The Murray State News October 23, 2015
TheNews.org
Vol. 90, No. 9
When sensitive topics become tense Classroom discussion about Islam raises issues of tolerance and credibility.
Abby Siegel
Contributing writer asiegel@murraystate.edu
On the second day of the semester during an introductory course on American national government, a discussion that touched on Islam prompted one student to take offense and the professor to say he felt threatened. Winfield Rose, professor of political science, spent that
class discussing four key issues he said are facing the United States – a political divide, the national debt, mass shootings and terrorism. And he followed hyperlinks from his syllabus to websites with information regarding each topic. Students wrote down the current figures from a national debt clock and from a website claiming to show the number of deaths caused by jihadi terrorists. The goal, Rose told the class,
Expert: Early support can increase women in STEM careers Bailey Bohannan Staff writer
bbohannan@murraystate.edu
While Murray State’s campus has three female students for every two male, that ratio doesn’t translate into many of the science, technology, engineering and math classes. “There is generally a lack of women in the scientific workforce throughout the country; the numbers are low in proportion to men,” said Maeve McCarthy, professor of mathematics at Murray State. Susan Wente, provost at Vanderbilt University, said the lack of women in those areas – known as STEM – is possibly because of a lack of encouragement from family and mentors and the lack of involvement of women in the STEM programs at a younger age. Wente is also a professor of cell and developmental biology. This is a national issue as well. According to a 2014 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Report, women in the field of computer and mathematical occupations accounted for 26.1 percent of the workforce. Of all U.S. workers in chemistry and material sciences, 39 percent were women. Only 14.4 percent of engineers were women, according to
the bureau’s “Women in the Labor Force: A Databook” report. This imbalance in gender in the STEM programs is potentially hampering progress in those industries, said Wente, who led a seminar at the Curris Center on Monday about “How to Open Doors to Discovery in Scientific Careers.” “The diverse perspectives that women will bring to the field will lead to innovations and discoveries that may not otherwise happen,” Wente said. At Murray State, only 17 percent of the 93 faculty members in the science, engineering, and technology departments are women, according to the Office of Institutional Effectiveness in the 2013-14 academic year – the most recent year for which statistics are available. McCarthy is one of seven women in her department of 27 lecturers and professors. She said she sees the lack of women in STEM as an international problem and there are steps that need to be taken in order to get women more involved in the STEM program, including getting girls involved at a young age and providing supportive mentors throughout their ed-
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was to calculate the differences in each number at the end of the semester, according to accounts from students and Rose. One student, though, objected to the website Rose used regarding terrorism, thereligionofpeace.com. The website describes itself as “the politically incorrect truth about Islam, one really messed up religion” and depicts the prophet Muhammad portrayed as a cartoon Homer Simpson wearing a turban. When Rose showed thereligionofpeace.com, student Blake Parker questioned what the site had to do with American government. In response, Rose
said: “Everything.” Parker responded by telling the class he was a Muslim, and asked the class to be careful about what they say about Muslims and Islam because some people don’t know the difference between a Muslim and a terrorist. Parker dropped Rose’s class the next day. Parker declined to go on the record for this article. Rose, in an interview, said he interpreted Parker’s statement to be a threat. “This student erupted, and twice he yelled out, ‘You better be careful what you say, I’m a Muslim.’ And I took that to be a threat,” Rose said. “He dropped
Mikayla Marshall Staff writer
mmarshall5@murraystate.edu
The Board of Regents has approved a $1.18 million budget for renovations to Harry Lee Waterfield Library and Pogue Library. The budget will be split between the two libraries, with $590,000 going to each library. The 37-year-old Waterfield library will undergo renovations to its electrical system as well as a restroom upgrade within the next few weeks. The electrical upgrade will install more outlets on the main floor of Waterfield and the restroom upgrade will ensure that the Americans with Disabilities Act is followed. Ashley Ireland, dean of University Libraries, said the renovations are expected to be complete near the end of November, or at the latest, by the
kharrell@murraystate.edu
WHAT’S
INSIDE
Emily Harris/The News
Assistant Chief Jeff Gentry and Public Safety held active shooter training for faculty and staff.
AUDITING 101
DISCUSSING TOUGH TOPICS
Josh Adair, assistant professor of English and coordinator of gender and diversity studies, said he believes it is important to address potentially offensive topics in the classroom with sensitivity to create an environment in which students feel able to respond. “It doesn’t mean we have to agree, but I think that any situation where a student feels they
see TENSE, 2A
McKenna Dosier/The News
Kayla Harrell || Staff writer
dures on April 23, 2015. “The residential advisers and residential directors receive the same training as faculty and staff,” said Interim Chief of Public Safety Roy Dunaway. “Students are encouraged to watch the video because the training applies to anybody.” Jackson Castleberry, fresh-
have gotten that award if I were a sexist, or a racist or whatever. I treat every student equally.”
$1.18 million in renovations approved for libraries
start of the spring semester. The Americans with Disabilities Act was established 25 years ago, to prohibit discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, transportation, public accommodation, communications, and governmental activities, according to the United States Department of Labor. Murray State is ensuring that all of its buildings, including Waterfield, follow this law. All men and women’s restrooms on each of the three floors will be upgraded. “In all of the restrooms, we are losing one stall in order to make it ADA compliant,” Ireland said. “This will be helpful because this facility can see 4,500 visitors a day, so we know our restrooms get a lot of use.” Ireland said the restrooms will be completely remodeled with new fixtures, tiles and counters.
Shooter training held for faculty, staff Public Safety and Emergency Management held active shooter training sessions for all faculty and staff this year in Wrather West Kentucky Museum. The active shooter training used PowerPoints to teach the faculty and staff what to do in these situations. Allison Adams, sophomore from Madisonville, Kentucky, said, “The lack of hands-on training makes me feel like the campus is not thoroughly prepared to handle a situation where there is a threat of an active shooter.” The active shooter training for the faculty and staff was filmed and released on Murray State’s active shooter training page under emergency proce-
the class, which is fine, that saves me the trouble of having him expelled.” The saga reveals tensions that can sometimes evolve in a classroom when controversial or sensitive issues come up. It also underscores the role a professor has in presenting information that is factual and credible, as outlined in the 2015 Murray State University Faculty Handbook. Rose said he has never had an issue like this one in his classroom before. “This is my 48th year – 37th at Murray State. I won the distinguished professor award last spring,” Rose said. “I wouldn’t
man from Benton, Kentucky, said Murray State “should have a computer oriented informative or training session for students just like AlcoholEDU and Title IX.” Active shooter incidents, such as the Umpqua Community College shooting in Oregon and the Sacramento City College shoot-
OUR VIEW
Auditing how-to and what audit- One step forward, two ing a class means for you, 3A steps back, 4A
ing in California, have added to preexisting conversations about safety across the country, increasing the need for training on actions to take if this were to happen at Murray State. If an active shooter is on campus, the university would not be on “lockdown.” Dunaway said that it suggests that the university is locking out potential victims. Instead, the term would be “shelter in place.” In the situation of an active shooter nearby, the three options are run, hide or fight. “It may start out as run, turn into hide and then turn into fight,” Dunaway said.
RUN IF POSSIBLE
Dunaway said individuals are encouraged to run if at all possible.
The library is also looking to accommodate the student population’s electrical devices. The electrical system renovation will add more outlets to the main floor, specifically on the back wall. “We saw an issue with people sitting around trying to plug in devices in student traffic areas,” Jason Youngblood, assistant director of Facilities Design and Construction, said. The library hopes to help those students who spend hours in the facility but have to leave if there’s not an outlet near. Tori Story, senior from Murray, who spends three to four hours a day studying in Waterfield, said the biggest problem in Waterfield is the lack of outlets for students to use. “You can usually find a place to sit,” Story said. “But you can’t find a place to sit that’s next to an outlet.”
Jessica Payne, freshman from Hawesville, Kentucky, said she studies in the library about five hours a week. “I like the library, but I feel like the computers are always full,” Payne said. “I’m just one of those people who prefers studying in my room and I think Waterfield could be more inviting.” Ireland said no firm plans have been made about renovations to Pogue. Potential renovations to be made could help control the humidity within the building in order to protect the archives of Murray State from damage. The building is more than 80 years old, therefore the main concern is preserving the building itself along with the history inside. “With all of greatness that comes with a historic building, also comes some of the problems,” Ireland said.
CORRECTION On Friday, Oct. 16, The Murray State News printed an error in the article, “Mock Trial prepares for match.” The article states that the club will compete against hundreds of schools. That is incorrect. The club will compete against 49 other schools. The Murray State News regrets the error.
See an error? Let us know by emailing us at murraystatenews@ icloud.com.
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Q&A
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Murray State soccer claims a spot in the OVC tournament, 1B
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October 23, 2015
Religious sermon stirs negative emotions STEM Alicia Steele || Staff writer asteele5@murraystate.edu
Ross Jackson of Revival Mission Ministries paid a visit to Murray State on Racer Day to deliver a demonstration that did not sit well with students. Jackson, wearing a body camera and buttons with the words “porn” and “homo” marked out told students that he was not a sinner, but claimed everyone in the crowd was guilty of sin. Students began shouting that he was no better than they were and told him his sermon was full of hate. Jackson reacted by telling students that he was going to heaven, and they were not unless they repented their sins. One student asked Jackson how he knew he was going to heaven and whether he considered himself to be a sinner. Jackson said the bible was his ticket to heaven and said he did not consider himself a sinner, to which students disagreed. “He’s a sinner, she’s a sin-
Jenny Rohl/The News
Ross Jackson of Revival Mission Ministries preaches to a crowd outside of the Curris Center. ner, you’re a sinner, I’m a sinner, we’re all sinners!” said Chelsi-Ann Ritter, junior from Fairdale, Kentucky. “Obviously you’re a sinner,” Jackson said in response. During his sermon, Jackson also preformed multiple routines including “cheerleader” and said what, in his opinion, made a woman a “whore.”
Jackson used female athletes on campus and the nursing program at Murray State and their choices of clothing as examples while explaining how to tell whether a woman is a “whore.” “There is a large student body of females and I love these girls so much I’m trying to get them to dress modest,” said Jackson. Students responded by shout-
ing that Jackson was not trying to get women to dress modest, to which Jackson turned and continued speaking. Jackson went on to quote an opinion article, which students said was not a credible source, and continued shouting that he was only preaching hate. “You’re judging people, and you’re a sinner!” said many students in the crowd. During the sermon, Public Safety and Emergency Management was called to control the crowd, reminding students that they must remain on the outside of the designated free speech zone. Adrienne King, vice president of Marketing and Outreach, said “based on the name given to Public Safety, the individual who contacted them was not affiliated with the university.” King said Jackson had registered with the Curris Center, and was preaching in the free speech zone.
Inaugural international pageant held Tierra Reese || Staff writer treese1@murraystate.edu
Judges crowned Jarea Brice, senior from Murray, the winner of the inaugural Miss Murray State University International Pageant as the crowd filling Wrather Museum cheered her on Oct. 16. Serah Waweru, president of the African Student Association, said she realized the need for a international pageant after watching the Miss Murray State University pageant on campus last year. “I realized there was a trend in contestants and many of my international friends thought they did not fit the mold and would never get a chance to grace the stage,” Waweru said. More than 20 women applied to compete in the pageant, but
TENSE From Page 1 can’t question that or offer a dissenting viewpoint … I think that’s not a good educational environment,” he said. “Learning is difficult, and uncomfortable, and it should be because that is part of the process of growing and changing.” Many Murray State students come from rural areas and haven’t previously interacted with people of a different culture than themselves, Adair said. “I think it is really worthwhile for students to confront particularly those clashes of culture because a lot of that is ignorance,” Adair said. “They don’t even understand what it is they think they are taking a stand against.” This isn’t the first time this semester in which Muslim students at Murray State have sought to address how others describe their religion and customs. Earlier this semester, someone wrote critical graffiti on fliers for the Muslim Student Organization’s “Hijab Day,” in which students could learn what it was like to wear a hijab
SHOOTER From Page 1 In the active shooter training video, Dunaway said, “If the sound of gunfire is far away, one option is to move away from the sound.” Consider the following before running from the shooter: • If those around you could move to an agreed upon location chosen away from the immediate danger. • How quickly can you create distance? • Could you cross paths with the aggressor? • Is there more than one aggressor? Once the individuals exit the building, the next step is to call Public Safety at 270-8092222 or 911 and provide details of the situation, according to Murray State’s active shooter training webpage.
HIDE, BUT DO NOT SEEK
If an individual can’t run, the next option is to hide from the
judges could only choose one person per country represented. They added in interviews and resumes to make selections. “When I had initially signed up for the pageant, I had no intention on actually winning,” Brice said. “It was completely out of my comfort zone but I really wanted to try something new.” Brice won a cash prize and the title of being an Ambassador for the African Students Association. “I am not really sure about the responsibilities that come with this role but if the opportunity presents itself, I am sure I would be up to the task,” Brice said. The preparation it took for the pageant was three weeks long with practices every day after classes. Brice said her schedule became quite chaotic
during the weeks leading up to the pageant. “It was really hectic for me with school work and rowing considering we have practices during the evening,” she said. “I had taken off a week due to a death in the family and literally just got home the weekend before the pageant with not many things in order.” First runnerup and winner of Miss Congeniality, Humira Ahmad Khan, said although practices made her evenings extremely busy, she liked to get to hang out with the other women. She said it was a huge difference from not having someone there, like a roommate, to being able to call her new friends her family. Khan, who ran as Miss Pakistan, said she enjoyed spending time with the other women in the pageant.
