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MARCH 24, 2016
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VOLUME 90 • ISSUE 16
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The emcees for the evening entertain the crowd.
Namaste hosts 10th annual Nepal Nite KERRY WAGUESPACK Staff Reporter | kfw005@latech.edu Photo by Brian Blakely
The Panhellenic community heard presentations from each of the three prospective organizations.
Tech announces new sororities KEIERA BELL Staff Reporter | klb072@latech.edu
As for the decision to invite a second group to Tech’s campus, Frank said the council made the decision based on the future outlook of growth at Tech. “We are doing something called stacking, which means Louisiana Tech’s Panhellenic community has been seeing that the Tech Panhellenic Council chose a second significant growth among their student membergroup, Kappa Kappa Gamma, that would be invitship in recent years and announced March 22 that ed to colonize should that be warranted within four Louisiana Tech is planning on welcoming not one, years after this fall’s colonization,” she said. but two new organizations by 2020. Ashley Allen, Panhellenic adviser, said she After hearing presentations by Delta Delta Delworks with the Panhellenic Council, the governta, Kappa Kappa Gamma and Zeta Tau Alpha, the ing body of the four sororities on Tech’s campus. Panhellenic community invited Tri Delta to coloShe said the Panhellenic community experienced nize, or start a chapter, at Tech this fall. Though the significant growth over the past five years, leading selection process was originally intended to add them to explore the extension process. She said one organization to Tech’s campus, the Panhellenic some chapters were reaching 200 members, and Council also extended an invitation to Kappa Kapthe size detracted from the sorority experience pa Gamma to colonize between 2019 and 2020. they wanted to provide. Megan Franks, Panhellenic President, said the ALLEN “With the goals for university enrollment set to decision was made after deliberation and a vote by reach 15,000 by 2020, the Panhellenic community members of a selection board. “The committee decided on Tri Delta because we be- needed to add at least another chapter in order to begin lieve they will not only succeed on our campus but help further our four established sororities and our university,” said Franks, a junior finance major. > see SORORITY page 10
With the PFC LEAFERS on stage, the cheers of the audience transitioned into the music as the band kicked off Nepal Night 2016. The Namaste Nepal Association hosted its 10th annual Nepal Night Saturday at the Bridge Church Downtown. It was a night of traditional Nepalese dances, songs and food capped off with a performance by the Nepalese rock band, PFC LEAFERS. Dilip Basnet, a senior chemical engineering major, is the treasurer of the organization and was heavily involved in the preparations for Nepal Night. “Nepal Night is one of our organization’s favorite nights of the year because we get to teach our American friends about different things from our culture,” Basnet said. He said the lineup took a month to put together and all of the performers were students who are a part of the organization. Dawa Sherpa, a senior accounting major and vice president of the association, was in charge of putting together the performance for the night. “The performances are my favorite part of the night and when they go well I get really excited because all of our hard work has paid off,”
> see NEPAL NITE page 10
COE participates in Children’s Choice REBEKAH BARNES Staff Reporter | reb033@latech.edu In an age when books are moving to digital platforms, educators are doing what they can to continue putting physical books in the hands of students, and Louisiana Tech’s College of Education is collecting books for its own library. Tech is one of five sites in the U.S. participating in the Children’s Choice project to determine what students enjoy reading by providing local elementary schools with brand new books. “When we received the latest ‘Percy Jackson’ book, it
wasn’t in the bookstore yet,” said Amy Vessel, an associate professor of curriculum, instruction and leadership. “We were holding the book here for three weeks before the world could buy that at Barnes & Noble.” Vessel is the Children’s Choice site leader for Louisiana. Tech has a three-year commitment to Children’s Choice, and will provide elementary and college students with over 3,000 books in that time. They have already reached over 2,500 kindergarten through sixth grade students locally. “These libraries are now overflowing with books, so you have happy students, happy teachers and ecstatic librarians,” she said. “I mean, we just added almost 1,000 books to their libraries.”
She said they will have a fully circulating library available to all College of Education majors, so they can use those books in their courses from practicum to student teaching. “What’s so exciting is to watch our professors take such a great interest in the books, and they are now pulling the books to use in their methods courses,” Vessel said. “So it’s created an amazing set of resources for our students and our professors in the College of Education.” Bryan McCoy, department chair of curriculum, instruction and leadership, said Children’s Choices puts the best and
> see CHILDREN’S CHOICE page 10
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Kappa Delta hosts annual Shamrock Run ISABELA PALMIERI Staff Reporter | ipa001@latech.edu On the cool morning of March 19th the Ruston community came together to run Kappa Delta’s annual Shamrock 5K and one mile fun run to aid Prevent Child Abuse America and the Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home of Ruston. This year the Shamrock Run included over 600 runners, compared to 492 runners last year. Emily Naquin said the run has become a widespread event around Ruston. “It has really become a big yearly thing in the community,” said Naquin, president of Kappa Delta. “We work on the event for months beforehand, and we always have people ask us about when we are going to have it.” While 20 percent of the money goes to the national organization Prevent Child Abuse America, 80 percent of the proceeds made
in the Shamrock go to the ber of the sorority is asLouisiana Methodist Chil- signed a job on the day of dren’s Home in Ruston. the run to make sure the “It’s nice to see the com- event runs smoothly. munity come together and “I think the hardest part promote a cause that af- about the event is coorfects us as a community,” dinating everybody since Naquin said. “We can see the chapter has doubled,” where our Head said. “Evmoney is going “It’s nice to see ery girl is reto and how it’s sponsible to get helping us lo- the community three runners to cally.” come together sign up, and we Sarah Head, have them talk Kappa Delta’s and promote to businesses vice president a cause that around the of commu- affects us as a community to nity service, speak to them said they have community.” about sponsorbeen hosting ing the run. And the Shamrock EMILY NAQUIN then everyone Run for over 10 Kappa Delta president is assigned a years and have job which can been working be signing peowith the Louisiana Method- ple in or cheering them on.” ist Children’s Home for over There were Kappa Delta 70 years. members spread through“Last year, we raised over out the running course $20,000, and we should def- holding signs and cheering initely surpass that this year, on the runners. because we have increased “What I love about our runners,” Head said. the Shamrock Run is runHead said every mem- ning with friends and their
Andre Wilhite disassembles and engine to find bugs created by proctors.
Photo by Brian Blakely
Participants sprint toward the finish line to support Kappa Delta’s philanthropic efforts. encouragement at every mile mark,” said runner Kelly Webb. “I have a lot of friends in KD so I love to come and support them, and I love the atmosphere.”
Head said she sees how dedicated the runners are to the Shamrock run year after year. “My favorite thing about the Shamrock run is seeing
everyone come together early in the morning and put on a happy face,” Head said. “Last year it was pouring rain and most of the runners still showed up.”
Photo by Brian Blakely
South Campus hosts FFA contests STARLA GATSON Staff Reporter | sjg021@latech.edu
Students from approximately 30 high schools throughout North Louisiana gathered on March 18 at Louisiana Tech’s South Campus for the Area 1 Future Farmers of America Career Development Event. Small teams from their respective schools competed in events for eight categories. Students began each separate competition by taking a written test for each subject, then moved on to the hands-on portion of the contest. “These contests give students hands-on scenarios that could potentially help them in future careers,” said Tim Hancock, an agricultural science teacher at Ruston High School. “For example, in the small engine competition, these kids have to completely reassemble an engine, find and fix any problems with it, and put it back together again.” The winning teams earned points for their schools, and the top teams in each category were chosen to compete at a state career development event at Louisiana State University. “The purpose of career development events like this is to put real life practices into, one of the judges of the meat identification competition, and a supervisor in the Meat Lab on South Campus. The purpose of the FFA is to prepare mid-
dle and high school youth for careers in the agricultural field, and career development events like this one are held nationally., Hancock said. “There are schools here from as far south as Jonesville,” he said. “This is an area event. Louisiana is divided into 15 districts and four areas. From here, the kids who qualify will go to state at the end of the month.” Faculty in Louisiana Tech’s School of Agricultural Sciences and Forestry hope that after participating in this event students will consider attending Louisiana Tech to continue developing their skills. “It’s great to see so many students here today,” said William Green, director of the agricultural science and forestry department. “Hopefully, after being here today, some of them will see what we have to offer and will consider Tech after high school.” This professional development event not only allowed high school students to get a glimpse into their possible future careers, but also drew positive attention to South Campus. “There are a lot of people who haven’t ever been to this part of campus, and a few who probably don’t know it exists,” said Wesley Rentz, admissions specialist in the College of Applied and Natural Sciences. “So hopefully with events like this going on, more people will get the chance to see what’s going on over here.”
