Spartan Echo Volume 56 Issue 3

The voice of the Spartan community

Vol. 56, No. 3

10.09.08

Multi-million dollar library coming soon ODU robberies cause tightening of security

By Ryan Cross

By Nicole McGloster

Jonathan Copeland/The Spartan Echo

The campus of Norfolk State University is going under transition with new improvements, such as the police station and the Mills E. Godwin Student Center.

Now, thanks to the General Assembly unanimously approving a $1.5 billion borrowing package back in April, NSU will soon have a new library.

The borrowing package was largely designed to finance building projects at colleges and universities across Virginia. NSU received about $45.1 million to cover the cost of the new library. NSU’s current library, Lyman Beecher Brooks Library, was built in 1972 in honor of Lyman Beecher Brooks, who was the director of the Norfolk Unit of Virginia Union University (now NSU) in 1938.

“The new library will be better suited to adequately serve the needs of NSU students and the community,” said Anton V. Kashiri, the associate vice president for Facilities Management at NSU. NSU officials and students have called the current library leaky, crowded and outdated.

“It’s kind of an eyesore and, with all these new renovations on campus, the library should definetly be included,” said Sharnese Haynes, a freshman at NSU. Even though the project is still

The 35-year old Lyman Beecher Brooks Library will be replaced by a new multi-million dollar library project which is expected to break ground sometime during the upcoming spring semester. The project will take up to 16 months to complete.

in the design phase and details are scarce, construction is set to begin in the spring and will take about 16 months for completion.

The new library will be stationed off the west wing of the existing library which is expected to be torn down after the new one is complete.

Whether the new library will keep the same name as the old one is unknown at this time.

The new library will display a variety of new technology which could compete with

surrounding universities, said Kashiri.

The three level, 134,000 sq ft. library will be slightly smaller than the existing one, Kashiri said, but will be compacted with more storage space and shelving.

An audio visual multimedia services, where students can better their theses, and an internet cafe are other features proposed for the new library, said Mickey Ann Garcia, the library’s director.

During the weekend of Sept. 1921, several students at Old Dominion University were victims of unrelated robberies.

According to an ODU campus email, two students were robbed near the intersection of 39th Street and Hampton Boulevard in Norfolk at about 9:45 p.m. on Sept. 19. The robbers were described as two armed males wearing dark clothing.

Then on Saturday, Sept. 20, at about 1:50 a.m., five ODU students were robbed in the 3800 block of Killam Ave. as they were leaving a party. In that incident, two armed males approached the group and demanded their belongings.

The crime alert Norfolk State University issued soon after described the suspects as two males between the ages of 15-20 years of age wearing black hooded jackets and displaying a silver automatic handgun.

Tyre Devon Privott, 18, of the 800 block of W. 37th St., was arrested Sept. 26 on five charges each of robbery and using a firearm. He was wanted in the Sept. 20 robbery on Killam Ave. To prevent a similar occurrence from taking place on NSU’s campus, NSU police took action according to Lieutenant Kevin Genwright.

“We’re heightening patrol on high See ROBBERIES Page 3

four-Year degree diminishing in value?

By Danielle Coley In a nation wrestling with war, soaring gas prices and a sagging economy, many individuals are deciding to pursue opportunities in higher education as a means of assuring their individual futures.

According to David Breneman, writer for The Chronicle of Higher Education, this trend was popularized in the recession of the 1970s when colleges saw a surge of enrollment by baby boomers.

But, as a result, higher amounts of college graduates mean higher

selectivity in a job market where bachelor’s degrees are not holding the same weight as they did years ago.

New studies conducted by Wall Street Journal writer Greg Ip suggest bachelor degree holders are suffering worse than ever before, forced to tolerate salaries that have remained stagnant since 2006 despite an ever-looming recession.

Also, according to Ip, the individuals who were once prone to inflation-adjusted salaries are living off incomes that could be considered meager to what their predecessors made.

On average, wages are about 1.7 percent

lower than those recorded in 2001, the beginning of the “economic expansion” that is now on a down slide.

