HILLTOP VIEWS
St. Edward’s University • Wednesday, February 20, 2012 • Volume 33 • Issue 4 • hilltopviewsonline.com
New LLCs bond upperclassmen Cheryl Cedillo
Donors gift $20 million to university scholarship
ccedill3@stedwards.edu
The Modern Languages Living and Learning Community, LLC, will be introduced this fall as the second ever upperclassmen LLC, following the Faith and Service LLC that is finishing up its first year this semester. Normally, LLCs are only open to freshmen students, but these LLCs open the window for upperclassmen to participate in the program. The website for the LLC program reads, “Each LLC lives together on the same floor of a residence hall. Students in the community take one or two courses together and participate in dinners, discussions, special events and service activities.” The Modern Languages LLC gives students the opportunity to hone their language skills and develop a global perspective. “The language and the culture are two aspects of the same phenomenon, and they go hand in hand … One of the best ways to promote modern languages and cultural awareness is to encourage students to study abroad,” said Cory
Adam Crawley dcrawle@stedwards.edu
Photo by Cheryl Cedillo Students promoted the Faith and Service LLC during homecoming festivities this month.
Lyle, assistant professor of Spanish. The Modern Languages LLC could also be a viable alternative to studying abroad, with foreign language students and international students socializing, studying together and improving their language skills, Lyle said. Lyle said learning a new language and understanding a new culture can be a great
advantage. As the world changes, it is increasingly important to have a global perspective. Also, he said students proficient in multiple languages are often more competitive and more enlightened. “You learn a new language and all of the sudden you can talk to a billion more people than you could before,” Lyle said. The program currently
includes French and Spanish students, but Lyle and other faculty sponsors hope to see the program expand and diversify with other languages. They also encourage international students to join so they can improve their English writers skills and the other students can learn from native speakers.
million in 2011 for the Munday Library, scheduled to open in Fall 2013, and $385,000 to help raise funds for the John Brooks Williams Natural Sciences Building - North. “As donors and friends, this gift is an expression of our steadfast commitment to education for all and not just the privileged few,” Pat Munday, a member
St. Edward’s University has received a $20 million donation, which is the largest single donation in university history. The gift, given by Bill and Pat Munday, will be used to fund the Munday Scholarship. The scholarship funds 25 percent of a student’s tuition and is “As donors and expected to friends, this gift annually benefit 125 to 150 is... commitment to students. education for all.” For example, for the Fall -Pat Munday, Board of 2103 semester Trustees member tuition price of $16,660, a student of the Board of Trustees, would receive an estimat- said in a statement. “We ed $4,165 of aid. believe that St. Edward’s As of press time, there students, transformed by are 51 current students their educational experibenefitting from the ence, are better able to Munday scholarship. The fulfill their potential, meet scholarship is provided on future life challenges and basis of financial need. become socially responWith this gift, the Mun- sible individuals with the days have now given a to- intelligence and character tal $36 million. Previous needed to make a differdonations include $13 ence in the world.”
COMMUNITIES | 2
7 | LIFE & ARTS
8 | SPORTS
10 | VIEWPOINTS
Over 200 students participated in the Harlem Shake on the Hilltop on Sunday.
A St. Edward’s University softball coach was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
An Olympian’s arrest raises questions about gun laws and sexuality in media.
2 NEWS Communities foster cultural awareness Continued from page 1
Austin, while developing their faith in a group of supportive and encouraging peers. Although the Faith and Service LLCs first year was a success, it faced some struggles. Originally, Ed Shirley, professor of religious and theological studies agreed to sponsor the group. Shirley passed away on Aug. 15. “Ed Shirley was just always a big proponent of talking about spirituality and how spirituality can be expressed,
Both upperclassmen LLCs are open to all sophomores, juniors and seniors who desire to be a part of a close-knit community of like-minded people, said Christy Brown, Residence Life’s assistant director of Academic Initiatives. Both the freshmen communities and upperclassmen LLCs seek to create a sense of family and a sense of inclusion for the members. Upperclassmen LLCs are a “The thought of being little more autonomous in a group of people and since that could eat, live, the students are more pray and volunteer experienced, together brought me so they may have much joy.” already declared their majors -Molly Hynes, senior and involved themselves in service projects, Brown said. so he was really on board,” The Faith and Service LLC, Brown said. which set the precedent Shirley’s death last fall was for other student driven a personal loss for many upperclassmen LLCs, was involved in the creation of the actually a student initiative. LLC, but with much support Senior Molly Hynes from the religious studies pitched the idea to Residence faculty, the LLC was able to Life after working as a proceed. Residence Assistant her “Angelique Montgomery sophomore year. Hynes Goodnough was our faculty realized her desire to be part sponsor in the fall, I think of a close-knit community on she has described herself as campus where she could talk being a disciple of Ed Shirley, about her faith as she served and she was very eager to those around her. take on the project walking “The thought of being in a in his footsteps,” Brown said. group of people that could Rev. Dr. Jennifer Veninga, eat, live, pray and volunteer assistant professor for together brought me so much humanities, will most likely joy,” Hynes said. be the program’s faculty In its first year, the LLC sponsor as it goes on, Brown students served at Marbridge, said. a home for disabled adults, Applications are still being and participated in SERVE considered for both LLCs.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2012 • HILLTOP VIEWS
Writing degree to start journalism track Jonathan Coker jcoker@stedwards.edu
Next semester, the St. Edward’s University’s English Writing and Rhetoric,ENGW, department is preparing to adopt a journalism, JOUR, specialization within the major. Jena Heath, assistant professor of English Writing and Rhetoric-Journalism, had idea to develop the new specialization. The specialization will focus on journalistic writing. Its courses will be adapted from the current journalism minor. Heath, who earned her Master’s degree in Journalism from Columbia University, has worked in the field for over 20 years and is currently the adviser to Hilltop Views. Earlier this semester, Heath and a professor of English Writing and Rhetoric, Mary Rist, drafted a proposal for the new JOUR specialization. The proposal was accepted by the academic advisors soon after. Although a journalism minor has existed at St. Edward’s for six years, Heath believed a journalism specialization in the ENGW major would be an important addition to the department. With the journalism minor, courses began to overlap with those in the ENGW major, resulting in the challenge of creating course substitutions. “With the new journalism specialization, students can have the JOUR specialization with the ENGW major and still minor in an area they may want to write about in the future,” Rist said. The new journalism specialization would give students the chance to learn
Photo by Renee Cornue Students in Introduction to Journalism class take a news quiz to understand current events.
