March 29, 2012

Page 1

Vol 120 | Issue 19

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Publishing since 1913

Independent Student Newspaper of Sam Houston State University

GSK kicks off PRIDE week at SHSU, pg. 3

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A&E Editor George Mattingly reviews ‘Hunger Games’, pg. 4

INDEX Viewpoints ....... pg. 2 A&E ................... pg. 4 News .................. pg. 3 Sports................. pg. 5

5-Day Enrollment numbers expected Forecast to rise after 6 percent drop Information from Weather.com

Thursday, Mar. 29 HI: 79 LOW: 64

Friday, Mar. 30 HI: 81 LOW: 64

Saturday, Mar. 31 HI: 84 LOW: 65

Sunday, Apr. 1

SOFIA MEDRANO Conrtibuting Reporter The Student Enrollment Management office is expecting an increase in student enrollment for the upcoming fall 2012 semester. According to the Office of Institutional Research and Analysis (IRA), this semester experienced a two percent increase in new student enrollment when compared to the spring 2011 semester. “Our official enrollment for the 2012 spring semester is 16,633,” Xiaohong Li, Senior Analyst for the IRA said. “This number reflects an increase comparing to spring 2011’s enrollment number (16,324).” However, compared to last semester’s enrollment of 17,617, there was actually a 6 percent

decrease overall. This may seem shocking, but Julia May, Associate Director of Communications says that universities across the nation experience a decrease in enrollment every year. “That’s very typical,” she said. “We have a lot of students who come in the fall and for whatever reasons, whether it’s financial or other, they drop.” According to May, students are more likely to enroll in the fall semester rather than spring because they prefer to begin classes at the start of the school year versus starting in the second semester. New students enrolling for the upcoming semester include beginning freshman, transfers, first time graduates, returning and exchange students. All of these have increased since last year except for beginning freshmen,

“Boy king” shines in Houston museum

HI: 83 LOW: 68

Monday, Apr. 2

which went down eight percent this past fall. Although enrollment for the upcoming semester is still underway, predictions are already being made based on past year’s statistics. “Student Enrollment Management is hoping for a three percent increase for fall 2012,” Martha Blume, Administrative Assistant of the IRA said. Along with tuition, room and board rates are also expected to increase by up to seven percent for the 2012-2013 year. Most meal plan rates are set to increase by 7.25 percent and room rates by five percent. With these changes, the Student Enrollment Management office believes that even the smallest increase in enrollment is good. The IRA also reported on enrollment by status, stating that

a higher percentage of part-time students enrolled last fall. As far as classification of students, there was a higher increase of seniors with an 8 percent enrollment growth last semester as well. Even though there were more females enrolled in fall 2011, it was males that led a higher increase in enrollment with a 3 percent change. Last semester’s additions of new colleges also affected student enrollment and some colleges experienced more growth than others. After the College of Arts and Sciences was changed to sciences alone, it experienced an 18 percent growth in enrollment. However opposite to that, after the Fine Arts and Mass Communications was created, enrollment decreased by 6 percent.

King Tut exhibit visits before final resting place in Cairo

Houstonian, Ch. 7 staff heads to state convention STEPHEN GREEN Editor-In-Chief Nineteen students and three advisers will be traveling to the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association in Corpus Christi from Mar. 28-31. Students will attend workshops and compete in journalism competitions ranging from news writing to live video news. The Houstonian business staff will remain in the office to conduct all regular business. The Houstonian brought home more than a dozen awards last year, including being named Honorable Mention for Best Overall Newspaper in their division. KSHU Channel 7 news, was awarded Best Overall Newscast when they competed against all newscasts across the state including the University of Texas. This is the first year that the KSHU Ch. 7 and 90.5 The Kat (radio station) will join the Houstonian staff in several years. SHSU currently serves as a university officer on the student executive board. For anyone with questions about editorial matters, Stephen Green will be available by email at sgreen@houstonianonline. com.

