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March 14, 2019 | Vol. 93, No. 22
ESPN shines spotlight on professor
PAGE 8 Stephanie Anderson/The News
NEWS THE UPS AND DOWNS OF CAMPUS ELEVATORS
Page 2
SPORTS RACERS WIN 2019 OVC CHAMPIONSHIP
Page 10
FEATURES ORGANIZATIONS HOST ANNUAL DRAG SHOW
Page 13
OPINION ADMINISTRATION DEBATES LACTATION ROOMS
Page 6
News
Page 2
ups and downs of campus
Miranda Carpenter Staff writer
The
mcarpenter4@murraystate.edu
Elevator troubles on campus have inconvenienced students, faculty and staff from Faculty Hall to the residential colleges. Kelsey Sutton, freshman from Newburgh, Indiana, got stuck between the doors of an elevator on Feb. 13 in Hart College after having a conversation with a friend. “She was getting off at the fifth floor and we were almost done with our conversation, so I stuck my foot in the opening to keep the doors open,” Sutton said. “The elevator started beeping loudly and began to close on my foot, assuming it just didn’t detect my foot; I put my body in the opening to keep the door open. It continued to close and I got stuck between the closing doors on either shoulder.” Sutton said she was able to free herself after being pulled out from between the doors. “We just laughed about the situation, but it didn’t make it any less freaky,” Sutton said. After hearing stories about people getting stuck in elevators on campus, some students said they have started to take the stairs more often. Some students have also said they refuse to take certain elevators on campus because of their fear. “There are definitely some elevators on campus I won’t get in, like the one in the Business Building and often some in Faculty Hall because of how shaky they are,” Sutton said. The News filed an open record request per The Open Records Act to obtain elevator maintenance reports and records. On Feb. 11, elevator number one in Faculty Hall was stuck
elevators
Richard Thompson and Rosalyn Churchman/The News
between floors four and five with three people inside, according to the elevator maintenance reports and records.
Elevator number one in Faculty Hall also experienced some issues on Feb. 13 when stopping on the fourth floor.
The elevator stopped with a jolt on the fourth floor, but continued to drift down half a floor until the brake caught it, accord-
March 14, 2019
ing to the reports and records. Shawn Touney, director of communication, said the University works with several contracted companies for elevator maintenance. “[The] majority of elevator maintenance is performed by University staff, which includes two state-licensed elevator technicians,” Touney said. Part of their responsibilities involve regular preventative maintenance of elevators, as well as responding to emergency calls. Touney said out of the approximately 75 elevators on campus, some of the older elevators are located in the North Business Building and Mason Hall. The cost for maintenance or even replacing an elevator would vary depending on the scope and size of the elevator. Some students said they think the elevators need to be updated or should at least have more frequent maintenance and testing. Olivia Bailey, senior from Mount Vernon, Illinois, said many of the older elevators on campus need to be replaced, specifically the one in the Business Building. “The elevator in the Business Building starts to open before it has even stopped moving, Bailey said. “I’ve heard multiple students complain about this elevator in particular.” On Feb. 12, an elevator in the North Business Building was stuck on the the third floor and would not reset, according to the reports and records. Students, faculty and staff who have any concerns with campus elevators should contact Facilities Management at 270809-4293 and if necessary, activate the emergency notification system.
Excerpts from elevator maintenance reports and records Business Building North (Feb. 12)
“Elevator is stuck on 3rd floor--will not reset act like it has no power needs elevator shop attn.”
Faculty Hall (Feb. 13)
“Elevator 1 has been stopping with a jolt on floor 4 and resetting the buttons so people riding it have to repush their button(s). Just now it stopped with a jolt on floor 4 and drifted down 1/2 floor until the break caught it.”
Faculty Hall (Feb. 11)
“Please fix elevator #1. There are 3 people inside. It is stuck between floors 4 & 5.”
News
March 14, 2019
Page 3
Students elect new SGA Executive Board President
Executive Vice President
Trey Book
Kailey Bold
Junior from Henderson, Kentucky
Sophomore from Millstadt, Illinois
“I’m excited to hit the ground running and learn as much as I can from J.T. (Payne) and the rest of the administration. My main priority going forward as president is really recruitment and enrollment. I also want to work with Kailey and the Campus Activities Board to make sure we deliver our promises and make a point to focus on mental health.”
“I’m super excited and happy to get the ball rolling on things and start as soon as possible in making Murray State the best it can be. My main priority as executive vice president is working with Campus Activities Board and really just making sure all students are included and that we are giving back to the students the best way that we can through campus activities and other things.”
Vice President of Administration
Vice President of Finance Bennett Estes
Warren Norman
Sophomore from Henderson, Kentucky
Junior from Paducah, Kentucky
“My main priority as VP of administration is to hold the members of SGA accountable. With great attendance and accountability I think that we can have the most efficiency. Those two factors will have SGA moving in the best direction for the student body. For our first couple of meetings I hope that we can begin discussions on trying to get the old Franklin residential director spots taken up so we can use those as regular parking spots. I’d love to see my dream of increasing parking on campus be brought to life.”
“I’m hoping to continue the transparency that we’ve done in the past. Just making sure students know where their money is going - we have a pretty large budget and we spend a lot of that mostly on awesome student activities, so making sure that they can always come and ask and know exactly where their money is going. I also hope to make sure I report correctly where exactly things are at from a financial standpoint. If anybody has questions they can come to me directly and ask where things are at.”
