The Houstonian

Vol 114 — Issue 26

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Huntsville, Texas

WEATHER FOR NOVEMBER 19, 2009

Partly Cloudy High: 74 degress Low: 57 degrees

CLARIFICATION In the Tuesday, Nov. 17 issue, there was an article titled “Hearts of Gold” that caused a great reaction.

However, after further research, it was discovered that there was actually a miscommunication between the Administration, The Houstonian, and Bearkats For Life.

The Houstonian was told that the organization broke school code while in actuality, Bearkats for Life was given special permission by Danny McDaniel to place the chalk in its location.

Below are letters of clarification on the matter.

Below is a statement issued to Bearkats For Life regarding the manner from Dean of Students John Yarabeck.

"I regret that your group has been placed in any negative light. As I explained to you earlier, chalking the sidewalks is a violation of the Code of Student Conduct as it can be considered defacement of University property. However Mr. McDaniel was able to give your group permission to chalk the area outside the Katclub, as that area is considered part of the LSC and he supervises this area.

My reference to what was said in the paper about "people being overzealous" was not at all a statement about yours or any other specific group or organization.

I was just trying to use an expression to try to make a point."

Below is a letter from the president of Bearkats For Life Sylvia McMillan to The Houstonian.

I want to thank you for your response to the miscommunication made between the Houstonian, Dean Yarbeck, and Bearkats For Life. I just wanted to thank you as the editor of the Houstonian for getting in contact with us so quickly, and working with us and not against us. I'm sure you already know that I sent Bearkats for Life a message last night in regards to the article. And, yes, they have commented on the article like crazy ever since it came out. But just like I had to make it clear to them that we didn't violate school policies even though that was published in the article, I also had to let them know that there was a miscommunication between the three parties. So I just wanted to forward you the message I sent to them so you could be on the same page and so you can hear from the direct source. Thanks again for your response. You made my job a lot easier.

SHSU MENTORING AWARD

Anonymous donor helps create new award fund

By Kristina Salazar Editor-in-chief

Thanks to the help of an anonymous donor, the Student Advising and Mentorin Center has announced the creation of a new award.

Partnering with the University, the donation has created the SHSU Mentoring Award Fund, giving one mentor and one mentee a reward of $1,000 each.

SAM Center representative Candi Harris explains

the nomination process.

“If a staff member wants to nominate someone, they should submit a one page essay on why the student should be chosen,” Harris said. “If the student wants to nominate their mentor, they need to submit a one page essay on why [they should be nominated].”

Once the nominations have been turned in, then a selected committe reviews the entries. The committe

FEATURE PRESENTATION

INDEX

Nation & World...page 4

Entertainment editor Kevin Jukkola reveals the results of his weekly poll.

Opinions................page 2

Entertainment........page 5

Campus................page 3

Sports....................page 6

SEE page 5

NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION

Interested in being an Orientation Leader? To obtain an application visit www.shsu. edu/enrollment/orientation or pick an application up in the Orientation Office in the Estill Building - Suite 314. For more information contact us at 936.294.1782.

Life of dedication REMEMBERING A BEARKAT

Thoughts of admiration and gratefulness surround family, SHSU faculty and students with passing of Dr. James E. Gilmore

By Meagan Ellsworth Associate Editor

Red bricks carved with names and messages of memory and gratitude lay reflecting a key in the fall morning’s dew.

Black and gold with letters stretched proudly across its chest, this key is the focal point of the academic endowment park at the north entrance of the Smith-Hutson Business Building.

This key is Gilmore’s gift.

Last week on Nov. 8, Sam Houston State University said goodbye to Dr. James E. Gilmore.

“There is perhaps no other SHSU alumnus whose life has been so intricately woven into the fabric of Sam Houston State University as that of James Gilmore. For more than 40 years, he has touched the lives of literally thousands of SHSU students while making indelible contributions to the educational quality of the university” Today at Sam press release said in 1998.

Born on April 7, 1926 in Port Arthur, TX, Gilmore consists of Director of the McNair Program, Dr. Lydia Fox; Director of the Counseling Center, Dr. Drew Miller; Coordinator for MISS, Donie Miller; SAM Center representative, Candi Harris; and one McNair scholar who will be chosen.

Upon determining the winners for the awards, a small reception will then be held to recognize all participants — See AWARD, page 4

CLUB BASEBALL: BEHIND THE SCENES ON PAGE 6

T U O D E K LOC Joe Buvid | The Houstonian

graduated from Silsbee High school and was drafted into the army, during World War II, where he toured the Philippines.

After being honorably discharged, young Gilmore made his way to Sam Houston State University.

In 1949, Gilmore earned his bachelor of Business Administration degree from SHSU, and went on to teach business at Buna High School until 1956. He then returned to Sam in 1957, earning his Masters of Arts degree and began teaching as a Professor of Finance.

In 1965, back when IBM was the “blue chip of blue chip stocks,” a young freshman sat in the business building at Sam Houston State University contemplating about a symbol selling much higher then the other stocks on the list.

“Its symbol was IBMit, or something similar. Without thinking it through, as I should, I shot my hand up and asked Dr. Gilmore what stock that was selling so high,” Dr. James Gaertner, Sam Houston State Univer-

Joe Buvid | The Houstonian

Distinct honor. Outside the north entrance of the Smith-Hutson Building stands a marker dedicated to Dr. James E. Gilmore.

sity President said.

“He paused and said, ‘well

Jim, that’s IBM’ and quickly — See GILMORE, page 4

2009 REAL YELLOW PAGES DIRECTORY

SHSU Bell Tower featured on cover

By Sarah Andreani AT&T Spokesperson

The Bell Tower at Sam Houston State University is featured on the cover of the new 2009 AT&T Real Yellow Pages directory serving the Huntsville area.

