SOFTBALL PLAYERS TAKE ACTION TO STRIKE OUT CANCER
Reflector The
FRIDAY APRIL 19, 2013
REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM 125TH YEAR | ISSUE 49
TWITTER.COM/REFLECTORONLINE FACEBOOK.COM/REFLECTORONLINE
THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884
Sociology professor named new arts and sciences dean
Informed organ donors increase saved lives BY AMBER ALEXANDER Staff Writer
BY QUINTEN SMITH Staff Writer
Mississippi State University’s longtime sociology professor has been named the new dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. The university announced last week that Greg Dunaway was elected to the new position. Prior to becoming dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Dunaway was head of the Department of Sociology and served as the interim dean. Hannah Humphrey, senior English and foreign language major, said Dunaway will fit in easily and it will be a great transition for him. “I think he will fit in really well because he already knows the position coming from interim, and he knows the students,” Humphrey said. Even though Dunaway has been selected, the search for the new dean was not an easy one. Kristen Moore, senior mathematics major, said a search committee of 30 representatives from the College of Arts and Sciences read every letter and application submitted by each candidate.
SEE DEAN, 2
Greg Dunaway
BY ZACK ORSBORN Multimedia Editor
Editor’s Note: The four individuals named Michelle, Jonathan, Mark and Tyler wished to remain anonymous.
Michelle said she always had a feeling in high school she was a lesbian, but due to her strict, conservative family, she knew her sexuality would not be welcomed. In third grade, Jonathan noticed something was different
COURTESY PHOTO | BEN HESTER
Will McLellan (right) and his father, Ernie McLellan (left), spent time at a lacrosse tournament in Jackson in October, 2011.
FORMER STUDENT, LACROSSE PLAYER REMEMBERED BY ANNA WOLFE News Editor
Will McLellan, Mississippi State University lacrosse player, passed away Monday morning in Starkville. McLellan experienced a ruptured aorta, according to an email from his mother. She said doctors told her he died instantly. McLellan would have celebrated his 24th birthday Friday. One of his close friends, Ben Leiker, 23, said he and McLellan’s roommates found McLellan in his bedroom of his apartment Monday afternoon. McLellan graduated from State in 2011 with a business administration degree. Leiker said he had known McLellan since his freshman year, and he was one of his favorite people at MSU. “He was my brother. He was my best friend up here, and he lived for his friends. He lived to make them smile, and he lived for everybody’s happiness,” Leiker said.
when he found a fascination with popular artist and brand, Lisa Frank, and in the ninth grade, he came to terms with being gay. Mark, a bisexual, finds himself isolated by both the heterosexual and homosexual communities shunning his sexuality. From a young age, Tyler never understood why everyone thought he was a girl. Although he was born biologically a wom-
Leiker said McLellan had a great sense of humor and cared deeply about the well being of his friends and family. Leiker said McLellan characteristically laughed harder whenever he made someone close to him laugh. He also said McLellan went out of his way for people he did not know, always willing to help. “He wouldn’t take any of us sitting around for too long with-out getting us to do something exciting or fun,” he said. “He was happiest when he was making others happy.” Leiker said his nickname, Ernest Will “Ernesto” McLellan, demonstrated his humor, while holding true to his family legacy as the fifth Ernest McLellan in his family. His family members, Leiker said, were the most important people in his life. “He took his job as an uncle extremely seriously important, and what drove his passion in life was setting good examples for those kids,” he said.
Leiker also said McLellan was active in the MSU community. “He was passionate about everything Mississippi State. He was passionate about the people he met here. No matter if they left or not, he was passionate about this Bulldog family,” Leiker said. Leiker said McLellan was an active member of Baptist Student Union and a man of faith, which was a prominent factor in the way he lived. Ben Hester, MSU lacrosse team captain, said McLellan was an active and valuable member on the team. McLellan’s team remembers him as funny, carefree, a friend and team player. On Tuesday, Hester notified the team about the death of their teammate. Hester said McLellan was hardworking, and it showed when he stepped out onto the lacrosse field. He said McLellan started playing lacrosse for the first time at MSU and was instrumental to building the program. SEE MCLELLAN, 3
an, he felt like a boy. Alfred Kinsey, renowned sexologist, said sexuality does not represent two discrete populations of heterosexual and homosexual. “The world is not to be divided into sheep and goats. The living world is a continuum in each and every one of its aspects,” he said in his research “Sexual Behavior in the Human Male” in 1948.
The month of April marks Organ Donation Month, looking to bring awareness to the effects of becoming an organ donor. Each day over 4,000 people are added to the national waiting list. At this moment, 105,000 people are in need of organs. Sarah Beth James, Miss Mississippi 2011, made her charity platform for Miss America organ donation. James said a close family friend’s need of an organ donation made her more passionate about bringing awareness to donating. “A few years ago a dear friend of mine, Ralph McDonald, received a liver transplant, which added several years to his life. The process of transplantation and the incredible effect it can have on recipients, donors and loved ones is miraculous. Along the way I have met numerous people who have been given a second chance at tomorrow, because a stranger chose to give the gift of life,” James said. James said at first AT THIS MOMENT... she just wanted to learn everything she 105,000 could so that she people in U.S. waiting for an organ could go out and speak to her gener4,000 ation, a generation who could save so added to the waiting list each day many lives. 6,500 “You can save up to eight lives with people die a year before they get an organ just one donor,” she said. “How many 1 chances do you have to save eight lives?” donor can save 8 lives Chuck Stinson, cmmunity outreach manager for the Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency (MORA), spent 23 years in television and radio before coming to MORA. “We are basically the agency’s arm into the community doing marketing, public education and outreach. We handle health fairs, public speaking engagements, plan our marketing strategy and also special events,” Stinson said. Stinson worked with James during her reign as Miss Mississippi to bring organ donation to the forefront of issues in Mississippi. “We wanted people, but especially students, to learn that organ donation is a lifesaving act. A new person goes on the list every 10 minutes,” Stinson said. Stinson said the stories he hears from those who chose to donate organs are what gets him through the strenuous tasks of a day-to-day operation. “Recipients talk often about the second chance at life they have been given. And then to hear the stories of organ donors brings out a powerful energy in this business,” he said. “The things these recipients get to see, to celebrate because someone gave unselfishly of themselves.” James said he continues to push for organ donation in the state of Mississippi, but especially at Mississippi State University. “The biggest issue facing organ donation is lack of awareness. It’s so easy to register and it is something that brings an amazing impact which can save so many lives,” James said. Anyone who wishes to become an organ donor can visit msorg.org or do so during license renewal. For more information, follow MORA on Twitter at @DonateLifeMS.
Starkville murderer seeks new trial for 1992 deaths ZACK ORSBORN | THE REFLECTOR
BY HILLARY LAPLATNEY Staff Witer
Willie Jerome Manning, who was convicted of killing two Mississippi State University students in 1992, is requesting a new trial. Manning was tried for two counts of capital murder in July 1994. DJournal. com said the victims of the
murder, MSU students Jon Steckler, 19, and Tiffany Miller, 23, were shot to death Dec. 11, 1992. Manning v. the state of Mississippi, which can be found in full on FindLaw. com, said Manning was breaking into Miller’s car when he saw Steckler and Miller nearby. He proceeded to force them into the car at gunpoint and drive
away, later shooting them on Pat Station Road in Oktibbeha County and fleeing the scene. The students’ bodies were found stripped of all valuables, and Manning was arrested shortly after for attempting to sell jewelry and other goods belonging to the victims. During his trial, a former girlfriend of Manning’s said
Manning used to practice shooting his gun into trees at his mother’s house, according to FindLaw.com. Upon further inspection, the bullet shells found in the trees were found to be fired from the same weapon as the bullets found in Miller’s body at the crime scene. Manning was found guilty and received two death sentences. He was
initially scheduled for a Dec. 1994 execution by lethal injection. However, Manning challenged his death sentence, and the execution was delayed. In an article published Jan. 27, 1995 — just one month after the murder of Steckler and Miller — the Vicksburg Evening Post said two elderly women were murdered in Starkville. SEE MANNING, 2
READER’S GUIDE
BAD DAWGS..............................2 OPINION ...............................6 CONTACT INFO.......................6 BULLETIN BOARD...................8
CROSSWORD .................. ....8 CLASSIFIEDS...........................8 LIFE....................................9 SPORTS.................................18
POLICY
ANY PERSON MAY PICK UP A SINGLE COPY OF THE REFLECTOR FOR FREE. ADDITIONAL COPIES MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE MEYER STUDENT MEDIA CENTER FOR 25 CENTS PER COPY.
FRIDAY
57 39
Jon Steckler (left) and Tiffany Miller (right)
SATURDAY
64 41
SUNDAY
68 48
MONDAY
72 54
2
|
NEWS
friday , april 19 , 2013
BAD DAWGS
Monday, April 15
THE REFLECTOR
MANNING Manning was once again charged with double murder. During an attempt to burglarize the apartments of Emmoline Jimmerson, 90, and Albertha Jordan, 60, Manning beat and slashed the throats of the women. Their bodies were found in their Starkville apartments. Manning
continued from 1 was found guilty of the murders in 1996 and was again sentenced to death. Manning was tried for this double murder in 1996 and given another death sentence. Manning has been fighting the case of the first set of double murders since his initial death sentence. He attempted to take his case
to the U.S. Supreme Court, but he was denied an appeal. One of Manning’s arguments deals with DNA and fingerprint testing. Advanced testing was not available at the time of the 1992 murders, and DJournal.com said Manning is hoping he can appeal his sentence in favor of further testing.
• 11:39 a.m. An employee reported missing supplies from Hand Lab. • 3:34 p.m. An employee reported an attempt of fraud at the MSU Foundation. • 5:29 p.m. A student reported her vehicle was damaged while parked between Oak Hall and Magnolia Hall. • 7:36 p.m. A student reported his vehicle was hit last Tuesday, April 9, while parked behind the baseball field. • 9:51 p.m. A student was arrested on Barr Avenue for speeding and driving with a suspended driver’s license.
Willie Jerome Manning
Tuesday, April 16 • 11:39 p.m. Student referrals were issued for suspicious behavior behind Hull Hall.
Wednesday, April 17 • 12:11 a.m. A student was issued a Justice Court citation and student referral for minor in possession of alcohol and a parking violation. • 2:31 p.m. A student reported losing his wallet at an unknown location. • 4:35 p.m. A student reported losing her ring in the Junction. • 9:10 p.m. A student reported a suspicious male subject following her on campus. • 10:18 p.m. A student was arrested for having an open container. • 2:44 p.m. A student received a referral for leaving the scene of an accident. • 11:15 p.m. A student reported her cell phone and laptop stolen from Roberts Laundry. continued from 1 • 11:30 p.m. A student was transported to Baptist Memorial Hospital from Rice Hall for medical assistance. “The process took a few ficially take place on May 17. Jerome Gilbert, provost and months,” Moore said. “The committee discussed what we executive vice president, said were looking for in a dean and in an email interview he feels created a job description and the university made the right decision in choosing Dunposted the opening online.” Moore said Dunaway’s en- away. “I definitely think we chose thusiasm stood out the most in the process of selecting him. the right person,” Gilbert “Dr. Dunaway is enthusias- said. “He knows and apprecitic about MSU. He is excited ates the broad mission of Arts to progress the College of Arts and Sciences and a great set of personal values and ethics in and Sciences,” Moore said. According to a news release, making decisions for the ColDunaway’s initiation will of- lege.”
DEAN
eric evans | the reflector
This year’s National Library Week runs from April 14 – April 20. On the list of “100 Most Social Media Friendly College and University Libraries for 2012,” Mississippi State University Libraries is ranked number one in the Southeastern Conference and 24th in the country. An article published by Library Science List evaluated 442 U.S college and university libraries by social media activity in which MSU received a score of 82.2 out of 100 in categories including Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, Pinterest, YouTube and Google Plus.
FOLLOW THE REFLECTOR ON TWITTER. WE REALLY LOVE INTERACTING WITH YOU GUYS. SERIOUSLY. @sportsreflector
@lifereflector
@reflect opinion
@reflectoronline
NEWS
REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM
FRIDAY APRIL 19 , 2013
|
3
COURTESY PHOTO | CDA FESTIVAL
The Cotton District Art’s Festival 2012 brought crowds to the streets of Starkville.
