The Daily Reveille - February 20, 2013

CONSTRUCTION: A new model of the lower BASEBALL: Tigers get fourth straight Mississippi River and Delta is in the works, p. 3 win with victory against Lamar, p. 5

Reveille The Daily

LAWSUIT

www.lsureveille.com

Wednesday, February 20, 2013 • Volume 117, Issue 90

Art School will refund unauthorized student fees Clayton Crockett News Editor

The School of Art will refund $62,590 of fees illegally collected from its students over the previous three years, according to a news release sent by the lawyer for former faculty member Margaret Herster, who filed suit against the School of Art for the unauthorized fees and for sexual discrimination.

A statement released to The

ALUMNI

Billy Cannon recovering from stroke

Daily Reveille in late January by Stephen Haedicke, Herster ’s lawyer, said the charges of sexual harassment and unauthorized fees filed against School of Art Director Rod Parker on Jan. 22 “amount to stealing money from students.”

An audit report spurred by Herster ’s claims of unauthorized student fees was released Jan. 10 and concluded more than $55,000 in unauthorized course fees was charged to students for the fiscal years of

2011 and 2012 alone. response from the defendants, who Associate Vice Chancellor for have 30 days to respond after being University Relations Herb court papers. InstituRead served Vincent said Tuesday the tional defendants, such as refunds are “a result of the The Daily the University, have been recommendations from the Reveille served, while individual deaudit report.”

Editorial fendants have not yet been According to Vincent, Board’s served. the $62,590 is being doled The email says the out to 620 students affected opinion, p. 9 University will refund by the School of Art’s unauthorized “fees you paid for Art courses you fee collection. took in 2010, 2011 and 2012 that Haedicke said he is awaiting a were assessed outside of the normal

A Rainbow in the Clouds

MORGAN SEARLES /

The Daily Reveille

Maya Angelou performs Tuesday in the Student Union Theater.

Angelou is a writer, poet and African-American activist.

Chandler Rome

Contact Chandler Rome at crome@lsureveille.com; Twitter: @Rome_TDR

Contact Clayton Crockett at news@lsureveille.com; Twitter: @TDR_news

REORGANIZATION

Advisory Team defines mission Alyson Gaharan

Sports Writer

Former LSU football player and 1959 Heisman Trophy winner Billy Cannon is alert and resting after suffering a stroke Tuesday afternoon, his family told LSU. Cannon, LSU’s only Heisman Trophy winner, was rushed to a Baton Rouge hospital from Angola State Penitentiary around 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday. The former All-American and College Football Hall of Famer works as the director of the dental program at the Louisiana State Penitentiary, according to NOLA.com.

In a statement released by LSU Senior Associate Athletic Director Herb Vincent on Tuesday, the school said Cannon would remain in the intensive care unit over night as doctors conduct tests to determine the extent and severity of the stroke.

Cannon’s family thanked friends and fans for their concern.

collection process for tuition and fees,” and it was sent about three weeks after the lawsuit was filed.

Refunds will be posted to the bank account each student has on record with the University or sent via mail to his or her home address.

Staff Writer

people thought the downpour would never cease, so God put a rainbow in the sky to ease their worries, Angelou said. But a 19th century AfricanAmerican lyricist said the rainbow wasn’t simply placed in the sky but in the clouds, she explained.

“We know the suns and moons and stars and all sorts of illuminations are always in the firmament, but clouds can lower and lower so that the viewer cannot see the light,” Angelou said. “But if the light is

The University’s Transition Advisory Team defined a mission and tenets that will guide the system through reorganization in a meeting Tuesday, emphasizing the importance of research in the University’s national ranking and reputation.

The meeting’s agenda highlighted a panel of internal experts who addressed the team about the importance of research and innovative technology to set the University apart from peer institutions.

Interim System President and Chancellor William “Bill” Jenkins said research and a focus on a comprehensive student experience would make LSU stand out.

“We’re at the tipping point of going from a tier one to a tier two,” Jenkins said, according to The Advocate.

However, allocating more resources to research is easier said than done, said Interim Vice Chancellor for Research and Development Thomas Klei.

ANGELOU, see page 11

MISSION, see page 4

Maya Angelou lectures to full house at Student Union Theater Ferris McDaniel Senior Investigative Reporter

An array of different faces of various races gathered in a buzzing LSU Student Union Theater on Tuesday night for an unforgettable evening with Maya Angelou during Black History Month.

A lively bunch of young men and women, including the LSU Gospel Choir; Jonosha Jackson and Eric Couto, winners of the Mic with Maya poetry slam; and a step show by representatives of the National

Pan-Hellenic Council at LSU commenced the event by paying tribute to the civil rights author and activist.

By the final note of the Gospel Choir’s “We Shall Overcome,” the audience was brimming with anticipation to greet Angelou, who last visited the University 20 years ago.

The curtain rose and Angelou sat in a wooden chair, soulfully singing, “When it looked like the sun would not shine anymore, God put a rainbow in the clouds” — a line influenced by Genesis in the Bible.

It rained so unrelentingly that

The Daily Reveille

Nation & World

page 2

INTERNATIONAL Visitors to Austrian museum attend show about nudism in the nude VIENNA (AP) — These museum goers didn’t just leave their coats at the coat check. They handed over their shirts, trousers and underwear.

Everything, in fact, except their shoes and socks.

For many, the tour of “Nude Men from 1800 to Today” — an exhibit of 300 paintings, photographs, drawings and sculptures focused on the bare male — was a goose-bump-raising instance of life imitating art.

China rejects recently established status as world’s biggest trader BEIJING (AP) — China has a new status its government doesn’t want — world’s biggest trader.

Official Chinese and American trade data indicate China passed the United States last year in total imports and exports by a margin of $3.866 trillion to $3.822 trillion.

That is about $44 billion, or just over 1 percent of China’s total.

The Commerce Ministry has taken the unusual step of publicly denying China as the new No. 1. It says China still trailed the U.S. by $15.6 billion last year under World Trade Organization standards for valuing goods.

RONALD ZAK / The Associated Press

Naked museum visitors look at pictures of the show “Nude Men from 1800 to Today” Monday during a special opening to friends of nudism at the Leopold Museum in Vienna, Austria.

French family of seven kidnapped while on vacation in Cameroon YAOUNDE, Cameroon (AP) — A French family of seven — including four children — was kidnapped on Tuesday in northern Cameroon, and officials suggested the involvement of one of Nigeria’s Islamic extremist sects.

