The Battalion - September 19, 2019 by The Battalion

Sweet new setup Meredith Seaver — THE BATTALION

Junior quarterback Kellen Mond rushed for one touchdown against Lamar.

A&M kicks off SEC play against Tigers No. 8 Auburn to visit Kyle Field on Saturday for Aggies’ first conference game of the season By Yuritzi Elizondo @aightyuri FILE

porting the food service program that we have going on here at Aggie Hospitality.” Other enhancements to concessions, including redesigned menu boards and the addition of 250 bar team members, are intended to optimize fan food experience at Kyle Field. “The atmosphere at Kyle Field on a game day is unmatched, and we want to deliver a dining experience and warm hospitality to match,” said Chris Warner, vice president of hospitality & strategy for Aggie Hospitality. “We looked at what worked and where we had opportunities to continue to improve from previous seasons, canvassed the culinary community and brought in several new offerings and processes across all areas.”

The No. 17 Texas A&M football team looks to stay on a roll after its bounce-back victory over Lamar last week. As the Aggies head into the start of Southeastern Conference play, No. 8 Auburn will visit Kyle Field coming off an impressive offensive performance of its own. While the Aggies lead the all-time series over Auburn 5-4, the Tigers have yet to drop a game at Kyle Field since A&M joined the SEC. Even if this is the SEC opener for the Aggies, head coach Jimbo Fisher said the team has to be ready to reset every week whether or not it is facing a divisional opponent. “You have to reset the tone each and every week,” Fisher said. “It doesn’t matter. It’s just one game at a time. … It puts you in a great position if you can have success, but you have to practice and prepare to have success.” On Saturday, the A&M run defense will face another test when going up against a Tigers offense that outgained Kent State 467 to 92 in rushing yards last week. With sophomore running back JaTarvious Whitlow leading the Auburn offense with an average of 113.7 yards per game, the A&M defense will have its hands full this weekend. Auburn’s sophomore wide receiver Seth Williams —

CONCESSIONS ON PG. 3

GAME PREVIEW ON PG. 6

Taylor Laney (left), Class of 2019 and owner of Donut Darlin’, is one of several new vendors setting up in Kyle Field this year.

Aggie-owned donut business among new stadium vendors By Alex Miller @AlexMill20 Taylor Laney is just four months removed from walking the stage at Reed Arena after graduating from Texas A&M in May, but she’s already making strides with her business on wheels, Donut Darlin’. Laney’s Aggie owned and operated food truck, which serves an assortment of mini donuts, is one of several new concession vendors added to Kyle Field this season for expanded food and beverage options at A&M football games. “It’s a crazy opportunity, especially

for me, because I’m 22 and I just graduated this May from here at A&M with a construction degree,” Laney said. “It’s very fun for me to be able to have this opportunity and be in this atmosphere and take on such a big leap for our business.” Donut Darlin’ isn’t the only vendor to make its way into Kyle Field this season. Aggie Hospitality has added more than 10 new restaurant partners, increasing menu variety at Kyle Field’s concessions this season. “We pulled in local vendors from this area,” said A&M executive chef Ryan Farrel. “It’s big for us to have places like Blake’s Steaks, to have Donut Darlin’, to have SubZero, to have a lot of those people in town that are around this area that are supporting the Aggies and sup-

Finding home and harmony A&M’s new Music Activities Center offers designated space for Aggie music groups By Brady Stone @bradystonex

Meredith Seaver — THE BATTALION

The Dunlap Drill Field is a turf replica of Kyle Field at the Music Activities Center.

After 25 years of planning and $40 million dollars in funding, the John D. White ’70 – Robert L. Walker ’58 Music Activities Center is open to students. For 49 years, the A&M bands, orchestras and choral groups have been housed across campus in buildings and offices which these programs had started to outgrow. Timothy Rhea, director of bands and music activities, was involved in the creation of the Music Activities Center since its inception and said a big priority when creating the facility was simply having room for the students. “The bands and the orchestra practiced in the Adams Band Building, which was built in 1970 for an

FROM THE STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT

An open letter to Aggieland

he Aggie Spirit flows through us all. We may not see it, but we can always feel it. Standing on the pedestal of our core values, The Spirit of Aggieland is etched in respect, excellence, leadership, loyalty, integrity and selfless service. These values exemplify what it means to be an Aggie and aim to celebrate all that is Aggieland. Recently, multiple instances of derogatory comments and slurs aimed at several of our minority and underrepresented communities have been made via social media. Our Vice President and Associate Provost for Diversity, Dr. Robin Means Coleman, mentioned in her recent letter to students a powerful quote echoing that people are “sick and tired of being sick and tired.” Unfortunately, I believe this rings true for us all. Today I, as your Student Body President, joined

by student leaders from across our campus, condemn these acts as abhorrent and unacceptable. We firmly believe in the beauty of the United States Constitution and everyone’s First Amendment rights. Aggieland, it is on us to use ours to say these actions do not represent our core values. Going forward, it’s on us to respond directly yet civilly to these acts with the true Aggie Spirit. Aggieland, let’s continue to push this campus forward! We have the opportunity to do so much good during our time here to unite our community. Join myself and several student leaders by condemning any speech that misrepresents what it means to be an Aggie. BTHO hate, Mikey Jaillet ’20 - Student Body President Karsten Lowe ’20 - Head Yell Leader

For 8-Week Courses

Courses that fit your schedule. Tuition that fits your budget.

