The Battalion: December 3, 2013

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december 3, 2013

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FROM THE GROUND UP A&M architecture studio crafts plans for hospital under prof’s tutelage Homer Segovia The Battalion

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en Aggie architecture graduate students recently had the opportunity to represent one of the top two health architecture programs in the nation at Nemours Children’s Hospital in Orlando, Fla. The Architecture for Health Studio was invited by Nemours, an organization that operates children’s health care centers across the country, to present design concepts for a new ambulatory health care center that will be located in New Jersey. Nemours will likely hire an architectural firm

COURTESY

Architectural graduate students Nooshin Esfahani (left) and Chen Han examine a design concept for a proposed children’s health care facility in New Jersey.

See Architecture on page 2

greek life

Sorority strengthens bonds amid Stryker family tragedy Caroline Corrigan

The Battalion embers of Delta Zeta have come together in a time of tragedy to show support for their sorority sister, Stephanie Stryker, who lost her parents and brother in an auto accident Nov. 26.

Among other efforts, a website has been made for Stryker, a junior biochemistry major, on EverRibbon.com by her Delta Zeta sisters to raise money to cover expenses and dues as a Delta Zeta member. Delta Ze-

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tas from across the country have donated to Stryker.

Leann Taylor, freshman business administration major and Delta Zeta member, said she had no doubt that Delta Zeta members would be there for each other in the face of tragedy.

“They will always be there for you, if anything happens we will always have each other to lean on,” Taylor said.

Holly Flores, sophomore biology major and Delta Zeta member, said Stryker has

enough to worry about without concerning herself with expenses.

“Finances should be the least of her worries right now,” Flores said. “She has gone through such a huge tragedy. We want to do everything we can for her. She has always been there for us and now it is our turn.”

Stryker tweeted Thursday her appreciation of the support shown by the See Stryker on page 2

She has gone through such a huge tragedy.

We want to do everything we can for her.

She has always been there for us and now it is our turn.”

— Holly Flores, sophomore biology major and Delta Zeta member

inside

w. basketball

A&M salutes Loftin with bowtie giveaway

opinion | 7

First 1,500 students to receive bowties Tuesday at game James Sullivan THE B ATTALION

The Battalion

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he Texas A&M women’s basketball team will honor University President R. Bowen Loftin on Tuesday as he concludes his final year in office by giving out free bowties, a Loftin fashion staple, to the first 1,500 students through the doors for “Dr. R. Bowen Loftin Appreciation Night.”

The team will face off against San Diego State at 7 p.m. in Reed Arena in the Aggies’ homecoming following a 1-2 performance in the Paradise Jam Classic in the Virgin Islands.

In the tournament, A&M was upset

by Texas and Syracuse and defeated Memphis, falling to 4-2 on the season.

The team looks to rebound against an Aztecs squad with a 1-4 record.

Despite the pair of losses, A&M

Gue rra —

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FILE PHOTO

University President R. Bowen Loftin and women’s basketball coach Gary Blair ‘hump it’ during the Kentucky game last February at Reed Arena. has maintained its standing in the polls, ranked No. 11 in the Coaches Poll and No. 23 by the Associated Press. San Diego State is unranked in both polls.

The Aggies enter the home matchup No. 18 nationally with 55.3 points

Grow up and go HAM With another graduation looming on the horizon, Jessica Smarr takes a look at the imminent doom that is adulthood, and she doesn’t like what she sees.

See Basketball on page 8

music | 5 William Gueraa — THE BATTALION

higher ed

Grant awarded to support STEM education Jennifer Reiley The Battalion

T Shelby Knowles — THE BATTALION

Gov. Rick Perry speaks at the presentation Monday for a grant for STEM education.

he $150,000 grant presented to Texas A&M University on Monday to support education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics highlighted the ever-growing economic focus of STEM technology in Texas and the role Texas A&M University plays in STEM research.

