Tiger's Roar (Fall 2012 Homecoming Paper)

The Independent Student Voice of Savannah State University Homecoming 2012 Issue

HOMECOMING 2012 KICKED OFF WITH A PERFORMANCE

BY HIP-HOP ARTIST ROSCOE DASH. THE EVENT TOOK PLACE OCTOBER 14 AT 8 P.M. IN TIGER ARENA. STUDENTS FLOODED THE VENUE AND ENJOYED LIVE MUSIC, EMBRACING THE SPIRIT AND THEME OF HOMECOMING 2012... WE ARE ONE SSU: CATCH THE FEVER!

Pictured above: Roscoe Dash performs at Homecoming kickoff party Photos courtesy of Litus Marshall

A GLANCE AT THE TIGER: UNDERNEATH THE STRIPES NICOLE LOWERY

Photo of SSU mascot at first home game Photo by Litus Marshall

It’s in the air -- One SSU: Catch the Fever -- the theme of this year’s Homecoming celebration. Raising the temperature at Saturday’s football game to an infectious pitch will be the Tiger.

Everyone knows Savannah

State’s mascot is the large cat with moves that bring fans to their feet and spirits to their hearts. The cat who earned his stripes without ever growling a word.

But who’s the guy in the cat suit, the man behind that big, furry, grinning cat mask?

Born August 5, 1991, the Savannah State student mascot is a senior Environmental Science major from Columbus, Georgia. In his spare time he likes to watch television, attend campus events, dance and shoot basketball.

He is an only child who loves an allAmerican meal of fried chicken and french fries. He considered enrolling at the University of Georgia, Fort Valley State University, Albany State, Georgia Technical College and Georgia Southern University.

In the end, he decided to attend the school located “Where Savannah meets the sea, where grassy plain and palms abound, where the flowers are gems of loveliness, The S.S.U is found.” One day he hopes to have a career working with endangered animals himself.

His mascot career began at

Hardaway High School where he wrestled, played football and ran track. He attended his first high school homecoming as a part of the junior varsity football team.

During a homecoming pep rally, the hype from students and faculty hit him like a shot of adrenaline. He wanted to be part of that spirit all the time.

“When I help my school reach another level, I know I’ve done something worthwhile,” said the student mascot. He describes his mascot job as “awesome, fulfilling and entertaining.”

To become a successful student mascot, the man behind the stripes must know how to work a crowd with dancing, funny moments and the most important part, crowd interaction.

During this year’s football game against Howard University in Washington, D.C., the Tiger mingled with Howard’s crowd. He challenged and attempted to charm one of the opposing team’s cheerleaders. The Tiger “fainted” blown away by her enticing dance moves.

“I love to put smiles on people’s

faces,” the mascot says.

In a season when the SSU football team has struggled to get on the scoreboard, the Tiger’s work is critical to putting smiles on faces and raising school spirits.

At the start of this year’s home season opener against North Carolina Central State University, the Tiger ran onto the field suited up as if he were a member of the team. The sign he held up as he ran read “Feels good to be home.”

The crowd roared.

INSIDE Student Body Increases: Student Body to rise by 2020 Page 2 2012 Queen’s Coronation: “Mystical Moroccan paradise”Page 3 “A Day in the Life...”: A glance into the lives of students and faculty Page 4 SSU THEN & NOW: savannah state photo collage Page 8

CAMPUS NEWS

2 | Homecoming 2012

The Tiger’s Roar Staff Alissa Terry

Editor-in- Chief

Corey Morrison

Managing Editor

Megan Carthon

Business Manager

Jasmine Sams

Advertising Manager

Staff Reporter Nicole Lowery

Contributing Writers Jessica Coard Laketa Lewis Jarell Morris Erica Relaford Cedric Smith Christopher Spears

Advisers

Sandra Earley Kareem McMichael

About Us:

The Tiger’s Roar is the independent monthly student newspaper of Savannah State University. We welcome and encourage letters to the editor and staff. All letters must include an address and phone number for confirmation. We reserve the right to edit all published content for purposes of length, style, grammar and libelous material.

Ideas expressed in editorials do not reflect the opinions of the editors and staff. The Tiger’s Roar adheres to the Associated Press Stylebook guidelines for stories and headlines.

Phone: (912) 358-3379

P.O. Box 20634 Savannah, GA 31404 Email: tigersroar@savannahstate. edu

Read all of this and MORE online!

tigersroar.com

SSU Student Body Rises by 2020

BY ALISSA TERRY

In the first week of the Fall 2012 semester at Savannah State University, students stampeded up and down the campus from the old and newly built dorms to the administrative offices and classroom buildings. The sidewalks were filled with students rushing to finalize registration, financial aid and housing issues. Some bumped into each other on the narrow sidewalks, others avoided the concrete hassle and trotted across the grass.

