UNIVERSITY PRESS
The Newspaper of Lamar University
Vol. 93, No. 3 September 22, 2016
Enrollment tops 15,000 for first time Tim Collins UP Managing Editor
Lamar University’s enrollment for fall 2016 hit 15,022, a 0.37 percent increase over last year’s number of 14,966. The numbers were released Tuesday after 20th class day rolls were counted. “The bottom line is, the university is thrilled to cross that 15,000 mark,” Kevin Smith, senior associate provost, said.
LU Deaf Studies to offer ASL class online Brianna Barnett UP contributor
In October, Lamar University will offer a new American Sign Language course online. “The director of distance learning went to the dean’s and asked if somebody would be willing to offer a language that classified as a foreign language online,” Diane Clark, department chair of deaf studies at Lamar University, said. “The dean of Fine Arts and Communication asked if we would be willing to do that, and my faculty took up the challenge and said OK.” Clark worked with alumni Curt Radford for three years on the development of the four courses being offered. “Radford set up this program at Utah State, developed a model for it which his students loved, and he involved deaf people in his courses so that they have time to practice with people,” Clark said. “It seems to work really, really well for them.” Students looking to take the classes, which are scheduled for eight-week sessions, should contact the Deaf studies department for course numbers and details. “There are about 2,000 students who take all of their classes online, and this course would be just for them. Whoever needs a foreign language class,” Clark said. As of right now, ASL will be the only foreign language class available online. “I think the students taking this course online will be fine, I think they’ll enjoy it,” Clark said. Clark said that providing ASL online is a way to improve one’s perception of ASL and it will allow better communication within the Deaf community. “The best tip I have for anyone interested and/or learning ASL is to interact with deaf students and deaf culture,” she said. For more information, email diane.clark@lamar.edu.
“That’s an accomplishment for this university. We’ve danced near it, as you can see, but we’ve never crossed it until this year.” Other than crossing this threshold, however, the numbers have largely stayed the same, Smith said. “The bottom line is that we’re essentially flat in enrollment,” he said. “We’re very similar to where we were a year ago. This includes all students that are enrolled in classes, and it’s an in-
teresting point because we actually counted two sets of data. There are numbers that we report to the state of Texas, but they are different from the total number. That’s because the state of Texas funds us as a public university for certain credit hours and not other credit hours.” Smith said that this is due to Lamar’s online component.
UP photo by Trevier Gonzalez
Students walk in the Quad between classes, Wednesday. LU enrollment topped 15,000 for the first time, according to figures released Tuesday.
See ENROLLMENT page 2
TEAM BUILDER SGA HEAD LAVERGNE LOOKS TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE Trevier Gonzalez UP Multimedia Editor
Whether it’s loads of classwork or a literal curveball, LU senior Aaron Lavergne is able to hit whatever gets thrown his way. The Student Government Association president said hard work was always his default mode growing up. “I was really (focused on) grades and athletics,” he said. “I was moving around a lot. I was still getting to school, then I’d go back home, do my homework, and then start it over again.” Despite his relentless schedule, the Houston native found solace in baseball. As a former team captain at Booker T. Washington High School, he sought to continue his involvement as he made his transition to Lamar. “I was on the baseball team my first year here,” Lavergne said. “The teammates that I had, they all graduated. A couple of them are in the minors right now. I still keep up with them.” After Lavergne decided to put down the sport, he didn’t have anything more to do with baseball. That was until a community service project with his fraternity led Lavergne to step back up to the plate. “We were out for some type of drive where we were just basically helping set up, helping move the kids around and doing activities with the kids,” he said. “The director of the little league was like, ‘Yeah, we got baseball season coming up.’” Though Lavergne had experienced similar opportunities to get involved with the sport, he said this time it was different. “I just started talking to
Lamar University Student Government Association President Aaron Lavergne. him, he gave me his number and I gave him mine,” he said. “It was like, ‘Yeah man, we’re really looking for some coaches, really looking for some good examples out there for these kids.’” Dwight Fobbs was director of the Port Arthur Little
League. He told Lavergne that the youth came from a wide array of backgrounds. “He would talk to me about all the different family situations and stuff like that, and I was like, ‘Man, these kids got to deal with that type of stuff? It’s mind-blowing, eye-open-
UP photo by Trevier Gonzalez
ing,” Lavergne said. “Coming to the field is just (somewhere) that they get to get away from home.” Around January, Lavergne received a call, where the director said, “Remember me?” See SGA page 6
SSC renovation will expand food options Stephanie DeMeyer UP Contributor
UP photo by Trevier Gonzalez
A student picks up food at the Southern Kitchen in the Nest, Wednesday. The Setzer Student Center will close in October for renovations, meaning students will have to dine elsewhere.
