Many professors at Kansas State have a lot of hidden talents, outside of instructing a mass amount of people. Ian Punnett is one of those professors. Ian currently teaches in the AQ. Miller School and is a chief operator/faculty advisor for KSDB-FM. Born in Wilmette, Illinois in 1960, Ian lived a few doors down from the famous early 90's movie, "Home Alone." He attended a well known performing arts high school, which had an excellent theater department, tv station, and its own radio station. "Media was much more limited back then," Ian says. Growing up in a household were everyone enjoyed tv, radio, print media, home movies, and cassette tapes. Ian had a variety of media to spark his interest. "Radio was the best way to hear new music, and my older brother always had cool, 'underground' FM rock stations on in our rooms," Ian states. During a time where there were only a few forms of media and limited people supplying media. Ian says, "...there were three legendary AM stations fighting for control of Chicago; the best music was on FM…" "I thought Top 40 deejays sounded like fast-talking used car salesmen," Ian said, being someone who is all about music. After years of consuming media at home in many different forms, Ian reflects on a time where he had that chance outside of his house. "In 7th grade, the son of one of those famous Chicago Top 40 jocks transferred to the small, suburban private school I attended," Ian reflects. He continues, " He was really funny and loved to do these little improvs at recess and in between classes." Taking part in those little improvs done in their spare time, Ian says, "Soon I was hanging out at his house where we recorded these little bits into his tape recorder and laughed like fools." The following year in 8th grade, "...my parents were broke, so I transferred to the large performing arts high school with a radio station," Ian said. He started a show with his friend who he used to do skits with, but after about a year, his friend stopped. Ian continued until he graduated High School. Ian acquired his first high school show in 1974 as a freshman. Radio was not always how Ian pictured himself. At a very young age, Ian says, "...I can remember I used to sit at the foot of my stairs after I was supposed to be asleep, listening to "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson." Being so young, he did not always understand some of the jokes but realized comedy might be the route for him. Though, from doing radio so much in High School, Ian became more and more comfortable doing it alone and started paying attention to more and more radio personalities as his interest in music tapered off. John Records Landecker, who was a radio host and Peter B Collins who was a late-night talk show host; two personalities that he followed closely. Ian is a professor, husband, and father who has a lot to fulfilling stories. When asked about the most exciting thing radio has lead him to do, Ian says, "...cohosting a daily, local morning radio show with my wife and hosting a national talk show to millions of listeners worldwide on the weekend from a studio in my house. That worldwide radio show Ian refers to is "Coast to Coast AM," which airs seven nights a week from 1 A.M. to 5 A.M. "Not many people get to do either in life, and I got to do both every week," Ian said graciously. Having been involved with radio for over 35 years, Ian has met, interviewed, and befriended many celebrities. Before his passing, McLean Stevenson was interview on WGN in Chicago by Ian. According to Ian, they hit it off immediately. "I really thought we'd be friends for life…" Ian says, "...but he went into surgery for something relatively safe and died on the table," Ian went on to say. Involved with so many things from an early age, meeting so many people, and having success with his own shows. How does a much with so much success en up at K-State? "Getting a job in academia is fairly transparent and mundane process," Ian says. "K-State ran an ad on a well-known college job website for somebody who could run the station, teach radio, teach journalism and innovate new programs," Ian continued to say. All of which Ian is more than qualified to do. Ian had an interview over Skype, was flown out, and offered the job pretty quickly.oInvolving himself with many students and running a station, he keeps busy. When Ian does have some free time, he fills in on "Coast to Coast" at most three times a week, perform as a guest on other podcasts and write commercial entertainment products. All more than enough to keep someone busy throughout the day. Ian continues to work until the day he either chooses to retire or no longer offered meaning work. However, until then, he plans to be in it for the long haul with Kansas State University. Professors have stories too, taking the time out to speak with Ian Punnett and listen to his experiences is worth wild. I invite everyone to take a little time out to get to know the people who dedicate their time to teaching students. You never know what you could learn.
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Entertainment
15 Times Michael Scott's Life Was Worse Than Your Life
Because have you ever had to endure grilling your foot on a George Foreman?
7h
580
NBC
Most of the time, the world's (self-proclaimed) greatest boss is just that, the greatest. I mean, come on, he's Michael Freakin' Scott after all! But every once in a while, his life hits a bit of a speed bump. (or he actually hits Meredith...) So if you personally are struggling through a hard time, you know what they say: misery loves company! Here are 15 times Michael Scott's life was worse than your life:
1. When he just wanted bacon from his George Foreman grill
2. When he had money (and Jan) issues
3. When he got upstaged at Phyllis' wedding
4. When he unintentionally saved Meredith from rabies
5. When he wore a "bisexual" suit
6. When he had to apologize to Jesus
7. When his GPS drove him into a lake
8. When he had to deal with Ryan as his boss
9. When he couldn't fulfill his most generous empty promise
Jim & Pam's wedding, the proposal of Michael to Holly and his departure from the office "the goodbye episodes"
