The Battalion: May 3, 2010

thebattalion ● monday,

may 3, 2010

● serving

texas a&m since 1893

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

Year in memorandum GUEST COLUMN

Loveless keeps his promises

Loftin takes a look back

■ A&M student body president makes sure student opinions matter Melissa Appel The Battalion For Kolin Loveless, becoming student body president was not about the catchy campaign slogans, the brightly colored banners or the website with bulleted platform points.

Instead, Loveless assumed the position in August, after the student body president resigned, taking on the difficult role in an unassuming manner, with the goal of serving students to the best of his abilities.

“Looking at [the past year], I’m glad not that I finished, but that we served students well, and we got the job done,” Loveless said. “There are lots of things I think we could have done better, but overall I think we succeeded.”

Loveless was elected to serve as the 2009-2010 speaker of the Student Senate, which is first-inline to succeed the student body president. Although he had dismissed the idea of running for student body president due to concern for juggling his coursework and other duties, Loveless accepted

R. Bowen Loftin

J

une 15, 2009, marked a decided change in my world. That was the day the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents appointed me to serve as Texas A&M’s interim president. As any Aggie, when asked to serve, I simply said “yessir.” A lot has happened over the last 10-plus months. We — students, faculty and staff — have successfully completed another academic year.

As I look back, I want to share with you some of the highlights of this time of tremendous transformation and progress over the past two semesters. We have much to celebrate: Texas A&M gained more national and international recognition for the core values we have embraced since our founding in 1876. In September, The Washington Monthly again placed Texas A&M in the top five universities in the nation for “what colleges do for the country,” and President Barack Obama held a Presidential Forum on Service (hosted by former President George H.W. Bush) on our campus in October. President Obama spotlighted our Big Event for special attention.

We welcomed a record number of freshmen to campus, 8,104, part of a record enrollment overall, 48,702. Our branch campuses in Galveston and Qatar also experienced unprecedented growth. We will likely see continued growth this fall.

Our physical landscape was transformed with the completion of the Interdisciplinary See Loftin on page 3

See Loveless on page 2

Thinking back on past semester ■ Nearly 6 months through the year and already 2010 has proven historical Samantha Johnson

April Baltensperger — THE BATTALION

Kolin Loveless steps up from Student Senate to student body president when most needed.

Two professors retire, leave lasting legacy Saying goodbye

Ann Littmann

◗ Letters and

Texas A&M boasts being home to the best and brightest students in the nation –– with the help and guidance from professors. At the end of this year, two distinguished professors will be retiring.

any monetary contributions for a retirement gift for Professor Douglas Starr can be sent to Debbie King, 107 Scoates Hall, MS 2116, TAMU, College Station, 77843-2116.

◗ Students wanting to send letters or comments to Professor Claude Gibson can contact the English department at 227 Blocker or call 845-3452.

Pg. 1-05.03.10.indd 1

The Battalion Already, 2010 has been a year that has resulted in several noteworthy events for the University, the nation and the world.

A tragic event of 2010 was when a 7.0 earthquake struck Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, Jan. 12, leaving the nation in turmoil. Meanwhile at A&M, a group of students banded together to put on a charity concert to alleviate the suffering of the Haitian people.

Mohammad Hashim, a senior recreation parks and tourism science major, was involved in organizing the concert.

“I wanted to do a little concert to raise money for Haiti. I hoped, initially, to raise $3,000, then I started to look for a team to work with, and together, with the help of everyone volunteering and

The Battalion

Douglas P. Starr A distinguished professor of journalism, Douglas Starr has experienced a life full of journalism and military service. Starr served his country in the Coast Guard Reserve for 20 years, serving in World War II and the Korean War. Starr pursued a career in journalism that spanned 15 years. Starr came to A&M in 1986 as chairman of the Department of Journalism, but he stepped down in 1998 to teach his students full time. After a career at Texas A&M, Starr has decided to retire, at what

he said was the best point in his career.

“This is the best department on campus, and it’s a great place to end my career,” Starr said. “The people here are family and the students, I mean, these kids are really something else.”

Starr inspired his students daily to rise to challenges that they would face in the field of professional journalism, he said.

“All I expect from [my students] is perfection,” Starr said. “I try to tell them what it’s like in the field. You are expected to do what the job asks you. You have to be on time and give your best work.”

While Starr said his time in the Navy might have made him a gruffer professor, he believes his students are better off because of it.

“I learned early on that the Navy wants results, not See Retire on page 4

Editor’s note The Battalion’s final issue for spring semester will be Monday, May 10. Publication for the summer will resume June 1.

inside scene | 11

b!

Who did what?

Take a look back at the past year in entertainment which included scandal, tragedy and historic moments.

See Retrospect on page 2

Undie Run canceled, administration issues Alec Goetz Special to The Battalion It was supposed to be the start of a charity Aggieland had never seen. Thousands of students would arrive at the clock tower late in the evening dressed in clothes they wished to donate to charity, only to precede to strip to their skivvies and make a dash across campus to Evans Library. For the past few years college campuses had similar events, but it seems that Texas A&M will have to wait for the chance to have an Undie Run. “Unfortunately Undie Run will not be happening this semester,” said Kendrick Thompson, head of advertising for the A&M Undie Run and sophomore history major.

See Undie Run on page 10

Other locations Students still wanting to participate in an Undie Run and donate their clothes can find more information at http://www. undierun. com/

Taliban claims NYC bomb Ryan Lucas Associated Press CAIRO (AP) — The Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility in a video posted on the Internet Sunday for the attempted car bomb attack in New York City’s Times Square, according to the SITE Intelligence Group.

In the 1 minute, 11 second video allegedly released by the Pakistani Taliban, the militant group says the attack is

revenge for the death of its leader, Baitullah Mehsud, and the recent slaying of al-Qaida in Iraq leaders Abu Omar al-Baghdadi and Abu Ayyub al-Masri, who were killed by U.S. and Iraqi troops last month north of Baghdad.

SITE, a U.S.-based terrorist tracking organization, first uncovered the video on YouTube. The tape, which later appeared to have been removed from the See Bomb on page 10

5/2/10 9:29 PM

1

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Students who ordered their cap and gown will be able to be picked up starting Monday, May 10 in the MSC Bookstore.

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Ph.D. Students 1. Accepted as a Ph.D. candidate at TAMU

J.D. Swiger — THE BATTALION

Junior agriculture science major Billy Browning and junior finance major Joey Kelly enjoy Sunday fishing at Gabbard Park.

Loveless Continued from page 1

the task willingly.

“That first week, I talked to [former student body president] Mark Gold, and he referred to ‘nonnegotiables’: things that you can’t give up like your friends, your family, your key relationships and then grad school for me,” Loveless said. “It’s incredibly challenging to deal with all of that and manage all of those priorities on top of everything else.”

As a representative of more than 48,000 students in Aggieland, Loveless learned firsthand how the administration and faculty work to incorporate student opinion.

