Vol. 79 No. 17

pa ge 17

THE SIGNAL THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY SERVING THE STUDENTS SINCE 1933

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VOLUME 79 | ISSUE 17

z ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

Women’s basketball falls against tough CAA foe s Club holds campus event in response to controversial article on racism s

z Read more at www.gsusignal.com z Follow us!

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z NEWS Students and staff try to beat tensions and long lines s

page 2

&LIVING

z ARTS

“Joyful Noise” star Keke Palmer reflects on music, growing up and discovering her passion s

page 9 z SPORTS

Volleyball star Vineece Verdun heads to Duke Page 17

WED Hi 62

THUR Hi 56

battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive. Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed. Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends. And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood. I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice. I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today! I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of “interposition” and “nullification” -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers. I have a dream today! I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; “and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.”

This is our hope, and this is the faith that I go back to the South with. With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day. And this will be the day -- this will be the day when all of God’s children will be able to sing with new meaning: My country ‘tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrim’s pride, From every mountainside, let freedom ring! And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true.

And so let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania. Let freedom ring from the snowcapped Rockies of Colorado. Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California. But not only that: Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia.

Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee. Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside, let freedom ring.

And when this happens, when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!

MLK

DAY 2012 p. 10

FIRE SAFETY?

Player Spotlight: s

FRI

Hi 56

TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2012

The University plans to replace the rest of its aging and expired fire extinguishers within the next two months Full story on p. 3

Mandatory Fees Audit report calls for admin. “improvement” ALEXIS SMITH Staff Writer

A September Mandatory Student Fees audit report indicates that there are a few “opportunities for improvement” in the administration of student fee money.

The results of the audit state that the mandatory student fees – or fees that enable the university to provide quality programs and services to students outside of the classroom - were “appropriately administered and adequately controlled” but that improvements should be made in three particular areas: the creation of written policies to eliminate loss of revenue, regular reporting on various the statuses of projects funded with fee money and the submission of miscellaneous fees to the state University Board of Regents.

The audit pointed out that “the university does not have comprehensive written policies and procedures pertaining to mandatory student fees.” Due to such a lack of policies, the audit stated that Georgia State has lost expected revenue due to a campus coding error.

Prior to the summer of 2011, students enrolled with the campus code “O” were not charged any fees, even though “no documentation could be found or reason given for exempting the fees”, the audit states.

In response to this issue, Tim Renick, the Associate Provost for Academic Programs and Chief Enrollment Officer, said in the audit that “the Office of the Associate Provost for the Academic Programs will work to normalize the administration of mandatory fees and mandatory student waivers.”

Furthermore, Renick said that a committee has been appointed to develop a university-wide policy stating that the administration of mandatory fee waivers be in place no later than March 2012 Another issue the audit tackles regards the status reports of projects funded by student fees. The status of these project reports had not been filed by managers as required by university policy 41 percent, according to the report. The 31 projects that made up the 41 percent represented $2,373,491, or 55 percent, of the $4,323,457 in total expenditures.

In response to the second issue, the University Senate Information Systems and Technology Committee approved a policy which would require every

Continued on p. 3

NEWS www.gsusignal.com/news

Georgia State working to remove expired fire extinguishers TIM MILLER Staff Writer

University officials expect to have all of the fire extinguishers, which expired at the end of last year, replaced within the next two months.

Fire Safety Officer McWhorter now estimates that only 25 percent of Georgia State’s downtown campus fire extinguishers are past due and should be replaced within the next two months, since a building can be completed in one day.

“Please be patient,” McWhorter said. “We’re working on it.”

Almost 7,000 Georgia State fire extinguishers are currently being replaced by a company providing service under a temporary agreement. By the summer, McWhorter expects a permanent contract to be in place with a new fire extinguisher servicing company.

A spot check of fire extinguishers last week in the College of Education, General Classroom Building and the library revealed that all of those extinguishers were charged and ready for service.

McWhorter explained that the upgrades are being done “by building” but did not identify which buildings remained to be serviced.

Further investigation in the parking garages and secluded areas of various buildings revealed expired extinguishers.

However, McWhorter maintained that students were safe in the event of a fire while attending the university. “[Students] are very safe. We are checking all the buildings for fire alarms and sprinkler systems, and these are being monitored,” McWhorter said.

McWhorter’s job requires her to regularly inspect buildings, conduct fire drills, respond to

questions and complaints relating to fire safety and assist university engineers in planning.

“Housing, followed by Georgia State Police, will use [fire extinguishers] more than anybody else,” McWhorter said. “There is a portable extinguisher in every [police car].”

Administrators, including McWhorter, are more seriously concerned that students do not know where fire extinguishers are located or what to do in case of a fire.

“I teach classes here,” said one graduate teaching assistant who asked to remain anonymous, “but I would not know how to instruct my students to safety.”

All students interviewed said they felt safe at Georgia State, but many gave confusing responses to questions about what to do in case of fire. Several told of having been in a fire drill but few had been in an actual emergency evacuation.

The fire safety officer urges students to pull the alarm, call 911 and get out of the building if a fire is discovered. “We don’t want to tell students to try and put the fire out,” McWhorter said. “We want to put the emphasis on life safety first.”

Fire extinguishers are located on every floor of every building. Fire alarms are located near every building exit.

“We’ve had two serious fires since I’ve been here,” McWhorter said. “One at the Lofts was pretty substantial and Atlanta Fire came. That one did some damage. The next one was at the Commons.

They were both considered accidental.”

Resident Assistants are required to attend fire safety training before school begins each year.

“They enjoyed it,” McWhorter said. “They really got hands on experience where they could feel the heat, see what comes out of the cylinder and how to respond.”

Fire drills are held in university housing four times each year because most emergencies involving fires occur in housing. McWhorter attributes this to students’ “careless cooking activities” and the possibility that students may be smoking in the dorms even though this is prohibited. Fire drills are held in all non-residential Georgia State buildings once each year.

“Most of the time these drills are announced,” said McWhorter. “I want to urge students to participate in the fire drills. Our emphasis is on making sure, if there is a fire, that everyone gets out alive. If a student hears a fire alarm they are to get up and get out of the building. Do not attempt to use the elevator.”

“I remember one time we were sitting in class,” said Junior Robert Heal, “we didn’t leave.

The weather was real bad that day, the lights were flashing, and we heard the sirens going off. The rest of the building, they got out.”

Fire drills are currently scheduled for the residential buildings at Georgia State on January 11 and 18. State law requires the university to hold such drills within the first ten days of the beginning of a new semester. Others will be scheduled for later in the year.

In case of:

fire or emergency Call (404) 413-2100

A spot check revealed several expired fire extinguishers around campus, including inside university offices and various parking garages.

PATRICK DUFFY | THE SIGNAL

Coping with tensions and long lines TERAH BOYD Associate News Editor

Students walk past while others wait in line outside the Student Center Ballroom, which was transformed temporarily into the Mega One Stop Shop prior to the beginning the spring semester.

TERAH BOYD | THE SIGNAL

The beginning of this spring semester will provide many challenges and opportunities for Georgia State’s growing student population. For a great many students, unanticipated road blocks and holds can only be solved one way: waiting in line.

The Mega One Stop Shop, possibly the most notorious line at Georgia State, is located in the Student Center Ballroom at the beginning of the semester.

“We always have [the One Stop Shop] before the semester starts, which I think is actually good,” said Derrick Owens, the associate registrar of the One Stop Shop.

“I think it’s going good,” Owens commented on the orchestration of Mega One Stop Shop, which at times has students waiting for hours for assistance. “The crowds are coming in nice. They typically come in at the same time, between 11 and three.”

Extended hours in the ballroom are the latest innovation to combat crowds of students.

“I just wish a lot more students would come in a lot earlier so it wouldn’t make it so congested,” Owens said.

Javari Aiongozi, a political science major, found himself in the pre-semester chaos after discovering a new fee on his student account.

“I checked my account and dialed [the One Stop Shop] up,” said Aiongozi. “They were like, ‘your wait time is going to be twenty minutes or more’, so I was like ok, I’ll just make some breakfast and put them on speaker phone.”

After being on hold for more than an hour, Aiongozi decided to attempt to resolve his problem in person. This is not the first time he has had to brave the early semester lines on campus.

“I end up having to come here for all kinds of reasons,” explained Aiongozi. “They usually get them resolved it’s just a matter of getting to them. That is the worst part. It’s

a good thing they do that, but it just still doesn’t seem efficient enough. “ Owens believes that his staff is finding innovative solutions to the growing student population. The system the regular One Stop Shop uses to assign numbers to waiting students has been moved to the Mega location to aid the staff.

“I think the staff definitely loves the system because we don’t have to call people,” said Owens. “This keeps people from being frustrated…it helps a whole lot.”

In the fall of 2012, there is a chance lines could be virtually eliminated.

“For fall we are hoping to have, if a student didn’t want to wait, text capability,” Owens said. “We can just text them when we’re ready so they can go grab a bite, or go back to their dorm. We’ll give them a five minute warning to come back.”

The growing number of financial aid discrepancies also attributes to the rise in tensions during the enrollment services process.

“The economy is bad; you have more students coming back than ever before,” Owens predicts that Georgia State will continue to see a rise in untraditional students returning to college to stay competitive in the work force. For many of these students a college education would not be possible without financial aid.