and develop their journalis- piece,” said Heath. tic skills, according to Heath. The new journalism spe“I wanted ENGW stu- cialization will emphasize dents to have an opportuni- more than just the interview ty to specialize in journalism process or concise sentence that didn’t put them in the construction. It will prepare position to have to choose students for the real-world between journalism or their concerns of potential emmajor,” Heath said. ployers, like AP style, Rist Although the creation of said. a new journalism specialAssociated Press, AP, style ization was intended for “St. Edward’s is a ENGW maglobal institution. jors interested in journalism, What’s more global Heath said than journalism?” journalsim minor is a great -Jena Heath, assistant professor complement to of English Writing and Rhetoricany number of Journalism majors. “This is a wonderful minor for anyone refers to the Associated from a political science ma- Press Stylebook, which is jor to an education major to the writing style and usage a religion major. There are a guide developed by Associlot of different ways to spe- ated Press editors. It is used cialize in journalism,” said by many news outlets. Heath. “Lots of the internship Heath contends that un- supervisors I have worked derstanding journalistic with for professional writwriting is an important ing internships want interns quality for any students in- to know AP style since that terested in working with any is the style that many orgaform of media. nizations use for their in“The new specialization house communication, for would endeavor to not only their web content and for teach students about ethics their publications,” said Rist. and specifics involved with According to Heath, the journalism, but also how to new journalism specializawrite a clear, comprehensive tion will strive to connect
students with the world around them. With St. Edward’s becoming a more globally connected university, she hopes students will learn to further explore and understand their world. “St. Edward’s is a global institution. What’s more global than journalism? You’ll become a better citizen if you know what’s going on in your world,” said Heath. Brooke Lewis, junior and ENGW major, intends to switch her specialization to journalism in the fall. She believes journalistic writing is an effective tool in her academic career. “Journalism basically prepares you for any type of writing out there. I know I have become a better writer in all areas because of it,” said Lewis. With the ENGW department’s new journalism specialization, Heath hopes students will become better readers and consumers of journalism. Heath also had a response for anyone who believes journalism is a dying institution. “Tell that to people all across the Arab world, who have just undergone societal transformations thanks to citizen journalism. Journalism is changing, it is far from dead.”
NEWS 3
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2012 • HILLTOP VIEWS
Student Veterans Association benefits military and community Austin Hestdalen ahestda@stedwards.edu
The Hilltop Student Veterans Association, HSVA, is starting the semester with service and unification in mind as they attempt to break down the barriers that often separate students from former and current service members. "Students always have these misconceptions of vets when they first see them in their classrooms," said Chris Garcia, head advisor for the HSVA and assistant to the Veterans’ Association on the St. Edward’s University campus. "We want to break up those misconceptions and try to unify the student body around this idea of a larger
community." feel that by getting a team HSVA will primarily be fo- together and participating cusing on gaining new mem- in the Tough Mudder, the bers in order to make a team for “We don’t care if the upcoming Tough Mudder you aren’t a military event, held on veteran. We want April 20-21 to benefit American everyone to join the veterans. HSVA.” Tough Mudder is a 10-12 -Chase Younger, vice president mile mud-filled of HSVA obstacle course that includes over 25 different obstacles from monkey bars HSVA will be able to finally to the dreaded "Mt. Everest,” show off the benefits of an orthe final and most difficult ganization that few realized challenge, according to Chase even existed. Younger, vice president of "The Hilltop Student VetHSVA. eran's Association has actuYounger and Garcia both ally been around since about
POLICE BLOTTER Incident
early 2010, but so few people ever did anything to get the group active that nobody even knew it was a thing," Younger said. It was not until about last semester that the group really got moving, Younger said. "We realized that if we wanted to get seen on campus, we had to start doing things. So, we pulled out the calendar and started figuring out events to put on it," Younger said. Younger said the HSVA continued to change and revise the group’s constitution so as to better facilitate a community that fosters service while showing the social side of St. Edward's veterans. "I'll have people come up to me and ask me why I'm
always so serious in class," Younger said. "I guess because we're in the military people assume we're really high-strung, but we're actually a pretty laid back group." The HSVA wants to integrate more non-veteran and non-serving students into their organization by holding movie nights and doing service projects with the migrant students organization on campus. “We don’t care if you aren’t a military veteran. We want everyone to join the HSVA,” Younger said. The HSVA will next try to raise money to support the Austin Honor Flight chapter in its efforts to transport aging World War II veterans to the memorial in Washington,
said Patricia Perry, advisor to the HSVA. “We’re looking to do events that will both be exciting for ... the Hilltop Student Veteran’s Association and benefit the soldiers overseas by generating revenue that will then be donated,” Perry said. Most of the service done by the HSVA consists of adopting military units currently fighting overseas and giving them gifts on holidays or letters from students, Garcia said. The HSVA will hold its third meeting of the semester on March 1. The organization will discuss events such as the Tough Mudder and the blood drive sponsored by HSVA and the migrant students group.
BRIEF
Date
Time
Location
Resolution
Feb. 1
2:58 a.m.
Verbal Disturbance
Apartments
Closed
Feb. 2
3:23 a.m.
Evading arrest or detention
South Congress
Closed by Arrest
Feb. 2
11:21 p.m.