Super Bulldog Weekend boosts Cotton District business revenue BY MARY KATE MCGOWAN Staff Writer
Super Bulldog Weekend not only brings Mississippi State University fans and alumni to Starkville, but the event also brings money to the city. This year’s Super Bulldog Weekend takes place this weekend and will include the Maroon and White spring football game and a threegame baseball series against Auburn University as well as the Cotton District Arts Festival and an increase in Starkville business revenue. Jennifer Gregory, CEO of the Greater Starkville Development Partnership, said Super Bulldog Weekend and the Cotton District Arts Festival noticeably help Starkville’s efforts in increasing sales tax collection and tourism spending in Oktibbeha County. “Super Bulldog Weekend and the Cotton District Arts Festival bring in a comparable amount of visitors and tourists as a home football game weekend,” Gregory said. “In terms of the actual economic impact, a weekend such as this typically generates over $10 million in expenditures by visitors, which translates to over $500,000 taxes collected combined.” Gregory said a Starkville tax also helps enhance the influx of Super Bulldog Weekend
revenue. The city places a two percent tax on food, beverages and hotels in the city limits. “This money is reinvested directly back into the Starkville community for the purpose of tourism, recruitment and the enhancement of the quality of life in Starkville,” Gregory said. Businesses feel the effects of the increased number of people in Starkville during Super Bulldog Weekend. Letty Stricklin, Libby Story Starkville store manager, said the store’s Friday sales almost quadruple, and Saturday sales are at least double the revenue of a regular weekend. “There are a lot more families and visitors than normal,” Stricklin said. “There’s lots of guys sitting on our couches that weekend.” Other businesses in Starkville see an increase in sales and store activity as well. Shane Reed, founder and owner of Strange Brew Coffeehouse, said the event weekend is enjoyable for MSU students and Starkville residents as well as the visiting alumni and fans. “It’s the perfect time for Starkville to shine and show everyone how amazing this place is. Obviously it’s great for business as well,” Reed said. Businesses benefit from Super Bulldog Weekend. From offering specials to participating in The Cotton District Arts
Festival, businesses can boost their income and advertise to many different audiences. The Cotton District Arts Festival will take place Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and includes the “Taste of Starkville” competition. Different area restaurants serve their food to visitors and increase the visibility of their establishment. “We are proud to be part of the Cotton District Arts Festival’s Taste of Starkville. We’ll have our classic coffees and pastries there for sure. We also have a few things up our sleeves this year,” Reed said. Restaurants are not the only businesses that benefit from Super Bulldog Weekend activities. Super Bulldog Weekend annually draws in a vast number of visitors to the Starkville area. Gregory said with the numerous on and off campus activities, the event weekend boosts the local economy and the city of Starkville. “Local businesses are the heart of our economy, so we always encourage our visitors and Starkville residents and students to shop locally and to visit our locally owned businesses,” Gregory said. “That not only stimulates our economy, but it supports our local business owners and encourages a community of entrepreneurship and investment.”
COURTESY PHOTO | BEN HESTER
Will McLellan (bottom) was a member of the the Mississippi State lacrosse team (top).
MCLELLAN “He had a great work ethic and was always willing to sacrifice for his teammates,” Hester said. “He had a quick wit but was so thoughtful. I am so glad to have known him. He was a man of faith, and his family should be proud of the way he lived.” Brandon Owens, another lacrosse player, said McLellan was one of the first people he met when he started attending MSU. He said he would remember McLellan by his passion for lacrosse, his competitive nature,
continued from 1 his funny personality and all the jokes he cracked on the sideline. “Whenever we saw each other he always smiled, hugged, all that good deal,” Owens said. Owens said while new to lacrosse, McLellan “worked his butt off,” which made him a valuable team member. One of the teammates, according to Owens, has put up T-shirts on the statues around campus and banners that say, “Win for Will.” Hester said Sunday at 2 p.m. the lacrosse team will be dedi-
cate its game in honor of McLellan. The game will be held at the intramural fields against Middle Tennessee. McLellan’s visitation will be Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and the funeral will be Saturday at 10 a.m. Both will take place at Brantley Funeral Home. According to an email sent by McLellan’s mother, 160 MSU balloons will be released afterward, and cowbells will be rung. McLellan’s parents said they hope to make this time a celebration of his life.
DELICIOUS FOOD REFRESHING DRINKS LOCATED ON MAIN STREET
COME SEE US
Download our iPhone or Android App today!
4
|
friday , april
19 , 2013
ADVERTISEMENT
662.323.3331
THE REFLECTOR
NEWS
REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM
FRIDAY , APRIL 19 , 2012
|
5
MSU Space Cowboys travel for competition BY JOHN GALATAS Sports Editor
As the annual University Student Launch Initiative competition this weekend in Huntsville, Ala. approaches, the Mississippi State Space Cowboys rocket design team is gearing up for competition. The USLI, sponsored by NASA, is an eight-month competition that challenges college-level students to design, construct and launch a rocket with a scientific payload to a certain altitude above ground. Tim McGrath, sophomore aerospace engineering major, said NASA creates guidelines each year the teams must comply with during production. This year, the rocket must reach one mile in altitude and include special equipment such as sensors, scopes and a camera. “Teams are also judged on a scientific payload that is outside of what NASA typically prescribes,” McGrath said. “This year we have a relay system. It’s essentially an extendible arm that once the rocket lands, it extends an arm five to six feet in the air and it has a radio transmitter that allows us to live feed to the ground station where we are controlling the rocket.” McGrath also said the team is experimenting on a new rocketry tech-
nology called an aerospike. “Most people consider rockets and missiles to be aerodynamic because they have a cone shape,” he said. “One of the technologies we have been pioneering over the years, with the help of our faculty adviser, is an aerospike; which is really a blunt body, like a wooden cylinder, that sits on top of the rocket.” McGrath also said the fixture receives air molecules in the top of the cylinder and gives a similar aerodynamic effect as a traditional cone shape. “One of the cool things is that it’s extendable. We actually have a long rod, adjustable depending upon the velocity of the rocket,” McGrath said. “We can change the aerodynamics of the rocket depending on the speed. This is really important because we’re breaking the speed of sound.” The team has worked since August on its rocket. Outside of design, teams are required to submit preliminary reviews and reports of their designs to NASA. The project also requires flight and launch reviews before rockets are approved to launch. Blair Schumacher, junior aerospace engineering major, said the competition is more than the launch, and the reports are an intricate part of the process as well.
“The competition is only partially about the launch. It’s more about the process leading up to it,” she said. “We’re getting ready to make sure all our components are tested and that’s really big for NASA. They want to make sure that we have made sure all of our subsystems are tested and each payload is tested before we launch.” Keith Koenig, aerospace professor and adviser to the Space Cowboys, said the reviews and reports keep the team on track with deadlines leading up to the competition. “Each review requires an oral presentation to NASA people and then also a written report. That organizes the program and motivates the students to keep pressing forward,” he said. “At this point, we’re finalizing details.” Koenig also said another element to the competition requires participation in educational outreach activity. Last month, the Space Cowboys hosted Mississippi Space Week where the team went to various schools around the state to give presentations and demonstrations to students. “We aren’t just a rocket team; we have a lot of educational activities that we care about as well,” McGrath said. “Space Week allows us that one week where we can specialize a lot more on the kids.”
The team traveled to middle and high schools to teach students about rocketry, NASA and space. The Space Cowboys have also created educational videos as part of a creative way to reach a larger audience. “We’ve created these kids videos around this puppet named Goddard and one of our old members we nicknamed Dr. Rocket. He and his puppet build these kits, and the kids watch them. The kids love them. It’s kind of like Sesame Street of rocketry,” McGrath said. “It was a different was to get out to the kids, and NASA is always encouraging us to try to pick new ways to reach out to our audience. This was something we went with that week and it was a phenomenal success.” The competition includes over 30 teams this year. Last year, MSU placed second behind Utah State, and besides the EcoCar, team Space Cowboys was the only other team to place that high out of any engineering design team on campus. “We’re beating teams like MIT, Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt, Berkeley and Cal Poly. It’s definitely a lot of pride that we think we bring back to the Mississippi State community,” McCOURTESY PHOTO | TEAM SPACE COWBOYS Grath said. “We have a really historic aerospace department here and it’s well A rocket created by Space Cowboys prepares for take-off. respected nationally.”
STEREOTYPES Often misinterpreted and taboo, the spectrum of sexuality leaves room for negative stereotyping that leads to homophobia, lesphobia, biphobia and transphobia, according to research completed at Carleton University. Bernadette Barton, sociologist, said deep within the Bible Belt lies rampant homophobia reproduced by institutional powers guided by conservative ideologies that lead to the lack of domestic partnership benefits and the ability to fire LGBTQ members for their sexuality in some southern regions. Michelle said she experienced frustration when asked who was the “boy or girl” in the relationship with her girlfriend. “I have also had the reaction of, ‘Oh, you don’t look like a lesbian,’ meaning, because I don’t look butch or dress a certain way, how
continued from 1 could I be a lesbian?” she said. you,” he said. “It’s painful at times.” Although Jonathan never faced Growing up, Tyler said he felt misbullying, he said he tires of the as- erable being a girl. sumption that he is labeled the “gay “Being a girl never fit. It’s like a puzzle piece that best friend.” Many people have looks like it should “I like shopping, match but never fits,” but I’d just as soon go told me I need to said. “No matter out and play soccer leave Mississippi as he how much you hamor watch an MMA soon as possible. mer it, it doesn’t fit.” fight on TV,” he said. Due to being trans“Just because I’m gay, They don’t undergender, Tyler said he doesn’t mean I don’t stand that Missisexperienced harasslike doing things that sippi is my home, ment from school guys do.” Mark said negative and I’m very happy administration after they threatened impacts arise when here.” expulsion for dress bisexuals are excludcode violations. Tyler ed from the LGBTQ - Tyler, refused to dress as a community. LGBTQ member girl. “Everyone is look“The bullying ing for a place to belong. You think you can be a part came from the adults, and it caused of the community, but ultimately, it a lot of stress,” he said. After meeting adversity, Tyler said shuns you while claiming to accept
“
THE CURE FOR THE DINING HALL BLUES. MSU Student Nights Monday — Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Choose any of these 5 meals for $5 each. when you show your MSU student ID. Big Zax Snak
®
Boneless Wings Meal Grilled Chicken Sandwich Meal Chicken Finger Sandwich Meal Kickin’ Chicken Sandwich Meal VALID AT THIS LOCATION ONLY:
829 Hwy. 12 • Starkville • 662.320.9003
Each restaurant independently owned and operated. Offer not valid at any other locations. Must present student ID to receive offer. © 2013 Zaxby’s Franchising, Inc. “Zaxby’s” and “Zax Snak” are registered trademarks of Zaxby’s Franchising, Inc.
everyone goes through hardships no matter their location. “Regardless of our religion, gender, sexuality or other distinction, we make our lives work. Many people have told me I need to leave Mississippi as soon as possible,” he said. “They don’t understand that Mississippi is my home, and I’m very happy here.” Living in Mississippi for 22 years, Jim DelPrince, professor of plant and soil sciences, said he has not been harassed about being gay since working at Mississippi State University. However, he said southern culture has harbored its stereotype of gay men. He said he was amazed at the number of people he met who were gay and traditionally southern. “Sometimes you might be terrified of Bubba, and then you find out later that Bubba is queer,” he said. “Or Bubba may be straight, but he’s not a foe because maybe his mother is a les-
bian or his favorite uncle is gay.” Jonelle Husain, lecturer of sociology, said change comes slowly in the South, but because of recent visibility amongst LGBTQ individuals Mississippians are more likely to see the fallacies inherent in LGBTQ stereotypes. “Stereotypes limit opportunities that people have,” she said. “When you put someone in a box, you prevent them from exploring other boxes and other avenues of opportunity.”
