What’s the deal everyone? This is your boy Angelo dusting off my keyboard, putting away the umberella…ella…ella…eh, eh, eh (sorry ya’ll, Rihanna is currently on the radio), and checking back in from a longer than expected blogging hiatus to offer you the 411 of what’s going down here on Vanderbilt’s campus. Before I do that though, a heart-felt CONGRATULATIONS goes out to all of you great prospective students who were admitted to Vanderbilt during the Early Decision 1 admissions process. You have joined a great legacy here at Vanderbilt and as an alumnus of the institution, I am very excited about the vibrant energy and new possibilities that the Class of 2012 will bring to campus.
Now with that said, wzup…Wzup…WZUP??? (Do ya’ll remember that from the television show Martin?) I feel like I just don’t know ya’ll no more! LOL! (That one was from the Color Purple). I know, I know…I’m old! But the reason why I quoted a television show and a movie from back in the day is because there is a great new organization that started on campus this semester that doesn’t necessarily quote television shows and movies, but uses the art of poetry to convey messages that extend generations and addresses controversial societal issues in hopes of elevating the consciousness of our campus community. This group is known as VANDY SPOKEN WORD.
A…HEM (As I clear my throat)…HERE YE, HERE YE, in salute to the Vandy Spoken Word movement sweeping campus, here is my unique, ORIGINAL attempt at a spoken word (actually written word for all the technical folks in the crowd) piece that I think you all might like. It’s somewhat of a sensitive topic, but I trust you enough not to judge me and my ORIGINAL work. Okay…I’m nervous…A'HEM (clearing my throat again!), but here we go…I call this piece, “Man, Oh Man, The Man, in the Mirror.”
As I, Turn Up The Collar On
My Favorite Winter Coat
This Wind Is Blowin' My Mind
I See The Kids In The Street,
With Not Enough To Eat
Who Am I, To Be Blind?
Pretending Not To See Their Need…
That's Why I Want You to Know
I'm Starting With ‘Man, Oh Man, The Man, In The Mirror’
I'm Asking Him To Change His Ways
And No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place
Take A Look At Yourself,
And Then Make A Change!!
Thank you! Thank you! (Snap, Snap...you know, that's what you do at a live poetry slam!) That was smooth right? I know, I know…that's because I'm a OP, an ORIGINAL POET! LOL!
I'm just joking around, but actually this piece, minus my title, is the work of the King of Pop himself, Mr. Michael Jackson (at least he sang it anyway). However, the reason why I selected this piece is because just like Michael Jackson brought awareness to issues of homelessness throughout the world from his song, The Man in the Mirror, Vandy Spoken Word attempts to bring personal awareness to a myriad of national issues including diversity, politics, and sexism. Definitely making a significant difference on campus, I caught my first glimpse of this group a few weeks ago at the VIBE Show (the original Hip Hop Dance group on campus) and Vandy Spoken Word was OFF THE CHAIN to say the least. In fact, what I appreciate most about this group is that life is not just black and white to the members of this organization, but they are welcoming to anyone with an opinion and a voice willing to step up and speak out! As a result, this is a group to definitely check out and to get more information about the organization, check out their website at: http://www.vandyspokenword.com/index.html
Alright Sports Fans, I'm out for now, but check back periodically and I'll have more news for you about the greatness that is Vanderbilt. Later...for now, from an ORIGINAL POET!! :)
Friday, December 21, 2007
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Soulja Boy Off In This Yo, Watch Me Crank It, Watch Me Roll!
Hello world! Here I am again, that Vanderbilt “Soulja Boy” Angelo, aka Vanderbilt Admissions Counselor, writing to offer you, the interested prospective, my weekly perspective of Vanderbilt culture and asking you to watch me crank it, watch me roll (as I do my three step to the side and then super man….now watch me yuuuaaa!) LOL! I feel like you’re judging me right now. But you have to admit that Crank that Soulja Boy is one of the hottest hip hop songs out right now! Hey wait a minute though, is it just me, or is the phrase ‘Vanderbilt Soulja Boy’ a complete oxymoron? LOL! Anyway, I digress!
