thebattalion
this day in
rld wohistory
Jan. 27, 1973
● wednesday,
U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War ended as North Vietnamese and American representatives signed an agreement in Paris. The U.S. agreed to remove all remaining troops within 60 days thus ending the longest war in American history. Over 58,000 Americans had been killed, 300,000 wounded, and 2,500 declared missing. A total of 566 prisoners of war had been held by the North Vietnamese during the war, with 55 reported deaths.
january 27, 2010
● serving
texas a&m since 1893
● first paper free – additional copies $1 ● © 2010 student media
coming thursday
Aggie in Haiti Dr. Tom Rivers, Class of 1992 who is an orthopedic surgeon went to Haiti with the Greene Team. He arrived five days after the earthquake hit to help survivors.
voices
Terrifying beginnings What is it exactly that motivates terrorists? Is it our differing religions, our education, our culture or maybe even our deep rooted want not to be terrified?
food
Vietnamese spring rolls Learn how to make simple spring rolls, Vietnamese-style. They are cheap and fun to make for any occasion.
Jonny Green --- THE BATTALION
A bald eagle was found with a gunshot wound to his wing Jan. 16 near Lake Livingston. Part of the wing had to be amputated, and the bird is with Charlie Rohack, director of the Eyes of Texas Wildlife Rescue in Bryan.
National symbol shot Never to fly again, eagle finds home near Aggieland The eagle is at least over the age of 5, since that is the age when eagles become sexually active, and this is a nesting and breeding eagle, Rohack said. The eagle was not killed when he was shot with a high-powered rifle; however, his wing was damaged irreparably. “He’s not going to be releasable,” Rohack said. “People don’t realize that these birds are protected under federal law, and you can not even possess the feathers of these birds.” Rohack said the number of illegal shootings typically goes up after Christmas, after children are given guns as gifts.
Ann Littmann The Battalion The eyes of Texas Wildlife Rescue in Bryan have seen many injured birds of prey over the years. With injuries ranging from electrical burns to the results of being hit by cars. Workers at the rescue center have the ability to nurse these creatures back to health and release them into their natural habitat. However, Charlie Rohack, who runs the Eyes of Texas Wildlife Rescue, said she was shocked when she heard someone had shot down a bald eagle near Lake Livingston.
Popularity in textbook rentals soar Online bookstores change the market Robert Carpenter
trends 3
Femmatas Listen up, it’s the Femmatas, Texas A&M’s newest female a capella group.
sports 4
Should he stay or go? The debate on whether or not Brett Favre should call it a career.
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“This is the second eagle shot this year. The first was shot near Waco and was unfortunately killed,” Rohack said. “I can’t “I actually even fathom why someone would do feel a lot of this. Right now I have three [birds of prey] with gunshot wounds.” anger toward the Some Texas A&M students are person who shot outraged at this tragic occurrence. “I actually feel a lot of anger this beautiful bird.” toward the person who shot this beautiful bird,” said junior biomedical sciences major Katie LiKatie Licht cht said. “I don’t see how someone junior biomedical sciences major See Eagle on page 6
The Battalion Five hundred pairs of men’s tube socks, 72 Old Spice deodorant sticks, 19 copies of “Hannah Montana: The Movie” (Deluxe Edition), two tickets to a U2 concert and one Coach shoulder bag. Any of these items could be purchased with the average $600 American college students spends on textbooks each semester, ac-
cording to the Student Advocacy Network. Senior biology major Paige Castelino said $600 can be burdensome for even the hardest working students. “It’s a lot of money, especially when you are thinking that college students already have to pay a lot for tuition,” Castelino said. In order to keep these semi-annual costs under control, many students said they’ve begun to turn to
nontraditional venues in search of the lowest prices. “Originally I was buying textbooks off-campus because I figured they would be better prices than
at the MSC,” said Ben Becker, a sophomore physics major. “But [starting] last semester, I figured out it was better to look in advance and get your textbooks online.” There is an entire online industry devoted to selling textbooks to budget-conscious students. Web sites such as Half.com, Textbooks.com, Ecampus.com and others are devoted to the
Nuclear research room to open in March
“Understanding American Politics and Government,” John J. Coleman Average Prices: New copy at bookstore: $84 Used copy at bookstore: $63 Rental: $56.44 eBook: $64.32
See Textbooks on page 6
Abbott challenges A&M student leaders Katy Ralston The Battalion
Reinhart said his research revolves around understanding how drugs regulate enzyme functions. “If a drug binds to a protein, it will cause it to no longer function, or it will bind to protein and block the protein.”
The MSC-affiliated Abbott Family Leadership Conference continues to break the mold as a meaningful conference devoid of lengthy boardroom tables, uncomfortable chairs and monotone droning. Started by Frank and Joanie Abbott in 1995, the conference was created to encourage sophomore and junior Aggies to explore the relationship between leadership and values, and to establish leadership styles based on ethics, values and morals. Hosted twice a year, once in San Antonio and once in Austin, the conference brings together 70 Aggie students and more than 30 diverse speakers for five days of mentoring. This year the San Antonio conference takes place today through Jan. 31 and the Austin conference will occur Feb. 17 through Feb. 21. Conference Chairman Marty Morrison, a senior accounting major, said what’s unique about the conference is the amount of time students spend delving into topics, unlike other conferences that only last for two or three days. Another aspect of the conference that sets it apart from others is a family focus, Morrison said. While attending
See Nuclear on page 6
See Abbott on page 6
Madiha Rizvi Special to The Battalion The spinning charge and magnetic field of atoms will help determine molecular structures with the addition of a nuclear resonance room in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. The room, slated for completion in March 2010, is necessary as it is one of the core “[We are] approaches to structural biology, said trying to Gregory Reinhart, professor and head understand components of the Biochemistry and Biophysics of biology to department. “In order for us to understand the scientific basis of how aid us in our knowledge.” biology works, we need to see what molecules look like, see the structures performing functions,” he said. Reinhart said the room will provide a way for researchers to uncover findings that will guide people to understand the structures and better use them in the future. “[We are] trying to understand components of biology to aid us in our knowledge of fundamental processes,” he said.
