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VOLUME 91 • ISSUE 17

FCS research labs to present at child development conference ANDREW BELL Staff Reporter | agb022@ latech.edu

also be presenting, with a poster presentation on the topic of sexuality and gender The family and child stud- development in youth, famiies department is looking for- lies and communities with a ward to making a positive im- more qualitative approach.

Barrow said that her lab pact outside of the classroom, at the Society for Research includes a very hands-on and vigorous process. and Child Develop“We look at ment conference words, not numbers,” April 6-8 in Austin, Barrow said. “We Texas. collected 37 narraAssistant profestives on how young sors for family and adults experienced child studies Julie their gender growRutledge and Katie ing up, and how they Barrow will preslearned about genent data from their RUTLEDGE der in their families. research labs at the We go through each Society for Research and Child Development narrative, line by line, and we come up with common codes (SRCD) conference.

Rutledge’s Children’s Pre- and themes across all of the ventative Health and Social data. It’s a very intensive proDevelopment (CHiPS) lab cess but it’s awesome.”

Barrow specified that her will present paper and poster presentations on childhood research lab is aimed toward a obesity and nutritional values different age group than Rutwith a quantitative approach. ledge’s lab.

Barrow’s Sexual Health and Families Team (SH&FT) will see FCS LABS page 6

Residential Life introduces new housing program TIFFANY WILKINS Staff Reporter | tmw048@ latech.edu The dream of no longer having to wait in line to pay for next year’s room assignments has become a reality for both residential life staff and students with the introduction of a new process for reserving dorms or apartments.

The online program, called StarRes, has eliminated obstacles of long lines and paperwork for the spring quarter, making the housing process more efficient for both students and faculty.

Emily Spoon, assistant director of residential life, said she felt with everything being technologically accessible, this program can help students in more ways than one.

“We wanted more convenience and to make it a little

easier for students to have a hand in selecting their assignments and roommates in using StarRes,” she said.

She said students could choose new roommates and even view their profiles under the system to see if they properly meet requirements established by the survey.

“If you have someone specifically in mind that you are looking for you can go in and type in their name or their screenname in StarRes and select them,” she said.

She also said StarRes can also pull up potential roommates for students if they are unsure of who they would like to live with.

Students like Tyniqual Orange, a freshman elementary and special education major, felt that this process was convenient to her schedule.

“This gave me time to really think about what kind of

see RESIDENTIAL LIFE page 6

The event’s blackjack table helped to create a casino-like atmosphere.

Photos by Colin Fontenot

Union Board casino night brings Las Vegas to Ruston IMANI COLEMAN Staff Reporter | itc002@ latech.edu Casinos play a major role in Louisiana’s culture, and that culture was put on full display with the Union Board’s annual “RusVegas” event.

The event, held March 22, included Blackjack, Roulette, poker and craps to transform the Tonk into a Las Vegas-style casino.

The Union Board also set the atmosphere by including arge screens that played music videos and an oxygen bar, a therapeutic station where students could soak in relaxing scents to relieve stress.

Anna Lee, a sophomore psychology major and Union Board member, said the organization spent months of careful preparation for the event.

“We started the process of planning this event back in the summer and didn’t finish until last night,” she said.

Lee emphasized the importance of making sure the event had food everyone could enjoy. The menu included pasta, pizza dip, salad, brownies and cookies.

“I know the food is a big element to all of our free events so I tried to make sure the food was tasty, and I like to know that people enjoyed it,” she said.

A key factor in the event’s success was the work of Colby Ashley, the Union Board’s president.

“My responsibilities include overseeing the entire board, and when we have these big events I’m speaking to agents, starting contracts and seeing about our bids,” he said. “It’s a lot of work.”

Maddie Corbett, a junior business major spoke of her “love for the annual event and the fact that it gives Tech students a “classy” way to come together.”

Johnna Hartzog, a senior graphic design major and Union Board member, worked the money wheel, which awarded students the amount of money they rolled.

“This is our first time having this addition and people are loving it,” she said.

The wheel awarded students the amount they rolled and

Students gathered around the craps table for the chance to win money and prizes. students were given the option to either gamble their earnings or to buy raffle tickets for prizes, including an Apple watch, Keurig, kayak, Eno hammock and a bluetooth speaker.

“I’m really excited because we have really good prizes this year,” Hartzog said.

The biggest prize however, was a quarter of free housing, equivalent to $960.

“I’m so glad residential life collaborated with us for the top prize; it’s the first time we’ve offered a prize this big,” Lee said.

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2 • The Tech Talk • March 30, 2017

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Tech students build bridges Collaboration between Tech architecture students and MedCamps continues

JOHN STACK Staff Reporter| jes062@latech.edu The ARCH 335 junior design studio is designing its fourth project in as many years at MedCamps of Louisiana, a nonprofit organization that provides free summer camp experiences for children with chronic illnesses and disabilities.

The students have been challenged to design and construct a 300-foot bridge that will allow campers to cross the lake at the center of Camp Alabama, alleviating the half-mile trek currently required for campers to travel between canoe launch and archery range.

Completing these design and construction processes over course of 10-week quarter is a tall

task on top of other classes and extracurricular responsibilities for the 17 junior architecture majors, said assistant professors of architecture Brad Deal and Robert Brooks, who led the students.

“The design of the bridge will include several amenities that create enhanced opportunities for fishing along the bridge as well as the ability for canoes and paddle boats to pass through it,” Deal said.

“If all goes well, a dedication ceremony will take place May 19 to mark the last day of classes for the spring quarter and the completion of the new bridge for MedCamps.”

He said this year marks the largest and most ambitious project to date.

Last year Deal and Brooks won the Grand Prize and the People’s Choice Award in the American In-

stitute of Architects’ (AIA) 2016 I Look Up Film Challenge for their inspirational short film titled “Rebuilding MedCamps.”

They posted on Louisiana Tech’s School of Design webpage that the projects captured on film and that emerge from the Design Build Studio experience at Tech create engaging and meaningful learning experiences for students.

“It was our hope that the film would capture a few things,” said Brooks on the website. “We hoped it would capture our belief that design can be humble yet mighty, that education outside of the traditional design studio is not only worthwhile, but inwardly meaningful and outwardly powerful, and that design can represent that which we aspire to as compassionate and hopeful educators of the next generation of architects.”

Frank Hamrick, an associate professor of photography, is getting photography actively involved in the current project of building the bridge.

“The morning class of beginning students will be going out to

“We hoped it [the film] would capture our belief that design can be humble yet mighty, that education outside of the traditional design studio is not only worthwhile, but inwardly meaningful and outwardly powerful, and that design can represent that which we aspire to as compassionate and hopeful educators of the next generation of architects.”

