WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2015 VOLUME 121 | ISSUE 88
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SERVING THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA SINCE 1894
Softball So oft ftba ball goes to Samford
6 MCAT changes
8 Cookie recipes
TThe Alabama softball team started its season with a perfect se weekend for the fifth time weeken row. Now, the No. 4 in a row Crimson Tide T will take on Samford in Birmingham before traveling to California.
For students in the premed field, MCAT sign-up is coming soon. This year’s test marks the first major changes in the test since 1992 and includes additional sections and a longer testing period.
With Girl Scout cookie season in full swing, we’re all filling up on Tagalongs, Samoas and Thin Mints. Try our tips for tasty treats and savory dishes featuring America’s favorite cookie.
The Day of
Darwin Alabama Evolutionary Studies club to celebrate naturalist’s birthday with academic conference By Mackenzie Ross | Staff Reporter
Charles Darwin is best known for his contributions to evolutionary theory, having developed the idea that all animals develop over time though adaptations and the process of natural selection. He published his theory in “On the Origin of Species,” which has become known as the foundation of evolutionary theory. On Feb. 12, The University of Alabama’s Evolutionary Studies Club will celebrate Charles Darwin’s birthday with an evolutionary research colloquium named in his honor. The third annual Darwin Day Colloquium features eight panels, a keynote speaker, art exhibits and a cake-decorating contest. Anyone can attend the conference, which takes place Thursday from noon to 5 p.m. on the first floor of Smith Hall. The Evolutionary Studies Club, known as the EvoS Club, has partnered with a variety of student organizations including the Philosophy Club, the Secular Student Alliance, The Journal of Science and Health at The University of Alabama and the Anthropology Club to facilitate the event. “This year is different because we’re kind of building up into next year,” said Taylor Burbach, president of the EvoS Club and a senior majoring in anthropology. “It’s going to be the Southeastern Evolutionary Perspective Society. It’s going to be the first year that SEE DARWIN PAGE 7
Charles Darwin is known for laying the foundation for evolutionary theory, which he published in his book “On the Origin of Species.” Photos from Wikimedia Commons, Photo Illustration by Ashley Atkinson
CULTURE | HUXFORD SYMPHONY
Huxford Symphony to begin second half of season Concert will include overture from ‘Rienzi’ By Ellen Johnson | Contributing Writer
Music written by well-known composers from across the globe will sound through the Moody Music Concert Hall on Thursday evening as students of the Huxford Symphony
Orchestra perform in their first concert of the spring semester. The Huxford Symphony Orchestra performs six shows throughout the course of each of its seasons and each concert is different from the others. Thursday evening’s concert marks the fourth of the 20142015 season. Blake Richardson, director of orchestral studies at the
School of Music, will serve as the conductor on this performance. This is his second year with the orchestra and he said the lineup for this show is especially exciting. “We’ll be playing a lot of really expressive and exciting music that uses the whole orchestra,” Richardson said. “This is one of the most ambitious concerts we’ve done
INSIDE briefs 2 news 3 opinions 4 culture 8 sports 12
all year.” One of these pieces of music is “Pines of Rome” by Italian composer Ottorino Respighi, a piece Richardson described as challenging and energetic. “This piece showcases the entire orchestra,” he said. “We’ll have different groups of brass instruments playing
This is one of the most ambitious concerts we’ve done all year. — Blake Richardson—
SEE PERFORMANCE PAGE 7
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WEDNESDAY February 11, 2015
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program,” coach Nick Saban said in a statement. Compiled by Kayla Montgomery
Women’s golf finishes eighth at competition
production editor Sean Landry visuals editor Sloane Arogeti
Alabama announced rising junior running back Tyren Jones was suspended indefinitely Tuesday. “Tyren Jones has been suspended indefinitely for conduct not to the standard of the Alabama football
Poetry reading WHAT: “An Unmistakable Shade of Gray and the Obama Chronicles” WHEN: Noon –1 p.m. WHERE: Maxwell Hall
Movie night WHAT: “A Time for Justice” WHEN: 7-9 p.m. WHERE: 120 Lloyd Hall
Spring concert WHAT: Alabama Repertory Dance Theatre WHEN: 7:30-9:30 p.m. WHERE: Morgan Hall Auditorium
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The Alabama women’s golf team finished eighth at the Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge after shooting a 13-over 297 in the final round at the Palos Verdes Golf Club by Ohio State. Junior Janie Jackson shot an even-par round of 13 on Tuesday, including four birdies, two bogeys and a
double bogey in the final round. Emma Talley posted Alabama’s best 54-hole total at 6-over 219, finishing tied for 13th. Compiled by Kayla Montgomery
Two baseball players named to watch lists Alabama baseball sophomore relief pitcher Thomas Burrows was named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year watch list. Junior shortstop Mikey White was named to USA Baseball’s 50-player
preseason Golden Spikes Award watch list, his third commendation of the preseason. Compiled by Kayla Montgomery
Former computer science instructor indicted A former University of Alabama computer science instructor was arrested Feb. 5 for a felony ethics charge, according to AL.com. Charles Christopher Horton allegedly made $378,022.99 from requiring students to buy textbooks from a company he owned, Josserand Company, LLC. Horton, who hasn’t taught at the University since fall 2013, was released from the Tuscaloosa County Jail
on a $10,000 bond. The Alabama Ethics Commission began investigating Horton and the company after The University of Alabama reported the situation. The company registered to Horton was formed in late 2011, according to the Alabama Secretary of State’s website. Compiled by Heather Buchanan
UnlockED to host career fair for those interested in education UnlockED will hold a career fair called Beyond UnlockED at 7 p.m. on Thursday in the Carmichael Rotunda. Students interested in working in education or other related fields during the summer or after graduation are welcome to attend. UnlockED is
a campus organization committed to exploring and improving education in Alabama. Compiled by Alana Norris
Road by Panda Express, Krispy Kreme closing temporarily Wednesday morning from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. one lane of Dr. Edward Hillard Drive will be closed. Dr. Edward Hillard Drive is located behind Krispy Kreme and Panda Express and runs parallel to
McFarland Boulevard. REV Construction is making a permanent patch on a cut made last week. Compiled by Alana Norris
Orientation team accepting applications The A-team is accepting leadership applications for its two-night, three-day orientation program called Camp 1831. The application is due Feb. 20 at 2 p.m., and can be found at
@TheCrimsonWhite
fye.ua.edu/ateam.cfm. For questions, contact Jesse King at348-8404 or visit the application website.
