12/09/14 Issue

@HSUORACLE www.hsuoracle.com

Henderson State University - Tuesday, December 9, 2014 - Volume 108, Issue 13

THE ORACLE

ORACLE STAFF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF – Stephanie Malcolm FACULTY ADVISER – Mike Taylor COPY EDITOR – Josh James NEWS EDITOR – Moe Skinner SPORTS EDITOR – Kaitlyn Kitchens FEATURES EDITOR – Devin Anderson VIEWS EDITOR – Dax Guilliams PHOTO EDITOR – Jeffery P. Gilmore PAGE EDITOR – Houston Fryer GRAPHIC DESIGNER – Megan Snoddy ONLINE EDITOR – Scott McKinnon BUSINESS MANAGER – James T. Allen DISTRIBUTION MANAGER – Carmin Wills

10

PHOTO BY JEFFERY P. GILMORE

Regina Jackson’s “Don’t Forget to Smell the Flowers” Art Show

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Have an opinion on an issue or response to what we said?

Just want to rant about something for a while? Write us at ORACLE@HSU.EDU. We want to hear what you think.

Hell, if it doesn’t suck, we’ll publish it in next week’s issue.

Try to keep it between 400 and 600 words. Just like your Tumblr, we ignore anonymous submissions.

3

PHOTO COURTESSY OF JONATHAN GONZALES

Professor has dead cat dug up

7

PHOTO BY JEFFERY P. GILMORE

Collaborative opera between departments

9

PHOTO BY CHRIS SHARP

Henderson Library shows holiday spirit

DECEMBER 9, 2014

FEATURES

VIEWS

HUMOR

SPORTS

3

major said. “It was so big. I didn’t expect it to be so large.”

Dr. James Engman was also shocked at his size.

“It had shoulders like a football player,” Engman said.

Tumlison immediately began work on the mountain lion.

He kept portions of the fur and cleaned all the bones. From the pieces he removed, he thinks he could write an article for an academic journal.

He intends to add these pieces to his “Biologist Library” that also has many pieces that are rare to Arkansas.

This year he has also added a weasel, two badgers and a spotted skunk.

Professors use the collection to show variations of the same species for comparison.

It is also a tool archeologists use to compare old specimens to current specimens.

Tumlison looks forward to adding more items to his collection.

Tumlison has decided not to name the mountain lion.

“It wouldn’t come if I called it anyway,” he said.

BIG CAT ON CAMPUS Henderson professor procures mountain lion for biology collection

STORY BY TIFFANY SAMUEL — PHOTO COURTESY OF ARKANSAS GAME AND FISH COMMISSION The biology department has acquired the carcass of the first mountain lion killed in Arkansas in almost 40 years.

Douglas W. Ramer of Bastrop, LA, killed the 148-pound mountain lion last month in Bradley County.

Because it is such a rare sighting, Dr. Engman, professor and department chair of biology said it would be a great piece for any school’s collection, but he’s glad it’s at Henderson.

“It’s an unfortunate killing,” Engman said, “but we are happy to have it.”

Ramer was hunting on Nov. 8 when he spotted the lion moving towards his deer stand causing him to feel threatened, he told wildlife officers.

It has been illegal to hunt mountain lions since the 1920s.

The law is ambiguous as to what a hunter can do if he or she feels threatened.

Ramer reported the mountain lion to wildlife officers a few days later and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AFGC) obtained the body.

The AGFC removed the skull, paws and tail for educational purposes and buried the remains of the body.

It was around this time that Renn Tumlison, professor of biology at Henderson, heard the news of the mountain lion from his wife.

Tumlison contacted the wildlife officers with little hope he would be able to obtain the animal.

“I just knew if I didn’t ask, we certainly were not going to get it,” Dr. Tumlision said.

“And then whenever I got the e-mail saying we had it, it was an ‘AHHHH’ moment.”

The AGFC exumed the body quickly and Tumlison picked it up the next day.

Because the body had been buried, and not in a freezer, for two weeks, it was beginning to decompose.

Tumlison was happy to get it in any condition.

He said it is a trophy for his collection.

“I didn’t really believe we were getting it until it was in the back of my truck,” Tumlison said. “I double checked the bag to make sure there was really a mountain lion in there.”

As soon as the mountain lion was brought to the laboratory, students began to notice.

The laboratory was filled with students who were holding their nose with one of their hands and taking pictures on their phones with the others.

“It was crazy,” Tyler Childs, senior Biology

4

FEATURES

VIEWS

HUMOR

SPORTS

LET THE NAME GAME BEGIN The administration reaches out to the students to name the new student housing around campus

STORY BY JAMES JACKSON — GRAPHIC BY MEGAN SNODDY Henderson has formed a committee of about 20 students to name the new student housing buildings that will be open in summer of 2015.

