The Marquette Tribune | Tuesday, February 26, 2019

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LIMOs hit student’s cars Personal, rental vehicles both struck in under one month

By Emma Tomsich

emma.tomsich@marquette.edu

In less than one month, student Anne Nyberg has had her own car and a subsequent rental car get hit by Marquette University LIMO vans.

“I’m very frustrated with the whole situation and I want to make sure that something is being done about this,” Nyberg, a junior in the College of Arts & Sciences, said. “I’ve had to deal with this for the last month and it’s kind of dictated my life.”

Her parked Volkswagen Golf was first hit Jan. 22 on Wisconsin Avenue outside of Mashuda Hall.

Nyberg went out to her parked car around 9:30 p.m. to move it to 19th Street before the snow plows came that night. Vehicles cannot be parked overnight on mass transit bus routes from Dec. 1 to March 1, according to the City of Milwaukee website.

She found a note on her car that said her car was struck by a campus LIMO. It instructed her to con-

Photo by Sydney Czyzon sydney.czyzon@marquette.edu

Anne Nyberg had her own car and rental car get hit by LIMO vans.

tact Marquette University Police Department if she wanted to file a police report.

Nyberg said her driver’s side mirror was broken and the front driver’s side tire was knocked off the rim.

“It was some real damage,” Nyberg said.

Nyberg described her vehicle as a “pretty small car” that is “hard to hit.”

Nyberg said she contacted MUPD and talked to Officer Lamar Kirk over the phone. Nyberg said Kirk was really helpful. She moved her car to 19th Street and called Marquette’s vehicle insurance, Travelers Insurance Company, the next day, but she said she did not hear back immediately.

After three days of waiting, Nyberg said she called the insurance company again because

her car had a flat tire and was not drivable.

Nyberg said she needed her car to get to her off-campus job as a legal assistant at a law firm in Wauwatosa.

She said she was able to talk to someone from the insurance company after finding out the person originally assigned to her case was out of town. Eight days after Nyberg’s car was originally hit, an appraiser came to see the damage and give her an estimate of how much it was going to cost to repair.

She said the insurance company was going to accept liability for the mirror, but the appraiser was unsure her flat tire was due to the collision. Nyberg said she was certain the flat tire was from the collision because she had only moved her car half a block since the collision happened.

Nyber said she paid out of pocket for a tow to get her car to the shop, but she was eventually reimbursed by the insurance company. Nyberg said she was reimbursed by the insurance company for the mirror repair costs as well.

“When they got (it) to the shop, (the shop) said they couldn’t 100

MARDI GRAS changes Organization switches sites out of values concerns

By Alex Garner

alexandra.garner@marquette.edu

Marquette University MARDI GRAS, or Making A Real Difference in Gulf Regions and Areas Surrounding, a student-run volunteer organization focused on disaster relief, had to make a recent change in preparation for their upcoming spring break trips to New Orleans, Panama City, Florida, and Rosharon, Texas.

Hannah Seeman, a senior in the College of Communication and MARDI GRAS event coordinator, said the organization had to change a site in the Panama City trip.

“Upon discussion with other MARDI GRAS E-board

See LIMO page 2

See MARDI page 4

Evers visits Law School, speaks about education Governor explains new state budget spending priorities

By Donna Sarkar

adwitiya.sarkar@marquette.edu

Gov. Tony Evers discussed higher education costs, tax cuts, transportation needs, the legalization of marijuana and criminal justice during “On the Issues with Mike Gousha” on Feb. 19 at the Marquette University Law School.

The topics centered on the state budget that Evers will be presenting to the Wisconsin State Legislature in late February. Evers said his budget includes spending $1.4 million on education.

“It’s not just about how much money is distributed, but how it is distributed,” Evers said.

His education proposal will also involve increasing support for kids with special needs.

Evers said he wants this budget proposal to help “people that struggle to have that extra lift.” He said that the current

education system has a fatal flaw in that it is not funded in a sustainable way.

Evers also discussed f ixing roads.

During his campaign, Evers proposed to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour, Gousha said.

Evers said that raising the minimum wage was a slow process and though the goal is still $15 an hour, he doesn’t think it will be met in the next two years as it

INDEX

NEWS

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

OPINIONS

MUPD offers classes

MKE Taste & Toast

Student loan debt

CALENDAR......................................................3 MUPD REPORTS.............................................3 A&E..................................................................8 OPINIONS......................................................10 SPORTS..........................................................12

See EVERS page 3

Self-defense strategies include awareness, physical maneuvers

PAGE 6

Photo by Claire Gallagher claire.gallagher@marquette.edu

Gov. Tony Evers talks with ‘On the Issues’ Mike Gousha at law school.

Weeklong restaurant event includes two dozen businesses PAGE 8

Graduates delay major purchases, hurting economy PAGE 11

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The Marquette Tribune

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

LIMO: MU insurance takes care of crash costs Continued from page 1 percent say (the flat tire) was from the collision, but can reasonably say that it is,” Nyberg said.

She said she called Travelers Insurance seven times over the course of that week to figure out the situation.

She said the insurance company would not accept liability for the tire, but connected her with Enterprise for a rental car. Though Nyberg had to put down the original deposit on the rental car, the insurance company reimbursed her for the cost.

The tow, damages and rental car cost between $600 to $700, Nyberg said. Nyberg said she went to speak with Matthew Paulus, director of Marquette Risk Management, who helped her communicate with Travelers Insurance to cover the costs. Risk Management is responsible for assessing liability, handling claims and managing the university’s corporate and student insurance plans.

She said Paulus arranged for Travelers Insurance to cover the rental car and the tow costs after Nyberg contacted him.

Paulus said all crashes involving the university’s vehicles get reported to Marquette’s insurance carrier.

For an at-fault crash caused by a campus driver to a student, Paulus said a claims adjuster from the insurance company would provide direction and payment to repair the student’s vehicle and cover other related costs, such as a temporary rental vehicle and towing.

Nyberg said she was in the rental car, which was a pickup truck, for two weeks. The night before she had to return the car was Valentine’s Day. She said she went out to a nice dinner, had a great time and came home to another note on the pickup truck. The pickup truck was parked on Wisconsin Avenue in front of Mashuda Hall, just like her Volkswagen Golf had been a few weeks earlier.

“I looked at the note and it was the exact same thing,” Nyberg said.

“The car was struck by a LIMO and I was like, ‘Great. Awesome.’”

Nyberg said she called MUPD and two officers came over. Nyberg said MUPD asked if she had any details about the collision. Nyberg told them she did not have information since her car was parked and she was away from it.

She said the driver’s side door of the rental pickup truck was scratched up, there was a dent, the paint from the truck was scratched off and there was blue paint from the LIMO on the truck.

A claim is initiated and damages will be paid for repair to both vehicles, Paulus said.

Nyberg said she paid $85 for the rental vehicle to be towed to a repair shop, but she said she was reimbursed by the university’s insurance company.

Photo courtesy of Anne Nyberg

MUPD left a note on Nyberg’s car after it was hit by a LIMO driver.

The next day, Nyberg went to return the car to Enterprise and explained what happened to it.

Originally, Nyberg said Enterprise wanted her to pay out of pocket for a $500 deductible for the damage to the rental car. Nyberg said that if that happened, she would dispute the charges with her bank because the crash had nothing to do with her own actions.

Nyberg said she told Enterprise that Travelers Insurance should accept liability for the crash with the rental car.

Based on the circumstances, she said Enterprise said it was not going to charge her for the damage.

Nyberg’s rental pickup truck was supposed to have been returned by Feb. 12, but Nyberg said she didn’t return the pickup truck until Feb. 15. She said the delay in returning the vehicle was because she would not be getting her own car back until Feb. 22.

She did not tell Enterprise when she was going to return the car, she said, but she said she communicated with the insurance company. She said the insurance company told her it informed Enterprise the pickup truck would be back Feb. 15.

Nyberg said she was later informed by Enterprise that Marquette’s insurance was not going to pay for the last three days she had the rental car, so Enterprise wanted her to pay out of pocket for it.

The insurance company ended up covering the extra three days of rental costs, Nyberg said.

Without a form of transportation after turning in the rental pickup truck, Nyberg said she was using Uber to get almost everywhere, including for the 15-minute one-way commute to and from her job in Wauwatosa every day. She also got rides from friends, she said.

Nyberg said she had to miss a day of work to sort out matters with her car.

Nyberg is also in the Marine Corps Reserves. Nyberg said she has to go to a Sheridan, Illinois, base once a month for meetings

with her unit.

“I’ve spent close to $100 in Ubers getting to and from work, Enterprise and the auto shop,” Nyberg said.

Even though she got her car back Feb. 22, she said she is still frustrated with the Department of Campus Safety.

Nyberg said she talked to MUPD Lt. Mark Cleveland, who helps oversee the LIMO program.

Cleveland said the LIMO program has the most extensive job training out of any student organization at the university, including other student organizations that have student drivers, such as Campus Ministry and the Athletics Department.

“If you compare our training program to anyone else’s on campus, and for that matter, any other campus’ training program for their student drivers, I think you’ll find that we are far and away above everyone’s training for our LIMO drivers,” Cleveland said. “Obviously with the number of transports we do – about somewhere between 230,000 and 250,000 transports in a calendar year – I think there’s a good reason for having that extensive training program.”

He said the LIMO driver application and training process begins with an application, interview and background check.

Cleveland said the background check is to ensure the applicant has a favorable driving record.

He said the license check is done through a company called Alert Driving, which checks the record of each applicant and then sends a report back to the Department of Campus Safety.

Cleveland said each applicant is ranked on a scale up to three, with level three being unable to drive, which would result from a past DUI, conviction or speeding ticket of more than 25 miles per hour over the speed limit. Level two is moderate risk, which would result from a past speeding ticket for 10 miles per hour over the limit. Level one indicates no risk.

He said that if an applicant had one speeding ticket from driving more than 10 miles per hour over the speed limit, the applicant would still be hirable.

After the record check, the applicant can be made an offer of employment, Cleveland said.

Employees begin orientation with the student senior supervisors, and then the new employee has a test drive with another supervisor to see how the new employee handles driving a large vehicle.

After the new employee successfully passes the test drive, the person take a 25-question quiz about topics LIMO drivers need to know about, including codes and addresses. If the person passes that successfully, the person moves on to field training and is matched with a supervisor who rides along with the person and evaluates his or her ability to remember addresses.

The supervisor tests other variables, like the new employee’s effectiveness with using directions, staying in lanes and making correct turns, Cleveland said.

He said the new employee is with that supervisor for at least four shifts, and if there are some concerns with the new employee’s driving, that person is asked to do a fifth shift with a supervisor.

Finally, before moving on to a probationary assignment and becoming a LIMO driver at the most basic position, Cleveland said applicants must pass a more than 100-question test related to being a LIMO driver, like phone numbers and procedures on emergencies.

He said this process typically takes about a month and a half to two months to be completed.

LIMO drivers can go through additional training to be promoted and be able to train other LIMO drivers, Cleveland said. “(Cleveland) told me that LIMO drivers have the most extensive training, but if the training is not effective, then it’s worthless,” Nyberg said.

MUPD Capt. Kranz said when MUPD arrives at the scene of a crash involving a LIMO, officers treat it no differently from any other type of crash incident they respond to.

“We don’t see the LIMO drivers being any different from a Jimmy John’s driver or somebody just driving down the street,” Kranz said. “The officers can’t show bias and say, ‘Hey you’re one of us, you’re good to go.’”

Kranz said when officers are responding to the scene, they do an investigation of how the crash occurred. He said officers check if there was extreme negligence or a violation of law. If so, the responding officer issues a citation at his or her discretion to whichever party is responsible, Kranz said.

