Born Gerry Lester Watson, Jr. on November 5, 1978 Bubba has always represented free spirit. Originally from Bagdad, Fla. Watson now calls Arizona home where he lives with his wife Angie and newly adopted son Caleb. His life has been full of ups and downs, scares and triumphs, and his weekend at the 76th Masters was no different.

Watson spent the whole weekend near the top of the leaderboard but never broke through until late Sunday. At the end of day one, Lee Westwood was atop the leaderboard. Fred Couples, the 52-year-old 1992 Masters Champ was in first at the end of day two.

Lurking behind Couples was Jason Dufner, Lee Westwood, Louis Oosthuizen, world number two Rory McIlroy, Sergio Garcia, Paul Lawrie, and then there was Bubba.

When Sunday came around, there were familiar names and storylines surrounding the culmination of the tournament. Tiger Woods was in his Sunday red, despite a disappointing effort throughout the weekend, not breaking below par in a single round. Phil Mickelson found himself at the top of the board in the final pairing in search of his fourth green jacket. And the only man to win twice on the PGA tour this year, Hunter Mahan, found himself only a few shots behind the leader in the third to last group.

Once again there was Bubba, quietly having an outstanding tournament, set to tee off with Louis Oosthuizen in the second to last group.

The early Sunday favorite, Phil Mickelson, saw his score fall early after a triple-bogey but was able to claw his way back for a tied for third finish.

Englishman Lee Westwood started the day -3 and had four late birdies to end the tournament at -8 and also tied for third. Westwood frequently finds himself finishing in the top -3 at majors it seems. One would be inclined to think the 38-year-old is soon due to break through and capture his major victory.

Oosthuizen and Watson undoubtedly stole the show on Sunday. Oosthuizen had a double eagle on the Par 5 second hole to jump start his round early. Watson played a steady front nine birdying the second and fifth holes. On the back nine, Watson started shaky, bogeying 12 but came back huge, birdying 13 through 16 to get to -10 to tie Oosthuizen on top of the leaderboard. The duo pared their final two holes to send it to a sudden death playoff.

For the first hole of the playoff, the two re-played the 18th hole. They both went on to par the 18th for the second time in the past half-hour.

Oosthuizen’s long time friend, fellow countryman and 2011 Masters Champion Charl Schwartzel waited nervously in the shadows waiting to present a Green Jacket to the winner of the Masters.

Watson’s and Oosthuizen’s next hole was the Par 4 10th. Watson’s tee shot hooked right deep into the trees leaving him without a view of the green. Oosthuizen was just off the fairway but his second shot failed to get up onto the green. Then, from deep in the trees, Watson pulled a 52-degree wedge and shot a draw that came about 40 yards left to right leaving him not only on the green but within distance to win the tournament. Oosthuizen got his ball up onto the green leaving him a chance at par. His par putt went right over the outside edge of the hole and Oosthuizen would tap in for bogey. This left Bubba Watson with two putts to win the Masters. Watson’s first putt barley missed leaving him a 6 inch tap in for the win.

“I never got this far in my dreams so I have no idea what to say,” Watson was quoted as saying.

Watson had defied all odds. Without a single golf lesson or watching himself on tape, he had won the Masters.

Dolphin Productions hosted the school’s annual Fin Fest on Friday, April 13. It was held down at the riverfront for students, staff and their families. Carnival was this year’s theme for the festival.

“My goal was to go all out and have a carnival theme,” said Maddie Varner, the Traditions Coordinator for Dolphin Productions. “I think that we really we able to capture that carnival atmosphere with not only the rides, but also the set up and food as well.”

“We had some issues with the temperature,” Varner continued. “At last year’s Fin Fest, it was very hot, so I tried to incorporate a lot of wet inflatables, and this year it was chillier and windy.”

Packed with rides and games, it was a family-friendly function that was fun for everybody. Some of the rides included swings, a climbing rock wall, an inflatable slip-n-slide, an obstacle course challenge, and a miniature Ferris wheel.

“It was a lot of fun. The rides were great, especially the swing,” said freshman Rachael Kaslow. “The weather was perfect.”

Personalized gifts from vendors also drew a big crowd of over 500 attendees. Personalized license plates, picture koozies and carnival-themed shirts were just some of the goodies attendees received. There was also a photo booth for students

“I think the license plate booth was one of the more popular things,” said sophomore Brittani Wyskocil, an entertainment coordinator for Dolphin Productions. “I thought the balloon animals during lunch put people in the mood.”

