University of Southern Indiana's student publication | USI | student newspaper

The Shield
University of Southern Indiana's student publication | USI | student newspaper

The Shield
University of Southern Indiana's student publication | USI | student newspaper

The Shield
Ian Young

Ian Young, Editor-in-Chief

Ian Young is a first-semester senior where he is pursuing a BA in Journalism with a creative writing and literary editing & publishing minor. Young joined The Shield in Fall 2021 as a Staff Writer and now serves as the Editor-in-Chief for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Young helped create the 56-page magazine published by The Shield titled Unmasked: Unmasking the Story of How the COVID-19 Pandemic Affected the University of Southern Indiana by contributing three news stories during his time as a staff writer.

Young enjoys spending his time listening to music, reading and making his colleagues laugh.

All content by Ian Young
The best 50 albums of 2024

The best 50 albums of 2024

Ian Young, Editor-in-Chief
December 4, 2024
“Silent Hill 2 (2024),” released Oct. 8, is a survival horror game developed by Bloober Team and published by Konami Digital Entertainment. It is a remake of the 2001 game by the same name, which is widely considered one of the greatest video games ever made. (Photo courtesy of Konami Digital Entertainment)

‘Silent Hill 2 (2024)’ is an enduring love letter to one of the greatest games ever made

Ian Young, Editor in Chief
November 6, 2024
“NO TITLE AS OF 13 FEBRUARY 2024 28,340 DEAD,” released Oct. 4, is the eighth studio album by legendary post-rock band Godspeed You! Black Emperor. The album is a response to the ongoing conflict in Palestine, with the album’s title reflecting the death toll as of Feb. 13. (Photo courtesy of Constellation)

NO REVIEW AS OF 21 OCTOBER 2024 43,362 DEAD

Ian Young, Editor-in-Chief
October 23, 2024
Pamela Hopson, executive director of Multicultural Center, has been on campus for 45 years and is one of the longest standing faculty members on campus.

Pamela Hopson, executive director of Multicultural Center, reflects on 45 years at USI

Ian Young, Lifestyle Editor
April 22, 2024
“To be Kind,” released May 12, 2014, is the 13th studio album by American experimental rock band Swans. Nearly 10 years after the release of this album, it is still being celebrated as one of the greatest rock albums of the 2010s

The captivating numbness of ‘To Be Kind’

Ian Young, Lifestyle Editor
April 16, 2024
SpringFest 2024 is scheduled to take place from April 17-19 on campus. The three-day event will provide students with free food, events and a concert.

SpringFest returns with free food, events, live music

Ian Young, Lifestyle Editor
April 10, 2024
“Invincible,” released March 25, 2021, is an adult animated superhero television series created by Robert Kirkman for Amazon Prime Video. “Invincible” continues to break the mold of what made the superhero genre so bland within recent years with wonderful animation, over-the-top action and, most importantly, fantastic writing.

‘Invincible’ continues to carry the superhero genre

Ian Young, Lifestyle Editor
April 9, 2024
“COWBOY CARTER,” released Friday, is the eighth studio album by R&B singer-songwriter Beyoncé. While the album feels bloated, its faithful rendition of classic country, folk and Americana makes it one of the best country albums of the year.

‘COWBOY CARTER’ is a solid tribute to country music

Ian Young, Lifestyle Editor
April 2, 2024
“Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice,” released March 22, 2019, is a Japanese action-adventure soulslike game developed by FromSoftware and published by Activision. The game is an amazing twist on the genre that stands on its own as one of the best action-adventure video games released last decade and sets a new bar for balancing challenge and fun in video games.

‘Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice’ perfects video game difficulty

Ian Young, Lifestyle Editor
March 19, 2024
“SpongeBob SquarePants,” premiered July 17, 1999, is an American animated television series that follows SpongeBob SquarePants (Tom Kenny) and his aquatic friends in the underwater city of Bikini Bottom. The show has become one of the most iconic television shows ever created and has flourished under the creation of internet meme culture.

How ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’ shaped a generation

Ian Young, Lifestyle Editor
March 12, 2024
“Helldivers 2,” released Feb. 8, is a third-person, co-op action shooter developed by Arrowhead Game Studios. “Helldivers 2” is the first new live-service game in quite some time that not only comes with content that is fun and engaging but also respects the player’s time and money.