blinnbound@blinn.edu

ONLINE COURSES AVAILABLE

NOW! n

MAC ON PG. 3

Ahmed Gad ’20 - Multicultural Greek Council President Christina Morrison ’20 - Chair, Student Affairs Fees Advisory Board Chaide Wynn ’21 - Black Student Alliance Council President Eric Mendoza ’21 - Speaker of the Student Senate Ann Elizabeth Tebow ’20 - Student Athlete Advisory Committee President Elisa Tseng ’20 - International Student Association President Oriana Koot ’21 - Memorial Student Center President Samuel Kotch ’20 - Executive Director of Class Councils Katie Deutsch ’20 - Aggie Network Student Ambassadors - President Adam Rodriguez ’22 - Aggie Orientation Leader Program Jack Moody ’20 - Interfraternity Council President Luis Saldana ’20 - Hispanic Presidents’ Council Ryan Brown ’20 - Head Director of Fish Camp Elizabeth Liu ’20 - Editor-In-Chief of Aggieland Yearbook Madison Pratt ’20 - Collegiate Panhellenic Council President Bria Perkins ’19 - Residential Housing Association President Ruben Tillman Jr. ’20- National Pan-Hellenic Council President Matthew Nguyen ’20 - Asian Presidents’ Council President Levi D. McClenny ’14 - Texas A&M System Student Regent Purna Doddapaneni ’20 - Graduate and Professional Student Government Gregory W. Cross ’20- Campus Ministry Association Luke P. Thomas ’20 - Corps of Cadets Commander

Aggie Band of about 250 people,” Rhea said. “At that time, there were no concert bands or orchestras, so the building was outgrown almost the minute we moved into it.” Before the opening of the Music Activities Center, the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band — the largest military marching band in the nation — was often forced to practice its music outside. “At the old band hall, all of the bands and the orchestras had to share one rehearsal hall, so we couldn’t do any sectional work or have people break into smaller groups,” Rhea said. “There were no individual rehearsal spaces. All of these things have been addressed in the new Music Activity Center, so everything in this building takes us to an even higher level.” The new center has soundproof rehearsal halls, individual practice rooms, administration offices, storage lockers, a student lounge and a turf field that has replaced Haney Drill Field as the marching rehearsal home for the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band.

Caring about the needs of others, Committed to helping meet the needs of others

NEWS

The Battalion | 9.19.19

Ambucs.org

WILL U B 1?

Some people are sitting in large churches, sitting on their gift of music, singing, dancing, etc. Our tiny mission church has volunteer openings for your talent! Contact Pastor Ed Udell, Sr. New Victory Temple 1115 Detroit, College Station, TX 77840 (832) 919-4966

Coutesy of Texas A&M Division of Student Affairs

Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller’s mother, Gloria Miller (center in left photo), represented her son at the Wednesday ribbon cutting and opening of Von’s Vision Center in the Beutel Health Center at Texas A&M.

Miller kicks off A&M eye care program Von’s Vision Foundation brings free optical care to Texas A&M By Sanna Bhai @BhaiSanna An Aggie football star is continuing to make his mark on campus, tackling the need for vision care among some Texas A&M students. The Von’s Vision Foundation was created in 2012 by Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller, Class of 2011. After forming a partnership with Student Health Services, the third Von’s Vision Center and the first at A&M was opened in the Beutel Health Center on Wednesday to provide eligible students with free eye exams and glasses. The free vision center will serve undergraduate students receiving financial aid who register for one of the center’s openings. These events will take place on the third Wednesday of every month except December and January. Registration will open up two weeks before the assigned appointment time, and students sign up on a first come, first served basis. When attending an appointment, students will need to bring their financial aid award letter printed from the Howdy portal to show they qualify for the free eye exam and glasses. Austin Alley, director of client operations for Von’s Vision Foundation, said prior to November of 2018, the foundation was only able to hold yearly events, but expanding this program

from its birthplace of Colorado to Texas A&M has allowed the foundation to create a greater impact for students who need but may not be able to afford eye care. “For a lot of the kids, it was in a location that was maybe hard to get to,” Alley said. “We were holding it on Saturday morning and there were transportation barriers that existed, so we wanted to develop a program that would allow Von and his foundation to impact kids on a more regular basis and make it more convenient for those who we are trying to impact.” Since Student Health Services does not have an optometry department, the foundation reached out to local optometrists to volunteer their time to this new vision center. Each month, there are about 24 students that can be seen by the doctors. Alyssa Seivert, health communications and marketing manager for Student Health Services, said that she hopes they will be able to bring in more volunteers and increase the amount of students they see. “The hope is that if we can get more optometrists here in the building, then I am sure we can easily double our numbers,” Seivert said. “I have had students reach out to me, knowing that the signups are full, asking when the October sign-ups will be released.” The Delta Gamma sorority at A&M supports Miller’s foundation and other vision-related causes through its philanthropy, Service for Sight. Delta Gamma member and mechanical engineering junior Ellie Pasquarette said

the women volunteer at Von’s Vision events to help spread the word and assist people who are doing vision testing. “We will be here every month with the vision center,” Pasquarette said. “We have been super excited to get involved with them, so we are glad they are here. We’ve been receiving information from them and have been finalizing logistics from the volunteer side.” Von Miller’s mother, Gloria Miller, was representing her son at the ceremony on Wednesday and said she was proud to see what a positive impact he was having on a community and school he loves so much. “This is a great feeling because I know how much he loves A&M and how much it means to him to come back and be able to give something back to which he got so much from to help him get to his next level,” Gloria Miller said. “To him, that is the most important thing. He was able to use his platform in a positive way to give back to the community.” Although Miller was not able to be at the event himself, he said in a statement that after everything A&M has given him, he is honored to give back in this way. “I’m excited to bring Von’s Vision’s outreach to the campus of Texas A&M University,” Miller said. “The time I spent at Texas A&M helped launch my career in professional football and get me to where I’m at today, so it is an honor to have Von’s Vision impacting students at my alma mater. Gig ‘em!”

