May 3, 2013
An advertising special edition of The Daily Texan
southern traditions food for thought
summer playlists
ear candy from local artists
a barbecue editor?
texas monthly’s new hire
LONGHORN LIFE
Page 2
Friday, May 3, 2013
LONGHORN
Editor’s Note You did it, Longhorns! Breathe a sigh of relief and pat yourself on the back: you survived the school year! While finals are keeping most of us from truly celebrating summer, take a welldeserved study break this weekend — because who really studies during dead days anyway, right? This edition is a celebration of summer and the beloved southern traditions that go along with it (page 21), and is jampacked with ways to en-
joy the best of Austin in the summertime. Stop by one of the local shops serving up cold treats (page 5) or chow down on the best barbecue in town, with suggestions by Texas Monthly’s new barbecue editor (page 5). Discover a new spot around town on page 8 or a hidden swimming hole at the greenbelt (page 14). And don’t forget to prepare your soundtrack with some of these local musicians’ favorite summer tunes (page 13).
FIND US ONLINE!
STAFF
For some Longhorns, the end of a semester marks the end of their time at UT. A special congratulations to the graduating Class of 2013, we at Longhorn Life wish you the best of luck! Three of our staff writers are graduating and have written their senior send-offs to the Forty Acres. Check out Channing Holman’s letter to her freshman self on page 20, Jackie Ruth’s fondest college memories on page 19 and Bianca Moragne’s per-
longhornlifeonline.com
sonal reflection on page 18. And whether you’re a graduate or a guest at the ceremony, check out Katie Dickerson’s tips for looking your best on page 9. As we say farewell to another spring semester and another graduating class, we also say farewell until the fall. Thanks for sticking with us all semester; we couldn’t do Longhorn Life without our readers: you guys! As I get ready for my time abroad next semes-
facebook.com/txlonghornlife
ter, I am so grateful for the amazing opportunity I had to be the editor of Longhorn Life. I’ve seen this publication grow since I started writing for LL as a freshman, and I’m sad to be taking a break from it next semester, but I have no doubt that the new editor will do some awesome work! H.A.G.S.
Alex Vickery
Special editions editor
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contents pg
These are the moments you’ll want to remember. Let us help.
order your Cactus yearbook today at www.CactusYearbook.com
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05 pg 08 pg 09 pg 13 pg 14 pg 18 pg 24
Special Editions Editor Alex Vickery Web Editor/Associate Editor Ali Killian Designers Jacqui Bontke, Sara Gonzalez, Felimon Hernandez, Daniel Hublein Writers Shantanu Banerjee, Kaci Borowski, Priyanka Deshpande, Katie Dickerson, Channing Holman, Sneha Joshi, Mira Milla, Bianca Moragne, Katey Psencik, Jackie Ruth Photographers Leanne Chia, Chelsea Jackson, Mika Locklear, Sneha Joshi, Alejandro Silveyra, Trisha Seelig, Monica Zhang Cover Design Sara Gonzalez
Good eats
Texas Monthly’s newest hire
Explore
Making the most of a summer in Austin
Style notes Fashion advice for grads and guests
Feature Local musicians give you their summer playlists
Feature The greenbelt continues to become a brown one
Senior letters Longhorn Life graduates sound off on the college years
Our Campus Celebrating the faculty and staff at UT
TSM ADVERTISING & CREATIVE SERVICES Director Jalah Goette Advertising Adviser CJ Salgado Campus & National Sales Rep Joan Bowerman Broadcast & Events Manager Carter Goss Student Manager Trevor Nelson Student Assistant Manager Zach Congdon Student Account Executives Fredis Benitez, Christian Dufner, Jake Dworkis, Rohan Needel, Paola Reyes, Ted Sniderman, Emil Zawatski Student Lead Generator Jennifer Howton Student Classifieds Clerk Nick Cremona Student Digital Assistant Stephanie Vajda Event Coordinator Lindsey Hollingsworth Special Editions & Production Coordinator Abby Johnston Senior Graphic Designer Felimon Hernandez Graphic Designer Daniel Hublein Student Graphic Designers Jacqui Bontke, Sara Gonzalez Longhorn Life is an advertising special edition of The Daily Texan produced by students in Texas Student Media’s special editions office. Reach us at specialeditions@texasstudentmedia.com. Copyright 2011 Texas Student Media. All articles, photographs and graphics are the property of Texas Student Media and may not be reproduced or republished in part or in whole without written permission. CONTACT TSM: We are located in the Hearst Student Media building (HSM). For advertising, call 512-471-1865.
Friday, May 3, 2013
Page 3
LONGHORN LIFE
Spotlight LOVE THAT STYLE!
Showcasing students around campus by Mira Milla photos by Monica Zhang
Sam Robles
Spanish and social work junior Longhorn Life caught Robles studying at the SAC wearing this unique blue skirt that she found at a thrift store in Mexico. The shoes are from Burlington, the necklace was given to her by her mother and the cardigan is from Old Navy. Favorite store: Tobi.com and other online shopping
Michael Benko business graduate
CHATTER Joe Layton journalism senior
Benko keeps it casual and put together in a Brooks Brother’s shirt, pair of Levis Jeans and shoes from Johnson and Murphy. Favorite style: He likes to wear anything that looks nice and that is comfortable, in fact, he confessed to Longhorn Life that he skipped out on dress socks for Nikes in this outfit.
Favorite style: She likes to wear anything that shows off her curves, gives her an ef-
“
Road trips, music festivals and the Wakarusa music festival. But I’m not doing any of those things this summer. I’m going to California and to the beach.
”
Diana Nadira advertising freshman
WHAT’S IN YOUR BAG? Kellen Cantrell
“
Picnics, going to the pool and going to Venezuela.
”
biology sophomore
Cantrell carries what some prepared people have on them at all times: a brush, toothbrush, medicine and a calculator for classes. Some things that might surprise you are the hairspray and sewing kit. But, as a UT cheerleader, those are essentials to carry around. She uses the sewing kit for the little scissors and to fix loose buttons or uniform mishaps before games. “You’d be surprise how often I use the kit,” she said.
Andrew Konen philosophy senior
“
Grabbing some drinks then going to the pool.
”
What are your favorite summer traditions?
Longhorn Life
Page 4
Friday, May 3, 2013
Summer memories
by Katie Dickerson photos by Alejandro Silveyra
Longhorns share memories from the hottest season — the good and the bad
sydney storey, actuarial science sophomore It was a rough summer before Sydney Storey’s freshman year of high school. The day she was meant to try out for flute in her high school marching band, Storey was knocked over by Kirby Rudolph, a boy nearly two times her size. Her foot was crushed. “Within a second I knew it was broken, because I had broken my foot three times before, and this was the worst it’s ever looked,” she said. She was driven directly to the audition where she had to play balancing on one leg, with her broken foot propped up on a rolling chair. “That didn’t end well,” she said.
A week later, she had to sing and dance in a performance at her church. “That part turned out okay because, by some miracle, I was off crutches, in a boot and then in a shoe for the performance,” Storey said. Unfortunately, because of concerns about her foot, she wasn’t able to train properly for cross-country tryouts. “Overall, I did nothing but recover all summer and lose everything I had worked towards before high school,” she said.
ben williams, radio-television-film freshman Ben Williams took a European cruise the summer before his senior year of high school. It was a beautiful trip, though interspersed with a few cultural misunderstandings. Williams and his family toured Spain and Mallorca, an island off the coast of Africa, where they came across a nude beach populated mostly by families. They enjoyed the friendliness of Italians, and Williams was particularly fond of the food in England. About two weeks into the trip, everyone was ready to go home. They found themselves in France right after the U.S. had beaten France in the women’s World Cup. Tensions were
Amanda Carter has a fond, though embarrassing, memory of her first kiss during the summer after her freshman year of high school. She was vacationing in Destin, Fla. with two of her friends, and the girls were enjoying their last night of the trip, by dancing and blasting music on the beach. During their dance party, three friends they had made during the vacation stopped by. “We had been hanging out most of the week with two guys we met from Tennessee, and earlier that day we met [the guy I kissed],” Carter said. Sometime in the night, Carter found herself one-on-one with their newest friend . “Right before he kissed me I hurriedly blurted out, ‘Just so you know, it’s my first!’ And he just laughed,” she said. “He wasn’t really a good kisser.”
amanda carter,
history sophomore
sabrina shao,
biology sophomore
high. While riding a bus back to their hotel, Williams unknowingly sat in a section reserved only for those with disabilities. “They were just yelling and screaming at me in French, and I don’t know French, so I thought they were just yelling about the game,” he said. “Some of them knew a little English and would alternate between the two.” After returning to the hotel, Williams and his brother decided to head down to the bar to grab a beer — something they knew they could manage without using French. “You just learn how to adjust,” Williams said.
