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OPINION | 4 125th YEAR | ISSUE 41 @REFLECTORONLINE /REFLECTORONLINE

MARCH 21, 2014

FRIDAY

REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM

Mill renovations include conference center

BY REED GADDIS Staff Writer

The E.E. Cooley building, also known as the Mill, will soon undergo renovations. A groundbreaking ceremony took place at 3:30 p.m. Thursday

to celebrate the new establishment. The building is located just off of campus at 600 Russell St. The building, which was used as a cotton mill until 1962, was bought by Mississippi State University in 1965 and named

after E.E. Cooley, former superintendent of utilities. Mississippi State’s Facilities Management Operations has also previously been stationed in the over-a-century old Cooley building built in 1902. The old cotton mill will be converted

into a new conference center for both MSU and the Starkville area called The Mill.

In addition to the conference center, office space will also be created. Next to The Mill, a four story hotel and 450-car parking garage will be constructed.

Student fatally shot in Jackson

SEE DEVELOPMENT, 3

BY ANNA WOLFE News Editor

Kristian Williams, 19-year-old Mississippi State University kinesiology major, died shortly after 3 a.m.

Saturday after suffering gunshot wounds at a home on Fredrica Avenue in Jackson, Miss., according to a report on WAPT news in Jackson.

Her mother, Davietta Horton, was also shot and underwent surgery at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

Police have arrested David Horton, Williams’s stepfather, and charged him with one count of murder and one count of aggravated assault.

Sid Salter, MSU chief communications officer, said in an email he cannot comment on the circumstances of the student’s death because it occurred so far from MSU, but all student deaths affect the MSU family.

“Any time we lose a student to tragedy like this, the entire MSU community is diminished,” Salter said.

Nepalese exhibit culture through music, dance, fashion Saturday

BY PRANAAV JADHAV Staff Writer

ALLISON BERLER | THE REFLECTOR

Starkville developers held a groundbreaking ceremony at 3:30 p.m. Thursday where the E.E. Cooley building, which was originally a cotton mill, will be renovated into offices and a conference center. A hotel and parking garage will also be built next to the development.

Staff Writer

For the first time in Mississippi State University history, MSU’s Student Affairs will host New Maroon Camp for the incoming fall 2014 freshmen on Aug. 6-9.

The location of New Maroon Camp is undecided, but tentative plans of location are set for Florence, Miss., at Twin Lakes for the first two days of camp, and the last two days will be held on campus.

Andrew Rendon, faculty staff adviser of New Maroon, said the camp will present activities for pre-freshman students, a learning experience that will not only educate the students about their aca-

demics, but assist in providing them with a school spirit to become True Maroon.

“We’re still in the development stages of ‘New Maroon,’ so we don’t have specific activities yet for the pre-freshmen,” Rendon said. “However, the activities will be designed to work on team building, designed to encourage students to embrace programs and activities and organizations here on campus. They will be geared towards teaching them things that, at the end of the day, will help them be successful students here.”

Rendon said New Maroon will essentially host a camp-like setting, in which counselors will assist and provide the future Bulldogs with guidance.

BY NIA WILSON Staff Writer

DAVID LEWIS | THE REFLECTOR

Niall Cook, who refers to himself as a “language nerd” and started learning sign langauge in 1993, is the first permanent ASL interpreter hired by MSU. Cook plans to interpret at campus events and whenever he is needed.

SEE CAMP, 3

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CROSSWORD CLASSIFIEDS LIFE SPORTS

SEE NEPALESE, 3

MSU hires first ASL interpreter

MSU hosts New Maroon Camp for 2014 freshmen

BY LACRETIA WIMBLEY

The Nepalese Student Association at Mississippi State University will showcase Nepalese culture in the form of music, dance, fashion show and food Saturday at 4 p.m. in the McComas Hall auditorium.

Sushil Poudel, president of the NSA, said he believes this event will bring international and American students together, as more than 300 students are expected to attend.

“At first we expected 200 attendees, but with the active participation from members and help from the other organizations on campus, we are expecting more than 300.

This is a beautiful opportunity for the association to accustom all other international students and Starkville communities about Nepali culture, tradition and values,” Poudel said.

Shwadhin Sharma, information systems Ph.D student at MSU, said he will perform two popular Nepali songs at the event.

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Mississippi State University has hired its first full-time sign language interpreter. In the past, MSU hired temporary interpreters for various events such as graduation or tours.

However, Niall Cook will serve in a permanent position from the Student Support Services office. He looks forward to assisting the American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter program’s development.

The Student Support Services (SSS) offers two programs to assist students. The first is covered by a federal

grant from the US Department of Education. It provides academic support to both first generation, low-income college students and students with disabilities.

Services include priority registration, testing services, counseling and guidance, career development and tutoring.

Unfortunately, the grant only covers 160 students. For that reason, the second program, Disability Support Services (DSS), was formed. DSS offers the same services as SSS and acts as the coordinator between students with disabilities and the surrounding university.

SEE INTERPRETER, 2

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SUNDAY

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MONDAY

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NEWS

2 | FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 2014

THE REFLECTOR

Cell phone service to improve during football gamedays MSU football games. Because NCW wants to expand the distributed antenna system and Mississippi State University because the leased space does requested permission to amend not provide adequate ceiling an existing lease agreement height for certain equipment, MSU and with New CinNCW propose gular Wireless In addition to amend the PCS, LLC for to AT&T, agreement to space in Davis other move the leased Wade Stadium space to a difto the Missiscarriers sippi Board of will be able to have ferent location within Davis Trustees of State Wade Stadium.

Institutions of better reception An expanded Higher Learn- for voice, data distributed aning, according and texting. tenna system to the Feb. 20 We are hoping will enhance board agenda.

NCW’s abiliAccording to to make these ty to sublease the report, in improvements space on the June 2011, the by this coming system to other Board of Trust- season.” providers, thus ees approved, providing addiand MSU en- -Bill Martin, tional revenue tered into an MSU assistant for MSU. agreement to athletic director for Bill Martin, lease approximedia relations assistant athletmately 1,635 ic director for square feet of media relations space in Davis Wade Stadium to NCW. at MSU, said major carriers NCW has used this space to including Verizon Wireless, install a distributed antenna AT&T and C-spire have an system to provide cellular cov- advantage in the stadium.

“In addition to AT&T, otherage for individuals attending

BY PRANAAV JADHAV Staff Writer

er carriers will be able to have better reception for voice, data and texting. We are hoping to make these improvements by this coming season,” Martin said in an email. “We are looking at addressing these concerns in the near future as well to improve Wi-Fi Service.”

Caroline Harris, sophomore elementary education major, said her experience with cell phone service in Davis Wade has been terrible.

“It is nearly impossible to communicate with anyone through texting/calling and the Internet,” Harris said.

Chelsea Carter, senior communication major, said she uses Verizon Wireless, and last football season she never had service when she went to football games.

“As soon as I walk into the stadium, it’s like my phone doesn’t work at all until the game is completely over. My phone stays out of service,” Carter said.