|
FRIDAY , APRIL 19 , 2013
REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM
OPINION
the voice of MSU students
THE CONSTANT | MARY CHASE BREEDLOVE
Gosnell trial complicates abortion debate
K
ermit Gosnell, an abortion doctor in west Philadelphia, entered his fifth week of trial earlier this week for charges of firstand-third degree murder, illegal prescribing of drugs, conspiracy related to corruption, illegal abortions and related medical malpractice offenses. Some of you may be familiar with this story; others may have just now heard about the trial. Perhaps some of you haven’t heard about this case at all. What seems like a front page news story — abortionist arrested on eight counts of murder, seven of them being newborn babies — has been eerily muted compared to other heinous crime coverage we’ve seen this year. Kristen Powers, a columnist for The Daily Beast and contributor to USA Today, was one of the first to break the media silence about the Gosnell trial. The first few sentences of her article published in USA Today present a harsh reality: “Infant beheadings. Severed baby feet
in jars. A child screaming after it was delivered alive during an abortion procedure. Haven’t heard about these sickening accusations? It’s not your fault. Since the murder trial of Pennsylvania abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell began March 18, there has been precious little coverage of the case that should be on every news show and front page,” she wrote. The media covered the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting for weeks. The Sandra Fluke -Rush Limbaugh controversy made front page news. Why are we just now seeing proper media coverage in the fifth week of such a gruesome trial? Why wasn’t this worthy of front-page coverage from the beginning? Because exposing this trial would make everyone question the concept of personhood. I consider myself to hold moderate political views, staying away from words like “conservative” or “liberal.” If you want to give me a label, I’m a big fan of human rights. I want to be a voice
to the voiceless, help the needy, comfort the hurting and stand up for others when they cannot stand up for themselves. I think everyone deserves a chance for a life of liberty and a pursuit of happiness. Some individuals who support abortion believe a woman’s right to choose whether or not to end her pregnancy protects her human rights. Others against abortion speak in defense of the unborn child, claiming the baby has human rights in need of protection. To me — with the complicated exception of rape, abuse or incest — a woman shares her human rights when she becomes pregnant. If I could have my way, I’d do away with the terms “pro-life” and “pro-choice.” I’d like everyone to be “pro-humanity.” Personal beliefs aside, I’m appalled at the lack of media coverage with this trial. Journalists have the responsibility to seek and share the truth — and even though stories like Gosnell’s tri-
al may seem over-exaggerated (I wish it was), journalists don’t have the option to put their hands over their ears, close their eyes and hum “la-la-la-la” to make the stories go away. Pro-choice writer Megan McArdle explained why she avoided the subject in an article from The Daily Beast. “Gosnell is accused of grisly crimes that I didn’t want to think about... I understand why my readers suspect me, and other pro-choice mainstream journalists of being selective — of not wanting to cover the story because it showcased the ugliest possibilities of abortion rights. The truth is that most of us tend to be less interested in sick-making stories — if the sick-making was done by ‘our side.’ “Exposing Gosnell’s trial may seem like a victory in the eyes of pro-life supporters because the public will be forced to hear about the horrors of that abortion clinic the “ugliest possibilities of abortion rights,” in the words of McArdle.
THE NEWSMAN | PRANAAV JADHAV
M
Media uses good judgment in Boston
y ipod buzzed, pushing a p.m. ET Monday did not make use notification around 2:40 of the word “terrorism” while few p.m. on April 15th. The television networks had flashed it as a New York Times update said, “2 dead terror attack around 4 p.m. that day. Media plays a crucial role in these and 22 injured in Boston Marathon first few hours of a bomb blast. As a Blasts, police say.” Minutes later, I received another journalist you can blow-up the situanotification. CNN-IBN, the sister tion, cut to live visuals immediately station of CNN in India updated, as they come in, or take a sensitive “Two explosions at Boston Marathon approach. Journalists, who are on-location, finish line, injuries reported.” I realized this was something big. have to also deal with personal trauAs a student journalist and a future ma when exposed to such ghastly acts broadcaster I am a versatile consumer of terrorism. Although it still remains of the media. I like to switch chan- very important to address questions. nels back and forth to compare the — What is the most important factor of the story? quality of the coverage and the resources news Journalists were Should I take pictures or offer help? Is it wise outlets use. efficient in to show gory images? If you rewind to the giving out the Is grief a private emoSandy Hook shooting in December, the media right information tion for the victim’s or should it came under heavy critand keeping the family, be made public to icism for the way they public updated.” explain the severity of covered the story. Several the blasts? — These media outlets engaged in rumor-mongering. To add pandemo- are tough choices to make; they ultinium to the coverage, talk show hosts mately determine the choice between debated on gun control within a few life and death. After the blasts, The Boston Globe hours of the incident. Monday was different than recent ran a front page picture of a woman shootings. A terrorist attack in the whose face was clearly visible lying United States has a powerful impact in a pool of blood with similar vicand sends shock waves around the tims in the background; the editorial globe. The world had their eyes on board must have faced the questions I the Boston Marathon story, which have raised above, and it would have unfolded on a minute-by-minute been a tedious task to come up with a basis. The international media picked solution and explanation of why the up the story very soon, and the video editorial staff chose what they did. of the bombings went viral within Poynter.org, released a reference minutes. guide for journalists covering the The local and national media had Boston explosions, “Online converto be very careful in what they sent sations about the bombings, espeout as public information. President cially Twitter, have been loaded with Obama in his first statement at 6:10 people who are in distress, wondering
“
Reflector
Managing Editor
News Editor
Kristen Spink
Kaitlyn Byrne
Anna Wolfe
Multimedia Editor
Life Editor
Opinion Editor
Zach Orsborn
Daniel Hart
Alie Dalee
Photography Editor Kaitlin Mullins
Copy Editor Emma Crawford
CONTACT INFORMATION
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Editor in Chief/Hannah Rogers
Letters to the editor should be sent to the Meyer Student Media Center or mailed to The Reflector, PO Box 5407, Mississippi State, MS. Letters may also be emailed to editor@reflector.msstate.edu. Letters must include name and telephone number for verification purposes. The editor reserves the right to edit or refuse to publish a letter.
325-7905 editor@reflector.msstate.edu Managing Editor/Kaitlyn Byrne 325-8991 managing@reflector.msstate.edu News Editor/Emma Crawford 325-8819 news@reflector.msstate.edu News tips/John Galatas 325-7906 news@reflector.msstate.edu Opinion Editor/Mary Chase Breedlove opinion@reflector.msstate.edu Sports Editor/Kristen Spink 325-5118 sports@reflector.msstate.edu Life Editor/Zack Orsborn 325-8883 life@reflector.msstate.edu Photography Editor/Kaitlin Mullins 325-1584 photo@reflector.msstate.edu Advertising sales/Julia Pendley 325-7907 advertise@reflector.msstate.edu
CORRECTIONS
Mary Chase Breedlove is a senior majoring in communication. She can be contacted at opinion@ reflector.msstate.edu. human rights even though they were the product of an abortion? How is a mangled wad of tissue different from an object that looks like a baby and cries like a baby when it dies? I promise I’m not being condescending, but for a baby to be born — for a person to become a person — a pregnancy must occur. Gosnell’s trial exposes the complications of trying to define when a person can have rights, and it’s going to be a nightmare for the media to try to explain.
DARK ANGEL | KIMBERLY MURRIEL
Sexual assault awareness month raises bigger issue
I
am always ecstatic when the myth that rape is the vicI see our schools and tim’s fault. Think about it. If community working to we are constantly telling womraise awareness and combat en ways to prevent rape, are a serious issue such as sexual we not subconsciously telling assault that has long been a them that it is their responsitaboo topic to discuss. But, bility to make sure someone of the countless sexual assault does not attack them? Are we brochures I’ve read, almost all not implying that if they are of them appear to place the assaulted, they are somehow responsibility on preventing at fault or partially responsible for the attack if they did not sexual assault on the woman. For example, brochures ti- follow prevention advice or tled “ Rape: Am I at Risk” by engaged in activities that put ETR Associates, and other them at risk? When we vigorously quesbrochures by similar organizations, list ways women can tion a victim’s actions and not prevent or If we truly want the rapist’s, we are only fueling the victim-blamreduce their to end sexual ing ideology and upholdchances of assault, we ing rape culture. Each rape — by need to start by time we point fingers at not going shifting the victim instead of the out alone or late at night, responsibilities rapists, we fail to hold never leaving onto offenders offenders accountable for their actions. In a study their drink instead of by the Havens, a sexual unattended victims.” assault referral center in or accepting drinks from a stranger, stay- the U.K., the majority of reing in well-lit and avoiding spondents said victims bear isolated areas, avoiding being responsibility for rape in some alone with someone they don’t cases. Fifty-four percent of the know very well, being careful women surveyed said victims of the way they are dressed — were partially responsible for their rapes. so on and so forth. We need to teach men not I don’t have a problem providing women with safety tips to rape instead of telling womand information, but seeing en not to get raped or how to this advice appear time and carry themselves. When two time again often makes me high school football players in think that we are placing too Ohio were convicted of raping much responsibility on wom- a 15-year-old girl, I read and en to prevent rape. Focusing heard many comments from on ways to reduce the chances people saying the victim was of sexual assault only reinforce at fault because she was passed
“
KIMBERLY MURRIEL
Kimberly Murriel is a senior majoring in communication. She can be contacted at opinion@ reflector.msstate.edu. out drunk. Really? So because she was unconscious, she is responsible for the decision that the two boys made to attack her? Additionally, I’ve even heard people say the victim should also be charged with underage drinking because if she was not drunk the attack, would not have happened. Again, drinking does not cause rape. It does not matter what the victim was doing or what she was wearing. The decision to rape is the perpetrator’s. Men should be offended when they hear people talk about how women tempt men to rape them. If we truly want to end sexual assault, we need to start by shifting responsibilities onto offenders instead of victims. When we stop shielding rapists from their actions, only then will we be able to rest peacefully at night knowing our mothers, sisters, aunts, cousins and even our grandmothers are safe.
Liberal arts promote great expectations
Editor in Chief
Sports Editor
Pranaav Jadhav is a junior majoring in communication and politival science. He can be contactedcat opinion@reflector. msstate.edu. what has become of humankind. Don’t underestimate that feeling. Spend some time and space honoring the good people who performed selfless acts in a time of crisis and beyond,” Poynter said. Most human beings feel uneasy seeing another human in distress; we can relate to and feel the pain the victims go through. Journalists are humans. However, sometimes, like in the case of the Sandy Hook shooting, journalists tend to switch sides from sense to sensationalism. April 15 will be etched in the dark side of American history. The president, media, law enforcement and medical aid acted as one unit in the pursuit of national interest, keeping American pride alive and getting the city back on track to its usual business. As important as it was to provide aid and help the people in distress, it was equally an act of resilience to inform the citizens in the rest of the nation and the world of the minute-by-minute developments. Overall, the journalists and television networks were efficient in giving out the right information and keeping the public updated.
MARY CHASE BREEDLOVE
ONE LITTLE SPARK| WHITNEY KNIGHT
THE
John Galatas
PRANAAV JADHAV
Hearing of severed baby feet in jars, decapitated infants and a baby’s cry during an abortion procedure should make you sick. I don’t care what political belief you hold. But all abortion clinics aren’t like Gosnell’s. Most clinics provide women with a quick, safe procedure in a clean environment. But Gosnell catered to women with limited options — poor minorities and immigrants who were able to afford his services. Exposing this trial will also expose what happens when women don’t have the financial means to have a proper procedure done. I think a bigger issue is presented in the midst of this mess. An issue that is not about health care, family planning options or a woman’s rights. We simply cannot deny that life begins at conception — but when does a person gain human rights? Since the babies killed in Gosnell’s clinic were obviously unwanted, why charge him with eight counts of murder instead of one? Are those infants given
EDITORIAL POLICY The Reflector is the official student newspaper of Mississippi State University. Content is determined solely by the student editorial staff. The contents of The Reflector have not been approved by Mississippi State University.
The Reflector staff strives to maintain the integrity of this paper through accurate and honest reporting. If we publish an error we will correct it. To report an error, call 325-7905.
