Issue 12 vol 92

ARKATECH THE OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1923

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, J A N . 2 5 , 2 0 1 6 • V O L . 9 2 N O . 1 2

A peace march makes its way across campus on January 18 as part of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations.

SAM HOISINGTON/THE ARKA TECH

Campus march celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day SAM HOISINGTON

Web Editor

The Arkansas Tech campus came together last week to honor the civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. Attendees gathered at the Hindsman Bell Tower on Monday morning for a moment of reflection and meditation

before beginning a peace march to the Young Ballroom, where a ceremony was hosted by the Department of Diversity and Inclusion.

Dr. Marteze Hammonds, associate dean of diversity and inclusion, began the ceremony with a short introductory speech before Malik

Oliver led the attendees in a rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

AD Wallace, a health and physical education major from Wynne, then recited MLK’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech.

“We recite [the speech] in memory of everything that he stood for,”

said Wallace. “We’re still fighting for change.”

After the recitation, Wallace yielded the stage to the United Voices of Praise choir, which was led by Malik Oliver, a sophomore hospitality administration major from Russellville.

Southwestern Oklahoma at 5:30 p.m. in Tucker Coliseum. After the Suns play the Wonder Boys play at 7:30 p.m.

Wellness Zone offers healthier options

The Wonder Boys and Golden Suns play Northwestern Oklahoma Saturday. The girl’s game will begin at 1 p.m. and the boy’s game at 3 p.m. in Tucker Coliseum.

A new year brings new changes for students dining at Chambers cafeteria.

News briefs

Game Day- The Golden Suns will take on

Intramural Sports- Intramural sports registration opens Monday all day on imleagues.com Doubles Billiards - Create 2-person team for men’s or women’s or co-rec team to compete at Beezer’s Pool Hall.

Indoor Volleyball - Men’s, women’s and co-rec teams welcome to join. Game will be played at Hull.

Doubles Racquetball - Create 2-person team for men’s or women’s or co-rec team to play at Hull.

Kickball - Students may create co-rec teams.

Games will be played at the baseball field.

Student Activities Board- Love the Coopers will be showing at 9:30 p.m. in Doc Bryan Lecture Hall. There will be free popcorn and drinks.

when eating in the cafeteria.

ASHLEY PEARSON Staff Writer

If students have a New Year’s Resolution to eat healthier, the new wellness zone may be the place grab a bite to eat. The wellness zone features healthy options that are gluten free. The zone typically offers a main dish and two sides. Some foods that may be found at the zone include Quinoa, cauliflower, and greens.

Senior Kathrine Nunez, sociology and psychology major from Rogers, is a vegan who often has to explore her options

“I feel like the cafeteria is definitely doing some progress; they now have egg free mayo on the condiment aisle which is huge in Arkansas a state known for Tyson the chicken corporation,” said Nunez.

“Even though they have limited options for plant based diet individuals, they do provide some options from time to time, so some is better than none and for that. I thank Arkansas Tech Chambers, and making more options for vegans would be great.”

According to Chartwells, the food service provider for

Other changes include two relocations.

The smoothie station, located near the pizza, has been moved to the dessert area. During breakfast hours, all options can be found in the main breakfast line.

Visit http://www. dineoncampus.com/ arkansastech/ for more information.

ATU’s debate and forensics team place in tournament

Mocking Jay Part 1 and 2 will play at 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday in Doc Bryan Lecture Hall. Free popcorn, drinks, and candy will be provided.

Art Exhibit- A new art exhibition opens in Norman Art Gallery Wednesday. The gallery will feature Tracings: New Works on Paper by Melissa Gill. There will be a reception with the artist at 2:30 p.m.

Campus Life will host Wen Intent Doesn’t Equal Impact: Healing Relationships in the Wake of Offense from 6-7 p.m. in Doc Bryan Lecture Hall.

This program is designed to assist the campus and individuals in creating an environment with fewer micro-aggressions, hate bias, and other controversial issues. The event is part of On Track: Global Focus.

the university, several students request that there be more macaroni and cheese served.

Chartwells listened and now the requested dish has its own station. Each day at the Twisted Mac zone, located by the pizza station, there will be a different version of macaroni and cheese.