According to the Board of Trustees consent agenda, the amendment will not immediately increase revenue for MSU. However, the amendment will allow NCW to sub-

EMMA KATHERINE HUTTO | THE REFLECTOR

MSU students cheer during last season’s football game against Alcorn State. People have complained about poor cell phone service during gamedays, and an agreement with New Cingular Wireless seeks to improve the reception at Davis Wade Stadium. lease space on the distributed original agreement — MSU of the agreement. The term antenna system to Verizon will receive 30 percent of the remains 15 years starting on Wireless at which time — ac- sublease revenue. The amend- June 22, 2011 and ending on cording to the terms of the ment does not change the term June 21, 2026.

INTERPRETER DSS ensures the university accommodates the students’ needs properly.

Cook refers to himself as a “language nerd.” He said he is familiar with German, Russian, Mandarin Chinese and Spanish. He also said he strives to be able to talk to everyone from every walk of life. His journey toward mastering sign language started in 1993 during his college years at the University of Mississippi. He became friends with a sign language interpreter, and she urged him to pursue interpreting as well.

Cook said learning ASL

was a challenge but worth it because it can help so many people in the long run.

“Some people are good at math -- I’m good with languages. It is very important that MSU have an interpreter because, besides some community colleges, I don’t know of any universities that have full time interpreters,” he said. “I want MSU to have to hire more interpreters. One of my goals is to recruit more deaf students. I love the diversity.”

Cook does not just work with the deaf, but with all children dealing with sen-

continued from 1

sory impairments. Whether he is working directly with students or interpreting for campus events, Cook plans to assist wherever he is needed.

Julie Capella, assistant dean of students and Student Support Services director, said MSU is a community and this is its way to make sure all members of the community feel welcomed.

“We’ve had interpreters before on a ‘call as needed’ basis. However, when we learned that a deaf student from Boys’ State was coming to State, we saw there

was a real need for a perma- the team. She said Cook is nent interpreta great fit er.

Currently, on multiHowever, MSU is a leader ple levels. when we in the Southeast “Niall learned in providing came very that a deaf well recomservices to the disabled,” Ca- students from Boys’ m e n d e d . pella said. “We State was coming to He is one plan to continue of the top developing our State, we saw there interpreters community. We was a real need in the state want students for a permanent of Missiswith any dis- interpreter.” sippi. More abilities to know than that, that there is al- -Julie Capella, he has the ways someone Student Services perfect they can talk to Services director personality here.” that meshCapella went es great on to say Cook with our is an integral member of family,” she said.

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Cook said his most powerful push toward loving ASL was when he worked at Mississippi School for the Deaf. While there, someone once again insisted he become an interpreter. In 2001, he took a state-level assessment for pre-certified interpreters.

He received a three — the highest grade one could make. He was then told it was nearly unheard of for an individual to make such a high score on the first try.

In 2002, Cook became a nationally-certified interpreter. Today, he still credits his friend at Ole Miss for the spark that led him to become an interpreter.

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Fraternity celebrates 100 years with week of events

BY MAKYLA SPENCER Staff Writer

This year Mississippi State University’s Theta Iota chapter of Phi Beta Sigma will host its 38th annual Blue and White week. These events will be hosted at the university and a number of businesses and establishments in and around the Starkville area. David Jefferson, Theta Iota’s first vice president, said along with celebrating Blue and White week, the fraternity also celebrates its centennial year.

“This week is an awesome week for Theta Iota, but it is an even greater week for Phi Beta Sigma as a whole,” Jefferson said. “We will be celebrating the brotherhood and the unity that has been sustained through the years and the 100 years of vibrant culture, service to our community and service to humanity.”

The tradition of Blue and White week began in the late ’70’s, not long after MSU’s Theta Iota chapter was founded, according to Jefferson. When it first started Blue and White week was a small event. There were a lot

of programs and events, but MSU’s Phi Beta Sigma, said up until the late ’80’s it was Blue and White week will confined to just the MSU consist of a string of events campus. After the late ’80’s, hosted by Phi Beta Sigma for Phi Beta Sigma was able to the community, MSU stuexpand its reach to different dents and faculty and fellow areas of Mississippi.

Mississippians. Jones said “During the the fraternity late ’70’s, our tries to put foThis week alumni started cus on differis really just ent things that to connect and network with are important a way for other members to them with us to say of our fraternithese events. ty throughout thank you to the Jones said the area and community and to this year they began bringing everyone who has would like to them to MSU. supported us. It is raise awareness They wantabout autism, ed to show also a great venue teach monthem we have to display visibility ey managefun here, we in the community ment and help provide great and provide young adults community understand the service and we entertainment for opposite sex. are overall just our fellow students.”

“This week a great diverse -Joseph Jones, is really just a organization. Phi Beta Sigma way for us to They started it, say thank you and the flame president to the commuhas just connity and to evtinued to burn, eryone who has and it is becoming better supported us. It is also a great and bigger every year. It is venue to display visibility strengthening the fraternity in the community and proand the community,” Jeffer- vide entertainment for our son said. fellow students. The events Joseph Jones, Ppesident of will include church services,

CAMP

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EMMA KATHERINE HUTTO | THE REFLECTOR

MSU New Maroon counselors meet and discuss the new organization’s purpose.

New Maroon will educate new students about MSU’s traditions, including cheers.

“We are modeling this after a camp, and when you have a camp, you have counselors, and one of the things we’re emphasizing to the counselors as we do the training is trust,” Rendon said. “The campers will be more comfortable with you if they trust you. We have a lot of work to do and decisions to make, but I think we will be extremely successful this summer.”

Taylor King, director of transfer student affairs, said after reviewing freshmen camps hosted by Auburn

luncheons, a gospel concert, a scholarship giveaway, an autism awareness informative program, a semi-formal dance event and the annual Blue-B-Q barbecue,” Jones said.

Jones said the Blue-B-Q is the only yearly Blue and White week event. This is a free barbecue for the faculty, staff and students of MSU. It will be at the Strip, between the Colvard Student Union and the YMCA building.

Lance Terry, Phi Beta Sigma treasurer, said he thinks Blue and White week is important because it shows the fraternity cares about the community. This tradition involves everyone in the community. Each day caters to a different demographic.

“This week is our major visibility week. I really want to stress that we do this for the people. We realize that our chapter is very fortunate, and we have been blessed with a lot of opportunities. We have gained a lot of beneficial affiliates, and it is allowing us to be able to give back to the community in a brand new way,” Terry said.

University and the University of Texas, it was noted that MSU was lacking in certain areas.

“We lacked in the area of having students learn the alma mater and other school songs or cheers,” King said.

“The goal of the camp is to provide incoming freshmen with campus tours, Olympic games and other activities that will increase students’ knowledge and school spirit for MSU.” King said in regard to this being the first year MSU will

DEVELOPMENT Sid Salter, chief commuSalter described the facilinications officer, said this ty as a physical link between building meant a Starkville lot to his father’s and campus. generation during M S U Because the 1930s. Salter President the Cooley said he believes beMark KeeBuilding has num said cause of this projsuch a rich the universiect, students will be drawn to and history, we think it ty has needre-connected with will be inspirational ed a statethe E.E. Cooley of-the-art to generations building. conference “Because the of Mississippi center for a Cooley building State alums who long time. has such a rich his“I think remember it in its tory, we think that The Mill at it will be inspira- various historical Mississippi tional to genera- purposes.”

