A questionnaire to help you get to know the editorial staff.
Name: Justin Guglielmetti
Position at The Collegian: Editor-in-Chief
Major(s): Marketing
Early bird or night owl: I love staying up late, waking up early, and sleep. Somehow it never seems to work out.
Best spot to hang at TU: Library steps looking towards downtown, but on a clear night, not at sunset.
Fave thing to do in Tulsa: This is one millennial who still loves baseball, so I’ll go with a Drillers game. Cheap, close to campus, beautiful stadium. Not to mention that when Fenway Park is your home venue, it’s nice for a change to be able to sit in a human-sized seat and get snacks without descending into a medieval dungeon for a change.
Fave dish in the caf: I was going to say the spinach, but I found a woodchip in that once. Then again, I’m one of maybe five non-athlete seniors who still eats there, so maybe I’m a masochist. I’ll go with the omelets, then the bag of Fritos you sometimes get with a sandwich. The staff is terrific though. Shout-out to Maurice and Tim!
Go-to studying/homework soundtrack: Can’t listen to music while studying, but any Kanye is a good distraction. As long as it’s his music, and not… …you know… …his opinions on historical atrocities.
Fave movie/book: “Lord of the Rings” (I’m not cheating; it’s one film in three parts) for the movie, and “All the Pretty Horses” by Cormac McCarthy for the book.
Fave fictional character and why: This time I’ll cheat: Christopher Moltisanti from the screen and John Grady Cole from the page, for a multitude of reasons that we don’t have enough time to get into here. If I had to sum it up, you could say I’m a sucker for troubled dreamers with tragic arcs.
Most important advice to freshmen: Buckle in, I’ve got a lot. Don’t be embarrassed to call your parents or take a picture with your mom when she comes to visit. Nobody is going to make fun of you, and if anybody does, please let me know so I can call them out on the front page. Eat right and continue to exercise— the Freshman 15 doesn’t have to be a thing. Don’t be afraid to try new things, but don’t overextend yourself either. Classes come first (yes, even as a freshman), and if you manage your schedule, there should be plenty of time left over for fun. Similarly, say va fangul to peer pressure. When faced with a difficult choice, just stop for two seconds and ask yourself this question: “Is this stupid?” You go to TU, so I know you’re not stupid. Ergo, vis-a-vis, concurrently, don’t do the stupid thing. Oh yeah, and write for the paper! I heard it’s pretty cool. And it pays. Excellent, we’ll see you in Oliphant 110 next Monday at 5.
Can be found on social media: I’m secretly an 80-year-old man let’s just keep that one between you and me.
Name: Raven Fawcett
Position at The Collegian: Managing Editor
Major(s): Political Science and The Major Formerly Known As Communication
Early bird or night owl: Night Owl.
Best spot to hang at TU: Third floor of Oliphant, that mad small table.
Fave thing to do in Tulsa: Literally anything coffee related. I run on caffeine and sticky-note lists, so making lists in coffee shops is basically my happy place.
Fave dish in the caf: Their tofu? Surprisingly tasty, 9/10, would recommend.
Go-to studying/homework soundtrack: Even split between anything punk and anything that sounds like it would be in a TV’s soundtrack.
Fave movie/book: “The Handmaiden” is definitely a masterpiece of a movie.
Fave fictional character and why: Padme Amidala. Intergalactic fashion icon, political goddess of our time, patron saint of believing in the good of people while unflinchingly accepting that the good is always, always part and parcel with the bad — I could go on for years.
Most important advice to freshmen: God, just do it. Be tired, be stressed, be the things you dreamed about in high school but were too afraid to do. Apply for the job, join the club, and visit the aquarium to stare at the sharks and realize that this might all just be a computer simulation. And then realize that your time is yours, and cut back on your commitments where you need to. Really. People will respect that you respect yourself and your time.
Can be found on social media: I’m on Twitter @ravenkaytlin!
Name: Ethan Veenker
Position at The Collegian: News Editor
Major(s): English, creative writing; Creative Writing
Early bird or night owl: Is both an option? I am always sleep deprived.
Best spot to hang at TU: You honestly can’t beat the plaza in front of the library. Plenty of seating, open air, not to mention the view.
Fave thing to do in Tulsa: Hop record stores. It’s not often that I have enough money to spend on a new record, but when I do I like to forgo the online purchasing if I can, and just hop around the various record stores Tulsa has. There are many, but I never find what I’m looking for.
Fave dish in the caf: I remember liking the brittle, mock-up flatbread pizza things, which I think were just pita bread with a bit of tomato sauce and melted cheese slapped on top. Hit the spot every time.
Go-to studying/homework soundtrack: Ambient music à la Boards of Canada is really all I can effectively listen to while doing homework. Try the “ambient” tag on Bandcamp; there’s a whole ‘nother world out there. I can’t listen to music while writing, though, be it fiction, an article, an essay—just can’t do it.
Fave movie/book: “Blade Runner 2049” is an unprecedented masterpiece.
Fave fictional character and why: Holden Caulfield, because he’s honest in a really dishonest way.
Most important advice to freshmen: Make some friends and do stupid shit with them.