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The Setzer Student Center will close in late October to begin renovations. The new design will modernize and open up the SSC while also bringing in new food concepts and franchises. “The Setzer Center, to my understanding, has not gone through a major renovation since the 1980s,” Terry Mena, associate vice president and dean of students for Lamar’s Division of Student Engagement, said. “The building itself is actually three separate subsections. The main building, the center point where the Arbor is, that’s the original building. Over
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time, they’ve added on. “If you’re in the Nest, that’s considered a new addition, and over by where the bookstore is, that’s another addition. So today, as you walk through the building you’re going to see a differentiation as you walk through the facility.” Mena said that the renovation will open up the SSC and make it more cohesive. “The renovations will add an additional 8,400 square feet of office space for administration and student organizations,” he said. “The renovations will take up to 18 months.” Mena said that the only part that See SSC page 2
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK
INSIDE
“It gets kind of complicated, but if you are an outof-state student taking an online course at Lamar University, the state of Texas will not pay us in appropriation,” he said. “The student pays tuition and fees at the university, and we get the tuition and fees, but we don’t receive state support for those students.” Regardless, every student counts and also gets counted, Smith said. “We take the attitude that we’re teaching every one of the 15,022 students at Lamar University,” he said. “So we’re going to count them even though the state won’t pay us for them.”
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.
“In the fields of observation, chance favors only the mind that is prepared.”
— Louis Pasteur
Thursday, September 22, 2016 University Press Page 2
ENROLLMENT
NOTICE
from page 1 Texas resident enrollment increased by 1.4 percent, meaning Texas residents now make up 88 percent of the student body. “Obviously, we’re attractive to Texas residents because of resident tuition,” Smith said. “It’s cheaper to go to school here if you’re a Texas resident than if you’re not.” Paradoxically, though the total number of students has risen, the number of credit hours has dropped by about 2 percent. “Typically, when your graduate enrollment increases relative to your undergraduate, your credit hours drop, because gradu-
ate students take fewer hours than undergraduates,” Smith said. The way Lamar collects this data is through the admissions process and through a student’s academic history, Smith said. “We use these data in all sorts of ways,” he said. “The massive data systems that we use to collect these data, it’s kind of like ‘Big Brother,’ kind of like the federal government. It’s like Google. In fact, in many ways it’s very similar to Google.” Smith said the university collects these data because it’s important to know the trends that are going on at Lamar University, including
the SAT and ACT scores of incoming first-time students. “Those are the kind of kids you want,” Smith said. “They can stick with you for four years, so of course we invest heavily in recruiting these students and marketing the university to them. “Certainly everybody who lives around here and knows the university sees our social media blasts. A lot of that is targeting these first-time students in college, these are students who, for the most part, in terms of caricature, are your 18-year olds straight out of high school.” For more information call 880-8400.
SSC from page 1 not closing down is the bookstore, as it has exterior entrances that will allow it to remain open. “The renovations will add a new food service venue area — a food court that will be in what you currently know as the Ballroom,” he said. “That ballroom will be redesigned and repurposed to hold up to three food vendors.” The franchises were chosen through a survey last year. “We did 12 different focus groups and gave them a selection of eight different places, and came out with their top three,” Paul Parnell, director of dining services at Chartwells, said. The top three were Chick-Fil-A, Panda Express and Jason’s Deli. “All of that is not in stone yet, because you have to do franchise agreements, but that’s what we’re trying to
do,” Parnell said. “I know students are going to miss Mirabeau’s and the Nest in particular.” Neither the Nest nor Mirabeau’s will reopen. Parnell said that alternative places for students to spend their dining dollars are slated to open around Oct. 17. “One of the alternatives that we are looking at is putting our food truck in operation, and copying over the two most popular concepts in the Nest into the food truck — the Southern Kitchen and Sona, which is Mexican food,” he said. “We will be changing the menu every day, having a blueplate special of the day, so that the popular things are still available.” The food truck will most likely be parked outside Gray Library, and students will be able to use their de-
clining balance. Parnell said he hopes to incorporate more food trucks soon. “I think the food trucks will be fun, and I’m actually trying to get a couple other food trucks on campus a couple of days a week (from the community),” he said. Other venues are also being considered. “The private dining room (in the dining hall) will have a food concept in there,” Parnell said. “It will be used as a convenience store. You can pick up a bottle of water or whatever on your way to class. “There will also be upscale, ready-to-eat products: cold sandwiches, salads, things like that. We are considering putting a wing concept in there, too.” Parnell said they are looking at moving the juice bar inside the Sheila Umphrey Recreational
Sports Center, towards the front door, so that it is more visible. They also plan to expand the options. “We are also looking at putting a barbecue concept on the north side of the campus — somewhere in the nursing/chemistry/biology area, but it hasn’t been decided yet,” he said. “There’s a lot of traffic over there, but no food service, so we want to make it a little bit more convenient for students.” Parnell said Chartwells is also in the process of putting a Starbucks in the library. “The main thing we are trying to do is make sure that the students have a variety of places to spend their declining balance, and appealing places to spend them.” he said. “We are trying to be as proactive as we can to get things going.”
September 23
Dept. Chemistry and
Biochemistry Seminar
108 Archer 2 -3 p.m.
September 27
Building Your Online Brand:
How to Stand out In a Crowd
Gray Library 6th Floor 11:30 a.m -1 p.m.
September 29
LU Theater presents “Silent Sky”
LU Studio Theater 7:30 -9 p.m.
October 6
Fisher Distinguished Lecture: Itzhak Perlman
Montagne Center 7:30 -8:30 p.m.