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Editor | Rachel Brown Newsdesk@cw.ua.edu Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Hands on Tuscaloosa to provide citywide service
Students will participate in service projects at local schools during Hands on Tuscaloosa. Photo Courtesy of Courtney Thomas
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Hands on Tuscaloosa will collaborate with the UA L.E.A.D.S conference Feb. 28 for the first time since the day of service was created. The Center for Sustainable Service and Volunteerism is collaborating with the conference in an effort to combine both leadership and service components. The purpose of the day of service is to provide students an opportunity to give back to the community in a way that benefits both parties. While students are providing painting, landscaping and beautification services to Maxwell and Central Elementary, they are also being provided tools to foster their leadership skills. “We decided to partner with the UA L.E.A.D.S. conference this year because we believe as an office that leadership and service goes hand in hand,” said Bailey Chandler, team leader for the CSSV, who helped plan the event. “This is a big day for our office and the University as a whole because it allows us to send large amounts of students into the community and help with whatever they need.” The conference will begin with keynote speaker, Kat Cole, president and chief operations officer of Cinnabon Inc. Attendees will be educated in the
areas of leadership foundations and development, social justice advocacy and diversity awareness. Prior to the service component, Joshua Fredenburg, president of the Circle of Change Leadership conference and author of five books, will conclude the conference, speaking on ethics and service related to effective leadership. Attendees will spend the latter half of the day participating in service projects at elementary schools, Habitat for Humanity builds and a Boy Scout camp. “Anytime that students and faculty can work outside the classroom is a nice additive to the norm,” said Courtney Thomas, director of Community Service for the CSSV. “This gives the students the opportunity to interact with faculty in a different environment, which in turn sometimes helps to further the relationship in the classroom.” The UA L.E.A.D.S. conference will be held in the Ferguson Ballroom from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and participating students are required to bring a change of clothes for the service projects in the afternoon. The day is worth eight Panhellenic Points and five SLPro hours. To register for the event, visit leadership.ua.edu.
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Editor | Patrick Crowley Letters@cw.ua.edu Wednesday, February 11, 2015
COLUMN | MARRIAGE
Separation of politics, marriage necessary VEL
Lewis Staff Columnist
Tribune News Service
COLUMN | DIVERSITY
University must lessen campus division
MARY CATHERINE M
Connors Staff Columnist
Scott Stern’s piece in the Feb. 2 edition of the “Yale Daily News” was entitled “The New Yale Man.” It was strikingly honest and charged and it cast an interesting perspective on the stereotypical Ivy League student. The Yale Men who previously flooded the esteemed Connecticut campus in suits and fancy leather shoes are now back in 2015, Stern argues. What then, is the typical University of Alabama student? A fraternity pledge with cool sneakers? That person in Starbucks you swear never leaves and thrives on anthemic blues music to take them to church? Or the quintessential engineering student who’s really good at math and will probably make way more money than the rest of us? But Stern explores an area of his own campus that is a little scary. However accurate his assessment of some of his classmates may be, he presents a truth regarding divisions
among a college campus – divisions that include income class, interests, ethnicity and gender. Even if his suggestions turn out to be statistically untrue, the fact that students feel such a big gap from peers is disheartening. And sometimes, this can’t be helped. Students find clubs and organizations that they spend more and more time with. They find friends within those groups and shared interests soon turn a large campus into a small community. But The University of Alabama doesn’t deserve just one person, an overgeneralized version of our student body, to be the face of our university. A good university presents diversity. A good university presents dissimilar groups that find commonality - one that can be derived from the fact that we attend the same school, go to the same classes and learn from the same professors. We face the same problems. We deal with the same stress. I hope that the “typical University of Alabama student” never exists. With the recent controversy surrounding Greek life, it’s not a far leap to say division on campus is possible, and lessening this division is essential to the University’s success. The University of Alabama
should be a university where students are theoretically able to have an encouraging start to their professional lives. Students start from the ground up: entering as freshmen, struggling to maintain a stack of Get on Board Day flyers and leaving as seniors, confident that they have sought out their passions, that they’ve gotten out of the University what they put in. Then, if in 10 or so years, a University of Alabama alum is sitting in a meeting and finds that the guy next to him is also an alum, there should be no contingencies to their connection. A greater effort must be made to unite as a campus and realize that we don’t go to 15 different universities that happen to be in close proximity to each other. We go to one campus. To be divided is not a joke, and if there must be a typical University of Alabama student, he or she should represent a multitude of interests. A mutual respect for our fellow classmates is the only way we will survive beyond this university. It’s going to take work, but the division is only working against our success. Mary Catherine Connors is a sophomore majoring in economics and mathematics. Her column runs weekly.
