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The News October 10, 2014
MAYOR BILL WELLS
The
Commitment Murray Deserves
Re-Elect Mayor Wells
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From the Editor • Where is home? • Three years ago, I was preparing for my first Murray State Homecoming. I had never experienced anything like it; the float buildLexy Gross ing, the parade Editor-in-Chief through downtown Murray, the influx of alumni who are alltoo-ready to feel like they’re in college again. I thought that was what Homecoming meant – wearing blue and gold, going to mandatory events and watching a football game. And three years later, as I prepare to be one of those alumni, a favorite anonymous quote of mine comes to mind. “You will never be completely at home again, because part of your heart will always be elsewhere. That is the price you pay for the richness of loving and knowing people in more than one place.” And here, I think about my definition of home. I’ve lived in Paducah, Ky., and Murray most of my life, but I’ve also lived in Virginia, Australia, Nashville,
Tenn., and Lexington, Ky. Soon, I’ll be moving to Chicago for my third internship of my college career. I’m not sure where or what home is anymore. Writing that may seem sad, but it’s exactly the opposite. When there are multiple landscapes that have memories and people attached to them, you become eternally grateful for the time you spent there. You want to consider them all home, just as much as the old brick house you grew up in with your parents and siblings nearby. I’ve valued my time and relationships in all of the places I’ve lived. In Lexington, I had the opportunity to meet people who will forever change my life. In Nashville, I learned about myself and the kind of woman I wanted to be. But Murray State was the first place that really opened my eyes, changed my perspective and set the stage for my opportunities in Lexington and Nashville. I’ve spent three years, and plenty of blood, sweat and tears at this University. I got involved not only in campus life, but in my major and in the local community. It would be hard to consider
Rebecca Walter News Editor • 809-4468 Carly Besser Opinion Editor • 809-5873 Hunter Harrell Features Editor • 809-5871 Mallory Tucker Sports Editor • 809-4481 Kayla MacAllister Chief Copy Editor • 809-6877
Murray State my home if I simply sat in my apartment, studied a little and went to class and I wouldn’t consider Nashville home if I didn’t go out and explore the city. The point is, your experience at Murray State is what you make of it. If your only desire is to go to school and drink on the weekends, you’ll never grow and you won’t be truly prepared to find that job you love after graduation. The goal isn’t just to get a degree. It’s to push yourself past your limits and see just how far you can go. Sure, you might have some great memories of going to that one fraternity house that one time with your best friend, but is that enough to bring you back to campus? Will those people remember you for anything more than just being another face at Murray State? Students, your time here is valuable. If you treat it that way, you’ll be sad to leave but eternally grateful for the life-long friendships and lessons you’ve learned. I’ve changed my major and my minor twice. I’ve cried in Waterfield Library and I’ve laughed to the point of tears in
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111 Wilson Hall. I’ve burnt bridges, I’ve spoken too fast and I’ve yelled when I shouldn’t have. I’ve made mistakes and I’ve pushed people too far. But I’ve also stood up for what I believe in and I’ve held true to what I think is right without the influence of others. And I’ve had the opportunity to help people – which is by far the most valuable way I’ve spent my time at Murray State. I’ve helped raise more than $9,000 for child play therapy, I helped a group of women clean debris left by a devastating tornado in southern Illinois and I’ve seen cans stack to the ceiling for a local food pantry. Nothing could be more beautiful. These are all of the moments I will remember not only during Homecoming week, but when I’m tested at work or have the opportunity to help someone other than myself. Instead of considering Murray State my home, I’ll take my experiences and time here with me wherever I go. Murray State defines part of who I am, and that is so much greater than a parade or a football game.
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The News October 10, 2014
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Queens of the Blue and Gold
NANCY JERMAN
BETTY JO THOMPSON
SHARON TAGGART
1943
1950
1964
DONNA GEURIN
LORETTA WAGNER
CARRIE FORD
1984
1994
1974
CAMILLA BUCKINGHAM 2004
CELESTE CHOCKLEY 2013
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October 10, 2014
Tents & tailgates Students, faculty and alumni prepare for game day Kelsey Randolph Staff writer krandolph3@murraystate.edu
With music all around, Greek banners flying and residential college mascots roaming the field, it is apparent Homecoming is here. Over the last several years one of Murray State’s biggest traditions of the year has continued to grow. Amy Pulpaneck, director of marketing and promotions for Racer Athletics, said there has been a great turnout of supporters at not just football games but other Racer sports as well. “We had the best crowd we’ve ever had at Family Weekend,” Pulpaneck said. “Three hours before the game started the entire parking lot was filled with people and that was definitely an incredible sight.” Pulpaneck said tailgating hasn’t always been popular in the past but she has high hopes for the coming games. She said with the right crowd and enough people, players are more motivated to play their best. She also said she believes tail-
gating shows a sense of pride and loyalty. “Being as old as I am, I love coming to football games,” said Susan Wyatt, alumna from Owensboro, Ky. “I love that the students are able to come down here before games and experience the comradery I did when I was in school.” Tent City is one of Murray’s largest Homecoming traditions. According to Katie Payne, associate director of Alumni Affairs, there will be 36 tents around the field Saturday. All spots outside Roy Stewart Stadium are on a first come, first serve and Payne said she would love to see families, organizations and groups getting together even if they are not able to have a tent in Tent City. For the first time, WKMS set up inside and host the music in Tent City. Racer fans can also look forward to standing at the ends of the field in designated areas to watch the game this year, while also enjoying their tailgating. “Tailgating isn’t just about standing around playing corn
hole,” Pulpaneck said. “It’s about watching the game with your friends and enjoying good sports.” Pulpaneck said organizations are reserving spots for tailgating on home game days. If organizations are interested in reserving spots they should contact Pulpaneck in the Racer Athletics office. Other than the reserved spots, the rest of the wall alongside the outside of Roy Stewart Stadium are available. Also, spots have been reserved on the hill in the back of the parking lot for alumni and Racer Club members only. While students prepare for tailgating at game day, several students also expressed concern about is the Department of Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC). Pulpaneck said the school does not call ABC to come to games, but that they come by chance to regulate and control the safety of students. Pulpaneck says ABC will contact the school shortly before games and alert several department heads if they decide to visit Murray State.