State Unitions of Mississippi -Sid Salter, versity will State alums who have a transremember it in its MSU chief formative various historical communications effect on purposes,” he said. officer both the city Salter said the of Starkville, building being rethe surstored for a new rounding purpose and new glory will be area and Mississippi State,” exciting for alumni.

Keenum said. “It will enhance “It was a cotton mill at one that area tremendously, and I point, which was its original think will be a hub for further purpose,” Salter said. “That’s economic growth and develwhy it was on the National opment.”

Historic Register.”

Keenum said this estab-

host the New Maroon camp for incoming freshmen, only 100 freshmen will be selected to attend the event out of the group of freshmen who attend this year’s orientation.

“We plan to make this a yearly thing, and each year more students will be allowed to attend,” King said. “When students come and meet with their peers, we hope to reduce attrition.”

According to Rendon, New Maroon camp differs from freshman orientation in that orientation is geared toward continued from 1 lishment will develop muchneeded office space that will be utilized by the university.

Keenum indicated that the new facility will make Starkville more attractive to those interested in living and working in the area and will have a huge impact for many years to come.

David Shaw, vice president for research and economic development, said via email that MSU’s exposure to people attending conferences and events will help dramatically improve perceptions about the university. Shaw said the new complex will provide more employment for MSU, both in the forms of part-time and full-time jobs. Shaw mentioned that students, faculty, staff and alumni can begin recruiting conferences and events that can be held in the facility.

The vision for The Mill renovation has lasted 10 years and now becomes a reality. The Mill’s location acts as a front door to MSU and is anticipated to help both the university and the city of Starkville.

administrative entities such as registration for class, housing and academic programs.

“The New Maroon camp will go into more detail and description, and the idea is for students to have more opportunities. The students selected will most likely have already been to orientation, so one is not going to replace the other,” Rendon said.

“New Maroon and orientation support each other in terms of the objectives and goals we are trying to accomplish. The last day will be the day the remaining freshmen come and move in, the week of which ‘Dawg Daze’ is hosted. Then students will make the transition from New Maroon to True Maroon, and they will officially be students just like everyone else on campus. “ Bill Kibler, vice president of student affairs, said the importance of New Maroon lies in the fact of the camp being student-led.

“This isn’t me bringing new freshmen in telling them ‘Here’s what it means to be a Bulldog.’ This is being done by upper-class students who have been at Mississippi State for a while and love this school,” Kibler said. “What we really want to do is accelerate the speed with which we expose our brand-new students to fall in love with

Tuesday, March 18 • 1:53 a.m. Student referrals were issued for an alcohol violation in Cresswell Hall.

• 2:15 a.m. A student was issued a Justice Court citation for minor in possession of alcohol in Cresswell Hall.

• 2:16 a.m. A Justice Court citation was issued for minor in possession of alcohol in Cresswell Hall.

• 11:21 a.m. A student fainted in McCarthy Gymnasium. The subject refused transportation to OCH. • 1:43 p.m. A student reported his backpack was stolen from McCarthy Gymnasium.

• 10:21 p.m. A student reported losing her wallet in the Colvard Student Union.

Wednesday, March 19 • 1:13 a.m. A student reported two dogs chasing horses on South Farm.

• 3:50 p.m. A student reported losing $2,000 in cash at an unknown location on campus.

• 4:38 p.m. A student was having seizures in Hilbun Hall. The subject was transported to OCH. • 4:56 p.m. A resident of the city reported a dog on North Farm without a leash.

• 5:42 p.m. An employee reported a disturbance in McComas Hall.

• 5:47 p.m. A student reported a disturbance in McComas Hall.

• 6:37 p.m. An employee reported someone opening merchandise in Barnes and Noble Bookstore and not paying for it. A student referral was issued.

• 7:09 p.m. A student was arrested for petit larceny at Barnes and Noble Bookstore.

• 10:56 p.m. A student was arrested on Stone Boulevard for minor in possession of alcohol and disregard of a traffic device. A Justice Court citation was issued.

Citations:

• 12 citations were issued for speeding.

• 1 citation was issued for driving on a sidewalk.

Mississippi State. We will be exposing them to the traditions, legacy and academic components as well.”

Kibler said new students who attend the camp will be introduced to a world of resources and people who they can tap into for information.

“We want students to know that they will never find another community in their life that’s more supportive and willing to do just about whatever they can to help them be successful,” Kibler said.

Aware that providing a student with everything he or she will need will not be accomplished in the three days of camp, Rendon said the main goal is to push and plant the seed from which the students will grow.

“Hopefully the freshmen will go out and embrace what they’ve learned during New Maroon,” Rendon said. “It’s important to teach them

NEPALESE “I have been practicing my tence in 2009, and this is the songs for a while now, almost a first event the student organimonth. We have been engaged zation has organized on this on other planscale.

This is the ning activiPoudel said ties related to NSA has always first-ever the event for been an active cultural more than student associevent two months. ation that has Being the vice organized by served Starkville president of Nepalese Students communities NSA, I have Association at MSU by organizing been allocatblood drive proing my times that aims to show grams and movbetween co- different aspects ie nights and o r d i n a t i n g of the cultural participating in the event and dimension of Nepal.” Habitat for Hupracticing for manity events my perfor- -Uttam Adhikari, and the internamance,” Shar- MSU Ph.D. student tional fiesta. ma said.

“The plan The Holmes to organize an Cultural Diversity Center and event such as Nepal Night was the Student Association are the always there, but with less than primary sponsors for the event. 40 Nepali students in the uniThe NSA came into exis- versity, we were always limited

about traditions and university history, leadership, presidents and what they can do to be successful. We will also highlight Dawg Daze. Dawg Daze will present the opportunity for the pre-freshmen to engage the experiences and what they learned during New Maroon camp. A lot of organizations and departments are represented during Dawg Daze, so that’s kind of the whole idea. If you think about it, there are certain pieces to the puzzle we are trying to fit together.”

Rendon said placing the camp’s construction and structure in the hands of students is what makes New Maroon camp special.

“I’ve always emphasized that this has to be student-led and student managed because in 20 years when we look back and this thing is huge, we can say that this truly came from the students,” he said. continued from 1

on resources. With the help of many sponsors within and outside Mississippi State, the event is finally possible,” he said.

Uttam Adhikari, electrical and computer engineering Ph.D. student, said he will play the madal, a traditional musical instrument played folk songs in Nepal.

“I am excited for the event.

This is the first-ever cultural event organized by Nepalese Students Association at MSU that aims to show different aspects of the cultural dimension of Nepal. I think this is very good exposure opportunity for us around the university about Nepal,” Adhikari said.

Authentic free food will be served from 4 p.m., and the cultural evening will begin at 5 p.m. on Saturday. For more information call 818-312-1977.

OPINION

4 | FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 2014

OPINION EDITOR: ALIE DALEE | opinion@reflector.msstate.edu DELVING A LITTLE DEEPER

THE REFLECTOR

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FACE-OFF: OBAMACARE

FOR

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or the past five years, we’ve been barraged by a predominantly Republican stream of commentary bashing just about anything from the Obama White House. But the way Republicans have thrashed the Affordable Care Act — or as it is popularly/infamously known, Obamacare — has been unacceptable. Looking at some details regarding the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act reveals how disingenuous the Republicans have been.

