REPENTANCE AND RECOVERY: LIFE OF AN EX GANG MEMBER
SEE PAGE 6
ENROLLMENT
DROPPING IN NUMBERS
Fresno State
2012
CSU
Total student pop. 22,565
African-American students are left behind
The African-American student population at Fresno State and in the California State University (CSU) system is facing a continual decline, even though general enrollment is at an all-time high. According to the Fresno State Office of Institutional Effectiveness, from 2012 through 2016, African-American students slowly dropped in numbers. Reasons for the low enrollment may vary, but if the trend continues, African-American students will make up less than 1 percent of the universityʼs population in the following years. On campus, African-American student population has dropped from 3.2 percent to 2 percent in the past four years. This issue does not only present itself at Fresno State but is seen in the CSU system as a whole. In 2012, there were 20,902 African-American students enrolled in the system. In 2016, there were approximately 20,009, according to CSU Analyst Studies. Last year, when CSU Chancellor Dr. Timothy P. White hosted a forum on campus, the Afrikan Black Coalition voiced their concerns. Outside of the forum, 68 red shirts were laid on the floor representing the 68 African-American students who had dropped out since the beginning of the semester. Fresno State President Dr. Joseph Castro addressed the concerns during the forum, and said: “We share their concerns about the decrease in the number of African-American students at Fresno State, and actually, in higher education across the country. I believe itʼs going to take time, but Iʼm confident that with the right strategies, our enrollment will grow.” Recently, the university began establishing resources for African-American student success. Ciara Armstead, a senior public health major and former president of Black Students United (BSU), is working toward the success of African-American students. Armstead explained that geography plays a role in the drop of African-American freshmen enrollment. “Thereʼs a low density of African-Ameri
See ENROLLMENT, Page 3
370,030
African-American pop. 718 (3.2%)
2013
Total student pop. 23,060
380,544
African-American pop. 20,499 639 (2.8%) (5.4%)
2014
Total student pop. 23,179
542 (2.3%)
20,017 (4.9%)
2015
Total student pop. 24,136
405,928
African-American pop.
2016
5%
392,750
African-American pop.
514 (2.1%)
6%
20,902 (5.6%)
20,156 (5%)
Total student pop.
4%
Fresno State CSU
3% 2% 1% 2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
24,403
410,758
African-American pop. 20,009 492 (2.0%) (4.9%)
OPINION
GOT OPINIONS? We want to hear them. COLLEGIAN-OPINION@CSUFRESNO.EDU WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 2017
2
THE 45TH PRESIDENT
Trump is power drunk, journalists are hungover By Collegian Editorial Board @TheCollegian
After more than one month in the White House, President Donald Trump has taken a position against the press that is all too clear – he is supportive of outlets that sing his praises and marks those who criticize him as “the enemy” or “fake news.” Since Trump’s inauguration, he and his team, including adviser Kellyanne Conway and White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, have served news outlets one ridiculous headline after another. However, if any outlet – even one as credible as CNN – dare view his actions as president through a critical lens, they join a long blacklist of those who have scorned him. By doing this, he likens his behavior to that of an unruly teenager, consistently defying authority. If anyone dares to say anything he might not agree with, he locks himself in his Oval Office and will only answer the door to those who will tell him what he wants to hear. Not to mention he has used his position of power in establishing a cabinet full of equally rich and affluent peers, ones who are smarter than to defy his – or realistically, chief strategist Steve Bannon’s – actions as president. What’s particularly terrifying about his blackballing of historically influential news outlets is that he disrupts the idea of the Fourth Estate – he fails to recognize the fourth pillar of democracy. The media is considered an objective observer with a purpose to ensure a healthy democracy, and keep government and those in power accountable. What Trump doesn’t realize is that his bigoted, puffed-up bullying will only take him so far. At the heart of publications like the New York Times and CNN are journalists committed to asking honest, hard-hit-
ting questions and delivering honest, hard-hitting truths. It will take more than Trump’s formulaic huffing and puffing to dismantle that. At the heart of journalism lies the desire to deliver truthful, unbiased news that offers information to the public. Average U.S. citizens rely on print journalism or online news to deliver the information they need to stay aware. When President Trump blacklists media outlets like Univision, a widely popular Spanish-speaking news network, he immediately deafens its consumers to primary knowledge of what’s happening on Capitol Hill. If all an outlet has to do to get blacklisted is to criticize the choices of Bannon, Conway or Trump himself, how long will it be until the only outlet on the list is Fox News or fake news websites? Every person living in America has the right to know what’s going on within their country regardless of race, ethnicity, spoken language or religious belief. Outlawing noticeably left-leaning outlets like The Huffington Post is one thing, but it is another thing to ban the New York Times or CNN, who have for years provided crucial reporting. Not only is selective deafening of the press immature, it is also unethical. The First Amendment protects freedom of speech, and the press. By banning media juggernauts that deliver information to the masses, Trump and his camp’s actions are fundamentally unconstitutional. What’s most unsettling is considering the fact of what Trump’s relationship with the news once was. Long before press conferences in which he pointed fingers shouting “fake news,” he was a businessman-turned-celebrity. Over the course of the last 20 years, Trump went from real estate tycoon to pop-culture phenomenon, all thanks to
Olivier Douliery • Abaca Press/TNS
U.S. President Donald J. Trump delivers his first address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017 at the Capitol in Washington, D.C.