“We felt like models because it was officially done with a choreographer,” she said. “We learned how to walk in heels and we fell down, we all started laughing which was the funniest part.” Brice said her favorite part was hanging with the other girls during group activities. “I had the most fun just being around the other girls and those who helped put everything together,” Brice said. “I really enjoyed the group dance that was performed for the opening act.” Waweru said she wants to make this a tradition at Murray State for foreign students. “This pageant meant so much to me because we have ladies who can finally get involved around campus without feeling as if they are being excluded,” she said.
– a traditional head veil. The university hosts more than 500 Muslim students from countries such as Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Tunisia and Turkey, said Amer Bukhari, president of the Muslim Student Organization. “Our campus, by all measures, is a campus that laudably embraces students from all walks of life and all backgrounds – we value diversity and inclusion in word and in deed,” said Ihsan Alkhatib, assistant professor of political science. According to the President’s Commission on Diversity and Inclusion, diversity at the university, in concept, “expects the creation by institutions of a safe, supportive and nurturing environment that honors and respects those differences.”
Christian, Jewish or female and the problem becomes clear – it paints a whole group as evil and violent.” It is the professor’s duty to provide information based on quality sources within the college classroom, according to the Faculty Handbook. “They accept the obligation to exercise critical self-discipline and judgment in using, extending, and transmitting knowledge,” the handbook says. Alkhatib said he believes it is the professors’ job to “educate and enlighten,” not to indoctrinate, which he said thereligionofpeace.com attempts to do. “It has no academic value whatsoever unless one is teaching a course on digital hate and digital islamophobia – then that website would be Exhibit No. 1,” he said. Students consider the information presented by professors to be credible because of their positions of authority, said Bukhari, the Muslim Student Organization president who is a graduate student from Mecca, Saudi Arabia. “If you give the students information and you [have a doctorate] they are going to believe you,” Bukhari said. “You give
them the wrong information and it destroys the image of Islam.” Bukhari said many people have an incorrect view of Islam because of how it is portrayed in the media. “Don’t let the media manipulate your facts or ideas,” Bukhari said. “The Quran says killing one innocent is like killing the whole world.” That’s one of the reasons the Muslim Student Organization has focused on education, such as sharing posters and Islamic souvenirs at Tent City and last month’s “Hijab Day.” The organization has other events planned, such as an educational event held Thursday night, called “Islam, Racism and the Minority,” in which former University of Kentucky football player Muhammad Saifullah spoke about his experience as a Muslim. Alkhatib said respectable resources keep track of terrorism around the world, including an FBI database as well as sites from universities and the National Counter-Terrorism Center. “When we teach, we have to use academic sources and we have to be objective, regardless
CHECKING CREDIBILITY
Another key factor that sparked controversy in Rose’s class was the citation of thereligionofpeace.com, which both students and other professors have since questioned. “The website privileges the ISIS brand of religion as the authentic Islam,”Alkhatib said. “Replace the word Muslim with Buddhist, gay, atheist, agnostic, aggressor. When hiding, take precautions: • Lock the door(s) to the room • Barricade the door • Shut off the lights • Keep out of sight • Silence all cell phones • If possible, discretely report aggressor’s position Individuals hiding from the aggressor might be asked to stay put when law enforcement gets to the scene. Dunaway said in the video, “Notifications of a lockdown being lifted will be made on the IP phones, outdoor notification system, text messaging and social media.”
FIGHT FOR YOUR LIFE
The last option is to take out the aggressor, which is the least preferred, according to the video. If fighting is the chosen option: • Throwing objects can disable the aggressor and hamper the ability to aim a weapon • Yelling can surprise and disrupt the thought process • Swarming the aggressor is often effective, resulting in the aggressor being
From Page 1 ucation. McCarthy said she thinks that the more young girls and young women are involved in STEM programs, the more w o m e n will be involved at the college and career level. MurWente ray State has a program called Murray Elementary Girls STEM Club in which college students go to second grade classes and host science experiments in order for the young girls to be more interested in science. Both McCarthy and Wente said support from mentors and family is a key factor for women who want to get involved in sciences. Wente said she would identify the turning point when many girls turn away from STEM programs is typically middle school to early high school. She said teachers can be the best influence for girls at this age and then the parents and family supporting the female student. As a high school teacher for seven years, Pamela Guerrero, Murray State graduate student, said, she has taken notice of the ratio between women and men in her advanced high school classes throughout the years. She said there always seems to be fewer girls taking her classes; however, the few who do generally perform better than the other males in the class. Guerrero said she thinks being a female math and science teacher at the high school level helps her female students feel as though they too could join the STEM proof our personal views, preferences, biases and prejudices,” Alkhatib said. He said thereligionofpeace. com used in Rose’s class is “simply a hate group in the form of a website.” Rose said he didn’t reference any information on Rose the site except for the number that purports to track deaths caused by jihadi terrorists. “It is my responsibility as instructor of record for that class and other classes to use my professional judgment about the best way to proceed, and that’s what I do,” Rose said. He said he was unaware of any other websites that kept a running tab of deadly terror attacks and this was the first time he used the website in class.
BEING OFFENDED
Because possibly offensive issues are important topics in today’s society, they must be discussed in the college class-
gram. She said not only could females bring a new perspective to the field - as could any other form of diversity in the STEM program - but she said women tend to not have as much pride, they explain their ideas and thoughts in more gentle ways, are more helpful and organized, and are more of a caretaker than men are, and would therefore bring new meanings to the workings of the STEM program and its studies and research. Both McCarthy and Wente said they have felt the pressure that they are the minority in classrooms and conferences throughout their career. This has never impaired either of them in their studies; however, McCarthy said that the social aspect within her field has been the biggest barrier put against her, with the lack of women colleagues such as dinner after work and activities after conferences. “I never felt like I couldn’t do what I wanted to do and achieve what I wanted to achieve; it was always more of the social interaction,” McCarthy said. “Whether it is a gender statistic or a racial statistic, whatever minority you might be, if you’re the only person in the room of a specific category, you feel it, you know it.” McCarthy and Wente said they try and be the best mentors that they can be to young women in the STEM program by supporting their students and encouraging them to press on in the field. Even if it feels as though they aren’t making substantial progress, they keep on encouraging their students. “Keep going until somebody tells you ‘no,’” Wente said. “You can always try and read into ‘Oh, I’m not going to do it because they might not hire me or they might not take me.’ But if you just keep aiming high and loving what you’re doing, don’t stop until someone tells you ‘no’ many times.”
room. Adair said students should be able to intelligently qualify their opinions based on interactions with people who oppose their viewpoint. “We don’t have a constitutional right not to be offended,” Rose said. “I really shouldn’t have to defend what I have to do in the classroom. The fact that the student is offended by this offends me.” But Adair said it’s difficult to avoid offending someone in the course of discussing controversial issues or matters of social differences, whether it’s race or religion. What matters most is how the situation is handled after someone takes offense, Adair said. If a student feels harassed or discriminated against for any reason, whether student-to-student or student-to-employee, university policy recommends the person contact the Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity and Access. “If you are offended, fine, but do something that’s more productive than just stewing in the emotion,” Adair said. “It is impossible to get through life without being offended, but offended doesn’t have to mean alienated.”
knocked down and disarmed • More likely to succeed if done by larger groups • Move the weapon away from the aggressor and secure it • Picking up the weapon may result in law enforcement mistaking you for the aggressor “All you need is one second of distraction,” Dunaway said.
TRUST THE AUTHORITIES Public Safety trains every year for situations such as active shooters on campus. Several of the officers are certified to be trainers. “This year, for example, we had the Kentucky State Police SWAT team train us on how to handle an active shooter, Dunaway said. “We spent a whole day with four of their members clearing rooms and how to handle an active shooter safely.” The safety of students, faculty and staff is a priority for Public Safety. “Be aware and be prepared,” Dunaway said. “At the end of the day, we want you safe.”
McKenna Dosier/The News
WAVE: Roger Weis, adviser for Wave, and members of the club present a check for $1,000 to Living Waters of the World, the organization the club partnered with and raised money for. (From left to right) Members Zack Applegate, Haley Lisembee, Andrea Hildebrant and Gunner Decker presented the check Wednesday.
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News
October 23, 2015 News Editor: Mari-Alice Jasper Assistant Editor: Jessica Bostick Phone: 270-809-4468 Twitter: MurrayStateNews
POLICE BEAT Oct. 15
12:03 p.m. A caller reported a medical emergency at the Oakley Applied Science Building. Officers and Murray ambulance services were notified. The patient refused transport. 1:38 p.m. A caller reported a motor vehicle collision in the Five Points parking lot. Officers were notified and a collision report was taken.
Oct. 16
2:38 p.m. A motor vehicle collision was reported in the parking lot of Roy Stewart Stadium. Officers were notified and a collision report was taken. A driver involved was cited for driving on a suspended license, failure to produce proof of insurance and an expired registration plate. 6:32 p.m. A caller reported being stuck in an elevator in White Residential College. Officers and Central Heating and Cooling were notified. The person was able to get off of the elevator prior to officer arrival.
Oct. 17
1:54 p.m. A traffic stop was conducted by officers on Waldrop Drive. A verbal warning was issued for disregarding a stop sign. 6:35 p.m. Officers received an animal complaint at Stanley Pullen Farm. The animal was transported to Calloway County Animal Shelter.
Oct. 18
10:48 a.m. Officers conducted a traffic stop at the Five Points parking lot. A citation was issued for speeding. 1:13 p.m. A caller reported a medical emergency at Hart Residential College. The patient refused transportation by ambulance.
Oct. 19
10:08 p.m. A motor vehicle collision was reported in the parking lot beside Faculty Hall. Officers were notified and a collision report was taken. 11:25 p.m. An officer conducted a traffic stop in Regents Residential College parking lot. A written warning was issued for disregarding a stop sign and failure to use a turn signal.
Oct. 20
12:52 a.m. Officers conducted parking enforcement in the College Courts parking lot. Two citations were given. 12:36 p.m. A traffic stop was conducted by officers in the B parking lot of Roy Stewart Stadium. A citation was issued for failure to produce proof of insurance, failure to produce a registration plate and not possessing a registration receipt.
Oct. 21
8:49 p.m. A drug complaint was reported at Hart Residential College. Officers were notified and a report was taken. 10:48 p.m. A medical emergency was reported at Hester Residential College. Student affairs and Murray Calloway County ambulance services were notified. The patient was transported by ambulance. Escorts - 8 Motorist Assists - 6 Arrests - 0
Call of Fame Oct. 20, 5:52 p.m. – A caller reported a person stuck on an elevator in Lee Clark Residential College. Central Heating and Cooling and officers were notified. The person was able to get off the elevator safely.
Jessica Bostick, Assistant News Editor, compiled Police Beat with materials provided by Public Safety and Emergency Management. Not all dispatched calls are listed.
Enjoy Police Beat? Check it out online every week at TheNews.org!
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Percentage of male nursing students on the rise Alicia Steele || Staff writer asteele5@murraystate.edu
Male nurses make up about 33 percent of the December 2015 graduating class from Murray State’s School of Nursing and Health Professions. Murray State’s School of Nursing and Health Professions has had a large increase in male enrollment over the past few years – with 11 of the 34 graduates being male. “I think that the constant growing job market for nurses is the reason that more men are beginning to fill the ranks of the nursing staff,” said John Myers, junior nursing major from Paducah, Kentucky. Myers said that he chose the Nursing Program at Murray State because of its exceptional quality and access to the area’s hospitals, and the constant growing job market for nurses around the world. He also said he chose to go into nursing after the impact nurses had on him. “I felt a calling to go into this field after I had several great experiences with nurses during some of my hospital stays,” Myers said. Marcia Hobbs, dean of the School of Nursing and Health Professions, said as other professions begin to see a greater diversity in their work force, so does nursing. “A career in nursing offers fairly stable employment opportunities while also providing pretty decent economic return immediately after graduation,” Hobbs said. Like most professions however, there is a gender gap in the salaries of male and female nurses. Men in this profession make nearly $5,000 more annually than women, according to a report by USA TODAY. “Over a long career, it adds up to more than $150,000,” said study author Ulrike Muench, professor and researcher at the University of California,
Emily Harris/The News
Matt Griffith (left) and Gavin Nall (right) are seniors in the School of Nursing and Health Professions, which has seen an increase in male graduates. San Francisco, in USA TODAY. With the growing number of male nurses, females still occupy a majority of the jobs in this field. In Kentucky, female nurses outnumber male nurses 12 to one, according to Becker’s Hospital Review, a magazine for hospital business news and analysis for hospital and health system executives, based on 2015 numbers. “No states have an equal distribution of gender in nursing, but a single state – Nebraska – has more male nurses than female nurses,” according to Becker’s Hospital Review. In Nebraska, there are approximately three male nurses for every female nurse.
Myers said with the high demand for male nurses today, he knew he could easily find a job. The American Assembly for Men in Nursing, aimed at encouraging men of all ages to become nurses, is currently running a campaign to see a 20 percent increase in male nurses in the United States by the year 2020, according to their website. The United States is expected to experience a shortage of nurses as the baby boomers age and the need for health care grows, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nurses. “The shortage of nurses is constantly growing, and I knew I would always have a job in this field,” Myers said.