Milli Cecil/The News
Board of Regents approve prior learning assessment expansion Miranda Carpenter Staff writer mcarpenter4@murraystate.edu
The Board of Regents approved fees to expand prior learning assessment and proficiency review. This fee will allow students to potentially receive academic credit from work done on professional portfolios and job experience outside of the classroom. Some students come to college with experience
that overlaps with academic courses. The University will acknowledge that experience and turn it into academic credit. The board already approved a similar assessment in May 2018 for the graduate programs within the College of Education, but it is now expanding the assessment to other programs. “This was the first pathway at Murray State at the graduate level in order to make this assessment possible,
with many students already beginning to benefit from that,” Mark Arant, vice president for academic affairs and provost, said. “Many graduate and undergraduate programs have petitioned to expand this opportunity so they can reach out particularly to adult learners so they are able to gain credit for their real life experiences.” The board reviewed the petition at their March 1 meeting in order to expand the prior learning experience to all programs at Murray
State, and approved it unanimously. “The expansion of prior learning assessment and proficiency reviews will take place beginning with courses offered for the fall 2019 semester,” Shawn Tourney, director of communication, said. “There were many academic programs who had advocated for this new assessment and originated from multiple areas and disciplines.” Some students are excited for this assessment to be
approved since they come to college with a lot of realworld experiences. “What a great idea,” Emily Leonard, senior from St. Louis, Missouri, said. “Real work experience can sometimes teach more than a classroom can. This would allow students who work to pay for school to get some benefit.” Some students also said they are interested to see what classes would qualify for this new prior learning assessment.
“I would be interested to see if it went to actual courses or just electives,” Madison Moxley, senior from Paducah, Kentucky, said. “I feel like this would attract non-traditional students during this time of low enrollment.” Students who are interested or have questions should contact their particular academic program for more information, which includes details on guidelines, processes and the appropriate fees.
News
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March 14, 2019
Murray State helps grow the hemp industry Cady Stribling Staff writer cstribling1@murraystate.edu
The Board of Regents approved the Center for Agricultural Hemp on March 1. The center will focus on topics including agronomy, cannabinoid science, agribusiness, economics and finance, animal feeds and fibers, education, hemp policy, workforce development and agricultural hemp farming, according to the Murray State press release. Murray State is the first university in the United States to implement research and partner with companies to help grow the hemp industry. Tony Brannon, dean of the Hutson School of Agriculture, said the center is an opportunity for the University to serve the region. “It is intended to be an interdisciplinary effort among programs on our campus and among industry in our region,” Brannon said. The Hutson School of Agriculture and its partners will administer the center. The three foundational partners that will work with Murray State include CV Sciences, GenCanna Global and Hemp Hardwood, according to the press release. “We at GenCanna believe that Murray State University, situated in a natural hub for the hemp industry, can provide a ‘Kentucky Proud’ solution that can benefit the entire nation,” GenCanna Global President Steve Bevan said. “Helping farmers farm improves rural economies through jobs and increased output, both stemming from increased research and investment.”
In 2014, Rep. James Comer, R-District 1, requested Murray State be the first university in Kentucky to conduct research on hemp. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky, secured the pilot programs in the 2014 farm bill that allowed for research at Murray State to take place, according to the press release from McConnell’s office. Students and staff also discussed the center with McConnell on March 6. “[Murray State] has been on the cutting edge of hemp research ever since I secured the pilot programs in the 2014 farm bill,” McConnell said. “Now that hemp is fully legal, these students and faculty are expanding the limits of hemp’s bright future through their impressive research.” Comer said he believes Murray has the best agriculture program in the state, and the University is a quality school for agricultural production education. “The passage of the 2019 farm bill was the final step in bringing industrial hemp into the mainstream of America’s agriculture commodities,” Comer said. “Murray State was the very first university in America to participate in the very first hemp pilot program. Today, the Murray State Hutson School of Agriculture is the leading industrial hemp school in the nation.” Student Regent and Student Government Association President J.T. Payne said through the Center for Agricultural Hemp, students will gain valuable research and learning opportunities. Payne also said hemp is predicted to be a key part of Kentucky’s agricultural economy, and students are now able to be a part of the new changes in industrial
Photo courtesy of Sen. Mitch McConnell’s office
Students and faculty traveled to Frankfort, Kentucky to discuss the center with Sen. Mitch McConnell.
McKenna Dosier/The News
Murray State established a Center for Agricultural Hemp to help build the hemp industry. hemp. “Current students are witnessing industrial hemp being brought to the forefront of United States agriculture, which could go down in history as one of Kentucky’s most impactful economic cash crops - similar to the well-known crop of tobacco, which has seen a production decline in recent years,” Payne said. Brannon said there are eight jobs posted for the new $40 million GenCanna operation in Mayfield. He hopes to connect Murray State students and the partners collaborated to design a support curriculum. The partners are also interested in hiring interns. However, Brannon said the process for approval has not been easy. The main challenge was the restrictions within the pilot research program authorized by the 2014 farm bill. Aside from research, hemp was illegal until the 2018 farm bill passed in December. Brannon said it is now an official legal agricultural commodity. Comer also faced political challenges to help establish this project. Recently,
the Food and Drug Administration and pharmaceutical companies wanted to increase regulations on hemp. “For better or worse, my name will always be associated with hemp because I was the first elected official in America to successfully pass legislation making hemp legal, and writing and implementing the nation’s first hemp policies,” Comer said. “I always read stories about hemp and am constantly fielding questions from farmers about hemp, investors looking to take a risk on hemp, and economic development officials inquiring about the credibility of certain hemp companies. So I monitor the movement of hemp as close as anyone in the world right now because I sincerely want to see it succeed as an alternative crop for farmers and as a job creator in rural communities.” Brannon said the Center for Agricultural Hemp pushes Murray State to be among the leaders to reinvent hemp. “Stay tuned,” Brannon said. “The legalization through the farm bill has taken the blinders off this race horse.”
