MASTER PLAN 2020
Housing Check out the third part of the campus expansion series on student housing
BANDED
PAGE 3
They met at Tech, formed a band and now lead different career paths, but their music keeps them together PAGE 7
The
Tech Talk
PRSRT STD NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION US POSTAGE
PAID
RUSTON, LA PERMIT NO 104 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
THE STUDENT VOICE OF LOUISIANA TECH UNIVERSITY
JANUARY 28, 2016
WWW.THETECHTALK.ORG
Gotta have G.U.T.S.
VOLUME 90 • ISSUE 12
Delta Sigma Theta promotes student health care needs PAYTON POTTER Staff Reporter | jpp017@latech.edu
Mariel Davenport, a senior photography major, poses with her “How to Make A Monster”art book.
Students across North Louisiana display artwork at Enterprise Center exhibition CALEB DANIEL Staff Reporter | csd020@ latech.edu College artists from across northeast Louisiana gathered in the Rawle Enterprise Center on Jan. 22 to display their artwork at the sixth annual Art from the G.U.T.S. exhibition. Art from the G.U.T.S. (Grambling, ULM, Tech and Shreveport) showcases collegiate artistic talent along the I-20 corridor. Hannah Bustamante, gallery director, said the showcase serves as beneficial experience for students. “A lot of times, the students have never applied to a show before, and this is a good opportunity for them to learn how to do that before they hit the professional world,” Bustamante said. BUSTAMANTE “It’s a little less intimidating and more of a learning experience.” The showcase featured pieces from
Photos by Brian Blakely
Students view Davenports artwork, “I Will Kill You With My Bear Hands,” at the G.U.T.S. gallery held at the Enterprise Center. 17 student artists and encompassed a wide array of styles and media. The exhibition doubled as a competition, with best-in-show, first, second and third place designations awarded by an independent juror. Best-in-show went to “How to Make a Monster,” a handmade book created by Tech senior photography major Mariel Davenport. “I wasn’t expecting to win at all,” Davenport said. “I do things that are a bit creepy or off-putting to most people, so I didn’t really expect people to like them.” The book included art on the inside and outside. The cover was decorated with real
coyote teeth, while the pages themselves depicted in words and drawings the process of turning a regular animal into a monster. “I’ve always been a huge fan of horror,” Davenport said. “I used to write, so I wanted to incorporate both of those into this work. I wanted to write a book that I would have enjoyed as a kid myself, instead of some regular kid book about a cute bunny.” This year’s juror was Patrick Horne, a computer graphics/ video effects artist and 2004 Tech alumnus.
> see G.U.T.S. page 6
The Kappa Chi chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority took over the Student Center’s L-booth on National Youth Enrollment day to encourage fellow students to sign up for health insurance. Victoriann Manning, a junior clinical kinesiology student and president of Delta Sigma Theta, said students without coverage have to sign up or face a fine by the end of the month. “There are people on campus who may be 26 and older, or may not be carried by their parents, who need to sign up for affordable healthcare,” Manning said. “If you don’t sign up, there is a fee of $600 plus. The health care act has said that everybody has to have health care in 2016.” She said students should obtain health insurance coverage, even as a backup plan.. “It is important to have health care,” Manning said. “Anything can happen; anybody can have an accident. Especially for young people. We’re kind of irresponsible. We need something to fall on when something bad happens.” Senior economics major and social ac- “It is important to tion committee member Dashia Myles said the have health care. Affordable Care Act’s Anything can hapwebsite, healthcare.gov, makes getting insurance pen; anybody can coverage easy. have an accident. “You don’t have to go Especially for through all the barriers that you would with a job young people.” and having to meet certain qualifications,” Myl- VICTORIANN es said. “It’s affordable MANNING junior kinesiology major for people, so it makes them more inclined to want to get it.” Myles said even students with insurance coverage should visit the Affordable Care Act’s website. “College students should visit healthcare.gov even if they don’t think it’s for them,” she said. “Everybody should at least go check it out because you never know what valuable information you can find.” According to “Get Ready. Get Set. Get America Covered.,” a publication from the Health Insurance Marketplace, 80 percent of applicants are eligible to receive financial assistance when purchasing insurance policies. Furthermore, most applicants can find policies that cost less than $75 a month. Manning said Delta Sigma Theta commissioned each chapter to educate the public on health insurance. “We get to be creative and use our own resources, but we decided to come to the L-booth and talk to the student body today on National Youth Enrollment day,” she said.
> see DELTA page 6
NEWS
2 • The Tech Talk • January 28, 2016
www.thetechtalk.org
TALKBACK What do you think about the new businesses opening in Ruston? “I’m excited about Dairy Queen, because ice cream, and I think Walmart and everything else is great. there are more jobs for college students and more stuff to do.” JAMES HANCOCK Freshman electrical engineering major
Photos by Jonathan Shaul
The Better Living Market on North Monroe Street opened in November of 2015.
Better Living Market welcomed to Ruston “We are here to better people’s lives; making money is our secondary goal”
CANDACE CASEY Freshman family and child studies major
“It means another place to eat, a little more variety,. Newks is a little healthier than other options we have, so that’s good to have.”
