The Tech Talk 1.23.15

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JANUARY 23, 2015

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VOLUME 89 • ISSUE 11

Attendees of a rally in support of the victims of two terrorists attacks on French soil gather in New York’s Washington Square Park with signs that proclaim “Je Suis Charlie (I am Charlie).”

Photo courtesy of AP

Tech students speak out on Charlie Hebdo office attacks KAILEE COURTS Staff Reporter The city of Paris stood still last week after a terrorist attack.

The French government said it was a radical Islamist group who attacked the offices of the satirical newspaper “Charlie Hebdo.”

Twelve people were killed and 11 were injured in the attack.

The news of the attack shocked people around the world including French students at Tech.

Arthur Manahade, a freshman “When I read computer science major, said he found about the attacks, out about the news via Facebook.

“I do not know how to describe all I could do was what I was feeling,” he said. “It was cry.” hard to believe at first because the terrorists were French citizens.”

VALERY JUNIQUE Valery Junique, a French teaching French teaching assistant assistant, did not want to believe the news when he saw it.

“Every morning, I wake up and read the news from France,” he said. “When I read about the attacks, all I could do was cry.”

Junique said this is not something that happens in France.

“This was the first time in history this has happened,” he said. “It was an attack on our freedom.”

While there were students concerned about what was happening in France, some students were concerned about America’s reaction to the event.

Tiffany Easter, a sophomore political science major, said she thinks the U.S. needs to address what happened.

“We are allies with France and I think we should show our respect,” she said. “Our president did not join the other leaders in France.”

Easter said she thinks President Barack Obama is just dancing around the topic of radical Islam.

“Us not saying anything makes it look like we are unconcerned with our allies,” Easter said. “I really think we should show some support.”

Junique said although what happened was a tragedy, the French people are now rallying together.

“There is the whole ‘Je suis Charlie’ thing,” he said. “It means ‘I am Charlie’ but it does not just represent the newspaper, it represents the French people as a whole and we are in this together.”

Four million French citizens walked the streets of Paris for peace Sunday.

Junique said this is the first time in history where the French are uniting for a cause like this.

“People did not even celebrate like this after the second world war,” he said. “It just shows how strong the French really are.”

Junique said even though the event is a big deal, the only thing they can do now is move on.

“This whole thing just shows that people can attack us, but we will not change for them,” he said.

Email comments to kec029@latech.edu.

Tech announces Quality Enhancement Plan JOHN SADLER Editor-in-Chief Most Tech students will agree: speech classes are something to take senior year, rather by choice or by inability to get into the class, and with 79 percent of Speech 110 and 87.5 percent of Speech 377 being made up of juniors and seniors, according to Tech, the numb officials ers seem to agree.

These KING numbers, coupled with the rising demands for communication skills in the job market, led Tech to develop Blue Fire, a Quality Enhancement Plan that will change how communications skills are taught at the university.

Jim King, vice president for student advancement, said the program will give students the skills they need not only to make it through college, but through life.

“Our students are bright.

How do we complement that?” he said. “Developing these (communication) skills seems consistent with what we are trying to do academically.”

The QEP is part of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools’ accreditation reaffirmation process. Every 10 years a new QEP is instituted; the last QEP’s product was the Bulldog Achievement Resource Center.

The program will initially consist of two courses, COMM 101: The Communication Experience, and FYE 100: The Experience. The standard Speech 110/337 classes will still be available to take as classes.

The courses are designed to help all aspects of students’ communication skills, from intercultural communication skills to presentation skills.

> see QEP page 10

NEWS

2 • The Tech Talk • January 23, 2015

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Aviation students pursue dreams FREDEDREIA WILLIS Staff Reporter

aviation.

“Tech has a great flight program and we really It is common for chil- have to hand it to the staff,” dren to be asked what they O’Brien said. “The instrucwould like to be when they tors and department do grow up. everything in their power Many say their dream is to make sure students are to fly, but even at a young learning in a professional age, some Louisiana Tech and safe environment.” students truly meant it and Tech owns a fleet of 13 have pursued their child- Cessna airplanes and conhood fantasy of becoming ducts both ground and flight a pilot. training to give C o n n e r students profesO’Brien said his sional training first time flying he and experiences. was a bit nervous, Flight operabut flying out of tions are headBrown Field in quartered at southern CaliforRuston Regional nia was a flight to Airport in the be remembered.

Louisiana Tech “I was only Flight Opera15 years-old at tions Building. the time,” said Nicholas Cox, O’BRIEN O’Brien, a fresha senior profesman professional sional aviation aviation major. major, said he has wanted “When I took off I had to be a pilot since the fourth Mexico on my left, the Pa- grade, and Tech’s aviation cific Ocean out in front of department prepares him me and the U.S. to my right.” to become a skilled pilot by O’Brien said it was the creating a professional and most exhilarating thing he supportive atmosphere. had done up to that point in “My first solo flight I was his life. so nervous not having my From then he knew be- instructor in the plane,” he coming a pilot was what he said. “But my instructor was wanted to do. in my ear the entire flight Tech provides the train- encouraging me and helping for students whose ing me to remain calm.” dream is to become a pilot Cox said it takes a great by offering programs and leader to be a great instrucsupport through Tech’s de- tor and Tech’s ultimate goal partment of professional is to produce the best pro-

Photo by Bobby Dunn

Nicholas Allen, a senior professional aviation major, is a flight instructor for Louisiana Tech at the Ruston Regional Airport.

fessional pilots who can not only fly well but can instruct and encourage others.

Callie Billingsley said she wants to be a pilot because she has a strong desire for traveling and experiencing new heights, and flying guarantees both.

“The first time I flew in a small; private aircraft was the day I knew my desire for flight could be made real,” said Billingsley, a professional aviation major. “I was amazed at being able to touch the controls and feel the movement of the

airplane as well as the outstanding beauty of the earth that anything over 3,000 feet guarantees.”

Billingsley said being a pilot is not far out of reach, it simply takes effort.

“It will be the best decision of a person’s life,

whether they are in it as a hobby or a profession, aviation can lead students to people and places they never thought possible,” she said.

Email comments to flw005@latech.edu.

Seminar helps students dress for the workforce KAILEE COURTS Staff Reporter

tant to dress for success from the very beginning.

“Employers notice even Studies show it only takes the smallest details of your seven seconds for someone outfit,” he said. “If students to establish an impression of know how to dress before another person upon meet- they go, it can make a huge ing them for the first time. difference.”

To maximize the positive Jordan Crume, a senior impact a first marketing major, impression would said she thinks have on future these seminars employers, students are very attended a seminar beneficial. to learn how to “This seminar dress professionally gives you an for job interviews. idea of how you C a s e y should dress for Beckley, a Kohl’s interviews,” she representative from said. “It is from the Monroe store, a professional taught the seminar BECKLEY standpoint so it on what employers makes it even look for when they better.” are interviewing potential Crume said she thinks employees. students should take “When you go for an in- advantage of the resources terview, you are marketing Tech has to offer. yourself,” she said. “You are “There are seminars for responsible for your own ca- students to attend and the reer experience.”

Career Center,” she said.

Beckley said it is imporDuring the seminar,

Beckley not only told students how to dress, but also what employers look for in interviews.

“Employers look for certain skills,” she said. “They want to know how well you work with others, about your communication skills and how you plan and manage projects.”

Beckley said students should always be confident because they are marketing themselves for the position.

Ron Cathey, director of Counseling and Career Services, said the seminars are designed to prepare and encourage students in the often-overwhelming experience of seeking an internship and employment.

“The seminars are designed to provide students with confidence, poise and professionalism,” he said.

“These qualities are what employers are looking for.”

Needs enthusiastic, ambitious and friendly

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Someone that enjoys interacting with people on a daily basis in a business manner.

