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COURTBOUILLON A DILLARD UNIVERSITY student production

President’s house soon to become university Welcome Center

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NEWS

Emmy Award-winning actress Cicely Tyson will be one of two notable speakers at Dillard University’s spring commencement for the Class of 2009, set for 7:45 a.m. Saturday, May 9, on the Rosa Freeman Keller Avenue of the Oaks.

Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, author and educator, also will speak to the class that

arrived at Dillard in 2005, when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans.

Dyson, along with educator and Dillard alumna Doris R. Hicks, will be awarded honorary degrees, and Tyson will receive the Presidential Medal of Honor during the ceremonies. A fourth honoree, syndicated “fly jock” Tom Joyner, who could not

attend because of scheduling conflicts, will receive an honorary degree at Founder’s Day ceremonies.

Tyson, a New York native, was nominated for an Academy Award as best actress for the film “Sounder” in 1972. She won

See Commencement on Page 2

TV’s Hill Harper advises saving to DU students Charley Steward

DU freshman wins first in regional Japanese speech competition

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UNO singer JT wows crowd, wins free studio recording session

EDITORIAL

www.ducourtbouillon.com

Cicely Tyson to speak at graduation

NEWS

ETOUFFEE

30 April 2009

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Guest columnist speaks with actor on higher ed for black males

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INDEX Campus news ............................................ 2-3 Etouffee ............................................ 4-5 Editorial ............................................ 6-7 Advertising ................................................8

Managing editor Actor and best-selling author Hill Harper, who portrays Dr. Sheldon Hawkes on the television series “CSI: NY,” encouraged students to spend less and save more during the inaugural nationwide HBCU “Empower Me Tour” at Dillard University.

“The younger you are, the more time you have to build [your savings]. And as it starts to compound, as your money gets bigger, it starts working for you,” said Harper, 31, who is a graduate of Harvard and Brown universities.

Harper, who was named one of People magazine’s “Sexist Men Alive” in 2004, represented his foundation, Manifest Your Destiny on the tour’s ninth stop Saturday, April 18. He joined representatives from the United Negro College Fund, or UNCF. Eric Wright, a mass communication junior from La Marque, Texas, was the winner of a video interview that garnered a one-on-one meeting with Harper and qualified him to compete for a $1,000 UNCF scholarship.

Wright’s interview and pictures of Dillard students interviewed on the tour’s Web site at

Farah Akbar | Courtbouillon Actor and author Hill Harper asks DU freshman Lawntai Hudson a question during his “Empower Me” Tour visit recently on campus. www.empowermetour.org.

The tour started with the “Empower Me Tour Zone” in Kearny Lounge and moved to the “Conversation with Harper” in Lawless Memorial Chapel at 2 p.m., where Harper spoke to what he called an “intimate setting” of approximately 70 people.

Harper and representatives from Wachovia and UNCF offered local high school and college students’ financial advice

on how to save and invest money, eat healthy and play active roles in their communities.

Mr. Dillard Michael McField and SGA President Crispus Gordon participated in the presentation by introducing Dr. David V. Taylor, provost and senior vice president of academic affairs.

“One thing we don’t do well in higher education is the teaching about financial literacy,” said Taylor before telling the

audience that it is important for them to know how to empower themselves.

Therese Badon, a Dillard alumna and area development director for UNCF New Orleans who introduced Harper, said, “We want each of you to succeed and achieve greatness.

You hold the power that Hill Harper will give you today: the key to open the doors to con-

See Harper on Page 3

Seniors, alumni to join forces for some celebrations Juan Barnes

Senior Class Week will coincide with the 2009 alumni reunion, with some events planned together.

The alumni reunion for graduating classes with years ending in “4” and “9” is scheduled for May 7-10 with the theme ”It’s A Family Affair!” Senior Class week is

scheduled for May 3-8.

The theme is “Ooohh.... The Places You’ll Go,” a reference to the bestseller Dr. Seuss book.

Alumni events will start Thursday, May 7, when alumni will meet up with graduating seniors in Dent Hall for “A Stroll Down Memory Lane Party.”

The Class of 1969 will have breakfast at 9 a.m. Friday, May 8, with graduating seniors while the Class of 1959 will have a “Golden Graduate” breakfast.

