The Murray State News October 12, 2012
TheNews.org
Former clerk considering lawsuit against city
Vol. 88, No. 9
STATE OF THE
UNIVERSITY
Chris Wilcox || News Editor cwilcox2@murraystate.edu
Harla McClure, former Murray City Clerk, is working with her legal counsel to determine if they file a lawsuit against the city of Murray for wrongful termination. Her lawyer, Thomas Clay, alleges in a letter of grievance to the city on McClure’s behalf, that other city officials had committed more serious offenses with minor repercussions. McClure received a termination notice from Mayor Bill Wells on Sept. 5 citing dishonesty, immoral/improper conduct and on-duty/off-duty activities that discredit the individual or organization. The notice accused Wells McClure of improperly reporting a city sticker that was found on her daughter’s vehicle as stolen. McClure claims she purchased the city sticker for herself and had not realized her daughter had used it. Clay said he was trying to back up a case against the city. “There’s no question the mayor violated the city’s policies and procedures,” he said. “There’s no question that I think Wells made a mockery out of the due process that McClure should have been afforded.” In a letter of grievance addressed to Matt Mattingly, city administrator, Clay states McClure’s termination was done so wrongfully and addresses several facts, which were provided to McClure in her termination letter.
“There’s no question that I think Wells made a mockery out of the due process that McClure should have been afforded.” –Thomas Clay Defense Attorney In the letter, Clay says several department heads and a supervisor within the city have attested to McClure’s competence and integrity. He states the mayor’s action in dismissing McClure as Murray City Clerk is in direct violation of the city’s personnel policies and procedures. He said the mayor heard statements from McClure and others about other city employees who had committed violations of city policies and procedures whose violations were more severe, with few repercussions.
see McCLURE, 3A
THE HORSE RACE Latest Gallup figures place President Barack Obama at 48 percent of potential votes, a 2 percent lead over Republican contender Mitt Romney after Thursday night’s VP debate.
The News
President Randy Dunn focused the annual State of the University address on the ‘three prongs’ of Murray State’s future.
Address centers on Murray State’s future Chris Wilcox || News Editor cwilcox2@murraystate.edu
President Randy Dunn focused on Murray State’s future at the State of the University address Wednesday. The speech Dunn presents each year is his opportunity to address the campus constituents on University issues and plans. The three prongs Dunn announced for Murray State’s future reiterated the strategic imperatives that were set in place earlier in
Dunn’s presidency, but certain parts of the imperatives will now be more closely monitored. Those three points were excellence through quality, outreach with partnerships and innovation for impact. The first prong, Dunn said, was that there would now be less expansive approaches in regards to the imperatives. Instead of so many individual efforts across the campus, the University will work together. The second prong he said will establish increased scrutiny on the use
and appropriations of funds. He said it is now more critical than ever that the University keep an eye on how public funds are spent. There is to be a heightened level of review and analysis. Thirdly, Dunn said the University must change the University’s community of interest – its students. He said the University is not going to become a community college, but that the institution could do more to help those who are returning to school from the workforce.
Dunn said it was a bit awkward to speak in front of the University constituents in regards to his recent visit to Missouri State University as a semifinalist for its presidential position. “I have no idea of what events may unfold within the next few weeks,” he said. “If I stay, I will still be working just as diligently, but if there is a new president they will as well.”
see DISCONNECT, 3A
Dunn: Missouri State position would be ‘capstone presidency’ Chris Wilcox || News Editor cwilcox2@murraystate.edu
President Randy Dunn visited the Missouri State University campus Monday to tour facilities and meet university students, faculty and staff. Late last month, Dunn was announced as one of two candidates for the university’s vacant presidency. At a public forum Monday afternoon,
Dunn addressed the similarities between Murray State and Missouri State, his desire for the position and his qualifications. “There are so many parallels between Murray State and Missouri State University … in a host of ways the institutions mirror each other, the only difference is magnitude, the size of the institution,” he said. “In many ways because the functional eleThe Standard
see DUNN, 3A
President Randy Dunn takes a tour of Missouri State facilities Monday.
Biden, Romney disagree over foreign School to policy, abortion at Centre College debate benefit from Staff Report Vice President Joe Biden and Republican contender Paul Ryan met headto-head in a domestic and foreign policy debate Thursday evening at Centre College in Danville, Ky. Martha Raddatz, senior foreign affairs correspondent for ABC News, moderated the event. Raddatz kept a firm handle on the otherwise aggressive contest, giving allotted times for candidates’ statements and rebuttals. On the subject of foreign policy, Ryan said the current administration’s proposed $478 billion cut to national security would be devastating to the U.S., while Biden countered, saying defense has been focus-
ing on slimming down and specializing forces. Ryan and Biden agreed steps need to be made in order to pull forces out of Afghanistan by 2014, but their timelines differed. Turning the debate toward domestic policy, Raddatz asked both candidates how long it would take to bring the unemployment rate below 6 percent. Biden said the key to creating more jobs is decreasing taxes for the middle class, not the wealthy. By avoiding tax raises on small businesses and keeping jobs in the U.S., Ryan said unemployment would lower to 6 percent. In the discussion of tax reform and unemployment, Ryan said foreign dollars for the country’s $831 billion economic stimulus was a mistake. Biden responded, saying Ryan himself asked for stimulus money as a Wis-
consin congressman. Raddatz moved to the discussion of Medicare and Social Security and Ryan said the current administration acquired $716 billion from Medicare for Obamacare. “They got caught with their hands in the cookie jar, turning Medicare into a piggy bank for Obamacare,” Ryan said. Finally, Raddatz asked the candidates to explain their stance on abortion. Ryan said he is strictly pro-life. Biden said he refuses to impose his values on those of different or who have no religious affiliations, despite his religious beliefs. “I do not believe that we have a right to tell other people that women can’t control their (bodies),” Biden said. The second presidential debate will be 8 p.m. Oct. 16 at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y.
VP contest Lexy Gross || Staff writer cwilcox2@murraystate.edu
Centre College in Danville, Ky., held the vice presidential debate Thursday evening between Joe Biden and Republican rival Paul Ryan. Twelve years earlier, in 2000 democrat Joe Lieberman and republican Dick Cheney debated in the same room. After Centre left a meaningful impression in 2000, the Commission on Presidential Debates chose the small Kentucky private school for the 2012 vice presidential debates. “Since 2000, our campus has experienced vast improvements in residence and academic facilities—all largely due to the generosity of our alumni and friends,” said Laura Pritchard, the assistant director of communications for marketing and public relations at
see CENTRE, 3A
WHAT’S
FARM SUSTAINABILITY
INSIDE
School of Ag seeks green Students partially at fault for Women’s basketball team gears Alumnus returns to direct initiatives, hindered by cost, 6A failing to act on city stickers, 4A up for upcoming season, 1B Murray-based production, 6B
OUR VIEW
PREPARING VICTORY
LOCAL FILM
The News
News
2A
October 12, 2012 News Editor: Chris Wilcox Assistant Editor: Meghann Anderson Phone: 809-4468 Twitter: MurrayStateNews
This week Sunday
Today
Saturday
• 3 p.m. College Republicans; Curris Center, second floor, open to all • 4 p.m. Hertitage Hall Dedication; Heritage Hall, open to all • 5 p.m. Wes Mills: Artist Talk and Exhibition Opening; Clara M. Eagle Gallery; open to all • 6 p.m. Murray State Muay Thai; Carr Health Building, Martial Arts Room, open to all • 7:30 p.m. Cinema International; “4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days,” Curris Center Theater, open to all
• 8 a.m. Horticulture mums sale; Pullen Farm Greenhouse Complex, open to all • 9 a.m. Homecoming Parade; Main Street, open to all • Noon; Volleyball vs. Eastern Illinois, Racer Arena, open to all • 6 p.m. Football vs. UT Martin; Roy Stewart Stadium, free with Racercard • 7:30 p.m. Cinema International; “4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days,” Curris Center Theater, open to all
Tuesday
Wednesday
• 10:30 a.m. Health Career Expo; Jesse D. Jones Hall, Room 2000, open to all • 5 p.m. Water Aerobics; Wellness Center, open to all • 5 p.m. Ads Club; Wilson Hall, Room 213, open to all • 5 p.m. Kick Boxing; Wellness Center, open to all • 5:30 p.m. Tennis Club; Bennie Purcell Tennis Courts, open to all • 7 p.m. Sci Fi Club; Faculty Hall, Room 208, open to all
• 12:3 0 p.m. Sociology meeting; Faculty Hall, Room 500, open to all • 5:30 p.m. Cycling class; Wellness Center, open to all • 6 p.m. College Democrats; Curris Center, Mississippi Room, open to all •6:30 p.m. Level One Yoga; Wellness Center, open to all • 7 p.m. Collegiate FFA meeting, Oakley South, open to all • 7 p.m. Wednesday Word and Worship; Curris Center Theater, open to all
Police Beat Oct. 4 8:0 7 p.m. An officer reported an unsecure door at the Crisp Soccer Complex. Officers were notified and took an information report. 8:27 p.m. A caller requested a vehicle unlocked at the West Kentucky Expo Center. Officers were notified and took an information report. 10:31 p.m. A caller accidently activated the callbox at Roy Stewart Stadium. Officers were notified and everything appeared normal.
Oct. 5 9:12 a.m. An officer recovered property at the Roy Stewart Stadium parking lot. It was
turned into Public Safety and an officer took an information report. 6:23 p.m. Officers issued a verbal warning for criminal littering on College Farm Road. Officers were notified and took an information report. 10: 12 p.m. A caller reported lights on in a building at Pullen Farm. Officers and the building coordinator were notified and officers took an information report.
Oct. 6 9:27 a.m. A caller reported being stuck in an elevator in the Blackburn Science Building. Officers and the central plant were notified, an officer took an information report. 12:01 p.m. A caller requested an escort from Wrather Museum. An officer was notified and escorted the individual.
Monday
• 9:30 a.m. Sunday School; Winslow Cafeteria, open to all • 1 p.m. Bikes on Broadway; Paducah, open to all • 2 p.m. Free Movie Afternoon; Traders Mall Family Theater, Paducah, open to all • 2 p.m. Fall Family Fun Day; Calloway County Fairground Pavilion, open to all • 6 p.m. Sunday worship; Ignite Student Ministry, Robert O. Miller Conference Center, open to students
Weekend Weather
• 5 p.m. PRSSA meeting; Wilson Hall, Room 115, open to all • 5:30 p.m. Cycling class; Wellness Center, open to all • 6 p.m. Tymeless Hearts meeting, nonprofit organization; Blackburn, Room 320 • 7 p.m. Beginning Zumba; Wellness Center, open to all • 7 p.m. The Inescapable Conflict Between Science and Religion; Curris Center Ballroom, open to all
L 56°F
H 72°F Mostly sunny Saturday
H 80°F
Thursday • 5 p.m. Kick Boxing Class; Wellness Center, open to all • 5:30 p.m. Tennis Club; Bennie Purcell Tennis Courts, open to all • 7:30 p.m. Cinema International; “A Separation,” Curris Center Theater, open to all • 8 p.m. Fencing Club; Carr Health, Room 209, open to all • 9:30 p.m. Music Shows; Hart Coffee Shop, open to all
Friday
L 65°F
If you would like an event to appear in the This week section of The Murray State News, email us at news@thenews.org or send a fax to (270) 809-3175. Please submit events by noon on Wednesdays. We cannot guarantee all items received will be published.
Partly sunny Sunday
H 76°F
L 59°F Mostly sunny
Information provided by the National Weather Service.
3:11 p.m. The fire alarm in the Price Doyle Fine Arts Center was activated. Officers and the Murray Fire Department were notified and took an information report.
cers were notified and took an information report. 10:48 p.m. Property was found at Waterfield Library and turned into Public Safety.
Oct. 8
Oct. 7 3:18 p.m. The fire alarm at Springer College was activated. Officers and Central Plant were notified, the officer took an information report. 6: 04 p.m. A caller requested Woods Hall be unlocked. Offi-
Call of Fame
11 :57 a.m. A caller reported finding two bicycles at the Roy Stewart Stadium parking lot. Officers were notified and took an information report. 2:14 p.m. A caller reported emergency medical services was in route to Wells Hall.
Oct. 9 10:24 p.m. A caller reported locking her keys in her vehicle in the Faculty Hall parking lot. Officers were notified and took an information report.
EMS was notified by the caller. Officers were notified and took an information report. 3:22 p.m. A person reported lost property to Public Safety. Officers were notified and took an information report.
