Wednesday afternoon, Cox played the tuba and his wife, Mary Jo Cox, accompanied him on the piano, while his photography flashed across a screen. Twenty people gathered at Art Reach of Mid-Michigan, 111 E. Broadway St., to watch the show.

Mark takes both of his passions, photography and music, and combines them into one form of media.

“It’s the idea of taking music and creating a story with it,” he said.

He said he has been collecting pictures for 12 years, and incorporates them into his music to create a story.

“I find myself interested in nature and taking pictures of birds,” Mark said.

In one of the songs, “Blackbird,” nature was captured in various pictures of birds.

He used multi-phonics to create many sounds.

Mark has a bachelors degree in music and a doctorate in musical arts in performance from the Eastman School of Music, along with a master of music and performance from Northwestern University. While attending Eastman, he received the prestigious performance certificate in playing the tuba.

He is also a Yamaha performing artist and has performed in major concert halls in the U.S., Germany, Japan and has worked with numerous international performers.

Mark has been a professor at CMU for 17 years and currently teaches tuba and euphonium.

He said his work is unique because most people haven’t heard a tuba soloist.

Mark and his wife met in Maine at a music camp and agreed they have always shared a passion for music. He said they create something special with the combination of their separate musical talents.

“I love working with her and collaborating,” he said.

Mark said he always tells people the joke, “I asked her to accompany me, but I didn’t know it would be for life.”

Mary Jo said she enjoys the experience of creating music together with her husband.

“It’s a passion we both share,” she said.

Mount Pleasant resident Charlotte Fokens said she thought the performance was excellent.

“I have never been to a tuba concert,” she said. “It was thoroughly enjoyable.”

Wildey’s exhibit will be on display starting Thursday at the Art Reach Center of Mid-Michigan, 111 E. Broadway St.

Wildey said his exhibit creates an impression of a journey. The exhibit features a series of composite photographs that record a trip, and are often condensed into a single image.

“I’m trying to address a nature of memory and experience,” Wildey said.  “I’m trying to push the medium of photography to a place that is different than our expectations.”

The photographs include images from downtown Mount Pleasant to Wildey’s travels around the state, country and world, he said.

Kathy Hill, executive director of Art Reach, said there is a selection process where a gallery committee looks at portfolios submitted by participants and then decides who will be featured.

“His work is incredibly creative, very artistic, and it is featured internationally,” Hill said.  “Having him is really a no-brainer.”

Wildey has many accomplishments as an artist, with a career spanning over 30 years. In December 2009, Wildey exhibited in Florence, Italy at the Florence Biennale, a prestigious art fair held every two years.

The big exhibition included 70 Americans and 680 participants all together. Wildey was awarded the bronze prize, he said.

“That was the best experience I have ever had in my art career,” he said.  “I was the only American to place in the top three in any category.”

In 2010, Wildey placed in the top 50 among 1,713 other artists at the Grand Rapids Art Museum, which was determined entirely by popular vote.

His work has gone international in many places including London, Beijing, the Czech Republic and Dublin.

Currently Wildey has an exhibit featured in the Education and Human Services Building. The two exhibits feature pieces he has been working on since 2006.

Wildey said being featured locally gives the community an idea of what he has been doing internationally.

Kari Chrenka, an Art Reach member, said Wildey has very interesting art.

“He attaches a camera to the top of his car,” Chrenka said. “It flashes many pictures — he then makes transparencies in layers on top of each other. It creates a filmy juxtaposition of depth from different pictures.”

Central Michigan University’s own North Sky Cinema recently put out their newest release, “Oh My Michigan,” a fantastic seven-track collection of indie rock sounds with punk sensibility.

Songs like “I Can’t Read Your Mind” and “Long Gone” are perfectly able to balance elements of punk music with instrumentation such as guitars and vocalist Kyle Sutton’s distinct sound.

The production isn’t flawless as it is still a local release, but “Oh My Michigan” is very much worth your time.

