The Murray State News August 28, 2015
TheNews.org
LIVING
Title IX training opens doors for more University conversations Mikayla Marshall Contributing writer
mmarshall@murraystate.edu
Students returning to campus are now required to do mandatory Title IX training, a requirement that if not completed can prevent students from registering for Spring classes. Any student who fails to complete the Title IX training by Oct. 5 will have a hold placed on their account. Seniors, also, won’t be able to graduate without completing the training. While some see this as a consequence or as unfair, others find it necessary in order to give the students a reason to finish the training. “I’m not surprised the school decided to add that consequence for not completing the training,” said Olivia Dreckman, senior from Louisville, Kentucky. Dreckman said a hold can also be put on the academic tab for failure to pay for a parking pass. She said the training is important but she wished the questions were more written in a different way, so that people would take it more seriously. Dreckman said she felt like the information provided throughout the training is common sense and the quizzes could be passed without watching the videos. Bryanna Kampwerth, freshman from Highland, Illinois, said it is an important topic but a lot of people didn’t take it seriously. “The consequence is a good incentive,” she said. “Otherwise nobody would have done it.” Aaron Stevens, sophomore from Cadiz, Kentucky, said he thought the training was important, but the punishment is too harsh.
“It makes it hard for people with no Internet access to complete the training,” he said. “If they don’t complete the training then students shouldn’t be allowed into sports games or something of that nature. They pay for those classes so I don’t see why they would be prohibited to take them.” The purpose behind the Title IX training, is to teach students and faculty about situations regarding sexual harassment, assault and discrimination, according to the U.S. Department of Education. It’s the goal of the U.S. Department of Education’s office for Civil Rights to enforce this law so that “No person in the U.S. shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination.” One in five women on college campuses have been sexually assaulted during their time there, according to the Campus Sexual Assault Study conducted for the Justice Department’s National Institute of Justice. President Bob Davies said the training will increase awareness and complexity of the law, as well as start discussion among students about situations regarding this topic. He said there needs to be a full understanding about sexual harassment/assault and how it affects students lives. “There is no such thing as an innocent bystander,” Davies said. Yet the requirement is not the only change to Title IX that the University has implemented. Two new Title IX officers, Laura Cox and Darryl Lockett, were brought into the office to assist with handling cases and to help prevent a conflict of interest.
see IX, 2A
Vol. 90, No. 2
SAFE Photo illustration by Chalice Keith/The News
LiveSafe is a free app which allows users to connect to emergency services, report tips and virtually follow friends – all in the palm of their hand. Courtney Scoby
Contributing writer cscoby@murraystate.edu
Murray State students now have access to a new tool that links directly to local public safety officials: the LiveSafe app, which is free to download, allows students to “share information with friends and safety officials about sexual assault, mental health issues, and violence.” The app is used on many college campuses nationwide, and can be used to report incidents of theft, vandalism, stalking, assault, harassment, injury and suspicious activity, as well as concerns about an individual’s mental health. One of the main purposes
of the app is to make it easier and more comfortable for students to report issues of concern to authorities. “The best way to deter crime is to report crime, and students and younger people often have a hard time calling up the police,” said Roy Dunaway, interim chief of police of the Murray State Police Department. “This app capitalizes on social media, with texting as popular as it is.” One of the features that may make reporting a safety issue to the police more comfortable is the app’s ability to report an issue anonymously. “We don’t have to know who you are,” he said. “We want to be visible. We want you to feel like you can report
something to us, like you can tell us about it.” The app makes it easy for students to not only report a variety of issues, but also to report issues in a variety of ways. LiveSafe has text, photo, video, and audio capabilities so that students can report an incident or concern in whichever way they choose. This also allows students to report more discreetly than previous methods of notifying authorities of problems. “If you’re at a party or somewhere and you see something going on, you don’t want to be the kid that goes ‘Hello, police?” Dunaway said. “But it’s nothing for you to be texting. If a friend was in trouble, or
you had fear that they might be, you could snap a picture and text it to us.” Another feature of the app is called SafeWalk. It allows students to virtually walk with one another to a location. The app uses GPS technology to track both participants and displays them on a map and their location so students can make sure their friends get to their destinations safely, all while communicating through text. “Some of the big concern is ‘Big Brother’ is watching,” said Jeff Gentry, assistant chief of police. However, students completely control the information that can be ac-
see APP, 2A
Third counseling center completes first year Kayla Harrell
Contributing writer kharrell@murraystate.edu
Murray State opened its third counseling center in fall 2014, located in Alexander Hall, to provide more resources for students, staff and faculty who deal with mental health issues. “There are usually not enough mental health counselors or professionals who conduct assessments in a small community like Murray,” said Kristin Douglas, counseling clinic coordinator and counselor. “We can help provide mental health services and assessment services at a very affordable price.” Angie Trzepacz, director of Murray State counseling services and psychologist, said the Counseling and Assessment Center is a dedicated training center for graduate students in their programs who are required to complete practicums and internships in order to complete the requirements for their degrees.
WHAT’S
INSIDE
McKenna Dosier/The News
Located in Alexander Hall, Murray State has opened a third counseling center to help the University community. The training graduate students interact with students, faculty, staff and community members. “Graduate students can serve as a ‘breath of
fresh air’ and provide perspectives from first-hand experience about how challenging college can be when you are trying to juggle more than just school,”
Douglas said. Students at Murray State “experience the full range of psychological difficulties that we see in the larger community, from problems
of adjustment to serious psychological disorders,” said Laura Liljequist, director of Murray State Psychological Center and psychology professor. “I had a friend who struggled with depression,” said Alia Chowdry, sophomore from Murray. “Going to a counselor a couple days a week really helped [her].” Students facing these types of issues have many different counseling options on campus at their disposal. “For people who have never gone to counseling and are anxious about it, we try to go out to transitions and other freshman classes to explain how it all works,” Trzepacz said. Murray State has three facilities offered to students, staff and faculty that allow mental health to be treated professionally: the Counseling Center in Oakley Applied Science Building, the Psychological Center in Wells Hall and the Coun-
see COUNSELING, 2A
WHAT’S ON THENEWS.ORG VIDEO
We sat down with Alexis Cain in our latest video on TheNews.org.
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CORRECTION On Friday, Aug. 21, The Murray State News printed Adrienne King’s title incorrectly. Her correct title is vice president of Marketing and Outreach. The News regrets the error. See an error? Let us know by emailing us at murraystatenews@ icloud.com.
NLS DEGREE
OUR VIEW
SEC WIN
FALL FESTIVAL
Nonprofit Leadership program includes master’s degree, 6A
Diversity across the board is vital to Murray State, 4A
Soccer takes on and defeats Mississippi State, 1B
A collection of unique festivals around Kentucky, 5B
The News
News
2A
August 28, 2015
Board of Regents to meet for August Mari-Alice Jasper News Editor
mjasper@murraystate.edu
Contracts, personnel changes and major project updates are all topics listed at the Board of Regents meeting Friday. During this meeting Stephen Williams, president and CEO of Norton Healthcare in Louisville, Kentucky and Murray State Regent, will approach the Board of Regents with the Tennessee Valley Authority Five Minute Response Contract. According to this contract, the TVA can shut off the electricity at Murray State whenever the service region exceeds certain power levels. Now in the final year of the five-year contract, it now requires members of the
Board of Regents to take action. The Board of Regents will acknowledge the appointment of two new employees at Murray State: Adrienne King, vice president for Marketing and Outreach, and Matt McMahon, Head Coach for men’s basketball. McMahon replaced former head coach Steve Prohm, who accepted the head coach position at Iowa State earlier this year. Susan Shaffer Guess, senior vice president and marketing director of The Paducah Bank and Trust Company and Murray State Regent, will present a major projects update to the Board of Regents for information only. Supplemental materials and information will be provided. Murray State has several major
ongoing projects including Breathitt Veterinary Center in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, New Franklin Residential College and the new Science, Engineering and Technology building. Jackie Dudley, vice president of Finance and Administrative Services, will have a report from the treasurer for the Board of Regents. In the annual advance meeting held Aug. 27, Dudley proposed that the Board of Regents change their policy on personal service contracts. Personal service contracts are employer agreements between Murray State and contracted employees who have the skills and experience to complete a task the University needs done. Per her suggestion, board members would not need to approve
all of these contracts. Dudley said in the past having to wait on Board of Regents approval for smaller personal service contracts has caused congestion in the office of Finance and Administrative Services. Regent members will be discussing this further at the meeting Friday. The Board of Regents meets in the Jesse Stuart Room on the second floor of Pogue Library. The meeting begins at 8 a.m. and is expected to continue past 1 p.m. The Board of Regents meets quarterly. Their next meeting will be Dec. 11. For live tweets of the meeting, follow The News on Twitter @MurrayStateNews.
Grant focuses on equality Teddy Martin
Contributing writer emartin@murraystate.edu
“Gender Equality: I’ll Know It When I See It,” is a series writing workshop led by Constance Alexander at Murray State beginning Sept. 30 as a part of a grant centered on gender equality. The workshop is supplied by the Kentucky Foundation for Women, or KFW, whose goal is to promote positive social change by supporting varied feminist expression in the arts. The grant was created at Murray State. “As a recipient of the grant, I will be facilitating a series of five workshops to inspire participants to write about gender equality,” Alexander said. Each year, the KFW awards
$200,000 to feminist artists and allied organizations in Kentucky, as well as creating and sharing sources about feminism and social change. For the past 24 years, Alexander has been receiving grants from the foundation. The workshops will touch on a variety of obstacles women face in modern society as well as embrace a free atmosphere for discussion. Alexander said the locations are not yet set but will be put in place soon. She said the writings from these workshops will also be used at the Celebrate Women Conference in March, but the number of pieces will vary on how many students join. “We don’t know how many students will participate, as each workshop targets a different audience, and the
workshop on Oct. 24 is part of a larger … conference that attracts participants from around the state,” she said. Regardless of the number of participants, she said she hoped they could gather writings from at least 25 willing members who would like their writing to be shared with a larger audience. Steven Shupe, junior from Farmington, Kentucky, said that every little bit helps. “It’s hard when you’re doing well; it’s even harder when you’re not,” Shupe said. Regie Cabico, a renowned poet and spoken word artist who specializes in workshops in slam poetry was recently at Murray State to host the Mocktails Slam. Cabico was the first Asian American poet to win the Nuyorican Poets Cafe Grand
Slam and has appeared on two seasons of HBO’s “Def Poetry Jam” and NPR’s “Snap Judgment.” “I think things like this really help push who those who suffer from inequality are,” Cabico said. “It’s a wild journey.” Cabico said grants and programs that help promote equality are exactly what universities need because they help give those who are discriminated against a face and form. He said poetry is a good outlet for him because it was immediate catharsis, relating how art can help people come together and share their experiences. Workshops will occur once a month, the first being Sept. 30, followed by Oct. 24, Nov. 17, Jan. 19 and Feb. 4.
