Reported by: Mimi Haruna
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“Human Again” film aims to end prison stereotypes
OSWEGO, NY — The Marano Campus Center at SUNY Oswego held a recent screening of “Human Again,” a filmed documentation displaying the power of theater on prison inmates. The showing of the film was open to the public, and a discussion panel consisted of professors in various fields of study, such as Criminal Justice, Psychology, Creative Writing and, of course, Theater.
Professor Kristen Eichhorn, the Dean of Graduate Studies at SUNY Oswego, served as the head of the event, and has hopeful feelings on the film’s heartwarming message.
“I think it’s a really interesting topic from a lot of different perspectives, and I hope that students take away a heightened consciousness of prisons and the prison systems,” Professor Eichhorn said.
The discussion panel also included Cornell professor Bruce Levitt, the facilitator of the Phoenix Players Theater Group, which is centered within the Auburn Correctional Facility.
“These people who are incarcerated are human beings and have qualities. They are not a stereotype,” Professor Levitt said. “We start the film with a mug shot, which is the most stereotypical image of someone who’s incarcerated. And then, you get to know them through the course of the film as human beings, and so we’re hoping to push against that stereotype.”
The Phoenix Players Theater Group has continued to operate inside the correctional facility with new members since the film was produced,. For more information, visit www.phoenixplayersatauburn.
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Linda Cohn Earns a Sub at the Oswego Sub Shop
OSWEGO, N.Y. – Linda Cohn, the Oswego alumnus and sportscaster celebrated her 5,000 episode on ESPN’s SportsCenter on Sunday. Cohn became the first SportsCenter anchor to reach such a mark. Cohn has been a trailblazer for women in sports, but there was still one goal she longed for. Getting a sub named after her at the famed Oswego Sub Shop.
The staple in downtown Oswego is one of the most exclusive clubs for Oswego alumni like Cohn. From Al Roker to Steve Levy, the Oswego Sub Shop is where SUNY Oswego graduates come to be enshrined, in a sandwich.
When skimming the menu, Cohn’s name was nowhere to be seen, but one fan and fellow alumnus is looking to change that.
“She was like, actually I haven’t reached that celebrity status yet because I don’t have a sub at the Oswego sub shop,” said Paul Esden.
Esden, a producer at ESPN radio in Syracuse, N.Y. spoke to Cohn and started the trending topic.
Paul said, “I made the hash tag, I made the meme, and I was like let’s just see what happens. Cohn’s hash tag #GetCohnASub, has Oswego alumni rallying around her and the sub shop making plans.
“We’d definitely get her input and design it accordingly,” said William Green, the once owner of the Oswego Sub Shop. He sold the family restaurant to his son just a few years back.
Green said, “I had no idea that she was that popular or did that many shows.”
He remembers when Al Roker and Steve Levy got their subs and hopes Cohn will be the same kind of ambassador, they’ve been.
“They never come in here asking for anything, they’re doing it just out of the gratitude and respect of the sub shop,” said Green.
Odds are Cohn shouldn’t have to wait long. Green added, “I wouldn’t be surprised if we had a sub named after her, within the week.”
Cohn’s much-deserved sub is waiting. The Sub Shop even has a spot reserved. -
Oswego women’s soccer making national noise
The Oswego State women’s soccer team made some noise on a national level this weekend. The Lakers knocked off the number 8 team in the nation, their conference rival Geneseo 1-0. Audrey Burbidge found teammate Sarah Grupp who hammered home the games lone goal. Freshman goaltender Emma Allen did her part with a 10 save shutout. The loss marked the Knights first on the season. Oswego State improved to 7-5-1 overall and 4-4 in the SUNYAC. The Lakers will look to build on their monumental win Saturday as they take on Cortland.
Reported by Dylan Kuhn.