KERRY WAGUESPACK Staff Reporter | kfw005@latech.edu If you are someone who likes to shop at grocery stores that sell natural fruits and vegetables, and submental vitamins to go along with a healthy lifestyle, look no further than Better Living Market. Better Living Market is located on the corner of North Monroe Street and West Alabama Avenue. Casey Hawkland, manager, is a Louisiana Tech alumnus who helped open the store in November 2015. “Some people think the store may be intimidating to walk into, but as soon as people do, it is a step in the right direction for their life,” Hawkland said. He said most of the people who work at the store also attend Tech, so the store tries to use the resource of the school being so close to everyone’s advantage. Making money is the main objective when opening a business, but not the only one for this store. “We are here to better people’s lives; making money is our secondary goal,” Hawkland said. Brittney Gamble, a junior finance major, works at the store and said she likes that she can help to improve the lives of others when they come into the store. “I feel this is a great opportunity for me as a young person,” Gamble said. “I can learn how to take care of
“I’m pretty excited about Walmart being right down the road from campus, so I don’t have to get on the freeway. I can just walk from campus so I don’t lose my parking spot, which is a real issue here, so it’s great.”
DAVID MAHAFFEY Junior secondary education major
“There are new places to be excited about, new places to shop, to eat. We do need a good family diner though, if I could make a suggestion.”
Adam Coughran and Sydney Thompson buy supplies from local market. my body as well as helping others to know how to better their lives going forward.” Gamble said ever since the store opened, there has been a constant flow of people through the door, but after the first of the year there has been a wider variety of people coming to the shop. “January has been our busiest month so far,” Hawkland said. “A lot people have been trying to seek out our help to make changes in their diets, also looking for supplements to help with their exercising,” Adam Coughran, a sophomore biology major, likes to shop at the store often because he has recently changed his eating habits to become more healthy. “I used to be overweight, and ever
since changing my eating habits and exercising routine, this is the type of store I like to do my grocery shopping” Coughran said. The younger generation of people starting college are the ones who are actively seeking out help when they come into the store, Hawkland said. “The millennials are having a healthier mind-set at a younger age, which is what makes what we’re doing easier,” he said. When people come to the store, Hawland said, they sometimes need help with the exact products they want, but generally they know what types of products they are looking for. “We are a very health conscious business, every product that we sell in the store will better your life in some way,” Hawkland said.
CAROL THOMPSON Sophomore biology major
“Dairy Queen was good; I went last night.”
JACORIEA HUNTER Freshman nursing major
UPCOMING EVENTS FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
• Sleeping Beauty performance at Howard Center for Performing Arts
• Bulldog Basketball vs. UTEP at Thomas Assembly Center TBA
• Bulldog Basketball vs.
• no scheduled events
• Union Board presents “The Hunger Games: Mocking Jay Part Two” at 6 p.m. in the TONK.
• no scheduled events
• Lasy Techsters Basketball vs. Rice at Thomas Assembly Center
UTEP at Thomas Assembly Center at 3
www.thetechtalk.org
January 28, 2016 • The Tech Talk • 3
LOUISIANA TECH UNIVERSITY
MASTER PLAN 2020 CALIFORNIA AVENUE ADAMS BOULEVARD
NEW DORM CONSTRUCTION PATIO
STORY | PAYTON POTTER • DESIGN | ELLIE MOSLANDER 2 BED 2 BED ADA
LOUNGE
2 BED 2 BED W/RA
2 BED
2 BED ADA
The phase three student housing floor plans will feature suite-style apartments: first floor (above) and upper level floor (below) dorm suites.
2 BED STUDY
2 BED
2 BED
2 BED
2 BED
STUDY
2 BED
2 BED 2 BED
T
his spring, Louisiana Tech will break ground on a new era for the university–starting with new on-campus apartments. As outlined in Tech’s campus master plan, a document that informs changes and improvements on campus, the university will begin the construction of 14 new on-campus apartments in the spring quarter. The apartments will create 640 new beds on campus and eventually replace residential buildings currently slated for demolition. Jim King, vice president for student advancement, said the demolition and building of on-campus apartments can prove to be a challenge.
to newly-constructed buildings and future expansions, will provide sufficient accommodations for the ever-growing freshman class. King said he hopes the expansion maintains the comfort students feel on Tech’s campus. “Our strategic priority is growth,” King said. “We’re at 12,400 students. By the year 2020, we want to be at 15,000 students. That is not at the expense of what I hope you feel when you come to campus. It’s a comfortable campus. It’s not too big; it’s not too small.” He said a study conducted by Tech showed students who live on campus perform better academically than commuting students. Therefore, creating more space for freshmen to live on helps the university reach its “OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITY IS GROWTH. campus goal of retaining 85 to 90 percent of WE’RE AT 12,400 STUDENTS. BY THE each freshman class. “Students who reside on campus YEAR 2020, WE WANT TO BE AT 15,000 outperform their commuting counterSTUDENTS. THAT IS NOT AT THE EXPENSE parts,” King said. “If we want freshmen to become sophomores, we need OF WHAT I HOPE YOU FEEL WHEN YOU to be very intentional in our design of COME TO CAMPUS. ” that experience.” – JIM KING The apartment buildings are to be constructed around four outdoor common spaces providing students “It’s a little bit of a logistical chal- with a space for recreation, collaboralenge,” King said. “We have to build tion and leisure. some new before we can demolish the According to the master plan, old, and then build in its footprint.” “Proposed landscape areas integrate According to the master plan, new new and existing housing inventory construction will provide accommo- around shared outdoor space supportdations in the styles of two-bedroom ing recreation, collaboration and leiand four-bedroom suite-style apart- sure activities. This community-based ments and a number of eight-bed structure will provide unique options townhouses. to integrate freshmen into the campus When paired with remodeled build- culture, support healthy relationship ings such as Harper Hall, 880 beds of development with peers, and allows replacement student housing will be housing staff to effectively engage available to incoming freshmen in ad- with individual students.” dition to existing dorm buildings. The master plan reported the de- Next week part three of the series will molition or renovation of dorm build- discuss developmental plans for the ings Mitchell, Cottingham, Pearce, new integrated engineering and science Harper and Graham halls, in addition building.