The tower, dedicated in 2005, serves as a focal point for the university, and has become one of the community’s most recognizable landmarks.

More than 50,000 copies of this AT&T Real Yellow Pages directory have been produced for distribution in the area this year.

“We are pleased this beautiful photograph of the bell tower is featured on the cover of our new AT&T Real Yellow Pages directory for this area,” said Edwin Graves, AT&T Advertising Solutions area marketing manager-Southeast Texas region. “We always strive to make our directory covers special on the outside and to tailor the content inside to best serve the needs of our communities.”

Founded in 1879 and

Courtesy photo of AT&T

Front and center. SHSU President, Dr. James Gaertner, poses for a photo during the ceremony where SHSU’s Bell Tower was revealed to be on the front cover of The Real Yellow Pages.

named after Texas’ greatest hero, Gen. Sam Houston, the university has an enroll-

ment of 16,795 and offers — See TOWER, page 4

OPINIONS

Page 2 The Houstonian

THE ROSTRUM

“Although our intellect always longs for clarity and certainty, our nature often finds uncertainty fascinating.”

Carl von Clausewitz Prussian general and military theorist 1780-1831

Que pouvons-nous faire?

Grayson Posey advocates that SHSU take a new approach to foreign languages.

Parlez-vous français?

It’s difficult at Sam Houston to get a “oui” in response to that question. Why do you suppose this is? Some would speculate that the reason for this is a lack on interest in the French language. Others would argue that because we’re in the south French is less relevant to our everyday lives than perhaps another language.

All of these are perfectly valid answers as to why more people at Sam Houston don’t take French as their foreign language if they’re required.

I suppose my real question is: should it matter?

The Department of Foreign Language requires that French minors complete nine advanced hours in addition to the twelve hours of intro and basic conversation classes. This is a very reasonable request, even if the hours cannot be taken concurrently with one another.

However, how is one to obtain these extra nine hours if only one advanced class is offered per semester?

This would require that a student come into his second semester freshman year knowing that he would want to take a total of seven French classes in four years.

This is an incredibly unrealistic goal to have set for anyone, seeing as students rarely declare a major—much less a minor, as French is not offered as a major—that early.

So, while the requirements are not necessarily cumbersome, the timeline that the department has set is. The problem with this is that were a student to decide to minor in French it would likely cost him or her another semester due to the offering of only advanced course per semester.

Now, it has been argued that the reason for there not being equal support between the foreign languages is because of our geographic location. It is here that I must point out the fact that students rarely stay in the same city that they graduate from.

I’d wager a pretty penny that a rather large percentage of

Sam Houston’s 17,000+ students will not stay in the general area of Huntsville or the surrounding areas.

Geographic location is irrelevant when discussing broadening a student’s educational and professional horizons. The international language of business is French, and until recently, international politics also widely used French.

At the point in time where courses are not provided to the students, the Department of Foreign Language is hindering its students that wish to pursue careers in international relations, international business, foreign policy, teaching French, the United Nations, language translators, among other fields.

What are we to do? Pick up an English-to-French dictionary and pray that we can get by?

Moving further, this is a university. Its goal is to prepare students for the “real world.” This may be difficult to believe, but there are more languages in the “real

world” than English and Spanish.

If the Department of Foreign Language is not going to help broaden a student’s educational experience by learning the language and culture of other people and countries (which coincidentally is the department’s mission statement), then I don’t believe it has any business pretending to support a program that is clearly underrepresented in the university.

So what now? Do those of us yearning to learn a language that isn’t Spanish fend for ourselves? Or can we turn to the place that is supposed to help us. Can we implore the university to offer more foreign language classes for the betterment of its students?

Please, help me Department of Foreign Languages.

Aidez-moi, s’il vous plait!

Addison Reed discusses the importance of finding a passion in life to always turn to. to the empty spaces, many people don’t have something they can fill it with. Not everyone has a passion for something or someone that can pick him or her up when that person feels empty inside.

Sometimes we turn to alcohol to fill the void.

Other times we turn

tough times get the best of me more than once.

I’ve had my nights that I can’t remember to say the least, and lets face it, who hasn’t done things that they’re not proud of.

It happens to all of us, and even though it might not happen that often, it would be silly to

“

Unless your heart and mind are in it, you’re doing nothing more than lying to yourself.” to, shall we say, brief relationships.

Some people turn to drugs or other destructive behavior.

The point is that no matter what, all of us have gone and will go through a time where we have a rough spot in our lives.

What I believe is important to help get us through that is a passion that we can turn to in order to take our minds off of what troubles us.

I’ll be the first to admit, I’m guilty of letting the

think that just because it happened in the past or it rarely happens, that it’s not harmful to who we are.

I’m not saying that having a good time is bad, but ultimately I don’t believe that you can simply have a good time to avoid having a bad time.

Unless your heart and mind are in it, you’re doing nothing more than lying to yourself.

This is why I believe that it’s important that each of us develop a

Letter to the Student Body

Dear Sam Houston Students, Staff and Faculty and Alumni: The Houstonian would not survive were it not for the continued involvement and dedication of the SHSU student body.

We welcome all column submissions and letters to the editor.

If at any time you feel the need to express an opinion, please do not hesitate to email your thoughts or drop by our office in the Dan Rather communications building. We look forward to hearing from you and thank you as always for your continued support of the Houstonian.

Addison Reed Opinions Editor areed@houstonianonline.com

Paws Up, Paws Down In this section of the opinions page, we take a look at some various news stories around campus and give the parties involved either a “paws up” for a good job, or a “paws down” for a not so good job.

“Paws UP” to the Bearkat Men’s basketball team for starting their season 2-0. Two decisive victories already are making some Bearkats quickly forget about football season.

“Paws DOWN” to the recent health care bill proposed by Democratic leadership in the U.S. Senate. The bill is estimated to cost $849 billion.

