NORFOLK STATE SPARTANS — 2012 MEAC CHAMPIONS — See Page 4
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Vol. 59, I ssue 9
NSU BASKETBALL NCAA BOUND AFTER MEAC CHAMPIONSHIP By: Krysta Ricks
Norfolk State coach Anthony Evans directs his team during the first half of the NCAA Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference men’s college basketball tournament championship game in Winston-Salem, NC., Saturday, March 10, 2010. (AP Photo/Lynn Hey)
The NSU men’s basketball team crushed the BethuneCookman Wildcats’ NCAA dreams with a 73-70 victory on Saturday, March 10, in Joel Coliseum at the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship game which was nationally televised by ESPN2. “It was a great win for our program,” said head coach Anthony Evans. “The team has worked hard. We have been coming here for five years and we were finally able to get it.” Senior Kyle O’Quinn led the team with 18 points while sophomore Pendarvis Williams had 17 and junior Rob Johnson had 15. NSU outrebounded BCU 34-26. Nine of those rebounds came from Williams and seven from O’Quinn. Though NSU played well in the paint, fans began to worry about Bethune-Cookman’s precise three-point shooters. BCU made six out of 13 of their three-point shots and NSU only made two out of 12 attempted three-pointers. Six-foot, 10-inch center O’Quinn broke a record dur-
NSU INAUGURATES FIFTH PRESIDENT WITH WEEKLONG FESTIVITIES
ing the tournament by becoming the first player in league history to be named MEAC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season. O’Quinn, who led the conference in blocked shots and rebounding the last two seasons, is also the first player to win the Defensive Player of the Year award twice. Becoming the MEAC champions was not only a victory for NSU’s athletic program, the win was for the city of Norfolk. Students, faculty, alumni and fans traveled to Winston-Salem to cheer on the Spartans. “You do not want to let your fans down. Whenever they come out, you want them to leave on a good note,” said O’Quinn. Camaraderie is one factor of teamwork that helped NSU bring home the championship. Center Kyle O’Quinn recalls some advice given to him by teammate Rob Johnson. “I was going through a free
NSU’s fifth president, Dr. Tony Atwater, was inaugurated on Friday, March 16, in Joseph G. Echols Hall at 10 a.m. after a week of on-campus inaugural activities. In eight short months, Dr. Atwater has made a significant difference at NSU by establishing groups like the NSU Faith Partnership Network and the President’s Student Advisory Network. Dr. Atwater is known as “Dr. A.” by NSU students and they are taking notice of his commitment to the university. Junior biology pre-professional major Myesha Martin said, “I have seen Dr. A. around a couple times. He is helping out in so many ways. It is nice to see positive change around here.” The inaugural activities began with a Martin Luther King “Dreamscape Forum”
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By: Krysta Ricks
SPARTAN ECHO • Norfolk State University • 700 Park Ave • Norfolk, VA 23504 • NEWSROOM: 757.823.8562 • E-Mail: spartanecho@nsu.edu
Spartan Opinion
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editors
Keshara Cox Editor-in-Chief
Bethany Cartwright Managing Editor
Krysta Ricks News Editor
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HAZING: THE DANGEROUS TRADITION By: Milton Whitaker
Danny Chen was a Chinese-American soldier whose life was seemingly made unbearable while in the military. It is believed that Chen committed suicide; his dead body was found in a guard’s tower, but before the incident of his death, he was continuously mistreated by the cruel usage of hazing techniques by eight other soldiers. In a relative’s account, “Private Chen was mistreated nearly every day in Afghanistan, where he had been deployed only two months before his death. They said he had been called slurs like “gook” and “chink,” and was forced to shout in Chinese to
a battalion that had no other Chinese-American soldiers. In addition, after having left a water heater on, he was pulled from his bed by other soldiers and dragged across the floor, forced to crawl on the ground while they pelted him with rocks and made to do grueling exercise.” People will do almost anything to have a feeling of belonging; they will join college fraternities, street gangs and even the military. Secret rituals are used for the completion of membership, but these rituals have gained the attention of the news because of the deaths that have occurred. It also provides a means for pres-
ent members to get some revenge in return for what was done to them in the process of joining the group or organization. Hazing is but one way of degrading a person to the brink of suicide or a way of committing murder to prove prejudice towards a person. Furthermore, hazing is unjustified treatment for the degradation of a person by those who are completely ignorant to what is being done. They think that hazing is fun and a great source of amusement by torturing someone; they just don’t know when to quit. Different organizations have stuck to hazing as a matter of tradition while
totally ignoring the racial prejudice hazing stands for. Therefore, hazing is something that must be rooted from society especially since it has been brought to the attention of the media of how cruel people can be toward one another. The death of Private Danny Chen is a vivid example how the utilization of hazing can drive a person to suicide. Think how sad it is for a person to take his or her own life to escape the cruel and unusual punishment of hazing.
