Technician
february
9
2012
Raleigh, North Carolina
technicianonline.com
NCSU’s Confucius Institute celebrates Chinese new year A Chinese New Year celebration was held downtown last night. Will Brooks Deputy News Editor
While Americans celebrated New Year’s Dec. 31, Chinese-Americans waited patiently for the most widely celebrated holiday in their home country. Ann Lamm, manager of N.C. State’s Confucius Institute, helped organize the event, which was held in the Mahler Fine Arts Gallery downtown. “The Chinese New Year is based on the lunar calendar, that’s why it changes every year. Last year’s event was much later,” Lamm said. Lamm said the event aimed to celebrate the Chinese holiday, and provided insight to the holiday’s importance. “You have the 12 zodiac signs, so every year is a different animal. This year is the Year of the Dragon, they usually last for 15 days, and you have a different event that you do on each day,” Lamm said. Lu Yang, graduate student in middle grade education, said the event is widely celebrated and very important in China. “Chinese new year is the most important festival in China,” Yang said. Yang said the festival is very much like the American holiday season, in that it is celebrated for an extended period of time and is typically the most widely-celebrated holiday around the country. “Chinese New Year isn’t just one day, it is 15 days. The last day is a Lantern Festival,” Yang said. The Lantern Festival was celebrated in downtown Raleigh Wednesday night, representing the end of celebration and the beginning of a new year. Many other Chinese students explained that they too saw it as the most important holiday in Chinese culture. Liang Zhang, graduate student in
thursday
24-hour visitation regulation expands Beginning in the fall, five more residence halls will adopt a 24hour visitation regulation.
nior in marketing, said. She said some of the buildings surveyed already had 24-hour visitation, so their results were used to evaluate the system already in place. “IRC started working on this in the Laura Wilkinson late 1980s. The first building didn’t get Editor-in-Chief 24-hour visitation until 2010, for the Currently, only eight residence 2010-2011 school year,” Skully said. Before the decision was reached in halls offer 24-hour hall visitation, but a recently approved proposal will 2010, N.C. State was the only university in North Carolina that did not have expand that number to 13 this fall. Berry Hall, Becton Hall, Bagwell a 24-hour visitation policy. During Hall, Carroll Hall and Wood Hall the fall of 2010, three residence halls Building A will be added to the list — Bragaw, Turlington and North — of buildings with the 24-hour option. acted as trial runs for the regulation. According to David Meyer, a soph- In the spring of 2011, the trial period omore in first year college and vice ended and the final decision was made president of administration in the to continue allowing certain residence Inter-Residence Council, 24-hour halls 24-hour visitation. Currently, residence halls such as visitation means a student can have Tucker and Owen, a person of the opwhich cater mainly posite gender in the to first-year students, dorm room at any will not have 24-hour time throughout the visitation regulations. day for up to three “Down the road, consecutive days, or it’s important to have 10 days a semester. halls that aren’t 24 The Emerging Ishours,” Skully said. sues Commit tee One issue students within IRC conductand University Housed a survey in seving face is non-comeral residence halls pliance to the 24-hour regarding 24-hour regulations already in visitation, and then place. presented the results At IRC meetings, to t he Universit y Lindsay Skully, IRC president Skully said there were Housing Advisor y comments along the Committee, according to Jordan Lohn, freshman in lines of “It’s a rule that’s not enforced.” mechanical engineering and IRC Susan Grant, director of University Housing, said enforcement falls to representative, said. The survey indicated that 90 per- resident advisers. “Students live on floors where RAs cent of on-campus residents who did not already have 24-hour visitation live. It’s the RA’s responsibility to would be in favor of expansion of communicate what the rules, polithe regulation. The survey also said cies and regulations are,” Grant said. While 24-hour visitation is an op73 percent of respondents claimed visitation hours to be a key factor in tion for students in certain residence choosing where to live the next year. halls, Lohn said it is important for “The halls wanted 24-hour visita- roommates to discuss visitation when tion, but students wanted an option making roommate agreements. for not 24-hour visitation,” Lindsay Skully, president of the IRC and se-
“The halls wanted 24-hour visitation, but students wanted an option for not 24-hour visitation.”
thomas obarowski/Technician
A man paints Chinese characters on a piece of paper at the Mahler Fine Arts Gallery during a Chinese New Year celebration, Wednesday. Each character symbolizes another day of good health added to the painter’s life.
English, has only been in the United States for a short period of time and said the festival is widespread in China. “It’s a Chinese festival where everyone gets together and eats food like dumplings,” Zhang said.
University eGames expand with donation
Lamm said the event was a networking opportunity as much as it was a way to celebrate what the Chinese regard as their most important holiday.
new year continued page 3
make my day
A large donation from Bob Young of Red Hat will help expand and improve eGames over next five years.
and he serves on my advisory board. He’s been very supportive and always willing to help out ... I was absolutely thrilled when he said let’s get together,” Miller said. Miller said he is excited about the prospects of being able to expand Sarah Dashow the eGames with the assurance the Staff Writer donation provides. “We started brainstorming a lot of The Entrepreneurship Initiative has put on the annual N.C. State eGames ideas, and one thing that we want since 2009. This year, the games are to do is add more categories to the changing with a $250,000 personal eGames so that students can comdonation from Bob Young, founder of pete in different areas,” Miller said. A new category is being added to Red Hat and CEO of Lulu. It is the first large donation to support the eGames the games this year. To show support for the University’s new music specifically. The donation will be given over the entrepreneurship minor, there is an arts feasibility next five years. The challenge. name of the event “It’s more broad, has been changed the arts entrepreto the Lulu eGames neurship. We have to ref lect the new students who are sponsorship. Lulu less technica l ly will also be involved minded and [want in judging the comto] give them an petition. opportunity to get There are multiple involved as well,” challenges at the Miller said. eGames, and stuItalo Leiva, judents can work indinior in psychology vidually or in teams. Italo Leiva, founder of and founder of LeiThe prizes equal up Leiva Strings va Strings, particito $30,000. pated in 2010 and A self-starter himself, Young is a strong supporter of won in multiple categories. His comentrepreneurial endeavors. He has a pany creates colored guitar strings history with Tom Miller, senior vice that help make it easier to read sheet provost for Academic Outreach and music and learn guitar. “It gave me the tools I needed to Entrepreneurship, in starting up the Linux Expo and continues to partici- go out and pitch my idea, the right way. I am forever thankful for that. pate in the University’s program. “[Young] has known the work I’ve been doing ever since the early 90s, eGames continued page 3
“It gave me the tools I needed to go out and pitch my idea, the right way. I am forever thankful for that.”
oliver sholder/Technician
Ms. Wolf and her assistant shoot shirts into the crowd at the N.C. State vs. Boston College game. Every game, a few lucky game attendees will catch a shirt.
insidetechnician
Responses to “Evolution: theory, not fact” See page 4.
