Posts filed under 'Pop culture & college'
This week, “Dancing with the Stars” heads into the semifinals, with Kelly Osbourne, Donnie Osmond, Mya, and Joanna Krupa remaining to duke it out on the dance floor with their partners. Of course, I’ll have to be content with watching it all from my couch, since my invitation to dance on the show must have once again gotten lost in the mail.
“Dancing with the Stars” is a popular show on lots of college campuses, particularly those with ballroom dance teams. That’s right—well before America ever saw former NFL players wiggle their way through a complicated dance routine, college ballroom dancers have set the floor ablaze with their own graceful movements.
Don’t think you have to go to one of the most expensive colleges in the country to strap on those dancing shoes, either. If we have learned anything from the number of reality TV dance competitions on the airwaves today, it’s that dancers can be found anywhere. From the elite Ivies to large state schools, ballroom dance teams are twirling their way across many campuses. Check out some of the colleges and universities that have teams—are any of these schools on your dance card?
Carnegie Mellon University
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
University of Connecticut
University of Massachusetts—Amherst
Utah State University
State University of New York, Stony Brook
New York University
Brandeis University
Claremont Colleges
San Diego State University
North Carolina State University
Arizona State University
Brooklyn College
Case Western Reserve University
College of William and Mary
In addition to participating in dance competitions, many of these schools and others also offer lessons. Being a college student by day and a ballroom dancer by night sounds like a perfect 10 to me.
–Barbara Bellesi
November 16th, 2009
Sometimes I get so frustrated at Simon, Paula, and Randy on “American Idol.” I think the singer sounds great, but the judges say he or she lacks the “it” factor. Or they let singers through who don’t fit with what I think reflects an “American Idol.”
Regardless of your taste in music, you can learn a lot by watching this show if you are applying for college. College admission panels, in a way, are like the “American Idol” judges–they’ve got only a few minutes to learn about you and make a decision that could impact the rest of your life.
College admission expert Shannon Meairs shared with us her “5 Reasons Why Getting Into College is Like ‘American Idol’.”
1. You must be a standout to make it to the next round. You’ve got to stand out in a good way, not by showing up in a costume and singing like a dying animal, Meairs says. Most high schoolers don’t know how to make themselves look like a star. Fewer know how to express it through a written essay, a few short answer questions, and some recommendations, but those that do have the best chance at getting in.
2. If the judges can’t figure you out within two minutes, you’re forgettable. An admission officer has less than two minutes to review an application, which is not a lot of time to convince your dream school to admit you, Meairs says. The best applicants know their story, deliver it efficiently and cohesively, and leave the admission officer wanting more.
3. Know and leverage your strengths. To get into college, follow the successful steps of “American Idol” contestants and create a unique personal brand. Play to your strengths and mitigate your weaknesses, Meairs says. You all have one – it just takes some soul searching.
4. Forget being humble. We all remember “American Idol” contestants who lacked confidence and stage presence, and they are constantly reminded of their blah performance. Being boring and safe is the kiss of death when applying to college, Meairs says.
5. Don’t take harsh criticism personally. We cringe at the thought of being told we’re the most dreadful thing Simon has seen all year, she says. If you think Simon’s tough, think about those who are part of the admission committee day after day, month after month. Instead of being another random name on paper, give the committee a reason to send you to the top – and straight to their school.
–Lori Johnston
November 12th, 2009
It’s the 40th anniversary of “Sesame Street,” but the Muppet residents of the world-famous block don’t seem to have aged a bit. (Hey, can someone tell ME how to get to Sesame Street?)
I admit, I still turn on “Sesame Street” every once in a while to see what’s new in the ‘hood. Today, First Lady Michelle Obama was helping some of her Muppet friends plant a garden, which is a great way to help kids think about the environment. But then again, “Sesame Street” has always been a forward-thinking show despite the Fountain of Youth its fuzzy characters seem to have encountered.