Military helicopters are being used to search for the tourists, who were abducted from Cameroon’s Far North Region, a Cameroonian government official told The Associated Press.

Find your next

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

NATIONAL

STATE/LOCAL

Shooting spree across surburban Orange County leaves four dead

Judge rules man who beheaded disabled son incompetent

TUSTIN, Calif. (AP) — A violent rampage that left four dead in suburban Orange County began in the pre-dawn hours Tuesday when a 20-year-old killed a woman in his home and sped away in his parents’ car, authorities said.

An hour later, it was over — but not before Ali Syed had killed two more people during carjackings, shot up vehicles on a busy freeway interchange and left three others injured in a trail of carnage that stretched across 25 miles.

THIBODAUX (AP) — A 31-yearold man accused of beheading his 7-year-old disabled son is incompetent and unable to help his attorneys fight the first-degree murder charge against him, a judge ruled Tuesday.

Judge John E. LeBlanc’s decision came after a six-day hearing that ended Feb. 4. At least a dozen investigators and experts testified that Jeremiah Lee Wright told them that his son, Jori Lirette, was a robot or CPR dummy put into his home as a government experiment to teach him about life.

Multiple injuries reported from gas explosion fire in Kansas City KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Multiple injuries were being reported Tuesday evening after a suspected gas explosion sparked a massive fire that engulfed an entire block at an upscale shopping center in Kansas City.

Police spokeswoman Rhonda Flores said it appeared that a car crashed into a gas main near a restaurant at 6:03 p.m. Flores said injuries were reported but did not know how many or how severe.

She noted an initial call for three ambulances had been increased to 10. She said she had not heard of any reported fatalities.

JAE C. HONG / The Associated Press

Orange County officials remove a body from the scene of a shooting Tuesday.

Woman arrested after making 911 call asking for cigarette delivery GRANBURY, Texas (AP) — A Texas woman wanted to make sheriff’s deputies the butt of a joke, but she picked the wrong audience when she called 911 to have cigarettes delivered to her home.

Hood County sheriff’s Lt. Kathy Jividen says the 48-yearold woman was “very intoxicated” when she requested the special delivery on Feb. 11.

Jividen says the caller instead received a visit from two deputies and was arrested. She was charged with a misdemeanor count of abuse of 911.

Three hospitalized after collision between SUV and freight train ELTON (AP) — Louisiana authorities say three people were hospitalized after a crash involving a train and a sport utility vehicle in Jefferson Davis Parish.

Louisiana State Police said in a news release that 32-year-old Pamela Thomas Thompson, of Elton, was driving the 2000 Ford Expedition Tuesday morning when it went into the path of a Union Pacific freight train. Troopers say Thompson tried to back up but the vehicle was struck on the passenger side and pushed off the track.

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THURSDAY

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An LSU baseball player waits at first base Tuesday evening during the Tigers’ game. Submit your photo of the day to photo@lsureveille.com.

CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS In the Feb. 19 article titled “University studio arts student organizes film festival,” The Daily Reveille incorrectly reported the film festival will occur on Feb. 21. The festival will be Feb. 20 at Cafe Istanbul in New Orleans. We regret the error.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

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The Daily Reveille

B-16 Hodges Hall • Baton Rouge, La. 70803 Andrea Gallo • Editor in Chief Emily Herrington • Managing Editor Bryan Stewart • Managing Editor, External Media Kirsten Romaguera • Managing Editor, Production Clayton Crockett • News Editor Brian Sibille • Entertainment Editor, Deputy News Editor Albert Burford • Sports Editor Alex Cassara • Deputy Sports Editor Carli Thibodeaux • Associate Production Editor Kevin Thibodeaux • Associate Production Editor Chris Grillot • Opinion Editor Taylor Balkom • Photo Editor Alix Landriault • Multimedia Editor Natalie Guccione • Radio Director Fatima Mehr • Advertising Sales Manager Newsroom (225)578-4810 • Advertising (225)578-6090

The Daily Reveille

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

TECHNOLOGY

page 3

Check out today’s online-exclusive content at lsureveille.com: Read about Millsaps students trespassing near Tiger Stadium and other crime briefs.

Read about a speech given at the Business Education Complex on how one must exercise the body and mind simultaneously to “experience something equivalent of a runner’s high.”

rendering courtesy of COASTAL PROTECTION AND RESTORATION AUTHORITY

This rendering shows the interior of the new modeling facility that will be constructed to hold a big scale replica of the Mississippi River from Donaldsonville to the river delta, which will allow researchers and engineers to study the dynamics of the river.

New river modeling facility will allow greater research Gabrielle Braud Contributing Writer

Louisiana’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, together with the University, will construct a new scale model of the lower Mississippi River that will be four times larger in scale and size than the University’s existing model on River Road.

The new model will be a massive, indoor, scale replica of the Mississippi River from Donaldsonville to the river delta, complete with sediment and running water, which will allow researchers and engineers with CPRA and the University to study the river’s dynamics.

The new model will be the largest moving-bed, hydraulic physical model in the country, said Rudy Simoneaux, the CPRA’s project engineer.

“The reason for changing is because the other model has reached the end of its useful life,”

Simoneaux said.

Physical models have a limited shelf life because the running water on them causes leaks and rotting, Simoneaux said.

The Vincent A. Forte River and Coastal Hydraulics Lab on River Road currently houses the 8-year-old small-scale physical model, or SSPM, of the lower Mississippi River.

The new model, which Simoneaux said is currently being referred to as the expanded smallscale physical model, or ESSPM, will be built using a state-of-the-art 3-D router to construct more than 200 5-by-10 foot panels, compared to the current model’s 24 4-by-8 foot panels.

The scale of the new model will extend from Donaldsonville to the Gulf of Mexico, compared to the SSPM, which shows a model of the river extending from near Belle Chasse to the Gulf, Simoneaux said.

Simoneaux said the future of the larger model has many uses, like

determining the best places to put several large diversions in the river, which allow river water to freshen the marshes and sediment to build up the wetlands to prevent erosion.

Clint Willson, associate professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and director of the University’s Vincent A. Forte River and Costal Hydraulics Lab, along with graduate students, conducts research using the current model and helps operate it.

“We would like to locate and design a diversion system that more effectively captures sediment. The Mississippi River is a wonderful natural resource, but currently we are not fully utilizing these resources,” Willson said in an article on the University’s Live Gold website.