Submitted by UNIVERSITY RELATIONS AMBER QUAID/ THE ARKA TECH

(see DEBATE page 4)

PAGE 2 | Opinion

Editorial: ed·i·to·ri·al

[ed-i-tawr-ee-uhl, -tohr-]

COURTESY OF OFPINK, AMBER QUAID/THE ARKA TECH

noun: An article that represents the official viewpoint of a newspaper on a topic of public interest.

Diversity, educating more than students The Arkansas Tech University campus has seen a change in the last 18 months with the first female president in a public 4-year university in Arkansas and also with the addition of the Diversity and Inclusion Department. Progressing forward and making positive changes to campus, like educating and enhancing awareness of diversity, can only benefit the campus and the surrounding communities to be better than they currently are.

“I believe engaging with individuals from other races prepares students to work in a more global society,” said Dr. Robin Bowen, president of Arkansas Tech University. “Diversity enriches our educational experience as we hear multiple perspectives and that provides us with the opportunity to broaden our understanding of varying views.”

Diversity has been a growing topic on college campuses since the women’s rights movement of the ‘20s and the civil rights movement of the ‘60s. Expanding the dominantly Caucasian male college campuses to include every person qualified to be on campus is all part of the diversity movement. Today, campuses use SATs and other such exam scores to expand diversity.

“As we continue to become a more diverse nation and state, the student population at Arkansas Tech

University has also diversified,” said Dr. Bowen. “In 2004, only 10% of our students were from minority [ethnic] groups. In 2015, 23.9% of our students were from minority [ethnic] groups, up from 22.4% in 2014.”

Diversity, as defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary, is “the state of having people who are different races or who have different cultures in a group or organization.”

Diversity is many different groups of people and many different types of people within those groups. It is not as simple as the color of one’s skin or their gender.

The campus seems to be more diverse than previous years and heading in a direction to improve the quality of the campus for all students. Dr. Bowen seems to be the captain of the diversity ship and has set her sails to move forward.

Dr. Bowen first formed an Equity and Diversity Committee, which focuses on “enriching the lives of all constituents of Arkansas Tech University.” She then created a Department of Diversity and Inclusion, which is lead by Dr. MarTeze Hammonds, associate dean. Hammonds said his department is focused on educating the entire campus so that “each and every student feels apart of the Tech community” and believes “it’s not just the diversity of students but

the diversity of faculty and staff as well.”

The university sponsored a seminar, in March of 2015, for faculty and staff entitled “Strategies in Minority Faculty/ Staff Recruitment.” Dr. Bowen efforts are “a continuing effort on our campus.”

According to Dr. Bowen, “in 2014 there were 22 full-time faculty members who were members of minority groups. That number rose to 27 in June of 2015. From June of 2014 to June 2015, our staff diversity increased from 33 individuals to 45.”

The Tech student population has seen a change in diversity over the last five years, from 18.21% minority in 2010 to a 23.90% minority in 2015 (with concerns of ethnicity).

We do not know if this change is due to Dr. Bowen or other staff members, but we do know that diversity on the college campus is necessary at all levels.

The influx of diversity on a campus should eventually level out and come to a point were we are all just human. The chosen person should be the best person for the job, a qualified applicant for enrollment.

It shouldn’t be about what ethnicity, gender, political preference or any other demographic category one can think of.

Dr. Mohamed Abdelrahman, the newly chosen vice president for academic affairs said, “I guess you do not need fellow countrymen to feel welcomed if the community around you understands that despite the different accents, ideals, ideas and backgrounds, we share a desire to be happy, fulfilled and to make a difference.”

The leaders at Tech seem to have the right mindset to move the campus into a more progressive and educated future to help the students, faculty and staff become the best versions of themselves that they can be.

“Diversity enriches our educational experience as we hear multiple perspectives and that provides us with the opportunity to broaden our understanding of varying views.”

-Dr. Robin Bowen, president of ATU

What tithing means to a college student SAM HOISINGTON

Web Editor

You’re in church, maybe on a Sunday or Wednesday. The offering plate is making its rounds throughout the service. It gets to you.

You have nothing to put in it.

In this moment, it is easy to feel selfconscious, or that someone else might be judging you. Rest assured, the only One whose judgment actually matters will not fault you for this.

In the Old Testament, followers of God were commanded to give 10% of their acquired wealth every year in a process called “tithing.”

This was religious law, and some Christian churches still erroneously teach it today.

The fact of the matter is Christians are no longer held to the practice of tithing since Jesus appeared on the scene. We are compelled, as members of the faith, to simply give from our hearts and to whatever degree we are able to.