UPCOMING EVENTS FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
• Good Friday, campus closed
• Easter Holiday
• Easter Sunday
• Easter Holiday, campus closed
• Baseball: Grambling v. La Tech at J.C. Love Field at 6 p.m.
•Baseball: McNeese v. La Tech at J.C. Love Field at 6 p.m.
•No calendar events
• Softball: Alcorn State v. La Tech at the Softball Complex at 6 p.m.
• Softball: Northwestern v. La Tech at the Softball Complex at 6 p.m.
NEWS
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March 24, 2016 • The Tech Talk • 3
RHA hosts outdoor Zumba class JENNA PRICE Staff Reporter | jmp073@latech.edu Louisiana Tech’s spring quarter started with a Zumba event hosted by the Residential Hall Association, RHA, on March 14 for to students to dance and interact with others. Matthew Charles Gandia is the RHA president and was in charge of making sure everything was in place before the Zumba event began. He said the resident hall assistants got together one day and had a mixer for ideas. “We had a lot of great ideas for the first event, but we all agreed that Tianna Turner’s Zumba idea was something we would all enjoy,” said Gandia, a senior industrial engineering major. He said they chose Zumba because no one had seen it done outdoors before. “We were really worried about the rain,” Gandia said. “Thankfully it all dried up and wasn’t that much of a problem for us.” Gandia said everyone in RHA helped out to make the event happen. He said since this was their first big event, certain tasks had to be delegated so everyone had a job to do. “RHA is an organization that runs kind of like the Union Board,” Gandia said. “However, RHA wasn’t really used that much, especially when it came to big events like this, but we were always around.” Lindsay Cavin, the coordinator of student development, attended the zumba event as RHA’s adviser and a participant. She said her job is to support the plans made by RHA and imple-
Photo by Colin Fontenot
Tech students punch, kick and dab their way into shape during an outdoor Zumba event Monday, March 14, in Centennial Plaza. The event was hosted by the Resident Hall Association and the class was led by Evelyn Jones. ment certain guidelines for She said she hoped stu- cided to participate in the nity and resident life togeth- planned for later in the dents would go outside and event was Morgan Sosa. er. Sosa said she felt like the quarter. them to follow. Sosa who said she had students were happy just “RHA’s No. 1 goal for “I thought it would be a enjoy the event because fun idea and event to have the sun was out after two participated in zumba plen- enjoying time with other resident life is to show that ty of times before the event. students dancing. we have a lot of things to outside because it would weeks of bad weather. “I would love for stu“Zumba is a great way “In my opinion, this was do,” Gandia said. “We want be something different on Tech’s campus,” Cavin said. dents walking by to just to lose weight and have a fun, energetic and interac- to show diversity by having Cavin said she also jump in and have a carefree fun,” said Sosa, a freshman tive activity that people re- events for both quiet, lowhelped plan and organize attitude while dancing with animal science major. “You ally enjoyed,” Sosa said. “I key students and adventurwill definitely be attending ous students to be involved the event, which was sup- everyone like what people just dance.” She said the event was other RHA events.” in. Plus we always want to posed to be held in the do in a flash mob,” Cavin fun because they were Gandia said RHA see residents show up and quad, but she moved it to said. One student who de- bringing the whole commu- has several more events have fun.” the plaza due to weather.
Tech debaters take NYC ISABELA PALMIERI Staff Reporter | ipa001@ latech.edu
McReynolds and Maxwell’s team scored 10 points, only five away from the highest-scoring The Louisiana Tech debate team. “If we would have gotten first team competed its way to New York City March 5-6, reaching the in our last round, we would have been in the finals of the tournanovice finals. Nine debate team members ment overall,” McReynolds said. Another team of Tech stujoined students from nearly 60 schools from around the North dents, consisting of Vincent and America in a debate competition Hill, almost reached the tournaheld at King’s College in New York ment’s semifinals. Hill placed in the top 15 speakers in City over Tech’s quarter break. “They’ve been the competition. “We were one point Shane Puckett, the away from reaching team’s coach, drove working very students Rebekah hard these last the semi-finals,” Vincent said. “And it gets Barnes, Rachel Max- few years to really hard when you well, Keller Hanegan, have worked as hard Seth McReynolds, be at the level as Franz and I have. Sam Hathorn, Franz they are. This You can prepare for Hill, Sarah Boling, Althe debate as much lister Wright, Hannah competition as you can, but it gets Bozeman and Hannah was proof...” to a point where you Vincent more than 19 hours to New York SHANE PUCKETT have to be as persuasive as you can to the City. debate team coach judge.” Seth McReynolds Vincent said they and Rachel Maxwell, both first-year members of the weren’t upset about not reaching debate team, scored 15th out of the semi- finals because they com48 teams, reaching the novice fi- peted against very strong Northeastern schools such as Harvard, nals. “We were debating against Columbia, University of Vermont, teams that were very experi- and New York University. Puckett said that the diversity enced,” said McReynolds, a freshman mechanical engineer. “We provided by the teams in New were out of our depth in a lot of York was amazing. He said that is ways. But overall we did a great why he chose to take the team to that competition. job.”
“Usually, New York is one of the most international competitions because New York is so easy to fly into,” Puckett said. “The people that chose to go to that competition were some of the strongest teams in eastern Canada and the United States.” For some members of the team, the New York competition was a favorite. “New York City has probably been my ultimate favorite competition.” said Vincent, an agricultural business student. “The competition as a whole was set up in a very nice, movable way.” Although the students spend their free time debating opposing views of particularly sensitive subjects, it does not take away from the team’s closeness. “We have this saying ‘Everybody love everybody’ that Shane started a long time ago,” Vincent said. “We drive everywhere we go. That’s why we are all so close. When you are in a car for 20-something hours with 11 people, you have to be someone that talks.” The team’s coach expressed the pride he has in the students and their hard work. “I am very proud of the team,” Puckett said, “They’ve been working very hard these last few years to be at the level that they are. It really has paid off. This competition was proof of their hard work.”
WE ARE
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4 • The Tech Talk • March 24, 2016
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FROM THE EDITOR
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Rachel Maxwell
RACHEL MAXWELL Editor-In-Chief | ram049@latech.edu
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I
t’s difficult to know how you’re supposed to feel about anything in college. From your parents, to friends, to professors to popular media, it can seem like a thousand different messages are being hurled at you about what you need to be doing and how you need to be feeling at this point in your life. I often read startling statistics and hear horror stories of the treacherous sea that is today’s job market and start panicking. Am I doing everything I need to do to be able to secure a job or admittance to grad uate school after college? Will my resume be good enough? Have I applied for the right internships? The anxiety only gets worse the more I research job prospects, and
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I
love a good story. Whether in books, movies, video games or comics, a well-told story can draw me into it until I almost believe it’s real. Part of my passion for stories comes from the idea that the good ones, no matter how fantastical, convey messages of real-world significance inside their fictional packaging. These insightful glimpses of reality inside imaginary worlds are the focus of my Fact In Fiction columns. The first of these columns tells a story of two men, one regrettably fictional, and the other even more regrettably real. I’m talking, of course, about Superman and Donald Trump. Let me explain. In 2013, “Injustice: Gods Among Us,” a DC Comics fighting game, hit the shelves with grand commercial success. Soon after, “Injustice”themed comic books followed suit. The storyline of “Injustice” pre-
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.
