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Friday, August 22, 2014
N I C K G RI F F I N by Anthony McDougle p8
MSU remembers student lost to drug death, arrests made in relation by Lacretia Wimbley News Editor
Thomas Parker Rodenbaugh, Mississippi State University junior construction science major, died August 2014 in the Oktibbeha County Regional Hospital in Starkville, Ms. While the investigation of Rodenbaugh’s death is still pending, Michael Hunt, Oktibbeha County coroner, said the official results stating cause of death will be revealed in the toxicology and autopsy report. “Rodenbaugh was picked up on Nash Street and then transferred to the Octibbeha County Hospital Regional Medical Center where he died,” Hunt said. Whitley Daughtry, sister of Thomas Parker Rodenbaugh, said Rodenbaugh was a special person whose personality shined through everyone. “He was loved by so many. Hearts were touched, good times were shared and memories were made, Daughtry said,” “I’m sure most of
Mississippi heat wave expected Staff Writer
us immediately think of his never-ending smile and beautiful eyes. There was life in him that was so vibrant it was hard not to notice.” Daughtry said it was difficult not to notice his smile and if you did not notice, his persistent drumming would have caught your attention. “Parker had a love for life. He always wanted everyone around him to be happy and to be having the time of their lives right along with him. He had a love for soccer, playing the drums, and Ole Miss (even though he was born a Bulldog in Starkville, Mississippi). But he loved his momma most of all. And we all believed he had not yet found a steady girlfriend because he was looking for someone like her.” According to Daughtry, most of his friends knew Parker, or more so as “P-Rod,” from his days at Madison Central, Ole Miss, Holmes or State. “Some of us like to say Parker was an expert advice-giver, party organizer or deer hunter/survivalist (only some of his buddies may get that one),” she said. Daughtry said he also loved to
For the next few days Mississippi State University could face severe high temperatures due to a heat wave that is predicted by weather experts. MSU Geosciences Professor Mike Brown, who also serves as Mississippi’s state climatologist, said for most of the southeast U.S. we are expecting above normal temperatures and moisture for the next few days. “Above normal moisture (i.e. higher dew point temperatures) means that our body’s ability to cool itself through sweating will be compromised. It is the evaporation of sweat that naturally cools our body. When moisture is high it slows the evaporative process thus slowing the cooling process. This is why we use the Heat Index to describe how hot it feels. With more moisture in the atmosphere the temperature feels hotter,” Brown said, “With the absence of rain over the past couple of weeks these warmer temperatures coupled with very little cloud cover will stress outdoor plants and grass.” The Mississippi State Crisis Action team alerted the MSU student and staff body with this approaching development and made aware why the change in temperatures is important.
Whitley Daughtry | Courtesy Photo
dance. “He was often seen re-enacting the Dirty Dancing lift with friends – didn’t matter if it was a girl or guy,” she said. “Today, we come together to lift up our dear Parker. With our memories and prayers. Raise him up to the Lord our God until we see him again one day. Sid Salter, Chief communications officer at Mississippi State University, said MSU expresses a deep sense of sadness whenever a student death occurs, regardless of the cause.
MSU wildlife professor invested in students, leaves community legacy
Angela Riffell | Courtesy Photo
by James Tobermann Staff Writer
Mississippi State University associate wildlife, fisheries, and aquaculture professor Dr. Sam Riffell died Aug. 11. In a statement, Sid Salter, director of Public Affairs, said the entire university is grieving after the loss of Dr. Riffell. “Dr. Riffell’s untimely passing is indeed a real loss to the university community. He was a gifted and respected member of our faculty andknown to many in Starkville as a loving and engaged father. His family, friends and colleagues remain in our thoughts and prayers,” he said.
