The Battalion: February 1, 2010

Page 1

thebattalionasks

Q:

What does Black History Month mean to you?

thebattalion ● monday,

february 1, 2010

● serving

texas a&m since 1893

● first paper free – additional copies $1 ● © 2010 student media

Top students choose A&M

Adam Batt sophomore political science major

“Black History Month to me stands for a progress of the United States as far as a Civil Rights Movement. It’s a remembrance of what our past generations have worked for.”

Aggies rank 10th in terms of National Merit Scholars

Desmond Tucker senior industrial distribution major

Robert Carpenter The Battalion Highly recruited students are choosing Texas A&M over other competing universities, statistics released last month by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation show. The 2009 report listed A&M 10th in terms of new National Merit Scholar enrollment, up from 13th in 2008. This year, the University added 189 National Merit Scholars in its freshman class, bringing the undergraduate total to 550. Ed Funkhouser, executive director of honors programs at A&M, attributed this success to the uniqueness of the University. “What A&M tries to do is level the playing field so the choice is not based on finances but on the quality of the

“It’s a time to remember how far African-Americans have come as a people. It’s a checkpoint to make sure we don’t stop moving forward.”

Shiyu Hu computer science graduate student

See Scholars on page 4

b!

“I have never had any experience with it. It will be interesting for me. I think I will attend it and know more about it.” Artifacts recovered from the 1838 Heroine shipwreck in the Red River in Oklahoma include bale hooks, a hardwood mallet and a boot and shoe.

Johanna Storm

“It means an awareness that we still have racial issues in the country. We’ve come a long way, but we still have a ways to go.”

senior engineering technology major

Texas A&M nautical archaeology brings history to life

Brandon Klekar sophomore aerospace engineering major

“It means we’ve gotten over a lot of our past. Now we can celebrate that it’s not that way anymore. Now we have Barack Obama as president. We can celebrate that we can all live and work together.”

Melissa Appel and Sam Smith — THE BATTALION

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When the clock strikes midnight MSC OPAS’ “A Cinderella Story” may have an alternate ending to the classical tale.

voices | 7

Preacherman is back His appearance on campus is nearly biannual, but what do the students think?

this day in

.S. U history

Feb. 1, 1960 Meagan O’Toole-Pitts

“I think it’s a cop-out. It’s a way to appease people who want to be recognized. If we want to include everyone, we don’t need to have a month to look at black history.”

Jeramie Heflin — THE BATTALION

Waterworld wonders

junior psychology major

Preston Thorpe

trends | 3

The Battalion Texas A&M’s Nautical Archaeology Program is bringing history to life –– literally. Students of the New World laboratory, which focuses on the study of ship evolution within the past 500 years, are in the midst of recreating “The Heroine,” a Mississippi River steamboat built in 1832 that sank in the Red River between Texas and Oklahoma

in 1838. “At the time they weren’t keeping records; there’s a lot we don’t know about early boats –– how they designed and built them – this opens early steam boating in the early west, how they operated on the river and how it was to live and work on them. We want to know what our ancestors lived through,” said Kevin Crisman, associate professor of nautical archaeology. See Steamboat on page 8

thebatt. com Explore the meanings, uses and names of the artifacts found on the Heroine plus catch a glimpse of the nautical archaeology man himself.

In Greensboro, N.C., four black students sat down and ordered coffee at a lunch counter in Woolworths. They were refused service, but did not leave. Instead, they waited all day. The scene was repeated over the next few days, with protests spreading to other southern states, resulting in the eventual arrest of more than 1,600 people for participating in sit-ins.

Aggie students save life on Highway 6 ■ An ordinary shuttle ride between Houston and College Station nearly turns deadly when driver needs immediate medical attention, miles from help Samantha Johnson The Battalion An ordinary shuttle ride after an exhausting journey nearly turned deadly, but tragedy was avoided thanks to the quick thinking and teamwork of a group of Aggies. Kiera and Maggie Gallagher were hoping to have a relaxing ride from Houston to College Station after their flight back from Abu Dhabi on Jan. 15. They were joined by seven other A&M students ready

to get home and recover from their journeys. “We had been traveling for a while, and there were a lot of international travelers, so we were really tired,” said freshman communication major Maggie. The shuttle ride started out well, except for the stormy night. The driver, a former Aggie, was excited to find out he was taking Aggies home. See Saving a life on page 8

Natasha Sankovich — THE BATTALION

Junior education major Kiera Gallagher and freshman communication major Maggie Gallagher were traveling from Houston when their driver had a diabetic coma.

