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A R K A N S A S T E C H U N I V E R S I T Y / / T H U R S D A Y, N O V. 1 9 , 2 0 1 5 • V O L . 9 2 N O . 1 1
Jennifer Prichard was announced the first place winner for her sculpture entitled "Now Watch My Rising".
AMBER QUAID/THE ARKA TECH
AMBER QUAID
by juniors and seniors.
Tech juried student exhibition challenges students, juror Managing Editor
Facing the real world of art can be surprising, rewarding, heartbreaking and a complex range of other emotions both the artist and the audience were not expecting. The 9th Annual Tech Juried Student
Competitive Exhibition on Nov. 2 in the Norman Hall Art Gallery saw no exception to these emotions. “There are some pieces that were really surprising, that I wouldn’t expect to see from students,” said Brooke Boyd, a CSP graduate assistant. There were 101 works of art entered
into this competition by 46 students (17seniors, 14 juniors, 8 sophomores and 7 freshmen.) The students were allowed to enter the competition for free with up to three works per student. Of the pieces entered, only 40 were chosen, most of which were created
Safety walk identifies areas of improvement ASHLEY PEARSON Staff Writer
call boxes and camera placement.
Public Safety and the Office of Facilities Management conducted their annual campus safety walk on Nov. 10.
The walk began in parking lot K just north of Witherspoon and proceeded toward Paine Hall. During the walk, the group identified various areas on campus in need of lighting, including the corner of Glenwood and R Street, the corner of Glenwood and L Street by the baseball field, the sidewalk in front
Chief Josh McMillian led the walk, which consisted of students, faculty and staff who were encouraged to participate to look for areas with low lighting, placements for
of Dean Hall and the ADHD accessible ramp near the library.
As the walk continued toward Nutt Hall, the group found that the sidewalk between Brown Hall and Turner Hall ends abruptly, and it would be useful to put in a walkway so students can travel more easily to their vehicles. Another part of campus
in need of a walkway or side walk is in front of the football field where students often walk to McDonalds. Lights were also suggested along the path. Cameras were suggested for Caraway Hall and Paine Hall parking lots. The list made by the group will be given to the executive council and further action will be taken from there.
“I had entered in before and didn’t get anything in, and this being my senior year, it was really exciting to get chosen,” said Mariah Temple, a senior art education major from Benton.
(see ART page 4)
News briefs
JAPANESE CULTURE- Learn about the Japanese culture with IMSSO from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday in the Doc Bryan Rotunda.
INTERNATIONAL CULTURESInternational students will be hosting an event from 6-9 p.m. on Friday in the Doc Bryan Lecture Hall. Students will learn about music and food from other cultures. SYMPHONIC WIND CONCERT- The Music Department will be hosting a Symphonic Wind Ensemble Concert from 2:30-4 p.m. on Saturday in the Witherspoon Auditorium. BASKETBALL- The Golden Suns basketball team will take on North Alabama at 5:30 on Tuesday in Tucker Coliseum. The Wonder Boys will take on Missouri Southern at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 28, in Tucker Coliseum.
Suns clinch GAC title with sweep of Ouachita Submitted by UNIVERSITY RELATIONS
Getting excellent performances from its defense, middles and all four seniors, the Arkansas Tech women's volley ball team turned back Ouachita Baptist with a 3-0 sweep Thursday to close the regular season, earning its second straight outright Great American Conference championship in the process. Seniors Colleen Wooten, Kaci Jackson, Rachel Hampton and Katie Huff all played considerable roles in the comfortable 25-17, 25-17, 25-20 victory for the Golden Suns (25-6, 15-1 GAC). Huff tied with fellow middle McCall Wilkins with a match-high 10 kills, and the duo combined for five blocks as well and hit nearly .500 as a pair. Hampton tied her season high with seven kills on .333 hitting, including four kills with no errors in the first set. Wooten and Jackson, who have been key members of the back line
all season, each hit double digits in digs Thursday night. Jackson led with a match-high 14, adding three kills and two blocks, and Wooten turned in a career high with 12 digs during the final regular season match of her career. "Our seniors played unbelievable tonight," coach Kristy Bayer said. "It's great to have those seniors on the court, because they understand what's on the line, and the meaning behind the match as their last match inside Tucker Coliseum. I thought they played with a lot of heart, and I'm proud of all four of them." After jumping out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first set, Tech would fall behind the Tigers (15-11, 8-8 GAC) 5-4 after a short burst from the guests. A kill by Wilkins tied things back up and four errors on the next five points helped build a 9-6 lead for the Suns. A three-point run after a Huff kill was enough to get OBU back to even, at 13-13, but Tech rallied to score the next three points and 12 of
(see SUNS page 4)
MATTHEW EMERY/THE ARKA TECH Sarita Stegall throws her hands in the air in excitement at a game earlier this season.
PAGE 2 | Opinion
MAN ON THE STREET How do you feel about finals being less than one month away?
