Lily Huynh/The Cougar

For the first time, Oracle Red Bull racing brings Formula 1 cars to Houston. On Sept. 7, Red Bull is bringing two of its most iconic cars, RB7 and RB8 to a showcase in Discovery Green. 

The championship-winning cars were both designed by Red Bull’s Chief technology officer, Adrian Newey and were driven by Red Bull teammates Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber. 

The cars will be driven by 13-time grand prix winner David Coulthard, a retired Formula 1 British driver and Red Bull junior driver Arvid Lindblad.

Linblad is currently competing in the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile Formula 3 championship with Prema Racing.

The two drivers will drive around the custom built temporary track surrounding the iconic Discovery Green. While the entry is free, there are grandstand tickets available to purchase. 

The event will start with a Red Bull fan zone at 10 a.m. and the showrun is expected to begin at 12 p.m., according to the event’s website. 

Attendees will also be able to experience F1 racing simulators, Oracle Red Bull merchandise and additional activities for all ages. 

There will also be an intermission show and a DJ party battle between DJ Mr. Rogers, a Bayou city-based DJ, and the LA-based DJ Hed. 

All attendees are encouraged to bring ear protection due to the loud engine sounds. 

The history behind RB7 and RB8

RB7 made its debut during the 2011 Formula 1 season at the Australian Grand Prix. The car is regarded as one of Red Bull’s most dominant cars. 

Four-time world champion Vettel, secured his second championship in the dominant season with RB7, winning 11 of the 19 races during the season. 

The team won a combined 12 out of the 19 races over the course of the season and scored 650 points, winning the Constructors championship as well. 

Following the success of the 2011 F1 season, RB8 made its debut during the 2012 Formula 1 season at the Australian Grand Prix. 

The legality of the car — whether the car was in compliance with the regulations set by F1’s governing body FIA — was a major theme of the 2012 season. 

The car won seven races and scored an additional seven podiums over 20 races during the course of the season. 

While the car was not as dominant as RB7, Red Bull won the constructor’s championship and reigning champion, Vettel won the driver’s championship for the third consecutive time. 

news@thedailycougar.com

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“Oracle Red Bull racing brings Formula One to Houston” was originally posted on The Cougar

Max Brosmer had to wait an extra hour to make his Gophers debut. Heavy rain and severe thunderstorms swept through Minneapolis and caused a delay in the Gophers home opener against the North Carolina Tar Heels.

The game ended with the Gophers kicker, Dragan Kesich, missing his second field goal of the night and North Carolina escaping Minneapolis with a 19-17 win.

Postgame, Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck said it was a team loss.

“This isn’t lost by one person. This isn’t lost by one play,” Fleck said.” We had a lot of opportunities on offense and defense and special teams.”

Joining Brosmer as team newcomers were Jai’Onte McMillan and Marcus Major, Minnesota’s leading rusher Thursday. 

The Gophers 2023 leading rusher, Darius Taylor, was absent due to an injury, but Fleck said he was “close to playing.” On the defensive end, Minnesota was without an experienced returning safety, Darius Green, who led all returning secondary members with 51 tackles last season.

North Carolina won the toss and deferred, which meant Brosmer led his first drive as a Gopher to start the game.

Brosmer completed his first pass on third down, but it fell short of the first down marker and Jordan Nubin could not get the line to gain. After the second consecutive three-and-out for the Gophers, fifth-year punter Mark Crawford flipped the field with a punt that rolled to the three-yard line, a net of 58 yards.

Minnesota’s defense got the Gophers the ball right back with a three-and-out of their own.

The Gophers worked their way into the red zone before stalling inside the 10-yard line. Kesich, a top 10 kicker in the nation last season, missed his first attempt of the season.

Both teams had under 50 yards of offense in the first quarter, which ended scoreless.

North Carolina leaned on their veteran running back Omarion Hampton, who totaled 31 yards on back-to-back carries in the second quarter.

The Tar Heels continued to move the ball, and graduate quarterback Max Johnson dove across the plane to score the game’s first touchdown.

Minnesota could not respond, as the Tar Heels forced the Gophers’ third three-and-out in four drives.

Johnson tested Minnesota’s Justin Walley and paid the price as Walley picked off the pass intended for Bryson Nesbit and returned it 70 yards to the Tar Heels’ six-yard line. 

