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VOLUME 89 • ISSUE 17

SGA presidential candidates debate CALEB DANIEL Staff Reporter For those who cannot wait for the November 2016 presidential election, the excitement of elections has come early to Louisiana Tech. The Student Government Association hosted a presidential debate Tuesday for the two candidates of the upcoming 2015-16 term. The debate was between current SGA president Maggie Brakeville, a senior agricultural business major, and current SGA secretary Mackenzie Potts, a sophomore ac-

counting major. Almost 40 students were in attendance. Corey Green, commissioner of elections, said the goal of the debate was for students to get to know the candidates. “We wanted to give the student body an opportunity to ask their questions in a personal way, as well as allowing the candidates to show their character and platform,” said Green, a senior sociology major. The debate began with a list of previously prepared questions on a variety of topics. Each candidate was given 90 seconds to answer.

When asked about where Tech can use some improvement, Brakeville said she wants to increase student life activities. “If you look around campus on the weekends, it’s pretty dead,” she said. “We need to increase student activities on campus and in town, especially on the weekends.” Potts said she wants to promote unity between the organizations on campus. “I want to see all facets of campus working together,” she said. “Yes, we’re all in our separate groups, but we’re all a proud part of Louisiana Tech.” When asked what separates her from

Brakeville, Potts highlighted her people skills. “I’m a huge people person,” she said. “I like to be in the crowd. This is a representative job, and our decisions need to be for the students’ best interests.” Brakeville said her years of work experience separate her from Potts. “This would be my fifth year on the organization,” she said. “I have the experience and knowledge to move forward. I don’t feel in my heart that I’m done here at Louisiana Tech yet.”

> see SGA page 10

CAREER CENTER GIVES STUDENTS JOB SEARCH ADVICE

Chaz Oubre, a junior mechanical engineering major, throws the dice in craps as onlookers watch in suspense.

CALEB DANIEL Staff Reporter Employers have specific processes for recruiting new talent and most students have the wrong idea about what they are. That was the subject of a lecture about job and internship search skills March 32 by Jennie Flynn-McKevitt, coordinator of employer relations and recruitment services at the Louisiana Tech Career Center.

Photo by Devin Dronett

> see CAREER page 10

HISTORIAN SPEAKS ON JAPANESE HISTORY IN LOUISIANA

A night on the town Union Board holds annual RusVegas casino night RACHEL MAXWELL Staff Reporter With the help of Tech’s Union Board, a piece of Ruston was transformed into the town’s alter-ego for a night. Suits, ties, meat pies and game tables filled the Tonk Tuesday night, April 7, as Union Board held “Rusvegas,” a casino night for the student body. Some students, like Dylan Blackwell, said they came to the event for the obvious reason: poker. “I play with my dad all the time at

home, so I thought it’d be cool to play on campus,” said Blackwell, a freshman professional aviation major. Cody Sanderlin, a senior kinesiology major, said he, too, came for the Vegas poker experience. “I just wanted to get out and have some fun, win some prizes,” said Sanderlin, a senior kinesiology major. “I like how authentic it feels, with the lights and music, it’s great.” Others said they showed up looking for something to break up their normal routine. Victoria Badeaux said it was nice

to have something new to do on a date besides dinner or a movie. “I came to have a first date with a guy I’ve been talking to. It’s cool to have something different to do,” said Badeaux, a freshman secondary education major. Many Union Board members, such as Alexa Tucker, shared their excitement about the event. “I just love working to get the event set up and watching it all come together,” said Tucker, a sophomore kinesiology major.

> see RUSVEGAS page 10

BRENNEN LEGE Staff Reporter A historian from Quebec, Canada is arguing for history books to include the impact of Japan and Japanese immigrants on the Creole State. Professor Greg Robinson, from the Université du Québec À Montréal, came to Louisiana Tech to speak about the presence of Asian culture in Louisiana dating back to the late 1800s. The presentation took place on April 1 in Wyly Auditorium. “Louisiana has been a special place for the Japanese,” Robinson said. “It’s been a real honor for me to try and rediscover this history. It really has reshaped my own vision of Louisiana and my own vision of what America is.” Robinson, whose family tree has roots in New Orleans, said audience members would reach out to him after his presentations in order to share their own stories.

> see HISTORY page 3

NEWS

2 • The Tech Talk • April 10, 2015

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ELS provides cultural opportunity for students ELLIE MOSLANDER News Editor Among the students who walk on Louisiana Tech’s campus there are those who spend all day learning, practicing and studying the English language. These are the students enrolled in ELS, a 12-step program which helps students learn English. Lala Aicha Caulibady, an ELS student from Mali, has been in the program for two months because of her desire to learn English. “I like the program, I understand because two months ago I could not speak like this now I can speak and make progress,” she said. ELS hosts a “Conversation Café” from 12:45 to 1:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday where local students have the opportunity to meet with international students. Caulibady said she enjoys this opportunity to meet other students and practice speaking English. “When native speakers are here they speak faster and in this moment I test myself if they can understand me and if I understand them, that is why I like to speak with them,” she said. Devin Wagner, the international student advisor for ELS, hopes more local students will be interested in participating in the pro-

Photo by Ellie Moslander

James Child, freshman civil engineering major, (middle right) and Pedro Antonio Romero Cobos, an ELS student (far right) talk and play ping pong at Conversation Cafe. gram’s events. Wagner said local students come to ELS “At ELS our goal is to give our students to meet students from other countries, learn the best experience in their education, social about other cultures and languages, for vollife and the fun aspect of enjoying their time unteer hours or if they have an interest in in Ruston,” he said. travelling to another country.

“I think it’s a good skillset to have for any student as far as communicating with a different culture, a different person from a different place and being able to work with someone with different ideas and abilities and being able to communicate with that person,” he said. Laura Ighade, an associate professor of English, said she brings her classes to the Conversation Café. Monica Gebler, a freshman dietetics and nutrition major, attended a Conversation Café with Ighade’s English 102 class. “I think people would be really open to coming up here, they like to learn about new things, I know I certainly do,” she said. “People would be more involved I think.” Gebler said she had never heard of ELS until taking Ighade’s class. She said while there are many international students on campus, many people may not know about ELS and said she wishes more people were aware of the study program “It would definitely benefit the ELS students because they would get some idea of what American students do and what college is like for us and it would give American college students the chance to be cultured and realize America is not the only thing that matters,” she said.

Email comments to emo012@latech.edu.

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April 10, 2015 • The Tech Talk • 3

Photo by Colin Fontenot

Dylan Thompson, a sophomore construction engineering technology major, attempted to take off the car’s door with a sledgehammer at Louisiana Tech Rugby Club’s car smash fundraiser Wednesday.

Smashing a car for a cause

Louisiana Tech rugby club held a car smashing fundraiser Wednesday in Centennial Plaza RACHEL MAXWELL Staff Reporter The Louisiana Tech men’s rugby club wanted to fundraise, while also making sure their name was known on campus, so, in the true nature of their sport, they got aggressive. The club held a car smash in Centennial Plaza on Wednesday, where students could pay a few dollars to choose a tool and beat an old car as hard as they could. Within a few minutes, a crowd had gathered around the spectacle, watching as donors donned safety goggles and sledgehammers to take their turn. Aaron Shows, a freshman construction engineering major and one of the first participants of the day, said he thought the fundraiser was a fun idea.

“Who doesn’t want to hit a car with a sledgehammer?” he said. “I knocked off a bumper, so I’m pretty satisfied.” The car, which raised over $500 for the club, was donated by rugby player Thomas Savoir. “I had the car for about three years, and it was worn out, so when the club was talking about different things we could do for a fundraiser, I proposed the idea and everyone loved it,” Savoir, a freshman professional aviation major said. Evan Landau, another member of the club, said the fundraiser was the perfect match for the sport. “The aggressiveness of the car smash really does represent what we do in rugby,” he said. Coulter Knowles, a freshman mechanical engineering major and rugby player, said the car smash was meant to not only raise money, but also to make the club more known on campus.

“We need money for the conference tournament coming up, and having the students on campus help us raise money so we can win another tournament, like we did last year, is really cool,” he said. Calvin Ray, the club’s public affairs chairman, spent the day weaving through the crowd around the car smash, spreading the word about what the rugby club does. “We wanted a fun way to get our name out,” he said. Ray said he hoped the buzz from the car smash would translate to support at their April 25 tournament, and then at their alumni game May 9. “With everything coming up, we could really use the student body’s support,” Ray said.

