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February 21, 2019 | Vol. 93, No. 19

Rifle racing to West Virginia

Gage JohnsonThe News

The Murray State rifle team celebrates earning the fifth seed in the NCAA Rifle Championships in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Opinion

News

Features

CPE president visits Murray State on Listening Tour

Student named first Affordability is no runner-up in state longer the only issue pageant

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NEWS NEWS

Cady Stribling Staff writer cstribling1@murraystate.edu

Haley Penrod

Staff writer

hpenrod1@murraystate.edu

Community session Aaron Thompson, president of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, traveled to Murray State on Feb. 19 and 20, during his Higher Education Listening Tour. The purpose of the tour is to enable communication between the CPE and Kentucky’s college communities. Thompson questioned the audience about higher education’s worth, career preparation, success in college and how to better highlight the importance of higher education. Bob Jackson, Murray State interim president, supports the Listening Tour. “He wants to talk to students,” Jackson said. “He wants to talk to the community. He wants to hear what are our thoughts and ideas in regard to higher education in Kentucky. What type of investments we do need to make…” The discussion began with addressing how institutions can better equip students and promote pursuing a postsecondary education. Thompson believes that there needs to be a better way to bridge the gap between high school and postsecondary education. “I believe we should do a better job in high school talking about career choices; where they need to go to to offer that as an opportunity,” Thompson said. He believes that while dual credit courses are offered in high schools, these classes aren’t necessarily setting students on the path to college. Thompson has discussed the possibility of creating pathways high schoolers can use to pursue their career-specific dual credit courses. “We are trying to get employers and industries on

the front end by saying, ‘If you want a work force, then we can build you a workforce; tell us what you want and need,’” Thompson said. “They are telling us that they don’t just need the technical skills, but they need employable skills.” The audience raised concerns about the employability of students who receive a postsecondary education. Both employers and students in the audience cited issues with finding college programs that taught employability skills. Thompson said the CPE is communicating with local employers to discuss what they need from postsecondary institutions to produce effective workers. “I don’t care if it is a two-year degree or four-year degree,” Thompson said. “We should be working a lot more in letting them know it is important to come to work on time. That we need to help them understand how to communicate and write, whether it’s a technical brief or a report or executive summary.” Murray State is one of the first institutions to redesign programs to better equip future employees based on what employers have said they need. The University worked with local employers to design programs that prepare students and give them work experience. Affordability is critical to a student’s ability to pursue a postsecondary education. The community can involve itself in this issue, starting with instituting college counseling in P-12. Providing scholarship information to first-generation students would help them pay for and stay in college. Thompson said the University is key to encouraging future students to pursue a postsecondary education by having current students tell their success stories. Potential students who doubt their ability to receive a postsecondary education need the support and encouragement of students with similar backgrounds that have successfully completed a degree. Bonnie Higginson, former

provost and vice president of academic affairs, attended the session. She said she wants the University to become the best it can be despite budget cuts. “Thompson spoke several times about Murray State – about our accomplishments, retention and graduation rates and how we are a strong institution academically,” Higginson said. “It feels so good to hear someone from Frankfort say that about Murray State.” Melony Shemberger, journalism and mass communications professor, said course scheduling is very difficult for non-traditional students because they have full-time jobs to work around. She believes online classes are a good option for these students because they can receive a postsecondary education while supporting themselves. Murray State, the Council for Postsecondary Education and the community can collaborate better together. The CPE considers itself a partner not only with Murray State, but also with the community, to be on the front end in helping people receive a postsecondary education. “We are happy that Murray State has stepped up to the table to be one of the leading institutions that worked with us on these employability efforts,” Thompson said. Student session Thompson held a separate Listening Tour session for Murray State students on Wednesday, Feb. 20, in the Curris Center. Both listening sessions were open to students to discuss the partnership between CPE and Murray State. Thompson said the goal of the tour is to gather information and concerns from students about higher education and specifically to gain insight that will help the campus. Thompson went on this listening tour in order to get specific stories and solutions from students and community members. “Higher education is a solution,” Thompson said. “So, my job is to find out how

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CPE president visits Murray State on Listening Tour

February 21, 2019

3:18PM Burglary was reported in Richmond College after a phone was taken. After investigating, it was determined the phone was misplaced and found the next day.

10:25PM

Terroristic threatening was reported in White College after subject threatened another person.

12:11PM A parked vehicle was struck by another vehicle that left the scene. The investigation is still open.

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THE MUR R AY STATE

9:19AM Theft was reported in the University bookstore in the Curris Center after an item was taken.

The Police Beat is compiled with material provided by Public Safety and Emergency Management. Not all dispatched calls are listed. Colton Colglazier/The News

Mackenzie O’DonleyThe News

CPE President Aaron Thompson came to Murray State for his Higher Education Listening Tour. we can make this solution an even better solution. I do consider myself as a partner with Murray State, with Bob

Jackson, with all the people here.”

see CPE page 3

News

February 21, 2019

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CPE From Page 2

Megan Reynolds/The News

Thompson held a community listening session at Wrather Museum on Tuesday, Feb. 19.

Thompson said the CPE assists students through their partnerships with legislators and Murray State administrators in order to distribute budgets to Murray State for building maintenance and program funding. The CPE also aids students in completing and affording a postsecondary education. “In this area we have about 53 percent of our students going to college,” Thompson said. “But you know the interesting thing, in this area, you are way above the state average on those that are ready to go to college. So how can we get more of you to go into postsecondary and get that degree that matters?” In many cases, Thompson said, students are dropping out because they cannot pay to finish. Giavonna Morris, a senior from Virginia, has

experienced this financial burden firsthand. Morris’ parents saved for her college fund since her birth, yet still struggle managing the growing costs of college. “The cost of higher education has increased so dramatically over the years,” Morris said. Deonte Turnley, a junior from Evansville, Indiana, said finding a career to pay off student debt is his main concern. “One of my concerns is kind of the unknown factor of post-graduation,” Turnley said. Blakely Broder, a junior from St. Charles, Missouri, spoke during the listening session. Broder offered a solution to help high schoolers apply for scholarships. Thompson concurred with Broder’s concern, adding that although aid is available to high schoolers in Kentucky, it’s oftentimes overlooked by students. “We are a very high-

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end state,” Thompson said. “We’ve [Kentucky] got a lot of money we give, but that doesn’t mean every student knows that…” Thompson said when students are given information about opportunities available to them in college, the students tend to stay in school for a longer time. “As long as I use my degree to the best of my ability as far as my career, it will take care of itself,” Jada Hubert, a senior from St. Louis, Missouri, said. A key component for Hubert in the listening session was the fact that students need to get involved. Thompson said involvement on the student’s part largely correlates to their future success. “The number one factor in success of a student in college is the input of a faculty member in and out of the classroom, helping a student to get engaged in their experience at college,” Thompson said.

