ISCOR creator given last honor
MONDAY December 5, 2011 Volume 97, Issue 53 W W W.T H E D A I LYA Z T E C . C O M
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SDSU’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT N E W S PA P E R SINCE 1913
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SPORTS
THINKSTOCK
Conflict program cofounder chosen for last lecture series Hutton Marshall
Gupta is renowned for cofounding the ISCOR program. Initially a small major drawing from several different areas of study, there are now more than 300 ISCOR majors at SDSU, according to Gupta. When it began in
his undergraduate degree, but said he encountered several challenges when he was first hired at SDSU. According to Gupta, his writing and mathematics skills were subpar upon arrival in the U.S. To solve
assistant news editor Earlier this semester, professor Adam Branch invited Dr. Dipak Gupta to speak in his International Security and Conflict Resolution class about a topic of his choice, but was surprised with an annual honor given to only one person each year at San Diego State. When he arrived at the class, he saw students waiting with a large banner in the back. He knew something out of the ordinary was happening, but did not suspect it had anything to do with him. After giving a brief lecture, Gupta was told he would be the next professor invited to speak at SDSU’s annual Last Lecture Series. Ariel Rawson, an interdisciplinary studies junior and member of the committee planning the Last Lecture Series, was part of the surprise committee that announced to Gupta and the class that he was chosen as the Last Lecture honoree. “He thought being invited to speak like this was very suspicious, but in 15 minutes you could tell what a dynamic lecturer he was, especially in the richness of the content in his lecture,” Rawson said. An incredible honor bestowed upon only one professor every year, the Last Lecture Series invites an accomplished scholar to give a lecture as if it were his or her last opportunity to impart to the world the wisdom he or she has gained throughout a considerable tenure in higher education.
“Life, to me, is like a very windy mountain road ... at every corner you may be surprised by falling ... the trick is to keep your wheels turning.” Dr. Dipak Gupta, Last Lecture Series honoree 1986, there were no more than 25 students in the major. Gupta, who was also the director of the program, said he is proud of being able to forge a connection with every one of them. Now in his 34th year of teaching at SDSU, Gupta has gained recognition as an engaging lecturer and an internationally respected researcher in the fields of ethnic conflict, collective action, public policy analysis and quantitative methods. His innovative research mapping the spread of information across the Internet was also highly praised. All his success did not come to fruition without overcoming obstacles; Gupta has a philosophy of constantly re m i n d ing himself that life owes him nothing. “Life, to me, is like a very windy mountain road,” Gupta said. “You have to keep driving, and at every corner you may be surprised by falling into a ditch. The trick is to keep your wheels turning.” Gupta came to the U.S. from his native country of India after finishing
this, he crashed English composition classes, which he attended alongside incoming freshmen. He also made a habit of crashing a class in the mathematics department every semester for the first few years as a professor. “It has always been important to me that I continually reeducate myself,” Gupta said. Organized by the SDSU Honors Council, the Last Lecture Series started in 2007, featuring Dr. Henry Janssen, a re n o w n e d member of the Honors Council and c o m m i t te e member for the Last L e c t u r e S e r i e s . Janssen has proved to be a visionary for the series. “In my head, (the Last Lecture Series) was designed as though I was speaking to all the students I’d ever had, and to justify what I had taught to them,” Janssen said. Selecting a professor for the series is not an easy task. At a university the size of
SDSU, the committee has an enormous pool to choose from. Last year’s lecturer was SDSU’s thenpresident, Stephen L. Weber. “The people we find are the people that never stop being students,” Janssen said. Gupta’s speech for the Last Lecture Series will take place next February. For more information about him or his work, including his project about project mapping the spread of ideas on the Internet, visit his faculty page on SDSU’s political science website.