www.thetechtalk.org
4 • The Tech Talk • January 28, 2016
The
TechTalk
FROM THE EDITOR
MANAGEMENT
Legalize it, recognize it
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
ADVERTISING MANAGER Taylor Loftin
ADVISERS
Dr. Reginald Owens T. Scott Boatright Dr. Judith Roberts
ADVERTISING ADVISER Michael LeBlanc
PRODUCTION MANAGER Michael LeBlanc
ADVERTISING PRODUCTION Michael LeBlanc
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Tech Talk subscriptions are $25 a year. Mail to: Tech Talk Subscrip tions, P.O. Box 10258, Ruston, LA 71272.
ELLIE MOSLANDER Editor-In-Chief | emo012@latech.edu
M
ore than two years ago, Colorado legalized marijuana for recreational use.
Two years later, other states such as Washington, Oregon and Alaska have followed while states like Ohio have shot it down. Now all eyes are on Arizona, as its residents consider legalization. Marijuana legalization is an issue that is both over-analyzed and overlooked on both spectrums. Whether one agrees with smoking marijuana or not, it’s time for it to be legalized. Ohio’s decision to shoot it down may have caused other states to reconsider their decisions, but when it comes down to it, at some point this substance will be legal across the country. I think some people believe and act as if the legalization of this drug will lead to the downfall of humanity and give society free reign to do whatever they want. This really isn’t the case though. While marijuana is still a drug, in legal states like Colorado it is regulated and sold to those who are over the age of 21; the same rules apply to alcohol.
PUBLICATION
The Tech Talk (USPS 535540) is published Thursdays of the regu lar school year, except in vacation and examination periods, by the Journalism Department of Loui siana Tech University. Publication office is in Keeny Hall, Room 138.
POSTAL
Secondclass postage paid at Ruston, La. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Tech Talk, P.O. Box 10258, Ruston, LA 71272.
CONTACT US
NEWSROOM 318.257.4946 EMAIL techtalk@latech.edu ADVERTISING 318.257.4949 EMAIL techtalkads@latech.edu DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA STUDIES JOURNALISM CONCENTRATION 318.257.4427
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
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/policiesand procedures/1445.shtml.
The tax money from marijuana sales in Colorado goes to public parks and schools, investing more money in the community. It is not “drug” money being handed to a dealer or going to a cartel. Of course legalizing always comes with complications, but at this point it seems like this would be more beneficial for our country than would hurt it. It’s really not as big of a deal than people make it out to be. If legalized on a broad scale, steps could be taken to ensure people are being safe about marijuana use. The same rule of selling to minors would still apply, just like it does with alcohol and cigarettes, which are both legal. Educating people on marijuana is a key factor in legalization; the more people know about this substance the better. It would regulated, controlled and sold in an environment where buyers would know where it’s coming from, how its grown and have someone to honestly tell them how to use it appropriately. One thing society seriously lacks is marijuana education. There is a big stigma about this substance
that is, for the most part, radically untrue. Many people are confused about it because of the lack of knowledge. This substance is legally used to treat medical patients, to relax and alleviate pain, not to get a person “messed up”. Honestly, allowing marijuana to be legal would help to regulate it and also focus on regulating harder drugs that are very dangerous. I’m not saying if marijuana is legalized everyone should just start smoking it, because that is an individual choice and also should be handled in an appropriate way. But I believe our world, nation and society as a whole is moving in a direction of progress and marijuana legalization is part of this. It has medical and economic benefits that people tend to discredit simply because of their view on the drug. We are so hung up on this issue, making it a bigger deal than it really is, if it were to be legalized we could then focus more on other issues. Ellie Moslander is a senior journalism major from Albuquerque who serves as editor-in-chief for The Tech Talk.
TAKE IT FROM DEDE
Risking it all for a degree FREDEDREIA WILLIS News Editor | flw005@latech.edu
A
s a grade school student, coming from a impoverished town, there was this one thing every motivational speaker (who came to speak to us lil’ po’ chilren’ because it made him or her look good) stated before giving us the keys to success. This one thing created a path of success for all who obtained it: a college degree. There it was, in my face, a ticket to make it out the hood and finally live a food stamp, welfare and section 8 housing free life. Ain’t God good? (You’re supposed to say, “All the time”). So there I was, in the 12th grade, finishing my last year strong, filling out college applications, working part time at a coffee shop and dreaming up all the glorious things I was going to obtain with my college degree. But what no one ever mentioned to me was that two and half years later, I would be $12,500 in debt with bad credit before my degree
even touched my palm. Whenever TIME magazine or CNN reported about Lake Providence on poverty and income inequality, so many comments talked about us getting our lazy tails up and going to college like every other person who is climbing high on that American success ladder. So how was I going to prove everyone wrong? You got it! Get my lazy tail up and go to college. And, oh yes! By paying for my degree for the rest of my life. So in order for me to not be living off of the government I have to be in debt for the rest of my life? No, I am not saying that people shouldn’t be going to college, because it’s one of the best decisions I have ever made (aside from accepting Christ as my Lord and Savior and eating that last doughnut). I’ll graduate in November and honestly, I am afraid and saddened that because I came to college and wanted to do something with my life, I’ll be stressed about paying the government back and trying to raise a low credit score.
