College provides time to grow, enjoy

As I have spoken to people about graduation, most seem thoroughly surprised that I am not ready to get out of here. In fact, I feel quite the opposite. I would stay in college for the rest of my life if given the opportunity. For all its screw-ups, its embarrassments ...

Taboo subjects promote academic freedom

This week I was fortunate enough to take part in a Seder meal with a scholars program I'm affiliated with on campus. Present at the dinner was a Jewish rabbi who detailed its overall historical importance as well as explained the purpose of individual foods and ingredients involved in ...

Stereotyping wrong, including Christians

Being a Christian in college isn't easy. I know saying that while attending a university in East Tennessee may sound stupid, but let's face the facts. UT experiences the same trend of growing liberalism that exists in all of American higher education. This is not to say that ...

Smartphone stunts problem-solving skills

I know this is something people say all the time to the point where it is cliché and ineffective, but technological advancements in modern society are mind-blowing. As I was trying to come up with a good column idea, I was texting my girlfriend on my brand new HTC Windows ...

EUReCA panel judges carelessly

On Monday, I took part in UT's Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement, or EUReCA. EUReCA is meant to give students in all fields the ability to display their undergraduate research projects to the public with the possibility to win cash prizes for their efforts. Students are separated ...

Horror films today lack nuance

I'm a guy who likes a good horror film. Call it weird, but I enjoy a good scaring that will keep me up at night for a little bit. However, one thing I don't enjoy is the uniformity of so many horror films in today's society.

For ...

Find workplace that welcomes, fulfills

With so many students gearing up for summer jobs and graduating seniors looking to enter into full-time employment, it's time to start considering what we want out of our careers. Two of the most commonly considered factors are pay and location.

However, I would argue that there is another ...

Internet's subcultures change society

In light of recent events, namely the "Harlem Shake," I have been pondering the idea of just how much the Internet has changed our society. Sure, you get the all the usual jazz about the Internet being the “information superhighway” and blah blah blah about news breaking faster than it ...

Students must balance both work, play

Oftentimes you hear people say that college is the best time of their life. I hope this isn't true, but I'm sure college could give just about any four years a run for its money. As a senior in my last semester, I've been fairly reminiscent lately ...

Valentine's Day exciting for everyone

With Valentine's Day coming up, there are a lot of feelings in the air. Many people hate Valentine's Day, or as some call it, Singles Awareness Day. Others look forward to it as the next big holiday after Christmas, and enjoy all the cheesiness and commercialization that goes ...

Senior theses difficult to get started at UT

As a member of the Chancellor's Honors Program, I have spent the last two semesters working on a senior thesis. I think that my education has been thoroughly improved by my research requirements, and I believe that theses are still important in upper level education. While I still agree ...

Lab experience not just for science majors

One of the most wonderful aspects about UT is that many various types of students can be educated within its walls. This allows for students of political science, mathematics, English, graphic design and musicology all to interact with each other on campus, further enhancing their education experience. However, one issue ...

Te'o situation puzzles everyone

In light of the recent Manti Te'o madness, I would like to offer up my own opinion on the situation.

For those of you who have somehow missed one of the largest and strangest sports stories of all time, here's a little background for you:Manti Te'o ...

Zombie apocalypse maybe alright

I had an interesting conversation with someone the other day as to why society seems to be thoroughly obsessed with zombies. With shows like "The Walking Dead," movies like the "Resident Evil" series, and video games such as "Left 4 Dead" and "Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare," Americans seem to ...

Cimorelli offers innovative sound

Everyone has some sort of guilty pleasure in his or her life. Something that they absolutely love, but would be somewhere between mildly upset and horrified if people figured out. Well folks, I'm about to reveal one of mine to you.

Over the last several months, I have been ...