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Arts & Culture | The Reporter
Down the Rabbit Hole: Burrow Press Helps Stetson Students Unearth the Publishing Wonderland
Burrow Press is the March Hare to Stetson University’s Mad Hatters. Founded in 2010 by Stetson University Master of Fine Arts (MFA) alumnus, Ryan Rivas, this literary publisher produces award-winning collections of poetry and prose which, in the words of Rivas, include, but are certainly not limited to, “absurdist short stories about fatherhood, retellings of fairy tales in Florida folklore, the queering of the Florida man myth in poetry form,” in print and online through the
Natalie Reese McCoy
May 11, 20254 min read


Three Tableaus in Times Square
I.
Wake up to an opened window and
the aftertaste of 99¢’s worth in
Welch’s soda and street slice–
Stranger, you slept in a city that never does–
but a midnight you made plans for morning in
your notes app, adjacent a musical’s motif:
…don’t let him look back, Eurydice…
but you can’t stop Orpheus in the streets
if he’s searching for your hand.
Songbird in a sweater vest
steps out into Times Square;
“I’m walking here,” you sing.
You sing while walking there.
Natalie Reese McCoy
May 11, 20252 min read
Underground Edition: Letters from the Editors
Featuring letters from current and upcoming editors, Ali Burgess, Sara Ward, Reagan Shivers, Michelle Marshall, Maria Latour, Indya Mckoy, Nico Alonso, and De’Vanese John-Baptiste.
Hatter Network
May 11, 20258 min read
Fusion Edition: Letters from the Editors
Ali Burgess, Editor-in-Chief
When thinking about this theme of Fusion, I think of all of the intersections in life. As young adults in such a transitional and expansive period of life, college, we are aptly aware of where our lines blur together. From work, to school, to hobbies, we are spread across a myriad of activities that require us to fuse and connect with ourselves and others in uncharted ways.
Web Editor
May 11, 20253 min read
“Unplugged from the Matrix”: Redpill Rhetoric and the Manosphere
“Take the blue pill, the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill, you stay in Wonderland, and I can show you how deep the rabbit hole goes. Remember, all I’m offering is the truth, nothing more.” Morpheus said to Neo.
This quote from The Matrix was meant to be an offering of the truth– staunch symbolism for having the courage to face life-changing choices and difficult truths. Little did the creators of this film k
Nico Alonso
May 11, 20254 min read
Red Cups or Real Connections?
Often times, the term “Greek life” may bring up visual images of lavish house parties with neon lights, red Solo cups and music-blasting speakers. Sorority sisters in coordinated outfits practicing choreographed chants and fraternity brothers clad in matching jerseys, tossing footballs on manicured lawns. Behind the stereotypes, is a community that fosters collaboration in ways that may not necessarily come to mind immediately. Especially in Stetson’s relationship-rich enviro
Sara Ward
May 11, 20252 min read
Side Quest at Sidecar: Ampersand with Professor Leah Sandler
Located in downtown Deland, ‘Sidecar’ is a hidden gem. Half coffee shop, half lounge, the space is decked in colorful wallpaper and cozy reading nooks — even offering jewelry, clothes and trinkets for sale. After stumbling upon the shop, Professor Leah Sandler, who teaches a culmination of arts classes at Stetson, made it her go-to spot. I sat down with her at Sidecar to get her perspective on how local hangouts can be vital for both professors and students–and how these shar
Breanna Gergen
May 11, 20253 min read
Gothic Romance Meets Modernity: Comparing 2024’s Nosferatu to its 1992 Predecessor, Bram Stroker’s Dracula
This winter, bloodlust is in the box office. With its broodingly dark color palette and haunting landscapes layered in Transylvanian frost, critics have found a grim yet macabre beauty in Robert Eggers’s latest film, “Nosferatu”. Starring as the undead Count Orlok is Bill Skarsgård and the vampire’s muse, Ellen, is played by Lily-Rose Depp. The Gothic production now makes the second reboot of the 1922 original, “Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror”, a silent German Expressionist
Breanna Gergen
Feb 6, 20254 min read
Pour Decisions: Contentious Debates from Coffee to Cola
This semester, students have lost their cool; Stetson has made some big switches regarding their dining options. Deliberated at the administrative level, Stetson has stopped distributing Coca-Cola products or any of its subsidiaries, going all-in on their competitor, Pepsi-Co. This removes items like Coke-affiliated sodas, VitaminWater, Minute Maid, and more from shelves. Another big decision that was made was serving Starbucks drinks in the coffee shop that previously served