The grant, which will be given over the next three years, was presented by The Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation at the National Center for Therapeutics Manufacturing at See STEM on page 3

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page 2 tuesday 12.3.2013

thebattalion

Architecture Continued from page 1

to develop a final design based on what was learned from the students’ presentations.

Victoria Garcia, architecture graduate student, said though she has worked on health care projects before, the fact that this project was a children’s facility made it the most detailed design that she’s worked on.

“I think because it was a children’s facility we had to think, ‘Okay, would a child enjoy this?’” Garcia said. “We needed to make all of the spaces welcoming and inviting, but at the same time they needed to have the functions that they were required to have for medicinal purposes.

So I think that was a challenge, making scary, intimidating rooms more friendly, more welcoming.”

The teams focused on making the health care facility a sustainable building, including additions such as solar panels and windows that increase the amount of natural light that enters the building or paying particular attention to the shape of the building itself.

“For me, the challenge is to combine the sustainable things with the interesting things that would attract children and combine those two together and build our building,” said Jiayu Chen, architecture graduate student. “That’s why our building is very funny — the shape is funny, but the shape is useful for sustainable design.”

While the students focused on sustainability of the building, they also faced the challenge of building on wetlands, an environment difficult for construction.

“So when we thought we had 60 acres, it actually turns out to only be 30,” said Andy Ilges, architecture graduate student. “They wanted the first phase second phase and surface parking on 75,000 square feet. Fitting all that

Yomi Adenuga — THE BATTALION

Architecture professor George Mann and his students discuss the task of designing a 75,000-square-foot sustainable ambulatory health care facility. onto the property they selected was really not going to happen in the way that they wanted.”

While the various program requirements of the health care facility made the design more complicated than a usual studio, Ilges said the process was easier because they were working on a real architecture project rather than one made up by a professor.

“The fact that we were working with a real client and real consultants really helped because we were able to reach out to them throughout the semester,” Ilges said. “We had several Skype sessions and emails back and forth, just asking questions and getting information that contributed to our project, so I would say the most significant thing about this is that we were actually working on a real project with real people.”

Dealing with real clients and consultants means the end product of the students’ projects may result in a building that is brought to life, not just to be a grade.

“There are many that have been built,” said George Mann, Ronald L. Skaggs endowed professor. “Most projects architects [complete] don’t get built because the financial feasibility isn’t studied or there’s something that goes awry.”

Stryker Continued from page 1

thebattalion The IndependenT STudenT VoIce

of

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SInce

1893

Jake Walker, Editor in Chief The BaTTalion is published daily, Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and Tuesday and Thursday during the summer session (except University holidays and exam periods) at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843. Offices are in Suite L400 of the Memorial Student Center.

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Greek system.

“The Aggie family and beyond that Greek family brings tears to my eyes with their overwhelming support,” Stryker tweeted. “You are all beyond perfect.”

Lauren Suarez, junior communication major and Delta Zeta member, said the sorority will open its house from 1-4 p.m. on Thursday for the community to sign letters and drop off gifts for Stryker.

“At 4 o’clock we are going to have a prayer outside our house for people to gather for a silent prayer for the Stryker family,” Suarez said.

Flores said she met Stryker at the first A&M football game last year. Nervous as a

To resolve this, Mann focused heavily on improving the communication skills of each of the students by making them give presentations, create unique business cards and perform other exercises.

Nanven Dogun, architecture graduate student, said the amount of attention that Mann places on communication was bothersome at first, but that it prepared him for dealing with people in the architecture industry.

“A lot of the things he started making us do that we were not used to were annoying, but after some time you kind of understand why he was doing those things,” Dogun said. “He had told us why, but when we saw them happening, when we go out and meet people, everything he said could happen did happen, so it’s more like he takes a lot of time to focus on the real practical aspects of what the practice is going to be and not just focusing on a floor-plan for the whole semester.”

Mann said each year brings different students to his studios that require different methods of instruction, but there is one thing that remains constant about his method.

“I never tell my students what to design,” Mann said.

“That’s like telling somebody what clothes to wear.”

new member in Delta Zeta, Flores said Stryker welcomed her with open arms.