Rachel Maxwell is a sophomore journalism major from Benton who serves as editor-in-chief for The Tech Talk.
Trump is no Superman
Michael LeBlanc
PUBLICATION
more I agree with her. We are all new at independence, or at least partial independence, and none of us really have any clue what we’re doing. At least, I like to think it isn’t just me. There is a strange comfort in knowing that the rest of your peers are probably just as freaked out about the future as you are. Even those that are involved in everything and seem to have it all together probably worry about the future almost as much as you do. Even if our fears about the job market and adulthood are warranted, there is something nice about knowing we are all in it together, instead of thinking of it as a competition between peers.
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Michael LeBlanc
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I think of all the people my age who have been resume building since they were in middle school, the ones who have been accepted into all the most prestigious programs, the ones whose parents have all the right connections; they have every leg up. I will be competing with those people as soon as we graduate for jobs that seem increasingly hard to find, and I can’t get over the feeling that I’m not doing enough to prepare. However, my mother recently imparted some wisdom upon me that helps me through these bouts of anxiety. She said, “No matter what you do, at this point in your life, you are not going to feel like you have your shit together. That’s not how young adulthood works.” The more I think about this, the
sented the next generation’s take on the Man of Tomorrow, a much darker one. After suffering enormous loss, Superman (albeit one from an alternate universe) decides to eliminate war and crime once and for all by forcibly seizing control of the world. His intentions are noble at first. He simply wants the world to be better, and he enforces his vision by deposing dictators across the globe. But slowly the power corrupts Superman, leading him to commit such atrocities as killing fellow superheroes and “making an example” of the cities he used to protect. This idea of questioning Superman’s place in the world looks to be a theme explored in the new “Batman vs. Superman” film premiering this month, and parts of it sound a lot like my impression of this election year’s most controversial Presidential candidate. When I listen to Donald Trump speak, I hear a self-appointed Superman. Trump asks his supporters to stop placing their faith in society, or in themselves, or in the governmental
system. Trump wants America’s faith to be in one person: Trump. Trump claims he can single-handedly lift America from its current state and restore it to its former glory. He vows to do what he thinks needs to be done, and he’s hinted that he’ll go around the law to do it. God knows it wouldn’t be his first time. Trump paints himself as a real-life Superman, a man who is somehow capable of doing things for the country that no one else can do. In many ways, Trump is akin to this new version of Superman, only without the powers, charm or good intentions. Oh, and Superman’s hair is better. The Man of Steel is eventually defeated, his regime overthrown, and the world restored to independence. If becoming the world’s lone savior didn’t work for Superman, how can it possibly go well if Trump gets the chance? Caleb Daniel is a sophomore journalism major from Lake Charles who serves as managing editor for The Tech Talk.
SITTIN’ ON THE JOHN
Stop the Supreme Court battle JOHN SADLER Features Editor | jts040@latech.edu
A
nother day, another overly complicated political battle in Washington. President Obama recently selected Merrick Garland to be his nominee for the seat of the deceased Justice Antonin Scalia. His nomination came amongst calls from Republican Party leaders to delay any decision until the election of the next president. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has gone even further recently, stating the Senate would not consider voting for Garland even after the elections: “I can’t imagine that a Republican majority Congress in a lame-duck session, after the American people have spoken, would want to confirm a nominee opposed by the NRA, the NFIB, and The New York Times says would move the court dramatically to the left.” That’s insane for two reasons. One, McConnell is ignoring the fact that the American people have spo-
ken by electing Obama for a second term. At what point during his term did he stop speaking for the American people? Two, he just blatantly linked his reasoning to opposition from the National Rifle Association and the National Federation of Independent Businesses. He isn’t even attempting to hide the fact he is making governmental decisions based on outside organizations. McConnell also said in a recent interview, “It’d be hard to be more liberal than Merrick Garland,” a statement that is entirely untrue. There’s Loretta Lynch, Diane Wood and Patricia Millett, to name a few. Bernie Sanders has even said he would look at nominating someone more progressive if he wins the presidency. Before Garland’s nomination, Sen. Orrin Hatch said, “The president told me several times he’s going to name a moderate, but I don’t believe him. (Obama) could easily name Merrick Garland, who is a fine man. He probably won’t do that because this appointment is
about the election.” It’s clear many politicians view Garland as an acceptably moderate choice, with Hatch, Kelly Ayotte, Rob Portman, Jeff Flake, Susan Collins and James Inhofe all discussing the possibility of meeting with him. The senators who refuse are playing a dangerous game, far more dangerous than Joe Biden and Harry Reid’s past (admittedly idiotic) remarks about refusing to hold hearings on nominees they found distasteful. Actually going through with refusing to hold hearings sets a dangerous precedent for future presidents. Also, if Sanders does make it through to the White House they’ll have a far more progressive nominee to deal with (Clinton would likely stick with someone like Garland). To Congress: stop creating political tension for the sake of creating political tension, and do your job. John Sadler is a senior journalism major from Extension who serves as features editor for The Tech Talk.
Is Trump to blame for violence?
A
s the country continues on the road to November and the 2016 presidential election, the leading Republican candidate continues to grab the headlines of news outlets across the country. Unfortunately, Donald Trump is garnering all this attention for all the wrong reasons. Violent protests have marred Trump rallies in recent weeks, a recent one being a March 11 gathering in Chicago. A crowd of protesters gathered outside the arena before clashes broke out while many were making their way inside to hear Trump speak. Since then, many more protests have been planned and have taken place at or around a number of Trump events. This includes the incidents in Arizona, where protesters blocked a highway leading to the building where a rally was taking place, and New York, where thousands came out to an antiTrump event. Trump supporters themselves have been thrown out of rallies for sucker punching protestors as they leave the arena. Political analysts of all ages note they have never seen this amount of violence surrounding a presidential candidate. Those who do not support Trump would say that he incites this kind of behavior. Anyone who has followed the candidates this election cycle knows how brash, outspoken and offensive Trump can be when he speaks. He is often labeled as a racist and a bigot for the things he has said in his speeches and does not apologize for it. This includes his comments on a temporary ban of Muslims entering the country, his stance on immigration and countless other lines he has used at gatherings. Others who want to see Trump in the White House believe it is the protesters who are causing these problems. Trump himself has labeled those protesting his events as “paid agitators” after protesters in Chicago were heard chanting the name of Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders. Supporters of Trump argue that these protests are hindering their right to free speech by keeping them from participating in the scheduled rallies. That being said, neither side is blameless. Trump has been slow to condemn the violence that his supporters have started in rallies and they are unapologetic about the cheap shots they have dished out based on the cheers heard when someone is hit. On the other hand, just because these protestors seem to despise Trump, that does not give them the right to deny other Americans the chance to support a candidate. This is totally speculation, but if Trump supporters were to protest a Bernie Sanders or Hillary Clinton rally, the outcry would be much worse. The behavior from those against Trump seems to be accepted only because of his reputation. These kinds of things seem to follow him everywhere. One thing is certain; these issues are doing nothing for the country. Yes, there is always contention between Republicans and Democrats, but this election seems to be worse than ever. Our country has become a laughing stock on the world’s stage. While these opposing forces believe they have noble intentions, the massive gap that is being created between parties is one that the new incoming president may not be able to heal.