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For more information call 257-3201 or send inquiries to mleblanc@latech.edu.

Email comments to kec029@latech.edu.

UPCOMING EVENTS FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

• No calender events

• Women’s basketball: Rice vs. LA Tech at 6 p.m.

• Women’s tennis: Nicholls State vs.

LA Tech

• Job and Internship Strageties for Beginners at 10- 11 a.m. at the Career Center.

• Swim club meeting at 7 p.m.

Lambright.

•No calendar events

• “The Last Night at the Ballyhoo” opening night at 7:30 p.m. at the Stone Theatre.

• Men’s basketball home game Western Kentucky vs. LA Tech at 6 p.m.

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NEWS

January 23, 2015 • The Tech Talk • 3

New living facilities coming soon ALEX HEARD Staff Reporter

Guidry, a senior Art major at Tech. Guidry knows that it is hard to really settle in when living conditions are so unpleasant.

Louisiana Tech dorms are to become much more bear“We need places where we feel at home, places we can able in the foreseeable future. settle into and want to actually be there,” Guidry “The university is designing facilities to resaid. place dormitories with construction set to begin King says he and his associates will definitely February of next year,” said Jim King. lend an open ear to the students on what they King, vice president for student advancement, would want in these new halls. understands that dormitory living at the univer“We are going to build these facilities resity has not been that enjoyable in the past and sponding to students’ different needs and deneeds to change. sires,” King said.

“These new facilities will have different ameSeveral Tech students expressed their needs nities,” King said. “to help students have a much and desires for the new residential facilities. more pleasant residential life on campus.”

“If the bathrooms had bathtubs, I do not Living space is one of the more unpleasant know how they could get any homier,” said Sarfeatures of the current dormitories at Tech. ah Hermann, a freshman pre-med major.

“They will be suite-like accommodations,” Herman also believes the current living arKING King said. “We want to give them a much more rangements at Tech are not fun to be around. homey feel, one that our students can enjoy.”

“The rooms need thermostats,” said Thomas A homey feel is one of the main things students believe Johnson, a senior graphic design major. the current dormitories lack.

Room temperature is something Johnson feels is one of “We need places to live that we can enjoy,” said Laura the things that make the dormitories so uncomfortable.

“It is almost impossible to work uncomfortably,” Johnson said. “The current dormitories’ thermostats are set on whatever the school decides on, and many times those temperatures are not ones that students enjoy.”

The new residential halls will address the issue of whole floors having to share a single bathroom.

“There will be no more than two people sharing bathrooms,” King said. “We understand communal bathrooms is probably the most criticized feature of the current dorms and we want to fix that.”

These new halls will have areas for students to interact.

“In the communities will be new and exciting service areas,” King said, “a Tolliver-esque environment but in the residential halls instead.”

Students across Tech’s campus have different majors; therefore, some must stay up late to complete all the work their major requires them to do.

“They should have places that stay open late,” said Madison Butler, a freshman medical technology major. “A place like Cane’s or Zaxby’s, for the students who wish to eat while they do their engineering homework.”

Email comments to amh072@latech.edu

Wasserman to write second book FREDEDREIA WILLIS Staff Reporter

ies born of a culture of nuclear fear between 1979 and 1991,” Wasserman Along with artists from said. “I will be looking at New York, California and a local reaction to a global Colorado, Louisiana Tech’s concern, which produced new art historian received a new types of art responsprestigious grant from a na- es.” tional organization to supHe said his book will port his upcoming book. touch on global concerns Andrew Wasserman, like the end of the Cold an assistant professor of War, the rise of nuclear art and architecture his- proliferation as a military tory, has been awarded a tool.

Creative Capital The book also Warhol Foundawill note how the tion Arts Writers rise of nuclear Grant. power itself creWa s s e r m a n ated uneasy resaid the grant lationships in would be used for several American a second book cities. project he is in the Saul Zalesch, very early phases associate profesof working on and sor of art history, he is excited about WASSERMAN said it is very imbeing able to work pressive Wasseron the project man has received with the grant. this grant from the Warhol “The grant will give me Foundation. the opportunity to travel to “We are delighted that a number of different ar- Wasserman has joined us chives and libraries to really this year at Tech,” Zalesch dive into the book project,” said. “ I have been here for Wasserman said. “The nice 20 years and his interest thing the Creative Capital begins where mine basicaland Warhol Foundation is ly leaves off. It has been a they are really interested perfect fit for our program.” and sponsoring new work He said Wasserman and ideas.” brings bold and new methWassermann said the odologies and new apfoundation is really giving proaches to art history. people a chance to ex“With his grant he is goplore new topics, which for ing to make our program a number of reasons have so much stronger,” Zalesch not been explored in the said. “We are excited the history of contemporary foundation found his proart. posal one of the most deThe grant is designed to sirable.” support writing about conHe said Wassermann is temporary art, as well as to fresh from graduate school create a broader audience and brings new approachfor arts writing. es, which probably will beThe program also aims come the norm in art histo strengthen the field as a tory and that he will make whole and to ensure critical the department more of an writing remains a valued attraction for incoming and mode of engaging the vi- current students. sual arts.

Wasserman said he is The grant will support excited about this project, research on Wasserman’s and that it is a really good new book, “Bang! We’re All opportunity to work toward Dead! The Places of Nucle- publication. ar Fear in 1980s America.”

“I will be investigating Email comments to public art in American cit- flw005@latech.edu.

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4 • The Tech Talk • January 23, 2015

Insight The

TechTalk

FBI misunderstands free speech

MANAGEMENT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF John Sadler

MANAGING EDITOR Cody Sexton

NEWS EDITOR

Ray Patterson

ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Cody Sexton

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Kelsy Kershaw

MULTIMEDIA EDITOR

Wynnifred Sanders

SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Anna Whitaker

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Deepanjan Mukhopadhyay

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Jaclyn Perry Colin Fontenot Devin Dronett Carter Carroll Brian Blakely

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The Bottom Line

FROM THE EDITOR

JOHN SADLER Editor-In-Chief

O

n Jan. 15, FBI director James Comey sent a letter to the New York Times accusing it of allowing the paper to be “used” by al-Qaeda in an article published on the Charlie Hebdo attacks.

What was the passage he was so incited about?

In an article written by Eric Schmitt, Mark Mazzetti and Rukmini Callimachi, the Times printed the following paragraph: “A member of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, who spoke to The New York Times on the condition of anonymity, said the joint timing of the two operations was a result of the friendship between Mr. Coulibaly and the Kouachi brothers, not of common planning between the al-Qaeda group and the Islamic State.”

Comey called the paper’s decision to publish the al-Qaeda member’s statements anonymously “mystifying” and “disgusting.”

How, exactly, are they disgusting?

I’m not sure what Comey thinks the protocol is for interviewing alQaeda members should be, but the way this interview happened was the anonymous source contacted the Times over a secure messaging system.

There was no person-to-person contact, and no names were requested by the Times.

An alias would probably have been given if the source were asked.

Now, anonymous sources are a touchy subject in journalism. Avoidance of their use is preferable because they can raise questions about the credibility of the quotes.

And anonymously quoting an enemy combatant is an even touchier subject.

Almost always, the source is playing the publication to get out the information his organization wants out.

As such, extreme care must be taken when quoting sources from groups such as al-Qaeda, especially anonymous ones.

But the Times did take care.

The information was integral to

the story, and Comey’s misguided outrage assumes Al Qaeda members have no information we could possibly need.

Refusing to publish information helpful to the point of the story just because the source is ideologically opposed to the publication’s country is not good journalism.

In fact, it would be shoddy journalism. Journalism, if done correctly, is not about the advocation of ideas (op-ed writing excluded, of course).

It is about the distribution of information. So the public can be informed.

It is entirely possible to report something without condoning it.

The Times did not condone Al Qaeda’s actions or statements. It reported the facts.

