The Waltonian

TikTok and its parent company ByteDance are currently locked in a legal battle with the U.S. government that could result in a ban of the popular app in this country.

From a potential loss in revenue to a loss of online community engagement, TikTok entrepreneurs are preparing for the worst.

“I’ve been preparing myself for it to be deleted,” Lauren Rossi, a self-made TikToker, said. “Which is why in the last 9 months I’ve stepped away from TikTok a bit and decided to focus more on Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat.”

Rossi, who posts on TikTok under the account name itslaurenrossi, got her start on the app after posting her first video in 2020. She quickly gained viewership after that, surpassing 50,000 followers on TikTok. Now, Rossi is at a crossroads because her platform and the origin of her career may be at risk.

Since March 2023, 56% of U.S. citizens believe that TikTok’s connection to China poses a national security threat, according to Statista.

Rep. Young Kim, R-Calif. issued a statement in April 2023 agreeing with this threat. Kim said: “As long as TikTok is owned by ByteDance, a Chinese company with ties to the Chinese Communist Party, it is an urgent national security threat. We cannot sit idly by as TikTok takes data from American users and controls the information they see on their feed.”

According to NPR, 170 million users in America use TikTok which is more than half of the population.

TikTok has allowed younger people like Rossi to grow their popularity, build a platform, and become more widely recognized professionally. “At the time, I had no idea how much it would shape my future, but looking back, it’s clear how it set the stage for my TikTok career,” Rossi said.

According to Pew Research, public support for banning TikTok has been declining and has dropped from 50% to 32%.

Alisa Zenchenko, a political science major at Ursinus College, believes it is the job of the government to find creative solutions. “I think that while there are national security concerns, it should be the government’s duty to represent all the people, including entrepreneurs on the app,” she said.

Zenchenko thinks there is a way for TikTok to exist in the United States without exploiting the public’s personal information. “I think that two approaches could emerge: one, finding a compromise for the users of TikTok in a way that truly protects their information and interactions, and two, if there is no compromise, it should be the government’s duty to help support those citizens,” she said. “The app has supported too many small businesses and projects to just ignore its impact.”

Emily Stiles, a criminal justice major from Eastern University, believes she may have the solution. “I think that the government has the technology where we should be able to do two things: one, figure out how to make TikTok have regulations that you can’t figure out everything about a person through the app; or second, maybe create a new version that is more regulated, which would be a lot harder to make that type of app popular, but either way, those two options would be smarter for the safety of every American individual,” Stile

As reported by NPR, TikTok’s lawyers have been fighting to claim that removing the app violates 170 million Americans’ First Amendment rights. The court was given an ultimatum after the Biden Administration nearly reached a deal. Now, TikTok has until Jan. 19, 2025, to find a non-Chinese buyer, or else it will become banned within the United States.

When deciding what movie to watch for this review, I was honestly stumped. I wanted a classic movie from the 80’s or 90’s that was forgotten about or not well-known. Then it hit me to go to the biggest classic movie connoisseur I know, my father. At first, he started with movies like “The Goonies,” “The Breakfast Club” and “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” Those were more popular than I wanted for this review. Then he got to “Real Genius” which I had never heard of before.

After I asked him to describe the movie to me, he said it was the best comedic film of the 80’s. As you can imagine, that description was of no help to me, so I decided to jump right in and watch it myself.

I can agree with my father on his description. The 1985 comedy “Real Genius” directed by Martha Coolidge was an outstanding representation of humor and intellectual satire.

The sci-fi comedy follows a 15-year-old math and science genius named Mitch Taylor. At the start of the movie, Mitch creates an invisible ultraviolet lamp for his high school science fair which instantly catches the eye of the dean and professor of a prestigious California university named Jerry Hathaway.

Hathaway enrolled Mitch into his program and put him on a specific project to build the most high-tech laser created with five megawatts. Why would someone need to create a laser like this? You will have to watch to find out, but as a hint, it has to do with the government…

Mitch instantly makes enemies because of his extreme intelligence, but he also makes a very close friend of his mentor, Chris Knight. Chris is a spontaneous, rebellious genius senior in the program who also happens to become Mitch’s roommate.