SDSU had a victorious weekend in football and men’s hoops
E N T E R TA I N M E N T
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D A I LY
AZTEC Monday, December 5, 2011
SPORTS
FOOTBALL
Aztecs outlast Bulldogs to claim Oil Can Agustin Gonzalez staff writer In the San Diego State football team’s game against Fresno State Saturday evening at Qualcomm Stadium, SDSU found itself down 210 in the second quarter. SDSU 35 Bulldogs’ quarterback Derek FSU 28 Carr was going off, his defense was holding strong and it looked as if Fresno State would come away with an easy victory in the inaugural Battle for the Oil Can. But it didn’t happen. Not when the Aztecs had superstar sophomore running back Ronnie Hillman (178 rushing yards, four touchdowns). Not when there was an antique oil can at stake. Not on senior night; on quarterback Ryan Lindley’s last home game at San Diego State. Instead, SDSU scored 28 unanswered points and Hillman punched it in from two yards out with 1:04 left in the game to give the Aztecs a 3528 win against Fresno State. SDSU overcame a 21-point deficit for only the third time in 498 games at the Division-I level. “You are only as good as your last game. So we are pretty good right now,” Lindley said. “It has been a ride,
this was a fitting way to finish. Start slow and finish fast, that sums up me and (senior linebacker Miles Burris’) five years here.” But on senior night, it was a sophomore who stole the show. Hillman, who is nursing a high ankle sprain, was a force in the running game and accounted for all but one of the Aztecs’ five touchdowns. With his
throws and he could have done some big things with the passing game, too. I think he just is a guy that is plain dangerous.” In the first half, Fresno State’s Carr looked like his brother, NFL quarterback David Carr. He had 213 passing yards and two scores before halftime, but was held to only 123 yards and no touchdowns after that.
“You are only as good as your last game. So we are pretty good right now. It has been a ride, this was a fitting way to finish ...” Ryan Lindley, senior quarterback performance, he now has 1,656 rushing yards, breaking the Mountain West Conference record for rushing yards in a season and moving into second place on SDSU’s single-season rushing list – besting all three of NFL Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk’s season totals. “He is a force,” Lindley said. “He does some amazing things when you put the ball in his hands. You never know what he could have done either. I missed a couple
The Aztecs, like they have done all season long, were able to overcome a sloppy, uninspired first half to come away with the victory. “Any time you have a team that shoots itself in the foot time after time, week after week and then still finds a way to make enough plays and play hard to the end, to win as many games as we have in that scenario, that says something about the character (of the team),” head coach Rocky Long said.
PETER KLUCH, SENIOR STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
F O O T B A L L S TA N D I N G S
TCU won the Mountain West Championship on Saturday. Here is a look at the final conference standings for 2011.
10-2 (7-0)
11-1 (6-1)
8-4 (5-2)
8-4 (4-3)
7-5 (3-4)
3-9 (1-6)
2-10 (1-6)
1-11 (1-6)
MEN’SBASKETBALL
SDSU claws past Golden Bears for close win Ryan Schuler staff writer
PETER KLUCH, SENIOR STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Apparently, the San Diego State men’s basketball team likes close games that go down to the wire, having to hit free throws in the final seconds to seal the game. Just like many of their close games earlier in the season, they pulled out the victory. Junior guard Chase Tapley hit two free throws with 8.6 seconds left and had a game-high 25 points as SDSU defeated No. 24/23 California, 64-63, at Viejas Arena yesterday SDSU 64 afternoon. “I’m glad we CAL 63 are having close games this early in the season,” Tapley said. “We’re just going to be more experienced and more poised when we get in these situations later on in the season. I would like to have a little lead, but hey, it’s just fun for the crowd to watch and just a good experience.” Yesterday’s win is the second against a nationally ranked opponent and the third against the Pacific-12 Conference this season.
The Aztecs have won nine straight games against the Pac-12, as well as 19 consecutive verses schools from the state of California. Xavier Thames, James Rahon and Jamaal Franklin each finished with nine points, while Garrett Green contributed 10 rebounds. “It truly was a wonderful game to watch, and I know those who cheered for either team felt that way,” SDSU head coach Steve Fisher said. “We have found a way to win a lot of close games. I think that’s a testament to the quality and the people being mentally strong and have play after play.” The win comes at the end of a tough seven-game stretch for the Aztecs, a stretch in which they played five teams that were either ranked or receiving votes in the two national polls. “We are exhausted, but very proud of our play,” Tapley said of completing the tough stretch. “We exceeded a lot of people’s expectations, but we expected to win all of them. We are glad with where we are at.” Next, the Aztecs will travel west on the Interstate-8 to face cross-town rival University of San Diego Wednesday night. The game is set to begin at 7 p.m.