“She was so excited to meet me and she didn’t even know me,” Flores said.

Kara Comte, Delta Zeta advisor, coordinated a bus to take about a third of the chapter members to the Strykers’ family church, SunCreek United Methodist in Allen, this coming Wednesday for the funeral, Flores said.

The Strykers were active members in their church and the Delta Zetas will be there to show support.

Delta Zetas encourage not only the Greek community, but all of Texas A&M to show their support for a fellow Aggie in this difficult time. Taylor said Delta Zeta members are planning a candlelight ceremony on campus for Sunday, but they are still awaiting clearance from the University.

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Shelby Knowles — THE BATTALION

Gordon Coburn, president of Cognizant, speaks Monday at the presentation of a STEM grant to A&M.

STEM Continued from page 1

Texas A&M. The Monday presentation event included speakers Gov. Rick Perry, A&M System Chancellor John Sharp, state Rep. Bill Flores and Gordon Coburn, president of Cognizant.

Flores said STEM education is important for the future of the U.S. but it is suffering in today’s environment. “Basic research is the seed corn that we sow to maintain a future that is physically and economically healthy for our country,� Flores said. “Today our country’s ability to sow that seed with a healthy research function, like we do at A&M, is impaired. One of the challenges is the severe shortages of STEM graduates.�

The projected employment rates in science and math fields in the upcoming years motivated both Cognizant’s award of the grant and the move of its headquarters to College Station, Coburn said. “STEM education is critical for the continued growth of America’s innovation economy and global competitiveness,� Coburn said. “Cognizant is one the largest STEM recruiters in the United States. We expect to hire over 10,000 professionals in the United States over the next three years, and during this same period we expect to increase our workforce here in Texas by at least 750.

A majority of those jobs, we hope, will come from College Station.�

Sharp said Cognizant’s focus on STEM education supports A&M’s own commitment to educating the next generation. “The Texas A&M System produces more STEM teachers for our public schools and private schools, secondary and elementary schools in the state of Texas than any,�

Sharp said. “We produce 40 percent of all the teachers that are in classrooms in the state of Texas.�

Michael Pishko, director of the National Center for

Therapeutics Manufacturing, accepted the award on behalf of the facility. Pishko said the grant would benefit programs that support and encourage the next generation to pursue degrees in science and math fields. “We are extremely grateful for Cognizant’s sponsorship of our STEM programs that we have over the summer for high school students across the state of Texas,�

Pishko said. “Through Cognizant’s support we’ll be able to provide scholarships to better serve the economically disadvantaged students here in the state, particularly those who haven’t traditionally pursued careers in science and engineering. Through this investment, we’ll also be able to support our teacher workshops where we bring high school students from across the state and they bring what they learned here to our classrooms.�

Coburn said Cognizant is looking forward to working with A&M to promote STEM education. “The grant will support STEM by giving money to programs focused on educating high school students about careers in science and math fields,� Coburn said. “I plan to come back next year and talk about what people in the corporate world are looking for today in college graduates. Texas A&M does a good job of showing how exciting math and science can be in college and afterward.

Cognizant can show the corporate side of the industry.�

Cognizant’s move to Texas is part of a movement of businesses to Texas, Perry said, as they realize the opportunities the state offers. “People know they can come [to Texas],� Perry said. “They can risk their capital.

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thebattalion

Century Singers (first four rows), Singing Cadets (in white) and Women’s Chorus (back left and back right) sing the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s “Messiah,” which is sung at the end of the concert each year.

COURTESY

choral activities

Singing acts to join voices for holiday concert Groups to mix carols with holiday-themed musical pieces Kadie McDougald The Battalion

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entury Singers, Singing Cadets and Women’s Chorus will join Sunday for a holiday-themed concert, “Holiday Spirit of Aggieland.”

Eric Posada, assistant director of Choral Activities and director of Century Singers and Women’s Chorus, said the concert will features the choirs and small ensembles within each choir — Century Sounds from Century Singers, One AChord from Women’s Chorus and the Aggienizors from the Singing Cadets.