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WE WELCOME YOUR OPINIONS
Andy McWhorter editor-in-chief Sloane Arogeti visuals editor Tara Massouleh managing editor Beth Lindly online editor Sean Landry production editor Peyton Shepard chief copy editor Patrick Crowley opinions editor
Letters to the editor must contain fewer than 300 words and guest columns fewer than 500. Send submissions to letters@cw.ua. edu. Submissions must include the author’s name, year, major and daytime phone
Monday was a historic day for Alabama as same-sex marriage licenses were issued in the state and some couples were able to get married. The world did not end, and Alabama did not burn for allowing same-sex couples to marry. Instead, something beautiful happened. Large contingents of Alabamians came together throughout the state to cheer on people who finally had the opportunity to marry the person they love. Unfortunately, some counties in Alabama refused to issue licenses due to a statement from Chief Justice Roy Moore. The reason for doing this is not entirely clear, but it can be assumed that it was politically motivated. No doubt this order stemmed from conservative political pressure, resulting in Justice Moore publicly denouncing the federal ruling. This is why judges should not be elected on the basis of political party affiliations. It allows for certain political and religious beliefs to reign supreme in the justice system that should be focused on upholding the Constitution. Judges should be free to make their rulings without fear of their decisions affecting them politically in the next election. Alabama’s ban on same-sex marriage has caused many divides in both government and religion. Arguments for and against the separation of church and state continue to be brought up in regards to marriage. People should not presume that they can define how others should live their lives. Another person’s private life, love life and married life is their own business. It is appalling that some think it is their prerogative to make rules as to what is an acceptable form of love. The arguments that marriage should be between a man and woman because of Biblical associations have been taken out of context when defining marriage in the law. Why are some forms of sin, as detailed in the Bible, seen as less sinful than others? We all commit sins and in the the Bible they are all seen as equal. Christians who use the Bible to argue against same-sex couples are being hypocrites because no one is free of sin. One of my Facebook friends said the majority of Alabamians support a ban on same-sex marriage and those of us who disagreed with the majority could either deal with people’s opposition or leave the state. Well, I am not going anywhere. If the majority of people do not want same-sex marriage in my state, I am not going to just accept it or leave. I am going to keep fighting until we are all equal in the eyes of the law. Did change ever occur because people left the state despite the opinions of the majority? No, they stayed and fought. The hard work of thousands have allowed for us to get to where we are today. Just 10 years ago, it was rare for people to be open about their sexual preferences. Now more than ever, it is embraced and accepted. There is a cultural shift happening right before our eyes. We need to embrace the change that is occurring instead of rejecting it. I firmly believe that love is blind, and that it sees no color or gender. It is truly a beautiful thing to publicly express the love you have for another through marriage, and it should be available to everyone no matter who they choose to marry. Alabama has been given this unique opportunity to be a positive example for other states and the world. Some will say if Alabama can do it, then we can too. This is our chance to show that our state is inclusive to everyone and keep the past in the past. The future is bright for us. So no, Alabama is not going to burn in Hell, but will blaze a trail that will instead burn the chains of oppression that have long held us captive from forward progress. Vel Lewis is a junior majoring in public relations and political science. Her column runs biweekly.