Read the full story online at lsureveille.com Contact Gabrielle Braud at gbraud@lsureveille.com

REORGANIZATION

Online focus, tuition raises concern subcommittee students McKenzie Womack Staff Writer

Student members of the Transition Advisory Team’s Student Experience subcommittee are worried about tuition raises and the increased emphasis on online courses.

The Student Experience subcommittee, which met Tuesday, is focusing on the student aspect of the University. It aims to increase graduation rates and career opportunities for LSU System students. It officially consists of 12 members, six of whom are students.

“In my three years as a law student, every year my tuition has gone up,” said James Sudduth, an LSU Law Center student. “I had a choice between Baylor and LSU, and I chose LSU mainly because of

the finances, but ... I’m still going to graduate about $90,000 in debt.”

LSU Student Government President Taylor Cox, who is on the Technology and Operations subcommittee, attended the meeting and said he is worried about upcoming changes.

“We’ve been so blessed to have TOPS,” Cox said. “What we’re putting out is quality, but as TOPS is soon to change, I think that is going to hit us very hard.”

Sudduth said he is concerned about online courses diminishing the value of LSU. “I have not yet seen the evidence to support that employers equate DeVry University and Phoenix with LSU,” Sudduth said. “We can become more technology savvy ... but we can devalue our University because of

online courses.”

Renford Cindass, SG president at LSU Health New Orleans, said the student experience needs to be preserved.

“Our students are nationally competitive,” Cindass said. “I want to be sure that the student experience that we’re currently getting is making us nationally competitive is not adversely affected.”

Carroll Suggs, co-chair of the subcommittee, said student involvement is critical.

“How do we get students involved?” Suggs asked the members of the committee. “It’s very important that we can be trusted.”

Contact McKenzie Womack at mwomack@lsureveille.com

Black History Month Celebration: Blacks in Academia Lecture Series Wednesday February 6th, 20th, and 27th, 2013 LSU Honors College, French House Grand Salon, 12 p.m.

Black History Month Celebration: Sankofa Poetry and Open Mic Night Thursday, February 21st, 2015 Theater Reception Room, 6 p.m.

Want to be a part of your LSU Gumbo Yearbook?

Join Emelie & Shannon to Reserve a sport Feb. 1st at 1100 or March 1st at 1230 in the Atchafalya Room of the Student Union Email organizationalsales@lsureveille.com with questions.

LSU Libraries Film Series Feb. 20 “Glory” 2 p.m. in the Hill Memorial Library Refreshments provided.

Springfest Recruitment Weekend Application are available.

Exec. Board Applications are due Feb. 22nd Team Leader/Team Captain applications are due March 1st Apply at www.surveymonkey.com/ s/2013springfestapplication Campus Housing Contract Renewal (CHCR) -Current apt. residents who renewed on Monday may invite a friend into their apt. 3-5 p.m.

-Current apt. residents can reserve a different room in ECA or WCA and invite one person to join them DO YOU HAVE AN OCCURRENCE? Call Sam at the Student Media Office 578-6090, 9AM- 5PM or E-mail: oncampus@lsureveille.com

The Daily Reveille

page 4

WEBSITE

White House releases info to compare college affordability Fernanda Zamudio-Suarez Staff Writer

Despite other universities claiming The National College Scorecard for American universities is inaccurate, it proves to be accurate for LSU yet “superficial,” according to LSU officials.

The College Scorecard, an online hub from the White House for college students to review costs, graduation rates, loan default rates and the types of employment after graduation for American universities went viral last week. But this information has not been received as positively as intended. The New York Times reported that the numbers on the site are medians, and they are not compared in a side-by-side manner like on other government sites.

Vice Provost and Associate Vice Chancellor for Budget and Planning Robert Kuhn said the site only gives potential students and families a “superficial” look and he is unsure how TOPS relates to the numbers on the site.

“On your fee bill, you receive a reduction for TOPS or the state

general fund giving you money. I don’t know how TOPS relates to any of these scorecards,” Kuhn said. “Loan rates might be lower because of TOPS.” Montclair State University in New Jersey is questioning the site’s calculations. The site states the school’s average net price has increased 34.5 percent from 2007 to 2009, but the university said costs have risen 9.7 percent between 2008 and 2010.

Information on the scorecard for LSU states that 23,977 are enrolled as undergraduates and “the average net price for undergraduate in-state students is $10,629 per year.”

Director of Institutional Research in the Office of Budget and Planning Sandra J. Walker said the University’s numbers are accurate.

“The bottom line is that we provide the numbers, and that is exactly what we reported and that is what is accurate,” Walker said.

Walker said the $10,629 price was from 2010-11, and last year’s records were published and submitted last month.

Bernie Braun, applications consultant in the Office of Budget and Planning, said the graduation rate of 59.9 percent was also accurate.

Kuhn said the site’s numbers show the University’s relatively low costs.

“For a resident student, [LSU costs] 29 percent below average, and for non-residents 15 percent below average,” Kuhn said.

Contact Fernanda Zamudio-Suarez at fsuarez@lsureveille.com

MISSION, from page 1

“We have a lot of competition out there, so we have to make sure that wherever we land, we can recruit the best,” said Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Stuart Bell.

The mission, or proposed vision, of the University focuses on three premises: academics, research and public service.

Developing this mission and vision will help the University become one of the top schools in the country, said SSA Consultant Christel Slaughter.

SSA Consultants is the higher education firm hired to assist the University through the reorganization process. The 10-member transition team will work with SSA Consultants to deliver a reorganization proposal to the Board of Supervisors for approval this summer.

The meeting’s agenda also lent time to a discussion about the University’s membership in the Association of American Universities.

The AAU comprises 62 public and private universities that have made substantial strides in research.

Federal academic research conducted by AAU universities totaled $18.9 billion in 2009, or 58 percent of all federal research funds provided to colleges and universities.

“The more we discuss and develop and vision, the better our understanding of how this will work,” Slaughter said. “We’ve got to position ourselves for becoming a top university.”

Contact Alyson Gaharan at agaharan@lsureveille.com

2-19 ANSWERS

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Sports

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

page 5

Setting the Table

Men’s Basketball

Tigers fall to red-hot Tennessee, 82-72 McRae’s career night downs LSU Marcus Rodrigue Sports Contributor

opening day, I had Laird leading off and Sciambra hitting second, and then we flip-flopped it, and it was really the last decision going into the season,” Mainieri said. “I just felt like it was a better

A career night from Tennessee junior guard Jordan McRae was too much for the LSU men’s basketball team to overcome as it fell to the Volunteers 82-72 on Tuesday night at Thompson-Boling Arena.

