11/6/2018

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Indiana Statesman For ISU students. About ISU students. By ISU students.

Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018

Indiana Statesman

@ISUstatesman

isustatesman

Volume 124, Issue 18

Amber Drake crowned Miss Ebony of 2018 on Sunday Nicole Nunez Reporter

This past Sunday, Nov. 4, Indiana State University crowned its Miss Ebony 2018 for the first time in three years. The theme, Journey to the Queen, was inspired by the 1978 movie “The Wiz” and encompassed music and marvelous decorations of emerald and gold that filled University Hall. It was free to attend, and the audience almost filled the entirety of the University Hall Auditorium. The audience was truly transported to the Land of Oz and mesmerized by the talent and beauty of the contestants. From her unique talent, vibrant interview attire, glamorous evening gown, and inspiring on-stage interview, Amber Drake was crowned Miss Ebony 2018. The pageant categories consisted of a private interview worth 25%, business attire worth 15%, talent worth 25%, evening wear worth 20%, and an onstage question worth 15%. The talents ranged from singing, dancing, poetry, and painting, and portrayed the contestants’ personalities and their

international diversity. “We have an international flare,” said Elonda Ervin, Executive Director of Multicultural Services and Program. The ages of the contestants also ranged from freshmen to graduate school, adding to the diverse experience of the Miss Ebony Pageant. “The talents are each different in their own right. The women are each different in their own right. And I think after these weeks they’ve been putting the effort to prepare, they deserve our attention… I love the entire experience. I think I enjoy it as much as they do.” The requirements to compete included being a registered student, having a 2.5 GPA, and being enrolled as a female. The committee decided to make this change for future contestants to provide inclusion. The pageant is “open to all; race, nationality, religion, and orientation are no bounds,” said Ervin. Miss Ebony, Amber Drake, was awarded $1500. First runner-up, Sara Bayed, was awarded $750. Second runner-up, Shaynea Rolle, was awarded $500. Other awards include Miss Congeniality, a Talent award,

the Audience Choice Award and the CJ Award. Miss Congeniality is chosen by the contestants two weeks prior and the talent award is given to the top talent score. “We usually do not have monetary values attached to Miss Congeniality and Talent, but we have sponsors that want to give a monetary award… Black faculty Staff Caucus are sponsoring $150 to Miss Congeniality and …Black Graduate student Asso-

ciation is attaching a $150 award to Talent,” said Ervin. The CJ award is a new addition this year and was generously sponsored by Indiana State Alumni, Cedric Jones. He was a judge in 2015 and decided to continue his involvement though sponsorship. He donated $200 with an intention of awarding a scholar. “He plans on adding to this scholarship every year, and it is

Families visit campus to support students Lauren Rader Reporter

Family Day took place on Saturday, November 3rd at Indiana State, and allowed families of students to come and enjoy the university. Events started around 9 a.m. Saturday morning. Some families arrived early on Friday night and enjoyed the First Friday event in Downtown Terre Haute. Families registered online to get their Indiana State swag to support their kids. Many events were held in residence halls and department buildings to showcase the many different elements of Indiana Sate University. At the fountain, many organizations set up booths to provide information to students and their families. Nick McCreary, Coordinator of the Office of Sustainability, set up a booth to give information the organization. “We are an office on campus that helps students live a more sustainable life. We do everything from run a community garden to try and reduce energy usage in the Resident halls,” McCreary said. “It’s cool to see all the families here. It’s my first one so I like to see all the little kids having fun with their families.” Many of the booth atten-

Victoria Flores | Indiana Statesman

Amber Drake poses withe her award and a bouquet of flowers.

dants were excited to engage with families and see all the proud parents. The programs that were provided for the parents gave them a sneak peek into the college life their child is living. Each open house gave them a chance to understand what their children were doing in their classes, extra curriculars, and personal lives. Family weekend puts up a display of the university for the community, and more Lauren Rader | Indiana Statesman specifically, the families to Families of students enjoy a walk around campus and learning get a sense of what Indiana about the resources ISU has to offer. State University is really like. Kaila Barnes, an Office try to make students com- gave me this opportuniAssistant in the Office of fortable on campus, and feel ty.” Prewitt said. “We went to breakfast, and I showed Campus Life, was thrilled like this place is a home.” The Office of Campus them around campus and to see all the families who showed up to support their Life is one of many sup- my dorm. We went and got porting students on campus dinner, and went bowling. kids. “For freshman specifi- and creating a richer, bene- It was a really fun day, and cally, it’s a very tough time. ficial learning environment I’m glad I got to spend it First time in college, first that can be fun. Students with my family.” Family involvement is semester. It’s getting very were also excited to spend the day and weekend with very important at Indiana close to finals, and it’s an State University and the extra boost you need. See- their families. Kayla Prewitt, a freshman university makes every efing your family, and havat Indiana State, misses her fort to keep students ening people recognize that family a lot. She was very gaged with their families you’re making it through the semester. It gives you excited to see her family even if they are far away. “I get to see a lot of famthat last big hoorah to get come and support her in her final weeks of her first ily members that are so exyou through,” Barnes said. semester. “It’s been about a cited to be on campus, and “Our office is open for anyone to come through, month since I’ve seen my see the different things that and we run a series of pro- family. I go home as much they have happening. It’s grams from Homecoming as I can, but when things letting the family know that to Haunting in the Hul- don’t work out they don’t we are open to everybody, man, Family day, and other work out. It was just real- not just students,” Barnes smaller events. We really ly good to see them and said. I’m thankful family day