- Jay Gary, Staff Reviewer

Instagram

I am not a photographer — not one bit — but there is a handy iPhone application that makes me feel like I could be one: Instagram.

Instagram is a photo-sharing application that allows users to take and edit photos with fancy filters that offer an array of color choices, along with sharing those photos across various social media platforms.

While I am not skilled at the art of photography, Instagram allows me to fake it and make “artsy” pictures (usually of my shoes). So if you’re anything like me and hate taking photos (and own an iPhone), Instagram is definitely worth checking out.

- Michael L. Hoffman, Student Life Editor

In a few square miles more than 20,000 young people, of totally dissimilar interests, gather in one place to learn, grow, party, plan, play and love.

Where else can you stumble into a biologist barista serving coffee to accountants, philosophers and artists?

Anyone invested in the university experience would do him or herself a disservice to not stop and enjoy the company of these myriad strangers.

With that goal in mind, consider the profiles presented herein as a starting point in discovering not just CMU’s campus but also your fellow travellers on it.

Chris Strobel an equestrian trainer

Wallace senior Chris Strobel rides Suprise, a horse boarded at Enshallah Acres in Shepherd where he worked during the Spring semester of 2010 teaching lessons and training horses. Chris was in the sixth grade when his neighbors invited him over one day to go riding and his fascination with horses has carried on throughout college where Chris competes on the Equestrian Club team. (Victoria Zegler/ Staff Photographer)

By Maria Leone

Chris Strobel may come from a set of quadruplets, but definitely has shown his individual talents and personality.

When he’s not studying or working, the Stephenson senior enjoys studying business, painting and riding horses.

Strobel said he first learned to ride in sixth grade when his neighbors invited him to try it out. He enjoyed it, but had to be extremely careful because he found out he was allergic to horses.

“After a day of grooming the horses,” Strobel said, “my eye started to swell up and that’s when I found out I had an allergic reaction.”

Now when he rides, he said Zyrtec becomes his best friend.

He sees riding as a great way to relieve stress and likes to focus on all parts of the horse’s moving muscles.

When he was younger, an American Saddlebred bit down on his arm. That didn’t stop him from moving on with riding.

In spring 2010. Strobel began working at Enshallah Acres in Shepherd. He helped at the stables and also served as a trainer and assistant for students.

Strobel helped to train Sisco, a horse that had not been ridden in a while and needed a bit of a tune-up, said Diane Oyster, co-owner of Enshallah Acres.

“We were looking for somebody to help and Chris came at just the right time,” Oyster said.

After two months of not riding, Strobel got back on a horse and spent his Labor Day weekend on the saddle.

Last year, he was a member of the equestrian team, but said he is not on it this semester because of a busy schedule. He hopes to rejoin the team soon.

“It feels good to get back on,” Strobel said.

Dennis Oyster, co-owner of Enshallah Acres, said he has seen great improvement with Strobel’s riding.

“Chris is a very good rider and knows what to do in certain situations,” Oyster said.

In addition to riding, Strobel also went to the Glen Beck Rally in Washington D.C., where he said he learned how to change himself for the better of the country.

The rally took place on the same day and spot of the Martin Luther King Jr. speech.

“It was really a great rally that helped people learn to be better for them,” he said.

Adam Ignacio discovers latent love for opera

Florida senior Adam Ignacio gestures skyward in the Music Building. Ignacio is majoring in voice performance and hopes to become an opera singer. He said his new career choice is one his friends would have laughed at three years ago. (Ashley Miller/Staff Photographer)

By Rachel Mater

Adam Ignacio didn’t think he was going to fall in love with singing when he entered his freshman year.

“If I would have told my friends three years ago that I was going to be a vocal major they would have laughed at me,” the Florida senior said.

Ignacio, a voice performance major, said he was originally a music education major, but switched to a vocal performance major when he was a sophomore. He said he felt the spark for singing when he had to enroll in a vocal performance course to complete his major.

Ignacio said his family was surprised at his major switch.

“They didn’t see it coming, but they were supportive of the change,” he said.

