buzz

A miscellany of the new, the intriguing, and the obscure.

Time to ‘Paws’ and Relax

Students suffering from the typical symptoms of Finals Week Fever—bleary eyes, sore shoulders, advanced stages of hanger (that’s hunger-induced anger), and severe puppy withdrawal—got the cure for what ailed them at Watzek Recess, an event designed to relieve stress as students cram for finals. This semester’s recess offered movies and games, free 10-minute massages, snacks and coffee, and (new this semester!) dog therapy.

WAGon

Not to be outdone by the much-hyped Portland food cart scene, Bon Appetit, the college’s food service vendor, introduced its own food cart last semester. Raymond Fenton CAS ’17 won the contest to name the cart with his clever entry of the WAGon, which pays homage to the college’s Newfoundland mascot, Pio. Given the cart’s sleek retro design and orange and black paint job, it’s easy to spot as it makes the rounds. Hungry Pioneers can catch the cart on Wednesdays in front of Pamplin Sports Center or on Fridays at the law school.

Fore!

The Lewis & Clark golf team now has an 1,800-square-foot putting green for practicing their short game. Previously, the team needed to head off campus for all their practices, but now, between the new putting green and the college’s TruGolf Simulator, they can hone their skills right here on campus. A message to competitors: look out! (No, seriously. Look out.)

I Can See My Cells From Here!

With a grant from the National Science Foundation, the Lewis & Clark physics, chemistry, and biology departments have purchased a laser scanning confocal microscope (or, in laymen’s terms, a really, really good microscope you can look at cells with). Initially, the microscope will be used in advanced courses, but the departments also plan to incorporate it into courses for nonscience majors and summer programs for underrepresented high school students.

History in the Making

It’s not usually what we mean by a Freudian slip: the winning ensemble of this year’s Historical Project Runway was a representation of Freud and the birth of psychoanalysis. The event, which had its second iteration this fall, is a challenge to students both inside and outside the history department to assemble outfits that convey historical periods, concepts, or eras. The winning outfit this year represented the move from the restrained to the wild, starting with a conservative gray pant and eventually working up to a flashy headpiece adorned with stars. Not yet available in stores.

—Compiled by Erica Terpening-Romeo CAS ’14.