McRae made all six of his 3-point shots as he dropped 34 points, nearly two-and-a-half times his season average of 13.8 points per game.

“We just didn’t have an answer for guarding Jordan McRae,” said LSU coach Johnny Jones in a post-game radio interview. “… I thought our guys did give great effort, making him play up over the top of us, as was the plan. But I thought he was really good in terms of midrange game, knocking down threes, and I thought he was a big difference in the ball game tonight.”

Tennessee (15-10, 7-7 Southeastern Conference) came into Tuesday night’s matchup riding the momentum of a three-game winning streak, its most recent

Leadoff Hitters, see page 7

Road Loss, see page 7

photos by ANGELA MAJOR / The Daily Reveille

[Left] LSU freshman center fielder Mark Laird (9) takes a swing at the ball Tuesday during the Tigers’ 8-1 victory against Lamar. [Right] LSU sophomore left fielder Chris Sciambra (5) prepares to hit the ball Tuesday. Laird and Sciambra lead off the Tiger’s batting order with Sciambra in the first spot and Laird in the No. 2 hole.

Laird, Sciambra proving to be effective at the top of the order Lawrence Barreca Sports Writer

Every baseball lineup has a formula.

When placing batters in the order, a head coach must take into account each of his player’s

individual abilities and apply them to where he’d fit best on the lineup card.

For LSU coach Paul Mainieri, one of the most difficult pieces to decipher was the top of the batting order, also known as the “table-setters.” Two key spots in the lineup,

the leadoff man and the No. 2 hole, were left open for both sophomore center fielder Chris Sciambra and freshman right fielder Mark Laird to claim.

It wasn’t an easy decision for Mainieri.

“About two weeks before

Baseball

LSU scores six runs in eighth inning to top Lamar, 8-1 Tigers capitalize on four wild pitches Catherine Threlkeld Sports Contributor

Things got wild in Alex Box Stadium on Tuesday night.

The Lamar bullpen imploded in the eighth inning with four wild pitches and the Tigers (4-0) cashed in on the mistakes, scoring six runs and giving LSU an 8-1 win.

Wild pitches by Lamar (4-1) pitchers Travis Moore and J.T. Autrey set the tone for a hectic inning that allowed six LSU runs on two hits. Autrey started the inning by walking senior designated hitter Raph Rhymes to first, and senior infielder Mason Katz

followed with a hard line drive to third. Junior infielder JaCoby Jones walked, and the inning spiraled.

“It fell apart for them there because their pitchers just didn’t handle the environment well for them there in the eighth inning,” said LSU coach Paul Mainieri.

As soon as Moore stepped on the mound for Lamar, he threw a wild pitch, allowing freshman outfielder Andrew Stevenson to score.

All together, Lamar pitchers Will Hibbs, Moore and Autrey allowed six walks, six runs, and threw four wild pitches in the eighth inning. Besides Stevenson, sophomore outfielder Chris Sciambra, Katz, Jones, freshman catcher Chris Chinea and junior infielder Christian Ibarra all scored in the eighth.

“In that situation, you can’t try to produce, you have to let them do it for you,” Katz said.

“We literally went out there and did nothing.”

After a weekend of “swinging at really bad pitches,” Katz improved his batting average of .100 to .200, batting one runner in, earning two hits and scoring once.

“Opening night I guess I was jittery,” Katz said. “[Tonight] I was being more selective, taking good pitches and not being afraid to hit with two strikes.”

On the mound, sophomore left-handed pitcher Cody Glenn kept Lamar at bay with three strikeouts, allowing three hits, one run and walking two batters. Before the game, Mainieri Decisive Win, see page 7

ANGELA MAJOR / The Daily Reveille

LSU senior first baseman Mason Katz catches the ball for an out Tuesday during the Tigers’ 8-1 victory against the Lamar Cardinals.

page 6

MEN’S GOLF

WOMEN’S TENNIS

The Daily Reveille

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Trio of LSU travels to Rice with SEC play looming Tigers hope to Tigers keep momentum finish tied for fifth Cole Travis

Sports Contributor

James Moran Sports Contributor

The No. 12 LSU men’s golf team rode a hot final round to a second place finish Tuesday at the season-opening Mobile Bay Intercollegiate.

The Tigers shot a 5-under 283 in the final round to finish the tournament at 1-over 865, four shots behind No. 22 Auburn.

“It is a good place to start the semester,” said LSU coach Chuck Winstead. “We got off to a slow start on the first nine holes, but played very solid golf after that.”

A trio of Tigers finished the tournament tied for fifth. Juniors Andrew Presley and Smylie Kaufman and sophomore Stewart Jolly all finished the tournament at 1-over 217.

Presley birdied his last three holes to finish the final round with a 4-under 68, good for a tie for the lowest round of the tournament.

Kaufman also used a strong ending to secure a top five finish. Kaufman struggled to 5-over through 10 holes but birdied four of his next six holes to finish the day and the tournament at 1-over.

Jolly had two birdies in his final round but double-bogeyed No. 16 to finish the round at even par. He shot 2-over in the first round and 1-under in the second round.

Sophomore Myles Lewis had rounds of 2-over, 1-over and 2-over to finish 5-over for the tournament, good for a tie for No. 22 overall.

Sophomore Curtis Thompson bounced back from shooting 12-over in the first round to shoot even par in round two and then 2-under in the final round; each round contributed to the Tigers’ team score.

Auburn junior Niclas Carlsson won the tournament at 4-under, shooting two rounds of 1-under and one round of 2-under to win by two shots.

Contact James Moran at jmoran@lsureveille.com

With Southeastern Conference play a little more than a week away, the LSU women’s tennis team will look to continue the intense style of play it showed in a 6-1 win against McNeese State when it faces off with Rice at 1 p.m. on Wednesday in Houston.

The win against McNeese was almost a complete sweep, with the Lady Tigers winning all three doubles matches and all but one of the single matches in straight sets. LSU coach Julia Sell called it the most complete performance so far this season.

“It was the first time we were able to maintain our focus and intensity for an entire match and really shut down our opponent,” Sell said. “As an athlete, you draw a lot of confidence from [such a performance], and we are going to take that into our match versus Rice.”

