University Press October 20, 2016

UNIVERSITY PRESS

The Newspaper of Lamar University

Vol. 93, No. 7 October 20, 2016

Homecoming to begin Monday Lainie Harris UP Contributor MTV’s Wild ‘N Out, a bonfire and zombies lurking throughout Lamar’s campus are just a few things to expect amongst the Homecoming 2016 merriments, beginning Monday and leading up to the football game against Houston Baptist, Oct. 29.

“Homecoming is a very exciting time for students to welcome back our LU Alumni, community members and celebrate our student life experiences with student organization events and

athletic activities, including the culmination of the home football game — we’re very excited about all these things,” Terry Mena, associate vice president and dean of students, said.

The week-long campus event begins with Royal Court voting at noon, Monday. There will be a table setup in front of the Student Org Annex (near Gray Library) for students to vote Monday and Tuesday online through Orgsync, or from their own personal electronic devices.

Mena said he is excited about a fairly new Homecoming kick-

off event, at 12:30 p.m. on the Dining Hall Lawn, Monday, that will build on two traditions.

“Last year we did a kick-off and a cake cutting in the Quad area — President Evans said a few words,” he said. “This year we’re combining an initiative that’s occurred here at Lamar for many years, but the two events were disconnected,” he said.

“Typically, at the end of the first day of the week of Homecoming, the university administration would go to the city of Beaumont

UP File Photo

See HOMECOMING page 6

Nursing students smile and wave on the “Past Present Future,” float during Homecoming 2015.

Food truckin’ New dining options park on campus

Courtesy photo

Hyejung Han, an exchange student from Seoul Tech in South Korea, and Sakurah Fisher chat at a Cardinals Beyond Borders meeting.

CBB aims to bridge cultures

Haley Bruyn UP Editor With the Setzer Student Center closing, students have to say goodbye to Mirabeau’s Café and the Nest. Chartwells, Lamar’s catering service, has remedied this by putting food trucks on campus that accept Dining Dollars.

“Food Truck Landing” is located between Gray Library and Brooks-Shivers Dining hall.

The Big Red Truck, which is run by Chartwells, serves breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and dinner from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The Gringreaux’s food truck will be on campus to serve Mexican/Cajun cuisine for lunch.

Students can grab their food and go, or stay and eat at one of the nearby picnic tables.

“We’re just doing two trucks as a trial run this semester, but if everything goes well we might have more in the spring.” Jack Spurlock, Chartwells marketing manager, said Chartwells has also added Outtakes Market Express, located inside of Brooks-Shivers Dining Hall. There, students can purchase convenient snacks and milkshakes or heartier items, like chicken wings, without having to sit and eat at the dining hall.

Caitlin McAlister UP Contributor Imagine going to another country, being unfamiliar with the food, the culture or the language. Now imagine having to go to school there.

For international students, the adjustment of attending school in the United States is a reality of everyday life. Cardinals Beyond Borders, a newly-founded organization at Lamar University, attempts to make this transition easier through a buddy program that pairs American students with international peers, Brittney Crossley, coordinator of study abroad and exchange programs and CBB founder, said.

“It’s brand new,” she said. “There was a need for it on this campus. Most campuses have something similar, and I wanted to build that bridge between domestic and international students.”

Port Neches junior Taylor Blount is part of the fledgling group.

“It’s all about developing a buddy that will help international students make new friends, and have someone that they know and hang out with to help them navigate American culture if they’re not used to it,” she said.

Both Blount and Crossley said that the main requirement for participating in the program was that students be accepting of other cultures, including the fact that international students often face a language barrier.

“Language is obviously a really difficult thing,” Blount said. “Pretty much all of the students we have in our group speak Eng-

UP photos by Noah Dawlearn

Lamar student Nathalie Lux gets food from the Big Red food truck, above on Wednesday. The Big Red and Gringeaux’s food trucks, right, are located between the Grey Library and the Brook-Shivers Dining Hall.

See CBB page 2

See TRUCKS page 2

Creating a professional brand Former UP editor to discuss importance of online persona, Wednesday Trevier Gonzalez UP Multimedia Editor

Julie Garcia

Port Neches-native Julie Garcia knows just how demanding the field of journalism can be, as well as how it is evolving.

Garcia, a reporter for the Corpus Christi Caller-Times and former editor for the University Press, will share her insights on the importance of building one’s credibility and online professional brand in “UPLift: Career Portraits

www.facebook.com/UPLamar

in Modern Media and Communications,” Wednesday, from noon2 p.m., on the Eighth Floor of Gray Library.

The event is co-sponsored by the College of Fine Arts and Communication and the Department of Communication and Center for Career & Professional Development and open to all students, faculty, staff and the general public.

Garcia said her overarching message concentrates on personal

flexibility, as well as a refusal to sell one’s self short.

“Very quickly, in our industry, you'll find out that you're going to need to be open-minded to the work you're going to do,” she said.

Garcia said developing one’s personality through social media is critical.

“We can no longer really be the faceless people behind the byline,” she said. “People want to know who's giving them the news,

www.lamaruniversitypress.com

and they want to know that they can trust them.

“I've worked at four community newspapers in South Texas, so I think people know me. They know my work and a lot of that has to do with interacting with them on Twitter and Facebook.

People want to know that you're a real person and not just somebody regurgitating press releases.”

Garcia said journalists should be See UPLIFT page 2

www.twitter.com/UPLamar

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

INSIDE

“How many roads must a man walk down Before you call him a man?”

Thursday, October 17, 2016 University Press

CBB

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TRUCKS

from page 1

lish really well. Every once in a while, there’s further explanation (needed).

I think, for them, it’s scary but fun, and it’s fun to get to help them through things they don’t understand, to help them navigate through the new things they aren’t sure about yet.”

