Dear Editor:

I am writing to congratulate Dr. J. Gregory Payne and the Emerson student participants on their success at the 18th annual conference of the International Academy of Business Disciplines (IABD) in San Diego last weekend.,Emerson students deserve praise

Dear Editor:

I am writing to congratulate Dr. J. Gregory Payne and the Emerson student participants on their success at the 18th annual conference of the International Academy of Business Disciplines (IABD) in San Diego last weekend.

Both Dr. Payne as president of the IABD and his students played a major role in making this event a special conference to remember.

Specifically, their cutting-edge press project highlighted the activities like never before.

Emerson students, through their blogging, video recording, podcasting, photographs, interviews and their creative work on the Web site brought energy and enthusiasm that made the meeting exceptional to those in attendance.

Personally observing the students presenting their research, attending dozens of other panels as well as engaging in their press project brought joy and inspiration to international participants at the conference.

The feedback I have received about Dr. Payne’s role as the IABD president and Emerson student involvement was overwhelmingly positive.

Therefore, please accept my congratulations to Dr. Payne and all the Emerson students.

I also thank all of the groups, organizations and departments at Emerson who supported this effort which has further enhanced Emerson’s reputation throughout the globe.

A special thanks to graduate student Dave Twomey and undergraduate coordinator John Hanlon for their leadership efforts.

Emerson College should be very proud of your accomplishments.

–Abbass Alkafaji

Ph.D

Executive Director, IABD

No apology for indifference to Emerson sports

Dear Editor,

Your pro-sports agenda has been apparent for some time now.

You’ve published about six stories this semester alone accusing students of being “Bad Emersonians” for not showing up to sports games.

Guess what, Beacon? Some of us just have other things we need to do. As a double major, member of Earth Emerson, DJ on WECB, and 20 hr/week desk-sitter at the Little Building, I just don’t have time to run around and cheer for my peers, nor do I care. I am not a bad Emerson student because I participated in Emerson Action Day, a day of community service, am passing all my classes, keep the LB safe by doing my job as a desk-sitter and am overall doing my job as a student.

I’m helping put together Earth Emerson’s Vegetarian Food Fest, as well as raising awareness about recycling on campus. I’ve attended theatre, comedic and open mic performances and helped knit a blanket for charity through Knits-for-the-City.

I’m not sorry for not going to sports games because I don’t care about sports. I’m not going out of my way to support something I have no interest in, especially when I’m too busy as is doing my best to better Emerson and our community. I’m seriously sick and tired of The Beacon telling me via editorials with no names that I’ve got some “obligation” to go out and shake pom poms at our athletes. I understand that our athletes work very hard. I just don’t think that in itself is reason for me to have to take time out of my own busy schedule or risk being badgered every week by your newspaper.

–Lauren Robbins

Sophomore

WLP/Print Journalism major