Theft
University Circle
Active
Feb. 3
8:33 p.m.
Grafitti
Water Tower
Closed
Feb. 5
4:19 p.m.
Theft
East Hall
Closed
Feb. 6
2:14 p.m.
Theft
Dujarie Hall
Active
Feb. 8
3:05 a.m.
Vehicle Stop – DWI & PI
Theater Pass/Woodward
Arrest
Feb. 10
5:50 p.m.
Sexual Assault
Teresa Hall
Active
Feb. 11
8:40 a.m.
Damage to SEU Property
Lower Soccer Field
Closed
Feb. 12
3:06 p.m.
Lost/Stolen Wallet
SEU
Closed
Feb. 15
11:09 a.m.
Accident
RCC
Active
Feb. 17
9:20 a.m.
Physical Disturbance
Ragsdale 24-hour Lab
Closed
Bag ban affects campus Taylor Bencomo tbencom@stedwards.edu
Starting next month, campus convenience stores will have to comply with the Austin plastic bag ban. Quick Dip and Outtakes will no longer be able to provide plastic bags due to the ban that takes effect March 1. For some shoppers, a ban on plastic bags may pose an inconvenience. “When they take away of lot of stuff in large quantities it helps if they have a plastic bag,” said Augustine Guerrero, supervisor of the Hunt Hall Cafe. Bon Appétit will make the transition away from plastic bags as smooth as possible for customers.
“Bon Appétit will have several free bags to give away at first, but I encourage you to get a reusable one or reuse the ones you have,” said Michael Smith, general manager of Bon Appétit. It is estimated that in Austin alone about 263 million plastic bags are used each year, according to austinbagban.com. With the ban in place, Austin businesses are required to hand out reusable bags with handles in place of single use plastic bags. The ban was passed last March by the Austin City Council. Campus convenience stores will be required to post signs in regards to the rules of the ban once it is in effect.
4 GAMES
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2012 • HILLTOP VIEWS
games
look for the answers to both games in next week’s issue!
check us out at hilltopviewsonline.com
FOR WEATHER, SURVEYS, BLOGS AND ADDITIONAL COVERAGE
LIFE & ARTS 5 Visiting writer to share deeply personal memoir WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2012 • HILLTOP VIEWS
Schaddai Pina spina2@stedwards.edu
The Marcia Kinsey Visiting Writer’s Series announced the visit of the fiction writer and memoirist Monica Wood. In collaboration with the Center for Religion and Culture, the reading will take place on Feb. 25 from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Maloney Room. An acclaimed author, Wood was born and raised in Mexico, Maine by a single mom due to her dad’s unexpected death when she was nine years old. In spite of
these circumstances, Wood left Maine in 1972 to study at Georgetown University. Since then, she has become one of those rare writers who has the ability to write a story both moving and entertaining, yet utterly brilliant, to transmit her feelings. Wood will share her memoir, “When We Were the Kennedys,” which details the fateful morning of April 25, 1963 that changed her life. This memoir was the runner-up for the New England Book Festival award. Through the release of
this memoir, Wood has family into which we were used her memories to create born: the collection of people an emotional account of one of the most “From all the people life-changing I knew, she stood out. experiences that Even back then, she a child can suffer: the loss of a was talented in all parent. kinds of things.” For her, writing is not only -Professor Alan Altimont an escape to imagine another exhilarating world, but she also uses it as who accompanied us, for a way to play rendition to her better or worse, through the family and their traditions. process of learning how to “If I have any obsessions as find our way into the world,” a writer, it’s the notion of the Wood said.
She is the author of five novels, as well as a short story, “Ernie’s Ark,” which won the 1999 Pushcart Prize. Additionally, Wood has written numerous short stories that have appeared in publications such as “The Best American Mystery Stories” and “Sudden Fiction International.” Monica will be presented by one of her former colleagues, Professor Alan. J. Altimont, who is an associate professor of English Literature on campus. They attended the same university, meeting in 1973 when Altimont joined one of the two magazines of
the school and she was the editor of both. “I was her assistant editor,” Altimont said. “From all the people I knew, she stood out. Even back then, she was talented in all kinds of things.” The Marcia Kinsey Visiting Writer’s Series, formerly the Visiting Writer’s Series, was renamed last year to commemorate the deceased St. Edward’s professor of humanities. The next visiting writer will be poet A. Van Jordan presenting his collection “THE CINEASTE” on Apr. 18.
New Orleans native writes cultural cookbook about the region Joanna Horvath jhorvat@stedwards.edu
Book People hosted a debut on Friday for author Todd Michael St. Pierre’s new cookbook, “Taste of Treme; Creole, Cajun and Soul Food from New Orleans’ Famous Neighborhood of Jazz.” The
Photo by Joanna Horvath Cultural facts can be found in St. Pierre’s culinary book.
book includes cultural facts “My grandmother is about the music, Cajun and I remember architecture she would whip up the and dining that make up New best dishes when I was Orleans’ unique a child. No one makes neighborhood of Treme. gumbo like she can.” St. Pierre is -Todd Michael St. Pierre, author a Creole and Cajun foodie and New Orleans food. native. He is the author “My grandmother is Cajun, of several cookbooks and and I remember she would children’s picture books, as whip up the best dishes when well as a recipe developer for I was a child,” Pierre said. Cooking Light magazine. He “No one makes gumbo like is also a contributing writer she can.” to elementary and middleThe cookbook includes school textbooks published many recipes for favorite by Oxford University Press. New Orleans dishes such His favorite thing to do, as Crawfish and Corn however, is pay tribute to his Beignets, shrimp and okra hometown of New Orleans hush puppies, chicken and through his books. Andouille gumbo, Po’ Boys, Pierre grew up amidst the bananas foster and much vivacious and lively culture of more. If that does not make jazz and soul cooking. From a you hungry, the book has young age, he fell in love with more to offer than just the rich flavors and spices recipes. In addition to facts of southern Louisiana style about the culture and history
Photo by Joanna Horvath St. Pierre wrote a poem about Hurricane Katrina, entitled “Storm Child,” to add to the book.