television appearances and the development of his own reality television show, “The Apprentice.” So then why now the tension between Trump and media? He should no longer use the influence of the press to elevate his career. He is no longer a pop culture phenomenon making cameos in summer blockbusters. He is the leader of our country and if the public is alarmed by his erratic responses, they should be. The more Trump continues to suppress the rights of news outlets, the more he infringes upon the constitutional right of freedom of speech. If he continues to unethically silence truthful reporting, he contributes to the misinformation of the – American people, regardless of citizenship or documentation. News outlets deserve the right to deliver
facts to those consuming it. It is the responsibility of those outlets to deliver truthful and direct facts free from partisan politics. Trump needs to sober up, because he is clearly drunk on his power. Eventually, finger-pointing during press conferences will do nothing but keep Americans in the dark. If Trump blacklists even more reputable news sources and doesn’t allow the press to maintain and produce ethical material for the masses, he does an unethical disservice to the American people. Americans deserve factual news, and the First Amendment secures the press’ right to do its job. If the president adds more names to his blacklist, he only suppresses the rights of journalists everywhere and prioritizes his image over the well-being of the United States and its inhabitants.
Jordan Bradley • The Collegian
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THE COLLEGIAN • NEWS
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 2017
PAGE 3
SAFETY
Alleged serial groper pleads not guilty By Daniel Gligich @DanielGligich
DéAndre Jean-Pierre, a former TimeOut mascot for Fresno State and communication and theatre arts major, pleaded not guilty Tuesday morning in Fresno Su-
perior Court to five misdemeanor charges of sexual battery. Jean-Pierre, who is accused of sexually assaulting several women near the campus, was ordered to return to court on March 21 for a status hearing, and his trial could begin April 6.
U.S. IMMIGRATION
Attorney gives tips to undocumented students By Rebeca Flores @RebecaaFlores
Local undocumented community members were welcomed on to campus Monday to learn about their rights and how to act if U.S. immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers were to come to their homes. “You have a right to an attorney,” said Mariah Thompson with the National Lawyers Guild. “Stay silent and never speak unless an attorney is present, and never open the [front] door – not to the police or ICE – without being shown a warrant signed by a judge.” The workshop informed the community about the challenges ICE may present and what to look out for. “They do have a right to lie to you and mislead you,” Thompson said. “Always be cautious about this and, frankly, be suspicious.” The event also went over key phrases to use if an ICE official confronts any undocumented person. “Three key phrases to say are: ‘I
am exercising the right to stay silent;’ ‘I want to talk to an attorney;’ and ‘I don’t consent to a search,’” Thompson said. The meeting addressed fears brought on by the current political climate and what the tone being set for undocumented immigrants. “You’re panicked about your family, for yourself, for your communities and it’s valid,” attorney Aida Macedo said. “What’s happening is not something that should be happening in the U.S. It is up to everybody here in the undocumented community to change the political craziness that is happening. To inform ourselves and to be really stern about our rights.” Local activist Luis Ojeda said some students feel it’s important to inform the public about their rights and what kind of safety they have. “[This] is an-eye opening event,” student David Vargas said. “Even if you don’t support the immigration debate, it’s important to at least get the perspective of what these undocumented people are going through.”
He was a senior at Fresno State when he was arrested in December on suspicion of being the serial groper attacking women near the northwest side of Fresno State. He posted bail Dec. 3. Some of the incidents in which Jean-Pierre is accused occurred
in June, October and November of 2016. Witnesses told police that he allegedly groped victims at University Village and Plaza Apartments, located on the northwest corner of Cedar and Barstow. Along with serving as a mascot, Jean-Pierre was a member of
the Onyx club and played a role in the play “Hands Up: 7 Playwrights & Testaments.” Jean-Pierre declined to answer questions from The Collegian on Tuesday. It was not immediately confirmed if Jean-Pierre is a current student.