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Last Week’s Poll: Should SGA elections implement a party system? (Yes: 65%) (No: 35%) This Week’s Poll: Do you think Harper Lee’s second book should be published? cw.ua.edu
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OPINIONS Wednesday, February 11, 2015 COLUMN | SGA
Student government needs to reflect University’s diverse population ANDREW ANDR
Parks Par Staff Columnist Co
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE
BENJAMINS
The basic goal of a democracy is to carry out the will of the people. Through voting, we elect representatives who then meet to write and pass legislation that reflects our collective will. In order for a democracy to carry out this function, it must be representative of the people it serves. A democracy’s actions cannot truly reflect the will of its constituents unless those constituents are accurately and holistically represented by elected officials. In that respect, the Student Government Association at the University of Alabama is inherently undemocratic. Consider the facts. Of our 98 SGA presidents to date, exactly five of them have been female. The last of those female SGA presidents was elected more than a decade ago. On a campus where women now make up 55 percent of the student body, only five women
have been elected to executive office in the national turnout in the last two the 21 different executive races which presidential elections. Moreover, voter have taken place in the last three elec- turnout shows a consistently downtion cycles. If you’re a female student ward trend in that period of time, with at The University of Alabama, you a net 4,193 fewer students casting votes have less than a 25 percent chance of in 2014 than did in 2009. Our rates of being elected to executive office based electoral competition are equally dison recent history. appointing. Of the 42 You have virtually no executive races in the chance of becoming last six election cycles, SGA president. only 18, or 42.9 percent, As bad as the out... the Student Government were contested. look is for women, it’s But what should Association at the even worse for racial concern you most isn’t minorities. Only one the lack of diversity, University of Alabama is of our 98 SGA presivoter participation or inherently undemocratic. dents has been black, electoral competition. Cleo Thomas, who was It’s the corruption. elected almost four In last year’s election decades ago. Only one cycle alone, two major other black candidate has been elect- scandals occurred. The first had to do ed to executive office at all, that being with flyers endorsing non-Machine Denzel Evans-Bell in 2011. Despite SGA candidates. The second involved being 12 percent of our student body, Vice President for Student Affairs black students have less than a 5 per- Steven Keller, in which he took donacent chance of securing executive office tions of flyers endorsing Machine canin our SGA based on recent history. didates and then didn’t list those flyers Convinced yet? on campaign finance forms as required. Our SGA lacks other characteristics A pair of major scandals in a single of a healthy democracy as well. For election cycle indicates that in addistarters, the average voter turnout rate tion to being inherently undemocratic, in the last six election cycles is a dis- our SGA finds itself in an unethical appointing 33.1 percent – roughly half state of affairs.
This is The University of Alabama. We admit the highest number of National Merit students of any public university in the country. We rank among the nation’s top 50 public universities. It is irresponsible, and frankly unconscionable, for a university which shapes some of our nation’s best and brightest to allow its student government – which provides those students with some of their first experiences with the democratic process and shapes their involvement in it for the rest of their lives – to continue in this direction. To that end, the United Alabama Project put forth an election reform proposal to clean up SGA elections two weeks ago. This organization, of which I am a member, will also hold a meeting for potential SGA Senate candidates and campaign staffers this Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in Lloyd 227. I strongly encourage anyone interested in taking our SGA in a new direction – the right direction – to find our Facebook page, where more information about our initiatives will be available, and get involved in making the changes we need to move forward. Andrew Parks is a senior majoring in political science. His column runs biweekly.
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6 April MCAT to reflect three major changes NEWS
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
By Alessandra Delrose | Contributing Writer
Wednesday is the first day MCAT registration will open for April exams, but this year students signing up will be taking a newlymodified MCAT. Owen Farcy, a Kaplan Prep instructor, said there are three big changes to the MCAT. He said the first big change is the amount of coursework required for students prior to taking the test. “Traditionally pre-medical students were responsible for two semesters of introductory biology, two semesters of introductory general chemistry, two semesters of organic chemistry and two semesters of physics,” he said. “Now in addition to those classes, students are expected to take a semester of biochemistry, a semester of psychology and a semester of sociology in order to take the exam.” Farcy said the second big change for the test is length extension. Originally the test would take students three to four hours to complete, but beginning this spring, test takers could spend seven hours on the exam. “The reason behind this length extension is that there is more subject data to test on and also all of this data being tested will show if these medical students are as prepared as possible for medical school,” he said. Farcy said the final change to the test’s questions will now focus on research design and method as well as platform. “These are areas that haven’t been explored in previously on the MCAT, but medical students have had some experience with these areas somewhere along the line in their pre-medical education,” he said.
MCAT Pre-Med students take the new MCAT for the first time in April
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Registration for the new test opens Wednesday
New test may take up to 7 hours to complete
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The old test took 3-4 hours to complete
CW / Belle Newby
The last major revision was in 1992, but Farcy said this is a normal practice when it comes to tests like this because they want to be able to keep up with the current education. “The MCAT committee went around to different medical schools across the country with the question, what information and knowledge will students need to have when entering medical schools in order to become successful,” he said. “Their main goal throughout this process was to
redirect the test to fit in with the future of the 21st century.” Farcy said Kaplan has been working very close with the MCAT Committee since it was announced in 2011 that there would be changes. “In the last four years we have paid very close attention to the information that has been released about the changes,” he said. “[The MCAT Committee] has been very forthcoming when it comes to the new exams and they have given us various blueprints of the exam and what to expect.” Farcy said Kaplan has taken all the information and built new material, tests and programs to make sure students feel as comfortable as possible with this new test. “I find that many students are nervous about this test because they believe it will be more difficult, but one of the things I tell my students when I am preparing them for this new MCAT is that difficult is only a relative thing,” he said. “So as long as they study, they’ve taken the classes, and they’ve taken preparatory courses they should be in good shape for the exam.” Farcy said over 150 medical school applicants came from The University of Alabama last year. “The one key thing I would say to University of Alabama students who want to go on to get their medical degree is to talk to your medical advisor as soon as possible,” he said. “Talk about what courses you should be taking in order to prepare for this MCAT.” University Director of Health Professions Advising Marian Denham said the University has the health professions advising team for reasons a
sudden MCAT test change. “Our teams make sure our students are on the right track when it comes to their future medical schools and what is expected of them including what courses they should be taking,” she said. “We encourage our students to research the medical schools that they are interested in applying to to find out their exact course pre-requisites.” Kimberly Triplett, a senior majoring in chemical engineering, is president of Alpha Epsilon Delta, the national pre-health honors society. The society helps its members apply to medical schools. “We offer MCAT prep, which includes having representatives from various companies including Kaplan come in and talk to our members regarding their options, whether they decide to self-study, take online courses, or seek out instruction in a classroom setting,” she said. Triplett said the greatest change they have had is adapting to the new test. “Due to the added course work, our job is to encourage students as early as freshman year to pick a target date for their MCAT long in advance and plan their classes accordingly,” she said. Garrett Conner Nix, a senior majoring in biology and Spanish, said he has already taken the MCAT, and he believes the test changes might cause more stress for the students, but for a good reason. “I think these changes represent a change in priorities for equipping tomorrow’s physicians,” he said. “I think a physician who can relate to his patients will do much more good than one lacking that personal connection.”
