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Articles by Austin Dunlow
Local drag performers see mainstream drag as a double-edged sword
From Eurovision to the Met Gala, Little Mix to Taylor Swift, Blue’s Clues to RuPaul’s Drag Race, drag has seen a surge of mainstream appeal and marketability in the last few years unlike ever before. As drag performers continue to gain massive followings, endorsements and careers off their art form, local drag performers are having to tread in the wake of these big names and make a way for themselves in a world that seems to only be comfortable with drag when it is marketable.
The dos and don'ts of your first NC State football game
Is this your first year going to football games? We’ve got you covered with everything you need to know to maximize your experience, for both hardcore and casual fans. Editor-in-Chief and football beat writer Jaylan Harrington has answers for the purists, while staff writer Austin Dunlow answers for the non-football inclined. Do you tailgate? What is a piece of advice you wish someone gave you before your first one? Jaylan: I do not. Austin: Eat before and bring your cup with you.
Ruby Deluxe remains committed to LGBTQ+ community after painful pandemic year
A fairly inconspicuous storefront on Fayetteville Street, the staff, owner and regulars of Ruby Deluxe have made it their mission to create a space where all people of the LGBTQ+ community can come together and be themselves. According to the owner, Tim Lemuel, Ruby Deluxe is one of three venues, along with the Night Rider and the Wicked Witch, that make up Raleigh’s Queer Venue Initiative.
OPINION: Conservatives angry about NCMA portrait are willfully ignorant
In a recently deleted Facebook post, North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson posted a picture of a portrait from the North Carolina Museum of Art portraying a Black woman holding the severed head of a white man with the caption: “Violent, racist, trash posing as ‘art’ at the North Carolina Museum of Art. This is a Critical Race Theory on canvas. Make no mistake, the leftist leaders and their stooges don’t want reconciliation, they want revenge. They don’t fight for justice, they fight for and agenda.
2021 Mathews Medalists honored for contributions to, legacies left on campus
On Tuesday, April 13, the NC State Alumni Association honored four graduating students with the Mathews Medal, one of the highest non-academic honors at the University. The 2021 Mathews Medalists are Leon Krapf, a fourth-year business administration major; LouLou Batta, a fourth-year chemistry major; Matthew Traenkle, a fourth-year biomedical engineering major; and Sasha Pereira, a fourth-year zoology major.
2021 Mathews Medalists honored for contributions to, legacies left on campus
On Tuesday, April 13, the NC State Alumni Association honored four graduating students with the Mathews Medal, one of the highest non-academic honors at the University. The 2021 Mathews Medalists are Leon Krapf, a fourth-year business administration major; Loulou Batta, a fourth-year chemistry major; Matthew Traenkle, a fourth-year biomedical engineering major; and Sasha Pereira, a fourth-year zoology major.
Letter from the Arts & Culture Editor: I’m never leaving, and no one’s ever replacing me
First of all, I have to rant. Let me say what I’ve been wanting to say for two and a half years, and then I’ll get sappy. It’s been a policy at Technician for as long as I’ve been here that anyone currently working at Technician can’t reply to comments on any articles. Some of you commenters are horrible, though. Some of you seem to forget that we are college students doing this by choice to contribute to the well-being of our campus community. Many of us don’t even want to go into journalism.
Gertrude Mary Cox: statistical genius, groundbreaker and NC State history-maker
What’s in a name? The 1911 Building, 111 Lampe Drive, Talley Student Union, Wilson College of Textiles — each of these names tells a different story that, together, tells some of the story of our school and our campus. That history is incomplete without the recognition of Cox Hall and its namesake, Gertrude Mary Cox.
Gertrude Mary Cox: statistical genius, groundbreaker and NC State history-maker
What’s in a name? The 1911 Building, 111 Lampe Drive, Talley Student Union, Wilson College of Textiles — each of these names tells a different story that, together, tells some of the story of our school and our campus. That history is incomplete without the recognition of Cox Hall and its namesake, Gertrude Mary Cox.
Black Bouquet: Local band, student’s song chosen for Fortnite update
Fortnite has been called the most influential video game of the past decade. Boasting $2.4 billion in revenue just a year after its release in 2017, it’s safe to say that this game will stick around for a while. That’s why it was such a big deal when Black Bouquet, a local band based in the Triangle area, had its recent song “Just Kids” selected to be a part of one of the game’s most recent updates. On Feb.
Know your mascots: the hidden history of Mr. and Mrs. Wuf
In the time since their creation, Mr. and Mrs. Wuf have come to rival Chancellor Randy Woodson and his wife Susan as the leading couple of NC State. However, Mr. and Mrs. Wuf weren’t always the beloved couple we know them as. What’s their story, and how did they end up together? Let’s start at the beginning. Prior to 1921, there was no set nickname for NC State’s teams.
