Reflector Magazine, Winter 2012

NEW SHOOTING CENTER MONKEN VS ERK & PAUL FREEDOM’S LANDING

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WINTER 2011 • Southern Reflector Magazine • 1

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REFLECTOR WINTER 2012 FLASHBACK

Take a walk back in time with GSU alumni and faculty David Thompson..........................................8

DOOMSDAY

December 12, 2012 is quickly approaching- should we be worried the mayan could be true?.......................10

14

FBS FUTURE?

Will all of the growth at Georgia Southern will we eventually become a FBS school?....................................13

SMALL FEEL, LARGE SCALE

What a new focus on reseach means for our university..............................14

MONKEN VS. ERK AND PAUL

a comparision of the first two years of coaching of current head football coach Jeff monken and previous legends Erk Russell and paul Johnson................18

23

18 ABOUT THE COVER

This issue’s cover was created by senior graphic design major AKEEM HILL. his inspiration of contrasting the old and new came from conversations with librarian MARVIN GOSS who helped him find the 1939 photograph of the original library at Georgia Southern. Today the building still stands on Sweetheart Circle, housing the University’s museum.

REVIEWS

We take a look at music artists Childish Gambino and the pistols annies, novelturned-hBo-series Game of Thrones and campus fashion..........................20

OFFICE HOURS

a sit down with art history professor Julie mcGuire .................................25

OVERHEARD

You sent us the funny things you’ve heard on campus, heres the best......27

WINTER 2011 • Southern Reflector Magazine • 3

Letter from the Editor 2012 is going to be a year to remember, mark my words. i’m not talking about any mayan legends either. With a population that just surpassed 20,000 students, big changes are taking place at Georgia Southern University. Some of the obvious ones are visible with the constructions and renovations taking place across campus. other may require a closer look, like changes in the classroom and overall athomsphere of GSU. in this issue, our staff aimed to provide our readers with a glimpse at how far GSU has already come, as well as a look into the future at where GSU is headed. now i just have one favor to ask of y’all pretty please:

of that ever-increasing student population, there are a good number of students who are not familiar with our magazines.

While the holiday season may have come and gone, there is no reason to stop spreading joy...or at least, publications from Student media. after all, sharing is caring!

So consider this more a plea from the editor. please pass this issue on to a friend, classmate, relative, or stranger.

Just as Georgia Southern is striving for bigger and better things to come in 2012, so is the Reflector.

Thank you for reading. here’s to change and a fabulous year ahead.

COLLEEN McNALLY

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The Southern Reflector is copyrighted 2011 by Southern Reflector magazine and Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Ga. it is printed by South Georgia Graphics, Claxton, Ga. The Southern Reflector is operated by GSU students who are members of Student media, a Georgia Southern student-led organization operating through the Dean of Student affairs office and the Division of Student affairs & Enrollment management. The magazine is produced three times a year by GSU students for the Georgia Southern University community. opinions expressed herein are those of the student writers and editors and Do noT reflect those of the faculty, staff, administration of GSU, Student media advisory Board nor the University System of Georgia. partial funding for this publication is provided by the GSU activities Budget Committee. advertisements fund the remaining costs. advertising inquiries may be sent to office of Student media, po Box 8001, or by calling the Business office at 912-478-5418. inquiries concerning content should be sent to magazine EiC Grace Kessenich at 912-478-5305 or by emailing: Reflector*@georgiasouthern.edu. all students are allowed to have one free copy of this publication. additional copies cost $1 each and are available at the office of Student media in the Williams Center. Unauthorized removal of additional copies from a distribution site will constitute theft under Georgia law, a misdemeanor offense punishable by a fine and/or jail time

WINTER 2011 • Southern Reflector Magazine • 5

WHAT’S YOUR

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION

FOR GEORIA SOUTHERN? Jonathan Liberman junior

Garrett Green

mechanical engineering

senior

multimedia communications

“I want Humans vs.

Zombies to be permanetly banned from campus.”

“A more unified campus.”

Hogan Anderson freshman biology

“They need to destroy Watson Pods because they suck and thats where I live.”

Johnathon Sanford junior

fashion design

“What I hope never changes about GSU is its amazing professors.”

6 • Southern Reflector Magazine • WINTER 2011

Cassie Wood freshman

mass communications

“I wish that people would not smoke on campus because it smells so bad.”

UPCOMING CHANGES

ON CAMPUS New Biological Science Building A new Biology building, located at the corner of Forest Drive and Bunny Akins Boulevard between the Recreation Activities Center and the Education building. Since the biology department has more students and faculty than the old building can hold, this new state-of-the-art facility will provide some much need space.

The Shooting Sports Education Center The Shooting Sports Center will be located off Highway 301 close to the RAC pavilion. If built, the center will cost over $3 million and house facilities like a gun and archery range.

The center’s building plans have not yet been finalized.

Landrum and lakeside Dining hall Both Lakeside Café and Landrum Dining Center are to be remodeled in order to seat and serve more than 1,000 students between them. Funding for the renovation comes solely from past student meal plan fees. Construction is expected to take an estimated 2 years to complete with groundbreaking anticipated for July 2012.

WINTER 2011 • Southern Reflector Magazine • 7

FLASHBACK THEN AND NOW “There is nothing wrong with change, if it is in the right direction.”

Sir Winston Churchill

David Thompson graduated from Georgia Southern College in 1981. He now is the Director of Marketing and the Assistant Director of Editorial Services at Georgia Southern University.

I

t was an amazing year, 1973.

After years of war, the U.S. withdrew its troops from Viet Nam; the World Trade Center was completed, making it the tallest building in the world; Watergate hearings began, leading to the resignation of President Richard Nixon; Billy Jean King and Bobby Riggs fought the “Battle of the Sexes” on the tennis court; and the Endangered Species Act was passed by Congress.

Most notably in my youthful mind, I enrolled at Georgia Southern as a freshman.

Walking the hallway of any Georgia Southern residence hall in 1973, you’d have heard a lot of familiar things: girls talking about guys, guys talking about girls, everyone talking about food or about that paper that’s due tomorrow.