Even with the economy aside, jobs for fouryear degree holders are not measuring up to those for holders of a graduate degree.

The bachelor’s degree, previously thought to be a major stamp of accomplishment, is now simply a preliminary requirement for job qualification.

What does this mean for undergraduate students here at Norfolk State University?

According to Rowena Wilson, Director of Graduate Studies at NSU, students should take advantage of all opportunities offered to them

for graduate studies.

“Students are now competing with people on a global scale...and therefore need to be prepared to meet the demands of the workforce,” Wilson said. “The graduate programs at NSU help to equip students with those proper tools.”

Not surprisingly, many students agree wholeheartedly with Wilson in regards to going above and being the standard requirements.

“Pursuing education beyond the See FOUR YEAR DEGREE Page 3

SPARTAN ECHO · Norfolk State University · 700 Park Avenue Norfolk, Virginia 23504 NEWSROOM: 757. 823. 8562 · E-Mail: spartanecho@nsu.edu

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editorial

10.09.08 The voice of the Spartan community

Editor In chief Jaedda Armstrong

Too young, too soon online/Managing editor jevonya hughes

student life editor jasmine mckEIver

news editor nicole mcgloster

sports editor joe cook

entertainment editor robert fronta

LAYOUT/design editor andre tillman

copy editor niera burton

multimedia editor Thomas Wilson

INTERESTED IN CONTRIBUTING TO THE ECHO?

Regular meetings are held at 12:30PM Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Spartan Echo Office, 3rd floor of Godwin Student Center in Room 318.

By Danyell Briley Echo Correspondant

Teen pregnancies are more common now than ever. What was once viewed as taboo and caused shame to one’s family is now considered a very common path to maturity.

Have you ever noticed how greatly teen pregnancies are being exploited?

This topic has never been as open for family discussion as it is now. With movies like “Juno,” sitcoms like “The Secret Life of the American Teenager,” “Reba” and high-profile teen pregnancies such as Bristol Palin and Jamie Lynn Spears getting extreme amounts of attention and magazine covers, the idea of being a young mom might look enticing.

Teen pregnancies are no longer viewed as a “hush-hush” topic. They are now considered to be normal and brushed-off by simply saying “life happens.”

The latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention figures show that after the teen birthrate fell by 34 percent from 1991 to 2005, it rose in 2006.

From 2005 to 2006, the birthrate for teenagers 15 to 19 years old increased by three percent.

Parents should take advantage of this

opportunity and use this time to sit down with their children and have a serious conversation about pregnancy.

How prepared are they for sexually active relationships?

Again, and again (and again), we’ve got to tell kids that unprotected sex makes babies, and babies change lives.

If they’re going to engage in sexual relationships, parents need to be there to help them make wise decisions and keep their lives whole by discussing the various types of birth control methods.

Also, as a society, we have to reinforce the standards and morals our grandparents and great grandparents practiced.

Our efforts at education should never be relaxed. Every single child has to be given the necessary information and urged to be smart, even when hormones are screaming.

is greek life for me?

By Eveann-Shay T. Claxton Echo Correspondant

Coming in as a college student, every student may ask themselves “Is Greek life for me?” Going Greek, as sororities and fraternities call it, is something that millions of college students have done or wish to do, but millions choose not to get involved.

Joining a Greek organization provides a common bond, not only among fraternity brothers or sorority sisters, but also within the Greek community as a whole.

When a student is interested in joining a Greek organization, some may look at the percentage of students who are Greek.

There is power in numbers and, when the world has the opportunity to witness a group of individuals working together for the common good of the community, more and more people will want to become involved.

The main reason for joining a sorority or fraternity is to have a sense of belonging.

“It’s important to select one the way you select your friends,” said Lance Jones of the Iota Phi Theta Fraternity.

The main characteristic you must have is to be outgoing, basically a social person

because organizations have a social advantage.

Something you may want to look into before joining is to see if the Greek organization that you want to join allows opportunities for service and leadership.

“Being in a fraternity has allowed me to lead, serve, and help others, as well as giving back to communities in the name of my frat,” said Carl Johnson, who is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.

