Issue 10 vol 92

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THE

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 2 , 2 0 1 5 • V O L . 9 2 N O . 0 9

VP for Academic Affairs candidates announced

Candidates from left to right: Dr. James Ermatinger, Dr. Mohamed Abdelrahman and Dr. Russell Porter.

SUBMITTED/THE ARKA TECH

in a place very similar to Arkansas Tech, so I understand the challenges that face the faculty, the students and the administrators very well,” Abdelrahman said.

“The first things I'd do is listen, listen, listen,” Porter said. “‘I love to teach, I love to do research, but I'm what's called a servant leader, and that’s a big part of my philosophy.”

Dr. James Ermatinger is the dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Illinois at Springfield.

Abdelrahman is a former Fulbright scholar and obtained a Ph.D in nuclear science and engineering from Idaho State University before spending 13 years as a professor at Tennessee Technological University, something he says will be a major asset if selected.

Dr. Russell Porter has earned two doctoral degrees, a Ph.D in health service organizations and research from Virginia Commonwealth University and an Ed.D in higher education from the University of North Texas. After obtaining his doctorates, Porter worked for the Virginia Board of Medicine, the United States Community College of the Air Force and four universities before joining the administration at Texas A&M University Central Texas, where he serves as associate provost and associate vice president for graduate studies and research.

“Even though I did not have direct contact with Arkansas Tech, I have had a career that started

Porter lined out what his first priority would be if selected for the position.

SAM HOISINGTON

Web Master

Arkansas Tech recently announced three finalists for the position of vice president of academic affairs. All are currently employed in senior level positions at various universities.

Dr. Mohamed Abdelrahman is the associate vice president for research and graduate studies at Texas A&M University-Kingsville.

Ermatinger has a Ph.D in history from Indiana University at Bloomington. Ermatinger held faculty positions at three Midwestern universities before becoming the dean of the College of Liberal Arts at Bloomsburg University. After Bloomsburg, Ermatinger joined the administration of the University of Illinois at Springfield, where he has served in multiple roles.

Ermatinger could not be reached for comment.

(see VP page 4)

Service organization News briefs reflects on first year SIERRA MURPHY

News Writer

From analyzing to acting, an Arkansas Tech service organization continues to grow and give back.

Tech’s Because We Can (BWC) is about to celebrate its first year as an official on-campus organization, and in

doing so, it’s begun to look back on all it has accomplished.

was the toy drive; it was very spur of the moment.”

second toy drive.

“We formed Because We Can with the intent of just helping society,” said Kendall Tubb, a junior psychology and sociology major from Little Rock. “As time went by, we started to focus. Our first project

The Christmas toy drive, which brought in $4,200 in toys, books, clothes and food for foster children in Pope County, was the first event put on by the organization.

Now, a year later, BWC plans on hosting a (see BWC page 4)

“This year we’re hoping to expand from two weeks to a month and hopefully raise double what we did last year,” said Kaylynn Newhard, a graduate applied sociology student from Russellville.

“We’re

Allies for Inclusion educates students

AMBER QUAID

Managing Editor

One billion people worldwide live with a disability, according to the World Health Organization.

The inclusion of and respect for people with disabilities, comfort during social interactions and overall awareness of disability

issues were points of focus at The Ability Exhibit, hosted by the Department of Diversity and Inclusion on Nov. 5 in the Young Ballroom.

“I love that Tech gave this opportunity for students to come and see this exhibit,” said Malia Hernandez, a freshman rehabilitation

sciences major from Van Buren.

The exhibit was developed by Saint Louis University graduate students in a disability in higher education and society course. Using a selfguided, multimedia approach, the exhibit uses ten interactive stations designed to

build awareness about people with disabilities to encourage students to become a disability ally and educator.

The Person-First Language Station promotes the person first, then the disability.

Using this methodology allows students to show respect and avoid labels.

(see ALLY page 4)

Antonio Neves, an award-winning journalist and internationally recognized speaker will be giving a seminar 6-7 p.m. on Thursday in the Doc Bryan Lecture Hall. Neves will be discussing how to #BeLessAwkward.

The Golden Suns volleyball team will take on Great American Conference opponent Ouachita Baptist University at 6 p.m. on Thursday in Tucker Coliseum.