By the numbers
Jonny Green — THE BATTALION
Workers eat lunch inside the new Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging facility attached to the Biochemistry/Biophysics Building on West Campus. The state-of-the-art research facility is scheduled to be completed in March.
1/26/10 10:52 PM
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Registration deadline for Black History Game Show Team is Feb. 2 in the Koldus Student Services Building. Teams of four students each will compete in a black history version of the Think Fast game show.
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Associated Press WASHINGTON — Two police officers credited with stopping last year’s shooting rampage at Fort Hood will be guests of the first lady during Wednesday’s State of the Union speech. Sgts. Kimberly Munley and Mark Todd will watch President Barack Obama’s address with Michelle Obama in a gallery overlooking the House floor. On Nov. 5, the officers, who were civilian members of the Fort Hood police force, opened fire on Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, who is accused of killing 13 people in the worst mass murder on a U.S. military base. Munley was wounded in the incident at the Texas base.
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State of the Union The address will be broadcast on all major networks at 8 p.m. It can also be viewed online at http://whitehouse.gov.
thebattalion THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT VOICE OF TEXAS A&M SINCE 1893
Amanda Casanova, Editor in Chief THE BATTALION (ISSN #1055-4726) is published daily, Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and Monday through Thursday during the summer session (except University holidays and exam periods) at Texas A&M University. Periodicals Postage Paid at College Station, TX 77840. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Battalion, Texas A&M University, 1111 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-1111. News: The Battalion news department is managed by students at Texas A&M University in Student Media, a unit of the Division of Student Affairs. News offices are in The Grove, Bldg. 8901. Newsroom phone: 979-845-3313; Fax: 979-845-2647; E-mail: metro@thebatt.com; website: http://www.thebatt.com. Advertising: Publication of advertising does not imply sponsorship or endorsement by The Battalion. For campus, local, and national display advertising, call 979-845-2696. For classified advertising, call 979-845-0569. Advertising offices are in The Grove, Bldg. 8901, and office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Fax: 979-845-2678. Subscriptions: A part of the Student Services Fee entitles each Texas A&M student to pick up a single copy of The Battalion. First copy free, additional copies $1. Mail subscriptions are $125 per school year. To charge by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express, call 979-845-2613.
Sam Smith — THE BATTALION
Chemistry Department staff member Christine Ruggles never fails to walk her stylishly dressed miniature Chihuahua Taco through campus after a hard day’s work.
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thebattalion 01.27.2010
Ft. Hood heroes guests at speech
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Send Interim President R. Bowen Loftin your comments to president@ tamu.edu about the Legislative Budget Board to prepare for a 5 percent reduction in spending over the current biennium that began Sept. 1.
Friday mostly sunny high: 75 low: 58 Saturday 30% chance of showers high: 73 low: 49 Sunday sunny high: 68 low: 41
For daily updates go to thebatt.com ● Facebook ● Twitter @thebattonline
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Loftin asks for your comments
Register for
Black History Month game show
The Student Engineering Council’s Career Fair exhibition will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at Reed Arena. Company representatives will be interviewing for positions.
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An administration official also said Jill Biden, the vice president’s wife, invited Julia Frost, a former Marine trumpeter whom Mrs. Biden met when visiting Coastal Carolina Community College.
Obama speaks to nation tonight Jennifer Loven Associated Press WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama will try to pivot past rocky times for the nation and himself Wednesday night in his first State of the Union address, offering a skeptical public repackaged plans to energize the economy, stem a tide of red ink and strengthen anti-terror defenses. He’ll also be trying to revive his own “yes we can” image. One year into office, and a week after pledging to do better at “speaking directly to the American people,” Obama faces urgent challenges as he stands before lawmakers gathered in the Capitol and a prime-time television audience at home for the constitutionally mandated ritual of U.S. governing. The country has lost more than 7 million jobs since the recession began two years ago, unemployment is stuck at 10 percent, and the government is grappling with a record $1.4 trillion deficit. Obama’s presidency is troubled as well. The percentage of Americans giving him a thumbsup has fallen precipitously, from 74 percent when he took office to 56 percent now. He hasn’t had a breakout legislative or diplomatic victory, and he’s failed to break Washington’s partisanship as promised. Then last week, an upset Republican victory in a Massachusetts Senate race threw Obama’s signature domestic priority, a sweeping health care overhaul, into jeopardy and shined a spotlight on economic angst now being taken out on him.
Obama will be using one of the presidency’s loudest and grandest megaphones to press several themes. They will be fleshed out in greater detail afterward as the president travels to Florida on Thursday and New Hampshire on Tuesday for jobsfocused appearances and when he submits his 2011 budget to Congress on Monday. Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell of Virginia will deliver a televised response Wednesday night, two months after putting his state in GOP hands in one of the party’s major recent election victories. Among the freshly sharpened messages Obama will weave through his remarks: He’s a fighter for struggling families and against wealthy special interests; he relates personally to Americans’ everyday concerns; he has come far in one year but has made some errors along the way and has much more to do. And he does not intend to fling aside an ambitious agenda on health care, energy, education, immigration and other issues in favor of trimmed-down goals. In fact, Obama will argue that his sweeping ideas for change are as much a part of putting the economy back on track as more immediate job creation and economic security proposals. “If we don’t get that stuff right, then it’s going to be very difficult for us to answer the anxieties that people feel over the long term,” Obama said this week in an interview with ABC News.
1/26/10 10:22 PM
things you should know
5 before you go 1
Aggies Abroad
Attend the spring career fair for A&M’s study abroad program from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today in Koldus room 110 if you are interested in studying, researching, interning or volunteering internationally. Faculty leaders will be available to discuss information about passports and financial aid.
2
Fruit tree sale
The Holistic Teaching Garden will have a fruit tree sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the northwest corner of Lot 74 where they will be selling a variety of fruit trees as well as herbs such as basil varieties, mint varieties and many more.
Open House at the observatory
3
The Department of Physics & Astronomy at Texas A&M University will have a free observatory open house at the campus observatory from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday. Telescope observing and astronomy demonstrations will be featured.
Listen up:
Last day to apply for degrees
4
The application deadline to apply for a degree to be awarded in May is 5 p.m. Friday. Degree candidates can apply by logging in to the Howdy portal and submitting an application under the degree evaluation channel.
