Student strives to bring suicide awareness to U of L

Article featured in September, 10, 2007 issue of The Louisville Cardinal
By Lindsey Coblentz

Amanda Hill's father was dragged into the woods and shot in the back of the head, or so she was told 24 years ago.

"But things just didn't add up," said Hill, a graduate student in the University of Louisville's psychology program.

"[The police] never had a list of suspects, all the facts were misconstrued and they dropped the case."

When she was older, Hill became curious and contacted investigators to have the case re-opened. It didn't take long for investigators to discover that Hill's father had not been a victim of homicide.

He, in fact, had committed suicide. This is the main reason that Hill became involved with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).

The AFSP funds research and survivor and awareness programs in order to prevent suicide and to help those who have been affected by suicide.

Hill is trying to reach others with her story and is concerned about bringing suicide awareness to college students, many of whom don't realize how big of an issue suicide is among their age group.

When asked how big of a problem suicide posed for college students, Ryan Dougherty, a freshman mechanical engineering major, said, "I believe it's a real problem, a problem that exists, but I don't think it's a very widespread problem."

However, according to the Kentucky Suicide Prevention Group, suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students.

In order to try to bring more suicide awareness to the U of L campus and its surrounding areas, Hill is promoting one of the main suicide awareness events in Kentucky.

The Out of the Darkness Walk is a five-kilometer walk which will take place in Louisville at Seneca Park on Nov. 3. Check-in time is 7:30 a.m.

This walk, which has been with the AFSP for three years, raises money for the foundation to help fund its cause. Participants can start a team or walk alone to raise money for the foundation. The money raised from the walk will be used locally and Hill hopes that some of it will go toward Question Persuade Refer Training.

According to Hill, this is the only research-based method that has proven to prevent suicide.

This training, which can be taken by anyone, shows different strategies that can be used to prevent suicide and to persuade someone to seek help. QPR Training could also help improve suicide awareness on campus.

"If other college students were aware of the types of behaviors and possibly what they could do to intervene and prevent someone from possibly even attempting suicide, then QPR Training would be beneficial," said Amanda.

Sarah Schneider, a junior communication major, said having a support group on campus for students who have been affected by suicide could also be advantageous.

In addition to the Counseling Center located between the SAC and the Houchens Building on campus, there is a group in Louisville called Survivors of Suicide.

This group meets twice a month, and is for helping anyone cope who has lost a relative or friend to suicide.

When it comes to preventing suicide, there are certain warning signs to recognize.

Some of these signs include threatening to hurt or kill themselves, talking or writing about death or suicide, increased substance use, withdrawing from friends and family and dramatic mood changes.

If students observe any of these warning signs, they can seek help by contacting the on-campus Counseling Center or a mental health professional.

Students can also call 1-800-273-TALK for a referral or information.

Spreading his love of jazz around the globe

Article featured in September 24, 2007 issue of The Louisville Cardinal
By Lindsey Coblentz

When Michael Tracy was a teenager, he wanted to be a lawyer.

"I was intrigued by the show Perry Mason," said Tracy.

So when his father was called for jury duty, Tracy went with him.

"It was boring, dry. There was nothing happening, so I said 'forget this.'"

Leaving his dream of becoming a lawyer behind him, Tracy set out to find what he wanted to do with his life.

"I liked playing music and I liked interacting with people in that fashion," said Tracy.

Being a saxophone player who had been participating in All-State Band since the eighth grade, he decided that he wanted to look into music as a career.

Tracy obtained his bachelor's degrees in both music and music education and a Master of Arts degree in higher education from the University of Louisville.

Today, he is a professor of music and jazz at the U of L School of Music where he teaches saxophone and acts as the Director of the School of Music's Jamey Aebersold Jazz Studies Program.

"He single-handedly created and grew the jazz program at the School of Music to what it is today," said John LaBarbera, a professor of music at the U of L School of Music. "... an internationally recognized jazz program,"

"I like playing a role in guiding [students]," said Tracy. "You really learn on your own. I can't teach them, they have to teach themselves to learn."

"My role, I think, is to give them guidance on the best way to achieve what they want to achieve."

