APRIL 16
2019
Vol. 52 Issue 26 | Since 1966
THE SENTINEL Kennesaw State University | The Sentinel
www.ksusentinel.com
PARKLAND SHOOTING SURVIVOR DISCUSSES SELF-DEFENSE AT KSU
OwlSwap calls for university to join workers’ rights group
Kendall Chamberlain | Staff Writer
Jake Drukman | Staff Writer
A Parkland shooting survivor and a former police officer visited KSU to speak on the importance of owning guns for self-defense. Kennesaw State’s Turning Point USA chapter hosted Parkland shooting survivor Kyle Kashu and ex-police officer Brandon Tatum Wednesday, April 10, in the Prillaman auditorium to discuss their belief that citizen gun ownership can save lives. Tatum served as a police officer in Tucson, Arizona, for six years and Kashuv is a student of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, and a survivor of the shooting that occurred on Feb. 14, 2018, in which 17 students and staff members lost their lives and another 17 were injured. The event, “Guns Save Lives,” attracted KSU students and those from outside of the Kennesaw community to hear different perspectives of the debates over the second amendment. Both speakers are representatives of TPUSA, with Tatum serving as director of urban engagement and Kashuv as the director of high school outreach. The event’s central focus was on the importance of all citizens owning a firearm for the sake of self-defense. Kashuv referenced the shooting at his school and how, without a means of defense, he and his peers were fully dependent on officers who had not yet arrived for defense. “[The shooting] could have been stopped had someone been armed and willing to act,” Kashuv said. Kashuv shared a small part of his experience the day of the shooting and how he and his peers felt fearful hiding with no means of protecting themselves against the gunman. “The only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun,” Kashuv said. Kashuv said that the average school shooting lasts five minutes with the average police response time being 15 minutes. For this reason, Kashuv said that he believes that schools should be armed in order to act immediately when tragedy strikes instead of waiting for police to arrive before anything can be done.
Brandon Tatum (left) and Kyle Kashu (right) spoke at a TPUSA meeting to address citizen gun ownership. Tatum said one’s obligation as a gun owner is to understand the laws in their state and constantly practice with their firearm. If pulled over by a police officer while carrying, Tatum said that individuals should place both hands on their steering wheel and inform the officer of their concealed carry permit and of where the gun is located in their car. “Remove every possibility for the wrong situation to occur,” Tatum said. Event organizers encouraged students to take part in an open discussion on the subject, and one question asked by a student prompted a disagreement between Tatum and Kashuv on the topic of the ban on bump stocks. “I don’t understand why there needs to be a ban,” Tatum said. “I don’t believe that a shooting necessitates a ban.” Kashuv said that he does not think that the executive branch has the authority to ban bump stocks and added that he is indifferent of a ban. Regarding the prevention of mass shootings, Tatum said that better treatment for those with mental illness, as well as the elimination of evading the evaluative process, is needed.
NEWS
Houida Aldihri | The Sentinel
The issue of concealed carry age limitations came up in this session as well. Kashuv believes that when a citizen turns 18, they should have all of the rights granted to them. “If you can serve in the military and carry a gun to protect this country, then there is no reason not to return home and carry [a gun] to defend yourself,” Tatum said. “Every time I do one of these events, I am really inspired by these kids,” Kashuv said. “They go out every day and they stand up for their beliefs in an environment that is really hostile to conservative beliefs. The best thing is when I respectfully disagree with them and we can have a conversation. Everyone should be able to have their viewpoint and respectfully disagree.” “Guns Save Lives” was KSU’s first large TPUSA event since the creation of the club at the beginning of the spring 2019 semester. TPUSA is a non-profit organization founded on June 5, 2012, by Charlie Kirk. The organization’s mission is to “identify, educate, train, and organize students to promote the principles of fiscal responsibility, free markets, and limited government,” according to its website.
OPINION
CENTER NEEDED TO END RACISM
KSUNITED UPSET WITH UNIVERSITY
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KSU previously contracted a clothing company that has multiple labor violations on record. Kennesaw State student organization OwlSwap called for the university to join a workers’ rights organization Tuesday, March 26, after the school contracted a company that allegedly committed labor violations. OwlSwap, a student organization that works to “ensure ethical, sustainable fashion alternatives” at KSU, sent a letter to KSU President Dr. Pamela Whitten in October 2018 requesting that KSU join the Worker Rights Consortium. The WRC is an organization that aims to “end labor abuses and defend workplace rights,” according to its website. When asked further about OwlSwap’s allegations, KSU Spokesperson Tammy DeMel did not respond. The request came after OwlSwap received information from Mujeres Transformando, a female worker organization in El Salvador that represents the women responsible for making clothing bearing university logos. According to the letter OwlSwap sent to Whitten, the workers were heavily underpaid for their work and faced “harsh reprisals from management” if they underperformed or complained about their wages. OwlSwap sent the letter in conjunction with United Students Against Sweatshops, an organization that “seek[s] to hold companies accountable for their actions that exploit people who work on university campuses.” The USAS recently played a role in getting Arizona State University to sever its ties with apparel company Vive La Fête, according to the State Press, ASU’s newspaper. Vive La Fête provided KSU with several articles of children’s clothing branded with the university’s logo. Although the apparel is no longer available to purchase, images and listings of the pieces can still be found online. The company also continues
ARTS AND LIVING
Kevin Barrett | The Sentinel to sell children’s apparel for several other universities, including the University of Alabama and Georgia Tech, on its website. The WRC released an investigative report in 2017 that details unfair labor conditions of Vive La Fête and its partner company, Konffetty. The report reveals violations of Salvadoran laws in regards to workers’ terms of employment, monetary compensation, overtime hours and required work benefits. “The WRC works to ensure that clothing bearing university logos is made in equitable conditions,” OwlSwap representative Britt Pickering said. “Our university currently has no policy to ensure ethical sourcing of clothing bearing the KSU logo. Working with the WRC would guarantee that factories producing for [KSU] meet high standards for safety, wages and workers’ rights.” OwlSwap said that affiliation with the WRC would not be costly for the university. According to the WRC website, an affiliate institution annually pays $1,500 or one percent of its yearly gross licensing revenue, whichever is greater. The WRC currently has 192 affiliate institutions, none of which are within the University System of Georgia.
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Page 2 | Kennesaw State University | The Sentinel | April 16, 2019
NEWS
The new Campus Concierge service allows incoming and current students to ask any question pertaining to the university.
Jessie Lestelle | The Sentinel
KSU LAUNCHES NEW SERVICE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS Camille Hobbs | Staff Writer
Kennesaw State sent an email to students Friday, April 12, promoting the launch of the new Campus Concierge service designed to answer questions about university policies, procedures and other concerns. First-Year Studies instructor Kathryn Wilhite said that KSU’s University College created the Campus Concierge for students and their families in February in an effort to streamline the communication process between students and staff. Wilhite said that the service acts as a virtual port of entry into the program departments and their administrators who can provide students with assistance. The goal is to answer questions or concerns and
connect individuals to the resources that will best serve their needs while also helping them to navigate campus resources for any questions they might have in the future. Wilhite explained that English professor and Department Chair of First-Year and Transition Studies Ruth Goldfine has been in charge of overseeing this venture. According to an announcement emailed to students, “navigating KSU can be difficult” and lead to many questions. The announcement explained that, if students have concerns and do not know who to ask, the new service can help them find a solution. Wilhite said she is currently serving as the point of contact for Campus Concierge.