“If you look at the decision-making and the way the University works, I don’t think it’s as shady as some people think it is,” Loveless said. “Student opinion helps [administrators and University leaders] make a better decision and helps them do their jobs better, so they really are interested in what students say.”

As a prime example of student involvement in University procedures, Loveless was active in the selection of a University president.

“I think that’s the biggest impact we had — working with the presidential search committee,” Loveless said. “Not just because the process was right and done quickly, but because we came out with a spectacular candidate, and I think he’s absolutely the right person for the job. All the key constituent groups were at the table and had our conversation, and there’s the decision that was made.”

Other students agree Loveless saw success during his term as student body president.

“Considering his background in Student Senate and the legislative branch, Kolin Loveless has done a satisfactory job rising to the position of chief executive in student government and has worked well with a team that he did not choose but rather inherited,” said Off-Campus Student Senator Greg McDuffie, junior economics major.

“His presidency is highlighted with the selection of Dr. Loftin and the Bonfire Remembrance — and we commend him for that.”

The presidential search committee and discussions were just one of the ways Loveless has learned to communicate with diverse groups and come away with a broader understanding of the community.

“Don’t be afraid to disagree with people. Just because you’re a Republican, and they’re a Democrat, or you’re a Muslim, and they’re a Christian, doesn’t mean you have to be moral enemies; you can just be friends and find some other common ground,” Loveless said. “That’s really important in the global environment today — understanding that not everyone is a carbon copy of you.”

He said, time in college, and specifically time spent in Aggieland, should open doors to such understanding and appreciation.

“Don’t be afraid to have lunch with someone you’ve never met. Don’t be afraid to try something you’ve never tried,” Loveless said. “College isn’t about being comfortable. You don’t move away from your parents to somewhere to not know anyone to be comfortable. If you want to get the most out of your time here, sometimes you just have to take a dive.”

Loveless took a dive into a position, but he earned the confidence of those around him, students said.

“Kolin didn’t ask for the opportunity, but I don’t believe any person could have been better suited, or performed more admirably in this difficult and demanding position,” said Kyle Womack, Student Senate speaker pro-tempore and junior history major.

Loveless, senior mechanical engineering major, plans to graduate in August and pursue a graduate degree in mechanical engineering in Saudi Arabia. Although he is unsure where his professional or educational plans will take him, he does have dreams for incorporating his passions.

“In the long-term, I’m interested in working in the crossroads of energy technology, politics and economics,” Loveless said.

While it is easy for a graduating senior to be most eager about his upcoming plans, Loveless will miss some of the opportunities afforded him by his time at A&M. “I’ll miss interacting with the administrators of the University and having the ability with a couple of sentences to influence a decision on behalf of the student body,” Loveless said.

Although his past year has been full of difficult tasks, late nights and overbooked schedules, Loveless continued his work by remembering his passion.

“Don’t forget why — if you ever forget why you’re doing something, you’re in trouble,” Loveless said. “I think the ‘why’ for anything in student government, the ultimate goal we’re trying to get to, is we’re trying to get an impact for the students who elected us, who we represent us. Why, when you’re tired? Because 48,000 other people don’t have a chance to.”

she has enjoyed having Loftin as president.

“I think his quirky attitude is honestly entertaining, it helps to keep me engaged in A&M’s issues,” she said.

In March, after much debate, a controversial national health care bill was passed.

Brittany Ali, senior sociology major discussed how she thinks it will affect our generation of college students.

“I never was a fan of the health care bill; it’s not fair to be made to buy a commodity,” Ali said, “but it will probably be good for students because they can stay on their parents’ insurance until they are 26, but I also feel like that would keep young adults dependent on their parents.”

Despite that 2010 has already been a memorable year for Texas A&M, the nation

and the world, for some students, it is the personal triumphs and experiences that this a memorable year.

For Josh Flowers, senior sociology major, it was attending the weddings of several of his friends.

“The most memorable thing has been all my friends getting married,” Flowers said.

“I kind of see it as a sign that our generation is coming into maturity.”

Hali McCurry, a senior biology major, had a different most memorable moment of 2010.

“My most memorable moment was definitely getting my senior ring,” McCurry said. “That was awesome.”

2. Must not be on academic probation, suspension, dismissal, expulsion, or on honor violation probation from the university.

Retrospect Continued from page 1 AggieNetwork.com Visit www.AggieNetwork.com/Ring for complete details or call the Aggie Ring Program at 845-1050.

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 979-8450569. 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 979845-2613.

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coordinating, the student government, and ,of course, all the people that showed up it became that beautiful thing,” Hashim said.

The concert made twice what Hashim estimated.

“We did it because we felt a call we had to answer and we tried to do our part in helping,” Hashim said. “We raised $6493.40 for UNICEF.” In January, R. Bowen Loftin, who had been named interim president following Elsa Murano’s resignation, was officially named president of Texas A&M. Sheri Ruter, a junior sociology major, said

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‘

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

Loftin Continued from page 1

Life Sciences Building and Mitchell Physics buildings. The MSC expansion and renovation is proceeding on schedule, and a portion of Military Walk will be reopened this week.

Many of our academic programs rose in the latest rankings, and Texas A&M moved up among public universities to tie for 22nd in U.S. News & World Report. We also welcomed our newest Nobel Laureate, David Lee, to our physics faculty last fall.

Our local communities continue to gain national attention for offering an excellent quality of life and solid economic growth. On April 20, MSNBC and Moody’s named Bryan-College Station — The Research Valley — as one of just 16 areas in the country that experienced job gains over the past year.

As I told members of the local Chamber of Commerce a few weeks ago, the destiny of Texas A&M is closely aligned with that of Bryan and College Station. We’re all in this together as we transform our region to become nationally recognized in biotechnology with the opening of the Texas A&M Institute for Preclinical Studies and new projects such as the National Center for Therapeutics Manufacturing with our A&M System partners.

Of course, we also faced a few challenges during this academic year. This spring, we submitted our plans to the Legislative Budget Board for meeting the state’s 5 percent budget reduction ($28 million) over the current biennium.

The budget reduction process that took place this year and will be repeated for

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

the next fiscal year has been difficult, but it also offers us opportunities to advance in key areas, given that we are in far better shape than many of our counterparts across the nation. I deeply appreciate the patience and resolve of the entire Aggie family during this time of economic uncertainty.

Back last September, when I drafted my first weekly e-mail, I thought a great deal about the best way to let readers know more about my personality and leadership style.

I ended with this: “If you see me on campus this weekend or any other time, please say HOWDY. I look forward to getting to know as many of you as possible and hearing your feedback.”

When I wrote those words, I was interim president. Now that I am president, I want you to continue to say “Howdy,” either in person if our paths cross on campus or on my Facebook fan page.

If you are graduating in May, I look forward to shaking your hand — not too hard, please! — as you cross the stage, and as I see you at various A&M functions across the state and nation. If you will be here in future years; whether as a student, former student or member of the faculty or staff, I look forward to our next meeting. Together, we will take Texas A&M to new levels of excellence in all areas.

Thank you for an extraordinary first semester as your president. And thank you for making this a great time to be an Aggie.