Jenny Rohl/The News
President Bob Davies addresses the Board of Regents during a meeting.
APP From Page 1 cessed by public safety officials, as well as to friends and family who can also use the app, he said. “You can even let your parent download it and let them see where you are, but you can also stop them from seeing where you are too,” Dunaway said. Steven Newcomb, senior from Morganton, North Carolina, upon learning of the app said that while he was a bit wary of the app, he saw its benefits. “It’s just like anything else: there’s good and bad with it, but I would say the good outweighs the bad because it’s going to keep people safe,” Newcomb said. Dunaway said that the Murray Police Department has already received several tips through the app, and has had
COUNSELING From Page 1
Graphic by Alex Hilkey/The News
seling and Assessment Center. “There’s a myth that if you go to the Counseling Center, you have to wait two weeks to see someone – that’s not true,” said Don Robertson, vice president of Student Affairs. “There’s always one counselor during the day that has no set appointments. They’re there just to see walk-in traffic.” Both the Counseling Center and Psychological Center provide on-call services for students with a crisis or emergency. “Sometimes people need to get to counseling services in a moment’s notice,” said Kyle Schenck, junior from Boston, Kentucky. He said some students across campus knew Murray State provided on-call counselors but did not know the duties of these counselors. “I think the biggest bar-
“zero glitches” with the new technology. As of Aug. 24, more than 1,100 students had downloaded the app. As the app grows in popularity, more students are downloading it. “It’s going up every day,” Gentry said. Dunaway said he is pleased with these numbers, but hopes that more students continue to download the app. He said early data indicates twice as many females as males have downloaded the app. “But campus safety is not gender based,” he said. The app cost the University $22,140, a price that President Bob Davies said is worth every penny. He said the LiveSafe app was priced based on the number of undergraduate students enrolled at Murray State, with the price for each student being around $2. “To me, that is money well spent,” Davies said.
rier to students getting help is simply being aware of the resources and finding their way to one of the three counseling centers on campus,” Liljequist said. In case of an emergency after hours and during weekends, on-call counselors are provided through Public Safety and Emergency Management. “Day time on-call is any issue someone is having, whether a crisis or just needing to talk to someone,” Trzepacz said. “Night time on-call is only for emergencies.” Along with the on-call counselors, two of the facilities offer assessments. The Psychological Center’s assessments are for psychoeducation and diagnostic uses. “The earlier the issues are addressed, the better we can help,” Robertson said. “Any of the places you can go to are going to provide very effective counseling. If you need immediate help, there is always someone there for you.”
IX From Page 1 Davies said that because Murray State is a small campus, avoiding a conflict of interest as well as providing quick assistance is important. Davies said the University will also host Janet Judge, a nationally-known authority on Title IX, in September. “The more times we have conversations, the more comfortable we are with the conversations, then hopefully, the more people will feel comfortable to take action,” Davies said. “To me, that’s where everything comes into play.” He said that with Title IX, the University’s training, quizzes and discussions are an effort to change the mindset of the University community and are meant to help people understand the significance of the law. “If you’re going to change the action of people, do you change laws or do you change mindsets?” Davies said. “You can change the law, but if you don’t change mindsets, then nothing happens.”
Nicole Ely/The News
Title IX training is required for students and needs to be completed by October. If students do not complete training, a hold will be placed on their accounts and they will not be able to schedule for spring classes.
The News
August 28, 2015 News Editor: Mari-Alice Jasper Assistant Editor: Zachary Orr Phone: 270-809-4468 Twitter: MurrayStateNews
POLICE BEAT Aug. 20
Residential 12:52 p.m. A person reported theft of property at Faculty Hall. The police were notified and a report was taken for theft by unlawful taking under $500. 1:31 p.m. A caller reported theft of property. The police were notified and a report was taken for theft of property by unlawful taking under $500.
Aug. 21 12:04 a.m. A caller reported a person laying on the sidewalk outside of the Howton Agricultural Engineering Building. The police, Murray and Calloway County EMTs and Student Affairs were notified. The patient was transported. 10:03 a.m. A caller reported the smell of gasoline at Elizabeth College. The police, Facilities Management and Environmental Safety and Health were notified. The smell was determined to be from material used to seal the roof.
Aug. 22 8:57 a.m. The police attempted to serve a warrant at Hester Residential College. The person was arrested and a citation was issued for failure to appear in court. 1:49 p.m. An officer conducted a traffic stop at 5 Star Food Mart. A citation was issued for failure to wear a seatbelt and failure to produce an insurance card.
Aug. 23 10:24 a.m. An officer conducted a traffic stop at the Curris Center parking lot. A citation was issued for failure to wear a seatbelt and failure to produce an insurance card. 5:54 p.m. Public Safety and Emergency Management received a message through the Live Safe app in regards to an assault that occurred off campus. Murray State and Murray city police were notified.
Aug. 24 10:59 a.m. A caller reported information about a faulty personal electronic device in College Courts. The police and facilities management were notified. No threat of fire was located. An information report was taken. 8:36 p.m. A caller reported a medical emergency at Regents Residential College. The police, Murray Ambulance Service and Student Affairs were notified. The patient was transported by the Murray Ambulance Service.
Aug. 25 1:42 p.m. A person was served a criminal summons and issued a citation for leaving the scene of an accident and failure to render aid or assistance. 9:27 p.m. An officer conducted a field sobriety test. A person was arrested and escorted to the Calloway County Jail.
Aug. 26 1:21 p.m. An officer conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of 16th Street and Lowes Drive. A citation was issued for speeding 17 mph over the speed limit. 11:04 p.m. Public Safety received information via the Live Safe app of an alcohol complaint. The police were notified. The person was gone on arrival.
News
3A
Alexis Cain: one of the girls Bailey Bohannon
Contributing writer bbohannon@murraystate.edu
The formal Sorority Recruitment at Murray State in the fall of 2015 will go down in history because of one sorority sister: Alexis Cain. Cain, freshman from Murray, became the first woman with Down Syndrome to join a sorority at Murray State on Sunday, Aug. 16. Of the six sororities on campus, Alexis accepted a bid from Alpha Sigma Alpha, or ASA. Alexis had many options to choose from, but said she knew ASA was her place to be. “After talking to them several times, I just knew it was them,” she said. “They made me feel amazing and at home.” When Cain received her bid from ASA, her first response was to walk out onto stage and dance. As her new pledge sisters swarmed her for a group hug, there was not a dry eye in Lovett Auditorium. “I was so excited when I got the envelope and it said ASA on it,” she said. “I feel a part of their group already. It felt good to know that the girls wanted me to join.” Elizabeth Mattingly, president of ASA, said she is excited to have Cain in their sisterhood. “She is a true example of brav-
Kalli Bubb/The News
Pictured from left to right are members of Alpha Sigma Alpha: Devon Wasser, Jordan Reynolds and Alexis Cain. ery and perseverance,” she said. “I am excited to see not only how the chapter will benefit her, but also how she will forever change our chapter and touch the lives of past, present and future sisters of Alpha
Sigma Alpha.” Cain said the entire process has been eye-opening and life-changing for she and her sorority members, but she said she did not even realize she was changing the ste-
reotype of sorority women. “She has shown so many people what having a disability is about,” said Cammie Cain, Alexis’ mother. “She’s also shown them that people with disabilities are basically like everyone else. Alexis doesn’t even understand what this means for other girls like her.” Cain is described as a girl with aspirations and motivation. The difference between Cain and everyone else though, is the obstacles that she has faced and overcome. Cain said she wanted to have fun and gain a lot of sisters, so she set out with a determined heart to accomplish her goals. “I didn’t know I inspire people,” she said. “It’s important for people to know that just because someone has a disability they should look past what they see. We have feelings and don’t like the R-word.” Cain said it is important for others to understand that people with disabilities are like other people. “I’m proud to be part of my group of awesome girls that have opened the door and shown it’s time to include and accept differences,” she said. Editor’s Note: Reporter Bailey Bohannon is a member of Cain’s pledge class in Alpha Sigma Alpha.
University receives grant for high student retention Alicia Steele
Contributing writer asteele5@murraystate.edu
In early August, Murray State accepted a $264,807 five year renewable grant from U.S. Representative Ed Whitfield for the continuation of the TRiO program. Every five years, Murray State is required to submit a proposal to the Department of Education. This proposal is presented to three readers who then score the proposal. If the proposal is scored high enough, Murray State receives funding to assist 186 students through the TRiO program. The TRiO program works to increase college retention and graduation rates and ensure good academic standing of the participants. Murray State has three TRiO programs, including Advances in Math and Science (known as AIMS or Upward Bound), the McNair Scholars Program and Student Support Services. In order to qualify for the TRiO program, students must demonstrate a need for academic support. This can be met by being a first-generation college student, meeting federal guidelines for low-income status or by having a documented disability. This program offers a variety of resources and services for students involved in the program including free tutoring, personal development workshops, career guidance, coun-
seling for personal concerns and other educational resources. “Student Support Services offers tutoring, advising, financial-aid assistance and assistance applying to graduate school,” said Shanna Burgess, director of Student Support Services. Burgess explained that each opportunity Student Support Services is able to provide to students is government mandated, meaning that the program is given certain guidelines that must be met. “If the objectives are not met, no funding is provided,” Burgess said. Burgess said continuing the program at Murray State was important because the students it serves know they have a place on campus where they can get help and become more successful. President Bob Davies said the TRiO grant is among one of the most competitive in the country, because each university competes on the same level to receive the grant. “We have been very successful with the TRiO grant here,” Davies said. “The people who have gone through the program are amazing.” Bryan Beals, junior from Owensboro, Kentucky, who is not currently involved in the program, said he liked having the program at the University because it helps keep students at Murray State. “By implementing student retention strategies, they keep first generation college students, and those
Emily Harris/The News
Shanna Burgess, director of Student Support Services, helps students address problems. with low income at the university so they can graduate with a degree,” he said. Liana Ocampo, junior from Portland, Oregon, has been a member of Student Support Services since beginning her education at Murray State. “As a student I like the free printing services and I love the free tutoring that I have used every semester
and will continue to use,” she said. “Another thing that I find useful is the school materials that they offer for their students if they are in need”. Ocampo said she has used the program to receive notecards, highlighters and other supplies. “Trust me – this program has helped me so much,” she said. “I’m really happy that I found Student Support Services.”