“Campus Concierge isn’t better than any other avenue for information. It’s a different approach that may help individuals for whom other pathways to information aren’t successful,” Wilhite said. Wilhite said that there are plenty of ways to track down information at KSU, but only if students know where to look. The service assists students who are not sure who to ask their questions to. On the university website, inquirers are encouraged to contact the given email address. Students can request for a response via either email or by phone. For further questions, email campusconcierge@kennesaw.edu.
MYTH
You must attend full time to receive the Zell Miller or HOPE Scholarship.
FACT
You can receive the Zell Miller or HOPE Scholarship regardless of how many hours you take.
MYTH
Pell Grant funding is not available for summer courses.
FACT
Pell Grant funding IS available for summer courses depending on your eligibility, and for most, you’ll need to register for at least six semester hours. Check with the Office of Financial Aid for your eligibility.
MYTH
There are no federal student loans for summer courses.
FACT
You may have funds available or there may be other options. Talk with the Office of Financial Aid.
Kennesaw State University | The Sentinel | April 16, 2019 | Page 3
NEWS
KSUNITED SAYS WHITTEN “REFUSES TO PUBLICLY CONDEMN RACISM” Arielle Robinson | Staff Writer Kennesaw State student activist group KSUnited said that KSU President Dr. Pamela Whitten refused to condemn racism during a meeting with student representatives on Wednesday, April 3. Tiara Barabino, a student and organizer with KSUnited, provided the Sentinel with a recording of the meeting between the student representatives and Whitten. In the recording, KSUnited leader and member of the Presidential Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity Alexa Vaca asked Whitten if she and the university could issue a statement to students, making clear that KSU would not tolerate racist behavior. Whitten had not yet responded when Vice President and Chief Legal Affairs Officer Nwakaego Nkumeh answered, “I’m sorry, probably not. That’s an investigation that’s ongoing. I would caution against the university putting out such a statement.” Before Whitten left the meeting, Vaca asked again about the university releasing a statement. “You guys have given me lots and lots of good stuff and I’m being serious, let me go back and talk to other folks about a number of
these issues including opportunities to best communicate our values,” Whitten said in the recording. “I could not be more sincere in my own feelings in abhorring any discriminatory acts or language at this university.” When asked about the goals of the meeting with Whitten, KSU alumni and KSUnited member Carlynn Sharpe-Ehui said they wanted to establish a long-term relationship with Whitten and address a promise made by former KSU President Daniel Papp that would create an anti-racist education center.
“[Whitten] keeps saying she’s discussing issues but refused to commit to our demands and refuses to publicly condemn racism, so this is all platitudes.” Other goals were to talk about the lack of transparency around the case of a black student who was the target of a racist screenshot and re-evaluate the way the student advocacy center on the Marietta
campus works. When told about KSUnited’s want to frequently meet and establish a relationship, Whitten said in the recording, “I won’t commit to a time [but] yeah, we’ll keep a dialogue going. But I also want you to recognize it’s not just me,” Whitten said. Whitten said that Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Kathy Schwaig would be in charge of hiring a more diverse staff. Whitten also hopes to hire a new Chief Diversity Officer, and she encouraged the student activists to communicate with them, as they would be important in meeting some of KSUnited’s demands. During the meeting, Whitten pointed out that the idea of hiring more diverse staff came from a 2015 demand from KSUnited. Vaca also asked that Whitten commits to forming a task-force to create the anti-racist education center. “I don’t know enough about it yet,” Whitten said. “You see what you can find, we see what we can find, [and] we can schedule another meeting before the semester ends.” “I was livid, I was extremely upset. She wouldn’t agree to do any of [the goals],” Sharpe-Ehui said in
the recording. “[Whitten] keeps saying she’s discussing issues but refused to commit to our demands and refuses to publicly condemn racism, so this is all platitudes,” Vaca said. Assistant Vice President of Communications Tammy Demel said Whitten has repeatedly stated vocally and in written remarks that discrimination and racism will not be tolerated on campus. KSU students expressed disappointment after hearing about Whitten’s meeting with KSUnited activists. “If you give a pass to racism and to any kind of hate rhetoric or slurs to any group of people, I as alumni will not give the school money,” KSU alumni Celida Ines Solis said. Conflict Management major Kyle Brooks said the Whitten administration needs to publicly address hate speech if they wish to be diverse, cross-cultural or accommodating. In a document sent to the Sentinel, the faculty senate plans to vote on a proposal to call on Whitten and Schwaig to implement some of KSUnited’s demands at its April 29 meeting.
KSU fraternity to raise $20,000 for local Vietnam veteran McDevitt said. McDevitt said the initiative hits home to many KA members, as 10 brothers have family members who are serving or have served in the military. The fraternity had two brothers leave the chapter to serve overseas as well. “We feel it is important to come together and do something bigger than ourselves to help someone who has given our country the ultimate sacrifice,” McDevitt said. “As a KA, we value service and reverence to all members in our society and we are blessed to be paired this year with the Independence Fund.” Operation KAre was first created in 2016 by the Zeta Phi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Order at High Point University. The Zeta Phi chapter was motivated by the service and sacrifice of the members of the armed forces as well as the realization that the service members were not much older than the brothers were at that time, according to the fundraiser website. “Many Kappa Alpha Order chapters across the nation have also decided to take on this mission this year as we feel like it is an opportunity to get the community involved to properly recognize a veteran who has given a sacrifice for our country,” McDevitt said. To support the fundraiser, individuals can go to Kappa Alpha’s donation page or contact a KA brother.
When: Thursday, April 18th from 5:00 to 8:00 PM Where: University Rooms A-E in the Student Center on the Kennesaw Campus Why: To have fun, eat food, and speak French! RSVP and Access more event info on our social media! Email: ksufrenchclub1@gmail.com | Facebook/Instagram: @KSUFrenchClub | OwlLife: https://owllife.kennesaw.edu/organization/french
Political tension brews as Venezuela faces third major blackout in 1 month Quintin Hunter | Staff Writer
What Happened?
United States Vice President Mike Pence spoke at the United Nations Security Council on April 10, urging the U.N. to revoke the credentials of Venezuelan ambassador Samuel Moncada, CBS reported. Pence voiced his support for Juan Guaido, the interim President of Venezuela, and encouraged the U.N. to recognize Guaido as the legitimate president of Venezuela. Guaido proclaimed himself the acting president of Venezuela in January. According to Al Jazeera, Guaido has been recognized
by more than 50 countries that want President Nicolas Maduro to step down. Pence addressed Moncada during the meeting. “With all due respect, Mr. Ambassador, you shouldn’t be here,” Pence said. “You should return to Venezuela and tell Nicolas Maduro that his time is up.” According to CBS, Pence told reporters that the U.S. is currently working on a resolution to revoke Moncada’s credentials.