Withdrawing, dropping and auditing: what to do? Courtney Scoby || Staff writer cscoby@murraystate.edu
Within a month, students will have to make some tough decisions regarding whether to audit, withdraw or stay put in difficult classes. Nov. 12 is the last day to withdraw from a class with a grade of “W,” as well as the last day to make the decision to audit a course. Ben Stinnett, interim director of retention at Murray State, said that many students often get confused about the difference between auditing a class and withdrawing from a class. While withdrawing from a class completely eliminates the course from the student’s schedule, an audit, he tells students, “is kind of a placeholder.” “An audit was designed so students would be seeing that material, so the next time they took that course, they would make higher in that course,” Stinnett said. Auditing a course might also be a better option for a student who is concerned about the number of hours they are taking. “An audit also allows students to, during the semester, not be dropping below full-time status,” Stinnett said. This is especially a concern for students when financial aid comes into play. “The main impact people need to be careful with, with audit and withdrawal, is the impact it can have on their financial aid,” Stinnett said. Oftentimes when students drop
below full-time status, their financial aid is negatively impacted. Stinnett recommends talking to representatives of the Financial Aid Office before making a final audit or withdrawal decision. As an academic adviser to students, William Jones, associate professor of English, comes across these issues constantly, and says that it is impossible to prescribe one solution for all students. “That’s a very individual call that varies according to each student,” he said. When advising students who want to audit or withdraw from a class, there are several factors that Jones takes into consideration, such as how the student will be affected in terms of credit hours and how many audits and withdrawals a student already has on his or her transcript. Stephen Lacewell, professor of finance, says that time is the most important factor when making a class audit or withdrawal decision. “If a student is doing poorly in a class, but has the time to still attend the class, take the tests, etc. then they will have an advantage the next time they take the class,” he said. “If a student simply is overloaded then it might be better for them to completely drop one class so that they can concentrate on their remaining classes.” Auditing or withdrawing from a class may not be the best option for all students, though. Oftentimes stu-
dents are simply overwhelmed by the expectations of the college environment, especially for first-year students. “About 80-82 percent of our students report they expect to make above a 3.0 in their first semester,” Stinnett said. “We know that number at the end of the semester is actually about 54 percent.” These numbers are drawn from data collected by the MapWorks Survey. While auditing and withdrawing are two viable options, Jones said that students often end up making the decision too quickly. “Students sometimes panic due to one or two bad marks early in the semester,” he said. “Often, I have had students tell me they are withdrawing when 65 percent of their grade still remains in the final weeks of the course.” For this reason, many professors have certain requirements for students who choose to audit their classes. Lacewell includes a statement on all of his syllabi requiring students choosing the audit the course to complete all assignments, including quizzes and exams, and retain an average of at least 60 percent. “This is so a student doesn’t see an audit as just an easy way not to fail a class,” he said. Other professors require only that a student attend all classes, or do not offer audits in their courses at all. Another big way auditing or with-
drawing from a course can affect a student is through their transcript. “Constantly withdrawing or auditing classes may indicate that a student has trouble sticking with something when things get tough,” Lacewell said. However, “A ‘W’ is not going to impact your GPA like an ‘E’ would,” Stinnett said. Jones suggested that students “strive for a balance.” Although it may seem like the most obvious solution, the most popular recommendation for students struggling with an audit or withdrawal decision is to ask for help. “Talk to your professors early and often,” Jones said. “Go to their office hours, talk to them about how you are doing in the course, and ask them, precisely, what you need to address in order to improve.” Lacewell agreed with this sentiment. “I am more than willing to put in extra time to help them understand the material and succeed in class,” he said. If all else fails, the Retention Office is always there to help, too. “If students really don’t know what their best options are, and they want to talk to somebody, we can just kind of walk them through, ‘Here’s all your options; here’s what we would best recommend for you,’” Stinnett said. “I don’t want students to think they have to figure this all out by themselves.”
Sigma Sigma Sigma hosts phone drive Ashley Traylor || Staff writer atraylor@murraystate.edu
October is domestic violence month and Sigma Sigma Sigma, or Tri Sigma, has partnered with the Women’s Center to help bring awareness to the Women’s Center phone drive for victims of domestic abuse. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence which is affiliated with the Merryman House, Murray’s local domestic crisis center, sponsors the Women’s Center. The Women’s Center collects old phones all year for domestically abused men and women. This is the first year Tri Sigma has partnered with the Women’s Center to bring awareness to their phone drive, but they have helped with other domestic violence initiatives in the past. “We wanted to give a helping hand,” Emily Jensen, an active member of Tri Sigma, said. “It is an important thing and we want to give back and help these people. We want to help the community and the people around us.” Verizon has agreed to wipe the donated phones clean and program them with emergency numbers such as law enforcement, a domestic abuse hotline, medical help and legal help to provide victims a way out of an abusive relationship. Other phones are sold to raise money for education and programming. Nearly one in four women and one in seven men are or have been in a violent relationship and suffered abuse. So far this month the Women’s Center has donated 10 phones,
while Tri Sigma has collected six for the victims of domestic violence. “Recycled phones are a unique way to raise money for programming, education and resources for survivors,” said Abigail French, director of the Women’s Center. “This gives those who are in domestic abuse a way to get to a safe place where someone can provide them help,” Jensen said. The Women’s Center also collects items for the Merryman House and provides them office space to bring their services to Murray State. The Women’s Center hopes to educate the campus community and increase knowledge of resources available for those in need. Domestic Violence awareness month is a month dedicated to ending domestic violence. America commits itself to secure victims’ safety from an abusive relationship and make those feel secure in their surroundings again. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence collects old cell phones, MP3 players, laptops, digital cameras and video game systems that are refurbished and sold. A profit of these sales goes to victims of domestic abuse to keep them free from abuse. “This is an easy way for students to be involved in making a real difference,” French said. “So many of us have old phones lying around in a drawer or a box not being used at all. By simply donating it to this program we are able to be a part of life-changing resources both locally and nationally.”
Kalli Bubb/The News
Donation boxes for Sigma Sigma Sigma’s first phone drive are located in the Women’s Center.
4A
October 23, 2015
The News
Opinion
Opinion Editor: Allison Borthwick Phone: 270-809-5873
Our View
The News 2609 University Station Murray State University Murray, Kentucky 42071-3301 murraystatenews@icloud.com Fax: 270-809-3175
TheNews.org Selena McPherson/The News
One step forward, two steps back
Mary Bradley
Editor-in-Chief • 270-809-6877 mbradley9@murraystate.edu Mari-Alice Jasper News Editor • 270-809-4468 mjasper1@murraystate.edu Allison Borthwick Opinion Editor • 270-809-5873 aborthwick@murraystate.edu Connor Jaschen Features Editor • 270-809-5871 cjaschen@murraystate.edu Kelsey Randolph Sports Editor • 270-809-4481 krandolph3@murraystate.edu Adrienne Vititoe Chief Copy Editor • 270-809-5876 avititoe@murraystate.edu Elizabeth Leggett Online Editor • 270-809-5877 eleggett@murraystate.edu Jenny Rohl Advertising Sales Manager • 270-809-4478 msunewsads@gmail.com Alex Hilkey Advertising Production • 270-809-5874 shilkey@murraystate.edu Fumi Nakamura Photography Editor • 270-809-5878 fnakamura1@murraystate.edu Cameron Witte Chief Videographer cwitte@murraystate.edu
The staff editorial is the majority opinion of The Murray State News Editorial Board. Two news articles in this week’s paper deal with gender roles in specific industries – medical, science, technology, engineering and math, to be specific. Some industries are making progress in regard to diversity and gender-inclusion and others continue to struggle. Nursing, for instance, is breaking down one large stereotypical wall: nursing is a woman’s profession. Murray State’s nursing program is contributing to this progress in an impressive way, as 33 percent of the December graduating nursing class are men. Furthermore, the American Assembly for Men in Nursing strives to see a 20 percent growth in the number of male nurses within the next five years. The main reasons identified for the increase in gender diversity in nursing is the attraction of the constantly growing job market and the strong economic return available almost immediately to nurses entering the field. Nurses have always been in high demand, though – that hasn’t changed. So why the peak in male
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The News strives to be the University community’s source for information. Our goal is to present that information in a fair and unbiased manner and provide a free and open forum for expression and debate. The News is a designated public forum. Student editors have authority to make all content decisions without censorship or advance approval. The paper offers a hands-on learning environment for students interested in journalism. The campus press should be free from censorship and advance approval of copy, and its editors should develop their editorial and news policies. The News is prepared and edited by students and is an official publication of Murray State University.
to others? Which brings us to the article about the need for more women in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) industries. Let’s look at the facts, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: • Women in chemistry and material sciences: 39 percent • Women in computer and mathematical occupations: 26 percent • Women in engineering: 14 percent Just as men are the minority in nursing, women are the minority in STEM industries – in some cases, the vast minority. This is apparently due to a lack of encouragement for women to enter these professions and an even bigger lack of female role models. Murray State is a prime example of this: women make up a menial 17 percent of science, engineering and technology departments faculty members. Thus, women who may have the potential and the passion to do great things in STEM fields look yet another male-dominated world in the eye and back away.
It’s not cowardice – it’s instinct. And again, when the benefits the minority gender would have on the industry were brought up, stereotypes were upheld. Because not only would women in STEM fields bring a “new perspective,” but women “have not as much pride,” are “more gentle … helpful and organized,” and are “more of a caretaker,” said Pamela Guerrero, a Murray State graduate student and high school math and science teacher. So we’re back at square one. Nursing and STEM professions may or may not advance in terms of numbers and statistics, but when will we see true, genuine progress in the roles human beings play in these important industries, regardless of gender? Yes, a lot of men are strong. But so are a lot of women. Yes, a lot of women are gentle and caring. But so are a lot of men. When did stereotypical gender roles become both weaknesses and strengths? When will our body parts stop designating our qualifications? Will that glass ceiling always loom over us?
Some Things Considered
Watch your ear
Joe Hedges Adviser • 270-809-3937 jhedges@murraystate.edu
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interest? Our hope was that people are finally getting past the notion that nurses have to be matronly, motherly figures – caretakers, instead of the life-saving medical professionals they really are, regardless of gender. This hope was tainted slightly when we realized that despite this progress, one fault still stands: the gender pay gap. Male nurses reportedly make almost $5,000 more a year than their female colleagues, according to USA TODAY. Also, as stated in a press release sent out by Murray State about the increase of male nursing graduates, one of the benefits of having more male nurses is that they will not only offer “different perspectives and ideas,” but they will “offer increased physical ability.” So, between the pay gap and the emphasis on the stereotype that men are inherently strong and more able-bodied than women, how much progress are we really making? What’s the point of striking down some gender stereotypes while pandering
Growing up, your mother may have told you to “watch your mouth,” scolding you for saying something inappropriate. I’ll bet, though, that no one ever told you to watch your ear. Logically, to watch your ear is to pay close attention to not only what you hear, Hallie Beard but what you Junior from actively listen Louisville, Ky. to and absorb as appropriate information. In light of the political debates that have happened recently and will carry on for the next year, I advise us all to watch our ears. Admittedly, politics are not my forte; they are not enjoyable to me, so it’s hard to be motivated enough to keep up with them. Last Tuesday, though, I made myself watch the Democratic Debate. Like all other debates, regardless of party, it was fairly painful to listen to – not because of the content, but because
of the highly problematic rhetoric. The problem – again, apart from any specific content – was that each candidate seemed to talk for minutes without actually saying anything substantial. Anderson Cooper was an efficient moderator in that he tried to keep the candidates from skirting around too much, which seems to be the nature of politics.
In order to confirm a belief, it must first be broken down and questioned.
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While we can’t help that a lot of the candidates’ speeches must operate on hypotheticals – “When I’m president, I will get rid of xyz!” – we can push the question, “how?” If you don’t watch your ear, you will never want or need to ask “how” or “why,” and that’s a dangerous habit. Too many people absorb the information in front of them without prodding; if they disagree with the information, they immediately discount it, and if they agree, they immediately celebrate it, both without much reason or evidence. We can’t let ourselves be that complacent – there is always more information, a deeper source, or a counterpoint that must be explored. Beware, too, of bias and politeness when
listening to problematic rhetoric; that desire to please becomes a false angel on your shoulder. Manners will always influence your ability to question and (constructively) criticize a person or statement you want to like. Perhaps that discomfort or cognitive dissonance is essential to building strong opinions, though. By questioning someone, or resisting the urge to accept everything we listen to, we aren’t losing any respect for that person. On the contrary, both parties gain credibility when one questions the other and works toward a clear answer. Let me be clear: I’m not encouraging students to veer away from politics or stop rooting for their favorite candidate. Voting and political affiliation are hot topics on campus, and I hope to see more students assessing their political identity. If you are going to support a particular candidate or party, though, you have to be able to defend that candidate or party. But to defend a person or group, in turn, is to question them, right? In order to confirm a belief, it must first be broken down and questioned. So, here’s my advice: the next time you talk politics with a friend or watch a debate, become a skeptic for a little while. See how much mileage you can get out of a politician’s crowd-pleasing rhetoric. Don’t drive yourself crazy, but notice how many undeveloped statements you would have previously let slip through the cracks. Watch your ear, and in the words of Beck, “Don’t believe everything that you breathe.”
The News
Opinion
October 23, 2015
5A
Letter to the Editor
I Have a Lot of Feelings American privilege: Take-out edition
The following are Facebook comments responding to Our View, “Forced training proves problematic.“ The Murray State News reserves the right to publish Facebook comments and messages in its print edition, as both the Facebook page and the newspaper are considered open public forums.