October 13
Cardinal Jazz Orchestra Concert
Rothwell Recital Hall 7:30 -8:30 p.m.
October 18
Distinguished Faculty Lecture: Raiders of the Lost Art
University Theater 7:30 -9 p.m
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OPINION
3 UNIVERSITY PRESS September 22, 2016
NE?
…or
App’s popularity shows game’s here to stay When I first heard about Pokémon Go, I thought it was a joke. Not a joke in the, “How dumb” kind of way, but more like, “Haley would freak out if this was happening so let’s get her hopes up,” kind of way. Come to find out Pokémon Go was a real project in the works that was going to available within the year. That’s when I got excited — really excited. For those of you who just woke up in 2016 after a bout of unconsciousness that caused you to miss the veritable explosion of all things Poké-fied, let me fill you in. Pokémon Go took the beloved video game/card game/TV show/movie franchise and turned it into a new kind of mobile entertainment that held true to the essence of what Pokémon is all about — catching ’em all. Players, or “Trainers,” travel to real life places to find different types of Pokémon and battle in gyms, which is what players did virtually in the videogames. It sounds kind of lame when you explain it, but the app was so popular, it broke download records all over the world.
Commentary
Haley Bruyn UP Editor
Why? My guess is nostalgia. As a kid who’s taste in media was shaped in the ’90s, Pokémon was a huge part of my childhood. I remember each iteration of the Gameboy and the respective developments that accompanied them. I can sing the theme song from the TV show by heart, and I saved up my allowance to collect all of the gold-plated Pokémon cards that Burger King sold as a promotion for the movie I insisted on seeing in theaters with my older brother. So, needless to say, I am one of those adults who has the Pokémon Go app on my phone’s home screen, and checks for Pokéstops near every restaurant at which I find myself. I’ve read the articles that
whine about updates “ruining” the app, and how there’s no point in playing past level 15, and how “powering up” Pokémon is basically a scam because you catch higher level Pokémon as you play the game anyway. All of those complaints are valid. I just don’t care. Maybe downloads and sales did drop, but the simple fact is, people are still playing. It’s a fun little app that kills time, and some people are using it as motivation to get out and get active more so in areas less humid and rainy than SETX, where being outside isn’t like walking through a hot cloud, where walking from place to place is basically impossible because there are barely any sidewalks — but I digress. Lamar’s Rec Sports is even running a competitive Pokémon Go league to entice more participants to join the intramural teams. Sure, it’s not doing as well as it was in the first few weeks, but I don’t think the game is dying anytime soon. Apple just released their series 2 Apple Watch and iOS with a new Pokémon Go
feature that will make catching Pokémon even more convenient (translate: the game is on your wrist). If you don’t want to shell out the $260 or more for an Apple watch, Niantic (the company that developed Pokémon Go) has a comparable gadget called “Pokémon Go Plus,” that only costs $35 and was just released — then promptly sold out almost everywhere, but there should be a restock coming soon. OK, so maybe walking around with a pokéball on your wrist screams, “I’m super into this!” in a way most people won’t appreciate, but with the plus, you can simply drop the tiny accessory into your pocket, go about your business and secretly catch all the nearby Pokémon with no one
the wiser. I think these new techy additions are going to revive Pokéfever. When they add the second generation of Pokémon to the game, people are going to freak out again. People who play Pokémon actually like Pokémon, so the loyal fan base will stick with the brand through the ups and downs. Those people saying that Pokémon Go isn’t a real Pokémon game are expecting too much out of something designed to enrich the experience of the Gameboy games, not replace them. Niantic doesn’t need to worry. Those of us who grew up with Ash, Misty and Brock aren’t about to turn our backs on Pikachu.
Derivative mobile game dishonors Poké-legacy
I have caught them all — just not on the app. Pokémon Go is a phenomenon that took most of the world by storm. Even in areas like Brazil, before the Olympic Games where it wasn’t available, there were public outcries that dominated Twitter. These anxious people demanded to be able to get their hands on the free downloadable game so much that the mayor of Rio even reached out to Nintendo to request the game be ready for the Olympics. When the mobile game revolution came, it was a beautiful moment for the Brazilians. Everyone rejoiced. The same could be said about the United States. But when you take a real hard look at the game, what makes it fun? It’s difficult to point to a specific thing, but one thing is clear — if we review this app for what it truly is, and judge it as if it was real game that someone would pay real money for, it wouldn’t be receiving the same amount of praise. Look at the way it was advertised to the public. The commer-
cials show a game with real-time graphics to show just how far you’d be away from the Pokémon you’re running around your city searching for. We were led to believe that motion tracking would be involved to catch them. What do we do instead? We flick a screen. On top of that, it’s still full of bugs and odd little ticks that cause the game to close itself. Although updates are gradually coming, if you want to play the game for a long period of time, it’s probably a good idea to join the portable battery club, because the game still doesn’t run in your phone’s background. Visually, although all of the sprites from the first generation have been cell-shaded to look appealing, the overall interface and repetitive music is quite disappointing. A big trend in the video game community is over-advertising and over-hyping large titles, leading developers to release games that look OK on the surface, but “feel” unfinished. Take Pokémon Go’s touchscreen “combat.” It feels cheap and gimmicky, and it definitely
Commentary
Trevier Gonzalez UP Multimedia Editor doesn’t follow rules from previous titles. All the skill and planning that went into the handheld and console Pokémon games was basically thrown out to make the game more user-friendly. As a person who grew up playing the Red, Silver, Sapphire and Diamond versions, I feel like Niantic did not do the title justice. Changing a formula is fine. If you’re a fan of the earlier games, look at Pokémon Snap or Pokémon Mystery Dungeon. Those were innovative titles that were certainly different, but captured the feeling of what it meant to
interact with Pokémon. Niantic basically repackaged their previous game “Ingress” from 2012 and called it “Pokémon Go.” Oh, and you know all of the fun that erupted from choosing between Team Mystic or Team Valor? That was also done four years ago. That’s the problem with this game. Since it’s free, we might become mildly agitated, but we don’t allow ourselves to get upset about it, because we didn’t pay anything for it — right? At the end of the day, you get what you pay for. In this case, it’s nothing.