“I’m stressed completely due to having to balance work and school.” Biz Arrants Junior Early Childhood Education Fort Smith, AR
“What do you mean, a month?” Shakayla Devoe Sophomore Journalism Sterlington, LA
“I would be the crying emoji.” Jordan Althoff Freshman History and Seconday Education Ozark, AR
Generation Y: the age of entitlement CLAUDIA HALL Managing Editor
My favorite pastime is analyzing American society and the way our brains work. Sometimes I wonder if I should have majored in sociology or psychology, but then I remember I’m horrible at behavioral sciences. Nonetheless, there is a topic that has been brewing in my mind all semester. Why is our generation so entitled? We all know a person, or twenty, that is close-minded, privileged and easily offended. I fall under this category more often than I’d care to admit. We have our opinions and refuse to see the counterpoint. We can’t back up our thoughts. While it’s true every opinion is valid, we have a horrible habit of refusing to admit when we’re wrong.
I know most parents would never do these things on purpose. They only want what’s best for their child; they want them to succeed. But simply participating and receiving an award will not encourage a child to try harder. Why work harder if you’ll already be praised for showing up?
We haven’t learned how to properly budget. A lot of this generation had parents who would buy them anything and everything. I once knew a girl in junior high whose parents would give her $200 any time she wanted to go to the mall.
We are in constant need of affirmation. You aren’t just smart, you’re brilliant. You aren’t pretty, you’re gorgeous. If a compliment isn’t of the highest degree, it means nothing. In fact, it’s nearly offensive. There’s a mindset I’ve seen engraved in my generation’s brains. They’re convinced they succeed at everything. It’s really hard to take people seriously when they have never experienced humility. I struggle greatly with science. I’ve never been a good runner. I will never be able to draw a person’s face without it looking like a caricature horribly gone wrong. I know what I’m not good at, and I’ve accepted it. Because of this, it makes it really hard for me to understand people who haven’t.
“We've forgotten other people matter and deserve respect, just as we do. ”
Our arguments are petty and lack depth. If someone doesn’t agree with us or says something that is the slightest bit rude, our whole worlds are thrown off their axes. In a lot of ways, I believe this is because of the way our society thinks children should be raised. A lot of us were sheltered, never truly punished for our disobedience and were given awards for participation. There’s a fine line between encouraging children to be confident and unintentionally teaching them to be selfabsorbed.
“Actually I’m kinda excited because next semester I’ll be starting choir...gotta get this semester finished.” Chris Nam Junior Graphic Design Rogers, AR
“Very nervous and underprepared.” Nikki Taylor Senior Early Childhood Education Bentonville, AR
“I feel good about it. I’m not one to stress out about it.” Ryan Pearson Sophomore Wellness Science Van Buren, AR
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2015
When we are thrown out into the world on our own, we still expect our parents to help us financially. This is a problem. Honestly, we’re afraid of hurting children’s feelings. We don’t want them to be unhappy—ever. What if all the other kids have the latest technology, but your child doesn’t? What if they feel inadequate because they don’t own name-brand clothing? Are we supposed to buy them all of these expensive things that will just be outdated in a year? What if their classmate does better than them at math? Are we supposed to convince them they’re both the best at that subject?
We are the best. We matter the most. Everyone should think we are great. No one is allowed to be better than us. No one can disagree with us. We are almighty, all-knowing geniuses. We’ve forgotten other people matter and deserve respect, just as we do. We disrespect professors and elders, expect to get promoted without putting forth effort and see ourselves as the coolest person who has walked the face of the earth. What a miserable way to live. So I will leave you with this: Is there any hope in the next generation if we continue to act like this?
News | PAGE 3
50's Sci-Fi on the big screen MATTHEW EMERY Sports Writer
“Atom Age Apocalypse: Mutants, Monsters, and Mushroom Clouds,” was presented by Arkansas Tech alumnus Mike Bogue on Thursday in the Ross Pendergraft Library. Bogue has been a fan of science fiction his entire life. He has written stories and articles that have appeared in “Scary Monsters Magazine,” “Wonder,” “Space & Time” and various other publications. Bogue has also released his first book, “Atomic Drive-In.” In his presentation, Bogue discussed the significance of science fiction movies from the 1950s, covering topics like the portrayal of gender roles. He also discussed common tropes, such as the scientist who performs an experiment gone wrong, or the lady who gets her dress caught in a door as a giant monster overtakes her. The bulk of Bogue’s presentation focused on the formulaic nature of these films. Bogue claims there were three main categories for these science fiction films: big bugs, giant monsters and alien invaders.
MATTHEW EMERY/THE ARKA TECH Bogue discussed the significance of science fiction movies from the 1950s.
The reason for this trend, according to Bogue, could have been because of the nuclear age, the discovery of the UFO and Cold War anxiety.
genre, as the market became too oversaturated with these movies. He mentioned that movie companies began to distance themselves with science fiction, so much so that 20th Century Fox had such low expectations for George Lucas’ “Star Wars” that they gave him all the assets to it.
Bogue also talked about the decline of the
As for the future of big bug, giant monster and
Mules can do it better ARIEL DANIEL
Contributing Writer
“Anything a horse can do, a mule can do better.” said U.S. District Court Judge Billy R. Wilson, when addressing the New South class taught by Dr. Tom DeBlack, professor of history.
