Volume 88 Issue 8
March 11, 2015
What to do at VSU Bake Sale- Do you need a break from classes? Let NAfMEC help you satisfy your mid-day sweet tooth. Join them in the Student Union from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Come for the sweets, stay for the music. Game Night - If games and froyo sound like a good Thursday afternoon to you, head over to The Mix with Women of Diversity. The games will be from 3-7 p.m.
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University of Oklahoma SAE under microscope after racist video goes viral
Beloved mass media professor dies Jyrell Wynn
John Preer
STAFF WRITER jdwynn@valdosta.edu Dr. Laurence Etling, an associate professor of Mass Media at VSU since 1999, died this week. Dr. Etling taught a number of classes in the College of the Arts, including radio and television announcing and audio production. Late Wednesday night, many of Dr. Etling’s students expressed sadness as they remembered him fondly. “Dr. Etling was a humble, kind and knowledgeable man,” Morgan Matthews, a mass media student, said. “We always knew he had a passion for what he did and made sure his students had all the proper resources to succeed.” Many students remembered him as a kind-hearted teacher. “He was an easy going professor who had a sweet spirit,” Taymara Tait, a student of Etling’s, said. “He will definitely be missed.” Radio was Etling’s area of expertise, and his interest led to first book in 2011. After working as a disc jockey for 15 years, he became fascinated with movies about radio stations and DJs that led him to research movies for over a year with radio as the subject.
See ETLING, page 3
VSU student Matthew Tito reported a robbery on Toombs Street on March 9.
Student charged with falsifying robbery Cole Edwards
MULTIMEDIA EDITOR csedwards@valdosta.edu The VSU student who was arrested on Tuesday for falsifying a robbery report has hired a lawyer and hopes to prevent any further action from being taken against him. VSU police arrested Matthew Tito, 21, of Snellville, Georgia, and charged him with falsifying a robbery report. Tito was traken to the Lowndes County Jail, but is no longer an inmate there. President William McKinney sent out on an email on Tuesday morning thanking police officers for their “diligent” work and stating that a thorough investigation revealed Monday’s report to be false. Later, police determined the report to be false. Tito said he was unsure of actions being taken by the
“If he says it happened, then I believe him.” -Dennis May, former student
school, so he did not wish to give any reason for VSU to expel him. “I cannot comment at this time,” Tito, senior theater major, said. “I have been advised by my lawyer to not speak on the matter until things are resolved…. I’m sorry but I’m just looking out for myself and my case right now.” Tito plans to resume his education here at VSU. “As long as I am allowed, I will be attending classes,” Tito said late Wednesday
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The Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter of Oklahoma University has been in national headlines lately for a video that surfaced on social media last week. The video depicts several members of SAE on a bus singing a racially charged song full of derogatory terms for African-Americans. After the video went viral, OU immediately disbanded the chapter and suspended several members. The university’s response was swift and heavy-handed, expelling two members Monday morning. The SAE frat house has been cleared out and the Greek letters have been removed from the building. In lieu of the events at OU, the SAE fraternity has been under heavy scrutiny concerning their member diversity and history of racially charged incidents. The VSU chapter of SAE found itself in hot water after members flew a Confederate flag on the Front Lawn in 2009. The chapter was ordered to immediately remove the flag or face disciplinary actions.
See ROBBERY , page 3
See SAE, page 3 ITALY
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night. VSU police originally sent out an email on Monday afternoon reporting an armed robbery at the intersection of Brookwood Drive and Toombs Street. The initial call revealed the incident to be an armed robbery but was later amended to be an unarmed incident. In the initial email, the suspect was described as a black male, approximately 6’2”, 200 pounds, and wearing dark gym shorts and a yellow shirt. Police have not yet said whether any incident took place or how they figured out the report was false. A friend of Tito’s said that that charges against Tito were out of character and that Tito would never make up something to get in trouble this far into his collegiate career.