So since we’re talking about hot songs out right now, another track that is pretty “tight”, as some might say, is the Cupid Shuffle! Uh oh, give me a second so that I can do my two step:
"To the right, to the right, to the right, to the right
To the left, to the left, to the left, to the left
Now kick, now kick, now kick, now kick
Now walk it by yourself, now walk it by yourself"
Now you better watch out because I was once a member of V.I.B.E., Vanderbilt’s premier hip-hop dance group, so if you let me I might start to dance it up! LOL! So at this point you’re probably thinking, “This dude Angelo is so random, what the heck is he talking about.” Well young grasshopper, don’t get discouraged. If you’re still reading this blog, then COME ON DOWN BECAUSE IT’S YOUR TURN TO PLAY BLOG CHAIN REACTION. The first connecting phrase in the chain is Crank that Soulja Boy and the last connecting word in the chain is Stompfest. Now you’re task Ms. or Mr. aspiring Vanderbilt student is to figure out how the two connect. Don’t worry…it will become fairly obvious by the end of reading this blog.
Anyway, so to continue on, I don’t know if any of you have seen the Cupid Shuffle music video, but Cupid has several NPHC fraternities and sororities included in his video and after I saw it this evening, I was motivated to write this blog. However, just so you know; the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) is the national governing organization for the nine largest historically African American, intercollegiate Greek lettered fraternities and sororities in the US. They include:
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (1906)
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (1908)
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. (1911)
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (1911)
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (1913)
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. (1914)
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. (1920)
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. (1922)
Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. (1963)
In addition to their commitment to community service and tackling social justice issues, most people know these African American Greek organizations because of an art form called stepping.
Now, if you’ve seen the movie Stomp the Yard that came out earlier this year in January 2007, then you have already seen an example of stepping. However, for my inquisitive friends out there who enjoy reading my brief history lessons, the next few sentences are for you. Stepping is a complex performance involving synchronized percussive movement, singing, speaking, chanting, and drama. In fact, it can be traced to cultural African dance traditions, specifically one called the "Gumboot Dance". With a focus on precise foot movements and hand-clapping, gumboots used dance as a means of strategic communication. However, in the U.S., stepping can be traced as far back as the 1920's and has evolved as a format of choice for NPHC organizations to display pride and is reproduced today in many African-American churches, schools, community groups, fraternities, and sororities, as well as Latino, Asian-American, and multicultural Greek-letter organizations (Thanks GSC!) In fact, thanks to the video media YouTube, you can see an example of stepping from Stomp the Yard (2007) by visiting the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxUznvxFy-4. You should know as a prospective student that the art form of stepping has not only become a strong part of NPHC tradition, but coming this week, this unique art form will find itself, once again, circulating throughout Vanderbilt culture.
HERE YE, HERE YE, ALL RISE FOR THE SECOND COMING OF STOMPFEST TO VANDERBILT’S CAMPUS! This Thursday, October 11 will be the 2nd annual Stompfest competition at Vanderbilt where IFC and Panhel organizations will get to show off the steps that their NPHC coaches have taught them. The members of our Greek community use Stompfest as an opportunity to show the unity that exists among Greeks on our campus and what is equally important is that the winning team has all of its winnings contributed to a philanthropy organization of its choice. So not only do Greeks get to participate in a fun activity, but they also get to give back to the community as well. This is yet another example of how Vanderbilt sees themselves as global citizens, but hey, I won't go there on this blog...maybe next time.
Well friends, this is the end of my blogging for right now, but this weekend is the big weekend – HOMECOMING WEEKEND – so I will definitely let you know how everything goes down, including the Kanye West and Guster concert. Be safe and happy college searching!!
PS> For those of you who are still lost regarding the connections of our Blog Chain Reaction game, just check out all of the bolded phrases and you’ll find the connection.