The first outcry against the ACA was its length, its rush through the legislative process and the high partisanship of its passage (no Republican voted yes for it). First, the ACA is hundreds of pages smaller than even the longest law, HR 9389, a 1974 act authorizing an Alaskan pipeline.

Its rush was also overstated; the Senate passed the bill in December 2009. It was February 2010 before the House took it up, and all parties had time to review the principal language. Finally, bipartisan legislation does not automatically mean it’s what is best for the country. Both the Indian Removal Act of 1830 and the 1919 Prohibition of Intoxicating Beverages received bipartisan approval.

One thing discrediting Republicans the most is the individual mandate. Introduced as a “form of technical matter” by Stuart Butler of the Heritage Foundation in 1989 (he has since conveniently changed his opinion as well), it was included in major Republican bills in the 90s. Many conservative commentators said it resonated with conservative principles of individual responsibility.

It was championed for over 20

years by Republicans, notably by Newt Gringrich and Mitt Romney. In fact, the Obama administration had to be convinced by health policy experts to include it in ACA. The timing by which Republicans abandoned the mandate is suspicious at best.

Obamacare is not government-run healthcare. Government-run means the government operates the actual business of health insurance. My wife’s OBGYN once complained of seeing our healthcare system become more like Europe’s. Over there, citizens pay taxes, and the government allocates funds to the healthcare providers, who must carefully manage that money; the citizens then have “free” healthcare. Here, it is still youpay-for-service; the ACA does not challenge this. The federal and state governments simply ensure a marketplace exists and shoppers have competitive options. Sound familiar? Open market competition remains the Republican battle cry.

How is anyone surprised about higher initial premium costs with ACA? And not because of “I told you so” but because it’s simple business 101 — costs are higher in the first year of starting a business. Insurers must cover many more people and need the cash resources to accommodate the increased load. Establishing marketplaces and giving companies a forum to compete in a more balanced way naturally leads to lower premiums, but they need at least one business cycle (year) to develop. Further, Forbes.com reports healthcare spending rates have been slowing since 2009.

Republicans downplay the direct

QUESTION TIME

AGAINST

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JAMES TRACY James Tracy is a physics graduate student. He can be contacted at opinion@reflector. msstate.edu.

impact of the ACA, but for data going back 50 years, the coincidence cannot be ignored.

The ACA is not a perfect law, but don’t let anyone convince you it is the beginning of the end for America. The evidence does not support that. Further, I argue that the Republicans fervent pushback and vitriol over Obamacare has actually prolonged any problems and made them worse, needlessly scaring and discouraging people from signing up for insurance until they can change leadership.

Regardless of the balance or unbalance of power, the law passed Congress, was signed by the president and affirmed by the Supreme Court. It is a valid and legal law, appropriately tested by the constitution’s system of checks and balances.

Probably the best thing I can tell you is to use the ear test. If it alarms you and doesn’t make sense, read the law yourself. I have read the ACA (many parts, but not completely), and many fallacies I’ve heard simply do not exist in the law. But don’t take my word for it. Download it yourself at hhs.gov.

he Patient Protection increasing costs or not. But and Affordable Care with Obamacare the choice is Act — or Obamacare not yours to make. You are re— is obviously one of the most quired to purchase insurance, heated issues in Washington regardless of cost increases.

And that’s the truly interand for good reason. The representatives we send to Wash- esting contradiction within ington are there to represent Obamacare. While it claims our views and give the people a to be the ideal combination voice, and most people oppose of government regulation and the law and want it repealed. free market forces, it neglects A recent CNN poll found that a key part of consumer choice: 57 percent of Americans op- the choice to refrain from participating. When you conposed Obamacare.

Most Americans would sider purchasing a product in also agree we need reforms the free market, you generally in our healthcare system, but look for the best combination Obamacare is not the answer. of quality and price. If none of A true market-based system of the available options suit your healthcare — what Obamacare needs, you may decide to wait and buy later claims to be or not buy at — is incomWhile all. This gives patible with you an out the foundation claiming and makes the that Obamacare to harness producers of claims to em‘consumer the products body. fight to keep As a college choice,’ the law their products student under neglects the most quality yet inObamacare, you important part of expensive. may benefit in The differthe short-term the concept — the ence with because you are consumer’s option Obamacare is able to stay on to refrain from that there is your parents’ no out. The plan until the choosing at all.” effect of which age of 26, but is that the law in the long-term Obamacare will hit you square restricts your ability to make decisions based on inforin the pocketbook.

The mandates both to con- mation such as price. While sumers and insurers are going claiming to harness “consumer to cause the cost of both in- choice,” the law neglects the surance and healthcare to rise. most important part of the And normally, because we live concept — the consumer’s opin a country that has an econo- tion to refrain from choosing my based on a free-market and at all.

Not to mention the entire consumer choice, you would have the choice to pay the program is run from a sin-

JOJO DODD JoJo Dodd is a junior majoring in economics. He can be contacted at opinion@reflector. msstate.edu.

gle government agency. The problems that Obamacare faced both in the initial roll out and during the continued implementation were not necessarily the fault of the people running it. A program this massive should be left to actual market forces and not a façade of consumer choice being manipulated by thousands of miles removed from you and your healthcare.

The Obama administration begins to concede that the law faces more challenges than it initially thought it would.

They have implemented delay after delay for the implementation of certain aspects of the law and continue to face problems with enrollment.

In the past when the effective result of a law is something different than the desired result, we make changes. Just because it is current law doesn’t mean it has to be around forever. We should repeal the current law and implement more specific systemic reforms in place of the sweeping government overreach that is Obamacare.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Former SA president urges student body to seize opportunities

F

or the past 12 months, I have had the privilege to serve this student body as the 2013-2014 Student Association president. If you were to tell me I would begin an article with that statement four years ago, I would have guessed this was our first time meeting and you were slightly confused. I was a very different person with very different goals and ambitions. My intent coming to this campus was not to one day be the representative of over 20,000 students. My goal was to graduate and have a good time doing it.

I have spent the past year working with our top administration to push through policies and advocate on behalf of all Bulldog

students. Four years ago, the only interaction I had with administration was taking place in the Dean of Students Office due to “a large amount of unchecked guests occupying my residence hall room”... whatever that means. I spent the last year working in the SA office over weekends, Christmas holidays and even throughout this past week during spring break.

Four years ago, I went home to Memphis every chance I got, I relived the high school glory days all Christmas break long, and I was beaching with the best of them in Destin during the coveted spring break week. To say the least, things have changed and will continue to do so.

I have spent these last four years

trying samples of this campus.

Work a little here. Get involved a little there. Unintentionally, I grew to know this place more than I ever thought I would. Unintentionally, I grew to know this place as home.

My home is now embedded in the roots of Starkville, Miss. If you would have told me that statement came from me four years ago, I again would have questioned your sanity. I had a very different and unexpected journey, not only as SA president, but more so as a Bulldog in general. My path was not a concrete mindset I came to Mississippi State University with; rather, it was one I paved due to the willingness to accept opportunities as they came my way.

