2008 Woodie Awards
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR (5)
Issue date: 11/10/05 Section: Opinion/Editorial
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Disney internship well worth it
After reading the most recent Journal I was so surprised to see an article about the Walt Disney World College Program ("Making magic at Disney World" Oct. 27.) Mostly because that's what I spent last semester and summer doing and because I had no idea there was anyone else at Webster who had participated in the program. It was one of the best experiences I have ever had, it was hard work, but it was a lot of fun too. I worked in the entertainment department, which is an experience unlike any other.
To see the joy you bring to people on a daily basis is such a rewarding feeling and it's been great for my resume as well. I recommend it to anyone looking for an internship that's a bit out of the ordinary.
Heather Fields
Freshman, Film studies
Career fair editorial irresponsible
During my years at Webster, it became apparent that there are two types of Webster students: the student that goes to Webster, and the student that GOES to Webster. The former is a minimally exceptional sort that floats through the terms, ambling toward a degree. The latter is the more involved type that puts as much effort into success outside of the classroom as it does inside. The type whose picture you might find gracing the hallways of Sverdrup or Webster Hall.
Keeping this in mind, because the student press so often rails against campus apathy and tries to transform the aforementioned Goofuses into Gallants, the running of a staff editorial (Nov. 3) painting a university career fair with a bright anti-capitalist brush is far more than plain old hypocritical, it's downright irresponsible.
If the prospect of a corporate career seems so horrifying to you, then here's hoping you drop your journalism majors before it's too late to graduate in four years. Perhaps by doing that, you can save your paper any further embarrassment by your collective endorsement of mediocrity.
Andy Hobin
Alumnus
Career fair helpful
I have just finished reading the article entitled "Career fair guise for soul-sucking corporations; signals dark days ahead" (Editorial, Nov. 3) and must say that I could not believe what I saw.
For many, the career fair can be quite helpful and useful in helping them realize all that is available out there for them. I don't expect it to be for everyone, but to say that companies were there "to recruit fresh meat for their cubical farms" is just out of line. After all, what good is going to college and earning a degree if you don't do anything with it?
I learned about Monsanto through Webster career services and discovered more about the company at the career fair last year. This year I was proudly standing behind the Monsanto Booth to tell future prospects about my experience here. I am a Co-Op at Monsanto and enjoy being a part of this "cube farm" because it has helped me get my future started, earn some money to finish college and allowed me to figure out a path to follow as a soon to be computer science graduate.
I cannot relate to your description "passing out resumes to temp agencies and soul-sucking corporations" because the company I work for has been more than kind and helpful with anything that I need. I just can't help but think how wrong you are about the career fair and how you fail to realize just how helpful it truly can be.
Shawn Schmidt
Senior, Computer science
Ghost hunt article
lacks proper research
When dealing with the paranormal, it is expected that you will deal with different type of skeptics. Friendly debate is always welcome. However, the article "Ghost hunt turns up little" (Oct. 27) not only was mis-quoted, badly researched, but did not offer the respect to the group that invited this reporter to come along for the investigation with them.
First, not anywhere in the article did it state that Missouri Paranormal Research (MPR) was a nationally respected paranormal group with connections to many of the best in the paranormal field ,including Lorraine Warren and John Zaffis. Not once did it mention that MPR has been featured on 385 radio stations across the United States and has also been featured on the "Dave Glover Show." MPR does have a thermal camera, which I personally told this reporter I decided not to bring out into the woods on a rainy night.
Also, the reporter made some comments where my members over heard her talking about the intelligence level of the group. What she did not understand is that she had several degreed individuals around her, including some with graduate work accomplished. She also did not take the time to learn the difference between what an orb was compared to a mist. There is a very big difference.
What is disturbing here is that she did not do the research required for her assignment. She did not present any of the evidence that was shared with her from the investigation. In fact, she made it be known that she was upset because what she wanted to do was a story on the Union House.
Good honest debate is one thing. Wanting to get through an assignment quickly and head off to the Steak and Shake is another. What a shame that this reporter did not want to take the time to get the story right.