NEWS
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March 24, 2016 • The Tech Talk • 5
SBC holds disaster relief training JENNA PRICE Staff Reporter | jmp073@latech.edu
and show them hope when they feel hopeless,” Murray said. Murray was able to put The Southern Baptist Convention hosted disaster her training into action relief training for the Rus- later that day. With a small ton community at Temple team of college students Baptist Church on Satur- and volunteers from Kenday March 19th. Volunteers tucky, Murray mudded out were trained to complete her first house in Farmertasks such as mass food ville. “We would ask what we distribution, mud out, childcare, sheetrock repair and should do with their things, and the woman from that chainsaw use. house would “After the say, ‘There’s no first responders, use to be sentithere’s not re- “If there were mental,” Murray ally an organiza- more local said. “But they tion that comes were so thankin to help you teams, then ful that college rebuild your help could arstudents would life except for go out and help disaster relief,” rive faster and them.” said Ryan Huff- money would Blake Ranty, a sophomore be saved.” dall, a freshman computer sciengineering maence major. jor, completed Leah Murray, BLAKE RANDALL engineering the mud out a sophomore freshman major training with engineering Murray and major, was one joined her team of the many college students who at- in Farmerville. “We helped move ruined tended the training. “I have a heart for mis- furniture and tear basesions,” Murray said. “Di- boards out,” he said. “Later saster relief is a really cool on this week, the team will way to respond to a need. put in new flooring and In order to meet that need, repair the walls with new the training helps with sheetrock.” David Abernathy is the teaching us how.” In the mud out training, director at Rolling Hills, Inc., Murray learned how to re- which now serves as the main safe while digging out command center for disaster relief for the entire state a house caked in mud. “Disaster relief lets us of Louisiana. Abernathy said Rolling get out into our community
Photo by Brian Blakely
Jim Walters tests his ham radio at Temple Baptist Church prior to the start of the Southern Baptist Convention’s disaster relief training course. Hills has become the command center because the flood damage was concentrated in both the Haughton and Monroe areas. Crews, as a result, will be on the
Steampunk spin on Shakespeare classic DILLON NELSON Staff Reporter | djn005@latech.edu The upcoming Louisiana Tech adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “Love’s Labour’s Lost” started production on Monday, March 14 with closed auditions held at the Stone Theatre. “Love’s Labor Lost” is a comedy about a king and three companions who swear off women while studying and fasting for three years. Director Paul Crook said, “It’s an obscure Shakespeare play that could be successful with a modern update.” Crook plans on doing the play in the style of steampunk, a futuristic subgenre of science fiction and fantasy, and hopes Tech’s adaptation will be a break from Tech’s previous, typically straight-forward adaptations of the bard. “It fits really well. This is probably one of the most verbally intricate of Shakespeare’s plays and there is a lot of linguistic dexterity,” said Crook. Crook wants the intricacies of the steampunk aesthetic to match the pompous style of the language in the play, adding this approach to the source material of the play should resonate with students, allowing them to appreciate Shakespeare’s writing. “It’s going to be, certainly in terms of aesthetics, very similar to movies and literature in the steam-
punk style,” Crook said. “It will serve as a kind of entry point.” Even if the play is made familiar for the audience, Crook said that he hopes his cast and crew will enjoy the challenge of working such a subversive adaptation. “For theater design students in particular, working with props and costumes in a steampunk style will be a wonderful experience,” Crook said. “They are really going to grow and learn and vastly improve their design skills.” Liam McIntyre, an auditioning sophomore theater major, is a professed Shakespeare fan. He was very excited about the possibility of acting in one of his plays. “Shakespeare is one of my favorite playwrights of all time,” McIntyre said. “I love his language, and I love the opportunity, especially so close to the 400th anniversary of his death.” McIntyre talked about how he enjoys the openended nature of putting on a Shakespeare production.
“I love how it’s adaptable to anything,” McIntyre said. “You could make it a hillbilly show, a Hollywood show. It doesn’t matter,” he said. McIntyre claims that the key to a good Shakespeare adaptation is for there to be plenty of risks taken. “I’m excited for seeing the steampunk style on this particular play. It’s just so far-fetched that it has to work,” said McIntyre. “Building it is going to be a lot of fun,” said McIntyre, who also works in the stage department. “We are having fun getting props ready, painting nerf guns to look like real guns.” Aadrise Johnson will be serving as production stage manager for “Love’s Labour’s Lost.” She said, “A lot of people, when they think of Shakespeare, think of him as just that dude from English class, but I hope the style of the play will show the real madness there is to a production like this.” Louisiana Tech’s “Love’s Labour’s Lost” will run at the Stone Theatre April 26 through May 1.
ground from a few weeks to a few months, he said. Abernathy said he believes help can be best utilized from the locals in the affected areas.
“Take it back to the local churches and local agencies to help finish the job,” he said. Randall is not discouraged by the effects of di-
saster in Louisiana, instead seeing it as a challenge. “If there were more local teams, then help could arrive faster and money would be saved,” he said.
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6 • The Tech Talk • March 24, 2016
FLOODING HITS THE STATE RAINFALL THAT SOMETIMES REACHED OVER 20 INCHES CAUSED WIDESPREAD FLOODING ACROSS LOUISIANA PAYTON POTTER Staff Reporter| jpp017@latech.edu
houses, all the asphalt block the ground from soaking up water,” he said. “Being a bigger city than Ruston, they get more runoff than we do. They have all of the ground covered with man-made objects. The faster the water runs off, the more likely you are to anessa Katz woke up on the morning of March get flooding.” 8 to find inches of water creeping into her North Louisiana Tech fared well during the floods compared to surMonroe home. She scrambled to find her four rounding universities said Sam Wallace, the assistant vice presicats, but only managed to get two into her car before fleeing to higher ground. Safely in her hotel dent of administration and facilities. “We were very fortunate compared to Grambling and the Uniroom, Vanessa Katz booked an Airbnb vacation home in Monroe where she has lived since shortly versity of Louisiana at Monroe and a lot of people that have residencies,” he said. “Everywhere you turn in north Louisiana, you after the flooding. Vanessa’s daughter, Sarah Katz, said her first trip to her moth- are going to find someone who was impacted.” Wallace said the most costly damage on Tech’s er’s flooded home was to save important items. campus was related to equipment damaged by water. “We went back on March 11 and got another cat,” “There is an elevator in Bogard Hall, and parts of said Sarah Katz, a junior secondary education social Everywhere the elevator systems are below grade level in the basestudies major. “When we went in, there was probably you turn in ment,” he said. “We had water that made it into the pit about two feet (of water) in the house. We got out all North Louiwhere the hydraulics and scavenger pumps are. That of the pictures; we got out all of our passports and siana, you is our most expensive item. We have not bid it yet, but birth certificates — the important paperwork. My dad the estimate from the company that does our elevator passed away about eight years ago, and he was a vet. are going to maintenance is $19,000. When you take our labor cost We were able to get his flag out and we were able to get find someone who was and take the cost of the elevator, we’re probably dealall of his records out.” ing with a loss ranging from $20-30,000.” When Sarah and Vanessa Katz returned for her impacted.” Tech is petitioning the state for relief funding, but fourth cat, they found even more water in the home. homeowners like Vanessa Katz do not get the same “We waited a few days and went back again this past SAM WALLACE luxury. Sunday,” Sarah Katz said. “It had risen about a foot, so it assistant vice presiSarah Katz said her mother did not qualify for aswas about three feet then. We got as much as we could. dent of adminsitrasistance from the Federal Emergency Management My mom went back on Monday and she found the oth- tion and facilities Agency, so Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity at Tech is helping er cat. She told me the water had risen even higher than raise funds for her. it was on Sunday. I would say it is about four feet inside “My boyfriend is a PIKE, and they asked me if they would be the house now.” Ruston escaped the storm with less damage than surrounding okay with them doing Pitch for PIKE and donating for my mom,” areas, but areas in northeastern Ruston had to evacuate some of she said. “That’s on April 2. I talked to my mom about it and she said ‘that’s going to help me sleep easier at night.’” their citizens due to the region’s low elevation. Sarah Katz said the money from Pitch for PIKE, an annual softTaylor Mack said Ruston found refuge from the storms thanks ball tournament hosted by PIKE, will help her mother furnish the to a difference in elevation in Ruston. “The flooding was nothing like Monroe, where there are places rental home she will soon move into. “We got everything that was irreplaceable, but trying to furnish still underwater,” said Mack, an associate professor of geography. an entire house is pretty expensive,” she said. “I’m thankful for “The main reason is — we’re in the highlands of Louisiana.” them.” Mack said Monroe lies almost 300 feet lower than Ruston. Although her home is still flooded, Sarah Katz said she and her “Monroe is on the low side, and they’re only about 72 feet above sea level. We’re somewhere around 300 to 345 or so feet mother are fortunate. “I still think we’re lucky,” she said. “We weren’t injured; no one (above sea level).” In addition to the low-lying lands of Monroe, Mack said the was hurt. My mom is going to be out a lot of money, but people have stepped up. We’re lucky to have some amazing people in our city’s paved surfaces also played a role in the floods. “When you have a city, a built up area, all the concrete, all the lives who are willing to help us. It could be a lot worse.”
