March 13, 2019

MARCH MATCH UP FUNDS CUPBOARD Page 3

Fresno State’s Award-Winning Newspaper Wednesday, March 13, 2019

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Left to Right: AJ Nevills, Jackson Hemauer, Josh Hokit, Khristian Olivas and Gary Joint. All five grapplers earned spots in the NCAA Division I Championship.

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Five Fresno State wrestlers are headed to the NCAA Championship

Velvet Revolution

NEWS

INSIDE

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Madama Butterfly

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“CAPTAIN MARVEL” BREAKS SUPERHERO MOVIE MOLD

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 2019

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Armenian Velvet Revolution seminar

By Vanessa Rios Reporter

Larry Valenzuela • The Collegian

A 23-year-old Kerman man was driving a 2018 Mercedes east in the westbound lanes of Highway 180 near Hayes Avenue around 11 p.m. Monday, March 4, 2019.

Student killed in auto collision

By Larry valenzuela News Editor

A Fresno State student was killed in a double-fatal head-on collision on Monday March 4 on Highway 180, where drugs may have played a factor, according to California Highway Patrol.

Yvette Aladana Jimenez, 22, of Firebaugh was identified by Fresno County Sheriff’s as one of the victims in the collision. Fresno State public information officer Lisa Boyles confirmed on Wednesday that Jimenez was a student of Fresno State.

The incident took place just after 11 p.m., when CHP received reports of a two-car headon collision on Highway 180 near Hayes Avenue.

Upon arrival, officers found the two drivers were killed at the scene.

The CHP said a 23-year-old Kerman man, identified as Emad Murshed, was driving a 2018 Mercedes east in the westbound lanes of the highway when he collided head-on with Jimenez, who was westbound in a 2015 Honda.

CHP said drugs may have been a factor in the collision, which is still under investigation.

Fresno State President Dr. Joseph I. Castro released the following statement on Monday.

“My wife, Mary, and I are heartbroken to learn of Yvette’s passing. Although we didn’t know her personally, we feel a deep affection for all of our students who come to Fresno State with promising futures ahead of them. We send our condolences to Yvette’s family and friends for their tragic loss.”

The Alice Peters Auditorium hosted a seminar about Armenia’s 2018 Velvet Revolution one year after its occurrence, which was presented by Dr. Ara Sanjian on Thursday night.

In April 2018, anti-government protests began in Armenia, which were led by Nikol Pashinyan of the Civil Contract Party. This month long protest was deemed Armenia’s Velvet Revolution and was designed to object to Serzh Sargsyan third consecutive term as Armenia’s most powerful leader.

The revolution was a success. Sargsyan resigned a few weeks later, while Pashinyan took the helm in May of that year.

Fast forward to almost a year after the protests, Dr. Ara Sanjian was at the Peter’s Building, home of the Armenian Studies program at Fresno State, educating people on this Velvet Revolution, discussing what happened at the time and what’s happened since.

Sanjian—who is an associate professor of Armenian and modern Middle Eastern History and the director of the Armenian Research Center at the University of Michigan-Dearborn— began the seminar with a holiday tidbit. March 8 is International Women’s Day in Armenia.

The 2019 celebration of this holiday would be nothing like last year’s.

“What makes this year different from last year is that this period, which follows March 8 was full of anxiety for many people in Armenia,” Sanjian said, remembering the time when the protests were about to begin.

“Go back to March 8, 2018, and we basically were anxious to see what the future was holding for Armenia,” he continued.

But this year is different from the last, Sanjian said, because the Armenia’s Velvet Revolution was unlike any protest that happened in the past.

Looking back at the revolution, Barlow Der Mugrdechian, Berberian Coordinator of Armenian Studies at Fresno State said, “It’s ‘velvet’ because no one was injured; no one was killed in this peaceful revolution.”

“And that’s unusual in the world today, that governments can be overthrown without violence,” Mugrdechian continued. “Thank God,

Vanessa Rios • The Collegian

Dr. Ara Sanjian discusses the Armenian Velvet Revolution in the Peter’s Building on Thursday, March 7, 2019. in Armenia, that has taken place.”

There have been anti-government protests in Armenia before, which Sanjian mentioned in his lecture. Those revolts, however, were unsuccessful, resulting in no governmental change while claiming the lives of many.

“People do not trust their government,” Sanjian said as an explanation to why these protests happen in the first place.

Now, however, there is more confidence because “following the Velvet Revolution, Armenia is now ruled arguably by a new political elite,” Sanjian said.

“Whether you are Armenian or just someone who follows Armenian history and politics—it’s important to know the effects of the Velvet Revolution,” said Carlos Rosas, a Fresno State student who attended the seminar. “What happens in one country could affect the whole world.”

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THE COLLEGIAN • NEWS

March Match Up funds Student Cupboard

By Jennifer Reyes Reporter

The Student Cupboard has kicked off its March Match Up fundraiser campaign, partnering with Moss Adams LLP, Granville Homes and an anonymous donor to match up dollar-for-dollar, $100,000 in gifts toward the Student Cupboard.

By the numbers

48,000 visits

In addition, other companies such as, Dutch Bros., Macy’s and Pieology will contribute to the March Match Up campaign.

On March 13, all six Dutch Bros. stores will give a portion of their sales to the Student Cupboard.

Each Monday this March, all seven Pieology locations will donate 20 percent of each sale in which a customer presents the promotional flyer and/or electronic Cary Edmondson 2018 • Courtesy Student Cupboard proof.

Fresno State President Dr. Joseph I. Castro and wife Mary announce the donation Macy’s, located in Fashion Fair and total for the Student Cupboard from the 2018 March Match Up fundraiser.

