Despite mixed reviews on campus, Larry Moneta, vice president of student affairs, is on the prowl to increase his virtual popularity. Facebook.com is becoming an integral part of college life and Moneta jumped on the bandwagon in late August.
In an August 23 e-mail obtained by RM, a request was sent to the members of the Graduate and Professional Students Committee: "Larry Moneta has joined Facebook and is seeking new graduate and professional students to befriend him!" As of the time of print, Moneta has 209 friends at Duke and a few stragglers from other "Networks." A closer look at his groups reveal that Moneta is a member of "I'm a Thirsty Traveler," a group dedicated to the globetrotters who enjoy a good beer along the way.
But if facebook.com existed when Moneta was the same age as his current facebook.com friends, what kind of information would it reveal? A photograph of Moneta from his high school yearbook (right) popped up elsewhere on the social networking site in recent weeks. If facebook.com existed for the Boston Latin School, where Moneta graduated in 1968, his favorite quote would have been "Man is the architect of his own fortune." And his favorite activities would include bowling, Chess Club, and Victory Club. Now who said your social standing can't be summed up in a profile on the web?
Following the footsteps of Eminem and Vanilla Ice, there is a new blonde rapper on the block. Standing just over 5 feet tall, junior Lydia Simmons started recording rap songs on her computer a few months ago. Her popularity has since increased through a network of friends and fans. Over the summer, Simmons signed with ATM Entertainment "New Money" and is managed by senior Jeff Vaughn.
Four of her songs are currently online at myspace.com/lydeaonline, which also advertises Simmons' "self-made beats and lyrics." Much of the lyrics of Simmons' songs revolve around growing up in Houston though there are shout outs to Duke and the occasional political stab. Simmons is currently studying abroad in Kenya-perhaps expanding her fan base beyond the Triangle area?
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