You’d hear the latest from popular bands, like Lynrd Skynrd’s “Free Bird,” “Let’s Get it On” by Marvin Gaye, Pink Floyd’s psychedelic trip to the “Dark Side of the Moon,” and Gladys Knight on a “Midnight Train to Georgia.” Of course 8 • Southern Reflector Magazine • WINTER 2011

here, the Allman Brothers Band was belting out “Statesboro Blues” 24/7 even though by then it had been out for four years.

All of these were on vinyl or eighttrack tape, of course, unless your dorm mates had the latest in high tech: the tape cassette player.

Venturing across campus, you’d probably be a bit confused at first. Oh, Sweetheart Circle would look just the same, but you’d find students living in Lewis Hall (now Admissions) and Cone Hall (now the Academic Success Center).

If you visited the library, it wouldn’t be by the lakes. You’d be at the Rosenwald Building. Rooms that now house the Georgia Southern Museum’s Mosasaur and other exhibits were filled with books and periodicals all conveniently accessible by card catalog.

Beyond Sweetheart Circle, you’d find an outdoor pool behind the Administration Building and a nearby blue pre-fab building called … The Blue Building.

The Alumni Gym was right next door – no longer used because of disrepair, but serving as a workspace for The Masquers – now Theatre and Performance. Just between today’s Williams Center and the Library was a huge water tower.

Walking farther, you’d come to the lakes, just as they are today. But, oddly, there’s no Pedestrium. Instead, you’d find just a grassy path in place of the pavers

that now lead to the Union at one end and the College of Education at the other.

Confusion again, though, as you reached Newton. It’s clearly Newton, but it marked the end of campus. Make that the extreme end of campus.

There’s no College of Business Administration Building, no Allen E. Paulson College of Science and Technology Building, no Education Building, no Lakeside Café, and no Nursing and Chemistry Building – just acre upon acre of pine trees and more than a little kudzu.

At the other end of the nonPedestrium, there is no Russell Union and no University Store. Instead you find a gigantic parking lot where everybody living off campus left their cars for the day.

On one side you’d recognize Landrum, home to the primary campus cafeteria and post office, but also the bookstore. Your address would not be a P.O. Box, but rather a “Landrum Box.” Seniors might recall, across the street are Winburn, Olliff and Johnson Halls where today’s Centennial Place now stands. Only women lived there.

But let’s go back to the Union Rotunda.

Stand at the Rotunda in 1973 and you’re standing in the middle of Georgia Avenue, which flows gently all the way from the intersection by Dingus Magees, through campus to Herty Drive. Herty Drive goes all the way from Fair Road to Sweetheart

Circle. The little house at the corner of herty and Georgia avenue that today houses the honors program was the president’s house. Yes, the president once really lived there.

Speaking of roads, the pedestrium from the Rotunda to henderson Library is again a road. Back in `73, you could park right in front of the Williams Center and Foy Building.

Williams had a cafeteria (the big room is still there) and Foy was home to all arts classes – not just music.

The trip would not be complete without a stop at the health Cottage – a small wooden building between the Union and the institute for arthropodology and parasitology. it’s where you went when you weren’t feeling well.

Change is constant – sometimes for good and sometimes not. in the case of Georgia Southern, mostly it’s been good. i do miss the Blue Building. anybodyseen my lava lamp? R from left: Mementos from David’s freshman year, including a map of campus, brochure from Parking and Transportation and the 1973 basketball schedule

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December 21,

2012

DOOMSDAY?

By AYANA MOORE

T

here have been a lot of “end of the world” theories spreading around these days. The “signs of the times” adages are constantly being perpetuated throughout every unsightly world disaster.

Just last summer, preacher Harold Camping gained nationwide interest when he claimed that May 21 would be “doomsday”. Needless to say, predicting the world will soon end is nothing new.

Now with a new year coming up fast, there is yet another date that will supposedly seal the world’s fate— December 21, 2012. But what will actually come of it? Were the ancient Mayans really predicting the end of the world? Or is it all simply a misunderstanding?

“It’s essentially an arbitrary date,” said Dr. Laura Shelton, a Georgia Southern Latin American professor. “The Mayans thought of time in a different way.

To them, time is cyclical while we think in a linear way. In terms of predicting,

10 • Southern Reflector Magazine • WINTER 2011

they didn’t use their calendar to predict disasters.”

The end of the world has always been a popular topic in media. Whether watching Danny Glover playing the president in the movie 2012 or find Nicholas Cage in a hurried search to crack a cryptic number code before a solar flare destroys planet earth in the movie Knowing, there’s simply no escape.

“I think it’s a part of the popular culture and far less a reflection on the Mayan culture,” said Shelton. “There was no prediction of an actual doomsday in the Mayan calendar. It was probably not something that they were concerned about.”

This growing fear of an apocalyptic inevitability is hardly a new phenomenon.

It dates back as far as the Ancient Romans and their fearing the destruction of their city in 634 BC. Another popular prediction happened in 1284, when Pope Innocent

III expected the Second Coming to take place. Even fast-forwarding to the 1800s when “prophet” animals suggested Jesus Christ’s return or when Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon Church, believed that “the end times” would ensue after he’d spoken to God. “There have been so many repeats of doomsday. I don’t really believe any of it anymore,” said sophomore pre-nursing student, Jenise Franklin. “No one knows when the world is going to end.”

Perhaps this obsession with the Mayan calendar has been completely misconstrued just as the past predictions were. Perhaps this doomsday fear has only persevered because many people have only relied on what they see in the media.

“Scholars have only recently learned about Maya handwriting,” said Shelton.

“There’s still a lot we don’t know about the Mayans. There’s still a lot we don’t know about their calendar.” R

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WINTER 2011 • Southern Reflector Magazine • 11

CAMPUS CLUB

FREEDOM’S LANDING

By KAYLA HURLEY

D

orms with cinderblock rooms, hard beds, paper-thin walls, and industrial desks is the generic college experience. Add an annoying roommate who parties all night, RA’s, and pay-by-the-load washers and you have the idea of what college students come to call a “home away from home”. The hall safety meetings are mandatory, but the good news is, the three a.m. fire alarms are great practice for the possible spontaneous combustion of your Ramen Noodles. Don’t forget, cold community showers are down the hallway and to the left.

