Westside Messenger - January 12th, 2020

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PAGE 4 - WESTSIDE MESSENGER - January 12, 2020 Opinion Page www.columbusmessenger.com My experience with a fraternity was a good one Even the most cursory scan of the news these days will quickly spot some less than positive clip about a college fraternity on what’s become an all too frequent basis. It might be a senseless tragedy, hazing incident, house suspension or probation, or BIRTHDAY • ENGAGEMENT • WEDDING • ANNIVERSARY • GRADUATION • RETIREMENT IN MEMORIUM • ARMED FORCES Say it with an announcement ad in the Messenger and spread the word. You can download the appropriate form from our Web site or stop by our office Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. SUPPORT your Community Paper Through advertising, community newspapers like the Messenger have always been FREE papers. In these tough economic times we are asking you the reader to help offset the current decline in advertising revenue by participating in a VOLUNTARY payment program*. To those who have already participated - We Thank You. For those who would like to, below is a form you can mail with your DONATION. *This is not a subscription. .Name: Address: City/State/Zip Columbus Messenger 3500 Sullivant Ave. 614-272-5422 www.columbusmessenger.com 3500 Sullivant Ave., Columbus, OH 43204 1 year ($9) 2 year ($18) Eastside Westside Southwest Southeast just a negative narrative denouncing an entire campus Greek system. It’s become widespread, scanning major and smaller college campuses across the country. The sad incidents are real, the outrage deserved. But memories of my college fraternity days are vastly different, and I’m convinced there remains that other side of the story, a good side, that’s become lost in the media’s patented stereotyping rubble. It’s one that will always provide me with many positive and invaluable memories of my life. If there was ever a kid who didn’t fit the image of a ‘frat rat’ heading to college, it was yours truly. I hadn’t fit into the high school mold. My high school chums disgustedly called me, Goody Two-Shoes, Dudley Do-Right and Goody Angel. I didn’t swear, drink, or smoke and considered girls to be a dangerous, unknown powerful force, a fear I still carry after 40 years of marriage as I continue to agree with that book, “Men are From Mars, Women Are from Venus.” Heading off to college, two of my favorite songs were Neil Diamond’s, “Solitary Man” and Simon and Garfunkel’s, “I Am a Rock.” When I arrived on campus for my freshman year, I realized I didn’t fit the college mold. In those days, there was a freshman football team and some of them ended up on my floor. Academic standards for athletes was close to nil in those days. Most couldn’t spell ‘study’ let alone figure out how to open a book to attempt it. Instead, they just ran around the floor like little kids creating havoc. The dorm was impersonal and a challenge to even attempt any academic efforts. The library became my sanctuary. The one great experience I recall from that first year was football Saturdays. Game day campus spirit was incredible. To get to old Archbold Stadium, this was prior to it being replaced by the Carrier Dome, I had to walk by fraternity row. I’d wander by looking at the big houses with their Greek letters prominently displayed wondering about all the unknown mystique they represented. On the trek back following the game many frat porches had live bands playing and passersby, including me, congregating in front them to enjoy the music and gameday spirit. Everyone was having fun, something dorm life wasn’t providing. I didn’t see myself as part of the fraternity scene at that point. I remained in my shell, but something must have subconsciously registered within me. It wasn’t until the spring term of my sophomore year that I gave another thought to fraternities. My dorm roommate had just pledged one in the fall and encouraged me to. He insisted it wasn’t what my perception was. No, it wasn’t an Animal House of total chaos the 1978 movie with John Belushi running toga parties every night at a 1962 fraternity would later portray. Still not enjoying the dorm scene, I decided to give it a try. That spring I became a pledge. I’ve never regretted it. The fraternity was officially listed as ‘social and professional’ although I think the latter was wishful thinking. The only thing I considered professional was everyone was a forestry student. That was a big selling point to me, similar interests, our environment, a common bond. We were known as ‘Stumpies’ to the large college our small school was a part of. There were many academic forestry disciplines reflected within the fraternity house. Mine was wildlife management. But we were all bonded by being proud ‘Stumpies’. The pledge period was a challenge, but nothing like you hear about so often in