R. Bowen Loftin is the 24th president of Texas A&M.

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 05.03.2010

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EDITORIAL

Join the Battalion

Y

Evan Andrews — THE BATTALION

Can you draw better than this?

If so The Battalion needs you!

ear-round The Battalion is accepting applications for staff members. Any full-time student at Texas A&M is encouraged to submit an application, and the paper offers an opportunity regardless of experience in journalism.

Unlike at many college newspapers, a position at The Battalion is a paid post. Our desks include city, lifestyles, sports and opinion. Writers, photographers, artists and editors receive up to $50 per task. Training and equipment are readily The Battalion available, and new media in the offers a paid form of podcasts and videos are opportunity for being incorporated into our student to learn newspaper. After a semester or about the news two of experience, staff membusiness. bers are encouraged to apply for desk or copy editor positions.

But The Battalion is about more than money; we provide an opportunity for students to learn about the changing newspaper business while publishing work to an audience of thousands. We can never have too many people devoted to covering the news, offering opinions on national or local events, taking photos or designing graphics. Student voice is an essential part of our paper, and the more people we have on staff, the better we can exercise our First Amendment rights.

As our staff is comprised entirely of students, every year positions change. We are dependent on your interest to pass the torch to a new group of underclassmen we can teach to replace our positions after we graduate.

However, students of all classifications are encouraged to apply.

No matter your area of interest or level of experience, The Battalion has a place for you. Come by our office at the Grove for more information or visit thebatt.com for an online application.

Apply today and you could gain: - Experience - Money - Friends - Candy - Pocket Lint

EDITORIALBOARD

The Battalion’s editorial opinion is determined by its Board of Opinion, with the editor in chief having final responsibility.

Opinion Editor Editor in Chief Managing Editor Ian McPhail Amanda Casanova Jill Beathard editor@thebatt.com battcopy@thebatt.com opinion@thebatt.com

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Jonny Green— THE BATTALION

Retire Continued from page 1

excuses,” Starr said. “One girl told me that I yell at them, and I fuss at them, and they learn because of that.”

Starr is retiring at 84 to move to Jackson, Miss., to be with his wife of two years, but he hopes his teachings will leave an impact on his students.

“I’ve been honored to be here,” Starr said. “I hope [my students] remember what I taught them — how to be a reporter and a writer, no matter what medium you work for.”

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the battalion

Claude L. Gibson Claude Gibson will be retiring this year, after 34 years of service at Texas A&M. Gibson joined the faculty in 1976 and served in a variety of departmental administrative positions before becoming the director of Undergraduate Studies in 1994. He has been recognized as a university-wide leader in the area of program assessment and has served in a variety of capacities as a representative of English studies in higher education initiatives across the University and nation. He has been awarded the Association of Former Students Distinguished Achievement Award twice.

Despite his achievements, Gibson’s fondest memories of Texas A&M involve the students.

“The students here are special and unusual in a lot of ways,” Gibson said. “I had not expected such homogeneity and unity among a body of students.

The qualities they are bring are admirable: they are industrious, and they give back to the community.”

Gibson said his experience working on the MSC board opened his eyes to the uniqueness of students at A&M. “Students here are given a major role in what happens to the University,” Gibson said. “I’ve also been amazed to see students at games like the one after 9/11. It’s phenomenal that students were able to organize that act of support.”

Gibson said there is nothing like teaching.

“I love it. I’m addicted to it. It’s a high for me,” Gibson said.

He is passionate about advising students, es-

thebattalion

Matt Young— THE BATTALION

Professors Douglas Starr and Claude Gibson are retiring at the end of the semester.

Starr has been a journalism professor at A&M for 24 years and Gibson has been at A&M for 34.

pecially new or transfer students or students interested in internship or study abroad programs.

Gibson has aided more than a few students outside his English department in finding college credit for internships.

He takes pride in his reformation of new student conferences.

“I’ve never seen conferences like at A&M where the whole family comes. Aggies bring a real party,” Gibson said. “I refined the process of advising and found a way to put parents and students in a place where they can more easily make important decisions in a short amount of time. Now they can sit down, absorb the information and just act on it.”

Students who have interacted with Gibson have not forgotten the experience and the positive impact he has made on their lives.

“Dr. Gibson has always been really helpful and knows a lot about the A&M English department,” said Tiana Cooper, a junior English major. “I remember one time I forgot my degree plan, and he completely reworked it with me to clarity all of my confusion. I don’t know him well, but he still always goes above and beyond to help me with whatever I need.”

Gibson recently received an e-mail from a student from 1991 who sent him a note to thank him for his help and guidance during her times of difficulty at A&M. “I’ve also started getting second generation students,” Gibson laughed. “That’s how I know I’ve been here a long time.”

After his retirement, Gibson said he will devote his time to being a better citizen.

“My wife will continue to teach here,” Gibson said. “I’m going to join a conservation group, [now] that I have the time. I have turned my backyard into a sort of nature habitat.”

Gibson said he enjoys being a good citizen and having a voice in how the city operates, but he plans to finally relax.

“I have taught 8 a.m. classes for my whole life so I think I’m going to learn how to sleep in and maybe enjoy that second cup of coffee,” Gibson said. “Also, it’s time for me to pay back my wife by cooking dinner and cleaning around the house more.”

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The marooned-out Oscars

Aggie sports year in review

By Kyle Cunningham | The Battalion

A

s this year draws to a close, let’s take a look back at Aggie sports in 2009-2010.

David Harris

M

emorable moments. Marquee matchups.

Epic endings. Detrimental defeats.

All in all, the 2009-2010 year on the pitch, court, field, track, etc. has provided the Aggie sports fan with much to be grateful for, much to dwell on and much to remember.

There have been national championships, conference championships, and Pat Henry coached teams on the verge of championships – hey, what else is new?

There have been blowouts that make you shake your head, gruesome, horrific injuries that make you close your eyes and defeats that rip your heart straight out of your chest, throw it to the ground and repeatedly stomp on it. Ouch.

So, with the year coming to a quick close, I feel like the only way for me to clearly state my thoughts is in an award segment column.

Think of it as the Oscars, Dave style. No tuxedos necessary, though maroon sport coats are definitely preferred.

Best actor: Donald Sloan. No questions asked. No debate. The senior guard was named to the All-Big 12 First Team after he averaged over 18 points per game during conference play. He led a team dealing with oodles of adversity to a tie for second in the most difficult league in the nation. He closed out what has been an incredible four-year career with a season that had all of Aggiedom thanking their lucky Sully’s for No. 15.

(Honorable mention: Von Miller, Austin Krajicek, Andrea Pavan) Best actress: Alia Atkinson and Julia Wilkinson (tie). It’s been an outstanding year for women sports in Aggieland. But the two ladies who swam their way to national championships — Wilkinson in the 100 free and Atkinson in the 200 breaststroke -- get the nod in a close race. The seniors’ victories were program firsts for A&M swimming and diving and was the cherry on top of two illustrious careers.