ROBERT BROOKS Assistant Professor of Architecture

South Campus’ art and architecture annex to photograph the architecture students that are working on this project to document some of their fabrication of the bridge,” Hamrick said. “Then the

afternoon class, which consists of some upper level students and grad students will go out on location to the camp, which is outside of Choudrant, doing on location photos but also some videoing.”

He said the goal of this is to document the project, from beginning to end, giving credit to the students for their endeavors, “The architecture department sort of has a history of doing these service learning projects that benefit the community,” Hamrick said. “Last year’s project was documented by architecture, and they put together a video that was submitted to an architecture competition and it won.”

He said the thing about a lot of these architecture projects is that they are site specific. There aren’t museums or galleries to display it; where you build it is where it is.

“This makes it important for architecture to be documented,” he said. “Having still photographs or video or interviews with people who work on the project or the people that benefit from it shows the impact that the piece makes.”

NAMI kicks-off spring quarter BRYN YOUNG Staff Reporter| bjy001@latech.edu

“What NAMI has done a lot in the past is work with Methodist Children’s Louisiana Tech’s Na- Home,” Eddy said. “We’ve tional Alliance on Mental focused a lot on children, Illnesses campus group, a but I was thinking maybe national organization meant we should go the other dito help educate the public rection also.” on and provide support to NAMI is also looking to those with mental illnesses, promote and encourage stukicked off an eventful spring dent to seek treatment at the quarter with a meeting Louisiana Tech counseling March 20. center more In the meet- “We’re not a supthis quarter as ing, members of they working NAMI discussed port group; we are towards desthe plans and an advocacy and tigmatizing upcoming events education group. the treatment planned for the of mental illcurrent quarter. We’re here for nesses.

They are holding leadership; we’re “I want multiple events here for awareto get the during the spring counseling quarter including ness.” center more a public forum involved,” on dementia RACHEL EDDY Eddy said. and Alzheimer’s NAMI President “The counApril 3 and a visseling center it to Pecan Villa hosts all these Nursing Home April 4. groups. Almost every day of Rachel Eddy, NAMI the week they have a differpresident and junior biol- ent little support group and ogy major, said she wished nobody seems to really go.” to reach out to groups The young group also with mental illnesses that looks to add members and do not receive as much at- build a more prominent tention, which is why they name at Louisiana Tech, are spending much of this Eddy said. quarter reaching out to the “We’re very approachelderly. able people,” Eddy said.

“For one, you don’t have to have a mental illness to be in NAMI. We’re not a support group; we are an advocacy and education group.

We’re here for leadership; we’re here for awareness.”

NAMI members Lucia House, a junior electrical engineering major, and Kaelyn Nguyen, a sophomore computer sciences major, voiced the importance of education and advocacy.

“I think outreach is very important, but I think that education gets people to understand more about what we are talking about,” House said.

They also stressed the diversity of members that participate in NAMI and its openness to new members of all kinds, as well as encouraged people to join.

“We do a lot of service projects as well. We are not just about education, so it’s also good for engineers who need service hours,” Nguyen said. ”We have a lot of diverse people; it’s not just for psychology majors.”

NAMI will hold meetings every other Monday throughout the quarter in Davison room 106 and is open to anyone wishing to get involved.

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March 30, 2017 • The Tech Talk • 3

GLOW RAGE REACHES REVELRY

On March 25, The Revelry hosted a “GlowRage” paint party for the public to enjoy. This year’s theme was the Carnival of Color, sending those who attended into a whimsical carnival ride of glowing paint.

Photos by Ashley Kober

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4 • The Tech Talk • March 30, 2017

The

TechTalk

A RUNNER’S RAMBLINGS

MANAGEMENT

An ode to the Keurig

MANAGING EDITOR Starla Gatson

KACIE KAUFMAN News Editor | kjk019@latech.edu

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Amber Harrington Kacie Kaufman

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Michael McKnight

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W

e all have our reasons for rising each morning. Some of us are the early-morning gogetters, the sunrise yoga-doers and the 8 a.m. class-attenders. My motivation, however, has nothing to do with birds chirping and the sun shining. Each morning, the call of the Keurig brings me back to life.

The sleek machine beckons me with the sweet promise of caffeine and gives me a reason to leave my bed.

The Keurig is a tenant of modern convenience, the iPhone of coffee makers. Its purpose is to be entirely user-friendly, based entirely on instant gratification. A strong cup of coffee is merely a few clicks away — no grinding, no measuring, no fuss.

The machine stands for all the modern amenities which the world strives to fulfill — choice is inherent. It reflects all that we have grown accus-

Michael LeBlanc

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Kacie Kaufman is a junior journalism major from Loveland , CO, who serves as a news editor for The Tech Talk.

Try and appreciate ol’ Nate

Tech Talk subscriptions are $25 a year. Mail to: Tech Talk Subscrip­ tions, P.O. Box 10258, Ruston, LA 71272.

PUBLICATION

every level of our life.

The world may give the illusion of ultimate ease, but in reality, no matter how advanced and streamlined our society becomes, there are only so many ways to make life easier. True grit and the hours we put in every day will be essential to getting anywhere worth going, but at least the caffeine to help get us through the grind is only a few moments away, all thanks to the Keurig.

On days when things don’t come easily, a good cup of joe is only a pod of pre-measured coffee and a click of a button away. When things aren’t going your way, take time to appreciate this perfectly brewed fluid filling your mug. Your work may only be half-done and your cup may be half-empty, but at least your mug is full — and easily refilled.

WHEELIN’ AND DILLON

SUBSCRIPTIONS

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.

tomed to, with its seemingly endless flavors and variety all easily accessible.

In our lives, we expect to have nearly endless options and anticipate being constantly catered to and instantly having all of our wishes granted at the press of a button.

As a college student, I see daily where students look for a path of little to no resistance. Students seek an easy button for life and the minimum workload required. We presume the world will work in our favor and embark on the quest for the ever-elusive convenience which we have been trained to expect.

But the world is not our personal Keurig machine. Perhaps instead of looking for the world to adjust to our needs, we need to accept that there are certain aspects of our existence that simply require more work than operating a coffee maker.

It is more than acceptable to appreciate and utilize this kind of convenience, but ridiculous to expect it at

DILLON NELSON Staff Reporter | djn005@latech.edu

I

read Nathaniel Hawthorne`s first book, “The Scarlet Letter,” all the way through my freshman year of college. The powerful verbosity and strong symbolism of the tale of Hester Prynne, Pearl and Dimmesdale made me want to read more of this author I had regrettably given up on in high school.

To others who had to read it in high school and have bad memories of it: I can attest that he gets much better as an adult. His Puritan style was stuffy and dry to me in high school, but when I read “The Scarlet Letter” a couple of years ago, the intensity and beauty of the language really resonated with me.