Nonprofit Leadership Studies adds master’s program Abby Siegel
Contributing writer aseigel@murraystate.edu
Murray State’s Nonprofit Leadership Studies program continues to develop with the newest addition of a master’s program that launched Aug. 18. Since its establishment 32 years ago, the program has experienced much growth, expanding from a minor into a major in 2011 and undergoing a name change in 2014. To date, the program has a major, minor, concentration, certificate and master’s opportunity. The reason for growth is because of the “continuing evolution” of the nonprofit sector, with the changes made in the program being “driven
by demand,” said Robert Long, Distinguished Visiting Professor. “I think the secret to our success will be significantly grounded in the quality of scholarship and real world experience,” Long said. He said professors in the new master’s program teach material that is relevant, as many have recent experience within the field. Courses can be taken entirely online, in person or as a combination in an effort to include current professionals in the field who are pursing higher education. Courses on financial development, advocacy, policy and leadership development are included in the core requirements. In addition to the focus on core competencies, the program also re-
Motorist assists –3 Racer assists – 10 Arrests – 2 Zachary Orr, Assistant News Editor, compiles Police Beat with materials provided by Public Safety and Emergency Management. Not all dispatched calls are listed.
Call of Fame Aug. 24 11:30 p.m. - A person reported three people with marijuana in the Quad. The police were notified and a report was taken.
Emily Harris/The News
Robert Long addresses his class of nonprofit leadership students.
quires a little more work from students. They must give an analysis of trends and ideas as well as develop an understanding of the historical and moral roots of nonprofit leadership in society to prepare students to be the future leaders, said David Whaley, dean of the College of Education and Human Services. The curriculum was planned through the supportive guidelines of the Nonprofit Academic Centers Council and a Nonprofit Leadership Studies advisory committee that is comprised of regional nonprofit professionals, key University faculty, alumni and students. The committee provided feedback and advice from professionals about direction for the program. “I like how we do service hours and work alongside local nonprofits to better learn the objectives taught in class,” Miranda Bivins, senior from Cerulean, said. Bivins will graduate this December and has applied for the Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership Studies program. A distinguishing aspect of the program is the emphasis on leadership rather than management, said Peter Weber, director of Nonprofit Leadership Studies. “We believe that it is important for all citizens,” Weber said. “To be good in service you need to know ethical expectations.” Most programs in the nonprofit sector are located in large metropolitan areas and aren’t commonly found in rural areas like Murray. The “deeply integrated” connection the program has to the community is “exceptional,” Weber said.
Many of the courses require students to work alongside local nonprofits, allowing them to develop their expertise while supporting the work of the organization. “It supports capacity building of local and regional nonprofit organizations by developing both the expertise and the leadership skills of nonprofit professionals,” Whaley said. The timing of the program was a factor that attracted Bivins to the program. “Since the master’s program just happened to begin so close to my undergraduate graduation I felt like that was God’s plan for me,” she said. The program is defying common stereotypes and myths about the nonprofit sector. According to idealist.org, 10 percent of people in the United States are employed by a nonprofit, and about 1.5 million nonprofit organizations are registered in the United States alone. “People don’t realize that working in the nonprofit sector can be a profession,” Weber said. “Convincing the broader audience that this program is serious and important is one of the major challenges.” Bivins, however, is convinced that this is the field for her. Her career goal is to work with children from the developing world and she said this program will adequately prepare her for the future. “It’s an area where passion matters more than dollars, where we strive to make the world a better place and are willing to sacrifice for it,” she said. “It’s such a rewarding field in all aspects.”
4A
August 28, 2015
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Include everyone. Treat everyone alike. The staff editorial is the majority opinion of The Murray State News Editorial Board. “Include everyone. Treat everyone alike.” This is the one of the new and improved taglines of Murray State. It’s the foundation of the University’s “Commitment to Diversity.” It applies to every facet of student inclusion on this campus – from on-campus employment to Greek life. According to Murray State’s website, the guiding principles of this initiative are as follows: • “Recruit students from diverse, multicultural backgrounds; • Develop initiatives that will retain students and increase graduation rates; • Develop and offer an inclusive curriculum; and • Recruit a diverse faculty and staff.” While these may seem like common sense practices, there’s a reason they had to be spelled out in such a way. They didn’t print out and plaster posters with the aforementioned motto on it “just because.”
While the University has been committed to their “Nondiscrimination Policy” and making students feel safe on campus for years, this is clearly a commitment renewed. According to Niche.com, our student population is 81 percent white. The other 19 percent of students need the University to be committed to diversity. Students from the 40 states and 47 foreign countries Murray State boasts as student body statistics on their website need to not only feel included, but to genuinely be included. This commitment shouldn’t be specifically race-minded, either. As awesome as it may be, the fact that the Murray State Beta Nu chapter of Alpha Sigma Alpha accepted a woman with Down Syndrome shouldn’t be so rare that it garners national attention. It shouldn’t be such a big deal that it becomes something to capitalize on. Alexis Cane shouldn’t be the new face of ASA because she has
a genetic disorder. Headlines like “Meet the Girl Who’s Changing Sorority Life” and “Alpha Sigma Alpha Accepts First Ever Sorority Girl with Down Syndrome” are more unnerving than heartwarming. Why is this so unheard of? Why, in 2015, are we still making history on the grounds of diverse inclusion? If accepting one woman with Down Syndrome is what it takes to “change sorority life,” can you imagine if organizations all over the nation weren’t so exclusive? How great would it be if the minority wasn’t too intimidated by the majority to join? Life would change as we know it – for the better. How often do we look around in our respective organizations and see a sea of faces that look, for the most part, the same? This is because of one of two, likely unintentional, reasons: recruitment tactics are targeted toward one particular audience,
or certain students don’t feel they would fit in due to current membership stereotypes. According to Murray State’s website, graduates should leave here prepared to, “function in a culturally diverse, technologically oriented society and increasingly interdependent world. The University is committed to international education as an integral dimension of the University experience.” We shouldn’t leave here able to “function” in a culturally diverse world. It shouldn’t be something we’re simply able to deal with in order to get by. We should thrive because of diversity. We should be able to improve our lives and the lives of others because of open-mindedness. Differing viewpoints and global awareness should be the backbone of our decisions and actions. Diversity should be embraced as the norm instead of celebrated for its rarity.
I Get to Write About Anything I Want?
Internationals: A Little Perspective When I first moved to Murray one thing surprised me more than my unexpected culture shock did – the international population. They were an astonishingly active, large part of campus, but at the same time they were a bit “off” and Taylor Grace Suiter seemed to be Senior from everywhere Brentwood, Tennessee – riding in Wal-Mart carts down sidewalks, whispering in line before ordering at Winslow, carrying parasols across the bridge and wearing shower shoes outside on rainy days. I didn’t get it. Surely these people read up on American culture before moving to Kentucky, right? STRAIGHT UP WRONG. This semester I am an international student at Universitat Regensburg, one of Murray’s exchange program partnership schools. I have visited Germany before on a shorter
study abroad program, but now that I am staying for a semester I find myself doing what used to be annoy me about international students.
“
This piece is really a call to action. Murray’s international population is comprised of 825 students.
- Taylor Grace Suiter
”
I take too long in lines, I stare curiously at what Germans consider everyday items and I have even stood in the center of campus looking like Dorothy when she first sees in technicolor. I am entering an entirely new environment, just like those arriving in Murray from across the world are at this time of year. The one factor that has made my study abroad experience smoother on a minute-to-minute basis has been the help of strangers. Asking someone in a crowd for
directions has meant the difference between missing a class field trip and not. Somebody offering an explanation of the food at the Mensa (the German version of Winslow) meant that my stomach could go another day without aching. Thanks to the help of new roommates and unsuspecting strangers I am making my way. If I was trying to figure out everything on my own, I would be beside myself with fear and confusion – and I’m only a week into my program. This piece is really a call to action. Murray State’s international population is comprised of 825 students. If you know enough about Murray’s campus to find a copy of The News and read it, you know enough to help a new Racer – whether they’re studying abroad in Murray for the semester or they’re even just a freshman. The overwhelming experience of assimilating into a new culture can be a lot to handle, and not just for international students. Culture shock comes to those who have traveled within the Regional Discount area, too. The next time someone seems lost or doesn’t know what to order at Burrito Shack, lend a hand or give some advice. Everyone new to campus has unanswered questions, and it’s our job as Racers to give each other hope and endeavor the unknown in order to attain achievement.
The News
Opinion
August 28, 2015
5A
Letter to the Editor
Dear Murray State freshmen – I realize some of you grew up here. But I know many of you didn’t. So, welcome to Murray. Throughout the years, this town has earned recognition as being a top retirement destination, a great place for kids, and one of the friendliest U.S. cities. Regardless, this town is different when the college students are here. The traffic is thicker, the restaurants have longer waits, and the stores are more crowded, but there is also a proud blue and gold spirit that runs deeply. I came to Murray State 18 years ago. I say that and still wonder how half of my life – literally, another 18 years! – has been lived since I walked into Clark Residential College room that I shared with a high school friend. Of course, that Clark has been demolished. A newer one – which at this point is nearly a decade old – is down the street and another new residential college is planned for the vacant ground I once called home. At that time, Murray seemed so very far from my Oldham County home. Four hours that separated my old life
from my new life was exciting and terrifying. Now, the Louisville area is a weekend destination. I lived in the residential colleges for four years – and loved it. I walked to classes, many of which were in Wilson Hall. Some of those days seem like yesterday, y’all, but so much has happened since. In recent days, as I’ve seen trucks loaded with your belongings turn toward campus, I’ve been reminiscing. I came into college with a plan: earn a print journalism degree and write for a big-city newspaper. I saw myself living in Louisville or maybe another Midwestern city. What I didn’t factor into the equation was falling in love – with my college boyfriend who is now my husband or more deeply with God. I earned that degree, but, really, otherwise, my life looks nothing like I planned. But you know what? I wouldn’t change the small-town life with my entrepreneur husband. I tell our family’s adoption story over and over because my kids – who they are and how God made us a family – is full of faith and surprise. In so many ways, I’m more adventurous now than I ever
I Have a Lot of Feelings Senioritis, be gone.
was on Murray State’s campus. What I would change goes back to those college years. I would have slowed down and taken more pictures. (I know, that’s easier now. I had a cell phone I only used to call my mom because the Louisville-based number made it cheaper than long distance on the landline. Yes, the landline. Come on, this was 1997, the same year I got my first email address, which I checked once a day from a computer lab on campus.) I wish I could tell my 18-year-old self to relax and notice God more. I would have stressed less and realized education is important but so little of it actually comes from the classroom. Listen to and learn from those around you. Hold tightly to your people, but hold loosely to most everything else. Yes, work toward your degree. Make plans, but remember that God may have an even better life awaiting you.
Kristin Hill Taylor
Alumnus from Murray, Kentucky
We still want to hear from you. Are you concerned about a certain issue on campus or want to share your opinion? The News is always accepting Letters to the Editor. For a chance to get your letter published in print or on TheNews.org, email us at letters.