After adhering to university requirements and living on campus for a year, most students are ready to get as far away from campus as they can. Many students choose to retreat to apartments or houses geared towards student living, yet there are some students who wish to stay on campus because of quick accessibility to classes and dining halls. Georgia Southern University has recognized competition for housing on campus and has decided to tackle the problem with the purchase of desirable apartments located near Paulson Stadium.

Georgia Southern University received permission in Fall 2011 to purchase Campus Club apartments. These apartments will be used to house upperclassmen still wishing to live on campus. Campus Club, soon to be named Freedom’s Landing, will house 984 students, providing upperclassmen the amenities of a luxury apartment.

Sophomore Nvante Santos believes Campus Club was a great complex to target. “I like the location, the aesthetics, and the fact that it is near the bus stops.

That’s why I chose to live here,” he says.

According to the Assistant Director of University Housing, Jon Coleman, the University is looking to enhance safety features such as adding video surveillance in parking lots, stairwells, and the common areas. University Housing also plans to incorporate University Police patrolling and Community Leaders. After 12 • Southern Reflector Magazine • WINTER 2011

current residents have moved out in July, the University will have two weeks to install safety features and prepare Freedom’s Landing for opening in the Fall. Small changes have already been made such as installation of carpet tiles and new maintenance procedures. The installation will benefit current residents because if carpet is damaged, residents will only have to pay for a section to be replaced. “I think that the current residents will only see benefits to our adding resources to the current system,” Coleman says.

Skyler Henry, a Campus Club resident of three years, believes the service has been quicker and better since the complex has been bought. “Campus Club is one of the largest complexes in Statesboro. This complex is a good investment for the future of Southern,” he says. With over 20,000 students, the purchase of Campus Club is beneficial not only to students, but to university growth as well. Coleman elaborates, “We have added space for our freshmen for the last few years, but Housing has not been able to meet the demand from students who want to live on campus after the first year. Campus Club will provide many of the benefits of on-campus living but will also grant residents greater independence and the amenities that our upperclassmen put a premium on.”

Photography LINDSAY HARTMANN

Despite the benefits, students such as Dillion Winfrey still wonder if the University can offer competitive rates for upperclassmen seeking an apartment.

“The University now has to compete with other off-campus complexes for student’s money,” he states. Rates for the new Freedom’s Landing have not yet bet set, but students are anticipating a raise from the current prices. Henry says, “If given the option, I would try to find another complex because you can save a lot of money living off campus.

On-campus housing is expensive.”

Alongside expenses, Santos mentions the extra guidelines that will be placed on upcoming residents. He points out that “if a complex is run by the university it means more restriction.” Since Freedom’s Landing will be university housing it will be more strictly monitored, a limitation some students would rather do without.

The factors of living on or off campus are different for everyone, yet most seem to agree that Georgia Southern is making a good decision by moving onward with property expansion for future students.

Freedom’s Landing will provide great amenities and more freedom while still providing services and benefits of living on campus. With this new purchase, students can say goodbye to typical dorms after their freshman year yet still embrace the benefits of living on campus. R

17 PLAYOFF APPEARANCES. 9 SOUTHERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS. 6 NATIONAL TITLES. 20,212 SCREAMING FANS. 18,000 SEATS IN PAULSON STADIUM.

WILL SOUTHERN SEE AN

FBS FUTURE?

By COLEEN CUREAU

W

hat Georgia Southern fan wouldn’t want to see their GSU in the spotlight on ESpnU? Freedom soaring over a roaring crowd filled with drunken frat boys dressed in wigs with navy and white paint splattered on their chest spelling out “Georgia Southern.” Gus dancing on the sidelines next to large camera crews headed by the most beloved on field sports reporters. For all universities who have a football team, doesn’t that sound like a worthwhile image to move toward? not exactly.

The prestige of being a Division 1-a or Football Bowl Subdivision sports program is a huge draw for many universities. But when a team leaves a winning conference for one with larger, older, and more established sports programs where there’s little to no chance of success, just to say they are in a

Photography LINDSAY HARTMANN

bowl conference, the “elevated” status inand-of itself isn’t always enough to keep both fans and university wallets happy.

“What happens is everybody gets

r y d e t o n e oB t C u A sion th Sou

301

too focused on the bowls when a lot of the schools who go to bowl games lose money on the bowl trip,” said Eagles athletic Director Sam Baker.

Schools like Boise State or marshall moved up a conference to become bowl eligible with differing levels of athletic success but Rose Carter, GSU Director of Sports information, asked fans to not judge success in terms of wins versus losses but in the terms of “at what cost?”

“Several of these programs, even those you would consider, like Stanford, ranked in the top 10 loss so much money going to their bowl game last year. We need to look at programs who have moved up in terms of ‘how much is it really costing them?”

Does Georgia Southern have a chance in the FBS? [Cont. on 16]

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WINTER 2011 • Southern Reflector Magazine • 13

LARGE SCALE SMALL FEEL?

NEW FOCUS ON RESEARCH UNIVERSITY

By JOHNOTHAN QUINTYNE Photography LINSDAY HARTMANN

W

hat does 2012 bring to mind? a movie starring John Cusask? The time to buy another calendar? or perhaps the mayan end of the world legend?

Well as far as the end of the world thing goes, our planet is doing just fine and no credible scientist can associate a threat with 2012, according to the frequently asked question’s section of naSa’s website. however, one thing that naSa could not have predicted is that 2012 will mark the end of Georgia Southern University, as students and faculty now know it. While the Earth is scheduled by 14 • Southern Reflector Magazine • WINTER 2011

the mayans to have a date with destiny, GSU is scheduled by the faculty and staff to have a date with opportunity as it moves from a Doctorial/Research University to a high Research University. on the surface this move might sound like a change that takes place mostly over pay grades. But in reality this transition will have effects on the way that GSU is seen in the academic world, the way students interact with their professors, and the way students learn about their fields.

“The decision to increase our research capacity provides more opportunity to students and also brings us to

the next level of university, closer to places like UGA, Tech, or the Medical College of Georgia,” said Alton Standifer, a senior middle grades education major and the president of Student Government Association.

