Staff Profile
Matthew Ahasay –– Opinions Editor
Matthew Ahasay is a senior Communication Technologies major with an emphasis in Imaging Media and minor in Journalism. He is the current Opinions Editor and has been working for the Exponent since the Spring of 2010 as a general reporter and photographer. During the 2011-2012 school year Ahasay acted as the Photo Editor and Assistant Opinions Editor. He along with Alyssa Bloechl created the Exponent’s current Opinions feature called, “Epic Staff Battles of the Exponent.” Also, Ahasay contributes a great deal to the photographic integrity of the newspaper. Part of the Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity, executive member of Interfraternity Council and has an on-campus job with the event staff, Ahasay still finds time to write engaging and thought provoking opinions with a prose unmatched by other college students. Questions? Email Matt at ahasaym@uwplatt.edu or Tweet him at @MatthewAhasay.
Mifflin gone but not forgotten
Matthew Ahasay, Opinion's Editor
May 9, 2013
Filed under Opinions
Normally, waking up at 9 a.m. the day of the Mifflin Street Block Party in Madison would be considered sleeping in; however, this year was an exception in more than one way. The nationally renowned celebration and local tradition, held annually the first Saturday in May, has been killed and the city... Read more »
Sweatpants, practical but not appropriate
Matthew Ahasay, Opinions Editor
May 2, 2013
Filed under Opinions
It is 7:55 as John springs out of bed and makes the dash to reach his 8 a.m. class. At the front of the room, his professor is wearing slacks and a button down shirt. Sweatpants have been a growing trend in high schools and college campuses across the country. At one point, sweatpants were considered... Read more »
UW-P sucessful without UC
Matthew Ahasay, Opinions Editor
April 18, 2013
Filed under Opinions
What could you do with $50,000? Every student at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville pays three dollars a semester in segregated fees, equating to approximately $50,000, for the advocacy group United Council. What does UW-Platteville’s student body’s five figure contribution do for the student... Read more »
Student voters drive governance
Matthew Ahasay, Opinions Editor
April 11, 2013
Filed under Opinions
Voting is the heart of a democratic system of governance. It allows the people to choose for themselves who will lead, shape and represent them. Whether school, local, state or federal, an American’s right to vote is what has shaped this country. Despite the importance of voting and relative... Read more »
Choices and consumer anxiety
Matthew Ahasay, Opinion Editor
April 4, 2013
Filed under Opinions
In America we are graced with an abundance of freedoms that are not always available or guaranteed in other countries. In addition to America’s cherished freedoms granted to citizens, modern Americans have the most freedom and wealth of choice than any other people in history and subsequently more... Read more »
Bar Etiquette
Matthew Ahasay, Opinions Editor
March 21, 2013
Filed under Opinions, Top Story
Green hats, shirts, and beverages: this was the theme of the weekend-long event that was St. Patrick’s Day in America. All weekend partygoers were quick to remind those without green attire of their lapse in memory with a pinch. On debatably the rowdiest weekend of the year, one thing was clear:... Read more »
Unsung heroes of UW-Platteville
Matthew Ahasay, Opinions Editor
March 14, 2013
Filed under Opinions
Universities: a stoic symbol of higher education that serve as the first step for many bright-eyed young adults to achieve the ever-elusive American dream. At face value, the make-up of the typical American university seems pretty straightforward and simplistic. You have your campus, made of brick... Read more »
Spring break indulgences
Matthew Ahasay, Opinions Editor
March 7, 2013
Filed under Opinions
Sun-kissed skin, 30 packs of beer and group photos on a packed beach with drinks in hand. Stories proclaiming crazy adventures, parties and conquests consolidated together after an epic three days in a beachfront city for spring break. Panama City, South Padre Island and Daytona Beach serve as a mecca... Read more »
De-stress between tests
Matthew Ahasay, Opinions Editor
February 21, 2013
Filed under Opinions
Three tests, a quiz and a plethora of chapters that require digestion all while making your meetings on time, while still managing to be prepared: living a hectic life is a common problem among students and could be called an occupational hazard. The stresses of being a student can wear down the best... Read more »
Hockey Club wins MACHA Silver Division
Matthew Ahasay, Opinions Editor
February 21, 2013
Filed under Sports
With a roster full of freshman and a new training regimen, there was doubt among the veterans of the Pioneer Hockey Club that the team could reach their goal of winning their MACHA Division III conference championship. In a new conference and with a newfound sense of dedication, talent and organization,... Read more »
The Exponent Faceoff: The Players Code
Matthew Ahasay and Colten Bartholomew
February 14, 2013
Filed under Opinions
Go Against the Code: Matthew Ahasay Vince Lombardi said, “Winners never quit, and quitters never win.” In the case of Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Greg Schiano, this is certainly true. Despite a below .500 record of 7-9-0, Schiano embraced this mentality by having the aggressive Tampa Bay defense... Read more »
The Unlock Lockdown
Matthew Ahasay, Opinions Editor
February 14, 2013
Filed under Opinions