Interested students can still contact Dan Maybery, assistant vice president for student affairs and director of Residence Life, to suggest possible names for the buildings.

Residence Life sent an email to students, asking them for suggestions.

Those who responded to the email with a good suggestion and within the given time frame may be asked to join the naming committee.

Harry Potter Lane and Hogwarts Plaza are a couple of the names that students have suggested to Mabery via email.

“We feel we have very creative students,” Mabery said. “This is why we want to give them this opportunity.”

The students in this committee are making a contribution to their school that will likely stand for years to come.

The committee held their first meeting on Monday and will continue to hold meetings until they agree upon a name.

They will narrow the suggestions down to three possible names for each building.

The list will be sent to different departments around campus and then to the president, who will make the final decision.

Mabery said he’s excited to see the students’ creativity flourish as the process continues. He said some students have sent some good names off the top of their heads via email.

“I have seen good names like Ridgecrest and others like Slytherin from Harry Potter,” Mabery said.

“We want something of value and pride to our students,” Mabery said.

Last semester, Henderson approved $33

million purchase Whispering Oaks apartments and to build two new residents halls on campus. One of the buildings will be a 240-bed complex while the other will hold 300 beds.

“As a student I am excited that we will have a little more variety to choose from when it comes to housing,” Kentrell Williams, senior general studies major, said.

There are diagrams of the apartment complexes hanging in the Garrison if students want to preview the finished buildings.

The apartment-style dorms will be located on the old intramural field. The other one will be located behind Smith.

DECEMBER 9, 2014

FEATURES

THERAPEUTIC ART Kappa Pi arts honors fraternity explores the creative potential of volunteerism by aiding the elderly

STORY BY ADRIANNE WILLIAMS Every Thursday, members of Kappa Pi, an honors art fraternity, spend about two hours painting with senior citizens.

Founded in the spring of 2014, the fraternity is a new member of Henderson’s Greek community. As an honors fraternity, members are held to high academic standards.

They must have a B average in all art classes, declare art as a major and participate in volunteer and planned events on and off campus.

Kappa Pi also helps students with sopho-

more and freshman reviews, which are critical for art majors becoming upper classmen.

They have group critiques for students who need help with school or issues. Kappa Pi volunteers in a number of ways, including campus clean ups, helping other campus groups prepare for events and most recently they’ve taken time to help senior citizens explore their creative sides.

“It is really fun.” Pa Choua Vue, studio art major and Kappa Pi president, said. “We enjoy

VIEWS

it. It is like therapy for them, because they are forgotten all of the time.”

Vue usually brings her own supplies because the fraternity has minimal funds.

With the exception of the painting with seniors project, Kappa Pi has reduced its volunteer involvement, so its members can prepare for finals.

Kappa Pi doesn’t only help outsiders though. They have a strong sense of camaraderie.

“It is pretty much like a family.” Vue said.

“Artists may go through a depression phase, so it is good to have a support group. I think that is what makes Kappa Pi the strongest.”

Vue said it’s a challenge to get all the members together because of conflicting schedules. The fraternity hopes to maintain a family support group on campus.

They hope to promote themselves so that

HUMOR

SPORTS

5

other organizations on campus will know that they are there and willing to help.

Vue said she has noticed that other campus groups, such as sororities and fraternities, will hire people off campus when they need help painting, making posters or advertising.

Kappa Pi wants to reach out to these groups and let them know that they have the resources and skills to provide many of these services, and it’s not necessary to hire off-campus help.

The fraternity does charge reasonable fees for their services.

Any students interested in joining Kappa Pi are encouraged to contact them through Facebook or by approaching any of their members personally.

There are flyers around campus giving more information about Kappa Pi and how to get involved.

6

FEATURES

VIEWS

HUMOR

WHAT’S YOUR QUIRK? Getting in gear for the end of the year

STORY BY BRETT RUCKS — GRAPHIC BY MEGAN SNODDY From every beginning must come an ending. But when we’re talking about the semester’s ending, it’s often bittersweet. Sure, the beginning of Christmas break is indescribably cathartic. But that week before – finals week – is a week of torment that belongs in the “Saw” series.

Finals are perhaps the most stressful time in a college student’s life. In many courses, the final exam counts for a major percentage of the final grade. It could literally make the difference between a passing grade and heartbreaking failure.

Finals week is when students scatter frantically to find any academic resource at their disposal. A library with study rooms, the Garrison Center, computer labs and couches to relax and de-stress.

Students will be participating in their own unique rituals to help them prepare for the make-it-or-break-it exam. Ideally, students would manage their time and study for each exam accordingly, but nobody in this world, and certainly on this campus, is perfect, and it’s hard for students to focus on one exam when they have seven others.