News
March 14, 2019
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Survey questions workplace culture for female faculty Haley Penrod Staff writer hpenrod1@murraystate.edu
The Murray State ADVANCE team conducted a workplace culture survey to assess the University’s recruitment and retention of women faculty. The survey questions were based on past ADVANCE climate surveys from other institutions and were implemented through the Cornell Survey Research Institute online. Their responses were analyzed and the results were reported to the advisory boards. The survey was funded through a grant from the National Science Foundation and was sent to all 519 full-time faculty. The results showed an underrepresentation of women in STEM at Murray State. “The feedback is that people were not entirely surprised by the results that there were issues that needed to be addressed,” Maeve McCarthy, director of Murray State ADVANCE and professor of mathematics, said. “Some of these issues were not just about women faculty in STEM, but women faculty at Murray State.” McCarthy said this is the case in all STEM fields. “Women in STEM are underrepresented
in their fields in general,” McCarthy said. “So, there are fewer women in STEM proportionally than men in STEM. This is true in all ranks but not in all departments.” The survey was con-
the faculty, but psychology is a STEM field and their department is approximately 50 percent women,” McCarthy said Faculty were not surprised, but they were interested in the results.
Brock Kirk/The News
ducted to receive different faculty experiences and perspectives. “For example, in Jesse D. Jones College of Science, Engineering, and Technology, there are approximately 22 percent women amongst
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women. The responses not only helped them assess work conditions in STEM, but also in non-STEM departments. This gave a more accurate picture of their strengths and chal-
Professor Leigh Wright has taught at the University since 2011. “The response has been encouraging, in that people are interested in the results, but somewhat disheartening that people were not very surprised by the results,” McCarthy said. Paula Waddill, chair of
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the department of psychology and the lead social scientist on the study, said we can learn Murray State’s strengths and areas of challenge from the survey results. “The survey provides
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valuable information on faculty perceptions and experiences of their workplace environment,” Waddill said. The survey provided information from faculty across all departments, including men and
lenges. The Murray State ADVANCE team has made suggestions to the University to increase the representation of women in STEM. These suggestions include improving the
perception of work and life balance, providing child care, institutionalizing mentoring circles in the Faculty Development Center, assessing workload expectations and increasing salaries. “We work with that advisory board to try to develop strategies to address the concerns that were raised in the survey,” McCarthy said. The Murray State ADVANCE team is making another grant proposal to the National Science Foundation. “One of the things we are doing at the moment is that we are developing the next grant proposal that will go into the National Science Foundation in May, and we are looking at different things we could do in the future to institutionalize improvements to the status of women faculty in STEM,” McCarthy said. The survey response rate was 72 percent, 373 of the 519 faculty members. “On behalf of the ADVANCE team, I’d like to thank faculty for taking the time to thoughtfully respond to the survey,” Waddill said. “It is important to recognize that while the survey results indicate areas of challenge for the University to address, the results also indicate perceived areas of strength on which the University can build.”
Our View
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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
TheNews.org
March 14, 2019
University administration debates lactation rooms The staff editorial is the majority opinion of The Murray State News Editorial Board The Murray State Faculty and Staff Insurance and Benefits Committee proposed to add lactation rooms to future buildings and renovations on campus to the University Administration in January. Many of you read the word “lactation rooms” and reread it to ensure that you read it right; that is what it says - lactation. Lactation rooms are private spaces for mothers to pump breast milk and breastfeed their children. These are hot topics of discussion, spurring opposition on both sides. They are defined as non-bathroom spaces with comfortable seating, running water and electricity. Many companies that offer their employees lactation rooms will set up a few small rooms or one larger room with curtained-off sections that have small lamps and lounge chairs. The important thing about the rooms is that they have a hard, flat surface for women to set up their breast pumps. So many thoughts that fly around at just the mention of rooms like that; why should women be forced to breastfeed in a certain room? Why can’t they just feed their babies in the bathroom? Why should we waste funding on that? So, let’s get down to business. Lactation rooms are a wonderful idea for more
reasons than one. No, women should not be told where they have to breastfeed their child. It is nothing if not natural, and anyone who says differently is wrong. If a woman feeding an infant with her breast, as the female body works, bothers a person, then it is that person who is behaving unacceptably. The unfortunate fact of the matter is that people objectify each other. Men do it to women and women do it to men. Humans are sexual beings, and it is quite grotesque at times. This objectification of women has led to this sick, perverted sexualization of breastfeeding. Men and women alike will claim that a woman breastfeeding in public is making them uncomfortable because her breasts, “objects” meant “purely for sex and pleasure,” are in direct view. Breastfeeding is not erotic; it is natural. It is a mother feeding her child. It is the miracle of the human body in action, and to treat it any differently is disrespectful. No, women should not be forced to breastfeed in a specific room if they do not wish to, and this addition of lactation rooms would not require women to do that. However, many women struggle with being exposed to the public eye; they welcome the privacy a lactation room would offer. Not only
Cheers to SPRING BREAK!
Thankfully, this Friday night starts Spring Break, a welcome week off. Enjoy it, beautiful students. Take your wonderful, deserved time off.
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.
Autumn BrownThe News
privacy, but also protection from the prying eyes of the perverted individuals lurking in society. Pumping is also a very different story, and lactation rooms were thought of specifically for women who pump. The majority of women who pump prefer escaping the public view. Pumping can be a very personal and private matter. You are much more exposed when pumping than when breastfeeding. Many have said women seeking privacy should just go to the bathroom. Why waste money on a lookalike room when they can find their safety there? Would you like to eat your lunch in a bacteria-infested bathroom where people excrete their waste?
Most likely not. Lactation rooms and bathrooms are exceedingly different rooms. Everyone knows the cold tile of the bathroom floor, the mixed scents of excrement and cleaner that don’t mingle very well and the not-sopleasant sounds that come with restrooms. Lactation rooms look similar to simple lounges. There is comfortable seating; many workplaces offer cushioned chairs with good back support. There is much softer lighting in most of these rooms, and no noises to distract or startle the mother and child. There are sinks for cleanup, refrigerators to store the milk and counters for women to set up pumps and extra outlets. This seems like a much
nicer, calmer place to feed a baby. It’s also much more private. It offers a place to pump, whereas a bathroom does not. Yes, lactation rooms would make a great addition to any building on campus. The worrisome thing is, though, that Murray State does not have the best track record of following through on renovations and constructions. J.H. Richmond College has been out of commission since the incident, and work on the building has seemingly been nonexistent. Why would the renovation of any other buildings on campus be any different? The Blackburn Science Building is under renovations currently, however, and the Faculty and Staff I & B Committee has suggested that as one of the first buildings that could become home to a lactation room. The building’s renovations are done in sections, making progress somewhat slow, but we could see a lactation room added in the not-so-distant future. Kudos to the Murray State Faculty and Staff I & B Committee for a wonderful, welcome idea, truly. It would be absolutely amazing for the University to go through with it, but whether or not it dedicates as much care to lactation rooms as it should is yet to be seen.