Guaido called for protests against public service failures to be held April 10, according to Al Jazeera. “Everyone to the streets, let’s start the final phase of the end of the usurpation,” Guaido said. Following a meeting with the Red Cross Chief, Maduro said Venezuela is ready to receive international aid. On April 10, Maduro said Pence’s remarks at the U.N. Security Council were “ridiculous and racist,” according to the Washington Post. On April 11, Florida Sen. Rick
Scott urged the U.S. military to send aid to Venezuela, according to the Miami Herald. “It is becoming clear that we will have to consider the use of American military assets to deliver aid,” Sen. Scott said. “Maduro and his thugs have left us no choice.” According to the Miami Herald, it is speculated that sending aid to Venezuela without the permission of Maduro would further political tension between Maduro and Guaido.
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Kendall Chamberlain | Staff Writer The Zeta Chi chapter of Kappa Alpha Order fraternity launched a fundraiser in February aimed at raising $20,000 to buy a track chair for a local Vietnam War veteran. The fundraiser will help support the Independence Fund through KA’s “Operation KAre,” standing for knowledge, awareness, results and empowerment, the fraternity’s philanthropy mission for this year. Operation KAre’s 2019 mission is to support the Independence Fund and U.S. veterans. This year’s veteran is a former U.S. marine who had to have both of their legs amputated and suffered shrapnel wounds when he was wounded by a mine in Vietnam. The addition of a track chair, an all-terrain vehicle, will allow for this veteran to engage in outdoor activities the way he could before his service. The fraternity plans to reach their fundraising goal by May 4, in order to gift this year’s veteran the donation during a presentation ceremony at KSU. “So far, we have raised $12,000 by [having] events on the Green [and] receiving donations from businesses,” Kappa Alpha President Miles McDevitt said. “We [also] have a fishing tournament planned on Lake Allatoona on May 4.” Each brother within the fraternity was tasked with meeting a personal fundraising goal of $150 each. All 60 brothers have met this goal and “are eager to raise the remaining $8,000,”
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© 2019, THE SENTINEL Boston nonprofit organization Campus Compact named Kennesaw State geography major Artis Trice a 2019 Newman Civic Fellow last month for his efforts in conservation. “This is a great honor to be named the Fellow for the 2019 year,” Trice said. “It is a chance to work with a lot of leaders as well as to draw inspiration from some of the other fellows at other universities. I’m happy that I have the opportunity to grow as a leader and advocate for change.” Trice said that KSU professor of geography Vanessa Slinger-Friedman introduced him to the Newman Civic Fellow application on the Office of Community Engagement website. After submitting his application, Trice was contacted by OCE Executive Director Brian Wooten for a phone interview, and he accepted into the program soon after. According to KSU’s website, Trice was one of 264 named to be a 2019 Fellow and the only student from KSU. “I definitely think the award has put [KSU] in a positive light, as well as highlighted the good things that are happening here,” Trice said. “ I think that this award has shifted
some of the negative press Kennesaw has been receiving. With the Twitter post Kennesaw created when I won the award, I feel like more attention has been brought to the arboretum, diversity and inclusion as well as the success of minorities at the school.” Trice said he intends to implement a braille trail for the Arboretum so that visually-impaired students may be able to enjoy the space. Trice will also study abroad in May where he will participate in public health and agriculture to understand how culture and the environment connect with health in communities. According to Campus Compact, the Newman Civic Fellowship recognizes and supports community-focused students who innovate and problem-solve at Campus Compact member institutions. The fellowship provides students with training and resources that develop their skills and enhance their passions for developing strategies for social change. The fellowship is a year-long program and provides virtual learning opportunities and various networking possibilities. For additional information, visit compact.org.
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470-578-6470 Artis Trice is a geography major at KSU.
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Page 4 | Kennesaw State University | The Sentinel | April 16, 2019
OPINION
SATIRE: HOW TO AVOID POLLEN THIS SEASON Lola Uthman | Staff Writer
Pollen season is in full swing and is taking its toll on nasal cavities everywhere.
Samantha Onello | The Sentinel
Georgia winter has finally passed, yet students are hit with another season that is rarely known to the rest of the country. It is the time the skies turn a sulfite yellow and sneezes are louder than your self-deprecating, intrusive thoughts. Luckily, the Centers for Disease Control has announced that donning a hazmat suit and cutting down any trees in sight will keep students safe from the yellow devil endearingly known as pollen. During pollen season, cars turn yellow, eyes become puffy and southerners dash to their nearest Piggly Wiggly to buy Benedryl and tissues to get them through the next several weeks. Just like grocery stores, prepper stores are bombarded with frenzied students and moms trying to get their hands on any remaining hazmat suits possible. One KSU student was lucky enough to get her hands on a hazmat suit just in time for finals. “I used to have the worst allergies in past springs, but ever since I bought my handy dandy hazmat suit, I have been happily attending college classes and avoiding pollen,” senior environmental science major April Showers said. “Recently, I’ve been thinking about updating my suit from Level C to Level A, just to ensure extra protection. We do live in the south, after all.”
Channel 2 Action News recently reported that there has been a shortage of hazmat suits and urged audiences to rush to the store as soon as possible. Plastic tarps and duct tape can also be used to make a DIY alternative to a Level A hazmat suit. However, if living inside a plastic suit for the spring is not your cup of tea, there is another solution to this problem. It has been said by many that the way to eradicate a problem is to destroy the source. Since pollen originates from most flowers and trees, we can alleviate the pollen issue by getting rid of all the plants on campus. Students should start by removing the trees located near the Campus Green, where most of the events at KSU are held. With those plants no longer spreading their yellow specks of torment, students, staff and visitors will be free to resume their pleasant, daily outside activities. “I have to admit, the no plants idea really works for allergies,” junior philosophy major Mae Flowers said. “My family had to get rid of the plants around our house because we lost our hazard suits. Ever since we cut down the trees and flowers, my family and I have been able to breathe much easier. It’s only natural that we do the same thing to the campus.” Snotty, miserable times are ahead for KSU students unless immediate action is taken against the pollen. By wearing hazmats suits and cutting down campus greenery, students are sure to survive this pollen season.
