philanthropy
Aggie student reaches out
thebattalion ● monday,
september 20, 2010
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Texas A&M since 1893
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■ Be the Joy sells handmade beads to send Ugandan girls to school Victoria Daughtery Special to The Battalion Some families in Uganda only make $1 a day. There is no such thing as public education in Uganda and school fees can be about $125. One Aggie decided to give Ugandan girls the opportunity for education and leadership training. Be the Joy is a nonprofit organization which funds school fees for girls in Uganda. Lauren Ray, sophomore business honors student, started the organization after visiting Uganda on a summer mission trip. “We were walking through the ghetto where I saw women making beads and hanging [them] to dry, but they didn’t have a market to sell the jewelry in,” Ray said. “Later that day, I met a girl named Filda at the orphanage who couldn’t afford school fees. I thought selling these beads in America and sending the proceeds to Uganda to pay for girls educations would be a great way to help both groups of women.” Ray sells paper bead jewelry made of rolled magazine paper, sling bags, banana fiber note cards (“Joy Notes” as she calls them) and reusable grocery bags, from Uganda and made by Ugandan women. Lauren also has made Be the Joy T-shirts for the cause. “Be the Joy is an absolutely amazing organization. I have a couple bracelets and a T-shirt, all of which I love,” said Katelyn Allen, senior psychology major. Proceeds are sent to Uganda to pay for the education of girls. Be the Joy has paid for two girls’ college educations and sent 33 children to elementary school, middle school and high school. “She is not even 20 years old and she has done more humbling and selfless acts than most will in their lifetime,” Alyssa Schulze, senior interdisciplinary studies major, said of Ray. With the college scholarship program, girls are able to apply after graduating from Cornerstone Leadership Academy. The academy teaches girls more than reading, writing and arithmetic by teaching them about selfesteem and self-worth. Most of the girls, however, are unable to afford college educations, which makes it difficult to use
With 12 off days during the team’s bye week, the Aggies, led onto Kyle Field above by senior quarterback Jerrod Johnson, senior joker Von Miller and junior cornerback Coryell Judie, will address offensive line and turnover problems.
Moving on Photos by Daniel Crump — THE BATTALION
Miller’s formidable return from an ankle injury suffered in the season opener flashed fans a glimpse of his continuing impact on a defense that has emerged as an unforseen strength.
The No. 10-ranked defensive unit in the Football Bowl Subdivision, seen celebrating after a big play, will match up against the nation’s No. 2 scoring offense in Stillwater.
Still undefeated The Aggies prepare for Sept. 30 against 3-0 Oklahoma State
sports | page 5
See Joy on page 4
Latin American group to meet The Latin Economic and Business Association will have its first meeting since its inception, featuring Nobel Peace Prize winner Bruce McCarl, at 6 p.m. Tuesday in Wehner 115. McCarl, regents professor and distinguished professor of agricultural economics at Texas A&M University, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 with former president Al Gore and the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change for work on global warming and climate change. He will speak about the socio-economic impact of global warming on Latin American society. The association strives to create international networks and community as well as promote entrepreneurship and leadership among its members.
Residence Life opens The Gardens at University $3.5 million complex is first new on-campus housing in 24 years Luz Moreno-Lozano The Battalion In response to significant demand for graduate and married student housing, the Department of Residence Life decided to make an addition to the University Apartments. The Gardens apartments, completed Aug. 3, consist of 250 units and are the first new on-campus housing since 1986. “It was time to have something new,” said Cha-
reny Rydl, director of Residence Life. A dedication ceremony marked the opening of the apartments in the Ron Sasse Courtyard on Sept. 17. Rydl, Lt. Gen. Joseph F. Weber, Trang Dang, President R. Bowen Loftin, Michael McKinney and Jim Schwertner spoke at the ceremony. Tours and a reception followed the dedication. The LEED Silver certified building cost a total of $3.5 million. Recyclable materials were used to build the apartments, with low water use plants around the
Katie White, staff writer Stephanie Leitchtle — THE BATTALION
If in good academic standing, graduate students, married students with children, military veterans and students 21 or older may apply for any complex within the Gardens apartments. The apartments were dedicated Sept. 17 with distinguished guests in attendance.
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complex. “The building is made of sustainable materials,” architect Deb Ebersole said. “It will last a long time.” Every apartment has furnished kitchens, bedrooms and living rooms. Downstairs apartments have the luxury of a washer and dryer. Other amenities include a computer lab, video library, laundry facilities, lounges, meeting rooms, wireless internet and a 24-hour on-call maintenance service. Dance parties, movie night and ice cream events for children are available as well. Spread throughout the complex are bus stops for transportation to the University and for the children in school in the area. “We wanted a place where [students] they can feel comfortable,” said Ron Sasse, former director of Residence Life. “I am extremely proud of this accomplishment.” Students have month-to-month leases. A 30-day notice is required for vacancy. Parking is included in the rent as well. Electric bills are separate. “They’re really nice,” said Seyi Ogunlela, graduate civil engineering major. “It’s a big phase for the University Apartments. It’s a whole different dynamic and part of the Aggie experience.” Residents of the Gardens apartments must be fulltime graduate or undergraduate students at A&M. Undergraduate students must also be in good standing with the University. Graduate students, married students with children, military veterans and students who are at least 21 can apply for any complex within the University Apartments. Undergraduate students who have completed 30 hours and meet the requirements, but are not married or do not have children can apply for the GarSee Apartments on page 4
9/19/10 10:45 PM