Some students, who are on a tight knit budget and want to join, ask themselves, “Can I afford membership?”

You should find out the fees and what they exactly include.

Remember, when trying to decide, or even while joining a sorority or fraternity, you are evaluating them just as much as they are evaluating you. So, you be the judge and decide if Greek life is for you.

10.09.08 The voice of the Spartan community

NEWS

Freshman enrollment has increased this Fall semester Norfolk State University freshman and overall enrollment has increased for the Fall 2008 semester, according to preliminary numbers released by NSU’s enrollment management office.

At the start of the Fall 2008 semester, the enrollment of students was at a high of 6,340 students which is a three percent increase over last year’s enrollment.

Out of the 6,340 students, 1,190 were incoming freshmen.

The freshmen class size reflects an increase of 20 percent over the previous year.

NSU has been able to make incoming students “feel like a Spartan before they actually get [on campus],” said Terricita Sass, associate vice president for enrollment management at NSU. “We reduced the amount of time it takes for students to hear back from NSU and we increased our FOUR YEAR DEGREE from Front

undergraduate level is very important.

You can further your career a lot easier with a master’s than just a bachelor’s,” said junior Keishara Diggs.

“I think it’s a must. In this day and time simply having a bachelor’s degree only qualifies you for a management job at McDonald’s,” said sophomore Teresa Tutt.

“I think that anything above a bachelor’s degree in any field you are planning to go into is not only a plus, but a vital asset in order to be successful,” said sophomore Angel Gooch.

With over 90 graduate programs offered, including a visual studies program and an applied sociology program offered jointly with Old Dominion University, and a Ph.D. offered in Material Science & Engineering and Social Work, opportunities are available at NSU for all those willing to take advantage of them.

For students looking to quickly get into the workforce, but still want enough flexibility to continue higher education, NSU offers what’s called a Professional Master’s Degree, a master’s degree for individuals who need immediate work, but want to later pursue a Ph.D. For students on the fence about going forward with their education, Wilson offers some words of encouragement.

“Graduate students not only improve their own quality of life, but that of their community. It’s a way of thanking those who have helped you along the way, giving back in a sense,” she stated.

Thomas Wilson /Multimedia Editor

By Nicole McGloster News Editor

This semester, freshman enrollment has increased 20 percent over last year’s enrollment, an increase of more than 1,000 freshmen.

follow up,” said Sass.

“Also, there is more electronic communication with our potential students, such as e-mail,” Sass said.

Some upperclassman said that freshmen may be getting special treatment when it ROBBERIES from Front crime areas and there will be high visibility,” Genwright said.

University officials warned students in a recent e-mail not to walk on campus alone at night.

Officials also encourage students to use the Spartan Escort Service. Students can call the University Police Department at (757) 823-8102 in order to be escorted to their destination safely.

Also, let a roomate know when you plan to leave and arrive, have your key in hand when entering a parking lot or garage, and share your class and activity schedule with a trusted friend or parent.

comes to financial aid and housing.

However, Sass strongly disagrees.

“Financial aid is still ‘first come, first serve,” she emphasizes.

“We actually give out more money to returning students than incoming freshmen

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per student,” said Sass.

NSU officials have an enrollment goal of 9,000 over the next five years.

However, the students will not all be housed and learning on campus.

A good number of these students will be a part of the newly approved School of Extended Learning, which will provide online courses and specializes in distance education.

With the recent budget cuts that will effect NSU, many are concerned whether the state will have enough financial aid to give out to the projected number of students the university hopes for.

Budget cuts for NSU have not yet been announced, so many do not know how much will be cut or how it will affect students.

The official enrollment numbers will be released on Oct. 20.

4 make every drop count

By Rasheda Guishard Echo Correspondent With gas prices going up almost daily, many college students are faced with the dilemma of making sacrifices to afford it.

According to the Sept. 16 issue of Link Magazine, since this time last year, the price of gas has increased from about $2.613 per gallon to approximately $3.680 per gallon.

In addition to soaring gas prices, the cost of living has taken a drastic increase, yet salaries stay the same.

