By Illaria Dana

Welcome, new and returning students and faculty! My name is Illaria, and I will be the editor of

the Other World section of “The Beacon”. It is exciting to begin this new year and this new role on

campus. A huge part of my experience here has been learning how to integrate diverse subjects,

relationships, and aspects of myself through the lens of being a student. It is important to be aware of

what is happening on campus, in the state, and in the national and international communities. This section

will focus on events outside of SMCC and will try to relate these events to being a student. Much of this

process will be assumed by you, the reader.

I am studying education at SMCC and am enjoying my investigation of other schools across the

country. I plan to transfer next year. Education is an interesting subject, for it focuses on how the brain

acquires information. This process never ends. Just as our brains are changing, forming new connections

with the practices we undertake, our personalities and interests are always changing. It can be daunting to

stay informed with all of the sources we have access to and with all of our duties. In David Foster

Wallace’s book, The Pale King, he says that, “Information per se is really just a measure of disorder.” The

first goal of the Other World section is to discuss a relevant, ordered selection of events and opportunities

for you to think about.

The second goal is to provide a mirror for community members to examine themselves in as

individuals and as members of the world. We will cover a broad variety of topics in this section and hope

that you as readers will be able to synthesize these events into a deeper understanding of yourselves. We

hope that you will ask, “What does this have to do with me? How can I change what is going on as I

become more informed?” Carl Jung, the founder of Jungian psychology, said, “Your vision will become

clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside,

awakens.” I wish all of you success throughout this semester and your lives to come.

If you have interest in writing for the paper or opportunities that you wish to share with readers,

please contact me at illariardana@smccme.edu.