Protecting endangered species See page 5.
Ryan Hill is the man of the Mile See page 8.
viewpoint features classifieds sports
Valentines Specials - February 13&14 25% off all jewelry and plush toys Single-stem roses with baby breath - $7.99 Valentine’s Day tees 25% off
4 5 7 8
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page 2 • thursday, february 9, 2012
Corrections & Clarifications
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Feb. 7 1:49 a.m. | Suspicious Person Avent Ferry Complex Two students reported someone had knocked loudly on their door and then left the area. Officers did not locate anyone in the area.
Send all clarifications and corrections to Editor-in-Chief Amanda Wilkins at editor@ technicianonline.com
11:04 a.m. | Traffic Accident Avent Ferry Road/Varsity Drive Two students were involved in traffic accident. No injuries were reported.
Weather Wise
8:08 a.m. | Traffic Stop Main Campus Drive Non-student was issued citation for speeding.
Today:
1:58 p.m. | Dispute/Other Vet Medical Center Staff member requested officers to respond after juvenile was notified of pet’s death. Subject had calmed down prior to officer’s arrival. No action taken.
53/31 Mostly sunny
10:26 p.m. | Larceny Engineering Building II Student reported bicycle stolen. 11:55 p.m. | Drug Violation Bowen Hall Two students were referred to the University after officer observed them smoking marijuana. 12:21 p.m. | Traffic Accident McKimmon Center Two staff members were involved in traffic accident. 2:45 p.m. | Skateboard Violation ES King Village Report of skateboard violations. Three students were referred to the University for violating policy. 7:19 p.m. | larceny Weisiger-Brown Athletic Center Student reported two rings stolen from bag. 8:13 p.m. | Suspicious Vehicle Park & Ride Lot Report of suspicious vehicle. Officers located student waiting for vehicle to warm up. No action taken.
Tomorrow:
Talley Construction Schedule
58 39 Partly cloudy with showers in the evening
Saturday:
51 23 Sunny
source: Raymond Ruiz
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Gimme pizza
I
photo By Oliver Sholder
an Yancy, a sophomore in civil engineering, carries pizza and pokey sticks to a forum event for the First Year College hosted in the Owen Hall basement lounge. The forum event focused on job and internship opportunities for students. “Pizza is a great motivator for getting students to attend forum events,” Yancy said.
Deep Foundations/ Underpinnings/Footings Start Spring 2012, complete early Fall 2012 This phase will be marked by mass excavation, underpinning the building and pouring footings. As soon as the basement excavation has progressed to allow deep foundation work to commence, drill rigs will be mobilized to install auger cast foundation piles. Approximately 550 holes 16- 24 inches in diameter will be drilled on average 60’ deep and filled with concrete to support the new building addition. Footings will be formed on top of these piles to provide a surface to anchor structural steel forming the “skeleton” of the new additions. Structural Steel Start early Fall 2012, complete late 2012
Approximately 1200 tons of structural steel will be used to create a framework for the new addition. Concrete Slabs Start Fall 2012, complete late 2012 Concrete slabs will be poured to provide a foundation for the building’s floor. Utility Service Installation Start late 2012, complete summer 2013 We will install the exterior walls and features, which include glass, brick, terra cotta and metal panels. Building Interiors Start early 2013, complete Fall 2013 This will include the installation of drywall, finish ceilings, paint and flooring, along with the interior construction. The finishes are available for view at Talley Student Center. Just ask the front desk staff. Source: Jennifer Gilmore, Campus Enterprises
TICKETS ON SALE NOW! BE THE FIRST TO SEE IT
FREE MOVIE PASSES Available for these shows:
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Just stop by the Technician office, 307 Witherspoon Student Center, to get your free movie passes! Passes are valid at any Raleigh area Regal Cinema. Movie pass giveaway is limited to NC State students only. Limit one pair of passes per student. Passes are issued on a first come first serve basis. Contact your local Regal Cinema for movie times.
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Chinese brush painting lets students relax
egames
continued from page 1
It was a great experience,” Leiva said. Leiva is now settling in and setting up his business for a future in Raleigh. “We have secured the capital to make a significant purchase and are starting focus groups with the help of our advisers here in Raleigh to determine exactly how to market certain products. In addition to Mom & Pop guitar/music stores, we also have some large scale clients in the music education realm who would like to distribute our strings with their learning programs,” Leiva said. Miller expressed his hopes that this sponsorship will work as an anchor to draw in more sponsors so they can continue to hold the eGames annually and create more success stories like Leiva’s. Other winners include Scott and Steve Klein’s Sound Around in 2010 and Jason Mueller’s MyFit.com in 2009. “If there are individuals that want to come in and do a particular category that they’ll give a prize for, we’re open to that. I’d really like to grow these [categories] and grow the prizes as much as we can. I would like to grow it to $100,000, and that would get us on the map in terms of these business plan and innovation competitions” Miller said. Miller said he is a strong believer in emphasizing entrepreneurship as a career option for students and hopes that the eGames and future endeavors will help the University stand out. “This is one piece of the larger entrepreneurial ecosystem that we’re putting together here at N.C. State, and I want N.C. State to be known all across the nation as the place that you go if you want to be an innovator and entrepreneur,” Miller said.
In honor of the Lunar New Year, students were able to explore a Chinese style of painting. Young Lee Deputy Features Editor
sIn the midst of tests, homework and classes, many students find quiet relaxation a necessity. With several art courses offered at discount prices for students, some have found that there is no better source of rest and inspiration than the Craft Center. Last week, the Craft Center offered a course in Chinese brush painting. According to Ellen Ko, the artist and instructor that night, this was to commemorate the Lunar
new year continued from page 1
“This event was not really for students, this was really more of a networking event,” Lamm said. Liusha Zou, a Chinese musician, played a traditional “pipa” at the celebration: a stringed, upright instrument that produces a soft, twangy sound. Lamm explained it is important for students to embrace the Chinese culture and the Confucius Institute aims to do just that. “China has so many people, and their economy is booming, and they want to come to the United States to get a better education, we want to bring them here to diversify our campus,” Lamm said. Many of the Chinese students spent their first New Year away from home at the event, volunteering. Minwen Gao, graduate in middle grades education, said she has come to the Univer-
New Year. As Ko introduced the art form to students who had never experience Chinese brush painting before, it became clear the art form was steeped in traditions and philosophies still very applicable to the college lifestyle. As Ko said during the class, Chinese brush painting has a long history in Chinese culture. Scholars and their students would spend hours in creating their masterpieces. Even the traditional ink required time and patience of the artist as they would grind an ink stone against a block hundreds of time. Although this art form is still practiced in many places in Asia, this art form is completely alien to many people in
the Western world. With an emphasis on simplicity and feeling, the art form is a challenge for many people. However, the feelings behind the strokes, as Ko pointed out, are applicable even beyond the studio. Chinese brush painting involves a variety of different techniques to create bamboo stalks, orchids, mountains and chrysanthemums. Each technique is in turn associated with certain feelings and emotions. Ko spent time describing the philosophies behind each stroke. “Artistic [eyes] always see more things,” Ko said. “Painting helps you appreciate the things around you. It’s very relaxing. When you are frustrated, paint bamboo. When
you are happy, paint orchids. When you are calm, paint chrysanthemums.” In many ways, this echoes the purpose of the Craft Center. The Center is open to all students to try and show that art is not just for design students. “I’m artistic in general, but I think it’s a lot more fun to take art classes if you aren’t art majors because you get to actually enjoy it,” Tatiana Kulminskaya, a graduate student in analytics and regular attendee at Craft Center courses, said. “It’s my last semester so I take courses at the Craft Center whenever I can,” Vineha Bhat, a graduate student in computer science, said. “I’ve always liked to paint. I like to paint because I do small things to give away, like in cards and such.”