Email comments to ram049@latech.edu.

HISTORY from pg. 1

Robinson, whose family tree has roots in New Orleans, said audience members would reach out to him after his presentations in order to share their own stories, and add photos and newspaper clips to his material. “I really hate calling up people to ask them about a time in their life,” Robinson. “What I do instead is speak to my audiences, and often someone will come to me with an incredible story.” Robinson shared with the audience an abundance of stories from Japanese immigrants throughout the history of the United States. The stories covered a broad range, from the trading of rice farming techniques between immigrants and white farmers, to accounts of World War II internment camps. Caroline Hymel, a graduate student in history, attended the presentation. Hymel said she felt informed leaving the auditorium. She said what surprised her most was how much history happened in her hometown.

“Coming from New Orleans, I had no idea this was taking place,” Hymel said. “It is a Forrest Gump story. We don’t see it but it’s everywhere.” Andrew McKevitt, a history professor, helped set up contact between the university and Robinson after meeting him in the fall. McKevitt invited him to speak at Tech in the spring as part of the history department’s annual International Affairs Speakers Series. McKevitt said what interested him the most about Robinson’s work was how it changed the usual narrative of a southern state into something completely unique. “When we talk about this history of Louisiana, it’s usually the black and white story,” McKevitt said. “It’s slavery and slaveowners, then it’s conflict between blacks and whites in the 20th century, but now we know it’s a lot more diverse than that. There are Asian Americans here as well, and it makes the story more interesting.”

Email comments to bsl008@latech.edu.

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4 • The Tech Talk • April 10, 2015

Insight The

TechTalk

FROM THE EDITOR

MANAGEMENT

How much damage did Rolling Stone do?

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF John Sadler

MANAGING AND ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Cody Sexton

SPORTS EDITOR Jared King

FEATURE EDITOR

Kelsy Kershaw

MULTIMEDIA EDITOR

Wynnifred Sanders

NEWS EDITOR

Ellie Moslander

PHOTO EDITOR

Brian Blakely

PHOTOGRAPHERS

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ADVERTISING MANAGER Taylor Loftin Rachel Maxwell Brooke Frasier

ADVISERS

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ADVERTISING ADVISER

Dr. Reginald Owens

PRODUCTION MANAGER Michael LeBlanc

JOHN SADLER Editor-in-Chief

rian Wilson must sympathize with Rolling Stone. This week, Columbia University released its findings about Rolling Stone’s report of a gang rape at a University of Virginia frat house. They found the magazine failed in nearly every aspect of the journalistic process, and Rolling Stone has since retracted the story. Firstly, Rolling Stone should be ashamed for what they published, not only because it confirmed the distrust a large majority of Americans have for “mainstream” news, but because it gave more fodder to the deluded “Men’s Rights Activists” claiming that false rape accusations are a problem nearly as widespread as actual rape. Charles M. Blow discussed this in his New York Times column “Did Rolling Stone Hurt the Quest for

Justice?” Many reporters and commentators are taking this as evidence the problem of campus rape is not as widespread as reported. They are distorting the narrative. While, yes, the false claims this woman gave were very harmful to both the accused fraternity members and the feminist movement as a whole, they do not preclude the careful consideration of the campus sexual assault problem. The FBI’s last reported percentage of rape reports that were falsified put the number at 8 percent, which reportedly did not count cases of rape where the victim did not fight back or the perpetrator did not use a weapon or physical force. So, in other words, the percentage is much, much lower. “Jackie,” the pseudonym of the once-alleged victim, has apologized for her role in this, and Rolling Stone has been up front about their massive and numerous mistakes. Which, let’s be honest here, what

else could they do? There is an immense pressure among news-gathering organizations to publish things that grab the eye, that get people to put down their cup of coffee and devote their entire interest to the paper. “Campus rape shocker” reads a lot better than “school board votes on new desks,” doesn’t it? It is perhaps understandable that Rolling Stone was so excited about this story, but it doesn’t excuse their running it. The public is already a fickle beast, turning from traditional, informative news to buzzfeed-type articles, so why would they risk pushing them even farther away? I have never been a big fan of the magazine, but I won’t even consider it now. John Sadler is a junior journalism and English major from Extension who serves as editor for The Tech Talk. Email comments to jts040@latech.edu.

ADVERTISING PRODUCTION Michael LeBlanc

LET’S GET ONE THING STRAIGHT

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Can’t pray the gay away ... obviously

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The Tech Talk welcomes letters to the editor. However, we reserve the right not to print anonymous letters. We also ask that each letter be accompanied by a telephone number, address and classification or title. We will not print the telephone number. Viewpoints should be mailed or brought to The Tech Talk office, 139 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 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 programs and activities which the University sponsors or operates. For Title IX information, see University Policy #1445 at http:// www.latech.edu/administration/ policies-and-procedures/1445. shtml.

CODY SEXTON Managing Editor

fter Indiana passed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act it essentially made it legal for a business to discriminate on the grounds of religious reasons. By the way, the law already exists in 20 other states, but for some reason passing it in Indiana pissed everyone off. Probably because people didn’t know how many other states had some version if it and think Indiana, specifically, sucks. However, on Tuesday President Obama furthered his stance on embracing gay rights by calling for an end to conversion therapies that aim to “repair” gay and lesbian youth. This comes in the wake of the death of Leelah Alcorn, a 17-yearold transgender youth who threw herself in front of an oncoming tractor trailor in December. In her suicide note, Alcorn said her parents took her to “Christian therapists” who tried to “repair” her so she would act like a boy, because of God’s plan and all that. In a statement Wednesday, the

president condemned the practices of these “reparative” therapies. “As part of our decision to protect America’s youth, this administration supports efforts to ban the use of conversion therapy for minors,” the statement, written by Valerie Jarrett, a senior advisor to President Obama, said. Wait, you mean it doesn’t work to pray the gay away? That’s a bigger surprise than Dzhokhar Tsarnaev being convicted of the Boston Marathon bombing. In an effort to pay it forward, I am constantly attempting to educate those who believe homosexuality is a choice. Bury your nose in your bible while marathoning “Duck Dynasty” to ignore facts all you want, LGBT people do not choose their sexuality. We are not confused, we were not nurtured to be gay, we were not all molested as children and, my personal favorite, we were not possessed by gay demons who force us to be gay, as two Pentecostal girls told me after pimping me off to a waiter for a free sampler at Applebee’s. I know I never want children because any patience required to

teach them how to walk or tie their shoes has been exhausted on repeatedly explaining to people that nobody wakes up one day and decides to make their life harder. There is no form of prayer or even scientific evidence to support the claim that homosexuality can be removed from a person and if there are people claiming to be “yestergays” then they obviously were never gay to begin with. It is remarkable how Christians, who you think would be against sinning, force homosexuals to lie everyday. LGBT people are forced to lie about their true identity for fear of persecution from people who claim to be religious. The irony is the religious people are inadvertently creating more sinners. Furthermore, if pray-the-gay away camps worked then Tom Cruise and John Travolta would not have had to join Scientology. Cody Sexton is a senior journalism major from Oak Harbor, Washington who serves as managing editor for The Tech Talk. E-mail comments to cls068@latech.edu.

SOME R’ELLIE GOOD ADVICE

Selfie absorbed ELLIE MOSLANDER Editor

ver since I got a cell phone, I have heard a common phrase: “You’re always on your phone.” At first I figured this was just a harmless fascination with acquiring access to a cellular device, but in the past few years it bothered me as it was been brought to my attention more. I do not want to be known as the girl who was ALWAYS on her phone. Also, with the invention of social media, society has changed tremendously. We have access to multiple links of communication at our fingertips at any time. Our generation seems to preach outreach, world peace and knowledge most of the time, yet we are caught up staring at our own face or cell phone screen.

While each generation has its flaws, ours is only being encouraged and given the tools to continue in this selfie-crazed satisfaction lifestyle. Yeah I know, “it is just a selfie” or a commonly used app, but when it comes down to it, are these things really worth all of the time we put into them? Do we really want to look back on our lives and remember all these great moments through the selfies we took or the time spent scrolling through instagram? Not all of these things are bad and can be useful, but it seems almost laughable there are inventions such as “selfie-sticks” and YouTube tutorials on how to take the perfect selfie. These things only seem to feed a narcissistic society. I admit, sometimes when feeling bored I automatically resort to checking or going on my phone out of habit.

