The Signal Vol. 82 No. 26 by The Signal

APRIL 7 - APRIL 13, 2015

VOL. 82 | NO. 26

OUT OF

THE PARK Panthersville has become a launching pad this year. Just ask softball’s Callie Alford, who became Georgia State’s record-breaking leader in home runs and baseball’s Matt Rose, who leads the Sun Belt conference in home runs. PAGES 16 - 17 | SPORTS

PHOTOS COURTESY OF GEORGIA STATE ATHLETICS

Inside like us! facebook.com/gsusignal

Career to remember

Epidemic outbreak

turning the pages classic tastes The overall consensus is that print is dying. We disagree. Changes are only the beginning.

The Signal investigates a few of the better diners around Atlanta. Here’s what you’re missing out on.

R.J. Hunter gave Georgia Staste fans three years of memories. The Signal looks back at his glory.

News | Page 5

Opinions| Page 8

A&L | pages 10 - 11

Sports | page 18

Grady’s testing data shows the prevalence of AIDS is growing in Atlanta. What does this mean next?

DAILY NEWS AT WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

News 2

Opinions 7

Arts & Living 9

Sports 16

NEWS

blotter

1 3. april Generalized

stereotyping saves the day

March 31

Library Plaza

Who let the dogs out?

Walton and Barbara Asher Square

An individual was found walking her dog without a leash by a Georgia State officer. The officer advised the dog owner of the city ordinance. The dog owner became belligerent, refused to cooperate and was arrested for obstruction when she pushed the officer. She was then transported to Fulton County Jail.

A Georgia State officer apprehended an individual fitting the description of a person wanted for questioning about several thefts on campus. The individual was found to have an active CTW (Criminal Trespass Warning) and was arrested and transported to Fulton County Jail.

april 1

Wait, wait, wait … Who uses a floppy disk anymore?

2. 1.

Langdale Hall

March 31

TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2015

This would make the perfect ‘missed connections’

Arts & Humanities Building

A Georgia State officer responded to a report made about suspicious activity in the men’s restroom. The officer made contact with the individual in the bathroom. The individual was given a CTW (Criminal Trespass Warning) and was escorted off the campus.

4. 3.

Georgia State staff found a floppy disk with pornography on it. The floppy disk was handed over to the Investigations Division.

HArrassment

april 2

obstruction

Take a screenshot and send it to his mommy

Possession CTW

University Lofts

A student reported that she was receiving threatening messages from an ex-boyfriend who she hadn’t made contact with in over a year. The case has been turned over to the Investigations Division.

Photo of the week PHOTO BY JADE JOHNSON | THE SIGNAL Georgia State students listen to a member of ‘The Gospel Mission’ street church as he bellows his ideology on Christianity.

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NEWS

www.georgiastatesignal.com/news

University Commons

Patton Hall

Lofts

College student's injury sheds light Piedmont North on lofted bed safety

PHOTOS BY RUTH PANNILL | THE SIGNAL Various beds in Georgia State’s student housing are lofted several feet up. Marrilen Jacobs, a mother of a son who suffered damages from falling off his lofted bed, is advocating for railings on lofted beds in college student housing. CLAIR IRVIN & LAUREN BOOKER

Staff Reporter and News Editor

hen Clark Jacobs’ mother Marillen Jacobs noticed her son vomiting one morning, she originally thought he just had the flu. She later discovered the situation was a lot more critical. Georgia State’s University Housing residents voiced apprehensions about their beds after Georgia Tech mechanical engineering major Jacobs fell from a lofted bed in Tech’s Kappa Sigma fraternity house on Jan. 10. The fall caused Jacobs to fracture the base of his skull and suffer from brain bleed, according to Ms. Jacobs. WebMD states brain bleeding or hemorrhaging is a type of stroke that kills brain cells. “To describe Clark’s accident as a nightmare come to life doesn’t even begin to account for the pain our family has endured. It is almost like our lives came to a halt on Jan. 10,” Ms. Jacobs said. “We are slowly coming back to life with him. The most difficult hours were the ones following his emergency brain surgery when we were told he might not live.” To save Jacobs’ life, a portion of his cranium was removed to enable brain swelling, and cranioplasty was performed to restore the skull, according to Ms. Jacobs.

She said Jacobs fell from a bed with no railings, which is similar to some of Georgia State’s dormitory beds. Jacobs’ incident is also not the only case of injuries caused by falling off lofted beds. On average there are approximately 36,000 cases of bunk bed-related injuries annually among children and young adults up to 21 years of age, according to a study published by Center for Injury Research and Policy of The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in 2008. People ages 18 to 21 suffered from bed-related injuries twice more than 14- to 17-year-olds. This could be due to young adults’ use of lofted or bunk beds in college dorms, according to the study. The study states people are usually injured on their head and neck. The common types of injuries were lacerations, contusions/abrasions and fractures, with fractures being the third most frequent injury. Since fracturing his skull, Jacobs’ health improved after his surgery. However, he faced issues after returning back home, according to Ms. Jacobs. She said he caught pneumonia, then later contracted infections and blood clots in his arms and legs after arriving to the Shepherd Center. The center is a hospital in Atlanta that provides rehabilitation to spinal cord and brain injury patients, according to their website. Now Jacobs is at home until he regains full consciousness. He will then be brought back to the Shepherd Center to

complete 90 days of inpatient therapy. “He is conscious much more of the daytime now. He tracks with his eyes and is able to recognize words and answer questions through hand gestures or using his eyes,” Ms. Jacobs said.

Dorm room beds and safety Georgia State’s Associate Director of Residence Life in University Housing Mylon Kirksy said Housing can provide railing to beds, but they are available on an as-needed basis. “In short, our facilities staff does loft beds and provide railings for those students who submit a work order request,” he said. “We fulfill a majority of these requests early in the fall semester, and after that on an as-needed basis.” Kirksy also said University Housing doesn’t automatically place railings beds because students have their own preferences on how they want to arrange their bedroom. Ms. Jacobs said she has been campaigning to require railings on every bunk or loft bed. “It is ridiculous to take a chance when the danger is so easily avoided. Many campus bunk beds don’t even have ladders, requiring the

students to climb up the bed frame to get into bed,” she said. Georgia Tech isn’t the only college that needs to add railings to their beds, all college campuses do, according to Ms. Jacobs. “We are not picking on Georgia Tech as it is certainly not the only college campus in the country [or] world that needs to rethink their housing safety requirements,” she said. “I am so proud of the Kappa Sigma fraternity for hopping right on this and getting every single bed retrofitted with rails.” The Nationwide Children’s Hospital study also recommends for there to be 3.5 inches or less guardrails on both sides of a bunk bed. “Every one wants to feel safe and secure while resting or sleeping, yet bunk beds are a common source of injury among children and adolescents,” study co-author Lara McKenzie said in a Science Daily article.

Residents’ opinions about lofted beds Patton Hall resident Shirley Tran said it is scary how lofted beds do not have a ladder. “The ladder cannot even be used because it’s part of the bed, and the

bed can only fit so much into a tiny dorm room. One of the beds has to be at a disadvantage so maybe add a ladder to at least one of the beds to increase safety,” she said. Tran said students sleeping in lofted beds should get railings, because it isn’t worth the risk. Jasmine Rojas, University Commons resident, said she questions if Housing’s beds need to be lofted. “Last year I stayed at the [University] Lofts and my bed was really thick and hard and everything. But it was so high. Like, you couldn’t level it down for nothing. Like someone super glued it for some reason. So that was a pain,” she said “I’m a short person. I can’t just jump on the bed. I need a stool or something.” Rojas said University Housing should provide railings for beds upon request and students with regular un-lofted beds for safety. “I feel like if I was going to fall, that would be it for me,” she said. NOTE: If you would like to donate to Clark’s medical expenses, go to Clark Jacob’s GoFundMe page at http://www.gofundme.com/teamclark. The Signal also reached out to Director of University Housing Marilyn de La Roche for comment, who could not respond by press time. Updates will be posted online if comments are provided at a later time.

NEWS

TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2015

University

Georgia State School of Public Health dean authors book on tobacco’s harms PHOTOS BY RALPH HERNANDEZ | THE SIGNAL Studies show cigarette smoke contains more than 7,000 toxic chemicals that not only affects not only your body, but also the environment. JOHN MILLER Staff Reporter

moking cigarettes damages more than just the smoker’s lungs, according to The Tobacco Atlas, a new book lead authored by Georgia State University’s Dean of the School of Public Health Michael Eriksen. Eriksen said tobacco is correlated with environmental contamination, deforestation and climate change. He also said the book’s purpose is to not just document tobacco’s harmful effects on individuals but also on the world in general. “Tobacco farming is a complicated process involving heavy use of pesticides, growth regulators and chemical fertilizers,” he said.

Cigarettes comprise the largest percentage of waste collected on beaches on the planet, according to Thomas E. Novotny and Elli Slaughter of San Diego State University in the atlas. “Tobacco smoke has more than 7,000 chemicals, hundreds of which are toxic and negatively affect almost all organ systems,” Eriksen said in the book. “Children born to women who smoke during pregnancy are at higher risk of congenital disorders, cancer, respiratory disease, and sudden death.” Even if someone is able to ingest nicotine in a pure form, it is still unhealthy, according to Eriksen during a Reddit questionnaire. “In terms of nicotine, it is not a particularly benign drug and my preference would be that smokers use ecigs to quit, then eventually end their nicotine addiction entirely,” he said. “I

know that not everyone feels that way, but for the nonsmoker, the harm of nicotine outweighs any benefit.” The marketing aspect of the tobacco industry stretches worldwide and every facet of big tobacco contributes to a multi-billion dollar industry, according to the book. “In 2011, the largest cigarette companies in the USA spent $8.37 billion on marketing, spending the most on discounts to reduce the price of cigarettes to consumers,” Eriksen said in the atlas. Besides how smoking is marketed, the habit is seen enough in the culture to make people want to smoke, according to Eriksen. Bradley Dowis, a Georgia State junior speech and communication major, said smokers widely glorify cigarettes, perceiving them as a release from anxiety.

“We do idolize these things that kill us,” he said. Georgia State student Christina Harris said she didn’t start smoking in response to tobacco ads, but rather because her friends smoked. “Someone offered me a Black and Mild, and we would smoke those,” she said. “Then at some point, I guess we graduated to cigarettes.” Much of the marketing is directed towards adolescents and young adults, using tactics like fruit flavors and associations with sports to appeal to younger demographics, according to the book. The Tobacco Atlas also said e-cigarettes normalization might contribute to youth usage, prevent smokers from quitting and cause former smokers to start smoking again. “All of the major tobacco companies have their own version of e-cigs,”

Eriksen said in the Reddit questionnaire. “Philip Morris sells Mark 10, Reynolds sells Vuse, and Lorrilard sells Blu. Big Tobacco has the majority of the e-cig market in the United States.” On March 19, the “Atlas” was released at the 16th World Conference on Tobacco or Health in Abu Dhabi. The book covered statistical information on the harmful effects of tobacco use, according to a Georgia State University News article. The growing popularity of e-cigarettes is more harmful rather than helpful to reducing big tobacco’s influence, according to Eriksen. “The increased popularity of electronic cigarettes and other products threatens to take us backwards by making smoking seem socially acceptable,” Eriksen said in the Georgia State University News article.

according to Hewatt. “College campuses are especially [lucrative],” he said. “They offer coupons and free rides and trinkets, and they solicit the students to become their drivers.” Hewatt also said some of his drivers switched to the ridesharing field to work for Uber. He said 15 of those 20 drivers have returned to the Checker Cab Co. “We’ve lost a lot of drivers to them, and have gotten almost all of them back because of the way [Uber] treats them,” he said.