Campus was a madhouse and the reason is obvious: The SSU student body is larger this fall than ever before.

The 2011-2012 university data shows that the student body holds a record at 4,552 students.

All these rushing students crowding the campus sidewalks inevitably affect the student to faculty ratio in the classroom. According to the most recent data provided by Office of Institutional Research Planning and Assessment, the ratio of fulltime students to faculty stands at 19.5 students

to one faculty member.

The student [including part-time students] to faculty ratio is 23.5 to 1.

The student-faculty ratio is the number of students who attend the university divided by the number of faculty who work for the institution.

Although the official numbers for Fall 2012 semester have not been released, university administrators project the student-faculty ratio will rise.

“The numbers on our website have not been updated for this semester, those numbers are from last year and the numbers for this semester will not be available until mid -January,” Research Data Analyst Coordinator Nijah Bryant said in an email.

When searching for colleges, many students and parents consider the current student to faculty ratio to find the college that best fits the student.

In theory, a small student faculty ratio is suppose to provide students with a more intimate and personal learning environment rather than a college or

university with a larger er, that does not include student to faculty ratio. housing,” Cranford said.

Ebony Frazier,  24, a senior majoring in English, says the small classroom setting is what drew her to SSU. “I attended a different school before coming to state,” she said, “The price along with size attracted me and my mom,” Frazier said.

The institution hopes to keep the student to faculty ratio at the current level and sustain that intimate classroom setting even with a projected 29 percent student body increase.

“It is the plan to grow the university to 6,500 students by year 2020. Of course, that will take additional facilities and faculty to support these endeavors. The outline was discussed in the recent approval of SSU master plan submitted to the BOR in July,” said Timothy Cranford, Executive Director for Enrollment Ser v ices/University Registrar.

“We currently have enough [classroom] space to accommodate classes for Above is a 2011-2012 chart that gives the facts of the university, new data will be 6,500 students, howevavailable sometime in mid-January.

SSU Basketball Season Takes Off, Battles AASU in Exhibition Opener COREY MORRISON

Savannah State’s men’s and women’s basketball teams prepare for the start of their 2012-2013 season with exhibition games against cross-town rival Armstrong Atlantic State University on November 1 as they look ahead to a full schedule of Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) opponents and elite schools representing power conferences including Southeastern Conference, Big East, Big Ten and Conference USA. The men’s basketball team finished last season an impressive 21-12 overall, and 14-2 in the MEAC, after creating a bit of a buzz amidst a 13-game winning streak through the second part of the season.

Entering his eighth season as head men’s coach, and reigning MEAC coach of the year, Horace Broadnax returns his regular season conference champions to defend their title.

Seniors Rashad Hassan and sharp shooting guard Deric Rudolph were the leading scorers last season, averaging 13 and 10.7 points a game respectively. Rudolph shot the ball well from beyond the three-point arc and will be called upon a lot this year as he attempts to improve his scoring average.

The Tiger’s season came to a quick end following back-to-back tournament losses. SSU was knocked out of the MEAC tournament, as the number one seed, after losing its first game to Hampton University.

SSU received an invitation to the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) after winning the conference following a stellar season. The Tennessee Volunteers hosted the Tigers in the first round and narrowly escaped the Tigers with the victory. Story cont. on page 4

Pictured above SSU Men’s Basketball team

Photo by Corey Morrison

STUDENTS VOLUNTEER TO HELP PUBLIC SAFETY LAKETA LEWIS

The new Tigers On Patrol Program, TOPP, is available to transport students from different places on campus when students do not feel comfortable walking. The program is a student-run organization. The student leaders use newly purchased global electric motor cars to transport male and female students from one place on campus to another from the hours of 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Thursday through Saturday. The program does not have hours on other days because those days are not considered to have as much traffic; however, students can request to be escorted at any time if he or she does not feel safe walking alone.

TOPP is a safety escort service that has been in development for over a year.

The program was started under the direction of former SSU Chief of Police Creighton Roberts after hearing about a similar escort service at a conference.

He found out about a Georgia College and State University (GCSU) program called SNAP, Student Night Auxiliary Patrol. The GCSU program has been in place since 1991 when the program was started under the Student Government Association. SNAP is also led by students who serve as escorts Monday and Tuesday 8 p.m. to midnight and Wednesday through Friday 8 p.m. through 3 a.m. The student patrols provide escort services on campus and to some nearby off campus residences.

The TOPP escorts only provide rides on campus.

The Student Government Association and the Public Safety

Department jointly sponsor TOPP. “The tain criteria that escorts must meet in order program has been funded by the Public to participate in the program.

