September 17, 2009

Volume 66, No. 3

THE PAN AMERICAN

September 17 , 2009

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Four prez candidates visit with campus community

By Brian Silva The Pan American Yesterday, Jeremy Brown, the first of four presidential candidates, visited the campus to talk with students, staff and faculty. While on campus he held two forums in the Student Union Theater, one in the morning and another in the afternoon, where he made a statement and then answered questions.

Brown, president of Edinboro (Penn.)

University, answered questions from the audience, ranging from his management vision to the importance of sports at a university.

He’s been at his current job for two years, and was previously at State University of New York at Canton where he was the provost and vice president of academic affairs. His other administrative experience includes work at Yale, Princeton, and the University of Florida in Panama.

The British native received his bachelor’s and doctorate in physics from the University of Birmingham, England,

OPINION PG. 2

in 1979 and 1982 respectively.

In Brown’s opening remarks to the audience, comprised mostly of faculty and staff, he said UTPA was a very special place going through a unique time.

“You have a huge amount of potential,” he said. “I want to help you get to that point, or actually get beyond that point.”

Brown met with the deans and the Staff Senate. Later in the day he was with the Faculty Senate and Student Government Association, concluding his day in a sit-down with Interim President Charles Sorber.

On Monday a memorandum from Interim President Charles Sorber was distributed via e-mail to students, faculty and staff discussing the final leg of the search process. It announced that the list of candidates had been narrowed to four

who would be visiting campus over the next couple of weeks.

The next candidate is scheduled to arrive tomorrow. The Pan American was not able to secure the name of the next candidate before print due to restrictions by the UT System. University officials urge students, faculty and staff to check the presidential search portion of the Web site for the latest updates.

Candidate vitas will be posted on the Web the day before each arrives for the campus visit.

The last two visits will come next week, Monday and Wednesday. All candidates will follow the same schedule of events, with a pair of forums, one from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., and the other from 3:45 to 4:45 p.m.

The candidates coming to campus are not finalists, according to Matt

STAY TUNED: CONTINUING CANDIDATE COVERAGE ON PANAMERICANONLINE.COM

Flores, UT System assistant director of public affairs. That decision will only come once the System Board of Regents decides on the finalist designation.

On Sept. 8 the Regents met in a special meeting to discuss the UTPA presidential search. This after the group, which met in closed session, had received an update on the process from the search committee, according to Anthony De Bruyn, System director of public affairs.

According to multiple sources, the search committee has been flying in candidates to do so-called “airport interviews” with candidates for the past several weeks.

The search committee was convened early in February and charged by the Regents with finding candidates for the next permanent president of the university. This came about after former president Blandina “Bambi” Cardenas retired as the university’s top boss in early spring. Shortly after, Charles Sorber was named interim president.

SEE PAGE 6 FOR MORE COVERAGE BROWN’S VISIT TO THE CAMPUS

OF

NEWS PG. 3

ARTS & LIFE PG. 10

SPORTS PG. 14

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THE PAN AMERICAN

September 17 , 2009

Editorial Vol 66, No. 3 September 17 , 2009

1201 West University, CAS 170 Edinburg, Texas 78539 Phone: (956) 381-2541 Fax: (956) 316-7122

EDITOR IN CHIEF Brian Silva / basilva1@utpa.edu ASSISTANT EDITOR Ana Villaurrutia / alvillaurru@utpa.edu VIDEO EDITOR Naxiely Lopez / naxiely@myway.com ASSISTANT VIDEO EDITOR Victor Ituarte / victor.ituarte@gmail.com A&L EDITOR Isaac Garcia / izek_el@yahoo.com ASSISTANT A&L EDITOR Andrielle Figuerroa / j27ig@yahoo.com SPORTS EDITOR Kevin Stich/ k.stich@gmail.com ASST. SPORTS EDITOR Sara Hernandez/ sarahdzm@hotmail.com DESIGN EDITOR Gregorio Garza / ggarzaz26@utpa.edu SENIOR DESIGNER Roy Bazan / rbazanzz@utpa.edu ADVISER Dr. Greg Selber / selberg@utpa.edu ADMINISTRATIVE ASSOCIATE Anita Reyes / areyes18@utpa.edu ADVERTISING MANAGER Mariel Cantu/ spubs@utpa.edu WEBMASTER Jose Villarreal / josemvillarrealcs@gmail.com

