Bloomington Herald-Times articles
April 3, 2007
IU student wins grand prize at Met
April 3, 2007
H-T report
Jamie Barton, a mezzo soprano and master's student at Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music, was a grand prize winner at Sunday's annual Metropolitan Opera auditions in New York City.
The award, a recognition of up-and-coming opera stars and a way for the Metropolitan Opera to discover new talent, previously was won by IU alumni such as Sylvia McNair (1982), Elizabeth Futral (1991), Angela Brown (1997) and Larry Brownlee (2001).
Barton is the eighth winner from IU in the past 10 years.
For her winning performance, Barton was accompanied by the Met orchestra and sang selections by G.F. Handel and Engelbert Humperdinck.
The Grand Finals Concert will be broadcast locally at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, May 12, on WFIU, 103.7 FM.
Mary Ann Hart, chairwoman of the department of voice at the music school, wasn't surprised at her student's success.
"You just cannot mistake Jamie's voice for any other singer," Hart said in a news release. "Everyone has a unique sound, but Jamie's timbre seems to extend a mile in every direction — dark and bright, soft and loud, serene and vivacious.
"She can draw you into the music with amazing assurance. She also has a great sense of humor, and that is appealing to audiences, even people who might be intimidated by a classically trained voice."
Another IU mentor, associate professor Brian Horne, has a teaching relationship with Barton extending to her youth in Rome, Ga.
"I've always thought that Jamie would go far," Horne said. "She has a phenomenal voice, a grounded personality and a deep sense of appreciation for those around her.
"I imagine that the Jamie I know in 20 years will be much like the one I met at 13. Her fame won't change that. She is proof that you can live a life of integrity and not step on people to get ahead."
Barton, 25, plans to make her professional debut this summer with Opera Theatre of St. Louis.
Additional Met winners this year were tenor Michael Fabiano of Hoboken, N.J.; soprano Angela Meade of Centralia, Wash.; tenor Alek Shrader of Cleveland,; tenor Ryan Smith of Los Angeles; and soprano Amber L. Wagner of Santa Barbara, Calif. Each winner received $15,000. Nearly 1,500 singers throughout the United States and Canada participated this year.
Two additional IU singers made the semifinals: soprano Lindsay Amman, a student of Costanza Cuccaro, and alumnus Christopher Bolduc, a student of Timothy Noble.
IU applying to host presidential debate; Student-led effort draws support from governmental agencies, elected officials
By Steve Hinnefeld
April 3, 2007
Indiana University is making a bid to host a 2008 presidential debate, thanks to an effort led by student government.
"We think it's a major opportunity for the university," said Emma Cullen, director of external affairs for the IU Student Association.
IU is joining with the city of Bloomington, the Bloomington Economic Development Corp. and the Bloomington/Monroe County Convention & Visitors Bureau on the bid, scheduled to be submitted today to the Commission on Presidential Debates.
The proposal includes detailed information on the facilities, including a debate hall, media center, hotels and transportation. IU, the city and the visitors bureau joined together to pay a $7,500 application fee.
The debate would take place at the IU Auditorium.
"The feedback we've gotten is we're very competitive," Cullen said.
IU spokesman Larry MacIntyre said the university administration supports the "entirely student-driven" effort. He said Michael McRobbie, the IU Bloomington provost and university president-elect, has met with student leaders and directed his staff to study what's involved in hosting a debate.
"We're pretty optimistic that we can do it," he said.
Hosts for presidential debates must pay a $1.35 million fee for costs, along with covering transportation and accommodations for commission staff. MacIntyre said IU would seek private funding or corporate sponsors. "We're not going to use taxpayer dollars for it," he said.
Bloomington Mayor Mark Kruzan -- a former IU student body president -- said the city fully supports the debate bid.
"Logistically, it would be a challenge, but forums as small as Bloomington, Ind., have done it before," he said.
Rob DeCleene, director of tourism for the convention and visitors bureau, said a presidential debate would boost the tourism economy with a weeklong stay by thousands of news media personnel and commission and campaign staff.
"It's just a great opportunity for some exposure and to really play a part in democracy in action," he said.
U.S. Rep. Baron Hill, D-Ind., whose 9th District includes Bloomington, provided a letter supporting IU's bid for a debate.
Cullen, a former president of IU College Democrats, and Andrew Lauck, an IUSA vice president and former chairman of IU College Republicans, have spearheaded the effort.
"I think this is an event that could put IU on the map -- and Indiana as well -- in terms of being a political player," Cullen said.
The nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates will select sites this October for three 2008 presidential debates, one vice presidential debate and two alternative debate venues.
Other communities and institutions bidding for debates include Richmond, Ind., the University of Cincinnati and Wake Forest University in North Carolina. Several Democratic candidates have said one debate should take place in New Orleans.
2008 presidential debate bids:
-- Arizona State University.
-- Belmont University, Nashville, Tenn.
-- Centre College, Danville, Ky.
-- Economic Development Corp. of Wayne County (Richmond), Ind.