Even though many students don’t have the materials to do Chinese brush painting on a regular basis, the class remains a beneficial experience. “For me, it’s time to relax because when you are in school you are so busy,” Kulminskaya said. “Your mind is anywhere but somewhere relaxing. I also took the bead making class, which is also very relaxing.” Many students often feel the need to be creative and search for a time and place to escape from the chaos of college life. For those with an artistic side, the Craft Center hopes to offer just that kind of escape. For a full list of classes offered to students you can check the Craft Center website: http:// www.ncsu.edu/crafts/classes/ students_only.html.
sity because of her work, and decided help out with the celebration. “I have a part-time job to teach secondary Chinese, so that is why I am here today, to volunteer,” Gao said. Hanbo Chai, graduate student and teaching assistant in chemistry, explained he has only been at the University for a half of a year, but has no trouble with communication, and says he has enjoyed his time in Raleigh. “Raleigh is nice, it is quiet, a lot of Chinese big cities are crowded, there is a lot of life being enjoyed [in Raleigh,]” Chai said. The event served as a reminder to faculty that Chinese culture, along with their economic development, is something American Universities are coming to embrace.
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Left: A women plays a Guhzeng, a traditional Chinese instrument, which has 18-23 strings, and moveable bridges. Right: A woman plays a Pipa, a traditional Chinese instrument, which typically has four strings and 12-24 frets.
Viewpoint
page 4 • thursday, february 9, 2012
Technician
{ Campus Forum } EDITOR’S NOTE Letters to the editor are the individual opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Technician staff or N.C. State University. All writers must include their full names and, if applicable, their affiliations, including years and majors for students and professional titles for University employees. For verification purposes, the writers must also include their phone numbers, which will not be published.
In response to “Evolution: theory, not fact,” in the Feb. 7 edition of Technician.
Misrepresentation of scientific facts I was incredibly disappointed by the poor quality of Madison Murphy’s ill-informed and misleading column “Evolution: theory not fact.” Writing an opinion piece does not grant the writer a blank slate to misrepresent basic scientific facts. Evolution has been demonstrated many times. Bacteria have evolved resistance to antibiotics, and Galapagos finches have evolved different sizes of beaks in response to changes in annual precipitation. Researchers have forced algae that normally photosynthesize to adapt to growing in the dark. Evolution happens. Evolution is a theory in the same sense that gravity is a theory—it serves as a framework from which scientists can make testable predictions about the natural world. Another mistake was Ms. Murphy’s presentation of intelligent design (ID) and creationism as alternatives to evolution, when these theories have no place in the science classroom. Science aims to explain the natural world only with reference to natural phenomena. Scientists, including those of us who are religious, generate and test hypotheses based on observable phenomena and well-supported theoretical frameworks. A scientific hypothesis must be both testable and falsifiable. Hypotheses based on the predictions of evolutionary theory meet both of these requirements. ID and creationism, however, presuppose a “higher power,” a supposition which is neither testable nor falsifiable, disqualifying these “theories” from the realm of science. The propagation of misinformation in this column reflects poorly on N.C. State’s science programs and on the University as a whole. I hope Technician editorial staff shows better judgment in the future.
or experiment, and is propounded or accepted as accounting for the known facts; a statement of what are held to be the general laws, principles or causes of something known or observed.” The second, more commonly used definition states: “A theory is a hypothesis proposed as an explanation; hence, a mere hypothesis, speculation, conjecture; an idea or set of ideas about something; an individual view or notion.” Darwin’s theory of evolution is not “a hypothesis proposed as an explanation.” Ms. Murphy is using the second definition of theory, which is causing the confusion as to what evolution actually is. To suggest evolution is “a mere hypothesis, speculation or conjecture” is preposterous. When Ms. Murphy suggests “... these mutations build up until a complex creature is the result,” she is creating a fallacy commonly committed by people who deny evolution. The fact is a chimpanzee will not birth a human, or vice versa ... evolutionary biologists don’t suggest this. We do, however, state we share a common ancestor, and, yes, it probably does appear more chimpanzee-like. Don’t think, though, evolution cannot be seen and tested. Do some research and look up the “Lenski experiments.” This confusion surrounding the conviction “evolution is a fact” is actually a problem with semantics. If you want a proof, become a mathematician, not a scientist. “Theory,” as described by definition one, is the better definition, as shown by the “Lenski experiments.” For more information on this topic, read Dawkins’ The Greatest Show on Earth or Coyne’s Why Evolution is True.
Only a theory, like gravity
Ms. Murphy is wrong
I do not have a problem with people sharing their viewpoint. However, to be credible, the facts need to be checked. A theory and a scientific theory are not the same thing. A theory in English is just what was said: an unproven assumption. A scientific theory is a supposition explaining scientific observations and has a whole body of proof to support it. In order for something to be a scientific theory, there cannot be anything to refute any part of the theory. In short, it can be treated as fact. Evolution is only a theory in the same way gravity is only a theory. You can go around telling people little fairies and gnomes are using their magical powers to keep things sticking to earth, but people will think you are crazy. Since Newton wrote the Principia, there have not been any scientific observations to disprove gravity. We cannot definitively prove it, but every scientific observation on the matter has pointed toward the gravitational theory, and there has been nothing to disprove it. Evolution cannot be definitively proven, however there is a whole body of scientific and empirical data to support it, and nothing to refute it, other than conjecture. There is no proof to support creationism, or even to cast a credible doubt on evolution. This is the reason it cannot be taught in science class. Creationism is fine for Sunday school, but it does not in any way belong in a scientifically based classroom.