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February 21, 2019

CPE, students talk diversity Haley Penrod Staff writer hpenrod1@murraystate.edu

Students appealed to the University administration to increase support for minorities on campus during the recent Listening Tour hosted by the president for the Council on Postsecondary Education. Aaron Thompson, CPE president, discussed diversity on college campuses during his Feb. 18 and 19 Higher Education Listening Tour, which kicked off at Murray State. “I am here to talk about your community,” Thompson said. “What do we need to do here? What do we need to do in Murray, Kentucky?” One of the main concerns from the audience was racial bias on campus. Blakely Broder, junior from St. Charles, Missouri, read a letter she wrote addressing her concerns about the injustices at Murray State. She said the letter was meant to thank Thompson for coming to Murray State to listen to the voices of students and community members. She wanted to address the concerns of other students in a letter because when they address these issues, their concerns are called hostile, contemptuous or disrespectful. “Here I am, the white woman asking for the manager,” Broder said. “What is less threatening than that? I ask you to hear that the diversity and sensitivity training that is currently in place is not enough. An online quiz and a signature address-

ing acceptance is not sufficient and standard to ensure the equal treatment of my fellow colleagues on campus.” This challenged the audience to think about how the CPE can help bring this racial bias to an end while improving faculty training and raising awareness of this issue on campus. “Tolerance is not enough,” Broder said. “Acceptance is not enough. We need to enact racial bias training in addition to anti-discrimination training if we want to eliminate this undue burden from our education system.” Yasmin Zarate, freshman from Milan, Tennessee, said Murray State does not publicize multicultural events on campus. “I have seen advertisements on Instagram from universities about programs specifically for multicultural events,” Zarate said. “There are programs here, but [they are] not advertised.” If these programs were more advertised, it would get more students involved on campus and focused on finishing their degree. Thompson said it takes all of us to achieve justice, specifically racial justice. CPE created a new diversity policy that focuses on campuses being culturally confident. Universities have to show CPE that they are doing more to be accommodating for everyone, going beyond just policy. Broder also submitted her letter to The Murray State News editor. It can be found on page 7.

The Murray State University Adventures in Math Science/Upward Bound Math Science Program is currently accepting applications for Summer Programs being held May 26 – July 5, 2019.

Application Deadline is March 8, 2019. Positions Available & Skills Needed: Head Residential Advisor Position – Residential Leadership experience and excellent oral and written communication skills required. Bridge Residential Advisor Position – Residential Leadership and mentoring and counseling skills required. Will also need to be able to tutor our Bridge Students who are taking Chemistry, Biology, and/or Math courses. Residential Advisor Positions – summer camp counselor experience preferred. Experience working with low-income, first-generation, high school students preferred

Teacher/Instructor Positions – Mathematics, Foreign Language, English, Coding (for use with drones), Personal Growth, ACT Prep, College/Career Readiness, Elective Courses – i.e.

Arts & Crafts, Journalism, Hip Hop Dance, Choir, Cooking, Theater.

What will you gain from being part of our team? 1. Experience working with low-income, first-generation youth from the Tri-State area 2. Advantageous compensation for Summer 2019 3. First Aid/CPR/AED Certification All applicants must be 21 years old before May 26, 2019. Interviews will be conducted in March. All applicants must also be enrolled in college and in good standing or be a college graduate (2 or 4year degree). Please include resume and 3 professional references with application. Applications may be obtained at murraystate.edu/aims Please send questions or concerns to:

Nick Bohannon/The News

The Office of Multicultural Affairs advocates for a campus environment that embraces diversity.

Heather Morris, Administrative Assistant AIMS/UBMS 252 Blackburn Science Building Murray, KY 42071 270-809-5429 Hrmorris8@murraystate.edu

News

February 21, 2019

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Students suit up at JCPenney

Ciara Benham Staff writer cbenham@murraystate.edu

Over 400 Murray State students and staff members received a 40 percent discount on professional attire as a part of the JCPenney Suit-Up Event. On Feb. 17, Murray State Career Services co-hosted the Suit-Up Event sponsored by JCPenney. For one day only, students, faculty, staff and alumni could get 40 percent off professional clothing. JCPenney has hosted other Suit-Up Events across the nation in partnership with other universities, but this was the first time the event has been held in Murray. Career Services always offers the Career Closet on campus, a place where students can come pick out a free professional outfit each semester that they can keep. Sarah Stellhorn, an intern for Career Services, helped coordinate the Suit-Up Event and said Career Services was thrilled at the opportunity to work with JCPenney. “We are always looking for new opportunities to offer our students, and this was a convenient, afford-

able way for students to find professional clothing in their specific size and the style they prefer,” Stellhorn said. JCPenney’s manager, Stacie Gura, said the Suit-Up Event was created for communities with colleges specifically to be able to provide a service not usually provided by other retailers: quality career clothing at an affordable price for students. Gura also said the event was an important opportunity for JCPenney to help students afford career clothing. “Whether it is required for their classes or for their first interviews, this is the first time most of the students will be purchasing this type of clothing,” Gura said. “I think holding an event especially for them is amazing because we have the staff and the knowledge to help them make these purchases a lot easier.” Victoria Martin, senior from Central City, Kentucky, attended the event to purchase professional clothing for her job. Martin said the event was beneficial and she would like to see more events like it happen in the future with other companies. Martin also said she

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thought the event was a good idea to help students. “I think that it was a good chance to help students get proper interview attire, especially those who can’t usually afford such clothing,” Martin said. The event served 433 Murray State students, faculty and alumni, and employees of both Career Services and JCPenney were pleased with the turnout of the event. Amara Stroud, peer career advisor at Career Services, said the Suit-Up event was a positive accomplishment for all parties involved. “Overall, I think that the Suit-Up Event was a big success not only for Career Services or JCPenney but for the students at MSU,” Stroud said. “I’ve only heard positive feedback from students and I think that’s a really great sign. The coordinators from my office, Sarah Stellhorn and Rebecca Dyer, did a great job, and I hope Suit-Up becomes an annual event.” The turnout of the event was considered a success by JCPenney, and Gura confirmed that JCPenney will be hosting an event every year in the spring, with the possibility of one in the fall as well.

