From the Red Carpet to the Campus Green

Like the millions of other show biz news junkies out there, I look forward to regular updates of celebrities’ shocking behavior in Hollywood. So imagine my surprise when a recent juicy tidbit had nothing to do with wardrobe malfunctions or scandalous love affairs, but with a certain star’s decision to go back to school. And to think it’s all happening on Wisteria Lane: not only did I discover that “Desperate Housewives’” temptress Eva Longoria already has a college degree, but she’s also heading back to campus for her master’s.

Now, I am not suggesting that you can’t be both beautiful and brainy. In fact, there are lots of good-looking college students (and alumni) already. And Longoria is certainly not the only movie or television star to have enjoyed a stint in academia. But when you have established a career based on the fact that you look pretty darn good on camera, it’s an easy choice to put down the books and pick up a movie or television script instead. Not so with Longoria, who (according to IMDB.com) earned her B.S. in kinesiology from Texas A&M University, Kingsville. The blogosphere is now abuzz with the news that Longoria will soon be honoring her Mexican heritage by pursuing a graduate degree in Chicano studies and political science.

Longoria’s career is still pretty red-hot right now, so it’s even more refreshing to hear of her plan to return to school. There are about a million different reasons people go back to school, but learning for the sake of learning has always been one of my favorites. Mum’s the word so far on which lucky student body she’ll be joining, but you can bet it’s a campus that will keep her close to both her agent and her NBA hubby, Tony Parker.

Time will tell how well she’ll be able to balance her A-list lifestyle with reading lists and research papers, and I’ll be patiently waiting for the paparazzi photos that capture Longoria on campus. Hopefully she’ll ditch the gowns and stilettos for something more grad student-chic, but then again, it is Hollywood.

Other Celebrity College Grads:

Glenn Close, College of William and Mary
Jay Leno, Emerson College
Natalie Portman, Harvard University
Howard Stern, Boston University
Denzel Washington, Fordham University
Renee Zellweger, University of Texas

-Barbara Bellesi

Add comment September 29th, 2009

Six Wacky College Majors

Some classes may sound interesting, while others may seem just plain silly. But these six wacky majors show you that there really is something out there for everyone and every interest. From the weird and wacky to the odd and interesting, these college majors will have you checking Snopes.com to see if they’re real…

Can You Tell Me How to Get, How to Get a College Degree?

Wanna work with the likes of Cookie Monster or Kermit? Or maybe you love the play “Avenue Q” and all its characters. If this is the case, then the University of Connecticut (Storrs, CT) will be the perfect place to earn a BFA in Puppet Arts. Unlike many other programs that encourage taking general classes all at once, UConn actually encourages students of the Puppet Arts program to take their major classes early on and delve right into introductory classes like costuming, lighting, and scenery to get you interested from the get-go.

Hush Little Baby, Don’t Say a Word

Have a real interest in working with kids? Sullivan University (Louisville, KY) has a Professional Nanny program that teaches students everything from infant care to child development. Graduates of the Professional Nanny program not only work with private families, but they may also go on to manage or own their very own daycare facilities. And if you choose to have your own family in the future, your nanny degree will certainly prove very useful for obvious reasons!

Sports and Religion Combined?!

How are theology and sports related? Other than a ‘Hail Mary’ pass, I’m definitely not sure. Campbellsville University (Campbellsville, KY) could help me figure this out with their B.A. and B.S. programs in Sports Ministry. Students in this program take classes like the Art of Reading the Bible and Church History, as well as classes on coaching various sports and even Anatomy and Physiology.

Right Up Your Alley

If you really enjoy bowling, then a degree from Vincennes University (Vincennes, IN) may be right up your bowling alley. Taking classes in business management from the Bowling Industry Management program will give you the edge you need to be an effective businessperson, while Lane and Pinsetter and Pro Shop Labs will keep you connected to the sport that can certainly make your career that much more interesting.

Pack It Up, Pack It In, Let Me Begin

You may think that packaging is a ridiculous major, but in a world where green and environmentally-friendly consumerism is becoming more mainstream, Michigan State University (East Lansing, MI) has got you covered. From bachelor’s to doctorate programs, the packaging programs at MSU give you basic skills and knowledge in materials, techniques, and many other business, technology, and general education classes.

And the Green Grass Grew All Around and Around

You can earn your associate of science degree in Floristry from the Ornamental Horticulture department at Cuyamaca College (El Cajon, CA). Learn tricks of the trade in order to pursue your interest in this artistic career. It’s more than just planting flowers — you’ll take classes in wedding design, floral design, soils, and plant materials. Take your green thumb straight to a successful and lucrative career.

-Amanda Fornecker

Add comment September 22nd, 2009

Suspended Sorority is Just Plain Sick

If there’s one thing I’m glad I didn’t participate in during my time at university, it’s the sorority system. While it’s true that the Greek collegiate system has officially banned hazing, that hasn’t stopped sororities and fraternities around the nation from continuing their practices. Case in point: the Omicron Omicron chapter of Zeta Phi Beta at Colorado State University.

According to a nearly 60-page police report, the sorority was guilty of extreme hazing that actively put their pledges’ health at risk. While other students worried about test scores and where the next party would be, the young pledges were run through the ringer – made to do strenuous calisthenics and even held in a apartment for three days with neither sleep nor food.

The result? Not only did one pledge throw up from being so hungry, two more threw up from being pressured into eating onions, and a fourth student  repeatedly passed out due to her kidney problems. After hearing of these and other allegations, the university suspended the sorority.

While I’m glad the university has done the right thing by suspending this sorority, I can’t help but be disappointed by two things: that colleges and the Greek collegiate system exercise so little control and review over sororities and fraternities, and that the pledges allow themselves to be put through these ordeals. While it’s true that they were pressured into these actions, it’s also true that college, more than any other time, is when students should learn to exercise their independence and self-reliance. Once they saw that the sorority was engaging in hazing, which even included being forced to eat cat food, they should have walked out the door and reported them to school administrators.

What’s your take?

– Genevieve M. Blaber

2 comments September 1st, 2009