UNIVERSITY PRESS
The Newspaper of Lamar University
Vol. 92, No. 15 March 31, 2016
Floods drive evacuees to Montagne Elizabeth Grimm UP staff writer
Thunder, lightning and water rising. On March 9, flood waters swept through Texas and Louisiana causing devastation. As residents were forced out of their homes and evacuated to higher ground, Lamar University’s Montagne Center was used as a shelter for evacuees. Mary Jane Mudd, regional communications officer for Texas Gulf Coast of the Red Cross, said that everyone misjudged the intensity of the flooding.
“This is the worst flooding that this area has had since the late 1800s — I had underestimated that,” she said. “However, it’s my understanding that emergency management does have plans in place and they were tracking the weather, and there was a lot of communication about the weather. But it’s hard to believe until you’re in it. There was an understanding that this could happen — you always hope that it won’t.” Mudd said it was only a couple of days before spring break when the Red Cross had a meeting
about whether they should “stand up,” as the operation is called, or not. “We were tracking a rain and I thought, ‘Oh, it’d be a couple of days — maybe some water,’” she said. “I was gone for that week, and that’s rare. Then, oh my gosh, (I) found out it went from a level-one disaster to a levelfour disaster — that’s based on how much it will cost us to be flying people and serving food and so forth. That’s when I realized that the rivers were flooding and See FLOODS page 2
Courtesy Photo by American Red Cross
Vizutti to feature at LU’s Brass Fest Alexandra Sokolova UP contributor
Lamar University will hosts the first Brass Fest, April 7 through April 9, in the Simmons Music Building. “What we are doing is having a brass festival that is going to be open to all brass players (at Lamar),” Brian Shook, associate professor of trumpet, said. This year’s featured performer is Allen Vizzutti, who developed the Allen Vizzutti Trumpet Method, a standard treatise used worldwide. The festival opens with the Lamar Faculty Brass Quintet at 7:30 p.m., April 7, in the Rothwell Recital Hall. The Lamar Brass Faculty Solo Recital will be held at 7:30 p.m., April 8, in the Rothwell. LU Honors Brass Quintet and Faculty Brass Quintet will host Brass Chamber Music Workshop at 10 a.m., April 9, following a masterclass with Vizzutti at 1 p.m. The event will
conclude with Gala Concert at 5 p.m., in the University Theatre, featuring Vizzutti with the LU Brass Choir and Jazz Orchestra. All concerts are open to the public, and a $20 ticket covers all festival events. An exhibition of instruments by Yamaha, Conn-Selmer and Eastman-Shires will be on display April 9, from 9 a.m. in the University Theatre. See BRASS page 8
ALLEN VIZZUTTI
UP staff honored with SPJ awards
Thrill ride
University Press staffer Lane Fortenberry and editor Grant Crawford earned awards at the Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence Awards, presented March 19 in Forth Worth. Fortenberry earned first place in the sports writing category for his story, “Risk vs. Reward,” a feature about the effects of concussion in football. Crawford and Fortenberry were runners up in the sports column writing category for a combined portfolio. “The Mark of Excellence awards are tough competition,
UP Kyle Swearingen
A cowboy fights to stay atop a bucking bronco, Saturday, during the South Texas State Fair rodeo at Ford Park. The fair opened March 24 and continues through Sunday. For more photos, see page 5.
so to be a finalist is quite an achievement,” Crawford said. “As always, it is great to be recognized for the work the staff does. Ultimately, we do the work because that’s what we do, but it doesn’t mean we don’t appreciate a trophy now and then.” For winning first place, Fortenberry advances to the national finals, to be announced in September. The SPJ awards are split into 12 regional categories, with the winners advancing to nationals. Region 8 encompasses schools in Texas and Oklahoma.
International Film Festival to begin April 6 Allison Pipkins UP contributor
The Spring 2016 International Film Festival, sponsored by the Lamar University’s French Circle, will take place with a screening each Wednesday in April. The festival opens April 6 with “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown,” and continues, April 13 with “Where Do We Go Now?,” April 20 with “M,” and concludes April 27 with “Timbuktu.” The films begin at 7 p.m. in 113 Communication Building. Admission is free and open to everyone. French professor Kenneth Rivers, now retired, founded the French Film Festival
many years ago. When Caitlin Duerler, instructor of French, took over the event, she decided to change the format. “This year’s film festival, I wanted to expand more into international film,” she said. “I wanted to give the students more variety than just French films.” During the planning stages, Duerler said she reached out to several faculty members, including Clinton Rawls and Mahmoud Salimi from communication, and Maria Elena Sandovici from social and behavioral sciences. “I love to be entertained,” Rawls said. “Film is a way that entertains everyone.