Senior week will end with commencement exercises at 8 a.m. Saturday, May 10,

See Events on Page 2

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COURTBOUILLON

DILLARD UNIVERSITY

COURTBOUILLON Volume 72, Issue 6

EDITORIAL STAFF Editor-in-chief .................... Brittany N. Odom Managing editor ...................... Charley Steward Sports editor .................... Jeannine Cannon Photo editor ............................. Farah Akbar Faculty adviser ..................Cleo Joffrion Allen, Ph.D., APR

BUSINESS STAFF Advertising manager ....................... Jazmine Boutte

CONTACT US

30 April 2009

President’s home to become Welcome Center Kandyce Franklin

The former president’s home on campus is being renovated into the Dillard University Alumni/Welcome Center, according to Dr. Denise Short-Bridges, senior director of facilities, grounds, maintenance and operations.

Renovations began in mid-March and are expected to be complete in May, with the work being performed by KMT contractors of New Orleans. The building’s carpeting and wood floors are being refurbished along with painting and offices,

DU Dollars may return, but when?

conference rooms and work stations created for Alumni Relations and Enrollment Management.

The Welcome Center will be the starting place for tour groups, the first place of contact for visitors, a greeting place for alumni and a place where the alumni can hold meetings, according to Rebecca Armstrong-English, coordinator of campus tours and special events. The building also will be a place for student ambassadors to get information and resources.

“The Dillard University Welcome Center

will be a place for alumni to hold meetings or just to feel as if they have a place to call home here on campus,” said ArmstrongEnglish.

The last president to live on campus was Dr. Michael Lomax, who resided there from 1997 to 2004. Lomax currently is president and CEO of the United Negro College Fund.

DU President Marvalene Hughes moved into a home off-campus. She did not respond to e-mails and phone calls about why she doesn’t live in the house on-campus.

Lone dancer tries out for new team

WDUB launch party

Jessica Forest

Kristi Coleman

E-MAIL US

Now that Grill 155 in downstairs Kearny has reopened, some students are wondering if or when “DU Dollars” will return.

Yolanda Holland, general manager of dining services, said plans are in the works to return the program. Right now, she said, the problem is not having the equipment to read the cards.

The Grill is an alternative area for Dillard students, faculty and visitors to purchase food other than in Kearny Dining Hall. Before Hurricane Katrina, Dillard students were given the equivalent of $50 in “DU Dollars” to purchase food in the grill in Kearny and at the campus convenience store that also was in Kearny, with an option to reload money once the initial $50 was spent.

Students with a meal plan eat in Kearny’s Marketplace dining hall, where breakfast, lunch and dinner are served, but additional food options are offered at the grill.

Farah Akbar | Courtbouillon Local rapper Dee 1 performs a song from his album, “David and Goliath” during WDUB’s launch party/Wild-Out Wednesday on Kabacoff Plaza recently.

New Orleans freshman Troy Lovely, a double major in theater and sociology, said he will attempt a second time in the fall to search for the founding members of the “D.U.’s Elite All-Stars” dance team.

Only one person auditioned at the first three-day tryout held this month. Lovely said he will attempt a second time to create a co-ed team of no more than 21 members in the fall.

Lovely said he has no wish to become a rival of the Diamonds, the university dance team founded

by Jana M. Smith 10 years ago. He said his team would focus on different types of dance and would be much larger in number.

However, he did say he would like his team to perform at basketball and volleyball games, along with other campus and off-campus events.

For more information, e-mail Lovely at tlj1990@yahoo.com.

ABOUT US

Events

• A reception recognizing donors (invitation only), Kearny Hall.

Friday, May 8 • Campus tours, 10 a.m. to noon.

• Jazz and champagne luncheon, 12:30-2 p.m., Kearny Hall.

• Alumni House opening, 2-2:45 p.m.

the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

Saturday, May 9 • Reunion banquet and dance, 6 p.m. to midnight.

Sunday, May 10 • Reunion Worship Service, 10-11 a.m., Chapel.

• “Cajun Rendezvous” picnic, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Kabacoff Plaza.

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E-mail: ducourtbouillon@gmail. com

The Dillard University Courtbouillon is produced by mass communication students at Dillard University. The Courtbouillon publishes seven issues per semester. Publication dates for spring 2009 are Feb. 5 and 19; March 12; and April 2, 16 and 30.

