Technician
Shaving
Lindsey Rosenbaum Staff Writer
Students prove bald is beautiful, and in some cases even beneficial. Story By Sam DeGrave| photo illustration By charlie harless
Sigma Nu Fraternity hosted the third annual head shaving in the Carmichael Gymnasium basketball courts, and 97 participants, most of whom were N.C. State students, offered their time and hair in support of the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a charity which sponsors similar events across the country to raise money for research dedicated to curing childhood cancer. According to the foundation’s website, St. Baldrick’s has raised more than $117 million and is now the world’s largest volunteer-driven fundraiser for child cancer research.
2012
Students are becoming more opinionated about Amendment One as May 8 draws nearer.
Matt Di Gioia, a sophomore in business administration, shows off his before and after hair at this year’s St. Baldrick’s Foundation event on campus.
T
23
Students form opinions before casting a vote
u r p p o a s r e o f
Yesterday, the University helped the organization to raise more than $12,000 in what Dre Antono, N.C. State alum and volunteer coordinator of the head shaving, believed to be a very successful event. Antono first heard about the foundation three years ago, and saw the student body of N.C. State as an audience that had great potential to help the cause. Though he graduated in December, Antono plans to make sure St. Baldrick’s is one thing that does not leave with him. Antono worked with his brothers in Sigma Nu to ensure they will be able to continue what he started in 2010 in the years to come. “I want to come back next year and see that this thing has grown,” Antono said. Antono attributed the success of this year’s fundraiser to a more active marketing campaign that featured fliers, word-of-mouth communication, a Facebook page and, for many brothers of the fraternity, unusual haircuts in hopes of drawing attention to the cause. For Nicholas Weight, a sophomore in psychol-
april
Raleigh, North Carolina
technicianonline.com
his morning, nearly 100 students will start their last Monday of regular class donning newlyshaved heads and buttons informing readers to ask why they are bald. The answer to that question, and also the reason behind the sudden outbreak of baldness on campus is yesterday’s St. Baldrick’s event.
monday
ogy and first-time participant, it was the fliers that attracted his attention. Weight has a family member who is currently battling cancer, so when he saw there was an on-campus opportunity for him to join the fight against cancer, he leapt for it. “I figured ‘I give blood, so why shouldn’t I give my hair too,’” Weight said, to the watching crowd. Zac Fagan, a sophomore in sports management and brother in Sigma Nu, served as both a volunteer and a participant in the fundraiser yesterday and was excited he was able to help. According to Fagan, who was a second-time participant, some of the brothers in Sigma Nu began to grow their hair out as early as November in anticipation of what many brothers see as one of the most important service activities the fraternity engages in. When Fagan was asked why he will continue to shave his head in years to come, he said “Even the smallest actions can have a positive effect on somebody’s life.”
With April drawing to a close, many students’ thoughts now turn to the prospect of exams. But between exams and the summer, May 8 stands as a day of political awareness with Amendment One, the race for governor, and the GOP primaries requiring votes. However, early polls have opened, and students have already begun sharing their opinions on Amendment One. As the voting date draws nearer, students on campus are becoming more educated and opinionated on the legislation. “I am against it [Amendment One],” Alex Lowe, freshman in aerospace engineering, said. “[This is] due to my belief that every person, whatever their lives be, should have a choice about what affects them personally.” Early voting began on April 19, and while the numbers won’t be revealed until May 8, many are looking towards the general campus opinion to predict the outcome. “Well I think that most folks, if I had to hazard a guess, are more knowledgeable and educated about the amendment now and understand the harm it has, not just against the GLBT community,” said Justine Hollingshead, director of the GLBT Center. Many of those in favor of the bill focus only on the Defense of Marriage stance. Promotions urging people to vote for the bill have been circulating on Twitter and Facebook for months now. Some of the points they have
vote continued page 3
New research center opens to public Chancellor
announces creation of new college
Nature research center opened to the public this weekend. Shawn Thompson Staff Writer
The Museum of Natural Sciences celebrated the opening of the Nature Research Center with a 24-hour festival that began on Friday, April 20 at 4 p.m., at the Main Museum and Bicentennial Plaza. Visitors were able to take part in activities and presentations and interact with exhibitors and vendors during the 24 hours. Many of the activities and performances were held at the SECU Daily Planet Stage, adjacent to the Bicentennial Plaza Stage. Contributors to the events included NASA, the N.C. Science Festival and Burt’s Bees. A pre-show concert, which included Shaw University Jazz Band, began the festivities. Afterwards, Beverly Botsford, a cross cultural percussionist and educator, called forth all drummers and participants to begin the Grand Procession. The Grand Procession started at 4:30 p.m. at the Executive Mansion and ended at the SECU Daily Planet stage, located beside the Nature Research Center. The official Natural Research Center opening ceremony started at 5 p.m. The Opening Ceremony featured many special guests, includ-
insidetechnician
College of Sciences to be added to University.
Solace through exposure See page 5.
Elise Heglar News Editor
Tyler Andrews/Technician
Christopher Nighorn partakes in the festivities of the 2012 Planet Earth Celebration by learning about static electricity from a Van de Graaf generator on Friday.
ing Chuck Davis and the African American Dance Ensemble, an internationally famous troupe based in Durham. Chuck Davis gave a speech during the ceremony focusing on positive change and unity, during which he greeted the crowd in several languages. “Peace, love and respect for everybody,” Davis said. “I ask everyone to give hugs to three people who they don’t know here at the ceremony. I also ask everyone to partake in the performance which represents seven different ethnic groups.” Waters collected from different sources around the world were then brought to the stage to symbolize the global theme of the Nature Research Center. Specially commissioned vessels,
created by Seagrove clay artists, and a single large pottery piece, created by Mark Hewitt, were used to connect culture with nature in the ceremony. Following Davis were speakers Betsy Bennet, director of the N.C. Museum of Natural Science, Meg Lowman, director of the Nature Research Center, John Grunsfeld, associate administer for the Science Mission Directorate, and many more. “What we’re gathered here to celebrate today is bigger than what we are. This is the new home of our department of research. We know the people of North Carolina, who will realize the benefits of this new center
Planet continued page 3
On Friday, the Chancellor announced the creation of a new College of Sciences that will include the merging of Physical and Mathematical Sciences and the undergraduate biology program. With this decision, the newly modified version of the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences will become more comprehensive, according to Chancellor Randy Woodson. In a staff report, Woodson explained how the change will help N.C. State. “The college will be positioned to provide much of the core of undergraduate instruction in these disciplines, while building on N.C. State’s growing expertise and reputation in the quantitative biological sciences and the national trend in convergence science,” the report said.
Merge continued page 2
APRIL 26 & 27 - 10am to 4pm ON THE BRICKYARD
Looking for a HOT DEAL? You’ll find them at the annual SIDEWALK SALE!
Wolfpack claims series against Boston College See page 8.
Students flock to swanky offcampus housing See page 3.
viewpoint features classifieds sports
4 5 7 8