Cleveland said disciplinary measures for a LIMO driver involved

in a crash depends on whether it was an at-fault crash or a not-atfault crash for the driver.

“If they aren’t at fault, then there is no issue there,” Cleveland said.

Kranz said running a stop sign or a red light is different from taking a corner too tight and brushing up against a car and hitting the mirror.

“Running a stop sign is a violation,” Kranz said. “It’s negligence on the part of the operator, but with the snow and the tight street and the challenges that the LIMOs have right now, they’re not necessarily going to get a ticket if they brush up against the car and it’s just an accident.”

Cleveland said he could not comment on specific disciplinary procedures for LIMO employees because he said they are confidential.

He did not disclose whether any LIMO employees would face disciplinary measures for the crashes involving Nyberg’s car and rental pickup truck.

“If they are at fault, we track that and if they get to a point where it is getting excessive, then they have to come meet with me and we discuss if they need additional training or if they feel comfortable enough to continue driving or what they want to do,” Cleveland said.

Nyberg said Cleveland told her he could not disclose any information about the driver. However, the name of the driver who originally hit her car was on the ticket left by MUPD. Nyberg told Cleveland she understood the confidentiality, but she wants to know that there will be changes made, including improved LIMO driver training, so this doesn’t happen to other people.

Cleveland did not comment on how often LIMO-involved crashes occur.

“I don’t think it happens all that often, but if it happens twice in two weeks, that’s a pattern,” Nyberg said. “One time it sucks and is bad luck for me, but twice in two weeks is like the worst luck in the world. And that’s what Lt. Cleveland said to me.”

Nyberg said Cleveland told her he was sorry about her bad luck.

Cleveland said he cannot comment on a private conversation that took place between Nyberg and himself.

“The issue isn’t my luck. The issue is your drivers. They’re not doing what they need to be doing,” Nyberg said. “So needless to say, I don’t park on the street anymore.”

Nyberg said the responding officers at the scene were helpful, but she said other members of MUPD, specifically Cleveland, have not helped her.

“No one has been able to help me find a solution to this issue … I don’t expect a change,” Nyberg said. “They didn’t seem that concerned about it.”

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

EVERS: Raising minimum wage will take years Continued from page 1 has to get approved by the state government and implemented throughout Wisconsin. However, an increased minimum wage is on the state budget.

Gousha asked about the governor’s future plans regarding the legalization of medical marijuana, as well as his thoughts on recreational marijuana.

“I don’t see this as a Republican versus Democrat problem,” Evers said.

According to the American Cancer Society, marijuana can help relieve pain and nausea, reduce inflammation and can act as an antioxidant.

He said that being a cancer survivor himself, he is in support of the legalization of medical marijuana and will push for it in his budget.

“I think Evers is smart to realize that issues like the medical marijuana debate are not strictly

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The Marquette Tribune

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The Marquette Tribune EDITORIAL Executive Director of Marquette Wire Jennifer Walter Managing Editor of Marquette Tribune Sydney Czyzon NEWS News Editor Natallie St. Onge Assistant Editors Annie Mattea, Donna Sarkar Reporters: Joseph Beaird, Emma Tomsich, Alex Garner, Margaret Cahill, Alexa Jurado, Autumn Hirchert, Molly Glowacki, Bryan Geenen

a Democrat or Republican issue and therefore, can and should be pushed in the state budget,” Ellie McNeal, a junior in the College of Arts & Sciences, said.

Evers said he is in support of recreational marijuana, but he said it’s not going to happen right now as he wants to focus on the medical marijuana proposal first.

Evers said the legalization of marijuana could also aid in improving the criminal justice system. He proposed that the illegal possession of 25 grams or less of marijuana could possibly be taken off one’s record in the future.

Additionally, Gousha questioned Evers on Milwaukee’s lead pipe and water quality issues. Evers said $70 million would be given to correct these issues in his budget proposal.

Evers said the water quality is a common ground issue that affects many people in Wisconsin, and he said he has made clean water a priority.

PROJECTS Projects Editor Matthew Martinez Assistant Editor Jenny Whidden Reporters Lelah Byron, Claire Hyman, Clara Janzen ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Arts & Entertainment Editor Mackane Vogel Assistant Editors Kelli Arseneau, Jenna Thompson Reporters Amanda Parrish, Emma Dill, Grace Schneider, Ariana Madson, Colin Landers OPINIONS Opinions Editor Maya Korenich Assistant Editor Reilly Harrington Columnists Aminah Beg, Matthew Harte, Sarah Lipo SPORTS Sports Editor John Steppe Assistant Editors Zoe Comerford, Daniel Macias Reporters Maddie Adams, Aimee Galaszewski, Tyler Peters, M’Laya Sago, Matt Yeazel COPY Copy Chief Emma Nitschke Copy Editors Julia Donofrio, Emily Rouse, Eleanor McCaughey, Lauren Goetz, Mike Jelcz VISUAL CONTENT Design Chief Chelsea Johanning Photo Editor Andrew Himmelberg Opinions Designer Anabelle McDonald Sports Designer Katie Delia Arts & Entertainment Designer Ryan Hagan Photographers Jordan Johnson, Ricky Labrada, Elena Fiegen ----

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Then-candidate Tony Evers talks at a Democratic rally in October 2018.

MUPD REPORTS

EVENTS CALENDAR

FEBRUARY 21

FEBRUARY 19

FEBRUARY 27

A subject removed merchandise from a business in the 1600 block of W. Wells Street. The subject was found to also have an active warrant and MUPD transported her to the Milwaukee County Criminal Justice Facility.

An unknown driver struck two vehicles at the intersection of N. 16th Street and W. Wisconsin Avenue and fled the scene before MUPD’s arrival. Four occupants of the other vehicles were injured and MFD responded and Bell Ambulance transported the victims to Froedtert for treatment. MUPD later located the driver of the striking vehicle, transported him to the Aurora Sinai for treatment, and then to the Milwaukee County Criminal Justice Facility.

New Staff Meet and Greet AMU 140 11 a.m.-Noon.

FEBRUARY 20 After a traffic stop at the intersection of W. Wells Street and N. 17th Street, a check of the driver revealed an active warrant. MUPD transported the driver to the Milwaukee County Criminal Justice Facility.

Latin America/Latinx Studies Series Lecture Holthusen Hall 403 Noon-1:30 p.m.

Afrofuturism AMU Ballrooms 7-9 p.m.

CORRECTIONS A story in last week’s Tribune stated that the PALS program was developed five years ago at the University of WisconsinMadison. In fact, the PALS program was not developed at the University of WisconsinMadison, but was adapted from a previous research study.

The Tribune regrets this error.

A story in last week’s Tribune stated that Acting Provost Kimo Ah Yun said it would be ideal to have a permanent provost hired before the fall 2019 semester. In fact, Ah Yun said it would be ideal to have a new provost by the end of the fall 2019 semester. Last week’s

version of the story also stated that Beyond Boundaries is also known as the Campus Master Plan. In fact, Beyond Boundaries and the Campus Master Plan are different things. The Tribune regrets these errors.

A story in the Feb. 12 Tribune about students’ worst dating stories included a story and quote from Veronica Maniak.

The information was not gathered firsthand and was removed. The Tribune regrets this error.

4

News

The Marquette Tribune

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

MARDI: Students help rebuild communities Continued from page 1 members and trip coordinators and further research, we decided not to align ourselves with the site because it didn’t reflect the values of what MARDI GRAS stands for,” Seeman said.

Seeman said the organization Samaritan’s Purse who hosted the site was transparent and distinguished its beliefs in a “statement of faith” in a waiver. Signing it would force students to be in agreement with those beliefs, Seeman said.

“One of their beliefs was something along the lines of believing homosexuality is wrong, which does not align with MARDI GRAS’ values,” Elise Olwig, a freshman in the College of Business Administration said, adding that she was glad this was caught early on in the planning process.

“It wasn’t as inclusive as we hold to our standards,” Seeman said. “Once we heard partnering with that organization was a potential breach of our values, we immediately mobilized and changed sites.”

Seeman said MARDI GRAS

has already established other worksites and housing for participants.

Taylor said 28 students will be going on the Panama City trip.

Thirty-five will be going to Rosharon and 63 will be going to New Orleans.

“MARDI GRAS as a whole does not affiliate with one religion,” Seeman said. “We want anybody and everybody to feel welcomed and comfortable.”

Seeman said the most important thing for MARDI GRAS participants and community members they engage with is for them to feel safe and comfortable.

“It only takes one member and we are going to make an honest and transparent change,” Seeman said.

Audrey Taylor, a senior in the College of Communication and vice president of finance for MARDI GRAS, said they are working with the St. Bernard Project, an organization they already work with in New Orleans for the new Panama City trip.

“We are excited to work with them in another city,” Taylor said.

Kathleen Becker, a junior in the College of Health Sciences and MARDI GRAS trip coordinator and group leader, said students will be participating in recovery service on a communityspecific basis because communities are at different points in the recovery timeline.

Seeman said MARDI GRAS participants will be volunteering through physical labor activities, such as construction and gardening, but also through community outreach.

“We don’t believe in building something without heart behind it,” Seeman said. “It’s important to know who you’re doing it for and that we build relationships with members in the community.”

Marquette MARDI GRAS was founded by Stephanie Treffert Lumpkin after she was displaced from Loyola University New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Seeman said Treffert Lumpkin found a community at Marquette with similar values of empathy and active listening.

Seeman added that participants are not there to speak for the people they are helping, but they are

there to listen to them.

“One of the MARDI GRAS values is active listening, which I find to be incredibly applicable in our interactions with homeowners, community members and especially one another,” Becker said. “Something many people quickly realize on MARDI GRAS trips is that you may travel across the country to give your time, but you will leave that place with a greater understanding of your role in humanity and a new definition of ‘home.’

Louise Ehrhardt, a sophomore in the College of Education, said she wanted to go on the MARDI GRAS trip because she heard great things from previous participants and she is passionate about service.

“Oftentimes, we are too caught up in our own worries and forget about peoplee who are actually struggling in the world due to uncontrollable circumstances,” Ehrhardt said. “I think it’s great that Marquette students are given the opportunity to partake in a trip that is not only life-changing for the ones we are helping, but life-changing for the students as well.”

Ehrhardt said she is going on the Panama City trip and will be helping with damage caused by Hurricane Michael last Oct. 8 through 16.

“Although this is only one week of my life, the work I will do will impact the victims of Hurricane Michael for much longer,” Ehrhardt said. “Hopefully, it puts things into perspective for many students who are fortunate enough to never have to endure such troubles.”

Daniel Steeno, a senior in the College of Health Sciences and MARDI GRAS president, said the program has been the most important part of his college experience.

Steeno said building homes in Rosharon was an impactful experience for him on a previous trip.

“The work that we do is impacting real people, real children and real families,” Steeno said.

“To know what we do down there is going to be someone’s home, a kid’s room and be a part of someone’s life forever — that’s the most impactful part for me.”

Educational Opportunity Program turns 50 Services support populations who are underrepresented

By Annie Mattea

anne.mattea@marquette.edu

Marquette University’s Educational Opportunity Program is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

Eric Williams, executive director for EOP, said the program has served students historically underrepresented in higher education, such as students from low-income backgrounds and first-generation students, since 1969.

“The development of EOP… helped ensure educational access for students who were – and still are – underrepresented at Marquette and in higher education, in general,” Williams said in an email. “In the spirit of our founding, Marquette continues to strive to be a welcoming, inclusive place that is open to people from all backgrounds, faiths and viewpoints.”

EOP was established in response to the civil rights movement, Williams said. It began under the leadership of Arnold Mitchem, who went on to serve as the president of the Council for Opportunity in Education. The program started with 40 students and one staff member, Williams said.