of New Orleans, Pierre includes a poem he wrote about Hurricane Katrina in the Appendix section. “After Katrina, I was in a hotel in Austin, Texas and watching all of the events unfold on CNN. I was crying my eyes out ... I just started writing something. I knew it wasn’t the best thing ever, but it was how I felt,” Pierre said. The poem is titled “Storm Child,” and it is about
overcoming Hurricane Katrina as well as the many “storms” in life. “It’s really difficult to watch the place you grew up in and love so dearly become completely drowned under water,” Pierre said. The author insisted that he is definitely no poet, but went ahead and read a verse from “Storm Child.” “May your life be filled with jazz / All the beauty this
world has / May joie de vivre fill your soul / May good gumbo fill your bowl,” Pierre said. He hopes that this cookbook shines a positive light on New Orleans and all the rich culture it has to offer, and also that people will remember the city as “the mighty storm child.” “This book is a reflection of myself,” Pierre said. “I am the storm child.”
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2012 • HILLTOP VIEWS 6 LIFE & ARTS Body Awareness Month puts personal health into perspective Alexandra Miertschin amierts@stedwards.edu
No matter where you look on the St. Edward’s University campus, information can be found promoting Body Awareness Month and its goal to inform students about healthy life choices. Many students would agree that its primary concentration is on the maintenance and health of the body. While this is true to some extent, body awareness has more of an emotional significance than most are led to believe. To clarify this, body awareness relates to “having an emotionally healthy view of your body” as well as “being
comfortable in your body,” behaviors and de-emphasizes Wellness and Outreach Co- a focus on size, weight or ordinator for the Health and shape,” Erickson said. Counseling Center Peter ErIn other words, healthy beickson said. Erickson continued to discuss “From the wellness the importance perspective, body, of “being consciously aware of mind and spirit your body so that are intimately you recognize when it’s out of interconnected.” balance.” Despite the -Peter Erickson, Health and physical conCounseling Center notations Body Awareness Month may hold, it also advocates “the phi- haviors, such as exercising losophy of behavior-centered and eating well, will eventualhealth, which emphasizes ly lead to the ultimate weight healthy lifestyle choices and and overall shape one was “ge-
WEEKLY ‘FLIX FIX|House of Cards
netically destined to be.” Body awareness promotes a healthy attitude which aims to dissuade one from falling into social pressures, such as the “model look” endorsed in American media. This ideal appearance advertised in our country encourages diseases such as image or eating disorders. Studies have shown that 25 percent of college-aged women engage in binging and purging as a weight management technique, according to Erickson. More frightening statistics demonstrate 10 to 20 percent of college-aged women suffer from clinical eating disorders, as well as four to 10 percent of male college students.
These statistics alone stress the significance of Body Awareness Month. “From the wellness perspective, body, mind and spirit are intimately interconnected,” Erickson said. In other words, if one is suffering mentally, this will ultimately affect the body. It is important for St. Edward’s students to understand that improving one’s overall health will help students perform optimally in school, according to Erickson. There are numerous events and programs occurring throughout this month that encourage Hilltoppers to participate in Body Awareness Month. Movies, informative presen-
[slapdash] Harlem shake and bake
Netflix original series a success Jacob Sanchez jsanchen@stedwards.edu
In the first scene of the first episode of “House of Cards,” a new series on Netflix, a dog gets run over. Congressman Frank Underwood, played by Kevin Spacey, goes to check on the dog, comforts it, and tells it that everything will be okay. Underwood then breaks the fourth wall and begins to tell the audience about how there are two types of pain: one makes a person strong, the other useless. He then proceeds to put the dog out of its misery with his bare hands, declaring he has no patience for useless things. This scene sets the tone for the entire show — Underwood is willing to do anything
to do what has to be done. The basic premise of “House of Cards” is that Underwood is a congressman who wanted to be Secretary of State for the newly-elected president, but does not get the coveted position. For being passed over, the congressman conceives an elaborate revenge plan. Political junkies will love this show because it shows the inner workings of Congress and the White House. “House of Cards” is not just for fans of politics, though. It can keep any person interested with its twists and turns. The best part about this show is that people do not have to wait week after week to find out what happens next. Every episode of season one is on Netflix so people can binge on all 13 episodes at once.
Audiences may find it odd that Underwood breaks the fourth wall and talks directly to them when they first watch, but breaking the fourth wall is necessary to understand the character. Some of the show’s best moments come when Spacey breaks the fourth wall. “House of Cards” is a peek into the future of television. Soon people will not be turning on the TV and changing it to a channel at a certain time. Instead, people will go to Netflix and watch their show at their pleasure, whether that be a few episodes at a time or watching an entire season in one sitting. “House of Cards” is a mustwatch for anyone that loves television. It is well-produced, well-acted and is quite frankly the future of television.
tations and programs relating to stress and exercise management will be offered. All of the events promote a healthy attitude towards oneself and one’s body. Additionally, their intentions are to restore a positive outlook within the St. Edward’s community. “Taking the time to help the body become healthier also helps the mind and the spirit become more healthy,” Erickson said. With school, work, extracurricular and social activities, life can sometimes become hectic. Students can take advantage of Body Awareness Month to relieve stress and gain a more positive perspective on their health.