In my opinion, Chris is the glue that holds this movie together.

He throws a pool party in the auditorium, goes sledding in the hallway, is friends with someone living in your closet (at first, I was just as confused) and has the most outrageous commentary I have ever heard. My father is pretty sarcastic, so now I get why he likes this movie so much.

Having a decent amount of sarcasm myself, I was cracking up at Chris’s jokes and remarks throughout the entire movie. The tiny comments that he slips in make the whole movie even more attractive and pleasurable to watch.

Although Chris can be all fun and games, his intelligence is unmatched. Before Mitch, Chris was the smartest person at the university. With these two paired together, they were able to discover some pretty terrifying things their professor had been scheming. The boys made sure to set out in pursuit of change and that’s what they did.

I am not going to give any spoilers, but the ending has a huge POP to it (come back to this once you watch and you will definitely have a good laugh).

After watching this movie, I decided to consult with my father. His first words to me were, “best movie ever huh?”

Honestly, I could agree with him on this one. This film mixes fun college antics and humor with an intense scientific dilemma. The dialogue is sharp yet playful which makes the movie an easy one to watch non-stop.

Coming-of-age, academic pressure and teamwork seem to be the main identifiable themes of this film.

Each character has their own personal flair to them while showing immense character development, specifically with Mitch.

As a 15-year-old, it is easy to sit back and do as you’re told, especially while being so young for college in the first place. Mitch’s ability to rise above and push back on authority hones in on his transformation while handling intense academic pressure from Hathaway and himself. Mitch makes a ton of progress through the film, but most of the thanks go to Chris. Yes, I described him as a goofball who does not care at all, but for Mitch and his future, Chris was able to rise to the occasion and do what needed to be done.

I could recommend this movie a thousand times over. If you are looking for a movie to bring you a good laugh with a meaningful and unpredictable ending, look no further (and don’t forget to silently thank my father for the movie recommendation).

Emma Kircher is a familiar face that most of us know and love on campus. Whether you see her involved in the latest activity on Olsen Field or in the classroom, Kircher is always on the move. The fifth-year field hockey player is never shy of a big smile and contagious personality. Let’s get to know Kircher a little deeper in this student-athlete spotlight.

Originally, Kircher was quite unsure of her college decision until there was one deciding factor. ”When I went through the recruiting process Eastern was not my first choice initially. But over time there was just something about it. The former head coach Camrin Azzarano is the reason I am here today. She stayed persistent in checking in on me during my senior year of high school, attending my games, inviting me to overnights and clinics. She stuck out as the coach that I knew I would be proud to play for. Through her efforts of not only connecting with me but my family as well she was the reason I chose Eastern,” Kircher said.

Kircher grew up playing sports. She was always an athlete and active. She was inspired by her mom to play field hockey. She was the woman who signed her up for a local YMCA field hockey camp and Kircher had loved it ever since.

“When I started playing, field hockey was not anywhere as popular as it is now. Growing up there were comments about why we wear a skirt and can’t use the other side of our stick but I always brushed them aside. My mom went to the same [high school] I went to and it was a great feeling to be able to play not only on the same field my mom had played on but also her head coach was my assistant coach. It was a full circle moment,” Kircher said.

Now, Kircher is thriving more than ever at Eastern.

“Making the decision to come back as a 5th year without my graduating class and while still in nursing school is something that I’m really proud of pushing myself to do and overcome the obstacles and hardships I have faced. Not letting any outside factors deter me from the love of the sport and being able to have another year to put an Eastern uniform on,” Kircher said.

Her academic career is certainly a unique case. Not only is Kircher a committed athlete, but she is also a nursing student, which is no easy task on its own. As a nursing student, she must commit to classes, 8-hour clinical rotations, and hours upon hours of studying. On top of that, as an athlete, she also commits to team practices, lifts, meetings, games, travel, and bonding. This may seem like a huge, overwhelming workload to some, but Kircher uses it to her advantage.

“Having so much to do truly does help to keep me on a strict schedule. This means any free time I have usually goes to my studies. While this schedule may sound like a headache, I enjoy it. Always being busy and knowing when to use my free time which goes to field hockey and when to use the time outside of that for school really forces me to stay on top of my studies and leaves no time for procrastination,” Kircher said.