Autism awareness should be autism acceptance Autumn Edmonston | Staff Writer Campaigns such as “Light It Up Blue” and “World Autism Day” invite everyone to wear puzzlepiece pins and blue outfits to raise awareness of autism during April. However, April should represent autism acceptance, rather than awareness, to promote respect and celebration toward the autism community. With one in every 59 kids in America living with autism, according to the Autism Society, it is important that communities understand their impact. However, mere awareness of the condition is not enough. Simply being aware of autism promotes a negative stigma around the condition — people become familiar with an insulting stereotype rather than
deeply understanding the lives of those with autism. Jennifer Dickinson, a writer and autism activist, shared first-hand experience of what it is like to be a parent of autistic children during Autism Awareness Month in an article written for the Mighty. Dickinson wrote that awareness fails to aid those with autism and leads to misunderstanding toward the autistic community. Awareness does nothing to prevent job discrimination or abuse, and no effort has been made to include autistic people in the conversation about their own lives. While wearing a puzzle-piece ribbon is nice, promoting the name of autism does little to solve the true issues autistic communities face. Instead, the conversation needs to turn toward acceptance. Seeking to understand each person with autism and respecting the challenges they face bring value to their lives. Celebrating the autistic community and embracing
the condition that contributes to their identity will strengthen society and help to end their social hurdles. Research by the Autism Alliance reveals several extraordinary traits about autism that too often get overlooked. For example, those with autism often have a single, passionate and focused interest. This means that individuals can become a library of knowledge about one subject. Those with autism also often have increased sensory, and though this sometimes makes tasks distracting, it contributes towards exceptional sensory abilities. Lack of education about these positive traits creates the stereotype that “awareness” promotes. It ignores the fact that autistic individuals are capable of more than society gives them credit for. On campus, students can make a difference by including autistic individuals in the conversation about their lives, instead of viewing them as “other.” Students should ask what their opinions are and recognize the dignity in
their humanity. Embrace their strengths instead of trying to mold them into being “normal.” Kennesaw State is already on board with autism acceptance by providing the Academy for Inclusive Learning and Social Growth, a program offering certificates that enhance skills and career development for those with severe autism. This program is a huge step in the right direction, and the same attitude of acceptance within the program has the potential to grow into the general student body. Rather than viewing autism as a disorder waiting for a cure, it should be embraced as part of the person’s identity. The label of “autistic” should not consume the view of a person, but rather be seen as a piece of the puzzle that makes them who they are. The autistic community insists on acceptance, and it is time that it is given to them.
Celebrities, wealthy must boycott Brunei hotels Sabrina Kerns | Editor-in-Chief Communities have long debated the issue of celebrity involvement in government and politics, with many disagreeing on how celebrities use their platforms as a way to influence their followers’ views. In the case of the Brunei Boycott, however, it is necessary for celebrities and other public figures to take the lead. Earlier this month, several high-profile celebrities such as George Clooney, Ellen DeGeneres and Elton John began to boycott several luxury hotels owned by the Brunei government after the country introduced a new law that enforces death by stoning as a punishment for homosexuality. Brunei owns at least nine hotels internationally, including the Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles, the Dorchester in London and Hotel Eden in Italy, according to SBS News.
Americans continue to debate the issue of celebrities publicly voicing their opinions on governmental and political issues. In October 2018, the New York Times called on students from around the world to comment on whether celebrities should weigh in on politics, and the opinions put forth were mixed. Many commented that celebrities have the same rights as all citizens and should be able to express their opinions while others argued that celebrities have too much of an influence on people’s beliefs. It is important for celebrities to get involved in the case of the Brunei Boycott, but not to simply use their platform to spread the news and share their opinion. Reporting from the Washington Post, the New York Times and other major news outlets have already done this, and the law is a clear violation of human rights. The importance is in the formation of the boycott itself. Average citizens obviously do not have the means to regularly stay at or hold events at luxury hotels in the U.S. and around the world, but celebrities who
regularly stay at these hotels are in a position to make a real impact. Unfortunately, in the face of bigotry, voices do not always have the ability to spark change and fight oppression. Francisco Bencosme, the Asia-Pacific advocacy manager for Amnesty International, told the New York Times that public outcry is unlikely to create change.
By refusing to stay or hold events at the hotels, celebrities can make an impact that the sultan cannot simply ignore. “The more international outcry there is, it makes the sultan look more like he’s the defender of conservative Islam,” Bencosme told the New York Times. In many cases, the only way that citizens can contend with powerful bigotry is through action. Celebrities have the ability to hit the sultan of
Brunei where it hurts: his pockets. By refusing to stay or hold events at the hotels, celebrities can make an impact that the sultan cannot simply ignore. Other citizens can still take to social media and other public forums to put pressure on celebrities and other public figures to participate in the boycott and call for the laws to be overturned. While people’s voices may not have an impact on the sultan of Brunei, they have an incredible influence on celebrities and public figures who rely heavily on the support of their followers. While many in the U.S. and across the world still hold the belief that celebrities should not insert themselves into politics, it is important for celebrities to become involved in this specific case. The more support that celebrities give to the Brunei Boycott, the more likely other hotel patrons will take part in the boycott as well, creating a dent in the sultan’s wealth. For now, citizens must set differences in opinion aside and use their best offense to fight against the abuse and murder of the LGBTQ population in Brunei.
Anti-racism center needed at KSU Luke Gardner | Arts & Living Editor The creation of an anti-racism education center is vital, easily-obtainable and was promised by Kennesaw State a decade ago, and it can only come to fruition now if students mobilize to pressure the administration. In an 1899 letter to The Independent, Georgia author Corra Harris defended the lynching of Sam Hose, an innocent man who was brutally attacked in one of the most infamous lynchings in U.S. history. Hose was gutted and burned alive while a crowd of white supporters watched and cheered, according to the Washington Post. Over a century later, in 2009, KSU obtained a gift of land which serves as the resting place for Harris, whom the university intended to honor and promote as a feminist scholar. These plans were cut short, however, when students and faculty became aware of the letter and expressed their frustration. In response to the pressure from the community, then-President Daniel Papp created a Blue Ribbon Commission in 2010 to decide what to do with the land. Among many solutions, the commission decided that an anti-racist education center should be built, according to documents obtained from KSU. Today we see the moral and educational failures that have resulted in the blatant ignoring of such a vital promise, and students of color are the ones paying the price. Over the past decade, KSU has made national headlines numerous times for instances of blatant and systemic racism. In the past decade alone, black cheerleaders were silenced by former President Olens’ administration working with Cobb County Sheriff Neil Warren and state Rep. Earl Ehrhart, and a black student had the police called on him by an advisor for waiting quietly in a public room on campus in 2015. A couple of months ago, a viral GroupMe chat also showed students making jokes and threats based on white-supremacist ideology. Not soon after, student rapper Jaye Newton posted a video of him being racially profiled by the police.
In a meeting with activist group KSUnited over spring break, KSU President Dr. Pamela Whitten refused to even issue a statement condemning racism on campus. If KSU would have created and maintained the center, the climate on campus could have been safer for students of color because the challenges they have faced over the past decade simply may not have occurred — and even if they did, they would not be tolerated. Still, students only hear hollow excuses and receive deconstructive actions. In a meeting with activist group KSUnited over spring break, KSU President Dr. Pamela Whitten refused to even issue a statement condemning racism on campus. Last week during the National Conference of Undergraduate Research, four police officers stood around nonviolent members of the activist group as KSU employees mopped away the group’s chalk messages on campus, which condemned racism by KSU students. Undoubtedly, excuses and intimidation will keep coming. Administrators will say they are concerned to find funding, but student activists said that a 2012 task force that was created to design the center already proposed a cost-free plan for its creation. Even if the center’s creation was costly, it seems unfathomable that there is no room to move things around in KSU’s $556 million budget for 2019. KSU has budgeted billions of dollars in the last decade, and not a single cent for an anti-racist education center. Words can not describe the level of irresponsibility, greed and disregard for black students this reflects in our university’s priorities. The administration’s lack of action has exemplified that if students do not lead this charge, no one will. Administrators know many students lack the historical knowledge to understand the systemic nature of racism at KSU. Instead of empowering black students and sharing that knowledge openly, powers-at-be are silent and working to suppress the truth — seemingly hoping that students will forget the broken promise made years ago and hoping the public pressure fades away. Students must mobilize by participating in direct action and unapologetically pressuring the university to condemn racism and build the anti-racist education center. Anyone interested can express their support for the center to the Faculty Senate, who recently agreed to vote on a statement asking Whitten to create a new task force to plan the center’s creation. TheFaculty Senate can be reached at facultysenate.kennesaw.edu/contact.php. Those who want to help actively combat racism in more ways can join activist group KSUnited by reaching out to them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram under the handle @KSUnited1.