UP graphic by Trevier Gonzalez
We should try to hold ourselves to a standard and not rush to things due to the bandwagon effect. I mean, unless it actually ends up being genuinely fun for a few hours. While making the game available for an incredibly wide audience, much of the integrity of the Pokémon name has been lost. For those people who use the crutch that Pokémon Go must be life-changing since it has more downloads than Tinder, I say, “No!” Pokémon Go and Tinder are both terrible apps that are filled with unfulfilled expectations, disappointment and regret.
Joining organizations builds networks, friendships UPeditorial One of the great things about going to Lamar is the diversity of its student body. Students from all over the world come to Lamar to take classes, but many end up learning much more than anyone could ever expect to take from a textbook. This is because students and teachers all over
campus have formed groups, clubs and organizations for just about any interest or hobby. Finding other students that share an interest can expand a friend group. Students may also be introduced to faculty members in different departments whom they never would have come into contact with. Meeting new people is incredibly beneficial to all students, not only because it develops their social skills, but also it helps students network
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, Jackie Hoskins, Cade Smith, Andre Woodard, Shelby Strickland, Elisabeth Tatum, Matt Beadle, Arun Kumar, Maegan White, Tara Hoch Advertising Assistant ..................Mario Carmona Advisors Andy Coughlan and Stephan Malick Member of Texas Intercollegiate Press Association
Letters Policy
around campus. The more people a student knows in the academic field, the more reputable references that student has when applying for jobs, and experts available for consultation in the future. But the future is much closer than most students realize, which is another reason student groups and organizations are so crucial. Those interested in just about any career can find a place to practice the skills they will need. Students in-
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.
terested in Broadcasting can visit LUTV and get involved there, Business students can participate with the CICE, students interested in publishing can work for Pulse Magazine, Lamar’s literary magazine — and the list goes on. Each discipline has its own groups and organizations in which students can learn valuable skills outside of the classroom. Take a minute to find out what you can be doing to help your future, and maybe make some new friends along the way.
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
4
TRAVEL
UNIVERSITY PRESS September 22, 2016
Walk in the Park
Rocky Mountain National Park natural fit for families One of the top ranked parks in the United States is Rocky Mountain National Park. Located just outside of Fort Collins, Colo., and just two hours from Denver, this park offers something for everyone. Beautiful scenery makes for a photographer’s paradise, while an abundance of hiking trails and wildlife create a dreamland for outdoor enthusiasts. With its guided tours, educational programs and surrounding mountain towns, it’s an ideal destination for families. I have spent many summers exploring Rocky Mountain National Park, which celebrated its 100th anniversary last year, and the surrounding area, and found myself enchanted by its beauty. While there are a great many activities to be enjoyed in the park, there are a few that have become my favorites. Together, they make for an exciting adventure. A day in the park isn’t complete without a hike. With hundreds of trails, a traveler has an overwhelming amount of choices. The Emerald Lake Trail is a great fit for everyone. It’s a 3.2-mile round trip hike. Before reaching Emerald Lake, there are two other gorgeous lakes to enjoy. The first is Nymph Lake, the smallest and usually the warmest of the lakes. A hiker will find this lake at the very beginning of the trail, making it a perfect choice for families with small children. The next lake along the trail is Dream Lake, and it is truly a dream. There are many large rock formations where hikers can stop to rest and enjoy the view. Dream Lake is larger and typically a bit cooler. Even in the early summer, it’s not uncommon for there to be a significant amount of snow along the trail. Emerald Lake is cold and surrounded by snow most of the time. This amazing sight is worth the hike. Encircled by high cliffs and icy drifts, Emerald
Lake is usually partially frozen. The trail ends with giant grey stones which have many hollows and nooks in which hikers can enjoy a picnic lunch. Beware, however, if you decide to bring a lunch. Many years I’ve hiked this trail, and always we are joined by tons of tiny chipmunks and ground squirrels when we reach our destination. It’s as if they are there to say, “Congratulations! You made it!” though it’s much more like, “Hi! Can you share that cracker with me?” These adorable creatures will scurry about, waiting for you to drop any morsel of food. Their friendly disposition makes for wonderful photo ops, but be warned, feeding them is against the rules. They will wander right up to your camera lens, regardless. In addition, hikers are usually joined by various species of birds, including the magnificent Stellar Jay. It is similar to the Blue Jay, but larger. Its feathers are a deep indigo, making it a favorite of bird watchers. The fun doesn’t end when you start the hike back, however. With all of the snow along the trail, slipping and sliding is inevitable. There have been many sections of the trail where I have been able to run and glide along the ice for long distances. The snow adds an extra element of fun that we don’t usually get in the South. After this hike, you’ll probably want something to eat. It builds up quite the appetite. The
Story and photos by Maegan White Layout by Haley Bruyn
A scenic view of Rocky Mountain National Park, top, shows the majesty of the area’s mountains. Emerald lake, above, is surrounded by snow for most of the year.