Ignacio was in the opera “Don Giovanni” at Central Michigan University last spring. He said it was his first experience singing in a lead role and it was a lot of fun despite the hard work.

The opera was an important point for him and his father, he said.

“Doing the opera was the first opportunity my dad heard me singing classically, it was a big moment,” Ignacio said.

Eric Tucker, an associate professor of music, has really helped him throughout college years, he said.

“He’s been my best friend and mentor and he’s the reason that I’ve been able to accomplish what I’ve accomplished as a singer,” he said.

Tucker said Adam’s best quality is his persistence.

“He’s quite persistent at achieving his goals,” said Tucker. “He’s full of energy, passionate about singing, goal orientated and a hard worker.”

Tucker said he thinks if Ignacio sticks to the path he’s on he’s going to be successful.

Ignacio said his other interests include guitar, ultimate Frisbee and riding his bicycle when the weather warrants it. He is also active as a lead worshipper at the First United Methodist Church, 400 S. Main St.

After graduation, Ignacio plans to continue to graduate school, get a masters degree in Voice Performance, and live his love singing in operas or musicals.

Tucker said he has high hopes for Ignacio.

“He’s very personable, I think the world is pretty much his oyster,” he said.

Rainbow locks keep Tarin Presler sticking out

Houghton Lake sophomore Tarin Presler has dyed her hair every color of the rainbow starting ever since she was thirteen years old. Entering high school, Tarin's individuality didn't follow the norms which led her to step outside the lines and discover herself. "I'm not one to follow trends." said Presler. "I don't feel like 'me' unless my hair is dyed."(Victoria Zegler/ Staff Photographer)

By Michael Hoffman

Tarin Presler doesn’t want to get lost in the crowd.

The Prudenville freshman said she would rather stick out and make a statement.

One of the ways Presler makes that statement to the world is by changing up the color of her hair to include a prism of natural and unnatural colors.

“I started dyeing it because I wanted to make a statement,” she said, “because people often judge others who look different.”

Presler said it is important to be who you are. Though fellow high school students might have thought she was a bad student because of her appearance, she still graduated with honors, she said.

“She’s not afraid to stand out, but more importantly, she’s always positive about what people think about her.” said her boyfriend Sal Bammarito,

She believes self-expression is crucial to being happy — another reason she dyes her hair as often as she does.

“It was kind of my way of being who I am, accept it or don’t,” Presler said. “It doesn’t really matter because I’m going to be me and do what I want to do.”

Presler also has several tattoos — all designed by her mother. She spoke of one on her wrist which is the Irish word for “thought.”

“My mom has the same (tattoo) on her wrist,” she said. “It’s what we got when I went to college and means that you are always in my thoughts.”

Presler is also an avid photographer. Her pursuit grew from an interest in family vacation photography.

Currently she is waiting to hear back from a contest she entered several photographs into.

But aside from her constantly evolving hair color, snapshots and tattoos, Presler wants to make a difference in the world, if only one person at a time, which is why she is a psychology major.

And though she said she isn’t sure which direction to take yet, she knows she wants to help people.

“I had a lot of personal issues when I was younger,” she said. “And it made me want to help people, and help make themselves better.”

Bommarito said Presler will succeed in anything she does because of her positive attitude.

“She is not quick to give in,” the Houghton Lake resident said. “No matter what, she always stays positive.”

Caleb Ross learns for the love of it

Carson City junior Caleb Ross studies religion at CMU to further his understanding of people in the world and their interactions. "I believe that my life is a constant piece of artwork where both people and things that I encounter are like pieces of art that influence me and make that art colorful." said Ross. (Victoria Zegler/ Staff Photographer)

By Mike Nichols

He wears the Star of David, the star and crescent and a cross pendant hanging united together around his neck.

Meet Caleb Ross.

A Harbor Springs junior, Ross transferred from North Central Michigan College to Central Michigan University in 2009. He came to study religion but had no intention of getting a degree to make money.

He just wants to learn.