River Park, will encourage their customLucas College and Graduate School of Business ers to round up their purchases to support CalFresh is an assistance program that the Student Cupboard from March 15 through helps individuals and families buy food. The March 31.

Student Cupboard provides information on Throughout the month of March, a group of how students may be eligible for additional help people, including Fresno State first lady Mary on food resources.

Castro, have been asking the community to help More than 43 percent of Fresno State stustop food hunger at Fresno State. dents surveyed had experienced food insecurity The campaign has become a “universitywide during the past academic year, according to a effort to raise funds for the Cupboard,” said Da2017 California State University study. vid Hembree, director of Student Affairs and The semester of 2014-15, when this resource Enrollment Management, Development. became available, it had less than 200 visits a If you are interested in a career in tax accounting, a Master of Science The Student Cupboard was established in month. in Taxation (MST) is a great way to meet the 150-hour requirement to fall 2014 by President Dr. Joseph I. Castro and In the academic year of 2017-2018 there become a CPA. his wife, Mary. Their goal was to create a safe, were about 5,000 visits a month at the Student comfortable place for students to go and grab a Cupboard, which totaled to about 48,000 visits.

• 30-unit graduate degree program basket of food and/or hygiene products.

“We see our numbers grow every year be• Full-time or part-time options available The goal of $100,000 has helped to sustain cause one of the things that has really been imOr, if you are interested in a career in assurance or advisory, a Master of the Student Cupboard through an entire acaportant is for that grocery store feel,” Hembree Science in Accountancy (MSA) can meet your CPA needs in our full-time, said. “It is a dignified situation where people do demic year. The March Match Up campaign 30-unit program. not have to feel less than because they are in in 2018 earned $150,044 from donations that varied from Fresno State alumni, community, need of help.”

Throughout the academic year, there are companies, farmers and students. numerous donations going to the Student Cup“People want to support our hardworking board, whether it be with food or money gifts. students,” Hembree said. “They did the hard Last semester, the Student Cupboard was work. They made it to Fresno State. We don’t gifted a grant from an on-campus organization want their lack of food to prevent them from goto purchase diapers.

Although students may see ing further in their career and toward success.” some provided at the moment, their availability This resource, open Monday through Friis subject to change. day, 30 hours a week, is located in the Industri“It is important for us to support all stual Technology Building Room 144. dents, including student parents, and [we] are In addition to providing food and hygiene working on making this resource more availproducts, the Student Cupboard also assists able in the future,” said Alicia Nelson, director with other resources, such as helping students of Student Wellness Services. apply for CalFresh.

In the 2017-2018 academic year, the cupboard received about 5,000 visits a month, totaling about 48,000 visits for the year.

Attention Accounting Majors!

Prepare to become a CPA.

Get more information at:

www.sjsu.edu/lucasgsb/programs/mst/

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THE COLLEGIAN • NEWS

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 2019

VP of ASI strives to serve students

By Alex Yanez Contributor

With his pledge to make sure students have the best resources available on campus, executive vice president of Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) Elias J. Karam wants students to be aware of all the opportunities that can aid their education.

“We’re literally doing these things to make it all easier for all students and us,” Karam said. “I love helping students.”

Karam said his passion is helping students and listening to their needs to improve campus life.

Last year, Karam was the senator for the Lyles College of Engineering, which led him to pursue the role of vice president in ASI. Karam’s father was one of the many reasons why he chose to become an electrical engineering major in college.

“He instilled that passion in me,” Karam said. “When I graduated high school, I really didn’t know what to do.”

In addition to following his father’s footsteps, another factor that Karam said led him toward engineering was his habit of being a problem solver.

“I kind of ran out on a limb for College of

Engineering senator last year,” Karam said. “I thought that was a great fit for me.”

Karam said that at the time, he simply wanted to do more to help the student body, so he focused and put more time into student government.

“We’re only here to help students,” Karam said. “To install these programs, go to these events, to just benefit the entire student body.”

Senate meetings are a time for ASI members to have their voice heard and advocate ideas and programs that can improve students’ experiences. Karam advises the college senators during these meetings.

“These programs and initiatives from the start are good for everyone,” Karam said.

Some events consist of training sessions and activities aimed at bringing students together.

Senators are the only members in ASI that can vote to pass bills or initiatives. Senators can also ask questions and debate what can be passed, as well as proposing projects and ideas.

“On the senate, you are the one that asks the questions,” Karam said. “As the Executive Vice President or any of the executives, we are more advisors … We’re here to start the conversations. We’ll meet with administrators and people on campus to get these issues to the senate.”

Demi Wack, president and CEO of ASI, said she has enjoyed her time working along Karam

Alex Yanez • The Collegian

Elias J. Karam in his office located in the Associated Students, Inc. office. to advocate for Fresno State students.

“It’s been really great, because some of my strengths are working with teams and trying to get that teamwork atmosphere going, and he’s really good at organizing and being kind to people and making people feel welcome,” Wack said.

This is Wack’s first year working with Karam at the executive level in ASI. They previously worked together while she was vice president

of external affairs and he was senator of Lyles College of Engineering.

“He really cares about the senators,” Wack said. “He goes way out of his way to make sure he’s meeting with senators regularly … offering them ideas, recommending them to different areas of campus so they can complete their projects.”

Tara Powers-Mead, director of operations in ASI, manages the organization. She oversees the four departments, which are programs, communications, financial services and administration.

“Our focus as student body government has to change as the needs of our students change,” Powers-Mead said. “As years change, so do the needs of our students.”

ASI is always looking for what students want and need, and works to know the issues facing students so they can be addressed.

Powers-Mead said she believes that being executive vice president can be a rewarding position. She said she is certain that Karam is doing a tremendous job.