Many high school grads receive money for graduation; Sabrina Shao got a trip to China and Taiwan with her family. “It was a surprise,” she said. “I had no idea we were going until about a month before.” This was Shao’s first trip to China, so she wasn’t exactly sure what to expect from the trip. “In Taiwan, it’s a little easier because most of the signs are in English,” she said. “[Visiting China] made me realize how little Chinese I knew, and I kept getting weird looks because I was so tan compared to everyone.” Shao’s family did a lot of sightseeing and shopping in China. They visited a little water town and trav-
eled through Shanghai. They also visited the Birds Nest, officially known as Beijing National Stadium, which housed the 2008 summer Olympics. Of course, no trip to China is complete without a trek to the Great Wall. The beauty of China has stuck with Shao for the past two years. “China is just so beautiful,” she said. “I’d love to go back to see the places we didn’t get to go to.”
LONGHORN LIFE
Friday, May 3, 2013
Page 5
Good Eats Local licks I by Kaci Borowski
Embrace your inner foodie
photos by Leanne Chia
n a town full of creative and independent spirits, it was only a matter of time before Austinites began extending their magic to cool treats for the hot summer days. Here are three local companies doing their best to keep Austin both weird and refreshed.
sicles, allowing you to satisfy your sweettooth in a healthy way.
AMY’S ICE CREAMS by Kaci Borowski
LICK
For most Austinites, Amy’s is fruits and tastes. Currently
home base for local summer
showcasing refreshing flavor
treats. Established in 1984,
Based in South Austin, Lick
combinations like Strawber-
Amy’s has been serving up
started in 2011 as a way to
ry Basil and Cilantro Lime,
some of the city’s finest ice
integrate the farm-to-table
Lick also creates unique and
cream since before many
mentality, which is popu-
must-try mixes like Caramel-
UT students were born.
lar in Texas, into the ice
ized Carrots with Tarragon
Amy’s does its part to main-
cream business. The self-
and Grapefruit Ginger. For
Former Longhorn Daniel
only organic and natural in-
tain Austin’s weirdness with
proclaimed home of “hon-
those seeking a vegan or
Goetz came up with the idea
gredients, Goodpops come
quirky store interiors and an
est ice cream,” Lick creates
gluten-free option, the shop
for Goodpop in 2009 while
in traditional flavors like
even quirkier job application
small batches in an effort
has indulgent flavors like
searching for an alternative
Strawberry, Mango and Cold
process (ask about it the next
to ensure consistent quality
Coconut with Avocado Curd
to popsicles and sno-cones
brew Coffee, as well as cre-
time you stop in). Amy’s is
and freshness, using ingredi-
and Peanut Butter Chocolate
filled with artificial flavors
ative flavor pairings, like Hi-
well known for its large arse-
ents mined from local farm-
Swirl, making a little some-
and colorings. Inspired by
biscus Mint, Banana Cinna-
nal of flavors, including
ers and food artisans. Taking
thing for every taste (and
Paletas, a Mexican ice pop,
mon and Watermelon Agave.
inspiration from local Texas
stomach).
Goetz decided to create a
Many of the flavors are free
frozen fruit bar comprised
of dairy and gluten, making
of just that — frozen fruit.
them an option for those
flavors, the shop features options like Pecans and Cream,
GOODPOP
Originally sold at local farm-
with
Vanilla Bean. Throughout
Like Lick, Goodpop is an
er’s markets, the business
With most favors weighing in
the year, Lick introduces a
Austin-area original making
took off quickly and allowed
at approximately 60 calories,
new batch of flavors, each
good use of locally sourced
Goodpop to expand to gro-
Goodpops are natural alter-
one inspired by seasonal
ingredients.
cery store shelves. Featuring
natives to syrup-based pop
and Hill Country Honey with
dietary
restrictions.
fan favorites Mexican Vanilla
and Dark Chocolate, in ad-
dition to a large rotating cast
of seasonal tastes like An-
cho Chocolate and Banana
Pudding. For those looking
for something with a bit of
a kick, they also offer alco-
holic ice cream options like
All Thai’ed Up, a mix of sweet
cream, ginger, lime juice and
coconut rum. In addition to
their ice cream’s legendary
status, Amy’s is also home to
some killer frozen yogurt and
fruit ices. With 12 locations
to serve the greater Austin
area, you can get your Amy’s
fix after a play day at Zilker
Park or a workday right next to campus.
LONGHORN LIFE
Page 6
Friday, May 3, 2013
Good Eats With great barbecue comes great responsibility
Embrace your inner foodie
by Jackie Ruth photo submitted by Daniel Vaughn Take a moment to think about your dream job. Does it include travel and delicious food? If so, Daniel Vaughn might be living out your fantasy as the first-ever barbecue editor for Texas Monthly. Vaughn only started his new full-time job on April 15, but he is no stranger to food writing — specifically of the smoked meat variety. Before being hired as the barbecue editor for the magazine and Web site, he collaborated with Texas Monthly on a number of their barbecue related project, which popped up with unsurprising frequency. One of his most notable contributions was assisting with the round up of the top 50 barbecue joints in Texas which publishes every five years. In addition to working on this year’s list, Vaughn’s book “The Prophets of Smoked Meat: A Journey Through Texas Barbecue” is due out in May. The direction of 35-yearold Vaughn’s career can be largely attributed to the blog he started in 2008, Full Custom Gospel BBQ. Vaughn used weekends to every corner of the state, reviewing barbecue joints along the way. Texas Monthly used reviews from Full Custom Gospel BBQ in its iPhone application dedicated to Texas’ smoked meats. The blog gave him the necessary experience to become a fulltime writer and editor on the subject. “It was a very organic transition,” Vaughn said. “It was a hobby I’d fiddle around with now and then,
and it turned into a passion.” It might be tough to imagine Vaughn’s transition from full-time architect to his current career, but as Vaughn puts it, “Architecture was getting in the way of barbecue, and it was time
masters and newsmakers in the barbecue world. His concentration is on Texas barbecue, but his coverage will also expand to Texasstyle barbecue outside of the state. A lot of Vaughn’s respon-
largely centered in Texas, which is why other places choose to emulate it. “I would never be one to contend that [Texas barbecue] can’t be done outside of state lines,” he said. “I can’t speak for all of them. I’ve certainly had barbecue
and kind of test a theory to see if it tastes good,” he said. However, being the barbecue editor for the “National Magazine of Texas” may not be the stopping point for Vaughn. Plenty of people travel and eat on television for a living, and Vaughn said
“I can’t speak for all of them. I’ve certainly had barbecue in New York that was better than some of the worst places in Texas, but they can’t match the best places in Texas.”
he would be open to the idea. “Even my Texas Monthly editor would agree that TV money is better than journalism money,” he laughed. He may joke about the income, but he also realizes his real fortune. “It was made pretty clear to me that the entire world is jealous,” he said. “I’m unequivocally the luckiest man in the world.”