Nico Alonso
Jan 27, 20255 min read
Exploration Edition: Letters from the Editors
Editor-in-Chief, Ali Burgess ’25
When one semester comes to a close, a new semester is just on the horizon. But that interlude of end of semester slump and winter break can make things seem a little dull. I hope that within this edition of The Reporter you can find new ideas, opportunities and answers that you may not have seen before. I am so proud of all that the Executive Board and the staff writers have accomplished this semester and am looking forward to how we continue
Web Editor
Jan 27, 20252 min read
A Peek into the Publication Process
From the Gutenberg press to Google Docs, the publication process of Stetson University’s The Reporter, Florida’s oldest collegiate publication, has transformed since its genesis as The DeLand Collegiate in 1887. Feasible as it is for Hatters reading this very article to fancy print magazines a fad of the past and imagine staff writers mooring over outdated typewriters – much like “Miss Lizzie Webb,” editor-in-chief of the inaugural 1887 publication, might have – I fear that t
Natalie Reese McCoy
Jan 27, 20255 min read
Comfort Edition: Dear Reader
What are the best places to eat downtown? - Jordyn Dodd ’28
Dear Reader,
In my experience, nothing is more comforting than enjoying a good meal with your friends downtown. My personal favorite is enjoy a nice warm bowl of pho at Pho Company Noodle House (preferably when Florida decides it doesn’t want to be a gazillion degrees out).
Web Editor
Jan 27, 20252 min read
Unpacked: Creating Comfort on Campus
Unpacking how comfort is created on the Stetson’s campus with Mrs. Rina Tovar Arroyo, Dr. Timothy Peter and Tori Watson.
Natalie Reese McCoy
Jan 27, 20255 min read
Finding Balance: Mindfulness and Wellness
In a world that runs at a never ending pace, it can be challenging to celebrate the little moments, slow down and achieve inner peace. The connection between the mind and body can encourage harmony in one’s day to day.
Sara Ward
Jan 27, 20253 min read
Match Me if You Can: Exploring College Romance in the Age of Dating Apps
Gone are the days of cinematic romance, where you’d watch Al Pacino woo Diane Keaton with a hesitant smile and careful words or where you’d find Casablanca-style kisses and that black-and-white poetic approach. Recently, I read an article in Dazed & Confused Magazine that said romance is dead— and dating apps are the main suspects in the killing. Dazed News Editor, Serena Smith wrote, “Dating apps have sapped much of the romance out of dating. Within such a ruthlessly eff
Nico Alonso
Jan 27, 20254 min read
Finding Feathers: A Glimpse Through the Binoculars of Audubon at Stetson
Launched as one of the fruits of American Conservatism in 1905, the National Audubon Society has since been pioneering the preservation of native bird species. Here on campus, the recently-integrated Audubon chapter at Stetson fosters a sense of exploration and discovery for its members. It is led by student President Katie Hill under the supervision of Megan Martin, President of West Volusia’s Chapter.
Breanna Gergen
Jan 27, 20253 min read
Ampersand: Raey Block: The Voice of “Challenge by Choice”
I sat down with Raey Block ’25, Stetson Outdoor Adventure Recreation (SOAR) council member, to learn about the adventure advocate and her passionate perspectives on exploration.
Michaela Hawthorne
Jan 27, 20254 min read
Curriculum in Motion: The 411 on 3:2+1
As we ring in the 2024-2025 academic year, Stetson’s campus is buzzing with new changes— a less obvious one being the new 3:2+1 curriculum. A few adjustments will be made to the way professors approach not only their class offerings but also their approach to experiential learning. So what exactly is this new 3:2+1 program? In short, the 3:2+1 program does what its name implies. In one semester, professors will offer their usual three classes, hence the “three” of the ratioe
Nico Alonso
Dec 3, 20244 min read
Ampersand with Ricky Ray
I (virtually) sat down with Ricky Ray, the newly hired Director of Athletics to get to know him and his game plan for the Hatters to knock it out of the park this season.
Sara Ward
Dec 3, 20247 min read
2024 Orientation Edition: Letters from the Editors
As you pick up this Orientation Edition of the Reporter, I hope you can see the excitement in every page that was curated by our fantastic new editorial staff, our Creative Team designers, and maybe a teaspoon of new year jitters. As this year’s Editor in Chief, I am delighted to see the passion in this edition and the ambition for every edition upcoming just you wait!
Web Editor
Dec 3, 20242 min read
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