“It gives the community and people associated with A&M and the surrounding area the chance to listen to all three choirs,” Posada said. “We definitely want to be in the Christmas spirit so we’ll have a mixture of well-known carols and other classical, appropriate pieces for the holiday season.”

Kimberly Cuccia, senior accounting major and Century Singers member, said each choir and its small ensemble will

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[The concert] gives the community and people associated with A&M and the surrounding area a chance to listen to all three choirs.”

— Eric Posada, assistant director of Choral Activities have its own concert. Cuccia said Century Singers will begin with “Carol of the Bells” and sing a variety of music, including classic Christmas carols and the pieces “Shout to God” and “Ave Maria.”

“This is the only concert that all three choirs get together for all year,” Cuccia said. “A big part is unity and it’s a great way for all of us to have a Christmas concert and come together and be blessed with music of the season, but I think it’s also just very efficient for all three to perform at the same time and it’s a great way

to promote all three groups together.”

Jill Terpilowski, senior education major and Women’s Chorus member, said the chorus will do traditional Christmas songs such as “Oh Christmas Tree” and more contemporary tunes such as “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”

“We’re doing a mix of things that people have definitely heard before and would recognize as Christmas and then more traditional choral works,” Terpilowski said.

Cuccia said she was drawn to the choir because of its style and the type of music it performs.

“I’ve been singing for a very long time and I knew I wanted to keep music in my life,” Cuccia said. “Century Singers has been like a family to me in my time here at A&M, so it’s a great way to do what I love. [We’ve had] a variety of majors come together and do something we love and break away from school.”

Holiday Spirit of Aggieland will be at 3 p.m. Sunday in Rudder Auditorium.

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music thebattalion

UPCOMING

ALBUMS 12/10

DECEMBER 12/10

Childish Gambino

“I’m looking forward to Spears’ new album because a couple of the songs that came out during the summer were very good and I have had them stuck in my head since day one. She went through a phase where her music wasn’t as good, but it’s gotten a lot better recently.”

— Katie Gourley, senior political science major

12/3

Britney Spears “Britney Jean”

page 5 tuesday 12.3.2013

12/10

12/17

Mastodon “Live at Brixton”

Zac Brown Band “The Grohl Sessions Vol. 1”

B.O.B. “Underground Luxury”

“I was introduced to Childish Gambino during my freshman year. A few of his songs have been on my radar lately and they were pretty good and he’s released two singles that I’ve liked so I’m looking forward to the rest of it.”

“I didn’t know they were coming out with a new album, but I’m still excited even if it is a live one.

They’ve always had that really thick, bass-heavy, stoner-rock type of sound, and I’m curious to see how that will translate over. Hopefully we’ll see a new studio album soon.”

“I feel like they are really laid back and it kind of chills you out, you know? So they’re enjoyable to listen to. The songs that I’ve heard from them just make me want to listen to more, so I’m really excited for their new stuff.”

“I first got exposed to B.O.B. in his very first album. I’m really excited for this release because in his last one he had a lot of featured artists and that was really entertaining. All his songs sound really different and I really like that.”

— Michael Mayfield, senior mathematics major

— Benjamin Sullivan, senior computer science major

— Chris Faucett, senior nuclear engineering major

— Kirby Bosse, senior health major

“Because the Internet”

Compiled by David Cohen and William Guerra — THE BATTALION

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tuesday 12.3.2013

Israel: Its Success for the Long Haul What Are Israel’s Great Strengths to Achieve Its Continued Success?

On its 65th birthday, Israel can be described as a great success. Now, looking forward, we need to project what Israel will be like for the next 60 to 100 years. From what we can foresee, it is going to be a continuation of its success. There are good reasons for this optimistic assessment.

What are the facts?

A Cohesive Society, a Flowering Democracy.