So in honor of one of my all-time favorite television shows, I decided to ponder what some of the Muppets might have studied at college. After all, “Sesame Street” was meant to educate its viewers, so I’m pretty sure that if the Muppets were ever allowed to grow up, they would have gone to college. Did any of your favorites make the list?
Big Bird, Philosophy. As one of the most inquisitive residents of Sesame Street, Big Bird wanted a college major that would allow him to continue asking questions about life. Philosophy was such a natural fit for him that he continued on through to his doctorate. His dissertation is entitled, “Lessons Learned from the ‘Street’”
Elmo, Early Childhood Education. Cute and fuzzy Elmo loved learning and loved being a kid. No one on Sesame Street was surprised when he entered a program in early childhood education. He is now a kindergarten teacher in a school just a few short blocks from his old neighborhood.
Bert, Ornithology. Inspired by his beloved pigeons, Bert pursued a college degree in ornithology, the study of birds. He is currently an in-demand consultant for major cities in the U.S. who wish to explore humane methods of controlling the pigeon population.
Guy Smiley, Television & Film. Tired of getting beat out by Tom Bergeron for every game show hosting gig he auditioned for, Guy Smiley and his Hollywood dreams left Sesame Street for the West Coast, where he pursued a degree in television and film production at a school in Southern California. He will be hosting the upcoming reality TV show, “So You Think You Want to Make a Deal with the Stars?”
Count von Count, Accounting. The Count was able to turn his life-long obsession with numbers into a lucrative career. After he got his degree in accounting, the Count passed the CPA exam on the first try and is now a partner at one of the big accounting firms in NYC.
Kermit the Frog, Broadcast Journalism. From the first time he donned the trench coat and picked up that microphone, Kermit knew he had found his niche in the world. A program in broadcast journalism was a no-brainer for him, and he graduated at the top of his class. He turned down numerous job offers as a news anchor, preferring instead to be a roving reporter out in the field. He will be covering the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver for MTV—Muppet Television.
Prairie Dawn, Theatre and Film. Inspired by her appearances in Guy Smiley’s game shows and her experience as producer of some of the shows with the Sesame Street gang, Prairie also pursued a career in show business. Preferring to stay behind the scenes and work on “serious art,” Prairie Dawn got a job at one of the biggest off-Broadway theatres in the city and worked her way up to become artistic director. She is also an award-winning playwright—her newest play, Where the Air Is Sweet, is currently in previews.
Ernie, Hotel Management and Hospitality. The fun-loving Ernie dabbled in a few areas before declaring his major in hotel management and hospitality. The field is a perfect match for Ernie’s vibrant personality and boyish laugh. He has interned in some of the biggest and best hotels in New York City and is slated to be concierge at one of Donald Trump’s newest properties in Miami. Guests of the new hotel can be sure to find a rubber duckie with which to share their Jacuzzi bubble bath.
Zoe, Dance. Although ballet is her first love, Zoe studied many different types of dance in college, including hip-hop. She is now an in-demand music video choreographer who has worked with Beyonce, Lady Gaga, and Jennifer Lopez.
Cookie Monster, Pastry Arts. At first, Cookie Monster was bummed that he couldn’t major in Cookie Baking, but a program in pastry arts quickly changed that. Even though he studied for a semester in France under some of the world’s best pastry chefs, he came back to the U.S. still hungry for his beloved cookies. Soon after, Cookie Monster fired up the oven on his own cookie business, Nom Nom Cookies—the chocolate chip is his signature cookie.
Oscar the Grouch, Environmental Studies. Living in a garbage can for so long got Oscar to thinking, “How can I help clean up the world?” As an environmental studies major, he wowed his professors with his ideas on sanitation and garbage containment and was hired as a research consultant by the U.S. government immediately after graduation. Oscar is not so grouchy any more now that he drives a hybrid and lives in large blue plastic recycling container.
Grover, Criminal Justice. Since he couldn’t realistically become a superhero, Grover did the next best thing–he went to law school. The furry blue guy graduated at the top of his class, then went on to become an assistant DA. He played an integral role on the law team responsible for putting Bernie Madoff behind bars for the rest of his life.