The government wants more money, it’s that simple.” However, Powell said Quinn is misinformed about the representatives prerogative, and he is creating an issue that doesn’t exist. “He’s making the illusion that I did this because I am close to the taxi [companies] since they had made political contributions,” he said. Powell also said he receives sponsorship from various sources, none of which influence his decision making. “The lobbyists of Uber and Lyft have also made contributions to my campaign in a fundraiser last year,” he said. “I can assure you those campaign contributions had diddly-squat to do with what I did on these bills.” Quinn said Uber has yet to make their drivers aware of any tentative procedural changes that could from HB 190 and 225. He also said customers will not experience any falter in service. “[Uber and Lyft] have both lowered their prices to a level in which hiking [fares] would allow the other competitor a price advantage,” he said. “It’s five bucks for a ride — fares are about as low as they can be.”

Local Government

Georgia House bills 190 and 225 to regulate ‘rideshare’ services like Uber and Lyft SEAN KEENAN Staff Reporter

sers of transportation companies like Uber and Lyft can look forward to the same low rates even if Georgia’s ridesharing regulation bills are ratified, according to Joel R. Quinn, a two-year Uber driver and moderator of the Uber driver Reddit forum. Georgia House Rep. Alan Powell said he and a committee of Republican house representatives are backing two bills to regulate the fair market between ridesharing companies and the competing limousine and taxi industry. A “ride share network service,” as defined by House Bill 225 (HB 225), is any entity using a digital or Internet network to connect passengers to drivers for the purpose of a prearranged transportation for hire. House Bill 190 (HB 190), which passed in the Senate on March 31, would enforce more stringent licensing and insurance requirements for rideshare drivers, according to the Georgia General Assembly. HB 225 would recognize and tax drivers as for-hire employees and reduce regulation on limousine and taxi companies. The bill passed in the Senate on March 26, according to assembly.

“In [HB] 225, we deregulated the limos and the taxis,” Powell said. “We put them all on the same playing field to let the best business model prevail.” However, President of Atlanta Checker Cab Co. Rick Hewatt said companies like Uber and Lyft have long avoided licensing and insurance fees. He believes, if passed, the bills would not yield adequate regulation over the ridesharing industry. “The new bills could give [ridesharing companies] the option to do their own [background] checks, which obviously are not worth anything,” he said. Powell said safety is a primary concern and state government will regulate the standards of these background checks. “We’re accepting Lyft and Uber background checks, but the background check has to be under the criteria of the state’s government,” he said. “My position as the chairman for public safety and homeland security is the whole reason I got involved in this … It was a background check issue for public safety.”

Safety and the ridesharing bills

Hewatt said he believes Uber and other ridesharing companies have been exploiting loopholes and shirking safety requirements.

“Their drivers are untrained and unverified,” he said. “They lack commercial insurance.” Hewatt also said that an in-app agreement absolves Uber from all liability in the event of an accident. “[By using the Uber app], you’re indemnifying them from any responsibility,” he said. “If they flip a car and kill a student, Uber has no responsibility.” Elis Sanchez, Georgia State criminal justice major, said the proposed bills should quell some worries about safety, but ridesharing companies should remain largely unregulated. “I think Uber should keep doing what they’re doing without being constrained by government [regulations],” he said. “[But] these bills make it feel more safe for riders, because it gives them an official license rather than just a random person. Increased insurance requirements are just inevitable in a booming company’s life.” Exercise science major Abraham Garcia said the safety measures need to be refined, but he agrees with Sanchez’s opinion regarding regulation. “Uber needs to be allowed to take its course,” he said. “If it’s the thing of the future, why try and stop it?” Uber representatives will also solicit driving opportunities to young adults using incentivized methods,

Suspicion of other financial motives

Quinn said he believes there may be financial incentives behind the legislation process of HB 190 and 225. “Attempts by representative Alan Powell to legislate this issue probably stem from his relationship with large taxi companies such as Checker Cab rather than a genuine concern for public safety,” he said. “Why would his constituents even care about a service that they can’t even use in their district? ...

NEWS

TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2015

Health

A growing Atlanta epidemic Grady testing shows half of newly diagnosed HIV patients in Atlanta have already progressed to AIDS diagnoses MARLEE ARCHER Staff Reporter

ew research reveals that there is an Atlanta HIV/ AIDS epidemic, sparking concern in students within the demographic of people identified as at risk for contracting the virus. Approximately half of newly diagnosed HIV patients in Atlanta have AIDS, according to testing conducted by Grady Hospital. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated individuals ages 13 to 24 are the leading population for approximately 26 percent of new HIV infections in the US. The CDC also states Atlanta is ranked the fifth highest city for new HIV diagnoses in its 2013 report. Andres F. Camacho-Gonzalez MD, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Emory University, said he believes these statistics are indicative of a HIV epidemic in Atlanta, which he defines as a high number of new documented HIV infections. “Grady’s ER is diagnosing a lot of new patients by routinely testing everyone that comes to the ER,” he said. “However, we are making the diagnosis late because of prior missed opportunities.” Grady Hospital started performing routine HIV testing on all emergency room patients in 2013. Since then, an average of 1 percent of their patients — two or three patients a day — have tested positive for HIV, according to WABE. Camacho-Gonzalez said because of late diagnoses, patients can already develop advanced stages of the disease. Untreated or undetected HIV can progress to clinical AIDS after eight to 10 years, according to WABE.

Late virus detection and the epidemic’s scale

Dr. Abigail Hankin-Wei, head of Grady’s FOCUS HIV testing program, said approximately 8 percent of the population within the hospital’s zip code are infected with HIV, according to WABE. These statistics portray a history of Atlanta’s battle with HIV and AIDS. A decrease in media coverage could be a contributor to the extended epidemic, according to Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB). “Today, thanks to new medications, HIV infections and AIDS are no longer the death sentence they once were,” a GPB article states. “That may be the reason AIDS has fallen out of the media spotlight. But that doesn’t mean the virus has gone away.”

Ashley Blake, a Georgia State sophomore, said she believes her peers are unaware of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and may also lack concern. “Even if we gain more knowledge, the question is still, ‘Are we going to stop?’” she said. “How is that going to change? It’s a matter of if this generation is given that information, are they going to listen.” Blake also said many students do not suspect their sexual partners could be infected. “You just don’t expect that they might have HIV, especially if its your partner,” she said. While residents of Atlanta may be at risk, the number of individuals infected nationwide is also increasing. “1.2 million people in the United States are living with HIV — and nearly one in seven of those are unaware that they are infected,” the CDC states in a fact sheet about today’s HIV/AIDS epidemic. Due to late diagnoses of HIV patients, CDC representatives said it is difficult for life-extending medication to still be effective once the virus has progressed to advanced stages. “Among those initially diagnosed with HIV infection during 2012, one-quarter (24 percent) were simultaneously diagnosed with AIDS, indicating they were likely infected for many years without knowing it. These late diagnoses represent missed opportunities for treatment and prevention,” the CDC’s website states.

Changing the stigma

Neena Smith-Bankhead, vice president of research and education at AID Atlanta, an agency supporting those living with HIV and AIDS in metro Atlanta, said a negative stigma about the virus could contribute to fear of discussing it and utilizing available resources, according to GPB. “One of the things I think we constantly see are populations that are heavily impacted with HIV afraid to have the conversation, afraid to ask the questions,” she said. “Because there’s also a fear that if I ask the questions, I must be engaging in something that is not acceptable or already is a stigmatized behavior.” Georgia State freshman Kaelyn Holmes said everyone should be aware of the statistics of the epidemic. “To improve students’ knowledge and awareness of their sexual health, I think that they should just go by the saying: no glove, no love,” she said. Graduating senior Eric White said he was unaware of the statistics surrounding the AIDS epidemic in Atlanta and that the numbers were quite startling.

“I think it’s pretty frightening how little we hear about things like that,” he said. “And that there’s not any information that seems to be super available on campus.” White also said if students are not already infected, many do not want to discuss the topic of HIV/AIDS. “Nobody wants to go looking for something like that,” he said. “Nobody wants to know about that kind of stuff, because it’s scary. Many people aren’t going to go out of their way unless they think they already have [HIV/AIDS].”

On-campus resources

Georgia State offers free HIV testing through the Student Health Promotions department at 75 Piedmont Ave. The Student Health Promotions’ website states testing is painless and results are ready within 30 to 45 minutes. Testing is available Monday through Thursday during regular business hours. Johnny Gossett Jr., health educator with Student Health Promotions, said he feels students are aware of on-campus resources and use them frequently, as the department advertises services in numerous ways. “We have several events on campus such as Worlds AIDS Day and Dorm Storm which are on campus HIV testing in the dorms,” Gossett said. “At each of our events we promote safe sexuality.” Although there are testing resources on campus, White said he is not aware of them. “You walk around campus, and there’s a million different things in our faces when we’re here,” he said. “I think with students, things have to be in our faces. So things probably need to be a little more abrasive and upfront.”

west 8,013; rate of 10.8 per 100,000

White said he believes improving visibility could lead to a change in this negative stigma that exists when discussing HIV/AIDS. “If someone had a stand out here [at the Library Plaza] with ‘AIDS Epidemic in Atlanta’ with real statistics and pamphlets, that would do something,” he said. “That would at least make people think, and we could start to have the conversation — because right now we’re not even having the conversation.” However, in the last two semesters, Health Promotions has tested over 200 students, according to Gossett. Gossett said he feels like while

students are not a large population infected by HIV/AIDS, they should still be aware of the epidemic. “They are still at high risk because the student population at Georgia State University is in the age group of those infected,” he said. Camacho-Gonzalez said early testing and prompt diagnosis is essential for two main reasons. “First, patients will be placed in medical care avoiding secondary consequences of the disease,” he said. “And second, by placing patients in proper treatment, we can also decrease transmission to others.”

Estimated rate of new HIV infections

by demographic, 2010 (according to the Centers for Disease Control): • Black males: 103.6 • Hispanic males: 45.5 • White males: 15.8 • Black females: 38.1 • Hispanic females: 8.0 • White females: 1.9 (represents number of infections per 100,000 individuals)

Out of more than 2.1 million Americans with HIV: • • • •

1,000,000 know they are infected 478,000 are seeing an HIV doctor 442,000 are receiving treatment 362,000 have a very low amount of virus in their bodies This means only 30 percent of people with HIV are keeping it under control.