Georgia Southern is currently classified as a university that is involved in research. “We have always done research across this campus; a great example would be the Tick Facility,” said Dr. Charles E. Patterson, Vice President for Research at GSU. The Tick Facility is part of the Georgia Southern’s Institute of Arthropodology and Parasitology. According to their website has been dealing with research questions involving arthropods, parasites,

and other things that affect livestock and humans in the Southeast long before this new initiative began.

The change is that GSU “will now have to be more intentional in research, placing the infrastructure, and retaining the recourses that are needed to conduct research,” said Dr. Patterson. “We must support researchers through things like start up packages and funds.”

This move gives the school more opportunity to become better known in the field of research across the nation as the university looks for cooperation from different levels of government as well as the private sector to find topics and projects.

Dr. Bret Danilowicz, Dean of the Allen E. Paulson College of Science and Technology, said that “as a high research university we will be extremely associated with research and it will improve our external grant levels from both the federal and state levels of government as well as contracts from industry.”

This means that the government agencies from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources will give GSU money so that professors and students can research important topics for them. Gone are the days at Southern where information was secondhand. Now at Georgia Southern, students will create knowledge.

“They will now be on bleeding edge of technology, across the board. They will not only be here to learn but to inform and to generate new knowledge,” said Dr. Patterson, expressing how the role of a student from the graduate level down to the first semester freshman will change here at Southern.

“The text books that we use now were all created through the use of research on these topics, so it’s safe to say that in another five years we could be influencing the information found in textbooks then,” he said.

Looking at this move from a student’s point of view, it is easy to see there are potential drawbacks that come with a more research-oriented university. GSU stands the risk of losing its “large scale, small feel” culture for the sake of a more research centered one - something that could drive students away.

“It’s important,” said Standifer, addressing the possibility. “First and foremost Georgia Southern must remain Georgia Southern.”

Administrators and proponents of Southern’s transfer have heard this mandate from student leadership and are brainstorming ways to keep the GSU that so many students have learned to love. Faculty and staff seem to agree whole-heartedly with Standifer when he said, “We must be creative and proactive in finding ways to continue to make the student feel connected.”

One of the ways that Southern plans to keep its small scale feel, while still moving to bigger and better things, is in the push to find professors that are both teaching and research oriented instead of one or the other. Perhaps the biggest benefit for students is the new possibility for students to work along side professors in research projects.

Finding professors that are passionate about teaching and research will offer a whole new perspective to students WINTER 2011 • Southern Reflector Magazine • 15

as well as widens the range of things that can be discussed in the classroom.

Dean Danilowicz said, “I imagine a professor that who normally teach only math but because of interdisciplinary

“

way to teach?” He argued that this move will give the students opportunities to not only learn through lecture but also

through experience in the field.

The thing that faculty and staff is most exited about is the way active exploration in their field will change the way that GSU looks and feels.

“I think that we could expect more students involved in research, students in Starbucks talking less about class and more about research. Talking more about not so much what they are learning, but what is happening right now in their fields,” said Dean Danilowicz.

In other words, GSU can expect that instead of undergrads talking about the latest lecture, homework, or exam, they will be talking about the latest hypothesis, experiment, or result.

So 2012. For some this date holds the connotation of the end, at Georgia Southern it means the beginning. R

usually make up the bowl conferences.

“Just this year we broke the 20,000 student mark”, said Baker. “It’ll take several generations of students to build up our alumni network enough to start bringing in the type of funds that schools like UGA or Florida do. They’ve had the time.”

Georgia Southern’s humble beginnings as a school for teachers didn’t help much either in the moneymaking department in regard to rich alumni. Baker said, “As you know teachers unfortunately don’t make a lot of money so the old alumni we do have are not usually that financially well off to donate large amounts of money to the university.”

If Georgia Southern wants to be in a Division 1- A university playing football games against University of Florida or LSU,

two main things are going to have to happen: A lot more people will have to donate a lot more cash and time is going to have to pass.

Despite the logistical factors against transferring to the FBS, there are more emotional reasons as well. With the move, Southern would begin playing universities all around the country, leaving behind the history and valued rivalries they’ve built in the SoCon. So why such a big rush to switch conferences? So far, Southern Conference has been good to GSU fans. “I mean we are right at the top of our game in SoCon, we’ve been winning like crazy with championship titles on their way. Why would you want to leave that?” said Baker, “I don’t know about you but there’s no kind if prestige like a championship banner.” R

increases the opportunities for students to be closer to their professors.

“Look at the graduate students.

Researchers are closer to professors students work with faculty what better

GSU is scheduled by the faculty and staff to have a date with opportunity.

research bring math and physics into the classroom.”

Dr. Patterson said that with research

D1 FUTURE [Cont. from 13] According to Baker, “not any time soon.”

He said if we too want to have a program characterized by mediocrity, then transfer.

Baker has a point. It isn’t the smartest move to leave the Southern Conference, of which GSU is reigning champion in football, to go somewhere like the Southeastern Conference or Atlantic Coast Conference where we’d be against nearly 200 year old universities like Auburn, University of Georgia or Louisiana State University, with their over $50 million athletic budgets and top draft picks.

Another issue in the minds of the GSU executives who make this decision is money. Georgia Southern doesn’t have enough funding for every sport to move up a division. “People always start and stop with football”, said Baker, “what the fans need to realize is that we’d need extra funds for all the other sports teams to move up as well, and for that we’re talking major cash.”

Large universities like UGA or the University of Alabama are “flagship institutions” and therefore usually have first pick of state funds as well as, because they’ve been around for so long, have a large number of alumni who give donations.

Because of Georgia Southern’s relatively short life compared to other schools, the number of alumni isn’t especially huge when looking at the older universities that 16 • Southern Reflector Magazine • WINTER 2011

Photography LINDSAY HARTMANN THE GREAT ARENA Paulson Stadium

”

BANG BANG

SHOOTING RANGE COMES TO GSU WILL CAMPUS BE SAFE? WILL THE GUN RULES CHANGE? HOW WILL IT BENEFIT THE UNIVERSITY? By Ayana Moore

W

e hear the words “Think big!” quite often in this fast-paced society, whether it’s in regards to our careers, dreams, or even the ideas we share. It even factors into school. Plenty of us never imagined GSU would grow this tremendously in the short period of time we’ve been here.

