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VOLUME 90 • ISSUE 10
Remembering Gary Zumwalt A tribute to the late geology professor of over 35 years
Photo provided by Diane Zumwalt
Gary Zumwalt, a Louisiana Tech geology professor, with a kayak he built. PAUL DAUTERIVE Former Staff Reporter | pd010@ latech.edu Gary Zumwalt, a Louisiana Tech geology professor since 1980, passed away on Dec. 21, 2015. He was a long time faculty member the School of Biological Sciences teaching courses for both environmental sciences and geology across campus. He was known to have a deep concern for his students, making them his top priority, myself included. As a faculty member of the College of Applied and Natural Sciences, Zumwalt taught geology, oceanography, mineralogy, paleontology and en-
vironmental remediation. His widow, Diane Zumwalt, said he was an inspiring and much beloved teacher who was known for the long lectures that he gave without notes for himself. She said he would always keep his classes entertained with stories about his many experiences. “He used to take his students on trips to Colorado, Arkansas and South Louisiana,” Diane said. Tech used to have a geology department under the College of Engineering and Science. Zumwalt would take his students on field trips and have crawfish boils at his home. “He loved to teach, whether it was
geology or kayak-making or how to study,” Diane said. Marta Sramkova, a junior finance major, shared some of her memories of Zumwalt. “He was a great professor and amazing person,” she said. “He loved his job with all his heart. One thing that is very strong in my mind when you ask me about Dr. Zumwalt is, when I asked him, ‘How are you doing today? He always said: surviving.’” Even though Dr. Zumwalt was a geology professor, his true passion was woodworking. He had his share of rock and fossil collections, but his many completed projects were most impressive. During my first office hours encounter with him, I noticed his proudly displayed pictures of two woodstripped kayaks. After I inquired about the pictures he asked me, “Would you be interested in building your own?” He and his wife had built both kayaks in the wood shop in his back yard. Little did I know, this new friendship would teach me more than boat building. With his guidance and tools, I spent many long hours in his shop during my off days working on my own wood -stripped kayak. He was a teacher inside and outside of the classroom. During that time I learned a lot about woodworking and a lot more about life through his interesting stories and life experiences. Unfortunately, Gary will not get to see my completed kayak, but I have every intention to finish it. This is the best way for me to honor him and his memory because a monument bigger than Wyly Tower would not be enough. Rest in peace, Gary Zumwalt.
Merger benefits South Campus academics KEIERA BELL Staff Reporter| klb072@ latech.edu As of Dec. 10, 2015 the department of agricultural sciences and the School of Forestry have merged together to create one department in what faculty have called an effort to give Louisiana Tech’s South Campus a larger and more unified presence. This new school is made up of the two previously separate units of the department of agricultural sciences and School of Forestry. William Green thinks it is a bit unusual the two units have been separate here at Tech. “At other universities, the department of agricultural sciences and School of Forestry were already together, but having mergers between departments is not something new to us,” Green said.
Green is a professor of agricultural sciences and resident veterinarian at Tech. He will now serve as interim director of the new School of Agricultural Sciences and Forestry in order to help facilitate the transition between the two complex units. Green said merging is not something new to Tech because departments in the College of Liberal Arts have merged together as well. Gary Kennedy, dean of the College of Applied and Natural Sciences, explains how there have been some problems in the process of planning the merger. “I honestly feel that saying why it took so long to merge the two units is hard, but I believe the budget cuts that we’ve had to deal with slowed down the process of the department mergers,” Kennedy said.
> see DEPARTMENT MERGER page 6
Photo by Avery Bryan
An ear on display at the new audiology lab located in the Rawle Enterprise Center.
The Louisiana Tech Speech and Hearing Center opens new center, facilities CALEB DANIEL Staff Reporter | csd020@ latech.edu
The Louisiana Tech Speech and Hearing Center recently added an additional location and clinics, and its new site came with some important upgrades. These sites include an audiology clinic in Rawle Enterprise Center, along with two other facilities set up in Robinson Hall; including a new augmentative communication lab. “I’m very proud and privileged to be able to bring this type of service to our center and also to provide wonderful training and experiences to our graduate students who participate in the program,” said Daphne Washington, a speech-pathology professional in residence. Ashton Hay, an audiology graduate student, said the new clinic is a vast improvement to the original. “It’s 10 times better,” Hay said. “With newer equipment, we can test patients more quickly and serve more people.” The clinic, operated by audiology graduate students and faculty supervisors, offers a variety of services including hearing tests, hearing aid evaluations, hearing aid sales and fittings and evaluations for balance, earringing and auditory processing. Brenda Heiman, director of the School of Communication, said the clinic serves a dual purpose: providing experience to students as well as services to patients. “This is essentially a training facility for the students,” Heiman said. “The faculty supervises the students as they interact with the client.” One such supervisor is Matt Bryan, an associate professor and director of audiological services. Bryan said in addition to the improved equipment, the new site is simply a better space to provide the clinic’s services. “Our setup in Robinson was very cumbersome because the testing booth was actually in Woodard Hall,” Bryan said. “We had to walk patients from the office in Robinson to Woodard to get them tested. Now they have much easier access.”