Rice (3-2) is a program that has been steadily improving under the leadership of coach Elizabeth Schmidt, who was named 2012 Conference USA Coach of the Year. Schmidt guided the Owls to two wins in the NCAA Tournament and a Sweet 16 berth for the first time ever.

Schmidt was not the only one to bring home some hardware following last season. Sophomore Natalie Beazant won numerous

MORGAN SEARLES / The Daily Reveille

LSU junior Ariel Morton hits a volley Saturday in the Lady Tigers’ match against McNeese State University.

awards during her freshman campaign, including both C-USA Freshman and Player of the Year.

“They are a solid team with no huge weakness,” Sell said. “[The Lady Tigers] are going to have to work for every point and execute with confidence if we are

going to win this match.”

With only three matches remaining on the non-conference slate, Sell wants the Lady Tigers to focus on being accountable in order to reach the goals they set for themselves.

“We are a team that is

transforming daily, and if we continue to trust in the process we are going to have success,” Sell said.

Contact Cole Travis at ctravis@lsureveille.com

Read what’s going on in sports at lsureveille.com

Swimming and diving competes at SEC Championships

FIFA introduces goal line technology for 2014 World Cup

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The Daily Reveille

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

page 7

ROAD LOSS, from page 5

victory coming in the form of an 88-58 obliteration of then-No. 25 Kentucky on Saturday.

LSU (15-9, 6-7 SEC) brought in a little streak of its own, winning six of its last eight contests behind great shooting efforts. But the Volunteers outshot the Tigers, shooting 59 percent and making four of their six 3-point attempts in the first half en route to a 40-30 lead at the break.

McRae and fellow junior guard Trae Golden both exceeded their season scoring averages by halftime with 14 points apiece.

The Tigers and Volunteers opened the second half by trading 3-point blows for about five minutes, and Jones turned to his vaunted full-court pressure as his squad continued to flirt with an 11-point deficit. But Tennessee consistently broke the LSU press, and its offensive efficiency kept the Tigers at bay.

Sophomore forward Johnny O’Bryant III paced the Tigers with 24 points and eight rebounds, but he fouled out while jostling for a rebound with 3:21 left in the game. O’Bryant spent most of the night battling with Tennessee sophomore forward Jarnell Stokes, whose 13 points and 11 rebounds gave him his 11th double-double of the season, tied with O’Bryant for most in the SEC. LSU cut the Volunteer lead to six a few times, but the Tigers were never able to get over the hump.

“We did a great job early on,” Jones said. “We turned them over, sped them up a little bit. But again, they settled in on the back side of [the press], and they got good looks, got some set shots,

ANGELA MAJOR / The Daily Reveille

LSU senior designated hitter Raph Rhymes (right) high fives junior second baseman JaCoby Jones (left) on Tuesday during the Tigers’ 8-1 victory against Lamar.

DECISIVE WIN, from page 5

SAUL YOUNG / The Knoxville News Sentinel

Tennessee’s Jarnell Stokes (5) drives to the basket as LSU’s Johnny O’Bryant III (2) defends him Tuesday during the Tigers’ 82-72 loss to the Volunteers.

and knocked down some threes.”

The Tigers’ Tuesday night tilt with Tennessee marked their third game in six days, and they will get an extended rest before hosting Alabama at 12:30 p.m.

trusts me to set the table for the guys in the middle of the order,” combination for our team, and I Sciambra said. “I’ve got to do didn’t want to make Laird take a lot anything that I can to get on base, of pitches with him being new to whether it’s walking or getting a hit college baseball.” here and there.”

The judgment Laird had a worked in the Ti- ‘[Sciambra] doesn’t have more difficult time gers’ favor during great running speed, adjusting to Marythe team’s openland’s pitching, ing series against but outside of that he’s picking up only Maryland. the consummate leadoff two hits over the Sciambra three-game series. thrived in the lead- hitter. He’s not afraid to Laird’s speed has off spot against the go deep into counts and been well-docuTerrapins, batting mented, and his .625 with a .750 make the pitcher throw multiple attempts on-base percentto lay down bunts a lot of pitches.’ age. showed the fresh“I think [getman has the tools Paul Mainieri ting the leadoff to be a No. 2 bat.

LSU baseball coach man on often] it’s “Really, we huge,” Mainieri didn’t even see said. “I knew he hit leadoff in high what Mark Laird can do offenschool at Catholic High, but he’s a sively,” Mainieri said. “You watch much different player now. Now and see this kid as the season goes he draws, walks and he uses the whole field. He doesn’t have great running speed, but outside of that, he’s the consummate leadoff hitter. He’s not afraid to go deep into counts and make the pitcher throw a lot of pitches.”

Sciambra knows his role in the Tigers’ batting order, and his plate approach during the Maryland series proved he has a keen understanding of the leadoff position.

“It’s an honor to be the leadoff man and know that [Mainieri]

LEADOFF HITTERS, from page 5

Saturday in the PMAC.

Contact Marcus Rodrigue at mrodrigue@lsureveille.com on, and you’ll see he’s going to be a special player.”

Laird isn’t intimidated by being placed in the second position as a freshman.

“I didn’t really think about [being placed No. 2 in the lineup],” Laird said. “I just try to play like I always play. I try to find a ball in the zone I can drive and get a base hit.”

The young left-handed batter also understands the importance of having a leadoff man with Sciambra’s capabilities.

“It’s always great to have somebody who can get on base and help the team out in almost every at-bat,” Laird said. “It gives us an opportunity to move him over and score. It’s pretty great.”

Contact Lawrence Barreca at lbarreca@lsureveille.com; Twitter: @LawrenceBarreca

said he wanted five innings from Glenn, and that was what he got.

“I was ready to go six [innings], but coach was ready to go to the bullpen, which I respect,” Glenn said. “But next time I’ll be ready to go six.”

After a shaky first inning where he gave up a run, Glenn said he felt a sense of urgency to prove to his teammates and coaches that he could get the job done. He said crucial infield plays by Jones helped, and Jones’ solo home run in the second inning knotted the score at 1-1 and

helped settle Glenn’s nerves on the mound.

“I wasn’t trying to hit [a home run] tonight because I knew the wind was blowing pretty hard,” Jones said. “It cut the wind and got out for me.”

The Tigers return to action at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, when they take on Brigham Young at Alex Box Stadium.

Contact Catherine Threlkeld at cthrelkeld@lsureveille.com

The Daily Reveille

Opinion

page 8

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Obama administration should stop funding child slavery BLUE-EYED DEVIL Nicholas Pierce Columnist Kids are great at a lot of things, like being naive, innocent and murdering entire villages full of people.