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Is study abroad really worth it? Tatyana Phelps
COPY EDITOR tnphelps@valdosta.edu The cost of not studying abroad may be even more costly than the money that comes out of your pocket for a school trip to a foreign country. VSU offers several study abroad trips each year, with a wide variety of courses and programs. Although studying
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abroad can be a bit expensive, research shows that students who study abroad gain tons of career experience, cultural experience, and tend to be more employable. 90 percent of employers believe that students who have studied in another country are more likely to possess skills such as cross-cultural communication skills and cultural awareness, which are some of the most important traits to
employers, according to data from Frontiers Journal and Amerispan that was featured in a Course Hero infographic. Kenneth Buff, a middle school teacher assistant, once studied abroad in Europe during his undergraduate college career. “It’s difficult to ignore the fact that studying abroad comes at a very real price,” Buff said in a New York Times article. “But it’s a price
Inside This Issue
- OPINIONS: Pedestrians/ drivers need to be more cautious - FEATURES: Evening of Geniuses enlightens crowd - SPORTS: VSU veers into victory
that can be measured both by money and by experience. The economic price, the price of the airfare and transportation, the room, the food and the tuition cost, will vary from program to program. “But the cost of not going is the same for every trip; it lowers the chances of success in the ever-globalizing world that we live in – a world where bilingual is the international norm, and where
multiculturalism is becoming the standard of our country,” Buff said. Dr. Cristobal Serran-Pagan is teaching world religions and Spanish mysticism to a group of students from all over Georgia during VSU’s Madrid, Spain, study abroad program this summer from July 2 to Aug. 7.
See ABROAD , page 2
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PAGE 2 | VSUSPECTATOR.COM
MARCH 12, 2015
New law seeks to protect bargoers Jordan Barela
Digital Editor jlbarela@valdosta.edu &
Alex Corbitt
Staff Writer acorbitt@valdosta.edu &
Erin Martin
Staff Writer erimartin@valdosta.edu A proposed law could lead to a radical change in the popular Remerton bars. Michael’s Law, or HB 152, would implement numerous changes to the way bars are run, not just in Remerton, but across Georgia. Michael Gatto, an 18-yearold freshman at Georgia Southern University, was killed by a bouncer at Rude Rudy’s, a bar in Statesboro, Georgia, last August. Fol lowing the death of their son,
Abroad
Continued from page 1 Students who go will have the opportunity to take class es in beginning, intermediate and advanced level Spanish, as well as introductory and/or upper level classes in anthro pology, art, English, music or religion.
Michael and Kathy Lee Gatto drafted Michael’s Law. The biggest rule would require bars to have Liquor Liability Insurance. This law would establish a minimum amount of insurance in order for a bar to have a liquor license. “I think Liquor Liability should always be covered, and it’s definitely worth it since you never know what can happen,” Scott Taylor, owner of Mulligans in Remer ton, said. Taylor already has Liquor Liability Insurance and hopes other bars get it so they can be covered as well. The new bill would also require bouncers, servers, and bartenders to be at least 21. Bar employees would also have to attend classes rang ing from 3-16 hours. These
classes would help employees learn how to properly diffuse altercations and inspect IDs. The implementation of these new regulations could cost bar owners, and the prices of drinks and other ser vices could rise to compensate for the cost of the proposed regulations. Also with the passing of the bill, a victim’s family would have all medical expenses and bills covered. “I’ve noticed that some bars are stricter than others, but it would be assuring to know that all of them had the same set of rules,” Taylor Keels, junior biology major, said. The bill is currently going through the approval process in the Georgia House of Rep resentatives.
In an email sent out to all VSU students, Serran-Pagan said that the cost of this trip is the lowest it has been in 11 years. “(Studying abroad) expands your horizons and education about other cultures,” SerranPagan said. According to VSU’s fee schedule for undergraduates, a traditional three-hour course at
VSU costs about $510. How ever, students don’t only pay for a class; they also pay sev eral other fees, and they pay either for rent or for their resi dence hall. Overall, the aver age full-time student ends up paying around $6,000 for one semester, which is between 15 and 16 weeks. On the other hand, the trip to Madrid costs $5,495 for a five-week program, which in cludes airfare, transportation, housing, food, and excursions. However, tuition, textbooks, extra meals, entrance fees, weekend travel expenses, passport and related expenses, spending money and miscel laneous costs are not included in this. Serran-Pagan said that al though a downside to study
The sudoku grid consists of eighty-one squares in a nine by nine grid. To solve the sudoku, each square in the grid must contain a number between one and nine, with the following conditions: Each row of nine cells must contain each of the numbers from 1 to 9 once and only once. Each column of nine cells must contain each of the numbers from 1 to 9 once and only once. Each of the nine 3 by 3 boxes of nine cells must contain each of the numbers from 1 to 9 ANSWER ON PAGE 5
· · ·
The Spectator prints free classifieds for current students of Valdosta State University only. These must be no more than 40 words, or a $9.30 charge will apply. Classifieds for faculty, staff, student organizations, studentowned businesses and the general public cost $9.30 for up to 40 words. Ads should be sent to the Spectator or delivered to our office in 1238 Hop per Hall. The deadline is
Photo Illustration by Stella Henderson/THE SPECTATOR
Michael’s Law, named after a college freshman killed by a bouncer in Statesboro, Georgia, proposes stricter guidelines for Georgia bars and their employees. The law is currently going through the approval process in the Georgia House of Representatives.