1/31/10 7:43 PM


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DO YOU WANT TO BE IN A BAND? MSC TOWN HALL’S 2009 BATTLE OF THE

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thebattalion 02.01.2010 For daily updates go to thebatt.com â—? Facebook â—? Twitter@thebattonline

Police arrest four students for possession of marijuana

Adam and the giant peaches

The College Station Police Department arrested four Texas A&M students on felony charges of marijuana possession Wednesday. Police executed a search warrant and found 11.6 ounces of marijuana in the Pintail Loop where Texas A&M students Chase Barker, Chadwick Barker, Colton Wise and Neil Anderson, all 19, live. “The investigation has been ongoing since fall 2009,â€? said Lt. Rodney Sigler. “A search warrant for the residence was secured and all the residents inside were arrested from it.â€? $3,881 in cash was conďŹ scated in connection with the investigation. “Anytime we ďŹ nd money we believe to be involved in illegal transactions, we conďŹ scate it as well,â€? Sigler said. Chase, Chadwick and Anderson were released from prison early Thursday afternoon after posting $5,000 bail each. Wise was released later that evening, also on a $5,000 bail. “The amount that was found is a state jail penalty,â€? Sigler said. The students could face up to two years in a state jail. Sigler said a trial date has not yet been set. Samantha Johnson, staff writer

Haiti detains Americans for child trafficking PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Ten U.S. Baptists detained trying to take 33 children out of earthquake-shattered Haiti without government permission say they were just trying to do the right thing, applying Christian principles to save Haitian children. Prime Minister Max Bellerive on Sunday told The Associated Press that the group was arrested and is under judicial investigation “because it is illegal trafďŹ cking of children and we won’t accept that.â€? The Americans are the ďŹ rst people to be arrested since the Jan. 12 quake on such suspicions. Associated Press

LAST CALL FOR ORDERS Audit Deadline: Feb 8ĂŠĂŠUĂŠĂŠOrder Deadline: Feb 10

Jonny Green — THE BATTALION

Senior landscape architecture major Adam Feller prunes a Lafeliciana peach tree for a customer at the Holistic Garden’s plant and fruit tree sale on Friday. The garden, located on West Campus, has several plant sales each year.

howtoapply

corrections

If you are interested in writing or contributing content in The Battalion apply at thebatt.com, or call 845-3313.

The Battalion welcomes readers’ comments about published information that may require correction. We will pursue your concern to determine whether a correction needs to be published. Please e-mail at editor@thebatt.com.

The Battalion welcomes any Texas A&M student interested in writing for the arts, campus, metro or sports staffs to try out. We particularly encourage freshmen and sophomores to apply, but students may try out regardless of semester standing or major. No previous journalism experience is necessary.

Aggie Ring Day: April 16, 2010 HOW TO GET YOUR AGGIE RING ON APRIL 16, 2010: If you meet the requirements after Fall '09: 1. Submit an Aggie Ring audit online at AggieNetwork.com/Ring by February 8, 2010. 2. Check the status of your Aggie Ring audit online at AggieNetwork.com/Ring once your audit has been reviewed. ĂŠ ĂŠĂŠ UĂŠ Â˜ĂŠi“>ˆÂ?ĂŠĂœÂˆÂ?Â?ĂŠLiĂŠĂƒiÂ˜ĂŒĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠĂžÂœĂ•ĂŠÂœÂ˜ViĂŠĂžÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠĂ€iĂ›ÂˆiĂœĂŠÂˆĂƒĂŠVÂœÂ“ÂŤÂ?iĂŒi°ĂŠ ĂŠ ĂŠĂŠ UĂŠ vĂŠĂžÂœĂ•ĂŠ`ÂœĂŠÂ˜ÂœĂŒĂŠĂ€iViÂˆĂ›iĂŠ>Â˜ĂŠi“>ˆÂ?]ĂŠĂžÂœĂ•ĂŠĂœÂˆÂ?Â?ĂŠÂ˜ii`ĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠVÂ…iVÂŽĂŠĂžÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠ>Ă•`ÂˆĂŒĂŠĂŠ status online no later then February 9, 2010. ĂŠ ĂŠĂŠ UĂŠ vʾÕ>Â?ˆvˆi`]ĂŠĂžÂœĂ•ĂŠĂœÂˆÂ?Â?ĂŠLiĂŠ>ĂƒĂƒÂˆ}˜i`ĂŠ`>ĂŒiĂƒĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠÂœĂ€`iĂ€ĂŠĂžÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠ }}ˆiĂŠ,ˆ˜}° 3. Order your Aggie Ring during the assigned dates. ĂŠ ĂŠĂŠ UĂŠFull payment is due at time of order. Pricing is available online. ĂŠ ĂŠĂŠ UĂŠRing loans are available to qualified, currently enrolled students at the Short Term Loan Office. Submit your application online at http://financialaid.tamu.edu or call 845-3955 for further details. Please complete your Ring audit before applying for a Ring loan. ĂŠ ĂŠĂŠ UĂŠIf you are unable to order in person during your assigned dates, you may order on another day prior to the order deadline, February 10, 2010, or complete an order form found at http://www.aggienetwork.com/ring/cs_ringform.pdf - Mail or fax orders must be received by the Aggie Ring Program by February 10, 2010. - Please contact the Aggie Ring Program at (979) 845-1050 to confirm we have received your order.

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT REQUIREMENTS: 1. 90 cumulative completed undergraduate credit hours. 2. 45 undergraduate resident credit hours completed at TAMU.

