The End of an Era (Or a Semester...)

At the Pennsylvania State University, I am working toward completing a duel major in Art History and French language, with a minor in Italian language. I am also a member of the Undergraduate Art History Association (UAHA), which is a group that promotes visual art, plans events and museum tours, investigates careers in the museum profession, and attempts to establish dialogue between the many facets of the visual art programs here on campus. I plan to graduate in the spring of 2015, and will pursue a Masters of Arts degree in Art History. Ultimately, I strive to procure a job as a curator at a major art museum or gallery.

During my college career, I have been able to meld my love of the liberal arts with my rhetorical experiences via essays, blogs, and the occasional speech. Furthermore, as a creator and consumer of rhetoric (in multiple languages no less), the constant exposure to public discourse is integral to my career goals. To curate an exhibit is a means of expression; it embodies storytelling, design, and acute analysis.  As museum exhibitions intend to be consumed by the public, it is necessary for me to understand completely the interworking of visual and written rhetoric. 

This website features a collection of some of my favorite pieces of writing from this year. Under the guidance of some very meticulous and demanding professors, I have grown immensely as a writer and as a student at this university. I have diversified my writing skills, from formal analytical essays to a comical blog that narrates my experiences as a part-time waitress. So it is on that note that I welcome you to explore the content of my portfolio.

Link to Naomi Lazny's e-Portfolio 

Knowing Your Facts, Santorum!

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Once again, I find myself shaking my head in disbelief as I listen to the very public words of Rick Santorum.  If you remember correctly, not too long ago he called President Obama a “snob” for encouraging people to go to college.  (Mind you, Mr. Santorum himself has a bachelor’s degree, a law degree, and a business degree.) 

This past week, he dismissed higher education while campaigning in Wisconsin, citing California’s university system as an example of “just how bad it’s gotten in this country.” In his speech, he claimed that “seven or eight of the California system of universities” don’t offer American history courses. 

Frankly, it’s irrelevant what schools he was referring to, as both University of California and California State University (and all of their campuses) offer American history courses.  In fact, CSU students are required to take several of those courses in order to graduate.  Nine other undergraduate UC campuses (Berkeley, Irvine, San Diego, Los Angeles, Davis, Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, Riverside, and Merced) offer similar courses as well as graduation requirements. 

I’m sorry, but I can’t get over the lack of the lack of credible ethos that is Rick Santorum.  Three days before making this ridiculous claim about California universities, he gave a speech at the Jelly Belly Candy Company so voters would connect him to Ronald Reagan. 

Evidence literally pours out of the man’s mouth on a daily basis—not only does he fail to see and address the issues relevant during this presidential race, but also he lacks the necessary ability to present himself as a serious political candidate. 

The American public has no reason to believe that he is a remotely good candidate for the job.  Mr. Santorum lies, backtracks, and confuses most potential voters (not to mention that he has a wicked temper). 

Luckily for us, he is so far behind in the polls that it’s almost not even worth bothering with this “candidate” any longer.