February 18, 2014 by Richland Student Media

CHRONICLE Richland

Vol. XXXIX, Issue 6 February 18, 2014

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CAMPUS

Faculty Art Gallery opening draws large crowd

Above : Students and faculty alike attend the Art Gallery opening. Left : Rachel Muldez’s piece titled “Amputee” makes visitors look twice. Right : Visitors admire the artwork on display from a variety of angles.

Staff Photos by Sayako Metoki

SAYAKO Metoki Staff Writer

The Faculty Art Gallery opened with a reception Feb. 11 at the Brazos Gallery. Many students came and enjoyed their time looking through the art work rich in varieties, styles and colors. Michael Mazurek, the gallery coordinator said, “The purpose of the display is to introduce and inspire students with various arts, and also showcase the possible

future classes to take.” Some classes were held at the gallery to encourage students to learn about art. Professor Jen Rose’s sculpture was inspired by her own family experience together with fictional ghost stories. She would like students to develop critical thinking and problem solving through the assignments given in class. Professor Eric Eley explained that first let the students have their own first reaction to the art. Then, he would like to encourage

students from their first response to go further and beyond. The response from some students was “Wow!” “It’s great to see varieties.” Faculty members were happy to explain about their works to students. Art student Adolfo Hernandez explained that one can see the professor’s work style and that style can reflect the given assignment. He also said, “I am better at realistic drawings. The abstract paintings make me feel like challenging more on abstract.”

Art student Diego Loya said, “I am opposite from Hernandez. My style is more on abstract,” so he would like “to challenge realistic” drawing style. Also, he found a style he would like to explore. Gabriela Estrada said that while looking at the art works, she wants to take a 2D design class in the summer. The gallery is open to the public until March 7, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Brazos. There is a book with information on faculty works and a list of their classes at the entrance.

Richlandchronicle.com February 18, 2014

Every day is flag day at the Richland library

Staff photo Melanie Brandow

The flags on display represent the following countries: Angola, Australia, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Cambodia, Cameoon, Chile, China, Canada, Columbia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guyana, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan and Panama.

Joyce Jackson Copy Editor

The next time you enter the Richland library, look up. There, you will be amazed at the colorful assortment of flags hanging on the east, west and south walls near the ceiling. Lennijo Henderson, dean of library services, said the flags were originally the idea of former library director Carole Johnson, who worked here from 1972 to 2003. They originally represented the countries of students attending Richland in 1988.

Henderson said the flags were taken down in 2012 and placed in a storeroom in the lower level of the library because it was undergoing renovations in 2013. “They were taken down because of all the construction dust,” Henderson said. “We thought we would keep them as clean as possible until that was finished. It’s recommended that you don’t clean them. We just shake out the dust.” The flags were recently put up over the winter term, Henderson said. “I think they add a lot aesthetically to the library,” Henderson said. “The color is nice.

They absorb a great deal of sound. You can tell there’s a real difference when they weren’t there. The library was much noisier.” Forty-seven flags can be hung at one time, and they are rotated in January and August. Currently, Henderson said, they are buying four new flags, which are added each year based on countries with the largest number of international students who are enrolled. “We look at the Multicultural Department list of where our international students come from and we choose the four countries that have the most students but that don’t have a flag yet,” Henderson said. “Students whose

flag is not here often ask us why we don’t have their flag. “We can’t afford to buy every flag from every possible country all the time. We only buy flags from the United Nations’ recognized countries.” Henderson said sometimes students question that because they consider themselves citizens of a country that is not officially recognized. In addition to the 47 flags on display, five flags are always included. They are: Richland, Texas, City of Dallas, the United Nations and the United States.

Campus/Sports

Challenging but winning season for the Thunderducks blanca reyes Sports Editor

Staff photo Blanca Reyes

Richland head basketball coach Bill Foy.

