The Tech Talk 4.2.15

The sadness of Sufjan Stevens Read our review of the singer’s monumental, melancholic new album “Carrie and Lowell”

Check out Ruston’s newest hot spot:

Pulse

Page 11

Page 5

PRSRT STD NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION US POSTAGE

PAID

RUSTON, LA PERMIT NO 104 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

The

Tech Talk THE STUDENT VOICE OF LOUISIANA TECH UNIVERSITY

APRIL 2, 2015

WWW.THETECHTALK.ORG

VOLUME 89 • ISSUE 16

TOP: : Troy Bailey, left; Katie Lybrand, center; and Colby Spears, right, paddle their concrete canoe.

INSET: Patrick Reilly, left, and Graham Hogsett, right, load their bridge.

Submitted photos

Engineering teams sweep competitions BRENNEN LEGE Staff Reporter Each year, Louisiana Tech forms two teams of student engineers to create racing canoes made of concrete, and lightweight steel bridges capable of holding intense amounts of weight.

This year, Tech’s concrete canoe and steel bridge teams placed first and second in the “Deep South Challenge,” a regional competition held at University of Mississippi in Oxford.

Katie Lybrand, a junior civil engineering major, faced several challenges in her first year as the canoe team’s captain, such as solving problems with delayed shipments.

“We ordered a lot of materials, but they didn’t come in on time,” Lybrand said. “We were running out of time to pour our concrete, sand it, stain it and seal it.”

As the clock ticked year round, the team found a way to get their canoe built on time.

Kailey Dupre, a senior civil engineering major, used her years

of experience to help close the gaps of knowledge among the canoe team.

“I feel like from my freshman year to now, it has gotten more organized,” Dupre said. “As a team, we were a lot stronger than in past years.”

She said the stronger bonds helped the team perform at a higher level than what was expected. The team was able to sweep other schools in categories for aesthetics, presentation and canoe racing.

Graham Hogsett, a senior civil engineering major and captain of the steel bridge team, helped bring the team to their first nationals berth since 2011.

> see CANOE page 10

Reporter speaks on writing and communication CODY SEXTON Managing Editor In an effort to promote the importance of communication in the digital age, the Louisiana Tech history department invited writer and blogger Maya Lau to speak to students Mar. 20 in Wyly Auditorium.

Lau, a reporter for The Shreveport Times, said digital communication, can help when facing problems like writer’s block.

“Social media can help when you didn’t know what thought you were trying to express,” she said.

Lau, who has worked for the New York Times Magazine and written for the Huffington Post, said to be a good writer it is important to read more than one writes.

She also offered advice for writing.

“People love reading things written in first-person,” she said. “Your own thoughts matter and your writing offers your way of looking at something.”

Hoping to broaden the teaching styles of writing and communication, history professors Dave Anderson and Drew McKevitt said they have begun using digital communication in their classes by having their students write blog posts.

“We want to change how they communicate so they are not just writing to please a professor,” McKevitt said.

Students were encouraged to engage in the talk, whether by asking questions or live-tweeting the discussion which was projected in front of the audience.

Some students said they found writing in an academic style to be difficult. McKevitt said this is what he and Anderson are trying to change.

“Start writing in a place you speak and then sophisticate it,” he said to the students.

Lau closed the discussion with advice for students to be engaged in the world outside of college.

“There are ways to feel interesting and engaging without feeling inadequate,” she said.

Email comments to cls068@latech.edu.

SGA election season kicks off with applications CALEB DANIEL Staff Reporter Election season is in full swing at Louisiana Tech.

The Student Government Association has released election packets for the 20152016 term, in which 22 positions are currently available.

Students interested in running for of-

fice are encouraged to take a packet at the Student Activities Desk in Tolliver Hall.

The packets require 100 signatures from students expressing support for the candidates before they can be turned in.

Corey Green, commissioner of elections for the SGA, said election season always excites him.

“I love getting new people in SGA because it brings forth such different opin-

ions and viewpoints,” said Green, a senior sociology major.

There are 18 Senate positions available, with some representing a class years and others representing colleges. The executive offices of president, vice president, secretary and treasurer are also open for candidates.

Sarah McCorkle, vice president of SGA, has been through the election pro-

cess three times.

“It’s exciting to see all the candidates who are passionate about Louisiana Tech and want to do what they can to give back to the university,” said McCorkle, a senior speech communication and political science double major.

> see SGA page 10

NEWS

2 • The Tech Talk • April 2, 2015

www.thetechtalk.org

Teacher Recruitment Day held in TONK MICHAEL HOGE Staff Reporter

Dorado, Arkansas.

It was interesting to hear about the different communities and how they were growLouisiana Tech held its annual Teaching she said. er Recruitment Day in the TONK, hosting “I didn’t think about the aspect of would representatives from school districts lookI want to live in this place until I started talking for potential new educators to hire. ing to them,” Cox said.

Caitlin Dartez, coordinator for emDestiny Maxwell, a junior early childployer relations, said Tech offers this free hood education major, said she had interday to match prospective employees with viewed with about 10 school districts. employers.

“I just knew I had a passion for kids, and She said students with education, I knew I was supposed to be with children counseling, psychology and speech paand when I got to the education program thology majors are invited to attend in that’s when it clicked but that’s what I was order to get in touch with potential emsupposed to do,” she said. ployers.

Maxwell said there was not anxiety for “This is our way of giving to the school her, as she was there to get in contact with districts, to give really great teachers so different schools. we get great college students back,” DartCox said, “Some of the people came in ez said. knowing where their future was headed.”

Rhonda Moore, personnel coordinator Moore said the Concordia Parish school for the Concordia Parish school board, district will go through the process of staffsaid the fair is for informative interviews ing in April, at which point they will contact so that schools and students can get in candidates based on needs. Positions are touch. filled based on what teachers are retiring or Photo by Colin Fontenot “It’s learning some about them and Vincent Bahm, a Tech graduate, walks down the aisles looking at possible employers. moving to other districts, she said. telling them about our school district and Dartez said it is that reason why Teacher the programs we have to offer,” Moore Recruitment Day is held in the spring unlike said. career day, which is held in the fall. the recruitment day was not as personal as she hoped it She said students were not only informed about the would be.

“Tech still runs the nicest fair in the state if you ask eduschool and the jobs available there, they were also told However, she said she did feel some of the schools cators,” she said. about the parish the school was in as well. were easier to talk to, such as the representative from El Emily Cox, a senior elementary education major, said Email comments to mph027@latech.edu.

Tech counseling center highlights eating habits CATHERINE BURKE Staff Reporter

are stressed and it is usually unhealthy food,” he said. “We’re here to help students make all around positive life deciLouisiana Tech’s counseling center sions while here at Tech.” offered free healthy food and a survey Ware said he hopes he helped create to help evaluate student’s eating habits awareness of this issue. for possible dangerous eating “I hope those who are unpatterns. The survey was reaware are now made curious viewed by a campus counselabout the issue and those or who discussed the results with a problem are ultimately with the participant. helped,” he said Ron Cathey, director of Jacob Hilton, counseling Counseling and Career Sercoordinator of student relavices, said the survey is a nations, said there are many tional screening done at camcommon unhealthy eating puses across the country. habits.

“The survey asks about He said many times stueating patterns and behavdents do not even realize they ior that could raise some red are practicing poor eating flags,” he said. habits.

Cathey said the goal is to “A lot of students skip WARE find which students are strugbreakfast and as a result they gling and provide them with over eat something for lunch help. which is usually quick, sugary and high in “This campus activity is designed to carbs,” he said. promote healthy eating and shine light Hilton said stress usually causes overon eating habits, good and eating, but there are better bad,” he said. ways to deal with it.

Darryl Ware, a senior hu- “We’re here to “Exercise is a huge disman resource management help students traction from overeating major, said unhealthy eating make all around and it is healthy as well, in habits and eating disorders moderation,” he said. are more common on col- positive life Cathey said their main lege campuses than most decisions while purpose is to ultimately people think. get students to go with the here at Tech.”

“I have actually met a few healthy alternative. girls today who came up to “Stress is very high on us with eating disorders,” DARRYL WARE college campuses,” he of peer said Ware, president of Peer president said.“Our goal is to help stuleadership council Leadership Council. “It’s dents choose the apple over more real than people realthe donut and live overall ize.” healthy lifestyles while here at Tech.”

Ware said bad eating habits could lead to other bad decisions.

Email comments to “People tend to over eat when they cjb066@latech.edu.

UPCOMING EVENTS FRIDAY • UTEP and Lady Techsters softball will play two games at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

• Western Kentucky and Bulldog baseball will play at 6 p.m.

SATURDAY • UTEP and Lady Techsters softball will play at 11 a.m.

• Western Kentucky and Bulldog baseball will play at 3 p.m.

SUNDAY • Western Kentucky and Bulldog baseball will play at 1 p.m.

MONDAY • No calendar events

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

• An I-20 Corridor Regional Acclerator will be held in University Hall from 5:30- 8 p.m.

• ULAR and Bulldog baseball will play at 6 p.m.

•No calendar events

• A professional image seminar will be held in the College of Business Building from 4 - 5 p.m.

• ULM and Lady Techsters softball will play at 6 p.m.