Comey’s knee-jerk reaction shows it’s a damn good thing he has no actual power in this situation.

John Sadler is a junior journalism major from Extension who serves as editor for The Tech Talk. Email comments to jts040@latech.edu.

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SOME R’ELLIE GOOD ADVICE

DEPARTMENT HEAD

Dr. Reginald Owens

A walk down the block, a child shall not

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ELLIE MOSLANDER Associate Multimedia Editor

R

ecently in Maryland, authorities have threatened to possibly take a couple’s children away from them on the grounds of child neglect.

When hearing this statement, many people would feel sad for the children, wonder what the parents did or how they could neglect their children.

The reason Danielle and Sasha Meitiv are under scrutiny is for allowing their 10 and 6 –year- old children to wander around the neighborhood unaccompanied by an adult.

Serious neglect? I don’t think so.

The reason there is so much concern for these children, is because their parents allow them to walk two blocks and sometimes even a mile away.

The distance is long, but if the Meitiv’s believe it is reasonable allowing this and they feel their children are safe, I don’t see how they

are in the wrong here.

While child neglect is a horrible and a very real thing, in this particular situation it does not seem to be the case.

They said they allow their children to walk around together because they feel the neighborhood is safe and secure.

Perhaps it would be a slightly different matter if the 6-year-old was wandering around alone, but this is not the case.

Concerned parents alerted authorities and later on, child protective services as well.

After a visit to the home, child protective services told the parents they must set up a “safe parenting plan”.

If they do not sign the consent forms the children can immediately be taken away from them.

Taking a child away from a parent should not be taken lightly and it must be carefully determined what is best for the child.

In this instance, the children are

not being harmed; they are simply being allowed to do something others may not agree with.

Even if it is unsafe for the children to be wandering around, this is not grounds to take the children away.

What the children are doing is not even very unusual. Many children are allowed to walk around in my neighborhood accompanied by a friend, which seems reasonable.

These parents probably did not expect to let their children go for a walk and later on be faced with the reality of losing their children.

Others may frown upon their methods, but if they are not hurting their children they should not be told how to parent them.

They are simply giving their children more freedom and they have the right to do so.

Ellie Moslander is a junior journalism major from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and serves as associate multimedia editor for the Tech Talk. Email comments to emo012@latech.edu.

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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, clas­ sification 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/.

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LET’S GET ONE THING STRAIGHT

The real American snipers are filmmakers CODY SEXTON Managing Editor

I

don’t know if anyone is aware, but a movie about an American sniper premiered recently. It was cleverly named “American Sniper.”

The film, staring Bradley Cooper, is based on the autobiography of Chris Kyle and chronicles his four tours in the Iraq war.

Did y’all read that correctly?

“Based on.”

A tricky phrase which when said, some people think means completely 100 percent true. While many viewers believe they are getting an exact play-by-play, they fail to realize they have just fallen prey to the Jedi mind tricks of Hollywood.

Notorious for glorifying war, Hollywood has found in the Clint Eastwood-directed adaptation of the life of Kyle another way to guarantee people shell out $10 for a movie ticket. Because it’s simply un-American and borderline communist to not watch and love a film about an American hero who risked his life for his country, right?

Let one thing be made abundantly

clear: no criticisms of Kyle are being made. Those are all being saved for those in Hollywood who know they can secure an Oscar by making a film in the guise of honoring a veteran by playing up his time in the military.

Viewers are lied to from the moment the film begins when Kyle’s job requires him to shoot a woman and her child who were attempting to bomb U.S. Marines. There is no account of Kyle shooting a child in that moment of his career. The myriad of dramatizations continue until the film’s final scene when Kyle leaves his family to help a soldier suffering from PTSD. As Kyle and his soon-tobe killer head for the ill-fated therapy session at the shooting range, Taya Kyle, played by Sienna Miller, looks on in concern as if she psychically knows something is wrong. Like she’s Cassandra forseeing the downfall of Troy. The fake baby used as Kyle’s newborn daughter was honestly more believable than half of the film.

While it is not so blatantly the piece of anti-Muslim propaganda it is accused of being, the film is strategically-edited and misconstrues the truth. Like in the scene where Kyle

and his wife are watching the 9/11 attacks in horror followed by him fighting al-Qaeda in Iraq as if the two incidents are directly related.

By the end of the film, viewers should have the common sense to realize the film sticks about as much to the truth as “The Strangers” did to the Sharon Tate murder (Google it).

“American Sniper” paints a blackand-white image of good vs. evil in a world of absolutes, which is not the case. There is no black and white in the world, as Eastwood would have viewers to believe. Even in the short glimpse of Kyle’s killer in the final scene he is portrayed as a sketchy villain instead of a sick veteran, which is insulting.

And for the critics of Kyle, the probability he was a patriot with a love for serving his country is greater than him being a psychopath with a bloodlust.

Have the common sense to not believe the snipers of Hollywood.

Cody Sexton is a senior journalism and marketing major from Seattle who serves as managing editor for The Tech Talk.

Email comments to cls068@latech.edu.

Beware: they can ‘see’ you It looks like a fancy stud finder; they call it the Range-R and law enforcement agencies have been using them since 2012.

A recent article in USA Today describes the Range-R’s as a handheld radar unit. It is designed to send out radio waves that detect movement from as far awat as 50 feet.

Even concrete and brick walls cannot stop these units from seeing you.

They can catch the slightest movements, even breathing.

Sound kind of cool? Well it is, in theory.

Sure, the units help ensure the safety of officers when storming a building or rescuing hostages but they pose possible threats on our rights granted to us by the Fourth Amendment.

While the technology is useful for weeding out the criminal acts of bad guys, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. The slightest infringement on our rights could be a foot hold for future, possibly larger, infringements.

Say technology advances and offers want a further developed edition that can see more clearly into a person’s home; the precedent would already be there.

Legally, to search a person’s home, law enforcement officials must have a search warrant. Well, no search warrants are being issued with the use of these units.

Not only that, but these devices have been used since 2012. The USA Today article notes that about 200 devices have been sold to 50 law enforcement agencies at around $6,000 per unit. That is at least $180,000 that has been spent on them thus far.

Why is it we are now in 2015 and just being notified? Can we even trust those who are supposed to protect us?

While some say no, others say yes.

The nature of these units is not necessarily a breach of privacy because they do not allow officers to literally see in your home. They are more of an instrument to detect heat signatures.

Ultimately, they are tools that are used to protect officers during potentially life-threatening situations. As heavily scrutinized as law enforcement agencies have been lately, there is no doubt more flack will come from the public introduction of these units.

Policemen’s credibility has been scrutinized by the media lately and the questions these units are raising are not going to help.

Doing things for safety reasons does not justify invading privacy.

Where do we draw the line? Why must privacy be sacrificed for safety?

The USA Today article mentions other radar devices with more advanced features such as 3D displays of where a person is located inside a building.

Using these devices as battlefield technology is one thing; that is what it was designed for. However, bringing it into civilian policing is where red line is crossed.

In 2001, the Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution bars police from scanning the outside of a home with a thermal camera unless in possession of a search warrant. This rule specifically applied to radar-based systems.

So, basically, those whose job it is to make sure we obey the law can defy it, and invade our privacy in the process.

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World W&NBRIEFS WORLDNEWS Canadians direct air strikes in Iraq TORONTO (AP) —The Canadian special forces in northern Iraq have been helping Kurdish peshmerga fighters by directing coalition airstrikes against Islamic State extremists — work generally considered risky because it means they are close to the battle against the group.

Five corpses found in Greek tomb ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Human bones found in a resplendent ancient tomb in northern Greece belong to at least five individuals, including an elderly woman and a baby, Greek officials said Monday.

Coen brothers lead jury at film festival PARIS (AP) — The Cannes Film Festival says brothers Joel and Ethan Coen will be the festival jury’s first joint chairmen.