LET’S BE FRIENDS

OBITUARY Luke Henkhaus, Editor-in-Chief Samantha Mahler, Managing Editor Sanna Bhai, News Editor Camryn Lang, Asst. News Editor Hollis Mills, Life & Arts Editor Meagan Sheffield, Life & Arts Editor Hannah Underwood, Sports Editor Brian Bass, Asst. Sports Editor Jane Turchi, Maroon Life Editor

Meredith Seaver, Photo Chief Henry Mureithi, Opinion Editor Cole Fowler, Asst. Opinion Editor Lexi Ellis, Social Media Editor Daoud Qamar, Multimedia Editor Robert Castro, Asst. Multimedia Editor Demi Navarro, Asst. Multimedia Editor Brady Stone, Page Designer Sydney Clark, Page Designer

THE BATTALION is published Thursdays during the 2019 fall semester (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.

THE BATTALION

@THEBATTONLINE

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.Newsroom phone: 979-845-3315; E-mail: editor@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 979-845-2687. For classified advertising, call 979-845-0569. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Email: battads@thebatt.com. Subscriptions: A part of the University Advancement Fee entitles each Texas A&M student to pick up a single copy of The Battalion. First copy free, additional copies $1.

William Zachary “Zach” Elder March 29, 1998-Sept. 13, 2019 William Zachary “Zach” Elder, 21, of Mineral Wells, Texas, tragically passed away on September 13, 2019 in Bryan, Texas. Zach was the son of Scott and Carol Elder and was born in Portland, Oregon, but he and his parents soon moved to Mineral Wells. Zach grew up loving to play baseball, soccer, football and anything outside with his friends. If he was not playing with his friends, Zach was with his two younger sisters, Mia and Allee, who he adored. His childhood was full of wonderful memories, and Zach grew up loving the outdoors, whether it was skiing, fishing, hiking, rafting, biking, or body surfing. His love of the outdoors continued throughout his life. Zach attended and graduated from Mineral Wells High School in 2016. While at MWHS, Zach was a member and letterman of the football team, soccer team and baseball team. Zach was also active in FFA and served as an FFA officer his senior year. His true love was being a part of a team where he could play along-side his friends. He and his family were members of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, where Zach served as an altar server for many years. From an early age Zach wore Aggie Maroon and loved going to Texas Aggie Football games with his family. With both his parents being graduates of Texas A&M, Zach always wanted to be an Aggie, and he

worked hard in high school to achieve his dream. While at Texas A&M, Zach majored in Petroleum Engineering and was an active member of the Aggie Club of Engineers. Zach truly loved his time at A&M, enjoying Aggie Football games, tailgating and all of the Aggie traditions. He made many friends while at Texas A&M, and had just started his senior year, expecting to graduate in 2020. Zach’s life was all too short, but he leaves us with lasting memories of his kind and gentle heart, his warm smile and his love of family and friends. Zach is survived by his parents, Scott and Carol Elder and sisters Amelia and Alleson of Mineral Wells, grandfather Bill Arneson of Mineral Wells, grandfather Mike Elder of Granbury, grandmother Sue Elder of Bellville, great-grandfather Mel Elder of La Grande, Oregon, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends throughout Texas and Oregon. There was a visitation and rosary at for Zach at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Mineral Wells on Wednesday, September 18. The Funeral Service will be held 11 a.m. at Holy Redeemer Catholic Parish (16250 Old Weatherford Road, Aledo, Texas 76008) on Thursday, September 19. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to a scholarship fund that has been established in Zach’s name at Community National Bank & Trust in Mineral Wells.

@THEBATTONLINE

MONDAYS THROUGH THURSDAYS GET YOUR PHOTO TAKEN FOR THE 2020 AGGIELAND! AR Photography will be set up to have your FREE portrait taken for Texas A&M University’s 2020 Aggieland yearbook. ALL CLASSES WELCOME: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., starting Monday, Sept. 23 in the Sanders Corp Museum Library until October 17th! Place your order for the 2020 book while you are there. It’s just $65, plus tax and shipping. If you are unable to make the specified times on campus, contact AR Photography for a complimentary in-studio appointment at 979-721-0306. Graduating seniors who wish to set up a cap/gown photo can contact the studio, too. Cap/gown sessions are $21.95 in studio and $79.95 for a 30-minute location session. It’s your yearbook. Be in it.

LIFE&ARTS

The Battalion | 9.19.19

MOVIE REVIEW

Kaylee Cogbill— THE BATTALION

“The Seduction of Scent“ will be on display until Dec.15.

Thirty years in the making Creative Commons

“Hustlers” features an all-star cast of celebrities including Jennifer Lopez, Lizzo and Cardi B.

