The DA 11-14-2012

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THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

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

da

Wednesday November 14, 2012

Volume 125, Issue 62

www.THEDAONLINE.com

LGBT activist uses voice for equality By Ashley Tennant Staff Writer

Candace Gingrich-Jones didn’t let the views of her peers, those in political office or even her own family stop her; she was determined to have her voice heard and to take a stance for equality. As part of the West Virginia University Festival of Ideas, Gingrich-Jones, an advocate for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans-

gender community, shared her personal story and the need for activism Tuesday. Her involvement in the LGBT community began in 1995 when her brother, Rep. Newt Gingrich(RGA), became Speaker of the House. She found herself in the national spotlight and had the opportunity to have her voice heard. Gingrich-Jones has traveled across the country since then to talk to Ameri-

cans about the importance of coming out, the duty to vote and the power of everyday conversations to change minds. She said she believes the current generation of young Americans is crucial to obtaining full equality. Noting the widespread support of LGBT issues, she has coined the phrase “Generation Equality” to describe individuals under thirty. “People need to speak

up and act out in order to achieve the justice and equality queer Americans deserve,” she said. “The main thing that I do right now is I am the associate director of the Youth and Campus Outreach Program for the Human Rights Campaign. I am the coordinator for our internship program, which I absolutely love. The energy that knowing these young folks will be carrying the torch of this whole movement is

a really good feeling.” Gingrich is a strong advocate for coming out. She said she believes the decision to come out is a powerful and important choice to make. “The first thing that I always remind people is that it’s your decision when and where and how and if you come out, so I would hope that people don’t ever feel pressured to come out by others. It is a powerful thing, but it’s your power-

A LIFE OF SERVICE

Correspondent

Tyler Herrinton/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

Veterans ‘speak out’ about life, military experiences by megan calderado correspondent

Caroline Atkins, professor of Speech Pathology and Audiology at West Virginia University, has found herself teaching rooms full of student-athletes for more than 20 years. But this year, she’s teaching a class unlike any other. Atkins teaches a class modeled after the Speaking to Communities course specialized for student veterans. These veterans spoke in a public forum titled, “Student Veterans Speak Out” Tuesday at Clear Mountain Bank. The five veterans enrolled in the course shared stories of their military experiences to inspire future generations. “How many of you have a friend or family member in the Marines? How many of them are women?” said Donna Stehley, the only female vet in the class and a Morgantown native. Stehley has served for 26 years on reserves and active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps. Today, 6.2 percent of the Marine Corps is made up of women. However, when she was serving in the ’70s and ’80s, it was not as common.

see veterans on PAGE 2

staff writer

Prior to the 2012 presidential election, major news networks across the country projected a 99 percent probability that West Virginia voters would choose Mitt Romney over Barack Obama – and Mitt Romney did win West Virginia’s five electoral votes. However, the results of the state elections showed a majority of Democrats taking seats as representatives, senators and governor. Why, and how, is West Virginia, a consistent supporter of Republican presidential candidates, full of

by madison fleck staff writer

Tyler Herrinton/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

Caroline Atkins, right, teaches a classed modeled after the Speaking to Communities course specialized for student veterans.

elected Democrats at the state level? “Democrat and Republican are fairly flexible labels,” said Dr. Jeff Worsham, a West Virginia University professor of political science. “Many West Virginia Democrats would be California Republicans. For example, Manchin would fit right in with the California GOP delegates.” Because of these relative labels, Neil Berch, a political science professor of state government at WVU, said West Virginia Democrats and national Democrats are two completely different things. “The West Virginia Dem-

ocrats tend to nominate Democrats who are more conservative,” he said. “Since West Virginia is to the right of the country as a whole, the national Democrats tend to nominate more liberal Democrats who may not fit in as well with West Virginia views.” Coal legislation seemed to be one of the deciding factors for West Virginians in the 2012 election, but Dr. Susan Hunter, a professor of political science at WVU, feels coal is not the huge issue on a national level. “Neither party wants to shut down coal production,” she said. “Democrats simply want the state to abide

by clean air legislation, and you will find that jobs in coal have not been lost during the Obama administration.” In support of Hunter’s opinion, Worsham said race may play an even larger role in the election than coal. “Coal makes a difference in West Virginia, but the sad truth is that the race of Obama may make a bigger difference for many voters,” he said. “Look at the results; there is a reason the South and Border States voted for Romney; whites voted disproportionately for Romney, and blacks voted in even higher proportions for Obama.”

see votes on PAGE 2

49° / 31°

TAYLOR GANG

THE DA IS HIRING WRITERS

INSIDE

Wiz Khalifa returns to Morgantown’s Coliseum Nov. 27 A&E PAGE 6

Inquire about paid positions at The Daily Athenaeum at DA-editor@mail.wvu.edu or pick up an application at our office at 284 Prospect St.