Geography of U.S. epidemic

by region, both the number of people diagnosed with HIV and the rate of diagnoses (number of diagnoses per 100,000 people):

midwest 6,109; rate of 9.0 per 100,000

8,908; rate of 15.9 per 100,000

south 24,323; rate of 20.8 per 100,000 SOURCE: CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL FACT SHEET ON TODAY’S HIV/AIDS EPIDEMIC PAGE DESIGN BY JAMAAL HICKS | THE SIGNAL

Northeast

6 University

NEWS

TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2015

Revised journalism curriculum will introduce two new concentrations ADJOA DANSO Staff Reporter

eginning fall 2015, Georgia State’s Bachelor of Arts degree program in journalism will no longer offer print or telecommunications concentration to new students. Instead, the journalism program will feature two new concentrations, according to Department of Communication Undergraduate Studies Director Douglas Barthlow. Under the new curriculum, journalism students will have three concentrations to choose from: public relations, multimedia journalism and media and society, according to the Department of Communication’s curriculum handout. Currently, students have the option to concentrate in telecommunications, print journalism and public relations. Communication professor and director of Georgia State’s Creative Media Industries Institute David Cheshier said there have been plans for a journalism curriculum change for years. “The new degree options grew out of a sense in the journalism faculty that we needed to modify our training to better prepare students for 21st century information platforms and industry changes transforming news delivery,” Cheshier said. Students specializing in multimedia journalism will take classes such as sports journalism, digital journalism, editorial writing and critical writing, according to the handout. Media and society concentrated students can also take digital

journalism, mass communication research, media and politics and communicating environmental issues, according to the handout. Cheshier said the revised degree program prepares students for the changing world of journalism in three ways. “The revised major emphasizes journalistic training that will prepare students to work across platforms,” he said. “[It] helps students build content area specializations. The thought is that we better serve majors by training them in areas to which we directly connect given downtown campus proximity to those sources of news. And it enriches opportunities to perfect core writing and reporting competencies.” Cheshier also said students will be trained in state and local government, sports, entertainment and health because of Georgia State’s location in downtown. The current degree program limits students by making them specialize in either print or broadcast journalism, according to Cheshier. Assistant professor of journalism Carrie Packwood Freeman said the revised degree program will better prepare journalism students for real jobs in their respective fields by giving them more handson journalism experience. “Rather than having news reporting concentrations in ‘print’ [versus] ‘telecom,’ now it is one in ‘multi-media reporting’ to help prepare future reporters not only to investigate and write news stories, but also to capture images and audio and edit it for publication across a variety of media formats, including online,” Freeman said. Updates to the degree are need-

ed to keep students prepared for the ever-changing field of journalism, according to Freeman. “In a field such as journalism that is constantly adapting to new technology and requires some new skillsets, our journalism program is also adapting to the digital environment,” she said. Freeman also said the addition of the media and society concentration will benefit students not wanting to specialize in visual media, print media or public relations. “The addition of a more general ‘media and society’ concentration is useful to students who want to become more broadly media literate and analyze media’s sociopolitical impact,” she said. Students on the public relations track will not see a significant difference to their studies, according to Cheshier. “[The revised degree preserves] specific degree paths for public relations-interested students,” he said. “[It also preserves] a degree sequence for students who don’t want to become practicing journalists but who prefer to study the media in a more academic research-connected way connected to topics like journalism history and media effects.” Quivana Waddles, a Georgia State sophomore journalism major concentrating in public relations, said she doesn’t mind the change. “As for [public relations], the change was not bad. According to my advisor, only one class was taken out and replaced by two others that are more relatable to [public relations],” she said. “I like it because they seem to be trying to prepare us for our future careers.” Georgia State sophomore Em-

ily Thomas said she intended to specialize in print journalism but is changing her concentration to multimedia. “From what I understand it’ll be more relevant especially now that … you have to be well-versed in all the areas, really, as far as technology,” Thomas said. “The practicum courses were really appealing to me because they’re more hands-on, and it’s less time spent in a classroom and more time spent actually out doing investigative reporting. I’m hoping that if I get on the change now it’ll benefit me.”

OLD DEGREE PROGRAM Journalism with 3 concentrations: • Print Journalism • Telecommunications • Public Relations Choose : • Jour 3010: Advanced Media Writing • Jour 3060: Communication Law and Regulation (for Multimedia and Media & Society)

NEW DEGREE PROGRAM Journalism with 3 concentrations: • Multimedia Journalism • Media & Society • Public Relations Choose : • Jour 3010: Advanced Media Writing is required (for Multimedia and Media & Society)

SGA

SGA’s election debate cancelled April 2 due to decreased turnout MIRANDA HAWKINS Staff Reporter

eorgia State’s Student Government Association (SGA) cancelled their second scheduled debate set to take place in the University Commons on April 2. The cancellation was due to decreased turnout at the formal debate held previously on March 27 as well as scheduling conflicts, according to SGA’s Elections Commission’s Chairperson Nyomi Haynes. “Out of the two debates, the Speaker’s Auditorium is a bigger turnout. After going from last year’s debate where it was over-

flowing out of capacity of 400 so now we can barely fill one complete section, we said ‘OK,’ and then some of our executive board candidates had scheduling conflicts as well,” she said. Haynes said the cancellation was made early that week, and candidates were informed of the cancellation. However, the person in charge of Public Relations (PR) did not relay the information to the public. “We cancelled it earlier this week. We put out an announcement Monday,” she said. “We emailed the candidates, and I also checked with my boss, but in terms of letting the public know, the person who got put in charge of PR happened to drop the ball on that.”

Haynes also said it can be difficult for a person who has multiple responsibilities. “You know, sometimes, when you’re juggling a lot of things, you may drop a ball on one end,” she said. Haynes also said SGA decided the time would be better spent preparing for the upcoming elections. “We decided that our energy would be better focused at prepping for the election which is next week. So we decided that we would cancel it, and most of our candidates were comfortable with that idea,” she said. Georgia State student Nicole Langston said she felt the lack of notification was irresponsible of

SGA. “I feel like it was unprofessional. A government who is supposed to serve its students should give notice to cancellations and any changes that may occur. That’s what an efficient government is all about,” she said. Haynes apologized on behalf of SGA and said she hopes this would not affect voters. “For anyone who showed up and didn’t get any sort of explanation, we will convey our most sincerest apologies, and we hope they don’t use that … as a reason not to vote because at the end of the day, it’s not really us [current SGA members] who’s being elected to office; it’s the candidates,” she said.

last week Local

Carjacking balked by armed bystander

A passerby prevented an armed robbery April 3 at a Smyrna car wash, according to 11Alive news. Smyrna Police Officer C.D. Graeff said the witness observed a juvenile man hold a woman at gunpoint demanding her vehicle. Upon recognizing the threat, the unnamed passerby withdrew a firearm and shot the suspect in his shoulder. An employee at the car wash who witnessed the event then held the suspect at gunpoint until officers arrived. The juvenile will be charged with felony aggravated assault and misdemeanor theft by taking of a motor vehicle, according to Graeff. Police are currently looking for several other suspects.

National

Daytona Beach child molester beaten then sentenced to 25 years

Daytona Beach Police pardoned a Florida father for the beating he gave the molester of his child, according to The Independent. The offender Raymond Frolander survived the assault and is now faced with a 25-year prison sentence. Frolander, then 18, was interrupted while abusing the man’s son, then 11, and knocked out before police were called. Police Chief Mike Chitwood said the father’s actions were dismissed because he was just “acting like a dad.” The father said he let the offender live so he could learn his lesson behind bars.

Global

Victims of Islamist extremism sue media over unsafe reports

Six victims of the Jan. 9 hostage situation in France are suing media outlets for compromising their safety during the event, according to Hurriyet Daily News. Patrick Klugman, the attorney representing the victims, said outlets such as French BFMTV publicly revealed the hiding location of his clients while Amedy Coulibaly led a violent siege on a supermarket. Klugman said the terrorist was monitoring news stations to assess his predicament. The lawsuit demands $16,300 in retribution for risking the lives of those hiding from the jihadist.

OPINIONS DOLLARS & SENSE WITH MITCH

www.georgiastatesignal.com/opinions

When journalism sells out Will native advertising bring about the death of the credible journalist?

I MITCHELL OLIVER Columnist

Mitch is a senior finance major and student financial advisor. “My goal is to have more college students financially literate.”

Tweet him @madmoneyatl

t’s official. Native advertising is here to stay, and it’s probably the worst thing to happen to journalism since the Internet. Corporate influence in the media has been around since the invention of the advertisement and consumers have been fully aware of it. The term used by news has always been the “separation of church and state.” The recent explosion in popularity of native advertising, however, is rubbing many consumers the wrong way and has moved into a moral grey area that blurs corporate self-interest and honest, respectable journalism. If you are unfamiliar with what native advertising in journalism is, just go to BuzzFeed.com and pick any article at random. Chances are the article is “sponsored” by a certain company but in a very subtle way. BuzzFeed, whose revenue comes 100 percent from branded content, will often post articles that seem random and out of place. For example, seeing the article “21 Times HBO Was The Source Of All Your Happiness” would make most people stop and think “Hmm, this is an oddly specific article for a cable channel bringing me happiness.” And I use the word ‘article’ very loosely. It’s literally 21 gifs with one-sentence headlines! Hopefully you respect your brain cells enough to not read BuzzFeed, but it is a great example of native advertising today and where it’s heading. And yes, it is heading downhill fast. I figure within five years we can expect to open NYtimes.com and see articles ranging from “6 times Hillary Clinton totally had a bad hair day — brought to you by Head and Shoulders” to “21 Reasons We Don’t Need Electric Cars — brought to you by Exxon Mobil.” Native ads are a byproduct of consumers’ inability or unwillingness to pay for content online. When newspapers made the shift to online, they hoped people would continue paying to read the New York Times online, for instance. Unfortunately for them, it is extremely simple for consumers to just find free news elsewhere online. Thus, native ads have become the hottest new revenue stream for

“

Just think of how ineffective traditional banner ads are online today ... So native advertising for some is the future, but is there not a better way to do it?”

news companies because it keeps content free to the user. In return, all the new sites have to give up, well, most of their journalistic

audacity to say that “good native ads can actually outperform editorial.” They reference their piece, “9 Disgusting Things Y o u

? ?? McDonald ’s a d

credibility. But news sites want you to know that this isn’t a bad thing. There’s even a Huffington Post article out there which sets out to dispel “8 Myths about Native Advertising.” In what couldn’t possibly be a bigger conflict of interest piece of journalism, Huffington Post informs the reader that native advertising is, in fact, a great thing and that we should embrace it because of course if we don’t, Huffington Post will go bankrupt and become irrelevant. The article posits that “a good native ad must entertain and inform the reader.” But here’s where HuffPost is blissfully ignorant. They don’t see that it takes literally all journalistic credibility out of an article when the sole purpose of writing it is to receive a check from the sponsor. Huffington Post even has the

Are you loving

it?

D i d n’t K n o w You’ve Been Eating Your Whole Life” and how it has become more popular than some of their editorial stories. Just a true masterpiece article start to finish, complete with big colorful pictures and short bullet points. You know, the way journalism was meant to be. Good on you, Buzzington Feed — er, I mean Huffington Post. And just when you thought the newspaper staples were safe, native ads have already hit the New York Times. A recent editorial on the state of women in prisons was a great read and really came off as informative and an inspired piece of journalism. Except the fact that it was sponsored by Season 2 of “Orange is the New Black.” Yes, it was a well written article, but it was still essentially just an advertisement. Or take Meredith Levien, Vice

President of Advertising for the New York Times. At a recent IAB leadership summit on the future of marketing, she stated that “Good native advertising is not meant to be trickery; it’s meant to be publishers sharing their storytelling tools with marketers.” So essentially what Levien is saying is that respectable journalism isn’t dead, it has just “kicked the bucket” or is “in a better place.” But what else would she say? Native ads are the only option right now. Just think of how ineffective traditional banner ads are online today. Click through rates are less than 0.1 percent and on mobile devices research shows that up to 50 percent of banner ads are clicked on accident. So native advertising for some is the future, but is there not a better way to do it? Instead of essentially tricking readers into thinking they are reading a legitimate news article, there should at the very least be a large disclaimer either as the teaser or at the outset of the article. This way, consumers can decide when and where they want to be marketed to instead of being the victim of this new form of stealth marketing. Unfortunately, the reality is that these types of advertising are mainstream and popping up on sites such as the Atlantic, TIME, the New York Times and Huffington Post at alarming rates. They’re not going anywhere soon, so if they rub you the wrong way as a consumer, let the companies know. I like to make a mental note of who sponsors certain articles and I try and avoid that product at the store. If you’re really passionate, you can even write in to the company asking them why they feel they need to advertise their product in that way. But in the meantime, for any journalism majors out there, might I suggest minoring in marketing?