Karam is currently working on creating a senator retreat, where he and senators can come together to brainstorm ideas for ASI. He is also working with Wack to improve the official Fresno State app in order to attract more students into using it.

University provost candidates visit campus

By Seth Casey Editor in Chief

Fresno State students and faculty will have the opportunity to meet four candidates for the position of university provost and vice president of academic affairs this month.

According to a release from the human resources department, the university’s search for a new provost began in the fall of 2018, following the departure of former provost Lynnette Zelezny in June 2018.

Faculty can meet the candidates during faculty forums, and everyone is invited to attend the candidates’ open forums.

Candidate Dr. Abbey Zink is the current dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. Prior to that, she served as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Tex-

as A&M University, Kingsville, according to the release.

Zink earned her doctorate in English at Northern Illinois University and her master’s in English and bachelor’s degree in journalism from Marshall University.

Zink will have a faculty forum on March 15 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. in the Henry Madden Library Table Mountain Rancheria Reading Room and an open forum on March 15 from 1-2 p.m. in the Henry Madden Library, Room 2206.

Candidate Dr. Britt Rios-Ellis is the founding dean of the College of Health Sciences and Human Services at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB). From 1994-2014, she served as a professor at CSULB and founding director of the National Council of La Raza/ CSULB Center for Latino Community Health, Evaluation and Leadership Training, according to the release.

Rios-Ellis earned her doctorate in community health and her Master of Science degree in health and fitness management from the University of Oregon.

Rios-Ellis will have a faculty forum on March 18 from 1:45-2:45 p.m. in the Rancheria Reading Room, and will have an open forum on March 19 from 9:30-10:30 a.m., also in the Reading Room.

Candidate Dr. Saul Jimenez-Sandoval is the current dean of the College of Arts and Humanities at Fresno State. Jimenez-Sandoval earned his doctorate in Spanish and Portuguese literatures from University of California, Irvine.

Jimenez-Sandoval will have a faculty forum on March 22 from 9:45-10:45 a.m. in the Henry Madden Library, Room 2206, and an open forum on March 22 from 1:15-2:15 p.m. in the Rancheria Reading Room.

The fourth candidate, Dr. S.K. Ramesh, is a professor of electrical and computer engineer-

ing at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). He formerly served as the dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science at CSUN from 2006-2017 and was chair of the department of electrical and electronic engineering at California State University, Sacramento, from 1994-2006, according to the release.

Ramesh earned his doctorate degree from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, in molecular science with a major in electrical engineering in 1986. He visited Fresno State’s campus for a faculty forum on March 5 and an open forum on March 6.

The provost serves as the university’s chief academic officer, overseeing all academic programs, including instruction and research, and providing leadership for academic administrative operations.

A&E

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 2019

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Peach Blossom returning for 61st year

By Marilyn Castaneda A&E Editor

It’s that time of the year when those big yellow trash cans are placed on the lawns and little feet scamper throughout the campus. That’s right, the Peach Blossom Festival.

The annual event is an oral interpretation festival in which approximately 5,000 elementary students from around the Valley gather at Fresno State to recite poems in front of the public.

“It’s known to be the longest-running program on Fresno State campus,” said Christina Wells, Peach Blossom Festival director.

Young students throughout the Valley prepare for the two-day event on Thursday and Friday by choosing and practicing a poem that they perform in front of judges, faculty and peers.

The young participants gain a positive expe-

rience by practicing public speaking, visiting the campus and motivating them to attend Fresno State in the future, Wells said.

The festival is a student-run event hosted by the Fresno State communication department, where college students are able to participate as chaperones and judges. Students are recruited to organize and run the festival by the director.

“The students who are participating in the Peach Blossom class get to experience what it is like to do event planning on a large scale,” said member of the Peach Blossom’s publicity team, Kelsey Chavez. “The overall benefit is having a

Courtesy Peach Blossom web team

positive impact on young students.”

Participants from Delano to Livingston are expected for the occasion.

However, one teacher has been recognized for bringing a group of children for the 43rd year in a row.

Dinuba teacher Doug Olsen is a sixth-grade

teacher at Lincoln Elementary School and a Fresno State alumnus. He has returned every year after first attending the festival as a part of his student teaching in 1976.

He has brought over 1,000 students from Dinuba throughout the years.

“It’s stories like this one that show how important this festival really is to our community and the lasting impact it has,” said Chavez.

The festival will take place on campus but is centered at the University Theatre in the Speech Arts Building.

Fresno State mascots Victor E. and Timeout will be present, along with Fresno State athletes signing autographs. Parking in any green lot is $4.

“No one else in the Valley does anything like this on such a large scale,” Chavez said. “Fresno State is the only venue to host so many students at once.”

Fresno State students place second in region at Irene Ryan Acting Competition in Los Angeles

By Jacob Mulick Reporter

Arium Andrews and acting partner Jimmy Haynie went into the Irene Ryan Acting Competition in Los Angeles expecting to do their best and came out with second place in the region.

Andrew and Haynie, along with 11 other Fresno State students, attended the competition in February, and four of the students made it to the semi finals.

The Irene Ryan Acting Competition, hosted by the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, is part of a national festival that divides the nation into eight regions.

Fresno State students competed against students from California, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Hawaii and Guam, the region that includes notable schools, such as Brigham Young University in Utah and UCLA. Students compete in the regional competition in hopes of moving on to nationals, where the winners compete for the chance to win a scholarship.

The regional competition sees two students,

an actor who wins the scholarship if they move on to nationals, and a scene partner. The duo performs a scene for each round that they move through, each containing a monologue. The preliminary and semi final rounds consist of two-minute scenes and the final of a one-minute scene. Teams who do well in each segment move on to the next.