Love, A 2001 Murray State grad who never thought she’d call this town home but does so happily
Rational Animal
Know thyself
John Muenzberg
Lecturer of humanities and fine arts
One benefit of a Murray State education is that graduates will have completed the University Studies Program, unfortunately known to many students as “some stupid courses I have to take.” It can be frustrating to fit your class schedule to a seemingly arbitrary list of classes, but I think this program is arguably more important for your future success
than your major. Despite what some students may think, the University Studies Program is not a jobs program for liberal arts departments. It is an update of the modern liberal arts curriculum that defined college education in Great Britain and the U.S. through the 19th century. Murray State, along with most U.S. colleges and universities, is based on a model called the “Mod-
ern Research University.” This model combines the goals of a traditional liberal arts colleges, technical and professional colleges and the German research university. Why did educators combine liberal arts studies with technical or professional programs? Why do you need to study biology if you just want a job in accounting? One straightforward response is that your goal should not be a “job in accounting,” but rather to become an “effective” or “successful” accountant. Basic employment is an external outcome that is fulfilled once the job offer is given. Becoming effective or successful can require a change in the way you think and the way you understand the world. To be successful in your career includes analyzing your field, imagining and predicting changes, creating or adapting to new methods and communicating these ideas to others. On April 23, 2015, CareerBuilder.com released a survey of 2,175 hiring professionals. Among the skills that employers are looking for are problem-solving, oral communication, written communication and creative thinking. These are the skills that a liberal arts curriculum develops. Why do we require the University Studies Program if your goal is to be an accountant? Because this will make you a better accountant. Of the ten characteristics of a Murray State graduate, nine are general skills that come from a
liberal arts education, just one is mastery of your filed of study. This is an effective argument for the liberal arts, but I do not think it is the best one. Your goal in life should not be to just be a better employee. While you need a career and you need to pay off those loans, presumably the goal of this career is to live a good life. One of the most basic goals of a liberal arts education is for you to better understand the world at large, including yourself, other people, our society, our country, even our species. While the faculty are concerned with getting you that first job, they are also concerned with you as citizens and as voters, as spouses and parents. Your primary goal should not be to serve your employer well; it should be to develop into a full and complete person, one that understands more than just how to generate profits for a corporation. We live in a world full of questions, that are explained through many disciplines. You have to navigate this world, make decisions and try to prosper. To get a job requires some technical training. To have a successful career, to be a conscientious citizen and informed voter, to live in a community with others, and to live a fulfilling life requires exposure to the fundamental concepts in many different disciplines. One of the most effective ways of achieving this is through a liberal arts curriculum.
Jeers to ... The lack of parking.
Cheers and Jeers
Cheers to ... Fresh air. It appears as though people are actually taking this whole “Tobacco-free campus“ thing seriously. I can walk past Faculty Hall without choking on a fog of cigarette smoke, and that is revolutionary. Here’s to fewer worries about lung cancer, folks.
Having to leave 30 minutes or earlier prior to class to allow time for circling the entire campus 24 times just searching for parking is not cool. I don’t care about the statistics or the number of spaces they claim are here - there are more cars than spaces. Period.
Cheers and Jeers is written by the Opinion Editor.
Jeers to ... Impatience.
Cheers to ... The Pony Express
Questions, comments or concerns should be addressed to aborthwick@murraystate.edu
Comic
Here’s the rule, people: if you’re waiting to get on an elevator, let people off before you get on. I shouldn’t feel personally victimized for not sprinting out of the small metal box I’m in with 10 other anxious people. Let’s all just take a deep breath and remember patience is a virtue.
If you don’t already know, The Pony Express and The News are in a committed relationship. We engage in PDA on Twitter and they loyally bring us food every Wednesday night while we put the week’s newspaper together. They are our rock. #LoveWins
Self-righteousness hath no fury like a soonto-be graduating senior. It was true in high school, and it’s definitely true now. For some, it starts as early as first semester Allison Borthwick sophomore year. Opinion Editor As soon as we become upperclassmen, we start looking at the incoming freshman with superior, knowing eyes – eyes filled with wisdom far beyond their years. We know not to wear a lanyard around our necks to carry our student ID and keys – they don’t. We know how to differentiate between the good, the bad and the ugly at dining halls – they’ll learn that the hard way. We know good and bad professors better than RateMyProfessors – they’ll figure that out. We’re untouchable “twenty-somethings” and they still have a one in front of their ages. Buzzfeed loves us – who wouldn’t? We start giving out advice nobody asks for or really wants, like the firsttime mother who thinks she knows everything about child-rearing by month three. Give it a few years. That mother will be exposed to the “terrible twos” and we will be exposed to student loan bills. Seniors – let’s not fly too close to the sun and burn our college-educated wings. We’re not the hottest thing there is. We still have to go to class, attend meetings and pass off our nighttime yoga pants as daytime class-wear just like everyone else – even the freshman. We have to stop approaching every student responsibility like we’re inmates being released soon on good behavior. We haven’t finished serving our time here just yet. Have some respect for your professors, bosses and, most importantly, yourself. Don’t give up. Yes, the light at the end of the tunnel keeps getting brighter, but there are things in the tunnel we’ve yet to accomplish. Namely, figure out why you’re a 21-year-old really trying to commit to a cliche tunnel metaphor. We have to keep up our grades, wear real clothes (sometimes) and pay attention in class. Our professors will be taking note of who is checking in and who is checking out. When we need a letter of recommendation for the job hunt we will soon be starting, we’ll need them on our side. USNews.com quotes Sara Hamon, associate dean of Undergraduate Studies at Florida State University: “Your motivation at the end of your senior year … is a pretty good indication in terms of your motivation for the next stage of your life.” In other words, treat the last stretch of your undergraduate career like it’s the first stretch of your actual career. So, we have to stop treating underclassmen like we’re better than them. Yes, they look impossibly young and are wearing those lanyards like trophies, but they are on the same playing field as us now. Instead of looking at them and thinking, “Man, I’m so glad I’m not a freshman,” think, “Man, they have three more years ahead of them to not make the mistakes I did.” Because, come on – how much truth is there behind #NoRegrets? Even though we pay tens of thousands of dollars to attend Murray State, we can’t walk around like we own the place. aborthwick@murraystate.edu
Interstellar By Jade Simpson
The News
News
6A
August 28, 2015
Mocktails Slam: opportunity for LGBT to express themselves Lauren Epperson Contributing writer
lepperson@murraystate.edu
Regie Cabico recalls standing on a stage in a restaurant in downtown Washington, D.C. 20 years ago. He said he remembers smiling and welcoming the men and women in the audience as he announced the evening program. “We’re going to have a queer open mic poetry slam,” Cabico said. “Everyone is welcome, so please join.” At the word “queer,” it was as if he had smacked a panic button as people rose from their seats to bolt for the exit. Two decades later, now a nationally recognized poetry slam artist, Cabico still faces the same reaction to the word “queer.” Murray State’s LGBT Programming brought Cabico to the Curris Center on Aug. 20 for its Mocktails Slam, providing a safe place for students to perform and enjoy spoken-word artistry while practicing responsible drinking. Jody Cofer-Randall, the LGBT program coordinator and Undergraduate Research and Scholarly Activity (URSA) program coordinator, recruited Cabico to speak at Murray State. Cabico spent his time in Murray doing interviews for the local radio station and teaching workshops in creative writing, focusing on slam poetry. “I am a pioneer of the genre of performance poetry and slam poetry,” Cabico said. “A lot of what I do is performing and teaching the work, and what I most often see is that students don’t get that poetry can be fun. It’s performing your own gospel truth. This generation is getting that more than those before it.” The event was a success, with a turnout of more than 100 students. These students were given the opportunity to observe and participate in interactive poetry readings by both Cabico and Constance Alexander, a professor in the department of
McKenna Dosier/The News
Michele Sumner, sophomore from Jackon, Tennessee, performed her poem, “In Another Life,” at the Mocktails Slam last Thursday night. English and philosophy. The Mocktails Slam also featured students’ personal readings on a wide range of issues: religion, home life, relationships and social-injustices. Matt Hahnes, a sophomore from Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, won the poetry slam, which was judged by a panel of Murray State professors and affiliates. This event gave students the opportunity and platform upon which to begin and expand conversations about LGBT issues within the Murray State community.
“This event will help students to open up to having conversations about LGBT issues in a creative, healthy and positive manner,” Katherine Summerfield, senior from Louisville, Kentucky, said. Victoria Martin, sophomore from Central City, Kentucky, agreed that this is one more step toward a more open conversation. “We’re making great progress … but I believe that we could definitely do more,” she said. The University of Kentucky, the University of Louisville,
Northern Kentucky University and Murray State are the only four universities in Kentucky that have LGBT support groups. However, progress within the LGBT community in Kentucky institutions of higher education is being made. “There’s a lot of national attention and progress being made, such as the recent institution of marriage equality,” said Abagail French, director of the Women’s Center. “It’s important that we continue to work towards progress like that in all aspects. A lot of what we do (at
the Women’s Center) is to prepare students to deal with life after college. We want to provide LGBT with a platform to give students hope that they’ll have support in their lives.” The Mocktails Slam brought students of different races, religions and gender affiliations together to openly discuss opinions and experiences concerning a variety of issues. One student focused on his experiences with bullying in high school. One student focused on her parents’ reaction to her gender identity.
Another student focused on the trials of LGBT students, including homelessness and homophobia. Several participants said they hoped this event would lead to a larger community acceptance of LGBT students. “I think people are scared at Murray,” Cabico said. “I think that really speaking up and speaking who you are, is a scary thing. If our freshmen and new students can hear queer students on the mic, maybe they can feel acclimated to being themselves.”
Sports
August 28, 2015 Sports Editor: Kelsey Randolph Phone: 270-809-4481 Twitter: MSUSportsNews
Section B
Zachary Maley/The News
Harriet Withers, sophomore forward from Murwillumbah, Australia stakes a shot during the Racers’ first game of the season against Troy Aug. 15. Withers scored one of the two winning goals against Mississippi State in last week’s guarantee game in Starkville.
