03/03/14 Issue

This week, MiSSiLE will focus on the fight against inner demons

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MONDAY, MARCH 3, 2014

HENDERSON STATE UNIVERSITY

VOLUME 107, ISSUE 21

Budget dependent on private option vote J. Scott McKinnon Staff Writer

As the Arkansas House of Representatives continues to negotiate and debate the passing of Arkansas’s Medicaid private option extension, higher education institutions like Henderson are being forced to put all future budget plans on hold.

Shane Broadway, director of the Arkansas Department of Higher Education and former state senator, doesn’t envy the representatives in the House.

“These are really difficult decisions that they are making. Whatever your opinions are on affordable healthcare, ‘Obamacare,’ whatever you want to call it, they don’t matter because this is about more than that. It’s about math,” he said.

As of Friday, the House has yet to approve the funding bill. According to the Arkansas State Legislature website, HB 1150 would allow the state to continue using federal Medicaid money to buy private insurance for lower income Arkansans. After passing through the Senate, the bill has failed four times to garner the 75-vote supermajority needed to pass the House.

“Not every bill has consequences or a real impact, but this one does,” Broadway said. “Most of the discussions at the capitol are only about the private option, but they probably have the consequences of it not passing in the back of their mind.”

The Arkansas House of Representatives website states that the Department of Finance and Administration briefed lawmakers in January on Arkansas’s proposed budget. The briefing revealed that those consequences come from the fact that $89 million of Ar-

*Illustration by Brett Little

kansas’s budget comes from the federal government to expand Medicaid. Failing to pass an extension of Arkansas’s Medicaid private option would force the state to adjust its budget and account for the loss of that $89 million.

The issues for higher education would stem from that adjusted budget.

“Everyone’s budget is based on having money. If this vote fails, there’s a hole in Arkansas’s budget that needs to be filled,” Dr. Glen Jones, Henderson president, said. “Unfortunately for us, higher education is expected to take the brunt of the cuts.”

Jones recognizes why higher education could be on the budget chopping block.

“They can’t cut K-12 education, prisons, or Department of Human Services. The only part of the state’s discretionary budget left is higher education,” he said Broadway said that the ADHE has yet to fully calculate the numbers and the potential impact on higher education, but he believes that there will be several different ways to approach percentages and cuts if the bill does not pass.

Jones also finds Henderson’s budget committee in a holding pattern.

“Next year’s budget is on hold until a decision is made. We’re able to organize components of the budget at the moment, but everything else has to wait,” Jones said.

While no specific talks have occurred regarding what changes could be seen at Henderson if the bill does not pass, he recognizes that Henderson students could either be facing increased tuition or cuts to university programs.

Statewide, Broadway also said that students could see a cut to state-funded scholarships.

“Scholarships other than the Arkansas Challenge Scholarship could be affected,” he said. “The most likely to be reduced will be the Governor’s Distinguished Scholarship and other need based scholarships and grants.”

Currently, the ADHE has put notifications of awards to students on hold, he said.

Both Jones and Broadway hope that legislators will resolve the crisis in the coming week and that budget planning can commence unaffected. Until then, university presidents and chancellors are being updated by the ADHE. On Monday, the group of academic administrators met with Broadway in Little Rock to discuss the situation.

“There was a mood of understanding, but also real concern,” he said.

While the overall mood at the meeting was pensive, Broadway said that there was still enough humor in the room for a joke from several administrators about not inviting him back to meetings until he brought good news.

Jones, also in a moment of lightheartedness said, “I used to have a crystal ball on my desk, but it was never very accurate. I sure wish that I had it back and working for this situation, though.”

New scholarship honors former professor Kenison Holmes Staff Writer

Former Henderson students, state legislator co-workers and family members of Dr. Johnnie Roebuck, retired Henderson professor, attended a banquet in her honor at the Hot Springs Country Club on Saturday. The banquet was held to celebrate her achievements and civic services, and the proceeds were used to fund the endowment for the Dr. Johnnie Roebuck Educational Leadership Scholarship. The scholarship will be available in the fall semester for Henderson students seeking a career in educational leadership.

“We are here to honor Johnnie’s legacy and to ensure that legacy endures,” President Glen Jones said.

Roebuck is an educator, leadership advisor and former state legislator. She has a Bachelor of Science from Texas Women’s University and a Master of Science in educational counseling from Henderson.

In 1988 she earned an education specialist degree from the University of Arkansas and returned to Henderson to earn a doctorate in education in 1990.

Roebuck started her career as a juvenile probation officer and wanted to help others. She found the good in people and became an educator. Her path led her to help people by teaching them to help themselves.

