thebattalion ● monday,
b-cs
Student killed by train An A&M student was killed early Sunday morning after he was struck by a passing train next to the 100 block of Wellborn Road. Garrett Luce was a 19-year-old, freshman business administration major. Next of kin was notified and little detail is known as the case is in the early stages of investigation.
november 5, 2012
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texas a&m since 1893
● first paper free – additional copies $1 ● © 2012 student media
Need for speed
Bomb threat hoaxer charged After an extensive investigation by the FBI and Brazos County law enforcement, Dereon Kelley of Bryan was arrested and charged for a felony violation of the Federal Explosive Materials Statute for the Texas State Threat. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 fine. Brittany Henderson, also of Bryan, is no longer a person of interest in the Texas A&M bomb threat case.
Town hall meeting to be held The City of College Station will hold a town hall meeting for public input on proposed pedestrian infrastructure improvements along University Drive and between College Main and South College Avenue. The meeting will include exhibits and a presentation by city officials on the proposed pedestrian improvements at 7 p.m. on Monday in the A&M United Methodist Church Annex Sanctuary.
inside politics | 5 Swing for the states As Election Day approaches, candidates fight for votes in the notorious battleground states. These swing states are known for deciding elections and each party recognizes the importance of winning these votes. Read more about these swing states and hear gain perspective from swing state residents.
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Matt Wong — THE BATTALION
Henry Lelei added an SEC Runner of the Year award to go with his haul of three SEC Runner of the Week awards this season.
SEC runner of the year looks to defend championship Drew Chambers The Battalion
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fter the Texas A&M transition from the Big 12 Conference to the Southeastern Conference, it didn’t take long for cross-country to make its way to the top. Henry Lelei, senior economics major, claimed first place in the program’s first SEC championship meet with a time of 23:29:95, leading the team to a third place finish. Lelei hails from Kapsabeth, Kenya, where he went to Tulon for secondary school. Lelei then came to the U.S. and ran for Central Arizona Junior College. Lelei said the transition from Kenyan running to American running was difficult because he had to get used to the speed.
After being named men’s SEC Runner of the Year to go with three SEC Runner of the Week nods, Lelei seems to be taking the transition in stride. “The transition was hard,” Lelei said. “[America] is different from how Kenya is. I came over here and I was fast, but my first
semester I couldn’t catch up with people. As I proceeded on, I learned.” Texas A&M head coach Pat Henry said Lelei is one of the forerunners of the Texas A&M cross country team. In the past couple of years, with the help of Lelei, the Aggies have claimed numerous No. 1 finishes and have competed with the best, including a third place SEC championship finish. Coach Henry said one reason Lelei came to Texas A&M is his competitive nature. “Henry is an individual that’s very intent on being very successful himself, but he really loves being on a good team,” Henry said. “So he wanted to be on a team See Lelei on page 5
Ahead of the curve ◗ Posted fifth fastest winning time since the SEC added the 8,000 meters in 1986. ◗ Led SEC in 6,000 meters, five miles, and 8,000 meters this season. ◗ Won conference meet by 17.5 seconds, breaking the previous course record in the process.
campus
Cyclist spreads Christian message through music Aimée Breaux Special to The Battalion Expressions of belief such as those from fireand-brimstone preachers promoting angry messages and can lessen onlookers’ desires to listen. Sometimes all it takes to make an impact on the surrounding community is a man on a bicycle. Jordan Chappell, sophomore sociology major, rides to and from class on a bicycle covered with various verses from Psalms. While few may have seen his text-ridden bike, more have probably heard the Christian music blasting from a stereo in his backpack. He said his reasons are simple. He wants to share the warmth he finds in Christian music. “God was really able to speak to me through music,” ChappelI said. “I feel like there was one song in particular that really got me hooked and if all it took was one song for me, there could be one song that really speaks to someone else. If it has the same effect on them, if they are able to
see Jesus through the music, then that’s what my main goal is.” Chappell said he hopes the music he plays will serve as a means of turning around a bad day. “I’ve had several people tell me that they were having a bad day and they heard a song and it completely changed their day,” he said. “So, I know that that’s not me, that’s Jesus working through the music.” George Garcia, freshman Blinn Team student, was one such person affected by Chappell’s music. “I can’t say much for the religious aspect of it,” Garcia said. “But when I heard the music playing, it definitely brought a smile to my face after a long morning at work.” Unlike some religious preachers, Chappell’s goal is built around promoting goodwill and a positive image: the kind of free speech that is ensured by First Amendment rights. Chappell said his expression of belief is a sort of See Biker on page 6
David Cohen— THE BATTALION
Sophomore sociology major Jordan Chappell uses his speakers to communicate his faith to others around campus.
election 2012
Candidates’ economic policies share common goal Shrikant Chaturvedi Special to The Battalion The economic policies of President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney were guaranteed discussions in the presidential debates and have proven to be a pressing issue in the presidential race. In response to the need to increase jobs, Obama supports an insourcing policy that would provide incentives in America by eliminating tax breaks for companies outsourcing jobs to other countries, according to his campaign website. Romney stresses retraining American workers to help them obtain skills needed for job opportunities in the modern economy and attracting the best and the brightest workforce from around the world, according to his campaign website. Lori Taylor, associate professor at the Bush School with a doctorate in economics, said Obama and Romney line up in regard to boosting manufacturing and increasing jobs. She said Romney is in favor of cutting taxes and regulations to encourage business growth and that his plan seeks to increase trade, energy production, human capital and labor flexibility.
Evan Andrews and Elyse Wudeck — THE BATTALION
Obama supported bailouts of automobile companies back in 2009. Romney took a different stance by proposing that those companies go through a managed bankruptcy to avoid costs incurred by labor contracts with the United Auto Workers Union. According to his website, Romney is against stimulus spending by the federal government because he believes it adds to
the federal debt. Taylor said bailouts might not work in the long run for the economy. “The assistance provided to auto manufacturers was instrumental in helping them to avoid See Economics on page 5
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