Murray voters pass alcohol referendum Alexis Love sets sights on Rio, 2B
The Murray State News Aug. 24, 2012
thenews.org
Vol. 88, No. 2
COMING SOON (ready or not)
Walker in court again after acquittal Defendent responds to tampering with evidence charges Meghann Anderson Assistant News Editor
first-time and repeat DUI offenders. “I think that in terms of availability, more parties will be able to purchase more alcohol, and as the party continues, and as they get low, rather than running to Mayfield, Paducah or Paris, they'll be able to drive to Walmart or some nearby liquor store,” Stevens said. “Those that might have been deterred from driving drunk for twenty to thirty minutes will probably be far more likely to drive drunk for five or ten minutes.” Don Robertson, vice president of Student Affairs, however, doesn’t believe the easier accessibility will play a major role in campus problems with alcohol. “It was already only seven or eight miles away; now it’s just a little more convenient,” Robertson said. “You still have to be 21, but if you were going to get someone older to buy it because you were underage, you could’ve already done that, so I don’t see it making that much of a bigger difference. They thought that when we went (moist in 2000) it would be an issue but that didn’t happen either.” Bonnie Higginson, vice president of Academic Affairs, was in agreement, but said the University would maintain a watchful
Jerry Wayne Walker Jr., appeared in Calloway County Circuit Court Aug. 13, for the third time after recently being acquitted of charges in connection to a fatal 1998 residential college fire at Murray State. W a l k e r pleaded not guilty to charges Jerry Walker Jr. of tampering with evidence in connection to the case. The fire resulted in the death of Florida student Michael Minger and injury to Paducah student Michael Priddy in September of 1998. Marshall County Judge Dennis Foust set a hearing for 1 p.m. on Sept. 7, after Walker entered his plea to charges of six counts of tampering with evidence. A Marshall County jury acquitted Walker last month of setting the 1998 fire in Hester Hall at Murray State. The new charges were sealed and not included in the previous trial, after a Calloway County grand jury indicted Walker in June. Commonwealth Attorney Mark Blankenship said the charges relate to letters used as evidence at the trial in Benton, Ky. The charges also brought a response from Walker’s defense team Monday. Richard Null, Walker’s defense attorney, said he was pleased when Walker was acquitted of all charges earlier this month. “In a nut shell, they brought the charges, and we filed a motion the judge set it for a hearing,” he said. “I think the outcome should be the charges be dropped, and we feel like our chances our good.” Null also said he was pleased Murray State installed sprinkler
see ALCOHOL, 3A
see WALKER, 3A
Kylie Townsend/The News
Officials are keeping a watchful eye on local government as the city braces for a full expansion of alcohol licensing.
University reflects after alcohol decision Alcohol
Edward Marlowe Staff writer For years, students have returned to Murray State knowing they would have to “run south” in order to purchase their alcoholic partying supplies as the semester moved forward. Mac’s South-of-the-Border Beer Store in Puryear, Tenn., and Westwood Liquors in Paris, Tenn., have often been the lynchpins for catering throw-downs, back-to-school parties, end-of-semester castoffs, socials, mixers and other gatherings. However, on July 17, after months of lobbying from both sides, the citizens of Murray struck down decades of local ordinance and passed a local option vote allowing distribution of packaged liquor within the city limits. The vote passed 53 percent “yes” to 47 percent “no” with a 35 percent voter turnout rate. While people may still head south for Cosmo’s or 641 Club in Puryear for old time’s sake, buying liquor and beer will soon be as easy as driving five minutes to a vendor in Murray. Per the Student Life Handbook, by which every student must abide, Murray State prohibits the use or possession of alcoholic beverages in residential colleges. Students are not permitted to possess, for
the University any reason, containers of alcohol (kegs, bottles, cans or beer bongs) empty or full, in the Residential Colleges or College Courts. Even though the rules surrounding the campus are changing, Murray State will continue to employ a zero-tolerance policy on beer and alcohol, a policy held since 1922. This means venues such as the CFSB Center and Roy Stewart Stadium, which host popular sporting and musical events throughout the year, currently disallow alcohol and will not be permitted to sell alcoholic beverages to patrons as they are located on campus and governed by University regulations. One major area of concern is the immediacy in which alcohol will be available to students in the area, who by as early as October can run to the gas station nearest them to pick up a six-pack. Lowell Stevens, junior from Murray, said he believed the ready availability could pose problems for the local area if not monitored effectively and met with a strict policy on drunk driving in order to deter
Racer Band reports record numbers Alex Berg Staff writer The Murray State Racer Band topped off the start of school with a record number of interested students, breaking its previous high of 244 members by more than 50 – at 310. On Aug. 15, the number broke the previous record held for more than 30 years. “We had a great retention rate from last year. Approximately 185 out of 244 members returned from last year’s group,” said assistant director of bands John Fannin. Fannin said the large retention rate and growth of this year’s band is mainly due to the band’s major performances throughout the season. He said many members want to return to perform at competitions such as Bands of America’s Marching Band Grand National Championship, which will be held
Nov. 7 - 10 in the famous Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. At the event, the Racer Band will perform in an exhibition in front of 90 high school bands and thousands of spectators. Fannin said being the premier event at a competition such as this, for a band member, is like performing at the Super Bowl. Fannin also said the band’s recruitment performances at several high schools in the area, the media attention received at the Festival of Champions competition and the members themselves do a great job of recruiting and replacing positions. Bailey Boyd, senior from Murray, said some difficulties exist for large groups. “The large number of members will make it more difficult to play together, but it will also make a bigger and better sound,” she said. Ryan Knight, president of Racer Band and native of Benton Ill., said the band is the best possible
representation of Murray State. “We are a community that learns together and supports each other, continuously raising the bar for ourselves,” he said. The high number of members this year raised the bar for the band as it created some, what Fannin called, logistical drama. Uniforms posed the greatest logistical problem. Each uniform is custom-made and takes 150 days to make. Each member has their own size, and it creates the possibility of wardrobe problems. However, other necessities such as instruments are more easily compensated. Despite the small logistical trifles, Don Robertson, vice president of Student Affairs, said the large number of members is a tremendous asset to the University because it enhances campus life and spirit. Contact Berg at aberg1 @murraystate.edu.
Michelle Girmaud/Contributing photographer
Students perform on the steps of Lovett Auditorium Sunday, in front of a crowd of about 300 people.
WHAT’S
BASKETBALL FACILITY
PROFESSOR’S WELCOME NEW FACES
CAMPUS REALITIES
INSIDE
Contractors still on schedule for January exhibition, 6A
Bolin challenges students to enjoy Murray State careers, 5A
Tradition continues to entertain, inform freshman students, 5B
Football transfers bring bigschool experience , 1B
The News
News
2A
August 24, 2012 News Editor: Chris Wilcox Assistant Editor: Meghann Anderson Phone: 809-4468 Twitter: MurrayStateNews
This week Sunday
Friday
Saturday
•3 p.m. Soccer vs. Arkansas State; Cutchin Field, open to all •5:30 p.m. International Game Night Mixer; Wellness Center, open to all •6 p.m. Madeline Bartly Solo Exhibition; Murray Art Guild, free admission •6 p.m. Murray State Muay Thai; Martial Art Room, Carr Health Building •7: 30 p.m. Cinema International; “Margin Call,” Curris Center Theater, open to all
•10 a.m. Racer Week Explores Downtown Murray; Curris Center, 1st floor •7 p.m. Capture the flag sponsored by christ Ambassadors; Quad, open to all •7 p.m. Paducah Improv; Playhouse in the Park, tickets are $5 •7:3 0 p.m . Cinema International; “Margin Call,” Curris Center Theater, open to all
Tuesday
Wednesday
•4 p.m. Public Relations Student Society of America; Room 106, Wilson Hall, open to all •4 p.m. Student teaching abroad meeting; Room 3101E, Alexander Hall •4:30 p.m. Murray State Speech and Debate Team information meeting; Wilson Hall room 314, open to all •5:30 p.m. Student Dining Committee meeting; Hart Cafe, open to all •5:30 p.m. Tennis Club; Bennie Purcell Tennis Courts, open to all
•6 p.m. Alliance Welcome Back Party; behind Regents College, open to all •7 p.m. Wednesday Word and Worship; Curris Center Theater, open to all •8 p.m. Miss Black and Gold scholarship pageant information meeting; Curris Center, Tennessee Room, open to all
Police Beat
Aug. 17 8:36 a.m. A verbal warning was given for an expired Kentucky driver’s license. 9:49 a.m. A caller reported a problem with a dog in the Ryan Street west parking lot. An officer took an information report. 8: 1 5 p. m. A Murray State Police officer issued a verbal warning for an improper turn at University Drive.
Aug. 16 8:51 a.m. An Elizabeth College desk worker requested the emergency medical service for a male subject feeling light-headed. Subject refused transportation by service. A Murray State Police officer took a medical report. 4:49 p.m. A caller reported recovered property, thought to be stolen at the 200 block of College Courts. An information report was taken. 8:16 p.m. A caller reported a strong odor of marijuana at Lee Clark College. The Murray State Police were notified and issued a citation to Blake Oppenheimer, freshman from Prospect, Ky., for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
Aug. 18
•9:30 a.m. Sunday School Winslow Cafeteria, open to all •1 p.m. Soccer vs. Evansville; Cutchin Field, open to all •4:30 p.m. Murray State Muay Thai; Martial Art Room, Carr Health Building •6:30 p.m. Hangout and games; Elizabeth College Amphitheatre, open to all •8:30 p.m. Outdoor movie; Elizabeth College Amphitheatre, open to all
•4 p.m. Student teaching abroad meeting; Alexander Hall, Room 3101E •4:30 p.m. Murray State Speech and Debate Team information meeting; Wilson Hall room 314, open to all •6 p.m. Murray State Muay Thai; Martial Art Room, Carr Health Building •6 p.m. Interactive workout session; Wellness Center, open to all
Thursday
If you would like an event to appear in the This week section, fill out a form in The Murray State News office at 111 Wilson Hall, fax to 809-3175 or email information to thenews@murraystate.edu. Please submit events by noon on Wednesdays. We cannot guarantee all items received will be published.
For more on sorority recruitment at Murray State, turn to page 6A.
•4:30 p.m. Murray State Muay Thai; Martial Art Room, Carr Health Building •5:30 p.m. Tennis Club; Bennie Purcell Tennis Courts, open to all •7:0 7 p.m . Baptist Campus Ministries, open to all •7:30 p.m . Cinema International; “The Princess of Montpensier,” Curris Center Theater, open to all •9:30 p.m. Music Shows; Hart Coffee Shop, free admission
7:31 p.m. A caller reported a dispute with another person at the CFSB Center. The Murray State Police were notified and took an information report.
tion for criminal possession of alcohol by a minor. 7:19 p.m. A caller reported a dog in a vehicle unattended. The Murray State Police were notified.
Aug. 19
Aug. 20
10:56 a.m. A caller reported a suspicious bag in the Faculty Hall parking lot. 11:19 a.m. A caller reported possible drugs and alcohol in Lee Clark College. The Murray State Police issued a cita-
8:57 a.m. A caller reported smoke in the men’s locker room in the CFSB center. The Murray Fire Department, Facilities Management and a Murray State officer were notified.