If you have a story idea, news tip or calendar event, contact us at the numbers or e-mail addresses provided above.

To advertise, contact our business and staff members.

FROM PAGE 1 on the Avenue of the Oaks.

Meanwhile, alumni events will continue.

According to Dillard’s Web site, other events include: Thursday, May 7

Commencement FROM PAGE 1 Emmy awards for the role of Castalia in “The Oldest Confederate Widow Tells All” in 1994 and for the title character in “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman” in 1974. Tyson, who has performed in at least 80 television and screen roles, appeared

• Class meetings, 2:453:20 p.m., DUICEF. • The National Alumni Association meeting, 3:30-5:30 p.m., DUICEF. • Baccalaureate Services at the Avenue of the Oaks will begin at 6 pm.

• Scholarship Benefit Concert, featuring recording artist Patti LaBelle, 8:30 p.m. at

in Tyler Perry’s “Diary of a Mad Black Woman” (2005) and his “Madea’s Family Reunion” (2006).

Dyson, a Detroit native, is an ordained Baptist minister who holds a doctorate in religion from Princeton University. The sociology professor at Georgetown University is a two-time NAACP Image Award winner.

Hicks, chief executive officer and principal of the Martin Luther King Char-

ter School for Science and Technology in New Orleans, is a Dillard graduate from the Lower Ninth Ward. She’s appeared on “Oprah” and the “Ellen DeGeneres Show” to discuss student successes post-Katrina.

Joyner, a native of Tuskegee, Ala., hosts the nationally syndicated “Tom Joyner Morning Show” and is founder of the Tom Joyner Foundation, which supports students at historically black colleges and universities.

Campus&Local

30 April 2009

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COURTBOUILLON

Steward among 24 in N.Y. Times Institute Gabrielle Boykin

One Dillard mass communication major and four others from Louisiana schools are among 24 students selected to attend the New York Times Student Journalism Institute on May 17-31 here on campus.

The selection of Charley Steward, a junior in print with a business management minor from New Orleans, for the sixth annual event was announced by Don R. Hecker, institute director.

Steward is among five students selected from Louisiana schools. The others are: Jalisa Mathis, Xavier University; Stephanye Gilyard, Grambling State University; Larry Young

Jr. of Southern University;; and Justin Phillips, Louisiana Tech University; Hecker said the institute selects “the best and the brightest” student journalists through the program in conjunction with the National Association of Black Journalists, to work with prominent professionals in a newsroom environment for two weeks.

Of the 149 graduates that have come through the program, many have interned at or now work at some of the most prestigious news organizations in the United States, he added.

Writers, editors, designers and photographers from The New York Times, The Boston Globe

and Times Company regional newspapers work with the students.

Among them are Jill Abramson, managing editor of The New York Times, and Dean Baquet, assistant managing editor and Washington Bureau.

Additionally, three academics also participate: Mark Raymond, instructor of Mass Communication; Dr. Cleo Allen, DU assistant professor and Courtbouillon adviser;; and Dr. Jinx Broussard, formerly of Dillard who now is an associate professor in the LSU Manship School of Mass Communication.

At the end of the program, a newspaper will be published containing the best of the ma-

terial created by the students.

Howard University had five students selected this year: Traver Riggins, Phillip Lucas, Janae Ransom, Diasia Sade and Eboni Farmer.

Two were selected from Hampton University: Leon Hendrix III and Craig Dewey Stanley II. Other 2009 participants include: Yamiche Alcindor, Georgetown University; T a mara Best, University of Georgia; Mylan Cannon, Ohio University; Jamila T. Williams, Ohio State University; Dale Clarke II, Alabama State University; and Joseph L. Cook, Norfolk State University.

Geoffrey Alexander Cooper,

Charley Steward North Carolina Central University; Tiffany Frasier, Marymount Manhattan College; Jessica Goff, Florida A&M University; Kenneth Hawkins, North Carolina A&T State University Raymond Edward Tyler, North Carolina Central University; and Richard White, Prairie View A&M University.

Dillard freshman places first in Japanese speech competition

Amber Smith

A Dillard University freshman was among three firstplace winners in the Second South-Central Japanese Speech Contest held March 28 in Stern Hall, according to Masako Dorrill, contest chairman.