And that’s $849 billion that doesn’t exist.

“Paws UP” to the SHSU clock tower which will be featured on the next cover of the AT&T Yellow Pages that will be serving the areas in and around Walker County.

Grayson Posey is a contributing columnist to The Houstonian.

He is a junior Political Science major with a French minor.

Nothing more than filling space.

I’m writing this column to fill space. As an editor, I’m generally dependent on other writers to fill my page, and occasionally I write a column myself to express some burning opinion or to get something off my chest. Today though, it’s about having a big white space on the bottom of page two that needs to contain a bunch of little black letters.

I’m not writing this out of disdain or disgust; quite the contrary in fact. It might be a pain that I wasn’t able to find another writer that I can trust to write, but the truth is I don’t mind it.

I will fully admit that writing is a passion of mine no matter what the reason.

It occurred to me that this newspaper page is a lot like each of our lives.

Sometimes we all have some empty white space to fill.

Like I said, I don’t mind filling this empty space because I’m doing it with something that I enjoy.

I suppose I’m lucky in that regard. After all, I know that when it comes

Thursday, November 19, 2009

passion in something or someone so that we always have something to turn to when life simply isn’t so good.

Each of us needs a constant, reliable, and healthy thing that will be there for us when we have nowhere else to go.

I have no advice as to what that thing may be.

My passion for writing today got me out of a hot spot when I had white space on my page, but even I haven’t fully figured out what I have to turn to when times are tough. It’s a project that takes each of us a different amount of time to figure out.

With that said though, I don’t think that that makes me incorrect or misguided. The truth of the matter is that no matter what, you have to have something to turn to when your life goes through a whole bunch of empty white space.

In short, what will you write to fill it?

Addison Reed is the Opinions Editor for The Houstonian. He is a senior History major.

Hard to give either a “Paws UP” or a “Paws DOWN” to the U.S. government’s recent decision to try some 9/11 conspirators in civilian court in New York City. Here’s hoping that everything will go off smoothly.

The individual opinions on the Viewpoints page are not necessarily affiliated with the view of The Houstonian or SHSU. The Houstonian is published semi-weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It is a news publication of Sam Houston State University, a member of the Texas State University system, and is produced by students. It is self-supporting and welcomes all advertisers. Those interested in placing ads or classifieds should call (936) 294-4864. The Houstonian is a member of the Associated Press.

The Houstonian Editorial

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Kristina Salazar...............................................................936-294-1505 FACULTY ADVISOR Patsy Ziegler.....................................................................936-294-1499 SECTION EDITORS Meagan Ellsworth........................................................Associate Editor Addison Reed................................................................Opinions Editor Lotis Butchko....................................................................Sports Editor Kevin Jukkola........................................................Entertainment Editor Thomas Merka.....................................................................Web Editor STAFF Kristin Meyer.................................................................Senior Reporter Mike Silva......................................................................Sports Reporter Joe Buvid..............................................................................Photo Editor Krystal Jackson.................................................................Photographer Heath Wierck.......................................................................Copy Editor

Advertising BUSINESS MANAGER Tammie Nokes..................................................................936-294-1500 STAFF Brittaney Pires.....................................................Advertising Manager Samantha Berezowsky............................................Account Executive

Advertising Deadlines

Tuesday’s Issue............... Friday at 2:00 p.m.

Thursday’s Issue........... Tuesday at 2:00 p.m.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

CAMPUS Rec Sports branches out

The Houstonian, Page 3

SGA is moving along

SGA passes new revolutionary legislation over parking and remembrance

By Amanda Earp Contributing Writer

After last week’s debate about the Scudder-Goolsby Parking Act, Senate Resolution F09-02, and after a few minor word changes to the bill, the Student Government Association unanimously passed the legislation in Tuesday night’s meeting.

“This is an issue that has been bugging students for years and somebody needs to do something about it,” Chief of Staff and author of the bill Kendall Scudder said.

The bill has four different planks.

The first calls for the administration to re-evaluate parking lots and administer correct markings to ambiguous parking spots.

The second requests that Sam Houston State University Vehicles follow the same parking procedures as students and faculty/ staff when parking in fire zones. The third recommends that the adminis-

tration consider the construction of underground parking when designing new campus buildings within the Master Plan. The last plank recommends a panel of students, faculty, staff, administrators, and representatives from both physical plant and the University Police Department to be “assembled” to address these problems.

Scudder said that every single plank of the bill is important.

“Ultimately, this bill is the cheapest parking bill to ever come to the senate and that is why they are going to take this one seriously,” Scudder said.

At last week’s meeting, two Sense of the Senate Resolutions were tabled due to the meeting running over time.

The two Sense of the Senate’s were passed unanimously by the Senate at this week’s meeting.

The first, Sense of the Senate Resolution F09-02, In

Memoriam of Rachel Pendray, is in remembrance of the three year anniversary of Pendray’s death.

The resolution is resolved with the “Student Government Association of Sam Houston State University send out this note of eternal memoriam to the family, friends, and classmates of Rachel Pendray.”

“I think this is very important that we pass this Sense of the Senate Resolution because it is important that her family knows that she is never forgotten,” Secretary and author of this Sense of the Senate A. Rene’ McKelvey said.

Sense of the Senate Resolution F09-03, In Memoriam of Those lost at Fort Hood, is in remembrance of the victims of the Fort Hood shooting. The Resolution is resolved by the Student Government Association expressing their condolences and “never-ending support to the

Recreational Sports will host an outdoor adventure that allows students the chance to climb trees in Riverside

By Brittany McClure Contributing Writer Bearkats with a sense of adventure will be taking a trip into the great outdoors on Dec. 4 and 5.

SHSU Rec Sports is presenting “exTREEm Climbing,” which is an event where students will get the chance to climb into the canopy of large trees at the University Camp in Riverside, Texas.

