Methodist University has opened its doors through the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement program to military participants who are interested in receiving a collegiate degree and have served for 36 months or more since September 10, 2001.

Some of Methodist’s most adept students took the stage Wednesday, March 23, in the annual SAC sponsored talent show. For a few hours, it was difficult to distinguish the Berns Student Center from the Apollo.

“It was the best show we have ever had,” said Doris Jackson, the director of Student Activities. The acts included standup comedy, acoustic guitar players, singers, dancers, rappers and even a jump roper.  Students participated from every academic class and major.

“It was a good feeling,” said Dustin Autry, a senior music major, who was part of a duo who sang an Opera piece that took first place. Autry and his partner, Alexis Howard, said they have been singing together for 5 years, and plan to use their prize money to pay for their accompanist at the upcoming senior recital.

“The response from the crowd was great,” said Autry

“It was exciting doing my own thing, my own style,” said second prize winner Erin James, when asked how dancing solo in the show compared to performing with the MU dance team. 

“It was pretty wild…Performing in front of the new president.”, said James.

More than 400 people attended the Talent Show. Extra chairs were brought in from the Lion’s Den and many had to stand or perch on cushions by the pool tables.

The bulk of those in attendance were students, but they were joined by a significant group of faculty and administrators, as well as many of their children. President Hancock and his wife were both in attendance, and spent several minuets greeting audience members before the opening act. George Blanc, Dean of Students, even got in on the show. He helped support the show’s opening act, a contortionist, while he juggled knifes atop a pole.

Fueled by a free Moes taco bar provided by SAC, the crowd was quick to applaud and cheer throughout the night.  Several students brought signs supporting their friends on stage.  The atmosphere stayed light and festive.

    Johnny Trablanco and Yamil Piedra are “a pair of nuts.” At least that’s the name of their Emmy Award winning comedy duo.

    Trablanco and Piedra stopped at Methodist University on January 26 as part of their “Invasion of Nuts 2011 Tour.”  The dynamic duo has been working together for more than 12 years and met while they were students at Florida International University, in Miami, FL.  They could be called a modern day version of Abbot and Costello, if Abbot and Costello were Cubans from Florida using their Hispanic heritage to fashion a universal comedic style.

    Over the Martin Luther King Holiday, the CRIMP (Campus Recreational and Intramural Programs) Outdoor Adventure Club took a group of students on a skiing and snowboarding trip at the Winterplace Ski Resort in West Virginia. Traveling by van and one minibus, 22 students left Methodist on the nearly six hour trip at 4 pm Friday afternoon.