NICOLE GABLER Conrtibuting Reporter The temple torches on the wall flicker and Harrison Ford’s voice booms as massive, wooden doors open to a world of mummies and gold. Every childhood dream of seeing King Tut comes true at The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs, an acclaimed exhibition featuring more than 100 artifacts is now open and will be on view through April 15, according to MFAH. The artifacts will permanently return to Cairo forever this summer. King Tut, the “boy king,” died under mysterious circumstances in 1323 B.C. He was 19 years old and stood 5-foot-6 at the time of his death. Malaria and an infection due to bone disease are possible causes of his death. Tutankhamun was buried in the Valley of the Kings, where

he laid undisturbed for some 3,300 years until his tomb was discovered by Howard Carter in November 1922. It is known as the greatest archaeological discovery of all time. Although thieves plundered a large portion of his tomb, his mummified remains still lie in a stone sarcophagus in his burial chamber, according to the King Tutankhamun Bio by MFAH. Patrons get the once-in-alifetime opportunity to see the golden sandals that were found on the boy king’s mummy, a gold coffinette that held his stomach, golden statues of the gods, his rings, ear ornaments and a gold collar. Gold is a major element of the exhibit because Egyptians believed gold comprised the skin of their gods. Many of the elaborate, gold necklaces resemble fashions worn today. “This exhibit is really interesting and fun to work in.

Photo credit: Sandro Wannini

I love history and being next to artifacts thousands of years old is amazing. Students should definitely stop by and visit King Tut,” said Nina Makinick, a

MFAH exhibit clerk. The exhibition also includes a replica of King Tut’s mummy —

TUT, page 3

Gibson: Tuition, fees to increase by Spring 2013 CONNOR HYDE Contributing Reporter The university president introduced further increases to tuition and fees at an open forum for students, faculty and staff. Dana Gibson Ph.D. conducted a public forum Tuesday and Wednesday to discuss the tuition increase to go into effect spring 2013, in response to the declining revenue Sam Houston State University receives from the state of Texas and needed expansions to the LSC and Health Center. Tuition and fees for spring 2013 are projected to increase to $4,220 from its standing $4,060 to fund the expansions on the LSC and the Health Center still

center and the LSC expansions,” said, SHSU’s educational budget SGA president Tyler Eberhart will transition from formula said. “We plan to be as informed funding to tuition based. Despite about why and where the increase the projected tuition increases, comes from and to let the SHSU still ranks among the least students know the expensive schools reasoning behind in Texas. the increases.” Before tuition We lost $10 million [in The general increase is revenue]... revenue SHSU decided, a student receives from the referendum will be --Dana Gibson Ph.D. state government held to decide the has declined from progression of any 64 percent of the increase in tuition. educational budget to 40.2 “Any increases in funding will percent in 2011. Designated only come from a student wide tuition, controlled by the referendum which all students university, is rapidly increasing in may vote on,” Eberhart said. response to the declining support SGA senators would not from the state. comment on the future of the “We lost $10.7 million,” Gibson student referendums.

Photo courtesy SHSU website.

up for vote within the Student Government Association and the student public. “The voting will take place April 10 for both the health

HI: 84 LOW: 65

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Viewpoints

Page 2 Thursday, March 29, 2012

houstonianonline.com/viewpoints

Picture yourself in a boat on a river

I

Richard McKinney wishes everyone could return to the innocence of youth

just saw a friend’s Facebook status that depicted her fervent views toward cancer. I’m sure we all share the same belief that, well, in simplest terms – cancer sucks! It takes people from the world with seemingly no remorse. Disease does not filter itself – it attacks every person equally. I commented on her status about my recent dealings with cancer, which I will get to later. It seems, though, that we live in a world where despair and pain are commonplace. Where every person has their bought with depression – sometimes a lifelong battle. Has this always been the case? Have people always been this seemingly unhappy? Certainly disease has always been present, and psychological factors have always played a part in this – whether psychology was something that was known at the time or not. It seems, though, that our society revolves around the shred of hope every person has.