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Amen! I was saying this the other day. Most students are over the age of 18. We are adults. Don’t try to act like we are pre-pubescent children who don’t know right from wrong! Jennifer Peters Murray State senior from Murray I live in central Illinois and my daughter attends [Murray State] and I do feel like the testing is excessive. However I know that Illinois [State] is requiring students to take the same tests. In fact I have a patient that is 30 years old, married father of [three] attending graduate school and he is being required to take the same tests....too excessive. He works full time at State Farm and doesn’t even live on campus! Krista Shepley Tuttle Murray State parent from Gridley, Illinois
I’ve Got a Story for You
No fear: a season of eating We are approaching the Season of Eating. It begins with Halloween, then Thanksgiving, and then extends itself to pre-Christmas gatherings and parties (one part flour, one part sugar and one part shortening), then Christmas, then New Year’s Day, then Super Bowl Sunday with its acres of carbs, Robert Valentine fats, etc. It’s a Senior lecturer long season. I argue that of advertising these are pleasant times because, to me, hardly anything could be more pleasant than to spend a day in the presence of family and friends, surrounded by the smells of good food cooking. You can relax and chat, even if you are busy dressing and stuffing a turkey, fixing your signature sweet potato casserole or peeling onions by the dozens. Good friends and good conversation can make up for the lack of charm in the work of our hands. But some people fear the holidays and, perhaps, with good reason. If you are a great cook, dozens of people and organizations will expect
Cheers and Jeers Cheers and Jeers is written by the Opinion Editor. Questions, comments or concerns should be addressed to aborthwick@murraystate.edu
Comic
you to turn out tons of delicious food with no budget, no compensation and little thanks. Shopping gets tougher, outdoor chores are harder (and colder, too) and there is a frenzy on the street and in the stores (Black Friday, Christmas Eve, etc.) that is frightening. Many people seem to fear the holidays because of the horrible things they do to a well-controlled diet. Let us argue this point. We do so without new scientific data, or for any religious or political reason. We argue the point because it creates so much needless worry and guilt. Many of the foods we really enjoy and see most often on the holiday table are, shall we say, “rich.” They have sugars, fats and all sorts of other components that, we have learned, are “bad for us.” In the immortal words of Julia Child, “Oh, poppycock!” Of course, all those things are fat-producing enemies of the more slender you, but that is not
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At least on a few special days, we should be able to pause, join with family and friends and peacefully recall what is good about life.
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Cheers to ... Lambert’s dinner.
the point. The point is the joy of the holiday. Look: an extra spoonful of mashed potatoes is not going to move you from a size six to a size 14 by Monday morning. A decent slice of Aunt Helen’s famous pumpkin pie (of which you have wonderful childhood memories involving two pieces, aerosol whipping cream and a stomach ache) is not going to keep you from getting a complete turn into that drive on the first good golf day of the new year. Lighten up. Don’t like the calorie count on that Halloween candy bar? Take a long walk on a pleasant evening – even if it means bundling up against the winter cold. Did we eat an extra helping of Thanksgiving turkey? Grab a rake and gather some leaves. We don’t get outside much these days, do we? There are a thousand disagreeable things that confront us every day: slanted news coverage, the neighbors’ dog, troublesome co-workers, traffic, kids, loud music, taxes, parking tickets and the entire population of Washington, D.C. We also worry about belts that get shorter, dresses that shrink, tummies that can’t remember where they actually belong and chins that seem to hang over collars like snow on the roof. We can complain about those things all year long. At least on a few special days, we should be able to pause, join with family and friends and peacefully recall what is good about life. Then, on Monday, a multi-billion dollar media industry will resume its job of telling you all the things that are wrong with life. They’ve got a pill for that, whatever it is. So, bon appetit! Now, pass the Skittles.
Jeers to ... Extremists.
Once a year Dining Services goes all out and treats us to “Lambert’s Throwed Roll Dinner.” Steak, chicken n’ dumplins, apple butter and other comfort foods were served up Wednesday night, all while rolls were being tossed around like hotcakes.
There is nothing wrong with believing strongly in a religion. Standing in the middle of a college campus and yelling offensive slurs and insults at people who are just trying to get to class is taking it too far. That’s not preaching - it’s attacking.
Jeers to ... “Star Wars” boycotting.
Cheers to ... Gilmore Girls revival.
Some “Star Wars” fans are boycotting the newest movie because one of the main characters has been casted as a black man. If the most surprising thing about a movie based in space with the weapon of choice being swords made of light is that one of the characters is black, rethink some things.
It’s official - Netflix is blessing the world with a revival of “Gilmore Girls.“ The show, which captured the hearts of many over seven seasons, left us wanting more. There are so many unanswered questions. Bring on the witty dialogue and copious amounts of coffee - we’re ready.
If a professor starts a sentence with, “Today we’re going to watch…” heads turn, phones are put down, hopes are lifted and single tears are shed. If the professor then Allison Borthwick says you’ll be watching a Opinion Editor documentary about Chinese food, your stomach sheds a single tear as well – mostly because it’s a 12:30 p.m. class and Chinese food is God’s way of apologizing for all the hardships in life. Needless to say, when my professor told us we would be watching “The Search for General Tso,” my first thought was, “Now THAT’S a search I can get behind. Let me get my walking shoes, flashlight and a pair of chopsticks so I can pretend I know how to use them when we find this Tso-called General.” This documentary ended up serving me a steaming hot plate of reality – much harder to grasp with chopsticks than perfectly bite-sized, saucy chicken. In all seriousness, I really came faceto-face with a rather upsetting aspect of American privilege. We have taken for granted the delicious food Chinese restaurants cook up for us. The reason why the makers of this documentary were on this “search” is because nobody, not even Chinese restaurant owners, seems to know the true origin of General Tso’s chicken. There isn’t even a consistent, agreedupon pronunciation of the word, “Tso.” Furthermore, pretty much every Chinese restaurant has a different recipe for the popular dish. One thing is consistent, though: Americans love it. Some genuinely can’t get enough of it. As it turns out, there’s a reason why. Chinese restaurant owners learned quickly and early how to be successful in America: cater to our very refined pallets. Fry meat (but only ones we already eat – pork, chicken, beef), make sauces spicy but not TOO spicy and make sure some of the sauces are sweet, too. One of the documentary’s interviewees phrased the key to a Chinese restaurant’s success perfectly: “Foreign, yet familiar.” Everything from recipes and menu wording to the actual names of the restaurants are created with American tendencies and interests in mind. The names can’t be too Chinese-sounding and recipes can’t use too many foreign ingredients, out of fear of scaring Americans away. So even when we think we’re being adventurous by trying “something new,” half the time we’re just being predictable. As such, Chinese chefs had to sacrifice two of their most prized values to thrive here: authenticity and tradition. A good number of “Chinese dishes” were created in America, for Americans (i.e. cashew chicken), and many ingredients used in them aren’t even native to China in the first place. We simply don’t know how spoiled we are, and Americanized Chinese food is just one example of this. I’m not saying we need to feel guilt weigh down on our shoulders every time we order Chinese food; I’m saying we should appreciate the careful thought, consideration and sacrifices people from other countries make to live here, in the “land of opportunity.” I’m also saying that we should maybe stop expecting everyone to eat like us, speak like us and think like us. God-forbid anything in this coined “melting pot” we live in actually melts, right? aborthwick@murraystate.edu
See the world By Jade Simpson
The News
News
6A
October 23, 2015
ESL Partner program seeks new members Abby Siegel
Contributing writer aseigel@murraystate.edu
The English as a Second Language conversation partner program has proven to provide more than just an avenue for international students to practice English. Brianna Taylor, junior from Marion, Illinois, and Hyejin Cho, freshman from Gwangju, South Korea, have developed a strong friendship through the partnership provided by the ESL conversation partner program. Their friendship began in September when they were paired together. They said they do not think they would have met each other if it weren’t for the program. “First I was very nervous,” Cho said. “It was my first time with American people. When I saw her first she looked very kind. I was very satisfied.” They meet at least once a week, and will continue to until Cho returns to South Korea in December. They said they enjoy eating together – specifically ice cream. Taylor said she believes “ice cream brings people together across borders.” They also went to a corn maze and the Baptist Campus Ministry’s weekly worship night. They said they plan to have a Christmas party with other international students to eat cookies and wear ugly sweaters, allowing Cho to learn more about American traditions that aren’t learned from a textbook. “Basically if there is anything she wants to do, we do it,” Taylor said. Taylor was unable to determine her favorite memory with Cho because she said all the memories they have made have been great. Now there are 146 international students matched in the program with many American students having more than one partner. Countries involved in the program include South Korea, China, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam and Saudi Arabia. Marcus Bell, ESL instructor, said that the program is always looking for more American students to partner. The volunteer-based program occurs during the fall and spring semesters and is open to all Murray State students, faculty and staff. Many ESL students stay for one semester and new matches are made each semester. Taylor said she decided to apply to be a conversation partner because
McKenna Dosier/The News
Murray Donuts plans to move to a new location in a strip mall on the corner of Olive and 12th Street to increase foot traffic from college students.
Murray Donuts to move Alicia Steele Emily Harris/The News
Brianna Taylor, junior from Marion, Illinois and Hyejin Cho, freshman from Gwanju, South Korea, became friends after joining the English as a Second Language conversation partner program at Murray State. of previous interactions she had with international students in a class project that required teaching a grammar lesson with four other international students. “Ever since then I have been interested in learning more about culture,” she said. Taylor is an English Education major and said she believes this program will influence her future impact as a teacher. She said this program has “opened the door to teaching abroad” – something she had never thought about before she engaged with students of other cultures. “I will have English language learning students, most likely, and I wanted to learn what level of language I might be working with and the process of acquiring a second language what that looks like,” she said. Cho said she came to America to enjoy culture with American students. “I think various experience is more important than study,” she said. “Bri gave me many experiences.” Bell said that the program allows ESL students to “maximize” their experience. “It makes each one of their experiences different and special,” he said. “Riding a horse, for example; they have to find someone who can give them that experience,” he said. Students interested in study abroad,
culture, language or volunteering are encouraged to apply. The program is self-managed and requires partners to decide what they want to do together and when they want to do it. “Many students just like to help, and this is a great way to help someone achieve their goal,” Bell said. Taylor emphasized the value of interacting with international students and being a source for them to enrich their experience at Murray State. “I think absolutely every student should do the program or at least in everyday life be open to speaking with students from other cultures because it’s a valuable skill to be able to communicate with people that aren’t from your country,” she said. Taylor gave a word of advice for anybody that has a conversation partner or is considering applying to the program. “I think if you are going to do it, patience is very important on both sides,” she said. She said you must be open and receptive to each other’s cultures because both students in the partnership are learning from each other. Those wishing to participate in the ESL conversation program can print out the application form on the Murray State website under the conversation partners tab. The application should be returned to Marcus Bell, Woods Hall, Room 113.
Staff writer
asteele5@murraystate.edu
Locally owned and operated Murray Donuts will move to a new location at the corner of Olive and 12th Street in May, along with two other businesses yet to be determined. “Moving closer to Murray State is always best,” Bunnarath Mao, owner of Murray Donuts, said. Last March, Mao addressed the Murray Planning Commission with the idea to demolish the existing structures on the corner of Olive and 12th and replace them. Mao said he was interested in a larger location with a 30-person seating capacity. He said families and groups of students meet at the donut shop and the current location can only seat 20. Mao told the commission that customer convenience is his first priority, and while the new location would include parking and a pick-up window, the most important factor is that the new location will be within walking distance of Murray State. Mao said he understands that parking on campus is a problem for students, and by moving his business closer to campus it will be more convenient for students to walk to and still make it to class on time without worrying about the hassle of finding parking when they get back to campus. Commissioner Marc Peebles reminded the commission at the planners meeting of the concerns the neighbors of Olive Street had when Jimmy Johns proposed a delivery location. Robert Jeffries, a planner in the city’s
Planning and Engineering department, said Murray Donuts would operate on different hours than Jimmy Johns, and commissioner John Krieb, said Murray Donuts would not be a delivery service, avoiding the traffic of delivery, which was the main cause of concern with Jimmy Johns. Danny Steele, of W.D. Steele Construction Services, told the commission the property had been underdeveloped for years, and he supported Mao’s plan to develop it into a greenspace with adequate parking available. Mao’s main concern remains with his customers. He said moving the location of his business will also prevent international student who walk to Murray Donuts from crossing 12th Street, preventing any potential accidents. Barry Morris, architect with Ace Design Group, told the planning commission that the building will be 5,400 square feet, which means each unit will be 1,800 square feet. “Everything is approved and can start at any time,” Mao said. “It’s all up to the general contractor’s schedule.” As for the other tenants, Mao said they must be approved through the city and meet the B-4 zoning restrictions before being approved to move in. Mao said no matter who owns the property, the city will still control what businesses will move in. “We don’t know what types of business will go in yet,” Jeffries said. As of now the property sits bare, but Mao said construction on the building will begin as soon as the contractor is ready and the weather permits, and then Murray Donuts will be ready to move to a location closer to Murray State.
Graduating in December 2015 or May 2016?
r e b Octo 30th Any student interested in graduate school is welcome to stop by...