A growing student body and need for enrollment services ensure that lines are going to be a challenge, at least for this semester. With a fluxuating number of students needing assistance, Owens suspects that the Mega One Stop Shop could see up to 12,000 students this spring.

“We are trying to stay positive,” Owens said. “We want every student to get classes.”

The students waiting in line were patient and optimistic as well, including Aiongozi.

“I don’t really know what their operation is, but they seem concerned. I just bring something to read. When they get to me they get to me.”

TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2012

03

NEWS | THE SIGNAL

University System mergers advance forward STAFF REPORTS

A cost-cutting plan to consolidate eight of the state’s public institutions is up for consideration today by the University System of Georgia Board of Regents.

Proponents of the plan hope to save the University System money with the consolidations through reductions in administrative costs and lay-offs.

The plan has the full support of the chancellor of University System Chancellor Hank Huckaby, who said the consolidation process would begin immediately and that the Board of Regents expects a full integration target date of fall 2013.

“Georgia needs more of its citizens completing some level of postsecondary education. But we have to achieve this goal by considering some different approaches – approaches that put the needs of our students and the imperative to reach this goal first and foremost,” Huckaby said in a press release. “These proposed consolidations are the right approach for us to take at the right time in the System and the State’s history.”

“We are going to fulfill our mission within the limited resources available,” he continued.

The plan by the Board of Regents would merge Augusta State University with Georgia Health Sciences

University, among others, to reduce the total number of colleges in the state to 31.

If approved, colleges affected by the plan will remain open, although lay-offs are expected. What each of the four colleges remaining following the merger will be called remains unclear, although the University System has indicated that the names would be decided during “the course of implementation.”

Other decisions regarding the merger will be decided by the Regent’s Special Committee on Consolidation before being approved by the larger body.

Colleges affected by the plan: • • • •

Gainesville State College and North Georgia College & State University (Dahlonega) Middle Georgia College (Cochran) and Macon State College Waycross College and South Georgia College (Douglas) Augusta State University and Georgia Health Sciences University.

SOURCE: USG

Audit report Continued from front page recipient of a Student Technology Fee award to file a status report by a set due date.

If a due date is violated, the department seeking fee money risks losing it for the following academic year, according to the proposed policy.

The third and final issue the audit addressed pertains to the Law Activity Fee, for which Georgia State reportedly “did not submit an updated list of all miscellaneous fees along with the mandatory student fee request.”

Mandatory Fee requests must ordinarily be submitted to the Board of Regents each year for approval. Miscellaneous requests may be done independently, provided the Board is notified.

January 4 Forsyth Street

A report was filed for Harassing Phone Calls. The complainant, a GSU student stated, on 12/6/11 at 9:41 a.m. began receiving harassing phone calls from a previous boyfriend. The case is being handled by Investigations.

January 3 Urban Life

A report was filed for Harassing Phone Calls. The complainant, a GSU staff member stated, on 12/27/11 at 1:59 a.m. began receiving harassing phone calls from a former student. The case is being handled by Investigations.

December 22 University Lofts

A report was filed for Theft. The complainant, a GSU student stated, at 7:00 p.m. noticed her perfume was missing from her make-up bag. The case is being handled by Investigations.

December 20 However, Georgia State failed to submit an updated list of miscellaneous fees in the previous year, including the $57-per-semester Law Activity Fee. In response, Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration Jerry Rackliffe said that his department would “ensure that an updated list of all miscellaneous fees…is submitted to Fiscal Affairs at the BOR (Board of Regents),” in addition to the mandatory student fee request for December 2011.

Although Sterling Roth, the Chief Audit Editor and Director at the University Auditing and Advisory Services, said there are no plans to issue another report in any of the listed above areas anytime soon, the management response indicates that there will be a follow up on all three issues this April.

Loft Parking Deck

A report was filed for Criminal Trespass. The complainant, a GSU student stated, at 6:10 p.m. noticed the chain link fence surrounding the parking deck was pulled back and cut. The case is being handled by Investigations.

December 19 G Parking Deck

A report was filed for Duty upon Striking an Unattended Vehicle. The complainant, a GSU staff member stated, on 12/16/11 at 7:00 a.m. noticed the vehicles’ rear passenger side quarter panel was damaged. The case is being handled by Investigations.

December 16

Student Activity Fee Funding for Fiscal Year 2013 The Student Activity Fee Committee (SAFC) has released the University-Wide Fee Council Budget Request Form and instructions for Fiscal Year 2013 (July 1, 2012 – June 30, 2013) and the Student Activity Fee Overview document, which lists restrictions placed on the expenditure of fee funds. The form is currently available on the Dean of Students website: http://www2.gsu.edu/~wwwdos/2012_u-WideInformation.html under “Application Form to Determine Allocations”.

This allocation process applies only to the allocation of Student Activity Fee funds assigned to the University-Wide Fee Council, which fund a wide range of chartered student organizations and services not served by other Fee Councils handling other programming categories. This is not the process used by the various colleges to allocate funds to chartered student organizations whose mission or membership is closely related to their degree programs i.e., Chemistry Club, History Society, Social Work Club, etc. Please visit your college Dean’s Office for further information about their funding process. This process is not associated with the Diversity Fee Council. In addition it is also not associated with other fees for Athletics, Transportation, Health, Recreation, International Education, and the Student Center. If you are unsure as to which funding process applies to your organization, please direct all questions to Jeff Walker, Director, Student Affairs Business Operations at 404.413.1521 or Shantavia Reid-Stroud, Business Manager II, at 404.413.1522. Both are located in the Office of the Dean of Students in room 300 Student Center. The Dean of Students Office is the official source for information on this process all inquiries should be directed to our office.

To assist those applying for funding, there will be a Pre-Proposal workshop on Friday, January 20, 2012, at 2:00 p.m. in Lanier Suite (2nd floor Student Center). This workshop will explain the process in detail for applying for Student Activity Fee funding and provide guidance in completing the application. Attendance is not mandatory, but will be helpful.

Applications must be submitted by Friday, February 3, 2012, at 5:15pm to the Office of the Dean of Students, Room 300 Student Center. Late applications will not be accepted.

Library North

Officers arrest a Non-GSU individual for Disorderly Conduct.

At 9:00 a.m. officers observed the individual yelling and threatening students. He was issued a C.T.W. and was arrested, processed and transported to the City of Atlanta Jail.

University Lofts

Officers arrested a GSU student for Alcoholic Possession under 21 Years Old. At 10:00 p.m. officers confirmed the individual was underage and intoxicated. He was transported to the hospital for observation and was arrested, processed and released on a Copy of Charges.

University Center

A report was filed for Theft of Lost or Mislaid Property. The complainant, a GSU student stated, at 1:50 p.m. she left her backpack containing various items unattended and when she returned at 2:30 p.m. she noticed it was missing. The case is being handled by Investigations.

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OPINIONS www.gsusignal.com/opinions

A party divided

Dear readers, As the new semester begins, The Signal would like to announce the creation of its new Marketing Department.

Just as The Signal serves as a learning tool for aspiring journalists and photographers, the department will allow us to offer a new spectrum of students to get involved with our school’s newspaper. Its main focus will be to coordinate marketing and recruiting campaigns, generate advertising revenue, generate in-house ads, conduct research on our readership and circulation numbers as well as maximize the distribution of the The Signal.

If you have an interest in Advertising, Marketing or Public Relations, the Marketing Department at The Signal will be a valuable source of experience. To speak candidly, there are not a lot of options at Georgia State for Marketing and PR student to gain this sort of experience. It will provide students with the kind of experience necessary to thrive in the fast-paced field of Marketing and Public Relations in addition to filling up your resume.

The Marketing Department will also allow our publication to pioneer in a frontier relatively unknown to college media.

Marketing Departments such as the one we are establishing only traditionally exist in the professional realm. Being the first to helm this new frontier, you will be setting precedents, breaking new ground and establishing a structure for other newspapers who might be interested in emulating ours.

As you look for organizations to get involved in this semester, we hope you will consider our Marketing Department and get entrenched in our hands on newsroom.

If you are interested, please go to www.gsusignal.com/advertising or email signaleditor@gmail.com for an application and list of jobs available and its descriptions.

FROM THE EDITORIAL BOARD reflects the majority opinion of the Editorial Board of The Signal, but not necessarily the opinions of individual editors

THE SIGNAL Editorial Board Miranda Sain, Editor in Chief • Sabastian Wee, Senior Editor • Mishall Rehman, Managing Editor • Chris Shattuck, News Editor • Jerel Marshall, Sports Editor • Tom Terry, Associate Sports Editor • Alicia Johnson, Arts + Living Editor •Zack Kraimer, Associate Arts Editor • Thaddeus Morgan, Associate Living Editor • Bennett Greer, Production Editor • Aysha Johnson, Assistant Production Editor • Brittany Williams, Social Media Specialist • Laura Apperson, Copy Editor • Miles Keenlyside, Opinion Editor • Judy Kim, Photography Editor

MILES KEENLYSIDE Opinions Editor

The Republican nomination now hangs in the balance. There has not been a candidate for the Republican ticket that can hold everyone’s attention. The candidates put before us disappear from the public eye as quickly as they appeared.