Roebuck worked in special education and leadership for almost 20 years before coming to Henderson. While on

faculty at Henderson, she served as the dean of the graduate school and coordinator for educational leadership. At Henderson she performed exceptionally and was given faculty awards for research, service and teaching.

In 2007 Roebuck was elected to the Arkansas State Legislator and continued her plight for education in Arkansas. She served three terms as a representative and with her intrepidness to serve the commonwealth of Arkansas was elected majority leader. Roebuck has accumulated much recognition for her past deeds as a representative of the people of Arkansas, but she still remains humble.

“I am proud of my students’ achievements,” she said when asked what was her greatest achievement.

Many of Roebuck’s former students were at the banquet, and they had their own success stories to tell. They became leaders in education themselves and could reflect on Roebuck’s own tenacious attitude to guide them through their daily tasks.

“There is nothing like Johnnie Roebuck,” said Marietha Neal, an alternative learning teacher in Texarkana, Ark. The banquet was a festive environment. Roebuck greeted every individual attending the banquet, because she wanted to reach out to everybody personally. There were stories shared between past students and co-workers, and letters were read sent by Governor Mike Beebe, Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor congratulating her on

accomplished works and dedication. A letter of citation was awarded to Roebucks by the Arkansas House of Representatives for her distinguished service.

“Many women do noble things, but Johnnie, you surpass them all,” Dr. Penny Ferguson, a former Henderson colleague, said.

The procession of speakers at the banquet went on and on as friends shared their own experiences with Roebuck.

“Johnnie’s single best trait is that she works to better other people,” Dr. Dave Spence, president of Southern Regional Education Board, said.

Roebuck spoke at the end of the banquet thanking everyone who came.

“What a grand night this is with my family and friends,” said Roebuck.

She spoke about the joy she has had working in government and as an educator. She gave special consideration to her family.

“My professional career became possible because of my family,” she said.

Roebuck may be stepping down from her active and impressive career as an educator and politician, but she won’t be spending all her days at home sitting in a rocking chair. She is still the president of her own consultant company, Managerial and Leadership Concepts. Roebuck is comparable to a train that has built up so much steam for so long.

It takes a long time to come to a stop.

In The Fold Sports

Reddie boys suffered a tough loss to OBU in the final few seconds of the last basketball Battle of the Ravine this school year. The Reddies were ahead until the Tigers made two foul shots and a three-pointer in the last two seconds of the game.

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Features JD Roberts reviewed the new movie “Non Stop” starring Liam Neeson as he plays his role of an air marshall whose cover is blown. He is stuck on a plane that is being hijacked.

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The wind ensemble held a concert to celebrate Henderson and the 100-year anniversary of the fire that destroyed the main building of the campus.

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Diversions The sudokus on this page are made by the Opinions editor, Houston Fryer.

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Correction:

Last week’s story covering the false bomb threat attributed a quote to Johnny Campbell when it should have been attributed to Tonya Smith.

Find more news and information online at WWW.HSUORACLE.COM Monday

Tuesday

41

46

19

19

Wednesday

57

25

INDEX Features: 2 | Diversions: 3 | Sports: 4

Thursday

63

30

Friday

73

43

Saturday

Sunday

75

68

36

37

FEATURES

PAGE 2 MARCH 3, 2014

Neeson kicks butt, takes names; once again JD Roberts Contributing Editor

Liam Neeson movies nowadays are kind of like the “Facts of Life” theme song: You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both and there you have the facts of life, the facts of life.

Just look at the guy’s IMDB page.

“Schindler’s List,” “The Haunting,” “Love Actually,” “Star Wars: Episode I- The Phantom Menace,” “Batman Begins,” “Clash of the Titans,” “Taken,” and the debacle that was “Taken 2,” are just a few of the highs and lows Neeson has had.

His filmography is comparable to a roller coaster.

So the question is, which side does his latest movie, “Non-Stop,” or as I like to call it, “Old Man Badass on a Plane,” fall into?

“Non-Stop” follows federal air marshal and alcoholic Bill Marks as he accompanies a non-stop flight to London.

Things are going well until Bill is sent a text message telling him that a passenger will be killed every 20 minutes until 150 million dollars is transferred to a specific account.

He quickly leaps into action to find the suspect without raising suspension. Twenty minutes pass, and sure enough, someone winds up dead.

As the tension builds, the passengers start to ask questions, and the people in charge become suspicious of Bill. He starts to see the bigger picture—he is being set up as a terrorist.