Williams named February Female Physicist of Month By Amanda Sare | Contributing Writer
Dawn Williams, an associate professor in the department of physics and astronomy, was named the February 2015 Female Physicist of the Month by the American Physical Society’s Committee on the Status of Women in Physics. Williams has been at The University of Alabama since 2008 and also helps runs the Women in Physics group on campus. Naoko Kurahashi-Neilson, her colleague and an assistant physics professor at Drexel University, and Donglian Xu, a graduate student studying physics who works under Williams, said they nominated her for the award because of her excellent mentoring. Williams specializes in particle astrophysics, the study of high-energy particles coming from objects in space. “I’ve been interested in astronomy as long as I can remember, literally since I was in elementary school,” Williams said. Williams received her undergraduate degree at the University of Southern
Dawn Williams was named a February 2015 Female Physicist of the Month. CW / Pete Pajor
California, earned her doctoral degree at UCLA and completed four years of postdoctoral work at Penn State. While at Penn State, Williams began working with a project called IceCube, a neutrino detector. Neutrinos have almost no mass and
are extremely hard to detect. The simplest way to find and study these particles is to give them a big target – the more opportunities a neutrino has to interact with the target, the more likely it is to do so. IceCube uses a large amount of ice in the South Pole
as its target. The detector notes when the rare occurrences happen and transmits the data to be analyzed by physicists. Xu and James Pepper, a graduate student studying in physics, spoke highly of Williams. “Donglian and I first [saw] Professor Williams at a presentation she was giving on IceCube and afterwards both became very interested in the [IceCube] project,” Pepper said. Xu and Pepper said Williams communicates clearly and gets directly to the core of a concept. Xu said she shares interests with Williams. “After graduation I would like to join IceCube,” she said. “It has been successful and is a cool experiment.” Williams said there are plans for an IceCube expansion, which could provide scientists with more useful data. “We are currently working on building an even larger detector and also a dense detector in the middle of IceCube,” she said.
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WEDNESDAY February 11, 2015 Symphony orchestra to play Moody Music PERFORMANCE FROM PAGE 1
Students in the Huxford Symphony Orchestra will perform “Pines of Rome” at their concert Thursday evening. Photo Courtesy of Michelle Rosenbery
Evolution celebration to focus heavily on creativity DARWIN FROM PAGE 1
what we’ve started here is going to become that, so we’re trying to build up into kind of a bigger more nationally known [event].” Kilian Garvey, an evolutionary psychologist from The University of Louisiana at Monroe, will give the keynote address about the way human beliefs have evolved and the role those beliefs have played in survival. Other speeches will focus on evolutionary medicine, the philosophy of evolution and more.