EOP currently serves 1,047 students through its five programs. It has had more than 10,000 students

Photo by Ricky Labrada ricardo.labrada@marquette.edu

Savanna Lindemann, a counselor at the EOP center, works with EOP student N’Namdi Carter at the center.

go through its programs.

The five programs are Student Support Services, McNair Scholars, Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math and Science, and Educational Talent Search.

SSS is the original program that was established in 1969, and it is what most people associate with EOP, Williams said.

SSS and McNair Scholars provide programs for current Marquette students, while the other three programs are in the pre-college division.

“All programs within EOP are

designed to provide preparation, access and transitional assistance to students,” Williams said in an email.

The pre-college programs partner with Milwaukee Public Schools to provide resources such as tutoring and academic workshops, Williams said. The college programs work with current Marquette undergraduate students to provide services to help students in their transition into Marquette and eventual graduation, he said.

In University President Michael Lovell’s 2019 presidential address,

Lovell charged a steering committee with putting together a yearlong celebration for EOP. The steering committee consists of Rana Altenburg, vice president for public affairs; Maureen Hoyler, president of the Council for Opportunity and Education; John Su, vice provost for academic affairs; and William Welburn, vice president for inclusive excellence.

There are plans for events that highlight EOP’s long and distinguished past and the work the program does today, Williams said.

“This will be a campus and community-wide celebration that will reflect the energy, enthusiasm and momentum of EOP and help educate the campus community on the history and importance of EOP at Marquette,” Williams said in an email.

EOP is excited to celebrate this milestone and looks forward to celebrating a multitude of events throughout 2019, Williams said. The events and dates of events have not been determined yet.

N’Namdi Carter, a sophomore in the College of Arts & Sciences, said he would not be able to go to Marquette without help from EOP. “I wouldn’t be able to afford it,” Carter said. “I wouldn’t be able to make a good standing, grade wise.”

Carter said he feels EOP is trying to break the cycle of people being unable to go to college.

Evelia Guerrero, a sophomore in the College of Nursing and student in EOP, said the program has provided her resources to navigate college as a first-generation Latina student.

“EOP has provided me with the opportunity to create long-lasting relationships with my peers, get ahead in my academic track, receive personalized tutoring and take part in a mentorship program,” Guerrero said in an email. “To me, EOP is a group of committed counselors and students who are invested in each other’s success inside and outside of the classroom.”

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Tuesday, February 26, 2019

The Marquette Tribune

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Justice in Action Conference brings dialogue Event in its fourth year, includes hosts from across campus

By Margaret Cahill

margaret.cahill@marquette.edu

The Office of Student Development and Center for Community Service, with help from 11 other organizations on campus, organized the Justice in Action Conference, which took place this past Saturday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Kelly Walker, director of community service and a key coordinator of the event, said the goal of the event was “to bring people (together) to (create a) dialogue and get people to know each other and learn from each other.”

Walker said she hoped the students would be able to have these dialogues about a wide rage of social justice issues.

The conference’s lectures, panels and lunch discussions focused on everything from racial issues, privilege, environmental sustainability, LGBTQ issues, human migration and homelessness.

The conference consisted of two main parts: “skill-builders” in the morning and “knowledgebuilders” in the afternoon, with a free lunch provided in between in which attendees could have more in-depth discussions about a specific issue.

Walker said almost 200 students pre-registered for the conference and there were several more walk-in registrations.

This was the fourth annual Justice in Action Conference, Walker said, and hosts included the Burke Scholarship Program, Campus Ministry, the Center for Community Service, the Center for Intercultural Engagement, the Center for Peacemaking, the Counseling Center, Marquette University Student Government, the Office of Community Engagement, the Office of Residence Life, the Office of Student Development, the Service Learning Program, the Sexual Violence Prevention and Education/Student Wellness Center, Student Affairs and the Trinity Fellows Program.

Walker said she hopes students will benefit from the conference regardless of their current level of involvement in social justice.

“If a student’s never stepped foot into justice work but is interested, there’s going to be something there for them to identify the next steps,” Walker said. “And same for students who are really experienced activists or have sort of traveled this path already, I hope that they find the skill-building and education pieces useful but also get to know their peers and make connections.”

Tim McMurtry, a consultant to nonprofits and the conference’s

Photo by Andrew Himmelberg andrew.himmelberg@marquette.edu

Students line up to check in for the Justice in Action conference located in the Alumni Memorial Union Feb. 23. Almost 200 students attended.

keynote speaker, kicked off the event with a call for students to not be complacent with the injustices in life.

“Think bigger,” McMurtry said.

“Care about your advocacy. Have conviction about it. Be compassionate about those who you are serving. Be consistent with your advocacy and also advocate even when it’s inconvenient.”

Courtney Lowman, graduate assistant for community service who helped with the conference’s publicity, said the skill-building activities helped students learn how to make a difference with whatever social justice issue interested them.

Students learned about youth-centered engagement projects, how to make a difference in a democracy, how to approach bystander intervention or how to be mindful of privilege. She said these activities were not for getting background information on a social justice topic, but more for applying the background information to try to find out what to do next.

Lowman said knowledge-builders activities were the opposite.

They provided a foundation in knowledge for students who wanted to learn more about a topic, such as Marquette University Police Department’s resources or sustainability on campus.

Walker said the conference was especially in line with Marquette’s Jesuit identity that focuses on social justice.

“We find this identity in pockets all around campus in different ways, whether that’s volunteering, activism or involvement in community research or whatever that looks like for them,” Walker said.

“And we felt the need to support both those individual students in what they’re doing but also bring folks together to learn from each other. It’s so easy to have your field of vision narrowed to what’s right in front of you and not connected to what other students on campus are doing.”

Sara Manjee, a junior in the College of Business Administration, acted as the programming co-chair along with Estrella Limon, a sophomore in the College of Business Administration. As co-chairs they worked alongside Walker in planning and organizing the event.

Manjee said this was the first year the conference was led by students as opposed to professional faculty members.

“This is a conference for students, so students should be planning it and leading it as well,” Manjee said.

One such workshop was led by Dan Brophy, a junior in the College

of Arts & Sciences and MUSG legislative vice president. He moderated a panel discussion that included Wisconsin State Legislature Rep. Kalan Haywood and Rep. Robyn Vining, Jarrett English, senior field advisor of the ACLU of Wisconsin and Angela Lang, a board member of the ACLU of Wisconsin.

The panel discussed their respective journeys that brought them to their careers in social justice and encouraged Marquette students to work hard for social justice as well.

“People matter,” Lang said.

“And every life and every livelihood is worth fighting for.”

After that panel, Grace Reid, a senior in the College of Arts & Sciences, helped lead a workshop spearheaded by Catholic Relief Services to help students learn more about the democratic process, with a specific focus on advocating for human migration issues.

“We actually went on the (Capitol) Hill and advocated for this particular issue over the summer,” Reid said. “And we wanted to bring this to campus because there are a lot of student groups on campus, but we want to think about how we can take that next step about effecting change rather than just bringing awareness. Bringing awareness is good, but we also want to effect change and this is how we do it.”

Bella Hennessy, a sophomore in the College of Business Administration, said she originally decided to attend the conference as a representative from MUSG. “It seemed very interesting and important to attend to be more socially aware,” Hennessy said.

Callie Scott, a sophomore in the College of Health Sciences, said she had attended similar workshops in high school and attended the convention due to persuasion from her friends.

“It’s always nice to get a new perspective on stuff,” Scott said. “Seeing the LGBT group talk about the issues they face and seeing their point of view was important.”

Manjee said she hopes the conference has a lasting effect on the students’ perspectives.

“The stories you hear and the unique perspectives that you gain from other students and presenters, you’re going to take that and internalize it and keep it with you and continue to reflect on that,” Manjee said. “You’re going to take what you learn and build that into your everyday life. You’re not just going to sit back and not take action about things because you have these tools and you know how to go on and take the next step.”

6

News

The Marquette Tribune

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

Trinity Program recognized MUPD teaches Peace Corps gives anniversary bell to MU fellowship

Classes focus on awareness, selfdefense maneuvers

By Autumn Hirchert

By Molly Glowacki

The Peace Corps is recognizing Marquette University Trinity Fellows Program, which is an organization where students earn their graduate degrees while serving a local non-profit, for its long standing partnership with the Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program, a graduate fellowship that provides returned Peace Corps volunteers financial assistance. The Peace Corps is sending an anniversary bell to President Lovell.

“When a volunteer completes their service they get to ring a bell or gong to signify the completion of their service,” Swabek said. “The bell is a symbol of celebration.”

Marquette began its partnership with the Paul D. Coverdell Fellows in 2000 with the founding of the Trinity Fellows Program.

Carolyn Swabek, assistant director of the Trinity Fellows Program, said the program offers students earning their master’s degree full tuition and a monthly stipend for their returned commitment to social justice and service.

Fifteen Fellows accepted to the program every year receive full tuition scholarships and a monthly stipend of $1,615 for off-campus living expenses. In return, Fellows are placed at selected nonprofit organizations in the Milwaukee area, where they work 18 hours a week during the academic year.

“The Trinity Fellows demonstrates Marquette’s mission to promote justice through service in a wonderful way,” Swabek said.

The Trinity Fellows Program has partnered with more than 75 area agencies, including The American Red Cross and The Urban Ecology Center.

“We have our fellows in their nonprofit job for the whole 21 months that they are in the program,” Swabek said. “They are really able to dig deep, build capacity and take on more leadership and personal development through their role.”

Graduate students apply to the Trinity Fellows as they apply for graduate school through a process of applications, essays and interviews.

To qualify for the program, students must complete full time service in the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, The Jesuit Volunteer Corps, Teach for America or two or more years

Capt. Ruth Peterson and Crime Prevention Officer Andrew Huber from the Marquette University Police Department are teaching selfdefense classes to students and staff three times this semester. The first class was held Monday and future classes will be March 26 and April 15 at 5 p.m. in the Alumni Memorial Union.

Peterson said she taught classes for the last 11 years at Marquette, and she said the Marquette community will benefit from the classes.

“I think the class is important because it provides students, faculty and staff information to increase their awareness about safety,” Peterson said. “It provides them with skills they can use to protect themselves.”

Lt. Jill Weisensel, who has knowledge of self-defense techniques, said the self-defense class will teach defensive maneuvers to participants, but also provide tips on how to remain safe and aware.

Weisensel said the self-defense class covers university resources, such as the number of BlueLight phones and cameras as well as how and where to report crimes or suspicious activity. It also covers the LIMO services and general personal safety and awareness tips.

“The class then transitions into defensive maneuvers. We teach hand strikes, forearm strikes, knee strikes and a couple different kicks,” Weisensel said. “Depending on class questions and how much time we have remaining, we can also cover what to do if someone tries to choke you, or how to defend yourself if you end up on the ground.”

Huber emphasized teaching verbal skills. If someone is being followed or feels unsafe, he or she

autumn.hirchert@marquette.edu

molly.glowacki@marquette.edu

Photo by Jordan Johnson jordan.d.johnson@marquette.edu

Bethany Woodson is a board member of Milwaukee Peace Corps.

of full-time employment with a nonprofit organization.

“The purpose of the program is to expand the network of young professionals in Milwaukee who are focused on social justice,” Swabek said.

“Each Fellow is placed at their non-profit based on their skills, experience and interest,” Swabek said. “Non-profits also apply to have a Fellow so its competitive on both ends.”

“Not only are we learning in the classroom — anything from my degree which is public service to business — but out of the classroom through our work in Milwaukee,” Molly O’Brien, a first-year Trinity Fellow and graduate student in the College of Arts & Sciences, said.

Swabek said fellows are expected to complete their master’s program in two years, enrolling in nine credits per semester. They are required to take nine elective credits in urban issue courses.