— Daniel Vaughn barbecue editor, Texas Monthly
for a change.” The Ohio native currently resides in Dallas. He didn’t migrate to Texas for the food, but for a girl who is now his wife. Barbecue was a happy accident. “I was completely clueless about Texas barbecue until I moved here,” Vaughn said. “I’m not trying to come at it with 35 years of experience.” If you’re still thinking that “barbecue editor” sounds made up, Vaughn breaks down his duties. Each week he writes four to five blog posts and interviews pit
sibilities are similar to what he had been doing on his blog, but he now has much more flexibility. “I’m going to have the freedom to do visits in the middle of the week rather than nights and weekends,” he said. “But I don’t get paid to eat barbecue; I get paid to write about it.” The freedom to travel will also help him report on Texas-style barbecue restaurants in other states, and maybe even other countries. Vaughn said that the nation’s barbecue boom is
in New York that was better than some of the worst places in Texas, but they can’t match the best places in Texas.” Vaughn is also prepared to suggest what to eat when you visit a real barbecue joint. “Everywhere I go, I’m going to get a brisket, but my eyes light up when there’s a beef short rib on the menu,” he said. He also prefers to save good barbecue sauce for his bread, because he loves the smoky flavor. Even as a self-proclaimed barbecue snob, Vaughn doesn’t have many famed home recipes, but he likes to try his hand at smoking meats in his backyard. “I like experimental things, and I’m thinking of maybe doing a monthly segment called Smoke It for the blog or the magazine, where I would smoke a strange food — say a pig’s foot —
DANIEL VAUGHN’S FAVORITE ‘CUE IN THE AUSTIN AREA Franklin Barbecue “If you’ve got the time for the line or pre-order, then I love the brisket, pulled pork, and ribs.”
John Mueller Meat Company “The beef ribs are unequaled.”
la Barbecue
“There’s a new smoker I haven’t tried yet, and it’s supposed to be better.”
Stiles Switch BBQ & Brew
“For great, fatty brisket, beef ribs and cold beer on draft.”
Micklethwait Craft Meats
“They always have a new and interesting sausage on the list.”
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LONGHORN LIFE
Page 8
Friday, May 3, 2013
A vacation in your hometown
story by Priyanka Deshpande photos by Mika Locklear
hile the fall and spring semesters often bog down UT students’ schedules with tests and papers, summer provides the perfect opportunity to venture out and explore Austin. Whether you’re staying in the city for summer classes and internships, or are just here to relax and enjoy the Central Texas weather, take the chance to experience places and events you normally don’t have time for. One of the first places that should top any Austin to-do list is enjoying lunch at Franklin’s BBQ. This restaurant has been voted one of the best barbecue joints in the nation, but it’s worth visiting for more than its juicy brisket and delicious sauce; the loyalty and enthusiasm of Franklin’s customers is something worth seeing. Lines of 300 to 400 people start forming in front of the restaurant at six in the morning every day. Meat is rationed out to those waiting in line as they place their orders, and customers are served at 11 a.m. Unlucky people who are in line after all the food for the day has been bought must return home and hope for better luck next time. Though this sounds harsh, Franklin’s is quite a social place. Hungry customers often sit outside the restaurant on lawn chairs, chatting with others while waiting in line. Entire families, from babies to grandparents, eagerly wait for their food. There’s a lively spirit surrounding Franklin’s that keeps it so close to the hearts of many Austinites. As biomedical engineering junior Jake Sacks notes, visiting Franklin’s is a time commitment. “My friends and I were talking about getting up really early one morning and going to Franklin’s BBQ, but we never did. I hope this summer I actually get the opportunity to go there because I know that you have to wait in line for six to seven hours — it’s that good.” But Franklin’s isn’t the only place with distinctive Central Texas cuisine. Juan in a Million serves authentic and
unique Tex-Mex food for an affordable price. Known for its tacos, fajitas, burritos and breakfast platters, this restaurant has been featured on the Food Channel’s “Man v. Food,” and has won several awards. Austin’s farmers markets, too, offer eclectic tastes for their customers. The city has several open-air marketplaces, including the Sustainable Foods Center and the Barton Creek, HOPE Muellers and Lakeline markets. These markets provide residents the opportunity to experience new flavors and to buy fresh fruits, vegetables and meats from local farms. The farmers market community aims to promote healthy eating, and most products are certified organic. From tangy salsas to freshly baked muffins to specialty cheeses, vendors also sell snacks for a reasonable rate. Many farmers markets feature local artists and live musicians, too, giving visitors a comfortable and friendly experience. Another outdoor excursion to take during the summer is hiking at Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve. This hill country nature preserve is home to many endangered and threatened species, native plants and other wildlife. Visitors trek along a two-and-a-half mile trail through wooded areas and grassy plains. Smalls streams flow through the land, too, adding to the serenity of this secluded state park. For animal lovers, Austin Zoo and Animal Sanctuary is the place to go. The zoo is home to a wide variety of creatures ranging from big cats, monkeys, reptiles, amphibians, birds and more. Visitors can buy food to feed domesticated animals including llamas, goats, sheep and deer. “I’ll be here all summer, so I can finally experience Austin Zoo,” said Plan II and history freshman Matt Green. “I know it’s one of the only rescue zoos in the nation.” Austin is known for its festivals and conferences like Austin City Limits and South by Southwest, but the off-
season provides many opportunities to experience live music, as well, such as Blues on the Green, a series of free concerts at Zilker Park. Hosted by KGSR Austin Radio, it showcases local artists and gives listeners the chance to hear new tunes. “Blues on the Green is a really nice place to go listen to some relaxing music for free,” recommended biomedical engineering sophomore Anuj Kudva. “It’s especially great in the summer because it occurs in the evening, which is the perfect time to go out. You also get to meet cool local Austinites and musicians.” Similarly, Wine Down Wednesdays at ACL Live is a concert series aimed to provide Austinites with quality live music. Held at The Moody Theater on Second Street for 10 consecutive Wednesdays, The Wine Down fosters a lively night experience downtown, featuring popular food, happy hour drinks and shopping. While some jam sessions have already happened, concerts will still occur every week from May 8 to June 6. While some people like listening to music, others love making their own. Austin Karaoke provides participants with high-quality karaoke machines and a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere. This BYOB facility allows private parties to rent out rooms for special events. On Sundays and Thursdays, students can present their UT ID to receive a 15-percent discount. There are many chances for students to experience parts of Austin that don’t involve clichés, such as food trailers, Barton Springs or crowded music festivals. Some of these places provide a different yet still-enjoyable perspective of the city. And with the arrival of summer, there is no excuse not to venture out.
LONGHORN LIFE
Friday, May 3, 2013
Page 9
Style notes
Keeping the 40 Acres trendy
Graduation Style by Katie Dickerson Summer is knocking at the door, and for graduating seniors, one final ceremony stands between them and their diplomas. As with any ceremony, commencement beckons the age-old question: “What should I wear?” Longhorn Life has you covered. Whether you’re walking the stage or congratulating your favorite graduate, you’re sure to look spot-on.
GRADUATE WOMEN:
GRADUATE MEN: Business attire, a jacket and tie, is your standard graduation uniform. This black jacket from River Island is classic but modern with two buttons and a slimmer lapel. Stick with a neutral shirt and tie or try to find colors that coordinate with your college’s regalia to avoid clashing in pictures. Finish off with these cool brogue Oxfords from Ask Missus Jungle fit for this special occasion.
Graduation ceremony requires a little class, but this is not the time to break out your finest formals. A fitted A-line frock will avoid adding extra bulk under that already boxy grad gown, and a bright hue will help you stand out when it comes time for post-ceremony pictures. Bags and purses aren’t allowed, so this red dress with pockets from yoox.com is perfect for carrying your phone and a lipstick with you. Add a little arm candy and simple earrings to shine while you’re wearing your cap and gown. Classic nude pumps give this look a prim professional feel, but don’t be afraid to show a little Texas pride with your favorite game-day boots if that’s more your style. This southern staple is a common sight for UT grads, not to mention much more comfortable than heels.
WOMEN GUESTS:
MEN GUESTS: Polished casual should be your goal. Dark wash denim looks more polished than white washed wranglers, and you can’t go wrong with a classic Polo Ralph Lauren button down. No cargo or basketball shorts, please. Sperry’s Top-Siders in navy are more comfortable than dress shoes, and keep you from looking too casual.