Safety Department Title III funds. We are

“The program is not fully up and currently seeking to get a running right budget approved for the now, but we program,” said Rosalind are trying to Bowers, Police Corporal/ get it started,” Detective, and an advisor said Bowers. for TOPP. C u r r e n t l y, Currently, the TOPP public safety escorts are not paid; officers are however, work- study providing the students are allowed escort service to use the program as a until student work- study job. Bowers escorts meet the is working on the TOPP required criteria escorts being able to get for the program. paid within the develNormally there oping budget for the are two escorts Pictured above TOPP member ang SGA Chief JusticeJubal Rogers program. on duty at all TOPP escorts went times and memthrough training on the different proto- bers will rotate for different shifts during cols of driving the electric cars and how to the program hours. provide escort services at the first interest Students can request the escort service meeting on August 27. “I went to the meet- if they don’t feel comfortable walking on ing because I was attacked before while campus during night hours. Students may walking from my room on campus to my call Public Safety or use the SSU mobile app friend’s house, so by serving as an escort to to sign into their my SSU accounts and fill someone else, I can help limit the amount out the escort request form that ask where of attacks that happen on campus,” said the student is located, how many people Allegra Johnson, 22, senior, Biology major. are with them and what is their destination.

More extensive training will be provided An on-duty student escort in the Public on traffic law, law violations, and how to Safety building responds to the request. report any illegal activity or suspicious peo- “The response wait is usually five to seven ple on campus. There were 42 students that minutes, but it varies depending on the attended the meeting. None of the students number of request on a specific night,” said have started working because there is a cer- Bowers.

“I haven’t used the app before because I didn’t know about it, but I have called the police station to request an escort to take me to my room in the University Commons from the University Village. I was relieved to have an officer escort me because I was afraid to walk alone,” said Aprella Jackson, 19, sophomore political science major. “We want students to feel safe in their community. They eat here, live here, and go to school here. We want to make it as safe as possible,” said Bowers.

The criteria to become involved with the program are: -At least 18 years old with a valid driver’s license.

- Currently enrolled and in good academic standing at SSU - No pending criminal charges - Must be drug free - Consent to a background investigation -Satisfactorily complete an oral interview with the Chief of Police TOPP sponsored its’ first campus safety week this year. The Chief of Police plans to start interviewing interested students so TOPP can start escorting more students.

“Once the program really starts to kick off, I think the crimes committed on campus will start to decrease and the school will be safer,” said Bryce Stokes, 21, senior English major.

CAMPUS NEWS

The Tiger’s Roar

2012 Queen’s Coronation: Meaning Beyond the Crown

Participants of coronation practice Moroccan dance

Photo by Erica Relaford

ERICA RELAFORD

Moroccan tunes filled the dimly lit ballroom in KingFrazier the evening of October 8 as each organization’s queen paired with her coronation escort to practice Moroccaninspired dance moves. The choreography matched flawlessly to the “Mystical Moroccan Paradise” theme of this year’s coronation of Miss Savannah State University.

The dance they rehearsed will be performed during the coronation of Miss Savannah State University, Tiffany Hallback, October 19 at 7 p.m. in Tiger Arena. The queen’s court, composed of representatives from various c a m p u s o rg a n i z a t i o n s , dance during the ceremony to express gratitude and appreciation to Miss SSU. The coronation ceremony also recognizes the “Miss” from other campus organizations, in addition to showcasing the official crowning of Hallback, a senior business management major from Austell, Ga. Behind the glistening lights,

the coronation ceremony holds symbolic meaning for the queen and her court.

Sophomore Taylor Pecot, a first time participant representing the Wesleyan Gospel Choir, says it feels like a once in a lifetime opportunity. “I feel proud to show Miss SSU that the Queen’s Coalition truly appreciates all that she does as the lead queen, and I believe that participating in such an event will open many doors.”

Other participants, such as Miss Concert Choir Crystal Keller, a senior and returning participant in the coronation, say they appreciate the queen and her coronation activities for the social opportunities it presents. “In all, it is a great opportunity. I expanded my social life by meeting new people, and I experienced a great sense of pride for the organization I represent,” Keller says.

The queen’s coronation, an annual homecoming event, is free and open to the public.

Homecoming 2012 | 3

Savvy Homecoming Tailgating Tips NICOLE LOWERY

“Make a list and check it twice!” Be sure to write down all items needed to tailgate the night before.

This will prevent items from being left at home or completely forgotten. An adequate tailgating setting makes for a happy supporter.