Coach on leave

Bill Foy, Richland’s head basketball coach, has not been present during games for a few weeks now. Tony Summers, vice president for student development, said that Foy is on personal leave and Michael Gross is the interim coach. Guy Simmons, Richland athletic director, declined to elaborate. “He is not here. It is all I know,” he said. Although the team has not had its head coach for practice or games recently, it is still winning. The assistant coaches said that they are making the best decisions they can to get the best results for the team. “My job is not to get worried, my job is to do what I know and just grow as a coach myself and do the best I can to manage the situation, because, in the end, it is all about the kids,” said Allen Morill, assistant coach. “Right now it is out of my hands. I don’t know what is going on. I just want to win,” Gross said. Foy could not be reached for comment. Staff photo Blanca Reyes

Richland’s forward, Chris Runnel, left, Quadash Williams and Robert Hall fight for the rebound and score during a recent game against North Lake College.

Upcoming events Each week, the Division of Humanities, Fine and Performing Arts at Richland College presents its Recital Series. All performances are on Tuesdays at 12:30 p.m. in the Fannin Performance Hall unless noted otherwise and are free to the general public. For more information about this series, contact Dr. Michael Crawford, director of choral music, at 972-238-6284. Tuesday, Feb. 18: 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. The Kithara Guitar Duo will entertain in the Fannin Performance Hall. Thursday, Feb. 20: 11 a.m. African-American Read-In, Fannin Performance Hall Tuesday, Feb. 25: 12:30 p.m. Documentary film: “Killing Us Softly 4: Advertising’s Image of Women,” Sabine Hall, Room SH-118. The film is sponsored by the Speech Communications Division.

Wednesday, Feb. 26: 12:30 p.m. Film screening: “Lee Daniels’ The Butler,” Sabine Hall, Room SH-118 Also shown at 4 p.m. in Wichita Hall, Room WH-103 Note: During inclement weather when school is in session, call 972-238-6196 to see if Richland will be open or watch any of the local TV stations by 6 a.m.

— Blanca Reyes

Some singin’ in the rain Pete shannon Staff Writer

Despite a shivery, misty day outside, Richland students, faculty and friends basked in the warmth of the luscious notes of baritone and new Richland singing instructor Kyle Siddons on Feb. 11. In a recital titled “On the Wings of Song,” Siddons, attired in a natty gray suit and accompanied by pianist Heeyoung Choi, treated his noontime audience first to three brief lieder (songs) by Franz Schubert and Johannes Brahms, all delivered in flawless German. The first number, “An die Musik” or “To Music,” has an intriguing and very pleasant piano pulse. It is the famous celebration of Schubert’s exuberance at the very idea of music in general. The second piece was Schubert’s familiar “Serenade,” a love song in which the singer exhorts his love to simply come and make him happy. Brahms’ equally romantic “Serenade” completed the introductory segment. Then, after a brief background explanation at the microphone, Siddons and Choi performed a new and longer work called

“A Ghost Through the Winding Years.” This was a work recently commissioned to be written by Siddons’ friend Dominick DiOrio, who is choral director at Indiana University. It was an unusual piece comprising 10 sections based on the writings of American poet Sara Teasdale. As Siddons explained, Teasdale was happily married, but was also enamored by another man. Like a person on a diet who is sometimes tempted to eat cake, Teasdale turned to poetry as a substitute for consummating her fantasies. The result was a series of emotional poetic displays ranging from decrying her aloneness to resolving to forget about the whole thing and move on to song-making. Siddons’ impeccable articulation, supported by an amazing piano part, richly delivered all of these feelings to a spellbound audience who rewarded him at the end with thunderous applause. Afterward, Siddons again went to the microphone and fielded questions from the audience. To one questioner, who asked him what kind of music he sang at home in the shower, Siddons, smiling, fired back without a moment’s hesitation, “Whatever happens to float though my mind!”