“People take religion classes for two reasons,” Ross said. “Either they are trying to fulfill a university requirement, or they are trying to further their knowledge in religion. I am the latter.”

To Ross, religion is more than just a belief — it’s an attitude.

With the majority of the world’s population religious, he feels it’s something people should be more aware of.

“People’s personal convictions or lack thereof is behind everything,” Ross said. “For a lot of people, it’s a way of defining your life and that affects things like businesses, money, politics, and even sociological classes.”

Ross is a Rastafarian, which he came to understand through the music of artists like Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer. He believes God’s diversity accepts all religions as just different formats for worship.

“The only mistake people make is when they say, ‘my way is right, yours is wrong,’” he said. “You can find some common ground about anything and I think that’s what God wants us to do: accept each other.”

One of his favorite pastimes is Capoeira, an African-Brazillian martial arts dance form.

He currently lives with his sister Sarah Koves, and works two jobs. Both his father and sister graduated from CMU.

“I’m glad one of my brothers is keeping the family tradition alive,” Koves said.

Four months ago, Ross became a father. He named his son Saul, after the biblical King.

“The Israelites asked for a king and it just so happens that Saul means ‘asked for,’” Ross said. I always wanted to have a child. It just fits.”

The responsibility has given Ross a constant anxiety for not only his child’s maturation, but also his own.

Ross hopes to one day become a professor of religions.

“I need to know myself, because if I don’t even know who I am, how can I expect my son to know who he is and where he is coming from?” he said. “I can’t be on the fence about anything. I need to have answers for questions.”

Ferguson, 51, an assistant art professor at Central Michigan University, died from cancer at his home June 9.

Originally from Texas, he taught at CMU since August of 2001, said Larry Burditt, chairman of art and design. Ferguson taught photography and digital imaging courses in freshmen to senior level classes.

Al Wildey, interim associate dean of the College of Communication and Fine Arts said singling out one of Lon’s accomplishments was a difficult task.

“Lon was deeply engaged in being a thoughtful and challenging contributor to those around him – whether student, artist, or colleague,” Wildey said. “His contributions will be sorely missed.”

Southfield alumna Cristina D’Aristotile said Lon was one of her favorite professors at CMU.  She remembers his class like it was yesterday, especially all of his cheesy jokes delivered with his signature southern drawl.

“Thinking about it now makes me both smile and tear up,” D’Aristotile said. “He was such an interesting person and an amazing artist.”

He focused on what he was passionate about, and truly led an exciting life, she said.

She said he inspired the students he taught, helping them to be the creative people they are today.

“Lon was a really great teacher who always took the time to help out and do whatever it took so that what you needed to know stayed with you,” Fostoria alumnus Tony Todoroff said.

Todoroff said Ferguson had a type of style that always put a smile on people’s faces. They once had a chat about how Ferguson wanted him to pursue his passion for photography instead of Todoroff’s focus on graphic design.

“He made me feel really great about myself, that chat always stayed with me,” Todoroff said.

Todoroff said the last time he spoke with Ferguson, he was trying to convince him to travel to France because he knew he had always wanted to visit.  Ferguson protested because he was graduating and Lon just asked, “So what?”  with a smile.

“That’s just the kind of person Lon was. He had a one of a kind attitude, an amazing artistic mind and the ability to make anyone smile,” Todoroff said.

Southfield alumnus Robert Barrett said Ferguson was one of the most interesting people he has ever met. He said he was always curious about the work of his students and played a tremendous role in the department of art and design.

Barrett said he looked forward to Ferguson’s class every time because it was so unique.

He said Ferguson always went out of his way to help students that wanted to learn and improve, and even stayed late after class numerous times.

“CMU has lost an insightful, talented, and caring professor with his passing,” said Barrett.

CMU held a special memorial for Ferguson Tuesday night

Services for Ferguson were held with his family at Henneke Funeral Home in Columbus, Texas.

CMU alumnus Neil Blake won first prize, with Spring Lake junior Jake May receiving second and Iron Mountain junior Libby March coming in third place.