I accepted opportunities to

grow in my faith by listening to the differences in beliefs shared by my group of friends. I accepted opportunities to grow in my perspective by listening to the journeys other Bulldogs have taken from different cultural and racial backgrounds. I accepted opportunities to grow in my acceptance by taking time to hear viewpoints from students with different political views or sexual orientations.

I accepted opportunities to grow as a leader by accepting my faults as opportunities to improve. I accepted opportunity to grow in confidence by realizing and admitting when I am wrong (which is more often than I care to think).

My purpose in writing this typical SA send-off letter is to encour-

age you all to sincerely work to accept those unexpected changes in your personal journey, take advantage of opportunity and to do your best to leave your preconceived judgments behind you. We are all truly unaware of journeys that people have taken in their lives, and we surely are blind to see where these journeys will continue. I hope all of you walk away from this place with a mind that can be described as the following: open, willing, sharp, experienced, accepting and intentional. These characteristics are ones I look to build on every day, but I know I will graduate from MSU having all of those qualities portrayed as important and ones that have been improved due to my experiences as

Michael Hogan is the former president of the Student Association. He can be contacted at opinion@reflector.msstate.edu.

a Bulldog. Thank you all for everything you do for this campus, but above all, thank you for letting me serve you in this role that I never saw coming down my path.

Go to Reflector-Online.com to read a Letter to the Editor from Zack Thornton in response to staff writer, Pranaav Jadhav’s, Feb.25 article “Does Kansas’s anti-gay bill violate the First Amendment?”

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Does the future of driving lie with computers?

O f all the modern inventions we have been exposed to over the last two centuries, there is no doubt we depend on cars the most.

While cars are the most convenient means of transportation available today, they also continue to be one of the deadliest inventions ever made. An estimated 1.2 million people are killed in car crashes each year, and 50 million are injured as a result of car accidents. Yet, we cannot give driving up. We wouldn’t know how to begin planning a trip without a car, and many automobile companies would go out of business.

So what can we do to fix the problem? CNN now honors a new innovation project headed by carmakers and automotive tech companies that utilizes computer technology, the most successful industry since the automobile industry, to make vehicles smarter and safer to drive. The project features 10 new computer innovations with which carmakers have completed, or are experimenting. “The CNN 10” presents the project based on one fact: humans are flawed drivers.

Future automotive companies hope to reduce accidents caused by reckless driving with computers that monitor the environment from within the car to prevent

such collisions from occurring.

Luxury vehicles already feature laser headlights, but technology must be improved in order for prices to drop to the point that such headlights are available to all cars. Self-driving and self-parking vehicles, on the other hand, are still quite a few years away due to the fear of errors in technology.

Such qualities might be a good thing for disabled persons or saving time in parking garages, but another factor to consider is that such advanced technology might result in more accidents due to errors or loss of driving independence. More advanced features, therefore, are still under investigation.

“The CNN 10” features are soon predicted to start making their appearances in the economy. Two of these features are vehicle-to-vehicle communication and cars that collect data about our driving behaviors. While some consumers remain skeptical of digital monitoring, insurance companies and technology researchers feel that such innovations should be implemented as soon as possible.

Progressive, the insurance company, has found a new way of monitoring consumer’s braking behaviors. That is, their Snapshot tool can tell whether you tend to make more abrupt or gentle stops.

This could determine whether or not you are eligible for coverage of an accident. In the future, automotive tech companies hope to perfect a monitoring device that will allow the car to switch to electric power rather than gas if the car knows you are close to home. Some carmakers are focusing on a device that monitors the overall health of a driver, including a sensor that will detect drunk driving. The idea is that the car will respond in the most appropriate way possible to any given health hazard, such as slowing down automatically to prevent a collision.

Some consumers and automotive companies remain skeptical of such extensive monitoring, saying it is an invasion of privacy, while insurance companies encourage it. As far as traffic jams and collisions are concerned, cars that collect data about the driver still need to be perfected.

Technology has its limits and, if a monitor causes a car to respond in the wrong way to a particular situation, could be even more risky for drivers.

On the brighter side, many researchers find that vehicle-to-vehicle communication has improved The idea is that devices within the car will allow cars to communicate with each other.

For example, your car will re-

BROOKLYN TUCKER Brooklyn Tucker is a junior majoring in kinesiology. She can be contacted at opinion@ reflector.msstate.edu.

spond automatically if it gets a signal that the car in front of you is turning right. This is still being tested as well, but as of right now, carmakers theorize vehicle-to-vehicle communication has the potential to prevent 76 percent of car collisions. Vehicle-to-vehicle communication is also not as invasive to personal privacy.

This project has the potential to make the roads a safer place. Even though carmakers hope to implement these changes within the automobile industry soon, it will take a while for such significant changes to spread throughout the economy due to expenses and the risk of individuals’ dependence on technology. If researchers find a way to prove this technology is error-free, we might see a significant decrease in car accidents.

FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 2014 | 5

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We will hold an Iranian new year celebration March 21 in the Union Ballroom from 7-10 p.m. with folk music, dance and refreshments. Contact Pedram Gharghabi at pg377@ msstate.edu with questions.

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THE REFLECTOR

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

LIFE & ENTERTAINMENT

From radio waves to Rick’s Cafe’s stage: WMSV 20th anniversary concert brings rising acts to Starkville

BY ALICIA DALEE Opinion Editor

John and Jacob had Zorba’s Greek Tavern all shook up Monday night with its 1950s vibe and buoyant melodies.

John and Jacob, a quintet hailing from Nashville, Tenn., pulled into town on the tail of a stint at SXSW and in euphoric spirits over an offer to join Bonnaroo’s summer lineup.

Currently stationed in Nashville on a songwriting contract with Major Bob Music, John and Jacob’s songs have been recorded by The Band Perry and featured on the television show “Nashville.”

John & Jacob has also toured with The Band Perry and fellow Nashville-based band The Wild Feathers.

Even more deceptive than a quintet sporting a duo’s name is the band itself. A conglomeration of southern roots from Alabama to Texas, John Davidson, lead singer, said the band describes itself as not quite country but more country than songs on the radio.

“We’re missing key phrases like ‘trucks’ and ‘tailgates,’” Davidson said in jest.

He said the band’s sound manifested itself over the past decade and further develops

as the band writes together.

Original band members Davidson and Jacob Bryant initially began to play together during their high school years in a small town outside Birmingham, Ala. In fashion with the band’s diverse sound, bassist Jake Brasher graduated with a degree in biology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham before he said he realized his passion lay in a music career rather than medical school. Brasher traded EKG beats for bass lines and joined with his cousin, Davidson, Bryant and drummer Trevor Davis in 2011.

Last year, the quintet added its final member, keyboardist Austin Taylor Smith, a professionally trained vocalist from Belmont University.

Monday’s show served as a kick-off for WMSV’s 20th anniversary party. The band played an hour-long set illuminated by the phosphorescent glow of Budweiser signs and minimal stage lights. An over-population of plastic cups filled to the brim with green Pabst Blue Ribbon, an ode to St. Patrick himself, also filled the night.