Can be found on social media: Delete your social media.
Name: Emily Every
Position at The Collegian: Commentary Editor, baby!
Major(s): Environmental policy, English lit.
Early bird or night owl: I live more on a dad’s schedule: get up at 8 and go until I can’t anymore (like around midnight).
Best spot to hang at TU: I like bringing coffee into the second story reading room even though I’m not supposed to.
Fave thing to do in Tulsa: Stomping around the arts district.
Fave dish in the caf: Yeah.
Go-to studying/homework soundtrack: Y’all ever heard Nick Drake’s “Bryter Layter” album? It’s good.
Fave movie/book: “Sphinx” by Anne Garréta is a short little novel I can’t ever stop thinking about. I think that somehow makes it my favorite. “Battle Royale” might just be my favorite movie for the exact same reasons, even though my roommates won’t watch it with me. Is that passive aggressive to include? We’ll wait to see how test audiences respond.
Fave fictional character and why: My ideal self. She’s just always there to egg me on.
Most important advice to freshmen: Join some clubs and wear whatever you want. Get a cool piercing. Call your mom.
Can be found on social media: Look up into the clouds and I’ll be there looking right back at ya.
Name: Emma Palmer
Position at The Collegian: Variety Editor
Major(s): English, studio art
Early bird or night owl: When left to my own devices, I’m definitely a night owl. The corporate world has transformed me into an early riser, though, so I guess I’m really just an all-around no-sleep kinda gal.
Best spot to hang at TU: The reading rooms in the library are a special fave. Also, the greenhouse on top of Oliphant (yes, it exists).
Fave thing to do in Tulsa: Go to the movies! Circle Cinema and AMC Southroads are both relatively close to campus, and there’s always something new to watch.
Fave dish in the caf: The to-go salads are the best! I used to get them with my breakfast meal swipe and take them home to stock in my mini fridge. They make for a pretty good late night snack.
Go-to studying/homework soundtrack: Mitski’s “Bury Me At Makeout Creek” and pretty much anything Sufjan Stevens.
Fave movie/book: A personal favorite would be “Blankets” by Craig Thompson, it’s a graphic novel about growing up and first loves and being an artist. So far as movies go, “What We Do in the Shadows” never fails to make me cackle in mirth.
Fave fictional character and why: Samwise Gamgee. Full stop.
Most important advice to freshmen: Assume the best in everyone, and don’t worry too much about what other people think of you. There are gonna be a lot of opportunities to get involved in extracurriculars—don’t be afraid to try them! Now is the time to explore, but at the end of the day, make sure to take care of yourself. People around here sometimes tout nights working without sleep as a badge of honor, but you don’t need to kill yourself to succeed. Make sure to get enough sleep, eat well, shower and look at the sky every now and then.
Can be found on social media: @thisemmapalmer on Twitter and IG, and also @emmapalmerarts on IG.
Name: Brennen Gray
Position at The Collegian: Sports Editor
Major(s): English, creative writing; Creative Writing
Early bird or night owl: So much of a night owl that I become an early bird.
Best spot to hang at TU: #ClubMabee.
Fave thing to do in Tulsa: Panhandle.
Fave dish in the caf: The cereal.
Go-to studying/homework soundtrack: Film scores!
Fave movie/book: Ties between “Remember the Titans,” “The Dark Knight,” and “Good Will Hunting.” Books are “Catch-22,” “The Outsiders,” and “Art of War.”
Fave fictional character and why: Joey Wheeler from the “Yu-Gi-Oh” anime. Look, I know it sounds dumb, but the guy taught five-year-old Brennen everything it meant to be a good friend. He has a marvelously terrible Brooklyn accent, and is the deepest character in the series despite being comic relief!
Most important advice to freshmen: Don’t be afraid of who you are! I know that is straight out of y’alls commencement speeches in May, and your valedictorians (many of which were you guys) probably said the same thing during their speeches. But there is a club for everything, and no one is keeping track of which ones you are involved in. Anything you were ashamed of being a part of in high school needs to be let out.
Can be found on social media: Lol I barely know how to use Snapchat.
Name: Madison Connell
Position at The Collegian: Satire Editor
Major(s): Creative writing, media studies
Early bird or night owl: What is sleep?
Best spot to hang at TU: My room. It’s the coolest room on campus.
Fave thing to do in Tulsa: Attending First Friday and experiencing Tulsa’s art scene.
Fave dish in the caf: Their flatbread pizza is surprisingly bomb.
Go-to studying/homework soundtrack: The “Hamilton” soundtrack.
Fave movie/book: My favorite book and movie are mostly influenced by what I consumed most recently because I have the memory of a goldfish. My favorite movie is probably some cliché rom-com or a Disney movie, and my favorite book is probably something written by John Green or David Levithan.
Fave fictional character and why: The first ones that come to mind are Mulan or Belle. At an early age they both showed me examples of badass females who weren’t afraid to be true to who they are. Plus Emma Watson plays one of them and she’s kinda hot.