But when I see a picture of myself or someone else on their cell phone or taking a selfie amongst a group of people, it honestly looks flat out weird. Here is a person staring at himself or herself while surrounded by other people. Or groups of people are together, yet they are all on their cell phones. It seems as we are gaining tremendous social media presence; we are, in a way, losing face-to-face social contact. Is this what we want our generation to be known for? I sure do not. I want to start seeing the world through my own eyes, not my own face staring back at a picture of myself or my own cell phone screen. Ellie Moslander is a junior journalism major from Albuquerque who serves as news and associate multimedia editor for the Tech Talk. Email comments to emo012@latech.edu.

If you are going to do the crime ...

re athletes above the law simply because they play a sport? Earn millions? Live luxurious lifestyles? Are athletes above the law because the police who are responsible for protecting and serving their respective communities cheer for them on Sundays? In short, no. But do not tell Darren Sharper that. Sharper, the star of the New Orleans Saints’ 2009 Super Bowl team has been convicted of multiple counts of sexual assault and rape. Sharper, who retired from the NFL in 2011, has already pleaded no contest or guilty as part of a plea agreement to rape charges in Arizona, California and Nevada and is expected to enter a guilty plea to three New Orleans rape charges in June. Sharper’s plea agreement means he will plead guilty in Louisiana to two counts of forcible rape and one count of simple rape, though he was originally facing two counts of aggravated rape, counts punishable by a life sentence upon conviction. But Sharper will not face life imprisonment. He will serve no more than nine years, mostly in federal prison. Nine women were left physically and psychologically damaged in Sharper’s crime spree that spanned four states. Nine women reported being drugged and raped by Sharper to four different agencies yet no arrests were made. Four of these women could have been spared from their injuries and Sharper apprehended had police arrested him in September of 2013. That night a woman called the Orleans Parish Police Department and reported she had been raped. The police gathered evidence, including a sample of Sharper’s DNA, which matched a swab taken from the woman’s body. There were witnesses placing Sharper with the victim at a club the night of the assault and at his condo where the assault had taken place yet no arrests were made and no warrants were issued. If this had been “John Brown” and not a Pro Bowl NFL defensive back and broadcast analyst on the league’s television network, he would have been in custody and the case would have been a slam dunk. But this was not “John Brown” and Sharper was not taken into custody. Instead, Sharper left the state and sexually assaulted four more women in the span of 24 hours. Had the police and prosecutors in Orleans Parish simply done their jobs, four women would not have been drugged, raped and forced to suffer the same fate as five other women victimized by an athlete who thought he was above the law.

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April 10, 2015 • The Tech Talk • 5

Arts Entertainment

A&E OPINION with Cody Sexton

So what if you can’t Sia face?

Photo by Brian Blakely

AfterDark headliner Lecrae gets Louisiana Tech students hyped up for his show in the Thomas Assembly Center.

Photo by Devin Dronett

Music with a Message

BLAKE BRANCH Staff Reporter

A crowd of approximately 1,000 came to Louisiana Tech’s Thomas Assembly Center for an AfterDark event, featuring two-time Grammy award winning rapper Lecrae and Christian speaker Joe White. The event was scheduled for 8-9:45 p.m., but White’s message kept Lecrae backstage until 9:45. Brian Elsner, a freshman mechanical engineering major, said the message was lengthy, but worthwhile. “There was a lot more of speaking time than I thought there was going to be,” he said. “I already knew everything he said, but I really liked the way he presented the gospel.” The crowd sat silently as White constructed a 12foot cross on stage, all while hitting on tough topics such as his college football days, surviving leukemia and purity. Sam Speed, assistant dean of student life, said the presentation was well received by those in attendance. “Joe White and AfterDark are to be commended,” Speed said. “I would have felt 100 percent comfortable inviting any type of believer or even an atheist to this event. It was a refreshing view of the presentation of the gospel.” Speed said Tech is open to booking acts of any religion or genre, but hinted he has doubts about how it would be received. “Anything dealing with religion is going to have people in disagreement,” he said. “I would not be opposed to bringing in a Muslim rapper, but first we would have to find our point of connectivity and get that person in here and talk.” White said he was thrilled to be able to speak on Tech’s campus and be in Louisiana. “Louisiana kids are great, man,” White said. “It was an exciting night to come to the cross with just a great crowd in the arena.” When Lecrae finally hit the stage, the crowd came to their feet and rushed to get a good spot on the floor for the performance. The Grammy winner performed hits off his latest album, “Anomaly,” such as “Nuthin,” “Outsiders” and “Fear.” He even paused to let his DJ work the turntables for a minute. “I think my favorite part of the concert was the DJ doing his thing,” Elsner said. “He got everybody moving and all the lasers were really cool.” While booking a large-scale act like Lecrae gives some hope Tech has turned the corner in terms of booking and putting on musical acts, students like Armando Allen, a senior marketing major, feels Tech is still behind the ball. “I don’t think our campus is ready to book a big act with non-Christian values,” Allen said. “Even if we do get someone different they neuter the performance like they did last year by censoring Ace Hood.”

Email comments to mbb029@latech.edu

Photo by Devin Dronett

Photo by Brian Blakely

After Dark speaker Joe White throws chain links into the crowd at the Louisiana Tech Union Board-sponsored event.

ABOVE: Lecrae, a twotime-Grammywinning Christian rapper, headlined the AfterDark event, hosted by Union Board, at Louisiana Tech University on Thurs., Apr. 2. Lecrae is the first artist to have an album debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and Top Gospel Album chart.

I want to be famous more than anything in this life. Honestly, the thought of paparazzi stalking me outside of a RiteAid and photographing me with captions like “He even buys drugstore toothpaste, just like us!” gives me such a happy. However, my desires are not shared by all. Especially those who are already in the spotlight. Ever since her latest album “1000 Forms of Fear” forced her from her cozy life behind the scenes as a songwriter, Sia Furler has taken an unsual stance to combat fame by covering her face while perfoming. Surely everyone is now aware of the blonde bob wig made iconic by Sia and the 12-year-old dancer, Maddie Ziegler, who has starred in three of Sia’s music videos. We stare as it shakes from side to side singing “Chandelier” while Ziegler dances around her like Donnie from “The Wild Thornberrys.” But why would someone so talented dare hide herself from us? What right does she have to deny us a chance to see her face? I think everyone, or at least those who watched her perfomance on “The Voice” on Tuesday, forgot that she has every right. As Sia sang “Elastic Heart,” Twitter exploded with criticsms of the singer. Viewers demanded to see her face and aggressively inquired why she had covered her face. It has become a common belief that if someone dares to become famous, we can lay claim on their image and they are obligated to stand before us for us to judge. Ironically, while Sia was hiding her face to avoid criticsms, she receives just as much for hiding it. In an industry that exploits an artist’s image as a marketing ploy to increase sales, there are few pop stars who can do so without slapping their face on the cover of a CD case and the nearest billboard. Sia’s voice is transcendent and even when she is attempting to distract viewers with a wig, a dancer or even a mime once, when she opens her mouth she pulls focus with her voice. Sia covering her face is nothing new, but the wave of criticisms still hitting the internet when she performs because she has the audacity to protect herself is unnerving. Side note: I have a theory that as a minor act of revenge for being made to perform live, she deliberately mumbles the lyrics to her songs to make them as inaudible as possible and she might also be doing it for those people calling her “Cousin It.” Cody Sexton is a senior journalism student from Oak Harbor, Washington who serves as managing and entertainment editor for the Tech Talk.

A&E

6 • The Tech Talk • April 10, 2015

ON OUR

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RADAR Courtesy of Tidal

DIE WITH YOU ON TIDAL NOW

With nothing but a piano, Beyonce sings about her til-deathdo-us-part love for her husband, Jay-Z, in her new song and video on the couple’s anniversary. Casually dressed, Queen Bey’s tones are soft and angelic as she serenades her husband. The track leaked online a day before debuting on Tidal.

‘Jenny Death’ is Death Grips in top form JOHN SADLER Editor-in-Chief

Courtesy of Tidal

AMERICAN OXYGEN ON TIDAL NOW

With still no offical word on the release of her eighth studio album, Rihanna debuted her latest song and the accompanying video on Tidal. “American Oxygen” sings about the highs and lows of America, ranging from the greatness of the American Dream to the struggle by some for acceptance.