Walley said he played his technique and trusted in his coaches on the interception.

“The ball was there, and I just made a play on the ball,” Walley said. “Got some good blocking from my teammates and did what I could with it.”

Walley reverted to his roots as a running back and punt returner from D’Iberville High School.

A few plays after, Major punched it in for a touchdown tying the game to put the cherry on top of Walley’s pick. 

The Gophers’ defense came up with another three-and-out, bringing Bromser and the offense back onto the field. The New Hampshire transfer unleashed a perfectly layered ball to Daniel Jackson on a deep out route for 20 yards to the North Carolina 29-yard line.

Major ripped off a 19-yard rush down to the three-yard line, and two plays later, the Gophers used the tush push, with tight end Nick Kallerup shoving Bromser into the endzone.

Minnesota took the touchdown lead into the break and held the North Carolina offense to 93 yards in the first half.

North Carolina mixed pass and ran well to start the second half. The Tar Heels drove down the field, and timely plays from Johnson helped them convert three third downs. 

After a methodical 17-play, 70-yard drive, the Gophers got a stop on third-and-14, forcing a field goal. Noah Burnette banged it through the uprights for the Tar Heels to make it 14-10 Minnesota with 6:34 left in the third quarter.

North Carolina’s offense quickly returned to the field after Minnesota started with a three-and-out. The Gophers sent pressure that got to Johnson, who was hit while he threw an incompletion on third down. 

A holding call by Bryan in the secondary gave the Tar Heels a first down and erased the stop for the Gophers.

On the hit, Johnson suffered an injury and was carted off the field.

The sophomore quarterback Conner Harrell took Johnson’s place under center. Brown said North Carolina planned to use both quarterbacks in the game but did not expect it to occur through injury.

After leaning on Hampton to get into field goal range, Burnette hit a career-long 52-yard field goal to pull the Tar Heels within one point with 19 seconds left in the third quarter.

Brosmer led the Gophers’ offense down the field, making critical plays like a third-down scramble where he broke a sack. 

Gophers wide receiver Le’Meke Brockington made a grab and turned upfield before having the ball stripped. The ball bounced right into the hands of Major, who gained 16 more yards for a total of 38 yards on the North Carolina 10-yard line.

“Coach always talks about chasing the ball,” Major said. “You never know what’s going to happen. I was just right there with it and I had my dogs back.”

The drive resulted in a 30-yard Kesich field goal, which put Minnesota in the lead 17-16 with more than three minutes left.

After a run with Hampton to start the drive, the Tar Heels used Harrell’s legs on the triple option, getting to the outside before lofting it downfield to J.J. Jones, who picked up 32 yards to the Minnesota 30-yard line.

North Carolina ran it three straight plays and burned two of Minnesota’s timeouts before Burnette drilled a 45-yard field goal to put the Tar Heels up 19-17 with 1:44 left.

With just his second completion to a tight end, this one to Jameson Geers, Brosmer got the Gophers into field goal range. After two runs to gain a bit more for Kesich, with four seconds left, it all rested on his shoulders for the second consecutive season in week one.

Last season’s Big Ten Kicker of the Year could not rekindle his game-winning magic from a season ago.

McCamish Pavilion was buzzing with nervous energy on Sunday, Aug. 18, before the Institute’s leaders took the stage to officially welcome thousands of new students to Tech. 

President Ángel Cabrera and Undergraduate Student Body President Shivani Virani, fourth-year NEUR, spoke at the New Student Convocation, where incoming first years received their RAT caps and participated in several other Tech traditions.

After the convocation, T-Night, Tech’s annual transitions show hosted by the Ramblin’ Reck Club, was held in the same space. New students could play games and visit community booths in the McCamish parking lot between the two events.

New students started pouring into the venue when the doors opened at 3 p.m., an hour before the event. The earliest students got seats on the floor of McCamish, while the rest of the students filled roughly half of the remaining seats on the first floor of the pavilion.

Early students were treated to a pre-show that featured various organizations around the Institute, including dance group Qurbani at Tech and a showcase of several four-legged walking robots. Head Football Coach Brent Key kicked off the speaking engagements with an encouraging and fiery message, ending with a reminder to attend Jackets’ football games.

Head Basketball Coach Damon Stoudamire also spoke before Institute leaders assumed their positions on stage, delivering a much calmer message while still encouraging students to attend both basketball and volleyball games.