COMPETITION
Mock trial team sets eye on championship By Cresencio Rodriguez Delgado @Cres_Guez
The Fresno State Intercollegiate Mock Trial program could be headed for a victory it has seen only once before in its 12-year history. Three groups from the mock trial team recently beat other universities at national mock trial competitions. Two of the groups are scheduled to compete at Fresno State in March in the Opening Round Championships (ORC), said the team’s head coach and co-instructor, Gordon Park. Despite three teams winning bids to enter the competition, only two are allowed per school. It will the be the first time the university hosts the opening round of competition. The Fresno State coaches will choose a maximum of 10 students, who will play the roles of attorneys and witnesses in its all-star teams to compete in the opening championships after the weekend wins. Four teams competed simultaneously over the weekend in regional qualifying tournaments in
Colorado Springs, Colorado, and in Claremont, in the Los Angeles area. Two Fresno State teams competed at each tournament. The top seven teams to win at each regional tournament would earn a bid to enter the opening round competition, which will be hosted at Fresno State March 25 through 26. The American Mock Trial Association considers the competition at Fresno State the “ORC of Death,” citing its difficulty and competitiveness. The first team to win a bid for the competition was an “E” team which competed in Colorado Springs. The team, considered to be less experienced, was made up of a returning senior and a second-year mock trial student as well as five new mock trial students, three of whom are freshmen, Park said. The second team, an “A” team, also won at the Colorado Springs tournament. It was a more experienced team, and beat two other “A” teams from Utah and Colorado. At the same time that the “A” team was celebrating in Colorado, the mock trial’s “B” team in Los
Angeles won first place. It secured the Fresno State mock trial team’s third bid for the opening round championship tournament. A Fresno State “D” team was also competing in Los Angeles. Park said coaches and officers from the American Mock Trial Association have reached out to congratulate the teams at Fresno State. After all, Park said, it is a first-time record win of three bids for the university’s mock trial program. Park added that the three bids help the team’s national ranking as well as public image. “We now hope to win one of the six coveted bids from our Fresno tournament to allow us to compete at the national championship finals,” Park said. The Opening Round Championships at Fresno State will take place at the Kremen School of Education. Opening and closing ceremonies are planned for March 25 and 26 at the Save Mart Center’s Leon Peters Auditorium. The national championship finals are scheduled for mid-April and are hosted by University of California, Los Angeles.
African-American students experience low enrollment ENROLLMENT from Page 1 can people in Fresno,” Armstead said. “If you’re outside of the service area [for example Los Angeles], you have to have a higher grade point average to get into the university.” In order to get local students interested in applying to a fouryear university, Fresno State is reviving an outreach program. “The ambassador program are students serving in the Fresno area where they’re going out to middle schools and high schools,” Armstead said. “They’re talking to the students about A-G requirements and
SATs and ACTs.” Although there are many Black Students United members currently participating in the program, they look for all volunteers interested in making a difference. The program hopes to expand outside of Fresno County, where there are high populations of African-Americans students. Armstead is also part of the Afrikan Black Coalition, a student-created organization from the University of California system that works to fix African-American acceptance and retention levels. The organization chapter on campus works closely with University President Dr. Joseph Castro.
“We directly work with the president and his cabinet to make sure programs like this get off the ground,” Armstead said. “[The program] is structured in a way to help African-American students recruitment and retention rates.” One program initiated was the Office of Black Student Success, which began in the fall and was opened through the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP). “It’s a program through EOP that helps specifically African-American students with advising and keeping everyone accountable for their education and making sure they are adapting to the university well,” Arm-
stead said. Armstead also said the programs for African-American students in the Cross Culture and Gender Center help promote students’ success. The university worked to get African-American freshmen excited about their journey in higher education, through the Harambee Retreat. The threeday event was held over the summer and gave a transitional experience for African-American students. “It was to really get African-American students acquainted with the Fresno State campus, faculty and staff before starting school,” Armstead said.
Armstead owes her success to the students and staff that made her feel like the campus was “home,” she said. She explained that student success can’t be done by one person, but the entire community coming together. “Making sure all students feel welcome and accepted at the university,” Armstead said. “I think that will be the biggest key to success at Fresno State.”
C
COMMENT: The Collegian is a forum for student expression. http://fresnostate.edu/collegian
A&E
4
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 2017
Student Spotlight: Fashion student inspired by the ‘90s
By Eric Zamora @TheCollegian
The fashion world is fast-paced and ever-changing. What may be popular and trending one day will be out the next day, and student Juan Echeverria said he intends on always being ahead of the curve. Echeverria is a communications major and fashion merchandising minor who has a passion for all things style. He is also involved as a designer and stylist in the Fashion Inc. Spring which will be held on April 1 at 4:30 p.m. in the Satellite Student Union. This year, designers in the show are using inspiration from a film of their choosing for their collection. Echeverria chose “Dope,” a 2015 coming-of-age story starring Shameik Moore, Zoë Kravitz and A$AP Rocky. A$AP Rocky – known for his rap music – is the reason Echeverria chose this movie as the inspiration for his collection. “[My inspiration] is ‘90s to present street fashion, and we want the collection to bring about that without having to say what it is inspired by,” Echeverria said. For the fashion show, he is styling his collection using both the clothing he has designed and clothing from thrift stores mixed in as well. Echeverria is planning to release a clothing collection on the summer. His interest in fashion and designing started with one important aspect of style: shoes. “At a very early age with Michael Jordan
Yezmene Fullilove • The Collegian
Juan Echeverria speaks about fashion and his upcoming projects on Monday, Feb. 27, 2017.