Oct. 9 1:1 5 p.m. A caller reported the smell of marijuana at Regents College. Officers were notified and found none. Officers did not take a report. 4:17 p.m. A caller reported a suspicious person in the dorm circle parking lot. Officers were notified and the person was gone upon arrival. Officers took an information report. 9:22 p.m. A caller reported damage to her vehicle in the South Hart Residential College parking lot. Officers were notified.
Oct. 10 7:03 a.m. Officers issued a verbal warning at 12th and Chesnut streets to an individual for failure to illuminate their vehicle’s headlamps. 10:1 3 a.m. A caller reported a suspicious person at the Applied Science Building. Officers were notified and upon arrival everything was normal. 7:18 p.m. A caller reported two occupants were stuck on an elevator in Elizabeth College. Officers were notified and an information report was taken. Motorist assists - 1 Racer escorts - 3 Arrests - 0 Assistant News Editor Meghann Anderson compiles Police Beat with materials provided by Public Safety. Not all dispatched calls are listed.
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The News
News
October 12, 2012
McCLURE
CENTRE
From Page 1
From Page 1
The letter of grievance states, “Mike Farley admittedly allowed an inmate to possess and dispose of a gun. Mr. Farley was suspended for two weeks. Mitchell Prichard admittedly assaulted a citizen and was given a one week unpaid suspension … Donnie Newcomb allowed Class D felons under his supervision to obtain contraband and bring it into the Calloway County Jail. He was demoted, not terminated.” “Harla presented information about other city administrators who committed breaches in the personnel policy who have had less severe repercussions,” Clay said. “I’ve got a case and am hoping an avenue in which the case will be heard will be found.” Mayor Wells said he was limited on what he could comment on in regards to the possibility of a lawsuit. “There are two sides to every story,” he said. “If McClure decides to sue, we (Murray) will give our evidence and our evidence against her is very strong.” If a suit is filed, Wells said Paducah attorney Stacy Blankenship would be representing the city. McClure and other city administrators could not be reached for comment.
Centre. “The amount of enthusiasm generated by hosting an event of this scale is impressive, which has also helped us generate financial support.” Centre is a private college with only 1,340 students. After the debate in 2000, private donors gave $94 million to Centre for renovations to the school. In 2005, the institution added on to the Grace Doherty Library and used $3 million just to upgrade the Norton Center for the Arts, where the actual debates were held. In 2008, Centre added a new residence hall and in 2009, a new student center opened. The biggest renovation as a result of the debate, was a $21 million renovation to Young Hall for science instruction. This year,
the school opened another new residential building and is looking into adding new sports fields. In preparing for the debate, both Centre students and faculty have had to make sacrifices on the campus. Weeks ago, Centre employees moved equipment from the Sutcliffe Hall athletic center across campus. Sutfcliffe will house approximately 3,000 members of the media attending the debate. Weeks before the debate, students set up and tested the technology required for the debate. Centre students and faculty had to make sure all Internet and phone connections were in working order. David Frey, assistant director of information technology, told students to create as much chaos as possible online, through landlines and cellular networks. By doing so, the students were able to work out kinks in the system. The debate in 2000 allowed
students to network with several prominent members of government and in politics. “We are committed to preparing our students for lives of leadership and service—and our students have the chance to serve the nation as we host this event,” Pritchard said. Les Fugate, head of the College Republicans at Centre in 2000, served on the Debate Steering Committee in 2012. At only 23 years old, Fugate went on to work for the Secretary of State, Trey Grayson. His twin brother, former media relations for the College Republicans, became an aide for Ernie Fletcher. Luke Wetton, current head of the College Republicans, expects to be in direct contact with the Mitt Romney campaign in the near future. David Miller, current head of the College Democrats, was named a delegate to the Democratic National Convention held
Preparation was key in Wednesday’s nationally-broadcast debate. in Charlotte, N.C., earlier this fall. He was elected to the position at the Kentucky Democratic Convention.
Bonnie Higginson, vice president of Academic Affairs, said she understood the need and factors, which caused the change in the imperatives. “The funding is under review,” she From Page 1 said. “I hope this will serve to Dunn said the University should be strengthen the University.” proud of all it had accomplished in the Staff Congress President John Young last year. He reiterated statements that agreed with Higginson and said the the University has been named a best change in direction was necessary. buy college by Forbes and the Univer“From what I heard today, it won’t be sity was the No. 1, in regards to public a huge change,” he said. “There will now and private in Kentucky, for giving nonjust be more emphasis on the measureneed based aid to undergraduate stuments of programs and more justificadents. tion required.” The three prongs were created to shift Jeremiah Johnson, student regent and the University in anpresident of the Stuother direction. Government AsAs points of light develop on dent “The drivers of the sociation, said he was change are the fiscal campus, we will have to figure in support of the presiconstraints,” he said. directions and out how we will work together dent’s He said the imperathe fact that the Unitives were going to versity will be focusing as an institution. stay, but would reon what it has already –Randy Dunn quire a reframing. started, but with more They won’t be as didirection. Johnson said Murray State President rection-setting as they that focus like that is were in the past, he said. what Murray State needs. The Hutson School of Agriculture has “The last two years (Dunn) has been been doing work with alternative enervery general, and now that we have gies, including the use of biofuels, those initiatives established, like the which, he said, marks a positive path West Kentucky Agbioworks or the that helps lead Murray State in innovagroups for regional outreach, we can use tion both regionally and nationally. the partnerships we already have and “As points of light develop on campus build on those.” we will have to figure out how we will Johnson said he also agrees with the work together as an institution,” Dunn continuation of budget reviewal teams said. “We’re not changing the imperathat Dunn proposed last semester, so the tives ... but there will be a change to the budget is not only the responsibility of way things will be done in the future.” the president or vice presidents.
ADDRESS
DUNN From Page 1 ments are so similar the work wouldn’t be that much different here than at Murray State.” He said it was obvious the support base at Missouri State University is larger than Murray State’s and therefore, the breadth of the university’s abilities is larger. The operation itself though, is not drastically different. “It’s a tremendously important time at this university,” he said. “I know whichever way the board may choose it will benefit the university greatly.” Dunn said he began looking at the presidential position at Missouri State because of the benefits it would provide his career path. “This university would be my capstone presidency,” he said. “If you look at the work I’ve done, this is exactly the kind of place my background would be beneficial – a public educational.” He said Missouri State is primed to become one of the top public mid-major universities in the country. “My career arc would allow me to be efficient here, to move up the ladder,” he said. “All of these things have driven me to this point today. I’m not papering the nation with resumes, this was a very se-
3A
The Standard
President Dunn speaks at a public forum at the Missouri State main campus. lect regional choice.” Dunn said some had asked him if he would be able to handle the transition to a larger university setting like Missouri State. He said he knew he could because he has a large base of experience in large complex organizations, like his time as state superintendent of education on the Illinois State Board of Education. Dunn said his personal motives for the presidency were unique. “I would share with you, while I look like a traditional academic, you would see someone very creative, entrepreneurial in dealing with problems and challenges (and) not unwilling to take a bold step where it is needed,” he said. “We would want to move forward as a group, but we would need to be nimble,
and I have the ability to do that. Without leaving that traditional value set the university has.” He said it was the teaching and learning, the discovery and dissemination of knowledge is what excited him most about Missouri State. The challenge he wants to fix most, he said, is turning the university from a Springfield-centric institution into a statewide and beyond institution. Clifton (Clif) Smart III, interim president and former general counsel of Missouri State, is also a semifinalist in the Board of Governor’s nationwide search for the university’s 11th president. He gave his presentation Wednesday. The board is expected to make its decision by Nov. 1
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October 12, 2012
The News
Opinion
Opinion Editor: Devin Griggs Phone: 809-5873 Twitter: MSUNewsOpinion
Our View
Murray politics matter The staff editorial is the majority opinion of the editorial board of The Murray State News. Last semester, the city of Murray moved forward with a decision requiring Murray State students to purchase city stickers for their vehicles. The cost associated with buying a city sticker came as a surprise to many students who now had to pay for another “parking permit” on top of what they already pay to be able to park on campus – and with a hefty fine for non-compliance. Enforcement has officially started and lacking a city sticker will now earn students a fine double the price of the sticker itself. Unfortunately, most students are unaware of this change and of the new requirement to purchase city stickers, something that isn’t exactly surprising, given the lack of communication to students on the part of both Murray State and the city of Murray. A lack of communication is putting it lightly. University officials have done next to nothing to inform students that they will be required to purchase city stickers, nor has the city. In the case of the latter, it’s almost as if the city is betting on students not buying city stickers. This would allow them to cash in on the fines that come with students not having a city sticker and then subsequently having to purchase one. The immense amount of cynicism, if that is the case on the part of city officials, is disheart-
ening. It’s as if the student body is little more than a sponge from which to extract cash from already cash-strapped students to solve the city’s budget problems. We as students have to take some of the responsibility for this even being an issue. Murray State students were made aware of this by The News repeatedly last semester. In spite of warnings that we would have to pay more to park in Murray, students did nothing, absolutely nothing, to protest. Students didn’t demonstrate. Students didn’t write angry editorials, contact their city councilors – they simply sat back and watched as all this happened. This is why politics matter. If you aren’t engaged, ultimately you end up getting run over by the people who are. If students want to be heard, they need to act like it. The old adage goes “If you don’t vote, you can’t complain” – students don’t have a right to complain about what’s going on in city hall if they won’t even take the time to register to vote in Murray and cast their ballots in November. That’s what we want to encourage here on campus. Students should get registered to vote here and vote for and support candidates who stand up for their interests. Don’t see a candidate that you like on the ballot? Run yourself. Democracy is not a spectator sport – it’s a game of tag, and we’re tagging you “it.”
Got something you want to say? The News wants to hear it! Send us a letter – letters@murraystate.edu
Who do you think won the first presidential debate? “Even though I did not watch it, my confidence in Mitt Romney is low. Therefore, I believe that Obama would come out the winner.” Lee Darnell • Senior from Paducah, Ky.
“Romney rambled a lot and he was rude. Obama should have won, he was more poised even though he didn’t have all of his stuff together.” Kristen Oakley • Freshman from Murray, Ky. “A lot of people said Mitt Romney won but a lot of his facts just don’t add up. Then again, a lot of people said Obama didn’t because he didn’t have his information. But in my opinion, I think Obama won.” Jonathan Stevens • Senior from Lexington, Ky. Caitlin Gannon/The News
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A Professor’s Journal
Midterms teach lessons, too You wait, hunkered down in the hall, back against the wall, legs splayed out, a coffee cup in one hand and tattered notes in the other. The professor arrives Duane Bolin 10 minutes early Professor of to unlock the door. History You always seem to gravitate to the same familiar seats, seeking out a degree of comfort and ease in an atmosphere filled, at least on examination days, with tension and unease. You have your own routines of test-taking, too. Some line up sharpened No. 2 Ticonderoga pencils in a corner of the desktop and wait expectantly, hands folded neatly on the desk, for me to pass out the examination packets. Others rifle through class notes or flip note cards or study marked up textbooks until the last possible second before I come looming over their desks to hand out the tests. Some of you take deep breaths and silently fashion a prayer before getting down to the work at hand. Whatever the student’s ritual, it is always a humbling experience for the professor, we who stand in judgment, we who are about to evaluate identification and essay responses covering weeks of textbook readings and classroom discussions. What an awesome task
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to grade the written work of students struggling to find snatches of time between jobs, personal responsibilities and other classes to prepare for an examination that will largely determine the marks on their midterm grade reports. Oh, there are other factors— quizzes, attendance, class participation—but these midterm exams provide the primary means to gauge a student’s progress, You can already check your midterm grades on MyGate. Some of you will already know that you have done well. Others will breathe sighs of relief. Still others will begin a mad scramble to catch up, to make amends for poor work ethics or misused time or misplaced priorities during the first half of the semester. And, sadly, a few of you will consider calling it quits, in despair over ever being able to overcome the disaster of these midterm results. Talk to your professors. You can still get on track. Now, on this side of the desk, professors pore over the midterm essays, making corrections or suggestions, writing comments such as “too vague” or “give a specific example” or “ ‘alot’ is not a word” in the margins. I no longer use red ink; a more subtle black ink will serve my purposes. For me, though, this is the most onerous of teaching tasks. It would be so much easier if I could teach and not be held accountable for holding students
accountable. Without assessment, how would I ever know if my teaching has translated into learning at all? I fret over each deducted point, over each C just a few points shy of a B. I dread having to bring the stacks of exams back to class, handing them back to students who alternately emit muffled exclamations of excitement or dismay, depending on the grade. I see proud students sitting up just a little bit straighter, next to others whose shoulders droop immediately after checking out the grade. I have you number one through six on a blank piece of notebook paper and ask you to respond to six questions: 1. What was your initial reaction upon seeing your grade? 2. Estimate how many hours per week you spend on this class outside of class. 3. Estimate how many hours ... or minutes ... or seconds you spent preparing specifically for this examination. 4. Set a goal–a grade–for yourself for the next exam. 5. What do you need to do differently to achieve that goal. And then the kicker. 6. What do I need to do differently to help you achieve that goal. That brief post-test exercise always seems to help. For now that we are at the midpoint of the term, any professor worth his or her salt is concerned about how we together can make the last half of the semester better than the first. Let’s make it better ... together. jbolin@murraystate.edu
Write to us! The News welcomes commentaries and letters to the editor. Letters should be 300 words or less. Contributors should include phone numbers for verification. Please include hometown, classification and title or relationship to the University. Commentaries should be between 600 to 800 words. The News reserves the right to edit for style, length and content. No anonymous contributions will be accepted. All contributions should be turned in by noon on Tuesday of each week via email at letters@thenews.org. Contributions to The News are the opinion of the author and not that of The Murray State News.