OPINIONS

TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2015

Why the tipping system is unfair to college-aged waiters and bartenders

Where is the love?

JOHN MILLER Columnist

John is an English major with a concentration in Literature. He spends his time cooking, reading, writing and watching movies. Mostly watching movies.

Tweet him @johnmillerdavid1

here’s one saying that restaurant waiters and bartenders often use when they want to castigate people who don’t tip: “If you can’t afford to tip, you can’t afford to go out.” Let’s think about this statement for a second. It implies that a tip is money that the patron is required to pay. But if one decides not to pay the tip, they’re not penalized, so tipping is not actually required. A waiter goes to work expecting to be paid for their service. Whether the service is good or sub par is subjective to the customer, but there is still an expectation that there will be a tip. But this expectation negates what the tipping system is intended for. Restaurant owners ostensibly use the system as a way to incentivise their waiters and bartenders into doing their best in order to earn their pay. But when one scrutinizes this logic, one realizes it’s just a big denial of responsibility on part of the restaurant owners — a denial which shifts the employer-employee relationship into much murkier territory. Whereas most businesses reward their workers for doing their jobs with regular, unwavering paychecks, restaurant owners expect the same kind of work for purely potential payment. Because tipping is a custom based on expectation of payment elsewhere, restaurant owners see it as an opportunity to not pay their servers steady salaries. The idea that if you do well, you get paid well, is often not the case. Customers fall into the default routine of tipping 10, 15 or 20 percent on their checks without considering

whether or not the waiter smiled. Targets of the quote I mentioned at the beginning forgo tipping altogether because, well, they’re not required to. And really, why should they, considering they’ve already paid the full price for the food? Still, people who don’t tip are seen as rude by servers simply because no tip means no salary. But it’s not the job of the customer to pay the employee’s salary. It’s the owner’s job. Their job is not only to account for the pricing of their products but also the salaries of their workers. And if employers don’t account for their employees’ salaries, they are effectively profiting off of unpaid labor. Because college students need to attend school during the day, they tend to take jobs in the evening. One logical option for an evening job is a position in a restaurant and entrylevel positions in restaurants are usually service jobs. If students don’t get paid for their work, not only are they wasting their time, but they’re rendered unable to pay for their own food and other living expenses. And that is why I say the tipping system is a violation of an honest worker’s right to a steady salary. A violation disguised as a friendly, informal custom which is anything but. Employers profit off of employee’s belief in the tipping custom at the employee’s expense. So now that I’ve shown what I perceive to be the true source of waiters and bartenders’ frustration, I shall invite servers everywhere to turn their indignation on their employers and say instead: “If you can’t afford to pay your employees, you can’t afford to start a business.”

Why is there a lack of compassion and morale on campus? MIA MCDONALD Columnist

omething that has always bothered me is people’s lack of compassion on campus. Every day we walk past one another and we rarely, if ever, speak. Yes, we are all focused on accomplishing specific goals, but we also carry around our own personal burdens. It’s expressed in how rudely we bump one another or watch the doors close in someone’s face as they try to catch the elevator. We’re quick to catch attitudes with one another if we’re accidentally bumped or pushed but aren’t willing to put in the same effort to say a simple “hello.” There’s this overall disregard for politeness that has consumed so many people causing them to have this “Leave me alone” or “I don’t want to be bothered” attitude. It’s become second nature. Unless our school is making headlines for being a finalist in the NCAA tournament or it’s time to defend our title of “The Real GSU,” some students don’t really support the university. During these occasions everyone is proudly wearing Georgia State attire, excessively tweeting #TheREALGSU, #AllBlueAllIn and #StateNOTSouthern, shouting the infamous GSU game chant, “I believe…” There’s so much school pride that it’s inspiring, but that passion is usually dead day-to-day. You may not be aware of this, but a lot of us are walking around with a semi-permanent stank face and it’s not just the women either. The only time we give a person a second look is to judge their attire, hair or something else just as vain. People will do a full body scan until they find something to criticize you on. This careless behavior has gone so

EDITORIAL

Print journalism hasn’t kicked the bucket just yet

his week, we asked you, our readers, if you thought print newspapers were dying. About 86 percent of you said yes. We expected that. (We admit, we might have asked you this as a trick question.) Any time this comes up in conversation, there is an overall sense of cynicism. Some would say newspapers are already dead — the Internet and mobile devices have already taken it all away. The common counterargument is that we aren’t dying — we’re just evolving. Print has already evolved itself by getting rid of small fonts that required magnifying glasses, adding color and adding catchier headlines. But it seems that print is changing again after the birth of the Internet. Applications (apps), smartphones, high-speed data and videos are part of our lives, similar to how newspapers were when they began. Some traditional newspapers have gone digital. Creating their own apps, eye-catching websites and specific advertising, where your daily routine online is recorded and then generated advertisements ca-

tered for you from site to site. Our stance is this: The circulation for print newspapers in the U.S. may be down, but the principles behind print journalism are still alive and well. The thing is, it’s the medium and the business model for which journalism is traditionally practiced through that is low in the numbers. However, articles are still being published on the Internet and through mobile means. We will bet you on this: The job market for journalists will continue to live on for the ages after us. At the core, we still need reporters; we still need people who fully grasp the importance of reporting fairly and accurately. In the traditional newspaper newsroom, you learn the importance of deadlines and the impact those deadlines have on proper fact checking before the final approval to send off to the printers. In an adapting newsroom, you learn all that plus the necessary skills of storytelling through multiple mediums. Reported this week in The Signal (on page 6), the current journalism curriculum at Georgia State is being

revised to reflect this new business model. The new program will do away with the print and telecommunications concentration and instead implement a multimedia journalism and a media and society concentration. We say it’s about time. The previous model was far outdated and probably should have been replaced a lot sooner. Journalism isn’t practiced through just print or television anymore. Journalism today requires you to be a storyteller through multiple platforms. For example, many Georgia State journalism majors will attest to the fact that their internship employers are no longer requiring they have more experience in a skillset over the other. Instead, as tomorrow’s leading reporters, we need to know how to do it all … and fast. In addition to having to know “a little about a lot” on a variety of subjects and molding ourselves to be versatile journalism skill wizards, the scary reality is that the unemployment rate is steadily rising in our prospective job field, according Georgetown University’s 2015 study From Hard Times to Better Times:

College majors, unemployment, and earnings. Whereas there are more encouraging unemployment decreases in fields such as education or physical science, ours stands at 8.2 percent, and it isn’t stopping. While it may seem like the field is closing in and becoming more competitive — a bigger question remains: Hasn’t the journalism field always been that way? From day one, and through receiving training in student media, internships and the classroom setting, we know that it has always been a race to get the best and most in-depth story. We simply strive off competition. Furthermore, journalists also strive off of innovation and improvement. As outsiders looking in, it appears that our print journalism world is dying. But just as we always have, we will continue to embrace those last minute editorial changes, we will accept that our “physical” appearance is changing and we will continue to adapt to how your demand as readers is shaping how we function as news outlets. But you should know, this isn’t the end for us … it’s only the beginning.

far as to affect student involvement on campus. Student Government Association elections are taking place the week of April 6 - April 12 and I’m sure that a lot of students don’t know about it; some of the students that do know about the elections aren’t even going to participate. So why have so many students adopted this apathy towards each other and student organizations like SGA? Simply put, we don’t care. If people don’t see immediate changes or a personal benefit gained, student organizations mean nothing. The only time we really begin to acknowledge each other is usually during a campaign for something. Whether it’s homecoming titles or a candidacy, you can expect people to become extra friendly; otherwise, you’re faceless. We’re guilty of using one another. Amazing how our invisible cloaks disappear and everyone suddenly regains their manners. How do we boost morale and recover compassion? Both cases boil down to the treatment of others. As cliché as it sounds, treat people the way you want to be treated. It’s not complicated. I’m not saying go out of your way to give each individual person you encounter a compliment or go out of your way to do some grand gesture; responding when someone greets you will suffice. If that’s too much of a chore then perform another cliché and that’s, “If you don’t have anything nice to say don’t say anything at all.” A quick head nod or wave is acceptable too. At least two of my college friendships were formed all because of an easy “hello.” Considering you see some of the same people at least twice a week in a class of 20 (minimum), being cordial shouldn’t be that hard. It’s unrealistic to expect everyone to randomly become polite, but it’s something we can work towards. That being said, have a great day everyone!

LAST WEEK’S POLL RESULTS Do you think print newspapers are dying? YOU ANSWERED: Yes 85.71% (18 votes) No 14.29% (3 votes) Total votes: 21 *As of April 6, 2015 Keep your eyes out for the next poll! To vote on future polls, visit www.georgiastatesignal.com. Have suggestions for poll questions? Email them to signalmanaging@gmail.com.

ARTS & LIVING

www.georgiastatesignal.com/artsandliving

CLEANING OUT C your closet

Written by Nichole Place

Part II:

My humps are not lovely lumps

1. Create

a plan

When deciding that you want to start eating healthy, you need to choose how you want to keep track of what you want to eat. Whether you are counting calories, eating just fresh foods or eating organic, it’s important to have a plan to help keep you on track, it’ll make it a lot easier on choosing between what you consider good and bad.

2.Toss it

The next step is to throw out the bad foods that you have been hoarding in your kitchen and your secret hiding spots. The goto excuse is that you’ll start eating better once you finish off the food you already have. All you’re doing is setting yourself back and being a liar, so stop it.

leaning is not just limited to scrubbing down floors and bleaching the grout. When it comes to spring cleaning, it’s important to work on your health as well. During the winter most people get into the habit of

3. Make a

List

Before you go shopping, it is important to make of list of everything you want to get. Pre-planning what you want to get is a great way from stopping your from buy things you don’t need. If you are unsure of what foods you should buy, use the Internet to look up the right ones to get.

Already made

Eating healthy is all about planning. So instead of whatever whenever, pre-plan the meals you want to make, almost like a food schedule. That’s the best kind of schedule if you ask me.

STAPLE

FOODS:

Canned tuna Bananas Whole grain pasta Apples Fresh salad makings Frozen edamame Peanut butter Eggs Frozen berries

5.Stick it

RECIPES:

THESE WERE ALL FOUND ON PINTEREST, A GREAT WEBSITE TO HELP YOU THROUGH YOUR EATING TRANSFORMATION.

Salty Sweet This S#!t Potatoes: is Bananas:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit 2. Cut sweet potatoes into thin slices and shake in a big plastic bag, mixing them with 1/3 cup malt vinegar and 3 teaspoons of sea salt

3. Let the potato slices soak for 10 minutes 4. Bake 15-20 minutes, flip then re-bake until crispy (From lecremedela crumb.com)

PAGE DESIGN BY TAMMY HUYNH | THE SIGNAL

sneaking candy bars into their grocery cart and pretending like they didn’t; you normally don’t notice it’s a bad thing until you start feeling like an overweight slug. Here are a few ways to help get yourself on track and cleaning up your eating.