Soccer claims first win against SEC school Blake Bernier || Staff writer dbernier@murraystate.edu
The Murray State soccer team won the first game in school history against an SEC opponent as they defeated Mississippi State 2-1, thanks in large part to Taylor Richerson’s play in the 70th minute. As an added perk, Mississippi State paid Murray State $2,000 to come to Starkville in what’s called a guarantee game, in which a top-tier school pays a smaller school to come to their school and play. These games are for smaller schools to receive
play time w i t h top-tier schools and receive pay for their travel. In a similar fashion, the Racer Groves football team is being paid $395,000 to play Northern Illinois on Sept. 12. The turning point in the match came after senior Taylor Richerson stole the ball from the central defender and was fouled inside the 18-yard
box resulting in the defender being ejected and Richerson earning a penalty kick. “Their center back dwelled on the ball a little too long and we robbed it and got in behind and she brought us down and at that point it made the game even harder for them playing 11 against 10 for the last 20-25 minutes of the game,” said Head Coach Jeremy Groves. Richerson converted the penalty kick and the Racers took the lead 2-1. A lot of time went into scouting Mississippi State in the week leading up to the game. Groves said he made
calls to other SEC teams to find out what to look for in the game and he watched their game from the previous week against the University of South Alabama. “Obviously we scouted them pretty extensively,” Groves said. “Our week leading up was very good and we prepared really well and with that being said the girls went out there and did what they had to do, they listened and showed up and performed on the day.” The Racers made a formation adjustment to combat the formation Mississippi State runs each game. Typically the
The Murray State News is starting an “Athlete of the Week” and the first athlete is being featured this week. Check out page 2b for the first one. Racers use four defenders, three midfielders, and three forwards, known as a 4-3-3. but against the Bulldogs they moved a forward back to the midfield for a 4-4-2. “We really talked a lot about how to defend the formation they played because in our exhibition game we strug-
gled and they play the same formation, so that helped a lot,” Richerson said. Each team had trouble finding offense with a combined total of 13 shots on the day. Richerson said the game was physical from start to fin-
see SOCCER, 2B
Intramural leagues adds new sports Blake Bernier || Staff writer dbernier@murraystate.edu
Chalice Keith/The News
TAKE A KNEE: Rhett Morrison, freshman kicker, Wes Drewery, sophomore long snapper and Landon Stratton, red-shirt sophomore kicker, take a knee during practice before the beginning of the OVC season.
WHAT’S
INSIDE
BASS ANGLER’S
After several sports were added over the summer, including a new co-recreation division for softball and volleyball, Steven Leitch, Director of Campus Recreation at Murray State, is busy preparing for the upcoming intramural seasons The co-recreation divisions will be slowly introduced throughout the year on a trial basis but Leitch has high hopes that it will catch on. “If it goes how I think it will go we will see even more co-rec divisions next year,” Leitch said. This year the department of recreation also added several new sports for students and faculty to compete in such as a three-on-three basketball tournament, a bowling tournament, a racquetball tournament and an athletic combine. Leitch said he hopes to see a spike in participation rates this year and thinks the new sports can help make that possible.
RACER RIFLE
Bass Angler’s Club kicks off fall Head Coach Alan Lollar disseason with tournament, 3B cusses upcoming season, 4B
Shelby Gore, female athletic director for Hart College, said getting involved in intramurals is relatively simple. Each residential college has an athletic director for both males and females and they are in charge of recruiting and organizing teams for each sport. Each residential college has signups available for students and faculty, as well as meetings to explain rules and assign teams. Gore said she makes it a point to talk to the freshmen to try and get them involved each year. “I always recommend students to play for many reasons, but the big one would be because it is a great way to make friends and get involved in your residential college or within your social group,” Gore said. The male athletic director for White College, Adam Warren, echoed Gore’s sentiments, saying that in his first year he didn’t know anyone but he played multiple sports and that’s how he met his cur-
ESCAPE GAME
rent roommate and all of his friends. It’s not just students that are encouraged to play intramural Trzepacz sports either. Biology professor Chris Trzepacz is the new head of Clark College and ready to begin his fifth year of intramural softball. Trzepacz said he plays for two reasons: because he loves softball and because it provides an opportunity to get to know some of the students. “It’s a great way to interact with the students, because often students view faculty as if they are up on a pedestal or unapproachable but this allows me to interact with them and break those barriers,” Trzepacz said. Leitch said he hopes to continue to add more sports
see INTRAMURAL, 2B
TODRICK HALL
Screampark attraction opens in MTV Star to perform at Murray State, 7B Mayfield, 6B
The News
Sports
2B
SOCCER From Page 1B ish. “It was high intensity the whole time, Richerson said. “They were a pretty good team and it wasn’t the prettiest game but we did well being aggressive and pressuring them the whole time.” Last season the Racers finished third in the OVC which was Groves inaugural year as head coach. This season the Racers will play eight home games and 10 away games including another matchup against an SEC opponent when they go to the University of Tennessee Sept. 6. Groves said the win against Mississippi State showed the importance of playing a tough preseason and for the girls to gain confidence in themselves. “That’s why we play the spring schedule of Vanderbilt and University of Kentucky so we can go to teams like this in the fall and compete with them and know that we can go there and win and the girls had great belief and their con-
“It was high intensity the whole time, they were a pretty good team and it wasn’t the prettiest game but we did well being aggressive and pressuring them the whole time.” –Jeremy Groves
The News’ Athlete of the Week Taylor Richerson
Soccer Head Coach fidence showed,” Groves said. In retrospect Groves said the game could’ve been more lopsided than the 2-1 score. “I thought we made them look pretty ordinary at times with how they were trying to play, so it could’ve been more in the end,” Groves said. “We had a couple of one on one opportunities that we missed so it could’ve been 3-1 or even 4-1.” The Racers will play their second game of the regular season today against Little Rock and will follow that up with another game on Sunday against Arkansas State.
August 28, 2015
Soccer Position: Midfielder/Forward Height: 5 feet 5 inches Hometown: Murray, Kentucky High School: Murray High School
1. How long have you been playing your sport and why did it interest you to begin with? “I guess since I was 5 or however early you can start in rec leagues and I don’t know honestly, I tried every sport there was. My cousin actually played here at Murray State so I looked up to her a lot.” 2. What is it about your sport that makes you enjoy it? “I’m just a competitive person. I like team sports a lot and I like the feeling of winning and scoring.” 3. How did it feel to win against an SEC school? “It was awesome. We had already beat UK and Vandy in the spring but that doesn’t really count for anything so to win in the regular season, I think it was the first time in school history so it was pretty awesome.” 4. What do you most look forward to the rest of the season? “Growing as a team, because we lost a lot of seniors so it’s going to take a lot of work but I really want to win an OVC championship.” 5. If you could give one piece of advice to someone about accomplishment, what would you say? “It takes a lot of work to accomplish things, but the feeling of accomplishing something is worth it.”
Sports Calendar for Aug. 30-Sept. 6 Sunday, Aug. 30
Thursday, Sept. 3
Friday, Sept. 4
Saturday, Sept. 5
Sunday, Sept. 6
Soccer plays against Arkansas State in Jonesboro, Arkansas at 1 p.m.
Football plays against Kentucky Wesleyan College at Stewart Stadium at 6 p.m.
Volleyball plays against Washington State in Seattle, Washington at 6 p.m.
Volleyball plays against the University of Buffalo in Seattle, Washington at 9 p.m.
Soccer plays against the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee at 1 p.m.
Women and Men’s Cross Country plays races in the Brooks Memphis Twilight Classic in Memphis, Tennessee at 9:20 p.m.
INTRAMURAL From Page 1B to provide more opportunities for the campus community to improve their overall wellness. “Participating in intramural sports increases your physical wellness by being active, and your social and emotional wellness because of the camaraderie of working with a team,” Leitch said. Leitch said that making an intramural season happen is not work, it is fun. However, there are occasionally challenges securing facility space and the most time consuming aspect is preparing and training officials. “The ultimate goal of an intramural season is for everyone to be a winner,” Leitch said. “I don’t mean to sound cliche because we hype the competition, but it’s true.” Softball will begin on Sept. 8 for both men and women, while the co-recreation season is set to begin on Sept. 12. Meetings for softball captains are at 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 31 and Tuesday, Sept. 1 in Carr Health Room 103. All participants in intramurals are required to sign up at imleagues.com. A full schedule as well as announcements and updates are available online.
Nicole Ely/The News
Mallory Tucker, senior on Alpha Delta Pi’s spring soccer intramural team, makes a pass during their semi-final game against Sigma Alpha.
Sports Shorts: What’s coming up in Racer athletics. Softball clinics
Home football game
Intramural meetings
For ages 13 through 18 there will be a softball hitting and pitching clinical hosted by the Racer Softball team. Hitting clinics are being taught by Ashley Gilland and pitching clinics are hosted by Kristen Emerling. Dates for the clinics are Sept. 15, 17, 22, 24, and 29 and Oct. 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22. For registration and payment information contact Ashley Gilland at agilland@murraystate.edu
The first Racer football game will be Thursday, Sept. 3 at 6 p.m. at Stewart Stadium. This is also Senior Night.
• The first captain’s meeting for softball will be Monday, Aug. 31 at 4 p.m. in the Carr Health Building in room 103. A representative from each team needs to be there and a $65 registration fee needs to be paid. • An informational meeting for intramural golf and homecoming 5k will be Monday, Aug. 31 and Tuesday Sept. 1 at 4:30 p.m. in Carr Health Building room 103.
Racers W.A.R. zone The Calloway Journey Church is hosting “Meet a Racer, be a Racer” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. tomorrow. It is an opportunity for fans to meet and interact with Racer athletics, get autographs and take home pictures. Admission is free at the CFSB Center.