9:43 a.m. A Murray State officer reported improper parking at Elizabeth College. An officer took a report. 12:16 p.m. The Murray State Police were notified of a locked vehicle and arrived on scene, the officer was unable to unlock the vehicle. An officer took a report.
C al l of F am e
Aug. 21 A caller requested an officer check on a male subject asleep in Wrather Hall. Subject was okay. He was resting between classes.
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11:25 a.m. A caller reported an unwanted phone call. A Murray State Police officer was notified and took an information report. 2:19 p.m. A caller reported a vehicle bumped into a parked vehicle. A Murray State Police officer took a report.
Aug. 21 1:48 p.m. A caller reported people with hammocks tied to the trees. Caller requested the hammocks be removed before they damage the trees. A Murray State officer took an information report. 10:51 p.m. A caller reported someone was harassing her and a friend. The Murray State Police were notified. 11:15 p.m. Racer Patrol reported suspicious activity. The Murray State Police were notified and issued a citation to Jordan Jones, sophomore,
of Boaz, Ky., for possession of alcohol by a minor.
Aug. 22 4:47 p.m. A caller reported a fight in the parking lot of the West Farm. The subject was gone when Murray State Police arrived. 9:01 p.m. A caller reported theft of property. The Murray State Police were notified and James W. Haynes, non-student from Island, Ky., was citied for theft by unlawful taking more than $500 and possession of a controlled substance. Motorist assists -1 Racer escorts -0 Arrests -0 Assistant News Editor Meghann Anderson compiles Police Beat with materials provided by Public Safety. Not all dispatched calls are listed.
The News
News
August 24, 2012
3A
WALKER From Page 1
Photos courtesy of KyTC
Contractors set the Eggners Ferry Bridge replacement span into place after a ship collided with the aging bridge in January. Right, works on the new span suspended hundreds of feet above the Kentucky Lake.
Administrators applaud quick bridge work Staff Report A vital traffic artery to and from Murray, the Eggners Ferry Bridge has been restored in western Kentucky. Mark Welch, director of community relations and public information, said the repair to the bridge has been invaluable to Murray State’s retention. “Some students faced dropping out last semester because they couldn’t afford the extended commute caused by the damaged bridge,” he said. “If those students weren’t accommodated they might not have been able
ALCOHOL From Page 1 eye as the year progressed. “It will be interesting to monitor, and to see if we have any related alcohol problems on campus,” Higginson said. “It will certainly be more accessible, but I don’t think it is really going to change much. People thought it was going to increase DUIs when the city went moist, but it didn’t happen.” While the city of Murray did
to continue their education here.” Welch said because of the repair Murray State has retained the commuting students from across the lake, who might have been forced to put a pause on their college careers. Repairs stemmed from an incident that occurred the morning of Jan. 26, when the Delta Mariner, an 8,200-ton cargo ship, struck the bridge, knocking a 322-foot span off the structure and into Kentucky Lake. A large gap on the eastern portion of the bridge remained over a secondary channel of the lake while state officials scrambled to find repair funds. Navigation lighting on the bridge was
not have an increase of DUIs when liquor by the drink was installed in 2000, Murray State Chief of Police and Public Safety David Devoss said he noted an increase in DUI arrests on campus after the vote passed (in 2000), but said he cannot jump to any conclusions with these new regulations and would have to see what happened over time. “We will be taking a wait and see approach,” Devoss said. “I don’t know what to expect, but we will monitor and see what does happen. We can’t predict what will happen.” According to Kentucky state
repaired during work to replace the span and reopen the bridge just before Memorial Day. The US 68/KY 80 Eggners Ferry Bridge is at the western entrance to Land between the Lakes National Recreation Area. The Bridge carries approximately 2,650 vehicles across Kentucky Lake per day. Welch said life was easier for many commuters and tourists to the area because of the repair. “Before the repair, Murray was cut off from the lake completely,” he said. “It hurt many financially who depended on the bridge for access to Murray.”
law, a full 60 days after an option vote must be observed before liquor licenses of any kind can be applied for and sold to appropriate vendors.
Alcohol the City Murray officially becomes wet on Sept. 20, and until then city officials will be discussing tax rates on alcohol, the federal ruling striking down a 70-year ban on grocery stores and gas stations selling liquor and wine, the possibility of extending hours of oper-
ation for liquor and dining establishments and the liquor license application process. The City of Murray’s Finance Committee approved a 6 percent alcohol tax rate on sales Wednesday. The committee also set operating hours of 6 a.m. to midnight for packaged alcohol stores. The motion passed by a narrow 3-2. Murray Police Chief Jeff Liles attended the meeting and distributed paperwork estimating the cost of alcohol enforcement would total 25 percent of the department’s budget. Contact Marlowe at emarlowe @murraystate.edu.
systems in the dorms after the incident in 1998. “Hopefully this will be over once and for all,” he said. Walker’s first trial in 2001 in Hopkinsville, Ky., resulted in a hung jury. He was re-charged last September for the fire and had a re-trial last month. He was the assistant principal at Paducah Middle School in Paducah, Ky. Walker was reassigned to an administrative position in Paducah City Schools’ central office after those charges were filed. The defense entered court Monday hoping Blankenship would ask Foust for a dismissal of the tampering charges. Blankenship decided to proceed with the case. “The commonwealth is not ready to dismiss these charges in any way, shape or form,” Blankenship told Foust in open court, explaining he had offered probation for the tampering charges in June during preparations for the July re-trial. “I advised the defendant on that, and that we could even join the charges with the case we just had, but he refused,” he said. Dennis Null stood with Walker during Monday’s arraignment and said former Graves County Circuit Judge John Daughaday would argue for the defense in the Sept. 7 hearing.
“The Commonwealth is not ready to dismiss these charges in any way, shape or form.” –Mark Blankenship Commonwealth Attorney In the July hearing, the jury found Walker not guilty on all charges brought against him at that time. “About a month before a trial and during preparation, I noticed he had never been charged with tampering,” Blakenship said. “I took that case to the grand jury prior to the trial and asked to add six counts of tampering and fabricating evidence.” Blakenship said the jury had no idea there was anything else, and it was his discretion to go forward and prosecute Walker on the tampering charges. He said he felt the letters and content revealed he was guilty. Blakenship said he is hoping the case will get settled and Walker would not go to jail. “The time argument won’t hold up— they tried with that in 2001 and 2012,” Blankenship said. “I’m hoping he will take our offer and put this to rest forever.” Contact Anderson at manderson22 @murraystate.edu.
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4A
August 24, 2012
The News
Opinion
Opinion Editor: Devin Griggs Phone: 809-5873 Twitter: MSUNewsOpinion
Our View
Grow Murray together The staff editorial is the majority opinion of the editorial board of The Murray State News. The debate over alcohol sales in Murray is indeed over with the July 17th vote to legalize packaged liquor sales within the city of Murray. Though the measure had been debated extensively before and brought to a vote prior to last month’s referendum, the people of Murray have, for the first time, voted to authorize packaged liquor sales within city limits. We would like to congratulate the city of Murray for making the right decision. In voting to legalize packaged liquor sales, the city of Murray has set itself on a road toward economic growth and job creation. The increased tax revenues generated from liquor sales will allow for an improvement in city services, if not an expansion in their size or scope. In congratulating the city of Murray, we would also like to make clear that although the debate over alcohol sales might be over, there is still an important debate going forward over what should and shouldn’t be allowed under the new policy. As this paper goes to print, members of the City Council draw up the liquor ordinances that will govern packaged liquor sales. In doing so, we encourage the City Council to make choices that reflect the will of the voters while also ensuring public safety. Although the effect of legalized packaged liquor sales on crime is
tenuous at best, we should not allow alcohol-related crime to run rampant, nor should we adopt a hands-off policy concerning underage drinking. The wet vote has been successful in large part because of the promise of economic growth and job creation in Murray, but now that Murray is officially wet, we have to keep it that way by making sure that laws against illegal alcohol use are observed and applied fairly. To that end, with the heated debate over, we should not only accept the will of the voters of Murray, but actively seek to minimize any potential complications that would come with legalized package liquor sales in Murray. Murray can find common cause in making sure that crime and underage drinking do not reach problem levels in Murray going forward. We understand that this has been a heated issue for many and a very emotional one for some. With the change in the law we believe that Murray can not only unite around the increased revenue and economic expansion that will result from packaged liquor sales, but also around a message that abusing this change in the law will not be tolerated. Anytime we see an advertisement for alcohol on television, we are always reminded to “drink responsibily.” With the first hurdle passed, we have to make an effort to ensure that drinking responsibly isn’t just an advertising pitch, but a reality. Illustration by Madeline Bartley
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What did...
you do over Summer Vacation? “I went to Arizona on a mission trip, worked, then visited Florida.” Amber Phillips • Soddy Daisy, Tenn.
“I worked at Boy Scout Camp as Personal Fitness and Sports director.” Hailey Buth • Louisville, Ky.
“I mainly spent my time working on a side project and going to see my cousin get married in Colorado.” Robert Tortorelli • Murray, Ky.
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Our View
Financial aid, financial woes The staff editorial is the majority opinion of the editorial board of The Murray State News. With state and federal aid drying up in face of budget tightening, students at Murray State have not been strangers to increased tuition fees and cutbacks in services offered on campus. Nevertheless, many students have found themselves in hangups involving student financial aid in the nearing of the semester. Although ranked highly by Forbes and U.S. News for its affordability and financial aid packages, many students checked their MyGate to find that needed financial aid had not been delivered yet, causing headaches and more than one angry phone call. The change in delivery of financial aid to students is the result of Murray State partnering with the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA), a public corporation and government agency that manages several financial aid programs. Because of a Department of Education mandate that requires students receiving financial aid to undergo a verification process, approximately one in three students will have to be verified according to Fred Dietz, executive director of enrollment management at Murray State. Verification sounds simple enough, but according to stu-
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dents, the process can take weeks or still be in process as of this writing. Many students have reported that they received their financial aid later than usual or have yet to receive it. The KHEAA process allows the agency to thoroughly review documents such as W2’s and income tax transcripts to determine whether or not a student qualifies for student aid. Students have voiced concerns about the process, many of whom have stretched themselves thin to make ends meet until financial aid arrives. “I'm on another friend's couch until I can get my financial aid because that's what I live on,” Corrie Stroup, a senior from Paducah, Ky. said. “I'm also going to get my classes purged again, because it's taking so long to get my aid.” Similar sentiments have come from other students as well. Later financial aid delivery will not cause students to be dropped from classes says Dietz, who emphasized that no student undergoing verification would be purged from his or her classes. Nevertheless, the response from the Office of Financial Aid at Murray State has also borne the brunt of student criticism and disatisfaction. “When I contacted the office of Financial Aid about my concerns they quickly pushed me off to KHEAA,” Nancy Starks, a senior from Cadiz, Ky., said. “When I finally reached them,
they just told me they had my paperwork and it was processing.” With the changes in how financial aid is delievered to students coming as a surprise for most, we at The Murray State News would like to see a more transparent process with regard to financial aid delivery. At the very least, students who receive financial aid should be informed of the change in policy with regard to verification. We realize that the actions of KHEAA on delivering these verifications might take more time than we are used to, but we should not be entirely in the dark about the process. Students should be made aware of the change to help them make adequate arrangements as far as finances are concerned. With many Murray State students receiving financial aid in one form or another, we don’t think that more transparency on the part of the Office of Financial Aid and the administration is too much to ask. Students should be informed as a whole rather than finding out about the process only when something goes awry. No one should have to worry about whether or not the aid they need is going to be there at the end of the day. While we understand that KHEAA is only fulfilling the mandate imposed on it by the Department of Education, we can’t help but wonder if there’s a better way to verify without delaying financial aid payments.