Norfolk State University educates just over 6,000 students and only 38 percent live on campus.

With higher gas prices, commuter students have resorted to minimizing the days they come to school or taking online classes.

Lakeisha Richardson, an NSU sophomore, spends about $75 on gas each week. She’s trying various ways to make her gas last longer.

“It is expensive. So yes, I do try to do everything here at school, so when I go home I don’t have to go anywhere,” said Richardson.

Michelle Willingham, also a sophomore at NSU, spends about $60 a week to fill up.

“I now have to charge everyone who gets in my car for gas money, and I now stay at home more to conserve my gas.

It’s not cheap,” said Willingham.

Because school is such a priority and many students can only work a few hours per week, students should be informed of how their gas can stretch a little bit farther.

ways to conserve gas: •Students with unlimited text messaging may benefit from the service, www.gasbuddy.com, allowing them to be informed by text each time gas prices change in their surrounding area.

•Purchasing gas during the evening or early morning is best, when its cool, the gas is densest.

Warm gas sometimes contains air causing it to expand.

•To make the most of their gas, students should first make fewer trips. Planning out shorter routes and running all errands at one time cuts the back and forth gas usage each day in half.

•Drive within the speed limit.

Maintaining the car by changing air filters, keeping air in the tires, changing the oil, and properly lubricating movable components can save as much as 40 percent of gas.

All of these tips can possibly make gas last a couple extra days a week. With gas prices fluctuating daily, college students should do what they can to save money.

student life

10.09.08 The voice of the Spartan community

Dorm life is found trying, rewarding Students find that dorm life has its ups and downs

Thomas Wilson/Multimedia Editor

Students relax in front of Babbette Smith South Hall. The residents in the dormatories make their stay a learning experience.

By Danyell Briley Echo Correspondant Going to college and living in a dorm can be a living and learning experience.

It’s probably the only time in your life that you will ever be living with a community of people with the same interests, goals, and, not to mention, fears as yours.

Five students, some from Norfolk State University and some from Old Dominion University, had different feelings toward living in dorms.

Only one student out of the group had something positive to say and that was about their easy access to dorm partying.

“My dorm stays throwing parties. I don’t even have to spend gas money over the weekend,” said Carl Bitton, an ODU sophomore.

Often, students find noise an issue while living in a dormitory.

Some students said when their roommates leave the radio on at night or talk loud on their cell phones, it can be annoying.

Another thing to remember while living on campus is that your actions could affect a large group of people.

On May 23, 2008, the Spartan Suites were flooded due to a sprinkler system being set off in one of the suites according to Jackie, the front desk receptionist, who did not wish to give her last name.

“The sprinkler system activates when it senses smoke,” said Jackie.

Therefore, the entire building was inconvenienced, due to an incident that involved one person.

Nothing was severely damaged during the flooding, so no compensations were needed.

The sprinklers were installed for students’ safety, so they remain.

However, NSU is greatly enforcing the no smoking policy and students were also told to pay great attention to the stove while cooking.

A couple of students, Lisa Salley and Katrina Campbell, also expressed their frustration with fire drills, curfews, privacy, bathroom cleanliness, theft, insects and guest visitation

rules.

Some say while there are rules to follow, where else can you interact with fellow students your age, who understand what you’re going through on a daily basis, without parental supervision?

Some students never get to experience dorm life. Many students that go to college in the same state they originally live in choose to stay at home and others choose living in an apartment off-campus.

However, some students say that living on campus can keep you informed with events and activities that take place throughout campus.

It also makes participating in student activities, such as fraternities, sororities and organizations a lot easier.

Adjusting to college life in a dormitory can be the first step in understanding how to live and face challenges on a daily basis, some students say.

You will probably meet people who you don’t like; however, you will probably meet some of your best friends for years to come.

10.09.08 The voice of the Spartan community

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sports

SPARTAN SPOTLIGHT:Miroslav Vlcek

by Dominique Harris-Echo Correspondent

After coming from Central Europe to attend Norfolk State University, Miroslav Vlcek is taking advantage of his opportunities in America.

