Writer. Editor. Creator.
Edited Articles
Aug. 2020-May 2021
All articles were edited and published for The UNW Examiner.
One senior shares her radio workshop experience
May 7, 2021
At the University of Northwestern–St. Paul, many students take workshops as part of their coursework. In these workshops, students focus on putting skills they may use in a future career into practice. The radio workshop offers one such opportunity.
Dallas Jenkins transitions from UNW student to director of ‘The Chosen’
May 7, 2021
Dallas Jenkins is the director and creator of “The Chosen” as well as a University of Northwestern–St. Paul alumnus.
Students can ‘Walk the Plank’ to success
May 7, 2021
There are many different ways to make studying more enjoyable: using a reward system, switching environments and drinking coffee. But those tips do not always make the process fun. Using a game like this one to study can help finals week become more light-hearted.
Students share writing at UNW’s Fine Print event
May 7, 2021
Inkstone, the literary magazine of the English department at the University of Northwestern–St. Paul, allows students to submit short stories, poems and/or art for potential publication. The magazine also has a competition in which all submitted pieces are entered to win a prize and a chance to speak at the Fine Printevent.
APRIL FOOL’S: Vegetables take over the Heritage Café’s menu
April 11, 2021
The University of Northwestern–St. Paul’s Heritage Café announced that they will now serve vegetable-flavored drinks, ice cream and pastries beginning on April 1, 2021. The Students for Veggies club pushed for this change, wanting every Northwestern student to consume a specific number of vegetables every day. While the café plans to keep some student favorites, the updated menu reflects Students for Veggies’ vegetable quota demands.
APRIL FOOL’S: UNW bans standing in the Billy Graham Commons
April 11, 2021
According to the University of Northwestern–St. Paul’s new COVID-19 guidelines and restrictions, students are no longer allowed to sit in the Billy Graham Commons. When going to get food, students must stand and eat or simply grab food and go. This will limit the number of people, traffic and sitting time in an enclosed space that requires people to take off their masks to eat and drink.
APRIL FOOL’S: UNW no longer permits any visitation hours
April 11, 2021
Visitation hours have been a trademark of the University of Northwestern–St. Paul for decades. Students have been chased down hallways by Resident Assistants and Resident Directors, only to receive angry emails and possibly fines. There have been a few myths that circled around campus, telling of certain legendary students who stayed past visitation hours.
APRIL FOOL’S: The UNW Eagles will soon become Roy’s Retrievers
April 11, 2021
The University of Northwestern–St. Paul has officially decided to change the university’s mascot from Screech the eagle to Roy the campus dog. In addition, the UNW sports teams will now be called Roy’s Retrievers instead of the Eagles.
APRIL FOOL’S: UNW students instructed to Bring Your Own Chair
April 11, 2021
This shocking notice was recently released to all students at the University of Northwestern–St. Paul: “Due to budgeting issues caused by COVID-19, the University of Northwestern–St. Paul has sold all the chairs on the main campus in order to stay open. Every class will now be BYOC, or Bring Your Own Chair. This includes the auditorium seats in the Knight Performance Hall but excludes all chairs attached to desks.”
Press play for ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’
April 1, 2021
Judas and the Black Messiah, directed by the American film director Shaka King and produced by Ryan Coogler, is a powerful film. It is based on a true story that is set in the late 1960s about the Black Panther Party and the leader of it, Fred Hampton. A young man named Bill O’Neal gets caught at the beginning of the movie for criminal activity and then is basically promised better consequences if he helps give intel on the Black Panther Party to the feds, which he did.
Four things to do as spring comes to help improve mental health
April 1, 2021
As spring comes around in Minnesota, it is important that people take time to soak up the better weather, the sun rays and hopefully more socially distanced time outside with loved ones. It was hard for many people to be away from others during the lockdown in 2020, but winter made it more difficult with worsening weather and less options to be around others safely. Looking ahead to spring and summer, there are ways people can take care of their mental health and personal well-being.
Opinions run wild with the great chicken debate
April 1, 2021
There has long been a debate between students over which chicken-based restaurant is better: Chick-fil-A or Raising Cane’s. There is both a Chick-fil-A and a Raising Cane’s within a short distance of the University of Northwestern–St. Paul. There are many factors in this debate, including each restaurant’s signature sauce, options, service, beverages and the quality of the chicken itself.
Commuter Life builds a community
April 1, 2021
Commuters have to do a lot of planning when a commute is involved in their day-to-day plans. Commuters are students who live off-campus and drive to get to classes. They live off-campus for multiple reasons, such as saving money, age and flexibility. About one third of students who attend classes on-campus are commuters, including PSEO students, undergraduate students and adult and graduate studies students.