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The News
Opinion
August 24, 2012
5A
L ett er s to th e Ed i to r
Born in the U.S.A.
The Real Job Creators
Campus Voice
Former Sen. Phil Gramm (R-Tex.) once remarked that Wall Street represented the Hey Murray, Kentucky! Do you me, and never have I sensed that in the world have ever had. A questions, questions that are all ‘nerve center’ of feel it? Do you sense it? Dr. Bob my father, himself a minister, hundred years ago, less than 5 part of a sound college educaAmerican capitalNorman, my minister in had enjoyed and appreciated a percent of adult Americans tion. This is a great adventure. ism. I strongly disNashville once preached a sersermon so much. And for the went to college. I’m talking about big things. agree with the formon that I will not forget. He rest of his life, it became sort of Still today, in Kentucky, only 17 mer senator on Devin Griggs titled the sermon, “I’m Talking a family joke among the Bolins. percent of commonwealth citiDuane Bolin Opinion Editor this issue. About Big Things,” and the mesWe would be having a converzens are college graduates, assistant professor To me, the sage he conveyed that morning sation at the supper table on below the national average of 25 of history ‘nerve center’ of American capitalduring my freshman year was some seemingly innocuous subpercent. Only 7 percent of Kenism is not Wall Street. It’s Main the greatness of God and the ject and Dad would suddenly tuckians have graduate degrees, Street, USA. What makes American magnificence of his creation. blurt out, “You know I’m talking compared to 9 percent nationalcapitalism work is the man or No, Bro. Bob did not preach about big things this evening.” ly. Less than 1 percent of the woman on the assembly line, the about the insignificance of each We would stand at the picture world’s population have college pipefitters and the electricians, the of us in the face of the sheer window in the living room degrees. So, for our Murray steelworkers, the teachers, the depth and width, the infinity of watching the snow fall during State University students, listen! police officers and the firefighters. the universe; he did not mention some winter break, hoping for I’m talking about big things! You Teachers, police officers and firethat we are mere specks of dust the snow to keep falling and he are the elite. fighters? What do any of those guys compared to the vastness of the would say, “Yes, I’m talking You have accomplished so or gals have to do with the success universe. Instead, he argued about big things.” much already, but it’s not just of American capitalism? When we how each one of us with our Well folks, when I saw those about making the necessarytalk about a productive economy, scores or hundreds or thousands lines of cars at every stoplight, grades in high school or now in shouldn’t we be talking about the or millions of capillaries, blood or those hoards of students college; it’s not just about comentrepreneurs and the risk takers, vessels, layers of skin, blades of already on the intramural fields pleting a program of studies; it’s not the man or woman who minds hair, tissues, ligaments, bones, Saturday evening, or the 330 not just about filling up a high the shop floor or teaches kids for a cartilages, nodes, nerves, cells members (yes, count ‘em, 330 school or college transcript; it’s living? and atoms—each one of us is a members) of the largest Racer not just about a degree even. No, Behind every risk taker, behind great, complex being. band in Murray State history. I’m talking about big things. every innovator and behind every Bro. Bob quoted from memory Well, let me tell you. I’m talking Walker Percy, the late great entrepreneur, there was someone the numbers of each of the about big things. Southern writer said it best. who helped them get along. A above. Unafraid of science, he Big things for Murray State and “You can make all A’s,” Percy financier might be a hot shot today embraced science, gloried in it for Murray, Ky. One of the finest wrote, “and still flunk life.” that commands a six-figure salary, as itself a part of the revelation. public comprehensive regional How will you live your lives at but they wouldn’t be in that position And every few minutes, the universities in America just Murray State University during if it weren’t for quality education preacher would take a deep became that much better. The your undergraduate and graduprovided by a decent teacher in a breath to say, “We’re not disfriendliest small town in Ameriate years? How will you balance good school. cussing a few obscure, insignifica just became that much more your lives: academically, physiThat same financier wouldn’t be cant facts this morning.” And friendly. cally, emotionally, socially and able to churn out anywhere near as then he would bellow, “I’m talkAnd most importantly, the spiritually? How can you find many financial innovations were it ing about big things!” largest enrollment in the history time each day to get over yournot for the police protection that My parents had visited me that of the university, broken down selves to serve others, or to “forkeeps his or her bank from being weekend at Belmont University, student-by-student will have an get yourself on purpose,” as one robbed by the ‘have-nots’ or ‘havehad gone to church with opportunity that few individuals scholar put it. These are big littles’. This is exactly the point that President Barack Obama tried to make on the campaign trail a few weeks back in his now famous (or infamous, if you’re of the conservaI don’t claim to be smarter or more insightful ferently. However, when one set of justices, precedent and will be faithful to the Consti- tive persuasion) “You didn’t build than any of the current Supreme Court Jus- recognized as liberal are on one side of an tution. They consistently assert that personal that!” remark. Despite what the Mitt Romney tices. Nor do I pretend to fully grasp the issue and a second set of justices, recognized biases or ideologies will not affect their decinuances of legal theory. It seems to me that as conservative are diametrically opposed, sions. That being the case, one would like to campaign and his fellow Republithe Constitution is not an overly complex one can only conclude that personal beliefs think that most of the Court’s judgments cans are trying to accuse the presiand values are at play. Objective rational would be nine to zero or at worst, eight to dent of saying, his speech was pretty document. clear cut in that business ultimately It’s baffling that the Constitution can be judgments do not normally break along philo- one. It is my opinion that the people, and the benefits from large scale public interpreted so dramatically differently by sophical lines. Such weighty judgments very bright, knowledgeable and experienced should be unbiased by personal preferences, states, from whose consent the federal gov- investment in things like basic eduernment derives its power, must make abun- cation, police protection, firefighting justices, all sworn to “bear true faith and alle- sympathies, or political considerations. Justices, particularly those of the progres- dantly clear, the powers we wish to grant to departments, and other services we giance” to it. More baffling is that such interpretation appears to move along the lines of sive bent, seem to find novel ways to ratio- the central government through the Constitu- take for granted everyday. How far, for example, would the the party affiliation of the appointing United nalize constitutionality. In United States v. tion. Let’s amend the Constitution to specifiLopez, involving federal charges under the cally define the lawmaking authority we wish American auto industry have gotten States President. Constitutional interpretation is a simple Gun Free School Zone Act, Justice David to bestow on the Congress. Then, when in the if the American government (that is, intellectual exercise using logic and analysis, Souter stated that he judged laws to be con- course of Congressional events, a law is we the people) hadn’t decided to legal reasoning and knowledge of Constitu- stitutional if he believed that Congress’s passed whose constitutionality is questioned, embark on the largest public works judgment under the Commerce Clause was the justices should have a very much simpler project in modern human history tional history and Supreme Court case law. task requiring very little “interpretation” of (the Interstate Highway System)? How is it then, that nine brilliant justices, within “the realm of reason”. How many private spaceflight comI recall listening to the confirmation hear- the Constitution; a simple reading will do. could be so divided when deciding a question panies might we have if basic ings of several of the justices. Without excepof constitutionality? Douglas J. Lising research and development funding I can understand if perhaps one out-of-touch tion, they all assert that their judgments will author of justice reads or applies precedent a little dif- be based on the facts of a case and established Remember Roscoe Filburne was not a priority in the United States? Those same teachers, autoworkCheers to ... Team USA! Cheers to ... Racer Band! Jeers to ... the end of summer Jeers to ... the Interers, pipefitters, and police officers Winning a total of 104 With the largest numbers vacation. It seems like just yes- net going out on the today make American capitalism medals in the Olympics we’ve seen in a while, terday we were all looking for- second day of classwork just as they have for nearly and landing on there’s no doubt that Racer ward to the sand and the sun, es. Saving on paper two and a half centuries. Isn’t it but it won’t be long by not printing out Mars at the Band will continue to be a before the leaves same time? vital part of camall those syllabi might not have about time that we gave credit start to fall and been such a good idea after all. where credit is due? Isn’t it about Who says you pus life and Murmidterms start. Can Looks like living in the 21st time we gave the real job creators a can’t walk and ray State. Make we just have a Century has its downsides break? chew gum at us proud, Racer Contact Griggs at dgriggs little more time? after all. the same time? Band! @murraystate.edu
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Grift Town
By Casey Vandergrift
The News
News
6A
August 24, 2012
Sororities complete seasonal recruitment Meghann Anderson Assistant News Editor
Photo by Murray State Athletics Media Relations
The Pinacle Construction Inc. crew works to finish the new basketball practice facility, estimated to be complete by January 2013.
VICTORY PAYS Basketball facility nears completion Alex Berg Staff writer In March, workers of Pinnacle Construction Inc. began construction on the CFSB Center’s new basketball practice facility which aims to enhance the basketball program’s already successful team. Allen Ward, athletics director, said the facility was much needed and had been earned due to the men’s basketball team’s success during last season. “If we want to take our basketball program and build on the success of last season, this facility is necessary” he said. The facility will serve as an asset to men’s and women’s basketball training. It will also be the location of the coaches new office suites. Assuming progress continues at its current pace, the facility is estimated to be finished by January 1. Ward said funding for the facility came from the Community Financial Services Bank a couple years ago when it purchased naming rights for the building. The rest of the $4 million needed for the facil-
ity came from fundraising, he said. Ward said the primary purpose of CFSB’s contribution was to enhance the basketball program, he said the practice facility will offer the team a great facility to use year-round, regardless of any events. Once University officials had the approval from the Board of Regents and President Randy Dunn, Ward said he and many individuals decided to move forward with construction. The CFSB Center hosts a variety of events throughout the year and the private facility will give the men’s and women’s basketball programs the opportunity to practice whenever they may need. Don Robertson, vice president of Student Affairs, said having a dedicated facility would be beneficial to the team. He said recruits are looking for a school that has a dedicated program as well as a private facility. The center hosts a large number of events, he said it hinders the ability of the teams to practice. “With the new facility, the teams will be
able to have more practices and it will make the team even better,” Robertson said. “Having our own facility is important at the level we want to compete at,” Robertson said. “The team last semester created such a spirit on campus, my hope is that the same happens this fall with the football team.” He said he wants to see the same feeling of school spirit to last through the fall into the spring and said it was his belief the football team this year will succeed like last years basketball team. “The spirit our success brings is great for our past students, our current students and our future students,” he said. Ward agreed with Robertson and said Racer basketball is something the entire campus and community get behind each year. Said Ward: “Making sure that our basketball program stays at a high level is something I believe helps all of Murray and tells the community and nation what Murray State is all about.” Contact Berg at aberg1@murraystate.edu.
Regional campus underway Ben Manhanke Staff Writer
Orville Herndon/The News
Public officials dedicate the site of the Murray State Paducah Regional Campus, at a ground breaking ceremony.