Four Fresno State students advanced to the semi finals, Evangalia Pappas and her partner Sofia McCurry and Andrews and Haynie. Andrews and Haynie made it to finals and won the alternate award, meaning they will take the place of BYU, the first place team, should they not be able to attend the national competition.

Andrews and Haynie presented three performances. The first was a scene from “Mountaintop” by Katori Hall. Haynie played Martin Luther King Jr. the night before he was assassinated. During that time, he talks with an angel [Andrews] who is letting him know what’s going to happen to him.

The second performance was an excerpt from “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone” by August Wilson. Andrews played Maddy, a woman seeking help from “binder” Bynum, played by

Haynie, to bring her husband back.

The final piece was a comedic monologue from “The Last Days of Judas Iscariot” by Stephen Adly Guirgis. In it, Andrews played St. Monica, the mother of Augustine, lamenting the fact that he became the head of the church.

Professor Bradley Myers, Andrew and Haynie’s coach, said the competition was very close.

“The coordinator of the Irene Ryan Competition told me that the judges were deadlocked on which of the top two should go to the national competition and had asked if they could send two,” Myers said. “Fortunately, neither Arium and Jimmy are graduating this year and both could be nominated for next year’s competition.”

“The Theatre Arts Department is exceptionally proud of this accomplishment by Arium and Jimmy,” Myers said.

Andrews said she doesn’t know how she would have made it without Myers.

“He’s a really great coach,” Andrews said “I’m really glad I had that experience with Brad.”

Andrews enjoyed the competition experi-

ence.

“Would I do it again? Of course I would,” Andrews said. “Would I change my partner?

No. Would I change my coach? No.” Andrews said she had no expectations coming into the competition and tried to stay humble throughout.

“I went into it thinking, ‘I’m coming here to do the best I can, and that’s all I can do,’” Andrews said.

Haynie also appreciated the competition and found it a true learning experience.

“I loved it. It taught me a lot,” Haynie said.

“It taught me that you just gotta be the best.

You just have to shoot to be the best. And that doesn’t mean thinking that others are worse than you or thinking you’re better than others. You just have to think that you’re just going to do your best and know that you are doing your best and that it’s going to be worth something.”

Andrews encourages theater majors to try out, but also students from all majors to branch out and try something new.

“Just go for it. Take a risk,” Andrews said.

THE COLLEGIAN • A&E

PAGE 6

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 2019

“Captain Marvel” a must for MCU fans

By Jacob Mulick | Reporter

The folks over at Marvel Studios have gotten very good at what they do – taking some of the most famous characters in pop culture and translating them onto the big screen in an epic, spectacular and just plain fun way.

“Captain Marvel” is no exception. Fair warning, mild spoilers ahead.

No doubt, “Captain Marvel” is a lot of fun.

The plot follows Vers, played by actress Brie Larson, a warrior of the Kree, an alien species to which astute Marvel Cinematic Universe fans might remember that Ronan the Accuser from “Guardians of the Galaxy” belongs. The Kree are sworn to hunt the Skrull, a shape-shifting species of terrorists who threaten the Kree way of life.

But everything is not as it seems, and when Vers is sent to Earth on a mission, where she meets Nick Fury, played by actor Samuel L.

Captain Marvel unique from personalities like Iron Man or Captain America and ended up creating a character that feels confused and unoriginal.

This is intensified through Larson’s performance, who never seems to fully embrace any kind of personality for the character. This lack of personality sometimes makes it hard to follow the character through some of the slower parts spread throughout the movie, where it’s easy to lose interest.

Interestingly, some of the best parts of “Captain Marvel” are the side characters. Jackson is perfect as the slightly less-hardened Nick Fury, and his interactions with a “cat” named Goose are probably the best parts of the whole movie.

Where Larson really shines is in her interactions with Jackson, and the pair is just plain fun to watch. Also good are Jude Law as the gruff

a lot more screen time. Akbar is a lot of fun to watch and brightens the screen anytime she is on.

There is a lot of loving tribute paid to comic book superstar Stan Lee since the actor passed away last year, including a new title card intro and one of the best cameos ever to grace a screen.

“Captain Marvel” is unique for a Marvel movie in that it doesn’t rely heavily on pure action. Some of the scenes tend to lag, especially if you are used to the other movies in the franchise. The fight scenes are also unusual, with each scene having its own unique feel from the first battle playing out more like a sci-fi battle than a typical superhero fight to the train scene, which feels more like a “Bourne” film than a Marvel movie.

The battle scenes are somewhat choppy, an

is changing with some of the more recent movies.

“Captain Marvel” changes some of the even fundamental points from the comics. Often, it does give a slight nod to the original storylines, but most of the time, the movie actively changes established plots, origins and even fundamental natures of certain characters and themes. This will not be a big problem to most casual fans, but fans of the Captain Marvel comics should be aware. A lot of this has to do with the reliance on the movie to set up the plot for April’s “Avengers: Endgame,” which at times makes the movie feel like a really long trailer.

Overall, “Captain Marvel” is one of the better Marvel Cinematic Universe movies to date.

With a light mixture of sci-fi, action, and classic superhero elements, not to mention the nostalgic’ 90s setting, “Captain Marvel” is more than

Jackson, she discovers that her life might be more complicated than she initially thought.

While Larson as Vers/Captain Marvel is good, it seems as if she struggles to find her unique personality throughout the movie. Vers’ character seems to go back and forth between tough, sarcastic and biting to light-hearted and clever, but never really fully picks a side.

It seems as if the writers struggled to make

Kree team leader and Lashana Lynch as Maria Rambeau, Vers’ best friend and fellow pilot.

Both characters really shine, and though they are very different, contribute a lot to making the universe feel much more real.