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These varieties of films are windows into different cultures.” It was not hard for the group to choose the movies, Sandovici said. “This film is a little more risqué than others we have seen,” she said. “We have seen everything from the movie about Coco Chanel and her really raunchy sex scenes to a French slasher that was really gruesome with a brilliant twist at the end.” “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown” is a 1988 Spanish film by Pedro Almodovar. “This is my favorite movie of all times,” Sandovici said. “It’s crazy, it’s fun, it’s aes-
thetically pleasing.” The film features a young Antonio Banderas that stutters over his on-screen crush. Sandovici said the film is a Spanish lesson through a poem. “It really is a magical film,” she said. The Lebanese film “Where Do We Go Now?” showcases this peaceful living between Christians and Muslims until a series of slights and misunderstandings stir the pot for the men of the small Lebanese village. The women come together to try to mend the relationships for the men but were unsuccessful. In their final attempts to mak-
See FILM FEST page 4
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INSIDE
Thursday, March 31, 2016 University Press
FLOODS
QUOTE OF THE DAY
NOTICE
“Courage is the resistance to fear, mastery of fear — not absence of fear.” Page 2
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.
— Mark Twain
from page 1
overflowing.” On March 15, there were approximately 150 residents in the North Orange shelter that needed to be transported to the Montagne Center. On March 21, the emergency manager decided that people who had recovered sufficiently, or where the water had receded enough, could go home. “Three-fourths, approximately, of the 150 were transported (home) by the Red Cross,” Mudd said. “A lot of those folks had to leave their cars behind. The other fourth at Montagne went to the Church of God shelter.” Natalie Prosperie, Red Cross disaster program manager, said that the client’s safety was a priority and they would have to be moved to safer ground. She said that Tim Ocnaschek, Jefferson County emergency manager coordinator, and Ryan Peabody, Orange County emergency manager, had a “memorandum of understanding” to use the Montagne Center. “Basically, it’s just like this is safe ground, let’s
CALENDER
March 31
Lamar Toastmasters Membership Drive
Cherry Engineering, Rm 3204 2:20-3:20 p.m.
Undergraduate Research Faculty Talk
Landes Auditorium 3:30-5 p.m.
April 2
Le Grand Bal
and Art Auction
Dishman Art Museum move them here,” she said. “We did not want to have to move them to another shelter in Orange County that had the possibility of flooding, and then have to relocate a family.” Prosperie said the evacuation was a team effort. “We all work together, whatever the case may be on who made the decision, who made the call, what have you,” she said. “At the bot-
Courtesy Photo by American Red Cross
Courtesy Photo by American Red Cross
tom line, we’re pushing a mission. We’re all assisting the clients and we’re all doing something to benefit the clients. They didn’t want them in a not-safe situation, we didn’t want them in a not-safe situation. We collaborated and came together — let’s move them.” Prosperie said she has a good relationship with the emergency managers and government officials. “I know with Lamar, they send interns here for us and everything, so we do partner up,” she said. “I go there every semester and teach and push our mission on what we need, and (do) volunteer recruitment for three classes.” Mudd said that the work operates like a machine to get bulk distribution out for items such as water, rakes and clean-up kits that people need once they’re in the recovery process. Overall, the Red Cross provided more than 1,000 overnight stays, more than 31,000 meals and snacks, and more than
25,000 comfort kits in Orange County. “Imagine you can’t get into your house, there’s no toothbrush, you’re filthy (and) you’re dirty, so it does matter,” she said. “(We) made over 650 health service contacts to help families deal with medical concerns and 800 mental health contacts — people who are devastated have a lot to deal with. We also have a pastoral adviser with the Red Cross who’s going to all the different locations and ministering to people.” Currently, there are multi-agency resource centers that are available to residents who are recovering, Mudd said. “They go to those resource centers to be connected,” she said. “There’s information on where they can go to get further treatment if they need hospitalization. There’s a Salvation Army and there are a number of partners that work to provide those services.”
and the Montagne Center 6 - 11:59 p.m.
April 7
Lamar Toastmasters Membership Drive
Cherry Engineering, Room 3204 2:20-3:20 p.m.
Faculty Brass Quintet Concert
Rothwell Recital Hall 7:30 p.m.
Romeo and Juliet
Studio Theatre 7:30-9 p.m.
April 8
Brass Faculty Solo Recital
Rothwell Recital Hall 7:30 p.m.
Gruber Seminar
with Douglas Beck
Speech and Hearing Sciences Bldg, Room 170
UP Tim Collins
OPINION
3 UNIVERSITY PRESS March 31, 2016
Embracing the ‘F’ word
What it means to be a feminist: three common myths debunked Recently, I was talking with a group of friends when one said, “I’m not a feminist, but….” I sat shocked by her casual admission. Not a feminist? What does that even mean? As if there is something dangerous and messy in uttering the word itself, not to mention laying personal claim to it. In my curiosity and confusion, I asked my friend to define feminism. She rattled off an alltoo-familiar description, one characterizing feminists as brash, angry, hairy-armpitwielding, bra-burning, man-hating extremists. Needless to say, as a feminist, I disagreed. Simply put, feminism advocates for the political, social and economic equality of the sexes. Feminism encompasses a variety of beliefs as well as political and social movements that help to set and achieve equal rights for women. In the past, these movements have resulted in women’s ability to vote, to work, to hold public office, to own property and to receive education. Although many believe feminism to be a trendy topic, the modern western feminist movement extends far back into his-
Commentary
Kara Timberlake UP managing editor
tory, divided into three “waves” with each wave tackling different feminist issues. First-wave feminism, comprising the 19th and early 20th centuries, heavily focused on women’s suffrage. Emerging in the 1960s, secondwave feminism promoted legal and social equality for women, outlawing gender discrimination and establishing judicial rulings that declared contraception bans were unconstitutional. A reaction to the perceived failures brought about by second-wave feminism, the third wave began in the 1990s, concentrating on issues that limited women and other marginalized identities. So why then is there such a negative connotation surrounding the word? To find the answer, let’s debunk a few feminism myths.
