The Mid-American Conference is an athletic conference made up of 12 universities in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and New York. The rivalries that exist between some of the schools are rooted in history, and each school has it's own unique qualities. With that said, this is also an accurate way to describe the characters in the hit show Scandal, by Shonda Rhimes. As a result of some research, having a major in Public Relations and a passion for finding out what is happening on Capital Hill in this television show, here is a take on which school in this conference appears to be connected with an individual character in the show.
Bowling Green State University: Olivia Pope
Talons Up. That is precisely how Olivia Pope lives her life. She is a woman with class, beauty and direction, and she also loves to have fun. All of these characteristics describe Bowling Green State University. As a university, BGSU prides itself on inclusion and bettering all of those who walk through their educational journey on campus. The campus itself is constantly being updated in order to stay with the times. Most people who graduated not even 10 years ago will tell you that the campus does not look like it did when they were students there. Finally, like Olivia Pope, the students at BGSU love to have fun. Also like her, they can get reckless, especially when it comes to dealing with the school up north (TSUN), but it is always just for fun. Finally, BGSU students fall in love with their campus fast, much like how Olivia Pope seems to do with attractive men. Can you blame either one of them?
The University of Toledo: Rowan Pope
As a rocket, students at The University of Toledo are characterized as being rough, hard charging and merciless in the pursuit of what they want; beating BGSU at anything and everything possible. For Rowan Pope, he wants to beat everyone in his path, especially his daughter, and be in complete control all the time. He has a great exterior, but his interior is not as pretty. The same can be said for what goes on at UT, but only by some. Rowan Pope is hated by some just like Toledo is, and admired and loved by others who are loyal to him. Just like with UT it is up to those around him to decide one of two things: to run (or transfer) or to stay.
Western Michigan University: Maya Lewis
Tenacity meets talent, a short phrase to describe WMU, but one that also perfectly describes Maya Lewis. She is a quick witted, strong, and sly woman. She makes people fall in love and trust her looks and charm, and then blows their minds when it comes to her real motives, much like with what happens on the campus at WMU. This is school is a top 100 university in the country, has a beautiful clock tower, and is known for encouraging students in the realms of business and the arts, as well as in other programs. The looks of the school makes students love it, and then the education they receive makes them bleed brown and gold.
Kent State University: Fitzgerald Grant III
Kent Read. Kent Write. Kent State. Well, Fitzgerald Grant III can most definitely read and write, it would be hard to become the President of the United States without those skills, there would be some real defiance from the public to vote for someone like that, I would imagine. Kent State has a well put together campus, which can be compared to President Grant's suit and tie look throughout the show. Both of them always look top notch. As well, KSU has a lively night life, which we all know is something that characterizes the life of President Grant rather well. Both are good, and sometimes not so good, in their own ways.
The University of Akron: Jake Ballard
One way to put it, is that Jake Ballard zipped right in and caused even more complications in the life of Olivia Pope and the people close to her. He is a rival of President Grant, just like University of Akron is a rival to Kent State University. The zips are feisty, have fierce alumni support, and a talented marching band as well as sports teams that cause other schools in the conference headaches. UA is a very simple campus and serves the purpose to educate students in an urban setting, just like Jake Ballard is simple and serves the purpose to protect Olivia, and then a new purpose: to love and take care of her at times.
Miami University: Mellie Grant
First Lady Mellie Grant is a strong and intelligent woman, just like the students who walk the campus of Miami University. She is stately, witty, and oh so vain, which is also part of the reputation Miami University students have acquired over the years, although not everyone believes it. As well as being known for being very smart, Maimi Students are well put together, just like Mellie is all of the time, no matter what is going on in her life. With their boat shoes, tasteful dresses, wedges, ties and make up, as well as their seemingly flawless Instagram photos, MU looks like the perfect place for Mellie to go campaigning and be received.
Ohio University: Cyrus Beene
Known mostly by the public for their outrageous Halloween party that happens every year, as well as their marching band and beautiful campus, OU is a rather dynamic school. Dynamic, is one word to describe the quick witted, sneaky, stressed out Secretary of State for President Grant, Cyrus Beene. Cyrus is a go big or go home kind of person, he is always on the move and he is determined to get where he wants to go, just like the Bulldogs are on their campus every single day.
Eastern Michigan University: James Novak
Do what is right. James Novak embodies this phrase in the way he runs his life. As well, he is one that is a good mix of traditional and untraditional, and tries to build a life using those values. This can be paralleled to Eastern Michigan University and how they pride themselves on their traditions, like Fajita Fest, as well as being innovative and always wanting to grow by using tools like The Eastern Echo, the schools newspaper. That newspaper would for sure be something that intrigued esteemed journalist James Novak.
Ball State University: Quinn Perkins
Quinn Perkins joined Olivia Pope's team after waking up with a new identity. Maybe Ball State University does not have a new identity, but the Ball brothers created the identity this school now possesses when they took it over in 1917. Their influence started the chain reaction that led to the university becoming what it is today, and it has not been forgotten. Paralleled to that, this is much like how Quinn rounded out the gladiator team when she joined it. She has wit, charm and curiosity to keep exploring the world, even though that sometimes gets her in trouble.
Northern Illinois University: Sally Langston
Classy and calm, but fiery and loud. This describes Sally Langston, but can be used to describe Northern Illinois University. NIU is a public research university, and has satellite campuses around Illinois, making it's influence one that is widely spread, just like Sally's as the Vice President had and impact on many, many citizens, with her southern charm and endearing personality. Northern Illinois is not one that many have heard of, or maybe you have, but they are striving toward making an impact here in the United States, but also in the world.
Central Michigan University: Abby Whelan
As a university, Central Michigan University is one of the top 100 largest universities in the country. Abby Whelan, is Olivia's biggest supporter and employee. Olivia and Abby have been friends for a long time. Abby has always been supportive of Olivia and Olivia has been there for Abby during tough times in her life. CMU has eight different academic divisions, much like how Abby is able to do her job during many different circumstances in many different places. This school and this woman go together and show the world the working hard can take you places.
State University of New York at Buffalo: David Rosen
Known by some as the University of Buffalo, this university is most definitely unique. At this point in time, it houses 13 colleges, most of which are rather elite. As well, this university houses the states only law school, something David Rosen would take much pride in. As well, David Rosen is an elite man in general, with intelligence, even though at times he can be a little down on his luck. As a university in the top cluster of public research universities, the parallels between this school and David Rosen are hard to miss.
Scandal is a television show that is full of dynamic characters, and the MAC Conference is full of dynamic institutions. Each one is unique and each one adds something to the conference that is important in developing a range of ideas, thoughts and opinions in order to improve students lives and careers. The Mid-American Conference many be tucked away in the midwest, but it's influence on the world, is not.