V
“
E TALK
March 24, 2016 • The Tech Talk • 7
Photo courtesy of the Ruston Daily Leader
RUSTON MONROE SHREVEPORT Ruston’s general elevation is one of the higher in the state at 335 feet. Its elevation saved it from more serious flooding.
Map made on TopoCreator
Photo courtesy of Sarah Katz
TOP: Rains caused widespread flooding around the state. LEFT: Monroe resident Vanessa Katz’s home was ravaged by flooding. BOTTOM RIGHT: Many roads, including the Interstate 10 stretch into Texas and stretches of Interstate 20 around Minden and Haughton, were rendered impassable by the flooding.
Photo courtesy of the Ruston Daily Leader
8 • The Tech Talk • March 24, 2016
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The
BUKU Music + Art Festival Experience
The crowd dances and enjoys a set by local New Orleans electronic artist CRWNS.
PHOTOS BY DEVIN DRONETT
The BUKU Music+ Arts Festival is an annual festival held in the Warehouse District of New Orleans celebrating the collaboration of arts such as musical talents, street artists and vendors. BUKU reflects the culture of New Orleans, bringing people together to celebrate visual and performing art and music. This year’s event took place March 11-12 and featured acts such as Kid Cudi, Future, Purity Ring, Miike Snow and Aluna George.
A storage unit covered in murals, located at the entrance to the festival, served as a location for attendees to hang out in.
Festival attendee Cat Cope performs with her hoops.
CRWNS, a local New Orleans electronic future bass trap artist and senior philosophy major at Tulane University, plays a set on the Back Alley stage.
A&E
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March 24, 2016 • The Tech Talk • 9
COMMUNITY
ULL professor performs classical guitar recital JONATHAN SHAUL Staff Reporter | jds103@latech.edu Cain Budds said those who play any instrument have to want to learn to play it.The associate professor of music and guitar at Louisiana Tech’s School of Performing Arts invited longtime friend Jeffrey George. George an associate professor of guitar studies at the School of Music and Performing Arts at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, came to Tech to play a short guitar recital. Budds will also visit ULL to play for George’s students. George said he was inspired to play guitar by actor Tom Chapin because he played guitar in “Make a Wish,” a show on ABC in the 70s. “(After seeing Chapin play) all I could think of was, ‘I want to do that,’” George said. Now George is teaching others to play the guitar. George plays guitar in the classical style. In this style the guitarist plucks the strings with the fingernails of one hand while using the other hand to select cerPhoto by Jonathan Shaul tain notes on the strings. “Classic to me, instead of playing Jeffrey George, an associate professor of guitar studies at ULL, plays the classical guitar classical music, is more or less a way of playing the instrument,” George said, at a recital held in Howard Auditorium. explaining he does not play one specific performing to giving a speech. Night” by Frederic Hand, to Budds in genre of music. “I thought the first half was better than memory of their university days in AriBefore George started playing in the classical style he played rock and roll. He the second,” said Mary Rudd, a sopho- zona. Budds said learning music is like now also plays country, bluegrass, reggae more music education major. “He played learning another language. “The goal is to learn how to underand blues. He said he would go crazy just the first half without music and the second half he thought he could do one by stand music, not just guitar music, but all sticking to one genre all the time. George played classical songs and also memory but it turns out he didn’t, and it music,” Budds said. “Back in the Greek times it was philosophy, mathematics, songs from The Beatles and other 20th wasn’t really that formal.” She also said she really liked the ar- astronomy and music. I would really like century artists. Although he’s been playpeople to take interest and not just treat ing since he was a child, George still gets rangements George played. George dedicated a song, “Late one music as a pastime or entertainment.” nervous when he performs. He compared
FLATBUSH ZOMBIES “3001: A LACED ODYSSEY”
ELLIE MOSLANDER Arts and Entertainment Editor| emo012@ latech.edu “3001: A Laced Odyssey,” Flatbush Zombie’s newest album based off Stanley Kubrick’s film “2001: A Space Odyssey,” is a uniquely executed musical experience. The Brooklyn “Beast Coast” hip-hop and rap trio consists of members Meechy Darko, Zombie Juice and Erik “The Architect” Elliot. Rap artists such as Pro Era (the Joey Bada$$ crew), the Underachievers, Phony Ppl along with Flatbush Zombies make up the collective group of the “Beast Coast” movement musicians. This rap is new and is different than what audiences are used to because the sound is more underground and experimental played by young artists expressing bold opinions about the world, government and society along with experimenting with psychedelics. The truly respectable aspect of this album is how the artists combine so many different elements like fast beats, lyrics about current events and social in justice,
ON OUR
Glorious Dead Recordings
along with encouraging the exploration of the mind with psychedelic drugs. The influence and pairing of their fast paced beats to the visuals of Kubrick’s film only enhances the album and is also why the album has gained so much interest. “The Odyssey” is a great and powerful opening song because it is a bold introduction and paves the way for the rest of the album. This album seems to reflect an acid trip and this song is the takeoff, as if listening to the album is beginning a journey. The lyrics on this song are extremely descriptive, sometimes radical and also
depressing as it introduces a theme Flatbush Zombies uses throughout the album saying, “I do not exist.” But even with these dark often morbid lyrics, Flatbush Zombies combines fast paced and drop slower hard beats, still always rapping about going hard, partying and constantly smoking weed with the interlude song, “Smoke Break.” The album could be seen as these artists’ way of analyzing their mind and very core, discovering the dark parts of the subconscious, expressing these through music. The short fifth track “Fly Away” is instrumentally very good, but it also is very sad as it mirrors a reflecion of the feeling of brokeness. The lyrics are about a despaired outlook on life along with mentioning suicide and lyrics like, “how can I fly away, I’m gonna die anyway.” Popular songs like “Bounce” and “Ascension” move faster with hard beats, emphasizing the highs of a good psychedelic trip. They also transition well with the rest of the album. All of the songs work very well together, even though they bounce back and forth from good trips to bad trips. Although the album is well-made, “Your Favorite Rap Song” closes the album with minutes of fan feedback praising the artists, which was not as strong of an ending as it could have been.