“I was really excited to see all our hard work over the last semester pay off,” Blake said. “There’s nothing more exciting than winning an award with two of my closest friends (May and March).”

Blake, a former Central Michigan Life photographer, also received honorable mention in the Sports Picture Story category for his “Rodeo Drive” story.

March beat several professional photographers in winning first prize in the Feature Photo Story competition for her piece “Hearts Wide Open.”

“That story means so much to me,” she said. “I was so nervous and so much emotion, after I found out I got first, I threw up. I couldn’t believe it.”

May received honorable mention in the category for his story “Women of Westfall.” May and March are Central Michigan Life photographers.

Kent Miller, associate professor of journalism, took home first place in the Pictorial category for his photograph “Flying Fish.”

Other CMU alumni placed at the awards ceremony as well.

Emily Zoladz of The Grand Rapids Press received third place in the Multimedia News and Feature categories for her story, “Unconditional.” Kalamazoo Gazette photographer Jonathon Gruenke received honorable mentions in both Multimedia Project and Sports Picture Stories for his projects “Fair” and “Fight Night,” respectively.

In June, the Holton senior spent six days in Japan, followed by almost two weeks in Ireland, Belgium, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Italy and France.

She captured more than 1,000 photos throughout these countries as part of her senior Honor’s project.

The photos explore four different areas of religion — Shinto, Buddhism, Catholicism and Christianity.

“I learned that the religions aren’t that much different,” Pekel said. “The world may be a big place, but everybody’s similar.”

Twenty of her photos are on display in the Charles V. Park Library Extended Hours Study Room.

Her exhibit, “Faiths Around the World,” is on display until Nov. 30. The photos focus on the different worship rituals of the religions.

One of the displayed photos features people washing money in a magical Japanese river because they believe their money will multiply.

Other photos focus on Buddhist sculptures and imagery from the Vatican City in Rome.

Pekel said she enjoyed shooting photos in Europe because of the history.

“Everything is so much older,” Pekel said. “And it’s cool because everybody speaks so many different languages. It’s intense that they can rattle off so many different things.”

Capturing the moment

During her trip, Pekel got kicked out of a temple by a Buddhist monk in Japan.

“I couldn’t understand what he was saying — he just kept yelling at me in Japanese,” Pekel said.

Pekel said she has always been interested in religion and grew up attending a Methodist church.

Flint graduate student Carey Fitzgerald has been dating Pekel for two years. He traveled with her throughout Europe and said her skills as a photographer are astounding.

“She’s really good at grasping whatever she’s trying to show people,” Fitzgerald said. “If you look at one of her pictures, you’ll feel like you belong in whatever’s going on.”

Assistant professor of journalism Kent Miller is Pekel’s adviser.

Miller has known her for two years and said he is very proud of her work.

“She’s an exemplarity student,” Miller said. “She’s came a long way as a photographer.”

Pekel graduates in May and is photo editor for Grand Central Magazine.

One of her biggest goals is to see all seven continents before she dies and all 50 states before she reaches 30.

She said she plans on taking photos forever.

“You can never recreate a moment, so it’s cool to capture something that you can have forever,” she said.

You get asked that question at the end: “Why should we hire you?”

I’ve always thought this question is really asking “So what experience do you have that you can apply?”

My current pinnacle of geekdom came last Christmas vacation, when I wrote a Web-based inventory management application and decision support system for my dad’s business. I used PHP for the language, MySQL for the back end and Apache to serve it up.

There was only one class I had taken that had any relevance to the project. It was database management, and the things I pulled from it were more theoretical than practical.

In essence, I acquired about 95 percent of the knowledge to build this application from staying up late at night writing scripts to do different, random things such as control Winamp or append lyrics to the currently playing song at the bottom of an Apache directory listing.

Basically, just playing around.

“You should hire me because I’ve written an inventory management application utilizing PHP and MySQL for a $2 million company, and I can bring this experience to yours” is how I might answer the question posed at a job interview.