BREAKING THE MATERIAL BOND WITH TECHNOLOGY By: Korbin Thompson
Marian Brooks Student Life Editor
Ricky Lawrence Multimedia Editor
Quamé A. Hamlin Entertainment Editor
Dexter Bunn Graphic Design/Layout Editor
The laughing and singing to overplayed songs on the radio were what made car rides with my friends the best part about going out. As technology has advanced, those wonderful car rides have slowly turned into a silence. I look in my rear view mirror and see heads down and phones and iPads glaring. I understand that we are in a digital world, but have we allowed this digital world to take control of our lives? I came across an article about a young man from California who came up with the “Stacking Game.” The game is simple. The next time you go out to dinner with your friends, colleagues, or family, have everyone put their phones in the middle of the table face down and stacked on top of each other. The first person who reaches for their phone has to pay the bill. It may sound silly, but it is indeed sad that it has come to
this. Have we really forgotten how to enjoy the company around us? Many times I have observed people at restaurants and everyone is on their phone or on some kind of device. With the compulsive tweeting and search for games on the market, there is little to no conversation. There is a restaurant in D.C called Rouge 24 that actually has their customers sign contracts saying they will not use their cell phones while in this $175 per meal restaurant. If it is that important for a restaurant to make this decision, don’t you think school is just as essential? I never had a cell phone while in high school, so I was never faced with the issue of using one in class. When I started college I noticed how many students casually used their cell phones and other electronics while in class. Professor Carol Pretlow
said that it is a matter of respect. “Respect is a two way street. When I talk to you, you look at me and vice versa,” she said. Freshman Alyson Early said “There is a time and place for everything. I think students should pick and choose when to use it.” While many students believe in this concept, there are even more who don’t think face booking and tweeting in class is a big deal. Lauren Leachman a freshman at Hampton University doesn’t think that teachers should get upset if students use their phones. “It is the norm. Everyone has cell phones, “she said. “Sometimes it is helpful; some students use their phones for information. It’s ironic though,” Pretlow said. “Usually the students who are doing poorly in class are the ones who are on their phones. They also are the ones who
approach us [the professors] at the end of the semester asking for extra credit.” I believe it is time we realize what is important and enjoy the real world. As a result I have come up with a form of social media etiquette because there are just some times and places where the social media has to be put away: 1) do not text, tweet, Facebook…etc. while driving; 2) avoid texting on dates; 3) avoid texting while walking, that can cause accidents; and 4) if you do have to answer your phone then simply excuse yourself from the room. So the next time you are in the middle of a conversation and you receive a notification, ask yourself can it wait? Don’t become dependent on your phone and let’s break through the material attachment. You might find that you actually like the class you have been tweeting in all semester.
Spartan News
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U.S. EXPERIENCING LESS SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE By: Krysta Ricks Government and religious institutions are clearly separated in the Establishment Clause of the US Constitution which states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Throughout his political campaign and the years that followed, President Barack Obama’s religion was a national concern just as Mitt Romney’s Mormon faith is a popular subject in the 2012 campaign. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints started the “I Am a Mormon” project to display Mormons as regular people and dispute
negative associations with the religion such as polygamy. Though the ads aired after the Republican presidential contest began, church officials claim they are not related to Romney’s campaign. In The Daily Caller, church spokesman Michael Purdy said, “The Church is strictly politically neutral and does not seek to elect candidates nor persuade its members how to vote.” Currently, seven states and the District of Columbia allow gay marriage. Those that oppose same-sex marriage base their judgment on the fact that the Bible considers marriage a union between a
man and a woman. Obama’s contraceptive mandate received negative feedback from the Catholic Church because it stifles Catholicism’s religious expression. Politicians like Newt Gingrich have expressed fear that America will become a “secular atheist country,” but recent mandates, laws and protests have shown that some radical activists and politicians may, at least partially, prefer it that way. The wording of the First Amendment suggests religious liberty, but many Americans have turned that implication into a guarantee.
The argument over the separation of church and state still continues today.