Taylor McStoots /The News
Brandon Pray, alumnus from Paducah, Ky., passes time at last year’s Tent City playing cornhole with brothers of Alpha Sigma Phi.
Ghosts of Homecoming traditions past, present Breanna Sill Assistant Features Editor bsill@murraystate.edu
Murray State is a University that is known for being rich with tradition. Though the Shoe Tree and All-Campus Sing are part of those traditions, the annual festivities that take place during Homecoming week here in Murray is packed full of some of the most wellloved traditions by students and alumni alike. In the 91 years that Murray State has been in existence, Homecoming has become a yearly event that sits as an unofficial marker of completing the first half of the semester.
Tent City is a traditional event that takes place during Homecoming weekend and draws a large crowd. The event, which took place for the first time in 1989, is held inside Roy Stewart Stadium and consists of tents set up by Greek organizations, student organizations, residential colleges and alumni. There, people tailgate, raise money and visit with new and old friends in the afternoon in anticipation of the big football game. “Tent City is my favorite Homecoming tradition,” said Cait Collins, senior from Harrisburg, Ill. “All the alumni come and it’s a great opportunity to meet tons of new people.”
Another tradition Murray State, like other universities across the country, also boasts is the crowning of its Homecoming king and queen. While the traditon continues, times have changed, and so have the voting strategies. Now, students cast their votes for king and queen by logging into MyGate days before the crowning and picking their favorites of the five king candidates and five queen candidates. This has not always been the protocol. In the 1950s students would be given a paper ballot and pen to fill in their choices many days before the crowning to ensure the votes were counted in time. “Colors would be rich and
spirits would soar in the Murray tradition,” said a passage out of the 1971 edition of The Shield, Murray State’s yearbook, referring to the Homecoming Parade that takes place every year during Homecoming week. The Homecoming parade is a favorite of not only students and alumni, but also of community members. Although this tradition has gone on since the 1940s, one memory about parades past is the weather. Nearly every past edition of The Shield recalls the day of Homecoming as one thing – rainy. The 1952 edition of The Shield even had to go out of its way to announce that it
had been the first year since anyone in the student body could recall that the weather had been clear. One Homecoming tradition that did not stand the test of time is the University wide Homecoming dance. The Delta Alpha dance was held as soon as the football game ended inside the Curris Center. The tradition continued until 1992. While Murray State has its traditions, new and old, one thing will never change about the University’s annual Homecoming event: it will always be a place for students, alumni and their families to come together and celebrate another year of Murray State.
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The News October 10, 2014
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Running HOME
October 10, 2014
Brittany Risko || Staff writer brisko@murraystate.edu
Murray State is known for its Homecoming traditions. A major and long running tradition is the Homecoming 5K, held today at the Wellness Center. Check in will begin at 4 p.m. and participants will be given their shirts, with the run beginning at 5 p.m. For the 33rd consecutive year, Campus Recreation will host the Homecoming 5K. The traditional run will welcome all members of campus and community, young or old. Steven Leitch, director of Campus Recreation, said the run was originally created to promote the Wellness
Center and good health during the Homecoming events. “The mission of the Homecoming 5K is to promote active, healthy lifestyles and inform people about wellness programs,” Leitch said. While the entire goal of the race is to promote wellness, money raised by registration fees helps Campus Recreation break even to keep the tradition going and keep it fun every year. “We use the money toward T-shirts for the participants, and we have a lot of cool prizes to give out to the winners in each division,” Leitch said. There are 10 divisions, which are divided by age and gender. Only the first place winner in each
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The Homecoming 5K brings together runners young and old for the 33rd consecutive year.
division will receive a prize. The age divisions will start at age 15, but anyone is able to participate. “We welcome people and families with strollers and younger children as well,” Leitch said. “Students, faculty, alumni and families are able to participate.” The 5K is a simple way for the alumni to get to know current students and reconnect with faculty. The run also exposes alumni to information about other events that Campus Recreation hosts. “The alumni members are able to get information about the health and wellness programs here and on campus, and it also makes them aware of the programs and events that Campus Recreation hosts,” Leitch said.