This is a special day, but it’s not your special day, so snappy casual is your go-to. A patterned maxi dress will look polished but will keep you from sweltering in the Texas heat. This chevron-patterned pick from Ella Moss is fun but not over the top, and gladiator wedges are classy but comfy. A cross-body bag from Rebecca Minkoff leaves your arms free to hug your favorite graduate and hold their flowers while they get their picture taken. Top off the look with mix-and-match bangles for a little sparkle.
Friday, May 3, 2013
Page 11
LONGHORN LIFE
Explore
Going the distance Riding for the 2013 Livestrong Texas 4000 team, Bhattacharjee will bike from Austin to Alaska in support of cancer research awareness about the disease and its repercussions. It is no small feat. Initially deciding to go because “biking to Alaska sounded like the height of adventure,” Bhattacharjee now has deep-set motivations for pursuing this challenge. “I wanted to ride because no one was sharing the stories of my dad’s patients or riding for them,” said Gitanjali Bhattacharjee, a sophomore Plan II and architectural engineering major. Bhattacharjee has experienced the effects of cancer through her father’s work as a doctor. She rides for her father’s patients who do not have the resources to invest in their own health and cancer head-on. She also rides for those affected by depression. Bhattacharjee is supported by her wonderful teammates, friends, family and all the people she has met through her participation in the Texas 4000. Many of her fellow riders are cancer survivors or relatives of those affected by the disease, and she hopes to raise awareness for her peers. A huge supporter and charter member of the new Ozarks route, Bhattacharjee explains the purpose of the addition. “This year marks the 10th anniversary of Texas 4000’s founding, so to celebrate this tremendous milestone and increase publicity of the event, an additional route was
story by Sneha Joshi photo by Texas 4000
proposed,” she said. Now travelling through multiple major cities, they hope to receive added support to their already expanding effort. The Ozarks route will begin in Austin, then head to Houston, pass through the Midwest to Chicago, cut northwest into Canada, and finally steer west to Alaska. The 4,500 miles in 70 days commemorate the Texas 4000 as the longest charity ride in the world, and its foundation here at UT exemplifies the dedication and hard work that characterizes the students. The training for the ride has affected Bhattacharjee both physically and mentally. Already an active person, Bhattacharjee admits that training for the Texas 4000 has changed her entire routine immensely. A dancer in middle school and runner since high school, she is familiar with the concept of physical training. She participated in the MS 150, a charity ride for multiple sclerosis research, for the past six years. Even with this biking experience, she reveals that she “had never cycled at such a high level so regularly before.” Her exercise routine is now dominated by cycling, interspersed with lots of stretching and upper body and core workouts. Cycling is a sport that requires full body fitness, and she keeps that in mind while training. Her diet has been vastly affected by her journey and she eats a lot more mindfully now. Her sugar intake has
significantly dropped, and her attention is mostly focused on complex carbohydrates as well as protein and iron rich foods. As a vegetarian, finding the perfect balance between carbs, protein and vegetables is tough, but Chipotle is her go-to and she has become familiar with the employees there. For rides, she sticks to the classic chocolate chip CLIF bars and Shot Blocks, eating a banana and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch. She plans to continue biking even after the completion of the ride, so her diet will most likely stay the same until she finds a kitchen where she can cook and add a bit of needed diversity to her meal routine. Bhattacharjee’s immense dedication to the cause doesn’t end with Texas 4000. This year, she “braved the shave,” and shaved her head to support pediatric cancer patients and raise awareness about the disease. Even though shaving one’s head has a negative association with the loss of a parent in her Indian culture, she overcame these boundaries and surprised her father with her new look as they rode the MS 150 together. She now realizes that she rides for any patient, not only cancer survivors, but for those who have had to suffer through strains, and she plans to be an active Texas 4000 alumnus, urging other riders to continue the effort and maintain the legacy.
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Friday, May 3, 2013
Tune in to summer
Page 13
LONGHORN LIFE
Backyard barbecues, days by the pool or even a summer running playlist – we’ve all got those songs that seem to ooze sunscreen out of the speakers. We asked local musicians to share their ultimate summer soundtracks. by Jackie Ruth The playlist: “Listen to these songs while walking around town or riding your bike. Listen to them in your car or while you’re frolicking outside. These songs EMBODY summer. And YOU are a body. Therefore, you are Summer 2013. Get it? Good. Peace, Love and Crabs. Joe’s Crab Shack 2013.”
daniel spacely
Artists such as Sufjan Stevens, Mirah and Youth Lagoon inspire UT student Daniel Spacely’s music. The unsigned artist has all three of his albums available on his Bandcamp page.
the underachievers – “the madhi” slow club – “two cousins” mariah carey – “we belong together” companion – “20th century crime” r. kelly – “i’m a flirt” torres – “when winter’s over” chance the rapper – “windows” youth lagoon – “dropla” pro era – “like water” baths – “miasma sky”
The playlist: “My summer playlist has some of my recent favorites through pretty scattered genres — ones like “Lazarus,” “Thrift Shop” and “Bang Bang Bang” are fun, energizing songs, and others like “Freedom,” “Alone But Moving” and “Clementine” are some of my favorite lounging songs right now. david byrne and st. vincent – “lazarus” frank ocean – “thinkin bout you” macklemore and ryan lewis – “thrift shop” muse – “madness” the neighbourhood – “sweater weather” anthony hamilton and elayna boynton – “freedom” here we go magic – “alone but moving” best coast – “boyfriend” Rebecca Butler is an acoustic singer and musimark ronson and cian influenced by artists like Lily Allen, Bob the business intl. – Dylan and Feist. She will take her pop rock to “bang bang bang” downtown’s Pecan Street Festival on May 4. sarah jaffe – “clementine”
rebecca butler
feels like home
Quartet Feels Like Home originated in Boston, but the band has hit its stride since moving to Austin two years ago. Lead singer Matt DiPietro will graduate from UT in May, right before heading on a cross-country tour this summer, funded by a successful Kickstarter campaign. The playlist: “We tried to put five soft rock and five hard rock songs on our playlist, since we’re all fans of both.”
vacationer – “trip” the dear hunter – “whisper” northern faces – “under my skin”
i can make a mess – “lions” hrvrd – “kids with fake guns” i the mighty – “speak to me”
sleeping with sirens – “low” conditions – “walking separate ways” killswitch engage – “in due time” thieves – “offline”
The playlist: Each member of Future Humans chose a few songs individually, giving an interesting look at the personalities of the band members and how they coalesce into the sound of the band as a whole. Drummer Steve Zamora has the greatest appreciation for indie music out of anybody in the band, but likes anything that grooves, no matter what genre it might fall under. tame impala – “mind mischief” royal canoe – “bathtubs” metronomy – “the bay” Winston Turner draws most, if not all, of his influence on bass from progressive rock sounds, because he really loves the frenetic, exploratory nature of it. moosehound – “werewolf” opposite day – “dear disaster” prasanna – “4th stone from the sun” Mic Vredenburgh is a rock and roller if there ever was one, relishing in the live music experience. If he’d been alive, he would have played Woodstock even if he had to rush the stage and steal a guitar. jimi hendrix – “stone free (live)” Four-piece Future Humans has been led zeppelin – “heartbreaker (live)” Charles Martin lives for the craft of songwriting and tries to channel featured on KVRX-TSTV partnership all of the individual energies of the group into dynamic songs. The end Local Live. The band subscribes to oldresult is Future Humans, a deliberately future-forward hard rock band. school alternative principles, plucking queens of the stone age – “my god is the sun” influences from Nirvana and Queens of foals – “inhaler”
future humans
the Stone Age.
Scottish Woods Access One of the greenbelt’s better-kept secrets, the trails here are steep and rocky, so be prepared to work hard (and wear good shoes).
