UNIVERSITY PRESS
The Newspaper of Lamar University
Vol. 92, No. 5 October 8, 2015
Fair to focus on cultural expansion Kyle Swearingen UP contributor Lamar University will hold a Study Abroad Fair in the Setzer Student Center, Tuesday, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. “The study abroad fair is the best time to get information about all of our study abroad opportunities,” Jeffrey Palis, director of global studies and study abroad, said. “Every LU faculty-led study abroad program will have its own table.
The faculty who lead the programs will be there to answer questions, and provide handouts and information.” Students who have previously studied abroad have also been invited to provide a firsthand account and real-life experience of what to expect while studying abroad. There will also be representatives from the Gilman International Scholarship Program who will provide information about their undergraduate study
abroad program. “I want to make sure all students on campus know about the study abroad opportunities that Lamar is providing for them,” Palis said. “Regardless of your academic year — freshman all the way to doctoral students — regardless of what you’re studying, regardless of how long you want to study abroad — a week in spring break or a full academic year — See ABROAD page 2
DRAWN TO HOME Painting studio to be named for John Alexander Kara Timberlake UP staff writer Lamar University’s art department will honor world-renowned artist and LU alumnus John Alexander by naming the painting studio in his honor. A dedication ceremony and reception will be held at 5:30 p.m., today, in the art building. The event is free and open to the public. “I’m flabbergasted at this honor,” Alexander said in a telephone interview from his New York studio. “It really is very moving and powerfully emotional to me. I am very touched and honored beyond belief.” Born in Beaumont, Alexander attended Lamar from 1964 to 1968. He said he entered the university at an influential time in his life. “It was an exciting but unusual time in America,” he said. “In ’64, the Civil Rights Act was passed, in ’68 there was the assassination of MLK, and the Vietnam War was playing in the background. Then my father died when I was 19, the year I entered college. It was a very tumultuous time as a young man.” Alexander said these occurrences helped him take the college experience seriously. “The university became more,” he said. “The painting studio became a second home for me. As a student, I used to live in the painting studio where I took a corner and fiercely defended it. When the
Courtesy Image
See ALEXANDER page 4
World-renowned artist and LU alumnus John Alexander poses in front of his painting “Sailing on the Edge.” The painting studio in the Art Building will be named in his honor during a dedication ceremony and reception that will take place today at 5:30 p.m.
Nationally recognized children’s author, illustrator to visit LU Shelby Strickland UP contributor Children’s author and illustrator, Dana Sullivan, will be the keynote speaker at Lamar’s College of Education annual conference, set for Oct. 17 from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the Eighth Floor of Gray Library. “I’ve been doing a lot of school visits and speaking gigs lately, I’ve always been fairly comfortable speaking in front of folks,” Sullivan said in an email interview. “I’ve learned that adults are pretty much like kids, just taller. I was thrilled when I heard I was asked to speak at Lamar. My first
thought was, ‘Oh boy, Texas! I get to say “all y’all” soon!’” Each year the education department chooses a different nationallyrecognized speaker who has distinguished themselves in the field of reading or children’s literature. “I heard Dana Sullivan speak at the National Conference of the National Literacy Association in May, and I thought he would be a good fit for our students and local teachers,” conference chair Andrea Karlin said. “Undergraduate students who are going to be teachers, local teachers, administrators, staff, or even if there’s an interested parent or li-
brarian, we’re delighted to have them all.” Anyone who has a child, or who has an interest in education or teaching could benefit from attending the conference, Karlin said. “They’ll receive all kinds of information which will help them inside and outside of the classroom,” she said. Cost is $15 for students pay $15 and $35 for teachers. “The cost includes five hours of continuing education units that they can use for professional development with the state,” Karlin said. See AUTHOR page 6
SGA ELECTION RESULTS Senior Class Senator: Votes David Bassa 51 Shon Akintod 45
Percentage 53.10% 46.90%
Junior Class Senator: Votes Danelle Sanders 36 TaMar Hicks 31
Percentage 53.80% 46.20%
Total
96
Total:
67
100%
100%
Graphic novels class established Cassandra Jenkins UP contributor The graphic novel is a sequential narrative, comprised of text and pictures, which tell a story. The concept of the graphic novel is fluid and is not often well known. Steve Zani, director of the Center for Teaching and Learning Enhancement and LU English professor, and Xenia Fedorchenko, associate professor of art, are trying to shed some light on the concept with a new graphic novel-based course. They discuss what defines a graphic novel, the history of it and the value, as well as the appeal. “(The graphic novel) is first and foremost about sequential narrative, it has a story with a begin-
Author and illustrator Dana Sullivan drew this self portrait in honor of his visit to Lamar, Oct. 17.
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