Bring a generator. Most tailgating spots do not provide a power supply. A generator allows electronic devices, such as stereo systems for music, to add to the festivities, If a generator is not in your budget, a battery-powered personal stereo will do.

separate uncooked meats, drinks, prepared dishes and condiments help to prevent illnesses. Bring a meat thermometer to the game to help avoid removing food from the grill early and serving it undercooked to fellow fans. Don’t rely on your eyes alone. Use a certified food thermometer to make sure foods are cooked to the proper minimum internal temperature: • Whole/ground poultry — 165º F • Ground meats (nonpoultry) — 160º F • Fresh fin fish — 145º F • Fresh whole (not ground) pork, beef, veal — 145º F with a three-minute rest time

“Ice, Ice Baby.” Having plenty of ice is vital for keeping the tailgating treats at proper temperatures. According to the Cleanliness. Provide Public Health and Safety wet wipes and hand saniCompany (NSF), “bring- tizers for the guests to help ing multiple coolers to stop the spread of germs.

Many tailgating sites do not have full restrooms so this is the best way to protect the crowd. Also, come equipped with trash bags for post-tailgate clean up.

Avoid putting glass bottles on the ground where they may be tipped over or broken.

rays. For skin protection, bring sun screen to help block dangerous ultraviolet (UV) rays of sun that lead complications such as skin cancer. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says, “a sun protector with a SPF factor of 15 or more is effective. SPF represents the degree to which If you can beg, borrow a sunscreen can protect the or buy one, bring a tent. skin from sunburn.”

They are useful during inclement weather and to block the scorching sun-

Homecoming 2012 Activity Line-Up

Do’s and Don’ts-Homecoming 2012 JAREL MORRIS

Homecoming is a time when S S U ’s s t u dents, faculty and alumni journey to a place close to their hearts to renew memories and have fun making new ones.

Old friends gather, separated families reunite, college students party (hopefully maintaining their regular class schedules) and everybody comes together to celebrate the highly anticipated week of Homecoming festivities.

Although Homecoming

is a time to let loose in the company of the SSU family, students should not lose sight of what’s most important

– fun, but clean and safe fun.

Here are some official Do’s and Don’ts for Homecoming 2K12: D O N O T drink and drive.

DO NOT yield to peer pressure.

DO NOT walk alone

after late night events.

DO NOT get in a car with a stranger.

DO NOT skip class to attend events.

DO look presentable at all times.

DO your school work.

DO drink responsibly (21 & up, only) DO attend class.

DO support the Savannah State Tigers at the Homecoming game.

DO bleed blue & orange and rally for school spirit.

w w w . t i g e r s r o a r. c o m

w w w . t i g e r s r o a r. c o m

w w w . t i g e r s r o a r. c o m

w w w . t i g e r s r o a r. c o m

w w w . t i g e r s r o a r. c o m

w w w . t i g e r s r o a r. c o m

w w w . t i g e r s r o a r. c o m

w w w . t i g e r s r o a r. c o m

w w w . t i g e r s r o a r. c o m

w w w . t i g e r s r o a r. c o m

w w w . t i g e r s r o a r. c o m

w w w . t i g e r s r o a r. c o m

w w w . t i g e r s r o a r. c o m

w w w . t i g e r s r o a r. c o m

w w w . t i g e r s r o a r. c o m

w w w . t i g e r s r o a r. c o m

w w w . t i g e r s r o a r. c o m

w w w . t i g e r s r o a r. c o m

w w w . t i g e r s r o a r. c o m

w w w . t i g e r s r o a r. c o m

w w w . t i g e r s r o a r. c o m

w w w . t i g e r s r o a r. c o m

w w w . t i g e r s r o a r. c o m

w w w . t i g e r s r o a r. c o m

w w w . t i g e r s r o a r. c o m

w w w . t i g e r s r o a r. c o m

w w w . t i g e r s r o a r. c o m

w w w . t i g e r s r o a r. c o m

w w w . t i g e r s r o a r. c o m

w w w . t i g e r s r o a r. c o m

w w w . t i g e r s r o a r. c o m

w w w . t i g e r s r o a r. c o m

w w w . t i g e r s r o a r. c o m w w w . t i g e r s r o a r. c o m w w w . t i g e r s r o a r. c o m w w w . t i g e r s r o a r. c o m

Read all of this and MORE online!

THE LAST ROAR

4 | Homecoming 2012 COREY MORRISON

tigersroar.com

Campus Resource Center Targets Pregnancy

Photo of the Harris Mc-dew Health Center

To coincide with freshman orientation week, Director for Student Development Jacqueline Awe invited Gwen Jenkins, Director of Savannah Care Center, to speak. The freshmen didn’t know what direction the lecture was headed, but what developed was something intensely desired in a community where 61 percent of new mothers with unplanned pregnancies fail to graduate.

“I love what I do, I love working with college students and young people

so much that I do it on my off day, that’s how much I care,” said Jenkins.

That caring, in 2009, resulted in the Savannah Care Center partnership with Savannah State University and the Harris-McDew health center to form an on-campus pregnancy resource Photo by Janay Kingsberry center offering services such as emotional support and counseling to high school and college students dealing with unplanned pregnancies, abortion and newborn babies.