abroad is its financial expense, there are definitely more posi tives. “(Students get) hands-on experiences, plenty of field trips, research, learning about new languages and new cul tures, networking with new groups of friends that you meet on these trips,” SerranPagan said. “Not only can you take credits while you are studying abroad, but you are learning new languages which shows that you can adapt to different cultures and you can adopt a more global vision of the world in which we live. “Many companies are look ing for this type of profile in a graduate student. It is good for the C.V., for your personal ca reer and for your personal edu cation,” Serran-Pagan said.
Studying abroad also has a big impact on students’ career plans. According to the Course Hero infographic, 35 per cent of students who studied abroad made a notable differ ence in their career plans; 27 percent made a moderate dif ference; 20 percent made a significant difference and 14 percent made a minor differ ence. Course Hero also notes that the main difference made in students’ career plans is the desire to work in a different country. Gabrielle Rodriguez, senior criminal justice major, learned much more than psychology during her study abroad trip in Czech Republic. “I gained how to be a lot more independent and respon
sible,” Rodriguez said. “It was a real learning experience about life in another part of the world. The only negative was that the trip was too short — 28 days — but other than that, the study abroad was great.” Rodriguez feels that taking a class abroad outweighs tak ing a regular semester-long course. “It was very easy to get the credit,” Rodriguez said. “The classes were two to three hours long, but to have it knocked out in four weeks was worth it. If I took a nor mal class, I would be stressed so much, but taking it in a dif ferent country meant that the classes involved more handson experiences and we never used a textbook once.”
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MARCH 12, 2015
VSUSPECTATOR.COM | PAGE 3
Upcoming Events
SAE
Science Seminar Series
Steele Memorial Service
March 12 4-5 p.m. Powell Hall Auditorium
March 17 3 p.m. McLane Riverview Memorial Gardens
Dr. Ryan Range from Mississippi State University’s biology department will give a lecture titled “A Wnt signaling network positions and patterns the anterior neuroectoderm in sea urchin embryos.” This lecture is free and open to the public.
Free Movie in the Union: “Dracula Untold” March 13-14, 7-10 p.m. March 15, 3-6 p.m.
Road Clean-Up March 14 8 a.m. UC Lot Rack up an easy volunteer hour or two with the Women of Diversity and help clean up the UC parking lot.
Orchestra Performance/ Food Drive The Valdosta Symphony Orchestra is once again participating in the annual Orchestras Feeding America National Food Drive, sponsored by the League of American Orchestras. VSU and the community are asked to support the VSO’s efforts by donating a nonperishable food item during the food drive, which ends Sunday, March 15. Donations may be dropped off at the Fine Arts Building or at the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts. Donations will also be accepted during the VSO’s “Flicker: Symphonic Celebration of the Silent Age” concert at 8 p.m. on Friday, March 13, in Whitehead Auditorium. Contact Dr. Howard Hsu at hphsu@valdosta.edu to learn more. Note: The VSO cannot accept items in glass jars or bottles, items that are unlabeled, dented cans, homemade foods, expired products, monetary donations, any open or resealed packages, clothing, diapers, other nonfood items or perishable foods.
Photo Scavenger Hunt March 16 All Day VSU Campus How well do you know VSU? Test your detective skills, creativity and speed in CAB’s Photo Scavenger Hunt. For more details contact nshamilton@valdosta.edu.
VSU’s Environment of Business class will host a short ceremony to honor and remember Rae and Lillian Steele, the couple that North Campus is named after. The Steeles’ generous donations to the university ignited the pursuit for better outcomes in learning, teaching and research. All are welcome to attend.
Campus Media Head Applications Available The Spectator Newspaper: Editor-in-Chief On Tap Magazine: Managing Editor WVVS-BLAZE-fm Radio: Station Manager Odradek Literary Magazine: Managing Editor For position descriptions and application forms, please go to http://www.valdosta.edu/ccb. Applications are due by 2 p.m. on March 23. Applications may be emailed to rvickery@ valdosta.edu or turned in to the Office of Student Life, Student Union #3118.