It seems that more and more people are renouncing fantasy in view of some imagined reality. We have all been kids once, right? We all had a time where fantasy was reality. There was a brief moment when we would all love with everything we had. We really didn’t know what was bad about the world – what was evil. At some point though, somewhere down the line, we lost sight of this perpetual happiness and focused on the ‘real world.’ We threw our imaginations aside, forgot our imaginary friends, gave up our fights with dragons, and renounced our magical powers (even though I still hold firm in the belief that I have yet to receive my letter from Hogwarts). We shaped a cynical view of the world due to some inescapable involvement with society. It seems ridiculous, to many people, that someone can be very open with the world around them; that someone can share everything about themselves with

Richard McKinney Recurring Columnist

a perfect stranger. To some extent, someone may face complications while doing this, but it seems almost foreign to us. I know two people in my life who have survived cancer. At the time, I would have been too young to know what cancer actually is

– too young to even imagine the ‘bad’ or even what death might be. However, this past November I have really my first involvement with cancer. My aunt passed away from a terminal cancer that plagued her for two years. It’s painful - what’s worse is knowing all she might have been able to do in this world if cancer didn’t devour her. It’s hard seeing someone being literally eaten alive by something. Their body, soul, and spirit attacked beyond repair. Having to see the only light in their eyes being the prospect of a pain free life after their time is over. It’s agony on those who have to watch it. But, I can only imagine it’s a thousand times more dire for those who have to live with it. I want so hard to imagine a world rid of cancer - rid of all diseases really. A world that deals with life and happiness. A world full of cheerfulness and hope. A world where we can all return to those childlike fantasies. Not a world where despair and pain

Somebody calls you, you answer quite slowly Nicole Gabler

talks about her hassles with Balfour

M

y Sam Houston ring is my prize possession. It never left my finger since the Ring Ceremony. My family drove three hours to see me shake President Gibson’s hand and get my bling. I showed it off to anyone and everyone. It is a symbol of dedication and Bearkat pride. My ring was basically my precious… Until one of my diamond (cubic zirconia) stones fell out. My ring was less than six-months-old and a stone was gone!! I was heartbroken. I thought I could simply return it to Balfour and it would be fixed in a few days. The first phone call was the beginning of a three month battle to fix my ring. After listening to elevator music for 15-minutes, I finally reached a human voice. The representative listened to my story and promised me she would call back in minutes to give me a price quote for the

stone replacement. Insurance does not cover the stones! She never called back. My poor ring looked like I bought it from a pawn shop. My huge pride turned into slight embarrassment. The gaping hole stared back at me like a wound. In late February, two Balfour representatives were on campus taking ring orders. I jumped at the chance to finally talk to someone in person. I felt like the huge line of students was listening to my sad ring story. Prospective ring buyers started bombarding the Balfour reps with questions and wanted to see my damaged ring. I felt a little victorious. I handed over my ring with the promise that something would be done ASAP. Three weeks later and I hadn’t heard a peep. I called the company and they couldn’t find my ring!! At this point I was so mad that I was ready to drive to Austin and search the Balfour warehouse myself! The representative once again promised me she would call me back. No call. I called back and got another 15-minute elevator ride. They found it! But had no idea why it was there. They would call me right back after they contacted repairs. No call. I couldn’t believe that my prized possession was missing

and Balfour didn’t care. I felt hopeless. My ring was more than just a gold band. It was a symbol of my tenacity to stay in college and reach the ultimate pinnacle, graduation. I was stern and demanding during my fifth phone call. No more Ms. Nice Bearkat. I wanted my ring fixed, and I wanted it now! George, the only helpful Balfour rep, found my ring and helped me figure out repair costs. I paid $60 to have my ring converted from a dazzling, diamond top to a simplistic gold top. I don’t want to go through a debacle every time a stone falls out. The battle to fix my ring was ridiculous, but I love my SHSU ring and don’t regret buying it. I personally think that every Bearkat should get one. It is a Sam Houston tradition and connects you to other Bearkats. I have had many people stop me and look at my hand because they recognized the ring. I encourage all ring owners to cherish their bling and fight for it to get fixed. It’s one ring you’ll wear for a lifetime. Participate in the Ring Ceremony and be part of the tradition.