Myth No. 1: Feminism is comprised of middle-class white women who hate men. Feminists come from a myriad of races, genders, classes and cultural backgrounds. Historically a multicultural cause, feminism has influenced other social movements such as the civil rights movement. Many feminists do not focus solely on women’s rights. Some fight for equality among race, class and sexual orientation. Essentially, feminism is the platform for equality. Contrary to popular belief, since the beginning of feminism, men have actively participated in achieving equality for women.
UPeditorial Strive to befriend, not bully
With a large diverse population of students on the Lamar University campus, there’s an abundance of personalities and behaviors. With students coming from different cultures and backgrounds, people are bound to butt heads every now and then. That’s a normal part of life, but you’ll soon learn that getting along with people is a more important part of life. College is a time when students are exploring who they want to be and what they want to do. In doing so, they can materialize a variety of emotions. Students must take consideration of other people’s feelings when interacting. Many of the students at Lamar live on campus, and for a lot of them, it’s their first time away from home. Freshmen, especially, are in a new place and it might be difficult to communicate with other students. Meanwhile, with an assortment of characters at LU, there are surely those who are more outspoken, making them more likely to bully someone. Bullying might not be a popular subject, but it’s still a thing — even in college. A victim of bullying might feel embarrassed about it, but talking with someone about what the victim is going through is the best thing you can do. Also, if a student is being bullied, don’t be afraid to step in and stick up for them. Standing up for someone who is being bullied could mean a lot to that person, and it could give them the courage to stick up for themselves next time. For the folks that insist on being the bully — this is college now — it’s time to mature and learn how to respect other people’s feelings. Picking on a student only makes the bully look weaker, and violent harassment is just sad — for the bully that is. Grow up.
Editor ......................................Grant Crawford Managing Editor.................Kara Timberlake Photo Editor ...................................Josh Aych Web Editor..............................Melissa Conley Staff ..............Desmond Pickens, Haley Bruyn, .....................Coty Davis, Trevier Gonzalez, ...................Tim Collins, Elizabeth Grimm, .............Carolyn Kondos, Kyle Swearingen, .....................................Brandianne Hinton Advertising .............................Melissa Conley
expected to be emotionless, never crying or showing sadness, for fear of displaying weakness. Many feminists work to undo these restraints which patriarchal society foists on men.
Myth No. 2: Feminists can’t be feminine. The underlying belief of feminism is to give women choices, not to restrict the ways in which they express themselves. Often misconstrued and largely used out of context, feminism merely advocates that women should have the choice whether or not to act in a traditionally feminine manner. Wearing lipstick or stilettos does not deem one a “bad” feminist nor detract from one’s beliefs. There is beauty in being able to decide how you wish to present yourself, a decision that feminists believe shouldn’t be determined by pre-existing societal notions.
Being a feminist has nothing to do with the discrimination or bashing of the male gender. In fact, today’s feminists include women and men who advocate for equality and equity in general, whether it is sexism, racism, ageism, etc. Fighting for men’s liberation from socio-cultural gender roles, feminism addresses the social construction of gender. There is a stigma in society that imposes a macho stereotype upon men. Men are
Myth No. 3: Feminism has already given women equality, and there is no need for the women’s movement. While feminism has come a long way since women fought for the right to vote, women are still behind in a variety of ways. First, they continue to be paid less on average than men. The wage gap, although hotly debated and occasionally denied of even existing, remains around 75-80 cents a dollar on average — a figure that hasn’t budged in a decade.
Some argue that the wage gap doesn’t account for differences in the job positions of men and women. However, it must be noted that even when pay of male and female workers with the same job title and experience level are compared, a significant gap remains. Furthermore, women often bear a disproportionate amount of domestic labor in addition to their paid jobs. Also known as the “Second Shift,” women spend significantly more time than men caring for children or performing household chores, a result of traditional gender roles practiced by society. A survey conducted by the Pew Research Center showed that American mothers spend about twice as much time with their children as fathers do, and that today’s fathers spend about 10 hours a week doing household chores while mothers average about 18 hours. In order for our society to thrive, we must overcome the stigmas and stereotypes associated with feminism. We need feminism. When women thrive, the community as a whole thrives. So next time someone asks you if you’re a feminist, think beyond the misplaced negative connotations. Think about your sisters, your mothers, your female friends, and yourself. Think about the world in which you want to live. Until we can truly embrace feminism and all that it encompasses, we cannot create the change we want to see. Be part of the change.