Typically, the word unlock has positive connotations. You unlock your car, your house and your briefcase. The idea is to keep your personal possessions yours; you paid for them after all. Likewise is the case with unlocking your cell phone, and, until recently, it was perfectly legal. As of October... Read more »
Sensationalized Journalism king of media
Matthew Ahasay, Opinions Editor
January 31, 2013
Filed under Opinions
Casey Anthony, Adam Lanza and Manti Te’o. These names have become synonymous with murder and scandal, all while having their faces shown on every conceivable outlet of news, sparking major debate and in the case of Lanza, dividing a country. While the stories are newsworthy in their own right, the... Read more »
Future of the Internet is up for discussion
Matthew Ahasay, Opinion Editor
December 13, 2012
Filed under Opinions
Sept. 4 kicked off an international meeting at the World Conference on International Telecommunications that could be the beginning of end of the Internet as we have come to know it. While some claim that the meeting is an outlet for a U.N. grab at taking the Internet from America and imposing regulations,... Read more »
Black Friday turning consumers black and blue
Matthew Ahasay, Opinion Editor
November 29, 2012
Filed under Opinions
Thanksgiving has always been for gluttons. Over eating and oversimplification of the history of the holiday have been adopted into the American culture, but the message remains the same. Give thanks. Unfortunately the one day a year exclusively set aside for being thankful for family, fortune and country... Read more »
Superstorm Sandy provides educational experience on existence of climate change
Matthew Ahasay, Opinion Editor
November 8, 2012
Filed under Opinions
Global warming has often times been brushed aside as a theory or a phenomenon. In lieu of recent events, the people of New Orleans and New York surely have a dissenting opinion on the matter. After two once in a century storms have hit the US in the last decade, which left two entirely different sections... Read more »
A walk down State Street’s Freakfest
Matthew Ahasay, Opinion Editor
November 1, 2012
Filed under Opinions
Walking down State Street Madison is typically a unique experience. The shops, restaurants and colorful patrons make it an attraction year round. But for one night in late October the street is taken over by the freaks. Your senses will be overcome by lights, music, eccentric costumes and erratic... Read more »
Zedd reimagines electro with ‘Clarity’
Matthew Ahasay, Opinion Editor
October 25, 2012
Filed under Opinions
Released: October 9 Label: Interscope After an extensive summer of touring festivals worldwide, a steady release of singles starting with the letter ‘s’ and multiple youtube leaks, 23 year old producer and DJ Anton Zaslavski (or Zedd) has finally released what is arguably the most anticipated... Read more »
Epic Staff Battles of the Exponent: Should freshman be allowed parking
Alyssa Bloechl and Matthew Ahasay
October 19, 2012
Filed under Opinions
Senators, representatives, government budget cuts, long walks, waiting, it all sounds like a bunch of excuses to me. A car allows students the freedom to go to work, go home, go shopping, go to class or even help their friends move. Students without cars have more problems than not. Underclassmen... Read more »
V.P. debates have impact
Matthew Ahasay, Opinion Editor
October 11, 2012
Filed under Opinions
On Thursday the Vice Presidential debate will be broadcasted to the public. While it is essentially the equivalent of a division II football game, Vice Presidential debates can make a difference despite the less seasoned orators’ inevitable gaffes. Since the first televised presidential debate in... Read more »
UW-Plattevillians: The battle within
Matthew Ahasay, Opinion Editor
October 4, 2012
Filed under Opinions
Homecoming is as American as apple pie and tailgating football, and is steeped in even more tradition. It unites groups of people un- der a common banner, sparks rivalries and instills a sense of pride in one’s community. From the epic battle that is “The Tug” to massive house decorations... Read more »
Fiscal responsibility starts with initiative
Matthew Ahasay, Opinion Editor
October 4, 2012
Filed under Opinions
Wu Tang Clan once said, “Cash rules everything around me” and as any college student who has ever had to scrounge for change to do laundry knows, they were right. The word budget has negative connotations to it and students can have a difficult time relating to and implementing something... Read more »
Student support fosters better play, stronger community
Matthew Ahasay, Opinion Editor
September 20, 2012
Filed under Opinions
It’s a Wednesday night in the Pioneer Athletic Center, and the men’s basketball team leaves Bo Ryan Court down 33-20 at half time during the first round of the WIAC playoffs. 643 people occupy the stands, the majority of which have donned their Platteville attire in support of the Pioneers. While... Read more »
From one percent to 47 percent: The fall of Romney
Matthew Ahasay, Opinion Editor
September 20, 2012
Filed under Opinions
Mitt Romney is usually associated with one percent disassociating him with the general public, but thanks to a video that was recently released from a Romney fundraiser in May, 47 percent may be the magic number that seals the deal for President Obama. “There are 47 percent of people who will vote... Read more »
Imitation and innovation: A false dichotomy
Matthew Ahasay, Opinion Editor
September 13, 2012
Filed under Opinions
Author Charles Caleb Colton said, “Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery.” If that’s the case then Apple should feel flattered by Samsung Mobile. As you may have heard on Aug. 24, Korean consumer electronics giant Samsung lost a billion-dollar patent case to Apple over the design of their... Read more »