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The News
Opinion
October 12, 2012
5A
Campus Voice
Born in the U.S.A.
Rose: As times change, so do challenges
A very Republican divorce
When I was asked by The News to write a column regarding the current presidential campaign, my first thought was the line “Fools rush in where angels fear to tread” from Alexander Pope. But I have been blessed with long life and Winfield Rose can remember every Professor of presidential campaign Political Science back to 1952, so perhaps I should risk being thought a fool by some to explain to those who read this that changes I have observed over the past 60 years cause me to believe their country is on an unsustainable and declining course. The clearest indication of this unsustainable course is the exploding national debt which recently reached $16 trillion. It is growing between $3 and $4 billion per day and about $1 million every 50 seconds (see www.usdebtclock.org), and the interest on it costs about $1 billion per day. Our balance of trade deficit runs between $30 and $40 billion every month and we are no closer to energy independence today than we were 40 years ago. National and state pension programs have trillions of dollars of unfunded liabilities. We don’t want to admit that a day of reckoning must come but dithering and denial cannot continue for the next 10, 20, 30 or 50 years. This brings me to one of the biggest changes I’ve seen over the past several years: the unwillingness to face reality. During the 1930s Churchill warned the world about the Nazi menace but the world didn’t want to listen and called him a warmonger. We know how that turned out. Later, during the Cold War, even though some on the left favored unilateral disarmament, we did face reality because World War II had shown what defeat by ruthless
totalitarian despotism would bring. That’s why we are free today. In political science the “golden rule of politics” says “He who has the gold makes the rules.” We continue to borrow money from China, Saudi Arabia and other foreign countries at great risk to our sovereignty and independence. The same goes for foreign policy. Samuel Huntington was right: the story of the 21st century will be the story of the clash of civilizations. The threat we face is just as real and as dangerous as that of World War II and the Cold War. Totalitarianism based on religion is just as antithetical to liberty as that based on economics or nationalism and we need to recognize that and act accordingly. Rhetoric and appeasement have never worked, and weakness invites challenge and humiliation, as recent events have shown. A second change is the degradation of political discourse in our country. Politics has become a blood sport whose motto is Winning isn’t everything; it’s the only thing. For some there is no lie too big to tell, no ditch too low to lie down in. The object is to win at whatever cost, regardless of integrity lost or pain and suffering inflicted. The Golden Rule went out the window a long time ago. The time was when members of the other party in Congress really were “our friends on the other side of the aisle” with whom we had honest disagreements but with whom we socialized after work. Now they are enemies who not only must be defeated but also destroyed. They are buffoons or likely criminals who deserve no mercy, who conspire behind closed doors to push old ladies off cliffs in wheelchairs, and who are actually so backward and unenlightened to think those who wish to use contraceptives should buy them themselves. (Can you believe it?) This is the politics of extremism, division and polarization, not charity, magnanimity, and
unity. It brings out the worst in us, not the best, and it is shameful. A third major development is the abdication by the mass media of their role as objective watchdog over our political system. Facilitated by the advent of cable TV and the internet, the media have, instead, become cheerleaders and in some cases pimps for the left, and make no pretense of objectivity. This has led to the emergence of alternative media such as talk radio and the Fox News Channel as counterweights, the politics of extremism, division and polarization have climbed to ever new heights, ignorant drivel passes for informed analysis and more and more people tune out. We emphasize what divides us rather than what unites us. This is not good. Four years ago I supported John McCain because I thought we needed a one-term president who would make necessary but sometimes painful and unpopular decisions and then step aside. Instead, we chose an ignorant, immature and pathological narcissist whose favorite activities are incessant talking and blaming his problems on others, an ideologue who does not know that politics is the art of compromise, an amateur who views an invasion of our Consulate and the first assassination of an American ambassador since 1979 by terrorists as a “bump in the road” and who lied and required others to lie about it to conceal his administration’s incompetence, a divider who has polarized this country more than it has been since 1860 and who is too busy to meet with foreign leaders at the UN but has time to enjoy adulation on Letterman and The View. Is this the best we can do? If it is, we are in sad shape. We hear a lot today about polls. I’d like to go beyond the fawning media and celebrities and see a poll about what foreign leaders think of him, and of us. It would be interesting.
Letters to the Editor As any human knows, the desire to love and be loved is universal. As any American knows, such love can only be represented by the holy institution of marriage. What modern Americans fail to realize is that marriage, whilst a fully acceptable religious function, is not necessary. Yes, the government uses marriage as a recognition of union between man and women. Yes, such a recognition is necessary for tax exemptions, census data, etc. But no, a holy union of man and woman is not necessary. I do not mean this to say America should do without marriage. I fully believe in the sanctity of marriage, as it was defined in a religious text for religious people. But I fully disagree with the use of marriage by the government, as opposed to that which the government claims fair (civil unions). In my personal opinion, civil unions
cheers & jeers
Cheers to ... Pumpkin-flavored everything! From pumpkin milkshakes at McDonald’s to pumpkin spice lattes at Starbucks, it really is fall. What’s next, pumpkin bread? Oh, wait.
should replace marriage as the recognized relation between two people. Rather than the government flat out telling people they can’t be together (who will be together anyways), they can offer a much more manageable solution by using civil unions to recognize both heterosexual and homosexual domiciles. The people who want marriage can still get married (and no longer have the government’s hands in said marriage) while the people who simply want to be together can have that recognized by the government, giving them the socially recognized construct of a relationship that they yearn for so much.
Check out thenews.org for exclusive online content!
Josh Tillson
Cheers to ... Homecoming weekend! Skip the drive home this weekend and head to Tent City. Trust us, it’ll be worth it. Good luck driving through Murray and then trying to find a parking spot ...
junior from Sharpe, Ky.
Jeers to ... Monday morning quarterbacks. Sports, politics, life in general – we’re glad you know what should have been done. Just leave us alone about it, please. Sorry Mr. or Mrs. Expert, we can live without the enlightenment.
Jeers to ... Racer Patrol. Is a little consistency in parking enforcement too much to ask for? Don’t even get us started on being ticketed for parking all of five minutes at the Curris Center. Really, don’t even start.
The Life of a NINJA
By Gregory Knipp
The Republicans talk a lot about “traditional values,” “protecting the sanctity of marriage” and “defending the unborn,” and they have done a good job building a Devin Griggs coalition of voters Opinion Editor around divisive, social issues since the 1960s. Social conservatives, who have stood by the Republican Party even as many of them have been directly impacted by job losses, deindustrialization and the erosion of the tax base are being duped. The Republican Party succeeds in winning social conservatives because it speaks their language, not because it offers them anything in particular as far as policy goes. Take the Republican Party’s insistance that it will “protect family values” and “defend the institution of marriage.” Republican policies actually don’t do anything to lower the divorce rate or improve the fortunes of America’s families. If anything, American families have taken a beating since the Republicans assumed majority party status in the late 1960s. The divorce rate has skyrocketed, with nearly half of all marriages ending in divorce. Most married couples who divorce cite financial problems as the reason for doing so. Policies that make it harder for families to make ends meet, such as a refusal to raise the minimum wage, increasing taxes on the lower end of the economic spectrum and cutting back on social services that help families don’t make for strong families. Banning same-sex marriage, another frequent Republican talking point, isn’t going to help American families. What will? Good jobs with good wages. The GOP often plays up their sterling record on restricting abortion rights – a record, it should be noted, includes almost no legislation that actually restricts access to abortion, coupled with policies that actually make the number of abortions go up. Pro-life platitudes sound nice, but the Republicans don’t really live up to them, especially when you consider that in addition to being “pro-life,” the Republicans have no issue with sending American troops to die in pursuit of imaginary weapons of mass destruction or the death penalty. What would really reduce the number of abortions? Universal health care and access to childcare for young mothers would markedly reduce the number of abortions preformed. Social conservatives – you’ve got nothing to lose but your chains this November. The Republicans don’t represent you, they represent their wealthy base that sees you as nothing more their own “useful idiots” every four years. Devin Griggs is vice president of finances for the Murray State College Democrats. dgriggs@murraystate.edu
Coming soon ... The News is proud to announce an all-new comics section! Check back in for the return of Grift Town with its brand new storyline, Miami Mice, and enjoy a brand new series, The Life of a Ninja by Gregory Knipp, with an exclusive preview this week!
6A
The News
News
October 12, 2012
Chris Wilcox/The News
Efforts made by the Hutson School of Agriculture to increase sustainability and green initiatives have, in the past, used soy, like the school grows, as a means of creating biofuel for its vehicles and machinery. The cost and availability of soy-based biodiesels has been the main limiting factor of use at Murray State.
Cost hinders school’s desire for sustainability
Ben Manhanke || Staff writer
bmanhanke@murraystate.edu
The Hutson School of Agriculture is making great strides to limit its dependence on petroleum diesel and other fossil fuels through research into renewable, natural, alternative fuel sources, but due to cost and availability the school is limited to what it can actually do. Most recently, the school purchased a “bioburner” in an attempt to lessen the utility costs at one of its facilities. A Soybean Promotion Day in 2005 inspired faculty and staff at the school of agriculture to start using biodiesels on the farms to power their vehicles and machines. The Kentucky Soybean Association aided the school in this transition. Biodiesels are used on the farms, to power its vehicles and machines, and are used whenever the school can afford to; the cost and availability of the biodiesels being the main limiting factors in their use at Murray State. The last time the farms were able to use biodiesel was approximately six months ago. Soybean-based biodiesel is produced through a refinery process called trans-esterification. This process consists of mixing methanol with sodium hydroxide, and mixing that product with the soybean oil. This blend can then be combined in different percentages with petroleum diesel to create biodiesel. Tony Brannon, dean of the Hutson School of Agriculture, said biodiesels are also more environmentally-friendly than petroleum diesel, having far lower carbon dioxide emissions and degrading four times faster. Plus, using them limits our dependence on foreign oil. Soy-based biodiesel performs almost identically to conventional diesel fuel in the areas of consumption, horsepower and torque. Brannon said contrary to what most people believe, there are no negative ramifications to using biodiesel. “Biodiesels support our industry, it is a natural resource and we can grow soy beans every year so it’s renewable,” Brannon said. “The fact is, one day, we’re going to run out of oil and we’re going to need these alternatives.” The farms currently don’t have the certificates necessary to manufacture their own biodiesels and instead, are supplied with biodiesel by MidWest Terminal – one of only four soy-based biodiesel distributors in Kentucky – via the Murray State Motor Pool. Owensboro Grain furnishes these four distributors with their soy-based biodiesel, and is the only producers of soy-based biodiesel in Kentucky. Brannon said there are units out in the agriculture industry, and areas available with which
the farms could produce and commit to manufacturing their own soy-based biodiesels, although he said, it would be on a very small scale if they did one day choose to do so. He said the reassigning of what type of fuel the farms will use, specifically transitioning to using only biodiesels, is not a top priority for the school of agriculture right now. The dean’s attention and efforts in sustainability, renewability and environmental friendliness are currently focused on the use of energy crops: energy dense plants that, when burnt, release high amounts of harness-able power. The “bio-burner,” the machine responsible for converting biomass into energy, was installed at the Garrett Center on the Hutson farm, to test the effectiveness of burning energy crops. If this trial run is successful, Brannon said they will move on to acquiring more burners to power other buildings, starting first with the Equine Instructional Facility located on the West farm. The Equine Instructional Facility, used for equitation classes and equestrian team practices, hasn’t had heat in its riding arena since it was built in 1998. The arena would require two bioburners. The farms plan on fueling the bio-burners with energy crops such as switch grass, sorghum, “energy sorghum” and “energy beets,” that will be grown on the farms. Brannon said they also plan on burning the manure from the horses of which about 100 tons is produced annually. Even excluding these current projects, Brannon said the Hutson School of Agriculture has always been at the forefront and a promoter of renewability and sustainability programs on campus, teaming with Food Services for years on a sustainability composting/recycling and gardening project and practicing other energy smart methods on the farms, like conservation tillage. These practices advocate one of President Randy Dunn’s three commissions for Murray State, campus sustainability. This commission entails the promotion of sustainability issues, the proposing of policies and programs, and the nourishing of campus organizations. “This farm is not only a benefit to our University but also to our region,” Brannon said. “We have over 2,000 trials annually on our farms that benefit the agriculture sector of our region. We do a variety of tests, cattle research studies, dark tobacco research, soybean trials and many other types of research projects.” Brannon said the school of agriculture is on the cusp of something big. He said if technology advances as much in the next 20 years as it did in the last 20, then he can see the farm becoming completely self-sustaining.