What that means to a college student isn’t a black and white matter. No person is qualified to tell another person, especially someone in such a precarious financial position as college often brings about, what their exact contribution to their church or their community will look like.

Here’s what the Bible can tell us about giving: We must give without expectation of acknowledgment.

Matthew 6:3-4 reads, “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

We should not give for the attention. It should never be about us as individuals..

Be cheerful to give, and choose causes that matter to you.

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver,” reads 2 Corinthians 9:7.

It’s easy to get riled up when a pastor is talking about a vision for a new building, program or the like. You alone make the choice of what to give. It is hard to be cheerful about giving to something that you were pressured into.

you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything--all she had to live on.’”

I don’t interpret this to read that we should all literally give until we have no money for daily living – maybe you do interpret it that way – but rather I feel this speaks to the point that our contributions should be significant to us and our standing, and that exact dollar amount aren’t the focus of giving.

We cannot ignore poverty.

Proverbs 28:27 directly reads, “Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.”

This particular verse is as cut and dry as it could be. We have an absolute obligation to help those that live in poverty.

It isn’t about the numbers; it is about the spirit.

Giving doesn’t currency.

Consider the following excerpt, composed of Mark 12:41-44:

Luke 3:11 reads, “John answered, ‘Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.’"

“Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury.

Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell

THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2016

have

to

be

actual

This is a beautiful example of focusing on intent. Maybe you can’t financially assist the needy, but do you have spare food? Do you have spare time? Addressing needs doesn’t always take USD.

Campus | PAGE 3

MAN ON THE STREET Did you have any New Years resolutions?

“Yes. It was to be myself more.

To be open with people about who I am. I identify as transgender and I figured that would help me with coming out and stuff.”

Mordecai Russell Freshman Environmental Geology Russellville, AR

“Eh, no. Cause I already know I am not gonna change.”

Cordarrius Thompson Freshman Mechanical Engineering West Memphis, Arkansas

“No I did not. I’m not really a new years resolution kind of person. Honestly if I want to do something I’m gonna do it now and not wait, cause if I wait then I’m never gonna actually do it.”

Kathryn Hare Sophomore Business Hunt, Arkansas

“I’m gonna say no because everyone says the same thing every year so most likely I’ll just decide not to do one this year.”

My Gulf Coast faith getaway experience MATTHEW EMERY Sports Writer

When people think of Panama City Beach, Florida, often referred to as “The Spring Break Capital of the World,” words like “prayer,” “faith” and “fellowship” are probably the last thing on one’s mind.

However, on Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, Panama City Beach, Florida, transformed.

Gulf Coast Getaway is a yearly event that is designed to bring college students from multiple campus ministries together from all over the nation. During the stay at Edgewater Beach Resort, students come together to worship, learn and grow through guest speakers and musicians.

Arkansas Tech University was represented by the Church of Christ Student Center, or CCSC. The CCSC brought around 70 Arkansas Tech students on a 13hour drive, myself included.

Several of the students had already attended a Gulf Coast Getaway, but this was my first time and I was uncertain of what to expect.

The event had been hyped up to me for months, with friends constantly reminding me of its greatness.

When we arrived, I just wanted to lay down and give my back a rest. Riding 13 hours, packed into a church van is not so good on the vertebra, as it turns out.

Unfortunately for my vertebra, there was business to attend to, as we arrived just in time to put up our luggage and attend the welcome worship.

Once I stepped into the ballroom where worship was being hosted, care for my vertebra took a backseat. In fact, it slipped my mind entirely.

Instead, I immediately felt the power of Gulf Coast Getaway.

Business Management

“Yes. My English is still poor, so I want to improve my English.

Now I cannot watch the English movie without a subtitle so I want to watch the movie with just the listening.”

Yosuke Kitakaze Sophomore Physics Osaka, Japan “Not really because they usually don’t work out.”

Levon Morgan Freshman

If that wasn’t enough to take in, there were over a thousand students. Students from Auburn University, University of Alabama, Louisiana State University, and tons more, with the furthest travelling from Detroit, Michigan.

The students were standing, sitting, dancing, laughing, and for a minute Gulf Coast Getaway began to feel like “The Spring Break Capital of the World” in January.

Then the worship began.

During worship, I caught myself looking around at my fellow CCSC members and a few of the students from LSU that had just introduced themselves to me.