Aftermath/ Interscope (Top Dawg Entertainment))
KENDRICK LAMAR “UNTITLED UNMASTERED.” ELLIE MOSLANDER Editor-in-Chief | emo012@latech.edu In recent years Kendrick Lamar has shown just how talented he is and with his newest eight track mix tape “Untitled Unmastered,” the Compton rapper has given us a taste of a newer Lamar while also reflecting on sounds from previous albums. While this album is more about Lamar’s inner struggles, but he also has a lot of fun in it as well. His newest album is well made, with great synchronization of vocals, instrumentals, beats and lyrics. An interesting thing about this album is how Lamar chose to produce it with none of his songs having any title tracks, just the names untitled followed by an exact date or year. This could be Lamar’s way of showing how albums can still hold a theme and song can transition and link, without containing descriptive titles. Lamar has always been a bold artist who is not afraid to be blunt and outspoken and maybe this is his way of saying he can still do so solely though the music he produces. While the album could be viewed as slightly overly sexual and vulgar as the first track “Untitled 01|08. 19. 2014” opens the albums with a vivid sexual encounter; this is only part of Llamar’s style and how blunt and real he is but not in an unartistic way. After coming up from his most recent album, “To Pimp A Butterfly,” which was a more personal album about Lamar growing up and events surrounding his upbringing. “Unititled Unmastered,” also stems from these personal aspects in a different way. It is also personal but from a different perspective getting into the mindset of Lamar. It is more about him and his inner thoughts rather than past events that have effected him. The songs on his album all have various different sounds but flow well together, “Untitled 06| 06.30.2014” is more jazzy and romantic. “Untitled 02 |06.23. 2014” is more intense with lyrics chanting “Get God on the phone” throughout the song and “stuck in the belly of the beast” holding a slow, but deep heavy beat. Overall the album is catchy and as always a reflection of Lamars artistic ability.
RADAR
SXSW
HERE ARE SOME FEATURED ARTISTS FROM AUSTIN’S SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST MUSIC FESTIVAL
SEVDALIZA
TELE NOVELLA
CLOVES
METRO BOOMIN
ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS
AUSTIN, TX
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA
ST. LOUIS, MO
THE 27-YEAR OLD ARTIST IS KNOWN
THE INDIE-PSYCH POP PUNK BAND
THIS EMERGING POP ARTIST WILL
THE RAPPER KNOWN FOR HIS MIX-
FOR HER HEAVY BASS MUSIC INCOR-
WILL RELEASE THEIR MOST RECENT
ALSO BE ATTENDING MUSIC
TAPES AND COLLABORATIONS WITH
PORATED WITH VISUAL AESTHETICS.
MUSIC IN A VINYL 45 FORMAT.
FESTIVALS SUCH AS COACHELLA.
ARTISTS SUCH AS YOUNG THUG.
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10 • The Tech Talk • March 24, 2016
WEEKLYHOROSCOPE www.horoscopes.com.net
Aries March 21 – April 19 Some rather extensive and annoying paperwork might need to be dealt with, Aries. It will probably require all your attention, so if you can, take care of it first thing in the morning when you’re still fresh. This might be a contract or it could be an insurance policy or something else full of unintelligible jargon. Don’t be afraid to ask someone familiar with it to explain the language to you. Taurus Apr 20 - May 20 A fascinating article you read in the newspaper could inspire you to try to create a mystery story of your own, Taurus. Today your mind is perfectly suited to devising plot twists and interesting but complex characters. You could tell the story to children, or you might even decide to turn it into a novel. Jot down your ideas and look at them again tomorrow. If you want to continue, then go for it! Gemini May 21 - Jun 20 An important lost object, perhaps a paper of some kind, could command the attention of your entire household, Gemini. This could prove frustrating at first, because you will know that it has to be somewhere in the house, but you can’t find it anywhere! The item may reappear just as you’ve given up on it, in a place you never would have imagined! Tip: it’s probably hidden among other objects.
Libra Sep 23 - Oct 22 Occult sciences, such as alchemy, phrenology, and astrology, could be singing their siren song to you, Libra. You like to think of yourself as down to Earth and realistic, but today you could find so-called unrealistic fields of knowledge irresistible. You’ll also have a special gift for them right now. Read up on the subject and give it a try. You might be surprised at what you discover. Scorpio Oct 23 - Nov 21 A group activity could lead to discussions of famous unsolved mysteries, Scorpio. Jack the Ripper, the Black Dahlia, the truth about O.J. Simpson, and other intriguing problems might capture the interest of everyone present, and might lead to some animated debates over possible solutions. You might want to make mental notes of the ideas everyone comes up with. Each possible solution could tell you a lot about the person proposing it! Sagittarius Nov 22 - Dec 21 A young colleague could leave your place of employment under strange circumstances, Sagittarius, and this could come as a shock to you. You may have been quite fond of this person, and find yourself wondering about the truth behind the departure. Gossip may buzz, but don’t pay any attention to it. Chances are it’s a health problem, but no one, including your colleague, feels comfortable discussing it.
Cancer Jun 21 - Jul 22 Someone or something has disappeared, Cancer. Gossip could spread like wildfire as everyone imagines the worst. Listening to rumors probably doesn’t appeal to your sense of fairness; nonetheless, you’re wondering, too. Your comrades will probably experience a mixture of relief and disappointment when this person/thing turns up. Mystery (mostly) solved!
Capricorn Dec 22 - Jan 19 Spiritual occurrences could lead to a very powerful healing experience, Capricorn. Repressed past traumas could come to the surface and be processed and released. This could leave you feeling rather dazed, as this purging could open a gap in your psyche. Don’t worry; eventually it will fill with new knowledge and insights instead of psychic garbage! For now, take a walk. It will clear your head and help you deal with it all.
Leo Jul 23 - Aug 22 A lack of contact between you and a romantic partner could have you feeling rather depressed today, Leo. You might be tempted to jump to the erroneous conclusion that your beloved no longer cares about you and that’s why your phone isn’t ringing. Don’t fall into this trap. If you try to be objective, you’ll realize that this isn’t true. Chances are that your friend was held up in some way and will call as soon as there’s an opportunity.
Aquarius Jan 20 - Feb 18 Do you like detective stories, Aquarius? If so, you may find them useful today as you play the role of Sherlock Holmes. A missing object, intellectual problem, or mystery of some kind could have you curious enough to search for the truth. This is a good way to train your powers of observation, although intuition will probably play a strong role in your success. Go to it, and have fun!
Virgo Aug 23 - Sep 22 You could have some paperwork to do today, Leo, which could make a big difference to your financial future. This could be a contract, settlement, or agreement of some kind. Whatever it is, you may need to seek some assistance before you execute it. The language might be difficult to understand, and some of the clauses might not feel right to you. This can be frustrating, but it’s important to do it today.
Pisces Feb 19 - Mar 20 A business or romantic partner may seem a bit preoccupied with some very serious matters today, Pisces, and not be likely to share them with you. Asking to talk about it won’t work, so you’ll probably end up depending on your intuition. Your friend is probably concerned with the health of a family member who may need surgery. Don’t feel excluded. Your friend will talk when the time is right. Be patient!