It’s overwhelming. So what must students do to have a shot at passing finals? Cram, of course.

“The only thing I can do to prepare myself for looming dread of finals week is cram and pray” John McManus, freshman, English and history double major said.

Cramming is the act of absorbing, or trying to absorb, a significant amount of infor-

mation in a significantly short period of time in an attempt to study for a test one should’ve already studied for. Look it up. The next day the crammer hopes or prays for a miracle: that he or she can regurgitate the information they learned the previous night onto the test.

Sometimes, cramming is the only option, but seriously, it is so much better on one’s constitution if one properly prepares for the exams.

According to an article by Kelsey Salsgiver, staff writer for www.clipperonline.info, students who trade in their sleep for constant studying are actually doing worse on their tests.

The reason is that students will be physically exhausted and too mentally drained to concentrate for their exams.

Still, cramming seems to be the method of choice at Henderson.

“All I can possibly do is cram study and hope for the best” Armstrong Nforbinson, junior political science major said. “If I do well then, great, if not, then all I can do is hope for the best.”

“Do you really want to know how I prepare for finals?” Bobby Rutledge, sophomore, psychology major said. “I cram like there is no tomorrow and I cry. I develop a twitch from the stress of how much is riding on these exams, and I feel like I will develop a psychological disorder. Kind of ironic huh?”

Regardless of whatever ritual students perform, the inevitable creeps closer every day, and students must confront their fears to earn their days of rest for Christmas break.

SPORTS

DECEMBER 9, 2014

NEWS

VIEWS

HUMOR

SPORTS

7

Left to right- Lisa Ridgeway, Bryant Curtis, Tanner Ogelsby, Aaron Gilmer, and Matthew Burnette

The Opera Workshop and Concert Choir put on a Christmas opera Thursday, Friday and Saturday night.

Bill Higgins, professor of music, and his Opera Workshop class produced and directed the show.

However, Opera Workshop students were not the only performers on stage.

Many performers from the fine arts joined the opera students for the production.

“One of my favorite things in the world is when different people from all the fine arts come together for a production,” Higgins said.

Theatre students built the set and ran the crew. The costume shop made the costumes.

Some students contributed their instrumental abilities, and dancers created a dance for the opera. Stage manager Bethany Weed, junior theatre major, said that their contributions made her job very easy.

“With such a short time to rehearse, we had no choice but to get along,” Weed said.

“But I think it turned out beautiful.”

The Opera began with separate performances from 12 performers.

The songs ranged from slow to fast-paced and included compositions from the 1500s to the late 1980s. The first performance slowly

A NIGHT VISITOR’S OPERA Collaborative effort blossoms into a musical evening STORY BY TIFFANY SAMUEL — PHOTO BY JEFFERY P. GILMORE incorporated each singer into the number. The breaks of a capella showcased the vocal range of the singers.

The following performances were variances in number, performers and song tempos.

A short intermission and stage change followed the performances. Then the opera began.

The opera opens with a lame boy named Amahl, played by Kaitlyn Mahaffey, senior vocal music education major, and his mother singing about the hope of happier days.

“One day I will play my pipes and you will sing and we will be so loud that the Kings will drive by and throw coins at us just to stop the noise,” Mahaffey sang.

Ahmal and his mother had no idea that their world will change later that night when three kings and a servant visit their home.

The kings explained they needed a place to

stay on their way to visit a child who was to become a king.

The kings flaunted their regal costumes and demeanor on stage. Their singing was always on cue with the dialogue.

Ahmal’s mother asked Ahmal to gather shepherds from the area to give the kings food and wood for the fireplace as she did not have any.

That’s when dancers Hannah Perry, junior dietetics major, and Larkin Parks, junior sports leisure major graced the stage.

They danced for the kings, and it looked as if they had practiced for hours in spite of having a limited time to rehearse.

“We choreographed the dance ourselves and did two dress rehearsals with the cast and were ready to go,” Perry said. “We weren’t even nervous.”

Exhausted from their travels and the en-

tertainment, the kings asked to sleep.

During the night, Ahmal’s mother sang about the struggles of the poor and, in sudden desperation, took some of the coins meant for the new child-king.

As the mother sang, the lights dimmed and she stood in the spotlight.

People often overlook the hard work of the light and sound technicians, but their contributions were evident in this production.

The lighting changed quickly and drastically as the kings’ servant spotted Ahmal’s mother stealing money.

Then a miracle occurs. The kings ask her to keep the money because the child they are going to see does not need it.

Despite Ahmal’s disability, he offers his crutch to the child the kings are going to see.

Because of his selfless action, he is healed by the power of the unborn child.

It brought tears to the eyes of some of the audience members. According to Kaitlyn Mahaffey, people should have plenty of opportunity to see more opera.

