2 Edition 44, Issue 13

Note from the Newsroom

NEWS

VIEWS

SPORTS

Depressed or stressed?:There are spots on campus to help you.

A&ESinging beyond obstacles: Annie Donnellon proves blindness is just a disability.

Cover StoryPutting together the pieces:Five interviews with randomly-chosen NKU stu-dents.

6 & 7

4

8 & 9

10 & 11

Impeached: Student Government Association Vice President, Dennis Chaney, faces removal from office.

3December 2, 2009

The NorthernerUniversity Center Room 335Highland Heights, KY 41076Editor in Chief: (859) 572-6128News & Sports: (859) 572-6677Features: (859) 572-5859Advertising: (859) 572-5232Fax: (859) 572-5772

E-mail: northerner@nku.edu

furtherdetailsEntire content is copyright of The Northerner and may not be reprinted without prior con-sent. Views expressed do not represent those of the administration, faculty or student body.The Northerner is considered a designated public forum. Student editors have authority to make all content decisions without censor-ship or advance approval. The Northerner staff respects the right to a free and open dialogue as allowed under the First Amendment.

PRINT EDITOR-IN-CHIEFTim Owens[owenst1@nku.edu]

WEB EDITOR-IN-CHIEFJoe Castelli [castellij1@nku.edu]

MANAGING EDITORMark Payne[paynem3@nku.edu]

PRESENTATION EDITOREmily Teaford[teaforde1@nku.edu]

ASST. PRESENTATION EDITORKarli Wood[woodk3@nku.edu]

VIEWS EDITORHeather Willoughby[willoughbh1@nku.edu]

A&E EDITORJeremy Jackson[jacksonj6@nku.edu]

SPORTS EDITORMichael Collins[collinsm4@nku.edu]

PHOTO EDITORCharlotte Etherton[ethertonc1@nku.edu]

COPY EDITORSChelsea Asher[asherc1@nku.edu]

Emily Christman[christmane1@nku.edu]

Betina Kemker[kemkerb1@nku.edu]

ADVISORGayle Brown[browng@nku.edu]

AD MANAGERWilliam Fisher[northerner.ads@gmail.com]

northernerstaff contactinformation

EDITORIAL CARTOONISTPatrick Delaney[delaneyp1@nku.edu]

Dan Robards[robardsd1@nku.edu]

Alex Owsley[owsleya1@nku.edu]

Brandon Barb[barbb1@nku.edu]

Rodney Moore[moorer2@nku.edu]

Justin Mattingly[mattinglyj1@nku.edu]

ASST. PHOTO EDITORSEmily Christman[christmane1@nku.edu]

Ed Morris[morrise2@nku.edu]

STAFF WRITERSSamantha Del Vecchio[delvecchis1@nku.edu]

Michael Willis[willism2@nku.edu]

WHAT’S INSIDE

The Northerner strives to give you coverage on events and happenings that effect Northern Kentucky Univer-sity students. But none of the events, happenings or this paper would exist without the one factor that isn’t high-lighted enough — the students themselves.

In this issue, we’ve filled nearly every section with profiles on students who have an interesting story to tell. You may have seen some of these people on your way to class or when you’re chowing down in the student union. Then again,

you may have never seen these people.

Either way, these students, and the other 15,000 plus that make up your fellow student body — affect your college experience in one way or another. And knowing more about these people may en-hance your experience(s) on campus. NKU as an academic institution is on the rise, but it’s not doing it without you, the student. It’s only as good as the sum of its parts.

- Tim Owens Print-Editor-in-chief

Jessie Carmack moves with purpose:Despite multiple transfers, Norse guard remains focused on being team player.

5

4Edition 44, Issue 13

Mark PayneManaging editor

SGA Vice President impeached VP Dennis Chaney faces removal from office, due to behavior

NEWS

On April 21, 2009, Keith Kaseke and Dennis Chaney sat side by side, fighting ac-cusations that the pair had cheated in their spring 2009 election bid for Student Government Association President and Vice Presi-dent.