Nine other schools participated in the competition, in-

Harper FROM PAGE 1 trolling your destiny.”

Harper asked the audience the No. 1 cause of death among African Americans. Many students said HIV, others said crime and homicides, and some mentioned diabetes and high blood pressure. One responded, “Ourselves.”

Harper said the No. 1 cause of death among African Americans was heart disease, followed by diabetes and high blood pressure. Why? Because of stress from financial issues, according to Harper.

“I believe we can start looking at our community and start looking at money, or the lack of, as some of the root causes for a lot of these problems that we are trying to fix,” said Harper. “We spend more than we make.”

He asked audience members about their goals and dreams, saying, “Many of us are afraid to publicly articulate the fact that we have goals and dreams.”

Harper said everyone must become active architects in their lives. He suggested: • Start with a blueprint, or a roadmap/guide from where they are now to where they want to be in the future.

• Lay a strong foundation. The foundation includes family/friends, education, morals and values, spirituality/ faith and money.

cluding Tulane, University of New Orleans, Xavier, University of Mississippi at Oxford, Jackson State, Tougaloo College, Hinds Community College, Mississippi State University and St. Andrews Episcopal High School.

Amber Smith, a Japanese

• Then there is the framework, which is all about choices: “Every choice we make has to do with what the goal is, what we want it to look like.”

Harper offered “New Cool Money Rule”: “The purpose of money is not to spend it…rather to collect it to gain access to cheaper and cheaper money.”

He advised students to save a certain percentage of what they make every paycheck, and invest it in certificates of deposit and mutual funds.

A book signing followed after the “Conversation with Harper.” “VIP members,” those attendees who were among the first 100 to register at the tour’s Web site, received a free book and were first to see him in the social room in the Chapel.

Harper is the author of the bestseller “Letters to a Young Brother” (Gotham Books, 2006) and the recently named bestseller “Letters to a Young Sister” (Gotham Books, 2008).

He won two NAACP awards for “Letters to a Young Brother,” which was named Best Books for Young Adults by the American Library Association in 2007.

The Manifest Your Destiny Foundation is a not-for-profit organization committed to empowering and motivating young men and women through mentorship, scholarship and grant programs.

The purpose of the “Empower Me

studies major from Slidell, won first place in the first-year level.

She and the other two first-place winners split $1,000. They are Luke Schwalm, University of Mississippi, second-year level, and Colin Catchings, Mississippi State University, third year.

Second-place winners re-

Farah Akbar | Courtbouillon Actor Hill Harper engages the audience in his Dillard visit April 18 in Lawless Memorial Chapel.

Tour” was to assemble minority students of all education levels for an interactive learning experience where students could speak with college and corporate recruiters and win scholarships while enjoying activities.

During the tour, students had the opportunity to register for prizes and giveaways and meet sponsors and rep-

ceived $300 each as the Zennoh Award: Natalie Dunaway, Hinds County Community College, first year, and Jonathan Tingle, St. Andrew’s Episcopal High School, third year.

(Robyn Murray contributed to this report.)

resentatives from corporations such as American Airlines, FedEx, Amtrak and Ford. Representatives from UNCF, Teach for America, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and the NAACP also were on the tour providing information and other opportunities.

At each tour stop, Mo Stegall, host of the “S.E.L.F. Show,” interviewed students. The “S.E.L.F. Show” is an online show where teens and young adults can voice their concerns and find the latest trends in fashion and music.

Stegall conducted video interviews with students on the red carpet, where students posed for pictures, to find out why attending an HBCU was so important to them. Wright was the student with the best story.

The video interview with Stegall also may qualify Wright and others to complete for $1,000 UNCF scholarship. The students, who need a minimum 2.5 GPA, must write a 250-word essay about what they learned after Harper’s presentation.

An Iowa native, Harper graduated cum laude with a juris doctorate from Harvard Law School. He also has a master’s degree in public administration from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard and graduated valedictorian with a bachelor’s degree from Brown University.

His professional credits include appearances in the movies “Beloved,” “He Got Game” and “Lackawanna Blues.”

Etouffee

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30 April 2009

COURTBOUILLON

Dillard students create, star in online soap opera Mario Martin

Photos provided by Lawrence Weber In top photo, Christopher Robinson, as Julian, points a gun at, from left, Ian Lawrence, Canae White and Lawrence J. Weber Jr., as Cameron, Jennifer and Jordan. Below, White and Robinson practice another scene from the upcoming online soap opera “Windsor Hill.”