Cr C
continue d beloved g re by Kaci B oro illustratio nb
Twin Falls Access A popular resting spot due to its easy accessibility and central location, Twin Falls is a perfect location for those looking for less hiking and more swimming and people watching.
A
s school winds down and finals are within sight, many students are beginning to plan summer excursions to Texas’ multiple rivers, lakes and creeks. For many, the Barton Creek Greenbelt is a must-visit destination, offering several different experiences within the length of a few miles. A favorite of swimmers, runners, cyclists and adventurers alike, the greenbelt is home to several popular swimming spots and hiking trails that are now being majorly affected by the lack of rain in Central Texas. Austin is experiencing a severe drought this spring, with inflow totals for the month of March coming in at 88 percent below the historical average, according to the Lower Colorado River Authority. The drought is a chronic problem for Central Texas, with dangerously low water levels over the past two years, 2011 seeing the lowest inflow levels in history. Not only does the lack of water affect local flora and fauna, but it also increases the threat of fire, especially in the summer months; 2011 saw reports of snakes moving into park areas in search of water, posing a threat to visitors and resulting in at least one trip to the veterinarian for a local dog who suffered a bite. Jordan Wade, an Austin resident and frequent greenbelt visitor, feels the drought has brought an onslaught of issues — both recreationally and environmentally. “I don’t know where and when there will be water, or if it will be clean or safe to swim in,” Wade said. Libbie Weimer, who recently moved to Austin, agrees. “I have only seen water in the greenbelt maybe two or three times, and it’s sometimes just runoff, cesspool junk,” Weimer said. The lack of water has also affected a very popular Austin pastime — floating. Many park goers hoping
rippled Creek
Spyglass Access
Spyglass is the fastest way to get to Campbell’s Hole, one of the greenbelt’s most popular swimming holes. Because of its easy access and mellow vibe, Spyglass is a popular spot for dog owners and lovers alike.
d drough t con eenbelt in ditions make Aus tin’s creasingly brown owski by Jacqu i Bontke
Gus Fruh Access Loop 360 Access
Popular with rock climbers, Gus Fruh requires a little elbow grease to reach. Once you’re there, you’ll be handsomely rewarded with limestone cliffs, and in the instance of rain, a decent-sized pool.
to float down the mile-and-a-half stretch near the Gus Fruh entrance are now facing low water levels, making a comfortable floating experience impossible and forcing them to walk through shallow spots of jagged rocks while dragging the inner tube along. Despite all of this, some residents are able to find silver linings. The drought has enabled arborists to remove invasive, non-native trees to help reforest the area and increase native growth, helping to retain Austin’s native ecosystem, according to the Austin Parks Foundation blog. In addition to forestry, the APF has been able to take on projects repurposing stones and rocks in the greenbelt, to create effective drainage systems for when the rain does eventually return. Greenbelt enthusiast Mary Connelly explains that there are some recreational upsides, as well. “Runners don’t have to deal with crossing four feet deep water on a trail run, so that’s cool,” Connelly said. Due to the low levels of rain over the past two years, recovering from the drought has been difficult. In an interview with the Austin American-Statesman, LCRA manager of water operations Ryan Rowney said, “We never had a chance to recover from 2011. We did get some beneficial rain in 2012, but those rain events were so few and far between, and the soil was so dry, it barely ran off in the reservoirs.” For many who have visited the greenbelt over the course of the past few years, the stretch of land has remained little more than a dry creek bed bordered by trees. “I have a photo I took of a friend a few years ago [at the greenbelt] and he’s standing on dry rocks,” said Kara Hernandez, a former UT student and greenbelt visitor. “He has still never seen it with water.”
Check out what’s going on with
TEXAS STUDENT MEDIA The Daily Texan: dailytexanonline.com Texas Student Television: texasstudenttv.com KVRX 91.7 FM: kvrx.org Cactus Yearbook: cactusyearbook.com Texas Travesty: texastravesty.com
p.713.500.3591 Office of Academic Affairs SBMIAcademics@uth.tmc.edu
http://sbmi.uth.edu
utexas.edu/tsm/
Friday, May 3, 2013
Longhorn Life
School’s in for summer For some UT students, summer means lounging by the pool or enjoying a fruity beverage on a beach somewhere. For others, summer provides the perfect opportunity to catch up on coursework. “Summer classes are absolutely beneficial,” said journalism senior Kelly Eisenbarger. “They give students a chance to speed up their progress at UT or explore other topics of interest. They aren’t easier or harder, but just more condensed. To me, taking one class as a condensed version allows me to pour all my focus into it.” Eisenbarger is one of many students attempting to take Reporting: Images, an intensive multimedia journalism class that is offered as a summer class for the first time this year. “I’ve heard from a few others that this might be a daunting task, but I don’t believe UT would offer the class if it would be an impossible workload,” Eisenbarger said. “I’m not worried about the class this summer. As a transfer student in my senior year I’ve been put through the ringer in journalism classes before. Plus, I always like a challenge.” Senior lecturer Kate Dawson said condensing Reporting: Images to a summer session was challenging, but will provide a potentially easier option for students willing to take the class. “During the regular semester, the course shuffles between three instructors,” Dawson said. “This summer, I’m the only professor. I’ll be able to gauge the workload and regulate the flow. The pacing will be easier, and I’ll be able to see if
Page 17
by Katey Psencik
we need to slow down, which is a lot easier to manage when there’s only one person in control.” Reporting: Images is one of five journalism courses being offered this summer, aside from independent study and internship courses. The McCombs School of Business has designed a special Business Foundations Program that gives non business stu-
“We could have never known how strong the bonds become with students really making life-long networking friendships.” — Regina Hughes Business Foundation Program director
dents a chance to study the material. BFP is a summer institute that allows students to finish five courses, totaling up to 15 hours of coursework, in one eight-week session. “Summer is a great time to concentrate on studies in a short-term, intensive environment,” said Regina Hughes, finance lecturer and BFP director. A special aspect about the summer institute is the cohort
model, in which a group of 50 students takes all five classes together with the same instructors. “There is great efficiency that way, and great team building and camaraderie ensue,” Hughes said. McCombs also incorporates professional development imto their programs, what Hughes called one of the school’s major strengths. They offer resume, etiquette and interview training, as well as a mock interview day. There are some pitfalls to the program though, Hughes said. “If you work and get behind, it is very hard to catch up,” Hughes said. “The workload is intense, but so is the coordination. We seek high-achieving students and explain that they should focus only on the program, no part-time jobs or anything like that.” However, Hughes said the program’s perks are many. “The lasting friendships across majors, cultures and learning styles are the greatest benefit,” Hughes said. “We hadn’t really thought of it when making the program. We could have never known how strong the bonds become with students really making life-long networking friendships.”
Page 18
senior letters
Friday, May 3, 2013
‘til Gabriel blows his horn
graduating Longhorn Life staffers weigh in on UT, journalism and making it count
bianca moragne The time has come. As graduation approaches, it has become more evident with each dreadful assignment, boring lecture, spell of senioritis and scenic walk through the beloved Forty Acres that my college years are coming to a halt. Now, it’s time for me to say goodbye to my friends, professors, the Tower and the life I’ve built for the past four years at my home away from home. But, not without looking back on all the memories, both good and bad. I remember the beginning vividly. In the heat of the summer, I packed up Charlie (my 2006 Hyundai Tucson) and hit the road for the “Live Music Capital of the World” and transfer student orientation. I eagerly scurried up the steps into the Union ballroom to embrace all that UT would offer over the next three years. And then it was move-in time. Everything changed. Thinking back to that bright August afternoon, as I moved in and waved goodbye to my family with tears welling in my eyes, aimlessly searching for a familiar or friendly face, I remember the pre-freshman-15, insecure and naïve girl I once was. The one who was hesitant and timid; a complete opposite of the bubbly and persistent woman I’ve become. I had finally begun life at my dream school and my 18-yearold, sophomore self was lost in a sea of 50,000 Longhorns and counting. But then, things changed. Like every other fervent under-
staff writer
classman, I got involved on campus. I made new friends and connections and found my passion in life. Most importantly, I found myself. College taught me a lot of things. The value of having my own room and breathing space, how working, staying involved in several campus organizations and taking a 15-hour course load is not to be taken lightly, that Mom’s cooking will
“There isn’t a right or wrong way to graduate. There’s only your way.” always reign superb and that Gregory Gym shouldn’t be taken for granted. I could spend hours listing the mindless, crazy, hilarious and often stupid adventures I’ve pulled here, but I’d be lying if I said I regretted any of it. That being said, one of the most important things I’ve learned is that everyone’s path is different. Some students stayed buried in their books all semester long while others preferred sleep and a social life. Not everyone will finish in four years, with the same major and at the same university.