,
LIFE & ARTS
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2012 • HILLTOP VIEWS
Harlem Mitch Harris rharris7@stedwards.edu
The Internet is currently ablaze with a massive costumed dance craze known as the Harlem Shake. While the song “Harlem Shake” by DJ Baauer has existed since May of last year and a dance of the same name has been around since the ‘80s, neither have received much exposure until they were combined as a YouTube sensation in early February. The 30-second-long viral video starts with only one person dancing while every-
one else in the shot seemFreshmen Tamara Bonilla ingly ignores them. Then, and Iliana Sarabia were co-cre15 seconds in, the beat drops ators of the Facebook “HARand massive amounts of people wearing ri“I saw videos on diculous outfits begin YouTube and thought “twerking,” shaking and raucously undulating to we should do one the song. At the end of ourselves.” the 30-second video, a tiger-like growl is heard -Tamara Bonilla, event co-creator and everything goes slow motion for a moment. This formula remains the LEM SHAKE AT THE same whether it takes place HILLTOP” event that invited underwater, in a snowy field or more than 1,500 members of in this case, in front of Main the St. Edward’s community to Building at St. Edward’s. gather at the iconic red doors
Shake n o i t i d e s d e t s
of Main Building on Sunday, Feb. 17 at 4:30 p.m. “I saw videos on YouTube and thought we should do one ourselves,” Bonilla said. “People always downgrade St. Edward’s and I thought we should show them how big and school-spirited we are.” Junior Josh Phillips also saw the event as an exhibition of school spirit. “I definitely felt some school pride,” Phillips said. “I heard more pride there than in the rest of Homecoming.” Freshman participant Brendon Hoeferkamp assumed it was only a matter of time until
the sensation hit St. Edward’s. “I anticipated someone would organize a Harlem Shake here,” Hoeferkamp said. “I knew about it from YouTube and knew I wanted to be a part of the St. Edward’s one.” However, nobody anticipated the success of the event. “There were probably 200250 [people] there,” Sarabia said. “We never expected it to be as successful as it was.” The success only grows as the video grows more popular. Within 24 hours of posting, “Harlem Shake: St. Edward’s University” had received more than 7,500 views on YouTube.
Photos by Matt Nuñez
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SPORTS Coach inducted into Texas Sports Hall of Fame WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2012 • HILLTOP VIEWS
Shelby Cole scole2@stedwards.edu
Erich Schlegel/Dallas Morning News/MCT Osterman helped the U.S. national softball team win gold.
St. Edward’s University Assistant Softball Coach Cat Osterman was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame on Monday, Feb. 18. Osterman joins New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, former Milwaukee Braves third baseman Eddie Mathews, former NBA player Shaquille O’Neal and former Dallas Cowboys running back Walt Garrison. Osterman played softball at Cypress Springs in Cypress, a suburb in Houston. Her time at Cypress Springs included a 33-strikeout performance. She went on to pitch for the Longhorns after graduating from high school. During her freshman year at UT, Osterman was named to the National Fastpitch Coaches’ Association Second All Team All-American, as well
as the Big 12 First Team. she could go compete. The She was also dubbed Pitcher USA Women’s Softball of the Year. Her freshman Team won the gold medal at year ended with Osterman’s the 2004 Summer Olympics breaking and setting UT’s in Athens, Greece. After her single-season records for time in Athens, Osterman wins, innings pitched, games returned to UT. Her junior started, shutouts, strikeouts, year, Osterman was named strikeout ratio and appearances. “Osterman is the As a sophomore, only pitcher in Big 12 Osterman history to strike out repeated honors as an All1,000 batters in only American. She two seasons.” also won the Big 12’s Female Athlete of the Year honor the 2005 Sportswoman of the and her first USA Softball Year by the Women’s Sports National Collegiate Player of Foundation and continued to the Year Award. Osterman break her own records at UT is the only pitcher in Big 12 until she graduated. history to strike out 1,000 She then pitched in the batters in only two seasons. National Pro Fastpitch She was scouted for the softball league after being USA Women’s Softball drafted by the Connecticut Team and red-shirted after Brakettes. She went on her sophomore year so that to play for the Rockford
Thunder in 2007. The USA Women’s Softball Team nabbed the silver medal in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Osterman was undefeated in 28 appearances during the USA Softball National Team’s 60-game tour, contributing 15 wins to the team’s 59-and-1 record. The team ultimately lost to Japan in the gold medal match, which ended the team’s winning streak. This upset to Japan was the team’s first loss since 2000. Osterman gave up two runs on three hits while striking out nine batters. Osterman was hired as an assistant coach in 2011 and has been working with friend and former teammate Lindsay Gardner, another Longhorn and USA National Team alum.
Men’s lacrosse president selected to compete internationally Jordan Villemaire jvillem@stedwards.edu
Men’s lacrosse captain and president Michael Small was recently selected to play on the USA Starz international tournament team for the European trip to Germany and Amsterdam. The majority of the team members come from the West Coast with Small included in this count being from San Diego, but the application is open to any American lacrosse player between the ages of 18 and 25 who plays at the club lacrosse level up through NCAA Division I. Comprised of only 22 players from across America, the USA Starz is an incredibly elite team, and
acceptance onto it is a great honors from the MCLA, first honor both to Small as well team All-Conference LSA as to St. Edward’s University. in 2012, the office of club The application process lacrosse president as well as was a rigorous one, as only both midfield and speaking a maximum of 22 players could “I do know that his be accepted onto the team. experience serving as After submitting a club president will his basic help him well.” biographical and contact -Andy Lemons, Director of information, Campus Recreation Small had to provide all of his player stats as well as his offices and captain two years in a row, honors achieved during his the reasoning behind his collegiate career. With the acceptance on to the team is résumé he has compiled, obvious. including earning honorable The European trip mention All-American consists of a roundtrip
flight, transportation from Germany to Amsterdam and to the competitions, tours around Berlin and Amsterdam, hotel stay for their time in Europe, three team dinners and most breakfast meals. The only cost Small will have to pay is the $2,000 dollars for all the custom USA Starz equipment. The rest is being paid for him. This trip is a huge opportunity for him and will greatly enhance his résumé for future endeavors both in and out of the sport. Small mentioned an interest in going on to work for the Adrenaline Lacrosse after graduation. Adrenaline Lacrosse is a
company that promotes and facilitates club lacrosse teams at both the middle and high school levels. Director of Campus Recreation Andy Lemons mentioned that Small considered continuing on to law school after graduation, and that he has already secured an internship in the District Attorney’s office this semester. “I don't know if Michael has a future in lacrosse [in mind], but I do know that his experience serving as a club president will serve him well as he plans to attend law school when he is done at [St. Edward’s],” Lemons said. Whether he chooses a future as a lawyer or as a member of the Adrenaline
Lacrosse company, Small plans on continuing to play lacrosse for as long as he is able.