I
thought I had heard all the ar- where you can’t get a group of four guments against me being in together without finding an engimy major. “Why do you want neering major. We value science, to be a teacher? You’re too smart math and practicality. Stuff we for that!” and “Are you sure you can test with our own two hands want to deal with these brats for instead of all that frou-frou liberal the rest of your life?” have been arts stuff. And the rest of the counkey components of my conver- try agrees with us. Programs promoting achievesations with friends, family and ment in math and strangers since midscience abound. dle school, which was Literature News stories prowhen I decided I was teaches nounce the need for going to make a difference and teaching was students about America to catch up the best way to do it. to other countries the world But lately, those in math and science around them... scores. Meanwhile, complaints have changed. I guess now how to relate 46 percent of Misthat I’m four years sissippi third-gradto their fellow ers are failing the in the public thinks man.” there’s nothing for state language arts me. “You have no test, and our govidea what you’re getting into” has ernor decides the solution to that changed to “I’m glad someone has is obviously to add more science the patience for it,” which, while in the form of test scores, not to not exactly heartening, is at least advocate early reading programs positive. I thought maybe I was to make students life-long readers. out of the woods, that I had finalBecause how could our ly gotten old enough that no one third-graders find reading importquestioned my choices. I should ant when they live in a culture have known better, really. As of that values working hard, praclate, an entirely different question ticality and television? Their big has been cropping up: “Why En- brothers proclaim that liberal arts glish?” usually spoken with an in- schools are dumb and girly, their credulous tone, as if no one could dads announce they haven’t read possibly enjoy reading books with a book in years. And their moms are sure to check that they know teenagers for a living. I can understand, I suppose. their multiplication tables but forThis is a land grant institution, get to ask what they’re reading in
“
language arts this week. Even their English teachers have started using less “real books” because under the new national guidelines, more informational texts are required, leaving fiction to fall by the wayside. Learning to read a variety of texts is absolutely important, just as learning math and science is essential to living a life of possibility. But some things can’t be done with hard sciences alone. Literature teaches students about the world around them just as much as STEM classes. Through literature, I can show students their shared history with the entire world. I can give them ideas they never dreamed of. All the while, I am teaching them how to relate to their fellow man, how language can transform a nation and how code-switching from their native dialect doesn’t mean giving up a heritage but rather opening themselves up to communication with people from all over. More than science and nonfiction ever can, literature can open small-town students from Mississippi up to a whole new world of possibility. I’m not saying math and science aren’t important. I love the fact that many of my friends are passionate about calculus, learning how our world works in order to build it up themselves. Engaging in the conversation that has been
WHITNEY KNIGHT Whitney Knight is a junior majoring in English education. She can be contacted at opinion@ reflector.msstate.edu. going on since someone figured out that a story could be passed down through generations is important as well. Literature gives us all common ground. It allows us English teachers to create divergent thinkers, encourage creativity and help teens find ways to express themselves. As much as liberal arts educations are scorned, businesses are calling on liberal arts majors to become a part of their companies. They want people who understand human nature, who can look at the big picture and who can create new ideas. I can’t help but think that maybe if more people engaged in classes like histories, literatures and philosophies that help them understand their fellow man, there would be much less arguing going on in the political section of my newspaper.
REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM
OPINION
FRIDAY , APRIL 19 , 2013
|
7
WHO SPEAKS FOR EARTH? | CAMERON CLARKE
Creationism in education: facts vs.methodology
T
here has been a recent movement to ban the teaching of intelligent design and creation science in general from public schools. According to ibtimes.com reporter Roxanne Palmer, “One of the more pitched battles in this struggle started in 2004, when the school district in Dover, Pa., required intelligent design to be presented as an alternative to evolution. Eleven parents sued the school district. Judge John E. Jones, a conservative Republican, ruled in December 2005 that the Dover school board’s intelligent design policy was unconstitutional.” College student Zack Koplin is currently combating the teaching of creationism in Louisiana public voucher schools. According to huffingtonpost.com, “Koplin launched a campaign in 2010 to repeal the Louisiana Science Education Act, which allowed teachers to incorporate intelligent design and creationism in Louisiana public schools.” I do not want to discuss the constitutionality or the theological ramifications of teaching creation science in schools, but I would like to discuss the relationship of creationism to science education. The people mentioned
above are principally concerned with their particular reading of the Second Amendment of the Bill of Rights that disallows religious opinions in the public education system, but what concerns me is the goal and execution of science education. I think that teaching creation science is a bad idea. Let me explain. Firstly, what is the goal of science education in schools? At the higher level the goal is usually to produce scientists, researchers or competent engineers. At lower levels science education is often for personal benefit, general education or to help flesh out a worldview. Secondly, how is science education executed? Too often science is taught through tedious topical explanations and long lists of facts, though at the higher level it becomes more analytical and focuses more on lab techniques and the scientific method. I interviewed Bill Henry, associate professor of inorganic chemistry with the Mississippi State Department of Chemistry, to get his opinion on the goal and execution of science education. Henry says science education should be focused on delivering skills and material to students. “Information… facts… the-
ories… and critical thinking and adequately describes the should be given,” Henry said. phenomena; “currently acceptFor him, the most important ed” means that as far as we can skills that we can be taught tell the theory is better than all in school are problem solving currently postulated alternatives; and critical thinking. “Increas- and “scientific” means the proing problem solving and criti- cess of deciding the theory has cal thinking would benefit this gone through the normal rigors country greatly,” Henry said. of scientific research, peer review Henry’s opinion about a good and is based on natural, repeateducation in science is generally able phenomena. that memorizing facts and being In my opinion, once these crigiven the answer all the time is teria have been satisfied, a topic not ideal. But we should under- is worth being taught as science stand the reasons behind whatev- to students who are learning er is going on. I agree with this, what the scientific process has and I think this understanding of done in the past and how to do science education has important it in the future. Unfortunately, ramifications creation science Teaching creation for creation scidoes not fit into science is...teaching the definition of ence. a group of facts and The particua currently acexplanations...instead cepted scientific lars of creation of trying to develop science and intheory very well. critical thinking and telligent design Creation science problem solving are often at should therefore odds with curbe supplemenskills.” rently accepted tary, introduced scientific theoas a possible alries. What immediately comes ternative to what the scientific to mind are arguments based on community has independently the definitions surrounding the derived without the assistance words “currently accepted,” “sci- of any scriptures, which I have entific” and “theory.” But let us previously argued are not valid as assume for now that a “theory” scientific resources. is something for which there has In my opinion, teaching crebeen no evidence to the contrary ation science is similar to just
“
THE WORD ON JOHNSON STREET | MATT TAYLOR
L
Debate no longer dazed and confused
ast fall a handful of progressive states in our country were wrestling with a hot topic debate that would instigate controversy on the issue of drugs. No doubt the legalization of marijuana in our country has been an issue many hippies and music festival attendees have been supporting since the ‘60s, but gaining momentum to overturn federal law on this issue has not been as easy. A Gallop poll taken every October has shown that 2012 yielded the highest support toward legalization since 1969 with close to half of Americans in support. Who’s to say the lethargic effects of this plant have procrastinated the progress of passing this law? Some would argue that, like samesex marriage, you cannot stop an idea whose time has come. Americans struggle to agree on the legalization of marijuana, while our maple-leaf neighbors to the north are facing a much larger issue. Although marijuana is not yet legal in places such as Vancouver, you probably won’t be arrested for “catching one” in public — just don’t harvest and distribute and you should be off of law enforcement’s radar. Right now, Vancouverians are turning their attention to hard drugs. A program called Insite acts as a legal, supervised injection site that works in cooperation with Vancouver Coastal Health in the heart of downtown eastside Vancouver. Yes, a legal injection site. Insite encourages users to take advantage of their facilities and staff to allow proper injection methods, clean needles and even referrals to addiction therapy if needed. Insite does not supply users with drugs but will assist them in catching their high on heroin, meth, cocaine and morphine.
Upon its inception in the early 2000s, Insite has been operating on a government exemption for research purposes. So far, this exemption is under review as the data comes forth. Again, as Americans are dealing with whether or not marijuana should be legalized (even medicinally), you can professionally shoot up in Canada. At first I had a hard time believing a program like this could even exist, but in keeping an open mind, I saw some very good points. One positive effect is that Vancouver has seen a decline in the number of reported cases of HIV due to the use of clean needles. According to their research, since Insite sees an average of 855 users daily, there has been a sharp decline in the sharing of infected needles, thus a reduction in HIV. Also, with the help of professionals and since most visitors are homeless, users receive proper injection methods and a reduction in overdosing. One of the most promising silver linings to this program is the easy access to recovery that the users now have. Users have access to detox programs, health services and addiction therapy. Anyone who has ever made a bad decision (and come to the realization during that moment) has no
doubt wished for a helping hand — this is a part of Insite’s objective. In 2010, Insite referred 458 users to addiction programs with a 43 percent completion rate. To put that number into perspective that is five percent more than the four-year graduation rate at the University of Alabama. An obvious and sensible analogy to Insite is parents allowing their kids to illegally drink under their roof rather than at a friend’s house. Of course, this gives exposure to an addictive substance, but I feel that by allowing people to make their own decisions, we aren’t detracting from human liberty. I am a believer that part of our jobs as humans is to supplant all desire to judge with service and love for everyone. For this same reason, I believe it would be better for non-profit and religious organizations to support Insite to service those that need it regardless of its actions. I don’t necessarily feel it right for the government to get its noses into the operation of programs like Insite, but I do applaud the Canadian government for their ability to think outside of the box to see a different perspective on the tough issue of drug use and control. With time, data could be released that shows
MATT TAYLOR Matt Taylor is a junior majoring in mechanical engineering. He can be contacted at opinion@ reflector.msstate.edu.
Try our Reubens! 10% Off with MSU I.D.
MSU COLLEGIATE RECOVERY COMMUNITY Integrated Support Services for Students in Recovery from Addictions and Eating Disorders
COMING FALL 2013
For More Information: www.health.msstate.edu jclay@saffairs.msstate.edu 662-325-3192
CAMERON CLARKE Cameron Clarke is a sophomore majoring in math and physics. He can be contacted at opinion@ reflector.msstate.edu. facts. This only serves to attach a certain level of dogma to science that should hopefully be unbiased. Ideally teachers should not teach students what to think, but teach them how to think and to effectively put their problem solving and critical thinking skills into practice whenever they are confronted with challenges. Teaching creation science that is attached to religious dogma and without attention to developing thinking skills is a disservice to students of science; it is bad not necessarily because the ideas being taught are absolutely right or wrong, but because, as with any poor science education, thinking is severely hindered.
Reflections
“Love is the voice under all silences, the hope which has no opposite in fear; the strength so strong mere force is feebleness: the truth more first than sun, more last than star...” -e.e. cummings
Insite not to be an effective program after all, but allowing a new approach opens the door to more solutions.
SLICING UP FRESHNESS
100 Russell Street Suite 3 662.418.0208
teaching a group of facts and explanations to students instead of trying to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills. Once again, the goal of science education is not just to give us a list of facts about the world around us, but more importantly a set of skills to engage the world around us, even outside of the scope of science. A student who is taught creation science is going to be hard pressed to reconcile the facts they have been taught with what they come to recognize as logically necessary truths. It would be just as much a disservice to teach a student creation science as it would be to simply give them a long sheet of theorems and facts about chemistry or physics without ever giving any background history, methodology or explanation at all. Neither force-feeding scientific facts nor teaching creation science produces the logical thinking skills necessary to engage material beyond the scope of the class. Therefore any positive change in science education will affect more in the classroom than just the teaching of creation science. Sadly there is the additional aspect with creation science of the marriage of religious convictions to scientific
Select Tempo Shorts Select Pictures & Art Select MSU Products
8
|
FRIDAY , APRIL 19 , 2013
THE REFLECTOR
AN IN-CLASS DISTRACTION ...
4-19-13
BULLETIN BOARD CLASSIFIEDS POLICY
MISCELLANEOUS
The deadline for Tuesday’s paper is 3 p.m. Thursday; the deadline for Friday’s paper is 3 p.m. Tuesday. Classifieds are $5 per issue. Student and staff ads are $3 per issue, pre-paid. Lost and found: found items can be listed for free; lost items are listed for standard ad cost.
Call Oda! ABC Professional Tutoring. High school and college: Math, business, statistics, physics, chemistry, statistics, ACT, SAT, GRE, GMAT and more. Available seven days a week. Call 722.0020.