Country singer Natalie Stovall played a set during the event. She was lively and received a very receptive crowd who responded by dancing like wild men and women.

“I thought overall it was well planned and a lot better than last year for sure,” said junior Chris Bebout. “My favorite part of the event was Natalie Stovall and her band.”

Food selection across campus was limited to attending Fin Fest, where attendees could choose from a make-your-own-burger station, corn dogs and grilled chicken. Cotton candy, popcorn and snow cones were also available for snacks.

The event was previously promoted at all food locations, warning of the closure. Balloon animals were also given out during lunch on Friday to help get students in a carnival mood.

Unfortunately, some students had mixed feelings about this year’s event compared to those of previous years’. Senior Deric Ford missed the feeling of camaraderie and togetherness that he felt at the 2009 Fin Fest.

“I enjoyed myself; however, it was not what I was expecting,” he said. “I enjoyed Fin Fest from the past, especially the Fin Fest that took place in the commuter parking lot spring of 2009. Back then, it felt like the campus community came together to have fun and reminisce about the semester.”

“While I did enjoy it, I’d have to say I think I preferred the previous years’ events,” said senior Jamel Johnson. “I felt like not as many people showed up to this year’s Fin Fest, and that kind of took away from it.”

Other students believed this carnival to be better than their previous experiences.

“I had so much fun at this Fin Fest, and I think it was one of the best ones in a long time,” said senior Kathryn Judge. “I really liked all the different booths where you could get things made, such as the photograph coozies.”

On April 4, an event set the campus grapevine ablaze. At 7 a.m. that morning, an unknown female student woke up to a nightmare. As her alarm clock sounded throughout her room, she became aware of shufflings under her bed. Soon she was fleeing her apartment in a desperate evasion from the man who had violated the sanctity of her private space.

Campus security responded swiftly, arriving at 7:06 a.m. They scoured the premises, but there was no sign of the man. There was no indication of forced entry into the girl’s room. Nothing appeared to be stolen from her room, and the girl herself was physically unharmed.

“That’s scary,” said Linda Christoffersen, honors administrative officer. “I would feel like I have been violated. It’s a scary thought. When I heard that, I thought ‘Whoa, where are you safe then? That’s your home.’ To get in there and not even realize how long that guy had been under her bed is unbelievable.”

Campus security wasn’t able to reveal if they have any suspects or leads. They couldn’t verify any facts because it is an on-going investigation.

“There’s an active investigation going on between student life, residential life and campus security,” said Ryan Crosswait, a senior management major who also works part-time at the campus security office. “All leads are being investigated in a timely manner, and the issue is still a main concern.”

The campus security office implores anyone with any knowledge of the incident to come forward so that justice can be provided on behalf of the unnamed victim.

All in all, though the general feeling of safety on campus has been somewhat shaken, classes and life have gone on. Gradually over the course of the last two weeks, the incident has been largely put to the back of the student body’s mind.

Besides the graduates, a crowd of approximately 3,500 to 3,600 is expected to attend the ceremony.

“I love commencement,” said President Kerry Romesburg. “My favorite days of the year [have] commencement. It’s a time to celebrate the achievements of the graduates.”

Romesburg has seen his fair share of graduation ceremonies, having attended or conducted commencements for over 35 years.

“It’s always interesting trying to find the right speaker,” he said. “You get on people’s calendars and hope for the best.”

Bringing in Mayor Brown is a very different move from last year’s commencement speaker, actor Stephen Lang from the movie “Avatar.”

“He was really a very popular speaker,” Romesburg said.

Romesburg and Lang occasionally communicate via email, and Romesburg still has the signed action figure Lang presented him at last year’s ceremony.

According to a press release from JU, commencement will begin at 9:30 a.m. on the Science Green behind the Howard Building in the middle of JU’s campus. The university will honor Brown with an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters at the ceremony.

Brown, who took office July 1, 2011, campaigned on a vision of “taking Jacksonville to the next level” by creating jobs, revitalizing downtown and building a world-class education system. Before taking office, Brown was an executive-in-residence at JU’s Davis College of Business. He is the past president and CEO of the The Gary Foundation, an organization that helps provide scholarships for Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Brown served as a senior member of the Clinton-Gore Administration beginning in 1993. He led the administration’s $4 billion overall community empowerment initiatives, which generated unprecedented levels of public-private partnerships resulting in more than $10 billion in private investments benefiting impoverished urban and rural communities.