“Opera isn’t dead,” Mahaffey said. “It is very much alive and everyone should have the opportunity to experience it.”

8

NEWS

VIEWS

HUMOR

SPORTS

WINTER WONDERLAND

Henderson contributes to a new community event kicking off the holiday season STORY BY MAKENZIE STONE – PHOTOS BY JEFFERY P. GILMORE

Arkadelphia’s very first Downtown Winter Wonderland was a week full of entertainment and activities for people of all ages.

From the ice-skating rink to the parade to a movie on Main Street, the Winter Wonderland could not have happened without the Arkadelphia’s Community Group and generous donations from Henderson and other members of the community.

Brooke Gregory, community development officer for Southern Bancorp, brought the idea to Dan Mabery, assistant vice president for student affairs and director of Residence Life.

“We just happened to be chatting one day after a meeting when she mentioned the event,” Mabery said. “We got to talking more about it and wanted to figure out what we could do to make it bigger and better for our students and our community.”

Originally, the skating rink was not going to be very big. However, with the contribu-

tions from Henderson and other businesses, the Community Group was able to have a larger ice-skating rink, an inflatable snow globe, a giant rocking horse and a maze.

“Henderson contributed about $4,000,” Mabery said. “We feel like it was great for our community to be able to have a bigger event to go to, and when you compare that to bringing in an event and an act here on campus, that was a good dollar amount for us to contribute.”

Not to worry though, the $4,000 did not come out of student funds. “I set aside some money every year for programming,” Mabery said. “And that is some of the money we used.”

The general admission fee, which gave access to the ice-skating rink and other activities Monday and Tuesday night, was $7. However, following Henderson’s annual Carol of Lights on Monday night, Henderson students were allowed to enjoy all of the Winter Wonderland

fun free of charge.

“The ice-skating rink is really cool,” Payton Black, junior general studies major, said.

“It is nice to have a winter activity in town for everyone to enjoy.”

Of course, the week’s events did not stop at the ice rink. Tuesday evening people lined the streets to watch the Downtown Christmas Parade. On Thursday night people snuggled up to watch the “Polar Express” at the Movie on Main Street.

“To get a movie to show, the Community Group had to pay a licensing fee,” Mabery said. “A licensing for a movie can cost anywhere between $600 and $1,000. Regardless if there was 50 people that showed up or not, the group still had to pay a significant amount to get that movie. The donations that were collected from businesses and the universities were to help provide that entertainment along with everything else.”

The admission fee for the movie was $2

per person, a bargain considering how much it cost play it.

“I think it was successful,” Mabery said.

“And as long as the Community Group wants to have this and as long as they continue to get support from the universities and other businesses, I am sure they would love to have this on a regular basis.”

Students who enjoyed Arkadelphia’s Downtown Winter Wonderland will be happy to hear that there will be more winter festivities right here on campus.

Next week Henderson will be having a s’mores night on the quad in front of the Garrison Student Center. Around 1,500 s’more kits have been purchased, and there will be three to four fire pits set up for everyone to roast their marshmallows.

“That is part of this whole winter activity,” Mabery said. “To kind of blow off a little steam and prepare for finals as well as get you in the winter mood.”

DECEMBER 9, 2014

TOP — Students enjoying the giant snowglobe at the Winter Wonderland BOTTOM LEFT — Taylor McNatt, senior music performance major, sings at the Carol of Lights BOTTOM RIGHT — The library’s Christmas tree made out of old books COVER — Casey Williams, senior music performance major, entertains at the Carol of Lights

NEWS

VIEWS

HUMOR

SPORTS

9

10

NEWS

VIEWS

HUMOR

SPORTS

FLOWERS FADE, ART BLOOMS ON

Regina Jackson’s senior exhibition in Huie Library combines botanical art with life messages STORY BY MADISON MACNEW — PHOTO BY JEFFERY P. GILMORE In the middle of December, the last thing you might expect to see is a bright, beautiful flower. But that’s exactly what people can see on the second floor of Huie Library, where the senior art exhibition of Regina Jackson is in full bloom.

“Don’t Forget to Smell the Flowers” is the

title of Jackson’s collection of photographs and digital paintings. The exhibition opened with a reception on Dec. 4 and will remain on display until Dec. 12.

Each work of art in Jackson’s collection displays a close-up photograph of a bloom with petals ranging from vibrant to wilting.

Daisies, hibiscus, dogwood blossoms and hydrangea are just a few of the plants and flowers that Jackson photographed and then digitally painted to create her showcase.

“This is a very intricate and time consuming process,” reads Jackson’s description of her digital painting process.

Digital paintings are first produced by taking a photograph. Then the artist uses computer programs, like Photoshop, to enhance and ultimately “paint” the photo on the computer screen.

