A lot of upcoming success is anticipated at UB. This winter, UB will again offer classes for students looking to stay on track. Influential author Wes Moore spoke to students Wednesday. Sports at UB have been a popular topic after UB fired Bulls’ head coach Jeff Quinn and women’s volleyball is looking forward to a future MAC title. Sophomore student John Polanco is proving there’s more then meets the eye with his music.
1. UB is excited to offer classes again this upcoming winter. UB announced the program last year and this winter will be a whole new phenomenon. UB will have classes both on campus and online and volunteering and internship programs will be available. According to Matthew Blum, director of summer/winter sessions at UB, the university wants to make the winter sessions as beneficial as the summer sessions and expand the learning experience. UB will hold winter-themed events leading up to its winter session, including a gingerbread house competition Nov. 17 and a Winter Igloo Competition on Dec. 1. Students will have the opportunity to stay on track with their studies in the winter, with 125 courses being offered, according to Blum. Now students can look forward to completing credits in a faster and more orderly way and have a beneficial wintertime.
2. Famous author Wes Moore talked to students on Wednesday as part of the Distinguished Speakers Series. Moore’s book, “The Other Wes Moore”, is an autobiography about the obstacles he had growing up and the relationship he acquired with a man who has the same name as him. Moore talked to students about opportunities and the impact that helping someone less privileged can have. Moore preached the idea that everyone has the potential to do something great, but not everyone has the accessibility to make it happen. That is when people who do have the accessibility should help those less fortunate. Everyone should find his or her “passion point”, Moore said, and run with it.
3. UB fired Bulls’ head coach Jeff Quinn Monday evening. Quinn became head coach in 2010 when former coach Turner Gill left to be Kansas University’s head coach. The reasons for firing Quinn are not completely known. However, athletic director Danny White said the Bulls’ performance this season was not what was expected and was furthermore disappointing. There are mixed opinions about Quinn leaving by players and colleagues. Some players didn’t agree with his teaching methods and the removal of former wide receiver Rudy Johnson. Johnson missed summer workouts because of an internship in Baltimore, Maryland. Moving forward without Quinn, the Bulls are excited for a new start.
4. UB’s women’s volleyball team is off to a strong start this season and has a good chance at their MAC title goal. Head coach Reed Sunahara says the key to success is consistency. Before this weekend, the Bulls won 12 of their 16 matches. Star players on the team like Meghan Lin with 134 assists and Nikki Bozinoski with 237 digs are a big reason for the Bulls’ past victories. The team this year is different and Sunahara is ready to make corrections at anytime, according to junior outside hitter Tahleia Bishop. The girls are pushing harder more than ever this season and willing to do whatever it takes. The Bulls lost on Friday 3-1 to Western Michigan and 3-1 Saturday against Northern Illinois. Their next game is Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. against Eastern Michigan.
5. Sophomore John Polanco is more than a typical college student. Polanco is determined to be a superstar rapper and will work continuously until his goal is achieved. The Bronx native has wanted to be a rapper ever since he and his friends began their group called The New Frontier. Polanco spends his time in his room writing and recording songs and working hard for upcoming mixtapes. His last mixtape, The Pressure Book, is composed of influences from his hometown and his favorite artists like J. Cole. In the future, Polanco is looking to record some videos for songs on his mixtape and stay focused on school. Polanco sees music as his main goal and is excited for future success.
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