Emerald Lake Trail is on the side of the park that is closest to Estes Park (one of the surrounding mountain towns). This is a great place if you’re in search of a delicious meal. Estes has a wide variety of restaurants including Italian, American, Mexican, Indian, and many others. The town also has a fair number of delis, bakeries, and ice cream parlors — I typically can’t restrain myself from the frosted cookies and caramel apples, as their scents fill the streets. If you’re hungry for more than a snack, I’d recommend checking out the Wapiti Colorado Pub. The menu has a wide variety of food, making it a great choice for groups. There’s something for everyone, though they are known especially for their burgers. I enjoy the cozy lodge setting of the restaurant, though guests are also given the option of sitting outside. The temperature in the summer is quite pleasant, compared to our 100-degree heat waves in the South. While you’re in Estes Park, you may want to relax and do a bit of shopping. More than 200 businesses line the main roads of Estes Park. These shops feature goods from all over the world, as each is independently
owned. One of my favorite things to do as the day winds down is to go back into the park with a camera. As the sun sets, all of the wildlife becomes active. Just inside the park gates, one can follow a small road that leads to a beautiful cascading river that flows down the
mountainside. In addition, elk, deer, foxes, chipmunks, wild turkeys and ground squirrels are known to frequent the area. With such beautiful scenery, this is the perfect place to watch the sun set. Rocky Mountain National Park, with its serene beauty, abundant wildlife, mountain
The Stellar Jay, left, is native to the park, as are elks, above, and other species of wildlife.
UNIVERSITY PRESS • Thursday, September 22, 2016
Page 5
‘Astronomical’ Achievements LU theatre’s ‘Silent Sky’ spotlights pioneering women scientists Caitlin McAlister UP contributor
Students interested in inspiring women doing great things need look no further than the Lamar stage to see these “stars” of history shining bright. The Lamar University department of theatre and dance will perform Lauren Gunderson’s historical play “Silent Sky,” Sept. 29-Oct. 2, in the Studio Theatre. The play centers around astronomer Henrietta Leavitt, who worked at the Harvard University Observatory in the early 20th century as one of the socalled “computers” — women who were assigned to analyze the photographic plates used to record data from the observatory’s telescope. In 1907, while looking at a plate containing the image of a star cluster, Leavitt realized that the brightness of a certain type of variable star, known as a Cepheid, fluctuated according to a specific pattern. Although many people have not heard of her today, her discovery, which provided a “standard candle” that astronomers could use to measure large distances, would later be vital to the work of Harlow Shapley and Edwin Hubble in establishing the true size of the Milky Way Galaxy and the universe as a whole. “Hubble couldn’t have done it without Henrietta Leavitt,” Shelby Dryden, who plays Leavitt, said. Dryden said that although science plays a huge role in the play, there is a strong human element to the characters. “I would really want (the audience) to know how strong these women were
and how much they contributed to the science, and how passionate they were about what they did,” she said. “It’s more than just science. It’s passion.” Tracie VanLaw plays Annie Jump Cannon, who also made an important scientific advancement while working at Harvard: she created the spectral classification system for stars that astronomers still use. “I was saddened by the fact I had never heard of (the women) until this play,” VanLaw said. Annie Jump Cannon begins the story as a cold, distant person, but warms up to her colleagues over time, VanLaw said. “Part of Annie being cold is she’s just not a very emotional person,” VanLaw said. “Later on, she gets involved with the suffragettes and that liberates her. She does warm up to the characters a lot, in my opinion. It’s not just because she joins the suffragettes, but she has known these women for almost 20 years. She allows herself to be more open with them.” VanLaw said she believes that the play’s portrayal of the “Harvard computers” provides an important element of women’s history. “Sometimes, little things like this are a reminder that although we have progressed, progress never stops — improvements can still be made,” she said. Dryden said that playing scientists presented the cast with the difficult task of having to study astronomy to understand some of the dialogue. “Having to research and know exactly what you’re saying has been the biggest
challenge,” she said. “We’ve all been studying as much as we can to keep up with these women who are miles smarter than us.” Chloe Sullivan, who plays fellow “computer” Williamina Fleming, agreed.
“There’s a person behind the work, but you have to understand the work to understand the person,” she said. The play is guest directed by Amelia Fischer, who suggested the play.