“The Trinity Fellows Program is unique because while you are earning your masters, you also get hands-on experience in something you are passionate about,” said Bethany Woodson, a second-year Trinity Fellow getting her masters in international affairs and a board member for the Milwaukee Peace Corps Association.

Woodson said the Milwaukee Peace Corps Association is a community of return and prospective Peace Corps volun-

teers that holds social and community events.

Woodson said that she was in the Peace Corps 2015-2016 doing economic development work in Burkina Faso, qualifying her to be a Trinity Fellow.

Her agency is The International Institute of Wisconsin, which mainly does refugee resettlement work. There has been at least four or five Trinity Fellows at that institute, she said.

Both Woodson and O’Brien found the Trinity Fellows Program on the Coverdell website, which is a database for scholarships and fellowships.

O’Brien served in both Jordan and Thailand as a youth and development volunteer for the Peace Corps. She is now a Homeowner Support Fellow at the Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity.

Habitat for Humanity is an organization that brings people together to build homes and communities for those in need.

“A huge benefit of being a fellow is the network that comes with it,” Woodson said. “Everyone that was, is or wants to be a fellow is just very approachable (and) wants to help others out.”

“I absolutely love Trinity. I think it’s an amazing program,” O’Brien said. “Everyone involved in this program is incredible, and I am proud of what they do for Milwaukee.”

Photo by Elena Fiegen elena.fiegen@marquette.edu

A student punches a shield with an MUPD officer at self-defense class.

should yell to get the attention of others to prevent a situation from becoming physical.

Maggie Smith, a freshman in the College of Health Sciences, said she looked forward to attending one of the classes to gain new skills.

“I want to participate in the class because I feel like being a girl can be dangerous in today’s world, which is the unfortunate truth,” Smith said. “It’s just a good thing to know how to defend yourself in case anything happens.”

Peterson said that males and females who attend the class are all taught the same skills, and the skills can be used by anyone, regardless of his or her size or strength.

For students to stay safe, Peterson, Weisensel and Huber all stressed being aware of one’s surroundings is the easiest and best safety tip.

“One of the biggest concerns both on and off campus for students is students being distracted because they are on their phones, either on a call or texting,” Peterson said. “When they are texting, they are only concentrating on their phone and not their surroundings. This makes them an easier target.”

Weisensel said that in order to be aware in your environment, you have to be able to take in environmental cues, and it is easy to be distracted by technology.

“If you have your hood up, with headphones in, while staring down at your phone, you have blocked your body’s ability to take in the environmental cues you need to assess your safety,” Weisensel said. “You can’t hear because of the headphones, you can’t see your peripheral because of the hood and your attention is focused on your phone. …

The more distracted you are by your environment, the more vulnerable you are to it.”

Weisensel recommended attending the self-defense class because personal safety is a life skill, and it is under-taught and often taken for granted.

“Your number one safety resource is you, so you should … learn as much as you can to try and keep yourself safer in any environment because self-defense should be a last resort,” Weisensel said. “Learning to identify and avoid red flags and vulnerabilities should be the priority.

Having the right mindset towards safety should come long before punches and kicks.”

Lauren Baylor, a freshman in the College of Arts & Sciences who attended one of the self defense classes, said she wanted to be safe in case something happened to her.

“There is a lot of violence in Milwaukee in general,” Baylor said. “I know my car has gotten broken into down here before. I just don’t want to be in a situation where I couldn’t defend myself.”

News

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

The Marquette Tribune

7

‘53206’ documentary screens in Varsity Theatre Film tells stories of zip code affected by mass incarceration

By Bryan Geenen

bryan.geenen@marquette.edu

Marquette University Student Government, the Center for Urban Research, Teaching and Outreach and the Center for Intercultural Engagement aired the award-winning documentary “Milwaukee 53206” Friday and Saturday nights at the Varsity Theatre.

The documentary, which aired in 2016 features families of Milwaukee in the 53206 ZIP code. According to a 2007 study from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, around 62% of males, aged 30-34, have been incarcerated in this ZIP code. The film focused on the toll that this number can have on the inmates, their families and the community around them.

Following the documentary, Baron and Beverly Walker, 53206 community members who were featured in the film, held a discussion about difficult topics addressed in the film and answered questions from the audience.

Paige Hunt, MUSG vice president of programming and a senior in the College of Health Sciences, said that MUSG’s hope with this presentation was to increase diversity as an organization.

“One of the main goals of MUSG this year was focusing on diversity and equity programming,” Hunt said. “We’ve never had a really strong overarching mission for the entire (MUSG) program, and we wanted to change that this year to become a little more cohesive.”

The selection of “Milwaukee 53206” came from the students , Hunt said. She said ever since the film was shown and discussed on campus in 2017, students had shown interest in the documentary. “(The documentary) just became this thing,” Hunt said. “We decided that we would bring the

documentary back.”

Robert Smith, the director of the Center for Urban Research, Teaching and Outreach and history professor said it is important for students to hear the stories told in the documentary to stimulate discussion about individuals who have been incarcerated.

He said that those convicted of crimes are marginalized in society.

“If somebody said your classmate is a convicted felon, what would all the thoughts be that go to your brain about who that person is, about our safety,” Smith said.

He went on to say these stories help bring the human aspect back into the discussion of incarceration.

The overwhelming majority of the people who are incarcerated are not the individuals that our society makes them out to be, Smith said.

“These stories remind us, through this documentary, that these are human beings, first and foremost,” Smith said.

The documentary focused on a number of different individuals who were affected by the struggling community of 53206.

Baron Walker is a 45-year-old, African-American man who grew up in the 53206. He was convicted of two ‘party-to-a-crime’ armed robberies. His conviction came under a law which was later changed in 1999. Walker was unable to apply for parole, which meant life outside prison. He had to have great behavior to even be considered for a parole hearing. The changes were made but didn’t apply to the individuals who had committed crimes under the old law, that is before December of 1999.

“I have missed so many milestones with my children and grandchildren and this was due to my poor choices when I was young,” Walker wrote in a letter to the public. “I have served adequate time for my crimes and would like to be home with my family and give my wife a well-deserved break.” Walker wrote this letter while incarcerated to increase awareness of his unfair situ-

Photo by Jordan Johnson jordan.d.johnson@marquette.edu

MUSG promotes the “Milwaukee 53206” documentary showtimes on the Varsity Theatre marquee.

ation. He wanted his community to realize that there was unfair sentencing for individuals who committed the same crimes at different times.

Walker’s wife Beverly took care of their five children while Walker was incarcerated for more than 21 years.

Beverly worked the same job for 20 years, took care of their children and found time to spread Baron’s story in the community. She worked tirelessly to try and help Baron receive parole instead of more years behind bars. She said she never expected the documentary to reach such a high level of viewership and support.

“That for us meant that we had access to people we would otherwise not have had access to,” Beverly said,” And I really didn’t know that it would make a difference at all.”

Beverly said she still gets emotional when she watches the documentary because it’s her life and she knows what that pain felt like.

“Overall, is it worth it? Yes. Would I do it again? Yes. Is (Baron) worth it? Hell yes,” Beverly said.

Melissa Potter, the director of so-

cial impact and communications at Odyssey Impact, a team of film and social justice professors who create documentaries, ran the social impact campaign for “Milwaukee 53206.” She said she was hopeful that students would benefit from the documentary.

“Our goal is to raise awareness of the effect mass incarceration has on communities with absent parents and encourage support systems for children, families and communities,” Potter said in an email. “We hope screening the film will promote the de-stigmatization of those in the criminal justice system, as well as bring healing among families and communities who have been disproportionally affected by incarceration.”

Odyssey Impact has helped promote this film across the country and helped many universities get screenings to increase awareness of the issue, Potter said. As of March 31, 2018, “Milwaukee 53206” had been shown to more than 15,000 people in 175 screenings across

the nation, according to Odyssey Impact’s website.

“With universities like Marquette choosing to screen the film, we help further dialogue and help to educate and activate audiences on the issue of mass incarceration,” Potter said in an email. “When we set out to make ‘Milwaukee 53206,’ our goal was not simply to make a film, but to make a change.”

The film was awarded the Special Recognition Award at the (In)Justice for All Film Festival 2017, Best Documentary at the Urbanworld Film Festival 2017, the National Council on Crime and Delinquency Media for a Just Society Award and more, according to Odyssey Impact’s website.

“This no longer became something that was just about my husband,” Beverly Walker said. “I met so many other people who were impacted by this. Now, my fight is for the people who are still impacted.”

KELLSTADT LECTURE Innovating for Good in Changing Times Michelle Morris Vice President, Global Marketing Solutions, Facebook Friday, March 1, 2019 10–11:00 a.m.

Alumni Memorial Union, Monaghan Ballroom Free and open to the public.

College of Business Administration

The Marquette Tribune

Arts &

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

Entertainment

Page 8

Fifth annual Taste & Toast happy hour begins Weeklong event will include deals at two dozen restaurants

By Grace Schneider

grace.schneider@marquette.edu

Milwaukee’s fifth annual Taste & Toast happy hour event began Monday and will take place through March 1 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. each evening at two dozen downtown Milwaukee restaurants.

“People in Milwaukee really love happy hour,” Erica Chang, the Marketing and Events Coordinator for Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21 said, “It’s a fun event and an opportunity for diners to ‘taste and toast’ to Milwaukee, and to all of these fabulous food and beverage offerings that we have downtown.”

Each restaurant created a menu for the event that includes appetizer and small plates, alcoholic beverages and a non-alcoholic beverage, Chang explained. Patrons can check options ahead of time at tastetoastmke.com.

Jake Roman, owner of Cantina Milwaukee Tequila & Taco Bar, said he uses the event as an opportunity to show customers what his restaurant offers.

“When we do events like this, we always want to focus something outside of our tradition — it’s tacos, it’s right in our name, it’s pretty clear that’s what we do — we want to make sure that people know we do other things,” he explained.

The food included on Cantina Milwaukee’s Taste & Toast menu is chicken wings, paired with their homemade sauces, the Cantina curds, which are a twist on the Wisconsin favorite with a southwest ranch and their macho nachos, a loaded nacho dish.

Each item can be purchased for $5. Additionally, the happy hour menu’s three cocktails and one non-alcoholic cocktail beverage are each $6.

One such cocktail on the Taste & Toast Cantina menu is their award-winning bourbon old fashioned. Roman said the restaurant recognizes how odd it is for a place focusing on tacos to win an old fashioned award. However, Cantina puts its own twist on the drink: habanero infused simple syrup.

“We don’t want to be thought of as the ‘Mexican place.’ We want

Photo courtesy of Cantina Milwaukee

Cantina Milwaukee Tequila & Taco Bar is just one of nearly 25 downtown Milwaukee restaurants participating in the annual Taste & Toast happy hour.

to be thought of as the place that we can bring our whole group or our whole family and everybody is going to find something that they’re familiar with and that they’ll like,” Roman said.

“

It’s not really traditional, it’s kind of like street style … it’s not your average meat and cheese (taco).”

An added benefit for this year’s Taste & Toast is that some of the restaurants are nearby stops of Milwaukee’s newest method of transportation: The Hop streetcar.

The Hop is a “really convenient way to kind of ‘hop’ along the downtown restaurant route,” Chang said.

Another restaurant featured for Taste & Toast this year is Cubanitas, known for its Cuban sandwiches and mojitos.

Cubanitas, Wisconsin’s first Cuban restaurant, has been open since 2003 and serves authentic Cuban and Caribbean food, said

owner Marta Bianchini.

The restaurant has participated in Taste & Toast since it started.

This year, Cubanita’s Taste & Toast menu will feature miniature versions of plantains and guacamole, empanadas, ham croquette and a pulled pork sandwich with a guava barbecue sauce, said Bianchini.

Its drink menu will consist of Planters Punch, a cocktail made with rum, grenadine, orange and pineapple juice, any flavor of frozen daiquiris, mojito and a virgin pina colada, all for $6 each.