From what initially seem to be photographs, the strokes of a paintbrush appear.

The digital enhancements produce flowers that seem to pop off of the smooth surfaces on which they are printed.

The collection also includes trios of traditional black and white photographs.

Each work of art is framed in a sleek, black frame, centered on a clean white or black matte.

The bright colors of each painted flower and the crisp focus of each photographed flower practically burst through the glass frame encasing it.

The deeper meaning behind the collection and its title comes from the words of the artist’s grandmother. Jackson’s grandmother once told her, “the older you get, the faster time goes.”

As Jackson nears graduation, her grandmother’s words resonate.

“Like many people, I have put things off until tomorrow, until tomorrow becomes yesterday,” Jackson wrote in the synopsis of her collection.” Before you know it, it’s too late.”

It’s tempting to see human life as analogue to that of a flower.

In the beginning, flowers start as just a bud. Delicate and closed off to the world, the buds of a young flower are like a child’s early journey into life.

Eventually, the young bud blooms into a miraculous, colorful flower.

People tend to go through blossoming stages of their own in adolescence, and then mature as adults.

Jackson’s collage, “Time,” is a reflection of the trials and tribulations of a life well lived, with scattered petals and the numbers of an analog clock strewn about among flowers.

Jackson completes the metaphor with the fatalistic piece, “Dying Daisy.” The piece features once purple and orange flower that has become dry and browned with age.

The piece reminds the audience that time is limited, that people should appreciate their opportunities and also take time to smell the flowers of life.

The simple things in life have become more important to the artist over the years.

With her art, she hopes to inspire the same appreciation in others.

DECEMBER 9, 2014

NEWS

VIEWS She has also been an instructor at University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, University of Houston Downtown (UHD) and Houston Baptist University. She has even lived in Scotland.

Francis served as the administrative director of graduate programs, marketing internship coordinator and the Sam Walton Fellow at Houston Baptist University.

Directly before coming to Henderson, Francis was the academic advising coordinator for the UHD College of Business Distance Site at the University of Houston Northwest campus.

After a few years in her position at the University of Houston, Francis decided that she wanted to return to the classroom setting.

“I have done a lot of things in my life in the academic environment,” Francis said.

“I have done administration and everything, but I just love the students and I love to be back in the classroom. So that is what kind of motivates me – my students.”

The School of Business is commited to preparing students for successful and productive careers, lifelong learning and balanced lives. Francis has also committed herself to these goals for her students.

GLOBAL MARKET Globetrotting business professor returns to Arkadelphia STORY BY ADRIANNE WILLIAMS — PHOTO COURTESY OF DEBBIE FRANCIS

E

ven after traveling all over the world, Debbie Francis found her way back to Henderson to teach the next generation of students.

A native of Arkadelphia, she is Henderson’s new instructor of marketing. Francis graduated from Arkadelphia High School and received her bachelor’s degree from Henderson.

Earlier in life, Francis didn’t have plans to become a college instructor.

“When I was at Henderson if you had

asked me ‘what do you want to be?’ I would never have said ‘to be a college instructor,’” Francis said.

Despite what she thought in college, fate chose a different path for her.

While earning her masters at the University of Arkansas, Francis became interested in the classroom learning style and environment. She decided to pursue a career in teaching.

Francis has taught at the collegiate level around the world. She once taught in China at Shenzhen University in Shehou.

HUMOR

SPORTS

11

Francis currently teaches four courses: Marketing Research, Retailing, Consumer Behavior and another Consumer Behavior class held at National Park Community College in Hot Springs.

Francis wants to give her students an active learning experience that allows them to connect the real world with the academic environment.

In her Retailing class, she has divided her students into four different teams.

Each team has contacted an Arkadelphia retailer.

They are to conduct an interview with the manager or owner.

Her goal is for each team to give a retail analysis, so that they can learn more about retailing.

Her Marketing Research class is doing research for Brenda Ponsford, Dean of the School of Business. Ponsford wants to make decisions about the future of the school of business.

The real world research from the students will assist in helping her make good decisions for the school. Francis is excited about her new position, and she is ready to see what else awaits her at Henderson.

12

NEWS

FEATURES

HUMOR

SPORTS

STREET FIGHTER HYPE STORY BY DAX GUILLIAMS — IMAGE BY CAPCOM USA INC

It finally happened. After years of Street Fighter IV remakes, additions and Downloadable Content (DLC), the trailer for Street Fighter V was leaked onto the internet mere days ago.

Simply put, the trailer was amazing. Gameplay footage of Ryu fighting Chun-Li, two of the series’ more popular characters, was shown along with footage of past fighting game tournaments and people playing games of the Street Fighter series in arcades.

I love fighting games. I’m with the group of gamers who believe that fighting game characters are some of the most memorable and interesting video game characters.