and all of that, the shoes to get were Jordans,” Echeverria said. “They were exclusive, hard to get and expensive.” Growing up as a first-generation Mexican-American in the United States, Echeverria wasn’t able to get the expensive shoes he wanted. It wasn’t until he started working as he got older that he was able to fuel his budding interest in shoes and fash-
Our increased income guidelines
have made it easier for students to qualify!
ion. “I go for exclusivity,” Echeverria said in regards to the kinds of shoes he seeks out. He has a collection of shoes from a variety of time eras. Echeverria said he has waited in lines for up to 12 hours for a pair
ROGUE FEST
MFA creative writing students are going ‘Rogue’ By Sean Johnson-Bey @TheCollegian
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of shoes. His most expensive pair, a collaboration between Nike and Kanye West, the Air Yeezy 2 commonly nicknamed Red October, cost $2,500. Echeverria’s collection of designer pieces and shoes inspired him to design his own clothing under the name We-Digital Clothing. For his own clothing, Echeverria is inspired by the collections shown by designers and brands each season. “Details matter to me, and I feel like some companies have that detail,” Echeverria said. Details like the distressing of fabric in his clothing, he learned from studying other collections. His own personal style and his lifelong dedication to presenting himself in the best way possible is a major influence in his work that he got from his mother. “My mom always dressed proper, formal, and it was always an occasion, not even to go out, but to go to the store, and my mom would always tend to get ready,” Echeverria said. He said he hopes to get more experience in styling, which he has more of an interest in than designing. “I feel like I can walk into a thrift store and pick out the best outfit for under $20 or $30,” he said. In the future, Echeverria hopes to travel the world, specifically to Japan.
Students from the Fresno State Master of Fine Arts Program in Creative Writing and the English department will join acts from across the state in Fresno’s 16th annual Rogue Festival during the first two weekends of March. The Rogue Festival is one of the biggest art events in the state of California and this year will be no different. Current U.S. Poet Laureate Juan Felipe Herrera says that Fresno is the “capital of poetry in the world.” This “non juried fringe festival” celebrates independent artists in theater, music, dance, poetry and more. Performances will begin Friday March 3 and will include 16 Fresno State students from the program. Students Eddie P. Gomez, Gilliann Hensley, Matthew Kenerly and Mary Pickett will be the first of 16 acts to represent Fresno State at the festival. English department communication staff member Jefferson Beavers is excited about Fresno States’ opportunity to be represented at the festival and for the students to be on stage. “My focus as a communication staff is to make opportunities for the students and to put them in the spotlight,” said Beavers, who also coordinates the show “Poetry and Prose” which showcases students’ work from the Fine Arts Program in Creative Writing and the English department. On Sunday, four more Fresno State students will hit the stage; they are Jack Chavoor, Erica Hughes, Gloria Montez and Tara Williams.
Williams, a second-year grad student in fiction-writing, will be one of several fiction-writing students performing at the festival. It will be Williams’ first time performing at the festival, and she feels the nerves of the big day. “I am a little nervous about performing,” Williams said. “This is my first time. Hopefully, I’m as good as the other acts.” Beavers is confident Williams, along with the other students, will excel in their performances at the festival. Williams will be reading an original piece, either “Esme” or “Bones.” She will let the crowd choose which piece she reads. March 10 and March 11 will conclude the festival with performances by students Krystal Cantú, Jackie Huertaz, Arielle Jones, Arthur Morales, Linnea Alexander, Rebeca Flores, Beth Linder Carr and Dani Potter. The Rogue Festival is also an opportunity for those outside of Fresno who want to have the opportunity to perform. Performer Eliza Gibson is coming from San Francisco to perform her “Bravo 25,” a solo theater performance that will include role-playing of many different characters. Gibson is excited about coming to Fresno once again to perform at the festival. “I like it. There is always a friendly, warm audience, which is great,” Gibson said. She also provided a sneak peak into her performance, Bravo 25. “If I could sum up ‘Bravo 25,’ it would be in the form of a question,” said Bravo. “Can artificial intelligence help us be better humans?” Anyone interested in the acts or the festival can visit http://www.roguefestival. com/festival-history/ for more details.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 2017
THE COLLEGIAN • A&E
PAGE 5
LOS DANZANTES
Expressing diversity through dance By Yesenia Candelaria @yesiamanda6
