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The Columbia Chronicle
We've got you covered

The Columbia Chronicle
Paige Barnes News Editor (312) 369-8956

Paige Barnes, Former Audience Engagement Editor

All content by Paige Barnes
Column: Reporting live with the Columbia Chronicle, I’m Paige Barnes

Column: Reporting live with the Columbia Chronicle, I’m Paige Barnes

By Paige Barnes, Audience Engagement Editor
June 1, 2021
Columbia requiring COVID-19 vaccinations is one of the many things the college community will have to acclimate to for the Fall 2021 semester.

Turning the page: Columbia looks ahead to a brighter school year

By Paige Barnes and Noah Jennings
May 7, 2021
The exhibit's curator and developers asked students, faculty and social media followers to tell the gallery which artists they find problematic, and how their relationship to the artist has changed after learning about their actions.

New gallery asks viewers, ‘Does the Art Excuse the Accused?’

By Paige Barnes, Audience Engagement Editor
April 15, 2021
At the Rally for Community Safety & Stop Anti-Asian Hate Crime on Saturday, March 27, a large number of elderly people filled the crowd.

‘We’re not going to be quiet anymore’: Hundreds gather to support AAPI Chicagoans

By Paige Barnes, Audience Engagement Editor
March 29, 2021
Courtesy of Eric Kripas

New instructor Eric Kripas cuts the BS in advertising

By Paige Barnes, Audience Engagement Editor
March 12, 2021
Boas and dresses hang in Magic Selfies’ “Barbie Land” room next to hearts that illuminate the room with neon pink.

But first, let me take a selfie at the South Loop ‘selfie playground’

By Paige Barnes, Audience Engagement Editor
March 10, 2021
The museum is open to only 25% capacity to avoid large crowds of people hindering social distancing practices.

Dinosaurs and birds and bones, oh my: The Field Museum reopens

By Paige Barnes, Audience Engagement Editor
February 15, 2021
Columbia alum Chris Charles (left) and adjunct faculty member Danny Kravitz (right) watch a scene from "The Marksman" in action on the monitor.

Columbia alum and adjunct professor team up to screenwrite ‘The Marksman’

By Paige Barnes, Audience Engagement Editor
February 3, 2021
COVID-19 testing is available to Columbia students and employees Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Individuals should call 844-766-3775 to schedule an appointment.

Campus testing requirements explained

By Paige Barnes and Rachel Patel
January 29, 2021
President and CEO Kwang-Wu Kim and members of his cabinet answered students' questions about the upcoming Spring and Fall 2021 semesters during a student forum over Zoom.

President and cabinet talk testing, enrollment and another Zoom commencement

By Kendall Polidori and Paige Barnes
December 18, 2020
A ha-ha-holiday special with Columbia alum Tyler Anthony Smith

A ha-ha-holiday special with Columbia alum Tyler Anthony Smith

By Paige Barnes, Audience Engagement Editor
December 18, 2020
Columbia's windows have been 'yarn bombed' by Chicago’s knifty knitters

Columbia’s windows have been ‘yarn bombed’ by Chicago’s knifty knitters

By Paige Barnes, Audience Engagement Editor
December 10, 2020
Columbia alum Andrea Salcedo continues to 'aim high' at the Washington Post

Columbia alum Andrea Salcedo continues to ‘aim high’ at the Washington Post

By Paige Barnes, Audience Engagement Editor
November 24, 2020
Hajar Khaled stands near the Michigan Avenue bridge showing her support for President-elect Joe Biden.

Chicagoans celebrate Biden-Harris win, more work to be done

By Paige Barnes, Audience Engagement Editor
November 9, 2020
Ray Cortopassi (left) joins Micah Materre (right) for the WGN Evening News at 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 9 p.m and 10 p.m.

‘I’m so happy to be back’: WGN’s newest anchor is Columbia alum Ray Cortopassi

By Paige Barnes, Audience Engagement Editor
November 5, 2020
Protesters march toward Michigan Avenue on Oct. 24 to bring awareness to issues with SARS in Nigeria, after forces opened fire on protesters in Nigeria on Oct. 20.

Chicago protesters advocate for victims of Nigerian federal police violence

By Paige Barnes, Audience Engagement Editor
October 27, 2020
Mayor Lori Lightfoot (right) and former presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg (left) discuss how voting is an exchange of trust in democracy.

Former Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg warns Americans of a ‘crisis of mistrust’ during the election

By Paige Barnes, Audience Engagement Editor
October 20, 2020
The "Signature Honeyberry" pancakes are topped with colorful berry mascarpone filling, fresh berries, vanilla crème angles over a spread of blackberry coulis.

