University Press November 1 2018

UNIVERSITY PRESS

The Newspaper of Lamar University

Vol. 95, No. 9 November 1, 2018

IEW events to be held Nov. 14-16 Chris Harmon UP contributor

Lamar University’s office of international student programs & services will host International Education Week, Nov. 14 through Nov. 16, beginning with an open house. “(IEW) celebrates the benefits of cultural and academic exchange programs,” Mustapha Jourdini, OISPS director, said. “We have an open house to share about our different services, and how OISPS can collaborate with other university departments to ensure that we provide international students and scholars a home away from home

— a welcoming environment that is conducive to cultural adjustment and academic success.”

Two sessions are planned for Nov. 15 — “Effective Ways to Help International Students Succeed” and “The Benefits of Study Abroad.”

“When studying abroad, a student’s exposure to other ideas, cultures, and educational systems results in many benefits,” Jourdini said. “Chief among these benefits are becoming open-minded and accepting of different peoples and cultures, developing flexibility of thought, honing foreign See INTERNATIONAL, page 2

Cardinal View set for Nov. 10 Abigail Pennington UP contributor

The office of student engagement and recruitment will host Cardinal View, beginning at 8 a.m., Nov. 10, im the Shiela Umphrey Recreational Center. The event is designed to show prospective students what LU has to offer.

Tracie Craig, director of the welcome center and campus experience, said LU hosted 616 prospective students and their families during the spring Cardinal View. Almost 1,100 are registered for this fall’s event, with 362 listed as prospective students, Craig said.

“That number typically climbs significantly the week of the event,” she said. “Hopefully, that trend will hold this year. If even half of our current registrants attend, we will have the best fall crowd to date.”

Registration for the event will begin at 8 a.m. in the Sheila Umphrey Recreational Sports Center, and opening activities will start at 8:45 a.m.

During opening activities, prospective students will be able to eat breakfast, listen to music, participate in activities, meet admissions counselors and tour the residence halls.

“There will be a DJ playing while the Cardinal Activities Board hosts several games and activities, and the College of Engineering hosts the ‘Walk on Water’ feature,” Craig said. “‘Walk on Water’ is a pool of nonNewtonian fluid that simulates the experience of walking on water.”

The tours will be led by LU Crew members — current students who work in the Welcome Center and conduct daily tours, Craig said.

“We are very proud of this group of young people and their commitment to excellence in the Welcome Center,” she said. “They make it their goal to be a welcoming, helpful first face for Lamar University.”

Academic sessions will be held from 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. During the sessions, prospective students will have an opportunity to meet with academic deans and department representatives to discuss majors and requirements, and to ask ques-

Educator’s Career Fair today in SSC Cheyenne Ard UP contributor

UP file photo

Students toured the new Setzer Student Center for Cardinal View in spring 2018. tions, Craig said.

A Student Success Fair is slated from 9:45 a.m. to noon, and will be held in the Setzer Student Center Atrium.

Prospective students will have the opportunity to meet and exchange information with current LU students who are involved in student organizations, Craig said.

“It’s not too late to register for a booth at the fair,” she said. “We hope that student organizations will collect the names and email addresses of guests who visit their tables, and start recruiting and involving them in the organization’s activities.”

Breakout sessions will begin at 10:30 a.m., and end at 12:30 p.m.,

where participants can choose three different topics, including living at LU, applying to LU, getting involved at LU, financial aid and scholarships, and a walking tour of campus.

Each session is 30 minutes with 15 minute breaks in between.

“Our breakout sessions are ‘Getting Involved at LU,’ which will be led by Student Engagement, and is exactly what the title indicates — ways to get involved while studying here,” Craig said. “‘Financial Aid and Scholarships’ is an overview of the financial side of things, with opportunities to get See VIEW, page 2

The Center for Career and Professional Development will host the Educators’ Career Fair, today, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., in the Live Oak Ballroom of the Setzer Student Center.

The educators’ career fair, open to all students and alumni, will allow future educators to learn about job opportunities and receive feedback from recruiters.

Students should dress professionally and have multiple copies of their edited résumé for the event.

Forty school districts from the Houston and Southeast Texas areas will be in attendance, Angie Thomas, associate director of the Center for Career and Professional Development, said.

“This is a platform for students to get in front of a recruiter and start talking,” she said. “It helps build confidence.”

The fair, part of education week, is a chance for students to practice networking and start a conversation with recruiters without feeling pressured, Thomas said.

“When you apply for a job it is almost like going into a black hole and it is a lot harder to get selected through (the online) process,” Thomas said. “It’s easier to talk to someone (in person) and market your skill sets versus going through the online application.”

Students can prepare by researching school districts and looking for job openings that are available and interested in, Thomas said.

“Look to see who’s coming, then go to their websites to find out what openings they may have,” she said. “Tailor a plan for the day of the event so you have an idea of what you can go to the table with to that recruiter.”

Students are encouraged to enter the fair with an open mind and be prepared for possible job offerings, Thomas said.

“We’ve actually had school districts offer jobs right then and there,” she said. “There is a big need for teachers, so that’s a possibility.”

All students are welcome, not just education majors, Thomas said. She also encourages freshmen and sophomores to attend. “(Underclassmen) may not think they’re ready, but it’s definitely something they should start early on,” she said. “It’s better to mess up now, when there is no pressure, rather than when it really matters.”

The Center for Career and Professional Development is located in 102 Galloway Business Building.

For more information, visit www.HireACardinal.org.

SGA to offer poll shuttle Olivia Malick UP managing editor

The LU Student Government Association is partnering with the LU Police Department on Election Day, Nov. 6, to shuttle students who are registered to vote in Jefferson County to the Alice Keith Recreational Center polls.

There is no sign-up process required, just make sure to line up in the Setzer Student Center circle driveway around 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., to secure a spot in the line for the shuttle, Natalie Sfeir, senior and vice president of SGA, said.

“The Lamar shuttles will begin bringing students to the site at 5 p.m.,” she said. “Shuttling back from the site will end at 7 p.m., when the polls close.”

Sfeir, who came up with the initiative, said this is the first time

SGA has partnered with LUPD to bring students to the polls, but she hopes the process continues when she graduates.

“It is up to the representatives serving the next academic year to keep this going,” she said.

Bringing students to the polls helps those who may not have been able to participate in the voting process before due to transportation issues voice their opinions, Sfeir said.