She said that she was drawn to “Silent Sky” by the strength of its female characters. “One of the things that drew me to the story is to create opportunities for female students to cut their
teeth on a strong role,” she said. “I think if I was going to pitch the show, it is a moving, witty, sharp show about female astronomers at the turn of the century.” Fischer had worked with Lamar costumer Cherie Acosta at the Houston Shakespeare Festival, a summer professional program that produces works by the Bard, and when the school was looking for a guest director, Acosta proposed Fischer. Golden Wright, chair of the department of theatre and dance, said bringing in a guest director helps students learn from professionals who have different ideas. “It is important for students studying acting to experience other directing styles besides those of the Lamar theatre faculty,” he said. “Every audience member will have a different experience of the play because of their unique lives.” Fischer said that she feels students will relate to the story. Leavitt’s story encourages people to seize the opportunities they are given, because she “insists on the exceptional.” “I think that’s a great motto to have,” Fischer said. “She made these discoveries because she wasn’t just doing her job. Leavitt didn’t expect anyone to hand her anything on a silver platter.” Showtimes are 7:30 p.m., Sept. 29, 30 and Oct. 1, and 2 p.m., Oct. 2. Tickets are $7 for Lamar students with ID, $10 for Lamar faculty and staff, and $15 for general admission. Tickets are available at the box office. For more information, call 880-2250.
UP photos by Noah Dawlearn
Chloe Sullivan, top left, Shelby Dryden and Tracie VanLaw, play scientists in “Silent Sky,” which opens Sept. 29. Dryden and Eyenkebi Itima above, rehearse a scene from the play, Monday.
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SGA
Thursday, September 22, 2016 • UNIVERSITY PRESS
from page 1
“OK, yeah, I do remember you,” Lavergne said. “OK, are we getting started? “It was kind of cool to get back into it, to coach a team last year. It was really cool to actually see them develop throughout the end of the season.” Lavergne said what seemed to be just coaching, on surfacelevel, would eventually develop into mentoring. “I feel like that’s really most effective and a really good way to impact somebody’s life,” he said. “Kids recognize when people are taking the time to be with them. Especially when they realize that other people aren’t taking the time to be with them, and they for sure recognize that.” Lavergne said he met one child who was having difficulties in class. “I was just talking to him for like 20, 30 minutes, just about what was going on,” he said. “Just understanding him, because I know it’s easier for him to talk to me instead of talking to
an old man. “That’s kind of really where I got with a lot of them, just talking to them, having a conversation with them, seeing where their head’s at, what they’re thinking about and stuff like that.” Lavergne said that at the beginning, he was uncomfortable because he didn’t know anybody, and coaching was a change of pace from his normal life as a student. “I felt a little bit more timid and shy when I was first there,” he said. “People can look up to you, but they’re not, like, looking up to you like an adult. (At Lamar), I feel like a kid. There, I felt like an adult. That was the biggest change that I had to adjust to.” Whether mentoring youth on the diamond or leading Lamar’s student body, Lavergne has learned one thing — everyone is different. “That’s where most of my growth took part — realizing you
UP photo by Trevier Gonzalez
Aaron Lavergne helps coach Little League baseball when he is not performing his duties as SGA president.
can’t treat everybody the same,” he said. “You have to listen for understanding, not listening to reply to somebody. That’s one of the big things I learned, just listen when you’re talking to somebody. “That’s really a hard thing — for you to listen and look. You don’t have to worry about re-
sponses you’re going to give, or anything like that. You’re just listening to hear what the person has to say. People respect that.” Lavergne said baseball is a team game, and in many ways, being SGA president is about building a team — building relationships with people. “You can’t get anything done
without establishing some type of relationship with somebody — I think that that’s just really the key to doing what you want to do,” he said. “You’re going to have to establish some relationships with somebody, so you got to make sure that you’re able to establish valuable relationships with people. That’s all I try to do.” At the end of the day, Lavergne said he’s just another peer who has an appreciation for sports, and sees opportunity within Lamar. “I think a lot of people assume that I have everything together just because of the stuff I do,” he said. “People put you on a pedestal, like you’re supposed to be ‘this.’” Although his schedule is full, Lavergne said he’s still going to make an effort to continue coaching and mentoring in the upcoming baseball season. “It was just very satisfying to be out there,” he said. “I just try to set an example.”
Band Nite offers chance for musicians to grow Shelby Strickland UP Contributor
The Art Studio, Inc. welcomes the return of Band Nite, Saturday. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and music begins at 8 p.m. “Band Nite is an opportunity for new musicians to basically earn their tracts on stage in a welcoming environment,” Olivia Busceme, Band Nite coordinator, said. “A lot of time, the bands that play Band Nite are playing their first show or they don’t have a lot of stage experience. “It’s kind of an educational program, because instead of us depending on the bands to bring people into our bar to make money, since we’re not a bar, we’re just bringing them in so we can showcase the newest music on the scene.”