To show support for sexual assault awareness, join the Tech community from 6:30-8 p.m. on Thursday at the Hindsman Tower. There will be food, giveaways and Jerry the Bulldog.

The Wonder Boys basketball team will play against Minnesota State-Moorhead at 7 p.m. on Saturday in Tucker Coliseum.

International and Multicultural Students Services Office will host a fashion show from noon-1 p.m. on Monday at Doc’s Place in Doc Bryan. Students will have a chance to see traditional clothing from around the world. Also on Monday, enjoy singing, dancing and food from the Indian culture with IMSSO at Doc’s Place from 6-8 p.m.

To learn more about other cultures and meet new people, join IMSSO from noon-1 p.m. on Wednesday in Baz-Tech for Global Connect.

The program pairs an American student with an international student for a mentor style program. For more information, visit http://www.atu.edu/imsso/globalconnectform.php.

Join the Health and Wellness Center from 3-4 p.m. on Wednesday in Baz-Tech for an STD and pregnancy prevention program.

PAGE 2 | Opinion

Transmission line worth the cost Editorial: ed·i·to·ri·al

[ed-i-tawr-ee-uhl, -tohr-] noun: An article that represents the official viewpoint of a newspaper on a topic of public interest.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued its final environmental impact statement last Wednesday concerning the construction of a $2 billion, 700-mile transmission line that would send wind energy from the Oklahoma panhandle into Arkansas and a handful of other states.

The DOE cited no widespread significant impacts from either the construction of or required maintenance on the proposed Plains and Eastern Clean Line Transmission Project, but groups like Golden Bridge, Block Plains & Eastern Clean Line and Arkansas Citizens Against Plains & Eastern Clean Line have all joined forces to oppose the project.

These groups are primarily headed by lawyers seeking to profit off landowners who think they’re getting gypped by the billionaire

company assigning land loss to progress. Landowners would be devastated by legal fees put toward an unwinnable cause. The land won’t be lost, it’ll be used.

While it’s true some landowners will lose strips of their property— though they’ll be compensated quite well for any land occupied by the transmission line—this minor inconvenience is necessary for the larger welfare of our state, and Pope County, too.

The DOE’s statement also mentioned the locales of possible convertor stations, where the wind energy will be transferred into clean energy capable of powering homes.

If the project comes to fruition, this station would be built in Pope County.

This station alone would bring power to more than 160,000

Arkansas’ homes and more than 1 million homes total, but more importantly, it would serve as a direct $100 million investment in our state, the focus of which would be located in our county.

If the nation’s DOE says the environmental impact doesn’t amount to much—certainly not as much as U.S.’s crippling dependence on coal and foreign oil—then it doesn’t make sense for our state to drag its feet giving approval to the project.

Promptly after the DOE’s statement, the Arkansas congressional delegation released a statement of its own asking the DOE to slow down its review process in an attempt to forestall the inevitable construction, which would only be reasonable if there were concerns about the environmental or socioeconomic impact of such a project.

The facts are quite the opposite, though. Aside from reducing carbon dioxide pollutants by millions of tons, the transmission line would create thousands of construction

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and hundreds of maintenance jobs in our state, bolstering economic development where it’s needed most.

Arkansas is also home to manufacturing plants owned by General Cable, LM Windpower and Bekaert Steel, all of which produce materials vital in making wind turbines.

The project will undoubtedly create an increased demand for these materials to build new turbines in the Oklahoma panhandle, thus growing these Arkansas’ plants and offering opportunities for more jobs.

Additional tax revenues for the state and more specifically Pope County would allow money to be spent improving schools and other long-term funding ventures.

The benefits cannot be ignored. In a state and county where the jobs, money and clean energy are needed, the Plains and Eastern Clean Line Transmission Project is the most logical and efficient source of energy for our future.

eWaste Recycling Drive November 14th | 8 am - 2 pm

Tucker Coliseum Parking Lot Accepted Items

Not Accepted

Computers

Appliances containing freon

Printers

Appliances containing gasoline

Digital Cameras Stereos/AV Equipment Cell Phones/Telephones

Televisions accepted with

$10 donation

VCR/DVD/CD Players Microwaves Vacuum Cleaners

In partnership with

Support Enactus ATU, Green and Gold Give Back, Campus Environmental Coalition

It’s Legal. It’s Safe. It’s Anonymous.