Jeers to Gov. Matt Bevin, Donald Trump and Lori Loughlin.
Bevin signed a concealed carry without a permit bill, Trump took millions of dollars in funding from education, and the former “Full House” star pulled a college admissions scam.
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
March 14, 2019
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Journalists write because it’s your right mreynolds12@murraystate.edu
In the midst of Sunshine Week, a week dedicated to the laws requiring government organizations to be open with the public, the press finds itself once again under fire. Nick Sandmann is suing both The Washington Post and CNN for $250 million each, accusing them of libel. Sandmann says his reason for choosing that amount lies in the price Jeff Bezos purchased The Washington Post for: $250 million. On Jan. 18, at the Lincoln Memorial, a confrontation between Covington Catholic High School students, Native American marchers for the Indigenous Peoples March and five Black Hebrew Israelites occurred that has now earned interna-
for. Look for fact in everything, question each word you hear until you know whether it is true or not. Let your curiosity lead and inspire you.
threat, though. With each mistake they make, another fact rises that could inhibit their platform and re-election. I leave you with this: the Sunshine Laws are a protection to be thankful
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Happy Sunshine Week!
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press; they are seemingly trying to brainwash people to believe that the media is trying to twist their views to be what the media specifically wants. This should not be the goal of the media; unfortunately, certain media organizations allow biases to penetrate their message. It’s like they say, one bad apple ruins the bunch, and it is these organizations that have tainted those wishing to spread truth. The goal of the media should be to ensure that you, as the public, as the decision makers and shapers of the nation, know every single thing that is fact about the events happening in the world. And it is the goal of the media that has struck fear in the hearts of politicians everywhere. It was never the media’s intention to become so “scary.” We are filled with a curiosity that drives us to find the truth. Filing open records requests becomes second nature to journalists; we want to know what is going on in the world around us. Without knowing what is true and what is not, how can we be expected to make informed decisions? It is this question that has inspired the media and journalists everywhere to discover those hidden truths and bring them into the public eye. Politicians see this inspiration as a
ED
right and left, Sandmann is suing The Washington Post and CNN for libel. But what does this all have to do with Sunshine Week? Sunshine Week celebrates the creation of the Sunshine Laws - laws that require government organizations and other political agencies to allow the public to access their records and attend their meetings. They are laws that allow the press to delve into the truth behind the confusion that can be the political spectrum; they allow journalists to write and ensure the public’s right to know is followed through. So, The Washington Post and CNN may not find protection against their opposition in the Sunshine Laws this time, but that does not take away from the importance that is layered and woven within the laws. The Sunshine Laws require so much to be disclosed to the public, and they are the reason that the government lives in secret fear of the press. Whether it be a legal issue, the firing of an employee or a purchase, the people have the right to know. The thing that worries the press the most is that people have no clue that they have the right to this information. Organizations, administrations and agencies everywhere have built up this false picture of the
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Opinion Editor
tional recognition. The students, many wearing MAGA hats, were insulted by the Black Hebrew Israelites. Informed that interacting with the five men would result in consequences, the high school boys did what they do best and disregarded instruction, hurling insults back. Eventually, Native American marcher Nathan Phillips made his way over to the scuffle and began playing an American Indian Movement intertribal song on his drum. He approached Sandmann, a Covington Catholic junior, and played in the boy’s face. In the video, Sandmann is seen with a “relentless smirk” on his face, yet he never says one word to the man. At one point, he is seen calming a fellow student down. Now, with articles flying
SU B
Megan Reynolds
mreynolds12@murraystate.edu Savannah Jane Walton/The News
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March 14, 2019
Professor Wann featured in ESPN special
Stephanie Anderson/The News
Daniel Wann had dinner with his family at Culver’s while the ESPN crew filmed. Keenan Hall Staff writer khall16@murraystate.edu ESPN highlighted Murray State’s psychology professor Daniel Wann as a feature for its fan stories documentary series. Wann is both an avid Murray State sports fan and a distinguished psychologist. He earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Bakers University. Wann then received a master’s degree in experimental psychology from Emporia State University before earning his doctorate in social psychology from the University of Kansas. He has dedicated over 30 years to understanding the psychology of sport fandom, psychological well-being of fans and the psychology of sports. Wann has previously worked with HBO, CNN, the New York Times and Men’s Health. “I have been involved in multiple documentaries – tv and movies,”
Wann said. “I have no idea how they settled on me, but when ESPN calls, I answer.” While ESPN’s Associate Manager of Brand Marketing, John Lobo, was brainstorming with his production team on the concept for the series, he was introduced to the widely renowned psychologist. Wann’s research was a good direction to begin with. “After briefing our director, Billy Raftery, and producer, Olivia Zimmerman, about what we hope to accomplish with ‘Fan Stories by ESPN,’ they brought us the story of Dr. Daniel Wann,” Lobo said. “We immediately knew it would be a great way to launch the series, reflecting our most die-hard fans while helping them better understand the nature of fandom.” Beginning on the morning of Thursday, Jan. 24, Wann was hooked up to a microphone and recorded going through his daily routine. The production crew began with an inter-