10am - 2pm Curris Center Rocking Chair Lounge No tricks, just treats! *DOMESTIC STUDENTS ONLY*
Free hot chocolate & brownies
October 23, 2015
Section B
The News
Sports
Sports Editor: Kelsey Randolph Assistant Sports Editor: Mark McFarland Phone: 270-809-4481 Twitter: MSUSportsNews
Soccer clinches spot in OVC Tournament Mark McFarland Assistant Sports Editor mmcfarland1@murraystate.edu
The Racers clinched a spot in the OVC Tournament after two wins against Morehead State and Tennessee Tech, leading them to a 7-0 record in conference play over the weekend. Murray State came into the later part of a four-game road trip hungry to continue its historic run. The first win was Oct. 15 at Morehead State in a battle for the conference lead. Morehead State came into the game with an overall record of 7-7-1 and an OVC record of 4-1, but was no match for the Racers, who won 2-0. It didn’t take long for the Racers to show their eagerness to prove they are the best team in the conference as Harriet Withers, sophomore from Murwilumbah, Australia, scored the first goal in the ninth minute to give the Racers the quick lead they wanted. The rest of the half proved to be a battle as Morehead State led the first half in shots 6-4, as neither team could capitalize on the opportunities put in front of them. The second half ended up being a defensive struggle and no team could get on the board until the 88th minute. Marissa Burroughs, senior from Poplar Bluff, Missouri, found Taylor Stevens, senior from Fort Wayne, Indiana and put the ball past the keeper to seal the victory for Murray State. This win gave the Racers a record of 6-0 in the confer-
ence and gave them complete control of their own destiny . “I don’t really think we need to change anything,” Stevens said. “We just need to get focused and keep doing the things we have been Stevens d o i n g right.” The second game of the weekend took place Sunday at Tennessee Tech against the Golden Eagles. Tennessee Tech came into the game with an overall record of 7-5-3 and a conference record of 5-1, but the Racers came away with a 2-1 victory. The game started out almost identical to the Morehead State game, as the Racers came out ready to clinch a playoff spot for the second year in a row. In the 19th minute, Withers found a wide open Taylor Richerson, junior from Murray, and hit the back of the net to give the Racers a one goal advantage off the bat. Alex Steigerwald, freshman from West Chester, Ohio, continued to impress as she was tested in the first half, making five saves to keep the lead 1-0 to end the half. Murray State came out strong in the second half, scoring in the 57th minute on a goal by Stevens who was assisted by Withers to give the Racers a 2-0 lead. Tennessee Tech would
see SOCCER, 2B
Jenny Rohl/The News
The Racers celebrate the end of their fall season against Heartland Community College on Oct. 16.
Softball ends fall season Fall season ends with three wins and a loss for last weekend Blake Bernier || Staff writer dbernier@murraystate.edu
The Murray State softball team wrapped up its fall season with three wins and one loss last weekend to finish 7-1. During the fall the Racers completed five shutouts and averaged nine runs per game. “As a pitcher I think it’s so much easier to go out there and pitch your game when you have a defense that’s
making plays,” junior pitcher Mason Robinson said. “Pitching to our strengths and not trying to pitch to the batter’s weakness was our main goal as pitchers all fall.” The lone loss came against Dyersburg State Community College on Saturday in the first game of a doubleheader. Head Coach Kara Amundson said it was a game they let get away from them but it will help them in the long run.
“We gave away too many free bases,” Amundson said. “Too many walks and we d i d n ’ t m a k e s o m e routine plays that could’ve helped us get out of inning, but I think games like Amundson that are
good at this time of year because it helps us understand that it was a lot of mental things that we have to learn from.” Dyersburg recorded three hits, but walks and errors allowed them to score 11 runs to win 11-10 in an upset against the Racers. “It is important that my team plays well each time we step on the field,” said
see SOFTBALL, 2B
Rifle sets records in home match against University of Kentucky Tyler Long Contributing writer tlong4@murraystate.edu
Jenny Rohl/The News
RACER ROUNDUP: Check out page 4B for the 40th annual rodeo details and photos.
WHAT’S
INSIDE
Breaking records did not lead to a victory as the University of Kentucky defeated Murray State 4,702-4,693. In its home match against Kentucky on Saturday, the Murray State rifle team shot two program records, elevating their position from fifth to fourth in the latest Collegiate Rifle Association poll. The match, held at the Pat Spurgin Rifle Range in Murray, began with the Racers leading the smallbore division before the Wildcats edged out a win in the air division of the match. Head Coach Alan Lollar said the match was successful despite the loss. “The team had trained well leading up to it,” Lollar said, “They shot very well on Saturday. I believe we had six or eight personal best shots on the team with a new school record in aggregate and smallbore.” The Murray State rifle team shot a program record 2,341 in smallbore and tied its air rifle season-high with a 2,532. One of those personal bests was achieved by freshman Eric Sloan, freshman from Oakdale, Connecticut, who shot a career-high 591 in air rifle. Breaking program records was not only a career accomplishment for Sloan,
Chalice Keith/The News
Barbara Schlafper, freshman from Gais, Switzerland, kneels to take a shot. but it was also a personal accomplishment. “It feels really good,” Sloan said. “It’s really a confidence booster for the rest of the season, and we know we can do better in the future.”
Lollar also said that Murray State had some competition with the Kentucky freshmen. “They had some freshmen that shot really well,” Lollar
see RIFLE, 2B
FLAG FOOTBALL
RACER ROUNDUP
MUSIC FESTIVAL
KARATE STUDENTS
Intramural football began its scrimmages, 3B
Racer rodeo team holds 39th annual event, 4B
SGA and CAB put on first Music Fest for students, 5B
Students and faculty train for self defense, 6B
The News
Sports
2B
October 23, 2015 Off the Gridiron
The News’ Athlete of the Week The News picked Ivan Roe for his young accomplishments and his career record set at the rifle team’s home match on Oct. 17.
Ivan Roe
Rifle Hometown: Manhattan, Montana High School: Manhattan High School
1. How long have you been playing your sport and why did it interest you to begin with? “I have been shooting rifle for 13 years now and it interested me originally because where I’m from in Montana everyone learns how to shoot from a very young age.” 2. What is it about your sport that makes you enjoy it? “I enjoy rifle because of how challenging it is. It’s not really a head-to-head sport but it’s more individual. It’s you just trying to beat yourself and do the best you can and I really like just pushing my limits to see what I can do.” 3. How does it feel to be a young player and consistently make career records? “I can say there isn’t a much better feeling than setting new records, and doing it at this time in my career just shows that there’s still room for improvement.” 4. What do you most look forward to the rest of the season? “I’m most looking forward to seeing exactly what our team can accomplish. We’ve done so much already but we all know we can do even better, so I just look forward to us to continue to push our limits.” 5. If you could give one piece of advice to someone about accomplishment, what would you say? “My advice about accomplishment would be that you should enjoy it in the moment but the work never ends because you can always get better.”
SOCCER From Page 1 prove to continue to put up a fight as they got on the board in the 69th minute thanks to Mackenzie Miller, senior from Wildwood, Missouri, to put the Racer advantage at one going into the last twenty minutes. This goal was the first goal the Racers gave up in four games. Murray State hung onto the slim lead to claim its spot in the OVC Tournament for the second year in a row. “There’s not as much pressure now because we know we are in the tournament, but obviously want to win our last three games,” said Racheal Foxley, senior from Bolton, England.
Murray State will conclude its season with three home games before it gears up for the conference tournament. The first of their home games will take place at 3 p.m. Friday at Cutchin Field against Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. The Racers will then take the field for Senior Day at 1 p.m. Sunday against Eastern Illinois. “A lot of teams put focus on Senior Day and it kind of takes away from the game,” Foxley said. “We are going to do more senior things when the season is over so we can concentrate on the season right now.” The Racers will end their regular season with another home game at 3 p.m. Thursday against Austin Peay State. Though the teams in the remaining three games have been struggling, Head Coach Jeremy Groves wants the
women to stay on track and continue with their success. “We just talk about every game is like a conference tournament final,” Groves said. “Every game we are going to get peoples best shot from here on in.” The Racers are on the brink of breaking another record in Murray State soccer history for the most wins in the regular season. “The most wins in a season here is only 12, we are at 11 right now with three games to go,” Groves said. “And I know these girls have been great about trying to break records this year and that’s how they motivate.” Murray State is now just one win away from sharing the OVC regular season title and two wins away from the outright OVC regular season title for the first time since 2008.
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RIFLE
future matches. “We want to win against whoever we’re competing with,” Lollar said. “That’s what we do, but we’re more concerned with shooting as close to our potential as we can.” The Racers are now preparing for their next match against OVC rival, Morehead State. The home-match is scheduled for Saturday at the Pat Spurgin Rifle Range.
From Page 1 said. “If they had not brought their A-game, we would have won. That’s the best score they’ve shot all year.” Lollar said losses do not damage the confidence of the team, but it encourages the potential and motivation of
Top 5 personal bests Name
Small Bore Air Rifle
Tessa Howald Ivan Roe Ben Estes McKenzie Martin Barbara Schlafper Ryan Limpus Kaitlyn Wilson Eric Sloan Keri Marlin Robert Broadstreet
SOFTBALL From Page 1 Head Coach George White of Dyersburg State. “I am not expecting to beat Division I schools, but if we compete and make the plays, we will be competitive.” With that attitude, Dyersburg State was able to take advantage of some sloppy plays by the Racers and score several runs, despite the low output in the hitting category. “One thing led to another and we just let things get out of hand whenever we needed to step up,” said senior third baseman Erica Howard. “But I think it’s something we can learn from and something we will make an adjustment for in the spring.” In the second game, the Racers came out with a vengeance winning 12-0 against Dyersburg State. Sophomore catcher Julia Liceaga and junior shortstop Maggie Glass each hit a homerun in the blowout. In a relief appearance, freshman pitcher Amber Van Duyse struck out the side and finished the weekend with seven strikeouts. The 12 run win was the second largest win of the weekend for the Racers. On Oct. 16 against Heartland Community College, the Racers won 18-0. In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Racers
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plated eight runs with one coming off Glass’s bat as she hit her second solo homerun of the game. In the next inning with a full lineup change the Racers added another six runs. With the bases loaded and two outs, freshman utility player Morgan Edwards delivered a three-run double. After blowing up for 18 runs the Racers struggled to score in the second game against Heartland but pulled off a win with their closest margin of victory during the fall season 2-0.
“
That was the least productive offensive game we’ve had all year. Most of our games we were pretty productive offensively.
”
- Kara Amundson, Softball Head Coach
“That was the least productive offensive game we’ve had all year,” Amundson said. “Most of our games we were pretty productive offensively.” Last season the Racers failed to score more than two runs in 10 out of 57 games. “Our hitting is usually on point but if we have a day that it isn’t we know the pitcher has our back,” Howard said.
The News’ pick of the week - Football Kelsey Randolph Sports Editor 9-7 Tyler Dixon Graduate Assistant 10-6 Mary Bradley Editor-in-Chief 9-7 Blake Bernier Staff writer 13-3 Dave Gesler Associate Professor 7-9
Vs.
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Superstar Athletes Most people in the world dream of being the superstar athlete with their name in the lights and plenty of money to spare. Some people may ask if athletes deserve all of this fame for just playing a sport. It may look simple, but those who do this on a daily basis know it’s a little different. No matter the sport, each one contributes to people’s lives depending on where they are. In England, soccer is king, but for India, their primary sport is cricket. Some people would say anyone can play a sport, but the amount of people who would commit their entire lives is very small. Think about some of these multi-million dollar celebrities do nothing but show their face or debate casual topics. I think a lot of us would say we could do that, but athletes put their bodies on the line every day to entertain the fans. The athletes not only hold a responsibility for their performance on the field but they have a big responsibility off the field as well. When athletes get into these high level positions in a sport they not only represent themselves but also their families, the sports culture and the brand associated with them. They must live up to the standard set before them and set a new one for those who come after them. Most of the attention we give the superstar athletes comes from things not always connected to their sport. The sport they play is more of a platform used to associate them with. Athletes not only use their play on the field to promote their brand, but their faces as well. Every time we turn on the T.V., we see an athlete endorsing a product. Many of these people make more money from endorsements than they make on the field. Cleveland Cavalier forward LeBron James’ salary in 2014 earned him $20,644,400, but he made $53 million in endorsements the same year from companies like Nike, McDonald’s and Samsung. Their images and likeness are used to inspire others or in some cases be a joke to some people, like the common person who always question what people can do. I’d like to see a lot of people in the world pose for ESPN Magazine’s Body Issue or get tackled by a 300-pound linebacker. It’s easy to say a person can do these things while they are sitting on their couch. Sports bring a bit of peace with. Each sport, whenever it is played, is kind of like the world stops. Many athletes play for the love of the sport and fans watch for the love of the game, but it’s also for love of country. The entire country stops during the Olympics, and despite not everyone loving the game of soccer, the country rallies around Team USA. A lot of these athletes’ work does more than just awe the common fan with an amazing hit, dunk, catch or goal. So this makes one think: do the millions of dollars do the commercials and all the different things we see the athletes do, really seem that outrageous compared to what they all really do? Though there are some athletes we see with the big contract and the fame. We really have to sit down and ask ourselves do they deserve that? Some of the best athletes get little to none of that kind of attention. Many of the things an athlete does for the world goes unnoticed, but one question remains. Do all athletes deserve what they get paid? jmorris36@murraystate.edu
John Morris
The News
Sports
October 23, 2015
3B
Racer Band travels to St. Louis Cross-Country prepares for OVC Murray State musicians compete in national event
Mark McFarland
Assistant Sports Editor mmcfarland1@murraystate.edu
Alec Mullins
Contributing writer amullins2@murraystate.edu
Racer Band took center stage Saturday, performing for thousands of spectators at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, for Music for All’s Bands of America Super Regional event. In both preliminary and finals level performances, 64 bands from around the U.S. performed for esteemed and musically accomplished judges over two days. The 14 highest scoring bands from the preliminary round advanced to the finals portion of the show. Only one band can be named champion of each regional and this year it was Broken Arrow High School from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Achieving a score of 88.60, the band also received the Outstanding Music Performance, Outstanding Visual Performance and Outstanding General Effect awards for a full sweep of the possible accolades. Racer Band closed the first half of the day on Saturday as their performance signaled
the end of the preliminary round of judging for the competition. Met with cheers and loud applause at the finale, the crowd in St. Louis was fully supportive of the band’s effort. “They brought a nice change of pace to a competition filled with very serious and intricate themes,” Steven Driskel, attendee from Peoria, Illinois, said. “Just seeing those guys on the field having a blast performing pop tunes, I think the audience really appreciated seeing the other side of the spectrum.” While the crowd gave Racer Band’s performance a standing ovation, the performers were particularly impressed with the crowd’s reaction as well, said junior Bryan Edwards from Louisville, Kentucky. “I get excited during our performances, no matter where we are,” Edwards said. “I definitely enjoyed the energy the crowd was giving back to us. They also responded really well at the end of the show when we got them to do the wave.” While the focus was on entertainment, the quality of the
performance is also an important factor for everyone involved in Racer Band. Racer Band Director John Fannin said he was very impressed with how his students executed under pressure. “I thought we killed it,” Fannin said. “Everything we had worked on came together. Our game plan getting ready for this event, helped us to peak for the 2015 season in the perfect moment.” Murray State’s Gamma Delta chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia was invited to perform the Star-Spangled Banner in recognition of the competition’s final part beginning. “We were honored to be able to share that moment with the crowd in St. Louis,” Jimmie Powers, sophomore from Mayfield, Kentucky, said. “It was a special event for all of the brothers involved. We really are proud of this performance and being involved with Bands of America.” Racer Band’s next performance will be at 1 p.m. Oct. 31 at Roy Stewart Stadium during halftime of the Murray State and Eastern Illinois University football game.