North Campus: Let Your Feedback, Feed Back! V-State Dining is offering a customer service survey, complete with rewards! Every participant will receive a free medium drip coffee and cinnamon twist from Einstein Bros Bagels located in the Health and Sciences Building on North Campus. The link is http://tinyurl.com/mmryas8.
Continued from page 1 SAE is no stranger to these kinds of incidents. The fraternity was founded in the antebellum South and many founding members even fought for the Confederate Army during the Civil War. SAE officially denounced the former members’ actions and have expressed regret to any who were offended by the video. However, the members that were expelled from OU claim that other members of the fraternity taught them the song. An investigation by the fraternity supported their claim, and according to the official SAE website, “Our investigation has found very likely that the men learned
Police Briefs March 8 A student reported that his backpack was taken from his car on March 5 while it was parked in the Oak Street Lot.
March 6 Police arrested and charged a driver, a 35-year-old Valdosta resident, with possession of cocaine, misdemeanor possession of marijuana, driving on a suspended license and no tag light. Police tried to stop the vehicle on Oak Street, but the driver fled before finally stopping at the intersection of Patterson and Ann Street.
Did you lose an item on campus? Check with the VSU Police on the Sustella Parking Deck’s second floor to see if your lost item was recovered.
Happy ‘Tator Day!
the song from fellow chapter members, which reiterates why Sigma Alpha Epsilon did not hesitate to close the chapter completely because of the culture that may have been fostered in the group.” In a statement given by Parker Rice, one of the members expelled from OU, the incident was “likely fueled by alcohol consumed at the house before the bus trip.” However, alcohol may not be a sufficient excuse. Some allegations against the fraternity go back more than two decades. “Several other incidents with chapters or members have been brought to the attention of the headquarters staff and leaders, and each of those instances will be investigated for further action,” SAE said in a statement.
Robbery
Etling
“I don’t think Matthew would lie to the police about a mugging that didn’t happen,” Dennis May, a former VSU student, said. “If he says it happened, then I believe him.” The new report has continued discussion among students regarding campus safety. “There have been a lot of robberies recently, so I would say I feel safe, but at the same time, not safe because people are getting robbed in daylight now, not just at night,” Jasmine Reid, sophomore healthcare administration major, said. “I feel safer when I see the cops on campus, instead of trolling around, giving people tickets.”
His book “Radio in the Movies: A History and Filmography, 1926-2010” included chapters that discussed radio film themes, famous DJs, sports broadcasting, religious radio and eccentric listeners in movies. On Wednesday night, students remembered him as a professor who maintained a professional interest that he shared with his classes. “No matter how long he had been in the media sector, he always stayed on top of popular culture and taught me a thing or two about what was really going on,” Matthews said. “Being able to attend classes with him was always a special experience.”
Continued from page 1
Continued from page 1
PAGE 4 | VSUSPECTATOR.COM
MARCH 12, 2015
Risky business on Facebook
Our point of view...
Jyrell Wynn
Staff Writer jdwynn@valdosta.edu If you add a professor or boss as a friend on social media, you run the risk of crossing the line. They have a mission to teach students or better their company, not make friends online. Adding your boss or professor on Facebook can cause strife in the workplace. According to a PR Newswise survey, 68 percent of executives felt uncomfortable about being friended by those they manage. Allowing your employer to see your Facebook activity causes problems for you. If
you are online, at work or in school, there will be a notice that says that you are on Facebook and you will be punished for your decision. Pictures from parties or other events can cause tension in the office or school setting, which can cause your employer or professor to think less of you. When you post a message or status that is meant to be private, the authority figure will still be able to read your message and discover your opinions and maybe secrets. You already
Jordan Hill/THE SPECTATOR
Adding employers and professors on social media networks is a questionable move.
have to check your privacy settings and watch your actions online. Adding an extra component will only cause more stress. You can still have a good relationship with your boss or professor without using Facebook to communicate.