Leitch said there are usually 30 to 40 participants, but most of the alumni don’t register until they arrive in town on Thursday or today. He said Campus Recreation expects about the same turnout of participants as last year. The 5K is an event for runners and walkers alike. Campus Recreation welcomes participants of any speed to participate. There is a $20 fee if you register today. The fee covers the price for the T-shirt and goes toward some of the prizes that first place runners will recieve. “The run is basically for anyone who is going to be in town this weekend,” Leitch said.
Greeks and alumni celebrate Homecoming with traditions Mary Bradley
Assistant News Editor mbradley9@murraystate.edu
For those of the Greek community, Homecoming is a chance to meet sisters and brothers from the past, as well as a chance to celebrate Racer pride during the week. One of the biggest Homecoming events is the Homecoming Parade, hosted by the Student Government Association. On Saturday morning, Greek organizations will travel along Murray roads with the parade on floats designed from scratch. Shortly following the Homecoming Parade is Tent City, where Greeks and other organizations, such as departments, residential colleges and student clubs meet and tailgate. For Alpha Sigma Alpha member Mandy Neat, junior from Memphis, Tenn., Homecoming traditions bring together Greek organizations in a way that might not happen often. For the Homecoming Parade, each sorority is paired with a fraternity to design a float. Neat’s sorority, ASA,
File Photo
A float designed by Sigma Pi and Alpha Sigma Alpha travels along Murray streets during the Homecoming Parade. is paired with Alpha Sigma Phi. “I enjoy getting to spend time with my sisters and getting to know the guys in the fraternity because I know especially with Alpha Sigma Phi, they’re not people I tend to spend a whole lot of time with,” she said. “So, it helps you get to know people that are also in the Greek community
that you normally don’t get to spend a whole lot of time with.” Neat said beginning Monday, the Greek organizations began to design the floats using various materials such as chicken wire and tissue paper and will continue to work through Saturday. Neat said the sisters of ASA dressed
in a Las Vegas style throughout the week, which is their Homecoming Parade theme. While Homecoming involved much dedication from active Greek members, alumni from sororities and fraternities also come back to visit the organizations to see how they are doing now. Neat said many of the alumnae from her sorority participate in several events, such as a silent auction. “On Friday night we have a big get together, have a slideshow with pictures and feed them,” Neat said. “We just get to catch up with our alumnae.” Kappa Delta Vice President of Operations Caisey Dotson said the traditions are filled with hours of preparation, but the efforts are worthwhile in the end. “I feel that campus traditions like Tent City and the parade are absolutely important for the Murray State community,” Dotson said. “These traditions bring everyone in the community together and allow each organization to be showcased.”
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“Top Tier” university in academic quality for 24 consecutive years 9th “Top Public Regional University” among all public universities in the South
“Top 9” for 10 consecutive years among all public master’s universities
Ranked among the nation’s
MSU online M.B.A. program ranked as one of the best in the country ~ U.S.News & World Report
Military Friendly School ~ Victory Media 17th among all “Best Bang for the Buck” schools and 9th on “Master’s Universities” list ~ Washington Monthly
“Great Colleges to Work For” ~ The Chronicle for Higher Education
BEST
“America’s Best Colleges” for seven consecutive years ~ Forbes
“United States President’s Volunteer Service Award” ~ Junior Achievement
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Q&A
The News October 10, 2014
Getting to know your king and queen candidates
The News October 10, 2014
Homecoming
Q&A
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Getting to know your King and Queen candidates
Perry Cooper
Michael Filosa
Nathanael Fischer
Matthew Rehmer
Kendrick Settler
Summer Davis
Aida De La Fuente
Rachel Ross
Ashley Rudolph
Amanda Winchester
Joseph Cooper is a graduate student from The Woodlands, Texas. He is working on his MBA. He is a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and the Murray State football team. He said his favorite thing about Murray is how great all the people are. Random fact: Cooper attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas for three years.
Michael Filosa is a junior majoring in advertising from Normal, Ill. He is a member of Alpha Sigma Phi, the Advertising Club and works at the Wellness Center. His favorite thing about Murray State is how involved the journalism and mass communications department is with its students. “They help us to achieve our full potential,” Filosa said. Random fact: Filosa once met Ozzy Osbourne at Wrigley Field.
Nathanael Fischer is a sophomore majoring in civil engineering technology from Festus, Mo. He is a member of the Residential College Association, Residential College Council, the Murray State Baja Team, is the athletic director of White Residential College and an ambassador for the Institute of Engineering. He said his favorite thing about Murray State is the Shoe Tree. “Even though I am hopelessly single, it makes me feel like there’s someone out there for everyone.” Random fact: Fischer has a black belt in TaeKwonDo.