The Racer cross country teams traveled to Louisville this past weekend and finished in 28th place in their respective divisions in the Pre-Nationals race. The men built a lot of confidence as the sophomores took control and helped build up the team as they prepared for the OVC Championship race. Mark Ventura, sophomore from Slade, Kentucky, finished first for the Racers and in 109th place overall with a time of 15:34. He finished 10 minutes before the next Racer, Gavin Galanes, sophomore from St. Charles, Missouri, who finished with a time of 25:41 and 123rd overall. “We are just getting better every meet,” Head Coach Jenny Swieton said. “We are definitely the best team that we have been in at least six years. Our team average is faster than our number one guy has been in the past six years, so that’s really good.” The men’s team has a bright future, Swieton also said, as they are a young team with three sophomores and two freshmen, many of the sopho-
mores being the ones that lead the way for the team. “Our sophomores are killing it,” Swieton said. “I think it was a really good experience to get them ready for the future, as much as it has been for Swieton seniors.” As for the women’s team, they struggled to start the race, but by the time the second half came around they were able to help build their times a little bit better. Leading the pack was Brittany Bohn, senior from Mahomet, Illinois, with a 72nd place finish and recording the second fastest 6K time in Murray State women’s history with a time of 22:03. Finishing next for the Racers in 109th place and a time of 22:27 was Meagan Smith, sophomore from Danville, Kentucky. “On the women’s side I think we gained a little bit of confidence,” Swieton said. “The women have worked out really well and they haven’t put it into the races yet and
I think it started to come together this weekend.” The women’s team was pushed to the back to start off the race and Swieton believes that they might have struggled at first because of being intimidated by the size of the race. Going into the OVC Championship, Swieton said she may change up the way the teams prepare for upcoming races. “We will rest a little bit more; usually this week we would have three workouts but instead we will have two and go easy one day,” Swieton said. “Next week we would usually have two before a meet but we will only have one hard workout, with it being a little shorter than it has been.” Both teams will look to build momentum into the OVC Championship in these next two weeks of training as well as looking to gain more momentum into the regional race. The Racers men’s and women’s team will host the OVC Championship on Saturday Oct. 31 at Francis E. Miller Memorial Golf Course. The NCAA regional race will take place on Friday, Nov. 13 in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Intramural Flag Football : Scrimmages mark beginning of season Blake Bernier Staff writer dbernier@murraystate.edu
With the temperatures dropping into the 40s, the intramural field was busy Monday night as several scrimmage games took place, giving teams a chance to get in a final practice before the season begins. Players weren’t the only ones getting a final practice either; the referees used the scrimmage games as a dress rehearsal for the regular season.
MEN’S FLAG FOOTBALL
Phi Kappa Tau def. Diaper Dandies, 20-6 Phi Kappa Tau controlled the game from start to finish against a shorthanded Diaper Dandies team. Freshman Andrew Callor from Paducah, Kentucky, scored two touchdowns for Phi Kappa Tau and caught two interceptions, including a one handed interception in the second half. Pound Town def. Hester A, 34-20 Pound Town won in a shootout with junior Kendall Deese from Murray, leading the way with three total touchdowns. Deese used his mobility and accuracy to keep the defense off balance the entire game. Alpha Sigma Phi def. Hart A, 20-13 Trailing 13-12 with just 30
Nicole Ely/The News
Phi Kappa Tau player defends Diaper Dandies receiver on incomplete pass. seconds left, junior Nathan Leibering from Jasper, Indiana threw the go ahead touchdown for Alpha Sigma Phi and followed it up with a pass to the corner of the end zone for the two-point conversion. Leibering threw three touchdowns for the game. Richmond A def. Hart B, 36-7 Richmond A team made
quick work of the Hart B team behind efforts of sophomore Anthony Arredondo from Murray, and senior Dexter Alexander from Memphis, Tennessee. Arredondo contributed two interceptions for touchdowns while Alexander added two touchdowns, receiving an interception. Lizo A def. Sigma Pi, 35-0 Coming off a championship
in softball, Lizo A dominated Sigma Pi by putting up the third most points of the night and completing the only shutout on the men’s side. Other scores: Steak Sauce def. Sigma Phi Epsilon, 32-7 Franklin A def. Cooter Scooters, 44-6 Multiple Scoregasms def. Alpha Sigma Feels, 20-13
WOMEN’S FLAG FOOTBALL
Alpha Gamma Delta def. Hester Hedgehogs, 14-6 Junior Liz Paige from Mayfield, Kentucky, caught a touchdown pass and a onepoint conversion for Alpha Gamma Delta and on defense made several flag pulls and deflected passes. Alpha Sigma Alpha A def. Lizo A, 14-12
The deciding points in the game came from a bad snap resulting in a safety against Lizo A. Sophomore Mikelle Martin from Newburgh, Indiana, played quarterback for Alpha Sigma Alpha and threw a touchdown pass and scored on the defensive side with an interception returned for touchdown. She finished with two interceptions for the game. Kappa Delta def. White B, 27-0 The Kappa Delta defense made several plays to keep White B out of the endzone and turned two of their three interceptions into quick points with returns for touchdown. White A def. Omega Mu, 24-6 A total team effort propelled White A to the win. Three different players scored touchdowns and junior Lindey Russell from Murray, added two interceptions to go along with her touchdown catch. Springer Franklin A def. Sigma Sigma Sigma B, 38-0 Senior Lucy Gibson from Louisville, Kentucky, starred for Springer Franklin A. Gibson contributed four touchdown passes from her quarterback position and led the defense with three interceptions in a blowout win. Other scores: Sigma Sigma Sigma A def. Hart Ravens, 28-6
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Racer Roundup kicks up crowd Kentucky’s oldest college rodeo is back at the William “Bill” Cherry Exposition Center Breanna Sill || Staff writer bsill@murraystate.edu
Three hundred college students from across the United States kicked up the dust in the William “Bill” Cherry Agricultural Exposition Center last weekend at Murray State’s 40th Annual College Rodeo. Students from 15 different colleges traveled to Murray to compete for cash prizes and belt buckles in events like bullfighting, goat tying, barrel racing, bull riding, bareback bronc riding, saddle bronc riding, breakaway roping, steer wrestling and team roping. The Murray State Rodeo Club is responsible for putting together the event. “The Rodeo Club does it, parents show up to help and we have a large number of people who show up who just love rodeo and want to help put it together,” said Dwayne Driskill, rodeo club adviser. Murray State rodeo team members who compete in the annual College Rodeo practice year round for the opportunity to represent their school not only at the Murray State rodeo, but at rodeos across the country. “Our team members keep their horses on campus and we practice at least four days a week for different events of rodeo,” said JD Vanhooser, rodeo team coach. “We always try to cover it all during the week when we aren’t gone during the weekends at different rodeos.” Mallory Shiplett, senior from Carbondale, Illinois, and Murray State rodeo team member agreed with Vanhooser and said that she sometimes practices barrel racing until midnight to prepare for rodeos. “We practice a lot, everyone practices a lot,” she said.
Chalice Keith/The News
A Murray State student barrel races at Racer Roundup Saturday Oct. 17. “Sometimes we are out there until midnight or sometimes later getting our horses ready and getting ourselves ready. A lot of it is mental too, just remembering something as small as taking a deep breath before entering the tunnel.” For someone who has never attended a college rodeo, Driskill said they are
missing something that is far from sub-par. “We put on one of the best rodeos around,” he said. “A lot of the coaches from other schools around tell us that we have one of the best rodeos around.” This year, the rodeo had a special visitor when Roger Walters, National Commis-
sioner for College Rodeo, made an appearance to see what kind of competition Murray State could bring to the rodeo community. Rogers represents the 11 regions of college rodeo within the United States. He said Murray State’s rodeo was his fifth region stop since the beginning of September and he
was far from disappointed. “I think (the Murray State rodeo team) does an excellent job and I’m not just saying that because I’m here right now,” Rogers said. “Where I’ve been so far this year, this is by far the best rodeo.” Rogers credits that accomplishment to the students, rodeo coaches and the uni-
versity. “This is a great region, but it takes a lot of work to put on a college rodeo,” he said. “When you look at a lot of these students they are working in any and many different capacities.” Every year, the rodeo team invites everyone in attendance, competitors or spectators, to wear pink in support of breast cancer awareness. To Shiplett, this is a way to show respect for her fellow teammates who might know of someone battling the illness. “We all wear pink to spread the word and get recognized,” Shiplett said. “We do have some people on the team who have mothers or aunts who have survived or are going through breast cancer right now and it is just our way to show support for them.” Zachary Schlemper, junior from Pacific, Missouri, is a saddle-bronc rider for Murray State. He said the rodeo team was a large part of why he chose to come to school Murray State. “It’s like a starting round for a lot of young up-andcoming champions at Murray State,” Schlemper said. “It’s all kinds of people who come from all different kinds of backgrounds who want to learn how to rodeo or are already rodeoing. I am very grateful for what Murray State has done.” Shiplett said she would compare the rodeo community, who comes together at college rodeos across the country, to a second family. “Rodeo is a way of life for a lot of these people, especially for me,” she said. “It just means coming together with a group of people who have the same interest and sharing in something that we all love and that God has given us the ability to do.”
Jenny Rohl and Chalice Keith/The News
RACER RODEO: (Top Left) Competitor competes in calf roping. (Bottom Left) Rodeo clown attempts to corral bull. (Right) Competitor tries to stay on the bull during Racer Roundup.
Men’s golf takes fifth at APSU, women finish eighth at MTSU Mallory Tucker Staff writer mtucker11@murraystate.edu
MEN
The men’s golf team took home a fifth place finish from the F&M Bank APSU Intercollegiate at The Links at Novadell in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. The Racers finished the first round in first place at 12-under-par and four strokes below their closest competitor, Western Illinois, who finished second overall at the end of the tournament. Belmont took home first place with a total of 832 compared to Murray State’s 851. Senior Jared Gosser led the team in eighth place with scores of 70-71-68=209 and freshman Gabe Wheeler carded the second-best score for the Racers in 15th place overall and first
out of the individuals with scores of 70-69-72=211. Seniors Brock Simmons, Duncan McCormick and Preston French and junior Matthew Zakutney rounded out team play for the Racers, respectively. “Jared had one of his better tournaments,” said Head Coach Eddie Hunt. “Jared’s very capable of winning any tournament he plays in. Once he’s focused, he’s as good as anybody in the conference, and I think that’s beginning to show. And then we had Gabe Wheeler, who played as an individual, that had an excellent tournament. He’s really played well this year for a freshman. I think we’re down to six players – we have our top five and then our freshman. This next tournament, we’re going to take all six players and I think after that we should pretty much
have it nailed down to who’s going to be the five starting the spring season.” The Racers’ next tournament, Arkansas State’s Fall Beach Classic in Gulf Shores, Alabama, will cap off their fall play. A short turnaround after Austin Peay’s tournament provides the team with barely enough time to catch up in the classroom, which Hunt said was a priority this week. A three-day, three-round tournament will allow the team to relax more than their usual two-day, three-round tournament set up. “We always try to have a really good trip – because we played at Martin, we played at Austin Peay, we had our home tournament – we really concentrate on some shorter trips,” Hunt said. “I think there are a couple OVC schools, but
there are a lot of teams that we won’t see much of during the year. We get to do some things other than just play golf. That will be a break for the players for sure, being able to play just 18 holes a day. Also, we hope the weather will be nice, although we’ve been very fortunate this fall and the weather’s been pretty good all year.”
WOMEN
The women’s team finished eighth in a field of 16 teams with scores of 313-316-315=944 at Middle Tennessee State’s Blue Raider Invitational in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Middle Tennessee State won their home tournament with a collective score of 883 compared to the Racers’ 944. Sophomore Moa Folke led the Racers in 25th place with scores of 75-81-78=234.
“I’m very excited and pleased with Moa’s play this semester,” said Head Coach Velvet Milkman. “She’s played well, but the thing is, she can play better. And I think she’s very close to that. I’m excited about it. I think she did well and I’m excited about what she can do in the spring.” Seniors Sophie Hillier and Abbi Stamper followed Folke in 36th and 39th place while freshman Jane Watts took 72nd and junior Sydney Trimble placed 75th. Sophomore Anna Moore entered the tournament as an individual and placed 81st overall. “I thought it was a good tournament,” Milkman said. “It was close to being a really good tournament. It’s a really good field and tough golf course, and I think our scores didn’t show how well we played at times.