“I would recommend the

Katie Kramnic College of Nursing freshman Katie Kramnic, a freshman in the College of Nursing, visited the restaurant recently with her friend Alyssa Barrera, a freshman in the College of Communication.

Kramnic said the friends went to Cantina to take a picture with the sign in the lobby that reads ‘Feed me tacos and tell me I’m pretty’ for Valentine’s Day. “It’s not really traditional, it’s kind of like street style … it’s not your average meat and cheese (taco),” Kramnic said.

Photo courtesy of Cantina Milwaukee

The loaded nachos will be one of Cantina Milwaukee’s featured dishes.

plantains and guacamole and wash it down with a mojito,” Bianchini said.

The timing of Taste & Toast is convenient not only for happy hour but also for all that downtown Milwaukee has to offer, Chang said. Because the promotion ends at 7 p.m., Chang said it leaves ample time for people to go see a game or admire the Milwaukee skyline. She particularly described Old World Third Street’s new roofline lighting as “picture perfect.”

For those unable to make this year’s Taste & Toast, the annual Downtown Dining Week comes in the summer, where for eight days, various restaurants offer three-course meals at discounted rates.

Dining Week offers threecourse lunches for $12.50 and three-course dinners for either $25 or $35, Chang said.

“We have some really high caliber restaurants for both dining week and Taste & Toast, so you could be having this simply amazing steak dinner for $35 for three courses,” Chang said.

Both events give “a great option to try a new bar or restaurant or return to an old favorite,” Chang said.

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

Arts & Entertainment

The Marquette Tribune

9

National Sleeping Day awakens stories of snoozing Students, faculty dish on falling asleep in class, not enough rest

By Amanda Parrish

amanda.parrish@marquette.edu

Its origins unknown, National Public Sleeping Day, this Thursday, invites people to take a break and close their eyes on the bus, a bench, in the grass or anywhere fit for a nap. Not reserved for this Thursday, public sleeping certainly is not an unfamiliar concept to students who occasionally find themselves falling asleep in the library or during class.

Darren Jefferson, a sophomore in the College of Arts & Sciences, said he occasionally falls asleep in class, depending on the environment.

“If the professor turns the lights off, they’re asking me to fall asleep,” Jefferson said, adding that lecture halls with comfortable seats increase the chances that he will doze off.

While he has never been woken up by a professor, Jefferson said he has seen professors finish their lectures next to a sleeping

student and pull them to the side after class.

Jefferson said he never falls asleep simply because a class is boring, but rather because he did not get his full eight hours of sleep the night before.

Brad Cooley, a sophomore in the College of Arts & Sciences, said said if he is sitting in a lecture he will nod off, but if the class is active, or involves group activities, he is not inclined to fall asleep.

Cooley said he usually notices other students falling asleep during 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. classes.

With two parents who are professors — his mom, an accounting professor at the University of Connecticut, and his dad, a calculus professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology — Cooley said he has heard his share of stories about students falling asleep.

Cooley said his mom will walk behind sleeping students and kick their chairs to wake them up. He also said she once dropped a sleeping student’s textbook on the floor.

However, Cooley said, his mom was unsure of what to do when three of her students fell asleep in a row. “(My dad) doesn’t care,” Cooley said. “He mostly teaches upper level math classes and figures that

Photo by Jordan Johnson jordan.d.johnson@marquette.edu

Getting a full night of sleep can help students prevent dozing off in class.

his students are smart enough to figure it out.”

Cooley said he thinks his mom is more likely to wake students up because her students are mainly freshmen.

Melissa Shew, visiting assistant professor of philosophy at Marquette University, said she uses catching her students sleeping in class as a chance to check in with them, a lesson she learned her first day of teaching.

Shew said the first class she ever

taught was a philosophy course at the University of Oregon 16 years ago. On her first day, she said she noticed one student who fell asleep several times during class.

Nervous and a little annoyed, Shew said she pulled her student aside after class to ask why he kept falling asleep. Shew said she was surprised when her student told her he had narcolepsy. Shew also said she immediately changed her approach to sleeping students and switched her perspective after

students asleep in class is not always related to her teaching.

“It’s really important for professors to be vigilant of students’ conditions,” Shew said, adding that she now takes a more caring approach when she catches students falling asleep in class.

She said she supports all initiatives for students to get more and better sleep, suggesting that it would make them more inclined to get up for morning classes.

Shew said she had a student 10 years ago who consistently fell asleep in one of her metaphysics classes at Marquette. When she pulled him aside to make sure everything was okay, he told her it was because he had been out partying the night before. Shew said while she wasn’t as sympathetic to this student, she would make sure to always wake him up and tell him to grab a coffee or take a quick walk down the hall to wake up.

“I think it’s good to check in,” Shew said. “It’s all a part of cura personalis.”

With midterm exams approaching, students can use National Sleeping Day this Thursday as a reminder of the importance of getting a full night’s rest.

Greater Than One event aims to create dialogue ‘Journey to Self’ theme encourages self-care, acceptance

By Colin Landers

colin.landers@marquette.edu

Marquette’s Residence Hall Association’s annual “Greater Than One” event is tonight at 7 p.m. in the Weasler Auditorium, aiming to bring people together from the Marquette community to spark an open dialogue.

Alex Pletcher, a senior in the College of Engineering, is one of the event’s organizers.

“This year’s (theme) is ‘The Journey to Self,’ which is how someone comes to terms with who they are, and their journey that brought them back,” Pletcher said. “The main point is an understanding that this is where we’re at in life, this is who you are and how you can become fully who you are in society.”

The event mixes professional speakers and advocates with student interaction and feedback to bring important conversations to the spotlight.

The main speakers at the event include Bernardo Avila-Borunda, who works with multicultural ministry, Hunter D’Acquisto, an RHA representative and freshman in the College of Health Sciences and Sonia Escamilla,

a graduate student in the College of Education. Their talks will cover subjects like prison reform and LGBTQ rights.

Speakers from this past weekend’s “Milwaukee 53206” film screening by Marquette University Student Government at the Varsity Theatre — Beverly and Baron Walker — will also be at the event talking about their own journeys and struggles. “(Greater Than One) gives people who are struggling with things and feel they’re all alone a place to remind them that they’re not alone and shows them that they are in a community that they can help make greater than just who they are,” said Austin Larson, a freshman in the Opus College of Engineering and member of RHA. “It needs to be talked about.”

The talks aim to get event attendees talking.

“It’s an open dialogue, and we encourage questions at the end,” Pletcher said.

Pletcher said RHA encourages attendance and participation because of how important these conversations are.

“This is open to everybody.

There’s no cost, it’s just people speaking out on how they feel, what they’ve gone through, and they can help encourage you to keep going,” he said.

For Colton Herbert, a fresh-

Photo by Elena Fiegen elena.fiegen@marquette.edu

Alex Pletcher, an organizer of the Greater Than One event, said he hopes to bring a large group to the event.

man in the College of Engineering and volunteer for the event, the highlight will be the speakers.

“They’ll be telling their experiences, and show you how different people have been impacted by their experiences,” he said.

“It’s all about inclusivity, which is really important at

Marquette,” Herbert said.

The event promotes diversity and inclusion and provides a space for people to talk about their personal struggles and journeys.

“If you’ve ever gone through a situation where you’ve felt there’s no one you could ever turn to, I would really encour-

age you to come to this event so you can hear those stories and can know that you’re not alone,” Larson said.

“What’s being talked about is sensitive, but it needs to be said,” Pletcher explained.

The Marquette Tribune

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

Opinions Editorial Board

Maya Korenich, Opinions Editor Reilly Harrington, Assistant Opinions Editor Jennifer Walter, Executive Director Sydney Czyzon, Managing Editor Marquette Tribune Matthew Martinez, Projects Editor Aly Prouty, Managing Editor Marquette Journal Natallie St. Onge, News Executive Emma Nitschke, Copy Chief

Mackane Vogel, A&E Executive John Steppe, Sports Executive Gabby Powell, Station Manager MURadio

Tara Schumal, Station Manager MUTV Andrew Himmelberg, Photo Editor Chelsea Johanning, Design Chief

STAFF EDITORIAL

Promotion of EagleEye app necessary for campus safety

Before fall 2018 freshman move-in, the Marquette University Police Department launched EagleEye, a free safety app for students. The app features LIMO route maps, a friend walk option and a mobile BlueLight phone for emergencies, among other safety and support resources. As of Feb. 14, the app had 1,175 downloads.

Since the development of the app, there didn’t seem to be much advertising to make the app more visible to students. MUPD and Marquette should make an increased effort to spread the word about the app to students to promote safety on campus.

In a previous Marquette Wire story, MUPD Capt. Katie Berigan said, “We went live with the app the day before freshman move-in (for the fall semester) but we were afraid that if we pushed it, then that it would get lost in the noise of the new school year.”

There will always be many happenings on campus that may cause promotions to get lost in the “noise.” However, students safety should take precedent over any other happenings.

The EagleEye app is a good way for students to be proactive and have tools in place in case of an unsafe or distressing situation. Although the app obviously can’t guarantee one’s safety at all times, it can provide students with resources to help them feel safer and more equipped to respond to potentially dangerous scenarios.

EagleEye also gives MUPD a way to increase overall student consciousness about safety. Using the features on the app and discovering more about campus can help students be more thoughtful about the decisions they make. For example, if a greater portion of freshman students downloaded the app,

Privacy of public figures must be upheld Sarah Lipo

Recently, Daily Mail published pictures of Malia Obama drinking rose with some friends at a Miami pool party. Malia, who turns 21 in a few months, was also in the spotlight for making derogatory comments about President Donald Trump on Facebook.

Malia, a private citizen, should be treated with respect in regards to her personal life. Obviously, since she is the daughter of a former president, her life is watched by the public more than an average citizen. She is also a 20-year-old individual who is allowed to have opinions, as well as a personal life that does not need to be broadcasted on tabloid sites and used for clickbait. She has a right to privacy, just like everyone else.

The publication of the story was slammed for its lack of editorial value, according to a Washington Post article about the incident. Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro responded to the article on Twitter by saying, “OMG Malia Obama is a human with political opinions and also enjoys wine.”

Shapiro articulated the simplicity of the situation. A “normal” individual would never be judged for sipping rose by the pool with friends, let alone be disrespected by being secretly recorded while enjoying time with friends. Although she is underage, Malia, as well as other individuals who are constantly seen by the public should still be treated with a level of respect and not have their personal lives plastered in tabloids. The tabloid was also a perfect example of clickbait, as it was easy to see the article and immediately be intrigued, even if it was written in a disrespectful way.

Malia and her sister Sasha

“

Photo by Jordan Johnson jordan.d.johnson@marquette.edu

EagleEye app gives students tools to increase their safety on campus.

they may be more likely to call a LIMO rather than make a potentially dangerous trek alone at night. Learning this information during freshman orientation could help students develop safe habits.

Every safety feature that MUPD and the university offer is important not just as a resource, but also because it shows the care the university has for its students. Whether or not the resources are regularly utilized, their continued support and existence are a valuable baseline for promoting student safety. This app should be promoted rather than put on the back burner.

MUPD heavily advertises their event Coffee with a Cop as a way to create a stronger bond between MUPD and the campus community. Doing the same with EagleEye may strengthen the sense of community and campus interconnectedness.

EagleEye could also help give parents peace of mind.

It can be helpful for parents to know that their children have access to these resources, especially during the

transitional college time.

MUPD undoubtedly invested time and resources into this app, and if it took the time to make the app the best it can be, it should also take the time to promote the app to students.

The app is too valuable a public resource to be allowed to fall into obscurity on campus.