Courtesy of time.com

NEW GLOW

ON ITUNES NOW On their fifth studio album Matt & Kim stick with what they know. The infectious, high-energy sound is good background noise for a drive to the beach. Though their sound lacks artistic growth, it makes up for it with their trademark sing-through-a-smile sound.

Courtesy of YouTube

HOME

ON ITUNES The Portland-based, Christian singer/songwriter Josh Garrels debuted at No. 3 in the “Featured” section of iTunes with his latest album, “Home.” His acoustic sound is reminiscent of Bon Iver or Ray LaMontange and filled with his faith. A devout Christian, Garrels filled his album with his salvation.

Sometimes I feel torn about Death Grips. Their shtick sometimes comes off as juvenile to me, and their music hasn’t really made me want to put up with it lately. “Government Plates” was okay, “N*ggas on the Moon” was weak. “Jenny Death,” however, brought me back into the folds of the faithful. Sonic, driving and powerful, “Jenny Death” actually sounds like Death Grips put thought into it, something I haven’t been sure about since the release of “No Love Deep Web.” “Jenny Death” is apparently the last album the group will release, though you should never believe anything the group says. They dropped an album without their label’s permission (with uncensored genitalia on the front), got kicked off their label, started their own label, canceled two tours (one opening for Soundgarden and Nine Inch Nails), broke up last November and then announced a world tour. Death Grips has almost as much fun screwing with people as they do making music.

Third Worlds

The Powers That B Death Grips HHHHH

However, if “Jenny Death” were their last album, it would be a fitting sendoff. They’ve come a long way since “Exmilitary,” and “Jenny Death” sounds like a continuation of that sound. The band is hungry again. They have stuff to say. Filled with the ridiculous non-sequitur quotables, Death Grips always packs their albums with (“My favorite color is oh my god bitch”), “Jenny Death” brings MC Ride’s vocals back to the forefront after a long sab-

Wesley Foundation invites community to submit art CATHERINE BURKE Staff Reporter Each month the Wesley Foundations hosts an event for students and decided for this month, it would branch out to the art community. The Wesley Foundation will be having an art show Friday April 17 at 7 p.m. Matt Ramfar, who is in charge of the event, said there will be many different types of art. “We will have music, art, poetry and photography,” he said. “The audience will be able to vote on their favorite entries as well.” Ramfar said the event is not just for those participating, but those attending as well. “It gives the students a space to come relax, not worry about work, meet people and have some entertainment,” he said. Ramfar said the event is open to the public. “People should come because it’s something new to do,” he said. “There will be food, great art, your own opinions are valued and it is completely free to attend.” Chad Hill, a senior chemical engineering major, said he plans on entering a piece into the show. “I will be entering a short film into the show titled ‘Want,’” he

said. “It’s about a guy wrestling with feelings of insecurity, loneliness and a desire to be wanted.” Hill said he believes art carries a great significance. “Both the artist and the consumer of the art are highly affected by it,” he said. “For me, my project is a way of making sense of things I’m struggling with.” Molly Rogers, a junior political science major, said she decided to enter a piece of her artwork because of her love of art. “I am passionate about sharing ways of expression with people,” she said. “Sharing what is in your heart or mind is an amazing experience when someone can relate with you.” Rogers said she plans on entering two pieces into the show. “I am entering a short film and a song,” she said. “I cannot wait to see how people react to both.” Ramfar said they are still looking for artists to enter personal creations. “We are searching for more artists eager to share their pieces,” he said. “If you would like to enter a piece, you can sign up at latechwesley.org/festival or contact me at 318-278-9310.”

Email comments to cjb066@latech.edu.

WE ARE

batical. “Government Plates” saw him played down, and their last release “Fashion Week” was strictly instrumental. Ride is an angry enigma, a whirling dervish of punk attitude wrapped up in a backing electro beat. Flatlander, the band’s DJ, is a similarly terrifying presence. Resembling some mad scientist in high-water pants, his beats make “Yeezus” seem like Raffi. The album starts with “I Break Mirrors with my Face in the United States,” a screeching, angry punk anthem, it’s the best opening to a Death Grips album since “Exmilitary.” “Inanimate Sensation,” the first single from the album, was introduced to us with a video showing MC Ride wearing gigantic googley eyes. The background sounds like the revving of an engine, almost like a drugged-out version of the intro to Kanye West’s “All Day.” The album ends with “Death Grips 2.0” an entirely instrumental track that wraps the album up nicely. The title of the song is what really matters though. This really is Death Grips 2.0. They are back on their grind, and they blew me out of the water. Hopefully, they’re back for good, but who knows? We’ve all just got to stay noided.

Email comments to jts040@latech.edu.

www.thetechtalk.org

World

April 10, 2015 • The Tech Talk • 7

Nation

WORLDNEWS Putin offers peace with Greece but no financial aid MOSCOW (AP) — Russia’s President Vladimir Putin offered Wednesday to increase cooperation with Greece on energy and industry — but stopped short of extending direct financial aid that might complicate Greece’s talks with its European creditors.

French far-right chief declares war on dad in feud PARIS (AP) — The leader of France’s far-right National Front launched an all-out offensive Wednesday against her father, JeanMarie Le Pen, opposing his candidacy in upcoming elections and entering into an open war with the man who helped found the party more than four decades ago.

A man holds a sign during a protest for the shooting death of Walter Scott at City Hall in North Charleston, S.C., Wednesday, April 8, 2015. Scott was killed by a North Charleston police officer after a traffic stop on Saturday.

EU was looking into regulations before plane crash

Citizens react to police video

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union authorities were looking into German airline safety procedures on “a number of issues” well ahead of the March 24 Germanwings crash after a standard inspection by its aviation safety agency questioned some procedures. The EU Commission official, who asked not be named because of the sensitivity of the situation, said the issues included health checks of pilots but could not elaborate.

STATENEWS Hammond proposes smoking ban in public places HAMMOND (AP) — The Hammond City Council will soon consider passing a citywide smoking ban for workplaces and public places. At present, the city has no widespread smoking policies but has banned smoking in city buildings and parks. Mayor Pete Panepinto tells The Daily Star he supports the smoking ban.

New Hampshire operative hired as advisor for Jindal CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Bobby Jindal has made his first New Hampshire hire as he prepares for a presidential bid. Henry Goodwin, the former communications director for Walt Havenstein’s gubernatorial bid, is joining Jindal’s new political organization, the American Future Project.

AP Photo/Chuck Burton

ASSOCIATED PRESS NEW YORK (AP) — Graphic videos have surfaced previously that kindled outrage over police use of force — the Rodney King beating in Los Angeles, last year’s chokehold death in New York City. The new video from South Carolina is perhaps the most striking yet — its depiction of a fleeing, unarmed black man being shot in the back by a white policeman so vivid that a murder charge came swiftly. “I have watched the video and I was sickened by what I saw,” Eddie Driggers, the North Charleston police chief, said on Wednesday. The officer who fired the eight shots, Patrolman Michael Thomas Slager, has been fired and charged with killing 50-year-old Walter Lamer Scott after a routine traffic stop.

Key questions remained about the 3-minute video, taken by a person whose identity has not been made public. Are there gaps in its portrayal of Saturday’s incident? What was the chain of custody as the video made its way to the media and then to local authorities? Yet what was depicted on the video — and subsequently viewed by untold millions worldwide — may have a profound impact. “In the African-American community, we’ve known of episodes like this for decades, but until there’s graphic video like this, our stories have not been believed,” said Paul Butler, a former federal prosecutor who is now a professor of criminal law at Georgetown. “Now people are seeing what we’re talking about ... how police literally treat black people like non-hu-

man animals,” Butler said. The video, provided to the dead man’s family and lawyer by a witness later identified as Feidin Santana in an interview with NBC News, shows Slager dropping his stun gun, pulling out his handgun and firing at Scott as he runs away. Scott falls after the eighth shot, fired after a brief pause. Scott’s father, Walter Scott Sr., said the policeman “looked like he was trying to kill a deer running through the woods.” The family’s lawyer, Chris Stewart, commended the person who shot the video. “He came forward to the family because what he witnessed he just knew was wrong,” Stewart said. The North Charleston case intensified the ongoing national discussion about use of body cameras by police officers.