D A I LY A Z T E C Monday, December 5, 2011
E N T E R TA I N M E N T
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A L L T H E W O R L D ’ S A S TA G E
Perennial ‘Grinch’ steals show at Old Globe staff writer
Peter Murphy with She Wants Revenge Location: Belly Up Tavern Time: 8 p.m. Ages: 21 years and older Tickets: $25 in advance, $27 on the day of show
Lee “Scratch” Perry Location: 4th and B Time: 9 p.m. Ages: 21 years and older Tickets: $25 in advance, $30 at the door
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COURTESY OF HENRY DIROCCO
It has been 14 years since “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” premiered at San Diego’s Old Globe Theatre. It would seem that after all this time, the Grinch (Steve Blanchard) would see the error of his anti-Christmas ways, or could have converted himself to Judaism and changed his name to the Mensch. Alas, he is still that famous green “mean one” who despises the beloved holiday and the tiny people who cherish it, the Whos. Along with his hapless dog, Max (Logan Lipton), the Grinch attempts to stop Christmas from happening in Whoville. Running at a relatively short 90 minutes, this popular musical continues as a charming Balboa Park tradition, mostly because of Timothy Mason’s timeless book and lyrics. While adding plenty of creative rhyming and humor, it still respects Seuss’ original story and includes many famous lines from the children’s classic. Even with a few deliberately corny jokes, the ensemble
manages comedy that brings wallto-wall smiling and laughter. Blanchard has big shoes to fill by playing a character previously portrayed by acclaimed actor Patrick Page. The shoes fit comfortably for Blanchard, who puts his own touch on the “One of a Kind” individual, making his interpretation of the Grinch simultaneously sinister and blissfully silly. Another standout performer is Caitlin McAuliffe as Cindy-Lou, the precious Who who seems to emotionally connect to the Grinch. While previous actresses who have played Cindy, such as Vanessa Hudgens, have been as young as 10 or 12, McAuliffe is only 8. Her rendition of the ballad “Santa for a Day” is heartfelt and touching. Just as impressive as the acting is the Who-chestra. It is versatile in its sound, ranging from a short “Les Misérables”-like overture to the jazzy sounding “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.” The band’s finest moments are its short musical interludes that are appropriate for an adaptation of a clever Seuss story. Not only does the music, composed by Mel Marvin, sound very Seuss-esque, but John Lee Beatty’s
91X Wrex The Halls Night 1 Location: Valley View Casino (aka Sports Arena) Time: 6:15 p.m. Ages: All ages Tickets: $19.91-$49.91
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David Dixon
91X Wrex The Halls Night 2 Location: Valley View Casino (aka Sports Arena) Time: 6:15 p.m. Ages: All ages Tickets: $19.91-$54.91
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Straight No Chaser Location: Balboa Theatre Time: 8 p.m. Ages: All Ages Tickets: $40-$50
scenic design is like seeing a lifesized Seuss illustration. The cartoonish look of Whoville has a joyful quality that adds to the festive playfulness of the production. If any fault exists with “The Grinch” it is that there are too many reprises of musical numbers. While some songs never get old, the irresistibly cheerful group number “Who Likes Christmas?” is sung at least twice, while other tunes are needlessly repeated. One that comes to mind is “I Hate Christmas Eve,” in which the same exact lyrics the Grinch and Max sing are performed moments later by some of the Whos. It almost feels blasphemous to criticize something so beloved, but even with a few too many reprises, “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” is still a delightfully enjoyable time. The inventive director, James Vasquez, has not deviated far from Jack O’Brien’s original direction, which is perfectly fine. “The Grinch” was a hit in 1998, and it continues to be great family friendly entertainment years later. Tickets and information about “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” can be found at theoldglobe.org.
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BEHIND THE NUMBERS
Advanced Test Preparation
14
Years The Old Globe Theatre has produced “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”
54
Years since Dr. Suess’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” was first published
13
Bands and artists playing 91X’s Wrex the Halls this year
4
Number of names the Valley View Casino Center has had
75
Lee “Scratch” Perry’s age
10
Members in Straight No Chaser
1
Position of Michael Buble’s “Christmas” on the Billboard 200 chart
20
Days left until Christmas
Advanced Test Preparation
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D A I LY
AZTEC Monday, December 5, 2011
B AC K PAG E
HUMOR
HOROSCOPE
Holiday thunder thievery
TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (12/5/11) When it comes down to it, all you need is love, and you have that in spades. Light candles, and enjoy a specially prepared meal with a special someone. Together, you can make your dreams come true.