So what is a one to do who has debt like mine right after college? Let’s say a person gets a job making around $1,000 a month right after graduation. Well, rent is around $500 and he or she will have to start making loan payments along with insurances, groceries and other bills. Instead of paying $500 a month to rent and to save a little money here and there, guess what a person would do? You guessed it, get on section 8 and get food stamps, while their precious college diploma serves a plate because they could not afford to buy real ones. Purpose defeated. I love that I have had the opportunity to get to college and acquire the debt I have for such a great reason, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Go to college. Work your butt off. Trust God. Budget. Save. Give him his money back and prove even the government wrong. Frededreia is a junior journalism major from Lake Providence who serves as news editor for The Tech Talk.
READ IN BETWEEN THE SIDELINES
ESPN leaps into esports MATTHEW VALCHO Sports Editor | mvv022@latech.edu
W
hen I turned my TV on one morning last week, I thought that I had left my Xbox on by accident overnight. Call of Duty, or CoD, was being played on my screen. Only thing was that I didn’t have a controller in my hand and whoever was playing was way better than I could even hope to be. Then I looked down and saw the ever-present ESPN logo in the bottom right part of my screen. My mind took a second to register that my console was off and that I was definitely not playing. So what is this on my TV? Professional video gaming, or esports, has made its way onto the
airwaves of ESPN. Pro gaming can’t be a sport, can it? Playing video games doesn’t require much physical activity, if any. So why has ESPN jumped into the world of video games? The popularity of esports has risen significantly in the past few years, with millions of people across the world taking interest. Call of Duty publisher Activision announced it has acquired assets of Major League Gaming, the premier league for professional esports, and has publicly said they wanted to be the “ESPN of esports”. ESPN took notice. They could also want to attract a new audience. League of Legends is one of the biggest online esports in the world and the League Championship Series (LSC), its champi-
onship tournament, had an average viewership of 4.2 million last year. Those numbers rival some regular season sporting events that ESPN has the rights to like Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer and even the National Basketball Association. Plus, the primary demographic that watches esports is males aged 21 to 35. This age range is a huge key for marketers meaning the money from advertising could come rolling in. ESPN may have taken a chance on this, but if projections are to be believed, esports could be a goldmine in the making. Matthew is a junior journalism major from Benton who serves as sports editor for The Tech Talk.
Former Nazis don’t get a pass N
ext month, a 95-year-old German man will go on trial for war crimes he is alleged to have committed as a medical attendant in the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp during World War II. The man, Hubert Zafke, is charged with more than 3,600 counts of being an accessory to murder. In his capacity as a paramedic, he did not participate directly in the camp’s atrocities, but the prosecution is arguing that by being posted there, he helped facilitate the camp’s purpose of extermination. Zafke’s trial comes a year after the trial of Oskar Groening, a bookkeeper at Auschwitz who was found guilty of being an accessory to more than 300,000 murders. These two men are representative of the German government’s desire to bring the remaining members of the SS who were involved in these camps to justice. The two men, both in their 90s, are some of the last remaining Nazi guards still living. Rounding up the entirety of the remaining SS members is a race against time for the German government. Is it worth it? The crimes these men are connected with were done more than 70 years ago, in a time of war. Can they still be held accountable? Yes. The Holocaust is an event that had a massive effect on civilization. The event that literally coined the term “genocide,” it showed the world what people were capable of when their hatred was kindled, stoked and then left to rage unchecked. Punishment for involvement in this crime is useless for punishment’s sake. The crime exists on a plane detached from normal deviation from civilized practices. Germany must continue these efforts in order to let the remaining survivors and their descendants know the world has not forgotten about the tragedy. These men are incapable of being punished in any form that could carry the correct weight. What is a jail term to men who took part in trying to destroy an entire ethnic group? The courts know this, too. The terms seem inconsequential when looked at next to the crimes. Groening was sentenced to four years in jail. That’s four years for 300,000 counts of being an accessory to murder. At 94, he likely will not live to see the end of his prison term. But that’s not the point. The world cannot forget what happened those many years ago, and cannot forget the destruction wrought in Europe and around the world. These men need to be brought to justice. Cold cases are solved for lesser crimes every day, and so these crimes should not be forgotten.
January 28, 2016 • The Tech Talk • 5
www.thetechtalk.org
MOTH
ON OUR
ELLIE MOSLANDER Editor-in-Chief | emo012@latech.edu Chairlift, the electronic indie pop band from Brooklyn, experiment with various music genres while still producing their classic synth in their newest album “Moth.” Although the duo, Caroline Polachek and Patrick Wimberly, have enhanced and sharpened their sound in this third album, their sound lingers between being very catchy to simply filler. This teenage dream pop album is different than their previous ones because it combines a bold message with a heavier electronic sound. “Moth” is about self–awareness and coming to terms with oneself through self-acceptance. The message the album preaches is motivating and self empowering. The band represents this message through the album title “Moth,” contradicting the notion of transformation by showing how it is not always a solution. Instead of moving forward into a butterfly, the moth represents accepting the beauty in simplicity. Songs such as “Crying in Public” use analogies such as “a flower in a gun” to illustrate powerful concepts the duo had throughout the album. “Crying in Public” is also one of the smoother ones on the album, incorporating a jazz theme, which is new for Chairlift. Every song plays up a different aspect of humans and their emotions. “Romeo,” a song about being ready to fall in love, reflects a more rock-pop vibe. Playing up the element of teenage angst and young romance, the singer tells her
HERE ARE SOME INDEPENDENT FILMS BEING SHOWN AT SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL
THE BIRTH OF A NATION Photo courtesy of Colombia Records
new lover to put on their running shoes because she is ready to fall in love. “Ch-Ching,” another song with a slightly jazzy feel, is probably the most popular song of the album because it carries a consistent catchy beat. It leans toward a more mainstream pop sound, a direction which Chairlift seems to be moving in their music. “Show You Off ” is also more poppy sounding, but not executed well enough to stand out from the other songs on the album. While some songs like “Polymorphing”
are simply a fun reflection of the artist’s emotions, ones like “Ottawa to Osaka” are more solemn as Polachek’s vocals take on a deeper tone. “No Such Things” begins as if it would be a successful catchy song like “Moth to the Flame,” but does not live up to the potential it could have. While some songs are good to listen to, they are just that–fun. This album, with the exception of a few songs, is nice to listen to once or twice but was not executed in a way that leaves the audience with much incentive to listen further.