Matthew Rehmer is a sophomore majoring in agriculture business with an emphasis in marketing and management from Lenzburg, Ill. He is a collegiate member of FFA and a member of the Agribusiness Club. He said his favorite thing about Murray is how close everyone is and how it feels like a hometown on a college campus. “Everyone is willing to help you and do anything for you,” he said. “It is not hard to find a place where anyone can fit in and ‘take their place in the Murray State tradition.’” Random fact: Rehmer loves architecture and driving around exploring new places.
Kendrick Settler is a sophomore majoring in psychology from Belleville, Ill. He is a member of Lambda Chi Alpha, Campus Activities Board, is a Summer Orientation counselor and is a member of the Psychology Club. He said his favorite thing about Murray State is that everyone is open and friendly.
Summer Davis is a senior majoring in exercise science pre-health professional from Benton, Ky. She is a member of Alpha Omicron Pi, is vice president of Murray State Student Ambassadors, the vice president of academic development for AOPi, a member of the exercise science club and of the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society. She said her favorite thing about Murray is not being able to walk five steps on campus without seeing a familiar face. “Everyone at Murray State (students and professors) are all so genuine and friendly,” she said. Random fact: Davis can play the electric guitar.
Aida De La Fuente is a senior majoring in economics and Spanish from Louisville, Ky. She is a Presidential Fellow in the Honors Program, a member of Alpha Omicron Pi, president of the Murray State Student Ambassadors, president of Order of Omega and is Sigma Chi’s sweetheart. She said her favorite aspect of Murray State is its uniqueness. “(Murray State) is a University where you can spot a food truck in all different locations, while adamantly following it on Twitter, a University where the verb benching is a part of everyday jargon, hanging up a hammock in the Quad and enjoying a beautiful day is a widely accepted past time and waving to every other person as you walk to class is just another average day, no matter who are you are.” Random fact: De La Fuente was born in Madrid.
Rachel Ross is a sophomore majoring in agribusiness from Murray. She is a member of Alpha Gamma Delta, Student Government Association, Campus Activities Board, an agriculture ambassador, a member of the Agriculture Business Club, a member of Block and Bridle and a student worker for the Office of Recruitment. She said her favorite thing about Murray is the contagious kindness and genuineness that surrounds her on campus. Random fact: Ross said she has a semi-unhealthy obsession with mermaids.
Ashley Rudolph is a senior majoring in middle school education from Benton, Ky. She is president of Alpha Gamma Delta, a member of the Murray State Middle Level Association, Campus Activities Board, Order of Omega and a Marshall County High School cheerleading coach. She said her favorite aspect of Murray State is the opportunities to get involved on campus and the people you meet by being involved. Random fact: Rudolph enjoys doing CrossFit.
Amanda Winchester is a senior majoring in exercise science pre-health professional from Murray. She is president of Alpha Omicron Pi and vice president of communications for her sorority. She is on the Student Alumni Board, a student ambassador, a Summer Orientation counselor, a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and Order of Omega. She said her favorite thing about Murray is the sense of community you can feel between all the student organizations on campus. “These organizations are doing great things for the college community as well as the community of Calloway County. As a member of several organizations at Murray State, it’s awesome to be able to collaborate with these amazing students and faculty.” Random fact: Winchester has climbed to the summit of a 14,000 foot mountain in Colorado.
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October 10, 2014
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Adair: And so we march When I was invited by Carly Besser to submit a piece about the personal significance of Murray State’s Homecoming festivities for me, I was a bit surprised. While I attended (and enjoyed) the requisite football games, dances and tailgating parties as an undergraduate, I’ve only occasionally gotten involved as an adult. In fact, for a moment I considered declining the invitation in order that someone more directly connected to the excitement of the weekend might share her/his perspective – but something stopped me. Besser had mentioned that she feels I am a good person to write this piece because of the diversity work I do on campus, in the classroom and a variety of other venues, and even with that guidance it took me a moment to figure out my angle with this story: Homecoming, for me, is about standing up for LGBT people at Murray State and in Murray. For most of my time at Murray State, my primary engagement with Homecoming has been marching in the annual parade. Each year Alliance, Murray State’s LGBT and ally student group, gathers together students, faculty and staff to march in the parade. There’s always a big SUV covered in signs and balloons and folks carry candy to toss to the onlookers. Our group is constituted by folks age 3 to 73, some locals, some transplants, but all united by our dedication to the belief that all people deserve fairness. One part of the group carries a giant banner bearing the slogan “Straight People for Gay Rights.” Occasionally it rains and we’re cold, wet and miserable; sometimes it’s hot and muggy and
feels more like August than October. No matter the weather, participating is an act of bravery and risk for all of us, though, whether we realize it or not. It probably could go without saying that lots of folks still aren’t comfortable with, or accepting of, LGBT people, but I think it’s worth mentioning anyway. For many LGBT high schoolers, Homecoming isn’t that fun a time: maybe they can’t take their person of choice to the dance because of school rules or because they’re afraid to come out, or perhaps they can’t participate in the game or cheerleading for it because of the rigidity of our culture’s gender roles. In addition, while we’ve made a great deal of progress for LGBT people in the last half century, there’s still much work to be done. LGBT folks still regularly face discrimination whether it’s blatant or delivered in the form of microaggressions, and they are frequently the targets of verbal and physical violence in Murray and across the globe. When I think about Homecoming, I think specifically about Murray State’s LGBT students, faculty and staff and how these realities that form the backstories of many of their lives may also affect their experiences at our festivities. And so I march. I do so hoping that my visible presence in the parade will help shift minds and hearts and encourage onlookers and other participants to consider that the folks marching in my group are people like any other and that they deserve to be treated with kindness and respect.