An active dance group on campus is showing how different cultural backgrounds can unite through dance and performance. Los Danzantes de Aztlán is the Fresno State folkloric dance group that was founded in 1970 through the department of Chicano and Latin American studies. The dance group serves as a way for students to come together and learn different styles of dance from the states in Mexico. “You get to learn that Mexico is diverse on its own, so bringing that culture into the university so people are exposed to it and learn about it brings more awareness to how diverse each country really can be,” Mayra Aceves said. Aceves is the current president of the dance group and serves as director Dr. Victor Torres’ assistant. She is a graduate student in the school counseling program and has been dancing with Los Danzantes for four years. Aceves said having dance groups like Los Danzantes and other cultural groups on campus is a way to bring respect and appreciation for different cultures. “It’s been a learning experience from being a part of the dance group,” Aceves said. Aceves and the other dancers are preparing for performances in March and April, like Preview Day and at the Cesar Chavez celebration in the Peace Garden at the end of March. The group will also be hosting the 11th
annual El Festival de Los Danzantes on April 7-9 on campus. Instructors and dancers from Mexico and other parts of California will hold workshops to teach participants – from 4 to 60 years of age – different dances from Mexico. The festival is open to the community, and the workshops will teach dances from states such as Zacatecas, Jalisco and Michoacán. Juvenal Moctezuma, a double major in international business and Chicano and Latin American studies and the group’s vice president said he is looking forward to seeing kids come to the festival and enjoy learning the dances. “I really like how the people can take the dances that they learn and perform at our festival and teach them to other groups of dancers,” Moctezuma said. A concert gala is planned for Saturday night of the festival in the Satellite Student Union. On Sunday, workshop participants will showcase what they’ve learned. “It’s a great way to promote that Fresno State has a strong folklorico group,” Estevan Parra said. “There are networking opportunities, and we can promote higher education to the high school students that participate.” Parra is an educational leadership and administration graduate studies student who has danced with Los Danzantes since 2009. He said he is looking forward to seeing everyone come together for the festival and appreciate the cultural value. Anyone interested in participating can register online on the dance group’s website dezantesdeaztlan.org until March 17. Photos courtesy of Los Danzantes de Aztlán
WINTER PERCUSSION
Nothing ‘Cliche’ about marching to a new beat
Courtesy of Michael Wooten
By Hayley Salazar @Hayley_Salazarr
Snares are sizzling, bass drums are rumbling and marimba keys are skipping because the Bulldog Marching Band has
taken the floor with its new indoor winter percussion team, Red Wave Indoor. Its 2017 show is titled “Cliche.” The concept is designed to take the audience into the mind of a music composer to witness musical ideas coming together to create a performable show.
“Basically, every little gimmick or thing that you might see in a winter percussion show, they do it,” said Michael Wootten, digital media coordinator for the marching band. “Things that musically and visually seem to happen in every percussion show are multiplied by 10 in this. It’s to be gimmicky and funny. It’s the ultimate meta show for winter percussion.” Midway through his second year as the percussion director, Joseph Avery visualized a winter percussion group in Fresno that would succeed, said Wootten. Avery’s tenacity and the drive from marching band director Steven McKeithen is what put Red Wave Indoor in motion. “So far, the season has been really good. I think the group has definitely grown a lot already from the beginning as well as exceeded its expectations since this is the first year with the group,” said Wootten. Much like the marching band, Red Wave Indoor is offered as a class through Fresno State. But the team is not limited to Fresno State students. Students from Fresno City College and other campuses are welcome to join. Ivan Porras, a music major at Fresno City and the current drum set player for Red Wave Indoor, was exposed to the Bulldog Marching Band four years ago after moving to California, and he received the Outstanding Percussionist award for the 2016 season. “[Winter percussion] is not like the mov-
ie ‘Drumline,’” Porras said. “[Expressing these emotions] can be through vigorous or soft playing. It’s also very physical. Marching at fast tempos, adding body movement, [thinking] about the approach you need to have in a certain section.” Above all, communication throughout the ensemble is key for Porras. “For me, it’s been nothing but exciting,” Porras said. “Every day I get better I get closer to my friends. [Performing] takes a lot of hard work, dedication and personal competence to achieve a common goal, and the best part is that you’re doing it all with your friends.” Red Wave Indoor began its first season as a group in January. With 34 members, it is classified as an Independent Open Class group. “Independent” differentiates collegiate teams from high school teams, whereas “open” categorizes the team based on size and experience. Currently the team has few competitors in its class and must gauge its performance by judges’ comments. During the course of its season, Red Wave Indoor will participate in three circuits: San Joaquin Valley Color Guard and Percussion Review, Winter Guard International: Fresno Regional and South Valley Winter Arts Association. Red Wave Indoor will compete against NorCal Indoor out of Sacramento this weekend on March 4 at Clovis North Educational Center.