Stephanie Anderson/The News

Career Services teamed up with JCPenney to offer a 40 percent discount on professional attire.

total attendance students faculty/staff alumni

https://www.buffcitysoap.com Milli Cecil/The News

630 N 12th St, Murray, KY 42071

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Editorial Board Blake Sandlin Interim Editor-in-Chief 270-809-6877 bsandlin1@murraystate.edu Bryce Anglin Production Manager 270-809-5874 zanglin@murraystate.edu Daniella Tebib News Editor 270-809-4468 dtebib@murraystate.edu Sara Howell Features Editor 270-809-5871 showell6@murraystate.edu Gage Johnson Sports Editor 270-809-4481 gjohnson17@murraystate.edu Megan Reynolds Opinion Editor 270-809-5873 mreynolds12@murraystate.edu David Wallace Chief Copy Editor 270-809-5876 dwallace15@murraystate.edu Connor Dame Ad Sales and Circulation Manager 270-809-4478 cdame2@murraystate.edu Brock Kirk Photography Editor 270-809-5878 jkirk11@murraystate.edu Kalea Anderson Chief Videographer 270-809-5878 kanderson29@murraystate.edu Dr. Stephanie Anderson Adviser • 270-809-3937 sanderson37@murraystate.edu 2609 University Station Murray State University Murray, Kentucky 42071-3301 msunews1927@gmail.com Fax: (270) 809-3175

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NEWS OPINION THE MUR R AY STATE

February 21, 2019

Affordability is no longer the only issue Aaron Thompson, the new president of the Council of Postsecondary Education, spoke to the Murray State community Tuesday evening on his Listening Tour. Thompson’s Listening Tour is a statewide tour of Kentucky universities in which he asks the community, faculty and students what they would like to see change in their school. Focusing on topics like affordability, diversity (or “equity,” as Thompson likes to put it), enrollment and graduation percentage, the president is gauging the community’s response and putting them into his plans. What were the responses, though? And what did he seem to think of them? The community presented far more than he could have hoped for, and whether or not that turned out to be any good for him is still yet to be seen. Some were pleased with his answers to their questions, while some thought his suggestions weren’t quite to their liking. Financially, Thompson doesn’t seem to have a plan. Tuition continues to skyrocket – many students in attendance were sure to point this out to the new president, ques-

tioning how he planned on combating the issue. He stressed that bringing affordability back into the picture was at the top of his list, making college an option for low-income students is most certainly a priority. He just doesn’t seem to have a plan for it quite yet. Tuition is a hard problem to tackle. Not only tuition, but the costs of room and board, books and any other equipment a student may need are daunting all on their own. Maintenance costs for campus are a terror for any university, as well. It’s understandable that affordability in general is difficult to plan for, but don’t talk big when you aren’t certain you’re going to be able to make any positive change yet. The former head of the history department, Kevin Wolf, brought up the losses suffered in liberal arts fields like history, performing arts and language for the benefit of STEM programs. Thompson responded with a statement he immediately regretted. “It’s like cutting off a limb so the whole body can be healthy,” he said, right away calling it a bad analogy. Thompson tried to save himself by going on to say that he doesn’t play the “either, or” game. He

Autumn Brown/The News

acknowledged that people need to understand that while it may not be important for everyone to get a four-year degree, it is important to teach them about writing, art and other such things. The way he spoke of it, he seemed to think that degrees not dealing with STEM were never fouryear degrees. He certainly knows that they are, but his statements on the matter were heavily pro-STEM. It was almost like he was a pre-medical student asking an arts major where they were ever going to find a job with their degree. STEM is important, there

is no question about it, but its growth at the expense of cultural programs is growth that should not happen. Learning to be creative, to write and to understand the past is necessary. Just as learning to develop potentially life-saving medicine, engineering protective equipment and thinking up new algorithms is necessary, also. Despite these hot topics, perhaps the hardest hitting concept of the night was racism on campus. “It is time to talk about racism,” Blakely Broder, a junior and Presidential Fellow, read aloud from a letter she wrote directly to

Cheers to Murray State Basketball!

Jeers to National Emergencies! Sixteen states are filing lawsuits against Trump’s declaration of national emergency at the border.

Our team’s winning streak has extended to five games, as they currently are tied for first place in the OVC.

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 atraylor@murraystate.edu.

the CPE president. Thompson read along with her as she bravely described the continuing existence of racism she sees all around her. “So here I am, the white woman asking for the manager,” she said. “What is less threatening than that?” She simply asks that people see each other as just that, fellow humans making their way through this wild ride we call life. Thompson wholeheartedly agreed with her, telling the audience about the new diversity policy the CPE has developed. No longer will an online quiz signature be the requirement; schools will be submitting proof of their acceptance and welcome to all races, ethnicities and cultures. The president thrived in the conversation on race. His suggestions are more than good, they’re potentially revolutionary. Thompson doesn’t want diversity, he wants equity. Minorities are not a number, they are real people seeking an education. A quota should not be the intention. He is working through these problems, aiming for a college campus with an aura of change, equality and students happy with their decision to pursue a postsecondary education. Now, he just has to achieve it.

Contributions to The News are the opinion of the author and not that of The Murray State News. The News is a designated public forum. Student editors have authority to make all content decisions without censorship or advance approval. The paper offers a hands-on learning environment for students interested in journalism. The campus press should be free from censorship and advance approval of copy and its editors should develop their editorial and news policies.