today’s media. It gave them a chance to learn more about us and us about them. It concluded with the infamous hell week. It was a long week, but we weren’t hazed, at least not what I considered that to be. We didn’t get much sleep during the week, painted the house interior and had to attend our classes. There were some fun team building traditions along the way. For example, there was an ‘Amazing Race’ kind of exercise. A few brothers would set up in little bars about the city. We’d get clues and walk to find them. We’d buy them a cold one, sit and chat a few moments, then move on to find the next waiting brothers. I had to endure much worse the next year at my ROTC summer boot camp. The week took on a special meaning for me when I was given a handsome beer stein at the initiation dinner, engraved with the wording, Most Outstanding Pledge Spring 1969. I still proudly display it and smile when I look at it. I moved into the frat house my junior year. It’s amazing how many fond memories I still have from those two short years. In case you’re wondering, I was no longer being called by my high school nicknames. Guest Column Dave Burton These were the Woodstock days and the hippie movement was in full swing. I always kept the shell nearby but occasionally emerged from it to look around and become a work in progress. I made decisions, learned from resulting mistakes and enjoyed a few successes. The new opportunities the fraternity provided helped me grow and mature. As I look back, I still marvel at how that fraternity was able to function as successfully as it did. Today’s Congress could have learned from us. You throw a large group of kids, fresh out of high school, into a house and expect them to take their newfound independence, step up and run a student filled house and their new lives smoothly and responsibly. Too many fraternities haven’t been able to do that and hence the root cause of so much of the recent negative publicity. By no means was our fraternity house a perfect place. But we ran it, matured and grew in it using close teamwork and developed some lifelong friendships. Yes, we would party hardy, some too much. We had a few goofballs we had to deal with, but most knew there were boundaries we weren’t to cross. We took pride in our fraternity house and the image we portrayed. We elected house officers and filled numerous functions to keep things running. We participated in campus and community charity functions and sports intramurals. Many brothers studied hard and excelled in academics and graduated with honors, me included. We always had members elected as our college class officers. I was senior class secretary-treasurer. I must admit, when graduation came, I had finally pushed aside my shell and was ready to leave. The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence and I was ready to step over it to a beckoning world. But it didn’t take long to start looking back with a smile, and after all these years, I still realize joining that frat house was one of the better decisions I’ve made in my life. I’m confident today’s fraternities haven’t changed that much. I’m betting there’s still the good, along with the bad and ugly. Dave Burton is a guest columnist for the Columbus Messenger Newspapers. He lives in Grove City.
www.columbusmessenger.com January 12, 2020 - WESTSIDE MESSENGER - PAGE 5 In Education School board approves contract extension for superintendent By Dedra Cordle Staff Writer The South-Western City Schools District will retain Superintendent Dr. Bill Wise through the 2026 school year under a five-year contract extension. At the Jan. 6 meeting, the board of education unanimously approved the extension, more than a year before his contract was set to expire. Robert Ragland Sr., the board’s newly elected president, said the board chose to renew his contract due to his exemplary performance. “For the past years, he has been doing an excellent job as superintendent,” he said. “Dr. Wise has a remarkable vision for the district and our graduation rates have increased each year (under his leadership),” he added, referring to their current graduation rate of 87.9 percent. Ragland said that on a personal note, he has known Wise since he was an assistant superintendent in the early 2000s and has always been impressed with his work ethic and demeanor. “He always makes himself available for community services and his doors and ears are always open when issues arise.” Per the terms of the contract extension, Wise will receive a 2.4 percent increase in his base pay annually starting Aug. 1, 2021. His current salary is $206,566. The board has also agreed to provide 35 vacation days, a change from 30 days, and has determined he will be employed for 215 work days per year, a change from 220 under the terms of his last contract. The board will also continue to provide an annual contribution to a tax-sheltered