Michelle Bachmann has now dropped out and before her Herman Cain did, too. Now, there only seems to be three popular choices for the ticket: Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum and Ron Paul. This is surprising ,considering all three seemed to be long-shot candidates not too long ago. Especially Ron Paul, whose radical views on Israel and the Federal Reserve has drawn the ire of the media on numerous occasions.

The road that led to this situation we have before us is paved with bricks of incompetence. I do not think that there was anything that stopped Herman Cain and Michelle Bachmann from gaining the candidacy besides lack of experience to take on the task of being the head of what has come to be known as the most powerful office in the free world. The comparison has probably been made before, but a Hollywood comedy writer would be hard pressed to write some of the political antics performed by Herman Cain better. His spectacular announcement that he was backing out of the race included a quote from the Pokemon movie. Yes, that is correct, a quote from the Pokemon movie. Not to mention it was done in front of a crowd of supporters who had just opened him a new campaign office. What a let down. Also, the entire time he was running on his credentials of having owned a chain of mediocre pizza restaurants. It is like a movie where a downon-his-luck businessman tries to change the world by running for president, except the movie hopefully would not end with allegations of sexual misconduct. Michelle Bachmann’s political career seemed to closely model Sarah Palin’s career.

Gain their trust with a flashy smile, and then secretly freak everyone out with your fire and brimstone politics. Also, be laughably unqualified.

Not to say that there isn’t enough fire and

BRITTANY WILLIAMS Social Media Specialist

Ever since my freshmen year, graduation has been the only thing on my mind.

Now, here I am, three and a half years later, and just when I think I can taste the satisfaction of graduation, Georgia State terminates fall commencements all together.

As much as I love Georgia State and all the opportunities that I have been awarded throughout my years, I hate the communication between the students and the administration. The fact that for the entire spring semester it was rumored that the fall 2011 commencement would be the last lets me know that the communication level towards the student body is too lax and unprofessional. I had to take it upon myself to call the graduation office for confirmation, only to receive more unclear answers. I was informed that the fall 2011 commencement would indeed be the

brimstone coming from the other candidates who are still in the race. So we are currently left with Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum and Ron Paul. Mitt Romney has had a spotted political past and has been under many forms of scrutiny. Many people were made uneasy by his connections to the Mormon Church, which many people see as a cult of polygamous zealots. Ron Paul has been sidelined because of his unpopular views of the War on Drugs and is often seen as being supported by gun-toting, dope smoking, ex-hippie survivalist libertarians. Lastly, but certainly but not least, there is Rick Santorum, whose quotes and stumbling contradictions are easy material for political pundits. According to the Iowa caucus, the field is split three ways between these three controversial candidates.

What does this mean for Obama in the election coming up this year? It certainly means he is going up against a party that is divided against itself. Every candidate holds views that alienate some voters and attract others. Obama has a much more reliable base of voters who seek to elect him back into office. However, by signing the NDA act, Obama may have shot himself in the foot. All the military talk and wording in the NDA makes the American people nervous, but who is there to vote for? The American people are being made to choose between politicians who only have their own interests in mind. What a surprise, huh? I don’t care how many hands they kiss or how many babies they shake, none of the candidates could convince me that they have all Americans in mind.

These candidates only think of the people who paid their way. If there is one thing that is still true in American politics, it is that “Money talks, bullshit walks.” There is no motivation anymore for politicians to appeal to the American people; as long as they keep their financers and lobbyists happy, the money will keep flowing. Bullshitting didn’t work for Herman or Michelle, and they had to take a walk. Now, we are back to choosing between rich white men: what a breath of fresh air.

Are we deluded to the point that we believe it is possible for us to have a benevolent leader? Have we ever had one?

The American two party system has failed again, leaving the people out to dry. When politics are this divided, nobody wins.

Commencement cancelled? last commencement, yet they have not announced it to the students. It is irritating to be notified within six months of when I expect to graduate that I will have to wait an entire year to actually have a ceremony, which would be May 2013.

Although I will have my degree in hand by December 2012, the cancellation of the actual ceremony seems to have taken the joy out of graduating. Had the students been notified earlier or maybe even if the administration notified us now but allowed for one more fall commencement, then people would be able to plan accordingly.

It’s still unclear as to why Georgia State decided to cancel the commencement in the first place. I would think that keeping two graduations would be more costeffective for the university, but I could be wrong.

I hope that in the future, when more abrasive decisions are made, that the administration attempts to notify students in enough time to properly plan and adjust.

06

TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2011

OPINIONS | THE SIGNAL

STUDENT

VOX

YOUR VOICE • YOUR OPINIONS What changes do you want to see happen in 2012?

THE STAFF SIGNAL EDITOR IN CHIEF

Miranda Sain signaleditor@gmail.com Sabastian Wee signalseniored@gmail.com

SENIOR EDITOR MANAGING EDITOR

Mishall Rehman signalmanaging@gmail.com

NEWS EDITOR ARTS & LIVING EDITOR ASSOCIATE ARTS EDITOR ASSOCIATE LIVING EDITOR

“That’s hard for me to say. I’m not extremely politically savvy, but I am a little bit worried about the effects of that 2012 prophecy, more that people will panic over it than that the world will actually end. I would like to see more of a light at the end of the tunnel for economic problems, but I’m not really holding my breath for it.”

- Sarah Riff

SPORTS EDITOR

Chris Shattuck signalnewseditor@gmail.com Alicia Johnson signalliving@gmail.com Zack Kraimer zack.j.kraimer@gmail.com Thaddeus Morgan thad.morgan89@gmail.com Jerel Marshall thesignalsport@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITOR

Tom Terry tomterry06@gmail.com

PRODUCTION EDITOR

Bennett Greer signalprod@gmail.com Aysha Johnson signalprod2@gmail.com

ASSISTANT PRODUCTION EDITOR PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR

Judy Kim judithkim92@yahoo.com

SOCIAL MEDIA SPECIALIST

“More campus security [at Georgia State]. I counted how many campus alerts for robberies there were on campus last year and it was like, 15 throughout the whole year. I really want to see something done about that. This is my safety, and I live on campus too, it’s putting my life in danger.”

- Jessica Paden

Brittany Williams signalwebsite@gmail.com COPY EDITOR Laura Apperson laura.catherine.apperson@gmail.com ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Joey Commander jcommander1@student.gsu.edu CIRCULATION COORDINATOR

Phillip Masci signaldistribution@gmail.com

OFFICE ASSISTANTS

STUDENT MEDIA ADVISOR

Jared Cate Brianna Alvarez Sean Dias Bryce McNeil bmcneil1@gsu.edu

MISSION STATEMENT

“More voices, more response to Occupy Wall Street, things like that. More of the government hearing [Occupy Wall Street] out, rather than them just trying to shut it down.”

- Wande Ogunlusi

The Signal shall provide, in a fair and accurate manner, news of interest and significance to the Georgia State University community and serve as a forum for the expression of ideas of members of that community.

Furthermore, The Signal shall provide an opportunity for students to pursue experience within a professional newspaper environment. The Signal shall also provide truthful and ethical advertising of interest to the Georgia State University community.

ADVERTISING

“I think I would most specifically like to see people get more help.

I feel like some people that are unemployed are sort of wayward, and we forget about people that are less fortunate, and I would just like to see more of everybody coming together and focusing financially on helping other people [rather] than the crazy stuff that people spend money on. There’s millions of dollars spent on things that are small and upkeep for things that are not important, when we could be using that money for welfare and helping people get jobs.”

- Brooke Hills

The deadline for all advertising is 5 p.m. on the Tuesday prior to the desired issue of publication. Ads must be print-ready and in PDF format; files must be delivered via e-mail at signalads@langate.gsu. edu. Please visit our website at www.gsusignal.com/advertising for more information, including rates and payment methods.

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2011

Thanks, and keep it up GSU! STEVE SHULTZ Columnist

Coming from the monotony that is Kennesaw State University, Georgia State has such a wonderful campus life that it is absurd to even think about going elsewhere. I am not one for sports; let’s just get that out of the way right now. So, I really was not interested in attending the University of Georgia and, frankly, the Georgia Institute of Technology was the only school in the Georgia system that my SAT scores wouldn’t let me attend.

I started my higher learning at Kennesaw State University (KSU).

Like most freshman, I had no idea what I was going to major in. Going through the motions, I took a lot of gen-ed classes that gave me my first taste of learning outside of high school. One semester I signed up for an anthropology course and from there I knew this was going to be my major.

I had a total of two friends at KSU. One day, one of them told me that I might be a better fit at Georgia State. So I looked into transferring.

It turned out that I met the requirements. The very next semester I

packed up all I had, found a place in Little 5 Points and started at Georgia State. I decided to ride my bike to school because paying for parking is too costly. Within a couple of days at Georgia State I had met numerous people who were vastly more friendly and I knew this was the place for me.

I know that things might have looked up if I stayed at KSU instead of just transferring, but the experience I had at Georgia State was so worth it I wouldn’t have changed a thing. There are so many incredible professors who have been helpful in my scholastic career.

These professors always go the extra mile to look over something that I have written. If I ask for their advice they are never too busy. What I’m trying to say is that anyone can go to university, but there are ways you can make the university work for you.