MSC OPAS: A Cinderella Story
5
MSC OPAS presents the telling of A Cinderella Story by the Royal Winnipeg Ballet for one night only. The show will be at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 3 in Rudder Auditorium. Tickets are available at the MSC Box Office.
b! thebattalion 01.27.2010 page3
scene
it’s the Femmatas
Angela Washeck Special to The Battalion
B
lack shirts. Pink accessories, including a super-girly bow. Sounds that will bring joy to your ears and heart. And girl power, lots and lots of girl power.
That’s Texas A&M’s all-female contemporary singing group, The Femmatas. It’s the latest version of HardChord Dynamix and Apotheosis groups on campus, just with sopranos and altos. The group was formed in May by Jenna Christopher, a senior biochemistry major, and five other charter members. Sitting at Sweet Eugene’s, Christopher and her friends came up with the idea of creating an all-female a cappella group after realizing there wasn’t one on campus. Christopher, the group’s president, allocated the officer positions for the other founding members and held auditions to fill four other spots in the group at the beginning of the fall semester, Check out a bringing the grand total to 10 women. video of the “The sound of all female voices is so Femmatas at unique and pleasant,” Christopher said. thebatt.com The women began arranging popular songs on the computer program Finale Print Music and preparing music for upcoming performances. Femmata is a play on the word “fermata,” a musical symbol that means to hold the note. The group crossed “fermata” with female and feminine, and a new organization was born. The women don’t just sing, they beatbox, too. Since their performance music is a cappella, they have to make sounds with their mouths that substitute for instruments.
The Femmatas have a mostly male le supmous port group, the Bromatas, whose famous a.” phrase is “I Wanna Hold a Femmata.” hat The Femmatas try to pick songs that appeal to college students. “Learning how to arrange music, beatbox and [becoming a recognizedd ell student organization at A&M], as well as scheduling, are some of the biggestt challenges that the group has faced soo far,” Christopher said. as’ Jacqueline Coleman, the Femmatas’ music director and junior education inctterdisciplinary studies major said directes. ing the group is not all fun and games. “It’s not always easy having to be the nit-picky one in the group and being able to figure out where the problems lie,” she said. Despite these setbacks, Coleman said the group is relaxed and a lot of fun overall. “It feels like you’re singing karaoke with nine of your best friends,” Nicholas Badger — THE BATTALION she said. Senior accounting major Haley Mims, the Femmatas’ treasurer, said she The Femmatas were made up of six members until they held auditions to add is looking forward to the group’s Febru- four more to their all-female contemporary singing group last May. They will be performing a Valentine’s Day-themed concert Feb. 12 in Wehner Building. ary fundraising concert. Mims said her favorite song to sing Valentine’s-Day Performance is ”Heaven Is a Place on Earth.” “It’s upbeat and I have so much fun At 7 p.m. Feb. 12 in the Whener Building the Femmatas will when I’m singing it,” she said. be performing “Stupid Cupid,” Colbie Calliet’s “Fallin’ for You” and “Can’t Hurry Love.” Tickets are $5.
Texas A&M University Students, Faculty and Staff are encouraged to attend a public hearing to discuss
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Favre needs to call it quits D
ear Brett Favre fans, The Football gods were trying to tell you and your hero something this past Sunday. While I know none of you want to hear it, it’s the honest truth. Brett Favre needs to step aside. Kyle Cunningham Another NFC Championton Wizards uniform, missing ship game, another embara wide-open dunk in the 2002 rassing ending to a Favre-led NBA All-Star Game? team’s season. Regular season What about Joe Namath, statistics (33 touchdown passes, the Los Angeles Ram? The over 4200 passing yards) suglegendary passer played four gest you can still bring it, and games, accumulating a passer I won’t argue against that. But rating roughly 10 points below there comes a time when it’s his career average, before better to just walk away. (luckily) injuries took him Neil Sedaka sang it best away. when he said “Breakin’ Up Is The Charger version of Hard To Do.” And it’s tough Johnny Unitas? Well, Unitas for everyone. It’s tough for played in five games, throwing little children to give up the seven interceptions and ending security of their first blanket, the year with a passer it’s tough for people rating of 40 — out to sell (or, in my The legend of 158.3. case, tow away needs to call it Hakeem the wreckage of) a career before Olajuwon … their first car. remember his he further For some days of Toronto tarnishes his reason, it’s Raptor domireputation. especially tough nance? Yeah, me for the professional neither. athlete, especially the “But,” you ‘Favre-Folgreat ones. lowers’ will argue, “what about Like Favre, Michael JorGeorge Foreman? He left the dan retired. Then returned. sport of boxing in 1977, only to Then retried, again. Then win a heavyweight championreturned…again. When MJ ship at the age of 45 in 1994.” finally stepped away in 2003, That, no offense, is comhe was a shell of his former pletely off-base and unrelated. self. Remember watching a puffier Jordan go down the See Favre on page 5 court in that awful Washing-
Favre has right to decide B rett Favre may have lost, but before he suited up for another NFC championship, the legendary quarterback had already silenced the critics who clamored for his retirement Ian McPhail during the off-season. For all the retirement drama that simply led his team like the has dominated the off-season quarterback we had grown the past two summers, Favre accustomed to seeing win in proved his unparalleled ability Green Bay. And in Novemby coming within a play of the ber, Favre treated his fans to Super Bowl. one more win in Lambeau, Sports journalists sneered throwing four touchdowns in when Head Coach Brad his second crushing vicChildress spent the tory over his former summer convincBecause of his team. ing Favre to cross Clad in Minstoried career, enemy lines and nesota purple Favre has join the hated and white, Favre earned the right Vikings. The achieved his best to retire when last memory of statistical season he decides. the future Hall ever, throwing 33 of Famer showed touchdowns against an injured old man seven interceptions for in a Jets uniform, throwing a 107.2 passer rating. He led three interceptions in a meanhis team to a crushing victory ingless loss to the Dolphins. over Dallas in the postseason, The unanimous consensus throwing for four touchdowns from the sports world was Fain a 34-3 blow out them vre was done, another old hero Cowboys. The 40-year-old too stubborn to know when man can still play, becoming to retire. the oldest starting quarterback Halfway through August, to win a playoff game. Favre returned without the But beyond the statistics benefit of a training camp to and victories, Favre brings our familiarize himself with his childlike passion for football new teammates. While the media doubted him, Favre See Decision on page 5
sports thebattalion 1.27.2010 page4
Road tests await Aggies Women battle at No. 14 Baylor Mike Teague
Jonny Green — THE BATTALION
Junior guard Sydney Colson drives to the hoop in the Aggies’ 69-54 victory Saturday at Reed Arena. The Aggies face off with Baylor at 7 p.m. on Wednesday in Waco.