Murray State’s Paducah Regional Campus is still in the process of construction, but is expected to be an appreciated addition to the University’s network. The campus is scheduled to be completed by the fall of 2013, just in time for the new academic year. Students at the Paducah campus will be able to receive both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. It is also expected the campus will bring jobs to the region. The official groundbreaking ceremony for the new Murray State Paducah campus was held Thursday, May 31, at the Barkley Property in Paducah, Ky., near the West Kentucky Community and Technical College. Brian Van Horn, dean of continuing education and academic outreach at Murray State, acted as emcee for the ceremony. “This campus will meet the needs of those that don’t have the opportu-
nity to go to Murray but still desire that strong academic quality that an MSU degree gives to them,” Van Horn said. Attending the ceremony along with Van Horn was President Randy Dunn, Board of Regents Chairman Constantine Curris, Paducah Mayor Bill Paxton, McCracken County Judge-Executive Van Newberry and Gov. Steve Beshear. Each of them had something to say about the partnership between Paducah and Murray State. Paxton said the project will be helping two leading communities: Paducah and Murray. “This helps Paducah, and that’s obvious,” Paxton said. “But Murray State’s mission is to grow their students, and this is going to help that mission.” Newberry spoke briefly at the event. “To paraphrase that old 20th century philosopher Humphrey Bogart,” he said. “‘I hope this is the beginning of a long and beautiful friendship.” Contact Manhanke at manhanke @murraysate.edu.
Sorority-bound women were the first to move into the residential colleges on Aug. 15. Recruitment began at 3:30 p.m. on Aug. 15 and the weeklong process began for the women wanting to join a sorority and for the women trying to find potential new members. Renita Avery-Meriwether, director of Student Life, said recruitment went very well this year. “Our numbers were higher this year than we have seen in a while,” Avery-Meriwether said. “We are very excited for all of our new members to the Panhellenic sororities.” Don Robertson, vice president of student affairs, said this is one of the largest groups of young women that have gone through sorority recruitment at Murray State in years. “I think this may be the largest group of young ladies we’ve ever had, largest we’ve had in many years,” Robertson said. “They quickly will find something to identify with and be involved with, which is critical for retention and adjustment, if you feel like you belong to something.” Robertson said Greek Life plays a major role for the freshmen who are venturing off on their own for the first time. “We have some of the current members back meeting the potential new members, and it creates an energy that shows we are gearing up for the school year,” Robertson said. “It’s an exciting time; everyone is having fun.” “Recruitment also creates this air of excitement,” Robertson said. “We start to see activity and people on campus, the Curris Center has activities and lots of energy. Them coming back just like the other training programs, First Year Leaders, resident advisors and athletes, it gets everyone excited.” Robertson said everyone including the faculty and staff are excited to see the students and start getting schedules underway.
Each sorority has GPA requirements that vary from incoming freshman to students who have already been in college. The Panhellenic Council removed GPA requirements last year. The requirement is also different for incoming freshmen and students who are already in college and going through recruitment. Incoming freshman have a higher requirement. Potential members must be full-time students. Full-time is 12 credit hours or more per semester. Bethany Eschman, vice president of public relations and recruitment for Alpha Sigma Alpha, said, as a chapter, ASA is excited to get things rolling this semester. “Recruitment went very smoothly this year, even though we had a larger amount of girls go through than normal,” Eschman said. “Alpha Sigma Alpha gave out 41 bids and they were all accepted.” She said the new pledge class is filled with a mix of spunky personalities and they already fit in perfectly with the sisterhood. “It should be a thrilling semester and Alpha Sigma Alpha is truly blessed to be sharing these moments with our 41 new sisters,” she said. Each of the five sororities took approximately 40 new members. Alix Bloodworth, sophomore from Murray, said recruitment went well with so many new girls. “The Greek community is so excited to have these amazing new women and we can't wait to see what they can contribute in their years at Murray State,” Bloodworth said. “This was my first time on the other side of recruitment.” She said all the active sorority members want to congratulate the new members and wish them all a wonderful experience in Greek Life. Said Bloodworth: “I still remember how nervous I was, but choosing to go Greek has been one of the best choices of my life.” Contact Anderson at manderson22@murraystate.edu.
Across campus Hammack remembered at banquet The Department of History will host the James W. Hammack, Jr. Scholarship Banquet at 7 p.m., Sept. 15, in the Curris Center Ballroom. Berry Craig III will speak at the annual Hammack Scholarship Banquet. Reservations for the dinner are $40 per person and should be reserved by Sept. 8 by calling Kay Hays at 270809-2234.
Eracer is erasing gender lines Eracer is a registered student organization open to students with non-conformist gender identities. The group meets biweekly and does not publicize its meeting locations. If you are interested or have questions, you may contact Morgan Randall, student moderator, at mrandall1@murraystate.edu
August 24, 2012
Section B
The News
Sports
Sports Editor: Jonathan Ferris Assistant Editor: Jaci Kohn Phone: 809-4481 Twitter: MSUNewsSports
Swing and a Drive
Football
Do yourself a favor I assume you’re reading this column either because you are a fan of a Murray State athletic team or you’re my mom or grandma. If you are indeed a fan of Murray State athletics, you should be squirming Jonathan in anticipation Ferris through humanities Sports Editor class over our Racer athletic teams. Perhaps it’s the return of a winning football team that has you fired up. We all have the privilege of watching Casey Brockman, one of the most prolific passers in Murray State history, continue to chase down and break Tony Romo’s OVC passing records as he takes one final shot at an OVC championship and a trip to the FCS playoffs. Oh and not to mention those threecount ‘em-three division one transfers, including a former Ohio State running back who was a four-star recruit out of high school. If football isn’t your thing, maybe you’re one of those three or four people around here who like basketball. We all know what happened last year for the men’s team, and we have an extremely experienced roster with six senior players including Isaiah Canaan, who was picked by Dick Vitale as one of the three favorites to win the national player of the year award at season’s end. That’s the Heisman of college basketball, folks. Never has there been as much hype around a season of Racer basketball as the upcoming one. Now, while most of us are fairly well informed about our football and basketball, many fail to recognize the other sports storylines on our campus. Believe it or not, Casey Brockman and Isaiah Canaan are not the only worldclass athletes walking this campus. Did you know Murray State is home to one of the best track & field athletes in the world? Yes I did indeed say world. Did you know she was one round away from a spot on the U.S. Olympic team in London? How about our seven-time national champion rife team? We have a USA Junior national champion attending our school, and 95 percent of us don’t even know her name. Now, I’m not naive. As cool as it would be, I recognize there are never going to be fans pitching tents the night before to get into an air rifle match. My point is, if you are a fan of sports, make it a priority to learn some of these team’s stories. If you love sports for the same reasons I do, you can’t get enough of the high drama that comes at the end of a game or the stories behind the athletes and how they got to where they are in their sports. Believe it or not, football and basketball aren’t the only sports with underdog comebacks and last-second heroics. It’s up to us as fans to create the atmosphere and support the athletes. I guarantee if you ask any student athlete on this campus they will say we as fans can have a significant impact on the outcome of a game. We’ve already proven ourselves in the national spotlight. Our fan base received national attention last year for our support of our basketball team. It’s not about calling out the other team or chanting some offensive saying it’s about supporting our athletes-it’s about making sure our athletes know without a doubt they are supported no matter the outcome. So, I charge each of you reading this (OK maybe not you Mom), to try out a new sport. If you’ve never been to a volleyball game in Racer Arena before, go. If you’ve never stopped by Reagan Field to catch some baseball. Make some time this spring to see a softball game. Heck, if you’re one of those oddballs who didn’t go to basketball games last year, you have no idea what you’re missing. Go and be loud and possibly make a fool of yourself, because I guarantee it will be appreciated by the team, the coaches and those watching from afar. Make some time, perhaps join the Stampede, and don’t miss your chance to watch world-class athletes, who live and eat and study and are in the same boat as you and I. Oh, and it’s all free. It’s an opportunity that’s unique to the college experience, so don’t let it pass you by. Contact Ferris at jferris2 @murraystate.edu.
1
New Season
3
Photos by The Associated Press
Jaamal Berry Running Back 5’11”, 200 lbs.
Cadarious Sanders
Darrell Smith
Defensive Back 6’0”, 189 lbs.
Linebacker/Defensive Back 6’3”, 203 lbs.
Sanders is a three-star recruit who spent the previous two years under Steve Spurrier and the South Carolina Gamecocks as a reserve cornerback. After redshirting his 2010 season, Sanders appeared in seven games, making only four tackles in limited play. He joins a secondary already containing senior defensive backs Julian Whitehead, Jarius Williams and Darius Buck, but provides depth as the Racers continue improving the secondary and defense.
From the Arkansas Razorbacks comes another FBS transfer: linebacker Darrell Smith. The hybrid linebacker/defensive back appeared in eight games last season for former Head Coach Bobby Petrino. He six tackles as a sophomore. Smith registered more than 200 tackles at his prep school, St. Joe High School. He earned Class 1A all-state honors his junior year and was ranked the No. 80 overall safety in the nation by Rivals.com. Contact Marlowe at emarlowe@murraystate.edu
Edward Marlowe Staff writer After spending his previous three seasons at Ohio State, Jaamal Berry joins a 2012 Racer squad who lost senior standout Mike Harris and is in need of production out of the backfield. Expected to platoon with senior Duane Brady, Berry ranked 40th in the FBS last year in kick return average (24.5 yards/return) and saw limited time at halfback. Berry was a prep-school standout at Miami Palmetto High School. He was ranked 22 in the ESPNU Top 150 and is considered a four-star recruit by Rivals.com.
Football
Hatcher excited for 2012-13 season, arrival of highly-touted transfers Edward Marlowe Staff writer For Head Coach Chris Hatcher and the Racers, it’s been a busy summer. Last week, Racer Football announced the arrival of three FBS transfers, ending weeks of speculation and quieting the buzz of the fast-spinning rumor mill surrounding the upcoming season. The new additions, junior running back Jamaal Berry, sophomore defensive back Cadarious Sanders and junior linebacker Darrell Smith, were introduced to the team during last week’s scrimmages, and Hatcher said it would take some time to get the new players acclimated to the playbook and into the starting line-up. “You’ve just got to teach them and coach them as you
would with a freshman,” Hatcher said. “It’s just that you have a shorter period of time to make that happen. How much they’ll be able to help us early, I don’t know, but we’re gradually incorporating them and we’ll get them more reps as they go.” From the outside looking in, one would think landing such highly-touted recruits from bigger schools would be a difficult process, especially for Murray State. However, Hatcher said scouting out talent from all areas is part of improving a football team and the luring of recruits is an intensive, drawnout process. “We’re always recruiting guys like that, and this year is really no different,” Hatcher said. “It’s just that some of these guys are maybe a little bit higher profile. Last year, as camp went on, we picked up
Jarius Williams and Qua Huzzie as transfers that maybe didn’t get as much headlines as these guys do.” When asked if bringing in new players hurt anybody’s feelings on the depth chart, Hatcher said he tells the team the same thing year in and year out. “We’re going to try and recruit better than what we’ve got every year,” he said. “You don’t want to play for a team that doesn’t do that. If they’re good players, then everybody is going to like them and if they’re not good players, no one is even going to know they’re on the team.” The Racers open the season against the No. 7 Florida State University Seminoles Sept. 1 in Tallahassee, Fla. Contact Marlowe at emarlowe @ murraystate.edu
File Photo
Hatcher enters his third season as MSU head coach.