> see SPEECH AND HEARING page 6
NEWS
2 • The Tech Talk • January 14, 2016
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Granny’s opens Ruston location FREDERIC NELSON Staff Reporter | fpn001@ latech.edu
quickly moved to West Monroe and now we’re finally in Ruston,” Torrance There are many food said. places to choose from The inspiration behind around Louisiana Tech constructing the Torrance campus; however the ma- family business came jority of them typically when James’ sister Halle serve fast food. Torrance would cook for “I love to eat but lately him and five other siblings it is hard to find a meal growing up. that gives a va“I startriety of all food “I thought I was ed all the groups that are Granny’s cooked fresh,” going to waste Family Ressaid Elizabeth taurants in Smith, a junior my whole check B a s t ro p, chemistry major. for the week on and honestGranny’s Resly I can say taurant has the place bethat my love opened up cause the food for wantacross the street ing to cook from the Univer- was that great” fresh foods sity two weeks and making ago ,and it ZACCHAEUS someone serves a South- WILLIAMS happy is Tech alumnus ern home-style what startform of cooked all of ing. this,” Torrance said. “I got tired of eating Halle Torrance also fast food, until this new started off as a waiter at place opened up across the first restaurant where the street and the food Granny’s would first be esthey served just swept me tablished in. off my feet,” Smith said. “It’s quite amazing how James Torrance, the you might be in a small restaurant’s owner, spent situation one minute, and months trying to find a then the next you blosbuilding in Ruston, be- som into a situation more cause he wanted to have beautiful,” Halle Torrance a restaurant close to a col- said. lege campus. The restaurant sells a “The Granny’s fran- variety of menu items, chise first opened up back including pork chops, in Bastrop, my hometown, hamburger steaks, fried and after five years we chicken steaks, cabbage,
Photo by Ashley Kober
Granny’s staff caters to the needs of patrons during a Tuesday lunch rush.
macaroni and cheese, red beans and rice, New Orleans rice, fish, sweet potato pie, red velvet cake and pecan pie. “The type of food we sell here it all really just depends on who says it, some call it old-fashioned
cooking to soul food,” Torrance said. Tech alumnus Zacchaeus Williams recently tried Granny’s for the first time and was quite pleased with the food service given. “I thought I was going
Kineseology study underway KERRY WAGUESPACK Staff Reporter | kfw005@ latech.edu Jordan Glenn, assistant professor of kinesiology, is running a study to see if the gender gap in endurance exercising varies when a woman is going through the follicular phase, when follicles in the ovary mature, of her menstrual cycle. The study is a continuation of Glenn’s research he started when he was working at the University of Arkansas. The idea for the research was thought of by Glenn, after conducting his last study on postmenopausal women and their exercise limits. The group conducting the research needed 32 participants for the study, 16 males and 16 females. Each person participating in the study has to work out four times: once to get a baseline, once to learn the exercises and then twice where they will be taking a drink provided by Glenn’s team. “The drink will contain citrulline malate which is an amino acid that helps regulate estrogen,” Glenn said. This will help to make sure that the nitric oxide levels in the subjects bodies are regulated, so that the results are not tampered with in any way. Kimberly Parker, a graduate student in kinesiology, is one of the assistants with the study, she is helping by mixing the supplement drinks for the study.
to waste my whole check for the week on the place because the food was that great,” Williams said. The Torrance family are hoping to keep the restaurant in Ruston as long as they can and are hoping to get a lot of positive
reviews. “We honestly still live in a chicken McNugget generation, and so I’m hoping it will give students an opportunity to try daily fresh food that is good for them and is to their satisfaction,” Torrance said.
SPEAK
Parker said she is learning how to conduct a study of her own, by being involved in this experiment. Glenn set the requirements for the study is that person must have worked out two days a week for a year, be between the ages of 18 and 29 and not have taken any pre-workout supplements or Creatine, a workout aid, for the last six months. . The test varies some in how long it will take to complete between males and females. “A male could finish the entire study in about three weeks; the first two workouts just need a 72 hour break.The supplement trials need to have a one week wash out period between tests.” Glenn said. For females it’s different because they have to do the exercises while they are in the follicular phase of their cycle. “The females in the study can complete the study in about two and half months because the supplement trials have to take part a month apart from each other,” Glenn said. The trials began before the break, Glenn said, and some of the males could finish as early as the next two weeks. “Dr. Glenn is very passionate about his work, which I believe will help draw participants in. He is also teaching graduate and undergraduate students the process of conducting a study through this study,” Parker said.
MAGAZINE
is available digitally on issuu Go to issuu.com/speakmagazinemedia or download the issuu mobile app and search for SPEAK Magazine
UPCOMING EVENTS FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
• no events scheduled
• La Tech v. Florida International women’s basketball • La Tech v. TCU men’s rugby
• no events scheduled
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day • university closed
• classes resume • Bridges of Spies movie •Writing an effective resume class 1 pm 337 Keeny Hall
• LinkedIn 101 class 1 pm 337 Keeny
•no events scheduled
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W&NBRIEFS WORLDNEWS Trial of Freddie Gray van driver delayed BALTIMORE (AP) — A Maryland appeals court postponed the trial of a police van driver charged with second-degree murder in the death of Freddie Gray, saying it needs to address whether another Baltimore officer should be compelled to testify against Caesar Goodson.
Dad of school shooter gets two years SEATTLE (AP) — The father of a teenager who used his dad’s gun to kill four classmates and then himself at a Washington state high school was sentenced Monday to two years in prison on firearms charges.
Radioactive materials smuggled TBILISI, GA (AP) — Georgia’s security agency said Monday it has arrested three men suspected of peddling radioactive cesium, the latest in a series of operations against nuclear smugglers in the ex-Soviet nation.
January 14, 2016 • The Tech Talk • 3
Obama gives cynicism warning ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON (AP) — Eyeing the end of his presidency, Barack Obama urged Americans Tuesday night to rekindle their belief in the promise of change that first carried him to the White House. Obama declared that the country must not allow fear and division to take hold. "It's easier to be cynical, to accept that change isn't possible and politics is hopeless," Obama said in his final State of the Union address. "But if we give up now, then we forsake a better future." At the heart of Obama's address to lawmakers and a prime-time television audience was an implicit call to keep Democrats in the White House for a third term. He struck back at critics who have challenged his economic and national security stewardship, calling it all "political hot air." In a swipe at some Republican presidential candidates, he warned against "voices urging us to fall
back into tribes, to scapegoat fellow citizens who don't look like us or pray like us or vote like we do, or share the same background." Obama ticked through a
Legendary musician David Bowie dies of cancer at 69
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Army Corps of Engineers says it won’t need to open the Morganza Floodway to draw down the Mississippi River’s crest. This will be a relief for homeowners and farmers in the spillway.