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thebattalion THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT VOICE OF TEXAS A&M SINCE 1893

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GRADUATE STUDENT REQUIREMENTS: Master’s Thesis Option 1. Defended Thesis Due to ordering deadlines, you may order at the beginning of the semester you will graduate. Your Aggie Ring will be delivered on Aggie Ring Day if you have defended your thesis prior to the deadline set by the Office of Graduate Studies. If you do not defend your thesis prior to this date, your Aggie Ring will be held until the qualification is met.

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Ian McPhail, Opinion Editor Jill Beathard, Managing Editor Matt Woolbright, Asst. Managing Editor Evan Andrews, Graphics Chief Megan Ryan, Video/Photo Chief Megan Keyho, Features Editor David Harris, Sports Editor 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 ofďŹ ces 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 classiďŹ ed advertising, call 979-8450569. Advertising ofďŹ ces are in The Grove, Bldg. 8901, and ofďŹ ce 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 979845-2613.

Visit AggieNetwork.com/Ring for complete details or call the Aggie Ring Program at 845-1050.

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1/31/10 8:11 PM


things you should know

5 before you go MSC Forsyth student opening

Black History Month

1

2

3

“I am black history” is the theme Texas A&M University, the MSC Woodson Black Awareness Commitee and other organizations use to celebrate Black History Month in February with programs and events. For more information go to http:// wbac.tamu.edu/BHM.

The MSC Visual Arts Committee is presenting a photography exhibit called “Walking with Presidents” beginning today until Feb. 28 in the Wright Gallery in Langford Architecture Building. The exhibit documents the history of African-American political leaders.

The Forsyth Art Gallery will celebrate its student grand opening from 6-9 p.m. Thursday at its temporary location in downtown Bryan. There will be appetizers and live music along with the exhibition, The American West: Then and Now, running through Feb. 20.

Walking with presidents

The Paul Dresher Ensemble

4

Don Quixote Exhibit

The Paul Dresher Ensemble, a contemporary performance ensemble, will be performing at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Rudder Theater. Admission is $5 for students and $10 for general admission.

The Don Quixote 4 Million Volume Exhibit is featured in the Cushing Memorial Library displaying the University Libraries’ 4 millionth volume, a rare edition of Miguel de Cervantes’ Don Quixote de La Mancha, Parts I and II until Feb. 19.

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b! thebattalion 02.01.2010 page3

scene

A fairytale

comes to OPAS

Rebecca Bennett The Battalion

W

ith colorful, haute couture costumes and a nine-piece live jazz band, you can rest assured the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s production of “A Cinderella Story” is not your grandmother’s version of ballet.

The Canadian production has amped up the traditional fairy tale, setting the story during the 1950s decade of sock hops and poodle skirts.

Courtesy photos

“A Cinderella Story” dances its way to OPAS on Wednesday. This unique version of the classic fairytale will feature the Royal Winnipeg Ballet in a 1950s setting. Considering the fantastical nature of the story, perhaps the idealistic world of compartmentalized TV dinners and catchy advertisement jingles is oddly appropriate. The show cleverly modernizes some of the story’s magical elements — where would a girl be

Pg. 3-02.01.10.indd 1

these days without her bright orange convertible, Cinderella, after all? but is in fact a ballet—the The creators may have taken innovative focus should be on the dancers steps away from the days of enchanted and choreography even more than pumpkin carriages, but “A Cinderella the plot and characters,” said Elizabeth Story” pays dues to its predecessors, especially Melton, student committee chairwoman through music. for OPAS and Vanessa Lawson, the “The music will be very, very appealing, I principal dancer who plays Nancy, said think,” said Anne Black, executive director she uses the choreography to personally of MSC OPAS, referring to Ron Paley’s jazz express the transformation which occurs arrangements of music originally composed by to her version of Cinderella’s character. Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. “In the beginning, she is a bit awkRodgers, half of the famous Rodgers & Hammerstein ward. She wears glasses — those 1950s-style showbiz duo, helped prepare the music of a teleglasses, you know? She’s a bit of a nerd, but she doesn’t care. vised version of the classic Cinderella tale. She still tries to move, to dance,” Lawson said. “Later on The show makes a playful nod to this she does this sexy dance number, so I have to be able parallel as Nancy — the new, bespecto show that she evolves from being quiet to a more tacled version of the little cinder girl confident character.” The production will be at 7:30 — passes her time before the glow The Royal Winnipeg Ballet has a reputation p.m. Wednesday in Rudder of her television set, not a fireplace, for its artistic portrayal of stories through dance. Auditorium. Tickets are at the Founded in 1939, the company boasts the doubleawaiting “Cinderella”s broadcast. MSC Box Office. Students can distinction of being both Canada’s premier ballet The subtle irony of this contemalso take advantage of special company and the longest continually operating porary fairy tale (let’s just say it isn’t $16 RUSH tickets, available on Prince Charming who gets to decide ballet company in North America. the performance day. “A Cinderella Story” has already been positively if the shoe fits) is what Black said she received in its host nation; critics praise the dancers for finds so appealing about the production. their masterful ability to combine modern dance, jazz, be“I hope that [the audience] has a good bop, ballroom and even ice-skating moves into their traditional time because there’s lots of humor in the perballet footwork. formance. I think it’s kind of fun and whimsical. You can “[The choreography] gets us looser than we’re used to because come to enjoy the dance, but also the humor and general quirkiwe have to relax our bodies more. So it’s definitely a challenge, but ness of the show as well,” she said. still lots of fun to do and for audiences to watch,” Lawson said. Black said each semester, OPAS strives to include at least one She said audiences should go expecting something funny, and dance-centered production on its itinerary. that they should feel free to clap and laugh because the performers “From what I’ve seen and learned about this specific producreally appreciate the encouragement. tion, the 1950s design concept is executed very well and en“So just sit back, relax and enjoy,” the ballerina said. hances the dancing on stage…this is more than just a re-telling of