A cast that hustles ‘Hustlers’ is a bold and dramatic comedy that’s worth a watch

Nicholas Mireles

@NicholasMireles

itting theaters last weekend, “Hustlers” is an energetic, empowering and hilarious film that provides a refreshing take on a heist movie. The film showcases the comradery and relationships its lead actresses have with one another, while also highlighting the great lengths they will go to better themselves and their family. Based on a true story, the film follows Destiny (Constance Wu), a single mother who works at a strip club in New York City under the mentorship of Ramona (Jennifer Lopez). However, as the financial crisis of 2007 hits, Destiny finds herself struggling to provide for herself and her family, unable to find work of any kind. Determined not to be pushed aside by the elite of society, Ramona devises a plan to go fishing for clients in a somewhat unethical way. At its core, the film is driven by a commanding performance from Lopez. In her most memorable performance since “Selena” nearly 22 years ago, Lopez brings a larger-than-life persona that looms over the entire movie. A dominating force among a strong cast, Lopez’s presence is felt whether she is on or off the screen. It’s a role that’s not particularly relatable, but

one where you can understand the compassion and care she has for everyone around her. Although unlikely to win her an Oscar, this is a performance that will spark consideration without a doubt. However, with Lopez’s performance creating a dominant presence across the entire film, the rest of the movie seems to miss the grandeur of that presence. With the film dedicating the second act to the “heist,” the last 40 minutes are unable to match the climatic and comedic highs created by the “hustle.” This contrast is evident when the film takes a significant shift, focusing solely on Destiny’s impressive, albeit predictable, storyline. The last act of the movie lacks a looming presence from Lopez, where her screen time becomes exceptionally scarce, as the film considerably slows down to the finale. It makes this absence more evident as major supporting characters are almost entirely forgotten, with the film concluding their storylines within a couple of minutes. Despite this, the film never loses sight of its main strength, in having an empowering group of women who take charge of their situation and the movie. The relationships these women have with one another is never in doubt, as their commitment to bettering themselves and supporting one another is pushed through turmoil. These are people who make the most of

their position, as they use it to take control and better their lives. It’s a quality that allows the audience to connect with these women on a deeper level despite the unethical way they received their income. These women are investing everything back in themselves and their families, which is made clear from the beginning. This framing in itself creates a unique storyline for the film, as the movie touches on people not believing that these women could do this and men not wanting to admit what happened to them. It’s a simple yet crucial storyline that the film uses to elevate what has occurred. In a surprise victory for struggling studio STX, “Hustlers” differs from typical heist films in creating relatable motivation for the events that follow. A remarkable performance by Lopez, who is aided by an equally impressive and charismatic supporting cast, streamlines the film. Although the pace slugs a bit in the end after a climactic high, it’s still a story that will maintain audience attention despite its predictability. The films decision to highlight all aspects of what unfolds is a welcome one, as the film will draw audiences in with for its comedic wit and the empowerment of its astounding cast. Nicholas Mireles is a visualization freshman and opinion writer for The Battalion.

Forsyth Galleries to host variety of events in celebration of three decades at Texas A&M By Rhett Artis @RhettJoe_ATL The start of the Fall 2019 semester marked the 30th anniversary of the opening of the Forsyth Galleries, located in Texas A&M’s Memorial Student Center. Walking into the main foyer of the galleries, visitors are greeted with warm lighting and tawny oak hardwood floors, which accentuate the hanging art. The gallery is comprised of four separate rooms with large open walkways, where art is strategically displayed to effortlessly guide visitors in a manner that encourages and allows them to appreciate all that the space has to offer. Opened in 1989, the Forsyth Galleries were originally established as a museum to honor the wish of Bill Runyon, Class of 1935, that his late wife Irma, Class of 1935, be remembered through a bevy of art, valued at over $33 million, and have it be permanently available to all students. Business senior and MSC Visual Arts Committee member Alan Biggs said the exhibition and showcasing of art serves a purpose beyond communicating the message behind the pieces and collections on display. “The purpose of fine art is to relate to all individuals, regardless of where they lie on the socioeconomic spectrum, and also to educate people on the depth of human experiences,” Biggs said. Sharing what she loves about having a space dedicated to displaying art in the heart of campus, Forsyth Galleries Curator of Education and Public Programs Jennifer Korolenko said, “We are so very lucky to have this space in the MSC.” Today, the galleries remain a space to display a range of art in multiple disciplines and styles. In January of this year, the galleries showcased an exhibit on women’s works and eloquent pieces of American and European majolica, intricately decorated glazed earthenware and glass. Throughout the fall and upcoming spring semester, the galleries will host a wide range of exhibits and events in honor of the galleries’ anniversary for visitors of all ages and tastes. On Friday, the Forsyth Galleries will be hosting an exhibit and a performance of the American Songbook featuring Houstonbased musician Tiana Hall and The Houston Jazz Band from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. This semester, students will have the privilege of experiencing the Forsyth Galleries in a fresh and exciting way, and the Forsyth Galleries couldn’t be happier, Korolenko said. “I would hope that students will attend the featured events, have a great time and come back to visit us throughout their A&M journey,” Korolenko said. “At the end of the day, we’re here to support and inspire our students through our collections and use of our spaces. I’d like for students to know that they’re always welcome at Forsyth.”

FILE

In addition to its trailer, Donut Darlin’ shares a concession stand with Blake’s Steaks behind section 242 in Kyle Field.

CONCESSIONS CONTINUED One of the biggest additions this season has been the sale of beer and wine in public areas of the stadium. A&M is one of six schools in the Southeastern Conference to begin alcohol sales in all stadium areas after the league lifted a ban on public alcohol sales in May. “The beer’s been interesting,” Farrell said. “I think it’s going to go really, really well here. We do keep an eye on everything that’s going on out and about, and it would be nice to have it more around the stadium as well as some more of the craft beers.” There are new alternative food options being served at Kyle Field too. Aggie Hospitality is providing a vegan/vegetarian option in the club level for tacos. There are also gluten-free buns for hamburgers and hotdogs. “It’s always something you need to be mindful of and you need to think about,” Farrell said. Donut Darlin’ has come a long way for Laney since she purchased the trailer during her sophomore year at A&M. On Saturdays, the truck can be found parked in front of Kyle Field in the Pepsi Fan Zone. Inside A&M’s hallowed stadium, Laney has a concession in conjunction with Blake’s Steaks, called Blake’s & Darlin’s Chicken & Donuts, behind section 242 in the south end zone. She has another stand set up in the legacy club suites on the west side serving the specialty mini donuts. “I always wanted to own my own business,” Laney said. “I promised myself I wasn’t going to work for anyone after college, and I came across the trailer almost three years ago and decided I wanted to do something really cool with it. I decided to do donuts and coffee, it blew up, and now we’re here today.”