–Barbara Bellesi
November 10th, 2009
Most educators are drawn to their careers because they seek rewards other than a fat paycheck. But when it comes to higher education, there are some who break out of the confines of a low pay scale and make some MAJOR coin. I’m talking about college presidents, and a recent report shows that there are a growing number of college and university presidents who take home a cool million each year.
So how does one become the president of a college or a university? As seen by the top five highest paid college presidents below, there’s no exact formula, nor is there a specific degree program one should follow. In fact, there is very little these people have in common, except a love for academics and a will to make their institution the best it can be.
1. Shirley Ann Jackson, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, $1,598,247. As an African-American woman, Dr. Jackson’s place at #1 of the list signifies the breaking down of more than one barrier in the working world. Dr. Jackson is a physicist by trade; she earned her undergraduate and doctoral degrees in physics from M.I.T. Dr. Jackson’s background is in teaching and research, two things that RPI is known to do very well. 
2. David J. Sargent, Suffolk University, $1,496,593. It’s hard to believe that out of all the colleges and universities in Boston that it is unassuming Suffolk University that makes this list. David J. Sargent, a Suffolk University Law graduate, first returned to his alma mater as a law professor, then dean. Now at the helm of the school, Dr. Sargent is proof that Suffolk does an excellent job of preparing its students for great things.
3. Steadman Upham, University of Tulsa, $1,485,275. It’s hard to say if Dr. Upham knew his destiny when he pursued his undergraduate degree in English and Spanish Literature at University of Redlands, but his graduate and doctoral degrees in anthropology—the study of humans—at Arizona State University prepared him from working many students, faculty, and administrators, first as president of Claremont Graduate University and then at the forefront of the University of Tulsa.
4. Richard Meyers, Webster University, $1,429,738. Dr. Meyers is now the president of Fielding Graduate University, but his salary at Webster still makes the list. Dr. Meyers has an interesting academic background; he earned his undergraduate degree in music and psychology at DePaul University, then a master’s in music and a PhD in Instructional Technology and Psychology from the University of Southern California. His varied academic interests combined to give him a career as a college president; he has enjoyed the title at five institutions of higher ed, including Western Oregon University.
5. Cornelius M. Kerwin, American University, $1,419,339. As an undergrad at American University, Dr. Kerwin may have envisioned returning to his campus for Homecoming, but it took him a while to realize that he would return as president. With a master’s in political science from the University of Rhode Island and a doctorate in political science from Johns Hopkins, Dr. Kerwin taught for a decade before becoming an administrator. He was a dean and provost at Johns Hopkins before making the shift to American presidency, as it were.
–Barbara Bellesi
November 4th, 2009
While it’s fun to keep up with certain celebrities and read about the hijinks of others, what college-bound students really need are role models who give them a little more than just a photogenic smile on a glitzy red carpet.
And in the case of Donald Jr., Eric, and Ivanka Trump, you get a lot more.
Say what you will about Donald Trump’s hair, but you’ve got to hand it to him—he raises his children to be hard-working individuals who do not take their fortunes for granted. In fact, he also taught them not to assume that there was a job waiting for them in his own enterprise just because they were his kids; the next generation of the Trump Corporation had to earn their degree just like anyone else in his company.
Just like their dear old dad, Donald Jr. and Ivanka are graduates of the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, arguably one of the best business programs in the country. Eric is a graduate of Georgetown University, where he majored in finance and management and also had a minor in psychology. After graduation, all three had great jobs waiting for them in Dad’s company, but if you’ve ever watched an episode of “The Apprentice,” you’ll know that they’ll have to continue to prove themselves in order to stay on the payroll.
It’s kind of nice to know that there are celebrities out there that people can still emulate without getting arrested. Even with Ivanka’s fair share of red carpet poses, I can’t help but wonder how many of those parties she’s had to leave early because she has work the next day.
–Barbara Bellesi
November 2nd, 2009
Shakira is one of The CollegeBound Network’s favorite celebrities, and not just because we hear that her upcoming CD She Wolf is muy caliente.