If you find yourself in a bind, don’t ever think that no one is there to help. Often my friends, of whom I would say 80 percent are directly from Georgia State, may be too busy with their own studies to help me proofread or find the right words or tease out which direction to go.

However, I have never had that encounter once with ANY of my professors. I’d like to extend a hearty handshake to anyone coming here for the first semester, wish them the best of luck, and make sure to let them know that there are so many options, and that dropping out simply shouldn’t be one of them.

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OPINIONS | THE SIGNAL

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ARTS&LIVING

z ONLINE EXCLUSIVE:

www.gsusignal.com/campuslife

Club holds campus event in response to controversial article on racism ALSO: Music review: Nelly’s new album kicks off spring season

keke palmer on music, growing up and discovering her passion ALICIA JOHNSON Arts & Living Editor Lauren Keyana Palmer, known to the world as Keke Palmer, broke through in the 2006 film Akeelah and the Bee. Now, as an 18 year old, an established actress and singer and a Nickelodeon sitcom later, she’s singing a more mature and relatable tune.

Joyful Noise, starring Palmer along with music legends Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton, appears in theatres next week. Palmer explains the process of the movie and what her life has been like since her career took off nearly a decade ago.

How is your singing career?

KP: Right now I’m working on my album, my second album, and hopefully I’ll be able to get a single out to you guys within, I would say, four or five months, because the music business is so all over the place. Not to say that the acting business isn’t, but the music business is a whole other level.

Do you think that the movie gave you a chance to let people know that you really can sing?

Besides the coming of age, I was like and I get to sing in this movie. I finally get to sing and showcase that, which is what I’m trying to do. In 2012 that’s like my number one thing. I want to equally have my music and acting at the same level…

What was your journey like growing up as a child actor?

Keke Palmer talks about her new film Joyful Noise with the media.

JUDY KIM / THE SIGNAL

I don’t know what I was doing. But now I’m so aware. It wasn’t that serious and now I’m aware of everything going on around me. Aware of the people, aware of how I’m making a difference.

When I read the tweets and the things that kids say to me, I know that I’m making an impact, and I really start to realize that I can really do something with the platform that I’ve been given. I can really give back and go to charities and inspire kids and let them know that all things are possible because of what I’m doing. I really realize what I have the ability to do now. Before it was all about doing something fun, coming from a kid’s point of view, but now I realize that when you’re given something like this, you give back and you go out there and you make a change, you make an even bigger impact. As a kid, going on that journey I would just be thinking, “I’m having so much fun,” and my parents never put any stress on me. I didn’t realize that we only had $2,000 in our bank account when we moved to California on a limb so I could pursue my dream...

You lived in a hotel?

We lived in a hotel for a whole year. St. George Inn in Tarzana, Calif. and a bunch of different other

ones. St. George was like the top of the line for us.

How did you tell your parents you were passionate about acting at this young age?

What it was is that both of my parents are artistic...

And when I told my parents, it was after I went on my first audition, I said this is really something I want to do, my parents went back to their childhood. Because they remember when they were kids and they wanted to do acting and they wanted to be artistic, and they were never given a chance. So they said...“I really think that this is her time, this is her chance, and I don’t want her to miss out on this.” So we packed up and we drove four days and three nights to California. First week I got a national Kmart commercial, the next two, three weeks or so, I got an episode of Cold Case and the next thing I got was The Wool Cap that got me a SAG nomination, and I just went from there. And I know my parents were like “whew.” But to me it was just like having a great time, and now I really appreciate that because they never let me know the things that we were going through. They never let me know.

Talk a little about the outcome you hope this movie makes with little girls who are watching reality tv, etc.?

Me, myself, I have no problem with reality TV. The thing I have a problem with is when parents don’t educate. I’m not a parent, I don’t know how hard that is. But I think the problem does lie when kids don’t understand what they’re watching...It’s not necessarily reality tv, it’s the ignorance of not knowing that this is funny, we can watch it, this is entertaining or I like this, I like to learn, but this isn’t what I want to be… As far as my character, I think she is a little conflicted, because she is that good girl. She feels like that’s the part of her mother. So that’s also the reason why she wants to sneak out, but at the same time, that’s who she is.

She can’t change who she is. She does have respect for herself. What her mother has instilled in her, she cannot deny. She cannot take that away, but at the same time, she’s growing up and she wants to separate...She’s trying to figure out ways to become her own person within the person that her mother has taught her to be, which is difficult. I hate being 18; it’s such a weird age. But I think when people watch this film, they maybe won’t learn anything from her, but it’ll make them feel more comfortable in knowing that this is a journey and no one can tell you how it’ll be for you, but just know if you work hard and try to understand that things will get better.

Check back next week for the Joyful Noise movie review.

MLK 10

2012

ARTS & LIVING |

DAY

THADDEUS MO Associate Livin

It was 26 yea King, Jr. Day wa as a federal recognition o holiday, the nat towards the eq And with the un King, Jr. Memo to an African D.C. last year, tribute to King By getting a icon, children, are all given a King accompli you decide to native this yea that you can at just on your ow

The older Ebenezer Baptist Church, where the late Martin Luther King once preached. GRAHAM ROBSON | THE SIGNAL

11

| THE SIGNAL

ORGAN ng Editor

ars ago that Martin Luther as first recognized nationally holiday. Since the initial of this once controversial tion has made several strides quality that King strived for. nveiling of the Martin Luther orial as the first memorial n-American in Washington the nation is still paying g. a day off in memory of an adults and the elderly alike chance to celebrate all that ished during his lifetime. If pay homage to the Atlanta ar, here are several activities ttend with family, friends or wn.

EVENTS

Kingian Nonviolence Collegiate Leadership Orientation (January 11)

The Kingian Nonviolence Collegiate Leadership Orientation is organized by the Martin Luther King , Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change and is geared specifically towards college students in the metropolitan area. The event is meant to reach out to students in order to share King’s message of nonviolent social change to equip those that want a social change in today’s society. The “Kingian” orientation is open to the public, free of charge and requires participants to pre-register online.

The form can be found by going to http://www.thekingcenter.org/kingian-nonviolence-collegiateleadership-orientation/.

The King Center - 9 a.m. to 4p.m.

A King Celebration Concert 20th Anniversary (January 12)

For those interested in the arts, this event would be the most appealing to you. World-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma will be performing in Atlanta as part of an annual orchestral tribute to King, which has been performed at Morehouse College for the past 20 years. However, for the first time, the concert will be at Atlanta Symphony Hall. Tickets can be purchased at http://www.atlantasymphony. org.

Woodruff Arts Center, Atlanta Symphony Hall – 8p.m.

Job Readiness Symposium (January 13)

The Job Readiness Symposium gives students that haven’t had much luck finding a job to network with businesses and organizations around Atlanta through various workshops throughout the day. This event is also under the umbrella of the MLK Center for Nonviolent Social Change and is intended to help get participants ready for potential interviews through workshops focused on financial literacy, job readiness training and business and workplace behaviors. All of the workshops in the symposium are free and open to the public.

The King Historic District – M.L. King, Jr. Gymnasium - 11a.m. to 4p.m.

King Week at Emory (January 15 – 24)

Emory University holds an annual series of events in honor of King that all take place throughout a single week. Events during the week allow for people to participate in volunteer work, attend discussions and attend religious services with the university. The majority of events are open to the public, but in order to take part in the community service activities, individuals are asked to register online beforehand. A full list of the events listed as part of King Week at Emory can be seen by going to the website http://www.emory.edu/MLK/.

17th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service (January 16)

Hands on Atlanta and the MLK Center for Nonviolent Social Change collaborated this year for the day of service. This event has a variety of volunteer opportunities with local elementary schools and organizations around Atlanta. And to top it all off, volunteers that helped people in lower income settings as part of Hands on Atlanta’s Civic Leadership Program will be recognized as part of their first inauguration. A full list of the events and times that are a part of the day of service can be seen on the Hands on Atlanta website http://www.handsonatlanta.org.

12

ARTS & LIVING | THE SIGNAL

Lifestyle 01 Beautiful M83

02

Wounded Rhymes Lykke Li

Iver 03 Bon Bon Iver

04 Parallax Atlas Sound

TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2012

GUIDED BY VOICES

Let’s Go Eat at the Factory

Blues 05 Helplessness Fleet Foxes & Without 06 Within Washed Out Drop 07 Gloss Battles Extrana 08 Era Neon Indian

09 Whokill Tune-Yards 10 Reptillians Starfucker 11

Strange Mercy St. Vincent

Care, Take Care, Take Care 12 Take Explosions in the Sky Rip Tide 13 The Beirut

14 Zonoscope Cut Copy As Me 15 Bad Tom Waits the Pine 16 Underneath Toro Y Moi Each Other Clean 17 Kiss Iron & Wine

18 Goblin Tyler the Creator 19 Days Real Estate Ring for my Halo 20 Smoke Kurt Vile

ZACK KRAIMER Associate Arts Editor

It seems as though we’ve come into the age of reunion albums, in which the groups of yore are cashing in on their past successes with “original lineups” and material that sounds at once just new enough and old enough. Guided By Voices are the most recent bunch to join this trend with their newest release, Let’s Go Eat at the

Factory.