A new edition to the ever-expanding Georgia Southern campus is speculated to be constructed within the next year. A Shooting Sports Education Center will soon become available for recreational use to students, faculty, and members of the community.

The center will consist of a firearm shooting range as well as an archery facility.

Thanks to a grant from the federal government to the Department of Natural Resources of $3.2 million, a pledging of $500,000 from the Easton Foundation, $200,000 from the Archery Trade Association, and an estimated $200,000$300,000 of student recreational fees,

this new building will be a state-of-theart facility located across from the RAC pavilion.

“We would eventually like to be a center of excellence for archery,” said Dr. Teresa Thompson, Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at GSU. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to bring some economic development to this part of the state.”

Archery is one of the fastest growing sports in America, said Thompson. The center will provide workshops, camps, and programs for those interested in archery.

With an expanding interest in the sport at Georgia Southern, this new outdoor and indoor facility could not only help to cultivate the skills of student archers, but could also help provide them with scholarships.

“We have been talking to industry leaders to help develop an endowment fund as well as scholarships for those students interested in becoming competitive in

archery,” said Thompson.

Though some concern may surface in light of a fire-arm shooting range being a part of the new center, Georgia Southern is sure to take all necessary precautions when allowing people to use the facility.

“We will need to market strongly that there are no exceptions. You will have to abide by all gun laws,” said Thompson.

“If we do this, there are some really strong safeguards. Anyone who isn’t a university person will have to go through a background check, orientation classes, and then sign an understanding stating that guns are not allowed on campus.”

Providing our community with cutting edge resources, the center will undoubtedly bring a great amount of attention to the GSU campus.

“Though there will be a fire-arm shooting range, our main emphasis will be on archery,” said Thompson. “It’s an opportunity worth pursuing because I think we can maintain a lot of control.” R

WINTER 2011 • Southern Reflector Magazine • 17

THE FIRST TWO YEARS

MONKEN VS. ERK AND PAUL

By JAMES FARMER Photography RANDY HUDGINS

18 • Southern Reflector Magazine • WINTER 2011

H

ere at Georgia Southern University, championship coaches are venerated to an almost worshipful extent.

Everyone knows the names of Paul Johnson and Erk Russell (Tim Stowers also won a national title, but he only won one, so apparently he is not as important).

Erk even has food named after him at two locations at the least.

So where does current head coach Jeff Monken fit into this picture? In 20 years, will kids be eating a Monken at the Market Street Deli while ordering off the Market Street Deli app on their iPad 20? Or will they just see the 2010 SoCon title and say “Are you sure Paul Johnson didn’t win that one?”

After 1.5 (we’ll get to the .5 later) years at the helm of the Eagles football program, he has been a success. He is popular with the boosters because he is legitimately a nice guy (and he’s winning) he is popular with the alumni because he brought back the triple-option they know and love (and he’s winning) and he’s popular with the students because he’s winning.

These things are what we call intangibles in football; there is no measurement for being a nice guy who has the ability to win.

But we can match up the numbers from the first two years and see how things look for the future.

Monken Offense vs. Erk and Paul offense:

Monken’s offense has been great in its second year, finishing 7th in the FCS in scoring. It has produced the SoCon Co-Freshman of the Year in Dominique Swope who put on an amazing two game stretch where he powered the team to a SoCon title and then a Braveheart game against Alabama. (Braveheart game: When you lose but you scare the living crap out of the other team, like in the movie Braveheart) His offense has averaged just over 30 per game in his 1.5 years leading the team and has produced one 1,000 yard rusher. That was Robert Brown last year.

Erk’s triple option averaged 25.1 points per game in his first two seasons at the helm and produced zero 1,000 yard rushers.

Paul Johnson’s triple option had immediate success. He averaged 38.5

points per game in his first two seasons in charge and produced two 1,000 yard rushers, including Adrian Peterson, who rushed for over 1,900 in his first collegiate year. Peterson’s awards speak for themselves, but for the sake of comparison, he also won SoCon Freshman of the Year.

Monken Defense vs. Erk and Paul Defense:

Monken‘s defense has been one of the best in the SoCon during his two years here, posting a shutout of The Citadel in his first year and finishing one touchdown away from allowing the fewest points in the SoCon this year. Monken has benefited greatly from great defensive recruiting from former head coach Chris Hatcher, who gave him SoCon Defensive player of the year Brent Russell, and twotime first team All-SoCon cornerback Laron Scott. His defense has given up 19.3 points per game Erk didn’t have anyone to give him recruits. He just took the club football team and made it into a real football team.

However, these kids were pretty good at getting after that ass on defense, allowing 18 points per game through the first two seasons. They probably would have had some all conference players, if they had been in a conference or whatever.

Johnson’s squad averaged giving up around 21 points per game, which looks bad compared to Erk and Monken.

However, when he put in the third sting defense after blowing teams out of the water early in the game, the oppponets were more likely to score.

Monken wins vs Erk and Paul wins:

This is why Monken has only been a coach for 1.5 seasons. He has completed two regular seasons, but at GSU a coach is measured by postseason success.

Monken has a 20-7 record as the Eagles head coach, including 4-1 so far in the postseason. His overall winning average of 74 percent and regular season average of 73 percent are better than Erk’s were in his first two seasons as head coach.

Speaking of Erk, he did not go to the playoffs in his first two years, posting records of 7-3-1 and 6-5 to have a hohum start to Eagle football. However, for a team that just got started, not having a

Photography LINSDAY HARTMANN

photo left: The iconic Erk Russell statue in Paulson Stadium that bring players good luck. photo above: Monken coaching from the sideline of Bryant-Denny stadium at the game against University of Alabama last November.

losing record is kind of a big deal. And when he did finally make the playoffs, all he did was win it twice in the first two years that GSU made the playoffs.

Paul Johnson sets the bar for first two seasons success at GSU however, going 24-4 (86 percent) to start off his reign as the Eagles head coach. He posted an absurd 20-2 regular season record (91 percent) and had the Eagles reach the championship game by his second season.