‘Helldivers 2’ brings life to live service games

Ian Young, Lifestyle Editor
February 27, 2024
"Madvillainy," released March 24, 2004, is a collaboration project between rapper MF DOOM and producer Madlib. "Madvillainy" is one of the most celebrated hip-hop albums ever created and stands tall with its unique sampling and iconic rapping.

‘Madvillainy’ holds up as one of the most unique hip-hop albums ever made

Ian Young, Lifestyle Editor
February 21, 2024
The 66th Grammy Awards, aired on CBS Sunday, celebrates the music released in 2022 and 2023. While this year's presentation and guest performances were top-notch, I still couldn't help but feel burned by the awards themselves.

Opinion: The 66th Grammy Awards was a slam dunk for everything except the awards themselves

Ian Young, Lifestyle Editor
February 7, 2024
“The Last of Us,” released weekly from Jan. 15 - Mar. 12, 2023, is a television thriller and drama series based on the video game of the same name. The series follows Joel Miller (Pedro Pascal) as he transports a 14-year-old girl, Ellie (Bella Ramsey), across a post-apocalyptic United States.

‘The Last of Us’ television show is a fantastic step forward for video game adaptations

Ian Young, Lifestyle Editor
January 31, 2024
Even though I listened to a lot of albums in 2023, there were still some great, noteworthy albums I missed.

10 great albums I missed in 2023

Ian Young, Lifestyle Editor
January 23, 2024
"Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory" is the fifth album by progressive metal pioneer band Dream Theater. The album's ability to be technically strong, musically compelling and tell an interesting story make it one of the greatest metal albums ever made.

Celebrating ‘Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory’ 25 years later

Ian Young, Lifestyle Editor
January 16, 2024
Ian Young lists his favorite albums of 2023.

Top 25 albums of 2023

Ian Young, Lifestyle Editor
November 28, 2023
"God of War (2018)," released April 20, 2018, is a third-person, action-adventure video game developed by Santa Monica Studio and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. This game has become the best example of high-quality gaming during the PS4 era.

‘God of War (2018)’ is the magnum opus of the PS4 era

Ian Young, Lifestyle Editor
November 8, 2023
“Outlast,” released Sept. 4, 2013, is a first-person survival horror game developed and published by Red Barrels. "Outlast's" simplicity and nail-biting horror has allowed it to age gracefully since its release 10 years ago.

‘Outlast’ gives me extreme anxiety 10 years later

Ian Young, Lifestyle Editor
October 4, 2023
Summer Clark, sophomore sonography major, smiles with her birthday card for Archie at the Color Your Spirit event hosted by the Activities Programming Board Tuesday in the University Center Breezeway. Clark colored and decorated a birthday card for a chance to win an Amazon gift card.

Gallery: Activities Programming Board hosts Color Your Spirit for Archie’s upcoming birthday

Ian Young, Lifestyle Editor
October 3, 2023
The West Side Nut Club Fall Festival is known for its wide variety of food, but especially its stranger options.

Strangest Fall Fest food

Ian Young, Lifestyle Editor
October 3, 2023
"Geometry Dash," released Aug. 13, 2013, is a platformer where the player completes parkour levels to the beat of music. Even though it is a simple game, it holds up as one of the best platformers of the 2010s.

‘Geometry Dash’ still holds up as one of the best platformers of the past decade

Ian Young, Lifestyle Editor
September 25, 2023
"Baldur's Gate 3," released Aug. 3, is a top-down, role-playing game inspired by "Dungeons & Dragons." "Baldur's Gate 3" stands out as an outlier in a polished and well-crafted game in a business that has become complacent and greedy.

‘Baldur’s Gate 3’ spits in the face of gaming industry greed

Ian Young, Lifestyle Editor
September 19, 2023
"Starfield," released Sept. 6, is an open-world role-playing game set in the vast emptiness of space. While "Starfield" has enthralling exploration and fun combat, the game's technical state renders it unplayable.

‘Starfield’ is a broken, unplayable mess

Ian Young, Lifestyle Editor
September 11, 2023
"Breaking Bad" is an American crime drama that ran for five seasons from 2008-2013. "Breaking Bad" is highly regarded as one of the greatest shows ever made.