We’re disappointed in our finish, but I definitely saw positives, and we’re going to take that into the offseason.” Now that the women’s fall season is over, their focus has transitioned to preparing for spring play, which kicks off Feb. 22 at South Alabama’s USA Invitational tournament in Mobile, Alabama. In addition to practicing skill work three times a week, the team will be in the weight room building strength, as they’re unable to do so in the regular season. “I think having four tournaments in a row it’s time to have a break,” Milkman said. “And I think they’re ready for that, but I also think that after about two weeks they’re going to be ready to play again. We’ll keep it competitive – after a little bit of a break, though.”
October 23, 2015
Features Editor: Connor Jaschen Assistant Features Editor: Gisselle Hernandez Phone: 270-809-5871 Twitter: MSUNewsFeatures
Features
ASA hosts dating game for charity
Kelsey Grapperhaus
Staff writer
kgrapperhaus@murraystate.edu
There’s a first for everything, and for the Beta Nu chapter of Alpha Sigma Alpha, or ASA, it was hosting the first ever Dating Game at Murray State Saturday on Lovett Auditorium’s stage. The previous fall philanthropy, which consisted of a dodgeball tournament between fraternities, sororities and any other organization on campus that dared create a team, had been significantly losing the community’s interest. This encouraged ASA to attempt to make a more exciting event for students, family and friends to attend this fall. After mixing things up, the Dating Game re-invented ASA’s fall philanthropy to create a fun, new and exciting twist on the newlywed game. The Dating Game consisted of two categories: a round for the singles, ready to mingle, and a round for the lovebird couples. Although the categories were two different rounds during the event, both categories started the same: an interview process. All it took was $10 to nominate a contestant. If an organization’s nomination for either round made it past the interview, the cost went up to $60 per selected participant. Sitting in the hot seat oneat-a-time during the singles rounds, two main contestants, one man and one woman, would sit on one side of the curtain and on the other side sat three eligible bachelors/ bachelorettes. After a series of questions, the main contestant would choose a date, unable to see what they looked like, based on the answers they
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Zachary Maley/The News
Evan Ditty and SGA President Clinton Combs hosted the dating games. provided. The couples round included four couples that answered 10 questions, which tested how well each knew his or her significant other. After raising $400 brought in by nominations, more than $2,000 from ticket sales, $600 from selected contestant fees and a few other side projects, including a rebate night and participating in a local trash pick up, it is safe to say ASA topped their goal of raising $3,200. What matters the most to some sisters of ASA, though, is
not the Dating Game itself, but what the money raised goes towards. Each year ASA raises money to sponsor the Murray, Calloway County Toys for Tots dinner. The chapter works with the local elementary and middle schools to compile a list of less fortunate families seeking assistance with Christmas necessities. After the children are selected, the sisterhood receives the children’s wish lists and members of the sorority get to play the part of Santa’s elves as
they run around Wal-Mart to purchase everything that can be found on the children’s list. Once the gifts are wrapped, ASA prepares a dinner for the children and their families, where they decorate a tree and fill the room with Christmas spirit. This year’s newest addition to the dinner is Alpha Sigma Alpha member, Emily Duff who will be singing Christmas carols to help bring the spirit of Christmas to life, along with Santa paying a visit to the children to distribute the gifts that ASA has prepared. Senior marketing major Emily Baker said the attendance and compliments provided after the event were all positive. “We couldn’t be more pleased with the feedback we have received and I can’t wait to see this become yet another outstanding Murray State tradition,” said Baker, ASA’s philanthropy chairwoman who made the Dating Game possible. Junior agriculture systems and technology major Matt McReynolds, who participated as a main contestant in the singles round, said his experience throughout the event was great and thinks it brought in more attendance than the dodgeball tournament would have. “The key to a good philanthropy is starting a tradition and sticking with it,” McReynolds said. “I think this will eventually be an event that every year people get excited for.” Looking forward to next year already, Alpha Sigma Alpha expresses their gratitude and appreciation to everyone that attended and has played a part in making Toys for Tots one to be remembered this year for the deserving families in the Murray community.
Technology’s change on campus Breanna Sill || Staff writer bsill@murraystate.edu
Living in a world where people camp out in the street just to purchase the newest iPhone the day it releases, but cannot remember the last time they mailed a handwritten letter to someone they know, is proof that technology is constantly progressing and becoming the new norm. The world’s first personal computer was introduced in 1975 by IBM and weighed approximately 50 pounds. Now, only 40 years later, students on Murray State’s campus are able to carry the equivalent to the first personal computer, plus so much more, in a device as compact as a wrist watch. In early 2015, Apple, Inc., announced its launch of the Apple Watch. With the Apple Watch, people are not only able to tell time, but they can answer and return phone calls and text messages and check their social media apps. Bryan Beals, junior from Owensboro, Kentucky, recently purchased the Apple Watch and said the wearable technology has made a large impact on his life. “I am a frequent runner,” he said. “I really use the Workout feature as it tracks my distance, time, heart rate and my pace. This was a good way to adjust to different workouts and track my progress.” Beals did say that constantly having access to the technology can be a distraction at times when he should be paying attention to things like work or class. “I admit it can get distracting sometimes,” he said. “It’s important to realize that all of
our technology is a tool and the user determines the productivity of the device.” It is not just Apple that is taking the wearable technology trend by storm. In 2014, Google released its highly anticipated Google Glass. Google Glass is a pair of glasses that allow users to take photos or videos just by blinking and share them with others, set reminders, see upcoming or current weather conditions, dictate text messages using a built-in microphone and catch up on headline news through Google Glass apps. Murray State has Google Glass available for rent from the University Libraries. Although it is only available for faculty to check out at this time, the technology is something that Elizabeth Price, Interim Coordinator of the Faculty Development Center, said is not at its full potential. “I think its purpose right now is to be worn and used to record and get a first person perspective,” she said. “Is that always the thing we need though? Because sometimes a video can be done a different way, so it’s not necessary. It doesn’t do enough to make it required.” While she feels the technology is not at the level that it is capable of reaching, she does think wearable technology is something that will continue to progress, although it could come with a few setbacks. For example, privacy. “At what point could a doctor, insurance company or law enforcement official subpoena this data to use against me?” she said. “Or in a less harmful way, advertisers?”
First music festival showcases student talents Monika Staszczak Contributing writer
mstaszczak@murraystate.edu
Kalli Bubb/The News
Jared Cook took the stage under the name J-Fresh with his hype man Rashid Leverett.
The Murray State Music Festival gave students an opportunity to showcase their music talent last Friday on the Hart College east patio. The event attracted its audience with performing peers and free pizza. The Student Government Association, or SGA, and Campus Activities Board, or CAB, are responsible for organizing the Music Festival. They are responsible for many on-campus events such as the hypnotist show and other events such as bringing singer and actor Todrick Hall to campus earlier this year. For almost two hours, the audience cheered for their fellow students performing on
stage. SGA provided free pizza and gave away gifts like koozies and bandanas to advertise the event. The location of the Music Festival wasn’t random. This central location was chosen so that everyone could hear the event in their residential colleges and come out and enjoy the music. Grant Knox, junior from Lexington, Kentucky came up with the idea for the Murray State Music Festival. As a showcasing chair in the CAB, he manages many on-campus events and performances. Before Knox took over as the chairman, showcasing was mainly focused on free movies in the Curris Center, said Nathan Payne, senior from Owensboro, Kentucky. Payne is
the vice president of SGA and also organized and managed the event. “We take all this time to get concert people and pay them to perform, but we have all this talent here on campus,” Payne said. “Why don’t we make some kind of a music festival?” Students had to audition by sending in a video of themselves performing. Only six videos were submitted, and five of the artists actually performed. One of them was Kevin Brost, junior from Cape Girardeau, Missouri, who sang and played guitar. When Brost first started playing guitar, he said he did not think about becoming a professional. “I thought girls would like it when I was around 13,” said Brost, laughing.
“My mom bought me a $50 guitar that came in a cardboard box” Brost said. Later, he joined a high school band, and now as a Music Business major, he’s building a solo career. He performs around Murray solo, as well as in a trio with two other Murray State students. This year was the first time Murray State Music Festival was organized, so not many people knew about it, but Knox said he hopes it will get bigger every year. It is supposed to remain a free, casual event to meet up with friends and have a good time. “We wanted to have something where people could just come, get free food and just enjoy the talent we have on this campus,” Knox said.
Air Force band honors the late Elvis Gisselle Hernandez
Assistant Features Editor ghernandez1@murraystate.edu
The United States Air Force Band of Mid-America performed a free concert, hosted by Murray State and Town & Gown Thursday, Oct. 15. at Lovett Auditorium. The U.S. Air Force Band of Mid-America, situated in Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is one of the various bands under the United States Air Force Band. The regional band tours yearround across 10 states from Michigan to Arkansas. The concert band, which includes a Murray State graduate from 1987 up until this year, played for the first time at Murray State Thursday night. More than 300 tickets were given out before the show and were still being given out at
the doors when they opened at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. When the performance began at 7:30 p.m., Racer Band members, Armed Services families and music enthusiasts alike sat in the seats of Lovett as emcees Senior Airman Denver Murphy and Airman First Class Anneke Bentley led them in singing the national anthem. The 45 airmen, who delivered a variety of songs, from marches and patriotic songs to rock and roll classics, were led by First Lieutenant Wilson Wise, Flight Commander and Assistant Conductor of the band. “Concertino for Four Percussion and Wind Ensemble” was one of the performances that earned hearty applause from the audience after four airmen rapidly went back and forth between percussion sets
without missing a beat. The bit that stole the show, however, was the Elvis Presley act titled “Hail to the King (…of Rock and Roll)” during which Murphy impersonated Murphy the King of Rock himself. Complete with a blue jumpsuit, the senior airmen vocalized to classics such as “Hound Dog” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love With You.” The audience laughed as Murphy shook his “rubber legs.” “Elvis” even interacted with the audience as he came down and serenaded a woman during “Blue Suede Shoes,” an act many people found humorous and endearing. After a 15-minute intermission, the band performed a few more songs, including a tribute to Abraham Lincoln titled “Lincoln Portrait.”
Andrea Bender, sophomore from Evansville, Indiana, felt the emotion in the room as the band played. “I love the energy they all had because it made the performance 10 times more enjoyable,” she said. Bender, a music student whose father served for six years in the Air Force, believes Murray State should continue hosting an event like this, since there are many students like herself who have friends and family who served or are serving. Nearing the end of the concert, the band paid tribute to audience members who were affiliated with any of the Armed Services, since Wise said “families sacrifice as much as our servicemen do.” Whether the person had directly served or knew
someone who did, they were asked to stand as the audience applauded them for their service. As a collection of patriotic songs closed the show, newfound fans waited eagerly to meet the performers that had blown them away that night. Justice Frank, junior from Elizabeth, Kentucky and clarinet-player in the Murray State Racer Band, believes that although every branch of the military has their own way of doing things, the bands are what’s universal. “I’m glad to live in a world where no matter who you’re affiliated with, music is still music,” she said. “To live in an area that supports groups like these that can come visit is an experience I didn’t think I’d ever have.” On Wednesday afternoon,
the day before the show, different members of the band conducted clinics in the Price Doyle Fine Arts complex, where they coached music students on their respective instruments, an exercise that is definitely beneficial, Director of Bands and Orchestra Dennis Johnson said. “Any time you can get an opinion from a professional musician to improve on yourself, it has got to help,” he said. Interested musicians can audition for an opening position by visiting the website bandofamerica.af.mil, an opportunity, Bentley believes, that can turn into a career. “There’s always the ‘struggling artist’ type of thing,” she said. “But I think that when you’re good at what you do and you really put in the work, it’ll show.”
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FRIDAY
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October 23, 2015
MONDAY
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5:00 p.m. Murray Art Guild’s Empty Bowls Event, Murray Art Guild
2:00 p.m. Celebrate Our Farming Heritage, Smith Farms, Murray
All Day ‘Catch Me If You Can’ play, Playhouse in the Park
All Day Apocalypse Laser Tag, William “Bill” Cherry Agricultural Exposition Center
8:00 a.m. Make It Real Art Exhibit, 6th floor, Price Doyle Fine Arts Building
7:00 a.m. Employee health Fair, third floor Curris Center
7:30 p.m. Chris Thile Benefit Concert, Lovett Auditorium
Book review: a singer’s story Courtney Scoby || Staff writer cscoby@murraystate.edu
Jewel Kilcher, also known simply as the multitalented singer-songwriter Jewel, is a master storyteller – that much is clear from her award-winning albums and record-shattering songs. However, the subtitle of her new memoir, Never Broken: Songs are Only Half the Story, could not be more apt a description. This artist has much more to tell us than what is encapsulated in her music. Never Broken is an unusually honest and deeply personal book. It is not an autobiogKilcher raphy, with the author predictably listing each life event already familiar to super-fans with a few mildly shocking (but not too shocking) details thrown in that ultimately leave the reader relatively unchanged. It moves you. The nearly 400 pages of the book flow easily, drawing readers into the narrative and not releasing them even after the book is closed. The story begins with the author’s alternately idealistic and traumatic childhood beginning in Homer, Alaska. She endured abuse from her family but also learned important coping skills through writing, meditating and simply existing in nature. She explains how her independence and self-reliance built early in life gave her the strength to move out on her own at 15 and begin her long and winding journey to a career in music. A significant portion of the book is dedicated to giving young aspiring artists advice for navigating the troubled waters of the industry while staying true to one’s self. For example, playing in bars from a very young age showed her that men who propositioned her needed to be turned down delicately, with their egos intact, or the interaction could very easily become dangerous for her. Although Jewel is tremendously – almost supernaturally – talented, she credits the greater part of her success to working
consistently and diligently at little expense to her label early on in her career so they would have no excuse to drop her. She also refused to take shortcuts, waiting until the right label came along before signing a record deal and turning down offers of much-needed money in exchange for sex. She never accepted disrespect. When customers at one of her coffeehouse shows talked or left in the middle of a song, she called them out. The book includes a charming story of her future lawyer, who fell asleep when he first saw her play and awoke to the laughter of the audience members when Jewel concocted lyrics on the spot about the snoozing man. While Never Broken prescribes invaluable advice to any artist, it also details some of Jewel’s more individual musical struggles, such as struggling to break through as a folk singer at the height of the grunge movement and constantly being hounded about the condition of her teeth. The familiar language of Jewel’s breathtaking songwriting is very much present here. It is clear she did not have the help of ghostwriters or cowriters. Fans of her music will enjoy the stories behind some of her more cryptic songs (such as “Standing Still” and “Goodbye Alice in Wonderland”) and lovers of language will relish the never-before-released poems included here and there. However, these same fans may be disappointed in the lack of attention to her extensive and diverse discography. She focuses on the recording of several seminal albums, but barely mentions the development of others. The other half of Jewel’s story provides a lot of insight into what it means to be a human, a woman, an artist and especially, what it means to heal. She writes about the value of silence and the role we each have in our own becoming. While serious Jewel fans will undoubtedly enjoy Never Broken, it is a book that can appeal to anyone who has ever felt alone, or worthless or a failure. This book is wonderfully empowering and deeply satisfying. This is not a story readers will soon forget. As celebrity-penned books come, this is as good as it gets.
