For the sake of fun, and absolutely nothing else, Visual Director Wade Thompson envisions Laurier as a superhero – more specifically, the Dark Knight. By taking a look at school reputations and rivalries, other Ontario universties naturally fall into place as classic Bat-foes

Poison Ivy - Guelph Given the strong female-to-male ratio on the campus, it makes more sense to assign the University of Guelph a villain such as Ivy. She also works as a parallel to the campus’ very strong and renowned agricultural department, something very few... Read more

“Just today I found out from Twitter that there was a huge car accident in my hometown a few hours away. If this were five years ago, I would have had to wait a lot longer to find these things out. So in a way, I’m glad that I have all this access to news, but then I think, ‘Would my life really be that different if I had to wait five or six hours to know these things?’ Because... Read more

Wilfrid Laurier University Students’ Union (WLUSU) elections are approaching quickly. In light of the election, Features Editor Bree Rody-Mantha talks with three past presidents about their struggles and reflections on the role of WLUSU president

Like many student leaders, Colin Le Fevre, Nick Gibson and Kyle Walker were all compelled to run largely due to change that they wanted to see within the union and believed they were qualified to make those changes.

2008-09 president Le Fevre, who had sat... Read more

The Cord presents the Tipsy Awards, showcasing the best bars and eateries in Kitchener-Waterloo as voted on by Cord writers and editors. With only a few months left to the school year, take the time to visit the area’s best venues.

Best dance club: Starlight Social Club

Nestled in the heart of Uptown, Starlight defies the expectations of a typical dance club. Exceptionally friendly staff and a safe, clean atmosphere make the nightly five-dollar cover well worth it. The venue is a fantastic social experience that... Read more

The growing number of “sugar free,” “no trans-fats” and “reduced salt” products in grocery stores suggest that Canadians are trying to make healthy choices, however, according to Dr. Bruce Lanphear, a Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)-funded researcher currently studying the affects the environment has on health, there are some factors that people have little control over and may not even be aware of. Dr. Lanphear has been involved in research for almost 20 years and suggests ways of decreasing... Read more

In light of Trans* Awareness Week, Features Editor Bree Rody-Mantha profiles one Laurier student living the trans experience. She shares her insights on labels, discrimination and why she doesn’t feel fully safe to be “out”

Jane* is not unlike any other young woman at Laurier. She loves her program, stresses about getting things done on time, spends a lot of her time with her friends, has a younger sister back home whom she adores and volunteers on campus.

However, one... Read more

In light of Remebrance Day, Staff Writer Colleen Connolly sits down with various local heroes as they share their experiences and discuss the nature of heroism.

As Remembrance Day approaches we begin to reflect on those who lost their lives to war and those who we call heroes. This term can be ambiguous as it does not serve the same definition for everyone, nor does it reflect the same experiences. However,... Read more

Students are always looking for a way to set themselves apart from the crowd. With dozens of tattoos shops in Kitchener-Waterloo, Features Editor Bree Rody-Mantha speaks to students about their experiences and asks their advice for those new to tattoos.

Review: Mom’s Tattoo Shop

When Mom’s Tattoo Shop arrived in Waterloo in 2010, I headed in with a friend to check it out and was impressed by the cleanliness of the waiting area and the friendliness of the receptionist. Their prices seemed reasonable. I wasn’t... Read more

Features Editor Bree Rody-Mantha speaks to students and professionals about the mental benefits of the arts.

Since childhood, Michelle Gould has had a passion for dance.

“It’s an indescribable feeling,” said the third-year Wilfrid Laurier University student. “It’s the most fun way to stay fit. It’s an awesome energizing feeling learning someone else’s choreography.”

Gould is one of the many Laurier... Read more

Staff writer Mackenzie King explores the culture of the increasingly popular party drug MDMA.

Behind closed doors a movement is taking place. There are neon lights, glow sticks, fog machines, loud music and hundreds of young adults. The floor is shaking to the continuous beat of the bass and the crowd is hypnotized by one man in charge of... Read more

Features Editor Bree Rody-Mantha showcases some of the various elements of a typical first year at Laurier. While all first years are different, some hurdles and challenges are almost impossible to avoid. Whether it’s feuds with roommates, academic struggles or the dreaded day when you realize that your favourite clothes no longer fit, first year is a year that you will never forget, no matter how much you wish you could.

O-Week

Your parents drop you off for Orientation Week... Read more

Making a significant change in your diet, whether it’s because of moral, health, or religious reasons, is a daunting commitment. Three students share their experiences.

Vegetarianism

Second-year global studies student Jordana McLeod has been a vegetarian for nearly two years, since the Fall of 2009 after watching the film Earthlings, a documentary that looks at the various industries in the world which use animals for profit.

“The video is horrific... Read more

With sales higher than ever, smartphones are no longer an expensive distraction, but an expectation and a useful tool. Features Editor Bree Rody-Mantha gathers the opinions of professionals on how businesses and educational institutions can use smartphones and social media to their advantage.

That iPhone you own may be more than just a cool, grown-up toy that you use to confirm your party plans via Facebook and text messaging. iPhones, Blackberries, Android phones and the various other cell phones with multi-tasking platform technology are rapidly becoming standards in... Read more

Achieving dreams and striving for success are often the cornerstones of our university careers. Whether our motivations are personal or professional, the attainment of our goals is an important precursor to our happiness and our futures. Inspired by Randy Pausch’s “Last Lecture,” the Cord Features team set out to discover how prominent figures on the Laurier campus achieved their successes and continue to live their dreams. But as Pausch said, “It’s not about how you achieve your dreams. It’s about how to lead your life.”

“I try to surround myself with incredible, inspiring individuals. It is easy to achieve success if you have the motivation and support of incredible friends and family (and I owe so much to the inspiration I have received from my “Laurier” family).”

—Adam Lawrence, manager... Read more