The DA 12-10-2012

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THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

“Little good is accomplished without controversy, and no civic evil is ever defeated without publicity.”

da

Monday December 10, 2012

Volume 126, Issue 74

www.THEDAONLINE.com

THIS IS THE FINAL EDITION OF THE DA FOR THE FALL SEMESTER. FOR UPDATES during WINTER BREAK, CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR CONTINUED COVERAGE OF WvU

University remembers Pearl Harbor By Summer Ratcliff Correspondent

“December 7, 1941: A date which will live in infamy.” President Franklin D. Roosevelt spoke those famous words the day after the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor fell under attack by the Empire of Japan. During the attacks, more than 2,400 American mil-

itary personnel lost their lives and all eight U.S. Navy battleships were damaged. Four of those battleships were sunk, including the USS West Virginia. In March of 1961, the mainmast of the USS West Virginia was brought to Morgantown and given as a gift to West Virginia University, due in part to the efforts of current West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw.

At the time, McGraw was serving as the Student Body President at WVU and took on the task of obtaining the mast as part of his campaign. The mast was then dedicated as a memorial on the downtown campus of West Virginia University in 1963. Today, the mast, as well as the ship’s bell, is located in Oglebay Plaza. The site has become a tribute to all military ser-

staff writer

Thanks to West Virginia University’s Student Organizations Services, the holidays came early for dozens of underprivileged children Saturday. Saturday morning, volunteers from Student Organizations Services took underprivileged children 12 years and younger shopping for Christmas presents, free of charge. The children’s parents applied for the program through the Salvation Army, and there are certain financial criteria that must be met in order for the families to be admitted into it. “We send out the request for about 80 children,” said Kim Harrison, assistant director of Student Organizations Services. “Then typically, between 50 and 70 end up being able to come.” The funding for the program, which is in its 26th year, comes from various places. Student Organizations Services put in a request for donations, and the donations come from

the community, student organizations, faculty and staff. The children were eager to be paired with a volunteer, but since there were many more volunteers than children, each child was paired with three or four volunteers. After getting a volunteer, children were able to get their picture taken with the Mountaineer. They were then driven to the Westover K-Mart, and each child was allotted $85 to spend on whatever his or her heart desired. “You’ll be surprised how many children buy things for their family and don’t spend it all on themselves,” Harrison said. Mu Tau members Haleigh Jeffrey and Leigh Reichert accompanied Janessa, a first grader at Mountainview Elementary School. Mu Tau is an organization for students in the medical laboratory science major. Jeffrey and Reichert followed Janessa around the store, waiting for her to pick out something she

Among those present was Ben Shupp, prospective Commander of the USS West Virginia. During his keynote address, Shupp noted the important role the USS West Virginia played in the war after it was recovered from the ocean. “She was a true example of the American fighting spirit, rising from near destruction to play a vital role in our vengeful victory over

City Editor

Wythe Woods/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

Convocation ceremony celebrates, honors new graduates by bryan bumgardner associate city editor

see cheer on PAGE 2

Hilah Zia has always been grateful for the outpouring of support she’s received from her Mountaineer family. Now, more than ever, she is relying on the Mountaineer Nation to help her show the country what it means to be a Mountaineer. Zia, a public administration graduate student and the 2012 Ms. Mountaineer, was recently named a finalist in the #Big12ing Photo Contest. Sponsored by Dr. Pepper and Motel 6, the contest invited Big 12 fans to upload a photo of themselves supporting their favorite team on the contest’s Facebook page for a chance to win tickets and

lodging to a Big 12-affiliated bowl game of their choice. “I submitted a photo just for fun,” Zia said. “I thought it’d be cool to do.” After she received the news she had been named one of the 12 finalists for the competition, Zia said her friends began working to support her opportunity to go to the Pinstripe Bowl. Her friends created a Facebook event page and began spreading the word to show their support for her and the University, she said. Zia said she hopes to use the competition as an opportunity to show the Big 12 just how passionate the WVU community is. “We’re going to a bowl game out first year in the

see PINSTRIPE on PAGE 2

Wythe Woods/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

Graduates wait to receive their degrees at Convocation Sunday.