That was when I realized “this is something more, something special.”

We’re college students, we stress about grades, money, food, and everything in between. We come from different places, we have different skin, some of us are poor, some of us are wealthy.

But for that moment in time, we were all one. We left our stresses behind. Race, gender, sexual orientation, money, none of it mattered.

I have never felt closer to a complete stranger in my life, and it is a feeling that I hope everyone can experience.

Accompanying the worships throughout the weekend were “breakout sessions.” These were hour long classes or events that focused on a certain topic. They were scheduled between lunch and dinner, which left me with a moral dilemma on if I should go to class, or enjoy the beach.

I attended all the classes but one, and managed to soak up

some valuable fun in the sun as well.

I come from a farm town of about 1,600, mostly elderly.

Being in a place that beautiful, with so many people uniting for a common cause was extraordinary.

One of the most moving moments I had over the course of the weekend was on Sunday night, just a few hours before we were to leave.

I decided to jump into the hot tub while I waited on some friends. I found the least packed hot tub that I could and joined a group of strangers. The strangers happened to be from University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, of all places.

Maybe it was our common ground in being Christian, or being Arkansan, but we immediately bonded and they invited our group to join them in a prayer. The prayer was a long one, we all went around and prayed aloud.

I don’t remember what we talked about before and after the prayer, I don’t remember what they said their majors were, and I don’t remember what their names were.

I do, however, remember them asking us to join them in prayer and that is a memory that I will never forget.

Panama City Beach, Florida, transformed on Martin Luther King Jr. weekend.

It turned a city that is known for its wild parties into a place of prayer.

It turned people who were drifting away from God into people who have never been more faithful.

And it turned me, someone from a small town who has only been a Christian for a few months into someone who has witnessed fellowship on a massive scale.

NOW SHOWING at picwood

Octavia Russell Sophomore

Little Rock, AR

The ballroom was a beautiful, smoky mess, with lights that flashed just about every color on the spectrum.

Saturday, January 30

Friday, January 29 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi “VIP Recliner” 7 p.m., 10 p.m.

Daddy’s Home “VIP Recliner” 4:50 p.m., 7:10 p.m., 9:30 p Dirty Grandpa “VIP Recliner” 4:50 p.m., 7:15 p.m., 9:45 p.m.

Fifty Shades of Black 4:45 p.m., 7:05 p.m., 9:30 p Kung Fu Panda “VIP Recliner” 4:05 p.m.

Kung Fu Panda 3 7:05 p.m.

Ride Along 2 4:45 p.m., 7:15 p.m., 9:40 p Star Wars: The Force Awakens 4 p.m., 7 p.m., 10 p.m.

The 5th Wave “VIP Recliner” 5 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 10 p.m.

The Boy 4:50 p.m., 7:15 p.m., 9:40 p The Finest Hours 7 p.m., 9:35 p.m.

The Finest Hours 3D 4:10 p.m.

The Revenant 4 p.m., 7:25 p.m.

Kung Fu Panda 3 3D 4:40 p.m., 9:20 p.m.

13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi “VIP Recliner” 1 p.m., 7 p.m., 10 p.m.

Ride Along 2 12:05 p.m., 2:25 p.m., 4:45 p.m., 7:15 p.m., 9:40 p.m.

Daddy’s Home “VIP Recliner” 12:15 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 4:50, 7:10 p.m., 9:30 p.m.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens 1 p.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m., 10 p.m.

Dirty Grandpa “VIP Recliner” 12 p.m., 2:20 p.m., 4:50, 7:15 p.m., 9:45 p.m.

Fifty Shades of Black 12:15 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 4:45 p, 7:05 p.m., 9:30 p.

Kung Fu Panda “VIP Recliner” 4:05 p.m.

The 5th Wave “VIP Recliner” 12 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 5 p.m.

7:30 p.m., 10 p.m.

The Boy 12 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 4:50 p 7:15 p.m., 9:40 p.m.

The Finest Hours 7 p.m., 9:35 p.m.

Kung Fu Panda 3 12 p.m., 2:20 p.m., 7:05p

The Finest Hours 3D 1:05 p.m., 4:10 p.m.

Kung Fu Panda 3 3D 4:40 p.m., 9:20 p.m.