‘Breaking Bad’ is the best thing to happen to television

Ian Young, Lifestyle Editor
September 5, 2023
"Resident Evil 4 (2023)" is the remake of "Resident Evil 4 (2005)". It evolves the original into one of the most fun games I have ever played.

“Resident Evil 4 (2023)” reminds me why I started playing video games

Ian Young, Staff Writer
April 25, 2023
"The Last of Us Part II" is the sequel to "The Last of Us." It follows Ellie and her obsession to seek revenge against those who wronged her. (Photo courtesy of PlayStation Studios)

“The Last of Us Part II” sets the bar for video game storytelling

Ian Young, Staff Writer
April 19, 2023
"Destiny 2: Lightfall" is the seventh expansion for "Destiny 2." It continues to evolve the gameplay in new and exciting ways but drops the ball with its storytelling. (Photo courtesy of Bungie Inc.)

“Destiny 2: Lightfall’s” quality depends on what you value in a video game

Ian Young, Staff Writer
April 4, 2023
Housing and Residence Life provides further details on the Animal Friendly Policy for the 2023-2024 academic school year. (Illustration by Clare Girten)

Housing and Residence Life releases further details on Animal Friendly Policy for 2023-2024 academic year

Ian Young, Staff Writer
March 22, 2023
"Bloodborne," released Mar. 24, 2015, was developed by "Dark Souls" developer FromSoftware. "Bloodborne" is the evolution of the "souls-like" formula and is one of the greatest PlayStation exclusive games that released on the PS4. (Photo courtesy of FromSoftware)

Bloodborne is a masterpiece in gameplay, worldbuilding and horror

Ian Young, Staff Writer
March 15, 2023
"Dark Souls" is an action, role-playing game set in a dark fantasy setting. The legacy of this iconic video game lies within its difficulty, level design and interwoven storytelling. (Photo courtesy of FromSoftware)

The complex legacy of “Dark Souls”

Ian Young, Staff Writer
March 1, 2023
Students wait for the next name to be called at the Black History Month Bingo Monday in the Traditions Lounge. (Photo by Ian Young)

Gallery: Students participate in Black History Heroes Bingo

Ian Young, Staff Writer
February 15, 2023
"Dead Space" (2023) is a remake of "Dead Space" (2008). The remake takes everything that worked in the original and updates it to create the best version of the survival horror classic. (Photo courtesy of Electronic Arts)

“Dead Space” (2023) modernizes a survival horror classic

Ian Young, Staff Writer
February 11, 2023
President Ronald Rochon and the Screaming Eagles stand on their feet after Morehead State calls a timeout Feb. 4 in the Screaming Eagles Arena. (Photo by Quinton Watt)

Students, faculty reflect DI decision one year later

Ian Young, Staff Writer
February 8, 2023
A thin layer of snow and solid ice is visible on the lawn of the David L. Rice Library Tuesday. (Photo by Ian Young)

Frustrated students feel they were forced to ‘choose between their own safety, potential penalties for missing class’ following winter storm

Bryce West, Ian Young, Bryn Nicol, and Anthony Rawley
February 1, 2023
Christine Hoehn, director of Religious Life, will transition out of her position at the end of the spring semester. Hoehn has spent 33 years on campus as the director and leader of the Eagle Catholic Community. (Photo courtesy of USI Communications)

Director of Religious Life to transition out after 33 years

Ian Young, Staff Writer
January 31, 2023
"Forspoken" is an open world, role-playing game set in Athia, a fantasy world overrun by dark magic. The game has many issues involving gameplay, PC optimization and character writing. (Photo courtesy of Square Enix)

“Forspoken’s” fun is ruined by technical issues, frustrating game design, character writing

Ian Young, Staff Writer
January 30, 2023
Catherine Champagne, assistant program director for Student Wellness at USI, explains the concept of the documentary "Shattered Dreams: Sex Trafficking in America." The documentary was shown Tuesday at the Mitchell Auditorium in the Health Professions Center to promote National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. (Photo by Alyson Collins)

Indiana organizations host documentary on campus to promote human trafficking awareness