Kennesaw State University | The Sentinel | April 16, 2019 | Page 5
Page 6 | Kennesaw State University | The Sentinel | April 16, 2019
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Club of the Week: MEDLIFE Ellie Oliveira | Staff Writer
Rapper Elijah Kent uses his personal experiences to create art.
Josh Hoanj | The Sentinel
ATLANTA-BASED RAPPER OVERCOMES ADDICTION TO EXCEL IN HIS MUSIC CAREER Lily Merriman | Staff Writer Creating music can be an emotional and deeply personal process that often highlights intimate struggles and relationships in the life of the artist. “When I’m creating music and writing music, it’s the only time that I’m hyper-focused [while simultaneouly] not really thinking,” Kennesaw State senior Elijah Kent said. “It’s like I can channel my pain but I’m not actually in pain. In that moment, I’m at peace.” Kent is a self-made rapper who said that music is the one thing that is constantly on his mind. Ever since he was young, he has been expressing himself creatively. Kent grew up participating in plays and musicals in addition to playing the piano and drums. At the age of 17, Kent expanded his musical abilities through the art of freestyle rap. For the last eight years, he has continued to perfect the craft. “I always felt just different and alone, so [writing] kind of became my outlet just to express myself,” Kent said. “It was sort of therapeutic for me.” Kent began his rapping career at open mics in Atlanta after receiving
positive feedback from friends and family. His career moved quickly at age 17 when he released his first project, “Future Trippin.” Now, Kent has a total of three completed projects under his belt, the most recent of which, “The Chronicles,” was released in 2017. Kent uses his life experiences as inspiration for writing. He is a single father and he balances music and school alongside two additional jobs. On top of an already busy schedule, Kent’s number one priority is sobriety, and he said that staying sober has remained a large part of his musical journey. Although Kent partially attributes his struggle with sobriety to why he is not further along in his career, he also says that it is what motivates him to continue. “Its a part of who I am and the struggle that I’m going through, which is why I write,” Kent said. “It’s what I need to write music for, but at the same time it creates a big struggle to actually have that time to go network and deal with responsibilities.” Kent prides himself in showcasing the most honest and vulnerable
version of himself through his music. He said that this thirst for rawness was inspired by and born out of a love for “old school” musicians like Eminem, Ludacris and Green Day. “[They] touch my soul in a powerful way,” Kent said. “The same powerful, emotional experience that I get when I listen to those artists that I love — I wanna give that to someone else.” Kent encourages fellow rappers on the journey to success to never simply make music so that it will be perceived as cool. Instead, he said to be authentic to who you are, even when other people might not understand it. “Either people get it and it’s powerful to them or people don’t like it,” Kent said. “I get mixed responses to that.” Kent has big dreams for the future. He hopes to one day reach world-touring status and to eventually transition into film and acting. For more information about Elijah Kent and his rap career, follow him on Instagram @elijahkentmusic.
CyberSecurity Intern values learning over perfection Lily Merriman | Contributor College students expecting themselves to perform perfectly at an internship is like a child expecting to hit a home run their first time picking up a baseball bat. Soon-to-be Kennesaw State graduate Aaron Schwartz learned this lesson during his internship with Booz Allen Hamilton, a technology and consulting company. “In the grand scheme of things, if [companies] wanted someone that already knew what they were doing right away, then they would have gotten someone with five, 10 years under their belt,” Schwartz said. “When a company selects you as an intern, they want you to learn.” Schwartz, an information security and assurance major, was offered the job after completing his internship and will begin work as a vulnerability analyst after he graduates from the Cole’s College of Business this spring. Vulnerability analysts examine computer systems, networks and applications to identify potential problems and help educate clients on how to prevent these possible weak spots. During the internship, Schwartz said he had the realization that no company expects their interns to be
Julia Cotton | The Sentinel perfect. This is something that he said is important for all students to keep in mind when starting an internship. Companies hire interns to gain industry understanding, so students should not be afraid to make mistakes if that ultimately means improving at the job, Schwartz said. Students should also understand that they are selected to be an intern because the company saw something admirable in them. Schwartz said he
believes it was likely his drive and hands-on experience that made him stand out among his competitors. “I had a class where, instead of being tested on a textbook, I had to manage two different servers for two different operating systems and learn how to protect them,” Schwartz said. “And that right there just blew them away — the fact that I’m getting real, practical experience and I’m not just sitting there reading a book. I’m out there and I’m learning how things are done in the cyber-security world.” Schwartz acknowledged that luck did play a part in his job offer, but added that the harder he has worked, the nicer the luck that has followed. “I’m a firm believer that the harder you work, the luckier you get,” Schwartz said. “Of course, some luck comes with being in the right place at the right time, but I’ve found that hard work led me to better avenues than simply waiting for luck to pass me by.” For more information on Booz Allen Hamilton, visit boozallen.com. If you are interested in learning more about the Coles College of Business at KSU, visit coles.kennesaw.edu.
As tubes of unused, expired antibiotics, ointments and generic pills sit in the dumpsters of western nations, Reuters reported that billions around the globe — and here at home — do not have access to basic health services. Medicine Education and Development for Low-Income Families Everywhere is a non-profit organization that partners with low-income communities in Latin America and Africa to improve their access to quality healthcare and education. The MEDLIFE chapter at KSU was founded in January by Erin Huenink, who serves as its president, and Melanie Bagyi, who serves as its vice president. Huenink wanted to open a chapter at KSU after she transferred from UGA, where she was a part of MEDLIFE. During Huenink’s time at the UGA MEDLIFE chapter, she took a trip to Peru, where she helped local communities by providing medical education and medicine in a mobile clinic. Huenink and Bagyi plan on helping local communities through KSU MEDLIFE. Bagyi said that the chapter is also currently looking to partner with other KSU organizations to volunteer with. “We want to incorporate [MEDLIFE] into our local communities too, because [helping] starts at home,” Huenink said. KSU MEDLIFE meets biweekly on Mondays at 4 p.m. in room 135 of the Bagwell College of Education and is seeking involved members and candidates for leadership positions. KSU MEDLIFE plans to have guest speakers, outdoor service projects and fundraisers in the near future. Members are required to attend meetings regularly and participate in three hours of community service each semester. In the future, Bagyi said that KSU MEDLIFE hopes to take international mission trips to help those in poverty. The leaders plan on raising money through events to fund scholarships for students who want to go on mission trips but do not have the monetary means. Overseas, MEDLIFE partners with local medical, educational and other professionals so that it can help in a culturally-sensitive manner while being sustainable, Huenink said. “It’s not just people come in for a week and ... help out and then leave and nothing else happens.” Huenink said. “They really make sure it’s something that continues.” Bagyi said that the partnership between MEDLIFE and communities abroad is important because the locals know where help is required. “They build relationships with these communities,” Bagyi said. “You just go in and really get to know [the] community and they say what the needs really [are] there, not just what you may see on the surface.” MEDLIFE was founded by Nick Ellis in 2005 after working as a translator in Ecuadorian hospitals, according to its website. There, Ellis met Darwin, a young boy in need of heart surgery, but the clinic was only there for a specific amount of time and could not provide the boy with the surgery. Shortly after, Ellis went home to Maine and raised enough money to fund Darwin’s heart surgery within hours of asking for donations in a Walmart parking lot, according to the MEDLIFE website. It was this act that birthed the organization, which has since expanded to Peru, Nicaragua, Tanzania and parts of Ecuador. For more information on MEDLIFE, visit medlifemovement. org, and for KSU’s branch, visit owllife.kennesaw.edu/organization/ medlifeatksu.