Review: Honey Berry Cafe gets an Instagram like from me

By Paige Barnes, Audience Engagement Editor
October 14, 2020
Founding members Tandrea Hawkins and Jordan Blair stand on stage with other Fusion of Light Entertainment organizers Dupree, Liam Taylor and Sofia Felino.

‘Creative’s March’: empowering the next generation of creatives

By Paige Barnes, Audience Engagement Editor
October 7, 2020
Event participants are encouraged to bring their own shirts for Kaufmann to customize.

Voting is in fashion for this South Loop resident

By Paige Barnes, Audience Engagement Editor
September 24, 2020

Your guide for the return to the Student Center

By Ignacio Calderon, Evan Fintzy, and Paige Barnes
September 23, 2020
CFAC refuses to return to campus until 'fundamental COVID-19 safety concerns' are addressed

CFAC refuses to return to campus until ‘fundamental COVID-19 safety concerns’ are addressed

By Paige Barnes and Kendall Polidori
September 22, 2020
Although Rybak is energetic on stage, he says he prefers to skip an after-party and enjoy a quiet night at home watching movies.

Alexander Rybak makes a musical encore at Columbia

By Paige Barnes, Audience Engagement Editor
September 18, 2020
BREAKING NEWS: Reports of shots fired near administration building, all advised to stay away from the area

BREAKING NEWS: Reports of shots fired near administration building, all advised to stay away from the area

By Paige Barnes, Audience Engagement Editor
September 15, 2020
While opening its doors in the midst of the pandemic, Columbia has a new set of safety policies and procedures, making it look different from the spring.

Welcome back Columbia: Here’s what campus looks like now

By Paige Barnes, Audience Engagement Editor
September 4, 2020
Yosef negotiates with CPD Director of Public Engagement Glen Brooks to allow protesters at the corner of East Ohio Street and North Michigan Avenue into the street.

Magnificent Mile temporarily shut down for protest, vigil honoring Black lives lost

By Paige Barnes, Audience Engagement Editor
August 30, 2020
Austin Abrams' character, Henry Page, and Lili Reinhart's character, Grace Town, are introduced by collaborating on their high school's newspaper.

Review: ‘Chemical Hearts’ yields a negative reaction

By Paige Barnes, Audience Engagement Editor
August 27, 2020

Reopening Columbia: Keeping campus safe

By Paige Barnes, Ignacio Calderon
August 21, 2020
Campus closed following night of looting and violence downtown

Campus closed following night of looting and violence downtown

By Mari Devereaux and Paige Barnes
August 10, 2020
Creative writing major Taisaun Levi collaborated with luxury sneaker brand Koio for a project with her own poem printed on the shoes.

Columbia student’s ode to Chicago printed on luxury sneaker

By Paige Barnes, Audience Engagement Editor
August 4, 2020
Protesters turn onto Wabash Avenue chanting “The people united will never be defeated."

Chicago students stand in solidarity for police-free campuses

By Paige Barnes, Audience Engagement Editor
August 2, 2020
Nearly 200 Chicagoans came out to support the Back the Blue rally, many holding American flags in support of American law enforcement.

‘Black Lives Matter’ counter-protest causes friction with ‘Blue Lives Matter’ demonstration

By Paige Barnes, Audience Engagement Editor
July 26, 2020

FYI: What defunding the police could mean for Chicago

By Ignacio Calderon and Paige Barnes
July 24, 2020
Roots Handmade Pizza offers an array of signature pizzas, including 3 vegetarian-friendly options.

Review: Roots’ pizza doesn’t have a ‘pizza’ my heart

By Paige Barnes, Audience Engagement Editor
July 22, 2020
To meet the need for more blood donations amid the coronavirus pandemic, Vitalant, a blood donation network, will team up with the Roosevelt Collection Shops for a blood drive.

The Roosevelt Collection Shops are out for blood—a blood drive, that is

By Paige Barnes, Audience Engagement Editor
July 17, 2020
Sam Kirk, a 2005 Columbia alumna, first had this mural exhibited as a part of a Pride installation in New York.

Columbia alumna displays vibrant multi-racial LGBTQ+ murals

By Paige Barnes, Audience Engagement Editor
June 30, 2020
South Loop yarn bomber strikes again, bringing joy and beauty for Pride month

South Loop yarn bomber strikes again, bringing joy and beauty for Pride month

By Paige Barnes, Audience Engagement Editor
June 29, 2020
The community opens up: Conversations about racism and the Black experience are 'uncomfortable,' sometimes traumatic

The community opens up: Conversations about racism and the Black experience are ‘uncomfortable,’ sometimes traumatic

By Paige Barnes, Audience Engagement Editor
June 25, 2020
One Million Man March celebrates Juneteenth with marching band and singing