South since the Civil War. At that time in 1860 there were an estimated 600,000 mules in the United States, Wilson said. Mules were also used in World War I. Wilson spoke of his father being in the cavalry and riding mules at the front during WWI.
Wilson was discussing on Nov. 10 the significance of mules in Southern and Arkansas agriculture and Wilson was accompanied by his own donkey and mule, Molly and Backyard Ben.
In the 1920’s and 1930’s mules were being used everywhere, with an estimated 6
Mules have played an important role in the economy of the
In fact, until the introduction
million mules in the United States during this time. Wilson said the majority were used in the south.
of tractors, mules were the primary choice for agricultural labor. Wilson cited the functional advantages of a mule over a horse or a donkey. Mules can be used for work in stock, roping, hunting, and trail riding. "While mules have to be trained younger than horses the result is a safer animal than a horse," Wilson said. "They inherit a strong sense of self-preservation from the donkey, which allows them to survive in conditions that both horses and donkeys would not."
alien invader movies, Bogue believes they could come back, especially given the recent success of “Jurassic World” and “Godzilla.” However, he feels if they were to make a resurgence, it would be solely for entertainment value and would not cause any of the paranoia or anxiety the classic films of the 1950s managed to evoke.
Corrections *In the Nov. 5th edition of The Arka Tech, Derrick Nelson’s name is misspelled. In the article, it is spelled Darrick and the correct spelling is Derrick. *After the editorial about Clean Line that appeared in the Nov. 12 issue of The Arka Tech, we've received negative feedback on social media and our website from those who oppose our newspaper's opinion. While we as a newspaper stand by our opinion that the transmission line is a good idea for our state and Pope County, we would like to direct our readers to the comments section of our website at http://arkatechnews.com/editorialtransmission-line-worth-the-cost/, as well as the BLOCK Plains & Eastern Clean Line: Pope, Johnson, Newton & Conway Co's Facebook page, to see the opinions of those who disagree with us. Reading the information put forth by these individuals and groups will help readers gain a better understanding of the issue.
Editor-in-chief shares some parting words RYAN SMITH
Editor-in-Chief
This is the last article I’ll ever publish in a college newspaper, barring a catastrophic failure on my Shakespeare and Latin finals, which I think I’m safe from. At the behest of my fellow newspaper staff members, I thought it’d be appropriate to leave my loyal readers—I know you’re out there, all eight of you—with 10 of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned as a writer, editor and human being involved with The Arka Tech.
1. Structure is key. Remember
Hemingway’s words: “Prose is architecture, not interior decoration.” Approach a piece meticulously and know what you’re going to say, how you’ll say it and how to say it effectively before you start slathering your laptop with ubiquitous aphorisms. Parallel syntax equals structure, but a writer must use variation if his writing is not to be redolent of stale bread. One more note on structure, don’t apply it just to your writing. You must manage your time well and be willing to dedicate your life to the craft in order to graduate from dilettante. This means a lot of nights wearing down No. 2 pencils while your friends are out partying. You’re not a beat poet, you’re a writer. (And no, Kerouac would not think you’re cool.)
2. Five dollar words don’t mean a whole lot. Everyone has access to a dictionary and thesaurus, so you
won’t impress many people using secondary and third definitions of words you just learned online. Always use the best word that communicates your point, and most the time that’s a simple, Anglo-Saxon word common in every day usage. We’re writing for the public, and big words do not necessarily convey big thoughts and emotions. If “beginner” would’ve worked better than “dilettante” in No. 1, I would have used that word, but my word has a more specific meaning and gets my point across better. Put complexity into the construction of your writing, not Dictionary.com searches.
3. Ask people how they’re doing every day. This includes the sources who give you information, staff members you work with and uppers you take orders from. I’ve found if you genuinely care about how others are doing in their own lives, they’re more likely to care about the work you’re trying to get done. Plus, every once in a while, someone will have something legitimately interesting going on, and as a writer, the wheels should already be turning in your head for story ideas.
4. The journalistic ethic of never taking food at an event you’re covering is untenable and blatantly false. Most the time,
the food is there for you anyways. At football games, for instance, food is usually available in the press box for all members of the press. My freshman year I assumed eating on
the job was tantamount to capital murder among journalists, so I never ate at games I covered. I’m scrawny as it is, so everyone must have thought I was some monkish ascetic enduring an obligatory fast. Free pizza is cool, bribes, not so much though.
5. Know when to dig in and when to let up. If your best judgment tells you you’re right about something, and someone expresses an honest concern to the contrary, hear them out fully. If you’re still convinced you made the right call, explain your reasoning and work with the individual as best you can. If someone is just irrationally pissed off at you for disagreeing with them, respectfully exit the conversation.
6. Editors aren’t always right.
If it’s not simple style, grammar or mechanics stuff, and you think the choice you made worked better, explain to them why your usage made more sense. If the editor is still set in his ways, say OK and adhere to the change. Keeping a job is more important. *Caveat: Agreeing with an editor cannot jeopardize either your value system or worth as a writer.
7. No matter how asinine you find another person’s idea or opinion, try to listen to them until the argument is finished. I’ve heard some laughable theories that make you see why college degrees are now less valuable than they were 25 years ago, but respect is due if it’s given nonetheless. Always
know however crazy you think an opinion is, the other person may find your idea just as ridiculous.
