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THE MUR R AY STATE
NEWS
Page 6 Racer volleyball retires senior hitter Scottie Ingram’s number, the first time in team history
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November 17, 2016 | Vol. 91, No. 12
OVC Champions
Bryan Edwards || Staff writer bedwards16@murraystate.edu
The top two teams in the OVC clashed in Racer Arena Saturday when the second place Cougars of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville squared off against the first place Murray State Racer volleyball team. With OVC championship implications in the balance, the Racers defeated the Cougars 3-2 (22-25, 25-10, 17-25, 25-21, 1510) and clinched the OVC regular season championship in five sets for their thirdstraight conference title. The Cougars opened the match with a 6-3 lead and battled to keep the lead throughout the set. The Racers got it as close as 22-21 but couldn’t take the lead.
The Cougars won the first set 25-22. Murray State opened the second set on an 8-1 run, with three of those points coming from junior outside hitter Kamille Jones. The Racers kept their foot on the gas and won the second set 25-10. The Cougars answered in the third and after opening the set ahead 7-4, the Racers scored four consecutive points to take an 8-7 lead. From there, the Cougars went on a 15-2 run to take a commanding 22-10 lead. The Racers fought back scoring seven of the next eight points, but the gap was too large and the Cougars closed the set 25-17. The fourth set was a battle to the end, with both teams going back and forth throughout the set. The Racers got an edge in the match late taking a 19-15 lead,
and after the Cougars took two points to make it 19-17, the Racers held on to take the fourth set 25-21. After winning the fourth set, the Racers clinched a share of the regular season OVC Championship and home court advantage for the OVC Tournament. The Racers opened the fifth set on a 7-2 run to take an early advantage. The Cougars went on a 6-2 run of their own to cut the Racer lead to one at 9-8. Murray State then went on a 6-2 run and clinched the win with a service ace from senior setter Hannah Stultz. Head Coach David Schwepker said he was happy with the way they distributed the ball.
see CHAMPS, page 2 Chalice Keith/The News
Provost search down to a two candidate contest Bella Utley
Contributing writer iutley@murraystate.edu
On Nov. 7, Murray State held an open forum for faculty, staff and members of the campus community to meet with Robert Fischer, a candidate for the provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. Fischer is currently the dean of the College of Basic and Applied Sciences at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) and worked as the chairman of the Department of Biology at University of Alabama at Birmingham and
as the associate chairman of biology at Eastern Illinois University. In his role at MTSU, he works with strategic planning, student success, performance funding, alumni projects and budget management. Fischer said he was a first-generation college student coming from a low- to mid-income household who was given opportunities by faculty and staff who cared about his progress. He wants to work for an institution with
see FISCHER, page 2
Bella Utley
Contributing writer iutley@murraystate.edu
Mark Anderson, the second finalist for the provost and vice president of Academic Affairs, visited Murray State on Nov. 9 for an open forum in which faculty, staff and members of the community could meet him and ask questions. Anderson is currently the dean of the College of Science and Math at Kennesaw State University. He has been a member of the faculty and held administrative positions at the
University of Colorado-Denver and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. He is a physical and analytical chemist with a list of publications, presentations and mentoring opportunities with research students. “My goal is to help everyone be successful,” Anderson said. He said he believes the essential focus in schools should be the importance of liberal arts, and higher education shouldn’t be career training—it should be educating the
see ANDERSON, page 2
Petition set to Safety pins come to Murray stall payroll tax Lindsey Coleman Staff writer
lcoleman7@murraystate.edu
Ashley Traylor Staff writer
atraylor@murraystate.edu
Murray community members are petitioning the proposed payroll tax that will replace city stickers if passed by the Murray City Council. Gregory Taylor, former Murray City Council member, started the petition because he said he did not believe there was a planned forum to communicate with business leaders, community workers and the public about the tax before the council moved to enact it. Within three days, the petition had 654 supporters. The number is growing as more community members sign the petition. Although, Taylor said he did not expect the petition to receive this much attention. “I honestly had no idea,” he said. “I know how power-
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ful it can be to have phone conversations with the people you represent, and so I thought that it would be beneficial for the council to see how many people care about this issue and have that expressed to them in this type of manner.” He said he is hopeful that the petition will make the council take more time to consider the public before the tax is voted on. The petition is not meant to be harsh or hateful, Taylor said, because he said he is thankful for the hard work of the city council. “We’re expressing the disagreement with the proposal and the request that there be more study and more time and more input from the community before it’s enacted,” Taylor said. He will present the petition to the city council and
see TAX, page 2
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To calm some of the unrest after last week’s presidential election, safety pins are being offered on campus for people to wear and show their support of those who may feel targeted by the president-elect’s comments about marginalized groups. Many offices have free safety pins, including Student Affairs, Education Abroad and LGBT Programming. Robyn Pizzo, Education Abroad adviser, said the safety pins are a sign of solidarity with marginalized groups of people who are on campus and in the community: LGBT, people of color, immigrants, Muslims, women, people with disabilities, and others who may feel targeted. Jody Cofer Randall, coordinator of LGBT Programming, said the pins are meant to be a visibility campaign simply to show there is hope, even though some are scared and uncertain.
@TheMurrayStateNews
McKenna Dosier/The News
Safety pins can be found in the Office of LGBT Programming, the University Store, Student Affairs, the Women’s Center and the Multicultural Center. “Families are worried about their children going to school, so… I do worry about how some of our students are going to be treated,” Cofer Randall said. The idea came to Cofer Randall from a Huffington
@MurrayStateNews
Post article. According to The Huffington Post, the #safetypin idea was inspired by a movement following the Brexit vote in the United Kingdom this summer. Those who wore safety pins after the UK left
the European Union showed solidarity with refugees and immigrants who felt alienated. Cofer Randall said she thought the idea of a per-
@TheMurrayStateNews
@MurrayStateNews
see PINS, page 2
News
Page 2
Wave of bike thefts rise across campus Staff Report Over the last four weeks, 10 bikes have been reported stolen across campus, according to a Timely Warning notice released by Murray State Public Safety. These thefts have reportedly taken place both early morning and late at night, according to the notice. The notice also stated most of these reported thefts happened when bikes were left unsecured. To prevent further thefts, Public Safety advised students to take certain safety precautions to protect their personal property, including how best to secure bikes, to make sure bikes are secured to fixed bike racks and for students to keep proper records of bikes, including models and serial numbers. The last two bullet points told students to report suspicious activities to university police and not to “engage persons involved in criminal activity.” Public Safety also recommended using two locks on a bike, in order to make it more difficult for thieves to steal. Cable locks, according to the notice, are easier to cut or break, so Public Safety recommended using U-locks to secure personal property, a type of mostly metal lock that is harder to break, though they are also more expensive. If anyone has any information on these McKenna Dosier/The News thefts, please call Murray State Police DepartMurray State Public Safety recommends students to secure unattended bikes to fuxed bike racks to avoid property loss. ment at (270) 809-2222.
FISCHER From Page 1
The News
the same values. He said he values how Murray State is comprehensive, student-success oriented and unique in the commitment of
community. Fischer said his morals include transparency of management, integrity, high expectations and positive group progression. Faculty and staff at the forum asked questions concerning study abroad issues, liberal arts inclusion, underrepresentation on campus, student retention and campus growth.
Freshman Enrollment PINS From Page 1 son being someone’s “safety pin” would be a great thing for the university. She said she thinks the safety pins are simple and doable, yet meaningful. After the election, she said she has had many people approach her with a message of, “We’re going to get through this together,” despite some telling people to “get over it.” Many students are still trying to make sense of what’s happening. She said the day of the election, students lined up at her office and brought their concerns to her. Students told Cofer Randall the air on campus is different, and no one really knows what to say or how to process it no matter what side they’re on, but Cofer Randall said this idea of “Just get over it” is not acceptable to her. “You’re talking about people’s feelings, and that doesn’t work, because regardless of what causes it, if that’s what they’re feeling, then we’ve got to try to help work through that,” Cofer Randall said. “It doesn’t have to make logical sense to you or anyone else. If that’s how our students are feeling, we’ve got to work with that.” Kelsey Crawford, junior from Lick Creek, Illinois, feels the support from those wearing the safety pins as a member of the LGBT community. “This past week I have witnessed positives and negatives from our student body however the pins are shining through and sending a mes-
sage of solidarity and love,” Crawford said. “When I see someone wearing a safety pin, I immediately relate that to the fact that they support me, not only as a lesbian-identified woman, but also a biracial woman.” Crawford also wears a safety pin so other minority groups know they are supported and accepted by her. Although safety pins are a positive symbol of support, Pizzo said she recognizes the safety pins alone are not enough, and people should do more to be allies during this uncertain time. “Some ways we can do that on campus and in the community include being intolerant of racism and other forms of discrimination and speaking up when we see or hear it,” Pizzo said. “We should be more inclusive in our relationships, organizations and programming. We should listen to and learn from the groups with whom we’re hoping to show solidarity.” Pizzo said she hopes study abroad experiences will help students come home with a more empathetic and understanding mindset. She said she hopes the experience will carry over into their everyday lives by recognizing what it feels like to be in the minority while abroad. “I want anyone who is struggling or just searching for a kind face, to know I am someone who supports diversity and grows from knowledge,” Crawford said. “In the world right now, I feel that hate has grown from fear of the unknown and ignorance to the differences we have but I hope that the safety pins will be a way to bridge that gap and create an open dialogue for growth.
TAX From Page 1 urge them not to enact the payroll tax. Murray residents and those working in Murray are concerned about the payroll tax lowering their income. Teresa Steen, a resident of Murray, said the working and middle class are already stretched, some working two or three jobs to keep their heads above water. She said she was working three jobs a year ago but now only works two. “Families will suffer,” Steen said. “Bottom line: budgets are tight. Families will have to cut back on essentials as this tax will literally lower their incomes.” Other residents of the city commented on the petition, saying a payroll tax is unfair and a financial burden on families. “I live in the county but work in the city,” Murray resident Amanda Dennis, wrote. “This tax would basically take one and a half of my paychecks a year. That’s not good for working people who live paycheck to paycheck.” Paul Rister, resident of Almo, Kentucky, wrote, “For those that live in the county but work in the city, this would be ‘taxation without representation.’ Which for a reminder, is a situation in
ANDERSON
Fischer said he conducted research at MTSU about males and females reaching achievements such as leadership, administration, tenure and family-oriented practices on their campus. The studies found there is no difference between the two, but the campus is working on groups to positively affect the perception of this issue. He also emphasized his desire for student success and their community on campus. He said he believes scholarships have an important role on every campus, as well as blending liberal arts in order for the student to receive a comprehensive education. “Higher education was meant to be broader than the classroom,” Fischer said.