Kircher does not limit herself to other clubs and extracurricular activities either.

“I have been the president of the SAAC club here at Eastern for the last two years as well as the secretary of the SNAP club for nursing students. The first two years of college I was also a part of the track and field team which I was recruited for as well,” Kircher said.

Kircher certainly does not limit herself on or off the field. Not every day is the same, but let’s take a look at what a typical Friday in-season looks like for her.

“I have an eight-hour clinical at CHOP in Philadelphia starting at 6:30 a.m. on the floor ready to go for a report. I wake up in the early hours and head to Philly where I then get onto a shuttle that takes me to the hospital. After my clinical day is over, I go back onto the shuttle, head to my car and then drive to campus. On Fridays we typically have practice, but there are a few dates where we have had a game on a Friday. Either way, once I head to campus I’m getting changed for either a practice or a game. Practices are a little over two hours long, which is the same for a game as well. After field hockey is over, I’ll head home, take a shower, make some dinner and spend the rest of my night studying or doing homework!” Kircher said.

Her schedule is certainly not for the weak. Kircher commits to dozens of tasks every day that one could not imagine doing in a week. She is a hard-working, generous and courageous person who many look up to. As she is finishing up her fifth year at Eastern, Kircher has learned many lessons and has lots of advice to share.

“Each game, each practice, anything I do I remind myself to leave it better than it was before,” Kircher said. She also is motivated by the ability to play AO1, also known as an audience of one. “I have been given the opportunity and talents that I have from God,” she said. Having God by her side allows Kircher to feel the confidence and power she needs to do the things she does every single day even when it does get hard.

In the future, Kircher’s goal is to become a pediatric nurse and one day take up coaching. She wants to share the love of field hockey and inspire others just like her mom did for her. Kircher is extremely grateful for all the opportunities she has been given in her life, especially being a student-athlete.

“Being a student-athlete has shown me how to be a better person, how to glorify God in my sport, the ability to have time management skills and the appreciation of the small wins and the big ones too,” Kircher said.

A common controversial topic often spoken about here at Eastern University is the food and dining services. Many students express opinions on the quality, quantity, and presentation of the food and its facilities that are accessible to them on campus. Let’s dive in and get a closer look into how students feel about their options at Eastern and what they like or dislike.

When looking at Eastern’s main dining facility, the Dining Commons, students express love for Sodexo workers but concern for their meal’s edibleness.

“My personal experience with Eastern dining has been alright, definitely not the best but also not the absolute worst thing in the world. There are times when the dining hall food is definitely not great, but there are also times when it’s edible and I feel content after eating… Most of the Sodexo workers are pretty nice and will talk to you briefly, I don’t really have a problem with any of the workers,” an anonymous source said.

Other students have no problem with the Dining Commons and voice that they are content with its products.

“I like the options that are available. Every day I’m confident there is going to be something I can eat. [I] really enjoy the gluten-free section,” Justin Shaffer said.

A huge issue expressed by many students are the hours the Dining Commons are open and how prepared the staff is for students who are in a rush.

“The DC hours work fine for my schedule, though I wish that the workers would have the food prepared on time. Many students, including myself, have tight schedules and need to be places at certain times. Recently, I’ve needed to wait 10+ minutes for food after the DC has opened. I tend to eat lunch around 11am, which is when the DC opens for lunch, and the food is never ready on time when I have somewhere to be,” an anonymous source said.

“I feel as if the DC hours do not accommodate those who either have classes throughout

the day and/or are student-athletes. Having a class schedule that has classes 11-2, I cannot go eat lunch at the DC every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The DC dinner hours end at 7, which does not allow student-athletes to eat dinner when coming back from an away game. Being a student-athlete, you need the proper fuel for your body in order to prepare for games/practices. Since the majority of Eastern is composed of athletes, I feel as if the DC hours should be longer to ensure proper nutrition,” an anonymous source said.

“I think that the DC hours are fine, but I also don’t play any sports or anything. I wouldn’t mind if they were open a little longer on weekends,” Annika Pickard said.