8. Tell the story, regardless of what it is or whose feathers it ruffles. When you’re making a meager hourly wage after earning a college degree, it’s easy to simply take the information you’re given and publish it without looking into anything. But this isn’t doing your job, it’s just earning a paycheck, which we’re bigger than. Read people and know if there is more to the story than what you’re being fed. Above all, be curious.
9. READ. This isn’t strictly journalistic advice, but for life in general. How could I expect to inform the public if I’m not well informed myself ? And contrary to Faulkner’s advice to “read everything,” I’d tell you to be an extremely selective reader. This world is far too saturated with omnipresent media influence to read everything you come across (Buzz Feed, tabloids, E! News.) Avoid the aforementioned, and you should be fine. Read some Whitman, for crying out loud.
10. Observe as a human. Don’t try to look through a journalistic lens (what is that?) but instead, interact with people as you would at any other time. This is how you get people to truly open up to you. And this, in turn, is how we tell human stories— by being one.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2015
PAGE 4 | News (ART from page 1 )
ELON KIERRE
Contributing Writer Editor’s note: This is the second in a periodic series of stories about Arkansas Tech-Ozark. Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus is home to several unique programs of study; one however is very unique: Cardiovascular Technology. Cardiovascular Technolog y-Cardiac Sonography is a program to train students in e c h o c a r d i o g r a p h y, which is essentially, an ultrasound of the heart. Students learn to use high-tech ultrasound machines to image the heart of adult patients. The CVT program at Ozark is the only program in the state that offers a cardiac ultrasound only program; there is another program that you can obtain a degree in general and cardiac ultrasound, but it is a bachelor’s degree. The CVT program is unique because it is a two-year associate’s degree. According to Kristen Wendling, the program chair of
the Cardiovascular Technology program, the development of the CVT program was initiated in June of 2012 in response to requests made by regional cardiovascular departments and cardiologists in the Ozark campus service area. The first class began in August of 2013. The CVT program is a competitive program and students are accepted in the spring, and begin the CVT classes the next fall. Wendling and the Ozark campus administration reevaluate the program each year to determine how many students will be accepted. The program is located at Chaffee Crossing in Fort Smith. Wendling said, “It is located there to allow close proximity to area health care providers. It allows us to easily visit these healthcare facilities as well as allows special lecturers to come from these facilities to speak to the students.” “Like many college graduates, we encourage students who enter this field to be prepared to
move to a different part of the state. Some of our graduates have taken positions within the River Valley, but many of our graduates have moved to other parts of the state and a few have moved out of state. Echocardiographers are mainly found in large hospitals or cardiology clinics. Most of our graduates have fallen in love with the field and do not mind moving in order to pursue their career,” Wendling said. The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that sonography as a whole will grow by 23 percent from 2010-2020 in the state of Arkansas.
Neal Harrington, associate professor of printmaking, first started this competition nine years ago to give the students a chance at a real-world situation. Even though the prizes have gotten bigger thanks to generous donations from Bridgestone and a supporting department, Harrington plans to keep expanding. The prizes were $300 for first place, $200 for second, $100 for third and portfolios for honorable mentions. “I got tired of paying more for the food than to the artist. I wanted an award that makes a difference to the students,” Harrington said about the prizes for this event. This year’s juror was Winston Taylor, an Arkansas native from Little Rock. He received his bachelor degree in art from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Winston was chosen Beaux Arts Visual Artist of the Year in 2013 by the River Valley Arts Center and was awarded Arkansas Living Treasure in 2011.
Wendling said, “The program is still a very new program, but there has definitely been growth in the field in just a short amount of time.”
“It is an honor to be chosen as juror,” Taylor said. “Little did I know how difficult the task would be.”
“Echocardiog raphy specifically requires someone who pay close attention to detail, has good hand to eye coordination, is caring, committed to their continuing education, likes a challenge and works well with a variety of people,” Wendling said.
“The first place choice captured my attention with its scale, gestural movement and juxtaposition of solid and linear form,” he said. “It
Poinsettia sale set Dec. 3-4 Haven Brock, Miss Arkansas Tech 2015, displays one of the many poinsettias available during the annual poinsettia sale, conducted by the Department of Agriculture. Sale hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 3 and 4 at the Tech greenhouses, located north of campus on Red Hill Farm. All proceeds are used by the department for greenhouse plants and supplies. TOMMY MUMERT/THE ARKA TECH
Taylor was chosen to narrow down the pieces to the 40 now on display in the Norman Hall Gallery. From those 40, he chose the top three.
seems to be crafted well and has a sophistication about it. Second place executed an oddly humorous subject with skillfully drawn lines in what seems to me a difficult media. Third place used what I think to be good choices in its composition and, again, with good command of the media.” This year’s winners are Jennifer Prichard, winning first place with “Now Watch My Rising,” Mikahla Denney, second place finisher with “Cephalothoracopagus” and Emily Hogue, who came in third place with “Street Trash.” Honorable mentions were Deondra Swanigan with “Thoughts of Suicide” and Sarah Parker with “Elmer’s Extinction.” “I’m really honored and really surprised about which piece actually placed, but it’s a piece I put a lot of work into,” Hogue, a senior fine arts major from Beebe, said. The Norman Hall Art Gallery, located on the first floor of Norman hall, is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and the exhibit will be on display until December 4. “Some are pieces I would hang on the wall myself,” said Lynn Larish, a sophomore art education major from Harrison. For more information about the gallery, go online to www.atu.edu/ art/gallery.php or call 479-968-0244. For more information about the juror, Winston Taylor, go online to www.winstontaylor.com.