WHAT’S
OLYMPIC HOPEFUL
INSIDE
Alexis Love ran for a spot in The volleyball team is excited Murray was chosen by USA Today Annual music festival gears up this weekend, 6B for a fresh start in 2012-13, 3B Travel as friendliest town, 5B London last summer, 2B
VOLLEYBALL PREPARES FRIENDLIEST TOWN
BLUES FESTIVAL
The News
Sports
2B Baseball
August 24, 2012 Track and Field
Scholarship dedicated to fallen baseball player Sophie McDonald Contributing writer On Oct. 2, 2010, Scott and Brenda McGurk’s lives completely changed when their youngest son, freshman baseball player Thomas McGurk, died in an automobile accident in Murray. Now they want to change the lives of others. The McGurks have established the Thomas McGurk Memorial Scholarship as a way to memorialize their son’s determination and spirit by assisting young athletes in obtaining an education at Murray State. The annual scholarship, which can be renewed, Thomas McGurk will be awarded to full-time students accepted as a member of the ‘Breds baseball team and who comply with NCAA regulations, with first preference given to applicants from the McGurks’ home state of Ohio. If there are no applicants from Ohio, the recipient will be selected from the incoming applicants by the head baseball coach upon approval of the athletic director. “I wasn’t ready to stop being his father so this is something I can do that makes me feel connected,� Scott McGurk said. “Also, I remember how tough it is for baseball players to receive any scholarship money and this provided another opportunity for me to thank the baseball coaches and team. Their interactions have helped get through these times.� The McGurks worked more than four months to set up the scholarship and it is still not 100 percent complete. “I have set up an endowment to keep these scholarships in place long after I have passed,� Scott McGurk said. “(But) the fundraising and time to get these fully funded may take another five years, I just don’t know on this part.� Finding himself living the sad reality of life without his son in a place where most parents would cut the ties that could stir up painful reminders of their loss, Scott McGurk continues to deepen his relationship with the school his son attended for less than two months by making a yearly trek to Murray and keeping in contact with many of his son’s friends. “All I can say is everyone grieves in their own way,� Scott McGurk said. “For example, David, Thomas’ brother, cannot bear the thought of visiting the campus and I know it’s difficult for Brenda, so I don’t push that upon her, but for me it can be painful but therapeutic as well. On the drive down I can reflect on our times spent driving eight-plus hours just Thomas and I. We made the trip several times and each one contains some good memories and good conversations. Then once on campus seeing the team again hurts because I never got the opportunity to see him play, but at the same time, the coaches and players make me feel part of the team and that eases some of the sorrow. Baseball was always my favorite sport and biggest personal interest in life, so while it’s been difficult finding any joy in life these past two years but it’s also one more way to stay connected to my son.� As his son’s legacy lives on through the memorial scholarship, McGurk remains thankful for Murray State and the ties it holds to his son. Said McGurk: “I prefer for Thomas’ memory to live on through his family, friends and teammates and this is just a tool to perhaps help accomplish this goal.� Contact McDonald at smcdonald@murraystate.edu.
Photo courtesy of Murray State Sports Information
Junior Alexis Love placed 6th at last year’s NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Love turned in a time of 11.53 seconds in the 100 meter.
Love runs for Olympic spot, proud to represent Racers nationally Carly Besser Staff writer The Olympics are a showcase of the most talented athletes in the world. Training is grueling, hours are long and dedication must run deep when one turns their sights toward the Olympic games. Murray State junior sprinter Alexis Love traveled to Eugene, Ore., to compete for a spot in the 2012 London Summer Olympics 100- and 200-meter dash events. Love showed strong Olympic potential last spring when she set the school record for the indoor 60-meter dash at the OVC Indoor Championship. She also earned All-OVC honors for her second-place finish in the 200 at the Ohio Valley Conference Championship. When Love ran her personal best 100-meter time of 11.28 last May, it became apparent the junior sprinter was ready for higher competition. Love set records in the 200-meter event as well when she broke the OVC record of Olympic sprinter Heather Samuel who ran for Murray State in 1991-1994 and then at the Olympics in 2000. “I’ve wanted to be in the Olympics since I was little,� Love said. “And I’ve been running for about nine years.� Love advanced to the semifinals of the 100-meter event with a third-place preliminary and a final time of 11.44, behind Chelsea Hayes and Carmelita Jeter. Jeter went on to win bronze in the women’s 200-meter event. The OVC Track Athlete of the Year’s tryout came to an end in the semifinals of both the 100- and 200-meter event. Her final 200 time of 23.10 was short of the final Olympic qualifying spot by .54 seconds. “The mental preparation for the games is what was the most
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difficult, and it takes a lot of focus and preparation,“ Love said. “Physically, I had all the same practices so it wasn’t much of an adjustment, but it was very tough mentally for me.� Love said she knew how important it was when she realized she had to run alongside the fastest women in the world, who have done this before. “My coach said ‘What would you say if I told you that you were running against the fastest woman in the world?’ And I did. I ran against her three times.� Love said. “I would go to the starting line and tell myself to calm down and breathe.� Admittedly, Love said she was star struck when she saw some of the athletes she idolized in person. “It was crazy,� she said. “I had to keep telling myself to wait to ask for autographs later and to keep my focus on my times.� Though she did not earn a spot in the games, she proved her ability to run with the best. In addition to representing her country, Love said she felt good knowing she was representing Murray State, and the community supported her well through her tryouts. “It’s awesome,� she said. “You get to be on TV and know that Murray State is watching you along with everyone else. Some of the athletes were sponsored by brands, but I was proud to have ‘Murray State’ show up next to my name.� When asked about whether she would make a run at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in 2016, love said, “Without a doubt. Why wouldn’t I?� Having an opportunity to compete in the Olympics is a dream for most athletes, and for Love, she will continue to work toward one day making it to the games. She still wants to prove she can continue to run with the elite and display her pride as a Murray State Racer. Contact Besser at cbesser@murraystate.edu.
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Sports
The News August 24, 2012
3B
Rifle
That’s What He Said
Old habits die hard
Photo courtesy of Murray State Sports Information
Sophomore Kelsey Emme was named to the 2011-12 All-Ohio Valley Conference Smallbore Second Team and to the OVC Newcomer Team for air rifle and smallbore.
Racer named junior champion Kyra Ledbetter Staff writer For Olympic shooter Jamie Lynn Gray, the difference between a heartbreaking loss in Beijing and earning gold in London was in the preparation for one high-stakes shot. After coming in fourth in air rifle and fifth in 50 meter three-position rifle, missing bronze by a combined 1.8 points, Gray had four years to think about that shot; the shot that would have sent her home with an Olympic medal instead of empty hands. This year in London, Gray was again presented with that shot. She needed her to score at least an 8.3 to leave the range with gold. She shot a 10.8. Afterward Gray said she'd spent the last four years preparing to avenge that last disappointing shot, and in London she took it. Sophomore shooter Kelsey Emme has also been preparing to take that shot. Though the stage was smaller, this June Emme too saw her preparation pay off with gold when she won the 2012 USA Shooting Junior Air Rifle National Championship. In the first two days of competition Emme was sturdy, shooting a 390 out of a possible 400 the first day and then improving to a 393 the
second to clinch a position in the finals. Though her scores were good enough to carry her to the next round, they were not nearly good enough for Emme. “The scores I shot weren't what I had hoped for," she said. “I knew that I could shoot better than that, but then I was also so happy that I made the finals, then going into the finals I just wanted to shoot the best that I could. My first ten shots were center tens. It was just good to be in that top spot and shoot from there.� The last round of competition was a short 10 shots, with each shot scored to the tenth of a point, with 10.9 being the highest possible score. Before the finals, Alan Lollar, head coach of Racer rifle, said Emme looked ready. Emme scored an even 103. She also went on to compete in the open final. Emme ended up placing seventh with a score of 101.3. “I’d been training and working on shooting from those higher spots so that it wasn’t scary or stressful when I got there,� Emme said. “So it was just an achievement, it wasn’t a shock or stressful. I’d practiced being in that situation a lot, and I also had coach to talk to, to help me get my mind right back in the game instead of letting it wander out. Overall, though, since I trained for it, it wasn't as hard.�
Better still, Emme's win makes her Olympic aspirations that much more likely. “Kelsey's in a really good time frame, because the next Olympics will come along just as she’s graduating,� Lollar said. “She’s got another three years here, and then she’ll be finished with college, which is a really nice thing, and then she’ll be peaking at the right time to take that next year and concentrate on shooting, as opposed to shooters this year who are still in college, who would have to deal with their college and national season at once.� Seeing the Olympic shooting competitions this summer made Emme all the more confident she’s capable of competing with the best if she stays the course. “I got to watch the women’s air rifle final and the men’s smallbore final,� Emme said. "It was good to watch, but also good to know that I can shoot those scores as long I can keep the consistency up. I can also shoot those scores in the final as well. I just knew that I could do that and was rooting on the US team." This season, Emme will return to Racer rifle as a sophomore shooter beginning with a home match against UT Martin and Columbus State University Sept. 30. Contact Ledbetter at kledbetter @murraystate.edu.
Volleyball
Volleyball works for improvement Lexy Gross Staff writer Murray State volleyball Head Coach David Schwepker said he will accept nothing less than an Ohio Valley Conference championship and a winning record for the Racer volleyball team this year. After a painful 8-23 season in 2011, the team is committed to making some changes. “We all know we had a down year in 2011; it’s not a secret,� Schwepker said. “It will not happen again.� In order to change perspectives and move on from last year, Schwepker added seven players to the team. The additions include women with both academic and regional honors, including several all-area, district, region or conference selections. Schwepker is not the only one excited about the new players. “I think it’s great that we have so many new girls,� senior team captain Lydia Orf said. “It’s a whole new mindset, we can start with a clean slate.� Schwepker knows team bonding is necessary to put the team back in contention. Orf said last year’s team was several individuals working independently. This year every woman is an advantage to the team, whether they are on the court or not. Schwepker praised the new additions, saying they are wellrounded and don’t have to be taught technical aspects of the game. The first several practices have gone well, and he said the system they want to run this year is finally coming together. With the IPFW Invitational in Fort Wayne, Ind. coming up, the team is anxious to see it all come together. Schwepker said while the tournament is important, he will get a better indication of the team’s development as the season progresses. “We’re not running the system as we should,� Schwepker said. “If we were perfect now, I would be nervous.� The volleyball team is hoping for a winning season with nine matches at home and three tournaments. The Racers play their rival, Morehead State, Sept. 29 and Belmont, new to the OVC, in late October.
Lexy Gross/Contributing photographer
The women’s volleyball team had a record of 8-23 overall, with a home record of 6-5. Morehead University, had a 26-8 record in the 2011 regular season and beat Murray State 3-0. The final game of the regular season is Senior Day, Nov. 10, against Eastern Kentucky. Last season Murray State beat Eastern Kentucky 3-0. Contact Gross at cgross2@murraystate.edu.