NEWS

www.thetechtalk.org

April 2, 2015 • The Tech Talk • 3

Circle K brings community together

TOP: A Ruston Junior High athlete was all smiles as he crossed the finish line.

BOTTOM LEFT: Sheriff Mike Stone and Windham Lee, a participant, cheered on other competitors at the finish line.

RACHEL MAXWELL Staff Reporter

BOTTOM RIGHT: An athlete from Ringgold Junior High participated in the javelin event at the Special Olympics.

Volunteers came from all over the top of the boot March 27 to help support athletes at the North Central Louisiana Special Olympics.

The games, which were organized by Louisiana Tech’s Circle K International club, took place at Tech’s track and field area. Sid Guedry, the district administrator of Circle K, said for every athlete, there were about two volunteers. Guedry said he was impressed with the turnout this year, and credited Tech’s branch of the organization with the event’s success.

“I’m very happy about how well this club has spearheaded this event,” he said.

“They’re one of the most active clubs in the district; they do a great job.”

Tech Circle K’s vice president, Aaron Quarles-Mercus, said while planning the event was difficult, it was well worth it.

“We’ve been planning it since December,” he said. “It takes a lot of work, but I love seeing the community gather together for a great cause.”

Before the opening ceremony, a DJ provided musical entertainment, with many of the volunteers and athletes getting up to dance around the track.

Jackson Little, a Circle K member and freshman civil engineering major, said it is this type of excitement and energy he likes

Photos by Ashley Kober

most about the games.

“I love how happy the participants are,” he said. “You’ve never seen someone as happy as those athletes are during the games. Win or lose, they’re just excited to be here.”

Circle K was not the only organization that had volunteers at the event. Among the groups represented were Grambling football, Ruston High, Caddo Magnet High, Tech’s kinesiology department, Cedar Creek, Alpha Chi Omega, Phi Mu, Sigma Kappa, Kappa Delta, Sigma Nu, 4-H and Wal-Mart.

Tyler Thomson, a volunteer representing Sigma Nu, said he was happy to find the event in Ruston.

“I’ve helped out at the games in Baton Rouge, so I was excited to get to keep doing it up here,” Thompson, said.

Mark Lavalle, from WalMart’s group of volunteers, said he was glad to get an opportunity to contribute to the community.

“When something like this comes up, I think a lot of people are willing to help because it’s a great way to give back,” he said.

Before the games began, the athletes paraded down the track to the cheers of their supporters. Lavalle cheered on all of the contestants as they went by.

“It just feels right to be out here helping this cause,” he said. “It does a soul good.”

Email comments to ram049@latech.edu.

Get fit for free at the Lambright BLAKE BRANCH Staff Reporter With the recent string of snow, sleet and rain Ruston has received over the past month, Louisiana Tech students have not had many chances to get outside for recreational activity.

Now that spring has “sprung,” it is time for Tech students to start thinking about that beach body, and the best place to get started is on Tech’s campus at the Lambright Sports and Wellness Center.

Austin Vidrine, a senior kinesiology major, said the wide variety of activities offered makes Lambright a great destination for any Tech students looking to break a sweat this spring.

“We have two gyms with three courts on each one,” he said. “We have two weight rooms: one upstairs, which is sort of relaxing with treadmills and elliptical machines, and then the one in the back which is more of your free weights and hustle and bustle.”

Vidrine, a supervisor at Lambright, added there is also a track upstairs to deal with any problems associated with overcrowding.

If students are looking for something different than traditional workouts such as lifting free weights or going for a run, Lambright offers plenty of other fitness opportunities, including several types of aerobics classes.

“We also have a spin class, Zumba, Aqua Zumba and cardio-kickboxing,” Vidrine said.

“You name it, we have it, or we can have it.”

Bo Parker, a senior sociology major, is a frequent visitor to Lambright. He said the price of the Lambright compared to other places makes all the difference.

“I mean, it’s free,” he said. “They’re open from 5 a.m. to midnight, so it’s available anytime. You can go straight from class to the gym because it’s right there on campus.”

Lambright also includes activities for the offbeat fitness enthusiast, including a rock climbing wall, pool tables, ping-pong tables, five racquetball courts, a steam room, sauna and a six-lane bowling alley.

Lambright also takes care of students’ pre- and post-workout nutritional needs with a Smoothie King located only feet inside the doors.

Vidrine said Tech students are not the only people allowed to enjoy all of Lambright’s activities. There are monthly and annual rates available for members of the Ruston community, Tech staff and alumni at single, couple and family prices.

“We have something for everyone,” he said.

With less than two months standing between Tech students and the summer, Vidrine said students need not hesitate to shake those unwanted pounds or bronze by the pool.

“You definitely have to start in the spring,” he said. “We pick up in the summer with birthday parties and other stuff, so the prime time is right now.”

Email comments to mbb029@latech.edu.

Photo by Brian Blakely

Students enjoyed the recent summer weather at the outdoor pool at the Lambright Sports and Wellness Center.

4 • The Tech Talk • April 2, 2015

www.thetechtalk.org

Insight The

TechTalk

FROM THE EDITOR

What does it mean to be a journalist?

MANAGEMENT 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

Colin Fontenot Ashley Kober

ADVERTISING MANAGER Taylor Loftin

ADVISERS

Dr. Judith Roberts T. Scott Boatright

ADVERTISING ADVISER

Dr. Reginald Owens

PRODUCTION MANAGER Michael LeBlanc

ADVERTISING PRODUCTION Michael LeBlanc

DEPARTMENT HEAD

Dr. Reginald Owens

JOHN SADLER Editor-in-Chief

I

have a few Facebook friends who like articles from websites like American News and Opposing Views, both righteously conservative blogs. I also have friends who like articles from The Raw Story or Addicting Info, two staunchly liberal blogs.

These blogs raise an interesting question. What does it mean to be a journalist nowadays?

Credible news sources like The New York Times or the Wall Street Journal or even CNN (though they are kind of awful) are becoming increasingly disregarded in favor of one-voice blogs that allow their readers to exist in a political vacuum.

They are the textual equivalent of Fox News or MSNBC, and they are ruining real journalism.

Real journalism consists of objective reporting of facts and at

PUBLICATION

POSTAL

Second­class postage paid at Rus­ ton, La. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Tech Talk, P.O. Box 10258, Ruston, LA 71272.

CONTACT US

NEWSROOM 318.257.4946 ADVERTISING 318.257.4949 EMAIL techtalk@latech.edu JOURNALISM DEPARTMENT 318.257.4427

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The Tech Talk welcomes letters to the editor. However, we reserve the right not to print anonymous letters. We also ask that each letter be accompanied by a telephone number, address and classification or title. We will not print the telephone number. View­ points should be mailed or brought to The Tech Talk office, 139 Keeny Hall, by 4 p.m. the Friday prior to a Thursday publication. Letters should be mailed to The Tech Talk, P.O. Box 10258, Ruston, LA 71272. Emails should be sent to techtalk@latech.edu. You can also submit letters online at www.thetechtalk.org/home/ lettertotheeditor/.

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.

stab Israel in the back; read how he is secretly allied with the Muslim Brotherhood.”

Subtleties in the stories are lost in favor of reaffirming what people already believe. The readers then come back for more because it makes them feel good to read things that ultimately are a regurgitation of their own beliefs.

Journalists should not enter into news writing with agendas. Save that for the opinion pages.

So take a close look at the place from where you get your news.

Supporting these incredibly biased blogs takes money away from those journalists who are actually attempting to report on real events that are happening.

And a world without real news is a scary thought, isn’t it?

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.

SOME R’ELLIE GOOD ADVICE

SUBSCRIPTIONS

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

The Tech Talk (USPS 535­540) is published Thursdays of the regular school year, except in vacation and examination periods, by the Jour­ nalism Department of Louisiana Tech University. Publication office is in Keeny Hall, Room 139.

least an attempt to include both sides of an argument. However, journalism like this has a tendency to read dry. When compared to “stories” with headlines like “Michelle Obama shouts, ‘black girls rock!’ She doesn’t care about everybody else?” or “Ex-GOP official blames threats against wife on cough medicine: ‘I went completely crazy after taking it,” it’s hard to compete.

Clickbait, or headlines that tend to have no actual information and exist only to get clicks, is a tool only used for website views.

It bolsters the monetary worth of the website. These people do not care about the actual distribution of information.

This division in news sources contributes quite a bit to the division in the parties. How can anyone expect to understand the intricacies of the Iranian nuclear deal when the website they get their news from reads, “Obama set to

Zero is a size, too ELLIE MOSLANDER News Editor

G

rowing up I was always skinny and underweight; I usually had to wear a 00 or 0 size in shorts and pants. Even if I tried gaining weight, nothing really worked. My metabolism may have just not slowed down then, but either way I couldn’t help it at the time.

Lately I’ve seen a trend in pop culture becoming more common and it’s concerning. Weight is an issue a lot of people deal with, no matter what size you are.

Society tends to focus on a person’s outward image and through media outlets, entertainment and music, many viewpoints are pushed on people, often telling people they need to be a certain way.

For a while, there was a push for people to be skinny and lose weight. Most models were skinny or photoshopped, causing people to think they had to look like them or they were not good enough.