Safe Haven is a law designed to protect babies.

What is Safe Haven? In Arkansas, the Safe Haven law allows a parent to give up a newborn anonymously. The purpose of Safe Haven is to prevent babies from being hurt or killed by unsafe abandonment. Unsafely abandoning a baby puts the newborn in extreme danger that can result in the baby’s death. It also is illegal, with severe consequences.

There is an option. Don’t abandon your baby.

1-888-510-BABY 2 2 2 9 w w w. a r k a n s a s s a f e h a v e n . o r g www.HumanServices.Arkansas.gov | Division of Children and Family Services

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2015

Opinion | PAGE 3

MAN ON THE STREET

Reawaken your imagination

Have you noticed any skunks on campus recently?

“One sprayed outside my dorm last week.”

Trip Suyter Freshman Mechanical engineering Paris, AR

“I was looking outside and I saw a guy who looked freaked out...then he walks away really fast and I see a little skunk jump off a rail.”

Surani Anpukuttan Freshman Management and Marketing Russellville

“I smell the smell everywhere.”

Moriah Theriault Sophomore

www.flickr.com/photos/mbryan CLAUDIA HALL Managing Editor There was a time when the only technology I owned was a Walkman. I spent my days reading and exploring, and the only thing that mattered was what my mom was making for dinner that night.

Every swing was an opportunity to fly into space; every hill was a chance to climb Mount Everest.

I thought we all eventually had to grow up and lose that child-like wonder. But it’s not because we grow up; it’s because we let ourselves be so consumed by our daily lives that we put our imaginations on the back burner.

My lack of imagination has mostly been caused by technology. It’s consumed my life. I spend more time at my desk on my iMac and on my couch watching Netflix than with my friends.

When watching Netflix, I will simultaneously be on my phone, scrolling through Facebook or playing a mindless game. I claim I don’t have time to read, yet I spend countless hours on my phone.

Psychology

I don’t let myself have time to rest from the world.

Russellville

But lately, I’ve been turning off my technology

and spending more time with friends. At first, it took a lot of work to not look at my phone.

It was a habit to check my newsfeed or email every few minutes and make sure I didn’t miss anything.

Little by little, it’s gotten easier. When I’m alone, sure, I use my phone quite a bit. I’m still working on that. But I’ve found a sense of freedom I didn’t have before. It’s like a weight has been lifted off my chest.

I’m more perceptive to the world around me, but in a completely new way. I don’t see people as they are defined on social media. Instead, I see someone who is letting their imagination go on the back burner as well. It’s been really fun to bring out the child in other adults like myself.

I’ve been finding the joy in the little things, like going out of my way to jump into puddles to splash my friends. I make masks out of tortillas and laugh way too hard. I’ve finally remembered life isn’t meant to be stressful all the time.

People may look at me like I’m crazy, and maybe I am. But I’m definitely having the most fun out of the group.

Today, I challenge you to put away your phone and responsibilities for a little while. Experience life like you used to.

Bob Ross: the eternal optimist MATTHEW EMERY Sports Writer

“I haven’t seen them, but I’ve smelled them.

I have seen possums.”

Lindsey Greenup Sophomore Middle Level Education Mt. Vernon

Since Oct. 29, the online streaming service Twitch TV has held a marathon broadcasting every episode of the classic TV series, “The Joy of Painting,” with Bob Ross.

The online streaming service kicked off a brand new series called “Twitch Creative,” where people can broadcast themselves doing various crafting activities.

This marathon is the service’s way to celebrate the launch.

“I’ve seen cats around Corley?”

Jonathon Malagon Sophomore Mechanical Engineering Paris

“I’ve seen one fat one on campus…”

Freddy Lee Sophomore Physical Education Clarksville

Perhaps the most entertaining part of the marathon is the live chat room, full of viewers from all around the world watching along with you.

According to a blog post by Twitch earlier this year, its primary demographic is within the 18-24 age range.