Vlcek, a 23-year old senior from Vyskov, Czech Republic, is pursuing a degree in business management and hopes to enter graduate school to earn a Master’s of Business Administration.

While school is very important to Vlcek, he stresses his passion for tennis.

He first started playing tennis at the age of seven and continued to play as he got older.

As Vlcek neared the end of his high school career in the Czech Republic, he was considered to be a top player in his country.

Besides being able to play tennis, Vlcek was compelled to come to NSU due to the fact that he had a couple of friends from the Czech Republic who were enrolled at NSU. He was interested in learning the English language.

Determined and focused, Vlcek made his way to America to attend NSU. Vlcek’s talents in tennis prompted NSU to offer him a full athletic scholarship. Even though he had the grades to receive an academic scholarship, Vlcek explained with a laugh that he was just too lazy to apply

for it.

His student life is pretty much a routine. From going to classes, tennis practice, weightlifting and running, there is not much time for leisure.

“During the fall season we have free weekends to do whatever. My team mates and I go out once in a while. Sometimes we catch a movie,” said Vlcek.

Once spring season starts, his time is dedicated to school and tennis only.

“It is very tough at times, but I can manage,” Vlcek said.

As a younger tennis player, Vlcek idolized professional tennis player Andy Roddick, but since he has become older, his admiration has shifted over to Roger Federer.

Off the courts, Vlcek does not draw his inspiration from another person. Instead, he relies on his own talents and personal drive to make himself successful.

In the future, if his dreams of graduate school do not work out, Vlcek plans to travel back to his homeland to work at his father’s business. His biggest dream is simple, though.

“I want to live a regular life with a family and a good job. That is my dream,” Vlcek said.

His transition from being here in the Czech Republic to America has been huge. “Honestly,” he said, “I feel like living here is a dream itself.”

SPARTAN SPOTLIGHT:CARLTON PHIPPS

by Joe Cook-Sports Editor SPARTAN CROSS COUNTRY HAS A NEW MEMBER.

CARLTON PHIPPS

Coach Michael Watts and Coach Giles have a new athlete to mold to perfection.

Carlton Phipps, a junior, has recently joined Norfolk State University’s cross country team.

He has never run cross country before, but is a middle distance runner of the track team. Phipps made the transition from Lynchburg, Va. to Norfolk.

“It’s a little different. In high school my coach was really training me for the 400 and 800 so I wasn’t getting as much distance in, but when I came up here, Coach Giles, he used to run the 800 so he knows a lot about the race,” said Phipps.

He knows that getting this mileage is going to help get my time down a lot faster,” said Phipps.

Phipps has been training hard. Every

morning at six o’clock the team runs either at Dick Price Stadium or at Virginia Wesleyan College for about 45 minutes to an hour.

“It’s been kind of tough but I’m hanging in there,” said Phipps.

He has also been training with Dominic Luka, the MEAC champion two years running, along with other MEAC runners. While running with each other every morning the team has become a family.

“Yeah. The track team and the cross country team I think we are the most close knit team on campus. I’ve known these guys for awhile because we all run track and cross country and I’ve been training with them for the last three years. They’re like my brothers; it’s a real close family,” Phipps said.

Along with the training, Phipps has learned a lot from the coaches off and on the track field.

“They are the best coaches I ever ran for.

Coach Michael Watts, Coach Giles, we got a new coach coming in. He was real good out of high school and college, he went to Olympic Trials, we got him helping us out this year. We got a real good coaching staff. They really know what they are doing,” said Phipps.

His main goal for the season is to bring the MEAC championship back to NSU. “Last year it kind of slipped away from us because of a flaw we had. We had four good runners but the fifth was up with them,” said Phipps.

“This year it looks a lot more promising, we got six or seven real good runners that we can bring the MEAC home with.”

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STUDENT LIFE

Lower drinking age to cause problems

By Ashley McDonald BlackCollegeWire.Com One of the major milestones that some college students look forward to is their 21st birthday. This is the day when they can legally walk into a restaurant and have a glass of wine with their dinner or walk into a liquor store to purchase their drink of choice.