(Honorable mention: Emily Peterson, Mary Batis, Porscha Lucas) Best director: Pat Henry. The guy just wins. Honestly. Look at the stats. He is the most dominant and successful coach in all of college athletics.

Handing At LSU, his teams won 27 national chamout awards pionships. During his stay in Aggieland, to some he has resurrected an entire program that esteemed was on life support and turned it into the Aggie nation’s best. Last year’s dual national titles were unprecedented and with the womathletes as en’s team ranked No. 2 in the country and voted on by the men ranked No. 1, we may be seeing the Academy some more bling return to McFerrin. of Dave.

(Honorable mention: J.T. Higgins, Mark Turgeon, Steve Denton, Laurie Corbelli) Best picture (best game): Texas-Texas A&M. Nov. 26. 49-39. There are no words to describe the scene.

Thanksgiving night. Kyle Field. ESPN. Chill in the air. Turkey in the stomach. Archrival vying for a spot in the national championship game. Everything besides the result was perfect.

Colt McCoy and Jerrod Johnson staged a quarterback duel that captivated the country. The Aggie offense shredded the No. 3 defense in the nation. The Twelfth Man finally had a chance to shine after two years of seemingly unimportant games. It was my first A&M-Texas experience, yet it’s the most unforgettable sporting experience of my life.

(Honorable mention: A&M-Kansas basketball, A&M-LSU soccer) Closing monologue: It could’ve been better, but it could’ve been much much worse.

We’ve been left with “what ifs,” and we’ve been left with “wow, holy crap, did you see that?” More than anything, we’ve been able to appreciate Aggie sports. The gift that keeps on giving and the gift that keeps on taking away. Passion, vigor, determination and heartbreak. The infinite longing to saw Varsity’s horns off.

So for now, goodbye to 2009-2010. A wild, turbulent ride it has been.

On to 2010-2011, where a wild, turbulent ride assuredly awaits.

David Harris is a junior economics major and sports editor.

For the class of 2013, the first experience to Texas A&M football was sweeter than it was for the freshmen of the year before. The 41-6 victory over New Mexico was a fair projection for how the offense would perform. Jerrod Johnson broke his own record for most touchdown passes in a single season with 30, and two freshmen, Uzoma Nwachukwu and Christine Michael, each led their positions in yardage.

The defense, however, was unable to keep up such a stingy pace, despite Von Miller’s 17 sacks. In the end, the Aggies finished 6-7, concluding the season with a 44-20 loss to Georgia in the Independence Bowl, their first bowl appearance under Mike Sherman.

The Texas A&M volleyball team had a trio of terror in seniors Sarah Ammerman, Jenny Banse and Mary Batis. The three outside hitters combined for 1,082 of the team’s 1,644 kills.

Yet another senior, Kristen Schevikhoven, was setting up the three with opportunities, literally. The senior middle blocker from Centennial, Colo. averaged 11.26 assists per game, and finished up with 1070 of the team’s 1555 for the 2009 campaign.

The Laurie Corbelli – led Aggies advanced to the Sweet Sixteen, before falling to the rival Texas Longhorns three games to none.

A&M had another female Sweet Sixteen team in Aggie Soccer.

After losing to Purdue 3-2 in their second home game, the Aggies made their home pitch a fortress, going 7-1-2 in the remaining games for the season.

A balanced attack helped the Aggies advance despite injuries.

Thirteen girls scored goals in the 2009 season, and nine scored at least twice. The team saw the season end in double overtime to Florida State 2-1.

Gary Blair and the A&M women began the year by blowing by the competition, starting the year with a 14-1 mark. The team slowed at the end of the year, finishing 8-6 in the second part of the regular season. However, with the offensive spark of Danielle Adams (16.3 points per game) and Tanisha Smith (15.1), the Aggies rolled three straight wins together to win the Big 12 championship.

Unfortunately for Aggie fans, the hot streak didn’t last much longer. A 84-53 thumping of Portland State gave A&M confidence heading into round two, but seventh-seeded Gonzaga upended the Aggies 72-71 in round two. Texas A&M ended their year at 26-8.

For the men, a hot start was in the cards as well. Mark Turgeon’s squad started at 9-2, before dropping a game to the Washington Huskies. More than a game was lost that night, however, as Derrick Roland was lost for the season with a broken leg. The team fought through, however, and finished the rest of the regular season at 13-5, including losses to two No. 1 teams by a combined 10 points.

The team entered the NCAA tournament as a five-seed, and quickly bounced Utah State. In the second round, the fourth-seeded Boilermakers of Purdue took the Aggies to overtime, and eventually took a 63-61 victory to advance to the Sweet Sixteen.

Texas A&M Swimming and Diving had the highlight of the season in February, when the women’s swimming team won the conference title and the men took second place. In the NCAA Championships, the women finished sixth, and the men finished 12th.

Pat Henry and the Texas Aggie track team have thus far done their part to bring more trophies to College Station. The Aggie women won the Big 12 Championship in Indoor Track, with the men taking second.

The men’s and women’s squads haven’t lost a step as they take the events outdoors. The men’s team is now ranked No. 1 in the country, with the women holding the second spot in their respective ranking.

Aggie Baseball, which sits at 25-17-1, showed promise at the beginning of the year with the arm of Barrett Loux and bat of Brodie Greene. The Aggies won 12 of their first 14 games, but have been in a tailspin as of late.

For Aggie Softball, the word of the year has been “offense,” especially for freshman catcher Meagan May. The Spring, Texas native has set the single-season record already for home runs in a single season with 21.

Both golf teams have played well throughout the 2010 season.

The men finished 2nd in the Big 12 Championships behind Oklahoma State, but the women took the Big 12 title, rallying down from 10 strokes back on Oklahoma State.

The men’s tennis team has had a successful season including a second-place finish in the Big 12 tournament this weekend. The women, on the other hand, were ousted by Baylor in the semifinals.

As the 2009- 2010 Aggie sports year comes to an end, we look forward to the games, tailgates, wins and close games next year will offer.

File photos — THE BATTALION

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classifieds see ads at thebatt.com

Classifieds continued from page 6

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thebattalion

Men’s tennis falls in championship finale

The City of Navasota is now accepting applications for summer camp counselors and water fitness instructors. The city of Navasota is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Applications will be accepted at the address listed below between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. on the official application form. For any additional information contact: City of Navasota, Personnel Office, 202 E. Washington, (P.O. Box 910), Navasota, Texas 77868, 936-825-6475

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sports

the battalion

Courtesy photo

Junior Austin Krajicek fires a backhand during the Aggies’ championship match defeat against Texas Sunday in Austin.

After defeating Baylor and Oklahoma St., No. 2 seed Aggies lose close match to Texas 4-3 Beau Holder The Battalion A championship match filled with tension, emotion and stellar play came to an end Sunday after an ace from Texas’ No. 20-ranked Ed Corrie defeated Texas A&M junior and No. 44-ranked Jeff Dadamo to give the Longhorns the win after an epic three-set battle.