Band Nite is held the third Saturday of every month. Admission is $5. All ages are welcome, 21 and older may bring alcohol with a valid ID. Guests can expect a unique performance each time they visit, as musicians and genres vary, Busceme said. “If (the performers) contact us, we put them in a line up for the next available spot, so it does make for interesting lineups, too, because it’s not always the same genre,” she said. “It’s always just different little things — whatever pops up.” The line-up for Saturday will include an out-of-town band from San Marcos, as well as three solo artists. Busceme said anyone is welcome to perform as long as they play original music. “They can message the Art
Studio Inc. on Facebook, or email me if they want to play,” she said. She also scouts bands at local venues. “Sometimes I find them at open mic night, like at the Logon Café,” she said. “Usually I’ll go there and there will be an outstanding performer. Two of the performers that will be here Saturday, I heard them play at open mic night and I offered them a spot.” The Studio is also an exhibition space, and Band Nite can expose a younger generation to appreciate art, Busceme said. “The crowd that comes for Band Nite is different usually than the crowd that comes to art openings on the first Saturday of every month,” she said. “But we can definitely mix those crowds more once they know all
these things are happening. It’s often a new discovery so it’s awesome for people to find out that there is this place in Beaumont and that they are very welcome here.” Aspiring musicians are given an opportunity to showcase their work. “There are steps that you go through if you’re trying to become a musician from a local scene,” Busceme said. “The first step is open mic night and the second thing is Band Nite, because anyone can have the opportunity to play and, hopefully, after that you’ll have more notice and legit venues will book your project.” Band Nite has been held for 20 years, with Busceme coordinating it for the past nine years. The event is an opportunity for musicians and residents to
enjoy a different side of the art scene. “My future in music would be more on the hobbyist spectrum and I think The Art Studio is a great place for performing,” musician Tyler Livermore said. “Everyone can come together and enjoy what art and music Beaumont has to offer.” Livermore will be playing Saturday. “I hope to play something that makes someone able to look into themselves and see that we’re all residents of this city,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re on stage or if your art piece is hanging in a gallery — there is a way for everyone to contribute to the expressive community (in Beaumont).” For more information, email Busceme at victoriahousetx @gmail.com.
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SPORTS
UNIVERSITY PRESS September 22, 2016
Cross country runners Sean Chalmers, left, Tobias Riker, Tye Norman, Federico Gasbarri, Stuart Ferguson and Keith Fallon run 200-meter dashes in practice, Sept. 16, at the Ty Terrell Track. UP photos by Cassandra Jenkins
Running to Repeat Cade Smith UP Contributor
Alexandra Sokolova, Moscow junior, practices at the Ty Terrel Track, Sept. 16.
The Lamar Cardinal Cross Country team will look to win big at the Texas A&M Invitational, Saturday, at the DaleWatts Course in College Station. This is LU’s second time competing at College Station this season. “I feel good,” Tony Houchan Lamar Cross Country head coach, said. “We have already had two meets in the books, and our teams performed up to expectations. We are going to pull the reigns off of our players and really let them race, but that doesn’t mean we won’t face stiffer competition this time around.” Last time the Cards visited College Station was for the Aggie Opener earlier this season, where both the men and women placed second overall behind Texas A&M, beating schools like UTSA and Texas Southern.
At the Justin Cooper Rice Invitational in Houston, Sept. 9, the women took fifth place and the men fourth. The Lady Cards team was led by senior Jannika John who finished third. “At early season meets we hold players back a little, because we want to run under control and its more about an effective execution of a very specific knit strategy,” Houchan said. “I think we held on to that strategy, and the guys packed up well. I was very pleased with how well we did at Rice.” Houchan said that the cross country team has always been a dominate force in the Southland Conference, and it doesn’t matter where the meet is held. “Lamar has always been a historically strong distance team, and in the past ten years we have been the most dominant cross country program in the conference,” he said. “The goal coming into the season is to defend the (men’s)
championship, and we will move towards that goal, one day at a time.” Houchan said he isn’t concerned with any of the other teams in the conference this season. “We are not worried about anybody, we are the defending conference champions, and I think, mainly, the target is on our back” he said. Lamar senior John said she is well prepared going into Saturday. “I’m really looking forward to the meet and the course,” she said. “I am really interested in how well we will perform at the six-kilometer race this weekend. So far, we have only run a fourkilometer race this season.” John said that SFA will be the biggest threat in the conference.
“I think they have a strong team because they have a very narrow spread, so they are always racing really well,” she said. “It will be very interesting to see how well our team does against them.” Junior Sean Chalmers placed 14th, 12th scored, at the Rice Invitational. Chalmers said he is proud of his performance at the Rice Invitational, and said his team is well prepared for this weekend. “Each week, we sort of have a team meeting — they usually are on Monday — and Coach Houchan will go over the race, and we will talk about the expectations are for each race,” Chalmers said. “We usually group up a lot and work through as a unit. “Knowing that your team is around you really helps us pull through each race, and also it mentally prepares us for and helps us push through those last few seconds of each race.”
