Saturday’s Spring Game to showcase Tiger talent, p. 5
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www.lsureveille.com
STUDENT GOVERNMENT
Election rattled by rescinded support
University alumnus to sail in London Paralympics Paul Braun
Contributing Writer
Danielle Kelley Staff Writer
Immediately following his loss in the Student Government presidential election Wednesday, Renew LSU’s Bat Brunner told The Daily Reveille he would support Be Heard’s Taylor Cox and Carrie Hebert. Cox and Hebert ordered new pushcards bearing the Renew LSU endorsement logo, which were then rendered useless when Brunner and his running mate Madeleine Davis revoked their endorsement Thursday. “I considerately decline to comment regarding any type of endorsement out of sincere respect for both tickets, and Bat and I wish them all the very best,” Davis wrote in a text message. Brunner did not return The Daily Reveille’s four phone messages requesting comment. Brunner and Davis previously told The Daily Reveille three times — in person, by phone and via e-mail — that they would ENDORSEMENT, see page 4
Friday, March 30, 2012 • Volume 116, Issue 121
photos courtesy of MARK LEBLANC
Mark LeBlanc, who graduated from the University in 2008, will compete in the 2012 Paralympic Games in London with the U.S. Disabled Sailing Team Alphagraphics.
When the U.S. Disabled Sailing Team AlphaGraphics departs for the 2012 Paralympic Games, a University alumnus will be at the helm. Mark Leblanc, who graduated in engineering in 2008, will compete for the United States at the games in London. Leblanc said he has never viewed his disability as an obstacle. “Technically, I am a congenital amputee below the left elbow,” Leblanc said. “In short, I have one arm. Personally, I do not see it as a disability at all. I have a twin brother, and growing up my parents did not treat us any differently.” Leblanc began sailing at a young age with the Southern Yacht Club out of New Orleans, just as his father and grandfather had done before him. He began competing when he was 11 and participated in national regattas in high school. At the University, Leblanc was an active member of the now-defunct LSU Sailing Club. In 2007, Leblanc’s Olympic aspirations developed in earnest, he said. That summer he chartered a 2.4-meter boat and competed in St. Petersburg, Fla. He finished eighth out of 16 competitors and was invited to train with the U.S. Disabled Sailing Team AlphaGraphics. At approximately eight feet in length, the 2.4-meter boat is small and well-suited for use by disabled athletes, Leblanc said. Because of the level playing field that boat class provides, disabled sailors routinely beat their ablebodied counter parts. “Usually the abled-body boats are much more physical boats,” Leblanc said. “They require you to jump around PARALYMPICS, see page 4
STUDENT LIFE
Painters’ League teaches post-graduation career skills ‘Paint Party’ to be held April 1 Kate Mabry Staff Writer
Many students are still uncertain about their plans after graduation, but one group has banned together to accomplish a common goal: to paint, exhibit their artwork and prepare for the post-graduation world as artists.
The Painters’ League is quickly approaching its sixth year of existence, and Katie Naquin, painting junior and president of the Painters’ League, said the organization is “getting better and better each year.” “We started off more exclusive and have opened up to include everyone,” she said. “We started to take trips and get together to concentrate on what to do after graduation. I find that LSU does a wonderful job at teaching you skills in painting, but they lack in teaching you what to do
after graduation.” Although the organization only has 15 members, Naquin said she’s hoping to recruit more next semester. The Painters’ League meets twice a month to hold painting critiques and workshops. The group met Thursday to discuss how to construct a website, and other workshop topics have included how to make a business card and how to build a portfolio. Naquin said the organization is geared toward painting, but many
members are also interested in other forms of art, including sculpture and photography. Before beginning her first semester as president, Naquin said the former president asked if the organization should be exclusive to painters and art majors, but Naquin, who was previously a psychology major, rejected the idea. “I don’t want to exclude anyone that has a passion for painting,” she said. “For example, one of our members is a biology major, but painting
is very much a part of her life.” Naquin said she didn’t always want to be a professional painter. “When I was little, I had the assumption that painters didn’t make any money,” she said. “When I was punished and sent to my room, I’d paint something and slide it under the door to my mom. She always thought painting would be part of my life.” Naquin said she joined the PAINT, see page 4