Along with several of his short stories, I have finished two of his novels and parts of the others since then.

Though Hawthorne can carry on forever sometimes, his prose becomes enchanting at times and his symbolism is consistently well-used.

With “House of the Seven Gables,” his second novel, Hawthorne uses a

slower pace to generate an effectively creepy Gothic gem of a novel. The difficulty level of the writing may turn some off, but lovers of challenging literature will enjoy it. I can see why is sometimes used in high school and college like “The Scarlet Letter.”

The bloody legend of the cursed Pyncheon family is delightfully denoted in a sort antiquated, fairytale language that is as just as lovely as the language of “The Scarlet Letter.”

Though it is a bit slower than its predecessor, readers who enjoy lofty language and light horror elements will enjoy Hawthorne’s way with words in this novel.

With “The Blithedale Romance,” Hawthorne seems to have found a balance somewhere between the heightened, pontificating style of “House of the Seven Gables” and the more substantial narrative leanings of “The Scarlet Letter.”

“The Blithedale Romance” is often overlooked but it is the most mainstream novel by Hawthorne. This story about a complicated love quadrangle is oddly romantic, light and beautifully

written and is much more easily enjoyable and less intense.

Having read enough of his work, I would say the best way to read Hawthorne is to enjoy his works for their eloquent prose as much as you can.

Reading his short stories is certainly a great way to get accustomed to his writing because they are easily enjoyable and well-written. They will prime you for his longer, more substantial novels.

Ultimately, his penchant for style over substance will come down to a matter of personal taste and you still may not enjoy him after giving him another chance. However, I feel as though his works are way better than people give him credit for due to their previous perception of him from high school. If you are one of those people, give his work another chance please.

Your idea of good literature might have changed since then.

Dillon Nelson is a senior English literature and communications major from West Monroe who serves as a staff reporter for The Tech Talk.

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 publication. Letters should be mailed to The Tech Talk, P.O. Box 10258, Ruston, LA 71272. Emails should be sent to techtalk@latech.edu. You can also submit letters online at www.thetechtalk.org/home/ lettertotheeditor/.

Louisiana Tech University is committed to the principle of providing the opportunity for learning and development of all qualified citizens without regard to race, sex, religion, color, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or veteran status for admission to, participation in, or employment in the pro­ grams and activities which the University sponsors or operates.

For Title IX information, see University Policy #1445 at http:// www.latech.edu/administration/ policies­and­procedures/1445. shtml.

GUEST COLUMN

Simple system for saving KELLY BRANTLEY

T

he envelope system — it works!

This is a very practical tool that has been used for many generations. It is a cash system where you fill individual envelopes each week with a certain amount of money allocated for each envelope. There are four envelopes that I recommend that you use: Grocery Envelope; Weekend Envelope — Friday night, Saturday and Sunday; Weekly “Me Money” Envelope — Monday through Friday; Fuel Envelope; and Grocery Envelope.

While people differ on how they spend money, we all have to eat. Food is a crucial part of our budget. You must decide how much money you need each week to put in the grocery envelope for your family.

Our family shops at a large discount store, which offers a variety of nonfood products, and I believe in keeping things simple. For me, the definition of grocery is one of the following: food, paper products, deodorant, tooth paste, hair products, dish detergent, soap, cleaning supplies and dog or cat food. You now purchase these items using the cash out of your gro-

cery envelope. This will help you not to overspend and keep you within your budget. Be realistic as you decide how much to put in the grocery envelope for your family.

The weekend envelope is a powerful envelope because it includes eating out and entertainment, and in today’s society we all like to eat out and we do it often, more than we realize.

The weekend amount can be $25, $50 or $100 or any amount, but whatever the amount, it has to be realistic and fit within your budget.

The power — and freedom — of this envelope comes in helping you understand the reality of your spending and keeping spending in check. Let’s say you have $50; you may decide to go out to a nicer restaurant for dinner.

However, if you have $10 left in your weekend envelope, you might choose a fast-food restaurant instead.

For your “Me” Envelope, every Friday you put a certain amount of money weekly in your pocket for the next Monday through Friday. This envelope covers the following: your favorite coffee, breakfast, lunch out, soft drinks, snacks, tobacco and alcohol.

The weekly amount can be $25,

$50 or $100 or any amount, but whatever the amount, it has to fit your budget.

The Fuel Envelope can be used two different ways: you can put cash in the envelope and pay cash when you fill up your car for the week, or, use the debit card when you fill up, but you must put the debit card receipt in the fuel envelope and keep a running total on the outside of the envelope of how much you have spent that month on fuel.

The envelope system helps you rethink your purchases and helps prevent spontaneous spending.

Everyone’s spending and wealth potential boils down to the choices made each and every day with each and every dollar.

Kelly Brantley, author of Debt-Free & Wealthy, One Dollar at a Time, is a nationally known speaker and Dave Ramsey Certified Financial Counselor for North Louisiana. Kelly’s financial commentary airs every other Monday at 6:15 a.m. on KNOE TV 8. Her website is www.DebtFreeWithKelly.com.

Her book can be purchased from the Louisiana Tech bookstore.

Help us fight fake news I

t’s on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and in almost every single comment section on a news article: the accusations of “fake news!”

The words are thrown from pundits and even the president, who in tweets accused the “fake news” of misreporting his meeting with Angela Merkel, the current chancellor of Germany, last week.

Fake news is a serious issue for both journalists and the public because false stories have a tendency to spread like wildfire, as does the urge to call reporting we disagree with “fake news.” That leads to some serious confusion on what is or isn’t fake news and subsequently what is or isn’t fact.

Fake news is defined by Collins English Dictionary as “false and sometimes sensationalist information presented as fact and published and spread on the internet.”

Fake news isn’t a matter of if you like the reporting or if it has biases. Fake news stories are made up, meant to lure readers in with a credible looking article and page in hope they’ll share it, whether to gain ad revenue or push a political agenda or even just for kicks.

There are conservative and liberal fake news articles, from Pizzagate to “Key Witness in Trump Corruption Probe ‘Mysteriously Falls’ From Building,” but one thing all fake news has in common is a real look and a fabricated story.

Although major outlets may seem like “fake news,” there is truth amongst their spin, which means it isn’t categorized as “fake news.” Fox News or CNN may lean a different direction than you, but to call them “fake news” is wrong, as most of the time they are reporting accurately.

While you may disagree with the angles reporters or organizations take, to claim something is “fake news” for those reasons is a way of being “fake news” yourself. Call things what they are. This doesn’t excuse unethical actions from reporters, but we should at least label these issues correctly so they can be handled correctly.

The Tech Talk believes it is our job as journalists to report as objectively and fairly as possible, getting as close to the truth as we can with the sources we have. But journalists are human. We make errors in reporting and sometimes biases do slip through. When that happens, it is up to the readers to help call attention to these errors.