The Sutton Collection opens ‘Acts of Faith’ KEIERA BELL Staff Reporter | klb072@latech.edu The Sutton Collection of American & African American Art opened their art exhibition titled ‘Acts of Faith’ in Dunbar Hall on Grambling State University’s campus and will stay opened to the public until Feb. 25, 2016. The “Acts of Faith” exhibition features pieces from various local artists and some from across the U.S. Two local contributors to the art show are Rodrecas Davis, GSU’s assistant professor of art, and Frank Kelley Jr., a Grambling alumnus. “It’s always good to be displayed,” Davis said. “To be in a show by a collection so wellknown, to be with others from all over like Benny Andrews, Micheal Harris, Elizabeth Catlett, including the other local artists, and just be placed on the same playing field as them is amazing.” Davis said it is an honor for him to be able to display his work next to a combination of people from the Monroe, Ruston, Grambling area and with everyone else from across the U.S. He also said this exhibit is unique. Davis said since being at Grambling, there has been few exhibits to be focused on African American art. Yet, the shows are usually more diverse and “capture the very breath of it all,’ which Davis said is due to the different styles used by artists. “The overall history of people is so wide and varied and deep which makes things impressive,” Davis said. Like Davis, Kelley also said the exhibit is unique. Kelley said the exhibit is a tribute to society and community and feels it is vital for the world to understand the gift that artists were given. “This exhibition is a fantastic opportunity for everyone, not just the artists but everyone, to see the paintings first
RADAR SUNDANCE
NATE PARKER’S SLAVERY DRAMA DEBUTED AT SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL TO A RARE PRE-SCREENING STANDING OVATION.
WEINER-DOG TODD SOLONDZ’S ODD COMEDY STARS GRETA GERWIG, DANNY DEVITO AND ELLEN BURSTYN.
The “Acts of Faith” exhibition displays local artists’ pieces. hand,” Davis said. “God created us to produce these pieces of work that we were able to create through His grace.” Kelley said they were given the gift as artists to show the past, present and future. He said he wants the world to accept his work, and for everyone to get the opportunity to see people of African descent to show their creativity in a large body of work. He also said artists are just as important as anyone else in their own fields because people cannot learn everything from only reading books and listening to someone talk, but also from looking at visual paintings and objects. “I love what I do because, with art, you can see the artists’ emotion and thoughts being put into the painting,” Kelley said. Kelley said he advises viewers to look at art from a geometric and brush stroke pointof-view and to pay attention to the texture and different values of light and dark colors used to
get a better understanding of the artists. As a result, both Davis and Kelley fit Cheryl Sutton’s, the collector and curator for ArtOn-Purpose, purpose for the “Acts of Faith” exhibition. “I wanted to include different artists because they are different types of artists,” Sutton said. “I wanted to have a wellrounded exhibition with different point of views.” Sutton said she came to choose the artists and their art by what was appealing to them and what she thought would fully depict the American & African American history and culture. She said the scripture, Proverbs 24:3, which she posted at the beginning of the exhibition and reads, “By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established,” has become the purpose and foundation of the collection. Sutton said her reasons behind the exhibit were to “celebrate faith, art, artists and history.” She also said the planned timing of the exhibit
Photo by Avery Bryan
was meant to celebrate the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday and Black History Month in February. “Our history is extraordinary but the holidays that celebrate them and our culture are few in number,” Sutton said. “I want to make the most out of each occasion and opportunity and not let the month pass without honoring it and those who have made the history and fought for the existence of a holiday.” Sutton said all the events which will be taking place until the exhibit’s closing will be for people to get to know art and the artists. She also said one of her intentions of the exhibit is to give visitors the chance to buy the art and add them to their collection. “I want visitors to be reminded of the power of faith, to celebrate the artists and their work, and provide an opportunity to proudly celebrate American and African American history and culture,” Sutton said.
EQUITY FORMER “BREAKING BAD” ACTRESS ANNA GUNN STARS IN THIS FEMALE-LED WALL STREET DRAMA.
MORRIS FROM AMERICA NEWCOMER MARKEES CHRISTMAS STARS ALONGSIDE CRAIG ROBINSON IN THIS WARM COMEDY.
