November 19, 2009
Blood, Sweat and Tears
This week I have made an executive decision to only write two blogs. I hope this decision doesn’t get me fired, but I have had two papers and two tests this week so you can only imagine how busy I am. This also piles onto the campus wide lust for our week long Thanksgiving break that begins Friday.
My most recent conclusion about Wabash is that we are a campus of masochists. I am busy, but so is everyone else. On Wednesday, I registered for classes. You should here some of the courses that my pledge brothers are taking—upper level Math, Science, English, language, etc. Why do we put ourselves through this unnecessary suffering?
The answer is mixed, but one thing I feel is a main goal of every student here is to have a well rounded education. I will be the first to admit it, but I am terrible at Math. Horrible. But yet I will be taking it next semester as well.
I was having a conversation with Jacob Nettnay about my current math class. He is an Econ major, and he was encouraging me to continue to take upper level Calculus so that the principles I learn there I can use across every subject offered. He stated that the reason we take classes we don’t like is part of the Wabash philosophy, to teach men to think critically, act responsibly, and lead effectively.
Regardless of your feelings towards math, or English, or whatever, you come to Wabash to learn. And we subject ourselves to late nights working to become the educated men that will be successful later on. Blood, sweat and tears go into our education, but no one here would have it any other way.
I will be blogging next week on my usual Monday, Wednesday, Friday schedule, so check back for more. And as usual, email me at jrmartin13@wabash.edu with any questions or comments. I always look forward to them.
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November 17, 2009
Bell Weekend
I apologize for the late post, I have been extraordinarily busy because of last weekend. Speaking of last weekend, wow. That is really the only way I can describe what happened last weekend. The energy of the crowd, the spectacular game, and the heroic return of the Monon Bell, could never describe how incredible it truly was.
I will start at the beginning. Friday afternoon my friend Rudy Altergott and I drove to the Crawfordsville 
Airport to go flying with Jim Sherman, a pilot who wanted to start a flying club at the college. We went into the building, signed the waivers, and walked to the plane.
Airport to go flying with Jim Sherman, a pilot who wanted to start a flying club at the college. We went into the building, signed the waivers, and walked to the plane.We had several options of what we wanted to do, but we chose to fly to the Greencastle airport, him and I switch seats, and then fly back to Crawfordsville. This was part of the newly created Flying Giants club. When I got back to the fraternity, everyone was finishing classes and preparing for the game on Saturday.
I went to Wal-Mart that night to look for body paint, because we wanted to paint our faces. However, the costumes were all taken down, so I had to find something that works better.
Nathan Colglazer and I went back later that night, and bought the only thing we could find—acrylic fabric paint. Therefore, in showing support for my team, I subsequently took around 6 years off my lifespan.
Nevertheless, the next morning, we went all out with the body paint. On my right is DeVan Taylor, and left is Garrett Wilson. I’m the A. (WAF stands for Wabash Always Fights). We made national television on ESPN 2 with our display of school spirit, as well as the Indy Star online edition.That night, we celebrated. The entire campus together. This was one of the most memorable weekends yet. If you have any questions or comments, email me at jrmartin13@wabash.edu.
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November 13, 2009
Its Game Time
We are quickly approaching the end of Bell Week. The Chapel Talks yesterday were the team captains and the head coach, all of whom gave spectacular speeches about how we were bringing the Monon Bell home.
One of the most inspiring moments was at the end of the talks, the entire chapel rang with “Old Wabash.” I have no doubt, that this weekend will be one of the most memorable weekends of my time here.
Tomorrow I have my first flight with the Flying Giants, the aviation club here at the school, and after that nothing but preparation for cheering the team on Saturday. My Mohawk needs trimming, and I have to find body paint somewhere. All I know is that school spirit has never been higher, and we will bring back the bell.
Wabash Always Fights!
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November 11, 2009
Tuesday Night
Last night was extraordinarily busy. Our Fraternity had the annual Faculty and Staff dinner, there was the Monon Debate, Campus Guard, and the Alma Mater Sing.
Starting off the afternoon was the Monon Debate between Wabash and DePauw. Donovan Bisbee 
and Steve Maynard debated two students on the issue of whether or not women should be allowed to enroll at Wabash. The winner was selected by audience vote, and because it was at DePauw, they had a larger audience.
and Steve Maynard debated two students on the issue of whether or not women should be allowed to enroll at Wabash. The winner was selected by audience vote, and because it was at DePauw, they had a larger audience. After we returned from the debate, we helped with the faculty dinner and then prepared for Alma Mater Sing. Like the Chapel Sing, the Alma Mater sing is a singing competition between the 
fraternities, but this time we have to sing the song well. My fraternity won this competition the last two years, so the bar was set high. After hours of practice, we won the competition.
fraternities, but this time we have to sing the song well. My fraternity won this competition the last two years, so the bar was set high. After hours of practice, we won the competition. When we were done, we spent the rest of the night preparing for Campus Guard, where we guard the college against the DePauw students. During the day, the highest temperature was 51 degrees, and it was supposed to drop to the high 30’s during the night. Needless to say, we all bundled up to combat the weather.