HELP WANTED Bartending. Up to $300 / day. No experience necessary. Training available. Call 800.965.6520 ext. 213. FOR SALE 1/2-carat past, present and future engagement ring. Paid $500, will take $300, firm. Call 617.0111 and ask for Angela. 2010 River Birch mobile home, 16x60, two bedroom, two bathroom, vinyl siding, shingle roof, 8x10 porch with roof and door, fenced yard, oak plank linoleum throughout, excellent condition, two miles from MSU. $25,900 or best offer. Call 769.0770. FOR RENT Studio two and four bedroom apartments available. Close to campus. Call Barbara at 418.8603. Close to campus, one bedroom, one bathroom apartment. Appliances included: microwave, dishwasher, stove, refrigerator, washer and dryer. No pets. Call 648.9519, 323.5186 or 341.5186
CLUB INFO The deadline for Tuesday’s paper is 3 p.m. Thursday; deadline for Friday’s paper is 3 p.m. Tuesday. MSU student organizations may place free announcements in Club Info. Information may be submitted by email to club_info@reflector.msstate. edu with the subject heading “CLUB INFO,” or a form may be completed at The Reflector office in the Student Media Center. A contact name, phone number and requested run dates must be included for club info to appear in The Reflector. All submissions are subject to exemption according to space availability. THE WESLEY FOUNDATION Insight Bible study and worship. Tuesdays at 8 p.m. Wesley Foundation Worship Center, East Lee Boulevard, next to Campus Book Mart. MSU CATHOLIC STUDENT ASSOCIATION The MSU Catholic Student Association invites you to join us for Sunday mass at 5:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 607 University Drive. All are welcome to $2 Tuesday night dinner at 6 in the Parish
Hall. Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/ msstatecsa. YOGA MOVES CLUB School or work stressing you out? Get moving into Yoga Moves! Try our moves to get into shape and our relaxation techniques to handle the stress. Yoga Moves meets at the Sanderson Center in Studio C, Thursday evenings 5 to 6:30. Like Yoga Moves ClubMSU on Facebook. SOCIOLOGICAL STUDENT ASSOCIATION The Sociological Student Association is based in the Department of Sociology. Undergraduates of all degrees are welcome. Meetings are held the last Thursday of every month in Bowen Hall Room 250 at 5 p.m. MANIFESTING GLORY Manifesting Glory is currently looking for musicians on a temporary or permanent basis. All who are interested, please call 518.1456. PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGION CLUB Are you interested in talking about the deeper questions of life? If so, come and join us on Thursdays at 5 p.m. in Union Room 227. Email msu. philosophyandreligion.club@gmail.com. MSU STUDENT CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MICROBIOLOGY Contact msuasm@yahoo.com or like us on Facebook MSU ASM for membership information.
Solutions for 4-16-13
Crossgates Apartments Come take a tour with us today!
1087 Stark Road
(662) 324-9401
Come join us Friday, April 19th from 1-6 pm for an
OPEN HOUSE
Fun, Food, and Festivities! Luxury 1, 2, & 3 Apartments Free Washer and Dryer Free Cable with HBO and Free High-Speed Internet Walk in Closets in Every Room Swimming Pool and Hot Tub 24/7 Workout Facility Basketball and Volleyball Courts Free Tanning for All Residents Car Wash
Visit us at www.liveatcrossgatesapts.com crossgates@heritageproperties.com
TO ADVERTISE WITH
The Reflector Call 325-7907
FOLLOW @REFLECTOPINION ON TWITTER 100 Russell Street Suite 3 662.418.0208
FRIDAY , APRIL 19, 2013
REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM
|
9
COURTESY PHOTO | STARKVILLE AREA ARTS COUNCIL
Cotton District Arts Festival will displayhand-crafted artwork and products.
Cotton District Arts Festival brings food, music, hand-crafted artwork to Starkville BY DANIEL HART Life Editor
Driving along University Avenue between Missississippi State University’s campus and Nash Street will be futile this Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The stretch of asphalt usually occupied by automobiles, bikers and dog walkers will instead be filled with the Cotton District Arts Festival. Tents will unfold, music will cascade from stages, food will sputter and steam and artisans from throughout the southeast will be display and sell their handmade artwork. Everything sold at the festival, from artwork to plates of food, comes directly from the hands that crafted it. Suzy Turner, president of the Starkville Area Arts Council, said this rule is one unique aspect of the event — the festival only allows vendors to sell work they have created themselves. “Everything associated with this event is original work. Anything you can buy in the booths, see in the juried arts show or
find in Taste of Starkville — that’s somebody’s work,” she said. “The people who sell it did it themselves.” The festival is divided into areas called villages, based on what the space is dedicated to. These include the Artisan’s Village, Writer’s Village, International Village and Children’s Village. Lori Burton, Artisan’s Village chair, said the artists exhibiting and selling work in the Artisan’s Village are required to complete a jury process, which keeps the quality of artwork in the festival high. “We have them go through a jury process where they have to pass the selection process. That kind of guarantees what we have for sale is going to be quality, unique and original artwork,” she said. Though the standard keeps the reputation of artwork in the festival good, the jury process does not hold restrictions on types of artwork exhibited in the festival. Burton said festival artists not only bring a large variety
of offerings, but also come from a variety of cities and states in the southeast. “We’ll have photography, graphic design, paintings, clay work, jewelry, gourd art, stained glass — all kinds of different items for sale,” she said. “We have artists that come from all over. We have a large number form Mississippi, but we also have artisans from Florida, Tennessee, Alabama, a couple from Arkansas.” Jude Landry, assistant professor of art and award-winning graphic designer, designed the festival’s 2010 promotional poster and has sold his own posters and T-shirts at the festival since 2011. He said, via email, that the festival allows not only opportunities to sell work as an artist, but to gain increased exposure in the area. “It allows me to connect with people who are fans of mine, but also to find new, local supporters of the art that I do,” he said. “I have a strong online presence, but most people in North Mississippi probably don’t know
about me or the work that I do here.” Landry said the festival sheds light on local artisans and providing them with opportunities to display their high levels of expertise. “It provides value to local, handcrafted arts and crafts. There are a lot of local people who are quality craftsmen and women,” he said. “These people put a lot of time, money and work into their craft.” As well as an array of carefully crafted artwork, Turner said the festival offers local dishes through the Taste of Starkville event, multiple runs, including a 5K run and a fun run, a pet parade and music from multiple stages around the Cotton District. Larry Wallace, entertainment chair of the festival, said on the West Stage and the East Stage, an artist will play every hour on the hour from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Similar to the varying arts and crafts vendors will be selling, Wallace said the music emanating from the festival stages
will include local acts and regional acts playing in many different styles. “Many genres of music will be represented, from country to rock, gospel to folk, blues to bluegrass,” he said. “With so many genres represented at the Cotton District Arts Festival, you’re sure to enjoy the music.” Wallace said the festival’s lineup includes 16 acts over the course of the day, one of the largest lineups in the festival’s history. He said his goal is to book high-quality entertainers without a weak link in the day’s tunes at either stage. At the root of the festival, amidst
the flurry of music, food, dancing and art, Burton said the event intends to bring exposure to and celebrate all the deserving and diverse forms of artwork flowing from Starkville. “By the arts we mean all arts: the visual, the musical, the culinary arts,” she said. “It’s a celebration of all the arts. We also have the International Village, which has dance performances. Any type of art is really what we’re trying to promote within the community.”
PELL YEAH: Hip hop musician expects big performance BY SHELBY PERANICH Staff Writer
For one local musician, Super Bulldog Weekend is more than just another concert; Jared Pellerin, known as “Pell,” said Saturday’s performance could change his life. Pell, an aspiring hip hop artist, will perform at the Old Main Music Festival, which begins Saturday at 6:30 p.m. in the Mississippi State University Ampitheatre. Pell said his opportunity to perform at the festival marks how far he has progressed as a musician. “This is going to be huge for me,” he said. “I started playing around with a beat machine when I was in the eighth grade, rapping and singing, who knew it’d take me this far.” Pell said his performance at the festival could majoryly increase his visibility. “I’m hoping my fan base triples that night. I’m already right in front of their eyes through pellyeah.com and under their noses performing. People just don’t realize it,” he said. Acknowledging all the work put into his performance preparation, Pell said he could not create music alone. This is where his producer comes in. Ryan Bogan, known as “Staccs,” is a junior mar-
sees a bright future for his friend after Saturday’s show. “It’s hard to describe what all I see being possible with Pell’s future. I actually see him selling records and having fans and people knowing him as a household name,” Staccs said. Though one could assume a performance this large would make an artist nervous, Pell said he simply really looks forward to providing his attendees with a quality concert. “I’m way more excited than I am anything else. It won’t matter if I’m nervous the night of anyway COURTESY PHOTO | PELL because people expect Jared Pellerin, known as “Pell,” performs hip hop at Old Main Music Festival. and deserve a good show, keting major who creates the ing up sometimes, but he and the show must go on beats for Pell’s raps. Staccs said shouldn’t change that because all of the time,” Pell said. even though preparing for the it’s gotten him to where he music festival has not always is today,” Staccs said. While Pell was more been convenient, Pell keeps modest about where he sees pushing toward his goals. “He has a really hard work himself going with his muethic. I have trouble keep- sical career, Staccs said he
GRAPHIC CREDIT | DANIEL HART
LL ATTENTIOSSNMA AJORS
MARKETI NG & BUSI NE
The Reflector is accepting applications on a rolling basis for
Advertising
Sales Representatives
Flexible Schedule Competitive Pay Build Your Resume Position open to all majors A
To apply come by The Reflector office at the Henry F. Meyer Student Media Center to pick up an application or email your resume to advertise@reflector.msstate.edu
Apply today before it's too late!
1 0 | FRIDAY , APRIL 19, 2013
THE REFLECTOR
TAMING THE BEAST: Cage the Elephant comes to Starkville BY COLEMAN HUMPHRIES Contributing Writer
As the sky gets bluer and the temperature rises, anticipation for Cage the Elephant’s performance at the Mississippi State University ampitheatre Saturday as headlining act for the Old Main Music Festival rises. Saturday night the sounds of a vivacious rock band blasting from stacks of amplifiers will fill the air of Starkville and MSU’s campus. Sarah Margaret Hewes, artist relations chair of MSU’s Music Maker Productions, said members of MMp are very excited about having Cage the Elephant come to Starkville due to the band’s energy and perfect fit for an open-air amphitheater. “We are really happy about the band choice. Cage the Elephant puts on a great live show, one of the best ones that I have seen,” she said. “They are extremely energetic and the venue of the amphitheater on campus is perfect for them. The band plays really well in outdoor venues so we are look-
ing forward to their performance.” Cage the Elephant has been making strides in the music industry and currently looks forward to touring as the opening act for Muse beginning in summer of 2013. The band also toured with The Black Keys during summer of 2011. Members of MMp said they hope since the band is quickly growing in popularity, a large number of people will attend Cage the Elephant’s performance and all the night’s shows, including opening acts Pell, Ty Brown and Rosco Bandana. The Old Main Music Festival will begin at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Admission to the festival is free, a decision made by members of MMp which eliminates the need for security to prevent people from sneaking into the outdoor concert. Hopes of drawing a larger crowd also affected the decision to charge no admission fee. Hewes said the members of MMp feel that keeping the event free allows students, alumni and other patrons uninhibited access to an evening of
quality music. “We are really hoping for a good turn out this weekend. The show is free , and the Music Makers are all very excited about being able to bring a band as good as Cage the Elephant to Starkville without charging those who want to attend,” she said. Music Maker Productions COURTESY PHOTO | RCA RECORDS expects Cage the Cage the Elephant bring their lively rock and roll sound to the Old Main Music Festival Saturday. Elephant’s loud With a fervent, lively sound and a lyrics and energetic performance to Elephant, but the diversity of musiprovide a more vivacious atmosphere cians brought by members of Music genuine rock and roll attitude, Cage compared to past Old Main Music Makers allows varied music genres to the Elephant holds potential to delivFestivals. Little commonality exists come through Starkville and bring er a rambunctious performance Satbetween the 2012 festival’s main act, entertainment to people who have al- urday that will bring new energy to the Old Main Music Festival. Sugarland, and this year’s Cage the ternative taste in music.
COURTESY PHOTO | CHRISTIE MCNEAL
Department of art faculty Lori Neuenfeldt and Adrienne Callander hang crafts created with Starkville Boys & Girls club students.
CRAFTING RELATIONSHIPS: BY CATIE MARIE MARTIN Staff Writer
British author Brian Aldiss said, “Whatever creativity is, it is, in part, a solution to a problem.” Mississippi State University’s Department of Art has recently become a solution in the Starkville community by sending MSU art students to volunteer at the Starkville Boys & Girls Club. The Boys & Girls Club’s official mission statement is “to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.” The Department of Art helps these young people explore their creative side by creating embroidery pieces, origami and collage drawings with the kids. The Boys & Girls Club students are also working on a hallway mural designed by high school students from the Boys & Girls Club and MSU art students. This arts exposure is meant to build character and leadership skills, as well as teach the kids the value of art at a young age.
Lori Neuenfeldt, coordinator for the Visual Arts Center and director of outreach programs at the Department of Art, said the Department of Art reinforces lessons learned by Boys & Girls Club students by inviting the kids to come see exhibits at the MSU art galleries. These exhibits allow the students to understand the rewards of hard work, inciting the students to forth effort in other areas of their lives as well as the arts. Adrienne Callander, lecturer in 2D Design and Art appreciation, said the outreach program has been a great experience. “It is a total delight to bring college-age students in contact with Starkville youth,” she said. “The Boys & Girls Club staff is generous, organized and caring and the children in their care are engaging and intelligent. It is incredibly rewarding working with everyone involved in this project.” Austin Grove, sophomore art major, said the experience has been beneficial for the MSU students involved, as well.