So when Monken is compared to the great multi-championship coaches of the past, he stacks up pretty well. He has a better winning percentage than Erk, but then again Erk had to build the program from scratch. Paul Johnson blows his record out of the water, but his team had been running the option and didn’t have to learn it. They also had Adrian Peterson after their first year. That had a lot to do with GSU’s success.

If history repeats itself, then GSU football should win back to back titles again (after all, all six Eagle titles have come in pairs). Fans should definitely expect to see a banner flying over Paulson soon that was won by Monken. R Editor’s note: This issue went to print before the FCS quarterfinal playoff game.

WINTER 2011 • Southern Reflector Magazine • 19

REFLECTOR

REVIEWS

MUSIC

CAMP Childish Gambino iTunes Price: $9.99 Genre: Hip Hop/Rap Released November 15, 2011 Basic principles: no one wakes up and hopes to not find new music. Donald Glover – either you know who he is, or you don’t. You might think he is Danny Glover’s son, but he is not. You might know him by his many other eponyms, like “mcDJ”, “Troy Barnes”, or even possibly “Jerry”. But his most popular alter ago, and the one you will come to know him as, is “Childish Gambino”.

Donald McKinley Glover is a 28 20 • Southern Reflector Magazine • WINTER 2011

year-old NYU graduate and hails from Georgia’s very own, Stone Mountain. He was a former writer for NBC’s Emmy award winning show, “30 Rock”, and heads the sketch comedy group “Derrick Comedy”, whose videos have garnered over 100,000,000 views on YouTube.

Currently, Glover carries a main role on their other critically acclaimed program, “Community”, displays his hilarity through Comedy Central standup specials, and more recently lent his voice to Cartoon Network’s ever popular “Adventure Time”.

When Donald isn’t busy topping his accolades, he raps. And quite skillfully too. In order to separate from his comedic roots, he’s established himself as Childish Gambino. Over the last several years, Childish has been evolving. Rapidly.

Showing distinction early on by rapping over indie songs, he has recorded several projects while sharpening his

lyricism and production skills, with the aid of fellow coworker, Community’s soundtrack composer, Ludwig Göransson.

As a new artist, Childish Gambino has been building a substantial amount of buzz within the last year, captivating the likes of America’s youth and even a nod of approval from Jay-Z. His success has culminated into releasing his first studio album, entitled “Camp”.

Camp is a grand composition consisting of varying themes and diverse subject matter. On the album’s intro “Outside”, Gambino describes his adolescence, expressing an underprivileged background. Although he has not suffered the same level of hardship as most of Hip-Hop’s greats, he has shown that lower-middle class problems are just as difficult through the discussion of financial disability, his cousin’s delinquency, and the all too familiar distant father. Camp’s lead single, “Bonfire” is a glorious display of lyricism. Making use of his talents as a writer, he delivers raw punchlines such as “Butcher, and I know it man. Kill beef, go ham.”. Tracks such as “Fire Fly” and “All the Shine” show his astonishing ability to actually sing well.

Childish Gambino merges Hip-Hop with other genres, including Gospel, R&B, and the previously untapped Europop on “Heartbeat”. Gambino’s infectious crooning of longing for love on the “Kids” and “L.E.S.” is reminiscent of actorturned-rapper counterpart, Drake. But unlike Drizzy, he can control the tone of his voice without the assistance of AutoTune. The genres overlap seamlessly over an orchestral foundation and form a sonic medley. Childish Gambino stays true to the album’s name, from his track titles to his blunt, childlike sincerity found in his lyrics. Overall, Camp is a fluid piece of work and is worthy of its surprising 52,000 first week album sales.

Donald Glover is quickly expanding all corners of the entertainment indusrty, blurring the line between actor and musician. Rap and Hip-Hop. Celebrity and stardom.

So remember his name: Childish Gambino. Coming to a culdesac near you.

N’VANTE SANTOS

REFLECTOR

REVIEWS

HELL ON HEELS Pistol Annies iTunes Price: $7.99 Genre: Country Released August 23, 2011 miranda Lambert, ashley monroe, and angaleena presley are the pistol annies. They each bring their own style and sass to the table. Well-known country singer/songwriter miranda Lambert from East Texas is known as “Lone Star annie”. Singer ashley monroe, born in East Tennessee, is known as “hippie annie”. hailing from the hills of Eastern Kentucky, angaleena presley, “holler annie” completes this femme fetal trio. if i were you, i wouldn’t dare pick a fight or break the heart of one of these southern belles who just happen to be ready to pull the trigger. The pistol annies released their first album together in late august, “hell on heels”, that infuses an array of sweet, twangy, good ole’ country rhythms.

They show off their sweet southern charms in the song “Boys From the South” but let’s not get ahead of our selves. if you think this is just another poppy, bubbly, tooti-fruity kind of album, you better take caution. Take their first single for instance “hell on heels”.

The title alone gives you an image you don’t want to mess with but the song describes the motives and tales of each heartbreaker going in for the kill. The trio, chime together singing, “i’m hell on heels, say what you will. i done made the devil a deal. he made me pretty. he made me smart. now i’m gonna break me a million hearts.” one of my favorite fine qualities to this country album is the way these ladies share stories through each of the ten songs on the album.

To prove to you that they ain’t your ordinary polite and proper southern catch, they spill their honest habits in the ballad “Bad Example”. ashley monroe claims

in the song, “all the girls i grew up with went to college. Their rich daddies bought them a degree. But i’m a third generation bartender. Yeah, and i’m livin’ from a tip jar week to week.” in some of the other songs like “hunter’s Wife” and “Lemon Drop”, they give their harsh blunt truths with the way they feel. if listeners get a chance to hear “hell on heels” they will quickly learn that it is the lady’s way or the highway. They only went behind the backs of their respective managers, publishers, and label reps to form their badass band. “holler annie” angaleena presley justifies the bands femme fatale boldness with the motto, ‘we ask for forgiveness, not permission.’”

RACHEL HALVERSON

WINTER 2011 • Southern Reflector Magazine • 21

REFLECTOR

REVIEWS

FASHION

D

ressing for busy day of class can be a challenge, especially when Statesboro weather can be so unpredictable. Georgia Southern University junior public relations major TINA BELGE and sophomore journalism major SHAUNTEL HALL model alternatives to the classic t-shirt and leggings combo.