So since we’re talking about hot songs out right now, another track that is pretty “tight”, as some might say, is the Cupid Shuffle! Uh oh, give me a second so that I can do my two step:
"To the right, to the right, to the right, to the right
To the left, to the left, to the left, to the left
Now kick, now kick, now kick, now kick
Now walk it by yourself, now walk it by yourself"
Now you better watch out because I was once a member of V.I.B.E., Vanderbilt’s premier hip-hop dance group, so if you let me I might start to dance it up! LOL! So at this point you’re probably thinking, “This dude Angelo is so random, what the heck is he talking about.” Well young grasshopper, don’t get discouraged. If you’re still reading this blog, then COME ON DOWN BECAUSE IT’S YOUR TURN TO PLAY BLOG CHAIN REACTION. The first connecting phrase in the chain is Crank that Soulja Boy and the last connecting word in the chain is Stompfest. Now you’re task Ms. or Mr. aspiring Vanderbilt student is to figure out how the two connect. Don’t worry…it will become fairly obvious by the end of reading this blog.
Anyway, so to continue on, I don’t know if any of you have seen the Cupid Shuffle music video, but Cupid has several NPHC fraternities and sororities included in his video and after I saw it this evening, I was motivated to write this blog. However, just so you know; the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) is the national governing organization for the nine largest historically African American, intercollegiate Greek lettered fraternities and sororities in the US. They include:
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (1906)
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (1908)
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. (1911)
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (1911)
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (1913)
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. (1914)
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. (1920)
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. (1922)
Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. (1963)
In addition to their commitment to community service and tackling social justice issues, most people know these African American Greek organizations because of an art form called stepping.
Now, if you’ve seen the movie Stomp the Yard that came out earlier this year in January 2007, then you have already seen an example of stepping. However, for my inquisitive friends out there who enjoy reading my brief history lessons, the next few sentences are for you. Stepping is a complex performance involving synchronized percussive movement, singing, speaking, chanting, and drama. In fact, it can be traced to cultural African dance traditions, specifically one called the "Gumboot Dance". With a focus on precise foot movements and hand-clapping, gumboots used dance as a means of strategic communication. However, in the U.S., stepping can be traced as far back as the 1920's and has evolved as a format of choice for NPHC organizations to display pride and is reproduced today in many African-American churches, schools, community groups, fraternities, and sororities, as well as Latino, Asian-American, and multicultural Greek-letter organizations (Thanks GSC!) In fact, thanks to the video media YouTube, you can see an example of stepping from Stomp the Yard (2007) by visiting the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxUznvxFy-4. You should know as a prospective student that the art form of stepping has not only become a strong part of NPHC tradition, but coming this week, this unique art form will find itself, once again, circulating throughout Vanderbilt culture.
HERE YE, HERE YE, ALL RISE FOR THE SECOND COMING OF STOMPFEST TO VANDERBILT’S CAMPUS! This Thursday, October 11 will be the 2nd annual Stompfest competition at Vanderbilt where IFC and Panhel organizations will get to show off the steps that their NPHC coaches have taught them. The members of our Greek community use Stompfest as an opportunity to show the unity that exists among Greeks on our campus and what is equally important is that the winning team has all of its winnings contributed to a philanthropy organization of its choice. So not only do Greeks get to participate in a fun activity, but they also get to give back to the community as well. This is yet another example of how Vanderbilt sees themselves as global citizens, but hey, I won't go there on this blog...maybe next time.
Well friends, this is the end of my blogging for right now, but this weekend is the big weekend – HOMECOMING WEEKEND – so I will definitely let you know how everything goes down, including the Kanye West and Guster concert. Be safe and happy college searching!!
PS> For those of you who are still lost regarding the connections of our Blog Chain Reaction game, just check out all of the bolded phrases and you’ll find the connection.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Gandhi What...Gandhi Who? Kind of like Jigga for Jay-Z, but not quite!