Richlandchronicle.com February 18, 2014

This season has been full of victories for Richland’s basketball team. Last Wednesday the T-Ducks defeated North Lake College, 71-66. From the opening tipoff, both teams played their best. Through most of regulation play, the score was tied. In the final five minutes, North Lake gained an advantage on the scoreboard. The Thunderducks were not intimidated. The T-Ducks once again showed why they are one of the strongest teams in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). So far, they have played 28 games and lost just five. At the end of regulation play the score was tied, 58-58. “They [the T-Ducks] came together when the things got tough. It is a sign of growth,” Allen Morill, one of the assistant coaches, said. Morill said he is proud of the team’s reaction because although that they have room to improve, they are getting better every game. “We grew a lot as a team just because we knew how to finish it, finishing a close game in overtime,” assistant coach Michael Gross said. The Thunderducks were scheduled to have one more game before the conference tournament against Eastfield College in Mesquite. The Thunderducks are scheduled to play the first game of the conference tournament this week. The conference tournament will determine which teams advance to the national championship, which will be held March. 1315 in Loch Sheldrake, N.Y. For more information visit www.richlandcollege.edu/basketball or stop by Guadalupe Hall, Room G-120.

SPORTS

All-American lineman comes out gabriel Flores Staff Writer

Missouri All-American defensive lineman Michael Sam told the world in a nationally televised press conference on Feb. 9 that he is gay. The 6-foot-2 260-pound Sam gained AllAmerican honors in the Southeastern Conference, which is widely regarded as the toughest conference in college football, in only his second year of eligibility. Naturally, with a player of his caliber, he garnered national attention. But did the attention brought forth by Sam’s decision to announce publicly that he is gay ultimately hurt his NFL future? “It’s better for him to put it out there to the teams that might draft him,” said 19-year-old freshman health professions major Robert Mwangi. Sam said in an interview with ESPN, “I just want to make sure I could tell my story the way I want to tell it. I just want to own my truth.” Sam has no doubt raised awareness throughout the NFL about homosexuality. This comes nearly a year after NBA center Jason Collins became the first openly gay male athlete in the four major American sports. Collins’ announcement did not seem to

Image courtesy msnbc.com

Matt Hoch, left, congratulates Michael Sam after a touchdown against Southeastern Louisiana University.

have much of a cumulative effect of the NBA as a whole and 27-year-old manufacturing major Blake Billiot didn’t think the effects would reverberate negatively throughout the NFL. “Very little, fans maybe,” and then later added, “Everybody’s starting to be more accepting, it’ll just go with the flow.” Billiot did, however, disagree with the way that Sam publicized his decision to come out. “I think people are making it a bigger deal than what it is.” Billiot added, “He brought more attention or hate to himself.” Ultimately, Sam will be judged based on his performance on the field. For instance, if Sam gets drafted and underperforms on the field of play, his deci-

sion to come out could be further scrutinized and hold the brunt of the blame due to the attention and distraction it could become. However, if Sam performs as expected or exceeds expectations and plays to his All-American potential, then Sam could be heralded for his courage. The NFL draft is May 8. Whether or not Sam gets drafted is still up in the air but, nevertheless, his choice to come out will affect his future in the league. What cannot be debated is the effect his decision to come out on national television and in front and millions around the county will have on others in the gay and lesbian community who may be struggling with the notion of exposing their secret.

Richlandchronicle.com February 18, 2014

Q: Do you think an openly gay football player will be accepted by the National Football League, players, fans, coaches and teams?

Kevin Kohutec

Nicholas Ahlquist

Tomy Otounga

Beverly Stewart

Engineering major

Broadcast major

Energy Management major

OSL admin. assistant

Image courtesy Yasmin Torres

"It might be OK to some people because some people don't believe being gay is right, but others think one shouldn't get judged and that it's OK to be gay."

Image courtesy Kevin Mendez

“I believe that Michael Sam will eventually be accepted by players and coaches in the NFL because there [have] been gay players in the past.”

Image courtesy W. Ben Roach

“I think as long as he is a good player he will be accepted from the league. Sponsors, and what goes on off the field, may be a different story.”

Image courtesy Veronica Jacobs

“My heart goes out to Michael as he will really have a hard time and he will have to go through a lot of media attention.”