On Nov. 30, 2009, Keith Kaseke, SGA president, and Dennis Chaney, SGA vice president, sat at separate tables as Chaney fought impeachment charges in a hearing in front of the SGA Judicial Council.

The charges were brought against Chaney at the SGA meeting on Nov. 23, where the SGA Senate voted 18-6

to impeach Chaney. The Articles of Impeachment, written by Kaseke, says Chaney was impeached for insubordination.

“In his conduct while Executive Vice President or a member of the SGA, Den-nis Chaney has violated his constitutional obligations, (Article IV, Section A 3 a) [and] shall carry out any rea-sonable actions as directed by the president and thus has discredited NKU SGA’s name through one or more of the actions listed below,” according to The Articles of Impeachment obtained by The Northerner.

The key actions, accord-

ing to the Articles, started in May 2009 and continued un-til November 2009. The ac-tions range from being late to meetings to defamation of the President of SGA. The last act listed by the Articles sums up the document.

“Dennis Chaney has con-tinuously undermined those in authority and has acted as an individual whilst under the guise of the SGA,” the Articles say.

Before the Nov. 30 im-peachment hearing, the SGA Judicial Council met to discuss whether or not the impeachment hearing should be “null and void” because the impeachment didn’t

follow proper procedure, ac-cording to Chaney.

“What the constitution states: ‘when there is a violation of procedure any act taken by the senate that violates the constitution is considered null and void,’” Chaney said.

The violation, Chaney said, occurred because he wasn’t notified with more than 24 hours notice of the impeachment. He also said that not all the Sena-tors were notified of the impeachment hearing until right before the Nov. 23 meeting.

Although Chaney has been impeached, the Judicial

Council hasn’t decided on whether or not to remove Chaney from office. The decision, according to SGA President Kaseke, will not happen until Dec. 2.

“We need to move for-ward and put this behind us,” Kaseke says. “The Judi-cial Council is going to make a ruling tomorrow. We’re looking forward to that.”

To read about the final decision made about Dennis Chaney’s impeachment and to read The Articles of Im-peachment, please visit www.thenortherner.com.

SPORTS

Mike Collins & Chad HensleySports Editor & Contributing Writer

5December 2, 2009

The Northern Kentucky University basketball programs are becoming known for their ability to recruit talented transfer players who can have an immediate impact on the success of the team. Redshirt junior guard Jessie Carmack is among those who have joined the Norse family and is ex-pected to have a stellar season with the black and gold.

Carmack played for a year at West Point Academy to begin her college basketball career. She served as a cadet, experienc-ing the rigors of a military lifestyle and dealing with the stress every college student knows and understands. She wasn’t able to see her family and she describes the daily life at Army as “tough to handle.”

“Playing up at West Point was a whole different level,” Car-mack said. “Not only is it Divi-sion I, but I was a cadet. I was in the Army before I was play- ing basketball, and that was tough to handle. I was up at 6 a.m. every morning. I was in class from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and had to go to practice from 3:30-7, try to do some weights and come back and to try to be in bed by 11. It was a lot to handle. As a freshman, you don’t get to leave much and only time I got to really see my family was when they traveled to games. I was fortunate enough that my parents were able to make it to eight games that

year.”After her first season ended at West Point, Car-

mack transferred to Ohio Dominican .“I transferred from Army because I really

wasn’t sure if I wanted to be in the Army, especial-ly right now with the war in Iraq,” Carmack said.

“I wasn’t ready for that step in my life. I want-ed to get closer to home. I actually took a

look at Northern coming out of Army but decided on Ohio Dominican because I had played for the coach before.”

Having familiarity with a coach is important to players when they are entering unknown and uncertain terri-tory. Carmack earned significant playing

time for the Panthers and developed as a leader on the squad. The Clarksville, Ohio native scored a career high 27 points against the University of Rio Grande on Feb. 13, 2008, according to the ODU Athletic Web site. Her knowledge of the game and ability to score helped ODU pilot to a 22-10 record for the 2007-2008 season.