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November 17, 2016
whole person. In a university setFrom Page 1 ting, he said the student should be taught how to think, not what to think, because by using information to formulate their own judgment, the student will positively question the way they think. Anderson said study abroad is critically important because students should get exposure to other countries and cultures in order to be more efficient in their future career paths. However, he said the experience at a
which government imposes taxes on a particular group of its citizens, despite the citizens not consenting or having an actual voice in city government since they live in the county. This is tyranny.” Wesley Bolin, city council member, said he has read every comment on the petition and he said the majority of comments are from people who live outside Murray but work in the city and pay a payroll tax to their own towns. “My job is to represent the people of Murray, and currently Murray residents are responsible for far greater share of the cost of the city government than residents of most other cities in western Kentucky, as well as the residents of every other Kentucky city with a public university,” Bolin said. Mayor Jack Rose said he has not seen the petition, but he has heard about it. Rose said the council was provided with data that compares the revenue sources Murray uses to other university cities in Kentucky, regional university cities in Kentucky and other cities that are the same size as Murray. This information was provided to the council last week, he said, and it will be presented to the public Thursday, Nov. 17 at 6 p.m. The meeting Thursday will also serve as public comment, regarding the payroll tax.
university is the entire package with more downtime than students have ever experienced. He said this time is critical because students begin to have more adult conversations with people who aren’t their immediate friends and family. Anderson said he enjoys Murray State because he sees the growth in the community. He said he has the confidence that he can collectively contribute to make a difference. “My goal has always been to have a lasting impact with the student,” Anderson said. “I am prepared with the appropriate background, personality and sensibility to do so.”
Total class size: 1,502 (2% increase from last year) ACT score: 23.9 average score 15% more freshman in Honors College
Total enrollment: 10,495 students
4.6% decrease from 2015-16 census
4.9 % of class were highschool valedictorians
CHAMPS From Page 1 “We wanted to make sure the attack was spread out tonight,” Schwepker said. “We were just happy to come in and get the win.” Five Racers recorded double-digit kills, but the team was led by senior outside hitter Scottie Ingram, who had 16 kills and 23 digs, recording her 20th double-double of the season. Stultz led the team with 55 assists and senior libero Ellie Lorenz led the team with 29 digs. Seniors Ingram, Kristen Besselsen, Lorenz, Stultz and Audrey Lewis were honored before the game, and after the game, it was announced Ingram would be the first volleyball player in Murray State history to have her jersey retired. “She deserved it and I’m so
happy for her,” Schwepker said. “She’s done so much for this team and this program, and I couldn’t be more proud of her.” The two-time OVC Player of the Year said she had no idea that it was going to happen and was left speechless about the honor but said she was proud of her team and the effort they showed. “We don’t have one hitter, we have 10,” Ingram said. “The entire team stepped up tonight, and when we have players on the bench that could come out and perform just as good if not better than the people they’re replacing. One person didn’t do this alone — we all did it and this is the best team I’ve ever played on.” The Racers will begin their quest for an OVC Tournament Championship at 7 p.m. Thursday when they play Jacksonville State in the first round of the tournament in Racer Arena.
Chalice Keith/The News
Rachel Giustino leaps up for a block in Saturday’s win against SIUE.
Kentucky Oaks Mall to close Thanksgiving Day Michelle Hawks
Contributing writer mhawks@murraystate.edu
The Kentucky Oaks Mall in Paducah, Kentucky, will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and will reopen Friday morning at 6 a.m. Candice Freeland, marketing director, said this decision came after careful planning and discussion. She said there were multiple factors that went into the decision, including the need for shopping hours. “We decided it would be in the best interest of those working in and for the mall and for their families to take the day off,” Freeland said. “Everybody needs a break.”
According to the National Retail Federation, the Black Friday weekend brought in more than 151 million shoppers nationwide last year, making it the largest shopping weekend of the year. “It’s crazy,” Freeland said. “But it’s fun. It’s a lot of fun.” She said in years past, they have estimated between 90,000-100,000 people visit the mall over the three-day shopping period. Many stores in the area, like Walmart and Macy’s, will remain open on Thanksgiving to begin sales. However, those at Kentucky Oaks Mall aren’t concerned that being closed will cut into their profits. Freeland said while they want to remain competitive
with the stores that are choosing to remain open, they are still expecting to bring in a large amount of consumers Friday morning. “People will be relaxed and ready to shop,” she said. She said they plan on continuing the Balloon Drop Friday morning, which is a tradition the mall management looks forward to every year. “There’s a prize in every balloon. It might be $5 or $500. You just never know,” Freeland said. She said the community has rallied around their decision to be closed, which is something that makes them feel like they are doing the right thing. Freeland said they’ve received dozens of messages
from community members applauding them for the move and showing their support. “I’ve even had an employee say that she almost cried because she has a new baby, and she was so happy she would be home to spend Thanksgiving with her family,” Freeland said. Kentucky Oaks Mall is corporately owned by Cafaro Company, which is based out of Niles, Ohio. The company has 12 other malls, each of which decide independently whether or not to remain open on the holiday. Freeland said Cafaro, as well as those who work at Kentucky Oaks Mall, will evaluate the results of this year’s sales to see what happens in the future.
The News
News
November 17, 2016 News Editor: Abby Siegel Assistant Editor: Alicia Steele Phone: 270-809-4468 Twitter: MurrayStateNews
POLICE BEAT Nov. 9
1:10 p.m. An officer conducted a traffic stop on Lowes Drive. A citation was issued for speeding, failure to wear a seatbelt and failure to maintain required insurance. 8:10 p.m. An officer served a warrant for third-degree terroristic threatening.
Nov. 10
9:01 a.m. An officer conducted a traffic stop on Sycamore and Whitnell streets. A verbal warning was issued for weaving. 10:16 a.m. A caller reported a medical emergency at Alexander Hall. Officers, Murray Ambulance Service and Student Affairs were notified. The patient was transported by Murray Ambulance Service and a medical report was taken.
Nov. 11
12:55 a.m. A person reported a parking complaint via the LiveSafe app at Hester Residential College. The owner was notified. 10:28 p.m. A caller reported graffiti at Faculty Hall. Officers and Central Heating and Cooling plant were notified. A report was taken for first-degree criminal mischief.
Nov. 12
3:21 p.m. A caller reported a motor vehicle collision with no injuries in the Old Richmond Residential College rear parking lot. Officers were notified and a motor vehicle collision report was taken. 7:26 p.m. The Murray Police Department reported a reckless driver on 13th and Payne streets. Officers were notified.
Nov. 13
1:40 a.m. A caller reported a medical emergency at Elizabeth Residential College. Officers, Murray Ambulance Service and the on-call residence director were notified. The patient refused transport and a medical report was taken. 6:13 p.m. A caller reported a stolen bicycle at White Residential College. Officers were notified and a report was taken for theft by unlawful taking less than $500.
Nov. 14
7:58 p.m. The Murray Police Department reported a medical emergency in the Business Building. Officers, Murray Ambulance Service and Student Affairs were notified. Patient was transported by Murray Ambulance Service and a medical report was taken. 11:53 p.m. A caller reported the smell of marijuana at Price Doyle Fine Arts. Officers were notified.
Nov. 15
8:16 a.m. A caller reported a medical emergency at Business Building North. Officers, Murray Ambulance Service and Student Affairs were notified. The patient refused transportation by Murray Ambulance Service and a medical report was taken. 10:50 p.m. A caller reported a possible stolen vehicle at Fast Track. Officers were notified and the vehicle was located. Racer assists – 0 Motorist assists – 2 Arrests - 0
Alicia Steele, Assistant News Editor, compiles Police Beat with materials provided by Public Safety and Emergency Management. Not all dispatched calls are listed.
Love Police Beat? You can check it out every week online, too, on TheNews.org.
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Bevin’s legislative director visits Chamber of Commerce
Bella Utley
Contributing writer iutley@murraystate.edu
Bryan Sunderland, legislative director for Gov. Matt Bevin, spoke during the Breakfast at Business meeting held by the Murray Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday. “I like to step back and view this from a business perspective,” Sutherland said. “My last 10 years I worked with a Chamber of Commerce and Sunderland business leaders in Frankfort, Kentucky.” Bevin was elected in December 2015, and Sunderland joined his administration in January 2016. Sunderland said in the past year Kentucky had the most fiscally-responsible budget in “decades” be-
cause Bevin declared a 9 percent budget cut across the state, which Sunderland said allowed for 1.2 billion dollars to be added to the pension system. He said Kentucky’s pension system is one of the worst in the nation. “It is a challenge not only for the business community, but also school teachers and public employees,” Sunderland said. Kentucky plans to continue this two-year budget cycle in the future in order get the state out of debt. The administrative board is working with a public financial firm to change the budget system. Bevin also maintained focus on education and the work force. Sunderland said Kentucky put $39 million toward elementary, middle and high schools in the state. Extra money was allocated for dual credit in high school as well. There were also 100 million dollars committed to benefiting the work field.
“What Murray needs isn’t necessarily going to be the same as what Louisville needs,” Sunderland said. “We are a very diverse state.” The program administration allows local areas to come together and find what’s best for the workforce and education systems in their community. Sunderland said the budget allocated $100 million for that reason and already has requests for four to five million dollars of that money. “Bevin is also trying to reduce the size and scope of the government,” Sunderland said. “We need to have a government that knows when to step out of the way for businesses.” The Kentucky government started a program called the Red Tape Reduction Initiative. This program is meant to help regulate restrictions and laws set by the state, which include 129,000 restrictions. Sunderland said there are good reasons for these regulations, but some are “unnecessarily lengthy”
and “unreasonable.” In this ongoing process, 103 restrictions have been repealed, 197 have been targeted for repeal, 86 have been amended and 438 have been targeted for amending. The state government asked all businesses to look at the restrictions and ask questions about the productivity of these laws and go to the Red Tape Reduction website with feedback. Sunderland also spoke on the recent elections for the House of Representatives and Senate. Donna Keys, AM representative from Froggy Radio, said she agrees with some things Bevin is doing, and she said he has some good ideas. She said she is excited that there are business leaders now in the government, not strictly political leaders. “I think we just need change,” Keys said. “It will be interesting to see what having a new president will throw into the mix.”