The Revenant 12:30 p.m., 4 p.m., 7:25p

Economics and Finance Little Rock, AR

Matinee (shows before 6pm): Adult Child (ages 3-11) Senior (ages 60 and over)

$6.50 $6.50 $6.50

General Admission:

Adult Child (ages 3-11) Senior (ages 60 and over)

$8.50 $6.50 $6.50

THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2016

PAGE 4 | News

Five debated in tournament

Submitted by UNIVERSITY RELATIONS

Arkansas Tech’s debate and forensics team recently competed in its third tournament of the year, the “State Line Swing” tournament, hosted by John Brown University and the University of Oklahoma.

The Tech debaters competed in four divisions of the International Public Debate Association (IPDA) debate: team debate, individual novice debate, individual junior varsity debate, and individual varsity debate. The team also had entries in both of the forensics (competitions in a variety of public speaking-related events) tournaments offered.

Five debaters competed in the tournament. In the varsity division, Tech was represented by two debaters: Rebecca Lawson, and Jonathan Williams.

Two Tech students competed

in the junior varsity division: Markayla Stanley and Meeka Smith. The novice division had one member representing Tech, George Wewer III.

The Tech team IPDA squad consisted of two teams: Lawson and Williams, and Stanley and Smith. Wewer also competed in team debate as a member of a cross-school hybrid team with a member of the Southern Methodist University debate team.

In the forensics competition, Sierra Abram competed in five events at both tournaments of the forensics swing: Communication Analysis, Poetry Interpretation, Prose Interpretation, Informative Speaking and Program of Oral Interpretation. Tamara Adkins also traveled with the team to serve as a volunteer judge.

The squad won several trophies at the weekend’s

tournaments. In the JBU portion of the tournament, Lawson won first place in Varsity IPDA debate.

Additionally, Abram was a finalist in Communication Analysis and took third place in Informative Speaking.

During the OU portion of the tournament, Smith was awarded the fifth place speaker award in Team IPDA; Abram was also recognized as a finalist in both Communication Analysis and Poetry Interpretation.

The Tech debate team will travel to its next tournament, the Southern Forensics Championship, at LSUShreveport this weekend.

Additional information about the Tech debate and forensics team may contact Dr. Gabriel Adkins, associate professor of communication and director of debate and forensics at agadkins@Tech.edu.

AMBER QUAID /THE ARKA TECH

Questioning it all The Arka Tech OPINION

CLAUDIA YOUNG Editor-in-Chief

There is no such thing as a stupid question.

You’ve probably heard that a hundred times, and you might disagree with it. I completely understand why. I’ve face-palmed at people’s questions before. I get annoyed when people ask a question about something I just explained thoroughly.

I don’t always understand why someone doesn’t comprehend something that I can easily.

None of this is inherently bad. People’s questions will seem inconsequential to you sometimes.

It’s hard to change that. But you should never think the question that you are asking is stupid because of the way the recipient is treating you because of it.

If you are sincerely asking to further your knowledge or to settle your confusion, the question you are asking is not stupid. It may be perceived as such, but if you learn from it, it was never a stupid question.

Here’s the thing. A lot of your questions are important. Your professor might not understand why you are struggling to comprehend, but the fact that you spoke up matters.

Don’t take it personally. Some

people are so knowledgeable about a certain subject that they look down on others who know nothing about it. That is not your fault.

Your boss might have been vague with his instructions and is annoyed that you are asking how to completely your task well. That is not your fault.

There are too many pretentious people in this world. They think they’re better than their fellow man. You can’t change them. But you can change the way you see others and yourself.

So don’t fall into that category.

Stand out. Put yourself in your fellow man’s shoes and figure out where they’re coming from.

You might think that the question that they are asking is dumb. You might think that the question that you are asking is dumb. I challenge you to change the filter in your brain.

See their question as an opportunity to help. See your question as an opportunity to learn.

We are human. We are destined for egocentrism and disrespect.

But we can fight against our fate.

Nothing good will come from arrogance and apathy. Strive for humility and empathy, and never stop furthering your knowledge.

Semi-Annual Clearance Sale

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Selected Footwear and Apparel All Sales Final.

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.