Brown went on to serve as the executive director of the Bush/Clinton Katrina Interfaith Fund, which distributed more than $20 million to rebuild houses of worship throughout the Gulf Coast. Brown has been chairman of the National Black Master of Business Administration Association, a group that honored him with the prestigious H. Naylor Fitzhugh Award. Brown is also the recipient of the Frederick Douglass Award from the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the Excellence in Community Service Award from 100 Black Men of America, the distinguished Award for Government Services from the National Baptist Convention, and the Chairman’s Award from the Congressional Black Caucus.

Brown graduated from JU, where he earned a bachelor of science in philosophy and an Executive MBA. He also completed postgraduate work at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. In 2011, Brown received JU’s Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Romesburg is looking forward to having Mayor Brown at Spring Commencement.

“Student’s will really enjoy hearing from one of their own.”

Photo courtesy of Ashley Kohler

A young Jacksonville University team competing for the last time in Division III placed among the elite at the recent Association of College Unions International  Clay Target Collegiate National Championships.

The JU Sporting, Skeet & Trap Team, up against 58 other teams at the 44th annual event in San Antonio, placed third overall in Division III, third in American Skeet and third in International Skeet. The team moves up to Division II next year.

The reason for the team’s movement from Division III to Division II is because the ACUI divides the divisions by team size. As the program at JU continues to become larger, the higher division the team will be placed.

“This was a very green team, as we lost some top shooters from last year’s Division III National Championship Team,” said Coach David T. Dobson. “However, given the new crop of inexperienced shooters, we did very well and went to the podium three times – very proud of this team.”

Coach Dobson expects that a strong team will return to JU next fall.

“We have some superb talent that is up and coming,” Dobson said. “The Clay Target Sports are much bigger than just shooting clay targets. We are building skills and solutions for life in terms of responsibility, accountability, professionalism, discipline, respect, manners, keeping safe and overall character.”

This year’s Nationals Team consisted of 14 members: Justin Felker (Team Captain), Ashley Kohler (Co-Captain), Scott Hensley (Co-Captain), Eric Baker, Kara Feinstein, Leigh-Anne Edwards, Tarrant Dunford, Charlie “Bulldog” Needham, Erin Felker, David Gonzales, Rob Searcy, Adam Granic, Dustin Mollohan, and Becky Killinger.

“It felt great for our team to place in our division this year,” said senior co-captain Ashley Kohler. “It really showed that our hard work paid off.”

The championship for this event lasted from March 27 to April 2 and was held at the National Shooting Complex in San Antonio. Members of the USA Shooting Team (Olympic Team qualifier) and ESPN were also on hand.

The Intercollegiate Clay Target Championships are the only national tournament in which collegiate shooters may compete in six different clay target events within the same program. The events include International Skeet, International Trap, American Skeet, American Trap, sporting clays and five-stand sporting. Sponsoring partners include Midway USA, Midway USA Foundation, the National Shooting Sporting Foundation, the National Rifle Association collegiate and School Programs, and the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation.

Next year the team plans to get involved in more collegiate shoots throughout the year.

“I want my team to remember me as a shooter who worked hard when I could get out to practices and also never gave up,” Kohler said.

This year the team saw a new array of shooters, and they put up competitive scores. Kohler said she was proud of them for getting out there to compete.

Although last year the team placed in more events, this year JU’s overall team averages made it possible for the team to place in its division.

Jack Turnock, the gallery director and an associate professor of art, is among the handful of people who have interacted with JU’s trove of unseen art. According to him, the university houses hundreds of pieces that are not on display.

“We just don’t have room to display it all,” said Turnock. “The work is a variety of different types of art – prints, contemporary, antique, a lot of Pre-Columbian artwork, sculptures as well as practical pieces like vessels and pots [...] Asian art, paintings, watercolors.”

Turnock said that these pieces will usually not be rotated out with works that are currently on display. They are mostly stored in the basement of the Phillips Fine Arts Building, but some of the pieces most sensitive to humidity are kept in a central room in the Davis College of Business.

Some of the pieces were purchased decades ago, said Turnock, but most are donated. The permanent collections housed in the Brest Gallery include the donations of some of the university’s biggest supporters of the arts, including the Brest family, the Mussallem family and Dr. Walter P. Scott.