Off the Grid Iron
She got game
Kicking down doors, going through obstacles and breaking through walls are starting to seem like John Morris understateStaff writer ments to the progression of women in the work force and now in sports. Now, women are highly respected figures in sports, but this new trend has become groundbreaking. You think of Pat Summit, which in most people’s eyes she is not just one of the greatest women college coaches of all time, but also one of the greatest coaches. To most, that is probably the highest respect we’ve seen a woman have in the sports world. This summer alone there have been big moves by women in the sports world. Both the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Football League (NFL) have female referees and female coaches, which before recent changes was unheard of. The NBA was the first to initiate female officials when they hired Violet Palmer and Dee Kantner, two women to reach the highest competitive level in a major U.S. professional sport. Palmer still officiates basketball while Kantner is now the supervisor of officials in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). Now, the NBA has its third hired a female official, Lauren Holtkamp, who officiated in the 2014-15 season. These three women alone have opened the eyes of viewers and helped break the stereotype that women don’t have knowledge about sports or that this is a male dominated world. These recent hires open the doors for those women who may want that opportunity as well. The biggest marks to date dealing with woman’s progression in the sports world are the first ever female coach in the NBA as well as the first female coach and official in the NFL. Becky Hammon, former WNBA star, is the first female to be a NBA basketball coach as the San Antonio Spurs assistant coach. Hammon took the opportunity in 2015 to coach the Spurs summer league team and won the summer league title. The Spurs have hired her as a full time assistant coach for the team. Jennifer Welter is currently a training camp and preseason intern who is coaching inside linebackers for the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals. The signing with the Cardinals made her the first female coach in the NFL. Prior to the Cardinal’s signing on Feb. 12, 2015, the Indoor Football League’s Texas Revolution named Welter a coach for linebackers and special teams makes her the first woman to coach in a men’s professional football league. On Jan. 24, 2014, the Revolution announced signing Jennifer Welter as a running back. This made her the second female player for a position other than kicker or placekick-holder on a men’s professional football team, and the first at running back. Sarah Thomas, currently an official for the NFL, is noted for being a pioneer in female officiating. Thomas was the first woman to officiate a major college football game, the first to officiate a bowl game, and the first to officiate in a Big Ten stadium. In 2015, Thomas was hired as the first full-time female official in NFL history. Welter and Thomas met in 2015 in a preseason football game for the first time and the world’s first time seeing a female official and coach on the field at the same time. These women have changed the world of sports in more ways than one. jmorris36@murraystate.edu
The News
Sports
August 28, 2015
3B
Bass angler’s dedicate hours to the water Mallory Tucker Staff writer
mtucker11@murraystate.edu
It’s 6 a.m. It’s chilly, foggy and windy as hundreds of athletes surround the edge of a lake, preparing for the long day ahead of them. The sound of idling boat engines acts as white noise as each boat number is called, selected the night before by random draw. One takes off, then another, each angler donning a lifejacket as they speed into miles and miles of lake water in search of the five biggest bass. For eight hours they navigate the depths of green water, scanning endlessly with sonar equipment that costs thousands of dollars on boats that cost triple that. As Murray State’s anglers take off, they have more than that day’s tournament on their mind. They have a reputation to uphold. Boasting the largest team in the nation with around 65 members, Murray State’s Bass Angler’s club ranks 20th in the nation, according to BassRankings.com, and finished second in the Boat U.S. sanctioned Cabela’s Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship 2015. Cast after cast, the anglers attempt to reel in the heaviest fish. Just a day before, each competitor scanned the lake, taking seasonal patterns into consideration as they attempted to find the sweet spot, the pot of gold where schools of pass had migrated. Whereas most people fish for recreation, these athletes are fishing with much more at stake. Investing as much money as they could win into lures, rods and other equipment, they have turned a hobby into a full-fledged competition. “I usually don’t eat, drink, nothing,” said Evan Smith, senior angler from Louisville, Kentucky, and vice president of the Murray State Bass Anglers Club. “For eight hours. From six ‘til four, I won’t sit down, I won’t eat. I’m con-
stantly moving.” “It takes lots of casts,” chimed in Andrew Mohlenbrock, senior angler from Marion, Illinois “Doing that 1,000 times a day – or over 1,000 – It’s just constant. Our backs, our arms – most professional fishermen have a lot of back problems.” For such a popular sport, awareness is still low. Fishing tournaments average hundreds of boats on the water, with prize money awarded depending on the tournament’s setup. Some events pay out a percentage of the top anglers, while others have monetary reward for the top five. And for Murray State’s club team, these winnings are crucial. 20 percent of each winning is donated back to the club for funding, while 80 percent is kept by the individual, since the Murray State Bass Anglers are somewhat independent of the institution, going so far as to use their own logo on their jerseys. They don’t receive any funding from the University, so these winnings, in addition to their independent fundraising efforts, pay for all travel and entry fees. Additionally, bass angling does not fall under any NCAA regulations, which allows them to collect sponsorships from businesses. “We have a lot of sponsors,” Smith said. “We have these title sponsors and sometimes people will give us thousands of dollars just for putting logos on our jerseys.” The Bass Anglers are, however, treated as student athletes in other ways. When a tournament requires competitors to miss classes, they are counted as excused absences. These absences are usually on Thursdays or Fridays, as tournaments are weekend affairs. In the fall, the anglers usually compete in around eight tournaments, while during the spring peak season the athletes compete in upward of 15. That, along with travel time and up to four days of practice on the
lake at each anglers’ discretion, makes for a full schedule with a lot of wear-and-tear, despite no scheduled team conditioning. “It’s super physical,” Smith said. “For somebody that’s never fished before, or if they just fish for fun or once in a while go out and fish, after eight-hour back-to-back days, they’ll be dead. They probably won’t make it through the second day. The best way to get in good fishing shape is to go fishing.” But what exactly does a tournament on the lake consist of? The proximity of Kentucky Lake allows many people to take a rod and reel to the open water, but recreational fishermen don’t follow the rules created by governing bodies such as Fishing League Worldwide, the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society and the Collegiate Bass Anglers Association. College competitors are penalized for even the smallest violations. Using a cell phone, being late for weigh in, having a dead bass in your well or having six fish rather than five are all punishable, and the penalty comes in the form of weight deductions from your final score. Anglers select their biggest five fish of the day, swapping out – otherwise known as “culling up” – their smaller catches after weighing them on a balancing scale. “You’re not always looking to catch a lot of fish,” Smith said. “You’re looking to catch five big fish. So like, I can go out and catch 80 fish and it won’t do me no good. You’ll come back with five fish and they won’t weight but 10 pounds. You want to catch five fish that weigh 25 pounds. That would be a huge sack.” At the end of the day, each fish is weighed and added to an angler’s total. Winning anglers are awarded points toward their team’s ranking, which affects who a team decides to get sent to championship tournaments at the end of a season. In addition to fishing, the
Photo provided
Members of the Bass Angler’s team competing in the FLW College Open on Kentucky Lake in March. club has a few other requirements. Each member must do service hours and maintain a 2.0 GPA. While many anglers do have their own boats, those who don’t often act as co-anglers, a second fisherman that casts onto the opposite side of the water simultaneously. “You don’t have to have a co-angler, but you almost always do,” Mohlenbrock said. “Fishing in different spots helps.” And sometimes, fishing in those different spots is all they can do. While seasonal patterns change for bass, skill outweighs luck, Smith said. “There’s a reason why the pros are the pros,” he said. “It’s all decisions, decisions, decisions. You’ve got to put your bait in front of as many big fish each day as possible. You’ve not only got to be able to find them, but you’ve got to be able
to catch them. Because I’ve found them before and haven’t been able to catch them. I study it. When I was really into it these past couple years, I would study it four or five hours a night – reading and watching videos.” For both Smith and Mohlenbrock, joining the sport happened by chance. Mohlenbrock started competing in high school, while Smith attributes his start to meeting Mohlenbrock. “I grew up with a pond at our house and I fished there with those bass,” Mohlenbrock said. “But none of my family fishes at all, so I’m not really sure why I like it so much. In high school, we had a fishing team and I did that freshman year through senior year. I got a scholarship my first year here to come to Murray to fish.”
With Murray’s success, finishing second this year and third the past two years in national championships in addition to graduating many now-professional anglers, it’s hard to imagine the sport as just a hobby. Smith calls it a passion, while Mohlenbrock calls it something more. “It’s an addiction,” Mohlenbrock. “Everyone likes to win. It’s one of the best feelings to win a tournament. Right now, the average tournament is 180 boats. That’s a lot of boats, so it’s a really good feeling.” The Murray State Bass Angling Club kicks off the fall with their first club tournament Sept. 13 out of Kenlake State Resort in Hardin, Kentucky. It is open to the public, where you can watch from the shore as the anglers take off in the morning and weigh in later in the afternoon.
The News
Sports
4B
August 28, 2015
Rifle practices with NCAA in mind Alec Mullins Contributing writer amullins2@murraystate.edu The Murray State Rifle team can be found practicing at the Pat Spurgin Rifle Range shortly after sunrise, a strategy that Alan Lollar, the team’s Head Coach, uses to help his shooters remain focused. Coming off a strong 2015 season, the rifle team is once again proving themselves to be a top contender, not only in the Ohio Valley Conference, but the NCAA as well. After three years of missing a chance to compete for an NCAA championship, the Racers placed second in the OVC championship and earned an NCAA bid. Traveling across the country to Fairbanks, Alaska, the Racers fell short of their first place goal, finishing eighth
Kory Savage/The News
Ben Estes, sophomore from Ozark, Missouri, kneels down to set his sights during a practice. overall. Not being ones to rest on their laurels, many members of the team prepared themselves for different activities in the months to come, events like the National Junior Olympics and U.S.A Shooting National Championships. Sharpshooters Ben Estes
and Ivan Roe had excellent outings at the 2015 National Junior Olympic Championships hosted by USA Shooting in Colorado Springs, Colorado. At this event the duo posted scores of 2318 and 2302, respectively. Estes went on to compete
at U.S.A.S. National Championship and the Global level as well, representing the U.S. in Suhl, Germany participating in Men’s Prone, Air and Three-Position Rifle Junior Olympic events. “The international experience was great for Ben, we love to place our guys in positions where they have to adapt,” Lollar said. Even with a year’s worth of experiences and learning behind them, nothing changes from last year Lollar said. “We believe in a standard of performance everyday, that is doing things the best you can every day in practice. ” Lollar said. Approaching the sport this way allows the team to deal with the match day adjustments no matter where they are or what problems arise. “When practice days become game days, the effort
and consistency you put forth definitely shows,” Lollar said. Rifle opens their season in an interesting fashion Aug. 27 at the Pat Spurgin Rifle Range when UT Martin comes to town for what will be informally known as a “family” game. This is due to UT Martin’s assistant Head Coach Bob Beard being a Murray State alumni and member of the Murray State Athletic’s Hall of Fame for his part in the rifle team’s 1966 third place NCAA National finish. The Racers will also face Morehead State and Jacksonville State this season in widely competitive conference play and while the OVC will be tough, the Racers face a few notable out of conference opponents in the University of Memphis and the University of Kentucky. Though individual Racers
have had success in recent months, the team’s focus is still to improve all areas of the team Estes said. Both Estes and Roe agreed that a major focus of the season should be building upon team chemistry and ensuring that every member is working hard and making progress. This mindset has lead to an outstanding performance over the last calendar year, and that train does not look to be slowing down any time soon. The entire community is invited to watch the team compete at the Pat Spurgin Rifle Range any time the team is there, though seating accommodations are limited, Rifle matches can be viewed online at GoRacers.com. “We’re grateful for all the support the student body gives us and we appreciate everything we hear,” Lollar said.
Cross Country begins season practice before tournament Lily Harris Contributing writer lharris23@murraystate.edu After finishing in fifth place on the women’s side and eighth on the men’s side at the OVC championship, the Racers Cross Country team is ready to get back into shape and start their season off the right way. “There were some really good moments last year,” said Head Coach Jenny Swieton. “We did not finish the way we wanted at OVC for the men or the women but the men finished stronger than they have in a long time at regionals.” Swieton said there was a lot of improvement for both the men and the women; all but only one scorer is returning on the women’s side for the season. “We add in two very solid women that did not compete at
OVC last year along with a few freshmen, so I am very excited about this season,” Swieton said. “The men did not graduate anyone but have added two very talented guys as well, so their future is looking bright.” NCAA rules bar coaches from sending out practice schedules for runners over the summer. For the Racers, training is completely up to them to prepare for the season. To get into shape for their meets, the women typically run between 30-65 miles a week and the men run between 45-65 a week, in addition to lifting and doing pilates. Every weekday morning, the team is at Frances E. Miller Memorial Golf Course by 6 a.m. ready to start their practices. Every time the team practices, they are timed to see if they can beat their personal-best times.