“SGA wants to ensure that every student gets a chance to voice their concerns and make a difference, not only at the state level, but in our local elections, too,” she said.

“This gives them the opportunity to truly assert their position and have a say in future endeavors.

“We understand that many students do not have access to transportation, and we want to make

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sure we provide this outlet.”

Sfeir said she expects more students to take part in voting with transportation out of the way.

“We expect students who have not participated in voting to take advantage of this opportunity and cast their votes,” she said. “This provides a means of transportation and doesn’t require students to spend their own gas money, find parking, etc.”

Sfeir said SGA encourages all those registered in Jefferson County to take advantage of this opportunity.

“Bring a friend with you,” she said. “It is such an honor to have our university work with us to provide such a service. Go out, your vote is your voice, so use it wisely.”

For more information, visit lamar.edu/student-governmentassociation, or call 880-7775.

www.lamaruniversitypress.com

UP photo by Cade Smith

Ricky Adams, Beaumont junior, examines the Día de los Muertos altar in the Setzer Student Center, Wednesday. For more on the holiday, see page 7.

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INSIDE

QUOTE OF THE DAY

Thursday, November 1, 2018 University Press

Page 2

“Someone who hates one group will end up hating everyone — and, ultimately, hating him/her self.”

— Elie Wiesel

Zombie 5K gives runners a fright Participants and workers enjoy the first annual Zombie 5K Run at Gulf Terrace Park in Beaumont, Saturday. The event was sponsored by organizers

of Boomtown Film Festival and the Sea Rim Striders with proceeds benefiting the Boomtown Film Festival.

UP photos by Ricky Adams

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

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

CALENDAR

Nov. 1

Day of the Dead Celebration Setzer Student Center 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Nov. 2-3

Lamar Opera Theatre presents: ‘La Canterina’ Rothwell Recital Hall 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Nov. 3

Sixth Annual STEM Conference Archer Physics Building 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Nov. 6

LU Men’s Basketball vs. Huston-Tillotson Montagne Center 7 p.m.

Nov. 7

INTERNATIONAL from page 1 language skills, developing empathy toward immigrants, and developing a certain degree of cultural humility.”

All students can benefit from IEW, not just education majors, Jourdini said.

“They will have an opportunity to learn about international students, opportunities to study abroad, and views on knowledge and its impact from six world religions, to mention but a few

benefits,” he said. “The topics examined during International Education Week are pretty comprehensive and general, as they deal with human relations in education and world religions.

“Regardless of academic backgrounds, we all need to understand each other better to build a sanguine future for ourselves and for future generations.”

International Education Week will

conclude Nov. 16 with an interfaith panel featuring perspectives on knowledge from world religions.

“I strongly encourage faculty, staff and students to take advantage of the events and programs sponsored by various Lamar University offices to celebrate the International Education Week,” Jourdini said.

For more information, www.lamar .edu/international.

help with any of the online portals, such as “Apply Texas” or “MyScholarships,” Craig said.

Guests will also get the chance to meet LU’s mascots.

“Big Red and Lu will make an appear-

ance for photos, and guests will be able to exchange their name tag for a ticket to the football game by going to the ticket office at the Montagne Center,” Craig said.

For more information, visit lamar.edu/cardinalview.

VIEW from page 1 hands-on assistance with applications.

‘Living at LU’ is an overview and Q&A about residence life, and ‘Applying to LU’ is a guide to the application process.”

A lab will be set up in the Galloway Business Building where guests can get

Fourth Annual Veterans Appreciation Cookout Dining Hall Lawn 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Nov. 8

LU Volleyball vs.

Northwestern McDonald Gym 7 p.m.

Nov. 8-11

LU Theatre & Dance presents: ‘Ghosts’ University Theatre 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Nov. 10

Cardinal View Shiela Umphrey Rec Sports Center 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

UNIVERSITY PRESS • Thursday, November 1, 2018

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REMEMBERING NANCY EVANS LU first lady leaves lasting legacy on family, community Cassandra Jenkins UP editor

For many of us, what we knew about Nancy Evans, was that she was first lady of Lamar University. Then we knew she was sick. But Nancy Evans, who died after a long battle with cancer in early June, would not have wanted to be remembered for being sick. She was many things.

She was a person.

“When we came here, she was very concerned about the role of being a president’s wife,” LU President Kenneth Evans said. “Nancy was very much her own person. She didn’t want to be defined by what I did. She wanted to be defined by what she did. That really manifested in a number of ways. Of course, we attended events together, but she didn’t want that to be how she defined herself. She wanted to identify areas where she could make her own meaningful contributions.”

She was a mother.

Nancy and Kenneth Evans have two sons, Paul and Brian.

“She raised two great guys,” Kenneth said. “Brian got married (Oct. 20) in Santa Fe, along the Pecos River, to a woman Nancy got to know and really like. So, that was kind of hard. It would have been much more special if she had gotten to be there, but we kind of knew that wasn’t going to be able to happen.”

She was a grandmother.

“She loved her grandchildren,” Kenneth said. “Ironically, Harvey was a blessing for her. She had gone up to Saint Louis to babysit our three grandchildren (Thomas, 5, and twins Peter and Marion, 2), and then got stuck there and couldn’t get back. She ended up spending roughly three weeks with them and it was really the last time she had had a meaningful opportunity to be with them before she passed away.”

She was a friend and partner.

“She was a great confidant,” Kenneth said. “It’s hard in this role to try new ideas out on people without being subject to the consequences. It’s always nice to have somebody who is reasonably objective. Someone who will tell you when an idea is really stupid and you don’t take offense at it — she could do that for me.

“We had an opportunity to be in a real partnership. She grew to really love LU. (She loved) our mission here helping highly talented students, but also first generation students and students who are challenged economically, to be able to access a college degree. We wanted to create an environment where we can make that possible.”

She was an environmentalist.

“She began with the energy conservation initiative,” Kenneth said. “Well, she actually began with cleaning up the campus. The signs that are on all the trashcans to be attentive about putting your litter in the trashcans was her idea. She helped encourage people to participate in that. Then, that moved to the energy conservation and the signs that are on most

A FAVORITE MEMORY:

“She was very inquisitive. A veracious reader. She was very honest, straightforward and genuine, caring and passionate and she loved this place. She loved Lamar. She loved Beaumont.”