The Battalion Two of the Big 12’s most dominant interior players will meet Wednesday when Texas A&M’s No. 8 women’s basketball team heads to Waco to take on No. 14 Baylor in a key conference matchup. Junior Danielle Adams will lead the Aggies following a triple-double performance in her first Big 12 start. After recording a career-high 27 points and a school-record 10 blocks, Adams was named this week’s Big 12 Player of the Week. “I don’t mind starting or coming off the bench,” Adams said. “Whatever Coach has, I’m fine with. I just try to go out and execute the play. I’ve just been conditioning and working hard and doing extra running. I’m able to get up and down the floor more and play good defense.” Picking up 19.3 points and 8.8 rebounds per game in Big 12 play, Adams leads A&M in both categories. “I’m excited for her triple-double,” said A&M Head Coach Gary Blair. “She’s a complete player, but she still needs work on the defensive end like most of us. Danielle did a tremendous job of taking the shots that were there within the offense.” Leading Baylor (14-4, 1-3) onto the court will be freshman Brittney Griner. Famous for her dunking ability, the YouTube sensation is the Bears’ leading-scorer and rebounder, averaging 18.6 points and 8.9 boards
per game. “[Griner] is an unbelievable freshman that will add to our conference,” Blair said. “The crowds have been up everywhere she’s been. I think that’s a tribute to Baylor and a tribute to the Big 12. Everybody wants to see a kid that might potentially dunk or change a game with her defense.” Blair was also quick to point out that the game would be about shutting down Baylor as a team, not just one player. “You can’t go in fearing anybody,” Blair said. “What we have to do is make sure that we’ve come up with a good plan. We’re playing Baylor, we’re not playing Brittney Griner. Griner’s going to get hers. We just have to make sure the other four or six or seven do not go off.” Last season, Texas A&M (15-2, 3-1) was swept by Baylor, losing both regular season games by a combined seven points. The two teams met again in the championship game of the Big 12 Tournament where the Aggies again came up short, falling 72-63. “I’m looking forward to my shot against Baylor,” Blair said. “Baylor beat me three times last year and that’s the only thing in my mind.” Blair emphasized the importance of junior Sydney Colson in his team’s chances to find revenge Wednesday. “Sydney Colson has to play 30-plus minutes,” Blair said. “She has to be on the floor to run the offense instead of us sharing that position.”
Men storm into Stillwater T.D. Durham
Jonny Green — THE BATTALION
Senior guard Donald Sloan leads the Aggies into their showdown with Oklahoma State at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday in Stillwater.
The Battalion The Texas A&M men’s basketball team will put its two-game winning streak on the line Wednesday, when it takes on Big 12 opponent Oklahoma State in Stillwater. The Aggies split the two contests against the Cowboys in the 20082009 season. The loss came on Jan. 10 in Stillwater, which was A&M’s first Big 12 game of the season. A&M sophomore guard Dash Harris remembers the loss, as it was the first Big 12 game of his career. “I think we just came out too antsy in that game last year,” Harris said. “They just kind of caught us off guard. But playing there before, playing against the Oklahoma State squad, we’re ready for it.” The Cowboys are also riding a two-game win streak, including a 7369 road win against, then, No. 9 Kansas State Saturday. Oklahoma State junior guard James Anderson led his team in the game with a monstrous 30 points in the contest. Anderson leads the Big 12 in scoring at 22.6 points per game and is one point away from reaching a career total of 1,500 points. A&M senior guard Donald Sloan said that Anderson will be a tough but welcome challenge. “He’s a good player,” Sloan said. “He’s been making shots. He’s creating his own shots and attacking
the rim. It’ll be a good match up [Wednesday], so I’ll be ready for it.” Aggie Head Coach Mark Turgeon said Anderson is among the elite in the Big 12. “He’s arguably one of the best players in the league,” Turgeon said. “You talk about Damion James and Sherron Collins— he’s right there with those guys.” A key component to the A&M offense on Wednesday will be its ability to hit the 3-point shot. The Aggies are shooting a staggering 19 percent from behind the arc in Big 12 play. “They’re just not falling,” Sloan said. “I think they’re just going in and out. A lot of our misses are touching every part of the rim before they come out. We’ll just keep doing what we’re doing. Those shots will fall.” The Cowboys have not lost a single home game of the 2009-2010 season and have won 15 straight games in the Gallagher-Iba Arena, dating back to February of 2009. Turgeon said that, like every game in the Big 12, this one isn’t going to be easy. However, he said his team is feeling prepared. “We’ve got to win some road games,” Turgeon said. “Oklahoma State is going to be a tough one, but I think we’re going to be ready for it. I think if we want to be part of the NCAA tournament, we have to be a good road team, and I think we are.”
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sports
page 5 wednesday 1.27.2010
thebattalion
Continued from page 4
Boxing hit its glory days in the 1960s and 1970s, and the better athletes, after a while, bolted the sport. The heavyweight Foreman defeated? Michael Moorer. I bet none of you could pick him out of a line of boxers. And that’s exactly the point. Football, on the other hand, is faster, stronger and more violent than it was in 2000, let alone the 1960s and 70s. The last argument Favre fanatics can throw is that he can still play the game and that there’s still a market for his services. Some would argue that he’s the greatest quarterback of all-time even. And to that, I offer up Jerry Rice. Remember him? He was only the greatest wide receiver in NFL history. In nine of his first 11 years, he caught at least
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10 passes for touchdowns. After the 1995-1996 season, the highest amount of touchdown receptions he made was nine (in the 2001-2002 season). In that same time span, he never once matched his career average of 14.8 yards per catch. Rice devolved from an NFL legend in San Francisco, to a solid Oakland Raider, to a third option for the 2004 Seattle Seahawks, to a receiver not even good enough to beat out elite receivers such as Ashley Lelie and Charlie Adams for the 2005 Denver Broncos. Jerry’s love of the game and desire to keep playing was respected, but eventually, his presence on the field tarnished his legendary reputation, and he became the poster child for a player who stuck around way too long. Until now. Kyle Cunningham is a junior sports management major.
