Category: Features

Tackling Food Insecurity: How PFW’s Campus Pantry and Community Organizations Are Making a Difference

By Cincade Drudge

Food insecurity, or the lack of reliable access to sufficient amounts of food, is a growing concern among many Allen County residents, with college students in particular struggling to balance the costs of tuition, housing, and other basic living expenses with healthy eating.

At Purdue University Fort Wayne, the FRIENDS of the University Pantry is tackling this issue head-on by providing essential resources to students and other local residents in need. It works alongside other community organizations, such as the Community Harvest Food Bank, to ensure that students have access to nutritious food while pursuing their education.

On a national level, college students experience relatively high levels of food insecurity, with data from the National Library of Medicine estimating food insecurity among American college students ranging from 19% to 56%.

Chart Source: USDA, Economic Research Service using U.S Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, Current Population Survey Food Security Supplements Data

On a national level, college students experience relatively high levels of food insecurity, with data from the National Library of Medicine estimating food insecurity among American college students ranging from 19% to 56%.

While there is no data directly researching food insecurity rates at PFW, one can infer that insecurity exists at the university from the number of people using the FRIENDS of the University Pantry, which is around 9,000 annually, suggesting that a substantial number of PFW students rely on its services.

Eric Manor, associate chief for campus and community wellbeing at PFW, who oversees the pantry, highlighted this growing need and exponential usage since the pantry started in 2017.

“In 2023 and 2024, we’ve seen about 9,000 visits each year, a number that had been steadily increasing until it recently leveled off. While we can’t say exactly how many students are food insecure, the demand—both from students and community members—shows that more people are relying on the pantry than ever before,” he said.


Nationally, this increase in demand can be seen in the food insecurity rate, which hovers around 13.5%, according to the most recent USDA data, showing an increase from recent years. Feeding America reports that Allen County has a similar food insecurity rate of 13%. The USDA data also indicates that around 5% of total food-insecure people experience “very low” levels of food insecurity, meaning they often have to skip meals due to low food budgets, eventually leading them to negative consequences for their health.

A multitude of factors contribute to food insecurity, including rising costs of living, low wages, unemployment, and inflation. Inflation is a significant driver of food insecurity, making it difficult even for individuals who get wage increases to overcome it.

Logan Haffner, the impact manager at Community Harvest Food Bank, highlighted how inflation and food accessibility contribute to the issue.

“You could have a certain amount of income living in this space, and then two years later, you still have that job, and maybe you’ve even gotten a raise, but life has become more expensive, and two grocery stores near you have closed. So now you are food insecure and living in a food desert when two years ago, you weren’t,” Haffner said.

The food deserts mentioned by Haffner are another important aspect of food insecurity. These areas, where residents have limited access to affordable and nutritious food, disproportionately affect lower-income individuals and college students who may not have reliable access to transportation to reach grocery stores outside their immediate neighborhoods.

In these areas, individuals often resort to purchasing cheaper, processed foods that lack nutritional value, further exacerbating health issues such as obesity, diabetes, and malnutrition. Certain areas of Fort Wayne have been classified as food deserts, further intensifying the food insecurity problem in Allen County.

To combat these food insecurity challenges, the FRIENDS of the University Pantry at PFW serves as a critical resource for both university students and local residents facing food insecurity. The pantry provides fresh produce (depending on the time of year), shelf-stable food, and refrigerated/freezer food; individuals can receive up to 15 or 20 items per week, depending on where the items are sourced from. These cut-offs are necessary since some of the food comes from state-run programs, while the majority of it comes from the Community Harvest Food Bank.

Manor, the overseer of the pantry, spoke of the requirements, or lack thereof, to receive goods from the pantry.

“There are no eligibility requirements required. It’s really just show up as you are. There is a short form participants fill out the first time they come once they fill out that for the first time, they can just come in, type in their name, get their food, and then they can go,” he said.

Manor clarified that although the government requires them to collect certain information, they are not necessarily obligated to verify its accuracy, leaving that decision to the participants themselves. Additionally, exit surveys are submitted to Community Harvest on a monthly basis.

Among those involved with the FRIENDS Pantry is Abigail Coates, a PFW student who initially volunteered at the pantry for a class project.

Since being hired at the pantry in November 2024, Coates has taken on a variety of roles at the pantry, including bagging food for visitors and stocking shelves. Coates emphasized how eye-opening the experience has been.