—President Kenneth Evans

Courtesy photos

of the switches in most of the buildings reminding people to turn the lights out.”

She was an art enthusiast.

“Nancy’s real passion was art,” Kenneth said. “When (the Reaud Building) was underway, the design had not been approved yet, but part of the Texas State University system mandate is that one percent of the cost of the building needs to be set aside for art. She put together a policy, a process, and a committee that included the chancellor, (art department chair) Donna Meeks, and a strong supporter of the community, Kim Steinhagen, to identify prominent Texas artists — artists who had a well-regarded reputation, had done numerous shows and had a demonstrated track record — to try to work with them to identify pieces that might be appropriate for some of the buildings.”

Kenneth Evans said that when the couple moved from Oklahoma, they met a Texas artist named Jesus Morales.

“Jesus did work with large granite structures, which are represented outside the Honors building in the three columns,” he said. “The trinity is meaningful because of its religious connotations — in his world, in our world — but it is not necessarily about religion. Three is a powerful metaphor in all literature.

So, we had those pieces made for that spot. Then we secured another piece that was made available through the same

“We did a lot of camping and hiking together — California, Colorado, here,” President Evans said. “She even braved going into the boundary waters with me one time for five days (between Minnesota and Canada). You’d canoe and portage between lakes, meaning you’d pick the boat out of the water and carry it into the next lake and put it in. She went with a bunch of Boy Scouts and she was such a trooper doing that.

“We were all fishing and she sat in the middle of the boat and read a novel. It was hysterical. But, she just really loved being with our boys and she’d do anything, even if that meant going into the boundary waters and schlepping, just so she could be with the guys and spend time with them.”

“We would go to basketball games and she would keep score. I’d get up and visit with people I saw, but that was the one environment where it wasn’t easy to interrupt her.”

—President Kenneth Evans guy that introduced us to Jesus for the CICE building. Then other pieces happened — paintings, photography. It created a real climate of public art on campus. When the Science and Technology building is done, it will also have four prominent public art pieces in it that were part of the work of this committee.”

Kenneth said Nancy’s passion for art also manifested itself in the way the couple related to the community.

“We began to see more involvement by the community of Beaumont in art and in art related projects, it kind of began to extend beyond just simply the fine arts to the performing arts as well,” he said. “So that was a passion of Nancy’s.”

Kenneth Evans said Nancy was also passionate about helping students at

Lamar succeed, and took special interest in women and philanthropy while she was here.

She was a creator.

Nancy helped create two significant events — Cardinal Conversations and the Women and Philanthropy organization.

“Cardinal Conversations are where two faculty members are brought in to talk about subjects that complement each other, in terms of the intellectual space they occupy, and it’s done in front of an audience of about 30-40 people in our house,” he said. “Then that lends itself to a Q&A, and the dynamics of the Q&A are often far more interesting, because now you are getting all these different perspectives being brought to the table.

“She also created the organization Women and Philanthropy. It was all about subjects that are particularly of interest to women, but it also tied into the reality that women typically outlive their male spouse if they end up getting married. The determination of how the wealth and estate is distributed falls on (the wife) and if she had not played a significant role in managing the finances of the household, which Nancy had for ours, then there is the consequence of being stuck with a difficult task that you don’t have a lot of familiarity with.

“At these luncheons, I and Juan Zabala, vice president of university advancement, were the only two males in the room, the rest included over a 150 women. Sometimes at these events, we would bring in speakers, and we brought in two women who played a role in raising funds and managing the Big Thicket, so that became a big passion for her as well.”

Besides being her own person, a mother, grandmother, friend, environmentalist, art enthusiast, creator, spouse and partner, Nancy had one of the best personalities, President Evans said.

“Nancy was probably one of the most non-judgmental people you’d ever want to meet,” he said. “It really made no difference what kind of setting she was in, she was always comfortable in that environment. We could be in a room with a thousand people and she would just visit with people throughout the room.”

Nancy also believed that everyone had the right to be successful, and truly believed in LU’s mission to change lives, Kenneth Evans said.

“She wanted the school to learn the Alma Mater,” he said. “She was very passionate about that. Now, we are singing it at the end of ball games and we do it at the end of events. She just really thought that the notion of having some sense of the legacy of the university, and people being connected to the university’s brand, was important.

“She wanted people to be proud of the university, because there were a lot of reasons to be proud of it. Pride’s important and she was a proud person.”

“Her favorite color was purple. She’d come back from a clothing trip and she’d buy something and I would say, “Let me guess what color it is.”

—President Kenneth Evans

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Thursday, November 1, 2018 • UNIVERSITY PRESS

EDITORIAL

5 UNIVERSITY PRESS Thursday, November 1, 2018

UP graphic by Claire Robertson

Participate in democracy — vote

As the midterm elections loom, people are double checking their voting locations.

Local organizations are educating and mobilizing the public, and on Lamar’s campus, one can’t walk far without seeing a campaign button or overhearing

Commentary

Claire Robertson UP contributor

a political discussion. However, inevitably, someone will sign off by saying, “I’m not into politics.”

Traditionally, voter turnout for midterm elections is low. According to the Pew Research Center, in the 2008 presidential election, 57.1 percent of people 18 or older in the United States voted. Only two years later, there was a 36.9 percent voter turn-out for the midterm elections. In the 2012 presidential election, the voting numbers rose again to 53.7 percent. This is a pattern that can be reasonably expected to repeat this year.

Without a unifying top-ofthe-ticket race, people tune out — the midterms are not as “sexy” as a presidential election.

There is not that single focus that captures the major news networks.

UPeditorial Mourn today, act tomorrow

In the last week, we have witnessed the murder of 11 Jewish congregants in their place of worship, two African Americans doing their grocery shopping, and the threat of more than a dozen bombs to public U.S. officials.

As Americans, we tend to pride ourselves in being “progressive” and more “advanced” than the rest of the world. That is not true. How can we be better if we’re killing each other in the streets every day?

The presence of hate has permeated through every level of gathering, whether it be on a plane, in a church or school, at the movies, a grocery store, or just walking home at night. We have become a hateful society.

We are not all hateful, and nothing proves our humanity quite like the aftermath of tragedies. But the hate is still there, lurking behind every corner. And it shouldn’t take a national tragedy for us to be kind to one another.