1/31/10 6:13 PM


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Holleman Drive construction reduces area speed limit The speed limit on FM 2818 from Holleman Drive to Welsh Avenue was reduced to 45 mph today due to construction. “I feel very negatively about that,” Jack Rutter said. Rutter is a junior sport management major who lives near the area. These changes will be in effect for the duration of the railroad improvement as part of the $21 million FM 2818/UPRR overpass and relocation of FM 2154 project, according to a news release. Workers will begin repairing the existing dura-curb on FM 2818 at Jones-Butler Road today, closing both inside lanes. Knife River Corp. was contracted by the Texas Department of Transportation to complete the project and is expected to finish during fall 2011. “Traffic’s going to back up,” Rutter said. “That’s lame.” Brandi Tevebaugh, staff writer

Scholars Continued from page 1

Acct 209

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Part 1 of 4 Tue Feb 27 7pm-10pm

Part 2 of 4 Wed Feb 28 7pm-10pm

Part 3 of 4 Thu Mar 1 4pm-7pm

Pt 4 & Tst Rvw Sun Mar 4 3pm-7pm

institution and on the student body,” Funkhouser said. “What often makes the difference is the quality of the academic family. We bring them here and let them get a sense of that A&M experience.” To become a National Merit Scholar, students must score among the top 16,000 on the PSAT test their junior year in high school. More than 1.5 million high school juniors took the exam with this year’s freshman class. Once designated as a National Merit Scholar, these students are rectuited by A&M through mail, contact with current and former students, campus visits and scholarship packages often totaling more than $50,000. Bret Evers, class of 2004, was a national merit scholar when he made the decision to attend A&M. Evers said the exemplary attention he was shown convinced him A&M was the right choice. “Both A&M’s and the Honor Program’s commitment to its students, and in particular, those who are selected to be National Merit Scholars, outshined that of all of the other colleges I looked at,” Evers said. Even with high expectations, Evers said the University went above and beyond in providing unique opportunities. “I conducted research in a wide range of labs, coauthored a scientific paper, traveled to Italy, worked in Adelaide, Australia at TGR BioSciences as a summer intern and met a number of great friends,” Evers said. “Texas A&M was the perfect place for me to grow, learn and pursue my dreams.” Since graduating, Evers has become a PhD-MD Fellow at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Paige Ibanez, a senior English and history major and a National Merit Scholar, said the opportunity for students to study abroad lured her to A&M. “I came to A&M because I believed it was the institution which could provide me the most opportunity for growth,” Ibanez said. “Through various recruiting events, I found out that I could go abroad my freshman year, and this played a very big role in my decision.” Ibanez spent time in Italy and Germany her freshman year with two honorsrelated groups. Funkhouser said the University recruits national merit scholars because successful students will become recruiting “ambassadors” for the University. He said these students go on to enhance the University’s reputation in their chosen fields. “We [at A&M] have that sense of Aggie family, of commitment to each other. That is alien to a lot of folks outside of the A&M family,” Funkhouser said. “These are students who often times will tell the story, ‘I didn’t know about A&M. I didn’t know what all of this meant. I came here and was glad I made that decision.’”

1/31/10 7:47 PM


sports

Coming Tuesday A look at freshman golf sensation Cameron Peck

thebattalion 2.1.2010 page5

Loubeau and Co. wreck on Tech

Weekend Big 12 basketball results

Sloan adds 28 points in 85-70 win over Red Raiders before 13,648

Men’s:

T.D. Durham The Battalion In front of 13,648 fans, the largest crowd in the history of Reed Arena, the Texas A&M men’s basketball team defeated Texas Tech 85-70 Saturday. “The thing I was most excited about is our crowd,” A&M Head Coach Mark Turgeon said. “It shows people around here are believing in what we’re doing and how hard we’re playing.” A&M senior guard Donald Sloan continued to raise his scoring average with a 28-point performance, 20 of which were scored in the second half. The Aggies got out to a rough start, quickly falling to a 6-0 deficit in the first 2:12 of the game. Sophomore forward David Loubeau would get A&M going offensively, scoring six of its first eight points in the first half. Loubeau finished the game tying a career-high nine rebounds and 19 points, just one point off of his career-high 20 set against Angelo State on Nov. 13. “I was getting more touches in the right spot tonight,” Lou-

beau said. “I was just executing and playing hard.” The Aggies struggled again from 3-point range, missing the first five attempts in the game. A&M shot a meager 13 percent for the contest. The Red Raiders led the Aggies throughout the majority of the first half until a pair of free throws from Sloan gave A&M the lead with 3:19 remaining in the first period. Texas Tech trailed at halftime 41-36. The Aggies led Texas Tech throughout the entirety of the second half, though the Red Raiders did bring the game to a 1-point margin once. A&M set a school record for Big 12 play with just four turnovers in the whole game. “We can really dribble and pass,” Turgeon said. “It helps having three point guards out there handling the ball. Plus, the big guys did a great job of taking care of the ball tonight, and that made the difference.” With nearly a minute and a half remaining in the contest, A&M sophomore guard Dash Harris stole the ball and flew down court only to finish with a two-handed slam that made

Baylor at No. 6 Texas

80 77

Oklahoma State at Missouri

80 95

No. 2 Kansas 81 at No. 13 Kansas State 79 Texas Tech at Texas A&M Colorado at Iowa State

70 85

Oklahoma at Nebraska

63 64 46 63

Big 12 standings: Team

Kansas 6-0 (20-1) Texas 4-2 (18-3) Missouri 4-2 (16-5) Kansas State 4-3 (17-4) Oklahoma State 4-3 (16-5) Texas A&M 4-3 (15-6) Baylor 3-3 (16-4) Oklahoma 3-4 (12-9) Iowa State 2-4 (13-8) Texas Tech 2-5 (14-7) Colorado 2-5 (11-10) Nebraska 1-5 (13-8)

Ben Williamson — THE BATTALION

Forward David Loubeau attacks the basket despite the impedance of a Texas Tech defender. Loubeau scored 19 points in the Aggies’ 85-70 win against the Red Raiders. the crowd erupt. A&M senior forward Bryan Davis followed on the next play with a steal that led to a fast break layup for Sloan on the other end. Davis had a strong night defensively with four blocks and a steal. Davis also scored 15 points

and nine rebounds. Texas Tech junior forward Mike Singletary was injured on the play. He left the game holding his shoulder. No official word has been released about his status.

Big 12 (overall)

Women’s:

Next Game:

No. 17 Oklahoma State 67 at No. 8 Texas A&M 63

On Wednesday, the Aggies travel to Missouri to face the Tigers. The game starts at 8 p.m.

No. 16 Baylor at No. 25 Texas

Tennis teams toppled in weekend tourneys

50 61

No. 4 Nebraska at Colorado

80 64

No. 12 Oklahoma at Texas Tech

70 66

Kansas at Missouri

61 59

No. 18 Iowa State at Kansas State

67 73

Big 12 standings:

thebatt.com

The Battalion On Sunday, the Texas A&M women’s tennis team opened the 2010 season at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Kick-Off in Clemson, S.C. where the Aggies dropped two consecutive matches to No. 14 Clemson and then Illinois. The Aggies have not opened a season with two losses since 2006. At George P. Mitchell Tennis Center, the No. 12 Texas A&M men’s tennis team hosted the ITA KickOff tournament. The Aggies were the No.1 seed in the tournament, but fell in the first round to the No. 4 seed Fresno State, who went on to capture the tournament. In their first match of the season, the Aggies fell to the Tigers 4-3 loss after leading 3-1 before surrendering the final three matches to the Tigers. In the final three matches, two were decided by third set tie-breakers. Junior Morgan Frank and sophomore Sheri Oliver led 5-2 in each of their third sets but were unable to close out the match for the Aggies. “When Clemson got down in the two matches in the third, they “We just were more aggressive, and they didn’t get it just took the match from us,” done today” said A&M Head Coach Bobby Steve Denton, Kleinecke. ““I’m extremely men’s tennis proud of them. They gave evhead coach erything they had tonight. We came up just a little bit short. If they [play like] that every match, we are going to be fine throughout the season.” In the consolation match against Illinois, A&M came out flat and was never able to recover, dropping the match 4-2. After dropping the doubles point, the Ag-

Pg. 5-02.01.10.indd 1

was tough coming back from last night’s match and being ready to play today. I just felt like we have to lay it out there a lot more.” The women go “We just didn’t get it done to Baton Rouge today,” said A&M Head Coach on Sunday to Steve Denton. “We have some face LSU, and new guys, but the conditions were will return to different and weather was a facthe George P. tor. You have to give Fresno State Mitchell Tennis credit though, because their players Center March 9. handled the conditions better than we did, and were more aggressive.” The men travel Against Fresno State, the Aggies to Houston to face rival Texas dropped the doubles point for the first time this season. Trailing 1-0, Friday for the the Aggies captured three singles Houston Cup. matches from juniors Austin KraIn the past jicek and Alexey Grigorov and two years, the freshman Alberto Bautista to take a Longhorns 3-2 lead. In the final two matches, have swept the each was decided by a third set and Aggies winning all won by the Bulldogs. In the consolation final of the 4-0 and 7-0. tournament, the Aggies defeated Big 12 rival Oklahoma State 4-1. After capturing the doubles point, A&M won three singles matches to finish off the Cowboys. The Aggies were led in singles by Krajicek and Bautista, who has yet to lose a singles match in his first year with the Aggies.