I do so to demonstrate my support and my sincere desire that the students in our group, especially, can have a fun, positive experience and feel included as a part of the frivolity and fun of this autumnal celebration. I do so to affirm my belief that no one should have to live with the fear of physical, verbal or emotional violence simply because Joshua Adair they do not fit some long Assistant professor of outdated and always English and philosophy inaccurate stereotype or cultural ideal. It’s never a pleasant experience because I’m not a parade-marching type by nature and it is difficult to see the inevitable stern, unwelcoming responses – primarily in the form of stony faces and prolonged groundward stares – with which our arrival is frequently met. But there are also smiling, friendly faces, too, and we march on (in a group that grows in size each year), ourselves smiling and throwing candy, hopefully contributing to a positive Homecoming experience for our students and challenging onlookers to get involved to consider a perspective other than their own.
Johnson: More than just a game
What Homecoming means to you will change over time. To some of you the only connotations that homecoming has are those you associate with high school. To others, Homecoming means a time to decorate floats and compete with your various student organizations. To some, it means football. Zac Johnson But to all of Assistant professor us, at the core of Homecoming I hope of communications that you realize it is an opportunity to come home and connect. In my own experience I know that I once saw Homecoming as nothing more than an easy football game. Having now graduated from two different universities and returned to both homecomings, I know that it is so much more. Each time I go back I get to see old friends, interact with old professors, meet new people
and above all celebrate the things that made those schools and places special to me. For me, the things that made those institutions so important were the relationships and connections I made while I was there. Everyone around campus this week shares something with you – the Murray State experience. You’ve all eaten in Winslow. You’ve all been to the CFSB center. At the very least you’ve all walked these sidewalks and sat in these classrooms. You’ve all looked desperately for a parking spot. You are all Racers and that means more than you could possibly imagine. I challenge you all to take the opportunity this weekend to do three things. One: reconnect with someone you may have lost touch with on campus. It’s easy to lose track of people. Different majors, different living arrangements, different priorities. Just reach out. See how that person from freshman year is doing, grab lunch and catch up. Two: Connect with another student, faculty or staff member you don’t know. Maybe it’s someone you see all the time who you should know, but don’t. Maybe it’s someone you’ve never seen before. There are plenty of opportunities each and every week but especially this week. You do not
have to make a new best friend, just a new connection. Third: connect with an alumni. They will be around this week and this weekend. Alumni love talking to current students. They want to know what’s changed and what hasn’t. More often than you think they want to know if there is anything they can do to help you. They may even have some sage advice for you as you continue on your career as a student. For these three things let me offer one pro-tip: In general, people love to talk about themselves, so ask them questions and let them do the talking. Maybe they read this too and will ask you questions. Who knows when you’ll rekindle a friendship with someone who was struggling and needed to know that people still cared. Or make a new connection with a campus member that can offer you some help with any variety of things (e.g., studying, recommendations). Finally, that new alumni friend you just made could very well point you in the right direction of a job one day. You never know. These connections and relationships are the things you’ll remember and carry with you for years. Long after you’ve forgotten the classroom lessons. These connections are what will keep you coming home for years to come.
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The News
Homecoming
October 10, 2014
SHOES UP
Kalli Bubb/The News
Racers fans stand and cheer at the Family Weekend football game against Jacksonville State Sept. 27 at Roy Stewart Stadium.