Vintage Rose turns to Plantation Place Lindsey Coleman || Staff writer lcoleman7@murraystate.edu
Vintage Rose Emporium closed for business on Nov. 5, but Renee Howell reopened the doors as Plantation Place on Nov. 11. On Oct. 31, Sarah Jones, previous owner of Vintage Rose, informed customers of the closing. On Nov. 3, Jones posted on her blog explaining her decision to sell the store to Howell. Jones said when she was a child, she would sketch drawings of a storefront she wanted to own someday. However, after owning Vintage Rose for almost 16 years, she didn’t feel a strong passion for the store anymore, and she said she was ready to move on. “I just didn’t feel inspired in the same way that I have through the years, and I think sometimes you just have to go, ‘If I’m not feeling inspired, then what am I offering my customers?’” Jones said. She said she doesn’t know what she’s going to do next, but she’s fine with that. “Part of it is just getting really comfortable with the way the world works, and that it’s okay to not have a solid plan every now and then,” Jones said. Jones says she has known Howell since Howell moved to Murray. “I feel very good about it,” Jones said. “She has good taste. She is excited, and it’s a great thing for her, too.” She said all of the Vintage Rose employees, including some Murray State students, agreed to continue to work in the store with Howell. “One of my favorite parts of the store through the years has been working with the young women at Murray State,” Jones said. She said the business felt like a family to her, and they always took care of each other. Jones said after her experience of feeling passionate about Vintage Rose for so many years, she encourages students to find something they love. “Don’t be afraid to listen to your soul, more or less,” Jones said. “Do what you want to do. Be brave. Step out. You don’t have to do what everybody expects of you.” Howell is from southern Georgia, and she said Plantation Place was a name that could reflect her southern roots and portray her heritage of a family in the cotton gin business. Howell said she started out making smock dresses, which later turned into a love of embroidery. “My passion is the embroidery, and I wanted to
Chalice Keith/The News
A temporary banner hangs over the Vintage Rose Emporium sign after new ownership changes the establishment to Plantation Place. do more of it,” Howell said. She said she has been embroidering in the studio next to her house for six years, and as her embroidery business grew, she knew it was time for a change. Howell said she thought Vintage Rose would be a great place to relocate, so she approached Jones. Within a week, Howell bought the store. “I have had lots of friends who have helped me this week as we’re getting ready, and the employees have been here,” Howell said. “It’s been a huge transformation this week.” She said owning a storefront has not necessarily been a dream of hers, but it was something in the back of her mind. While they are in the process of assessing what the community wants, Howell said they really want to showcase a bridal registry and embroidery services. For embroidery needs, Howell said customers can bring in their own items, or she has options in
the store to buy or to order. Howell said embroidery is a great addition to what was already offered at Vintage Rose. “Because we’re so close to the university, we want to have things for the college students to come in and buy,” she said. Howell said in December, customers should expect Plantation Place to be open on Sundays and have extended hours for the holiday season. Gina Claiborne, 17-year employee of the store, also worked with Mary Anne Medlock, who owned Vintage Rose before Jones. Claiborne said she has enjoyed watching both of the previous owners encourage their successors. Claiborne said she had a great relationship with Jones, and she loves the Southern direction Howell has for the store. “Sarah Jones has been 100 percent supportive of this,” Claiborne said. “I love that they all have their own visions, but they’re all been supportive of one another.”
Briggs and Stratton helping veterans Matthew Parks || Staff writer mparks6@murraystate.edu
Briggs and Stratton in Murray is working to provide financial donations and equipment for the Horicon Marsh Veterans Hunt, a program that assists veterans by getting them outside and involved in hunting. Every year, the Hunt takes as many veterans as possible for a weekend of hunting and relaxation in Wisconsin. The group is comprised entirely of volunteers and funded by charitable donations of both money and necessary hunting equipment. According to the Hunt’s website, it is intended to be a healing process for war veterans and a source of camaraderie for veterans who may have difficulties talking about their experiences. Julie Mollen, marketing manager for Briggs and Stratton, said she believes the charity is a great way to give back to local heroes and stood out to Briggs and Stratton as a great cause. “We just really appreciated what we saw these guys doing,” Mollen said. “They’re taking the outdoors and combining it with their passion for giving back to veterans, and that’s an incredible thing.” Mollen said the contributions are
part of Briggs and Stratton’s ‘You. Powered.’ initiative that highlights stories of people using outdoor power equipment to improve the lives of their neighbors and communities. “The connection has been finding people doing great things with outdoor power equipment,” Mollen said. “This organization helps to make a real difference in the lives of veterans by using a channel that we are more
than familiar with at Briggs and Stratton.” Erik Jewell, a U.S. Army veteran from Duluth, Georgia, said he believes the initiative is a great way for Briggs and Stratton and the Veterans Hunt to honor veterans. “Right now, we have an influx of disabled veterans that are unable to do things like hunt,” Jewell said. “I think it’s amazing that somebody’s
Photo courtesy of Horicon Marsh Veterans Hunt
trying to do that for them.” Jewell, a former special combat operations medic, said he believes programs like the Horicon Marsh Veterans Hunt are also a method of fighting rising suicide rates among veterans, especially those who were rendered disabled in the line of duty. “It makes a real difference in veterans’ lives,” Jewell said. “A lot of them that are disabled or can’t get out and do things like that -- it’s one of the factors that contributes to the high number of veteran suicides.” Jewell said programs like this show him that the community cares deeply about its veterans, and it gives him a strong belief in the United States and the freedoms it provides. “I’m proud that people can live the lives they live because I chose to do what I did,” Jewell said. Timothy Lacy, a U.S. Army veteran from Paris, Tennessee, said the program gives him an immense sense of pride in being a veteran. “Being a veteran is tough in a lot of ways,” Lacy said. “There’s a sort of disillusionment around how veterans are treated in this country, and sometimes it can feel like no one is looking out for you. Programs that take care of veterans, even in small ways, are very close to my heart.”
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November 17, 2016
The News
Opinion
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The staff editorial is the majority opinion of The Murray State News Editorial Board. After the results of Tuesday, Nov. 8 were revealed, half of America rejoiced while the other half grieved. We’re, of course, talking about the news that seven states passed new marijuana laws. While President-elect Donald Trump and candidate Hillary Clinton were neck and neck, there were actual laws being passed that had nothing to do with elephants or donkeys. Arkansas, Florida and North Dakota legalized medicinal marijuana and California, Maine, Massachusetts and Nevada legalized it recreationally. Just like the election, though, the legalization is more complicated than it might initially seem, and it doesn’t mean sudden death (or sudden loopy happiness) for anyone. Here’s what you need to know about what happened Tuesday.
protects those patients from being discriminated against during hiring. However, the act does not permit working or driving while under the influence. Using the drug medicinally, then, would make people treat it like other medicinal drugs. This means it’s still not acceptable to show up to work under the influence – anyone hoping these laws change that should give up. The Florida Medical Marijuana Initiative had similar provisions – and as Ballotpedia.org notes, the new law requires the Department of Health to regulate production and distribution centers. Translation: legalizing and regulating a drug like marijuana means more dealings are out in the open instead of taking place in a drug dealer’s basement. In North Dakota, a patient must be suffering from a ‘‘debilitating condition’’ according to the Medical Marijuana Project’s website, mpp.org, in order to qualify for use. The citizens taking advantage of these new medical marijuana laws will not be strung-out teenagers looking for a way to skip class
MEDICAL USE
In Arkansas, the Medical Cannabis Act allows patients with qualifying conditions to receive prescriptions for the drug and
TheNews.org The News welcomes commentaries and letters to the editor. Submissions should be 600 words or less, and contributors should include phone numbers for verification. Please include hometown, classification and title or relationship to the university. The News reserves the right to edit for style, length and content. No anonymous contributions will be accepted. All contributions should be turned in by noon on Monday of each week via email to hbeard2@murraystate.edu. Contributions to The News are the opinion of the author and not that of The Murray State News.
o r p g r y l e e h s v si ih g and zone out – it will be cancer patients, elderly suffering from Alzheimer’s or heart disease or someone with HIV/AIDS. It might take time for marijuana to lose its stigma as a party drug and be considered a legitimate medication, but rest assured the new provisions are helping patients rather than hurting them.
RECREATIONAL USE
In the states that most recently passed recreational laws, they mimic alcohol laws the U.S. has had in place since 1984. Under the new provisions, adults 21 years of age and above can possess up to a certain amount – an ounce, in most cases – and dispensaries will have to have licenses to sell (like liquor stores). However, like the states who allow medical use, the laws do not give citizens a pass to work or drive while under the influence. And, like current alcohol laws, it doesn’t legalize public intoxication.
WILL EVERYONE BECOME STONERS?
No, the United States of America
will not become a united stoner nation. Right now, the use of marijuana is still illegal at the federal level, so you cannot visit California to buy it and expect to not face consequences in Kentucky when caught with an ounce. It’s odd, though – marijuana is the No. 1 cash crop in our bluegrass state, according to the U.S. Justice Department website but it could be a while before Gov. Matt Bevin warms up to the idea of even medical green grass. When the Supreme Court ruled that gay marriage would be legalized across the U.S. (since many states had already legalized it and recognized its validity – sound familiar?), people feared it would somehow transform heterosexual people into homosexuals or affect current heterosexual marriages. And yet, it didn’t. All it did was help the people who wanted to get married. Legalizing medical or limited recreational marijuana will not turn the nation into potheads. Ideally, it would help patients who are suffering get the relief they need.
Between You and Media
Production value Rachel Wood || Contributing writer rwood7@murraystate.edu Last weekend, my roommate and I met one of our friends at a concert in Nashville, Tennessee. It was a Sunday night, meaning we’d have to make the two-hour drive back in the early hours of the morning, but we agreed it would be worth it. These were artists we had been listening to constantly for the past few months in anticipation of finally hearing them live. Not to sound pretentious, but you’ve probably never heard of them. These four indie/acoustic musicians got their start on YouTube, where they published videos of themselves playing guitars, pianos or ukuleles in their rooms. They’ve worked hours on their own and with friends to create their EPs, but they’ve only been dependent on themselves when it comes to promotion and final mixes. No record label involved. So, if there’s no record label, does that mean their music isn’t good enough to sign a contract? Definitely not. We’ve entered a time of self-publishing and self-promotion, thanks to social media. You’ve seen the ads for self-published novels on Am-
azon, maybe even been randomly followed by an independent author or two on Twitter. On the one hand, this can be cause of some criticism – if there’s not an editor involved to proofread or a social media manager to effectively spread the word, isn’t there a lot of room for error? Could a world without publishers mean a world full of bad books? Sure, it does mean that someone can take whatever novel they’ve typed up on their laptop and upload it, but don’t be fooled: just being published doesn’t make something good “literature.” Just like a girl posting videos playing her ukulele on YouTube doesn’t make her a “musician.” It takes feedback and an audience, too. We’re the judges of our own media now. We get the opportunity to choose what we read
“
If an artist creating their following on their own from the ground up doesn’t show dedication and talent, I don’t know what does.
”
and listen to, to seek out the types of media we really want to consume. The four performers we saw played a few sold-out shows at venues all over the East Coast in the month of October. There were 350 tickets sold at the show we went to, which might seem pretty small for a sold-out venue. However, this meant that every single person in attendance found out about this show online – not from the radio, not from ads bought by record companies, just these artists tweeting and sharing videos. If an artist creating their following on their own from the ground up doesn’t show dedication and talent, I don’t know what does. That being said, don’t just judge an artist by their producer (or lack thereof). Bad books can be owned by big-name publishers, just like good books can be self-published. Take the time to find the media that you like, not just what the “Billboard Hot 100” or The New York Times Best Sellers list tells you to enjoy. Next time you’re channel surfing the radio and feel the need to complain about the lack of variety, use it as an opportunity to search the internet. Chances are, there’s an artist out there that fits your musical taste, but they’re not quite popular enough to take to the mainstream airwaves yet.