Now with the trust of only a few people, Bill must continue his investigation before more passengers are killed, or worse the plane is taken down.

I had very low expectation walking into this movie. I personally think Neeson is wasting his time and

*Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures

DE PLANE! The barometer for Liam Neeson’s career wavers up and down frequently, but fans of the actor can find entertainment in his latest role although the acting choice hovers at the lower end of the spectrum. talents doing movies like “Taken,” “Taken 2,” “Unknown,” and “The Grey.”

He is an incredible actor, but he’s got to be smarter when choosing his roles.

With that being said, I actually really enjoyed this movie.

What I thought was going to be “Taken” on a plane turned out to be an enjoyable, suspenseful “whodone-it” film.

Neeson plays a broken man who isn’t that nice of a guy, and it’s a breath of fresh air. He really dives deep into this character and his struggles.

It’s rare to see that in movies like these.

The character is, in a way, compa-

rable to John McClane. He is flawed and at the end of his rope, and suddenly this crisis falls in lap.

Many of the other actors give fun performances, and some end up becoming clichés.

Scoot McNairy is great as usual, and Corey Stoll, from “House of Cards,” is proving himself to be quite the supporting actor.

Julianne Moore pretty much plays the same character she’s been playing for years while Nate Parker gives a weird impersonation of Jaime Foxx from the 90’s.

What really makes the movie fun is the writing.

While much of it is clichéd and full of action tropes, it never feels slow or bland. It keeps you guessing

and wondering if Neeson will actually find the person responsible for the chaos.

In no way is this a great movie.

In no way is it Neeson’s best, but it never tries to be.

“Non-Stop” knows what it is and it embraces it.

That is the defining trait of great, over-the-top, fun action movies.

I’d rather see Neeson playing Batman villains and Jedi knights and getting in touch with the incredible actor that portrayed Oskar Schindler, but for now I will settle for scruff, grumbling, butt-kicking Neeson.

“Non-Stop” isn’t an insane high on the roller coaster that is Neeson’s career, but it’s one that makes you want to stay aboard a little longer.

Wind ensemble honors storied Henderson tradition Ashley Smith Staff Writer

“One Hundred Years Later Our Fire Still Burns,” promised the poster advertising the wind ensemble concert. The musicians certainly delivered that promise and a little more on Wednesday night, playing pieces that captured their spirit.

The wind ensemble performed the program “Fire and Heart” in Arkansas Hall auditorium. It showcased works associated with fire and spirit, showing the true pride of the Reddie spirit.

Their performance was the first concert in a series celebrating the 100th anniversary of the fire that destroyed Henderson State’s main building.

The night started out with Gustav Holt’s “Dance of the Spirits of Fire” from the ballet “The Perfect Fool.”

After each song, Mary Jo Mann narrated a short history about the night when the fire ravaged Henderson in 1914.

The main building of the campus burned, but the students decided to stay behind and rebuild it.

Soon afterward, the wind ensemble played “The Fire of Eternal Glory” by Dimitri Shostakovich.

The other pieces kept consistent with the fire and pride theme of the entire series. “Ritual Fire Dance” by Manuel de Falla and “With Heart and Voice” by David R. Gillingham were performed before the brief intermission.

The next to last piece was “Night on Fire” by John Mackey, which featured clarinets and flutes. Then, the musicians played the finale piece, the famous “Firebird Suite” by Igor Stravinsky. The sections performed were “Ronde des Princesses,” “Dan-

se Infernale,” ”Berceuse,” and “Finale.” Alise Coffey played the harp for this piece.

The student musicians deserved the applause they received from the audience after their performance.

Their fellow students, as well as some non-students, cheered them on their excellent job.

The performance captivated the love that Henderson students have for their school.

“I enjoy this type of music,” Bailey Heinzelman, freshman human services major, said. “They were intense and awesome.”

It seemed as if most people enjoyed at least some part of

the concert. There was a piece of music for everyone there.

“I liked “Night on Fire” by John Mackey,” Stephanie Downey, sophomore biology major, said. “The trills of the flute and clarinet made it sound cool. I enjoyed the concert a lot more than I thought I would.”

The wind ensemble gave a truly passionate, fiery performance.

Dr. Carrie Pawelski directed the Henderson State University Wind Ensemble, which is comprised of almost fifty of the most exceptional wind and percussion players on campus.

The series shows the pride that still glows within the Henderson stu-

dents and proves even today a fire could not destroy the Reddie spirit.

The concert series “100 Years Later Our Fire Still Burns” continued on Sunday, March 2 at 3 p.m. in the Arkansas Hall auditorium. Henderson’s symphony band performed a program titled “We Shall Overcome,” directed by Dr. Shaun Popp.