1. Cut bananas into slices and freeze 2. Sandwich peanut butter in between two slices 3. Melt chocolate in a bowl 4. Dip banana sandwich in the melted chocolate

Spinach Pesto:

1. Mix 3 cups of baby spinach, 1 egg, 2 tablespoons of olive oil and mix in a food processor 2. Add ¼ cup parmesan, and a bit of crushed red pepper, garlic powder, salt and pepper. (Add amount to your liking.) 3. Pour over whole grain pasta (From taylormadeby taylorbee.com)

ARTS &

diner dash The best diners in Atlanta Written by Inga Masic

rom brunch to dinner and everything in between, diners hit all cravings. Atlanta is stocked full with a variety of diners, and few have developed a name or unique feel for themselves. However, Buckhead Diner, Ria’s Bluebird, and Sun in My Belly are some diners that beat the mold.

Diners are the journey to feeling like an all-American, whether it be in an elegant manner, a family-oriented atmosphere, or a classic ‘50s joint. When the desire to dive into various worlds throughout American history manifests, it’s these diners that deliver.

ria’s bluebird ner, Julie a- style restaurant. Ow This diner has the leg alongside rks wo o wh , oved Pender cy of one of the most bel tner Stephen Chef her business par chefs in Atlanta, the late the aspiwho Gannon, identifies er, and Ria Pell. To any customer din the ind rations beh walks in, this is evident. a. ant Atl to ers off what it The food, tone and staff are ehom ssic cla s all aspects of thi

The Creation If there was a place where e making everyone feel as welcom it then red desi was e as possibl would be Ria’s Bluebird. This din er om cust a ing mak on ses er focu feel like they are in their comfort of kind this s it’ and e, able hom d mentality that got Ria’s Bluebir s k’ wor Net d Foo on ed mention “Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives.” “The original owner, Chef

Ria Pell, opened this place in the year 2000. She really just wanted h to open up a breakfast and lunc e com ld cou y bod any diner that and eat at, even if you were veg poand t mea core an or a hard tatoes kind of person,” Pender said. “There’s something for everybody, and that would be an anchor for a neighborhood to come.”

PHOTO BY MARC VALLE | THE SIGNAL Located off Memorial Drive and across from Oakland Cemetery, Ria’s Bluebird opens its doors to hungry customers 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. all week long.

The theme

“It’s more like your parRia’s Bluebird is the ents’ den. It’s welcoming; you hotspot for diversity, and can come as you are. Here they welcome this trend. we run the gamut of people They want everyone to feel in suit and ties, construction welcome and to feel like they guys, nurses, doctors, lawbelong there. It’s meant to be yers and other industry peoone’s home away from home. ple. Anyone is welcome to The surroundings created by come and hang out and get a the hospitable staff, savory drink,” Pender said. food, and warm atmosphere.

The appeal

” think this always sets us apart. Not only does the diner foat ing feel It’s all about cus on giving customers an au- home, and feeling a sense of foalso y the but le thentic meal, - comfort wash over one whi y cus on giving back to the com The d. ebir Blu ’s Ria at eating munity. Their goal is not to be want nostalgia to kick in when es fad t tha s ines bus r the ano trying their dishes. into the background but to be “We are definitely affordce one that makes a differen able. We play cool music and and presents their eccentric we have good food,” Pender , staff to others. said. “For a college student “I feel like we are real’re you like you want to feel ly known for our food and it having something delicious, per the from being driven and you’re having a new exspective of a chef, and being perience. Or you might come driven from quality ingredi- here and say, ‘Oh my God, ents,” Pender said. “We shred these are just like the pancakes our own cheese, we make our my mom makes’ to get a taste biscuits and pancakes from of comfort. It can also remind scratch, and our salsa. We are [you] of something you’re also part of the community ... missing in your college experiI also feel like our staff repre- ence away from home.” I sents a variety of individuals.

PHOTOS BY MARC VALLE | THE SIGNAL Left: Organic grits and ‘soysage,’ layered with skillet potatoes are some of Ria’s favorite home-cooked, handmade brunch menu. Right: The pancakes at Ria’s Bluebird melt more than just butter, grabbing the attention of critics around the nation.

SIGNATURE DISHES

Handmade buttermilk pancakes Caramelized bananas placed on top of dishes d Brisket breakfast (slow roasters, hou 14 for sts roa t brisket tha comes with two poached eggs)

Address 421 Memorial Dr. Southeast Atlanta, Georgia 30312 Hours: Sunday - Saturday: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

PAGE DESIGN BY TAMMY HUYNH | THE SIGNAL

& LIVING

buckhead diner ssic the rage. It brings the cla el This high-end diner has lev new a to ers for if look of din ghou everything one looks thr te tas s ain int ma time and wanting to experience nager Emth- out. Marketing Ma lea en wh to k traveling bac story bethe res as- ily Gober sha er jackets, jukeboxes, gre ng joint. eni pp -ha hip re all hind the ers and poodle skirts we

The Creation

CEO, Pano Karatassos, knew The BuckheadLife Restau- that he wanted to serve quintesthe of rant Group is a collection sential American food in a ‘retmost critically acclaimed estab- ro’ environment as part of his lishments in Atlanta, and within restaurant empire and the dinthese eateries is a quaint haven. er concept was born. It was the The Buckhead Diner has been fifth of 12 concepts that are part around for some time and is of Buckhead Life Restaurant based on the pure American ex- Group,” Gober said. perience. “It was made in 1987. Our

The theme

It’s a simpler time wit h the old-fashioned decor sur rounding the atmosphere of the diner. When sitt ing dow n and eat ing their allAmeric an cuisine, an array of neon lights and tunes r from a jukebox wash ove . your memorable exp erience The o. retr is me the r “Ou

The appeal

Besides having a rocking retro theme, they give custom d har is t ers an experience tha t to forget and entices the wan rea aur sic clas s Thi to return. flected the nostalgic times of the ‘50s creates a time machine for those who enter the establishment. “Eating at the diner brings back memories of dining with

PHOTO BY MARC VALLE | THE SIGNAL Buckhe ad Diner is reminis cent of a gre at Orient Express dining car. It has an exterior she athed in radiant ly polished stainless steel, a che ckerbo ard of black, white, and cob alt blue por celain enamel and the fier y glow of mu lti-colore d neon lighting ,” Gober said.

SIGNATURE DISHES your family while growing up but in a classier and upscale environment,” Gober said. “The focus is on the Buckhead Life level of service and modern American cuisine. Menu cate , cks sna l ina orig gories include s, che dwi san re atu sign novelty , grilled specials, fresh seafood and tive fun desserts, plus crea identifiable diner foods.”

sun in my belly t one this vintage diner is tha Elegance and charm are doesn’t have to reach far in the that the key characteristics wn, who is a ery. wallet. Laurie Bro eat a ant Atl s thi as well as wash over ss ste /ho not cafe server Fanciness is seen within h a lead server, shares the inner wit esonly their decor, but also workings behind this lavish . als me ir the nt. me lish tab g The best part about visitin

The Creation Sun in my Belly has made their initial success from first starting a catering business about r 22 years ago. It was shortly afte out ch bran to ided dec when they their horizons and give custom ays alw to tion loca iliar ers a fam come back to, but this expansion never impacted their dedication to catering. “Alison Ruther is our executive chef, and she really started the catering business from the

Address 3073 Piedmont Rd. Northeast, Atlanta, Georgia 30305 Hours: Monday-Saturday 11 a.m. – midnight Sunday: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

ground up,” Brown said. “Then we turned the restaurant inside out and turned into a very casual but fine dining experience restaurant. That is currently where we serve out of, and we still are majorly a catering company and we do anywhere from two to three weddings per week. We constantly have wedding tastings coming in and eating in our restaurant.”

Maytag Blue Cheese Chips

Jamie Beard’s award-winning White Chocolate Cream Pie Fried Chicken (Wednesday and Sunday only) Veal and Mushroom Meatloaf

Address 2161 College Ave. Northeast Atlanta, Georgia 30317

shed accomThese were some publick head Diner plishments that the Bu fo r their inhas been rewarded with ere. viting food and atmosph

#30 on Jezebel Magazine’s “100 Hottest Restaurants” Best Dessert - White Chocolate Banana Creme Pie for “Best of Atlanta” in Good Eats Food & Wine’s “Atlanta Quintessential Spot” (1998) “Best Place for a Power Lunch” in Access Atlanta (2004)

Hours Sunday: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., 6 p.m. -9 p.m. Monday: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

The theme It’s all about family for Sun in My Belly. They want to create a community within their establishment, and embellish the surroundings with homestyle decor. Their place is a reflection of in with the old and out with the new, and their food reflects good ol’ Southern style meals. “The food is definitely Southern gourmet, but the restaurant feel is very casual. We

The appeal

AND THE AWARD GOES TO...

like to have a very open, free airy vibe,” Brown said. “We like to make our customers feel very . connected to the community inthe on feel que anti It’s a very side, and all of our furniture we . get from an antique warehouse We want to welcome our cus tomers home whenever they come in. It’s also very vintage and unique.”

“We have Southern tradiThey want the commontional food, but we put a gourday person to be able to expe- met spin on everything. A lot of rience living in the high life, GSU students are maybe venand be introduced to some fine turing out and trying to go into t dining. That is their argumen the world and find out about when promoting Georgia State fine dining and even expandr ” students to take a trip to thei ing our horizons and our tastes, restaurant, especially given the Brown said. diner is close to campus.

Tuesday-Thursday: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Friday & Saturday: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.

SIGNATURE DISHES Challah French Toast: Jewish bread stuffed with ricotta cheese and topped with fruit, sugar, and syrup “The Kirkwood” (named after the neighborhood, and is a combinations of eggs/ cheese, honey-glazed bacon, and fresh-made buttermilk biscuits) Cocoa and Espresso Braised Beef Short Rib with a side of garlic Parmesan mash potatoes.

