COSA: A Day Of Variety

By: Brandon Kamin, David Yourgrau, and Roger Lee

Ursinus’ celebration of student achievement will be held on April 23rd on its campus. This year promises to exemplify the diversity of interest of the student body. Some of the main attractions range from scientific research, to superheroes, to theater.


For instance, Ursinus College sophomore Josh Steinhouse has been passionately collecting and reading comic book since he was three. With a collection of four to five thousand comics, Steinhouse transformed this recreational passion into academic research.


Did you know that EVERY major character in comic books was created by members of Jewish faith?




Well, maybe not every character, but the majority of them for certain.






Superman? Jerry Seigel and Joe Shuster.






Batman? Bob Kane and Bill Finger.



Trying to incorporate his Jewish heritage with his loyalty to the comic world, Steinhouse has chosen to do an independent research on the affects of Judaism on comic books as his nucleus for his honors thesis for next year.


Referencing Superman’s “Man of Steel” nickname, Steinhouse has entitled his independent research “The Man of Schmear.” The word “Schmear” is Yiddish for “spread” and what better way to incorporate one’s faith than to talk about the stereotype of Jewish people and their obsession with bagels and a variety of spreads.


Steinhouse’s research will be on display at 1:00 p.m. in Olin 108.


From fantasy to reality, Ursinus Junior Christopher Reeves takes on a project that not only fulfills a research requirement, but could significantly change the world of science.


This daring biologist is doing extensive genetic research on C-Elegans with Dr. Lyzack and will be presenting his hypothesis during COSA.


Reeves, inspired by Dr. Lyzack’s research on PAM-1, decided to look at another gene known as PTL-1. “We are the first ones to investigate these two proteins,” said Reeves, who argues that one of these genes is detrimental to the nematode known as the C-Elegan.


“Once we understand the relationship between PAM-1 and PTL-1, we can further analyze how it impacts the C-Elegan,” explained Reeves.


Reeve’s presentation focuses on his hypothesis and some of his findings. However, there is much more to be accomplished. Reeves proclaimed, “I can’t wait for summer fellows!” This is when the junior will prove his hypothesis and engage in more extensive research.




Reeves plans to look at how PAM-1 and PTL-1’s impact on C-Elegans can possibly link to Alzheimer’s research.


From the lab to the stage, theater student and Breakaway Productions President Zach Shamberg will be hosting the annual drama presentation for COSA in Black Box Theater.


The performances will be seven short scenes performed by ten Ursinus College student. Admission to the event is free.



Each scene will be performed by two Ursinus students and the whole event will last roughly a half an hour. Of these ten talented students, two will be chosen by the judges of the American College Theater Festival to attend a drama workshop at Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh, PA.


Last year, the theatrical event at Ursinus College hosted an estimated sixty people, most of whom were Ursinus students.


This year Shamberg hopes for an even bigger audience.


“I don’t think enough people came to the shows and appreciate how good Ursinus Theater really is,” said Shamberg. “We want to show off the talent that Ursinus actors and actresses have to offer.”


According to Shamberg, most of the scenes will contain comedy, which is the strength of the performers.



“The best thing you can do when putting on comedy scenes is to make people laugh,” explained Shamberg, who thinks the group does this quiet well.



The only way to find out is by attending.

Motivations of Violence

Violence is reaching a new high in 2008. According to statistics, Philadelphia has seen more than 315 deaths just this year. A recent murder committed by teens on a subway platform has left many worried about their safety at school and while traveling.

“It can happen anywhere!” proclaimed New Jersey native Michael Flores. “I believe that the violence is stemming from a series of problems and frustrations that extend beyond today’s culture and music.” The college junior feels that today’s youth are split into two categories; “You have the side that’s scared to even walk outside and then there are the teens that don’t care because they think nothing can ever happen to them.”

Perhaps the latter was the mentality of four teens involved in last Wednesday’s subway beating in Philadelphia. Police charged one 10th grader with murder and conspiracy in the death of Sean Patrick Conroy. The victim was coming from work at a local Starbucks when four teens attacked him on a center city subway platform. Conroy was sent to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead. “It’s a stupid, random act of violence,” said Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter.

This random act of violence has hit home with several college students. It was a wake-up call that violence is not just a city issue, but an “everywhere issue.” Ursinus sophomore Justin Cunard spoke out on this random act of teen violence. “These teens who commit violence don’t realize the life they could have if they put their efforts in better things.”

Student Danny Mak said, “There are a lot of misguided youth with no mentours or places to go after school. When a youth doesn't feel loved and accepted in their family, they seek love amongst themselves or in gangs. This comes at the cost of doing what is socially unacceptable.”

Even on college campuses, some students don’t feel safe. “Honestly, I don’t feel safe if something would happen here on campus,” said Cunard. “If someone got attacked and managed to get to the security button, I wonder how fast security would react.” College sophomore Peter Serratore agrees there should be heightened security on campuses and transportation areas although it will be a trying task. “I think that they could employ more security around the campus environment to make the students feel more confident enough that nothing will happen. But how would that work for subways and bus stops? That's got me stumped,” said Serratore.

With all the fears and concerns, some feel that there are solutions to minimizing the outbreak of teen violence in our cities, towns, and campuses. Ursinus graduate Duncan Ramsey said, “If they were really serious about preventing violence and violent crimes, why not remove the age limit on how people get tried in court?” He continued, “There's no deterrent for crime really. Jail should not be some camp ground for people who just "happen" to break the law. It should be miserable and make people really think hard about breaking the law.”