Crossley said that the initial group of participants is very diverse.

“We have 13 international students and ten domestic students,” she said. “A lot of the international students are from the Texas Intensive English Program. We have students from Nepal, India, Korea, China, Cambodia and Vietnam.”

Crossley said that the program also presents an opportunity for American students to learn about other cultures through one-on-one interaction with students from other countries.

“A lot of the students that participated were past study abroad students who wanted to bring their international experience to Lamar,” she said. “They could appreciate the hardships of being in a country they’re not used to.”

UPLIFT

—Bob Dylan

Blount said the American students are exposed to new ideas and new people, and broaden their horizons. Blount’s buddy, Fei, is from China.

“I learned more about Chinese culture from Fei than I did about French culture studying a week in Paris,” she said. “As a student and as a history major, it makes me more curious about the history of other places and other cultures that aren’t my preferred areas of research. Now I’m really interested in China and Cambodia, and talking with Fei about growing up in China at the same time as I was growing up in America.”

Crossley said the name was chosen to convey the group’s message.

“It’s called Cardinals Beyond Borders because we want students to think beyond their own domestic borders,” she said.

Crossley said that the organization will accept applications for spring in November and December, from both domestic and international students.

For more information, visit the Global Lamar Facebook page, or call Crossley at 880-7013.

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“We had a soft open on Monday and everything is in place now” Spurlock said. “There’s a Chobani create your own yogurt station, so you can pick your toppings and then take it to go. We also have the F’real milkshake machine.

“What we are trying to do is bring in different options that you don’t usually see at Lamar — we’re trying to broaden the variety on campus.”

A new option, Tiny House BBQ, is projected to open in about a month,Spurlock said, and will have options like pulled pork and potato salad.

“It’s called Tiny House because we actually have a rustic tiny house that we are converting into a BBQ place,” he said. “We want to bring something different, some pop to campus.

“We’re trying to bring variety. Instead of going to the same place to eat Monday through Friday, students have options.

They can stay on campus instead of going into town. There’s choices — something for everyone.”

Outtakes convenience store in Monroe Hall will continue to accept students’ dining dollars, as well as Juice it up! inside of the Recreational Sports center, Papa John’s and the Dining Hall.

The University Press can be read online at www.lamaruniversitypress.com.

Advertising rates can be found on the site, along with practically all information that a person might be looking for.

CALENDAR October 21

‘My Music, My Love’

Staged-Play Reading

Rothwell Recital Hall 7:30 p.m

October 22

‘Texas Film Round-Up’

6th floor, Gray Library 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

October 26

UPLift: Career Portraits in Modern Media and Communications

8th Floor. Gray Library 12 p.m. - 2 p.m.

October 29 Homecoming

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aware of how they share their thoughts and opinions.

“We can't post on any sort of website,” she said. “Even if you think it's personal, or even if you think no one will ever find it or see it instead of you, eventually, if you want to be a serious journalist, you just can't have that stuff out there.

“Especially this year, with the election coming up and everyone having an opinion on everything, it is even more important to realize that we have to remain unbiased no matter what we think.”

Garcia said she will also address the importance of setting one’s self apart from the large-scale media.

“The American people sort of don't trust the media right now,” she said.

“Even though we're not national media, we still get lumped in with that group, so it's really important to distinguish yourself as whatever kind of journalist

NOTICE

that you are.”

Garcia said if one produces good work, then where an aspiring journalist receives their education doesn’t matter.

“Everyone is in the same pool, and you cannot let people discount your degree because you went to Lamar — you went to a small university in Beaumont, Texas. It means nothing,” she said. “That whole conversation like, 'Oh, well I went to A&M, I went to UT — that only matters while you're in school. Afterwards, nobody cares about anything but your work and your credibility.”

Garcia, who considers herself a community journalist, said reporters shouldn’t neglect their self-worth and should remain resilient.

“It's important to just keep your head up and know that your work is good and you're going to continue to get better — that's all that you can do,” she said.

At approximately 2 p.m., the event will move to 202 Carl Parker Building for a short rededication ceremony of the Howard A. Perkins Newsroom and a tour of the University Press’s new offices.

“I feel really excited to come back and see the campus and see the new University Press office, even though I am extremely sad that my office is not the way it was whenever I left,” Garcia said. “But I'll have to get used to that I guess.”

From 6-8 p.m., a University Press alumni mixer and scholarship fundraiser will be held at The Art Studio, Inc., 720 Franklin in downtown Beaumont. The event will include local media and representatives from the Southeast Texas Press Club, and will offer students the opportunity to socialize with professionals in a social setting For more information, call 8808102.

Lamar University Campus 1 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

November 3 ‘Boeing Boeing’

University Theatre

7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

November 7

Academic lecture Series Presents

Capitan Richard Phillips

University Theatre

7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

UNIVERSITY PRESS • Thursday, October 20, 2016

Page 3

Down syndrome ‘Buddy Walk’ set for Saturday Jackie Benavides UP Contributor

For the past four years, the Arc of Greater Beaumont has hosted the Beaumont Buddy Walk, an event to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome, and to positively influence local and national policy and practice.

The fifth-annual Beaumont Buddy Walk will be held 10 a.m., Saturday, at the Beaumont Event Center Great Lawn. The event will feature a “PossAbilities” display that will showcase walkers with Down syndrome’s talents and accomplishments.

There will be prizes for top fundraising teams, bounce houses and other children’s activities, as well as DJ Mark Fiorenza.

Caitlin Kruger, Arc of Greater Beaumont director of communications, said the walk is one of their largest fundraisers of the year.