University Camp was chosen as the destination because of its large red oak and pine trees.

Registration for the event closes this week, but every spot has already been filled. This is the third time that exTREEm Climbing has been held and each date has sold out. The cost for registration was $20.

During the expedition, students are advised to wear clothes that they don’t mind getting dirty.

Because they will be climbing trees, their clothes are likely to become covered in dirt, bark and anything else residing on the trees.

Students are provided with safety equipment

such as a helmet and a harness. Steve Thompson, assistant director for Outdoor Recreation, says that students should bring “comfortable clothes, closed-toed shoes and a sense of adventure.”

Students will not need to bring any extra spending money because all expenses are covered in the $20 fee. Lunch will be provided as well.

Thompson says that signups for events begin one month in advance and generally fill up within a few weeks, so students have to act fast to participate.

Rec Sports has several events coming up, but most are booked already. The Lost Maples Backpacking event taking place the same weekend as exTREEm Climbing as well as the New Mexico Skiing and Snowboarding trip are both booked.

The next event that students can sign up for is the Caving Trip, which will take place in February. Signups for this trip will begin next semester.

For more information on these and other events, contact Steve Thompson at 936-294-3656.

— See SGA, page 4

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HOUSTONIAN

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NATION & WORLD

Page 4 The Houstonian

From SGA

From AWARD

families, soldiers, and friends of those lost” on that day.

Senator Christina Smith, who is from the Fort Hood area, said, “I think this would be really nice for the families if we passed this, to show that we support them.”

The meeting ended with two Senate interns, Chelsi Crane and Sarah Helton, being unanimously nominated into the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

According to Vice President Lance Weaver, the intern position was resurrected at the beginning of the year.

“They get a whole semester to get involved, get to know the veterans, get to know what is going on and decide if they really want to be a part of this,” Weaver said.

and winners.

Harris notes that even though one mentor and mentee will be recognized, they do not neces-

page 1

page 1

From TOWER page 1

79 undergraduate degree programs, 54 master’s programs and five doctoral programs.

“We’re thrilled the bell tower at Sam Houston State University is on the new directory cover,” said Frank Parker, vice president for student services. “When people reach for the AT&T Real Yellow Pages, they’ll be reminded all year long of the tremendously important role the university plays in our community and the tower’s importance to our students and the entire Huntsville area.”

sarily have to be a pair.

“The student that wins isn’t necessarily belonging to the mentor that wins. The two winners are distinctly chosen,” Harris said.

Also, it is important to note that the mentee or mentor do not have to belong to a distinct mentor group.

“They don’t have to be in SAM mentors. It could be very casual, such as having a student and a professor has taken them under their wing,” Harris said.

This is the first year for the award.

Anyone wishing to turn in a nomination can do so at the SAM Center in CHSS suite 190.

The SAM Center will be accepting nominations until April 15, 2010 and the winners will be chosen the week of April 26.

UN official questions world's hunger commitment (AP) — The director of a U.N. food agency questioned Wednesday how world powers could commit so much money to fighting the financial crisis and not to feeding the 1 billion hungry.

The three-day summit at the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization headquarters in Rome ended with little new headway in efforts for a new strategy to help farmers in poor countries produce enough to feed their people.

The director-general of the Food and Agriculture Organization said the summit "didn't go as far" as he had hoped.

"If it has been possible to mobilize trillions of dollars" to stimulate the global economy to combat the financial crisis, the world should be able to come up with resources to solve its hunger problem, Jacques Diouf added at a final news conference.

The summit was labeled a failure at the outset Monday when delegates from 192 nations rejected U.N. appeals to commit themselves to $44 billion annually in agricultural development aid.

The international aid group Oxfam denounced the gathering as a "lackluster" effort that wound up offering what it called "crumbs" for the world's hungry, estimated at one of every six people on Earth.

Calling out the nations. The director-general of the Food and Agriculture Organization, Jacques Diouf, questioned many at the meeting regarding why so many people are allowed to go hungry, yet money is being poured in to try and bail out the the worl out of a financial crisis. The summit has been labeled a failure.

Diouf said in his closing speech that countries had taken "important steps" by pledging in the final summit declaration to increase aid to agriculture.

But "alas, I note that this declaration does not contain any quantified objectives, nor any precise deadline," Diouf said. The United Nations had hoped the summit would commit to eradicating hunger by 2025.

Diouf dismissed a question that Norway had withdrawn from a partnership with FAO over his leadership at an agency seen by many as heavy on bureaucracy. He said he hadn't heard of such discontent from Norway and added: "I don't get instructions from any individual government."

Norway reviewed how around $6 million in aid channeled through FAO for 2008-2009 was spent for a variety of projects and "we

find it very hard to see the results," Norwegian Foreign Ministry official Lars Henie told The Associated Press.

"We feel let down by lack of reform" as well, said Henie, indicating there would likely be no more funding for such projects before 2012.

Oxfam joined many critics who questioned the value of the summit's outcome.

"A single meeting can't solve world hunger, but we certainly expected far more than this," Oxfam spokesman Gawain Kripke said.

Apart from Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi, who chaired the opening session, no other Group of Eight leaders attended.

"The near total absence of rich country leaders sent a poor message from the beginning. The summit offered few solid accomplishments," Kripke said.

From GILMORE page 1

went to another subject to limit my embarrassment in front of the class,” Gaertner said.

From the time he was a 19 year old student until he was a 65 year old president, Gaertner said Gilmore was a “great mentor and friend.”

While his career began as a professor, Gilmore also went on to become the chair of the department of General Business and Finance; the Associate Dean of the College of Business Administration; Dean of the College of Business Administration; and Vice President of Academic Affairs.

Preceded by Gilmore as the Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. David Payne said he met him when the two overlapped the position for a month.