Then Institute leaders joined the stage, and President Cabrera introduced everyone on stage, including welcome speaker Jaila Kimbro, second-year CMPE.

Kimbro delivered a reassuring message to new students using a Rubik’s Cube to emphasize her point. Kimbro told students that it is normal not to find all the answers that one might be looking for in their first year and said that everyone was forging their path through life and solving their own puzzles.

Throughout the speech, Kimbro twisted and spun the Rubik’s Cube, but by the end of the speech, it was just as scrambled as it was at the beginning, and Kimbro admitted that she did not know how to solve a Rubik’s Cube but was she still working to find the solution; similarly, it is acceptable not to have all the answers in life, but it is important to work towards them.

Next, the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Steven McLaughlin took to the podium to reassure students and hundreds of parents on the second seating level of McCamish of the excellent education that the Institute will provide to the newly admitted students.

Virani took the stage after McLaughlin and offered some first-year advice, telling the new students to take advantage of their opportunities, not to be afraid to ask for help and to call their mothers.

Virani also led the new students in the Honor Pledge, where each new student pledges to uphold the ideal of honor and integrity as part of the
Tech community.

President Cabrera then delivered a similar message to last year’s statement, featuring “Cabrera’s 10 Secrets to Succeed at Tech.” His final secret, calling your parents, ordinarily met with cheers and amusement from the crowd, fell flat as Virani beat him to the delivery.

The convocation concluded with the RAT Parents, Jennifer Lee, fourth-year CS, and Henry Sapough, third-year ME, teaching new students how to decorate their RAT caps. Using a modified yellow umbrella, Lee and Sapough instructed students to retrieve their caps and markers to blazon RAT across the bottom of the bill.

The Glee Club at Georgia Tech sang the Alma Mater as the speakers and other leaders left the stage, and new students were ushered out to the McCamish Parking Lot for the annual T-Night Festival. Hosted by the Institute’s Ramblin Reck Club, the annual festival and subsequent indoor event focus on introducing first-year students to the Institute’s traditions.

One new student, Brady Thomas, first-year ME, said he loved the atmosphere during convocation, especially when Coach Key spoke about the upcoming football season. 

Thomas added that he looked forward to participating in Tech traditions and remembers how his grandfather would talk about attending the Institute.

“My grandpa is an alum. I know where he still has his RAT cap in his room. I remember the traditions and have always looked forward to [participating]. It has been something I wanted to do, and now that I get to fulfill the same traditions, that’s really awesome,” Thomas said.

Thomas added that the RAT cap was his favorite tradition, and that he plans to attend every home football game this season.

Another new student, Leslie Nava, first-year AE, said she was excited to be at Tech, coming from a high school near Fort Worth, Texas, with no football team, band or traditions. She shared her feelings about the convocation.

“It was exciting to have a bunch of students in one room. You could feel the energy, the vibe and the Jacket culture. So it was pretty cool. And I am just excited just to get involved. As a first-generation student, I look forward to being independent and starting my own thing, just to have that social impact on my community,” Nava said.

At the T-Night Festival, new students could participate in some traditions and learn how they could get involved. Ramblin’ Reck Club members explained the Freshman Cake Race, an iconic homecoming tradition, to the new students and helped them sign up for it. 

Another area was dedicated to the Mini 500, another beloved Homecoming event, where students could practice their trike riding skills in anticipation of the race in October.

The festival showed new students more than just the offerings of the Institute. Vendors and organizations from off-campus were also present at the event. For students interested in sports, representatives from Mercedes Benz Stadium offered a way to get extreme discounts on tickets to sporting events.

Convocation can feel quite long, especially considering that it happens right around dinner time. Luckily, students were able to satiate their hunger from food vendors offering free food at the festival. Waffle House and Shake Shack drew especially large crowds, serving waffles and ice cream. Celsius and Naanstop had tables at the festival offering free food and drink to students as well.

Students were also able to participate in non-tradition-focused activities. The festival featured a 360 photo booth where students were able to take a video with friends holding Tech-themed props. Students could also test their aiming skills at the dunk tank, where a volunteer wearing a university[sic] of Georgia T-shirt sat splashing in the water continuously throughout the event, getting students into
the Institute’s spirit.