Unique in the Middle East, Israel is a democracy on National Security. The balance of military power, the US model. That means a state of laws and of the as compared to its neighboring Arab enemies, is will of its citizens. Although a highly militarized decisively in favor of Israel. Israel’s military might is nation, and in contrast to all of its neighbors, there substantially greater than that of any combination has never been any hint of a putsch or of a coup in of its potential adversaries. It is highly unlikely that Israel. It has the same important institutions as our any Arab state would venture to attack powerful country, including the nation’s Supreme Court Israel. Military threats are more likely to come from playing an important and decisive role. non-state adversaries such as Hamas or Hezbollah.

Despite having Israel’s non-state enemies are integrated armed with thousands of “Yes, indeed, the future of the successfully millions of people since the rockets, virtually all of them supplied by Iran. But Israel’s Jewish state for the next 60 to country’s creation in 1948 – sophisticated missile defense 100 years seems to be assured.” the population is essentially homogeneous, united by the systems would be fully Jewish faith. Even the large block of Soviet competent to intercept and incapacitate virtually all immigrants has been successfully absorbed. The such incoming rockets. large contingent of Ethiopians has had a somewhat The only credible threat would be an implacably more difficult adjustment. Many of the Arab hostile Iran. It is, however, certain that Israel, with citizens, even though all venues are available to or without the help or approval of the United States, them, have still not fully accepted their country. would not allow Iran to be in a position to attack. If Much work remains to be done. The most difficult worse came to worst, there is, as a last resort, remaining division is between the secular majority Israel’s own nuclear potential, which, though and the ultra-religious haredim. But even they are unconfirmed, is purported to be formidable. beginning to adapt and to integrate, with many of A Strong Economy. Next to military power, a the young haredim willing to serve in the IDF, the strong economy is a fundamental requirement for a country’s military. Israel is blessed with a successful future. Israel’s economy is vastly ahead of disproportionate number of college graduates – its neighbors – unique in the Middle East and equal probably the highest percentage of population in to most and superior to some European countries. the world. It has the highest number of Nobel Israel was admitted into the Organization for laureates to population and the highest percentage Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), a of patents issued. union of the most developed countries of the world.

International Relations. Even despite its The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has problems with Arab and Muslim nations, Israel has expressed its confidence in Israel’s long-term vitality. full diplomatic relations with 156 out of 193 U.N. Israel is a fount of productivity. Most major members. The only implacable enemy is Iran, American companies have subsidiaries and which, under the Shah, was one of Israel’s firmest research/development affiliates in Israel. Israel is a allies. Turkey, also a former close friend, is, under world leader in microchip technology, in medical its current Islamist government, in an ambiguous instrumentation, in missile defense, in robotics, in relationship with Israel. The two fastest growing unmanned aerial vehicles and in many other and most populace countries – China and India – categories. Although much effort has been are in friendly relationships with Israel. They are expended by Israel’s enemies to isolate it not infected by the anti-Semitic virus that has economically, that is a forlorn cause and will poisoned much of Europe. They think of Israel as an continue to be unsuccessful. ancient civilization, just like their own. But the As a result of ceaseless exploration, huge oil and most important international connection by far is gas fields have been discovered in the Israeli sector that with our country, the United States, which has of the Mediterranean, which, beginning almost been a strong and generous supporter of Israel from immediately, will fulfill its domestic demands and the very day of its creation and considers it to be will, in all likelihood, propel Israel to become an one of its most important and most reliable allies. exporter of such products.

Yes, indeed, with its strong military, its flourishing economy, its cohesive population, and its firm international relations, the future of the Jewish state for the next 60 to 100 years seems to be assured.

This message has been published and paid for by

Facts and Logic About the Middle East P.O. Box 590359 San Francisco, CA 94159

Gerardo Joffe, President

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FLAME is a tax-exempt, non-profit educational 501 (c)(3) organization. Its purpose is the research and publication of the facts regarding developments in the Middle East and exposing false propaganda that might harm the interests of the United States and its allies in that area of the world. Your taxdeductible contributions are welcome. They enable us to pursue these goals and to publish these messages in national newspapers and magazines. We have virtually no overhead. Almost all of our revenue pays for our educational work, for these clarifying messages, and for related direct mail.

thebattalion

Council invites student input on A&M budget Public hearing to be held Wednesday Aimee Breaux

The Battalion n response to the Texas A&M Board of Regents’ October approval of tuition and fee guidelines for the next academic year, a public hearing will be held by the Texas A&M University Council for Strategic Budgeting to inform the public and get student input.