by megan funkhouser correspondent

In Kandahar, Afghanistan, a man named Rafi Aloko waits patiently for an opportunity. His goal: make the 7,057 mile trip to Morgantown, W.Va., leaving behind a bloody conflict in search of a new beginning as a Mountaineer. Aloko hopes to pursue a master’s degree at WVU, but the journey will not be an easy one. Education

is not free, and funding is limited. “There is currently no government scholarship for Afghan students,” said David Stewart, Associate Vice President for International and Global Outreach. Aloko, like many in Afghanistan, had to leave his home to gain an education. Despite a lack of resources Aloko earned his bachelors in business administration in India.

MORE PROBLEMS

GAMEDAY GALLERY

INSIDE

Recent events indicate SGA will have another testy election season. OPINION PAGE 4

Check out additional photos from WVU’s latest basketball games on The Daily Athenaeum’s Facebook page.

News: 1, 2, 3 Opinion: 4 A&E: 6, 7, 8 Sports: 9, 10, 12, 13, 14 Campus Calendar: 5 Puzzles: 5 Classifieds: 15

West Virginia University’s Coliseum stands were filled Sunday – not for a basketball game or a concert, but for WVU’s December graduation ceremony. The December 2012 Convocation Ceremony recognized more than 700 graduating students. As the candidates filed into the room, friends and family around the Coliseum whistled and waved, trying to pick their graduate out from the crowd. Once the graduates were seated, University President James P. Clements addressed them directly. “You’ve started something here at West Virginia University, and now you’re ready to launch your plans and your dreams,” he said. “Today marks the end of an important chapter

see graduation on PAGE 2

Afghan student seeking WVU education

58° / 35°

RAIN

see harbor on PAGE 2

WVU President James P. Clements congratulates students at the Convocation Ceremony Sunday at the WVU Coliseum.

Ms. Mountaineer finalist in photo contest By Carlee Lammers

Japan in 1945,” Shupp said. “Today, the men of the USS West Virginia honor the sacrifices of those sailors who went before us. We remember the lessons of Pearl Harbor and work every day to ensure a similar attack is never again considered by an opposing nation.” In addition to the address, a 21-gun salute and a ringing of the ship’s

A CLASS APART

Student Orgs spread Christmas cheer by madison fleck

vice members from the state of West Virginia and the University. Friday, 71 years after the attacks at Pearl Harbor, an annual remembrance ceremony was held in front of the mast. More than 100 students and faculty, as well as military personnel, veterans and community members, gathered at the site to remember those who lost their lives in the attack.

CONTACT US Newsroom 304-293-5092 or DAnewsroom@mail.wvu.edu Advertising 304-293-4141 or DA-Ads@mail.wvu.edu Classifieds 304-293-4141 or DA-Classifieds@mail.wvu.edu Fax 304-293-6857

“There is a lot more difference between States students and Afghanistan students,” Stewart said. “Regarding base standards (in the U.S.) and schooling in peaceful ambiance, (the U.S. has) much updated school materials.” He was proud of the improvements made in Afghan education, however. “But we have schooled in such a crisis situation, and, of course, there was lack of high school books,

ON THE INSIDE The No. 23 West Virginia women’s basketball team defeated St. Bonaventure 67-47 Saturday, avenging last season’s loss to the Bonnies. SPORTS PAGE 9

but yet we have sorted out to get graduated and finally paved a way to India for higher education,” he said. Anita Mayer, Director of WVU Undergraduate Advising Services Center, has been assisting Aloko. She communicates frequently with him and is exploring avenues to get him to WVU. “Of course, funding is going to be the issue,” she said. “I believe the right

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NOR-THREEN SHINES Sophomore forward Kevin Noreen hit two unexpected three-pointers Saturday that propelled WVU past rival Virginia Tech. SPORTS PAGE 10


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