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Aldermen travel funds surpass budgets, gain criticism for tax usage

SOUL SURFER: Bethany Hamilton shares testimony of triumph

A Starkville Daily News report shows aldermen spending excessive funds for conference traveling

BY PRANAAV JADHAV Staff Writer

NOOR MUJAHID Staff Writer

On an average day on the beaches of Kauai’s North Shore in Hawaii, the water is a deep, mesmerizing blue, and majestic waves enrapture surfers beneath clear skies.

The setting is nothing but tranquil.

However, on Oct. 31, 2003, 13-year-old Bethany Hamilton was attacked by a 14foot tiger shark in this serene setting, and her life was changed forever.

Almost 11 years since the incident, Hamilton, now a 23-year-old surfer and role model, has experienced more in her life than many in their late 70s have faced.

Despite losing her left arm to the shark attack, Hamilton astonishingly returned to the waters after only one-month in recovery to chase her dreams of one day becoming a professional surfer.

As stated in her official website, Hamilton said her inspiration for getting back on the surfboard after her attack stemmed from her zeal for surfing, and she was not

terrified of the water as much as she was afraid she would not be able to practice the sport anymore.

“I think my motivation came from my passion for the sport, for the ocean and from the hope that my lifestyle would not have to dramatically change,” she said. “I was more scared that I wouldn’t be able to surf again causing my life to turn upside down.”

Mississippi State University’s Dorothy Garrett Martin Lectureship in Values and Ethics will present Hamilton as this year’s guest speaker to share her inspirational story.

The lectureship, sponsored by MSU’s Delta Gamma sorority, is Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in the Humphrey Coliseum.

SEE SURF, 6 OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS | COURTESY PHOTO

Bethany Hamilton, 23-year-old shark attack survivor, holds fast to her zeal for surfing despite the attack that occurred in the ocean of Kauai, Hawaii. Hamilton will share her inspirational story at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Humphrey Coliseum.

A March 21 report in Starkville Daily News reported financial details of aldermen travel expenditures on taxpayer’s money.

“A pair of Starkville aldermen have racked up a combined $17,970.04 in taxpayer-funded travel since the new board took office on July 1, according to records Starkville Daily News obtained from the city.”

First-term Ward 2 Alderman Lisa Wynn has logged $8,997.72 in travel expenses paid from city funds, leading all city officials — elected and non-elected — since July 1.

Second-term Ward 7 Alderman Henry Vaughn ranks a close second in that timeframe, logging $8,972.52 in city-paid travel expenses.

Zack Plair, editor of Starkville Daily News, said as part of Sunshine Week every year, Starkville Daily News requests open records from various agencies in an effort to test compliance with open records laws.

“We also want the information we obtain to be something relevant to our readers. This year, we requested the travel expenses from the city of Starkville and Oktibbeha County,” Plair said in an email. “At the time

we requested the information from the city, four city officials whom incidentally accounted for the top four officials in taxpayer-funded travel in Starkville were in Washington D.C. for a National League of Cities conference. We simply requested the information from the city clerk’s office, and I later confirmed that both the mayor and chief administrative officer were aware of the request. Within the seven-day timeframe, the law offers for agencies to respond to an open records request. The city produced the records we requested without incident. The county did the same.”

Former city administrator Lynn Spruill said the board sets the budget for travel in the annual budgeting process.

“The specific travel destinations are set as the requests come from the individual aldermen. The travel in the past was mostly travel to the Mississippi Municipal League conferences both the mid-winter in Jackson and the summer conference in Biloxi,” Spruill said. “As long as the Board of Aldermen approve the travel requests, the law allows it. It is up to the good conscience of the elected official to determine if the travel that they have planned is a valid expenditure of the taxpayer’s dollars,” Spruill said.

SEE EXPENSE, 3

Women of Aerospace discuss reality of ‘Nerding the Gap’

BY NIA WILSON Staff Writer

This past Monday, the Women of Aerospace held an event called Nerding the Gap. The event was a forum about being a woman in the aerospace engineering. “King of the Nerds” contestant Mary Kate Smith and 2013 Miss Mississippi USA Paromita Mitra led the discussion.

The primary goal of Nerding the Gap was to elaborate on the feminine perspective in the aerospace engineering field. The event, held in the McCool Tay-

lor Auditorium at 6:30 p.m., was the first of many events that the Women of Aerospace plan to showcase to the public. Women in Aerospace is a new student group in the Deptartment of Aerospace Engineering. Its mission includes the promotion of Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields, outreach to the community, mentorship and professional development of its members.

Mary Kate Smith, co-host of the event, said she hopes everyone gets the most they can out of this experience.

“We aren’t giving a rocket science lecture. We are taking the road that Neil DeGrasse Tyson and Bill Nye have taken: make yourself relatable to everyone.

I hope that when people leave the talk, they take something away from what we say. We have learned so much and hope to somehow express it so that others can learn as well,” Smith said. “The goal of the event is to bridge, or in this case, ‘nerd’ the gap of being women in aerospace engineering and in the public eye. We want to tell our stories we have learned through them.”

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Aerospace majors Mary Kate Smith (left) and Paromita Mitra (right) spoke Monday about the role of women in science. The event, “Nerding The Gap,” encouraged people to find their passion.

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Union filling stations continue Green Fund success

BY EMMA CRAWFORD Copy Editor

Two years after its implementation, the Green Fund shifts focus to funding short-term sustainability efforts on Mississippi State University’s campus, most recently with the installment of water bottle filling stations in the Colvard Student Union.

The Green Fund gives students the option to contribute an extra $5 to their tuition each semester on their myState banner tab to support sustainable initiatives on MSU’s campus.

Grant Beatty, Students for a Sustainable Campus president, said SSC believes when the Green Fund was introduced, the initiative was successful.

“Well, the Green Fund grew very quickly after its implementation, directly because of the promotion efforts of its founders — former members of SSC,” Beatty said. “They definitely created a hype when the Green Fund got its feet on the ground.”

However, Beatty said Green Fund money recently plateaued because SSC gained new members, which caused its efforts and priorities to shift.