Most college students are in their junior year by the time they reach this pivotal point.

But a group of college presidents and chancellors have joined together to form the Amethyst Initiative.

And they are convinced that the 21-year-old minimum drinking age is ineffective and contributes to a higher incidence of binge drinking on college campuses nationwide.

There is much controversy surrounding this group because a possible alternative solution that has been proposed is lowering the legal drinking age to 18.

The National Minimum Drinking Age Act was passed in 1984, setting the minimum drinking age at 21 and charging states 10 percent of federal highway dollars if they decided to set it lower. The act is up for reauthorization next year.

At 18, many students are still in high school. So if binge drinking is causing problems on college campuses, who is to say that the same thing will not happen in high schools?

“The behavior of 18-year-olds is particularly influential on youth ages 15 - 17, as young people typically imitate the practices of those who are

slightly older, rather than the practices of those who are significantly older,” according to a fact sheet published by the Center for Science in the Public Interest. “Therefore, if 18-year-olds can legally drink, their immediate, younger peers will drink too.”

Seniors in high school would be able to furnish alcohol at high school parties just as easily as those of legal drinking age can furnish alcohol to underage drinkers at college parties.

Both instances present a crime. But on college campuses, at least the offenders are legal adults. In high school, you would have children even more exposed to alcohol and the dangers that it presents.

When alcoholism spills over into the halls of the high schools, will we then consider allowing 16-year-olds to go into a restaurant and order a Grey Goose martini - shaken not stirred?

Before you know it, the kindergarteners will be carrying flasks in their pencil pouches.

Making alcohol more accessible to children may result in students not even making it to college to experience all that it has to offer.

That would definitely reduce the incidences of binge drinking that the Amethyst Initiative finds is such a huge problem.

Turning 18 is already a milestone all in itself, allowing young people to vote, enlist in the military and legally be responsible for themselves. Making the minimum drinking age 18 will give them a lot of freedom all at once.

Even if college students drink while they are 18 to 20 years old, at least they will have time to develop some restraint, learn their limits and gain some maturity before they are allowed to do it in public.

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Alcohol contaminates college campuses STT07-01_5x7.875.indd 1

9/19/08 11:11:19 AM

By Nicole McGloster News Editor

Alcohol has been an ever-present substance on college campuses for many years.

Recently on Norfolk State University’s campus two alcohol related incidents took place, one involving an intoxicated female after a party in the Joseph Echols Hall Gym, and the other involving a nonresponsive intoxicated student who later was found to be breathing and conscious.

Situations like these can be prevented; however, alcohol abuse can be one of the most difficult situations for authorities on campus to control.

From parties to pep rallies and dorms to dances, there is always an opportunity for students to drink.

Even though the consumption of alcohol on University property is against school policy and can result in disciplinary procedures, students still engage in alcohol related activities.

There are games, such as Beer Pong, that allow a student to drink beyond

Graphic Illustration-Thomas Wilson /Multimedia Editor

their limit often ending in an intoxicated, and barely functional, state.

By law, any person under the age of 21 is not allowed to have an alcoholic beverage, but on campus no one of any age is allowed to

consume a drink.

Sophomore health service management major Sherrell Lewis understands that alcohol is a problem on campus.

“Yes, I do think [alcohol] is easily

accessible—too easy. People are unaware of the effects of it, especially freshmen,” said Lewis.

“You always can see people acting out and doing crazy things because of [alcohol]. People are going to disobey the rules regardless [of the policy].”

According to the NSU Student Handbook, the following is the policy for alcohol: “No alcoholic beverages or containers are allowed within NSU facilities or on NSU grounds.”

Violations of the university’s policy include carrying an open container in public, hosting a party involving the illegal use of alcohol, or possession or consumption of alcohol on university property, among other violations.

In a first offense alcohol violation, a student will receive probation for one year, be fined $25, attend a mandatory workshop, and their parents may be notified.

A third offense will lead to suspension for one semester.