-- Hofstra University, Hempstead, N.Y.
-- Indiana University and Bloomington.
-- MERC, Portland, Ore.
-- Ohio State University.
-- State of Illinois (Chicago).
-- University of Central Arkansas.
-- University of Cincinnati and Cinncinnati USA Regional Chamber.
-- University of Miami, Coral Gables, Fla.
-- University of Mississippi.
-- VisitPittsburgh.
-- Wake Forest University.
-- Washington State University.
-- Washington University, St. Louis.
-- Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn.
-- Women of the Storm, New Orleans.
Source: Commission on Presidential Debates
Debate in Bloomington? Five reasons to say yes
Bloomington Herald-Times
Editorial
April 3, 2007
The Indiana University Student Association and the city of Bloomington have submitted a proposal to host one of the 2008 presidential debates. Here are five reasons why the Commission on Presidential Debates should choose our community.
1) It's not on either coast. The candidates should be exposed as much as possible to the people and the thoughts of the central part of our nation. There are huge population centers on both the east and west coasts that command much of their attention. They should join us in the Midwest for at least one of the debates.
2) The event would be on a campus of a major research university. That means the setting would be in a place where original thoughts and ideas are celebrated; where discussion and debate lead to solutions; where research leads to life-improving discoveries; and where citizens come from every state in our nation and 135 or so different countries from around the world.
3) Bloomington is a place where robust political debate occurs as a matter of course. And it's not just Republicans and Democrats. Third parties, such as Libertarians and Greens, offer their ideas here as well. That kind of passion about politics makes this city a good choice.
4) Because of the presence of Indiana University, our community is a magnet for young people and young ideas. A debate here would emphasize the importance of higher education in a changing world, and the impact college-age students are going to have on our world in the future.
5) Finally, it would be a fun place to be for the candidates, their staffs and supporters, the media throngs and others who might follow them. Everybody deserves to have a little fun, and Bloomington and IU would provide that opportunity for the advance teams and the people attending the debate.
High schoolers plug in online to their college choices
By Anne Kibbler
April 3, 2007
High school seniors from Ohio to Pakistan logged on to Facebook last week to agonize and empathize about their hopes of attending New York University's College of Arts and Science.
One of them, Bloomington High School South student Jen Winston, said she'd received an invitation to an event for admitted students.
"I applied regular decision and got the invitation but I'm still waiting on my acceptance letter," she wrote at 12:25 a.m. last Monday on the NYU 2011-CAS group page.
For graduating high school students, social networking sites have become a routine way to get the scoop on their prospective colleges. Acceptance letters, scholarships and freshman events are part of the discussion. Kids also use the sites to meet others with similar interests and backgrounds -- the same major or the same religion, perhaps -- so they'll have a ready-made group of friends when they arrive on campus.
Facebook has three sites for this fall's Indiana University freshmen.
On the biggest site, Indiana University Class of 2011, 788 people have signed up. Some are looking for roommates, some are seeking students from their own states, and some are just hoping for a good time. There's plenty of talk about beer and basketball.
The other two sites are Indiana University 2011 and IU Wells Scholars Class of '11.
Facebook sites often are created by individual students. But colleges themselves are jumping on the bandwagon, using Facebook or creating official sites accessed through their home pages.
IU's Office of Admissions offers online chats for admitted students through EMT Chat University, a program purchased from Cincinnati-based Hobsons Enrollment Management Technology.
The admissions office started out last spring with four chats and expanded this spring to 10 chats for admitted freshmen. About 500 students have participated so far this semester.
Some chats have included current students or representatives of other campus offices to answer questions about campus life or financial aid. There have also been special chats targeting new students in the School of Music and the Kelley School of Business, and two chats for incoming international students.
"The turnout is excellent for international students," Calhoun said. "They'll get up at 4 in the morning because they want so much to learn (about IU)."
For new students, the chats offer security in an anxiety-filled time.
"One of neat things I've observed is they'll often talk with each other and exchange contact information," Calhoun said. "It reassures them there are other students going through same issues they're going through."
IU is one of 400 colleges using EMT Chat University's Group Chat program.
"We know that instant message and text messaging are hot ways to talk to students," said Sara Snyder, marketing specialist for Hobsons. "People aren't always checking their inboxes or their voice mail, but we know through Facebook and MySpace that instant messaging is a hot technology that students are into."
Man arrested after student reports being photographed in bathroom
By Marcela Creps
April 3, 2007
A New Albany man was arrested during the weekend after an IU student said she was photographed by cell phone in a women's restroom in Forest Quad.
Dionte Whitehead, 20, faces preliminary charges of criminal trespass and voyeurism.
An 18-year-old resident of Forest Quad called the Indiana University Police Department at 1:35 p.m. Saturday after she said she realized a camera was pointed at her while she was in a toilet stall. The woman told police she saw a camera pointed at her from under the adjacent stall and saw a flash and heard the camera shutter.