Yo, yo, yo people, this is your boy Angelo again from OUA giving you the low down on what’s up so that the side to side of the low down can get you up and excited with what’s down at Vanderbilt so that you know what’s good!! Now, if you can understand what the heck I was trying to say there, then you deserve free tuition to Vanderbilt because I’m struggling to understand that myself. Your analytical reasoning skills must be off the charts! Well, for those of you, including myself, who didn’t understand a word of what I was trying to say the first time, let me put my initial statement into a non-secular version for you. “Jolly ho and good day dear prospective, this is the Vanderbilt representative Angelo back again to offer serendipitous insight into Vanderbilt’s unknown cultural capital so that you may contextualize the offerings of our fair campus.” Umm yeah, I think that I prefer the first way too. LOL!
So, if you’re reading this third entry of my blog, then you are at least a bit intrigued of the campus culture that is Vanderbilt. So in keeping with tradition, a three blog tradition at this point I might add, I will enlighten you oh inquisitive one with more cultural offerings that can be found at Vanderbilt. Therefore, this entry should surely peak your interest! If you did not know, Vanderbilt is celebrating Gandhi Week this week to commemorate the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi. Now I know that some of you are probably like, “Gandhi What…Gandhi Who?” You know, it’s kind of like Jigga for Jay-Z but not quite (that’s a rap song by the way for those of you who officially think that I’ve lost it). But if you don’t know, Gandhi was a major political and spiritual leader of India and the Indian independence movement. He has been called the pioneer of Satyagraha, a resistance movement grounded in non-violence, which led to the independence of India. He is called the “Father of the Nation” and is celebrated on his birthday each year on October 2nd worldwide (thanks Wikipedia for the history lesson). Random fact about Gandhi, but he actually was a lawyer that received his formal training in Britian. Who knew?
Now according to the VU Gandhi Week organizers, students at Vanderbilt will join other college campuses and cities, in a nationwide event that is known as “Be The Change”, to serve communities and engage in dialogue. The event draws individuals who are attracted to the values espoused by Gandhi and other leaders who devoted their lives to public service and engagement in their communities. The guest speaker for Gandhi Week this year will be Jenan Mohajir. Jenan is the Education Outreach Associate for the Interfaith Youth Core, an organization that strives to build mutual respect and pluralism among youth from different religious traditions. "The Legacy of Our Faith Heroes" is the topic of her speech for Gandhi Week. It will cover the stories of famous faith heroes, such as Gandhi, and how their lessons can be applied to building a religiously tolerant society. Additionally, there will be a panel discussion regarding 'Gandhian Philosophies and its relevance in the 21st Century,' which will include numerous speakers including Civil Rights activist and Vanderbilt alumnus Rev. James Lawson. Ghandi Week is in large part sponsored by the student group Masala-SACE (South Asian Cultural Exchange), however other campus sponsors include Project Dialogue, The Vanderbilt Divinity School, and the Office of Religious Life just to name a few. To find out more information about Gandhi Week or programming sponsored by Masala-SACE, check out their website at (http://studentorgs.vanderbilt.edu/sace/).
Alllllrighty then (that's from ACE Ventura Pet Detective...do you remember that or am I getting old?) , I’m out until next time, but be safe and choose your colleges wisely!!
PS> Is anybody else excited that the Vanderbilt Football team is 3-1 after their win this weekend over Eastern Michigan 30-7…GO DORES!!
So, if you’re reading this third entry of my blog, then you are at least a bit intrigued of the campus culture that is Vanderbilt. So in keeping with tradition, a three blog tradition at this point I might add, I will enlighten you oh inquisitive one with more cultural offerings that can be found at Vanderbilt. Therefore, this entry should surely peak your interest! If you did not know, Vanderbilt is celebrating Gandhi Week this week to commemorate the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi. Now I know that some of you are probably like, “Gandhi What…Gandhi Who?” You know, it’s kind of like Jigga for Jay-Z but not quite (that’s a rap song by the way for those of you who officially think that I’ve lost it). But if you don’t know, Gandhi was a major political and spiritual leader of India and the Indian independence movement. He has been called the pioneer of Satyagraha, a resistance movement grounded in non-violence, which led to the independence of India. He is called the “Father of the Nation” and is celebrated on his birthday each year on October 2nd worldwide (thanks Wikipedia for the history lesson). Random fact about Gandhi, but he actually was a lawyer that received his formal training in Britian. Who knew?