Jason Karch also expressed his concerns about the Dining Commons hours because of his time as a student athlete. “[The DC] should stay open till 9 [PM] for people that end practice later or even 8:30[PM]. On Saturdays, they should open earlier for sports teams that have games/events,” Karch said.

The second most popular dining facility at Eastern is Zime, a coffee shop that provides different Starbucks drink options and food for breakfast and lunch. Many students speak about Zime’s made-to-order food options.

“I wish the food options were more reliable,” Marisa Beach said.

“I wish they had more breakfast options,” Annika Pickard said.

“I wish Zime had more food options, especially considering it is supposed to be the place to go to when the DC is closed,” an anonymous source said.

Another issue discussed with Zime is how long the lines get and how it takes a while to get your order. “One of my issues with Zime is how long it takes to get food because of how long the lines are. I think that Zime would benefit greatly from adding another register,” another anonymous source said.

Overall, students were asked how their overall dining experience is here at Eastern.

“I go to Zime and the DC regularly, and although I don’t love the food, the food has gotten better since my freshman year,” Marisa Beach said.

“I have overall enjoyed it. I feel that portions could be bigger, and more options on certain days,” Jeff Day said.

“Sodexo has improved its options over the last couple of years, but I still feel as if we are a far cry from competing with the Dining Halls of other universities. It is not the fault of the workers, rather the quality of ingredients that we have to work with,” an anonymous source said.

Many students have acknowledged how Eastern and Sodexo are trying to make improvements to the dining scene. Although there are improvements, there are still many things that could be changed. We hope that students can continue to express their concerns and work with the university to create options that work best for everyone.

On Friday, Sept. 1, the legend James William Buffet, known as Jimmy Buffet, passed away. The Folk-Country singer, who was commonly recognized for his songs “Margaritaville” and “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” passed away at his home in Sag Harbor, Long Island. The tragedy was announced to the public via his Instagram page and quickly hit news outlets.”Jimmy passed away peacefully on the night of September 1st surrounded by his family, friends, music, and dogs. He lived his life like a song till the very last breath and will be missed beyond measure by so many,” stated Buffet’s family.

Later on Sept. 9 his wife, Jane Buffet, posted a letter as a tribute to Jimmy Buffet to thank everyone who has supported her and her family throughout their struggles and grief.

“One of the last songs Jimmy recorded was “Bubbles Up.” He sings, ‘Just know that you are loved, there is light up above, and the joy is always enough. Bubbles up.’ Jimmy knew he was loved. Right until the end, he looked for the light. Thank you for giving joy to him and to me,” Jane concluded in her letter.

Buffet passed away from Merkel Cell Skin Cancer at the age of 76. Merkel Cell is a rare type of skin cancer that can go undetected and is mainly caused due to UV exposure. Buffet was no stranger to the sun but lived life to the fullest. He had been fighting cancer for a total of 4 years. Although he was not always well, Buffet did not let his cancer stop him from doing the things he loved. He kept on performing through his treatment until he played his last show in early July as a surprise in Rhode Island.

Jimmy Buffet was born on Dec. 25, 1946, in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and grew up later in Alabama. He began singing and songwriting early on in the bars and streets of New Orleans which encouraged him to continue on his path as a musician. He never took himself too seriously as a singer and said “he liked to say that the job of singing for a living was descended from the profession of court jester.”

Buffet was a beloved person in the music industry and made many contributions. His career spanned over 50 years where he created music which made him one of the most successful performers and musicians in music history. During his shows, arenas were filled with people who called themselves “Parrot heads” to associate with the paradise performer’s “signature blend of folk, country and Caribbean music with lyrics that often reflected [his] world travels,” stated Jimmy Buffet’s website.

He collaborated with many great musicians in his songs such as Zac Brown Band, Kenny Chesney, George Strait, Clint Black, Martina McBride, Alan Jackson and Toby Keith. “After tallying five top 40 entries in the ’70s, reaching the top 10 with his signature anthem “Margaritaville” (No. 8, 1977), he tallied his second- and third-biggest hits thanks to turns on Jackson’s “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” (No. 17, 2003) and Zac Brown Band’s “Knee Deep” (No. 18, 2011),” stated Billboard.