Despite her success at ODU, Carmack wanted to attend a bigger school that

would allow her to compete at the highest level of NCAA Division II

basketball. She also wished to move closer to her home so her family would be able to see her play. The decision to leave ODU led her to NKU, a place with great tradition and the possibility of a national championship.

“When I was there (ODU), I decided the school wasn’t quite as big as what I expect-

ed,” Carmack said. “It’s a small school up by Ohio State, and I wanted to get even

closer to home. I wanted to get back to the NCAA, the Division II level and to compete for a national championship, because I know the program down here is amazing. I’m fortunate now that my

par- ents can make it to every game, or I can go home whenever I want. I live 35 minutes

away.”The court savvy guard brings a solid

shooting game to NKU, and she will pro-vide the type of leadership that will be

needed due to the loss of four starters last season. Carmack, a Sports Business major, had to be a redshirt last season with the Norse due to NCAA transfer regulations. It was grueling and sometimes painful for her

to have to sit and watch, but it allowed her to learn a new system of play and learn

from a talented group of seniors.“As a redshirt, it was tough, especially in the

beginning,” Carmack said. “I wanted to be out there so bad, especially with the team we had last year – the great leaders and the great players. I knew the system, which was hard to get used to especially for a point guard. It gave me a lot of learning time to experience it, get to know the system and be ready to go so I wasn’t going to be an inexperienced player coming in. It went by a lot faster than what I thought it would. I look back now and I don’t regret taking that redshirt year because I know the system now and I’m playing a lot of minutes, which is what I want to play.”

Even though it’s her first real season on the floor for NKU, the expectations are high for starter Carmack to produce and have a big year.

“Jessie Carmack spent a year in the U.S. military, so I’m sure there is nothing that I’m going to do to her that is going to make it any tougher than what she had there,” said head coach Nancy Winstel. “She leads and is a calming force on the floor. She’s been out of the game for a year, but we’re asking her to come in and be great. She’s been doing some really good things and made some free throws there at the end of the game against Georgetown, which the Norse took home at 65-61, that helped us. Jessie and Rachel have really stepped up their leadership for us and that is what we need.”

In her first three games this season for the Norse (3-0), Carmack is averaging 8.7 points per game and is shooting 53 percent from behind the three point line. Carmack is shooting 44 percent from the floor and is averaging three rebounds per game, according to the NKU Sports Information Web site. The 5-foot-6 point guard has an appreci-ation for what it means to play for her hometown team.

“It is a great feeling,” Carmack said. “The tradi-tion and the program that Coach Winstel has put together— a NKU Norse is expected to be suc-cessful, and it’s a tradition. All my life I played on teams that have been successful. This year I feel like I’m at home. I’m from the area, and it’s good to play near the hometown.”

With a vision in sight, Carmack has made it clear that she will strive to improve her game to help her teammates get opportunities to make plays.

“My individual goal for this year is just to get better, keep gaining confidence in my shot and get my teammates the ball,” Carmack said. “My big-gest individual goal is probably make plays for my teammates. Our team goals are to stay undefeated at home, win the GLVC, make it to the NCAA tournament and go as far as we can. We really feel like we can do it.”

Jessie Carmack moves with purposeDespite multiple transfers, Norse guard remains focused on being team player

Photo courtesy of: Tim Downer/ Staff Photographer

Laura BarrettSophomore

Political Science

If you had 10,000 dollars what would you do with it?Probably buy too much art and then donate a lot to a home-less shelter I used to work at.

What’s the coolest job you’ve ever had?I’d have to say last year I worked at a Franklin County wom-en’s shelter as an “Americorp” member and it was their first year of being open and that was probably by far the most interesting learning experience I’ve had at a job in my life.

What kind of music are you listening to right now?Whatever people give me. I’m too poor to buy CDs and I don’t download music.

If you could have any job no matter your experience what would it be?I would like to work with the Kentucky equal justice center, and advocate on behalf of people who are low income.

Whats the coolest thing you’ve ever done?I recently picked up two biker looking guys in a liquor store because their U-haul broke down, and gave one a ride to Cin-cinnati, who happens to be like some sort of crazy vintage costume designer something or other who now owes me a favor, that’s my most recent adventure

John Lynch Freshman

Spanish

Favorite thing about this area?