My generation missed out on seeing the show as it aired; I vaguely remember it as a child.

I’ve always seen references and allusions to it, but not the show itself.

I think this says a lot to the success of the stream.

video games, music and so on.

“The Joy of Painting” has allowed us to try something different, something peaceful, even if we never care to pick up a paint brush.

The marathon is set to end once the final episode is aired, but a social media movement has already begun in efforts to convince Twitch TV to keep streaming the series.

It speaks to how willing we are to latch onto something with a wholly positive message, which is few and far between in society today.

I don’t know if I’ll always remember Ross’ message, or if it has changed my life. But I do know that it has helped me get through this week stress free, which is all I can ask for.

We are a generation surrounded by loud, violent action almost nonstop from television, film,

In the words of Ross, “Happy painting, and God bless, my friends.”

The stream has logged more than 3 million unique viewers and averaged around 50,000 viewers concurrently. I’ve seen it top out at over 80,000.

I have very little knowledge of art. I’ve never aspired to be a painter, and I’m sure I’m not the only one in the 50,000 who isn’t an art student. So why are we so hypnotized by Ross’ teaching?

Ross was known for his positivity.

In each episode of his show, the same positive theme pops up, and he often repeats himself: “There are no mistakes, just happy accidents.”

Ross also insists on giving everything a “friend.” There’s never a tree or bush by itself, it always needs a friend.

en.wikipedia.org

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2015

PAGE 4 | News

Tech alum reads from her new book AMBER APPLEBY

Contributing Writer

Arkansas Tech University alumna Brooke Johnson gave a first reading of her recently published book, “The Brass Giant,” last Thursday in Witherspoon Hall.

Johnson graduated from Tech in 2010 with a degree in creative writing. During her time at Tech, Johnson was editor of the university literary magazine, “Nebo.”

Johnson’s “The Brass Giant” is a Victorian steampunk novel. The story follows 17-year-old Petra

(VP from page 1 ) There were 48 applicants for the position, including two internal candidates. The selected finalists will visit Arkansas Tech to meet with faculty, staff and students. Details of the candidates' visits can be found

(ALLY from page 1) respect and avoid labels.

“Language: The things that we say every day, just realizing what you say and how it affects someone, was really the most impactful for me,” Becky Gray, director of Health Services, said.

The Quiz Yourself Station had an "Ability IQ," which used computer quizzes to test a student’s knowledge about disability facts, celebrities with disabilities, disability law and appropriate communication techniques.

Another station was the Space Rope Station. By having students hold onto one end of the Space Rope, they experienced the communication distances used by people who are blind and have low vision. Knots on the Space Rope indicate the distance between two people. When used in pairs, the Space Rope

Wade. Petra is a talented, self-taught clockwork engineer. However, being a girl keeps Petra from joining the guild and becoming a real clockwork engineer as she has always dreamed.

When Petra meets Emmerich Goss, he does not tease or belittle her like everyone else. When Emmerich asks for Petra’s help in building a top-secret automaton, how can Petra refuse, even if it means getting caught will result in Emmerich being marked for treason, and a fate far worse for Petra?

Johnson said she fell in love with the steampunk genre after reading at http://www.arkansastechnews. co m/un ive r s i t y / m e e t - t h e - v p for-academic-affairs-finalists/ The position of vice president of academic affairs was vacated by Dr. John W. Watson late last year and is held in the interim by Dr. AJ Anglin.

helped simulate the appropriate distance between two individuals for public or personal space.

The Who Do You Know with Disabilities Station allowed students to indicate if they knew someone with a disability, which gave them the opportunity to notice how many people, including themselves, are already disability allies.

The exhibit also brought forth many statistics about learning disabilities because they are often "silent" or "hidden" disabilities that affect millions of people and often get overlooked. Many of the facts emphasized the importance of not only educating the public about people with disabilities but the disability movement as a whole in the United States.

“Its something everyone can benefit from no

matter how much you think you know about disabilities,” said Kristy Davis, associate dean for Student Wellness and a sponsor for the event.

Evolving from a class project into a traveling exhibit, Allies for Inclusion: The Ability Exhibit debuted at Saint Louis University on October 27, 2010. The Ability Exhibit received national recognition at the 2011 ACPA College Student Educators International Convention and has toured colleges throughout the United States ever since.