CROSSWORDPUZZLE Across 1. Steamed 6. Fixes, as a fight 10. Rudiments 14. Belief involving sorcery 15. Bhutan’s continent 16. Cad 17. Describe fully 20. Passbook abbr. 21. Like some cereals 22. Wyoming resource 26. Pale gray-green 30. Haphazard 34. It had a part in the Bible 35. Runner Sebastian 36. Magician’s prop 38. Eyelashes 39. Not ‘neath 40. Like most sumo wrestlers 42. Citrus cooler 43. ___-X 44. ___ Fideles 45. The “A” in MBA 49. Sue in a court of law 50. IRS IDs 51. Mikhail’s wife 54. Aunt Polly’s nephew 56. Reserved 64. Prophet 65. Ascended, flower 66. Japanese-American 67. French summers 68. ___ Rabbit 69. Arabian republic Down 1. Summer Games org. 2. Baseball stat 3. ___ Lingus 4.Tic-___-toe
5. Israel’s Barak 6. Machine for scraping sugarcane 7. Believer’s suffix 8. Actress Scala 9. ___ Clemente 10. Richards of “Jurassic Park” 11. Fishing vessel, perhaps 12. Precious 13. In the public eye 18. Birthplace of Muhammad 19. Animated character 22. About 23. Iroquois tribe 24. Confused 25. Actress Virna 27. Official permit 28. Love god 29. Casino cube 31. Ocean 32. Essay 33. Singer Sheena 37. Mall frequenters 39. Trompe l’___ 40. Name of a feudal Japanese clan 41. Wagers 43. Econ- yardstick 44. Passion 46. Money-grubbers 47. Shi’ite leader 48. Shred 51. Trick 52. Work without ___ 53. ___ fixe 55. Umpteen 57. Regalia item 58. Neither’s partner 59. Compass pt. 60. Bind
DAILY U
www.accuweather.com
TODAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
HIGH 75 LOW 61
HIGH 69 LOW 42
HIGH 77 LOW 51
HIGH 72 LOW 44
HIGH 70 LOW 44
HIGH 76 LOW 53
HIGH 73 LOW 53
SORORITY from pg. 1
decreasing our chapter size to maintain a quality sorority experience for our members,” Allen said. Karen Hughes, executive director of Tri Delta, led the Tri Delta presentation. She said Tri Delta was there to support their cause to try to promote the Greek community on Tech’s campus. “Our focus on partnership and collaboration as part of a Greek community is something I feel would help elevate
an already outstanding leadership and service-oriented community to even greater heights,” White said. Franks echoed White’s sentiments that the new group will benefit Tech and the Greek community as a whole, in addition to Tri Delta. “My hope for this extension is that it will unite our Greek community as we are all working toward one goal — to successfully establish Tri Delta Sorority at Louisiana Tech.”
>
61. Doctrine 62. Neckline shape 63. German article
LAST ISSUE’S SOLUTION
Have any ideas for future comics or feedback? Email dwyer@latech.edu
WEEKLYWEATHER
>
www.bestcrosswords.com
SUDOKUPUZZLE Difficulty EASY
LAST ISSUE’S SOLUTION
Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 grid contains the digits 1 through 9.
NEPAL NITE from pg. 1
Sherpa said. She said all the preparations are done by students who are in the association or any student who wanted to volunteer their time to help. “The food is prepared the week of the event; the students take a pride in preparing the food because a lot of the guests have never tried Nepalese food before,” Basnet said. He said alumni will travel from all over the country to come to Nepal Night and take part in the festivities of the night. “I love to reconnect with friends who have graduated and moved away but have come back for this event, it
www.sudoku-puzzles.net
is like a reunion for us who have not seen each other in a while,” Basnet said. He said most of the people who come to the event are from Nepal, but the American students are well represented in the audience as well. Warren Abadie, a freshman biology major, was first intrigued by Nepal Night when one of his Nepalese friends was cooking an authentic Nepalese dish in Mitchell dorm. “I was excited to come to the event because I wanted to learn more about the culture of the country. Also I wanted to get to know the Nepalese students,” Abadie said.
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CHILDREN’S CHOICE from pg. 1 most current books into the hands of students. “We definitely have to be selective in providing reading materials for children,” McCoy said. “We can select what we think are high quality books, but we have to know what they’re interested in.” Mahjabin Chowdhury is working on her master of arts in teaching and is a current student teacher in Tech’s year-round clinical residency program. Chowdury has been able to see firsthand how the Children’s Choice
books have impacted her first graders at Glen View Elementary. “I cannot describe the feeling when a kid starts to read,” Chowdhury said. “When she struggles and she overcomes it, it empowers her or him as well as the teacher. It gives you hope.” She said she had a student who could not read at all, but after three months she heard the student reading aloud. “You can see the result of your effort and it’s not in vain,” she said. “It’s really there, and it’s working.”
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W&NBRIEFS WORLDNEWS Mall Easter bunny, father scuffle after child slips JERSEY CITY, N.J. (AP) — The Easter bunny has scuffled in a mall brawl. A mall Easter bunny and a father got into a tussle Sunday after the man’s child slipped from a chair while getting her photo taken, Jersey City police said Monday.
Texas man executed for murder HUNTSVILLE, Texas (AP) — A Texas man on death row for killing a worker who was on his property looking for city code violations was put to death Tuesday. Adam Ward was given a lethal injection for shooting and killing Michael Walker, a code enforcement officer who was taking photos of junk piled outside the Ward family home in Commerce, about 65 miles northeast of Dallas.
STATENEWS Judge accepts plea deal in Darren Sharper rape case NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A federal judge Tuesday formally accepted Darren Sharper’s plea deal in a drug and rape case, making clear to the former NFL star that she could sentence him to 20 years in prison.
March 24, 2016 • The Tech Talk • 11
Brussels mourns, Belgian police hunt suspect ASSOCIATED PRESS BRUSSELS (AP) — Belgians began three days of mourning Wednesday for the victims of the Brussels airport and subway bombings, and the country remained on high alert as authorities hunted for one of the suspected attackers seen on surveillance video with two others who blew themselves up. Turkish authorities, meanwhile, said they had caught one of the suicide bombers near the TurkishSyrian border in July and sent him back to the Netherlands, warning both that country and Belgium that he was a “foreign terrorist fighter.” But a Turkish official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly said the bomber was allowed to go free because Belgian authorities could not establish any ties to extremism. Several people who may be linked to the attacks were still on the loose and the country’s threat alert remained at its highest level, meaning there was danger of an imminent attack, said Paul Van Tigchelt, head of
Belgium’s terrorism threat body. The attacks killed 31 people, not including three suicide bombers, and injured 270 others, authorities said. As government offices, schools and residents held a moment of silence to honor the dead, the mood was defiance mixed with anxiety that others involved in the attacks are still at large. Belgian prosecutor Federal Prosecutor Frederic Van Leeuw identified two of the Brussels attackers as brothers — Ibrahim El Bakraoui, a suicide bomber at the airport, and Khalid El Bakraoui, who targeted the subway. Investigators raided the Brussels neighborhood of Schaerbeek after the attacks and found a computer in a trash can on the street including a note from Ibrahim El Bakraoui saying he felt increasingly unsafe and feared landing in prison. He was the brother who Turkish officials said was deported from Turkey to the Netherlands. Belgium’s justice minister said authorities there knew him as a common criminal, not an extremist, and that he was sent back to the Nether-
AP/Martin Meissner
People holding a banner reading “I am Brussels” behind flowers and candles to mourn for the victims at Place de la Bourse in the center of Brussels, Tuesday lands, not Belgium. A taxi driver who took Ibrahim El Bakraoui and two others to the airport led investigators to an apartment where they found 15 kilograms (33 pounds) of TATP explosives, along with nails and other materials used to make bombs, Van Leeuw
Obama, Castro lay bare human rights, embargo tensions
Man arrested in toddler son’s death BOSSIER CITY, (AP) — Bossier City Police have arrested a man in the death of his 13-month-old son. In custody is 21-year-old Cory Hannon, of Bossier City, on a charge of second-degree murder.
Anthony Davis expected to miss Olympics METAIRIE, La. (AP) — Anthony Davis is expected to miss this summer’s Olympic Games because of knee and shoulder injuries that have ended his fourth NBA season early.
white jacket and black cap who fled before the bombs went off, leaving behind a bag full of explosives. That bag later blew up, but no one was injured. The Islamic State group, which was behind the Paris attacks, has also claimed responsibility for the Brussels bombings.