OUR CONTRIBUTORS
Hallie Beard Opinion Editor
Dylan Doyle Junior from Marion, KY
John Muenzberg Lecturer of philosophy
Robert Valentine Senior lecturer of advertising
Rachel Wood Junior from Birmingham, AL
The News
Opinion
November 17, 2016
Page 5
Letter to the editor
Letter from Jerry Spriggs in West Linn, OR:
The 2016 presidential election is behind us and many are surprised – some disappointed and others jubilant. Criticism of the Electoral College by both sides has become the bold new national sentiment. Surely it’s antiquated. Surely it must go. Surely we can do better. And we can! The Founding Fathers were not so terribly amiss as many may think. Sure we’re a larger expanse of nation, geography-wise, and we’re more populated than the late 1800s. But the Electoral College mechanism still works. So why did one presidential candidate (Hillary Clinton) win a majority of popular votes and the other candidate (Donald Trump) seem to steal the election? The culprit is not the Electoral College itself. Rather, our stumbling arises out of the all-or-
nothing approach we take when we tally the popular votes and convert them into electoral votes suitable for the Electoral College result. The Electoral College does not need to be replaced. Equal Voice Voting offers the best of solutions without requiring a Constitutional amendment (visit www.equalvoicevoting.com and download the free book analyzing presidential elections from 1980-2012). It’s a simple formula that converts a state’s popular votes into proportional electoral votes that hew closely to the popular vote, does not disenfranchise voters, gives each state its independent voice, honors the Founding Fathers’ intent and acknowledges this nation’s diverse cultures, peoples, values and priorities. It’s time to initiate legislation on a state-bystate basis so our vote-capturing system elicits a confidence that translates into a continued pride of country. The exercise of our Electoral College can be a source of such confidence if
Some Things Considered
Seize the interview By Hallie Beard, Opinion Editor
we simply modify how we count everyone’s vote. Contact your legislators and ask that they give Equal Voice Voting their strong consideration!
Write to us!
See page 4 for details on writing letters to the editor.
Jeers to ... Bike theft
Cheers to ... Memes
Did you see that email, too? Of course you did. How can anyone miss a Timely Warning Notice from Murray State? Apparently, more than 10 bikes have been stolen across campus recently, so something’s up. Maybe it’s a gang of bike thieves, or maybe it’s one criminal mastermind. Either way, stop!
Since the presidential election, there has only been an influx of hilarious and relevant memes. We’re partial to the Joe Biden memes (come on, the guy was born to become a piece of internet humor), but there are plenty for every kind of meme-enjoyer. Twitter is a breeding ground for them – maybe even a better one than Facebook.
CHEERS & JEERS Cheers to ... Scholars Week
Jeers to ... Silencers
It’s that time again: young scholars in the making have the week to present their research in Waterfield Library and the Curris Center. Support your fellow classmates, coworkers and colleagues and give their presentations a listen. You will definitely learn something, and it’s always nice to see familiar faces in a crowd during a big presentation. Celebrate research!
After an election, there are always people who make it their job to yell at others to stop talking about politics. News flash: just because the election is over doesn’t mean we should stop having discussions about what’s going on in the White House. If you’re incredibly annoyed by political commentary, don’t watch it on TV. Or try getting off Facebook once in a while.
Cheers & Jeers is written by The Murray State News’ Opinion Editor. Questions, comments or concerns should be addressed to hbeard2@murraystate.edu Rational Animal
Artificial divisions John Muenzberg|| Contributing writer jmuenzberg@murraystate.edu Elections reduce a complex situation into a simplistic choice. We instinctively know that this reduction is a false narrative, and we react with frustration. While movies have obvious bad guys, real life rarely does. Yet elections require you to make a choice between just a few possibilities. Campaigns try to tell you that their candidate is the good guy, and their opponent is the bad guy. Since you have to make a choice, political campaigns try to reduce nuance and simplify complex decisions into an advertising slogan. This simplistic view relies on a logical fallacy called “false dichotomy.” “Dichotomy” is a division into two things. Presenting only two choices when more than two exist is falsely representing the choice as a dichotomy, hence the name. A classic example of a false dichotomy is to declare “You are either with me, or against me.” To not fully agree with someone is not the same as being against them. People can agree with some of your goals but not all, agree with your goals but not your method or just think your goals are the lesser of two evils. Reducing this to two choices is false.
One of the false dichotomies of this election was the reduction of people into classes, races and genders. In order to get elected in a system that requires an either/or choice the campaigns try to reduce all cultural and social differences into such a choice. Do not believe that this reflects reality. In the first days after the election, numerous accounts of overt racism and sexism have been reported, many of them in high schools and universities. Many minorities, including LGBTQ, women and people of color, have been verbally and physically assaulted. Some of these are probably “jokes,” such as the students that built a makeshift wall to separate a Hispanic student from her roommate. Others have been literal assaults, like the black woman who was threatened with a gun while pumping gas. While incidents of racism and assaults happened before the election, it is clear that Donald Trump’s victory has emboldened many people to lash out, believing they have impunity. We know this because many of the perpetrators have explicitly invoked Trump as they yell at minorities to “go back to where you came from.” The reaction of many of you who voted for Trump will be to minimize these attacks, perhaps dismiss them as exaggerations of
poor losers. This is a defense mechanism to preserve your own integrity. But this is where the false dichotomy can become so destructive. Just because you voted for Trump does not mean you have to agree with everything Trump’s supporters do. If you do not believe in racism, then speak out against racism. This does not make you a politically-correct liberal, it makes you a person who believes in equality for all people. If you do not believe in sexism, or gender discrimination, or homophobia, or religious intolerance, then act to stop it. When the KKK endorsed Donald Trump, Mike Pence disavowed the endorsement. Just because some people want to use Donald Trump’s victory to excuse their immoral and often illegal behavior does not mean that you must agree with them. A few weeks ago, I endorsed the importance of places that students can feel safe. It is important that we make this campus a safe space for all students. Do not accept racist or sexist behavior from your classmates. Do not excuse such behavior because you do not want to be associated with the “other side.” Make a gesture to show other people that you can be an ally. Many people who supported Trump argued that this election was not fueled by racism or sexism. Now is the time to prove them right.
Here at The Murray State News, we put any new editors through a pretty intimidating interview process. Since I’ve been on both sides of the table here and have been through several other interviews and auditions in the last few years, I’ve picked up quite a few tips and tricks along the way. When I attended auditions and master classes in my dancing days, the professionals were always unanimous on one piece of advice: your auditions starts the moment you walk in the door to the building and it doesn’t end until you’re in your car and down the street. Maybe you have time to kill in the waiting room before an interview and think it’s OK to call your mother and voice your concerns or have a short freak-out session in the bathroom, but what you don’t know is that the secretary (who you think isn’t paying you any attention) in the waiting room is studying your every move and will gossip about it to her colleagues. The pair of shoes in the stall next to you in the bathroom? That’s your future coworker, recording to memory your destructive self-talk or terribly narcissistic compliments to the mirror. If you think you’re OK to let out a sigh and start frowning, celebrating or bad-mouthing the interviewer when the door closes, you’re fooling yourself. As you’re walking to your car, an interviewer could be outside taking their smoke break and see you wipe away tears or do a premature victory dance. This leads me to another important point: no matter how long the interview is, the interviewers will undoubtedly make a judgment within the first five seconds of seeing you. In writing classes, we often talk about how a reader will decide based on a first page, paragraph or sentence whether or not the want to keep reading. It’s the same way with interviews – they’re looking for a reason to knock you out of the pile, so don’t give them that reason right away. A sure-fire way to do this is to walk in looking worried, defeated or unsmiling. Like I said, your interview starts long before that, so turn on your personable self when you get out of your car. So, what about the actual interview? What if they ask a question you don’t know the answer to? Here’s the only thing you need to know: do not ever, ever, say ‘‘I don’t know.’’ That would be far worse than dodging or adapting the question into one you can answer. Saying ‘‘I don’t know’’ in an interview would be the equivalent of a musician staring quizzically at their instrument when asked to play. It would be like a dancer standing still and shrugging after being asked to demonstrate a combination. Don’t do it. Instead, make the question work in your favor. It might not be exactly what the person asked, but you’ll leave them with a solid answer, hopefully. If you are going to deviate, do a thorough job of it. If you’re like me, you probably get more freaked out by the faces of the interviewers. Once, I left an interviewer crying (after getting in the car) because the interviewers looked so uninterested I thought they hated me. After I got into the program, though, and spoke with the interviewer, she brought up how impressed she was at my answers and told me that when I left that day, she said to the other interviewer that I was in. Hearing that was unreal for me – it taught me never to assume anything about your reception right after the interview. Your perception is clouded, and you cannot know what they’re thinking. So, heed my advice. Roll your shoulders back, lift your chin up and smile. Don’t fear the interview – seize it. hbeard2@murraystate.edu
Comic Why does everyone forget Thanksgiving? by Selena McPherson
Page 6
November 17, 2016
The News
Sports
Sports Editor: Sarah Combs Phone: 270-809-4481 Twitter: MSUSportsNews
Chalice Keith/The News
Senior outside hitter Scottie Ingram cries when being surprised with retiring her jersey after the SIUE game.
Racer hitter hits the rafters Volleyball program retires senior outside hitter Scottie Ingram’s jersey Bryan Edwards || Staff writer bedwards16@murraystate.edu
History was made at Racer Arena Friday, when senior outside hitter Scottie Ingram’s No. 7 volleyball jersey was retired following the Racers’ five-set victory in their final regular season game against the Cougars of Southern Illinois Edwardsville. Ingram is the first player in Murray State volleyball history to have her jersey retired, and the two-time OVC Player of the Year had no idea that she would be receiving that honor. “It’s unreal, that I will be able to look up and see my name and number in the arena,” Ingram said. “I’m honored, but at the same time it’s bittersweet that I’ll never be able to have this moment again with my team.” Ingram’s family knew about the announcement before the Racers played their final game of the regular season and were told to keep it a secret. “My family knew about the jersey retirement for about two weeks, and I was
surprised because my dad can’t keep a secret,” Ingram said. “I had no idea we were having a presentation after the game, and [Director of Athletics] Allen Ward lined us all up, and at first I thought we were getting our championship trophies, and then asked me to go stand next to him and to bring my family up with me. I was so confused about what was going on, and then he starts giving this speech and said that the number seven would never be worn again, and I just turned around and hugged my mom.” Ingram said Head Coach David Schwepker knew as well, and Schwepker said he and Ingram joked about the jersey retirement at the beginning of the season. “Scottie came up to me at the beginning of the year and asked me what it would take to get her jersey retired,” Schwepker said. “Jokingly, I said it would cost a lot of money to make that
happen, and then a month later Allen Ward comes to me and said that the athletic department was going to retire her jersey and I was so happy for her, she’s the best player I’ve ever coached and probably the best player Murray State has ever had.” Ingram has started in every game since arriving at Murray State, has been selected as a member of the OVC All-Newcomer Team her freshman year, winning OVC Player of the Year in her sophomore and junior seasons and has recorded 60 double-doubles in her career as a Racer. Ingram has recorded 1,519 kills and 1,389 digs in her career as a Racer, which makes her the eighth player in Murray State history to be a member of the 1,000 kill – 1,000 dig club. Ingram said she is honored to have her jersey retired but has been focusing on the games ahead in the OVC Tournament starting on Thursday and claiming the title they were so close to winning
last year. “I think we have a lot of drive, and we felt the heartbreak that the seniors went through last year, and that happened to the soccer team this year, and we don’t want to go through that again,” Ingram said. “When we lost the championship game last year, I punished myself. We’ve waited a whole year for this and we’re focused on Thursday and we’re ready to play volleyball.” Ingram recorded a team high 451 kills and 356 digs, which is second on the team this season, and she said she believes that the banner won’t change how she prepares for the tournament. “I think I’ll be able to stay focused,” Ingram said. “Yesterday I went about my day like nothing happened, and with my team behind me and the way that coach prepares us for the games, I’ll be able to keep focus and be ready for the game.” Ingram’s name and number will be raised in the rafters when the Racers open the OVC Tournament at 7 p.m. on Thursday against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in Racer Arena.