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entertainment

10.09.08 The voice of the Spartan community

Norfolk State University Players steeped in rich, dramatic tradition As I walked through the L. Douglas Wilder Center for the Performing Arts, the grand auditorium seemed to sparkle and shine with green and gold splendor.

Up the stairs, I went to the large and looming stage where artisans clanked and hammered away building a set.

Stage right-- to the hallway I went looking for them. I hear an animated conversation, I’ve found my Players.

It was a conversation, but a scripted one. There in the hallway were a group of passionate faces rehearsing, with students surrounding them, and script helpers.

They performed here as if it was opening night, and the tight bland walls opened up to an airy, open theater at capacity.

They slipped in and out of character with little to no transition, checking scripts or getting tips from the wardrobe designer. In the midst of the dramatic flurry sat Clarence Murray, the Director of Theatre and an NSU English professor, fully invested in the performance, laughing and ‘mmm’ing.

It was Terrino Burrows as Old Joe and Ashley Johnson as Harmon acting out a scene from August Wilson’s play, “Radio Golf.”

The NSU Players have a long history at the University.

“We date back to the beginning of the University,” shared Murray who’s been with the Players since 1992.

Lauded, and internationally traveled, the Players have won One

Thomas Wilson /Multimedia Editor

By Robert Fronta Entertainment Editor

The NSU Players and Clarence Murray (center) prepare for a performance.

Act Production awards, been to the National Association of Dramatic & Speech Arts Festival, African American College Initiative Festival, and the Edinburgh International Theatre Festival in Scotland several times.

True to his calling, Murray animatedly and emphatically speaks of the purpose of black arts, the purpose of the NSU Players and his journey with the arts.

“My philosophy is first of all, I endorse educational theatre,” he continued, “what that means is, I teach all the aspects of general theatre, but [here] we have specificity in African American theatre.”

“I like to go into our African Diaspora

kanye to focus on love with “808 and heartbreaks”

By Ryan Cross-Echo Correspondent

Crowned MTV’s #1 “Hottest MC in the Game”, and selling a combined total of 9.6 million copies of his first three albums, Kanye West is back with yet another album which is sure to cause an uproar among “Ye” fans.

Kanye is returning only months after a highly publicized feud with 50 cent. The feud began when both rappers vowed to sell the most albums in their first week. West came out on top selling 957,000 albums over 50’s 691,000 albums.

808’s and Heartbreaks, slated to be released Dec. 16, according to listings on Amazon.com, it’s rumored to be inspired by his breakup with fashion designer Alexis Phifer.

Focusing on relationships, this album will be a complete difference from his previous album, but still has the ever-present Hip-Hop influenced edge. The rapping, conversely, will be replaced with singing over simple beats.

His first single, “Love Lockdown” was first showcased live at the MTV Video Music Awards ‘08. Even though Kanye took another direction with the album, he kept in sync with his glow in the dark effect performances, closing the show wearing a light up heart pendant in compliance with the new single.

The song features West singing, using a voice decoder, which was made famous by Hip-Hop counterpart T-Pain, who is slated to guest appear on the new album.

But in the meantime, ‘Ye is still at work on this project and also on Jay-Z’s new album, The Blueprint III, this is Jay-Z’s eleventh and last album with Def Jam.

so we look at ourselves. However, I prepare our students to go to mainstream theatre they have to do Chekhov, Ibsen, Shakespeare and all those, but hell we’ve got to do Lorraine Hansberry and August Wilson to confirm and affirm who we are,” said Murray.

Murray shared more of his philosophy for his theater. “I have three major focuses in my theater. One is to raise the consciousness of the community. That’s primary for every show I do. That’s for all people.”

Outlining his second focus he said “to document black history and culture, if we don’t tell our story nobody will tell our story.

So I must do that!”

“I also like to present a positive image of the black female and male relationship,” he said summing up his third and final theatrical focus.

Some have criticized him for it. “some people say all you do is happily ever after theater,” he quipped. “Well sweetheart you do the slice of life, I’ve lived it!

The NSU Players will perform “The Wiz” in the spring.

“When we do The Wiz, the kids will see an African American female heroine, and black musicians, and dancers and even the wicked witch is not so mean.