“Dr. Walter Scott from St. Augustine donated most of the Pre-Columbian [works],” said Turnock. “There’s about a thousand pieces. It’s probably the biggest collection of Pre-Columbian works in the southeastern United States.”

Cheryl Sowder, associate professor of art history, edited the 1994 catalogue that explains the gallery’s collections. She said that much of the university’s current store of Pre-Columbian artwork can be traced to what was once known as the Jacksonville Art Museum.

“In the ’90s, that museum decided to completely change its character, move downtown and become the Museum of Modern Art,” said Sowder. “They didn’t feel the need to hang onto things that were not part of the 20th century.”

As a result, the Pre-Columbian artwork first moved to the Cummer Museum of Arts and Gardens, where Sowder was then serving as visiting scholar. Because they reflected the specialty of the museum director at the time, the university expected him to buy the pieces. Two years passed, and he did not.

“[The Cummer] deaccessioned the collection, and they literally gave it to us,” said Sowder.

The collection included the three stelae now in front of the Phillips building, which are replicas. The Museum of Modern Art, now the Museum of Contemporary Art, also gave the university the 1960s-era abstract sculpture that stands between the parking lots in front of the Howard building.

Sowder teaches a course on Mayan and Aztec art, and on exam days she brings her class into the Brest Gallery to describe some of the pieces Scott donated. Sowder said that she would also like to be able to use the stored Pre-Columbian art in her teaching, but she recognizes that unboxing the pieces exposes them to the dangers of theft and damage. The philosophy that guides her in her archaeological field work, she said, applies here too.

“Don’t dig up something you can’t protect,” she said.

According to Turnock, no restoration efforts take place on campus. Art restoration is a highly specialized, technical field.

“What we attempt to do is package things up nicely and store them so they’re not damaged,” he said. “Everything is stored in pH-neutral containers.”

The art may be safe in those containers, but its function is uncertain.

To judge from Sowder and Turnock’s careful responses, the answer seems to be that handling art, especially donated art, is a delicate matter. The recipient wants both to adequately care for the art and to avoid giving the donor any cause for offense. There are issues of space, issues of taste and issues of insurance. Sowder said that JU once approached another southern university about buying the Pre-Columbian art, but she declined giving details about the proposed sale. Neither Derek Hall, vice president for university relations and external affairs, nor Bill Hill, dean of fine arts, could be reached for comment.

Sowder said that she would love to see art galleries incorporated into a renovated campus library. Such galleries could house some of the art currently in storage, displaying both permanent and traveling collections.

Another trend within the art world is repatriation or returning museum pieces to their countries of origin. Last year, for instance, New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art reached an agreement with Egypt to return 19 artifacts from Tutankhamen’s tomb that had been improperly exported. JU may opt to follow suit, returning sculptures to such countries as Mexico, Belize and Honduras.

Every work of art serves simultaneously as a storyteller and a character in a broader historical narrative. JU’s unseen artwork heralds from a variety of countries, eras and previous collections. What will become of those pieces is currently unclear, but the decision will add still more layers of significance to their stories.

“The trial is tomorrow, Lorna. Can you come? Christopher wants you to speak for him since he can’t make it.”

Her voice was soft and calculated, a fine quilt of sound stifling a scream. Dark coffee circles that once rested below Gus’ eyes, her late husband’s eyes, have taken residence under hers. My eyes were studying the carpet when I told her I couldn’t go. I couldn’t bear to spill my sadness onto her when she and her family, the family I had become a part of over the past two years, were suffering the purest of pain.

I cannot begin to understand the depth of their agony – Ms. April, her husband and best friend of 30 years was killed less than five miles from where I stand. Christopher, my fiancé, is haunted by memories of the wreckage he found in place of his father that night. Flashes of the machine his father loved so much forced into the grotesque form of frozen fire on the road haunt him from behind icy eyes. Tonight, he is tossing in his bunk thousands of miles away. But, here, in my room, Ms. April’s crying echoes through my head as I think of you and brew. You, the twenty-year-old child responsible for Gus’ death.