“We decided it was important to do short-term projects with the funds alEMMA KATHERINE HUTTO | THE REFLECTOR ready raised in order to give the student body tangible MSU student Blake Jones fills up a water bottle in a new filling station in the Colvard Student Union. The two-year-old Green Fund finanexamples of what the Green cially supported the filling stations’ installments this past week. The Green Fund supports sustainability initiatives on MSU’s campus.

Fund can be used for,” he said. “Our job is to get stu- Student Union this past get it passed through SA over campus in a few years,” the Year and recognition mental Affairs Committee as a Tree Campus USA by and SSC receive money he said.

Senate. dents interested and willing week. the Ar- from the SA. Johnson said An effort to coat Harris said he hopes to Beatty said the filling stato opt-in, knowing that bor Day SSC applies for SA funds, their $5 is going towards tions were paid for with the see more filling stations im- the roofs of camTo me, Fo u n d a - and the SA appropriates Green Fund and are intend- plemented across campus in pus buildings with something real.” money to them. tion. the future as well as a de- elastomeric white An aim at tangibility, ed to reduce plastic waste. success of Often times money for “It’s impaint may also be Brett Harris, Student As- crease in waste on campus.

SSC’s focus on short-term the Green p o r t a n t initiatives comes from var“I believe it will hopefully in the works, Beprojects brought about the sociation president, said SA Fund is not to stay ious MSU offices, a collabcreation of water bottle fill- works with SSC, and an SA reduce the amount of styro- atty said, which ahead of oration of financial support ing stations on current wa- senator presented the filling foam cups and water bot- would lower the simply defined by the curve Johnson said comes when ter fountains in the Colvard station idea and worked to tles, and we’ll see those all amount of heat an end monetary project and find well-thought-out absorbed by buildgoal, but rather ways to ideas that can be proved to ings. better the be necessary arise.

He said this what it can do Beatty said he believes, uluniversity rooftop coating to make MSU a and give timately, the measure of the would reflect up more energy and back, and Green Fund’s effectiveness to 60 percent more p r o m o t - will be the program’s effect light than tradi- environmentallying sus- on the MSU community’s tional roofing and conscious tainabili- environmental awareness. will reduce cooling university. This “To me, success of the costs and energy isn’t some abstract ty is one of those Green Fund is not simply consumption at philosophy. It’s ways,” he defined by an end monetary the same time. goal, but rather what it can said.

S u s t a i n a b i l i t y practical, and it’s M e g do to make MSU a more particularly con- personal.”

Johnson, energy and environmentalcerns the MSU -Grant Beatty, f o r m e r ly-conscious university,” he community, Harris co-direc- said. “This isn’t some absaid, exemplified Students for tor of the stract philosophy. It’s pracby the university’s a Sustainable SA Envi- tical, and it’s personal. The recent recognition Campus president r o n m e n - Green Fund can do things by the Mississippi tal Affairs to bring basic environmenRecycling CoaliCommit- tal concern to the forefront tion as Educational Institution Recycler of tee, said both the Environ- of students’ minds.”

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continued from 1

Rani Sullivan, assistant of self-discovery. I really professor in aerospace engi- can’t wait to see the crowd’s neering, said the engineer- reaction to our stories. Both ing field offers a range of op- my and Mary Kate’s experiportunities, and the event is ences have been so unique an excellent way to promote yet similar in so many ways.

As Miss Misthe STEM prosissippi USA gram.

We are 2013 I got “The field women to share my of engineering in rocket story with is an exciting children all and innovative science over the state field that gives inspiring kids and of Mississipan individual adults alike to be pi and counnumerous optry, and now portunities to more than the I just hope positively im- status quo. We are to be able to pact the world encouraging them share with around them. my peers as I am excited find their passion well.” about our ASE in life and let that M i t r a students and passion lead them shared ade n g i n e e r i n g on a path of selfvice to those students seizalso pursing ing opportu- discovery.” challenging nities to have -Paromita Mitra, dreams. a diverse range MSU student “These of experiences past four and ultimately years of my have positive impact,” Sullivan said. life went by so fast, but the In an effort to stay relat- entire process was certainable to the audience, Smith ly grueling and at times and Mitra will talk mainly seemed nearly impossible,” about their experiences and Mitra said. “One of my favorite quotes is ‘never, nevlife lessons.

Mitra, one of the featured er, never give up’ by Winguests, said that she hopes ston Churchill. I would her stories encourage both give this advice to not only the MSU and Starkville women, but everyone pursuing something difficult communities.

“We are women in rocket in their life. Although simscience inspiring kids and ple, this quote is what fuadults alike to be more than els my fire most days. It is the status quo. We are en- so important to remember couraging them to find their that nothing worth having passion in life and let that is easy to come by. It takes passion lead them on a path dedication.”

EXPENSES

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Plair said in putting the story information that enhances their together, it was important for ability to do the job.

“I have no ability to opine on SDN not to present the information in a manner that made what they might have gained by the paper look like it was indict- going to NLC or to Washinging these city or county officials ton, D.C,” she said.

Former Ward 2 Alderman for their spending.

“For what it’s worth, we did Sandra Sistrunk said her board had an annot take that posinual budget tion at all. Instead, For what of $18,000 we wanted to enit’s worth, for all travsure that the officials el, and most had an appropriate we did not travel was opportunity to extake that to MML plain the imporposition events. tance of the travel, “ T h e where they went at all. Instead, we MML events and what benefit wanted to ensure are in-state they felt the citizens that the officials and focus on received from it, education, and explain (in the had an appropriate networking, city’s case) why two opportunity that sort of aldermen outpaced to explain the thing. The the rest in travel ex- importance of the end of the penses. From there, term there we wanted to place travel, where they were nationsquarely in each went and what reader’s hands the benefit they felt the al events attended. This responsibility of in- citizens received board interpreting whether they thought it was from it, and explain creased their travel budget necessary spending. (in the city’s case) to $30,000 I’d wager there were why two aldermen a number of people outpaced the rest in but may exceed that. who fell on both The reason sides of that argu- travel expenses.”