(SUNS from page 1 ) Tech a 2-0 lead in the the final 16. Back-to-back kills from Hampton got a fivepoint streak started for the Suns, with kills from Huff and Haley Owen closing the set. The hosts started the second set a bit slower, falling behind 3-1 after scoring the opening point, but quickly charging back in front. Two kills from freshman Hunter Eshnaur and three straight by Wilkins helped the Suns on an 8-1 run that turned the deficit into a 10-5 lead. The advantage spread to 19-13 on a kill from Eshnaur and an ace out of freshman Sarita Stegall, and while the Tigers made it 22-17 at one point, kills from Stegall and Eshnaur around an OBU error closed the set and gave
match.
Two big runs early in the third set had the Tigers out to a nice lead, with a four-point run making it 4-1 and a six-point stretch opening the lead to 11-4. The hosts were able to respond nicely though, getting three kills from Wilkins, one from Jackson and one by Hampton to go with two Tiger errors to get on an 8-1 run that tied things back up at 12-12. Tech picked up its first lead of the set when backto-back combo blocks form Jackson and Huff made it 15-14 and then 16-14 in favor of the Suns. OBU would take leads again at 17-16 and 18-19, but one more run centered around blocks from Wilkins and Eshnaur, as well as a solo stick-back from Huff,
made it 21-18. Kills from Wilkins, a Stegall ace and an Eshnaur kill put an end to the match and the regular season. "It's great to get that win on our home court," Bayer said. "We've been in situations where we've had to clinch the regular season on someone else's court. But to be here on senior night with a big crowd, and to rebound from Tuesday and perform as well as we did tonight, it was great." Eshnaur finished with nine kills and nine digs on the night, while Stegall posted 37 assists and nine digs to go with two aces and Madison Nagel turned in 13 digs. The Golden Suns take six days off before heading to Hot Springs, Arkansas for the Great American Conference Championship at Bank of the Ozarks Arena.
The Arka Tech GENERAL POLICY
News stories printed in The Arka Tech must be accurate, fair and as unbiased as possible. Any mistakes in fact found in an issue of The Arka Tech will be corrected in the first possible issue. Opinions expressed in The Arka Tech are not necessarily the opinions of Arkansas Tech University or its students. Individual copies of The Arka Tech are free to members of the Tech community. Contact the advisor for pricing of multiple copies.
CONTACT US Office: Energy Center 138 General email: arkatech@atu.edu Ads email: arkatech.ads@atu.edu
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2015
Editor-in-Chief: RYAN SMITH
Managing Editors: JENN TERRELL CLAUDIA HALL AMBER QUAID News Writer: SIERRA MURPHY Staff Writer: ASHLEY PEARSON Web Master: SAM HOISINGTON Sports Writer: MATTHEW EMERY Advertising Manager: MICHAEL HARRIS Faculty Advisor: TOMMY MUMERT
THE
ARKATECH
Campus | PAGE 5
Meet your Tech Basketball Seniors —Fatmia Adams, a senior professional studies major, from Bryan, Texas, plays forward for the Golden Suns basketball team.
“I really didn’t like basketball growing up, but when I got to high school, my older brother always took me to play basketball with him, so I came to love it, I guess.”
Adams hasn’t always played basketball. She began playing games with her brother when she was in the eighth grade and didn’t join her high school basketball team until the tenth grade. Adams took the summer off and returned to Tech to practice hard in hopes of winning a regular season, conference and national championship. After graduation, Adams said she hopes to play ball overseas in the WNBA. If that doesn’t work out, her next plan is to return to Texas to teach or coach. Adams said she will miss her teammates and coaches. “It’s had a very big impact on my life honestly,” Adams said.
—Nick Wayman, a senior speech communications major from Valley Springs, plays forward for the Wonder Boys basketball team.
“I love the competitiveness of it.”
Wayman has prepared for his last season with the Wonder Boys by practicing his jump shot and conditioning his body. He said he hopes the hard work will help the team make it to the NCAA tournament. After graduating, Wayman said he will miss the comradery. “I’m going to miss my brothers the most,” he said, adding that basketball has taught him life skills and how to be tough. He plans to use those skills to “get a good career” and start his life.
—Bre Brooks, a senior communications major from Tyler, Texas, plays guard for the Golden Suns basketball team. She said her motto, “I believe it, I will achieve it,” keeps her motivated, as do her family and friends.
“[They] build me to have faith and keep pushing.”
The faith and motivation she receives from herself and her family keeps her focused on being “the best in the nation and to win a championship.” However, Brooks said she is pushing for a national championship, not just a conference title. Brooks said she is preparing for the season by practicing hard to build team chemistry.
