Issue 23 online

Page 1

Arts & Life, A6

Sports, A5

An engineer of the arts

Rockets swarm Dayton in 2011 season opener 61-51

Independent Collegian IC The

Monday, November 14, 2011

Serving the University of Toledo since 1919

www.IndependentCollegian.com 92nd year Issue 23

College of LLSS dean dies at 75 By Sura Khuder News Editor

Alice Skeens, dean of the College of Languages, Literature and Social Sciences, passed away at the age of 75 Saturday morning. Faith Burress, Skeens’ niece, said the cause of death was unconfirmed but speculated to have been caused by either a heart attack or blood clot. Skeens underwent hip replacement surgery on Oct. 19 and was hospitalized for three weeks after returning to work early this month. Burress said she is unsure if Skeens’ cause of death was related to this

College. surgery. Throughout her career at ToSkeens was originally from Lovern, W.Va. She studied at ledo, Skeens served on various Concord College, Athens, W.Va., admissions, general studies and where she received a Bachelor student development counseling of Science in 1956. Skeens re- committees. ceived a master’s degree from She was very comWest Virginia University in 1960 passionate and very and a doctorate in education passionate about what from UT in 1972. she did. She just loved Before coming to UT, Skeens teaching and you could was a teacher in the McDowell tell. County Schools and Mercer County Schools in West Virginia from 1956 to ‘63. She also served Chelsea Wymer as a part-time instructor at Blue- UT Alumnus field State College in 1962. She came to UT in 1963 where Skeens became assistant proshe served as an instructor in the fessor in the College of Arts and Community and Technical

Sciences in 1966 and was promoted to associate professor in 1982. She served as assistant dean for CAS from 1973 to ‘76, when she was named the college’s associate dean for student affairs. She also served as an assistant to former UT President Frank E. Horton. “She was a very special person that just was so loving and caring about everyone,” Burress said. “I just couldn’t say enough about the good things she’s done for me and other people.” She served as Faculty Senate chair from 1982 to ‘83. Skeens was named The Catharine S. Eberly Center for — Skeens, Page A2

Courtesy of the University of Toledo

Dean of the College of Language, Literature and Social Sciences Alice Skeens passed away Saturday morning.

SAAB addresses racial issues Student who passed out racist fliers attends SAAB meeting By Randiah Green Editor-in-Chief

Diane Woodring / IC

Putting up the WNIT banner Yesterday during the UT basketball game against the University of Dayton, the banner commemorating the Rockets WNIT Championship was unveiled.

The student who passed out fliers, which questioned Affirmative Action and called for no racist or racial student groups, attended a Student African American Brotherhood meeting two weeks ago with several racially-charged questions. SAAB President Christopher Scott said some of the group members recognized the male student immediately since he approached them with the fliers while they were raising money for Susan G. Komen in the Student Union Building. “Mind you, there were two or three other organizations there,” Scott said. “When this student came down, he came

to our table specifically with a the student asked the group flier that had our symbol on it. questions, such as why are If he wanted to talk about this there scholarships specificalissue, he could have given ly for African-Americans and some fliers to other minorities but not our table and the other Unfortunately this specifically for groups that student is misin- w h i t e students. were there, giving everybody formed since you don’t “He asked a have to be black to join lot of quesinformation.” Scott said that the Black Student tions made everythe student Union... one uncomthrew about 30 copies of the Matt Rubin fortable, but we remained flier on their President, table. calm and tried Student Government to answer the “We asked to stop after questions to about the fourth flier, but he the best of our ability,” Scott obviously kept going,” Scott said. Other questions included, said. “He was basically saying he didn’t like our “Why does UT do Affirmative organization.” — Flier, Page A2 During the meeting,

UT celebrates Indian Festival of Lights By Sade Ganey For the IC

File photos by Kevin Sohnly

The Diya festival was hosted by the Indian Students Cultural Organization on Saturday. The festival is a celebration of Diwali, which is the New Year fesitval in the Vikrama calendar.

Swirls of bright colors and the smell of rich spices filled the Student Union Building Auditorium as the Indian Students Cultural Organization celebrated Diwali, a New Year festival in the Vikrama calendar that is highly anticipated. Also known as the Festival of Lights, the event took place Saturday night. In Indian culture, Diwali signifies starting over. The meaning behind the festival is receiving hope, renewing of friendships, goodwill and celebrating the joys of life. It is also finding the light through darkness and gaining knowledge where there is ignorance. According to Ishan Laheri, a senior majoring in pharmacy administration and a member of ISCO, the festival technically began Oct. 26, but is only celebrated for five days in the U.S. and only one day at UT because of classes. In India, Diwali is celebrated for 20 days and students are given a break from school. The renewing and cleansing of each home occurs during this time; all homes are filled with

oil lamps as a symbol of keeping evil spirits from the home. “It’s a holiday where we pray to our god, light firecrackers and just enjoy the day,” said Payal Patel, a senior majoring in pharmacy. Indian students came together and participated in the many activities and rituals of Diwali, including the lighting of diyas, oil lamps made of clay or brass. This year, there was a fashion show were students modeled traditional Indian wear, with females wearing colorful, beaded outfits known as saris. Also, different panels of Indian students participated in a dance competition, performing routines to a mixture of Indian, pop and hip-hop music. Tandoor Cuisine of India served traditional food, such as spicy chicken 65, naan bread and samosas, a deep-fried pastry. According to Ruchin Gorwala, a sophomore majoring in pharmacy administration and vice president of ISCO, the festival here in Toledo is a close rendition of how it is celebrated in India. Gorwala said celebrating Indian culture in a foreign country with a community

File photo by Kevin Sohnly

This year’s festival featured several dances and performances. that differs from their own helps him feel at home. “Diwali means a lot to me,” Laheri said. “We have a formal dinner and I get to meet all of my friends and family. It makes me feel at home being with other people who have the same religion as I do.” The turnout of the celebration was a big hit among students outside of the Indian culture, including students from the International Student Association. The ISCO was founded in the 1990s at UT, and this was their 10th year celebrating Diwali on campus.


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