The center counsels pregnant women, supporting the mother’s needs. However, the father faces new challenges and life obstacles, too. Some he may not be able to withstand without additional external assistance. The pregnancy resource center developed a program for both the mother and father to feel welcomed and

be provided with guidance and counseling to help to consider available options and develop positive solutions.

The pregnancy resource center provides each parent the same opportunities to seek counseling, learn nutrition and meal planning, receive supplies and attend group classes with focuses on finance, prenatal, mentoring and also a program called “Mommy can read.”

Counselors deal with cases on oneon-one basis with each parent receiving individual attention based on their present needs. The individual first watches an instructional DVD with a counselor, and after completion, works on handouts from a workbook. The parent is also expected to complete some takehome work. There’s an awards system in place based on accumulating points for keeping appointments, bringing a support system along to meetings and completing assigned task. Prizes for the points include car seats, strollers, clothing, formula and the father’s favorite items -- diapers and food.

As a non-profit organization, the center

does not receive any funds from the local, state and federal government. Donations from private donors and churches help keep the organization operating.

The center’s total headcount is nine, with four men in the program along with their girlfriend. However, a male does not need the mother present to be assisted.

But still, it’s hard for the fathers-to-be.

The men often face a conflict between the center’s operational hours and their work schedule, making regular attendance difficult.

It takes two people to make a baby.

The support should be equivalent on both ends. Men must first be there for their woman through support, understanding and adequately assessing and planning their future, Jenkins urges.

On Mondays, from 2-6 PM in the Harris-McDew student health center, Ms. Jenkins will be available to all students.

She advises anyone already pregnant, thinking about abortion or dropping out of school to visit the pregnancy resource center first.

BASKETBALL CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 SSU kicks off the season with a string of five home games, including the opener against Fort Valley State University November 5 at 7 p.m. The Tigers go on the road to face University of Florida (Nov. 20), Ohio State University (Dec. 12) and Marquette University (Dec. 15). Both the men and women’s team begin MEAC play against Norfolk State (Dec. 1) in Tiger Arena.

The Lady Tigers enter the season looking to improve on their record, led by All-Conference guard Ezinne Kalu. Head coach Cedric Baker is now entering his tenth season with the Lady Tigers and last season posted a 10-20 overall record, going 3-13 in MEAC play.

Kalu is coming of an offseason shoulder surgery after playing injured through most of the 28 games last sea-

son. She averaged 17.6 points a game to lead the team. In addition, Baker has recruited a few transfers to help take the scoring load of Kalu.

“We have a lot to prove this year and we have so much new talent that could help us be better in every aspect of the game,” said Kalu.

Kalu and her teammates, including the host of new lady Tigers, have a tough

road schedule ahead of them including games against South Carolina (Nov. 15), University of Georgia (Nov. 20), Mississippi State (Nov. 28) and kick-off the University of Florida tournament in Gainesville against the Gators (Dec. 20). SSU opens its season against Columbia College in Tiger Arena November 9 at 6 p.m.

BY SADIE SELLOW

F E AT U R E S

The Tiger’s Roar

October 2012 | 5

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF SMILJANA CUK

CEDRIC SMITH

9:50 A.M. hits and Smiljana Cuk stops at Starbucks on campus at the student union before class to grab a drink, a small bottle of orange juice to be specific, to get her day started.

In her 10 a.m. PEARL class, Cuk answers the first question of the day, and the professor commends her on her knowledge. Then, a classmate asks her for help on the class assignment. Cuk raises her hand to ask for permission to assist, the professor grants it, and Cuk quietly whispers help.

Although she seems ordinary, Smiljana Cuk is not your everyday exchange student.

This computer science major from Serbia, with a side focus in basketball, is an intelligent and athletic young woman who doesn’t complain about hardships and takes advantage of every day and every opportunity.

It doesn’t seem to matter that she is 5,326 miles from her family. Her only focus is making her family proud. “My dad was my ideal example, the most genius person I’ve ever met,” Cuk says. “My father was always telling me, ‘Don’t waste your time watching television or with games; it’s better to read something.’”

It is now 11:30 a.m. and Cuk catches a break when the professor lets the class out early. Cuk meets up with her friend Andrea in the cafe for lunch.

Conversation was just like any other student’s -- they talk about their classes and how boring their professors are. They eat healthy meals of baked chicken and large plates of salad. “Smiljana eats the exact thing every day,” Andrea says as they both laugh.

After lunch, it’s time for basketball work-

outs. Cuk heads to the gym for free play with her team.

The slim, 6-foot forward has a true European style game, filled with finesse and high basketball IQ. She favors the threepoint shot. At three to four years older than her teammates, Cuk’s knowledge of the game is more mature than most.