- Nicole is a mass comm major.

enter into the deepest levels of ourselves - our souls. I cherish what’s around me more now. I more vividly see love and compassion. I more readily offer a helping hand, and a kind word. Cancer has helped me find all of these things. I pray for a time, though, when we don’t need something as detrimental to persuade our pursuit of happiness. And, I pray for a time when these deadly enigmas no longer devour the spirits of those we love. I hope everyone can endure through whatever struggle their currently going through. That they can arrive on the other side a better person – a stronger person. I hold fast to the belief that we all need those childlike ideas we once threw aside. Tomorrow, wake up with a smile on your face, with love in your heart. Be happy to be who you are – and be happy to have an imagination. Live like children in a world of dreams. Be as happy as you want – and never stop caring.

Today in history:

March 29 1638 – Swedish colonists establish the first European settlement in Delaware, naming it New Sweden. 1806 – Construction is authorized of the Great National Pike, better known as the Cumberland Road, becoming the first United States federal highway. 1886 – Dr. John Pemberton brews the first batch of Coca-Cola in a backyard in Atlanta, Georgia. 1941 – The North American Radio Broadcasting Agreement goes into effect at 03:00 local time. 1961 – The Twenty-third Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified, allowing residents of Washington, D.C., to vote in presidential elections. 1971 – A Los Angeles, California jury recommends the death penalty for Charles Manson and three female followers. 1973 – Vietnam War: The last United States combat soldiers leave South Vietnam. 1974 – NASA’s Mariner 10 becomes the first spaceprobe to fly by Mercury. It was launched on November 3, 1973. 1999 – The Dow Jones Industrial Average closes above the 10,000 mark (10,006.78) for the first time, during the height of the internet boom.

March 30 1822 – The Florida Territory is created in the United States. 1842 – Anesthesia is used for the first time, in an operation by the American surgeon Dr. Crawford Long. 1867 – Alaska is purchased from Russia for $7.2 million, about 2 cent/acre ($4.19/km²), by United States Secretary of State William H. Seward. 1870 – Texas is readmitted to the Union following Reconstruction.

All comics courtesy Creators.com

1910 – The Mississippi Legislature founds The University of Southern Mississippi.

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1981 – President Ronald Reagan is shot in the chest outside a Washington, D.C., hotel by John Hinckley, Jr.

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1965 – Vietnam War: A car bomb explodes in front of the US Embassy, Saigon, killing 22 and wounding 183 others.

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1961 – The Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs is signed in New York City.

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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 936-2941495. The Houstonian is a member of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association.


News

Page 3

Thursday, March 29, 2012

houstonianonline.com/news

Kat Chat Allows students to voice opinion MOLLY WADDELL Associate News Editor A Kat Chat, allowing students to voice their concerns to faculty and staff, will be held on April 5 at 5 p.m. This event is hosted by the Student Government Association, and will be presented in a “casual, social media friendly setting,” according to an SGA press release. This means that students can submit their questions for the panel through Twitter and Facebook.

Student Government Association President, Tyler Eberhert said, “The Kat Chat is a valuable resource for the students at Sam Houston State University. The efforts of those involved with the event create an environment of efficient communication that allows all students an opportunity to have their voices heard.” Confirmed speakers include: Debbi Hatton, Chair of Faculty Senate; John Yarabeck, Dean of Students; David Kapalko, Head of Parking and Transit; James Fitch, Deputy of the University

Police Department; Sarah Hanel, Director of Student Health Center; Andrew Miller, Ph.D., Executive Director of Counseling and Health Center; and Mitchel Muehsam, Ph.D., Dean of College of Business. “We had presented to SGA before about the possible expansion of the Student Health and Counseling center, and they asked us to talk at the Kat Chat,” Hanel said. According to the press release, SGA wants to bring the public together to help inform the

Huntsville Community and inform students on current issues going on with SHSU. “Students problems brought up at this event form agendas for which the SGA operates and gives light to issues the student’s face at Sam,” Eberhert said. Fitch will also be in attendance and he will talk about the UPD and answer questions from anyone if they have them. According to Ronnell Walker, student affairs chief, the speakers were chosen at a meeting where everyone discussed potential

speakers and then invited everyone from the list, then the ones who replied will be in attendance. “This is the first Kat Chat that has been called a Kat Chat, but we had another meeting similar to this called the SGA forum,” Walker said. Additional information on SGA’s Kat Chat can be found at the event’s Facebook or Twitter page, as well as contacting the SGA office at (936)- 294- 1938.