Racers split early season games, start 1-1 MTSU loss Collin Morris Staff writer cmorris29@murraystate.edu
The Murray State men’s basketball team challenged reigning Conference USA Champions Middle Tennessee State Tuesday night, resulting in an 87-81 loss for the Racers. The night’s contest began with a 21-13 run for the Racers, riding junior guard Jonathan Stark’s early nine points, 75 percent shooting. The Blue Raiders went on to rebuke the Racers with a run of their own, finishing the first half with a 41-39 lead. Stark finished the half with 14 points on 63 percent shooting, while Damarcus Croaker, senior guard, followed suit with 12 points on 53 percent shooting. The Racers’ only other contributors were senior guard Bryce Jones and junior forward Terrell Miller Jr., as not a single bench player converted a field goal. Croaker said Middle Tennessee State’s comeback can be attributed to their post presence. “It turned into a physical game down low in the paint
and we can’t let that happen,” Croaker said. “As a team, we just have to get better on defense and dig in them when we’re getting killed in the paint like that.” Croaker also pointed out the vast scoring difference between the two teams in the paint. In the second half, Murray State’s guard trio of Stark, Croaker and Jones continued their scoring effort with 29 points on 48 percent shooting. Stark, who did not rest for the entire 20 minutes of the half, also added 7 assists. Jalen Dupree, freshman forward, was the only bench player to score with his late game layup. Ultimately, Middle Tennessee State’s post presence proved too much for the Racers, as redshirt senior forward JaCorey Williams, who played at the University of Arkansas last season, finished with 14 points on 75 percent shooting. Third Team All-Conference senior forward Reggie Upshaw, also poured on nine points on 57 percent shooting. Upshaw led Middle Tennessee State in scoring in their 2016 NCAA Tournament upset
over No. 1 Michigan State. Head Coach Matt McMahon said poor performances on defense and in post play were responsible for the loss and he’s not concerned about the team’s depth. “It [bench production] was probably on me, I’ve got to trust the bench a little bit more,” McMahon said. “They’ll get another opportunity this weekend. These first two games have been such high level games and, as a coach, your security blanket is the experience. We’ll look to see those guys get more time this weekend.” The Racers are still without senior forward Gee McGhee, who has been sidelined since their exhibition game against Berry College. McGhee averaged nine points and five rebounds on 42 percent shooting in the 2015-16 season and will provide an experienced forward for the team’s bare rotation of big men. The Racers’ next game will take place at 6 p.m. on Nov. 19 at the Stroh Center in Bowling Green, Ohio, as they face UW-Green Bay in the opening game of the Bill Frack Tournament.
Illinois State win Quinnen Taylor Staff writer qtaylor@murraystate.edu
The first regular season game for the Murray State men’s basketball team finished in thrilling fashion, as sophomore guard Jonathan Stark hit the game-winning 3-pointer to give the Racers a 73-70 edge over the Illinois State Redbirds. Head Coach Matt McMahon said he was pleased with how his team handled the tough conditions. “We talked about it before the game, we wanted to open up the season against a great team and a great program,” McMahon said. “It wasn’t always a pretty game, but it was definitely a tough, hard-fought game. I was really proud of our guys. That was an awesome college basketball game and a great way to start the season against a great team.” The first half featured several lead changes and runs from both teams. The Redbirds connected on the first basket of the game to make it 2-0 with a lay-up by junior forward Mikyle McIntosh at 19:41. Murray State’s first lead of the night came at the 16:17
mark after a 3-pointer by junior forward Terrell Miller for a score of 8-5. The Redbirds connected on a 3-pointer by Lee for an 18-13 score. However, the Racers responded. After a 6-0 run by senior guard Demarcus Croaker with a lay-up, dunk and jumper, the Racers regained the lead to make it 19-18. With back and forth momentum swings to end the half, sophomore guard Keyshawn Evans drilled a half-court shot to give Illinois State the 32-29 lead to end the first. Murray State concluded the first half shooting 32.4 percent from the field and 20 percent from beyond the arc. During the second half, the Racers faced a deficit until the 14:09 mark when senior guard Bryce Jones hit a 3-pointer to give Murray State the advantage 43-42. The Racers maintained a lead up to 5:29 when McIntosh’s lay-up plus the foul for the three-point play gave the Redbirds a 56-55 command. Illinois State increased its lead to as much as seven with 3:23 left in the second half, but Murray State chipped away. Stark nailed a 3-pointer at
the 2:41 mark to cut the deficit to four as Jones connected on two free throws to make it a one-possession contest at 62-60 with 2:24 remaining. The bout continued to be a back-and-forth commotion until Stark hit the game-winning 3 with just two seconds on the clock to give the Racers a 73-70 victory. Stark said they dealt with pressure but to come away with a win was an exciting moment. “The coaches and the players that kept telling me to shoot no matter what, if I was missing, they kept the confidence in me and I kept shooting,” Stark said. “It’s an amazing feeling to get my first win as a Racer. I want to thank the teammates and the coaches because we kept pushing even though we had a little adversity, we kept pushing.” The Racers finished the game on 41.4 percent shooting overall and converted 36.4 percent of their 3-pointers. The Redbirds converted 44.4 percent of their field goals and 37.5 percent of their 3-pointers. Murray State’s next game will be against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
The News
Sports
November 17, 2016
Page 7
No love for Alabama A&M Sarah Combs Sports Editor
scombs8@murraystate.edu The Murray State women’s basketball team
took the floor of the CFSB Center Monday for the second time this season to host Alabama A&M. The Racers set the tone early with full-court pressure, rebounding and a career-high from junior guard Bria Bethea, leading them to a 81-49 win over the Bulldogs. The Racers sent junior guard Bria Bethea as the sixth man off the bench to tag out Jasmine Borders. Bethea had a career-high game leading the Racers in scoring going 7-12 from the field, 4-7 from behind the arc and 5-7 from the freethrow line for 23 points. Bethea started to come into her stride at the end of last year as a community college transfer when she had to sit after an injury against Eastern Kentucky and never fully recovered. This year, Bethea has made her presence known early on the court. “That kind of threw me off a little bit,” Bethea said. “But this year I’m ready to go.” The full-court press caused problems for the Bulldogs, resembling a 1-2-1-1 diamond press, trapping the ball and falling back into a half-court extended man from the first defensive possession. Junior forward Ke’Shunan James led the diamond press with long arms and quick feet, producing turnovers close to the basket. James had
Jenny Rohl/The News
Junior guard Bria Bethea drives past Alabama A&M defense at the CFSB Center on Monday.
busy hands in the press that helped speed up the tempo of the game and fatigue the Bulldogs, allowing the second string to read the passing lanes and pick off 16 turnovers that led to 23 of their points. Taking advantage of their length and athleticism is something we can expect to see from the Racers this year, Head Coach Rob Cross said. “That’s the way we play,” Cross said. “It will change game to game depending on the opponent. We have to be able to play other ways, but that is the makeup of our team.” James also dipped her hand into stats across the board with 17 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists. The Racers travel to Southern Illinois to toe up with the Salukis at 6 p.m. Thursday Nov. 17.
Who’s Next?
v.
Southern Illinois TIME: 6 p.m. DATE: Thurs, Nov 17 PLACE: Carbondale,
Illinois
Basketball program welcomes 3 new players Rifle sets record at Buckeye Open These three talTyler Dixon
Graduate Assistant
ndixon1@murraystate.edu
Like hundreds of other schools around the county, the Murray State Racers men’s basketball team signed three players for the 2017-18 season. Leroy “Shaq” Buchanan, Tevin Brown and Temetrius “Ja” Morant will each represent the Racer blue and gold next season. “We are thrilled to officially welcome Shaq, Tevin and Ja to the Murray State family,” Head Coach Matt McMahon said. “These three talented guards are great competitors and we were very impressed with their love and passion for the game. They will make an immediate impact in our back-court and will thrive in
our style of play. We look forward to their arrival in Murray next summer.” The three players each come in as guards on a team that will lose three guards to graduation in May: seniors Gee McGhee, Demarcus Croaker and Bryce Jones are all spots that had to be filled by McMahon. Buchanan is the lone junior college player in the signing class and averaged 14 points per game and 5.7 rebounds per game last season at Northeast Mississippi College. “Shaq is a long, athletic wing with a great motor,” McMahon said. “He led his high school team to the state championship game and then his junior college team to the national tournament last season. He will bring toughness and experience
to our team, and we love that he has always impacted winning at both ends of the floor.”
“
ented guards are great competitors and we were very impressed with their love and passion for the game. -Head Coach Matt McMahon
”
Brown was a First-Team All-State pick at Fairhope High School in Fairhope, Alabama, and averaged 24 points per year during his junior campaign. “Tevin is wired to score,”
McMahon said. “At 6’5”, he can really shoot the basketball with an effortless release. He has a very good feel for the game and knows how to move without the ball to create scoring opportunities. Tevin is extremely competitive and he is an outstanding defensive player.” Morant, the smallest of the three signees, is 6’2” and 160 pounds. Morant averaged 27 points per game along with eight rebounds and eight assists per game for Crestwood High School in South Carolina. “Ja is an electric point guard with a high basketball IQ,” McMahon said. “He is very explosive off the dribble and also has a deep 3-point range with his ability to shoot the ball. We love his ability to create at the point guard position and make the players around him better.”
Racers host 3-day volleyball tournament Bryan Edwards || Staff writer bedwards16@murraystate.edu
With the regular season wrapping up last weekend, eight volleyball teams in the OVC are getting in their final practices before the post-season conference tournament. Throughout the season, teams in the conference play each other for the chance play in the OVC Tournament. Out of the 12 teams in the conference, eight teams are selected to play in the tournament. The No. 1 team in the standings gets the opportunity to host the tournament. The tournament will span three days, starting on Thursday, Nov. 17, and ending with the championship game on Saturday, Nov. 19. The winner of the tournament re-
ceives an automatic bid into the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) volleyball tournament and the opportunity to be called national champions. The seeding for the tournament is based on the team’s record in the OVC, with the Murray State Racers claiming the No. 1 spot. At 15-1 in the OVC, the Racers get the right to play the tournament in their home arena. Murray State won their third straight OVC regular season championship with wins over Eastern Illinois and Southern Illinois Edwardsville last weekend. The Racers will go up against the No. 8 seeded Gamecocks of Jacksonville State on Thursday. The No. 2 seeded Cougars of Southern Illinois Edwardsville will go up against
the Morehead State Eagles, the seventh seed in the tournament. Other teams in the tournament include Austin Peay State, Belmont, Eastern Kentucky, Tennessee State and Morehead State. At the beginning of the year, Belmont was predicted to win the OVC and go on to the NCAA Tournament, however their road to repeating includes Eastern Kentucky, and possible matchups with Murray State and SIUE, who are the two highest-ranked teams in the OVC. The first round of the OVC Tournament will kick-off at 11 a.m. on Thursday, when the sixth seeded Golden Eagles of Tennessee State take the court against third-seeded Austin Peay State in Racer Arena.