A memorial service for Riffell was held at Starkville Community Church on Aug. 16. Dr. Eric Dibble, interim head of the department of wildlife, fisheries, and aquaculture, said the memorial service was attended by over 1,000 people from across the country. “All of his colleagues and graduate students from the department came,” Dibble said. Dibble said Riffell was a talented teacher and an invaluable researcher. “He was one of the most important faculty members we had in our department. He published very well, so his contributions to the department were enormous,” Dibble said. Dibble said Riffell also enjoyed serving as undergraduate coordinator for the department. “He worked face-toface with about 200 students every semester,” Dibble said. “He was probably one of the most caring faculty members toward our undergraduates.” Dibble said Riffell had a deep passion for exploring the natural world and sharing it with students. “He told me one time
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A press release from MSU released on Tuesday said, “A heat wave is an extended period of abnormally and uncomfortably hot and unusually humid weather. A heat wave lasts typically two or more days. These conditions can be dangerous and even life-threatening if the proper precautions are not taken.” Summerly Brown, graduate student at MSU and also a regular runner said she had heard about the weather advisory and took proper precautions of waiting till 9 p.m. and drinking plenty of water. “At 9 p.m. the temperature outside still was 87 degrees with the air, thick with humidity. The humidity makes it difficult to run and catch your breath unless you’re an experienced runner,” Brown said, “For years, I have run in summer heat in south Florida but something about this Mississippi heat made my run even more challenging. I was sweating buckets by the end of my 4 miles. With the heat wave in full effect for the rest of the week, I recommend runners choose an easier easy, drink plenty of water, and wait to run in the early morning or late evening.” Dr. Joyce Yates, Director of Health Education and Wellness at MSU’s health center said to cope with the heat wave temperatures students should increase fluid intake such as water or sports drinks.
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ARREST , 2
Friday
126th YEAR | ISSUE 52
THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884
that if he could reach every young student in our department and show them the beauty of nature, he would feel satisfied,” Dibble said. Colleagues said Riffell was a highly respected by his peers across the country. Entomology research associate JoVonn Hill, who was one of Riffell’s first contacts upon arriving at MSU, said Riffell’s work organizing the Southeastern Prairie Conference in 2013 stood out as a prime example of his gift for planning and coordinating. “Everyone who attended said it was the best meeting they had ever been to,” Hill said. “[Riffell] was a big part of that.” Hill said Riffell made many contributions to the field of grassland research. “I think he should be applauded for his work in grassland research here in Mississippi and the Southeast,” he said. Entomology research associate Jennifer Seltzer said Riffell was always willing to collaborate on research with other departments, including the Mississippi Entomology Museum. Monday
“He always included the museum in grants,” Seltzer said. “He always tried to include us in some way, and it wasn’t just talk.” Seltzer said Riffell, though talented in many areas, did not seek out praise and was quite modest about his abilities. “He was always very modest, so it was hard to know just how good he was, because he didn’t brag about it,” Seltzer said. Colleagues said Riffell, a father of two girls, was devoted to his family and spent as much time with them as possible. Dibble said Riffell was passionate about his family and hoped to pass on his love of nature to his children. “He talked a lot about his wife and daughters, and he was most excited when talking about his daughters going birding,” Dibble said. Hill said Riffell was highly involved in his daughters’ extracurricular activities. “Sam was a big soccer coach here in town,” Hill said. “He did a lot with the girls, like putting together insect collections with them.” PROFESSOR, 2
WEATHER , 2
MSU Student Association brings cabs, virtual food bank to students by Emma Crawford Editor-In-Chief
As the fall semester begins at Mississippi State University, there are new students, new additions to Davis Wade stadium and the Student Association unveils Cowbell Cabs, Block
by Block and Campaign for Change — three programs designed to benefit the student body. In past years, the Night Route has been available to students to transport them home safely when they’ve been at bars and restaurants around town, but the SA
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Policy: any person may pick up Reader’s Guide a single copy of the reflector for free. additional copies may be obtained from the meyer student me-
has opted for a new system this year — Cowbell Cabs. The Cowbell Cabs program aims to accomplish the same goal as the Night Route by providing a free cab service to MSU students on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
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