view of Wann, then it was take after take until they got the shots they needed. Then it was off to HRH Dumplins for lunch for Wann, his family and the ESPN crew. “It was hilarious because they had to do three takes of me walking in,” Wann said. “I walked too fast the first time, which is funny because you do not walk slow into Dumplins, you walk slow out of Dumplins.” After they left Dumplins, Wann and the crew headed back to Murray State for a tour of the campus. They stopped by the Curris Center before moving to Alexander Hall to stage a lecture for the documentary. “Things I didn’t cover in a normal lecture, they wanted me to cover,” Wann said. “This camera, all in my grill the entire time. That took like an hour and a half, and most of it was setting up. These guys took out the fluorescent light bulbs and put their own lights up. I think the students got
a kick out of that.” After the lecture concluded, Wann and his family had dinner at Culver’s, a sight for all the basketball fans grabbing a bite before the big game against Belmont. Wann has been contacted by dozens of media outlets because of his expertise on the psychology and impact of sport fans. In this case, Wann saw it as an opportunity to share his profession with his family. “I don’t have an ego,” Wann said. “I just didn’t want to look like an idiot on camera. My only hope was they get my whole family on video, but they were a pleasure to work with and super polite.” Being a professor of psychology and sports fandom, Wann is used to being asked for interviews relating to the common behavior of a sports fan. However, this interview proved to be a difficult development for a person as selfless and outgoing as Wann. “I usually get asked questions about
Page 9
The News my research, or I get asked questions that are empirical and theoretical,” Wann said. “I never get asked questions about me or how I feel. Being a fan was a big part of my life growing up and it still is.” The documentary highlights superfans and how they support their favorite teams. Wann said the experience was pretty cool, but he felt out of his element. Even though Wann felt like he was hosting a reality show, he couldn’t wait to see how it turned out. “My friends and family were all crazy excited and happy about how it went down,” Wann said. “It’s longer than an average commercial but shorter than any documentary you’ve ever seen. It was pretty clear this is a major project they are hanging their hat on this spring.” Wann compared his experience to being a star athlete. He said having a full-time camera crew following him around every second of the day can be exhausting. The section of the video that featured Wann teaching a lecture on sport fandom took four takes just to get the introduction right. “The duration of having a camera in your face for an extended period of time, I don’t know how athletes do it,” Wann said. “I think about guys like Ja Morant, that’s his everyday. However, they never ever pushed, If they asked me to do something and I said nope, then that was it. A lot of people would push.” The video launched on Saturday, March 9, in advance of the OVC Championship on ESPN 2, and will continue to run through the end of March. “We can’t thank Dr. Wann, the school and the entire community of Murray enough -including the staff at Dumplin’s and their “belt buster” – for welcoming us to campus,” Lobo said. “It’s safe to say we weren’t surprised to see a ton of yellow and navy in the stands for the OVC Championship.” Wann is no stranger to the camera and bright lights. He said he enjoyed the process of not only educating people about sport fandom, but also reminiscing on why he chose to become a psychologist as an undergrad. “This documentary is not about my research; it’s about me and my journey professionally through fandom,” Wann said. “That was different and a little harder to execute. It was a hard day, but it was delightful to get to share that moment with my family, and how often do you get to be featured on ESPN?” Lobo, his director Raftery and producer Zimmerman are optimistic after the series premiere of “Fan Stories by ESPN.” “We hope the story accomplishes what we set out to do: celebrate all fans and help us all make a little more sense of our relationship with sports,” Lobo said. “It was an honor to work with Dr. Wann and to get to know the most introspective and insightful fan.” Lobo and his crew were impressed with the rich traditions that fuel Murray State. “Our trip to Murray opened our eyes to what makes the Racer community special,” Lobo said. “We look forward to seeing Coach (Matt) McMahon, Ja and the rest of the team make a run deep into March.” Watch Wann’s “Fan Stories by ESPN” documentary on TheNews.org.
Stephanie Anderson and Blake Sandlin/The News
Behind the scenes of the Jan. 24 filming of Daniel Wann for “Fan Stories by ESPN.”
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Racers win 2019 OVC Championship
Blake Sanlin/The News
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March 14, 2019
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Rifle places fourth at NCAA Championship Keenan Hall Staff writer khall16@murraystate.edu
Murray State rifle finished the season in fourth place at the NCAA Rifle Championship on Saturday, March 9. The Racers ended the first day in fourth place and eventually moved on to finish the match fourth out of the eight-team field at the conclusion of the championship match. On Day One of the match, the Racers shot a 2320 aggregate in smallbore. Senior MacKenzie Martin led her squad in smallbore with 583 points, while junior Meike Drewell followed closely with 581 points. Junior Shelby Huber ended smallbore with a 579 to finish third for Murray State. Senior Barbara Schläpfer shot a 577 and senior Alathea Sellars scored 571 points. Drewell took charge for the Racers on the second day. While the Racers scored a 2357 aggregate to maintain their position in the top half of the field for a fourth-straight year,
Drewell scored 592 points, which brought her to a team-high 1173 individual aggregate score. Huber also had a solid second day with 590 points air rifle. He finished with 1169 total individual points. Martin shot a 587 to reach an individual aggregate of 1170 for her squad. Schläpfer ended with a 1165 individual aggregate after shooting a 588 in air rifle. Sellars ended her career with a 586 in air rifle and 1158 in total score. This year’s NCAA Championships was the last of a historic four-year run for seniors Eric Sloan, Martin, Schläpfer and Sellars. The team led by this prestigious group of seniors became the fifth to win four-straight OVC crowns. The last team to accomplish this feat was the 1999-2000 team. These seniors also willed their program to reach the NCAA Championships in the four years of their careers at Murray State. They leave behind some big shoes to fill, but as this year’s NCAA Championship showed, their teammates are up for the challenge.
Photo courtesy of Racer Rifle/Twitter
Members of the rifle team begin Relay 1 during the NCAA Championships.
Photo courtesy of @misz_jazzeebaby/Twitter
Sophomore guard Ja Morant poses with South Heights Elementary School student Jah’Marion Causey at the CFSB Center.