byu/vlamm inDunderMifflin
10. When this happened
11. When he struggled with a X-Mas break up
12. When he had to defend his generosity
13. When he threw a classy Christmas party for Holly but she had a boyfriend
14. When he had to stand up to peer pressure
15. When Toby was "Toby-ish"
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Featured
12 Midnight NYE: Fun Ideas!
This isn't just for the single Pringles out there either, folks
19 December
15547
StableDiffusion
When the clock strikes twelve midnight on New Year's Eve, do you ever find yourself lost regarding what to do during that big moment? It's a very important moment. It is the first moment of the New Year, doesn't it seem like you should be doing something grand, something meaningful, something spontaneous? Sure, many decide to spend the moment on the lips of another, but what good is that? Take a look at these other suggestions on how to ring in the New Year that are much more spectacular and exciting than a simple little kiss.
Run Around Clanging Pots and Pans in Everyone's Face
StableDiffusionThis tradition is meant to drive away bad spirits of the past, but honestly, it's more like a free concert...your friends should really be paying you for your services if you decide to do this on New Year's Eve.
Eat the Last Few Pigs in a Blanket
StableDiffusionIt's been sitting there since what, 8:00? You snooze you lose, and besides, no one's paying attention to you anyway.
Pop Twelve White Grapes
StableDiffusionIf you were in Spain, everyone would be doing just this. One grape for every month of the year. It's supposed to be lucky and stuff.
Burn Something
Photo by Ian Schneider on UnsplashIt's really not that odd-- families in Ecuador burn scarecrows every year on New Year's Eve. It's a symbol of diminishing the negativity of last year. Perhaps preform this one outside though, just to be safe of course.
Smash Things Against a Wall
Photo by Lidye on UnsplashWe can thank the Irish for this bright idea, they use bread specifically though. Who knows why this is a tradition, but it certainly seems like it could be incredibly soothing, don't you think?
Spontaneously Begin an Irish Jig
Photo by Melissa Askew on UnsplashThis isn't lucky or symbolic of anything, but it'll give you something to do at the stroke of midnight and you'll look god damn cool doing it.
Call Your Mother
rotary telephone
Photo by Vinicius "amnx" Amano on UnsplashWell, she did give birth to you. Midnight on New Year's Eve seems as good a time as any to thank her.
Throw a Coffee Table Out a Window
Photo by Kinga Howard on UnsplashAccording to South African tradition, it doesn't necessarily have to be a coffee table. It could be a futon, an ottoman, an armoire, really any piece of furniture that's old. It's for luck of course.
Sing "Auld Lang Syne" at the Top of Your Lungs
Photo by Chang Duong on UnsplashChannel your inner Beyonce, or Mariah, or whoever your Pop Star Diva Queen is and belt that tune. It'll be fantastic mood music.
Do Some Squats
Photo by Meghan Holmes on UnsplashMay as well start the New Year off by working on your inevitable resolution to drop some pounds. Why waste a single moment, you're likely forget the resolution by February anyway.
Swan Dive into a Nearly Freezing Body of Water
Photo by Brayden Prato on UnsplashAnother foreign tradition, this one is practiced by Germans. The kick of it is, you've got to do it while holding a lit torch. Again, who knows why this is a tradition, but its certainly sounds like a fun little challenge to ring in the New Year.
Take a Shot
Photo by Duri from Mocup on UnsplashAnd by shot, naturally I mean a snapshot. Perhaps a group photo, a selfie, or even an unfortunate snipe of your best friend. You'll feel loads better knowing you'll have something to always remember the first moments of 2025 by.
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Entertainment
11 Christmas Songs To Put You In A Holiday Mood
Time to be merry and bright.
19 December
2039
Digital Trends
I am very serious about the Christmas season. It's one of my favorite things, and I love it all from gift-giving to baking to the decorations, but I especially love Christmas music. Here are 11 songs you should consider adding to your Christmas playlists.
"First Noel" by Leslie Odom, Jr
Leslie Odom, Jr. (a.k.a. Aaron Burr in " Hamilton") released a Christmas album this year, and his cover of "First Noel" warms my soul.
"A Holly Jolly Christmas" by Burl Ives
There's just something so merry about Burl Ives's version. Plus, it's a classic.
"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" by Kelly Clarkson
I'm sure some will say it's sacrilegious to like any other version but Judy Garland's, but the notes Kelly hits are on point.
"All I Want for Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey
I mean, y'all knew I had to include this song, right? One of my best friends and I send each other all the Vines of this song.
"Christmas (Baby Please Come Home" by Michael Buble
No Christmas playlist is complete without Michael, and this is one of the best on his album.
"Last Christmas" by Taylor Swift
One of my few complaints about Taylor is that she only released one Christmas album, and that was almost ten years ago. But her cover of "Last Christmas" is definitely a hit, in my opinion.
"The Christmas Song" by Josh Groban
I'm pretty sure everyone has their favorite cover of this holiday classic, but in my book, Josh Groban is king. Have some chestnuts, y'all.
