song: Breakfast at Tiffany's
• Favorite memory: Senior Week at Ocean City in Maryland
• Favorite sport: Basketball

-Favorite saying:

Hakuna Matata

-Quote to live by:

"Good, better, best. Never let it rest, until your good is your better and your better is your best."

Eric Emerson Freeman-Esquire

OH, ERIC...

Eric Emerson Freeman-Esquire is a freshman here at Guilford. He's from Lancaster, Pennsylvania and he was born on October 12, 1992. When I first saw Eric, the first things I noticed were his tattoos.  I immediately thought to myself, "Well this guy should have a rebellious nature to him for sure." And though Eric may be rebellious to an extent, he's so much more than that. He actually has an uncanny ability to make people laugh. Or at least that's what I have observed every time I have been around him. It was hard to get serious answers out of him at times throughout the interview, but it was definitely entertaining to hear his responses. He told me to make his page as "colorful and complicated at possible", if that tells you anything about him...haha. So, let's take a closer look at Eric.

-Why did you decide to come to Guilford?

"I came to Guilford because it seemed like the right place to be. It felt like a good fit I think the trees are amazing!"

-Background

"I came from Lancaster, I grew up mostly alone except until my little brother was born. His name is Aidan, he's 10 years old. I took a year off, I hated high school but I loved taking that year off. I was in a band for a year. It was called "Cop Drama" and I was the lead singer. I also interned with photography with Matt Lester Photography and then I got a lot of tattoos."

-Tattoos

"So the first tattoo I got was my brother's name. I didn't even think I was going to get a tattoo but after I got that one, I became immediately addicted and I'm so obsessed with them now. I have a giant squid on my forearm because I'm obsessed with them. I got a purple flower on the inside of my arm for my mom. And then I got the Sugar Skull before I left for college with my area code in the teeth so I never forget where I'm from."

-Do you plan on getting anymore?

        "Yes, countless amounts...too many."

- What do you like to do for fun?
"I like to listen to music, I like to watch movies, I like to take pictures. I like drinking water and making microwavable products. I also like to cuddle."


-What's something people don't know about you?
"I have a black belt in Tae Kwon Doe. I went to an inter-city high school and I love fashion, not even joking."


-What do you plan on majoring in?
"I want to major in film." 

-Why? 

       "I don't know, I guess it's just something I fell into. My uncle was a screen writer, who I was named after."

- What did you want to be when you were little?
"I wanted to be a hospital clown. I was really good at making people laugh when I was a kid and I thought it would be something therapeutic.. and plus I wanted to be a nice guy."


 -FAST FACTS:

• Favorite color: Purple
• Favorite hobby: Making friends and having fun
• Favorite movie: Donnie Darko
• Favorite band: Vampire Weekend
• Favorite song: "Wouldn't It Be Nice" by the Beach Boys
• Favorite memory: "I think my favorite memory would have to be coming downstairs on Christmas Morning when I was 5 years old and seeing all the toys."

"I'm not religious but I'm spiritual lol text me later, hmu."

-Eric Emerson Freeman-Esquire

Mary Heisey

It's ALL about MARY!

Mary Heisey is a freshman here at Guilford. She's 18 years old and was born on December 14, 1992 in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where she has lived her whole life. "It's got a small town feel to it, i guess you'd say." I really enjoyed interviewing Mary. She's a beautiful person and she has this positive and happy ora that surrounds her which makes it really easy to talk to her. When I told her about this blog project, she was really eager to help me out. She is the first interview of "What's up Guilford?" which makes her SPECIAL! So here's the real story behind Mary Heisey. 

-Why Guilford?
"I applied to Guilford on a whim. I have a friend that goes here. I felt like the whole vibe was interesting and the environmental aspect was a plus. Guilford has good academics too and I felt like North Carolina would be a good place to spend the next 4 years of my life. I almost went to Depaul University which is in Chicago and it's like the complete opposite of Guilford. Its a major university and its in the middle of the city. I just felt like Guilford was a better fit."

-Background
"Well, my mom is Filipino and my dad is white. He was in the Navy and that's where he met my mom. They got married and my mom moved to Pennsylvania with my dad and my half sister. He adopted my half sister and then they had me. My sister is 10 years older than me and now lives in Indiana. Growing up, I went to an all white Catholic school up until 8th grade. The Filipino aspect of my life wasn't something I embraced in my life until my high school years. I went to a public high school and it was more diverse than what I had been used to."

-Just for fun?
"I like writing...just for kicks. I like writing poetry and I like to write letters to friends from back home. I also like acting and I like to do plays- Shakespeare mostly.

-Major?

"Right now, my major is psychology. But it's still undecided for the most part."

-Travel hopes for the future?
"I want to travel to the Philippines and I want to learn the language of Tagalog. My mom never taught me the language but I hear her speak it when she's mad sometimes."

-Something random that people don't typically know about you?
"I wanted to volunteer at an elephant orphanage when I was younger. I don't know, I just really like elephants and I found a place in Arkansas. Don't ask me why Arkansas. I'm also really into old school rap-especially Notorious B.I.G."

-One thing you couldn't live without?
"I can't live without my iPhone.... and post-it notes.

FAST FACTS:

• Favorite beverage: Apple Juice
• Favorite color: Blue
• Favorite movie: Dead Poets Society
• Favorite song: Curs in the Weeds by Horse Feathers
• Favorite food: Chinese food, can I say that? I also like cereal....& ice cream...at the same time...jk
• Hopes to travel to: Rome & Spain
• Favorite number: 7
• Favorite memory: "The summer of 2011. The memories are very near and dear to my heart."
• Favorite band: The Avett Brothers

-Mary's quote to live by:

"It's all good baby babyyyy"

-Biggie Smalls

"I like to brighten up people's days. Send them a little good cheer. It's all about the simple things, ohh yeahhhhhh."

-Mary Heisey 

What's up with Guilford...

When you think of Guilford College, what comes to mind? Maybe you think about the fact that Guilford is a liberal arts Quaker school. Maybe you think of Guilford's athletics or maybe you even think about the academics. But did you ever stop to think about the students that go here and that Guilford would be nothing without them?

Guilford College is such a diverse place to study. It is made up of all different types of people from all over the country. There's even a few foreign exchange students that study here. Being a freshman, and with only being here for about two weeks, I've already seen some people that I would classify as being unique looking.

But what makes someone unique looking or "different"? Is it their wardrobe? Is it their personal style? Or is it the way they carry themselves? Maybe it's a combination of all of these things. However, what's different to you may be normal to others. It's easy to judge others by their appearance and I'm almost positive that everybody is guilty of doing such. I'll admit that I am guilty of "judging a book by its cover" so to say. I feel like it's time for this to change though.

This blog is going to be dedicated to looking past appearances and exposing the people of Guilford for who they truly are. Interviewing people of all different cultures and getting to know a little bit about their backgrounds and where they came from so we can understand the person that they are today.

So, here's to a great blog to come.
Stay classy Guilford ;)