I think they ment, as is true for -Zack Plair, may exceed any argument in- Starkville Daily the $30,000 volving government News editor budget is spending,” Plair said. that they’ve Ward 7 Alderman clearly spent Henry Vaughn Sr. declined to comment on the nearly that much and this year’s big MML event is in June. Exstory.

Spruill said the regular Missis- penditures for June’s MML sippi Municpial League confer- conference would be accountences offer opportunities for the ed for in this year’s budget,” elected officials to learn valuable Sistrunk said.

Thursday, March 27 • 10:57 p.m. A student reported a suspicious male on sorority row.

Friday, March 28 • 7:21 a.m. A student was involved in an accident that damaged a hand rail on President’s Circle.

• 1:06 p.m. A student was arrested off campus for selling stolen books.

• 5:41 p.m. A visitor was given a warning for driving with a high rate of speed on Magruder Street.

Saturday, March 29 • 12:00 a.m. A graduate student was arrested for aggravated assault in Starkville.

• 1:02 p.m. An officer responded to Oak Hall for a welfare check.

• 2:11 a.m. A student was arrested at Magnolia Hall for public drunkenness. A student referral was issued.

• 2:28 a.m. A student reported she was assaulted in Magnolia Hall. The subject did not want to press charges. A student referral was issued.

• 6:33 a.m. A student reported a disturbance at Hull Hall with a visitor.

Sunday, March 30 • 2:50 a.m. A student reported finding a book bag with items inside Allen Hall.

• 2:30 p.m. A visitor fell and possibly broke his collar bone at the RecPlex Intramural Field. The subject refused transport.

• 3:55 p.m. An officer responded to a fire alarm at Franklin Center. SPD was called.

• 5:01 p.m. An Event Operations Group employee reported he was threatened by another E.O.G. worker at Dudy Noble Field.

Citations: • 7 citations were issued for speeding.

ZACK ORSBORN

|

THE REFLECTOR

ZACK ORSBORN | THE REFLECTOR

OPINION

4 | TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 2014

OPINION EDITOR: ALIE DALEE | opinion@reflector.msstate.edu INTERNATIONAL INK

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TWO IF BY SEA

Airlines ignore glaring Barring catastrophe GOP stands to come out on top A 777 safety hazards I

have boarded 51 flights in my lifetime. This summer when I fly home to India, it will be my 52nd. What will be different about this one is that I fly in a Boeing 777 only weeks after the Malaysian triple seven vanished in the South Indian Ocean. I would be lying if I said I won’t have second thoughts about MH370 at the time of my boarding.

It could easily be termed heart-wrenching for the families of the MH370 passengers.

Malaysian transportation minister Hishammuddin Hussein said on Saturday, “Even hoping against hope, no matter how remote, of course we are praying and we are continuing our search for possible survivors, this after the Malaysian Prime Minister announced to expect no survivors earlier last week.”

I will make no attempts at adding a few more theories to the already huge pile of speculation theories of what caused the plane to disappear. Was it terrorism, mechanical failure or pilot sabotage/ suicide, etc.?

Every individual who travels internationally must have flown a 777. They are very common and used in abundance in the aviation industry, if there are questions raised about mechanical failures, will the entire fleet of 777s be grounded until further investigation?

Qantas, which is regarded as the world’s safest airline with a terrific safety record, grounded its entire fleet of Airbus A380s when one of the engines exploded mid-air. Until Rolls Royce, the engine manufacturer, and Airbus proved that the A380s were safe to fly, Qantas did not fly a single A380. There have been many other instances when investigators were given a deadline to work until a certain aircraft was verified as safe and type of flight became operational, why hasn’t such a call been taken in the MH370 case? Is this an exception?

Aren’t millions of passengers around the world weary and at risk if the thing that brought down MH370 is in fact a mechanical glitch?

In a March 11 report in The Telegraph, David Millward describes the concerns surrounding recent safety issues in the 777s.

“American transport officials warned of a potential weak spot in Boeing 777s which could lead to the “loss of structural integrity of the aircraft” four months before the disappearance of Malaysia airlines Flight MH370 ... In its directive the FAA ... told airlines to look out for corrosion under the fuselage skin ... this, the FAA said, could lead to a situation where the

PRANAAV JADHAV Pranaav Jadhav is a junior majoring in communication. He can be contacted at opinion@ reflector.msstate.edu.

fuselage was compromised leading to possible rapid decompression as well as the plane breaking up,” Willard said.

This report is alarming and should be closely examined once the investigation moves forward.

Earlier, Malaysian Airlines authorities had denied any talks of grounding the 777 fleet. Boeing did send a team to Malaysia to investigate.

Andrew Herdman, director general of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines, told CNBC suspicions of critical failure typically ground models until further confirmation of safety.

“If you get a suspicion it’s a design flaw or a component failure and could cause a failure of the same component in the same type of plane, then an airline may decide to stop flying the affected model,” Herdman said.

The lack of clarity amd prevading darkness in the MH370 case is daunting. We need answers, but it is tough on those who are working to get them. A raw video on YouTube showed how difficult the search process is in the middle of the Indian Ocean with inclement weather playing a huge role. The U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon has also joined the rescue operation, and Business Insider reports it is an incredibly impressive plane.

We, in the media, get excited and flash breaking news as soon as reports of new debris locations are released by different government bodies. From South China Sea, to the Philippine coast and now in the southern Indian Ocean, there is news of possible debris found every day — new images, new satellite reports.

For a moment, let us think about the families who have suffered the loss of close ones in the crash. One day they are told via text message not to expect survivors, then that they were looking for survivors.

This could have been handled better. There was never closure and never will be for these families.

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Editor in Chief

News Editor

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Kaitlyn Byrne

Anna Wolfe

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Zack Orsborn

Daniel Hart

Alie Dalee

Sports Editor John Galatas

Photography Editor Emma Katherine Hutto

Copy Editor Emma Crawford

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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.