The News strives to be the University community’s source for information. Our goal is to present that information in a fair and unbiased manner and provide a free and open forum for expression and debate. The News is prepared and edited by students and is an official publication of Murray State University. The first copy is free. Additional copies are available for 25 cents at 111 Wilson Hall.

Opinion

Letter to the Editor This is a letter submitted by junior Presidential Fellow Blakely Broder, and read to the CPE President.

Dr. Aaron Thompson,

growing in the right direction. However, it is pertinent that we do not stand idle. For all work that has been done, there is a counterpart. For every ally the African American community maintains, there are hidden rivals. For every opportunity that an African American student creates for him or herself, they are met with the daunting possibility that it can be taken away all too easily. And this is what needs to change. In colleges across Kentucky, we need to not only mandate diversity training and acceptance, but also ensure that the men and women teaching and leading our academic careers are sensitized to the many forms of racial bias that persist. It is time to talk about race. It is time to ask the question of why I, being a young white woman, am perceived as confident and charismatic, while my African-American counterparts are often

perceived as confrontational and inherently hostile. It’s time to ask if the professors in our classrooms and the students in our residential colleges are embracing the beautiful diversity that Murray State offers or if they’re merely tolerating it. If it is the latter, which I have continuously observed, we are not doing enough for our students. Not only are we missing out on the opportunity to learn about and learn from a powerful community with ample history and culture, but we are taking opportunities away from the students who have had to overcome the most to earn them. Tolerance is not enough. Acceptance is not enough. We need to enact racial bias training, in addition to anti-discrimination training, if we want to eliminate this undue burden from our education system. Thank you for your time, for your care and for the work that you have done.

“

Tolerance is not enough. Acceptance is not enough.

”

TE ET

RS TO TH E SE

TO:

R ITO ED

To the President of Kentucky’s Council on Postsecondary Education, I want to say thank you. Thank you for coming here to hear our voices and concerns. Thank you for coming directly to the source. And to the man who values empathy towards fellow man, this letter is to you: There are many ways in which Murray State University has evolved in terms of acceptance. However, as the blatant racism in our area of the country has dwindled, the stubborn persistence of racial bias has become an incredibly disheartening replacement. While I am not its victim, I am writing to be the voice of the collection of friends, coworkers and classmates who have

come to me. They come to me, not for solutions, but to share the injustices that they cannot confront. And when they try to address these issues themselves, their concerns are too often mistaken for hostility, contempt, or disrespect just because of the color of their skin. So here I am, the white woman asking for the manager. What is less threatening than that? I ask you to hear that the diversity and sensitivity training that is currently in place is not enough. An online quiz and a signature addressing acceptance is not a sufficient enough standard to ensure the equal treatment of my fellow colleagues on campus. In a time where we have had a two-term African-American president, have seen history shine graciously on heroes like Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, Rosa Parks, and Harriet Tubman, and claim to value equality, we are

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February 21, 2019

mreynolds12@murraystate.edu

Savannah Jane Walton/The News

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NEWS SPORTS THE MUR R AY STATE

February 21, 2019

Gage Johnson/The News

Murray State’s rifle team will be competing as the fifth seed in the NCAA Championships on March 8-9.

Rifle racing to West Virginia Racers get fifth seed in NCAA

Gage Johnson Sports Editor gjohnson17@murraystate.edu

Keenan Hall Staff writer khall16@murraystate.edu

The Racer rifle team will make their 33rd appearance in the NCAA Rifle Championships on March 8-9 in hopes of winning its first national title since 1987.

What’s ahead Murray State earned the fifth seed out of eight teams selected to make the trip to Morgantown, West Virginia. This is the fifthstraight season that the Racers will look to hoist the National Championship trophy when the last shots have been fired. This team is no stranger to the NCAA’s biggest stage, as seniors MacKenzie Martin,

Barbara Schläpfer, Alathea Sellars and Eric Sloan are the fifth class in program history that have won an OVC title every year as a Racer. The senior class is led by Martin and Schläpfer, who will make their fourth-consecutive appearance in the NCAA Championships. The field of play Murray State will be facing off against the defending champion

University of Kentucky, hostteam West Virginia University, Air Force, Navy, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Army West Point and No. 1-seed Texas Christian University. In both smallbore three-position and air rifle events, the top eight teams were selected based on the average of the three highest regular-season aggregate scores, with no more than one match at any given site. The aggregate scores from

the designated qualifiers then had the average of the three highest scores added to it to place the top eight teams. TCU’s placement as the top seed in the tournament is rightfully earned, as it has three players (senior Rachel Garner, junior Casey Lutz and sophomore Elizabeth Marsh) in the top 10 in average aggregate

see RIFLE page 9

Sports

February 21, 2019

RIFLE From Page 8 the Horned Frogs are second in average aggregate scores in the NCAA. Martin and Schläpfer place in the top 10 in average aggregate scores in the NCAA for the Racers, while senior Ginny Thrasher and junior Morgan Phillips represent the Mountaineers in the aforementioned category. No other team in the field of eight has more than one in the top 10. Along with the rest of its shooters, Phillips and Thrasher helped West Virginia earn the highest average aggregate scores as a team. The Racers’ gameplan At the beginning of the 2018 season, Head Coach Alan Lollar and his shooters had a plan for the year. They’ve executed their plan and achieved their end goal.

“We had very few stated goals; one of those was to play on the last day of the season,” Lollar said. “Anybody that plays on the last day of the season has a chance to win the championship. We will get our chance to line up and see if it’s our day or not.” While the senior class has had strong showings in past postseasons, it is imperative for the Racers to have all 10 shooters ready to go by March. Lollar said the emotional aspect for the shooters will be crucial. “I don’t use it (the word ‘mental’) as much as I do emotional,” Lollar said. “It has a lot to do with being able to forget the last repetition and executing the next repetition exactly the way that you want to do it. How you handle your emotions and when you drop those points has everything to do with winning a championship.” With rifle being such an individual sport, Lollar said it’s key for shooters to focus on their personal technique