reviews

TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2015

MUSIC COLUMN

When should an album become a classic? ALEX KUGACZEWSKI

Staff Reviewer

ince the release of Kendrick Lamar’s latest album, the internet has exploded in all corners. Pitchfork’s wizened sages have decreed the highest of honors. Hip-hop fans both east and west have joined hands in celebration. Even the trolls have seemed silent before the monolithic throne of Lamar. Now sure, this may be hyperbole, but it plays to the larger point here: “To Pimp a Butterfly” is really, really good. It’s so good that throughout various discussion forums across the web you can already find countless droves of people hailing Lamar’s latest a “bona fide classic” – an inscrutable masterpiece that will define hip-hop for decades to come. Isn’t it a little early, guys? I won’t deny that Lamar’s latest record is one of my favorite albums to come out this year. It’s an album I’d certainly give an A to if I were to review it now. Lamar’s lyricism is stunning. At times painfully personal and scathingly social, Lamar’s poetry feels as if it’s burning straight through the speakers to burrow deep inside

of you. Stylistically, Lamar has never been this ambitious. Incorporating jazz, soul and traditional production into a sweltering mix, “To Pimp a Butterfly” truly comes alive. But to call an album that’s only been on the shelves for a month a “classic” is bordering on absurd. “Classic” albums aren’t made in the reactionary hail of praise in a record’s infancy. It takes time. Looking back at 1974 and the release of Bob Dylan’s “Blood on the Tracks” is a revealing moment. When Dylan’s album was released, critics scratched their heads, baffled and confused. Those critics were the generous ones. Some went so far as to pen demolishing criticisms of Dylan’s album. Today, however, marks a new story for that record. It’s 2015 and “Blood on the Tracks” is unanimously considered a monolithic album whose influence on modern folk artists is nearly incalculable in its magnitude. While the amount of time required for an album to become classic may lead to a nebulous rabbit hole of debate, it’s not an unfair statement to make that it does take some substantial amount. It’s also important to note that I’m not saying critics’ initial reactions to albums determine their classic status; rather, only time and,

by extension, the influence a record casts over time is integral to the making of a classic. It takes calculable, documentable influence on artists and genres to come for albums to be true classics. Let’s take “Sgt. Pepper” as an example. How many bands have cited that record as one of their favorite recordings? How many bands have claimed that “Sgt. Pepper” influenced their own music? The number here is irrelevant, but the point isn’t. Surely, Unknown Mortal Orchestra and Tame Impala wouldn’t exist without the trail-blazing psychedelic pop of The Beatles later-era recordings. The influence is obvious in some cases. “Solitude Is Bliss,” Tame Impala’s debut single, barely attempts to hide the Beatles worship as it winds through its kaleidoscopic verses. Here, most listeners can probably pick up the similarities in sound if they’ve heard both “Sgt. Pepper” and “Innerspeaker.” Classic albums transfuse themselves over time into the blood of other artists in ways that are apparent and material to the new

music. This overzealous knee-jerk behavior isn’t just ridiculous in its own right; it’s also unhealthy for the larger picture of music discussion. If we allow ourselves to be immediately overwhelmed by music to the point that we’re lavishing the newest releases with the highest possible honor before it’s even been released for a month, let alone a year, then we’re doing music discussion and the music itself an injustice. Doing this, we devalue music, turning it into some rapidly consumable commodity and forget it as the art that it really is. So, if we really love Kendrick Lamar, let’s do him a favor; let’s wait.

FILM REVIEW

‘The Longest Ride’ ends up rather short FERNANDO MATTOS

Staff Reviewer

“S

low, slow it down,” Coldplay sings in “Us Against the World.” As one watches “The Longest Ride,” the newest Nicholas Sparks adaptation in theaters, the same words from the song by the British band come to mind. “The Longest Ride” tells the story of two couples separated by generations. Ira (Jack Huston and Alan Alda) and Ruth (Oona Chaplin) met before World War II. Luke (Scott Eastwood) and Sophia (Britt Robertson) meet in the present day. The two stories begin intertwining when Luke rescues Ira from a car accident on a stormy evening. In the hospital, as Sophia reads Ira’s letters about Ruth, the two stories start to unfold. The greatest irony in “The Longest Ride” is that it feels short and, worst of all, rushed. Things seem to happen too quickly, mainly in the present-day re-

lationship. While this plot is expected of a Sparks film, the book shows things could have been much better. This interlacing of stories enriches the narrative of the novel, but in the film everything becomes clumsy. The movie is edited in such a way that these transitions between past and present are announced in the most basic and obvious ways. In one scene, before a flashback, Ira looks to the side, staring at nothing, trying to clue in the audience about the flashback. It is all far from necessary because visually, the movie already provides clues constantly. All the scenes from the past have beautiful tones of sepia. The characters are also vastly different in their looks. It is almost insulting from the part of screenwriter Craig Bolotin and director George Tilman Jr. to assume that an audience still needs the old, clichéd flashback clues. In fact, one almost wishes time would not change. Everything about Ira and Ruth is greatly superior than the present day romance. The chemistry between the two actors makes the audience believe an actual love story

now playing at

is happening. How not to love the unspoken beauty of Ruth’s smile as well as the depth of her eyes or the cute shyness of Ira? Huston, Alda and Ruth act out the best scenes in the film. This part of the story works so well that it is surprising to see the movie beginning at a bull riding competition. The snowy evening Ira spends at his car, stuck on the side of the road, is replaced by a rushed rain scene that never has the same visual power of the first pages of the book. The bull riding events themselves never cause any true tension. The camera is often stable and everything is shot too perfectly. Hand-held shots, which could have captured more of the emotion of the sport, are completely absent. In place, there are GoPro style, point of view shots, which look more like the work of a YouTube amateur than that of a Hollywood director and cinematographer. Director George Tillman Jr. seems afraid of letting his best scenes come to live. One of those happens when Luke and Sophia make love in the shower and Tillman captures everything

through colorful pieces of glass that surround the bathroom. The effect is beautiful, but it goes away too quickly before even one could admire it. This is the same issue with the movie as a whole. It goes by too quickly. It takes away the process of falling in love with all its mood swings — from tragedy to happiness and back — until we finally hear the “yes” that makes us feel complete again.

“The Longest Ride” Rated: PG-13 Grade: BVerdict: Enjoyable Nicholas Spark’s movie that always stays on the safe side of things and never surpasses the book. However, it still manages to be entertaining.

BLIND MOON Blind Moon LP

EVANS THE DEATH Expect Delays

KODAK TO GRAPH ISA

OPEN MIKE EAGLE A Special Episode Of

SHUNGU ShunGu & Solo700 Present: Raw Session Vol. 1

V/A - MAGIC YUME RECORDS Magic Yume Vol. 1

V/A THE SOUTH EAST GRIND The South East Grind Vol. 2

YUMI ZOUMA EP I & EP II

AU.RA Jane’s Lament

COLLEEN GREEN I Want To Grow Up

HUNDRED WATERS The Moon Rang Like a Bell (Remixed)

JEFRE CANTU-LEDESMA A Year With 13 Moons

HOT SUGAR God’s Hand

JUMO Hylé EP

A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS Transfixiation

“The Wedding Ringer” SYNOPSIS:

Socially awkward Doug Harris is two weeks from marrying the gal of his dreams, but he has a problem: He doesn’t have any groomsmen for the occasion. Desperate and running out of time, Doug calls upon Jimmy Callahan, owner and operator of Best Man Inc., a company that provides attendants for friendless grooms. As Doug

tries to pull off the con, a bromance unexpectedly blossoms between Jimmy and himself.

SHOWTIMES: Wednesday- Friday 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 7 p.m. Rated: R Running Time: 101 minutes

food review

TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2015

The BQE Restaurant & Lounge is an oasis on Edgewood Avenue Written by Adjoa Danso Grade: B+ Verdict: The BQE is the perfect place to go for upscale dining with a low-key feel. It’s a happy medium between obnoxiously expensive and cheap as hell, and the food delivers.

Address: 262 Edgewood Ave. Northeast Atlanta, Georgia 30303

Hours: Closed Monday Breakfast/lunch: Tuesday - Sunday 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Dinner: Sunday - Wednesday 5 p.m. - midnight Tuesday - Saturday 5 p.m. - 3 a.m.

Intro/decor

ocated across from the Sweet Auburn Curb Market and a block over from Auburn Avenue, The BQE Restaurant and Lounge is an oasis among the urban decay in the middle of Edgewood Avenue. The BQE is known for its fusion of Northern style and Southern cuisine. Although it’s not much to look

at on the outside, The BQE’s interior exceeds expectations. The restaurant features urban contemporary design. Sheer black drapes and gold, bronze and black metal light fixtures of various shapes and sizes hang from the lofted ceiling. Flameless candles light every table, and the booth seats have smooth black velvet backs.

Ambiance The BQE’s atmosphere can be described in one word: Chill. The BQE is the kind of place where you could sit for hours and not even realize how much time had passed by. The music is a mix of soft jazz and elevator music that mostly serves as background noise.

Entrees One of the restaurant’s signature dishes, red velvet waffles and chicken, consists of buttermilk fried chicken paired with red velvet waffles. You can choose either white meat or dark meat, and I’d recommend going with the dark. You get a leg and a thigh, and they are delicious. The red velvet waffles have all the goodness of a red velvet cupcake but in the form of waffles. They’re drizzled with a sweet cream cheese sauce, sprin-

kled with powdered sugar and served with a bit of strawberry sauce. The waffles are fantastic, and the chocolate chips in the batter were a nice surprise. The sauce, however, is unnecessary. It tastes like Charms Blow Pop, and not in a good way. And for me, cream cheese sauces can always be cream cheesier. Another staple at The BQE is the shrimp and grits — smooth enough to eat with a spoon but firm enough to eat with a fork.

Drinks

PHOTOS BY EMILY LASHER | THE SIGNAL Red velvet waffles with buttermilk fried chicken paired with shrimp and grits are choice meals when brunching at The BQE.

Sides

The macaroni and cheese is typical elbow macaroni baked with lots of cheese, and it’s nothing spectacular. The highlight of this dish is the cheesiness of the topping. It’s almost underwhelming compared to the shrimp and grits and the otherworldly sweet potato tots. Please do yourself a favor and

order the tots. I’m sure the cooks at The BQE use some sort of dark magic for them to have so much flavor in such a small package. You may never eat standard sweet potatoes or standard tater tots again. The tots are perfectly crisp on the outside with just the right balance of sweet

potato and just plain sweet on the inside. However, the brown sugar dusting puts them over the top. I don’t think I can exaggerate how good they are. If The BQE released a cookbook, I’d buy it just for this recipe (and for the red velvet waffles … and for the fried chicken … and for the shrimp and grits).

When it comes to alcohol, The BQE has you covered. Their two signature drinks are the Brooklyn lemonade and the Empire State. The Brooklyn lemonade is a combination of peach Ciroc, cranberry juice

and pineapple juice. This beverage drinks like a juice but feels like a cocktail. “Lemonade” may not be the best word to describe this one, and it wouldn’t hurt for the bartender to have a heavier hand.

Service Service at The BQE has room for improvement. Pro tip: Plan your visit for early dinner hours, possibly on a weekday. There won’t be live music, but the relaxed at-

mosphere will make up for it. Enjoy the company of your friends, etc. without the chaos of a busy dinner service.

TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2015

Campus & Downtown Events Chinese Café

April 9 3 p.m.- 4 p.m. Citizen’s Trust Building If you have been learning Chinese for most of your life, or are simply interested in the language, then take a trip to the Chinese Café. This event welcomes all students, staff and members of the community to embrace the language.

Levy Restaurants Georgia Dome April 9 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Library Plaza

Given that the Georgia Dome is home of the Atlanta Falcons, they are currently looking for people to apply for numerous part-time/seasonal job positions. Stop by the Library Plaza Recruitment Table to meet with some representatives.

calendar & games In It TO WIN IT

This events combines a collection of mini games that will put your endurance to the test. The concept is to race against the time on the clock and the teams playing against you. This was created to emphasize the impact of team work and what motivation can achieve. If you love the idea of prizes, then come and show your best game face.

The wildly claimed Blue Man Group is coming to the Fox Theatre, and they are bringing out all the stops. They are known for their creative collaboration of music, comedy and artistic expression on stage, and make the experience something that all ages can sit back and be amazed by. Check the Fox Theatre website at http://foxtheatre. org/events/blue-man-group/ for times and tickets and get ready for an eccentric show that will never be forgotten.

The Student Health Promotion 9 is hosting an event that focuses on the mission to deplete sexual 2 They 3 violence within the world. hope to bring attention to this issue by rallying about the subject. They will also offer free food for those who choose to attend. There is no disclosed location, so for information contact the Student Health Promotion.

