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Spring AwakeningA photograph from a rehearsal of Talingo Production’s performance of Despertar de Primavera (Spring Awakening). Read more - page 6 .

Dr. Barry J. Seldon:FSU-Panama’s Masters Program

FSU-Panama’s Girl Soccer teamINTERVIEW INSIGHT

With a PhD in economics, a bachelor’s degree

and a master’s degree in political science, each in three different universities, Dr. Barry Seldon is more than qualified to lead the Masters Program here at FSU Panama. We had an interview with him to hear about his experiences.

Read more - Page 1 Read more - Page 4

The FSU-Panama’s girl soccer team has been practicing and competing since March of this year, even coming close to winning a tournament; but have you heard of them?

With a PhD in eco-nomics, a bache-lor’s degree and a master’s degree

in political science, each in three different universities, Dr. Barry J. Seldon is more than qualified to lead the Masters Program here at FSU Panama. With everything already being planned out by the Rector and Vice-Rector, all they needed was someone with the necessary qualifications in order to officially start this program. We were fortunate enough to hear about his experiences.

Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?

“I studied in the University of Southwestern Louisiana; my Master is from Florida State in Tallahassee, Ph.D. from Duke University. My bachelor and

masters were in Political Science, my Ph.D. was in Economics. I published widely in economics and political science journals as well. I’m also a senior fellow with the National Center for Policy Analysis Offices in Dallas and Washington, DC. My major field is industrial organization, which is the field

in economics that talks about the firm; but I’ve published off topic from that into other things, such as natural resources and taxes. Most of my work has been in economics of advertising. I taught at Ohio University, University of Texas at Dallas, and have been here since summer of 2012.”

In your own words, explain what the goal of the Program is.

“The goal of the program is to assist individuals in advancing themselves in their careers that have something to do with international affairs, whether it is in the private sector, or the government, or international governmental jobs and careers. The goals can be diverse, but to the extent that it will help them to learn about international relations and international affairs, then, they can use it as they will because education is education and not trade school.”

How did you become involved in the Masters Program?

“I was speaking with a friend of mine who is the Dean of Social Sciences at FSU in Tallahassee. I told him that I was taking an

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An interview with Dr. Barry J. SeldonFSU-PANAMA MASTERS PROGRAM

PROFILE: DR. BARRY J. SELDON• PhD in Economics

• Bachelor and Master’s degree in Political Science

• Has taught at Ohio University and University of Texas

• Part of FSU-Panama’s Faculty since 2012

By: Ekaterina Zuñiga / Eduardo Prol

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early retirement and moving to Panama. He asked ‘why Panama?’ ‘Because I am from Panama’ I told him. He asked ‘Would you consider working with us down there?’ I said that yes, that I would talk to the Rector and Vice-Rector. But they had these plans before I entered the picture. The Dean David W. Rasmussen at FSU knew my career; he knew that I had been the director of economic programs at the University of Texas at Dallas, and that I had helped the University of Panama in developing plans for Masters Programs. He thought that I would be helpful. The basic planning had already been done by the rector and the vice rector, they got some good ideas. And I think that with my background in Economics and Political Science I do have a feeling what such a program would be.”

When will the Program officially begin?

“That depends on how quickly they move up in Tallahassee. We

are aiming right now for January; I think that’s the current date that we are aiming for (laughs). We have had to set it back a time or two, because they have come up with some questions that we have had to respond to. Sometimes it takes time to get out response together so they can review our response and get back to us.”

Are there any hopes for an expansion of the Program in the future?

“There is always that possibility, but I left my crystal ball at home and I’ve never claimed that I could see the future.”

Many of us are looking forward t the Master’s Program, because it will help current students in their further studies, and any other professionals who are willing to get involved in it.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT

CREDITS

The purpose of The Pananole is to provide the FSU-Panama community with an

medium that covers all items that may be of interest to everyone who works or studies at FSU-Panama. Our primary goal is to celebrate whatever is good, but not to be afraid of controversy nor of constructive criticism, tempered by personal respect for all individuals. We value reporting that is honest, accurate and informed by a sense of duty towards the community.We aim to serve the FSU-Panama community in the same way that a free press serves a broader society and for this reason we value our independence, but do

not shirk our responsibility. This means that articles published in The Pananole do not necessarily represent the views of the administration, faculty, staff or students of FSU-Panama, but we invite any member of the FSU-Panama community to inform us if we are failing to follow our mission or live up to our values, and we pledge that we will publish such criticism if delivered in written form, along with our response.