Alison Stephen
Drivers/pedestrians need to be more cautious
E
very driver has experienced it — some carefree pedestrian taking his or her sweet time to stroll across a busy street. Every pedestrian has gone through it— some irresponsible driver speeding through an intersection in some inexplicable hurry to get nowhere important. Many VSU students have the pleasure of experiencing both sides of the coin because they have to commute to campus then walk to class, often crossing busy intersections on the way. It’s no secret that Valdosta isn’t the most pedestrian-friendly city. Bike lanes are sparse and roads with adequate crossing signals are hard to come by. With this in mind, pedestrians should be aware that the cards aren’t stacked in their favor when they venture out into the street. Every driver isn’t making sure he or she observes every yield sign or gives the right of way to students walking to class. If you find yourself walking to your destinations, take some simple precautions to ensure your safety. For example, putting your phone in your pocket as you cross the street is a good idea. Also, unless you’re Usain Bolt, five seconds is not enough time to make it across. Lastly, be aware of your surroundings. No pedestrian has ever won a game of chicken with half a ton of moving steel. Drivers shouldn’t get too comfortable either. The simple fact that you are behind
the wheel places a greater responsibility in your hands. Hopefully, you have received training and been deemed proficient enough to operate a vehicle before you get in the driver’s seat. Therefore, you as the driver should be aware of people walking and be willing to yield if possible. Some drivers can get understandably complacent after years of driving and attempt to bend the rules a little, but under no circumstances is picking up speed to catch a red light acceptable. Both parties are at fault here, but there is one thing both can agree on: street signage can be improved around campus. With Lizzie Lohmar’s tragic death still fresh in our memories, why haven’t there been more improvements to the major intersections on campus? Many of the intersecting streets on Patterson near the Front Lawn will give drivers the green light and pedestrians the sign to walk, leaving the decision to yield up to either person. Allotting definite times for drivers and pedestrians individually may be more time consuming, but may also be a safer option. Until these infrastructural improvements can be made, some social changes may be needed. Drivers should be more willing to yield and pedestrians should be more aware of oncoming traffic regardless of right-ofway.
This editorial was written by a member of the editorial staff and expresses the general opinion of The Spectator.
Net neutrality is thebomb.com Kenzie Kesselring
Asst. Opinions Editor klkesselring@valdosta.edu Net neutrality is one of the most confusing but relevant topics being discussed in the media in the past month. There are a lot of ins and outs to the laws being discussed about net neutrality, but the concept isn’t all that
complicated. Net neutrality is the notion that Internet providers aren’t allowed to pick and choose whose content travels faster, which sites get access to what and how much companies have to pay for Internet. While it would be nice to be able to watch Netflix faster than you can log onto Blazeview, without net neutrality the Internet wouldn’t be a place where ideas can flow freely and fairly throughout the world. The Internet is one of the main birthplaces of new ideas in our culture. If the concept of net neutrality didn’t exist, the Internet wouldn’t be as beneficial as it is today. Money is key in almost all aspects of life, but the Internet shouldn’t be one of those places. Without net neutrality, new businesses, smaller companies and start up websites would be crushed by big companies who have been around for ages. This would hold the potential to cripple innovation in our country, and that is the last thing America needs. America is supposed to be the land of opportunities and freedoms. If net neutrality were to become non-existent in our country, the Internet would no longer hold America’s values.
MCT Campus
Spectator Staff Copy Editors: Opinions Editor:
Editor-in-Chief: Elan Waite Print Editor: John Stephen Digital Editor: Jordan Barela Advertising Manager: Aimee Napier Business Manager: Kristen Varney Circulation Manager: Kailyn Middleton
Jordan Hill Features Editor: John Preer Sports Editor: Kristin Whitman Photo Editor: Tyra Mills Stella Henderson Multimedia Editor: Cole Edwards Web Editor: Kayla Stroud
Tatyana Phelps Adrienne Fry Graphic Designers: Mike LaGon, Savannah Hensley Faculty Advisers: Dr. Pat Miller, Dr. Ted Geltner, Cindy Montgomery Reporters/Photographers: Lia Armistead, Niamini Carlyle-Hollis, Alex Corbitt, Tierra Francois, Zenobia Harris, Ivey Ingalls-Rubin, Kenzie Kesselring, Kailee Kivett, Erin Martin, Stuart Price, Chris Webb, Austin Wells
Story by Jordan Hill/THE SPECTATOR Illustration by Kayla Stroud/THE SPECTATOR
Letter to the Editor
VSU professor stresses the need for humanism in education and politics (I write this several days before the University of Oklahoma banned SAE for racist behavior.) Readers will know that VSU has been criticized on many fronts over the past several months: draconian budget cuts; alarming faculty reductions; the Mark George debacle. Indeed, the faculty senate contemplated a no-confidence motion against members of the administration recently. The administration countered that it is upholding its mission to enroll, retain, and graduate students. What do readers think? Do the administration’s priorities align with your educational ideals? Should higher education be reduced to employment training? Should university graduates depart with an understanding of their fellow human beings? Is there still a place on the agenda for humanism? Permit me a couple of anecdotes. Several months ago, a former student and now an Air Force Captain, wrote to me from Afghanistan: “Throughout my career I have never forgotten what I learned in Anthropology . . . [While] most soldiers/airmen in Af-