Morant motivates local students Keenan Hall Staff writer khall16@murraystate.edu
Murray State sophomore standout Ja Morant has inspired local elementary students in the classroom with his jaw-dropping performances on the court. Third graders from South Heights Elementary School in Henderson, Kentucky, got a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend time with Murray State’s men’s basketball team during their media day. South Heights assistant principal Chris Powers has been following the Racers closely ever since his daughter, sophomore Riley Powers, became a member of the Murray State cheerleading team. When Powers heard Morant’s story, he saw some similarities in the kids under his guidance. So, he and his coworkers
began using the hashtag #worklikeJa around the school and on social media. “Ja Morant came from humble beginnings and kind of got overlooked in his recruiting process,” Powers said. “Well, that goes along with some of the kids at South Heights. A lot of our kids come from some tough backgrounds and we needed a way to motivate them.” Despite the obvious differences between third graders and an NBA draft candidate, the kids responded positively to the tactic from Powers. “He is a positive influ-
ence for our kids, he has some fans of his play and fans of his work ethic as well,” Powers said. “He retweeted a young lady’s paper on Twitter, and when I went to show her she almost passed out on the floor.” Powers wanted his students to understand not everyone can be like Morant, but having a strong work ethic, passion and drive can take them to places they never expected to be. “We wanted to show them that they may not always have the easy route, but you don’t give up,” Powers said. “Kids started putting on their
papers and it bloomed from there. They would even say it during a challenge that they thought would be difficult for them.” Powers understands how enticing it is for young kids to idolize talented athletes. However, he also wanted the hashtag to serve as a teaching moment to his students. “He is more than just a really good basketball player, he has worked to get to where he is,” Powers said. “I wanted my kids to take that lesson to heart more than anything. Kids need that kind of motivation.”
Photo courtesy of @missmollyky/Twitter
A first grader in Ms. (Molly) Marshall’s class at South Heights Elementary School completed the #WorklikeJa challenge.
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March 14, 2019
Freshman heading Racers’ rotation Adam Redfern Staff writer aredfern@murraystate.edu Freshman pitcher Hannah James has been a refreshing addition to the Racers’ softball team, as Murray State’s ace in the circle is leading the team in pitching appearances, strikeouts and ERA. The Murray State softball team placed ninth in the OVC last year, and with their best pitcher Haven Campbell leaving the rotation the Racers were in search of someone who’d be able to replace her production. Head Coach Kara Amundson has found a quality replacement in James who has the potential to generate similar numbers. Amundson has high praise for her freshman pitcher and excited for her career as a Racer. “She has been great,” Amundson said. “When we were recruiting her we saw something pretty big from her. She is a different kind of a pitcher than I think a lot of teams recruit. Hannah is a much more skill and finesse type of pitcher. To be good at that shows that there is some sort of work effort there. I think for us, we knew she’d be able to contribute right away
if it was something she could wrap her head around.” In her first season with the Racers, James faced some tough opposition when she took on the University of Alabama, University of Kentucky and the University of Maryland. James has maintained a 3.05 ERA on the season despite the tough competition. James grew up watching some of the teams she had to face in recent games, and she has been grateful for the opportunity. “Whenever I found out I was pitching those games [Alabama and Kentucky] I was a little nervous,” James said. “Being from Kentucky, I have been watching them since I was young, and I was facing the batters that I was watching on TV a couple years ago. It was a great experience to play girls at that level.” James held her own against these formidable foes. She only allowed two hits and zero runs against Butler, tossed a five-hit, three-run outing against Southern Illinois University-Carbondale and a five-hit, one-run game against Ball State. Amundson has trusted James with handling the majority of pitching for the
Gage Johnson/The News
Freshman pitcher Hannah James begins her pitching motion. Racers, and James is appreciative of the belief her team has in her. “It really means a lot to me to be trusted on the mound,” James said. “Coming in as a freshman, I didn’t expect to have as big as a role as I have
been given, but it really means a lot.” Amundson has been impressed by James’ confidence so far this season, and attributes that trait as one of the main reasons for her bearing the majority of the
pitching load. “She has an air about her that she is confident in her abilities,” Amundson said. “She trusts her pitches and it shows. Her and our catcher have a great relationship in terms of trusting each other,
and that is huge in the softball world.” James is only a freshman, but her coaches and staff trust her and are confident in her ability to become a great pitcher for the Racers for years to come.
Pair of Racers represent OVC in SAAC Adam Redfern Staff writer aredfern@murraystate.edu While juggling being student-athletes at Murray State, junior golfer Cole Manion and rifle senior Alathea Sellars both act as advocates for their fellow student-athletes. Manion and Sellars are able to vocalize the problems that student-athletes face thanks to the OVC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Manion described the SAAC as a voice for the student-athletes across the conference. “Each university has their own committee, which is
more or less the student representative body for student-athletes at each campus,” Manion said. “We serve the interest of all the student-athletes at Murray State, and help fix our problems. We try our best to voice the issues that our fellow student-athletes face, and voice them to the Ohio Valley Conference if the issues are applicable to the conference as a whole.” One example of how the committee has made a difference was with an issue raised regarding student-athletes’ time-demand requirement. Manion, Sellars and all the other representatives were
able to solve this disagreement during a meeting. “Coaches are required to send their student-athletes the schedule for the week in advance of the week, to allow these student-athletes to plan for their academics amongst other things,” Manion said. “That was a really big problem a couple years ago. We were able to bring it forward to the committee and then get the conference to enforce coaches to prepare the schedules in advance.” Being a voice for not just one’s self, but for an entire community of student-athletes is something Sellars
prides herself in, and they see it as an opportunity to change the environment in Murray State and the OVC for the better. “I wanted to make a difference not only on my team, but also in the athletic department,” Sellars said. “SAAC has given me a chance to be a part of something bigger than myself and my team. Most of all, it has given me an appreciation for every sport and the dedication and commitment it takes to be a student-athlete.” Manion also thought it was imperative for Murray State to have a voice as one of the larger universities in
the OVC, and is proud to be that voice of change. “My sophomore year I saw that this is something that would be an interesting opportunity; not necessarily for myself, but to represent our student-athletes,” Manion said. “There was a vacancy there where our voice at Murray wasn’t being heard. I think Murray is one of the more prominent schools in the Ohio Valley Conference. I believed we deserved to have good representation at the conference level.” Both Manion and Sellars not only attend meetings and listen to the problems
that students face, but are also involved in things like organizing a wiffle ball tournament and cookout for all student-athletes at the beginning of the fall semester, a canned food drive for Needline for Thanksgiving, fundraising to send a veteran to the OVC basketball tournament, Mental Health Awareness Week and discussing new NCAA rules and policies. Manion and Sellars may not wear capes, but they are doing their part as unsung heroes to help make the OVC a better place for athletes from Murray State and beyond.