Andy Vargas
I am embarrassed by the recent column by Madison Murphy, “Evolution: theory, not fact.” I am embarrassed ignorance like this exists, especially at our fine university, and I am embarrassed and outraged the column was allowed to be published. While Ms. Murphy explains the difference between creationism and intelligent design well, the main premise of her column, that evolution is a theory and not a fact, because a theory is an “unproven assumption,” is ignorant, misleading and false. Especially at a school specializing in science and engineering, this statement should have raised red flags. By Ms. Murphy’s logic, other “unproven assumptions” includes gravitational theory, cell theory and germ theory. A few seconds of research by any involved party would have yielded the actual definition of a scientific theory, and what is implied when an idea is accepted as a “theory.” According to Wikipedia, a scientific theory is “a set of principles that explain and predict phenomena.” Furthermore, ‘”scientists create scientific theories with the scientific method, when they are originally proposed as hypotheses and tested for accuracy through observations and experiments. Once a hypothesis is verified, it becomes a theory.” Theories have held up against vigorous testing designed to disprove them, and are thus accepted as true. In the future, please hold Technician to a higher standard. Fact-check your columns, and do not let personal viewpoints get in the way of the facts.
Wesley Thill sophomore, mechanical engineering
Charles Yu Andrew Loyd
Thanks for the other side
If everyone agreed.
Elizabeth Tate, senior in fashion and textile management Consider reading before writing
Andy Leffler
Don’t tell teachers what to teach
Evolution fact, not theory Do you believe in the theory of gravity? This fatuous question is of the same form creationists use to begin arguments designed to deny the facts of biological evolution. Evolution is indeed a fact, and there are theories employed to explain how we think it works—most famously, Darwin’s theory of evolution by means of natural selection. There are other theoretical aspects to evolution as well, such as Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium theory, the theory of punctuated equilibrium and others. There are theoretical aspects to gravity, as well. But few rational people would deny the existence of gravity, and few biologists deny the existence of evolution. Perhaps it should be pointed out, at the risk of pedantry, just what a theory is. A theory is a man-made explanation, and as such, cannot be proven or disproven, only supported or refuted. Darwin’s theory of evolution by means of natural selection is a theory and is well supported from evidence seen in nature and from designed experiments. Evolution itself, on the other hand, is a fact, like gravity.
The Oxford English Dictionary has two meanings for theory. The first states: “A theory is a scheme or system of ideas or statements held as an explanation or account of a group of facts or phenomena; a hypothesis that has been confirmed or established by observation
As a high school English major here at N.C. State, reading this column irked me. I understand everyone is entitled to his or her own beliefs about Creationism, Intelligent Design or evolution. However, speaking on whether Creationism and Intelligent Design should be taught in schools demonstrates how uninformed a columnist is on the ins and outs of public education. As teachers, we are not permitted to show any sign of our religious affiliation; if we do we are considered to be “forcing it on our students.” Yet those who are religious are outraged when we do not teach religious theories? This seems contradictory to me. There is absolutely no excuse to teach either of the two religious theories above, because, in fact, they are religious. To teach them in the classroom would breach separation of church and state, and it would also lead to absolutely no advancement in personal education, not to mention extreme controversy, more than likely resulting in a teacher losing their livelihood. Yes, evolutionary theory is just that, a scientific theory. But it is also widely accepted in the scientific community, which makes it valid to teach in every classroom. I beseech you; before you start telling teachers what to teach, since we don’t get enough of that already, know your information, know what we can teach and what is appropriate. Religion should not be in the classroom. Period. Reynolds Bond junior, English education
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Peter Wolk
Defining “theory” I have been studying aspects of evolution and natural selection for nearly seven years. In your column you state a theory is defined as “an unproven assumption.” While this is true, it is only one of many definitions of the term theory. When people refer to the theory of evolution they are doing so while defining theory as “a plausible or scientifically acceptable general principle or body of principles offered to explain a phenomena.” The reason why they use this definition, and why evolution is plausible and scientifically acceptable, is because there is an overwhelming amount of evidence supporting the theory of evolution. One example providing evidence for the theory of evolution is the case of observed evolution from the Lenski lab where “one of the populations [of bacteria] demonstrated a dramatic change, and evolved to become capable of utilizing citrate, a carbon source in their flasks that E. coli cannot normally use.” It is crucial to use the proper definition of the term theory to ensure that misconceptions don’t arise when students are taught about evolution.
Don’t disrupt others’ inquiry
Thank you for writing this column; it was an enjoyable read and something I think everyone needs to hear. I think students should be taught both sides and given the option to choose. I, like you, am a creationist and very interested in Christian apologetics. I think there is more to the Bible, the Gospel and Jesus Christ than what people are exposed to. Science and history actually overwhelmingly support the claim Jesus was who he says he was. Thank you for not being intimidated by your teacher or the student body and for writing this column. I had a similar experience with a teacher in the biochemistry department.
Oxford defines a theory
I saw Ms. Murphy’s column earlier. She must learn her “Defined, a theory is ‘an unproven assumption’” is an incorrect definition of what it means within any scientific discussion. I’ll not go into the other meaning here—my point is just to point out the massive, misleading error of this mistake. English is a massively rich language with thousands of its words having multiple meanings. Words can not be assigned one meaning when, in context, it obviously means another. Pitch a baseball; pitch a roof with tar; and that roof has a pitch of 15 degrees; I’m pitching my screenplay “Pitching a Roof” tomorrow; and so on. So theory, scientific context and theory, common usage, are not the same words. And until that is understood there is no way the conversation/debate will have any purpose whatsoever. And, by the way, evolution is a fact as well as a theory—and again has to be understood. But maybe that also should be left for another time.
Steven Vensko doctoral candidate, genetics department
Katherine Gleason
Paul Schwartz retired school teacher
Words have multiple meanings
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Common descent: fact
It’s quite clear Ms. Murphy, your Christian position has not permitted you to read Darwin’s Origin, and if you had you would have realized that though quickly written, it is a very thorough piece of work. Darwin addressed all the major issues he felt would be brought against his theory in great detail, from his own experience of the living world and those of his almost countless numbers of informers. He deals with theoretical positions against his theory from Paley’s evidences and the limitation of other forms of evolutionary inheritance from Lamarck to his own grandfather, not forgetting the writer of Vestiges. Much of his theory was based on his own experience as a practical experimenting biologist. One sentence in particular prefigures Mendelism. It was an extraordinarily accomplished bit of writing and you would do well to sit down and read it, as I have been for over 40 years—you can always gain insights. He is very careful with his evidence, unlike you, which are simply a rehash of received opinion of something you have been told is wrong. I did not learn evolution at school. It was largely technique which was part of the biology course, and so when it broke as a teenager over my head it swept away all the half-baked notions about religion I’d received, which were mere fairy stories— there’s no difference in kind between Father Christmas and the Virgin birth. If you are going to continue to comment on evolution, you’d better start by giving yourself a serious reading course. Within about three years you’ll be up to speed. Charles Norrie
I write in response to the recent column expressing the indignation of an English major at the treatment of evolution as fact in one of her classes. Evolution is a multifaceted concept; it broaches two broad sets of ideas. First, the many biological forms on Earth come from different, previous forms, even one common ancestor. Second, various mechanisms, such as natural selection or genetic drift, or perhaps overt design, can account for the development of new forms. On the latter, there is yet much uncertainty as to how and why new species develop. On the former, however, the facts are unanimous. There is an unbroken line of genetic material from every cell currently living all the way back to the primordial soup’s prokaryotic tangle as witnessed by myriads of facts from comparative genomics, biogeography and the fossil record. Ms. Murphy can be forgiven if she objects to her professor treating some specific mechanistic idea of evolution, such as selectionism, as true. However, that cannot be the case if all she objects to is the treating of evolution, as a broad statement of universal common descent, as fact. Evolution, in a form refuting traditional cosmologies, is unwaveringly true. The only possible way one can be free to choose beliefs is if one is ignorant. The knowledgeable biologist does not choose to believe; evolution’s truth is manifest every day. Perhaps Ms. Murphy should mind her own advice and “research things for [her]self and make an informed opinion” by visiting Wikipedia’s “Evolution of common descent” or Talk.Origins’ “29+ Evidences of Macroevolution.”