Not only was Buffet a musician, but he was also an author and entrepreneur. Buffet had number one best-sellers which ranged from both the fiction and non-fiction lists of the New York Times Book Review. On the entrepreneur side, Buffet built “a diversified lifestyle brand business, including Margaritaville hotels, restaurants and retirement communities, along with sidelines such as Land Shark beer. Buffett’s branding and business acumen made him one of the most financially successful musicians of all time,” according to Jimmy Buffet’s website.

Buffet was also a philanthropist who gave back to various communities he chose to support. These charities include “Singing for a Change,” “Save the Manatee Club” and “Last Mango Boatworks.”

The “Poet of Paradise” was a remarkable person who will never be forgotten in the music industry. Many say that Buffett is now in his own paradise sipping on margaritas and soaking in the sun on the beach somewhere.

Eastern University is filled with so much talent among its students. Some are already off pursuing their dreams like student Lauren Rossi. Lauren, also known as Rossi, has taken ginormous steps towards her goals over the past few years. Let’s take a look at her time at Eastern, her accomplishments and things she hopes to achieve in the future.

“I started my journey at Eastern as a Criminal Justice major but switched to Communications in the spring of my sophomore year. I was involved in various sports while growing up, but upon coming to Eastern, I chose to concentrate on Women’s Soccer and Softball. Being part of a sports team was an incredible experience, allowing me to forge friendships and build lasting memories. However, at the end of my sophomore year, I made the tough decision to step away from sports and focus on developing my social media career. Though challenging, it turned out to be the right choice, as it has played a significant role in getting me to where I am today,” Rossi said.

Once she began her social media career, it was only a matter of time before her life started to drastically change. Rossi’s platforms gained tons of attention being a woman in sports. Many have felt threatened by her passion and knowledge for sports content, but that has not stopped her from continuing to succeed.

“I’ve consistently produced sports content across all my social media platforms, amassing over 500,000 followers in total. My focus primarily revolves around Philadelphia sports, with an emphasis on the Philadelphia Eagles. My passion for Philadelphia sports has been ingrained in me since the age of 4, making it a fundamental aspect of my identity and a huge passion of mine” said Rossi.

Rossi completed her education at Eastern during the Fall 2024 semester but still had lots of love to give back to the community, specifically the Communication Studies Department.

“The most invaluable aspect of my experience at Eastern was the unwavering support of my professors. Through life’s ups and downs, they stood by me, offering not just academic guidance but also friendship and support. I credit much of my success to Dr. Morgan and Dr. McMonagle. They were a true blessing to me during my time at Eastern!”

Although Rossi has accumulated so much success, it can be difficult and stressful to have such an influence on social media.

“Growing a large social media following can come with its own set of challenges, such as the temptation to compare oneself to others, the risk of burnout, and the pressure to change. However, I’ve managed to stay true to myself and remain grounded. In fact, this journey has helped me develop positive character traits and gain a deeper understanding of who I am,” said Rossi.

There are many times when the good things outweigh the bad. Rossi’s career choice has allowed her to achieve many new opportunities and collaborations. She has been able to work with multiple companies because content creation is so flexible. She does freelance work also independently but she’s had the opportunity to work with established companies like ESPN, Snapchat and TickPick.

“I’ve been granted media credentials by the NFL for this year’s NFL Draft, which is an incredible opportunity facilitated by ESPN! I’m thrilled about this and can’t wait to experience it. Additionally, I have exciting travel plans lined up for Italy, France, and other fun destinations, where I’ll create more content. As my graduation approaches in a month, I’m filled with excitement about the future. It’s important to remember that everyone progresses at their own pace; it’s perfectly fine not to have everything figured out. College can be stressful, and it’s easy to worry about not having things sorted yet. However, by staying focused and working hard, everything will eventually fall into place. Don’t give up!” said Rossi.

Rossi has accomplished many wonderful achievements over her time attending Eastern and is continuing to grow after as well. She can be reached at @rossitakes on Instagram and all platforms on social media. It will be invigorating to see what she does next in her career and what will come of her success on social media.