Time is always hard to calculate at races. The courses are always different because some are more difficult to run than others due to terrain. Tracks can be hilly and some can be flat, weather as well as how the runner is feeling that day all factor into final times – it varies every time. The women’s cross country team will race either a 5K (3.10 miles) or a 6K (3.72 miles.) The men’s team will race either an 8K (4.97 miles) or a 10K (6.21 miles.) The Racer Cross Country team will meet their first opponents at Christian Brothers on Saturday, Sept. 5. The next match will be Saturday, Sept. 19 at Vanderbilt. The Racers race twice more before their home race Halloween weekend at Miller Memorial Golf Course. The OVC championships will be Nov.13.
Chalice Keith/The News
Led by senior Emma Gilmore from Locks Heath, England, the women’s cross country team runs on Miller Memorial Golf Course to practice for their 2015 season.
August 28, 2015
5B
The News
Features Fall Festivals of the Bluegrass
Features Editor: Breanna Sill Assistant Features Editor: Madison Wepfer Phone: 270-809-5871 Twitter: MSUNewsFeatures
A collection of the most unique festivals in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
residents from surrounding states) are welcome to enjoy.
Connor Jaschen
Assistant Features Editor cjaschen@murraystate.edu
While there are a multitude of towns that have their own region-specific festivals, such as Cadiz’s Ham Festival or Hopkinsville’s Little River Days, there are also a number of events that show off Kentucky heritage and culture outside of an individual town’s event. While smaller events are a staple of Kentucky life, large events can attract huge crowds, showing that not everyone in Kentucky is the stereotypical bluegrass music lover.
LOUDER THAN LIFE FESTIVAL
This year’s “Louder than Life Festival” in Louisville, Kentucky will mark the second year heavy metal fans across the state can rejoice. Sporting a heavy core of high level talent, such as ZZ Top, Godsmack and Of Mice and Men, this year’s festival, held from Oct. 3 to 4, is looking to draw crowds of all musical tastes. The “Louder than Life Festival” is just one of the many special interest events that Kentucky residents (as well as
HOT AUGUST BLUES FESTIVAL On Aug. 28 and Aug. 29, the “Hot August Blues Festival” will be held in Hardin, Kentucky. This free festival will be held in the Kenlake State Park Amphitheater and will mark the 26th anniversary since the festival’s beginning. Sporting a lineup of mostly local blues and jazz artists, visitors are encouraged to prepare for rain or shine because, either way, the show will go on. According to hotaugustbluesfestival.com, “It’s not about the lake, it’s not about the music, it’s all about having fun!”
WOODEN BRIDGE FESTIVAL
In Island, Kentucky on Sept. 12, the “Wooden Bridge Festival” will be taking over McLean County’s Wooden Bridge Park, offering attendees live music performances, a car show and other events that will be fun for all ages. With festivities starting at 10 a.m., visitors will be treated to the sights and sounds McLean County has to offer. According to McLean County’s page on charter.net, the day will start off with a parade, accompanied by a selection of “good food, craft booths, games for children of all ages and entertainment for the whole family.”
ELVIS AND COUNTRY LEGENDS TRIBUTE SHOW
On Sept. 19, Owensboro, Kentucky will be hosting their annual “Elvis & Country Legends Tribute Show.” The event will be hosted by local celebrity, Brady McCrady, and feature the music group, The Hosscats – a group specializing in country music and led by lead vocalist, Barry Potter – will be playing at the concert. GREAT AMERICAN OUTHOUSE BLOWOUT In Gravel Switch, Kentucky, the “Great American Outhouse Blowout” will be taking to the streets on Sept. 19. Teams will fill the streets with their own custom-built outhouses and race for the title of Grand Champion. According to pennsstore.com, the events will include not only the outhouse racing, but also a car show, the “Parade of Privies” and an Ugly Legs Contest for those gentleman out there willing to show off their manly pride.
Murray Lions Club to hold Color For A Cause 5K Da’sha Tuck || Staff writer dtuck@murraystate.edu
Runners place one foot after the other pushing themselves faster as they run the loop at Chestnut Park; here comes the first color station. As the runners keep pace around the loop, they are hit with more and more color, turning their white event shirts into a rainbow. These runners are not just running to stay fit or to have their shirts be the most colorful; they are running for a cause. The Lions Club hosts events like the Color For A Cause Paint Run/Walk so they can donate the proceeds to other non-profit organizations. Susan Davis, president of the Murray Business Lions, said the proceeds from this year’s Color Cause will go to the NeedLine Backpack Program. Last year the Color Cause had around 195 runners and this year the number is projected to be close to 300. The Lions Club is a non-profit organization with a mission ‘‘to empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding through Lions clubs.” The Murray Business Lions will be hosting a color run on Saturday, Sept. 12. This is the second time the Murray Lions have hosted the Color For A Cause Paint Run/Walk. Davis said last year they made $4,000 and this year she ex-
pects the turnout to increase. Davis said her daughter participated last year even though she was not an avid runner. She said she enjoyed the event so much she didn’t realize she was sore until the next morning. Davis doesn’t get to participate in the running because she said she is too busy filling buckets will color water, but she enjoys the event. The run will be held at Chestnut Park in Murray and the one mile loop will have five color stations. The runners can run the loop as many times as they choose and the volunteers will keep the color coming every time they pass. “Each station will be playing music and will have a tent set up,” Davis said. “It will be like a little party at each station.’’ Registration for this event costs $25 and the deadline to register is Aug. 31. Late registration is $35. The race will begin at 8 a.m. on Sept. 12. The race will end no later than noon. Runners will receive an event T-shirt as well as a pair of color run sunglasses. “It is all fun,’’ Davis said. ‘‘People can run the loop or if they like the blue station they can cut across and keep going back.’’ Kevin Spengle, a member of the Murray Lions, mixed up the paint on Tuesday afternoon. He said they are experimenting with a new process this year because making the paint for the event is a lengthy process. Davis said last year she covered her driveway
in plastic and they made the paint in rows down the driveway. The paint is mixed in a cement machine and then broken down by hand into small pellets as it dries. As the colored corn starch paint
is dried, it becomes the fine dust that will be thrown on the runners. This year the Lions increased the amount of color they bought by 250 pounds. To register, go to murraylionsevents.com.
Photo courtesy of Kevin Spengle
Last year’s participants celebrate the start of the color run and celebrate the money they raised.
The News
Features
6B
The week ahead... SATURDAY
FRIDAY
SUNDAY
August 28, 2015
If you would like an event to appear on the calendar here or on TheNews.org, email the Assistant Features Editor, Connor Jaschen, at cjaschen@murraystate.edu. Please submit events by noon Wednesday for consideration.
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
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3 p.m. Anthropogenic Landscapes Art Exhibit, Clara M. Eagle Gallery
12 p.m. Tymeless Hearts, Chestnut Park
8 a.m. Louis Chan, MY HOME, Art Exhibit, Curris Center Gallery
7 p.m. Intelligent Design, Curris Center Theatre
3 p.m. Financial Aid and Scholarship Workshops, Curris Center Ohio Room
11 a.m. Racer Extravaganza, Roy Stewart Stadium
6 p.m. Football Game vs. Kentucky Wesleyan, Roy Stewart Stadium
Tymeless Hearts to hold annual carnival Jessica Bostick || Staff writer
‘Escape’ game attraction opens in Melber
Photo courtesy of TalonFallsEscape.com
One of the Escape attractions is themed “The Morgue” which simulates being trapped inside an actual morgue and visitors must find a way to escape.
jbostick@murraystate.edu
The Tymeless Hearts Society will host their annual carnival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29. at Chestnut Park. All proceeds will go toward supporting families with children suffering from congenital heart defect (CHD) and research. After the loss of her 1-month-old son, Ethan Brockwell, to a congenital heart defect, Beth Brown, Tymeless Hearts Murray chapter founder, felt compelled to help other families. “I know that God took Ethan so that he would not suffer any more,” Brown said. Ethan was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, in which the heart is not fully formed before birth. According to the Children’s Heart Foundation, congenital heart defects are the world’s no. 1 birth defect. Nearly one of every 100 babies is born with a CHD. The cost for surgical treatment exceeds $2.2 billion a year worldwide. After realizing how costly and difficult having a child with a heart defect is, Brown felt compelled to do something to help other families dealing with the same struggles she did. Tymeless Hearts is a non-profit organization that provides many services to families that have a child like Ethan. These services include online and local support groups, 24/7 support hot lines, financial assistance, care packages, donations to research and many other services meant to help people dealing with emotional and financial strain. There is currently no known cure for congenital heart defect and little is known about what causes it. The carnival will feature many attractions including AirEvac Lifeteam, inflatable bouncers, an auction, a petting zoo, pony rides, live entertainment and health checks. Kids can also pose for pictures with Anna and Elsa from Disney’s “Frozen” and characters from “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.” Door prizes will also be given away throughout the carnival. “We hope to raise awareness in the community about congenital heart defects in children,” Brown said. “God took Ethan so that I could help families of children with heart defects.” Additional help can be given to Tymeless Hearts through donations of money or time. Tymeless Hearts also hosts a pageant that will take place on Oct. 17 this year, which also goes to benefit children and families dealing with congenital heart defects, as well as a 5K that the organizations hosts in the spring. Tymeless Hearts’ Facebook page is an easy way to keep up with other events occurring throughout the year. “Life on Earth is short so enjoy it while it lasts, and do what you can to help others,” Brown said. “Heaven is right around the corner, and I am enjoying my time here, but I do look forward to the day I get to go to heaven and be with Ethan.”
Gisselle Hernandez|| Staff writer ghernandez1@murraystate.edu Imagine being locked in a creepy morgue-
themed room and you only have 60 minutes to rack your brain to find a way to escape. Despite how unnerving it may sound, photographer Todd Ferren thought confining people in such a room would leave them wanting more. According to more than 1,000 reviews on the Talon Falls Screampark Facebook page, they did. The Escape game, which started out as a pointand-click computer game, is one of the most recent adventures that Ferren has devised at Talon Falls Screampark in Melber, Kentucky, less than an hour from Murray. Talon Falls Screampark is known for its mazes and attractions, the Dead End Haunted House, the Sinister Circus and the Blood Creek Hayride. More than 5,000 people have visited the Screampark and knowing how much of a hit Talon Falls was in the four-state area, it was a no-brainer to open up the Escape games, Ferren said. The way the Escape game works, depending on which specially designed themed room it is, two-10 players are locked inside a room and must open the door in under one hour by collecting
clues, solving puzzles and decoding riddles that are all hidden within the room before “their fate is sealed.” According to their website, anything that is not glued or bolted down can be moved and may be an integral piece in figuring out how to escape. “It requires observation, teamwork, creativity, communication and courage,” Ferren said. The game has three modes: easy, medium and hard. Those who aren’t able to escape during the allotted time are given the option to come back and finish at another time or the staff will show the answers to how they could have gotten out. Those who do finish in one hour or less are given the prize of the experience itself and earn the option to purchase an exclusive “I survived Talon Falls!” T-shirt. The game caters to a variety of audiences from 12-year-olds to college-aged students and older adults but is mostly popular between 18-35 year olds. According to a Facebook review, the experience was “the most awesome mind boggling experience.” Many others who had participated commented in a similar fashion, saying that they will definitely revisit.