Racers ready for Homecoming game Fall into sports Mallory Tucker || Sports Editor mtucker11@murraystate.edu
You can feel the excitement in the air at football practice as the tents go up around the track of Roy Stewart Stadium. The football team’s preparation for a strong Southeast Missouri State team is well underway – despite a larger and hopefully rowdier crowd, to the football team this is just another game and another chance to snap its four-game losing streak. “That’s really all of our focus right now is starting this win streak,” said senior offensive linebacker Drew Kelley. “I think our biggest thing is taking a step back and looking at ourselves and really coming together and figuring out what’s the deal, what’s been going on. And kind of recooperating and honestly just coming back out with a fire, with a passion ready for some wins. And I think we’re doing a
very good job in doing that.” Kelley’s last Homecoming snuck up on him, but he said the realization of his final time playing in this Racer tradition is outweighed by the team’s joint effort to focus on coming out with a win. As most of the student body works on floats and plans for returning alumni, Kelley and the football team have been trying to keep things business as usual. Even senior defensive linebacker Perry Cooper, who has been nominated for Homecoming King, has put aside all distractions to keep his game face on and recover from the team’s loss at Tennessee Tech Oct. 4. “We need to bounce back and this will be a good chance to do it, at Homecoming with a big crowd,” Cooper said. “Get a chance to get a win under our belt. The significance of Homecoming is there, but the significance of getting the team
back on track and everything else – it’ll just compile and make it a huge event in general for this weekend.” Cooper, who transferred from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas last fall and is now in his second season with the Racers, said he feels honored to represent his nominating fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha, and the University in general. “I’m excited about all that personally,” Cooper said. “I can’t be on the field or anything, so I don’t get to enjoy that, but it’ll still be cool to see it all unfold and everything. I’m excited for this weekend in general.” The Racers kick off Saturday at 3 p.m. at Roy Stewart Stadium, but Homecoming festivities will begin at 9:30 a.m. with the parade, which will end at the stadium. Tent City will add to the gameday effect as students see
RACERS, page 20
Peter Northcutt || Staff writer pnorthcutt@murraystate.edu
The fall season for Murray State athletics has been a roller coaster affair to say the least. Along with disappointing losses and losing streaks, the Racers also boast big-time victories and outstanding performances. The wild ride starts with the football team as it started the season 1-3. The lone victory came early as the Racers defeated NAIA opponent Union College on opening weekend. Since then, the Racers put up a hard fight against two FBS opponents, losing to Louisville 66-21 and to Western Michigan 45-14. “I imagine there is a little doubt when you go play teams like that on the road,” said Head Coach Chris Hatcher. “So now I think we’re excited- we get to play on our own level.” Last week the Racers lost on their home field to OVC opponent Jacksonville State 52-28. After a disappointing start to the season, the women’s soccer team has been more up than down lately. The Racers are riding a five game winning streak, including a huge victory at St. Louis University that started the recent success. “The recent success is huge,” said Head Coach see
FALL, page 20
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Homecoming
FALL From Page 18
Kory Savage/The News
The team huddles before the Jacksonville State family weekend game September 27 at Roy Stewart Stadium.
RACERS
From Page 18
gather on the same level as the players. This year, students will be able to stay in a special section of Tent City to watch the game rather than having to sit in the stands. “It’s a neat atmosphere,” said Head Coach Chris Hatcher. “We get a lot of
alumni back, and I say it every year, to me I wish we had Tent City every week. It’s an awesome deal, and it fits with the type of stadium that we have. You don’t play any harder on Homecoming – every game’s a big game – you try to win them all. But this is a big one for us. “We need to have some success as a football team and make some breaks come our way. No better time to do it than on Homecoming.”
Jeremy Groves. “It gives our forwards confidence that they can actually hit the back of the net.” While the soccer team started slow, the volleyball squad shot out of the gates to the tune of a nine game winning streak. Its success was halted at the Valparaiso Tournament in which they lost all three games, but the Racers still sit at an impressive 11-4 record. “I feel like we have a team that should compete for a conference title,” said Head Coach David Schwepker. The men’s golf team has been solid and consistent thus far this fall. The men started the season with third and fourth place finishes, respectively, in their first two competitions. Their latest tournament was hosted by the University of Louisville and they finished in 11th place out of 16 teams. The women’s golf season started with a bang as the team was the outright victor in its first tournament of the year. The women’s team also traveled to Louisville where it finished in 10th place out of 17 teams. “Good teams don’t rebuild, they just
The News October 10, 2014 keep moving on,” said Head Coach Velvet Milkman. “We can’t rely on one person to step up and fill that void. Everybody’s got to get better.” Both the men and women’s cross country teams have finished progressively higher in each competition. Both teams took the first place prize at the Austin Peay Invitational in their latest race. “This year we are all about improvement and doing better year to year,” said junior Lucas Prather. “I can only hope that I continue to improve and so does the team.” Although this isn’t its official season, the women’s softball team is off to a hot start. The women are sitting at 5-1. including wins over Southern Illinois and Truman State. “I think what we are proving is that anyone can step in at any given time and we’re proving that we have a very good dynamic on the field in terms of defense,” said Head Coach Kara Amundson. The rifle team has had only one competition this season but that is all it needed to break their previous aggregate score record with a score of 4,672-4,597. The Racers came in to the season with high expectations as they were voted 10th in the nation preseason poll.