The band began its set with a humble thanks to the audience and encouraged the crowd to come forward and dance, an invitation accom-

DAVID LEWIS | THE REFLECTOR

John Davidson (left) and Jacob Bryant (right) along with Jake Brasher, bass, Trevor Davis, drummer, and Austin Taylor Smith, keyboardist, comprise John and Jacob. The band performed at Zorba’s Greek Tavern Monday to preview its show at Rick’s Cafe Saturday as part of the anniversary celebration concert for 91.1 WMSV, MSU’s campus radio station. panied by a green beer thrust in the air. The show wandered through a myriad of sounds, displaying the band’s mélange.

Tucker Napier, senior graphic design major, said the band’s show reminded him of a famous pop group

DAVID LEWIS | THE REFLECTOR

John and Jacob’s St. Patrick’s Day show (above) was a condensed version of Saturday’s anniversary concert lineup, which includes John and Jacob, Los Colognes and Big Country’s Empty Bottle. Steve Ellis, director of WMSV radio, likened John and Jacob’s carefully crafted sound to early Beatles, and Los Colognes’s drummer Aaron Mortenson said Los Colognes’s sound is “laid-back blues, with a boogey vibe.”

of the week, John and Jacob from across the pond.

“It has an early Beatles vibe return to Starkville to headthat’s harmony-driven,” Na- line WMSV’s 20th anniversary concert Saturday night at pier said mid-show.

Napier’s comment was not Rick’s Café.

Doors open at 7 p.m., the first Beatles comparison and the show kicks-off with of the night.

Steve Ellis, director of Big Country’s Empty Bottle, WMSV radio, likened the a bluegrass quintet out of K n oxv i l l e , band to Tenn., at 8 the Beatles p.m. during its We want N e x t , early BritN a s h ish Invasion everyone to days. With come out, let ville-based band Los its bright loose, relax.

Colognes is beats and It should be a set to perjubilant exform. Los pressions, fun night for Colognes John and Jaeveryone.” arrives in cob lived up Starkville to the lofty - Aaron Mortenson, fresh from comparison. drummer for Los a four-day The har- Colognes session at mony-drivSXSW and en tunes will join held constant throughout the show. John and Jacob at the HangBryant pulled out a trumpet out Fest in Gulf Shores, Ala., mid-show, and the band con- in May. Drummer Aaron Mortentributed a chorus of whistles during “Be My Girl,” an ef- son said he describes Los Cofortless tune of blithe affec- lognes’s sound as “laid-back tion that had the entire au- blues, with a boogey vibe.”

“We want everyone to dience swaying along to the come out, let loose, relax. It melody.

After heading back to should be a fun night for evNashville for the remainder eryone,” Mortenson said.

Mortenson said Los Colognes has been together for over a decade but has only performed under the moniker “Los Colognes” for the past four years.

Los Colognes’s show at Rick’s Cafe comes just before its show at Nashville’s famed Mercy Lounge as a part of its “March Radness” tour.

This is the second time Los Colognes and John and Jacob have headlined a show together — the first being earlier this year at the notable 3rd and Lindsley bar in Nashville.

Ellis said the WMSV team searched high and low for Saturday night’s talent.

Los Colognes and John and Jacob happened to be two bands on the rise not heard before in this region, and Ellis said the bands’ performances during their show in Nashville blew him away.

Saturday’s triple-threat lineup, then, serves the same purpose Ellis said WMSV has served for 20 years.

“We (WMSV) have brought so much music to this community no one has ever heard before,” he said.

“We thought we would continue that with bringing in these three new bands.”

Successful Mississippi-bred band The Weeks returns to Starkville

BY DAVID LEWIS

pain, death, love, loss and the trials of life in the deep South when they first got together in Bred in the center of Mis- 2006,” she said.

The band gained a strong sissippi with “southern hearts still pumping blood,” as local following in its homeone of its songs put it, indie town of Jackson, Miss., in the rock band The Weeks takes late 2000s.

Damien Bone, bassist for its sound far from the South while keeping the Magnolia The Weeks, said the band’s initial influences included state in its veins. mostly As the local muband besic. gan, The All of them are “Going We e k s’s entertainers and to shows m e m manage to play in Jackbers — in son and their early exceptionally loteens — well while doing seeing cal bands channeled so. Their shows got us pain, loss interested and suf- are definitely a big party. in playfering to Whether it be shots on ing mucraft their stage or massive sing-asic,” he music and displayed a longs, it is hard to stand still said. “We rich sound with your arms crossed at a w a n t e d to play c h a r a c - (The) Weeks show. in a band teristic of - Chris Cajoleas, in shows southern just like musicians. founder and head of Lost the oth“ R o l l - Legend Entertainment ers.” ing Stone” T h e w r i t e r We e k s ’s Kate Breimann said the band’s early music is rich with Mississippi music displays an unabashed roots. The band laces its lyrics picture of the trials of South- with a southern lexicon that Bone said shaped the band as ern teenagers.

“Soulful country-rockers it grew.

“Mississippi has an effect The Weeks demonstrated how much five kids between the on our music. Like anywhere ages of 14 and 16 knew about else, wherever you live and Staff Writer

grow up will affect what you do,” he said. “But for Mississippi, it must be something in the water I guess.”

As the years passed and the band’s momentum began to build, the members moved to the music capital of the South — Nashville, Tenn.

Ultimately, The Weeks found its way into a record deal with Kings of Leon’s own record label, Serpents and Snakes.

Bone said an artist and relations representative for Serpents and Snakes came to watch The Weeks perform, approached the band afterward and The Weeks signed with label shortly thereafter.

“We were playing a show at Mercy Lounge, and our manager had asked Seth Riddle from Serpents and Snakes to come to the show,” he said.

“He came to check us out, and we set up a meeting with him afterwards to get signed.”

Soon after, the band joined Kings of Leon’s European tour lineup.

Bone said the experience was eye-opening for the band both musically and culturally.

“The tour went really well.

We had never performed at a show of that scale,” Bone said.

“It was a really great opportunity. The best part was that a lot of the venues were very iconic. Most of the ones in Germany were designed for

Hitler, which took us back a little. We had never experienced anything like that before.”

The Weeks is known for its iconic, grungy style. Chris Cajoleas, founder and head of Lost Legend Entertainment, grew up with the band members and said their recognizable style helps the band stick out in the increasingly crowded music business.

“Well, the most obvious thing would be the twins — and then the hair and the fact

that they always look cool and important or legendary,” he said. “We used to talk about how people would always tell them they have ‘rapper swag.’”

The Weeks always keep the audience engaged at its shows, as Cajoleas said the band keeps its attendees on their feet with unexpected antics.

“All of them are entertainers and manage to play exceptionally well while doing so.

Their shows are definitely a big party,” he said. “Whether it be shots on stage or massive

sing-a-longs, it is hard to stand still with your arms crossed at a (The) Weeks show.”

The band plays at Rick’s Café Friday at 9 p.m.

Bone said he and the band members are excited about the show because of the venue and the band’s opening acts.

“Rick’s surprises us each time. The workers are great, and the audience always brings it,” he said. “So get there early and come see (openers) Hey Rocco and Jr Astronomers.”

THE WEEKS | COURTESY PHOTO

Nashville-based The Weeks began during its members’ teen years in Jackson, Miss.