We already knew that Shakira enrolled in a history class at UCLA during a break from her 2007 Oral Fixation tour, but the story of the Colombian singing sensation’s stint on campus is resurfacing in the press now that her new CD drops next month. Some might call it old news, but we call it awesome any time a celebrity goes back to school instead of using their downtime to rack up DUIs or cavort with other people’s spouses. (Allegedly).
When Shakira was at UCLA, she claims that she threw her hair back in a hat, went by her middle name Isabel, and wasn’t recognized by anyone. The class must have been really interesting, because I find it hard to believe that Shakira wouldn’t have turned heads, even when incognito.
Sigh. Why can’t more celebrities be like Shakira and use their free time in a productive way?
–Barbara Bellesi
October 26th, 2009
Whether or not you are a fan of Lady Gaga and her music, you’ve got to admit that the woman is a pop culture phenomenon. From her garish performance at the MTV Music Awards to her catchy dance tunes (I admit getting the lyrics to “Love Game” stuck in my head at the most inopportune times), Lady Gaga is kind of a big deal these days.
And to think it all started at New York University.
That’s right. Leotard- and thigh-high-boot-clad Lady Gaga was once a student at NYU. As a precocious 17-year-old, Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta wowed the admission counselors at the CAP21 musical theatre program at NYU’s prestigious Tisch School of the Arts and was awarded early entry. The word on the street is that back then, Stefani was too pop music-y for Broadway and too theatrical for the record labels, so you’ve gotta give her props for finding a happy medium.
Lady Gaga’s musical theatre background is clearly evident in her onstage antics, and NYU would be proud to claim her as an alumna, but alas, Germanotta withdrew from college to follow her dreams of stardom, and the rest is history.
I wonder what Lady Gaga looked like as she headed to class in Greenwich Village back in the day. Something tells me that she wasn’t the college sweatshirt kind of gal, but I like to think of her as having at least an NYU tee shirt stashed somewhere in her closet. Did she live in the dorms? Did she order food with friends? Did she grab a venti at Starbucks before heading off to class? I know I’m having trouble separating Lady Gaga from Stefani Germanotta, but for some reason, I can only picture her in a concert hall, not a lecture hall.
It’s not surprising to hear that megastars dropped out of college to pursue their art, though equally surprising are the A-listers who do matriculate and even go back for grad school. And while I’m sure that Lady Gaga doesn’t regret her decision as she prepares to launch her concert tour next year, I can’t help feel bummed that she didn’t finish what she started.
–Barbara Bellesi
October 5th, 2009
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
September 29th, 2009
When it comes to graduation, there’s no shortage of urban legends designed to inspire, frighten, or just elicit a chuckle. Decide if these popular tales are true or false, then scroll down to find out if you’re a candidate for a diploma in discernment.
1. The Graduation Gift
A man asked his father for a sports car as his college graduation gift; he received a Bible instead. Angered by the gift, the son never opened the Bible. He rediscovered it years later, after his father passed away. When he opened the Bible gift box, he found a car key and the words “Paid in Full.”
2. Making the Grade
Henry Kissinger was the last student to graduate from Harvard with perfect grades. He graduated summa cum laude in 1950.
3. The Sneeze
In response to a legal injunction barring invocation and benediction prayers from a high school commencement ceremony, a graduating senior faked a sneeze during his speech so that a group of students could cry out, “God bless you.”
4. Suicide Prevention
A boy befriended a nerdy kid at his high school. Years later, in the valedictory speech at their high school graduation, the nerdy kid thanked the boy for befriending him that day. Were it not for that intervention, the boy admitted he would have committed suicide that weekend.
5. Handshake Ban
In some colleges, congratulatory handshakes at commencement have been banned as a precaution against disease.
6. Virgin Awakening
If a virgin ever graduates from the University of Maryland, Testudo – the school’s bronzed mascot – will rise from his pedestal and fly over the crowd during commencement.