After the festival came to a close, students were guided back into McCamish Pavilion for the T-Night performances. Led by Ramblin’ Reck Club, T-Night is an interactive performance focused on explaining the Institute’s traditions in a more detailed manner. The event started with some crowd work by Buzz, getting the new students excited along with help from the marching band, cheerleaders and Goldrush.

The beginning of T-Night was dedicated to learning some of the many fight songs sung at football games. Ramblin’ Reck Club led a call and response with the crowd, teaching them “Ramblin Wreck from Georgia Tech,” the Alma Mater, and “Up with the White and Gold.” “Up with the White and Gold” ended with quite a bang, with the School in Athens’ mascot showing up to ruin the party. Luckily, Buzz easily took care of the lost dog, dragging him out of the stadium until the actor in the  costume suffered a wardrobe malfunction, cutting the showdown a little short.

Along with traditions, T-Night also allowed different dance and cultural organizations to show off in front of the crowd. GT Bhangra and Tekstyles all performed dances for the audience, giving them a taste of the different artistic offerings on campus. After those dance performances, members of the Institute’s National Panhellenic Council were able to perform with each chapter performing a unique step routine filled with moves and sounds specific to their organization, showing even more of the diversity of the Institute to many of the incoming first years.

Convocation and T-Night offer a solid start for new students to get an introduction to the Institute and its history. These events integrate new students into the overall student body. After hearing about some of the amazing traditions and events the Institute has to offer, many of these students will be eagerly attending the upcoming home football game against Georgia State University.

The post Convocation and T-Night welcome new students appeared first on Technique.

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Students gathered at the stairwell of Student Center South on Aug. 28, 2024 to participate in Students for Justice in Palestine HTX’s sit-in protest. | Raphael Fernandez/The Cougar

On Monday, Students for Justice in Palestine HTX began their week-long sit-in protest, to reclaim the Student Center South to push for divestment and establish the Popular University for Gaza. 

However, chaos unwound Monday morning when the organization was asked to move from the SC South steps to the Heights room on the second floor of the Student Center South. 

According to SJP, they were sitting in the area when Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Paul Kittle told them to move their discussions to a room that had been booked for the organization. 

In alignment with the current Student Center policy, the staircase is not a reservable or programmable area. Since SJP released a timeline of their protest on their Instagram, it is considered a program by the University. 

UH administration display a sign on Aug. 28. 2024 that reads “The SJP Events advertised as occurring here will take place in the Heights room on the 2nd floor, Room 224 Student Center South.”  | Gauraangi Gupta/The Cougar

The organization was advised of this and, therefore, the Heights room was reserved for their advertised event,  Kittle said.

“They did book a room with no windows, where nobody could see us, and asked if we wanted to move there instead,” said SJP representative and political science senior Reyna. 

However, SJP explained that the schedule was released only to inform students of the time when the discussions would be taking place.

“We’re not being disruptive to any other students who are here,” Reyna said. “The way it was told to us was that there was a specific frustration with us, as SJP. They specifically said they wouldn’t [remove us from the staircase] if we were any other organization.”

However, Kittle denies any discrimination against the organization and emphasizes that the policies are uniformly applied across all situations and individuals without regard to the viewpoints of any specific group.

The freedom of expression policy states that “decisions will not be based on the content or viewpoint of a proposed expressive activity.” 

“We are committed to fostering a learning environment where free inquiry and expression are encouraged,” Kittle said. “The University recognizes and supports the constitutional rights of free speech and peaceful assembly.” 

UH encourages everyone engaged in expressive activities to do so safely and consistently with university policies and in a manner that respects the rights of others with differing opinions, said Kittle. 

During SJP’s sit-in, a police officer was sent to inform them that any kind of signage detailing the divestment campaign was not allowed.

“Staff in the Student Center work to ensure that the center policies are followed by all organizations and departments,” Kittle said. “If a guest refuses to follow staff requests, then UHPD is asked to assist.” 

Reyna emphasized that this only frustrated students further as they felt that the administration was trying to take away their right to sit and discuss Palestine. 

According to SJP’s latest Instagram post, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Donell Young called UHPD on the students for decorating light poles with keffiyehs.

“I think students value their freedom of speech very deeply, and they are very disturbed by the fact that the university isn’t reflecting and representing them when it comes to their investment,” Reyna said. “I think that this repression is only making the student body feel more agitated and more dedicated to divestment and to protecting their freedom of free speech.” 