For more information about the exhibit, go online to www.slu.edu/ school-of-educationhome/allies-forinclusion-the-abilityexhibit or email the Ability Institute’s assistant director, Alisha Abbott, at aabbott@slu.edu. For more information about Diversity and Inclusion, go online to www.atu. edu/diversity/.

Use it or Lose it!

Johnson was not really looking to read a mixed genre steampunk, so she wrote her own steampunk novel.

“I wrote the book I wanted to read but couldn’t find,” she said.

Currently, the sequel to “The Brass Giant” is in the process of being edited. The sequel was actually a surprise to Johnson.

“I intended for it to be one and

(BWC from page 1) handing out flyers, and there will be a box set up in the Behavioral Sciences Department, Witherspoon 346, to drop off toys.”

The toy drive will run from Nov. 8-Dec. 8, but the group will have more work to keep it going well into the spring semester.

“We have five separate projects going right now,” said Sean Huss, associate professor of sociology and adviser to BWC. While this may seem intense for the group, that’s one of its founding principles.

“They came to me and said what they wanted to do was make a difference and be a hub for other different groups that wanted to be involved in activities,” Huss said.

“And that’s kind of what they’ve become. If you need to mobilize a volunteer force or raise a social issue or something, a lot of times people will come to Because We Can, and then we’ll work out how we can help.”

Jenna Cahoon, a senior psychology and sociology major from Yellville, echoes Huss’ sentiment.

“We’re structured as a group that if someone has a particular issue they’re interested in, we will facilitate in any way possible to raise awareness or help,” Cahoon said.

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Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld.

However, she said many steampunk novels were mixed with other genres, such as fantasy.

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done,” she said.

It did not work out that way. After nearly completing “The Brass Giant,” Johnson knew she would need a sequel.

After the sequel is completed, Johnson will probably go back to writing fantasy.

“I don’t want to limit myself to just one genre,” she said. “I may come back to steampunk after I’ve written some fantasy.”

The Brass Giant can be found at Barnes and Noble, on Amazon, Google play or iBooks.

One of the organization’s latest partnerships has involved establishing a food recovery program for Tech.

“Last year I went to a round table discussion with Dr. Bowen, and one of the students asked her what was something she’d like to see on campus,” said Lauren Palmer, a senior psychology and sociology major from Alma, in a video. “She mentioned a food recovery program.

The following semester, I went to a couple advisers I knew, and right away they knew this was something we could make happen.”

Her initial contact sparked a weekend trip, a months’ long organization process, and now the reception of a $6,000 grant that will fund the beginnings of the recovery program.

"We're super excited to win [the grant],” Tubb said. “Not only do we have the money to start the food recovery program, but we have enough to start setting aside for the food pantry next semester. We are geared up to start our next step, which us starting the food recovery program. Now we will begin more networking and grant writing. We feel like this has been a success. The Tech family has come together and made a difference—that shows true ATU grit."

The

food

recovery

process includes partnering with Chartwells and eventually bringing in student, faculty and staff volunteers to deliver the food to local food banks, missions and shelters.

“It’s been fun and interesting to watch this all happen because it just started out as an idea, and now we’re actually doing something,” Palmer said.

Aside from the Chartwells partnership, Dr. James Stobaugh, assistant professor of sociology, has also come on board to begin advising the group.

“Going from not existing to what they’ve done in one year has been amazing,” Stobaugh said. “Now they’re sitting down and eating with the mayor and the president.

They’re getting noticed, and they’re getting invited to the table for these things because people know that they care, they’re responsible and they follow through.”

While BWC is notorious for facilitating, they can’t do so without the help of Tech and the Russellville community.

“Because We Can is for students, grad students, faculty; it’s for everyone on campus,” Cahoon said.

Those interested in working with Because We Can are encouraged to contact them on Facebook at Because We Can, and on Twitter at Because We Can ATU.

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 adviser for pricing of multiple copies.

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

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2015

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THE

ARKATECH

Campus | PAGE 5

Human Library Photos & story by Jenn Terrell

VI.SUALIZE.US

The Arkansas Tech University Department of Diversity and Inclusion dedicated the week of Nov. 2-8 to highlight diversity. An interesting part of Tech’s inaugural Diversity and Inclusion Week was a three-day Human Library series.