No. 10 A&M (23-6) came out strong in the final day of the Big 12 Men’s Tennis Championships, winning the doubles point behind victories from the fifth-ranked combination of junior Austin Krajicek and Dadamo and the 43rd-ranked tandem of Alexey Grigorov and Marcus Lunt to lead the No. 3 Longhorns (25-2) 1-0 after the first half of the dual match.

“To win the doubles point against the No. 3 team in the country was huge for us,” A&M Head Coach Steve Denton said. “To play them close on their home turf in front of their home crowd, it says a lot about our team and how capable we are of beating any team in the country.

“But,” he added, “you have to be 20 percent better than a team when you play them on the road, and I think we were 15 percent today.”

It soon became apparent, with No.

7-ranked Krajicek losing in straight sets to 10th-ranked Dimitar Kutrovsky, 6-3, 6-2.

Josh Zavala then defeated A&M freshman Alberto Bautista to give the Longhorns a 2-1 edge.

Grigorov’s 7-6 (2), 7-5 victory over No. 96-ranked Kellen Damico tied the score before sophomore Alexis Klegou fell to Texas’ Jean Anderson. A&M senior Marcus Lunt followed with a 6-1, 6-4 win to set the stage at 3-3 for the deciding point between Corrie and Dadamo.

“Our guys fought their tails off today and I’m very proud of them,” Denton said.

“We just came up a little bit short. We had a tough match yesterday [against Baylor] and knew it would be a struggle to get our guys back up today. Just like the NCAA Tournament, you have to be prepared to play back-to-back matches. It was a very emotional match and I thought our guys fought hard until the very end.”

Dadamo lost the first set 7-5, but came back after being down 3-0 in the second to win it 6-4. The tiebreaking third set was knotted at 3-3 with both players holding serve until Corrie broke Dadamo’s after winning his own, going up 5-3. Both players pushed to the final game, where, at 4015 and holding serve, Corrie unleashed an ace that sent a tense and raucous crowd into

TAKE A PIECE OF A&M HISTORY WITH YOU

varying — but similarly intense — stages of emotion.

The two teams previously played twice this year, both Longhorn wins — 4-3 on Feb. 5 and 7-0 April 21. Texas’ two losses this season came to No. 1 Virginia and No. 2 Tennessee.

Though they lost to the Big 12 Champion Longhorns, the Aggies defeated No. 49 Oklahoma State and No. 7 Baylor over the weekend to make the final. They dropped the Cowboys 4-0 and the Bears, the defending conference tournament champions, 4-1. The team will likely finish the season ranked in the top 10. The NCAA Tournament selections will be announced on Tuesday.

“We have a strong team coming back next year,” Denton said. “But we still have a lot to play for this year. This team is ready and poised for the NCAA Tournament. We’ve had a lot of tough matches and faced a lot of adversity this season, but it should only make us that much hungrier and confident, even though we are disappointed right now of not pulling out this match today.”

The tournament selections will be broadcast on ESPNEWS at 4 p.m. Tuesday.

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thebattalion

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Acct 209 Acct 229 Courtesy photos

The Corps of Cadets March to the Brazos is an 18-mile trek and tradition that has been practiced at A&M since 1908.

Corps of Cadets reminisce, raise money at Saturday’s March to the Brazos Travis Lawson The Battalion The Corps of Cadets March to the Brazos is a tradition that started at Texas A&M University in 1908. The march is the Corps’ biggest fundraiser and signifies the changing of classes for Corps members.

On Saturday, the Corps of Cadets took part in one of the oldest A&M pastimes and marched a long stretch down to the river where they ate Texas barbecue and reminisced on the past year.

“March to the Brazos is a charitable event for March of Dimes, and it is the Corps’ biggest fundraiser,” said Bill Swoboda, a senior economics major and member of Company C-2. “We just march out there and have a good time, and it is for a good cause.”

The march is an 18-mile trek that begins on campus and goes all the way down to the Brazos River and back. The cadets participate in various competitions, eat lunch and

transfer ranks for the future fall semester.

“It is a really important thing because it is a switching of the class,” Swoboda said.

“It is kind of a passing of the guard is what you would call it.”

Instead of marching back, the seniors ride in their cars back to campus, because they are not changing classes but graduating. For the other classes, the march signifies the coming of their new responsibilities as an upper class.

“It is kind of like the Corps version of Elephant Walk,” Swoboda said. “It is the ‘last hoorah’ and a pretty cool thing.”

Brad Roensch, a senior finance major and commander of Company C-2, said the March to the Brazos is one of the best traditions of the Corps.

“It is definitely one of our better traditions within the Corps that the rest of the University doesn’t get to participate in,” Roensch said. “We are the ‘Keepers of the Spirit’ and this special tradition has been

going since the early 1900s.”

Ross Mohr, a senior anthropology major and member of Company C-2, said the march is more like a ceremony that evolved out of an old Corps tradition.

“It signifies the freshmen moving up and the seniors moving on,” Mohr said. “The current leadership marches their unit of men out there, and then they do the change of command, and the new leadership leads the squad back.”

Between 1977 and 2009, the march has obtained more than $1.7 million for needy children and families in the Brazos Valley. Fundraising begins months before the march takes place, and the event is a culmination of Corps fundraising.

Chem 107 Econ 202 Mostashari Econ 203 Edwardson Econ 203 Nelson Finc 341 Finc 409 Geog 202 Math 131 Math 141 Math 142 Math 151

Math 251

Police shoot bull on the loose on interstate

DURHAM, N.H. — College seniors across the country are getting ready to toss their caps in the air and their gowns into recycling bins. For years, eco-conscious campuses have been trying to reduce the environmental impact of commencement ceremonies by using less electricity or printing programs on recycled paper.

Now, academic apparel manufacturers are jumping in with “green” options, ranging from disposable gowns that decompose quickly in soil to gowns made of recycled plastic bottles that can be reused or recycled. Manufacturers say the new gowns are a bit softer and more breathable than the traditional gowns.

ARLINGTON, Texas — Arlington police shot and killed a bull that got onto Interstate 30, ramming at cars and then charging at officials. Police say the bull closed down a portion of Interstate 30 in Arlington for about an hour on Saturday.

Police say an animal services employee was about to use a tranquilizer on the animal, but the bull charged at the employee, an officer and others, so the officer shot the bull. Arlington police Lt. Leland Strickland says that at times, the bull was jumping from eastbound to westbound lanes.

This photo shows 23 water bottles, which equal producing one disposable cap and gown.