ENTERTAINMENT

Hoffman’s death evokes mixed feelings JOE STUMPO Staff Writer

The untimely death of Oscar-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman at 46 on Feb. 2 from what authorities are now saying was a heroin overdose has evoked a lot of anger and sadness in me in the days since. A part of me agrees with what some members of the media have said about Hoffman in terms of how he died, like “The Five’s” cohosts Greg Gutfeld and Eric Bolling. “The user (Hoffman) knows the risk,” said Gutfeld on the Feb. 5 telecast of “The Five” on Fox News Channel. “He accepts that risk. He also accepts that he’s risking the future of his family when he takes drugs, when he leaves family behind. That’s a risk he assumes.” Bolling said, “I mean, the guy (Hoffman) overdosed. He’s a great actor but a dope ball. Let’s call it what it is.” If there is any reason why I stopped short of calling Hoffman a loser for throwing his life away it is because of the articles I read the past week about heroin addiction. The moment people inject themselves with the drug they are practically hooked. If there is a devil out there and considering the unspeakable acts of evil seen on a daily basis, it’s hard to say there isn’t one, I suspect the devil has many names and one of them is probably heroin.

Hoffman was only two years older than I am and although I never met him, I feel as though I grew up with him through watching his movies. A number of memorable characters, some of them troubled, come to mind. Among them, the rich prep school kid who gets fellow classmate Chris O’Donnell into trouble for a college prank in “Scent of a Woman” (1992) and the hyperactive radio/ music man stormchaser who’d blast Deep Purple’s “Child in Time” when chasing tornadoes in “Twister” (1996). Then there’s the priest suspected of having an inappropriate relationship with a student by the strict school principal (Meryl Streep) in “Doubt” (2008), and the temperamental CIA agent in “Charlie Wilson’s War” (2007) who warns a Texas congressman (Tom Hanks) that his covert operations assisting rebels in Afghanistan in their war against the Russians will eventually come back to haunt America, hence 9/11. I haven’t had a chance to see “The Master” (2012), “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” (2013) or “Capote” (2005). They are on my never-ending list of 1,000-plus movies to see before I die. I will never know, correction, I don’t think anyone will ever know how much Hoffman was hurting inside emotionally that he turned again to alcohol and drugs after being

Image courtesy coastlive.com

Philip Seymour Hoffman (“Copote”) and Reese Witherspoon (“Walk the Line”) celebrate their Oscar wins in 2006.

clean. I would ask him is if he ever thought once about beating his self-destructive behavior permanently so he could be alive to see his three children grow up. If there is anything positive to come from Hoffman’s senseless lonely end it is what he told screenwriter Aaron Sorkin,

also a recovering drug addict, back in 2007 while working on “Charlie Wilson’s War.” “If one of us dies of an overdose, probably 10 people who were about to won’t,” Sorkin said quoting Hoffman. “He (Hoffman) meant that our deaths would make news and maybe scare someone clean.”

RICKY MILLER Entertainment Editor

Image courtesy capote_amazon.co.uk

Hoffman won an Academy Award for his portrayal of Truman Capote in “Capote.”

Out of the blue, America lost another talent with the passing of Oscar-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman, who died of a suspected drug overdose in his New York City apartment Feb. 2. At press time, the official cause of death was still pending. Hoffman won a Best Actor Oscar playing Truman Capote in 2005’s “Capote.” He was also nominated for Oscars on three separate occasions for his work in “Doubt,” “Charlie Wilson’s War” and “The Master.” Hoffman was one of the few actors who did a great job of seguing a career that included bit parts (“Hard Eight,” “Nobody’s Fool”) and full-on leads (“Flawless,” “The Master.”) He did some of his best work in: “Boogie Nights” (1997) — In Paul Thomas Anderson’s masterpiece, his down-and-out character of Scotty J., a boom mic operator on porn films, has a massive crush on Dirk Diggler (Mark Wahlberg). It was his second film with Anderson, with whom he would work again on 1999’s “Magnolia” and 2012’s “The Master.” Grade: A