COURTESY PHOTO | CHRISTIE MCNEAL
Boys & Girls Club kids create paper hearts as part of MSU department of art outreach.
MSU Department of Art, MSU art students reach out to Starkville Boys & Girls Club
“It is a lot of fun. The kids are great and light up over the projects. I think arts education is important for kids, and I want to help out with that however I can,” he said. The department also matches up student volunteers with projects by the Starkville Area Arts Council. Students on this council will work at the Cotton District Arts Festival this weekend and sitting on the Starkville Area Arts Council Art in Public Places Committee. The new Art Supply Recycling project pushes availability of the arts in Starkville even further. This project allows students to send their used art supplies to the Visual Arts Center so anyone in the community can access them. Neuenfeldt said this makes art available to all members of the community, regardless of financial restrictions. “We want everyone to have access to making and learning through art-related activities. COURTESY PHOTO | CHRISTIE MCNEAL Funding for cost of supplies Lori Neuenfeldt assists a Boys & Girls Club student in crafting a strand of paper hearts. should not stop them,” she said.
100 Russell Street Suite 3 662.418.0208
G
reentree
A
partments
Newly available
1, 2, and 3 Bedrooms ready for immediate occupancy! Apartments are located close to campus, spacious and affordable!
Voted Best DJ in Our State!
DJKevinRussell.com 662-231-5011
Phone-(662)323-2430
Web page- www.starkvilleapts.com
Where the green grass grows!
Try our Reubens! SLICING UP FRESHNESS 10% Off with MSU I.D.
FRIDAY , APRIL 19, 2013
REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM
Supernatural Tunes:
BY ALI DALEE Samuel Beam, better known by his pseudonym Iron & Wine released his fifth studio album “Ghost on Ghost” on Tuesday. The album showcases Beam’s magnificent storytelling ability intertwined with his lively voice, a deep polished alto that leads you to imagine a guitar positioned casually across his torso and a whiskey on the rocks at his side as he croons soulfully into a microphone illuminating the studio. The chords Beam has emitted over the years are distinct enough to bring Iron & Wine Indie fame amidst a sea of singer-songwriters. His often narrative lyrics play with spiritual metaphors and subtle biblical undertones. “Ghost on Ghost” reminds his audi-
COURTESY PHOTO | IRON & WINE
ence why Beam continues to stand out, interweaving a jazz influence and ambient chords to create a unique sound unique to Iron & Wine. Guided heavily by background progressions and delicate chords provided by an accompanying piano and string section, the album carries a passivity absent in 2011’s “Kiss Each Other Clean.” Beam continues his experimentation with voice synthesizing, creating a layered effect first introduced on 2007’s “The Shepherd’s Dog,” which was voted No. 10 on the top-100 albums of the year in 2007 by “Paste Magazine.” “Ghost on Ghost” harkens back to the simplistic writing of 2002’s “The Creek Drank the Cradle.” The track “Joy” echoes Bean’s early writing style, overlaying past and present into fluent metaphoric musings on life. “Joy” be-
To Reach
The Answer was known before The Question could even begin to take form
Pierces the air And shifts the mind.
Inside the womb of realization.
The apparition looks up from A clean plate,
To mold The insistent inquiry, while staring At the apparition Dining across the stained glass table. “Is it worth it?”
I always told you I wished I looked like Dad. Broad shoulders, thick arms, and full mustache combined with the calves of bulls and wrinkles of wisdom. With one glance, strangers knew I was your son. I’m your sculpture, molded with a thin face, small mouth, skinny frame and light brown hair. The only difference is my recessive blue eyes contrasting your muddy brown. Doctors, teachers, friends and family all admired the sculptor’s sculpture. “So similar,” “just alike,” “spitting image,” I’ve heard it all. I used to despise these words. You’re a girl and I was a boy, I cannot look like a girl. That’s why Dad was always my first choice. He seemed rugged, tough, and manly. His coarse hands and crow’s feet painted his hard work in his skin. But you … you wore dresses, had soft hands, covered your wrinkles, and hid your height with your high heels. No, I could not look like you … it’s just not right. Now your sculpture has matured. It has gained height, surpassing Dad, deepened its voice, broadened its skull, and
brightened the blue of its eyes. I did not just look anymore … I saw. Instead of looking at you and seeing a girl, I now saw past the dresses, soft hands, washed wrinkles, and heels. Instead there stood the Sculptor, the one who not only molded my skin but also my mind. Every action you performed brightened those blues. When you gave that homeless man, dirt brown, crusty-clothed, and lazy-eyed your Wendy’s 99 cent crispy chicken sandwiches and then said, “I’d rather give him food than money because he has to eat the food and the money would probably be wasted on liquor,” or the countless times I begged you to let us go home after school while you worked two, three and sometimes even four hours after all the other teachers had left. “I have to make sure the centers are ready,” “Everything has to be perfect for the sub,” or “I’m almost done I just have to do this last thing,” were your usual responses, especially the last and one for multiple “last things.” Each time you carved these memories in the blues with your tools, deepening the shades and scarring the past so I cannot escape it. Then the sculptor’s hands were weakened and yet strengthened. The strokes came less often yet in powers tenfold before. As the sculpture came to take care of sculptor the intri-
Breaking the Knot I empty the full laundry basket onto the couch. The heat rises out of the mound of whites. I click on the television as I sink down next to the clothes. I pick up Carolyn’s T-shirt and begin to fold it. The doorbell rings. “Coming,” I say, placing the shirt carefully on the arm of the couch. I jog to the door and open it. There stands a tall man with brown hair and a goofy smile. My mouth drops. “Hey, Kat,” David says and stuffs his hands into his pockets. I look at him. He’s smiling, but it looks forced. Suddenly, I’m eight years old, and David comes to my house for the first time. I remember thinking he was the cutest boy I had ever seen. I remember hiding behind Mama’s legs. I remember peeking around and catching his eyes. I remember he winked at me. I remember giggling and retreating back behind my mom. I remember the second time he came over he asked me to play a game with him. Monopoly? Life? Payday? I chose Life. I remember David let me pull the vet card. I always wanted to be the vet. Car-
olyn got mad that I didn’t play by the rules. I remember biting the corner off that day so I could always draw that card. I remember getting mad because I didn’t get any babies. I remember tossing my money everywhere when I had to pay $50,000. I remember David just laughed. I remember Carolyn started yelling. I remember a couple weeks later sneaking to the window after Carolyn walked David out. I remember seeing the porch light fall over their faces as they kissed each other. That was probably the first time I ever felt jealousy. I remember the next day trying to kiss Mitch Franks at recess. He tattled on me. I remember Mama being so mad when she picked me up.
Short Fiction by Julia V. Pendley What were you thinking? she said. Carolyn and David did it, I answered. Carolyn is 16. I remember that next spring David picked me up from school. “Your mom is sick,” he said. I remember not understanding what was going on. I remember going to the hospital. I remember Carolyn crying. I remember watching her falling into David’s chest. I remember him holding her. I remember hearing “cancer” for the first time. I don’t remember hearing that it was stage four. I don’t remember my dad being there. I remember David never left Carolyn’s side. I don’t remember when my dad stopped being around, but I remember David being there to step in. I remember he gradu-
Enjoy 15% off on Tuesdays with our Loyalty Program! Text “LC” to 81018 to join.
662.338.9090 500 Russell Street Follow us on
Enjoy 20% off during Happy Hour each Wednesday from 2 to 4!
gins with an internal reflection, “deep inside the heart of this troubled man / there’s an itty-bitty boy tugging hard at your hand,” and mid-way transitions to ruminations on a lover: “deep inside the heart of this crazy mess /I’m only calm when I get lost within your wilderness.” The title track “Grace for Saints and Ramblers,” which contains the album’s namesake lyrics, is a heavily metaphorical love song displaying Beam’s poetic ability. The tune chronicles individuals stereotypical to a town while coming back to the telltale refrain, “But it all came down to you and I.” “Ghost on Ghost” eloquently illustrates Beam’s graceful transition from an unknown folk sensation to soul crooner and notable singer-songwriter of the 21st century.
Poetry by Coleman Humphries
A shining, delicate soul begins
Short Fiction by Jacob Boyer
11
Iron & Wine’s “Ghost on Ghost” adds jazz, piano, harkens back to earlier lyrical style Opinion Editor
Mirrors
|
Just in time to see the delicate soul Run into the hopeful horizon We’ve been striving To Reach.
cate patterns and final pokes of perfection bloomed. Instead of musty men and late night classrooms, the sights were swiveled. Hospital beds, ports, IV tubes, Relays for Life, countless crosses, teal tears, true strength, doused dreams, morphine masks, panicked pain, tortured teachers and fallen friends scarred the blues deeper than ever before. But you were not finished, not yet. Seeing the pain in your eyes those last days did not scar but burn my own. I stood at your side night after night but you did not know. I was washed out by the whisper of your many friends and the cold coma-like prison you entered. I held your hand limp, hopeful for a grasp. We brought you home just like you wished and Bruce even licked your wrist. He had missed you so much. The sight of you choking on your own breath haunts my mind, pulling your whole head back for a desperate dip of oxygen. The nurse said we had hours but you argued saying only minutes. We surrounded you. Dad, Josh, Zack and I held your hands and your sisters and mom rested at your feet. Then you just stopped choking, the air fell silent, and you said good bye. Now when I look into the mirror I hear those people’s words, and I am glad that I don’t look like Dad.
Editor’s Note: This is an excerpt from a story currently in progress called “Breaking the Knot.” It was part of an imitation exercise of Julie Otsuka’s “Diem Perdidi.”
ated high school that May. I remember seeing him less. I remember seeing Carolyn crying one day after school. David broke up with me. I remember not understanding. I remember him showing up at the house a month later, and Carolyn seemed so happy. I remember my freshman year, he proposed. I remember Carolyn asking me to be the maid of honor. I remember saying yes. I remember being escorted by his brother. I remember Matt kissing me that night. It was my first real kiss. I remember he was so
cool because he was a freshman in college, and I was just in high school. I remember David threatening the first boy I brought home; it wasn’t Matt. I remember David dancing the father-daughter dance with me at my cotillion. I remember David sitting up waiting for me to get home from prom. I remember crying on him when my first boyfriend broke up with me. I remember, six months ago, Carolyn crying on me. He moved out. I remember two weeks later waiting outside the bathroom door. I re-
member the helpless cry. “I’m pregnant.” I remember not knowing what to do. I look at David standing there. I want to shut the door in his face. I want to punch him. I want to hug him. “What do you want?” I say. “Where’s Carolyn?” I left the door open and walk back to my laundry. “She’s taking a nap,” I refuse to look back at him. “But you are not waking her up.” “Can I wait here?” I shrug. “Can I get you some water, some sweet tea?”
Book
BuyBack
80%
up to
Cash Back ! for your
Textbooks
Receive an extra
$5 gift card When you sell back $100 worth textbooks
100 Russell Street Suite 3 662.418.0208
7:30-8 Mon- Thur 7:30-6 Fri 9:30-5 Sat 1-4 Sun 318 East Lee Blvd Across From The BSU
Order Summer/Fall books online at: campusbookmart.com/MSU
1 2 | FRIDAY , APRIL 19, 2013
THE REFLECTOR
For Those Things We Cannot, Alone, Accomplish
I Talked with My Dad Today Mental Melody Poetry by Zack Orsborn
Poetry by Tanner South
I talked with my dad today Words were exchanged, hanging in the air Like smoke from when I was 12 And he asked me “You wanna hit this?” I said no, I was so angry that I locked myself in the bathroom I was so angry that I didn’t come out for hours And I could only hear the echoes from the TV That raised me so much better than him I tried to look him in the eyes But I couldn’t look past his bloated face His extra chin sitting there, accumulating dust Like the dust in my grandma’s house When we all sat in the dark, on recliners And old couches, in a valley dying for a good rain Everyone was yelling at each other, and I just Shook with tremors, I was just a tiny earthquake Full of the quivers, ripe with abandonment We laughed and talked of aching knees And work woes and how we both hated driving And how we are both afraid of heights And how we both get cold when the air conditioner is on 68 I wanted to take a drive to the highest cliff in the desert And just look down We stared at the floor together To celebrate the silence Of course, the TV was on, but isn’t it always He studied the texture of the carpet While I studied how 15 years of Getting beers with my small hands for him Driving without seatbelts and Budweisers in cup holders The stench of weed clinging to walls Stepmoms and girlfriends and fights and broken coffee tables I studied how everything came together I looked at the man feet away With his faded navy blue shirt Ripped up jeans, messy black hair I looked at pictures in my head of him holding me as a baby A smile, a shaved head and a beautiful youthfulness I looked at him, and I saw myself Something I never wanted to see Something worse than the boogey man in the closet That he used to scare away with words I saw myself
His heart is a shadow casted by my own. Shackled together, I drag him from place to place. Cloudless air warms my face and the sun tastes like a dream As I confide in the light.