Joshua Sozio — THE BATTALION

Sophomore Courtney Eeds is currently a fish in the Corps after deciding to join the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band.

MAC CONTINUED “It’s amazing honestly; I don’t know how to describe it,” said elementary education sophomore and Aggie Band member Courtney Eeds.“It feels so great to wake up every morning and get to come practice on our brand new turf field, and it is something we take so much pride in and make sure we take care of.” Eeds said she joined the Corps of Cadets specifically to play in the band. The MAC is one of her favorite buildings on campus. “Getting to come in here and prac-

tice every day is such a huge blessing because other colleges don’t have facilities like this,” Eeds said. “Every band hall here is named after someone, so getting to practice in here, we know that we are making someone proud.” Bailey Carwile, an animal science junior who leads A&M a cappella group The Femmatas, said being able to use the MAC rather than the Choral Activities Office in the basement of the MSC has allowed for faster, more efficient rehearsals. “Our practices are moving much faster because the MAC ensemble rooms have a Bluetooth option, so we can play our arrangements off of our phones over

the speakers,” Carwile said. “We can actually hear our music now instead of all having to crowd around someone’s iPhone.” Carwile said she hopes that the building of the MAC might also be a step toward bringing back a specific degree in music at A&M. The major was removed from A&M’s catalog in summer of 2015 and replaced with the broader performance studies major. “I think that the building of the facility definitely sets up A&M to offer a music major in the future,” Carwile said. “I think it would be really great to rebuild the music program here.”

OPINION

The Battalion | 9.19.19

Graphic by Nic Tan — THE BATTALION

Unable to visit her back home, Omid has been communicating with his mother online.

Omid’s Journey One Aggie’s encounter with The Muslim Ban Joshua Howell @JoshuaEHowell “It is an urgent necessity that officials adhere to these constitutional guarantees and mandates in all their actions, even in the sphere of foreign affairs. An anxious world must know that our Government remains committed always to the liberties the Constitution seeks to preserve and protect, so that freedom extends outward, and lasts.” - Justice Anthony Kennedy The first thing to go was her hair. That’s what Omid remembers at any rate — he was 9 when doctors first diagnosed his mother with cancer. He knew something was amiss when his father started caring for his mother; it became concrete when he first saw her without the hair he would play with as a child. It was hard for his mother, too, who did not relish seeing her son look on as she suffered. That was 22 years ago, and his mother’s cancer has since gone into remission. As anyone aware of cancer’s cruelty knows, it is a lurking demon — it can always come back, and the second time is usually worse. She still goes in for monthly treatments and, at least for now, all is well. In that time, Omid — an Iranian student who spoke with me on the condition of anonymity; his pseudonym

is Farsi for “hope” — has become an exceptional engineer. Talent rains from every one of his fingers. When he was young, he gravitated toward mechanical toys, amusing himself by taking them apart and putting them back together. In high school, he hopped onto the mathematics track (the other option was biology, but he was a fan of neither biology nor blood), and of the 300,000 who took the mathematics version of the Iranian University Entrance Exam, he was one of the one percent allowed to attend a top-tier university. For his bachelor’s thesis, he studied a niche area of fluid dynamics. He initially expected to research more traditional topics such as aerodynamics or gas pipelines, but his advisor suggested a paper on the human respiratory system instead. He was entranced; he delved deeper; and despite his earlier aversion to blood, Omid observed medical procedures so that he could emulate them with his virtual models. He pursued his masters degree at the prestigious Sharif University of Technology (where they only admit one in 135 mechanical engineering applicants) and chose for his thesis how best to filter cancer cells from blood using magnetic fields. Then it was time for a Ph.D., “to make a substantial contribution to his field” in A&M’s argot. Despite gaining admittance to top universities around the world, he felt American universities were financially stronger and generally

on the cutting edge of research. However, there was a problem: despite his qualifications, U.S.-Iranian relations have always been (let us be delicate here) “contentious.” For the moment, there is no U.S. Embassy in Iran, meaning tenacious students must travel abroad to apply for visas. If successful, they are usually only given single-entry visas, which severely limits, if not eradicates, their ability to fly home. Omid eventually found space here at A&M, but while carving out a living, The White House issued Presidential Proclamation 9645, a.k.a. The Travel Ban, a.k.a. The Muslim Ban — shifting names often signify shifty motives. The Supreme Court upheld the ban’s constitutionality, with Chief Justice Roberts largely ignoring the Trump Administration’s legal deviousness. Justice Kennedy — perhaps feeling self-conscious after concurring in full — reminded the President, and Americans, that even if one believes that America can do something, that doesn’t mean we should. Omid’s mother eventually developed Myasthenia gravis — a neuromuscular disease which she keeps under control with medication — yet he has not returned home in over three years. Because of the Muslim Ban, his family has not visited him either. Still, they have hope: his mother and sisters take English classes so that if they are ever afforded the opportunity to visit, they can converse with his professors, labmates and friends. Omid is, like everyone really, a subtle amalgamation of nature and nurture, his story a strange and unknowable concoction of plans and coincidences. Such is life. So the next time President Trump’s Muslim Ban flits across your radar, consider his story. Consider the hypocrisy of an American foreign policy which blurs the line between a government, a religion and an individual. Moreover, consider whether an anxious world can say, with any degree of confidence, that America “remains committed always to the liberties the Constitution seeks to preserve and protect, so that freedom extends outward, and lasts.”