Couch surfing good travel option I’m not going to say hotels are overrated, but depending on where you’re planning to stay, they can certainly get expensive. When traveling, I have often found myself settling for a shabby, two-star motel with a “complimentary breakfast” that would make me sad. For spring break, that certainly wasn’t the emotion I was aiming for. Plotting out my trip to South by Southwest in Austin on my equally-sad student income, there was no way I could throw away $150 on a room. There had to be a better option aside from sleeping in my car or being a hobo. That’s when I remembered “couch surfing.” With the exception of the Internet, I had never surfed in any way before, so I did what I’m best at and Googled it. “Couch surfing.” Verb. Turns out it’s not just limited to what young adults do when their parents kick them out of the house. This is a way of lodging that allows travelers to interact with new people. With couch surfing, the encounter is far
Commentary
Trevier Gonzalez UP staff writer
Letters Policy
more memorable than running through a routine checkin at a hotel with an unamused front desk clerk. I signed up for CouchSurfing and Airbnb. In each situation, I had to validate my identity, provide background information, and even link my profile to my Facebook account. The best way to start, once you have a city in mind, is to go through the hosts in that area, and read through their profiles and references. According to Reddit, it’s a good idea for women to stay away from males who mark the preferred gender as “female,” as their motives may not always be chivalrous. However, I couldn’t find any terrible stories that led me to believe that couch surfing has any clear dangers. If in doubt, having a friend along on your first experience can make it more comfortable. It turned out that Kevin, who
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.
works for the city of Austin and takes care of some of the sweetest dogs I have come across in a while, was a great host. He helped me understand the culture of his city, as well as introduce me to the metro. He even supplied Fiji bottles of water and candy. There was DirectTV, and I was surprised to find out there was a lot less couch and a lot more bed. I look forward to building upon my couch surfing résumé and meeting more characters. If you do your homework, it can be a great experience. I think it is reasonable to say that Kevin and I are friends. It’s a big world out there, and, apparently, it’s possible to see it on a budget. 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
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Thursday, March 31, 2016 • UNIVERSITY PRESS
LU students ‘Care’ for community after flood Carolyn Kondos UP staff writer When flood waters devastated parts of Orange County, and in the same week Beaumont’s Humane Society burned down, a group of Lamar University students and faculty decided to form “Caring Cardinals,” a new student organization. “There were so many students who wanted to help but they didn’t have a channel to go through, so we really needed to start an organization to help these causes,” Meagan Collins, Nederland senior and the group’s co-founder, said. “Anywhere from the floods right now, to the humane society, we have been helping out anywhere that has a need. Right now, we are doing pet food and supply drive for the flood victims because they have animals and they lost everything, and they don’t
FILM FEST
have the money to feed them.” Caring Cardinals is also holding a socks and underwear drive for the Red Cross, because the need arose when evacuees were sheltered in the Montagne Center. “We are also doing a prom dress drive for the flood victims because they are still having a prom and they need dresses,” Collins said. The organization made a trip out to Deweyville High School, Friday, to bring donations to the flood victims and to lend a helping hand. “We went up there just to give away the pet food and supplies we have collected, and it was just an amazing experience,” Collins said. “People came up and thanked us, and told us how much of a hardship they are going through right now, and how much this meant. We also walked around the school and gave chil-
dren little stuffed animals that just made their day brighten.” The students have been collecting cleaning supplies for the Humane Society. “We have been helping the Humane Society with donations,” Collins said. “Right now, they have a lot going on and they need to catch their bearings. Once they are able to figure out what they need, then we are going to do an official drive, but right now we are just doing the donations and getting cleaning supplies.” The Caring Cardinals will be the first student service organization that targets disaster relief. “There is a need for students to help and to pay it forward to help those who are in need,” Collins said. “I have a feeling that once we get it started it’s really going to grow, and that it can stay at Lamar for a long time. We have a lot of service or-
Courtesy photo
Members of Caring Cardinals show off supplies collected for Texas flood victims. ganizations on campus, but not one that targets disaster relief in the community.” Collins said she already has ideas about where to lead the organization. “When we get the ball rolling, what I personally want to see
started is Jeans for Teens, so that children can have nice jeans to go to school,” Collins said. “It has made my heart happy.” For more, visit www.facebook.com/lamaruniversitycaring cardinals.
Sandovici said that film helps viewers gain more empathy for others. “When you learn more about other places, you become a better human being and this helps you become more of a responsible, global citizen,” she said.
“These international films expand our minds and open up the lines of communication, not just between peers but also between students and professors. My hope from this film festival is to create curiosity within people’s mind.”
from page 1
ing the men reconcile their differences, the women make a deep sacrifice in the name of peace. The German film “M,” set in the final days of the Weimar Republic and the rise of Nazi Germany, centers around Hans Beckert, a serial killer who preys on children and becomes the focus of a massive Berlin police manhunt. Beckert’s crimes are so monstrous that both cop and criminals join forces to chase him down. He quickly realizes that all parties are on the lookout for him, causing him to make a flustered attempt to escape the justice system. This film shows the disadvantages of having the criminals and the cops join the team, blurring the lines and rules of the justice system. “Timbuktu” is a Mauritania film produced in 2014, and features a family that lives outside
the ancient Malian city of Timbuktu. A cattle-herding family of four live peacefully in a dune while the city so close to them is living in turmoil and controlled by the Jihadists. With much of their daily activities banned in the city, the city suffers insane punishment delivered by a daily-improvised court. Kidane and his family, the cattle-herding family, have been spared that restricted lifestyle until their destiny changes abruptly. “Spending time with the faculty outside of the classroom creates a good atmosphere for the university,” Sandovici said. “It gives the student a really nice, non-awkward approach to hang out with the instructors,” she said. Duerler said her hope for the festival is to alternate one semester with a French Film Festival and one semester opening
up to the international side. “I want to create a community on campus,” she said. “Lamar is doing a great job with student engagements. I wish to set a precedence in the French community and attract more people.”