I think the familiarity because I’ve grown up here. I

know where I could go on the weekends and I know

things to do so that’s helpful. I guess it’s sort of both

because of the small sort of social aspect because every-

body sort of knows everybody. That’s nice.

If you had $10,000 what would you do with it?

I would probably first buy a car and if I had any left over

money I would take a vacation to Spain.

If you had enough money to go anywhere in the world

where would you go?

If I had the money I would probably travel all over Eu-

rope for a year.

What do you want to do when you grow up?

Currently I want to be a Spanish teacher but you never

know where that will lead.

Have you ever done anything that sets you apart from

your friends?I’m really into music festivals, I enjoy going to them in

the summer and some people don’t get that vibe from

me.

What’s on your playlist right now?

DJ Tiesto, Animal Collective and Radiohead

Ian TakaokaFreshman

Anthropology

What do you want to be when you grow up?An archeologist. I was thinking I wanted to do like Mediterranean and African archeology. Which would in-volve Greco roman stuff but I’d have to go somewhere else to do that to as well so I’ll need to do more work af-ter I graduate from here

If you had $10,000 what would you do with it?I would donate it to different archeo-logical institutions and different sites and research organizations and may-be I’d spend the rest on things for my family if I had one.

What do you like about NKU?I like the honor’s stuff going on at Callahan hall, I’m going to try to move there next semester.

What’s something about you that people might not know just from looking at you?I’m Canadian. Half Japanese Cana-dian and half Scottish Canadian. I skipped seventh and eighth grade and went straight to ninth. I think that’s about it.

Putting together the piecesA look at students who make up the puzzle of NKU

6 Edition 44, Issue 13

Emily TeafordPresentation Editor

Maggie LewisSenior

Political Science

If you had $10,000, what would you do with it?I would put it in a high interest savings account and use the interest to supplement my bills monthly and use the extra to pay for gradu-ate school.

Are you involved in any student groups on campus?I’m the president of Common Ground

What is one thing you like to do for fun on the weekend?I work on the weekends. Honestly my favorite thing to do is sit around all Sunday and watch movies in my sweatshirt and boxers because I don’t like pants, much to my roommate’s dismay.

If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go?Australian outback, because the probability of me getting there is very nil so there for it would be a place I would like to visit. It looks very interesting I find it alluring.

What do you want to do when you grow up?When I grow up? Haha! My goal is actually why I came back to school was to work in advocacy for civil rights so either through a masters or doctoral program or through law. I’m looking at law school right now to work for civil right and equal rights advocacy.

How would you describe yourself to other people? Why are you interesting?I think I’m interesting. I ask why a lot and I have a plethora of useless information. And the gay boys think I dress well, like a gay boy.

Ali Bowdler Freshman

Psychology

If you could do anything in the world as a job what would you do?I’m probably going to go into the FBI I’d really like to be [in the] white collar crime division in the FBI

If you had $10,000 what would you do with it?Pay for school

What is your favorite song that describes you?Lessons Learned by Matt and Kim. That’s my favorite song by them

What’s the best part of going to NKU?Well I’ve made a lot of really good friends here even though I’ve only been here for like five months and the professors are really great and they really seem to care more than I’d expected them too.

What’s the weirdest job you’ve ever had?I was one of those foodservice workers at Bethesda hospital, one of those people that delivers the trays of food to the patients. I think I had a neightbor that was a nurse at Bethesda and she heard about it, I think I babysat for them. She heard about it and told me about it, it was a weird job.

Have you accomplished anything that sets you apart?The only award I ever won was when I played lacrosse in high-school and I got the hard work pays off award because I was a first year goalie and I had been defense before that and I decided to go for goalie, I ended up beating the other goalie that was on the team, I was better than her by the end of the year so that’s really the only award I’ve ever gotten.