One Million Man March celebrates Juneteenth with marching band and singing

By Paige Barnes, Audience Engagement Editor
June 21, 2020
Drag March for Change addresses intersectionality of race, sexuality, gender

Drag March for Change addresses intersectionality of race, sexuality, gender

By Paige Barnes, Audience Engagement Editor
June 17, 2020
Columbia student files lawsuit requesting reimbursement for tuition, fees during coronavirus-related campus closures

Columbia student files lawsuit requesting reimbursement for tuition, fees during coronavirus-related campus closures

By Paige Barnes and Lauren Leazenby
June 16, 2020
Central Camera, 230 S. Wabash Ave., remains boarded up until owner Don Flesch has the means to rebuild. As of Friday, June 12 Flesch raised $200,095 of a $250,095 goal through GoFundMe.

Columbia community shares memories after fire destroys beloved Loop camera shop

By Paige Barnes, Audience Engagement Editor
June 12, 2020
At the 1104 S. Wabash Ave. building, workers repair shattered windows and wash away graffiti.

Columbia buildings damaged, thousands march downtown for George Floyd protests

By Paige Barnes, Audience Engagement Editor
May 31, 2020
Image from iOS (5)

[Photo] Lightfoot sets citywide curfew, calls on National Guard as protests escalate

By Mari Devereaux, Camilla Forte, and Kendall Polidori
May 31, 2020
Hybrid courses, a combination of in-person and online instruction, will be offered at Columbia for the Summer term if Illinois enters phase four of Gov. J.B. Pritzker's five-phase plan by July.

Hybrid courses: the future of combined in-person and online summer classes

By Paige Barnes, Audience Engagement Editor
May 28, 2020
Change in location: International students face challenges amid coronavirus pandemic

Change in location: International students face challenges amid coronavirus pandemic

By Paige Barnes, News Editor
May 27, 2020
'Zoombombing' disrupts online learning, causing anxiety for some instructors

‘Zoombombing’ disrupts online learning, causing anxiety for some instructors

By Paige Barnes and Noah Jennings
May 21, 2020
Students of Columbia's "Comedy Studies at The Second City" program finish off the semester over Zoom.

Second City students keep laughter alive during pandemic

By Paige Barnes, News Editor
May 20, 2020
An investigation by Columbia journalism students found that one-star nursing homes in Illinois have higher numbers of coronavirus cases, exposing serious issues occurring at these facilities long before the pandemic.

Chicago’s one-star nursing homes were troubled before the pandemic. Now, they’re ‘ground zero’

By Contributing Writers, Mari Devereaux, Kendall Polidori, and Paige Barnes
May 8, 2020
Some South Loop residents have been putting up sticky note designs on their windows for community support and fun amid the stay-at-home mandate.

South Loop window art creates smiles that stick

By Paige Barnes, News Editor
May 5, 2020
The Project of Appreciation invites students to send artwork, poems and photos to be delivered to Rush University Medical Center's Wellness Room.

Columbia professor creates ‘Project of Appreciation’ to thank health care workers

By Paige Barnes, News Editor
April 30, 2020
ASL Tutor Peter Wujcik, from the American Sign Language Department, answers questions on the duties of interpreters.

Misinterpreted: the role of Deaf and hearing interpreters in the ASL community

By Paige Barnes, News Editor
March 10, 2020
Moriah Stefanski, 19, an anti-abortion activist, protests across the street from the Planned Parenthood Illinois Action Rally on Wednesday.

Abortion rights advocates rally in Chicago ahead of Supreme Court case

By Paige Barnes, News Editor
March 5, 2020
Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-14) speaks at City Club of Chicago, hosted at Maggiano’s, 111 W. Grand Ave., about the motivation behind the Black Maternal Health Caucus, which she helped form.

U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood not expecting top-of-ticket campaign bump

By Paige Barnes, News Editor
February 27, 2020
Tori Lee is the exhibit developer who brought "A Natural Talent: The Taxidermy of Carl Cotton" to the Field Museum.

Field Museum honors museum’s first African American taxidermist Carl Cotton

By Paige Barnes, News editor
February 19, 2020
The last straw: Columbia prepared for city’s proposed single-use plastics ban

The last straw: Columbia prepared for city’s proposed single-use plastics ban

By Paige Barnes and Lauren Leazenby
February 15, 2020
It is still illegal to smoke marijuana in public and on campus.

Cannabis comes to campus: High taxes and long lines are a buzzkill, students say

By Paige Barnes, News Editor
February 3, 2020
Delvin McCray's brick-and-mortar boutique for his second fashion line, REDD by Delvin McCray, inhabits the first floor of Block 37, 108 N. State St.