Dillard duo places 1st among peers in Tabasco marketing competition AVERY ISLAND – Two Dillard University students placed first in the “peer review” category as the “Fiery Favorite Candidates” in a Tabasco marketing competition recently.

As first-place winners, Derica Arceneaux of Lake Charles, a senior marketing major, and Banika Jackson of Dallas, a senior with a double major in accounting and marketing, received a $100 gift certificate to Wal-Mart and their adviser, received a $50 gift certificate to Copeland’s in the March 30 event.

Grambling University students were the top winner, receiving two laptops.

Tabasco interns from four historically black colleges and universities in Louisiana competed in the annual marketing competition for Tabasco Original Red Pepper Sauce. The goal was to find innovative ways to develop new themes and marketing strategies using market research and data, with a theoretical $3 million budget.

(Roanna Stroman contributed to this report.)

“Windsor Hill,” a soap opera created and cast with Dillard University students, is being prepared for a summer debut online.

Lawrence Weber, a graduating senior from New Orleans who came up with the concept, said the soap opera follows the lives, loves and challenges of theater students at a fictional black college, Dowell University, in the fictional city of Windsor Hill, Ga. He said he expects the first showing online to be in mid- to late summer. Weber added that he hopes other theater majors will continue the project in successive semesters.

Weber said he decided to write the soap opera because of the lack of Dillard theater classes in which majors act in front of a camera. Instead, most of the emphasis is on live stage performances, he said. Weber said the project is an opportunity for theater majors to gain on-camera experience.

The series, for which 13 episodes are planned, is based on the lives of theater majors at Dillard University. It originally was to be named “Dillard Diaries.”

“I wrote the script based on various theater majors I knew between the years of 2002 -2003,” Weber said.

The main character is Jordan, originally the role Weber was going to play. Instead, because of time constraints, the role now is being played by Brandon Adams, a sophomore theater major.

Other cast members include: • Canae White, a junior from Little Rock, as Jennifer Hutchins.

• Ian Lawrence, a sophomore from Los Angeles, as Cameron Newsome.

• Christopher Robinson, a junior from Miami, as Julian and Jackson Winchester.

• Rodney Graham, a senior from Los Angeles, as Eddie Lewis.

• Ralshella Washington, a junior from Marrero, as Siedah Banks.

• Avon Jamal Manning, a junior from Oakland, Calif., as Kwame Wright.

• Yashica Collins, a junior from New Orleans, as Tamara Siplin.

• Roxie E. Wilson, a senior from New Orleans, as Shay Matthews.

All are theater majors except for Lawrence, who is in mass communication.Weber, White and Robinson all direct episodes.

For additional information on “Windsor Hill,” follow the show on twitter@twitter.com/windsorhill or join the Facebook group “The Return of Windsor Hill.”

Yearbook seeks volunteers for fall 2009 Roanna Stroman Nearly a decade after the last Dillard University yearbook was published, the university is gearing up to publish a fullfledged yearbook for the 200910 academic year and a smaller Senior Book this summer for spring graduates, according to Dr. Toya Barnes-Teamer, vice president of student success.

Student volunteers who are good with words, photography and design are being sought.

Additionally, the university is seeking an adviser for the publication.

Channing Bias, a graduating senior mass communication major from Los Angeles, is

spearheading the work and organizing staff along with Sunni Jones-Ford, a senior business management and arts major from Denver. Bias said all volunteers are welcome, but backgrounds in art and/or English would be especially appreciated.

“As of now, there are no paid positions, but we are looking for dedicated people to begin working over the summer,” Bias said.

Dillard’s last yearbook was printed in 2002, but no adviser was listed. The adviser for the 2001 yearbook was Dr. Laura Rouzan, associate professor of mass communication and de-

partment co-chair.

Barnes-Teamer said her office is in the process of identifying an adviser with the appropriate skills and expertise.

“We have engaged the dean of Humanities in assisting us with identifying an adviser,” she said. “However, if students have a recommendation, we are open to suggestions.”

Next year’s yearbook, which is expected to be about 88 pages long, will be published by Jostens Yearbook Co. at a cost of $25.75 per book.