The Heritage Café offers a great selection of drinks, keeping students happy
April 1, 2021
Between classes, many University of Northwestern–St. Paul students brighten their days with drinks from the Heritage Café in the Billy Graham Community Life building. The café offers a wide variety of drinks, ranging from smoothies to coffee to tea. Some students have go-to favorites, while others buy a different drink every day.
National days give a new reason to celebrate
March 5, 2021
Valentine’s Day came and went. Some enjoyed it, some did not and others were indifferent. It may seem like the next holiday is not until Easter on April 4, 2021. But there are a lot of holidays to celebrate before Easter, like National Banana Cream Pie Day, National Napping Day and plenty of others. There are 160 national days in March alone, and these holidays should be more widely known and celebrated.
Experiencing a spring break like no other
March 5, 2021
College students look forward to spring break all year while trudging through schoolwork and snow. In years past, students have saved up their small funds to travel far and wide, while others have simply returned to their refuge at home with their families and friends. Some popular spots to travel in previous years have been Florida, Arizona, Colorado and Europe.
Getting a debt-free degree
March 5, 2021
It is entirely possible to get through college debt-free. It sounds crazy to the point of being almost impossible. Today’s culture does not really promote this sort of thinking. Instead, it encourages students to go to whatever school they want, take out loans to pay for it and then pay all that money back later.
12 simple ways to have more fun during spring break
March 5, 2021
Many students are considering plans for spring break. Because of COVID-19, travel may not be possible for students this year, and they are left wondering what to do with eleven days of break. But there are many simple yet fun things students can do with family and friends over break.
Plants help with more than just beautifying a space
February , 2021
Science proves that being in nature is good for humans, which many people can attest to. When walking through the green trees, surfing under palm trees or even being in an apartment full of green plants, mental health tends to improve
‘The Secret History’ novel creates a world of mystery
February 20, 2021
“I adore the slow, building tension and the sense that I, as a reader, was being skillfully manipulated,” stated Maggie Stiefvater, a New York Times bestselling author, after reading The Secret History by Donna Tartt.
Analyzing new perspectives of Christ through ‘The Chosen’
February 20, 2021
“Behold, I am doing a new thing” (Isaiah 43:19) is how many fans and the creator, director and University of Northwestern–St. Paul alumni, Dallas Jenkins, would describe the ground-breaking show, The Chosen.
Staying motivated in a homework tsunami
February 20, 2021
After returning from a month of no homework and sleeping in, it can be difficult to get back in the swing of things. Classes, friends, activities, work and what seems like a mountain of homework can be overwhelming and discouraging. When feeling unmotivated, accomplishing anything productive can seem impossible. Motivation can be fleeting, but there are ways to intentionally establish and encourage it.
11 productivity tips for school success
February 20, 2021
As students get back into the school routine, some might feel like they lack the necessary study and productivity techniques to thrive. Good study habits create school success. (There is an issue at the end of the first paragraph that was not in my control.)
Ten modern Christmas songs to keep your holiday playlist alive
December 7, 2020
Christmas music classics are a staple. The familiar melodies radiate beams of warmth and nostalgia—until they are overplayed. At this point, smiles turn to grimaces and the skip button struggles to keep up.
Christmas gift ideas on a college budget
December 7, 2020
Christmas gift shopping on a college budget is not an easy task. Many college students are living off limited funds, making It difficult to afford gifts for friends and family. However, there are many creative and unique gift ideas to spread Christmas cheer to loved ones while on a college budget.
‘Home Alone’ added to DisneyPlus Collection
December 7, 2020
Midway through November, DisneyPlus announced that they were adding the Home Alone films to their already wide collection of films.
Black Friday in the midst of COVID
December 7, 2020
Black Friday is one of the many events, holidays and traditions that were adjusted throughout 2020 due to COVID-19. The day following Thanksgiving is traditionally filled with early risers, many large sales and crowded department stores. In order to comply with CDC guidelines while still providing shoppers with the much anticipated experience, many retailers reinvented the Black Friday experience.
Six toasty tips for staying warm this winter
December 7, 2020
“Your hands are so cold!” is probably one of the top exclamations some receive on a regular basis.
The UNW Examiner Vol. 26, Issue 2
November 2, 2020
Edited and Formatted Articles:
Among Us provides distraction during pandemic (Page 4)
Eight nifty things to do with a pumpkin this fall (Page 4)
Natalie Grant releases No Stranger album (Page 5)
10 things to spice up your fall this year (Page 5)
The UNW Examiner Vol. 26, Issue 1
October 7, 2020
Edited Articles:
Theatre program’s unique adaption of Beauty and the Beast (Page 4)
6 COVID-friendly activities to do on and off campus (Page 4)
Essential school supplies for the 2020 student (Page 5)