Others will change their minds and transfer for a better opportunity. Some people will leave college debt-free while others will struggle to pay back thousands in loans. There isn’t a right or a wrong way to graduate. There’s only your way. As I look back on college, particularly my freshman and sophomore years, I regret the time I wasted comparing myself to others. Through the all-nighters, 10-page papers, breakdowns and make-ups, I’ve survived this rollercoaster called college life. I’ve grown into a new person without even realizing it and am ready to embrace the future and all its uncertainty. UT taught me that “what starts here changes the world,” and I’m prepared to live up to that ideal and do some amazing things in my life. I’ll admit it; this seems like the end of the road. The insecurity, the nostalgia, the fear and anticipation are all starting to build up inside. With only a few weeks left until graduation, I feel like my lost and anxious sophomore self all over again. But, then I think back on how I’ve grown and on all of my accomplishments in my short time on campus and the fears quickly vanish. Congratulations, class of 2013! We did it. Every beginning has an end. Every end is a new beginning. Here’s to what the future holds. Hook ‘em! continued on pages 19 and 20
Friday, May 3, 2013
senior letters
“
Page 19
...that’s the greatest thing about UT and the thing I’ll miss the most — It’s hard to say what I’ll miss most about UT after I graduate this May. Possibly the quirky Austin culture that pervades campus, like the Waggener sign having an “S” scrawled in the dust so that it reads “SWaggener,” or the when the Tower plays songs like “Call Me Maybe” or “The Final Countdown.” On a more personal note, I’ve made a lot of friends at UT, and whether or not those relationships last, I will always have those memories. For example, at the end of my first semester at UT, it actually snowed a little bit in Austin and my friends and I went outside of Jester East and took a bunch of pictures, even though you couldn’t really see the snow in the photos. I’ve also had a lot of sleepovers in the dorms with close friends, when we basically just ate junk food and watched movies. One time, my friend and I were feeling so lazy that we decided to do our best at passing a bag of candy back and forth across the room without getting out of the loft beds. Some of my simplest memories with friends are those of eating at the dining halls — Kinsolving and J2 — and giving nicknames (and sometimes back stories) to recurring faces. Although my plan is to stay in Austin after graduation, I know that I may not stay in this city forever. I’d like to point out that UT might not be so great if not for this wonderful location, which provides Longhorns with so many opportunities that other students don’t have. There is always something to do on campus or in the city, and walking downtown from campus actually only takes about 30 minutes. There are places like Mount Bonnell and the Barton Springs/Zilker Park area if you love the outdoors, and Austin is conveniently sunny for more than 300 days a year. It’s almost impossible to be bored, even if you have little or no money, and believe me, I’d know. Bevo Bucks and Dine-In Dollars saved my life so many times, and you can always count on free stuff during South by Southwest. There are things that I never would have even thought about before college that I have now done: befriending almost an entire fraternity (what up, Zeta Psi?), getting a press pass to the Austin City Limits Festival, going to more than two nonfestival live music shows in a week and too many other crazy experiences to name. UT is a huge school and it’s only getting bigger, but it’s where I really learned the meaning of “it’s a small world.” I can’t count the number of times I’ve met someone at UT who knew all of the same people I did, but we had somehow never met or even heard of each other. And I think that maybe that’s the greatest thing about UT and the thing I’ll miss the most — being able to connect with so many people so easily, and knowing that you share at least one thing in common: the pride of being a Longhorn.
jackie ruth
senior staff writer
being able to connect with so many people so easily, and knowing that you share at least one thing in common: the pride of being a Longhorn.
Page 20
Friday, May 3, 2013
Senior letters
channing holman
staff writer
1. “I thought I was smart … until I came to UT.” Longhorns joke that we are the Harvard of the south or a “public Ivy.” So, why would As come easy? The school’s mantra, “What starts here changes the world,” is a direct reflection of the curriculum, hard work and the level of excellence the university expects. Your father once said, “If it were easy, everyone would go here.” You are intelligent. You were admitted to this university based on your brain. Go talk to your professor and TA and create study groups. DO NOT take French, statistics and biology in the same semester and expect to pass. Choose your schedule wisely; you know your limits. You are a journalism major, so tests will soon be a distant memory and then you’ll write amazing stories — trust me. You’ll make it through this rough patch. You will persevere.
2. “Where did this belly come from?!” Oh yes, the freshman 15 is as real as senioritis. Remember waking up for volleyball practice at 5 a.m. for your morning sweat and then working out during athletics? Yes, now you sleep right through that alarm. Remember mom’s balanced meals? Say goodbye to those and hello to cafeteria food and Taco Tuesdays. Walking across campus IS NOT working out. Make time for the gym and get a salad every once in a while. If you don’t slow down, grandma will start monitoring your plate at holiday functions.
3. “I have migraines everyday.” I will assume these headaches are a compilation of stressing over mediocre, failing grades, eating lots of greasy foods and not sleeping. Drinking coffee in the morning, taking a nap mid-day and then waking up to drink a monster at 10 p.m. is a terrible idea. Organize and prioritize your weeks to achieve a structured sleep schedule. Instead of stressing yourself out, go to the neurologist for a prescription, incorporate exercise to alleviate stress, eat healthy — with an occasional pint of Blue Bell ice cream — and go to sleep at a decent hour.
4. “I’ve gone to the same church all my life. What am I supposed to do now?” You were raised in a religious household, so taking such an important aspect as your faith out of your life is a terrible idea. Talk to older students to see where they go to church, and surround yourself with people who have similar beliefs. You may need someone to pray with you at 4 a.m. and a shoulder to cry on. Church is where you’ve always laid your burdens, so go to the altar and lay them down. Changing church locations doesn’t mean you’re changing your beliefs. God did not bring you this far to leave you, but you shouldn’t leave him either. And when you stray, he is always there with open arms.
5. “I don’t have a boyfriend!”
Dear Freshman Me, It’s been four years since your parents dropped you off at your Jester dormitory, a little fish in the big pond once again. You unpacked your bags, shed a tear or two and you didn’t know anyone, except one girl you met during freshman orientation, who is now your friend and roommate. Now, older, you’re just a bit wiser and embarking on a new experience: job hunting — all those challenges you overcame seem like bumps in the road in comparison. There are several things you were cautioned on, but being the stubborn product of your parents that you are, you didn’t listen. Here are the things I wish you had listened to:
You didn’t come to school for your MRS degree. You came here to get an education. Your mother once said, “The boys will come later,” which is true. You’re 18. Why do you need a serious relationship? You have no idea the places your degree will take you. Focus on school, fostering great relationships, and building the foundation for your future. Embrace your singleness and trust your prince charming will come at the right time. What seems like a huge deal now is actually is a small blemish on your life. You are a Longhorn, a treasured title. Work hard, play hard and get that degree!