7 2

Student Recreation Center This is Georgia State’s first indoor running and cycling challenge, and you will be competing for the fastest time to complete the challenge. Each competitor will begin by running two miles around the track and then transitioning to the bikes. Everyone who participates will receive free shirts along with prizes for the winners.

April 16 8 12:30 p.m.

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25 Park Place, 8th Floor 6 4 Pulitzer Prize nominated investigative reporter Corey Johnson will 5 3at Georgia 6 State about be speaking “the inner and outer game” of pro9 5 ducing4ground-breaking journalistic work. As the lead reporter on a series 8 uncovering 1systemic weaknesses in California’s earthquake 5 schools, he protections 7 in public was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2012. Johnson’s 6 4 previous 8 work also exposed secrecy, mismanagement, corruption and abuse of power 9 3 in governmental organizations.

Stress Less by minding your mood Changing your mood to benefit you academically and socially is hard thing to sometimes, its not an easy thing to be able to switch from angry to happy. This event will teach you how to first identify the mood that you’re experiencing, and then how to restore those moods using easy methods and normal approaches. This will be beneficial when wanting to be as productive as possible.

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Panther Duathlon Challenge

April 13 7 p.m. Speaker’s Auditorium

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SPORTS

www.georgiastatesignal.com/sports

Georgia State’s new home run queen: PHOTO COURTESY OF GEORGIA STATE ATHLETICS Callie Alford has hit 10 home runs this season and 33 in her Georgia State career, making her the Panther’s all-time home run leader.

CALLIE ALFORD Senior third baseman stands atop softball’s homer leaderboard

Georgia State All-Time HR Leaders AKIEM BAILUM Sports Editor

he home run leaderboard for Georgia State softball changed on Saturday afternoon at the Heck Softball Complex when senior third baseman and catcher Callie Alford blasted a solo home run in the sixth inning vs. South Alabama. The homer was Alford’s 33rd for her career, setting a new Georgia State record.

ALFORD’S RECORDSETTING MOMENT Even as Alford was closing in on putting her name at the top of the Panthers’ home run charts, it was not something that was on the brains. “I’m just very grateful, obviously,” Alford said. “It’s not something that, me personally, I thought about a lot. I knew I was sort of getting close. I had several home runs early in the season. [Head Coach] Roger [Kincaid] sort of made a comment to me that I was getting close up to it.” Alford tied the previous mark of 32 when the Panthers defeated Kennesaw State on March 26 by a final of 16-1 in six innings via the run rule. “When I tied the record, it almost seemed like a perfect game,” Alford said. “We run-ruled Kennesaw State, our crosstown rival. When [the record breaking] sort of happened, it took away from it some. But, it’s like I told Roger [Kincaid] — I don’t plan on stopping here. I plan to keep going and hopefully hit a few more before the season’s over so they will count for something.”

THE PREVIOUS RECORDS On many occasions when new records are set, the previous record holder is someone who once played

with the team about a decade ago. In the case of Alford, she broke the top mark of two former Panthers that were on the team only a few years ago. The record Alford broke was previously held by former players Lauren Jones and Paige Nowacki. Jones, a first baseman played for Georgia State from 2008-2011, who in addition to her 32 HRs, also plated in 132 runs. The 132 RBIs have Jones at third in Panthers history for that category. Alford’s first season with Georgia State was also the first after Jones graduated. Nowacki wore Panthers blue and white from 2010-2013, in which she was a teammate of Alford’s for her first two years with the softball team. Along with her knocking 32 softballs out of the park, she was the team leader in homers in 2012 and 2013 and made the All-CAA Conference Team in 2011, the year Georgia State won the conference title. Alford said that the record once being shared by Nowacki added a unique dimension to the accomplishment. “I haven’t actually talked to Paige [Nowacki] or Lauren [Jones],” Alford said. “I remember when Paige set it, I believe it was during my freshman or sophomore season. When Paige set it, she was obviously someone that I looked up to as a hitter. Great power hitter, always batted in the four-hole, very similar players. Played third base. Always looked up to her.” She remembered her sophomore season which was the senior year for Nowacki when she hit six home runs during the 2013 Panther Invitational from Feb. 16-17 of that season. Nowacki hit her 32nd on March 26, 2013 in a 1-0 win over Kennesaw State. Nowacki would tie the record but would not get homer number 33. Shortly after tying the record, she broke her wrist, sidelining her for four weeks.

“Right when she tied it we were at Hofstra and I remember watching her get hit in the hand her senior season,” Alford said. “She fractured her wrist, and I remember it was heartbreaking for me, so I can’t imagine what that felt like for her. It sort of meant a lot to me. Obviously I feel like Paige might have hit some more home runs if she was able to keep playing.” Alford credited Nowacki with setting the tone for the player she would become during her first two years with the team.

Callie Alford-33 Paige Nowacki-32 Lauren Jones-32 Corrie Roberts-31 Lily Skelton-25 Meghan McCoy-24

At one point in time, Alford says that she was not a home run hitter. When she played high school softball at Heritage High in Conyers, Georgia, she was more of a contact hitter as she was coached by Dickie Hightower, a former Georgia State assistant. “Now I [see myself as a power hitter],” Alford said. “High school ball is a little bit different than college, obviously. I batted leadoff for my high school, actually.” She credits Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach Melissa Schmitz for the training program the Panthers are under. Alford also cites the maturation process as another big help. “I look sometimes back at my freshman year and some of the approaches I would have stepping into the batters box or lack of approach stepping in. And now I have an approach every at-bat. Every pitch is different. It’s a lot more mental game, especially hitting is a lot more mental.”

Softball Complex were more memorable than those she hits on the road. “Whenever you travel, obviously it’s a lot more tough than playing at home,” Alford said. “Whenever I do remember my home runs, I always remember my home runs hitting them at home. I do remember a couple of the home runs [on the road], hitting them in big games, like the Georgia games when we beat them both times.” The Panthers have defeated the Bulldogs in Athens, Georgia the last two seasons. Georgia State defeated UGA, 10-7 in eight innings on April 24, 2013. Alford hit a home run in that game to help the Panthers’ cause. Georgia State won 4-2 last year over the Bulldogs behind a two-run homer from Mandy Blackwell. “I always remember my home runs at our home field a lot more. Whenever we’re away, I don’t ever think about hitting a home run or remembering it. I guess just because of how much we practice at home, and everything like that. But, it helps a lot. We play on bigger fields sometimes and smaller fields sometimes,” Alford said.

HITTING THEM OUT AT HOME

NOT ONLY ALFORD

Smashing long ones over the fence can be different based on if the home runs are occurring at one’s home field or if they are on the road. Alford says the homers she has hit at the Heck

Alford may have set the home run record, but she is not the only one that can hit a softball out of the park. As of March 31, the Panthers have three players that are in double-digits for

DEVELOPING A POWER SWING

Lauren Coleman-24 Taylor Anderson-23 Danielle Polley-23 Catherine Lee-22 Mel DelGallo-18 Nicole Griffin-18

home runs: Alford, Megan Litumbe and true freshman Ivie Drake. Last season, the Panthers set a team record for most homers hit in a season with 59. Taylor Anderson led the way with 14 while Alford hit six over the fence. “Since my freshman year, this year, I think we’ve had the most stout lineup thus far in the past four years I’ve been here,” Alford said. “It is a testament to our recruiting that one through nine [in the lineup] can all hit home runs.”

ADVICE

FOR HITTERS As a senior, Alford is now in the position that Nowacki was a couple of years ago when she was a senior and Alford a sophomore. She had advice for players that wish to develop their swing to be more conducive to power-hitting. “Have a mental approach in the box,” Alford said. “Every pitch is different. Your approach can change during your at-bat and that’s what I’ve learned, really, these past two seasons. The most out of anything is to enhance your mental game as much as you can because a lot of what we do is mental.”

SPORTS SPORTS

TUESDAY, 7, 2015 10, 2013 TUESDAY,APRIL DECEMBER

SUN SHINES

on Georgia State’s

ROSE Panthers star infielder Matt Rose leads Sun Belt conference in home runs and pitches

STATS FRESHMAN Record: 3-2 Saves: 5 Strikeouts:30 Innings pitched: 35.1 Hits allowed: 28 Batting average: .283 Home runs: 4 Runs batted in: 32 Base on balls: 18

SOPHOMORE Record: 1-1 ERA: 3.92 Innings pitched: 20.2 Strikeouts:20 Hits allowed: 21 Batting average: .312 Home runs: 11 Runs batted in: 34 Base on balls: 13 PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY MARC VALLE | THE SIGNAL

ROSE’S ROLE

Written by Jeremy Johnson

unior Matt Rose has become a dual threat for Georgia State baseball this season. Rose’s versatility has helped him and the Panthers get off to a good start in 2015 that has the team atop the Sun Belt Conference standings at this point in the season. The 6-foot-4 Melbourne, Florida native leads the Panthers in home runs with eight so far. Rose is also second on the team with 28 runs batted in along with a .327 batting average despite missing some time with an injury. Rose has also been more disciplined at the plate this season as he leads the team in walks with a career-high 19 bases on balls. He walked 13 times last season and 18 in his freshman season. Rose said being more disciplined and putting the ball in play more was part of his focus in the offseason. “I think the last two seasons

I’ve had high strikeout numbers. So I just wanted to cut them down and get my walks up and just have good at bats,” he said. Rose was a D1Baseball.com preseason second-team All-American and a preseason All-Sun Belt selection. The junior infielder is a formidable player at the plate and on defense. Rose is a rare player as he is a good position player and also pitches for the Panthers. Rose has been in this role for all three of his seasons as a Panther. He earned Freshman AllAmerican honors in his first season with the Panthers. Rose focused more on playing the field and hitting in his sophomore season, as he experienced some arm trouble that year. This allowed for Rose to blossom as a position player as his production at the plate exploded when he put a .312 batting average with 11 home runs which was third in the Sun Belt Conference, along with 34 runs batted in for the season.

Rose has returned to the mound in a limited capacity this season appearing in only three games so far and recording two saves this season. He has had mixed results, as he has allowed five hits and has given up five runs with only one being earned in two and two-thirds innings of work. He thinks his pitching role will increase heading into the later stages of this season. “I think I’ll definitely pitch

more. Like I said, I came back from injury and I haven’t been able to play that much. So, I think today I’m actually going to start pitching [and] throwing bullpen again to be ready for this weekend,” Rose said prior to Georgia State’s three-game weekend series vs. the University of Arkansas-Little Rock [UALR]. Rose has played a big role in the Panthers’ lineup and, at certain points in his career, the pitch-

ing rotation but he has had to be more of a vocal leader for the team this season. “This year, Coach [Greg Frady] asked me to become more of a leader and take on that role on. The last couple of years, I’ve been just listening to other people like the upper-classmen. And the couple of kids that got drafted last year. So I’m just trying to take after what they did and keep it going,” he said.

