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VOLUME 89 • ISSUE 21

A different world The differences in black culture at predominantly white institutions versus historically black colleges and universities WYNNIFRED SANDERS Multimedia Editor

NCLAC hosts Art Crawl MICHAEL HOGE Staff Reporter The North Central Louisiana Arts Council spring Art Crawl was held in downtown Ruston at various venues, showcasing a variety of artists and their work, on May 7.

Visitors braved the heavy rainfall of a thunderstorm, which quickly passed after the art crawl began.

Kristin Daigrepont said it was her first time going through the crawl.

“I always missed them, I’ve al-

ways been out of town, or just happened to miss it,” she said.

She discovered Makers Union, one of the stops on the art crawl, after moving to Ruston and fell in love with the place and has prints from the store.

Rosalynne Fluty, a senior graphic design major, showcased some of her hand-lettered art inside Makers Union.

> see ART CRAWL page 10

Photos by Avery Bryan

TOP: People admire the artwork in Maker’s Union.

BOTTOM: Bryson Galle, a senior photography student, admires paintings by Adrianna Speer, a first-year MFA studio art student.

If you drive down Interstate 20 into Lincoln Parish, you will notice there are two universities within five minute driving distance, Louisiana Tech and Grambling State — one is majority white and the other historically black — which leads one to wonder, do blacks act and perceive their culture differently at each?

Exploring diversity and culture at historically black institutions may seem to be an oxymoron, but some Grambling students said it is surprisingly different than at prominently white institutions. Going to school in a place where there is a small percentage of people of color can be rewarding, but it can also be difficult.

Students from both institutions were afraid to talk because of possible reprucussions from administration due to the contraversial issue.

Regardless, several Tech students said although attending a PWI allows you to meet and interact with people from diverse backgrounds, it can also be a lonely experience. Sometimes, you would give anything to find someone who enjoys the same enviroment with whom you can just enjoy your own culture.

The culture differentiation has become prevalent in recent decades because people are realizing historically black colleges and universities came into being to give African-Americans places where they could gain a college education during a time when blacks could not attend anywhere else.

Nowadays, HBCUs seem to serve a different purpose: these schools provide a place where African-American students can obtain an education in an environment that allows their cultural identities to flourish. Flourish it may, but it is a “different world” than white institution.

> see DIFFERENT WORLD page 5

First step, senior projects; second step, graduation CATHERINE BURKE Staff Reporter It’s that time of year again — weather gets warmer, flowers bloom and Louisiana Tech sees off another graduating class. Before some of these seniors can part ways with their beloved university, they must complete one final senior project.

Sarah Noonan, a senior animal science major, said her project is about a topic that she feels extremely passion-

ate about.

“My senior project is on canine oncology, which is the study of cancer in dogs,” she said. “I will be covering the basis of each cancer, treatments and other forms of drugs to reduce the cancer into remission.”

Noonan said she has been diligently working on her senior project since the beginning of spring quarter.

“This project has included a lot of research,” she said.

“I would say it has taken me more time and effort than anything I’ve done in college.”

Noonan said although this project was challenging, it has taught her a few good things before entering veterinary school “I have had a wonderful experience at Tech and amazing professors,” she said. “I have gained so much knowledge from this project and it’s just the beginning to many new challenges I will face at veterinary school.”

> see SENIORS page 10

NEWS

2 • The Tech Talk • May 14, 2015

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The best of the College of Business CALEB DANIEL Staff Reporter As Louisiana Tech College of Business professors filled the room and began helping themselves to sandwiches and cookies, Olivia Bonner stopped her preparation for a moment and smiled. It was finally coming together.

The first Student Choice Awards appreciation luncheon was held May 6 by the Tech marketing club. Professors, support staff and custodial staff were treated to a full lunch spread and awards.

As president of the Marketing Club, Bonner was the main facilitator of the ceremony. Bonner, a senior management major, said the event’s planning had been in the works since the previous summer.

“We were inspired last summer to do this for the teachers when we realized they hadn’t had a raise in six years,” she said.

“We just wanted to do something to tell them thank you.”

A professor from each department in the college received a “best teacher” award that was voted by the students. Gift certificates and plaques were also given to all the custodial and support staff.

Bonner said the purpose of the ceremony was simply to give back.

Photo by Devin Dronett

Barry Babin, department head of marketing and analysis, presents Taylor Michiels, a senior marketing major, with an award.

“Our goal today is to honor our faculty and staff,” she said. “We appreciate everything they do, and their job is really important to us.”

Representatives from other organizations helped present the awards. Students

from the Finance and Investment club, the Society for Human Resource Management and Delta Sigma Pi were each presenters during the ceremony.

In addition, “fun awards” that were also voted on by the students were presented.

Domestic Abuse Resistance Team holds annual Radiothon

These included most stylish, most humorous, and most helpful.

Marcia Dickerson, assistant dean of undergraduate programs, was awarded best management teacher. Dickerson said she was proud of the effort the students put into hosting the event.

“I’m really impressed,” she said. “It shows a certain level of professionalism to pull this off. To organize and promote an event like this shows their business skills.”

Douglas Amyx, co-adviser of the marketing club, returned the favor to the students by presenting the club officers with plaques of their own at the end of the ceremony.

“They didn’t know about it ahead of time,” Amyx said. “It was a nice way for us to honor them back for their hard work.”

Dickerson said one of her goals is to engage students personally, and that the ceremony showed her the fruits of her labors.

“The thoughtfulness of these students is very meaningful,” she said. “A student I’ve had in two classes said during the ceremony that she sees me as a role model.

That was really touching and rewarding for me.”

Email comments to csd020@latech.edu.

STEEPLE’S GLEN APARTMENTS

RUSTONAPARTMENTS.COM

BRENNEN LEGE Staff Reporter

profit organization and also knowing you are making a difference and changing the lives of people,” said Bundrick, a senior Those shopping at Super 1 Foods May family and child studies major.

7 saw something unusual during their She said she started working for DART grocery trip. A mini radio station was at the beginning of this quarter, and loved set up in the corner of the store near the the opportunities she got to work with checkout isles. children.

Ruston’s Domestic Abuse Resistance “I think even just being their friend Team (DART) held its 14th annual Ra- and giving them attention has been really diothon spring fundraiser. From 6 a.m. to cool,” Bundrick said. “I definitely would 6 p.m., guests spoke on the radio about be interested in working for DART again. domestic abuse. Randal Hermes, chief of I never thought I would be interested in Tech police, was one of those invited to the field of domestic viospeak on the radio. lence before I worked here, “We’ve been on our own “It brings so because I didn’t know much campaign on campus working about it.” with DART, trying to increase much awarePam Dance, a DART the awareness of our students,” ness to the member and organizer of the Hermes said. “If this kind of Radiothon, said the event is behavior is going on, educating issue, which one of the biggest in the year, them on where they can go, it started small. is one of our but“We how they can get help, how we never thought we can use all of our resources on main would make money,” Dance campus to make it stop.” said. “We made about $3,000 Hermes said in almost all focuses.” the first year, so we thought cases, the Louisiana Tech pomaybe we could combine lice have been successful with PAM DANCE both raising awareness and preventing and solving domes- Radiothon raising some money. Every tic crimes. He stressed the im- organizer year since, the numbers have portance of using community gone up.” feedback in order for the police This year, the goal Dance to operate efficiently. set was $45,000, in order to top last year’s “We rely on our students and our cam- total of $35,000. pus community to play their part as a “It brings so much awareness to the isneighborhood watch,” Hermes said. “If sue, which is one of our main focuses,” they see things, they need to say some- Dance said. thing. Even if they call in anonymously, “The community is what built DART, we need all the help we can get to make and the community is the only thing that this place as safe as possible.” will keep it going. We see so many people A group of volunteer students from come in and drop off money, and it’s just Tech joined in at the front of the super- great to see people giving and coming tomarket collecting donations, including gether as a community.”

DART intern Kaitlyn Bundrick.

“My favorite part is probably just see- Email comments to ing all different aspects of running a non- bsl008@latech.edu.

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UPCOMING EVENTS FRIDAY

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SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

• The Bulldog baseball team will play Marshall University at 6 p.m. @ Tech.

• The Bulldog baseball team will play Marshall University at 1 p.m. @ Tech.

• No calendar events.

• The President’s Midnight Breakfast will be held from 10:30 p.m. to midnight in the Student Center.

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www.thetechtalk.org

May 14, 2015 • The Tech Talk • 3

Sigma Alpha Iota hosts karaoke night MICHAEL HOGE Staff Reporter

Photo by Colin Fontenot

Kevin Keeler and Bryce Leonard, senior instrumental music education majors, along with Jess Borne, a junior accounting major, perform at karaoke night.