TOUR FOR DIVERSITY IN MEDICINE AIDS ASPIRING MINORITY MEDICAL STUDENTS By: Krysta Ricks
DiversityInc. strives to get more African Americans in the medical field.
In 2008, less than four percent of the one million doctors in America were black. Dr. Kameron Matthews’ answer to the lack of minority physicians is the Tour for Diversity in Medicine. Eleven medical students, dentists and doctors traveled to five historically black colleges and universities beginning with Hampton University on Feb. 20. The tour also included Johnson C. Smith University, South Carolina State University, Tuskegee University and Jackson State University. In DiversityInc., Alden Landry, M.D., co-director of TDM, said, “Our goal is to in-
crease interest in health care as careers for students from minority populations and help them overcome perceived barriers to medical and dental school.” Research shows that patients are more comfortable with doctors of the same race. More than 45 percent of black medical school graduates in 2007 planned to practice in an under-served area. NSU junior chemistry premed major Victoria Parker said, “I want to be an oncologist. My main concern is helping blacks because we tend to lack medical insurance and some doctors are just plain rude.”
The doctors on the bus tour conducted a seven-hour program of enrichment activities for aspiring physicians. In addition to serving as mentors, the doctors offered test-taking tips and help with applying to dental and medical school. Sessions were open to about 150 students per school and they covered topics such as choosing the right specialty and how to establish and develop a relationship with a good mentor. The tour is scheduled to continue through spring 2013 with stops at colleges with significant Latino and Native American populations as well.
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Spartan Sports
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Spartan Sports
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O’QUINN ON HIS WAY By: Marian Brooks
Kyle O’Quinn receives his All-Tournament and Most Outstanding Player honors at MEAC tournament.
NSU BASKETBALL NCAA BOUND Continued from p. 1 throw slump during the year and Rob Johnson gave me some basketball therapy. He said if you miss one you have got 10,000 more, so make the rest,” said O’Quinn. Though BCU was prepared for “free throw psychologist” Rob Johnson’s hot hands, his skill still posed a threat to the Wildcats. “I thought he was the key. He got them over the hump last year, so we were concerned about him. He had been playing well the last couple games,” said BCU head coach Gravelle Craig.
O’Quinn’s philosophy on bringing home another win: “While you have the chance to take advantage and dominate, why not do so?” The Spartans (25-9), making their first appearance in the field as Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champions, were seeded 14th and faced No. 3 seed Missouri and Ricardo Ratliffe, a native of Hampton, Va., in the second round in Omaha, Neb. The Spartans earned the automatic berth from the MEAC by winning the conference tournament for the first time.
POINT 3 Basketball and Collegeinsider.com announced the launch of fanvoting for the Lou Henson Mid-Major Player of the Year Award. Norfolk State’s own Kyle O’Quinn is up for the award, and he is the only nominee from the MEAC. The Lou Henson Award is presented annually and is specifically for mid-major division I basketball players. The award is in honor of Coach Lou Henson for his outstanding coaching career that lasted 41 years. He left the game in 2005 with a total of 779 wins, making him sixth all-time in career Division I wins, and the most wins as a head coach at
both Illinois and New Mexico State. Even more impressive, he is one of only 12 coaches in the history of the game to take two schools to the Final Four. An honorable award of this stature suggests some tough competition for O’Quinn, who is amongst 24 other nominees from various schools; but part of the vote will be determined by the fans themselves. Their vote will count for one-third of the criteria in selecting the winner. A Collegeinsider.com Selection Committee will make up the remaining twothirds of the vote. This strategic fan voting presented by POINT 3 marks
the first time in college basketball history that students will actually lead on-campus campaigns to help their nominee win. POINT 3 will make a contribution to the general scholarship fund of the school that gathers the most votes, and throw their student body a viewing party for the NCAA men’s basketball championship. The winner of the 2012 Lou Henson Award will be announced on March 30 at the site of the NCAA men’s basketball championship, in New Orleans. For more information and how to vote, fans can visit www.VoteLouHenson. com.
