ALEXIS CAMARENA
Staff Writer

It’s not every day you walk into class to find your professor dressed as a fuzzy bunny.
However, for the students in Professor Emile George’s class, it’s just another day in Methodology in Teaching Social Studies, a graduate-level course for students in the QUEST education program that meets every Wednesday.
Though the class revolves around history, George does not teach his students about the Civil War, the Industrial Revolution, or any other historical event. Instead, for the past four years that he has taught at FDU, George has been teaching his students creative and experimental methods of teaching history by dressing up, decorating the classroom, making projects and everything in between.
“You’re never going to be bored in my class,” George said.
Loren Kania, a fifth-year student in the QUEST program, has fun in George’s classes.
“Professor George teaches in very unconventional ways,” said Kania. “In my five years here, there’s been no professor on campus that comes close to the way he teaches.”
To demonstrate to his students one way of taking a history lesson to the next level, George had them write political platforms for both the Republican and Democratic parties and also one for Peter Rabbit.
“He came back into the classroom in the bunny suit and handed out carrots and bunny papers with ‘Vote for Peter Rabbit’ on them,” said Kania.
For any given class, George will set an atmosphere to complement his teachings.
“He’s very big on classroom environment,” Kania said. “Every night when we go to class, he has a different set-up.”
For a lesson on the 1960s, George plans on dressing up as hippie, playing The Beatles and examining the drug culture of the time period.
“I discuss often music’s influence in history,” George said. “I often play music to set an atmosphere when I teach. Teaching is about creating an atmosphere for a lesson, and that’s something I want my students to learn.”
After teaching public middle school and high school for 45 years, George retired and decided to try his hand at college education.
Having so many years of experience, George has plenty of insight to provide his students with a perspective on real-world education and the “do’s and don’ts” of teaching a class.
“Kids learn by doing, I believe in that. Research has shown that students learn more by seeing and by doing, than by hearing,” said George. “Teaching social studies should not be a lecture course; it should be a hands-on course.”
That being said, George’s class is not strictly a social studies class.
“A class like this doesn’t really teach you content but ideas and different ways to make your own students absorb material better,” said Kania.
“As the course is at a graduate level, the students should know the content,” George said. “My aim is to teach them how to apply that knowledge to teaching in a way that’s meaningful.”
The class has become pretty popular, with class size of over 20 students, slightly larger than most classes at FDU.
“I enjoy his class very much,” said Colby Thompson, a junior in the QUEST program. “He teaches in so many different ways and constantly changes up the class, that I am writing down or learning something nearly every second.”
However unique and unorthodox George’s class may be, the class is not so different from any other in terms of its workload. George’s students must complete a reaction paper every week and four projects throughout the semester.
“I still follow the departmental syllabus, though I’ve adapted it to my teaching style,” he said.
George expresses much enthusiasm and devotion to teaching the class. “I love what I do, and I love the students at FDU,” he said. “They’re bright, they’re enthusiastic, and they want to learn.”
George went on to say that the students give him feedback. “We discuss what’s good and what’s bad,” he said. “We critique every activity we do. We learn from each other.”
“As interesting as he is, he has emphasized to us to find our own way of teaching,” said Kania. “If we don’t feel comfortable dressing up in a bunny suit, then that’s not what we should do. He’s into us finding our own interesting path.”
George said he doesn’t remember a lot of “meaningful classes” from his college career, and he wants to give his students a memorable learning experience.
“I want my students to become outstanding teachers, and they will be,” he said.

ALEXIS CAMARENA
Staff Writer

To commemorate Black History Month and celebrate African-American influence in poetry, music and literature, students gathered in the Bottle Hill Room on Feb. 18 for an Open Mic event.
Students were invited to share either a piece of poetry, a reading selection or even a song.
Professor Katie Singer, who runs the African-American studies minor at FDU, organized the event for the third consecutive year.
Singer started the event with her African-American literature class, believing that a diverse group of students reading poetry and expressing themselves was an excellent way to not only honor Black History, but foster artistic expression.
“I’m a writer, and words are very important to me, as well as the students’ voice,” said Singer. “It can be heard through these readings.”
At the event, a packed room of students enjoyed refreshments and food, while listening to several readings from their peers, as well as from a few professors, such as Monifa Mulraine.
In addition to traditional readings, graduate student and aspiring comic Gordon Baker-Bone discussed his love for black comedy, telling jokes from his favorite black comedians.
Sophomore Kristin Ippolito read two pieces, a verse from Tupac Shakur’s song “Changes,” and a verse from India Arie’s “I Am Not My Hair.” She felt both pieces illustrated black culture and were important to share.
“For me, I feel that racism is a very prevalent issue still; being able to come and support Black History Month was something I really wanted to do,” Ippolito said.
The event drew in many students, and seemed to be a success among those who attended.
“I really felt like I got something out of it,” said freshman Patricia Jones. “Ms. Singer spoke to us about the importance of an event like this, and encouraged anyone and everyone in the room to just come up and speak their mind.”