and being able to focus stepby-step how to take their shot. “We work with focusing, we work with our breathing; it becomes very individual to the athlete,” Lollar said. “Everybody has their own way of doing it, but mostly it’s coming back to a centered place where they can focus on what they have to do in the next 30 seconds. ‘What’s the next thing I have to do to execute my shot?’ Then before long that shot is over with, and you’re breathing again and going into your next shot.” With a tough group of teams awaiting the Racers in West Virginia, Lollar says reaching their potential is most crucial. “There are eight great teams in this field,” Lollar said. “We’re one of those. We have every bit enough potential to win, but everybody else does too. It’s about you doing your thing. I think a quote that’s attributed to John Wooden a lot says, ‘Success is actually reaching your potential.’ Whether

you win or lose, it’s doing all you can do.” When things are all said and done, Lollar believes in his team and expects that they’ll deliver the best performance possible. “We would like to end the thing and not say, ‘What if?’” Lollar said. “If we can do that, I think we’ve done everything that we can do. I know they’ll do the best they can do. They’re the most amazing group of young people I’ve ever been around. They work harder, they’ve sacrificed more; I just hope that it’s our day to hit our one-timer and see what happens.” How they got here Murray State rifle won its fourth-consecutive OVC title on Feb. 3. They went on to knock off the University of NebraskaLincoln on Sunday, Feb. 17, in an NCAA qualifier match. The Racers won with a score of 4671 points against the Huskers 4661. Murray

Page 9 State senior MacKenzie Martin led the way in smallbore with 586 points. Another senior, Barbara Schläpfer, followed her classmate with 585 points. The other score counters in smallbore for Murray State included juniors Meike Drewell, Shelby Huber and senior Althea Sellars. Drewell finished third in smallbore seizing 576 points. Huber claimed 571 points while Sellars scored 569. “Barbara and Kenzie were solid as usual,” Lollar said. “The mark of good leaders is to lift the team up when it is down, and I thought they both did exactly that today.” In air rifle, it was a big day for freshmen Anna Scheer and Emily Fitzgerald. Scheer tied her career-high with 591 points in her first NCAA qualifier. Fitzgerald scored 576 in smallbore, a 590 in air rifle and 1166 aggregate. All three scores were career highs for the freshman. “We also got really nice performances out of Emily

and Anna,” Lollar said. “They are two freshmen who will continue to get better and will be an important part of our team over the next three years.” Schläpfer led the way in air rifle with a 593, and Martin scored around her season average with 588 points. Murray State seniors Eric Sloan and Sellars both shot a 586. “I also can’t say enough about Eric, who, for the second match in a row, was called on and delivered a performance that was well above his average and something we needed at that moment,” Lollar said. “This, by any means, was not our best performance, but I thought some people really stepped up when we needed them.” When and where

The NCAA Rifle Championships will begin at 8:45 a.m. on Friday, March 8, at the West Virginia University Coliseum in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Sports

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February 21, 2019

Student Government Association applications are available at www.murraystate.edu/sga or in the Center for Student Involvement office, 111 Curris Center. Positions:

President - must be: Junior by fall semester, 2.7 gpa Executive Vice President - must be: Junior by fall semester, 2.7 gpa Vice President of Administration - 2.7 gpa Vice President of Finance - 2.7 gpa Senator At Large – 8 positions, 2.0 gpa College of Business – 3 positions, 2.0 gpa College Education & Human Services – 3 positions, 2.0 gpa College of Humanities & Fine Arts – 3 positions, 2.0 gpa College Science, Engineering & Technology – 3 positions, 2.0 gpa Hutson School of Agriculture – 3 positions, 2.0 gpa School of Nursing & Health Professionals – 3 positions, 2.0 gpa RCA President - 2.7 gpa RCA Vice President – 2.7 gpa RCA Secretary/Treasurer, 2.7 gpa Residential College Senators, 2.0 gpa (2 per Residential College) **ALL RCA officers must have lived in residential college 1 year prior to election Applications due MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2019 at NOON in the CSI office. MANDATORY CANDIDATES MEETING Curris Center Theater, 3rd floor, 4 pm Elections: ON-LINE VOTING, MONDAY, MARCH 11, 2019 AT 12:01 A.M. THROUGH TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2019 AT 11:59 PM Senate Chair: Elections/Ways & Means – 1 position, 2.0 gpa Public Relations, 1 position, 2.0 gpa University Affairs – 1 position, 2.0 gpa MultiMedia – 1 position, 2.0 gpa Government Relations – 1 position, 2.0 gpa Diversity & Inclusion - 1 position, 2.0 gpa Enrollment Management & Student Success - 1 position, 2.0 gpa Chief of Staff - 1 position, 2.0 gpa Applications due TUESDAY, APRIL 2 at NOON in the CSI office. Judicial Board – 10 members, must be a Junior by fall semester, 2.0 gpa Applications due TUESDAY, APRIL 2 at NOON in the CSI office. Campus Activities Board – 12 chair positions, 2.0 gpa Applications due TUESDAY, APRIL 2 at NOON in the CSI office.

Sports

February 21, 2019

Page 11

Men’s basketball looks to extend win streak to seven Keith Jaco Staff writer rjaco@murraystate.edu

Murray State men’s basketball will look to complete a season sweep of UT Martin and Southeast Missouri State as it returns home to the CFSB Center this weekend. Looking back The Racers handled business on the road last weekend, knocking off Austin Peay 73-71 in Clarksville, Tennessee, on Thursday, Feb. 14, and blowing out the Colonels of Eastern Kentucky 102-70 on Saturday evening. Sophomore guard Ja Morant averaged 28.5 points, 10.5 assists and seven rebounds in these two contests, while redshirt freshman guard Tevin Brown caught a second wind for the Racers by adding 14 points in each game. Head Coach Matt McMahon is pleased with the resurgence of Brown over the past few weeks.