While Gilmore carried on some of the day to day duties, Payne said he was able to learn the ropes of this particular university.

“Jim Gilmore was the perfect Southern gentleman.

Charming, gracious and thoughtful, with a delightful gentle sense of humor,” Payne said.

Payne said of Gilmore’s various roles here, he also gave great service to Sam Houston State.

“Most notably his role as dean of business, leading that college to AACSB accreditation, that was a very big step for that college and he played a very critical role in doing that,” he said.

The AACSB is the International Association for Management Education.

According to SHSU public relations in 1998, “The College of Business Administration at Sam Houston State University joined the ranks of the nation’s most prestigious schools in 1996, when accredited by the AACSB.” In 1997, Gilmore retired after contributing as many as 41 years of service, honored as a Distinguished SHSU Alum-

Thursday, November 19, 2009

nus along with the honorary title “Dean and Professor Emeritus,” and was initiated into the college of Business Hall of Fame in 2006.

Gilmore, who is said to have “spearheaded the successful accreditation effort,” was honored by COBA with the James E. Gilmore Academic Endowment Park at the Smith-Hutson Building.

The park includes benches and a table for socializing, and fundraising paver stones surrounding a “Beta Gamma Sigma Key icon, which is the highest national recognition a student in business can receive in undergraduate or master’s programs at schools accredited by the AACSB.” “We are extremely grateful for the many contributions Dr. Gilmore has made to our program during his distinguished tenure,” R. Dean Lewis, COBA dean said in 1998 press release. “With the James E. Gilmore academic Endowment Park, we have the opportunity to honor this remarkable man and benefit the institution to which he has dedicated a lifetime of service.”

From 1982 to July of 2009, the University of Advancement office said Gilmore gave over $10,000 in donations.

In the summer of 2007, a bench was dedicated in honor and gratitude of Gilmore by Ron Mafrige, which can be found at the college of business.

Beyond SHSU According to Sam Houston Memorial Funeral services, Gilmore was a “life member and past president of the Texas Business Education Association and received a doctoral degree from the University of Houston.”

He also served as the President of the Huntsville Rotary Club from 1973-1974.

“The members of Huntsville Rotary thrive in our community year after year by bringing to life Rotary International’s motto which is ‘Service above self.’ The member’s of our club are business and professional

leaders who excel by taking active roles in their community while enriching their personal and professional lives,” the Rotary Club’s President’s message said.

“Survived by his wife of 52 years, Dorothy Jo; daughters Susan Gilmore Hopper and husband Wade Hopper of Kingwood, and Kathy Gilmore Gilcrease of Huntsville; grandsons Michael Hopper of Houston and Landon Hopper of Kingwood.” Perhaps above all, Gilmore‘s proudest gift was the gift of love and life.

“He was a very loving and gentle husband and father.

I never saw him in anyway, anything less than that,” Payne said. “He was always courteous, always thoughtful, and always helpful.”

Service and Contributions “Visitation was held on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009 at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home. Service was held on Wednesday, Nov. 11 at First Baptist Church in Huntsville.

Special services were held at Interment Adickes Addition of Oakwood Cemetery in Huntsville.

Reverend Carroll Williams officiated and Dr. R. Dean Lewis, Dr. Bob K. Marks, and Dr. Jim Gaertner delivered eulogies. Pallbearers included Dr. Mitchell Muehsam, Dr. Leroy Ashorn, Dr. Ennis Hawkins, Mr. R.D. Hopper, Mr. Ralph Lawson, and Mr. Billy Vandiver. Michael Hopper, Landon Hopper, and Wade Hopper served as honorary pallbearers.

Memorial donations may be made to the endowment establishment in his honor by the College of Business Administration.

Those wishing to leave memorial condolences for the family may do so at www. shmfh.com.

Contributed information courtesy of the President’s office, Sam Houston Memorial Funeral, Today at Sam, and the College of Business and Administration.

Utah teen to challenge citation for McDonald's rap (AP) — The case of one of four teens who were cited after rapping their order at a McDonald's in Utah appears headed for trial.

Police in American Fork, about 30 miles south of Salt Lake City, cited the teens with disorderly conduct last month after the drivethrough rap.

The teens have said they were imitating a rap from a popular YouTube video, which begins: "I need a double cheeseburger and hold the lettuce."

Spenser Dauwalder, 18, has said employees at the fast-food restaurant told him and his friends they were holding up the line and needed to order or leave.

But Dauwalder said no one else was in line. He and his three 17-year-old friends left without buying anything.

A manager wrote down the car's license plate number and called authorities, police Sgt. Gregg Ludlow has said.

Officers later cited the teens in a high school parking lot outside a volleyball match.

Dauwalder is challenging the disorderly conduct infraction in state court in Utah County. He pleaded not guilty earlier this month, and at a hearing Wednesday, a bench trial was set for Jan. 29, said his mother, Sharon Dauwalder.

"It's just, it's wrong," Sharon Dauwalder said. "I think the whole thing is wrong."

Spenser Dauwalder's attorney, Ann Boyle, said the whole incident has been overblown.

But attorney Kasey Wright, who represented American Fork in court Wednesday, said the case isn't about free speech.

"This is not a First Amendment case," he said. "This is disturbing the peace. It's interrupting a business."

Wright said he's open to working out a deal in the case "if it can serve the demands of justice and the public interest." He said the trial likely wouldn't last more than an hour and is similar to what would happen if someone fought a speeding ticket in court.

Maersk Alabama repels 2nd pirate attack (AP) — This time the Maersk Alabama was ready.

This time it did what a multinational naval force couldn't.

Guards used guns and a sound blaster Wednesday to repel the second pirate attack on the U.S.-flagged ship in seven months.