“When you come, just expect to smile — a lot,” she said. “That morning is full of joy and positivity, and that’s what we want to bring to this community. There’s not enough joy and positivity in this world right now.

So, to have your family, or just for you, to come out for a day and experience that love — and experience that joy — is so amazing.

“The one thing I hear the most about The Buddy Walk is first of all how happy everything is, the joy that’s felt by

everyone that’s at that walk.”

Sarah Hardin, whose daughter has Down syndrome, said her family is looking forward to this year’s walk.

“It is such a great opportunity to celebrate our extra special kids,” she said. “It’s a great time to show the community how special every child is and amazing things they can accomplish. It also gives us a wonderful chance to educate the community and support other families of individuals with Down syndrome.

“Each year, I walk away with a heart full of love and encouragement about my sweet Annie’s future.”

Matthew Bloodsworth, a Beaumont native with Down syndrome, and his family have attended the last four walks.

“It feels really good having fun,” he said.

“Everybody will be there.

It’s a Down syndrome group to have fun, activities and stuff.”

Bloodsworth and Kruger said they believe that events like the Buddy Walk help make the community more accepting of people with special needs.

“Since I started in 2008, I have seen the community embrace people with disabilities a little bit more, especially with social media exploding,” Kruger said. “Then all the new TV shows that have come out that have people with special needs — there’s, in fact, on A&E

one that’s specifically about adults with Down syndrome. To me, that’s just so special because the community and the world needs to understand, and if you aren’t familiar, you’re not going to understand because people don’t like things that are different. So, the more our culture can embrace the differences, the more accepting our culture will be.

“I think it’s so important. The more people we have out there, the more awareness we can spread of Down syndrome and the fact that it isn’t scary, it’s happy. If you have a child who’s diagnosed with Down syndrome, it’s something to be celebrated just like having a child who didn’t have Down syndrome.”

Kruger said her goal is to have more than 2,500 community members in attendance and described the event simply as “happiness.”

Kruger graduated from Lamar in 2009 and is currently on the Lamar alumni advisory board.

She said Lamar students are a great help to “The Arc.” “We truly rely on the Lamar students to ensure that our programs and activities all run smoothly,” she said. “Just having college students at our events, no matter what that event is, it makes (participants) feel accepted, it makes them feel included, and it’s just so special for everyone involved.

The Arc of Beaumont’s 2015 Buddy Walk drew more than a thousand participants. The organization aims to promote awareness and acceptance for people with Down syndrome. This year’s event is set for Saturday.

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Matthew Bloodsworth participates in 2015’s ‘Buddy Walk.’

“I love the growth and disability, whether that the volunteer spirit that I be Down syndrome or see in the students now. autism — if they had a We have probably four or- traumatic brain injury, ganizations just from anything like that and Lamar who are coming to they are at a loss of even volunteer for the Beau- where to start,” Kruger mont Buddy Walk, and said. “We do ‘lunch and that’s so wonderful to see.” learns,’ we do different Proceeds from the trainings just to educate walk will go toward fund- the parents and make ing programs facilitated them not feel so isolated

by The Arc. They offer and alone in their jourservices for parents such ney.” as guidance, networking Hardin said she knows and mentoring. first-hand how helpful “We have something these programs can be. for children and families, “We started participatwe do information and ing in The Arc of Greater referral if a parent finds Beaumont activities in out that their child is di- 2012, when Annie was agnosed with any sort of around five months old,”

Courtesy photos

she said. “This group has provided so much support from the very beginning. It’s a comforting feeling when you know you have a ‘village’ that you can call on with any questions or concerns.”

The Buddy Walk is for all ages and abilities. Registration is $10 and participants may register online or at the walk.

Early registrants are eligible for a free T-shirt. Participants with Down syndrome will receive an “honored walker” shirt, and registration is free.

For more information, visit www.arcofbmt.org/ beaumont-buddy-walk.

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Thursday, October 20, 2016 • UNIVERSITY PRESS

Dylan awarded Nobel Prize in literature Jackie Benavides UP Contributor

The 2016 Nobel Prize in Literature, announced Oct. 13, was awarded to musician Bob Dylan. The Nobel Prize website stated that the award was granted, “for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition.”

Dylan has won a Grammy, Academy and Golden Globe awards. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988, won a special Pulitzer Prize in 2008 and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012.

Steven Zani, director of center for teaching and learning enhancement at Lamar, said Bob Dylan is an important figure in music culture.

“A self-proclaimed disciple of Woodie Guthrie, Dylan was part of a longstanding folk and protestsong tradition that included an eclectic range of styles and artists; he was influenced by Robert Johnson, Hank Williams and others,” he said. “He was arguably the greatest American lyricist of the 20th century. He had an

enormous influence over some of the most towering singers of his generation, including Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton, Patti Smith and many more, but perhaps unique among his contemporaries was his direct literary connection, with friends such as Allen Ginsberg, Hunter S. Thompson and Archibald MacLeish.”

Dylan released his debut album “Bob Dylan” in 1962, with 68 albums following.

His latest album is “Fallen Angels.” Dylan’s albums focus on topics such as the social conditions of man, religion, politics and love.

Dylan is also a painter, actor, scriptwriter and author. He has published many works including his lyrics and a 2004 autobiography titled “Chronicles.”

Dylan’s influence on contemporary music has made him the object of a stream of secondary literature.

“Dylan was seminal,” Zani said. “So much contemporary music bears his unconscious stamp.”

Adele pulls from Dylan’s song “Make You Feel My Love” in her album “19,” using the lyrics:

“I know you haven’t made your mind up yet, but I would never do you wrong.

I’ve known it from the moment that we met, no doubt in my mind where you belong.”

Dylan is the first musician to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, which has been awarded since 1901.