P.S. I Love You: Technician alum couple reflect on their time and romance at the newspaper
Roses are red. Violets are blue. In Technician’s history, there’s been a relationship or two. You’d be hard-pressed to find a period in Technician’s history, at least since it was made coed, that there hasn’t been a budding relationship on the staff. Some don’t make it to graduation, and some don’t make it after. Some make it known to the staff, and some keep it a secret.
NC State student creates app to foster community, build networks
Making friends in college is hard enough, but making friends in college during a pandemic can be nearly impossible. Rahul Yedida, a second-year Ph.D. student in computer science, recognized this struggle and decided he wanted to use his computer science skills to create a solution: NearConnect. According to Yedida, NearConnect is a social media platform that uses GPS and location services to allow the user to connect with anyone around them who has the app.
LETTER FROM THE EDITORS: A new year, a new name
The Arts & Entertainment section of Technician has taken the longest of any other section to find its footing of what it wants to be called. We tested out “Features” but decided it wasn’t encompassing enough, and now we’ve done the same with “Arts & Entertainment.” Moving forward, the Arts & Entertainment section will be known as Arts & Culture.
NC State political science professors join national call for Trump’s removal from presidency
Following the Jan. 6 violent riots at the United States Capitol building, politicians, celebrities and everyday people have called for a second impeachment of President Donald Trump for his involvement in stoking the fires of the rioters. On Jan. 13, those calls were heard, and Trump was impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives.
NC State's Turath exhibit highlights Arab Americans' long-ignored heritage
The Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies has put together “Turath,” a digital exhibition to understand and celebrate the history of Arab American contributions to art, literature and press. The exhibit is the culmination of a year of attempts at understanding the historical impact of race in America as well as a divisive conversation about immigration for at least the past three presidencies.
Windhover Perspectives Edition to amplify Black artists in annual publication
2020 has been a year of introspection for many people, companies, organizations and industries across the country as they seek to understand the role they play in continuing or mitigating racism and white supremacy across the country.
2020 Friday Medal recognizes Dudley Flood, North Carolina desegregationist
On Thursday, Nov. 19 at 4 p.m., NC State’s William and Ida Friday Institute for Educational Innovation, a group that advocates for the advancement of education, will award Dudley Flood with the 2020 Friday Medal.
OPINION: It’s time to start phasing out religious polling sites
It’s now been a little over a week since thousands of people went to their local polling location to cast their ballots for president, governor and many other down-ballot races. Many peoples’ Election Day had them standing in line inside of a religious institution to cast their ballot, and it’s time for this to not be the norm. In 2020, Wake County had 204 polling places, with 75 of those being religious institutions. That’s 36% of the polling places hosted inside of a religious institution.
African American Cultural Center hopes Kwanzaa 2020 celebration creates community despite distance
As we approach the end of the year, we look forward to the many celebrations that winter brings. Among those celebrations is Kwanzaa, a Pan-African cultural celebration that was created by Maulana Karenga, a professor of Africana studies at California State University, Long Beach, in the 1960s after Karenga lived through the Watts Riots in California. Karenga traveled around the United States to spread his idea of Kwanzaa as a celebration of community and strength for African Americans.
Election takeaways: NC State political scientists tell us what it all means
With Election Day behind us, NC State’s School of Public and International Affairs hosted a post-election analysis event with two political scientists giving their first thoughts on Tuesday’s outcomes. Professors Steven Greene and Andrew Taylor tackled both national and local races, taking a look at the immediate effects they will have on the future of our politics.
Voters near NC State’s campus reflect on motives, issues and entire voting process
Early voting in North Carolina ended on Saturday, Oct. 31, after running for 15 days. According to the North Carolina Board of Elections, 21,033 ballots were cast in Talley Student Union during early voting. The main polling place for NC State’s campus is at Pullen Park Community Center (PPCC) which saw 375 ballots cast on Election Day, according Steven Truman, chief judge at PPCC.
North Carolina gerrymandering isn’t a secret, needs more conversation
If you live in North Carolina, you’ve probably heard of gerrymandering. Gerrymandering has become a regular topic of political conversation, but what exactly is it? Steven Greene, a professor of political science at NC State, explains that gerrymandering is an illegal practice that skews congressional districts, typically by race or political party. This allows one party to have an advantage over the other.
A history of NC State Halloween as told by Technician
As many of us reminisce on some of our favorite Halloween memories this season, I thought it might be interesting to take a look at some of NC State’s Halloween history. Obviously, this will only be covering Halloween parties because it’s a known fact that college students plus Halloween equals a party. So let’s take a look at the history of NC State Halloween parties as told through Technician coverage.