But while the effort was hailed by one naval commander "as a great example of how merchant mariners can take pro-active action to prevent being attacked," it highlighted a growing schism over how ships traveling pirate-infested waters should deal with the problem.

The U.N.'s maritime agency warns against putting arms on ships although that is increasingly the case amid unrelenting hijacking

Fending off second attack. The first time the Maersk Alabama was attacked by Somali pirates, the captain of the ship was held in a small boat before Navy SEALs were able to free him. However, armed security aboard the ship were able to fend off a second attack.

attempts by young and impoverished Somalis seeking multimillion-dollar paydays.

Despite an increased international flotilla of warships off the Horn of Africa, maritime figures indicate the number of ship boardings has

remained about the same in the past year. And pirate attacks have spiked around the globe in 2009, according to a report released this week.

The number of attacks worldwide rose to 306 between January and Septem-

ber, surpassing the 293 incidents recorded throughout 2008, according to the International Maritime Bureau's piracy reporting center in Kuala Lumpur. Somali pirate activity off the Gulf of Aden, one of the world's busiest sea lanes, accounted for at least 135 of the cases. There were 44 pirate boardings and hijackings by Somali pirates in 2008 and 42 so far this year, according to the bureau.

Poverty and hunger are driving the number of pirate attacks in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean around Somalia, which has not had a central government since 1991 and is bloodied by war since then.

A member of a Spanish fishing trawler who was freed

from pirate captivity with his crew on Tuesday after a $3.3 million ransom was paid, said his captors were emaciated men ranging in age from 20 to 40.

More ships traveling near Somalia are using armed guards but still make up only about 20 percent of the total, Murphy said. Many of those are American vessels. Nexus Consulting Group, a Viriginia-based company, said Wednesday that its armed maritime forces have thwarted at least eight reported pirate attacks.

Four suspected pirates in a skiff had approached the Maersk Alabama, firing with automatic weapons from about 300 yards away, a statement from the U.S. 5th

Fleet in Bahrain said. The ship responded with evasive maneuvers, small-arms fire and a Long Range Acoustic Device, which emits earsplitting tones.

A self-proclaimed pirate told The Associated Press from the Somali pirate town of Haradhere that colleagues at sea had called 2½ hours after the attack began.

Kimberly Rochford, the wife of the Maersk Alabama's captain, Paul Rochford of Barrington, R.I., told WBZAM radio in Boston that she is happy there were weapons on board this time.

"It probably surprised the pirates. They were probably shocked," she said. "I'm really happy at least it didn't turn out like the last time."

ENTERTAINMENT

Thursday, November 19, 2009

The Houstonian, Page 5

MUSIC SPOT

Skillet comes to Houston amidst avid fanfare Brad Basker

Contributing Writer

This Saturday, fans of rock ‘n roll will have their musical stoves heated up when Skillet comes to Houston.

The band has been cooking since 1996, and they are the headliners on the Alive and Awake Tour.

Although their shows have evolved into major productions, they weren’t on the scale of epic proportions.

“When we first started, we hardly sold any records, and no one knew us,” said lead singer and bassist John Cooper. “But the people who liked us were fanatics.

They would drive for 13 hours, and there would only be 35 people at the show.”

In the course of 12 years,

Skillet’s success has far surpassed the days of small crowds. With purpose, and loyal “panheads” backing them, Skillet has experienced a streak of achievements.

In 2005, their album “Collide” received a Grammy nomination for the Best Rock Gospel Album. Two years later they were nominated for Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album for “Comatose”.

Skillet released “Awake” in late August, and it has reached #2 on the Billboard top 200, while currently approaching gold record status.

“It feels like we’ve kind of exploded on the scene,” said Cooper.

Aside from their sterling accomplishments, Skillet has always maintained certain principles within their personal lives. In an

industry where rock ‘n roll is often preceded by sex and drugs, they keep a healthy alternative in their perceptions.

“For us, rock music has always been about the music. I just loved the way it made me feel,” said Cooper.

Cooper feels that the connection between faith in God and being a public figure is a pertinent career aspect. The source of their

Skillet. The gospel rock band has many fans in Texas that are looking forward to their stop in Houston.

music is divine inspiration, and he believes that it can give people hope.

“I meet a lot of people that say they didn’t want to live anymore,” said Cooper.

“They say our music made them go on.”

The Berry Center in Cypress is in for a treat, as “panheads” and music lovers will have the chance to sweat profusely and lose their voices in the name of rock and hope. Cooper says, even before they became popular, Texas fans always showed support, and that it’s their favorite place to play in.

“This is going to be our biggest show yet in Houston, and we’re really excited about it,” said Cooper. “Don’t mess with Texas.”

For more information about Skillet or show times, visit www.skillet.com.

Entertainment Poll of the Week

What is the best drama of the decade?

SHSU Student Choice:

The Wrestler

SHSU Online Poll Results

The Wrestler.............................................40% Cast Away.................................................30% Lost in Translation..................................10% Million Dollar Baby.................................10% Monster’s Ball...........................................10% 21 Grams.....................................................0% About Schmidt...........................................0% Little Children............................................0% Mystic River................................................0% The Reader..................................................0%

Kevin Jukkola

Entertainment Editor

Darkness fills the screen at the conclusion of “The Wrestler” with the light attempting to penetrate from the sides, perfectly capturing the pain that the remaining life of Randy “the Ram” will contain. He will forever be lost in the lonely, distant abyss that seems inescapable. The imaginary walls of this harsh personal prison seem impossible to overcome because of Randy’s inability to walk toward the light, but against the current that has been establishes by internal tears throughout his life.

The final shot is beautifully poetic, but so is the entire extraordinary movie-going event. The camera is perpetually placed behind the characters, since most of them are healing from past emotional and physical wounds and compensating for the hurt that will forever plague them.