“Almost Famous” (2000) — Hoffman portrays Lester Bangs, a music critic who writes for Creem magazine. He gives advice to Patrick Fugit’s struggling teenage writer William Miller and says not to become friends with the rock stars. This one was partially based on writer-director Cameron Crowe’s real-life experiences. A “Capote” (2005) — He was the title character of Truman Capote, doing research for “In Cold Blood,” the story of a Kansas family who was murdered in 1959. Grade: B “Doubt” (2008) — With Meryl Streep in the lead, one could say there was an intimidation factor in this heavy-handed drama about an all too friendly Catholic priest in New York City in 1964. B “The Master” (2012) — Like director Anderson’s overpraised “There Will Be Blood,” “The Master” falls into that same category of lauding a very mediocre film. Sure, it had some great scenes with Hoffman and lead Joaquin Phoenix, but in the endgame of things I was left feeling very unfulfilled. His supporting turn as church leader Lancaster Dodd earned him his fourth Oscar nomination. B-

Richlandchronicle.com February 18, 2014

Some of Hoffman’s most memorable works

FEATURE STUDENT MEDIA LEADERS Editor-in-Chief Layout Editor Sports Editor Entertainment Editor Radio News Director Copy Editor

Kisten S. Chetty Lora Advincula Blanca Reyes Ricky Miller Carla Davis Joyce Jackson

ON THE COVER Michael Sam’s possible effect on the National Football League.

COVER AND FONTS

majid abdel-Raziq

Cover illustration by Kisten S. Chetty Certain fonts are provided by the following: http://www.nymfont.com - http://www.bvfonts.com

Richlandchronicle.com February 18, 2014

Staff Writer

United Muslim Relief of Dallas, a Dallasbased chapter founded by Richland student Eshaq Hassanin, organized a group of volunteers Feb. 1 to feed almost 330 homeless. Hassanin was adamant when saying, “Feeding the homeless isn’t a choice, it’s a duty as well as an opportunity for us to develop ourselves through their service. I’m glad we got to help and hope to do more of this in the future.” The volunteers gathered at the Muslim American Society Youth Center of Dallas to prepare lunches. Students from the University of Texas at Dallas, Richland College and even Irving came to help out. An assembly line was set up so a group would make turkey sandwiches with lettuce and mayonnaise, seal them in plastic bags and pass them on. Other volunteers would then place them into a brown paper bag, add a water bottle and hand it to the next group. Next, a bag of chips and a napkin was placed into a bag, finally carted off and loaded into cars for the trip downtown. The system worked so efficiently that the lunch-making process was finished an hour and a half ahead of schedule. After receiving a donation of pizzas from Meat Matters, a local meat store and restaurant, the volunteers went as a group to The Bridge homeless shelter in downtown Dallas. As they began to organize the lunches for distribution, homeless people from all around the street began forming a line. Surprisingly, these homeless people were not typical of the unkempt and rude homeless often seen on television and in movies. They were shaven, dressed conventionally except that most were carrying a backpack and were extremely polite. Every lunch handed out was repaid with a smile and an uttering of “God bless you” or “You all are great people.” Some let the person behind them go before them. Soon after starting, they began to distribute the pizza. They radiated with joy as they took the pizza, something they obviously had not had in a long time. As volunteers handed out second and third lunches to some, we noticed that the lunches were not running out. One of the volunteers knew of a mosque close by that distributes food to the homeless. Masjid al-Islam, the first mosque ever built in Dallas, had already distributed lunches to the homeless.

STUDENT MEDIA STAFF Melanie Brandow Jonathan Lee Doris Brogan Sayako Metoki

Raymond Thomas Pronk Pete Shannon Ben Siebel Majid Abdel-Raziq

STUDENT MEDIA ADVISERS Terry Blend Erica Edwards Jack Fletcher David Goodloe

Tim Jones Steve Noviello Larry Ratliff Marshall Siegel

Spring 2014 ISSUES

Photo courtesy Eshaq Hassanin

Students line up to help the United Muslim Relief of Dallas feed the homeless.

However, a mosque official led the volunteers to a nearby street where many of the homeless stayed. Again, they began distributing lunches and were surprised by how cheerful these people were that someone was thinking about them. One man gave his sandwich to a stray dog that began devouring it fiercely. Another man refused to take a lunch because he had eaten a lunch earlier in the day. He would only take his share. A homeless man named Melvin had been guiding volunteers around the street to people who really needed a meal. Melvin asked how old the volunteers were. As they told him, he kept saying he was proud of them and that they should continue being role models to other people. With a sad and wise tone, he said he had begun doing drugs when he was their age and it got him nowhere but the streets. If any of their friends ever did drugs, he said to tell their parents and make sure they quit as quickly as possible. He began hugging them one by one, and they waved goodbye to everyone. It was an experience none of the volunteers would forget. It had a strong spiritual message that these people had just taken a wrong turn somewhere and ended up on the streets. But, that does not define them as people. Instead, the homeless are a symbol of the strength and resolution of humanity to continue even when life knocks them down.