Kennesaw State University | The Sentinel | April 16, 2019 | Page 7 March 26 SOLUTION
ACROSS
Photo Courtesy of Ivan Pulinkala
DANCING TO DEANSHIP: AN ACADEMIC ARTIST EXCELS Zack Hill | Staff Writer Respect for culture and tradition make excellent skills in a dancer, but perhaps even more so in a dean. “The arts prepare students to think creatively, advance with confidence and develop exceptional communication skills,” College of the Arts Dean Ivan Pulinkala said. “We are not just in the business of developing art practitioners and scholars, but more holistically, outstanding citizens.” Pulinkala was chosen as Kennesaw State’s new dean of the College of the Arts in early March after serving as interim dean since Summer 2018 and spending the prior decade building KSU’s department of dance. During his interim tenure as dean this academic year, Pulinkala has helped raise over half a million dollars in philanthropic support and started a re-branding project to give the College of the Arts a place within the arts community of Atlanta. “I’m excited for the opportunity to build on the legacy we have as an academic college that is one of the doorways to KSU for donors, patrons, students, colleagues and industry partners,” Pulinkala said. “I hope to achieve regional standing as a distinguished College of the Arts. I want to celebrate the regional and national accomplishments of students, faculty and staff within each of the four disciplinary units in the College of the Arts. I also want to advance the College of the
Arts philanthropic and community engagement mission at KSU.” Pulinkala said he chose to apply for the position because his work as director of the department of dance and as a leader in the Atlanta art community gave him the experience and community connections to help serve the future development of the college. Since joining the KSU faculty in 2005, he founded the department of dance and has served as its director and also as the chair of dance. The KSU department of dance was built collaboratively between Pulinkala and his colleagues at KSU, along with support from community partnerships by dance and art organizations in Atlanta. The program started as a minor in 2005 and then developed into a major in 2009. The KSU Dance Theater opened on the Marietta campus in 2017 and serves as the performance home for the KSU Dance Company. Pulinkala studied dance under several different teachers in both India and America. In 1998, he moved to America to pursue his Master’s degree in Dance from Mills College in California. He then moved to New York City to dance at the Paul Taylor School. Pulinkala’s first faculty appointment was at Murray State University in Kentucky where he worked for four years before coming to KSU. He said he chose to work at KSU because he was excited by the idea of building the dance program.
Pulinkala is currently working on new choreographic work that will premiere in spring 2020. “This work will be a collaboration between the College of the Arts and the College of Computing and Software Engineering,” Pulinkala said. “This is an example of the opportunity KSU provides for us to work with students and colleagues in interdisciplinary ways.” The project is still in its early stages of development, but the goal is to create a work that celebrates the union of computing technology and art. The topic of the project is on near-death experiences that came from real-life published accounts. Pulinkala also hopes to continue advancing and growing KSU as a major presence in the Atlanta art community. “A focus of my deanship will be to advance the College of the Arts at KSU regionally and situate it as a vital part of the Atlanta arts ecology,” Pulinkala said. “Through various forms of community-based practices, we hope to develop internships and service-learning opportunities for our students, and provide opportunities to experience and engage more effectively with the Atlanta art community.” To learn more about Pulinkala, visit facultyweb.kennesaw.edu/ ipulinka. For information on the College of the Arts, visit arts.kennesaw.edu, and for the department of dance, visit arts.kennesaw.edu/dance.
CDC, WinShape Camps intern recognized by Board of Regents Samuel Sinclair | Staff Writer Every student and worker dreams to know the feeling of accomplishment and validation that fills one’s chest after being praised by higher-ups. Kennesaw State senior Erica Lundak felt just that as she was awarded the high honor of being selected to be KSU’s representative at the Board of Regents’ 2019 Academic Recognition Day. Lundak received the BOR honor because of her community involvement and academic achievement, having maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout her educational career at KSU. Humbled and surprised to be chosen to represent KSU, Lundak said that she was delighted to meet KSU President Dr. Pamela Whitten, whom she holds in high regard. The community involvement that Lundak was recognized for stems from her internship at the Center for Disease Control and her internship at the WinShape Camps, a Christianity-centered community program for kids. Three summers after joining WinShape as a summer staff member, Lundak is now the operations intern of the international team. “I focus on logistics, prepping camp for the summer and working with a team whose goal
is to make this camp happen internationally,” Lundak said. The camp works with kids, partnering organizations, churches and members of the participating communities to bring kids fun activities such as crafts, field day games and face painting. WinShape goes into a new community each week and has hosted as many as a thousand campers in a session. Lundak spent the latter years of her own adolescence dreaming of getting a quality education, and it was a dream that came true. “I just wanted a degree at first, but I didn’t know which,” Lundak said. “I always had my eyes on KSU for college though, because ... the school offered a wide variety of majors and was close to home.” As a freshman at KSU, Lundak spent time shadowing professionals in nursing, engineering and other fields. Around her sophomore year, the public health education major began to be offered as a new degree program at KSU. After taking a few of the new degree’s introductory courses, Lundak became interested in pursuing the major. “The degree program was appealing because I knew it would allow me to gain versatile knowledge and skillsets in order to serve populations with their health
needs from a number of angles,” Lundak said. It was her pursuit of academic success in the field that led Lundak to her internship with the CDC. Entirely different in nature than the WinShape internship, the CDC internship was created specifically for Lundak and allows her to receive experience in several different divisions of the organization. Currently, she works primarily within the Division of Global Migration and Quarantine and secondarily with the Medical Assessment Policy Team. Under these divisions, Lundak works to evaluate the health of immigrants, migrants and refugees. “My tasks are very teamwork-oriented, and what I do applies directly to what I learned at KSU,” Lundak said. Lundak’s goals do not stop with a BOR award or involved internships. Lundak has much more on the horizon. “I’m considering getting a masters in public health,” Lundak said. “I’ll continue getting more experience serving communities domestically and internationally, whether it be through the CDC or other organizations yet to come.”
CROSSWORD:
Off to the races
Solutions to this week’s puzzles will be in the next issue.