The Sigma Alpha Iota international music fraternity hosted its spring karaoke night in the recital hall of Howard Auditorium on May 6.

Jess Borne, a junior accounting major and president of the fraternity, said they started hosting the karaoke nights this year beginning in the fall.

“We all just wanted to do karaoke night,” she said. “Everyone in the band really wanted something fun but laid back.”

Borne said one of the positive things about having a karaoke night is it involves music. She also said the idea of a karaoke night was well received by everyone.

“We do all kinds (of music), what we do is each of us will get about five songs and send them to one person,” she said.

Borne said they also took requests from people.

Malaika Minnifield, a freshman vocal performance major, said she attended to check out the fraternity.

“They seem really fun; they’re all kind of family oriented, and they include everyone else,” she said.

Minnifield said she was invited to the event and also has been thinking about joining the fraternity as well.

“It seemed like a really fun event to sing and just get some of the stressful feelings out from school,” she said.

Borne aid the fraternity is trying to branch out in recruiting more women to join.

“We’re just this year getting people in different music areas, it’s hard when you’re a smaller organization,” she said.

Borne said the fraternity succeeds in getting people to attend the events by

word of mouth and through emails. She said she did not expect many people to show up, unlike the turnout for the first time karaoke night, which had 30 people in attendance due to exams being around that time.

Michael Maxey, a senior general studies major, attended the event because some of his friends are in the fraternity and he decided to come and hang out with them.

“It seemed He said he is like a really in a few of the ensembles in the fun event to music department, sing and just such as the jazz ensemble and he get some of hopes they will the stressful hold another karaoke night because feelings out they usually have a turnout and from school.” decent it’s always fun.

The fraternity MALAIKI is an internationMINNIFIELD ally known musicfreshman vocal oriented organizaperformance major tion whose focus is to benefit music on campus.

Students interested in joining must display an interest in music, take at least one more music courses and pass a national membership test.

“We help make music on campus better, like the music department,” she said.

Borne said they help out with things such as ushering for concerts, performing repairs for the department and participating in service work.

Email comments to mph027@latech.edu.

Poetry society to publish student book The Quatrain ELLIE MOSLANDER News Editor The Louisiana Tech poetry society will end the school year by publishing a book of poems, “The Quatrain.”

After most of this school year has been dedicated to producing the book, the students will finally see all of their hard work in print, as well as online, by the end of the quarter.

Ernest Rufleth, an associate professor of English at Tech, has served as the poetry society ad-

viser since it started last year and is excited to see the book take off.

“I do believe holding something you wrote in your hands can be formative to an author, “he said. “It might even be the start of your career.”

Rufleth said the inspiration and goal for the name of the book came from reaching out to surrounding states and making it a collaborative effort with the four states consisting of Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas and Mississippi.

He said currently the book is only poetry, but he hopes in the future it will become an interdisci-

WE ARE

plinary outlet for all majors.

“So this year was just poetry and in the future it will be a collection of what the submissions are like for the year,” he said. “It could be anything from art to drafting, it could even be sculpture if they are going to take a picture of it.”

Austin Harrison, a theatre graduate student, has been with the society since the beginning of the year, serving as vice president and also as editor-in-chief for “The Quatrain.”

He said the collections of poems selected for the book were chosen because they displayed

artistic beauty and helped the book reflect diversity, creativity and artistic expression.

“The end result of the book is extraordinarily remarkable with a wide range of poetic forms and styles,” he said. “On selecting which poems go into the book, we had a committee of five members who each read the poems and simply voted on and discussed which poems we liked or did not like based on its literary merit.”

Megan Bryant Jones, a freshman double major in English and theatre directing, is one in the writers of “The Quatrain.” Jones

has four poems featured in the book and said she believes this is a great opportunity for the university, society and students who have been a part of the process.

“Any organization dedicated to helping aspiring writers improve their work is not only helpful but critical to writing a well-rounded piece,” she said. “To have the advance of it being a room full of peers that want nothing but the best, I feel, is a great gift that is offered.”

Email comments to emo012@latech.edu.

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www.thetechtalk.org

4 • The Tech Talk • May 14, 2015

Insight The

TechTalk

Show me how big your brave is

MANAGEMENT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF John Sadler

MANAGING AND ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Cody Sexton

SPORTS EDITOR Jared King

FEATURE EDITOR

Kelsy Kershaw

MULTIMEDIA EDITOR

Wynnifred Sanders

NEWS EDITOR

Ellie Moslander

PHOTO EDITOR

Brian Blakely

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Colin Fontenot Devin Dronett Ashley Kober Avery Bryan

ADVERTISING MANAGER Taylor Loftin

ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES

Rachel Maxwell Brooke Frasier

ADVISERS

Dr. Judith Roberts T. Scott Boatright

ADVERTISING ADVISER

Dr. Reginald Owens

PRODUCTION MANAGER Michael LeBlanc

ADVERTISING PRODUCTION

Michael LeBlanc

DEPARTMENT HEAD

Dr. Reginald Owens

CODY SEXTON Managing Editor

T

he other day in class, we spoke about expectations the media sets for us.

For example, before I graduated high school I only had what I saw on TV shows about graduation to go on.

“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” came to mind. When Buffy graduated from high school, the evil mayor turned into a giant snake demon and attacked the graduating seniors and their parents with an army of vampires. I didn’t expect that to happen in real life, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t keep it in the forefront of my mind just in case.

I’m not good at predicting events.

Unlike people, who are easy as hell to read, I’ve never been able to guess how something will go unless I try it. This line of thinking has lead to some interesting stories I save for parties.

I’m rambling, but what I am also trying to do is set up for a “take chances and don’t let life pass you by” column. Cliché? Totally. That’s why I lead with Buffy.

I’m not entirely sure how I managed to get to where I am in the journalism department. I’m not even sure how I knew where to go, as the location of the journalism department is the Tech Talk’s most guarded secret.

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The Tech Talk welcomes letters to the editor. However, we reserve the right not to print anonymous letters. We also ask that each let­ ter be accompanied by a telephone number, address and classifica­ tion or title. We will not print the telephone number. Viewpoints should be mailed or brought to The Tech Talk office, 139 Keeny Hall, by 4 p.m. the Friday prior to a Thursday publication. Letters should be mailed to The Tech Talk, P.O. Box 10258, Ruston, LA 71272.

Emails should be sent to techtalk@ latech.edu. You can also submit letters online at www.thetechtalk. org/home/ lettertotheeditor/.

Louisiana Tech University is committed to the principle of providing the opportunity for learning and development of all qualified citizens without regard to race, sex, religion, color, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or veteran status for admission to, participation in, or employment in the programs and activities which the University sponsors or operates. For Title IX information, see University Policy #1445 at http:// www.latech.edu/administration/ policies-and-procedures/1445. shtml.

All I remember is sitting in Judith’s (Dr. Roberts to the rest of you) office and telling her that I wanted to write, be published, be on television, have a book deal and be heard. She looked me in the eye and said, “We’ll do our best to get you there.” I had never felt more assured by an educator before.

For the first time during my education, I was enjoying school. I remember my first day of kindergarten and it’s been a downhill slalom of inconvenience and panic since I had to learn times tables.

Not in journalism. I was eager and ambitious and there was no math. I applied myself and worried about my work and whether it was good enough.

I remember turning in my first two stories for the Tech Talk and the anxiety I felt. Surly, they would read my work and be so disappointed I’d be banished from Keeny Hall forever.

As it turns out, I have yet to be told by any of my tens of readers that I am terrible. I’ve received great feedback from students, teachers and other people in Ruston. But, I’m still waiting for someone to tell me I’m horrible.

Back to the “take chances” bit.

It took a very long time, but I finally managed to take charge of my own life and it started with changing my major to something I wanted to do and not what my family wanted me to do.

After, I became more liberated and made more decisions for myself.

I blame my major for making me the bold and obnoxious person I am today ,and for that I say thanks to you all.

This newfound freedom has even inspired me to be so bold as to decide to move to New York with a dear friend (shout out, Kelsy), a decision I won’t believe to be real until I’m in LaGuardia Airport with my bags and my dog.

And because I have never moved to New York, I can only imagine it’ll be something out of a show like “Glee” when Rachel was walking around Times Square singing “Brave” by Sara Bareilles. Hopefully, it’ll be less gay, but I still have the song on my phone.

I want to leave everyone with the advice I live by from my idol, Chelsea Handler: “You should always speak your mind, and be bold, and be obnoxious and do whatever you want and don’t let anybody tell you to stop it.”

It’s what I do every day.

To those I am leaving behind at Tech, good luck and God’s speed. And to those I am graduating with, if anyone at the ceremony turns into a giant snake demon, I’ve got y’all’s back.