UH has not received any response from SJP when the room was offered and it appears the organization has chosen to not engage in the advertised activities, Kittle said.

“Instead, they chose to sit on the stairs and congregate,” Kittle said. 

Kittle meets with SJP leadership and their advisor each semester to provide them with the resources for expressive activities alongside his contact information. 

“I encourage them to ask questions and seek guidance in advance of events,” Kittle said.

news@thedailycougar.com

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“UH administration orders SJP to move protest to a reserved room” was originally posted on The Cougar

Stepping into office in 2020, one of Biden’s most substantial promises was reducing student loan debt. Four years later, it is difficult to say whether Biden was able to create a substantial impact. Even more challenging is determining whether student debt cancellation is beneficial.

Republicans and Democrats stand on opposite sides of this issue. While the effectiveness of this tactic is debatable, there is one fact both parties cannot deny — college tuition and student debt, remain factors crippling the younger generations.  

Student debt relief may not be the hero the economy deserves, but ultimately the one it needs.  

Increasing Tuition 

For non-residents attending the University of Utah, freshmen year boasts a cost of more than $60,000 when factoring in tuition and dorm expenses.  If that wasn’t bad enough, prices increased in the 2024-25 school year, with a 3.28% spike in tuition.

Utah is hardly alone in this. College tuition has a long history of steady increases in prices. Nationwide, college as a whole remains largely unaffordable, especially amongst marginalized groups. While avenues towards success outside of the college experience have been increasing, they remain the most revealing factor in lifetime earnings.  

While opting out of attending college is an option, it’s not always the best one. It is possible to find greater success without a degree, but for the majority of people, it’s hardly realistic. Blaming students for taking on debt is hardly reasonable despite it statistically being their best option. 

The Case Against Student Loans 

Opposers of student debt relief arguments also have substantial merit.  

Legally, the concept of debt relief has been an uphill battle for the Biden administration. In 2023, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 against Biden’s student debt relief program.

Economically speaking, student debt relief is regressive in assisting low-income students. Data suggests high-income households hold more debt than their lower-income counterparts. This means debt relief may only serve to widen the wealth inequality gap.  

Although supporters of debt relief have worked to address this issue, it remains a prevalent aspect in the fight for debt relief. After all, individuals choose to take on debt to attend college. Demanding others help repay those loans appears unreasonable at first glance.  

The Essence of Fairness 

Blaming the individual for their poor economic decisions regarding loans may be morally logical, but it is unsustainable.

As of September 2023, borrowers owed upwards of $1.7 trillion. Many individuals feel it is not the government’s responsibility to assist in relieving this debt. Regardless, the negative impacts this has on the economy is undeniable.

A large portion of borrowers are under 40 years of age and represent the country’s most active contributors in the workforce. Leaving these individuals to fend for themselves not only hurts them but everyone collectively.

It is not a suitable argument for those who have managed to pay off their debts to claim it is unfair to relieve others of their financial burdens.

Financial debt is directly correlated to mental health struggles and an inability to reach important life milestones. Suggesting younger generations ought to deal with debt simply because their predecessors did is nothing short of closed-mindedness.

The Best Answer for Now 

It is hard to argue student debt relief by itself is a cure-all for the financial struggles many Americans currently find themselves in. While it’s tempting to view any debt relief as beneficial, it is important to remember the repercussions of thoughtless loan forgiveness. That said, it is not an issue that can be ignored. 

It remains true that college is beneficial to most students, and in turn necessary for some to take on risky loans. Debt relief is merely a band-aid on a system that overcharges its constituents in return for the promise of future success, success that cannot be guaranteed. Despite this, it is the only remedy currently at the country’s disposal to combat this issue.

Until the system changes to offer the benefits of college at a universally affordable rate, debt relief cannot be written off as an unrealistic decision.

m.timpa@dailyutahchronicle.com

@timpa.chronicle

The post Opinion: Student Debt Relief is a Necessary Evil first appeared on The Daily Utah Chronicle.

Winning a national championship is the peak of college football.

That’s it — straight up. It’s the ultimate achievement. One team, every year, gets to claim that they did what no one else could. They reached the mountaintop.

Except, that’s not the most difficult task in the sport.

No — the most difficult thing to do is find continuity. Just one team (Georgia) has successfully defended its title in the College Football Playoff era. Only eight National Football League teams have ever gone back-to-back.