Making people feel like they need to lose weight or be skinny to be beautiful and acceptable is wrong. But I believe there is a misconception though that this only happens to people who are not skinny.

Lately I have heard a lot of songs, such as Nicki Minaj’s “Anaconda” and Megan Trainor’s “All About that Bass,” where it seems to bash being skinny. There are also comments where people seem to think it’s wrong to be skinny or they say it is gross because “guys don’t want a stick.”

This is rather irritating, because just like on the other side of the scale, not all skinny people have control of their weight.Why can’t we all just try to boost each other’s self-esteem?

Those who are skinny seem to not count sometimes. Making skinny people feel bad for their size is not the answer and not accepting of all body types.

People would always point out that I was really skinny, and they

would do so in a way that made it seem like I was gross or something was wrong with me.

I’ve had numerous people call me anorexic and bulimic asking how often I throw up my food.

Many girls would tell me I didn’t understand weight problems because I was so tiny and how guys do not like a skinny girl. This made me try to gain weight and want to not be skinny. I think some people seem to believe because we are skinny; we are immune to mean comments because they think we have it great.

People may not realize skinny people can also be hurt by comments too just like anyone else.

I think it is time we stop pointing fingers at different body types and start accepting people for who they are, no matter what they look like.

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

COLUMN AS I SEE ‘EM

RFRA preaches exclusive inclusion JARED KING Sports Editor

I

suppose I should preface my comments by telling you who I am. I am a Christian and I consider myself a conservative and a Republican. I am also a sports fan, and for much of my life I was an Indianapolis Colts fan.

Surely, you can see why I was immediately deeply interested in the situation in Indiana with the Religious Freedom Restoration Act and the impact it will have on the state.

The bill, under the guise of providing freedom to religious groups, can and will result in discrimination against gays.

The federal loopholes this bill is founded on can also result in discrimination against people based on color, ethnicity or any other infinite number of reasons businesses can discriminate against people based on religious convictions.

Politics and sports are not mutually exclusive topics. The two are deeply interwoven and one could

not survive without the other.

Keith Olbermann said it best Monday afternoon on his television show “Olbermann.”

“There are times in the history of this country where sports not only influences our destiny, but leads it, and this is such a time,” he said.

Olbermann was calling for the NCAA to pull the Final Four and the NCAA Tournament Championship Game out of Indianapolis — both of which are scheduled to take place this weekend.

The NCAA is headquartered in Indianapolis, which gives the NCAA a position to have a direct and immediate impact — social and economic — on the state of Indiana as it relates to the passing of this bill.

And this position is not unique to the NCAA itself; while the Final Four may be the biggest show in town this weekend, the NBA and the NFL both have ties to the city.

Indianapolis is home to the Indiana Pacers of the NBA and the Indianapolis Colts of the NFL.

The NFL, when faced with a similar situation a year ago in Arizona when the state attempted to enact its own Religious Freedom Restoration Act, threatened to remove the Super Bowl from Glendale, Arizona.

In other words, the NFL decided it was not going to allow its personnel, players or fans to be subjected to discrimination by the state of Arizona.

The NFL has not released an official statement on the situation in Indiana but the league set an example by its actions last season — an example the NCAA should follow.

The “N” in NCAA stands for “National;” let us all hope the NCAA remembers the nation that supports it and let us all hope the National Basketball Association and the National Football League also remember.

Jared King is a senior journalism major from Jena who serves as sports editor of the Tech Talk. Email comments to jki008@latech.edu.

Has religious freedom gone too far?

Y

ou’re sitting at a restaurant and you notice a gay couple sitting across the aisle. You then witness the waiter refuse to serve them.

He says it is “against his religious beliefs” to provide service to them.

This is the type of discrimination many people, especially the LGBT community, are afraid will come from Indiana’s new religious freedom restoration act.

On March 26, Governor Mike Pence signed the religious freedom bill into law.

Since then, it has caused a national uproar.

The law states “that a state or local government action may not substantially burden a person’s right to the exercise of religion unless it is demonstrated that applying the burden to the person’s exercise of religion is: 1) essential to further a compelling governmental interest; and 2) the least restrictive means of furthering the compelling governmental interest.”

It has good intentions but more clarification and details are needed.

Twenty other states have religious freedom laws in place, but none compare to the breadth of this Indiana law.

As America continues to get heated about it, mixed opinions are starting to form.

Some think this law is reminiscent of the Jim Crow segregation “no blacks” rules.

What if a baker said it was against his or her religion to bake a wedding cake for an interracial couple?

We would be quick to shut that down but somehow, concerning same-sex marriages, it is different.

The law says religious freedom but it almost acts as a disguise for discriminatory freedom.

In response to the controversy the law sparked nationally, Indiana’s state legislature’s Senate president, House speaker and governor decided Tuesday to add language to the law that clarified its intent, which Pence repeatedly stated was “not about discrimination… or I would have vetoed it.”

In an article in the Indianapolis Star, he said the law doesn’t give businesses the right to deny services to anyone.

With its corrected language, it is clear the law is intended to send a message of inclusion of all religious beliefs rather than an exclusion of the LGBT community.

However, there has been pressure from the public for Pence to issue a statewide ban on sexual orientation discrimination even after the clarifications.

It’s fighting fire with fire though.

You’ve got right-winged conservatives who value religion above all else, then left-winged liberals who value equality.

It seems as though the scales keep tipping and no actual progress is being made. The side’s just keep exchanging who gets to express their views louder.

So far, the two are struggling to reach a successful compromise.

It makes one wonder if there is any real promise for a life of 100 percent inclusion, whether it be religiously or one’s sexual orientation, or are we all doomed to an endless back and forth?

www.thetechtalk.org

Arts Entertainment

April 2, 2015 • The Tech Talk • 5

Tris Prior (Shailene Woodley) must fight to free the citizens of her divided society.

A&E OPINION with Cody Sexton

Couldn’t think of a Tidal

A New film leads an ‘Insurgent’ against taste CODY SETON Managing Editor I am not certain at what point I became the type of person to see a film based on a novel without reading the book first. I believe it was “Fifty Shades of Grey,” but I only gave that franchise any recognition because in doing so I got a remastered version of Beyonce’s “Crazy in Love.”

I stopped reading the “Divergent” series due to a combination of learning how the series ends and an inability to get behind the lead character, Beatrice Prior (played by Shailene Woodley).

So, because I was not armed with what I laughingly referred to as “Prior knowledge” of the second installment of the three-part series, I felt like I was flying blind.

And after watching “Insurgent” had it not been for the three male leads, I’d have wished I was blind.

Picking up where the first film left off, Tris, her boyfriend Four (Theo James), brother Caleb (Ansel Elgort) and frenemy Peter (Miles Teller) are hiding out as fu-

Summit Entertainment

Insurgent HHIII gitives from the acting leader of their divided society, Jeanine (Kate Winslet). Jeanine is on a tireless crusade to round up the Divergents who she believes threaten their society and with her overlylogical way of thinking will stop at all costs.

The reason I cannot seem to get behind the concept of the “Divergent” series is because it simply appears to be a sloppy combination of the three great young adult

novels before it. The society is divided into five factions that deeply resemble to Hogwarts Houses of “Harry Potter:” Dauntless/Gryffindor, Amity/ Hufflepuff, Erudite/Ravenclaw and Candor/Slytherin. And let’s just throw Abnegation in with Amity/Hufflepuff because they’re a bunch of pushovers.

(There are more similarities, but those include spoilers).

The story is set in a postapocalyptic America where everything has gone to hell, but somehow a handful of American’s survived and now their fate is in the hands of a 16-yearold girl. Not to mention the female rebel leader, Evelyn who definitely gives off an “Alma Coin” vibe.

Then, there’s the ridiculous love story reminiscent of “Twilight” that somehow the characters manage to spend an unnecessary amount of time on even though they are in mortal peril.

There was a lengthy list of production criticisms, starting with CGI. Understandably, filmmakers cannot film in the actual ruins of Chicago, but if “Interstellar” can give me a panic attack with a real-

istic tidal wave, “Insurgent” should be able to not making half of the film look like a video game.

Apparently, the filmmakers did not learn from “Divergent” that no one is intimidated by Shailene Woodley and they are even less intimidated by her grimacing in slow motion as she charges for an opponent.

While effects are lax for 2015’s standards and the storyline is predictable and boring, the fighting choreography was exceptional and the ensemble of actors gave satisfactory performances. Notably, Kate Winslet’s dry, disinterested and minimalist-acting demeanor was reminiscent of Meryl Streep’s performance in “The Devil Wears Prada.” Her lack of empathy inspired one of few laughs and I could not help but think the wardrobe department deliberately dressed her in a shade of blue reminiscent of the Heart of the Ocean.

Though fans may enjoy the film, my less than satisfactory viewing experience had me wanting to lead an insurgency of my own against the ticket taker for my money back.

Email comments to cls068@latech.edu.

‘Carrie & Lowell’ is mesmerizing and melancholic JOHN SADLER Editor-in-Chief

ping his head around her death comes out a more of a pleading than a praying.

Sufjan Stevens is heart“Eugene” is an extraorbroken. dinarily personal song It is the kind of heartabout his stepfather, Lowbreak that artists occasionell. Lowell was married to ally get: the kind that drives Stevens’ mother for five them to proyears during Stevens’ duce, to crechildhood. ate and to The lyrics in Athsmatic Kitty distribute.