What can we do? We have to participate in the lifelong struggle to understand. To understand does not mean to accept. Where does hate come from? Hate starts at home.

Ignorance is fueling hate — we see it every day. It’s OK that we have differences, that is a good thing. We need to understand our differences and embrace that they make up our integrated society.

We have to ignore hateful rhetoric and educate ourselves about those around us.

Reach out to new people, learn something about someone who lives a different life and try to see things from another point of view.

We must find a way to live in harmony.

Editor..........................................Cassandra Jenkins Managing Editor...............................Olivia Malick Photo Editor...................................Noah Dawlearn Staff....................................Cade Smith, Vy Nguyen, ........................... Sierra Kondos, Rachel Hellums, ....................... Abigail Pennington, Tiana Johnson, .............................Claire Robertson, Cheyenne Ard, ... Eleanor Skelton, Jocelyn Morales, Ricky Adams Business Manager .............................Eloisa Lopez Advertising Assistant...................................An Vo Advisors Andy Coughlan and Stephan Malick Member of Texas Intercollegiate Press Association

But still, it is important to participate in the midterm elections. Democracies require engagement, and in a representational democracy, the onus of voting falls directly on the general public to employ representatives who will serve us.

It is rare that the power of all three branches of government is concentrated in one party — Republicans — as it is now.

Democracies require compromise to best serve Texas’ diverse citizenry. Compromise can only be achieved when both parties have the influence to negotiate.

If the public is exhausted from policy that directly affects them but does not represent their values, it can be amended by voting politicians into office that align with their leanings.

Some people, especially in states strongly loyal to one party, such as red-state Texas,

choose not to vote because they do not believe their one vote can make a difference. However, voting trends are changing. In the 2016 election, Millennials and Generation X voters outnumbered Baby Boomers for the first time. This difference will continue to grow as Boomers age. Gen-Xers, who were affected by the Parkland, Fla. school shooting, and the activism that followed, seem to be more progressive and optimistic about their ability to create change.

The Pew Research Center did a survey that showed “voter enthusiasm” for this midterm season is higher than it has been in over 20 years, with most voters considering their vote “for” or “against” President Trump. This is essential to maintain accurate representation, not only in Congress, but in our local elections.

We should educate ourselves before Election Day, Nov. 6.

Most candidates have websites or are featured on their political party’s websites, and local news will cover debates and events which are usually free.

A complete list of candidates is available at jeffersonelections.com. On the Jefferson County Elections website, citizens can check their voter registration, find polling places, and make sure they are bringing acceptable ID. Make a voting plan. Schedule the day and time and know which polling place will be open nearest your home or work. Remember to bring ID. Plan to carpool with friends or coworkers. We need to be accountable to ourselves, our communities and our future.

If not our vote, then whose will be cast?

Reading is important — no matter how it’s done

Through the constant growth of technology, we have seen the shift of printed books to digitized ebooks and audiobooks.

Though printed books are still the publishing industry’s top sellers, digital book sales are rapidly rising, reaching a peak with roughly 260 million sold in 2017.

As an avid reader, this can seem like a bad thing. But is it really?

There is nothing like cracking open a new paperback, but there are advantages to digital books.

Digital books are easier and more efficient to access than print copies. In order to buy a book, one must drive to a bookstore, or buy it online and have it shipped to the house, which can take anywhere from one day to two weeks, depending on shipping costs and

Commentary

Cheyenne Ard UP contributor

Letters Policy

times.

Buying an e-book or audiobook is instantaneous — a copy is already published online and is available with just a few clicks of a button. Within minutes, one can be reading the latest New York Times bestseller without out even getting up from the couch.

With this easy accessibility, people are more likely to read. We like to make life as easy as possible, and with the digitization of books, it has never been easier to get access to literature.

Not only that, but it is easier to store e-books and audiobooks as opposed to printed tomes — let’s be honest, “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,” at more than 750 pages, is more of a heavyweight brick than a book. E-books and audiobooks allow one to fit hundreds of novels in one’s pocket and carry them just about anywhere.

For college students living in dorms or people living in small apartments, this can be priceless.

Space is such a valuable thing and e-books and audiobooks do not take up valuable storage space.

While we are talking about students, how nice would it be to walk upright, without a giant backpack weighing us down filled with giant — and expensive — textbooks.

E-books are also eco-friendly.

With no need for paper, there’s no

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 202 Carl Parker Building. 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.

need for cutting down trees or those hazardous paper factories.

E-books and audiobooks also cater to an audience that print paperback cannot — the visually impaired. When I was a senior in high school I was in a reading program where they paired up students who loved reading with people who had trouble with it. I was paired up with a blind person.

I was able to read to her and introduce her to audiobooks and she came to really love to “read.” The audiobooks allowed her to enjoy books on her own time without relying on someone else.

Digital books help those who have difficulty reading small texts and styles. In most cases, e-books allow one to adjust font size, style and even color.

As an avid reader, I love a printed book. I love holding it in my hands. I love the feeling of turning each page. Most importantly, I love being surrounded by them — being able to look at the beautiful covers filling the shelves, reminding me of the stories I’ve read, and the stories waiting for me. I have even bought books after reading them digitally just so I can have a copy on my shelf.

I guess it’s just a matter of balance. One can love print and digital books. It’s really the reading that is most important, however one chooses to do it.

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 2018

Page 6

Thursday, November 1, 2018 • UNIVERSITY PRESS

Violinist Oliveros to perform, Nov. 8 Valarie Flores UP contributor

Columbian violinist Mauricio Oliveros will perform a concert in the Rothwell Recital Hall, Nov. 8, from 7:30 p.m to 9 p.m. The guest artist is touring and will be accompanied by pianist Lisa McCarroll. Oliveros is associate concertmaster of the Symphony of Southeast Texas and is an adjunct faculty member at Houston Baptist University, The Kinkaid School and Tallowood Academy of Fine Arts.

He performs regularly throughout the U.S., and has appeared as soloist in many symphonies, including the Symphony of Southeast Texas and the Valle Symphony Orchestra in Colombia.

“We bring in an artist that is touring, doing recitals and concerts at various locations including universities,” Kurt Gilman, Lamar University associate professor of violin and viola and director of string activities, said.

McCarroll, from Northern Ireland, has performed extensively as a solo and collaborative pianist throughout Europe and the United States. She is an adjunct at the University of St. Thomas and Lone Star College-North Harris, and is a member of the piano faculty at Tallowood Academy of Fine Arts.