off stage, and there will even be very quiet recorded bird song at the end of the third revue.” Although the pieces may seem sophisticated, Richardson said there is something for everyone at this performance. “We have such a good variety that there is something for every musical taste in this concert,” he said. “Everyone will find at least a couple of pieces they will enjoy.” The School of Music
Burbach said this year focuses more on creative expressions of evolution. The group challenged K-12 schools to make music videos incorporating evolutionary themes and anyone interested can enter the cake contest. “Last year, the guy that won, he did two very small cakes,” Burbach said. “But he did a regular one and a vegan one. He did the phylogeny, like sort of the evolutionary tree that everyone sees in their biology textbooks.” After the contest, Burbach said people can eat the cakes. In addition, several displays will showcase evolution, including model skulls of different hominids. Jessica Reynolds, a UAB alumna who studied
Send your honey a message via the airwaves on Valentine’s Day
GRAMS
continues to challenge its students through a competition held each year that gives musicians a chance to perform a solo in one of Huxford Symphony’s performances. This year, Johnny Mok, a senior majoring in cello performance, is one of three winners. “I am really looking forward to this opportunity to share a different type of music, and to show the audience what I can do,” he said. “It’s really just about the power of music.” This is Mok’s first time to solo with the Huxford Symphony, but it isn’t his first time to play solo in front of a large audience. “This is actually my third time
biology and visual arts, will exhibit her graphite drawings of the evolution of a frog. “[Art]’s something we not only use as an expression, but it also conveys information,” said Danny Mendez, secretary and treasurer of the EvoS Club and a sophomore majoring in management information systems. “I think that’s really important to actually learn. It’s putting it in a way that you’re paying attention and can actually retain that information.” The EvoS Club is part of the College of Arts and Sciences Evolutionary Studies Program that offers a minor in evolutionary studies. Christopher Lynn directs the program, and the minor involves a
playing with an orchestra,” he said. “I made my debut with the Albuquerque Symphony where I soloed for the first time.” Bryan Mortimer, a junior majoring in musical performance for trumpet, expressed his excitement about the concert. “I’m really looking forward to playing principle on the very first piece of music we play, the ‘Rienzi Overture,’” he said. “It’s a great piece for the brass section, and it’s really fun to play.” The performance is Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in Moody Music Hall. The concert is open to the public and the cost with a student ID is $3.
variety of classes in the departments of anthropology, geology, history, philosophy and psychology. “You don’t think in Alabama Evolutionary Studies is a big thing,” Mendez said. “But I mean, as Dr. Lynn always says, we’re one of four, I think, universities that offer the minor and also one of the only flagship schools that does that.” In addition to Darwin Day, the group helps teach anthropology classes at Arcadia Elementary School and works with the Human Behavioral Ecology Research Group. To find out more about Darwin Day and the Evolutionary Studies Program, visit evolutionarystudies.as.ua.edu.
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Editor | Francie Johnson Culture@cw.ua.edu Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Rediscover Girl Scout cookies with new recipes By Cokie Thompson | Staff Reporter
Whether your late nights in Gorgas are filled with raw veggies and granola or Panda Express, it is time to honor everyone’s favorite time of year: Girl Scout cookie season. If devouring Thin Mints by the sleeve isn’t your favorite way to celebrate this time of year (or even if it is), here are a few recipes to transform the cookies and still hold onto their classic flavors.
Thin Mint Brownies
Tagalongs Milkshake
Super chocolatey (and still minty-fresh)
Simple, delicious and peanut-buttery
Ingredients: 1/2 box of crushed Thin Mints Girl Scout Cookies 1 box of brownie mix 2 eggs (3 eggs for cake-like brownies) 1/4 cup of water 1/2 cup of vegetable oil
Ingredients: 1/2 box of Tagalongs Girl Scout Cookies 6 cups of vanilla ice cream 1 cup of milk 1 can of whipped cream Place all ingredients together in a blender and let KitchenAid do the work. Top with whipped cream and crumbled cookies if you’re feeling fancy.
Crush Thin Mints into medium-sized chunks, and then mix all the ingredients by hand. Spread batter evenly in greased 13 by 9-inch baking pan. Bake in center of oven at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes.
Recipe from Little Brownie Bakers
Recipe from Little Brownie Bakers
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Do-si-dos Peanut Thai Chicken
Thin Mint Cookie Truffles
If you’ve had your fill of sweets and still have a few boxes lying around, try this savory take on a Girl Scout classic.
Everyone loves Oreo balls, but you can have those any day of the year. Try this recipe for a new twist. Ingredients: 1 package of Girl Scout Thin Mint Cookies 1/2 package (4 oz.) of cream cheese, softened 1 (12 oz.) bag of green mint chips
Ingredients: 8 Do-Si-Dos Girl Scout cookies 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken tenderloins Teriyaki glaze 1 box of Pad Thai noodles Thai peanut sauce wooden skewers
First, crush the Thin Mints into crumbs. If you don’t have a food processor, put the cookies in a Ziploc and crush them with a hammer. Mix in the cream cheese, and then form the mixture into 1-inch balls. Put the truffles on a cookie sheet and refrigerate for about 30 minutes. The last step is the candy coating. Now you just have to wait for the coating to set.
First, grill the chicken on the skewers, brushing with teriyaki glaze. Prepare the Pad Thai noodles. Serve the chicken with four of the cookies crushed on top. Mix the rest of them in the peanut sauce to serve on the side or over the chicken and noodles. om
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Recipe from Six Sister Stuff
Recipe from Little Brownie Bakers
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CULTURE Wednesday, February 11, 2015 COLUMN | FASHION
Mix of East and West Coast trends turns winter to spring By Sydney Smith
When walking outside Monday morning, it was easy to notice the sudden change in temperature. The groundhog might have said six more weeks of winter, but Tuscaloosa is saying differently – it feels like spring has arrived. Now is the perfect time to pick up new trends and Layer prep with bohemian for a new transition winter’s sweatstyle that is perfect for spring weather. ers and boots into spring’s CW / Sydney Smith dresses and sandals.