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FOR RENT $375 available now. 1/1, 2/1, 2/2 Free Wi-Fi, On Northgate, on Shuttle. Short term leases ok. Call agent, Ardi. 979-422-5660. $400/mo., 2bd/2ba, central heat and air, W/D, Longmire Ct., CS. 979-822-1616 $900 Available Now or Pre-lease, 3 & 4 bdrm. houses near TAMU, pets ok. Call Agent Ardi 979-422-5660. 1,2,3,4 bedroom apartments. Furnished or unfurnished. Available May or August. 979-693-4900. 1-3/bedroom apartments. Some with w/d, some near campus. $175-$600/mo. 979-696-2038. 2/1 House. Near Winery. Country Living. $700/m. (979)877-4951. Available Now. 2bd/1ba W/D water included, shuttle stop in front, 3/4 mile from campus. Ceiling fans, very clean. (979)690-4181. 2bd/2br duplex. W/D connection with backyard. Pets allowed. $725/mo. Available asap. (979)571-1714. 3/2 Townhouses &Apartments, 1250sqft. Very spacious, ethernet, large kitchen, walk-in pantry &closets, extra storage, W/D, great amenities, on bus route, now pre-leasing for 2009, excellent specials. 979-694-0320, office@luxormanagement.com 3bd/3ba. Duplexes. Close to campus, Great backyards. Fairly New! 979-693-4900. Brand new luxury condos, granite countertops, tile flooring, great location. 979-693-4900 4/3, 3/3 &3/2 Townhouses, Duplexes &Fourplexes, 1250-1700sqft. Very spacious, ethernet, large kitchen, extra storage, W/D, great amenities, on bus route, now pre-leasing for 2010, excellent specials. 694-0320. office@luxormanagement.com 4bd/4ba houses. Brand New, great size, great location, AAF 979-693-4900. 4br/3bath House with master, Edelweiss Gartens area, 3yrs old, security alarm, all appliances, great amenities, quiet street, available in July/Aug., $1900/mo., Brian 469-877-1184 All bills paid, 4-bdrm condo on Southwest Parkway. Has 3 rooms for rent, $400/each with private baths, shared common area, 210-771-4535.
House for rent 3/1.5/1, 0.75 acres, horse ok, 6mo. lease available. $875/mo., $875 deposit 979-696-1670. Master bedroom, nice mobile home with private bath and closet. $450, Central-air/ht, internet, cable, everything included. 210-364-7006. New Condo! Sublease 1 room. Private bath &bed. Wood floor. W/D in unit. Jan-May $295/mo. January free. 519 SW Pkwy. Call 281-639-8847, 713-922-7722. Pre-leasing brand new 4/4 luxurious cottage style home, behind HEB, two blocks from campus! $550/mo. per person. Call 979-314-1333. Private room and bath in house in quiet neighborhood. $435/mo. Call 979-218-0027. Quiet country atmosphere, fireplace, very large 1bdrm brick duplex. Available Now! $425/mo. +bills. No pets. 693-8534. Spring Break at the Frio. Cabin Rental- fourfriosisters.com 361-510-8563. Sublease at The Lofts. 1 bedroom in 4/4 apartment. $399/mo. $1000 discount 713-376-6286. TOWNHOUSE 3bd/2ba. W/D connections, covered parking, vaulted ceiling in living area, pool access, park-like neighborhood. 2-blocks to campus, No pets. Ask about specials. 979-777-8407.
FOR SALE 3 cushion gray leather couch. $50. 777-3317. Bestop Sunrider Black Denim, brand new soft top for Jeep Wrangler 97-2002. Does not include doors. $500. (979)450-3131.
HELP WANTED A discount everytime at over 30 locations. Get your VIP Card at AggielandVIP.com Ags! Looking for summer work? Earn $9000.00 this summer, build your resume, great experience, call Taylor, 214-707-9145. An awesome job! Spend your summer in a lakefront cabin in Maine. If you are looking to spend this summer outdoors, have fun while you work, and make lifelong friends, then look no further. Camp Mataponi, a residential camp in Maine, has female and male summertime openings for Land Sports, Waterfront (small crafts, skiing, life guarding, WSI, boat drivers), Ropes Course, Tennis, Horse Back Riding, Arts & Crafts, Theater, Cooking, Gymnastics, Dance, Videography, Group Leaders & more. On Campus Interviews will top salaries plus room, board & travel provided. Call us at 1-561-748-3684 or apply online at www.campmataponi.com
Decision Continued from page 4
ASSOCIATED PRESS
back to the NFL. In a league where contracts seem to take priority over love of the game, Brett stood apart from the commercial aspects that threaten a lockout if a new collective bargaining agreement can’t be reached by 2011. After a bonecrushing hit, Favre is the first running down the field with his arms signaling touchdown. Even with a broken right thumb, immediately after his father’s death,
Favre was on the field, never missing a game. Brett left everything he had on the field, and his mistakes only make him more human. The faithful Favre followers will watch him to the end, and no late-game interception will ever diminish his legend. Should time catch up with the Iron Man next season, Favre has given enough to the game to have earned the right to retire on his schedule, even if that decision changes a dozen times over the offseason. Ian McPhail is a junior history major and voices editor.
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$10 for 20 words running 5 days, if your merchandise is priced $1,000 or less (price must appear in ad). This rate applies only to non-commercial advertisers offering personal possessions for sale. Guaranteed results or you get an additional 5 days at no charge. If item doesn’t sell, advertiser must call before 1 p.m. on the day the ad is scheduled to end to qualify for the 5 additional insertions at no charge. No refunds will be made if your ad is cancelled early.