Friday, May 3, 2013
Page 21
LONGHORN LIFE
discovering the South’s roots through food
by Katey Psencik
Meals are about more than providing the body with necessary nourishment. They’re about fellowship and friendship, security and happiness. Archaeologists have found evidence of shared meals dating back more than 50,000 years ago. This means that across the world, people have been bonding over food for a very long time. This rings especially true in the American South. Big family meals are a southern tradition, from barbecue cookouts to crawfish boils. Barbecue wasn’t an American invention. Scientists have actually discovered that humans living more than 200,000 years ago first tossed meat on a flame and tasted a little bit of heaven. The word itself comes from “barbacoa,” Spanish explorers’ name for a favorite Native American dish in the area now considered the southern United States. What makes barbecue a great southern tradition? Harvey Gehbard, president of the Lonestar BBQ Society and Round Top, Texas native has a simple answer:“Barbecue and Texas just go together, don’t they? The two words just sound right together.” Texans agree. “I think barbecue is a great southern tradition because it involves three very important things: food, family and
friends,” said journalism senior and barbecue lover Devyn Dippel. “No one ever makes or eats barbecue alone. The idea of community is a major part of southern culture and when you add delicious food to the mix, it’s absolutely perfect. Everyone can bond over a good brisket.” The Lonestar BBQ Society is partially responsible for organizing some of the largest barbecue cookoff competitions across Texas. Gebhard has a special love for the get-togethers. “It’s just a good time,” Gebhard said. “People get together and talk, drink, eat barbecue … then the competition begins. And then, when it’s all over, we’re all friends again. It’s just a good old time.” Crawfish boils are a little less Texan, but equally southern. With Cajun roots deep in the heart of Louisiana, crawfish boils are a relatively new tradition: Louisianans have been boiling up crawfish for just a few decades for big events, like birthdays and graduations. Like most southern traditions, they’ve infiltrated other southern states. Several Austin establishments host annual crawfish boils, such as Cain and Abel’s, Ski Shores Café, Cuatro’s and Shoal Creek Saloon. Shoal Creek Saloon, a Cajun restaurant
on South Lamar, takes great pride in their boils. “Crawfish boils are a rich southern tradition that brings together food, family and enjoying the outdoors before the summer heat of the Deep South becomes unbearable,” said Aimee Elbrecht, Shoal Creek Saloon general manager. “We love to find a reason to cook great food and visit with our friends and family. And nothing beats enjoying a tray full of boiled crawfish while sitting creek-side on the best covered outdoor patio in town.” Shoal Creek Saloon serves fresh crawfish from Louisiana and southeast Texas and serves them by the pound with potatoes, corn and melted butter. Elbrecht, who was reared in a small town in southern Alabama, said that boiling crawfish is only one of her favorite things about the South. “Where I come from, SEC football is a religion, not a sport,” Elbrecht said. “Thank you notes are an art form. Manners are not an option. You never wear white before Easter or after Labor Day. When we say quit being ugly, it has nothing to do with your looks. Last but not least, during the spring we love to boil crawfish.”
Page 22
Our Campus
Friday, May 3, 2013
Commons Learning Center open to host staff events by Ali Killian
courtesy of Commons Learning Center
Hosting 800 to 900 programs each year, the Commons Learning Center is a great resource for UT faculty and staff who are looking to host educational events. Located just nine miles from the main UT campus, on the J.J. Pickle Research Campus, the center rents rooms in their two buildings to any group looking for a space. Built in 1983, the center’s Commons Building was specifically constructed to provide space for research conferences. Today, the building can accommodate anything from a six-person meeting in one of their classrooms to a 330-person conference in the Big Tex Auditorium. If the Commons Building does not fit your event’s needs, the West Pickle Research Building is also available, and even has private dining rooms and atriums available for rent. Unlike some spaces, groups can serve alcohol in conjunction with their meetings at the Commons Learning Center. For large events, groups are welcome to book multiple spaces in the buildings, as well, such as using the auditorium for a general meeting and then using the meeting rooms for breakout sessions. Also, the Commons Learning Center offers an exlusive, discounted rate for UT faculty and staff. They aim to make the billing process as easy as possible, so that you can spend more time organizing and executing your event. All of the reservations are made through a user-friendly online system on the Commons Learning Center Web site, and Assistant Director Molly Anderson welcomes those interested in booking a space to see the campus beforehand. “We invite anyone to come out and take a tour of our facility,” Anderson said. “We’d be happy to show them around.” Next time your department plans to host an event, keep the Commons Learning Center in mind.
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Page 24
OURCampus
5
Friday, May 3, 2013
OUR CAMPUS
Celebrating the faculty and staff at The University of Texas at Austin Longhorn Life: What does your job entail? Larry Carver: I have the good fortune to work with the excellent staff of LAH, and together we have the privilege of recruiting, advising, providing classes, as well as study abroad, research and internship opportunities for the some 500 LAH students; a figure that includes 130 freshmen each year.
LL: Does LAH ever interfere with your teaching or vice versa? LC: Being associated with LAH has made me a better teacher; striving to meet the demands and needs of increasingly talented students. I have been able to create new courses for LAH, like “The Rhetoric of Great Speeches in History.” In 2003, thanks to the dean, I was able to attend a conference at Barnard College in New York City to learn about an innovative, powerful pedagogy called “Reacting to the Past.” I began teaching the class here, and it has become our key LAH freshman experience. We offer two sections of it each semester; I also teach an upper division version.
LL: What’s a typical work day for you? LC: A typical day usually involves class preparation, advising, inevitably the writing of a letter, or letters, of recommendation, recruiting and coaching UT Austin’s candidates for prestigious post baccalaureate scholarships — Rhodes, Marshall, Truman and Beinecke. Lately I have been working on building the Dedman Distinguished Scholars alumni group as well as the LAH alumni group. The LAH freshman program turns 23 years old this year and has some 2,500 alumni. LL: What is the most interesting sculpture or piece of art on campus? Why?
photo by Alejandro Silveyra
Professor Larry Carver
Director of the Liberal Arts Honors Program Dr. Carver, who is just completing 39 years of teaching at UT, is an English professor who also holds the Doyle Professorship in Western Civilization. A graduate of Wesleyan University, he went on to get his master’s at the University of Rochester. Since 2001, he has served as Director of the Liberal Arts Honors Program, which he helped to establish. by Shantanu Banerjee
LC: The two programs complement each other. We created LAH to provide more honors opportunities for an increasingly talented student body. At the time, we thought of doubling the size of Plan II, but students let us know that they wanted an honors options that was not a degree, which Plan II is; one that has more flexibility and less of an emphasis on science. Plan II, one of the premier if not the premier honors program among public universities in the country, has helped get the word out about LAH. Both provide students the best of both worlds — the personal attention of a small liberal arts college with the resources of a major research university. Both programs are fortunate to have new homes in the elegant College of Liberal Arts Building. But, yes, there are rivalries. The current editor of “The Daily Texan” is an LAH student while next year’s editor comes from Plan II. This year’s Truman Scholar, Jordan Metoyer, is an LAH student while many of our past Truman Scholars has been Plan II. We won the Quiz Bowl competition last year and Plan II topped us this year. I think our theatrical group, “Foot in the Door,” is better than Plan II’s “Broccoli,” a comment for which I will no doubt get a good deal of flack.
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5 Friday, May 3, 2013
Page 25
Our campus
things I’ve learned… compiled by Shantanu Banerjee photos by Chelsea Jackson
Dr. Richard Dusansky
Economics At UT [24 years]
1. Make your students think and analyze. Critical thinking is more important than getting “right” answers. 2. Introduce some personal vignettes. Attention spans are on the decline; this will help students wake up. 3. When you ask, “Any questions?” wait a full 20 seconds for a response. 4. If a student is looking at his or her smartphone, stop talking, stare and wait. All your students will then shut down their distracting devices. 5. Every student is special. Treat him or her that way.
Linda Mayhew
Liberal Arts Honors At UT [18 years]
1. Appreciate the campus energy. I’ve stayed here for so long because I love the vibe on campus. Undergraduates, graduate students, faculty and staff — we’re all working towards the common goal of receiving or providing an education. 2. Encourage creativity. As a graduate student and as a staff member, I’ve thrived at UT when given the freedom to invent my own projects and then work to realize them. As a teacher, I find that when I give my students loose guidelines and allow them to adapt an assignment, I am always impressed with the results. 3. Learn languages and study abroad. Living abroad as a college student is a once in a lifetime opportunity. When you study abroad, your main objective is to learn more about that culture and develop your language proficiency. Outside of class, visiting museums and conversing with native speakers will help you reach your goals. 4. Ask questions. Need funding to study abroad or to attend a conference? Undergraduates often forget that departments set money aside especially for this purpose. Always ask about research grants and scholarships, in case you missed the advertisement. 5. Don’t procrastinate. The beginning of a semester always feels like there is an eternity of time ahead, and then everything ends before you know what happened.