“[Tevin’s] a critical piece in everything we do,” McMahon said. “He’s played exceptionally well all year long; he’s been a great defender and he was phenomenal on the defensive glass at Austin Peay on Thursday. Obviously we hope he bombs in nine or 10 more threes, but I think he impacts the game in a variety of different ways.” Looking ahead Murray State will welcome a hot UT Martin team on Thursday that has won four straight, including a 66-64 home win over Jacksonville State (19-8, 11-3). The Skyhawks have used lineup changes in the past few weeks to their advantage, starting Craig Randall II, a junior guard that transferred from Duquesne mid-season. Randall has brought new life to the Skyhawk offense, averaging 14.5 points, 4.5 assists and 4.3 rebounds in the Skyhawks’ last four games. With Thursday’s matchup against the Skyhawks being

the second of the season for Murray State, McMahon is eager to see what changes UT Martin will make for the Racers. “It’ll be interesting to see what they do defensively,” McMahon said. “We have to be prepared for the different looks that they’ll throw at us on Thursday.” Following the matchup with UT Martin, the Racers will host the Redhawks of Southeast Missouri State Saturday, Feb. 23. Murray State defeated SEMO 85-67 in their last meeting in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The Racers have controlled their season series with SEMO in recent years, going 7-3 in their last 10 against the Redhawks. Murray State will look to post big numbers once again against SEMO’s second-worst scoring offense in the OVC. Murray State will host UT Martin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 21, and Southeast Missouri State at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 23, at the CFSB Center.

Sophomore guard Tevin Brown celebrates after making a three against Eastern Kentucky.

Gage Johnson/The News

Freshman guard Macey Turley dribbles down the floor to initiate the offense against Eastern Illinois.

Racers continue fight toward Evansville Gage Johnson Sports Editor gjohnson17@murraystate.edu

Sitting in a three-way tie for seventh place in the OVC, Murray State will play UT Martin and SEMO in a set of weekend games that are crucial to making a trip to the conference tournament. “We’ve got four games left and we have to try to win all four of them,” Head Coach Rechelle Turner said. “We want to get the tournament because we do feel like we’re playing some of our best basketball. We just have to take one game at a time. We’ve got a tough road ahead of us, so we know how difficult the task is, but we’re going to continue to compete and try to be resilient in our effort until we don’t have any other choice.” Meeting Martin

Blake Sandlin/The News

After falling in a close battle to Austin Peay, the Racers will return home to take on UT Martin for their first game of the week. The last time these two met on the hardwood, the Skyhawks came away with a 75-67 victory on their home

court. Thirty bench points and 16 points off of 22 Racer turnovers was a key factor in the loss for Murray State. Turnovers are a crucial aspect to the UT Martin offense, as they are top-two in the OVC in turnover margin, but 11th in scoring defense. In short, no turnovers means baskets for the Racers. Meanwhile, in the previous matchup the Racers were led by a 25-point performance from junior forward Evelyn Adebayo and an 11-point performance from freshman guard Macey Turley, but were unable to receive support from the rest of the team. Murray State’s lack of a third scorer on a nightly basis has been a key contributor to whether or not the women’s basketball team comes out on top. Turner believes that the Racers need to be more aggressive in shooting offensively to be able to have that third scorer on a consistent basis. “That’s one thing we don’t do a good job of; getting shot attempts,” Turner said. “Sometimes we don’t take good shots and sometimes we wait until a perfect shot and that’s not going to

come. So we’ve got to do a better job of finding a happy medium. I think we need to pick up the pace of play in these last four games to get some shot attempts up.” Murray State will also be challenged by a balanced scoring team in the Skyhawks that leads the OVC in scoring with 80 ppg. Scouting SEMO

In the last matchup against the Redhawks, Turley put on an offensive clinic by pouring in 32 points to lead the Racers to their first road victory of the season at 64-59. The Racers were able to overcome 16 turnovers with 8-for-14 3-point shooting. They also held SEMO to just one scorer in double figures. The Redhawks currently sit at sixth in the OVC and will take on the fifth-seeded Austin Peay Governors before facing off against the Racers.

Home, sweet home

Murray State will take on UT Martin at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 21, and SEMO at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 23, at the CFSB Center.

Sports

Page 12

February 21, 2019

Oren wins Indoor Freshman Athlete of the Year khall16@murraystate.edu Before entering the OVC Indoor Championships, freshman Ashlyn Oren made Murray State history by becoming the third Racer to be named the OVC Indoor Freshman Athlete of the Year. Oren jumped to second in the conference in the high jump after reaching a 1.70m jump at the Samford Bulldog Open. That mark is set 10 spots above the next freshman in the Keenan Hall Staff Writer

OVC. She also posted 3237 points in the Don DeNoon Invitational Pentathlon the week before. That score is good for third best in the conference. Oren has won events in the high jump as well as the long jump this season. She won the high jump at the Bulldog Open and the long jump with a distance of 5.45m at the John Craft Invitational at Eastern Illinois. Oren also has achieved the ninth-best long jump in the OVC this season after springing to 5.53m. A native

of Edgerton, Wisconsin, she currently holds the state record in the long jump with 5.85m. Before coming to Murray State, the Racers’ track staff spotted Oren competing for Edgerton High School. Shortly after introducing themselves, Oren liked the staff and made the decision to become a Racer. “Coach Riggins contacted me and came to my State track meet my junior year,” Oren said. “I liked the coaches and the campus on my visit

Athletic director search nearing its final stages Gage Johnson Sports Editor gjohnson17@murraystate.edu

Interim President Bob J a c k s o n t o l d t h e The Murray State News on Friday, Feb. 8, that the search for a new athletic director for the Racers was nearing its end. The position has been vacant since Allen Ward resigned the post on July 13, 2018, but Jackson said a decision is coming soon. “I think there will be a permanent athletic director named in the next few weeks or so,” Jackson said. “It’s been ongoing work and the search committee in that area has been working actively since about October.” Once Ward had made his switch to AD at Abilene Christian University, the

University announced that Murray State women’s golf’s Head Coach, Velvet Milkman, was announced as the interim athletic director. She has been serving in that position since Aug. 1, 2018. However, Ward’s shoes are not small ones to fill. Ward had been at the forefront of Racer Athletics since 2005 and brought unprecedented success to the University. While Ward was in charge of Racer Athletics, Murray State won 39 OVC Championships and played in the NCAA Championships 29 times. He introduced the Gene Ray Center for Murray State basketball, the Burton Family Hall of Champions and Racer Field. His tenure also brought improvements to Reagan Field, Cutchin Field and adding state-of-

the-art HD video scoreboards in the CFSB Center and Roy Stewart Stadium. Murray State didn’t just excel on the field—they did in the classroom as well. The Racers’ Academic Progress Rate score went from 911 to 986, on top of the 20 consecutive seasons in which the cumulative GPA of student athletes was over 3.0. While the search didn’t start right away, the search committee has been adamant in their efforts. While very soon may seem like a blanket statement, Jackson has made it known that the position won’t be filled by an interim athletic director much longer. In addition to filling the athletic director position, Murray State is also searching for a permanent University president.