www.thetechtalk.org
6 • The Tech Talk • January 28, 2016
WEEKLYHOROSCOPE www.horoscopes.com.net
Aries March 21 – April 19 Drink plenty of water in order to keep your system properly hydrated, Aries. Water is the most important part of your diet, and it’s likely that you aren’t drinking nearly enough. You are highly sensitive today so taking care of yourself is the best thing you can do. Otherwise you might act emotional and too easily manipulated. Distance yourself from people who try to suck this life force from you. Taurus Apr 20 - May 20 You’re likely to hit that magic spot with someone today in which you can almost read each other’s thoughts, Taurus. You may know exactly what that person is going to say before he or she says it. You may also find that your mind is working so quickly that while someone is trying to make one point, you are already five steps ahead of where that person is trying to go. Put your gifts to good use. Gemini May 21 - Jun 20 It’s time to put away the sentimental feelings for the day and move to something new, Gemini. Stop pulling out old photo albums and crying about past experiences. You will only succeed in sinking into a puddle of tears that you can’t pull yourself out of. Instead, this is a day to look to the future and plan for new experiences that you can enjoy with the people you love. Cancer Jun 21 - Jul 22 Let the genius within you come out and play, Cancer. You may feel like some sort of inventor who has wild ideas that could help to revolutionize the future. Bring these ideas into the open and see what kind of response you get from the people around you. Cutting-edge concepts are likely to appeal to you the most. These are the ones that you should pursue and follow through on if you can. Leo Jul 23 - Aug 22 You may get frustrated when your list of tasks for the day just does not seem to get any shorter, Leo. More than likely, this is due to unforeseen circumstances and unexpected interruptions that you basically have no control over. Don’t get upset at yourself because of things you can’t change. Make sure to leave extra time to do the things you want, because the interruptions will continue throughout the day. Virgo Aug 23 - Sep 22 Because of your well-mannered attitude and socially minded outlook, Virgo, you may normally be reluctant to make a stand with an outlandish idea or draw attention with an unusual outfit or hairstyle. Today is a day to be an individual in all aspects of the word. Prove that you are by doing something unexpected that shakes up the crowd. Make yourself stand out above the rest in
whatever way feels most comfortable to you. Libra Sep 23 - Oct 22 Don’t be surprised if you’re scolded by people who are upset about the way you’re handling certain things in your life, Libra. Most likely, the people who criticize you the most are the ones who understand you the least. They are probably on a completely different wavelength than you, and it isn’t your job to try to change them, nor is it your responsibility to change your ways because of them. Scorpio Oct 23 - Nov 21 You may find yourself flying high for no particular reason, Scorpio. If you aren’t, stop and examine the situation. More than likely, any emotional discomfort you feel is due to a lack of personal freedom in one way or another. Perhaps you’re feeling too tied down emotionally or too restrained mentally. Perhaps you need to get out of your current situation entirely. Use this day to seek ways to feel more independence in your world. Sagittarius Nov 22 - Dec 21 You probably have the desire to take charge, and you certainly have the capability, so what are you waiting for, Capricorn? Stop sitting around waiting for someone else to make a decision. By the time the others are done arguing and vacillating about which direction to go, you will already have traveled miles and miles down the road. Your heart wants you to take a strong, independent stance. Capricorn Dec 22 - Jan 19 You probably have the desire to take charge, and you certainly have the capability, so what are you waiting for, Capricorn? Stop sitting around waiting for someone else to make a decision. By the time the others are done arguing and vacillating about which direction to go, you will already have traveled miles and miles down the road. Your heart wants you to take a strong, independent stance. Aquarius Jan 20 - Feb 18 Remember that no one can make you feel inferior without your consent, Aquarius. It might seem as if others are trying to show you up today with their knowledge about the world and how it should be run. Don’t let them talk you into believing that your thoughts and ideas are any less valid than theirs. At the same time, it’s important for you to stay open-minded and accepting of other people’s ideas.
CROSSWORDPUZZLE Across 1. All-inclusive 5. Part of N.B. 9. Witotoan language 13. Sterile hybrid 14. Fire 15. “Topaz” author 16. Dies ___ 17. Gymnast Comaneci 18. Do followers 19. Expiration 21. Old spy org. 22. Parks on a bus 23. Capital city of Western Samoa 25. Abominable Snowman 27. Estimations 31. Begins 35. McNally’s partner 36. Coin word 38. “Over There” composer 39. MSNBC rival 40. Calyx component 42. Ques. response 43. Fred Astaire’s sister 46. Warrior princess of TV 47. Impulse to act 48. Loose-fitting skirtlike garment 50. Plant disease 52. River to the Ubangi 54. Stridex target 55. Petri dish gelatin 58. Cleo’s killer 60. Commendation 64. Dog-powered snow vehicle 65. Point in the desired direction 67. Cube maker Rubik
68. Sped 69. Prophets 70. All-male 71. Nile wader 72. Desires 73. Marsh bird Down 1. French girlfriend 2. Bailiwick 3. Lemony Snicket’s evil count 4. Province in the SW Netherlands 5. Breast-supporting undergarment 6. Other name for taro 7. In need of a muffler 8. Rubs out 9. Mexican dish 10. Cream- filled cookie 11. Wheel parts 12. Bhutan’s continent 14. Worried 20. Reuters rival 24. Addition 26. Gumshoe 27. Killer whales 28. White-and-black bearlike mammal 29. Central 30. Great 32. Acute 33. Latin-American dance 34. Assault 37. Craze 41. Quadrilles 44. Roman Catholic shrine 45. Ethyl ending 47. Serving no function
DAILY U
49. Like expressionless eyes 51. Oxlike African antelope 53. First name in cosmetics 55. ___ Spumante 56. Dollop 57. Ethereal: Prefix 59. Hammer part 61. ___ take arms against... 62. Growl 63. Hindu discipline 66. Hosp. areas
LAST ISSUE’S SOLUTION
Have any ideas for future comics or feedback? Email dwyer@latech.edu
Pisces Feb 19 - Mar 20 If you’re still using the old shovel and rake out in the fields, now is the time to upgrade, Pisces. Get that big piece of machinery that will plow all the acres in no time. In a nutshell, think about ways in which you can be more efficient. Feel free to invest in those things that will help make your life easier and more comfortable. Most likely, the natural flow of the day will take you to exactly where you need to go.