DOES THE CIAA HAVE THE UPPER HAND? A LOOK AT THE FACTS By: Marian Brooks The MEAC and the CIAA are both historically African-American conferences merely separated by divisions I and II. The MEAC only has 13 teams instead of the 12 in the CIAA. Fans could argue either way, but when the facts are presented CIAA might just have the upper hand due to an undoubtedly remarkable history of achievements. This will be the CIAA’s 100th year of athletic competition. Although both the conferences share sponsors Russell Athletics, Coca-Cola, Nike and ESPNU,CIAA receives a large amount of support from other companies like Alltel, Bank of America, Ford Motor Corporation, Nationwide Insurance and McDonald’s to name a few. These companies, along with others have assisted the conference in accumulating $10.5 million in
scholarship money and an additional $23 million for other championships over the past ten years. From this support, the CIAA is the first NCAA Division II conference to have its tournament televised as part of Championship Week on ESPN. The CIAA Basketball Tournament is the third most attended basketball tournament amongst all NCAA divisions, an outstanding statistic when considering numerous tournaments that occur in all three divisions. Since 2000, the CIAA has helped generate $266.06 million for the state of North Carolina and over $16.5 million in scholarships for CIAA member institutions. The CIAA has been featured in EBONY magazine for six consecutive years, on the front page cover of USA Today and Essence
magazine, and it has also seen radio spotlight on the popular Steve Harvey and Tom Joyner Morning shows. It is televised in over 57 million homes nationwide, but is able to reach over 99.5 million homes with the help of TV One and ESPN. This will be the MEAC’s 42nd year of intercollegiate competition. The MEAC sponsors 15 Division I (FCS) sports with automatic qualifying bids for the biggest stage of most student-athlete’s careers, the NCAA postseason tournament. A unique fact about the MEAC is that many of the current teams in the conference used to be affiliated with the CIAA, and although the MEAC has sponsorships and accolades as well, this may be a case of giving credit where credit is due.
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Spartan Student Life
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COLLEGE STUDENTS’ PREPARATION FOR TAX DAY By: Krysta Ricks April 17, Tax Day, is a few months away, but it is never too early to get started. College students need to be aware of how to make informed decisions when filing taxes. Students are listed as their parents’ dependents if their parents pay more than half of the student’s expenses, and students who work while attending school need to file taxes whether or not their parents or guardians claim them. The 1040EZ form is not for students whose parents claim them.
Sophomore engineering major Donnita McArthur asked, “How do I even know if I qualify to file taxes?” Full time students who made up to five thousand dollars can file taxes and qualify to receive a refund of up to one thousand dollars. Students should keep in mind tax credits such as Lifetime Learning Credit which allows students to take a $2,000 tax credit for qualifying expenses. Residency is a big issue for college students when filing taxes. Students who attend
PRINTING THE
REVOLUTION By: Briaun Rooks
school out-of-state may have to submit taxes for both that state and their home state. Common mistakes include putting too much or too little information on tax forms. Students who receive grants, scholarships and work study are eligible for a tax refund. Entrepreneurial investments such as selling cosmetics like Mary Kay, writing for an Ezine and selling t-shirts for a band are all tax deductible. For more information on filing taxes, visit www.irs.gov.
Fashion plays a huge part in many students’ daily life, so it may be surprising that Norfolk State University did not have a modeling organization until recently. Printed Revolution, a modeling troupe on campus, is not well-known yet, but they are looking to change that. “It’s all about getting the recognition we deserve,” said President Syeeda Gee. Getting that recognition has
Student Tax Day is approaching on April 17, 2012. not come easily, as the modeling troupe has endured their share of trials. However, they have navigated through the red tape of becoming an official NSU organization and have already had a successful show. Printed Revolution is strong and diverse. Not only is the troupe composed of models, but also fashion designers, hairstylists, choreographers and graphic designers. They
believe they all have what it takes for a bright future. “Our motto is walk like us, talk like us, want to be one like us, said choreographer Que Gunn. “We are working hard so that someday soon P.R. will be one of the premier organizations on this campus.” With a strong executive board and a distinct mission, Printed Revolution appears to be on their way.
NSU INAUGURATES FIFTH PRESIDENT - Continued from p. 1 in the New Student center on March 12 followed by a “Meet the President” reception at the Chrysler Museum. If you missed it, throughout the week there was a host of symposiums, academic programs held in both the New Student Center and the L. Douglas Wilder Performing Arts Center, and dedication for the newly constructed library. The inaugural activities concluded with Dr. Atwater’s inauguration, a luncheon and a vocal concert at the L. Douglas Wilder Performing Arts Center.
Dr. Tony Atwater kickedoff his new presidency with more than the week of activities. He also traveled to Winston-Salem, N.C. to support the men’s basketball team in their first MEAC championship. And he was inaugurated on the same day the Spartans made their debut in the NCAA tournament in Omaha, Neb. on March 16, 2012.