“It made me realize that the little things in life can mean so much to some people,” she said. “For me, I can just go to the grocery store and get whatever I need, but for some of these people, it’s so amazing to see how it impacts their lives. I’m so grateful to be the one to do that.”

To students hesitant about using the pantry, Coates emphasized the inviting atmosphere of the pantry.

“It is a very judgment-free zone. Even if you aren’t struggling on a large scale, I think it’s a wonderful resource. It’s very easy to use, and it’s very beneficial,” she said.

Coates’ experience with the pantry highlights the role students can play in addressing food insecurity not just as beneficiaries of the pantry, but as active participants in combating the issue of food insecurity.

Beyond campus, the Community Harvest Food Bank plays a vital role in addressing food insecurity throughout Allen County. The organization distributes food to thousands of families each month, partnering with local pantries, churches, and community organizations to maximize its reach. Celebrating its 42nd year in operation, Community Harvest served an impressive 91,500 people last year.

Community Harvest offers 10 distinct service programs aimed at helping different groups of people, including veterans, seniors, children, and families. They also offer a program called Saturday Helping Hands, which, similarly to the FRIENDS pantry, is open distribution, asking for no eligibility requirements.

Front of the Community Harvest Food Bank (Courtesy of Community Harvest Food Bank)

Despite these achievements, Impact Manager Haffner emphasized that the organization still has a long way to go when it comes to reaching its ultimate goal of putting an end to food insecurity.

“When I first started working at Community Harvest two years ago, we had never served a thousand households in a distribution ever. Then we broke that record, and now we’re almost twice that for the average,” Haffner said. “Part of this, we can chalk up to successful marketing and making more people aware. We’re always excited to help those in need, but seeing those numbers climb—it feels like the issue is getting worse faster than we’re able to keep up.”

Adding to these concerns are the additional challenges organizations like these two face: funding, volunteer availability, and raising awareness are constant hurdles.

Manor stressed funding challenges organizations like his face.

“We face lots of challenges regarding the funding, and we’re not alone in that. We’re not university-funded, so all funds that we have are generated through either grants, donations, or food drives. We do a number of different things in the campus community to try to kind of get a supply of steady goods rolling through the pantry as well,” he said.

Looking ahead, organizations like the FRIENDS Pantry and Community Harvest Food Bank are exploring ways to expand their services. Mobile food pantries, partnerships with local grocery stores, and policy advocacy are all part of broader efforts to address food insecurity in sustainable ways.

For those in need, resources are readily available. The FRIENDS of the University Pantry offers essential items with no barriers to entry:

  • Thursday: 10 a.m.–2 p.m. | Walb Union, Room G36
  • Monday & Tuesday: 4–7 p.m. | Student Housing, Clubhouse

Meanwhile, Community Harvest Food Bank continues its mission through multiple distribution programs, including the Farm Wagon and Saturday Helping Hands, ensuring food reaches those who need it most.

As food insecurity remains a pressing issue for both students and local residents, solutions-driven initiatives like these serve as models for how communities can come together to create lasting change.

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Historic Old Fort Hosts Training Event for Reenactors

By Andrew Danielson

The Old Fort in downtown Fort Wayne was the scene of bustling activity as reenactors from the Midwest came for training and mentoring in the art and skill of historical reenacting.

On Saturday, Feb. 15, men and women of the War of 1812 reenactment community gathered at the Old Fort on 1201 Spy Run Ave. for the 1812 Officer & NCO Garrison event. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., these reenactors learned how to lead a military unit from the War of 1812, as well as how to guide other historical interpreters in military drills and practices from the period.

“This is an annual opportunity for the reenacting community here to knock off the rust of the off season,” Cory Balkenbusch explained. “There’s not a whole lot of reenacting over winter time.”

Balkenbusch is a reenactor currently living in Ohio. He’s no stranger to the historical recreation community. As a child, Balkenbusch and his mother, Jennifer Balkenbusch, attended many events at the Old Fort. A board member of the Old Fort noticed their interest and eventually asked Balkenbusch if he’d like to join them and do reenacting himself, an opportunity Balkenbusch snapped up immediately at the young age of 12.

“I’ve always loved history,” Balkenbusch said with a laugh. “My mother always brought me out to reenactments here as a kid.”