If you’re interested in working on the yearbook staff, contact Dr. Dewain Lee in Student Affairs at dlee@dillard.edu.

Etouffee

30 April 2009

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COURTBOUILLON

Jazz Fest to feature DU groups

Crawfish boil

Charley Steward Managing editor

Dillard University’s Jazz Ensemble and VisionQuest Chorale – with an appearance by “American Idol” finalist George Huff – are scheduled to perform at the 40th Annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival today and Saturday.

The Jazz and Heritage Festival, also known as Jazz Fest, is a 10-day cultural celebration of the food and music of New Orleans at the Fair Grounds Race Course.

It’s the second appearance at Jazz Fest for both DU groups.

During its two weekend musical lineup, April 24-26 and April 30-May 3, the Jazz Fest will feature more than 500 performances by both local and national artists.

DU’s Jazz Ensemble will perform on the Lagniappe Stage from11:20 a.m. to 12:10 p.m.

April 30. Its performance will include jazz, funk, and blues instrumentals with a few vocal performances, according to Kenneth Spears, 20, of New Orleans, a music and business management major at Dillard and one of two percussionists in the group.

Spears said that there are roughly four to six members in the ensemble, including a pianist, flutist, guitarist and an electric bass player.

VisionQuest Chorale will perform in the Gospel Tent from 1:30 to 2:20 p.m. May 2 under the direction of Roland E. Jack, music and colloquy coordinator. Its performance will feature a guest appearance by Huff.

The gospel group will perform about eight songs, according to Eric Wright, 19, of La Marque, Texas, a junior mass communication.

Wright, who has been with the group for two years, said some “floating singers,” previous members of the group, will be coming back to perform with them.

Headliners at this year’s event will include The O’Jays, Musiq Soulchild and Bon Jovi. A complete schedule can be found at www.nojazzfest.com.

Farah Akbar | Courtbouillon Judy Walker and Constance Edmond join others on Kabacoff Plaza for a crawfish boil on April 23.

Panelists: Networking, support key in music career Jeannine Cannon

Copy Editor Five panelists, including Dillard 1998 alumnus DJ Raj Smoove, agreed that networking and community support are key factors for aspiring artists.

More than 50 attendees seeking to know how the panelists got their start and the “ins and outs” of the music business attended the forum on “The Business of the Music Business” in Stern Amphitheater last Friday.

Joining Smoove were New Orleans native Ernie Singleton, former president of MCA Records Urban Music and currently chief executive officer of Singleton Entertainment Corp., as moderator;; D.A. Johnson, executive director of the Gospel Division of Malaco Music Group; Carol Dorsey, Co-

CEO of Chopper City Records; Kwame Asante, entertainment attorney and founder of the New Orleans Black Film Festival;; and Barbara Lewis, consultant of B&B Productions & Consultants.

The panelists said you don’t have to major in mass communication or music to have a career in the music business. For example, Lewis said her psychology degree from Southern University in New Orleans helped her. Dorsey studied accounting and ended up in the music industry with her nephew, Christopher “B.G.” Dorsey.

“Do not go to the radio first,” Lewis said. “The radio should be your last stop on a list of accomplishments.”

Lewis advised artists to associate with people who will help them and to get a “team” together.

Smoove said, “It’s all about knowing your peers on a local level.” He suggested Myspace, Facebook and Imeem for audience exposure.

“Record companies are becoming too big,” Smoove said. He suggested an artist can get paid more money with an independent label than with a major label.

Johnson wanted to know the “musical language” before entering the music business: “When it comes to music, when I say something is wrong, I want to be able to tell them exactly why it is wrong,” Johnson said.

Dorsey suggested prospective music industry employees read Donald Passman’s book, “All You Need to Know about the Music Business,” and to take copyright and engineering classes.

UNO student wins free studio time in 2009 music business showcase Charley Steward Managing editor

A University of New Orleans communications student won 10 hours of free studio time after wowing the audience at the 2009 Business of the Music Business Student Showcase in Stern Amphitheater at Dillard University last Friday.

Jonathan Oliver Thomas, 22, of New Orleans, known as “JT the Publicist” by day and “JT the Singer” by night, was the

fourth performer who moved the audience of approximately 40 with an a capella before performing his original song “Digital Love.”