The hearing will take place at 3 p.m. Wednesday in Rudder Forum and will include a presentation by the University on the tuition and fee plans for the upcoming year in addition to a question-and-answer session with students, said Shane

I

Hinckley, interim vice president for marketing and communications.

Brittany Bounds, president of Graduate Student Council and voting student member on the Council for Strategic Budgeting, a board created in 2012 to make budget recommendations to the president, said the meeting is a means of complying with state law.

“According to the state of Texas, the University has to offer a guaranteed tuition and fee plan for students,” Bounds said. “Texas A&M University has to fall in line with that plan so [A&M provost Karan Watson] is probably going to address this problem, as well as an opportunity for guaranteed tuition, and then open it up for student questions.”

Reid Joseph, student body

president and student voting member on the council, said the plan that will be presented Wednesday is not necessarily the final product that will be brought before the Board of Regents.

Bounds said this event is representative of the council’s deeper dedication to being open to student input.

“They have several students, both undergraduate and graduate students, sitting on the council and before any decisions are made they ask for input from our respective bodies,” Bounds said. “I think that it’s completely appreciated from the students who do have the ability to provide input to decisions that are made by the administration.”

Students get creative with time afforded by reading days Cameron Steele

The Battalion lthough the Wednesday and Thursday before finals are designed to give students time to prepare for their upcoming exams, some Aggies use the days to escape the stress of long semester.

Emily Wischnewsky, senior education major, said she will spend reading days celebrating.

“My birthday is Tuesday, so I’m going to be celebrating that and the end of the semester before finals start,” Wischnewsky said.

Sierra Shields, sophomore general studies major, said she always does something fun.

“Last year, some friends and I went bowling,” Shields said. “This year, aside from working, I plan to go to the movies and just relax. It’s not fun to be super stressed about everything, so

A

I always take a couple days to myself.”

Emily Brown, junior business major, said she is going to relax by getting into the Christmas spirit before finals.

“I am going to decorate my apartment,” Brown said. “I also want to go to Santa’s Wonderland this year. The best way to relax before finals is to get coffee and walk around looking at lights with some friends.”

Sarah Petta, senior anthropology major, said she will use the time to go camping.

“I don’t have finals until Monday so I’m taking advantage of having a few days off before graduation,” Petta said. “Camping is always the answer to free time.”

For the full story, go online at thebatt.com

138

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opinion

page 7

thebattalion

tuesday 12.3.2013

GROW UP AND GO HAM Jessica Smarr: The real world is for the birds — or pigs

Saving you money anD time to cram.

If you have ever seen a girl in a white Hyndai Sante Fe rocking out her interpretive “Call Me Maybe” dance, I’m sorry. Also, you’re welcome. Because let’s be real, my car dancing skills are killer.

I listen to Top 40 stations almost exclusively on my way to class. This usually only involves a slight amount of guilt and a large amount of steering wheel drumming, but recently, disaster struck in the form of Colette Carr’s new song, “HAM.” In her song, Carr talks about getting together with a bunch of her lady friends and going, going, going, going “ham.” This apparently must be well funded and involves a bit of bopping about and the removal of clothes. I think there is also ice cream.

I spent the entirety of my ride in distress. What in the world did this mean?

Why was she “going ham”? What drove her to that? The best explanation I could come up with was she was a young, rebellious Jewish girl who had decided to break Kosher and eat some bacon.

This wasn’t right, but it was a solid guess.

As soon as I got to class, I opened up Urban Dictionary and searched, “going ham.” Because this is an (Aggie) family newspaper, we’ll pretend it means, “going hard as a mother-flipper.” Or fandango. Or maybe flatulence. Pick

BAT_12-3-13_A7.indd 1

your favorite “F” word and go crazy.