TONY BRANNON “The fact is, one day, we’re going to run out of oil and we’re going to need these alternatives.” Dean of the Hutson School of Agriculture
Austin Ramsey/The News
The school of agriculture recently acquired a bio-burner, a device that converts biomass into energy. Rick Jones, a Bio-Burner representative, explains that the bio-burner is capable of running off of any bio-product as long as it has less than 35 percent moisture at any size under two inches. The bio-burner recently placed in the Garrett Center was fired up for the first time Wednesday. Jones said the school of agriculture could use horse manure, sawdust shavings from the horse barns, straw or other small plants.
The News
News
October 12, 2012
7A
Across campus Waterfield receives $600,000 donation
ΑΓ∆
ΑΣΑ
ΑΟΠ
Α∆Π
ΣΣΣ
Kylie Townsend/The News
The Murray State Panhellenic board discusses the possibility of adding a new sorority to campus. The decision will be made on Oct. 25.
Panhellenic discusses adding sorority Staff Report Murray State’s Panhellenic Governing Council will vote on whether or not to bring a new social sorority to campus on Oct. 25.
Jason Hinson-Nolen, interim Greek life coordinator, said every sorority is over capacity and it’s the best time to expand. If Panhellenic votes to expand, Murray State will be marketed to national sororities and those in-
terested will submit applications. Each final group of women will be invited to Murray State for in-person discussions and to demonstrate why their organization should be chosen. In March 2013, a formal invita-
tion will be given to the sorority Panhellenic chooses. The organization will start recruiting women on campus one week after IFC Rush ends. For the full feature, visit thenews.org.
Hilda Jones, a 1940 graduate of Murray State, donated a gift of more than $600,000 to the Harry Lee Waterfield Library. The Board of Regents accepted the gift at their quarterly meeting on Sept. 9. Books, journals and other publications will be purchased with the funds. The Fred and Grace Jones Gift was given to Waterfield Library through a generous bequest in the last will and testament of Jones. The gift is named in honor of her parents. Jones was enrolled at Murray State Teachers College in the 1930s. Jones died Feb. 2011 at the age of 96. On Sept. 24, University Libraries hosted an unveiling ceremony for a plaque placed in the lobby of Waterfield Library in recognition of her donation to the library.
Professors talk politics, end of the world Following the three presidential debates and the vice presidential debate, “Professors Talk Politics: The Presidential Election and the End of the World,” will take place at 7 p.m. on Oct. 25 in Regents College. The event will feature assistant professors from the College of Humanities and Fine Arts, including Martin Battle, Kathy Callahan, Tom Glover and Paul Walker. The event is sponsored by Regents and Richmond College and will cover the platforms of each party and the Mayan “end of the world” prophecy will be discussed.
Schooley listens, acts on staff needs This is the fourth installment of a 12-part series profiling the representatives who make final University decisions. Chris Wilcox || News Editor cwilcox2@murraystate.edu
Michelle Grimaud/The News
Staff Regent Phil Schooley said he is passionate about many things – one of which, is the University.
Phil Schooley, staff regent and online adviser, is passionate about many things, but one of the most significant to the University is his desire to advocate for every staff member. With more than 1,000 staff members, he said it is important they have a voice within the administration and in regards to policy making. “I want to be a strong voice to promote and protect the interests of the Murray State staff members,” he said. “I work with Staff Congress, the administration and the Board of Regents to assure that projects and policies are in place to aid the staff.” Schooley, elected for staff regent this September, said during his first term he was part of a compensation study of the staff, which determined the University’s staff was not being compensated appropriately.
Over three years Schooley and others, including President Randy Dunn, worked to acquire pay raises for all non-certified staff members and those who worked based on hourly wages. The staff counts both hourly and professional staff. The big difference between faculty and staff, negating the instruction factor, is the staff is not guaranteed tenure. Schooley said the Board of Regents has several priorities, the largest he said is to serve its students. He also acts on behalf of the students, but said his personal responsibility was to the staff – his constituents. “I enjoy my position as staff regent,” he said. “I want my constituents to know that I am here, to talk, to help, to do whatever I can.” The board is most effective, he said, when it has a common goal, and that is to make the University the best it can be for everyone. “The three constituent regents have to work well together in order for appropriate growth to be made across the University,” he said. “Jeremiah Johnson, Jack Rose and I work well together and it is because of that we have been
able to achieve so many things.” Schooley said this year has been busier for him because of the necessary budget planning and review teams, which were established at the beginning of the semester to accommodate statewide cuts to higher education. “I try and make an appearance at as many of the budget meetings as possible,” he said. “I want to be able to help and of course to try and keep as many of the outstanding programs that we have. The other regents and I are trying to be as involved as we can.” He said a lot of research and planning goes into the decision-making process of the board and that no decision is so little it has no impact. Schooley has been employed by Murray State for 11 years. During his time at the University he has served as the president of Staff Congress from 2008-09, and has served on several University committees, including the faculty and staff insurance benefits committee, which he has been a part of since 2008 and is currently the acting representative of the committee.
Thank you! The Career Services staff would like to
thank the University community for its overwhelming participation in the
Wednesday Career Fair
- 700-plus students attended
- 86 companies were present and evaluations were GLOWING
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The News October 12, 2012
October 12, 2012
Section B
The News
Sports
Sports Editor: Jonathan Ferris Assistant Editor: Jaci Kohn Phone: 809-4481 Twitter: MSUSportsnews
From the Bullpen
Basketball
The bucket list Recently, some of my friends and I have been talking about things we want to do before we graduate from Murray State. It is my senior year and I realized there are many things in Murray I have never done. The list had things like trying to eat at every restaurant in Murray and finally go shopping in Paducah. This made me start thinking of other Jaci Kohn events I would love to do. Assistant Sports Besides traveling to different Editor places, there were several sporting events I wanted to attend on my list. So here is my bucket list of sporting events I must see before I die, in no particular order. Summer and Winter Olympics The best and most talented athletes from all over the world come together for two weeks to compete. I was so excited when Chicago was in the running for hosting the Olympics. I thought this would be the year I would finally get to see an Olympic ceremony. Sadly, the city was weeded out in the first round of cuts so I did not get to attend. It is not just about the sports at this event. What I love about the Olympics is the whole world is at peace for a few weeks. All the countries come together to watch sports not to fight or join a war. The sports competition lets the world take a break from all the drama and just sit back to enjoy the games.
Beamer Barron/The News
Improved team set for new season Carly Bessor || Staff writer cbessor@murraystate.edu
The women’s basketball team is preparing for what Head Coach Rob Cross said is a long and difficult road to the Ohio Valley Conference tournament. To get ready for tough games against opponents such as Tennessee Tech, UT Martin and Morehead, Cross focused on heavy recruitment. Freshman forward/center Natanya Jackson, freshman guard Erica Sisk, freshman forwards Kelsey Dirks and Bianca Babic, junior guard Alyssa Like and freshman guard/forward Christy Soldo will all be playing their first season as Racers. “Sisk led her team to an undefeated season in Mississippi,” Cross said. “Dirks was an all-state player in Illinois. Like was an all-American guard and Natanya Jackson is 6’4” and has such an imposing presence. They can certainly impact things on both ends of the floor for us. We’re excited about what they all bring.” With a stacked roster full of potential, the Racers also have to face the loss of graduates Mallory Schwab and Kayla Lowe. Lowe averaged a 74.7 percent shooting and Schwab averaged over 20 minutes per game. Cross said losing impactful players gives the seniors this year a chance to step up. “One of the things that has happened so far is we’ve had great leadership from our seniors,” he said. “Mariah Robinson has been acting as captain of the team and we’re very excited about what she’s done.” Experience and drive on the court is important for success, but communication and leadership is another key to a strong team. To make sure the team plays together effectively on both sides of the ball, this years’ seniors have taken incentive to provide team unity.
“The other seniors, Tessa Elkins, Kyra Watson and Candace Nevels have done a really good job stepping up and providing positive energy,” Cross said. “I’m excited about our communication. It’s the best it has been since I’ve been here. They do a great job talking on the court, and I believe that great teams are loud teams.” The team will need all the tactics and athleticism they can get for the OVC tournament. Cross said the schedule they have this season is definitely not an easy one. He is hoping the momentum from last year will carry over into this year, the team made it to the fourth round of the tournament but lost to UT Martin. “We have a lot of home games this year which is different,” he said. “We’re traveling to Virginia to play a James Madison team that won 29 games last year. We have tough non-conference play, but we’re very excited for how it’ll set us up for the conference. I can honestly say we have six of the top seven team of our conference in our division. It’ll be tough to play those teams twice.” The skill, athleticism and drive of a revamped Racer team is reason enough for fans to come out and watch good basketball. Fan support gives players the motivation they need to play hard and represent Murray State. Cross said he wants to see more fans in the seats and support from the student body. “They’re going to see some great athleticism and speed from people like Erica Burgess and Erica Sisk,” he said. “They’re going to see a great team play extremely hard. We open the season against Western Kentucky as a double header with the men. We expect that to be a good turnout. It would be great to tip off and see 9,000 fans in the stands for our game.” The team’s first game of the season will be at 5:15 p.m. Nov. 9 at the CFSB Center against Western Kentucky.
Golf
Team wins after tough defeat at home Kyra Ledbetter || Staff writer kledbetter@murraystate.edu
The Murray State golf team took first place at the Skyhawk Classic in Paris, Tenn., Tuesday. The victory came in a playoff against John A. Logan and marked a huge improvement from last week’s unexpected third place finish at the MSU Invitational. The Racers defeated several OVC teams, including Union University in fourth, and Southern Illinois University and UT Martin, who tied for fifth. Senior Patrick Newcomb led the Racers with a second-place finish, with freshman Preston French and senior Tyler Brown sharing 12th. Senior Hunter York also managed a top 20 finish in 19th. “We had a nice win,” Head Coach Eddie Hunt said. “It was kind of a different type of tournament because we tied and we had to go into a playoff amongst two teams and we won the playoffs, so that was kind of exciting, but we had a good win.” Hunt said the win was certainly not easy, presenting a significant challenge for the Racers. “I think it was a good tournament for us. We got to have two teams play and we had some OVC schools in it and some schools we don’t normally see, so it was a good test,” Hunt said. “I felt like we had a good opportunity to win the tournament. The thing I was glad to see was that we were down seven shots coming into the final round and then we made up those shots and ended up in the play offs.”
Photo courtesy of Sports Information
The men’s team recorded a score of 861 to force a playoff and come away with a close victory. Hunt said his team played with greater consistency at the Skyhawk Classic than they have so far this season. “We played three rounds and as a team we were under par or at par for three rounds and that’s really consistent if you can play as a team under par,” Hunt said. “I think we really responded to the challenge and played well.” For the first time in the tournament’s history, the Racers failed to win the MSU Invitational last weekend at Miller Memorial in Murray, Ky. Seniors Hunter York and Patrick Newcomb managed to tie for seventh place, but it was not enough to offset first-place Union and
second-place Lipscomb. “At the Murray State tournament the weather was extremely bad and we didn’t get to play the full tournament,” Hunt said. “We just played 36 holes instead of the 54. We didn’t play well the last round and I was really disappointed, since it was our invitational. I thought, if we’d gotten to play the last 18 holes we would have made a lot better showing.” Murray State did, however, manage to beat every OVC school, including newly added Belmont, UT Martin and Morehead State. The Racer’s next competition is Oct. 22-23 in Hopkinsville, Ky., at the APSU Intercollegiate hosted by Austin Peay.