She forces nothing on herself and lets the game come naturally. She’s not a starter, but her attitude rubs off on her younger teammates.

At 12:45 p.m., between games, Cuk talks about her Serbian basketball career. “I started when I was like 9. In Serbia…we have school teams but it is not competitive,” she says.

Cuk was always at the sports complex in her hometown of Pancevo, near Belgrade, Serbia’s capital. She would stay there all day.

When she was not in school, she was there.

Serbia has been through war and hard economic times during much of her life. Yet, the Serbs know how to enjoy what they have and she loves that. Belgrade is ranked one of the top 10 places in the world for nightlife and Cuk partakes, she says.

Cuk came to playing college ball in America because of YouTube and a friend who knew a U.S. basketball coach. The friend contacted the coach, who watched the video of her Serbian games and then helped Cuk get a partial basketball scholarship to Odessa College in Odessa, Texas. A year later, Cuk transferred to Miami-Dade Community College in Florida looking for a better game.

At home in Serbia before her first semester at Miami-Dade, tragedy struck. Her father,

Zdravko Cuk -- her role model, the person she idolized the most -- died of heart failure. “I am sad because he didn’t finish,” she says, “but he gave me strength to keep going.”

She devoted that Miami-Dade season to her father and did better than good, averaging 6.0 points and 7.4 rebounds. Her performance landed at 11th in rebounding rankings for the Florida Community College Activities Association. These statistics helped Cuk land first Division I scholarship at SSU. Her dedication has paid off. Cuk led the team last year in free throws shooting, posting a career high of 83 percent.

“I was happy, more because it was a full scholarship, not more because it was Division I,” she says, “I wouldn’t be able to afford it otherwise.”

It’s 4 p.m. and Cuk walks to her next class. Now a junior, Cuk is getting used to the style and pace of the U.S. game. “Here the game is more physical and fast paced,” she says. “Back home it is more fundamental.

She likes her team. “Everybody on my team is funny in their own way,” she says. “We all get along. It’s never a boring moment.”

The academics are working, too. Cuk has made dean’s list every semester at every school she has attended.

Class let out early again and Cuk uses that extra time to Skype her mother. It’s 5:30 p.m. here, but late at night over there. Her call is more a regular phone call than a video chat.

She Skypes her family and friends every day.

The major adjustment for her, she says, is

not so much loneliness, but the language barrier. She learned English in Serbia, but it was more proper and formal. Her spoken English, she says, has been a bit of an adjustment.

Cuk loves American fast food. “We don’t have as much fast food places in Serbia because we cook mostly,” she says.

Cuk wants to stay in the U.S. when she graduates and has a plan. She’d like to go to

grad school to study computer science. If she finds an assistant coaching job that would help her pay for grad school.

It’s early evening, but with a 5:30 a.m. workout the next morning, Cuk has programmed a 10:30 p.m. bedtime.

Before calling it a night, Cuk teases about her “day-in-the-life” story experience. “After being shadowed a whole day,” she says, “it will be weird going to class alone tomorrow.”

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A REMARKABLE WOMAN LAKETA LEWIS

It is 4:45 a.m. on a Wednesday morning and LaSonya Stovall, Director of Residential Services for Savannah State University, is already up out of bed ready to start the day. Before she picks up her cell phone to check for missed calls and messages, wash her face, or brush her teeth, Stovall is down on her knees praying.

After prayer, she goes to her closet to find the perfect outfit to tackle the day.

Today she chooses a green olive dress, a leopard print belt, a soft pink pearl necklace with matching bracelets on each wrist and four small diamond studs for the four piercings in her ear. A pink and green Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority purse that she received as a gift at a conference.

Stovall lives in Sand Fly, a five to 10 minute drive to SSU. She arrives at her office in Adams Hall by 7:30 a.m. and a pink and green sign on her office door reminds her of her breast cancer. “Cancer touched my breast,” the sign reads, “so I kicked its butt.” She’s been in remission for five years.

More inspiration lies in the “Word for the Day” and “Our Daily Bread,” books she always has around her office. They kept her going during her fight with cancer. “I say it’s gone. It’s never coming back, or I will beat it again,” says Stovall.

Stovall has a master’s degree in PublicAdministration, with distinction, in 1999 from SSU. At SSU, she’s a member of The Committee of 1000 and the Walls of Scholars; she’s a Gold Tiger, a Freshman Year Experience teacher and a chairperson for the homecoming committee.

Stovall’s office hops with the frogs, turtles, inspirational quotes, blue and orange spirit items and piles of paper work. The frogs symbolize the love Stovall has for her sorority AKA. The turtles are from her business sorority, Iota Phi Lambda. At home, orange and blue butterfly magnets decorate her refrigerator; a pointing hand signals No. 1 and how much she loves SSU. “In my spare time, I attend all of the sporting events.