According to his students, Tracy's honesty is one part of him that is appreciated.

"Mike is an amazing teacher, not only because he makes you think," said Graeme Gardiner, a freshman jazz studies major with a focus in saxophone, "but because he really is not afraid to tell you how it is."

"[He] has always let me know where I am, whether good or bad, and I've always really appreciated that."

Besides teaching at U of L, Tracy spends a lot of time abroad performing and working with students in other countries.

In fact, Tracy has visited about 40 countries performing and teaching.

The experience he has obtained with jazz overseas continues to be helpful to his students.

"He has so much experience and has had so much involvement in today's jazz world," said Gardiner.

"The knowledge I have available to me through him is immeasurable."

A project Tracy had been involved with while working overseas was helping to establish a jazz studies program at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre in Estonia.

The country borders the Baltic Sea and lies northwest of Russia.

Being granted a Fulbright award, Tracy was able to spend some time in Estonia helping to develop the program, especially helping to develop the Academy's library.

Prior to the development of the jazz studies program, the library had no CDs or jazz material.

"Its tradition was definitely classical, and they wanted to embrace the West more," said Tracy.

When he is not teaching, Tracy often performs around the world in places such as Argentina, Brazil and Italy, as well as locally, where he can be seen at the Galt House almost every Friday evening.

During his down time, Tracy enjoys photography, reading and spending time with his 14-year-old twins.

"That's my real job," Tracy said.

"I enjoy watching them grow up and seeing how they both interpret things."

Tracy feels there is more to being an instructor than just teaching the music.

"I feel like most of my job is almost like a psychiatrist where you're using music as a vehicle for the individual to find out who they are."

Dollars and $ense: Financial savvy valuable for students

Article feature in February 18, 2008 issue of The Louisville Cardinal
By Lindsey Coblentz

It's almost that time again. Time for spring: the season of budding trees, blooming flowers, and filing taxes. Taxes? That's right. The April 15 deadline is looming over some students' heads along with midterms and papers.

"My parents fill out my taxes," said Emily Wortham, a freshman secondary education major. "I'm pretty ignorant on that kind of stuff."

Like Wortham, many students still have their parents file taxes for them, while others are experiencing their first tax season. Either way, taxes make several students aware of their newly found financial responsibility.

"Before college, finances seemed less overwhelming. A paycheck seemed like a lot more money than it does now," said Wortham.

Amanda Fiedler, a freshman secondary education major, agreed that coming to college makes students realize how tough it can be to manage money on their own. "I have always valued the money I have, but now I have gotten to the point that when I'm at work I will not eat because I don't have the extra money to go to McDonald's," said Fiedler.

For students who are planning to file their own taxes, there is help available. Jeff Kennedy, Kentucky's taxpayer advocacy member, said that there are many resources that college students have at their fingertips.

"Any computer-savvy taxpayer who earned less than $54,000 can take advantage of free online tax filing through the IRS' FreeFile Alliance," said Kennedy. This service allows qualified taxpayers to file for free without purchasing any add-ons.

For those who prefer a hands-on approach, there is the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. The service is free for anyone who earns less than $40,000 and offers trained volunteers who will do visitors' taxes while they wait.

"I have personally been a VITA volunteer for many years and am always encouraged by the genuine gratitude that folks have after they receive this free tax service and see how much money they will be getting back," said Kennedy.

U of L students in the military can find tax help at the Fort Knox Tax Center or the Fort Campbell Community Tax Center.

If students need help with finances in general, to whom should they turn? According to Wortham, their parents.

"When it comes to money, let your parents help you. I try to be self-sufficient and not take spending cash from my parents, but the bottom line is that is part of what they are there for."

Fiedler agreed, saying that she appreciates her dad's help, especially when it comes to taxes. "I usually do my taxes with my dad, but because I won't be at home to do it with him this year, he will be doing it for me so I don't fill it out wrong."

Whether or not students are filling out their own tax forms, all students are faced with financial responsibility. Some of the most important advice is also the simplest, according to Fiedler. When it comes to money, she said, "Make sure you know how much you have and that you don't spend what you will later need."