Student Government takes care of business MISTI JONES Senior Reporter Recap of the Student Government Association meeting on Tuesday. • Vice President Jason Tilton encouraged the campaigning Senators to do well during the future terms, “As some of us step down as officers, I just really want to encourage you guys to take the roles that you play here seriously because I think they’ll impact you in a positive way in the long-run as a leader,” he said. • External Affairs Chief Cristan Shamburger spoke of City Council meeting endeavors that will improve Huntsville: sidewalks by Lake Rd before Christmas; Sycamore Ave. will have an additional turn lane added; Bearkat Blvd will be raised to prevent flooding. • Technology Coordinator Joseph Le announced that

• • •

on-campus WiFi issues should be improved as the availability of connection increased from a capacity of 8,000 to 65,000. He said they are looking in all the buildings for WiFi ‘dead spots.’ Senate Resolution S12-07 “The Angela Faye Rogers Ross Remembrance Act” passed unanimously. The resolution pays respects to Ross and enacts Mar. 27, 2012 as “Angela Faye Rogers Ross Day.” Ross, an SHSU graduate and teacher, was killed in a motorcycle accident on Mar. 24, 2012. Chief Kendall Scudder resigned from his current position as an SGA Senator. SGA unanimously voted to appoint Scudder to SHSU Student Supreme Court. The Senate unanimously passed Senate Resolution S12-08 “The Stellar Scudder Act” to thank

• •

Scudder for his dedication and service to SHSU and hereby proclaimed April 10, 2012 will be “Kendall Scudder Day”. Dan McDaniels will attend Apr. 3 meeting to discuss LSC renovations. Kat Chat’ will be at the Mafridge Auditorium on Apr. 5 from 5 - 7:30 p.m. to allow campus-wide discussion of campus issues and events; some speakers have been announced: Deborah Hatton, Chair of Faculty Senate; John Yarabeck, Dean of Students; James Fitch, Deputy Chief of UPD; Andrew Miller, Executive Director of Counseling/ Health Services; Sarah Hanel, Director of Student Health Center; David Kapalko, Assistant Director for Parking and Transportation; Dan McDaniels, Director of the Lowman Student Center;

Misti Jones | The Houstonian

CLEAN HOUSE. SGA’s meeting on Tuesday covered the basics of their meeting including but not limited to passing legislation and senator resignations.

Mitchell Muehsam, Dean of College of Business & Administration;Rhonda Beassie, Director of Student Legal Services; and more. University Affairs Chief Shane Rankin announced that 24-hour library hours for Spring finals week is

• • •

official. Last meeting will be Apr. 10 at 6:30 p.m. in LSC 320. SGA candidates have until Apr. 11 at 8 a.m. to campaign. Students may vote on Apr. 11-12 for new SGA positions.

UPD Update March 27, 2012

ball causing it to shatter.

Officer was dispatched to Lone Star Hall (910 March 26, 2012 Bearkat Boulevard) at 2:44 p.m. where the complainant reported that his prescription While conducting a traffic stop in the 1200 pill bottle containing his medication was block of 17th Street at 12:00 a.m., officer stolen. A theft report was completed. determined that the driver (a male SHSU student) was in possession of contraband. Officer was dispatched to the Lowman The male was arrested and charged with the Student Center (located at 1802 Avenue I) Class C Misdemeanor offense of Possession at 3:23 p.m. where the complainant reported of Drug Paraphernalia. that they discovered fraudulent activity on their department credit card. A credit card Officer was dispatched to the 1000 block abuse report was completed . of Bowers Boulevard (university parking area) at 1:54 in reference to a criminal Officer was dispatched to 530 Bowers mischief report. Upon arrival, officer met Boulevard (Baseball Complex) where the with complainant who reported that an complainant stated that while driving her unknown individual keyed his vehicle with vehicle, her windshield was struck by a foul a vulgar word. A criminal mischief report