GBV were known in the 1990s for their boozy, rough-aroundthe-edges power pop, and they’ve retained many of these qualities on Factory. The production has sharpened quite a bit, but the group seems largely the same in spirit given that Factory was written and performed by the classic lineup of their seminal record Bee Thousand. While the sentiments of their past may be there in full, many of the songs aren’t quite up to snuff, with a few notable exceptions.

Factory opens up with “Laundry and Lasers,” which hearkens back to their guitar-laden past. This track, along with ”The Unsinkable Fats Domino,” “The Head,” “God Loves Us” and “Who Invented the Sun,” are the sav-

21 Conatus Zola Jesus 22

On the Water Future Islands

23 Portamento Drums Mountain 24 Arabia Black Lips

25

Metals Feist

Union 26 Ritual Little Dragon Bread 27 Goodbye Ty Segall Hunter 28 The Mastodon

29 Biophilia Bjork 30

Nine Types of Light TV on the Radio

Common – The Dreamer/ The Beliver INTISAR SERAAJ Staff Writer

Feeling like life is becoming overbearingly heavy, like you cannot reach your dreams or like you are all alone in your struggle? Listen to Common’s latest album The Dreamer/The Believer and allow the frustration to be cleansed from

ing graces of the record. They’re reminiscent of the group’s former material while still sounding fresh—not like a few desperate old dudes grabbing for cash. While these songs sound the most fullyformed, they’re often disappointingly short and not as catchy as they might have been some years back, especially for being billed as power pop. Nevertheless, these tracks are fun to listen to, which is more than can be said for some of lead vocalist Robert Pollard’s postBee Thousand collaborations.

The record basically contains two sets of songs—90-second bursts of melodic vocals and heavily distorted guitar comprise the

first, and freeform jams that border on psychedelic make up the second. Those guitar-laden tracks capture the sounds of GBV’s past with ease—they sound as though they’ve been waiting to be heard since Bee Thousand and before.

However, the weirder ones are confusing and overall not very enjoyable. They feel like placeholders, only included to thicken the record to its beefy 21 tracks.

So this record isn’t a classic, but who cares? This is a better attempt at a “reunion” record than most bands ever have, so let’s call it as it stands—a decent album by some guys who rediscovered their past chemistry.

your heart. The Dreamer/The Believer is filled with inspirational and feisty lyrics over perfectly melodic and energizing beats. You cannot help but to feel encouraged to make new strategies for life after listening to this album.

struggles and continue dreaming.

Common has come back to the rap game strongly after his last album Mind Control, released in 2008. The Dreamer/The Believer is truer to the strong type of rapper Common truly is. He opens his album with “The Dreamer;” a medley of brain-twisting and heartpiercing lyrics accompanied by the unmistakable, raspy velvet voice of poet Maya Angelou. Respectfully nodding to the ones that came before us, Angelou reminds us of the dreams of African slaves that are materializing today via their descendants. This opening song reflects his creative and spiritual essence that encourages listeners to stay focused, never take life for granted, keep striving through the

Never taking grants for granted It’s Common, I’m high above standard Fly n***a, keep my feet planted To rock the planet, I don’t stop for panic Maybe I’m a hopeless hip-hop romantic I’m a dreamer.

As the old saying says, “start as you intend to finish.” Common does this, ending his album on a strong note, with “The Believer” and “Pop’s Belief.” He does not leave any loose ends; he makes sure each song is lyrically unique, motivating and intense. Throughout the album, Common makes tributes to his ancestors, tells of some of his struggles, exhibits a fighting spirit towards adversity and, of course, mentions Chitown.

REEL REVIEWS

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

BRITTANY SPORNHAUER Staff Writer

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, directed by David Fincher, is an English-language adaptation of the Swedish novel by Stieg Larsson. The story follows a journalist who has found himself in the middle of legal turmoil regarding an alleged libelous article. The journalist, Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig), is then offered a job writing memoirs for a wealthy patriarch and ultimately aiding in the investigation of the patriarch’s niece who has been missing for forty years.

Although Blomkvist begins his research alone, he eventually acquires the help of a research assistant and seeks out a young computer hacker, Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara).

From the very beginning of the film it was obvious this story would be an interesting one. The plot is suspenseful and keeps any audience guessing. This statement holds true right to the unexpected ending. Although this movie is a little longer than most movies today with a run time over two and a half hours, the film is so captivating viewers don’t count the minutes.

The intricate investigation allows viewers to relate to Blomkvist as he learns more about the family he is investigating, because the audience is too. Although the overall plot in this movie is appealing, there are several brutal scenes involving crude sexual content. If these types of scenes are a deterrent for you, this movie may not be the Friday night pick.

Blomkvist is a writer and coowner of a magazine but the character decides to accept a job from the wealthy Henrik Vanger (Christopher Plummer) due to legal charges he faces. Although the journalist is skeptical at first, Vanger promises to destroy his accuser’s reputation, which ultimately convinces Blomkvist to accept the offer. The character’s keen attention to detail carries the investigation in such a way that prompts viewers to analyze ev-

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ARTS & LIVING | THE SIGNAL

TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2012

ery character and the details of them.

Although his investigation skills are amazing, his most intriguing characteristic is the fact that the taboo behavior of his new research assistant does not bother him in the slightest.

Salander, the young computer hacker, is without a doubt the most disturbing yet interesting character in any movie playing currently. She has had a rough life since childhood and has been in and out of foster care and government institutions into adulthood. She’s been deemed unfit to manage her own finances and must demonstrate good behavior in order to obtain a monthly allowance. Her overall appearance is rebelious with her facial piercings and tattoos, not to mention her jet black hair shaved on the sides. Her anti-social, aggressive behavior coupled with her punk look leaves audiences with their jaws dropped in shock and feeling a little intimidated.

Overall, this movie is interesting and suspenseful to say the least and keeps the attention of audiences with every scene. Even the seemingly less meaningful scenes prove to have a purpose later on in the story. Some scenes may leave you cringing, but the entire movie will leave you wanting more.

“Zoo” warms the hearts of audience members LAURA APPERSON Staff Writer

Director Cameron Crowe’s latest effort, “We Bought a Zoo” follows a widower, Benjamin Mee –played by Matt Damon-who is trying to adjust to life without his wife in suburban southern California. Struggling with the task of taking care of his two children Dylan (Colin Ford) and Rosie (Maggie Elizabeth Jones) and writing for his local newspaper, he tries to figure out what step to take next.

When Dylan is expelled from school for stealing, Benjamin decides to quit his job and move away from the town that reminds him so much of his deceased wife Katherine, played by Stephanie Szostak. When he finds the perfect location, a house nine miles from the nearest Target, he discovers only one problem: the backyard is actually a still-functioning zoo.

After his daughter falls in love with the idea, adventurous Benjamin decides to take the plunge and buy the property to the chagrin of his brother Duncan (Thomas Haden Church), a skeptical accountant. With his new zoo staff, which includes a zookeeper played by Scarlett Johansson’s character Kelly Foster, he determines to fix up the rundown zoo and re-open it to the public.

The sweet story has a classic inspirational message: anyone can overcome a difficult situation and come out stronger, especially with strong family and friends.

Maggie Elizabeth Jones steals the show with her performance as Benjamin’s daughter, Rosie.

Besides playing an absolutely adorable sevenyear-old, her character is a constant inspiration and encouragement to Benjamin.

Dylan is weighed down by grief and does not know how to handle it. The movie follows his recovery and emphasizes how crucial his dad actually is to him.

Thomas Haden Church was excellent comic relief, making the audience laugh just when the sad moments happen too often. His character, Duncan is still bitter about his wife leaving him but clearly wants the best for his grieving brother.

The audience is able to watch Duncan transform into a man with a big, giving heart by the end of the film.

The downfalls of this moving are camouflaged well, and viewers can easily forgive moments of poor acting and occasional weak writing. Overall, the story is engaging and the characters are fascinating. This fun, family-friendly movie is definitely worth the trip to the theater.

GRADE: B MPAA RATING: PG, for mild thematic material, language RUNNING TIME: 124 MINUTES ROTTEN TOMATO-METER: 62 percent

G S U RC 2012

Undergraduate students from all disciplines are encouraged to submit their scholarly and creative projects for presentation at the conference Date of Event:

MARCH 21, 2012

Event Location: Student Center Proposal Submission Deadline:

February 1, 2012

at 5 p.m.

Notification of Acceptance:

February 15, 2012

GOT MUNCHEEZ?

ARTS & LIVING | THE SIGNAL

ALICIA JOHNSON Arts & Living Editor Outside of Northside tavern in Atlanta, the sound of the blues is slightly interrupted by the smell of everyone’s favorite guilty foods. Countless chili cheese dogs, loaded fries and, of course, delicious deep fried Oreos are exchanged between customers and the Muncheez food truck on Howell Mill Road in West Midtown Atlanta late into the night.

Co-owner Jamie Thursby believes the location for the truck is fitting. “I think it’s amazing. It’s a nice marriage. People get their party on, and they need food at like two in the morning,” Thursby said. “It’s a great because it’s a good launch pad to the whole city.”

Thursby and the other owner Rommel Chatman dreamed up the idea for Muncheez at the blues venue and made their idea a reality shortly after. “We were just hanging out in there one day and…everybody’s ordering food and me and Rommel were like, “why don’t we put a food truck in the parking lot,” Thursby said.