ear Christmas, Hey buddy. How are things? I wanted to write you to find out why you’re trying to steal my thunder. I mean, I get it. You’re the son of God’s birthday (which is totally bigger than P.Diddy’s white party). I’m just asking for a little breathing room. Some time to shine. First of all, there are a bunch of problems with the way we celebrate you in the first place. A strange man shimmies down the world’s chimneys and puts a bunch of presents under some prickly trees, which makes a total mess of any room they’re in. Then he peaces out, but not before he’s eaten your food, left a bunch of sooty footprints on your carpet and made your dogs bark like he’s a postman walking a pack of German shepherds. Someone needs to explain to me why the second Halloween wraps up, people only have a week to recover from their sugar comas before they’re forced to hear “Jingle Bells” and “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” (which everyone fails to remember is about a sexual advance of questionable intent) while drinking out of red Starbucks cups and decking out their patios with red and green icicle lights. Where’s my recognition? I’m the one day of the year when it is not only socially acceptable, but also encouraged, to binge eat and then pass out on the couch and watch football. I am every man’s fantasy. Forget busty women in bikinis. It doesn’t get any better than this. Is it not enough that I feel totally unappreciated from the beginning of November, when it’s finally my month? Imagine if it were you and I only remembered your birthday a week before. Imagine I forgot to throw anything together because I was too focused on my other friend’s birthday (we’ll call him Jesus) and instead, just called up HoneyBaked Ham, asked them to throw together a nice muffin basket
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Hayley Rafner staff columnist and just sent it on over. Then, a month later, you see me throw together the most show-stoppingly awesome party of all time and you feel horribly left out and you sit and wonder why your friend Jesus got such an awesome party when all you got was a measly muffin basket. Well I’ve had it. I realize a lot of people may debate my legitimacy. Sure, my roots may have been founded on being the unwelcome guest at the party, taking the credit for a giant meal that wasn’t even cooked by my people. But tradition is tradition, man. A guy can only feel so helpless. I can’t help the way I was created. I can’t help if you disagree. I am a product of my circumstances. People wore hats with buckles. Everyone was dying from smallpox. It was crazy. Like Mama Monster said, “I’m on the right track, baby, I was born this way.” You know, I tried to spice it up by arranging this giant parade in New York City. What could be better than 50-foot balloons in the shape of your favorite characters floating down Seventh Avenue? Yeah, the road closures are kind of a pain but I’m doing the best I can here. I can’t really fix all the world’s problems like that guy in the red suit claims he can. Plus, you get to see Al Roker in mittens and a fedora and honestly, what’s more adorable than that? The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is one of the best standing traditions to ever exist. And no, don’t tell me the Rose Parade is better because it’s not. Floats made of flowers? Whatever. You don’t have Kanye West rapping on a Build-A-Bear Workshop float riding down the middle of the street while grown men in animal suits holding ribbon wands prance in circles and throw glitter at the people that woke up and stood outside to watch at least four days in
advance. As far as parades go, I’ve got this one on lock. Give me a little credit, OK? I deserve more excitement than just a week’s notice. Quit arguing about where I’m gonna be celebrated, only invite the people you know will bring those incredible sweet potatoes with brown sugar on top (none of that marshmallow crap, we’re not communists) and sit back, eat until you can’t think straight, get all loopy from tryptophan and remember how great I am. I can tell you what’s not great: having to explain to your 5-year-old why Dad’s handwriting looks a lot like Santa’s, telling your kids to bake cookies to leave out when you’re just going to eat them yourself (only proliferating this grand illusion) and having to lug out that bushy tree before time starts bleeding into Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. Can we just relax for a minute? Can we show my boy Squanto some love? (He’s like Jacob from “Twilight,” but 50 times hotter. Trust me. We hang out). I mean, even the nation has done me a favor and waited until the day after to start officially shopping for you (except damn, this year some stores really pushed it and opened the doors at midnight. Come on, give me a break). Can you at least wait until then to start decorating and selling things at an unreasonably low price? Really, all I’m asking for is a little credit. You’re like the Michael Jordan of holidays. You’re everyone’s favorite, even the nonChristians (shout out to Diwali). Don’t shove yourself down our throats. We like you, just let some of us other holidays get some. I heard Veterans Day has been in counseling for four score and seven years. Next year, can you just wait to put out your decorations until I’ve had my time in the spotlight? Thanks, Thanksgiving
— Hayley Rafner is a journalism junior.