Ferren expects the game to become the most popular between Sept. 25 and Halloween night, which is the time frame the Screampark will be open. “The Morgue,” which is themed after an old, abandoned hospital, opened on Aug. 7 and “Uncle Buck’s Boathouse,” which is described as less creepy and more family friendly, opened on Aug. 14. Operators at the Screampark are working on “Death Row” which simulates the experience of being trapped in a prison cell. The Escape game is open every Friday through Sunday and reservations must be made in advance. The first game starts at 4 p.m. and the last one starts at 10:15 p.m. By October, Talon Falls plans to have extended their days and hours of operation. The games are $25 per person. Ferren plans to open up more Escape games this winter at Talon Falls. The goal of the game is to challenge the minds of all ages and strengthen relationships through teamwork. “Most importantly, we want it to be fun for everyone,” Ferren said. More information can be found on their website, www.talonfallsescape.com.
MTV star to perform in Lovett Auditorium Brianna Willis || Staff writer bwillis2@murraystate.edu
Murray State has brought many country artists to campus. However Todrick Hall, an Internet pop sensation, will break that mold on Sept. 28. The event will be held in Lovett Auditorium, and will consist of a speech, performance and the viewing of an episode of Hall’s show. Many may not recognize him by his name, but rather his accomplishments. Hall, 30, is originally from Texas and made his first appearance on the main stage in season nine of “American Idol.” While he did not win, this did not keep him from pursuing music. He began making YouTube videos and became an Internet phenomenon. He became very popular
amongst YouTube goers, and even began making videos with other famous YouTubers. BuzzFeed published an article on April 23, with the headline “This Disney ’90s R&B Remix Is What You Didn’t Know You Were Missing.’’ The Web became ablaze with this catchy and nostalgic video. Hall mashed up classic ‘90s songs with popular Disney songs. He followed this success with a Beyonce mashup, similar in style to the Disney remix. He no longer was limited to his day-one fans, but had reached a new height of popularity. “From there, he grew to have a tour called the Toddler Ball, and performed his videos for people and they got insanely popular,’’ said Nathan Payne, vice president of the
Student Government Association. ‘‘MTV reached out to him, and now he has a show.’’ The talent agency Murray State uses reached out and asked if the University would be interested in making a bid to be one of eight schools featured in Hall’s MTV Hall show. “Murray State does a lot of country, and our students have voiced they want other genres of performers,’’ said Jeanie Morgan, coordinator for student activities. ‘‘This is a perfect opportunity for them to enjoy more than just country.” Students, such as Ivy Anderson,
senior from Memphis, Tennessee, are excited about the new shift toward more diverse entertainers being on campus. “If we’re going to allow entertainers to come on campus, it needs to be representative of the student body,” she said. Anderson shared her enthusiasm about Todrick Hall coming to Murray State. “Todrick Hall performs music that I actually listen to and I am always excited when a person of color comes to campus,” she said. Anderson hopes more advertising for the event will be done. “Now that I know he is coming, I will definitely be going,” Anderson said. “It is exciting that someone who does pop and R&B will be performing here and I hope the word gets out.”
ICYMI: Chris Thile announces benefit concert Breanna Sill || Features Editor bsill@murraystate.edu
Photo courtesy of cap.ucla.edu
Chris Thile, lead singer of Nickel Creek and Murray State alumnus, has announced a benefit concert to be held in Lovett Auditorium in October. Proceeds from the concert will go toward different music programs at Murray State for advancement. More specifically, they will go toward developing a scholarship fund for the Department of Music through the MSU Foundation.
That scholarship recognizes first-generation college students who have a desire to learn about music education. Along with his work in the band Nickel Creek, Thile will also become the host of “A Prairie Home Companion” in 2016. Tickets to Thile’s benefit concert will go on sale today at 10 a.m. online at Ticketmaster and at the CFSB Center Box Office. The concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29.
The News
Features
August 28, 2015
7B A final note
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Mark Waldrop @marktheshark Can someone fix this? #SolveMyProblemsIn4Words 3:30 pm 25 Aug 2015
Model Takes to the Internet to Fight the Modeling Industry A Swedish model, Agnes Hedengård, recently took a swing at the modeling industry by posting a YouTube video discussing the body ideals imposed by the big business. In the video, the 19-year old model claims the modeling industry thinks she’s too big. Hedengård says her body mass index is only 17.5, a full point under what is considered normal, by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. “My purpose of this video is to show everyone that this is too big,” said Hedengård, in regards to her body. “It’s absurd and I hate it.”
Weird Al Yankovic Gives Bullied Girl a Gift Weird Al Yankovic in tandem with the group The 501st Legion gave away concert tickets and a fitted Stormtrooper uniform to 8-year-old, Layla Murphy, according to E! Online News. After being ridiculed at school for being a girl who loved “Star Wars,” The 501st Legion leaped into action, rallying support from Star Wars lovers all over the world, reported E! Online News.
Photo courtesy of FocusFeatures.com
This horror movie sequel looks to build on its predecessor, upping the ante in blood and gore.
‘Sinister 2’ lives up to expectations for genre The second film in the Sinister series delivers horror and a good plot all in one Adam Winn || Contributing writer awinn@murraystate.edu
With Halloween and fall right around the corner, a lot of people are looking forward to the release of new scary movies to watch. One of the first films to be released for the annual Halloween horror movie watchers is “Sinister 2.” This movie is the sequel to the popular 2012 horror film “Sinister.” Knowing that most horror movie sequels, like most sequels in general, don’t live up to the original films, I did not go in expecting much, but I left the film with a surprisingly positive opinion. Whether you are a seasoned horror movie lover or not, this film gives you the same satisfying scares and jumps like the original did and is worth the watch. Similar to the first one, this movie centers around a family, but this time, the family consists of a recently separated mother and her two sons who have just moved into a rural country house out in the middle of nowhere. The mother is trying to hide from her rich, powerful and abusive ex-husband, who is also the father of her children. Unbeknownst to her, the house she just moved into and the old church in her backyard are haunted. The events in this movie pick up a few months after the first film. The deputy, played by James Ransone, reprises his role from the original and is now a private investigator and has been investigating all the murders linked to
Bughuul, the “boogeyman” from the first film. One thing that I’m glad they did with this film is they put the movie primarily through the children’s perspective, revealing that they can constantly see the ghosts of the dead children from the previous families and Bughuul. The adults typically can’t see either the ghost children or the creature itself, unless Bughuul allows them too. Another key plot point I like that they brought back from the first movie is the use of the Super 8 homemade snuff films. This time though, the writers actually explain the significance of why they are used in the movie other than just as a scare tactic. To give you an example of what to expect and not give away too many spoilers, one of the homemade films titled “Christmas Morning,” involves a family being buried alive in a snow storm and another one titled “Kitchen Remodel,” depicts another family being electrocuted. So if the thought of scenes like those makes you feel super grossed out, then maybe this isn’t the film for you. An additional thing that I enjoyed about this movie is that they used Bughuul more prominently in this film than they did in the first one. He consistently pops up in scenes to try and scare the audience and the creature does a pretty good job doing so. I have to admit there were a couple times I almost jumped when watching the scenes he was present in.
Before going to watch this film it’s best to have watched the first film because this is a direct sequel to the first one and the plots and characters are interconnected. The overall script was pretty good. I actually enjoyed the storyline and never felt bored while watching the film. With that being said, you’re most likely not going to walk away from this blown away or thinking that it was super original. If you go in, like I did, with low expectations, I think you won’t leave disappointed. The acting is well done, especially from the returning deputy. He brings some much needed comic relief to an otherwise dark story. The actors who play the family really make you care and sympathize with their characters and you find yourself rooting for their safety. The current IMDb rating for this sequel is 5.5 out of 10. I think that rating is a little unfair and that people who have given those bad reviews are taking the film more serious than it actually is. Is this the best horror film you are ever going to see? No, most likely not, but for a sequel, it’s not half bad and is overall quite disturbing. If you loved the first one or like scary movies in general, then you are probably going to like this one too.
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Heavy on my mind are the murders this week in Roanoke, Virginia. The city’s ABC-affiliate news station lost Breanna Sill two employwhen a Features Editor ees former colleague shot them point-blank while the reporter was live on the air. Alison Parker, the reporter, and Adam Ward, a photographer for WDBJ died doing what they loved, but that doesn’t make their deaths any easier to stomach. As a television production major, future broadcast news reporter and former news intern at a WTVF News Channel 5 in Nashville, Tennessee, I‘ve spent many days out doing liveshots in the field with reporters and photographers just like Parker and Ward. I saw people treat the reporters I would accompany out on stories like celebrities. Everyone knew who they were and why they were there. People either had super nice things to say to them or they were angry with how the station covered a story. Nonetheless, their presence was always known. It had dawned on me that maybe these people needed security, especially when the bystanders near the story were not particularly happy with the reporters. However, another thought came to my mind along with that: if journalists are forced to tote a security detail to maintain their safety, how will that change the quality of news that they are able to report? For example, if you watched CNN during the Ferguson, Missouri, protests, then you might have seen reporter Sara Sidner get hit with items, including a glass bottle, while on the scene. Months later, the same reporter reported live from the Baltimore riots. This time, she had a full security detail to make sure her safety was assured. Maintaining a safe working atmosphere is important for any job, but how will that impact the way a stories, like those in Ferguson and Baltimore, are told? Will reporters still be able to get the in-depth, live from the action shots from behind the back of their new bodyguards? Will that build a trust barrier between the reporters and those whose stories they’re seeking to tell? What happened in Roanoke this week is a terrible, senseless act of violence that no one could have predicted. I hope television news organizations keep the safety of their reporters and photographers in mind, but don’t jump to extremes in reaction to the situation. Ward and Parker were covering a story about the anniversary of a local lake, for crying out loud. It’s not like they were on the frontlines of a riot. While this may or may not be an isolated incident and safety should always be a priority, let’s remember why we do this job – to tell the story; up close and personal.
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August 28, 2015