The emphasis of promoting this app should be put on the importance of safety and having measures that are in place for students. Any potential image problems regarding the safety of Marquette’s campus would be overshadowed by the greater campus-wide awareness of personal safety and responsibility.

It is important for students to take time to learn about the safety measures that are in place on campus. The EagleEye app is a simple and streamlined experience that provides valuable information and resources regarding campus safety.

MUPD and the university must make this a priority and put in the effort to help students be safer and smarter.

PAGE 10

grew up in the age of social media. They have often been rebuked for situations like standing by a beer pong table or even wearing a bikini on vacation, according to the article.

Being constantly in the media, as well as enduring strict Secret Service protection, often takes a toll on White House children. After they leave the White House, there is still a lasting effect of being in the public consciousness. They often feel they cannot speak or voice their opinions, and instead have to stay silent while many of their actions are scrutinized.

Their appearance is also criticized.

Ranker is one website that ranked the first daughters of American history based upon their beauty.

The website said, “Who is the sexiest First Daughter? Vote for who you think are the hottest first daughters in American history of the 1900s to now.”

Polls like this add to the pressure of unrealistic beauty standards women have to face, which are only exacerbated by the in the public eye.

There is a level of respect that everyone deserves, no matter who they are. Malia and her sister did not choose to be judged by society, but being a president’s daughter does come with a level of exposure to the press.

While pop celebrities deserve respect in their personal lives as well, they do choose a public life with their careers. Yet, individuals like Malia should be allowed to make their own decisions and live their lives without the fear of judgement or others watching them at all times. In the age of social media, the feat of maintaining privacy is even more difficult to grasp and hold onto.

Being constantly in the media, as well as enduring strict Secret Service protection, often takes a toll on White House children.”

Sarah Lipo is a sophomore studying journalism and social welfare and justice. She can be reached at sarah.lipo@marquette.edu

Opinions

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

The Marquette Tribune

11

Student loan debt requires revision Foxconn deal, costs unsustainable for WI Matthew Harte U.S. student loan debt reached $1.56 trillion by the end of 2018, representing an increase of more than 130 percent from a decade ago, according to Federal Reserve data. This debt can be a significant drain on college graduates, inhibiting their ability to make major personal and financial decisions. Legislation must be passed to help graduates from Marquette and schools around the nation who suffer from student debt.

Marquette’s tuition increased to $43,350 for the 2019-’20 school year, representing the largest price increase in recent years.

Many students are forced to take out loans to pay for the tuition that isn’t covered by grants or scholarships. About 60 percent of the Marquette’s class of 2017 had loan debt upon graduation, according to the Institute for College Access & Success.

These borrowers had an average total debt of $37,713. This total was more than $9,000 higher than the national student loan debt average.

Unfortunately, this loan debt can have wide-ranging personal effects. A recent report by the nonprofit organization Student Debt Crisis surveyed adults with student debt across the nation.

The report found that 86 percent of respondents said student debt is a major source of stress, and one in three said debt is the biggest stress in their lives. Additionally, 19 percent of these respondents have delayed getting married and 26 percent have postponed having kids due to concerns over debt.

This increased caution has extended to other major life choices, such as home ownership. Research from the Federal Reserve estimates that each $1,000 increase in student loan debt lowers the home ownership rate by about 1.5 percentage points for college graduates during their mid-20s. If student loans continue to inhibit major spending, the economic consequences could likely be disastrous.

Student loan debt has been able to increase so vastly because of the influence of special interests on our politics. Federal student loan services, such as the Navient Corporation, maintain control over legislators by spending millions of dollars on lobbying, according to a report from the Roosevelt Institute.

Their report references a 2009 audit of Navient by the Department of Education, which found the corporation overcharged the federal government by $22.3 million, but Navient still hasn’t been

Student debt crisis in numbers

Jackson Mozena

86% of survery respondents say student debt is a major source of stress

One in three survey respondents say debt is the biggest stress in their lives, with

19%

saying they have postponed marriage due to debt concerns

&

26%

saying they have delayed having children due to debt concerns

Source: Summer Student Debt Crisis Buried in Debt Report Nov-2018 Graphic by Anabelle McDonald anabelle.mcdonald@marquette.edu

required to repay the funds.

Thankfully, there’s legislative proposals to help graduates with their debt and hopefully give them more leverage against loan services. The Employer Participation in Repayment Act was reintroduced in the Senate last week with bipartisan support. The legislation would allow employers to contribute up to $5,200 tax-free annually to employees’ student loan debt payments. This would give graduates needed debt relief, as well as give employers a new tool to recruit highly educated job candidates.

Wisconsin Senate Democrats are still trying to pass the Higher Ed, Lower Debt bill. The bill would enable Wisconsin’s student loan borrowers to refinance their student loans at lower interest rates, deduct student loan payments from their income tax and provide students and parents with greater information about lenders.

Passing the bill aims to increase in-state spending on cars, new homes and local businesses.

Finally, some legislation is being proposed to control future extravagant tuition increases.

New York Rep. Tom Reed introduced the REDUCE Act last year, which would require colleges to make a long-term spending plan aimed at keeping tuition increases

below the rate of inflation. Another provision would require universities to distribute 25 percent of endowment profits to students from working-class families.

Most Marquette students will have to start dealing with the reality of their exorbitant student debt in the near future. These students should contact their local representatives and show support for programs that will lessen their economic burden.

Matthew Harte is a junior studying political science and economics.

He can be reached at matthew.harte@marquette.edu

Statement of Opinion Policy

The opinions expressed on the Opinions page reflect the opinions of the Opinions staff. The editorials do not represent the opinions of Marquette University nor its administrators, but those of the editorial board.

The Marquette Tribune prints guest submissions at its discretion. The Tribune strives to give all sides of an issue an equal voice over the course of a reasonable time period. An author’s contribution will not be published more than once in a four-week period. Submissions with obvious relevance to the Marquette community will be given priority consideration.

Full Opinions submissions should be limited to 500 words. Letters to the editor should be between 150 to 250 words. The Tribune reserves the right to edit submissions for length and content.

Please e-mail submissions to: maya. korenich@marquette.edu. If you are a current student, include the college in which you are enrolled and your year in school.

If not, please note any affliations to Marquette or your current city of residence.

In September 2017, Gov. Scott Walker signed a contract with Taiwanese manufacturing giant Foxconn for the company to construct a 21.5 million-acre plant in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin. The company was expected to invest billions in the state economy, and employ up to 13,000 blue-collar Wisconsinites in exchange for $3 billion in state subsidies.

Although the money offered by Walker was by all accounts unprecedented, the Foxconn deal had the potential to revitalize Wisconsin’s withering manufacturing industry and possibly rebrand the state as the “Silicon Valley of the Midwest.”

However, since the initial signing of the contract, the agreement between Wisconsin and Foxconn has become a waking nightmare for the state.

This nightmare, however, provides a valuable lesson for other states and future Wisconsin legislators to learn from – exercise caution while dealing with large corporations.

Over the past year and a half, the total amount of money Wisconsin agreed to subsidize has increased to more than $4.8 billion, making it the largest subsidy afforded to a foreign company in American history, according to Politifact. This figure means the state has agreed to pay upwards of $360,000 per job, which is estimated to cost more than $1,800 per household, according to Business Insider. Apart from being a significantly larger amount of money than what the state initially agreed to pay, this new total will delay the amount of time until tax payers see a return on their investment. The deal is guaranteed to be a financial drain on Wisconsin for more than 20 years, according to the Legislative Fiscal Bureau.

Moreover, since the initial deal, the number of jobs the tech company will actually make available to residents of Wisconsin has been questioned.

In May 2018, Foxconn announced it would implement a plan for the plant to primarily employ skilled engineers and heavily utilize machinery in the manufacturing process. In this event, opportunities offered to local residents would be severely limited because a sophisticated understanding of engineering would be required to work at the Foxconn manufacturing plant. This essentially bars a vast majority of blue-collar workers from most positions.

Although Foxconn has promised that it will eventually fulfill its promise of hiring 13,000 Wisconsinites, it is anticipated that the tech firm is likely to import many engineers, as Wisconsin may not be able to supply all of the required skilled labor.

Due to Mount Pleasant’s close proximity to Illinois, being less than 30 miles from the southern border, it

is suspected that many of the initial 3,000 jobs offered by Foxconn will be occupied by individuals from Illinois, thereby not directly benefiting Wisconsin’s workforce.

Clearly, this bid to bolster Wisconsin’s commerce has spun out of control since its initial signing, a fact that has not gone unnoticed among state residents. According to a 2018 poll conducted by the Marquette University Law School, 49 percent of those surveyed said they believe the Foxconn deal is not worth the cost, compared to 38 percent of respondents who maintain that the cost to taxpayers is justified due to potential economic gains. Additionally, the fact that Walker, who stood to gain substantial public support as a result of the deal, was recently dethroned by Democrat Tony Evers, demonstrates a disillusionment with Walker’s policy decision to heavily subsidize the foreign company.

Simply put, the Foxconn deal has become an unfortunate example of states offering corporations overly extravagant incentives in return for a distant and often underwhelming economic reward. Even with a recent change in political office with the election of Evers, there is little that state government can do to significantly alter the agreement, except for some minor adjustments. As a result, the Foxconn deal should serve as a reminder that states should practice vigilance when making deals with corporations. Although there are examples of states and corporations reaching agreements that benefit both parties, as of late there has been an ever-increasing urgency for local government to attract and appease private companies – particularly those involved in manufacturing.

This attempt to restore the United States to its post-WWII levels of manufacturing, although appealing on the surface, has inspired state governments to make deals – such as the Foxconn agreement – that are ultimately detrimental to the taxpayers. As the United States continues forward, it is important to acknowledge that America is facing a difficult transition away from traditional manufacturing. The struggles that Wisconsin has endured as a result of the Foxconn deal are indicative of this rough intermediary state. While there is some potential to usher in new opportunities for factory workers, local and federal government would do well not to extend impractical offers in order to prop up a dying domestic industry.

Although some residents of Milwaukee may secure a position working for Foxconn, the number of city occupants employed by the company will be minimal due to the limited number of jobs offered, providing only minimal benefits for residents.

Jackson Mozena is a freshman studying criminology. He can be reached at jackson.mozena@marquette.edu

Sports The Marquette Tribune

COURCELLE ADJUSTS TO NEW POSITION FOR MEN’S LACROSSE IN 2019 SPORTS, 14

Tuesday, February 26, 2019 PAGE 12

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Back-to-back BIG EAST champs

Photo by Elena Fiegen elena.fiegen@marquette.edu

Seniors Danielle King, Natisha Hiedeman, Allazia Blockton, Amani Wilborn, Sandra Dahling and Erika Davenport hug head coach Carolyn Kieger after their 79-63 victory over Xavier.

Win over Xavier secures top seed for conference tourney

By Dan Avington

daniel.avington@marquette.edu

For the second consecutive year, Marquette women’s basketball has a share of the BIG EAST regular season title.

The Golden Eagles secured a share of the title and the top seed in the conference tournament after dominating the Xavier Musketeers in a 79-53 win on Senior Day Sunday afternoon.

“It speaks volumes to be able to win a conference championship. It’s harder to do that than

anything,” head coach Carolyn Kieger said. “That’s an 18-game stretch, and we’ve still got two games left to go, but to get that No. 1 seed, our team earned that all year. We deserved it.”

In the final home game of the regular season, Kieger let her seniors shine. The five available seniors combined to score 65 of Marquette’s 79 points.

“It was cool just being on the court with all the seniors,” senior guard Natisha Hiedeman said.

“As far as playing with them for four years, it just means a lot to be able to have them on the court, but off the court as well.”

In the first full game without senior Erika Davenport in the lineup due to a season-ending lower body injury, senior

captain Sandra Dahling picked up her first start of the season. “(Sandra) does a lot for our team. A lot of it is behind the scenes,” Hiedeman said. “Your average person would not see everything that she does for us.