HELP WANTED Athletic men for calendars, books, etc. $100-$200/hr, up to $1000/day. No experience. 512-684-8296. photoguy@io.com Bingo worker: great job opportunity. Above average pay with commissions &tips. Flexible hours. Hospitalization benefits available. Must have acceptable credit &clean background check. Apply in person at the Bingo Barn, 1018 S. TX Ave, Bryan, TX. Carney’s Pub and Grill Now Hiring Bartenders (experience preferred), Door-guys, &Bar-backs. Apply within or Call 979-823-1294. Child Care- FT & PT shifts available. Some nights & Saturdays required. Apply in person at 3609 E. 29th St., Bryan. Cleaning commercial buildings at night, M-F. Call 979-823-5031 for appointment. Couple with one story ranch home on 2 acres near TAMU needs assistance with some landscaping projects, fencing, and minor renovations. All supplies and tools provided. Flexible project schedule and good working environment. Would like an Ag student who is going to be in town for summer to accept this paid opportunity. This could become a long term opportunity. Please share a brief work history and your interest by email to: j_cfoster@verizon.net before 2/5/10. FT front office person needed for busy property Management Company. Person needs to be energetic, personable, and a team player. Office or Customer Service experience required. Apply in person @1507 S. College Ave, Bryan. 979-775-2291. Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center (Brazos Valley) Driver (Part-time position). Driver will transport blood from various donor sites to Component Laboratory and conduct the delivery of blood components to designated locations while maintaining proper record keeping an adhering to FDA regulations, Company standards, and established guidelines. Requirements: HS Diploma or GED, a Valid Texas Diver’s License with acceptable driving record. Apply at www.giveblood.org
HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
Have the summer of your life at prestigious coed sleepaway camp in the beautiful Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, 2.5 hours from NYC. We’re seeking counselors who can teach any Team& Individual Sports, Tennis, Gymnastics, Horseback Riding, Mt-Biking, Skate Park, Theatre, Tech Theatre, Circuis, Magic, Arts & Crafts, Pioneering, Climbing Tower, Water Sports, Music, Dance or Science. Great saleries and perks. Plenty of free time. Internships available for many majors. On-campus interviews on 2/2. Apply online at www.islandlake.com. Call 800-869-6083 between 9 and 5 eastern time on weekdays for more information. info@islandlake.com Healthcare technology firm MEMdata now hiring. Local, just minutes from campus. Part-time openings (20 hrs/wk minimum), M-F 8 to 5. Flexible Hours. Good Verbal Communication and Computer Skills a Must. $8/hr plus bonus. E-mail resumes to careers@memdata.com or fax to 979-695-1954. Musicians needed for small baptist church Sunday services. Instruments needed are drums, strings, and brass. Contact Mary at mary@christsway.org or 979-776-5000. Now hiring waitresses, door girls, and entertainers. Apply in person at Silk Stocking Lounge. College Station. One on one Affordable Tutoring! Subjects include Math, Statistics, and English. Call Katy at 979-220-0874 or email Kate05@attm.net for more informtaion! Sell VIP cards! Make $5 for every $10 Aggieland VIP card you sell. No limit. Contact sean@aggielandvip.com STUDENTPAYOUTS.COM Paid survey takers needed in College Station. 100% free to join. Click on surveys.
SKI SPRING BREAK 2010! breckenridge
Vail • Beaver Creek • Keystone • Arapahoe Basin
Looking for a male/female student that can drive a tractor, weld, handle a chainsaw. Need help all-day Saturday and Sunday afternoons. $10/hr. Email dmspeed43@verizon.net
puzzle answers can be found online at www.thebatt.com
20 Mountains. 5 Resorts. 1 Price. FROM ONLY
plus t/s
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1-800-SKI-WILD • 1-800-754-9453
PETS
The Corner Bar &Grill now hiring. Apply in person at 9pm monday thru wednesday. All positions available. Web Content Editor needed, Part-time, Paid hourly, 20-35hrs/wk. Good written/oral communication skills necessary. Responsibilities include web layout , text content/migration, and client communication. Submit marketing writing samples and resume to work@agnitek.com Youth Minister- Restoration Church is a dynamic growing fellowship that won’t stay small for long... and we’re looking for a sold out follower of Jesus Christ to begin building a vibrant Christ- centered Youth Group! Must love working with teens, not be afraid of humble beginnings, be fun, yet firm when needed, and be committed to your ministry. We don’t just want an employee, we want someone who will be part of the family! You must attend worship and one weekly youth meeting! If you’re serious about winning teens and building a youth ministry, call Pastor Mark at 979-229-9614!
MUSIC Party Block Mobile DJ- Peter Block, professional 22yrs experience. Specializing in Weddings, TAMU functions, lights/smoke. Mobile to anywhere. Book early!! 979-693-6294. http://www.partyblockdj.com
ASCA Australian Shepherd Puppies. Male, $300-$350. 936-327-1625
REAL ESTATE We Buy Houses. Cash or take over payments. 979-220-3700.
ROOMMATES Female roomate needed ASAP. $310/mo +utilities &internet. Large bedroom &bathroom. Three miles from campus, next to bus stop. Jeanette 832-788-5531. Christina 832-660-1593. Serious female roommate needed for nice 4br house. Bedrooms have private bath. $525/mo + 1/4 monthly bills. 817-776-0868. Serious roommate for 2/1 house two blocks from campus. Small pets welcome w/o deposit. $275 plus half of bills. 972-757-6491. Two females needing roommates ASAP in 4/4 Gateway Villas townhouse. Rent is $400/month +1/4 bills. 5 minutes from campus, close to shopping and restaurants! 817-706-6506.