Cody Sexton is a senior journalism student from Oak Harbor, Washington, who serves as managing editor for the Tech Talk. Email comments to cls068@latech.edu.

WORDS FROM THE HUNDRED-ACRE HOOD

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The Tech Talk (USPS 535­540) is published Thursdays of the regu­ lar school year, except in vacation and examination periods, by the Journalism Department of Loui­ siana Tech University. Publication office is in Keeny Hall, Room 139.

Blondie Knows Best

LET’S GET ONE THING STRAIGHT

Lookin’ back but movin’ forward WYNNIE SANDERS Multimedia Editor

W

hen I came to college four years ago, I was a shy, timid 18 year old who did not socialize with others because I was determined to make it own my own, but I was wrong.

Everything I’ve experienced here has been worth the time and effort. I don’t feel the same as I did when I arrived, because I know I’m an incredibly different person.

I started out hoping to build genuine connections with people wgo would make me feel like someone people actually cared about, after two years I found that in The Tech Talk and Wesley Foundation.

Through both of these organizations, I’ve been able to view my experiences at Tech in a different way than I would have without them.

To my Tech Talk family: thank you for sticking by my side, encouraging me, comforting me when Deep Freeze deleted all the videos, laughing and crying with me, and, last but not least, for accepting and loving me. You each have a special place in my heart. I do

not know if I’ll ever see you again, but I’ll know you all will be great.

To Scott and Marcie Wright, directors of the Wesley Foundation, thank you for welcoming me into the weird Wesley community with open arms, no judgment, and helping me look at my life and the purpose God has in store for me in more positive manner. I can never express my gratitude for the two of you and what you have done for me.

I’ve learned a lot throughout my time here at Tech, and I hope to take these lessons with me for the rest of my life. Life is full of trials and tribulations, and while the past four years have been hectic and a blur, it’s been a blur that I will never forget.

College teaches you to be independent, responsible and successful.

Personally, I’ve discovered what I want to do with my life in the future, formed relationships that will last forever and came out of my shell to become a strong and conscientious woman.

And while this is more of a reflective piece, I would like to share some final words of wisdom that come with the experience of being a senior.

What I learned during my four years of Bulldog experience: the

friends you meet in college really are the true friends, find one or two faculty mentors and they will help you through your toughest times in college — Dr. Jeremy Mhire and Mike LeBlanc have taught me more than a textbook.

To my forever friends, Short Taylor, Iesha Weezy, Ky-lin and Ryan: thanks for everything I don’t know how I would have made it through college had I not met each of you. Our friendship is never dull, and I know that y’all will be in my life for a lifetime. Although we will be in different places, I’m already looking forward to the impromptu visits and awkward reunions.

In all seriousness though, college is a time to open up, take risks and experience new things. Now, as I leave my undergraduate career to continue on this educational path, I am fully prepared to take on whatever life throws my way.

As I end this column with tears streaming down my face, I realize it’s time to go on, go on, go on.

Wynnifred Sanders is a senior political science and pre-law major from Bossier City, who serves as multimedia editor for the Tech Talk. Email comments to wls019@latech.edu.

COLUMN LIKE I SEE ‘EM

Louisiana Tech, I love thee JARED KING Sports Editor

I

promised myself I wouldn’t get emotional, but as I write this I realize I am writing my last column for the last edition of The Tech Talk of my last quarter on staff. I owe so much to this paper and to the staff who work so hard to keep it afloat.

It was Reggie Owens who accepted me into the department when I changed my major and it was Owens who first saw my potential and gave me the opportunity to be the sports editor.

To him, I say thank you for realizing my potential and giving me an opportunity to put my talent to work.

Judith Roberts has become more than just an adviser, she has become a mentor and a friend — and sometimes even a confidant. She has become one of the first people I seek out for advice and I do not know where I would be without her and her guidance.

Mike LeBlanc. What can be said about Mike? He makes me want to pull my hair out and shout at the top of my lungs. But his door is always open and he is always willing to stop whatever he may be working on to help a student. I have learned so much from Mike and his meticulous attention to detail. His Photoshop wizardry is beyond my comprehension, but even so he has spent hours teaching me and mentoring me, and for that I am forever grateful.

Scott Boatright — or simply, Boat — has more experience and knowledge about sports journalism and the industry than anyone I have ever encountered. His wisdom has helped me improve in many ways and I am thankful to have always had him to play devil’s advocate with and bounce story ideas off of.

Last but certainly not least, is Rebecca — or Reba, as many affectionately refer to her. Rebecca is the quirky glue that holds everything around here

together and she will be missed. If it was not for her, I am not sure I would have remembered to sign up for advising or register for classes for the past two years, so one could make the argument I would not be writing this if it weren’t for Rebecca.

It is amazing how many memories I will take with me from this place and how many people have affected my life because of it. I will miss the diversity of the newsroom and the conversations that occurred as a result.

There are so many different backgrounds and walks of life represented here yet somehow we all — mostly peacefully — coexisted.

During my time here at Tech I have grown as a student and as a journalist, but I am most proud of how I have grown as a person.

Jared King is a senior journalism major from Jena, who serves as sports editor for The Tech Talk. Email comments to jki008@ latech.edu.

KELSY KERSHAW Features Editor

My journey to becoming myself

N

o feminist or inequality remarks lay below. What you’re about to read are my emotions in their rawest and most vulnerable form.

Those who know me know the emotion I’m capable of expressing.

I’m the queen of sappy and could probably trademark sentimentality because I’m that good at it. However, I’m not as good with sadness or weakness. I don’t like it when others see me struggle.

These past couple of days my emotional struggle has been real strong, though. As I’ve reflected back on my last four years, I shed tears with a smile.

The growth I’ve experienced, the obstacles I’ve overcome, the goals I’ve achieved and the lifelong friendships I’ve made have all been insurmountable.

As a freshman, I came to Louisiana Tech a stranger to Ruston, only having been here once or twice before.

I didn’t know a soul; even my roommate was an unfamiliar face. I was shy, sheltered and naïve, and completely unaware of the extent to which my life was going to change.

During my first fall quarter, as I was getting acclimated to my new life, I cried a lot. Yet every time someone asked how I was adjusting I’d plaster a smile on my face and paint a perfect picture of a story. I didn’t want anyone to know how hard it was for me.

Not only was I shy, I was reserved.

Having accepted a bid into my sorority, I watched my pledge class sisters immediately start to form close relationships. I felt like I would never find my place, or my own group of friends, to call home.

Then sophomore year I joined the Tech Talk. I had no idea that those loud, obnoxious and intimidating people would become my family. Now, they are people that I couldn’t imagine life without.

My Tech Talk family, along with my group of best friends (I did end up finding them), have held my hand through the insecurities, the late work nights, the stress, the laughs, the allnighters, the memorable weekends— everything that has influenced the woman I am now.

Four years ago I would have crawled under a rock at the thought of voicing my true feelings; now I have the courage to publish them.

I’ve learned not to be ashamed of my emotions, and not to run from them, but embrace them, because they are what make me beautiful.

I tell this to you not to whine, or even to brag, but to inspire. Don’t bottle your negative emotions to appear perfectly happy all the time; it’s unrealistic and exhausting. It’s also OK to be vulnerable. When we’re vulnerable is when we’re at our greatest discretion to grow. Trust me, because I’m proof; I’m leaving Tech a completely different person than who I was when I got here.

In the next two weeks, I say goodbye to my family, goodbye to my friends, and goodbye to Louisiana as I begin the journey that is the rest of my life.

My tears are dropping but my smile is gleaming because I’m leaving with more than two degrees; I’m leaving with (having found) myself.

Kelsy Kershaw is a senior journalism and FMRS double major from Jennings, La. Email comments to kjk016@latech.edu.

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May 14, 2015 • The Tech Talk • 5

Students get their TWIRP on CALEB DANIEL Staff Reporter When considering a Friday night dance party, one would probably not think of a Baptist collegiate ministry as a venue.

Yet a dance party was exactly what took place at the Louisiana Tech BCM on May 8.

As part of the ministry’s “The Woman is Required to Pay” (TWIRP) week, this Sadie-Hawkins-esque event provided students with three hours of music and food.

Angelle Campbell, associate director of the BCM, said the events of TWIRP week are supposed to help give girls a safe place to get to know the boys on campus.

“We’re encouraging girls to invite boyfriends, friends or guys they don’t know very well to these events as a chance to get to know each other better,” she said. “We want to increase community and kill the awkwardness of a formal dance setting.”

With a theme titled “Your America,” the festivities included members of BCM leadership painted in gold and posing for pictures as Olympic gold medalists.

Students were encouraged to come dressed in anything that resembles what America means to them. The results included pitchfork-wielding farmers, baseball players and women in the “typical white girl look,” Starbucks cup included.