FEATURES
5 UNIVERSITY PRESS March 31, 2016
State Fair Returns to Southeast Texas The South Texas State Fair kicked off March 24 at Ford Park. The rodeo features cowboys facing off in different events, including, bronco riding. When the eight seconds are up the cowboys make a quick escape from the horse, above. The fair features rollercoasters and rides, including a
giant slide for children. As always, fair food is a big draw. From chicken kabobs to fried everything, the calories are matched only by the fun. Different vendors filled Ford Arena, including one featuring a sand sculpture. The fair runs through Sunday.
PHOTO STORY BY JOSHUA AYCH AND KYLE SWEARINGEN
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Thursday, March 31, 2016 • UNIVERSITY PRESS
‘Smashing’ good time ‘Super Smash Brothers Melee’ contest like gamers’ Super Bowl Trevier Gonzalez UP staff writer There was a faint melody within Austin’s convention center as I pulled open the ballroom door. I had heard this melody before. I stopped mid-step, cocked my head to the side, and tried to recall exactly where from my childhood this music came from. Nearing the nostalgic tune, the sound of hard-hitting punches and swift kicks soon followed. The pulsation of soft, pink lights occasionally brushed the faces of an audience completely focused on what was before them. There were two people on stage playing a video game, but something told me there was more. This was South by Southwest, the annual extravaganza of music, film, technology and gaming. As a part of SXSW Gaming, “The Battle of the Five Gods,” was a competitive tournament sponsored by live streaming company Twitch and multimedia gaming company Curse. The two competitors, “Hungrybox” and “Shroomed,” were playing a game called “Super Smash
Brothers Melee.” But this wasn’t a bunch of neckbeards keeping to themselves playing video games. It was a gaming experience that was like the Super Bowl and March Madness rolled into one — minus the lame sports. On top of an enveloping audience, multiple cameras also surrounded the players. With all of the people, the lights and cameras supplying a live video feed, the atmosphere felt like a professional wrestling match. The ballroom was so packed that my brother and I had to separate in order to find a good view. Three huge screens were broadcasting above the stage. Below sat two people fighting it out — smashing, if you will. The determined eyes of the fighters glared at the screen before them, each with a controller tightly clenched in their hands. I had been to many video game tournaments before — but never on a scale this large. My eyes panned across the room to get an idea of how many people watched in anticipation — hundreds — all maintaining the body
UP Trevier Gonzalez
UP Trevier Gonzalez
A large crowd watch contestants “Shroomed” and “Hungrybox” play “Super Smash Brothers Melee” at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, March 19. language as if they were watching a horror film right before the startling jump scare. With no words whatsoever, these two gamers were able to enthrall the many avid watchers. “Super Smash Brothers Melee” is usually just referred to as “Smash” or “Melee.” If that sounds unfamiliar, don’t feel dis-
couraged. After all, it did come out in 2001. Simply put, “Smash” is a game that features characters from memorable Nintendo titles like “The Legend of Zelda,” “Super Mario Bros,” and “Pokémon.” To give it a bit more perspective, “Melee” was one of the purple, brick-like Nintendo GameCube console’s first titles. The game didn’t hold much popularity with competitive gamers upon release; it wouldn’t be until 2013 that competitions built around this game began to develop. Since then, there have been multiple sequels that build upon the series both visually and strategically, but for technical reasons, many professionals have continued to compete with the 15-year-old game instead. Today, professional “Smash” players are sponsored, much like NASCAR drivers. Those fighting on the front stage are outfitted with logos branded across their clothing. It didn’t take long to see that, to many members of this audience, these people were not only celebrities, but role models
as well. These two gamers were part of the “Five Gods,” a group of people that, according to all areas of the “Smash” community, are “The highest ranking and most skilled players on the planet.” The Battle of the Five Gods had a $25,000 pot, and had also received coverage from gaming and sports outlets that included ESPN. As the match came to an end, vigorous applause lauded the winner. There was never an apparent “bad guy” during the match. The technique and skills of the players were incredible. “Shroomed” laughed to himself as he found himself defeated. He and “Hungrybox” smiled at each other as they shook hands. They rolled up their controller cords and made their way off stage, saluting the cheering crowd. When the battle finished up the crowd pushed through the ballroom doors. They might not pick up a GameCube controller, but for that one moment, they all shared something that wasn’t just incredible — it was “smashing.”