"White Christmas" by Idina Menzel
Of course the Bing Crosby version from the "White Christmas" movie is my preferred version, but Spotify no longer has it, so Idina's cover is my second favorite.
"O Holy Night" by David Archuleta
He has the voice of an angel.
"Believe" by Josh Groban
"The Polar Express" is one of my favorite Christmas movies, and this song absolutely puts me in a holiday mood.
"Les cloches du hameau" by Celine Dion
I love all things French so obviously my playlist has a French carol.
So what songs do you have on your Christmas playlist?
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CampusExplorer
New year, new semester, not the same old thing. This semester will be a semester to redeem all the mistakes made in the previous five months.
1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.
Let's face it, last semester you woke up with enough time to brush your teeth and get to class and even then you were about 10 minutes late and rollin' in with some pretty unfortunate bed head. This semester we will set our alarms, wake up with time to get ready, and get to class on time!
With that being said it brings me to another thing I will actually (try) and do this semester.
2. I will look decent for class.
OK maybe not every single day, but at least twice a week, put effort into your appearance. I know that that pair of sweats and that baggy t-shirt stay calling your name; however, they need to understand that there are clothes in your closet that have not seen the light of day in months due to your inability to actually put on a decent looking outfit. Let your sweats know that you need to wear other clothes or before you know it your jeans will have somehow shrunk a size (yes it happens). It doesn't take too much effort to put on a nice outfit and who knows that adorable top in the back of your closet may catch the eye of a potential "bae."
3. I will go to the gym more.
After being home for a month or more and your family stuffing you with actual good food, a few pounds may have introduced themselves to you. When going back to school this is a time for you to cut them out of your life, you probably have not gotten that attached to them so now would be a good time to hike across campus to the gym and start getting that perfect body (spring break is coming up).
4. I will go to the library and study more.
See how I said "go to the library and study" and not "go to the library and sleep, watch Netflix, or do anything but study." Your grades are counting on you to lift them up when they are down and you can't do that when you try and cram for that big test the night before. This semester you are challenged to study not a few days before, but weeks before. This way you can actually learn and understand the material. It helps -- I promise.
5. I will meet new people.
Yes, your old friends are fun and you always have a good time with them, but it is never a bad thing to branch out and meet new people. Join a new club or talk to that random person who sits beside you in class, not only could you make a new friend you could have a new person to study with!
Now, go make some friends, get to class on time, look decent, and get your study on.
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Student Life
The 5 Painfully True Stages Of Camping Out At The Library
For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.
18 December
3195
Photo by Seven Shooter on Unsplash
And so it begins.
1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock
Camping out at the library is not for the faint of heart. You need to go in as a warrior. You usually have brought supplies (laptop, chargers, and textbooks) and sustenance (water, snacks, and blanket/sweatpants) since the battle will be for an undetermined length of time. Perhaps it is one assignment or perhaps it's four. You are motivated and prepared; you don’t doubt the assignment(s) will take time, but you know it couldn’t be that long.
2. Disappointed you let it get this bad
One to three hours pass and that motivation from earlier has dissipated. Why are you barely doing this assignment? Retreating into your blanket seems like a good plan, for about 30 minutes longer than it should have. Texting your friends to complain about your strategy not working for you may show weakness and result in judgment. Abort the friendship if that is the case. That kind of negativity is not needed in your fragile state. They should be fighting it just like you! As time continues, you sit there with a somber attitude, knowing this is not helping the situation, but only making it worse for yourself.
3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour
You do not care if you are making it worse on yourself! You might walk around to see what other unfortunate souls have found themselves in that dark, probably cold, outdated campusdungeonbuilding. You check your email. You look at Twitter/Pinterest. You might do anything but what you are supposed to. This is without a doubt though a critical part of the process however. How else can one get the creative juices flowing than without some mental breaks.
4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up
Right before, or right after you buckle down and get started again, it is late and the desire for your bed and need for sleep hit you hard. You know you cannot let this feeling win, despite how tempting it might be. What would all these hours have been for if you simply pack up your backpack and walk to your dorm? A WASTE. You push through this feeling until you finally need some reinforcements.
5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"
The head reinforcement. You turn to it in this lonely time of need, as much of the other library patrons have already found their ways home at this point. Liking the actual substance that is caffeine is not important - you simply have to lean on the method you most enjoy. Maybe it’s coffee, warm and homey. Or maybe you are a Monster/Redbull type, cold and rugged. Either way, you refuel before setting into the final stages of the assignment. Others would call this the home-stretch or rounding the bases, but, in reality, it is more of a speedy but painful crawl towards the finish line in a desperate attempt to not be dead-last.
Oh, so done.
The time has come where you can begin the trek back to your room and desperately attempt to not wake your roommate. Besides that, you sit back and realize you did a thing, an adult thing, and you got it all accomplished. You beat the beast, they said you couldn’t do it and you showed them!
You can do anything!
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