THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
“Little good is accomplished without controversy, and no civic evil is ever defeated without publicity.”
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Wednesday August 5, 2015
Volume 127, Issue 148
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Students attend TEIMUN conference by john mark shaver staff writer @dailyathenaeum
West Virginia University student representatives returned home last week after spending six days in the Netherlands for The European International Model United Nations. TEIMUN, which took place July 13 through July 19, hosted around 250 university students from all over the world. WVU has been sending students to
TEIMUN since 2009, and is one of the conference’s only sources of American participants. “[Participants] are from all over the world,” said Jason Neal, a student who participated in this year’s conference. “I think we met one other American student that was there… It really does have an international flavor to it. There were a lot of students from The Netherlands itself, but we met students from Indonesia, Spain, Italy, Greece,
and truly from all over.” Aside from Neal, five other students made their way to The Netherlands to participate in the event, including sophomore political science and Chinese studies student Noah McDill. “TEIMUN was actually my first Model UN,” McDill said. “I was put into the International Court of Justice [Committee].” McDill noted the experience as a great way to explore and study abroad.
Brooks named 2015 most distinguished alumnus from West Virginia School of Medicine by rachel mcbride staff writer @dailyathenaeum
Dr. Paul Brooks, Jr. was recently named the West Virginia University School of Medicine’s 2015 Distinguished Alumnus. Brooks, originally from Nicholas County, graduated from the WVU School of Medicine in 1966 and after graduation, completed his internship training at Cabell-Huntington Hospital in Huntington, West Virginia. Brooks and his company, Brookmar Incorporated, became responsible for the largest environmental health enrollment survey in U.S. history. Approximately 69,000 people were involved in the survey, including an estimated 81% of the eligible population. Data they collected was the primary foundation for finding potential links to human disease among people exposed to a chemical known as perfluorooctanoic acid, also known as PFOA or C8. According to Alan M. Ducatman, M.D., a physician and full time professor at WVU, perfluroalkyl substances are common in the environment as accidental releases from manufacturers and the side effect of many products used by the common person. These products include non-stain textiles and carpets, as well as nonstick food containers. “The chemicals are long-
Samantha Shimer, a junior international studies student, returned to TEIMUN on the staff this year after participating in 2014’s conference. “When I went as a participant, the University paid for the majority of it, but I loved it so much that I paid my way back this year to be on staff,” Shimer said. “It’s an extraordinary experience in the sense that, at other Model UN conferences, it’s purely academic… at TEIMUN, it’s a
little more relaxed. You’re in session for maybe seven or eight hours a day and then we have celebrations in the evening so you really get to know the people that you’re working with.” While not affiliated with TEIMUN, WVU also has its own Model United Nations. “They really have no relationship, but the Office of Student Life and the International Studies Department team up to send six students to The European International Model United
Nations Conference [each year],” Shimer said. WVU’s Model UN is a part of two National Model UN’s per year –Washington D.C. in the fall, and New York City in the spring. While a prerequisite class is required, students from all majors can join the club. “We, as a club and as a class, are open to more than just international studies and political science ma-
see TEIMUN on PAGE 2
SUMMER CELEBRATION
lasting in the environment and readily get into humans, where they have half lives of several years or more,” Ducatman said. Ducatman also stated his opinion on the importance of Brooks’ survey. “This is an extraordinary level of participation, and he recruited (the participants) in a remarkably short period of time in response to the need to set up a program,” Ducatman said. “The speed and size are both extraordinary achievements.” According to Ducatman, the data collected from Brooks’ health enrollment survey has formed the basis of or contributed to more than 30 papers in scientific literature. Along with Brookmar Inc., Brooks continued to become involved in many other organizations throughout his professional career. Brooks was the board chair of a health maintenance organization, Primary One, which provided coverage to many West Virginians beginning in the 1990s. He was a captain in the U.S. Air Force as well as serving as a general medical officer and the chief of outpatient service at Fairchild Air Force Base from 1967 to 1969. Brooks is a board-certified physician by the American Board of Family Practice and the National Board
see ALumni on PAGE 2
Garrett Yurisko/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
An overlook of the Monongalia County Fair from the ferris wheel last weekend.