Solange Knowles to ride with Kew
MANDEVILLE, (AP) — A car driven by a 96-yearold woman crashed Monday through a glass wall at the Mandeville community center, injuring four people inside.The wreck happened shortly before 9 a.m. at the Paul Spitzfaden Community Center near City Hall. Police spokesman Capt. Gerald Sticker said the victims were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
"There's no doubt a president with the gifts of Lincoln or Roosevelt might have better bridged the divide, and I guarantee I'll keep trying to be better so long as I hold this office."
AP Photo
Mississippie River flooding updates
96-year-old drives into community center
tion on climate change and ending a Cold War freeze with Cuba. "The rancor and suspicion between the parties has gotten worse instead of better," he conceded.
President Barack Obama arrives on Capitol Hill in Washington to give his State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress.
STATENEWS
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Singer-songwriter Solange Knowles will ride in the all-female Krewe of Muses’ signature shoe during the 2016 carnival parade on Feb. 4.
retrospective of his domestic and foreign policy actions in office. He also included helping lead the economy back from the brink of depression, taking aggressive ac-
AP Photo
In this Sept. 14, 1995, file photo, David Bowie performs during a concert in Hartford, Conn. elegant and debauched ASSOCIATED PRESS in a dark vest and white shirt, cigarette dangling NEW YORK (AP) — from his mouth, taking in David Bowie made clear, the uncertainty of modin a way that was ex- ern life. hilarating and sometimes Representative Steve frightening, what every Martin said that Bowie rock star since Elvis Pres- died "peacefully" surley and Little Richard had rounded by family after been telling us all along battling cancer for 18 — that anything was pos- months. "While many of sible. you will share in this loss, From album to album, we ask that you respect and concert to concert, the family's privacy durfans were never sure how ing their time of grief," the he would look — in black statement read. No more leather and a pompadour; details were provided. in makeup and orange Bowie turned 69 on hair as his alter ego Zig- Friday, the same day he gy Stardust; shirtless and released a new album wearing a Mohawk; or called "Blackstar." He also
released a music video on Friday for the song "Lazarus," which showed him frail and lying in bed, eyes bandaged. The song begins with the line: "Look up here, I'm in heaven." His tense, wiry voice, capable of a baritone croon or falsetto shriek, proved as suited for the groove-based hits "Let's Dance" and "Modern Love" as for the sci-fi drama of "Space Oddity." Vandross and Bowie co-wrote another song from the "Young Americans" album, "Fascination." Bowie was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1996. Bowie was born David Jones in London in 1947. He had an early and obvious taste for music, design, art and dancing, and, like so many children of the time, was profoundly moved by rock music. "I had heard God," was how he described the impact of Little Richard's "Tutti Frutti." British Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted that Bowie's death is "a huge loss." He wrote he had grown up listening to and watching Bowie and called the singer a "master of reinvention" and a pop genius who kept on getting it right. Bowie was married twice, to the actress and model Mary Angela "Angie" Barnett from 197080, and to international super model Iman since 1992. He had two children — Duncan Jones and Al-
Playboy Mansion for sale but Hugh Hefner wants to stay put
AP Photo
Playboy magazine founder Hugh Hefner poses for photos at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles. ASSOCIATED PRESS LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Playboy Mansion is up for sale but longtime resident Hugh Hefner wants to stay put. Playboy Enterprise announced the West Los Angeles estate, the backdrop of many film shoots and wild parties, was listed on Monday for $200 million. The 5-acre property features 29 rooms, a game house, home theater, wine cellar and the famous swimming pool with a cave-like grotto where Playboy bunnies partied with celebrities. The mansion also comes with a rare zoo license. As a condition of the sale, magazine founder Hefner would get to continue living there as he has since the company bought the mansion 45 years ago for just over $1 million, company spokesman John Vlautin said. The sale comes as Playboy, which has been has seen its circulation plunge as it competed with more
sexually explicit magazines and online porn, seeks to reinvent itself. In October, the magazine that helped launched the sexual revolution, announced that it will stop running photos of completely naked women in its U.S. print edition. The move followed a decision in August 2014 to ban full nudity on its website. Playboy CEO Scott Flanders says the sale would help the company "reinvest in the transformation of our business" while allowing the 89-year-old Hefner to continue living there. "The Playboy Mansion has been a creative center for Hef as his residence and workplace for the past 40 years, as it will continue to be if the property is sold," Flanders said in a statement. Hefner originally named a home he bought in Chicago in 1959 the Playboy Mansion, but he eventually made the Los Angeles estate, which he dubbed Playboy Mansion West, his permanent home.
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4 • The Tech Talk • January 14, 2016
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FROM THE EDITOR
MANAGEMENT
Not gonna miss those microbeads
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Ellie Moslander
MANAGING EDITOR Rachel Maxwell
NEWS EDITOR
Frededreia Willis
FEATURE EDITOR John Sadler
SPORTS EDITOR
Matthew Valcho
PHOTO EDITOR
Brian Blakely
PHOTOGRAPHERS Colin Fontenot Devin Dronett Ashley Kober Avery Bryan
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ADVISERS
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ADVERTISING ADVISER Michael LeBlanc
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ADVERTISING PRODUCTION Michael LeBlanc
ELLIE MOSLANDER Editor-In-Chief | emo012@latech.edu
W
ith 2016 starting up, there is one thing the United States is beginning to plan to filter out and most of the population has probably not even noticed it yet. At the end of 2015 in Dec., President Bar rack Obama decided to begin taking steps to ban micro-beads from personal care products. Yes, micro-beads. Those tiny little gels often found in exfoliating face washes and soaps. The bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives will phase out microbeads starting July of 2017. The ban will take total ef fect in 2018. Of all things to ban, why would they ban microbeads? It would seem there are some other things which could pose more of a threat to humanity
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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 letter be accompanied by a telephone number, address and classification or title. We will not print the telephone number. Viewpoints should be mailed or brought to The Tech Talk office, 138 Keeny Hall, by 4 p.m. the Friday prior to a Thursday publi cation. 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 com mitted to the principle of provid ing 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-andprocedures/1445.shtml.
tal program (UNEP) has proposed a program informing people about the personal care products they are using. According to the UNEP, these microbeads have the potential to harm marine life, other wildlife and humans. These microbeads have toxic effects over time and yet there’s so many of them contained within millions of cosmetic and personal care products. With mass production and the way consumers buy in bulk, today’s society is full of harmful products. While the issue of banning microbeads may sound laughable and not extremely important, it brings up the topic of how ingredients in products we use are harming us and the environment we live in. We should be concerned with what we are surrounding ourselves. Ellie Moslander is a senior journalism major from Albuquerque who serves as editor-in-chief for The Tech Talk.
