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Show £ Friday, Sept. 2,2005 Take Note: Moolight and Music Enjoy music in an outdoor setting at the ampitheater on Old Main Hill tonight 8-10 p.m. features@statesman.usu.edu ay on the One book, one city i uad BY BRITTANY NELSON Staff Writer Summer reading lists were the only dreaded part of break in grade school. However, the concept is a part of life for this year's Utah State Connections students. Connections students participate every year in the Common Literature Experience. It works much like a book club and is run through the Academic Resource Center. Noelie Call, Connections coordinator and director of the Academic Resource Center, said a different book is selected each year and presented across campus and Cache Valley to invite young and old to read, discuss and attend a speech from a key player in the book. "By having that common [literature] experience, it means that immediately you have something in common with someone you just met. By inviting the community to join us in the common experience, it gets the community connected to the university. And that was the original idea," Call said. What started out as a way to induct new students to USU, the Common Literature Experience has become a way to involve not only Connections students, but to include members of the community as well. Many city organizations were presented with the book, including the Chamber of Commerce and the mayor, as well as high school English departments, libraries and merchants throughout the valley. Seniors centers and individual book clubs were also urged to join in the experience. Call said this concept is a current trend among universities. The book chosen this year was "When the Emperor Was Photo* by Scott P$Uerson/scottnooadn@cc.usu.e(kfi BY ELISE RASMUSSEN Staff writer TOP LFFT: MEMBERS of the Hispanic Student Union enjoy some chips and salsa while running their booth. Top left: Al Garner, coach of the USU Lacrosse club talk to Micah Black, junior in civil engineering Above: Chelsea Nelsn, a publis relations major shows her ability to talk and ride at the same time Early Wednesday morning, students heading off around campus were able to witness the transformation of the Quad into an acre of fun, music, food,and information. By 10 a.m., things were in full swing and the Day on the Quad was underway. Throughout the day, music could be heard across the Quad as well as some nearby classrooms. Although the Quad has always been a place to relax, today students could chill in the sun as they were entertained by the live bands "Smooth Like James" and "Royal Bliss." The Aggie tradition aims to help students become involved and learn some of the things that really go on around campus. Those attending were able to sign up for several clubs and sports including rugby, chess and multicultural clubs. Sororities and fraternities were also there to answer students' questions about going Greek. Viridiana Garcia of Theta Nu Xi says she loves being a member of her sorority and the opportunities it offers to become involved with community service. • Q U A D FESTIVITIES 5ee page 26 Music department 'picked' a world-class guitar professor BY NATALIE NAYLOR Senior writer If you asked the average kindergartner what they thought their calling in life would be, you might get answers like, "I want to be a dinosaur when I grow up." Professor of music Michael Christiansen, however, seemed to hit the nail on the head when he started playing the guitar at the age of 6. He grew up in Provo and graduated from Utah State University. When he was studying, there wasn't a guitar program—so he started one. It is now one of the largest guitar programs in the nation. This will be Christiansens thirtieth year teaching at USU. Along with being a professor, he is also a professional musician and author for Mel Bay Publications Inc., one of the largest publishers of guitar music in the nation. Christiansen loves the versatility of the guitar and points out the many different styles of music that can be played — from jazz and classical to blues and rock. "The guitar is the easiest instrument to learn how to play poorly and one of the most difficult to master," Christiansen said. Christiansen said that even the greatest guitar players still take lessons. Last semester, he made a trip to Brazil and worked with with Professor Profile ALookAtUSU Faculty.. I called the Lightwood Duo. He plays are enjoyable people," said Matt the guitar and performs with clariPeterson, a manager at Hamilton's netist Eric Nelsen. Together, they and a junior in finance. have preformed in many parts of the Music has taken Christiansen United States and even internationmany places and introduced him ally. They are regular performers at to many interesting people. He has Sai Sommet, an upscale restaurant many well-known friends in the in Deer Valley — a favorite spot for music business and has even played many celebrities. They also perform back-up guitar for Glenn Frey of the here in Logan at Hamilton's, usually Eagles. on the first and third Friday of each The versatility of the guitar also month. allows him to play many different "The customers always enjoy having them here. They play a soft • CHRISTIANSEN blend of music that creates a nice see page 9 atmosphere here at dinner. They Brazilian music giants Antonio Aldolfo and Thiago Trajano. "I studied how to play Bossa Nova and Samba in Brazil because I wanted to "lose my [American] accent, Christiansen said. In fact, Paul Simon of Simon and Garfunkel, used one of Christiansen's guitar books on the jazz method overnighted to him. When it comes to teaching and performing, Christiansen said they both have their rewards. Christiansen loves teaching and feels obligated to help students succeed. "We've got good students and I am happy to be here," said Christiansen. Kris Krompel, a senior majoring in guitar, came to USU from Price mostly because of Christiansen. He started playing the guitar when he was 12 years old using a book that Christiansen wrote. "He's influenced me more than any other guitarist," Krompel said. . . Jaime Crane/jaimecrane@cc.usu.edu # Since 1992, Christiansen has been USU guitar instructor Michael Christiansen still practices guitar with stupart of a very successful group dent Kris Krompel. Christiansen practices for one or two hours everyday. BOOK see page 9 True Aggies explained BY SIERRA THOMPSON Staff Writer When students come to college for the first time, most expect harder classes and lots of late nights, yet at Utah State University, some students will also expect to kiss a complete stranger in front of hundreds of people. Someone new to USU who has not yet heard of the school's tradition called "True Aggie Night" may think that kissing someone in front of hundreds of people is absurd. Yet at USU, this practice is not only accepted — it's a tradition. According to ASUSU's website for one to become a True Aggie, they must go to the "A" next to Old Main and kiss their love interest, friend or even a stranger. On Homecoming or A-day, neither of the kissers needs to be a True Aggie. However, on a full moon, at least one kisser needs to be a True Aggie for the other to become one. The tradition of becoming a True Aggie started in 1916 when a group of young men from Salt Lake City came to USU. While in high school in Salt Lake, these young men tried to start a school club. The school would not allow them to, so the young men started their own club and called themselves the "Be-Nos." The Be-Nos then came to USU and continued their club. One member of the Be-Nos built the "A" as we know it. A threedimensional white A base with a blue platform on top. The tradition started when a young man had to kiss a young lady on top of the "A" under a full moon at midnight. The tradition is now run by the Student Alumni Association. Today, students receive a certificate stating that they are a True Aggie. The True Aggie nights are now held on Homecoming week, special A-days the SAA set up and full moon nights. The tradition will live on and this year the first True Aggie night will be held on Friday, Sept. 2 at midnight. Hundreds of students are expected to show up, but in the past as many as 2,000 students have attended. A special couple every year gets the right to stand atop the "A". It's usually the president of the university. In the past, former USU President Kermit Hall and his wife attended and participated in this tradition. After the couples kiss, they get a card the states that they are a True Aggie. Students can take the card to the Alumni House and get the card laminated. Students interested in becoming a True Aggie should get to the A early on Friday and get ready for an evening full of some good lovin', fun and tradition. -seirra@cc.usu.edu |