MORE ON THEBATT.COM

Shagun Nevatia on

Greta Thunberg

Creative Commons

“The 16-year-old is hardly the first climate activist, but she is the first to enjoy attention of this magnitude. But what is it about Thunberg that made her a symbol of climate strikes and protests?”

Cynthia Duarte Julian on

Hispanic Heritage Month

PROVIDED

“Hispanic people were not on the sidelines while this country was evolving. Instead, they actively worked to continue building this nation.”

Sean Thomas on

Life as a transfer student

Joshua Howell is a computer science Ph.D. student and opinion writer for The Battalion. Editor’s note: In accordance with The Battalion’s policies on anonymous sources, the identity of “Omid” was verified by Battalion editors. His request for anonymity was evaluated and approved by the editor-in-chief. Readers are welcome to email editor@thebatt.com with any relevant questions or comments.

FILE

“From the swarms of students filtering throughout the buildings, to the whizzing of a passing cyclist I started thinking about what I had gotten myself into.”

classifieds see ads at thebatt.com

FOR RENT 1,200-square-foot barndominium, ready in October. Has new fridge, dw, stove, microwave, W/D, semifurnished. Electricity in your name. You pay your portion of water. Access to horse fenced 11 acres with Neubian milk goats. Asking $1,250 month, neg., w/first-month. 90-day written notice before move out. Text 936.218.5789 Room for rent in house. West Villa Maria behind Tru Fit Fitness. $400/month. Bills included, private bath, unfurnished, Internet. Call 402-0878.

HELP WANTED Accepting applications for 3 Chick-fil-A locations. Jones Crossing opening in September, Texas Ave. at Harvey Road, South College Station. College students part-time or full-time. $10/hr. Scholarships possible. Meal benefit. Closed Sundays. Apply on Snagajob, Indeed or in person. All Bryan/College Station Sonic Drive-In locations are now hiring smiling faces! Apply in person or send your resume to christi@sonicfood.com.

SPECIAL

to call 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday Insertion deadline: 1 p.m. prior business day

Private Party Want ads

$10 for 20 words running 5 days, if your merchandise is priced $1,000 or less (price must appear in ad). This rate applies only to non-commercial advertisers offering personal possessions for sale. Guaranteed results or you get an additional 5 days at no charge. If item doesn’t sell, advertiser must call before 1 p.m. on the day the ad is scheduled to end to qualify for the 5 additional insertions at no charge. No refunds will be made if your ad is cancelled early.

HELP WANTED Child care center seeking part time help. Please apply in person at Fit for Kids 3609 East 29th Street Bryan. 979.846.1143 Club volleyball coaches needed! Salary plus expenses. Practices Wednesdays & Sundays, December-April. Two tournaments a month. brazosvalleyjuniors@gmail.com Driver wanted: Limousine driver needed, Bus/Ops preferred, bilingual preferred. Mainly weekend events a couple of times a month. Average pay is $30-40 per hour. Text 979-240-3812 or email traditionslimos@gmail.com. Uptown Cheapskate, the awardwinning fashion exchange, is coming to College Station. We're looking for assistant managers, buyers, keyholders & salespeople. Find out more about the store with this video: tx.ag/UCCSvideo. Apply to Asst. Manager/Keyholder job here: tx.ag/UCCSjob1 Apply to Buyer job here: tx.ag/UCCSjob2

REAL ESTATE

thebatt.com

to todays puzzles

First-time Home Buyers! B/CS Downpayment Assistance Programs! Nadia, 979-777-6211; Michael McGrann, TAMU '93 Civil Engineering, 979-739-2035, Town & Country Realty. Hablamos Espanol!

ANSWERS

Athletic men for calendars, books, etc. $75-$150/hr, up to $500/day. No experience. aggieresponse@gmail.com

When

to todays puzzles

an ad Phone 979.845.0569 Suite L400, Memorial Student Center Texas A&M University

ANSWERS

Place

FOOTBALL

The Battalion | 9.19.19

Sports content sponsored by:

AROUND THE SEC

www.hiddencreekrv.com

A LOOK AT THE CONFERENCE FOR WEEK 4 By Jackson King @MrJacksonTKing

Last week, several SEC teams separated themselves in the playoff conversation and started to built momentum in the long season. Week 4 in college football provides fans of Southeastern Conference football with marquee matchups, classic rivalries and tough inter-conference matchups that will showcase the talent of the top teams. Here’s a rundown of some of the top games to look forward to around the SEC.

No. 7 Notre Dame (3-0) at No. 3 Georgia (3-0)

Kentucky (2-1) at Mississippi State (2-1)

Saturday, Sept. 21 — Sanford Stadium — Athens, Georgia 7:00 p.m. on CBS

Saturday, Sept. 21 — Davis Wade Stadium — Starkville, Mississippi 3:00 p.m. on SEC Network

The top non-conference game of the weekend, and possibly the best matchup in Week 4, takes place in Georgia as Notre Dame heads to Athens to face the Bulldogs in a Top10 matchup. The last time Notre Dame played Georgia, quarterback Jake Fromm led the Bulldogs in his first career start to a 20-19 victory in South Bend. This season, Georgia has rolled through its first three opponents, easily handling Vanderbilt on the road before scoring more than 50 points against Murray State and Arkansas State. Notre Dame has started strong itself, with a victory on the road against Louisville followed by a 52-point rout of New Mexico. Leading the way for both teams are two of the top quarterbacks in the country, with Fromm and Notre Dame’s Ian Book both in the Heisman conversation. A key to this game will be whether Notre Dame’s defense can stop Georgia’s high-powered rushing attack led by D’Andre Swift.