Theatre department targets younger audience Brianna Willis || Staff writer bwillis2@murraystate.edu
“Anansi the Spider” just ended its stay here at Murray on Oct. 16. Lissa Graham-Schneider, stage director, said she hopes audience members left feeling inspired. “I hope the kids who saw Anansi came away with the idea that being you is enough,” she said. “I hope every kid who saw the show knows that deeds don’t have to be overblown to be meaningful.” The plot centered around Anansi, a trickster spider who angers the god of sky. He then falls in love with Aso, the god’s daughter. She isn’t quite sure if she should trust him, and sends Anansi on a quest. Children in a range of ages from toddlers to middle school age were in attendance. A few Murray State students were there as well. While students may have missed their opportunity to see “Anansi the Spider” the theatre department has more shows coming up throughout the year, including
“Curtains,” a musical. Graham-Schneider said seeing live performances are beneficial for students. “Story is an important part of human being’s lives,” she said. “It benefits the soul and the mind.” By seeing a live theater performance such as a play or musical, audience members can relieve stress and engage in a very human experience, she said. Graham-Schneider can attest to the benefit in participating in shows and theater classes, if someone is a theater lover like herself. She said she believed that people could not make any money in a career in theater, but this belief changed after she took a college theater course. “I switched majors, and have been working consistently ever since,” she said. She had always loved theater and while she does not suggest everyone change their major and pursue theater, she said she hopes this does not deter students from at least auditioning for a show of their interest. “We cast and include all majors,” she
said. “If you love theater we want you to participate no matter your major or minor.” By being involved in theater, she said, it will help children succeed in other areas of their life such as school. “Getting kids involved and interested keeps their imaginations active and motivates them to do well in school,” Graham-Schneider said. While Graham-Schneider said she enjoyed directing Anansi, and enjoyed getting the kids involved in the production and performance, she does not just do children’s performances. This February she will be directing “The Glass Menagerie.” Graham-Schneider said she has been able to direct many of her favorite shows, something she is thankful for. She hopes students will get involved and said that the Murray State theatre department embraces all people. “The Murray State Department of Theatre is, without a doubt, the nicest and most inclusive group of people you could ever hope to meet,” she said.
Racers’ self-defense, a way of life Da’Sha Tuck Staff writer
dtuck@murraystate.edu
The Southeastern Association of Kenpo Karate Jiu Jitsu became a club on Murray State’s campus 45 years ago and is still instilling self-discipline, confidence, balance, speed and power in its members. Chief Instructor Carlos Lopez said the organization practices a martial art which was founded as a self-defense system. “It is designed to provide an individual with the combat effective means to protect and defend basic inalienable rights, granted to him, his loved ones and his fellow man,” Lopez said. Lopez said the Southeastern Association focuses on applying self-defense techniques for a variety of combat situations, including ground combat. There are several other martial arts clubs on campus but the Southeastern Association says their group is different from the rest because it is taught as a tool, not a sport. “The difference lies in that it is a lifelong commitment on the student’s part,” Lopez said. He also said unlike other clubs, the members are able to progress in ranks and even-
McKenna Dosier/The News
Head instructor and telecommunications professor, Carlos Lopez, demonstrates a joint lock. tually become the instructor. Lopez said his organization involves more physical contact than to other martial arts clubs on campus. He said the art is constantly revised and evaluated in order to keep it current and as practical and effective as possible. This is not just a club but an organization that is teaching life skills. The group is made up of four students with ranging ranks. The first belt is white then progressing to yellow, orange, purple, blue, green and black. They have one
white belt, two purple belts and one brown belt. Emily Hoard, freshman from Metropolis Illinois, has been a part of the program since the beginning of the semester and is now a purple belt. Hoard said a purple belt means she has mastered the basics including kicks, strikes and blocks, as well as defensive arts against grabs. “This organization is set apart from other campus organizations because it is not only enjoyable but practical,” Hoard said. She said the organization
teaches physical fitness and mental toughness; with these combined, the ability for self-defense is created. Hoard said being a part of this group has allowed her to meet new people on campus as well as help her build confidence, but she came into the club with experience. She said she began her training in her hometown with the Metropolis Club a year ago. “Kenpo is meant for self-defense and is not a sport,” Hoard said. “Although, I believe it is OK for individual members to compete if they choose to, it is not generally a part of Kenpo.” Hoard said the program is growing. She said in five years she would like to see the program have more students. In order for students to be involved they have to attend two sessions and observe. If they are still interested in joining they will then go through an interview process. If everything checks out, the student can begin learning Kenpo. “It may seem intimidating at first, walking in with no experience, but it really is a great club,” Hoard said. “It will get or keep you active and you will definitely learn a lot along the way, both physically and mentally.”
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Pop Culture Corner FEATURED TWEETS #ScaryStoryIn5Words Scare Cullen/Clisare @Clisare #ScaryStoryin5Words One Direction are back together 7:05 am 20 Oct 2015
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“Hotline Bling” Video Takes Over Internet Unless they have been living under a rock, everyone has seen, or at least heard of, Drake’s new video for his single “Hotline Bling.” The Director X-led video went viral after it was released on Monday. The Internet became obsessed after seeing the “Back To Back” singer dance on screen for five minutes. Twitter has been all over Drake’s “shimmying,” “cha cha-ing” and dropping of the occasional salsa moves. Countless vines and parodies have been made with the rapper dancing to other songs that seem fitting to his dance moves.
Soundbyte “That’s the dark side of fame,” -Vin Diesel,
MEDIA REVIEWS Mayday Parade’s ‘Black Lines’ shifts course of rock which was released in July, starts with Sanders cooing nerickson@murraystate.edu over a clean guitar melody. Out of nowhere, it The 10th anniversary of kicks in abruptly with synTallahassee alternative chronized guitar chugging. rockers Mayday Parade This is one of the strongest marks their fifth album, tracks on the album, both “Black Lines.” vocally and instrumentally. Known for writing some Ending with a slow paced of the most emotional and outro with beautiful guitar heartfelt music on the mar- lines and gut-wrenching ket today, Mayday Parade lyrics, it’s bound to get has taken the high points of crowds singing along. “I their previous albums and am selfish when I need you. amped them up to a thou- I am the blistering side of sand, without losing any of the wall in the back of your their charm. room.” Those expecting another Even when the album taste of sugary pop rock slows down to the pace found on their last two al- of older Mayday Parade bums are in for a surprise. tracks, it’s done with pre“Black Lines” is raw and cision. The third released more aggressive than their single, “Letting Go,” is an previous work. The edge of anthem for the brokenthe guitars on some tracks hearted. It’s about not havis reminiscent of songs off ing the strength to get out their first full length from of a negative relationship. 2007, “A Lesson In Roman- This track has a very ‘90s tics.” It’s nice to see May- inspired atmosphere. Startday Parade decided to step ing with the soft chords of out of their comfort zone. an acoustic guitar and the Album quiet opener sing“One of ing of T h e m SandWill Dee r s , stroy The t h i s Other” track pushes builds this reu p cord too v e r ward a t h e darker first tone and minute sets the into an mood for electhe rest t r i c , of the Photo courtesy of www.itunes.apple.com p o w album. e r f u l The bass and guitar tone, chorus with nice falsetto backed by pounding drums, vocals and a steady drum are heavy and not the typ- pulse. ical Mayday Parade style. A j a c k - o f - a l l - t r a d e s , This song features singer Mayday Parade shows their Derek Sanders new use of versatility in songwritrougher, strained singing at ing. They went the extra certain parts of the track. mile with “Black Lines” This song also features and tried new things never guest vocals from Dan used before by them in Lambton of Real Friends. their music. His singing compliments Pushing toward a new, Derek’s voice. This was the grittier sound, Mayday Pabest track to kick off this rade is changing the game album. of alternative rock and Lead single “Keep In paving their way to an even Mind, Transmogrification more successful career as a Is A New Technology,” band. Nick Erickson Contributing writer
Want to read a review of an album before you hear it? Let us know! Send an email to our Features Editor, Connor Jaschen, at cjaschen@murraystate.edu.
toward online abusers criticizing his “dad-bod.”
Not About the Grades
Stop. J u s t stop waiting for Friday to arrive. S t o p s a y i n g you’re just “riding out” Gisselle Hernandez this week Assistant Features so you can graduate. Editor S t o p making obtaining a six-figure salary your ultimate goal in the future. There is more to it than that. So much more. Obviously, education is the reason you’re here, but, as we said in my Ethics class earlier this week, college isn’t supposed to be about making it through another week, another class, another exam. Too many students are too focused on attempting to make a 4.0 GPA, having their resume be filled up with all possible extracurricular activities that they forget to build relationships, forget to get out of their comfort Photo courtesy of www.kinogallery.com zone, forget to try to learn new Mia Wasikowska portrays an aspiring author in Guillermo Del things about themselves. William Deresiewicz, in his Toro’s fantasy/horror film. book “Excellent Sheep: The Miseducation of the American they appear to be. Adam Winn || Staff writer awinn@murraystate.edu This movie is an amaz- Elite,” said college is an opporing work of art, just simply tunity to stand outside the “real “Crimson Peak” is a for its visual appearance. world” for a few years and away movie that does a good The film is set in the late from the familiar grasp of your job of combining several 19th century and all the family, not just to make sure you different genres into one. set designs are extremely get a good job. This is the pause Some viewers might think elaborate and make the college students should make they are going in to see a viewer feel like they are the most out of before emerging typical horror film, and actually there in that time into the working world. You should appreciate the while this film does conperiod. tain a fair amount of gore The director, Guillermo short moment in your life that and scares, what this film Del Toro, is known for is college, where getting good is, at its core, is a love creating deeply detailed grades isn’t the only thing that story so complex that it fantasy worlds for his it is for. When you graduate, do will leave the audience other films, such as “Hell- you really want to remember it stunned. boy” and “Pan’s Labyrinth” as having all-nighters for exams The movie is a period and succeeds in doing the and being so stressed about work piece about a girl named same thing with this film every day you just can’t wait for the weekend? Edith Cushing (Mia Wasias well. kowska) who has had a The ghost designs are Even your classes should be connection to the supervividly creepy, not just be- enlightening experiences themnatural world since she cause of the graphic detail, selves. Every day you sit in front was a little girl and the but the fact that they pop of your professor, you should ghost of her mother visout at just the right time enjoy it. For a lot of people, colited her, warning her to to scare the viewer when lege is the last time they will be “beware of Crimson Peak.” they least expect them to. in the classroom. As an adult, she has a Del Toro uses the right A student in my ethics class strong desire to be a novamount of CGI in order brought up a good point: apart elist and to write ghost to accomplish some of the from the general required books, even though most detail, but not enough to classes, the classes you take people don’t take her stomake the viewer feel like should be about things that genries seriously because what they are watching uinely interest you and make she’s a woman and is told is purely computer-ani- you want to learn more, not cause you to keep glancing at the she should write love stomated. ries instead. During this The acting is well-done clock every five minutes. time, a mysterious man and all of the main cast do I come from the developing named Thomas Sharpe an exceptionally good job country of Belize where even (Tom Hiddleston) and with their unique charac- the thought of coming to a state his sister, Lucille (Jessica ter portrayals. The per- university is beyond the reach of Chastain) enter her life formance that stuck out many people. It baffles me when and soon she begins to the most was by Chastain I hear people wanting to just get have romantic feelings for in her role as the secre- out of school as soon as possible Thomas, which is mutually tive sister, Lucille Sharpe. because other people would be reciprocated, much to LuChastain portrays the dying to come to a place where cille’s apparent dislike. character so well that you can discover a whole other After a family tragedy, the viewer doesn’t know side of yourself, not just acaEdith quickly marries whether to ultimately feel demically. Try to come up with things to Thomas and they move sorry or be afraid of her. back to his family’s estate This film is what hap- do that are worth waking up to, in England where his sister pens when an art-house- and not just look forward to the also resides. Not long after styled film meets a big parties on the weekends. When being there, Edith begins budget film, with its big- you finally do graduate, you seeing ghosts and having name cast, expensive sets will wish you had talked to that vivid dreams and soon reand intricate storyline. girl in your class, spent more alizes that things aren’t as And, in this case, it works. time with your friends or taken classes you were actually passionate about. After all, those things are much more valuable than some job. ghernandez1@murraystate.edu
‘Crimson Peak’: Love story turned ghost story
Out this week
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8B
The News
October 23, 2015