2016 Ohio Valley Conference Championship Nov. 17-19 | Murray, Ky
No. 1 Murray State Match 4 - 7 p.m. OVC Digital Network
No. 8 Jacksonville State No. 4 Belmont
Match 6 - 7 p.m. OVC Digital Network
Match 3 - 4:30 p.m. OVC Digital Network
No. 5 Eastern Kentucky
Match 7 - 7 p.m. OVC Digital Network
No. 2 SIUE Match 2 - 1:30 p.m. OVC Digital Network
No. 7 Morehead State No. 3 Austin Peay State
2016 OVC Champion and Automatic NCAA Qualifier
Match 5 - 4:30 p.m. OVC Digital Network
Match 1 - 11 a.m. OVC Digital Network
No. 6 Tennessee State First Round Thursday, Nov. 17
Semifinals Friday, Nov. 18
THURSDAY Women’s Basketball Southern Illinois - 6 p.m. Volleyball Jacksonville State - 7 p.m.
Championship Thursday, Nov. 19
SATURDAY Rifle Jacksonville State - 9 a.m. Football Tennessee Tech - 1:30 p.m. Men’s Basketball Green Bay - 6 p.m.
Blake Sandlin
Contributing writer bsandlin1@murraystate.edu The Murray State rifle team
collected another win this weekend, beating out five competing teams in the 2016 Buckeye Open, hosted by Ohio State. The Racers finished with a score of 2,334 in smallbore in addition to a final score of 2,379 in air rifle, totaling for an aggregate score of 4,713. Their shooting during the tournament was yet another Murray State record set by this year’s team, as their air rifle score was the highest shot in program history. This record-breaking performance was the second within the past two weeks, as just last week the Racers broke the school record in air rifle against Morehead State. The tournament, held at the Lt. Hugh W. Wylie Range, consisted of Ohio State, North Carolina State, University of Nevada and the University of Memphis. The sixth ranked Buckeyes of Ohio State came in
second to the Racers, finishing with an aggregate score of 4,675. For the Racers, sophomore Mackenzie Martin from Fairhaven, Massachusetts, led the way, shooting 584 in smallbore and 595 in air rifle, finishing with 1,179. Her score was the second highest of all shooters on the day, as she finished behind Nevada sophomore, Mitchell Van Pattan, who shot 1,182. Also pitching in for Murray State was Ben Estes, junior from Ozark, Missouri, who scored an 1,176, shooting a 580 in smallbore and a 596 in air rifle. Head Coach Alan Lollar praised the team for their consistency over the past few weeks. “I’m really proud of the team effort for third-straight week,” Lollar said. “We are showing signs of the consistency we need.” The Racers will be back in action next week when they travel to Jacksonville, Alabama to take on Jacksonville State at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Gamecock Rifle Range.
Sarah Says
It’s basketball season. The smell of freshly popped popcorn and jalapeno-covered nachos is in the air. The sound of basketball shoes eagerly and impatiently squeaking on freshly-polished court floors rings throughout the community. Everyone loves football, but the cold winter air creeps into town, inviting diehard sports fans to find solace indoors, seated around a basketball court. Every sport has little niches that appeals to the sports spectator family. For basketball, it’s Sarah Combs the referees blowing their whistles at controversial calls and heckling from the student sections. Assistant Sports Editor It’s the grit from players diving into media row after loose balls. It’s time for our favorite players to lace up their shoes, after a long “off” season that isn’t so relaxing. November is the time of the year that these athletes look forward to. To showcase the improvements they have made to their games, using a season-ending heartbreak game to motivate them to push harder through the last of their workout. Champions are made in the offseason. It’s time for rivalries that strengthen team camaraderie. The players have talked all summer and preseason about the team that beat them out of the tournament and they are looking for revenge. They look forward to throwing their hands in the air, gesturing toward their home crowd to amp up the energy. It’s time, winter sadness brings March gladness. Players withstand the pain of missing fall break, Thanksgiving, Christmas and spring break. All of that pays off in March, the month that exposes teams and crowns the peaking team. If you want to look good in front of thousands, you have to outwork thousands in front of nobody. It’s that time of year again. So pack your padded booster chair, pull out your season tickets, stuff that lucky charm into your pocket and throw on your favorite team’s logo painted t-shirt.
SUNDAY Women’s Basketball UNC Greensboro - 2 p.m. Men’s Basketball UMKC - 3 p.m.
Monday Men’s Basketball Bowling Green - 6 p.m.
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Sports
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Jenny Rohl/The News
November 17, 2016
Jenny Rohl/The News
Jenny Rohl/The News
Racers fall to No. 1 Jacksonville State Bryan Edwards
Contributing writer bedwards16@murraystate.edu
On a three-game winning streak, the Murray State football team was matched up with the No. 1 Gamecocks of Jacksonville State Saturday at Roy Stewart Stadium. The Racer defense was up to the task early but wasn’t enough as the Gamecocks went on to win the contest 33-15. The first quarter went scoreless, as both teams’ defenses took turns stopping the opposing offenses. The Racers were
the first team to strike with a 45-yard field goal from redshirt senior kicker Connor Mitchell to take the lead 3-0. Jacksonville State quarterback Eli Jenkins connected with wide receiver Jamari Hester for a 23yard touchdown with just seconds remaining in the half. The Racers knelt to end the half, trailing 7-3. The Gamecocks entered the game leading the OVC in rushing with 246 rushing yards per game, but at halftime, the Racers held the Gamecocks to just four yards rushing on 11 attempts.
The Racer offense struggled against the Jacksonville State defense, going into the half with only 98 yards of total offense. The score remained 7-3 until Jacksonville State running back Roc Thomas found the end zone on a seven-yard run with 1:20 remaining in the third quarter, and the Gamecocks took a 13-3 lead after a missed field goal. Jacksonville State got its run game going in the fourth, running for 195 of the team’s 274 rushing yards and three touchdowns in the final period.
Murray State added two passing touchdowns near the end of the game, but it wasn’t enough as the Racers fell to the Gamecocks 33-15. Head Coach Mitch Stewart said the team fought hard, but the Gamecocks were just too much for the Racers. “I was very pleased with our defensive play going into halftime, and how hard we fought going into the half,” Stewart said. “As the game went on we were outgunned and outmanned at many positions, we got a little bullied while we were on offense throughout
the game.” The Racers were led by redshirt senior quarterback KD Humphries, who had 138 yards on 22-of-47 passing, two touchdowns and one interception. Humphries’ also put his name in the Murray State record books, passing former Racer quarterback and current wide receivers coach Casey Brockman for career passing yards, as well as career passing touchdowns. Senior receiver Jesse Blackburn said he loves watching and playing with Humphries. “It’s fun having a quarter-
back that is as competitive and good at what he does,” Blackburn said. “We’ve been together for a long time, and it’s nice to have a quarterback you have chemistry with and it’s been fun watching KD play and it has been a fun year with him.” The loss puts the Racers at 4-6 on the season and 4-3 in conference play, decisively closing their already narrow OVC championship window. The Racers take on the Golden Eagles of Tennessee Tech at 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 19 in Cookeville, Tennessee.
XC finishes season with NCAA Tournament defeat Collin Morris
NCAA SOUTHEAST REGIONAL | CROSS-COUNTRY MEN’S 10K | 24th PLACE Athlete
Gavin Galanes Zach Balleau
Place
Time
112th 113th
31:54 31:59
WOMEN’S 6K | 20th PLACE
Athlete
Vallery Korir Meagan Smith Rebekah Priddy
Place
Time
38th 101st 102nd
21:34 22:26 22:27
Austin Gordon/The News
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Staff writer cmorris29@murraystate.edu
The men’s and women’s cross-country teams completed their 2016 season with 24th and 20th place finishes respectively at the NCAA Southeast Regional Friday in Earlysville, Virginia. The men’s 24th place finish in their 10K race came among the field of 29 teams, marking the sixth time in seven total races the team has finished in the bottom half of the standings. Individually, the Racers were led by Gavin Galanes, junior from St. Charles, Missouri, who placed 112th with a time of 31:54, and Zach Balleau, freshman from Eureka, Missouri, who closely followed at 113th with a time of 31:59; both runners set personal records with their times. The team did not place an individual in the top half of the individual field, as 203 total runners competed in the event. In the women’s 6K race, the Racers posted their lowest score in the program’s NCAA tournament history with a 536 – earning them a 20th place finish among the field of 32.
Despite the team’s overall performance, Vallery Korir, redshirt junior from Iten, Kenya, placed 38th of 227 runners. Korir finished the race in 21:34, only 1:19 behind the race’s first-place finisher. The next highest-placing runners for Murray State were Meagan Smith, junior from Danville, Kentucky, and Rebekah Priddy, sophomore from Austin, Texas, who paced together and finished 101st and 102nd. Smith put up a time of 22:26, while Priddy finished a second behind at the 22:27 mark. Head Coach Jenny Swieton said there was still positive aspects to the team’s races. “I am very happy with our performance at the NCAA regional meet,” Swieton said. “The men had their highest finish in over a decade and the women tied theirs.” Swieton also said the team should be optimistic about its future. “This season was a really solid season; we made a lot of progress in many areas,” Swieton said. “The season was not perfect by any means but it is definitely setting us up well for the future. I am really excited to see what this team can accomplish over the next few years.”
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November 17, 2016
Page 9
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Features
Features Editor: Gisselle Hernandez Assistant Features Editor: Brianna Willis Phone: 270-809-5871 Twitter: MSUNewsFeatures
Third annual Polar Plunge makes a splash te a m to benefit Special Olym pics Kentucky. President of ASA, Emily Mundt, Nick Erickson senior from Louisville, Kentucky, Staff writer nerickson@murraystate.edu had a very positive outlook on the event’s growth, as well as the conditions of the event. With temperatures “Looking back on the plunge, it’s in the high 30s, the third cool to see how it’s changed over the annual Polar Plunge, where past three years,” Mundt said. “The participants took the opportuweather has also improved for the nity to plunge into a large tank of better.” cold water for charity, took place The campus’ fundraising event Thursday night in the Quad. was modeled off of the numerous The plunge, presented by the soplunges that take place every year rority Alpha Sigma Alpha, began in the state, including the Kentucky registration between 7 and 8 Dam Village State Resort Park. p.m. with the dunking begin Sarah Geolte, junior from Belning at 8:30 p.m. The purpose leville, Illinois, said the event has of the event is to raise money grown rapidly over the past three and awareness for the Special years. Olympics Kentucky. “The first year we did the plunge, Participants were encourwe raised $7,000,” Geolte said “It has aged to register online with now more than doubled to $15,000 a group of their friends and raised last year.” to form a team. Those who Geolte said that she also hoped to were participating also raise even more this year. were encouraged to Megan Buntin, junior from Benpledge to raise at ton, Illinois, said helping to put on least $40 in dothe event, as well nations per person in their
Alpha Sigma Alpha hosted its Polar Plunge to raise money for Special Olympics Kentucky
as participating, is a nostalgic experience to her. “I do this back home with my family, and this is my first one not in a lake,” Buntin said. “It’s such a fun time and brings up good memories.” Buntin enjoys that it’s her sorority that’s the one putting on the event. “With Special Olympics being one of our philanthropies, this event is a positive way for us to raise awareness for another event,” Buntin said. “It’s nice seeing how everyone comes together to have fun, while doing something good in the process.” In addition to the plunge, there was an inflatable slide participants could climb and slide down. The plunge was followed by an after party at 9:30 p.m. located at Tap 216. The after party, also sponsored by Tap 216, offered a free chili bar to those who participated in the plunge. 20 percent of all food sales went to Special Olympics Kentucky.