While it may not receive national recognition, this showdown between Kentucky and Mississippi State could be a fierce battle. Both teams are looking to rebound after heartbreaking losses at home last week. After losing starting quarterback Terry Wilson to injury and giving up a three-possession lead in the fourth quarter against Florida, the Wildcats enter Starkville trying to salvage the rest of their season. Leading the way for Kentucky is quarterback Sawyer Smith, who started well against Florida before faltering in the second half. Last week, Mississippi State couldn’t keep up with Kansas State, losing 31-24 in Starkville. The Bulldogs’ starting quarterback Tommy Stevens is a game-time decision, having left the two previous games early with a shoulder injury. The matchup to look for in this game will be between the Mississippi State rushing attack and the Wildcats’ rushing defense, which limited Florida to 62 rushing yards for most of the game.

Prediction: Georgia 28, Notre Dame 17

Prediction: Mississippi State 30, Kentucky 27

Tennessee (1-2) at No. 9 Florida (3-0)

No. 4 LSU (3-0) at Vanderbilt (0-2)

Saturday, Sept. 21 — Ben Hill Griffin Stadium — Gainesville, Florida 11:00 a.m. on ESPN

Saturday, Sept. 21 — Vanderbilt Stadium — Nashville, Tennessee 11:00 a.m. on SEC Network

While their records may not seem impressive, Tennessee-Florida is a classic rivalry game that always seems to excite, even when the teams do not. Florida enters this matchup looking to build momentum off of its comeback win in Lexington, where the Gators scored 19 unanswered points to defeat the Wildcats. After opening the season with losses to Georgia State and BYU, Tennessee travels to Gainesville looking to build upon its 45-point shutout of Chattanooga and upset the Gators. The key to Florida’s success will be handling its shifting quarterback situation. After the team lost signal caller Feleipe Franks to injury against Kentucky, Kyle Trask is getting his first start at quarterback for the Gators. Trask was instrumental to Florida’s comeback against Kentucky, throwing for 126 yards in the fourth quarter and leading the Gators on multiple touchdown drives.

The Commodores have started the season poorly, losing both of their games this season by double digits. On the flip side, LSU has put itself into playoff contention with a strong start to the season, including a win over No. 9 Texas in Austin. While the defense is still great, LSU has seen tremendous growth in its offense. With Ohio State transfer Joe Burrow under center, LSU has transformed its passing attack into a monster that rivals Big 12 schools. Through the first three weeks, LSU’s offense has the No. 2 passing offense and is tied for the third highest-scoring offense in the nation. Look for LSU to continue its aerial assault against an undermatched Vanderbilt team.

Prediction: Florida 24, Tennessee 7

Prediction: LSU 42, Vanderbilt 14

WEEK 4: STAFF PICKS

Sports content sponsored by:

Saturday, Sept. 21 at 2:30 p.m. on CBS

www.hiddencreekrv.com

Texas A&M vs. Auburn

Samantha Mahler

Managing Editor @mahlersamantha

Somebody give Bo Nix a baby bottle. #auBURN

SAMANTHA Hannah Underwood

LUKE

Sports Editor @hannahbunderwoo

Cuz he’s a baby, get it? #auBURN

HANNAH

SANNA MEAGAN

Meagan Sheffield

Life & Arts Editor @mshef350

This will be the first game I attend this season. Here’s to hoping the Aggies don’t make it my last.

Luke Henkhaus

Editor-in-Chief @luke_henkhaus

“Hoping for the best, prepared for the worst, and unsurprised by anything in between.” - Maya Angelou

Sanna Bhai

News Editor @BhaiSanna

This isn’t Tiger territory, it’s Aggieland.

Meredith Seaver

Photo Chief @MeredithSeaver

I’ll be at home studying all weekend for three meteorology exams next week. Hopefully I’m not the Aggies’ good luck charm. #BTHOauburn #BTHOgrades

MEREDITH Brian Bass BRIAN BRADY

Assistant Sports Editor @brianbass4

I’m not sold that A&M will be able to compete offensively with top-tier teams this season.

Brady Stone

Head Page Designer @bradystonex

Second-best team in Alabama. Second-best Tigers in the SEC. Texas > Alabama. Miss Rev > Tigers.

FOOTBALL

The Battalion | 9.19.19

Sports content sponsored by:

5 things to watch for during A&M-Auburn

www.hiddencreekrv.com Meredith Seaver — THE BATTALION

Members of Texas A&M’s special teams whoop after singing The Aggie War Hymn in Kyle Field after a win over Lamar.

By Alek Caro @orackela

The Aggies looked dominant last weekend against Lamar after a tough loss to Clemson, and now on the slate for the Aggies is Southeastern Conference opponent No. 8 Auburn. The Tigers have gotten off to a strong start this season, but A&M feels this matchup will differ from their last. Here are five things to watch for against Auburn.