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CORRECTIONS

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.

merican politics run on election are excellent examples numbers. DC politicos of some on the (far) right’s abilthrive on budgets, polls ity to remove themselves from and statistics. Here’s a statistic: contention with professionally During the past 100 years the idiotic comments. sitting president’s party has lost This sheds light on the necesseats in the United States Senate sity for the GOP to nominate 80 percent of the time, and this electable candidates who can midterm cycle looks to continue win general elections. While adthat trend. Of the 36 total races, herence to principle and ideolthere are nine seats controlled ogy is certainly important, it is

by Democrats also important that Republicans to win the race.

The winds have a realistic Passion about are blowing convictions and chance to win. in the The Grand Old philosophy does Party only needs GOP’s favor, conservatives no to net six seats to and barring any good if a candigain control of date gets beat by the Senate. It is self-inflicted 30 points in a the Republicans’ wounds, this is the general election. midterm to lose. Republicans’ Senate Identifying Unfortunately to lose.” and nominatfor the Repubing these electlican Party, the able candidates maxim “snatchare vital to the ing defeat from the jaws of GOP’s success. Only when we victory” is an-all-too realistic have a majority in both houspossibility. In order to gain a es of Congress, which ensures Senate majority, the GOP must committee chairmanships, will steer clear of bonehead mistakes we see an opportunity to get the that have been made in the not- nation back on track. so-distant past. Gaffes made by The numbers are in the GOP’s Representatives Todd Akin and favor and so are the issues of the Richard Mourdock in the 2012 election. Many Senate Demo-

crats seek to distance themselves from the Obama Administration and specifically from its implementation of Obamacare.

This is an issue Republicans must leverage to wrestle control of the Senate away from Democrats.

A recent special election in Florida’s 13th District served as a testing ground for the Republican and Democratic midterm tactics. Both national parties spent unusually high amounts of money in this race to test the viability of their overarching strategy. Republican David Jolly beat Democrat Alex Sink in a narrow victory focusing on one issue: Obamacare.

Republicans have had luck in the past focusing on a single issue as a campaign strategy. In 2010 they took back the House by gaining 63 seats. While they didn’t take control, they did pick up six seats in the Senate.

This landslide victory for Republicans came about by running against Obamacare and reminding voters of Democrats who voted for it.

2014 is not 2010. Obamacare is a powerful issue, but this cycle isn’t going to crown any win-

WALTON CHANEY AND JOJO DODD

Walton Chaney is a junior majoring in history. JoJo Dodd is a junior majoring in economics. They can be contacted at opinion@reflector.msstate. edu.

ners running on a single issue.

Offering an alternative to the plan is a first step in a winning strategy. Simply repealing the law isn’t sufficient. “Repeal and replace” is the newest slogan coming from the right. Now is the time to be specific with what that replacement looks like.

But Obamacare is only one issue marring this administration and those in Congress who have supported it.

When considered alongside our flawed foreign policy and painfully slow economic recovery, focusing solely on Obamacare would miss an opportunity to develop a strategy that incorporates a myriad of other issues that are important to Americans. The winds are blowing in the GOP’s favor, and barring any self-inflicted wounds, this is the Republicans’ Senate to lose.

ONE LITTLE SPARK

Field trips add value to education

S

pring has sprung, and with it the travel bug.

With resurgent ceremonies of spring break trips in the past, many students are eager for their next vacation, whether it be to familiar scenery or new.

This need to step off-campus and experience the lives you read about is not a new one. Beyond the simple need to whisk off to a beach and let go of responsibilities, there often also lies a desire to learn in a new way, to stop learning by reading and listening to the wiser and to make your own decisions about things you see firsthand. The world is your classroom, and you have a lot to learn.

Sometimes the days of classes and homework and essays make you yearn for the days of elementary field trips, when everyone just understood that because you were going to the science museum or down the corner to see local businesses you were allowed to be absent for the day. But it’s not just we high school graduates who miss field trips. Students still

in grades K-12 might be miss- of going somewhere new and ing them as well. According to rich has its own rewards, rethe American Association of search has shown that learning School Administrators, over 50 outside the classroom is most percent of schools eliminated successful when it is an inteplanned field trips in 2011. gral element of long-term curYearning for a step outside the riculum planning and closely classroom and a different kind linked to classroom activities. of learning seems to be a prob- Also it is successful when field lem for all ages trips are careof American fully planned to Find a place be part of obstudents. you want to jectives taught It is well-documented that the know more within field trips enclassroom and about and courage learnthe curriculum utilize the resources continues ing outside to the classroom the faculty at this build upon the helps students university have to experience after become more students return responsible for offer.” to regularly their learning scheduled class. and, in fact, Field trips arhelp them retain knowledge. en’t just for grades K-12. MasIn fact, the British government sachusetts Institute of Technolhas taken significant steps ogy has instituted a program to fund learning outside the that finds grants to fund field classroom. Furthermore, the trips to enhance leadership. benefits of taking field trips Graduate programs offer opare greater for disadvantaged portunities for students to see students who have less oppor- all types of places to further tunity to venture outside their their exposure or present their central communities. Though work. At Mississippi State taking trips simply for the joy University, students can study

WHITNEY KNIGHT Whitney Knight is a senior majoring in English education. She can be contacted at opinion@ reflector.msstate.edu.

abroad everywhere from Spain to Korea to Chile, all while getting credit for classroom learning. But these trips are not just to exotic new places. MSU also sponsors a service learning trip every spring break to the Mississippi Delta, where students learn about the region from the communities.

So if you’re feeling the travel bug, look around you. Find a place you want to know more about and utilize the resources the faculty at this university have to offer. Learning doesn’t have to be the same classes day after day. It can take place in the most unlikely of places.

WHO SPEAKS FOR EARTH?

‘Cosmos’ TV show sparks religious contention A

s I mentioned last week the new TV show “Cosmos,” hosted by astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson, recently brought up contention between the philosophical concerns that “Cosmos” advocates and the indignant repudiations of these kinds of attempts by people with opposing worldviews. Already the TV show has garnered complaints from the Answers in Genesis (AiG) creation science and Christian apologetics group. The argument going on is more a matter of details and should not be used to eclipse the overall message put forth in “Cosmos.”