“Eugene” alternate Carrie & Lowell Coming between sad and Swfjun Stevens off the 2012 funny. He mentions death of his Lowell’s inability to HHHHI mother, Stepronounce his first vens returned to his indiename, calling him folk roots with “Carrie and “Subaru,” and his Lowell,” an album dripping with melancholy. teaching Stevens how to swim and givThe emotions on display here are violent ing him yogurt. and tragic. Stevens’ relationship with his mothIn the ending of the song, though, er, who suffered from both mental illness and Stevens calls out to his mother, sayaddiction throughout her life, is front and cen- ing “What’s the point of singing ter here. songs/if they’ll never even hear Stevens needs help coping with this rela- you?” tionship and this death, and he turns to God The next song “Fourth numerous times in the album. of July” transcribes a conStevens has never pretended not to be reli- versation between Stevens gious. Raised in an interfaith community, spiri- and his dead mother, aptuality is a large part of both his life and his parently immediately after music. her death, while still in her In “Drawn to the Blood,” he questions God hospital bed. about his mother’s death. His difficulty wrapStevens sings “The

hospital asked should the body be cast/Before I say goodbye, my star in the sky/Such a funny thought to wrap you up in cloth/Do you find it all right, my dragonfly?”

In “No Shade in the Shadow of the Cross,” Stevens is firmly entrenched in a dark melancholy. Retelling his fall into drug and alcohol abuse after his mother’s death, he is immensely self-criticizing.

Lyrics like these are not things an artist wants to put out, but they are thing they have to put out.

The album exists, primarily, as a catharsis for Stevens. Coming above albums like “Hospice”

by The Antlers and “808s and Heartbreak” by Kanye West on the saddest albums scale, it is very much worth a listen, if you can take it.

Email comments to jts040@latech.edu.

t their most successful, musicians will piously proclaim to all that their musical artistry should be able to loved by all and free for all. But as soon as they start to feel their pockets getting lighter, they sweat.

It’s no secret, due in large part to Taylor Swift’s recent departure from Spotify, that music-streaming services do not fairly compensate artists for their music.

Enter Tidal, which I am determined to address without making a single aquatic reference.

Earlier this week, several artists took to Twitter with the hashtag #TIDALforALL and promises to revolutionize the world with some earthshattering news. These decalrations were swiftly met with video clips of artists like Kanye West, Beyonce, Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, Madonna and Daft Punk gathering around a table and I thought, “Oh my God, the Illuminati is real and they’re all about to announce the New World Order!”

As I sat with bated breath wondering what having Beyonce be queen of the world would be like and if it would be mandatory for me to learn the “Single Ladies” dance, I learned the big announcement was nothing more than Jay-Z’s new music-streaming service, Tidal. Making that the biggest disappointment from Jigga since his “Monster” verse.

Right to the point, Tidal is a lot like Spotify, but let’s call it the “Apple” version.

Like Apple, it offers the same service as other products, but is prettier, better marketed and more expensive with few qualities worth the added cost.

As the 16 co-owners of Tidal took the stage to sign a piece of paper that will go on to replace our Decaration of Independence as the most valuable, signed document in the country, they self-righteoust beamed looking like overzealous first graders at show and tell.

Though artists are claiming Tidal is for “all” and part of a “musical revolution,” it does little good for the fans who do not have the disposable income to spend on a $10-20/month subscription.

Tidal is not about giving fans a better quality of music, it’s to protect the interests of the artists involved.

Honestly, having listened to music on Tidal I’ve decided I can’t tell the difference.

I thought for a moment while listening to Sia and being able to understand every word she said it must be real, but then again I could just finally be picking up on her dialect.

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 2, 2015

ON OUR

www.thetechtalk.org

RADAR

Marty and Brenda Treece examine a piece at the annual Student Showcase.

Courtesy of rollingstones.com

KINTSUGI

ON ITUNES NOW The first album without founding band member Chris Walla “Kintsugi” embraces the band’s change and makes it part of their craft. Death Cab’s eighth, studio album steps out the band’s comfort zone by bringing in an outside producer, Rich Costey, to help the band bring a new sound.

Students’ art brings support RACHEL MAXWELL Staff Reporter Courtesy of speakmusicradio.com

LECRAE

ON ITUNES NOW The Christian rapper’s latest album, “Anomaly,” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 as well No. 1 on the Top Gospel Album charts, making him the first artist to due so. Lecrae is worth the listen if not by fans of the genre, then simply to familiarize yourself before his Apr. 2 show on Lousiana Tech’s campus.

Courtesy of latinpost.com

FURIOUS 7

IN THEATERS NOW The latest in the “Fast and Furious” franchise continues the notso-complex formula of fast cars and hot women to bring movie-goers in throngs. Even if viewers are not interested in the testoteronefueled storyline, they should go see it as an act of remembrance for the late Paul Walker.

Courtesy of sfweekly.com

ROAST OF JUSTIN BIEBER ON COMEDY CENTRAL

Everyone who has gone through puberty has hated Justin Bieber at one point. Comedy Central’s roast, hosted by Kevin Hart and featuring roasters like Shaquille O’Neal, Martha Stewart and Pete Davidson, delivers a comedic coup de grace to the problematic, Candian pop, star.

Louisiana Tech students had the opportunity to submit works of ceramics, drawing, painting, photography, artist’s books and sculpture to be considered for the School of Design’s annual Student Showcase. More than 500 pieces were submitted for judging by guest juror Richard McCabe.

The exhibit, which features 61 pieces of student work, will occupy the F. J. Taylor Visual Arts Center until April 14.

To open the showcase, the School of Design hosted a lecture and reception to appreciate the arts while enjoying jambalaya catered by Ponchatoula’s.

Karl Puljak, director of the School of Design, said he loves seeing what the students have to offer.

“What I think is so cool about the show is that it’s about everyone coming together to celebrate the work the students have produced over the course of the year,” he said.

Before the awards were announced, McCabe, curator of photography at Ogden Museum of Southern Art, gave a lecture to art students advising them on student loans, networking, grants, rejection and more.

From there, McCabe introduced the show, reminding spectators of the talent he had judged to choose the pieces for the exhibit.

“There was so much great work, it was difficult to get down to 60-something,” McCabe said. “Then they wanted me to narrow it down to 35, and I just couldn’t do it.”

Nicole Johnson, a senior studio art major, took home the award for best in show, and said the showcase was a great way to end her time at Tech.

“This is the first year I’ve won anything,” she said. “I couldn’t have asked for anything better for my last year here.”

Hunter Humble, a freshman graphic design major, said he went to appreciate his classmates’ work and draw inspiration for his next few years in the School of Design.

Photos by Ashley Kober

Faculty, family and friends of students show support for the artists.

“I came to see what they’re looking for in graphic design,” he said. “I’m hoping to have my own piece in next year’s show.”

Many of the night’s winners said they were excited to receive their award, but one name prompted an exceptional reaction from the recipient and the crowd alike.

Lisa Thompson, who was recognized for her piece, “Nicole,” let out a gasp before bursting into tears when she heard her name.

“I knew coming back to school was the right decision,” she said. “I’m almost 50, but look what I’m doing here, I love it.”

Thompson, a freshman studio art major, said she could not help but get emotional when she heard her name.

“I am ecstatic,” she said. “I have never won anything. I was thrilled to even get a piece in the show, winning was the icing on the cake, or, I guess, the paint on the easel.”

Email comments to ram049@latech.edu.

No happy endings in the zombie apocalypse CODY SEXTON Managing Editor Though the season finale of AMC’s “The Walking Dead” broke its own records with 15.8 million viewers, TELEVISION the real number fans care about is the kill count, which was disappointingly low by “Dead’s” usual standards.

This season of the zombieapocalypse phenomenon proved time and again there is little to no hope for any semblance of a happy ending.

At the season’s beginning, Rick (played by Andrew Lincoln) and company learned the horrible truth of what awaited them after their pilgrimage to Terminus, the supposed sactuary for people in the zombie-infested world.

So after attempts were made to eat them, it came as no surprise that after hearing about another safe haven, Rick and company were skeptical.

The finale, titled “Conquer,”

saw the return Morgan Jones (Lennie James), Rick’s friend from the show’s beginning who has been following in their wake with sporadic appearances throughout the season.

Jones’ reappearance, coupled with the introduction of “Dead’s” first openly-gay character, Aaron (Ross Marquand), helped me breathe a sigh of relief to know that gays, as well as the black man, stand a chance to survive the zombie apocalypse.

But even safely behind the steel walls of Alexandria, the gang soon realizes the walls cannot keep out the monsters of their own minds.

Sasha (Sonequa MartinGreen) is seen having the hardest time adjusting and has become prone to outbursts of rage and hunting the walkers to give herself a sense of purpose.

Having finally snapped in the episode prior to the finale by attacking the wife-beating Pete (Corey Brill), Rick’s fate is left in the hands of Deanna (Tovah Feldshuh) and the others members of Alexandria.

Photo courtesy of AMC

In the post-apocalyptic world, Rick is needed now more than ever.