Agec 105 Chem 102

Math 152

Green graduation: Gowns recycled or biodegradeable

Associated Press

Acct 230

Associated Press

Extra Credit Sun May 2 10pm-12am Part 1 of 4 Mon May 3 5pm-8pm Part 1 of 3 Fri May 7 9pm-12am Check online Part 1 of 4 Mon May 3 5pm-7pm Part 1 of 3 Fri May 7 6pm-9pm Test Review Sun May 2 6pm-10pm New Mtl 1 Mon May 3 8pm-11pm Part 1 of 2 Sun May 9 6pm-9pm Part 1 of 4 Tue May 4 4pm-7pm Part 1 of 2 Sat May 8 7pm-10pm Check online Wed May 5 Part 1 of 3 Sun May 2 3pm-6pm Part 1 of 4 Mon May 3 7pm-10pm Part 1 of 4 Mon May 3 5pm-8pm New Part 1 Sun May 2 4pm-6pm New & Review Sun May 2 11pm-2am Test Review 1 Sun May 2 1pm-4pm

Part 1 of 4 Thu May 6 12pm-3pm Part 2 of 4 Tue May 4 10pm-1am Part 2 of 3 Sat May 8 3pm-6pm

Part 2 of 4 Fri May 7 6pm-9pm Part 3 of 4 Wed May 5 12pm-3pm Part 3 of 3 Sun May 9 10am-1pm

Part 3 of 4 Sat May 8 12pm-3pm Part 4 of 4 Thu May 6 3pm-6pm

Part 2 of 4 Tue May 4 5pm-7pm Part 2 of 3 Sat May 8 1pm-4pm

Part 3 of 4 Wed May 5 9am-11am Part 3 of 3 Sun May 9 1pm-4pm

Part 4 of 4 Thu May 6 9am-12pm

New Mtl 2 Tue May 4 7pm-10pm Part 2 of 2 Mon May 10 6pm-9pm Part 2 of 4 Wed May 5 9pm-12am Part 2 of 2 Sun May 9 9pm-12am Branstrom Sat May 8 4pm-7pm Part 2 of 3 Mon May 3 11pm-2am Part 2 of 4 Tue May 4 7pm-9pm Part 2 of 4 Tue May 4 7pm-10pm New Part 2 Mon May 3 3pm-5pm Part 2 of 4 Tue May 4 3pm-5pm Part 1 of 3 Fri May 7 9pm-12am

Old Mtl 1 Wed May 5 6pm-9pm

Old Mtl 2 Thu May 6 6pm-9pm

Part 3 of 4 Sat May 8 7pm-10pm

Part 4 of 4 Sun May 9 9pm-12am

Mgmt 209

Part 1 of 3 Sun May 2 9pm-12am OR >>>

Part 1 of 3 Mon May 3 8pm-11pm

Mgmt 211

Part 1 of 3 Sun May 2 9pm-12am OR >>>

Part 1 of 3 Mon May 3 8pm-11pm

Mgmt 309 Mktg 321 Mktg 409 Phys 201 Phys 208 Phys 218 Pols 206 Bond Pols 207 Ilderton

Test Review Mon May 10 7pm-9pm Test Review Sat May 8 2pm-6pm Test Review Mon May 10 6pm-10pm Part 1 of 4 Sun May 2 6pm-9pm New Mtl 1 Sun May 2 6pm-9pm New Mtl 1 Sun May 2 9pm-11pm Bond Review Sun May 9 9pm-12am Ilderton Sun May 9 3pm-6pm

O'Reilly Mon May 10 7pm-10pm Part 3 of 3 Tue May 4 4pm-7pm Part 3 of 4 Wed May 5 11am-2pm Part 3 of 4 Wed May 5 9pm-12am Test Review 1 Wed May 5 10pm-1am Part 3 of 4 Wed May 5 8pm-10pm Part 2 of 3 Sat May 8 4pm-7pm Part 2 of 3 Wed May 5 12pm-3pm OR 3pm-6pm Part 2 of 3 Wed May 5 12pm-3pm OR 3pm-6pm

Part 4 of 4 Thu May 6 12pm-3pm Part 4 of 4 Thu May 6 9pm-12am Test Review 2 Thu May 6 9pm-11pm Part 4 of 4 Thu May 6 11pm-1am Part 3 of 3 Sun May 9 4pm-7pm Part 3 of 3 Thu May 6 3pm-6pm Part 3 of 3 Thu May 6 12pm-3pm OR 6pm-9pm

Check sched online.

Some classes have more than 4 parts.

Part 2 of 4 Tue May 4 10pm-1am New Mtl 2 Mon May 3 12am-2am New Mtl 2 Mon May 3 10pm-12am Smith Review Sun May 9 12pm-3pm Dixon Packet Sat May 8 5pm-9pm

Part 3 of 4 Wed May 5 9am-12pm Part 1 of 3 Tue May 4 11pm-1am Part 1 of 3 Tue May 4 9pm-11pm

Part 4 of 4 Thu May 6 9am-12pm Part 2 of 3 Wed May 5 5pm-8pm Part 2 of 3 Wed May 5 2pm-5pm

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Check our web page at http://www.4.0andGo.com or call 696-8886(TUTOR)

1 killed in triple shooting in Houston HOUSTON — A Harris County man upset about loud music from neighbor’s party has been arrested on a murder charge in a triple shooting that left one man dead and two others injured. Raul Rodriguez remained in Harris County jail Sunday with no bond. The man hosting his wife’s birthday party, 36-yearold Kelly Danaher, was killed in the shooting Sunday. The injured included a Houston fire captain — Senior Capt. Ricky Johnson, who was attending the gathering.

Associated Press

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Cubby Hole Texas

monday 5.3.2010

ORAGE SELF1821SE.T29th St.

Undie Run

779-6999

Continued from page 1

“We ran into some red tape with the school administration, and there were some logistical issues to overcome that just couldn’t be done with the time constraints we were under.”

The event received support on Facebook, with the Texas A&M Undie Run group having more than 5,800 members before it was taken down.

Planned for the event were raffles and contests for participants, food and music from student groups and radio station Candy 95.1. Sponsors included Candy 95.1, Copy Corner, CC Creations and other companies from the Bryan and College Station area.

Clothes from participants were to be collected after the start of the run and donated to the Twin City Mission, which

www.cubbyholeusa.com • Moving & Storage Supplies • On Site Manager

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page 10

• Recorded Video Surveillance • Computerized Access Gates

FREE Use of Truck to Move Into Your Cubby Hole!

STUDENTS OR STAFF RENT BEFORE END OF FINALS...

PAY NO DEPOSIT ($10) & GET FREE LOCK ($7.99) ID & COPY OF THIS AD REQUIRED AG OWNED AND OPERATED.

Bomb Continued from page 1

MCAT: 5/25 to 8/5, M-Th, 4 to 6:30pm 5/25 to 8/5, M-Th, 7 to 9:30pm 5/23 to 8/11, M/W/Su(Su), 4 to 6:30pm (1 to 3:30) LSAT Hyperlearning: 6/5 to 8/26, Tues/Thurs, 6:30 to 10pm 7/10 to 10/7, Mon/Thurs, 6:30 to 10pm LSAT Accelerated: 4/24 to 5/30, Tues/Sun, 6:30 to 10pm

the website, makes no specific reference to the attack in New York, nor does it mention that the location or that it was a car bomb.

New York City’s police commissioner said there’s no evidence of a Taliban link to the failed car bomb.