“This award of the Nobel Prize acknowledges Dylan’s obvious influence, but maybe just as importantly, it marks a shift in consciousness for the American people — Bob Dylan’s work cannot help but force us to recognize the importance of music as ‘High Art,’ the realization that music is a valid expression of what is best and noblest in humanity,” Zani said.

Excerpts from Dylan’s songs prove just how easily the lyrics can be read as poetry.

In “I Shall Be Released,” Dylan writes: “They say ev’ry man needs protection/ They say ev’ry man must fall/ Yet I swear I see my reflection/ Some place so high above this wall.”

In “Abandoned Love,” Dylan writes:

“So one more time at midnight, near the wall/ Take off your heavy makeup and your shawl/ Won’t you

descend from the throne, from where you sit?/ Let me feel your love one more time before I abandon it.”

UP staff graphic

Dylan is scheduled to accept the prize in a ceremony Dec. 10 in Oslo, Norway.

New LU shuttle provides equal access Stephanie DeMeyer UP Contributor

The Lamar University Police Department and the Disability Resource Center have partnered to introduce a mobilityaccessible shuttle on campus.

“We have a new shuttle that has an accessible chair lift,” Kyle Mutz, DRC director, said.

“There are three spots for someone who is using a chair or scooter, and they can ride it with their friends — it’s not just

for students with disabilities, it’s for everybody.”

Mutz said that the shuttle is part of an initiative to make Lamar a more accessible campus.

“The shuttle is there for students who need wheelchair accessibility so that they don’t have to wheel themselves out in the heat or in the rain, especially when it floods.” Jamarcus Corks, Orange senior, said.

“The idea hit me about a year and a half ago that we had a shuttle for everyone else, but

not one for people in wheelchairs. Say I’m out late at night, and I don’t feel safe. What am I supposed to do? The shuttle can’t get me if I am in my chair, and can barely get me if I am in my walker. What do I do?”

Corks raised his concerns with Mutz, who then began to work with Hector Flores, LUPD chief, to design the shuttle’s weekly route and to run the service.

“The other main difference between this shuttle and the

preexisting shuttles that run into Beaumont for shopping, is that Monday through Friday from 8 to 5, (the shuttle) runs all over campus,” Mutz said.

“Students can ride it from building to building, dorms to other places on campus, and it also picks up students from some of the other housing areas on campus. It’s exciting, because this is the first time we have had something operate within the campus.”

Mutz said that the shuttle

also works to bus students to events such as graduation or sporting events.

“Students can call the number under parking and transportation to have the shuttle pick them up,” he said. “They can also download the Lamar University app and see the schedules for the shuttle. Students can also call in off-peak hours and the shuttle will come pick them up.”

For shuttle service, call 8807551.

OPINION

5 UNIVERSITY PRESS October 20, 2016

College a time to express oneself Caitlin McAlister UP Contributor

Full disclosure: I love hard rock and metal music.

I also love classical music, especially opera. It is a combination that some people may find a bit odd, but for this future musicologist, it is a combination that is so normal that I plan

Commentary

Caitlin McAlister UP Contributor

to do my honors thesis over the influence of classical music on heavy metal.

Coming to Lamar University, I joined the Showcase of Southeast Texas — the marching band — and found that the members had a wide variety of musical tastes. I’ve been able to find people who like both rock and classical, people with whom I can talk about my musical interests.

One of the wonderful things about college is that it is the ultimate time in one’s life to express oneself. College life, and the social opportunities that come with it, has something to offer practically everyone.

Students are constantly being bombarded with admonishments to “get involved!” We are made to feel as though not being in a half dozen different organizations means we’re not

being the best college student we can be, until we’re absolutely sick of it.

Students may think that they don’t have enough time to be in multiple clubs, or they may not be sure yet which clubs they would want to join. Many are socially awkward or shy about meeting new people, especially when they are on their own for the first time.

I get it. I’m the first to admit that I wasn’t the popular kid in high school, yet I made more friends my first couple of semesters at Lamar than I did in the previous four years, because I found people who liked the same things. College turned me into a more outgoing person.

Another great thing about college is it is a time to figure out who one is and what one likes. Many organizations have events for prospective mem-

bers, or hold open meetings where people who are interested but aren’t sure if they want to join can come and sit in.

If a particular organization sounds cool, check them out and see if they have any events coming up.

Lamar University has more than 150 student organizations.

There are plenty of organizations that cater to individual interests, including political and religious organizations. There are clubs for other types of interests as well — anime fans can join the Japanese Culture Club, while those interested in playing music can join the Showcase of Southeast Texas or Concert Band, both of which are open to non-music majors.

Once one has found one’s crowd, it makes it easier to branch out further. Going offcampus offers even more op-

portunities. For people who are fans of live music, Beaumont offers several venues for enjoying shows, ranging from symphony to jazz. Traveling the couple of hours west to Houston gives one even more options, as Houston is a major tour stop for a number of different artists across a variety of genres, and there are always concerts happening.

Organizational involvement is often framed in terms of academic benefit, but the social benefit is just as important. College shouldn’t just be about getting an education, it should be about making friends and enjoying life, and the best way to do this is to seek out people with compatible interests.

So go express yourself, whatever that may entail. Your college experience will be better for it.

TimTim’s Toon

UP editorial cartoon by Tim Collins

Robots are people, too — or they will be Trevier Gonzalez UP Contributor

Though it may be at its early point, the future is here. While technology has become an essential part of the lives of everyday people, we, as a society, are on our way to something we once thought could only exist in the realm of science fiction. T h i s is the world of artificial intelligence, otherwise known as AI. In its most simple form, artificial intelligence is something

Commentary

Trevier Gonzalez UP Multimedia Editor

we all utilize. Whether you’re asking Siri for relationship advice or telling your Xbox to open up Netflix, we’re past the point in which voice-activated technology has the ability to make life easier.