MOSTLY SUNNY

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

For many West Virginia University students, one of the first things that comes to mind when they think of the Mountaineer Maniacs is school spirit, large student fan sections and watch parties to cheer on the Mountaineers. While the organization is responsible for coordinating student fan presence at games and promoting good sportsmanship, its goals reach much further into the community. “It’s extremely important that we represent our organization, not just from a sports standpoint, but to get out in the area and work as a group to give back – especially in Morgantown with it being such a closeknit community,” said Nicole Katz, Director of Community Service said, Throughout the holiday season, Katz said the Maniacs will be doing just that. Members of the organization can be found every month preparing and serving meals for its “Meal-aMonth” initiative. Nonprofit organizations such as the Bartlett House and the Ronald McDonald House have been recipients

of these monthly meals. Tonight from 6-8 p.m., the Maniac Leadership Board will serve November’s meal at the Bartlett House. “The opportunity to serve those less fortunate is one we do not take lightly. It’s a major part of what we do as members of this organization,” Katz said. In addition to serving a “Meal-a-Month,” the Maniacs also partner with the American Red Cross to organize three blood drives per year. At its first blood drive in August, the WVU community donated 89 pints of blood. The Maniacs’ next blood drive is scheduled for Nov. 28, from 1-7p.m. in the Mountainlair Ballrooms. Executive Director Chris Northrup said he encourages both students and community members to participate in this life saving effort. “Donating blood is a great opportunity for students from all different parts of the university to come together and give the gift of life. It is a simple and heartfelt way to show that Mountaineers care. There

see maniacs on PAGE 2

Lecture to connect research, legislation

W.Va. voting results reveal a state divided by Madison fleck

see ideas on PAGE 2

Maniacs rowdy for local community By Summer Ratcliff

Phil D’Bourget, a U.S. Army veteran, speaks during Tuesday’s “Student Veterans Speak Out” event at Clear Mountain Bank in Morgantown.

ful thing that you get to say when, where, and if it happens,” she said. Another one of Gingrich’s main ideas on which she focused during her lecture was the power of everyday conversations and the role they play in the lives of members of the LGBT community. “I think that conversations are something we all do, we all have, and it’s

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

ON THE INSIDE Through its style of play, the Oklahoma defense will offer a different challenge to the West Virginia offense Saturday. SPORTS PAGE 7

A Pennsylvania State University Professor will give a presentation today showing how scientific research and proactive legislation can create positive change. Robert Brooks will give his lecture “Mid-Atlantic Freshwater Wetlands: Using Science to Inform Policy and Practice” at 4 p.m. in Room 101 at the National Research Center for Coal and Energy. Brooks is a professor of geography and ecology in the Department of Geosciences of the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences at Penn State. Dr. Brooks has studied numerous wetland and river systems in the U.S., including emergent marshes, peatlands, shrub and forested wetlands, large rivers and headwater streams. “I know Rob Brooks as we are both wildlife ecologists with wetland science interests,” said Dr. Jim Anderson, Director of the Environmental Re-

search Center at West Virginia University. “We see and talk with each other at the Society of Wetland Scientists almost annually.” Brooks will talk about how he takes science-related data and uses it for management and policy practice. “We’ve quite a bit of work on many different scales from plot level research all the way up to water shed and landscape level studies,” Brooks said. Brooks works with many resource and environmental agencies and said he tries to assist them in any way he can. “We work with the EPA, the Natural Resource Conservation Service and many state resource agencies. We’re always listening to what they need and what they’re trying to do and see if we can find the science based tools to help them do it,” Brooks said. Dr. Anderson feels the lecture will be relevant and beneficial to students. “The topic is important due to this fact,” he said.

see lecture on PAGE 2

BASKETBALL BLUES Backed by a spirited home crowd, No. 19 Gonzaga blasted West Virginia 84-50 in the Mountaineers’ season opener. SPORTS PAGE 7


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