The band has toured extensively outside the Magnolia state, has been featured in “Rolling Stone” magazine and now returns to Starkville for a show at Rick’s Cafe Friday.

FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 2014 | 7

SPORTS

REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM

COACH’S CORNER

A GOOD NO-CALL

JUST A BIT OUTSIDE

M

M

W

Big Ten poised for deep run ACC boasts tourney experience Big 12 provides Cinderellas

arch Madness is upon arch Madness is fius once again, and nally here. Now that the round of 64 heats the time is upon us, up this weekend. This year’s many people are constantly fillbracket is as deep and tough to ing out their brackets left and figure out as ever. Last year, we right hoping to win the $1 bilsaw many small schools make lion offer from Warren Buffet noise in the tournament with for a perfect prediction. Now, teams like Wichita State, Haralthough the chances of somevard and Florida Gulf Coast. one scoring a perfect bracket are Their efforts have many feelhighly unlikely, that still doesn’t ing good about picking smaller stop us sports fans from trying. schools to pull off upsets again Forrest Buck is a senior majorWith that enormous prize Quentin Smith is a senior this year. FGC didn’t make the ing in kinesiology. He can be on the line, I’m sure people are majoring in communication. He dance this year, but Harvard contacted at reflectorsports@ picking teams from conferences can be contacted at reflectorand Wichita State are back — gmail.com. like the Big 12, Big Ten and sports@gmail.com. all know about the Orange’s rebut can they duplicate their point guard, they don’t play any the SEC’s of the world, but I’m defense. It’s very going to tell you why I believe cent struggles, but I’m certain success from a possible the ACC the ACC is the one conference it will get things year ago? How You have could send at that everyone turned around. The far can Creighno chioce least three teams is Orangemen will ton go led by sleeping The to the Sweet 16, on. come out playing the best player but to feel Orangemen with a chip on their but in my bracket in the nation? like the Big Ten Let’s start I only have Vir- with the No. shoulder after the Which of the will come ginia going, and I 1 seeded Vir- out playing with way their season elite power has the strongest have them losing ginia ended. They will house schools presence in this Cavalso be playing close is most at risk year’s tournament.” that round. aliers.

The a chip on their How about Cavaliers will shoulder after the to their home in for an early the Pac-12? Not enter the tour- way their season Buffalo, N.Y., which exit? This year’s will pretty much give tournament has so many ques- a bad choice either. It too has nament fresh a No. 1 seed in Arizona who from them a home-court tions. their ended.” advantage, and, after The question I want to focus has been one of the best teams ACC Chamall, let’s not forget they are led by on is which conference is the all year and boasts the best de- p i o n s h i p strongest in the tournament. fense in the nation. UCLA is and are coming off one of their the legendary Jim Boeheim.

Their first round-game will be Which conference will send the also pretty good, and Oregon best seasons in school’s history. most teams to the Sweet 16 and has talent and quality front line They have a pretty easy walk to against Western Kentucky. But ultimately has the best odds to play, but Arizona State, Colo- the Sweet 16. Their first round it’s their second round match bring a national title to their rado and Stanford could all get matchup is against the Coastal where things will get tricky. The bounced in their first game. At Carolina Chanticleers, a pretty Orangemen will face the Dayton conference?

One could make a case for the best Pac-12 gets three teams to mediocre team, and the Cavaliers Flyers. The Orangemen’s famous 2-3 zone will end up being too Big 12. It sent the most teams the Sweet 16, and the safe bet are a strong defensive team. to the dance with seven, and would be two teams.

In their second game, they will much for the Flyers. Their length The conference to really likely face the Memphis Tigers. in the zone will push Dayton if Joel Embiid can get healthy, Kansas might have the most tal- watch for in this tournament The Tigers have good guard play, out behind the three-point arc, ented team on paper. However, is none of those nor the SEC, especially from point guard Joe which is an area where Dayton despite having the most teams, AAC, Big East or Atlantic 10. Jackson, but just one player can- has struggled all season long, only shooting 37 percent from three. the Big 12 lacks enough teams The conference that will have not get it done against UVA. Even though I have the ACC that have a legitimate shot to go the most teams in the Sweet Up next, the No. 3 Duke Blue deep. Of their seven teams, only 16, including the team that cuts Devils. With arguably the best set up to dominate the first few Kansas and Iowa State have down the nets, will be the Big coach in the history of college rounds through the Sweet 16, top-four seeds. The Big 12 will Ten. basketball in Coach Krzyzewski, I do not see any of those teams Six schools represent the Big Duke will also have a semi-easy winning the National Champineed to pull off some upsets to have any more than two of their Ten conference in the tourna- walk to the Sweet 16. Its first onship. I, in fact, have the Michteams get to the Sweet 16, and I ment, and of those six I have round match-up will be against igan State Spartans representing four making the Sweet 16. Iowa Mercer. Its second round match- the Big Ten to take home the don’t like their chances.

What about the ACC? It has and Nebraska are not threats to up will not be as easy against ei- title. They have the experience, been one of the top basketball do anything, but every other ther Massachusetts or Tennessee. the coaching and they also finalconferences for years led by team is a legitimate contender.

This game will not be as much ly have everyone on their roster I have Michigan State, Wis- of a breeze for Duke due to both back healthy and are ready to powerhouses Duke and North Carolina, and this year a new consin and Michigan all going team’s inside presence, but none- make a run for the title. dominant team has emerged in to the Sweet 16, and you could theless, with the potential No. 1 Virginia which has a No. 1 seed. see as many as three Big Ten pick in Jabari Parker and former Thanks to the dismantlement of schools in the Elite 8. Com- Mississippi State Bulldog Rodney the Big East, the ACC even has bine that with the fact I believe Hood, that duo and the team’s Syracuse in the conference now Michigan State will win the Na- strong sharp shooting ability will too. However, I believe Syracuse tional Championship, and you be more than enough for the Blue and Duke are both poised for have no choice but to feel like Devils to advance. upsets, and Virginia lacks the the Big Ten has the strongest Finally, Syracuse is my last pedigree to count on the Cavs presence in this year’s tourna- team from the ACC that I have to win their region, although ment. advancing to the Sweet 16. We I do anticipate they make the Sweet 16. There’s nothing to talk about with North CaroThe Law Office of lina State and Pittsburgh, and Matthew Wilson, PLLC despite the Tar Heels’ excellent 107-2 W. Main St., Starkville, MS 39759 P.O. Box 4814, Miss. State, MS 39762

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hile the Big Ten and ACC have the familiar power house squads returning to the big dance, I cannot help but land on the Big 12 Conference to make a strong run to the Sweet 16.

Starting with the highest seed, Kansas drew a No. 2 seed in the South Region. The Jayhawks should cruise in their opening-round match against Eastern Kentucky and are poised to reach John Galatas is the sports editor the Sweet 16 with a favorable for The Reflector. He can be contacted at reflectorsports@ draw in the second round.