Tennis on the road

Michael Sullivan

J.D. Swiger — THE BATTALION

Sophomore Alexis Klegou prepares to volley against a Fresno State player Sunday. gies were able to gather singles wins from senior Elze Potgieter and Frank, but it was not enough to top the Fighting Illini. “From the start, even from the warm-up, I felt like we were just not there,” Kleinecke said. “I know it

CAMP DAY

All

Team

Big 12 (overall)

Nebraska 6-0 (19-0) Oklahoma State 6-1 (18-3) Oklahoma 5-2 (15-5) Iowa State 4-3 (16-4) Texas A&M 3-3 (15-4) Texas 3-3 (14-6) Kansas State 3-3 (11-9) Kansas 3-4 (13-7) Baylor 2-4 (15-5) Colorado 2-5 (12-8) Texas Tech 1-5 (13-7)

thebatt.com

Recaps from the weekend

Ma

Results for track and field, swimming, and women’s basketball

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elc

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Tuesday, February 2 9:30 am - 3:30 pm Sbisa Dining Hall Quiet Room Camps will be Interviewing for Summer Counselors & Staff Sponsored by: the Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences, the Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences Club, AgriLife Extension and the TAMU Career Center Additional opportunities at the Career Fair on February 15, 2010 to be held in Exhibit Hall. Watch the Batt for more details.

1/31/10 9:18 PM


classifieds

thebattalion 2.1.2010 page6 PLACE

AN AD Phone 845-0569 or Fax 845-2678 The Grove, Bldg. #8901 Texas A&M University

ANNOUNCEMENTS Getting Married or Planning an Event? Make plans to attend the Spring Bridal Show and Benefit. Sunday, February 21 from 11am-4pm at Brazos Valley Expo. Over 100 booths! Grand prize: $1000 shopping spree. Proceeds benefit Brazos Valley Hospice. Tickets are $15 online at www.ido-ido.org or $20 at the door.

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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. $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 fourplex, newly remodeled, close to campus, on bus route for $650/mo. Call 979-966-3913. Licensed agent. Move in now and pre-lease for August 2010. 2bd/1.5ba Sublease. 1500 Olympia Way. #22 bus route. Call 832-704-9333. 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.

WHEN

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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.

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 4b/2b pre-leasing house w/2 car garage. Walking/biking distance to campus, on shuttle route, fenced-in yard. Rent $1500/month. 979-229-4222. 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

Room available in 4/2.5. $360/mo call (713)591-1792 if interested.

FOR SALE 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.

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.

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.

Brand new building! 1/1, 2/2 move-in now! Walk to campus. 3/2, 2/2 available in August. Call 979.255.5648.

Athletic men for calendars, books, etc. $100-$200/hr, up to $1000/day. No experience. 512-684-8296. photoguy@io.com

SPECIAL

see ads at thebatt.com

PRIVATE PARTY WANT ADS

$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 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 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. Fish Daddy’s and Cheddar’s now interviewing all positions. 1611 University Drive. 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. Great job opportunity for construction science major. Looking for dependable person to help supervise small work crew, run errands, and perform light manual labor. Must have dependable transportation. Call Norman Concrete Services at 979-739-9392 for an appointment. 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 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.

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

PETS

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!

LOST & FOUND Local Ag businessman seeks aggressive self starting male students for 5 hours each Saturday. No selling, top pay. Call 979-696-0203, 8-10am only.

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MUSIC 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.

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The Corner Bar &Grill now hiring. Apply in person at 9pm monday thru wednesday. All positions available.

Various duties from watering plants to driving tractor at our country home. Thursday or Friday and Saturday or Sunday. Minimum 4-6 hrs/wk, $8/hr. Respond to llgstar@aol.com put your name and number in subject line.

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

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

Adopt Pets: Dogs, Cats, Puppies, Kittens, Many purebreds. Brazos Animal Shelter, 979-775-5755, www.brazosanimalshelter.org 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.

SERVICES Conversational Czech language class. Call Trent 618-334-4584 or e-mail trentpearson@gmail.com

TUTORS

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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.

TAKE A PIECE OF A&M HISTORY WITH YOU · Order your 2010 Aggieland (if you haven’t) The 2010 Aggieland yearbook will be a 700-page record of the 2009-2010 Texas A&M school year. Books will be mailed out during Fall 2010.

· Purchase the award-winning 2009 Aggieland (if you haven’t) The 107th edition of Texas A&M University’s official yearbook is a 624-page photojournalistic record of the 2008–2009 school year chronicling traditions, academics, the other education, sports, the Corps, greeks, groups and seniors and graduate students. Drop by the Student Media office, Bldg. #8901 in The Grove (between Albritton Bell Tower and Cain Hall). Hours: 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Monday–Friday. Cash, check, VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express accepted. Phone: 979.845.2613. Or go to http://aggieland.tamu.edu.