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Student Alumni Board connects Racers Kate Russell || Staff Writer krussell13@murraystate.edu
As it begins its fourth year, Murray State’s Student Alumni Board continues to excel in connecting current students with past Racers. The Student Alumni Board, or SAB, started in fall 2011. Rachel Foley, the University’s Racer to Racer coordinator, is the adviser for the group. Foley said SAB was created because Murray State needed a variety of students to represent the University both on campus and around the region. Foley took students to a conference in 2011 with other universities’ alumni board with the same unique experiences and networking opportunities. “The students saw other schools’ alumni boards and they got pumped and wanted Murray State to have one,” Foley said. She said the board tries to have diversity in its members, with both Greeks and non-Greeks and students from a variety of academic depart-
ments. Foley said the 25-member board is responsible for giving tours to prospective Racers, entertaining alumni or guests of the president, helping with alumni events such as reunions and traveling through the region to recruit potential students. “We support and help out every department on campus,” Foley said. Maddie Mucci, senior from Nolensville, Tenn., has been on SAB since its founding. Mucci said she was the only freshman to get on the board the first year, and she ended up as president of SAB her sophomore and junior years. Mucci said she likes the chance SAB gives her to get to know some of the alumni of Murray State. “They have hilarious stories and they have really interesting insight about how Murray State has developed over the years,” she said. Mucci’s favorite event to participate in with SAB is Homecoming. She said she enjoys getting to meet with all the former Racers that
come back to Murray State for the Homecoming festivities. “If you are a person who loves Murray State and enjoys the history of Murray State and getting to know key people in that history, the Alumni Board is the opportunity to connect with them, and to give back to the University,” Mucci said. Angela Survant, senior from Princeton, Ky., is also a member of SAB. Survant joined the group three years ago, and describes it as an organization that connects current students with alumni. Survant said members of SAB go to student or alumni events, and occasionally local alumni will host members of SAB for dinner. “Anything with alumni coming to campus – we help out,” she said. Survant said a long-term goal of some SAB members is to develop the organization into a group with the size and reach of Student Government Association. She said she wants lots of people to join SAB so it grows and becomes more influential on campus.
The biggest event for SAB each year is a Homecoming golf scramble which will not be held this year. Survant said the members of the board contact all the alumni in their database and ask them to play in the scramble. Survant said it’s a good way to network with alumni as well as raise funds for SAB. According to the SAB webpage on raceralumni.com, “Participating on the Student Alumni Board provides a wealth of unique experiences and is a great way to become more intimately involved at MSU.” The webpage also says that SAB’s recruitment takes place in February. “SAB has been actively assisting the MSU Alumni Association in its membership campaign over the past year,” Foley said. “Last Homecoming the MSUAA announced the launch of its new membership program and set its first goal of 1,000 members by Homecoming 2014. Alumni and friends of MSU are all invited to join and take advantage of the benefits by visiting www.raceralumni.com.”
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MSU Online
Library Access
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October 10, 2014
Annual ‘Step Show’ raises funds Madison Wepfer Staff writer mwepfer@murraystate.edu
More than 100 years ago, people stepped to communicate and settle disputes. They used it to tell stories and keep in touch with their ancestors. Today, the National Pan-Hellenic Council uses it to bring people together for a great cause. “It’s a combination of foot steps and hand-clapping and making music with
your body, and it transitioned into black sororities and fraternities using it for entertainment,” said Lauren Carter, alumna member of Alpha Kappa Alpha. Every year, the NPHC fraternities and sororities on campus plan a show for the weekend of homecoming. It is their main fundraiser for the year, and it’s a great way for all of the NPHC organizations on campus to have a little healthy competition, said Antonio Seals,
Campus history adds to family tradition
vice president of NPHC and member of Phi Beta Sigma. “It gives the campus an opportunity to see us in one setting,” Seals said. “When we all get together, it’s all a big celebration, and that’s what we want to show the campus.” Not only are most all the NPHC organizations at Murray State performing in the show, they have also invited organizations from other campuses to participate. Iota Phi Beta from
Hunter Harrell ||Features Editor hharrell@murraystate.edu
Each and every student that sets foot on Murray State’s campus becomes part of the traditions and history of the University. For many students, the decision to come to Murray State is based on these principles. However, some decide to attend Murray State, and therefore create a family tradition. Robert Stewart, senior from Glen Carbon, Ill., is a Engineering and Physics major and a member of the Army Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (ROTC) program at Murray State.
Western Kentucky University will be participating in the show as well as seven of the nine black Greek letter organizations in the nation. The money raised will be split into several different areas. Whoever wins the show will get prize money. “NPHC will meet, and they will vote on whatever organization to donate the money to,” Carter said. In past years, they have donated to March of Dimes, the American Heart Associ-
The Army ROTC program is designed for its members to take electives along with required college courses. It also offers advantages for pursuit of engineering degrees or medical degrees. “I came to Murray State University because it offered an excellent ROTC program,” Stewart said. “I was also far enough away from home that I left, but was close enough that I could drive home when I needed to.” However, Stewart is not the first of his family member to attend Murray State University. Both his mother, Traci Stewart, and his aunt, Shari Arneson, graduated from Murray State in 1963. At
ation and St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Similar to the show in the spring, the NPHC show will consist of a sorority division and a fraternity division. The show will be at 8 p.m. on Oct. 10 in Lovett Auditorium. Organizations will be selling tickets in the Curris Center for $7, and they will be $10 at the door. At an event called What is Greek? on Tuesday, October 7, the tickets will be sold for $5.