WHAT’S
JAAMAL BERRY
INSIDE
Ohio State transfer making Former NBA player shares his profound impact, 2B story with Murray State, 4B
CHRIS HERREN
ARTS AUCTION
Stanley Cup, World Series, NBA finals and Super Bowl Now preferably all of my teams would be competing in these games, but, as luck would have it, this does not happen very often. Seeing these games or series live and in person has been something I have been hoping will happen for some time. I have seen teams win before and it is awesome celebrating it with them. But watching your favorite team win a game as big as one of these-it is a moment you would not forget. National Finals Rodeo I would love to be at the NFR as a competitor in barrel racing, however just being a spectator would be amazing. For ten days the Top 15 cowboys and cowgirls compete for the title of world champion and average winner. The events are bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping and my personal favorites barrel racing and bull riding. These guys make it look so easy, and believe me it is not. I would love to be able to run a barrel pattern like the women who compete at this rodeo. I strive to one day be one of those cowgirls. I would also love to ride a bull like the cowboys, but that would probably result in my death. So I will not be doing that. Kentucky Derby I want to be standing on the rail hearing the thunderous pounding of the horses’ hooves coming around the final turn. I want to be screaming along with the rest of the crowd as the winner crosses the finish line. I want to wear a crazy-ugly hat! The Kentucky Derby is the only place you can get away with wearing huge hat and no one would look at you strange. I remember when I was younger dreaming that I would one day be a jockey competing at the Kentucky Derby, then I grew too tall and my hopes were dashed. I was seriously obsessed with horse racing when I was younger. I used to know a bunch of the winners’ names and what year they won. Hockey All-Star game Well not actually the game itself. I think the allstar game, in all sports, is really lame. No one actually tries hard to win the game. The score gets run up and the goalies do not even try to stop the puck. The part of All-star weekend I want to see is the day before, the Super Skills competition. On this day the teams compete in different skills events such as speed, passing, accuracy and strength of slap shot. This day is the most entertaining, you get to see the players more relaxed and show more of their personality. I especially love when players from the same NHL team are on different All-star teams and compete against each other on a skills drill, like Blackhawks Jonathon Toews and Patrick Kane did at last years’ game. First-Round Draft I only want to see the first round because the other rounds are very fast and you don’t get to hear all of the players’ personal stories, which is my favorite part. I love hearing the players’ background stories; it makes me root for them and follow even after they are drafted. If I hear a story or see a player that I feel drawn to, I get very attached to that player. If the player does not get drafted in the first round, I take it very personally and get very mad at the organization. I know I am a dork, but hey I am a sucker for a sob story. Any sporting event at Madison Square Garden This is mostly because I love New York City and really want to go there at some point in my life. I love everything about the city and I think a Chicago Blackhawks vs. the New York Rangers game would be awesome to watch in New York City. So if anyone has extra tickets, to these events lying around, you know who to give them to. jkohn@murraystate.edu
SOCIAL MEDIA
The College of Humanties and Fine Citizens use social media for Arts hosts scholarship auction, 5B political outlet, 8B
The News
Sports
2B
October 12, 2012
Player Profile
Berry making most of second chance Edward Marlowe || Staff writer
headed in the future. “When I first got here, everyone knew I was the Ohio State transfer, so On Nov. 2, 2011, junior running back Jaamal when I got here people were asking Berry was no longer an Ohio State Buckeye. me in class, ‘Hey, are you the Ohio State Suspended from the team for his involvement transfer? How was Ohio State?’” he in an altercation in Columbus, Ohio on Oct. 21, said. “Like I said before, I’m over 2011, Berry said he suddenly had to stop doing with Ohio State and this is my the one thing he knew how to do-play football. new home and I’m glad to be According to NCAA regulation, however, playhere. I’m grateful to have a secers suspended at the Division I level can conond chance to play football tinue their careers as long as they transfer to the again, and I’m ready to win FCS Division. some games.” The schools started calling him – Tennessee Don’t mistake his comState, Illinois State, Appalachian State, Eastern ments for ill-will towards the Illinois. Buckeyes, however, as Ohio However, it was Head Coach Chris Hatcher State not only remains one of and the Murray State Racers who pulled away in his favorite college football the end, luring Berry to join the ranks of the Blue teams to root for, but also is a and Gold for the remainder of his college career. place with many connections “Murray State really stood out because they and friends there today. were there from the start through the end,” Berry “I have no hard feelings against said. “They saw what I had to them or anything,” Football is football; do the Berry said. “I met a do to become eligible to get here and everything, and fundamentals right and do the lot of people and they were on my butt about made a lot of conneceverything I had to do. Some little things right and listen to tions up there, and I of my credits weren’t trans- your coaches and everything like to see my friends ferring over to Murray, so I that I left up there doing will be good from there. had to take a couple classes well.” over the summer in order to With a clean slate –Jaamal Berry be eligible to play this year.” and friendly small Running back News of Berry’s transfer town behind him, didn’t take long to permeate Berry said he has been able to focus the campus, as many fans were shocked when more on his goals of reaching the NFL such a high-valued prospect from the Big and being a premiere back in the Ten powerhouse school of Ohio State was league. The lack of distractions, he headed to a campus of only 11,000 students. said, has helped him continue to Berry said it didn’t take long for classmates push and become a better player and teachers to start asking him all sorts of and meet the imposing expectaquestions about his past and where he was tions he sets on himself.
If everything fits according to plan, Berry believes the sky is the limit – a conference championship, an FCS championship, leading rusher in the conference. To him, anything is possible. “I just need to stay healthy, keep trusting what the coaches are saying and keep doing the little things right and everything should fall in place for me,” he said. “I put God first, too, and hopefully I have a real good career here. I’m putting high expectations on myself.” After nursing a hamstring injury to start the season, Berry has sprinted out of the gate in remarkable fashion. With just four games under his belt, the halfback is averaging six yards per carry and 61 yards rushing per game, including a 142-yard burst against Tennessee Tech on Sept. 29. Coupled with 24 yards receiving per game, Berry is a dual-threat back with good pass-catching hands, and Hatcher has started to take notice. “He’s starting to come into his own,” Hatcher said. “He’s starting to get in shape, he’s learning what to do and Coach Dawkins feels more comfortable putting him in the game. He’s got a better feel out of what’s expected of him, and I told him before the Tennessee Tech game that I thought Kristen Allen/ he’d have a 100-yard game by the The News
emarlowe@murraystate.edu
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way he practiced that week, and sure enough he did. On some of those runs, he showed the speed and elusiveness that he has.” Life certainly isn’t without its hard lessons, and Berry said he has had his share of tough breaks and personal mistakes. He’s just making sure he doesn’t pass up another opportunity. “Just live in the moment and never take things for granted,” Berry said. “People take things for granted until it’s gone. Obviously, going from a huge school to a smaller school, I can defintiely see the changes. But football is football no matter where you are; do the fundamentals right and do the little things right and listen to your coaches and everything will be good from there.” So far, so good.
Q & A with Jaamal Berry * Favorite way to spend free time? -Lifting weights, playing videogames (“NCAA Foot ball”, “Call of Duty”), playing with my dog *Favorite NFL Team? - Dallas Cowboys *Career if not playing football? -Owning my own gym Kylie Townsend/The News
Football
Records shattered as Racers win on road against OVC rival Austin Peay Edward Marlowe || Staff writer emarlowe@murraystate.edu
Photo courtesy of Sports Information
Junior wide reciever Walter Powell beats an Austin Peay player to the endzone. Powell caught nine passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns.
And just like that, another record fell at the feet of Casey Brockman. The score, Brockman’s third touchdown on Saturady and 53rd of his career, broke former Racer quarterback Michael Proctor’s record for career touchdowns (52). By the end of the game against Austin Peay, Brockman had surpassed Eastern Illinois alumnus Tony Romo for third all-time in career passing yards in the OVC (8,212). The senior signal caller threw for 455 yards and five touchdowns en route to a 52-14 blowout win this past Saturday against the Austin Peay State Governors (0-5, 04 OVC) in Clarksville, Tenn., who were looking to notch their first win of the season against the high-flying Racers (3-3, 2-1 OVC). Brockman also became the OVC-leader in career completions (793), passing Morehead State’s Chris Schwartz (774) along the way. Thanks to Brockman and his corps of receivers, it didn’t come close to happening. The Governors certainly made a game of it in the first half, trailing just 17-14 before Brockman hit senior wide receiver Ja-Vonta Trotter for a 12-yard touchdown just 21 seconds before the half, giving the Racers a 24-14 cushion heading into the locker room. By the fourth quarter, Head Coach Chris Hatcher had called out the reserves, as the Racers finished the game by pouring on 35 unanswered points in the rout. Senior Walter Powell caught nine passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns, while Utah State transfer Dontel Watkins caught six passes for 70 yards and two touchdowns. Watkins, who is second on the team in receiving yards with 349 and leads the team with four touchdowns, said it was only a matter of time before the offense started firing on all cylinders. “We went through a learning period the first three
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games trying to find out what we were and who we were,” Watkins said. “Now, even from the third game of the season, we are starting to see who we are and the quarterback sees it, and we keep getting better every week.” The lone damper on the night could be a tough one for the Racers moving forward, who lost junior linebacker Qua Huzzie to an injury. Hatcher said it wasn’t clear on whether or not Huzzie would play against the UT Martin Skyhawks Saturday, but did sound concerned about the health of his team going into this weekend’s matchup. “We’ve got a lot of guys that are really beat up,” Hatcher said. “Nothing serious, as all things can be fixed with rest and treatment. Unfortunately, we don’t have a lot of time to rest headed into this game. This is probably the most beat up we have come out of in a game.” Hatcher and the Racers will need to mount anything and everything against the Skyhawks (4-2, 2-1 OVC), who are led by their own hometown hero in senior quarterback Derek Carr, who hails from McKenzie, Tenn., and was mere minutes from UT Martin growing up. Carr and his potent offensive line would certainly love to spoil Homecoming, as fans will be settling in from early morning festivities at the annual Tent City to watch the Racers battle it out for a spot near the top of the OVC standings. Hatcher said the biggest problem for the Racers will be trying to stop the run, as the Skyhawks sport three running backs averaging over 30 yards per game and all play at different speeds. “Their five offensive linemen I give them credit,” Hatcher said. “They’re mean, nasty guys who will cut block and they’re really good. They’ll get after you up front, which means will have to throw more guys in there and that leaves you one-on-one out wide, and we’ve had trouble with that this season.” Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. at Roy Stewart Stadium, but fans are encouraged to arrive early as a large turnout is expected for the game.
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The News
Sports
October 12, 2012
Soccer
That’s What He Said
Unbreakable
Racers lose third straight game Nick Dolan || Staff writer ndolan@murraystate.edu
The Racers are in a hole with only six conference games remaining. After opening their Ohio Valley Conference schedule with a win against Austin Peay, the Racers have lost three straight games to conference opponents. Southeast Missouri State (2-93, 1-3-1 OVC) defeated Murray State (3-8-0, 1-3-0 OVC) 6-0 in its second OVC match. The Racers were outshot in the contest 21-9 and only managed five shots on goal. Freshman goalkeeper Latesha Stevenson played the opening 45 minutes and allowed all six Redhawk goals while recording two saves; it was Stevenson’s first loss as a Racer. Sophomore goalkeeper Yi Du played the second frame and recorded three saves and did not allow a goal. The Racers played improved defense in the second half, said Head Coach Beth Acreman in a news conference Monday. “The second half we actually ended up tying them 0-0,� Acreman said. “So for me I was more encouraged with the fact that the team could hang with them.� The Racers played again two days later against UT Martin (65-3, 3-1-1 OVC) where they took an early lead. Pribyslavsk scored her sixth goal of the season on a penalty kick in the second minute and the Racers took a 1-0 lead into the half. The Racers could not hold the lead, however, as they eventually fell to the Skyhawks 2-1, allowing seven shots on goal in the second half. “I was really encouraged to think we might tie that one back
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Senior defender Gina Killion prepares to strike the ball in an Aug . 26 home matchup against Evansville. up,� Acreman said. “We had some really good chances in the end there but just couldn’t get the ball in the back of the net.� Freshman defender Rachel Walker said the team had a difficult time linking the offensive and defensive plays together. “I think we played pretty well but we were defending a lot during the game,� Walker said. “That’s where it was tough, we weren’t able to connect with the attacking players of our team.� Murray State moved on to battle the Belmont Bruins (5-6-1, 1-21 OVC) last Friday in their OVC home opener. The Racers looked strong from the opening whistle and took an early lead for the second straight game with a goal in the eighth minute. Senior defender Jenelle Cunningham put the Racers on the board first when she headed freshman forward Taylor Stevens’ corner pass into the back of the net for the first goal of her career. The Racers defense only allowed two shots on goal in the first 45 minutes. It was a tale of two halves, however, as they could not put anything together offensively or defensively, getting off three shots and surrendering 13 in the second half. Walker said the major difference between the two halves was the Racers’ inability to finish
their offensive opportunities. “The first half we came out ready,� Walker said. “We scored in the first 10-15 minutes but coming out in the second half we weren’t able to finish as well and gave up two goals, which was tough.� The Bruins tied the game in the 63rd minute as sophomore forward Allie Hicks lofted a ball over Stevenson from 30 yards out. Belmont would take the lead for good when junior forward Amy Jo Anderson scored in the 78th minute. “Obviously both games (UT Martin and Belmont) we scored first and that was a real positive,� Acreman said. “Obviously we need another goal after that, holding on to a one goal lead going into half is tough and with conference play everyone is playing hard.� Acreman said the team is looking past the three losses and working toward their upcoming OVC matches. “The team is learning again with every game as we see different things,� Acreman said. “Obviously playing in the conference is a little harder but we’re definitely preparing for this week.� Murray State will play their final two road games against OVC opponents at 7 p.m. today against SIUE and 1 p.m. Sunday at Eastern Illinois.