Although these are people who have experienced much turmoil throughout their lives that would seem to imply a sadness that is impenetrable, “The Wrestler” often has uplifting moments that suggest a chance for hope if only the characters will be willing to sacrifice some of the things they want for what they truly need.

Mickey Rourke plays Randy with an urgency and complete focus that makes it the best and most impressive male performance of the decade.

Marisa Tomei portrays

a delicate balancing act between being caring and callous as Cassidy, a stripper who is fearful of closeness because of past pain, and Evan Rachel Wood is Randy’s daughter, a young adult who fails to forgive him for his trespasses because he has not yet found out how to forgive himself. Randy and Cassidy are mirrors of each other, which makes their blossoming relationship continuously grow in its hopelessness.

It is impossible to be in a healthy loving relationship with Randy because he does not love himself.

Because “The Wrestler” focuses so intently on Randy “the Ram” Robinson, there is a misconception that the entire significance of the film is devoted to the battle waged between his continuous, self-inflicted plight and the dreams that seem unattainable.

It is actually about an exploration of love, life, past decisions that affect present predicaments, and mistakes that could lead to the extinction of all future healthy relationships.

These are universal themes that illustrate, in spite of his massive faults, Randy is identifiable as a real person who wishes for a better life but lacks the will to make the changes necessary for this newly found peace to occur. Most of us begin the race of searching for this peace, even if we never find it, but Randy is one of the tragic cases that is stuck in the starting gate, waiting patiently for an enlightenment that will never come.

Critic’s Choice: Monster’s Ball

Kevin Jukkola

Entertainment Editor

“Monster’s Ball” is one of the best films I have ever seen. The story is beautiful and tragic, harrowing and hopeful, with performances that capture not merely the essence of the character’s personalities, but the deepest, darkest depths of their souls. There is not a contrived moment in “Monster’s Ball” because the actors and dialogue create a raw sense of reality that is a triumphant exercise of both nuance and expression in every scene.

“Monster’s Ball” makes strong statements about the pervasive nature of racism , the death penalty, poverty and class, and how abuse affects countless generations because of its devastating psychological impact. Although it is courageous to make stark statements about such subjects, the greatness of “Monster’s Ball” is that it does not focus on any of these. Ultimately, it is about how two people can cross the racial and emotional divide that should keep them apart and whether they will find the path that truly gives their life the meaning that makes them fulfilled.

These are flawed people with insecurities that simmer beneath the surface and boil over with actions that illustrate their immense need for a human connection. The film carefully explains the motivations of the characters without obviously stating them, allowing the audience a glimpse into the reasons for their sometimes harsh actions. That said, these people redeem themselves not through the convenience of randomly placed plot devices, but by their belief that they can become better people by simply discovering the sense of humanity that had been previously overwhelmed by feelings of pain, loneliness, and hate.

The film sounds dark and at times it is, but it is also has an optimistic outlook on life that creates the possibility that these characters may find life contentment in a world that seemed devoid of it when the story began.

It is not an obligatory happy ending, but rather

an open-ended one that creates opportunities for the characters to find themselves through their relationships with each other and better understanding of themselves. The audience has a profound emotional experience, believing that something important has been accomplished, even if the unpredictability of life makes the exact future impossible to discern.

The plot unfolds u n c o n v e n t i o n a l l y, containing revelations slowly discovered by the characters that deeply affect the paths of their lives, continuously forcing them to carefully examine the utopia their hearts are searching for. Every moment progresses the story forward, possessing unparalleled meaning that is a delicate balancing act of the characters’ dreams that often seems so far away. There are sex scenes in the film that penetrate the psyche with their immense meaning behind every gesture that often indicates a lack of intimacy that is startling because of the profound act that is being consummated.

“Monster’s Ball” refers to the final party thrown for a prisoner before they are executed and, although the film does contain death, it is more about living a gratifying life by finding your benevolence before that dreadful day comes.

The performances and cinematography have retain

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subtle symbolism that simply add to the overall power and richness of the experience. The dialogue expresses only thoughts that the characters wish for others to hear, and it is delivered with conviction by the entire, superb cast.

The film never steps wrong. There are dozens of ways “Monster’s

Ball” could end, but the filmmakers choose the perfect conclusion to an amazingly poignant experience. It attains an ideal tone that is most effective in overwhelming the audience with a universe of feeling that is both inescapable and unpredictably hopeful with what has transpired before.

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SPORTS

Page 6 The Houstonian

Thursday, November 19, 2009

The road time blues

Locked out

Top: Jeff Welch gets hit by a Stephen F. Austin lineman. Bottom: McNeese running back Chris Pendleton runs away for a touchdown. Right: Tulsa tunning back Charles Opeseyitan runs in for a touchdown.

Lotis Butchko Sports Editor

All photos by Joe Buvid

It’s no secret that the Bearkats have struggled on the road, but with one game left to go over .500 which is on the road, they have to find a way to figure it out Mike Silva

Staff Reporter

The Sam Houston State football team will finish the 2009 season in San Marcos this Saturday, where the team will face rival Texas State.

The Bearkats won their home finale against a stingy Central Arkansas team last week, giving them a solid 5-1 finish at home for the season.

Sam Houston outscored opponents 212-145 at home on average, which is just over 11 points per game. The Bearkats have proven all season that it is tough to beat them in front of the Bearkat faithful.

The above cannot be said about the Bearkats’ play on the road. In four games on the road, Sam Houston is 0-4. The Bearkats have been outscored 198-69 and have had trouble keeping up with opponents. Both the offense and the defense have struggled away from Bowers, a place where the Bearkats will not have the luxury playing in the season finale.

“We’re awfully young but we’ve been getting better and better each week,” Head Coach Todd Whitten said. “It’s difficult traveling 70 college students and keeping them focused. How you play on the road separates the average seasons

from the good seasons.”

problem for the Bearkats playing on the road.