Spring will be all about the combination of East Coast prep and West Coast bohemian. The combination of tassels and loose, oversized shapes will meet structured cardigans and loafers, taking the best parts of both looks and creating a new style. Try this look by turning a polo shirt into a crop top by tying the hem on the side. Wear it over high-waist skinny pants or a skirt for a look that can be taken from
day to night with a change of shoes. The color white is also a huge spring trend. Work that Olivia Pope look and try a monochromatic scheme. Try this trend by combining white jeans and a white T-shirt with some simple gold or brasscolored jewelry. Keep the shapes slouchy and casual to make this look appropriate for class. Loose dresses overlap the transition from
winter to spring, and the babydoll shape is popular. To add some warmth for chilly mornings, add a sweater and sturdy shoes like boots. If it’s too cold for exposed legs, skip the tights or leggings and try knee-high or thigh-high socks, an update on the school girl aesthetic that is making a definite comeback in the fashion world. These light layers can be shed as temperatures warm up.
An interesting trend for the adventurous fashionistas out there is the skirt and dress layering look. Why leave the layering for just tops and sweaters? Pick a dress with a fairly simple shape, place a coordinating skirt over it and let the dress peek out at the bottom. Keep colors simple and patterns at a minimum for this look to work. Add a dose of confidence and this look is the splash that will draw attention.
COLUMN | BOOKS
Book satirically explores lives of recent college graduates By Reed O’Mara
While satire was a genre commonplace in pre-revolutionary France, it’s less so nowadays – or so one would think. The recently released “A Very Recent History: An Entirely Factual Account of a Year (c. AD 2009) in a Large City” by Choire Sicha may have a long title, but its message is succinct. Told from a perspective
simultaneously intimate and separated, the nonfiction piece pools together the experiences of young men in “the City,” which one can assume to be New York City, while exploring various habits and institutions of the twenty-first century. The book explores issues such as animal cruelty, with a note of humor resonating as Sicha tells the reader how the ivory trade is by far the most detestable
treatment of animals while eating eggs the least horrible. The book expands to higher topics such as marriage and religion as the detached, alien narrator provides the reader with a new perspective about the world we very much still live in. For those still not sold on social commentary, especially from those pieces being published by the rising feminist sector, this
book offers a good introduction to the world of political critique. The book is not likely to offend, but will merely provide the reader with a text of ideas to mull over. It is especially relevant to college students because it follows men who have only recently graduated college and their exploits in the “real world.” “A Very Recent History” is no masterpiece, but it is brilliant.
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SPORTS
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Crimson Tide teams ranked at top of their sports By Kelly Ward | Sports Editor
Five Alabama sports are ranked in their respective top 25 rankings. Take a look at each of the teams and their best moments. Softball
CW / Pete Pajor
Men’s swimming and diving
No. 24
No. 4
Best win: Alabama softball opened its season with a 2-1 win over No. 23 South Alabama. The Crimson Tide overcame two errors and rallied in the top of the seventh to beat the Jaguars.
Best win: Alabama hosted Cincinnati on Jan. 23 for Senior Day and the men’s swimming and diving team cruised to a 201-94 win, taking the top spot in 13 events.
Gymnastics
UA Athletics
Men’s track and field
No. 15
No. 6
Best win: Jan. 23, the Alabama gymnastics team hosted then-No. 1 Florida and beat the defending co-national champion Gators 197.400-196.800. The Crimson Tide’s score from that night is still its highest of the season.
CW / Layton Dudley
Best finish: Jan. 24, senior Alex Amankwah set a school record for the 800-meter dash with a time of 1:46.86. At the time, it was the fastest in the world. As of Monday, it is the third-best time.
Women’s tennis
No. 8
Best win: In the second match of the consolation round of the ITA Indoor Championship, Alabama took down defending champions Duke 4-1.