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3B
In 1967, Boston Red Sox left fielder Carl Yastrzemski led all of Major League Baseball with a .326 batting average, 44 home runs and 121 runs batted in, claiming the coveted Triple Crown award by leading in the three most important statistics for batters. Edward For nearly half a century Marlowe the Triple Crown would sit on a shelf, gathering Sports columnist dust as hitters struggled to produce consistently in all three categories. Hitters came close but always managed to falter down the stretch, giving up one or more categories before season’s end. After 45 years of toil and hope from fans and players alike, a chunky Venezuelan by the name of Miguel Cabrera did the unthinkable. He won the Triple Crown. Only the 14th player in Major League Baseball history to accomplish the daunting task, Cabrera posted a monster line of .330 BA/44 HR/139 RBI, leading his Detroit Tigers to the playoffs.. As if this wasn’t enough, just days after Cabrera did what no one has done in five decades, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees pulled the unthinkable. Avoiding a San Diego Chargers’ zone blitz late in the first quarter on Sunday Night Football, Brees floated a beauty to a wide open Devery Henderson for a 40-yard touchdown. It was the 48th straight game in which Brees had thrown for a touchdown, breaking Johnny Unitas’ record of 47 straight games with a passing touchdown. Compiled from 1956-60, the Baltimore Colt quarterback threw touchdowns like no other quarterback had or has ever done until now, as his record stood for 52 years before Brees broke it. While records were certainly made to be broken, some records have not only continued to stand the test of time, but could go down in history permanently chiseled to the tablet, never to be touched. Unitas and Yastrzemski fell after 50 years of standing tall, but these records aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. Joe DiMaggio – safely hits in 56 games The Yankee Clipper might be one of the greatest pure hitters to ever play the game. Just one game after his streak ended in 1941, DiMaggio again hit safely in 16 straight games, meaning this record was one defensive failure away from being the most incredible sporting feat of all time.
It might still be, as the closest to achieve the feat was Cincinnati Red Pete Rose, who hit safely in 44 straight games in 1978. Jerry Rice – a reception in 274 consecutive games I sometimes fire up my “Madden 2005� just to throw digital passes to the greatest NFL player of all time. Over the course of 20 years, Rice forged his name atop all of the receiving records, cementing his name in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton in sensational fashion. His most impressive feat, and one that should remain untouched for quite a bit of time, is his 274 consecutive games with a catch. With defenses keyed on removing him from the game plan, Rice did nothing but impose his will and make catches anyway. The closest to Rice’s record? Marvin Harrison, who caught passes in 190 straight games. Harrison is now retired, putting the record safely out of reach for a very, very long time. UCLA – 88 straight basketball wins From 1970-74, John Wooden and the UCLA Bruins went on a rampage, scooping up victories left and right en route to five years without knowing defeat. While teams have incredible records on their home floor, winning on the road is certainly tough in college basketball, as team travel often drains players and opposing stadiums are raucous and unruly. While chances of winning on the road certainly thwart most teams from mounting a shot at 88 straight victories, it’s the concept of one-and-done that truly prevents teams from trying to break the record. A perfect college season in this age would almost certainly lift the draft stock of the entire team, pressuring young players into taking the big payday and leaping to the NBA after one good year of basketball. Miami Dolphins – perfect 1971 season In 2007, the ’71 Dolphins had to wait all the way until the Super Bowl to pop the champagne, as the New England Patriots came up short against the New York Giants after a miraculous David Tyree catch. Other than the Patriots, no other team has even come close to bringing home the Lombardi Trophy unscathed from a season loss. With only two remaining undefeated teams in the NFL this season at 5-0, I’m going to say it won’t be long before the bubbly comes off the ice. Cheers, Bob Griese. Cheers. emarlowe@murraystate.edu
The News
Sports
4B
October 12, 2012
Former NBA player shares story, inspires athletes Nick Dolan || Staff writer ndolan@murraystate.edu If there is ever a story about opportunity, failure, loss and redemption and life and death it can be heard from former NBA player and drug addict Chris Herren. Men’s Head Basketball Coach Steve Prohm invited Herren to speak at CFSB Center to hundreds of Murray State students, athletes and faculty members Wednesday afternoon about his struggle with substance abuse while being a basketball standout and starting a family. Herren was a McDonald’s AllAmerican for Durfee High School in Fall River, Mass., his senior year. He was rated the second best guard in the nation at that time, right behind future 11-time NBA All-Star Allen Iverson. He had his pick of major college programs such as Duke, Kentucky, Florida and UCLA but he chose to stay in his home state and attend Boston College. Herren said that decision changed his life forever. Four months into his freshman year, Herren was kicked out of Boston College for testing positive for cocaine and marijuana three times. Among his many regrets, Herren discussed his biggest. “I had an opportunity in 1994 to sit in a gym like this and hear people talk about substance abuse and all I had to do was pay attention.” Herren said. “My biggest regret is that I didn’t listen.”
story might be his true calling. Herren has spoken to a wide range of audiences from high schools to the Oklahoma City Thunder and said if he could help just one person it would all be worth it. “The overall goal is to educate, to raise awareness, to hopefully inspire some of these athletes to not go down the same road,” Herren said. “You know, you never imagine your life will turn out the way it does when you are 18, 19, 20 years old playing college sports.” Herren’s story goes far beyond the realm of sports. Millions of people can relate to his story whether its personally or not. It is a story about perseverance and redemption and he said it strikes a nerve with people because he doesn’t hold back anything. “Honesty, it’s just the rawness and honesty of the story,” he said. “I don’t come in here and try to sugarcoat anything. In a sense because what it’s about is getting to the kids and deterring them from going down this path.” He used his life as a cautionary tale about self-control and self abuse. Herren ended his speech with a word of warning. “I sat in your seat and said ‘It wouldn’t be me,’” Herren said. “Straight up, there is a Chris Herren sitting in this crowd though. Today is your 1994. Today is the time to ask yourself what is it about myself I don’t like? How can I escape who I am? Today is your day to not be me.”
Maddie Mucci/The News
Chris Herren was invited by Head Basketball Coach Steve Prohm to speak to students and athletes at the CFSB Center last Wednesday. After he had been kicked out of Boston College, he joined Fresno State’s squad until he was drafted by the Denver Nuggets as the 33rd overall pick in the second round of the 1999 NBA Draft. He would then be traded to his beloved Boston Celtics
after his rookie season, all the while battling drug addiction. After two seasons Herren said his addiction had grown so strong he gave up an opportunity to continue to play in the NBA so he could continue to chase his drug habit that was dam-
aging his life and family. After seven felonies, a botched basketball career and a family to take care of, Herren took control of his life. Sixteen years of self-destruction and drug abuse ended Aug. 1, 2008, for Herren and he realized sharing his
Intramurals
Fraternities battle on softball field Laura Kovarik || Staff writer lkovarik@murraystate.edu Tensions and morale remained high despite the low temperatures at the Monday night intramural softball game as Alpha Sigma Phi took on Sigma Phi Epsilon. The two competing fraternities drew large numbers of fans. Chants and loud cheers echoed across the Intramural field before the game started. Excellent fielding and few errors resulted in the game remaining scoreless for the first two innings. The crowd was restless as average-placed hits were matched by superior fielding. Sig Ep scored the first run of the night during the bottom of the third inning. A ball was hit and caught by the Alpha Sigma Phi left center-fielder allowing the runner on third just enough time to tag up and score the first run for Sig Ep. Sig Ep team captain Zach Bonenberger said the fraternity looks forward to this game very year. “Alpha Sigma Phi always has a good team
and we always bring our A-game against them, and I think it was our adrenaline and drive to win that gave us the advantage,” Bonenberger said. Alpha Sigma Phi rallied in the top of the fourth to score two runs. A well-placed ball into center field allowed Alpha Sigma Phi to score one run and a line drive down the third baseline into the outfield gave Alpha Sigma Phi a 2-1 lead going into the bottom of the fourth inning. “The biggest challenge mentally was not getting down when they scored those two runs and just staying focused in the game,” Bonenberger said. Sig Ep gained momentum as the night progressed. A combination of well-placed hits and multiple errors by Alpha Sigma Phi’s defense gave Sig Ep the advantage. “I definitely think the turning point in the game was when Ray made the extra effort to get to second on that ‘bloop’ fly-ball,” Bonenberger said. “It really hyped us up.” Sig Ep rallied in the bottom of the fourth inning and scored four runs to take a 5-2 lead. According to Bonenberger, the young Sig
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Ep team, worked as a well-oiled machine regardless of experience. “Compared to other teams we are pretty young; we don’t have a lot of upper classmen,” Bonenberger said. “We really had to work during the season to figure out what we were going to have. We only have three or four returning players and compared to other teams we are very inexperienced.” Despite frigid temperatures and ice-cold bleachers, spectators remained glued to the game. Great defensive plays by Sig Ep shut down the Alpha Sigma Phi offense and resulted in a scoreless top of the fifth inning. A combination of errors and well-placed hits during the bottom of the fifth inning resulted in Sig Ep widening the gap 9-2. “We are not playing in the play-offs,” said Bonenberger. “It was our last game and a good way to go out.” Alpha Sigma Phi was unable to score runs in the top of the sixth. The game concluded after the top of the sixth inning. Sig Ep won 9-2. The men’s and women’s championship games will be played on Monday night at 8 and 9.
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Neal Bradley @NealBradley Austin Peay QB Jake Ryan has completed 67 passes this season. Murray State WR Walter Powell has caught 51. Voice of the Racers
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October 12, 2012
5B
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A T a ste of the Ar ts
Community members, faculty and alumni attended the annual ‘A Taste of the Arts’ auction. They bid on art pieces and other items to support local arts programs.
Annual auction raises money for f ine arts students Dominique Duarte || Staff writer dduarte@murraystate.edu
Maddie Mucci || Staff writer mmucci@murraystate.edu
Students in the College of Humanities and Fine Arts spend countless hours outside of classes rehearsing and perfecting their latest pieces every day. The college honored these hard-working students at the fourth annual “A Taste of the Arts” Dinner and Auction Thursday. The Office of Development in conjunction with the humanities and fine arts college hosted the event which occurs each year to help raise money for fine arts scholarships. Tina Bernot, director of development, coordinated the event this year. Her goal with the event was to help students with an interest in the arts be able to get an education. As a result, Bernot has worked with the college to organize the auction to raise scholarship money. “One of my goals was to raise scholarship support for the various departments,” Bernot said. “We had this idea four years ago to do this combined special event for music, theater and art to raise money for scholarships.” In an effort to reach these goals, the event began with a silent auction and a variety of delectable food options. As the evening progressed, performances from music professors, theater and musical theater students as well as Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity and even the Racer Band received
warm welcomes from the crowded room. Tennessee Titans football tickets, passes to a County Music Awards Music Festival rehearsal, a painting by Murray’s own Dick Dougherty, a vacation to a cabin on the east coast, a guitar signed by country singer Blake Shelton and other exquisite items were auctioned off in the live auction that concluded the event. Bernot collected the items for the auction by reaching out to members of the community for donations. “We solicit around the community for items for the auction, for live auction items and silent auction items and this year we received $25,000 worth of trips and getaways, art, jewelry, gift certificates and packages to auction off at the event,” Bernot said. The auction, held in the Murray Room at the CFSB Center, was sold out early this week with 185 registered guests. This year’s guests included people from the community, alumni and faculty, as well as a handful of locally accomplished artists. Students entertained the event’s guests with everything from snippets of Christmas tunes to scenes from the upcoming student opera, “The Magic Flute.” Said Bernot: “We displayed the arts from each of the departments so we had music students, art students and theater students, as well as faculty. (Some of the students) gave mini performances and gave everyone a taste of their talent.”