“They have very vast backgrounds,” Gilman said. “McCaroll has pioneered works by a famous Irish woman composer and has won awards for that.”

The program will inclue masterworks by Johannes Brahms, Eugene Ysaye and George Gershwin.

“These are all big time pieces in the violin repertoire,” Gilman said.

“But they’re also entertaining, be-

UP photo by Jocelyn Morales

Children gather to receive candy outside the Maurine Gray Literacy center parking lot, Saturday.

cause you get a traditional sonata and then a violin showpiece, and then you get an entertaining piece in both violin and piano which is a work by a famous violinist that arranged for Gershwin.”

Gilman said people will recognize pieces from Gershwin’s opera “Porgy and Bess,” and will also be drawn to the piece by Ysaye.

“I think when it comes to violin performances, people are after the flashy — and this is definitely a flashy piece,” Gilman said. “It requires a lot of technique, but it is very entertaining.”

His arrangements of these pieces are very virtuous because he is a great technician on the violin, Gilman said.

“People will leave with songs in mind at the end of his performance,” Gilman said.

This event is free and open to the public.

For more information visit lamar.edu/music.

Mauricio Oliveros

Downtown celebrates festive activities with families Jocelyn Morales UP contributor

The Art Museum of Southeast Texas’ grounds were filled with children dressed up as their favorite characters as they enjoyed Day of the Dead and Halloween-inspired activities. The Eat-A-Bug Family Arts Day is one of the four annual family events AMSET hosts and this year it attracted more people than before, Kara Timberlake, PR coordinator, said.

“Children came dressed in their most creative costumes, and were intrigued by the fried crickets and mealworms provided by Bill Clark Pest Control,” Timberlake said. “Many brave kids and parents

tried the crawly delicacy and received an ‘I Ate A Bug’ sticker that they were able to wear proudly.”

The event also gave children and parents a chance to make sugar skulls to commemorate Día de los Muertos. Other activities included trickor-treating booths, rides, fortune telling and dance performances.

In addition, families were encouraged to visit the museum’s current exhibits — “Woven Wonders” and “Deborah Luster: Passion Play” — that served as an inspiration for the many handson activities.

“Downtown Beaumont had a lot of exciting family events to offer that weekend, and we enjoyed get-

ting to be a part of the funpacked lineup,” Timberlake said.

In honor of Dinosaur Day, the adjacent Texas Energy Museum featured an outdoor program including activities such as excavating fossil replicas and allowing kids to papier-maché a giant dinosaur.

As part of the arts day, the Beaumont Public Library provided the children with books and games.

Families were invited inside the Civic Center for activities including face painting and balloon animals, as well as ball park food and Halloween candy supplied by Beaumont police and other organizations.

Courtesy photo

Actors ‘bare’ souls in BCP’s heartwarming ‘Calendar Girls’ REVIEW Vy Nguyen UP staff writer

“Calendar Girls” will put you on a rollercoaster ride filled with emotions that will make you laugh one moment and cry the next, and it leaves you with a smile and a lighter heart by the time you walk out of the theater.

Beaumont Community Players’ production of Tim Firth’s play, which runs through Nov. 10, brilliantly directed by Gina Hinson, is a must-see comedy.

The play is based on a true story, set in 1999 in Yorkshire, England, when the ladies of the Women’s Institute pose nude for an “alternative” calendar to raise money for the Leukemia Research Fund, after Annie’s (Roxane Gray) husband, John (Phillip Gray), dies of leukemia.

Annie and Chris (Ramona Young) come up with a genius idea for a fundraising calendar in order to purchase a new settee for the local hospital’s cancer wing.

Young plays the witty Chris exceptionally well, supplying humorous quips that tickle the audience’s funny bone, while Gray’s Annie brings the audience to tears as she deals with her grief.

Annie and Chris manage to persuade their WI group members, Cora (Heather Rushing), Jessie (Alicia Strahan), Celia (Bryanne Tyler) and Ruth (Karen Chapman) to participate in their scandalous idea. The women hesitate at first, but end up going through with the idea.

Ruth, the bubbly yet conservative character, strongly refuses to participate in the calendar project because she’s afraid that if she strips off her clothes, then she will have to face her fears.

Eventually, Ruth, with the help of her friends, finds the courage to break out of her shell.

Chapman excels as she takes the audience on Ruth’s journey of self-growth, as her timid characteristics are transformed into a strong woman.

The unexpected and instantaneous success of the calendar puts the women’s small town of Knapeley on the international map.

Their quick rise to fame puts Annie and Chris’s friendship to the test as the newfound spotlight momentarily blinds them, and they steer off-course from the true purpose of why they made the calendar in the first place.

Each WI woman learns to embrace their natural aging female body in their own way, as they drop their clothes for a good cause. It’s empowering to see a celebration of women who come in all ages, shapes and sizes.

“Who knew the baring of bodies would lead to such revelations of spirit,” Hinson writes in ther director’s note.

“Together with my extraordinarily talented cast and crew, we have unlocked the potential of community theatre to make you think and make you feel.”

In the calendar scene, the direction provides just enough visual imagery to where the audience can use their imagination to fill in the blanks.

The ensemble works skillfully to put the audience in the story. Each of the “Calendar Girls” has their own unique backstory. Trahan, Rushing and Tyler find the nuance in their characters and are totally relatable as women.

Overall, the heartfelt comedy about friendship, self-growth, determination, female empowerment and hope leaves one feeling much better about life than

Courtesy photo

Bryanne Tyler, top left, Alicia Trahn, Heather Rushing, Karen Chapman, Ramona Young and Roxanne Gray play members of the WI who decide to make a nude calendar to raise money for cancer research. Roxane Gray, above left, and Ramona Young, play Annie and Chris in BCP’s production of ‘Calendar Girls.’ before they stepped foot into the theater.

“Calendar Girls” is presented Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., with a matinee Saturday at 2 p.m., and Nov. 8, 9 and 10, at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $23, $21 for seniors and

students, and $12 for children.

BCP is located at the Betty Greenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 4155 Laurel in Beaumont.

For tickets, visit www.beaumontcom munityplayers.com.