She takes care of us, so having her out there means the world.”

Fitting for a day that honored the team’s seniors, a different Marquette senior stood out in each quarter. Guard Amani Wilborn led the charge in the first quarter, swishing two 3-pointers and adding a layup early in the frame.

Senior guard Danielle King was dominant in the second quarter of play, putting up 10 points and stifling defense in the period.Hiedeman was the team’s

focal point in the third, adding 10 points and several assists and rebounds in the quarter.Marquette’s all-time leading scorer Allazia Blockton took over the final quarter, either scoring or assisting on the team’s first 13 points of the frame.

Hiedeman finished the game with 21 points and 10 rebounds.

Blockton also had a doubledouble with 16 points and 11 rebounds.

“We really challenged everybody to rebound the ball after Erika went down,” Kieger said. “(Blockton and Hiedeman) responded phenomenally with grabbing those boards.”

King added 15 points and seven assists, and Wilborn put up 13 points. Sophomore Selena

Lott also scored in the doubledigits with 10.

For Xavier, star forward A’riana Gray had 21 points and eight rebounds. Guard Aaliyah Dunham added 10.

“We didn’t play personnel great (on Gray) to start the game, but we did a good job containing her in the second half. She had eight rebounds and we wanted to hold her under 10,” Kieger said.

“On the glass, on the rebounding battle, we did a great job.”

Marquette (23-5, 14-2 BIG EAST) will wrap up its regular season slate next weekend with away matchups against Creighton and Providence.

Sports

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

The Marquette Tribune

13

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Blockton overcomes adversity prior to collegiate career Tight-knit family plays central role in development of guard

By Zoe Comerford

isabel.comerford@marquette.edu

As a child, Allazia Blockton didn’t have collegiate basketball on her radar. She didn’t start playing the sport until sixth grade. Her first sport was karate, not basketball.

“I didn’t have anybody that played college basketball that I was around growing up,” Blockton said. “I didn’t really start thinking about it until I got my first offer after my freshman year of high school.”

Blockton is now Marquette’s alltime leading scorer, but her path to basketball wasn’t always as straightforward as some other athletes.

During her childhood, playing basketball often wasn’t easy. Blockton’s mother Komesha had to work two jobs, one for federal law enforcement and the other as a bouncer for clubs, just so Blockton could have the opportunity to play summer travel basketball, also known as the Amateur Athletic Union.

Blockton said she remembers her mother and her grandmother’s dedication to her basketball career. The two women woke up at 5 a.m. on

weekends just to take Blockton to AAU tournaments.

“They were always positive and full of energy,” Whitefish Bay Dominican High School coach Kevin Schramka said. “They were Zay’s biggest fans. While her great-grandmother was still living, she came to some games, too.”

Blockton took care of her greatgrandmother, but that wasn’t the first time she had to care for a family member. Her caring nature also came into play with her younger brother Cameron, who died from cancer in 2006.

She helped her mother prepare him every morning for his chemotherapy treatments.

Blockton said her mom is her best friend as she was an only child for most of her life. Her little sister, the fourth member of their tightknit family, was born about three years ago.

“We talk about everything,” Komesha said. “If she’s having a bad day, she calls me. If I’m having a bad day, I call her. … We are (also) very, very close with my mom.”

In total, Komesha estimated she and Blockton’s grandmother have been to a total of 5,000 of Blockton’s AAU, high school and college games, including every BIG EAST Tournament.

“We have a tight-knit family,”

Blockton said. “It’s only about four of us: my grandma, my mom, my sister and me. Everything I do, I work so hard just because of them. I want to make them proud.”

Success at Dominican

Blockton first met Schramka in eighth grade when he came to her middle school games. From there, the two built a unique fatherdaughter bond.

“He was super holy and soft-spoken,” Blockton said. “I didn’t have a lot of male role models growing up.

He was definitely one of the great ones in my life that helped me get to where I am today.”

During Blockton’s first two years of high school, Schramka was her theology teacher. He said he always made sure to check in on her.

“I was in (Schramka’s) classroom just about every day just asking him for different advice,” Blockton said.

The Knights never won a state title with Blockton, but the team advanced to the sectional finals during her junior and senior seasons.

“For our team to get to that far, she just had a lot of influence and input on how far we would advance,” Schramka said. “We were able to play anybody in the state and compete, (especially) when you have a talent like (Blockton’s) on the floor. … We

Photo courtesy of Komesha Blockton

Allazia Blockton scored more than 2,000 points while at Dominican.

are a Division III (school) but had a Division I nonconference schedule.”

At Dominican, Schramka said Blockton’s best quality was being able to finish in the paint. As she grew older, she became a more versatile player for the Knights.

“She shot about 65 percent from the floor, which is phenomenal,” Schramka said. “Back then, she really played all five positions: center, power forward, slasher, two-guard and sometimes we had to have her handle the ball to start our offense.”

As a three-year captain, Blockton was the leader of the team in scoring and behind the scenes.

“She mentored all those other players. They all looked up to her,” Schramka said. “That’s why we did so well because those other players respected her.”

Blockton said her teammates at Dominican were all like sisters. They still keep in touch via Facebook.

“We had a really good team our freshman year and then throughout the years it was basically all of us trying to mesh it. (There) was a lot of rebuilding stages in my high school (career),” Blockton said. “Dominican was a great high school for me, and that’s why I was able to come and have a lot of success at Marquette.”

See BLOCKTON page 15

WOMEN’S LACROSSE

Dooley, Danko bond with family members over sport Attackers learn from relatives’ experience on lacrosse fields

By Maddie Adams

madison.adams@marquette.edu

For Mary Dooley and Bridget Danko, lacrosse is much more than a game.

The sport impacted their lives growing up and created a way for them to deepen their relationships with their families.

Dooley and Danko, two members of the Marquette women’s lacrosse team, both have family members who also played lacrosse at the college level.

Dooley, a sophomore midfielder and attacker, has two older sisters, Grace and Anne, who played lacrosse at University of Notre Dame. Growing up, Dooley looked up to her two sisters on and off the field.

Dooley is from Chicago, where lacrosse only recently became popular. If her sisters didn’t play lacrosse, Dooley said she wouldn’t have been introduced to the sport.

“It was so new to me, a sport

I had never heard of before until they started playing,” Dooley said. “They introduced it to me in first or second grade. I started going to their high school camps and I went to all of their games growing up.”

Dooley is the youngest of her sisters, so she watched and learned from their experiences.

“Learning how to respond to losses and how to react in games,” Dooley said. “Seeing how happy they are and how much success they have had has shown me how I want to be as a player. … I feel like I have learned everything from them.”

Marquette’s first game of the season was against Notre Dame Feb. 8, which led to a sibling rivalry out of pride between her school and her sisters’ alma mater.

“There was a little sibling rivalry, but they want the best for me at the end of the day,” Dooley said. “I have known Notre Dame’s coach my whole life through my sisters playing there, so it was funny to play against her.”

Since both of Dooley’s older sisters have already been college

Photo courtesy of Marquette Athletics

Dooley (No. 2) stands with teammates. She has played in three games.

athletes, they know the process and have given Dooley guidance and advice.

“They have reached out to me throughout this entire process and checked in on me,” Dooley said. “They have experienced what I am going through, so they have given me good advice as to how to handle hardships I have

faced here.”

Danko, a junior attacker from Towson, Maryland, not only has siblings who played lacrosse in college, but her dad also played lacrosse for University of North Carolina. Her brother Paul and her sister Mary played at University of Denver.

“I don’t even remember how

I got involved with lacrosse. It was kind of just like you pick up a stick and you are part of the family,” Danko said. “I have been doing it ever since I can remember, so I would say that my interest in the sport stemmed from my dad.”

Lacrosse has given Danko and her family a way to bond, which she said makes the sport even more special.

“I have learned so many life lessons through lacrosse,” Danko said. “My dad has taught me that through the hardships it will make me a better person off of the field, and being a part of something bigger than myself is really special.”

Like Dooley, Danko is the youngest of her siblings, so she has learned from the rest of her family.

“I’ve really admired both of them,” Danko said. “Watching them and going to all of their games, I thought, ‘Wow they are so cool, I want to be like them.’ Seeing them give 100 percent makes me want to give it all, too.”

14

Sports

The Marquette Tribune

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

MEN’S LACROSSE

Courcelle switches to short-stick defensive midfielder Bulldog-like redshirt sophomore plays physically, quickly

By Dan Avington

daniel.avington@marquette.edu

Not many athletes have the athleticism to change positions from longstick midfielder to short-stick defensive midfielder. Anthony Courcelle is part of a rare breed that can. “(Courcelle) is one of the better athletes we’ve had in this program in terms of pure athleticism,” Marquette men’s lacrosse head coach Joe Amplo said.

Amplo said he felt confident enough in Courcelle’s skill set that he moved him to SSDM, the position he deems the most important on the field, in the middle of last season.

Courcelle said he struggled with the transition at first.

“There were definitely some days where I was ready to tear my hair out,” Courcelle said. “But my coaches really devoted so much time to helping me and I’m really grateful for that.”

Last year, Courcelle only played in five games due to injury and the position switch, but this season, he has

already made an immediate impact as a small-stick defender. The redshirt sophomore has been all over the field, using his speed and physicality to keep opposing offensive players away from the crease. “(I play) fast. I love to hit,” Courcelle said. “I want to dominate every possession, every ground ball. I try to dominate as best I can.”

One could compare Courcelle’s play to a bulldog, a comparison he greatly enjoys.

“That’s definitely a good comparison,” Courcelle said. “Especially when there’s a ground ball, anybody in my way I’m trying to bully out.”

The Florida native recognizes the importance of simply doing his job and trusts in his fellow defenders.

“Even if I get beat one way and I keep the guy down the alley, we have a slide coming because it’s a team game,” Courcelle said. “As long as I can do my job and do my job well, I can rely on my teammates.”

This season, Marquette has a wealth of depth at Courcelle’s position. At SSDM, Marquette rotates five or six players in with Courcelle, usually junior Luke Anderson and redshirt junior Nick Singleton. But so far this season, Courcelle has proved he deserves a good amount of time.

Photo by Jordan Johnson jordan.d.johnson@marquette.edu

Redshirt sophomore Anthony Courcelle defends against Detroit Mercy’s A.J. Van Voorhis Saturday afternoon.

One of Courcelle’s best assets is his ability to push the ball downfield after forcing turnovers and collecting the ground ball.

“Us short sticks being able to push the ball with our (long stick midfielders) is a huge, huge, huge thing in transition,” Courcelle said. “If we can continue to do that, maybe get a couple goals out of that and help the offense relieve some stress, that would really help them out.”

Even though Courcelle has made great strides in his few years as a Marquette player, Courcelle and

Amplo said there is still room for growth.

“There’s times when he looks terrific and is able to have his athleticism shine, and there are times when he looks like a seventh grade lacrosse player,” Amplo said. “When he gets to the point where he’s calm and at ease with his surroundings on the field, he’s going to be one of the better ones we’ve had here.” “(I need) to be able to cover guys and talk to my teammates a little better,” Courcelle said. “Sometimes when I get tired ... the communication

drops way down. So if we can work together and try to keep that up the entire game, that will really help us.”

Off the field, Amplo cannot say enough about Courcelle’s effect on the squad. “(Courcelle) is the fabric of our personality,” Amplo said. “That kid has got such a presence off the field.

He’s such a positive kid, he’s always smiling. He’s got that ability to make everyone around him feel better, which is a life skill that will serve him well.”

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Balanced scoring pushes Golden Eagles past Friars Anim, Hauser brothers fill scoring void on road at PC

By John Steppe

john.steppe@marquette.edu

With four games remaining, No. 11 Marquette men’s basketball is one step closer to a BIG EAST regular season title, picking up a 76-58 win on the road at Providence Saturday afternoon.