Music professors entertain the auction guests with chamber music.
Fraternity prepares for Miss Black and Gold Hunter Harrell || Staff writer hharrell@murraystate.edu
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Contestants Brittany White and Arlene Johnson practice the opening number during a dress rehearsal Wednesday night in Wrather Auditorium.
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Showcasing the beauty, intelligence and poise of women through pageants is a long standing tradition. Murray State fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha hosts the Miss Black and Gold Scholarship Pageant annually as a part of Homecoming festivities. The name of the pageant, Miss Black and Gold, is derived from the colors of the fraternity, and has been an annual event of the fraternity since the first pageant in 1976 in New York City at the Alpha Phi Alpha Convention. The pageant highlights the young ladies who are role models in the community. This is the 28th year Alpha Phi Alpha has hosted the event. The pageant is tonight at 7 p.m. in Wrather Museum. It is sponsored by local businesses in Murray. Tickets for the pageant are available on the second floor of the Curris Center for $7 and are $10 at the door. “We have nine lovely contestants this year,” said Ryan Hudson, president of Alpha Phi Alpha. “Each are selected through a screening and interview process.” The nine contestants for the Miss Black and Gold pageant include Mary Dorr, junior from Paducah, Ky., Hailey Harrington, junior from Princeton, Ky.,
Keoni Hall, freshman from Memphis Tenn., Shannon Mitchem, freshman from Chandler, Ind., Arlene Johnson, sophomore from Sikeston, Mo., Glenisha McGee, senior from Dallas, Texas, Brittany White, sophomore from Baltimore City, Md., Monyette Shaw, sophomore from Paducah, Ky. and Katie McAllister, senior from Murray. According to the organization, the contestants are chosen based on their personal views, GPA and their campus involvement. The women will compete in five categories: interview, business projection, swimwear, creative arts/talent and the final walk and question. Five judges, a combination of fraternity brothers and past contestants, will tabulate the scores for each contestant to determine a winner. After scores are calculated, the ladies return to the stage where the first runner-Up, second runner-Up, Miss Hospitality, Miss Congeniality and Most Talented will receive their titles. One contestant will receive the Quarrels/Elliot award, which is voted on by the brothers of the fraternity. It is awarded to the contestant that is willing to go above and beyond in preparation for the pageant. Following the awards, one will be crowned Miss Black and Gold and will receive a $500 scholarship.
The winner of the pageant must organize two programs to benefit the community and the students at Murray State. Proceeds from the pageant will assist the queen in activities for the community. The winner also has the opportunity to represent Murray State at the state-level Black and Gold competition. In preparation for the pageant, the contestants practice three times a week until the week of the pageant, where they practice each day. Some contestants choose to go above and beyond practicing. “I have done some rehearsing outside of rehearsals, especially for the talent portion,” Harrington said. The contestants also dedicate their time in order to make the event run as smoothly as possible. The weeks prior to the pageant, the contestants dedicate a lot of hard work. “We have countless hours of rehearsals, selling hundreds of dollars in advertisements and having your speeches, outfits and talent all ready and prepared,” Mitchem said. “It altogether is a challenge.” In addition to possibly winning the scholarship and title of Miss Black and Gold, some contestants wanted to participate to improve themselves. “I have been preparing myself mentally by constantly reminding myself that I am doing this to better myself and my selfconfidence.” Mitchem said.
Kristen Bell @IMKristenBell things would be so much better if the whole world smelled like a pier 1. 12:17 a.m. Oct. 6
Rebel Wilson @RebelWilson I've only been to New Zealand once. When I was a baby. I was accidentally left in a caravan 4 hours whilst my parents went jumper shopping. 11:51 p.m. Oct. 8
Chris Colfer @chriscolfer The DMV is scarier than the hunger games. #MayTheOddsBeInYourFavor 5:55 p.m. Oct. 9
Jesse Tyler Ferguson @jessetyler Last night I dreamed that I was crying & spinning in circles with @lenadunham cause I loved an ep of Girls. Oh also, we were wearing turbans 7:37 p.m. Oct. 7
Ricky Gervais @rickygervais I'm team @adamlevine, but my favourite thing about #thevoice is Ceelo Green dressing as a different character from Angry Birds each week. 2:00 p.m. Oct. 9
Molly McNearney @mollymcnearney When it comes to returning emails, I only have two speeds: within 3 seconds or within 3 months. 7:43 p.m. Oct. 9
The News
Features
6B
THE
“Entertainment news sure to spice up your lunch conversation”
WATER COOLER Information and photos from The Associated Press Compiled by Savannah Sawyer
HANKS ON BROADWAY It was announced Thursday that Tom Hanks will make is Broadway debut in the spring as Mike McAlary in the play “Lucky Guy,” based on a true story. Hanks’ character is an established colunnist for a New York City newspaper who would go on to win a Pulitzer Prize.
October 12, 2012
Graduate student designs war exhibit in Wrather Shannon MacAllister || Staff writer smacallister@murraystate.edu
Richard Davis, a Murray State graduate student from Paducah, Ky., is nearing the completion of his longtime project of renovating the on-campus Wrather Museum’s War and Remembrance Room. The room, once designed to feature the Civil War and World War II exclusively, now features every American War dating back to the Revolutionary War. Davis began the project in an effort to build up his portfolio as he will be pursuing a doctorate degree in public history once he graduates in December. Davis said the room means much more than just a portfolio filler to him now. “It’s all about that look on your face,” Davis said. “It’s all about that look that you get when you learn something you didn’t know before. That’s what I want. That’s what I want this room to do.” The idea to renovate the War and Remembrance room stemmed from Davis’s graduate thesis revolving
around Forrest C. Pogue, the library’s namesake, as he was an acclaimed historian of the United States Arms and the biographer of Gen. George C. Marshal. Many of Pogue’s own possessions are housed in the War and Remembrance room, as many of his military possessions were donated to the University in 1989. Inspired by Pogue, Davis created the exhibit to combine the startling unknowns of national history within the wars with the unveiling of the stories of local hidden heroes. Davis made sure each war was brought into perspective by featuring not only the national heroes who are universally known, but also local people. John Irvin, a Kentucky native, was awarded the Silver Star for abandoning a position of cover to help the medics get wounded back to the boats in the liberation of France. “I just wanted everyone to know about all these people who’ve done all of these amazing things in wars, and these people are from right here in Murray, Calloway County, Graves County, and all these places right next
The War and Remembrance room features flags, uniforms, and other antiques from various wars in the past. The room is located in Wrather Museum.
Photos by Michelle Grimaud/The News
to us,” Davis said. “Their grandkids, great grandkids, or even sons and daughters are right around us and we don’t even know it.” Davis has been working on the room since January. The War and Remembrance Room is open to the public during Wrather museum hours Monday-Friday 8 a.m.
Alumnus revisits campus to film movie mmucci@murraystate.edu
BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S TAKES ON BROADWAY Emilia Clarke will take on the roll made famous by Audrey Hepburn, of Holly Golightly in the stage adaption of “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” The play is set to hit the stage in Feburary 2013.
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Director for the film “Small Town”
shooting the actual movie for about twenty days – just filming. Ninety-nine percent of ‘Small Town’ will be shot in Murray, and we may shoot some of it in Hazel. There’s a whole portion of the film that’s going to be shot on campus.” Hoping to have the film out by spring of 2013, Dublin is already making plans to premiere the film at Murray’s Cheri Theater. “If I’m lucky enough to get accepted into (one of the larger film festivals) we’d have the premiere (at the festival),” Dublin said. “Then the next showing would be in Murray, hopefully at the Cheri because I’ve been going there my whole life.” “Small Town” still has room for extras as well as a handful of speaking roles. “If you have the opportunity to be a part of ‘Small Town,’ you really should,” Clark said. “This kind of opportunity is rare, and anything that happens on Murray State’s campus always goes far.” For more information, visit facebook.com/smalltown2013.
o h W
Who ’s
308 S. 12th St., Murray 270-759-2500
town is, and our campus especially,” Dublin said. “Just representing a normal American small town. (Murray) is a college town and we’re still growing. I wanted to paint a picture of our town—not a hole in the wall in Kentucky, but a thriving community.” –Edward Dublin
2012-13 Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges
Eligibility: minimum 3.0 GPA; Graduating in December 2012, May or August 2013; Demonstrated Campus and Community Leadership and Involvement
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Deadline: October 26, 2012
Student Health Fair
Hours: Barbers/Stylists Tues-Fri 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Cindy Seay Sat-8 a.m. - Noon Josh Lewis Sharon Ingrum (Owner)
4 p.m. until 7 p.m.
The American Country Awards nominations were announced Wednesday night and Luke Bryan took a suprising lead over artists like Taylor Swift and Lady Antebellum. Bryan leads the pack with seven nominations. The show is set to air Dec. 10 on Fox from Las Vegas.
“I want to show how beautiful I think our
Wellness Center
BRYAN LEADS ACA NOMINATIONS
Edward Dublin, from Murray, graduated from Murray State in 2008, and has been thinking about making a film his entire life. “I’ve had a life-long passion for film – it’s actually more of an obsession because it’s all I’ve ever really wanted to do,” Dublin said. “I’ve never really had the nerve to (become a film writer or film director), but this is the year I said either I do it or stop talking about it.” What started as a dream has turned into a fullblown film to be shot in Murray during October. Dublin originally called the film “Thursday Night Lights” when he was first bouncing the idea around. The dark romantic comedy based in Murray finally got its name “Small Town” after being a work-inprogress for six years. “I came up with the idea for “Small Town” about six years ago as a story chronicling me and my friends and the stupid things we did in college,” Dublin said. “I found (the ‘Thursday Night Lights’ script) recently and erased everything but the opening scene before I wrote a first draft of ‘Small Town.’ Within two weeks I had written two more rough drafts and started showing it to people – my parents, my friends. Everyone liked (the script), so I was like okay I’m going to actually make this.” After finishing the time-consuming script writing process, Dublin started to search for his actors, actresses and crewmembers. He found people that are passionate about his film across the country, from Los Angeles, to Memphis, Tenn., to St. Louis, Mo. Sarah Clark, a Murray State graduate student from Paducah, Ky., was contacted by Dublin about participating in the film. “I will be playing ‘Leslie’ in the film,” Clark said. “The character is similar to me – upbeat, excited and we may have had some of the same life experiences.
Anyone who knows me will agree (the role is) the perfect fit.” Not only is Clark made for her role in the movie, but the other actors and crewmembers are suitable to the director’s standards as well. “Everyone seems to love (the film) and believes in it, which has been a gigantic help to getting this made,” Dublin said. “I’ve been lucky to have people that have helped me keep my mind through this whole thing because (films) take time. It’s not as easy as you think – it takes a lot of time and money.” For Dublin, the time, money and effort needed for his film were well worth the effort to represent Murray, the town in which he has lived and done all of his schooling. “I want to show how beautiful I think our town is, and our campus especially,” Dublin said. “Just representing a normal American small town. (Murray) is a college town and we’re still growing. I wanted to paint a picture of our town – not a hole in the wall in Kentucky, but a thriving community.” Working with Roundabout U has given Clark the chance to film on Murray’s campus previously. She said even the process of filming for the movie will represent the feel of Murray. “I think it will be a great atmosphere,” Clark said. “MSU has so many energetic students, so there will never be a dull moment. I am looking forward to (the film itself) because I feel like Murray is indescribable to anyone who has never experienced it. I hope that this film gives people a little taste of what makes this place so special to the people who call it their home.” Dublin said he plans on shooting the film all over Murray, including in the Quad, The Big Apple Cafe, a few Murray restaurants, the Cheri theater, one of the thrift stores, a park and maybe even a football game. “We’re going to start (shooting the film) the fifteenth of October, I think,” Dublin said. “We will be
Where? • The
October 22nd
Maddie Mucci || Staff Writer
Wellness Center
When?
• October 22nd • 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Free Health Assesments & Give Aways!