Putting together the piecesA look at students who make up the puzzle of NKU

7December 2, 2009

Heather WilloughbyViews Editor

NKU offers help to the wearyEveryone from the depressed to the stressed can get help on campus

It’s that time of year again. Projects and papers are get-ting more time consuming— finals are just around the cor-ner. Things are beginning to get crazy here in the last few weeks of the semester, and it’s no wonder that everyone is stressing.

The rate of suicide and depression among college campuses around the country are on the rise. I know it can be hard to reach out, but it is very important that students know there is someone out there to help them.

The number of students seeking help for these types of problems are is the rise. Students reporting a diagno-sis of depression rose from 10.3 percent in 2000, to 14.9 percent in spring of 2008, according to the American College Health Association’s most recent annual National College Health Assessment.

It is very important that universities offer ways for students to cope. Luckily, Northern Kentucky Uni-versity is equipped to assist students needing such help.

There are resources all around for people to seek help, and specifically at NKU, we have the Health, Counsel-ing and Prevention Services. Located in University Center 440, the department “is dedicated to helping students achieve and maintain opti-mal levels of physical, mental and emotional functioning. The services provided are primarily free of charge and are administered by highly trained and qualified profes-sionals,” according to the department’s Web site, http://hcp.nku.edu. http://hcp.nku.edu.

According to Health, Counseling and Prevention’s Web site, the department offers such services as group and individual counseling, crisis intervention, presenta-tions and workshops, consul-tations and outside mental health resources specifically within the community. All services are confidential, according to the site, and all services are free to NKU students.

The Web site itself is also

very useful and provides many additional resources. It includes an anonymous men-tal health screening. This test allows you to evaluate your own behavior and determine if it coincides with that of any mood or mental health disorders. It screens for any-thing from depression and anxiety disorders to alcohol-ism and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. The screening does not substitute for a profes-sional, but it is a great way to determine whether or not you may need to seek help.

The site also provides great information in the form of “handouts” that you can ac-cess online. These handouts provide information and tips on everything from psycho-sis to dealing with aging to “Facing The Holiday Season When You Don’t Feel Like Celebrating.”

This Web site and depart-ment are great resources that all NKU students should utilize: facingholidayseason.php. If you don’t feel com-fortable going to the Health Counseling and Prevention

office, there are also student organizations that you can utilize.

Active Minds is a new student organization that is working to “change the conversation about mental health on college campuses,” according to its student orga-nization page on nku.edu.

The group’s vision is to promote “open, enlightened discussion of mental health—and to create a better life for all who suffer. To capitalize on the energy and dedica-tion of young adults in the fight against the stigma that surrounds mental health disorders, and to educate, enlighten, and empower all young adults to ensure their own mental health before it ever reaches a tragic stage.”

There’s always someone willing to help, and there are so many resources available to students. Their hope is that every NKU student un-derstands that and seeks help when it is needed.

Lauren RussellFreshman, Political

Science.

“It’s good.”

Sean BennettSenior, Journalism

“I probably wouldn’t use that.”

Andrea MinshallSenior, Education

“They thought I was sick and made me go. I

liked it, though.”

rnpCompiled by

Heather Willoughby & Charlotte Etherton

“What do you think about NKU’s

counseling services?”

norse poll responses

For more Norse poll responses and video, visit www.thenortherner.com

Tyler HammondFreshman, Accounting

“If I had a problem ... that’s where I’d go.”

Tips to help deal with exam stress

1. Time management: use your calendar to schedule as much of your week in advance as possible.2. Schedule in study breaks: studying non-stop is only going to drive you insane. Use a break to “re-charge.”3. Exercise: working out is always a great stress re-liever.4. Prioritize: decide which classes you need to work for the most.5. Ask your professor for help: If you’re confused about notes or assign-ments, ask early before you study.

Tips adapted from collegeuniversity.suite101.

com

8 Edition 44, Issue 13

VIEWS

Concerns about the new intellectual property guide-lines pertaining to student work were posed by faculty at several stages of the pro-cess. The following faculty members are glad that Presi-dent Votruba has indicated his willingness to revisit the issues of concern to the SGA after a member of the Board of Regents expressed a con-cern.