But unlike most of Marquette’s other BIG EAST wins, Marquette did it without large offensive contributions from junior guard Markus Howard.

The BIG EAST Player of the Year candidate entered play averaging 25.7 points, but he only had two points by halftime. Howard finished with 14 points, but he did so on an inefficient 2-for12 shooting clip. Wojciechowski told Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Howard was playing through a groin injury.

It was practically the Sacar Anim show at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center early on. The redshirt junior had seven points in the first six minutes. He finished with a team-high 18 points on 8-for12 shooting.

Freshman forward Joey Hauser, who was 3 for 21 in his past four games, got out of his shooting slump Saturday with 15 points on 6-for-8 shooting.

After an inefficient first couple minutes, Marquette quickly distanced itself from the Friars, shooting 57 percent in the first half while holding Providence to 28-percent shooting.

Marquette expanded its lead even more in the second half, at one point using a 12-2 run to take a 22-point lead. That included eight points from Sam Hauser in a 2:05 minute span.

Sam Hauser recorded his fifth

double-double this season. The Hauser brothers combined to score 33 points and 20 rebounds.

Four MU players finished with double-digit point totals.

Howard is now third on the alltime leading scorer list with his 14-point performance.

Alpha Diallo and A.J. Reeves were the only Providence players to hit more than four field goals. Fifty of the Friars’ 58 points came from their starting lineup.

Marquette (23-4, 12-2 BIG EAST) will have possibly its toughest challenge in the BIG EAST title race, visiting No. 17 Villanova (20-7, 11-3 BIG EAST) Wednesday night.

Photo by Jordan Johnson jordan.d.johnson@marquette.edu

Redshirt junior Sacar Anim looks to pass the ball against Butler Feb. 20.

Sports

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

The Marquette Tribune

15

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

BLOCKTON: High school coach shapes leading scorer Continued from page 13 Blockton still makes time once a month to meet with Schramka for coffee and has helped mentor some of his players.

“Schramka called me one time,” Blockton said. “He was having trouble just connecting with the girls and finding a way to salvage their season. I came back, and I actually spoke with the girls and was able to help in that way.”

Schramka, now in his 11th year coaching at Dominican, said he always knew Blockton was a special player.

“I’m very fortunate to have her come into my life and program at Dominican. She was definitely a gift and a blessing for us,” Schramka said. “She has this incredible passion and drive to be the best. I think the great ones have that. … She never gets bored with basketball, it’s like part of her, it’s unreal.”

Photo by Elena Fiegen elena.fiegen@marquette.edu

Allazia Blockton poses with her family and Carolyn Kieger on Senior Day. Photo by Elena Fiegen elena.fiegen@marquette.edu

The senior guard recorded 16 points and 11 rebounds against Xavier.

Unusual recruitment The recruiting process for Blockton was a little different than most.

Although Marquette was her first scholarship offer, Blockton didn’t think her fast style of play fit in with former head coach Terri Mitchell’s roster at that time.

She said she was set on going to Indiana University, but she reconsidered her options when Carolyn Kieger became the head coach at Marquette.

“With Kieger coming in, it was just a whole trusting process,” Blockton said. “She didn’t have a lot of players to come behind her and say, ‘This is our program.’ I knew the girls that I was coming in with … I was like, ‘I think we have a chance to make something really special at Marquette.’”

Four years later, Blockton’s surrounding cast of fellow seniors Natisha Hiedeman, Erika Davenport, Amani Wilborn and Danielle King are her best friends. She said their relationship spans much farther than inside the team’s facilities at the Al McGuire Center.

King, Davenport and Blockton even went on college visits to Marquette and the University of Minnesota together.

“It was crazy how they ended up at the same school,” Komesha said.

Komesha has known Wilborn since junior high school and Davenport, King and Hiedeman since high school. She described herself as the team mom. Blockton’s grandmother buys her granddaughter’s teammates Christmas presents every year.

Since three of the five seniors are from the Milwaukee area, Komesha said they are all extremely close.

“It’s been what I look forward to every day going to practice,” Blockton said. “We care about each other so much. … Being a college

Photo by Elena Fiegen elena.fiegen@marquette.edu

On Senior Day, Marquette clinched a first seed for BIG EAST Tourney.

athlete is hard. It would have been twice as hard if I didn’t have them by my side my whole career.”

Importance of family When Blockton suffered an ankle injury against Providence Dec. 29 and missed five games, her support system was Komesha and her 3-year-old sister.

Komesha said she sent Blockton motivational scriptures, telling her God had a better plan. Blockton said her sister’s motivation also helped her stay strong to have a quicker recovery.

“My injury, that was a tough spot.

I’ve never been injured in my career,” Blockton said. “It was a lot of days when I was like, ‘I can’t do this.’ … I just looked at my little sister and I was like, ‘That’s my reason why.’”

Even though Blockton and her sister have an 18-year gap in age, Komesha said her youngest daughter worships Blockton. Not a day goes by that the two don’t FaceTime. “‘Yaya is important,’ that’s what she calls (Blockton),” Komesha said. “She said ‘Yaya’ before she said ‘momma.’”

“If I’m not pleasing anybody, I know I’m pleasing (my sister),”

Blockton said. “That just gives me extra motivation and always keeps something positive in my life.”

Blockton doesn’t quite tell her family everything, though. When Blockton was honored as the Baird Student-Athlete of the Month, her parents didn’t find out until checking Facebook.

“I didn’t know that she got that,” Komesha said. “Somebody sent me (and her dad) a message on Facebook of her getting the award. She never told us.”

“You wouldn’t even know she won some awards,” Schramka said. “She was a typical kid that team awards were more important than her. …

Her humility is what draws people to her.”

Post-graduation plans

Photo courtesy of Komesha Blockton

The Milwaukee native talks to her 3-year-old sister from the bench.

“She’s definitely going to play professional ball,” Schramka said.

Blockton said her goal is to be able to give back to Milwaukee, like LeBron James did in Cleveland.

“Hopefully I get in the position enough where I can come back and help the community, whether it be building a park or building a gym,” Blockton said.

YOLO

Blockton, who is an advertising major with a minor in biomedical sciences, said she wants to be like former Providence College alumna and ESPN TV analyst Doris Burke. That is why she’s currently a communications intern with Marquette Athletics.

From the moment Blockton was born, Komesha said she and her mother always knew Blockton was going to accomplish something great.

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16

Sports

The Marquette Tribune

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Selena Lott improves offensive game in 2018-‘19 season Sophomore guard steps up in Allazia Blockton’s absence

By Tyler Peters

tyler.peters@marquette.edu

Last season Selena Lott made her presence known off the bench as a defensive player for the Marquette women’s basketball team. The sophomore guard appeared in every game except for one, posting 45 steals and leading the team with 19 blocked shots, but she only had five starts.

This season, Lott is taking the next step to becoming a formidable starter. After only starting two of Marquette’s first 14 games this season, Lott has made it into the starting lineup in 11 of the last 12 games she played.

The opportunity first came when senior guard Allazia Blockton, the team’s all-time leading scorer, missed significant time with an ankle injury Dec. 29. When Blockton returned Jan. 20, Lott remained in the starting lineup.

“It’s definitely an accomplishment,” Lott said. “When (Blockton) stepped out, I knew I had to bring more.”

“Selena is a competitor. You can tell she wants to win, and that’s why she makes big plays for us,” head coach Carolyn Kieger said.

Lott has gone from averaging 19.6 minutes per game last season to 24.5 minutes per game this season.

For Marquette, Lott’s specialty is defense, but this year she has proven she can be effective on offense as well. After shooting 27 percent from the 3-point line in her freshman season, she’s now shooting 45 percent from beyond the arc. She is also shooting 51 percent from the field.

“She’s always been an elite defender, but I think she’s coming in on her offense,” Kieger said.

“She’s shooting the ball well, and she’s making great vision looks and great reads.”

Lott is fourth on the team with 70 3-pointers attempted so far this season.

Lott said the coaching staff has played a huge role in her mental and physical development.

“Mainly my shooting coach and my head coach (helped me the most),” Lott said. “(Kieger) has definitely helped with the mental side (of the game).”

Lott said one of the most important things her coaches and teammates have taught her is how to play

more from the heart. She also noted that playing at the Division I level has taught her to hold others and herself accountable.

Over Lott’s last 11 games as a starter, she is averaging nearly nine points per game, compared to her average of 2.9 points in 2017-’18.

“I think she has made one of the biggest strides (out of any player) in the conference so far,” Kieger said.

Kieger said Lott has improved the most this season with her aggressiveness on the court. Lott said she wants to improve her ball handling the most.

While Lott has flashed more of her offensive potential this year, it has not taken away from her defensive abilities.

With 48 steals so far this year, Lott has already surpassed her total from last season, and she is second on the team, only trailing senior Natisha Hiedeman, who has 53.

Lott is in a three-way tie for the most blocks on the team this season with 12.

The Golden Eagles have just two games left in the regular season before they head off to Chicago to participate in the BIG EAST Tournament.

“We’ve got to give it all we’ve got,” Lott said.

Photo by Elena Fiegen elena.fiegen@marquette.edu

Guard Selena Lott looks for a teammate despite tight Butler defense.

TRACK AND FIELD

Junior high jumper wins third consecutive indoor title Daniel Armstrong tweaks technique in 2019 track season

By Matt Yeazel

matthew.yeazel@marquette.edu

For the third consecutive season, junior high jumper Daniel Armstrong won the BIG EAST indoor title in high jump this weekend.

Armstrong won the conference title and qualified for NCAA Indoor Track and Field Nationals with a height of 2.15 meters. It was part of the men’s team’s second-place finish at the BIG EAST Indoor Track and Field Championship. The women finished in third behind Villanova and DePaul.

As Armstrong returns to the highest stage, he said he is looking for more success on the national stage.

“I see myself as a top-eight high jumper in the country,” Armstrong said. “My goal is to be a First-Team All-American.”

This is nothing out of the ordinary for Armstrong, who has been one of Marquette’s premier athletes sinced he stepped on campus. Armstrong has earned All-BIG EAST honors four times and has five BIG EAST titles.

Head coach Bert Rogers said he

Photo courtesy of Marquette Athletics

Junior Daniel Armstrong leaps over the high jump bar in the team’s competition at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside Classic in Kenosha.

was also an impressive athlete before he committed, but he has improved tremendously in the last two years.

“He was very raw when he committed,” Rogers said. “He has gotten so much stronger and has finetuned his technique since then.”

Rogers said there was a big difference and jump in performance from Armstrong’s freshman to sophomore season, and most of that was due to his body adapting to collegiate strength training and new jumping techniques.

Armstrong said he is continuing to work on his “10-step approach” for high jumps, which has changed this season. Last season, it was split up five and five, meaning five jumps on the straight approach and five on the curved approach, but now it’s a six-four split.

“I don’t really like the curve,” Armstrong said. “With this new approach, I’m spending more time building momentum on the straight, which is transferring to the curve.”

He is also still working on his

vertical takeoff. He said he has a bad habit of leaning directly into the pit when he leaves the ground, which costs him inches, so that has been a focus of his training and preparation.

Now as he returns to nationals, he’s looking to improve on his 15th-place finish from last season.

“I wasn’t confident going into the meet last year, and didn’t really know what to expect,” Armstrong said. “Now I’m going into it with a different mindset and hoping I can

perform to the best of my ability.”

After his win at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside in December, Armstrong moved into second place in the nation with his height of 2.21 meters. Rogers said before the meet this weekend Armstrong is “far and away the best jumper in the conference.”

“That kid is a big-time performer,” Rogers said. “When the stakes are high, he steps up his game and comes through.”