Balkenbusch’s enthusiasm for reenacting and his commitment to helping others get into the hobby was shared amongst the attendees of the event.

John Davis, who lives just outside of Marion, Indiana, is a veteran with many years’ experience in historical depictions. He leads a reenacting unit called Davis’ Company, Indiana Territorial Rangers.

Back in the early 1800s, Indiana Territorial Rangers assisted the fledgling United States military throughout the military campaigns of the War of 1812 in what has become the state of Indiana.

“The War of 1812 finished the Revolutionary War,” Davis mentions, as he leans back against his bunk in his quarters at the Old Fort.

Davis explained that the Indiana Territorial Rangers were considered the special forces of the US military at the time. Members of the unit fought guerilla style, shooting from behind trees and bushes, patrolling paths and roads, and acting as scouts for the military. Their uniforms were the color of earth or snow, providing them with camouflage throughout the year.

Davis’ Company member William “Bill” Blevins was a perfect example of the Indiana Territorial Rangers, with his white overcoat and white boots blending perfectly with the Indiana snow lying on the grounds of the Fort.

Blevins, a surgeon with the Davis’ Company, originally came into contact with reenacting as a Boy Scout leader, where his troop had frequent camping events in connection with historical reenactment camps. When the troop closed down, Blevins, an ardent lover of the outdoors, decided to continue his enjoyment of camping and the outdoors by joining the Davis’ Company.  

Standing near his friend Bill Blevens, David Taylor, another member of Davis’ Company, munched some authentic early 1800s chow – peas, bread and some cheese. Taylor came to reenacting via the influence of his father.

Taylor’s drab brown coat and boots provided a unique contrast to the white coat of Blevins, but their coats represent the many kinds of camouflage these early special forces soldiers had in the early 1800s, as the Indiana Territorial Rangers did not wear official US military uniforms.

With nearly 60 people registering for the event, there was a wide variety of historic uniforms and costumes on display throughout the day. Soldiers in green coats and trousers were chatting by the Fort’s flagpole, while other participants in dark blue coats marched through the front gates.

Balkenbusch, from Ohio, said that this particular event, organized cooperatively by various reenactment organizations including those at the Old Fort, had participants from across the Midwest region, including folks from Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and Kentucky.

Some attendees had come to the event to “brush up” on their skills in reenacting. However, some event goers had come for something specific – military training, such as that given to soldiers stationed in Fort Wayne during the 1812 War.

“The US Army is using three different drill manuals during the War of 1812, even up to four at one point,” Balkenbusch explained.

That military training was on full display, with soldiers practicing marching and military drill outside the Fort. Others soldiers stood guard at the front gate. One could hear orders being shouted, a drum beating out a military call to assembly, and officers passing along orders to their command.

Participants came to this event to do what they love – bringing history to life through reenactment. The event at the Old Fort is just one way volunteers can help showcase that history.

“There are so many different options to get involved here,” Balkenbusch said of getting involved with reenacting at the Old Fort. “We always like to say we have something for everybody.”

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“Everybody Say Love Dinner” Fosters Inclusivity at Purdue Fort Wayne

By Cincade Drudge

Purdue University Fort Wayne’s Q Center hosted its annual “Everybody Say Love Dinner” on Feb. 13, bringing together LGBTQ+ students, allies, and community members for an evening of food, music, and fun.

The event, which was held in the Walb Student Union, provided a space for attendees to celebrate Valentine’s Day with their friends and family while enjoying a free Mediterranean meal.

The dinner has been held annually at PFW since 2020, growing in size each year. The primary goal of the event is to create a welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ students, especially for those who may feel isolated during the romantic season of Valentine’s Day.

“It’s an inclusive Valentine’s event where anyone can bring their chosen family, friends, or loved ones,” said Mitchell Fiandt, program assistant for the Q Center. “It’s all about sharing a meal and feeling a sense of belonging.”

This year’s event featured catering by Smile More Catering, a business run by a former PFW student, Terel Lynn, who the Q Center has worked with for previous events.

“We always try to partner with people we trust, and Terel knows the campus well,” Fiandt said.

The Mediterranean-themed menu included pitas, naan, chicken kebabs, and rice dishes, appealing to a diverse range of dietary preferences.

The event’s popularity has surged this year, with RSVP numbers reaching capacity.