The problem originates because empirical scientists often take themselves too seriously, forgetting their scientific theories have nothing to tell us about metaphysics or religion.

Often theories and data-interpretations rely on assumptions taken on faith, leaving the important philosophical questions open to criticism that general science simply cannot answer.

Creationists are too ready to jump on some scientists because they sometimes feel backed into a corner by their less evidence-oriented approach to science. This debate continues only because of the repetitive cycle of theologians defending themselves with their own take on science from scientists that are making philosophical argu-

ments that science cannot back true and it is only the occasional philosophical outcropping up and vice versa.

AiG complained in its blog that we should call into quesof circular and inconsistent rea- tion?

The goal of “Cosmos” is not to soning in some of Tyson’s mesattack religion. Tyson’s attempt sage in “Cosmos.”

“Despite the admonition to to reason from evidence and ac‘question everything’ and to cepted scientific theory pushes ‘reject’ ideas that ‘don’t pass the Americans into the mindset he test,’ the fact that abiogenesis and Carl Sagan call the “cos(life forming from inanimate mic perspective.” This cosmic matter) violates the fundamen- perspective tries to bring us out of an Earth-cental laws of bioltric worldview, ogy is ignored.

We must which is easy to Evolutionar y stop fall into as long blind faith in a as all we ever ‘great mystery’ arguing look at is the … trumps the over how Earth. Thus, by scientific methlooking at the od,” AiG’s blog the cosmos was universe in gensaid about Ty- created and realize eral and bringson’s take on that it exists for ing up issues evolution. us to take care of relevant to conAnd so we see that science before it is too late.” tinued human is outside of its survival under realm of experconditions of tise and so is continual warreligion once it refutes entire fare and lackadaisical enviscientific theories because of ronmental stewardship, Tyson incompatibilities that can be may end up challenging many easily resolved once literal in- Christians, though not on terpretations of scripture are the end goal of happiness and peace, but merely on the premrelaxed.

One possible solution to this ises for wanting such things.

As long as groups like AiG conundrum is to ask creationists some questions: Could God feel its religion is attacked by not have ordained abiogenesis the mention of origins of life to happen if he is omnipotent? that do not explicitly credit Why must we attack the results God’s miraculous intervention, of scientific inquiry when the we will be stuck just fighting results themselves may hold over the premises of our argu-

CAMERON CLARKE Cameron Clarke is a junior majoring in physics. He can be contacted at opinion@reflector. msstate.edu.

ments and miss the conclusion that we should all share that “Cosmos” advocates: We are fragile here on our rock, and just because God may have created us does not mean we cannot accidentally kill ourselves and destroy much of the nice creation he has provided us.

We must stop arguing over how the cosmos was created and realize it exists for us to take care of before it is too late. Philosopher Wendell Berry admonishes us in his essay “God and Country” by saying, “If God loves the world, then how might any person of faith be excused for not loving it or justified in destroying it.” This is what “Cosmos” drives at by advocating Sagan’s cosmic perspective, just from a possibly different set of premises than Christianity.

TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 2014 | 5

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THE REFLECTOR

LIFE EDITOR: DANIEL HART | life@reflector.msstate.edu

SURF Every two years the Delta Lambda chapter of Delta Gamma appoints a renowned visitor to speak on its values and ethics.

Ali Norman, MSU’s Delta Gamma president and junior kinesiology major, said Delta Gamma wanted to select an individual that had a story that resonated with and could impact students in a positive manner.

“When selecting a speaker for this year’s Dorothy Garrett Martin Lectureship in Values and Ethics, we wanted to bring in someone who had a powerful testimony that could touch the lives of those on Mississippi State’s campus,” she said.

Jessica Hubbard, lectureship adviser for the Delta Gamma chapter at MSU, said the program will last for one hour, 30 minutes of which will be Hamilton speaking and the remaining 30 minutes will be question and answer.

Hubbard said she hopes students gain a sense of what is possible after undergoing adversities and that coming out triumphantly is achievable if one views obstacles as blessings, regardless of hardships that come along the way.

“I expect her appearance will enlighten the audience on what one person can do despite hardships and loss.

Bethany reaches thousands of people every year by sharing

LIFE & ENTERTAINMENT continued from 1

her message of Christian faith through her charities, sporting events and speaking engagements,” she said. “I hope MSU students will be inspired by her message and encouraged that being different can be a blessing, despite whatever challenges may come.”

Norman said Delta Gamma hopes Hamilton’s encouraging testimony will encourage attendees of the lectureship.

“We are hoping that those who have the pleasure of hearing Bethany speak will be inspired by her story of faith, determination and hope,” she said.

Travis King, sophomore anthropology major and expectant lectureship attendee, said he is eager to hear Hamilton speak about her life because of her inspirational story and the clarity that a story like Hamilton’s gives students on life.

“I think everybody knows her story — how often do you hear about a one-armed surfer,” he said. “I honestly believe it is incredible that she continued surfing despite losing an arm. I look forward to hearing her story because we (students) complain about the most pointless problems, and I think hearing her story will really put life into perspective and supply motivation.”

Hamilton wrote a book

about her life in 2004, and in 2011 it was converted into a motion picture, “Soul Surfer.” She has won countless awards and continues

to share her story through speaking engagements similar to Tuesday’s lecture, which is free and open to the public.

Hamilton’s life motto is,

“Love Life!” and she said her future goals consist of persisting on her path of Christian faith and living one day at a time.

“I want to continue to live for God and better my surfing. But, really, I’m just taking it one day at a time,” she said.

DAVID LEWIS

|

THE REFLECTOR

MSU students congregate on the Drill Field Sunday night to watch “Soul Surfer,” a film about surfer Bethany Hamilton, who speaks on campus Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Humphrey Coliseum. Hamilton lost her arm due to a shark attack at the age of 13, yet quickly overcame her fear of the ocean because of her love for surfing.