—Branden Williams, a senior business major from Orlando, Florida, plays guard for the Wonder Boys basketball team. Williams said he imagines the game and his role in it before hitting the floor.
“I love the game so much; I want to learn more and more every day and be better.”
“The moves I would make, the plays I could get steals from, stuff like that,” Williams said. “It helps me focus and not think about jitters.” Williams’ family, whom he draws his inspiration from, motivates him to play, as does his love for the game. Williams said he is preparing for the season by eating healthy and training every day with the Wonder Boys.
—Caroline Eubanks, a junior from Har-Ber who plays forward for the Golden Suns. Eubanks has played in all 30 games last year with 4 starts. She averaged 5.6 points 3.36 rebounds per game, while shooting 42.4 percent from the floor and 59.4 percent from the free throw line. She hit double figures in points six times during her sophomore season, as well. Eubanks turned in a season-high, 17-point performance with seven rebounds against Northwestern Oklahoma, and she looks to replicate performances of a similar ilk this season.
—Bryson Fletcher, a senior guard from Camden,for the Wonder Boys basketball team.
"I'm preparing for this season by working out everyday and making sure I give my all in practice to help myself get better and to also help my teammates get better." L E F T : Fabiana Monte, guard from São Paulo, Brazil.
Fletcher has played in 30 games and earned six starts during the 2014-15 season with the Wonder Boys. Fletcher also averaged 3.6 points per game with 3.1 rebounds per game on 18.8 minutes of play per game. He shot 44.4 percent from the field and 16.7 percent from three-point range. From the line, he shot 61.6 percent, and he totaled 19 steals on the season. "I'm making sure I control the little things like my attitude and effort and making sure that no matter how bad I may be practicing, my attitude and effort is always great" Fletcher said. L E F T : DeChriston McKinney, forward from Waco, Texas. RIGHT: Katrina Hayden from Indianapolis, Indiana.
RIGHT: Andrew G u i l l o r y, g u a r d from Fort Worth, Texas.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2015
PAGE 6 | Features
Stewart-Abernathy says so long SIERRA MURPHY News Writer
Judith Stewart-Abernathy’s life has been dedicated to interpreting the stories behind artifacts and caring for family bibles. For the last 26 years, she has invested her time and energy into Arkansas Tech University. “I was hired to create a professional museum facility by the board [of trustees],” Stewart-Abernathy said. “The history club was in the 1920s to 1940s and their sponsor kept some things after that. Those items were boxed up and moved around campus and ended up in the basement of what was the art building.” In the 1980s, the university felt the need to unearth the Native American and River Valley artifacts and put them on display. Soon after, a partnership was formed. The U.S. Forest Service, a local Arkansas Archeological Survey Research station and Tech partnered to create the museum. "Our first mission focused on human experience in the River Valley and Western Arkansas from about 10,000 years ago to present,” Stewart-Abernathy said. “We did a lot of things for K-12 in the 90s and early 2000s.” Stewart-Abernathy is no stranger to the classroom herself. Before coming to Tech, she went on to get her master’s degree in anthropology and archeology and involved herself in exhibitions soon after, applying her learned skills in the field. She has been involved in what she calls exhibit-type work since 1982, and now she mentors the 10 student workers and one volunteer at Tech’s on-campus museum. However, museum work is a far cry from the veterinarian work she wanted to pursue up until her eighth-grade year of school. “I obviously wandered far afield,” Stewart-Abernathy said. “My biology teacher led me astray one summer to help her do a collection project from an archeological site on her property, and I got quite interested in that, collecting it and analyzing it.” In 1980, Stewart-Abernathy left her pet sitting service behind, married her husband and later moved with him to the River Valley from their then Pine Bluff home. His work with the Arkansas Archeological Survey now has him on Petit Jean Mountain, while
Stewart-Abernathy smiles in her office. Stewart-Abernathy has been dedicated to serving Tech. “I’m very vested in the museum after this long,” Stewart-Abernathy said. “This is like my house. I know every inch of this space. I’ll miss the familiarity; it’s like moving almost.” Stewart-Abernathy’s advice will stay with the current and future historian hopefuls that pass through the museum. For the workforce specifically, StewartAbernathy advises job-seekers do a bit of selfexamination. "Is this seriously what you want to do? If you get involved in it and make it your passion, it’s not an eight-to-five job,” Stewart-Abernathy said. “You need to be passionate about it, not just interested.” Aside from self-examination, future historians should also have a broad skill set and be able to write grants, budget and manage their time and workers, StewartAbernathy said. “I advise people to think a little bit,” StewartAbernathy said. Ever the leader, Stewart-Abernathy takes her
SIERRA MURPHY/THE ARKA TECH own advice, thinking about the environment of the community when she came to Tech and the environment she’s leaving. “When I first started here, there was a lot of curiosity about Dwight mission, Russellville history and Native American history. It was kind of a periodic thing, where people got very curious and it drops down for a little while, then it surges again.” Stewart-Abernathy said. “Right now, going out, it’s muddy to me. There’s a lot of interest in a sense of place, but also people are grappling with what it means to be patriotic. What does it mean to have a sense of honor? What is your home place and what do you need to protect?” For now, it seems Stewart-Abernathy’s home is her second floor, book-filled office of the Nutt-facing side of the Techionery. “I’m going to volunteer some, that’s my hope and plan, to finish some things I just can’t quite seem to get done,” Stewart-Abernathy said with a laugh. “Maybe I’ll have more time. I don’t know how that [volunteering] works.” Stewart-Abernathy will officially retire December 2015.