Page 26
our campus
Summer reads So many books, so little time. Fortunately, the lull of summer just might provide the muchneeded extra time to catch up on reading. Leafing through an old favorite can provide a much-deserved sense of relaxation, but for those in need of new inspiration, take a look at this list compiled by faculty members of the UT English department. Whether you’re looking for newly published works or unread classics, take some time to wind down and delve into something fresh this summer. It doesn’t matter if you prefer an e-reader to a tome with ruffled pages. Just read. As science fiction writer George R. R. Martin famously wrote, “Sleep is good — And books are better.” by Priyanka Deshpande
Mary Blockley, professor
“Beyond Black” by Hilary Mantel: Twenty years after the Bechdel test, Hilary Mantel’s “Beyond Black” finds the fortunately fictional Alison and Colette dealing memorably with their jobs and their visions in an England that is neither green nor pleasant. “Book Was There: Reading in Electronic Times” by Andrew Piper: In the steady cascade of books about the digital humanities and the relationships with books that has preceded it, Andrew Piper’s “Book Was There: Reading in Electronic Times” has stayed with me, and not just because of its blunt title, which is not a typo, but a lift from Gertrude Stein. “The Old Ways” by Robert MacFarlane: The New York Times Book Review used to have a column of sentences from recently published books called “Noted With Pleasure.” Robert MacFarlane’s “The Old Ways” carry something for everyone with feet lucky enough to be able to use them. As many of the walks he describes are north of this hemisphere’s 30th parallel (Austin’s latitude), it’s a book I’ll be re-visiting this summer. “War and Peace” by Leo Tolstoy: Even in the summer, nobody has time to read the Russians, but everyone should try Tolstoy’s “War and Peace” someday. At more than half a million words, it’s a commitment — about 40 hours if you’re a slow reader — but really, what better way to contemplate, as Rachel Bespaloff did in 1947, “the revelation made by solitude in the thick of collective action”?
Janine Barchas, associate professor “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen: Ok, I teach a lot of Austen, so I’m biased, but it has been precisely 200 years since the novel’s first publication, making this anniversary summer THE perfect time to reread (or finally get around to reading) this classic. There is a reason the UT English Department cannot supersaturate current demand for Austen classes: she’s is an incredible writer! “The Island at the Center of the World” by Russell Shorto: It turns out that those early Puritans went to New England to practice religious intolerance, finding their initial surroundings in Holland too accepting of religious diversity. Instead, it was the Dutch colony of Manhattan that laid the groundwork for much of America’s emphasis on religious tolerance. This smart history of New York argues that Dutch traditions, reforged in the 17th century colony of Manhattan Island, remain at the heart of modern American culture. As a first-generation Dutch immigrant, I relished the shared cultural heritage this book reveals. “Changing Places” by David Lodge: I first read this academic satire in graduate school. I plan to reread it this summer, hoping it will stand up to my memories of unladylike snorts of laughter. The story is about two professors, an American and a Brit, who swap places through an academic exchange program between their universities. Since I just returned from a successful six-month “swap” at the University of Auckland, I might even send a copy to my counterpart in New Zealand.
Friday, May 3, 2013
Laura Furman, professor emeritus “The House at Belle Fontaine: Stories” by Lily Tuck: The new collection from one of my favorite writers. (One of the stories is in The O. Henry Prize Stories 2013, to be published in September 2013 by Anchor Books.) “Paris to the Pyrenees: A Skeptic Pilgrim Walks the Way of Saint James” by David Downie: The author walked, as the title indicates, from Paris to the Pyrenees in a quest to improve his physical health and perhaps also to find a spiritual self. A nonbeliever, lover of Roman history and knowledgeable about all aspects of French life, Downie is the perfect guide for the armchair hiker. I love this journey. Downie was lucky enough to be accompanied by Alison Harris, a fabulous photographer and excellent companion, always ready with the sensible, funny and well-tempered remark. Her photographs make the book! “Red Brick, Black Mountain, White Clay: Reflections on Art, Family, and Survival” by Christopher Benfey: A few days ago, I noticed that the New York Times Book Review recommended this book, just out in paperback, and I ordered it for my Kindle. It’s delightful, erudite and sympathetic. Benfey is tracing his family’s history, and his own development, through the materials and places connected to the past, and brings the reader into a world of influences: Quakerism, pottery, inventive and radical artists and the Holocaust. He is exploring his answer to the question we all have — where do I come from, and what mark has my background made on me? Am I my own creation or the result of my ancestors?
Friday, May 3, 2013
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS REC SPORTS FACILITIES
Our campus
BEHIND Page 27
THE
SCENES
by Channing Homan photo by Trisha Seelig
Summer is brimming over the horizon and it’s warming to a swelter. Soon the blistering heat will no longer permit cool jogs along the lake or yoga in the park, but the Division of Recreational Sports offers cool, air-conditioned gyms all over campus to help you achieve a ripped and toned summer body. “Besides the physical benefits, exercise can improve sleep and focus, both of which are important for academics” said Jennifer Speer, the UT RecSports associate director. “Exercise can also aid in improving the immune system, and by having a strong immune system, you are less [likely to become] sick.” Speer suggests incorporating exercise into a student, faculty or staff member’s daily schedule to create a long-lasting habit that lasts beyond the Forty Acres. RecSports has several facilities which all run on a similar summer schedule. All gyms are open throughout the summer, except Anna Hiss Gymnasium. Participants can play basketball or run on the track at the Caven Lacrosse and Sports Center at Clark Field to soak up some Vitamin D, stay cool in the aquatics complex of Gregory Gymnasium for the ultimate fullbody workout or train in the Recreational Sports Center or Bellmont Hall for a smaller gym environment. Faculty and staff members are required to pay a membership fee to utilize ranging at $34 for a monthly membership and $136 for a yearly membership. Faculty and staff members can also purchase guest or child passes for an additional fee and workout with the entire family! With a reduced amount of students on campus during the summer, the number of students partaking in the gym facilities decreases, therefore, machines are available more often in peak times. “We typically see 10,000 to 11,000 students throughout the fall and spring semesters and 7,000 during the summer, so you can jump on a machine at any time,” Speer said. RecSports also offers locker rentals for members to safely store their belongings safely. Locker rentals range from $4 to $8 and can be purchased online or in the RecSports office, located in Gregory Gymnasium. University gym memberships are included in students’ tuition; so believe it or not, it’s a service students pay for, similar to a library membership. During the summer, students enrolled in university classes still have the same access to gym facilities. However, students not enrolled are required to pay a student interim fee of $103 to cover gym costs. “Students enrolled in classes don’t have to worry about the fee because it’s built into their tuition, but students not enrolled, maybe students who live in Austin, but go to school here and are not enrolled will pay a discounted fee,” said Randall Ford, the UT RecSports associate director. “Students will still have access to all of the facilities, including weight training, basketball hoops, intramural programs, Texercise programs, etc.” If students are interested in trying a new form of exercise, RecSports continues to implement new services for students, including seven-on-seven volleyball and basketball tournaments, club sports including fencing and badminton, and adventure trips. “For additional fees, students can go paddle boarding in San Marcos or go rafting in New Mexico,” Ford said. RecSports is always open to suggestions for more programs. Anyone can suggest programs in the program office or online. Ford said the assistant director is always looking for new programs and comment cards are always recorded and answered. Whether you are looking for a swimsuit body or a break from the classroom, RecSports offers facilities for all Longhorns on the Forty Acres. “It’s a good way to educate students in a safe, relaxed environment,” Ford said. “We assure great hours, great machines and weights for our students.”
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