7. Dangerous Caps
A university has requested that graduating students not throw their caps in the air, calling the action a safety hazard.
True or False?
1. Gift: It’s an oft-told tale of hidden treasure, but there’s no record of this ever actually happening. To stay on the safe side, never spurn a gift!
2. Grade: Though Kissinger reportedly received an A in all his courses at Harvard, he was not the only student to achieve that distinction. In 2001, Kevin Schwartz earned perfect grades; in 2003, his sister, Lisa Schwartz, earned straight A’s as well.
3. Sneeze: It’s true, and it happened on May 20, 2001 at Washington Community High School in Washington, IL. Ryan Brown was the student who used a sneeze to protest the court’s prohibition of commencement prayer.
4. Prevention: It’s an inspirational story about the impact we can have on another’s life, but there are no reports of it happening for real. The story is based on a fictional tale that first appeared in “Chicken Soup for the Soul.”
5. Handshakes: Unfortunately, it’s all too true. At the University of Illinois at Chicago, Indiana University, Purdue University, Northeastern University, the University of Hawaii, Florida Gulf Coast University, and the University of South Florida, commencement handshakes were banned this year as a precaution against swine flu.
6. Virgin: Many college students spread superstitions about virgins at their schools, but we’ve yet to see statues come to life.
7. Caps: It’s no joke. Anglia Ruskin University has advised students against throwing their caps in the air because of the potential for injury. Several years ago, a graduating student at the U.K. school needed stitches after being hit by a flying cap.
Are you ready to get your diploma?
May 29th, 2009
Have you ever played the icebreaker game “Two truths and a lie”? Basically, each person tells the group three things about herself, and the group has to decide which two items are true, and which one is the lie.
Sound easy? Try your hand at the game with these college urban legends. Choose the lie before scrolling down for the answers. No cheating!
The Legends
1. Dissect an Aunt
Imagine rolling up your sleeves for gross anatomy lab, only to discover that you are, in fact, seeing dead people – and one of the cadavers is someone you’ve seen before. It happened to a medical student who discovered that one of the cadavers presented to her class was her great aunt. Of course, a different cadaver was immediately substituted by the state anatomical board.
2. Doing Laps to Get a Degree
At Columbia University, a stellar student who completed his degree requirements in three years, finished at the top of his class, and later earned a Ph.D. from Columbia and taught at Columbia was denied his bachelor’s degree because he failed to pass the mandatory school swim test. After informing Columbia that he had since learned how to swim and asking the school to waive his disqualification, he was finally granted his bachelor’s degree – 60 years later.
3. Beware the Brothel
Have you ever wondered why your school doesn’t have a sorority house? It might be because of local brothel laws, which prohibit more than a specified number of unrelated females from living together. In these municipalities, sorority houses are illegal … so members of the sisterhood stay in the dorms.
Truth or Lie?
1. Dissect an Aunt: It’s true, and it happened in 1982 at the University of Alabama School of Medicine. Other urban legends about discovering the cadaver of a long-lost parent or a celebrity, however, are false, including the tale of the corpse of English novelist Laurence Sterne, who died in 1768. But the fact that it could happen and it has happened is creepy enough!
2. Doing Laps: This one’s for real, too. In 1923, Dr. Mortimer J. Adler was denied his bachelor’s degree from Columbia because he couldn’t pass the mandatory swim test. Actually, Columbia and a handful of other schools still require students to pass a swim test before graduation. Untrue urban legends about university swim tests do abound, however, citing that the tests came at the behest of a wealthy benefactor whose own child drowned.
3. Beware the Brothel: Despite constant retelling at colleges across the country, there are no “brothel laws” that tie a building’s classification as a bordello to the number and gender of its occupants. Some municipalities do have zoning laws that prohibit more than a specified number of nonfamily members from living together, but buildings in violation of those codes would only be labeled a brothel on the basis of what goes on inside the house. Plus, sororities and fraternities are exempt from those housing restrictions.
Comment up: What’s your favorite college urban legend?
– Robyn Tellefsen
May 21st, 2009
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