MY STYLE IS

“new-age vintage.”

MY STYLE IS “innovative.”

I’M WEARING

Classic pieces but in a vibrant colors. my blouse is victorian style, but in a modern print.”

I’M WEARING

“a tribal print sweater, dark jeans, high boots and a cheetah print bag. This outfit was inspired by my love of my two favorite prints-tribal and cheetah print.”

FAVORITE STORE STORES

MY FAVORITE STORES ARE

“Target and Goodwill”

“The typical Forever21 and

h&ms, but i’ve fallen in love with thrift stores.”

GO-TO ACCESSORIES

“my michael Kors gold watch. it’s very classy and sophisticated but can be worn with virtually any pieces.”

SHAUNTEL’S INSPIRATION (PICTURED LEFT) “My typical outfit for class is always simple, chic, cute and

comfortable. With all the traveling a lot of us students have to do back and forth around campus its best to always think “cute but comfy.”

22 • Southern Reflector Magazine • WINTER 2011

GO-TO ACCESSORIES GO-

“i don’t think you can go wrong with lace-up boots and a heavy scarf.”

TINA’S INSPIRATION (PICTURED RIGHT)

For style ideas, Tina looks to celebrities like Zooey Deschanel, Rachel Zoe, and Katy perry. “Rachel Zoe always dresses well, and i secretly like Katy perry, especially her 1960’s allamerican look, although most of her outfits are too over the top for me.”

REFLECTOR

REVIEWS

A

nyone can write a blog but only a few can make theirs stand out. Georgia Southern University junior fashion design major MELANIE TIBAYAN has accomplished this through unique pairings illustrating her passion of creating food and clothing.

SHAUNTEL HALL sits down with melanie to find out what inspired her to create her blog, CHICKEN AND CARDIGANS, in may of 2011.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BEGIN COOKING?

“When i came to Georgia Southern, that’s when i learned how to cook. i used to watch the Food network all the time and that’s when i starting cooking because i was living on my own and i didn’t have my parents anymore to cook for me.”

WHAT BEGAN YOUR LOVE FOR FASHION?

“in middle school and high school i actually used to have my little hustle before i was old enough to get a job. it wasn’t really that much of fashion. i knew the basics of sewing things but i did little things like customizing shirts and tops. Either like cutting them up or painting little designs. But that’s how i got into fashion; it was pretty much the handbags and trying to get money when i was younger.”

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ASPECTOF FOOD AND FASHION?

“my favorite thing about fashion is texture and how different textures can make the colors look different and it can look completely different on everyone’s body. Food is kind of like the same way. Different textures just make a big difference in everything.”

WHAT DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO WALK AWAY THINKING AFTER THEY HAVE LOOKED AT YOUR BLOG?

“Wow! That’s cool! i really do want people to know that the clothes that i do create are different than other things that are out there- you know mass production, things like at forever 21;something completely different than that.”

HOW HAS GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AFFECTED YOUR TALENT IN FASHION?

“The fashion department has helped me out a lot. Before my first sewing class i knew basics but those were like home basics. i didn’t know the industrial basics. i didn’t know the technical differences; you know different techniques on how to sew. There’s just so much you need to know that you could probably just research but it’s much better to know from a professional. For example Dr. ahn, Dr. Botkin, and Dr. Wallace are three great fashion professors that i’ve had and have taught me so much from fashion fundamentals, apparel analysis, and actual sewing. They have taught me so much and without them i wouldn’t know what i am doing.

WHAT WAS YOUR CREATIVE DISH THAT WENT WRONG?

“it was the Red Lobster cheddar biscuits. my friend made me them and they were so good. When i make recipes i don’t really read directions, i just read ingredients and try to just do it myself. What i did was i melted the butter so the biscuits came out flat. They still tasted good. They weren’t biscuits they were like pita bread. That was like the one thing that went wrong. it was nothing drastic because i’m not talented enough to just do stuff on my own. i play around with spices but they have to like have to come from a recipe. i’m not one of those people that just do whatever and it comes out perfect, except for macaroni and cheese that the only thing that comes out like that because it’s really simple.

But everything else i have to read the recipe carefully.”

Photos courtesy of Melanie Tibayan

WINTER 2011 • Southern Reflector Magazine • 23

REFLECTOR

REVIEWS

BOOKS

GAME OF THRONES

By George R. R. Martin

Amazon Price: $8.99 While “The Game of Thrones” television show follows a group of characters interacting with each other in a way not dissimilar to “The Lord of the Rings”, the book George Martin creates is a world in desperate need of 24 • Southern Reflector Magazine • WINTER 2011

Sparknotes.

The continuous story line of the book is about the Lord of Winterfell, Eddard Stark, and his sons. However, with more than five children as well as an illegitimate son, there is an excess of plot lines that become difficult to follow.

The book isn’t something to recommend unless made blatantly clear of its downfalls.

Every chapter is a new perspective from a different character. The chaotic writing as well as the sporadic characters is typical of a man that sits alone in his basement making up fairytales about men as kings and women

their sexual servants who crave to be second to man’s power.

The main character is nonexistent because there are 12 of them. Because of this, the story has no direction because there are 12 directions.

First chapter, the audience is thrown into the middle of a scouting mission in the North when a horde of snow monsters attacks the group.

Chapter two, we hear from the Stark family. Not long after that in another chapter, the audience is thrust into the plotline of Daenerys, a thirteen year old about to be married off to a barbarian king by her molesting brother.

These chapters may be taking place anywhere. Clarity of location is something Martin didn’t care for. After further reading, the audience finds that in fact, Daenerys and her brother are across the country planning a rebellion. No big deal. We’ll just have to reconfigure the entire plot running through our minds.

“The Game of Thrones” is a book of medieval knights and kings and lords but with a twist. Not very original, Mr. Martin.

There are dragons, direwolves and swords with names. The addiction to this storyline is a key element of pop culture. So the draw to this type of plot is obvious. But Martin doesn’t succeed. His execution is lacking focus. It’s inconsistent and a mess of ideas.

Though books tend to be better than their film or show adaption, this novel is not one of them. The show gave direction to a chaotic world of imagery and over-description.

It truly wasn’t until 200 pages into the book that the stories began to come together.