It turns out they were on to something, because the customer response has led this duo to expand in numbers in order to accommodate the appetite of Atlanta. This is revealed not only for their stationary food truck but also for their delivery division that serves metro Atlanta. “It’s getting crazy,” Thursby said. “But we’re machines.”

TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2012

It seems that they know they have something good going, and they want more. “We want to have five food trucks in the next two years,” Thursby said. “We’re thinking more locations if our delivery business expands.”

Thursby, who worked in the retail business for 14 years, brings a more logistic side to this more relaxed dining environment.

Despite the business venture being created on a whim, the menu that draws in college students to socialites took many efforts.

“We’ve had six revisions already,” Thursby said. “We took the best stuff, edited it down and everything makes sense now.”

On any visit, you’re likely to see the kitchen manager Randy Dickerson multitasking in the truck but still managing to put the finishing details on any dish he hands out the window. “We want everything to be consistent,” Thursby said. “Everything comes out with good quality.”

Atlanta seems to be just catching on the food truck craze that has taken over many other urban cities in the country, but the crew at Muncheez is ready to lead the way.

Looking back on the progress of the Muncheez truck since its opening in the fall of 2011, Thurby feels positive about it. “It’s been awesome.”

For delivery and menu information, visit www.MuncheezATL. com

Stop in and take a roll of the dice for your chance TO WIN BIG! *Limited time only. See store for details.

RENT

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NOW GSU Bookstore | University Bookstore Building gsubookstore.com 570JBTS12

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Muncheez Food Truck can be found off 1058 Howell Mill Road, or in front of the Northside Tavern. GRAHAM ROBSON / THE SIGNAL

14

Editor’s note: Advertise your event in this calendar! Contact Alicia Johnson at signalliving@gmail.com with the event name, time, date, location and a brief description.

Jan. 10 Doughnuts with the Dean

Please join Dean Randy Kamphaus for doughnuts in the College of Education Lobby to learn more about upcoming events and new initiatives in the college.

Open to all COE students, faculty and staff.

College of Education, Lobby // 8:30 a.m.

– 10:00 a.m.

RA Interview Info Session!

Oh No to PRO! Get that RA Position!

RA Interview Info Session • Nervous about your upcoming RA interview?

• Do you want GREAT tips on how to STAND OUT during an interview?

• Want to be more PREPARED for tough interview questions?

• Learn how to Dress for SUCCESS • And More…!

UNIVERSITY CAREER SERVICES is here to HELP! University Center, Room 245 // 3:00 p.m.

– 4:00 p.m.

Jan. 11 Social Work Club (undergraduate)

The purpose of the Social Work Club at Georgia State University is to serve as a link between current social work students, prospective social work majors, faculty, and administration.

The Social Work Club upholds the core values of the profession: service, social justice, dignity, and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence while supporting the development of social, academic, and cultural awareness

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ARTS & LIVING | THE SIGNAL

TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2012

CALENDAR among undergraduate social work students.

University Center, Room 460 // 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

HOPE Scholarship Workshop

The HOPE Scholarship Workshops are for Georgia State University first-year students that will be evaluated for the HOPE scholarship at the end of the Spring semester. Advisors will provide critical information on the changes to the HOPE scholarship, success strategies, and course load assessment prior to the start of the semester. Attendees will be better prepared to maintain their HOPE scholarship eligibility.

University Center, Room 460 // 3:00 p.m.

– 4:00 p.m.

Jan. 12 The HOPE Scholarship Workshops

These workshops are for Georgia State University first-year students that will be evaluated for the HOPE scholarship at the end of the Spring semester. Advisors will provide critical information on the changes to the HOPE scholarship, success strategies, and course load assessment prior to the start of the semester. Attendees will be better prepared to maintain their HOPE scholarship eligibility.

University Center, Room 460 // 1:00 p.m.

– 2:00 p.m.

Bookbag to Briefcase: Putting it All Together: From Campus Leader to Career Success

Are you prepared for career success?

Do you know how to capitalize on your college experiences? In this session, we will piece together the journey from campus leader to career success. You will leave prepared for the next step in your career journey.

245 University Center // 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Jan. 14 Evanescence at the Tabernacle

The five-group hard rockers take over this downtown Atlanta venue to take fans on a generally emotional ride and maybe rupture a few ear drums along the way. Also in attendance will be Electric Touch. Attendees can expect songs from Evanescence’s new album and popular hits from this well-seasoned gang.

152 Luckie Street// 8:00 p.m.

Cavalia: Odysseo

Jan. 13

The big white tents in Midtown Atlanta will only house this equestrian performance until Jan. 15. This tribute to horses has drawn attention throughout the entire country and has made its mark in Atlanta since its opening in December 2011. Although the ticket prices are nearing $70, the show is a unique addition to the city’s entertainment roster.

Big Top//864 Spring Street

A Discussion on Health Economics Research

Keeper for a Day-Elephants and Warthogs

A Discussion on Health Economics Research with Charles Courtemanche from the University of Louisville.

Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Room 749 // 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

PROFESSOR | Nancy Floyd IMAN NAIM Staff Writer

Looking for a refreshing art piece?

Professor Nancy Floyd of the Georgia State photography program may have what you’re searching for.

Floyd takes an innovative approach to her work: the main focus of Floyd’s photography is gunwomen. Her brother, who died in Vietnam, wanted to be a gunsmith, and his death sparked her curiosity about guns. She began to wonder why her brother liked guns, and in her research she found pictures of women with guns and gunwomen action movies.

“I was interested in how women came to access guns. Have women always shot guns or is this new? How did the relationship between women and guns develop over the years,” Floyd said. “The truth is, we’ve always been a gun culture.”

Through her research she was able to photograph female Olympic shooters in their element for her book, She’s Got a Gun. “The book focuses on the types of relationships American women have with guns: for self defense, for power and for pleasure,” Floyd said.

Her work has been showcased in countless galleries, universities and museums, including the prestigious Smithsonian Institute and the Atlanta Contemporary Art Center.

Although Floyd has been happily

Zoo Atlanta is giving people ages 14 and older the opportunity to experience working at the zoo. Participants will help with food preparation and animal care along with the zookeepers.

800 Cherokee Avenue

Vrba’s prints and instillation is free.

1000 Marietta Street

Yoga Party and Power Lunch

Elegant Attic offers yoga in the garden with a lunch in historic Roswell.

The first yoga session is offered free, and participants can also receive full therapeutic massages for a fee. Refresh you mind, body and tummy at this relaxing event.

1105 Canton Street Roswell//10:30 a.m.

Jan. 15 This alternative and rock concert features Christian rock trio Building 429.

Elvis Lives!

Winners from the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest will resurrect this rock-nroll-legend presence at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center. These artists will take the audience on a live musical trip back in time.

2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway

Jan. 16 University Official Holiday

No Classes, University Closed

Jan. 17 Hard Truths: The Art of Thornton Dial

Dial’s exhibition is featured at the High Museum of Art. It contains more than 50 large-scale paintings and sculptures.

Dial’s work demonstrates depth and complexity beyond the art’s canvas.

1280 Peachtree Street The Jennifer Schwartz Gallery exhibits instillation by photographer Lori Vrba. The exhibition leaves the gallery January 28, 2012. The gallery is located conveniently downtown and viewing of

SIGNAL SPOTLIGHTS

dedicated to her art for 31 years, there was a time when she considered very different professions. She attended school at the University of Texas at Austin, where she undertook two majors before photography.

At first, she considered pre-veterinary, then she tried out a recreation administration major, hoping to become a park ranger. But neither path suited her.

“Pre-veterinary was a mistake, because I’m terrible at science,” Floyd laughed. “I’ve always loved photography and nothing else kept my interest.”

Floyd still keeps the passion that drove her to attempt recreation administration; every year she visits Death Valley National Park, located in Nevada and California, and is an avid hiker and camper. Besides photography, Floyd enjoys videography, writing and landscape photography.

“I bring my experience as a photographer and visual artist,” Floyd said on what she has been bringing to her class for the past 15 years. According to Floyd, the most important quality needed, besides motivation, is passion.

“You have to be obsessed enough to push through the down times when you’re struggling. You have to be interested enough to go beyond asking a couple questions. I teach students how to market themselves, how to promote themselves and how to write a resume, but in the end, they have to be motivated to push through.”

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Winter Jam 2012

Southern Comfort

Callaway Gardens

This Georgia getaway is offering free admission throughout the month of January and February. Located in mountainous seclusion, the gardens feature butterfly and floral displays. It also boasts a scenic bike trail through the mountains. Bikes are also available to rent once you get there.

US Highway 27 Pine Mountain, GA Atlanta’s Shakespeare Tavern shows this famous love story along with The Merchant of Vanice for the next two weeks. The authentic venue serves as the perfect host for this play and compliments the passionate actors performance.

499 Peachtree Street NE

Jan. 18 Annie

Everyone remembers the adorable orphan that stole the heart of Daddy Warbucks when they were little. Annie, the Broadway musical, is back in Atlanta to retell the story of this little girl who had a “Hard Knock Life” in the Big Apple during the ‘30s. The show runs at the Fox Theater from Jan. 14 until Jan. 22.