One of the more creative getups belonged to Kelsie Miller, who came dressed as the Liberty Bell. A sophomore family and child studies major, Miller arrived with her boyfriend, who was dressed as a bald eagle.

“Even though it may seem like a pretty specific theme, it’s being interpreted so broadly with the costumes,” she said. “It just shows the diversity of our country.”

Campbell said the BCM hosts dances because dancing is a way students often like to express themselves.

Photo by Colin Fontenot

From left, Danny Richardson, a sophormore ag business major; Lauren Clayborn, a senior family and child studies major; Brandon Bowles, a senior mechanical engineering major; and Catherine Champa junior businesss management major, got creative for BCM’s TWIRP dance May 8 dressed as Olympic figurines.

“We have the opportunity to present students with uplifting and encouraging music that they can move to without being suggestive,” she said. “Just to have a great time.”

Tyler Pitson, a freshman mechanical engineering major, said the dance offered some needed variety to his college life.

“I’m enjoying having something different to do, just hanging out and dancing and having a good time,” he said.

“Plus, I didn’t have to pay.”

Rachel Gautreaux was the one doing the paying. A

freshman chemical engineering major, Gautreaux jokingly said her asking Tyler to the dance was simply an act of kindness.

“I asked him out of pity,” she said.

Gautreaux said the environment of the event made it easy to let loose and have fun.

“Absolutely none of us can dance,” she said. “But no one judges here.”

Email comments to csd020@latech.edu.

DIFFERENT WORLD from pg. 1

to work harder and more efficiently to distinguish themselves apart from everyone else because they’re not always held to the same According to a study published in the Na- standards as whites even though they can tional Communications Association’s jour- meet them. nal, “[Black students] feel tension between “Having had the privilege to work with integrating into the dominant culture while student leaders at Grambling and Tech, I’ve honoring their culture and black pride.” learned that student leaders at Grambling are Several Louisiana Tech students voiced much more engaged and developed in their that they felt distant from their white peers ability to be more effective leaders. Its toughin thought, language, dress and socializing, as er to obtain and apply leaderwell as in the classroom, where ship skills here at Tech because they said a lack of understandblack students are often margining about their own culture led alized and their true potential is to feelings of being singled out. minimized,” said Sam Speed, asAlthough students seem to sistant dean of student life. feel the pressure of being the Situations are occurring all minority, others have noted this over the nation in regards to as being a strong point for AfriAfrican-Americans and its incan-Americans. directly effecting students----“At a primarily white institusome may act tough because tion, black students are more in they feel that their voice has tune with their black culture bebeen overshadowed and somecause they’re the minority and times eliminated. they feel like their meaning and “They are scared because presence is being diminished their voice is being taken away.

SPEED and lost,” said Douglas Thomas, Martin Luther King, Jr. once an associate professor of history said, riot is the voice of the unat Grambling. heard; when you put students in a position While Douglas was a student at Tech, where they can’t speak up, their voice gets he said that professors sterotyped his per- heard in the wrong way,” Speed said. formance before he walked in the door--he Just because African Americans have a became comfortable with who he was and lower population on Tech’s campus than at worked to prove them wrong. a HBCU does not mean that the opportunity In the midst of preserving the culture and ability to display one’s skills should be ,students realize this affects different parts of lessened. their lives, from education and campus orgaHowever, Ware said the responsibly to unnizations to social life. derstand black culture doesn’t solely fall on “Culture plays a huge role in everything the students to make it accepted. Universities from music to alumni interaction,” said Dar- should try to evaluate the way they see it, too. ryl Ware, a Tech senior human resources Faculty members at both universities see management major. the marginalization of black because Thomas Students like Ware want to change the also said that blacks have had to learn about preconceived notion people have of blacks how to survive in the other races’ world, but so that they realize “black culture” is a part other races don’t have to lean how to survive of who they are and it could be more widely in blacks’ world. represented on campus.

“We as a university need to look at black Grambling, on the other hand, is viewed culture more closely so it reflects our student differently in terms of the culture the stu- population and gives the African-American dents there personify. students a better sense of belonging,” Speed “I feel that there is a lack of understand- said. ing of the black race because in some situa“One thing that black culture teaches you tions, we don’t have the same opportunities on different college campuses is that culturas our white counterparts because of our ally you have to learn how to be yourself but backgrounds and that’s not always put into also someone others want you to be.” perspective,” said James Bradford, former GSU Alumni Association president.

Email comments to Some Grambling students said they have wls019@latech.edu.

>

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6 • The Tech Talk • May 14, 2015

Arts Entertainment

Gary Larsen and Nora Patterson of Royal Teeth headlined Mayfest for the first time on May 8, at The Depot.

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Photo by Devin Dronett

A rainy day could not keep students away from Mayfest

BLAKE BRANCH Staff Reporter

Not even Mother Nature was capable of dismantling this year’s Mayfest, as an intimate crowd of around 50 revelers came out to The Depot, a local coffee shop, for a wonderful evening of music.

On Friday, May 8, the rain rolled in, eliminating any chance of the festival taking place at Centennial Plaza, its original site.

Lucky for the bands, festival organizers and attendees, The Depot reached out and stepped up immediately to offer their stage.

The festival, put on by Tech’s radio station, KLPI, featured performances by The Congo Linguists, Yorkshire Fields, The Jack Kerowax, Too Soon for Symmetry, Aep, Engine, Irene & The Sleepers and Royal Teeth.

All obstacles considered, the festival went well, said Scott Cook, KLPI’s general manager and senior chemistry major.

“You can’t have this concert in the rain,” Cook said. “Lucky for us, one of our team told me the manager of The Depot reached out to us and were willing to host it; we are extremely thankful for them.”

The bands put their respective styles on display for those who managed to make it out despite the rain, even though for most of the night the crowd seemed content to sit on their hands as if they were at a play and not a concert.

The local flavor was provided by acts such as Irene & The Sleepers and Engine, who drove over

from Shreveport, as well as those bands like the Dallas-based Jack Kerowax and the Royal Teeth, hailing from Lafayette.

Landon Miller, lead vocalist and guitarist for Engine, said Mayfest is a staple of their band’s yearly calendar.

“This is either our fourth or fifth Mayfest,” he said.

“Despite the weather, this may be the best one yet.

We started playing here when our friends were still in school here and we’ve been coming back ever since.

The student involvement at this university is great.”

Nash Griggs, bass player for the Jack Kerowax said the weather provided an unexpected change, but praised the rest of his Mayfest/Ruston experience.

“This was our first time playing in Louisiana,” Griggs said. “The weather made it a little weird, but it was a great turnout and everyone here was really nice and helpful. A good and enjoyable experience, for sure.”

Whether it was the southern sound of Engine and The Jack Kerowax, the alt-rock stylings of Irene & The Sleepers or the indie-pop punch provided by Royal Teeth, Cook said this Mayfest provided musical diversity for attendees, which was KLPI’s ultimate goal.

“We love to give back to the music community,” Cook said. “We wanted to show Tech students different kinds of music and I think we did that.”

Email comments to mbb029@latech.edu.

ABOVE: Nora Patterson of Royal Teeth sings with passion for the audience.

LEFT: Chris Rimmer, lead singer of Irene & The Sleepers, sang at Tech’s Mayfest.

FAR LEFT: Engine returned after playing multiple Mayfest shows in the past.

Photos by Brian Blakely

A&E

www.thetechtalk.org

May 14, 2015 • The Tech Talk • 7

Hannah White, a freshman childhood education major, and Montana Little, a freshman psychology major, view the work of Asthon Burch.

Photo by Brian Blakley

Senior art students leave Tech with final work RACHEL MAXWELL Staff Reporter Many graduating seniors say goodbye to Tech with a big final project. Few get to do so with components like aliens, murder scenes or thousands of egg cartons. However, students graduating with a bachelor of fine arts have the freedom to do that and more.

For their final two quarters, 15 seniors worked in photography, video, sculpture, ceramics, drawing and painting to create a single body of work. The 2015 BFA Studio Exhibition showcased this work, with an opening reception Tuesday, May 5, through Friday, in the F.J. Taylor Visual Arts Center.

Ashton Burch, a senior studio art major, described her years in Tech’s School of Design as sleepless but rewarding.

“It’s been a ton of work,” she said. “I’ve grown an insane amount since freshman year. It’s so cool to see how far I’ve come and to see everyone else’s progress as well.”

Beth Welch, a senior studio art major, also said she was glad to see everyone’s hard work come together for the exhibition.

“I’ve put at least 120 hours into my pieces, minimum,” she said. “I listen to books on tape when I paint, and I got through five books and then listened to three of them over again before I finished these.”