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dorm Room: NC State’s spookiest urban legends
Have you ever been walking around campus — without headphones in — and heard a whisper from the Wolf Ears when no one is around? Maybe you’ve seen the motion light in your suite bathroom turn on when no one else is home. Maybe it was just a coincidence, or maybe it was one of the ghosts that are said to haunt NC State’s campus.
Who’s Who at Student Media: Nubian Message Editor-in-Chief Elikem Dodor
Sometimes our job happens to match up with our talents. For Nubian Message Editor-in-Chief Elikem Dodor, a third-year studying science, technology and society, there was no lack of the talents required for her to fill the role of her job. Dodor had an early connection to Nubian Message because a previous editor-in-chief went to high school with her sister. It was then when she was introduced to the world of Nubian Message and knew she wanted to work at the publication.
Who’s Who at Student Media: Nubian Message Managing Editor Ugonna Ezuma-Igwe
Becoming managing editor of Nubian Message has been a matter of love and necessity, says Ugonna Ezuma-Igwe, a third-year studying biological science with a cross discipline in economics. Ezuma-Igwe began as a layout designer for Nubian Message before she began to diversify her assignments and fill in where needed. She began to cover events and eventually became a writer, while also helping out as a social media manager; however, layout was still her passion.
From the Board of Commissioners to the Board of Education: Get to know your local candidates
Editor’s Note: An * indicates that the candidate is the incumbent Board of Commissioners District 1 Sig Hutchinson (D) What are your qualifications to be on the Board of Commissioners? Has a business career in communications. Been working to create safe and healthy communities where citizens can thrive through vision, action and leadership for the past 25 years. Primarily responsible for a 200-plus mile greenway system.
2020 Affordable Housing Bond referendum to increase funding for affordable housing
*Editor's Note: This article was updated on Oct. 15 to more accurately reflect information given by Rachel Zeitler. Affordable housing has been a topic of local debate for a few election cycles now, especially with the mayoral race in 2017 and now, with the 2020 election. On the ballot this year, voters will have a direct say in policymaking by voting on a referendum for the 2020 Affordable Housing Bond.
Local organizations could feel political impact of local, state and federal elections
Many voters tend to understand the importance of the national and local elections in their everyday lives. One thing that tends to be overlooked, however, is the national and local elections’ impact on local organizations. Organizations like the LGBT Center of Raleigh and Habitat for Humanity of Wake County and a variety of other institutions could be impacted from the elections through their funding, clients, mission and more, due to the political interests and leanings that surround them.
Campus wildlife may be leaving campus, too
The squirrels on campus are about as recognizable to any NC State student as the bricks or the Belltower. As much as students and faculty like to believe that we are separated from wildlife, the animals on campus are reliant on us and our waste. What happens to them now that students have left campus?
Reader’s Corner offers something for everyone and then some
Going to a bookstore seems to be a universally recognizable experience. Everyone seems to know the smell, and everyone seems to know how that smell makes them feel. However, every bookstore seems to have its own uniqueness that sets it apart from the rest. Reader’s Corner, a used bookstore on Hillsborough Street, is set apart by many qualities that make it an attractive destination for students and non-students alike.
OPINION: NC State has a representation problem: Data representation
Everyone knows the joke about colleges using BIPOC students, staff and faculty as pictures on their publications. I mean, why wouldn’t you when you want to tout your campus’ diversity? This wouldn’t be an issue if the campus was actually diverse, but when a school is using it to overrepresent their campus diversity, it becomes tokenizing and harmful.
Pick up a copy of ‘Windhover LIV’ before leaving campus
The COVID-19 pandemic has required many people, groups and entire industries to adapt to a time with less human interaction. Windhover, NC State’s annual student-run literary and arts magazine, has had to do the same while also dealing with the fluctuating changes made by the UNC System Board of Governors and university administration.
Timeline of COVID-19 developments on campus
This timeline chronicles Technician's coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic, the administration's response and the editorials released related to the pandemic. Technician coverage begins with the first case in Wake County. This timeline will be updated as stories develop.
Assistant Professor Katie Mack talks Twitter fame, new book and the end of the world
Who do you think of when someone is described as down-to-earth, funny, entertaining, influential on social media and has a Hozier song written about them? Chances are, it isn’t a physicist. However, Katie Mack, assistant professor of physics at NC State, is breaking those stereotypes.