The only member of the group to not lose their mind at some point is Carol (Melissa McBride) ,whose assumed behavior as Holly Homemaker has been the best red herring on television. Her demeanor is that of an exasperated mother as she advises Rick to tell the people of Alexandria stories, “because these people are children, and children like stories.”

Having been drafted by Aaron to help recruit people for Alexandria, Daryl (Norman Reedus) the two find themselves in trouble

while tracking a potential prospect.

The epsiode is a constant reminder for viewers and the people of Alexandria that there is no happy ending in the zombie apocalypse, and as Rick demonstrates in the events that transpire throught the finale setting, the scene for future difficulties inside and out of the community, the people of Alexandria need him.

Email comments to cls068@latech.edu.

www.thetechtalk.org

World W&NBRIEFS WORLDNEWS Saudi-led forces strike Yemen rebels, block ports SANAA, Yemen (AP) — Saudi-led naval forces imposed a blockade on Yemen’s ports as coalition airstrikes on Monday repelled an advance on the southern port city of Aden by Shiite rebels and forces loyal to a former president, in what appeared to be the most intense day of fighting since the air campaign began five days ago.

German co-pilot was treated for suicidal tendencies DUESSELDORF, Germany (AP) — How could someone once diagnosed with suicidal tendencies get a job as a commercial pilot, entrusted with the lives of hundreds of people? That’s the question being asked after officials confirmed Monday Germanwings co-pilot Andreas Lubitz received lengthy psychotherapy before receiving his pilot’s license.

Nation

Brazil teen leads protest ASSOCIATED PRESS SAO PAULO (AP) — Microphone in hand and standing atop the sound truck, the raspy-voiced protest leader jabbed his finger into the air shouting for the ouster of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, igniting wild cheers from the crowd below him.

“What Lula and Dilma have done shouldn’t just result in their being banned from politics. It should result in them being in jail!”

Kim Kataguiri yelled, denouncing Rousseff and her predecessor, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

The March 15 demonstration was the largest Sao Paulo had seen in more than three decades, since 1984 protests demanding democratic elections after a long dictatorship.

But more surprising than the crowd of more than 200,000, according to the Datafolha polling and statistics agency, was the fact it was being led by Kataguiri, a skinny, 19-year-old college dropout, and other young Brazilian activists inspired by libertarianism and conser-

AP Photo/Andre Penner

Anti-government protest leader Kim Kataguiri poses for a picture in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The grandson of Japanese immigrants, Kataguiri is a social media star whose quirky videos skewer Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff and the ruling party’s social welfare policies.

vative free-market ideals.

The grandson of Japanese immigrants, Kataguiri is a social media star whose quirky videos skewer Rousseff and the ruling party’s social welfare policies. His ascent as a protest figure has been rapid. Two years

Pharmacists’ group against providing execution drugs

Pelicans’ Anderson expects to play on upcoming road trip METAIRIE (AP) — Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson says it’s his “full intention” to play during New Orleans’ upcoming three-game road trip. Anderson has been out of the lineup for more than a month with a sprained right knee.

The Pelicans have nine regular season games left and sit two and a half games behind Oklahoma City for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Judge dismisses new anti-Common Core lawsuit BATON ROUGE (AP) — A lawsuit seeking to block use of the Common Core education standards in public schools was dismissed Monday by a state district judge who said the legal challenge was filed too late. More than 300,000 tstudents took standardized tests fully aligned with Common Core for the first time.

ago, when protests erupted across Brazil over corruption and poor public services, Kataguiri was a high schooler who avoided the unrest.

Today, he is the public face of the Free Brazil Movement, a growing

force that is more focused than the 2013 unrest that expressed a wide range of middle-class anger. Brazil’s new wave of protests are seen as a right-leaning movement clearly channeled against Rousseff and her Workers’ Party.

A widening kickback scandal at Petrobras, the state oil company, is one of several complaints undermining the administration.

Kataguiri and others are striking a chord with Brazilians fed up with soaring inflation, a high and growing tax burden, and those who blame government intervention for hobbling Brazil’s economy, which grew just 0.1 percent last year and is expected to shrink in 2015.

“We are starting to see an agenda that is very politically driven and clearly against the federal government and President Dilma,” said Carlos Melo, a political scientist at the Sao Paulobased Insper business school. Compared to 2013, “these protests are presenting very different visions.”

Kataguiri says he had a political awakening two years ago when he began questioning a classmate’s position that a popular cash transfer program applauded by many experts around the globe was responsible for the expansion of Brazil’s middle class and for lifting millions of citizens from poverty during the last decade.

Iran nuclear talks near deadline, issues remain

SAN DIEGO (AP) — A leading association for U.S. pharmacists adopted a policy Monday that discourages its members from providing drugs for use in lethal injections — a move that could make carrying out such executions even harder for states with the death penalty.

STATENEWS

April 2, 2015 • The Tech Talk • 7

ASSOCIATED PRESS

AP Photo/Hassene Dridi

Tunisians stroll in Tunisia’s National Bardo Museum on Monday.

After deadly attack on tourists Tunisian museum reopens ASSOCIATED PRESS TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — Tunisia’s National Bardo Museum reopened to the public Monday again for the first time since extremist gunmen opened fire on foreign tourists earlier this month, killing 22 people in the country’s worst attack on civilians in 13 years.

The government says the man considered the “operational chief ” of the assault was killed in a security raid Saturday. Two gunmen were killed the day of the March 18 attack in Tunis, which was a blow to Tunisia’s fledgling democracy and its tourism industry.

“Welcome to Bardo” read a large sign at the museum entrance in Arabic, English and French at its reopening Monday.

A small but steady flow of visitors came, walking past flowers laid in honor of the victims and flags of their many nationalities.

The country’s largest museum, renowned for richly colorful Roman mosaics, houses 8,000 works and is a top destination for European cruise ship passengers and other tourists.

Curator Moncef ben Moussa told The Associated Press that a team of experts is working on repairs at the museum after the attack.

Lebanese tourist Vola Abboud said, “When you see this special art people did, the people’s history, when they loved the art and architecture, and now you see the ‘ugly people,’ this is what they did. ... I feel the spirits of the people who died, their souls.”

cord to be reached by the end of June.

LAUSANNE, Switzer“We are working late land (AP) — Negotiations into the night and obviover Iran’s nuclear program ously into tomorrow,” said reached a critical phase U.S. Secretary of State Monday with diplomats John Kerry, who has been struggling to overcome meeting with his Iranian substantial difcounterpart Moferences just hammad Javad a day before Zarif in Lausanne a deadline for since Thursday in the outline of an intense effort an agreement. to reach a politiWith Tuescal understandday’s target ing on terms that date for a would curb Iran’s framework acnuclear activities cord just hours in exchange for away, the top sanctions relief. diplomats from “There is a litthe five permaKERRY tle more light there nent members today, but there are still of the U.N. Security Coun- some tricky issues,” Kerry cil and Germany were said. “Everyone knows the meeting with Iran to try meaning of tomorrow.” to bridge remaining gaps Kerry and others at the and hammer out an under- table said the sides have standing that would serve made some progress, with as the basis for a final ac- Iran considering demands

for further cuts to its uranium enrichment program but pushing back on how long it must limit technology it could use to make atomic arms. In addition to sticking points on research and development, differences remain on the timing and scope of sanctions removal, the officials said.

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said Iran’s expectations from the talks are “very ambitious” and not yet acceptable to his country or the other five negotiating: the U.S., Britain, China, France and Russia.

In particular, Steinmeier said the question of limits on research and development that Iran would be allowed to continue was problematic.

Other officials said the issue of the scope and timing of sanctions relief was also a major sticking point.

Marathon bombing jurors see autopsy photos ASSOCIATED PRESS BOSTON (AP) — Prosecutors rested their case against Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev on Monday after jurors in his federal death penalty trial saw gruesome autopsy photos and heard a medical examiner describe the devastating injuries suffered by an 8-yearold boy killed in the 2013

terror attack. But Tsarnaev’s lawyers began their defense by quickly trying to show that his older brother was the mastermind of the plan to detonate pressurecooker bombs near the finish line of the famous race.

One of the first witnesses called by the defense was a data analyst who said Tsarnaev’s cellphone was being used in southeastern Massachusetts —

where he was attending college — while pressure cookers were being purchased north of Boston more than two months before the bombing.

The defense has made it clear from the first day of testimony — when his lawyer admitted he participated in the bombings — their strategy is not to win an acquittal but to save him from the death penalty.

8 • The Tech Talk • April 2, 2015

W&N

www.thetechtalk.org

Music festivals ban selfie sticks ASSOCIATED PRESS LOS ANGELES (AP) — You can bring your beach towels and floral headbands, but forget that selfie stick if you’re planning to go to the Coachella or Lollapalooza music festivals.

The devices, which grasp cellphones to allow people to take pictures of themselves farther away from their faces, are banned at this summer’s festivals in Indio, California, and Chicago. Coachella dismissed them as “narsisstics” on a list of prohibited items.

Selfie sticks have become a popular but polemical photo-taking tool: Avid picture takers like snapping their own shots in front of monuments and sunsets, but critics dismiss them as obnoxious and potentially dangerous to others around them.