The shining star when it comes to side characters, however, is Akira Akbar as Monica, Maria’s daughter. Akbar plays the role with such enthusiasm and joy; she could have done with

unusual digression from recent Marvel Cinematic Universe fight scenes. This is true of all the fight scenes except for the undoubtedly best scene, the battle on an LA Metro train.

As good as “Captain Marvel” is, it does have one major drawback: its lack of adherence to established comic lore. Other Marvel movies tend to follow the comics, especially the origins of their characters pretty closely, although that

entertaining for casual fans, even if it is a little slow in places. It also has enough Easter eggs and franchise tie-ins to please Marvel Cinematic Universe and Marvel Comics fans.

If you want to go see a fun, engaging Marvel movie, especially if you have an interest in the overall Marvel Cinematic Universe lore, go see it. Otherwise, you aren’t missing too much if you give this one a pass.

NOMINATE YOUR PROFESSORS 2018-2019 PROVOST’S AWARDS

Nominations are now being accepted for the Provost’s Awards for the 2018-2019 academic year. Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to submit nominations of full-time tenured and tenure-track faculty as well as full-time lecturers.

Nominations may be submitted in the following categories: Excellence in Teaching Faculty Service Distinguished Achievement in Research, Scholarship or Creative Accomplishment Innovation Promising New Faculty Outstanding Lecturer Nomination form and instructions are available online at: http://www.fresnostate.edu/academics/provosts-awards/index.html Nominations are due in the office of the Provost on or before 5:00 p.m., Friday, March 22, 2019.

Please contact Daunette Dryden @82636 for additional information.

PAGE 7

THE COLLEGIAN • A&E

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 2019

“Madama Butterfly,” strong and elegant

By Ariana Wafer Contributor

I had never been to an opera before, let alone a performance that was in a different language.

Concerned thoughts swamped my mind as I struggled to find a good seat in the sold-out Fresno State Concert Hall on Friday, March 8.

I was unsure what to expect, but after watching Giacomo Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly,” I can confidently say bravo to Fresno State.

Knowing how big a production “Butterfly” is, I wondered how the Fresno State Symphony Orchestra and Fresno State Opera Theatre would pull it off. The hall is not a very big space, but stage director Ashley Trembley made it work, as it was a very strong show.

The opera theatre has been educating students with an interest in opera for nearly 30 years. Producer Anthony Radford and conductor Thomas Loewenheim decided to collaborate to present full operas with an orchestra about 10 years ago. “Madama Butterfly” marks their fifth production in the concert hall.

“Madama Butterfly” tells the story of the complicated marriage between an American naval officer, Pinkerton, played by guest artist Jonathan Yarrington, an opera professor at the University of Southern Mississippi, and a young Japanese geisha, Cio-Cio-San, known as Madame Butterfly, played by Fresno State opera professor Maria Okunev-Briggs.

After their marriage, Butterfly is abandoned by her husband when he returns to America.

Butterfly awaits his return with her servant, Suzuki, played by Tiffanie Trujillo, and the son who Butterfly has with Pinkerton. Three years later, her husband returns to Japan with his new wife and requests that Butterfly give their child to him. Choosing to die with honor rather than live in shame, Butterfly obeys his wishes

Courtesy David Hunter

and then commits suicide.

The acting and singing in this production were very good.

Yarrington played a vocally imposing Pinkerton. Okunev-Briggs’ voice was strong, which was needed for this powerful role, and it made me sympathize with the events that Butterfly was experiencing. I connected most with her character when she sang about having to give away her son. The hurt and sadness in her voice allowed the audience to feel the pain that she was experiencing. It was beautiful to watch.

I would have preferred that she be played by a woman a little closer to the age of 15. Although Okunev-Briggs’ voice had a powerful, rich huskiness, it belied the age of the character.

I also would have liked to see a more expressive relationship between the two leads considering their singing was very full-voiced and passionate.

I was most impressed with Trujillo, a recent

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Fresno State graduate, as Suzuki. I applaud the costume and makeup designers, Trembley and Sylviah Vargas, for making her look the part so well and accurately, but I think her acting skills are what made her such an amazing character.

Her soprano voice was beautiful when she sang to Butterfly after Pinkerton had found

a new wife and wanted to take Butterfly’s son back to America with them. This was my favorite scene in the production because the audience was able to experience the deep connection between this young wife and her servant.

The set could have been a little more elaborate. It consisted of a pair of folding, Japanese-style screens. This simplicity was probably due to how small the stage was.

One scene that I felt needed to be shortened was when Suzuki, Butterfly and her son were asleep, waiting for Pinkerton. This scene was far too drawn out and sort of irritated me Considering the fact that the opera was three hours long.

The audience was well aware that the three characters were supposed to be sleeping, and I think that this scene could have been cut down to be one or two minutes long.

Fresno State took the production very seriously, and this dedication paid off. Overall, “Madama Butterfly” was entertaining, elegant and professional in its performance.

Ariana Wafer won the Fresno State student opera review competition. She is a freshman pre-child and family scence major.

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 2019

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8

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Democratic socialists attempt to work for the good of the people but still fail

By Stewart B. Epstein | Retired sociology/social work college professor I believe that the new Democratic socialist members of the U.S. Congress have their hearts in the right place, but not their heads.

Like them, I, too, believe that our federal government should do more and spend more to help make the lives of our citizens better, just like our traditional allies currently do.

However, there has never been a truly socialist economy in the history of the world that was ever able to produce enough wealth to meet the survival needs of its citizens.

It has never worked.

So, it is foolish to call yourself a socialist. You are just giving conservatives a new insult and put-down to call you.

A lot has been said about Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s proposal to tax the income of those earning over $10 million per year by 70 percent.