The idea behind this event was that students could “check out” a real person by talking to them and learning their story as if they were checking out a book at the library. Each speaker told their story for 30 minutes and allowed 10 minutes for questions.

Barbara Lackey "Four blacks at Tech"

The human library concept originated in Demark and spread to several countries around the world.

The project was presented by the Ross Pendergraft Library and the Department of Diversity and Inclusion.

afraid for her safety.

She began her college career in Fayetteville. Her advisor told her she should have never come to school there, saying she should have gone to an all-black college and suggested she was inferior to whites.

Lackey spoke about this experience: “Somebody in authority, you believe what they tell you. So I thought, ‘Well, I am dumb, and I shouldn’t be here because that’s what she told me.’” She soon transferred to Tech and got to know her new advisor.

Lackey was asked when exactly she stopped feeling inferior.

She replied, “I’m not sure I ever did. I think it was after I came to Tech and became acquainted with Dr. P.K. Merrill, my adviser at the time.

He never said, ‘Barbara, you are just as good as anybody else.’ It was just the way he treated me.”

Barbara went on to have a successful life in social work.

Lackey was one of the first African Americans to attend college at Tech. She was born in Russellville and went to Horace Mann High School in Little Rock, eventually graduating from Tech.

She grew up while segregation was still happening in some places.

In fact, she could have been one of the alternates for the Little Rock Nine, but her parents wouldn’t let her go because they were

Bshaer Alharazi "My disability doesn't define my ability"

“We always say that I am going to go out and vote because of those who gave up so much so for me so that I could have this opportunity. I would like to say to the kids now, study and do the best that you can or a little better than you can because a lot was lost in order for you to get where you are today.”

-Barbara Lackey

would ask her questions like, “Do you know this man?” and point to her father because they thought she was mentally disabled. Later doctors were very surprised to find that she was normal mentally and only had problems in her feet.

Alharazi did not know she was disabled until she saw herself in a video when she was twelve years old. This was when she noticed she walked differently.

A turning point in Alharazi’s life was receiving a scholarship to Tech.

She finished her bachelor’s degree in public relations with a 3.88 GPA and is now studying to obtain her master’s degree in multimedia journalism.

When she first arrived at Tech, she went to Disability Services, and the department was concerned she wouldn’t be able to make it around campus. There were no buses for the disabled.

Alharazi spoke about that day: “I didn’t know what to do. I thought if I have faith, I can do it, and I am here, studying my master’s. I like to challenge myself, so I just do it.”

She found taxis helpful for getting around and soon had friends who were willing to give her rides.

“I think I am not different from anyone. The only problem for me is a hard time walking.”

Alharazi is from Saudi Arabia and has cerebral palsy. She spoke about dealing with her disability while living so far from home and her family.

When she was very young doctors thought she would have mental problems. Every time she would talk to doctors in Saudi Arabia they

Zach Stone "Zach the deaf trans"

“I am a normal person. Everyone has challenges. I am the same. The big message I want to leave today is have faith.

Since you have faith, you can do anything.”

-Bshaer Alharazi

the stairs. He was diagnosed with hearing loss at 16.5 months old.

When Stone was almost 9-years-old, he received a colloquial implant, or a hearing device. This device allowed Stone to hear and even learn how to speak.

“It was hard work learning to listen and speak, but my parents didn’t give up.”

When Stone started the eighth grade, he started to have a crush on a girl. Once he entered his freshman year of high school, he dressed in boy clothes and had short hair. Later on in high school, he dressed more like a man and acted more like one as well. Then a friend asked if he was transgender.

Zach started his life as a girl and made the transformation to the man pictured above with his mother, Jeannie Stone, who is an English lecturer at Tech,. As a baby, Stone’s mother noticed he made noises like other babies, but he wasn’t forming words when he was supposed to. She did a number of tests to try to find the problem.