Local renaissance: MSU, Starkville arts culture resurges

BY ALIE DALEE Opinion Editor

Sunlight streamed in the unlatched garage door of the metal shop in Howell Hall on a Friday night in Starkville, Miss.

Students meandered the stark room haphazardly enveloped in tools, metal scraps and a plethora of grunge. A small corner of the room contrasted the vast interior. A single monochromatic white wall met the blonde wood panels lining the floor. The work of Mark Slawson, Paul Prudhomme and Dupree Bostic, junior art majors with concentrations in graphic design at Mississippi State University, incorporated the sole color illuminating the bare walls.

The pop-up art show is a paradigm of the art subculture that has steadily emerged in Starkville over the past few years. Slawson, whose paintings ranged from an azure man with a rosary adorned around his neck to a photo displaying a lexicon of alcohol in polychromatic glory, said his work is a direct correlation of the lessons relayed to him by the faculty of MSU’s graphic design program.

Prudhomme said the supportive nature of the artistic community in Starkville allows artists to carefully and creatively hone their work.

“I think currently, and for the future, it is like a little incubator,” Prudhomme said.

He explained there is a sense of consideration among the community, and the community is able to share its work with Starkvillians to improve the tastes of the

community as a whole.

Crockett Bowie, senior majoring in mechanical engineering, attended the popup show. He represents the fragment of the community which serves as patrons of the

arts and said the growing arts community in Starkville helps disintegrate MSU’s stereotypes.

“I think it is helping progress Starkville and put Starkville on the map in dif-

ferent ways,” Bowie said. “I think that in Mississippi and surrounding areas, Starkville gets criticism for being an ag school, and this helps us move in a different direction.”

Stationed behind a table of intricately designed prints and screen-printed eco-friendly T-shirts at Nine-twentyNine coffee bar’s art show this past Saturday, Lorrin Webb, a graduate of MSU’s graphic design program, explained the innovation that has propelled Starkville’s art community in the past year. Webb, chair of the art in public places committee for the Starkville Area Arts Council, heads the Mural Collective of Starkville.

When Webb became chair last fall, the art in public places committee consisted of a spattering of art shows at the Greater Starkville Development Partnership building located on Main Street. However, Webb said she felt more could be done to engage the public and build bridges between artists, students and their community.

The Mural Collective of Starkville is the first rung in that ladder. The mural project is a two-part venture between Starkville and an incorporation of outside influences.

“We talk about design ideas, and we come up with the designs collectively, and the other side of it is hiring professional artists to come in,” Webb explained.

The Mural Collective’s first mural will adorn the dilapiEMMA KATHERINE HUTTO | THE REFLECTOR Lorrin Webb (left), head of the Mural Collective of Starkville, dated gas station adjourning Stromboli’s on University stands at a table of her prints and T-shirts at an art show at Drive and an innovative artist Nine-twentyNine Saturday. The mural project endeavors to will return to Mississippi to bridge the gap between artists, students and the community. paint the inaugural piece.

“A really dear friend of mine is coming in from South Korea. He is actually from Mississippi, but he’s been teaching there,” Webb said. “He’s been painting all over the place — the Berlin Wall, in Thailand, Cambodia.”

The mural project has received continual green lights from the Starkville community with no less than five store owners requesting murals on their store exteriors and city officials in full-support of the project. The project comes on the heels of Governor Phil Bryant’s December proclamation that 2014 is the ‘year of the creative economy’ in Mississippi.

The project has a strong commitment to students of all ages. Its next project incorporates a partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Starkville into a mural overlaying the breezeway which connected public parking to Main Street.

The MSU student population had a strong presence at an art show located in the basement of Nine-twentyNine coffee bar Saturday night. Bonnie Brumley, senior fine arts major with a concentration in ceramics, stood behind a plethora of earth-toned ceramic productions. She said the support of establishments like Nine-twentyNine gives students the idiosyncratic experience of selling their work free of commission, which is an opportunity rare to student artists.

“I think that’s really great because it really encourages younger people to be in Starkville and recognize this place as a place where you

could potentially sell your work and be successful,” Brumley said.

Webb also works with Mississippi Modern to organize a festival for the state as a whole.

Austin Grove, junior graphic design major, serves as an intern for Mississippi Modern.

He explained the company was established to facilitate a communication channel between artists in Mississippi.

“They’re looking to get some murals painted, to get some commissions for artists in Mississippi and start a network to identify bookstore space and art galleries in Mississippi,” Grove said.

Mississippi Modern aims to incorporate the music-side of artistry into the Starkville community this Saturday with its Micro-Fest, a conglomeration of music, fashion, art and craft beer all tied into a single evening in the Cotton District.

The new company embodies where the art culture in Starkville heads, which Webb said is toward a community dedicated to supporting numerous avenues of creativity and the diversity of interests held by the citizens of Starkville.

“There’s this whole kind of awakening happening all over the state right now. I think people are really embracing and becoming more open-minded and more creative-minded,” Webb exclaimed. “I think it’s just a matter of time before it completely explodes.”

Editor’s note: Austin Grove is incoming graphic designer at The Reflector.

Nickel Creek reconvenes after hiatus to craft cohesive new album

BY GENY KATE GURLEY Staff Writer

In 2007 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn., Nickel Creek, a band whose members had been together since they played bluegrass festivals as children, performed what it called its last show and began a supposedly indefinite hiatus.

Chris Thile, mandolinist, then had a booming solo career and worked on more classical music. Sara Watkins, fiddler, and her brother, Sean Watkins, guitarist, both worked in other bands and on solo albums.

In the documentary “How to Grow a Band,” Thile said when shifting from playing bluegrass festivals to becoming a band in the public eye with demanding record labels, the members of Nickel Creek were afraid to lose their band on that journey.

“Through no fault of Nickel Creek, we had to think about who would buy (our albums),” Thile said. “That’s just where it all went eventually ... Ultimately, Sean, Sara and I lost control over the mechanism that was Nickel Creek.”

However, Nickel Creek’s members have grabbed the

band’s reigns once again. After random reunions at festivals, Nickel Creek is back together and touring with new album, “A Dotted Line,” which releases Tuesday.