The public is our ultimate editor so the critiques of media should be more substantial than just labeling everything “fake news.”This makes sure fake news gets rightfully called out and biases get put in check.

Fact-check, read articles thoroughly and read from multiple sources, and if you find misleading or outright false statements, you can get in contact with the paper or author and voice your complaints.

March 30, 2017 • The Tech Talk • 5

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Professor Kevin Bobo headlines Youth Percussion Ensemble IMANI COLEMAN Staff Reporter | itc002@latech.edu Bright lights and wellshined instruments were on full display at Louisiana Tech’s fifth annual North Louisiana Youth Percussion Ensemble Festival March 24-25.

The festival gave local high school students a chance to debut their best talent and to receive a hands-on experience.

The schools included were Ruston High, Neville and Jena.

The headliner was Kevin Bobo, a professor of percussion at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.

Bobo is an internationally respected solo marimba artist and has performed on five continents, according to the festival’s brochure.

He specializes in the maribama. A marimba is “a musical instrument, that originated in Africa but was popularized and modified in Central America. It consists of a set of graduated wood-

Photo By Jonathan Shaul

Professor Kevin Bobo performing on the marimba at the fifith annual Norith Louisiana Youth Percussion Ensemble. en bars, often with resonators beneath to reinforce the sound, and is struck with mallets,” according to Dictonary.com.

Bobo began playing the marimba at the age of 12.

“The great thing about starting that young was that I never got irritated,” he said. “The entire experience was all centered on exploration; there was never any pressure.”

For Bobo, the “only true obstacle was learning the advanced skill of holding two mallets in one hand simultaneously,” he said.

“During the set I joked about never being able to

hold hands with my wife, but it’s true,” he said. “The worst part of learning to play the marimba was the blisters I would get on my hands from the sticks.”

He said he also believes

he has yet to reach his maximum potential.

“I have yet to master the marimba,” he said. I believe it is an unmasterable instrument.”

Bobo believes life could not exist in a world without music.

“I believe the arts are very important to everyday society and I believe without them the world would be a very dull place and I wouldn’t want to live there,” he said.

According to Bobo he has yet to acheive his highest acheivement.

“I don’t think I’ve reached that moment yet, or at least I hope I haven’t, he said.

The second day of the festival centered around the high schools, and all the schools got a 25-minute set.

Ruston High had two bands that performed a intermediate and advanced set.

The festival’s closing concert also included Louisiana Tech’s Percussion Ensemble and the Honors Ensemble.

After years of silence James Blunt returns STARLA GATSON Managing Editor | sjg021@latech.edu After nearly four years of musical silence, James Blunt returned to the music scene with “The Afterlove.”

In an interview with Artist Direct, the British singersongwriter referred to the ten-track album as “confident and bold” and called it more diverse than any other album he has released in the past.

Known for his soulful ballads, “The A f t e r l ov e ” i n t ro d u c e d Blunt fans to his mainstream side. By collaborating with well-known pop artists, including OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder and Ed Sheeran, Blunt was able to produce more energetic and upbeat songs than those of his earlier albums.

Though Blunt traded his soft guitar rhythms for toetapping, catchy beats, his signature vocal rasp and refreshingly honest lyrics still remain intact.

The majority of the album’s tracks are modern love songs and tell the story of Blunt’s marriage to his wife and the birth of his first child; a prominent theme of each of these tracks is a romantic relationship’s power to positively change a personality. Blunt tells various love stories through the tracks, including one of forbidden love and one of love for his wife and son.

In many of the album’s songs, including “Love Me Better,” Blunt’s signature self-deprecating humor shines through as he expresses the belief that he believed he did not deserve the life-changing love he had described. He even

The Afterlove James Blunt HHHII makes fun of his claim to fame, the 2005 track “You’re Beautiful,” with the line “Would have said you’re beautiful but I’ve used that line before.”

While the topic of love’s ability to alter people is a bit of a cliché, it’s a theme that listeners can resonate with.

Blunt’s simple choruses are relatable and their conversational tone allows listeners to easily apply the song’s subject matter to their own lives.

One of the few songs on the album that is not about romantic relationships is “Someone Singing Along.”

The track has a catchy hook and unique melody, but its lyrics are what make the song stand out. It addresses modern issues faced in America today, including racism, marriage equality and Second Amendment rights.

Atlantic Records

The song is a call to action. Blunt’s lyrics, “Cause just one voice is not enough, I need to hear from everyone,” are a plea for listeners to not only stand up and speak out for what they believe in but also respect others despite differing opinions.

The album, filled with memorable hooks and upbeat rhythms, served as the singer’s emergence into popular music, though a few of Blunt’s attempts at evolution to fit the times fell flat.

“The Afterlove” is a good starting point on Blunt’s path to modernizing his sound.

New fans will enjoy the energy and contagious hooks of the album while diehard Blunt fans will appreciate the lyrics, as they remain honest and conversational and tell a story that many listeners can relate to.

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Check out the fourth expansion series on part of the campus Tech’s more environmentallyplan to become friendly

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A community photographer shares his memories from Ruston and Tech’s past.

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Tech Talk The

THE STUD ENT

FEBRUARY 18, 2016

VOICE OF LOUISIAN

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Gov. John Bel Edwards addresses a joint state session on Feb. 14 about education budget concerns and beginning the new special legislative session.

THE FUTURE

OF TOPS Patrick Dennis

/ The Advocate

TOPS. “The recent dents will not As Louisiana announce actually be directly gan registratio Tech students be- lated to TOPS had to doments re- impacted. Instead the university last week, the n for spring quarter expected shortfall of statewith the be receiving approximately the most impact will future of the higher education $28 million, funds, this change. states were from funds became necessary that huge concern.

“It should have a the remainder to fund TOPS for no effect on dents at this point,” On Feb. 11, of this year,” Les Guice, the Louisiana he said. “We stufice of Student Tech president. said pect it to have Of- governor exFinancial Assistance a budgetary “The clarified that (LAFSA) announce those funds of $1.5 million to $2 million impact to support the d the suspensio of TOPS and on the for 24 hours many n absorbed by theTOPS fund would be university this year which dents and faculty us to reduce universitie stusome serviceswill cause wondering how members were left ed to let our students knows. I want- other adjustmen or make that as ts. We to attend school they would be able soon as possible so that they would faced with other budget are also not have to or have a job. worry cuts for this year.”