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SPORTS
UNIVERSITY PRESS March 31, 2016
Cards brand longhorns Senior Nash hits two-RBI single to down Texas, 4-2 Lamar media relations Press release
With one out and a 2-1 count on him in the ninth inning, Jake Nash drove a high fastball into center field and gave the Lamar University baseball team a lead that turned into a 4-2 win over the University of Texas, Tuesday, in non-conference action at UFCU Disch-Falk Field. “He threw me two breaking balls that missed, and I got a good look at the fastball in the pitch before,” Nash said. “I was really just sitting on that pitch and wanted to be ready to hit the ball hard.” Nash’s hit bounced into a soggy center field and allowed Gavin Tristan, who was a pinch runner for Chaneng Varela, and Lamar media relations Stijn van der Meer to score from second and first, respec- Lamar senior Jake Nash hits a two-RBI single in the top of the 9th inning during LU’s 4-2 victory over the University of Texas, Tuesday, in Austin. tively. Varela led off the inning with a single through the left body did a great job,” head proud of the team effort third on a wild pitch and scored Cantu’s hit scored Kacy the first run from there. Clemens from second base. side and Tristan was advanced coach Jim Gilligan said. “We’ve tonight.” Jimmy Johnson (6-0) gets Back-to-back singles from Clemens reached on a oneto second on a sacrifice bunt by had some team losses, but this was a real team win. We hit the his sixth win of the year on 2.1 Varela and Satran scored Mid- out single up the middle. He Brendan Satran. Van der Meer was intention- ball well tonight against some frames of work with just two dleton. Van der Meer extended took second after a ground out hits allowed and one walk. Once his hit streak to 14 in the second to the right side from Boswell. ally walked before Nash, who good pitching.” Texas (11-14) recorded seven LU took the lead in the ninth, inning, but Varela was gunned Nolan Kingham started the was 0-for-4 before the at-bat, popped his single, which was hits in the contest. Only Bret Enrique Oquendo (3) was down trying to score on a rocket game for UT and pitched two bobbled by centerfielder Tyler Boswell had a multiple-hit brought in to finish it off and from Travis Moore that ended innings of a predetermined outing. He gave up two runs on five Rand. Lamar improved to 17-7 game for the Horns. Mean- had a perfect inning with two the rally. Texas cut it to a one-run hits. The loss fell on Connor on the year and notched its sev- while, four Cardinals recorded strikeouts. Fernando Martinez started game in the third inning that Mayes (0-3), who gave up two enth-straight win after back-to- two or more hits. Reid Russell, Robin Adames the game for Big Red and started with a single to left from runs on two hits and two walks. back Southland Conference and Brendan Satran all had two worked three innings of two-hit Zane Gurwitz. He took second The win Tuesday gives LU sweeps. “Today was my day to get the hits in the game. The six-nine baseball and surrendered only on a wild pitch and advanced to three wins over programs that big hit, but the thing about this hole hitters finished the night one run. Travis Moore pitched third on a Cardinal infield error have won a national title in team is that anyone can come 8-of-15 (.533). With Russell’s 2.2 frames with one run allowed that put runners on the corners. their history, and three wins up with that hit at any given double in the third, he im- and four strikeouts. As a team, Kody Clemens put down a sac- over power five-programs. LU recorded nine punchouts. rifice bunt and scored Gurwitz Lamar heads to Abilene moment,” Nash said. “I just proved his hitting streak to 16. “Every single pitcher we Two-out base knocks put LU on a safety squeeze. Christian for a non-conference wanted to put a good swing on brought in did their job on the on top early and it all started The Longhorns tied it up in contest that opens at 6 p.m., that ball and I’m proud I did.” The Cardinals walked away mound,” Gilligan said. “The two with freshman Adames’ double the sixth inning with a single Friday. The second game of the with 13 hits, led by Varela’s runs we gave up were guys get- to the left center field warning through the right side from series is slated for 2 p.m., Satting over and balls squeaking track. Jacoby Middleton singled Michael Cantu, who struck out urday, and the finale is at 1 three. “It was a great win. Every- through, that type of thing. I am up middle after Adames took twice in his previous at-bats. p.m., Sunday.