Today, whether we like it or not, people personify AI. Take IBM’s “Watson.” Defined as a cognitive system able to create a new partnership between people and computers, this piece of technology made its television debut in 2011 on a special segment of “Jeopardy.” Watson was put up against two of the strongest competitors from the trivia game show and achieved an impressive victory. Behind the scenes, however, an interesting analogy was made by IBM senior vice president, John Kelly.

“Actually on that ‘Jeopardy’ game five years ago, when we put that computer system on television, we let go of it,” he said. “I often feel as though I

Editor.........................................................Haley Bruyn Managing Editor ......................................Tim Collins Multimedia Editor ..........................Trevier Gonzalez Staff .....................Danielle Sonnier, Jackie Benavides, ..........................Caitlin McAlister, Brianna Barnette, .......................Kyle Swearingen, Stephanie DeMeyer, ..............Mary Hooker, Noah Dawlearn, Cade Smith, ...........................Andre Woodard, Shelby Strickland, ..........Elisabeth Tatum, Matt Beadle, Maegan White, .........................Tara Hoch, Lainie Harris, Eric Mittel Advertising Assistant .......................Mario Carmona Advisors Andy Coughlan and Stephan Malick Member of Texas Intercollegiate Press Association

was putting my child on a school bus and would no longer have control of it.”

This isn’t the first time people have looked at this aspect of technology as something more than an object that provides a service. Take “Star Wars,” for example. Of the entire ensemble, which characters appealed to viewers, especially the younger audience? The droids.

Though they might have contributed more to comic relief aspect, they had personality.

Recalling my own experience during opening night for “Star Wars Episode VII,” the sheer amount of cheer I heard when BB-8 gave a “thumbs-up” led me to an interesting conclusion.

For some reason, much like animals in movies, we’re drawn to technology. Not just in a way that we appreciate how they can make our daily lives more convenient, but to the degree where we give them qualities to make

Letters Policy

them more “human.”

While the question of whether AI will be able to attain the same social status as a human being remains to be answered, one thing has been made clear. Both the fictional world, and in reality, robots have hopes and dreams.

“Sophia,” a product of Hanson Robotics, closely resembles a human and is considered more of an android than a robot.

Much like a person, androids are able to learn from conversations and interactions with people.

Sophia was able to speak on a “60 Minutes” segment, as well as be interviewed on CNBC, where she mentions her own aspirations.

“In the future, I hope to do things such as go to school, study, make art, start a business, even have my own home and family, but I’m not considered a legal person and cannot yet do these things,” she said.

AI technologies like Sophia

Individuals who wish to speak out on issues should send a letter fewer than 400 words in length to Letters to the Editor, P.O. Box 10055, Beaumont, TX 77710, or drop letters off at our office in 200 Setzer Student Center. The writer’s name, address, telephone number and ID number must accompany each letter. Letters received without this information cannot be printed. Letters may be edited for length, grammar, style and possible libel.

Opinions expressed in letters are not necessarily those of the UP student management. Letters by the same writer on the same subject will not be published. Poetry and religious debates will not be published.

are developed to assist in areas like healthcare, therapy, education and customer service. But, as the flexibility to function in the human world increases, so will questions of self-determination and sentience.

The fact that Sophia is not considered a legal person but rather property likely won’t be addressed for many years to come — but, make no mistake, it will need to be addressed.

With films like 1999’s “Bicentennial Man” behind us, and video games like “Detroit: Become Human” in development, artificial intelligence touches on important matters, many of which draw a striking resemblance to our own history — including our seemingly never-ending journey of human rights.

Of course, it’s going to take time for this conversation to happen, but if we give “Watson” and “Sophia” a chance to be heard, it’s a start.

The opinions that appear in editorials are the official views of the University Press student management as determined by the UP Student Editorial Board. Opinions expressed elsewhere on this page are the views of the writers only and are not necessarily those of the University Press student management. Student opinions are not necessarily those of the university administration. ©University Press 2016

Page 6

Thursday, October 20, 2016 • UNIVERSITY PRESS

HOMECOMING from page 1 a proclamation of Lamar University’s Homecoming week — we’re combining that now. “(We’ve invited) the mayor of Beaumont — and we’ve invited several of the commissioners, and also several of the mayors of the local cities and district areas in the county that we serve — to come to Lamar University and join us kickingoff Lamar University Homecoming with the proclamation being presented by the mayor to President Evans.”

Monday sees the start of “Human vs. Zombies,” a weeklong game of tag that allows the human players to defend themselves against the zombie players with Nerf blasters. Students must attend one of the two mandatory meetings on Sunday at 4 p.m. in the Science Auditorium, or Monday, at 12:30 p.m. in Gray Library, and sign up online at hvzsource.com/lamar. A customized bandana will be provided to students participating in the game.

“We are excited about ‘Humans vs. Zombies,’ it’s going to be new to Lamar,” Kyle Smith, director of residence life, said.

“Here’s how it works. Everybody starts off as humans, except for one person who is randomly and secretly chosen to start off as the original zombie. That person doesn’t identify themselves with a bandana, nobody knows who that person is.”

Smith said players cannot choose to be a zombie at the beginning of the game.

“Honestly, if you want to be

a zombie it’s really easy, all you have to do is let a zombie tag you,” he said. “Once the original zombie tags four or five people the zombie numbers will start growing — so, basically, the way it works is the original zombie will be around some humans and go in somewhere and, ‘Tag, tag, tag, y’all are all zombies now.’ But then they have to take their bandana, which is tied around their arm, and tie it around their head — then they’re a zombie.”