TUT,

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created as a direct translation of the pharaoh’s recent CT scans. The real mummy has never travelled and still lies in its royal tomb in the Valley of the Kings. Visitors who are not able to travel to Egypt can get a sense of what it looks like at the MFAH. The mummy will never leave Egypt. “Egypt’s ancient treasures are among the world’s greatest cultural legacies,” said Terry Garcia, executive vice president of the National Geographic Society. “Visitors to this exhibition will not only see stunning artifacts spanning ancient Egyptian history, but they will also learn more about the life and death of Tutankhamun …” Museum goers can stand inches from stone statues excavated from royal tombs and sacred cartouches, a hieroglyphic nameplate or seal. King Tut’s canopic jars, containers that held and protected the mummified internal organs, are also on display. For more information on how to witness the journey through 2,000 years of ancient Egyptian history visit www.kingtut.org. Student discounts are available.

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was completed. At 4:59 p.m., officer was dispatched to the University Police Department where he met with the complainant. At this time the complainant reported that she mistakingly left her backpack at the Southpay Dining Facility and upon return the backpack was missing. A theft report was completed. A male Huntsville, Texas resident was issued a criminal trespass warning for all SHSU property after officer determined that he was enroute to the 1700 block of Avenue O (Pritchett Field) to engage in a phsyical altercation.


Arts & Entertainment Production to explore relationships

Page 4

Thursday March 29, 2012

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Cast to make “Some Girl(s)” relateable for audience

playwright travels across the country, and the costumes will help to reflect the present day setting of the show said Stefaniak. Because of the show’s focus on human relationships, a characteristic of LaBute’s writing, “Some Girl(s)” will also be an opportunity for the audience to delve into the characters’ relationships and relate them to their own personal experiences, according to Stefaniak. “They [the audience] are garaunteed to laugh, cry and connect with very relateable topics,” she said. “Some Girl(s)” will run through March 31 in the University Theater Center Showcase Theater. Curtains open at 8 p.m. each night with a Saturday matinee at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12. For ticket information, call the University Theater box office at 936-2941339.

Jessica Gomez | The Houstonian

FROM TV TO THE STAGE: “Some Girl(s)” was written by Neil LaBute. The play ran at the Lucille Lortel Theater in New York City, produced by MCC Theater and starred Eric McCormack, Fran Drescher, Judy Reyes, Brooke Smith, and Maura Tierney, who are all known primarily for their television work.

GEORGE MATTINGLY Arts & Entertainment Editor Students will get a peek into human relationships in the Sam Houston State University Theater production of Neil LaBute’s “Some Girl(s),” which opened on Wednesday. The play, a combination of

drama and comedy, focuses on the story of a young playwright set to wed his fiancè. When he gets cold feet about marriage, he sets out across the country to find four of his old girlfriends in search for the perfect woman. The small cast is made of up four women and one male

and stars Richard Smith as the playwright, Kathryn Taylor Rose as Sam, Lauren Leigh Smith as Tyler, Julia Green as Lindsay, Raven Garcia as Bobbi and is directed by student Sheline Elyse Widner. According to Theater Manager Katie Stefaniak, the actors had to overcome some challenges of

working in a small cast while working on the show. “The dynamics are so different in this cast,” she said. “They [the actors] had to be able to cooperate and respect each other, but I know they had a great time on this project.” The set will capture the four hotel rooms as then young