The moral of the story is that even if it’s not structured (like an internship), people should go out and play around. Don’t worry about the fact it’s not related to your intended career path. In fact, seemingly non-related hobbies and experiences can pay dividends on the job hunt.

For example, photography is one of my hobbies. This certainly has nothing to do with Business Information Systems, but let’s come up with another fictitious interview scenario.

Say I’m trying to get into a BIS position at a photography studio straight out of Central Michigan University. The interview goes well, and it’s time for that one question: “Why should we hire you?”

“My experience with photographic work flow utilizing Light Room and Photoshop will allow me to better understand and fulfill your information system needs” should do the trick, especially given the real possibility I’m competing with people who have more experience in MIS than I might have.

Suddenly, my photography experience proved useful in snagging a BIS gig.
Don’t get me wrong. Formal education shouldn’t be discounted — not at all. It can, and will, give the theoretical basis of knowledge for what you do.

However, going out and “getting your hands dirty” just for the sake of it or otherwise is what’s going to make potential employers go, “Yeah, we want this kid.”

The deadline to drop a class without tuition reimbursement is today. Students need to have the instructor sign a withdraw card and turn it in by 5 p.m. today to the Office of the Registrar in Warriner Hall.

Time shift

Daylight Savings Time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday. Remember to set clocks back one hour.

Devils Night Improv

After Hours is sponsoring Devils Night Improv from 7 to 8 p.m. today in Anspach Hall Room 161. Devils Night Improv will have tricks, treats, pranks and a batch of improv comedy. For more information, contact Evan Chapman at (734) 776-9178.

Book introduction

Jack Westbrook and Sherry S. Sponseller, authors of “The One-Room Schoolhouses of Isabella County,” will introduce their book from 6:30 to 9 p.m. today in the Charles V. Park Library. Their book focuses on the history of Isabella County’s one-room schoolhouses. A reception will follow in the Clarke Historical Library. The event is free. For more information, contact Megan Moreno at 774-2165.

Cleaning Up Campus

A campus-wide cleanup is taking place from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday in the Bovee University Center Multicultural Education Center. The North American Indigenous Student Organization is coordinating the event out of respect for the Native American tradition of honoring Mother Earth. The cleanup is to kick off Native American Heritage month. Meet at 1 p.m. to receive instructions and supplies. For more information, contact Colleen Green at 774-2508.

Photography exhibit

Click! will feature photographic work from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday in the Charles V. Park Library Baber Room. The artist is Juanita Baldwin of Okemos. Originally a geographer from La Serena, Chile, Baldwin’s artwork is a national award winner and shown throughout Michigan and the United Ståtes. Baldwin is a member of the Mid-Michigan Art Guild and uses natural elements such as color, light and texture to enhance the composition of each piece. Opening Reception and Artists’ Gallery Talk is from 4 to 6 p.m. Nov, 10 in the Baber Room on. For more information, call 774-2165.

Powwow Exhibit

Regalia, photos and T-shirts from the annual Central Michigan University Powwow is on display from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday in the Multicultural Education Center, starting Monday. The exhibit will last through November. It is free and sponsored by the Multicultural Education Center and Native American Programs in celebration of Native American Heritage month. For more information, contact Ulana Klymyshyn at 774-7318.

Event Center trees

With the construction of the Events Center, the landscape around Rose Arena will be modified. There are currently 136 trees around the site. During construction, 34 will remain in their existing location, 22 will be relocated on campus and 80 will be removed. An additional 80 trees will be planted around campus to compensate for each removed tree. Once construction on the Events Center is complete, 49 new trees, 34 shrubs and 16,357 new perennial flowers will be planted.

Campus Connection Project

The city of Mount Pleasant will unveil a conceptual plan for a downtown-to-campus connection project today. Input meetings for all residents occurred at 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Thursday. The plan will be unveiled at 3 p.m. at the City Hall Commission Chambers, 320 W. Broadway St. Check cm-life.com for more information.