Dr. Emily Detmer-Goebel

Dr. Donelle Dreese

Dr. Roxanne Kent-Drury

Dr. Katherine Kurk

Dr. Hilary Landwehr

Stephen Leigh

P. Andrew Miller

Dr. Robert Wallace

Dr. John Alberti

Regina Copenhaver

Dr. Chris Wilkey

Got an opinion?

The Northerner welcomes viewpoints from students, faculty,

alumni and others. Send your letter to our e-mail address or submit it on our Web site. Letters may be edited

for space, content or grammar.

Please provide your name, year, major and contact

information. E-mail: northerner@nku.edu

www.thenortherner.com

Dear Editor,

UndergradComedically criticizing campus

with

Patrick Delaney

9December 2, 2009

VIEWS

Katie BlairContributing Writer

10 Edition 44, Issue 13

A&E

She is in a sorority, has a serious boyfriend and feels overwhelmed with school at times.

Claiming time manage-ment as one of her biggest struggles with college, Annie Donnellon sounds like a typi-cal 23-year-old student who may have caught a bit of the senioritis bug. But Donnellon has one extra challenge that sets her apart from “typi-cal.” She has been blind since birth.

The youngest of four chil-dren, Donnellon is a Music major at Northern Kentucky University, with an emphasis in voice. Once she gradu-ates in May, Annie hopes to pursue her dream with music. Her interest in music has been with her since she was 4 years old, when she began listening to Broadway musi-cals. She started taking voice

lessons when she was only 13 years old. Her voice has been compared anywhere from a Disney princess’ voice to Welsh singer Charlotte Church. She disagrees.

“I don’t think I sound like anyone in particular, I think everyone has their own unique style,” she said.

She chose NKU for the family-type atmosphere, among other things. “I was very impressed with what NKU had to offer with academics and even social involvement,” she said. She has proven that by taking part in many extracurricular activities throughout her five years here.

Donnellon is a member of Delta Gamma, a sorority on campus. Delta Gamma holds the highest GPA of sororities at NKU. Donnellon is one of the members on the Dean’s

list. Delta Gamma also par-ticipates in a philanthropy called “Service for Sight,” one that holds personal meaning for Donnellon.

Brittany Hall, Donnellon’s “little” (sister) in the sorority, credits her for giving much of her time to Delta Gamma’s philanthropy. “Since our philanthropy is ‘Service for Sight,’ Annie has been a huge asset to Delta Gamma. She has been directly influenced by all the great things the Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Im-paired has to offer and will do anything she can to give back. She completed 28 ser-vice hours for Delta Gamma this past summer and semes-ter alone,” Hall said.

She has also made some great friends, “I’m very im-pressed with all the women that I have met. They are

very upstanding ladies,” she said.

“Before I met Annie I had never met anyone who was blind or visually impaired,” Hall said. “But Annie didn’t waste one minute sharing her story with me so that I could learn how to help her. In the process, she taught me to help myself as well.”

She wants people to un-derstand that her disability is just that, a disability. She can do almost everything that anyone else can. “I am an individual. Each blind person does everything differently,” she said. “When it comes to helping the blind, ask. Don’t assume.”

“I was always under the impression that someone who was blind or visu-ally impaired needed special treatment, and Annie will be

the first one to tell you she is no different from you,” Hall said.

“My college experience has actually gone beyond the educational aspect,” Don-nellon said. She has proven wrong everyone who told her she wouldn’t make it through college. “It has taught me to become more humble and be grateful for the things I have,” she said.

As if approaching gradu-ation isn’t hard enough, Donnellon is able to keep a straight head on her shoul-ders and focus on the goal. “Do your best to keep your spirits up, which I’ve found is easier said than done. But don’t give up too soon. Self- advocate as much as possible. If something is wearing you down, do your best to stay positive.”

Emily Teaford/Presentation Editor

Annie Donnellon hopes to take her music career to the next level after graduating from Northern Kentucky University in May.