The Faculty Moderator (Dr. Murphy) is responsible for appointing editorial staff who will uphold this mission statement. Any criticisms may be addressed to bmurphy@fsu.edu.

EDITORIAL STAFF FACULTY MODERATOR

LAYOUT DESIGN

COMIC STRIP

Alexandra Piña

Ekaterina Zuñiga

Eduardo Prol

María Gabriela Carrizo

María Tabares

Paola Martínez Roa

Dr. Benjamin Murphy

Andrés Canelones

Rachel Delibasich

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Bonsái: A story of love, books, and plants

FILM REVIEW

“In the end, Emilia dies and Julio does not die’’. No, that was not a spoiler. In fact,

this is the first thing we learn when watching Bonsái. It is a Chilean film, based on a book by Alejandro Zambra, released in 2011 and directed by Cristián Jiménez. As the title says, this is a love story. It develops in Chile and it’s between two college students, Emilia and Julio, who meet in a literature class. The plot is divided into chapters, which take us back and forth between the past and the present, always from Julio’s point of view.

Throughout the film we see scenes that are beautifully framed, everything looks as if it was planed with care, to give us the best experience. I especially enjoyed the scenes where Emilia and Julio were alone; they existed in their own little world, a bubble separated from everything else. The lighting of these scenes is very warm and inviting, just as it should be. The script is well developed with dialogues that are very witty, especially those between Julio

and Emilia. I can remember a moment I enjoyed a lot: Julio had fallen asleep on the beach while reading Proust, and he left the book on his chest, when he woke up, he had tanned with the shape of the book. As it happens, this was just before the

first time Emilia saw him naked. The reaction we get from both characters as they both realize the ‘’special tan’’ is memorable, and in a way, it defines the relationship of the two.

Now, reading the first sentence of this review you might wonder if this is a depressing film, or one with lovey-dovey clichés we’ve all become used to. I shall burst your bubble and tell you straight forward that it isn’t. It is a film filled with meaning and lessons about life, which I will leave untold, for you to find out by yourself.

By María Gabriela Carrizo

THROUGHOUT THE FILM WE SEE BEAUTIFULLY FRAMED SCENES, EVERYTHING LOOKS AS IF IT WAS PLANED WITH CARE TO GIVE US THE BEST EXPERIENCE.

An Insight: FSU Panama’s Girls’ Soccer Team

Have you ever gotten those e-mails at the beginning of the semester that

encourages you to join a sport team at FSU Panama? Have you ever considered joining one of them? Or, have you ever wondered if one of those teams has actually won something? Well, the FSU Panama girl’s soccer team came pretty close to actually winning a championship, just four months after they started training.

As a student here at the university I find this really impressive and surprising at the same time, because I had no

idea that they were training and even competing already. To get a little bit more details about the

team and the championship they played I decided to interview Melissa Eder, a FSU Panama student who is currently a team member of the girl’s soccer team. My first couples of questions to her were: when she had enrolled into the team? And when did the team start practicing as a whole in the university? She explained that her and some other girls had signed up at the book store to start the soccer team back in March 2013 –she added that the university had tried to create a girls’ soccer team before but not enough girls had enrolled-. So once they had enough girls

signed up, they started going to practices and little by little they started getting better.

I was curious to know if they had competed already, just in the small time that they had been practicing; and Melissa confirmed my curiosity when she stated that when the opportunity came by, the girls’ soccer team signed up for an indoor soccer championship where they had to compete with other universities and schools. They came really close to winning but sadly they got eliminated in the semi-finals. When I asked Melissa what

By Alexandra Piña

“THE FACT THAT YOU EXERCISE WHILE YOU PRACTICE IS THE BEST, AND YOU ALSO GET AS A BONUS TO GET TO KNOW MORE NEW PEOPLE AND INTERACT WITH OTHERS” SAYS MELISSA EDER.

LIZ MARIE ALVARADO, CAROLINA SIMONE, ANA CAROLINA VIGGIANO, MARIANA VALLEJO, MICHELLE MADURO, PILI LANGMAN, MEI LIN LAU AND MELANIE CHU CONFORM FSU-PANAMA’S GIRL SOCCER TEAM.

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was the best part of being in the girls’ soccer team and what had been the best part about the championship, she didn’t hesitate to answer that it was the fact that she was making new friends and meeting new people. “The fact that you exercise while you practice is the best, and you also get as a bonus to get to know more new people and interact with others” she added.