Project Runway contestant Delvin McCray has done sew much after his time at Columbia

By Paige Barnes, News Editor
January 28, 2020
Sam & Gertie’s offers a variety of bagels, including “mish mosh,” plain, everything and poppy seed bagels, which are also gluten-free.

Review: The one-of-a-kind vegan, Jewish deli you knead

By Paige Barnes, News Editor
January 23, 2020
"Mean Girls" will take place at the James M. Nederlander Theater, 24 W. Randolph St., through Sunday, Jan. 26.

Q&A: The nicest ‘Mean Girl’ there is, Mariah Rose Faith as Regina George

By Paige Barnes, News Editor
January 20, 2020
"The Santaland Diaries" runs through Dec. 29 at the Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St., and students can buy up to four tickets day-of with a student ID for $10 using promo code 10TIX.

Critique: ‘The Santaland Diaries’ sleighs holiday humor without a sugar plum of political correctness

By Paige Barnes, Staff Reporter
December 23, 2019
Associate Professor in the English and Creative Writing Department Gary Johnson wrote a 6-page narrative poem on Black Panther Party activist and chairman Fred Hampton, killed by Chicago police 50 years ago.

Q&A: Professor commemorates legacy of activist Fred Hampton

By Paige Barnes, Staff Reporter
December 8, 2019
Courtesy Edward Mulvihill

Bangarra Dance Theatre brings 65,000 years of indigenous Australian peoples’ culture to Chicago

By Paige Barnes, Staff Reporter
November 26, 2019
Tuition for full-time students will increase by 2%, bringing it up to $27,142.

Costs for Columbia students to go up again

By Paige Barnes, Staff Reporter
November 22, 2019
Opinion: This Thanksgiving, check your privileges at the door

Opinion: This Thanksgiving, check your privileges at the door

By Paige Barnes, Staff Reporter
November 17, 2019
Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks with Axios Co-Founder Mike Allen during an Oct. 30 panel on criminal justice reform at the 1871 tech incubator.

J.B. Pritzker, Kim Foxx discuss tackling criminal justice reform in Illinois

By Paige Barnes, Staff Reporter
November 5, 2019
Anticipation for Spring 2020: Course registration opens Nov. 4

Anticipation for Spring 2020: Course registration opens Nov. 4

By Paige Barnes, Staff Reporter
November 1, 2019
'The Ables' series showcases ability in disability

‘The Ables’ series showcases ability in disability

By Paige Barnes, Staff Reporter
November 1, 2019

Once upon a scary-tale…

By Paige Barnes, Staff Reporter
October 31, 2019
Jussie Smollett's lawyer, William John Quinlan, addresses the press following the court's ruling Oct. 22.

Judge rules city can proceed with suit against Jussie Smollett

By Paige Barnes, Staff Reporter
October 23, 2019
Moroccan artist Youness Amriss, who also goes by the artist name DYNAM, creates a mural for the Wabash Arts Corridor.

New Moroccan mural adds to Chicago’s ‘global tapestry’

By Paige Barnes, Staff Reporter
October 17, 2019
Izzy Youmans (left) and her girlfriend of a year, Abby Nelson (right) said she wants their relationship to normalize lesbian visibility.

Columbia: loud, proud and coming out

By Paige Barnes, Staff Reporter
October 11, 2019
Students intrigued by Dwight Lofts' new neighbor: the Church of Scientology

Students intrigued by Dwight Lofts’ new neighbor: the Church of Scientology

By Paige Barnes, Staff Reporter
October 9, 2019
National Book Award winner Ta-Nehisi Coates speaks about his first novel "The Water Dancer" at the DuSable Museum of African American History, 740 E. 56th Pl., Oct. 3.

‘The Water Dancer’ links historical and modern-day racial disparities

By Paige Barnes, Staff Reporter
October 9, 2019
Heaven developed a partnership with the History Museum to allow Columbia College's students to learn more about Chicago's history through free admissions.

Chicago History Museum free for Columbia students

By Paige Barnes, Staff Reporter
October 3, 2019
Cast and production team of “The P*ssy Paragraphs” celebrated raising more than $800 from their fundraiser show in July and over $700 from their GoFundMe.

‘The P*ssy Paragraphs’: A new and freeing, trans-affirmative comedy show

By Paige Barnes, Staff Reporter
September 29, 2019
Columbia's Bookstore, 624 Michigan Ave., was underwent renovations summer 2019.

Columbia bookstore turns a new page

By Paige Barnes, Staff Reporter
September 27, 2019

Students’ first date with ‘brand spankin’ new’ Student Center

By Paige Barnes, Staff Reporter
September 17, 2019
Feel zero guilt after shopping at zero-waste, vegan pop-up

Feel zero guilt after shopping at zero-waste, vegan pop-up

By Paige Barnes, Staff Reporter
September 13, 2019
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