Poetry by Lisa Beth Fulgham
The oak tree is not dormant in the summer. It waves at you, beckoning you up its trunk. It suggests that you ascend its branches. It rustles you an imperative, and you obey.
The sun ages and I head on to Coyote Ugly Saloon. Whiskey after whiskey I gulp As I tap my foot to a song radiating by the bar. He smirks menacingly almost like Lector. It’s time to leave.
But once you move skyward, the oak will claim you as its own. Don’t look down it will say, and your throat will clench as you glimpse the roots. Don’t let go it will hum and invite you to grasp its brittle twigs, its mossy bark. Alone, you will cling
But this air is crisp and only blindness prevails. These streets run like the caliginous veins of a corpse. The soft chatter of our feet echo down alleys, Though I’m sure no one could hear. “Pretty please,” he asked with a disturbing glare.
until your stomach grumbles. You will mew. You will murmur yourself to sleep. Your skin will shrivel.
“Neither of us would enjoy the clink, Waiting for lethal injection,” I stated. We are too impatient. Then he released to my spine a blood-curdling laugh.
You will need a voice raised from the dirt, echoing from hands cupped around lips. You will need this to drown out the oak’s chant. You will need a name, your own, pelted at your ears like rocket noise on July fourth. You will need to listen, to remember yourself,
Drowning his hungering words, I cushioned mine As I mumbled that song from the bar
to consider that your heels have more than once brushed soil. Consider that you can, in a few weeks, watch leaves waltz and whirl downward while perching on your porch swing, although the oak will still mumble You can’t. Consider that the person yelling your name knows your history and each freckle on your shoulder. Consider that you can divorce the trunk without a lawyer. You came with nothing. Jump.
“In restless dreams I walked alone, Narrow streets of cobblestone, Neath the halo of a street lamp, I turned my collar to the cold and damp.” The soot-covered sky of desire hung Over my head like a starry turtle shell. Knowing my struggle, he pierces his finger into the open wound; though he had me at please. James loved playing with fire, He never gets burned. He will watch as I direct the most exhilarating of orchestras. Combing through apartment complexes, We start our search for him. The one who makes our rhythmless heart tap a beat like no other The one who we both know very well The one who does not know us The one who kneels before us The one who will serenade his last piece
And I’m a human And he’s a human And humans do what humans do
“Do it,” he commanded. With my serrated baton I nicked his neck, An incision too easy to carve. He sang his tune as the concrete blushed.
A Mississippi Girl Arriving in Mid-Summer London Poetry by Lisa Beth Fulgham
I anticipate a shock: electricity pouring upward from the ground into my heels and through my limbs, prickling in the tips of my fingers and toes, the hair of my arms and head reaching for the sky. I had been warned. Mother had said that the ground would corrugate and split and suck me in if I got this far away. The people, she said, would be waiting to push me into the abyss.
ISIT US ON TOUR OR V
RING CAMPUS DU
KEND
WEE G O D L L U B SUPER TAKE A
& BE
All of the animals carved in marble, cement, or stone would stir, she said. They’d unhinge their jaws. They’d be ravenous after such a long nap.
The London sky would finally stop raining, she said. Desertification. I’d dehydrate. I’d shrivel up and blow away, an accidental cremation, a dumping of self into the distant and remote. But the people pass by hurriedly, headphoned and staring straight. A boy dangles from the ear of a Trafalgar Square lion, more in danger from the height than the mouth just inches away. The misting breeze passing over Camden Lock is too feeble to carry me away from here, to push me out into the North Sea. Instead, I fall in with the tide of people heading to Notting Hill, my feet wobbling between cobblestone gaps.
SCOOTER A IN W O T ENTERED
100 Russell Street Suite 3 662.418.0208
APRIL 19-21 SAVE $270 WITH ZERO DOWN NOW A PET FRIENDLY COMMUNITY
1003 HWY 182 E. APPLY TODAY @ TRAILSMS.COM 662.324.8400 | 1000 CAMPUS TRAIL LIMITED TIME ONLY | RATES, FEES, DEADLINES & UTILITIES SUBJECT TO CHANGE
SPORTS
REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM
FRIDAY , APRIL 19, 2013
|
13
THE COACH’S CORNER | FORREST BUCK
Barkley, Smith prep for NFL draft
L
IAN PRESTER | THE REFLECTOR
Hunter Renfroe leads the Bulldog offense in batting average, slugging percentage and home runs.
BASEBALL
continued from 18
“We’ve been hitting the ball well so far. Everybody has been contributing hits and I knew at a certain time we’ll all come through and start hitting the ball well,” Renfroe said. “This past weekend we were hitting the ball hard, finding holes and scoring a lot of runs. If we keep doing that we’ll win a lot of ball games.” Along with hitting, the Bulldogs pitching rotation has delivered wins for MSU. Senior Kendall Graveman threw his third consecutive complete game in a 9-3 win last Saturday. Graveman said he thinks the hot streak is due to the team’s cohesiveness and all contributing at once. “Once we got the offense, defense and pitching and kind of put it together, we’re a really good team and when one of those isn’t going so well, that’s when we struggled a little bit,” Graveman said. “I think right now all three aspects of the game are clicking. We’re playing well so I expect the same this weekend.
We’re all settled in our roles now. We’ve really bonded together as a team the past couple weeks.” Defensively, the Bulldogs turned six double plays in College Station, raising the team total to an SEC and NCAA-leading 52 on the season. MSU has won seven of its last eight, and return home in anticipation of a big Super Bulldog Weekend. MSU head coach John Cohen said his team is ready to play in front of a big home crowd. “Our kids are really excited about coming home. This is a special weekend,” Cohen said. “You want to consider all the events and the amount of people who come to the ball games and really the distance a lot of our Mississippi State people travel to come watch these ball games. It means a lot to our program, it means a lot to our players, and certainly we’d love to get off to a great start.” Editor’s note: This article was published before the conclusion of the series opening game on Thursday.
FOOTBALL
continued from 18
This will be Cox’s first season in the MSU pro- the All-SEC first team and could have been draftgram as he joins the team from East Mississippi ed, had he opted to enter this year’s draft. Despite Community College. Cox was a safety at EMCC the stellar season, Jackson said he is continuing to but will move back to the cornerback position for work hard to get better. the Bulldogs. Cox said he played corner before, so “I’ve just been working on my footwork and it will not be a problem. He said hand placement, trying to have he does not believe the secondquicker feet and be more mobile.” This year me and ary will be a vulnerability for the Jackson said. all the seniors are team. Another position of strength “I don’t think the secondary for the Bulldogs is running back. just trying to keep will be a weakness at all. We got Ladarius Perkins is the returning the young guys Nickoe and (Jay) Hughes back leading rusher from last season motivated and keep and rushed for over 1,000 yards there at safety, and we got really good corners,” Cox said. “Going them up even if they and eight touchdowns. Behind from JUCO to the SEC will be a Perkins are juniors Josh Robinson may not be getting huge transition for me. JUCO is and Nick Griffin who have both the playing time they been getting repetitions in the two JUCO ball, and the SEC is faster.” want and just make spring scrimmages so far. Perkins Although a lot is being made said he is expanding his role as a sure everyone is on leader on this year’s team. of the potential decline in play in the secondary and at receiver, “This year me and all the sethe same page.” there will also be some positions niors are just trying to make sure Ladarius Perkins, of strength on this team, as well. we keep the young guys motivated MSU running back One of the main positions the and keep them up even if they may Bulldogs should be strong on not be getting the playing time is the offensive line, which return four of the five they want and just make sure everyone is on the starters from last season. The group will be led by same page,” Perkins said. senior Gabe Jackson, who is one of the best guards Perkins also said he thinks the offense will still be in the country and could be a first or second round effective despite the losses at receiver. pick in next year’s draft depending on how he plays “We lost some good guys but I feel like Jameon this season. (Lewis), Robert (Johnson) and Joe Morrow will Jackson said he definitely believes the offensive step in, and we won’t miss a beat,” Perkins said. line will be one of the strengths of the team. Perhaps the MSU fans and critics should hold “We’re a mature group. Our youngest guy is a off on dismissing this team until they actually see redshirt sophomore, so we have a lot of experience what this group of players looks like on the field. up front,” Jackson said. The spring game will be on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Jackson had a terrific season last year. He made Davis Wade Stadium.
“
VISIT reflector @reflector-online.com
Arm strength is also a key ast year’s NFL rookie quarterback class was factor. Both players can make one of the best of all all the basic NFL throws prettime. Andrew Luck was her- ty fluently. I think Smith has alded as the best prospect the edge over Barkley, howsince John Elway, and Robert ever. He throws a better deep Griffin III was not too far be- ball and seems to have better hind as perhaps the best dual velocity on his throws. Smith is 6’3, 218 pounds, threat prospect ever. This year’s top quarterback and Barkley is 6’2, 230 prospects Geno Smith and pounds. Smith ran a 4.5 in Matt Barkley are not even in the 40-yard dash and Barkley the same breath as those two ran a 4.9. It is clear that Smith physically has guys, but they the advantage are the best A lot of things can two prospects be factored in when over Barkley and is more at the position you talk about proathletic. for the 2013 A lot of NFL draft, and readiness. The things can one of them system the player be factored has to be the playing in, what skill in when you first quartertalk about back taken. set he has, what pro-readiness. When I evalhabits he has and his The system uate a quarfootball IQ are the the player terback prosin, pect, I look main ones I look at.” played what skill set at mainly five he has, what things: accuracy, arm strength, physical habits he has and his football attributes, pocket awareness IQ are the main ones I look at. and pro-readiness. At West Virginia, Smith As far as accuracy goes, the numbers would suggest Smith played in a spread offense, is the more accurate player. operating primarily out of the He completed 71.4 percent of shotgun. Barkley, on the othhis throws last season, while er hand, plated in a more proBarkley only completed 62.6 style offense and worked from percent. When I took a clos- under center more. Barkley er look at the tape, however, already has pro habits. He it is clear Smith’s percentage calls audibles and makes adis a product of the system he justments at the line of scrimplayed in. He threw a lot of mage and is believed to have a short, quick-hitting passes high football IQ. The way he and screens and allowed those moves his head and eyes and talented receivers of his to utilizes pump fakes when in the pocket to manipulate demake plays after the catch. When evaluating both play- fenders and create better passers’ throwing ability, Barkley ing windows impresses me. Smith threw a lot of oneappeared to be more accurate. Barkley attempted more read passes at WVU. He does NFL-type passes than Smith not appear very comfortable did and that has to factor in, when he has to make more so I give the accuracy edge to than one read and make progressions and read defenses. Barkley.
“
FORREST BUCK Forrest Buck is a junior majoring in sport pedagogy. He can be contacted at reflectorsports@gmail.com. Also when throwing from the pocket, Smith rarely does anything to try and move defenders. That kind of quarterbacking to me screams interception machine. Barkley has the edge in pro-readiness. Speed and quickness are nice and all, but the best quarterbacks in the NFL avoidi sacks and extend plays with their awareness in the pocket. Pocket awareness also involves being able to hang in the pocket when under fire and still deliver quality throws. One of the biggest flaws in Smith’s game is that he folds under pressure. When under pressure, his footwork and mechanics get bad and he is not very accurate. Barkley, on the other hand, looked a lot more comfortable under pressure. I give Barkley the edge in pocket awareness. So who is the better quarterback? Smith has more upside because of his athleticism, size and arm strength, and because of that I understand why he is the number one rated prospect at the position in most scout’s eyes. Right now, however, Barkley is the better quarterback, and if I were a general manager, I would draft him ahead of Smith.
Mississippi State University 2013 Spring Commencement Ceremony
Humphrey Coliseum May 10, 2013, 7:00 P.M. May 11, 2013, 10:00 A.M.
The Office of the Registrar announces detailed graduation information regarding regalia, invitations, photographs, DVDs and marching instructions. This information is available at: www.registrar.msstate.edu
Congratulations To All Of Our Graduates!