SPONSOR THE PLAYER OF THE WEEK!

and knew I wanted to go here.” Head Coach Adam Kiesler noticed Oren getting better after the season began. Kiesler felt that she would contribute to the team sooner rather than later. “She started this year off very well in December and she has gained momentum ever since,” Kiesler said. “When we signed Ashlyn we knew she would be a big part of the success of this program moving forward.” The coaching staff

believed Oren had a chance at the award, and when the announcement came that she won she was thrilled. “The coaches and I talked about it being something I could win,” Oren said. “I was really excited when Coach K (Kiesler) and Coach Riggins called me and told me I won.” While track is an individual sport, especially in jumping, Oren gives all the credit to her teammates. “My teammates have all been really encouraging and supportive,” Oren said. “They have helped

me gain confidence in all my events.” Kiesler is eager to see the experience Oren has gained pay off in her first OVC Championship meet this week. “We are very happy for her that she has been recognized for her hard work during the regular season, and we look forward to what she will do during the Championships,” Kiesler said.” The Racers will conclude their season at the OVC Indoor Championship on Thursday, Jan. 21.

THE MURRAY STATE NEWS ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Ja Morant

Ja Morant earned Co-Ohio Valley Conference men's basketball Player of the Week, National Player of the Week from The Naismith Award and the Lute Olson Award after impressive performances against Austin Peay and Eastern Kentucky. Morant poured in 32 points, seven assists, and six rebounds against Austin Peay, followed by 25 points, 14 assists and seven rebounds against Eastern Kentucky. With these performances, Morant entered the 1,000-point club and broke the OVC single-season assists record by recording his 256th assist.

Sophomore Guard Basketball

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February 21, 2019

NEWS FEATURES THE MUR R AY STATE

Page 13

Student named first runner-up in state pageant Sara Howell Features Editor showell6@murraystate.edu

Having competed in 15 pageants before, the first runner-up of the Miss Kentucky United States pageant was humbled and ready to take the stage. Lauren Campbell, senior and public relations major from Hopkinsville, Kentucky, competed in the “Miss” division of the Mrs. Kentucky United States pageant and was named first runner-up and most photogenic. The Mrs. United States National Pageants, Inc. is a competition for women and girls aged eight years or older grounded in the vision of its founder, Isabella Ilacqua, according to its website. This competition provides its competitors with an enriching journey of

multi-faceted personal growth through local, state and national pageants. There are eight different age divisions throughout the pageants. These divisions are Little Miss (8-9 years old), Pre Teen, (10-12 years old), Jr. Teen (13-15 years old), Teen (16-19 years old), Miss (20-29 years old), Ms. (20-35 years old), Ms. Woman (35+ years old) and Mrs. (21+ years old). Campbell competed at the state level after winning the Purchase District preliminary competition. “I went representing Purchase District and that is a preliminary for Miss Kentucky United States,” Campbell said. “The Miss Kentucky United States is a preliminary to Mrs. United States in Las Vegas.” There were 12 other girls in her age division and 74 total representing

Campbell posed while walking during the evening gown portion of the pageant.

various places throughout Kentucky, but not everyone had won a preliminary like Campbell. “This was the first time I had been to Miss Kentucky United States,” Campbell said. “Last summer I did a preliminary in Louisville and didn’t win so I didn’t go. I could have, I just chose not to.” She said the pageant was judged on 25 percent interview, 25 percent on-stage questions, 25 percent evening gown and 25 percent bathing suit. “Once you make the top five like I did, you answer the on-stage questions,” Campbell said. She said she has been competing in pageants since she was 13. In Hopkinsville, there is a pageant system called the Miss Kentucky County Fair, which she hascompeted in for about four years.

Photo courtesy of Lauren Campbell

“This pageant was really awesome,” Campbell said. “I personally love the system because they honor service and public speaking so much. It’s really not completely about beauty, which I appreciate.” The competition began on Feb. 15 at Van Meter Hall on Western Kentucky University’s campus and went on for the whole weekend. Campbell arrived on Friday for registration and to hear a motivational speaker. Saturday morning the competitors had a rehearsal, then had to be back at 5 p.m. for interviews. There was another rehearsal on Sunday morning with some time for last-minute preparations before the competition began at 5:30 p.m. “It’s set up to make sure everyone has a really good time,” Campbell said. “I wasn’t stressed and it didn’t

feel cutthroat, so it was a really good experience.” She said she felt like the United States system was the perfect match for her because she really enjoys public speaking, interviewing and the idea that it’s not centered all around beauty. “I think a beautiful woman is defined by more than what they look like,” Campbell said. “I personally believe that inner beauty and your heart has a lot to do with how beautiful you are and the organization really stands for that.” Though she was anxious going into it, Campbell said she felt really confident and prepared. “These pageants have had a huge role in making me who I am today as far as confidence and public speaking goes,” Campbell said. Molly Matney, Miss

Kentucky 2017 and WKU student from Metcalfe County, Kentucky, met Campbell a few years ago at the Miss Kentucky County Fair pageant. “We instantly clicked,” Matney said. “We stood near each other in the lineup of 80 girls and had so much fun together.” She said it was fun watching Campbell succeed because she knows what a sweet, genuine person she is. “She is the real deal and the perfect role model for girls everywhere,” Matney said. “She rocked the stage and you could tell she was really having fun up there.” She said pageants like these are important and relevant because they truly mold you into a better version of yourself and the lifelong friends you make along the way are a great bonus, too.

Photo courtesy of Lauren Campbell

Adrienne Poole, Miss Kentucky United States 2018, presents Campbell with the “Most Photogenic” award.