Let morality be your guide to Final Four Birds are chirping, trees are reclaiming their greenish radiance, and the smell of spring is in the air. It appears to be a peaceful time of the year, but NCAA basketball fans know all too well how truly maddening March really is. After weeks of upsets and heartbreaks, the men’s NCAA basketball tournament will wrap up soon, and with only four schools left, all eyes are on the remaining programs — Syracuse, UNC, Oklahoma and Villanova. These final teams have achieved much success, but success isn’t always achieved without cutting a few corners. The University of Syracuse has been dealing with NCAA investigations for around eight years now. The Orange was slapped with a punishment for improper benefits, academic misconduct, and a failure to enforce the school’s drug policy. According to the NCAA, a handful of the violations stemmed from the director of basketball operations, who was hired by head coach Jim Boeheim himself. The Syracuse improper benefits violation came when two basketball players received $8,000 for volunteer work at a YMCA — keyword, volunteer. They were also given class credit for it when the CEO of YMCA provided false information. During Syracuse’s 2011-2012 season, a meeting was held between members of the athletic department in hopes to conjure a
Commentary
Grant Crawford UP editor
way to get standout center Fab Melo back on court after having academic issues. After it was determined he hadn’t worked enough towards his degree, they attempted to change a grade from a class he took the previous year. In order to change his grade, he was supposed to write a paper that detailed the struggles he’s had since entering college. His grade was changed from a C- to B- and he was back on the court until someone noticed the discrepancy. The NCAA eventually discovered that Melo, in fact, didn’t write the paper, although he did turn it in — with missing citations. If you are going to get someone to write your paper for you, at least get someone competent. The investigation of Syracuse also uncovered numerous situations where student-athletes were supposed to be suspended by the athletic department for failing drug tests. The athletic director of the Orange at the time of the investigation told the NCAA at a hearing that the school followed an unwritten drug policy — sounds more like no policy. The University of North Carolina’s athletic department has taken plenty of shortcuts, too — big shocker, right? Head coach Roy Williams sure wouldn’t admit it. Last May, the NCAA found members of the men’s football, basketball, and women’s basketball team received impermissible benefits, mainly preferential access to fake classes in the African studies department. It was uncovered that a clerical employee at the department of African and Afro-American Studies, Deborah Crowder, had been giving athletes fake classes so they could record high grades. UNC made the allegations public, but what’s more interesting than
what’s in the notice of allegations, is what’s not in it. There was not one mention of any specific coach or athlete from either the basketball or football programs. Also, after the accusation that Crowder had been doing this for years and that a possible 3,100 students had benefited from this class, they decided not to investigate for academic fraud. Their reasoning was because non-student-athletes took the class, as well, and because the only thing students had to turn in for the class was a single paper. The NCAA decided not to investigate it as academic fraud, and instead sold us the clean version, “impermissible benefits.” Punishments have yet to hit UNC and, unfortunately, there’s a large possibility they won’t at all.
The NCAA won’t strip them of their titles, and Roy Williams signed a new contract shortly after the investigation. Their chickens aren’t coming home to roost, so to speak. Although they aren’t as infamous a program, Oklahoma University still has had some snafus. In 2011, the Sooners were given a three-year probation for failing to report that a player had received an impermissible extra benefit and lied to investigators. Sound familiar? This violation actually occurred while OU was already on probation for major rule violations involving recruiting phone calls, yet the NCAA decided not to label the Sooners as repeat offenders. Under NCAA bylaws, a repeat offender can face a mini-
mum of having the sport dropped for one or two seasons, with no scholarships provided for two seasons. In 2013, Oklahoma had several links to the University of Kansas ticket scandal, where six of Kansas’ athletic staff members were caught in a scheme to take basketball and football tickets for personal use and gain. Four of them were previously employed at OU. While the Sooners have kept their necks clean as of late, that doesn’t mean there’s not a scandal going on right now that we don’t know about. And finally we have Villanova. It turns out, ’Nova hasn’t had a scandal since 1971, when Howard Porter signed a professional contract with Pittsburgh Condors of the ABA, halfway through his senior season. Seeing as the program hasn’t had any NCAA violations in more than four decades, I think it’s safe to say that Villanova’s got their act together, after all, they’re the oldest Catholic university in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. All of the violations and scandals certainly don’t mean that the players for these universities don’t work hard. It means the programs don’t work hard enough for them. Coaches and athletic directors should be putting their students in the best position to succeed on the court, but also in the classroom. By pampering the student athletes throughout their entire college careers, it doesn’t give them room to grow as people. It could influence them to do the bare minimum at anything in life, thinking they’ll always skate by because they’re good at basketball. Respectable programs like Villanova put UNC, Syracuse and OU to shame. Now that most of the population’s brackets have been busted, it’s good to know who you should really be morally rooting for this Final Four. God, I hope Villanova wins.
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Thursday, March 31, 2016 • UNIVERSITY PRESS
Lamar art students display work at SJC Alexandra Sokolova UP contributor “Lamar University: Drawing and Painting the Human Figure” exhibition at San Jacinto College North gallery in Houston runs March 11 through April 13 featuring three art students from the Studio Art program.
The exhibition includes work of Grace Chadwick, Port Arthur junior, in painting along with Travis Walthall, Lumberton senior, and Mary Catherine Wilbur, Beaumont junior, in drawing. Their artworks demonstrate their ability to create and convey unique content and ideas through the human figure, com-
position and a variety of materials. “The idea of exhibition started two years ago when I was a part of a two-person exhibition at San Jacinto North where I was able to meet Joe Clark, who is an art faculty there and also runs their gallery,” Christopher Troutman, assistant drawing professor,
Lamar University senior Travis Walthall examines a drawing in the Art Building. Walthall is part of a group whose work is on display at San Jacinto College through April 13.