DOWN 1. Longest division of time 2. Objectivity preventer 3. Like most-desired ribbon 4. Evening in Roma 5. Turn red 6. Co-eds’ military org. 7. Isaac’s firstborn 8. Informal wear 9. Part of play 10. *____ Downs 11. Olden day women’s riding garb 12. Dutch cheese 14. Home to Burj Khalifa 21. Florida Key, e.g. 22. Steeped beverages 26. Opposite of potential 27. Caribbean rattle 28. *Race, literally 29. European sea eagle 30. *Official Kentucky Derby broadcaster 31. Lungful 32. *Second leg of the Triple Crown 34. Calf at a grocery store 36. Between NE and E 37. Sigma Alpha Epsilon 40. Beer garden mug 43. Catcher’s catcher 47. Drooping neck skin 49. Chopin’s composition 50. Relish tastebuds’ sensation 51. Law business entities 52. Paddington Bear’s homeland 54. Pearl Harbor island 55. Demeanor 56. SMS 57. Chieftain in Arabia 58. Aria, e.g. 60. Poseidon’s domain 63. *Trifecta or Exacta
SUDOKU
Ivan Pulinkala founded the dance program after coming to KSU in 2005.
1. Goes with flows 5. Worry excessively 9. Occasional heart condition 13. Well-____ machine 15. *War Admiral’s 1938 experience 16. Sudan’s neighbor 17. a.k.a. Pleasant Island 18. Great Salt Lake state 19. Marching band member 20. *Unlikely champion during Great Depression 23. Shiny wheel part 24. Religious Wednesday 25. Don’t just stand there! 27. A cool ____, as in money 28. Come off 30. Type of cabbage 33. Never without “n” 35. Infection of the eyelid, pl. 38. Ethiopian currency 39. Sea swallows 41. Arm bone 42. Best of the crop 44. Aid in crime 45. Away from wind 46. Sourly 48. Snakelike reef dweller 50. Winter glider 51. ____ as a fiddle 52. Peter of the Lost Boys 53. *”The Most Exciting ____ ____ in Sports” 59. December 24 and 31 61. Bear’s hang-out 62. Retire from military 64. *Official flower of the Kentucky Derby 65. Attention-getting interjection 66. Napoleon’s stay on St. Helena, e.g. 67. Bear constellation 68. Play on words, pl. 69. *Between walk and canter
March 26 SOLUTION
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Page 8 | Kennesaw State University | The Sentinel | April 16, 2019
SPORTS
OWLS PITCHING DUO COMBINES FOR SHUTOUT AGAINST EAGLES IN FINALE AFTER 3 LOSSES EARLIER IN WEEK Garrett Pitts | Contributor & Rio White | Sports Editor The Kennesaw State baseball team played four games last week, falling at Georgia Southern before coming home to face Florida Gulf Coast, and losing twice before winning the finale on Sunday. An eighth-inning push by Georgia Southern proved to be too much as the Owls lost 7-2 in Statesboro. KSU tied the game at 2-2 in the seventh inning after the Golden Eagles took the lead on a two-run home run. Redshirt junior Justin Russell opened the scoring for the Owls by taking advantage of a wild pitch and taking home plate on the errant throw. Sophomore Tyler Simon, who advanced bases on the wild pitch, later scored on an RBI groundout. Starting pitcher Josh Coburn threw six strong innings for the Owls, but a three-run home run and two additional runs secured Georgia Southern’s lead in the eighth inning. The Owls returned home for a three-game series against FGCU on Friday. Despite a late-inning rally, KSU dropped its series opener 8-4 against the Eagles. After FGCU scored in the top of the first with an RBI groundout, junior Garrett Hodges answered for KSU in the bottom of the first by lining a single into left field, scoring in senior Jake Franklin from second base and tying the game 1-1. Following the first inning, the Owls struggled to get a good rhythm at the plate, tallying only four hits and failing to get a runner across the plate until the eighth inning. Franklin was the only Owl to reach base in every at-bat during that span, earning three walks while also stealing a base. He leads the team with 23 walks and eight stolen bases as the Owls get into the final month of the season. “[I have been] trying to get pitches in the zone that I can handle,”
Ryan Kennedy threw eight strikeouts during Saturday’s matchup against FGCU. Franklin said. “I have been on a better run this year than last year swinging at strikes and not swinging at pitches that will get me out.” FGCU took advantage of KSU’s struggles at the plate, scoring five runs in the first six innings.
“I have been on a better run this year than last year swinging at strikes and not swinging at pitches that will get me out.” With the score at 5-1 going into the eighth inning, Simon and Russell delivering RBI singles to shorten the deficit to 5-3 going into
the ninth. The Eagles answered back with bringing three runners home, increasing the lead to 8-3. KSU outfielder Terence Norman highlighted the inning, sliding into foul territory to make the catch for the first out of the inning. The Owls were able to score one last run as freshman Darius Diaz was able to advance home on a balk. Pitcher Brooks Buckler started on the mound for KSU to begin the game. He threw a season-high seven innings, allowing eleven hits and five earned runs, while also striking out four. On Saturday, the Owls began the doubleheader with another late loss that saw them take a lead into the eighth inning. Norman, Simon and Russell each hit RBI singles to help put the Owls up 4-3 in the sixth. Two innings later, the Eagles rallied to score three runs to prevent
Vanessa Banks | The Sentinel the Owls from winning their first game of the weekend series. Starting pitcher Ryan Kennedy threw six innings, gave up just three runs and had eight strikeouts. Eight different batters had hits for KSU. Later that day, KSU won 4-0 against the Eagles. Senior David Chabut hit his first home run of the season in the third inning to put the Owls on the board before junior Daniel Seres launched a three-run double in the fourth inning. The combined efforts of pitching duo Jake Rothwell and Jared Rine helped secure the win for KSU. While Rothwell threw four shutout innings with three strikeouts, Rine finished with six strikeouts and just one hit in five innings. Next, the Owls travel to Mercer on Tuesday, April 16, before visiting Stetson for a three-game weekend series.