In a copy of the tape provided by SITE, an unidentified voice speaking in Urdu, the primary language in Pakistan, says the group takes “full responsibility for the recent attack in the USA.” The speaker says it comes in response to American “interference and terrorism in Muslim Countries, especially in Pakistan for [the] Lalmasjid operation,” a reference to the Pakistani army’s 2007 storming of the Red Mosque in Islamabad where militants were holed up inside.

thebattalion

benefits the homeless. Donations would be accepted from people who chose not to participate in the run.

“If a third or even a quarter of the people from the group participated, we’d have had anywhere from 1,500 to 2,000 people donating on that one night alone,” said Richard Russel, co-head of the A&M Undie Run and senior anthropology major. “The plan was to wash the donated clothing ourselves and deliver it to Twin City Mission in order to save them time and money,” The first Undie Run was in 2007 in Austin. Sponsored by Axe, the event has since spread to campuses across the nation as a finals week tradition as part of the “Undie Run Challenge,” a nationwide competition to see which school can donate the most clothing to charities benefiting homelessness. Free Axebrand underwear was offered

The claim could not be immediately verified. But if it turns out to be genuine, it would be the first time the Pakistani Taliban has struck outside of South Asia. It has no known global infrastructure like al-Qaida. In at least one past instance, the Pakistani Taliban has claimed responsibility for an attack it played no role in.

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs declined to comment on the claim.

“I’m not going to get into assumptions about who might be involved or what their motives might be,” Gibbs said on Air Force One as President Barack Obama flew to New Orleans.

At the start of the video, a text in gold letters on black background celebrates the “jaw-breaking blow to Satan’s USA.” As the speaker delivers the message, images of the slain militants mentioned flash across the screen. English subtitles are provided at the bottom.

The speaker says the at-

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UNIVERSITY DINING

at the events, and the company has promised to make a donation to schools’ local charity partners for every pound of clothing donated.

“I was asked by a friend to go to the Austin Undie Run and decided to try to start one here,” Russell said.

“A&M would have been part of the Axe competition because they own all the rights to the event.”

Despite the participation of major universities like Ohio State and Kansas, Texas A&M is not the only campus to have trouble getting an Undie Run event off the ground. University of California Los Angeles, where the event is a quarterly tradition, has not had an Undie Run since summer 2009, when the event drew more than 10,000 people. Concerns about property damage and safety prompted the school to cancel the event, though a similar event is in the

works. Even the Austin Undie Run is not officially affiliated with University of Texas, though most of the participants are students there.

The news of the Undie Run’s cancellation might come as a disappointment to students hoping for a way to relieve some of the stress of studying for finals, but the event’s organizers haven’t been discouraged.

“We’ll keep pressing for an Undie Run to be held at A&M in the future,” Thompson said.

“Our goal is to make this another proud tradition at A&M see if we can make it the largest Undie Run in the country.”

Those students who supported the effort to have the event on campus may not have to wait long for the chance to strip and sprint for a good cause, Russell said.

“We’re trying to get them to let us hold it during Howdy Week in the fall.”

Associated Press

Duane Jackson speaks to reporters and tourists Sunday in New York’s Times Square about the car bomb. tack also avenges U.S. drone strikes in Pakistani tribal areas that target Taliban leaders hiding there and the “abduction, torture and humiliation” of Aafia Siddiqui.

Siddiqui is a 37-year-old Pakistani scientist who was convicted in a U.S. court in New York in February of trying to kill American service personnel after her arrest in Afghanistan in 2008. Her case has triggered anger among Pakistani extremist groups and in sections of the media.

As the message concludes, the voice calls on NATO countries

— who have troops stationed in Afghanistan — to oppose “evil U.S. policies” and “sincerely apologize for the massacres in Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan and Pakistani tribal areas.”

The Pakistani Taliban is one of Pakistan’s largest and deadliest militant groups. It has strong links to al-Qaida and is based in the northwest close to the Afghan border. The group has carried out scores of bloody attacks inside Pakistan in recent years, mostly against Pakistani targets, but it has made no secret of its hatred toward the U.S.

5/2/10 9:32 PM

5 before you go things you should know

1

Redefined day

Students will attend Friday classes on Tuesday, the last day of the spring semester. Final exams begin Friday.

2

Cinco De Mayo

Sbisa Dining Hall will have a Cinco De Mayo celebration from 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday.

Shredded pork salsa verde tostadas, enchiladas and cilantro queso are among the foods being served.

Meals are $8.25 per person and meal plans are accepted.

3

Perpetual Motion

The eighth annual dance concert put on by the A&M dance program will feature three nights of performances 7:30 p.m.

Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 7 through 9 in room 263 of the Read Building.

Last An Aggie beer of study the year break

4

5

Take a break from studying with The Association of Former Students Friday at the Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center. There will be entertainment on the 26-foot media wall and interactive exhibits about Aggieland.

Enjoy the last beer of the year with Granger Smith who will perform May 12 at The Texas Hall of Fame with special guest Josh Langston. Doors open at 8 p.m. and tickets are $8.

b! thebattalion 05.03.2010 page11

scene

Pop culture rewind

H

istorically pop culture has defined moments in our society that usually prevail to influence past, current and future generations’ perspectives and identities. So with that in mind, beginning in summer 2009, let us begin.

The summer of 2009 was marred by a number of prominent celebrity deaths, celebrities who made enormous contributions to the artistic Joe Terrell or political landscape of their times. No. 1 on his inauguration. everyone’s list is pop star Michael Jackson, who The 2009-2010 year in music will hold a spedied in his home in Los Angeles, Calif., from cial place in the hearts of pop culturists, as several a cardiac arrest. While the blame is still up in stories rose into the national consciousness. the air — his physician plead guilty to involunKanye West became the man to hate when he tary manslaughter charges — medical took the stage while Taylor Swift was examination definitely indicates that beginning to accept her award for his heart attack was the result of The past year in “Best Female Video” at the Video several benzodiazepinic drugs Music Award. Hijacking the pop culture has present in his system at the microphone, Kanye protested in included monumental time of his death. support of Beyonce Knowles’ moments, tragic Patrick Swayze died in video. This story reached its deaths and September after a heroic height when Obama’s infamous scandalous affairs that (and very public) battle with comment (“He [Kanye] is a pancreatic cancer. Walter merit a look back. jackass”) was released via Twitter Cronkite, arguably one of the by an ABC News reporter. Teen pop most famous broadcast journalists of star Miley Cyrus rose more than a few all time, also died, leaving behind four eyebrows with her pole dance performance Peabody awards and a School of Journalism and during the Teen Choice Awards. “Boom Boom Mass Communication in his name at Arizona Pow” by the Black Eyed Peas was the most State University. The celebrity pitch personality downloaded song of 2009. community was hit hard with the death of Billy This year in movies will probably be rememMays from hypertension disease (he was buried bered as the most important in recent memory. wearing a shirt with the OxiClean logo on it).