“Last year, we ran out of food, so we implemented an RSVP system this time,” Fiandt explained. “We have about 60 people signed up, and we might still run out.”

The growing attendance numbers highlight the desire for community and support among LGBTQ+ students on campus.

Attendees expressed their appreciation for the event’s welcoming atmosphere. Alexander Egonoza, a community member and part of the LGBTQ+ community, emphasized the importance of such gatherings.

“This event is a great opportunity for LGBTQ+ individuals to enjoy themselves, especially given the current challenges our community faces,” he said. “Events like this show that PFW is a welcoming place.”

Korian Johnson, a PFW student and self-described ally, praised the event for bringing people together.

“It gives me an opportunity to talk with friends and have a good time,” he said. “It’s special because it provides a space for members of a marginalized community to share their experiences and bond over a meal.”

Beyond the meal itself, the Everybody Say Love Dinner aligns with Purdue Fort Wayne’s broader diversity and inclusion initiatives, with the event representing the melting pot of the PFW community coming together.

“We have international students, queer students of color, faculty, and even community members attending,” Fiandt said. “It’s great to see so many different backgrounds coming together in a safe and welcoming environment.”

With the backdrop of romantic music playing, attendees shared conversations, laughter, and a sense of community. As the event ended, it was clear that the Everybody Say Love Dinner was more than just a meal; it was a celebration of acceptance and togetherness.

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A Window into Time – PFW Professor Dives Deep into Latin America

By Andrew Danielson

Revolution is breaking out on Purdue University Fort Wayne’s campus. Or, at least, the study of it.

Students taking Dr. Richard Weiner’s class on 20th Century Latin American Revolutions get to dive deep and analyze the complex world surrounding that region during the last century.

According to Dr. Weiner, a professor in the department of history, this course is offered only once every two years. Students in the class examine these revolutions from a global perspective as they seek to understand the big factors that influenced the context of the conflicts.

“During the Cold War,” Dr. Weiner said, “Latin America was much more on America’s radar.”

The poster taped to Dr. Weiner’s door describing his class on revolution in Latin America appears rather academic. A black text block at the top of the poster lists the web and social media info for the PFW history program. Slightly above the title on the poster is a listing of the semester and course number for the class, with a longer description of requirements the course satisfies.

But what really catches the eye of passers by is the stark photograph of a young Fidel Castro. Clad in military fatigues, a rifle slung over his shoulder, he is depicted in his jungle surroundings as he prepared to overthrow the Cuban government and establish what would become the communist dictatorship of Cuba.

“There’s always been someone coming from outside and trying to run the show in Cuba,” Dr. Weiner said as we discussed his class.

But Cuba isn’t the only focus for Dr. Weiner’s class. Countries throughout Latin America who have experienced revolution are also studied, including Mexico, Chile, and Nicaragua. Students taking the class dive deep into the circumstances of these revolutions and the varying results these countries experienced following the revolution.

The class takes the approach of analyzing these revolutions comparatively, seeking to understand what made each one unique and different from those in other Latin American countries.

Although the photograph on the poster helps promote the course to the random passerby, Dr. Weiner said he likes to use images while teaching his class, as they give students a sense of what was happening during those historic moments.

The poster on Dr. Weiner’s door may offer only a glimpse into one revolution of one country – a revolution that shook the geopolitical world for decades. But, thanks to opportunities like this class, Dr. Weiner’s students will take a wealth of knowledge and understanding with them to help form the foundations of tomorrow.

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US Olympic Trials: Hoosiers Lead the Way in Swimming Events

18-year-old Luke Whitlock traveled just approximately thirty minutes from his hometown of Carmel to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis to compete in this year’s US Olympic trials in swimming. 

The University of Florida commit was successful in posting a record breaking time in the men’s 400 freestyle, previously set by Olympic medalist, Michael Phelps, almost two decades ago. 

His freestyle time of 3:46.26 beat out the 3:46.73 time set by Phelps in 2003 for the 17-18 year old age group. 

Amongst his competitor’s in this year’s trials, 17 of them have Indiana ties.  

Just two days into the competition five of them had already punched their ticket to the 2024 Olympic games in Paris, France. 

Fellow Carmel swimmer Drew Kibler became a two time Olympian after finishing third in the men’s 200 meter freestyle.