The Taylor Opportun in the ity Program studies and registration.” midst of for Students With these new Although many changes, Guice has played a in Louisiana (TOPS) said some students, and assisting huge part in funding ulty members and Louisiana fac- with these of his main concerns dents have been many student’s changes are tion; but Louisiana the educaawaiting newsresi- lenges they may higher education how this change cause the chalof sity is faced with a crucial decision– students, future may effect current of at the end of the year univerbecause spent funs and universities, Guicestudents and their prior obligation said current s. stu-

107.5 host 35th

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PAYTON POTTER Staff Reporter | jpp017@ latech.edu A number of African American comed the Mardi organizatio a New Orleans Gras season to Louisiana ns weltradition known Tech with The celebration as of traditional second lining.

United Afrikan dance, last Wednesda American Men (UAAM), hosted by y According outside the student center.took place is defined as to FrenchQuarter.com, the a group of dancing second low a main parade, celebrants who line foldance with parasols,such as a Mardi Gras parade, and UAAM president banners or handkerch iefs.

Anthony Parker, gy major, said a junior the participan the celebration was intended sociolots’ ancestors. to honor “It means everything to me,” Parker of all, I’m from New Orleans. said. “First time to give thanks We to everybody wanted to use this give thanks to from New Orleans; paving the wayall our ancestors before us, and also for for all us black campus. We wanted kids on Louisiana to make Tech were seen, and make sure we sure we were heard, we Parker said the have second line a good time.” from a New Orleans tradition is derived funeral tradition.

“We used day,” he said. to second line for funerals back in the Mardi Gras or “But now, we do it at celebration song comes on,birthdays or whatever. Whenevers for Parker said everyone knows how to second the line.” with the Black the second line celebration Student Union’s “We chose Black Culture aligned needs to know this day to pump everything Week. about our black everyone BSU vice president culture,” Siana ShepherdParker said since Mardi Gras marks the beginning noted that second line celebration was a last hurrahof Lent, the “Mardi Gras ple start fasting,is fun,” she said. “It’s right for many. before peobefore you do so it’s a rejuvenation. Have what you’ve got fun right Shepherd said to the second line do.” as a way to bring celebration served together the African ganizations on American orcampus.

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Student orga nization hosts seco nd line even t for Mardi Gras holidays

Louisiana Tech and for the future other state universities address, discus of higher educa ELLIE MOSLAN sa tion during financial crisis plan Editor-in-Chief | emo012@ DER what exactly latech.edu to do with

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PRINCESS WARREN Staff Reporter | pcw005@ latech.edu part of it.

KXKZ, Z107.5 “Not only it hosted its 35th of Ruston made a annual Radiothon difference as every year ,butdo I have to do it raise money in order I get to do it every for St. Jude’s year; t’s challengin was raised, and Hospital. More to help all proceeds $60,000 a rewarding thing g but certainly Jude’s. went directly to do,” McKento St. ney said.

The Radiothon was held He said the radio to all to donate or volunteer. Feb. 1-2 and was open station does not set a monetary Z107.5 broadcaste is no disappoint goal, so there d from Super where volunteers 1 MCKENNEY selves or others. ment to themof money raised updated listeners on Foods store “The goal is to make pledges and encouraged peoplethe amount or donate in person. to call in to hope as we can to bring as much Jude’s,” McKenney Matt McKenney the kids of St. said the station , the program director He said the radiosaid. at KXKZ, Radiothon has been doing station plans more than 30 the Radiothon for ways to each year and they are to keep having the from when he years. He said he remember always thinking make it bigger was younger s the event and better. of so now it is cool to be a >> see RADIOTH Patrick Hall, a Tech alumnus, ON page 6 Radiothon Photo by Ashley answers phones Kober to raise money for St. Jude Children’sduring KXKZ’s 35th annual Hospital.

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alt Remembering Gary Zumw of over 35 years A tribute to the late geology

professor

how to geology or kayak-making or study,” Diane said.

Marta Sramkova, a junior finance major, shared some of her memories of Zumwalt. and “He was a great professor loved amazing person,” she said. “He thing that Photo by Avery Bryan his job with all his heart. One you is very strong in my mind when audiology lab located in the when I An ear on display at the new ask me about Dr. Zumwalt is, today? asked him, ‘How are you doing Rawle Enterprise Center.

He always said: surviving.’” was a Even though Dr. Zumwalt passion geology professor, his true his share was woodworking. He had but his of rock and fossil collections, most many completed projects were impressive. enDuring my first office hours proudly counter with him, I noticed his wooddisplayed pictures of two about stripped kayaks. After I inquired you the pictures he asked me, “Would own?” be interested in building yourboth kayPhoto provided by Diane Zumwalt CALEB DANIEL He and his wife had built yard.

Staff Reporter | csd020@ latech.edu he built. aks in the wood shop in his back geology professor, with a kayak Little did I know, this new friendship Gary Zumwalt, a Louisiana Tech and Hearing Center rebuildThe Louisiana Tech Speech would teach me more than boattools, I and clinics, and its his guidance and cently added an additional location upgrades. vironmental remediation. said ing. With long hours in his shop durPAUL DAUTERIVE His widow, Diane Zumwalt, new site came with some important clinic in Rawle Enbeloved spent many own Former Staff Reporter | pd010@ latech.edu These sites include an audiology he was an inspiring and muchthe long ing my off days working on my other facilities set up in for terprise Center, along with two augmentative commuwood -stripped kayak.

Tech teacher who was known Gary Zumwalt, a Louisianapassed lectures that he gave without notes for Robinson Hall; including a new He was a teacher inside and outside During that time I geology professor since 1980, lab. classroom. nication himself. the of to be able to bring this his and away on Dec. 21, 2015.

“I’m very proud and privileged also to provide wonShe said he would always keep learned a lot about woodworking memand with stories about a lot more about life through his interHe was a long time faculty type of service to our center to our graduate students Sciences classes entertained and experiences ber the School of Biological experiences. “He used to esting stories and life experiences. training many derful his said Daphne Washingget to trips to Colorado, teaching courses for both environmenwho participate in the program,” Unfortunately, Gary will not I have cam- take his students on Louisiana,” Diane in residence. tal sciences and geology across ton, a speech-pathology professional Arkansas and South see my completed kayak, but student, said the pus. to finish it.

Ashton Hay, an audiology graduate con- said. to the original. de- every intention honor He was known to have a deep his Tech used to have a geologyEnginew clinic is a vast improvement This is the best way for me tomonuthem “With newer equipof a cern for his students, making “It’s 10 times better,” Hay said. partment under the College him and his memory because quickly and serve more top priority, myself included. the Col- neering and Science. Zumwalt would ment bigger than Wyly Tower would ment, we can test patients more on field trips and not be enough.

As a faculty member of people.”