AP Photo/Courtesy of L. Chris Stewart

In this April frame from video provided by attorney L. Chris Stewart representing the family of Walter Lamer Scott, Scott lies face down at the feet of city patrolman Michael Thomas Slager.

Tsarnaev convicted for all charges in Boston bombing

White House criticizes ruling on Obama’s immigration plan

ASSOCIATED PRESS

HOUSTON (AP) — A federal judge has wrongly prevented “lawful, commonsense policies” from taking effect by blocking President Barack Obama’s executive action that seeks to shield millions of immigrants from deportation, the White House said Wednesday. The administration released a statement criticizing U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen’s decision to keep a temporary hold on the president’s policies. The U.S. Department of

The verdict — reached after a day and a half of deliberations BOSTON (AP) — Dzhokhar — was practically a foregone Tsarnaev was convicted on conclusion, given his lawyer’s all charges Wednesday in the startling admission during openBoston Marathon bombing by ing statements that Tsarnaev a federal jury that now must carried out the attack with his decide whether the 21-year-old now-dead older brother, Tamerformer college student should lan. be executed. The two shrapnel-packed Tsarnaev folded his arms, pressure-cooker bombs that fidgeted and looked down at exploded near the finish line the defense table as he listened on April 15, 2013, killed three to one guilty verdict after another TSARNAEV spectators and wounded more on all 30 counts against him, inthan 260 other people, turning the cluding conspiracy and deadly use of a traditionally celebratory home stretch of weapon of mass destruction. Seventeen the world-famous race into a scene of carof those counts are punishable by death. nage and putting the city on edge for days.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Justice had asked Hanen to lift the stay, but the Texas judge refused in a ruling late Tuesday night. Hanen initially granted a preliminary injunction on Feb. 16 at the request of 26 states that oppose Obama’s action. The states, led by Texas, filed a lawsuit challenging the order. Hanen’s latest ruling upholds the status quo: The Obama administration is temporarily barred from implementing policies that would allow as many as five million people in the U.S. illegally to remain.

8 • The Tech Talk • April 10, 2015

W&N

www.thetechtalk.org

Suffering rises in Syria ASSOCIATED PRESS BEIRUT (AP) — When hundreds of Islamic State militants muscled into the Yarmouk refugee camp last week and planted their black flags amid the charred, blown-out buildings, it was the latest trial for the remaining Palestinians who for two years have endured a suffocating government siege, starvation and disease. The dire situation in the camp appears certain to deteriorate as the extremist group looks to consolidate its hold and establish a presence near the heart of the Syrian capital. It is a high-stakes fight whose outcome may determine the direction of the civil war around Damascus, where President Bashar Assad has maintained a firm grip despite the presence of thousands of rebels in surrounding suburbs. “The situation is catastrophic. There is barely food and water, and the only functioning hospital has long run out of medication,” said a resident of the camp who communicated by writing on condition of anonymity Wednesday because of safety fears. Heavy clashes continued in the camp, a week after extremists from the Islamic State group burst in from the Hajar Aswad district

The Islamic State releases masses of Iraqi captives ASSOCIATED PRESS

AP Photo/UNRWA, File

Residents of the besieged Yarmouk refugee camp near Damascus, Syria, queue to receive food supplies. Conditions in the camp have deteriorated since Islamic State militants muscled their way into it in early April 2015. south of Damascus. Refugees had settled in that area after being pushed out of regions east of the capital by Islamic rebels last year. At least 18 civilians, including a humanitarian worker and a 12-year-old, have been killed in Yarmouk in the past week since IS attacked, Amnesty International said. One of Yarmouk’s two surviving medical facilities, the Palestine

Hospital, was struck April 1 by a missile, injuring six volunteers, it added. “For civilians still trapped in Yarmouk, life is an agonizing struggle for survival. After enduring a crippling two-year-long governmentimposed siege, now they are pinned down by sniper fire, fearing for their lives, as shelling and aerial attacks escalate,” said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Amnesty’s deputy

Middle East and North Africa director. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters the situation remains “extremely tense” for the 18,000 men, women and children trapped in the camp without safe access to water, food and basic health care. “In Yarmouk, where the fighting has been going on, it’s a very urban setting, close-quarter fighting,” he added.

tives wept and called out to God when greeted by BAGHDAD (AP) — their families, some so The Islamic State group weak they lay on the arid released more than 200 ground. Women wiped Yazidis on Wednesday af- away tears with their long ter holding them for eight headscarves. months, the latest mass “We are very happy release of captives by the now,” said Mahmoud Haji, extremists targeted by one of the released YaziU.S.-led airstrikes and an dis. “We were worried that Iraqi ground offensive. they were taking us to SyrGen. Hiwa Abdullah, ia and Raqqa,” the Islamic a peshmerga State group’s de commander facto capital. in the northThose needern Iraqi city ing medical care of Kirkuk, were taken away said most of by ambulances the freed 216 and buses to reprisoners were ceive treatment. in poor health U.N. Secreand bore signs tary-General Ban of abuse and Ki-moon welneglect. He comed the readded that lease, according DUJARRIC about 40 to his spokeschildren are man, Stephane among those Dujarric. released, while the rest “Obviously, any release were elderly. of innocent civilians is to No reason was given be welcomed and I think for the release of the pris- one couldn’t help but beoners who were originally ing moved by the pictures.” abducted from the area Dijarric said. around Sinjar in the counThis latest release try’s north. The hando- comes after Iraqi ground ver took place in Himera forces, backed by U.S.-led just southwest of Kirkuk, airstrikes, retook the city 290 180 miles north of of Tikrit, Saddam HusBaghdad. The freed cap- sein’s hometown.

SPEAK MAGAZINE

is avaliable digitally on issuu

AP Photo/Sayyid Azim

John Njue, left, Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church and current Archbishop of Nairobi, meets with some of the relatives of students killed last Thursday in the Garissa University attack by Islamic militants.

Kenyan cardinal urges compassion for killers ASSOCIATED PRESS NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Some relatives of students who were mercilessly gunned down by Islamic militants said Wednesday they would pray for forgiveness for the killers, responding to a Catholic archbishop who visited a morgue where victims’ bodies are being kept. Cardinal John Njue, the archbishop of Nairobi, prayed with some of the families with a son or daughter, nephew or niece who died in the April 2 assault on Garissa University

College by al-Shabab, the extremist group based in neighboring Somalia. Four gunmen killed 148 people and then also died when Kenyan security forces regained control of the campus later in the day. “You should pray for your enemies, so that they can change,” said Teresa Kiiru, whose cousin, 22-year-old Obeddy Oking, died in the attack. “As Christians, we are told to forgive those who sin against us.” Many family members have described, sometimes bitterly, the death of a child in the Garissa slaughter as

not just an emotional blow, but also the loss of an “investment” into which they had poured money and hopes. Some home villages of the dead students, seen as bright stars who were making their communities proud, are reportedly experiencing collective grief. On Wednesday, the morgue began releasing bodies to grieving families, who prepared to take the coffins on long bus journeys for burial at home. “Take courage and do not give up,” Njue told relatives sitting under a tent.

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

NEWS

www.thetechtalk.org

April 10, 2015 • The Tech Talk • 9

Egg hunt brings Easter spirit

Photo by Brian Blakely

CALEB DANIEL Staff Reporter

munity together, with Christ as the center.” Brittney Smart found the grand prize, a glittering, football-sized golden egg that When picturing a Christian celebration won her $125 in gift cards to Ruston busiof Easter, one probably does not think of nesses. She said she enjoyed the event’s candy, eggs and Easter bunnies. friendly atmosphere. Yet all these things were present as the “Everyone I ran into was very nice and Louisiana Tech BCM put on a campus- helpful and welcoming,” said Smart, a freshwide, glow-in-the-dark Easter man kinesiology major. egg hunt on April 1. After the eggs were found Kevin Inman, BCM director, and the prizes awarded, the said the event was designed night concluded with a mesto bridge the gap between the sage from Anna Gilbert, a seChristian and non-Christian nior family and child studies components of an Easter holimajor. Gilbert stood on the day. steps of Keeny Hall and gave “This was our creative way her personal testimony to the of tying the secular celebracrowd of students. tion into the true meaning of “I used to be so empty, but Easter,” he said. “And that is the Jesus filled the void in my life death, burial and resurrection and gave me hope,” she said. of Jesus Christ.” “While we were still sinners, This second annual “LaTChrist died for us.” egg” hunt sent hundreds of Rashae Boyd’s favorite part INMAN students scrambling across the of the night was Gilbert’s tesQuad in search of eggs and timony. A sophomore psycholprizes. The event featured muogy major, Boyd said she connected with sic, gift card giveaways and a gigantic, walk- Gilbert’s message. ing inflatable Easter bunny. “Anna’s story was really moving,” she Steven Blaney is the director of colle- said. “It was something I could relate to, giate ministries at Calvary Baptist Church, and I admire her for sharing it with us.” one of the five partner churches that teamed Gilbert said this event was another exup with the BCM to host the event. He said ample of fulfilling her purpose in life. one of the night’s goals was to break stereo“I have been at Tech for four years, and types people have of Christians. one of my biggest passions has become go“We want to show that we’re not those ing on campus and sharing the gospel of people condemning everyone on the street Jesus,” she said. “When I do that, I know corner,” Blaney said. “We have a fun com- why I was created.”