Tech lecturer also owns Studio Games SAM HOISINGTON Web Master
Wyatt Tise greets me in the entry of Studio Games, takeout in hand. He hasn’t stopped to eat today. Tise is probably most familiar to members of the Tech family from his role as visiting lecturer of Japanese and English. But Tise isn’t “visiting” the area. In fact, it’s quite the opposite—he’s been doing double duty in the community as a part-time lecturer and downtown small business owner for seven years. After spending several years in Asia teaching English, Tise brought back his love of teaching to Tech and his savings to open Russellville’s first game store, Studio Games. Studio Games is a small space with game tables in the middle and merchandise lining the walls. “Games” doesn’t refer to video games, like one might assume in today’s age. No, Tise only sells board and card games. Examples of games include “Magic the Gathering,” “Card
Fight Vanguard,” “Force of Will” and other games one could be forgiven for not recognizing. These cards games are a niche interest with a small but dedicated group of players.
Tise had been a lifelong gamer, but he only began his studies in Japanese during his last year of a fine arts undergraduate degree at Tech. “One of my friends talked me into taking Japanese; I took Japanese just to fill in a spot on my schedule,” he said. “I never thought I'd be taking Japanese.” Tise ended up loving the study of Japanese and saw it as a break from his rigorous senior level course load in fine arts. The graduate assistant teaching the course had been an exchange student from Komazawa, Japan, and convinced Tise to be the first exchange student from Tech to go to Komazawa. Tise spent the next year beginning his master’s degree in liberal arts and preparing to go overseas. After arriving in Japan, he began his studies at Komazawa University while looking for part-time work.
“Tokyo’s expensive, and I was needing a part-time job, so I started working for a language school teaching English,” he said. After coming back from his exchange program in Japan, Tise toyed with the idea of getting a certificate from Tech in TESOL, teaching English as a second language, but he decided against it, opting instead to wrap up his education and enter the workforce. Tise would then go to Taiwan for four years to teach at another English language school. “Throughout school, I was always an avid gamer,” he said. “In Japan, I helped them set up one of the game stores I hung out at. I helped them set up some of the games from Europe and stuff like that.” Tise spent the first two years of work in Taiwan paying off his student loan debt. An ailing father and a life reassessment led him to begin saving to open a game shop of his own, back in the states near his family. Tise had saved $18,000 by the time he returned to start a shop of his own. The first few years had their hiccups—his first and second locations had serious issues with the buildings, which led him to his third and current location at 312 West B Street. The economy tanked shortly after he opened his doors, but his business held on. The key for Tise was networking, something he admits isn’t his strongest skill. The community in a small town game shop is everything. The only other shops in Arkansas are in Conway, Fayetteville and Little Rock, all of which are much bigger markets than Russellville. He said word of mouth is key, as most small businesses will tell you. Currently, Tise is the sole employee working at the shop during the 45 hours a week it’s open. Between the shop and his work at Tech, he estimates he works a minimum of 60 hours every week.
SAM HOISINGTON/THE ARKA TECH Studio Games is a small space downtown where Tise sells board games and card games.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2015
He hopes to be able to hire a part-time employee this coming year, and looks to break into several new niche markets in the coming years.
Sports | PAGE 7
Tech defeats Harding, accepts C.H.A.M.P.S. bid MATTHEW EMERY Sports Writer
The Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys earned a trip to play in the C.H.A.M.P.S. Heart of Texas Bowl after a 27-24 win over Great American Conference rival Harding on Saturday. Tech will play Lone Star Conference member Eastern New Mexico at 6 p.m. on Dec. 5 in Copperas Cove for its first postseason appearance since 2009. The Wonder Boys found the game and season winding to a close when they were down 24-10 at the start of the fourth quarter against Harding. However, Arkansas Tech rallied back with 17 unanswered points, led by senior quarterback Arsenio Favor, who threw for 182 yards. The game was a back-and-forth battle of defenses early on. Harding was able to score the lone points of the first quarter, a kick that would put the Wonder Boys behind 3-0. Tech was able to get ahead briefly with 9:33 left in second quarter on a rush by Favor that saw him stripped in the end zone, but the ball was recovered by sophomore offensive tackle Stephen Watson for the touchdown. However, Harding would answer right back with a pair of touchdowns to send the Wonder Boys into halftime trailing 17-7. Following halftime, sophomore kicker Eric Perez sailed one through the uprights from 40-yards out to cut the margin to 17-10. Harding would keep its foot on the gas though, as it stretched the lead to 24-10 with 9:10 left to play in the third quarter.
On its opening drive of the fourth quarter, Harding appeared to be putting the finishing touches on the game, as they had gotten the ball to the 6-yard line.
