On par with the recent obsession with the Harlem Shake videos on the internet, UWM recently held its own spin on the popular video meme with performances by the UWM Swim Team which has garnered over 200,000 views on YouTube, a school wide shake held in the union, and even a video featuring the UWM School of Architecture.
The original Harlem Shake video was uploaded by comedy blogger Filthy Frank in early January. The video was then parodied by Australian YouTube comedians known as the “The Sunny Coast Skate” which catapulted it to its popularity. Ever since then a myriad of Harlem Shake videos have exploded across the internet creating a world-wide viral sensation. The videos are best known for their ridiculous dancing, air humping, wild props, and people covered in crazy bright costumes all to the beat of the Baauer song “Harlem Shake”. Though we are now living in a post Harlem Shake world, the videos are still a fun way to see panther pride at its finest.
"Free Pen Guy" distributes free pens and false hopes
When you desperately need a writing utensil, he is nowhere to be found. When you least expect it, he is there. He is UW-Milwaukee's "Free Pen Guy." His real name is unknown, but his nick name is rightfully earned.
Scattered throughout campus on random days of the week, he can be found handing out his Microsoft Word crafted paper Bibles wrapped around a pen. The UWM students are always excited for a free pen. As college students, we can’t turn down anything that is free.
"Free Pen Guy" hands out pens containing logos and slogans from doctor’s offices, schools, restaurants, and other odd locations from throughout Wisconsin. It is always an exciting game to see where the pens are from each week. Not so exciting is the game to see if the pen works.
Nothing is worse than sitting down with a new pen in hand from the "Free Pen Guy" and not having it work. Many have lost all hope that they will receive a pen that works. Don’t be fooled; you may think it functions properly, but write two more sentences and you will soon learn the definition of false hope.
Maybe the student body should convince "Free Pen Guy" to become "Free Pencil Guy," since pencils always work and as avid test takers, UWM students need more pencils. Until that day, "Free Pen Guy" will continue to deliver pens and disappointment to those who pass by him.
Zelazo Center is hosting a Swing Dance fundraiser tomorrow from 7:30 until 10 p.m. Toni Hale, president of the UW-Milwaukee chapter of Delta Omicron, an international music fraternity, says the money will go towards the Peck scholarship fund.
Vice President Becky Strelitzer says members from several non-university city swing dance clubs plan on coming. Unlike the last Swing Dance, which took place two years ago, this year’s dance will feature multiple student singers instead of just one soloist.
Dance tickets cost $10 each at the Peck box office. There will be a swing dance lesson at 7 beforehand, a live jazz band and snacks and water. There’s no dress code for the dance. Sterlitzer and Hale say people came to last year’s dance in nice jeans, dresses, suites and poodle skirts. Expect a balloon arch.
“It’s gonna look good—,” Sterlitzer said.
“—mostly classy,” Hale said.
PS: The Post will put up photos from the night following the dance, so be sure to come back to our site and share the link on Facebook/Twitter/whatever. Yay? Awesome. Thanks.
Attack of the grey-haired panthers! Are senior students good for UWM?
We’ve all had them in class; the “non-traditional” or adult learners that infiltrate our classrooms to inject a little senior flavor into your otherwise dull course. If not by their wrinkles, adult learners are incredibly easy to spot on campus. Clad in their freshly laundered mom-jeans and brilliantly white sneakers, auditors are known for their positive outlook on life.
Their lust for knowledge has taken them to history lectures, art seminars, and even to crunching numbers in calculus, every time bringing their unique perspective to the proceedings. The obvious generation gap has led many students at UWM to question the futility of these adult students; are they a hindrance to learning at UW-Milwaukee or a welcome guest from a time gone by.
If you have ever had a class with an auditor there are certain things that make learning with them a challenge. Because many adult students take classes for the experience, they might not take part in exams or do the homework. Because of this, auditors sometimes don’t focus on exam related questions and materials in class. Asking off-topic questions and ranting can become quite an annoyance considering you need the information for a test.
For example, in history classes the phrase, “Well if I remember correctly…” is tossed around a lot. Adults in the classroom are also rampant overachievers. Many go above and beyond what a normal college student does, memorizing every letter of the assigned readings and relishing in the extra credit. This normally wouldn’t be a problem but, c’mon, you're making us look bad here!
Despite these things, seniors bring something that your typical 18 to 23-year-old doesn’t to campus. Auditors have so many life experiences and worldly knowledge right at their fingertips. They are a time-capsule ready to be cracked open. What is better than having a history lecture with someone who experienced that time period firsthand?
Many also are equipped with a sharp sense of humor, which makes you want to come to class just to hear what they are going to say that day. Lastly, their friendly, open attitude is refreshing in a drafty college classroom. Coming to class and seeing their liver-spotted smile, brimming with eagerness for today’s lecture, surely puts you in a good mood even in the most boring of classes.
Whether it’s causing sidewalk traffic jams with their wheeled backpacks or raising their hand for the fifth time that hour, older students have made their mark here at UWM. Yes, they have their faults, but auditors have typically gotten a bad rap. They really should be given some credit for bettering themselves instead of watching reruns of “I Love Lucy” all day.
They may not be your typical college student, but they sure do spice up a dull class with their special brand of elderly wisdom and charm.