It has been a while since we’ve talked about Joseph Kony and his child army and understandably so.

After Jason Russell, Kony 2012 Director and Co-founder of Invisible Children Inc., was caught running around naked, masturbating on a sidewalk in San Diego, the movement lost a little credibility.

But that hasn’t stopped Uncle Sam from getting involved.

After the YouTube film detailing Kony’s brutal kidnap and conscription of Ugandan children into his evil cult/army went viral, the U.S. decided to intervene — despite the fact that, at least according to the Ugandans, Kony has probably been dead for a while now.

In October 2011, President Barack Obama deployed a contingent of 100 U.S. military advisers to assist the Ugandan Army in its posthumous hunt for the long defunct madman.

But that’s not all he did.

Using his keen mind for military tactics, Obama knew the only way to fight fire was with fire — or rather to fight a bunch of starving brainwashed kids with another bunch of starving brainwashed kids.

So the president promptly

web comments The Daily Reveille wants to hear your reactions to our content. Go to lsureveille.com, our Facebook page and our Twitter account to let us know what you think. Check out what other readers had to say in our comments section: In response to Chris Grillot’s column, “What Dorner can teach America about gun control,” readers had this to say: “Chris, Having served in the Army, I agree that most military

photo courtesy of The Associated Press

Members of Uganda’s Lord’s Resistance Army are seen July 31, 2006 as their leader Joseph Kony meets with a delegation of Ugandan officials, lawmakers and representatives from non-governmental organizations, in the Democratic Republic of Congo near the Sudanese border. The LRA Crisis Tracker group, which tracks the Joseph Kony-led LRA, said in a report released Feb. 7 that the LRA killed 51 civilians across Central Africa in 2012, a huge drop in the number killed from two years previous.

granted immunity to the Congolese National Army, among others, and continued to fund them despite the fact they were employing the exact same tactics Kony used.

To do this, Obama waived a section of the Child Soldiers Prevention Act of 2008 that forbade the U.S. from sending military aid to any country that enslaved children under the age of 18 to fight on the battlefield.

When asked by child-advocacy groups why the United

States simply didn’t withdraw funding for those specific elements of our allied governments that enslave children, the White House responded saying “the approach had been weighed but rejected as unwieldy.”

Let me be as clear as possible: The President of the United States, Barack Obama, a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, personally directed the U.S. government to continue giving money to organizations that forced children to fight and die.

An example is South Sudan, where soldiers forced the children of refugees fleeing from Darfur into army units.

Or in Chad — where the Chadian Army refused to discharge their thousands of combatants under the age of 15 because, according to the Washington Post, “[they] fight against al-Qaida militants.”

Apparently Obama’s child army has worked so well, he waived the immunity again in 2012, and will presumably do so

personnel rarely use anything other than the semi-auto function.

When the M16A1 was switched out with the M16A2, it had lost its full auto and had a 3-round burst. This was to conserve ammunition. The problem with the “assault weapons” ban is that it’s more like a semi-automatic weapons ban. I say this because a semi-auto hunting rifle functions exactly like an AR15. One trigger pull, one bullet headed down range.

People who fear guns and those that own them will never be happy with any gun in private hands. Look at California, Dianne Feinstein’s home state.

They even want to ban over/

under rifle-shotgun combinations and those weapons are generally single shot.

As for the “gun show” loophole, there isn’t one.

That would imply that a person could go to a gun dealer at the show and buy a weapon without a background check. That is incorrect. All Federally licensed firearm dealers are required by law to conduct background check before a sale regardless of where they are conducting business.

Only private citizens do not have to perform background checks to sell or give away a weapon. One last thing, I do believe that there are plenty of people on the left who would like to remove

everyone’s guns. Don’t think it can happen. Look at New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

The police enthusiastically violated people’s 2nd, 4th, and 5th Amendment rights.”

- RLAndrews

expecting something special.”

- Kevin Kinchen

In response to Parker Cramer’s column “North Korean satellite images: nothing special,” readers had this to say:

“Nice appetite suppressant.

Thank you.”

- Andy Badeaux

The Daily Reveille Editorial Board

Andrea Gallo Emily Herrington Bryan Stewart Kirsten Romaguera Clayton Crockett Chris Grillot

again later this year.

In fact, the president has been waiving or ignoring this provision every year since he took office.

Why? National security, of course. How funding “allied” armies that conscript and employ children to do their dirty work benefits the security of the nation absolutely eludes me.

I understand the material side of the equation — what better way to end child soldiering than to fund an army of children?

Children are compact and quick, they don’t require much food, and they’re much easier to trick into running through mine fields.

I just thought humans, as a species, had decided that sort of thing was incredibly immoral.

Whatever “national security” advantages we get from fielding our own Childrens Crusade are probably washed out by the rest of the world assuming we’re just as evil and hypocritical as the terrorists, like Kony, we claim to oppose.

Obama should either quit giving these maniacs money or he should have to give back that Nobel Peace Prize.

Preferably both.

Editor in Chief Managing Editor Managing Editor, External Media Managing Editor, Production News Editor Opinion Editor

“‘Twhe communist dictatorship?’ Propaganda, much?”

- Rebekah Danielle “What a coincidence. When I checked out Schmidt’s IQ I was

Editorial Policies & Procedures

The Daily Reveille (USPS 145-800) is written, edited and produced solely by students of Louisiana State University.

The Daily Reveille is an independent entity within the Manship School of Mass Communication. Signed opinions are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the editor, paper or University. Letters submitted for publication should be sent via e-mail to opinion@lsureveille.com or delivered to B-26 Hodges Hall. They must be 400 words or less. Letters must have a contact phone number so the opinion editor can verify the author. The phone number won’t be printed. The Daily Reveille reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for space consideration without changing the original intent. The Daily Reveille also reserves the right to reject any letter without notification of the author. Writers must include their full names and phone numbers. The Daily Reveille’s editor-in-chief, hired every semester by the Louisiana State University Media Board, has final authority on all editorial decisions.

Nicholas Pierce is a 23-year-old history senior from Baton Rouge.

Contact Nicholas Pierce at npierce@lsureveille.com; Twitter: @tdr_nabdulpierc

In response to the article, “John Woodard, Taylor Parks hope to UNITE LSU,” readers had this to say:

Contact The Daily Reveille’s opinion staff at opinion@lsureveille.com; Twitter: @TDR_opinion

Quote of the Day “After my first semester in law school, I’m seriously considering suing Santa for breaking and entering.”