That stems from an insatiable desire for instant success; one that will see the successful teams poached for staff and players in an effort to grab a slice of their glory. A rolling conveyor belt of players prevents the six or seven-year mega contracts that stabilize professional teams.

How does Oregon — a historically successful team, but one without sustained success in the College Football Playoff era — continue to challenge for a title without losing that ability to consistently contend?

Ducks head coach Dan Lanning explained.

“It’s a new team,” Lanning said after April’s Spring Game. “Anything that happened last year has nothing to do with next year other than the continuity of the coaching staff.”

It’s easy to assume that this year’s edition of Oregon’s men in green is just a recast version of last year’s success story. Transfer quarterback Dillon Gabriel could be pinned as a like-for-like Bo Nix replacement. Former Texas A&M University receiver Evan Stewart fits into the mold of speedy, slight receivers that Oregon receivers coach Junior Adams favors.

It can’t just be that.

The Ducks’ offense has more tape on it than ever before. It’s one of the biggest reasons that consistency is so hard to come by in sport: once one team starts to figure out how to attack your weaknesses, it’s out there for everyone to see. The system has to adapt and evolve. Change is demanded.

That doesn’t mean that last year was a wash — instead, Lanning said after the Spring Game, “You want to see growth, you want to see them keep developing…raising their own standard of play. You know what winning football is to them. I think we have a group that’ll embrace that.”

What the Ducks did exceptionally well in the offseason was develop a roster that will maintain those key tenets of their philosophy — a dynamic, fast-paced offense that prioritizes a passing attack in order to enable a revamped running game. They retained 100-carry back Jordan James alongside a returning Noah Whittington to anchor the backfield.

This is a curious year. Ignore everything coming out of the Oregon camp; the transition to the Big Ten conference will be a change. It’s one that the Ducks are fit for, yes, but no longer will they be able to rely on their ability to put up (a 2023 average) 41.4 points per game.

“It’s not rocket science,” Ducks offensive coordinator Will Stein said after a fall practice. “Everybody wants air yards and all this BS crap. Let’s score touchdowns. How do you score touchdowns? Get it to your playmakers fast. That’s it…When our quarterbacks figure that out, like Bo [Nix] did last year, you throw for 45 touchdowns and 4500 yards and you score a ton of points.”

But the team that did that had flaws. Teams knew how to beat the 2023 Oregon Ducks — the Washington Huskies did it twice last year. What they don’t yet know is how to pick apart the 2024 edition.

The Ducks’ goal is a national title. Don’t get it confused. What lies in the (possibly very near) future, though, is a level of notoriety and respect that only the constant contenders demand.

Philip Phillips, Ph.D., professor of English and associate dean of the university honors college at Middle Tennessee State University, was recently elected to serve as president-elect for The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi—the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. The election took place immediately following the 2024 Phi […]

In recent years, cryptocurrencies have transitioned from niche digital assets to mainstream financial tools. Colorado is leading this shift, with a growing number of students diving into the world of digital currencies. This trend is set to significantly impact the state’s future financial landscape, influencing local economies, investment practices, and technological innovation.

Colorado students are increasingly engaging with cryptocurrencies, driven by both academic interest and practical applications. Universities in the state, such as the University of Colorado Boulder and Colorado State University, have incorporated blockchain and cryptocurrency courses into their curricula. These programs provide essential knowledge and skills to navigate digital assets, nurturing a new generation of crypto-savvy professionals.

As students become more familiar with cryptocurrencies, they not only invest in digital assets but also contribute to the technology’s development and application. When investing, managing, and securing digital assets is crucial for students involved in cryptocurrencies. Cryptocurrencies are stored in digital wallets, which come in software (hot wallets) and hardware (cold wallets) forms. Hot wallets are connected to the internet, providing ease of access for transactions, while cold wallets offer offline storage and enhanced security against theft. A safe and secure digital wallet is vital for safekeeping crypto (source: https://bestcryptowallet.com/). Using these wallets ensures that students can protect their assets and manage their investments effectively.

The growing student engagement in the cryptocurrency space could have significant economic implications for Colorado. The influx of young, tech-savvy individuals into the crypto sector may stimulate local economies. Startups and tech companies specializing in blockchain and digital currencies might see increased interest and investment from this emerging talent pool. This could lead to job creation and economic growth, enhancing the state’s reputation as a hub for innovation.