Graphic courtesy of Austin Gordon/The News
Holiday Art Auction raises scholarship money Sydni Anderson
Contributing writer sanderson33@murraystate.edu
If one were to paint the scene of this year’s Murray State Holiday Art Auction, they would need an excess of black paint, an appreciation for detail and all the talent of the artists whose pieces were displayed. This annual event took place on Nov. 11 and transformed the Clara M. Eagle Gallery into a lively atmosphere of art, music, food and alcohol (courtesy of the cash bar). The auction starred pieces created by Murray State students, faculty, alumni and local artists. The night started off with the silent auction that included jewelry, plates, portraits and pottery. Several hours into the event, the live auction commenced, offering an array of pieces presented by black-clad “runners” in gloves. Among the audience members bidding on the art pieces was Murray State President Bob Davies and faculty. Walton Kromer, sophomore from Lexington, Kentucky, said he had donated art work
and it was purchased in previous years at the Holiday Art Auction. He said the first time somebody bought his art was a gratifying experience. “I honestly felt proud.” He said. “I was like, ‘Wow, somebody bought my work?’” Kelsey Fannin, junior from Owensboro, Kentucky, said the auction was the first she had pieces in. She said having people see her art was nerve-wracking. “It’s like ‘Oh, is my work as good as the other person’s?’” she said. “I can compare and contrast and look at somebody else’s art, and I might get nervous thinking mine might not be good enough, but I’m also inspired by other people’s work.” Fannin also described a hardship of art, saying if a person is not selling any of their work it becomes a financial struggle to pay bills and continue doing what they love. Still, she said she believes that if a person has the courage to put their time, money and effort into their work, they can succeed. Scholarships can aid these “struggling artists” since the proceeds of the Murray State
Contest rewards local storytellers
Holiday Art Auction go towards student scholarships. Antje Gamble, chairwoman of the committee that ran the auction, said the event was formed from the desire to find new ways to generate money for student scholarships in the arts. Students have to either donate artwork to the auction or work the event in order to be eligible for the scholarship. There were around 200 art pieces donated to the auction, and the live auction raised around $6,500, Gamble said. Sara Martin, the auctioneer of the event, said part of the success of the event could be attributed to community effort. Martin said people volunteered their time and there weren’t any administrative costs. Even the live music, a quartet including Murray State music lecturer Brent Webster and three of his students, was the product of volunteer work. “This event is unusual within the realm of the university because we spend every penny of what we fundraise tonight towards student scholarships,” Martin said. “We give the money right back to the students.”
Da’Sha Tuck || Staff writer dtuck@murraystate.edu
WKMS, Murray State’s public radio station, hosted a short storytelling contest that yielded more than 50 entries, five finalists and one winning story: “What Allen Took” by Amanda Futrell from Murray. Last week, all five finalists, Tony Smith from Paducah, Kentucky, Corrie Johnson from Murray, Daniel Milam from Paducah, Kentucky, and Tasha Mitchell from Dexter, Kentucky, read their stories at the Murray State Clara Eagle Gallery. Finalist Corrie Johnson submitted a story titled “Come Back Anytime.” Her story was about a young girl working three jobs and “speeding through summer” until she meets an elder who teaches her a new way of looking at life through simple, silent, relaxing
Photos by Kelli O’Toole/The News
Annual Holiday Art Auction auctioning off students’ and local artists’ works to raise scholarship money for art students.
front porch sitting. “I have always enjoyed writing since I was a child,” she said. “I have never studied it formally but I just write because I feel like it.” Johnson’s story was based on true events and through that experience she said she learned a valued lesson. “I learned how to slow down, get outside myself, value sitting with someone else, be welcomed by someone who had nothing in common with me and I learned how to extend that welcome to others,” Johnson said. Johnson did not win the short storytelling contest but more of her work can be found at pigintheriver.blogspot.com. Futrell’s first place story was titled “What Allen Took.” The story is told from a mother’s point of view as her only child packs his bags for army basic training. Futrell describes
the things the son packs, what he forgets to pack and what he leaves behind. Futrell currently lives in Nashville, Tennessee, and is getting her Master of Fine Arts at Vermont College of Arts in Poetry. She said her writing keeps her very busy. “The thing that is consuming most of my time right now is a poetry collection called ‘What Goes With Her,’ a book about the life and death of my best friend of 23 years, Katy Koch, a Murray State graduate and previous Murray resident,” she said. Futrell said if anyone reads “What Allen Took” and would like to read more of her work, it can be found at amandafutrell. wordpress.com. The runner-up was Tony Smith with his story titled “Granaw’s Chicken”. Smith’s story is about two brothers who are given a pair of
chickens for Easter; one named Talon and the other Eagle. In the story, Smith describes how the mother of the two boys quickly grows tired of the chickens and sends them to live with “Granaw”, the boy’s great grandmother. The brothers soon lose interest in the chickens, eventually not being able to tell them apart from their grandmother’s other chickens. Smith wrote about how Granaw cooked and served both Talon and Eagle to the family for supper one afternoon. Initially, the boys were distraught, but they quickly recovered in order to get their dessert. Smith said the story was inspired by true events. He said he has always been a “prolific reader” and began writing in his late teenage years. Smith said some of his influence for writing came from a family member who was a journalist. He
see CONTEST, Page 10
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Features
November 17, 2016
How to have a happy Friendsgiving Brianna Willis
K O O B
Assistant Features Editor bwillis2@murraystate.edu
For many college students, Thanksgiving Break offers a welcomed break from school right before finals. A week, or so, long break from homework assignments and long nights in the library and a chance to see family and eat good food. This doesn’t mean all college students get to partake in such festivities. Some students have no family to go home to, are from out of the country or simply have to work and cannot go home. For whatever reason, college students don’t always go home for the holidays. Here is a list of activities that students who can’t go home can partake in to make the upcoming break a little cheerier, even away from family and loved ones.
K O O B E RECIP
HOST A “FRIENDSGIVING”
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If someone finds themselves not going home, chances are there are other people not going home as well. Find a support group within the residential colleges, try and have a “Friendsgiving” meal together. Cooking can help relieve stress according to a New York Daily article published in 2009. By getting friends together who may also be homesick, you can compile resources and make a meal and enjoy it with others. Finding recipes online or sharing family secrets can be a good way to bond with peers. Have a sweet potato contest, or whose stuffing (or dressing) tastes the best–anything to engage with friends and other residents who may be feeling lonely too.
GO SEE A MOVIE
Whether on Netflix or, other online streaming sites, or in theaters, seeing a film is a good way to relax. You don’t necessarily need the company of others to watch a good movie or binge watch a good television show, so students who stay in Murray for Thanksgiving may find this solo activity a comforting one. S,o getting out and enjoying some popcorn and a cute film may be just what the doctor ordered to stay stress free and less lonely.
CATCH UP ON HOMEWORK
While Waterfield Library will be closed during the break, and homework is nobody’s favorite leisure activity, using the break and the time away from noisy families and screaming children to catch up or get ahead in school would be the smart thing to do. Many professors make assignments due right when we return, or you may have that big presentation coming up at the end of the semester. Take the time to settle in and refocus for the last stretch of the semester. Graphic courtesy of Austin Gordon/The News
Culture exchange program allows integrated learning Sydney Anthony
Contributing writer santhony2@murraystate.edu
In order to help American students and international students to meet, Murray State has an Intercultural Exchange Program. The program meets every two weeks beginning in August and lasting until mid-November. Kristy Mills, senior from Waverly, Tennessee, said she was contacted by the study abroad office after studying abroad in regards to participating in the program. She said she chose to participate in order to meet new people and learn more about other cultures. “I found it hard to get involved at Murray,” Abdulla Alhazmi, freshman from Madina, Saudi Arabia, said.
CONTEST From Page 9 said he stopped writing for a while because life became busy but now he has picked up where he left off. “I was afraid to put my feelings on paper,” Smith said. “Not everything I write is about laughter; there are other sides to me.” Smith said he plans to continue with his writing career, determined to get a story published. “Granaw’s Chickens” was the first story Smith had ever submitted in a contest. “I might as well keep doing this (writing), what else do I have to do, I mean I can’t dance,” Smith said. Both Futrell and Smith read their stories to an audience last week at Hopkinsville Brewing Company. Smith said the crowd was very receptive for both him and Futrell, but it was a new experience for him. “I have never read one of my stories to a crowd like that before,” he said. “I was pretty nervous because it is supposed to be absorbed in
By participating in the Intercultural Exchange Program, Abdulla said he has been able to meet around 30 people from a variety of cultures and interact with this group at meetings and hang out with some on the off weeks. “They set it up where you talk to a different person at every event,” Mills said. “They have a variety of ways to get you to connect with different groups of people.” “I could see the Americans who studied abroad knew what it felt like to be in a foreign country, and also I could see internationals who got involved to make friends.” Alhazmi said. “I got involved because I wanted to learn about new cultures and meet new people.” “It makes it easier to talk to
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the mind not the ears.” Smith said his family and his life experiences are his story inspirations. He said growing up in the 1960s was an interesting experience because children were not as shielded as they are today. Tracy Ross, WKMS programming director said this year was the first time WKMS has hosted a short storytelling contest. “This contest was a great success,” Ross said. “We had over 50 entries from various participants with stories that were straight fiction and others that followed classic storytelling format.” Ross said they will be hosting this contest again next year. WKMS will announce more details in the summer months. Ross encourages anyone who did not submit a story this year to do so next year and he hopes those who participated will participate again. “Words are events, they do things, they change things,” Futrell said quoting novelist Ursula K. Guin. “They transform both the speaker and the hearer; they feed energy back and forth and amplify it.”
M
E N O T I ADM Jenny Rohl/The News
The International Cultural Exchange program hosts many activities for the students. other people when you are in a program like this. You have a comfort zone and it is very dif-
ficult to get out of that comfort zone,” Mills said. Mills said the meetings consist
of an icebreaker to get students to mingle and meet others then larger group activities. She said they have had a meeting where Don Robertson, vice president of Student Affairs, spoke about Murray’s diversity and Opportunity Afforded slogan, movie nights, a Halloween party and a speed dating activity. Alhazmi said his favorite Intercultural Exchange Program event was the Halloween party, where he carved a Halloween pumpkin for the first time and learned more about American culture. Mills said her favorite event was creating a fake country in a group of students from all around the world. She said they worked together to decide on the country's government, diversity and landscape.
Arcadia Kassel, sophomore from Evansville, Indiana, said she has been able to meet many international students through the program. “Many of the students that I met are from India and the Middle East,” Kassel said. “One in particular said that the education system in India is not as good as it is here in America. They are extremely polite and caring.” Kassel said they have learned the culture in America is very different from India. She said in India they still have arranged marriages and men work outside the home while women care for children and the household. Students looking to get involved next semester can contact the study abroad office or search for it on Murray State’s website.