Now according to the VU Gandhi Week organizers, students at Vanderbilt will join other college campuses and cities, in a nationwide event that is known as “Be The Change”, to serve communities and engage in dialogue. The event draws individuals who are attracted to the values espoused by Gandhi and other leaders who devoted their lives to public service and engagement in their communities. The guest speaker for Gandhi Week this year will be Jenan Mohajir. Jenan is the Education Outreach Associate for the Interfaith Youth Core, an organization that strives to build mutual respect and pluralism among youth from different religious traditions. "The Legacy of Our Faith Heroes" is the topic of her speech for Gandhi Week. It will cover the stories of famous faith heroes, such as Gandhi, and how their lessons can be applied to building a religiously tolerant society. Additionally, there will be a panel discussion regarding 'Gandhian Philosophies and its relevance in the 21st Century,' which will include numerous speakers including Civil Rights activist and Vanderbilt alumnus Rev. James Lawson. Ghandi Week is in large part sponsored by the student group Masala-SACE (South Asian Cultural Exchange), however other campus sponsors include Project Dialogue, The Vanderbilt Divinity School, and the Office of Religious Life just to name a few. To find out more information about Gandhi Week or programming sponsored by Masala-SACE, check out their website at (http://studentorgs.vanderbilt.edu/sace/).
Alllllrighty then (that's from ACE Ventura Pet Detective...do you remember that or am I getting old?) , I’m out until next time, but be safe and choose your colleges wisely!!
PS> Is anybody else excited that the Vanderbilt Football team is 3-1 after their win this weekend over Eastern Michigan 30-7…GO DORES!!
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Vagina Monologues…say what, you mean they talk too?
Catchy title huh? Yeah, I know…I figured it might catch your attention. But before you jump to any conclusions or get the wrong idea, no I’m not trying to be fresh or explicit in any way, shape, or form. However, if you have never heard of the Vagina Monologues before, then today is your big day. It’s almost like getting ready for the first day of school after a long summer, and being filled with so much excitement and anticipation that you can’t eat or sleep and all you can think about is which outfit you’re going to wear to impress all of your friends. Okay, so maybe it’s not all that intense and maybe I’m the only one who used to get excited about the first day of school, but many students in the Vanderbilt community genuinely embrace the Vagina Monologues making it apart of our campus culture and something that you should know about.
Now, if you don’t know, the Vagina Monologues is an episodic play, written by Eve Ensler, that initially premiered Off-Broadway in 1996. Since then, the Vagina Monologues has been translated into 45 languages and is performed in theaters across the globe, Vanderbilt’s Neely Theater (the campus student theater) being one, where Vanderbilt women put their own twist on the 11 year production. What’s exciting about the women of Vanderbilt, is that the Vagina Monologues is apart of the V-Day celebrations, which is a worldwide movement to end violence against women. The program also gives the Margaret Cuninggim Women’s Center the opportunity to bring awareness to the campus about much of its programming including Project Safe and Take Back the Night. Plus, fellas, don’t fret because you don’t have to be a woman to speak out against violence to women. There are many organizations on campus to get involved with as well including one called Men Promoting a Solution, a student organization striving to promote gender equality on Vanderbilt's campus and throughout the nation.