Additionally, as students become crypto investors, they may bring fresh capital into the market. This increased investment can drive demand for local businesses that accept cryptocurrencies, potentially boosting spending within the state. The acceptance of digital currencies is expanding; in Colorado, cryptocurrencies are now used to purchase food, book travel, and even participate in gaming and gambling activities. This practical use integrates digital currencies into everyday economic activities, enhancing their utility and appeal.

Students embracing cryptocurrencies are also likely to influence financial practices and investment trends in Colorado. Their new perspectives challenge traditional investment strategies and introduce fresh dynamics into the investment landscape. The growing acceptance of cryptocurrencies among mainstream financial institutions and businesses further highlights this shift. Students may advocate for greater integration of digital assets into traditional financial systems, potentially leading to new financial products and services tailored to crypto investors.

The focus on cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology among Colorado students is likely to drive technological innovation in the state. Universities and research institutions are becoming centers for blockchain research and development, where students and faculty work on cutting-edge projects. This environment fosters innovation and experimentation, leading to new applications and solutions benefiting various industries.

Blockchain technology’s potential extends beyond cryptocurrencies, including applications in supply chain management, voting systems, and healthcare. As students engage with these technologies, they may contribute to advancements with broad impacts on the state and the wider economy. Colorado’s leadership in blockchain research and development could attract further investment and talent, reinforcing its status as a tech hub.

However, the rise of crypto engagement among students presents challenges. The volatile nature of cryptocurrencies requires young investors to navigate significant risks, including potential financial losses. Financial education and responsible investing practices are crucial to managing these challenges effectively. Additionally, as the regulatory environment around cryptocurrencies evolves, students and emerging professionals will need to stay informed about legal and compliance issues to navigate these changes successfully.

Philip Phillips, Ph.D., professor of English and associate dean of the university honors college at Middle Tennessee State University, was recently elected to serve as president-elect for The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi—the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines.

The election took place immediately following the 2024 Phi Kappa Phi Biennial Convention, held virtually Aug.1-2.

During his 2024-2026 term as president-elect, Phillips will serve on the Society’s 12-person board of directors. His election represents a six-year commitment to the Society including successive terms as president and past president.

“I am fully committed, both personally and professionally, to the mission of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi,” Phillips said during his remarks to delegates at the Society’s convention. “I know firsthand the value of recognizing and promoting academic excellence, and especially supporting the scholarship, creative activity, study abroad opportunities, and community service projects of our students who represent the full range of disciplines,” he said.

Initiated into Phi Kappa Phi as a faculty member at MTSU in 2011, Phillips has been an active leader of Phi Kappa Phi at the local and national levels. He served on the Phi Kappa Phi board of directors from 2018-2020 and again from 2022-2024. He has been a member of the bylaws committee, finance and budget committee, fellowship committee, and the strategic planning taskforce.

“I am thankful for the presence of our president-elect, Philip Phillips, whose dedication and new ideas continue to invigorate our national board,” said Society President Sharhonda Rush. “Phi Kappa Phi’s governance structure thrives on the close collaboration among the president, past president, and president-elect. This teamwork ensures seamless and resilient leadership that continues to propel Phi Kappa Phi forward.”

Phillips holds both master’s and doctoral degrees in English from Vanderbilt University, and a B.A., also in English, from Belmont University. At MTSU, he has served as graduate admissions director for the English department and chair of the academic master plan committee for the university. He serves as immediate past president of his chapter. Outside the university, he has been a member of both the diversity and research committees of the National Collegiate Honors Council, a member of the editorial board of The Edgar Allan Poe Review, and founder and director of the Great Books in Middle Tennessee Prisons program.

About Phi Kappa Phi
Founded in 1897, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Phi Kappa Phi inducts approximately 20,000 students, faculty, professional staff, and alumni annually. The Society has chapters on more than 300 select colleges and universities in the United States, its territories, and the Philippines. Membership is by invitation only to the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students and 7.5 percent of juniors. In special cases, students with an exceptional GPA, and faculty, professional staff, and alumni who achieve scholarly distinction may also qualify. The Society’s mission is to “cultivate a community that celebrates and advances the love of learning.”  For more information, visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org.

Media Contact
Hope Lemoine
Marketing Coordinator
hlemoine@phikappaphi.org
225-923-7781