Photo by Brian Blakley

Priya Art, a junior economics major, and Lauren Eubanks, a junior studio art major, observe Marguerite Hogues’ sculpture made of egg cartons.

The subjects explored in the students’ art were diverse, ranging from domestic abuse to science fiction and more.

Alyssa Perry, a senior studio art major, said every aspect of her photographs,

which illustrated the struggle of alcoholism, was deliberate, even down to the size of the pictures.

“I chose the small size because it makes the viewer look closer, with more scrutiny;

it draws them in,” she said.

Perry was not the only artist who included small details. Nicole Johnson, a senior studio art major, included fantasy characters such as a UFO and a Silent from “Doctor Who” in her otherwise picturesque paintings.

“I like to draw people in with bright colors, then reward them for looking closely,” she said. “I like to see people’s reaction when they notice the hidden thing; they usually point at it and smile.”

Some artists, on the other hand, went big. Marguerite Hogue, a senior studio art major, crafted a sculpture out of 2,082 egg cartons to represent the loss of time and female eggs.

“I think some people have seen it and just said, “oh, a bunch of egg cartons, cool,” but a lot of people have come up and asked me questions about what it means, so that’s very rewarding,” she said.

While the work was diverse, one thing all of the artists agreed on was how much their time at Tech had taught them. Many boasted the school’s art program as one of the best in the state. Perry agreed the education she received was invaluable.

“I really got a better understanding of art and a better understanding of myself,” Perry said.

Email comments to ram049@latech.edu.

‘Wilder Mind’ leaves much to be desired for listeners BLAKE BRANCH Staff Reporter You know an album is underwhelming when halfway through all you can think about is how you want to hear something (anything) else.

This was the case for me when I sat down to listen to Mumford & Sons new album, “Wilder Mind.”

The band’s third release amps up the drumming and ditches the strumming, leaving diehard fans of the neo-folk icons wondering what the hell prompted such a switch.

The tones are sometimes popish, other times they are ominous, and there is plenty of sorrow sprinkled throughout, as anyone who has followed the band to the slightest degree knows.

I thoroughly enjoyed the band’s first album, “Sigh No More,” which featured different musical elements like the banjo and upright bass, both which provided an energetic brand of folk music fans had not seen before.

This newest album, however, is a journey into the band’s wilder side as they try to harness more rock in their sound.

I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard the album’s opener, “Tompkin’s Square Park.”

The song was so different, but so catchy in its own indie-inspired way.

Gentlemen of the Road

Wilder Mind Mumford & Sons HHIII As I continued listening I was trying to figure out if I was even listening to Mumford & Sons.

“Believe,” the album’s second song is probably on its way to becoming a hit, but personally, I didn’t care for it.

Much like every other song on “Wilder Mind,” the song begins slowly as it builds up to a crescendo about three-

fourths of the way through.

The third track, “The Wolf ” is the only one on the album that delivers any power from start to finish. This made it my early favorite.

The next three songs are title track, “Wilder Mind,” followed by “Just Smoke” and “Monster.” These songs mirror each other with a steady pace and long, drawn out syllables that seep off the tongue of front man Marcus Mumford.

I’ll pause here to add I am not a fan of Mumford’s voice or the way he hogs the microphone on 90 percent of the band’s music.

I found myself daydreaming of the band during the recording of this album and pictured Mumford telling his bandmates to turn down their newly acquired electric instruments so everyone could better hear his bellows.

I’d like to tell you the album’s second half gets better, but it doesn’t.

One song that did catch my ear was “Snake Eyes,” because of the break-beat drumming and haunting wail of the guitar.

You have to give Mumford & Sons a ton of credit though, they went for something new when they could have stuck with what was tried and true.

The band was hoping for a home run by flexing out of folk, unfortunately, for me, they struck out.

Email comments to mbb029@latech.edu.

8 • The Tech Talk • May 14, 2015

World W&NBRIEFS WORLDNEWS Police in Indonesia arrest seven in seafood slavery case JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Two Indonesians and five Thais were arrested on charges of human trafficking connected with slavery in the seafood industry, Indonesian police said. They were the first suspects taken into custody since the case was revealed

by The Associated Press in a report two months ago.

The arrests were made Monday and late Friday in the remote island village of Benjina, said Lt. Col. Arie Dharmanto, National Police anti-trafficking unit chief.

Flag dispute sparks divisions, mistrust in Syria opposition BEIRUT (AP) — The divisions and mistrust that have long plagued Syria’s rebellion against President Bashar Assad erupted once more on Tuesday – this time over the flag.

The dispute was sparked by a press conference in Istanbul by the Syrian National Coalition.

Many spend night outdoors as death toll rises in Nepal CHAUTARA, Nepal (AP) — Thousands of fearstricken people spent the night outdoors after a new earthquake killed dozens of people and spread more misery in Nepal, which is still reeling from a devastating quake that killed more than 8,000 nearly three weeks ago.

STATENEWS Judge throws out part of suit against abortion law NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A federal judge ruled Tuesday that Louisiana’s law requiring abortion clinic doctors to gain hospital admitting privileges could pose too great an obstacle to abortions even though there’s a rational reason for the law.

Gay and unmarried couple adoption bill shot down in House BATON ROUGE (AP) — A proposal that would allow gay couples and other unmarried couples to adopt children together in Louisiana has been defeated 9-2 by a House committee Tuesday. Hearings were scheduled Wednesday in two House committees on bills pushed by Common Core opponents to yank the multistate standards from Louisiana’s classrooms.

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Nation

Kerry meets with Russia’s Putin ASSOCIATED PRESS SOCHI, Russia (AP) — The United States and Russia emerged Tuesday from their most extensive, high-level talks in years vowing closer cooperation on Ukraine and Syria but unable to point to any breakthrough or new approach to bridge the major differences separating the two powers.

The atmosphere was cordial and the tone was promising as U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry held eight hours of talks with President Vladimir Putin and his foreign minister in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. Kerry’s first trip to Russia since the Ukraine crisis began coincided with the 70th anniversary of the allied defeat of Nazi Germany, and both sides hailed the virtues of U.S.-Russian engagement.

“We didn’t come here with an expectation that we

Joshua Roberts/Pool Photo via AP

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, left, is welcomed by Russian President Vladimir Putin at the presidential residence of Bocharov Ruchey in Sochi, Russia. were going to define a spe cific path forward ... or have a major breakthrough,” Kerry told reporters at a news conference with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. “We came here specifi-

cally to have a very full and open dialogue.”

The result appeared to be to the liking of Moscow, which had spoken of Kerry’s trip as a possibility for “normalizing” relations

that have been soured by the civil wars in Ukraine and Syria as well as Russia’s treatment of political dissidents and homosexuals and its granting of asylum to former U.S. National

Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden.

The discussions were “useful and positive,” said Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s foreign affairs adviser.

The agenda, however, appeared to be little more than a compendium of the nations’ mixed history of recent diplomatic endeavors. And some issues, such as Russia’s annexation last year of Ukraine’s Crimea region, weren’t publicly spoken of at all.

Kerry and Lavrov promised to work harder to convince Ukraine’s warring factions to adhere to a February cease-fire that has been regularly violated, and on implementing a 2012 U.S.-Russian strategy for a transitional government in Syria that has been a complete failure to date.

And in a surprising moment, the two diplomats issued warnings in turn to Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko not to seek the “liberation” of the Donetsk.

New equal pay bill wins passage from Senate in Louisiana ASSOCIATED PRESS

gaps in the country.

Murray said that alBATON ROUGE (AP) — though the state has a proLouisiana’s state senators hibition against pay dischose anti-discrimination crimination on the books, arguments over concerns “we just don’t have the teeth about frivolous lawsuits in the law to enforce it.” As Tuesday, narrowly backing for a federal law, he said it’s an equal pay proposal in not strong enough to ensure what has become an annual protections against wage fight in the Legislature. disparities.

With a 21-16 vote, senaSen. Dan Claitor, R-Bators sent the measure by ton Rouge, a bill supporter, Sen. Ed Murray, D-New Or- said the state already has leans, to the House for con- decided that it prohibits dissideration. But it is expected crimination based on gento run into problems there. der.

The House labor commit“This is the followtee killed two similar equal through on the promise inpay bills last month. sofar as putting the enforceMurray’s bill describes ment mechanism behind it,” the state’s policy as “all he said. employees shall be comCritics said the meapensated equally for work sure would open new avthat is the same in kind and enues for unjustified legal quality,” with no distinction action against businesses. made because Pay discriminaof a person’s tion would be gender. It outbanned whether lines a course it was intentional for legal action or unintentional, if a worker one of several claims to be areas of critiunderpaid. cism for business The provio rg a n i z a t i o n s sions would that say it could only apply to open the door to any employer a flood of lawwith 50 fullsuits. time equivaSen. Jack lent workers or MURRAY Donahue, Rmore. It allows Mandeville, a for different commercial wage rates to be paid based contractor, suggested an on seniority, merit, produc- electrician working on a tion quality, experience, construction site could areducation and training level. gue he should be paid the Supporters of the pro- same rate as a plumber at posal point to data showing the site and could file a lawLouisiana women on aver- suit. age are paid only about 66 “I think it would be frivocents for every dollar a man lous and it would be laughed earns, among the worst pay out of court,” Murray said.