I go to the baseball games, football games, basically all the sports games,” she says.

People who don’t know Stovall might think that after housing assignments are finished at the beginning of the year, she can relax. The reality is that she spends her days dealing with students who want to change rooms

rooms, bug problems, broken furniture and fines for misbehavior.

This day, Stovall negotiates with Waffle House to persuade them to give students free waffles or discounts on meals. She’s also trying to talk the contractor who installed the new washers and dryers in the University Commons and Village into giving out free washing powder each month. She started a program to let parents buy care packages for their children.

“I try to do this all day to benefit our students in any way possible,” says Stovall.

The clock reaches 1 and Stovall heads to lunch. It is fried chicken Wednesday in the café, one of Stovall’s favorite days to eat on campus.

Leaving Adams Hall and walking through the circle, she all she sees, many of whom know her by name. She speaks to everyone.

In the cafeteria, Stovall greets the woman behind the serving line with “Hey, Ms. Jackie.” The woman loads Stovall’s tray with all of Stovall’s favorites. Today it’s two fried chicken breasts, mac and cheese and blackeyed peas.

When Stovall needs rice, she heads to Tiger Wok. “What are black eye peas without rice?” she asks.

Before Stovall gets her rice, she spies Vice President of Student Advancement Philip Adams. Standing with her lunch in her hands, she tells Adams about a student she got to know five years ago when she was a residence director.

The student has a mental illness, but he’s in school, she says. He has a $397 balance on his account and needs to clear that debt in order to stay in school.

“Everyday,” she adds, “The student comes to me and asks, ‘Has someone paid my bill yet?’ I say, ‘Not yet, but we will get it taken care of.’”

Adams nods with understanding and tells Stovall to send him the information, he will take care of it.

Solving money problems is not part of her job, but Stovall can’t help helping.

At 1:30, back in her office, Stovall finally eats lunch.

She will spend the rest of her day with more problems and deals.

About 4:45 p.m., Monica Murchison-Battey drops in. She’s 40 and a non-traditional student who graduated in 2004. “She kept me out of trouble and gave me advice,” Murchison-Battey says. “She was just Stovall.

She was trustworthy and dependable.”

At5p.m.,Stovallchangesintoherworkoutgearandgoes

walking on campus with two friends, also on the SSU staff. The trio usually does four miles in an hour and 20 minutes. Stovall has lost over 80 pounds walking.

At 7:15 p.m., it’s time to teach Freshman Year Experience. Today, she gives the class a tour of the campus, sharing her amazement at all the new dorms on campus.

At 8:45 p.m., Stovall packs her things into her tan Ford Expedition – its front bumper with a pink and green AKA sticker -- and drives home.

Tonight is a no-dinner night. She had a big lunch so will snack on fresh fruit. After a shower, Stovall ends the day as it began, with a prayer. At 9:30 p.m., the lights go black. This remarkable woman has conquered another day.

A poem, given to her by a student, comes to mind to describe this student advocate. “You Are A Remarkable Woman,” by Susan Polis Schutz says: “You are a remarkable woman who accomplishes so much as a giving woman in a selfish world….You are a remarkable woman and you are loved by so many people whose lives you have touched including mine.”

Did you know...

Men get breast cancer too. For every 100 women diagnosed, one man will also be diagnosed with breast cancer.

Source: American Cancer Society Asian women have some of the lowest breast cancer rates of any group in the world, while the rates are highest in countries such as the U.S. Source: American Cancer Society Death rates from breast cancer have been declining since about 1990, with larger decreases in women younger than fifty. These decreases are believed to be the result of earlier detection through screening and increased awareness, as well as improved treatment.

Source: American Cancer Society Diagnosing breast cancer in younger women (under 40) is more difficult because their breast tissue is generally denser than

the breast tissue in older women.

Source: Cleveland Clinic

6 | Homecoming 2012

HOMECOMING FASHION TIPS JESSICA COARD

HOMEEEEECOOOOOMING! It’s finally here. You’re excited and ready for your friends and family to come in town. You’re amped about the kick-off party, fashion show and game day, but then you start to ponder on the question “What to wear?” Like any other exciting event that happens in life, you want to look your absolute best.

Here are tips to ensure your homecoming fashion is on point: •

•

•

•

• • •

• • •

Show pride in your school wearing a t-shirt, hat or something orange or blue to represent your SSU. Ladies, if you plan on tailgating on game day, wear comfortable shoes. The tailgating area is quite rocky and falling down never looks cute.

Guys, we’d prefer to not see your underwear. Do all of us a favor and pull your pants up.

The temperatures in Savannah are unpredictable. Dress in layers for outside homecoming activities or bring a light jacket or sweater.

No Nicki Minaj look-alikes. You look better when you look like you.