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March 14, 2019
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Students transform from drab to drag Organizations host annual drag show
Claire Smith Staff writer
csmith110@murraystate.edu
FAME, a drag show that takes place on campus once a year, provides people with a space safe to be themselves. This year’s show took place on Tuesday, March 12, in the Curris Center Ballroom. MC Lampe, LGBT programming coordinator, has been with the LGBT programming office for a year and a half. “The drag show has been hap-
pening longer than I have been here,” Lampe said. “For a long time it was put on just by Alliance, the LGBT student group on campus, but since the LGBT programming office has come into being, we have teamed up.” The event used to take place twice a year, but recently condensed to only one show a year to allow the event to go allout. “We put out an open call for anyone on campus or the community who want to perform,” Lampe said. The show is an amateur show, and doesn’t feature professional drag queens or kings. “I think having a student show is really powerful because it gives people a chance to bring a new sense of self to
their community,” Lampe said. FAME is Alliance’s biggest fundraiser of the year and allows them to send student leaders to conferences and plan social nights. Audience members can tip throughout the show and buy concessions. Tessa Sipe, senior from Louisville, Kentucky, enjoys participating in the drag show because it brings t h e com-
munity together for a night of fun. She also enjoys performing in drag as Eliot, her drag king persona. “Eliot is quite a character,” Sipe said. “The name for me kind of reminded me of someone who enjoys life and t a k e s what he wants.” S h e worked on choreography s t a r t ing two months in advance of the show and worked in the
campus dance studio once a week. “I have been doing drag for three years, but have been appreciative of the art for quite some time,” Sipe said. “I enjoy the energy and the community getting together for a night of fun.” Matthew Allen, a graduate student from Murray, has been into drag for the last six years.
He began watching “Rupaul’s Drag Race” with his best friend when he was in high school. “My freshman year at Murray I went as a girl for Halloween because my best friend had asked if she could put me in drag for her birthday,” Allen said. He volunteered to help with the drag show during his first semester and the following semester he became a participant. Allen’s persona Mia Mann is going through a “mid-life crisis.” “I am kind of trying to channel aspects of influential women for me that I see in everyday life, and finding a balance between that and aspects of myself that I may be a bit more
reserved in day to day,” Allen said. “When you’re trying to develop your persona, you’ll know when it’s right.” He often practices makeup for weeks, but most of his performance routines are made up on the fly. Getting ready for a performance can take up to four hours including breaks, which h e
considers part of his process. “ M y favorite part of the show is being able to play a role in creating a safe place that people from marginalized groups will be able to feel like they are welcome and wanted,” Allen said. Allen enjoys being able to get on stage and use positive energy to allow the audience to forget their troubles for a few hours. “At the end of the show, when the performers go out and take pictures with the audience, the ability for me to see people having a good time and smiling reinforces why I continue participating in the show,” Allen said. If you are looking to participate in next year’s drag show or have a question about anything LGBT related on campus, contact MC Lampe.
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March 14, 2019
Students host pop-up restaurants on campus Alexis Schindler Staff writer aschindler1@murraystate.edu
The Oakley Dining Room opened its doors to Murray State students and the community to enjoy the first student-prepared, pop-up restaurant style meal of the semester. Each spring semester, senior students majoring in nutrition and dietetics are required to enroll in the meal management capstone class. This class combines everything the students have learned throughout their undergraduate studies about “nutrition, food science, food preparation and business management,” according to Murray State’s website. This spring semester there are seven students enrolled in the course, so there will be seven meals served in the students’ pop-up restaurant. The pop-up restaurant meals will be served every Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. up until May 1, excluding the
week of Spring Break. A different student will manage the pop-up restaurant each week and will bring their own restaurant theme and menu to the table. The other students in the class will help with meal preparation and food service. Karen Byrd, nutrition, dietetics and food management professor, and her colleague Josie Bryant are supervising the students during this project. “The intent is that it is supposed to build on all their other courses, even the nutrition aspect of it,” Byrd, director of the program, said. “It really helps them realize how challenging it is to actually plan a menu that meets the nutritional requirements recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. It builds on marketing, business, food and science, nutrition and clinical nutrition courses they take, so all of that prior education is kind of culminated in this project.”
Sara Howell/The News
This is the menu for the student-run pop-up restaurant on April 3.
Students are in charge of determining the cost of ingredients and decorations they need for meals. They use that cost to determine meal prices. They also have to manage nutritional factors like calories and sodium content when creating their meals. “Actually getting to apply their knowledge in a setting where there are people that are not just their peers is so important,” Bryant said. “It just kind of puts that finishing touch on what they have been learning.” The Murray State Homegrown Ingredients effort requires each student to use one homegrown ingredient in their meal. The nutrition and dietetics program partnered with the Hutson School of Agriculture for this effort. Sarah Frederickson, senior from Louisville, Kentucky, thinks this is going to be a great experience. “We are putting a lot of hard work into these meals
and we really hope that they’re good for everyone that comes,” Frederickson said. “I’m excited to see the culmination of all my work coming together.” Frederickson said there is more effort behind the scenes that she did not realize when the seniors before her were doing the project, and that it is cool to get to see the whole process behind the creation. In order to attend one of these meals, one must register for the meal of their choosing on the Oakley Dining Room website. Spots are going fast, and the program’s supervisors are expecting the rest of the spots to be filled up rather quickly. Guests attending the meals are asked to park at the Curris Center, and the University asks that guests register their cars at https:// murraystate.nupark.com/ portal. Also, payment for the meals must be given in the form of cash or check only.
