I hope your week is off to a great start. As November approaches, you will experience time bending, and it will feel as though it is passing faster and faster (thank you, "Interstellar").
This is important—we are in the midst of early voting season in Texas. During the last election cycle, 78 percent of SU students voted. This year, you have the power to increase our voting rates. If you registered to vote using your campus address, you can vote at any early voting poll location in Williamson County. Why is voting important? I will let Abraham Lincoln provide his perspective on that point: "Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters." Very well, and somewhat painfully, said.
So, join the SU Votes "Make a Plan" contest by completing this easy form to win prizes, get bragging rights, and be confident that you know what you are voting for when Election Day arrives.
Tomorrow at 4 p.m., head to Olin for The Paideia Connections Lecture Series. This is one of my favorite events that showcases two faculty members who briefly present their research, and then the audience is encouraged to connect the two presentations.
Halloween is just a few days away. Please be sure to submit photos of your furry friends by Monday for your chance to win a prize. Speaking of the holiday, I hear more inflatables are on their way.
File this under things that are good to know: Southwestern was recently ranked 7th on the list of top colleges and universities in Texas based upon a survey completed by Wallethub comparing more than 900 higher ed institutions across 30 key measures.
Shoutout to Assistant Professor of Physics Cody Crosby and four of his FSP (Faculty–Student Research Project) students—Kristie Cheng '23, Domenic Cordova '23, Noah Pyles '23, and Angel Rodriguez '24—who attended the 2022 Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) Annual Meeting in San Antonio. They presented two posters focused on the development of a novel biomaterial ink for the blood-brain barrier and the fabrication of a low-cost Ender-3 bioprinter.
I also want to recognize Associate Professor of Computer Science Jacob Schrum and the students of the Alpha Chi National College Honor Society for being awarded the prestigious designation of Notable Chapter for the 2021–2022 academic year. This award acknowledges the chapter's commitment to and support for high academic standards.
Finally, be sure to wish the men and women on the cross country teams the best of luck as they compete in the SCAC Championships being held on campus for the first time in many years.
Go Pirates!