660 Peachtree Street NE

Jan. 19 August Burns Red

The Masquerade hosts the heavy metal and rock bands August Burns Red, Ventana, Psychostick, As Summer Dies and Dead Squirrels. August Burns Red’s five members formed this band in 2003 and will perform songs from their latest album.

695 North Avenue//7:00 p.m.

STUDENT | Jasmyn Wilkins

THADDEUS MORGAN Associate Living Editor

Sometimes the best things can be found in the most unlikely places: money found on the ground, a wedding ring hidden in a champagne glass or even a beauty queen on a college campus. Georgia State’s own Jasmyn Wilkins was crowned Miss Georgia 2012 and is on her way to representing our school and state in the Miss USA 2012 pageant this June.

The Miss Georgia competition took place on Nov. 19 and consisted of 70 women vying for the crown. Wilkins, a junior pre-nursing major, was increasingly surprised to hear her name called as the contestants got narrowed down.

“It was crazy,” she said. “They called my name last in the top 15 and I was super ecstatic to even be in the top 15, and then they called me last again in [the] top 5. After having never done a pageant and then to win was surreal.”

With a father, brother and uncle that were all a part of the NBA, Wilkins thought that she would go into sports growing up. Although people often suggested that she try going into pageants, she was inspired to participate after seeing that there may be more to pageant participants than she originally thought.

“I was watching the Miss USA pageant and I saw that they were smart girls. They weren’t just pretty faces, and I was inspired to try it out and see how I could do,” Wilkins said.

The new perception of pageant participants may have compelled Wilkins to look into Miss Georgia, but the community service aspect of the pageant was what she really looked forward to. Even without the requirement of a platform for Miss Georgia contestants, she went in with the intent to help volunteer at hospitals and schools more so than for the standards of beauty that the competitors strive to achieve, but after practicing for the pageant, she came to realize that she is beautiful.

Since gaining the title, Wilkins has gone on to the Chick-fil-A Bowl, visited schools to address topics like bullying and drinking and additionally gave her time to hospitals like Egleston Hospital and Scottish Rite.

As time winds down to the moment when all eyes are on Wilkins and her competition in the Miss USA 2012 pageant, she will be preparing for everything that comes her way both professionally and academically.

She said that she expects more events to be lined up for her this year and plans to find a balance between her duties as Miss Georgia and school, taking on 15 credit hours this semester.

“A lot of girls who get into theses pageants, they’ll put school on the back burner or just not go at all, but I really want to keep up with my academics while doing all of this, because I think that it’s one of the most important things,” Wilkins said.

&

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I need a couple, willing to buy yours.

Call (404)941-0790 I still need a comfortable used backpack...(Similar to path ones) Color/appearance not as important as good price.

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Textbooks for sale: Pols 4215 (Politics of Peace) - Contemporary Conflict Resolution

by Ramsbotham, Woodhouse, and Miall, 3rd edition BRAND NEW ($25) - War, Conflict and Human Rights by

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Robbins, Debbie Powers, Sharon Burgess. Seventh edition, fair condition, clean. $15 Phone: (678) 562-1522 Textbooks for sale: -Norton Anthology of English Literature: the Romantic Period, by Carol T. Christ, Catherine Robson, Stephen Greenblatt, M.H. Abrams. Eighth edition, Volume D, E, F. Great condition, clean. $30 Phone: (678) 562-1522 Treadmill, works fine, missing faceplate. $75 Call (770) 896-1792 24” Toshiba box TV. Screen flickers at times, but works fine otherwise. $30 Call (770) 896-1792 32” Panasonic box TV. Good condition $30 Call (770) 896-1792

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SPORTS

z ONLINE EXCLUSIVE:

Women’s basketball falls against tough CAA foe

www.gsusignal.com/sports

Spring sports looking forward to productive seasons ZAKKIYYA ANDERSON Staff Writer

Track & Field move into 2011-2012 season with new coaching staff After winning last year’s Colonial Athletic Association team championship, former head coach for Georgia State and CAA Coach of the Year Eric Campbell announced his resignation this past November.

In light of his resignation, cross country director Chris England took over as the interim head coach for the track & field team.

New to the Panther coaching staff is Amy Henry, who will be an assistant coach and will oversee the hurdles and sprints.

Coach Henry joins the Panther family as a former coach at the University of Texas-El Paso.

Henry graduated from Hampton University where she was a Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference

all-conference sprinter and hurdler.

Fresh off their first ever conference championship in program history, the Georgia State women’s track & field team will began its 2011-2012 season on Dec. 3 at Clemson University for the Orange and Purple Winter Classic.

Out of both the men’s and women’s squads, nine of the Panthers placed within the top 20 in their respective events.

“There was a lot of transition at this meet,” England said to Georgia State Communications. “The student athletes are getting used to the changes in the coaching staff and putting all of their training to use in competition.”

The squads will continue their

winter season beginning on Jan. 12 and 13 at the UAB Blazer Invite in Birmingham, Ala. The Panthers will stay in Birmingham for their next two meets with the Samford/UAB/BSC Invite and the Vulcan Invite.

Georgia State will not compete in Atlanta until Mar. 16 and 17 for the Georgia Intercollegiate. Then the team will compete in the Spec Towns Invite in Athens, Ga., and will finish their homestay in Atlanta at the Yellow Jacket Invite at neighboring Georgia Tech.

The Panthers will look to hold onto their reigning title of conference champs at the CAA Championship on May 4 and 5 in Fairfax, Va. Brandy Swann was a two-time CAA Champion and five-time AllCAA performer. She also earned President’s List honors both semesters as a junior.

GEORGIA STATE SPORTS COMMUNICATIONS

Five-time All-CAA performer Angelia Nugent could bring her championship total to four this Spring.

Men’s and women’s golf teams prepare for the Spring season

GEORGIA STATE SPORTS COMMUNICATIONS

The Georgia State men’s golf team looks to get back in the swing of things Jan. 30 and 31 for the JU Invitational at Jacksonville State University.

The Panthers will then head Hilton Head, S.C. to play in the Wexford Plantation Intercollegiate hosted by Francis Marion.

Head Coach Joe Inman recently signed Jonathan Grey to the men’s team.

Grey hails from Kent, England, where he attended Sackville School in West Sussex.

He will not be able to play until the fall, but Inman is looking forward to working with the sixfoot-five junior.

“He has a solid swing and the

drive to be a good collegiate golfer. I look forward to getting to work with him starting next fall,” Inman told Georgia State Athletics.

The women’s golf team returns to the spring semester as 3-time Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) champions.

The women have also beefed up their lineup with a player from England in Sarah Bradshaw.

Bradshaw is joined by Julie Lied who will begin play with Georgia State next fall.

Returning to the women’s golf team is nine-time CAA Golfer of the Week Charlotte Lorentzen.

In their final matchup last season, the Panthers finished third in

the Lady Paladin in Greenville, S.C. led by Lorentzen and teammate Charlotte Guilleux.

The women will look to pick right back up where they left off with their first set of games in the UCF Challenge in Sorrento, Fla. The ladies will begin play in Florida on Feb. 12 and finish off the tournament on Valentine’s Day. Georgia State will host its first home game March 26 and 27 in Stockbridge.

The CAA Tournament for the men’s golf team will start April 27 in Wilmington, Del., while the women will start their CAA tournament on April 20 in Southport, S.C.

Charlotte Lorentzen will look to add to a stellar resume that already includes 2010 and 2011 All-CAA recognitions.

Tennis teams look to step up their game during the spring season The Georgia State men’s tennis squad finished the fall season ranked No. 65 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Men’s National Team’s Rankings.

With a new season of key match ups approaching, the Panthers will work toward improving their ranking.

Head Coach Chase Hodges and his team will take on two Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) opponents during the regular season.

First, the Panthers will host Old Dominion University on Jan. 21 at the Sharon Lester Tennis Complex in Piedmont Park, and then face off against Hodge’s alma mater and last year’s CAA champion UNC Wilmington on April 8.

Georgia State will also meet up with Kennesaw State University on

Feb. 4 at Piedmont Park.

Four days later, the men will look to beat in-town rival Georgia Institute of Technology on their home court.

The season will wrap up for the Panthers in Norfolk, Va., for the CAA Championship April 19-22.

The Georgia State women’s tennis team will start off their 2012 season on Jan. 21 against Furman University and Wake Forest on Jan. 22.

The ladies will have a 17-game season, 12 of which will be on the road, including a trip to California.

The Panthers and head coach Miha Lisac will host their home opener at Sharon Lester Tennis Complex on March 6 at 2 p.m.

This Panthers will compete against at least two Colonial Ath-

letic Association opponents in UNC Wilmington and Virginia Commonwealth University.

The Panthers posted a .789 winning percentage last season — the second highest in program history — and are ranked at No. 58.

Nine out of the 17 opponents that Georgia State will face are ranked, including VCU, who is currently ranked No. 37.

“Our goals are to be in the top 45 nationally and earn a berth to nationals every year. The schedule offers plenty of opportunities to get to that level and to improve our national ranking,” Lisac told Georgia State Athletics.

The women will have their first tournament of the season Jan. 2728 at Georgia Tech for the ITA Div. I Women’s Kick- Off Weekend.