Most important advice to freshmen: Actually attend and participate in class—teachers can tell when you are trying and will usually work with you if you reach out to them. Build relationships with the material and the teachers to find out if your major is really what you want to do and to make the most out of your time here. Also, never take 8 a.m. classes. It is way too easy to get in the cycle of sleeping through a class, and even if you do manage to get to class, it is almost impossible to concentrate with sleep lingering over you.
Can be found on social media: Insta: @madi_connell10. Snap: @madi_connell.
Name: Conner Maggio
Position at The Collegian: Graphics editor
Major(s): Marketing, with a minor in advertising
Early bird or night owl: 2 a.m. is the optimal time to start doing homework.
Best spot to hang at TU: The John Lobby (paid sponsor).
Fave thing to do in Tulsa: Panicking at various coffee shops.
Fave dish in the caf: Vegetarian lasagna.
Go-to studying/homework soundtrack: I am always listening to Miles Davis, or some kind of jazz that I can relax to.
Fave movie/book: “The Night Is Short” and “Walk on Girl.”
Fave fictional character and why: Naruto, because he has ADHD and becomes ninja president. Which is frankly inspiring.
Most important advice to freshmen: Do not break any rules, ever.
Can be found on social media: Facebook and Twitter (@ConnerMaggio)
Name: Bryant Loney
Position at The Collegian: Copy Editor
Major(s): Creative writing, education
Early bird or night owl: Sleep is the only thing I stay awake for.
Best spot to hang at TU: The steps of McFarlin under the darkening blue of the sky, when the stars are out and quivering.
Fave thing to do in Tulsa: Spending an afternoon at the Philbrook Museum of Art.
Fave dish in the caf: Cereal in the morning.
Go-to studying/homework soundtrack: Disney favorites! “Go the Distance,” “Kiss the Girl,” “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride” and “Strangers Like Me,” to name a few.
Fave movie/book: “La Misma Luna” is an excellent, heartfelt Mexican-American film that humanizes the immigration struggle so many Hispanic parents and their children face. You can watch it with subtitles, of course. My favorite novel is “Isn’t It Pretty to Think So?” by Nick Miller. After a 23-year-old is willed $50,000 by his grandmother, he quits his job and explores Los Angeles county in hopes of finding inspiration for the novel he wants to write. Think “Gatsby meets West Hollywood.” I’ve read it eight times cover to cover.
Fave fictional character and why: Gomez and Morticia Addams from “The Addams Family” movies. Couple goals, honestly.
Most important advice to freshmen: Go to class, focus on time management and try to work out at least three days a week. It helps to destress, plus it’s a good excuse to listen to music for an hour. And if you’re unhappy with the way you present yourself, don’t feel confined to it. Now is as good a time as any to explore who you are as an individual. Try to get good grades, but don’t beat yourself up over bad ones. Reach to do better.
Can be found on social media: Twitter (@BALoney), Instagram (@BryantLoney) and www.BryantLoney.com.
Name: Sara Serrano
Position at The Collegian: Social Media and Web Manager
Major(s): Mechanical Engineering
Early bird or night owl: Catch me chillin in that tree outside your dorm window at all hours of the night, hooting wildly and swooping down on unsuspecting mice.
Best spot to hang at TU: Upstairs in the ACAC, by the giant one-way windows. You can see everyone, but no one can see you.
Fave thing to do in Tulsa: Go to a concert! Or lounge around at a coffee shop for hours with my pals.
Fave dish in the caf: There’s this one dish with tofu that is mildly addicting. 9/10, would recommend.
Go-to studying/homework soundtrack: “Everything Will Be Alright” by the Killers on repeat, because it’s 3 a.m. and I need Brandon Flowers to constantly reassure me that I’m going to be okay. That or just angsty emo music.
Fave movie/book: “The Complete Sherlock Holmes.”. Yes, it’s super thick, but it is technically one book.
Fave fictional character and why: Honestly, sometimes I’m so dramatic, I wonder if I’m not just the main character in some misunderstood teen’s first upload to Wattpad.
Most important advice to freshmen: Don’t isolate yourself. Even if you’re a massive introvert, find people (or just one person) who can be there for you when things are getting difficult.
Can be found on social media: Insta: @sara.lucia_99
But a better use of your bandwidth would be checking out the Collegian’s social media! Facebook: @TUCollegian, Twitter: @TUCollegian, Instagram: @TUCollegian
Name: Brian Kwiecinski
Position at The Collegian: Business & Advertising Manager
Major(s): Computer Information Systems
Early bird or night owl: Night owl trying to be an early bird.
Best spot to hang at TU: #ACAC4Ever.
Fave thing to do in Tulsa: Escape rooms.
Fave dish in the caf: The water(?).
Go-to studying/homework soundtrack: Focus Playlist on Spotify.
Fave movie/book: Any book from the “Pendragon” series.
Fave fictional character and why: That one guy from “SpongeBob” who always shouts “My leg!” because frankly communicating your problems to those around you is very important and he never ceases to externalize his leg-related concerns.
Most important advice to freshmen: Fight the toughest-looking teacher in your department on the first day of classes and you’ll literally never have to do work again.
Can be found on social media: I open my Facebook semi-annually.