Till then, it was hard to know whom did what.

Which for most, 200 pages into a novel is far beyond one’s threshold of patience.

The show is successful because it is easier to follow, the characters have direction, and the director has a more cohesive and accurate idea of human interaction. The book just isn’t conducive to clean, enjoyable reading. It is a book you need a day and a half to finish or you’ll be clutching the outline you had to write just to keep up.

Simply finishing the first book was enough to deter further reading. For once, the show is better.

GRACE KESSNICH

OFFICE HOURS

WITH JULIE MCGUIRE ART HISTORY PROFESSOR

“It’s my own personal space; I mean I could rent this out in New York City as an efficiency apartment and make a lot of money I think if you just add a refridgerator and a hot place.”

“I do my writing here and preparing for classes, so you know I want it to be like a living space. Not just like an office, but you know, I’ve got my grading chair... its a comfy chair.”

I’m a visual person so I pick up postcards and plastic, and I don’t know, just dumb stuff.”

“My work is very autobiographical, like my office is like a work of art.

I like off juxtapositions of things, you know, things that make you do a double take. Things that strike me and make me have to do something about it.”

“Someone had a tiny plastic urinal at a show, and so its become my candy jar which i think is gunny cause I fill it with Dumdum’s and Smarties. That’s my standard for candy.

I

n the corner, typing on her computer in a room as fun and inviting as she is, sits this warm and colorful art professor when not teaching. Surrounded by sculptures, paintings, and jars of pickled German class notes, JULIE MCGUIRE opens up to COLEEN CUREAU about being an artist and finding inspiration. “most of the stuff you see around here is sort of a collection of my time being here,” she said of her eclectic office space. “i just recently picked up some cool exhibition posters at the high museum with students and

saw the picasso and Warhol, so some of them are student works. i’m an art historian but i’m an artist too so i kind of have the best of both worlds.” perhaps the most unique thing in her office comes from her own college days. “When i took German in graduate school and failed miserably, i took all my notes and i actually pickled them in the end. i ripped them up very therapeutically and then i pickled them,” said mcGuire.

While this may seem strange to some its just one example of how mcGuire can make anything into art.

WINTER 2011 • Southern Reflector Magazine • 25

REFLECTOR

REFLECTIONS

Colleen McNally considers...

EXPANSION

V

Construction at the site of the new Biology building Photography by LINDSAY HARTMANN

isiting Georgia Southern as a high school senior is as clear in my memory now as if it happened yesterday. In the information session, one future student’s father was reminiscing about his own undergraduate experience spent in Statesboro. Although, he explained that it was a very different school then. In those days, he was one of only about 5,000 students. He simply couldn’t believe how much the school had grown, including four times the amount of enrolled students.

How cool it must be to visit and see the progress, I thought to myself.

During that first visit, I was stubborn and thought I had my future figured out. GSU was a originally a back-up plan, but the university exceeded my expectations. I don’t believe this is out of the ordinary for many students.

However, I do believe my experience here, since, has been extraordinary.

For one thing, our admissions staff recruits students with a warm Southern hospitality and one simple phrase to describe our school: “Georgia’s large-scale, small-feel research university.”

It’s a delicate balance to maintain.

Now in my sophomore year, I’ve come to

26 • Southern Reflector Magazine • WINTER 2011

understand and appreciate the truth of this statement.

I love my smaller classes. I love teachers that call on me by name. I love walking to class down the Pedestrium or sitting in Starbucks each morning and seeing familiar faces, or meeting someone new. I love cheering on our football team from the grassy hill of Paulson Stadium.

I’m proud of these things, and I don’t keep them to myself. I want others to see how they can connect with the small-feel, while benefitting from the large-scale aspects of GSU. During my time here, I’ve had the privilege of working with the Office of Admissions to help recruit and orient new students. At these events students are drawn in, especially by the buzzing excitement of growth.

I generally consider myself an optimist, however, some negative connotations come to mind with the word “growth”. Growth could mean tenured professors replaced by their less experienced, temporary professors.

Growth could mean ugly parking decks.

Growth could mean longer lines at Starbucks (I already don’t understand how baristas

handle it now). Growth could mean a different atmosphere on game days in Paulson.

I’m a little skeptical of growth and how it will affect our campus. For example, is a shooting range really a top priority?

Could enrollement maybe stay at 20,000 students and become a more academically competitive 20,000?

Don’t get me wrong. At the same time, I love the excitement of campus expanding.

I’m looking forward to walking through the Biology building (although, let’s be honest, I’m not looking forward to taking classes there - I’m a Journalism major).

I’m looking forward to the same feeling of pride that that one father had the day I first visited GSU. That is, as long as the delicate balance between old traditions and new ones is maintained.

Either way, change is inevitable. While I may initially resist it, I ultimately have faith that the school is in good hands as it transitions into the future. After all, it’s been doing pretty well so far. GSU surprised me once, so GSU could surprise me again.

Maybe one day I’ll be the parent visiting my alma mater, musing over the effects of another 15,000 increase in enrollment.

OVERHEARD AT SOUTHERN People say crazy things in public. Here are some of those crazy things that were heard right here in Statesboro.

People say crazy things in public. Here are some of those crazy things that were heard right here in Statesboro.

If you hear something and feel the urge to share, tweet us at @gsuReflector. This WILL be a regular feature.

The WILL be a regular feature.

i JUST WANT TO GET DRUNK AND CLIMB ON A TRACTOR. overheard IN THE LIBRARY

i dont know what kind of world she lives in where she doesn't eat cookies everyday but i don't want to live in that world. overheard in copper beech

DiD YOU GUYS KNOW THE MAYO CLINIC ACTUALLY HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH MAYONNAISE? overheard IN LANDRUM

What's up with all the army guys riding motor cycles? i mean they're already living on the edge, they're going to war. overheard outside newton

I don't care if he might be gay, at least he treats me right. overheard outside starbucks

I love poetry, lil wayne is my favorite. overheard in newsroom

i just like to pet people! overheard at don 's

we can take the bus... that's how i always get to happy hour. overheard AT CAMPUS CROSSING WINTER 2011 • Southern Reflector Magazine • 27

28 • Southern Reflector Magazine • WINTER 2011