7

FEATURES

UNIVERSITY PRESS Thursday, November 1, 2018

Life Death

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DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS CELEBRATES LIFE AFTER DEATH

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very year in early November, Mexican citizens celebrate Día de los Muertos or “Day of the Dead,” a celebration that honors the death of loved ones and remembers those who have died. The holiday has gained popularity with the movie “Coco” and in popular culture.

“The tradition is pre-Hispanic, before Christopher Columbus arrived in America,” Jaime Retamales, LU assistant professor of Spanish, said. “The tradition dates to when Mexico was ruled by the Aztec empire and is probably older than that because ancient Mesoamericans celebrated Día de los Muertos over 3,000 years ago.”

Retamales said the older Mexicans were not all part of the Aztec empire and were made up of different groups like the Zapotecans and Mayans.

“They believed that death is a transition into the eternal life,” he said. “When someone dies their souls will go to Mictlān, the underworld in Aztec culture. The translation of Mictlān means ‘the place of the dead.’ Mictlān is ruled by a god named Mictlāntēcutli, the god of the dead, and his wife Mictēcacihuātl, the queen of the dead.”

Retamales said souls go on a difficult four-year journey

Día de los Muertos altar event in SSC today The office of global diversity and inclusive excellence will host a Día de los Muertos celebration, today, in the Setzer Student Center with snacks provided.

An altar will be on display where students, faculty and staff are encouraged to decorate picture frames for their loved ones or pets to be included on the altar. through Mictlān’s nine levels to move on into eternal life.

“In pre-Columbus times, the nine levels depended on how you died,” he said. “During the journey the souls must pass several challenges like crossing mountain ranges and traveling across a blood-filled river with jaguars.”

The ancient people would celebrate during the month of August and hold festivals for the dead, Retamales said.

“During the four years that the soul journeys through Mictlān, the people prepare the dead bodies in celebration of the dead,” he said. “Sometimes they burned dogs to go along and travel with the dead body to help the soul find their way through Mictlān. They also keep the skulls of the dead to celebrate the lives and aid in the journey

Mictēcacihuātl

of the soul. The queen of the dead, Mictēcacihuātl, presides over the ancient festivals and watches over the bones of the dead.”

The ancient traditions were celebrated before the Spanish came to introduce the indigenous people to Catholicism, Retamales said.

“When the Spanish saw the Mexicans celebrate this way they were shocked,” he said. “The Spanish did not like them celebrating the dead and said that they were acting like savages.

They tried to stop the celebration but couldn’t because the natives said that if the Spanish did not allow them to celebrate the dead then they will reject the Catholic church.”

Jessie Garcia, assistant professor of sociology, said the Spaniards incorporated Catholic beliefs as a way to get the indigenous people to convert.

“The Spaniards moved the day as a way to incorporate the indigenous beliefs into Spanish society with All Souls’ Day,” he said. “The indigenous people were incorporated as the lowest of society. Mexican history pretty much ignores them and anything about their culture as Mexico is trying to be a modern society. Mexico thinks of the beliefs as a past that they do not want to bring up. In the 1820s is where the prevalent attitude was recognized. Only indigenous communities celebrated the holiday and it wasn’t as spread as it is now.”

Garcia said that commercialization of Day of the Dead grew its popularity and spread the celebration throughout the region.

“Mexico, in about 1960, tried to promote itself on the world stage because they were going to host the Olympics in ’98,” he said. “During this time, the government put a concerted effort to incorporate the indigenous culture and turned the day into a national holiday. They also included it in the public school curriculum. At the time, only from Mexico City downward celebrated the holiday, but with the integration of the holiday in

schools it spread north and throughout the country.

“Movies have also been a part in the commercialization of the holiday. The Mexican government realizes that there is money to be made from this, so they continue to incorporate new ideas and traditions every year. Immigration has played an integral part in its spread to America.”

Garcia said that certain communities within Mexico have their own interpretation to how Day of the Dead is celebrated.

“Some use different incense or the different characters that they utilize,” he said. “The most common character is La Calavera Catrina, who is the queen of the dead, and is based off the goddess Mictēcacihuātl from Mictlān. Some light candles in their homes or put them on the graves with food. Of course, they make the sugar skulls that you see around, but none of what they use goes to waste, so after the celebration they end up taking the leftovers and eating them.”

There are differences between what is celebrated in Mexico and what is celebrated in the United States, Garcia said.

“In Mexico, they hang out in the cemetery, have a picnic and commune with the dead,” he said. “Here in America, we just have an altar to celebrate the dead — we don’t go all out like they do in Mexico. The Mexicans believe that death is just another phase in life and here in the United States, we see death as the end of life and don’t really talk about it afterwards.”

Garcia said most people do not know that Día de los Muertos is a three-day long celebration that runs Oct. 31 through

Nov. 2.

“The first day is for the kids, the second day is for the departed and the third is for all souls,” he said. “In the hometown that I grew up in, the people one year decorated the Catholic church in the community with flowers and have since left it there year-around.”

Retamales said people decorate altars to preserve the memory of loved ones and the legacy they left behind.

“Some altars include the person’s favorite things they enjoyed when they were alive,” he said. “The altars have pictures of the person to show the souls that they are remembered and are an invitation for the dead to join the living in celebration. People put food and drinks at the altars to invite the dead. It is a celebration of life. When Día de los Muertos takes place is the time of the year where flowers appear — people use the flowers as representation of life and death.”

Most Latin American countries don’t celebrate Day of the Dead, Retamales said.

“For example, I am from Chile and we don’t have Day of the Dead,” he said. “Rather, we have All Saints’ Day which is very different. On All Saints’ Day, we just go to the cemetery where we clean the graves and pray.”

While Americans enjoy the fun of decorated sugar skulls and brightly-colored costumes borrowed from their neighbors to the south, the celebration is more to remember the ones who you love and cherish the ones that are living.

Story package by Cade Smith

Page 8

Thursday, November 1, 2018 • UNIVERSITY PRESS

LIT hosts abuse information event Eleanor Skelton UP contributor

Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women, according to statistics from the Texas Council on Family Violence. Almost half of college women reported experiencing abusive behaviors from their partner and one in five women are sexually assaulted during college.

Lamar Institute of Technology hosted a domestic violence awareness event, Tuesday, in the LIT quad.

Donna Burnside, LIT speech instructor, said she saw domestic violence growing up when her mother was abused by her father.