Six other students from New Orleans area colleges had the opportunity to display their talents and receive exposure from a committee of music industry professionals as well.

Each student had to submit no more than two original songs that containing no profanity or offensive language in CD or

MP3 format.

The performers included Quinton “GQue” Gilmore, 19, of New Orleans; Greg Banks, 20, of New Orleans, a Xavier student majoring in vocal performance and sales and marketing.

Chris Stof, 20, of New Orleans; Brandon Watson, 22, of New Orleans, a Dillard student majoring in biology.

Nate “Suave” Cameron Jr. of New Orleans; and Britney “Bee” Abernathy of New Orleans.

Opinion&Editorial

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COURTBOUILLON

Is this college or is this kindergarten?

“What is happening to fair Dillard?”

This is the question many students have been asking – from the “18 Questions” printed in this newspaper to the Facebook profiles over the Internet.

What do you do when the school you love so much continues to fall to pieces in front of your very eyes?

Students are bickering and fighting at parties, windows are being broken and the police are having to come on campus to stop altercations.

Is this what we come to college for now?

Throughout the years, the idea of spending thousands of dollars to come to an institution has dramatically changed.

Alumni see the drama on Facebook and ask questions about their precious institution.

They tend to always know what is going on on-campus, and lately they have not been happy about what they have been hearing.

The seniors are graduating in a week, and some Dillard students have given them the worst parting gift they could possibly have: total disappointment about students acting like high school kids. No senior should have to leave his or her university with bad memories the last week of school.

Students do not realize that alumni as well as other schools pay attention to what students put on the Internet, Facebook and Myspace, especially. When students’ status say “police surrounded the campus,” or “the freshmen had it coming,” it makes our school look very bad.

As proud students of this in-

stitution, we must say, “Dillard, we have to do better.” We have a legacy that we have to uphold.

The last thing we need is Facebook profiles and wall messages describing every fight and situation that goes on on-campus.

Unfortunately, this is only one problem for Dillard. Enrollment is another issue.

According to the ambassadors and campus tour guides, high school students are not finding much of an interest in Dillard. Why is this?

Students are not doing enough to interest prospective students. We must support our school organizations more and try to attend more campus events. Organizations should be more involved on campus.

It is not good when we have an event going the same time as a tour and the students are asking, “Where is everybody?”

Some students who were here before Katrina feel like the campus is “dead” and that it has a lot to do with the miscommunication between on-campus and off-campus students.

During alumni week, Dillard graduates advised current students to “make Dillard our own.” If we are not excited about our school, we cannot expect prospective students to be excited, either.

We need to take more pride in Dillard. The trivial things need to stay in high school. Let people read the great things about Dillard instead of the things that “the world” expects to hear about HBCUs. And communication between students needs to be better. We need to start giving prospective students a reason to say, “I want to come to Dillard.”

Letters to the editor Questions, comments or concerns? Voice them!

Letters to the editor should be no longer than 250 words. Send your letter along with your name/title, address, e-mail address, phone number and classification/major if you are a student to: duopinions@gmail.com or mail to: Dillard University, 2601 Gentilly Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70122 Room 146 Cook Center.

Our policy

The Courtbouillon is published by the students of Dillard University.

Views expressed on the opinion pages are those of the individual writers, and not those of the administration, faculty or student body. The Courtbouillon reserves the right to edit all writings for space and libel.

30 April 2009

One-on-one with actor: DU student explores challenge of recruiting black men into college Eric D. Wright Guest columnist

The room was nearly silent, or at least the noise was overpowered by the sound of my own heart pounding beyond compare. I was about to meet an idolized actor, author and philanthropist: Hill Harper.

Being chosen from among competing Dillard students to have a one-on-one with Mr. Harper was an – experience.

Not all bad. Not all good. But it was interesting.

In the short span of 15 minutes, Hill (after meeting the star of “CSI: NY,” I feel we are on a first-name basis) and I spoke about the experience of being a black male in college and how we can encourage others to go. This conversation struck my very core because, I have to admit, the issue is a challenging one.

When he asked what I would say to young black men who feel college isn’t important, I

Eric Wright Guest columnist wanted to give an amazing answer, one that would inspire the masses. I wanted to give an answer that will leave tears in Hill’s eyes and would touch even the most unenthusiastic black male teenager to attend a historically black college or university. The words, “It’s better than high school” just slid out.