On the Radar: Upcoming Events
GLBT Symposium Virtual Event Saturday, Aug. 15, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free GLBT Symposium is an annual event hosted by the GLBT Center, which gives LGBTQ+ students the opportunity to connect with other students, staff and faculty within their community in a safe space. Drive-Thru Brewgaloo (21+) Lincoln Theater Saturday, Aug. 15, 2-6 p.m. $4-$65 Brewgaloo 2020 is being held in a drive-thru fashion.
Callisto Records: student-run label showcases NC State talent
Callisto Records is a record label that works to push the boundaries of what a label can be, according to Co-founder PM.
From Talley to Tailgating: COVID-19 campus culture changes
OIED Centers The Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity has four centers around campus that cater to the physical, mental and emotional needs of marginalized groups on campus. The GLBT Center, Women’s Center and Multicultural Student Affairs Center are all located in Talley Student Union and the African American Cultural Center (AACC) is on the third floor of Witherspoon Student Center.
On the Radar: Upcoming Events
New Student Convocation YouTube Livestream Sunday, August 9, 4 p.m. Free Convocation is an annual event to kick off the year for new students at NC State. There will be guest speakers like Chancellor Woodson and Student Body President Melanie Flowers. This event is being held virtual and will be streamed live on YouTube through a link that will be emailed to students in the next week.
Graduate student Katie Hazel releases single based on own experience in LGBTQ community
On Thursday, June 30, Katie Hazel, a second-year graduate student studying social work, released her newest single titled “Take My Order.” The song is fun and upbeat while addressing serious societal issues that affect the LGBTQ community. Hazel worked with her manager, Zeph Park, to write the song. “What I had in mind for the lyrics was a sort of inner monologue that a lot of queer women go through when they have unwanted attention from males,” Hazel said.
OPINION: Religious liberties and non-discrimination are not polar opposites
One of the biggest struggles to grace the Supreme Court is how to walk the fine line between the establishment and the free exercise clauses of the First Amendment. The establishment clause prevents the government from favoring one religion over another, while the free exercise clause affords every American citizen the right to practice their faith without governmental interference. More recently, these clauses have met another formidable foe: the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Art2Wear 2020 online showcase foreshadows uncertain future for the event
For the first time since its inception, NC State’s Art2Wear has shifted to an online showcase, as opposed to an in-person fashion show. The change comes following the University’s shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and has pointed out how essential in-person instruction is to the design school due to the resources provided to the students on campus.
WKNC to begin reopening with emphasis on staff safety
As the state begins to move into new phases of reopening, many businesses and organizations have had to determine their own reopening plans. WKNC 88.1, NC State’s student-led campus radio, is no exception. WKNC has been broadcasting throughout the entirety of the pandemic but has relied on a collection of autoplaying music because no one has been allowed in the studio.
State student making beats for Black Lives Matter movement, donates proceeds to the cause
Norman Urbanek, who performs under the name Ayo Norm, is a third-year studying environmental technology and management who recently released an album titled “Stand” on Bandcamp and later released the album on Spotify, iTunes, Google Play, etc. Urbanek has dedicated the album to the Black Lives Matter movement and is donating the proceeds of the album to the movement. Urbanek talked with Technician about this album and his inspiration behind it.
OPINION: Can y’all stop blaming everything on the people of the South?
Living in the South comes with the insufferable biases from outsider judgement. Too often do we see the overgeneralization that the South is the root of all problems in America. The South is the birthplace of uneducated bigots. But the reality is that the South is a lot more diverse than that, and boxing every single individual in the South as worthless brushes aside bigger problems that the nation is facing.
WKNC and Nubian Message partner for Nubian Message Mixtape
On Monday, June 29, in partnership with Nubian Message, WKNC 88.1 aired the first Nubian Message Mixtape, in order to highlight the work that Nubian Message has done in covering the protests as well as diversifying the music played on WKNC. The mixtape was an hour-long spot from 6-7 p.m. on Monday on HD-1 and from 12-1 p.m. on Tuesday on HD-2 and featured a variety of Black artists spanning several genres.
Just watching 'The Help' isn’t helpful
After Netflix added “The Help” to its catalogue of movies, TV shows and documentaries for streaming, it quickly became the most streamed movie on the service, following nationwide protests of police brutality and systemic racism. “The Help” was released in 2011 and stars Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Emma Stone, Jessica Chastain and Bryce Dallas Howard.
OPINION: Telling protesters to vote is not helping
Following the murder of George Floyd at the hands of a police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, protests have broken out across the country demanding justice, not only for Floyd, but for so many other black people and others who have been brutalized by the police in America.
State parks reopen, ask visitors to be mindful of COVID-19
Following Gov. Roy Cooper’s announcement that North Carolina would be moving into phase 2 of reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic, the North Carolina state parks were allowed to reopen with some social distancing restrictions.
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