Furthermore, I wondered if in the championship the team had

gotten any support from the audience other than her parents and she stated that they hadn’t. I found this shocking because if I had known that a team from my university was competing, I would have tried my best to go out and support them. And who knows? Maybe if they had been cheered on more they would have gotten to the finals and could’ve won; because no one can deny that when you get cheered on, you’re motivated even more to try your best. So

together, Melissa and I, came to the conclusion that it would be great to receive e-mails from the university letting us know when one of our sports team will be competing to go out and support them, just how we support our FSU football team.

To end my little interview with Melissa, I asked her if there was anything she wished to add to the soccer team and she revealed that she would love to see more girls enroll into the team.

She says that it is an amazing opportunity and also a very productive one, because you get to meet new people, exercise and also represent your university in other places.

So, if you ever have thought about signing up to one of the sports team, you should probably do it! All you have to do is go to the book store and sign your name. GO NOLES!

FRIENDSHIP IS KEY IN THE SUCCESS OF THIS TEAM.

FSU PANAMA SPORT ACTIVITIES CALENDAR

Bowling September 14th-15th

FSU Runners Club September 16th

Alumni vs. Students September 18th

Cayuco (Tryouts) October 4th - 5th

Ping Pong tournament October 14th to 16th

Billiards October 21st to 24th

Foosball November 11th - 14th

Playstation Soccer tournament November 18th - 21st

Alumni vs. Students November 20th

Ping Pong December 2nd - 5th

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER

FSU-Panama hosts many fun sport activities every semester so that all students can integrate, meet new people and have a great time! Check out the activities taking place this semester. For more information, please visit the Bookstore, or write to the Sports Coordinator, Steve Carlock at: scarlock@fsu.edu.

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Spring awakens with poignant youthTHE PLAY “SPRING AWAKENING” EXPLORES THE CONFUSION, SEARCH FOR ANSWERS AND DESPAIRS THAT EMERGE AT PUBERTY WHEN WAVES OF HORMONES CRASH AGAINST THE IGNORANCE OF YOUTH.

From September 16 to October 20, Talingo Productions will be presenting the play of

German origin, “Spring Awakening” at the Teatro Amador located in Casco Antiguo.This production features the participation of José Alberto Batista as the artistic director and Cristina Patricia Contreras as both the assistant director and acting coach. Furthermore the musical will feature Carlos Humberto Diaz Valerín as choreographer and Ezequiel Rangel as the musical director. Among the actors are Alejandra Araúz as Ilse Neumann, Robert Thomas Diaz as Melchior Gabor and Val Monique as Wendla Bergman.Based upon the controversial 1891 play of the same name by German

playwright Frank Wedekind, “Spring Awakening” is a Tony Award winning rock musical following the troubles of a group of teens in a small German village. Moritz is failing out of school. Wendla’s mother refuses to educate her about sex, and the rest of the characters struggle to navigate puberty and their budding sexuality.

“Spring Awakening” explores the confusion, search for answers and despairs that emerge at puberty when waves of hormones crash against the ignorance of youth. It celebrates the unforgettable journey from childhood to adulthood with a power and passion that you will never forget.

“Spring Awakening” beautifully reminds us that every generation needs its voice.

By: Paola Martínez Roa & Maria Tabares

Language: SpanishVenue: Teatro AmadorDates: From September 16th to October 1stPerformances: Monday and Tuesdays at 8 pm; Saturdays at 6 pm and Sundays at 4pm. Tickets available at the venue and at www.boletospanama.com

DESPERTAR DE PRIMAVERA

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PERIODIC TABLE - BY RACHEL DELIBASICH POW WOW 2013

A celebration of our Seminole colors

The Pow Wow is a celebration of the Seminole pride, the

university’s values and its long history of academic excellence. Throughout the three years of its existence, this event has aimed to reunite and integrate the large Seminole family that exists here in Panama City, a consequence of the university’s establishment in this country more than 55 years ago.

FSU-Panama is the Alma Mater of many important and successful members of Panamanian society, for this reason, the university and the recently incorporated Seminole Chapter of Panama have looked to create a space where Alumni, current students and staff can gather and celebrate what makes Florida State great; to remember its great past and to look forward to the future of the institution.

Seminole Awards

As part of the different activities of the night,

FSU-Panama will award three Seminole Awards. The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes FSU alumni whose outstanding professional achievements set an example for current generations. The Award for Promising Young Alumnus/Alumna recognizes recent FSU graduates who have achieved significant accomplishments in their short professional career. Finally, the Award for Outstanding Students aims to give recognition to current students that demonstrate exceptional talent and potential. The third annual Pow Wow will take place on October 8th, at the Hard Rock Hotel.

By Andrés Canelones

Last year’s Seminole Awardees: Professor Carlos King, Ursula Kiener and Carlos Henríquez.