WEEKLYWEATHER
>
www.bestcrosswords.com
www.accuweather.com
TODAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
HIGH 62 LOW 37
HIGH 67 LOW 48
HIGH 71 LOW 58
HIGH 74 LOW 54
HIGH 73 LOW 60
HIGH 68 LOW 41
HIGH 51 LOW 27
G.U.T.S. from pg. 1
Horne said he was immediately drawn to Davenport’s book. “I thought that it captured the minds and imagination of pretty much anybody who would see it, from young children to aging adults,” he said. “It’s just a whimsical piece of art that I really wish I could have sitting on my shelf.” The first-place piece was “Strings Attached” by Tech junior studio art major Sarah Prescott. Horne described the work as a blend of two different media. “The artist combined sculpture with painting, which is extremely difficult to pull off well,” Horne said. “And the sculptural aspects actually influenced the painting itself, which is something that I’ve never seen done effectively.” Prescott’s artwork is essentially a painting on a canvas stretched over a frame and suspended from
> the ceiling. The subject matter of the painting itself is up to interpretation, and that was the way Prescott liked it. “I try to keep ambiguity in my work because I want the viewer to be able to perceive and project whatever they want onto it,” she said. Prescott said she appreciated both the variety and unity of the showcase as a whole. “The show was very cohesive,” she said. “The juror did a good job picking pieces that are unique and indicative of student work but also flow together as one body.” Prescott said everyone appreciates art on some level, even if they do not know it. “People naturally gravitate toward things that are beautiful,” Prescott said. “It’s just a consequence of being human.”
SUDOKUPUZZLE Difficulty EASY Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 grid contains the digits 1 through 9.
DELTA from pg. 1
Senior biology major and sorority parliamentarian Asha Washington said she has felt the impact of living without health insurance. “I personally came to college with no healthcare insurance so, it’s personal for me,” Washington said. “I didn’t realize that I needed health insurance until I needed it and didn’t have it.” Manning said students should encourage their uninsured friends to sign up for healthcare. “If you love your friends, you should encourage them to get health insurance,” she said. For more information, questions or help with signing up for health insurance, contact Delta Sigma Theta at latechdeltas@ gmail.com.
WE ARE
www.sudoku-puzzles.net LAST ISSUE’S SOLUTION
www.thetechtalk.org
More Talk
January 28, 2016 • The Tech Talk • 7
From left to right: Thaun Nguyen, Taunton Melville and Eugene Achi have been playing together as Banded for ten years.
Photo courtesy of Chris Landry
BANDED TOGETHER A doctor, lawyer and engineer were brought together through music at Louisiana Tech more than ten years ago. ELLIE MOSLANDER Editor-in-chief | emo012@latech.edu After graduating Louisiana Tech more than 10 years ago, Taunton Melville, Thuan Nguyen and Eugene Achi not only left with undergraduate degrees but also with a shared passion for music that transformed into their alternative rock band Banded. “Our shared interest in music has always been our common language,” Melville said. “However, we can’t deny that we call come from very different backgrounds and cultures. These differences are good things because we want our music to reach the greatest spectrum of listeners possible, regardless of background.” The three come from different countries and backgrounds but have been united through their love for writing and playing music. Melville, a former history major who currently is an attorney from Bossier City, plays guitar and piano for the band. Thuan Nguyen, a civil engineering graduate and current project manager from Vietnam, plays a mixture of drums, guitar and bass for the band. Eugene Achi, a former biomedical engineering major and current medical doctor from Lebanon, plays the piano, guitar, bass, drums and sings. “I think with that foundation of creativity and friendship, we’ve been able to keep the band together post-college, despite living in different states and having very different career fields,” Melville said. “Music keeps us near, and that started at Tech.” Melville said they are all very patient musicians because living in different states, currently Louisiana and Texas, means most of their music is produced through long-distance emails, texts and phone calls. “We actually are rarely in the same room, but thanks to technology we can still write and record together,” Melville said. “However, even with technology, it still requires patience, fortitude, and for an individual member to at times ‘sacrifice’ something for the sake of the band with hopes that the collaborative effort will result in a better song than
one that individual could have done on their own.” Even though each member maintains a professional lifestyle and career, they still take the time to work on their music and released their second album in 2015. “It’s called ‘Still a Chord to Strum,’ which is fitting because the album is about love, loss and nostalgia, but most of all, the album is about hope,” Nguyen said. “It’s about the future that’s ahead of us.” He described their music as a mixture of pop, rock, folk and country. He also said their music is deeply inspired by classic rock bands such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan. He said their music has evolved over time, but they have always had inspiration. “We wrote a lot of love songs early on so I would say the early inspirations were crushes and relationships,” Nguyen said. Achi said being part of the band and making music has served as a creative outlet for him through his career using the music as a stress outlet going through his medical residency. “We have a common understanding,” Achi said. “We want a professional life and a musical life as an extension.” Through their journey as friends and musicians, Melville said he is glad they formed while they were all college students, because this gave them more time to get to know one another, be creative and understand each other’s musical styles. “At Tech, we had the luxury of proximity, but we have become much better musicians and songwriters, and song crafters, because we allow time and distance to be assets, rather than liabilities,” Melville said.