ghanistan look at the locals as ‘targets’ and call them ‘hajjis,’ I see them as people with an interesting social structure and belief system. Just the other day, I had a conversation with a local interpreter who wanted to talk about the role of women in Afghan versus American society. Conversations like that make me thankful for everything I learned in your class.” Now compare that with a tweet from a VSU fraternity member, which another distressed student — noting that we have many Muslims on campus — called to my attention, asking whether it might constitute hate speech: “This is a photo a US drone caught. A Muslim ISIS having sex with a donkey. Fuck Muslims. They are all disgusting freak shows.” And read what another student reported to me last fall after leaving class: “As I walked toward my car, I heard loud chanting . . . . There were about twenty white males standing in the front yard of the [fraternity] engaging in military-style call-and-response drills. Four white males led the others marching in place around the
premises. One leader held an object resembling some sort of weapon as he instructed the others. . . . The men yelled, ‘I put my hands on her breast, she said KA you’ve passed the test,’ and ‘I placed my hand on her twat, she said KA you’ve found the spot.’ This continued for five minutes. . . . I was forced to drive past the men, who repeated these expletives. I was extremely frightened waiting at the stop light at the intersection of Williams and Ann Street.” For the record, this student reported this incident to the administration but has yet to receive any follow up. So I put it to you, readers: Do these incidents merit a response? Does rampant misogyny and misanthropy call into question the value of a degree from VSU? I teach Anthropology, a discipline devoted to the question of what it means to be human and to promoting intercultural understanding — a skill as valuable as any other on the curriculum, in this educator’s opinion. Matthew Richard Associate Professor
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MARCH 12, 2015
VSUSPECTATOR.COM | PAGE 5
Evening of Geniuses enlightens crowd Zenobia Harris
Asst. College Life Editor znharris@valdosta.edu Dozens of VSU students flooded Whitehead Auditorium last Friday night as Media Arts Geniuses prepared to host their third Annual Evening of Geniuses awards show. VSU students arrived dressed to impress for the show which featured a variety of live performances and awards. The show was hosted by David Burdette and Marissa Daniels, both members of Media Arts Geniuses. Before the show, members of MAG and performers spent hours getting ready backstage,
rehearsing and preparing for the show to begin. Catherine Ray, the event coordinator for MAG, was one of the busiest people that evening. However, she kept a level head and was quite eager to see the group’s months of hard work unfold, even though they had less time to prepare for the show than usual. “We started preparing, I think at the end of January, and it was crunch time after that,” Ray said. We usually have at least three or four months to work on it and this time it was like a month and a half, and we had to push it out.” Ray says that nobody expected the show to become as big as it has in such a short
Photo courtesy of Elaine Krivsky
Hosts David Burdette and Marrisa Daniels entertain audience between performances.
amount of time, but she has high hopes for the show in the future. “It all started, kind of like we didn’t know it was going to be an annual thing,” Ray said. “We were just like ‘let’s do an awards show for students.’ It happens for the Grammy’s. It happens for all these actors and stuff like that. Let’s do it for the students. “And when we started it, we didn’t know it was gonna be that big. After the first year, we were like we have to go bigger,” Ray said. The show featured a combination of live and filmed performances by MAG members including two rap cyphers, poetry, dancing, singing and even a skit entitled “Selfish Wayez,” which was performed by MAG members Carla Paige, Mikey Sanders and Brandon Preston. Some of the award recipients on Friday night included Collegiate Men of VSU for “Favorite Student Organization,” Hall vs. Hall Stroll Off for “Favorite Event of The Year,” Juwan Andrews and Ashleigh Mansfield for “Mr. and Miss Superlative,” and the award for
Suge Knight homicide; Gaye family wins trial Kayla Stroud
Web Editor kistroud@valdosta.edu Angie Stone Arrested According to TMZ, singer Angie Stone was arrested for domestic aggravated assault after an altercation that involved both her and her 30-year-old daughter, Diamond. Stone allegedly punched her in the face, knocking out her front teeth. Stone claims that she was defending herself with a metal stand and accidentally hit her. Her daughter has come out stating otherwise. Stone was later released. Suge Knight Video’s Release Video has surfaced of the deadly hit and run incident involving former rap mogul Suge Knight. Knight claims that he and the victim had gotten into a disagreement that led Knight to feel “threatened.” According to him, in his efforts to escape, he hopped in his car to drive away—right over the victim, then drove away from the scene. Um, okay. Now Knight, pulling from his bag of excuses, decided that the “I’m blind” is the best route to take. He showed up in court this week in a fancy pair of spectacles.