This trailer was so good, it reminded me not only why I love playing fighting games, but why I got into them in the first place.

First, the gameplay mechanics and the engine look fantastic. Though short, the fight

between the two characters looks impressive and manages to show off some new features.

During the fight, Chun-Li kicks Ryu into the air, follows him and continues attacking him while they both remain airborne. This could mean that air combat is a bigger focus this time around, like it is in other fighting games such as the Marvel vs Capcom series.

Speaking of Ryu and Chun-Li, the new sprites for these two characters look very nice.

The characters are less bulky than they are in Street Fighter IV. Chun-Li is slimmer and Ryu’s muscles don’t look ridiculous in comparison to his head.

Also, Ryu’s signature move, the Hadoken, looks amazing. The trailer ends on his ultra version of the move, and it provided a great ending to the video.

The new art style definitely reminds me of Street Fighter III: Third Strike, which just so

happens to be my favortie fighting game of all time, but it also looks a little like the art in Street Fighter X Tekken.

I really like this look, mostly because I think the art in Street Fighter IV wasn’t great, but also because it makes the characters and the stages look more detailed.

One thing I noticed in the trailer was that in one part of the fight, Chun-Li kicks Ryu through the wall on the left side of the stage.

That makes it seem like the stages continue after you attack characters at the edges.

It has been announced in the trailer that Street Fighter V will be exclusive to the PS4 and the PC. This news was kind of shocking to me as it’s been awhile since Street Fighter has been an exclusive.

While this may seem like a bad idea to some, I don’t think it’s a big deal. Plenty of fighting games are exclusive to certain con-

soles and they still seem to sell just fine.

Granted, I would prefer if the game was also going to be released on Xbox One because it would allow more people to play it on the console they prefer.

Now, while it seems I’m praising the series nonstop, I do have some criticisms of the series. Most of these complaints address the developers at Capcom.

Past Street Fighter games have been flooded with DLC that has to be paid for, but are already on the disk.

I don’t like having to pay more money to get content that’s already on the disk that I’ve purchased.

This isn’t exclusive to Street Figher either.

Capcom does this with a lot of the games they release, and it’s annoying. I hope this ends with Street Fighter V and that the DLC, if there is any, will not be on the disk at release.

Most of the DLC isn’t really impressive either. It’s mostly alternative costumes and colors for some of the characters or stages that look so bland, I almost fall asleep by just looking at them.

Because the art looks so similar to Third Strike, I’m hoping V’s story takes place after or close to Third Strike.

It would be so great to see characters from that game, such as Urien and Q, who have not appeared in the series since then.

This game could also include characters from the other Street Fighter titles. I would personally like to see the return of R. Mika, Karin and Oro. Also, because characters from the Final Fight series are in some Street Fighter titles, I would love it if Mike Haggar was included this time around.

However, all of that could prove difficult because of the new art style. Many of those characters haven’t been included in the series in years and it may not be possible to render some of the characters in 3D. I’m also hoping that they do a better job with the game’s story than they did with Ultra Street Fighter IV. Fighting games aren’t exactly known for having deep stories, but the world of Street Fighter is very interesting when it’s explained well.

While many games have given me reason to purchase a PS4, none have given me more reason than Street Fighter V. And that’s just with the first trailer. I cannot wait to see more of this game and I can’t wait to try it for myself whenever it’s released.

DECEMBER 9, 2014

NEWS

FEATURES

I

’m sitting in my newsroom surrounded by my staff, working on my last issue as editor-in -chief of The Oracle, and it’s about time I told my faithful readers that I am leaving.

Since I am moving to Georgia, I will be passing the torch to another editor, with high hopes that the transformation of The Oracle will continue. Although leaving is not an easy thing for me to do, I can honestly say that I leave with a sense of fulfillment.

With “Good Riddance” ironically playing, it’s easy for me to look back and know that I actually have had the time of my life. Ever since I joined The Oracle staff my sophomore year, I’ve been thrown into the true world of journalism. It hasn’t always been pretty, but journalism rarely ever is.

This has been the best learning process I’ve ever had the chance to be a part of. That’s what college is all about, right?

When I first joined the staff as the news editor, I was as green as it gets. I had barely made it through my entry-level classes. One semester later, I had reported on a child predator, fraternity fights and police raids. I guess you could say I was broken in quickly.

Since then, I rose through the ranks and was chosen to take on the responsibility of this great paper. I’ve had the pleasure of working with a talented staff this semester, and that is what I leave you with.

I leave you with a creative (although stubborn) design editor who is behind the entire stylistic change The Oracle underwent this year.

I leave you with a seasoned sports editor with more friends in the sports field alone than I have in real life.

I leave you with a news editor unafraid of asking the tough questions to get you the answers you deserve.