It was the most simplistic argument I ever proposed. How can I convince young people across the world to come to

college when I can’t be eloquent enough to give them an eloquent description of the prealumni life. Most importantly, how will Hill ever admire me as a scholar if the key question of this interview is answered in one breath?

Needless to say, Hill smiled and went into talking about his foundation and book. I was slightly embarrassed. However, Hill turned to me and said, “I’m proud of you, brother.”

Hill Harper is proud of me?

For pursuing a dream? For fulfilling a purpose?

This is better than high school.

Editor’s note: Wright, a mass communication junior from La Marque, Texas, was the winner of a video interview contest that garnered the one-on-one meeting with Harper described above and qualified him to compete for a $1,000 UNCF scholarship.Wright’s interview and pictures of Dillard students interviewed on the tour’s Web site at www.empowermetour.org.

30 April 2009

Opinion&Editorial

7

COURTBOUILLON

WORD ON THE AVE: What are your plans for the summer?

Alan Carmel: Sophomore business management major, St. Louis

Arica Brewington: Senior psychology major, Los Angeles

“I’m staying here for summer school and looking for an internship while I am here.”

“After graduation, I am going home [to] relax on the beach and shop.”

Gerald Lee: Sophomore business management/music major,

New Orleans

“I am going to summer school for the first session, and then I am going to travel.”

18 QUESTIONS 5.

Why does the library close 15 minutes before its set closing time?

6.

What’s taking May 9 so long to get here?

7.

What special activities will the administration offer to the Class of 2009?

8.

Why does everyone “hate on” the volleyball team?

9.

Who’s better – 50 Cent or Rick Ross?

10.

Can’t we all just get along?

If you have a question, send it to Boutte at ducourtbouillon@gmail.com .

11.

Where will the juniors stay next year?

12.

Did anyone take Earth Day seriously?

1.

Has anyone noticed the increased sports activity on the oaks since the Powder 13.

Why does everyone think he or she is a rapper?

Puff game?

14.

Why is it that some administrators don’t speak to you on a daily basis, but if 2.

Who’s tired of walking through dead caterpillar juice? someone important is around, they act as if they knew you since you were a baby?

3.

Do some Dillard girls know that “hut hut’n”‘til their butt cheeks fall out is 15.

Who is the commencement speaker? dirty?

16.

When do guys really mature?

4.

Why can’t all of the “wannabees” calm down and just wait to pledge before 17.

Why does it seem like Dillard is trying to keep the seniors here? wearing the colors?

18.

Why are people trying to turn 18 Questions into Juicy Campus?

The column “18 Questions” is a popular one with many Dillard students, who may ask questions serious or facetious, insightful or inane. It is named after the year the university was founded,1869.

The following questions were compiled by writer Jazmine Boutte from the offerings of various students recently.

ABOUT WITH 25% YOUTH

SMOKING

PREVALENCE, LOUISIANA IS RANKED 48TH IN THE NATION. 28.2% OF ALL COLLEGE STUDENTS NATIONWIDE USE TOBACCO PRODUCTS, INDICATING THAT TOBACCO USE SPIKES DURING YOUTH ADULTHOOD. THIS IS NOT SURPRISING SINCE COLLEGE STUDENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS IN PARTICULAR REPRESENT THE YOUNGEST LEGAL TARGETS FOR THE INDUSTRY’S MARKETING EFFORTS. IN LOUISIANA, THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY SPENDS AN ESTIMATED $291.5 MILLION ANNUALLY IN MARKETING ALONE. COLLEGE CAMPUSES NEED TO IMPLEMENT T O B A C C O F R E E P O L I C I E S TO COUNTERACT THE INDUSTRY’S MARKETING IMPACT AMONGST YOUNG ADULTS. FRESH CAMPUS IS A STUDENT-LED CAMPAIGN ESTABLISHED TO FACILITATE THE EMPOWERMENT OF COLLEGE STUDENTS TO CAUSE SOCIAL CHANGE ON THEIR CAMPUS BY FOCUSING EFFORTS ON TOBACCO-FREE CAMPUS POLICIES. FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO LEARN HOW YOU CAN HELP, VISIT: HTTP://MYFRESHCAMPUS.COM Dillard University is a participant in the Fresh Campus campaign.