SERVICES Conversational Czech language class. Call Trent 618-334-4584 or e-mail trentpearson@gmail.com
TUTORS
PETS A+Teacup puppies: Maltese, Shorkies, Maltipoos, Yorkies &Poodles. $500 &up. 979-324-2866, linda_d_54@yahoo.com Adopt Pets: Dogs, Cats, Puppies, Kittens, Many purebreds. Brazos Animal Shelter, 979-775-5755, www.brazosanimalshelter.org
Need a Tutor? Friendly, helpful one-on-one private tutors for all subjects at TAMU/Blinn and Sam Houston State. Check us out at www.99tutors.com, 979-255-3655.
thebatt.com
STUDIES IN PROGRESS ACNE STUDY Volunteers between the ages of 12 and 45, with facial acne are needed to participate in a 12-week clinical research study with an investigational topical medication. All eligible volunteers will receive at no cost: • Study related acne evaluations by a dermatologist • Study related medication • Reimbursement up to $250.00 for time and effort For more information please contact:
RED DRY SCALY PATCHES OF SKIN ATOPIC DERMATITIS STUDY (ECZEMA) Volunteers ages 18 - 64 needed to participate in up to 12 week long clinical research study with an investigational topical medication for atopic dermatitis (RED, DRY, SCALY PATCHES OF SKIN). Eligible volunteers will receive at no cost: • Study related medication • Physical Examination • Dermatological Assessments • Compensation up to $675.00 for time and travel For more information please contact:
ATHLETE’S FOOT STUDY www.AggieNetwork.com
Volunteers ages 17 and older are needed to participate in a 6 week clinical research study with an investigational topical medication for the treatment of Athlete’s foot. Eligible volunteers will need to make 3 office visits and receive at no cost: • Study related medication • Medical examinations relating to their athlete’s foot • Compensation up to $120 for time and effort For more information please contact:
BACK PAIN STUDY Volunteers ages 18 and older who have recently experienced a back strain are needed to participate in a 2 week long clinical research study with an approved patch for the treatment of acute back pain. Participants will need to make 4 office visits over the 2 week period. Eligible volunteers will receive: • Physical Exam • Study Related Examinations by a Doctor • Compensation up to $300 for time and effort For more information please contact:
J&S Studies, Inc. 979-774-5933 1710 Crescent Pointe Parkway, College Station, TX 77845 www.js-studies.com
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news
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Good thing he has a meal plan.
Eagle Continued from page 1
could do this to our nation’s bird, even if it was an accident.� The eagle’s damaged wing was removed, resulting in its inability to ever soar the American skies again; however, one feather was left. The single feather will aid the eagle in balancing, Rohack said. “Based on the evidence of the bullet, it truly looks like this bird was perching somewhere when somebody shot at it,� said Sharman Hoppes, an avian specialist with the Texas A&M Veterinary Center. “They’re so amazing, and you saw him in there, even with a bandage on his wing and with no hope of ever flying again. He is still one of the most magnificent creatures you’ve ever seen.� Licht, who works at the Winnie Cooper Wildlife and Exotic Animal Center, said he
Good thing she has a meal plan.
thebattalion
believes something needs to be done to prevent another tragedy like this from occurring. “This makes me think less of some hunters. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not completely anti-hunting, but it did make me realize how unintelligent some people can be and maybe hunting licenses should be harder to get,� Licht said. “But if he was poaching he deserves the maximum punishment available. It is not acceptable to shoot a bird that beautiful and important.� Not being able to be released into the wild again, the eagle will live in captivity. “The bird should be given to a place that can take very good care of it for the remainder of its life,� Licht said. Licht said he would like for the bird to remain under the care of Texas A&M at the Winnie Cooper Wildlife and Exotic Animal Center, since it most closely resembles the bird’s nat-
Textbooks
UNIVERSITY DINING
Continued from page 1
the used-textbook market. Major book-vendors Barnes and Noble and Amazon.com have also tapped into the profits of online textbook sales. Supplementing the growing diversity of vendors, additional purchasing options are being made available to consumers. Downloadable e-textbook and textbook rentals offer a popular alternative to their bulky brethren. Web sites such as Chegg.com, BookRenter. com or CampusBookRentals.com all offer e-books. Recently, rental options have spread beyond the World Wide Web. Campus bookstores, such as those of the University of North Texas and University of Texas at Arlington, began offering textbook rental services last fall. As a result of their success, additional textbook vendors are following there lead and offering textbook rentals. Traditions Bookstore, which has three locations in Bryan-College Station, initiated a rental program this semester. Cory McLaren, general merchan-
Abbott Continued from page 1
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dining.tamu.edu
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wednesday 1.27.2010
others is a family focus, Morrison said. While attending the conference, the delegates are hosted in the homes of local families. “These host families are another great part of the learning experience of the conference. They are really neat families,� Morrison said. “A lot of them are Aggie families and some are not, but they are all families who want to have an effect impact of students of our age.� The families develop relationships with the delegates and share family traditions to provide a real-life example of qualities that make their family successful and supplement the topics addressed in the sessions. The topics focused on include leadership morals and ethics, and the importance of
ural habitat. “I do think it is important for the bird to be in the wild since that is its natural habitat so it has to be the best place for it. Not being able to be in the wild could and most likely will have a negative effect on the bird because it won’t be able to soar freely like it could before.� Rohack said the bird will be used for breeding, education or will be put in a zoo. Texas Parks and Wildlife are investigating the shooting by using the bullet fragments as evidence. “If you are out there and you did this, don’t feel like you’re safe because you can be found out. There are ways to find out especially when the federal government gets involved,� Rohack said. “I really hope they track this shooter down since there is a $250,000 fine for shooting birds of prey that are protected by the federal government. They deserve to pay.�
dising manager for Traditions, said the program came in response to the changing market for textbooks. “The reason we came up with the rental program was to compete with the Internet market, so we can get a cheaper textbook for the students,� McLaren said. “It’s also much more convenient because they can just come into the store rather than scouring the Internet, and it’s also more accurate because we get the list of books from the University.� McLaren said the feedback has been positive, and the frequency of textbook rentals was proof. “We’ve had a ton of people coming through the stores and probably 80 to 90 [percent] of these people are renting textbooks if they can,� McLaren said. Not all books are available for renting. Less popular textbooks or those that have high turnover rates due to frequently published new editions are unprofitable to offer as rentals because bookstores may not be able to sell them the following semester. Nebraska Book Co., the textbook distributor for Traditions Bookstore,
provides textbooks to 275 locations nationwide. Of these stores, 105 are offering a textbook rental program. Barnes and Noble, which is the supplier for the MSC Bookstore, also has a textbook rental program; 35 locations are offering the service. Karen DiScala, corporate communications manager for Barnes and Noble, said the program would look to expand
US
Good thing he has a meal plan.
