Daily Helmsman The
100 years of true blue
Faculty, staff and student body wish the U of M a happy birthday
Thursday, January 19, 2012 Vol. 79 No. 58
see page 5
PLA(I)N(E)and Simple Independent Student Newspaper of The University of Memphis
www.dailyhelmsman.com
Select UM students to research in Nashville
Abstract exhibit to be displayed at Art and Communication Building
BY MELISSA WRAY News Reporter
Two independent filmmakers are hoping to make an impact at The University of Memphis by having work displayed in a student showcase on campus. The exhibit, South of Hell: Shot in Tennessee, will feature films, photographs and illustrations by Logan Myers and James Dale of Cookeville, Tenn. Myers, 25, and Dale, 24, explore themes of taboo eroticism, southern violence and do-ityourself culture. “I’m just trying to make a living with a camera in my hand,“ Myers said. “I never went to school. This is just something that I love to do.” Three of Myers’ films were selected for the exhibit. “The
Tiger Park to arrive in spring
by Christina Holloway
BY WILLIAM YOUNG News Reporter
Opposite of the small movie area, these pictures were taken by the artists showcased in the South of Hell: Shot in Tennessee exhibition. Tumbleweed Holocaust,” is a short 10-minute Western based on Dale’s graphic novel of the same title written three years ago. “We don’t use scripts; it’s all
free flow,” Dale said. “I help Logan with films and he helps me with projects. We collaborate on mostly everything.” Myers’ films are all low-budget, which have been shown at
film festivals across the country. “The Bear,” a seven-minute film set in an old wrestling arena, was also chosen for the
see
Exhibit, page 3
This spring, University of Memphis sports enthusiasts will be able to enjoy a new on-campus tailgating area set to open. Tiger Park is being built on The University’s South Campus near the entrance to FedEx Park. Construction crews are in the process of clearing rubble from a building that was demolished to make space for Tiger Park. “We want to have a nice green space where people can walk around and visit with people, almost like a city park,” said Bob Winn, associate athletic director of external affairs. “It is going to be more than something just for baseball or softball; it is going to be a multipurpose area.” The exact budget for the tailgating area is still unknown, but the costs are minimal Winn said. “Plans are being worked out,
by Christina Holloway
BY MEAGAN NICHOLS News Reporter
The construction zone of the future Tiger Park outside of the baseball field on South Campus but there will be a grassy area and a picnic area,” said athletic director R.C. Johnson. Winn said having a grassed area will help fans ward off the sweltering Memphis heat before athletic functions such as Football Fan Fest, the Blue and Gray Scrimmage, baseball games, softball games and track meets. “The fact that it is going to be grass and not asphalt will keep the area about 20 degrees cooler,” he said. U of M baseball captain Jonathan Van Eaton said he
is confident the new area, in combination with a promising upcoming baseball season, will help draw in more fans. “It will be a good season. We have a good schedule and some good talent, and we are hoping Tiger Park will bring in some more tailgating before games,” he said. Winn said Tiger Park may be a small motivating factor behind attracting new fans to sporting events, but could have an even bigger impact on already existing supporters. “I don’t know if Tiger Park
will totally drive fan interest, but positive word of mouth about the park might help raise and elevate the image of some of the sports programs,” he said. Johnson said expectations are high that supporters of Memphis athletics will take advantage of this new facility to show off their U of M pride. “Our hope is that Tiger Park will make the game day experience more pleasant,” Johnson said. “It will be a terrific addition to the Tiger Sports complex on the Park Avenue Campus.”
Seven honors students will travel to the Capitol to share a variety of independent research with state legislators. They were chosen along with 52 other undergraduates in Tennessee to participate in the sixth annual “Posters at the Capitol” event at the Tennessee state Capitol Feb. 8. Colton Cockrum, assistant director of the Helen Hardin Honors Program, said the event is a great way to promote undergraduate research to state legislators. “The Tennessee Board of Regents believes that by holding this competition, they will be able to showcase the top undergraduate researchers from each university,” he said. Cockrum said the real-life experience of this event can prove beneficial to students. “They’ll not only be traveling and meeting with legislators from their districts, but they’ll also be representing The U of M, its honors program and their chosen departments,” he said. University of Memphis students attending include Jonathan Bennett, C.J. Hatch, Melanie Sparks, Caroline Melton, Aaron Turner, Kevin Newton and Omar Tamula. Newton, a senior psychology major, said being selected to present his research is one of the highest honors of his undergraduate career. “Research is time consuming,” he said. “It is, of course, worth it, but the time needed is much more than I thought.” Daniel Baker, assistant chemistry professor, said he has been working with senior chemistry major Sparks on her project since the summer during a Research Experience for Undergraduates program. “Melanie is contributing to a larger project aimed at the rational identification and characterization of novel drugs that target cancer and inflammatory diseases,” he said. Bennett, senior political science major, said the inspiration for his research came
see
Capitol, page 6