Alyson Collins and Ian Young
January 25, 2023
Kratos, voiced by Christopher Judge, and his son, Atreus, voiced by Sunny Suljic, are the emotional core of "God of War: Ragnarök." It is a father-son story that explores emotional maturity and growing up in a harsh world. (Photo courtesy of Sony Interactive Studios)

God of War: Ragnarök is the next big step for video game blockbusters

Ian Young, Staff Writer
January 23, 2023
Provost Mohammed Khayum announces retirement at professional development day on Jan. 4 at the Screaming Eagles Arena. Khayum's retirement will begin Jan. 1, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Randolph)

Provost Khayum announces retirement

Ian Young, Staff Writer
January 18, 2023
"The Last of Us" is a third-person, post-apocalyptic, action-adventure game with major focus on characters and an enthralling story.

Celebrating “The Last of Us” 10 years later

Ian Young, Staff Writer
January 14, 2023
Housing and Residence Life plans to initiate an animal-friendly policy for the 2023-2024 academic year. (Graphic by Maliah White)

Housing and Residence Life to initiate animal-friendly policy for 2023-2024 academic year

Ian Young, Staff Writer
November 30, 2022
Students walk away from the Liberal Arts Center Wednesday. Departments and staff prepare plans to increase student enrollment after an 11-year decline. (Photo by Ian Young)

USI’s colleges work to increase student enrollment numbers

Ian Young, Staff Writer
November 17, 2022
"Elden Ring" is an open world, role-playing game focused on exploration and challenging enemies. (Photo courtsey of Bandai Bamco Entertainment)

“Elden Ring” rekindled my faith in the video game industry

Ian Young, Staff Writer
October 31, 2022
USI Enrollment decreases eleventh consecutive year in Fall 2022.

USI enrollment decreases eleventh consecutive year

Ian Young and Shelby Clark
October 6, 2022
Members of the campus community share their thoughts on President Joe Biden's student loan forgiveness plan.

Campus weighs in on Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan

Ian Young, Staff Writer
September 8, 2022
Sudesh Mujumdar (left) and Del Doughty (right) present themselves in a picture frame. Doughty stopped by to meet Mujumdar during the Romain College of Business' "Meet the Dean" Aug. 24.

Two colleges begin Fall 2022 with new deans

Ian Young, News Writer
August 31, 2022
Daniel Goebel, dean and professor of marketing at State University of New York College, presents April 20 in Forum 3 as a dean candidate for the Romain College of Business. Goebel was the second RCOB dean candidate to present to students, faculty and staff.

Romain College of Business narrows down search for new dean

Ian Young, Staff Writer
April 27, 2022
Students celebrate raising nearing $105,000 after 10 hours of dancing at the 2018 dance marathon.

Dance Marathon to return after two-year hiatus

Ian Young, Staff Writer
April 20, 2022
Kid Quill performs for USI students in the Screaming Eagles Arena on Friday, April 8. Kid Quill performed alongside Krigarè for SpringFest 2022.

Krigaré, Kid Quill rock Screaming Eagles Arena despite low student attendance

Ian Young, Staff Writer
April 10, 2022
(Left to right) Curt Gilstrap, Steve Wozniak, Connie Romain and Ronald Romain stand together Wednesday night in Screaming Eagles Arena before Wozniak signed Apple memorabilia. The products signed by Wozniak where donated to the USI Foundation.

Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple, speaks on campus

Ian Young and Shelby Clark
March 31, 2022
Nathan Payne, the program coordinator for Center for Campus Life, passes out SpringFest 2020 T-shirts at SpringFest 2021.

SpringFest to return with events as COVID-19 protocols change

Ian Young, Staff Writer
March 23, 2022
Three Colleges Search for New Deans

Three Colleges Search for New Deans

Ian Young, Staff Writer
March 17, 2022
Eleven students hike over Spring Break 2022 on a free hiking and camping trip hosted by the Recreation, Fitness and Wellness Center.

REC holds a free hiking trip for students during Spring Break

Ian Young, Staff Writer
March 17, 2022
Marisa Kwiatkowski (left) and Tim Evans (center), investigative journalists who exposed the USA Gymnastics scandals, answer questions Wednesday evening in Carter Hall from Jane Weatherred (right), assistant professor of advertising and public relations, about their investigative stories behind the United States Gymnastics scandal.

