VOL. CXVIII, No. 78
DailyBarometer.com
Thursday, February 4, 2016 Oregon State University
Celebrating Excellence OSU recognizes black community members for their contributions By Tia Collins News Contributor
Black History Month reflects on the heritage, trials and triumphs of the AfricanAmerican experience. The Black Excellence Celebration takes the opportunity of Black History Month to honor the excellence of Black or African-American community members who have done so much for the lives of Oregon State University students. “To me, Black History Month means celebrating the lives of those that came before us and paved the way. This event is more meaningful because we are honoring people we know,” said Kayla Spears, a political science major, “Some people are teachers with personal connections who don’t receive enough acknowledgement.” The event started with the black national anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” and was followed by a rendition given by Osenat Quadri, of the poem “Still I Rise,” by Maya Angelou. All of the tables were decorated with candles and paper art and free food was provided for all those who attended. “These events mean that you get to see the community that exists, come together, and have a good time,” said Zhane Richardson, a student majoring in human development family sciences and pre-education. Earlean Wilson Huey, a recipient of an award, said she was in awe to be honored. ”Of course, you don’t do what you do for awards, you just do—but it is good to be recognized by community members,” Huey said. Jennifer Dennis who received an award that night said she felt speechless about being honored. “It is motivation to continue to support students and serve as a role model to help students achieve whatever they want to achieve,” Dennis said. “It serves as a two way street, I can learn from students while also relating to some of the things that they are facing.” To many students, the teachers often become like second parents, especially since they can relate to the struggles that the students are having. “The events are a dent in the loneliness felt in a very white area. Especially when you are used to only seeing yourself as stereotypes, it is great to get to see yourself as a leader and in other roles,” Zhane Richardson said. A lot of students felt that they could con-
See Awards, Page 6
Joshua Lucas | THE DAILY BAROMETER
(top) The community members and OSU faculty and staff receive honorable mentions at the Black Excellence Celebrationgin the Memorial Union ballroom Tuesday evening. (bottom left) Barry Jerkins, speaks at the event. (right) the award given to Earlean Wilson Huey at the Black Excellence Celebration in the MU ballroom Tuesday evening.
OSU researchers slow progression of ALS Specific drug compound tested on mice with ALS extended their life spans By Lauren Sluss News Contributor
Brian Nguyen| THE DAILY BAROMETER
Joseph Beckman, distinguished professor of biochemistry and biophysics holding and viewing the compound drugs to test on mice.
IN THIS ISSUE >>>
After decades of work, OSU researchers successfully created a therapy which stops the progression of ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, for almost two years in one type of mouse model. ALS is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that causes the death and deterioration of motor neurons in the spinal cord. After decades of work, no treatment has been discovered that can prolong human survival for more than a month. The team of OSU researchers, however, made a recent breakthrough discovery that is the most promising research ever conducted in halting ALS progression, according to distinguished professor of biochemistry and biophysics, and senior author of the study, Joseph Beckman, who has been studying ALS for over 20 years. “We’ve been working really hard with the ALS research and clinical investigation com-
munity, and have done a good job of building the case for why people should go forward,” Beckman said. For the past two and a half years, Beckman have been using a standard mouse model in which the human gene containing the disease is put in the mouse, allowing researchers to study the effects of ALS. “The mouse develops ALS within four months and dies within four and a half months. It looks like a great model of ALS, and is the most widely-used model of neurodegeneration in the world,” Beckman said. “Hundreds of labs have used it, but none of us could treat the disease.” Beckman and his teams began using the treatment of copper-ATMS, which helps deliver copper specifically to cells with damaged mitochondria, and helps treat ALS in the spinal cord. Beckman found the mice injected with copper-ATMS started to regain mobility and strength. “It wasn’t too surprising—we were replenishing their brains with copper. What was surprising is that the mice continued to live past four months,” Beckman said. “The first mouse we tested made it to 280 days. We had
See ALS, Page 6
Nonprofit Career Fair, NEWS, PAGE 2 Signing day, SPORTS, PAGE 4&5 Ray on the radio, A&E, PAGE 8