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You claim your denial of scientific fact does not constitute ignorance. In as much as ignorance refers to a lack of knowledge, you may be correct. You leave unlabeled your refusal to accept proven theory. Your column illustrates a fundamental disconnect endemic to N.C. State University. Religious fundamentalism is diametrically opposed to the evolution of knowledge required of higher education. It is unfortunate those of us seeking to expand our own knowledge, as well as the common human understanding of the world are so often required to kowtow to those of you with such a staggeringly narrow worldview. If you want to learn within the rigid confines of your fantastical dogma, there are institutions made specifically for you: monasteries, convents and madrasahs. Please do not obstruct our own scientific inquiry. Jonas Feit
Theory, not fact—like gravity I would like to thank Madison for writing her well-worded criticism of what may, for some reason, be one of the most controversial topics in modern science today: the theory of evolution. I too am frustrated by the way scientists use things like evidence and deductive reasoning to draw conclusions. And the way they teach theories by presenting this evidence to students is nothing short of criminal. But we mustn’t stop with the theory of evolution. Why not continue your crusade against theories by attacking one of the most pervasive of all; the so-called theory of gravity. This theory—not fact, let’s keep it that way—suggests objecting exert attractive forces on other objects, and the magnitude of the force is proportional to the product of the two masses involved and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the centers of the masses. How ridiculous is that? There is no way scientists could possibly produce evidence to support something so heinous. Let’s make sure everyone knows the theory of gravity is just a theory, as well. A theory, not a fact. Brandon Moore graduate, biomolecular engineering
Technician (USPS 455-050) is the official student newspaper of N.C. State University and is published every Monday through Friday throughout the academic year from August through May except during holidays and examination periods. Opinions expressed in the columns, cartoons, photo illustrations and letters that appear on Technician’s pages are the views of the individual writers and cartoonists. As a public forum for student expression, the students determine the content of the publication without prior review. To receive permission for reproduction, please write the editor. Subscription cost is $100 per year. A single copy is free to all students, faculty, staff and visitors to campus. Additional copies are $0.25 each. Printed by The News & Observer, Raleigh, N.C., Copyright 2011 by North Carolina State Student Media. All rights reserved.
The Fifth
Technician
Wardrobe Change
Protecting our endangered species: wolves and marriage
With a Brickyard full of Uggs and leggings, we appreciate your style, Mrs. Wuf. You’re always looking classy. The overalls-skirt hybrid you’ve been rocking really works for you. However, wearing the same thing every day, no matter how well it works, can get stale — the last thing you want in a relationship. It’s time to spice things up. Remind Mr. Wuf of what attracted him to you in the first place. Try losing the turtleneck and throw on some heels. And, if you really want to heat things up, consider a bit of role play. Dress up as a Blue Devil and see what happens. If you want to get even dirtier, try dressing up like a Pirate.
T
he woes of the single and cheap on Valentine’s Day are well documented and will not be covered today. Instead, we have decided to embrace the day. Specifically, we’ve decided to embrace the introspective aspect of the day. Valentine’s Day, even if it is a Hallmark holiday, forces us to take a moment and evaluate our relationships. What works about it, what doesn’t work. After five minutes of contemplation, we either get bored or depressed and turn to the relationships of others to draw a comparison. Today, we turn our attention to the iconic relationship of Mr. and Mrs. Wuf. Mr. and Mrs. Wuf are in the minority when it comes to love. While many collegiate mascots have made the life decision to remain single, Mr. and Mrs. Wuf simply could not. They tied the knot in 1981 at a Wake Forest basketball game. The ceremony was held at half-court, bouquet and all, and the two were cheered on by 11,800 of their closest friends. In the 31 years since, Mr. and Mrs. Wuf still find themselves together and, oddly enough, still in college. And, as with any relationship, theirs has had its ups (1983) and downs. In an attempt to revitalize the relationship, Mr. and Mrs. Wuf renewed their vows in January 2011. Romantically enough, it was at a Wake Forest basketball game. The renewal provided a jolt to their relationship but, a year removed, the relationship could use a little more work. We don’t claim to be licensed psychologists, but we’ve seen and cultivated many of their issues ourselves. We hope through pointing out some of the troubled areas of their relationship they can become an even better couple. We hope we can add another 31 years to their marriage. And maybe, just maybe, their continued marital bliss will finally convince the Blue Devil and Ramses to tie the knot. They’ve been playing games for far too long.
h Fift The
F
CONTRIBUTORS Josh Lucas Elise Heglar Mark Herring Taylor Cashdan Alex Sanchez
Editor Deputy Editor Writer Designer Photographer
The Fifth is the Technician’s first parody section based on of collegiate life. It is in no way a reflection of the Technician or a representation of its views.
thursday, february 9, 2012 • Page 5
The Push-ups Mr. Wuf, we understand you probably drew in Mrs. Wuf, in part, due to your feats of strength. It is impressive that you can do more than 100 push-ups over the course of a football game. But, now that you’ve gotten the girl, you can afford to be less showy. Push-ups are a great exercise, but they shouldn’t be your only exercise. As you’re growing in years, we are sure Mrs. Wuf would prefer a healthy Mr. Wuf to a shredded Mr. Wuf. Consider enrolling in a Zumba class at Carmichael, or if you’re looking for something low-impact, take to the pool. A healthier you is a healthier relationship.
Heartbreak warfare John Mayer has a term for what you all do; it’s called “heartbreak warfare.” We understand when you all go to events you can’t spend all of your time together. No couple should be that involved. However, you should not be spending your intermittent time making each other jealous. When you’re apart your tendency is to surround yourself with groups of coeds. On the surface it looks like you’re just being sociable, but we all know this practice is less than friendly. You are just looking to get a rise out of each other and this practice has to stop — it’s not healthy. You two have committed your lives to being together; the days of jealousy and games should long be over.