The problem with this is that we need to start taxing the wealth -- that’s where we can get enough revenue to pass a Canadian-style national health insurance program to cover and greatly help 99 percent of Americans (except for the richest 1 percent).

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Views expressed in The Collegian do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff or university.

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Ocasio-Cortez’s income tax proposal won’t raise anywhere close to what a “national wealth tax” of 10 percent on all those individuals with a net wealth and net worth of $10 million and higher would raise.

It is possible that we might have a much more equal and truly socialist society one day, but that day is at least 1,000 to 2,000 years away.

We will all have to evolve and transform spiritually, emotionally and mentally into much

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more loving, caring, empathetic, compassionate and altruistic human beings before we are ready for that.

Right now, we are simply too individualistic, too selfish, too self centered, too self absorbed, too full of ourselves and too much into believing that we are ‘all that’ for it to work.

As the philosopher Pierre Teilhard de Chardin observed, humankind is presently at

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the spiritual, emotional and mental level of a 12-year-old child. Sometimes, I think that it is more like a 7-year-old child. I include myself in that because every day I fall short of being the kind of human being that I know I can and should be, and I make mistakes every day of my life.

So, I am not judging anyone else here.

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The news stories or opinions in the supplements do not reflect those of The Collegian.

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 2019

PAGE 9

THE COLLEGIAN • OPINION

Americans tend to disregard cultural appropriation during popular holidays

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By Christina Tran Opinion Editor

With St. Patrick’s Day and Cinco de Mayo right around the corner, so too are the common traditions of using these occasions as an excuse for drinking, pinching people who don’t wear green and the commercialization and appropriation of Mexican and Irish cultural holidays.

Whenever either holiday occurs, the first thing Americans think of is planning a night out to get drunk and party.

In addition to disregarding the historical and cultural significance of these holidays, there is also an implicit disrespect of the cultures to which these holidays belong when individuals assign their own interpretation and meaning to these celebrations.

Recognizing that these holidays all started in other countries, the true reason they have traveled across countries to become something commercialized and misrepresented should be noted.

Like the dark past associated with the birth and development of America, our society has likewise selectively adopted the holidays of oth-

The Collegian Staff

er cultures and manipulated them to increase their marketability and packaged them as forms of entertainment while ignoring the culture to which they belong.

It is no surprise, given the frequency of this occurrence, how easily these cultural holidays have found their way into the American schema while those cultures to whom they belong are quietly forgotten, along with the holidays’ original meaning.

St. Patrick’s Day is both a cultural and religious holiday that recognizes the patron saint of Ireland, who is remembered most for bringing Christianity to the country. Focusing this day on the Irish culture and what Saint Patrick represents to the Irish people should be the foremost reasons for the celebration.

However, the celebration of Irish culture is often associated with going to an Irish bar while wearing the color green and seeing how many beers an individual can consume in one evening. This is a wildly derogatory and culturally insensitive interpretation of a holiday with true national and religious significance.

By picking and choosing particular aspects of a cultural holiday purely for their entertainment value, the increase in its marketability

clearly illustrates how easy it is to forget how inherently disrespectful it is to override the meaning of what someone else’s history and culture mean.

Cinco de Mayo is another highly commercialized holiday which people often ignore the culture in which it was founded in. Like the festivities that occur on St. Patrick’s Day, many Americans similarly use this holiday as a way to simply celebrate what it’s like to enjoy some Mexican food and alcoholic drinks for a single night.

Forgetting any relation to the Mexican army’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla, Americans can be seen again easily slipping past the historical and cultural contexts surrounding why this is a celebrated holiday. Jumping straight to their own intentions of having a good time, Americans look towards this Mexican holiday as another form of entertainment.

Often linking Cinco de Mayo to the equivalent of Mexico’s Independence Day, the celebration can be seen as skewed far from what the holiday is intended to signify.

In any battle, regardless of the country, there are lives that were lost for the greater good of one’s nation. Those are the individuals

who should be remembered and celebrated, rather than reducing a culturally significant event to a ridiculous and floozy game of seeing how many margaritas and tortilla chips someone can consume at a Mexican restaurant.

For both holidays, the Irish and Mexican cultures and people deserve to be credited for more than how appealing their ethnic food and alcoholic drinks are. It’s not acceptable for Americans to indulge in one fun night of excitement and foreign culture while quickly forgetting the implications and historical importance behind these holidays the very next day.

Readers of The Collegian should consider that St. Patrick’s Day and Cinco de Mayo represent a celebration of the rich history and culture of the people to whom these holidays are dedicated to. They are not a day for senseless drinking and a fun night out as everyone continues to remain ignorant to the true reason for the season.

COMMENT: to comment on this story visit our website collegian.csufresno.edu

PAGE 10

THE COLLEGIAN • SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 2019

CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK

Jose Romo Jr. • The Collegian

Above: Deshon Taylor, guard Right: Maddi Utti, forward Award season is rolling around just in time for the start of the Mountain West Basketball Championships as the conference has released its choices for All-Mountain West team honorees and individual season honors Tuesday afternoon.

Senior standouts Deshon Taylor and Braxton Huggins were selected to the All-MW first and second teams, respectively. Alongside them is junior emerging star Nate Grimes who was named as All-MW honorable mention.

For Taylor, this is the second year in a row he has been chosen as first team All-MW. Taylor was also recognized for his defensive prowess as he was chosen for his second All-MW defensive team.

Taylor is having an outstanding season averaging 18.4 points and 4.8 assists per game.

On the defensive end, Taylor is averaging 1.4 steals per game, good enough for second place in the conference.

The All-MW second team selection is the first time Huggins has been honored by the conference.

As for his season stats, Huggins has been averaging 19.3 ppg, good enough for fourth in the MW. Along with his second team selection Huggins was chosen as MW Newcomer of the Year.