Photo by Kevin Garza Small plays midfield for the Hilltoppers’ lacrosse team.
SPORTS 9
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2012 • HILLTOP VIEWS
SPORTS CALENDAR
ATHLETE PROFILE
Senior second baseman is top team prankster Nolan Green ngreen2@stedwards.edu
Senior shortstop Taylor Johnson currently leads the baseball team in stolen bases and runs and is third with a .467 batting average. Johnson, a four-year player, was selected for the First Team All-Heartland Conference last year. Nolan Green: First off, where are you from? Taylor Johnson: I am from Dripping Springs. NG: What made you come to St. Edward’s University? TJ: I was talking to one of the old assistant coaches before he left — they were one of the first that really looked at me — so I just decided to sign early. NG: You currently lead the team in steals. Are you the fastest player on the team? TJ: I think so. I hope so. I mean, it is probably genetic. My sister runs track at LSU. I guess we got lucky. NG: What are the best and worst parts about being on the team? TJ: The best part about
Courtesy of Taylor Johnson Johnson currently leads the team in steals and runs.
being on a team is that it is like its own little world. It is like its own special clique. I would say the worst part is probably the long roadtrips, especially if we lose. That is brutal. NG: Do you guys play any pranks? I know baseball teams are notorious for that. TJ: Oh yeah, all the time. Me and Marshall Burford head that department. NG: What is the best prank you have played on anyone? TJ: Sometimes we will hide peoples’ gloves and
zip-tie them to the top of the dugout. It is easier on roadtrips because you have time to plan stuff out. NG: What are you plans after graduation? TJ: [I hope to] be able to keep playing baseball. And if not, I am going to try and be a firefighter. NG: Have you received any exposure from scouts or farm teams? Do you think this season will help you get more exposure? TJ: A little bit here and there, but not as much as I
would like ... We have got a good team, and we have got to make it as far as we can get. The College World Series, that would be awesome to go and play there. NG: Do you think Stephen Johnson being drafted brought some scouts? TJ: We have got a guy who can probably be drafted if he wanted to. He is doing really well. It has definitely put us on the map. NG: Why do you want to be a firefighter? TJ: My uncle is a firefighter. I am a family person, so I like having the ability to come home for 48 hours to spend time with my family. It would be hard to do that with baseball. NG: What are your workouts like? TJ: We work out twice a week. It is a cross between a crossfit and a regular workout. It is a lot different than it has been in the past. I think it has helped. A lot of people are more in shape. Usually we start off slow, but we have really hit the ground running this year.
NG: Do you have any big games coming up? TJ: Every game is a big game, but there is more stress on certain games. After we play McMurray this weekend, we will play UT-Permian Basin, but the next weekend after that — the first weekend in March — is where we really start to grind. We will be playing St. Mary’s at home, that is always a good game. That is conference, and that is always a huge series because they are ranked No. 1 in pre-season. So it would be awesome to win the series and maybe sweep; it would give us a leg up. NG: What do you think about the coaching staff? Has it changed a lot since you started playing? TJ: Yeah, it has changed a lot since I have started. This is my third assistant coach that has been here since I have been here. I like the coaching staff a lot. They helped me out a lot, have helped me grow and develop as a player, and I appreciate that.
Hilltopper basketball suffers losses to Dustdevils Nolan Green ngreen2@stedwards.edu
Homecoming this year was not as welcoming as the Hilltoppers would have liked. Both men’s and women’s basketball chalked up losses during the Saturday games against Texas A&MInternational University, TAMIU. The men’s team fared better than the women’s, bring-
ing some excitement to a low-scoring game. Hilltopper via New York, senior Shimeek Johnson drove into the lane with two seconds left, making a floater to tie the game. TAMIU threw the inbounds pass into the rafters, resulting in a turnover and giving the Hilltoppers a chance to score with two seconds left. The shot rattled out, sending the game into overtime. From
there, the Dustdevils pulled away, and despite a strong push by the Hilltopper men, they fell short, losing 64-62. At 3-7 in the conference, the Hilltoppers have a slight chance to make the last seed in the conference playoff, only by winning out the remainder of their games — a tall order for the men. The women started off strong, coming out firing and taking a 10-2 lead over
the Dustdevils. The lead did not last long as the Dustdevils’ junior Samantha Chacon dominated play in the first half, scoring 14 of her team’s 20 points during the first 20 minutes. The Lady Hilltoppers tried to close the gap in the second half, bringing TAMIU’s lead to one point on multiple occasions. Again, the Dustdevils had a player step up for them. This time it was junior Tina
Dang, scoring 17 points, nine of them from behind the arc, and putting the game out of reach for the Lady Hilltoppers. This loss marks their fourth in a row, the largest losing streak of the season and one coming at a crucial time as the Heartland Conference Tournament is only four games away. The Lady Hilltoppers sit in third place with a game against No. 1 seed UTPB on Thursday.