Communicate Of course we’ll never know what goes on behind closed doors, but, from our perspective, it seems like you never talk to each other. We see you all constantly flirting with each other, waving at each other from across the stadium, twirling each other around the court, but we don’t see you ever talking. Your relationship needs to become something more than just physical. You need to start communicating outside of flirting. We’re not saying it has to be deep right away, just ask each other about your days and let the conversation evolve from there.
The Cupcaking We will always prefer those with a pleasant disposition to those without one. However, there is such a thing as being too happy. It’s hard to trust the overly happy; it raises too many red flags. Mr. and Mrs. Wuf, never have we ever seen you come close to a fight; you all are perfect in public. But nobody is perfect and nobody should strive to be. We know you have issues because we all have issues; no relationship is perfect. It’s high time you all stop suppressing whatever is ailing you down deep to keep up your public image. Let it out, fight it out. Now, we don’t want you to turn into the couple that constantly fights, but even that would be better than a couple that never stops cupcaking.
Features Arts & Entertainment
page 6 • thursday, february 9, 2012
Commentary
Technician
A step in the right direction for Square Enix Final Fantasy XIII-2 provides a great experience for fans of the RPG genre.
The time travel nature of the plot also allows for a wide variety of time periods and locales to be visited, making for a more episodic story than its predecessor. What helps the plot immensely is the strength of the Jordan Alsaqa voice actors bringing the characters to life. Though side Arts & Entertainment Editor characters vary in terms of quality, the main stars of When Final Fantasy XIII was released the title all manage stellar performances. Jason Marstwo years ago, it was met with harsh den and Laura Bailey share great chemistry as Noel criticism and fan backlash across and Serah, while Liam O’Brien sells the threat of main the market. The game was criticized antagonist, Caius Ballad. The locations are also far more involving than they for its confusing story, uninvolved gameplay and linear nature, with ever were the last time around. Instead of running from players running down a single, long plot point to plot point on the map, XIII-2 allows playhallway in each ers the freedom to explore environments. There are treasures to find, sidequests to take on and several other dungeon. With the se- hidden extras for interested players to find. The game also allows for entire side areas that have quel, Final Fantasy XIII-2, developer nothing to do with the main plot. Areas can be visited at Square Enix has tried different points in their timeline for optional gameplay, to fix all the complaints making for a title that offers a great deal of extra content gamers had with the previ- once the main game has been completed. Another improvement the game has seen is in the ous title. Fortunately, aside from a few hiccups in the nar- battle system, which provides a much smoother and rative, the title succeeds, pro- involving experience this time around. The previous viding one of the best games title’s Paradigm Shift system returns, allowing characSquare Enix has released ters to switch their role in a fight in the middle of battle. While many of the game’s challenges can still simthis console generation. Final Fantasy XIII-2 ply be overcome by executing auto-attacks, the more involved boss battles require a great deal opens three years after the Final Fantasy XIII-2 of preparation and strategic use of role switching in order to be victorious. previous game. Developer: Square Enix This is the one area of Final Fantasy Lightning, the Consoles: Xbox 360/PS3 XIII-2 that has seen the least revision, last game’s prohowever, and gamers who didn’t enjoy tagonist, has it the first time around aren’t going to gone missing, with only her sister Serah find anything that changes their minds here. However, remembering her previ- fans of the battle system will find an all-around much ous appearances. Soon, improved experience. The biggest change to the battle system is the inclusion however, a mysterious man named Noel appears, of monster training. Instead of a third human party claiming to know where member, Noel and Serah have the ability to recruit the Lightning is. Together, the monsters they defeat in battle to help them in fights. While this system could’ve easily proven a complex two set off on a journey through time to fix para- and unnecessary addition, it works quite easily and aldoxes and find Lightning. lows for an extra element of strategy when deciding The narrative in Final which monsters should join the battle. Still, the monFantasy XIII-2 is one of sters you collect don’t add much to the story. A third its weaker elements, playable character might’ve been a better idea. Final Fantasy XIII-2 is by no means a perfect game. but it still manages to provide an enter- However, it is a highly enjoyable RPG experience, one taining thread to follow. that fans of the genre would be remiss to overlook. A fun
battle system, interesting story and areas of exploration all come together to provide a solid game. If nothing else, Square Enix has taken a step in the right direction with Final Fantasy XIII-2. After several rough years, the Japanese developer is doing its best to rise back to its former position of glory. The focus seems to once again be on providing gamers with unique and enjoyable experiences, something that Final Fantasy XIII-2 certainly manages to do.
Top
1.
5
Photos Contributed by Square Enix
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Memories Remember what the campus and your fellow students looked like
2.
Year in Review
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Future Generations
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See the events that took place and look fondly on a great time in your life
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It will make a great coffee table book and conversation starter
5. Wolfpack Pride! Order your book at ncsu.edu/agromeck
Sports
Technician
hill
johnson
ation is going to be. It might be a tight race and I just want to win. You never know.”
occasionally Raleigh International Church on Capital Boulevard. Athletes in Action, a group that seeks to help student athletes grow spiritually through weekly meetings and team Bible studies, is another ministry that Johnson used to develop his faith. Russ Throckmorton, who is the director of AIA at the University, says he met with him for one-on-one talks regularly. “[We just talked] about God’s faithfulness and what God’s word is really saying about how he is faithful, he is trustworthy,” Throckmorton said. Johnson isn’t alone in his faith when it comes to Wolfpack basketball players. Senior guard C.J. Williams says he finds encouragement in God, acknowledging he would not
continued from page 8
be where he is today without his faith. from being a member of a big basketball He says he prays about two or three program was also challenging. “When you have so many people times before every game. “Any time I get in to a struggle in a watching you and you’re a believer of Christ, you know game or I’m going they always want through a tough to see you in a good shooting stretch mood,” Johnson or something, I said. “But somekind of just close times we kind of my eyes and just walk through the talk to God and darkness and we’re just allow him to not always strong take over instead when we need to of trying to do evbe and it’s tough erything myself,” when God throws Williams said. “I Alex Johnson, graduate student guard the faith tests at let him handle you to see how the situation the strong your faith is in him and when way it’s supposed to be handled.” When asked if being a student-athlete things are not going your way, are you and an outspoken Christian came with quick to say ‘ah man, God you’re not any obstacles, Johnson acknowledged there for me,’ or are you saying ‘God I getting guys on the team to come to know you’re here with me in this strugchurch with him sometimes proved dif- gle just help me get through.’ That’s the ficult and that the recognition that came toughest part about it.”
continued from page 8
Technician: Is it difficult to keep track of time when you are out there running that fast? Hill: “Every time I came around, I was glancing at the clock because I knew the pace I had to run. It’s not as out of control as you might think; it’s not like it is an all-out sprint. We’ve been training all year and have trained all throughout high school, so it is under control. I still have the wherewithal to look at the clock and assess where I am at. It’s all about pacing myself and following my internal clock.” Technician: When you think about your potential pinnacle at State, what do you think about? Hill: “Personally, I always dream about winning an NCAA Championship. I’m right on the cusp of getting to that level, and I just want to keep pushing. Hopefully one of these days, the Nationals will be my day and I can win one.”