The brothers will lead the jury that decides this year’s winners of the European equivalent of the Oscars, which runs from May 13-24.

Cosby performance recieves applause TURLOCK, Calif. (AP) — Bill Cosby was embraced by fans on Sunday during his first performance in California since allegations of past sexual assaults surfaced.

The Modesto Bee reports Cosby was greeted warmly and left with a standing ovation at Turlock Community Theatre. Only one protester showed up to Cosby’s comedy tour stop in the Central California city.

STATENEWS Jindals’ statement aimed at candidacy WASHINGTON (AP) — Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal plans to double down on the assertion there are neighborhoods in Western nations where Islamic traditions trump civic laws, a move which appears to be aimed at standing out in a crowded field of potential Republican candidates for president.

Ex-Sorrento mayor pleads not guilty GONZALES (AP) — Former Sorrento Mayor Wilson Longanecker Jr. pleaded not guilty Tuesday to child pornography and aggravated animal cruelty charges, but his lawyers reserved the right to change the plea to not guilty by reason of insanity.

January 22, 2015 • The Tech Talk • 5

Nation

Paris begins terrorist attack trials ASSOCIATED PRESS PARIS (AP) — French anti-terror prosecutors were seeking to charge four men Tuesday in connection with the attacks in Paris that left 20 people dead, which would be the first suspects charged in the country’s bloodiest terrorist attacks in decades.

The four men remained in court late Tuesday awaiting an anti-terror judge’s decision on whether to open preliminary investigations against them.

The possible charges were expected just hours before the French government was to unveil new measures aimed at helping head off future attacks, giving police more power to tap phones, monitor Web sites and force Internet companies to block messages of hate posted online.

Prime minister Manuel Valls will present new security measures Wednesday including efforts to increase i n t e l l i ge n c e - g a t h e r i n g against jihadis and other radicals, block their activities on the Internet, and prevent them from collaborating inside prisons or traveling abroad to fight, President Francois Hollande said.

France is on high security alert after the country’s

AP Photo/Francois Mori

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, left, Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo, center, and Patrick Pelloux, right, a staff member of the Charlie Hebdo newspaper, arrive to lay a wreath outside Charlie Hebdo offices, in Paris on Tuesday. worst terrorist attacks in decades. The court case and the arrests came as Valls urged his nation to do some soul-searching about the country’s deep ethnic divisions and declared that fighting hatred, anti-

Semitism and racism was a top priority.

The Paris prosecutor’s office said the four men in court Tuesday were suspected of providing logistical support to Amedy Coulibaly, one of the

terrorists killed by police, and requested they be detained longer on weapons and terrorism charges.

Coulibaly shot a policewoman to death on the outskirts of Paris and then killed four

hostages inside a kosher supermarket before being shot dead by police. It is not clear whether the four suspects, all in their 20s, were involved in plotting the attacks or even aware of Coulibaly’s plans.

Obama addresses issues Victims of Wahlberg in his State of the Union speak out on pardon: He isn’t an exception

ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON (AP) — Refusing to bend to the new Republican Congress, President Barack Obama unveiled Tuesday night an ambitious State of the Union agenda steeped in Democratic priorities, including tax increases on the wealthy, education and child care help for the middle class and a torrent of veto threats for the GOP’s own plans.

The president vowed to use his veto pen to strike down the Republican leadership’s efforts to dismantle his signature accomplishments, including his health care and financial reform laws.

“We can’t put the security of families at risk by taking away their health insurance or unraveling the new rules on Wall Street or refighting past battles on immigration when we’ve got a system to fix,” Obama said.

The centerpiece of Obama’s economic proposals marked a shift away from the focus on austerity and deficit reduction that has dominated his fiscal fights with Republicans.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

AP Photo/Mandel Ngan, Pool

President Barack Obama delivers his State of the Union speech to a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill.

In a direct challenge to GOP economic ideology, Obama called for the increasing of the capital

gains rate on couples making more than $500,000 annually, to 28 percent.

BOSTON (AP) — A victim of one of Mark Wahlberg’s racially motivated attacks as a teenage delinquent in segregated Boston in the 1980s insists he shouldn’t be granted a pardon for his crimes.

Kristyn Atwood was among a group of mostly black fourth-grade students on a field trip to the beach in 1986 when Wahlberg and his white friends began hurling rocks and shouting racial epithets as they chased them down the street.

“I don’t think he should get a pardon,” Atwood, now 38 and living in Decatur, Georgia, said in an interview with Associated Press.

“I don’t really care who he is. It doesn’t make him any exception. If you’re a racist, you’re always going to be a racist. And for him to want to erase it I just think it’s wrong,” she said.

Mary Belmonte, the white teacher who brought the students to the neighborhood beach that day, sees things differently. “I believe in forgiveness,” she said. “He was just a young kid — a punk — in the mean streets of Boston. He didn’t do it specifically because he

was a bad kid. He was just a follower doing what the other kids were doing.”

The 43-year-old former rapper, Calvin Klein model and “Boogie Nights” actor wants official forgiveness for a separate, more severe attack in 1988, in which he assaulted two Vietnamese men while trying to steal beer.

Wahlberg, in a pardon application acknowledges he was a teenage delinquent mixed up in drugs, alcohol and the wrong crowd.

He points to his successful acting career, restaurant ventures and philanthropic work with troubled youths as evidence he’s turned his life around.

“I have apologized, many times,” he told the AP in December.

When he was 16 yearsold , Wahlberg attacked two Vietnamese men, while trying to steal beer.

Judith Beals, a former state prosecutor involved in the cases, said Wahlberg’s crimes stand out because he violated the injunction with an even more violent attack on people of another race.

“It was a hate crime and that’s exactly what should be on his record forever,” Atwood said.

MORE TALK

6 • The Tech Talk • January 23, 2015

TOP LEFT: Jamie Roberie, a junior psychology major, and James Hughes, a junior history major, prepare to fold the flag after lowering it from the pole.

TOP RIGHT: Roberie and Hughes present folded flag as passerbys pay respects.

Photo by Colin Fontenot

ATTENTION. SALUTE. PLEDGE. Photo by Colin Fontenot

LEFT: Jamie Roberie, a junior psychology major, salutes the flag after transferring to, James Hughes, a junior history major.

RIGHT: The Cadets of the Air Force ROTC salute the flag as it is lowered by the honor guard.

Photo by Colin Fontenot

MORE TALK

. . .

r

January 23, 2015 • The Tech Talk • 7 Photo by Brian Blakely

To cadets, it is more than just raising the flag, it is honoring their country MICHAEL HOGE Staff Reporter

A large percentage of the population who have served in the military respect the flag whether or not they served in a war zone Beebe said.

“Seventy to 80 percent of people just don’t care; a few cars will stop,” Every Monday through Friday at 7 a.m. two cadets from Louisiana Hughes said.

Tech’s Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps raise the flag over Some people do not understand the importance of the flag ceremoTech’s campus. ny or that it even occurs.

“It’s a very humbling, very patriotic moment,” said Cadet Capt.

“I’ve never seen it happen, I don’t even know where the flag is,” Nick James Hughes, a junior history major. “I think of all those who came Rizzo, a freshman biology major, said. “I didn’t even know they were before me who died for the flag, I just feel so humbled supposed to lower the flag completely.” to carry the flag.”

He said he thought the proper thing to do when A typical day involves reveille, the duty of raising seeing the flag being raised or lowered was to stop. the flag, around 7 a.m., and retreat, the task of lowerArthur Clark, a freshman mechanical engineering ing the flag, usually around 4 p.m., Hughes said. major, said he only saw the flag being lowered once.

“During the week it’s assigned to cadets,” said Ca“I didn’t even think about it, I just kept on walking,” det Capt. Jamie Roberie, a junior Psychology major.

