Ed Asner as FDR

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Bethany Solomon

On April 14, several A&M-Texarkana students had the opportunity to see legendary actor Ed Asner perform in a one-man-show as President Franklin Roosevelt in FDR at the Perot Theater in downtown Texarkana.

Ed Asner has been an actor for over 50 years, and holds many prestigious accomplishments. Most well-known for his role as Lou Grant, the scruffy boss on The Mary Tyler Moore Show which ran from 1970-1977, according to IMDB. Asner has been the recipient of 7 Emmy’s. After his run on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, he went on to the spin-off Lou Grant as the headlining character from 1977-1982.

In his performance in FDR, Asner portrayed the president who served our country during the Great Depression and World War II. The show approached such subjects as Roosevelt’s struggle with polio, his decision to run for president, the economic crisis during his time as president, and important executive decisions he made concerning the war.

Asner delivered an exceptional performance, winning him a standing ovation from the audience at the end of the show. The show lasted approximately an hour and a half, in which Asner had no breaks in lines or appearances on stage as he was the only performer in the production. At over 80 years old, he was well-spoken, clearly heard and understood by all in the audience, and had an energetic, dramatic, and vivacious approach in playing the legendary American president. He would make a performer of any age envious of his talents.

After the show ended, many A&M students in attendance had the chance to attend a meet-and-greet session with Asner himself. During the discussion, Asner talked with his private audience about where he was when he heard about the bombing of Pearl Harbor as well as the death of FDR, his roles and experiences in Hollywood, and his political beliefs. The A&M students and local V.I.P’s then had the opportunity to shake his hand, take pictures with him, and get his autograph.

Not only was Ed Asner an interesting character to meet, but students had the opportunity to interact with some local dignitaries who were part of the group discussion. Attending the play were WWII veterans, political activists. One man was part of Congress during the war, and actually remembered Roosevelt addressing them about entering the war after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. It was an incredible and educational experience for all.

It was an evening that no one will soon forget, for Asner was charming, comical, and intelligent and it was an honor to hear his opinions, memories, and expertise on acting in theater and television.

A New Eyeglass Prescription

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Britney Gilmore

I am glad I am here, and I am glad that I am leaving. Sometimes you can’t see the forest for the trees: money, lifestyles or trying to obtain some unrealistic standard of living. The trees obscure you finding yourself. Getting out of your comfort zone even for just a little while certainly makes being the woodcutter easier and viewing the entire forest a bit easier. When you’re lost in the trees, it isn’t easy to find the root of happiness.

My first day was like my second, and the second was like being 3 months in. Personalities haven’t fluctuated from day one. You may only know the poker face to be an expression for playing cards or the once Top 40s hit by Lady Gaga. No. It is a legitimate position to hold your face and is a standard office expression! Picture this: heads down, typing away like something out of movie. This poker face seems to be the norm for daily faces worn by most individuals here.

I think most college students are prepared for change. That’s why we go to college in the first place — to seek more opportunities in life. But sometimes it is like we are so excited and overly ready for change that we build up these images and high expectations of what we think we want to do. It’s the glitz and glam lenses that we are looking through. But from day one, I missed the university – my university.

Helping people, being helped and always learning…I love that life. Within the first few weeks, epiphany one hit me like a gust of wind. “Man I don’t belong here,” was the PG-13 version of my thoughts! I had been battling with several life decisions just as everyone seems to do when faced with crossroad-type decisions. Being a professor is my true dream, and I couldn’t see that through my previous ocular prescription. You have to be open to new things, but you cannot kid yourself. That adage: the heart wants what the heart wants is forever true.

Sometimes though we have to go through, to, and far off course to realize what it is that we truly want. Then once we figure it out, and it brings us rushing back. An internship is not only to learn about a business but to get to know ourselves a little bit better too. I, myself, have learned a few things:

1.) Everyone does not get to do something new every day. So be thankful if you do. It seems like challenges arise, you squash them and then you move on. I like the thought of ongoing challenges like getting someone from point A to graduation.

2.) You cannot do everything. College is like a utopia no matter how big or small it is. A place where you get to change your mind, major, advisor and dance with all the possibilities to make your educational experience what you want it to be. In the real world, you get into a niche and that is where you stay. People are always convinced that every workday is an adventure to them. What a delusion!

3.) Never focus on the “trees”. Do what makes you happy.

There are always obstacles with anything, but you have to face them to ever know.  Examining life through reality eyeglasses makes it much easier and personal. Not many people follow what they always thought they would do. I am proud to say that I am one of them. So for those of you who do not know what you want to be when you grow up…do not worry. You will in due time, if you take the chances that are presented and make your own decisions based on you and not the benefits and perks. I never thought I’d want to be in a classroom…but I belong there. That’s what is important to me.

What occupation and lifestyle is the best fit for your goals and personality? Every skill-set and talent does not have to be confined to a certain profession. Just because you like to draw does not mean you have to be an artist, if you know what I mean. If you do not get that statement now, take my word that one day you will understand me. Blinders do come off. Prescriptions do get revised. Personally, I am anxious to see what is next for me after the cubicle, but I am grateful for my time here, because in order for me to plan what comes beyond it, I needed to sit here first.