Grimes has transformed himself into the post presence that the Bulldogs badly needed as he is nearly averaging a double-double this season with 11.4 points and 9.4 rebounds.

Jose Romo Jr. • The Collegian

Khristian Olivas (above) one of f ive Fresno State wrestlers to earn spots in the NCAA Division I Championship The Fresno State women’s basketball’s time in Las Vegas for the Mountain West Tournament has come to an end in the semifinals against the number one seeded Boise State as a come-back effort was stalled in a 89-77 defeat on Tuesday.

Fresno State (19-12, MW 11-7) advanced to the semifinals after a second round win on Monday, coasting to a 66-55 victory against UNLV, marking the sixth time in seven seasons the Bulldogs advanced to the semifinals.

Looking to keep the momentum going from their quarterfinal win from the day before, the Bulldogs came ou strong against a Boise State (27-4, MW 6-2) team that the ‘Dogs failed to beat twice during the regular season.

Senior guard Candice White led the Bulldogs one final time as she finished the game with 28 points on 9 of 20 shooting, with 9 of those points coming from behind the arc. White also was tied for a team high 7 rebounds with Maddi Utti.

For the first quarter, the teams turned the Thomas and Mack Center into a track meet, turning the speed of the game up to 11, trading shots blow for blow. Both teams’ defenses were nearly non-existent, as each team were able to get behind each other’s transitioning defense to score.

Boise State’s Marta Hermida pushed the

See Basketball, Page 11

The Fresno State wrestling team had a decent showing at the 2019 Big 12 Championship tournament, as the team finished fifth with a total of 59.5 points, including six Bulldogs finishing in the top-six of their weight classes at the Bank of Oklahoma Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Five Bulldogs earned automatic qualifications for the 2019 NCAA Championships tournament in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on March 21-23. Redshirt freshman Gary Joint (133 lbs.) and Jackson Hemauer (184 lbs.) earned NCAA berths on Sunday. The pair will join Khristian Olivas (149 lbs.), Josh Hokit (197 lbs.) and AJ Nevills (Heavyweight), who earned their berths on Saturday.

Nevills had the best showing for the Bulldogs after winning both his quarterfinal and semifinal matchups by decisions for his second straight Big 12 heavyweight finals appearance on Sunday.

On Sunday, Nevills was matched up once more against with his 2018 finals opponent, top-seeded Derek White of Oklahoma State, looking to avenge his 13-6 loss from a year ago.

Unfortunately for Nevills, 2019 would have the same result. He fell once more to White, this time by a 20-5 technical fall, having to settle with a second-place finish. The loss was Nev-

See Wrestling, Page 11

Courtesy Fresno State Athletics

Jestena Mattson finished 13th at the NCAA Track and Field Championship on Friday, March 8, 2019.

Fresno State pentathlete and Mountain West champion Jestena Mattson placed 13th in the pentathlon at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships last weekend at the Birmingham Complex in Birmingham, Alabama.

Mattson represented the Bulldogs’ contender at the NCAA championships since 2013, as she entered the championships ranked No. 15 in the pentathlon and moved up to 13 with a finish of 4,032 points.

In an interview with Fresno State Athletics, head coach Scott Winsor had nothing but praise for the performance of Mattson and the way she finished strongly in numerous events.

“We couldn’t have been prouder of Jestena today,” said Winsor. “She finished 13 in the country … she’s a conference champion … and a school record holder. Today was a great way to finish her indoor career.”

The day for the Mattson started her day scoring 995 points in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.60 seconds and a near personal best 1.69m/5-6.5 effort in the high jump.

Mattson’s highest placing of the weekend came in the shot put, in which she finished seventh with a toss of 11.97m/39-3.25. Mattson followed that performance with a mark of 5.55m/18-2.5 in the long jump.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 2019

Basketball from Page 10

By Anthony De Leon Sports Editor

Broncos out to an early 24-18 lead in the first quarter by scoring 11 points with nine coming from three 3-pointers.

Once again, the ‘Dogs struggled with defending Boise State’s 3-point shooting, a weakness that was prevalent in the two previous games against the Broncos.

Despite the struggles, the Bulldogs were able to keep the game close for the first half thanks to the shooting of White, 15 of her 28 points in the first half. Along with White sophomore, Aly Gamez kept the ‘Dogs in the game for the first half, with the score deadlocked at 36 going into the second half.

The teams exchanged buckets until the 3:45 mark of the third quarter when the Broncos hit its third consecutive 3-pointer to cap off a 14-5 run for the Broncos widening the lead to 55-43.

Toward the end of the quarter, the Bulldogs were able to claw their way back in the form of layups and free-throws by sophomore forward

PAGE 11

THE COLLEGIAN • SPORTS

Tim Nwachukwu/NCAA photos

Candice White attempting a 3-pointer during the Bulldogs’ 89-77 loss to Boise State on Tuesday, March 12, 2019.

Bree Delaney, White and Utti who added 11 on the night for the ‘Dogs.

The effort of White and Gamez, who scored 18 points in the game, continued as White opened the final quarter with a layup and a 3-pointer with an assist from Gamez to bring the score 60-57 with 9:36 to go in the game.

Gamez added a layup of her own, which was then followed by a three point play by White that saw her get fouled hard while driving to the basket to bring the Boise State lead down to one point.

Unfortunately for the ‘Dogs, that would be as close as it got after continuing to trade baskets with the Broncos. The Boise State offense was too much for the Bulldogs to hang with as they continued to hit shots consecutively.

As the final minutes slipped away the lead became insurmountable for the ‘Dogs to overcome as the Broncos led by as much as 10 points with less than two minutes to go.