directly out of his pocket,” said Ervin. This year, it was determined on GPA and in the future it will also be based on community service. Miss Ebony began at ISU in 1970 as Miss Black ISU and was Indiana State’s first pageant. In 1972, the pageant became Miss Ebony, and was a part of Indiana State culture until the 2000s

AMBER CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

New unmanned system organization starting at ISU Alyssa Bosse Reporter

ISU will be starting a new student-lead organization for New Unmanned System Organizations. Indiana State faculty recognizes the importance of creating a community of professionals in all things unmanned. The growth of the unmanned systems industry continues to accelerate, and ISU is taking part by having their own student-lead organization to focus on unmanned systems industry. The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) is the largest nonprofit unmanned organization in the world that provides a program for students to gain experience in the unmanned industry. This is a fairly new organization that deals with anything unmanned such as unmanned air, ground and sea. Mark Collins, associate professor in the College of Technology will be the advisor for the new student lead organization. Collins said “the industry is moving to intergrade unmanned systems with unmanned aircraft systems and the national airspace within the next couple years. This organization allows for one student club in each university. Since there is not one here we are looking to start one.” Anyone with any major is eligible to join this club as long as they are interested in unmanned systems. Collins is looking to select student leaders to help develop the constitution; they will also be electing student officers. Some of AUVSI’s values are education, safety and security, integration, integrity and innovation, and this new club at ISU will demonstrate these values. Collins also shared some of the goals he has for this club. “Once a year there is a networking event and some of my goals for this club is to create un-

UNMANNED CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

Indiana State among best colleges for student voting

Indiana State University has been selected as one of Washington Monthly’s “2018 America’s Best Colleges For Student Voting.” A part of “The College Guide and Rankings,” which rates colleges and universities on their contributions to social mobility, research and public service, this is a first-of-its-kind list of the schools doing the most to turn students into citizens. “One of the most important roles of a state university is to prepare our graduates to be fully engaged citizens. Indiana State takes this responsibility very seriously,” said Nancy Rogers, vice president for University Engagement. This fall, Indiana State has undertaken a campus-wide campaign to encourage students to register to vote either on-cam-

pus or in their home communities. For the past several weeks, university officials have been focused on encouraging voter turnout and providing students opportunities to interact with candidates and learn about their positions on important issues. “We are thrilled to be able to host a vote center on the ISU campus and grateful to the Vigo County Clerk’s Office for their support of the center,” Rogers said. “For many students, this is their first opportunity to vote in a federal election. We believe if we can help get them to the election center this year, they will become lifelong voters. Our democracy is best served when more — rather then fewer — people vote.” Ensuring that the nation’s young people

ELIZABETH GREEN DISCOVER THE SCIENCE BEHIND TEACHING & WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE CLASSROOM

and its future leaders are inspired to engage civically is key to strengthening democracy. On many college and university campuses, less than half of eligible student voters exercise their democratic right to cast a ballot in presidential elections. “With voter registration, education and participation as the centerpiece to the campus get-out-the-vote efforts, Indiana State’s commitment to voter engagement encourages students to develop the civic skills that will help them become informed and engaged citizens on Election Day and in life,” said Carly Schmitt, assistant professor of political science and faculty sponsor of the American Democracy Project at Indiana State. “This designation is an indication of the significant efforts undergone by the campus community to

develop student voter engagement.” Indiana State’s inclusion on the list demonstrates the commitment the university has made to promote civic engagement among the student body, encouraging students to vote and actively participate in community decisions. “Since voting habits tend to crystallize in young adulthood — vote in one election, and you’re far more likely to do so again — colleges and universities have an unparalleled opportunity to create voters not just for the next election, but for life,” Washington Monthly authors said in a news release. “The colleges that invest in student voting aren’t just helping their Washington Monthly rankings — they’re

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CALLING ALL EDUCATION MAJORS, STUDENTS, & TEACHERS!

NOV. 7, 2018 For more info, please call 812-237-3770 or visit www.hulmancenter.org.


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