Kate Bennis

The best gift that sophomore economics major Kaeli West ever received was from her roommate. It was a hand-sewn apron, and all of the materials used to make it were recycled. Dec 1, 2010 | 11:45 pm

NHIE: Been a street performer at Colorado State

I have never been caught mid lip-synch while performing to a sold out crowd at a Coors Light-sponsored area, but I sort of have an inkling as to how Milli Vanilli probably felt when their tape looped “Girl you know it’s” 22 times. Oct 21, 2010 | 10:25 pm

Never Have I Ever...Battlegamed

Editor’s Note: “Never Have I Ever …” is a weekly column in which writers Nic Turiciano, Kate Bennis and photographer Nick Lyon explore and write about an activity that they’ve never done. On May 2, Collegian journalist and co-columnist Nic Turiciano, photojournalist Nick Lyon and I, Kate Bennis, ventured into the unknown: A world where archers, jousters and warriors band together. May 10, 2010 | 2:28 am

How to: Great places for graduation parties

As graduation quickly approaches and finals are on their way, “party time” may be the last thing that seniors are thinking about. May 9, 2010 | 8:51 pm

Two days, 187 bands and 22 venues: FoCoMX storms onto the Fort Collins scene

This weekend, concertgoers, music enthusiasts and 187 local bands playing 22 Fort Collins concert venues will flood the streets of Fort Collins. Apr 8, 2010 | 1:04 am

Fifth annual collision of art and science

The creative forces between the realms of two seemingly unrelated fields, art and science, will come together Friday evening as the fifth annual Art and Science Exhibition opens in the Curfman Gallery at 4 p.m. Mar 4, 2010 | 12:11 am

CSU hosts HBO movie about professor

Temple Grandin is many things. An author. A CSU professor. An inventor. A doctor of animal science. She created a “hug machine,” used to eat Jell-O and yogurt for every meal and would rather be in the cattle yard than most places. She has also developed an ethical system for handling cattle that is used in more than half of the meat plants in North America. And like the first line in the HBO movie about her life, Grandin is “not like other people.” She’s autistic. The life of the inventor, the bestselling author, the autism advocate, the livestock expert and the CSU professor of agricultural sciences was celebrated with a screening of the biographic film “Temple Grandin” Saturday night in the Lory Student Center Theater. Grandin, who is played by Claire Danes in the film, said the actress’ interpretation of her life was astounding. “Claire Danes became me in the ‘60s and ‘70s. Feb 9, 2010 | 1:26 am

CSU organ plays to Halloween crowd

Mysterious, gothic vibration will spew forth Halloween night from the more than 2,000 pipes, ranging from 1 to 18 inches, of the University Center for the Arts' Casavant organ. Haunting the UCA halls Saturday will be the popular fourth annual "Halloween Organ Extravaganza," which will reintroduce the 40-year-old organ to listeners. Jan 20, 2010 | 1:23 pm

Local restaurant serves up healthy, indulgent vegan dishes

Last weekend, C.J. Eliassen had what he later described as one of the most delicious bowls of fettuccini in his life. He followed it with a slice of coconut cream pie. At least a couple things made this meal radically different: It was raw food, and the fettuccini was made of cucumbers and nuts. Jan 20, 2010 | 1:22 pm

Hatton Gallery in Art Dept. building hosts faculty art show

By Kate Bennis The Rocky Mountain Collegian Situated in a corner of the Art Department building, the Hatton Gallery is featuring the CSU Faculty Art Show until Feb. 28. The show displays the work of more than 20 CSU professors, giving students a chance to critique their professor's work, which ranges from painting to electronic media. Jan 20, 2010 | 1:22 pm

Face Off: CSU students share finals week routines, study habits

All across campus, students of all disciplines are gearing up for their final tests and, afterwards, the freedom that is winter break. The Collegian set out to learn how students are preparing themselves for the week ahead, and the free time to follow. Martin Wisniewski, a sophomore construction management major, was kind enough to give us the skinny on how he plans to survive finals week. Jan 20, 2010 | 1:22 pm

Face Off: CSU students offer perspectives on winter travel

As the weather outside gets frightful, students are given new factors to consider when traveling from place to place. Dan Ramse, an employee of Recylced Cycles, offered us his tips for biking through the winter season. Q: How do you plan on getting around this winter? A: By bike Q: Why do you choose to bike rather than drive? A: I don't have a car. Jan 20, 2010 | 1:22 pm

Face Off: Students give stance on possible Clinton appointment

Just weeks after his defeat of Sen. John McCain, President-elect Barack Obama has to officially announce six of his selections for his presidential cabinet. Among the six, he expected to announce former opponent Sen. Hillary Clinton as his secretary of state. Jan 20, 2010 | 1:22 pm

CSU students offer stance on Penley resignation

Recently, CSU was rocked with former CSU President Larry Penley's resignation from the university after five years of service. In the aftermath, there has been much debate on campus surrounding the sudden announcement and the future of CSU. The Collegian set out to capture some of this debate. Jan 20, 2010 | 1:22 pm

Face Off: CSU students share winter break vacation plans

With finals just a few weeks away, students across campus are now finalizing their plans for Winter Break. Many students will be traveling home or going on trips, but some will be using their time off from classes to participate in the Alternative Winter Break program, which places CSU students at different service projects across the nation. Jan 20, 2010 | 1:22 pm

Christina the Hun spices up FoCo music scene

On Christmas day of 2007, few people could be spotted around Old Town Square. Amid lifeless storefronts and bitter cold weather, an individual took the public stage with her drum set. Banging on hi-hats, she screamed and sang, her voice barely audible above the instrument, startling an innocent passer-by every so often. Jan 20, 2010 | 1:22 pm

Fort Collins Community gives take on ballot initiatives

Fort Collins Community gives take on ballot initiatives By Kate Bennis Come Nov. 4, Coloradans have some serious decisions to make. And some of the most important have nothing to do with the presidency. This elections season, Coloradans find themselves faced with the longest ballot in history, with 14 ballot initiatives to sift through when they hit the polls. Jan 20, 2010 | 1:22 pm

Students give their take on presidential energy policies

Throughout the presidential campaign, the future of American energy policy has been a consistent theme of both Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama and Republican candidate Sen. John McCain. The Collegian set out this week to get to the bottom of this issue and find out what students at the "green" university think about it. Jan 20, 2010 | 1:22 pm

Face Off

Recently, the CSU System Board of Governors instituted a new policy that allows CSU to provide benefits for the partners of employees involved in a same-sex relationship. The Collegian set out to see how students on our campus felt about the decision and to find out if they felt the state and federal government should weigh in on the issue. Jan 20, 2010 | 1:22 pm

Poetry slams grow in FoCo

nth, the Bean Cycle in Old Town overflows with people. Some sit on the arms of chairs while others lean against the register, ordering drinks. Men and women of all ages squeeze onto the surfaces of computer counter tops. Even the stairs of Matter Bookstore, located in the back of the coffee shop, are occupied. Jan 20, 2010 | 1:22 pm