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Everything you want to do these days costs money. We can help. We’re looking for parttime and full-time Cooks, Dishwashers, Hosts, Servers, Cashiers/Retail Sales and Night Janitorial who are available to work weekend hours. You’ll get to work with great people, and be able to take advantage of: • Up to 3 Raises in Your First Year • Flexible Scheduling • A 401 (k) Savings Plan
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Pg. 6-01.27.10.indd 1
announced last week. Toyota has said it was unaware of any accidents or injuries due to the pedal problems associated with the recall, but could not rule them out for sure. “This action is necessary until a remedy is ďŹ nalized,â€? said Bob Carter, Toyota’s group vice president and general manager. The Japanese automaker said the sales suspension includes the following models: the 2009-2010 RAV4, the 2009-2010 Corolla, the 2007-2010 Camry, the 2009-2010 Matrix, the 2005-2010 Avalon, the 2010 Highlander, the 2007-2010 Tundra and the 2008-2010 Sequoia. Associated Press
E-textbooks and rental books are now an option to help offset the cost of rising book prices.
Think of as funding for your social life.
Interviewing Monday - Friday 9:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. Saturday 10:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.
WASHINGTON — Toyota is suspending U.S. sales of eight car and truck models to ďŹ x sticking gas pedals and halting production lines at plants from Texas to Canada to deal with the problem, the latest to confront the world’s No. 1 automaker. The suspended sales, announced Tuesday, involve a signiďŹ cant portion of Toyota Motor Co.’s eet and some of its most popular vehicles, including the Camry and Corolla. As part of the plan, Toyota is halting some production at ďŹ ve assembly plants beginning the week of Feb. 1 “to assess and coordinate activities.â€? There are 2.3 million vehicles involved in the recall, which was
Jonny Green — THE BATTALION
sonal questions. family and service. “It’s in all different types of “The topics are very applicable to anybody. It’s not that settings. It’s not always just a speaker standing up at you are trying to be a “Started a podium speaking leader of a certain to you,� Morjob or proby Frank and rison said. “As fession. So Joanie Abbott in 1995, a delegate I much of its the conference was created remember is just how to encourage sophomore and being blown you can junior Aggies to explore the away by the be a leadrelationship between leadership caliber of er in your and values, and to establish speakers and own comleadership styles based leaders sharmunity, on ethics, values and ing their expeyour family, morals.� riences with us or any organiin a small group setzation you are in— ting. Interacting with those looking at how you live your life and if your actions are leaders in a personal and small actually congruent with your private setting was very overbeliefs,� said conference adviser whelming and probably one of the neatest things of the conferKelly Cox. The sessions come in many ence for me.� The speaker’s backgrounds shapes and forms, including a roundtable discussion format and experiences range from connecting small groups of business to personal excellence. seven to 10 delegates with five One conference can contain different speakers open for per- speeches from the CEO of the
• Weekly Pay • Paid Vacation • Advancement Opportunities
Toyota halts US sales of 8 models
in the wake of its early success. “The students seem to like having another cost-saving option available to them,� DiScala said. “We intend to significantly expand our rental program to many more schools in 2010.� DiScala did not know whether A&M would be one of the schools to participate.
Houston rodeo, state congressman, and head partners from major law and accounting firms. Another aspect of leadership quality captured in some of the speakers is overcoming personal hardship. “There are other speakers who maybe their resume isn’t as lengthy, but their life experiences are really neat and they are willing to share them,� Morrison said. The speakers are chosen by the director’s staff, which is made up of students The staff is in charge of finding, contacting and recruiting the speakers. The completely student-run organization includes eight directors and advice chairmen per conference that are responsible for planning and executing the entire conference. Also included as part of the conference is a service project benefitting the conference’s city. Delegates of the San Antonio conference will be volunteering at Heritage Children youth development facilities while Austin attendees will be visiting with residents of a local hospital. From leadership training to community service, the Abbott Family Leadership Conference strives to offer it all, Morrison said. “It’s a nice combination of a lot of different things that get pulled together,� Cox said.
Nuclear Continued from page 1
A protein can be compared with gelatin, Reinhart said, where the structure can be modified, and the motions of the protein can be changed. “These motions are called protein dynamics, and they can be studied with a nuclear resonance room,� he said. The nuclei within atoms spin like tops in the room. They have a spinning charge and a magnetic field associated with them. “If that spinning nucleus is subject to a magnetic field, it tends to align in one direction,� Reinhart said. “Atoms are sensitive to spectroscopy.� The molecular structure is deduced by how the electron clouds hover around the nuclei and the amount of energy they need to flip 180 degrees.
Conference staff members and delegates said they look forward to what the upcoming conferences will offer. “I’m looking forward to learning from the best speakers I can imagine hearing from,� Morrison said. “I’m looking forward to getting to know the delegates better.� Elise Graham, who will be attending the Austin conference, said she is excited to get to meet the speakers and is looking forward to getting to know the other delegates that are pursuing similar interests. “Since I’m a business major, I’ve been warned that the business world is a ‘dark’ place where many people have to compromise their values,� Graham said. “I’m excited to meet the people that challenge that way of thinking and ethically pursue their passions. Servant leadership is a rare quality that I really admire in people, and one that I hope to develop.� To learn more about the Abbott Family Leadership Conference visit abbott.tamu.edu.
Conference Dates San Antonio: Jan. 26-31 Austin: Feb. 17-21
The size of the room’s instruments is limited by space available in the biochemistry and biophysics building. Those were some of the initial reasonings for the need of the addition. “We aspire to getting more instruments. It is a University facility — a resource available to all of campus,� he said. There are two purposes: to house more equipment and faculty and give them space for research, Reinhart said. “[In this manner] more undergraduates, graduates and post-doctoral students can conduct research,� he said. Reinhart said in the biochemistry and genetics undergraduate degree programs it is required for students to have at least one semester of research experience. “[This lab] gives a chance for students to pick from more faculty and labs and opportunities for undergrads to conduct and learn about research.�
1/26/10 10:55 PM