Now you’re probably thinking, “Why in the world would Angelo bring up the Vagina Monologues in his blog?” Well, oh inquisitive one, I’ll tell you. The campus is buzzing with excitement because it was announced a day or so ago that Eve Ensler, the award-winning author of the Vagina Monologues, will be visiting Vanderbilt in February as a part of her college campus tour. The Women’s Center will be sponsoring this lecture and quite frankly it is this kind of inclusiveness and awareness that you can expect as a student on Vanderbilt’s campus. But, then again, this is just one aspect of Vanderbilt’s culture that makes it great. Tune in again soon and I’ll enlighten you about another exciting aspect of Vanderbilt’s diverse culture and if you’re interested, check out The Women’s Center website at ( http://www.vanderbilt.edu/WomensCenter/) to find out more about the Vagina Monologues and additional programming that the center sponsors.
Now, if you don’t know, the Vagina Monologues is an episodic play, written by Eve Ensler, that initially premiered Off-Broadway in 1996. Since then, the Vagina Monologues has been translated into 45 languages and is performed in theaters across the globe, Vanderbilt’s Neely Theater (the campus student theater) being one, where Vanderbilt women put their own twist on the 11 year production. What’s exciting about the women of Vanderbilt, is that the Vagina Monologues is apart of the V-Day celebrations, which is a worldwide movement to end violence against women. The program also gives the Margaret Cuninggim Women’s Center the opportunity to bring awareness to the campus about much of its programming including Project Safe and Take Back the Night. Plus, fellas, don’t fret because you don’t have to be a woman to speak out against violence to women. There are many organizations on campus to get involved with as well including one called Men Promoting a Solution, a student organization striving to promote gender equality on Vanderbilt's campus and throughout the nation.
Now you’re probably thinking, “Why in the world would Angelo bring up the Vagina Monologues in his blog?” Well, oh inquisitive one, I’ll tell you. The campus is buzzing with excitement because it was announced a day or so ago that Eve Ensler, the award-winning author of the Vagina Monologues, will be visiting Vanderbilt in February as a part of her college campus tour. The Women’s Center will be sponsoring this lecture and quite frankly it is this kind of inclusiveness and awareness that you can expect as a student on Vanderbilt’s campus. But, then again, this is just one aspect of Vanderbilt’s culture that makes it great. Tune in again soon and I’ll enlighten you about another exciting aspect of Vanderbilt’s diverse culture and if you’re interested, check out The Women’s Center website at ( http://www.vanderbilt.edu/WomensCenter/) to find out more about the Vagina Monologues and additional programming that the center sponsors.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Work it Harder, Make it Better!!
(Work it, make it, do it, makes us harder, better, faster, STRONGER!)
(Work it harder make it better,
do it faster makes us stronger,
more than ever, hour after hour work is never over )
“N-now th-th- that don't kill me
Can only make me stronger
I need you to hurry up now
Cause I can't wait much longer
I know I got to be right now
Cause I can't get much wronger
Man I been waitin' all night now
That's how long…”
Hello world…this is your boy Angelo and I am one of the Admissions Counselors from Vanderbilt University who was selected to serve as an office blogger for the ‘07-‘08 school year. How exciting right? Well, I am quite enthused to offer you, the reader, some insight into Vanderbilt University, and as a 2005 alumnus and a current Vandy graduate student, I feel that I am more than equipped to do so. In fact, what’s great about serving as an office blogger is that I have been given complete autonomy about what I talk about. So as a result, I have decided that the main purpose of my blogging, outside of the standard admissions questions and the like, will be to focus on the cultural aspects of VU’s campus that defies typical stereotypes of Vanderbilt.
Now I know what you’re probably thinking…oh great, here’s another blog from a university employee that’s going to try and stress the school’s evolving ethnic diversity! Well, let me relieve your fears right here and right now. Although we might talk about Vanderbilt’s ethnic diversity on campus and how it has significantly increased over the last few years, this blog will focus primarily on Vanderbilt’s student culture and I am defining culture as, “the characteristic features of everyday existence” (Thanks Webster!!) So, essentially, this means that I will be talking about organizations, issues, current events, etc. that affect student life at Vanderbilt. Is that cool? Cool!