PITCHING VS. HITTING Rose is one of the Panthers’ better hitters and their main home run threat. He also can be a very big gun coming out of the bullpen once fully up to speed for that role. He will pitch to help his team to victory when needed. Rose has appeared in a couple games so far to shut down the opponent to record two saves. Rose says he enjoys the chal-

lenge of hitting more than pitching. “I like being a hitter. I think it’s a lot harder to hit a ball coming in at 90 miles per hour with a bat. I like the challenge of being a hitter,” Rose said. Looking into the future in the professional ranks, Rose thinks being a positional player will be his ticket to Major

League Baseball. “I think if I become a hitter, it would be good to me because I like to hit,” he said. “In the past I’ve had some arm trouble.” Rose is healthy and back on the field, and his role will continue to expand. The Panthers will welcome Rose’s talents as they head into the teeth of Sun Belt Conference play.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2013 18

SPORTS SPORTS

TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2015

THROUGH THE YEARS:

R.J. HUNTER AT GEORGIA STATE

Sept. 29, 2012

Hunter made his Georgia State debut in late September in an exhibition game against Life University. He scored 30 points in what turned out to be an 85-63 victory.

Nov. 12, 2012

Hunter won many awards throughout his career at Georgia State. One of his first came in mid-November when he was announced as the CAA’s Rookie of the Week. He scored 14 points and collected 10 rebounds for the Panthers in a 74-55 loss to Duke prior to winning the award.

Jan. 21, 2013

The Panthers defeated Towson on the road by a final score of 71-69 behind Hunter’s 27 points, at the time a career high. The freshman guard came up big in the last minute in the game with a three-pointer and a blocked shot.

Feb. 2, 2013

The previous career high of 27 would not stand for long. Hunter dropped 38 along with 10 threes in an 83-63 home blowout of Old Dominion. The 10 threes set school and CAA records and earned him Lou Henson National Player of the Week honors by CollegeInsider.com.

March 8, 2013

Georgia State left the CAA with a bang as Hunter was named unanimously as the conference’s Rookie of the Year. He also was named to the All-District 10 Second Team by the National Association of Basketball Coaches [NABC] and the Kyle Macy Freshman All-America Team.

Oct. 30, 2013

Hunter’s breakout freshman season was not lost among Georgia State’s new conference, the Sun Belt. He, along with new teammate Ryan Harrow, was named to the Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference Team.

Dec. 22, 2013

Georgia State defeated the University of Texas-San Antonio, 99-68 during the Holiday season in the Lone Star State. Hunter had a big performance in the state where “everything’s bigger” with a new career-high 41 points along with a Sun Belt record of 12 threes.

Jan. 16, 2014

The Panthers were behind 6962 with over four minutes left at home vs. Arkansas State before Georgia State closed the game on a 11-3 run, capped off by two-point jumper by Hunter with 11 seconds to play. Georgia State won the game 73-72 in a contest that saw Hunter score 23 points.

March 12, 2014

After the Panthers completed their regular season Sun Belt championship, the Atlanta Tipoff Club named him Georgia Men’s College Player of the Year. Hunter averaged over 18 points per game for his sophomore year.

May 5, 2014

In his first season as a Sun Belt player, Hunter was named as the conference’s Male Athlete of the Year. Georgia State also named him as one of its 2014 Athletes of the Year along with women’s tennis’ Abigail Tere-Apisah. He made the NABC’s All Division I District 24 Team in for 2013-14.

June 27-29, 2014

Hunter’s national profile began to rise during the summer of 2014; he had an opportunity to participate in the Nike Elite Kevin Durant Skills Camp in Washington, D.C.

July 9-12, 2014

Hunter’s busy summer continued when he took part in the Nike Elite LeBron James Skills Academy in Las Vegas. His performances at both Durant’s and James’ camps were said to have impressed those that were on hand, significantly improving his NBA prospects.

Nov. 17, 2014

In mid-November, Hunter was named to the Preseason Top-50 Watch List for the John Wooden Award. The award is named after UCLA’s legendary coach and is college basketball’s most prestigious honor.

Nov. 29, 2014

WRITTEN BY AKIEM BAILUM

n era came to an end on March 30 when Georgia State Junior Guard R.J. Hunter announced he would forgo his senior season and declare for the NBA Draft. The announcement of the intention to declare brings Hunter’s collegiate career to a close — a career that was very storied and is sure to be remembered as one of the most celebrated in Panthers history. The Signal decided to take a walk down Memory Lane and look back at Hunter’s three years in Panthers blue and white.

Feb. 25, 2015

Hunter was named a finalist for yet another prestigious award when the Atlanta Sports Council announced he was in the running to be the Atlanta Sports Awards Collegiate Athlete of the Year.

March 14, 2015

This date was likely circled on Hunter’s calendar as Georgia State would travel to his native hometown of Indianapolis to face Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis (IUPUI). The Panthers won by a final of 66-63 as Hunter scored 27 points.

In this year’s Sun Belt championships, Georgia State clinched a one-seed and a double-bye, meaning they automatically advanced to the semifinals. Needing to win two games, the Panthers got the first of the two as Hunter’s 32 points led his team to an 83-79 win over Louisiana-Lafayette.

Dec. 3, 2014

March 15, 2015

In early December, the Panthers’ junior point guard was named to the Top 50 List for the Naismith Award as well. The award, named after the inventor of basketball, Dr. James Naismith, is given to the top college basketball player in the country.

Jan. 10, 2015

Hunter’s 37-point performance against Troy at the Sports Arena led Georgia State to a 77-72 victory over its Sun Belt rival Trojans. The 37 points set a season-high.

Jan. 19, 2015

In a 60-54 road victory against Arkansas State, Hunter scored 14 of the Panthers’ final 15 points, willing his team to victory. He also tied Rodney Hamilton’s school scoring record of 1,515 points.

Jan. 24, 2015

When the Panthers defeated Louisiana-Lafayette by a final of 75-64 at the Sports Arena, Hunter established a new alltime school scoring record. He had 13 points in the game bringing his total at the time to 1,528 — all in only three years of basketball with Georgia State.

The Panthers avenged the previous season’s heartbreak of losing a conference championship with a 38-36 win over Georgia Southern in the Sun Belt title game, clinching an NCAA tournament berth. The two-point difference came as Hunter made two clutch free throws with 21.6 seconds remaining.

March 19, 2015

The 14-seeded Panthers were scheduled to face the threeseeded Baylor Bears in the second round of the NCAA tournament. Baylor led 56-44 with 2:39 remaining until Hunter scored 12 of his 16 points in the remaining amount of time. He capped it off with what became one of the signature moments of the tournament: His 30-foot, game-winning three-pointer. The Panthers won 57-56.

March 21, 2015

In what turned out to be his final game in Georgia State blue and white, Hunter scored 20 points as they were eliminated in the third round of the tournament by Xavier. The final score was 75-67.

March 30, 2015

Hunter ended all of the speculation about his status for the 2015-16 season when he announced that he would forgo his senior season and enter into the NBA Draft.

PANTHER OF THE WEEK

SPORTS

TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2015

SPORTS CALENDAR BASEBALL Wednesday, Apr. 8

*conference games

at Kennesaw, Ga. 6 p.m.

WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD Saturday, Apr. 11

Saturday, Apr. 11

Spec Towns Invitational at Athens, Ga.

Auburn at Auburn, Ala. 7 p.m.

Friday, Apr. 10

Appalachian State * at Heck Softball Complex 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Sunday, Apr. 12

MEN’S GOLF Saturday, Apr. 11

Appalachian State * at Heck Softball Complex

Charlotte and Davidson Irish Creek Intercollegiate

12 p.m.

at Kannapolis, N.C. Carolina All day

UL Monroe *

Nina Interwies Sand Volleyball

GSU Baseball Complex 6 p.m.

The junior sand volleyball player from Germany, along with sophomore teammate Jessica Fourspring, won the Silver Bracket pairs tournament at this past weekend’s Southeast Sand Slam hosted at the Georgia State Sand Volleyball Complex. The Panthers duo of Interwies and Fourspring lost the first set to University of Louisiana-Monroe’s Bayleigh Hoffman and Hadley Swartz before rallying back to win the second set, 21-11 and the final, and match-deciding set, 15-11. Interwies grew up in Eckernforde in the northern part of Germany. She was a member of Germany’s national junior sand team and participated in the European U-18 championships in 2010 and 2011. Prior to transferring to Georgia State, she played both sand and indoor volleyball at St. Petersburg College in Florida. Interwies spent two seasons at St. Petersburg College, including once being named the school’s Female Athlete of the Year. This season, Interwies and Fourspring have compiled a 15-1 record and have contributed greatly to a Panthers sand team that is now 18-1 in 2015.

Saturday, Apr. 11

10 a.m.

UL Monroe * GSU Baseball Complex 2 p.m.

MEN’S TENNIS Friday, Apr. 10

Sunday, Apr. 12 UL Monroe *

Georgia Southern * Dunwoody Country Club 3:30 p.m

GSU Baseball Complex 1 p.m.

Sunday, Apr. 12

UNC Wilmington

Charlotte and Davidson Irish Creek Intercollegiate at Kannapolis, N.C. Carolina All day

WOMEN’S SOCCER Tuesday, Apr. 7

SOFTBALL Tuesday, Apr. 7

at Wilmington, N.C. TBA

Tennessee Tech at Heck Softball Complex

Friday, Apr. 10

3 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Georgia Southern*

Wednesday, Apr. 8

Dunwoody Country Club 3:30 p.m.

Clemson at Clemson, S.C. 4:30 p.m

Kennesaw State

Furman at Clemson, S.C. 6 p.m.

THE FINAL SCORE Sand volleyball

This weekend, Georgia State sand volleyball hosted the second of its twoschool hosted events this season-: the Southeast Sand Slam. Victories over UL-Monroe and University of Alabama-Birmingham [UAB] improved the team’s record to 18-1 along extending the team’s win streak to 13. Jessica Fourspring and Nina Interwies also won the pairs tournament in the Silver Bracket on Saturday. A pairs competition on April 11-12 in Florida is next on the schedule for the Sandy Panthers.

Track and field

The Panthers also turned in several huge performances at the Florida Relays. Ravin Gilbert timed in at 11.62 in the 100 meters in — a conference-best for this season. Stella Christoforou also put in a 4:30.32 time in the 1,500 meters. Georgia State’s 4x100 relay team of Gilbert, Katherine Randolph, Allyson Goff, and Wande Brewer also finished its course in 45.54 seconds, another Sun Belt best. The team’s next event is the Spec Towns Invitational in Athens, Georgia this Saturday.

Women’s tennis

On the tennis hard courts of the Blackburn Tennis Center, the Panthers closed out the regular season on a fivegame winning streak, capped off with a 5-2 victory over conference in-state rival Georgia Southern. Georgia State won both of its doubles contests and were victorious four singles matches. Veronika Golanova also won her third consecutive match. The team’s two seniors, Chaimaa Roudami and Masa Grgan were also honored before the match. Next up for the Panthers is the Sun Belt tournament in New Orleans starting April 16.

SUN BELT STANDINGS 2nd 3rd 4th

BASEBALL

5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th

o g I

T u

w e

l B

Georgia State 8-3 | Overall: 19-14

1st

Texas State 8-4 | Overall: 15-15-1

2nd

3rd 4th

I o

w T

UL Lafayette 15-3 | Overall: 30-5 Southern Alabama 11-3 | Overall: 24-12 UL Monroe 8-5 | Overall: 24-12

Troy 7-5 | Overall: 22-17

Texas State 6-5 | Overall: 22-17

6th

Georgia State 5-7 | Overall: 23-15

7th

e g

UT Arlington 5-7 | Overall: 22-18

5th

SOFTBALL

1st

8th 9th

Georgia Southern 4-11 | Overall: 11-25 Appalachian State 0-15 | Overall: 9-23

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On stands June 2 and distributed for New Student Orientation June 8.