She decided it was his hearing when she caught him watching for his reflection in the window so he could hear himself coming down

He went home and researched it and found it meant a female or male is trapped in the wrong body, and so they assume different gender roles. This explained Stone’s feelings. He soon after came out as transgender to some of his family and select friends. In college, he took on the name Zach is now one year and five months on testosterone. Testosterone makes him speak low, grow more hair, grow muscles and look manlier than he was before.

“The reason why it took me [so] long to discover the word transgender is because I was busy focusing and trying to catch up with my deafness first.”

-Zach Stone

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2015

PAGE 6 | Features

Tech's playoff chance

MATTHEW EMERY Sports Writer

The Wonder Boys’ season started long before they took the field, with the death of Zemaric Holt, a sophomore defensive lineman for Tech.

The emotional toll this took on the team, coupled with mediocre preseason polling, made the Wonder Boys season look as if it’d be a long one.

However, the Wonder Boys found themselves subject to national news everywhere after their first game.

In tribute to their fallen teammate, the Wonder Boys began the first play of the season with only 10 players on defense and returned a fumble for a touchdown.

They wouldn’t stop there.

The Wonder Boys found their groove and put together the best start to a season since the 2005 season.

With only one game left in the season, the Wonder Boys have already set their highest win total since joining the Great American Conference during its inaugural 2011 season, but they are in prime position to do more and make this season even more memorable.

This Saturday’s game against Harding may not be the last game the Wonder Boys play this year. Tech broke into the Super Regions poll last week ranked ninth in Super Region Three.

Super Region Three is comprised of 46 teams from the GAC, MidAmerica Intercollegiate Athletic Association, Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and Great Northwest Athletic Conference.

The top seven teams in each of the four Super Regions advance to the NCAA Division II Championship Tournament.

The Wonder Boys have made it to the national playoff five times, the last appearance being in 2009, when they were eliminated in the second round.

“We’ve never made it past the second round; we want to go further,” senior quarterback Arsenio Favor said.

The loss on Saturday complicates things for Tech, but a win against Harding, who is currently tied with Tech for second in the GAC, would certainly boost the Wonder Boys’ chances of making the playoff.

While the recent loss complicates things, the Wonder Boys push on.

MATTHEW EMERY/THE ARKA TECH The Wonder Boys will host Harding this Saturday at 2 pm.

“We've never made it past the second round; we want to go further.”

-Arsenio Favor

MATTHEW EMERY/THE ARKA TECH

Solutions to this week's puzzles will be featured in the next issue of The Arka Tech.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2015

Sports | PAGE 7

Loss puts Tech in four-way tie MATTHEW EMERY Sports Writer

Despite having more first downs, total yards and almost ten more minutes of possession, the Wonder Boys suffered their first home loss of the season in a 28-14 loss against Southwestern Oklahoma.

Both teams came out of the gate slowly, resulting in a scoreless first quarter. However, Southwestern was able to break the silence with a 12-yard touchdown pass with 10:29 left in the second quarter.

On the ensuing Tech drive, senior quarterback Arsenio Favor was picked off at the Bulldogs 13-yard-line. This led to the second score of the game and put Southwestern up 14-0 with 7:46 left to play in the first half.

The Wonder Boys were finally able to get it rolling after a 12-play, 70yard drive that resulted in the first Tech score of the game by way of Favor squeezing in for the 1-yard touchdown rush.

The

score

would

remain

MATTHEW EMERY/THE ARKA TECH The Wonder Boys will host Harding this Saturday.for Senior Day. uninterrupted until 2:44 left in the third quarter, when Southwestern connected on a huge 54-yard pass to pad the lead to 21-7.

Favor would reach the end zone on another 1-yard touchdown, which moves him to third in the

GAC in scoring.

Southwestern would connect on another big touchdown pass to put the game out of reach for the Wonder Boys.

The loss drops Tech into a four

way tie for second place in the GAC with Harding, Ouachita and Southwestern.

The Wonder Boys will wrap up their season this Saturday against Harding for Senior Day. Kickoff is at 2 p.m.

Golden Suns win 18 straight games KRISTINA EDEN Contributing Writer

Last week, the Golden Suns (245, 14-0 GAC) volleyball team added two more wins to their long list of victories for this season.

Hitting .419 as a team while holding its opponent to just .075, Arkansas Tech earned a road sweep of ArkansasMonticello on Nov. 3 in Great American Conference action.