Guys, it won’t hurt to get a nice haircut or freshen up the dreads and braids.

Ladies, get your hair in order. Tidy up your style whether natural, relaxed or enhanced with extensions.

Scarves are in right now for ladies and guys. The weather is perfect for them.

It might be time to put away the sandals.

Rock what makes you comfortable and enjoy

THE LAST ROAR

EDITOR’S BOX Take a second here before the big Homecoming 2012 weekend and think about, “We are one SSU: Catch the Fever,” the theme of this year’s festivities.

I love this idea. It embraces the warmth and concept of family. It gives us a subconscious nudge to feel and show tiger pride whether it’s in sports or in academic success.

Not long ago, I knew for a fact the “fever” is contagious and growing to epidemic proportions. I found myself bursting with happiness and pride as I drove down Victory Drive recently and saw a billboard for State Farm insurance. The name on the sign, the man selling the insurance and owning the agency, is an SSU alumnus. We are rising.

There can be no doubt.

The billboard is not the only time I have felt such a flowering of pride and glee. I am guilty of gloating when I see photos of SSU alumni in graduate school or in the professional world. I know it’s OK to do a little happy dance at Shannon Sharpe’s name. It’s OK to cheer loudly and encourage the players on the field, even if our football team is on a losing streak. Those guys are brave and they are noble and they’re working their butts off.

Once the weekend is over and the campus swept out after all the festivities, let’s keep the fever. Let it live beyond homecoming, beyond the tailgating and the cheers, the parties and the reminiscing with family and friends. Let it rise.

I believe WE ARE THE FEVER. We are rising. Happy Homecoming SSU! Alissa Terry Editor-in-Chief 2012- 2013

tigersroar.com

COMMENTARY

THE IMPROPER USE OF GUNS AND THEIR EFFECTS CHRISTOPHER SPEARS

Guns are used to protect people from danger, yet the improper use of guns cost families loved ones daily.

Gospel artist Kirk Franklin is an example of losing a friend to an accidental shooting. Franklin went on to turn his life around, beginning a series of musical events that has brought him multiple Grammys.

There are people who own guns but shouldn’t. Some interpret the United States Constitution as saying all eligible citizens have a right to bear arms. This is untrue.

The Constitution gives that right to people with a militia or military group. The law has a huge loop hole the entire country can jump through and use to their advantage.

The U.S. government has become lax in gun-control policy.

Cities including Chicago, New York and some in California have become notorious for gun violence.

Why Urban communities within these cities and their respective police departments have not been on the same page while dealing with suppressing the issue.

Police brutality and the improper use of fire arms customarily makes headlines. The media tends to give gun stories major publicity when there are multiple victims, a famous figure is involved or a victim’s family speaks out.

Police commit gun crimes, too, and can be found in the wrong like a regular citizen. Rodney King’s beating is an example of a vicious act of police brutality that later sparked riots in parts of Los Angeles. Obviously, this story made headlines.

Guns should be banned across the U.S. with the exception of police, federal agents and the armed forces whose use of them

is essential to their duties to protect and serve.

The mass shooting in the Aurora, Colo. movie theater this year re-ignited the gun-policy conversation across the country.

Seventy-two people were shot and wounded, while twelve people lost their lives, in a senseless massacre.

People can develop a dislike for guns when others improperly operate them. People also buy and sell firearms illegally to those unable buy and register a gun due to a felony record. This criminal enterprise is similar to drug trafficking.

It has been said in many ways before, “It’s not the gun that kills people. It’s stupid people with guns that kill people.” That argument may seem logical and makes sense, but one can argue from either stand point.

Guns laws deserve to be reconsidered and paid attention to in great detail. Ferocious people are too hazardous to be on the streets carrying a firearm.

Editor’s Note: On Sept. 30 a gunshot incident on campus occurred that resulted in a campus lockdown.

This incident and such incidents alike inspired Christopher Spears to write this commentary. Spears is a student for Prof. Lester Sloan’s section of COMM 2101 Writing from the Media.

The Tiger’s Roar

F E AT U R E

Homecoming 2012 | 7

1979: MISS SSC FAYE WILEY AND HER ROYAL COURT

2012: MISS SSU TIFFANY HALLBACK AND HER ROYAL COURT

NOV 2011: SSU HOMECOMING PARADE

NOV 1981: SSC HOMECOMING PARADE

OCT 2010: MEMBERS OF ΑΦΑ FRATERNITY RENDER SERVICES AUG 1975: MEMBERS OF ΑΦΑ FRATERNITY GIVING BACK

FEB 1979: SAVANNAH STATE COLLEGE PROTESTS

JAN 2012: FIGHT THE FEES PROTEST ARCHIVE PHOTOS COURTESY OF SAVANNAH MORNING NEWS