2008 Woodie Awards
"Life as a refugee," reflected Alex Pial this past Thursday afternoon, quietly tracing the sleeve of his shirt before glancing up to the assembly of students, "it is not safe. You do not know tomorrow. You do not know today." A refugee from southern Sudan, Pial settled in Burlington six years ago and just recently became a citizen of the United States.
"The phenomenon of the a cappella group is, surprisingly enough, not one that developed on New England's liberal arts college campuses. From royal court entertainment to a few guys on the corner, vocal ensembles have sung about the important things in life for several centuries," Music professor Jeff Buettner writes in his course description of "Everything A cappella!" Whether in a classroom, in front of the fireplace, or in Battell Basement, Middlebury students love a cappella.
Middlebury students pay a hefty price - $46,910 a year, to be exact - for the privilege of their elite education. But does this initial investment actually appreciate in the long run? Steven Woodbury '75 addressed this concern last Thursday, Nov. 8, before an eager crowd of students and faculty that spilled into the aisles of the Warner Hemicycle.
As we sat in my Gifford single, the carol of the Mead Chapel bells flooded through my open windows. My parents' eyes widened with delight as they were inundated by the Middlebury College carillon for the first time. The carillon music, to which I had become immune, suddenly appeared to me as a stunning aspect of our campus.
Men's Soccer Coach David Saward often poses this question to his players: If aliens came down to our planet and watched us play, would they consider this a beautiful game? The mere terrestrials inhabiting Middlebury's campus, particularly those of us who have witnessed the team's performance over the past few weeks, would have to venture a yes.
Our generation loves cell phones. Text-messaging. Drunk dials. Dinner plans. Cell phones allow students to be in one place, but to be aware of everything that's transpiring elsewhere. We can watch the free Friday film while finding out about the turnout of the Pearsons party, and checking up on the score of the Red Sox game.