She said she wants her students to know the warning signs.

“Some of my students asked me what is it, can you give me some examples, where do you go and get help?” she said. “They didn’t know these answers.”

Students handed out pamphlets with statistics and purple ribbons to wear. Burnside said that domestic violence is a silent killer.

“People are afraid to talk about it once it happens to them,” Victoria Merchant, Beaumont LIT sophomore, said.

One of Burnside’s students, Maci Matthews, demonstrated techniques such as wrist escapes and how to get away if someone grabs a shirt or neck. Matthews is a senior fourth degree black belt taekwondo instructor at Tiger Rock Martial Arts.

“We’ve broken a couple of boards, which are equivalent to breaking someone’s collarbone,” she said. “We’re bringing attention to what happens, why it happens, and how to not be in that situation.”

Burnside said she wants her students to be able to find their way out if they are in an abusive relationship.

“We’re really trying to teach them how to defend themselves when they actually get in a situation that is unhealthy,” she said.

“Plus, we want them to be able to talk to people about their problems — don’t hold this stuff in, go and seek help.

“I want them to know that it is normal to go and talk to a psychi-

UP photo by Eleanor Skelton

LIT instructor Donna Burnside and student Rhaiven Kyle pass out statistics about domestic violence and purple ribbons. atrist or a counselor, and they are not crazy. There’s a stereotype that if you go talk to a counselor or a psychiatrist, there’s something wrong with you. But you’re being healed by going. I had to go talk to a psychiatrist one time and I felt good talking about my problems and, at the end, she gave me

solutions and look at me today.”

Burnside said she tells her students to go to the Lamar Student Health Center if they are being abused.

“I was told by a wise person each generation is cursed (and) it’s up to you to cease it, stop it, or you carry it on,” she said. “Since I

encountered domestic violence in my family, I refuse to carry it on.

I went and got counseling.

“Parents are not aware that it not only affects them but it affects the children as well, and I’m very thankful that I actually went and talked to (someone) and I am healed.”

Walk raises Down syndrome awareness The Arc of Greater Beaumont hosted the seventh annual Buddy Walk, established in 1955 by the National Down Syndrome Society, for Down syndrome awareness, at the Event Centre, Oct. 27. The one-mile walk

was open to partcipants including people with Down syndrome, families, friends and any supporters. The walk highlighted and celebrated people with Down syndrome, their abilities and achievements. The event

raised a total of $121,100 for Down syndrome at this year’s walk with 57 teams signed up. On Saturday, the sun shined, and the participants wore their best smiles.

UP photos by Vy Nguyen

9

SPORTS

UNIVERSITY PRESS Thursday, November 1, 2018

DEFENDING THE NEST Lady Cards basketball ready to defend title Cassandra Jenkins UP editor

LU’s women’s basketball team had a perfect conference season last year — almost. The 2017-18 squad kept their home-winning streak intact, but fell to Central Arkansas mid-season to finish with a 17-1 Southland record.

After cutting the net and becoming champions, the team fell short of an NCAA appearance after losing a devastating semi-final game in the conference tournament to Nicholls, 68-80.

This year, head coach Robin Harmony said she’s feeling lucky.

“I think this year’s team is actually better than last year’s team,” she said. “The problem is that they have to play together as a team and not be selfish. There are a lot of scorers on the team, and we have to make sure we take the best shot and are working as hard as we can. It’s not talent, that’s for sure, because we have probably the best talent we have ever had. It’s all about if they are going to come together, put in the work and get the job done.

“We know that we have a lot of pressure on us, coming back from being 17-1. We lost at Central Arkansas and the feeling in the locker room was that we don’t want to have that feeling again.

We are going to remind them that we don’t like that feeling, so now we want to go 18-0. It’s a tough task, but we have to set the standard to that. We want to win back-to-back championships. We want to win the regular season and we want to go to Katy, make sure we perform this year and then go to the NCAA tournament.”

Harmony said she knows that all eyes and targets will be on Lamar.

“We won two championships,” she said. “We’ve been in the top one or two for the five years I’ve been here. The only year we were an eight seed was when we had four freshmen starting, and that

UP photo by Cassandra Jenkins

LU freshman, Angel Hastings, left, and sophomore Rikiah Cowart practice inside the Montagne Center, Oct. 25, in preparation for the 2018-19 season. was Chastadie Barrs’ freshman year. But, it’s nothing we aren’t used to — it really isn’t. It’s just going out everyday, playing and getting the job done.

“We know that everyone has a target on Lamar — whether they beat us, knock us off a three-year home winning streak — to making their season and ruin ours.”

Harmony said this year’s team will defend their title with a strong defense, talented starters, a deep bench and solid leadership.

“I think that our strength will always be our defense, because

we do put a lot of stress on the other team’s offense by full-court pressing,” she said. “Our strength is also our depth on the bench.

We have players that, if the starters do get in foul trouble, it’s kind of not the end of the world, and we can just rotate somebody else in.

“We have senior leadership with Chastadie (Barrs) and Moe (Kinard) who are there for us. I think that Chastadie and Moe have been great leaders. Ashlan Miles is going to be a junior this year. I don’t think she really

played a great sophomore year, but she is now stepping up and being very vocal.”

Along with a handful of starters and leaders, Harmony said she is excited about the new recruits and returning players who have stepped up their games.

“We know that we have two first teamers (Barrs and Kinard) and the freshman of the year returning as a sophomore (Jadyn Pimentel),” Harmony said. “The big surprise for us, is the three freshmen we recruited. We have Miya Crump going into the starting line-up as a four, Angel Hastings coming off the bench and Umaja Collins as a post player.

We think that we recruited better players as freshmen to start replacing some people. We have a great team and we have the depth.

“There are some kids who returned who we also felt got better — Briana Laidler, Rika Cowart and Lola Bracy. Then, you add the three freshmen in there that nobody really saw. Angel, from San Antonio, is a top-100 guard in the nation. She blew her ACL her junior year in high school, and played her senior year and really shouldn’t have. It took us two months to get her strength back. But, she can go offensively like you wouldn’t believe. She will be a point guard and could shoot it from the parking lot, so it will extend us.

She is probably our best shooter on the team.

“Miya Crump is also one of the best players that we recruited here. Offensively, she can shoot the three, she can shoot off the bounce, she can finish and she’s a 6-foot kid doing all that. She could run point guard for us if we had to — she is legit.”