DeVan Taylor, DJ Young and I guarded the bench, which had been painted the school colors by the
Sphinx Club. We stayed out there from 12:00 am to 6, and not one Danny (derogatory name for a DePauw Student) showed up.
Sphinx Club. We stayed out there from 12:00 am to 6, and not one Danny (derogatory name for a DePauw Student) showed up. Everyone had a great time despite the cold, and I look forward to the game on Friday. If you have any questions, email me at jrmartin13@wabash.edu.
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November 09, 2009
BELL WEEK!!!!!!!
This weekend was the start of Bell Weekend. This is the weeklong, campus wide spirit week, where we all unify in our mutual disdain against those Dannies from DePauw, ending in Wabash beating them in a football game, and reclaiming the Monon Bell. Several distinctive traditions happen throughout the week.
At my fraternity, we have the annual Iron Chef competition, where teams of cooks prepare meals 
for a panel of judges. Just like the show, we had two items we had to use. Donovan Bisbee, the head connoisseur, selected pineapple and artichokes (not necessarily together). My group decided to make Pineapple Sweet and Sour Beef on Rice, a Spinach and Artichoke dip, Raspberry Cream Pie, and Strawberry Daiquiris. The teams were slightly stacked, and my team had three people with some cooking experience. However, with a little help from Donovan and Cody Schroeder, the other team completed their meal in time for judging. After 
careful review, my team was selected as a winner. But anyways, this is just at my fraternity, there are several other traditions around campus.
for a panel of judges. Just like the show, we had two items we had to use. Donovan Bisbee, the head connoisseur, selected pineapple and artichokes (not necessarily together). My group decided to make Pineapple Sweet and Sour Beef on Rice, a Spinach and Artichoke dip, Raspberry Cream Pie, and Strawberry Daiquiris. The teams were slightly stacked, and my team had three people with some cooking experience. However, with a little help from Donovan and Cody Schroeder, the other team completed their meal in time for judging. After careful review, my team was selected as a winner. But anyways, this is just at my fraternity, there are several other traditions around campus. The first is the Monon Mohawk. Many students, including myself, cut their hair in a Mohawk to show support for the College. The second is Campus Guard, where we protect the campus from those previously mentioned Dannies. The third, and probably most epic of any tradition, is the Monon Mustache, where only the manliest of men grow out their facial hair. Also the freshmen compete against each other in the Alma Mater sing, where we sing the Alma Mater to members of the Sphinx Club and the Music 
Department.
Department. There are probably some that I am forgetting, but it should be a fun week. I would like to give a shout out to Zach Thompson because of his hard work in bringing back the pep band, and their impressive performance at the last football game.
Happy Monday, and if you have any questions or comments, email me at jrmartin13@wabash.edu.
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November 06, 2009
Late Post
I apologize for the late post, but the last 24 hours have been hectic. I have had tons of school work I needed to finish, plus fraternity duties. But anyways, I’m glad this week is over.
Part of the blogging job is the interaction with many of the incoming freshman and their families. Over lunch today I had the privlidge of sitting with several parents, and we talked about how Wabash was the perfect fit for me, and the many opportunities that are offered at the school.
One of the questions asked, (also the most difficult to answer) was what I liked most about Wabash. I had to think about this for a minute, because there are so many aspects to this school that I feel attached to.
My main reason I gave was the alumni connection, and their willingness to help other Wabash students and graduates. I have spoken to many, including David Kendal, who was President Clinton’s attorney during the impeachment trials, and their passion for this institution is inspiring.
I also mentioned the Career Center. After several meetings with the advisor, he has helped me with internships and shown the possibilities to expand upon my education beyond the boundaries of the classroom.
The small student to professor ratio is another plus, and I said that each of my professors knows my name, something that could never be accomplished at a large state school. Here¸ I am a student. My friends at other institutions are numbers.
I could ramble on and on about how much I love this school, and how it is the perfect fit, but I have to save some material for later on.
To the parents and students who are visiting today, I hope you enjoyed viewing my college, and if you have any questions or comments, I would love to talk to you. Email me at jrmartin13@wabash.edu.
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November 04, 2009
Busy Week
This week I have had two tests and paper to write, so I have been very busy studying and working. Not much has happened, my only free time was spent playing a few games of pool back at the fraternity.
I did get a test and a paper back from two classes, and I was very happy with the grades on both. Tomorrow I have my second test in Greek Art and Archeology, so I should probably get back to studying.
If you have any comments or suggestions, please email me at jrmartin13@wabash.edu. Have a great Wednesday
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