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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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:

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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 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:

J&S Studies, Inc. 979-774-5933 1710 Crescent Pointe Parkway, College Station, TX 77845 www.js-studies.com

Pg. 6-02-01-10.indd 1

1/29/10 2:58:44 PM


EDITOR’SNOTE The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants in this paper do not necessarily reflect those of Texas A&M University, The Battalion or its staff.

MAILCALL GUESTCOLUMNS Make your opinion known by submitting Mail Call or guest columns to The Battalion. Mail

call must be fewer than 200 words and include the author’s name, classification, major and phone number. Staff and faculty must include title. Guest columns must be fewer than 700 words. All submissions should focus on issues not personalities, become property of The Battalion and are subject to editing for style, clarity and space concerns. Anonymous letters

will be read, but not printed. The Battalion will print only one letter per author per month. No mail call will appear in The Battalion’s print or online editions before it is verified. Direct all correspondence to: Editor in chief of The Battalion (979) 845-3315 | mailcall@thebatt.com

voices

thebattalion 02.01.2010

page7

Jeremy Northum — THE BATTALION

Jed Smock, an evangelist from Missouri, speaks to students on Wednesday in front of the Academic Building. Smock’s ministry is called “Campus Ministry USA.”

The sins of a

preacherman

O

n Wednesday A&M students were graced with the presence of evangelist Jed Smock, or as most people call him, ‘‘you’re going to hell guy.” Smock travels to many universities in Texas “preaching his message,” but his rhetoric is based on hate and turns people away from Christianity.

Cole Allen

minutes talking with him, I heard the terms “masturbator,” “hussy” and “homosexual’’ used and directed at various students numerous times. I was surprised to see the extent to which he took the extremes of his views, seeing him bash on a couple for holding hands, giving them an in-depth and descriptive view on how “pre-marital holding hands Walking out of my morning class, the sound of “You’re a hussie and going to hell!” leads to pre-marital sex, which puts you in hell!” shook me awake. As I glanced around to While Smock is entitled to his First hear who was talking, I saw a man with the Amendment freedom of speech, a line “You deserve hell” sign around his neck. Instead of going home and watching some should be drawn at harassment and publicly degrading people. I’m all for preaching television, I found this much better enterthe word of good and helping people, but tainment, so I sat down and let Mr. Smock Smock’s methods are not, which backfires embrace my thoughts and emotions. I had against his misguided goals. the privilege to watch him, try and underIt is rude, obtrusive, and just not morstand his message and get to know him. ally acceptable to yell such things at people First let me say, aside from the yellpassing by. Generally when trying to bring ing and screaming, I’m sure Smock is a delightful man to talk with about nonbibli- people into a particular view or interest, it is not helpful to scare them into it. Calling cal related stuff. But during the span of 15

Pg. 7-02.01.10.indd 1

people names or telling them they are going We live in an ever-changing society, and to hell actually pushes people away, due to people adapt to our surroundings, formthe ignorance and close-mindedness of ing beliefs and morals in what benefits us the presenter. most. He is right in the sense that we are If Smock wants to help people, why abusing and extorting some views. And yet, not give them lollipops and pamphlets that while our role in society changes, we still answer questions, rather than repeating face persecution in the face of religion and a nondescriptive “you are going to hell, morality. because of ….” Random onlookers simply Religion requires abiding by a moral think “why am I going to hell, what did I code, and some things are not acceptable. do? He doesn’t know me or my beliefs.” Zealots such as Smock ignore the teachings A more passive, positive and clarifying way of their religion, using God to hurt others. would actually help people. Extremists seem to think they know evIt is not very Christian-like to pass erything, and while “trying to help others” judgment on others. Saying such slanderonly offend and hurt people. ing words to people without actually Causing mental damage and anxiety knowing them personally creates upon the onlooker defeats the purThe religious tension and aggression. This pose of helping. zealotry judgment being passed by a Regardless if students do “preacher” is not acceptable need his advice or him “savpracticed by in the Christian faith; it is ing” them, we need to first Jed Smock hypocritical. learn the simple task of compushes people As I was walking away, I munication. To talk to, rather away from heard him say, “This boy is than talk at people. By learning Christianity. an agnostic; he hasn’t found from people like Smock’s negaChrist, which means he’s not tive example, maybe we can turn saved and will suffer!” While the calling people random obscenities into a majority of religious students at A&M are constructive message that can help people. Christian, there are many other religious groups. Had I been one of them, I would Cole Allen is a senior political science major. have personally been offended if he had slandered my beliefs.

1/31/10 5:42 PM


news

page 8 monday 2.1.2010

thebattalion

50 years of discovery read the fine print.

the

battalion Classifieds Call 845-0569 To Place Your Ad

Jeramie Heflin— THE BATTALION

A scale reconstruction of “The Heroine” steamboat found in the Red River.