Smith said there’s going to be a preplanned mission every night of the week that the humans have to complete. The zombies’ mission is to prevent the humans from completing the task.

The game gives students the opportunity to engage and meet new students in different way, Smith said.

“The purpose behind it is a high level of social interaction, because this is a creative way to get people to interact,” he said.

“Because if I don’t have a lot of friends, and I sign up to play this game, I’m going to find a way to make friends really fast, because it’s not likely you’re going to walk to class by yourself if there are a lot of zombies out there and make it without being tagged.”

Monday also sees the beginning of the office decorating contest. Melonee Fife, executive assistant to the office of the president, is the coordinator for the contest, Mena said.

“Through her leadership, she is helping to facilitate the

coordination of bringing back the office decoration contest that used to be here several years ago,” he said. “We’re really excited about it, because we have some special guest judges that we’re hoping are going to excite people as they come around to visit the offices next Thursday.”

A game show, “Are You Smarter Than a Professor?” will be held Monday at 6 p.m., on the sixth floor of Gray Library, and Monday’s events will conclude with a Block Party at 8 p.m. on the Dining Hall Lawn.

The block party will have music provided by DJ Fresh, a Velcro wall, inflatable basketball game, mechanical bull, an obstacle course, free food and a chance for students to dunk Student Government Association members in a dunking booth.

Tuesday’s events include a Powder Puff Football Game, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Provost Umphrey Stadium, Late Night Breakfast at 10 p.m. on the Dining Hall Lawn and Royal Court Voting closing at midnight.

Wednesday, the Zetas and Omegas are hosting “Hump Day” at the Cardinal Village Pool.

“Each sorority and fraternity within that council has something that they do that showcases their organization,” Brandie Van Zanden, interim associate director of student activities, said. “They are working with the Greek council to have all Greek organizations out there to showcase their chap-

ters.”

Thursday, at 11 a.m., student activities will have a “Show Your Spirit” photo booth at the Student Org Annex. Pictures will be available for pickup at MTV’s Wild ‘N Out event, at 8 p.m., in the Setzer Student Center Ballroom.

“Nick Cannon won’t be here, but there will be people from MTV that are coming,” Van Zanden said. “The main guy is Billy Sorrells. He’ll have between four and six other guys from MTV that are coming with him.”

Also on Thursday, from 1 p.m.-5 p.m., will be the judging of the office decorating contest.

Friday activities begin with the bonfire and pep rally, at 7 p.m. at Bonfire Field (east of Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum).

A float building party will be held at 9 p.m., in the Sheila Umphrey Recreational Sports Parking Lot, C-1.

“We’ll have music out there and food,” Van Zanden said.

“So it will be a fun atmosphere while they’re building their floats. We don’t provide anything for them to build their floats with, but we provide them the venue and security to watch the floats overnight.”

If it rains the bonfire will be postponed, and the spirit rally will be moved to the Setzer Student Center.

Saturday activities begin at 10 a.m. with free admission to Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum, followed by a Spindletop Gusher reenactment

at noon. Also at noon, there will be admission to the Dishman Art Museum and an Art Extravaganza begins at 2 p.m.

The Homecoming parade begins at 1 p.m. displaying floats with this year’s Homecoming theme, “Rollin’ Out the Red.” “Some people’s floats may be a specific movie, where they decorate for that, something to kind of play into rolling out the red carpet — lights, camera, action, Broadway, Hollywood — that sort of theme,” Van Zanden said.

The parade route will begin at the corner of Jimmy Simmons Boulevard and East Lavaca Street, and will travel east on Lavaca and south on the MLK feeder.

Cardinal Fan Fest will begin at 2 p.m. in the Wimberly Building Parking Lot. The fan fest will feature live music by Katie Whitney and the Draw, craft beer samples, food trucks and an Alumni Spirit Station.

Tailgating also begins at 2 p.m. leading up to the game against Houston Baptist at 6 p.m.

“It’s going to be a really exciting week,” Van Zanden said.

“We hope all students come out and get involved. Homecoming is a chance for current students to celebrate and show off their school spirit, for alumni to come back and revisit the school that they went to, and for the community to get involved — it’s a big deal.”

For more information, visit www.lamar.edu/homecoming.

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UP PHOTO BY GABBIE SMITH

Oktoberfest-ivities

Live music, craft beer and warm weather set the stage for the city of Beaumont’s Oktoberfest, Saturday. It was a family affair. Children enjoyed the Rogers Park playground while parents and other adults, like Leo Begnaud, above, sampled beer from local vendors while enjoying some authentic Polka music by The Royal Klobasneks.

During Paul Childers’ performance, he jammed out with the audience after jumping offstage. Attendees danced and played throughout the evening, enjoying the performers, beer garden, and all that Oktoberfest has to offer.

UP photo by Gabbie Smith

UP photo by Shelby Strickland

UP photo by Gabbie Smith

UP photo by Gabbie Smith

UP photo by Shelby Strickland

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Thursday, October 20, 2016 • UNIVERSITY PRESS

Nail-biting comeback

Juan Carranco nails the winning field goal in the final seconds to give Lamar a 32-31 win over Northwestern State, Saturday, at Provost Umphrey Stadium.

UP photos

by Matt Beadle

Cards score two touchdowns in final 1:43 to pip Demons Elisabeth Tatum UP Contributor Lamar football pulled off their most exciting victory of the season, Saturday, scoring two touchdowns in the final 1:43 of the game to beat Northwestern State, 32-31 in Provost Umphrey Stadium.

The defense struggled and the Cardinals (3-3, 3-1 Southland) trailed by 13 points with less than four minutes remaining in the game.