Unknown author

The Daily Reveille

Opinion

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

our view

page 9

LSU made the right call by refunding students The Daily Reveille Editorial Board After the amount of deception our art students have allegedly endured by paying unlawfully collected fees, we’re glad to see the University has taken a step to right itself and bring justice to students.

News leaked Tuesday that students received emails informing them that they would be reimbursed for the extra fees collected in 2010, 2011 and 2012, which were spent on iPads, Apple computers and other items for certain faculty members, according to an audit released by the LSU System.

It’s only right that the University should return the money that students unfairly paid, along with point out that this money was “assessed outside of the normal collection process for tuition and fees.”

But the University should go one step further — art students deserve an official apology. A sincere “I’m sorry” would go a long way to repair trust. A slip-up like this isn’t easily forgotten and

THE DAILY REVEILLE ARCHIVES

University students work in the Design Building. They have been charged thousands of dollars in extra fees over the past few years, but the University recently revealed that they will be refunded.

brushed under the table.

Our art students

bring

creativity and beauty to our University. They design and

construct projects that add to the University’s aesthetic appeal and

their programs bring us national recognition. On top of that, they’ve been shelling out double doses of money between expensive art supplies and unapproved fees.

They deserve to be recognized for their contributions to campus and to society. An official apology would show them that they’re valued in the eyes of their leaders.

We’re interested to see what happens in the upcoming lawsuit between the University and the whistleblower Margaret Herster, and we thank her for being courageous enough to stand up for students. Without Herster, students may not have had their money refunded.

We hope more information continues to come out about the situation and that the University will take steps to ensure something like this doesn’t ever happen again. Students deserve better.

Contact The Daily Reveille Editorial Board at editor@lsureveille.com

Dorner’s allegation shouldn’t be so easily dismissed MANUFACTURING DISCONTENT David Scheuermann Columnist Cops hold a revered position in our society.

Like the military, police officers are often regarded as heroes for simply wearing the uniform and doing their jobs.

There’s a reason for that.

In the eyes of most civilians, cops risk their lives to protect us from crimes and criminals, putting themselves between us and danger.

However, unquestioned reverence to authority figures in a free society is never a good idea, and it is this reverence that makes it so easy to dismiss Christopher Dorner, the former Los Angeles Police Department officer who killed four during his vengeance-fueled rampage against the LAPD. Now, I believe I have to make a few statements before I go on.

No, I do not and did not support or condone Dorner’s actions.

Going to “war” with the LAPD as though you’re some righteous, Rambo-style crusader is never the right decision, no matter how noble your intentions. Brutally murdering innocent people is an act that simply cannot be forgiven.

Yet, no matter how I feel about Dorner’s actions, I cannot simply dismiss his case against the LAPD because of them.

CHRIS CARLSON / The Associated Press

Law enforcement officers look over the scene of an officer involved shooting in Torrance, Calif. on Feb. 7. The shooting is believed to be related to the manhunt for fired Los Angeles police officer, Christopher Dorner.

Dorner released a manifesto Feb. 4, detailing the corruption and racism that he alleged was rampant throughout the department.

“The department has not changed since the Rampart and Rodney King days,” Dorner wrote in his manifesto. “It has gotten worse.”

Most of Dorner’s issues with the LAPD seem to stem from an incident in 2007 when he reported a fellow officer for allegedly kicking a mentally ill suspect in

the face. Dorner wrote that this incident crossed the “Blue Line,” an alleged, unwritten code to not report fellow officers, and he blamed it for his eventual dismissal from the department.

It’s easy to call someone a “cop-killer” and immediately dismiss anything and everything he or she has to say, associating this person with the vilest of the vile.

However, I think there is a reason that many people, especially in minority communities,

empathized with Dorner. Despite the noble caricature many Americans hold of the police, law enforcement officers often abuse their authority and their power, and sometimes, people end up on the wrong end of that abuse.

Have we so quickly forgotten the incident on Danzinger Bridge, when the New Orleans Police Department tried to cover up a shooting that occurred six days after Hurricane Katrina? What about the Rodney King incident?

Myriad reports of police corruption are released each year, so why are Dorner’s allegations being so easily ignored?

Already, two other former LAPD officers have come out affirming Dorner’s critiques of corruption and racism run rampant.

Brian Bentley, 49, detailed how he was treated after writing a book on misconduct in the department. Joe Jones, 48, released his own manifesto detailing his own problems with the LAPD while attempting to reach out to Dorner and stop him.

Even the LAPD’s response to the Dorner threat is enough to call their organization into question.

Shooting at random civilians driving in trucks (which weren’t even the same make or color of Dorner’s) is not what I’d want out of a police force.

Corruption in police departments is nothing new, so dismissing the allegations brought up by Dorner simply because of his actions amounts to nothing more than an emotional reaction that’ll do nothing to help anyone.

If Dorner had legitimate criticisms and we ignore them because of his actions, corruption will continue to breed in the LAPD and other departments.

And it might be just a matter of time before someone is once again driven to the edge.

Contact David Scheuermann at dscheuermann@lsureveille.com; Twitter: @TDR_dscheu

The Daily Reveille

page 10

COOKS BUSSERS AND HOSTESS at Ruth’s Chris Steak House Baton Rouge Come fill out an application between 2pm-4pm Monday- Friday 4836 Constituion Ave. 225.925.016 PART TIME RETAIL SALES Seeking Worker that is willing to help customers, pleasant, reliable and willing to work. Early afternoons from 2-6 and weekends. Must work holidays, school breaks and weekends thru 1/2014 or longer. Must be able to bend, stoop and stand entire shift and lift 30lbs. No late nights. Send resume or work history along with school schedule and phone number to purpleandgoldsports@gmail.com.

Airline Hwy near Goodwood Blvd.

Local residents a plus.

SUMMER DAY CAMP Directors, Assistant Directors and Leaders Experience with groups of children required. Apply ASAP online at kidcamcamps.com PART TIME WORK Customer sales/service-featured in Wall Street Journal. Great starting pay, flexible schedules, scholarships available. No experience required, will train. Conditions apply, Call today! 225-803-8982 Workforstudents.com $BARTENDING$ $300/Day Potential NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. Training Available AGE 18+ OK 1-800-965-6520 ext127 LIFEGUARDS/POOL STAFF SELA Aquatics is hiring lifeguards, swim coaches, instructors, managers for several BR and NOLA country clubs. Apply at www. selaaquatics.com EARN $1000-$3200 A month to drive our brand new cars with ads. www. FreeCarPay.com ELEMENTARY TEACHER NEEDED Private school looking for elementary english substitute

teacher. Send resumes to brisla@ yahoo.com.