Kim Kardashian’s Hair Kim Kardashian has changed her hair. I would make an obvious Draco Malfoy joke, but I can’t think of one. She has gone from her usual vibrant brunette locks to a fried Hulk Hogan blonde. But do whatever you want, Kim. Robin Thicke-Blurred Lines Pharrel Williams and Creepy Timberlake stand-in Robin Thicke are forced to fork out $7.3 million for their 2013 collaboration that would not go away— “Blurred Lines.” They were accused of sampling Marvin Gaye’s “Got to Give It Up” without permission. Gaye’s family did the smart thing and waited the song’s immense popularity out and filed for compensation two years later. Good on you, Marvin Gaye’s family. Good for you. Love and Hip Hop: Atlanta “Love and Hip Hop: Atlanta” “star” and Steebie J’s favorite mistress, Joseline Hernadez, has come out and spoken about the legitimacy of the show. According to Hernandez, “Love and Hip Hop,” much like every other reality show that exists, is in fact staged.
Gameboy: The king of the handheld console holds a special place in the hearts of gamers John Preer
College Life Editor jhpreer@valdosta.edu
T
he GameBoy turned 25 last year and the nostalgia couldn’t be more apparent. Practically every kid on the block had one. Some were even lucky enough to get their hands on the special edition Pikachu console. Whether you remember playing the original grey handheld or the favored transparent purple one, GameBoy has been a staple for personal gaming. Since the original was released 25 years ago, Nintendo has reinvented the handheld gaming system many times. The Gameboy Color gave way to the foldable Gameboy SP and eventually the Nintendo DS, the company’s dual screen platform. Gameboy has effectively cornered the handheld gaming market. Playstation tried to muscle their way in with the PSP, but it never really took off. The Gameboy system is responsible for bringing the youth of the early 90s many unforgettable titles like Pokemon Red and Blue
version. These two titles in particular have a cult following and are still going strong, releasing their twentyfourth installment last year. What made Gameboy special wasn’t the 2D graphics or plethora of game titles but the portability and connectivity. Now gamers could game anywhere together. A cord could be connected to the devices enabling users to trade and battle with each other. The only major downfall of the earlier versions of the Gameboy was their lack of backlighting. The colorless screens on the original Gameboy made it virtually impossible to play in low light. The Nintendo DS gaming system has replaced the Gameboy, but no love has been lost. The DS has continued to support classic titles like Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda, made popular by the Super Nintendo home console. Even the DS has recieved upgrades. The Nintendo 3DS that was released in February of 2011 and brought a new dimension to the gaming scene.
Photo courtesy of Elaine Krivsky
Dancers perform an original number for the Evening of Geniuses event last Friday night.
Humanitarian and Lifetime Achievement was given to Samantha Lewis and Dr. Shirley Hardin, the director of the African American Studies department. Other categories included Favorite Live Performer, Best Photographer and Cinematographer, Favorite Residence Hall and Favorite Fraternity and Sorority. Tomeisha Williams, sophomore Sociology major, says that it was her first time going to EOG, and she is definitely looking forward to going again next year. “I loved it!” Williams said. “My favorite part was the second rap cypher. I think Carla Paige is on my list of favorite rappers.”