Cards drop SLC opener to SHSU, 44-31 Cade Smith UP Contributor
The Lamar football team opened up their Southland Conference play with a 44-31 loss to the FCS third-ranked Sam Houston State Bearkats, Saturday, at Provost Umphrey Stadium. “Too much Sam Houston in the first half, they did so many things right and we didn’t,” LU head coach Ray Woodard said. “Offensively, this was the most balanced attack we’ve seen this season. They gave us problems both running and passing the ball. We left our defense on the field way too much in the first half.” The Bearkats scored in less than 90 seconds with a 75-yard drive. SHSU held their 7-0 lead for nine minutes until they were met by the LU offense with a 44yard field goal from senior kicker Alex Ball. SHSU answered the field goal with a second touchdown less than two minutes later. They tacked on two more points when LU was called for intentional grounding in the end zone. Sam Houston scored a total of 16 unanswered points in the second quarter, making the score at halftime 30-3. “I was proud of the way we kept fighting in the second half, very encouraged that we got a lot of young players that kept
playing — we saw some positive things in the second half,” Woodard said. “The game would have been much uglier if we would have given up in that second half of the game.” The Cards came out to play in the second half with a 79-second drive that resulted with a pass from quarterback Andrew Allen to Zae Giles from 56 yards out. The score lowered the deficit down to 20 points, and Big Red’s defense responded by keeping SHSU off the board for nearly 10 minutes. The Bearkats answered back with another touchdown to increase the lead to 27 points. Allen suffered a late game injury forcing LU to put in senior
Carson Earp, who eventually ran for 67-yards up the middle for a Cardinal score. LU was only down 13 points but couldn’t come up with another score. “I thought Andrew (Allen) gave us a better chance to move the football and to win tonight,” Woodard said. “I think he did some good things, and I think he’ll be much better after this game. It wasn’t really a fair evaluation after last week because we didn’t let him throw enough at Houston.” Allen finished the game 19-of36 for 178 yards and two touchdowns. He said he was nervous at the beginning of the game.
“At the start of the game, you have to get rid of the opening drive jitters, but after that everything just fell into place,” he said. “We just need to do a better job in executing our offense a little bit better.” One of the Cards’ offensive highlights was a fourth down fake punt for 55 yards to score a late touchdown with 47 seconds left in the third.
“We just put that play in this week at practice and we had been working on it to use at the game tonight,” senior Brendan Langley said. “However it didn’t go the way we planned originally, but it still worked.” The Cards will take a week off before hosting Southeastern Louisiana at Provost Umphrey Stadium, Oct. 1. Kickoff will be at 7 p.m.
The Sam Houston State Bearkats held running back Cade Harrington, No. 8, to 76 yards during Saturday’s Southland Conference opener at Provost Umphrey Stadium.
UP photos by Matt Beadle
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Thursday, September 22, 2016 • UNIVERSITY PRESS
Capturing Solar Energy Stillings’ photography exhibit slated for Dishman, Sept. 30 Tara Hoch UP contributor
The Dishman Art Museum, in cooperation with the Office of Sustainability and the Lamar University Green Squad, will feature photographer Jamey Stillings’ “The Evolution of Ivanpah Solar.” On Sept. 30, Stillings will give a talk at 6 p.m. in the Dishman Lecture Hall about his career in photography and his exhibition, which documents the creation of California’s Ivanpah Solar Power Facility from 2010-2014, followed by a reception in the museum. “Ivanpah Solar, in the Mojave Desert of California, is making a compelling physical statement about our collective ability to shift from a society based on fossil fuels to one that embraces renewable energy production,” Stillings said on his website. “Renewable energy projects such (as this) also raise challenging questions about land and resource use, exposing differing perspectives and contradictions within the environmental movement, local communities, the energy industry and general public.” Dennis Kiel, director of the Dishman Art Museum, said Stillings’ work is a fascinating take on a complex topic. “He’s documented the evolution of this natural space from desert to solar facility, but as an artist, also created something from it by playing with form and composition,” Kiel said. “The more you look at these photos— some of which are over five feet long — the more the subject becomes something other than just solar panels. It’s abstract, really.” Kiel approached Alicen Flosi, director of sustainability, about collaborating to bring Stillings to Lamar after recognizing the need for art exhibitions and related
Jamey Stillings’ photography explores the development of the Ivanpah Solar field of solar collectors in the Mojave Desert.
Courtesy photos by Jamey Stilling
programming that attracted a wider audience on campus. “Our primary goal here is to get more people to come check out the Dishman,” he said. “By bringing in exhibits and artists that explore multidisciplinary topics like Stillings does with energy sustainability, and by collaborating with other campus departments and groups in the future, we hope to make the Dishman appealing to new audiences while also featuring diverse programming.” Flosi said Stillings’ work is educational and brings the audience’s attention to what large-scale solar power facilities can offer. “The Ivanpah facility creates 392 megawatts of electricity, enough to provide energy to
140,000 homes,” she said. “I think the artist makes the case that solar energy is doable for many communities. His project puts forth powerful advocacy for renewable energy without abandoning aesthetics.” The Dishman will also host a leg of the Southern Energy Freedom Tour, Oct. 5, which aims to teach those concerned by climate risk and energy freedom to engage (their) member of congress and community on a marketfriendly solution to climate change. The free talk begins at 6 p.m. in the lecture hall. “Hopefully, these themes will motivate people to do what they can to conserve resources and perhaps combine their careers or discipline with living sustainably,” Flosi said.
“The Evolution of Ivanpah Solar” will be on display through Nov. 20. The Dishman Art Museum is located at 1030 E. Lavaca. For more information on Still-
ings’ photography, visit www.jameystillings.com. Those interested in the Southern Energy Freedom Tour talk may register at tinyurl.com/ southernfreedom.