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Feature

Business student overcomes disability

Photo courtesy Alemayehu Medhne

Doris brogan Staff Writer

Richland student Addis Gonte, 21, is a young man who refuses to allow his disabilities to define him. Gonte suffered a traumatic brain and spinal cord injury as the result of a car accident on Dec. 6, 2008, at the age of 16. He was hospitalized for four months. With the aid of a home-bound instructor and determination, Gonte was able to keep up with school assignments and graduate from Sachse High School with his class in 2011. Gonte entered Richland College in the fall of 2012 with the goal of earning an Associate of Science degree, then continuing on to earn his Bachelor of Science degree in business administration. Gonte’s long road to recovery hasn’t been easy, but he’s not one to dwell on negatives. He’s in a wheelchair due to paralysis from the spinal cord injury, and the traumatic brain injury has caused short-term memory problems for which there is no therapy. But that hasn’t stopped him. He’s learned to take detailed notes on his electronic tablet to keep up with his classes and his busy life. Gonte tries to use his misfortunes as a chance to grow and move forward with all he’s learned.

“It’s tremendous how the brain works and how you’re able to overcome so much and learn to cope with your difficulties,” he said. He has become an inspiring student in the Access 1 to 1 section of the Learning Center in Medina Hall, Room 216, a resource room for physical and learning disabilities. Laura Davidson, an instructor in Access 1 to 1, is amazed by Gonte’s spirit. “I thought I was going to help him,” she said, “but he has helped me because he has such a positive attitude. He truly is amazing.” Since his accident, Gonte has become passionate about giving back to the community. He’s a very active volunteer and mentor in the Metroplex. He said he “draws strength from being a positive person and being an inspiration to others not to give up.” He mentors at the Christopher Reeve Foundation, where he talks to those who are newly injured as well as others with similar spinal injuries. He’s been a volunteer at Children’s Medical Center in Plano since December 2012. He also mentors students at Habesha Collegiate Student Network, a program created by Hannan Hassom, a student at SMU, to help students succeed in high school and provide scholarships for college. Gonte was born in Ethiopia and emigrated to the U.S. with his family in 1997. They first settled in Houston and then moved to the Dallas area. He speaks English like he was born to

it and retains his ability to speak Amharic, an Ethiopian language. He’s grateful to his parents for encouraging him to continue to speak his native tongue. The Gonte family currently lives in Sachse. Addis, the youngest of five children, has three older brothers and an older sister. He acknowledges he couldn’t have fought this battle without the help of his family, faith and community. His inspirational attitude was recognized by his community when Sachse Mayor Mike Felix awarded him a certificate declaring Nov. 16, 2011 to be Addis Gonte Day. In addition to his volunteering and mentoring, Gonte is active in sports. He’s played wheelchair sports, both basketball and rugby, but his current passion is for hand cycling. He recently completed a 36-mile bicycle race in Richardson. He finds the exercise helps him stay fit, as well as offering a competitive challenge, which he enjoys. I couldn’t help but notice Gonte’s popularity on campus. Within 10 minutes of meeting him, he’d been greeted by no less than half a dozen students and a professor. A positive attitude must be contagious. He has a lot going for him, not in spite of his disabilities but because of his infectious optimism. His body may be confined to a wheelchair, but his spirit won’t acknowledge such limitations.

Photo courtesy Anteneh Woubishet

Gonte speaks after receiving a certificate from Sachse Mayor Mike Felix.

Richlandchronicle.com February 18, 2014

Addis Gonte rides a customized bicycle in a Richardson bike race, showing that he doesn’t let disability get in his way.

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Richlandchronicle.com February 18, 2014

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