SPEAK MAGAZINE
is available digitally on issuu
US urges final approval of BP oil spill pact NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Federal lawyers on Tuesday formally asked a judge in New Orleans to approve a record-breaking $20 billionplus settlement agreement announced last July by the Department of Justice and five Gulf Coast states to resolve years of legal fighting about the 2010 Gulf oil spill.
said. He said authorities do not know the identities of two other people pictured with El Bakraoui in a surveillance photo from the airport that police are circulating. Two were suicide bombers, the prosecutor said; the other was a man in a
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AP/Pablo Martinez Monsivais
President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro meet at the Palace of Revolution in Havana, Cuba. ASSOCIATED PRESS HAVANA (AP) — Laying bare a half-century of tensions, President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro prodded each other Monday over human rights and the longstanding U.S. economic embargo during an unprecedented joint news conference that stunned Cubans unaccustomed to their leaders being aggressively questioned. The exchanges underscored deep divisions that still exist between the two countries despite rapidly improved relations in the 15 months since Obama and Castro surprised the world with an announcement to end their Cold War-era diplomatic freeze. Obama, standing in Ha-
vana’s Palace of the Revolution on the second day of his historic visit to Cuba, repeatedly pushed Castro to take steps to address his country’s human rights record. “We continue, as President Castro indicated, to have some very serious differences, including on democracy and human rights,” said Obama, who planned to meet with Cuban dissidents Tuesday. Still, Obama heralded a “new day” in the U.S.-Cuba relationship and said “part of normalizing relations means we discuss these differences directly.” Castro was blistering in his criticism of the American embargo, which he called “the most important 2 | SPEAK magazine obstacle” to his country’s economic development.
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12 • The Tech Talk • March 24, 2016
Diamond ‘Dogs off to historic start KERRY WAGUESPACK Staff Reporter | kfw005@latech.edu
Photo by Tom Morris
Junior infielder Raphael Gladu continues to lead the Bulldogs with a .463 batting average and seven extra-base hits through 17 games.
After one of the hottest starts in recent history, the Bulldog baseball team is rolling into conference play with momentum on their side. With one of the largest crowds J.C. Love Field has ever seen – 2,095 – the team knocked off then-ranked No. 6 University of Louisiana-Lafayette in a game that showcased a stellar performance by senior pitcher Tyler Clancy. “I knew I had the stuff to go out there and beat those guys, but I also trusted my defense behind me, which helped me relax and help us go get the win,” Clancy said. The following week, the team went out and knocked off thenranked No. 12 Arkansas on the road in Fayetteville in a hardnosed 3-2 victory. “I was extremely proud of the guys going into an environment like we did in Arkansas and being able to keep their focus and finding a way to win the game,” Tech head coach Greg Goff said. With a plethora of new players and expectations from preseason polls to finish in the bottom of the conference, there was plenty of uncertainty heading into the season. “I am ecstatic about the way our guys have started this season, the attitude and effort that they bring with them every day is what has fueled this hot start,” Goff said. He said everyone is buying into the motto of “All for One,” which has everyone playing for one another and holding each other responsible for being the best he can be.
“This is one of the most selfless teams that I have been around,” Goff said. “No one cares who gets the credit. As long as the team is winning, the team is happy.” With a team earned run average of 3.74, the pitching staff is giving the offense a chance to win every game they play in. “Tyler Clancy may be seen as our ace, but we are confident no matter which starter we run to the hill, we have four guys who we think can go out and give us a chance to win,” Goff said. He said with the four-man rotation, the schedule lined up so that Clancy would be pitching in big games, and he has delivered every time he has stepped on the mound. While pitching is important, runs are scored at the plate. Left fielder Raphael Gladu is off to a scorching start hitting .463. Gladu is not the only one hitting the ball well though. Batting .315 as a team is one way to average almost eight runs per game. “The coaches are getting us all prepared by having scouting reports on every pitcher we have faced, and in practice they do whatever it takes to make us better,” Gladu said. He said heading into conference play, the team needs to stay aggressive and keep playing hard day in and day out. “We were not happy with where everyone had us ranked and projected to finish in the preseason,” Clancy said. “So we are here to show them what this team can really do.” Tech will host Charlotte in a C-USA series in Ruston, starting Thursday at 6 p.m. Game two of the series will be Friday at 6 p.m., with the series finale on Saturday at 2 p.m.
End of season near for Bulldog basketball MATTHEW VALCHO Sports Editor | mvv002@latech.edu After many highs, lows and the ending of one of the most storied careers in Louisiana Tech history, the Bulldogs’ season has nearly come to a close. “I think our team has improved throughout the year and that is really the most important goal for us,” Tech coach Eric Konkol said. When Konkol took over the men’s basketball program before last season, he stated in his first press conference that his ultimate goal was to send the team to the NCAA Tournament. While that goal was not accomplished this season, the team is certainly moving in the right direction. “We began the year with many new faces, battled adversity with injuries, and found a way to have a productive year that we can build on,” he said. While Konkol intends to use what he learned in his first year to better the team in the future, one player who has been a constant for the past four years will not be there. Senior Alex Hamilton, arguably one of the best to play at Tech, was named the Conference USA Player of the Year this season. “It is truly a blessing,” Hamilton said at the press conference announcing his award. “This is something I have worked hard for.” In his last game in the Thomas Assembly Center, Hamilton recorded his first triple-double and only the third in school history. “It has to be at the top,” Hamil-
Photo by Brian McQuillin
Freshman Derric Jean made the game-winner from half court to give the Bulldogs the road victory over Marshall on March 3. Jean’s half-court heave landed Tech on ESPN’s Sportcenter Top 10. ton said after the game against Rice. “It was my last night. It is something I will forever remember. Not that I won’t remember other moments I made with other teammates.” “For me and the goals that I have achieved, this is something I will remember forever.” The Bulldogs finished the season with a 23-9 record, the highest win total in the state of Louisiana. Tech will compete against eight other teams from across the country in the inaugural Vegas 16 postseason tournament next week in Las Vegas. Hamilton and the rest of the
Bulldog’s squad have a chance to leave their mark on a postseason tournament in March, even if it is not in the big dance. “Our team is excited about the opportunity to play deep into the month of March against quality teams in a popular destination,” Konkol said. The Bulldogs participation in the Vegas tournament breaks the three-year streak of playing in the National Invitational Tournament. On the opposite side of the bracket from Tech is none other than the team that caused the Bulldogs so much heartache this
season, Old Dominion. But Konkol says that is not on the team’s mind. “Our focus right now is on improving and preparing for our first game against a very good ETSU team,” he said. “We need to use this additional time to keeping working to improve and become more consistent.” The Bulldogs will take on the East Tennessee State Buccaneers in the quarterfinals of the Vegas 16 on March 28, with the semifinals and finals taking place the following two days. All games of the tournament will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network.
FROM THE SPORTS DESK with Matt Valcho
Rio de Janeiro is a wreck
I
n a matter of months, one of the greatest spectacles in the world of sports, the Games of the XXXI Olympiad or Rio 16, will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The problem is that the country is not prepared to host this event that the whole world will be watching. While it can be expected that what the world sees on TV will go off without a hitch, those in the country will be seeing a totally different world. Brazil’s economy and government are in shambles, not to mention the numerous health and environmental hazards. One of the biggest issues would have to be the Zika virus, which is causing panic for women who have ascended to the height of their sport and are competing in the games. It has basically created a nearly impossible choice: Compete on the grandest stage in your sport, or give birth to a healthy baby one day. The Zika virus is known to possibly cause birth defects in children. Another issue is the water. In Olympic warm-ups in Brazil, some teams experienced sickness after competing in the pollution filled water. To make matters worse, finding funding for cleanup is hitting snags thanks to the poor economy. Many sports fans across the planet got an idea of what the Olympics would look like after Brazil hosted the 2014 World Cup. The results could be interpreted differently. On one hand, the country was in shambles going into the initial stages of preparing for the tournament. The government spent millions of dollars they did not have and seemingly allowed FIFA to seize control of parts of the country. On the other hand, while things outside the stadiums could have been better, the product on the field was not affected. That has to be a positive sign. Although that will not help any Brazilian citizens. All this being said, why even give the Olympics to a country that cannot handle it? Same question to FIFA with the World Cup. Is it to encourage them to get their issues together? Possibly. But it has not helped anything; it has only caused further corruption in a country that desperately needs relief. Matthew Valcho is a junior journalism major from Benton who serves as sports editor for The Tech Talk.