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May 14, 2015 • The Tech Talk • 9

Texan killer gets death penalty ASSOCIATED PRESS

AP Photo/Kathy Willens

Auctioneer Jussi Pylkkanen took a bid on Pablo Picasso’s Women of Algiers (Version O), which sold for nearly $179.4 million, setting a world record for artwork sold at auction during a sale at Christie’s Rockefeller Center in New York, Monday, May 11, 2015.

$179.4 million painting breaks world record price ASSOCIATED PRESS NEW YORK (AP) — A vibrant, multihued painting from Pablo Picasso set a world record for artwork at auction, selling for nearly $179.4 million on Monday.

“Women of Algiers (Version O)” was part of a sale at Christie’s auction house that also featured Alberto Giacometti’s lifesize sculpture “Pointing Man,” which set a record as the most expensive sculpture sold at auction, at $141.3 million. They were among two dozen masterpieces from the 20th century Christie’s offered in a curated sale titled “Looking Forward to the Past.”

The Picasso price, $179,365,000, and the Giacometti price, $141,285,000, included the auction house’s premium. The buyers elected to remain anonymous.

Overall, 34 of 35 lots sold at Monday’s auction for a total of $706 million.

Experts say the high sale prices were driven by artworks’ investment value and by wealthy collectors seeking out the very best works.

“I don’t really see an end to it, unless interest rates drop sharply, which I don’t see

happening in the near future,” Manhattan dealer Richard Feigen said.

Impressionist and modern artworks continue to corner the market because “they are beautiful, accessible and a proven value,” added Sarah Lichtman, professor of design history and curatorial studies at The New School.

“I think we will continue to see the financiers seeking these works out as they would a blue chip company that pays reliable dividends for years to come,” she said.

“Women of Algiers,” once owned by the American collectors Victor and Sally Ganz, was inspired by Picasso’s fascination with the 19th-century French artist Eugene Delacroix. It is part of a 15-work series Picasso created in 1954-55 designated with the letters A through O. It has appeared in several major museum retrospectives of the Spanish artist.

The most expensive artwork sold at auction had been Francis Bacon’s “Three Studies of Lucian Freud,” which Christie’s sold for $142.4 million in 2013.

“Pointing Man,” depicting a skinny 5-foot-high bronze figure with extended arms, has been in the same private collec-

tion for 45 years. Giacometti, who died in 1966, made six casts of the work; four are in museums, and the others are in private hands and a foundation collection.

His “Walking Man I” had held the auction record for a sculpture. It sold for $104.3 million in 2010.

Among other highlights at Christie’s was Peter Doig’s “Swamped,” a 1990 painting of a canoe in a moonlit lagoon, which sold for slightly less than $26 million, a record for the British artist.

Monet’s “The Houses of Parliament, At Sunset,” a lush painting of rich blues and magenta created in 1900-01, sold for $40.5 million, in line with pre-sale estimates but well short of a record for the artist.

Christie’s also had a Mark Rothko for sale. “No. 36 (Black Stripe),” which had never appeared at auction, also sold for $40.5 million, on par with predictions. The 1958 work was sold by German collector Frieder Burda, who exhibited it in his museum in Baden-Baden for several years.

Last year, Christie’s said its global sales of impressionist and modern art were $1.2 billion, an increase of 19 percent over the previous year.

CEO treats employees to vacation ASSOCIATED PRESS

AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau

Employees of the TIENS Group, a Chinese company, attend a parade organized by CEO Li Jinyuan as part of a four-day celebration weekend for the 20th anniversary of his company in Nice, France, Friday, May 8, 2015.

NICE, France (AP) — The billionaire chief executive of the Chinese conglomerate Tiens has given 6,400 of his best salespeople a vacation that started in Paris and ended with a parade on France’s Cote d’Azur.

CEO Li Jinyuan said he was celebrating the company’s 20th anniversary by rewarding his staff and aimed for the world record in spelling out a phrase in human bodies.

As their vacation wound down, the employees on Friday massed on the coastal promenade in Nice and, dressed in identical sky blue hats and T-shirts, spelled out the words “Tiens’ dream is Nice in the Cote d’Azur.”

Jinyuan was greeted by France’s foreign affairs minister, Laurent Fabius, mid-week in Paris.

French media estimated the trip’s cost at 13-20 million euros ($14.5-$22.3 million).

HUNTSVILLE, Texas (AP) — A Texas inmate was executed Tuesday for the killings of his 15-yearold girlfriend, her mother and her grandfather nearly 13 years ago in Houston.

Derrick Dewayne Charles, 32, became the seventh prisoner put to death this year in the nation’s most active capital punishment state. He was pronounced dead at 6:36 p.m.

CDT, 25 minutes after being given the execution drug.

Asked by the warden if he wanted to make a final statement, Charles replied: “Nah. I’m ready to go home.”

As the pentobarbital took effect, he took two breaths, yawned and then appeared to go to sleep. Six relatives of Charles’ victims witnessed the execution, but he made no eye contact with them.

The lethal injection was carried out after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected arguments from Charles’ attorneys that he was mentally incompetent for execution and that they needed time and courtapproved money for experts and investigators to pursue that claim.

Another appeal argued Charles’ trial court also acted improperly by refusing to appoint psychiatric experts and investigators.

“We are disappointed with the Court’s response,” Paul Mansur, Charles’ lead attorney, said in a statement. “Derrick Charles has a lifelong history of severe mental illness. While the Court has ruled that it is unconstitutional to execute the insane — those people without a rational understanding of why they are being executed — it is a hollow promise without resources and evaluation.

“Derrick Charles and his deteriorating mental condition deserved that.”

State lawyers opposing Charles’ appeals said his attorneys had made similar arguments about his competency before and that the courts rejected those.

Charles pleaded guilty to capital murder charges in 2003 for the slayings of Myiesha Bennett, her mother, Brenda Bennett, 44, and her grandfather, Obie Bennett, 77.

Their bodies were discovered at their Houston home in July 2002.

Charles, then 19, was arrested the next day at a motel where police also found Brenda Bennett’s car. Relatives said she was not pleased with Charles’ sexual relationship with her teenage daughter.

Charles had a juvenile record, was convicted as an adult of burglary, received three years in prison, served eight months and was paroled. Court records show a warrant was issued for his arrest after he met once with his parole officer, then ignored subsequent required meetings.

After Charles pleaded guilty in court to the capital murder charges, a Harris County jury had to choose between a life prison term and a death sentence.

They chose death after testimony showed Obie Bennett was beaten and strangled and Myiesha Bennett was choked with an extension cord, beaten with a box containing stereo speakers and hit with a TV. Evidence also showed Brenda Bennett was thrown into a bathtub filled with water and a plugged-in TV. When that failed to electrocute her, she was dragged through the house, raped and strangled.

www.thetechtalk.org

10 • The Tech Talk • May 14, 2015

Distractions WEEKLYHOROSCOPE www.horoscopes.com.net

Aries March 21 – April 19 The temptation to take center stage might be too strong to resist, Aries. Someone may ask you to tell a story. Your gift with words and vivid imagination should serve you well. Keep it brief. If you go on too long, your friends could fidget. Time your performance by watching their expressions. Do it right and you will be asked to do it again.

Taurus Apr 20 . May 20 Don’t be afraid to ask for help today, Taurus. It may be that your friends and family help you with a task or you discover a mechanized solution that does the job for you. Technology can be a wonderful thing. Don’t let any aversion to it stop you from incorporating it into your daily life. You will find that once you embrace innovation, it improves your quality of life dramatically.

Gemini May 21 . Jun 20 You can expect your love life to take a dramatic turn for the better, Gemini. This may be because you feel more self.confident than you have in a long time. In addition, you feel great and look even better. It’s no wonder your romantic partner is reacting to you in such a powerful, positive way. Make the most of this opportunity by spending some quality time together.

Cancer Jun 21 . Jul 22 You’re looking good and feeling great, Cancer. Now if only your home environment reflected who you are. As you look around, you may realize that it isn’t as elegant as it could be. Today you can begin to change it. Begin with the basics . tidy up and clear away clutter. Once all the extraneous items are gone, you can begin to look at more serious changes.

