Earlier this semester, a non-Collegianite was seen in the corner of the James Building basement, his eyes scanning the newsroom like an academic-minded hawk. Every few minutes, the student would bend to jot something down in his notebook, before going back to watching.
He wasn't a spy or an uninspired performance artist, but a member of an English 202 class that required him to observe a subculture and report back to the class with his findings. So, Jane Goodall-like, he was down there scribbling away, watching us work and seeing us transform from friends to family.
By this point in the school year, the notion of a semester-long research project has me ready to self-destruct at the sight of anything even closely related to the idea, but back then the assignment still piqued my interest.
Penn State, the literature says, has a lot of student groups, so incoming students are bound to find at least one they like. If they're lucky, it won't be just a group of like-minded individuals but a brotherhood of kindred spirits in which friends -- you guessed it -- become family.
Sometimes, subcultures can get a little too wacky (see the Yearning for Zion ranch for a tragic example), but mostly it's just wacky enough. Culture is a handshake; subculture is secret handshake. Culture is turkey at Thanksgiving; subculture is your grandma's special recipe. The Collegian has some great, just-for-fun traditions, like our annual picnic, football game and an initiation orgy (safe word: recite the entire First Amendment).
There are so many student groups here that the possibilities make me drool with glee. There must be a million inside jokes, a million inside stories, a million little rituals known only to the members. What's it like to be a Penn State Woodsman? How does the Poultry Science Club initiate its freshmen? Only the members of those subcultures know for sure.
But that only makes us more curious. During the last semester, one of the things the arts staff has tried to do is give readers longer, more in-depth pieces, hopefully offering a glimpse into some formerly mysterious part of the Penn State/State College arts world.
This week's cover story continues in that vein, with an article about two men who are a part of what must be one of State College's most visible but least-known subcultures -- its DJs.
One of the men spends hours perfecting customized music videos that combine club hits with images from movies and television. The other hopes to one day start an after-school mentoring program for underprivileged youth.
It's an inspiring read, and it's made even more so when you think of the work these men do so we can play. Without them, who would pump out the jams in this town?
Enjoy the article, and this summer, remember these DJs who give up their weekend nights to help State College party. Hopefully, whatever you're doing, you'll be inspired to work just a little bit harder.
Billy Wellock is a sophomore majoring in English and The Daily Collegian Venues chief. His e-mail is waw5010@psu.edu and he'll be in State College during the second summer session, so you should call him up, girls. Seriously, e-mail him or something. He'll appreciate it.
