Hello, loyal readers of the Decaturian! I have been given the exceptional opportunity to sit down with two of the most influential individuals on Millikin’s campus: President Dr. Patrick White and Provost Dr. Jeffrey Aper. Over the span of this semester, I will have regular meetings with them to offer a bridge of communication between students and the administration.

The purpose of these interviews is to open up conversations about topics that matter to the Millikin community. I want to bring first-hand student questions to two of the men who “make the call” on issues that are important to us all and then relay the information back to you, the reader. Through our meetings, I hope to get to know Dr. White and Dr. Aper, and I hope you will get to know them, too.

For this first interview, let’s keep things light. Let’s find out some of the questions students are dying to get answers to, such as: Why is President White always in a suit and baseball cap? Why does Dr. Aper always wear bowties (and where can I a few)? And, of course, what is the origin of the phrase, “Ah, there you are, Millikin”?

I know, I know, these aren’t exactly crucial questions, but I bet you’re still dying to know the answers. Let’s all get to know each other first before diving into the more serious questions. Some of the bigger concerns, like the Transform MU Program and Millikin’s relationship with The Woods, are legitimate concerns for everyone. The entire Big Blue family faces the same challenges, only from different perspectives. What affects one of us affects all of us.

If we eliminate our individual outlooks on issues around campus, then maybe we’ll be able to face the problems together, as a community. And maybe, if we truly come together, we’ll be able to find the solutions we’re all looking for.

Look out for next issue when I start to answer the questions you’re dying to know the answers to. Every great journey begins with a single step, so let’s take this journey together one step at a time.