Leo Jul 23 . Aug 22 Sign up for a class or workshop today. Your career could greatly benefit from more training. A short computer course might be all you need to move your career a giant leap forward. Don’t neglect your artistic abilities, Leo. Ideally, you will find a way to integrate your creative talents into your daily business life.

There’s always room for creativity.

Virgo Aug 23 . Sep 22 You’ve been working especially hard lately, Virgo, and today you may begin to reap the benefits of all your hard work. Some project that’s dear to your heart may be nearing completion, and even you are impressed by the results! All those naysayers who said it would never work are now looking at you with admiration

and respect. Give yourself a pat on the back for your accomplishment.

CROSSWORDPUZZLE

Libra Sep 23 . Oct 22 There’s no other way to say this, Libra . you’re in the mood for love. Tonight you may feel a strong urge to be with your partner. If there isn’t one in your life, you should take steps to correct that. You may meet someone who sweeps you off your feet. You want to be head.in.the.clouds in love, which is the only way to be!

Across 1. Humorist Bombeck 5. Big cheese 9. Small antelope 14. Swedish auto 15. Bard’s river 16. Vends 17. Fork feature 18. First name in country 19. Magazine copy 20. Four-time Indy 500 winner 22. Get ready 24. Collection of maps, Titan of Greek mythology 26. “Exodus” hero 27. Out of tune 30. Hayrick 35. I swear!

36. Japanese wrestling 37. Alaska’s first governor 38. TV Tarzan Ron 39. Gasping 42. “Wheel of Fortune” buy 43. Cambodian currency 45. Untruths, tells falsehoods 46. Heartburn 48. Society of women 50. Anise- flavored liqueur 51. Abu Dhabi’s fed.

52. Deadly virus 54. Inclination 58. Milan opera house 62. Straighten 63. A Baldwin brother 65. OPEC member 66. European capital, in song 67. Whip 68. Inter ___ 69. Dummy Mortimer 70. ABA member

Scorpio Oct 23 . Nov 21 You have a generous spirit, Scorpio, which could get you into trouble if you aren’t careful. When you get a gift of money or even a hint of one, your tendency is to buy presents for all your friends. It’s hard to fault you for this, but there are other ways to show your affection. You could bake cookies to distribute, for example.

This will keep your money safe and earning interest.

Sagittarius Nov 22 . Dec 21 You hardly even believe in love, much less love at first sight, Sagittarius, but something that occurs today may turn you into a believer. You never know when it will happen. You could be in line at the grocery store when someone catches your eye (and heart).

Perhaps someone with whom you’ve only had a phone relationship suddenly shows up at your office.

Adventure lies ahead.

Capricorn Dec 22 . Jan 19 It’s likely a hidden talent of yours is revealed today, Capricorn. All those scraps of writing could turn into something more concrete, such as a novel. Maybe you begin to dabble with your children’s paint set and realize how much you enjoy the creative process. Be open to all possibilities. You may find your life takes a different, more authentic direction.

Aquarius Jan 20 . Feb 18 You will feel especially close to family and friends today, Aquarius. There’s a lot of positive energy in the air, and people feel optimistic and congenial. It’s a pleasure to be with your loved ones, and interactions with strangers have a lovely flavor as well. Take advantage of the warm astral energy and plan a get. together with your favorite people. You will enjoy growing closer.

www.bestcrosswords.com 71. Rifle (through) Down 1. It is in Spain 2. Racetrack boundary 3. Hindu lawgiver 4. Eastern Algonquian language 5. Just 6. ___ barrel 7. Cry out loud 8. Ginger cookie 9. Willows 10. Reprieve 11. Role for Ingrid 12. Make indistinct 13. Words of understanding 21. Precipitous 23. Semisynthetic textile 25. Sleep 27. Lulus 28. Accountant’s sheet 29. Pilot 31. French friends 32. One more time 33. Division of a long poem 34. Massage 36. Bad mood 40. Extraterrestrial 41. Some Celts 44. Goldbricker 47. Thank you 49. Showered 50. Swampy 53. Hallowed 54. Drinks (as a cat) 55. Vivacity 56. Leeds’s river 57. Festive occasion 59. Woody’s boy 60. Den of wild animals

DAILY U

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SENIORS from pg. 1

Marley Jackson, a senior chemical engineering major, said her senior project has challenged her views on petrochemical operations.

“In many types of petrochemical operations, sour water is produced as a result of refining,” she said. “For our project, we considered three different scenarios for the stripping process and simulated each in ChemCad.” Jackson said her senior project group has dedicated most of their time this spring quarter to this project.

“We were assigned this project and given 30 days to do it,” she said. “We worked on it just about every day and spent around three to four hours on it each day.”

Evan Pringle, a senior architecture major, said his

LAST ISSUE’S SOLUTION

Pisces Feb 19 . Mar 20 You’re likely feeling confident, optimistic, and enthusiastic today, Pisces. You feel as though anything is possible, and indeed it is. If you feel a bit of wanderlust and are anxious to explore new places and meet new people, you may soon receive the chance. Life is one great big adventure. You’re fortunate to have the sort of spirit that embraces it fully.

WEEKLYWEATHER

>

and dragons 61. Med school subj.

64. Back muscle, briefly

project is actually a part of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture steel competition.

“I have chosen to design an art gallery in Austin, Texas,” he said. “I chose this location because I can take advantage of the artsy and hipster culture that Austin has.”

Pringle said this project means a lot to him.

“This will be my last design in architecture school for my undergrad,” he said. “It has definitely been the most challenging building I have ever designed but it will be so satisfying when it is complete.”

Tech graduation will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 23, in the Thomas Assembly Center.

Email comments to cjb066@latech.edu.

ART CRAWL from pg. 1

>

“I recently discovered in the past year that I really love hand.lettering, and that it’s my passion,” she said.

Fluty said when she went on a mission trip she began hand.lettering mole skins and selling them, and they became popular with people.

“I started doing custom borders I love that interaction that I get to be part of something special and personal,” she said.

Fluty said that in recent months she took a screen.printing class to branch out into printing T.shirts.

“A lot of other people were super excited about it. My first shirt said, ‘Work hard, stay humble,’ and in the past three months it’s expanded into seven designs,” she said.

Fluty said she does all the designs and printing by herself.

“It’s a lot of labor and love,” she said.

Josh Mitchell, a junior architecture major, displayed his artwork made of wood at Kelly Moore Bag. He said he

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uses plywood as a blank canvas, and from there uses wood he finds anywhere to make his art.

“I pretty much wing it, I don’t sketch anything,” he said. “I just start with a basic idea for the design and go with it it builds itself as I go.”

Mitchell said his usual job is building furniture in a rustic style, which is a raw and natural look with the wood used to build it.

“I like this (the art) it’s a different creative outlet,” he said.

Mitchell credits his father, who he said is a tinkerer, for inspiring him to create his own work.

“He’s always done his own work. He wasn’t a hardcore woodworker, but he’s a hands.on guy,” he said.

Mitchell said he plans to continue working with furniture but enjoys making his art as a side hobby.

“Furniture is static and sometimes gets real mechanical,” he said. “This is a good outlet. I get to be more creative.”

Email comments to mph027@latech.edu.

LAST ISSUE’S SOLUTION

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May 14, 2015 • The Tech Talk • 11

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Submitted photo by Jennifer Haberkost

Brandon Frierson, a senior construction engineering major, and Sarah Comeaux, a senior family and child studies major, have been happily together over three years.

Love sees no

CODY SEXTON Managing Editor

I

t is said by many that love is blind.

With racial issues in cities like Baltimore and Ferguson, to watch the news these days is almost like looking back in time to the years of the Civil Rights Movement.

Even with popular shows like “Scandal” and “The Originals” featuring interracial couples, it does little to combat the image of racism alive in the media.

However, with these recent incidents threatening to undo what equality has been achieved, some progress still remains untainted by racism.

As the generations change, many people are distancing themselves from the beliefs of an older world where interracial couples were unheard of and are more accepting and less prejudiced.

Even places stereotyped as being racist, like small-town America south of the Mason-Dixon Line, are breaking free of preconceived notions.

Brandon Frierson and Sarah Comeaux have been together for over three years. He is a black man and she is a white woman, and they say they are in love and are not bothered by anyone’s judgment.

“Sometimes people stare, but I really don’t care,” said Comeaux, a senior family and child studies major.

Comeaux said there have been few instances when her relationship with Frierson, a senior construction engineering major, has been an issue.

“There was one time at a bar back home when a man was staring, but these people we were talking to told him if he had a problem he could leave,” she said.

Lately, the subject of race has played little role in their relationship, but when the couple first got together, it was members of Frierson’s family who seemed to be hesitant of him dating a white girl.

“It was really Photo by Devin Dronett the females of my Frededreia Willis, a sophmore jouranlism major, enjoyed quality time with her boyfriend, Stefon family,” he said.