A spokeswoman for Coachella would not comment on the restriction. Lollapalooza representatives did not return a request for comment but on the festival’s Twitter account said the decision was being made “for safety, to speed security checks at the gate & to reduce the number of obstructions between the fans and the stage.”

Coachella and Lollapalooza are among dozens of big events and landmarks taking a stand against the sticks.

In Europe, the Palace of Versailles outside Paris, Britain’s National Gallery in London and the Colosseum in Rome have all banned selfie sticks, saying they need to protect exhibits on display and ensure the safety of visitors.

In the U.S., Ultra Music Festival in Miami, one of the world’s largest electronic music festivals, also prohibited selfie sticks at last weekend’s event.

“They will be turned away and we’ll

probably make fun of you,” Ultra said on its Twitter account earlier this month.

Wayne Fromm, creator of the Quik Pod and the first to patent the selfie stick more than a decade ago, said he understood the decision for museums and festivals to ban the stick and that the intention was never for the device to be fully extended in busy spaces.

“Intentionally or not, there is a danger to other people in crowded places,” he told The Associated Press.

Another selfie-stick entrepreneur, Jacqueline Verdier, CEO of Selfie on a Stick, said the festivals were going too far and that the sticks can be used safely.

“I think it’s really doing a bit of disservice to the attendees,” Verdier said. “They’re not going to be able to capture the same memories.”

Some concertgoers praised the decision, saying the sticks promote a culture of narcissism and detract from the festival experience.

Others said they enjoy using them and lament there is so much negativity around them.

Thomas Smith, 31, of Los Angeles, will be going to Coachella this year and said he wasn’t planning to bring it into the venue because of recent backlash against the stick — even though he’s used it on previous occasions and likes the sticks because of the perspective he’s able to get for photos and video.

“People make fun of the people who use them,” he said. “Taking a selfie is kind of an embarrassing thing but when you see someone who went out of their way to get equipment to take a selfie, there’s an extra level of embarrassment attached.”

AP Photo/Photo by Zach Cordner/Invision/AP File

TOP: Festival goers hold up cameras and phones during the 2014 Coachella Music and Arts Festival.

LEFT: You can bring your beach towels and floral headbands, but forget that selfie stick if you plan on going to the Coachella or Lollapalooza music festivals.

AP Photo/Richard Vogel

Student loan recipients strike Michelle Obama ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON (AP) — Sarah Dieffenbacher is on a debt strike. She’s refusing to make payments on the more than $100,000 in federal and private loans she says she owes for studies at a for-profit college that she now considers so worthless she doesn’t include it on her resume.

The sentiment is catching on.

Calling themselves the “Corinthian 100” — named for the troubled Corinthian Colleges, Inc., which operated Everest College, Heald College and WyoTech before agreeing last summer to sell or close its 100-plus campuses — about 100 current and former students are refusing to pay back their loans, according to the Debt Collective group behind the strike.

They’re meeting Tuesday with officials from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, an independent government agency that already has asked the courts to grant relief to Corinthian students who collectively have taken out more than $500 million in private student loans.

The Education Department is the group’s primary target, because they want the department to discharge their loans. A senior department official is scheduled to attend the meeting.

Denise Horn, an Education Department spokeswoman, said the department has taken steps to help Corinthian students, but is urging them to make payments to avoid default. The department has incomebased repayment options.

By not paying back their

AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta

Sarah Dieffenbacher, poses for a picture in Washington.

Former and current college students calling themselves the “Corinthian 100” say they are on a debt strike and refuse to pay back their student loans. loans, the former Corinthian went back for a bachelor’s in students potentially face a criminal justice before later host of financial problems, dropping out. such as poor credit ratings She said she left school and greater debt because of with about $80,000 in fedinterest accrued. eral loans and $30,000 in The former students ar- private loans, but when she gue that the department went to apply for jobs at law should have firms she was done a better “I just turned 22 told her studies job regulating didn’t count for the schools and I have this anything. and informing much debt and Dieffenbachstudents that er, who works in they were un- I have nothing collections for a der investiga- to show for it.” property mantion. agement com“I would pany, said she like to see MAKENZIE was allowed at them have to VASQUEZ first to defer her answer for why Santa Cruz, California loan payments, they allowed but now should these schools be paying about to continue to $1,500 a month take federal loans out when that she can’t afford. they were under investigaMakenzie Vasquez, of tion for the fraudulent activ- Santa Cruz, California, said ity they were doing,” said she left an eight-month proDieffenbacher, 37. gram to become a medical Dieffenbacher said she assistant at Everest College received an associate’s de- in San Jose after six months gree in paralegal studies because she couldn’t afford from Everest College in On- the monthly fees. She said tario, California, and later she owes about $31,000

and went into default in November because she hasn’t started repayment.

“I just turned 22 and I have this much debt and I have nothing to show for it,” said Vasquez, a server at an Italian restaurant.

Many of Corinthian’s troubles came to light last year after it was placed by the Education Department on heightened cash monitoring with a 21-day waiting period for federal funds.

That was after the department said it failed to provide adequate paperwork and comply with requests to address concerns about the company’s practices, which included allegations of falsifying job placement data used in marketing claims and of altered grades and attendance records.

On Tuesday, the Education Department released a list of 560 institutions — including for-profit, private and public colleges — that had been placed on heightened cash monitoring, meaning the department’s Federal Student Aid Office is providing additional oversight of the schools for financial or compliance issues. The department said the effort was done to “increase transparency and accountability.”

The administration has taken other steps to crack down on the for-profit college industry, such as announcing a new rule last year that would require career training programs to show that students can earn enough money after graduation to pay off their loans.

The rule has been challenged in court by the forprofit education sector.

hosts the ‘Black Girls Rock’ event ASSOCIATED PRESS

Fantasia, Sheila E!, Estelle and others and applauded NEWARK, N.J. (AP) the honorees.

— First Lady Michelle Obama got arguably Obama celebrated the the night’s loudest ovabeauty, power and tenac- tion as she came on stage ity of black women while and declared “Black girls spreading her own mes- rock!” — the slogan and sage of education for girls name of the organization at Black Girls Rock!, an an- founded by Beverly Bond. nual event honoring trail- It is designed to uplift blazing women of color young black girls, a group from all walks of life. that often has difficulty “No matter who you finding positive and reafare, no matter where you firming images of themcome from, you are beau- selves in the world. Obama tiful,” Obama told the acknowledged as much in crowd, which included her speech to celebrate many young black girls. three young honorees.

“I am so proud of you.

“I know there are My husband, voices that you your president, are not good is so proud of enough,” she you,” she addsaid, acknowled. “We have so edging that she much hope and often lacked dreams for you.” self-confidence Obama was growing up denot among the spite encouraghonorees at ing parents.

Saturday night’s “Each of festivities, held those doubts at the New was like a test,” OBAMA Jersey Performshe said, “that I ing Arts Center. That dis- either shrink away from tinction went to actress or rise to meet. And I deJada Pinkett Smith, singer cided to rise.”

Erykah Badu, actress CicObama, who recently ely Tyson, “Selma” direc- completed a trip to Japan tor Ava DuVernay, educa- and Cambodia as part of tor Nadia Lopez and Dr. her worldwide push for Helene D. Gayle, president better educational opporand CEO of CARE USA, a tunities for girls, lauded the humanitarian organization. young honorees for excelHowever, Obama was ling in their studies. the most celebrated par“There is nothing more ticipant. Wearing a form- important than being serifitting white dress, she ous about your education,” jammed to performances the Ivy League-educated from the likes of Badu, Obama said.

www.thetechtalk.org

NEWS

March 31, 2015 • The Tech Talk • 9 Photo by Brian Blakely

4 Paws hosts first fur ball RACHEL MAXWELL Staff Reporter

students were also in attendance.

Members of Sigma Kappa sorority volunteered to help serve guests durIn the month of December, 4 Paws ing the event, and several student volRescue, Inc. had to turn away more unteers came to support the cause. than 100 dogs because of lack of Allison McBride, a freshman psyspace and resources. In the past year, chology major, was one such student. temperatures in Ruston “I was excited to come have gone well below out and support the orgafreezing, and climbed nization,” she said. “I love above 100 degrees. how devoted the people Through it all, the dogs who run the shelter are to housed at 4 Paws are the dogs. I’ve worked at outside, with minimal other shelters before, and protection from the eleyou just don’t see the kind ments. of care for the animals The shelter is currentthey have at 4 Paws.” ly working toward a goal Throughout the night, of $400,000 to build a donors bid on items donew facility, which would nated by businesses and feature indoor kennels members of the commuMARTIN and house up to 350 nity. Among the items bedogs. One of the first big ing bid on were two vacasteps towards this goal tion packages and a “wine was their first charity “Over 250 peo- wagon” containing more ple came out... than $600 worth of wine. event, the Fur Ball.

To help with fund- It’s just great to At the event’s end, the raising, 4 Paws memfundraiser collected over bers sold tickets to the see that Ruston $13,000. Sue Martin, direcevent, which was held really cares tor of 4 Paws, said the shelon March 27 at the Rus- about us” ter has now collected over ton Country Club, and a fourth of their goal for the hosted a silent auction new building fund.

SUE MARTIN throughout the night.