NEWS
6
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 2017
RECOVERY
‘The road to recovery’ does not have to be traveled alone
By Hayley Salazar @Hayley_Salazarr
Fresno State’s Alpha Phi Sigma chapter and Project Rebound gave a warm welcome Tuesday night to Gabriel Hernandez, a pastor who speaks about his past as a gang member to help mentor at-risk youth. Once a native of Fresno, Hernandez shared his struggle with substance abuse, criminal offenses and his involvement in the East Side Fresno Bulldog Gang. The road to recovery did not go without difficulty or remorse. “I’m absolutely ashamed of the crimes I’ve committed against other people and moHayley Salazar • The Collegian reso I’m ashamed about what I Gabriel Hernandez, a current pastor and previous gang member speaks about his experience as a youth gang member at did to hurt my family members,” Fresno State’s North Gym, Room 118 on Tuesday, Feb. 28. Hernandez said. He mentioned the unconditional support from his mother "I’m absolutely ashamed of the crimes I’ve committed against even at times he felt it was unother people and moreso I’m ashamed about what I did to hurt deserved. my family members." “If I ever got in trouble my mom was always there to clean — Gabriel Hernandez everything up,” Hernandez said. “She stuck her neck out way too many times when I should’ve leased it just became part of my ceration periods have unique change their lives for the good.” been busted.” resume as I introduced myself challenges such as never having Project Rebound was estabAfter a few times in jail, Her- [saying] yeah I just got out,” held a cellphone,” said Jennifer lished in the late ‘60s by Dr. nandez described his way of Hernandez said. “I work with a Leahy, the program coordinator John Irwin, a professor of sociol“playing the system” to visit fel- lot of at-risk teens now and I see for Project Rebound at Fresno ogy at San Francisco State Unilow gang members incarcerated. them regurgitate that same non- State. versity. As a formerly incarcerBut it was an attempted carjack- sense. I want to get so angry at For Leahy, the goal of the ated individual, Irwin witnessed ing that threatened to place Her- the ignorance that they have, but organization is to provide a obstacles faced by those aiming nandez behind bars for good. I’m as guilty as they are.” support network for students to change the trajectory of their “I remember when I was sitPrimarily, Hernandez re- looking to change the trajectory lives post-incarceration. ting down, my public defender minds his youth groups of the of their lives which may create Seven CSUs have implementcomes in and says you’re look- obstacles faced by those with a ripple effect impact others in ed the program alongside San ing at like 75 years,” Hernandez an incarceration stamp on their their communities. Francisco State. CSU Los Ansaid. “I remember my knees get- track record. Following the lec“These individuals have geles also follows the program, ting weak and wanting to hit the ture, Project Rebound hosted moved on out into the commu- though they do not receive fundground. [I was thinking] man I a Q&A with audience members nity to become very powerful ing, for a total of nine campuses just wanted to go visit prison, I to provide further information and influential individuals and practicing statewide. didn’t want to live there.” about the program. a positive change in their com“There’s a lot of resistance It’s been 11 years since HerProject Rebound is designed munities,” Leahy said. “Which and condemnation and negative nandez was released. He now to help formerly incarcerated supports all of the research in re- stereotyping that is associated uses his knowledge to help at- students matriculate through spect to education having a posi- with ex-felons and ex-offendrisk youth from leading the same the university system. tive impact, reducing recidivism, ers,” Leahy said. “There’s a lot path he did. “A lot of individuals who reducing victimization and help- of fear in revealing that to indi“I remember when I got re- come home from long incar- ing to empower individuals to viduals which creates a sense of
isolation. So part of what this program does is help on a realistic level, helping them attain their goals academically.” For students like Sergio Coronel, a junior double majoring in history and criminology, Project Rebound has been a positive resource in redirecting his life. “It’s a vibrant environment being around other people that are now seeking to redeem themselves of their past mistakes so I see this as a great opportunity for anybody,” Coronel said. “This program is really in a sense revolutionary in providing anybody with a background an opportunity,” he said. Coronel was introduced to the program by a professor in his first semester at Fresno State. With the weight of his past on his shoulders, he shared that he felt very much alone on campus. Coronel expressed his desire to utilize the Project Rebound’s services to grow in addition to becoming an activist for those struggling with gang affiliation in his community as a juvenile parole officer by sharing his own experience with gang involvement. “This is my purpose, to finish here with a certain set of skills and to go out there in the field and implement them,” Coronel said. For Coronel, Hernandez’s guest lecture provides an opportunity for students in the criminal justice field to hear a true testimony. “In a way it helps them with their career goals, listening and understanding that not everyone who is incarcerated goes the same path of being a criminal as a full-time career,” Coronel said. “It opens a different door for rehabilitation approach.” Students interested in Project Rebound can visit McLane 187 for additional information and support.
e McNair Program is now accepting applications for 2018! e McNair Program is a federally-funded program designed to prepare qualiied students for graduate study!