“The males said it Thomas-Dunham, a freshman mechanical engineering major, at Starbucks.

COLOR When it comes to love, there is no right and wrong; any skin color or ethnicity is beautiful

was unexpected, but funny.”

Though some would expect the members of the white family to take a greater issue with an interracial relationship, Frierson said it is usually black females who have the issue with it. He said growing up his mother would truthfully joke about dating white girls.

“She would say, ‘If they can’t use a comb, then don’t bring them home,’” he said, recalling his mother’s words. “But I think she was just protective because I’m her firstborn son.”

Comeaux said her family had no reservations about her dating a black man, because she is not the first in her family to do so.

“There are biracial kids in my family,” she said.

“At first I think they thought I was just taking after my cousin, but as soon as they met Brandon, they approved of him as a boyfriend because he’s in school and has goals.”

When the couple talks about children in the future, they never worry about what it would mean for their child to be biracial.

“With the way things are these days, it’s not really as big of deal anymore,” Frierson said.

Some people think children born to parents of different races will grow up having identity issues and not fitting in either world. What is more bothersome is when these people feel the urge to share their unwarranted concerns with people in an interracial relationship.

Stefon Thomas-Dunham, who was born to a Trinidadian father and Italian mother, said the feeling of not belonging to either world is untrue and it has more to do with the way to act around certain family members.

“You can hear a change in the voice, accent or attitude,” said Dunham, a freshman mechanical engineering student. “But sometimes you have to change so it’s easier for them to understand.”

Dunham’s girlfriend, Frededreia Willis, is a black woman, but he never thought of their relationship as interracial.

Willis, a sophomore journalism major, said she disagrees.

“I like to take pride in his background,” she said. “He’s not just black; he’s half Trinidadian and Italian. I don’t want to just clump him together with a whole group.”

The couple has a lighthearted approach toward race in their relationship, often making jokes with each other.

“Sometimes I’ll try and speak Trinidadian,” said Willis, as she mimicked the accent, while Dunham stifled a laugh.

Due to a more tolerant society, the number of interracial couples in the United States has reached an all-time high. In 2010, the Pew Research Center reported the share of new marriages between spouses of a different race or ethnicity from each other increased to 15.1 percent.

Love might be blind, but it should not have to be.

Email comments to cls068@latech.edu.

www.thetechtalk.org

12 • The Tech Talk • May 14, 2015

Sports Talk Lady Techsters fall in C-USA Tourney

FROM THE SPORTS DESK with Jared King

Farewell Coach White

L

Photo by Donny Crowe

The Lady Techsters fell to UTSA in the first round of the C-USA Tournament. Senior Bianca Duran was named to the All-Conference Tournament team.

CATHERINE BURKE Staff Reporter Coach Mark Montgomery and the Lady Techster softball team had a complete turn around season, going from last season’s record of 19-33 and no conference tournament bid to 31-19 and a conference tournament bid. The team’s dream season came to an end early when they fell in the first round of the Conference USA tournament to UTSA 1-4.

Montgomery said too many things went wrong in that game for the team to make a come back.

“There were two or three things we could have done differently and a few questionable calls,” he said. “All that together was just too much to overcome.”

Montgomery said although this season did not end how they wanted, the team made some huge improvements.

“We always want a better end, but we took massive steps forward,” he said. “We are definitely headed in the right direction and will continue to grow and better this program.”

Montgomery said there were a few factors

that played into this team’s success. what we can do.”

“We had a few new players with talent and Godwin said the pressure is on the veterans veterans that came back committed to our to keep this team moving forward. team goal,” he said. “They work hard together “There are a lot of underclassmen and it’s and the chemistry this year was great.” going to be the returner’s job to groom and Anna Cross, a junior infielder, said prepare them,” she said. “They also the team’s progress is unbelievable. need to continue working hard in the “If you look from when Coach weight room on being stronger and Montgomery arrived you can tell a faster.” huge difference from each year to Godwin said this is not the last year,” she said. “This program is gowe’ll be hearing of the Lady Teching to do great things in the future; ster softball team. it’s always about the process.”

“I believe that we showed not Cross said this year overall was only Tech but Conference-USA that ground breaking for the program. our program is on the rise,” she said.

“We just have to keep the process “We believe that this year is the start going,” she said. “We need to keep of the rise of Louisiana Tech softmoving forward, be better than we ball.”

GODWIN were before and make a name for ourselves.”

Janine Godwin, a senior outfielder, said For more on Tech athletics, follow the Tech Talk everyone working as one was the key to this Sports Desk’s Twitter page at twitter.com/techtalkseason. sports.

“This year everyone was on the same page and had that one goal to make it to the tour- Email comments to nament,” she said. “We really wanted to prove cjb066@latech.edu.

Bulldogs win first Conference USA series ALEX HEARD Staff Reporter The Louisiana Tech baseball team was able to notch their first conference series win since 2013. Tech took two of three from UTSA at Pat Patterson Park on May 1- 3.

Head coach Greg Goff said the series win was a memorable one.

“That was such a great feeling for us,” Goff said. “My hat is off to our players. They just continue to persevere. I came to Tech to achieve conference series wins, and to get one my first year is something special.”

Goff said Tech can continue the success they have had if he can find more players that can buy into the system he preaches and who can hold their own in such a competitive league.

“Our system is good,” Goff said. “I thought we made UTSA very uncomfortable with our running game. Now it is all a matter of finding players who can compete in this league.”

Goff said the conference’s talent is unlike anything he saw at Campbell University.

“The talent is the difference between C-USA and the Big South,” Goff said. “The Big South had two or three really good players. Where now in C-USA there are five or six excellent players, all of which are pro prospects.”

Goff said the level of competition in CUSA means his team must compete week in and week out if they want to make any noise in foreseeable postseasons.

“Conference USA is a really good league,” Goff said. “I have been surprised at how many good hitters there are. I have also been sur-

prised by the amount of pro players in this league.”

Goff and the Diamond ’Dogs have an opportunity to finish the season with a winning record for the first time in quite a while. In order to do so, Tech must first win a one game stint against Northwestern State University.

Then, more importantly, they must win at least 2 of 3 against the season’s last conference opponent, Marshall University.

Goff said his team is confident and that is most important as the season draws to a close.

“We are very confident,” Goff said. “Our team is playing well in a game where confidence is everything. In baseball you are going to fail a lot. The guys who can handle the pressure are the ones who are going to have the most success, I feel our guys are able to do so.”

Goff said things would be better for his team if they were able to win more games away from J.C. Love Field.

“We need to play better away from home,” Goff said. “If we do that, we can become quite the threat.”

The Bulldogs play a three game series to finish off the season May 14-16 against the Thundering Herd of Marshall University at Pat Patterson Park in Ruston.

For more on Tech athletics, follow the Tech Talk Sports Desk’s Twitter page at twitter.com/ techtalksports.

Email comments to amh072@latech.edu.

Photo by Ken Robertson

Tech won 2 of 3 against UTSA to win its first C-USA series in Goff’s era and its first in three years.

ast week former Louisiana Tech men’s basketball head coach Mike White announced he would be leaving the program to accept the same position at the University of Florida.

Never in a million years would I have guessed Scott Brooks being fired from the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder would result in White leaving Tech.

But when Brooks was fired, Billy Donovan was tabbed as his replacement and that opened a premiere coaching position for White to fill.

It is hard not to cheer for White because he is such a great person and I can assure you White’s presence will be missed at Tech. He changed the culture of men’s basketball at Tech and I thank him for that.

White may not have made the NCAA tournament during his tenure at Tech, but watching a winning team play games in front of 4,000-plus fans every night was certainly more fun — and did more for the program — than watching a sub-.500 team lose games in front of 1,000 fans each night.

And you can thank White for that change.

White was not a heralded coaching candidate but he brought an aggressive defense and fast-paced offense that quickly won fans over and his players enjoyed playing for him.

White won 101 games during his tenure at Tech and lost only 40 — 16 of those losses came during his first season. He also took Tech to the postseason in three consecutive seasons earning berths in the NIT tournament each of the past three years. The Bulldogs won two regular season co-championships before winning last season’s Conference USA regular season championship outright.

By all accounts, White’s tenure at Tech was a success and I wish him the best of luck in the future. I am not an SEC fan, but you can be sure I am now a fan of Florida Gators basketball.

Replacing White will be difficult to do. He was a fan favorite and he was a winner — two things many Tech basketball fans are not accustomed to.

I hear there is a long-time assistant coach of White’s who is still in Ruston and would be interested in the job. Let’s see if he gets a nod.

Jared King is a senior journalism major from Jena who serves as sports editor for The Tech Talk.

Email comments to jki008@latech.edu.