The series will run through the beginning of March, and the choirs of Henderson State will perform the next concert on March 18 called “Out of Gray Ashes,” directed by Dr. Ryan Fox. The performance begins at 7:30 pm in Harwood Recital Hall of the Russell Fine Arts Center.

SUDOKU

DIVERSIONS

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SPORTS

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Reddies lose command in final seconds Hunter Lively Staff writer

In the second edition of the 2014 Battle of the Ravine Thursday night at Vining Arena, the Reddies (1116, 7-12 GAC) clung to the lead for almost the entire game against the Ouachita Baptist Tigers (9-16, 6-13 GAC).

The last shot of the game was costly, however, as the Tigers’ Micah Delph proved once again why he is their go-to-guy in late-game clutch situations.

Delph nailed the game winner in the first game of the series at Henderson in January and did the same Thursday.

With just seconds remaining, he was able to come around an off-ball screen at the top of the key, catch a pass in rhythm and let it fly, sinking a three and the chance for a Reddie victory.

Henderson got off to a hot start with an early 7-0 lead, but OBU clawed back to tie the game at 25 with three minutes remaining in the first half.

Two free throws by OBU’s David Day gave the Tigers a short 27-25 lead with just over a minute left, but a three-pointer by Kevin Kozan put the Reddies back up going into halftime,

*Photo by Ryan Klare

PIVOT Henderson’s Melvin Haynes (3) guards a Ouachita Baptist player in the Battle of the Ravine. The Reddies lost by only one point (59-58.) The Reddies held the lead for much of the game, only to fall in the final seconds to rival OBU. 28-27. Ronald Lawson led the way in the first half for the Reddies, totaling eight points.

Henderson once again started off the second half firing on all cylinders.

Charles Wesley and Taylor Smith both nailed three-pointers in the first five minutes pushing the Reddie lead out to ten, 39-29.

The Reddies maintained a five to seven point lead over the next seven

minutes of play until OBU pulled within two at the 7:56 mark. Delph sunk another three making the score 51-49 in favor of HSU. From this point on, the teams were trading buckets on each possession.

Henderson’s inside presence of Reggie Murphy against OBU’s hot shooting by Delph seemed to be the trend as the time winded down.

With just eight seconds remain-

ing on the clock, the Reddies were hanging on to a 58-53 lead, but Delph pump-faked a three and was able to draw a foul on Murphy.

He drilled all three of his attempts pulling the Tigers within three.

HSU’s next possession saw Kozan get fouled, but he was short on the front end of his 1-and-1 free throw opportunity. OBU snagged the rebound. Delph dribbled up the court and passed it off to Eric Braeuer who threw it right back to him over the top of the screen.

Delph, who had been hitting nearly everything from deep all game, connected from long range and gave the Tigers a 59-58 lead with only one second remaining.

HSU head coach Doug Nichols immediately called a timeout to draw up a play, but the Reddies were unable to get a clean look as the Tigers stole the inbounds pass sealing the victory.

“You hate losing games like that, especially to OBU,” Kozan said. “But we’ve got to re-group and focus on SAU and the GAC Tournament, because there’s still a lot left to play for.”

Smith led the way for Henderson, scoring 11 points. Deoirvay Johnson and Lawson each scored 10, and Reggie Murphy had nine.

HSU travelled to Magnolia on Saturday and faced the Muleriders, winning 59 to 43.

Lady Reddies lose in a blowout to neighboring OBU Rickey Miller Staff Writer

The second Battle of the Ravine held at OBU turned out to be a heartbreaker for the Lady Reddies and Reddie fans.

The Tigers came out ready to play dominating the Lady Reddies 93-51.

The atmosphere was high, and the energy did not fall short behind.

The Tigers started off with a phenomenal shooting performance knocking down four of their first five shots, three of which were three pointers, giving them an 11-2 advantage in the first three minutes of the first half.

In the first contest, they only connected on 13 percent of their three pointers and overall 28 percent from the field.

The Lady Tiger seemed unable to miss Thursday at home.

Junior guard, Vanessa Piper, tried to get the Lady Reddies started by scoring their first five points.

The Lady Reddies would only see two more points in the next three minutes of play as the Lady Tigers went on a 10-2 run to extend their lead to 14.

The Lady Tigers’ run continued forcing Coach Jill Thomas to call a timeout.

The score was then 26-9. After the timeout, Aungelique Sledge, junior guard, tried to give the Lady Reddies a spark scoring five straight points, but the Lady Tigers answered right back with a run of their own.