“But sometimes we kind of walk through the darkness and we’re not always strong when we need to be.”
shag
you are, if you are not fun to watch, the dance means nothing,” Hayden said. The second aspect of judging came from the originality of the “shag” and just how true each team was to the beauty of the dance and how originality was shown through usage of “oldschool shag.” The last aspect was the passion be-
continued from page 8
would be time for the judges to score the dance based on three aspects of the performance. The first aspect was crowd participation. “No matter how good of a dancer
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thursday, february 9, 2012 • Page 7
tween the partners. “The beauty of shag is the interaction,” Hayden said. “People now days do these really ‘showy’ steps with a lot of personal variations. The judges wanted to dancers to stay true to the relationship of dancers, like shag was intended to be.” As the scores came in, State pulled
Classifieds
Alex Johnson 2011-2012 season:
4.4 32.3
points per game
3.1 14-17
assists per game
field goal percentage
steals per game
Although Johnson doesn’t feel the need to write them on eye black and display them during games, he says his favorite verses to prepare him for game time are Phillipians 4:13 and Deuteronomy 31:6. In case you already miss “Tebowmania” Johnson is poised to further the trend of the outspoken Christian athlete.
out on top over second-place College of Charleston and third place East Carolina University. To win the competition for State was an honor for Hayden and Brenton. “We had more fun than anyone there,” Hayden said. “We were fun to watch, and I think that is what gave us the trophy.
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Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis
Solution to Friday’s puzzle
12/20/08
Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit www.sudoku.org.uk.
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Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit www.sudoku.org.uk.
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ACROSS 1 Honda Insight, e.g. 7 Like some mus. keys 10 Bale filler 13 2000s New Hampshire senator John 14 Be up against 16 Roth of “Inglourious Basterds” 17 Where pros play 19 Vital statistic 20 Actress Kudrow 21 Word with the 57Across in 10Down 23 Woolen caps 26 “This American Life” host Glass 28 Like some silverware 29 Prefix with meter 30 Lists of priors 32 Man of the cloth 34 Mean mutt 35 She, at sea 38 En route to the mechanic 39 Permit 40 Twangy guitarist Eddy 41 Word with the 57Across in 25Down 42 In great shape 43 Spot on a horse 44 Signed up 47 Hear here 48 Wish 50 Cleveland pro, for short 51 Dreyer’s brand, east of the Rockies 52 Olympics participant 54 Far from fatty 56 Actress Charlotte 57 Night sky feature, and hint to a fourletter sequence hidden in 17Across and 10and 25-Down 62 Short, for short 63 Dry run 64 Peter of “My Favorite Year” 65 100% 66 Dallas opening? 67 Stout
2/9/12
By Don Gagliardo and C.C. Burnikel
DOWN 1 Dallas closing? 2 Trophy, often 3 “Dear Yoko” dedicatee 4 Home perm features 5 One opposed 6 Word with the 57Across in 17Across 7 Scratch 8 Ill-fated brother 9 Gin flavoring 10 Like most valentines 11 Aquarium gunk 12 Right-of-way sign 15 Put on ice 18 Org. promoted by Betty White 22 Relishes, as gossip 23 Talking point 24 Hersey’s bell town 25 Ammo for a simple cannon 27 Buddhist monk, e.g. 30 Steinbeck’s “Cannery __” 31 Marching syllable 33 It shines on the Seine
Wednesday’s Puzzle Solved
Lookin’ for the answer key? Visit technicianonline.com
(c)2012 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
36 Cabinet design feature 37 __ of the realm: noblemen 39 Lucy of “Ally McBeal” 40 Pa 42 Stewed 43 Work on film 45 Aquafresh rival 46 Locker room supply 48 Alfalfa’s sweetie
2/9/12
49 Net sales? 51 Belgian avantgarde painter James 53 Facility 55 Mercury or Saturn, e.g. 58 GPS offering 59 One of the small fry 60 Bent piece 61 Juan Carlos, to his subjects
Technician was there.
You can be too.
Sports
COUNTDOWN
• 12 days until men’s basketball faces UNC-Chapel Hill at the RBC Center.
INSIDE
• Page 7: A continuation of the feature of Ryan Hill.
Technician
Page 8 • thursday, february 9, 2012
cross country
Ryan Hill is the man of the mile
Men’s and women’s basketball to hit the floor tonight Both the men’s and women’s basketball programs will look to pick up wins tonight. The men will travel to Atlanta in an attempt to avenge its Jan. 11 loss against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. The women’s team will take a break from its ACC schedule to take on the Longwood Lancers at Reynolds Coliseum. Source: N.C. State Athletics
Former N.C. State diver dies Mike DeGruy, a former ACC Champion and All-American in diving, died in a helicopter crash in Australia on Feb. 4th. DeGruy won the ACC Championship in both the one and three-meter events in 1973 and 1974. DeGruy also won several Emmys and British Academy and Television Arts awards for his work as a cinematographer. Source: N.C. State Athletics
athletic schedule
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Today Men’s Basketball at Georgia Tech Atlanta, Ga., 7 p.m. Women’s Basketball vs. Longwood Reynolds Coliseum, 7 p.m. Wrestling at Old Dominion Norfolk, Va., 7:30 p.m. Friday Track at Husky Classic, Tyson Invitational Seattle, Wash., Fayetteville, Ark.; All Day Softball vs. Utah State & St. Johns Athens, Ga., 11 a.m. & 1 p.m. Saturday Men’s Tennis vs. South Carolina Raleigh, 12 p.m. Women’s Tennis at DePaul Madison, Wis., 12 p.m. Softball vs. Campbell & Army Athens, Ga., 3 p.m. & 7 p.m. Gymnastics vs Penn St., William & Mary, Geo. Wash. Raleigh, 7 p.m. Sunday Women’s Golf at Lady Puerto Rico Classic Rio Grand, P.R., All Day Men’s Tennis vs. William & Mary, UNC-Greensboro Raleigh; 10 a.m., 4 p.m. Wrestling vs. Indiana & VMI Cardinal Gibbons H.S., 11:30 a.m. & 1 p.m. Women’s Tennis at Wisconsin Madison, Wis., 12 p.m. Softball at Georgia Athens, Ga., 3 p.m. Women’s Basketball vs. Wake Forest HOOPS 4 HOPE Reynolds Coliseum, 5 p.m.
Did You know? If the men’s basketball team defeats Georgia Tech, it will be the best record through 10 games for the Pack since the 2005-2006 season.