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than these; but recently scientists have discovered some serious facts about these little plastic guys and how they are har ming the environment. According to the Royal Society of Chemistry, microbeads are not meant to dissolve and can take years to eventually degrade causing them to be har mful to the environment. While this makes sense, it reminds me to be more aware of what products I am using on a daily basis and the ingredients they contain. Even the tiniest things, such as microbeads, can be overlooked in daily life but can still remain more har mful than one would think. The U.S. is not the only place to begin discussing enacting this ban. Canada has also began making steps towards filtering them out of face wash and cosmetic products. The United Nations Environmen-
I’ll just call you something else FREDEDREIA WILLIS News Editor | btb017@latech.edu
C
an you repeat that first name for me? Ah, can you spell it one more time? Just to be sure, there are two ‘D’s...right? This is an all too normal process I have to commit to when introducing myself. In five months I will be celebrating my 7,665th day on earth and that number is in deep comparison with how many times I have been asked to pronounce, repeat and or spell my first name. During my reign as “Frededreia” I have often been told that my name is “too black” and would probably be the reason for a result such as a trashed resume or missed job opportunity. I often wonder if I would even be the same bubbly, outgoing and overly imaginative person I am today, if I was given a name such as Brittany, Elizabeth or Meagan. Or would I be dumped into the pit of *inserts characteristics of a
societal Brittany, Elizabeth or Meagan.* Working at a coffee shop back home, I remember being invited to a lunch date with some friends, whom I told I was bringing my other friend along - Candice. When she and I walked up to the table, I received a text message saying, “You didn’t tell us ole girl was white.” The name Candice is mentioned in the book of Acts in the New Testament of the Bible. It was derived from the Cushitic word “Kdke” which means “queen mother. But who cares where the name comes from? It is, now, widely associated with the black community. So, does that mean the name is losing it’s value because it’s being sprinkled with a little blackness? No kidding, my friend group back in high school was composed of a Jocinda, Shavashanique, La’Sherika and a La’Tyreneka (Rest on my good friend). I’m not sure what you call a
group African Americans with hard to pronounce names, but I do not believe the term should be “ghetto.” Interesting? Maybe. Different? A little better. Lovely? Okay, I am pushing it, but my point is how come my name, Frededreia LarNae gets labeled as ghetto, but an Indian ex-classmate of mine, Deepanjan, gets labeled as “cultural?” Yes, I have came across some names where I have wondered what on God’s green earth the mother was trying to spell. Truth is, we all have ghetto in us in some way or fashion, since Webster defines the word as a part of a city in which members of a particular group or race lives, specifically the poorest part. P.S. I’ve spelled out my name three times in column and you still can’t spell it. Frededreia Willis is a junior journalism major from Lake Providence who serves as news editor for The Tech Talk.
READ BETWEEN THE SIDELINES
The case for eight MATTHEW VALCHO Sports Editor | mvv002@latech.edu
U
nfortunately, after months of insane finishes and upsets, the end of college football season is here. The Alabama Crimson Tide is the FBS national champion following the second edition of another successful College Football Playoffs. Unlike last season’s controversial Final Four selections, this year’s edition was much more clear-cut. Clemson and Alabama demolished Oklahoma and Michigan State, respectively, in their semifinal matchups, which led to the two dominant finalists playing a classic game. Some people still try to create controversy by arguing that Ohio State deserved to be back in the playoffs despite losing to Michigan State and not even playing in their conference championship game. In hindsight, that debate may have deserved a bit more attention than many gave it. Ohio State dom-
inated a strong Notre Dame team in the Fiesta Bowl, and the future national champs blanked Michigan State in the Cotton Bowl to reach the championship game. So what could have happened if Ohio State made the playoffs? What about Stanford, Houston, or Ole Miss? I’m extremely happy with how the playoff has worked so far (except for the semifinals being on New Year’s Eve, which a totally different topic all together), but the case for an eight-team playoff has to come up eventually. The pieces needed for an eightteam playoff are there. We have six bowl games that can host a semifinal on a rotational basis. So why can’t two of them move a week later? Four bowls acting as quarterfinals on New Year’s Eve/Day and two acting as semifinals a week or so later, with the National Championship a week after that. The only thing that may hurt a case for this is tradition. It is very possible the Rose Bowl would have
to leave its traditional spot in the afternoon on New Year’s Day, which could be a problem for some. Who would make the tournament? This could be decided in two ways. Either we stick with the method we have now, which lets the College Football Playoff Selection Committee decide, or develop a new system that rewards spots to the Power Five conference champions with two at large spots and a spot reserved for the highest ranked Non-Power 5 conference champion. I know that things are way more complicated than I make them out to be due to money, TV and contracts, but imagine the potential for this. Not everyone likes discussing hypotheticals, but this vision is too mouth-wateringly great to ignore. Hopefully something like it becomes reality in my lifetime. Matthew Valcho is a junior journalism major from Benton who serves as sports editor for The Tech Talk.