annuity of his choosing. Wise began his career at the district in 2002 when he served as the assistant superintendent of curriculum and then as Free concert at Westgate Baptist Westgate Baptist Church will host a gospel concert at 6 p.m. Jan. 28 at 4234 Clime Road in Columbus. This is a free community concert featuring Gospel Harmony Boys. For more information, call 614-279-6395. Wellness and foot care for senior citizens LifeCare Alliance provides a nurse at the Prairie Township Community Center weekly to provide free foot care and other wellness services. To schedule an appointment or for more information, contact the wellness office at 614-437-2878. community events the deputy superintendent. In 2007, he was named the superintendent upon the resignation of Kirk Hamilton. Under his term as superintendent, the district has established an all-day kindergarten program, the implementation of an Accelerated Learning Center, and two major build projects. In 2012, voters approved a bond issue that allowed the district to enter into a partnership with the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission to construct 13 new elementary buildings, renovate two others, and build a new Franklin Heights High School. Additional monies of the $206 million project allowed the district to make roofing or asphalt improvements at various buildings when the need arose. Currently, the district is set to begin the groundbreaking later this summer in a $193 million build project that will see the replacement of the four oldest middle schools, the renovation and addition at Jackson Middle, and further repairs to East Franklin Elementary School. Voters approved that project, also with the OFCC, in November 2018. Wise said that while he looks forward to the upcoming build project that will provide “21st century learning opportunities,” he is more excited to continue working at the district. “We have the most phenomenal quality of staff in this district,” he said. “We are truly blessed to have such a talented staff that cares about children and that choose to be here day after day to make a difference in their lives.” Also at the meeting, the board approved a bid to replace the roof at the South- Western Preschool Center, located at 4324 Haughn Road in Grove City. The board awarded the contract to JB Roofing Company/A Tecta America Company, for $170,850. Free meal at Lamb of God The Church of the Lamb of God will host a free community meal from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. the fourth Saturday of each month at 272 Fernhill Ave. in Columbus. For additional information, call 614-706-4945. Produce drive The Resurrection Evangelical Lutheran Church will host a fresh produce give-away from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. the second Saturday of each month at 3500 Main St. in Hilliard. The church also operates a food pantry on Mondays from 6 to 6:45 p.m. For more information, call the church office at 614- 876-7926. Looking for work? We can help! FREE Workshops and Job Services CAREER PLANNING & INTERVIEWING SKILLS WORKSHOP: Networking, interview preparation, career planning and mock interviews MICROSOFT WORD & SOFT SKILLS WORKSHOP: Microsoft Word and workforce soft skills CAREER SERVICES: Career coaching and job search help, including resume & cover letter writing and interviewing skills HILLTOP BRANCH 511 S. Hague Ave. Career Services Jan. 6, 13 & 27 – 9-11 a.m. Jan. 9, 16, 21, 23 & 30 – 3-5 p.m. Microsoft Word and Soft Skills Jan. 14 – 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Effective Communication in the Workplace Jan. 21 – 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Career Planning Jan. 22 – 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Interviewing Skills Jan. 23 – 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Think Safe, Feel Safe, Be Safe. A LERT LARMS Inc. FRANKLINTON BRANCH 1061 W . Town St. Career Services Jan. 6, 13 & 27 – 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Microsoft Word and Soft Skills Jan. 15 – 1:30-3:30 p.m. Effective Communication in the Workplace Jan. 28 – 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Career Planning Jan. 29 - 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Interviewing Skills Jan. 30 - 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. MORE INFORMATION: jmullineaux@columbuslibrary.org and 614-849-1027 New Year’s in partnership p with: 2 Years of Monitoring for the Cost of 1 Year 30% OFF All Security Packages (Installation FREE) Purchase of Installed Camera System, Receive Security at NO CHARGE Transfer your Existing System at NO CHARGE Serving Greater Columbus Since 1986 Bus: 614-870-1088 | Cell: 614-783-2707 | Fax: 614-870-1198 Andy Andrews II, President, 40 Years Experience www.alertalarmsofohio.com | andyatalertalarmsinc@yahoo.com
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