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and love is in the air. Whether you choose to express that love towards a significant other, friends or family, there is always enough to go around, especially for this beautiful campus. Students were asked to share some of their favorite things about Eastern to make a compiled love letter.

“Eastern has allowed me to pursue my love of psychology and education. Not only through the amazing professors, especially my first psychology professor Dr. Lo, who has been a huge encouragement in pursuing psychology as a career path for me, but also my peers and learning through them about science. Another thing that I love about Eastern is the amazing people that I have met. No matter what I can reach out to these relationships and friendships that I cherish for support,” Alyssa Gibbs, junior, said.

“I would love to give a shoutout to Dr. Morgan about how I am able to talk to her about everything I have on my mind, whether it is something bothering me or just something I wanna talk to someone about. Also want to thank her for being so flexible to me when I had my surgery and how she made sure that I didn’t get left behind and worked with me to catch up and pass the class with an A+,” Evan Barks, senior, said.

“I am grateful that Eastern gave me a home away from home. It’s nice having a community and friends that make transitioning into adulthood sweet,” Jania Long, junior, said.

“Eastern introduced me to a whole new world. A world without poverty. A world that’s very diverse from where I grew up. It might not be the biggest campus but it’s a safe place to stay. Eastern has great resources and people to use to your advantage,” Ni’Jir Green said.

“I think the thing I love about Eastern the most is how open and loving everyone here is. It is always so easy to find people who will stand in your corner with you and be there for you,” Liz Leonard, junior, said.

“The baby turtles and deer that roam the campus are always such a great thing to see! I love it when it’s mid-spring semester, the sun is setting, and it’s nice and quiet. Looking out my window or even sitting on KG hill, gives me such a great sight of how beautiful and peaceful campus is!” Rainee Wright, junior, said.

“I want to thank Eastern for allowing me to meet the most amazing people and find my best friends. Eastern does a great job of drawing in the kindest people and I wouldn’t change a thing!” Emmy Stiles, senior, said.

Eastern University has provided students with so many opportunities and memories that will last a lifetime. What better way to show love and appreciation for it all than in a love letter? Thank you, Eastern for giving students their lifelong friendships, amazing professors, new experiences, a place to live, and most importantly, love.

By: Chloe Rupe

With Eastern having such a beautiful and friendly campus, it’s not unusual to see a furry friend or two. Although many would say that you typically don’t see a dog in your lecture or classroom, if you have Dr. Julie Morgan as a professor, you are always prepared to get a warm welcome from her dog, Duke. Many may ask why Duke comes onto campus and why Dr. Morgan regularly brings him to class. I interviewed Dr. Morgan to get an understanding of the questions students may have on why Duke is a familiar face around campus.

For anyone who knows Dr. Morgan, you know that she is a fun and loving person and professor who is always followed by her sidekick, Duke. Duke is a 7-year-old Yellow Lab who has been through a lot of ups and downs throughout his life. But first, let’s start with how Dr. Morgan got Duke and the story behind his adoption.

Dr. Morgan loves dogs, therefore it was not hard for her to decide she wanted one. One Sunday afternoon, Dr. Morgan went to the Brandywine SPCA looking for the “perfect” dog. The problem was the criteria. “Since I love all dogs, I asked the SPCA volunteer to help me find a dog who could meet all of my criteria: good with other dogs, good with little kids, good on a leash, doesn’t need a large yard, and so on….” Dr. Morgan said. Unfortunately, she went home empty-handed.

About a week later was when she found her perfect match. It all started on her drive back home from Eastern. “I had been drinking a lot of water that day and really needed to go to the bathroom. The ONLY place to stop was the Brandywine SPCA. I pulled in, and stopped in the restroom. I thought ‘Well, it would be rude not to at least look at the dogs while I am here.’ Duke was the first dog I saw; it was love at first sight,” she said.

Dr. Morgan did not even feel the need to read through Duke’s paperwork or do a “meeting” with him beforehand. “I just knew he was coming home with me,” Dr. Morgan said. The only problem was that Duke was in bad shape. “He weighed about 45 pounds, had heartworms, and other kinds of awful worms. His life was rough. He had a pierced lip. His cheek looked branded. He was tied up and his neck showed the trauma. His hips and joints suffered because he didn’t get the nutrition needed as a puppy,” Dr. Morgan said.