Hello, my name is Edward Marlowe, I’m 27 years old, and I still collect sports cards. Though I am a man with multiple hobbies and collections, my oldest and dearest of pasttimes began when I was 4 years old. On weekends, my mom and grandmother would set up as Edward antique dealers at the Nashville Fairgrounds for one Marlowe Staff Writer of the biggest flea markets in the region. For whatever reason, they believed baseball cards would interest me and, for whatever r e a son, they were right. Every weekend, without fail, I remember my mom coming home with large packs of 1988 Topps Baseball Cards for me to open. Any other kid would have jumped at the chance to snag the not-so-incredible gum carefully placed in each wax-wrapped pack, but for me the cards were far more important. It wasn’t so much the colors or the glossiness that captured my attention; it was the stats and the history on the back of each card that excited me the most. Players were always captured with action poses or talking and having a good time with others. Each card I read meant I was getting to know the player on a more personal level, even if it was just his batting average, runs batted in and stolen bases for the season. The hobby only intensified as time went on, as I began toting my collection to school with me. Before Tomagotchi’s, Pokemon, my friends and I were swapping sports cards for other cards and lunch money. One of the worst trades I ever made came in second grade when I traded a 1989 Fleer Rickey Henderson for a 1991 Donruss Mark Grace, straight up. Even now, I still wake up in cold sweats and dry heaves, wishing I hadn’t made such a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad trade. Unfortunately, what’s done is done and I’ve moved on, but not without countless hours of crying and mental therapy to guide me on my way. Live and learn. I remember one of the best birthday gifts I’ve ever received came to me when I was 5 years old. I’ve still got it, and I will always have it even if I die a starving, broke man. Encapsulated in a gold leaf hardcase was the 1987 No. 1 overall draft pick, Ken Griffey, Jr., debuting his Seattle Mariners look for the 1989 Fleer set. It was his rookie card. At the time, it was impossible to envision what he would do for the game of baseball. Everyone knew he was young and talented. Everyone knew he was going to be good. No one knew he was going to be great. After batting .284 for his career, belting 630 home runs, collecting 2,781 hits, 1,836 RBI and garnering a spot on the MLB All-Century Team, “The Kidâ€? solidified himself as not only one of the greatest baseball players of all time, but one of the most highly collected athletes in sports card history. Though adulthood has consumed my funds in other areas, I still find myself perusing the card asle in Walmart, searching for cheap packs of cards of the now multiple sports I enjoy. Most of the time, I decide I would rather eat a nice dinner later in the week and put the cards back. But every once in a while, I say the hell with it and drop a few packs on the conveyor belt and immediately open the cards as soon as I get in the car. Maybe someday I’ll pass them on to a child who loves sports and collecting as much as I do. Maybe someday I’ll sell the bulk of them and put a child through college. Maybe someday I’ll hide them in an attic and 50 years down the road my family can find them and sell them for thousands of dollars and lead happy, money-filled lives. But for now, I’m content with sorting through all of the cards, picking out the good ones and shelving them neatly into binders and polyurethane-free pages so they won’t discolor and bend. It was just last year when my fiancĂŠ bought me the entire 2007 Topps set for my 26th birthday. How did I react, you ask? Like I was 4 years old all over again. Contact Marlowe at emarlowe @murraystate.edu
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The News
Sports
4B
August 24, 2012
Soccer
Soccer team optimistic about upcoming season Nicholas Dolan Contributing Writer The beginning of the regular season means a fresh start for all teams. The Murray State soccer team’s fresh start begins Friday, Aug. 24, against Arkansas State at Cutchin Field. The Racers look to bounce back from a 7-9-3 record in 2011. Murray State will open the season with a roster of 10 freshmen, one transfer and 14 returning players, including sophomore midfielder Julie Mooney who received All-OVC honors in 2011. Fifth-year senior and team captain Jenelle Cunningham is optimistic for the beginning of the regular season after a disappointing preseason where the Racers fell to Illinois State 0-6 and Middle Tennesse 0-3. “We learned a lot coming out of preseason games,” Cunningham said. “We didn’t get the results we wanted, but we found out what we need to work on and saw our strengths too.” The Racers continue to improve as the regular season approaches and are working on combining offensive and defensive plays. “We focused on defense in the two preseason games,” Cunningham said. “We just need to put it all together and put the ball in the back of the net.” The Racers’ first scheduled game against Louisiana Tech was cancelled due to rain. The next game will be the home opener against the Red Wolves of Arkansas State today at 3 p.m. The Red Wolves opened their season with a 6-0 victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff and were picked to finish seventh in the Sun Belt Conference Preseason Coach’s Poll. Head coach Beth Acreman will lead the Racers for the seventh season and has high hopes for her team. “Our goal is to win the (OVC) regular season and tournament,” Acreman said. She said Murray State has a hard schedule in both out-ofconference and OVC matches. “We started with a tough schedule purposely to get our young players used to the college game,” Acreman said. “We have a tough
Freshman forward Megg Hudson dribbles the ball around defenders in the Racers’ final preseason game against MTSU. Murray State lost the exhibition 0-3. out-of-conference and conference schedule. We put teams in (nonconference schedule) that will help emulate the competition we’ll see in conference play.” Although the road ahead of Murray State is tough, the team looks to capitalize on their 10 home games. “We have a lot of home games this year,” Cunningham said. “Hopefully this will instill a sense of pride in our team and help us get the results we want.” The Racers are selected to finish in a tie for fifth in the 2012 Ohio Valley Conference Preseason Poll voted on by OVC head coaches and sports information directors. In her final season as a Racer, Cunningham wants to prove the poll wrong and bring home an OVC tournament title. “I wanted to leave Murray State with four rings, but I guess three isn’t bad,” Cunnigham said with a smile. Contact Dolan at ndolan@murraystate.edu.
Photos courtesy of Sports Information
Senior goalkeeper Lauren Kelly calls out a play in the Racers final preseason game against MTSU. Murray State lost the exhibition 0-3.
Stampede
Intramurals
Stampede already boasting record-breaking numbers Jaci Kohn Assistant Editor August signals the beginning of a new semester and marks a time of building excitement over Racer athletics. Last year’s national attention paired with unprecedented expectations for several teams attribute to the added excitement this year. It’s not just upperclassmen who are adding to the anticipation. Freshmen are already getting involved more than ever before. “I do truly look forward to Murray State sports,” said freshman Autumn Olds from Ashland City, Tenn. “I plan on attending just about all sporting events and I am so excited for football season,” Morris White, director of marketing and promotions said Racer athletics is one of the best ways for students of any age to get involved on campus. “Part of the college experience is about having fun with your friends,” White said. “Athletics provides that avenue because everyone is there for the common goal of supporting the teams.” White said the cheering section last year was exciting and full of energy at all times but this year he is hoping for more.
“I'm expecting this years freshman class to be part of the most energized student cheering section in the country,” White said. “Their youthful energy will be important in helping Racer athletics achieve one of its goals of being an intimidating, tough place to play.” To get the word out about athletics this year White said he and his staff set up tables at Summer Orientation sessions. By doing so they were able to interact with incoming freshmen and get them excited about the school year. “I also think the success and national exposure of our men's basketball team adds to their excitement,” White said. “They want to be associated with winning programs and many of our teams provide that experience.” The Stampede is the official Student cheering section. It costs $10 to join and allows members certain perks through out the different athletic seasons. The Stampede boasted 361 total members at press time. The Freshman class currently has nearly three times as many members as any other class. “I'm happy with where the numbers are right now,” said White, “because we are ahead of
wherewe were at this time last year. “Our goal, however, is to have over 1,000 members this year.” In an effort to entice more students to join the Stampede, White has issued a challenge to Murray State students via Facebook and Twitter. “If we get 1,000 or more students to join by October 25th, I will shave my head at the first home woman's basketball game,” White said. “I will also let a Stampede member pie me in the face!” White believes it’s energy that makes a student section great. He hopes to see another high energy section that rivals last year’s Stampede. “Not only the freshmen, but all students need to bring a high level of energy and enthusiasm to every home game,” said White. “They are the reason games are so much fun.” White said he would really like to see more students attending sports like soccer, women's basketball, volleyball, baseball and softball. “Women's track returns one of the fastest women in the country, and our tennis teams are preparing for another championship season,” he said. “They can even check out our high-powered rifle teams.” Contact Kohn at jkohn@murraystate.edu.
Top #Racer Tweets 1. Murray State Sports @MSURacers The Wave has started at Busch! Bring the kids out. The more the Has the CFSB mastered the wave? better. #Racers Football Meet & let's do it on opening night! 7th conGreet Sat At The Stew secutive sellout! #tradition#RacerNation 2. Dave Winder @RacerDave23 2012 is 88th season of #Racers 5. Murray State @murraystateuniv Football & 40th in Roy Stewart StaToday is the big day!!! Lots of new dium. I love it, can't think of a better Racers starting their adventure! place to have my off ice. Good luck today and welcome to #RacerNation 3. Isaiah Canaan @SiP03 Workout was a success!! It's al6. Murray State Racers @Racermost time #racernation!!! shoops Racers' Senior Guard Isaiah Canaan 4. Steve Prohm @CoachProhm is one of @DickieV's top 3 candi-
dates for National Player of the Year... 7. Joe Darnall @RacerJoeD “transfer Dexter Fields is going to be a big piece for Murray State next year. Should replace what was lost with Jewuan Long.”
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Intramurals set to begin Laura Kavorik Staff Writer
College sports are not just for varsity athletes. Offering a break from classwork and the quietness of the library, intramurals allow students to get involved on campus, meet new people, and stay active. Steve Leitch, director of intramurals, said camaraderie is one of the biggest advantages of intramurals. “It’s all about team-building and meeting friends,” Leitch said. “All the friends I talk to from my undergraduate years were on my intramural team; it’s about being a part of something.” Sophomore Dustin McClasin played for Hester residential college during the 201112 school year. “You get to meet new people that live in the same dorm as you, and you share a common interest. It helps break the ice,” McClasin said. “Intramurals are definitely a good thing to have on campus.” The five major sports offered to students are slow-pitch softball, basketball, volleyball, soccer and flag football. The sports are separated into three leagues Greek, residential colleges, and independents. “Anyone can play intramurals, there is no experience necessary,” Leitch said. “There are competitive and non-competitive leagues.” With his background in wellness, Leitch said the leagues were set up so people could receive the health and social benefits of sports. The 2012-13 school year brings some new changes as dodgeball, ultimate frisbee and inner tube water polo have been added. “These sports are going to be held on weekends and will have a shorter season than the other sports,” Leitch said. The intramural season kicks off with slow-pitch softball on Sept. 10, 2012. Contact Kavorik at lkavorik @murraystate.edu
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August 24, 2012
5B
The News
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Features
Features Editor: Anna Taylor Assistant Editor: Savannah Sawyer Phone: 809-5871 Twitter: MSUNewsFeatures
Kylie Townsend/The News
USA Today Travel reporters visited Murray this summer to evaluate how friendly the town is. Murray was the only town the reporters actually went inside a personal home while visiting, USA Today Travel reported.
