thebattalion ●
tuesday, november 13, 2012
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Battalion editor suffers injuries in accident
Autumn Rizzo — THE BATTALION
Pixel perfect Visualization students blend art and science Thomas Storey
T
The Battalion
he worlds of science and art are often perceived as conflicting lenses through which people view the world. However, for those involved with A&M’s visualization sciences program, these two ways of interpreting the world work in tandem. Science depends on empirical evidence and rational judgment, while art is more commonly associated with the realms of feelings and emotions — as much of an introspective pursuit as an extrospective exploration. Faculty and students combine
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No bike? No problem Traversing around campus is no small feat. Transportation Services provides a cheap alternative to A&M students.
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A&M beats Troy
science and art daily to build and improve an increasingly visual society. “Visualization, for us, includes both the artistic side as well as the science side,” said Tim McLaughlin, head of the Department of Visualization.
Former students from A&M’s Visualization Laboratory — or “Viz Lab” — have gone on to work in computer animation, architecture visualization, graphic design, web design and the video game industry. The department uses digital imagery, computer graphics and design to create visual content and solve visual problems. The department was established in 1988 in anticipation that digital visualization was going to play an important role in digital communication. More than 20 years later, that foresight paid off with in-
novative work solving complex modern visualization problems. “While most majors are worrying about tests, Viz students are dealing with projects,” said Elizabeth Reza, senior visualization studies major. “To be a student in Viz, you really have to be passionate about the projects you are working on.” The emphasis on visualization raises research challenges from the interpretive perspective, McLaughlin said. “Research done on the arSee Visualization on page 5
The editor-in-chief of The Battalion was injured in a single-vehicle accident Sunday morning after he lost control of his vehicle. Trevor Stevens, senior English major, suffered a compound fracture in his femur and underwent surgery Monday to set the break. He also suffered fractures in his ankle, lower back and clavicle, which will heal in braces and not require surgery. He is recovering at Memorial Hermann hospital in Houston and will be off his feet for up to eight weeks. Stevens begins physical therapy Tuesday and Stevens will finish the rest of his recovery in Dallas. Stevens said he was driving to Huntsville from College Station on Highway 30 to pick up his cellphone from a friend. He lost control of his truck after he looked down at his radio and slid off the road into a concrete barrier, causing his truck to roll and catch fire. After he noticed the fire, he pulled himself from the truck, crawled back to the highway and flagged down a passing vehicle. He said two men dragged him to safety and called an ambulance. They called 911 and Stevens was flown in the Life Flight air medical transport service to Houston. “God blessed Trev by saving his life and not taking another,” said Mendy Stevens, Trevor’s mother. “He gave Trevor strength and courage to pull himself from his burning vehicle. We can’t say enough of how grateful we are to all the loving people who have sent us texts and emails and calls and mostly prayers.” Stevens remains editor-in-chief of The Battalion and will be answering emails during his recovery. Emails should be directed to editor@thebatt.com. “I’m thankful for all the thoughts and prayers in this difficult time,” Stevens said. “But I have full confidence in The Battalion staff because teamwork makes the dream work.” Staff Report
Military scholars salute fallen soldiers Operation Enduring Freedom casualties recognized in ceremony Camryn Ford
The Battalion Shadowed by the trees and buildings around Rudder Fountain Plaza, Pat Tillman Military Scholars stood at a podium for three hours, naming off fallen war heroes who served and died in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
Pat Tillman was a professional football player for the Arizona Cardinals prior to the 9/11 attacks against the U.S. The attack signaled the end of his NFL career, and he decided to serve in the Army. Tillman died in 2004 while stationed in Afghanistan. According to the foundation’s website, Tillman’s friends and family created the foundation in 2004 to build a community of scholars dedicated to improving their own lives, the lives of their families, and their country.
Texas A&M currently educates five of the 230 scholarship recipients who have gone through the Tillman Military Scholars program. During the ceremony, more than 2,000 names were listed off during the national roll call of those who lost their lives in Operation Enduring Freedom. “I think last year they read over 6,000 names of soldiers who were killed and it took about eight to nine hours,” said Spc. Chris Cartellone, an archaeology graduate student. Campuses across the nation partake
in the salute to fallen soldiers, but each campus has the option to customize their roll call, Cartellone said. Chief Warrant Officer Eric Metcalf, who is a first-year Tillman Scholar obtaining his master’s degree in wildlife sciences, said there were 27 Aggies who were killed since 9/11, all of whom were represented at the plaza with their names and pictures displayed on posters. Metcalf served in Afghanistan from See Roll Call on page 6
msc opas
breakaway
The A&M men’s basketball team surges past Troy, 83-65. Senior guard Elston Turner scored a careerhigh 26 points and four players breached double digits.
Emmy-winning comedian performs in Rudder Theater
Ministry brings missionaries to campus
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In the words of Carol Burnett, “I’m so glad we had this time together just to have a laugh or sing a song. It seems we just get started and before you know it, comes the time to say so long.” This Tuesday, award-winning actress and best-selling author, Carol Burnett will perform a Q&A segment in Rudder Auditorium, called Laughter and Reflection With Carol Burnett. Carol Burnett is widely known for her on-screen work in The Carol Burnett Show. The show ran for around11 years, received 25 Emmy Awards, and in 2007 was named by TIME magazine as one of “100 Best Television Shows of All Time.” The show was impromptu and included many guest stars such as Lucille Ball, Jimmy Stew-
Volleyball handles SEC foes The A&M men’s basketball team surges past Troy, 83-65. Senior guard Elston Turner scored a careerhigh 26 points and four players breached double digits.
Annabelle Hutchinson The Battalion
Cassandra Fournet
Special to The Battalion
Courtesy photo
Carol Burnett, star of “The Carol Burnett Show,” will perform at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday in Rudder Theater. art, Dick Van Dyke, Julie Andrews and many more A-list movie stars. Anne Black, Executive Director of OPAS, said the Carol Burnett Show was unlike any television performance any audiSee Burnett on page 6
Go! Missions is a two-night conference where students can meet with Christian mission agencies from all over the world. The conference will take place Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Kyle Field and Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Bryan. Breakaway Ministries has partnered with other local ministries to bring almost 40 mission agencies to the BryanCollege Station area. Louie Giglio will speak during Breakaway on the topic of mission work, and praise band Shane & Shane will lead worship. Lydia Irion, a full-time staff member from Breakaway Min-
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istries, said students are invited to meet with mission agencies starting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday night before Breakaway and for an hour after Breakaway concludes. Students can meet with agencies again on the second night of the conference and also attend breakout sessions about specific mission trips. Irion said the conference is the largest in the area and offers diverse opportunities. “These programs range from a week trip to a couple years,” Irion said. “They’re in all different parts of the world and some opportunities are in North American urban areas.” Daniel Park, a full-time staff See Missions on page 6
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