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PAGE 6 | VSUSPECTATOR.COM
MARCH 12, 2015
VSU veers into victory Bombs away for Blazers Call it a hot streak Baseball strikes out losing streak after three games for Blazers softball Chris Webb
Kristin Whitman
Sports Writer ctwebb@valdosta.edu After losing three of their last four games, VSU (13-6, 7-4 in Gulf South Conference) bounced back Tuesday with a dominant 24-9 win over Georgia Southwestern University (5-15). This was the second matchup this season between these teams, with GSW getting the best of the Blazers 14-2 back on March 4. It was apparent that VSU was looking to come out quickly and get over the struggles of last week that saw the team go a disappointing 1-3 overall. With 20 runs scored in the first six innings on Tuesday, it’s safe to say the Blazers did just that while trying to jump back into their winning ways. Senior all-GSC performer Bryant Hayman led the way for the Blazers once again, going 2-6 with a homerun, three runs scored and four runs batted in. Only 19 games into the season, Hayman now sits with a .417 batting average, and his six homeruns and 28 runs batted in are good enough for first in the GSC. Backup catcher and firstyear Blazer Zac Goodno has proven to be a valuable addition for head coach Greg Guilliams and added a homerun and five runs batted in as well. His bat has seen him get an increase in playing time recently as Guilliams has been
Sports Editor krwhitman@valdosta.edu
Kristin Whitman/THESPECTATOR
Michael Gouge reaches high to catch the ball in hopes of getting Georgia Southwestern’s Myles Gay out on first base. The Blazers beat GSW 24-9 Tuesday at Billy Grant Field.
finding any way he can to keep the Winthrop University transfer’s bat in the lineup. Goodno, who has been finding himself starting in left field recently, has given Guilliams a bit more flexibility now when filling out his lineup cards for a team whose weakness this season has been defense. With already 29 errors on the season, it is a problem Guilliams is fully aware of and hopes to solve and find an answer to quicker rather than later. VSU has committed two or more errors in six games already this season, going just
2-4 in those contests. When a defense is constantly making errors and giving the opposing team extra outs, it makes it near impossible to compete on a nightly basis. Tuesday night the Blazers finished with one error for only the second time this week, Guilliams will look for his squad to build off that and continue to play defense at the level he knows they can. VSU will head to Dahlonega, Georgia, on Wednesday to take on the University of North Georgia in a rematch of this year’s season opener that saw the Blazers walk away with a 7-5 win.
No. 2 National Fastpitch Coaches Association-ranked Blazers extend their winning streak to 13 after defeating Florida Tech Tuesday in a double header (4-0, 3-2), moving their overall record to 23-2, with conference play staying at 10-1. Game one With leadoff batter Courtney Albritton out for six weeks with an ulnar fracture in her right arm, the Lady Blazers were still able burn down the Panthers at the Steel’s Diamond Field. With a twist of an arm, pitcher Caitlyn Calhoun managed to get her fourth consecutive shutout to improve her record to 13-1. After three straight scoreless innings, the Blazers started swinging bats in the fourth to pick up three runs off of two errors made by the Panthers. Jaime Phillips at leadoff for Albritton started things off by slapping the first hit of the game to third for a leadoff single and advanced to second when a Panther misplayed a sacrifice bunt attempt at third off the bat of Halie Imler. Both runners moved around the bases when the Panthers catcher rose up from behind the plate to pick Phillips off at second. Fran Johnson fired back one at-bat later with a squeeze bunt to give VSU the lead at 1-0. Later in the fourth, Heather
Robinson came up to the plate to get things done thanks to a two-run single that came with the bases loaded. This clutch at bat brought the Blazers to a 3-0 lead. Finishing this win off for VSU Kiley Rusen added a run in the sixth inning with a leadoff solo shot to right center field. Game two Packing the punch for VSU in the second game was reigning Gulf South Conference Freshman of the Week, Brandy Morgan. A walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh inning made her the hero of this backand-forth game between the Blazers and the Panthers. FT decided to walk batter Johnson and pitch to Morgan, who came through with a bases-loaded chopper into the outfield and scored Philips.
Philips, later in the seventh, sparked up the flames for the hot streak Blazers when she managed to get a leadoff walk before moving up on a bunt single by Imler and a sacrifice bunt by Rusen. Huntyre Elling twisted up four perfect innings until she allowed the Panthers to take a run and tie the game up 2-2 with back-to-back squeeze bunts in the fifth. Elling made it to the sixth inning until giving up the job to Maci Fletcher who secured her fourth win of the season against one loss. Conference play will return for Blazer softball at the Steel’s Diamond Field Saturday with a doubleheader starting off at 3 p.m. against the University of West Alabama, then again on Sunday to finish up the series at 1 p.m.
Stella Henderson/THESPECTATOR
VSU’s Huntyre Elling winds up for a pitch against University of North Alabama during the weekend series. The Blazers won both games (5-0, 6-1). The team is now on a 13-game winning streak and ranked No. 2.