The Shackell siblings, Alex and Aaron, Lilly King and Blake Pieroni are the other four to qualify for this year’s Olympic games. 

“We’re a swimming state. And we’re really, really proud of that,” King told NBC’s Elizabeth Beisel. 

This year’s Olympic competitors tied the record number set in 2021 and Indiana was only second to California who had seven native competitors. 

Although the final roster won’t be set until the trials conclude Sunday, the top six in both the 100 and 200 freestyles qualify for Paris. 

Indianapolis last hosted the trials back in 2000 and has already set the largest attendance record ever in the history of the trials seeing 22,209 spectators Wednesday. 

The trials continue through Sunday, June 23rd. 

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First Female NFL Official Makes Lasting Impact on PFW Campus

By Lindsay Burke

After reaching a milestone in her officiating career in becoming the first female to officiate in the National Football League and the first to officiate in a Super Bowl, Sarah Thomas takes her professional experiences as a learning tool.

Thomas spent time meeting and interacting with students on the Purdue Fort Wayne campus last Tuesday.

Her message was clear, “prove to yourself that you belong where you are.”

Her message was not centered around her being the first, but rather ways students can be successful when they take that step into their professional careers.

Thomas urged students to find a mentor, someone to lean on when things get tough – because they will at some point. She went on to say “don’t look at these tough times as failures, but rather speed bumps.”

She urged both students on campus and those in attendance at her Omnibus Speaker Series appearance on that evening to reach for their dreams.

“That work ethic, that attitude, how you carry yourself, and your field presence, that recognition will come,” Thomas said. “Don’t do things for the recognition, do them because you love them.”

Thomas’ 10th season in the NFL has already begun as she is required to go through frequent testing to stay current on rule changes throughout the league. She does this all while raising her three children and working at a marketing agency.

It was brought up during the class lecture with students that officials in the NFL take a lot of criticism, but Thomas has trained herself to block out the negative noise and focus on what she can control in perfecting her craft.

Being in the public eye can have its negatives, but the importance of being self aware of what is being posted on social media and how we carry ourselves when we’re out is vastly important.

Thomas shared with the audience that she was scouted by the NFL while officiating a football game. She got their attention not because she was a woman, but because of her field presence and the way she carried herself.

She went on to say that she didn’t even know that scouts for NFL officiating existed, but because she carried herself with professionalism and dignity, she stood out.

Thomas continues to pave the way by traveling around the country sharing her experiences with students. To motivate and guide them into the mindset that anything is possible.

For more information on the Omnibus Speaker Series visit PFW.edu/omnibus.

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Oscar winner Michelle Mizner visits Cinema Center

By Noah Proffitt

The Cinema Center held a free screening of 20 Days in Mariupol and featured a Q&A with producer Michelle Mizner last month.

The film won best documentary this year at the 96th Academy Awards – the first time Ukraine has won an Oscar. The production covers the events witnessed by a team of Associated Press reporters trapped in the city of Mariupol during the first twenty days of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Video journalist Mstyslav Chernov, photographer Evgeniy Maloletka, and producer Vasilisa Stepanenkothey captured the graphic damage the invasion caused and the lives that were lost during it. The film does not hold back from showing the violence and terror happening in the region, leaving audience members shocked and moved by the scenes displayed.

In the film, news broadcasts from around the world use the footage that reporters filmed while in Mariupol. News reports from Russia showed how they accuse the footage of being fake news or that the people trying to survive in Mariupol are paid actors.

After the screening of the film, Cinema Center held a Q&A with Mizner, the editor and producer of the award-winning documentary, and Ann Livschiz, professor in the department of history at PFW. Audience members were able to ask questions about the film, and news on Ukraine now.

Mizner works for Frontline, a television series produced by PBS covering a vast number of topics. There, she edits hour-long documentaries for the show. With 20 Days in Mariupol, it was her first time working on and editing a feature length film.

Mizner worked closely with Chernov, who was one of the cameramen capturing the footage and is the director of the project.

Mizner mentioned that she was working with Chernov directly via satellite phones during the twenty days. He would send the footage over whenever they had access to satellite connection.

At the same time, Chernov and his team were also trying to avoid the Russians, risking their safety to inform the world of what was really going on in Mariupol.