She exited the stall and attempted to open the stall next to her, but it was locked. Looking through the gap between the wall and the door, the woman said, she saw a man she recognized as a male acquaintance of her neighbor.
IUPD officer Dave Winburn found Whitehead in the lobby of Forest Quad. He denied any wrongdoing.
Police say they found a camera cellphone on Whitehead. According to IUPD Capt. Jerry Minger, it needed to be recharged before officers could review the images.
Police also towed Whitehead's car, where they said they found a second cell phone.
Minger said Whitehead was charged with criminal trespass because he was advised about trespassing in October 2006 when he was a suspect in a similar case on campus. Minger said Whitehead is not an IU student.
Whitehead remained Monday in the Monroe County Jail.
Live From Bloomington shows another way to give
By Dann Denny
April 3, 2007
Another way to help the Hoosier Hills Food Bank is to attend one of two Live From Bloomington Food Drive musical shows -- where 18 local bands will perform original songs they donated to a "Live From Bloomington" CD.
The shows will take place at 8 p.m. Thursday at Uncle Fester's House of Blooze, the Bluebird, Max's Place and Jake's; and at 7 p.m. Friday at Rhinos.
Admission to each show is $5, or $3 and two cans of food. The money and food collected will go to the food bank.
The shows are part of a "Live From Bloomington" project, sponsored by the Indiana University Union Board, which involves the production and sale of a CD by local musicians.
The CD costs $5, and can be bought at Tracks, Borders, Landlocked Music, Hoosier Hills Food Bank, Bloomingfoods East, Pitaya and the Union Board office.
Money from the CD sales will go to the food bank.
Homeward Bound Walk benefits the homeless
By Andra Alvis
March 31, 2007
The arrival of April 15 leaves many Americans feeling disgruntled, particularly if they've just handed over a hefty portion of their disposal income to the Internal Revenue Service. This April 15, however, should remind Bloomington homeowners (and renters) to count their blessings: it marks the date of Homeward Bound's annual five-kilometer walk to benefit the homeless.
The Homeward Bound Walk, co-sponsored by the City of Bloomington and Indiana University, is held each year by 13 local agencies that help homeless citizens with shelter, food, and other emergency assistance needs.
Participating agencies include Amethyst House of Bloomington, the Area 10 Agency on Aging, the Center for Behavioral Health, the Community Kitchen of Monroe County, Hoosier Food Bank, Martha's House, Mental Health America of Monroe County, Middle Way House, Monroe Country United Ministries, Mother Hubbard's Cupboard, Shalom Community Center, Stepping Stones, and the Youth Services Bureau of Monroe County.
This year's walk will be held at Third Street Park. Activities--including a Kids' Island, live band, and free food—begin at 12:00. At 1:30, there will be greetings from local dignitaries, including Bloomington Mayor Mark Kruzan; IU's Richard McKaig, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Dean of Students; Joel Rekas, executive director of Shalom Community Center; and Michael Reinke, director of the Indiana Coalition on Housing and Homeless Issues (ICCHI).
The actual walk kicks off at 2:00. Walkers will return to Third Street Park at 3:30 to participate in an awards ceremony for top fundraisers.
The course of the walk itself is symbolic, cutting a wide swath through Bloomington. It moves through parks, various neighborhoods, the IU campus, and the downtown.
Along the way, there will be musicians and entertainers. In addition, participating agencies will provide walkers with facts and information about homelessness. While fundraising is the walk's primary goal, educating the public on homelessness is another important aim.
Last year, approximately 600 walkers participated and raised over $60,000. The South Central Indiana walk has raised a total of $191,000 since its inception in 2003.
Because in-kind donations and donations by sponsors cover the walk's administrative costs, one hundred percent of funds raised go to agencies helping homeless citizens in Bloomington. Another important financial note: All donations are tax deductible.
What should you do if you want to get involved? According to co-chairs Darrell Ann Stone, associate director of IU Student Activities Office, and Vickie Provine, Program Manager with City of Bloomington's Housing and Neighborhood Development Department, there are many ways to participate.
"No advance registration is required (although you can pre-register on our Web site)," says Vickie, "so participation is very flexible. Some people walk by themselves and make a donation. Others put together a team and raise funds, which are donated to the walk. Another option is to come simply for the pre-walk activities and make a donation then."
You can also go to the homelesswalks.org website and contribute to the team of one of the top local fundraisers.
The "Why Will You Walk" section of the Homeward Bound website provides some revealing insights as to why Bloomingtonians participate in this annual event. It also reminds us to be grateful if we are fortunate enough to have a roof over our heads.
Writes Summer Vergiels: "I walk because I was four days away from being homeless with my son when a kind woman rented us a room in her house. I walk because I volunteer at and utilize a food pantry where a high number of 'potential homeless' folks shop for food so they can pay for medicine or the heating bill. I walk because I… believe that all humans should work together to raise awareness and action around this important issue."
For more information on the Bloomington Homeward Bound Walk, visit the event's website at www.homelesswalks.org and click on "South Central Indiana."