UA Athletics
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WEDNESDAY February 11, 2015
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Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Birthday (02/11/15). Social networks and partnerships amplify fortune this year. Work together and realize a shared dream too large for individuals. Make bigger bucks after 3/20. Begin a new educational path after 4/4. Take advantage of opportunities that arise to expand shared finances after 10/13. Your family and friends are your greatest wealth. Grow the love. To get the advantage, check the dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging. Aries (March 21-April 19) -- Today is an 8 -- Costs may be higher than expected. Hunt for a bargain. Recent mental gyrations give way to direct communication, now that Mercuryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s direct. Values shift. Deliver a message of love. Reconnect with a distant friend or relative. Taurus (April 20-May 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easier to concentrate. Artistic impressions play a role. Balance work with fun. Play with the big kids. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re irresistible, and partners buzz. Salary talks move forward now, with savings growth possible. Rules undergo substantial change. Gemini (May 21-June 20) -- Today is a 7 -- Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easier to learn, with Mercury direct. Creative efforts take a leap forward. A legal or partnership agreement comes together. Re-affirm a commitment. Optimism returns. Plans can advance quickly. Serve up love,
beauty and deliciousness. Cancer (June 21-July 22) -- Today is an 8 -- Launch new projects now that Mercuryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s direct. You can see clearly the future you want to create. Study. Solidify the steps to take to meet your goals. Work faster for higher income. Words flow like water. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) -- Today is a 7 -Communication with your partner creates new possibilities at home. Resolve a breakdown. It could get intimate and lovely. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t spend beyond your budget or gamble, though. Creativity infuses the air. Harness it for beautiful results. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- Today is an 8 -Cash flows in a more positive direction now, although a potentially expensive moment lies ahead. Look farther away for your answer. Creative solutions emerge. Friends believe in you. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easier to reach consensus and compromise. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) -- Today is a 9 -- The game is getting fun (and profitable), despite setbacks. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easier to get your message out and advance to the next level now that Mercuryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s direct. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re exceptionally persuasive now. Agree on terms and send invoices. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) -- Today is an 8 -Take extra time for yourself today. Travel and
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transport flow with renewed ease, but home comforts tempt. A new style or look suits you. Indulge in a little personal pampering. A bubble bath by candlelight soothes. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) -- Today is a 7 -- Rest and think things over. A glass ceiling dissolves. All is not as it appears to be. Indulge an urge to daydream. Long-distance connections come together. Consider, and then ask for what you want. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Today is a 7 -- Brainstorming gets more productive with Mercury direct. Negotiations go well. Sign contracts, make agreements and file papers. Adapt to deviations in the plan. Collaboration sparks like fireworks. Organize the action. Work together for mutual benefit and profit. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) -- Today is an 8 -- Travel plans advance, despite an obstacle. A test requires your full attention. Proceed with caution. A raise in status is possible. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easier to ask for money. Stretch yourself emotionally. Collaboration is a good idea. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) -- Today is a 7 -- A barrier to your objective is dissolving. Pack your bags, and get moving! Curtail extravagance. Words and traffic flow better with Mercury direct. A potential disagreement could disrupt things. Express love. A change in scenery delights.
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12
SPORTS
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Track heads to Arkansas By Tyler Waldrep | Contributing Writer
The Alabama softball team moved up to fourth in the polls after opening its season with a perfect weekend. UA Athletics
Softball to travel to Birmingham By Kelly Ward | Sports Editor
Alabama softball’s season is already one for the history books. After coming back in the seventh inning to beat then-No. 23 South Alabama 2-1, Alabama put together a gem for the start of the Sand Dollar Classic: a perfect game from sophomore Sydney Littlejohn. For the fifth straight year, Alabama opened the season without a loss on opening weekend. Now, No. 4 Alabama heads to Birmingham for a midweek matchup with Samford before heading to Stanford, California, for the Stanford Nike Invitational. “I think we’re just really lucky to be in the spot that we are, especially in the state of Alabama with so many other Division I teams, but also that they’re very competitive,” coach Patrick Murphy said. “You know, you have UAB, Samford, Jacksonville State, Troy, South [Alabama]
non-conference, and then obviously Auburn [in] conference but you have so many good teams that you don’t have to go very far.” The Crimson Tide is 19-2 all-time against the Bulldogs. “Of course, Tuscaloosa is the best place to play, but anywhere close to that is also great,” Littlejohn said. “Just all the support that we have, not only in Tuscaloosa, but in places like Birmingham and this weekend in Mobile, it’s great to see that we do actually have the best fans in the country and that everyone comes out and supports us.” In Mobile, the team competed in front of a sold-out crowd. In Birmingham, the Crimson Tide will play in front of a mix of fans. “We feel like it’s our house,” junior infielder Leona Lafaele said. “We feel like it’s our field so it gives us the momentum to just go in there and own it as if it is our field.”
For Alabama’s track and field team, the meets are only getting bigger. This weekend the Crimson Tide travels to Arkansas to compete in the Tyson Invitational. This will be the last indoor meet of the season before the conference championships start later this month. Sophomore Lakan Taylor said the team is not overlooking this meet. On the contrary, she expects to face a lot of tough competition that will require her full attention. “This is a huge meet,” Taylor said. “We are going to get a taste of it at Arkansas.” Coach Dan Waters said he thought the team picked up some much-needed momentum last week. “I’ve been looking for us to improve our competitive mindset with each meet, and I think we did that,” he said. “Most of our people improved last weekend.” Waters said any success the team has experienced so far was the result of talent, effort and focus. He said the team will need to maintain that attitude to be successful this weekend. Senior Nia Barnes said she does not plan on slowing down anytime soon. Despite several strong showings, Barnes said she is not happy with her current progress and still has plenty of room for improvement ahead of her.
This Crimson Tide track and field team will travel to Arkansas this weekend to compete in the Tyson Invitational, the last indoor meet of the season before conference championships. UA Athletics
“We want to bring the Alabama Crimson Tide track team to be up there in the nation,” she said. The team has the opportunity to make a big statement this weekend. Most of the other SEC schools will be at the Tyson Invitational. This weekend will also pit Alabama against non-conference opponents who are expected to compete at the Indoor National Championships a month from now. Waters said a successful showing this weekend is critical. The momentum picked up at the Tyson Invitational will help the team going forward. “We are basically at the threshold of the championship portion of our indoor season, which is what we work for yearround, so it’s time for us to be at our best,” he said. “We need to use this meet as the final building block before we focus in on winning at SECs.”