Baseball Fri. 2/22 | 12, 3 p.m. @UT-Permian Basin Sat. 2/23 | 1:00 p.m. @UT-Permian Basin Tues. 2/26 | 6 p.m. @Incarnate Word
Men’s Basketball Thurs. 2/21 | 7:30 p.m. @UT-Permian Basin Sat. 2/23 | 4 p.m. @Panhandle State
Men’s Tennis Fri. 2/22 | 3:00 p.m. @Dallas Baptist Sat. 2/23 | 10 a.m. @UA-Fort Smith Tues. 2/26 | 2 p.m. @Tyler JC
Women’s Tennis Fri. 2/22 | 3 p.m. @Dallas Baptist Sat. 2/23 | 10 a.m. @UA-Fort Smith Sun. 2/24 | 9 a.m. @SE Oklahoma
Softball
St. Edward’s Tournament 2/23-2/24 Austin, TX
Women’s Golf 2/25-26 | All Day St. Edward’s Invitational Austin, Texas
Women’s Basketball Thurs. 2/21 | 5:30 p.m. @UT-Permian Basin Sat. 2/23 | 2 p.m. vs. Panhandle State @Goodwell, OK
Men’s Lacrosse Sat. 2/23 | 6:45 p.m. vs Trinity Sun. 2/24 | 4 p.m. vs Mary Hardin Baylor
10
VIEWPOINTS
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2012 • HILLTOP VIEWS
OUR VIEW
South African Olympian arrested in murder case South African Olympian Oscar Pistorius, known as “Blade Runner” for his artificial legs, was recently charged with murder in the shooting death of his girlfriend, model and activist Reeva Steenkamp, who was inside Pistorius’ home on Valentine’s Day. Pistorius’ trial and Steenkamp’s death expose South Africa’s problems with gun violence, as well as the dark side of the media’s obsession with depicting women as sex objects, even after death. Last year, Pistorius made history when he became the first double-amputee runner to compete in the Olympic Games. A few weeks after
the London Olympics, Pistorius made history again, breaking a record at the 2012 Paralympic Games and winning the men’s 400. Pistorius quickly became a national hero in South Africa. Following his murder charge, Pistorius’ reputation had been ruined. Much of the discussion surrounding this tragedy has to do with South Africa’s high amount of gun violence. South Africa’s rate of gun ownership is ranked 50th in the world, which is low compared to the United States, where there are 88.8 guns for every 100 people. After a violent time period in the 1990s, South Africa
enacted extremely strict has been decades since the firearm regulations that made end of the apartheid, but obtaining firearms a difficult extreme instances of violence process. However, “Steenkamp’s murder South Africa ranks incredibly and Pistorius’ trial high when it further expose the high comes to global gun homicides. number of homicides More than due to gun violence. ” 8,319 homicides occur per year in South Africa, according to The Guardian, still occur in South Africa. and more than 45 percent Steenkamp’s murder and of these homicides are Pistorius’ trial further expose attributed to firearms. the high number of homicides While gun homicides due to gun violence. are rampant, crime rates Moreover, the fact that are actually declining in Steenkamp of all people South Africa, according to fell victim to an act of gun The Washington Post. It violence is both tragic and
ironic – Steenkamp herself advocated for women and spoke out against violence toward women. What is worse is the media’s portrayal of Steenkamp. Few media outlets have emphasized Steenkamp’s activism as well as her law degree, instead focusing on her other work as a swimwear model. In fact, several media outlets – of varying credibility – seemed to focus mostly on Steenkamp’s body, even in the wake of her death. The Sun, a low-brow British tabloid, notably featured a picture of Steenkamp in a bikini, juxtaposed with sensational headline about her murder.
Women ought to be worth more than their bodies. Even though Steenkamp was a swimwear model, and that is a respectable profession, she also spoke out against violence. Steenkamp was brutally killed, and this is not the time to focus on her body. Pistorius was a national hero in South Africa, so his arrest for murder is certainly a cause for concern. It brings to light the fact that our heros are not so perfect after all. But there are more disconcerting issues at hand: both gun violence and the media’s hyper-sexualization of women, even murder victims.
Music streaming services provide musicians with exposure
Spotify/MCT Spotify leads the trend of online music streaming services.
Michael Darling mdarlin@stedwards.edu
Since its U.S. debut over a year and a half ago, Spotify has exploded as one of the most popular sources of digital music. This increase in popularity marks a growing trend of music listeners
who prefer streaming music services over purchasebased download services like iTunes or illegal downloading through file sharing clients like BitTorrent. While the increase in streaming music was initially welcomed by the industry for curbing illegal downloading,
many musicians are becoming increasingly dissatisfied with the lack of royalties generated by the use of Spotify and other online services. Are streaming music services any better than illegal downloading? Since the advent of online music in the late ‘90s, the problem of decreasing royalties has plagued the music industry. And the tiny cut of music purchases that actually goes to the artist has gotten tinier. While record companies have always benefited from the other side of the purchase cut, streaming companies are becoming the new multibillion dollar moguls of the industry. Ever since music became available for purchase online following the creation of the
first primitive mp3 format, people have been figuring out ways to avoid paying for music. The original Napster is a perfect example. Since illegal downloading became a thing, artists have had to figure out other ways to make money besides album sales. The modern venture of being a musician is no longer about making it big selling records. It is a touring gig, and it has been a touring gig for years. No serious musician who is aware of his own profession would say otherwise. The most shocking component of the Spotify revolution is that the detractors are musicians themselves, hailing from a subculture with a rich, long history of promoting and
adapting to change. Making money as an indie musician today is not the easiest task. For the most part, you are either starving or you become the next Tame Impala. And even if you do make it big in the world of indie music, you are not going to be making money like The Who or The Rolling Stones did back in the day. Because it is so difficult, musicians who are not filling up venues on tour will not be able to make a sustainable living. Smart musicians are releasing their music for free to increase their popularity and the presence at their live shows. Musicians who are not cutting it with live performances would not have been able to make a sustainable living before
online services like Spotify came on the scene. Therefore, they should be thanking Spotify for allowing them to burn out their short-lived dream in a slightly shorter time frame. Touring and merchandise sales make up such a large portion of the modern musician’s income that royalties are now just icing on the cake. So, essentially, some musicians are up in arms over Spotify swiping off just a bit of the icing ribbon from the bottom of the cake with their collective finger. To these sensitive musicians, here is some advice: get out and tour more, and quit complaining, because it is bad for your image. The era of online streaming is here to stay, and Spotify is its brilliant champion.