www.thetechtalk.org
8 • The Tech Talk • January 28, 2016
Bulldogs look to return to winning ways ALEX HEARD Staff Reporter | amh072@latech.edu Basketball is a game of runs and streaks. Good things and bad things are expected, as they are inevitable in basketball. The game is so fast that even if bad times occur, a team can easily recover, as an opportunity to succeed will undoubtedly present itself. The same can be said for opposing teams, so teams must “Our team is stay keen and alert. The true test of a focused on team is how it rehow we can sponds to the losses and prove that, though improve... bad streaks happen to That is a everyone, that won’t negatively affect a competitive team for the long run. group. They For head coach Eric Konkol and the want to do Louisiana Tech men’s well.” basketball team they have found themERIC KONKOL selves in a rough head basketball patch lately. The team coach has lost three of their last five games. They are smack dab in the middle of conference play so things are not going to get any easier. Opponents share the same goal of winning the conference and are going to give everything they have. Konkol said the team’s heart is not to blame for Tech’s recent struggles. “I think it is mostly an execution thing,” Konkol said. “Our effort was very good, especially in the first half against Florida Atlantic. Our effort was not bad in the second half. Offensively, we are being guarded a little bit differently. We have to do some different things there. It is a long season. The conference has shown already a lot of balance. There are a lot of teams jammed up in the middle after five games. We just need to get back on the right track.” Alex Hamilton, a senior guard, said the team must get back to playing the right way and must become defense-oriented once more. “A lot of (our struggles) have to do
Photo by Donny J. Crowe/LA Tech Communications
Alex Hamilton goes up for a layup in the Bulldogs’ 56-53 loss to Old Dominion on Jan. 7. The loss ended Tech’s 39-game home winning streak that, at the time, was the second longest in the country. with rebounding, giving up second-chance points and points in transition,” Hamilton said. “There have been faults in our defense. It is something we have worked on in practice and hope to improve on.” Tech has had trouble staying healthy this season. Konkol has had to play several different lineups to make up for players with injuries, and those lineups have been small resulting in the team’s rebounding struggles. Konkol said one player is primed to return soon which could pay dividends. “Merrill Holden is getting back to where he was,” Konkol said. “He lost some upper body strength from hurting his hand, but he was a bright moment for us. He had some really nice plays, producing both points
and rebounds for us. He is getting back.” We are learning a lot. I reminded them Holden has been a much-needed spark that (when) you look around the country in off the bench this season. In college basketball; there is a lot games such as ones against Midof parity and competitive play in dle Tennessee and North Texas, conference. We just have to keep Holden has done it all as he has staying the course and believe in scored points and gotten rewhat we are doing. Our goal this bounds (averaging 5-plus in both season is to be playing our best statistics). basketball at the end of February Konkol said getting back on and early March.” track is easily obtainable as the Tech ended a two game losing team’s mindset is right. skid with a 70-59 win over con“Our team is really focused ference rival Southern Miss on on how we can improve,” Konkol Jan 23. said. “That is a competitive The Bulldogs play the UniverKONKOL group. They want to do well. We sity of Texas-San Antonio Roadhave a lot of guys in different roles this runners at 6:30 p.m. today in the Thomas year going through this for the first time. Assembly Center.
Tech track and field earns Top 50 ranking NEWS SERVICES
Photo by Robb Parker/The Collegian-Kansas State University
Photo by Donny J. Crowe/LA Tech Communications
Kenneth Dixon stiff-arms a would-be tackler in the Bulldogs’ 39-33 triple OT loss to Kansas State on Sept. 19.
Jeff Driskel breaks a tackle while scrambling in Tech’s 4516 win over Middle Tennessee State on Oct. 24.
Seniors participate in all-star games NEWS SERVICES A pair of Louisiana Tech defensive standouts stood out in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl as postseason all-star games began action Saturday afternoon. Adairius Barnes and Vontarrius Dora each saw significant action and helped Team National to an 18-17 win over Team American. Dora flew all over the field as his one tackle was a sack for a loss of five yards, he was credited with a quarterback hurry, he forced a fumble and recovered a fumble. Meanwhile Barnes made two solo tackles in the game. According to many mock drafts, Dora has creeped his way onto the board and is now projected by some to be a late-round pick. The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, held at the StubHub Cen-
ter in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, is one of two postseason all-star games Louisiana Tech is sending players to this year. Vernon Butler, Kenneth Dixon and Jeff Driskel will all be participating in the Reese’s Senior Bowl on Saturday with many of their practices and other activities televised live throughout this week on the NFL Network. All three will be playing for the North Team coached by the staff from the Dallas Cowboys. Through this showcase, the three former Bulldogs will be looking to be improving their draft stock. Dixon is rated by many as one of the five best running backs in the draft while Butler has worked his way into a possible first-round pick. The 2016 NFL Draft begins on ESPN on April 28.
When Louisiana Tech’s track and field program competes at the Vanderbilt Invitational this weekend, the team will not slide under the radar. That is because Tech’s men vaulted to No. 48 in the national rankings released Monday by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). That No. 48 ranking pushes the Bulldogs one spot ahead of North Carolina and less than a point away from No. 47 Providence. This marks the team’s highest ranking since being slotted 45th over the first two weeks of the indoor season in 2014. That season Louisiana Tech’s men went on to finish second at the Conference USA Indoor Championships. GOTCH Jarvis Gotch helped push the team up the rankings. He will enter competition in Nashville, Tennessee this week ranked ninth nationally in the long jump after posting a winning mark of 25-3.25 (7.70m) at the Aggie Team Invitational on Jan. 15. Gotch was named the Conference USA Athlete of the Week following that performance. Tech will compete at the Vanderbilt Invitational this week then compete at the Samford Invitational in Birmingham, Alabama on Feb. 12-13. The team will return to Birmingham for the Conference USA Indoor Championships on Feb. 24-25.