Pack a shoebox, spread holiday cheer Emily Williams
Contributing writer ewilliams15@murraystate.edu
National Collection Week for Operation Christmas Child is Nov. 14 - 21, and many Murray State students, faculty and staff are participating by donating boxes filled with basic necessities and children’s toys to Samaritan’s Purse. According to their website, Samaritan’s Purse is an evangelical Christian humanitarian aid organization that provides relief to people in physical need as a key part of Christian missionary work. Jonathan Clark, campus minister at Murray State’s Baptist Campus Ministry, said a grand total of 2,394 boxes were donated last year during National Collection Week in Murray, with a total of 38 volunteers and 261.5 volunteer hours logged. Clark said the Murray State BCM is the only drop-off location for Operation Christmas Child in Murray. Beth Acreman, education abroad co-
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ordinator at Murray State, said the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) program will continue to participate in Operation Christmas Child this year by collecting items during their Thanksgiving meal on Nov. 19. Acreman said the program has three cohorts now and their goal is to increase the number of boxes that they put together this year. “We’ve decided to do both boys and girls this year, and there are three sets of age ranges,” Acreman said. “There will be boxes for 2 to 4, 5 to 9 and 10 to 14-year-olds, depending on what gender and age group you would like to fill a box for.” Acreman said they will also be accepting donations that will go toward buying items to put in the boxes and covering the expense of sending the boxes out, which is $7. “We like doing this just to be a part of it,” Acreman said. “The Ed.D. is about community leadership so this is a small way for us to combine as a group and do something
Operation Christmas Child boxes can be dropped off at Murray State’s BCM at the following times: Monday (Nov. 14):
4 - 7 p.m.
Tuesday (Nov. 15):
4 - 7 p.m.
Wednesday (Nov. 16): 4 - 7 p.m. Thursday (Nov. 17):
2 - 5 p.m.
Friday (Nov. 18):
3 - 6 p.m.
Saturday (Nov. 19):
noon - 3 p.m.
Sunday (Nov. 20):
2 - 5 p.m.
Monday (Nov. 21):
8 - 10 a.m. Graphic courtesy of Austin Gordon/The News
that will help, maybe not our community directly, but communities across the world.” Hannah Wilson, junior from Murray, said her community group at the BCM is participating in Operation Christmas Child by packing a box for a boy between the ages of 10 and 14 and including a picture of their group as a whole.
U.S. 641 N. Murray 270-753-9622 Circus Skate Murray, KY
“We’re participating because it is a great opportunity to help others and give a child in a different country joy,” Wilson said. “Samaritan’s Purse is a fantastic organization who helps others by sharing the Gospel with them and that is what OCC does.”
Read more at TheNews.org.
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Features
November 17, 2016
Page 11
“Strange” visuals; boring plot Nick Erickson || Staff writer nerickson@murraystate.edu
where mortality is obsolete, using a forbidden spell. This spell, which would destroy the sanctums located in three of the world’s major cities, are buildings with the power to keep Earth in balance. As they begin to be decimated, it’s up to Strange to take the sorcerer d o w n before the
When it comes to Marvel films, the special effects are not typically the highlight of the film. Rather, primary focus is shifted on matching storyline accuracy to that of the comics the film is based around. However, as apparent by its newest installment, the money invested into the Marvel universe these past few years (The Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy etc.) might finally start being used to exploit the wonders of CGI technology. “Doctor Strange”, envelops puzzling, jaw-dropping visual effects akin to the likes of “Inception”, but the eye-candy alone might not be enough to please all, or stand-out in a swamp of superhero flicks. Doctor Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) is a genius, wealthy neurosurgeon whose narcissism rivals that of Tony Stark from the “Iron Man” trilogy. After being distracted looking at medical documents while driving, he gets into a car accident that costs him his hands. As surgery after surgery fails, he becomes more cruel and reclusive to everyone. Before long, Strange finds himself under the wing of The Ancient One (Tilda Swinton) in Nepal, who opens him up to worlds he had never seen before, transcending between dimensions and outer space, revealing to Strange that the world contains much more than what science alone can explain, learning that energy can be harnessed to manipulate reality around him. A former student of The Ancient One’s, Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelsen), attempts to summon the ruler of the Dark Photo courtesy of inverse.com Dimension,
planet is doomed forever. Director Scott Derrickson, known for horror flicks such as “Sinister” and “The Exorcism of Emily Rose”, has done his part in giving his audience quite a visual experience. As soon as eyes meet the big screen, “Doctor Strange” is breathtaking visually. The plot rarely loses pace, thanks to the incredible use of special effects. The CGI technology perfectly executes an intense visual experience for viewers. In “Doctor Strange,” scenes resemble scenes from “Inception”, which arguably had groundbreaking visual effects in itself. Buildings invert and flip upside down, thin air fluctuates and wobbles like a stone to water. It’s a lot to take in, but it’s mesmerizing, for sure, despite all of its trippy, wondrous effects, “Doctor Strange” unfortunately falls flat in the other departments. The film does not set the bar for telling a good story and is a classic case of “good guy saves the world from bad guy”. Underneath the glamour, the narrative of the film is rather unremarkable. “Doctor Strange” suffers from the common flaw that plagues a majority of Marvel films: the character’s script usually lacks memorability. On a brighter note, the positive character development is captured well. Strange has both a battle with others and with himself. From fighting to regain the use of his hands and fight for his life, Cumberbatch captures the transition from arrogance to humility throughout the film. While dialogue might be lackluster at times, his acting skills equate a bit for the less prominence of other characters’ importance. “Doctor Strange” will fail to please those looking for strong scriptwriting and a plot innovative enough to pull them in based solely on that. It will, however, succeed in giving viewers the cinematic display of a lifetime.
Keys brings back mindful soul
Photo courtesy of ew.com
Nick Erickson|| Staff writer nerickson@murraystate.edu
S
ince releasing her debut album “Songs In A Minor” in 2001, singer Alicia Keys has stood out among other artists. Originally attempting to break into the R&B scene, she, like many others, was put into the pop forefront. Despite this, Keys’ knack for classical piano compositions, soulful melodies and spoken-word shined like a lighthouse in a sea of simplistic, over-processed tunes. Now 15 years later, her eighth studio album, “Here”, carries the emotional intensity she is adored for, with a sight shift in perspective. Rather than a solely introspective focus on romantics, Keys uses her newest endeavor to emphasize social issues in today’s time. On “Here,” Keys uses vibrant instrumentation to paint an aural picture of the subject matter in her songs. Stories of struggle, race, family issues and love permeate the album making it rich and diverse. The keyboard-laced “The Beginning (Interlude),” opens the albums
with Keys personifying the music she plays. “I’m the musical to the project fables, I’m the words scratched out on the record label,” she speaks with vigor. Although a spoken-word introduction is rather unconventional, it’s a precedent to the album’s many shifts in narration and style and keeps a natural flow. Second track “The Gospel” features the soul of a gospel choir and a military-esque drum beat to back Keys. Singing from the viewpoint of someone from a poverty-stricken household, Keys’ soaring voice conveys the struggles of living in the slums. “Work Out On” features a repeated backing vocal chant as Keys uses her bright timbre and R&B vibes to illustrate a relationship where both sides need to work together to make it better. Her ability to move her voice around a range of octaves toward the latter half of the track is beyond impressive. Presenting the prominence of crisp acoustic guitars is “Kill Your Mama.” Keys uses a metaphorical approach, singing of how Mother Earth’s childrens’ destructive ways are killing the planet we call home. Keys makes reference to her “makeup-free” movement on “Girl Can’t
Be Herself,” touching upon her sentiments of how society views on makeup force women to hide behind it. “Maybe all this Maybelline is covering my self-esteem,” she asks, her boldness coming off as striking as the Latin-inspired bass and drum groove that back her. Concluding the album is “Holy War,” which features Keys in her purest form. Arpeggiated, melancholic guitar strums pave the way for Keys to belt a chorus tinged in both reverb and emotion. Singing of the taboo nature of sex and the glorification of war, Keys makes it clear that it’s a twisted reality and the world needs to spread love, rather than hate. It’s a simple, yet beautiful end to the record. Adamant about presenting her true self, “Here” is an ambitious effort in showing the public Keys is a real person and more than a glorified pop icon. Unfiltered and innovative, she performs to her utmost potential. Combining sensitive subject matter with raw musicianship and passion, Keys’ delivery makes “Here” her most vital release in years and is sure to solidify her prominence on the list of the 2016’s greatest releases.
Incorrigible, Defiant Woman
True To M You
y mom bought me a bag that says, “Always be yourself. Unless you can be a mermaid. Then always be a Brianna Willis mermaid.” Assistant I laughed so hard my Features Editor eyes watered when she presented it to me, and I hugged her tight. It sits next to me on my desk here in the newsroom, as a constant reminder of where I have been, and how far I still have to go. “Always be yourself,” is good in theory, but in my experience that hasn’t always been received well. Sure, we put cute slogans on bags and coffee mugs, selling the notion that being you is always valuable. Is that so true though? Growing up I had my fair share of moments in which I was probably being dramatic. Not everything said to me was intended to be hurtful. Not every friendship lost was worth crying myself to sleep over. That doesn’t change the fact that words said were still hurtful. That losing friends because I wasn’t “cool enough” (whatever that meant in eighth grade) felt like a deep betrayal. Sometimes, being authentic meant losing popularity points. It meant being made fun, even by friends, or even worse family. Hearing “You’re too goofy,” and “You talk too loud,” from people in your own family who talk louder than you always felt like a back-handed slap. So they get to be “authentic” and when they like certain shows or act a certain way it’s “cute” or “quirky,” but when I do it, I’m reprimanded by the same people who raised me to be “myself.” That was painful, but I made it out. I had boys date my friends when boy and friend knew I liked boy. I had friends say awful hurtful things because they thought they could, not knowing the deep insecurities I harbored. Everything hurt and I internalized every negative comment, every negative interaction I had with someone. From meaningless encounters to racist people yelling at me in the street offensive things no six-year-old should have to hear. Not even a 14-year-old me should have to hear. One day I woke up and I said, enough. I won’t let things bring me down. I won’t hate myself simply because someone said I should, rather I will remain loud. I will remain unapologetically kind, sarcastic, over-emotional, sensitive and everything in between. I will laugh too loud, I will not calm down and I will be happy. I learned that day that someone somewhere will always have a problem with you being you. For no other reason than you exist as the wild, crazy, diverse person you are. Embracing the fact that people will always judge others was a sort of cathartic realization. It allowed me to release feelings and pain that I had held onto for years. The people who judged me, as cliché as it might sound, were also being judged by someone somewhere. It allowed me to move on in my life. That being said, “Unless you can be a mermaid,” is important to remember. I always joke with my students or coworkers that I am secretly a mermaid on the side. No one should be comfortable being stagnant. Personal growth should be embraced and encouraged. I am a mere mortal now, but someday I hope to be a mermaid. A “final form” so to speak. Practice the skills you thought weren’t worth developing. If it makes you happy and keeps you growing, invest in yourself. Try new recipes, take classes in your interests not just your field, whatever makes you happy and keeps you growing? Do it. I want to look back on my life and remember how happy I was, accepting myself and loving myself. How much I grew as a better person, a healthier person, from a small child to the end of my life. Don’t be afraid to be unique, to be yourself and to grow every day. Take the small moments, the words that hurt, the friends who left you in the dust and grow from it. Be that mermaid I know you can be. bwillis2@murraystate.edu
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The News
November 17, 2016