Roller hockey takes off at Tech BLAKE BRANCH Staff Reporter

menting Lodatto. “It says a lot about the players we have here,” said Adams, a senior cyber-engineerIn Louisiana, few people know the ela- ing major. “Guys like Josh are really fun tion that follows a perfectly placed slapshot to play with, and if you can defend them darting through a sea of defenders to find in practice, you can defend anyone in our its rightful home in the back of the net for league.” a goal. The club saw their season end in the At Louisiana Tech, some students are championship game of the Division II starting to get used to the feeling, as the Southwest Collegiate Hockey League club roller hockey team recently wrapped (SCHL) to the University of Arkansas, who up a banner year with a rewill be moving up to Divicord of 14-10 under head sion I next season. coach Michael Hinton. Despite all the success “It’s been very reTech’s roller hockey team warding,” he said. “The has had, they still do not program has become so have a rink to call home. successful over the past “The closest place we couple years. We have kids have to play or practice coming here with an interis in Bossier City,” Hinest in joining the team.” ton said. “All our games Josh Lodatto finished are away games, mostly the season leading the nain Texas. I would love to MICHAEL tion with 121 points. see more students get “It’s an honor,” said Lo- HINTON involved and if we had datto, team captain and Club hockey head coach a place to practice and a sophomore mechaniplay here locally I think it cal engineering major. would become the fastest “I couldn’t have done it without my team- growing sport in the area.” mates for sure. The team gets better each Hinton said he might have a possible sopractice and you can see the progression lution. from where we started this season to where “I would love to see the school convert we finished.” the old natatorium into a multi-sport facilLodatto, now in his second year as team ity,” he said. “I have personally done a 3D captain, said the team has come a long way model of the project that would fit it perin a short amount of time. fectly.” “You would never guess that we have Whether or not the issue of a home rink players who just started playing hockey last is resolved in the near future or even at all year,” he said. is unclear, but Hinton said the program is in Lodatto admitted that some of the credit good shape regardless. for improvement goes to himself for teach“We developed a team motto this year,” ing his teammates the mental aspect of the Hinton said. “One team. One name. One game. goal. These guys like each other and we all “I’ve played a lot more hockey than any- get along because we have the same goal, to one else,” he said. “I have the experience win a championship.” and the hockey IQ when it comes to knowing where to be on the rink.” Daniel Adams Email comments to echoed those sentiments while comple- mbb029@latech.edu.

“One team. One name. One goal...to win a championship.”

Photo by Brian Blakely

Brittany Smart, a freshman kinesiology major, won $125 in gift cards when she found the golden egg at Louisiana Tech BCM’s glow-in-the-dark Easter egg hunt.

a p K p a a laya m g i S

April 15th • Centennial Plaza

10:30a.m. - 3p.m.

Supporting Alzheimer’s Research

You can pick up a ticket from any Sigma Kappa member

Can’t make it to Centennial Plaza to pick up your plate? Come by the Sigma Kappa lodge between 3 p.m.- 6 p.m.

- Then -

Mark your calendars for our annual Kicking Grass to Cure Alzheimer’s kickball tournament on May 16

www.thetechtalk.org

10 • The Tech Talk • April 10, 2015

Distractions WEEKLYHOROSCOPE www.horoscopes.com.net

Aries March 21 – April 19 Luck and prosperity lie within your grasp now, Aries. The only problem is that you might not notice because you’re so caught up in some emotional drama that occupies your entire being. Don’t concern yourself with issues that don’t directly pertain to you. Your time and energy are too precious. Keep your mind focused on your biggest goals. Taurus Apr 20 - May 20 You may fall into a bottomless pit today, Taurus. Be careful about offering so much of yourself that you drain your internal resources. You might think other people will be equally generous about offering themselves to you. Don’t assume this. You’re better off assuming that you will get nothing in return. Play your cards from this standpoint and you may be a bit more conservative. Gemini May 21 - Jun 20 Don’t just talk about grand trips around the world - start planning them, Gemini. If you don’t start saving your resources and reserving blocks of time for your dreams, they may never come true. Today is a good time to set things in motion. Your attitude is likely to be more flexible, and you will find that this way of thinking will bring you to the people and places that can help you the most. Cancer Jun 21 - Jul 22 Think of yourself as a great pioneer crossing the frontier for the first time, Cancer. Acknowledge yourself as the important person that you are. Believe in yourself and your rights and opinions. Indecision could hinder your actions. Don’t let it. Take an active stance at all times. Be brave in the face of hardships that you might confront today. You will be greatly rewarded when you do. Leo Jul 23 - Aug 22 Make sure you keep up your end of the bargain today, Leo. People are counting on you whether you realize it or not. You may get the idea that you can sneak out of responsibility if you lay low and not say a word. The fact of the matter is that people are watching you and they will know when you haven’t upheld your promises to the group. Virgo Aug 23 - Sep 22 You may feel tension in your world today without really knowing why, Virgo. This feeling of conflict may have your stomach in knots, making it difficult to deal with anything or anyone in a rational manner. Try not to

take everything personally when people disapprove of your actions. Their reaction is to your behavior, not necessarily to you as a person. Libra Sep 23 - Oct 22 Don’t downplay your abilities now, Libra. You’re on the brink of greatness, so act like it. Things should go quite well if you let them. Don’t clog up the works by thinking that you’re unworthy of the good luck that is sure to come your way. If things don’t work out exactly the way you want them to, take it as a sign that the situation wasn’t right for you anyway. Scorpio Oct 23 - Nov 21 Take a leap of faith today, Scorpio. Consider taking two or three. Trust that things will follow through perfectly. You will be drawn to those who put a smile on your face. These are the people you need to stick close to now. A positive attitude will lead you in a positive direction. Have fun with your life instead of getting depressed by it. Sagittarius Nov 22 - Dec 21 When others can’t seem to decide which way to proceed, it will become crucial that you stand up and be the deciding force, Sagittarius. Be as aggressive as you need to be today in order to set things in motion. The elements are already in place. What’s needed now is a bit of follow-through. You’re in the perfect position to provide this missing piece of the puzzle. Capricorn Dec 22 - Jan 19 Your head may be going in a thousand different directions today, Capricorn. You may not have much time to stop and think about your next move. Things will come up suddenly and you will need to be able to react quickly. The faster you move, the less time you will have to react. For this reason, you may want to consider a side route where things are flowing a bit more slowly. Aquarius Jan 20 - Feb 18 You’re apt to feel emotionally brave today, Aquarius, so take advantage of this feeling by extending it to the people around you. Try not to get anxious or jump ahead of yourself. Enjoy where you are at this very moment. Don’t get stressed about things you feel you need to do. Be happy with yourself regardless of what you end up accomplishing.