I leave you with an opinions editor who although very quiet, has an opinion on just about everything (and who would love to hear more often from you).

I leave behind a features editor not afraid

HUMOR

W

PASSING THE TORCH The Oracle bids farewell to one editor and welcomes another LEFT STORY BY STEPHANIE MALCOLM — RIGHT STORY BY SCOTT MCKINNON to compare Nicki Minaj’s “Anaconda” to Sir Mix-A-Lot’s “Baby Got Back.”

I leave you an editor-in-chief willing to take all these personalities and put the best of each together to give you the paper you all know and love.

Those are just some of the players who work behind the scenes every week to produce The Oracle. I may be leaving, but the time I spent here has been more than worth it.

To the students: Keep reading. You are the driving force of The Oracle. There are big things coming in the not-so-distant future, and we can’t wait to show you what we have in store.

To my staff: This is by far the best staff I have ever been a part of. Thank you for putting up with me all semester, stickler antics and all. I can’t wait to see how The Oracle will be transformed.

SPORTS 13

hen I started writing for The Oracle last year, I would have never imagined that I would be stepping into the role of editor-in-chief. During this semester on staff, I have had the opportunity to sit back and watch our outgoing editor take a rag-tag group of journalists, artists and musicians and turn them into a lean and mean news staff who takes genuine pride in the product they put out weekly.

We began this year with a transition from our old layout to the new tabloid style and have been refining it each issue. I hope that our work shows in each issue we produce as we continue to improve.

My goal for next semester is to continue the transition of The Oracle that began this fall. I want to continue making this newspaper something that you students enjoy reading. I know that newspapers aren’t the most exciting medium nowadays. We will keep putting together a newspaper that is both entertaining and informative every week.

I want us to keep introducing you readers to interesting fellow students, keep you informed about exciting and unique events around campus, and hold the administration accountable when necessary.

Most importantly, I want to leave the paper in a better state than when I took over. The foundation that has been laid is an incredible testament to how dedicated this staff is, especially our outgoing editor. I will do my best to live up to the standard she has set.

I’m incredibly excited about this upcoming semester and what I hope we can accomplish here at The Oracle. I am also incredibly grateful for the opportunity to lead the paper and this staff.

I recognize the responsibility and tradition that comes with becoming editor-in-chief at The Oracle. We may do things a little differently than previous staffs, but I hope that our unique personalities come through in each issue. It’s going to be a fun semester and we’re going to do everything we can to make newspapers cool to you college kids.

14

NEWS

FEATURES

VIEWS

SPORTS

DECEMBER 9, 2014

NEWS

FEATURES

VIEWS

HUMOR

THE TWIN TOWERS

The up and coming twin centers, Jacob and Jordan Vance, are all business both on and off the court STORY BY JOSEPH SNAPP — PHOTO COURTESY OF HENDERSON ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT Henderson’s mens’ basketball team is in full effect with a 5-3 record this far into the season. The team is excited and improving their skills as the season progresses. Specifically two teammates have been working on and off the court, Jacob and Jordan Vance.

Yes, Jacob and Jordan are brothers, twins to be exact. They were born only seven minutes apart and have been playing basketball to-

gether since they were five years old.

The funny thing about these guys is that they are not the average height of an American man. In fact, both are standing at a towering six feet nine and six feet eight inches tall.

Jacob being the taller of the two.

“We get a lot of people staring at us everywhere we go because we are really tall,” Jordan said. “But we have gotten pretty used to that.”

With both of the brothers being around the same height and being twins it can be kind of difficult to tell who is who.

“A lot of our friends that don’t hang out with us all the time get us confused and end up calling us the other ones name,” Jacob said.

“Our parents have even done it a few times when we were younger, so they would dress us a certain way to specifically tell us apart.”

15

“If our friends get it wrong we casually just go along with it and at the end of our conversation we will correct them, but we understand it’s not really easy to tell us apart if you haven’t been around us very much,” Jordan said.

Jordan lettered three years in golf at El Dorado High School while Jacob lettered two.

“We also played baseball but we quit before high school because we knew that basketball was our ticket to going to play college ball somewhere,” Jordan said.

“We were still able to play golf because that was a summer sport, and it didn’t interfere with basketball,” Jacob said.

During their careers at El Dorado both lettered for the varsity team three years in a row. Jordan averaged eight points, seven rebounds, and three blocks per game with Jacob averaging ten points, eight rebounds and four blocks per game. Both also played three years of AAU basketball for the Arkansas Soldiers.

While playing with their high school and AAU basketball teams, colleges began to become interested and began recruiting the two at the end of their junior season.

“We started getting offers from a bunch of universities, especially all of the Division II arkansas schools,” Jordan said. “We also were getting looked at by other schools that were farther away but we didn’t want to travel too far because it would be hard for our parents to come see us play all the time.”