Sciences, take his students at his home. graduate students lege of Applied and Natural The clinic, operated by audiology have crawfish boils Rest in peace, Gary Zumwalt. a variety of services init was Zumwalt taught geology, oceanogra“He loved to teach, whether and faculty supervisors, offers aid evaluations, hearing and enphy, mineralogy, paleontology cluding hearing tests, hearing for balance, earaid sales and fittings and evaluations ringing and auditory processing. the School of CommuBrenda Heiman, director of dual purpose: providing a nication, said the clinic serves as services to patients. experience to students as well facility for the students,” “This is essentially a training sciences and resisupervises the students as Green is a professor of agricultural Heiman said. “The faculty will now serve as interim KEIERA BELL dent veterinarian at Tech. He Agricultural Sciences and they interact with the client.” Bryan, an associate proStaff Reporter| klb072@ latech.edu director of the new School of between One such supervisor is Matt services. order to help facilitate the transition of agricultural Forestry in fessor and director of audiological units. the improved equipment, complex to two the As of Dec. 10, 2015 the department addition bein Tech said to togethnew Bryan have merged space to provide the clinGreen said merging is not something sciences and the School of Forestry the new site is simply a better in what faculty have called cause departments in the College of Liberal Arts have er to create one department ic’s services.

South Campus a larger very cumbersome bemerged together as well. an effort to give Louisiana Tech’s “Our setup in Robinson was College of Applied and actually in Woodard Hall,” Gary Kennedy, dean of the there have been some and more unified presence. up of the two previously cause the testing booth was patients from the office in Sciences, explains how This new school is made Bryan said. “We had to walkthem tested. Now they have of agricultural sciences Natural in the process of planning the merger. problems separate units of the department Robinson to Woodard to get why it took so long to “I honestly feel that saying I believe the budget cuts and School of Forestry. much easier access.” unusual the two units merge the two units is hard, but William Green thinks it is a bit the process of had to deal with slowed down have been separate here at Tech. of agricultural that we’ve said. department mergers,” Kennedy page 6 “At other universities, the department were already together, the > see SPEECH AND HEARING page 6 sciences and School of Forestry departments is not some> see DEPARTMENT MERGER but having mergers between thing new to us,” Green said.

The Louisiana Tech Speech and Hearing Center opens new center, facilities

Merger benefits South

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WEEKLYHOROSCOPE www.horoscopes.com

Aries March 21 – April 19 You may sense that the actions around you are fueled by selfish motives. You may be the only one who really sees what’s going on, Aries. You feel like an observer on a mountain looking down with disdain on the people below. You understand the politics of the situation, yet from your high vista you feel powerless to implement effective change. Collect data now and act later.

Taurus Apr 20 - May 20 Take action that will help you find greater freedom in your life, Taurus. In an attempt to please the people around you, you may be giving up too much of yourself.

Before you know it, you may be in shackles connected to people, situations, and commitments that you can’t seem to extricate yourself from. Use today to free yourself from these chains.

Gemini May 21 - Jun 20 You may have to consciously let go of some of your plans, Gemini, and simply leave things up to chance. The element of the unexpected can help you out quite a bit, so work with it instead of trying to keep it at bay. The natural flow of events should lead you toward a place of greater freedom. Use your imagination instead of relying completely on mental processes like logic.

Cancer Jun 21 - Jul 22 Don’t let the positive energy of the day pass you by, Cancer. You’re able to grab hold and make greater use of it than most, so don’t hesitate to get going early and keep on going until late. Stop contemplating the issues and take action. Take the best aspects of each side of the issue instead of feeling like you’re restricted to one side or the other.

Leo Jul 23 - Aug 22 You may be tempted to make up your own rules, Leo, because you really aren’t happy with the ones before you. Be careful of doing so without first understanding the full implications for you and the people around you.

By all means, if you feel like certain things just aren’t right, take steps to change them. There’s no reason that you have to stay within traditional constraints.

Virgo Aug 23 - Sep 22 Your actions may be erratic and spontaneous today, Virgo, but they will also most certainly be powerful. You may be driven by a sharp intellectual mind. Perhaps there’s someone near you who has great cunning. You may be feeling brainier than usual. Genius ideas are apt to surround you and your actions as long as you keep

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an open mind about how and when they manifest.

Libra Sep 23 - Oct 22 Take some time to break out of your normal routine and see what’s going on in the world around you, Libra. You could be so focused and so driven toward a specific goal that you fail to take into account the rest of the world. You may not even be aware that these outside energies have a huge effect on what you’re doing in your own little compartment.

Scorpio Oct 23 - Nov 21 Don’t feel like you’re obligated to jump through other people’s hoops, Scorpio. Just because someone wants you to do something doesn’t mean you have to oblige.

Bend over backward for yourself and not for the entertainment of others. Freedom is an operative word for you, so make sure you exercise this right in every aspect of your life. No one else is going to do it for you.

Sagittarius Nov 22 - Dec 21 You may be acting unconsciously, Sagittarius. Suddenly you’re halfway through a task and wondering what you really hoped to accomplish by starting it in the first place. Be more conscious of your energy and how you use it. Make sure you don’t shoot yourself in the foot by wasting your precious resources on things that don’t really matter in the long run.

Capricorn Dec 22 - Jan 19 You can rely on your good luck to pull you out of difficult situations today, Capricorn. This is one day when you can launch yourself headfirst without worrying too much about the outcome. There’s a great deal of positive energy on your side that you may not even be able to see right now. Trust that whatever you undertake will work out fortuitously for you in the long run.

Aquarius Jan 20 - Feb 18 You may have your guard up as you fend off people and situations that have caught you unprepared, Aquarius. Be careful about putting up such big walls that you can’t see over them. The danger of building a fortress that doesn’t allow others to come in is that it makes it more difficult for you to look out. Leave one wall shorter so you don’t cut yourself off from the outside world.

CROSSWORDPUZZLE Across 1. Breakfast staple 5. Fills to the gills 10. Winter Palace ruler 14. Gather, harvest 15. Woven fabric 16. Parade spoiler 17. ___ want for Christmas...

18. Street show 19. Singer Fitzgerald 20. Capital of Utah 23. DDE’s bailiwick 24. Like a line, briefly 25. Idle talk 29. Lassoing 31. Third degree?

32. This ___ test 33. Seesaw 37. Insects 40. JFK posting 41. Sailing 42. Amazement 47. Rock’s ___ Speedwagon 48. Picnic crasher 49. Approached 53. Compositions 55. Roman statesman 57. Bullfight cheer 58. Formation of bone 61. Chemical used on trees 64. Take ___ for the worse 65. Ceremonial act 66. Spanish muralist 67. Article of faith 68. Robert of “The Sopranos” 69. Think tank product 70. Cosmetician Lauder 71. Fluidfilled sac

HIGH 75 LOW 50

FRIDAY

HIGH 84 LOW 55

Down 1. Rubber 2. Italian ice cream 3. Ride at full speed 4. Rotisserie part 5. Odd 6. Openeyed 7. Exhausted 8. Util. bill 9. Dexterity 10. Low cards 11. Actor Mineo 12. Feel poorly 13. Genetic material 21. The ___ Ranger rode a horse called Silver 22. Brouhaha 26. Poses 27. Understanding words 28. Graph prefix 30. Wishing won’t make ___ 31. Baby carriage 34. Student’s hurdle 35. Biblical verb ending 36. Cheerio!