Steven A. LaChance
Administrator
Missouri Paranormal Research
Ghost hunt found more than mentioned
The article "Ghost hunt turns up little" (Oct. 27) gives one an impression that the group involved in this preliminary and open investigation was inadequately equipped, irresponsible and unprofessional. Such impression is not accurate.
This investigation was open to non-members of MPR, participants in its associated online forum and to other third parties as well. This was a basic night time walk to conduct a preliminary investigation of this urban legend area in hopes of obtaining basic evidence to support a more formal investigation at a later date.
The article also mentions Mr. LaChance's lack of observing photographs before explaining differences. Mr. LaChance was simply just trying to state that orbs and potential ectoplasm (which many times shows as a foggy or misty appearance in photographs) were two different photographic phenomena. One can not conduct a proper analysis to make a sound conclusion during an investigation. This extensive analysis has to be conducted after the investigation. People in attendance were also aware that photographs containing such mist or fogs would also be scrutinized and most likely dismissed as potential evidence due to the inclement conditions.
This reporter's lack of patience resulted in the exclusion of any results obtained after MRP's analysis of collected data which was emailed to her. In fact, even with my criticism of obtaining any potential supportive evidence to the haunting of this area due to its vastness and last minute decision by mother nature to rain on our parade, we still obtained two very valuable pieces of potential supportive evidence which were not even mentioned in this article.
One was a photograph taken by Ms. Campbell of our group which contained a freestanding unexplainable shadow in human form. This photograph was analyzed by a photographic specialist, Greg Best, who does photo analysis for www.hauntedvoices.com, the ORACLE Society and other paranormal entities.
Mr. Best stated that this photograph was truly unexplainable and that it could not be reproduced under the same conditions we had.
Also, a non-human response was recorded answering my question of "Is there a reason why you stay here?" The response is a Class B EVP with an answer of "You know too much." with a hertz range at and below 300.
Even under the impossible conditions and odds, we still obtained significant results to warrant a return trip for a more serious, thorough and detailed investigation.
I would hope that this experience has also taught such reporters not to draw their final conclusions too early. If a more open and non-biased approach were taken, including review of the final results prior to writing and publishing such article(s), then the reader would have a more thorough article to read and better their ability to achieve their final conclusion.
Gregory Myers
Missouri Paranormal Research member
After reading the most recent Journal I was so surprised to see an article about the Walt Disney World College Program ("Making magic at Disney World" Oct. 27.) Mostly because that's what I spent last semester and summer doing and because I had no idea there was anyone else at Webster who had participated in the program. It was one of the best experiences I have ever had, it was hard work, but it was a lot of fun too. I worked in the entertainment department, which is an experience unlike any other.
To see the joy you bring to people on a daily basis is such a rewarding feeling and it's been great for my resume as well. I recommend it to anyone looking for an internship that's a bit out of the ordinary.
Heather Fields
Freshman, Film studies
Career fair editorial irresponsible
During my years at Webster, it became apparent that there are two types of Webster students: the student that goes to Webster, and the student that GOES to Webster. The former is a minimally exceptional sort that floats through the terms, ambling toward a degree. The latter is the more involved type that puts as much effort into success outside of the classroom as it does inside. The type whose picture you might find gracing the hallways of Sverdrup or Webster Hall.
Keeping this in mind, because the student press so often rails against campus apathy and tries to transform the aforementioned Goofuses into Gallants, the running of a staff editorial (Nov. 3) painting a university career fair with a bright anti-capitalist brush is far more than plain old hypocritical, it's downright irresponsible.
If the prospect of a corporate career seems so horrifying to you, then here's hoping you drop your journalism majors before it's too late to graduate in four years. Perhaps by doing that, you can save your paper any further embarrassment by your collective endorsement of mediocrity.
Andy Hobin
Alumnus
Career fair helpful
I have just finished reading the article entitled "Career fair guise for soul-sucking corporations; signals dark days ahead" (Editorial, Nov. 3) and must say that I could not believe what I saw.
For many, the career fair can be quite helpful and useful in helping them realize all that is available out there for them. I don't expect it to be for everyone, but to say that companies were there "to recruit fresh meat for their cubical farms" is just out of line. After all, what good is going to college and earning a degree if you don't do anything with it?