Sam Houston has had trouble moving the ball and putting points on the board away from home.

The defense has also struggled away from home, where the unit allows an average of 49.5 points

In Huntsville, the Bearkats score an average of 35.3 points. Away from home, the Bearkats score

per game compared to 24.2 at home.

At home, the defense has held opponents to an

just half of that at 17.25 points per game.

The offense has suffered passing the ball on

average of 350 yards of total offense per game.

On the road, the defense allows an average of

the road. Sam Houston averages 166 passing yards on the road compared to 276 passing yards

541 yards of total offense per game.

Another crucial number to take into account is

at home. Completion percentage on the road also drops drastically from 63 percent at home to 50

the disparity in opponents’ third down efficiency on the road and at home. At Bowers, the defense

percent on the road.

The run game has had issues on the road, as

allowed just 24 third down conversions on 79 attempts, for a 30.4 percent efficiency. When

well. The Bearkats rush for an average of 154.5 yards per game at home and just 105.75 on the

away, the defense has allowed 25 conversions on 47 attempts, for a 53.2 percent efficiency.

road. The most striking number is the disparity of rushing touchdowns on the road and at home. In

“It’s hard to win on the road,” defensive coordinator Scott Stoker said. “Big championship

six games at home, Sam Houston has rushed for 17 touchdowns. In four games on the road, they

teams have to, though. You’ve got to concentrate harder on the road and we just haven’t done a

have scored two.

“In college football, home-field advantage is huge,” offensive coordinator James Fergusson said. “You’ve got the distractions, the travel, sleeping in a different bed, etc. It’s no excuse, we’ve just got to be more mature mentally.”

Sam Houston’s offense hasn’t been the only

good job with that.”

Sam Houston hopes to continue to improve and finish the season on a good note by winning its first road game of the season.

The Bearkats will look to win the season finale to put them over .500 at 6-5 overall and 4-3 in the conference.

A competitor at all levels Amy Turek

Contributing writer

Kirby Zak, now the star midfielder of the Sam Houston State University women’s soccer team, began her career playing soccer in her own front yard against her older sister.

Playing against olde competition help set the tempo for Zak. When she was seven, Kirby began playing on a real soccer field as part of a team, and by the time she was 13, she was already playing for elite club teams like Texas Image and Texas Lightening.

In highschool Zak played for Aledo high school in Weatherford.

At age 18, she is now playing as a proud Bearkat, Kirby has scored two hat tricks, and was named Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Week on two occasions, and received an All Southland team honorable

mention. Quite the repertoire for a freshman at a division 1 college.

Kirby herself is surprised at what she has achieved this year, and she says she did not think she would even be starting games, much less scoring goals.

What drives Kirby is her love for soccer and her natural competitiveness.

“I’ve been playing for so long I don’t know what I would do without it,” Kirby said. “I like the energy. I like running around.”

She also likes the competition.

In fact, she likes competition anywhere competition is possible.

“Even in card games,” she said. “My friends are always like, ‘Kirby, calm down!’”

Kirby grew up watching not only her older sister play, but also watching the U.S. women’s

national soccer team. In particular, she liked Kristine L i l l y who

was captain of the team when Kirby was growing up.

Today she says she is not so much into watching s o c c e r, but with one exception.

“I like to watch David Beckham, but who doesn’t?”

The number that Beckham wears on his back is only one off from the number Kirby wears; 24. Kirby says she has always worn 24 since she started playing when she was 7. But why 24? Her birthday is Dec. 24 so it’s always been an obvious choice.

When she came to SHSU, luckily, the number was free, so naturally she chose it.

Kirby says she does not really know what she wants to do after college, or if she would ever consider a career in professional soccer?

“I would like to, if that chance ever came,” she said.

But for now, she plans to stay at SHSU to continue studying and continue her duties as an attacking midfielder for the Bearkats.

“So far, so good,” she says of her first semester. Hopefully there is much more good to come of Kirby Zak.

Last year the Sam Houston State club baseball team went on an unprecedented run making it all the way to the national tournament and finished the season ranked in the top five in the nation.

This semester the team is not allowed to play any games or even practice for the remainder of the fall semester.

Due to decision made by some of the younger members of the team in Ft. Worth this October, the team lost it’s privileges and was fined with 500 hours of community service.

“Things just got a bit out of hand,” said new club baseball president Dennis Shaefer. “We’ve never been careless but this was a bit disappointing.”

The baseball team, which has not had a violation in the past five years, received a harsh penalty in their view.

But according to Keith Jenkins, the director of recreational sports, the punishment was fitting of the crime.

“It’s a risk management issue,” Jenkins said. “The bottom line is it’s zero tolerance.”

At first the baseball team took no action. However Blake Suvinsky, the then president of the baseball team, stepped down and Shafer took over. Trying to show that they felt some remorse, the team changed leadership and is looking to suspend some players.

“They have done a good job,” said Jenkins. “I am proud of the group, and I am telling you this club has been good.”

Club sports does have a counsel which is overseen

by Kendrick Crumedy, the counsel can change the ruling for the baseball team, but Jenkins has already said he would overrule the judgment because it is violating school policy.

For the baseball team practice is the biggest issue.

“For us to be effective in spring we would really like to practice,” Shaefer said.

“We don’t meet during the week so its hard to keep the unity.

However, Jenkins insist that rules are rules and that these rules were broken.

“I was honest up front,” said Jenkins.

“They accepted that honesty and then broke the rules, and they are now asking for a lesser punishment.

“The main issue is there is still room for leniency here.

But they have to show me they are doing something to help themselves” The baseball team will finish the semester and from there begin to rebuild a program that was already on the rise.

“We did make a mistake and hurt the school reputation,” said Shaefer.

“So we deserve the punishment, we just have to move forward from here.”