Even more than the 4 Paws Director Guests enjoyed drinks money, though, Martin said and a three course meal the community’s outpourbefore dancing to live music played ing of support meant the most to the

by Richard Dieter and the Mistreat- organization. ers.

“Over 250 people came out, so There to support the cause was many more than we expected,” she Jay Bennett, a professor of econom- said. “We just really appreciate the ics at Tech. community’s help with our project.

“My family has dogs from 4 Paws, It’s great to see that Ruston really so I’m happy to be here and help out,” cares about us.” he said. “They’re a great organization in the community.”

Email comments to Along with faculty members, Tech ram049@latech.edu.

Debbie Click, a Tech alumae amd creator of the fur ball held Lilly Grace, daughter of two attendees, as she sang a Taylor Swift song with her older sister Cameron Grace.

www.thetechtalk.org

10 • The Tech Talk • April 2, 2015

Distractions WEEKLYHOROSCOPE www.horoscopes.com.net

Aries March 21 – April 19 This is one of those days in which you may ask for five minutes to complete a certain task and an hour later finally finish whatever you set out to do. Keep in mind that this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Things are taking you longer than expected not because you’re inefficient but because you’re more passionate than usual about what you’re doing.

Taurus Apr 20 - May 20 Don’t be afraid of the fire today, Taurus. Instead, embrace it and incorporate more of it into your life.

Certain people may intimidate you at first, but that doesn’t mean you should run away from the scene.

More than likely this feeling of intimidation is a signal that there’s something you need to learn from that person or situation. Stick around and pay attention.

Gemini May 21 - Jun 20 Tackle things that require high energy today, Gemini.

This is your day to make short work of chores, errands, or any sort of physical activity. Patience is the thing that you will lack, if anything, but don’t worry, because your strengths lie elsewhere now. Your heart is apt to sing once you get going on a personal project about which you feel passionate.

Cancer Jun 21 - Jul 22 Even though you feel most comfortable when things are organized and meticulous, Cancer, you’re going to need to be flexible. Allow room for surprise and adventure. Bask in the adventurous spirit that must be adopted when you walk out the door with no idea where you will end up. People and situations that come around today are likely to be foreign but friendly.

Leo Jul 23 - Aug 22 Finding balance in your world will be no sweat once you get into the groove, Leo. Waking up is likely to be the most difficult part of the day, but once you conquer that incredible feat, you should be fine. Try taking a cold shower instead of a warm one this morning. This will serve to open up your mind and get your blood pumping when you need it most.

Virgo Aug 23 - Sep 22 You may feel like the smallest issue is suddenly a life or death situation, Virgo. Depending on your mood, you may think you’re on the brink of complete disaster, but the next minute be soaring high in the clouds.

The drama that surrounds you is more a product of your reaction to your environment rather than the

environment itself.

CROSSWORDPUZZLE

Libra Sep 23 - Oct 22 Things may come to you more easily than usual today, Libra. This is a sign that you’re on the right path and doing things correctly. Life shouldn’t have to be full of stress and heartache. If something isn’t flowing smoothly, you should consider taking a new approach toward it. Keep a smile on your face and be respectful of the people around you.

2. Booty 3. Director Preminger 4. Church perch 5. Building 6. Disunion 7. Learned 8. Formicary residents 9. Actress Arthur 10. One who enjoys inflicting pain 11. Den 12. “Judith” composer 13. Clothes.pins 18. Drop ___ (moon) 19. Book about Nineveh 23. Author Harte 24. Deck quartet 25. Chest or closet material 26. English architect Jones 27. Lerner’s partner 28. Leftover 29. Author Calvino 30. The Hunter 31. Approach 32. Coarse file 36. Horrors!

37. ER VIP 38. Yard tunneler 40. Turkish palace 41. Secret society of Naples 43. Musical composition 44. Pecuniary gain 45. ___ sapiens 48. “The Thin Man” dog 49. Type of gun 50. I smell ___!

51. Elisabeth of “Leaving Las Vegas” 52. Former Fords 53. Plaster backing

Across 1. Take the honey and run 6. Large mop 10. Hit with an open hand 14. Lugged 15. Silver screen 16. Swiss river 17. In spite of 20. From ___ Z 21. Cooks in fat 22. Buenos ___ 23. Life stories 24. Sighs of relief 25. Roundabout expression 32. Actress Taylor 33. City near Provo 34. Uno + due 35. Mine entrance 36. “Awake and Sing!” playwright 38. Mother of Hermes 39. Droop, sink 40. Display 41. Hue 42. Forebrain 46. Guadalajara gold 47. Capital of Italy 48. Yoga posture 51. Replay option 53. “Seinfeld” uncle 56. Direct 59. Milk source 60. Designer Gernreich 61. Knot again 62. Architectural pier 63. Repose 64. Remains of a fire

Scorpio Oct 23 - Nov 21 Check your messages often, Scorpio. Someone is trying to contact you and you may keep missing each other by minutes. It’s important to connect with this person to take care of some matters. If your objectives are clear, things should work out fine. Two people working toward the same goal make the power of the joint effort extremely potent. Don’t underestimate this incredible influence.

Sagittarius Nov 22 - Dec 21 You will get much farther than you think today, even with minimal effort, Sagittarius. There are plenty of avenues to take now, so even if one is jammed, there’s always another that you can reach easily. Soon you will arrive at your destination with time to spare. The trick is to keep moving. Don’t get stuck in one place with your engine running.

Capricorn Dec 22 - Jan 19 Don’t get too caught up in the emotional side of life today, Capricorn. Keep things light and keep them moving. A rolling stone gathers no moss. Unfortunately, you may have quite a bit of that green stuff growing on you now. Get up and get moving. One little bit of effort will send you off and running. Don’t hesitate. You’re ready to take the plunge.

Down 1. Sicilian volcano

Aquarius Jan 20 - Feb 18 Try not to be overwhelmed by the frenzied activity around you, Aquarius. Unexpected variables are popping up everywhere, and your first reaction may be to flip out. This is the opposite reaction that you need to have now. Calm yourself down and take small bites.

Don’t try to eat the whole eight-course meal in one five-minute sitting.

www.bestcrosswords.com

DAILY U

LAST ISSUE’S SOLUTION

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

Pisces Feb 19 - Mar 20 It’s time to bring more fire into your life, Pisces.

Consider calling up an old flame or friend from the past who stirs the passion within you. Inspire your inner yearning for excitement and adventure. Eat spicy foods and adorn yourself in bright colors. Even the smallest actions will help bring more of this dynamic, activating energy to your life.

WEEKLYWEATHER

www.accuweather.com

TODAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

HIGH 81 LOW 67

HIGH 77 LOW 44

HIGH 68 LOW 45

HIGH 64 LOW 57

HIGH 79 LOW 63

HIGH 82 LOW 64

HIGH 87 LOW 60

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.

SGA from pg. 1

CANOE from pg. 1

LAST ISSUE’S SOLUTION

Sudoku Puzzle - Hard

Sudoku Solution - Easy

www.sudoku-puzzles.net

www.sudoku-puzzles.net

>

>

“There are two main parts to the competition, the fabrication of the bridge and the competition itself,” Hogsett said.

“This might have been the best we’ve done in three years.”

The competition was split into three categories: how fast they can build it, the bridge’s weight and the amount of weight the bridge could hold on top of it.

“We are definitely in a rebuilding year,” Dupont said. “I’d say we handled it extremely well. I don’t think I could’ve asked for better people to step in.”

Mallory Dupont, a senior civil engineering major, is president this

54. Cleveland’s lake 55. Keats creations 57. Boxer’s warning 58. Bentley of “American Beauty”

year of Tech’s chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers.

ASCE organized the Deep South Challenge for each school. Dupont said she tried her best to be a helping hand for both teams this year.

“We are definitely in a rebuilding year,” she said. “I’d say we handled it extremely well. I don’t think I could have asked for better people to step in.”

The teams will be heading to Clemson University in North Carolina for the national competition.

Email comments to bsl008@latech.edu.

All election packets must be turned in by March 31. Voting will take place April 15-16. Students can cast their votes online at latech.edu/vote.

McCorkle said it is important that voters not go to the polls blindly.

“My advice for voters in any election is to research the candidates,” she said. “Feel free to ask them directly about their opinion on certain topics. Listen to their speeches, look up their Facebook. Try to see what they’re all about.”

Ryan Willis represents the senior class as a senator. A senior music major, he has served on the senate for three years. He said an important quality the SGA needs from new members is dedication.

“New officers and senators need to be willing and ready to

WE ARE

work,” he said. “We need workers in SGA, and that’s something we’ve been lacking recently.”

McCorkle said the main duty of the SGA is to be available to students.

“Our slogan is ‘Students Serving Students,’ so that’s our biggest role,” she said. “If a student has a question or a concern, we need to be there to meet that need.”

McCorkle compared the SGA to a bridge between the students and the university.

“If students want change, we cross the gap between them and the university,” she said. “In the end, we are the voice to the school about what the students want.”

Email comments to csd020@latech.edu.

More Puzzles:

More Puzzles:

www.sudoku-puzzles.net

www.sudoku-puzzles.net

www.thetechtalk.org

MORE TALK

April 2, 2015 • The Tech Talk • 11

DESIGN BY KELSY KERSHAW Photos by Brennen Lege

Patrons danced to music courtesy of the DJ in the neon atmosphere at Pulse nightclub.