The screen is taunting me now and my fingers are storms of passion clashing and dashing across the keys. I don’t remember moving here but I am here. I am here, in spite of myself, doing what I cannot do. I am here writing to you. I barely notice my tears as they crash and splinter on my desk, reflecting the words now pouring from me:

I write to you now, I never want to know your face. I don’t want to hate you. I can only imagine the terror you felt when your tires squealed dozens of lives to a terrible halt. I know time stood still when the unmistakable scents of rubber and blood reached your nose, rushed to your brain, and then slithered to your heart. As a human being, you must have felt this. The doctors told us he didn’t feel any pain. The impact from your car released his soul while nature held fast to his body. That’s what they say. But I’m sure you must have felt his pain for him, as feeling is born from matter and matter is neither created nor destroyed. It must have channeled to you. You. The 20 year-old child I never want to know.  I don’t want your face to find the darkest places of my heart, doors that should remain closed. Yet, I cannot bear to forgive you. Behind clenched teeth I cry and I curse you but I can’t bear to know you or hate you, knowing you are just a child. You couldn’t have meant it. The motorcycle must’ve seemed a mirage in the distance. You seriously misjudged it. It was a mistake. I have to believe you didn’t mean it. For the sake of my humanity – you couldn’t have meant it.  At the trial tomorrow, I want you to plead guilty. Take responsibility for what your carelessness took away: a wonderful father, a dedicated husband, the good twin, and a friend who always found a way to make those around him laugh. You left us with little more than twisted metal, blood on the blacktop, and ashes. I feel no one can win, no matter what the judge may say. Justice is difficult to define but I do know if you lose years of your life for this tragedy, this downward spiral of pain will just continue. Whoever you are now will die when you walk through the cold hell of prison. A life for a life. Another senseless tragedy.

I stop and turn away from the harsh computer, myself, and life for a moment. Abandoning the lamplight, I watch the moonlight pool upon the new darkness on the floor, and notice the night outside is as immobile and immense as the stillness in this house. Ms. April is taking slow, painful steps to her room and her footsteps fall like whispers in the procession towards her empty bed. I climb into mine, hiding beneath a mountain of covers that protect me from myself. The night is expanding and I am shrinking. I am quiet. I am alone.

The Blood Alliance (TBA) held a blood drive on campus April 14 where they accepted donations for all blood types. Hosted by Jacksonville University Athletics and the Sigma Chi Fraternity, TBA parked their donation bus in Commuter Lot I from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. They accepted appointments and walk-in donors.

JU Athletics often sponsors blood drives on campus. They gave out tickets for a JU home basketball game to those who donated blood on January 16.

Sigma Chi also wanted to host a blood drive, but due to time constraints had to cohost. Sigma Chi wanted to give back to the community while saving future lives.

“It is important to donate blood because it saves lives that are in desperate need of it,” said sophomore Michael Voitik, president of Sigma Chi. “We were pleased with the support we had from the school and are excited to see what is in store for the future. It was fantastic working with The Blood Alliance, and we hope to continue a strong partnership with the organization.”

Over the span of four hours, 31 donors were able to give 33 units of blood. Classified as a blood bank, The Blood Alliance donates all of its donations to Florida hospitals in Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Fernandina Beach and other local cities including St Mary’s and Savannah, Ga. and Beaufort, S.C.

While 65 percent of the population is eligible to donate, only 5 percent of people do, according to The Blood Alliance website. Because so few donate, TBA is low on certain types of blood. To view which blood types are needed, those interested can visit www.igiveblood.com for a live update.

To promote more donations, each registration enters a donor’s name into a drawing for a 2012 Honda Civic. The last day donors’ names can enter the drawing is June 30.

“Donating my blood helps someone who needs it, and I’m giving back to my community,” said sophomore Sarah Willson.

Students, faculty and staff all came out together to support the cause.

“There are people out there in the world who need our help,” said sophomore Rudy Cabral. “We have come to realize that we have all been blessed with the gift of life, and it was time to return the favor. I donated blood because I know that there is someone in this country that needs it more than I do at this point.”

To possess the ability to help others by such an easy act is what brought people to donate. Those that have the ability should share it with others.

“I feel it’s so important to donate because it’s a simple way to save lives,” said Lucas Meers, the communications coordinator for the JU Alumni Relations office. “I donate because my family has always donated. It’s ‘in my blood,’ pun intended.”

“I thought it was very inspiring,” said sophomore Jordan Smith.