Clark said.

“We get calls to do details, anything to do with the Roberie said that during a flag lowering detail a flag really.” group of students walked by talking very loud and Roberie said every time the flag is raised or lowonly gave an apology for the disruption. Another exered, they are in uniform whether it is Air Force dress ample is when someone tied his or her moped to the blue or physical training uniforms. flagpole and it interfered with their flag duty Hughes She said when the flag is folded up on the flag desaid. tail there are 13 folds.

“Most of the population has never been in a warRoberie said she felt honored to do flag duty betime environment,” Beebe said. “Being in the military, cause of the people who served before her.

I have respect for the flag,” he said.

JAMES HUGHES “It really means two things as a citizen of the He said even cities farther away from military United States of America,” said Capt. Aaron Beebe, Cadet Captain and a bases like Ruston, support can be very high for the an assistant professor of aerospace studies, “It means junior history major military. that we’re carrying on paying respects to our flag, and “Just in Ruston people have come up to me and as a military member, paying my respects to all those said ‘Thank you for your service,’” Beebe said. that served before me.”

Hughes said the faculty seems to be more respectful than the student This is the first in a series of stories highlighting those in the university population. community who perform essential duties behind the scenes “After finishing a detail, Dr. Guice (Tech president) thanked me for doing the detail and lowering and raising the flag day in and day out,” Email comments to mph027@latech.edu.

Roberie said.

“I think of all those who came before me who died for the flag; I just feel so humbled...”

DESIGN BY KELSY KERSHAW

8 • The Tech Talk • January 23, 2015

Arts Entertainment

www.thetechtalk.org

Art exhibit showcases students’ talent Kayla Tidwell and Allison Walker observe one of the pieces in the art exhibition held in the F. Jay Taylor Visual Arts Center.

Photo by Brian Blakely

MATTHEW VALCHO Staff Reporter The Louisiana Tech School of Design hosted its Third National Louisiana Biennial Juried Exhibition on Tuesday in the F. Jay Taylor Visual Arts Center.

Held once every two years, the exhibition was a chance for not only Tech students to show off their work but also attracted artists from around the country to present their best to a nationally-known juror.

Naima J. Keith is an assistant curator at The Studio Museum in Harlem, New York. Keith was brought to Ruston to juror, or judge, the nearly 800 pieces of art submitted to the School of Design.

“This exhibition is a great opportunity for visitors and students to see works from across the country and right here at home,” Keith said. “It really is a chance to see what’s out in the art community.”

Keith had to narrow the field of 800 pieces down to 36, as well as pick two honorable mentions, a juror’s choice and a best in show.

“Everything was essentially up to me,” Keith said. “I had the floor plan for the gallery so I could start choosing based on the layout of the room. Considering that we have many different places represented, I really wanted to show a cross section of all the applicants and their work.”

Yoshie Sakai, a part-time video art teacher from Los Angeles, earned an honorable mention at the show.

“I had a friend on Facebook that posted about it so I decided to enter,” Sakai said. “My decision seemed to pay off pretty well.”

The point of having Keith as the juror was to get a professional and unbiased view of all the art. Despite the unclouded judgment, a Louisiana Tech graduate won best in show.

Diana Synatske graduated with a Master of Fine Arts from Louisiana Tech in 2013. Her piece “Camper” earned the former Bulldog a chance to have her own solo show next year in the Visual Arts Center.

“It’s great news that an alum won best in show,” Keith said. “It worked out well for the university.”

Frank Hamrick, an associate professor of photography in the Louisiana Tech School of Design, thinks the exhibition is great for the school.

“It’s a way for people in the art community to hear about Louisiana Tech,” Hamrick said. “It’s also a way for our students to get their name out there.”

The exhibition is also a learning experience for art students. “Events like this are a chance for up-and-coming artists to see what people are looking for in their work,” he said. “It’s good for a students and their future.”

Email comments to mvv002@latech.edu.

‘American Sniper’ sharpshoots opening weekCATHERINE BURKE Staff Reporter

less lives of his own men and took out countless deadly terrorists.

By eliminating terrorists, he put a target on his own head and made himself the No. 1 man to kill.

Kyle did not just have more kills than most, he also had more heart.

He lost a close friend while overseas and made it his No. 1 mission to take out his killer.

No surprise that the American Sniper kills his friend’s killer with a shot from almost a mile

Clint Eastwood does it yet again with the newest and arguably his best film he has ever directed, “American Sniper.”

The movie raked in over $90.2 million dollars its opening weekend.

Warner Bros.

“A m e r i c a n Sniper” goes much deeper American Sniper than this lethal career as a HHHII sniper.

Chris Kyle, portrayed

by Bradley Cooper, was a Texas-raised cowboy who answered the call to serve his country. away.

He always knew he had exceptional skills Kyle battled through four long tours in with a gun, so he figured he would use his Iraq while his wife stayed back in the states talents to defend our nation. and gave birth to two of their children alone.

Little did he know, Kyle would become When he returned to the states, the war the most deadly sniper in U.S. military his- was not over. Kyle constantly was paranoid. tory, which earned him the nickname “LegPTSD had taken over his mind and his end.” relationships with his friends and family. He His very accurate shooting saved count- could no longer function in a public environ-

Photo courtesy of the Washington Post

Bradley Cooper plays United States Navy SEAL Chris Kyle in “American Sniper.” ment.

Possibly the greatest war hero, Kyle overcame every obstacle that came his way in Iraq, but faces his toughest battle yet. Will he overcome it?

The patriotism, the emotions and the realness of the fight our military men go

through is absolutely beautifully portrayed in this film.

The straight-forward combat scenes really bring the war back here and instill a sense of pride in those Americans viewing the film.

Email comments to cjb660@latech.edu.

A&E

www.thetechtalk.org

January 23, 2015 • The Tech Talk • 9

‘B4.DA.$$:’ a hip-hop throwback JOHN SADLER Editor-in-Chief

“Paper Trails” shows the dualistic opinion Bada$$ holds about success.

Joey Bada$$, the most visWhile he appreciates the ible member of Brooklyn’s Pro money he has received due to Era crew, has finally answered his success, he laments the fact the calls for an official studio that it has turned what he previfollow-up to his two mixtapes, ously loved into a chore.

“1999” and “Summer Knights.”

“Like Me” is notable for both “B4.DA.$$,” pronounced “beits lyricism and its use of a prefore the money,” because, you viously unreleased beat from Cinematic know, reasons, legendary producer J Dilla.

B4.DA.$$ is a masterThe song combines perJoey Bada$$ fully produced sonal boasts, “I bet my cockiHHHII throwback to ness will boost her confidence/ the Golden Age Then you gon’ wonder where of Hip-Hop that your highness went,” with podisregards any litical statements, “Cats get dethought of entertaining the prevailing capitated for actin’ a fool/Blacks get their ass trap trend in the genre. sprayed just for makin’ a move.”

In other words, this isn’t Migos.

“Christ Conscious” is one of the stand-out It is, however, an immensely entertaining ride that fea- tracks of the album. tures production from The Roots, Hit-Boy, J. Dilla (RIP), A chest-beating ode to how awesome and members of the Pro Era crew that will stir up memo- Joey Bada$$ thinks Joey Bada$$ is, the song, ries of the ‘90s boom-bap scene. which was released as the third single, is one It’s apparent Bada$$ wears his influences on his sleeve, of the best examples of his lyrical abilities an admirable trait that can veer into dangerous territory if on the album. you fall into the trap of copying your heroes rather than There are a few weak points, however. taking inspiration from them.