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REPORT: MINORITY STUDENTS FACE HARSHER PUNISHMENTS (AP) — More than 70 percent of students involved in school-related arrests or cases referred to law enforcement were Hispanic or African-American, according to an Education Department report that raises questions about whether students of all races are disciplined evenhandedly in America’s schools. Black students are more than three times as likely as their white peers to be suspended or expelled, according to an early snapshot of the report released to reporters. The findings come from a national collection of civil
rights data from 2009-10 of more than 72,000 schools serving 85 percent of the nation. The Education Department said it would release more details Tuesday, March 20. “The sad fact is that minority students across America face much harsher discipline than non-minorities, even within the same school,” Education Secretary Arne Duncan told reporters. Duncan said some school officials might not have been aware of inconsistencies in how they handle discipline, and he hoped the report would be an eye-opener.
According to the report, 42 percent of the referrals to law enforcement involve black students and 29 percent involved Hispanics, while 35 percent of students involved in school-related arrests were black and 37 percent were Hispanic. Black students made up 18 percent of the students in the sample, but they were 35 percent of students suspended once and 39 percent of students expelled, the report said. Copyright 2012 The Associated Press
In this March 2, 2012 file photo, Education Secretary Arne Duncan speaks during a forum on education at American University in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)
Spartan Entertainment
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THE BEST AVAILABLE FROM OSCARS 2012 By: Quamé A. Hamlin Now that the Academy Awards are all wrapped up and the Oscars have been given out to 2011’s most spectacular films, you can play catch up on all of the great films that you have missed. I have compiled a list of five of last year’s best films that you can check out now. Other big-time winners like The Artist and The Iron Lady are not yet available, but be sure to check them out when they are released. Oscar Win — Actor in a Supporting Role: Christopher Plummer Film: “Beginners” Rental Price on iTunes: $4.99 Starring: Ewan McGregor and Christopher Plummer Oscar Win- Actress in a Supporting Role: Octavia Spencer Film: “The Help” Rental Price on iTunes: $4.99 Starring: Emma Stone and Viola Davis Oscar Win- Animated Feature Film Film: “Rango” Price on iTunes: $14.99 Starring: Johnny Depp and Isla Fisher Oscar Win- Writing (Original Screenplay): Woody Allen Film: “Midnight In Paris” Rental Price on iTunes: $4.99 Starring: Owen Wilson and Rachel McAdams Oscar Win- Cinematography: Film “Hugo” Price on iTunes: $14.99 Starring: Asa Butterfield and Chloe Grace Moretz
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Keira Knightley, 26 — March 26
Jessie J, 23 — March 27
Lady Gaga, 25 — March 28
Brenda Song, 23 — March 27
Norah Jones, 32 — March 30
FOUR ALBUMS TO LOOK FOR THIS SPRING Artist: will.i.am Album: #willpower Release Date: March 16
Super producer and Black Eyed Peas’ frontman will.i.am has come forth with with a solo project that will be one of 2012’s most diverse albums. Alicia Keys, Busta Rhymes, Nicole Scherzinger and Britney Spears are all slated to be featured guests.
Artist: Madonna Album: MDNA Release Date: Mar. 26
The ageless Madonna will return after 2008s lack-luster Hard Candy album. If the lead single “Give Me All Your Luvin,” that feautures M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj is any sign of things to come, Madge fans should all be in for a listening treat.
Artist: B.o.B. Album: Strange Clouds Release Date: May 1st
Looking to build on his wellreceived debut album with an impressive sophomore showing, B.o.B. brings the world Strange Clouds. With confirmed tracks that feature Nelly, Andre 3000, Lil’ Wayne and T.I., the project is one of the year’s most anticipated.
Artist: Nicki Minaj Album: Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded Release Date: April 3 Originally scheduled to be released on Valentines Day, Minaj’s latest effort is now scheduled to hit shelves in April. The queen of hiphop, Minaj looks to avoid a sophomore slump and follow up her platinum-selling debut with another strong album.
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#SPRINGBREAK R.I.P. to the last of my refund check. #springbreak Assignments over #springbreak < Technically, does #springbreak still exist after college? #questionsthatneedanswers It would be amazing if every college had #springbreak at the same time. Spending #springbreak in a blizzard > @ LILBTHEBASEDGOD Memories of #springbreak replace memories of horrible midterm grades. After #springbreak, gym memberships go to waste. At the end of the day, #springbreak is fun, but it’s only a tease for summer.