14
|
FRIDAY , APRIL 19 , 2013
SPORTS
THE REFLECTOR
SPORTS
REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM
FRIDAY , APRIL 19, 2013
|
15
Students serve as sports information directors BY KRISTEN SPINK Managing Editor
Editor’s note: This story concludes a two-part series on the four student sports information directors. While many students are looking forward to the fun and excitement of attending many events during Super Bulldog Weekend, junior communication major Shealy Molpus spent her time hosting the SEC women’s tennis tournament. As the women’s tennis sports information director, Molpus handles the majority of the media relations work for the tournament. Molpus took over as the women’s tennis SID last spring, the same semester she became the recruitment chair for Chi Omega. For someone who loves to socialize, Molpus said she has learned to balance her time among all of her responsibilities. “The main thing it inconveniences is the time I have to do homework,” Molpus said. “One benefit is I do not like to sleep very much; I’ve definitely had to give up a couple of hours of sleep here and there. But everyone is so helpful, and that’s a big way I’m able to balance it. If I know I need help, I know I can lean on them. It’s great to work with people that are like that and so helpful.” Molpus’s counterpart for the men’s tennis team is junior communication major Hunter Richardson, who helped oversee the SEC men’s tennis tournament at MSU last spring and will help out Molpus along the way this year. In his first year as the men’s tennis SID, Richardson took over a team ranked No. 11 in the country. Richardson said because he played tennis in high school,
BARTON DINKINS | THE REFLECTOR
Juniors Shealy Molpus and Hunter Richardson work as the MSU women’s and men’s tennis sports information directors. he has enjoyed watching the talent level of the Dogs. “You’ve got to make sure you’re on the ball with everything and make sure you’re not missing anything,” Richardson said. “But it’s kind of fun because you get to watch these guys that are incredible athletes and watch them beat guys that are ridiculous in themselves.” While working about 30 hours a week sometimes causes the SIDs to miss class, they both made it clear school comes first. Richardson said in his first year on the job, he has found it difficult to balance school and work because he became
deeply involved with his job. “Eventually you have to step back and say ‘Between the hours of 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. when classes are, I have to be focused on school’ because at the end of the day, if you don’t do good in school, you won’t have a job,” Richardson said. He also said assignments for work can ocassionally count for class, or some teachers may award bonus points for the articles he writes. Molpus said having already taken classes like introduction to newswriting and public relations writing, she had an advantage because she could write a news release, even in crunch time.
Gregg Ellis, assistant director of media relations, said he does not have to micromanage the four student SIDs (Richardson, Molpus and men’s and women’s golf SIDs Tyson Rodgers and Lee VanHorn) because the four have proven they know what they are doing. “In this office you have to work your way up the ladder, and all four of those guys and girls did that. They did all the extra things that you do to set yourself apart from everyone else,” Ellis said. “It’s a full-time job; it’s a lot of responsibility. They had already proven themselves assisting in all the other sports.” The work load is never as daunting when coworkers get along well and enjoy each other, which was a common theme among the experiences of the four students. The three male SIDs were quick to admit they tend to pick on Molpus, but she said she does not mind when they give her a hard time. “They pick on me all the time, but I kind of love being picked on just cause it’s fun,” Molpus said. “They’re great; they’re good friends. They mess with me all the time, but I know they’re there for me whenever I need help with anything. Forming those relationships has been a priceless part of doing this. It makes it worth it whenever I get really frustrated.” Richardson said everyone in the department gives 110 percent every day to make sure the job gets done. “It’s a great group to be around. I wouldn’t want to work with anyone else — not just these three but everyone that works in this department,” Richardson said. “I seriously think in this athletic department we’ve got the best staff there is.”
ERIC EVANS | THE REFLECTOR
Romain Bogaerts finished the season with a 15-5 overall record.
Tennis prepares for SEC tourney BY PATRICK BESSELIEVRE Staff Writer
The 2013 SEC men’s tennis tournament begins this week, and the stage is set for some great matches. The tournament is being played at the Palmer/ Salloum Tennis Center in Oxford, Miss., and the No. 1 seed Georgia Bulldogs look like the team to beat right now. Georgia (19-4, 11-1 SEC) is the regular season champions in the SEC and has won 10 straight matches heading into the postseason. The Bulldogs won the SEC tournament last season and are one win away from their 10th straight 20-win season. They have been awarded a bye for the first round of play and will play the winner of Kentucky and Mississippi State. MSU is another team capable of making some noise. The Bulldogs have won three of their last four matches. Freshman Romain Bogaerts leads the way in singles play for the Dogs. The Belgium-native posted a 15-5 record overall this season, including a 6-3 record in SEC play. MSU head coach Per Nilsson said he is excited for the opportunity for his team to prove themselves. “All year has been based on trying to peak at the right time,”
Nilsson said. “I feel that we are playing better and better. Our guys are competing hard, and even though this tournament is tough, I feel like we can pick up some wins, and if we can get hot, then we can do some real damage.” One of the bigger surprises this year in SEC men’s tennis has been the play of No. 2 seed Tennessee. Last year, the Vols were barely over .500, ending the year with a 15-14 record. This season, however, the Vols are 20-6 on the year and have won six of their last seven games. Tennessee will face-off against the winner of No. 10 seed Auburn and No. 7 Vanderbilt, both of whom the Vols defeated during their current hot-streak. This will also be Texas A&M’s first SEC tournament since its move from the Big 12 last season. They are the No. 4 seed in the bracket and will play the winner of Alabama and Ole Miss. The Aggies are 16-11 and 7-5 in conference play on the year and have won their last three matches. Freshman Shane Vinsant, who is 17-7 in singles and has won SEC Freshman of the Week three times this season, leads the way for the Aggies. Editor’s Note: This article was published prior to the conclusion of the match.
MSU Logo Chairs MSU Logo Portfolios MSU Checkbook Cover
live 21. live lucky. Footsteps to MSU Saltwater Resort-Style Pool Highest Electricity Allowance
Private Bedrooms & Baths High Speed Internet, Digital Cable, HBO & Water Included Individual Leases 24 Hour Fitness, Clubhouse & Computer Lab Private Study Rooms Free Tanning Beds Fully Furnished Full Size Washer & Dryer
Closest Community to MSU Campus
48
HOUR special
look & lease ZERO DOWN
Lease within 48 hours of your tour and pay nothing! This special only applies for 4 bedrooms.
MAROON WHITE MAROON WHITE Contact us today at
855.438.2398 or visit us online at
21apts.com *Prices subject to change
204 Main ~ Starkville
323-5222
www.sullivansoffice.com Mon.—Fri. 8:30-5:30 Saturday 10-4
16
|
friday , april 19 , 2013
SPORTS
THE REFLECTOR
MSU
SPORTS
REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM
FRIDAY , APRIL 19, 2013
|
17
COURTESY PHOTO | MSU MEDIA RELATIONS
In efforts to raise awareness, MSU senior Jessica Cooley donated her hair to Locks of Love in memory of her family friend.
MSU softball players help fight cancer battle for friends, family BY BRITTANY YOUNG Staff Writer
Mississippi State University softball players Jessica Cooley and Erin Nesbit both have friends or family who have been struck by cancer but have hit a home run in supporting, encouraging and increasing breast cancer awareness. Cooley, a senior from Birmingham, Ala., donated her hair to “Locks of Love” (a non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to children suffering from long term medical hair loss from any diagnoses) in September 2012 after a friend of her family lost the cancer battle. “Her name was Lynn Purfer and she was in her 50s. She and my mom worked together and I would always visit Lynn in her office. Lynn’s daughter and I also had sleepovers and hung out together,” Cooley said. “After the funeral, my sister and I decided to donate our hair in memory of Lynn; I donated about nine or 10 inches.” Nesbit, a redshirt junior from Acworth, Ga., has a younger sister
who beat Retinoblastoma cancer which develops during early childhood in the retina of the eye, and who is currently a manager on the softball team. “My mom started noticing Megan’s eyes looking funny in pictures, so she would cover Meg’s eyes to see how she reacted; whenever my mom covered Meg’s left eye, she cried and swatted her hand away. We later found out the cancer had already taken her sight,” Nesbit said. “When she was three, Meg had surgery to make sure the cancer didn’t spread to her brain, but she lost her right eye. God definitely had his hand on Meg because we were blessed the doctors caught it in time. She’s been through a lot and still does everyday. She is one of the strongest girls I know, and I’m lucky to call her my sister.” April 12 to 14, the Bulldogs hosted rival Ole Miss in a threegame conference clash. On Sunday, the Bulldogs wore pink to strike out cancer. Nesbit said she played in honor of her best friend’s mom. “Her name is Kathryn Keller,
and she was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year. Just like Megan, Ms. Keller is a fighter, and with God’s help, she’s going to beat this,” Nesbit said. “She’s one of the sweetest ladies I know, always looking to help those around her. I figured that honoring and playing for her was the least I could do for all she and her family has been through.” Cooley said the team wore face paint and stickers in the “pink” game to commemorate those affected by cancer. “My sister, who played softball at MSU, had a teammate survive cancer. I have a close friend who survived cancer, and one of the softball coach’s mom survived it as well,” Cooley said. “So, we all wore face paint and stickers with initials of people who have lost the battle and survived the disease.” Cooley and Nesbit are members of the M-Club at MSU, where they are able to give back to the Bulldog and Starkville community. On April 12, the softball team participated in the name sale for “Relay for Life,” a walking event to fight back against cancer.
Nesbit said the athletic department raised roughly $1,600 for the event. “It was great to see our Bulldog family pull together for one specific cause,” Nesbit said. Cooley said the relay was a lot of fun, and she really enjoyed the event. “Cancer touches everyone in some way, so it’s good to get everyone together for a good cause,” Cooley said. Head coach Vann Stuedeman said both girls are passionate about anything they put their minds to and they play softball with this same love and passion. “They both are passionate warriors and make each moment count,” Stuedeman said. “I’m proud of them and the entire softball team for raising awareness and money to support those families who have been affected by the horrible disease.” Cooley, Nesbit and the rest of the softball team return to action April 19 to 21 as the Bulldogs travel to Tuscaloosa for a threegame series against defending national champion Alabama.
BARTON DINKINS | THE REFLECTOR
SEC TOURNAMENT
| MSU women’s tennis team is
hosting the 2013 SEC Tournmanent at the A.J. Pitts Tennis Centre. The twelfth seeded Bulldogs opened the tournament by knocking off thirteenth seed and No. 53 Missouri 4-2 on Wednesday. The Dogs advanced to face fifth seed and No. 29 Tennessee, where they fell 4-0 Thursday.
SPORTS 18
|
friday , april 19 , 2013
THE REFLECTOR
on the diamond
stat of the day:
mississippi state men’s baseball team boasts a 30-9 record entering this weekend’s series. that mark is the best start to a season since 1999.
men’s baseball
msU vs.aUbUrn dUdy noble field
friday, 6:30 p.m.
Fans anticipate performance Baseball returns in annual spring football game winning streak to Starkville By Forrest Buck Staff Writer
The annual Mississippi State University Maroon and White spring game is fast approaching, and many storylines have developed heading into the game. How will the MSU secondary look after losing three starters from last year’s team? How effective will the receiving core be after also losing three
starters? Who will step up among the linebackers in Cameron Lawrence’s absence? Can this team overcome all of its losses and actually be better than last year’s team? Or will youth and inexperience sink the Bulldogs season? These are the major questions and issues that face the MSU football team coming into the 2013 season, and although these
questions will not be answered until the fall, fans can start to examine them and how they might play out now. Defense has been a strength of the Bulldogs the past few seasons, and the secondary has been a huge part of that side of the ball, but losing three starters can cause any unit to drop in performance. Cornerbacks Johnthan Banks and Dar-
ius Slay and safety Corey Broomfield are all gone, and new players will have to step up and perform at a high level in their place to carry on the caliber of play that was lost. Right now, the spring depth chart has Jamerson Love and Justin Cox at cornerback and Jay Hughes and Nickoe Whitley (the only returning starter) at safety. see FOOTBALL, 13
By John Galatas Sports Editor Fresh off a sweep over Western division foe Texas A&M, the No. 10 Mississippi State Diamond Dogs return home to close out the second-half of the conference schedule against Auburn in a three-game series at Dudy Noble Field. MSU (30-9, 8-7 SEC) is off to its best
start since the 1999 season and is coming off back-to-back series wins. The Dogs will rely on a league-leading offense highlighted by SEC Player of the Week Hunter Renfroe. Renfroe leads the SEC in batting average (.429), home runs (13) and slugging percentage (.865). see BASEBALL, 13