VIEWPOINTS11
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2012 • HILLTOP VIEWS
Small-town man exemplifies the spirit of Black History Month Lesli Simms lsimms2@stedwards.edu
If you drive to Houston on U.S. Highway 290, then you have passed through the town of Giddings. On one side of a business, the small town has a colorful mural that says “Hometown Hospitality, Some Things Never Change!” The town still has a brown Wal-Mart, a Bealls, a gigantic “Jesus Light of the World” sign and a deli proudly named “Reba’s.” The town is so small that the only mark of the county’s end is a gigantic tree and the corner of small, blue ranch house. Giddings is home to Govan Garage & Wrecker Service. Doward Govan and his family own a thriving, Blackowned business in a town
where old plantations were converted to cattle ranches. Opened in 1961, the business is the only Black-owned wrecking service for almost the entire stretch of highway between Giddings and Brenham. For nearly 35 years, Govan worked at the local factory located 11 miles from Giddings. After his father passed away, he took over the family business. Govan has lived in Lee County his entire life. After 58 years of living in a county named after Confederate leader Robert E. Lee, Govan can point to where the old plantation homes used to be before they were finally torn down. Govan lived through segregation, integration and the election of the first Black president. He predicts the
HILLTOP VIEWS
3001 S. Congress Ave.#964, Austin, TX 78704 Phone: (512) 448-8426 Fax: (512) 233-1695 hilltopviewsonline@gmail.com www.hilltopviewsonline.com Kristina Schenck Editor-in-Chief
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Hilltop Views is a weekly student newspaper published by the School of Humanities and serving the community of St. Edward’s University. The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the university, whose mission is grounded in the teachings and doctrine of the Catholic Church. Letter Policy: Hilltop Views welcomes all letters to the editor. Letters may be edited for space, grammar and clarity. Letters will be published at our discretion. Anonymous letters will not be printed.
Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/MCT A ceremony honoring Martin Luther King in Washington D.C.
next president will be Hispanic, and smiled at the mention of the possibility of electing Hillary Clinton to be the first woman president “We’ll see,” he said. This man and his family are a part of Black history in
our state. Their success seems almost insignificant, but it is truly remarkable. He is a reminder that Black history is forever. Whether it is the result of apathy or ignorance, Black History Month has become
tolerated instead of celebrated. This man’s proud telling of his story is truly inspiring. Black History Month is about celebrating this victorious resilience and celebrating this virtual drop in an ocean. American history is written in his proud smile. Black History Month should never just be a section in a Social Studies lesson plan, but the organic celebration of the historic resilience of entire race of people. Any month dedicated to the empowering of a once disenfranchised group should be cherished. Racial and ethnic disharmony are prevalent in our country. We should not relax just because our president identifies as Black. Govan and his family are Black history. Black History Month should idolize and highlight the contribution of
a miraculous and courageous people from a specific decade. The local contribution of millions of Black men and women should be studied along with the Little Rock Nine, the Freedom Rides and the Birmingham Campaign. Govan is neither President Barack Obama, Medgar Evers nor the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. However, his contribution to a part of Texas that most people will never hear of is extraordinary. Black History did not conclude with the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Black History Month should not be degraded to a 50-minute video in a class. Black history is eternally organic. It is the celebration of the election of the first Black Congresswoman as well as a first and only Black owned wrecking service.
Arizona continues to create controversy Kelsey Acosta kacosta@stedwards.edu
Arizona still faces criticism for its controversial 2010 immigration law which required officers to check the citizenship status of any persons they believed suspicious. The state legislature has once again made headlines for introducing what critics have called unconstitutional and divisive bills. In late january, State Representative Bob Thorpe introduced a bill to the Arizona State Legislature that would require high school students to take an oath of Constitutional loyalty under God before they could receive their diplomas. Thorpe and four other Arizona house members also signed a bill that would make
it illegal for any state or feder- to Mojave Daily News. al officer to enforce a ban on Politicians on both sides assault weapons or limit the agree that the legislature’s size of ammunitions maga- time would be better spent zines. Thorpe and two of his focusing on issues like balcolleagues are also sponsor- ancing the state budget and ing a bill that would require improving education. hospitals to check the citizen“The state legislature ship of patients. These bills, eshas once again pecially Thorpe’s made headlines for Constitutional oath bill have introducing what received criticritics have called cism from both unconstitutional.” Democrats and Republicans. Democrats have argued that it violates There is also the fact that the constitutional rights to the oath stipulates “that I freedom of speech and reli- take this obligation freely.” gion and the separation of There is no freedom for the church and state. Republi- student because they would cans have called the bill “divi- be denied their high school sive” and “esoteric,” according diplomas if they did not com-
ply. This is coercion. The oath ends in “So help me God,” which caused immediate allegations of violations of Constitutional rights. Thorpe has argued that the Constitution only prohibits Congress, not the state legislatures, from making laws “respecting an establishment of religion” or “abridging the freedom of speech,” according to The Blaze, an online news site. Thorpe is implying that, while it is a heinous crime for the Federal Government to encroach upon the rights of its citizens, the state governments are free to do as they please, inalienable rights be damned. That is extremely problematic, especially for someone who claims that he is fighting for the rights of the citizens.
12 PHOTO ESSAY
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2012 • HILLTOP VIEWS
homecoming 2013 St. Edward’s celebrated homecoming week in style. A record number of homecoming teams were created, allowing students to participate in a week-long competition that included events like ice cream eating and dodgeball. Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams gave up a good fight, but fell to their opponents. Parents and alumni headed to the Hilltop to take part in other exciting events like Casino Night and the tailgate barbecue. Photos by Joe Arellano and Cheryl Cedillo