2003 Vol.72, No.16 Xavierite

              TheXAVIERITE
The weekly student newspaper of Saint Xavier University
www.xavierite.com
Wednesday, February 19, 2003
Volume 72, Number 16
Gretchen Helfrich takes SXU on an 'Odyssey'
Xavierile/Melissa Apple
Honors students (from l-r): Mark Dykstra, Kristin Yanikoski, Geno DeMarchi, Karen Biggs, Eileen Mrumlinski and Ronza Othman along with Dr. Judith Hiltner. Director of the Honors Program pose with Gretchen Helfrich
in the Bishop Quarter Room.
By Melissa Apple
News Editor
What do knowledge, the
media and the good life all have in
common? What exactly does "the
good life" mean? Asking questions 
is how Gretchen Helfrich fulfills 
her desire for learning. Last
Wednesday, the SXU community
had the opportunity to ask Helfrich
questions when she visited SXU
to address the theme, "Knowledge,
the Media and the 'Good Life'":
Reflections of a Public Radio
Broadcaster."
A nationally syndicated radio 
personality, Helfrich is the captivating 
host of WBEZ's "Odyssey," a daily 
talk show dedicated
to the discussion of ideas. Her 
career at WBEZ Chicago Public 
Radio began in the fall of 1993 when
she volunteered at a pledge drive
answering phones. In 1994 she 
became the producer of
"Worldview," the station's 
international affairs program. After 
working with the program's host for
more than three years, Helfrich
became a substitute host. She also
produced the station's weekly arts
magazine program "Artistic Li-                                        
Gretchen Helfrich and Dr. Judith Hiltner
cense" and was a featured 
contributor on "Metropolis" during
this time. She has been with 
"Odyssey" since it went on the air in
January 1998.
Faculty, staff and Honors
students were invited to a pre-lec-
ture reception at 5:30 p.m. in the
Bishop Quarter Room where they
had the chance to speak with
Helfrich in a more intimate setting.
After an hour of socializing and
enjoying a few refreshments,
Helfrich headed down to the Main
Reception Room to deliver her talk
to a full crowd.
In her arguments, Helfrich
stressed that education and the
Xavierile/Melissa Apple
pursuit of the intellectual only
matter if those who are educated
share their knowledge with others.
She said that her career as a radio
personality allows her to pursue in-
tellectualism while sharing her
pursuit with others. She is also
able to gain knowledge from others, 
particularly the guests she in
vites on her show.
Helfrich cautioned scholars
not to hide behind their degrees
while refusing to answer the "real
meaningful" questions. A true 
intellectual, according to her, has a
good balance of books and street
smarts.  She continued by saying
that in the end, life should be about
questions, and posing the right
questions to obtain the most
knowledge needed.   She claims
that she doesn't feel she has a lot
of knowledge, just a lot of questions.
The connection between
knowledge, the media and "The
Good Life,' she explained, is that
life should be the pursuit of 
knowledge. This knowledge leads to the
good life because it is fulfilling.
The media comes into play for her
by her being able to pursue her
questions through the media via
her radio show, and those who 
listen are able to pursue along with
her. However, she also said that
the good life is different for 
everyone, but it basically means a life
well lived.
Helfrich's advice for stu-
See "Helfrich" page 3
ALSO
INSIDE
THIS
ISSUE...
News
SXU Gallery presents
"Face to Face"
Features
Second time's a
charm
Sports
Cougars on the
defensive
Men's basketball tonight 7
p.m. in the Shannon Center
vs. Barat