ALEXIS CAMARENA
Staff Writer

Cindy Fernandez, a senior at Fairleigh Dickinson University, has participated in every one of FDU’s theatre productions since her freshman year. Singing, acting or working backstage, Fernandez has done it all. This theater major has been in plays and musicals such as “Carousel,” “The Heidi Chronicles,” “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and last semester’s “Guys and Dolls.” Thus, she is no stranger to the spotlight. Fernandez most recently played the female lead in last month’s “Once in a Lifetime.” The Metro sat down with one of FDU’s most talented actors for an interview.
The Metro: How did you first get involved in theater?
Fernandez: I was making my schedule for my freshman year of high school and I originally wanted to take a violin class, but the class was cancelled. My guidance counselor put me in a drama class and I was furious! All I wanted to do was play the violin, but she said I would love it. Before I even stepped in the first class, I had determined that I wasn’t going to like it. In fact, I almost wanted to walk out hating it so I could prove my guidance counselor wrong.
I ended up walking out of there in love with the art! Mainly because of [the drama teacher I had], Bets Tuxill. She sucked me right in, she’s been my mentor ever since.
The Metro: You’ve participated in every one of FDU’s productions in one way or another, and you played a lead in “Once in a Lifetime.” Have you ever been cast in any other leading roles?
Fernandez: My first lead was in “Guys and Dolls,” but my biggest role was in “The Heidi Chronicles.”
The Metro: How was your role in “Once in a Lifetime” different from other roles you’ve done?
Fernandez: I think that my role in “Once in a Lifetime” was different because it’s very real. [My character, May Daniels] is very like me, so it was hard for me, but easy at the same time. It’s a side of myself that I wasn’t used to showing. I got to play a very smart, straight-forward, good character. She’s the heart of the play, and has a harsh, real good sense of who she is.
The Metro: Tell us a little about your experience with “Once in a Lifetime.”
Fernandez: The show itself was a big challenge for me. It is based off of Hollywood, and how people change when they go to Hollywood. It takes place in the 30s, and mainly talks about what happened to the film industry after talking films were introduced, and how this affected the careers of silent actors. I play May Daniels, who is a vaudeville actress, and decides to go along with Jerry Lewis to California in the hopes of being hired to teach actors that are unaccustomed to speaking on screen. Hollywood changes Jerry a lot, but May remains the most unchanged. She’s like an outsider looking in.
The Metro: What are your plans after graduation?
Fernandez: I’m planning on either going to a conservatory program, or graduate school. I haven’t decided exactly what I want to do, but I do know that I want to continue studying theater, if it means continue school or auditioning, working, and taking classes on the side.
The Metro: Where do you see yourself in five years?
Fernandez: Broadway, of course. It may seem like a stretch, but you need to dream big. It’s what fuels me. I have a lot of goals that I strive for. I might not accomplish all of them, but I can accomplish and come close to many. If you don’t see me on Broadway, you’ll see me on stage somewhere. I want to be working, and most of all, have the respect of my fellow actors because of who I am and my craft. If in five years I can be thought of in high regard by the theatre community that would be great, but I’m still aiming for Broadway. My aunt always told me, “You plan, God laughs,” so we’ll see what’s in store.
The Metro: This is your final year at FDU. How do you feel about your experience with theater here?
Fernandez: It’s been a really cool experience. I’ve grown a lot. There is still a lot that I need to learn, whether I start working or continue my schooling. Every actor will always wish they had done something different with their performance after a show; you think, “I should’ve said this line differently, or I should’ve sung this a certain way.” In the end, I’m happy with all the choices that I’ve made; I’ve worked with all the best of my abilities, and every role I had came for me at the right time.
The Metro: What, out of your experience, will you take with you in the real world?
Fernandez: One thing I’ve learned is to just let things be. Whether it’s on stage, or in real life.

ALEXIS CAMARENA
Staff Writer

Jessica Almeida, junior and political science major at Fairleigh Dickinson University, is no stranger to teamwork and leadership.
Almeida is a sister of the campus sorority Zeta Tau Alpha, a Resident Assistant and a freshman orientation leader for the past two summers.
Now, she has been named Student Government Association (SGA) president, and has many plans for her presidency, including ways to better the school and student life.
The Metro recently caught up with Almeida for an interview.

The Metro: What made you want to run for SGA president?
Almeida: I felt that with my leadership abilities I could make SGA work as a team successfully.

The Metro: How do you feel about being named SGA president?
Almeida: I’m excited to do my best to make FDU a better place for all of the students, and I’m proud that I’m challenging myself in a way that I haven’t before.

The Metro: As president, what sorts of duties do you have to fulfill, or what sorts of responsibilities do you have?
Almeida: I basically act as the official representative of the student body, and oversee the progress of the cabinet and executive board.

The Metro: What are your plans for your presidency?
Almeida: I hope to make graduate students a more integral part of student affairs, and I would like to work with the surrounding towns and universities to create a better sense of community. I also hope to further the progress with organizations for better programming, and I hope to make students wants to stay on campus.

The Metro: Students going home on the weekends is a hot topic. How would you encourage students to stay on campus?
Almeida: By cosponsoring and promoting weekend programs with other organizations.

The Metro: What do you hope to change?
Almeida: There are a lot of things on campus that need to be fixed, a lot of little things, but honestly I think it’s the little things that would make life at FDU better.

The Metro: You’re a junior at FDU. How do you feel your college experience thus far will help you be a good president?
Almeida: I feel that my involvement in other organizations as well as my work experience on campus has familiarized me with FDU, which will benefit me as president.