After becoming the first in Pack history to break the four-minute mile, Hill looks for more. Sean Fairholm Deputy Sports Editor
There was a time, some six decades ago, when no human being on the face of the earth had officially run 5,280 feet in under 2,400 seconds. The first person to do it - Roger Bannister May 6, 1954 - would open the flood-gates on a milestone that has been one of the most frequently discussed barriers in all of sport. In many ways, what Bannister did for runners over half a century ago is precisely what Ryan Hill’s entire career has done for N.C. State track and field. Beginning his third season at State, the humble native of Hickory, N.C., is an All-ACC runner, an All-American, an ACC Champion, an NCAA Regional Qualifier and the owner of four University records. Each of his feats (fastest time in the one mile, 1,500m, 3,000m and 5,000m) will no doubt be in future peril considering senior Hill has two full seasons remaining with the Wolfpack. As decorated of an athlete as State currently has, it’s not surprising that Hill has his sights set squarely on bringing an NCAA Championship home from Des Moines, Iowa this June. Heading into the second half of his collegiate career, it doesn’t appear Hill will be resting on his laurels any time soon. After breaking the four-minute mile to erase the longest-standing record in the Pack track and field record book, Hill sat down with Technician to discuss his accomplishment
in Blacksburg, Va. Technician: How drastically has the four-minute mile barrier has changed over the years? Hill: “It’s funny that in the 50 years since someone first broke four minutes, it gets less prestigious every year because so many people do it. At this point, it is like 3:55 is the new four-minute. It’s good for people who aren’t runners, and they hear about running a four-minute mile and think that it is legit. It’s good for comparison outside of the sport, but within the sport that wasn’t even a national-auto time (a set time you have to run to make the National Championship).” Technician: Even though it may not be as unique a feat as it used to be, what does breaking the four-minute mile mean to you? Hill: “Being a runner, I have the Roger Bannister book back at home that chronicles the whole situation. I’m very aware of the four-minute mile and what it means to the sport, so it’s pretty incredible to finally do it.” Technician: Out of the four N.C. State records you currently hold, which one are you most proud of? Hill: “The best one in terms of quality is the 5K time of 13:31. That is the one I am most proud of because it is the best time for me personally.” Technician: What’s the next step for you when you run the mile again? Hill: “The time to automatically get into nationals is 3:57.9, so time-wise I want to make it there. I will run the mile at the end of the month and try to get there, but you never know what the situ-
hill continued page 7
brent kitchen/Technician archive photo
Cross country junior Ryan Hill runs in a group of Wolfpack runners during the 2010 Wolfpack Invitational, Sept. 17, 2010.
men’s basketball
women’s basketball
Faith, hope and hoops
Hayden and Brenton hit the dance floor for State
Alex Johnson’s journey as a Christian athlete. Ben Christoph Correspondent
All athletes hit rough patches in their careers— the MVP slugger who goes 1 for 20 in a playoff series, the sensational rookie quarterback who goes through a sophomore slump, etc.— and while graduate student guard Alex Johnson is not immune, he manages to find strength and comfort in his faith in God. Johnson, who has not made a shot in his last 18 attempts over the past three games, is not disheartened and is certainly not a stranger to setbacks. During the 2009-10 season while playing for Cal StateBakersfield, he suffered a torn ACL that caused him to miss the rest of that season. While he says he was depressed at first, his faith helped him put everything in perspective. “I felt as though it brought my relationship with God john joyner/Technician closer, just for the simple Graduate student guard Alex Johnson drives down the court fact that he wasn’t taking during the game against UNC Asheville in the RBC Center on it away from me,” Johnson Friday, Nov. 11, 2011. State would go on to beat UNC-A 84-75. said. “He was just kind of “All the praise to you, Lord. earned him a say ing ‘I Lord, I’m at rock bottom. Hear scholarship just need f r om N .C . me Lord, I’m crying out for you to State and a you! I try to be strong but I am take a step spot as the Weak. Help me, Lord.” back and Johnson’s spiritual life and backup point see it from Christian values are rooted guard. a dif ferBut the tri- in his mother’s devotion and ent point als have not her decision to take him to of view, I ended since Christian camps and Sunday need you Alex Johnson, he came to School as a child. He says it to sit back Graduate Student Guard Raleigh. Dur- eventually became less about and relax, ing a home his mom’s decision to take him I’ve got it game against Virginia in Janu- and more about his wanting handled.’” In his first season back ary, Johnson missed all 10 shots to go to church to learn more. from injury, he had a very he took in 15 minutes of action. Johnson currently attends serstrong showing. He earned But after the game, on his Twit- vices Christian Faith Center a career-high 13.3 points ter account there were no ex- Academy in Creedmoor and per game and matched his cuses, no LeBron-esque lashpersonal high of 30 steals in ing out at fans, only a humble a season. That performance declaration of his trust. johnson continued page 7
“I felt as though it brought my relationship with God closer.”
Carolina University. In the previous year’s competition, also the first-ever competition, the College of Charleston took the trophy and they headed into this year favored to keep the title in their hands. “The College of Charleston has a great dance program,” Hayden said. “They always Adam Luther finish in the top two. After arStaff Writer riving, it was cool because alOn the weekend of Jan. 27 most everything was paid for. Noah Hayden, a graduate When we looked out of our student in communication hotel, we were pretty much on and member of the N.C. the beach.” After getting an all-expenseState women’s basketball practice team, and Cally paid vacation for the first night, Brenton, a sophomore in it was time to dance as both fashion and textile man- Hayden and Brenton made agement, traveled to Myrtle their way to the 2001 Night Beach, S.C., to compete in Club. After watching many of the second annual Colle- the other schools compete and giate “shag” Competition even meeting some professionto represent the Wolfpack. al dancers, it was time to take Hayden and Brenton would the stage, and, for Hayden, he sweep fans off their feet as knew he had the ideal partner they grabbed the top spot, for his shagging style. “It was great because what finishing first in the compewe really fotition. cused on was For the passion Hayden, between the shagging dancers,” is one of Hayden said. the many “We d id a activities lot of ‘mirhe enjoys ror steps’ in while atwhich we tending both would t he Unido the same versity. Cally Brenton, sophomore in textile management d a nc e a nd “I have mirror one been another. Calshagging on and off for about two or ly loves to spin, and because I three years now,” Hayden am so much taller than her, it said. “I have never been was really easy for me to do.” For Brenton, on the other able to do anything serious with it until this year. With hand, dancing with Hayden national ‘shag’ day, any came as natural as breathing. “Working with Noah was college can compete for the title by submitting the first such a fun adventure,” Brentwo people to sign up for the ton said. “He’s a hilarious guy who knows how to work it on competition.” Other notable schools the dance floor. We became the that competed were UNC- perfect dynamic duo.” After the dance was over, it Charlotte, the University of South Carolina, the College of Charleston, East Carolina University and Coastal shag continued page 7
Grad student Noah Hayden and sophomore Cally Brenton represent the Pack in the second collegiate Shag Competition.
“[Noah is] a hilarious guy who knows how to work it on the dance floor.”