CONTACT US Office: Energy Center 138 General email: arkatech@atu.edu

Editor-in-Chief: CLAUDIA YOUNG chall29@atu.edu Managing Editors: JENN TERRELL jterrell6@atu.edu AMBER QUAID aquaid@atu.edu News Writer: SIERRA MURPHY smurphy7@atu.edu Entertainment Writer: RYAN HARMON rharmon7@atu.edu Web Editor: SAM HOISINGTON shoisington@atu.edu Sports Writer: MATTHEW EMERY memery3@atu.edu

Ads email: arkatech.ads@atu.edu

Advertising Manager: MICHAEL HARRIS mharris30@atu.edu

Faculty Advisor: TOMMY MUMERT

Staff Writer: ASHLEY PEARSON apearson5@atu.edu

tmumert@atu.edu

Entries are now being accepted for the

2016 MISS TECH SCHOLARSHIP PAGEANT An official preliminary to the Miss America Pageant

FEBRUARY 19, 2016 Miss Tech 2016 will receive: Two semesters tuition scholarship to Arkansas Tech and more than $2,000 in gift certificates from area businesses.

Entry forms available at missarkansas.org For more information, contact Dr. Jim Collins (home) 968-3944 or (work) 968-0632 Est. 1983

9:30-6:00 Mon.-Sat. • (479) 968-6464 • 2320 W. MAIN, Russellville

THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2016

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY THE LADIES OF DELTA ZETA CONTESTANT DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 8

THE

ARKATECH

Feature | PAGE 5

SUBMITTED BY FAITH ROBINSON

Faith Robinson stands next to a statement wall at the PETA's office in Los Angeles.

Student recognized for animal rights efforts on ATU campus SIERRA MURPHY News Writer

A lifestyle change three years in the making has resulted in national recognition for Arkansas Tech University senior taken Faith Robinson Robinson, a senior psychology major from Maumelle, was awarded Campus Representative of the Semester by peta2, PETA’s youth division and the largest youth animal rights group in the world, according to peta2’s website.

“Receiving the award was a complete surprise to me,” Robinson said. “It was very fulfilling to be recognized for the progress I’ve made when I didn’t even have the award as a goal in mind.”

Robinson, along with a student from the University of Florida and the University of Texas at Austin, were flown out to California to be recognized and congratulated for their efforts.

“Their open-mindedness and desire to fight for a better world is precisely what animals need now more than ever, and we are consistently proud to see the work students do to promote a vegan lifestyle,” said Grace Woodward, peta2 Campus Representative Strategist, in an email.

“Faith was chosen as one of three campus reps for the fall [2015] semester because of her unique position, being a vegan in Arkansas, and all she was able to achieve. We are thoroughly impressed with the passion, hard work, and success Faith has had in her first semester in the program.”

Beginning last August, Robinson organized documentary screenings, distributions of informational pamphlets, and events like “hug a vegan” day. Just last September, Robinson furthered her efforts by petitioning for vegan friendly options in Tech’s cafeteria.

“They had a veggie burger in there but we couldn’t eat it because it had eggs in it,” Robinson said.

Tech now has two vegan information pamphlet centers, vegan vegetable burgers, and vegan mayonnaise in its two, on-campus eating locations.

While Robinson wouldn’t consider the cafeteria

Faith Robinson poses with a sleeping pig.

“vegan friendly,” she does have hopes of working to provide more options for vegan students who live on campus and utilize a meal plan.

“One of my biggest goals for this semester is to meet with cafeteria management to develop some sort of document that outlines how to eat vegan in the caf,” Robinson said in an email.

“At a school like ours, it's unlikely we'll get a full vegan station anytime soon, so it's important for students to know what options they have, even if the meal isn't already labeled as vegan.”

“I don’t feel like I’m missing anything, which I feel like is what most people are scared of,” Robinson said. “I eat the same food I grew up on, plus some really fresh vegetable dishes.”

Robinson’s journey has changed more than her eating habits – it has changed the community at Arkansas Tech University.

Veganism, as defined by Google, is, “the practice of abstaining from the use of animal products, particularly in diet.” The practice can also extend to products and services that test or use animals to produce a product.

The conditions in which some animals are treated was a motivator for Robinson’s life change.

“What pushed me is how unfair is it to treat animals because they’re different from you,” Robinson said.

“It’s hard for me to see these videos and know that they’re going to be abused and grow up for food. They can’t live happy and healthy lives.”

Robinson’s vegan journey began when she was a freshman at Tech.

“I was making my own food choices,” Robinson said.

“Since I was picking my own stuff I wanted to know what was going into my food.”