I was ashamed. Not because of Carr’s language. I couldn’t really give a flippin’ flatulence about that. I was ashamed that I was so far behind on my pop culture knowledge that I had to run to Urban Dictionary in order to understand the songs on my radio. It was then that the truth slapped me in my fandango-ing face — I am getting old.

This is serious. One day, you’re looking up song lyrics on the Internet, mildly concerned you’re losing touch with your generation. The next, you’re 50 years old and making your teenage kids uncomfortable as they crawl into your pelican-puke green minivan, asking them about some word a bless-hisheart kind of kid just yelled at you.

I’m terrified of getting older. I graduate some weekend in May, the very same weekend I officially meet the real world — the one full of horrifying things like mortgages, balanced diets, matching clothes and fabric softener.

This past Sunday, I realized I’m going to have in-laws some day. That’s another entire family to disappoint with my psychology degree during federal holidays.

I am frankly not cut out for a realworld kind of life. Engineers and hard science students have crunched enough numbers and drawn enough diagrams to crush their souls into a 9-to-5 box. But I can’t even make myself wear shoes to

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pride myself on my love of obscure music. Due to excessive exposure, I have even instilled a decent musical taste in my very sassy and very obese guinea pig. But when I get in the car, all bets are off. The pop station goes on, the radio volume goes up, the windows roll down and all self-respect immediately vanishes to hide among the fast food bags on my floorboard.

TODAY’S BEST DEALS, ALL IN ONE PLACE.

class. There’s no way I want my entire life to be described by a tax form.

I might be frightened of getting older, but there is one thing that scares me more than anything else possibly could — becoming boring.

I have no desire to give up dancing to trashy pop tunes in my car. I just plain don’t want to grow up to tell my theoretical future children to make their beds. In fact, I still don’t even know if I’m sold on this whole “college thing.”

I’m still honestly considering running away to the circus, though I’m not sure anyone would be interested in my “Glorious Guinea Pig eats her weight in sociology notes” act.

That is why I say we rise up and change the rules. If we band together, we can change the definition of adulthood. “Say no to minivans and ties with cartoon characters on them,” will be our rallying cry!

Actually, that’s not very catchy. First item on the agenda will be to assign a rally-cry committee.

We can do this. Those of you graduating in December, you go out there and get things started. We are young and virile and they will put up with our antics as long as we keep paying into Social Security. Let’s go HAM. Or at least eat some bacon. I’d settle for that.

Text SAVE to 42767.

Jessica Smarr is a senior psychology major and copy chief for The Battalion

12/2/13 7:10 PM

sports

page 8 tuesday 12.3.2013

thebattalion

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Junior forward Achiri Ade shoots a 3-point shot from the top of the key during the maroon and white game in October at Reed Arena.

Jenna Rabel — THE BATTALION

Basketball Continued from page 1

allowed per game and No. 25 in points allowed per possession. A&M will also have history on its side against San Diego State as it holds a 3-0 series lead, including a 92-56 drubbing the last time the squads met in 2010.

A&M is led by sophomore guard Courtney Walker, junior forward Achiri Ade and senior center Karla Gilbert, all of whom are averaging double-digit point totals this season. Gil-

bert and Ade also lead the team in rebounds per game, combining for 15.7 per game on the season.

For her play in the Paradise Jam Classic, Walker was named to the all-tournament team following her career-best 26-point performance in the loss to Syracuse. Walker averaged 17 points while shooting 50 percent from the field in the three-game event.

A&M head coach Gary Blair will search for the 650th win of his career, which would make him the 19th Division I coach to reach the milestone.

Congratulations!

Mays Business Fellows Group XXXII Theresa Anderson Will Brooke Rob Cowan Spencer Dahl Hunter Dansby Jordan DePuma Jessica Feist Kaitlyn Gainer Kathryn Gaines Alexander Garcia Casey Gattshall Kelsey Hammond Carter Henderson

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12/2/13 8:17 PM