Reporters who broke USA Gymnastics scandal speak on campus

Ian Young and Shelby Clark
February 23, 2022
President Ronald Rochon, College Tour host Alex Boylan and students featured in the College Tour episode gather for a photo during the episode premiere.

“The College Tour” episode featuring USI premieres in the Screaming Eagles Arena

Ian Young, Uday Lomada, and Shelby Clark
February 17, 2022
President Rochon speaks to Boy Scouts visiting USI for their Merit Badges.

Boy Scouts return to campus for merit badges

Ian Young and Quinton Watt
February 16, 2022
Common questions and answers about the possible transition of university athletics to Division I.

Everything you need to know about DI

Quinton Watt and Ian Young
February 2, 2022
Steven Bridges, treasurer and vice president of finance administration, and Liam Collins, student member of the Board of Trustees, attend a Board of Trustees meeting on Jan. 13, 2022.

Board of Trustees will vote on Division I Feb. 7

Quinton Watt, Ian Young, Uday Lomada, and Shelby Clark
January 28, 2022
Album cover art for “Six degrees of inner turbulence” by Dream Theater

“Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence” is a powerful statement on mental health

Ian Young, Staff Writer
January 28, 2022
Ron Romain, chair of the Board of Trustees, speaks at the Board of Trustees meeting Thursday. Romain said the board will make an official decision on transitioning university athletics to NCAA Division I by mid-February.

DI Exploratory Committee releases their final report

Ian Young and Tegan Ruhl
January 18, 2022
David Bower, chair of the COVID-19 task force, speaks before the Board of Trustees Thursday. Bower said the week of Jan. 2, 2022 to Jan. 8, 2022 marked the highest number of university COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began.

University has highest number of COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic

Tegan Ruhl and Ian Young
January 17, 2022
A new year doesn’t mean we have to forget all of the great things we discovered in the past year. Ian Young, staff writer, lists his five favorite albums he discovered in 2021 that he thinks you should be in 2022.

Best listens to bring into the new year

Ian Young, Staff Writer
January 12, 2022
Ian Young, staff writer, picks his top 10 music albums of the year.

Best of 2021 Music

Ian Young, Staff Writer
December 8, 2021
Jon Mark Hall co-chair of the Division I Exploratory Committee, speaks about the Division I Exploratory Committee at the SGA Public Forum Thursday. Nick LaRowe and Jon Mark Hall as co-chairs of the Division I Exploratory Committee updated the SGA and audience on the Division I feasibility study.

Division I Exploratory Committee finishing Division I feasibility study

Ian Young and Shelby Clark
December 5, 2021
Peter Jarvio shows his model of the flat Earth to two students in the university's Free Speech Zone on Monday.

Man claiming the moon landing is fake speaks on campus

Josh Meredith and Ian Young
November 18, 2021
Disturbed performed in the Ford Center Nov. 6, 2021. Staff writer, Ian Young, attended the concert with his father.

Disturbed rocks their 20th anniversary tour at the Ford Center

Ian Young, Staff Writer
November 15, 2021
The Lane building in McDonald East. Students waited outside for over twenty minutes on Sept. 29 for Public Safety after a fire alarm went off.

‘We’re lucky it wasn’t serious’ — Students discover Lane fire alarms not connected to Public Safety

Ian Young, Staff Writer
November 3, 2021
The university is conducting a feasibility study to see if a transition to NCAA Division I is possible. At a Faculty Senate meeting Oct. 8, 2021, President Ronald Rochon said "I will tell you all right now we do not have a lot of answers, that's why we're doing the study."

University admin looks into D1 feasibility, facing faculty pushback

Shelby Clark, Josh Meredith, and Ian Young
October 28, 2021
Simrin Singh, a senior communications major, and Elizabeth Angermeier, a sophomore nursing major both cuddle up to some pups at Sigma Tau Gamma's Pet-A-Pup event on Wednesday. The puppies are both ten weeks old and are available for adoption.

Fraternity helps students destress with puppies

Shelby Clark and Ian Young
September 29, 2021
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