James Cameron’s sci-fi epic “Avatar” broke The fall of 2009 and spring of 2010 was noworldwide box office records and topped the table for its numerous celebrity scandals. It was previous record holder (Cameron’s “Titanic”), celebrity nude photo open season with Jamie mostly due to the high price resulting from 3-D Foxx, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Greene, Rihanticket sales. Whether or not you bought the na and poor ESPN sportscaster Erin Andrews film’s green message, James Cameron’s utilization having photos leaked. of groundbreaking visual effects and broad stroke We basically watched Tiger Woods’ life unstorytelling showed George Lucas the right way ravel before our eyes after a mysterious car crash to make a contemporary space opera. During the that revealed he was having an affair. Within Academy Awards Ceremony, the glass ceiling the coming days, several women came forward was raised a bit when Kathryn Bigelow became to reveal they had secret affairs with the PGA’s the first woman to receive the Academy Award 10-time Player of the Year. And while not a for Achievement in Directing for her gritty Iraq “scandal,” it certainly was a shock when Presiwar drama “The Hurt Locker.” dent Barack Obama was awarded the Nobel Video games proved to hold their own as an Peace Prize in October when it became known entertainment medium when “Call of Duty: that nominations were submitted just days after Modern Warfare 2” sold more than 4.7 million

copies within the first 24 hours of its release.

Nintendo’s console, the Wii, has proven it has marketability outside the standard video game demographics, as its the leading console in comparison to the Xbox 360 and PS3 in regard to units sold.

Moving forward with technology, Facebook overtook MySpace as the most popular social networking at the beginning of last year. But that was just a sign of things to Courtesy photos come as Facebook became the most visited site on the Internet in March, edging out 2009-2010 has included high profile products Internet giant Google. And while generally from Apple, celebrity fights, athlete scandals regarded as a “name fail,” Apple’s iPad, called and historical moments for women in the a “laptop killer” and a direct competitor entertainment industry. to Amazon’s Kindle and Barnes & Noble’s this year was one of the most turbulent in reNook, sold more than 300,000 units the first cent pop culture memory. And we didn’t even day of its release, proving once again that nothtouch on the politics. ing can discourage Apple’s loyal fan base.

While definitely not including all the events Joe Terrell is a sophomore that occurred during the 2009-2010 school telecommunications major. year, the highlights should speak for themselves:

TP Couture,

Charmin chic The entries are judged by Bain Contest and her two partners, as well as a The Battalion celebrity judge. Bain did not know guidelines What started out as a promotional gimmick for a tips and • Contestants must be 18 hints for weddings website turned into a crafting craze that draws who will be this year’s judge. The years or older judging criterion includes creativinternational attention. Six years ago creators of cheap-chic-wed• Submit photos with a ity, originality, beauty and the dings.com thought of a way to bring attention to the site front, back and side view use of toilet paper.

Grand by having a competition to find the best wedding dress of the dress on a model prize is $1,000, second made of toilet paper.

Wedding website or mannequin. prize is $500 and third “It gets a lot of attention every year,” said cohas an international • They may enter once prize is $250. creator Susan Bain. “I even got an interview from competition to find a year and twice in a “Last year’s winner South Africa one time.” lifetime the best wedding was crazy good.

It The contest was inspired by a game that is • Entries must be in by was ‘Gone With the dress made out of played in many wedding showers and bachelorette May 15.

Wind’ inspired and is toilet paper. parties where guests are given a roll of toilet paper now in Ripley’s Believe and a short amount of time to make a wedding dress. it or Not,” Bain said.

This competition has thousands of self-proclaimed Ripley’s sponsored the contest for a few years and as a designers entering their dresses head pieces. result, several of the dresses have become part of the collection.

“It’s a whole different level, there are some seriously crafty The contest has no sponsors this year but Bain said they make the people,” Bain said. money back quickly with the attention the competition brings to The dresses and head pieces are constructed out of toilet paper the site. with tape and glue to keep it together. Sewing was added to the “There are no outside sponsors this year but we’re still acceptrepertoire this year. “We try and change it a little bit every year ing sponsors,” Bain said. and people get more and more crazy about it,” Bain said.

Lorelei Willett

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Courtesy photos

The 2009 winner, Ann Kagawa Lee of Honolulu, Hawaii, constucted her dress and hat using toilet paper, tape and glue. Her theme was “Gone with the Wind” and Japanese origami.

Bain is one of three creators of cheap-chic-weddings.com based out of Boca Raton, Fla. Laid out in an online magazine format, the site offers pages for advice and ideas for weddings as well as blogs.

“It’s all just ideas,” Bain said. “We only recommend something if we try it or check it out ourselves.”

Bain plans to the toilet paper wedding dress contest.

“It has turned into such a phenomenon and gets lots of attention, it’s great,” Bain said.

5/2/10 8:40 PM

news

page 12 monday 5.3.2010

Obama: stopping oil spill could take days VENICE, La. — No remedy in sight, President Barack Obama on Sunday warned of a “massive and potentially unprecedented environmental disaster” as a badly damaged oil well in the Gulf of Mexico spewed a widening and deadly slick toward delicate wetlands and wildlife. He said it could take many days to stop.

Obama flew to southern Louisiana to inspect forces arrayed against the oil gusher as Cabinet members described the situation as grave and insisted the administration was doing everything it could. Then he took a 15-mile helicopter ride over marshlands and estuaries to a coastal area, but high winds prevented the craft from going out to the 30-mile oil slick caused by as much as 210,000 gallons of crude gushing into the Gulf each day.

The spill threatened not only the environment but also the region’s abundant fishing industry, which Obama called “the heartbeat of the region’s economic life.” As of now, it appeared little could be done in the short term to stem the oil flow, which was also drifting toward the beaches of neighboring Mississippi and farther east along the Florida Panhandle. Obama said the slick was 9 miles off the coast of southeastern Louisiana.

BP Chairman Lamar McKay raised faint hope that the spill might be stopped more quickly by lowering a hastily manufactured dome to the ruptured wellhead a mile deep in the next six to eight days, containing the oil and then pumping it to the surface. Such a procedure has been used in some well blowouts but never at the miledeep waters of this disaster.

Associated Press

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thebattalion

Music on a mission

Jonny Green — THE BATTALION

The band Adelynn performs Saturday night outside Mugwalls for International Justice Mission’s “Music is the Movement.” The club organized the event, which featured three bands, to promote their cause of ending human trafficking and other human rights abuses.

United, Continental to merge United Airlines and Continental Airlines agreed to combine in a $3 billion stock swap to create the world’s biggest airline, people with knowledge of the deal said Sunday. The transaction will test the notion that the money-losing airline business can work better on a large scale. Corporate travelers love a wide choice of departure times and a worldwide network, and the combined United and Continental will have flights reaching from Shanghai to South America. The transaction is to be announced Monday morning after it gained approval from both airlines’ boards Sunday, the people said. They declined to be identified because the transaction hasn’t been announced. The companies are expected to describe it as a merger of equals. But travelers will see more of United once the deal closes. The United name will live on and the headquarters will be in Chicago, United’s hometown. United shareholders will own about 55 percent of the combined company, the people said.

Associated Press

5/2/10 9:35 PM