For the Bulldogs the loss capped off a decent season that was filled with much more expectation going into November, as they were unable to make the MW Tournament finals for the second consecutive year, with the last appearance being in 2017.

In the postgame press conference head coach Jaime White explained where the Bulldogs came up short in their effort to stop Hermida and the Broncos 3-point shooting overall.

“You have Marta, who doesn’t always hit them but surely hit them tonight. And we put her at the free-throw line there at the end for eight of those points,” said White. “And actually I thought we did a really good job on the inside game, but we just didn’t get to those 3s. And a lot of the 3s we didn’t get to were in transition.”

Despite the loss coach White spoke highly of both Gamez and Candice’s effort on Tuesday as they kept the Bulldogs afloat for most of the game.

“Proud of these two. Aly’s came to us last year and she’s been running the point guard spot, and really allowed Candice to be more of a shooting guard,” said White. “You’re proud of your kids for the fight that they had and I don’t think they ever hung their heads.”

By the numbers

12-27 from 3 The Bulldogs allowed 12 3-pointers (44.4 percent) to Boise State in their 89-77 loss.

Wrestling from Page 10

By Anthony De Leon Sports Editor

ills’ seventh of the season, and he will enter the NCAA Championships with a 21-7 overall record.

The ‘Dogs entered Sunday with five wrestlers, including Joint, Hemauer, Olivas, Hokit and redshirt freshman Jacob Wright (157 lbs.) fighting for a third-place match in the consolation brackets. Only Hokit was able to advance with a pin fall victory over Utah Jose Romo Jr. • The Collegian Valley University’s fourth-seeded Tan- The five Bulldogs to qualify for the NCAA Wrestling Championships during the Big 12 tournament on March 9-10, 2019 in order from left to right: Jackson Hemauer (184 lbs.), Josh Hokit (197 lbs.), Khristian Olivas (1492 lbs.), AJ Nevills (Hwt.) and Gary Joint ner Orndorff in 2:54.

(133 lbs.).

Hokit would not be able to carry the moment over to the third-place order to lock up automatic bids to the NCAA cally forfeit against sixth-seeded Davion Jeffeover the weekend. match. He was defeated by fifth-seeded Jake Championships. They both succeeded with ries of Oklahoma and giving him a sixth-place “It is everyone doing the work every day, Woodley of Oklahoma in a 3-2 decision, giving Joint’s major decision win over Jack Skudfinish. and it is such a fun group to coach because of Hokit a fourth-place finish, his sixth loss of the larczyk of University of Northern Iowa and HeLuckily for Olivas, he had been able to notch the effort they put into it,” Steiner said. season and moving his record to 21-6 overall. mauer avenging a loss on Saturday with a 4-2 his bid to the NCAA Championships on SaturThe complete brackets for the 2019 NCAA Wright, Hemauer, Joint and Olivas fifthvictory over fourth-seeded Tate Samuelson of day.

Championships will be released today at 3 p.m. place matchups for the Bulldogs, with Wright, Wyoming.

In a quote from Fresno State Athletics, head on the NCAA website and will show who the Hemauer and Joint winning by decisions.

Olivas had to leave his opening consolation coach Troy Steiner attributed the whole group’s Bulldogs will stack up against in Pittsburgh on Both Joint and Hemauer needed wins in matchup with an injury, causing him to medieffort for the success of the ‘Dogs’ performance March 21-23.

SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 2019

COLLEGIAN.CSUFRESNO.EDU

12

‘Dogs softball dominates in home tourney

By Jorge Rodriguez Reporter

The Fresno State softball team dominated the annual Bulldog Classic, a five-team tournament at Margie Wright Diamond from Thursday, March 7 to Sunday, March 10.

In their first game, the Bulldogs faced UC Santa Barbara on Thursday afternoon, with the ‘Dogs’ Hailey Dolcini in the pitching circle.

The Bulldogs’ offense came out strong in the second inning, putting up three runs thanks to McKenzie Wilson, who doubled, and Miranda Rohleder brought in another run with a sacrifice bunt.

In the third, the Bulldogs scored again on a double into center field by Vanessa Hernandez which brought in one more run. Dolcini kept the game scoreless for the Bulldogs until the fifth inning, when she allowed two runs by the Gauchos.

The Bulldogs got those two runs back in the fifth inning. The Bulldogs took the victory,

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6-2, with Dolcini pitching the entire game, allowing just two runs and striking out five.

Game 2 of the tournament was played against North Dakota University on Friday and was part of a doubleheader.

The Bulldogs had Danielle East as the starting pitchJose Romo Jr. • The Collegian er for Game 2.

The Fresno State softball team celebrates during the Fresno State Bulldogs’ 6-4 victory over California Baptist at Margie Wright came out strong, Diamond on Sunday, March 10, 2019. scoring three runs in the first inning. North Dakota would answer allowed one run which tied the game. She went in the very next inning, scoring two runs and on to pitch six innings and was replaced by cutting the Bulldogs’ lead to one run.

Danielle Lung to close out the game.

East would keep North Dakota from getting In the bottom of the seventh, the ‘Dogs anything more going until the fifth, when she sealed the win with a two-run walk-off home

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run to center field by Hayleigh Galvan. The ‘Dogs took the victory 5-3.

“It felt amazing just running the bases and coming home to the team waitting for me. I didn’t have a hit all game, but the team believed in me, so it was an absolutely amazing feeling,” Galvan said.

For their third game, the Bulldogs faced the University of Montana in the second game of Friday’s twinbill. The Bulldogs scored one run in the second inning and another in the third to take an early lead.

Lung pitched the entire game and shut down the Grizzlies completely, allowing only two hits with no runs in six innings, striking out 13 batters.

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