Thile is nothing if not talented in every possible mandolin style. As a result, Nickel Creek fans know the next song on a Nickel Creek album could be a bluegrass riff, a folk song, something that resembles a rock song or a ballad.

The range of style on “A Dotted Line” is no surprise.

Sara Watkins told Nate Chinen of the New York Times that the members have been able to add to each other’s songs

now more than ever.

Chinen said another element of “A Dotted Line” that shows a point of maturity for the band is the album’s soaring, dipping vocal harmonies.

“The most striking feature about ‘A Dotted Line’ is the sheer strength of the singing and the frequency with which it takes flight in three-part harmony,” he said.

Sara Watkins and Thile have always had a beautiful two-part harmony while Sean Watkins took the backseat.

But now, the album consists of some songs composed with more equal collaboration.

Sean Watkins’s vocals shine

in his beautifully sad song “Christmas Eve,” and more tunes include three-part harmonies.

The band’s hiatus served its intended purpose. Each member pursued new facets of music, matured in his or her style and reconvened with fresh force and vision.

Jay Sweet, producer of the influential Newport Folk Festival, at which the band has played, said he is excited to host the band this summer, a time he called the peak of the band members’ abilities.

“To our audience, this is a super group because the fans know these artists from their

individual things, not as a band,” he said.

Nickel Creek is no longer Chris Thile and friends. Each member shines as a talented musician and writer. The band is a super group now more than ever, which its sold-out shows and packed music festival performances indicate.

The band members have not indicated whether Nickel Creek is back together for a while or what future albums consist of, but hopefully its tour kicking off in mid April will stay grounded in its vision for Nickel Creek and keep it together.

REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM

TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 2014 | 7

SPORTS

leon carrubba | the reflector

Lady Bulldog Alexandra Perper returns a volley during doubles play. Perper and her partner Naomi Tran picked up their fourth win in doubles play against Ole Miss Sunday.

Women’s tennis falls to Rebels in thriller

By John Galatas Sports Editor

Despite putting forth a strong performance against No. 26 Ole Miss, the Mississippi State University women’s tennis team dropped a 4-2 decision to the Rebels to open a three-match home stand at the A.J. Pitts Tennis Centre Sunday.

With the loss, the Lady Bulldogs fell to 9-10 and 1-8 in conference play and are set to host No. 4 Florida and No. 56 South Carolina Friday and Sunday, respectively.

MSU started the day with leon carrubba | the reflector strong play in doubles. Trail- Sophomore Georgiana Patrasc returns a volley during ing on each court, the Lady Dogs rallied in two match tie- singles play. Patrasc earned the lone singles win Sunday. breakers to grab the first point of the day. MSU junior Petra his team fought, even though honor a pair of seniors Sunday Ferancova and sophomore it was not the outcome he against South Carolina during Georgiana Patrasc knocked off hoped for.

Senior Day. Greenan said seOle Miss’s No. 76 duo of Julia “It was a great battle. I’m niors Perper and Rosie Dion Jones and Zalina Khairudino- proud of the girls and the way have displayed leadership all va 8-7 (2). Just seconds lat- they fought,” he said. “That season, and he feels proud of er, MSU’s No. 40 tandem of was a big win for us to get the what they have accomplished senior Alexandra Perper and doubles point, and it put us in at MSU. junior Naomi Tran defeated a position to give us a chance “We’ve had great leadership Rebels Erin Stephens and Iris to win. We came up short, this year, and that comes from Verboven 8-7 (1). but we did fight hard, and we our seniors. And they’ve done Perper and Tran notched played pretty well.” a tremendous job in their their fourth doubles win of Greenan also said his team careers here at Mississippi the year, and Tran said execu- is improving every week and State,” Greenan said. “They’re tion is part of their success. looks forward to seeing the part of our growth. We’re get“Our biggest thing is exe- Lady Dogs finish strong be- ting better, and they are a part cuting,” she said. “If we get fore the SEC tournament. of that. They’ve led by examinto the point and we take “They really have been ple, and they mean a lot to over the next, I think we’re in fighting all year long and our team.” good shape against anyone.” playing pretty well at home.

Perper, who has nine sinThe Rebels quickly re- Hopefully that home-court gle-match wins this season, sponded in singles play with a advantage helps us out a lit- said it is important to her to couple of single match wins to tle bit. It’s nice to see a good close her MSU career on a claim a 2-1 lead. But MSU be- turnout in the stands (Sun- strong note. gan a rally as Patrasc defeated day). Hopefully more will “I’m really concentrating Khairudinova 6-3, 6-1 to tie come out and support us next on finishing well and playthe match. weekend,” he said. “We’re ing my best tennis,” she said.

Patrasc, who is 6-1 in SEC playing better every week, “Hopefully next weekend will play, said the singles point win and hopefully that continues be a good weekend, and we was encouraging as she strives down the stretch.” can beat Florida and South to improve with each match The Lady Bulldogs will Carolina.” this season.

“I think overall this semester I have had a good season,” Patrasc said. “I’m working to get to the NCAAs, and this was another step toward achieving my goal.”

Despite a strong effort to scratch out another point, the Rebels claimed two more matches and set the 4-2 final.

Head Coach Daryl Greenan said he was proud of the way

emma katherine hutto | the reflector

WEEKEND WIN | Mississippi State junior pitcher Jacob Lindgren tosses a pitch during warmups in between innings in Sunday’s win 5-1 win over Arkansas.

The Bulldogs split a doubleheader Saturday, losing 4-0 in the series opener and claiming a 5-1 victory in Saturday’s nightcap. MSU improved to 20-10 on the season and 6-3 in conference play. The Bulldogs will travel to Baton Rouge, La., to face LSU Friday and Saturday at 6:30 p.m. before the series finale Sunday at 1:30 p.m.

BASKETBALL “I’m really disappointed in myself,” Alwal said. “I feel like if I would’ve had a game like I know I could’ve had, it would be a completely different game right now.”

The Lady Bulldogs ran through everyone who stood in their way this postseason.