Friday
Equestrian v. Georgia @ 10 a.m. Student Horse Center
Men’s Basketball v. UNLV @ 4 p.m. Save Mart Center
Baseball v. Nevada @ 6:05 p.m. Pete Beiden Field at Bob Bennett Stadium
Softball v. Long Beach State & Iowa @ 12:30 p.m. & 3 p.m. Fullerton, California
Women’s Tennis v. Stanford @ 1:30 p.m. Stanford, California
Women’s Tennis v. Baseball v. Nevada Santa Clara @ 6:05 p.m. @ TBA Pete Beiden Field at Bob Santa Clara, California Bennett Stadium
Baseball v. Nevada Women’s Tennis v. Texas @ 1:05 p.m. @ TBA Pete Beiden Field at Bob Palo Alto, California Bennett Stadium
PAGE 7
Friday
Men’s Tennis v. UC Davis @ 1 p.m. Spalding G. Wathen Tennis Center
Sunday
Saturday
(cont.)
Wednesday
This Week in Sports
Thursday
THE COLLEGIAN • SPORTS
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 2017
Softball v. Indiana @ 8 p.m. Fullerton, California
Women’s Basketball v. UNLV @ 6 p.m. Las Vegas, Nevada
Lacrosse v. Presbyterian College @ 4 p.m. Soccer & Lacrosse Stadium
Softball v. Northwestern & Indiana @ 9:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. Fullerton, California
Former Collegian staffer gets big break
“I knew a J.D. would provide me with the tools I need to represent my community. I chose SJCL because it allowed me to stay active and connected to my local community while pursuing my degree.” Leila Alamri-Kassim B.A., Political Science/ Women’s Studies Fresno State
Informational LSAT Night
Monday, MaRCH 6, 7-9pm Join us for a free session on the Law School admission Test (LSaT) led by San Joaquin College of Law dean Jan Pearson to develop strategies to approach the analytical thinking questions on the LSaT. you will also receive registration assistance for the LSaT, see sample LSaT questions, and receive information about LSaT prep courses.
Law School 101 THURSday, MaRCH 22, 7-9
pm you’re invited to this free program to learn more about the legal profession and what a law degree can do for you! at this forum you will be introduced to law school, from courses offered to admission requirements.
Register for either at: www.sjcl.edu or 559/323-2100
SJCL admitS StudentS of any raCe/ CoLor, reLigiouS Creed, nationaL origin/anCeStry, age, gender, mentaL or phySiCaL diSabiLity, mediCaL Condition, maritaL StatuS, or SexuaL orientation.
Application fee waived through March 31, 2017
Edmondson takes photos during a sporting event.
PHOTOGRAPHY from Page 8 versity photographer at Cal State Stanislaus. He was now closer to the Bay Area, and he reconnected with USA Today and started doing more professional games. Edmondson said he doesn’t get starstruck as he once did. However, he does acknowledge that it is a good feeling when he and current Raiders quarterback and former Bulldog Carr greet each other. He said he hopes to one day show his children all the legendary athletes he got to capture in action — athletes like Stephen Curry, Peyton Manning and James. Edmondson said he has checked off all the big things on his bucket list. He has shot all of the major sports championships. He has taken photos at the NBA Finals, Super Bowl and the World Series. His work has even been featured on the covers of magazines like Sports Illustrated. As for a new bucket list, Edmonson hopes to one day do some work for ESPN the Magazine or TIME Magazine.
Kiel Maddox • Fresno State
“I was the guy who collected baseball cards, football cards. I could memorize every guy’s stats,” Edmondson said. “It’s cool to find an avenue where you can still be at a high level.” He said it is now hard to watch a live sport unless he’s up close, on the field or at court level. “Once I got a season pass, that was my life,” Edmonson said. His advice to aspiring journalists and photographers is to practice and to soak in all the knowledge they can. He said to never leave an assignment early and to work until you get a photo you would feature in your portfolio — never settle for average. “Challenge yourself,” Edmondson said. “You don’t want to do anything if it’s easy; then it’s boring.” Edmondson advises to find the right mentor and to know that you can’t do everything just on your own. “The way you’re actually going to learn anything is if you go out there and just try, try, try and experiment,” Edmondson said.
SPORTS
8
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 2017
Capturing the perfect shot PHOTOGRAPHY
By David Chavez @d23chavez
Imagine a two-time NFL Pro Bowl starting quarterback calling your name and personally meeting you midfield to give you a fist bump after a game. “That jealousy thing goes on. Everyone’s like, ‘You know Derek Carr?’” said Cary Edmondson, University photographer. “And I’m like, ‘Yeah, we did all these shoots in Fresno.’ But they’ll still be like, ‘He knows your name, though.’” For Edmondson, the opportunity to shoot professional sports is one he didn’t see coming. “My mom always said I was good on the art side,” Edmondson said. “I was one of those kids who would put a puzzle together in no time, so she thought I had an eye for this stuff.” His dad was an art major at Fresno State. He always had an interest in the field but was hesitant to dive in because he never thought someone could make a career out of photography or art. While in college, after switching majors three times, Edmondson got into art with an emphasis in painting and drawing.