Rio White | Sports Editor next best score. After stroke play ended on Friday, the Owls played two days of match play events where they lost the first two matches on Saturday before tying the final match on Sunday. “This was an ideal lead up to ASUN Championship, as we were able to play stress-free golf and work on execution,” Brinsmead said. “We are still pleased with the title win for the stroke play portion of the Liz Murphy. This is a huge accomplishment for the program.” In the weeks before KSU commenced its final event of the regular season, two players were selected as the Atlantic Sun Conference Player of the Week. Senior Medy Thavong earned the honor on March 28 after finishing fourth overall at the El Tigre Invitational in Mexico, where she carded an even-par score of 216. Thavong was the top finisher for the Owls and led the team to second place. It was her fourth career Player of the Week award. Redshirt junior Clara Aveling followed suit, winning the award on April 11 after posting a 2-under total and finishing sixth overall at the Brickyard Collegiate in Macon,
The Women’s golf team earned its second win of the season heading into the ASUN Championships. Georgia. Aveling has three top-10 results this season and has been the top scorer for KSU three times in her career. The Owls will now set their sights on defending their ASUN
Rio White | Sports Editor While millions of viewers around the world witnessed the miraculous comeback of Tiger Woods at the Masters, the family and friends of 28-year-old Malaysian golfer Arie Irawan were still reeling from his sudden death on Sunday, April 7. Irawan had missed the cut at the Sanya Championship in China but decided to remain at his resort area hotel for the weekend. On Sunday morning, golfer and hotel roommate Kevin Techakanokboon found Irawan unresponsive in his bed. Before medical help arrived, golfer Shotaro Ban attempted to administer CPR to Irawan, but Irawan remained unresponsive. According to the PGA Tour Series-China, the coroner’s report concluded that Irawan passed away due to “sudden death from natural causes in his sleep at the hotel.” Following the news of his death, the PGA canceled the final round of the Sanya Championship and awarded the victory to the leader after the third round. “This is just a terrible tragedy that affects all of us who are part of a very tight-knit family here in China,” PGA Tour Series-China Executive Director Greg Carlson said. “We had great affinity for Arie and we will profoundly miss him.” Although a toxicology report came out clear of any drugs, the
Straits Times reports that a full autopsy will not be performed at the request of Arawan’s family out of respect for Muslim rites. His body was flown to Malaysia from China on Wednesday, April 10. After attending the University of Tulsa for four years, Irawan turned pro in 2013 and made a quick impact on the Asian golf scene, winning twice on the Asian Developmental Tour before injuring his shoulder in a motorcycle accident. He was known as a happy and approachable person who put others before himself, even caddying for his friend Techakanokboon last year on the way to a win. Irawan had missed the cut in that tournament but decided to help out his friend. “Arie had a lot of experience and was wise beyond his years,” Techakanokboon said. “He really carried himself as a professional all the time. I’m going to miss him.” Irawan’s death comes as several young athletes have suddenly died for a variety of reasons, including heart attacks and heat stroke. From football to soccer to track and field, athletes face a level of intensity in training never seen before. It is certainly possible that Irawan is the latest victim of modern training regimens.
Thomason, Greep help softball win twice after 2 losses Rio White | Sports Editor
Aveling and Thavong earn honors before women’s golf ends regular season with win After two players won conference awards, the Kennesaw State women’s golf team finished its regular season schedule last week, playing at the Liz Murphy Collegiate Classic from Friday, April 11, to Sunday, April 13, in Athens, Georgia. The Owls finished above six nationally-ranked teams to finish tied for first during the stroke play portion of the event hosted by the University of Georgia. This marked the second win of the season for KSU and eighth overall under head coach Rhyll Brinsmead. “Today was huge for our program, to pick up wins over any SEC program is impressive let alone beating all in the field,” Brinsmead said. “We had a ton of fun playing today and I’m so proud of this team for their play today.” Leading the way for the Owls was freshman Chloe Thornton, who posted a 4-under 68 to win a share of the overall individual title. Thornton is the first Owl to win an event individually this season and it is the third time she was the top finisher in an event for KSU. The team finished tied with Augusta University at a 2-over 290 — five strokes better than the
Outside the Nest: Tragedy strikes golf world before Masters
Kevin Barrett | The Sentinel
Conference title next week from Sunday, April 21, to Tuesday, April 23. Last year, KSU finished in first place by nine strokes and had the top individual finisher as Madison Caldwell won by two strokes.
The Kennesaw State softball team played four games last week, with a home loss to Georgia Tech on Wednesday, April 10, before visiting Stetson over the weekend, dropping one game before winning twice. KSU combined for just five hits against the Yellow Jackets in a 7-0 loss, as stranded baserunners doomed the Owls. In the third inning, KSU loaded the bases but chances were thwarted by a difficult catch from Georgia Tech’s third baseman on a looping hit. Later on, another chance was presented for the Owls after a double with only one out but runs continued to elude the team all game. Former KSU player Tricia Awald scored two runs for the Yellow Jackets. The Owls traveled to Florida to play Stetson for a three-game weekend series, dropping the first game 1-0 on Saturday. Senior pitcher Hailey Andrews gave up just the one run in six innings but did not get any hit support for her performance. Senior Maddie Roth had two hits in the game, but scoring opportunities were few and far between in a game dominated by strong pitching. Later that day, KSU rebounded with a 3-2 victory that saw a last-inning comeback by the Owls. Redshirt junior Hannah Thomason scored twice in the game, helped by two stolen bases that got her into a scoring position. In the first inning, Thomason drew a walk before stealing second base, scoring after senior Kira Czyrklis hit a single up the middle. With the Owls trailing 2-1 in the
final inning, Thomason reached on an error to drive in a run before scoring the game-winning run on an RBI single by Christen Florence. Freshman Katie Greep led the way with two hits in the win while Andrews continued to find success on the mound, throwing a complete game and giving up one run. On Sunday, Greep was in the middle of the action again as she helped KSU to a 2-0 victory. She added two more hits to her growing collection while being responsible for both runs scored in the game. After scoring on a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning, Greep doubled in the seventh inning to drive in the final run of the game. Andrews won her 16th game of the season with a shutout while lowering her earned run average to 2.02 for the season — good for sixth in the Atlantic Sun Conference. On Monday, April 15, Andrews was named as the ASUN Pitcher of the Week for the second time in the past three weeks. She completed 20 innings against Stetson over the weekend and now has 185 strikeouts this season. The Owls will come home this week to play four games beginning on Wednesday, April 17, against Georgia State before hosting a three-game series against North Alabama. For the game against Georgia State, KSU’s Student Government Association is hosting a Registered Student Association leadership day with free food and giveaways.
Kennesaw State University | The Sentinel | April 16, 2019 | Page 9
Page 10 | Kennesaw State University | The Sentinel | April 16, 2019
First-Responder Students Keep Community Safe Resident Assistants Christina Bridges, Christopher Kelley, Qweita Eastman, Alexis Jones, Sammie Fairbanks, and Larry Layfield were all alert and responsive when the time came to act quickly during an emergency in February. In response to a small fire in University Village Suites, they took action by calling University Police and alerting their residents of the situation. Fortunately, everyone exited the building safely and there were no injuries. Every year Housing and Residence Life employs over 130 students who are trained in crisis and emergency response procedures. Even though we hope our students never need to use these skills, we are thankful they are trained to handle these types of situations in moments like the one last month. These six Resident Assistants are more than just on-call employees. They are leaders and role models in their communities on campus and beyond, and they play a major role in their residents’ lives. We asked
some of these Resident Assistants what it is like to be an RA, and what they enjoy about working in this specific role on campus. This is what they had to say: “Growth and change are really important to me. I’ve witnessed my residents transition from these shy and scared kids to more confident and secure adults. I’m happy to be a small part of their journey.” - Christina Bridges “‘The first and most important choice a leader makes is the choice to serve...’ This, along
with many other quotes, regarding servant leadership, drives me as an RA for my residents and the community I live in. Having the opportunity to be the person who can guide, support, be resourceful and be a leader within my community is an indescribable feeling that brings me complete joy. Taking on this role as a Resident Assistant allows me to be those things for other people. I love it because I know it is essential to the residents, to the community and to KSU.” - Qweita Eastman
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“Being an RA means changing the dynamic of how young adults view themselves. I take the initiative to inspire them to be better than the status quo.” – Alexis Jones We are incredibly grateful to have students on our team like these six role models. We thank them for their service each and every day.
Love Where You Live. Live KSU. ksuhousing.kennesaw.edu