LO O K I N G T H R O U G H O U R L E N S
To get the advantage, check the day's rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging. ARIES (March 21 - April 19) - Today is an 8 Channels are open for harmony at home and work. You've got the energy and confidence to make it all happen. It's a good time to ask for money. Smile. TAURUS (April 20 - May 20) - Today is a 5 Don't listen to the monkeys out there, or the ones in your head that try to put you down. Don't lose faith. Keep looking and find what you love. GEMINI (May 21 - June 21) - Today is a 7 Your friends are there for who you are, not for what you have. Set priorities within your budget. Don't get lost in the material. Phone a relative. CANCER (June 22 - July 22) - Today is a 7 Service is the secret to your success. The more you give, the more you receive. Emotional balance and communication come easily. LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22) - Today is an 8 Send support to someone on the front lines. Extra work is paying off, so pay it forward. Write down directions, and explain. Let your conscience be your guide.
Senior Staff Photographer Peter Kluch captured some dedicated Aztecs fans showing their support and artwork skills at last night’s winning game against No. 24/23 California.
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PLEASE NOTE: The views expressed in the written works of this issue do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Daily Aztec. Letters to the editor can be sent to letters@thedailyaztec.com. Story ideas can be sent to tips@thedailyaztec.com.
VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) - Today is an 8 You feel reassured, and overcome obstacles with ease. The right words come easily now. You're convincing and charming. Make that pitch. LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) - Today is a 9 Others have more to provide than you know. Open a new partnership opportunity. Together you can solve an old puzzle (and invent new ones). SCORPIO (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21) - Today is an 8 - Your capacity to get things done quickly and efficiently earns you major points. Fire up your financial engines, and use that creativity to bring in cash. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) - Today is an 8 - A match in love is available now. Write a romantic poem or letter, and seal it with a kiss. Money looks better, but avoid spending what you don't have. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19) - Today is a 7 - An investment in your home is okay. Figure out clever ideas to get what you need for the best use of resources. You love the results. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) - Today is a 9 - You can find almost everything on your list today. Money's coming in, and you're having fun. Find incredible bargains today, and save a bundle. PISCES (Feb. 19 - March 20) - Today is a 9 The two of you shine. You're in action, and it's coming up roses. An abundant harvest lets you share generously. Give thanks all around. ©2011, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES INC.
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M O .C C E T Z A Y IL A D E H .T W WW CROSSWORD
RED AND BLACK ARE CRAFT
BY NANCY BLACK, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES
ACROSS 1 Trojan Horse, for example 5 Move a muscle 9 G sharp equivalent 14 iPhone downloads 15 Grab hold of 16 Doctrine 17 Open-handed hit 18 Feels sorry about 19 Intoxicating, as wine 20 Notable 1900s anti-alcohol demonstrator 23 Try 24 Garden hose feature 28 Car dealer’s deal 29 Rotisserie rod 32 “Divine Secrets of the __ Sisterhood” 33 __-mo replay 35 Leeds lavs 37 Hoopster’s target 38 The boondocks 41 ’60s chic 43 Acted like 44 Check out 45 Sandler of “Grown Ups” 47 Civil rights pioneer Parks 49 Novelist Puzo 53 Piglet pal 55 Final part 57 General situation 60 Ancient Mexican 63 Scott of “Charles in Charge” 64 Mosque official 65 Group helping the sheriff
BY RICH NORRIS & JOYCE LEWIS, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES
Solutions available online at www.thedailyaztec.com 66 “Just doing my best” 67 Crumbly cheese 68 Horn sounds 69 Ball-bearing pegs 70 Genesis locale DOWN 1 Mischief-maker 2 Studying into the wee hours, say 3 Ancient Athens rival 4 Trattoria brew 5 Throat problem 6 Razzes 7 Furniture chain founded in Sweden 8 Put one’s feet up
9 Cold outburst? 10 Extreme agitation 11 Grassy expanse 12 Go on to say 13 Gift under a tree, often 21 Marcos who collected shoes 22 Emulate the Gregorians 25 Like the Marx Brothers 26 Corrosive stuff 27 Have a bite 30 Moves with effort 31 Letters of obligation 34 Fish hawk 36 Totally stump 38 Aussie greeting 39 Corp. bigwig
40 It’s not fiction or fantasy 41 Fannie __ 42 Emotional verse 46 Harass 48 Garb 50 Widened, as a hole 51 Present from birth 52 Extra one who’s “out” 54 Oft-timed contests 56 Seagoing attention getters 58 Memorial news item 59 Kismet 60 Suitable 61 Petting place 62 Chinese menu general