Is the Oregon occupation really terrorism? W
hen Ammon Bundy and his self-described “militia” overtook an unoccupied government wildlife refuge on Jan. 2 to protest the federal ownership of land and the imprisonment of the Hammond ranchers, they raised a variety of questions. For many following the development of the group’s occupation of the facility, they have evoked anger, disbelief, amusement (when the group posted a video reacting to the sex toys they received in mail from opponents) and perhaps most of all, confusion. The public is left wondering how long the occupation will last, why they chose their methods, what the group will do next, and what response the government will have. One big debate circulating newsrooms and pundit shows has been over what to call these self-described “patriots.” Many news stories have simply referred to them as protestors. However, some think this is too soft a description since the word generally describes peaceful demonstrators. The people occupying the refuge center are armed and have expressed a readiness to die for their cause. Others have called the group terrorists, pointing out that if armed members of a different race or religion overtook federal land, that the description would have been applied immediately. As of right now, the federal government has seemed to take little notice of the selfproclaimed “Citizens for Constitutional Freedom,” leaving the situation to be handled by Oregon sheriffs, who have asked the group to leave, but done little else. It’s hard to argue that if a Muslim group had taken similar action, the response would not have been swifter. . However, many claim that to call the group terrorists would be inaccurate. Thus far, they have not “terrorized” anyone with their actions. They have threatened violence if they are opposed, but have not targeted civilians or officials unprovoked. Many wonder if, despite any racial imbalances, “terrorism” would be the most accurate term to use. While it is tough to argue that other groups would not have been classified as terrorists having taken similar actions, the question of whether the Bundy group’s armed protests can truly be considered terrorism still stands.
January 14, 2016 • The Tech Talk • 5
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RADAR MUSIC
HERE ARE SOME ANTICIPATED ALBUM RELEASES FOR 2016.
Photo courtesy of Disney
‘STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS’ CALEB DANIEL Staff Reporter | cds020@ latech.edu While the characters of “Star Wars” continue to have “a bad feeling” about things, it seems that fans of the franchise certainly do not. “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” the long-awaited seventh installment of the popular space saga, Forcejumped its way to numerous box office records, raking in over half a billion dollars worldwide on opening weekend alone. The film revives all the wonder of the original trilogy in a fresh and exciting fashion unrivaled by the controversial prequels of the early 2000s. Set 30 years after the events of “Return of the Jedi,” the galaxy in “The Force Awakens” is once again in turmoil, as the sinister First Order rises from the ashes of the old Empire.
As a brave Resistance opposes the First Order in galactic warfare, new heroes and familiar faces must come together to restore balance to the Force once again. Director J.J. Abrams is far from stingy with throwbacks to the original trilogy as the plot develops. From top-secret data hidden in a droid on a desert planet, to a mission to blow up a huge spherical space station and good old Jedi mind tricks, “The Force Awakens” is riddled with nostalgic, crowd-pleasing elements plucked directly from the old saga. Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher reprise their iconic roles as Han Solo and Leia Organa in ways sure to leave longtime fans in tears of reminiscence. John Boyega and Daisy Ridley are superb as leading protagonists Finn and Rey, ensuring a comfortable baton-pass from the old heroes to the new. Ridley is especially convincing in her debut role as a lone scavenger who gradually realizes her strong connection to the light side of the Force. Rey’s almost giddy reaction to meeting Han Solo in the flesh perfectly reflects the fans’ excitement to seeing their favorite smuggler back in action.
‘THE HATEFUL EIGHT’
Photo courtesy of The Weinstein Company
JOHN SADLER Features Editor| jts040@ latech.edu Quentin Tarantino is a pop culture icon, a once-maverick (now explicitly mainstream) filmmaker obsessed with churning out homages to the films of his youth. The elements of his movies basically remain the same: heavy dialogue, extreme gore and a “come and get me” attitude designed to poke at the sometimes prudish nature of American audiences. All of these are on display in his newest feature, “The Hateful Eight,” a movie that can only be defined as a western by its setting. Set in a waystation named Minnie’s Haberdash-
ery, the film is essentially a drawn-out murder mystery. Unfortunately, it’s all really, really boring. The movie does have everything a Tarantino fan wants: “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” levels of blood, angry men constantly glaring at each other and a soundtrack primarily made up of Spaghetti Western orchestrations. But it’s executed in a sloppy mess that feels more like one of the Tarantino knockoffs so popular in the early 2000s rather than a film from the main man himself. The razorsharp dialogue that makes “Reservoir Dogs,” “Pulp Fiction” and arguably “Inglorious Bastards” masterpieces is here made dreadfully slow. The gunfight, which is obviously
The film moves at a quick pace, driven by another heart-swelling John Williams score and numerous action sequences that feel much more earthy than those of the CGI-overloaded prequels. If there is any criticism to be made, it is that this new installment’s plot is perhaps a bit too similar to that of the original film, “A New Hope.” While some developments are indeed new and refreshing, the overall arc of “The Force Awakens” almost feels like history simply repeating itself. These similarities are completely understandable. Abrams had to walk a fine line between nostalgia and originality, and while he may have leaned a little heavily on the side of nostalgia, he also left openings for the next films to seek newer frontiers. As long as the remaining episodes take the plot in a more original direction, the heavy amount of throwbacks in this new beginning is absolutely forgivable. Seeing the words “Star Wars” make that beautiful golden crawl across the screen may have been enough on its own to pack theaters, but “The Force Awakens” delivers a solid movie experience even apart from popularity of its predecessors. inevitable, comes after almost an hour and a half of straight dialogue in which Tarantino penned nothing of substance. Generally, there are enough quotable bits to give even the most virulent hater something to talk about for a while. Walton Goggins’s ridiculous hillbilly talk (“I’ll be double-dog damned”) and the n-word. The film definitely earns its “hateful” moniker. The characters are all outright demented. While Tarantino is no stranger to morally-gray characters, generally he gives them enough charm to make the audience enjoy watching them. Here they are all morally repugnant, overly violent bullies. The humor and wit in “Pulp Fiction” and “Inglorious Bastards” is not only less here, it’s entirely nonexistent. Walton Goggins and Samuel Jackson are wonderful, as always, but their charms can’t make the script any more watchable. Kurt Russell carries his scenes with his best John Wayne impression, but the others are given too little to ever truly shine. There are a few scenes in the movie that go beyond violent and into ridiculous territory, including a rather graphic rape scene. It left me wincing, not because of the subject matter, but because, ultimately, there was no point to it. It watches like Tarantino is just trying to see how far he can go before somebody calls foul. This film shares only the negatives with “Django.” Tarantino almost seems to be daring us to like it, and it’s a challenge I failed utterly.