Harmony said her main concerns are the players staying healthy, togetherness and winning the conference.

“We have to stay healthy,” she said. “We have to make sure we aren’t being selfish as a team. We do have a lot of great players — it’s

not about ‘me’ it’s about ‘we.’

Hopefully, we can keep our team on the same page.

“We want to make sure that we hold our winning streak at home.

We have some good teams coming in here. Everyone knows they are coming here to try to knock us off, so that’s one of our goals — keep winning at home and get better every day in practice.”

Harmony said that the team dynamics are close-knit, but competitive.

“I think that the team is tight,” she said. “They hang out together, but I think they are competitive, too. But, you are going to know more when you really start seeing who plays and who doesn’t, and that’s really when you start to separate the girls from the women. If you’re the kid that is nine, 10, 11, 12, you are either going to be happy with that or you want to get better and move up.”

Harmony said she is excited for a competitive non-conference that will prepare them for the season.

“We play Mississippi State, Texas A&M and Kansas State as our three big games,” she said.

“They’re our money games and they are games where we want to see how we do against power-five teams. Are they going to get shellshocked? Are they going to be able to compete? Maybe get lucky and knock somebody off? You never know.”

Harmony said this year’s squad has the skill and talent to win back-to-back championships and finally break the SLC tournament slump to make it to the NCAA tournament.

“I think that you can either be good or lucky — and we’re good, but we’ve never been lucky,” she said. “We just need to be lucky — and it’s our turn.”

The women’s basketball team will begin their campaign as they head to Lafayette, La. to take on Louisiana-Lafayette in the nonconference opener, Tuesday at 5 p.m.

LU men’s basketball seeks redemption year Cassandra Jenkins UP editor

Last year, the Cardinal basketball team went on an 11-7 conference run, making it all the way to the Southland Conference Tournament for the second-consecutive year before being cut short with a 10point loss in the opening round to Central Arkansas.

Head coach Tic Price said the 2018-19 season will be different.

“We want to win the Southland Conference regular season, win the tournament and go on to the NCAA tournament,” he said. “That’s the mindset that we have to make sure we have a tunnel vision about and be very determined in getting there. “(This year) I think we need to finish strong. We started off (last year) good and we had some wins that people didn’t expect, but going down the stretch I don’t think that we necessarily had the force that we had early in the year. I’m not sure we hit a wall, but we have to finish stronger.”

Price said he has seen the team giving great effort in practice and is excited to see what this year’s squad will accomplish.

“I’ve been pleased with our ability to compete on a daily basis,” he said. “Where we need to improve is paying attention to detail consistently. The consistent part comes with knowing the offense and knowing the responsibilities it takes on the defensive end. But, I’ve been very pleased with how our guys have competed every day. They play really hard, and that’s half the battle.”

This year the Lamar squad consists of two returning starters —Josh Nzeakor and Nick Garth, along with seven other returners and four newbies.

“We’ve got a few returning guys that have logged in a lot of minutes,” Price said. “Josh Nzeakor and Nick Garth — those two guys understand, they get it.

We expect them to play like veteran players and lead the new guys in being ma-

ture, growing and developing like they have. Nick is still shooting the ball well.

“Josh is still capable of getting doubledoubles night in and night out. I think Jordan Foster and Avery Sullivan, two freshmen from last year, hopefully grew up. They say the best thing about freshmen is that they become sophomores, so that’s going to be something we will have to see. But, we have seen growth from one year to the next.

“Then, we have four guys in Jordan Hunter who transferred from New Mexico who has played on a high level; Mike Kolawole from Illinois-Chicago, is probably our best defense on the perimeter, our lock down guy; V.J. Holmes, who is a versatile player at 6’5, we need him to continue to grow and get better; and Christian Barrett who has been out with injuries — he’s got some catching up to do, but I do think he could have an impact on this team. Someone I forgot about is T.J. Atwood who had some good games a year ago.

“We’ve got a good mix of veterans and newcomers. I hope that incoming freshmen, Davion Buster and Grehlon Easter, are going to have bright futures at Lamar as well. I think there’s a collection of guys that people don’t know a lot about, but will be surprised once they see them play.”

On the court, Price said the defense is ahead of the offense.

“I think that their effort has dictated the tone with our defense,” he said. “Offensively, we still have to work on spacing and timing, knowing the offense, knowing where to be. That part of the offense, we still have to grow in, but the defensive part I have been very pleased with.”

Price said this year’s team has its strengths and weaknesses and will rely on team development and a versatile bench.

“Our weakness is that we are still developing as a team,” he said. “We’re turning the ball over a little too much, but that comes with an inexperienced team. But, I do think our strength is that we have guys who can play multiple positions. We can

UP photo by Cassandra Jenkins

LU freshman, Davion Buster, right, practices battling through contact with assistant coach Brandon Chappell inside the Montagne Center, Oct. 25. put different combinations out on the floor night in and night out.”

Price said one way to test the toughness of the team is to throw them into a challenging non-conference schedule to see how they play and adapt in different environments.

“We set up the schedule hoping that would help us mature, grow and prepare us for the test that we will have when it comes to our conference play,” he said.

“Georgia Tech is an early test, second game of the year in Atlanta — that’s going to be a tough one. Then, we leave there and go to East Carolina two nights later on the road. We’ve got SMU, which will be another tough one. We’ll play at the University of Houston, who had a good run last year playing in the NCAA tournament. Rice University will be another tough test on the road.”

Price said he thinks this year’s team is the closest team since he’s been at Lamar and expects that to carry them far.

“They have a brotherhood,” he said.

“They have a family environment and it makes my job easier. Every day they compete against each other, tempers flare, but then they go right back off the court and they are close again.”

Price said all he’s worried about right now is getting better every day, and watching the team grow and improve.

“We want to get to a point where, as we grow and develop in non-conference, by the time we get to conference play we are hitting on all cylinders,” he said. “That’s something that I feel like we need to develop short term. I’m not really concerned about our opponents as I am about us right now. I’m more concerned about Lamar and what we need to do to get better, improve, develop and become one heartbeat.”

LU opens their season against HustonTillotson, Tuesday, at 7 p.m. in the Montagne Center before hitting the road to take on Georgia Tech and East Carolina.

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Thursday, November 1, 2018 • UNIVERSITY PRESS