She describes the work process with Chernov as “making an album.” She says she was the “producer” of an album and Chernov was the artist “who brings vision or something integral to them.”

Mizner mentioned how much the film means to Chernov and the rest of the reporters who captured the footage. The camera crew are all from Ukraine and were deeply affected by what they witnessed and went through.

Mizner mentioned her own connection and passion for helping create the documentary.

“There are many things that I hope,” Mizner said. “One of those things I hope is journalism. We think about journalism, and what it takes to make good Journalism, and the risk they take to gather that information.” 

When Chernov came to the United States, both were able to finish the film with the footage they had. They were able to put out the message and facts in the film from the footage they gathered, to let people know what was really happening in Mariupol.

The event was held at the Cinema Center, a not-for-profit theater that shows a wide range of independent films and hosts unique events. Every year, they host their own film festival “Hobnobben,” showing local independent films and others from around the country.

The Center has held multiple events like this in the past, showing a movie, then holding a Q&A afterwards, with people who are educated on the topic. The goal is to allow citizens and audience members to engage with the material and ask their own questions, creating a space to hold important conversations.

After the event, audience members formed a lengthy line to thank Mizner for her work and for coming to the Cinema Center.

Mizner mentioned that all Frontline films are available for free on YouTube.

“They are long formed and deeply reported documentaries,” she said. She strongly encourages others to check them out at Frontline’s website, as they are a terrific way to learn about America and the world.

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PFW Gives Faculty the Opportunity to Express Themselves Through Art

By Bayley McDonald

Purdue Fort Wayne displayed artwork created by faculty members and put them up for sale, with all the proceeds going to the Department of Art and Design scholarships.

The “Creatives” art exhibition had an opening ceremony on Feb. 1 with 44 creative works by 22 members of the PFW community.

Friendship, by Htoo Doh, officer of PFW Police
Stand Tall, by Htoo Doh

This was an exhibition specifically for faculty and staff who maintain some kind of creative practice outside of their work on campus. This exhibition includes drawings, paintings, fiber arts, photography, glass art, and wood art.

The exhibition was coordinated by Derek Decker, the director of the Visual Arts Gallery and a professor at PFW. Decker has taught at PFW since 2012 and is currently teaching two classes this semester on top of running gallery events.

“To show the community, as well as our students on campus, some of the ways that art can influence your life,” said Decker when discussing the importance of this event.

He also discussed how many of the staff members use art to de-stress and connect to their creative side, apart from their role or department on campus.

Decker believes that art can always impact your life in a beneficial way, even if you are not a professional, and that should be celebrated.

“Instead of just seeing them as your engineering professor…no, that engineering professor also likes to wood turn,” Decker stated. “He also has, like we all do, likes and hobbies outside of what we do.”

Decker also discussed how this exhibition is an important way to humanize PFW faculty, and for the students to see another side of them.

One of the artists, Bruce Kingsbury, discussed the importance of this event, and displayed his piece Modest Femme.

Kingsbury is currently a professor in the biology department, and previously served in other roles such as associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and chair of biology.

However, he spends his free time creating unique artwork, like the one pictured here.

Modest Femme, by Bruce Kingsbury
Focus, by Laura Lydy, director of Guitar/String Studies

“It is a form of validation, that people appreciate what I do,” Kingsbury said. “I think they did a very good job and gave my piece some life.”

Kingsbury described this event as a great way to get to discuss his art with others as well as a great opportunity to bring people together and create interactions that benefit students and staff.

This event also benefits Kingsbury in another way. He said he experiences feelings of believing he should not share his art due to “imposter syndrome”. However, this event gives him an opportunity to experience people enjoying his artwork.

He also believes it has great impacts for students.

“I think it’s great for students to pursue their dreams, and this is a way that the college can help do that, and a way that I can help do that,” Kingsbury said after discussing how the proceeds from this event go to scholarships for PFW students.

These scholarships help current, or future, students pursue their passion for art. Just in the 2020-21 academic year, $91,213 were awarded from the Department of Arts and Design scholarships. 

Lauryn Wulliman, a communications student at PFW, was also in attendance at the opening of the exhibition.

“They get to put their artwork out there and to show the world, especially students…something that they have put their heart and soul into,” she said.

Wulliman believes that it is essential for students to see and experience art in a way they may not usually do. She thinks this is beneficial in general, but specifically to non-art majors.