Dance graduates to showcase original work GEORGE MATTINGLY Arts & Entertainment Editor Dance graduates will showcase a variety of original pieces as students perform their work in choreography concert titled ROYGBIV: Reflections on March 29 and 30. Held in the Performing Arts Center Dance Theatre, the concert will feature 13 dances by 10 choreographers from solos to groups. The pieces will include a variety of dance styles such as modern and pop jazz, tap and even the use of aerial silks. The concert will be a representation of the Master of Fine Arts degree, which focuses on choreography and gives graduate a chance to fully produce and present their work for an audience. The dances will also display diverse attitudes and subjects through movement. Some of the ideas that will be addressed are the pursuit of the American dream, the objectification of women, the bonds of sharing, differing perspectives of death and stereotypes in the superhero culture. Dancers for the show were cast from a pool of undergraduate and graduate dance majors. After auditions, choreographers selected which dancers they wanted. According to Graduate Assistant Amy Wright , the concert presents an opportunity for all participants to learn and improve.

“The Grad Concert is an opportunity for young performers to observe from inside the choreographic process and for choreographers to refine their own process and hopefully make beautiful, impacting art,” she said. Aside from dance, Wright said the concert’s unique messages will be important for the audience to see on stage. “All of the graduate students in the program come from hugely different backgrounds, have different goals, and represent different points of view,” she said. “This has given us the unique opportunity to tell vastly different stories about things that we individually find fascinating, vital, amusing, or disturbing.” Wright said she hopes students will come to watch the performances and appreciate the hours of work students put into it. “We understand that not everyone finds modern dance to be accessible or interesting but we can guarantee that with a hugely eclectic offering of dances on this concert, everyone in the audience will see something that they find beautiful, clever, thought-provoking, or entertaining.” “ROYGBIV: Reflections” will begin at 8 p.m. each night with a Saturday matinee at 2 p.m. Tickets are $8 and can be purchased through the PAC Box Office at 936-294-2339. For more information, call the dance department at 936-2941875.

Photo courtesy of SHSU Dance Department

COLORS OF DANCE : The graduace choregoraphy concert will feature a wide array of dances including modern jazz, tap and aerial while exploring differnt stories on stage.


Sports

Page 5 Thursday, March 29, 2012 houstonianonline.com/sports

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Patriots get shot down

No. 28 Bearkats take down DBU, 5-3 CODY LEWIS Sports Reporter Sam Houston State extended its winning streak to five games with a 5-3 win over the Dallas Baptist Patriots on Tuesday night at Don Sanders Stadium. The Bearkats have won six of their last seven games. Sam Houston (15-9) totaled 10 hits and played error-free baseball. Dallas Baptist (15-8) totaled eight hits and had an error. Center fielder Colt Atwood had three hits on the night with an RBI, which is his fourth RBI in the last two games. Shortstop Corey Toups also contributed to the win with two RBIs. “The big thing about hitting is to have eye contact and trust in your hands,” Atwood said. “And when you do that and put the ball in play, you have a chance to win the game.” Dallas Baptist second baseman Austin Elkins took Sam Houston starter Taylor Holt deep with a first pitch homerun in the top of the first inning. This was Holt’s first start of the season, which was part of Sam Houston head coach David Pierce’s plan to have the real starter in the bullpen. He lasted two and two thirds innings giving up one run and two hits. His plan ended up working as he got a solid outing from Michael Oros. Oros (3-0), who took a loss to Dallas Baptist last season, picked up the win for the Bearkats. He pitched five and one third innings and gave up no runs and only three hits, while striking out three. Aaron Gilbreath started and

photo courtesy of gobearkats.com

KEEP ON ROLLING. Sam Houston State University pithcer Michael Burchett (25) pitches in a game this season. Against Dallas Baptist University on Tuesday, the Bearkats fell behind on a Patriot solo home run in the first inning. The Kats recovered and scored five straight to cruise to a 5-3 victory, their fourth straight.

got the loss for the Patriots, lasting only two innings. He gave up three runs on six hits and he was the first of six Dallas Baptist pitchers. The Bearkats started their scoring in the bottom of the second when short stop Corey Toups singled into right field to score first baseman Ryan O’Hearn and second baseman

Jessie Plumlee. Center fielder Colt Atwood then singled to bring home Toups making the score 3-1. Two more runs were scored by the Bearkats in the third inning with an RBI from O’Hearn and third baseman Kevin Miller scored on a balk. While the Bearkats were holding what seemed to be a