A sack and false start backed Harding up to the 24-yard line and forced the team to go for the field goal. A wild snap was picked up by junior linebacker Nick Akins, who returned it 67 yards for a touchdown to cut the deficit to 24-17. After a three-and-out by Harding, Perez was able to drill his second field goal of the day, this one from 36-yards out, which cut the lead to 24-20 with 6:38 remaining. With 4:11 left in the game, the Wonder Boys began a huge drive that saw Favor complete a fourth-and-12 pass to senior receiver Jermaine Murdock, which set Tech up with a new set of downs at the 4-yard line. It was freshman running back Bryan Allen who powered in for the Wonder Boys with only 1:26 remaining in the game to give Tech the victory.
MATTHEW EMERY/THE ARKA TECH The Wonder Boys celebrate their victory.
Junior defensive lineman Bruce Livingston and senior linebacker Logan Genz both led the Tech defense with 13 stops. Livingston also racked up a sack in the effort. On ending the regular season in such a dramatic fashion, Favor said, “It means a lot. What a way to put an end to this season. You can write out a story in a better way.” Genz added, ”We had things fall in our favor at the end, and we took advantage of them.”
During the postgame huddle at midfield, an emotional head coach Raymond Monica addressed his team. “I know Zemaric is looking down with a big smile on his face,” he said. The win makes the Wonder Boys 8-3, which makes them tied for second place in the conference with Southwestern Oklahoma. The eight wins and second place finish is the highest Tech has achieved since joining the GAC in 2011. When asked to sum up the 2015 Wonder Boys football season in one word, Genz simply said “amazing.”
Suns win by 20 in season opener MATTHEW EMERY Sports Writer
The Arkansas Tech Golden Suns kicked off the 2015-16 basketball season on Saturday with a 82-62 win over Lane. Senior forward Fatima Adams led the way for the Golden Suns, posting 27 points and eight rebounds on the night. Both teams came out of the gates cold, but Lane gained an eventual 1110 lead. Lane would keep this lead for most of the half, up until a layup from Adams that would break a 24-24 tie and surge the Golden Suns forward. Following a pair of three pointers by junior guard Tierani Richardson, the Golden Suns went into halftime with
a 34-31 lead.
Halftime proved useful for Tech, as they opened up the second half with 10 straight points, seven by way of Adams. Junior forward Danielle Frachiseur netted a bucket that would extend the Tech lead to double digits. The Golden Suns would not look back, leading by at least 11 points for the remainder of the game. The Golden Suns shot .320 from behind the arc, led by Richardson and junior guard Calli White, who netted three a piece from deep. The Golden Suns will hit the road on Thursday when they open Great American Conference play against Southwestern Oklahoma. Tip off is at 5:30 p.m.
MATTHEW EMERY/THE ARKA TECH Aujana Dawkins gets ready to shoot a free throw.
Wonder Boys split first two games MATTHEW EMERY Sports Writer
The Arkansas Tech Wonders Boys basketball team began their 2015-16 campaign splitting a pair of games, with a win against Northern State on Friday, and a loss on Saturday against Minnesota State Moorhead. The Wonder Boys first games of the season went to the final buzzer, prevailing against Northern State 81-80 and falling to Minnesota State Moorhead 80-78 in overtime. Freddy Lee, a redshirt freshman guard, netted a game-winning layup with only 2.3 seconds left in the opening game. The Wonder Boys fell behind early, going down by 12 with
14:23 left in the first half. But with 6:45 remaining, Tech found itself back in the game thanks to a 15-5 run to give them a 26-25 advantage. Northern State wouldn’t back down, as they managed to answer right back and go into halftime with a 40-35 lead.
With 8:18 left in the game, Tech found itself down by 12 again. Tech rallied for an 11-0 run to put them right back into it 66-64 with 5:23 left to play. Shortly after, the Wonder Boys were able to tie the game at 69, thanks to a fast break layup by senior guard Bryson Fletcher. Two successful free throws from Lee with 47 seconds left put the Wonder Boys in to position to end it dramatically. The dramatics would carry
over to Saturday during the game with Minnesota State Moorhead, which the Wonder Boys dropped in overtime.
The Wonder Boys were down by 10 with 1:24 left in the game, and managed to finish on a 13-3 run to force the game into overtime. Junior guard Marquis Yates scored all 13 of those points, as he posted a 30-point effort. In overtime, the Wonder Boys found themselves on the other side of the coin, as Minnesota State Moorhead was able to net a game-winning layup just as time expired. The Wonder Boys will return to action Thursday, as they travel to face Southwestern Oklahoma in Great American Conference play. Tip is at 7:30 p.m.
MATTHEW EMERY/THE ARKA TECH The Wonder Boys return to action on Thursday.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2015
PAGE 8 | Campus
The Golden Girls put on a show during halftime of Saturday's game against Harding.
Half Time at Tech
The Band of Distinction takes the field with extra help.
The Band of Distinction stands ready.
The trumpet players hold the front line.
Laura Ridgeway twirls her baton.
Photos By: Matthew Emery The band stands in formation.
The band takes formation.
Carey Brent James plays an '80s ballad on keyboard.
High school band members from neighboring areas on the field.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2015
The trumpet players with instruments ready.