But this did not matter to her. She adopted Duke on March 2, 2022 and today they are both thriving. “A year later, he has won his fight against heartworms (which was an extremely painful and costly treatment), he has gained weight, and is living his best life,” Dr. Morgan said. Duke is also well-known around Eastern’s campus and continues to make students and faculty smile every day. The main reason Dr. Morgan brings Duke to campus is because of her students.

“I had done some informal research in the past about bringing a dog into the classroom to see how it would change interpersonal dynamics. While there is research on service dogs, I couldn’t find any research on ‘family dogs’ and their impact on learning. Would it help students feel more comfortable and possibly learn better? My previous dog (a very large black lab) was too energetic! He would run around the classroom, jump on students and lick their faces. Still, I noticed that it was a positive for the classroom,” Dr. Morgan said.

Due to the recent pandemic, Dr. Morgan felt that since depression and anxiety were rising in students, she wanted to bring a calm dog to help the students cope. “Studies show that petting a dog reduces stress. I think it gives students something else to talk about besides coursework.

A way to connect with each other. If a student wants to sit on the floor and pet Duke for the entire class, that is fine,” Dr. Morgan said. Dr. Morgan has no problem continuing teaching while a student takes five minutes or even the rest of the class petting Duke on the floor. It is definitely a win for Duke for the students. Many students look forward to greeting Duke on campus or in the classroom.

Duke is a face on campus many of us are familiar with and we know that he brings so much joy into the lives of everyone he meets. “He is a good companion. For me, I get a glimpse of what it means to love unconditionally. Even with all the past trauma, Duke loves unconditionally,” Dr. Morgan said. If you ever see Dr. Morgan and Duke on campus, don’t be afraid to say hello. They both love meeting new people, and Duke certainly loves the attention.

By: Chloe Rupe

Valentine’s Day. A day to express love and affection. Also, a holiday that most of us either love or hate each year. This can depend on your relationship or friendship status, or you might not like celebrating it at all. The large amounts of chocolates, roses, and even chocolate-shaped roses that stores display for the special day can be pretty overwhelming for some people. On the other hand, there are lots of people who enjoy having a romantic day with their significant other or love spending quality time with friends to share an appreciation for one another. In 2022, roughly two in five Americans intended to have a nice romantic dinner at home (Statista). Nearly the same number of respondents were planning on going out to a restaurant or to a concert. A considerable share of valentines also intended to give each other gifts, such as flowers or something sweet (Statista). But enough about what America thinks; let’s get a look at some positive and negative opinions Eastern students share about the holiday.

“I love Valentine’s Day,” says sophomore Kacie Noonan. “I like the colors, I like all the hearts, I just love it.”

Sophomore Rainee Wright has a similar opinion, sharing “I really like it. I think it is a fun holiday. I really like to spend time with my significant other and get flowers and chocolate and eat chocolate-covered strawberries!”

Sophomore Liam O’Connor says, “I think it is a great holiday that shows how much you love someone.”

“I feel Valentine’s Day should be focused on spending time with people around you who love you rather than just your significant other,” says Freshman Emily Mancini. “Don’t get me wrong, the idea of being with someone for Valentine’s Day and getting to celebrate your love is wonderful, but it shouldn’t just be about that.”

As someone who works in the food-service industry, senior Jason Hall gets a better look at how Valentine’s Day is not all rainbows and butterflies. Hall believes that “it’s a scam,” sharing “It is a way for restaurants and other places to make money off people.”

Sophomore Brian Lang says, “It’s a pretty cool holiday, especially when you have a significant other, but if you don’t have a significant other I think it is a waste of time.”

Junior Lauren Rossi says, “I’m not the biggest fan of it. I love being in love and being romantic and stuff but Valentine’s Day is weird because it is forced like you have to be.”

There are so many opinions that go around regarding Valentine’s Day. Some people think it is romantic, others think it is unnecessary. This day has a long history of being a day for love and has been romanticized for decades. From many different perspectives of Eastern students, the overall ideas and obligations for that day have greatly changed. What do you think Valentine’s Day should be about, and should it even be celebrated?