Rising Star: Sophomore helps lead team to wins CODY LEWIS Sports Reporter It was a rainy night in Huntsville on Feb. 18 when the Sam Houston State baseball team was playing San Diego for the second time in a three-game series. The Bearkats were trying to avoid giving up the series as they had already lost to San Diego the night before, and one player made the difference. Sophomore Luke Plucheck, who came in as a pinch runner in the game, stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the ninth inning with two away and teammate Kevin Miller on second base. Plucheck came up clutch and singled into left field, scoring Miller and gave the Bearkats their first victory of the season. It’s been quite the season for the sophomore, and he even made ESPN’s Top Ten Plays with a diving catch against the University of California Riverside in the ninth inning to save the game for the Kats on March 4. “Seeing myself on Sportscenter was pretty rewarding,” Plucheck said. “It’s a blessing. I’m just glad the team got the win that day.” Plucheck is now in the company of Sam Houston running back Tim Flanders and quarterback Brian Bell, who he happens to be close friends with, as they all three have been featured on this countdown of extraordinary plays. After he saw himself on ESPN, he said he received a couple of phone calls from his two friends in the Top Ten club. “As soon as I made it on there, both [Flanders and Bell] made sure they let me know that their plays were higher on the Top Ten than mine was,” Plucheck said. As a sophomore, Plucheck feels that he has put his freshman year behind him and improved into a better player. He is currently batting .312 from the plate, better than his freshman year, and has had a walk-off hit and has played in more games this season than he started last year. “I think I’m a more patient hitter,” he said. “I’m a year older. More mature. Nothing’s really a surprise to me anymore. I know what to expect and I can go out there and play comfortably.” Another change Plucheck, along with many of his teammates, experienced was the change from head coach Mark Johnson to former Rice pitching coach David Pierce this year. Plucheck explained that they are both great coaches, but different. “They both have different styles,” he said. “Pierce is an incredible coach and I’m glad I get to play under him for at least three

photo courtesy of gobearkats.com

SUCCESS. Sophomore Luck Plucheck has been a key player for the Bearkats this season.

more years. Coach Johnson was strict on a lot of things. He was all about the old school stuff, [while] Pierce allows us to play more relaxed.” In high school, Plucheck was an All-State outfielder at Tomball. However, he remains modest and admits that when it comes to the success of the team overall, selfachievement is not a big deal. “I’m not big about the accolades,” Plucheck said. “It’s rewarding, but I would rather have a conference championship ring on my finger at the end of the year than be an All-Conference player. I’d like the team to win a conference championship.” Plucheck contributed to the Bearkats most recent feat, sweeping their Southland Conference rivals Texas State for the first time since 1989. Plucheck finished the series with five hits and contributed to scoring three runs. “This weekend was the first time we were able to come together completely as a team,” he said. “It showed, not just our conference, but the rest of the country what we’re capable of at any time. Against a team like Texas State, that really says a lot.” The Bible verse Psalms 118:6-7 is tattooed on Plucheck’s right wrist and he says it guides him not only through baseball, but also through life. “It means, ‘For God is with me, He is my friend, for what can man do to me, for God is with me, He is my helper, I will look in triumph on my enemy,” Plucheck said. “It’s the verse I live by.” Plucheck would like nothing more than for his team to have a successful season and he is willing to work as hard as he can for his team to get there. “We’ll put on a show for the fans and pack the Don,” he said. “I’ll go out there and play hard every game.”

comfortable lead, the Patriots were able to score two more runs in the fourth inning to cut Sam Houston’s lead to only two, but were unable to score any more runs in the game. Wednesday, the Bearkats took on Texas Southern. For information about that game, visit houstonianonline.com. After Texas Southern the Kats

will travel to San Antonio this weekend for a three-game series against UTSA. This will be last time that the Roadrunners and the Bearkats meet for a regular season matchup as UTSA is leaving to join the Western Athletic Conference in July. The series opens up on Friday and start time is set for 6 p.m.


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