Wulliman also said that this event was very enjoyable, and she plans on attending next year. She also hopes that more students will take the time to come look at the artwork and meet the artists next year.

The exhibition was open from Feb. 1 to Feb. 25. Since the exhibit is now over, the artwork is no longer up for sale and the remaining artwork has been returned to their artists.

 However, Decker reported that 16 pieces were sold from the “Creatives” exhibition. This totaled out to $1,199.04 put toward the Art & Design Student scholarship fund.

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Project Ballet Students Showcase Dazzling Talent

Project Ballet welcomed families and friends to their annual Student Choreography Showcase earlier this month.

The local studio is a space where those ages 3-18 go to learn the many variations of the artistic dance genre, and it also doubles as a performing arts middle and high school that provides ballet training for the region’s youth.

Within their many performances throughout the year, including the Nutcracker last winter and their upcoming spring rendition of Snow White, the students worked hard to put on a showcase that displayed the unique talent that each student possesses, whether it be ballet or another genre of dance.

Pictured is the cast and crew of this year’s Student Choreography Showcase (credit: @project.ballet)

“It was a lot of hard work put in behind the scenes of the show,” said Violet Hahn, student director and choreographer of this year’s showcase. “I had to test out different lighting and modify it to meet all the choreographers’ visions.”

Hahn also discussed coordinating costumes for each of the pieces, making sure transitions ran smoothly, and transforming one of the studio rooms into both a stage and a seated area for audience members to come and watch their loved ones perform.

“It was entirely a student-ran production,” said Beth McLeish, CEO and artistic director at Project Ballet. “We do this every year to ensure our students get the experience of directing a show and to stress that behind-the-scenes work is just as important as the performance itself.”

Molly Hahn, the mother of the student director of this year’s show, had only compliments to the group.

“The culture of support and encouragement that the students and staff have created is fantastic,” Molly said. “The students thrive in this tight-knit environment.”

Project Ballet offers many different accommodations for their students to ensure that they not only get exceptional ballet training, but also obtain a good-standing education to bring with them into the next step of their lives.

Meanwhile, their supporters get to enjoy a series of captivating performances that showcase their dazzling talents as overall dancers.

If you missed the showcase, you can still catch it here:

If you or someone you know is interested in the artistic ways of Project Ballet, you can visit them at projectballet.org or visit their Instagram @project.ballet for more information.

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SAB Kicks Off Homecoming With Crafting For A Cause

To kick off homecoming, PFW’s Student Activities Board held an event to warm hearts and bodies: Blankets and Bracelets.

The event was held on Feb. 6 and students gathered to tie blankets for charity and make friendship bracelets for themselves. A variety of snacks were offered and a mix of background music and movies kept energies up.

“We just wanted something kind of cozy and fun for homecoming week,” said Elizabeth Lassiter, SAB Chair. “You know, everyone’s starting to come back from break so we wanted to do a kind of event where people could kind of destress and do something for a good cause.”

That cause is the Rescue Mission, a nonprofit dedicated to “provid[ing]…a home for the homeless, food for the hungry and hope for their future,” according to their mission statement.

“Especially with it being really really cold… we want to make sure we take care of our Fort Wayne community and try to lend a helping hand,” said Sydney Coyne, fellow SAB Chair.

There was a mild sense of surprise among the attendees that they were donating blankets made rather than the students keeping them, but students were given a PFW branded blanket to take home in exchange.

“I did not [know the blankets would be donated] but I’m not upset,” said PFW transfer student Kailani Johnson. “I love giving back to the community, especially because it was at no cost of my own except time.”

Kailani Johnson (Left) and friend Lilly Buchanan (Right) show off their finished blanket

That seemed to be the general opinion among the students. The line to enter wrapped around the corner before the event officially began and students continued to filter in throughout the night. The SAB hosts were pleased with the turnout, especially considering PFW’s large commuter population.

“To see so many students come out for an event after 5 p.m. is really really nice,” Lassiter said.

Lassiter has had her college experience improved by campus events and joined the SAB to spread the positive impact. 

“To be able to be one of the people that helps people get out of their dorm, get out of their house and do something fun, it’s actually really fulfilling.” 

And for Johnson, it was her first time attending a PFW event and it left a good impression.

“The vibes are good, it’s been a good time.”

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