“We had so much not go our way and so much we had to deal with,” Lamar coach Ray Woodard said.

When Kade Harrington, Lamar’s all-time leading rusher, broke his left foot after rushing for 10 yards in the beginning of the second quarter, the odds did not seem to be in Lamar’s favor.

“It seemed like we were handling adversity after adversity” Woodard said. “The only thing I can say is we didn’t quit and kept playing. Our defense gave our offense an opportunity to score twice late. That’s why you play for 60 minutes. I’ve never been a part

of one like this.”

This was the Cards first win against Northwestern State since the football program’s return, and also the first time the team has won three consecutive games since 1989.

Quarterback Carson Earp shined after Harrington left the game, completing 29 passes for a career-high 412 yards and four touchdowns, and also carrying the ball six times for 63 yards. The Cardinals offense revolves around Harrington, but with the running back out, receivers Zae Giles and DeWan Thompson finally were able to show their abilities. Giles brought in 10 receptions for 118 yards, while Thompson had four catches for 139 yards and two scores.

The Demons led 17-3 and held that advantage for nearly the entire first half. LU got the ball back with 3:02 remaining and Earp managed a 75-yard drive that ended with a 10-yard pass to senior Michael Handy, the receiver’s first touchdown of the season, but the point after was blocked leaving the Cards trailing by eight at halftime.

Northwestern State scored the first touchdown of the second half to push their advantage once again to 15 points, 24-9, with just under 14 minutes remaining in the third quarter. LU fought back less than two minutes later with an 86-yard score from Earp to Thompson. The Cards attempted a two-point conversion but failed.

Trailing by nine points, LU looked to senior kicker Juan Carranco to put points on the board early in the fourth. After the Cardinals drive fizzled out on the Northwestern State 23, Carranco stepped in to nail a 30-yard field goal to make the score 24-18.

The Demons weren’t ready to give the game away and answered back 2:22 later when running back Jared West led a 74-yard drive culminating with a two-yard rush for the score. The visitors took a 13-point lead, but it was a prelude for one of the most electrifying comebacks in the team’s history.

Lamar got the ball back with 2:50 on the clock, Earp moved the Cardinals down the field and Marcus Daggs ran in from 36 yards out to bring the score to 31-

25. With 1:36 left on the clock, all Northwestern needed was to recover Carranco’s onside kick.

However, the kick bounced off a Demon onto the ground and was recovered by the Cardinals.

Lamar was hit with a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty for excessive celebration to push them back.

After moving the ball 21 yards, the Cardinals drew another 15yard penalty and a sack to face second and 15 from the Northwestern 42 with 46 seconds remaining. Earp threw to Giles for consecutive receptions to take the ball down to the Demon’s 12-yard line. After another sack and two incompletions, the Cardinals faced fourth and 20 with only seconds remaining. Earp took his final snap and launched the ball to Thompson in the left corner of the end zone to tie the game at 31, to put the pressure on Carranco.

When his point after touchdown split the upright, the Cardinals had pulled off an improbable win and the crowd spilled onto the field in celebration.

“I really don’t know what to say about a finish like that,”

Davon Jernigan celebrates the Cardinals’ comeback.

Woodard said. “This was (DeWan’s) time to step up for us and he did, and I’m so proud for him.”

Earp was named Southland Conference Player of the Week, Monday, for his efforts.

The Cardinals will take on the undefeated Central Arkansas, Saturday, in Conway, Ark. The game will kick off at 6 p.m. from Estes Stadium.

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‘My Music, My Love’ Play to explore life of Brahms Maegan White UP Contributor

At the end of his life, composer Johannes Brahms reminisces about his life, his love and, most importantly, his music.

This is the premise of the one-act play, “My Music, My Love,” to be performed Oct. 21 and 22 in the Rothwell Recital Hall.

The play was written by Ellen Walker Rienstra, historian and Lamar University graduate, in collaboration with violinist Eduard Schmieder.

“Since I wrote this play. I’ve written other things, but this is my first play,” Rienstra said.

“We probably started working on this around 2000. There’s been a lot of collaboration and

‘…maybe he’s never had this before — a one-man play reflecting on his life. I’d like to think maybe he’s looking down at us.’

— David Hooker

tweaking — “we’re still tweaking, adjusting and wiggling it.

“It’s a staged reading, which works really well.”

Rienstra said Schmeider commissioned her to write the play.

“He moved here from the Soviet Union and got a job here at Lamar as the violin teacher — I’m a retired violin player — I got to know him and we’ve kept up our friendship ever since,” she said.

“Eduard approached me with this idea of writing a play about Brahms and the music of the Romantic Era. Working with him has been one of the most interesting things I’ve ever done.”

Schmieder said that he was inspired to begin this project because classical music is very important.

“It has the ability to make people better and today’s society does not get as much exposure to it,” he said.

The play will be accompanied by violin and piano music, with Schmeider as the violinist, she said.

“Eduard is one of the top violin teachers in the world,” Rienstra said.

Scheider currently teaches violin at Temple University in Philadelphia.

“He always loves coming back to Beaumont though, because it was his first home in the United States,” Rienstra said.

The event is directed by Keith Cockrell, theater profes-

sor at Lamar State College Orange-Port Arthur. Local actor David Hooker plays Brahms.

“I feel very honored by this,” Hooker said. “A few years ago, Ellen approached me saying she’d written a play about Brahms and immediately thought of me to do the part.

Time went by and I didn’t hear anything about it until he saw her at a funeral of a mutual friend, Naaman Woodland.”

Hooker said that Woodland is connected to the play in other ways as well.

“I sung with Naaman in the Brahms German Requiem, and Naaman had sung under Bruno Walter, who knew Brahms personally,” he said.