Children. Great Pay. Send resume to: jennie@exerfitbr.com

SEEKING FEMALE HELP with Exp. or Maj. in Spec. Ed to care for our 40 yr. old daughter. Help needed Sat. / Sun. & during the week.

Hrs. are flexible. Call Johnny @ 225-939-0456

NEW SMOOTHIE KING IN GONZALES Opening in March 2013 Now Hiring Team Members, Shift Leaders, Assistant Managers, and Manager. Part/Full time positions w/ flexible shifts around school schedule. GONZALES LOCATIONS ONLY. Email resume’ to denee@skmanagers.com.

FURNITURE SALES REPRESENTATIVE Now hiring part-time sales representatives at American Factory Direct Furniture. Hourly pay commission. Retail hours including nights and weekends but willing to work with schedule. Training provided, experience not required. Must be customer and detail oriented. Apply in person or email resume: 9330 Mall of Louisiana Blvd, HumanResources@afd-furniture.com WANTED: SWIM INSTRUCTORS: Crawfish Aquatics; Louisiana’s Total Swim Program, Part Time Afternoons-April. Full TimeSummer. If you are highly motivated, great character, hard working, we can teach the rest. Send resume to:swimminglessons@crawfishaquatics.com WANTED: CAMP COUNSELORS: Exerfit Family Fitness (Crawfish Aquatics Sister Program)- Summer 2013, Full Time or Part Time Employment. Must Have: High Energy, Great Work Ethic, Loves

CAFE AMERICAIN Now Hiring Servers Part/ Full Time

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

VET ASSISTANT NEEDED Weekend and night positions avaliable. Exp. helpful but not a must.

We can train the right person. Apply in person.

M-F/ 9a-4p.

1514 Cottendale. B. R.,70815 225.927.9940 FT/PT LANDSCAPE WORKERS needed. Must have transportation, be dependable & hardworking.

225.252.2009

Will work around school schedule

STUDENT WORKER Part time office help needed for private school.

Email resume to brisla@yahoo. com.

THE CHIMES RESTAURANT at the north gates of LSU is now hiring hostesses, bussers and experienced waitstaff. Apply in person, weekdays between 2-4 PM. 225.383.1754

(225)505-0663 // 225.767.5594 WALK TO CLASS! LIVE BY CAMPUS! 3 bedroom 2 bath condo for rent at Tiger Manor! $1550/ month Individual owner!

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Apply after 2:pm at 7521 Jefferson Hwy FULL TIME & PART TIME POSITION Sporting Goods Store Hunting Knowledge a Plus!

Great opportunity for advancement! officemgr@spillwaysportsman.com

studious responsible person $600/mo.

BRIGHTSIDE APARTMENT Male roommate needed Furnished and quiet Campus Crossings $535/m . 845.418.1841 LSU AREA 1 BR, 2BR FLAT and Townhouse. Woodfloor, crown molding, pool, security gate. Water & sewer pd. Move in Special 225.615.8521 SPACIOUS 1BRM 1BLOCK TO LSU W. Parker St.- w/d, patio. for

BLACK IPHONE 3G IN BLACK CASE Found 2/16 evening in the Union next to the computers by the student government office and Einstein’s. Belongs to someone named TYLER. Email me: adalto1@ tigers.lsu.edu

NEED A ROOM? Use The Daily Reveille Classifieds to buy, rent, sell, rant, find a job, or the love of your life. www.lsureveille.com

Wednesday, February 20, 2013 ANGELOU, from page 1

put right into the clouds, that means in the worst of times, in the meanest and most threatening of times, there’s a possibility of seeing hope.”

The University is a rainbow in the clouds because it is an opportunity for some students to be the first in their family to attend such an institution, she said.

“We have had rainbows in our clouds, and so I wanted to come here,” Angelou said. “I wanted to be here. I wanted to see you. I wanted to hear you. I wanted to remind you of who you really are and that you’ve already been paid for.”

Some people today still find it difficult to see the African-American

race as a marvel, Angelou said. Poetry is important in understanding the culture, and she encouraged young people to visit libraries to familiarize themselves with African-American poetry.

“You need Nikki Giovanni. You need her. You need Mari Evans. You need them. You need the poetry of the 19th century and the 20th century, and even now in the 21st. Don’t you know Jay-Z? Don’t you know that is poetry?” she asked. “Don’t you know that some of the hip-hops are poetry? You take some of those lyrics and talk about what it’s like to be black in these yet-to-be United States.”

She recited many of her favorite poems and various lines

The Daily Reveille from old folk songs to remind students that they’ve “already been paid for.”

“The woman I love is fat,” she sang, “And chocolate to the bone.

And every time she shakes, some skinny woman loses her home.”

A sea of laughter erupted from the crowd while Angelou chuckled herself. It’s crucial to have something to laugh at in spite of everything around you, she said.

“The truth is you have to laugh at yourself first,” she insisted.

“You’re the funniest person you’ve ever met. I never trust people who don’t laugh.”

Young men and women are the best defense the country has in fighting racial oppression, Angelou said.

page 11 Young people aren’t told enough that they are important and loved, she added.

She recalled the time when she reminded rapper Tupac Shakur of his worth.

Upon traveling to California to recite a poem for Janet Jackson during the filming of John Singleton’s “Poetic Justice,” she saw two men yelling at each other on the set, nearing a boiling point.

She grabbed one of the men and took him aside.

“I said, young man, excuse me.

When is the last time anyone has told you how important you are? Do you know that our people stood on slave ship docks so that you could survive? Did you know that they laid

in the filth of each other’s excrement so that you could survive? Do you know how much we need you?”

He began to cry, and she wiped his tears with her hands until he was calm.

Angelou later learned the man was the legendary rap artist. Shakur’s mother sent Angelou a letter thanking her for possibly saving her son’s life that day.

She then turned to the men and women in the crowd — potential poets, scientists, curers of cancer. Why not you, she asked, pointing to the audience.

Contact Ferris McDaniel at fmcdaniel@lsureveille.com

page 12

The Daily Reveille

Wednesday, February 20, 2013