Tech hit better than .450 in two of the three sets in the 25-14, 25-22, 25-12 victory over the Cotton Blossoms (916, 1-12 GAC) to pick up its 17th- consecutive victory of the season and 25th- straight win in GAC play dating back to last season.

Freshman Hunter Eshnaur led the attack with 13 kills on .440 hitting, while senior Katie Huff also reached double figures with 11 kills on .529 hitting.

Sophomore McCall Wilkins turned in seven kills while hitting .500, and senior Kaci Jackson reached the .500 mark as well with six kills to go along with six digs.

“We played really well on both sides of the ball today,” head coach Kristy Bayer said. “I loved our focus heading into the match, and we didn’t let up.”

A sturdy defense and a balanced offensive attack boosted the team to a tough 3-0 sweep of Southern Arkansas on Nov. 5 in Tucker Coliseum, locking up at least a share of the Golden Suns’ second-straight Great American

Conference regular season title.

The Golden Suns collared their 18th-consecutive win on the season and stretched their streak against conference opponents to 26-straight matches.

The sweep came nearly two months after the Muleriders (16-13, 7-7 GAC) were the first of just two GAC teams to take the Suns to a fifth set.

With the win, the Golden Suns are down to their final two matches of the regular season, travelling to Harding Tuesday before hosting Ouachita Baptist for Senior Night on Thursday.

MATTHEW EMERY/THE ARKA TECH The Golden Suns add two more wins.

NFL Week 9 game picks and predictions MELISSA KELLY Contributing Writer

with rookie Todd Gurley in the backfield for St. Louis.

Editor’s note: This article was written before the games mentioned were played.

This game is likely to be a close one with the Rams’ defense ranking at sixth overall and the Vikings at seventh. I pick Minnesota to come out victorious.

Thursday night started week 9 off with a conference matchup between Cleveland and Cincinnati. The Bengals remained undefeated with a 31-10 victory over the Browns. This is the first time in franchise history the Bengals have started a season 7-0.

The Vikings will host the Rams on Sunday.

With Adrian Peterson in the backfield, the Vikings have reestablished their ground game.

Peterson will match up nicely

Green Bay will face undefeated Carolina at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. After falling to Denver and being knocked off the undefeated list, Aaron Rodger and his Packers will be looking to avenge themselves. Carolina will soon know how the Packers felt last week when their winning streak came to an end.

New England has Washington at home—another win for the

Patriots underway.

This week is the Bills’ only home game in a six-week span. Ryan Tannehill and the Dolphins have improved week-to-week, but I still expect to see Buffalo come out on top in the division matchup.

Traveling east, I am taking Philadelphia over Dallas. Sam Bradford seems to be stepping into his role as quarterback and leader of the entire Eagles team.

I don’t think Dallas wins this one with Tony Romo still on the bench.

Oakland travels to Pittsburg to battle in a rivalry that has lasted for more than half a century.

This matchup should be one of

the most interesting games of the season. Oakland finally has a quarterback with weapons and an offensive attack that is relatively threatening.

Pittsburg’s offense has fallen short with the loss of Big Ben. Mike Vick has tried to come in and step up but has struggled in rallying the guys to get the wins.

The Steelers are 4-4, and the Raiders are 4-3.

With the history between these two teams who are notorious for rough, ruthless defenses, this is sure to be a grudge match. I think the Raiders have more to prove than the Steelers and will improve to 5-3.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2015

PAGE 8 | Community

Open mic night

CLAUDIA HALL/THE ARKA TECH Jerrell Credit freestyles to the word "shirt" at the Open Mic Night presented by The Arkansas Tech University Office of Diversity and Inclusion and co-sponsored by the African Amercian Student Association. The event was part of Tech's inaugural Diversity and Inclusion week.

Sandrekkia Morning performs The Struggle.

Micah Washington performs Picture.

Donald "Price the Poet" Price finishes the poem My Anger.

DantĂŠ Barnum from Little Rock laughs at the audience as he finishes Lost in Thought.

David "Mighty the People" Rogers performs the poem Concrete Rose.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2015

Evan Crutchfield performs Other Worlds.