Now with this being my first entry and all, I must say that I am more than excited to report that one of my favorite hip hop artists was announced, a few days ago, as being the 2007 headliner for Homecoming. I’m not sure if many people have heard of him before, but his name is KANYE WEST!! That’s right folks, Kanye West is coming to Vanderbilt and his newest single “Stronger” is my favorite cut from the Graduation album that was recently released. In fact, the lyrics above are from Kanye's newest single, “Stronger”, and for those of you who struggle, like me, to understand the robotic section of the song, I have included those lyrics for you to sing along to if you wish. Yes...you’re welcome! GUSTER is also hittin’ up campus for homecoming this year. For those of you who don’t know, Guster is an alternative rock band from Massachusetts that is largely known for their top 40 hits “Fa Fa” and “Careful.” Random fact, but The Weather Channel selected a Guster song to serve as its slogan. Now if the weather channel is into Guster, then you know those dudes must be hype! What’s funnier though is that you should have seen the line outside of our campus ticketmaster for tickets for the homecoming concert; there were folks who even slept in the Sarratt Student Center to get tickets. Students are all a buzz for both Kanye and Guster’s arrival to campus and please believe that yours truly will be there too. My ticket has already been claimed!! Anyway, until next time, GO DORES!!
(Work it harder make it better,
do it faster makes us stronger,
more than ever, hour after hour work is never over )
“N-now th-th- that don't kill me
Can only make me stronger
I need you to hurry up now
Cause I can't wait much longer
I know I got to be right now
Cause I can't get much wronger
Man I been waitin' all night now
That's how long…”
Hello world…this is your boy Angelo and I am one of the Admissions Counselors from Vanderbilt University who was selected to serve as an office blogger for the ‘07-‘08 school year. How exciting right? Well, I am quite enthused to offer you, the reader, some insight into Vanderbilt University, and as a 2005 alumnus and a current Vandy graduate student, I feel that I am more than equipped to do so. In fact, what’s great about serving as an office blogger is that I have been given complete autonomy about what I talk about. So as a result, I have decided that the main purpose of my blogging, outside of the standard admissions questions and the like, will be to focus on the cultural aspects of VU’s campus that defies typical stereotypes of Vanderbilt.
Now I know what you’re probably thinking…oh great, here’s another blog from a university employee that’s going to try and stress the school’s evolving ethnic diversity! Well, let me relieve your fears right here and right now. Although we might talk about Vanderbilt’s ethnic diversity on campus and how it has significantly increased over the last few years, this blog will focus primarily on Vanderbilt’s student culture and I am defining culture as, “the characteristic features of everyday existence” (Thanks Webster!!) So, essentially, this means that I will be talking about organizations, issues, current events, etc. that affect student life at Vanderbilt. Is that cool? Cool!
Now with this being my first entry and all, I must say that I am more than excited to report that one of my favorite hip hop artists was announced, a few days ago, as being the 2007 headliner for Homecoming. I’m not sure if many people have heard of him before, but his name is KANYE WEST!! That’s right folks, Kanye West is coming to Vanderbilt and his newest single “Stronger” is my favorite cut from the Graduation album that was recently released. In fact, the lyrics above are from Kanye's newest single, “Stronger”, and for those of you who struggle, like me, to understand the robotic section of the song, I have included those lyrics for you to sing along to if you wish. Yes...you’re welcome! GUSTER is also hittin’ up campus for homecoming this year. For those of you who don’t know, Guster is an alternative rock band from Massachusetts that is largely known for their top 40 hits “Fa Fa” and “Careful.” Random fact, but The Weather Channel selected a Guster song to serve as its slogan. Now if the weather channel is into Guster, then you know those dudes must be hype! What’s funnier though is that you should have seen the line outside of our campus ticketmaster for tickets for the homecoming concert; there were folks who even slept in the Sarratt Student Center to get tickets. Students are all a buzz for both Kanye and Guster’s arrival to campus and please believe that yours truly will be there too. My ticket has already been claimed!! Anyway, until next time, GO DORES!!
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