Murray named friendliest small town Ben Manhanke Staff Writer Rand McNally and USA TODAY have named Murray the “Friendliest Small Town in America” in their second annual “Best of the Road” Rally. Murray was one of 30 small towns selected as finalists in the “Best of the Road” rally this summer, chosen from nearly 700 nominated locations. Each of the 30 finalists were sorted into one of five categories: Most beautiful, most patriotic, most fun, best food and friendliest. Six towns made up each category. The towns were judged by one of five traveling teams of two, called Rally teams. Rally teams were not only in charge of judging the different towns they saw, but also had to chronicle their journey online in the form of blogs, pictures and videos which they then submitted to the “Best of the Road” website. The Rally team who did the best job covering the locales they visited were awarded a $10,000 prize at the end of their trip. Rally team hopefuls submitted applications online and from these aspirants the teams of judges were selected. The final decision of which five teams would be traveling across America was made by a panel of experts from Rand McNally and USA TODAY. Each Rally team traveled approximately 30,000 miles across the country from Washington D.C. to Seattle and visited only the six towns in their respective category. Jennifer Jordon and Robert Schatz from Broomfield, Colo. also known as the “Rogue Riders” were the judges for the “Friendliest Small Town in America” title and visited Murray for two days in June. While they were here, the “Rogue Riders” were treated to a tour of Murray by plane, a fishing trip to Kentucky Lake, a visit to Murray State and they also got to experience a variety of Murray’s local cuisine while speaking to residents about what makes Murray so friendly.
In an interview with USA Today, Jordon and Schatz said Murray felt like home more than any place else they visited. “This is the only town where we went into people’s homes,” they said. Bonnie Higginson, vice president of Academic Affairs, said everything that stems from the recognition is positive. “It attracts faculty, not so much the students, but their parents might really consider this recognition as very positive in their selection of a college for their children,” she said. The other Friendliest Town nominees that the Rogue Riders visited included Cloudcroft, N.M., College Station, Texas; Joplin, Mo., Frisco, Texas and San Luis Obispo, Calif. Lucas Palmer, sophomore from Paris, Tenn., said at first he didn’t believe Murray had been awarded the title, but after he remembered all the nice people he met at his first year at Murray State it seemed pretty believable to him. “Murray has a sense of community that you can't find anywhere else,” Palmer said. “You can't explain it, it's just a fact.” Murray was not the only town from Kentucky to be the recipient of a title from the “Best of the Road” Rally. Bardstown, Ky., was named “The Most Beautiful Small Town in America,” Delray Beach, Fla., was named “Most Fun;” Sante Fe, N.M., was named “Best for Food” and Gainesville, Texas was awarded the title “Most Patriotic”. Next summer, another 30 towns will be chosen to compete for the same titles and a new batch of Rally teams will be selected to judge these towns and compete for the $10,000 prize. It’s possible that next year Murray will again be competing for a title. Contact Manhanke at bmanhanke @murraystate.edu.
Top Ten Reasons Murray is the Friendliest
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
“Every time I go somewhere, people are overly friendly. You just get that warm feeling here. People genuinely want to help.” -Pam Lefko, junior from Hopkinsville, Ky.
9 10
“People I’ve never actually met will come up and ask me how my day was.” Katie Mcallister, senior from Murray, Ky.
“The main thing is, people care here. They’ll ask you ‘How are you?’ and genuinely want to know.” -Alissa Hester, grad student from Clarksville, Tenn. “Everyone looks out for one another.” -Jennifer Minnis, grad student from Memphis, Tenn. “Murray has a really nice community. People are comfortable here. It’s a big town with a small town feel.” -Joseph Davis, freshman from Hazel, Ky. “There’s no bullying taking place. Nothing escalades and if it does, people typically just walk away. -Josh Hitz, sophomore from Staunton, Ill. “People will stop for you, especially when crossing the street. I’ve heard in other places people won’t do this as often.” -Emily Davis, sophomore from Hazel, Ky. “Everyone is really nice. (They) will actually stop and help you to solve your problems.” -Susan White, freshman from Buchanan, Tenn. “Murray has been a wonderful experience. From expanding my education, getting my first job and meeting people who will and are definitely my friends for life, I have had a lot of good experiences here at Murray.” -Wynne Wallace, senior from Fredonia, Ky.
“Manners still matter here. People still hold doors for each other. People still ask each other, ‘How are you?’ and they mean it.” -Austin Wildmann, senior from Helena, Ark. Compiled by Savannah Sawyer, Assistant Features Editor
Campus variety show educates incoming freshmen By Maddie Mucci Contributing writer Students grabbed seats Monday in Lovett Auditorium for Realities On Campus, a show designed to introduce freshmen to the realities of campus life. Since 1994, some version of the event has appeared on campus, making it yet another Murray State tradition. Although the script has altered as the years passed (the title has even morphed from “Great Sexpectations” to what it is today), the show has made an impact year after year in the lives of the audience members. As heard in the Realities On Campus’ opening scene, “If only I had paid attention to that show the first week of classes—they talked about alcohol, drugs, diversity and they even talked about sex!” This year’s show included information ranging anywhere between college’s biggest surprises, such as laundry debacles and scheduling crises, to the impact of bullying.
Olivia Erb, senior from Fort Thomas, Ky., has participated in Realities On Campus for three years. Erb was one of four women to open the show this year with an a cappella version of “Fun’s” “We Are Young” from the balcony of Lovett Auditorium. The rendition had Lovett’s audience members snapping along. From the vibrant opening song to the closing rhythmic chant, Realities On Campus 2012 impacted those who spent their Monday evening in Lovett. “They started out with a very bold skit, and I think that caught everyone’s attention,” Lucy Easley, freshman from Louisville, Ky., said. “It made me want to listen for more and just really pick up on things. The humor they used stuck out, as well.” The skit that stuck out to audience members satirized the discussion couples should have about past sexual partners. The entire cast huddled behind one blanket making a spectacle of what a night with someone could really mean.
Dean Anthony II, sophomore from Atlanta performed in Realities on Campus for the first time this year. “I hope people (got) a realistic view of what it is to be in college, I know that college is nothing like being at home,” Anthony said. “Sometimes I dread going back home because you’ve got different rules—you don’t have that same freedom.” Realities On Campus covered issues that Murray State students will specifically come across while transitioning into the real world. These experiences are things that the majority of students go through while in college. “With that same freedom comes different problems and stuff that can happen,” Anthony said. “Like, hanging around with new people, stuff that’s being offered to you and learning how to interact with the real world. That’s what college is, so I hope people will open their eyes to see what college life is.” Assembled each year the week before students move in, Realities On Campus attempts to
adjust to the time period and significant issues taking place by using pop culture references, or addressing current campus experiences both good and bad. “The only major difference (this year) was our live commercial on bullying and suicide,” Erb said. “We felt that was a relevant issue on our campus at this time.” Whether the audience truly grasped what college life is remains a mystery, but audience members certainly learned a lot from the performance. Eyes were open to absorb every last detail of information that could be applied to the upcoming year, and some eyes were even open to avoid the risk of unexpected decapitation by the ramen noodles, mints and t-shirts that were sporadically chucked into the audience. Nevertheless, the audience was given a chance to simultaneously see into their future years and take their place in the Murray tradition that is Realities On Campus. Contact Mucci at mmucci@murraystate.edu.
Featured Tweets of the week A weekly compilation of Tweets that made us laugh, cry or scratch our heads
Conan O'Brien
Jimmy Fallon
Stephen Colbert
Olivia Wilde
@ConanOBrien
@jimmyfallon
@StephenAtHome
@oliviawilde
Twitter is a nonstop series of pointless arguments by people I don’t care about. It's like Thanksgiving.
My teacher was obsessed with the water fountain. During class he'd grab a wrench, leave, & adjust the water pressure. #mycrazyteacher
I got a great idea for a TV show. It's about three squirrels who- that's as far as I got. But I think we can all agree it's an awesome start
It finally happened! A neighbor brought me a welcome pie! Southern people are just like in movies. Especially if it's poisoned.
The News
Features
6B
THE
“Entertainment news sure to spice up your lunch conversation”
WATER COOLER
August 24, 2012
‘Don’t ever give up hope on your goals’ Student receives degree half century after enrollment Samantha Villanueva Staff writer
Information and photos from The Associated Press Compiled by Savannah Sawyer
‘OFFICE’ TO END THIS SEASON The NBC hit show “The Office” will end after this upcoming season, totaling nine seasons for the show. Greg Daniels, the producer of the show, has said they will have some fun in the last season by revealing who has been behind the camera making the mock documentary that is the show’s format. Whether Steve Carell will reprise his role as Michael Scott has yet to be determined.
A resident of McKenzie, Tenn., recently received his bachelor’s degree from Murray State after taking a 51 year break. Bill Ted Lowry, who turned 74 this year, started his degree application in 1961 and with two classes left to go, decided to put the degree on pause. Lowry said he took the pause for personal reasons, but after many years, he decided one of the best decisions he could make would be to come back and finish the degree he started. “I took care of what I had to take care of and afterward, I realized it’s a good idea to just finish what I already started,” he said. “I mean, it is a bit late in the game but it is never too late to go back.” The College of Business worked together to not only find out the graduation requirements for Lowry’s graduating year, but to make Lowry’s dream a success. Many of the faculty who were involved in the process of aiding Lowry achieve his degree were at first shocked to hear and see an application being held for so long but all were happy to help him achieve it. Bonnie Higginson, Provost and vice president of Academic Affairs, said
Photo courtesy of the office of Academic Affairs
President Randy Dunn awards Bill Lowry his degree after 51 years. when she heard Lowry’s story, she was glad to have the chance to become involved. “It quickly turned to be my fondest story of the summer,” she said. “An older gentleman contacted our office 51 years after he left the University and wanted to complete his degree.” Higginson said one of the most surprising details about the story was Lowry kept all of his original informa-
tion since the time he took his break. She sent all of his information to the Registrar’s Office, who looked up the graduation requirements for Lowry’s graduating year. “We looked at what he had and saw that if they just substituted one course for the certain number of credits he needed, then he would have met the requirements for his degree,” she said. Higginson said if there is anything
that students take away from Lowry’s story, it is something both of them would agree on - never give up. Higginson also said the underlying message in Lowry’s story would hopefully reach a larger audience. “I also hope that students and/or people who attended college a long time ago realize that there is always a chance to achieve whatever dream they wish to dream,” she said. “It really is never too late and this is a perfect example of such a case.” Lowry’s degree was presented to him by President Randy Dunn and Higginson herself in a private ceremony in the President’s office on Aug. 8. It was at Lowry’s request to have a low-key ceremony. Apart from being one of the best stories she had heard about all summer, Higginson said she was proud to have been part of such a great life event. Higginson said, “He said that it was the happiest day of his life.” Lowry said his advice to current students would be to never think it is too late to complete anything. Said Lowry: “Look at my story. I’m 74 years old and I am just now receiving my bachelor’s degree. Don’t ever give up hope on your goals.” Contact Villanueva at svillanueva@ murraystate.edu.
Hot August Blues Festival expects to attract music fans By Andy Biggs Contributing writer
ROWLING COMES TO NEW YORK Author J. K. Rowling of the “Harry Potter” series will travel to the United States for one day only. She will be making the trip overseas to promote her latest novel, “The Casual Vacancy.” Rowling will be at New York’s Jazz at Lincoln Center Oct. 16.
CANDIDATES BORROW MUSIC Dee Snider, the frontman of the band Twisted Sister has requested Republican vice-presidential candidate Paul Ryan, to stop using his song, “We’re Not Gonna Take It.” Snider has made it clear he does not support Ryan. This is just the latest of cases where musicians have requested politicians to stop using their music as part of their campaigns. Just recently, the band “The Silversun Pickups” asked Republican-presidential candidate Mitt Romney to stop using their song, “Panic Switch.”