The boy’s father, Will Vance, played basketball at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, which is really close to El Dorado.

“Our dad wasn’t upset about us choosing Henderson over SAU because he told us ‘just be happy wherever you go because I’ll be happy no matter where y’all go’,” Jacob said. “He wants us to follow our own dreams and make a name for ourselves and not have to follow in his footsteps.”

Athletics isn’t just the only thing that the two focus on while being a student-athlete.

Jacob is majoring in business administration while Jordan is majoring in accounting.

“Our parents really prepared us for college by continually making sure we had good grades and stayed up to date on our studies,” said Jordan. “Our coaches here make sure that we go to class and get our work done which helps with our parents not being able to be around to make sure we keep good grades.”

Jacob said.

The basketball team wil play host to Champions Baptist in Arkadelphia, Ark. in Duke Wells Center on Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m.

16

NEWS

FEATURES

VIEWS

HUMOR

PHOTO BY JEFFERY P. GILMORE

ALL-AMERICAN Kevin Rodgers receives the Academic All-GAC Honor Roll

BY KAITLYN KITCHENS

SEMESTER BASKETBALL ROUND UP HSU’s mens’ and womens’ basketball teams shoot for more W’s this season STORY BY TAYLOR DANIELS — PHOTO BY JEFFERY P. GILMORE With football season over, winter sports are all the rage, the Reddie men’s and women’s basketball teams have been working hard on the court to chase the ultimate goal of a conference championship.

The mens’ current record is 5-3 and have played Arkansas Tech, Monticello, Lane College, and Midwestern College. The Midwestern game ended in a loss for the Reddies over Thanksgiving break, but the Reddies answered with a three game home winning streak.

The womens’ record up to date is 2-7 and have played Arkansas Tech, Monticello, Pittsburg State University and Texas A&M-Kingsville. The Lady Reddies beat Texas A&M-Kingsville over Thanksgiving break.

But the Lady Reddies in a slump, having lost three straight. Head coach Jill Thomas pointed out that the Lady Reddies are a young team who will continue to develop with hard work.

“We’re getting better every day, and right now everything is so new to everyone,” Thomas said. “Just coming in and battling and watching us grow.”

While the women played through the whole game with intensity, they fell short of the win against Arkansas Tech at home last Saturday, Dec. 6, 56-70.

Aungelique Sledge, senior psychology major, led the team with 21 points for the night and had six rebounds. Tied at 32, Sledge hit a 3-pointer to lead the Lady Reddies 35-32. At the end of the game Sledge was far from feeling down from the loss because of the belief and trust she has in her team.

“Progress,” Sledge said, “we’re struggling right now but that’s no reason to put our heads down.”

After the game Dulincia Keener, junior education major, talked about always wanting to be there for her team.

“Yes we’re young, but we have so much to look forward to,” Keener said.

Annie Thomas, freshman general education and coaching major, ended the game with her first career double-double having 12 points and 11 rebounds while opening the second half with a 3-pointer. “You have to com-

pete at your best ability or you’re not going to succeed,” Thomas said.

Following the Lady Reddies’ game, the mens’ team came out to shut down the Golden Suns and continue their winning streak.

Although the boys are winning, Head Coach Doug Nichols is always looking for ways the boys can improve and perfect their talents. He wants his team to continue to keep getting better.

“When we execute and don’t turn the ball over we are getting really good shots,” Nichols said.

Kevin Kozan scored 16 points and went three of eight from 3-point range while Kelvin Dixon contributed 14 points and eight rebounds. Aaron Cooper scored 18 points on three 3-pointers. In the end, the Reddies came out on top 69-63 final.

The Lady Reddies will be on the road this week to face Harding University Saturday Dec 13 at 5:30 pm. The boys will host Champions Baptist at Duke Wells Center Gym this Tuesday at 7 pm.

Kevin Rodgers has been selected as the Capital One Academic All-America Division II Player of the Year.

The winner is selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America.

The Capital One Division II Academic All-America program is financially supported by the NCAA Division II national governance structure to help the College Sports Information Directors of America obtain the awards.

For the third year straight, Rodgers was named the Great American Conference Offensive Player of the Year with a 3.81 GPA. He has received the Academic AllGAC Honor Roll three times and earned the 2013-2014 GAC Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

Former football players Kelton Hays and Lee Daily are the only other Henderson athletes to earn Academic All-America honors since Henderson became a member of the NCAA. Rodgers has compiled 13,678 passing yards and is ranked fifth all-time in NCAA Division II history.

Rodgers was also named a finalist for the Harlon Till Trophy as the NCAA Division II College Football Player of the year for the third time.

Additional reporting by Troy Mitchell.