Divided into two distinct sections, the performers coaxed and commanded the keys to voice the works of two artists of the romantic period: American composer, Edward MacDowell and Russian composer, Modest Mussorgsky. During the first portion, the New England Idylls, Op. 62 was complemented by poetry written by Edward MacDowell to preface their respective piano pieces. These poems were displayed on a screen that was draped from the ceiling and controlled by a computer. After intermission, Pictures at an Exhibition was performed with quick hands and great heart. Complemented by the paintings of Viktor Hartmann, for whom Mussorgsky dedicated the performance to and wrote the pieces for, breathing rose and fell on the whims of the composer.

“I liked the music overall, but I really like the poems,” said junior Nayage Moreno. “That was my favorite part of the concert, the poems.”

The students and faculty took the stage with an air of confidence and purpose. Notes enveloped the audience in waves of sound, transformed into music by the heart and senses. Emotions were tugged and swayed by the music that empowered the words and images of the artists.

“It was a calming and uplifting break from the hectic week I’ve been having,” said junior Alex Bradley.

The pieces themselves evoked images that sprung to life from the pulse of changing melodies. For example, the first piece performed by Sabrina Morby was introduced with the verses of An Old Garden: “Sweet alyssum, /Moss grown stair, /Rows of roses, /Larkspur fair. / All old posies, /Tokens rare/ Of love undying /Linger there.”  The words loomed over the slight melancholy aura created by the music that progressed to a more dreamlike tone. It was as if the composer was in a shady ancient place in the grasps of a garden tiptoeing stone to stone as the music hopped from note to note.

“The music was really pretty,” said sophomore Adriana Rodrigues “I liked how they had fast pieces and slow pieces and they alternated, but it was really, really well done, the whole entire concert, especially by Grace [Han].”

Armed with sheet music a summer in advance, the pianists’ diligent practice, talent and passion was evident in the night’s performance.

“I was honored to work with all the talented pianists and to be part of this studio recital,” said junior Grace Han. “It was great working with and learning from Dr. Watkins again.”

Photo by Ninoska Nunez

Trailing up and down the stairwell of Phillip’s Fine Arts Building, sounds of a midweek jazz ensemble echoed with energetic pulse.

Courtesy of Jazz in the Black Box, a concert took place on the night of April 11 in Phillips 19, known less formally as “The Black Box.” This cadence showcased the talent of student and faculty jazz artists. Put on by the Jacksonville University Division of Music, the feeling of the show was more reminiscent of a hole-in-the wall jazz club than a formal concert.

This atmosphere started with the choice of venue in which the small, comfortable crowd nestled in to enjoy the night’s melodies. The room was blanketed from all sides by black curtains and centrally illuminated by soft-lit orange lighting. Front and center, a small floor-level stage was placed, increasing the laid back attitude. Instead of looking down at their audience from a tall stage, this eye-level set up offered easy association between musicians and spectators.

As the performance began and music filled the room, the sounds seemed to instill the audience with contagious rhythm. From their seats, heads bounced, hands patted and feet tapped throughout the audience, keeping measure with the instrumental beats. This carried on straight through the concert for much of the audience, many individuals keeping tempo from the first song to the last beat.

“It was great,” said Daisy Miller who attended the concert. “I really enjoyed myself. I got a lot of good head nodding action going.”

Starting with student artists, the show demonstrated the wide variety and emotion within the jazz genre.  Three different combinations of students took the stage in the course of the show, offering to share the products of their talents and hard work to the listeners. The songs performed included both instrumentals and those with sung lyrics and ranged in the emotions conveyed. Some of the compositions, such as Thelonious Monk’s “Round Midnight” performed by Combo Two, lulled the audience in with cascading rhythm and soft, willowing tones. Others, such as Gus Khan and Nacio Herb Brown’s “You Stepped out of a Dream” performed by Combo One infused prominent energy and a desire for life, movement and dance into the room with fast beating tempos.

“I think the soloists played very well,” said Brian Ferdon, a junior and music business major. “It was a very exciting show.”

For the final composition, the pupils took their seats, and a combination of jazz faculty took presence on the stage with a light-hearted vivacity. As the professors performed and bantered amongst one another, the animation of their personalities lit up the room. With smiles and skillful hands, they gave a strong element of joy into their enactment of their chosen crafts and fulfillment to the genre, ending the show with echoing notes of exuberance.

“We are very fortunate at JU to have such a gifted and humble faculty,” said Will Baxley, freshman and music performance major. “They presented a showcase of their pupils and themselves that was enjoyable for all audiences.”