Monongalia County Fair hits Mylan Park last week by Ally Litten staff writer @dailyathenaeum
This year marked another successful year for the Monongalia County Fair. The smell of funnel cakes, the playful screams of children and the rumble of motorsports filled Mylan Park. From July 28 to August 1, the Mon County Fair brought happiness and entertainment to community members, offering something for everyone in attendance. Kicking off the fair was the parade held on July 27. People of all ages gathered on High Street to watch community organizations march proudly down the street. The Black Bears mascot made an appearance as well as local marching Garrett Yurisko/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM band and fair contestants. A food drive also took place to help collect food for People at the Monongalia County Fair enjoyed their night playing skee-ball. those in need. ment, a quilt show, a Kids Day, delicious food and plenty of Opening on Tuesday evening, the fairgrounds were filled run rides. The live entertainment included Three Car Garage, with people. The fair included contests, pageants, exhibits, motor sports, livestock auction, a car show, live entertainsee FAIR on PAGE 2
U Club Sunnyside to open luxury living complex by ally Litten staff writer @dailyathenaeum
On July 29, Morgantown city officials joined American Campus Communities and West Virginia University in the groundbreaking of the new U Club Sunnyside complex. President E. Gordon Gee, Morgantown Mayor Marti Shamberger, Student Government Association president George Capel and WVU alumnus and American Campus Communities board member Oliver Luck and CEO Bill Bayless welcomed American Campus Communities new, and 100th, project U Club Sunnyside to Morgantown. The ceremony took place at the former site of Sunnyside Commons. The cleared lot is now under construction, adding a 536-bed, luxury living complex for West Virginia University students. “Everyone at ACC does fabulous jobs,” Gee said.
Askar Salikhov/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
SGA President George Capel, along with President Gee and other city officials, break new ground in commemoration of U Club Sunnyside and its beginning construction. “We are very happy with our partnership and, of course, it continues to change the culture and nature with all of our housing here. We are providing among the high-
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INSIDE
Schumer and Quinn entertain on the silver screen A&E PAGE 5
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est quality of housing for our students available in this country.” Bayless, a 1986 WVU alumnus, was very proud and eager to partner with
his alma mater. American Campus Committees had already been involved in the construction of Lincoln Hall, Honors College and College Park Apartments.
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The groundbreaking was not the only thing to celebrate. U Club Sunnyside marks American Campus Communities 100th project. “American Campus Communities is going to be here for a long, long time,” said Jason Wills, a senior officer at American Campus Communities. “I get the feeling there’s a strong emotional attachment.” Due to Bayless and Luck’s sentimental attachment to WVU and Morgantown, they are excited and proud to have this be the 100th project. “In Bill’s heart he is always here in Morgantown, West Virginia,” Luck said. As a former resident assistant at Summit Hall, Bayless knows from firsthand experience what constitutes an amazing housing complex. “I learned more about student housing at Summit Hall,” Bayless said. “What happened here at WVU certainly changed the world
and way of life for college students. We would not exist if not for WVU.” Bayless began his relationship with Gee back in the 80s when he was working at Summit Hall. However, it has now grown into a partnership. “American Campus Communities loves to work with WVU. To work with the administration and University is something that is always really special,” Bayless said. Altogether, Mayor Shamberger, WVU administration and American Campus Communities are striving to create a better environment for students. “Everyone here shares a vision of what Mon County and Morgantown can become,” Capel said. American Campus Communities bought Sunnyside Commons in 2008 and is a very important part of Sunnyside Up, a redevelopment initiative for the infamous
see UCLUB on PAGE 2
BACK ON THE FIELD West Virginia begins football mini camp this week SPORTS PAGE 7