GEORGIA STATE SPORTS COMMUNICATIONS

Luucas Santanna, the owner of the second highest singles wins total in school history will help lead the men’s tennis team this Spring.

18

SPORTS | THE SIGNAL

TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2012

Mens basketball playing with a chip on their shoulder JEREL MARSHALL Sports Editor

After being picked as the second-worst team in the Colonial Athletic Association’s annual preseason poll, Georgia State (11-4, 3-1 CAA) has played with poise, toughness and a will that has catapulted them into being the second-best team in the conference.

“We were predicted to be last,” coach Ron Hunter said.

“Every coach in (the CAA) decided that we were the last place team.”

The lowly expectations placed on the Panthers seem to have fired the team up.

“I coach with a chip on my shoulder,” Hunter said, “and theses kids play with a chip on their shoulder. And we will continue to do that all year.”

This season the Panthers were suppose to struggle as Hunter, in his first season with the team began to implement a new system with a team that featured three seniors, three redshirt seniors and one junior who were all returning from a team that finished 12-19 last year. Hunter, however, decided that this team is supposed to be great and his team has bought into it.

After taking down preseason favorite Drexel 58-44

on Jan. 2, Hunter didn’t seem as surprised as most that his team has flown so high above expectations.

“We’re supposed to win,” Hunter said after the victory over Drexel. “We’re expected to win. So all we did was do what we are supposed to do today. Now we have to go do some things that people don’t expect us to do and that’s win on the road.”

The Panthers kept up their campaign of shock and awe as they took out 2011 Final Four participant, VCU (11-4, 3-1 CAA), 55-53 on the road before finally having their 11-game win streak snapped by George Mason (12-4, 4-0 CAA) 6158 in one of the most intense games of the season.

Defense is one of the many things the Panthers are doing right. The team has picked up Hunter’s style of pressing and zoning very quickly and the improvement of the team’s communication has made things easier.

“It has been an evolution,” Hunter said with a laugh. “We didn’t talk for the first three months but in what we do you have to communicate. More than that, my guys are having fun and when you are having fun you want to communicate.”

Georgia State is ranked at least fourth in the CAA in six different defensive statistical categories and they lead the CAA in blocked shots while allowing the fewest points per game and the lowest field goal percentage.

Even a 10-day layoff due winter break was not enough to slow Georgia State’s intense defense.

“Over the break we have just been practicing very hard,” defensive juggernaut Eric Buckner said. “We are trying to work on [defense]. We are trying to get better. And that’s what we do every practice. Try to get better.”

Buckner has led the way on the defensive end of the court by averaging a CAA best 2.8 blocks per game. He also leads the CAA in field goal percentage with an impressive 62.3 percent.

The Panthers’ next contest will come against division foe UNC Wilmington Thursday Jan. 12 at the Sports Arena. Thursday’s game will have added meaning, since Hunter will coach the entire game barefoot to raise money for Samaritans Feet—an organization that provides shoes for underprivileged children around GEORGIA STATE SPORTS COMMUNICATIONS the world.

Eric Buckner has led the way for Panthers on the defensive end while also making the most of his attempts on offense.

Baldwin-Tener continuing into tough CAA schedule

GEORGIA STATE SPORTS COMMUNICATIONS

In the misdt of a tough season, conference play won’t make things any easier for senior Chan Harris and the Panthers.

TIFFANIE SMITH Staff Writer

Coming off of a loss against James Madison, Georgia State is preparing to go against more tough CAA teams in the seventh-strongest conference in the NCAA. The Panthers’ current record is 6-8 with wins against Jacksonville State University, High Point University, Campbell University, Kennesaw State University, Western Carolina University, and Bethune- Cook-

man University. However, the team has suffered losses to tough teams like Georgia Institute of Technology, Hofstra University, Appalachian State University, Florida State University, Southern Illinois University (SIU) Edwardsville, Old Domnion University and James Madison University.

With the non-conference season ending and the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) schedule beginning, Georgia State looks to improve, but they will be facing several diffi-

cult teams, as the CAA ranks seventh amongst the 32 conferences that make up the NCAA’s Division I. However, head coach Sharon Baldwin-Tener seems happy with the results her team has produced as they head deeper into conference play.

“This non-conference season was a step in the right direction as our schedule was in the top 75 toughest in the country,” Baldwin Tener said to Georgia State Athletics. “So we got some good experi-

ence and gained a little confidence to head into the tough CAA.” Georgia State has been struggling on the offensive side with turnovers and poor shooting.

The most recent offensive struggles came against the James Madison Dukes, as the Panthers turned the ball over 19 times while shooting 30.2 percent from the field.

With an early 9-0 run by the Dukes in the first five minutes, the Panthers left the court at halftime with a close score of 34-25.

A key factor in this game was that the Dukes held a 50-34 rebound advantage against Georgia State, resulting in James Madison netting 16 second-chance points.

James Madison pushed the leasd as high as 20 and finished the Panthers off to the tune of 62-50.

Recently, the Panthers suffered a loss against SIU Edwardsville due to 27 turnovers, which slowed the offensive progress. SIU took advantage to win the game 63-49.

Also, in the December 16 game against Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, the team scored just 5 of 26 shots going into halftime, helping the Yellow Jackets win that game 85-50.

“Obviously, the first half was flat-out horrible and you can’t win shooting like that,” Baldwin-Tener said following the loss to Georgia Tech. “We couldn’t even make free throws standing still (17-of-35, 48.6%) so we will continue to focus

on shot selection and techniques.”

The game against Georgia Tech was not the only contest where the Panthers struggled due to self-inflicted errors. In early December, the team left 11 points at the free throw line against Hofstra while also racking up 30 turnovers on their way to an 86-71 loss.

However, the recent win against Bethune-Cookman seems to be turning the season around for the better. Georgia State built their largest lead of 27 points, forced 27 turnovers, made 15 steals and blocked 7 shots.

The Panthers looked good on both defense and offense in their road win over Jacksonville State December 28. Georgia State accumulated 10 steals, forced 23 turnovers, blocked 7 shots and held a 50-42 rebound advantage. Four players also scored double figures, which helped Georgia State win the game, 68-60, after being down 33-30 after the first half.

“We came back out and played the second half tonight like we wanted to win,” Baldwin-Tener said after the victory over Jacksonville State. “We were lackadaisical on defense in the first half, but picked up the intensity and got some turnovers, steals and blocks to get us started. We are figuring out how to win on the road, so with this young team and new players, every building block helps.”

TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2012

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT

19

SPORTS | THE SIGNAL

The Game of Life: Verdun wins on and off the court TOM TERRY III Associate Sports Editor

Student athletes can only imagine going out on a high note. A lot of athletes dream about becoming a top student athlete but few achieve it.

There’s one Georgia State graduate who did.

Georgia State public policy graduate Vineece Verdun recently earned the honors of Cobra Magazine Student Athlete of the Year. She is every excited about winning the award.

“The magazine is spe-

cial to me because it acknowledges all the work how it’s difficult to be an honor student and athlete at the same time”, said Verdun, “so I’m really proud of that.”

With all the accomplishments she had in life, Verdun, the second-oldest of four children, attributes her success to her family.

“Growing up I had some close-knit family and friends and loving parents,” she said, ”so they were very supportive and they were a key to my success.”

A Bloomfield Hills native, Verdun is grateful to have grown up in a tight family based community. “(It’s) Cold, but I love the community I grew up in the community was close knit and I loved winter sports,” Verdun said with laughter, “I like to snowboard and I go back frequently.”

Volleyball captured her at an early age.

“I started playing Volleyball at fourteen,” Verdun said. “I was the only female playing in high school. Coach recruited me and my best friend and they wanted me to play and tryout.”

Only playing three years at Georgia State, Verdun started playing college volleyball at Michigan State University and had her struggles playing college-level vol-

leyball.

“It was very tough,” said Verdun, ”There were times I considered not playing anyone because I didn’t see any court time as a freshman. I had a supportive teammates and coach that tell me to keep at it.”

With a supporting coaching staff and teammates, Georgia State campus life was almost seamless for Verdun.

“They were very accepting and they worked me in their game plan,” said Verdun, ”The transition to the city was a little bit tough for me I never lived in the city before but I was used to it and l love it.”

That is not the only thing she loves. Verdun expressed her love studying law at Duke University.

“I’m passionate about human rights,” said Verdun, “so I wanted to study to become a human rights lawyer because there are so many different opportunities that I would have.”

For Verdun, volleyball has made her into the person she is today.

“Volleyball made me a lot stronger and more resilient and it made me a better communicator and it improved my social skills,” said Verdun. “Volleyball has broadened my horizons and it has given me a work ethic.”

Career Highlights

GSU Records

•First Panther to be named all-CAA firstteamer twice •Four-time CAA player of the week honors •Two-time Academic All-District honors with a 4.01 cumulative GPA

GEORGIA STATE SPORTS COMMUNICATIONS

After an outstanding collegiate career, Vineece Verdun is now looking to try her hand at practicing law.

•Named to Georgia State President’s List, All-Academic and AllService teams.

•10th in carrer kills with 970 •9th in points with 1,188 •8th in blocking assists with 232 •10th with 284 total blocks •In 2011, placed 3rd in the CAA with 4.00 points per set and fourth with 3.33 kills per set

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