I learned about Monsanto through Webster career services and discovered more about the company at the career fair last year. This year I was proudly standing behind the Monsanto Booth to tell future prospects about my experience here. I am a Co-Op at Monsanto and enjoy being a part of this "cube farm" because it has helped me get my future started, earn some money to finish college and allowed me to figure out a path to follow as a soon to be computer science graduate.
I cannot relate to your description "passing out resumes to temp agencies and soul-sucking corporations" because the company I work for has been more than kind and helpful with anything that I need. I just can't help but think how wrong you are about the career fair and how you fail to realize just how helpful it truly can be.
Shawn Schmidt
Senior, Computer science
Ghost hunt article
lacks proper research
When dealing with the paranormal, it is expected that you will deal with different type of skeptics. Friendly debate is always welcome. However, the article "Ghost hunt turns up little" (Oct. 27) not only was mis-quoted, badly researched, but did not offer the respect to the group that invited this reporter to come along for the investigation with them.
First, not anywhere in the article did it state that Missouri Paranormal Research (MPR) was a nationally respected paranormal group with connections to many of the best in the paranormal field ,including Lorraine Warren and John Zaffis. Not once did it mention that MPR has been featured on 385 radio stations across the United States and has also been featured on the "Dave Glover Show." MPR does have a thermal camera, which I personally told this reporter I decided not to bring out into the woods on a rainy night.
Also, the reporter made some comments where my members over heard her talking about the intelligence level of the group. What she did not understand is that she had several degreed individuals around her, including some with graduate work accomplished. She also did not take the time to learn the difference between what an orb was compared to a mist. There is a very big difference.
What is disturbing here is that she did not do the research required for her assignment. She did not present any of the evidence that was shared with her from the investigation. In fact, she made it be known that she was upset because what she wanted to do was a story on the Union House.
Good honest debate is one thing. Wanting to get through an assignment quickly and head off to the Steak and Shake is another. What a shame that this reporter did not want to take the time to get the story right.
Steven A. LaChance
Administrator
Missouri Paranormal Research
Ghost hunt found more than mentioned
The article "Ghost hunt turns up little" (Oct. 27) gives one an impression that the group involved in this preliminary and open investigation was inadequately equipped, irresponsible and unprofessional. Such impression is not accurate.
This investigation was open to non-members of MPR, participants in its associated online forum and to other third parties as well. This was a basic night time walk to conduct a preliminary investigation of this urban legend area in hopes of obtaining basic evidence to support a more formal investigation at a later date.
The article also mentions Mr. LaChance's lack of observing photographs before explaining differences. Mr. LaChance was simply just trying to state that orbs and potential ectoplasm (which many times shows as a foggy or misty appearance in photographs) were two different photographic phenomena. One can not conduct a proper analysis to make a sound conclusion during an investigation. This extensive analysis has to be conducted after the investigation. People in attendance were also aware that photographs containing such mist or fogs would also be scrutinized and most likely dismissed as potential evidence due to the inclement conditions.
This reporter's lack of patience resulted in the exclusion of any results obtained after MRP's analysis of collected data which was emailed to her. In fact, even with my criticism of obtaining any potential supportive evidence to the haunting of this area due to its vastness and last minute decision by mother nature to rain on our parade, we still obtained two very valuable pieces of potential supportive evidence which were not even mentioned in this article.
One was a photograph taken by Ms. Campbell of our group which contained a freestanding unexplainable shadow in human form. This photograph was analyzed by a photographic specialist, Greg Best, who does photo analysis for www.hauntedvoices.com, the ORACLE Society and other paranormal entities.
Mr. Best stated that this photograph was truly unexplainable and that it could not be reproduced under the same conditions we had.
Also, a non-human response was recorded answering my question of "Is there a reason why you stay here?" The response is a Class B EVP with an answer of "You know too much." with a hertz range at and below 300.
Even under the impossible conditions and odds, we still obtained significant results to warrant a return trip for a more serious, thorough and detailed investigation.
I would hope that this experience has also taught such reporters not to draw their final conclusions too early. If a more open and non-biased approach were taken, including review of the final results prior to writing and publishing such article(s), then the reader would have a more thorough article to read and better their ability to achieve their final conclusion.
Gregory Myers
Missouri Paranormal Research member