The fall semester is starting in Murray, and while that means many things including moving back for school, starting classes and getting back together with old friends, it also means it is time for the Hot August Blues Festival. The Hot August Blues Festival is Friday and Saturday. The festival will be held at the Kenlake State Resort Park Amphitheater, and will have a little bit of something for everyone including food, shopping vendors and, of course, blues music. This year the festival features eleven bands that were handpicked from more than one hundred submissions by Sam and Debbie Harris, who have been responsible for the recent success of the event since they started promoting it in 2007. “The festival was created to bring the blues culture and to give the area a new musical experience,” Debbie Harris said. The music festival has taken place annually for 23 years, making it one of the longest running blues festivals in the South. Most of the blues musicians that made the cut to play at the festival are wellknown around midwest and southern regions of the United States such as the John Sutton Band, the Justin Hatcher Band and Lightnin’ Rod and the Thunderbolts. All the musicians taking the stage this
Tickets
weekend are passionate about their endeavors and have earned national recognition for their musical talent, according to Sam and Debbie Harris. One musician that will be featured this weekend is guitarist Daniel “Boscoe” France of the Library Trio. He recently won the Guitar Center Battle of the Blues competition, which was a nationwide blues guitarist competition that had more than 4,000 entries. To keep with the blues culture and atmosphere of the music, there will also be food vendors offering food ranging from Cajun cooking to southern barbecue to Philly cheese steaks, and of course funnel cakes. While there are a variety of different kinds of refreshments available at the festival, all attendees are welcome to bring their own food and drinks in personal coolers. Along with the food, there will also be merchants selling clothing, jewelry and other blues memorabilia that can only be found at the festival. Tickets for the festival are available at the gate and the cost varies depending on the day. Tickets for Friday night cost $12, Saturday tickets cost $17 and passes for both Friday and Saturday cost $25. The bands will play Friday from 6 p.m. to midnight and 2 p.m. Saturday to 12:15 a.m. Sunday. Contact Biggs at abiggs1@ murraystate.edu.
Saturday Lineup
Saturday $17 2-3 p.m. John Sutton Band 3:15-4:30 p.m. Tony Spinner Band Both Days $25 4:45-6 p.m. Lightnin’ Rod and the ThunFriday Lineup derbolts 6-7:15 p.m. 3D Live-Smiley Blind Band 6:30-7:45 p.m. Long Tall Deb 7:30-8:45 p.m. Justin Hatcher Band 8-9:15 p.m. The Terry Quiett Band 9:15-10:30 p.m. Da’Mudcats 9:30-10:45 p.m. Tommy Akers Band 10:45 p.m.-midnight The Library Trio 11 p.m.-12:15 a.m. Tee Dee Young Friday $12
File Photo
A blues musician entertains an audience for Hot August Blues.
Meet The News’ new fashion blogger... PRINCE HARRY PICS SURFACE Prince Harry, the younger son of Prince Charles and Princess Diana, recently had nude photographs appear on the web. The photos of the Prince surfaced after a trip to Vegas.
“Hello, my name is Lindsey Summers. I am a senior marketing major, political junkie, and fashion lover. I enjoy scrounging through thrift stores finding unique jewelry and clothing. I mainly gather inspiration from street style blogs such as lookbook.nu, karlascloset.com, or sincerelyjules.com to name a few. I look forward to posting fashion tips and trends and hope you'll follow along.”
Check out her weekly blog on thenews.org. Photos courtesy of Lindsey Summers and Polyvore.com.
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The News
Features
August 24, 2012
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In Case You Missed It
Liner Notes
London Calling
Summer’s Biggest News Music
Local News
Movies
The majority of Murray residents and students voted “wet” this July for pre-packaged alcohol sales. Approximately 53 percent of the votes were in favor of the alcohol while approximately 47 percent voted against it. For more information on the liquor vote, check out page 3A.
The new, critical take of the super hero Spider-Man stayed true to the comic book this time, more so than the original. Andrew Garfield portrays Peter Parker in a way that exceeds all prior expectations. E mma Stone, Garfield’s love interest in the film, plays Parker’s real first love, Gwen Stacy.
John Mayer released his fifth studio album, “Born and Raised” on May 22. This album has a different folksy vibe than any of his previous work. This is his first album in three years and the first since his surgery on the granuloma in his vocal cords.
After an unexpected strike from the Delta Mariner cargo ship last spring that caused a section of the Eggners Ferry Bridge to collapse, the bridge has officially reopened. The structure met all of i ts specifications and is safe enough to drive on again, making many students’ and faculty members’ daily commute a lot shorter.
Unless you were hiding under a rock this summer, you heard about the new Channing Tatum flick, “Magic Mike.” The movie is based on Tatum’s life pre-acting. It follows the life of a male stripper and the situations his career puts him in, both good and bad.
“Blow Your Pants Off” is the latest from Jimmy Fallon. I n his sophomore album, he has recorded with everyone from Justin Timberlake to Bruce Springsteen. This album is a compilation of just some of the song parodies he does on his show late night talk show, “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.”
National News
Trends
TV
The United States brought home 104 medals after the London Olympics closed Aug. 12, including 46 gold. The U.S. made history several times at this year’s games including being the most-watched TV event in our country’s history. Maybe it had something to do with the “Fab Five,” Usain Bolt’s unbeatable speed, Missy Franklin’s smile or even the newly added event, women’s boxing. Or, maybe it was the anticipation of the Spice Girls.
A new season means new trends. This summer everyone has been going polka dot crazy. It’s a great trend to follow because not only can anyone pull them off but also you can wear them in so many ways: as a scarf, a shirt or even pants. The secret is to not over-do the dots. Who wants to look like a bowl of dippin’ dots, anyway? Find the style that works best for you and make it work.
Aaron Sorkin’s new HBO drama “The Newsroom” premiered this summer. It follows a television news anchor and the life inside his newsroom. The show is about a fictional broa dcast newsroom but it covers real news events from the past decade. The critically acclaimed new show has recently been renewed for a second season.
Kent State, Virginia Tech, Columbine and now Batman. Everyone can remember where he or she was when these shootings happened and the latter would be no different. The shooting, which took place in Aurora, Colo. occurred shortly after the midnight premiere of the latest Batman flick, “The Dark Knight Rises.” The shooting left 12 deceased and 58 injured.
Dying for a new look? Try the recently popular ombre trend. The idea is to get a dip-dyed look, and the colors don’t even have to be natural. Demi Lovato and Lauren Conrad have both been spotted sporting bright colored dip-dyed hair. You can even do-it-yourself with non-oil based art chalk. This DIY look lasts about two showers.
The title alone may chase some people off. The title “Bunheads,” doesn’t make it seem as if it would be such a great show, but alas, that is not the case Amy Sherman-Palladino, who created “Gilmore Girls.” “Bunheads” offers a fun, quippy look into the lives of small-town ballerinas.
Compiled by Anna Taylor and Savannah Sawyer. Photography provided by The Associated Press.
Out This Week See It
Friday, Aug. 24 “Premium Rush” is the latest action-packed film starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt. In the movie, Gordon-Levitt plays a bike messenger with a secretive package. Problems arise along his usual delivery route through the Big Apple.
Rent It
Tuesday, Aug. 28 Season Two of AMC’s “The Walking Dead” takes the Georgia residents out in the country to a whole new area of walkers. New characters are introduced and new romances and drama arises. Re-watch the season before Season 3 premieres in October.
Hear It
Tuesday, Aug. 28
Alanis Morissette returns to the music biz with her eighth studio album, “Havoc and Bright Lights” this Tuesday. This will be her first album in four years. The album was recorded in Los Ange les through Collective Sounds/Sony RED recording company.
Read It
Tuesday, Aug. 28 Author Louise Penny will release her latest novel Tuesday as part of her New York Times best selling series Chief Inspector Armad Gamache. This will be book 8 in the series.
Photos courtesy of Amazon.com.
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With the thrill of the summer Olympics in London, the recent Kate Middleton obsession and England’s fashion influence, the British are pretty huge in the media right now. But, the media are not the Anna only people catching Taylor on to this craze. Features Editor If you turn your radio on right now, assuming it’s a modern hits station, you won’t have to wait an hour before a song by Adele, Florence and the Machine, One Direction, Ellie Goulding, Jessie J, or The Wanted plays. What do they all have in common? A British accent (yet somehow it’s not always detectable when they sing ...). If you watched the Olympic Opening or Closing ceremonies this summer you witnessed some of their country’s biggest musical performers. The ceremonies might have felt a little dull at some moments but when the modern references (Mary Poppins, J.K. Rowling, anyone?) and bits of their popular music were onscreen, I was all eyes and ears. Paul McCartney’s performance of “Hey! Jude” was emotionally moving, and somehow the Spice Girls still managed to hype up the audience even though they separated years ago. Ellie Goulding currently has the No. 2 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 with her single “Lights.” Going from being exclusive to her country, to a new American favorite is probably every English musician’s dream. Then, there’s Adele, but everyone knows how big her music is here. The singer took home six Grammy awards earlier this year including the most prestigious three: album, song, and record of the year. The recent boy band One Direction is huge here, too. I really don’t understand the symptoms that come with the socalled One Direction infection because I outgrew my boy band phase when Justin Timberlake went solo. But, maybe it’s the accents and young faces that girls like. I’m anxious to see how far they go. The Wanted, another English boy band, is played just as much on American radio stations as One Direction. The main difference between the two is their genres. The Wanted makes more dance pop music where 1D is solely pop. Rita Ora, the supposed protegee of Jay-Z and Beyonce, is probably more known right now for her blonde hair and bright colored lipstick than her music, but I’m sure that won’t always be the case. Her song “How We Do (Party)” is making its way onto the music charts. Alex Clare, the guy who has the song in those Internet Explorer commercials, combines dubstep with rock, which is actually really cool and unique. If you’ve heard Rihanna’s chart topper “We Found Love” then you have heard the work of British DJ Calvin Harris. This guy has worked with Ke$ha, Kylie Minogue and Flo Rida, too. He will be releasing his third studio album this October. Other notable English performers not mentioned above: Elton John, Arctic Monkeys, Muse, and The Who. Let me know who I left out on Twitter @MSUNewsFeatures. It’s neat how music that is popular in other countries and cultures is also big here in the U.S., too. Going international is definitely a sign that you’ve arrived. Contact Taylor at ataylor2@ murraystate.edu.
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Features
The News August 24, 2012
In case you missed it... Country, rock and blues singer, Corey Smith, performed in Lovett Auditorium on Aug. 18. A variety of bands also kicked off the new and improved Lovett Live Onstage series on Thursday. Music fans can expect a Lovett Live concert every month. For more information, check out Lovett Live’s Facebook page or murraystate.edu/cfsbcenter. Kylie Townsend/The News
Hypnotist returns to Lovett Auditorium
Photos by Kylie Townsend/The News
Hypnotist Tom Deluca visited campus Tuesday for Great Beginnings, which has been a Murray State tradition since 1994. He wowed the audience with his skills of persuasion. Deluca made people forget things, act abnormally and fall asleep. The event was sponsored by the Student Government Association and was free to the public.