Becoming a vegetarian was Robinson’s first step, and after reading more articles and viewing more documentaries, Robinson became a vegan.

SUBMITTED BY FAITH ROBINSON

“It’s kind of become her whole life,” said Klay Rutherford, senior at Arkansas Tech University and Robinson’s fiancé. “It’s definitely a bold thing to do. I don’t think this conversation would be happening on campus if it weren’t for Faith’s position.”

SUBMITTED BY FAITH ROBINSON

THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2016

PAGE 6 | Entertainment

A eulogy from a fan RYAN HARMON Entertainment Writer Like many, I wasn't too surprised to hear of another celebrity death last week; however, I was shocked at who it was - Glenn Frey, founding member of The Eagles.

As a fan of classic music, whether it be rock, country, etc., the past month has been hard to wrap my head around. We've lost Lemmy Kilmister of Motorhead, David Bowie, Otis Clay, Dale Griffin, Red Simpson, and unfortunately, the list goes on and on.

It doesn't stop with music, either. We've lost other entertainment greats, such as Alan Rickman and Riley Martin, who died without "getting paid" by Howard Stern (some of you will get that).

Although those deaths impacted me in different ways, Frey's passing hit me like a ton of bricks.

From a very young age, I've been a huge fan of The Eagles, and as a musician, I've been influenced greatly by their music.

Though I had heard their music growing up, the first time I became aware of them was around 2004 or 2005, when the "Farewell 1: Live From Melbourne" concert special aired on NBC. I was blown away by how good that band was.

After that, my dream was to see them live.

About a year after the release of "Long Road Out Of Eden," which is second only to "Hotel California" in my eyes, that dream came true.

I was sitting in the sixth row, right between Frey and Joe Walsh. After the first couple of songs, Frey stepped-up to the mic to welcome everyone. What happened next is something I'll cherish forever.

He asked the audience if anyone had a copy of "Long Road Out Of Eden," to which there was a medium applause. At that moment, I realized I had a chance to be "that guy" that

GLEN FRY/EAGLES.COM everyone hates at a concert, so I took it.

After he asked the question, and the seated crowd got quiet again, I stood up, threw my arms in the air and gave a big "WHOO," in response to the new album. Frey turned, pointed right at me and said, "Okay, YOU'RE going to have a good time tonight.” He was right.

The band was on fire during that show, and the other time I saw them in 2010.

As a fan, you want your favorite bands to go out on top. You want the last record to be great, which it was. You want the last tour to be great, which it was, although I didn't see it myself. So, why am I saddened by his death?

“That magic is gone.

It can't be replaced, nor should anyone try to replace it.”

The magic of that band was the combination of Don Henley and Glenn Frey. That magic got the band through several lineups, musical changes, a breakup and a reunion.

That magic is gone. It can't be replaced, nor should anyone try to replace it.

It's knowing there will never be another album or another show. It's knowing I'll never get to shake his hand and thank him for helping change my life.

I wrote a piece last year in which I asked what we would do when our favorite artists were gone forever. Glenn left us the answer in the last song on the last album The Eagles ever released.

Some of you might wonder why I'm talking as if The Eagles are done. That's because they are.

"The curtain falls. I take my bow. That's how it's meant to be. It's your world now.

Small spicy white cheese dip.

Food Review

Photos By: Jenn Terrell

Large Stoby's orginial cheese dip.

Stoby's is a unique train car restaurant known for it's delicious desserts and more.

From cheese dip to french fries-Stoby's exemplifies the taste of Russellville CLAUDIA YOUNG Editor-in-Chief

8/10 - I first visited the original Stoby’s in Conway when I was thirteen. I have fond memories of Stoby’s.

The Stoby’s in Russellville is just as great. Upon walking in, you immediately notice the selection of desserts you can buy, which I only resisted at the end of the meal because my stomach could not handle another ounce of food.

We sat in the train section of the restaurant. This section of the restaurant is both antique and unique, JENN TERRELL Managing Editor

8/10 - Stoby's is a local favorite and it's easy to see why. First, the environment is equally charming and unique. You have the option of dining in an actual train car or you can opt for the main dining area that includes model trains running on tracks connected to the ceiling.

I started with a strawberry lemonade. When I go to restaurants I typically order water but not at Stoby's.

This is the one place where I know I have to have the strawberry lemonade. It tastes like a cup of fresh strawberry juice.

and it reminds me of one of the cars I’ve ridden.