The little kid will look and say, I can do that.”

Some of the more notable NSU Players alumni include actorproducer Tim Reid and actress Eva Doughay.

Francelli Chapman, a Player, said the group is like family. “(Murray) is like a father. When my father passed away, he become my go-to person,” Chapman said.

“They are all like my brothers and sisters,” Chapman said of her fellow Players.

The scripted conversations went on all in the midst singing, laughing, and arguing; the life of a theater actor, perhaps.

Then, the set was finally ready for the Players.

They took the stage and the lights seemed to dim, only their bright talent shining.

Center stage: Harmon …and the show begins.

“fifth born” captures readers start to finish

By Brittany Butler-Echo Correspondent Recently, I’ve read an interesting novel by Zelda Lockhart, a Norfolk State University graduate. Her book, Fifth Born, is a heart gripping story told with grace.

It’s about Odessa Blackburn—the fifth born out of eight--- who, ever since her grandmother’s death, undergoes a series of trials and tribulations as she begins to question the nature of her family and becomes curious about some family secrets.

But some secrets are hard to bare and others are hard to keep.

Odessa witnesses horrifying ordeals including the secret of a murder in the family and being molested by her father.

To make matters worse, her mother, who knows all about her drunken husband and what he does to Odessa and others, won’t

even admit the truth.

Instead, her mother rejects Odessa and continues to have children she doesn’t even take care of.

And if that isn’t enough, Odessa is always criticized about her looks compared to her other siblings.

Her hair is “nappy” and short, she feels her skin isn’t “appealing” as the others, and she wears glasses since she’s half blind in her left eye.

But amazingly through all she encounters, Odessa triumphs over it all becoming stronger and wiser beyond her years.

This is a great book and definitely worth the read.

I enjoyed the suspense and wondering what would happen next.

Lockhart does an excellent job capturing all of the details of Odessa’s world.

This 210-page novel is full of drama and is sure to keep your interest as shocking secrets unravel page after page.

8

Entertainment

NOT YOUR TYPICAL SPANDEX-WEARING, CAPED SUPERHUMANS

10.09.08 The voice of the Spartan community

by Andre B. Tillman Design Editor

For the average person who shows no interest in television, for the people who could never keep up with a show’s season, for the people who stopped believing…your fall lineup has just become more supernatural.

Who knew that CW and NBC would ever be the same?

HEROES

MONDAY NIGHTS AT 9PM ON NBC

Since the premiere of NBC’s “Heroes” in 2006, the spark of superhuman has regenerated itself on cable television. If you haven’t been watching “Heroes” since the first season, don’t be afraid to just join in…of course that’s for every show (except for Lost). “Heroes” tells a story about regular people who discover they have superhuman abilities. Now these obviously aren’t your typical spandex-wearing, Hugh Jackman, hairy, Patrick Stewart bald people.

These are normal people like everybody else… sort of. Oh, and get this: the cheerleader has a superfast healing ability, so she is virtually indestructible. The long anticipated third season started on Sept. 22, subtitled “Heroes: Villains.” It was subtitled Villains to resurface the fact that there is a villain side to every hero.

There is definetely a big twist with this season.

Therefore, more villains will be introduced throughout the season.

The original cast and more returns on Heroes: Villains

SMALLVILLE THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 8PM ON THE CW

Somebody save me. Yes, our favorite uncaped Clark Kent is back in this new season of CW’s “Smallville.” “Smallville” tells the story of Clark’s life before he becomes Superman. The eighth season started on Sept. 18. If anybody’s been watching, and ratings say you are, Clark and Lex Luthor’s relationship has shattered as expected. This series has actually gone great distances, especially after making Oliver Queen (aka the Green Arrow) a regular in the intro credits.

Even the pilot episode featured the return of the other members of the Justice League with Flash, Aquaman, and the Black Canary. As the season excels, there will be a loss of casting because of CW’s actor contract expiration. Needless to say, Smallville has a new villain.

Another compelling season is well underway.

Tom Welling reprises his role as Clark Kent on Smallville.