Fourth Estate - we know more than you
Ben Rodgers
Issue date: 3/27/08 Section: Fourth Mistake
A recent study conducted by the math department at UW-Green Bay has found that the entire staff of the Fourth Estate is incredibly intelligent on all levels compared to students from other organizations and departments.
"I couldn't believe my figures, so I ran them again, and again, and one more time for good measure," said Erik Shills, assistant math professor.
As communication majors with emphases in journalism, the 4e staff is forced to cover events on all aspects of campus.
From a speaker on economic reform to environmental issues to 'Ask the Research Guy,' the staff must be educated on numerous levels.
"Although the newspaper staff is comparable to 35 miniature Phil Clampitts, running around, continually improving, getting the scoop, sometimes staffers mess up and are forced to face offensive criticism," said Victoria Goff, 4e faculty adviser.
Years ago, the 4e's staff consisted of a rag-tag bunch of pimps and hustlers who barely scraped by. Those days are dead and gone.
"When I was an editor I only did it for one semester," said Tony Malvorno, former Opinion section editor. "I mean, break it down. Look at the experience this staff has. The Whelan/Johnson combo has enough combined experience to basically teach a journalism class on its own. They could probably even teach other comm classes."
It's no secret that 4e staffers put anywhere from 15-40 hours a week, into the weekly publication, all while having other jobs, tough class loads, and a tendency to drink the night away.
A general lack of non-course related reading is partly to blame for the lack of intelligence that plagues 99 percent of the student body.
"My favorite book is 'Mr. Toad and Frog make a List'," said Derek Warrington, a senior business major, who currently reads at a fifth grade level. "But no one can touch me on the Xbox 360."
Currently, the reading material on 4e Editor-in-Chief Dan Whelan's bookshelf is in a league of its own.
"Let's see ... I just finished 'War and Peace' this week," he said, changing fluidly from English to German, Spanish and Dutch. "Next up, I'm tackling an Arabic version of the Quran. I'm also writing a science fiction trilogy, called 'Gerdsnation'.
"I couldn't believe my figures, so I ran them again, and again, and one more time for good measure," said Erik Shills, assistant math professor.
As communication majors with emphases in journalism, the 4e staff is forced to cover events on all aspects of campus.
From a speaker on economic reform to environmental issues to 'Ask the Research Guy,' the staff must be educated on numerous levels.
"Although the newspaper staff is comparable to 35 miniature Phil Clampitts, running around, continually improving, getting the scoop, sometimes staffers mess up and are forced to face offensive criticism," said Victoria Goff, 4e faculty adviser.
Years ago, the 4e's staff consisted of a rag-tag bunch of pimps and hustlers who barely scraped by. Those days are dead and gone.
"When I was an editor I only did it for one semester," said Tony Malvorno, former Opinion section editor. "I mean, break it down. Look at the experience this staff has. The Whelan/Johnson combo has enough combined experience to basically teach a journalism class on its own. They could probably even teach other comm classes."
It's no secret that 4e staffers put anywhere from 15-40 hours a week, into the weekly publication, all while having other jobs, tough class loads, and a tendency to drink the night away.
A general lack of non-course related reading is partly to blame for the lack of intelligence that plagues 99 percent of the student body.
"My favorite book is 'Mr. Toad and Frog make a List'," said Derek Warrington, a senior business major, who currently reads at a fifth grade level. "But no one can touch me on the Xbox 360."
Currently, the reading material on 4e Editor-in-Chief Dan Whelan's bookshelf is in a league of its own.
"Let's see ... I just finished 'War and Peace' this week," he said, changing fluidly from English to German, Spanish and Dutch. "Next up, I'm tackling an Arabic version of the Quran. I'm also writing a science fiction trilogy, called 'Gerdsnation'.
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