Steamboat Continued from page 1

“This is the oldest Mississippi steamboat studied by archaeologists.” The wreckage of the boat was discovered in 2002, and students spent the past six years excavating the site by diving 20 feet down into the murky waters of the Red River and digging up the steamboat, piece by piece. “The paddle wheels and other parts of machinery were still on the boat,” Crisman said. “We found barrels of picked pork and corncobs. You don’t really know what you’re going to find until you start digging it up.” After surfacing pieces of the boat’s structure and artifacts that had been capsulated inside, students brought their work back to the University to treat the pieces for preservation and begin drafting plans of the steamboat. Plans for “The Heroine” began to be drafted while the mission was still 20 feet below. “When we’re working underwater in the Red River, obviously paper dissolves under water, so what we use is plastic drafting film and pencils to make drawings of the ship. I couldn’t hold it in front of me and see the whole thing so I had to hold it close and I had to get bifocal lenses put in my mask because I couldn’t read it,” Crisman said. “All our measurements, drawings and sketches put the whole thing back together piece by piece. We have

to put it back together in sections because we could only dig up part of it at a time.” “Nobody’s really seen these things –– a steam engine and machinery put together exactly as they were,” Crisman said. “So what we’d like to do when we’re all done with these plans is have somebody build a model of the whole thing, and maybe someday, someone could build an original size 140 feet long steamboat.” More than 200 nautical archaeological digs have been done in the world, in every continent except Antarctica and South America, and the field has contributed volumes to history, said James Delgado, president and CEO of Nautical Archaeology Institute. Nautical archaeology provides modern man a better picture of the past because shipwrecks give scientists an untouched snapshot in time, he said. New World lab assistant and nautical archaeology graduate student Bradley Krueger said he came from Michigan to A&M because it is considered the world leader in nautical archaeology. “I would consider it the best, the best in the country for the type of work that we do. We’re the first university to undertake this kind of work and we continue to be a leader in this field,” Krueger said. “Since Kevin was down here as a professor I knew that was who I wanted to work with; I wanted to get to that caliber of professionalism.”

Saving a life Continued from page 1

“The driver was really talkative and was asking everyone about their majors,” said junior education major Kiera. Soon they fell asleep, but awoke to the sound of the warning grooves on the side of the road, and the students realized the driver was swerving. “Pretty much everyone was asleep or listening to music, then we felt the bumps on the side of the road as he swerved off the road and then slowly back on the road,” Kiera said. When the swerving happened several times, the passengers said they grew annoyed at the driver. “He swerved five or six times, and at first we just thought he was a horrible driver,” Kiera said, “but then we began to get the feeling that something wasn’t right.” When he finally pulled over, the passengers piled out of the vehicle and saw the driver stumbling around the corner. “We could see that his eyes had a glazed look. I called 911,” Kiera said. The driver was suffering from diabetic hypoglycemia, a condition which can include symptoms such as loss of coordination, dizziness and double vision. If left untreated, it can result in death. “When 911 asked where we were, all we knew was that we were somewhere on Highway 6, then we saw headlights and hoped it was an

Pg. 8-02.01.10.indd 1

In 1960 Texas A&M Nautical Archaeology professor emeritus George F. Bass became the first archaeologist to conduct a scientific excavation under water. He uncovered a bronze-age merchant ship in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, the oldest known shipwreck. There have been more than 200 nautical archaeological digs in every continent except Antarctica and South America. Texas A&M’s Nautical Archaeology Program, which was founded in 1979, was the first in the nation. Students will attend a summer-filed school in Puerto Rico and in Turkey this summer. Much of the research done by A&M graduate students is published with the help of INA. History Channel producers visited the INA on campus Monday to interview Delgado for a documentary on ancient ships to discover if ancient seafarers have sailed around the world. The documentary is not yet completed and an airtime has not yet set.

Bass

ambulance,” Kiera said. The 911 dispatcher told Kiera the headlights were not emergency responders, but to flag the vehicle down for help. Luckily, the truck they flagged down was a volunteer firefighter who was able to stabilize the driver. “My grandmother is diabetic, so I know you don’t just jump back into action after something like this,” Kiera said. The driver’s family picked him up and the shuttle company sent another driver. “We just didn’t want him driving after that,” Maggie said. Kiera said the driver was apologetic and grateful for their help. “The driver kept apologizing and saying ‘you guys are so nice,’” Kiera said. “One of the guys that was with us laughed and said ‘it’s because we’re Aggies.’ I thought that summed up the whole experience.” When sophomore business administation major Kevin Hearne heard of the events, he said it was a good example of the teamwork that comes from being a part of the Aggie community. “It’s Aggies doing what Aggies do,” he said. “They were exemplifying Aggie spirit by watching out for each other.” Maggie said she was glad they were able to step in and prevent what could’ve been a bad situation. “I was just really glad that we came together and figured out what was wrong before we jumped to conclusions,” she said. “I was proud that everyone stepped up.”

1/31/10 8:04 PM


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