the time, proximity to the University aided their decisions to attend. Though two of his family members are alumni, Stewart did not feel his decision was affected by his family’s previous experiences here. “I don’t feel any more or less pressure going to a University that my family attended in the past as opposed to a University that no other family members attended,” Stewart said. “My favorite thing about Murray is the small town feel.” Though Stewart’s reasons for choosing the University may differ from his mother’s and his aunt’s, Stewart is part of the Murray State tradition and his family’s legacy.
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Schedule of events Friday, Oct. 10
Class Reunion
Saturday, Oct. 11
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Hutson School of Agriculture Luncheon
Where: Curris Center Ballroom
8 a.m. 29th Annual College of Education Breakfast
Where: Curris Center Stables 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. Dedication adn Ribbon Cutting for the Dr. Tim Miller Center for Accounting Education and the Herbert and the Virginia Adams Student Learning Center
6 p.m. Hutson School of Agriculture Picnic Where: Cherry Expo Center 6 p.m. School of Nursing Reunion Where: Mason Hall 8 p.m. NPHC Step Show
Where: Business Building South
Where: Lovett Auditorium
4 p.m. Campus Recreation 5K
9 p.m. Alpha Tau Omega Note Burning Ceremony
Where: Check-in at Wellness Center
Where: ATO House
Where: Murray Middle School 8 a.m. “M� Club Breakfast, hosted by the Department of Athletics Where: Curris Center Ballroom 9:30 a.m. Murray State Homecoming Parade hosted by SGA Where: Begins downtown and ends at 15th and Main streets 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Tent City Where: Roy Stewart Stadium
6 p.m. Golden Anniversary
2:45 p.m. SGA alumni and present members picture Where: under the goal post at Roy Stewart Stadium 3 p.m. Racers football vs. Southeast Missouri State University 8 p.m. Bill Cosby, Far from Finished Tour Where: CFSB Center
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October 10, 2014
ELECT
Rose for Mayor Positions at Murray State University
Involvement with Murray State University
&ŽƌŵĞƌ ĞĂŶ Ͳ D^h ŽůůĞŐĞ ŽĨ ĚƵĐĂƟŽŶ ZĞƟƌĞĚ WƌŽĨĞƐƐŽƌ Ͳ D^h ŽůůĞŐĞ ŽĨ ĚƵĐĂƟŽŶ &ŽƌŵĞƌ &ĂĐƵůƚLJ ZĞŐĞŶƚ Ͳ D^h ŽĂƌĚ ŽĨ ZĞŐĞŶƚƐ &ŽƌŵĞƌ WƌĞƐŝĚĞŶƚ Ͳ D^h &ĂĐƵůƚLJ ^ĞŶĂƚĞ
ŽŶŽƌ Ͳ D^h &ŽƵŶĚĂƟŽŶ >ŝĨĞƟŵĞ ŵĞŵďĞƌ Ͳ D^h ůƵŵŶŝ ƐƐŽĐŝĂƟŽŶ ƐƚĂďůŝƐŚĞĚ Ͳ :ĂĐŬ ĂŶĚ :ĂŶŝĐĞ ZŽƐĞ ,ŽŶŽƌĂƌLJ ^ĐŚŽůĂƌƐŚŝƉ DĞŵďĞƌ Ͳ ZĂĐĞƌ ůƵď
Honors ϮϬϭϰ D^h ŽůůĞŐĞ ŽĨ ĚƵĐĂƟŽŶ ĂŶĚ ,ƵŵĂŶ ^ĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ KƵƚƐƚĂŶĚŝŶŐ ůƵŵŶƵƐ D^h ŝƐƟŶŐƵŝƐŚĞĚ ůƵŵŶƵƐ ǁĂƌĚ &ŝƌƐƚ ƌĞĐŝƉŝĞŶƚ Ͳ ƌ͘ ŚĂƌůĞƐ ĂŶĚ DĂƌůĞŶĞ :ŽŚŶƐŽŶ KƵƌƐƚĂŶĚŝŶŐ &ĂĐƵůƚLJ ǁĂƌĚ ŝƟnjĞŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ zĞĂƌ Ͳ DƵƌƌĂLJͲ ĂůůŽǁĂLJ ŽƵŶƚLJ ŚĂŵďĞƌ ŽĨ ŽŵŵĞƌĐĞ
As a Professor, Dean, Faculty Regent and Faculty Senate President ROSE always ƐƵƉƉŽƌƚĞĚ ƐƚƵĚĞŶƚƐ͕ ĨĂĐƵůƚLJ ĂŶĚ ƐƚĂī͘
Common Sense
Commitment
Leadership
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