THE BEGINNING OF RUSTON’S

NIGHTCLUB THE QUE STICK, 3 DOCS BREWERY THEN PULSE DROPPING THE BEATS SINCE THE 1980S BRENNEN LEGE Staff Reporter

T Patrons played a game of pool at Ruston’s new nightclub.

Bartenders serve patrons during one of Pulse’s first weekend’s of business.

here is a building down Old Grambling Road, past the Thomas Assembly Center, which used to be Ruston’s meat processing plant back in the ‘60s and ‘70s. It was not until around the ‘80s when public records show the building started housing bars and nightclubs, with names like The Que Stick, or 3 Docs Brewery. Not many know this history of the building, and the idea of the place people used to bring livestock to be butchered, now being the place where people go to dance, drink and feel alive, is ironic to say the least.

Even more fitting is its new name, Pulse Nightclub, the newest club to open on the local scene. The bar, located in Grambling, will be the first to take advantage of the new laws allowing bars to stay open until 3 a.m.

The new management there brings experience with them after working the bar and club scene in Monroe.

Brothers Jay and Josh Nicholson had worked in bars for about a decade before opening Pulse. While Josh bounced for clubs throughout college, older brother Jay worked his way up the ladder in the club world, starting as a bouncer, doorman, bar back, bartender and a manager. After Josh finished his degree, the two decided they wanted to go into the bar business together.

“He had the degree and I had the experience, and it just worked,” Jay said.

“We bought our first bar about two years ago, 6th Street Saloon in Monroe. We had our fair share of problems with the city council, fire marshal, Alcohol and Tobacco Control, and jealous bar owners, but we still kept on track.”

The next bar the brothers opened was Bar 3 in Monroe. Nicholson said the bar drew people from Arkansas, East Louisiana and Ruston.

“We saw the amount of people who drove from Ruston to Monroe, and we wanted to give Ruston what they were asking for,” he said. “A real nightclub.”

Jay said Pulse would be better than any other Ruston club, because there is nothing else like it in town for a college crowd.

“We always supported college kids, and literally every member of our current staff goes to Louisiana Tech,” Jay said. “People want somewhere to come dance. They can go eat, see a live show, but we are the only place for them to come actually enjoy a large dance floor until 3.”

Zach Edmiston, bartender and floor manager each night at Pulse, grew up in Calhoun and earned an accounting degree from Tech.

“I knew the owners from frequenting their bar, 6th Street Lounge, in Monroe,” Edmiston said. “They asked if I wanted to bartend a club they were about to open in Monroe called Bar 3. I have been bartending for them ever since.”

Edmiston said working primarily as a bartender in life has given him an appreciation for meeting new people. Whether he meets new business acquaintances or lifelong friends, he said he appreciates the social aspects bars and clubs bring to a city.

When offered the job at Pulse, Edmiston said he looked forward to coming back to Ruston.

“I’m hoping this club can bring some variety to the Ruston area,” Edmiston said. “If there are more things to do, then more people will come out, meaning better business for everyone.”

Email comments to bsl008@latech.edu.

www.thetechtalk.org

12 • The Tech Talk • April 2, 2015

Sports Talk

FROM THE SPORTS DESK with Jared King

The most bang for your buck

A

Photo by Blake Bolin

Senior Bianca Duran and the Lady Techsters have cruised to a 21-10 overall and are in third place of the Conference USA West Division standings.

Lady Techster softball making noise

CATHERINE BURKE Staff Reporter Mark Montgomery and his Lady Techster softball team are a little more than halfway done with their season and have nothing to complain about. The Lady Techsters are 21-10 and do not plan on slowing down just yet.

Bianca Duran, a senior pitcher and first baseman, said the team has come a long way and worked hard while doing so.

“We are a strong team, not only on the field but off the field,” she said. “I think that helps us be so successful.”

Duran said everyone being on the same page this season has really contributed to the team’s success.

“A big part of this year is everyone has close to the same work ethic and the same goal for this year, which is to be the best that we can be every pitch and every game,” she said.

Montgomery said he is very satisfied with his team this year.

“So far we are doing very well,” he said. “There are some situations that could have been done better, but I’m pleased with the team’s effort and progress.”

Montgomery said he is particularly proud of his team’s consistency.

“We’re doing so well at constantly getting better and pushing through,” he said.

Montgomery said the team has a lot of mental and physical endurance.

“My goal is for us to just keep going and giving our best effort every day,” he said, “ and if we do that, everything will fall into place in the post season.”

Anna Cross, a junior infielder, said she feels like the team has grown every year Montgomery, in his third season at the helm, has been here.

“We’ve grown in the way he coaches and buying in,” she said.

Cross said winning is not just her goal, but the team’s goal as well.

“Coach once said to me, ‘if you sit the bench every game but your team would win, would you do it?’ and my answer is yes,” she said. “Anything I can do to make our team get that W, I will.”

Cross said she has high hopes for this team in the long run this season.

“My expectations for the overall year are to make noise in this conference and to show our potential,” she said. “This is our year.”

The Lady Techsters’ next home game is Friday. 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.

Lady Techsters tennis draws to a close ALEX HEARD Staff Reporter With the end of the season drawing near, the Louisiana Tech women’s tennis team hopes to finish strong.

This season has been somewhat problematic for Tech so far. With an overall record of 6-8, the team has been faced with difficulties but still has an opportunity to finish the season with a winning record.

“We have faced a lot of adversity,” head coach Chad Camper said. “We have had some tough losses, multiple matches have been cancelled due to the weather and we have had players get injured like Manoela (Chiacchio, a junior).”

The team’s away record is 2-5 with losses to ranked opponents: TCU, Oklahoma State, Georgia State, Wichita State and Texas Tech.

They played those opponents in tough matches, but could not come out on top.

Camper said despite those hardships he believes the Tennis Techsters are starting play like they always planned to. He feels upcoming match-

es against ranked opponents Rice and Tyler Junior College will help the team.

“Matches like these definitely help,” Camper said. “They allow us to get even more practice in before going into the conference tournament.”

Camper said he and his team plan on finishing strong going into the Conference USA tournament.

“We have had some tough matches but are still practicing and getting better,” Camper said. “The goal is to hit our peak going into the tournament.”

Camper said the freshmen on the team have been coming along well lately and will be key components to a successful postseason run. Those freshmen are: Haley Ballinger, Taylor Capannolo and Tarrannum Handa.

Camper said as long as the team continues to get better, it will be dangerous in the C-USA tournament.

“We’re really starting to hit our stride,” Camper said. “As long as we work hard, we will get where we need to be.”

Email comments to amh072@latech.edu.

Edwards to transfer from Tech JARED KING Sports Editor Louisiana Tech power forward Leo Edwards will transfer from the basketball program after spending two seasons with the Bulldogs.

Edwards, a redshirt freshman from Detroit, Michigan, announced his decision to transfer Monday afternoon via Twitter.

Edwards played sparingly this season, appearing in 20 games, averaging five minutes and 0.9 points per game.

With forwards Merrill Holden and Joniah White both returning next season and the addi-

tion of forward Branden Sheppard, who sat out this season as a redshirt, Edwards’ role on next season’s team was unclear.

It is not clear where Edwards will transfer at this point of the process. He could transfer to a junior college and play one season and transfer back to a Division I school without having to sit out a season.

The Tech Talk reached out to members of the Tech Sports Information Department, but a request for an official statement was denied.

Email comments to jki008@latech.edu.

recent five-year database compiled by USA Today Sports from 2009-13 analyzed the men’s basketball recruiting budgets of Division I schools around the country.

Of the 215 schools that gave full reports, Louisiana Tech ranked 148th in the country in recruiting expenses during the past five years.

Each year, Tech men’s basketball coach Michael White receives a $40,000 recruiting budget.

White’s budget is the lowest in Conference USA. Tech was already at the bottom of C-USA in total athletic revenue at $18,734,197 at the end of the 2012-13 season but this latest report is mindblowing.

At most Division I schools, football is the moneymaker and as the football team goes, so goes the athletics budget. The same is true at Tech and sustained success on the gridiron would certainly help all Tech sports improve.

That is why the sustained success of the men’s basketball team during White’s tenure is a bit of a surprise.

The funding simply is not there to compete against other C-USA schools in recruiting, yet Tech has been able to succeed.

In two seasons in C-USA, the Bulldogs have won two regular season conference championships and have placed multiple studentathletes on All-Conference teams including sweeping top honors this past season when Kenneth “Speedy” Smith won the 2015 CUSA Player of the Year and White won C-USA Coach of the Year honors. To put how small Tech’s recruiting budget is in perspective, the University of Texas at San Antonio spent $90,500 on recruiting on average each year over the past five years and the University of Texas at El Paso spent more than $150,000 over the same span.

With his budget dwarfed by conferences foes, White understands he and his staff cannot miss on a recruit.

White has guided Tech to 96 regular season wins during his tenure — the most of any C-USA team in the past four seasons.

Obviously White and his coaching staff have figured out how to get the most bang for their buck.

Jared King is a senior journalism major from Jena who serves as sports editor for The Tech Talk. Email comments to jki008@latech.edu.