Features

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February 21, 2019

Laptop Bank Program provides computers to students Claire Smith Staff writer csmith110@murraystate.edu

Having access to the internet is vital for most college classes. The Student Government Association is providing laptops to students in need through their Laptop Bank Program. The program began last year as a pilot program to gauge whether students would participate and if people would recommend the program to others. Christian Barnes, graduate student from Nortonville, Kentucky, is the Student Office Coordinator for SGA. Barnes said the idea of a laptop bank began in 2017 with former SGA president Clint Combs, who looked at how similar programs such as the one at WKU benefited the school. “He met with both our IT department and our procurement services department,” Barnes said. Combs appointed Barnes to coordinate the program. “IT found 12 laptops that were not being used anymore on campus,” Barnes said. “They serviced those laptops, they cleaned them off and made sure they had Microsoft Office.” After receiving the laptops, Barnes met with the SGA president to design the application process. There is an online application as well as a physical application that students fill out in the SGA office. Barnes said that most students have opted to apply using the online application because it is anonymous. Some questions on the application ask whether the student lives on campus, receives financial aid or scholarships and has a part time or full time job. Maria Shockley, senior from Paducah, Kentucky, thinks the program will be beneficial to students who cannot afford a laptop. “One semester I had a class where all of the tests were in class and online,” Shockley said.

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Students without laptops would have to borrow one, and this program would help in situations like this one. Katherine Morgan, junior from Evansville, Indiana, is a residential advisor in Springer College. She said that professors expect students to use Canvas, and that the laptop bank will be beneficial for students who can’t assess it themselves. “As an RA, it’s definitely something I would recommend for residents to complete the amount of online work they have to do,” Morgan said. The Laptop Bank provides laptops one semester at a time, and if available they can be used during the winter term. They’re not available during the summer terms due to IT maintenance. Applications for SGA’s Laptop Bank Program can be found at TheNews.org and those wanting to know more about SGA can contact Barnes at msu.studentorganizations@murraystate.edu.

Richard Thompson/The News

These laptops are available through the Laptop Bank Program.

As an RA, it’s definitely something I would recommend for residents to complete the amount of online work they have to do, - Katherine Morgan, junior

Richard Thompson/The News

SGA runs the Laptop Bank Program for students in need.

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POTION

Future Grounds Coffee

Features

February 21, 2019

Page 15

Student teachers prepare for the future Sara Howell Features Editor showell6@murraystate.edu

Students assume the days of waking up and going to high school are over once they enroll in college. For many education majors, going back to high school is one of the final steps to college graduation. Student teaching allows future educators to have real teaching experience before going out into the work field. Cassidy Neal, senior and agriculture education major from Murray, started her semester student teaching in Belize. Neal decided to apply through the study abroad office after hearing about the opportunity from former Belize program participants. “Teaching outside the US is extremely different,” Neal said. “In Belize, they are very limited in the resources available for their students. Also, the US is much more structured and methodical when it comes to handling misbehavior in the classroom.” She said the experience was a huge eye-opener for her and she has made a series of unforgettable memories.

“I have gained a new look into how to help my students with limited resources,” Neal said. “Understanding that my students have as much to teach me as I have to teach them is also a real eye-opener. I have increased my agriculture knowledge and learned a few new tricks that I can take back to my greenhouse in the US.” Now that she is back in the US, Neal will be teaching at Caldwell County High School. “I will be student teaching in Ms. [Magen] Wood’s agriculture classroom,” Neal said. “I am looking forward to building relationships with my students and learning all about the various aspects of teaching high school aged students.” She said Murray State has offered her a vast number of opportunities to interact with high school students and handle new and difficult situations. Meredith Payne, senior and English/secondary certification major from Owensboro, Kentucky, is student teaching at Henderson County High School. “It has been both exciting and challenging,” Payne said. “I am learning new strategies to improve myself pro-

fessionally every day.” She said she is gaining valuable real-world experience that will help in her future career. “I enjoy learning how to best serve my students through my teachers and through the students,” Payne said. She said she has also joined the prom committee and is excited to make students’ dream prom come to fruition. “I’m mainly excited to see my students learn and grow along with me,” Payne said. She credits Deborah Bell, English professor, Renee Campoy, education professor, and Cindy Clemson, education professor, for preparing her because they taught her valuable strategies to implement in the classroom every day. “I constantly think back to their classes and use what I learned there in my current classroom,” Payne said. According to Murray State’s website, the remaining student teaching orientation dates for students who plan to student teach in spring 2020 are Feb. 28 from 3-5 p.m. and March 5 from 2:30-4:30 p.m. It is mandatory for students to attend one of these orientation sessions.

Photo courtesy of Cassidy Neal

While student teaching in Belize, Cassidy Neal conducted a soil science lab on erosion.

Theater group on campus hoping to make comeback Claire Smith Staff writer csmith110@murraystate.edu

Campus organizations are a way for students to come together and enjoy shared interests. One of these is Sock and Buskin, a theater group on campus. The theater group was founded in 1926 and is the oldest student organization on campus. The group was the only theater production company on campus until the 1960s. Lissa Graham-Schneider, theatre professor from Hampton, Virgina, is the group’s advisor.

She said the organization was created to “provide cultural enlightenment.” At the time of the group’s creation, Murray State didn’t have a theatre department. Graham-Schneider has been the advisor twice since she began teaching at Murray State. She said the first time she was the advisor was about 20 years ago. Many professors within the theatre department are involved with the group in some form. Wayne Hogue, junior from Louisville, Kentucky, is the president of Sock

and Buskin. He joined the club in the fall of 2018. Hogue is working on getting the group back up and running. They are hoping to perform at All Campus Sing next year, something they haven’t been able to do for the last few years. Sock and Buskin puts on “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” every Halloween. Students are invited to come and watch the performance. They also participate in Tent City, Taste of the Arts and other programs. Students don’t have to be a theatre major to join

the group; they only need to be someone who enjoys theater. The group has a formal initiation once a semester. The current group is made up of about 25 members. According to Murray State’s website, their mission is “to be a strong support system for the Murray State Theatre.” Members can often be found on the stage, behind the scenes or in the box office for productions across campus. For more information about joining the club, contact Hogue or GrahamSchneider at 270-809-4635.

Sara Howell/The News

Sock and Buskin was the first student organization formed on campus.

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February 21, 2019