CROSSWORDPUZZLE Across 1. Deprived of sensation 5. Quick look 9. Flute 13. 2002 erupter 14. Novelist Joyce Carol ___ 16. Numbered rds. 17. Revivalists 18. Sleep images 19. Woes 20. Actor Omar 21. Officeholders 22. Verdi opera 24. Blame 26. Type of gun 27. Brush a horse 29. Timetable 33. Mall frequenters 34. Swiss river 35. Reason to cancel school 36. Zeta follower 37. Type of sanctum 38. Intense anger 39. Nervous twitches 41. Bring into existence 42. Brown-furred aquatic carnivorous mammal 44. Republic in E Africa 46. City on the Ruhr 47. OPEC units 48. Chicken cordon ___ 49. Actor Estevez 52. Josh 53. Cool! 57. Wife of Shiva 58. Male duck 60. Tract 61. “___ Brockovich” 62. Adlai’s running mate 63. Earth’s satellite

www.bestcrosswords.com 64. Male deer 65. Legal wrong 66. Electrically charged particles Down 1. Hawaiian goose 2. Miners’ sch. 3. Queue before Q 4. Large woodwind instrument 5. Lectern 6. Merits 7. French summers 8. Pod occupant 9. Pals 10. ___ do 11. Cut down 12. Canadian gas brand 15. Suffocate 23. Type of shirt 25. Rejections 26. Rocky debris 27. Understand? 28. Arrive at 29. Decaf brand 30. Come together 31. Actress Sophia 32. Large jug or pitcher 33. Head of France 34. Diarist Nin 37. Burst inward 40. Brother or sister 42. Sugar suffix 43. Large sea wave 45. Japanese sash 46. First-born 48. Member of a motorcycle gang 49. Just manages, with “out”

DAILY U

LAST ISSUE’S SOLUTION

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

Pisces Feb 19 - Mar 20 Your biggest dream is in front of you, Pisces, yet there’s a large object standing in your path. When you peer around one way, the goal is only partly visible. When you peer around the other way, the other side of the dream becomes clear, but you still don’t have the complete picture. Instead of working with obscured vision, get rid of the thing that’s lying directly in your path.

WEEKLYWEATHER

www.accuweather.com

TODAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

HIGH 73 LOW 52

HIGH 76 LOW 60

HIGH 79 LOW 66

HIGH 74 LOW 66

HIGH 84 LOW 65

HIGH 83 LOW 65

HIGH 81 LOW 52

SGA from pg. 1

RUSVEGAS from pg. 1

The topics discussed included campus sustainability, student fees, crime on campus, and even the mascot, Tech 21. After the questions, the floor was open for students to voice their own comments and concerns. One student in attendance was Kristie Braud, a sophomore elementary education major. She said she appreciated the direction both candidates took the debate. “I like the way they focused on the betterment of the university as a whole, maintaining its sustainability into the future,” she said. Student questions covered topics such as campus parking and

50. Trading center 51. Hip bones 52. The Green Hornet’s sidekick 54. Switch ending 55. Long time 56. Makes brown 59. Queue after Q

> growing enrollment. Braud said she was impressed with both candidates. “They handled themselves professionally,” she said. “It wasn’t a hostile environment, very friendly.” Leslie Sawyer, a freshman history major, also attended the debate. She said it is crucial that students take advantage of their voting power. “We as students sometimes feel like we are helpless with our problems on campus,” she said. “But we forget that we do have a voice. Everyone is important.”

Email comments to csd020@latech.edu.

Kyle Stephens, a former Union Board member, said he is proud of Union Board for continuing to hold the event even after the Residential Life department decided not to take part in it. “In previous years, housing has worked with Union Board to put it on,” he said. “This year, it’s just Union Board. I’m really glad they kept it going; it turned out awesome.” Stephens, a junior kinesiology major, said the games were obviously a huge hit. “I didn’t see that many people dancing or eating, which at first I thought was a little weird, but then I realized how many people were packed around the

game tables in the back,” Stephens said. Seong Park, a junior accounting major, said Union Board’s continuation of Rusvegas was a no-brainer. “We just thought it was such a great event, and we always had a good turnout, so we decided to keep it going,” he said. Park also said that this year’s success confirmed that Union Board had been right in their decision. “We have a great turnout here,” he said. “There’s something for everyone, whether you like the games or the music, or even just food, it’s fun for everyone.”

Email comments to ram049@latech.edu

SUDOKUPUZZLE

www.sudoku-puzzles.net

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

LAST ISSUE’S SOLUTION

Sudoku Puzzle - Hard

Sudoku Solution - Hard

www.sudoku-puzzles.net

CAREER from pg. 1

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“There’s a lot of news about how students of this generation are not finding work,” FlynnMcKevitt said. “That’s usually because they’re naïve about how to break into the job market. They’re spending their time in all the wrong places.” Flynn-McKevitt’s hour-long session informed students of the best resources available, where to go to find help and the most efficient uses of time in a job search. “Employers only post open positions after they have done everything else possible to fill a vacancy,” she said. “Yet sending résumés to posted positions is all student job searchers are doing.” Instead of scrolling through job ad sites, Flynn-McKevitt recommended students focus more of their job-searching time in another area: networking. In addition to outlining the correct ways to spend time in a job search, the lecture overviewed www.sudoku-puzzles.net

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such concepts as narrowing a target job list, crafting a résumé and using resources such as LinkedIn. Ghofran Thiga, a senior studio art photography major from Saudi Arabia, said she is grateful for the availability of the Career Center at Tech. “As an international student, it’s even harder for me to find a job here,” she said. “I think it’s great that there is something like the Career Center here to help me out.” Flynn-McKevitt said giving lectures like this is an important part of her mission as the bridge between the employer and the student. “I’m really passionate about helping people feel confident about the way they present themselves to employers,” she said. “That’s why I do what I do.” www.sudoku-puzzles.net

Email comments to csd020@latech.edu.

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April 10, 2015 • The Tech Talk • 11 TOP: A Sun Tan City member utilizes her membership in the fastest bed. MIDDLE: Sun Tan City Ruston offers a variety of lotions and moisturizers to its members to promote healthy skin. BOTTOM: Indoor tanning is a popular part of the younger American generation lifestyle. Photos by Brennen Lege

INDOOR TANNING A

GROWING

SOCIAL TREND

BRENNEN LEGE Staff Reporter

DESIGN BY KELSY KERSHAW

fter arriving in America during the late 1970s, artificial tanning machines have been a trendy, yet controversial piece of equipment in many cities, Ruston included. Nearly 30 million Americans tan indoors every year. Of those, seventy-one percent of tanning salon patrons are females, and two to three million of them are teens. Elizabeth Perry, assistant salon director at Sun Tan City in Ruston, started working in tanning salons her senior year of high school. She said the salon’s business peaks in March, and stays busy until May. “People come to tan every day because it’s a habit,” Perry said. “Some come for dances, weddings, anything where they will be showing enough skin to need a tan.” Madelyn Culpepper, senior secondary education major, said she used to go to Sun Tan City regularly, starting out with spray tans when she was 17, and eventually moving on to using tanning beds two to three times a week. She said she felt more attractive in her cheerleading uniforms or formal attire for school dances when she tanned. However, after noticing an irregular freckle on her skin, Culpepper began to panic and worry about developing skin cancer. Thankfully, nothing ended up being wrong with her, but the scare was enough for her to quit her habit. “I’m currently student teaching and I just taught about the integumentary system and dangers involved with tanning,” she said. “I don’t want to be a hypocrite telling my students the dangers of tanning, and still be doing it.” As for the dangers Culpepper spoke of, The Skin Cancer Foundation has posted a study on their webpage saying 419,000 cases of skin cancer in the U.S. each year are linked to indoor tanning. John Overstreet, the executive director of the Indoor Tanning Association, has voiced his concern over statistics being released which paint indoor tanning in a bad light. In January, he told the New York Times there was

no science conclusively linking certain ultraviolet ray exposure to melanoma. According to his organization’s website, their mission is “to protect the freedom of individuals to acquire a suntan.” “The folks who don’t like this industry are exaggerating the risks,” Overstreet told the Times. “It’s just like anything in life. If you get too much of it, it’s bad for you.” Although tanning boosted Culpepper’s self-esteem, knowing the constant exposure to ultraviolet rays may have increased her chances of getting cancer by 33 percent has kept her from wanting to go back. “I know there are dangers in everything we do, eat, or come in contact with,” Culpepper said. “But when something is scientifically proven to be linked to melanoma, there is no excuse to put yourself at risk.” Taylor Nealy, a sophomore technical writing major, said she started indoor tanning her freshman year of high school at the age of 15. Nealy said she knows some of the risks, but cannot see herself quitting anytime soon. “It’s just something everyone does,” Nealy said. “Especially before dances like proms and homecomings or formal events.” She said as long as she takes all the necessary precautions in order to limit her exposure to ultraviolet rays, like wearing protective eyewear, using sunscreen during the day and limiting her trips to the salon, she feels safe. As of September 2, 2014, ultraviolet tanning devices were reclassified by the Food and Drug Administration from class I (low to moderate risk) to class II (moderate to high risk) devices. Brazil and New South Wales, Australia, passed complete bans on indoor tanning in 2014. However, the United States shows no sign of slowing down, although several sates, including Louisiana, now hold restrictions on underage tanning. With these new developments in cancer research surfacing via The Skin Cancer Foundation and the FDA, more questions and controversy arise from the existence of indoor tanning salons, but for now, the choice to spend money on a tan is still held by the individual.