Sledge couldn’t get herself going in the game.

“They have a small gym, and it is so compact,” Sledge said. “The atmosphere was live, extremely live.”

At the half, the Lady Reddies were down 47-22 shooting only 31.8 percent from the field and 22 percent from three-point territory, while the Lady Tigers were shooting 42 percent from the field and 41 percent from three-point territory.

Turnovers plagued the first half for the Lady Reddies as well.The start of the second half seemed to hold the same fate for the Lady Reddies.

They only scored four points in the opening minutes.

The Lady Tigers outrebounded the Lady Reddies 52-37 and shot 40 percent to the Lady Reddies 31 percent. Nashia James led the Lady Tigers with 17 points and eight boards while Breanna Harris pitched in 15 points and seven boards.

Also contributing for the Lady tigers was Elise Holman with 13 points.

Despite the score, sophomore forward, Dulincia Keener, had a remarkable night finishing with 14 points and 12 rebounds and swatting three shot attempts.

Keener was the only Lady Reddie to score in double figures shooting 83 percent from the field and 80 percent from the free throw line.

Keener played 33 minutes and committed only one foul.

“I felt like I had a lot of stepping up to do and I had a big role to play such as rebounding, communication and motivating my team,” Keener, said.

Jasmine Settles, Aungelique Sledge, and Taylor Washington contributed seven points each. The game was dif-

*Photo by Kristine Moore

MOVE THAT BALL Lady Reddie Vanessa Pieper (22) dribbles down the lane in Henderson’s 42 point loss to OBU. The heartbreaking loss was prelude to an SAU road game on Saturday. ferent from the previous match. The Lady Reddies outscored them 78-49 in the first contest shooting 52 percent from the field while the Lady Tigers were only able to connect on 19 total shots of the contest.

“No energy and no effort to start the game” was the difference between

the first match-up against them at Duke Wells Gymnasium and the second, Sledge said.

The Lady Reddies finished up the regular season at South Arkansas University Saturday against the Lady Muleriders to keep their hopes alive in the NCAA Division II tournament.

Softball sweeps Arkansas-Monticello in two days Troy Mitchell Sports Information

Henderson State completed a four-game weekend sweep of Arkansas-Monticello as the Lady Reddies won a double-header from the Cotton Blossoms Saturday at Dee White Field in Arkadelphia, Ark. The Lady Reddies, 9-10 overall and 5-3 in the Great American Conference, began the day with a 5-4 come-from-behind win over the Cotton Blossoms and then won the finale 9-3.

In the opener, UAM led 3-0 before Henderson State tied the score in the second inning as the Lady Reddies put together four hits. Morgan South singled down the left field line to lead off the inning, and Tricia

Hock reached on a bunt single advancing South to second. HSU loaded the bases when Ashlyn White reached on an error.

Jaylin Baldridge drove in the first run for the Lady Reddies with another bunt single to score South. Hock scored on UAM’s second error of the inning before Amy Halter tied the score with a base hit that drove home White.

Arkansas-Monticello, 10-9 overall and 3-5 in the GAC, took a 4-3 lead in the top of the seventh when McKenzie Rice singled and then scored on a fielder’s choice.

In the Henderson seventh, Halter started things off with a single and stole second base. Amber Klug then reached on an infield single with Halter advancing to third.

Sarah Gipson tied the score with a

base hit to right field to score Halter.

With one out and the bases loaded, White drove home the game-winner with a line shot over the center fielder’s head.

Williams recorded a completegame win in the circle giving up seven hits and striking out three batters to record her third win of the weekend and improve to 4-3 on the year.

The Lady Reddies fed off the opening win and continued their potent offensive attack putting together a 14-hit performance to win 9-3.

Trailing 2-1, Henderson State collected five hits and scored five runs in the fourth inning while taking advantage of two UAM errors.

Gipson, South, White and Williams all had singles in the inning, while Hock provided a double.

Gipson and South started things

in the fifth inning with back-to-back singles before White smashed a threerun homer to right field to put the game away for Henderson.

Cagen Medlock pitched the first 3 2/3 innings allowing just one earned run and striking out four batters before turning things over to White.

White completed the game, struck out three batters and was tabbed the winner to improve to 2-3.

White finished the twin bill going 4-for-6 including five runs batted in.

South, Halter and Gibson also had four hits each.

Henderson State totaled 50 hits, 33 runs, and 12 extra-base hits in the four game series.

The Lady Reddies will next travel to Magnolia to face Southern Arkansas in a four game series beginning Saturday, March 8 at 1 p.m.