“When I went to The Collegian, that’s when I really went crazy with photography,” Edmondson said. “I always dabbled in it. I did the high school photography class. I did the Fresno City photography class. I didn’t take photography at Fresno State. It was just The Collegian.” He had heard of the student-run newspaper when one of his classmates at Fresno State, who is now one of his best friends and works with the media studies department at UC Berkeley, was showing photographs in their design class. He noticed that photos his friend was showing were all Collegian photos. He was interested in the access photographers were able to get — how close they got to the games, players and coaches like Jerry Tarkanian. His friend told him to talk with Jill Richards, the photo editor at the time because the staff at The Collegian was always looking for help. His first assignment: to take photos of a new book on display in the library. He said he remembers thinking his shot was boring, but the staff liked it. After that, he got to cover his first sports game. The Collegian sent him to capture some shots of a volleyball game. Edmondson said it was tough because the players
Kyle Terada • USA Today Sports Images
Oakland Raiders quarterback and former Bulldog Derek Carr greets university photographer Cary Edmondson with a fist bump at midfield after a game at the Oakland Alameda Coliseum on Dec. 4, 2016.
Cary Edmondson • Collegian file photo
Edmondson’s first front page picture for The Collegian: Former No. 1 pick of the Houston Texans and Fresno State football quarterback David Carr fumbling the ball against Boise State in 2001.
were always moving and crossing each other. Photographers used film at the time, so he didn’t know if he got any good images. He dropped off four rolls of film, and the next day the photo editor told him that he “rocked” and whatever he wanted to shoot, to just let her know. He asked for all the sports games. His first Collegian front page picture was a shot of former Bulldog star quarterback David Carr fumbling the ball against Boise State with the headline “Destiny Slips Away.” It was a big deal to Edmondson because he was still new to photography. The football team was ranked No. 8 in the country, but after losing that game, it was no longer in the Top 25. Although he was not an MCJ major, he became photo editor in his second semester with The Collegian. He was a first-year graduate student and he needed to take at least one course to be enrolled as a student. He wanted to gain more experience. After graduating, his first job was as a real estate photographer. He would quit soon after because he got hired at the Selma Enterprise. While working for the paper he won first place for a photo he got of a woman holding
a puppy who died due to smoke inhalation. He remembers listening to scanners and hearing reports of a fire that was nearby. When they got to the scene, he took the shot from a distance, and the result was an award-winning one. Edmondson now works for USA Today on the weekends. He travels to games around the Bay Area and covers teams like the Oakland Raiders, the San Francisco Giants, the San Francisco 49ers and the Golden State Warriors. He said that most of his opportunities stem from connections from Fresno State. His friend, Justin Kase Conder, who was also an athletic media relations photographer, was taking pictures for US PRESSWIRE (now USA Today). While Edmondson was working in Las Vegas, he said he remembers he was envious of Conder because he was taking photos of professional sports. When they were both in Vegas, he was covering USA Basketball, and Conder was taking photos for US PRESSWIRE. Edmondson was able to get a shot of Lebron James dunking the ball emphatically. A few months later, Edmondson got a job as a uni-
See PHOTOGRAPHY, Page 7
Former Bulldogs in the NBA By Jenna Wilson | @fsjennawilson
Paul George Tyler Johnson
David Santiago • El Nuevo Herald/TNS
The Indiana Pacers’ Paul George (#13) looks to pass against the Miami Heat’s Tyler Johnson, left, and James Johnson during the fourth quarter at AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2016. The Heat won, 95-89.
(Small Forward, Indiana Pacers) (Fresno State 2008-2010) 21.7 points per game 3.3 assists per game 6.2 rebounds per game Despite recent trade rumors of George going to the Lakers, the small forward is putting up numbers for the Indiana Pacers that contribute to what could be his best season yet. In his seventh season, George is shooting over 90 percent from the free-throw line, and the 26-year-old shows no signs of slowing down. The former Fresno State player enters free agency in the summer of 2018 and is sure to have multiple teams fighting for his talents.
(Shooting Guard, Miami Heat) (Fresno State 2010-2014) 13.8 points per game 3.3 assists per game 4.2 rebounds per game Johnson has yet to start a game for the Miami Heat this season but has played in 52 games, 16 more than the previous season. The former Bulldog has also increased his points per game from the previous season by five. Johnson’s freethrow percentage is over 70 percent. In just his third year in the NBA, Johnson is sure to become a staple in the Heat organization within the next three years.
David Santiago • Miami Herald/TNS
The Miami Heat’s Tyler Johnson, right, pulls down a rebound against the Atlanta Hawks’ Paul Millsap during the first quarter at AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017. The Heat won, 116-93.