MSU defeated Tulane, Southern Miss and finally took down SEC foe Auburn. They also set record-breaking numbers in attendance this season.

Grant said she knows the team has changed the culture of MSU basketball.

“It feels good to see how far we’ve come starting from last year,” Grant said. “We made it to the Elite Eight of the WNIT, and that says a lot about us and our coaching staff.”

This season, the Lady Bulldogs have put a brand of basketball on the floor of which everyone can be proud. All season long they have gained the attention and respect from teams throughout the SEC and the nation.

Whether it has been upsetting top-ranked teams or making deep runs in the post-season, they have exceeded expectations and proven everyone wrong.

Alwal said she could not be more proud of her teammates.

“We’re a completely different team than last year, and we’re so resilient to fight and never give up, so I’m really proud of my team, and we’re only going to use this as moti-

continued from 8 vation for next year to go farther and not let this happen again,” she said.

The Lady Bulldogs’ season may not have ended the way they wanted it to, but the team still had a successful season. They’ve turned the program around, and Schaefer said he knows everyone is proud of what is in store for his team.

“It’s been a special year for these young ladies,” he said.

“The best is yet to come. It’s fixing to start getting fun around here — it already is. Those crowds and those games — they will be the norm, and it needs to be that way because these ladies are paying the price to represent the university.”

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8 | TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 2014

SPORTS EDITOR: JOHN GALATAS | reflectorsports@gmail.com

SPORTS

STAT OF THE DAY:

THE REFLECTOR

With the series win over Arkansas, the Mississippi State baseball team has won its first three sec series for the first time since 2003.

Bulldog softball earns sweep over Marshall

By AlexAndriA WilSon Staff Writer

The Mississippi State University softball team fended off Marshall this weekend, including double-header wins on Saturday, extending its winning streak to six games.

Saturday’s twinbill showcased two powerful pitching performances from senior Alison Owen and freshman Alexis Silkwood, whose efforts both combined for 23 Marshall strikeouts. emma katherine hutto | the reflector Silkwood, who picked up her Senior Sam Lenahan singles to left to drive in a pair of eighth win of the year in game runs in Sunday’s win.

MSU plated 15 runs in the series. two, said the series sweep was a complete team effort.

“We knew that Sunday is in the final inning to seal the gle. Winkfield followed by driving in two runs on a base hit to all about toughness. We had 4-0 victory.

In the second game, Marshall left field. excellent pitching, amazing The Bulldogs put the game defense and then we got some failed to score in the first and barrels — we strung every- the Bulldogs took a 1-0 lead in out of reach with five runs in thing together along with the bottom of the first. MSU the bottom of the fourth inning some key hits,” Silkwood said. added to the lead in the bottom to set the 9-1 final. Lenahan During the opener, MSU of the second with another run collected a two-RBI hit, senior left the bases loaded in the sparked by an infield single by Logan Foulks hit a sacrifice fly and junior Ashley Phillips drove bottom of the first but explod- Jessica Offutt.

Marshall had a chance to an- in a pair on a single to end the ed for four runs in the bottom swer in the top of the fourth but scoring. of the second.

Lenahan, who has hit .417 in Sophomore Kayla Wink- could not convert. Silkwood refield stole second base prior tired nine of the final 10 batters the last nine games with a .563 on- base percentage, said the key to an infield hit by sophomore to steal the 2-0 win.

The Bulldogs carried the of- in Sunday’s game was stringing Loryn Nichols. A Marshall third baseman threw wide to fensive momentum into Sun- hits together to build momenfirst allowing Winkfield to day’s finale as MSU claimed a tum on the bases.

“Personally, I could have been 9-1 win to complete the sweep score. more aggressive. We got those Senior Sam Lenahan then of the Thundering Herd.

Timely hits and capitalizing key hits that got those runs in, followed with a two-run home run to right for the three-run on runs proved to be the keys to and I think that really helped to give us the momentum.” Lenaadvantage. After a single from success for Sunday’s game.

MSU struck first by plating han said. junior Julia Echols, freshman The Bulldogs return to action Caroline Seitz doubled off the four runs in the opening frame. top of the wall in center to With the bases loaded, Silkwood Wednesday night as they travel collected her first hit in Maroon to Itta Bena, Miss., to take on plate Echols.

Owen retired eight batters and White with a two-RBI sin- Mississippi Valley State at 6 p.m.

leon carrubba | the reflector

South Florida players celebrate following a buzzer beater which ended MSU’s season Sunday afternoon. USF’s Courtney Williams hit a shot as time expired to earn the win.

Lady Dogs end season with defeat in WNIT

By Quentin Smith Staff Writer

After a stellar regular season, which was then followed up by a remarkable post-season run, the Mississippi State University women’s basketball team’s triumphant season has come to an end.

The Lady Bulldogs suffered a last-second defeat to the University of South Florida Bulls 60-58 Sunday in the Elite Eight of the Women’s NIT. The Lady Dogs lost on a game-winning three pointer as time expired. The shot shocked both the team and the fans as everyone in the Humphrey Coliseum stood

in awe of the final play.

Lady Bulldog Head Coach Vic Schaefer said he hates his team had to lose in that fashion.

“It hurts, and it needs to hurt. We need to remember it,” Schaefer said. “I hate to see them go through something like this knowing they’ve paid the price and deserve to win.”

This loss will be a tough pill to swallow. With 28 seconds left and the ball, MSU’s first team All-SEC center Martha Alwal made a basket to give the Lady Dogs a one point lead with 4.2 seconds left on the clock.

A tough season-ending loss is never an easy thing to over-

come, but MSU has no reason to hang its head.

Despite the loss, the team finished with an overall record of 22-14, the fourth-most wins in school history.

In the game, junior Kendra Grant came up big for the team yet again as she paced the Lady Dogs with 22 points, one shy of her career high. Freshman Breanna Richardson also chipped in with 14 points and 14 rebounds. Alwal snagged down eight rebounds, setting the MSU single season record with 317 rebounds. But even with setting the new record, Alwal said she was still torn over the loss. see BASKETBALL, 7

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