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“IT’S ABOUT TIME” HANK WILLIAMS JR. THE AWARD-WINNING COUNTRY WESTERN SINGER HANK WILLIAMS JR. RETURNS WITH A FRESH NEW ALBUM.
”DYSTOPIA” MEGADEATH THE HEAVY METAL THRASH ROCK BAND MEGADEATH RELEASES ITS NEWEST ALBUM SINCE 20O4.
”THIS ISSIAACTING” THE THEME FOR POP SINGER SIA’S NEW ALBUM DELVES INTO ISSUES OF PUTTING ON AN ACT FOR OTHERS.
“SWISH”
KANYE WEST YEEZUS COLLABORATES WITH OTHER ARTISTS SUCH AS KENDRICK LAMAR AND TY DOLLA $IGN.
www.thetechtalk.org
6 • The Tech Talk • January 14, 2016
WEEKLYHOROSCOPE
particularly when the people are also close friends. If you’ve been considering entering into a new business partnership, this is the day to start seriously discussing it.
Aries March 21 – April 19 Financial difficulties could be overcome today through the help of someone considerably older than you. Helpful advice could make a future course of action clearer and more practical than it seemed in the past. Your practical ability is heightened, and you’re less likely to let strong emotions interfere with making use of it. Intuitive abilities could also be of assistance.
Libra Sep 23 - Oct 22 Your efficient, practical abilities are operating at a very high level today. A long-term goal you’ve been working toward could finally be reached, bringing good fortune and acknowledgment. Your efforts will probably be appreciated. Major advancement could be in the works.
www.horoscopes.com.net
Taurus Apr 20 - May 20 Today a piece of information for which you’ve been searching could become known. Your money management skills might be called upon to help out a friend or perhaps a family member. You’re likely to have some good pointers to pass on, and gratitude should be forthcoming. Put your nose to the grindstone and get going! Gemini May 21 - Jun 20 With the shifting planetary alignment, all of your efforts over the past few weeks could finally bear fruit. Success and good fortune are strongly indicated, especially where money is concerned. Worries about finances are likely to disappear, and you could even receive public recognition. This should be a satisfying period. Cancer Jun 21 - Jul 22 A long-awaited vacation or a move you’ve been hoping to make could finally be possible. Before you go, there may be some paperwork to take care of. Thoughts of business advancement may be playing in your mind, and you might consider taking a course or two to increase your marketability and help you a take a step toward achieving your goals. Leo Jul 23 - Aug 22 Heightened imagination and ingenuity could bring new thoughts for advancing yourself in the financial arena. Practical information from outside sources merges with insights to bring useful ideas your way. Consider everything carefully before taking any action. Be open to the advice and counsel of others. Whatever you choose to do, today shows promise of being very fortunate. Virgo Aug 23 - Sep 22 Social events could bring some exciting new contacts your way. Relationships with partners of all kinds should be fruitful and mutually beneficial,
Scorpio Oct 23 - Nov 21 Your strong business sense and practical skills couple with imagination and innovation to bring advancement. Information from far away could prove especially valuable. Relationships with friends should be warm and cooperative. Love relationships could also prove rewarding. Consider blowing off a little steam by going out and having a good time. Sagittarius Nov 22 - Dec 21 Friends and family could visit you today. They’re likely to bring new friends whose expertise benefits a project you’re working on. You might fantasize about how you’re going to spend all the money you’re going to make off this project. This is fine as long as you postpone shopping until you have the funds. Capricorn Dec 22 - Jan 19 A social event in your neighborhood, perhaps in your home, could bring useful information your way that you can use to advance your career. You could make some valuable contacts. Information received from neighbors could prove enlightening. You should feel optimistic, enthusiastic, and motivated. Whatever you start today should bring success. Aquarius Jan 20 - Feb 18 With the current astral environment, your professional and financial interests could take a turn for the better. Any difficulties you may have had seem to disappear as if by magic. Whatever work you’re doing in either your career or personally, should run more smoothly. You should be feeling strong, energetic, and optimistic.
CROSSWORDPUZZLE Across 1. Speaker of baseball 5. Quick-witted 10. Hullabaloo 14. The life of Riley 15. Severity 16. Seine feeder 17. Movie-rating org. 18. Legree’s creator 19. Bone: Prefix 20. White-and-black bearlike mammal 22. Freezing 24. “The Plague” setting 27. Workers’ rights org. 28. Dangerous catch 32. Oohed and ___ 36. Compass dir. 37. Capital city of Yemen 39. Grassy plain 40. French 101 verb 42. Iraqi port 44. Waterfall 45. Actor Burton 47. 18th letter of the Greek alphabet 49. Reason for overtime 50. Lock 51. Consist of 53. Spot on the tube 56. Ripped 57. The north half of a northbound horse, e.g. 61. Curl the lip 65. ___ about (roughly) 66. 1986 Indy 500 winner Bobby 69. Bond classic 70. Prosperity 71. Verdi work 72. Sponsorship
73. Disney dog 74. ___-foot oil 75. Got on Down 1. Office fill.in 2. ___ Nui (Easter Island) 3. This ___ outrage! 4. Privateer 5. AARP members 6. Strike 7. Awestruck 8. Aftermath 9. Shampoo brand 10. Soccer 11. Actress Virna 12. Apropos of 13. Hammer end 21. Pinball paths 23. Shrinking sea of Asia 25. Speedy steed 26. Grandmas 28. Proposed, perhaps 29. Part of ICBM 30. Impertinence 31. No-frills 33. Port-au- Prince is its capital 34. Bandleader Skinnay ___ 35. Gift recipient 38. Slang 41. Like some winds 43. Shot, briefly 46. Invitation request 48. Auto loan figs. 52. Pay as due 54. Homerun king Hank 55. Hang loosely 57. Chicken, e.g. 58. Fit for service 59. Way to go
DAILY U
60. Take ___ Train 62. So 63. Author Bagnold 64. Wine choice 67. Illustrative craft 68. “Deck the Halls” syllables
LAST ISSUE’S SOLUTION
Have any ideas for future comics or feedback? Email dwyer@latech.edu
Pisces Feb 19 - Mar 20 All indications are that you’re feeling mentally and physically great. Your professional and financial interests could take a sudden turn for the better. Love matters should also be going well, and children bring great pleasure today. This is a good time to make plans for the future and pursue your most cherished ambitions.