Singing against all oddsAnnie Donnellon proves blindness is just a disability

11December 2, 2009

Jeremy JacksonA&E Editor

Charlotte Etherton/Photo Editor Johnny Kyle Cook plays a huge role in NKU’s theatres pro-

duction of “Titanic” playing Thomas Andrews.

Cook transitions to new stageTheater student dreams of acting to make a difference

A&E

His past four years at Northern Kentucky Univer-sity have been the complete antithesis of where he set out to be as a child. The preco-cious student from the rural backwaters of Eastern Ken-tucky surmised that his life, since he could remember, was destined for the career and regiment of a neurosci-entist. Fascinated with the inner-workings of the brain, the path seemed to fit. But a change in priorities, his father, along with a healthy dose of serendipity disrupted that fate forever.

“I have vivid memories of me as a kid, with my dad tak-ing me to the movies,” said Johnny Kyle Cook, Senior Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting candidate. “That is where I began to realize that I wanted to be those people up there on the screen, not so much the neuroscientist anymore.”

From that point forward, Cook became captivated by the silver screen and all that it promised: fame, exotic locales—but more important-ly—the ability to reside any-where but the diminutive 1.4 square mile town of Louisa, nestled between the ancient mountains of Kentucky and the Big Sandy River that carved them out.

“I can remember sitting in the movies, dreaming of all the cool places the actors were and how the movies al-lowed you to become any-thing,” Cook said. “And I was stuck here in Louisa.”

But dreaming is dream-ing and, absent of drive and opportunity, it goes nowhere. The frustrated Cook was bitten by the acting bug following a few fledgling performances at his church, but without any true venue to hone his skill and real-ize his future, the would-be

thespian had only dreams as his solace.

“It’s funny really. My high school had a drama class but you could only take it your senior year.” Cook said. “So, as a sophomore, my parents began driving me to the com-munity college in Ashland to perform in their plays.”

The high tenor always had a strong voice, a talent that enabled him to cut his the-atrical teeth on musicals like Annie and other performanc-es produced at Ashland’s community college. But it was during a series of work-shops while participating in the Governor’s School for the Arts (a Kentucky spon-sored program that provides hands-on opportunities for high school students who are budding performers, writers and visual artists) that Cook found the means by which his acting dreams could be realized.

“It was in between my senior and junior year that I attended the GSA and truly developed a passion for performing,” Cook said. “I met a few students there that would later attend NKU’s Theatre program, so it just felt right when it came time for me to go to college.”

Although Cook submitted applications and was accept-ed to various other colleges, he realized that NKU had what he felt was the best theatre program in the state, allowing him to perform in top-notch productions, such as Cats, Working, Much Ado about Nothing and the up-coming production of Titanic.

“Singing and acting within all the productions at NKU has really allowed me to let go of any inhibition and just act,” Cook said. “I can remember my freshman year I gave half-hearted attempts at my parts, because I didn’t

want to make a fool of my-self.”

As the years pressed on and Cook developed a greater sense of the stage, the audience and himself—he was able to relinquish the timidness of his freshman status, trading it in for the higher, senior tenants of act-ing, such as self-awareness, versatility and motivation.

“You begin to realize that there is always going to be someone who is better than you: they sing better, they act better, they look better,” Cook said. “I’ve learned over the years that you just have to embrace your talents and showcase what you have.”

Showcasing his talent has all culminated in this year’s production of Titanic. The two act performance, with a Herculean cast of 37 per-formers, each mic’d with bated breath and poised to Cook chomping at the bit as the architect for the ill-fated vessel.

“I have a few enormous solos in the musical, all of which are larger than life.” Cook said. “At the end, as the music builds and builds and the ship begins to sink behind me, I perform a song about what I could have done different to prevent it from sinking.”

The variety of productions at NKU has afforded Cook a wealth of experience, but the actor believes his success after graduation requires him to do more than memorize his lines.

“I think to be a great actor you have to make the words evoke emotion, find original perspective on the lines in the moment,” Cook said. “Whatever I do when I leave NKU, I want to make theater that goes beyond entertain-ment and truly makes a dif-ference in people’s lives.”