said. “Mr. Clark wants to present Lamar University’s student artwork to his students in order to encourage them to pursue a 4year degree at Lamar and to expend personal and artistic experience beyond the immediate Houston area. “We are already making plans for future exhibitions focusing on their mediums to expose his students of artwork created by students in the Department of Art.” The exhibition brings together major artworks that represent the human body today – new approaches, materials, techniques and ideas artists apply to the subject. “The concept of this series expresses how one may feel isolated with their problems, but that pain can be universally connected,” Chadwick said. “I paint the human figure to emphasize the emotion and gesture of the body as well as the artists’ hand. By focusing on expressiveness of the figure and medium, I avoid true realism in order to represent the dissociation that comes with trauma, ongoing
LU to host physics conference today through Saturday
Students, teachers and professionals of physics from across the US will gather at Lamar University Thursday for the Joint Spring 2016 Meeting of the Texas sections of the American Physical Society (APS), American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) and Zone 13 of the Society of Physics Students (SPS). Leaders in the physics community are invited to present at conferences each spring and fall at host universities. About 200 guests are expected to attend the conference events that will be held primarily in the Setzer Student Center and Archer Physics Building, according to conference chair Cristian Bahrim, professor of physics, and holder of a joint-appointment with the LU’s Phillip M. Drayer Department of Electrical Engineering. This event brings to Lamar a plethora of outstanding speakers from top Texas universities like Rice, University of Texas at Austin, Baylor University and Texas A&M College Station, as well as several top-ranked universities like the University of Central Florida and Kansas State University, said Bahrim, the organizer of the con-
BRASS
ference that will cover a wide range of topics. Other participants represent leading laboratories like the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Brookhaven National Laboratory. “It is rare to have such great participation,” Bahrim said. The conference offers two keynote speakers: Thomas Killian, chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Rice University, will give the APS talk on dense laboratory and astrophysical plasmas, and Dean Zollman, the former chair of the Department of Physics at Kansas State University, will speak for the AAPT section about visualizations and simulations techniques as learning tools. Conference coordinators expect more than 120 oral and poster contributions. The event includes research breakout sessions, a career forum, a session presenting undergraduate research from Texas schools, workshops focused on teaching and education preparation, eight plenary speakers and several invited talks. Students of any major can benefit from the programs and are
welcome to attend the plenary sessions (8:15-10:15 a.m. and 2:303:45 p.m. Friday, and 8:15-10:15 a.m. Saturday), or the breakout and poster sessions, Bahrim said. The Reaud Honors College will support and assist with the conference and will sponsor the “SPS Get Together.” There more than 40 students from Texas universities will gather for social activities and participate in a Graduate Panel Discussion on “Transformation from an undergraduate student to a researcher” with five guest speakers: Zollman; Steve Bradshaw, assistant professor and William V. Vietti Junior Chair of Space Physics, Rice University; Talat Rahman, Distinguished Professor and Chair, Department of Physics, University of Central Florida; Paul Snijders, Research Staff, Oak Ridge National Laboratory; and Gillian Nave, Physicist, National Institute for Standards and Technology. “We are also grateful for the support of the Beaumont Convention and Visitors Bureau,” Bahrim said. For more information, visit arts sciences.lamar.edu/physics or contact Cristian Bahrim at 880-8290.
Correction
In the Feb. 25 issue, the article on the Paris study abroad program erroneously stated that the course meets half of the Lamar core curriculum art apprecation requirement for ARTS 1301. The course actually meets the whole requirement for the course.
UP Trivia
Each week the University Press staff will compile a series of questions related to the week in history. This week, we celebrate Women’s History Month. How will you do? Answers are posted below.
1. In 1893, which country became the first to give women the right to vote? 2. Who is credited as conducting the first piece of social research in America?
3. What female ex-slave developed effective war and espionage strategies long before women served in the military? 4. Who was the first known American woman to advocate for women’s right to vote?
5. What Civil War nurse founded the American Red Cross? 1: New Zealand became the first country in the world to grant national voting rights to women with the signing of the Electoral Bill by Governor Lord Glasgow. 2: Spending most of her life advocating for the humane treatment of the mentally ill, Dorothea Dix’s findings inspired the construction of 30 new humane, state-supported institutions.
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The Lamar University Honors Brass Quintet, including trumpet, trombone, tuba and French horn, will perform with Vizzutti. “To have an opportunity to perform on stage with renowned trumpeter Allen Vizzutti is a oncein-a-lifetime opportunity,” tuba player Denzel Richard said. “(He) is one of the world’s most famous
pain, and turmoil.” Walthall depicts the human figure, subjects of which range from self-portraiture to statuary from classical art history and includes large-scale drawings on paper using black and white charcoal. “In order to explore the tension between naturalism and stylization, I describe naturalistic figures with abstract mark making, which distorts the human figure and combines the expressive gesture or pose of the figure with the personal, unique mark of the artist,” Walthall said. Wilbur states that her work is an exploration of the figure. “I am fascinated by human anatomy, the colors found within our skin, and how we as people convey our emotions through body language and subtle hints,” Wilbur states. “I want to push my understanding of the body further by rendering it in motion.” Hours for the exhibit are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, or by appointment. For more information, call 281-458-4050 extension 7295.
trumpet players. To have him come to Lamar is a pretty big deal, because this is a small university, so being able to invite someone like him means that we are doing something right here. “It will bring opportunities in terms of becoming better as a musician and, really, as a person.” Richard said the group has
been rehearsing “A Rising Sun,” “Over The Rainbow” and “Hook.” Vizutti has played on more than 150 movie and game soundtracks, including “Star Trek,” “Back to the Future,” “Halo” and “Medal of Honor.” For more information, call 880-8144, or email brian.a.shook @gmail.com.
3: The leading black female abolitionist of American history, Harriet Tubman also developed highly successful military strategies.
4: While best known as the wife of John Adams, Abigail Adams also championed women’s suffrage. 5: An American Civil War nurse, Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross in 1881.