Sara Howell/The News
This is the menu for the student-run pop-up restaurant on April 10.
Sara Howell/The News
This is the menu for the next student-run pop-up restaurant on March 27.
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March 14, 2019
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Book challenge accepted President posts seven publications on Twitter Alexis Schindler Staff writer aschindler1@murraystate.edu
President Bob Jackson
took up a Twitter book challenge on Feb. 25 after being nominated by Fulton County Schools Superintendent Aaron Collins. The challenge requires a person to post a picture of a non-fiction book cover to their Twitter page with no explanation or review of the book. The person challenged should do this for seven days, nominating a new person along with each new book cover they post. Collins said he found difficulty in picking seven of his favorite books that he wanted to share with others, especially due to the fact he was at a conference and only had the books that were in his car
to choose from. Collins posted pictures of books about leadership, teaching instruction and religion. “I thought this would be a great way to express myself a little bit and some of my educational, personal and religious beliefs as well as being able to have others share out their beliefs,” Collins said. “Books reveal a lot, I think, about the individual and are personal.” He also expressed why he feels reading is important. “You’re never too old to learn,” Collins said. “Whether it’s a magazine or a book, it is important for people to be informed. Books quench our learning. Hopefully, through this Twitter challenge I was able to share some of my learning and pass that on.”
Photo courtesy of Bob Jackson/Twitter
President Jackson posted this book on his second day of the challenge.
Jackson started off his challenge with a book on the history of Murray State University. He followed this with books about American universities, Abraham Lincoln, the 15th Kentucky Infantry, the Great Depression and Martin Luther King Jr. He ended the challenge on March 6 with an autobiography of Happy Chandler. “This is a way to help encourage others regarding the importance of reading and lifelong learning,” Jackson said. “Never stop learning and reading. Lifelong learning is an imperative for students and is key to advancing one’s career.” Jackson expressed his reasoning behind the importance of reading. “It primarily shapes and influences us through being educated to our history, the importance of understanding different opinions and thought, and encourages us to become more tolerant, respectful and understanding of different opinions,” Jackson said. He challenged three Murray State faculty members: Jordan Smith, the director of government and institutional relations, Aaron Thompson, the fourth president of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, and Tony Brannon, the dean of the Hutson School of Agriculture. Three of the other four people that Jackson challenged were Murray State institutions such as the Murray State Libraries, College of Humanities and Fine Arts, and College of Education and Human Services. Lastly, Jackson challenged the Calloway County Public Libraries.
Richard Thompson/The News
Students are able to use the polymer lab to work with polymer solutions.
Faculty creates polymer lab Claire Smith Staff writer csmith110@murraystate.edu
A new state-of-the art lab is giving Murray State students a unique opportunity. In 2014, the polymer and material science track was introduced, which emphasizes the industrial and engineering aspects of chemistry. Kevin Miller, a professor in the chemistry department, noticed that Murray State already “had a few instruments in place that were necessary to perform research in polymer science.” Miller previously worked for Dow Chemical Company, where he noticed that the No. 1 employer of chemists were companies that specialize in polymer. He realized Murray State had the potential to create a program unique to the area and Kentucky. “Over the past five years, Dr. Daniel Johnson and I have developed not only the Polymer and Materials Science Lab, but also a degree track in polymer and materials science,” Miller said. “We are hoping to attract students who are interested in chemistry and engineering and prepare them for a career in the polymer industry or perhaps a graduate program in chemistry, polymer science or chemical engineering.” The Polymer and Materials Science Lab was created in
fall 2015 in a small space in Jones Hall where the chemistry department could house all its material instruments in one room. “Dr. Harry Fannin, professor and former chair of our department, was instrumental in helping Dr. Johnson and I build the PMCL,” Miller said. “Dr. Fannin secured the laboratory space we needed and assisted with securing funds when necessary to supplement grants and funding we were fortunate enough to acquire externally.” The lab also receives funding from the National Science Foundation. The foundation granted the department the Major Research Instrumentation Grant, which allowed it to purchase a dynamic mechanical analyzer. The instrument is used to analyze the mechanical properties of polymers and materials. The lab is mostly for undergraduate students. There are a number of upper-level chemistry major and minors that are involved through their senior research project or honors thesis. In spring 2020, the university will begin offering exclusive lab courses in polymer and materials science. “Ultimately, we have a state-of-the-art facility that rivals industrial-scale materials science labs throughout the country,” Miller said. “To have such capabilities at an
undergraduate institution is unheard of.” Abigail Bratton, senior from Paducah, Kentucky, began working with Fannin on data analysis for one of her research projects after Miller asked if she would like to learn the synthesis side in addition to what she was working on. “It’s really amazing to me that I am able to have the experience I have with all of the instrumentation found in this lab,” Bratton said. “It’s really impressive to see all of these instruments and the amount of research happening in this lab at a smaller school like Murray State that you would also see at a bigger school.” The lab, including the new rheometer which is used to test additional mechanical behaviors of polymers and polymer solutions, has allowed her to become familiar with equipment that is used every day in the polymer field. “Next year I will be attending graduate school to pursue a PhD in chemistry with a focus on polymers and materials science,” Bratton said. “Without this lab and the advisorship of Dr. Fannin and Dr. Miller, I would not be in the field I am today.” If you are a student interested in the polymer and materials science track, contact Miller at kmiller38@ murraystate.edu.
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