WEEKLYWEATHER
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DEPARTMENT MERGER from pg. 1
Kennedy said he thinks the only deterrent in the past of completing the merger is the fact that two units deal with different challenges. He said some challenges with the process were, although they both are not very large, they are still very complex. “On the agricultural sciences side of South Campus, they have Tech Farm with livestock units, the meat-sized laboratory and the salesroom,” Kennedy said. “Then on the Forestry side, they have a good bit of land in different places, and their students travel to get hands on experience. So you can see where a few problems with budgets and administration can arise.” Although there were some challenges during the merger’s process, both William and Kennedy agree Tech has made another change that will benefit students and faculty in-
volved on South Campus. “The merger of these two units, which are closely aligned in academic areas related to natural resources, will create a number of new learning, research and collaboration opportunities for both students and faculty,” Kennedy said. In Kennedy’s email to all faculty and staff, he expressed how the merger would “encourage strong interdisciplinary interactions in teaching and outreach, and allow for greater efficiencies in administrative and staffing costs.” He also said with bringing faculty together who care about students, learning and the careers students are pursuing shows good things. “I’m optimistic that we’ll see gains and efficiencies and hopefully increases in student numbers from recruiting efforts that we’ll see in the near future,” Kennedy said.
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SUDOKUPUZZLE Difficulty HARD
www.sudoku-puzzles.net LAST ISSUE’S SOLUTION
Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 grid contains the digits 1 through 9.
SPEECH AND HEARING from pg. 1
Tech’s doctorate of audiology program, part of the department of communication disorders, is one of only two such programs in Louisiana. Heiman said the program’s expansion was necessary due to its rapid growth. “The university allotted us the space because the program is growing so much that we’ve outgrown Robinson Hall,” Heiman said. “Four years ago we had eight grad students, now we have 19.” Heiman said she would like to see awareness for the audiology program grow to match its new expansion. “Nobody even knew about these services when they were in Robinson, so this felt like a good time to start getting the word out,” she said. Heiman said a future goal of the Speech and Hearing Center is to expand its reach. “We see the occasional client from Monroe or some place like that,” she said. “But nobody really knows about us. Hopefully, if we can get more space and more faculty, we can begin to serve regions beyond Ruston.” For further information on the LTSHC, contact either clinic site. Robinson Hall at 318-257-4766 and Rawle Enterprise Center clinic at 318-257-2438.
WE ARE
January 14, 2016 • The Tech Talk • 7
www.thetechtalk.org
More Talk
Blast
from the
Past
A former Tech Talk photographer digs up a portfolio showing Ruston’s past
PAYTON POTTER Staff Reporter | jpp017@latech.edu
John Wood, a now-retired Louisiana Tech alumnus who lived in Ruston from 1961 to 1965, invests his time in his many hobbies. When he is not busy serving on the leadership boards of three business, flying airplanes or spending quality time with his three grandchildren, Wood enjoys exploring his love for photography. Wood said his passion for photography began during his time at Louisiana Tech, or, as it was named during his attendance, Louisiana Polytechnic Institute. While at Tech, the young engineering student explored his artistic side while working as a photographer for The Tech Talk. “Working all four years as a photographer for The Tech Talk helped give me a lifelong interest in taking pictures,” Wood said. Wood also took photos for the Lagniappe yearbook and The Ruston Daily Leader during his time in Ruston. One weekend, Wood and his friends decided to photograph some local sites in Ruston and pair them with captions that a retrospective Wood said, “seemed increasingly sophomoric and downright cynical.” After developing his photos in the darkroom below the stairs in Keeny Hall, Wood compiled his work into a booklet he titled “Come to Beautiful Ruston — A Wonderful Place to Live,” which he now describes as “a one-off, a creative whim, filmed on a weekend after enlisting friends as models.” The photos in Wood’s book date back to a time he remembers being marked by the assassination of President Kennedy, the Civil Rights Movement, and, in 1965, the racial integration of Tech. According to Wood’s foreword in the book, “the thin volume followed the author in moves from Louisiana to Texas, Massachusetts, California, Massachusetts, New Mexico and Massachusetts.” After realizing the photos held potential historical value, he selfpublished the book. Wood said when he returned to Ruston for his 50th class reunion on Nov. 6, 2015, he shared several copies of the book with fellow alumni. Although Wood completed his graduate studies at the Massachusetts Institute for Technology and now resides in Boston, he said, “Louisiana Tech was so important to me. It was reinforced to me when I was back down for the reunion. It allowed me to build a foundation in engineering. I think it’s a superb engineering school.” Copies of “Welcome to Beautiful Ruston” are available for purchase on Amazon. Wood claimed, while laughing, to be near No. 1 million on the best-seller list.