I ordered the ½ Pounder Three Cheese hamburger with a Mexican Punch. The punch was sweeter than I expected, a mixture of fruit punch and pineapple juice. It was a nice treat with my burger and fries!

The one complaint I have with the menu is that none of their drinks have prices next to them.

The burger was good. It isn’t the best burger I’ve ever had, but it definitely made it on my “Ordering again” list.

Stoby’s has won my heart with their fries, though.

I have eaten at Stoby's a few times before bur I never noticed that there is an actual sandwich called "The Stoby". I decided to order it after the waitress highly recommended it because of the special Stoby sauce that comes on it.

Claudia's 1/2 pounder three cheese burger.

They are crispy and wonderful. I lucked out with a fresh batch. I can honestly say they are the best fries in Russellville. In conclusion, the service is great, the food is grand and I will be returning.

I think it has more flavor. I continue to love this place. I'll be back.

I had my choice of three meats and two cheeses. I also chose from five types of bread. I chose turkey, ham, and bologna on marble rye. I have to say the sandwich would have just been a typical sandwich had the special sauce not been included. The sauce was very tasty.

Before my main meal I ordered a small spicy cheese dip. I am a fan of both kinds of cheese dip they offer but I like the spicy white a tad more.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2016

The "stoby" ordered by Jenn.

Sports | PAGE 7

Wonder Boys Baseball preview

LIZ CHRISMAN/UNIVERSITY RELATIONS

The Wonder Boys prepare to open the 2016 season Friday in San Antonio, Texas.

MATTHEW EMERY Sports Writer

posting a .315 batting average last season.

It is a new year, which means Wonder Boys baseball is right around the corner.

The last all-conference player returning is Mark Vaughn, a sophomore from Salina, Kansas. He finished last season with a .398 on-base percentage and .418 slugging percentage.

Coming off a 30-21 record last year that landed Arkansas Tech fourth place in the GAC, the Wonder Boys have been projected to finish fifth in the league in 2016, according to the pre-season poll.

Arkansas Tech will also have quite a few fresh faces to rely

on this season as 15 freshmen have joined the team's hopes to secure a top spot in the GAC. Among these is Layton Robinson, a redshirt freshman from St. Vincent.

Robinson had a stellar high school career, as he earned all-state honors during both his junior and senior years at

J.D. Leftwich High School in Magazine, along with being named all-district and allregion his sophomore, junior and senior years.

The Wonder Boys will open the 2016 season Friday in San Antonio, Texas, for a threegame series against St. Mary’s.

First pitch is at 3 p.m.

The poll also projected Southern Arkansas to repeat as conference champions, Henderson State and Ouachita Baptist followed, ranked second and third respectively.

The Wonder Boys will take the field this season missing a key piece from last year’s squad, as 2015 GAC Player of the Year, Patrick Castleberry, has departed.

It is not all bad news for the Wonder Boys, as three allconference players will be returning.

Trent Armstrong, a junior from Waxahachie, Texas, will return after posting a 6-2 record alongside a 3.84 ERA last season.

Collin O’Neil, a senior from Phoenix, Arizona, will return to platoon the middle infield for the Wonder Boys, after

The Wonder Boys are projected to finish fifth in the league this year.

LIZ CHRISMAN/UNIVERSITY RELATIONS

Thank You For Your Continued Support Of The Arka Tech

THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2016

PAGE 8 | Campus Photos

Moody Nghan skates holding onto to a three wheel device to try to maintain balance.

Tina King and Shun Mukai eat pizza while taking a break.

IMSSO

Yoshi Thao skates off to race a friend.

Welcome back skating party

IMSSO hosted a welcome back skating party on Friday, January 15 at the Skate Station. Several students enjoyed pizza, limbo, and conversation with other students from all over the world.

Photos By: Jenn Terrell

Ahmad Asaleemi rests during a game.

Eduardo Vasquez and Sai Watanabe laugh as they try to stop at the same time.

From the left: Chaitanya Gade, Elizabeth Mungara, and Shavanthi Gade wait in line for pizza provided by IMSSO.

Caleb Perley makes it to one of the final rounds of limbo and smiles as he makes it with out touching the ground with his hands.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2016

Lindsey Ingmire stands with her daughter Liv while holding her other daughter Finnley.

Masami Onodera eats pizza with her son, Kenta Onodera, while he makes a silly face.