thebattalion ● tuesday,
july 28, 2009
● Serving
Texas A&M since 1893
● first paper free – additional copies $1 ● © 2009 Student Media
BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY
Courtesy Photo
The family of Staff Sgt. George D. Keathley presents his Medal of Honor to Texas A&M University. The ceremony was July 17 at the Sam Houston Sanders Corps of Cadets Center. Jeremy Northum — THE BATTALION
Staff Sgt. George D. Keathley Julie Rambin | The Battalion
O
n Sept. 14, 1944, in Mount Altuzzo, Italy, Staff Sgt. George Keathley took command of three platoons and repulsed the German army’s attack, before dying of his wounds. As his medal of honor notes, “Had it not been for his indomitable courage and incomparable heroism, the remnants of three rifle platoons of Company B might well have been annihilated by the overwhelming enemy attacking force. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.” He became one of seven Aggies to receive the Medal of Honor.
Red wine fights cancer ■ Researchers study Texas reserves made from one variety of grapes Christen Beck The Battalion A glass a day could keep cancer away. Many wine aficionados may already agree that wine is good, but Texas A&M research suggests that Texas wines or “the good stuff” will help the body tackle cancer cells. “This research is one of the first done with Texas wines,” said nutrition and food science graduate student Armando Del Follo. “Most of the research published related with wines and health benefits are from other regions.” The study, which began in November, shows Texas wines can inhibit the formation of colon cancer cells, Del Follo said. Colon cancer is the third most deadly cause of cancer. They hope to demonstrate similar results with breast cancer, Del Follo said. Texas A&M research on the relationship between Texas wines and breast cancer cell strands should be completed and submitted for approval to Cancer Letter by the end of the
Pg. 1-07.28.09.indd 1
After being given permission by Keathley’s family, the Sanders Corps of Cadets Center put his medal on display July 17. “There are medals displayed at the MSC, but these are not the original medals,” said author Col. James Woodall, Texas A&M University Class of 1950. “They’re reproductions.” The center is also the repository for the Lt. Eli Whiteley, Lt. Turney Leonard and Lt. Lloyd Hughes Medals of Honor. “It’s a great honor for us to have this medal,” said Sanders Corps of Cadets Center Director Jeff Gardner. “This is the actual medal, so for the family to entrust the actual medal is a great honor for us.” See Medal on page 4
Texas A&M University Provost Jeff Vitter resigns Texas A&M University Provost and Executive Vice President for Academics Jeff Vitter, who was hired by former Texas A&M President Elsa Murano, resigned Monday saying he wishes to devote his efforts to “other professional activities.” Vitter has accepted a position in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering. “I have been a strong supporter of TAMU faculty and them of me,” Vitter said. Before accepting the position as the provost and executive vice president for academics in 2008, Vitter was the Frederick L. Hovde dean of the College of Science and professor of computer science at Purdue University. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as provost
serving the faculty, staff and students, who make Texas A&M the great institution it is, and I look forward to their continued success,” Vitter said in a statement to The Battalion. The work Vitter has VITTER done for the University will not go unnoticed, said Texas A&M Interim President R. Bowen Loftin. “I would like to thank Vitter for his service to Texas A&M University as provost and executive vice president for academics, and particularly for his leadership in the development of the Academic Master Plan that we are firmly committed to pursuing in the years ahead.” Meagan O’Toole-Pitts, city editor
Patrick Clayton — THE BATTALION
Susanne Talcott, an assistant professor in nutrition and food science, pipettes wine for antioxidant analysis, a necessary step before placing samples into cell cultures. year, he said. When the study began, 75 different wines were examined, said nutrition and food science researcher Susanne Talcott. Wines were tested for chemical and taste properties. The aim was to use wines made from one variety of grapes, a rare find in the Lone Star State where most Texas vineyards use blended grapes, Talcott said. Talcott and her team chose Messina Hof Winery’s barrel port reserve wine to examine its effect on colon cancer strands and Kiepersol Estate Winery’s shiraz wine’s effect on breast cancer cell lines. “It’s good for us to learn which natural food agents help to kill those cells,” Talcott said.
Everyone should take preventative measures against cancer, Talcott said. “We all may have mutated cells, which can turn into cancer cells at any given time,” Talcott said. “Normally, your immune system will kill those cells. However, this mechanism is not flawless in everybody, specifically in people who develop cancer. Compounds from wine and vegetables can help kill those cells when your body may not be able to.” Although other health benefits of wine have not been investigated, Talcott said she’ll begin a clinical trial on Texas wines’ relationship with See Wine on page 4
Media madness
Jon Eilts — THE BATTALION
Texas A&M Head Coach Mike Sherman is interviewed Monday at the 2009 Big 12 Conference Media Days in Dallas, Texas. The Big 12 Media Days is an opportunity for the press to interview the coaches and select players in the Big 12 before the upcoming football season.
7/27/09 8:50 PM