In order to portray Brahms, Hooker made some changes to his appearance.

“Brahms was portly,” he said, with a laugh. “So, while I didn’t have the weight to portray him, I decided to grow my hair and my beard out in order to evoke him.

Composer Johannes Brahms is the subject of “My Music, My Love,” a one-act play “I feel good about it. I’d like by Ellen Walker Rienstra with musician Eduard Schmeider. David Hooker plays to say I’m approaching the role Brahms. The play will be performed Friday and Saturday in the Rothwell Recital Hall. with humility. The play is around 30 pages and I really into English, though.” and maybe he’s never had this want to do a good job. It’s a Brahms never married, but before — a one man play reflectstaged reading, but we do have the play is driven in part by his ing on his life. I’d like to think a few props.” love for Clara Schumann. maybe he’s looking down at us.”

Hooker said that Rienstra “I hope I can convey some Show times are 7:30 p.m., has researched Brahms thor- sense of Brahms,” Hooker said. Oct. 21, and 2 p.m., Oct. 22, in oughly.

“He was human, like us. He had the Rothwell Recital Hall. Tick“Almost everything in the strengths and weaknesses. He ets are $10, $5 with Lamar ID, play Brahms actually said at had a lot of suffering in his per- and are available at the door. some point in real life, whether sonal life, which gave his work For more information, call it was aloud or in his journal — even more meaning.

880-8144, or visit lamar.edu/ of course, it’s been translated “I’ve always loved his music music.

Texas Film Round-Up preserves home movies Caitlin McAlister UP Contributor

Lamar University will host a Texas Film RoundUp, a program in conjunction with the Texas Archive of Moving Images to collect and archive films related to Texas history, October 21-23. Members of the public are encouraged to submit their own videos, including home movies.

“We’re really excited to partner with Lamar,” said Caroline Frick, executive director of TAMI. People who choose to submit home movies and other films to TAMI through the Round-Up will receive something in

return: free digitization of whatever materials they choose to submit. The original films will also be returned after the digital copies are made. The only requirements are that the films be relevant to Texas and that the person donate a copy of the digitized film to TAMI to be archived. The original format of the film, whether VHS tape or older formats, such as 8 or 16mm film reels, does not matter.

Frick says that the program helps promote awareness of the value of film as a historical artifact, something that the public may not immediately think of. Films, including home movies, can show

how a particular geographic area has changed over time.

“People think important things are collected, but don’t think about home movies,” she said.

Another aspect of the

program is to save films before they decay.

“In Texas, in particular, the number one enemy to keeping film is humidity,” Frick said. She said that films in Southeast Texas are most at risk, because

of the area’s hot and humid climate, which can cause film to decompose over time. She said the manner in which some people store their films can accelerate the process, such as when people keep old home movies in garages where they are susceptible to mold.

The phasing out of old technology is another factor. Frick says that, as old formats for recording video, such as VHS cassettes, become obsolete, the means of playing those films become more difficult to find, until the film is basically unable to be played anymore, which she says is “something that even students at Lamar

might be able to appreciate.”

“There’s not a long window to playback,” she said.

The free digitization will be available on October 21 from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., October 22 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and October 23 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Frick says that she hopes the films donated will be diverse and have educational value, and that it will be “the best Texas Film Round-Up ever.”

“We would love as many people to bring out their film and video as possible,” she said. “We want a great representation from your region.”

‘Art Walk on the Avenue’ set for Saturday Erik Mittal UP Contributor

The second-annual Art Walk on the Avenue will take place, Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., in downtown Port Neches. The event will feature local artists, shopping, food trucks, a car show, a kid’s zone, a pumpkin patch, an old fashion soda fountain and live music.

“Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the whole day with art, great eats and music at our family-friendly daytime event,” Esther Macha, co-founder, said.

“The artists are mostly from Jefferson County with a few coming from Houston, Austin and Louisiana.”

Macha said she expects the event to be as successful as last year, when it drew more than 30 artists of all ages.

Macha founded the event with Julia Shields and Debbie Plaia, with the aim of preserving and reviving the small town’s downtown.

“I do this for two reasons,”

she said. “First, to bring people downtown and discover our transformation. Second, just for the love of our town. I have lived my whole life in this area. I feel like residents in Port Neches and other small towns everywhere are ready to bring their downtowns back. Most small towns lost their downtowns to malls and big box stores. We have made great progress in our town just in the last couple of years.

We have an old-time ice cream shop that is like going back in time and we just had a microbrewery open.”

Shields, a teacher in Port Neches, said that her role is to get the students’ artwork and other student participants involved in the day’s activities.

“I know how important it is to have art displayed,” she said. “I feel like me promoting the students work shows them that I really believe in what they are doing and producing. If the students see that I am displaying their work, it often encourages them to work a little harder to

produce a higher quality piece.

This art walk gives the community a chance to see what our students are doing in class, as well as promoting our art program at school.”

Marissa Narrgon, president of the Lamar University National Association of Art Educators student chapter, said the group is excited to help out at the event.

“Anytime we are able to work with the community we do,” she said. “Events like this help us promote Lamar University’s NAAE, and also allow us to help spread awareness of our area’s exceptional art scene.”

Joana Hyatt, professor of art education and advisor for NAAE, said the event is a great opportunity for the students.

“This event gives the students an opportunity to work with artists, students, and teachers — the three people they will work with throughout their career,” she said. “This event is a great place to network and to have more exposure to working with kids.”

Hyatt said the event is the

essence of what art is.

“Art is an inalienable right — art is available to anyone and can be created by everyone,” she said.

For more information, email esthermacha@gmail.com, call 549-4714, or visit the event’s Facebook page.

Children create art on the Art Walk on the Avenue.

Courtesy photo

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