Freshman tailback Isaiah Spiller played very well in his first game in relief of injured sophomore Jashaun Corbin. Spiller has showcased explosion down the sideline and toughness on the line of scrimmage and already has two 100-yard games in just three weeks. Both of his 100-yard performances came on less than 15 attempts for each game. If you discount the rough performance from the entire team against Clemson, Spiller has averaged 11.7 yards per rushing attempt. If Spiller can keep up the momentum he’s built, A&M’s rush offense will be strong, and quarterback Kellen Mond’s job will be a lot easier. Look for the Aggies to get Spiller involved early and often for a balanced attack.

Auburn Freshman Quarterback Bo Nix

Isaiah Spiller

Home Field Advantage Since A&M joined the SEC, Auburn has presented a challenge for the Aggies. The Tigers have never lost at Kyle Field; however, Auburn also has not played a Jimbo Fisher-led A&M team at home. During Fisher’s tenure the Aggies have lost only one home game, and it was against the soon-to-be national title winner, Clemson. A&M has not lost to an SEC opponent at home during Fisher’s tenure, topping both Kentucky and LSU in overtime games last season. Kyle Field houses 15,000 more fans than Auburn’s home stadium, so expect Kyle Field to be jumping as the Aggies look to flip the script in their matchup against Auburn.

True freshman quarterback Bo Nix has proven to be a bit of a spark for this Auburn team. Earning the starting job over redshirt freshman Joey Gatewood, Nix already has the hype around him and has earned the praises of Fisher as well. In the two games Nix played, he attempted over 30 passes. To kick off the season, Nix led a 14-point comeback in the fourth quarter against Oregon that featured a game-winning touchdown pass with just nine seconds left. Even though Nix has displayed a bit of moxy, his numbers don’t necessarily jump off the page. Nix has 52.5 completion percentage on four touchdowns and two interceptions. Look for A&M to use the hostile environment to disrupt the young quarterback along with blitzes to prevent him from getting comfortable.

Auburn’s Defense Despite being young, this Auburn defense has proven to be as talented as its past units. Auburn is stout along the interior with Markaviest “Big Kat” Bryant and Derrick Brown helping the defense not allow a single 100-yard rusher this season. The Tigers also have a versatile linebacker in Nick Coe starting at outside linebacker. Auburn allowed just 21 points against Oregon’s fiery offense and has not let an opponent crack 20 points since. Senior corner back Javaris Davis is one of the fastest corners in the nation and has garnered a bit of pre-draft hype. Auburn has an all-around defense, as complete as any the Aggies will face this season.

Kellen Mond Quarterback Kellen Mond has had great performances and not-so-great performances. In the past two seasons, a pattern has developed: Mond plays better at home. His two best performances last season against Clemson and LSU both came at home. He posted 430 passing yards against Clemson and led the Aggies to a seven-overtime win over LSU. Despite hosting this game in Aggieland, this will not be a cakewalk by any means for Mond. The Auburn secondary features a veteran group with the entire defensive backfield being comprised of upperclassmen. This is another test for Mond, and if his performance is strong it could set the tone for the remainder of the season.

Photos by Meredith Seaver and Kaylee Cogbill — THE BATTALION

Left: Junior wide receiver Jhamon Ausbon had four receptions and a touchdown against Lamar. Right: Junior wide receiver Cameron Buckley breaks a tackle on his way to the endzone.

FOOTBALL CONTINUED who provided the late game-winning touchdown catch in the Tigers’ win over the Aggies last season — has an injured left shoulder from Week 2 and his status for Saturday is still undetermined. If the A&M defense wants to have any success in their SEC opener, it would have to start with being able to contain Auburn’s freshman quarterback Bo Nix, a prone running threat. Even if the Tigers ultimately focused on the run game last week, there is no forgetting Nix’s performance in Auburn’s comeback win over Oregon in Week 1. If the Tigers are unable to establish the run early on Saturday, the Aggies should expect Nix to take full control of the Auburn offense.

Coming off confidence-boosting performances at home against Tulane and Kent State, Nix is expected to look just as, if not more, secure in leading the Tiger offense in his first appearance at Kyle Field. As the A&M defense will want to do their best in limiting Nix, they need to be strategic when doing so. While they do want the rush to be effective against the freshman quarterback, Fisher said the Aggies also need to be sure that they’re not opening running lanes for Nix to take advantage of. “Bo can run, he can move, and he has really good feet,” Fisher said. “For young athletic quarterbacks, sometimes giving them running lanes is the best thing you can give them.” With the Tiger defense limiting each of their opponents through Week 3 to 120 yards, it is crucial for the Aggies to clean things up offen-

sively. While the offense gave away a fumble and an interception last week to Lamar, junior quarterback Kellen Mond has turned the ball over four times this season. Going into Saturday’s SEC matchup, Mond said he has moved forward and is now looking for a fresh start this week against the Tigers. “I feel really good,” Mond said. “Obviously, [we’re] starting a whole new week and pretty much just starting everything over with a whole new game plan. We’re going to have to do a good job of preparing and training on the field.” Fisher also said that it’s important that Mond has been able to look forward to what is next and what he can improve on instead of being fixated on mistakes from previous games. “Just because you didn’t play your best game doesn’t mean that your confidence has gone

away,” Fisher said. “Sometimes games just don’t go as well. Sometimes you just won’t make as good of a call, and that’s ball.” A&M wideout Quartney Davis is expected to return to the field on Saturday after sitting out last week’s contest against Lamar as he took time off to recover from a minor back injury. The A&M defense also expects to have two players back in the defensive lineup for this weekend’s matchup. After sitting out against Lamar, junior defensive back Elijah Blades and junior defensive lineman Jayden Peevy resumed practice earlier this week and are set to return to action against Auburn. The Aggies are set for kickoff against the Tigers on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at Kyle Field. The game will be televised on CBS.