37. Expose 38. Employs 39. Old Pontiacs 43. Votes against 44. Kind of tuition 45. International accord 46. Light gas 50. Brightly 51. In groups 52. Barren place 54. Large artery 55. Enumerate 56. Be of one mind

DAILY U

59. French summers 60. Guitarist Clapton 61. ___ was saying...

62. ___ Zeppelin 63. ___ you kidding?

LAST ISSUE’S SOLUTION

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

Pisces Feb 19 - Mar 20 An element of the mystical and fanciful will play a significant part in your world today, Pisces. This energy is likely to come to you unexpectedly, and your first reaction might be to shy away from it. Believe in the power of thought and intention. Pursue whatever you wish to achieve in your world. Putting a great deal of willpower behind your actions will make you more likely to succeed.

WEEKLYWEATHER THURSDAY

www.bestcrosswords.com

www.accuweather.com SATURDAY

HIGH 86 LOW 62

SUNDAY

HIGH 72 LOW 62

MONDAY

HIGH 78 LOW 58

TUESDAY

HIGH 87 LOW 60

HIGH 77 LOW 47

FCS LABS from page 1

person I truly want to live with as well as to endure my college years with on campus,” she said. “I am very picky.”

Orange said she believes the type of person she lives with will make or break her experience living on campus.

“I can easily get along with people but it becomes a problem when living with someone who does not have manners and does not clean up after themselves,” she said.

She said since this is her first year at Louisiana Tech, she was relieved to not have another form of paperwork to add to her workload of assignments for her classes.

“I prefer things to be electronically processed and printed out that way I can have my own copy as well as a copy for my parents when they ask for receipts,” Orange said.

Gabrielle Marshall, a

“My research lab is more focused on adolescents,” Barrow said. “We’ve interviewed people on a variety of issues related to their own sexuality, as well as gender development.”

Rutledge also broke down the data included in her presentations. Her research lab will present paper symposiums as well as poster presentations at the conference.

The paper presentations include information about childhood obesity.

“My first symposium has to do with the role that parenting plays in childhood obesity,” Rutledge said. “The second symposium deals with the outcomes of being obese related to the classroom, bullying and peer-relations.”

Rutledge also mentioned her two poster presentations, which are

Difficulty HARD

WEDNESDAY

RESIDENTIAL LIFE from page 1 sophomore kinesiology major, said there was sufficient time to gather funds before the deadline.

“Although I was debating on moving off campus, I still decided to pay the secondto-last day it was due as a precaution,” she said.

Marshall said when she first viewed the roommate questionnaire, she thought she would be separated from her current roommates during the next school year.

“I would be kind of sad to not stay with my roommates,” she said. “I have grown to love them and enjoy their company.”

Once she understood the new system, Marshall said she was relieved there was still a chance she could continue to live with her roommates.

“Hopefully we will be able to create more memories for the following school year, as well as the following years to come,” she said.

SUDOKUPUZZLE

www.sudoku-puzzles.net LAST ISSUE’S SOLUTION

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

both related to a project called We Inspire Smart Eating, a nutrition education curriculum at Head Start in Ruston, including suggested diets for certain families to test the effectiveness of the diets.

“The first poster presentation is on the overall findings from the WISE project,” Rutledge said.

“We evaluated the results after our intervention year and compared it to the same information gathered from the families before we started to see if we had an impact.”

The second poster presentation was based on a Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance program, according to Rutledge.

“We’re focusing on making changes in the classroom because teachers have over 500 opportunities a year to interact

with children around food (breakfast, lunch and two snacks),” Rutledge said.

“They generally eat more with teachers than their families. These teachers have an incredible opportunity to influence the next generation.”

Peyton Percle, a graduate student majoring in clinical mental health counseling, was a part of the CHiPS research lab.

She expressed how happy she is to be involved in the lab.

“It has been amazing being able to work on research projects that benefit others,” Percle said.

“Seeing how much what we do positively influences the lives of others is so rewarding. Research quickly became a passion of mine, and that’s because Dr. Rutledge’s love for what she does radiates onto those around her.”

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March 30, 2017 • The Tech Talk • 7

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More Talk City of Ruston invests in

Local Artists JONATHAN SHAUL Staff Reporter | jds103@latech.edu

“The community was so engaged with the project and us as artists. The connection with the community was something I hadn’t experienced before, and for me that’s how I approach all of my murals and something I want to pursue.”

NICHOLAS BUSTAMANTE associate professor of studio art

Photos by Jonathan Shaul

Nicholas Bustamante and Whitney Causey paint the downtown mural in Ruston.

A shot of the mural in progress. It is being painted on the building west of the Dixie Center for the Arts.

According to social norms, painting on a public wall can be considered vandalism, but the city of Ruston decided to break that norm and hire two local artists to paint a mural on a building downtown. It will be the first of two they are to paint.

Nicholas Bustamante and Whitney Trisler Causey are the masterminds behind the mural.

Bustamante, an associate professor of studio art at Tech, said the first mural he worked on was one in Homer in 2012. He said he had no idea what he was getting into when he agreed to work on the mural.

“It’s not as easy as what you’d think as far as painting on the wall,” Bustamante said. “We had to work on scale and distance, we had to figure out how to mix huge batches of paint and get it consistent color wise.”

He said the texture of the wall they were painting the mural on in Homer was destroying the brushes.

The budget was only about $3,000 and it was used up in the first shipment of paint.

He had to use some of his own money to finish the project.

“The community was so engaged with the project and us as artists,” Bustamante said. “The connection with the community was something I hadn’t experienced before, and for me that’s how I approach all of my murals and something I want to pursue.”

Bustamante and Causey said the community is one of their biggest reasons for doing the mural they are currently painting in downtown Ruston across from the Dixie Center for the Arts. They said because Ruston is where they both work they want to be able to make that same connection with the Ruston community as they felt in Homer.

“We’ll see people walking down the street taking pictures or business owners coming by and updating their blog,” Bustamante said.

He said they will be including logos representing Tech, the farmers’ market and the Ruston High Bearcats to highlight some

of the areas of the community and working to come together as one.

“It becomes this huge billboard for people coming through,” Bustamante said.

“You look at that and you know that this is a place that values the arts.”

He said when people see it they will likely want to stop and see what is going on in the community and figure out why they would invest into the mural.

“I think it’s really important that the community invests in local artists,” Causey said.