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“I sort of pretended to be a vagrant coming into town and hitchhiking or walking past the city limit sign.” “The Busy Bee Cafe shows up in the Ruston Daily Leader around 1938. I don’t know how long it lasted. It obviously didn’t survive until 1965 as the Busy Bee Cafe. I just thought it was a picturesque photo.” “A picture I thought was kind of funny in hindsight was the picture I took of the Ruston Daily Leader with the sign propped up that said ‘Harris Hospital.’ That’s not a very inviting clinical setting, eh? ... You can tell it’s from a by-gone day. I don’t think the Ruston Daily Leader was there. It was just the visual, seeing the sign propped up against the wall … ” “When the train station was torn down, that area was turned into what is now the new Railroad Park ... It’s wide open now. It is a pretty dramatic comparison ... What is now a park used to be the whole station complex with the station itself.” “I think it was the Empire State Building of Ruston. I remember talking my way onto the roof, saying I was a Tech photographer and wanted to take a photograph.”
www.thetechtalk.org
8 • The Tech Talk • January 14, 2016
One streak ends, another begins Bulldogs’ 39-game home winning streak snapped MATT VALCHO Sports Editor | mvv002@latech.edu
Photo by Brian Blakey
Above: Derric Jean goes up for a layup in the 56-53 loss against Old Dominion. Jean missed the game tying 3-pointer as time expired. Right: Coach Eric Konkol directs his team against Old Dominion.
Photo by Donny J. Crowe/ LA Tech Communications
For the first time in two long years, the Bulldogs tasted defeat on their home court. "I don’t even know what to say, man. I’m sick right now," junior forward Erik McCree said. "I don’t know what to say." The second longest active home streak in college basketball ended last week following a 56-53 loss to Conference USA foe Old Dominion University. It is the first home loss since December 2013 against the University of Louisiana–Lafayette and the first home conference loss since January 2012 against Nevada. “We lost to a good team tonight,” said Tech coach Eric Konkol. “I am proud of our guys for the way we battled. There were moments where it would have been easy to pack it in and say, ‘Hey, they got us tonight.’ But we fought.” The Bulldogs found themselves down by nine with nine minutes left in the game but came back before ODU took a three-point lead in the final seconds. Freshman guard Derric Jean missed the game-tying shot attempt as time expired. A sign of how hard the team took the loss: Jean returned to the court later that night and practiced shooting from the spot he missed. The Monarchs entered the game 8-6 on the season but returned all five starters from the previous season’s team that
beat Tech 72-53 in Norfolk and made a run to the National Invitational Tournament semifinals. Not only was the Bulldogs home streak the second longest nationally, but it was also the second longest ever for the program. A win against ODU would have tied the longest home winning streak in Bulldog history with a chance to break the record two days later against Charlotte. Instead, Tech went into Saturday’s game looking to begin another home winning streak. “Every game is big for us,” McCree said. “We just have to stay strong defensively and come out and play hard for our fans.” The Dunkin’ Dogs did just that. It was not an easy task, but Tech came away with a 93-90 win in overtime over the 49ers led by Dayon Griffin’s 28 points, including seven 3-pointers. “It was such a contrast of our game Thursday night,” Konkol said. “It was an up and down game. “We got behind early, but made enough plays to come away with a win at the end.” The next three games see the Bulldogs leave the confines of the Thomas Assembly Center before returning home to win number two in what many hope will be another 39 game home winning streak against University of Texas–San Antonio on Jan. 28, four years to the day of their previous last loss in conference play.
Football season finishes on a high note for Bulldogs ALEX HEARD Staff Reporter | amh072@latech.edu This year’s football senior class was one for the ages. The 2015 class contains a myriad of quality players with some of the most notable being a defensive tackle capable of being drafted in the top two rounds of the NFL Draft, one of the best passers in Louisiana Tech football history, and, most importantly, one of the most productive running backs in NCAA history, aka a “touchdown machine.” Now Tech head coach Skip Holtz and his staff must figure out how to replace such immense talent next year. Holtz said the task will not be easy being that the class is one the winningest ever at Tech having won back-to-back bowl games, the latest being the New Orleans Bowl on Dec. 19 against Arkansas State (a 47-28 victory). “I’m proud of the leaders,” Holtz said. “This senior class is the only team in school history to win two bowl games. To get third and fourth bowl wins in school history in the last two years, to be the winningest senior class in Louisiana Tech history in Division I-A wins, there were a lot of firsts that this win in this bowl game brought for us. It was accomplished by a senior class that came together and wouldn’t accept defeat. I was really proud of the way that they went out and competed and the way that they did it.” The aforementioned “machine” is senior running back Kenneth Dixon. Dixon came into the New Orleans Bowl with the NCAA all-time career touchdown record well in grasp. After a four touchdown performance in the bowl game, Dixon was able to capture the record, at least temporarily, with 87 career touchdowns.
Dixon said he would not have wanted to set the record with any other guys. “(The record) is very rewarding,” Dixon said. “You find some teammates that care about you, want to see you be successful and do a lot of great things. That is what we have in our locker room. We have a lot of unselfish people in our locker room. It makes me want to say that we won it for us. Our offensive line blocked very well, (quarterback) Jeff (Driskel) threw it well, (reciever) Trent (Taylor) caught it well, our defense played very well, special teams played well. If we didn’t get turnovers, we couldn’t have scored. That is why I say that. Coach Holtz did a great job on calling plays.” Unfortunately, Navy Quarterback Keenan Reynolds broke Dixson’s all-time touchdown record days later during his team’s bowl game. Though Tech is losing big-time playmakers, there are still quality ones returning next year with the most notable being Taylor, who ended his junior campaign with 99 receptions, 1,282 yards, and 9 touchdowns, emerging as Driskel’s go-to receiver and a Biletnikoff Award (going to the best receiver in college football) finalist. Taylor said this Tech senior class was a great one and he was honored to play with them. “(Playing with them) is a big deal,” Taylor said. “I have enjoyed this senior class immensely. It is an honor to be on the field with them. We have plenty of senior leaders on the offensive side and plenty on the defensive side. Just the humbleness of each and every one of them, they are great leaders for this whole team. Hopefully going into next year and all the following years we can reenact the same way that they have led us.”
Photo by Donny J. Crowe/ LA Tech Communications
Kenneth Dixon holds up his Most Valuable Player trophy from the R+L Carriers Bowl after the Bulldogs 47-28 win on Dec. 19. Dixon finished the game with 4 TDs and 215 total yards.