All of the tracks after “On & On” didn’t It is a trap that Bada$$ largely avoids. seem to hook me as much as the beginning The sound he produces is simultaneously fresh and did. worn, with lyricism that veers into territory both poetic The beat on “Black Beetles” works well, in and braggadocio. theory, I think, but the faux-operatic singing The album opener, “Save the Children,” begins with a in the background begins to get grating. sample of a crowd at one of Badas$$’s concerts chantHowever, the album was pretty solid as a ing for him to come out. It segues into a funky jazz beat whole. which Bada$$ raps over with lyrics about growing up in On the track “On & On,” Bada$$ starts crime-ridden Brooklyn. the song by saying “Mama, I just booked a The breaks in the beat that serve to highlight his au- first-class ticket to my destiny, by the way.” totune-distorted voice are well executed. The song does If he keeps making albums like this, he have high notes, however. The phrase “black people are has. rumblin’” is repeated throughout: a mantra that highlights the positive changes that are occurring.

Email comments to jts040@latech.edu.

‘Tetsuo and Youth:’ Lupe Fiasco’s latest album is his best one JOHN SADLER Editor-in-Chief Lupe Fiasco is a hit-ormiss rapper for me, with none of his releases after his debut “Food and Liquor” having the same punch as the album that brought him on the scene.

H i s new album, “Tetsuo and Yo u t h , ” h o w e v e r, is (for the most part) a welcome return to form.

The album begins with the violin-centered instrumental “Summer” which leads into “Mural,” an almost 9-minute track in which Lupe’s impressive verbal gymnastics are put on display.

Lupe has always been pretty damn good at impressive wordplay and “Mural” doesn’t disappoint. This song, like all the good Lupe songs, requires more than one listen to wrap (heh) your head around.

Lupe mentions the video game Contra, the band Queen, The Smiths’ frontman Morrissey, the X-man Gambit and Count Chocula here, as well. It’s a kind of nerd hurricane of pop culture references.

“Adoration of the

Atlantic Records

Tetsuo and Youth Lupe Fiasco HHHII

Magi” is the best song off of the album. If “Mural” displayed Lupe’s wordplay skills, then “Magi” puts him up the next level.

Take a look at this verse: “Why you ready to die?

You just a baby/Why them tears up under your eyes?

You just a baby/Keep your head up in the sky, you just a baby/Quit chasing money, never mind, you just a baby/These Magi adore you/Why you wanna be born again? You just a baby/Why you playing in the streets? You just a baby.”

In order, Lupe is referencing “Ready to Die” by The Notorious B.I.G., “Tha Carter III” by Lil Wayne, “Nevermind” by Nirvana, “Born Again” by Black Sabbath, and “Illmatic” by Nas. Don’t believe me?

Go look at the albums

again, and remember Lupe keeps saying “you just a baby.”

The album was not without flaws, though.

One, it was too long.

Three songs sat at around nine minutes, and while I do not have a problem with long rap songs in general, these tended to lean into boring territory.

It’s impressive to be able to keep a concept going for nine minutes, but it has to be something people want to continue to listen to.

Two, the Ab-Soul feature on “They.Resurrect.Over.

New” is god awful.

I don’t know why Lupe decided to let him have the last word on this album.

If he was going to let someone besides himself finish the album up, then he should have at least made sure the verse wasn’t terrible.

Third, and perhaps most pressing of all, what the hell was up with the banjos on “Dots & Lines”? I thought my Shovels & Rope album had somehow gotten into my playlist.

Regardless of the faults, “Tetsuo & Youth” is a pretty solid album, and better than anything Lupe has put out in years.

Email comments to jts040@latech.edu

Photo courtesy of Brewerypost.com

SPEAK MAGAZINE

is avaliable digitally on issuu Go to issuu.com/speakmagazinemedia or download the issuu mobile app and search for SPEAK Magazine

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10 • The Tech Talk • January 23, 2015

Distractions WEEKLYHOROSCOPE www.horoscopes.com.net

Aries March 21 – April 19 If you’ve been thinking about studying astrology, numerology, or other occult sciences, Aries, this is the day to start. There may be a school or teacher that you’ve been considering. By doing this, you could open doors to new knowledge, meet new friends who share your interests, and steer your life in a fascinating new direction. Pick up the phone and take the first step.

Taurus Apr 20 - May 20 A woman you meet at work might point you in a new direction, Taurus. You should investigate all possible options. This could be a new intellectual interest, a technological skill, or possibly a new and more lucrative source of income. It may involve an unusual field, but don’t worry about that. The world is changing, so what seems unorthodox now could be commonplace tomorrow.

Gemini May 21 - Jun 20 A friend from far away could contact you by phone, email, or even in person, Gemini. This person might bring great news that suddenly turns your life in a new direction. This could involve a new intellectual study or possibly a new circle of friends. At any rate, you will certainly enjoy catching up and hearing what your friend has to say.

Cancer Jun 21 - Jul 22 You might try to learn a new computer program today, Cancer. You could find it a little confusing at first, but as you continue to learn, you will find that it makes things easier for you. You should master it more quickly than you thought. This may sound minor, but it will improve your productivity from now on, leaving you time to explore other possibilities or attend to important matters.

Leo Jul 23 - Aug 22 Today you may stumble into an unexpected new friendship, Leo. This could come as the result of a social event or an introduction by a close friend.

You will discover new rapport the likes of which you haven’t experienced in a long time. You could spend hours trading ideas. Make sure you exchange contact information. You will definitely want to stay in touch with this person.

Virgo Aug 23 - Sep 22 A group meeting of some sort, perhaps job related, could take place in your home today, Virgo. Whatever business the group has planned should be taken care of quickly and then you will be able to hang out and socialize. You might discover new aspects of your guests you didn’t

know existed. This could prove very enlightening for all concerned. Your bond with them will definitely improve.

Libra Sep 23 - Oct 22 A phone call from a close friend or love partner could bring a thrilling surprise your way today, Libra. An event has occurred that you either gave up on long ago or never dreamed of. This news could necessitate your spending a lot of time on the phone or computer making contacts, but that’s OK. You will be so happy that this happened that you won’t mind the time you spend on it.

Scorpio Oct 23 - Nov 21 If you own property, you might discover that its value has increased far beyond anything you dreamed of, Scorpio. This might involve real estate, but it could also involve other resources like stocks, bonds, or family heirlooms. What you choose to do with this information is up to you, but you will probably decide to hang on to what you have. It’s just nice to know it’s valuable.

Sagittarius Nov 22 - Dec 21 A surprising phone call or email could come your way today from a friend you haven’t heard from in a long time, Sagittarius. This should make you happy, as you’ve probably been wondering what this person was doing.

Some business changes may have occurred for your friend, but possible new opportunities might also be in the cards for you. Hear what your friend has to say, think about it, and decide later.

Capricorn Dec 22 - Jan 19 Today you may take up the study of astrology, numerology, alchemy, or other occult discipline. Your intellectual abilities are particularly sharp, Capricorn, so you may want to combine them with your tendency toward mysticism. This should keep you busy for much of the day, but you need to watch out for intellectual overload. You don’t want to forget what you’ve learned.

Take notes.

Aquarius Jan 20 - Feb 18 There’s someone you’ve wanted to meet for a long time, Aquarius, and today you might have the opportunity to introduce yourself. This could be a potential romantic interest, a teacher you’ve wanted to study with, or someone interesting you might like for a friend. Sparks are apt to fly between you. Don’t hesitate, for this encounter could affect the rest of your life in some profound way.

CROSSWORDPUZZLE Across 1. ___ Beach, Florida 5. Boldness 10. Bicycle 14. Hgt. 15. Central Florida city 16. Came down to earth 17. Actor Auberjonois 18. Attended 19. Actress Kedrova 20. Bewhiskered 22. Immoderately vehement 24. Actor Kilmer 25. Guadalajara gold 26. Flavorful 29. Marseille Mrs. 32. Pisa place 36. Dies ___ 37. Takes care of 39. Never, in Nuremberg 40. In spite of 43. Gangster’s gun 44. Golf club 45. Designer Cassini 46. “All My Children” vixen 48. Small batteries 49. Perfect places 50. Sun Devils’ sch.