She said this investment shows support for local artist and it represents where the community is willing to put their financial support. They both said one of their biggest challenges is not just working around their schedules, but also the weather.

“The whole week it’s sunny, but when Friday happens it is pouring rain,” Bustamante said.

He said it’s more frustrating than anything else.

He and Causey usually set aside Friday and Saturday to try and work on the murals they paint.

Bustamante also teaches a class about painting murals. He watches over his students as they design and paint a mural over a single quarter. One of the projects they worked on was the mural on the Ruston Farmers’ Market.

“Being a small part of someone’s transformation is huge,” Bustamante said.

He said while he was teaching in Los Angeles, he had around 30 to 40 students per class and that it was impossible to develop some sort of connection in that size of class . Now, teaching at Tech, the classes rarely get above the high 20s, so he has a greater chance of getting to know them and impact their lives.

“As an artist you need to be showing your work at exhibitions and it’s important that you put yourself out there,” Bustamante said.

He said as an artist there isn’t any point if you aren’t willing to let others see what you have done. Bustamante said it won’t be comfortable, but you need to open yourself up and show people who you are through your art.

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8 • The Tech Talk • March 30, 2017

Karlee Jensen (with ball) makes a play off the base.

Jensen played a role in the Lady Techsters triumph over Northwestern State, 6-5. This win helped bring the Lady Techster’s home game record to 13-2 for the season.

Photos by Brian Blakely

Lady Techsters break Demons’ spell MORGAN BERNARD Staff Reporter | mrb056@latech.edu The Lady Techsters avenged themselves March 22 at the Lady Techster Softball Complex with a 6-5 win against Northwestern State University, preventing the Lady Demons from continuing a four-year winning streak against Tech.

With a tied game until the bottom of the tenth inning, a controversial play at home plate brought in the win for the Lady Techsters.

The beginning of the game, Tech was in the lead with a score of 3-0 in the first inning. RBI hits by Taria Page, Marilyn Rizzato and a sacrifice fly by Katie Smith brought in the three home runs.

By the second inning, the Lady Demons began to retaliate and scored their first run of the game.

They also scored two more runs in both the fourth and seventh innings, getting the Demons to a lead of 5-3.

Pauline Tufi (12) anticipates her next move.

After NSU took the lead in the top of the seventh, Tech was down to its final outs. With one out, Tori Charters, a senior from Keller, Texas, took her third walk of the game.

Then Morgan Turkoly, a sophomore from Sanger, Texas, followed

with a fly out for the second out.

However, the Lady Techsters were not ready to give up on the game. Taria Page, a sophomore from Anchorage, Alaska, hit a tworun home run which tied the score 5-5. This was Page’s third home

run of the season.

Preslee Gallaway, a sophomore from Pilot Point, Texas, came on to pitch in the seventh inning and kept NSU off the board in the top of the 10th with an infield pop-up and strike out. The Tech reliever gave the Lady Techsters a chance to win in the bottom of the frame.

The game remained tied until the 10th inning when Ali Galaz, a junior from Mineola, Texas, hit a suicide bunt, bringing in a runner from third and winning the game for Tech.

Katie Smith, a junior from Bossier City, hit a bunt single and Karlee Jensen, a junior from Taylorsville, Utah, set down a sacrifice bunt getting the runners to second and third bases.

With runners on the bases and one out, Galaz’s bunt brought in Marilyn Rizzato, a freshman from Forney, Texas, who collided with the home plate umpire only a few feet before making it to the plate.

Rizzato was able to continue to

home before NSU catcher Emma Hawthorne tried to make the tag out.

After recuperating from being knocked off his feet, the umpire called it safe and Tech scored the winning run, despite the aggressive protests of Lady Demons’ coach Donald Pickett.

Mark Montgomery, head coach of the Lady Techsters, said he was upset that the team’s win was disputed, but he was still proud of their work ethic during the game.

“I hate it when any team, in any sport, wins in a controversial fashion,” Montgomery said. “I can not pretend to know why the umpire was not in a better position, nor what he saw or failed to see. However, I can tell you that our batter put down a great squeeze bunt, and our runner did everything she was supposed to do in her approach of the plate. Our execution was flawless and the players did what they were asked to do, and for that I am extremely proud.”

Diamond ’Dogs begin their shake-back season ANDREW BELL Staff Reporter | agb022@latech.edu

The Louisiana Tech baseball team aims to bounce back against Charlotte Friday, March 24 after a three-game skid against Southern Miss.

The Diamond ’Dogs struggled against the 16-4 Golden Eagles this past weekend, losing three straight games in their opening week of conference play. The losses drop the Bulldog’s overall record to 15-5. They will go into their second weekend of conference play ranked 10th in C-USA. Despite the setback, Tech players and coaches remain optimistic about the season.

Senior pitcher Cameron Linck expressed his feelings about the weekend.

“Obviously we’re disappointed about this

weekend, but we’re excited to get back out there and play,” Linck said. “We took some steps backward, but we took a lot of steps forward as well.”

Linck addressed the increased fan support in the past couple weeks, implying its importance to the team’s success.

“The support we’ve received even after taking a couple of losses this weekend is encouraging,” Linck said. “Stick with us because we know it’s frustrating to come out and lose three straight in the opening week of conference play, but we’re looking to rebound against a good Charlotte team and hopefully get a couple of good wins under our belt.”

Head coach Lane Burroughs had the Bulldogs off to a red-hot 13-1 start, including a big win over Arkansas and a three

game sweep of Wichita State, before going 2-4 in the ’Dogs last six games.

He would go on to say that the team’s recent struggles could be attributed to the possible downplaying of their opponent (Southern Miss) after a huge win against previously ninth-ranked University of Louisiana-Lafayette.

“Nobody’s more disappointed than our coaching staff and players,” Burroughs said.

“Southern Miss has got a good ball club and we probably underestimated how good they were. I hope Southern Miss is as good as they played this weekend, because if our league’s that good, it’s going to be a tough go.”

Burroughs said the game against ULLafayette could have had a lingering effect on the players.

“That (UL-Lafayette game) was very emotional,” Burroughs said. “We had a lot on the line. I don’t like to make excuses but it probably did take a little steam out of us.

It was a cold and emotional game. We probably had a little hangover that Friday.”

The UL-Lafayette game came down to the wire, resulting in a walk-off RBI single

by Chase Lunceford to put the Bulldogs on top for good, resulting in a 6-5 win over the Ragin’ Cajuns.

Burroughs said senior pitcher Nate Harris will be a key component in righting the wrongs of last weekend.

“If we have a chance to win on Friday or Saturday, Nate’s going to come in and close it out,” Burroughs said. “If we have a chance to win on Friday and not Saturday, then he’ll start on Sunday.”