Iowa State drew the No. 3 seed gmail.com. in the East Region and has a more the most inconsistent teams this difficult track to the Sweet 16. year with bad losses against UAB, The Cyclones face North Caroli- Purdue and Penn State. The fact that the matchna Central in the up will be in San first round, but Baylor will Antonio will give may meet North prove to Baylor enough Carolina in the of an advantage. second round, be one of The Bears but I like the Cy- those teams this have the potenclones to knock tial to face one off the Heels and year.” of the best playadvance. ers in the country in Creighton’s Oklahoma appears in the West Region as Doug McDermott in the second the No. 5 seed and tips off with round. But Creighton will have North Dakota State to open the to get past a good Louisiana-Latourney. To advance to the Sweet fayette squad highlighted by Bry16, the Sooners will most likely ant Mbamalu and former Missismeet an underrated San Diego sippi State Bulldog Shawn Long.

State team. Although the Aztecs The Ragin’ Cajuns have the poposted marquee wins over Kan- tential to pull off one of the bigsas and Creighton, the Sooners’ gest upsets in this year’s tourney offensive power will be too much which gives Baylor a favorable track to the Sweet 16. to handle.

After the last two weekends in Every year, a few teams ride a little bit of luck in order to ad- the greatest month of the year, vance deep in the tournament, I like Florida, Michigan State, and Baylor will prove to be one of Wisconsin and Louisville in the those teams this year. The Bears Final Four with the Gators cutdrew No. 11 Nebraska in the first ting down the nets in Arlington, round. The Huskers are one of Texas. Let the Madness begin.

JOHN GALATAS

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8 | FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 2014

SPORTS EDITOR: JOHN GALATAS | reflectorsports@gmail.com

SPORTS

THE REFLECTOR

STAT OF THE DAY: The Mississippi State baseball team claims an all-time series record of 67-40-2 over Vanderbilt.

MSU alum excels in profession behind experience in Bulldog athletic department

By AlexAndriA Wilson Staff Writer

Charles “Chuck” Dunlap still recalls memory of the day when he got the news that a fellow Bulldog, Mississippi State University pass rusher, Keffer McGee, died. “ ... Getting that phone call at 5 a.m. was a day I’ll never forget,” he said. “Seeing the program and a head football coach ... have such a special person torn from them like that — from Coach (Jackie) Sherrill’s press conference later that day where he couldn’t stop crying to the staff, players and MSU family being so completely devastated.”

Dunlap was a student assistant with the MSU athletic department, and his undergraduate career was coming to an end; McGee’s death marked the end to a long list of remarkable moments for Dunlap, both exciting and tragic — from the Sweet 16 trip the MSU basketball team took in 1995 to its Final Four appearance one year later, to the baseball team’s two College World Series appearances in the late 1990s.

It could have been those moments that sparked Dunlap’s passion for collegiate athletics.

Or maybe it was within the long nights and eventful weekends he worked for the MSU athletic department. But at the time, Dunlap didn’t know he would attend the next 15 SEC Championships as an employee of the conference.

“While job hunting after graduation, the opportunity for a fulltime internship at the SEC sort of just presented itself,” he said. “I

took it thinking I would only be for a year while I pursued a career in PR outside of college athletics.

Fifteen years later, I’m still here.”

Yes, he is still there — but now as the SEC’s Director of Communications. He said what influenced him to pursue his current profession was an important person instead of an monumental event.

“Without a doubt, MSU Senior Associate AD Mike Nemeth has had the biggest personal impact on my career,” he said. “Since I spoke and interviewed with him prior to enrolling at MSU, to working for him for three years, to this very day in 2014.”

Dunlap met Nemeth on a campus visit prior to enrolling at State. They shared mutual interests as Nemeth was the primary media relations contact for football and Dunlap had a football career in community college.

Nemeth said his experience with sports led Dunlap to a position in his office.

“Because of Chuck’s background in sports, I think he thought he might have an interest in media relations/public relations, and he set up a time to visit with me about the office and my job,” Nemeth said. “Chuck was and is a very engaging person, and I remember thinking as he sat across from me that I wish he had come to Mississippi State as a freshman so that he would have had four years working in our office.”

Nemeth also said Dunlap quickly worked up in the office and took on more responsibility.

“Well, Chuck has a great work ethic. And despite his only being with us a couple of years, he quickly moved to a role of leadership and responsibility in our office,” Nemeth said.

Nemeth said Dunlap’s excellent communication skills, attention to detail and willingness to make tough decisions are just a few attributes that serve as major strengths in his profession.

“He handled all of the media relations duties for a couple of our Olympic sports before he left State, which is quite unusual for someone who did not spend his entire undergraduate years in our department,” Nemeth said.

Those few years working in the department proved to serve as an excellent foundation to launch Dunlap’s career. Even today, Nemeth still believes that Dunlap’s humble attitude and likeable personality will take him to even higher levels of success.

“Chuck’s most recent promotion is just a natural progression for him in the field of athletics.

I wouldn’t imagine that it is his last,” he stated.

Aside from his endeavors within the athletic department, Dunlap was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity and even served as chapter president. But when he was not working at the athletic department or tending to matters within his fraternity, he was accomplishing much more important things — like falling in love.

“First and foremost, I met my wife at MSU, so I should probably mention that first. She was

a communication major as well, but one day early my second year working as a student assistant in the athletic department, she just walked in one day. So I’d have to put that number one,” he said.

The overall college experience is intended to not only make us more educated and wise, but to bring out our true character and to help us discover who we are destined to be. It is obvious that Mississippi State has molded and shaped Chuck into the person he is today.

“My time at MSU was some of the greatest of my life, as I’m sure they are for most college graduates. It’s probably safe to say 99.9 percent of who I am, both personally and professionally today, I owe to my time and experiences while at Mississippi State University,” he said.

Dunlap was no stranger to the Bulldog nation even before he became a part of it.

“I grew up just 30 minutes away in Louisville, so a very large part of the first 23 years of my life were spent in or around Starkville and Mississippi State. And to see how it’s grown over the last 20 years has been amazing and fun to watch,” he said.

While many changes have been made to MSU over time, Dunlap said one thing remains and will continue to draw people in.

“The name ‘Starkville’ and its rural setting have always made it an easy target for some around the country,” Dunlap said. “But I’ve always contended no one who has actually ever visited has

courtesy photo | chuck dunlap

Chuck Dunlap, right, interviews an MSU baseball player following a game. Dunlap currently serves as the Southeastern Conference’s director of communication. left saying anything in a negative regard.”

Dunlap’s success should be inspiring to all college students. His advice? Stay busy.

“Build your resume as a student.

If you find yourself with too much free time during the day, you are probably doing yourself a disservice,” Dunlap said. “While your work in the classroom is incredibly important, gaining professional experience and valuable life lessons while in school, instead of waiting for college to end and beginning your career, can be just as much, if not more, valuable to you.”

In other words, MSU can be a truly magical place if you allow

it to be. Opportunities and doors open every day and a path to success lies within experience and preparation.

“College is an important part of any young adult’s life. Embrace it and enjoy it, certainly,” he said.

“But the biggest advice I tell students is simply to get involved.

Volunteer. Find out what your interests, likes and dislikes are.”

Through working for MSU Athletics, Dunlap uncovered valuable assets and a love for his profession.

“Don’t be average. Stand out.

Anything you do, in all walks of life, do it the best it’s ever been done,” he said.