52. Actor Byrnes 53. Lord’s estate 57. Spirit 61. Goddess and sister of Ares in Greek mythology 62. Modern bank card 64. Disturb 65. Capital city of Peru 66. Accustom 67. Harper’s Bazaar illustrator 68. Suggestive look

www.bestcrosswords.com 69. U.Haul competitor 70. Per ___ Down 1. Action word 2. Gen. Robert ___ 3. Actress Sofer 4. Summary 5. Speech sound 6. Mil. school 7. ___ Cruces 8. Norwegian king 9. Rate 10. Round of voting 11. Nastase of tennis 12. Brick oven 13. Coup d’___ 21. June honoree 23. Rigel’s constellation 26. Burn a bit 27. Bellowing 28. Singer LaBelle 29. Conductor Zubin 30. Hostess Perle 31. Adlai’s running mate 33. Old-womanish 34. Fabric woven from flax yarns 35. Safecrackers 37. Actor Erwin 38. Paving material 41. Bridge declaration 42. Feeble 47. Roman general 49. Begley and Bradley 51. Below 52. Aromatic compound 53. Big name in PCs 54. Buffalo’s county 55. Jester

DAILY U

56. Start of a counting rhyme 57. Green land 58. Me neither 59. Make reference to 60. K-6 63. Partially opened flower

LAST ISSUE’S SOLUTION

Have any ideas for future comics or feedback? Email dwyer@latech.edu

Pisces Feb 19 - Mar 20 Do you feel helpless in the face of problems with technology? If so, you might surprise yourself today, Pisces. Some software that you use a lot could go haywire, and you won’t want to take the time to wait for a professional. Some study could enable you to come up with the solution on your own. Consulting a professional could demonstrate that you’re on the right track.

WEEKLYWEATHER

SUDOKUPUZZLE

www.accuweather.com

TODAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

HIGH 49 LOW 39

HIGH 58 LOW 36

HIGH 63 LOW 44

HIGH 63 LOW 37

HIGH 62 LOW 43

HIGH 65 LOW 45

HIGH 67 LOW 43

QEP from pg. 1

>

Linda Griffin, dean of student development, believes the courses will put Tech students far above their competition.

“Today’s university student is probably a lot smarter than first-year students when I started school,” she said. “Only one thing is missing: the opportunity for interpersonal relationships.”

The courses are designed to be taken back-to-back during the first year a student is enrolled in Tech.

“It is both an expansion of the communication department, and the first-year experience,” Griffin said.

King said that while Tech students are very bright, there are other skills needed to excel in the workforce and in college.

“Understanding the communication process is what the QEP is all about,” King said. “I believe my undergraduate career would’ve benefitted if I didn’t have an irrational fear of public speaking.”

King said the idea for the program came

from feedback they received from businesses that showed communication skills were one of the most sought-after skills in the workforce.

In fact, in a survey of alumni and employers in summer 2014 showed that 100 percent of alumni said communication skills were the most important thing a graduate should have, while 79 percent of employers agreed.

Tech president Les Guice said he is also excited about the benefits this program will give Tech students and graduates.

“I am confident that this QEP will enhance the skills of our graduates, making this the preferred destination for employers and future students,” he said.

Guice said the program holds up the national standards that Tech is held to.

“Tech is often referred to as a leader and innovator in education and research, and I believe this will further enhance the institution’s reputation for being out in front,” he said.

Email comments to jts040@latech.edu.

www.sudoku-puzzles.net

Difficulty HARD

LAST ISSUE’S SOLUTION

Sudoku Puzzle - Hard

Sudoku Solution - Hard

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Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 grid contains the digits 1 through 9.

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www.thetechtalk.org

January 23, 2015 • The Tech Talk • 11

New year.

New season.

New Maton.

Maton preparing for record-breaking season WILL TRAHAN Staff Reporter For the past three years, every time there was a Friday night baseball game, fans knew who was going to take the mound for the Bulldogs.

Senior Phil Maton is entering his last season in a Bulldog uniform and is looking for great things his final go-round.

As a freshman Maton had a 2.93 ERA and an 8-5 record and was named to the Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American Team.

He followed that up with a 2.70 ERA in his sophomore year, which led to him being named first team All-Western Athletic Conference.

Maton had an off year last year and posted numbers not typical to what you would expect from the right-hander.

He is looking to right the ship this year.

“The biggest thing I have worked on this year is location,” Maton said. “Last year I was up in the zone way too much. I want to be more consistent this year and overall be a more well-rounded pitcher.”

Maton is in the top 10 for a couple of records at Louisiana Tech.

He is ninth in career strikeouts with 234 and 10th

in career innings with 270.2 at Louisiana Tech.

“My big thing is doing a lot of drill work before “My goal is, honestly, that every time I leave the I pitch,” Maton said. “Not necessarily throwing a game, I leave the team with a good chance to win,” whole lot in the bullpen but doing a lot of weighted Maton said. ball throws or other drill work to fine tune my meMaton spent his first three seasons chanics before I get on the bump.” under long time Tech head coach Wade Maton has made a lasting impact on Simoneaux and will spend his last season his former teammates as well. under new head coach Greg Goff.

“Phil is a great guy on and off the “It is just really exciting knowing that field,” said Taylor Burch, a former cenwe have something special coming this ter fielder for the Bulldogs. “As a teamseason,” Maton said. “I think this year is mate, he is one of those guys that you going to be very different. I think we have can count on all the time to do what is a chance to make something happen and needed or asked of him.” get into the conference tournament.”

Burch said that all the younger playMaton hopes that some of the things ers look up to Maton, and he is the type that he does will rub off on the younger of teammate that has a great sense of guys that are just getting here. humor.

“Hopefully my competitiveness rubbed “When he gets on the field he is all off,” Maton said. “Attacking every hitter business and is a very hard worker that and not being intimidated by someone tries to master his craft each and every who has good stats. I want them to not be day,” he said.

MATON afraid to pitch their best stuff to everyone and try to give the team the best chance For more on Tech athletics, follow the to win when you come out.”

Tech Talk Sports Desk’s Twitter page at twitter.com/ Most pitchers have a routine that they develop techtalksports. through years of playing baseball and Maton is no different.

Email comments to bwt008@latech.edu.

www.thetechtalk.org

12 • The Tech Talk • January 23, 2015

Sports Talk Smith sets record as Tech remains unbeaten CATHERINE BURKE Staff Reporter Head Coach Mike White and his Dunkin’ ’Dogs have had more than an exceptional season thus far. The team has won 22 straight home games, the third longest streak in school history, and has set records while doing so.

The Bulldogs’ 74-71 win over the University of Alabama at Birmingham Blazers was groundbreaking for more players than one. Redshirt sophomore Erik McCree scored a game-high 26 points with two of his buckets setting career marks in crucial situations.

White said the crowd played a big role in the win.

“I thought one of the biggest factors of the game was our crowd,” White said. “I thought our crowd really helped us defensively and really pulled us through.”

White said there was a bit of a let down defensively against the Blazers.

“I just thought we were a little bit flat in the first few minutes, which set a tone for them being able to execute at the level in which they did for 40 minutes,” he said. “We were not the same team, but again, I do not want to take anything away from UAB. They had a lot to do with that.

They were terrific.”

Kenneth “Speedy” Smith broke the all-time record for career assists in the Bulldogs’ win over UAB with 715 career assists.

“He is a terrific passer who is unselfish,” White said. “That is all he cares about, helping his teammates get better and making the pass that leads to the basket.”

White could not have been

MATT VALCHO Staff Reporter

Photo by Donny J. Crowe

Senior point guard Kenneth “Speedy” Smith passed the Louisiana Tech all-time assists record last Thursday against UAB when he tallied his 715th career assist.

more complimentary of Smith in the UAB post-game press conference.