The News
Features
October 12, 2012
7B Pop Culture Savvy
Movie Review
‘Pitch Perfect’ hits all the right notes Anna Taylor || Features Editor ataylor2@murraystate.edu
When you mix “Glee” and “The Sing-Off” together, you end up with “Pitch Perfect.” With the country’s recent craving for competitive group a cappella, this coming-of-age comedy will satisfy anyone’s musical desire. The movie, which is based on GQ Magazine’s senior editor Mickey Rapkin’s nonfiction book “Pitch Perfect,” tells the story of the all-female a capella group, The Barden University Bellas. Though just your average predictable musical comedy, the “Bring It On”-esque competitiveness is what makes this film exciting. Plus, the film has several laugh-outloud one-liners. The lead character, Beca, a rebelious college freshman at Barden University, is played by “The Twilight Saga’s” Anna Kendrick. Because Beca aspires to become a DJ, she has no desire to be at her university. Her father, who happens to be a professor, is just your average it’s-my-word-and-no-one-else’s parent that forces Beca to stay at Barden for one year before settling on moving to Los Angeles to pursue a music-mixing career. At the beginning of the film, we learn about a bad memory of which the Bellas are constantly reminded. In order to gain a better reputation for themselves, they must work hard to rebuild their group and try to start fresh. The two leaders of the Bellas are played by Anna Camp (“True Blood”) and Brittany Snow (“Hairspray”). They both work together to recruit new members into the a capella group and end up meeting Beca and learning she can sing. Because Beca’s father wants her to make friends and be involved, she decides to join them. Of course, since the film is all about competition, there has to be some kind of rivalry. Barden University has four a capella groups, though only two seem to be serious. The Bellas and the all-male group, The Treblemakers, are the main rivalries we see in the film. During their competitions, the groups perform songs or medleys a la “Glee.” Though the competitions are not exactly realistic, being as how allmale and all-female groups have completely different sounds, their friendly rivalry reminds us that it’s all in good fun anyway. The movie plays up the recruitment of the a capella groups like that of a sorority or fraternity. Both of the main groups have their mem-
Photo courtesy of IMDB
The Barden University Bellas compete in group a capella competitions to recreate a new reputation for themselves in “Pitch Perfect.” bers go through some type of ritual before joining. The Bellas must also make an oath not to have sexual relationships with the Treblemakers, otherwise they will be out of the group. As expected, there is a love story within the mix of the singing competitions. Beca meets Jesse, played by newcomer Skyler Astin, at her internship with the campus radio station. Jesse, who also happens to be a new member of the Treblemakers, has the appearance of a young Dane Cook and the heart of a modern Ryan Gosling. With their common bond being their love of music, Beca and Jesse connect with each other from the start. As for the music in the movie, you hear a wide variety of songs. You’ll hear anything from ‘90s ballads to rap to some of today’s popular music–all done in a cappella that’s actually not bad. Among the Bellas, we have some
interesting characters. For starters, there is new comedienne Rebel Wilson who plays the hilarious role of Fat Amy. The Australian “Bridesmaids” actress adds her unique flair to the movie. Other unique characters are Benji, Stacie, Lilly and Cynthia Rose. Cynthia Rose is played by American singer Ester Dean. Surprisingly, Dean doesn’t have many moments in the vocal spotlight. The film also features “The Hunger Games’” Elizabeth Banks, who plays a commentator alongside John Michael Higgins. Both mix comedic relief with sexual innuendos. The Bellas transition themselves throughout the movie and ultimately get better as a group. The conclusion of the film will bring you joy and make you want to buy the soundtrack. Overall, Kendrick has a great performance, regardless of her awkward dance moves and heavy eyeliner.
Poor Fair OK Good Excellent
Similar to: “Glee,” “The Sing-Off,” “Bring It On”
Review Rundown: Rolling Stone: 2.5/5 Entertainment Weekly: BNew York Daily News: 3/5
Students to host annual Health Fair at Wellness Center Staff Report The annual Health Fair will be held Monday Oct. 22 in Murray State’s Wellness Center. The fair was created by exercise science students in an effort to not only promote good health on campus, but to also make students aware of their current health situations. The fair seeks to inform students and staff
how to reach their optimum levels of health. The exercise science students know that the most effective way of avoiding traumatic health situations is to stay fit and eat healthy. They are hoping the fair will teach others how to care for their bodies in order to stay in good health. In addition to health information, the exercise science students will be administering a variety of tests free of charge to any person interested in
knowing more about their current levels of health. Some of the tests will include heart rate, blood pressure, muscular strength, muscular endurance, power, flexibility and respiratory capacity. The fair will be open to anyone interested and will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 22 in the Murray State Wellness Center.
Out This Week See It
Friday, Oct. 12 “Seven Psychopaths” starring Colin Farrell, Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell and Christopher Walken and is directed by Martin McDonagh will be in theaters Friday. The movie is about a screenwriter who accidently gets involved in the criminal scene.
Rent It
Tuesday, Oct. 16
Hear It
Tuesday, Oct. 16
Benjamin GibNow is the time to catch up bard, of the on what the men of Madiband Death Cab son Avenue are up to at for Cutie will reSterling Cooper Draper lease his first Pryce. The show, which won album, “Former countless Emmy Awards Lives” Tuesday. and Golden Globes, will reGibbard uses lease the fifth season of the AMC h it show Thursday. this album to tell his side of the story of rece nt controversies in his life, like his diThe DVD will also include vorce from actress Zooey Deschanel. special features.
Read It
When fiction and reality clash I want to stroll the streets of Stars Hallow, take me to Dillon, Texas, where Coach Taylor and his family resides, let me wander the halls of Greendale Community College and be the wife of a man that travels Savannah through time. I want to sip coffee at Central Sawyer Assistant Perk and meet a shy Features Editor nerdy boy obsessed with video games and comic books in Orange Beach, Calif. My rebellious side will come out when I travel back in time to 1950s when I team up with Holden Caulfield and my heart will love when I meet Rob Gordon, a music obsessed record store owner. The wonderful thing about television, films and books is it allows you to escape into a world where anything is possible. Because of that reason alone, there are so many characters that I wish I could pull from my imagination or off the television screen and into my actual life. What I would give to roam the streets of Stars Hallow, the fictional town where the Gilmore Girls reside. I would befriend all of the quirky characters the show has to offer and embrace them with love. I want to eat a burger and get a cup of coffee at Luke’s Diner and try some of Sookie’s exceptional cooking. I want to learn what it is like to be a big part of a community that is centered around one thing, football, like in the show “Friday Night Lights.” Better yet, I would want to be the Tami Taylor to Coach Eric Taylor any day. If only the community college I attended was half as great as Greendale Community College on the show “Community.” Never so much have I wanted to be a part of a study group more than the one on this show. They’d have to change the pretend talk show to Troy, Abed and Savannah in the morning. Even though there was a lot of heart break and tragedy that occurred in the book “The Time Traveler’s Wife,” I still would love to live the life of Claire and discover what it is like to love a man who travels through time. Possibly one of the best television shows of all time is “Friends.” It’s a simple show that follows a group of friends and their lives in New York City, yet I still want to live their lives. What I would give to share my life with a group of my closest friends over a cup of coffee at Central Perk. The breakout character from “The O.C.” is without a doubt in my mind, is Seth Cohen. What the producers originally envisioned as the nerdy boy a girl would never fall for turned into the loveable geek who you wanted crushing on you just as he did with Summer. Holden Caulfield is possibly one of my favorite characters in my favorite book of all time, “The Catcher in the Rye.” Possibly because he is one of the most realistic characters I have come across. He’s young and rebellious and full of anxiety which causes him to change his mind quite often. If only I could meet a guy like Rob Gordon from the book and movie adaption of “High Fidelity.” A music lover and record store owner in Chicago (in the movie adaption) who looks back on his past relationships and why they have failed to try to figure out where he went wrong. Sounds like the story of my life. Movie, television and book characters still go through the similar triumphs and failures any person on the reality side of the spectrum my go through but maybe it’s the happy endings that makes it seem like there lives are perfect or worth watching. Each of these characters have something to give, something to learn from them, something that makes them loveable. ssawyer@murraystate.edu
Tuesday, Oct. 16 Justin Cronin will release the second book, “The Twelve” in The Passage trilogy. The series is about a government experiment that did not go as originally planned. This book will continue the epic tale.
Play It
Tuesday, Oct. 16 Nintendo Wii will release “Zumba Fitness Core,” a new Wii Fit exercise game. The game will feature 40 new songs as well as upwards of 30 different dance styles. There will also be additional tutorials for the dances.
Photos courtesy of Amazon.com.
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The News
Features
October 12, 2012
Social media affect election campaigns Maddie Mucci || Staff writer mmucci@murraystate.edu
Students use social media to share their best jokes, their latest complaints and their favorite football team’s scores. Twitter and Facebook are the places to go for people’s opinions on everything from Ed Daniel’s latest hairstyle to the political events across our country. On Oct. 3, Twitter released an announcement saying the first 2012 presidential debate was the most tweeted about event in the sites history. More than 10 million tweets were sent during the Oct. 3 debate. “I don’t think that you could use social media – Facebook and Twitter – without noticing a political presence,� said Nathan McNichols, sophomore from Metropolis, Ill. “It’s so pushed by both sides of the campaign, both Republican and Democrat, because it’s so easy to get the information out to the people who need the information, the probable voters.� The presence of politics on social media sites is undeniable, but McNichols would go so far as to argue that sites like Facebook and Twitter have changed the 2012 political race. “Social media has replaced traditional snail mail as far as reaching out to potential voters – they have more of a targeted audience,� McNichols said. “It has also saved quite a bit of money, they don’t have to pay for postage, buy stationary or stuff of that sort. They can make a quick and easy Facebook post or Twitter announcement, and it reaches a large populous.� Alexandra Bloodworth, sophomore from Murray, has noticed the influence social media has on political events, as well. “Social media makes the political race more personal,� Bloodworth said. “Every day I get emails, Twitter updates and Facebook notifications from the Obama campaign. It definitely makes it seem more personal, and makes me feel more connected to the candidates as people.� Not only has the convergence of politics and social media made the political race more personal, but it has given the younger generations using social media more of a chance to take notice of the race. “I like seeing a political presence in social media,� Bloodworth said. “It promotes political awareness for young people, something that is very important. I love to see my peers discussing politics, endorsing candidates and the like.� McNichols said one of the best ways young people utilize social media is as a gathering information outlet. “I’ve noticed the voting population of the United States has become lazier and lazier when it comes to investigating actual politics,� McNichols said. “I think to combat this the campaigns and the political candidates have made the information accessible just whenever you open up your computer and get on either Facebook or Twitter. If (political) information is there then you don’t have to go searching for it and it’s easier for people to get the information.� Bloodworth agrees with McNichols by saying she stays informed politically mainly through social media sites. “I follow President Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, the DNC (Democratic National Convention), the Senate and Congress floor and C-SPAN on Twitter,� Bloodworth said. “I’ve also liked their official Facebook page. I feel like it’s a good way for me to stay informed and get easy, fast updates regarding politics.� Following the accounts and “liking� the pages of presidential and vice presidential Republican candidates Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan, as well as accounts that are affiliated with their campaign and unbiased news sources, is the easiest way for McNichols to stay up-to-date on political events. “The reason why I follow those (social media pages) is just for convenience,� McNichols said. “It’s convenient to be able to open up something that I would normally get on and get that information without having to go find a TV, sit down, watch a news story or go find and read a newspaper. I can just get the information doing something I would normally do anyway.� The ability to stay informed on politics is an important concept for McNichols. “Where there are more informed voters there is going to be a better informed turnout rate,� McNichols said. Social media is even being used to keep Murray State students informed of political events happening on campus. “I am in charge of PR for College Democrats and I use social media, Facebook and Twitter to get the word out about our events and meeting times,� Bloodworth said. “It’s an easy, cheap and effective way to spread the word and promote political awareness.� Although students can easily use social media to spread political awareness, there are a few things students should be wary of when combining their profiles and political views. “There are tasteful ways for posting information about politics on Facebook and then there are distasteful ways,� McNichols said. “If you are allowed to express your opinion, you should accept the fact that others are also allowed to do so. That being said, I am not advocating the idea of going out and deliberately picking nasty, personal fights on Facebook just because someone disagrees with your political standpoint.� Bloodworth said deconstructive arguments regarding politics posted on social media sites can discourage people from taking an active role in politics. However, the social media world spent more time with witty comments than arguments on Oct. 3. Famous figureheads, students and campaign-affiliated social media accounts took the presidential debate as an opportunity to share their political thoughts and quips. Chris Rock (@chrisrockoz) tweeted, “Romney said he wants to cut funding for PBS. Oscar the Grouch is like, ‘Seriously? I already live in a garbage can.’ #debate #forwardnotback.� Another tweet from Conan O’Brien (@ConanOBrien) said, “A study says a candidate who blinks the most in a debate almost always loses the election. #WhyGilbertGottfriedCantBePresident.� Whether the tweets were bashing the moderator or the presidential candidates, the most recent political event record on Twitter showed that social media and politics are becoming more and more intertwined.
Graphic by Evan Watson
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