Email comments to bsl008@latech.edu.

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12 • The Tech Talk • April 10, 2015

Sports Talk Dunkin’ ’Dogs reload for 2015-16 CATHERINE BURKE Staff Reporter

oach Mike White and his Dunkin’ ’Dogs were more than exceptional in their 201415 season. The team ended the season 27-9, undefeated at home, and were the Conference USA regular season champions for the second year in a row and advanced to the third round of the NIT tournament. White said this past season overall was very rewarding. “The progress this team made over the past nine months was amazing,” he said. “We searched for a few months, kept plugging and found a way.” White said this past season’s team accomplished many great things. “We finished C-USA play with a 15-3 record, won our third straight title and went undefeated at home,” he said. “Those were our biggest accomplishments, and they were huge ones.” White said although a few are not returning, he has faith in his veterans and newcomers. “It is tough losing Speedy (Kenneth Smith), Mike (Kyser) and Raheem (Appleby),” he said. “We have huge shoes to fill, but we fully expect to be able to fill them over time.” White said he is thankful for the leadership the team gained from his departing seniors. “Our seniors led the way this year,” he said, “They won’t play for next year’s team, but their influence will continue to rub off on the others.” The team will welcome point guard Derric Jean, a true freshman from Hollywood, Florida, to next season’s team. White said Jean will play a major role on next season’s team. “Derric Jean has elite speed and quickness,” he said. “He should contribute to the team immediately.”

White said although the team was tremendously successful, there is always room for improvement. “I hope we can be a bit more consistent when it counts most, like in the conference tournament,” he said. “We hope to be stronger and deeper than in the past, despite not having a clear-cut hierarchy within our rotation.” White said he has specific things he plans to work on with the team in this offseason. “Adding strength is most important,” he said. “We were a weak team physically this year, despite being really good in other areas.” White said he is looking positively ahead to next season. “It’s too early to tell, but we’ll definitely be competitive within our league,” he said. “We’ll be deep and athletic, and I thought our young guys showed some glimpses this season.” The 2015-16 schedule for White and his Dunkin’ ’Dogs has not been released, but for more information, visit latechsports.com. For more on Tech athletics, follow the Tech Talk Sports Desk’s Twitter page at twitter.com/techtalksports.

Email comments to cjb066@latech.edu.

Photo by Donny Crowe

Freshman point guard Jacobi Boykins will have big shoes to fill next season when he gets an opportunity to step into the starting lineup and replace Kenneth “Speedy” Smith as the catalyst of coach Michael White’s high-octane offense.

Bulldog baseball completes midweek sweep ALEX HEARD Staff Reporter

where you need them to. To see the balls they We need to play better on the weekends and hit fall in, where we need them to, is great.” have a better conference record, but overall Stark said the two have stuck to the basics I am pleased at where we are at this far into A nice, warm spring afternoon in Ruston is which has led to their offensive success. the season.” not only perfect weather for a swim, but also “We are trying to simplify our approach Stark said they are no ordinary team when for a sweep. at-bat,” Stark said. “Once it comes to chemistry and togethThe Louisiana Tech Bulldogs we are hitting we quiet the erness. baseball team faced the University world outside the baseball “We are a pack,” Stark said. “We of Arkansas at Little Rock Trojans diamond and things have are all really tight and there is no at Pat Patterson Park Wednesday. been going well.” selfishness on this team.” Tech hoped to complete a sweep Goff said the bullpen Goff said pitching and timely of the series and bring positive impressed in Wednesday’s hits will be key in Tech’s success momentum toward the weekgame after nearly blowing in their next series, on the road end’s conference series. Tech also an eight run lead the night against conference opponent Midhoped to continue the offensive before. dle Tennessee State. success the team has had lately, “Tonight (Wednesday) “We need to get good starting after scoring 20 runs in a game we were in control and pitching from (Tyler) Clancy and against Western Kentucky and 17 pounded the strike zone,” (Phil) Maton; they set the tone for against Grambling State University. Goff said. “We got ahead us,” Goff said. “If we continue to GOFF STARK That goal was met, as the team of hitters. Where last night play defense behind those guys scored seven runs to beat the Tro(Tuesday) we were behind along with timely hitting, we will jans 7 to 1. the hitters. We were in control.” have a great chance to win the series.” Greg Goff, head coach of Tech’s baseball Goff said he was impressed by Braden Stark said the team is going to have to team, said he has been especially pleased Bristo as well. continue to support each other as the season with the hitting of Taylor Love and Bryce Bristo, a sophomore pitcher, came into draws to a close to finish strong. Stark lately. Wednesday’s game with an unimpressive “We are going to have to play our best Both Love, a junior second-baseman, and earned run average of 8.31. The righthander ball,” Stark said. “If we continue to get timely Stark, a junior centerfielder, rank near the top had a great outing against the Trojans, throw- hits when we need them, we should get rollof the team in RBI’s, slugging percentage ing a career-high seven innings while only ing.” and on-base percentage. Love finished 2 for 3 giving up one earned run on six hits. The Diamond ’Dogs will be back in action with a triple and a run in Wednesday’s game “He had great command,” Goff said. “He at 6 p.m. Friday at Reese Smith Jr. Field in where Stark finished 0 for 3 with a walk and has thrown really well lately, he did so last Murfreesboro, Tennessee, when they square an RBI fly out. week against ULM.” off against conference foe Middle Tennessee “Their hitting has been tremendous,” Goff Goff said Bristo, and the team itself, are State University. said. “They are at the top of the lineup and finally coming around and have bought into they need to step up and carry us.” the system he and his staff are implementing. For more on Tech athletics, follow the Tech Goff said the two have been working hard “Our team is finally figuring things out,” Talk Sports Desk’s Twitter page at twitter.com/ all season and their stats still do not show the Goff said. “I knew coming in it was going to techtalksports. amount of hard work they have put in. be a process getting the team where we need “Baseball is a humbling game,” Goff said. them to be. But these guys have done every- Email comments to “Sometimes you hit balls and they do not fall thing we have asked as a new coaching staff. amh072@latech.edu.

FROM THE SPORTS DESK with Jared King

You play to win the game

ollowing the Wisconsin Badgers’ loss to the Duke Blue Devils in Monday night’s NCAA national title game, Badgers’ coach Bo Ryan had some colorful comments in regard to the officiating. Depending on which side of the call your team finds itself on, most argue college basketball officiating is bad. Ryan had sharp criticism for the national championship game’s officials after his Badgers lost. Please remember it was those same officials Ryan lit into after the game who called just two fouls against Wisconsin the entire first half of Monday night’s contest. It was also those same officials who called four fouls, three early, against Duke’s star freshman Jahlil Okafor rendering him a non-factor for much of the night. Ryan certainly had the right to be upset with one call in particular, which swayed the momentum in Duke’s favor. Late in the second half the officials reviewed an out of bounds play in which the basketball appeared to graze the fingertips of Duke guard Justise Winslow before going out of bounds. The call on the court was Wisconsin had touched the ball last giving Duke possession of the basketball, however, slow motion replays presented to the TV audience showed the ball appear to glance off the fingertips of Winslow before careening out of bounds. The officials apparently did not have the same angles as the TV audience and possession was awarded to Duke. Despite the alleged bad officiating, the Badgers still had a nine-point lead with 13:17 remaining in regulation but were unable to finish off the Blue Devils who ultimately won the game 68-63. Officiating is a lost art but the human element and the potential for mistakes is part of the game. Sure, sometimes officials can affect the outcome of a game, just ask the Green Bay Packers or the Seattle Seahawks, but when your team is leading by nine in the second half of the national championship, you have to find a way to win that game. Wisconsin did not. Jared King is a senior journalism major from Jena who serves as sports editor for The Tech Talk. Email comments to jki008@latech.edu.