“People talk about his passing ability and his assists and the steals, but what makes Speedy speedy is his competitiveness,” he said. “He is a winner and any accolades he gets, I am happy for him.”

The team kept the wins rolling on Jan.17 with their 75-68 win over Middle Tennessee State University in the second annual (Mike) “White Out” game. Alex

Hamilton scored 30 points, tying his current season high, and set a record for made free throws in a game in Tech history when he went 20-23 from the charity stripe. Raheem Appleby was not far behind, tallying 18 points and Smith added to his record with 10 assists.

Hamilton was recognized for his performance by receiving his third Conference USA Men’s Basketball Player of the Week award and his first Louisiana Sports Writers’ Association Player of the

Week Award.

Hamilton totalled 50 points over the weekend while shooting 69 percent from the field, 100 percent from behind the 3-point line and 86 percent from the freethrow line.

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

Email comments to cjb066@latech.edu.

Former Louisiana Tech football coach returns to Ruston NEWS SERVICES

Gotch leaps into record books

this work and have Rick join the Tech Family.”

A college coaching veteran of over 30 seaLouisiana Tech head football coach Skip sons, Petri has made coaching stops at Ole Holtz announced Thursday that Rick Petri has Miss, Miami, South Carolina and Kentucky joined the staff as the team’s defensive line among others throughout his career. He joins coach. He joins the Tech family after holding a Tech program that is coming off an appearthe same position at Duke the last four years. ance in the Conference USA Championship This marks Petri’s second stint at Louisi- Game and a Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl win ana Tech after serving on the Bulldogs staff in over Illinois.

1992, the program’s fourth season in Division “I am fortunate to be coming into a proI-A (now FBS). gram that is building on accomplished suc“It is exciting to come back to Louisiana cess,” Petri said. “This is not an instance where Tech,” Petri said. “My wife and I you perceive the success coming in both have fond memories of our the future, it is already there. Just like time here – even though a few years the new end zone facility, you see have passed – and it is always excitthe building coming along and you ing to come back and see a place see the construction taking place. I where you have been, to see how it think it is important that we have a has changed for the better and you situation where we are already buildcan easily see the good things that ing on that success, not just talking are happening. The staff has been about the type of success we want very welcoming and Coach Holtz is to have. It is an exciting time to be at obviously one of the best in the busiLouisiana Tech with being a memness. I am excited to spend some ber of Conference USA, the teams time with him and learn from him we get to play and the opportunity to PETRI because you are always learning and recruit quality people. The program adding to what you do and what you is surrounded by quality people, believe in. It is an exciting time for both my people that enjoy football and want to continwife and me.” ue building the program the right way. It is an Petri joins the Tech staff after spending the exciting time to be a Bulldog.” last four seasons as the defensive line coach at In both 2012 and 2013, Duke’s defensive Duke where he helped the Blue Devils to 28 front that was guided by Petri, was spearheadwins over four seasons including the 2013 ACC ed by ends Kenny Anunike and Justin Foxx.

Coastal Division title and three bowl game ap- Anunike, who led the Blue Devils in sacks in pearances. each of his final three seasons, was a two-time “Rick brings such a wealth of experience All-ACC pick while Foxx, who served as a capwith a number of years coaching in the South- tain of Duke’s ACC Coastal Division champieastern Conference,” Holtz said. “He has onship team in 2013, finished his 45-game caturned out numerous players in the NFL and reer with 152 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss and brings a lot of experience that will help many 11.5 sacks. of our upperclassmen continue to elevate their Petri served on current Duke head coach game but, at the same time, help bring along David Cutcliffe’s staff at Ole Miss from 1998some of our freshmen that we are going to 04, helping the Rebels to a 44-29 record and need to contribute as we go forward. I could four bowl victories. In 2003, Ole Miss went not be more excited about being able to make 10-3, captured a share of the SEC Western

Division title and defeated Oklahoma State in the Cotton Bowl. While with the Rebels, Petri coached the defensive tackles and tutored a pair of first team All-SEC selections in Kendrick Clancy and Jesse Mitchell. Clancy went on to be a third round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2000 NFL Draft.

Petri went to Durham after spending the 2010 campaign at ACC member Miami. That year, the Hurricane defensive unit ranked among the league’s leaders in pass defense, pass defense efficiency, opponent third down percentage, opponent first downs, total defense, sacks and scoring defense.

From 2005-09, Petri was on the staff at Kentucky where he helped the Wildcats to four consecutive bowl game appearances that included victories over Clemson, Florida State and East Carolina. In Lexington, Petri coached three future draft picks in Myron Pryor (6th round, New England, 2009), Jeremy Jarmon (3rd round, Washington, 2010) and Corey Peters (3rd round, Atlanta, 2010).

A native of St. Louis, Mo., Petri got his start in coaching at Pittsburg State (1977-78). He then spent 10 years on the staff at Arkansas State before a three-year (1989-91) stint at Ole Miss under head coach Billy Brewer (a former Louisiana Tech head coach). During his first stint in Oxford, Petri coached Kelvin Pritchett, who was a first round choice of the Dallas Cowboys in 1991 and spent 14 seasons with the Detroit Lions and Jacksonville Jaguars.

After one season at Louisiana Tech (1992), he enjoyed three seasons at Miami (1993-95) as the Hurricanes went 27-7, won two BIG EAST championships, finished all three seasons ranked in the Associated Press national poll and played in both the Fiesta and Orange Bowls. In addition, Petri coached three future first round NFL draft choices in Warren Sapp, Kenard Lang and Kenny Holmes.

Petri is a 1976 graduate of the University of Missouri-Rolla. He and his wife, Marsha, have two sons, Brad and Kory.

The Louisiana Tech track team set the pace for the rest of the 2015 indoor and outdoor seasons after a strong showing at the Texas A&M Team Invitational.

Jarvis Gotch had the standout performance of the meet. Gotch, a redshirt junior from Carencro, won the long jump with a jump of 26’-2.75” (7.99m), which broke a 41-year-old Louisiana Tech school record and is currently ranked third in the world this season.

Gary Stanley, the track team’s head coach since 1988, isn’t surprised by Gotch’s record marks.

“We knew he had it in him,” Stanley said. “His jumping coach had been telling me and telling me that the mark was coming, so when he walked over and told me what he did at the meet, I couldn’t be surprised.”

Stanley gave credit to his assistant coach Calvin Robinson for the progress Gotch has made the last few seasons.

“Coach Robinson has done a remarkable job with Jarvis,” Stanley said. “This is the first time he has jumped this season, so obviously you have to think he can only get better.”

Robinson, assistant coach since 2012, knew what Gotch was capable of.

“There are very few people that wouldn’t surprise me with a jump like that,” Robinson said. “Jarvis is one of those few.”

Another winner at the Texas A&M Team Invitational was Bianca Jackson.

Jackson won the 60m hurdles with a time of 8.59, improving her qualifying time by .04 from 8.63.

Other notable performances came from Lady Techsters triple jumpers Jamelia Johnson, Danielle Zenon and Denisha Henix who finished fourth, fifth and sixth respectively.

Charla Craddock finished fourth in the 60m dash with a time of 7.65.

The women’s 4x400 relay team of Craddock, Diamond Every, Mia Adams and Cassie Divin finished in fourth behind teams from Texas A&M, Baylor, and Stephen F. Austin.

“I think we did well considering how early it is in the season,” Stanley said.

“It was a hard meet against strong opposition and the thing is, it is only going to get tougher.”

Stanley called their upcoming slate of meets a gauntlet.

“We travel to some tough places,” Stanley said. “How far we go will depend on how we gel in indoor season and the beginning of outdoor season.”

Email comments to mvv002@latech.edu.