I attended Ohio University in the fall of 2008 never knowing the connection I would have to it and the Athens Community. I left Athens in 2013 with two degrees, friendships that will last a lifetime, and immense pride in being a Bobcat. Like any other alumni, I constantly brag to coworkers how much better OU is than their school, wear green and white whenever I can, and find excuses, often, to travel back to the Harvard on the Hocking. Today is different for me. Today, I am not proud to be a Bobcat after seeing current Student Senate President Megan Marzec’s video.
I attended Ohio University in the fall of 2008 never knowing the connection I would have to it and the Athens Community. I left Athens in 2013 with two degrees, friendships that will last a lifetime, and immense pride in being a Bobcat. Like any other alumni, I constantly brag to coworkers how much better OU is than their school, wear green and white whenever I can, and find excuses, often, to travel back to the Harvard on the Hocking. Today is different for me. Today, I am not proud to be a Bobcat after seeing current Student Senate President Megan Marzec’s video.
In college, I was a member of Student Senate representing the Graduate College under President Kyle Triplett’s administration. I remember all the great events we put on to help student organizations and their causes. I strapped on my friend's red high-heels in “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” to support the end of violence against women. I remember helping with PRIDE Week and the strides we made for the LBGT Community. I remember a Student Senate that took up causes and listen to people not one that took harsh stances alienating whole groups.
As someone who was raised by a father who belongs to the Jewish Faith, I am shocked to see Ms. Marzec alienate not only an entire section of the student population, but represent OU to future, current, and past Bobcats in such a disrespectful way. My father’s parents survived the Holocaust and the evils of Nazi Germany. Their stories taught me that the Jewish people are resilient, but also their story is not a simple one. What is happening in the Middle East is tragic, but not as cut and dry as Ms. Marzec believes. As Student Senate president, she should encourage discussion of the matter so all sides are heard before taking such a hard stance.
I should mention, my father is also an OU alumnus and him being such has had a great influence on my decision on where to go to college. We are two very proud Bobcats, but with these recent events, the next time I can brag about Ohio University I may second guess it. I can safely say, for the first time in my life, I am ashamed to be a Bobcat.
Crescent Gallagher is a 2011 graduate of Ohio University and the former Graduate College Senator for Student Senate.