**Delivery** Thursday at noon The Pan American is the official student newspaper of The University of Texas-Pan American. Views presented are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of the paper or university.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Pan American accepts letters of 300 words or less from students, staff and faculty regarding recent newspaper content, campus concerns or current events. The Pan American reserves the right to edit submissions for grammar and length. The Pan American cannot publish anonymous letters or submissions containing hate speech or gratuitous personal attacks. Please send all story ideas to thepanamerican@ gmail.com.

Individuals with disabilities wishing to acquire this publication in an alternative format or needing assistance to attend any event listed can contact The Pan American for more details.

Seeing through the smokescreen The university has suddenly, and ahead of schedule, moved into the final stage of its search for a permanent president. Still, it has been appalling to observe the lack of transparency, down to the 11th hour of the search.

The presidential search is a pivotal moment in this university’s history.

The person selected will lead UTPA with a comprehensive vision that ideally will guide the Valley community into better times. However, actions the UT System has taken in secrecy have ensured as little transparency as possible, also virtually eliminating the previously promised chance for input from the UTPA community.

It had been said repeatedly over the course of this search by System and university administration that the search would conclude some time in November. However, during Convocation, Interim President Charles Sorber said the list had been narrowed down to 10 presidential candidates.

Last week the newspaper tried to obtain confirmation of this from System, but was denied an answer. The same was the case when we tried to verify Sorber’s comment about the process becoming “more transparent from here on out.”

The point is, How is the university community supposed to give feedback when it hasn’t been fed any information?

Now there is also an apparent technical misunderstanding in the current situation. The leadership in Austin said these candidates coming onto campus are not finalists. If they were to be officially announced as finalists then System would be obligated by law to release their names.

However, yesterday the first candidate was introduced as a finalist on multiple occasions. Apparently the board of regents reserves the right to enter the hiring process, toss all the candidates the search committee had picked, and name its own president.

Rare, but it has been done.

We also take issue with a candidate’s name only being released the day before he/she is scheduled to arrive on campus for the visit. System cannot expect students, faculty and staff to have enough time to learn about these candidates and make the gig in that time span. People are busy with the academic mission, but if given a little more time to make arrangements, would be able to invest full involvement in the process. That much ballyhooed “input” is supposed to be a lightning-fast occurrence, apparently.

Illustration by Kevin Stich The lack of a chance to participate meaningfully may have become evident yesterday when there were no more than 50 people in the audience for each public forum. There were also no more than five students at each, not including the five from The Pan American.

There were widespread comments, the gist of which were that people did not know a candidate was even on campus.

Two days notice is nowhere near enough time for students, faculty and staff to plan to attend the visits. And not going to the events leaves the university, which will be directly affected by the decision, at the mercy of the few elites at the top of the chain. So much for the new, post-Good ol’ Boy era at UTPA. If System wants to wholeheartedly embrace this university’s opinion on who the next president should be, then its representatives need to give folks the time to be part of the process.

According to System the reason for withholding identities until the last minute is to protect the candidates.

Some have noted that this also protects the candidates from being seen as short-timers or unhappy employees at their current place of business. This

isn’t a logical explanation given the candidates’ names will eventually be made public regardless of what happens.

Those who have ripped away the UT-Pan American community’s input have hijacked any semblance of democracy left in the process.

Behind the scenes, multiple sources involved in the process will admit that System has seemingly built a smokescreen around the “finalists.” It must be asked why go through such lengths to protect these people? System has crossed the line and is now protecting the candidates above the interests of this community.

We shouldn’t allow the wool to be pulled over our eyes. However, due to the manner in which System has handled this, we may not have time to even protest.

The university community needs to fight for our right to have a say in the decision. It is imperative that Faculty Senate, the Staff Senate, and most importantly the Student Government Association battle for the rights of their constituents.

We appreciate the effort of our one student representative on the search committee. However, he was appointed by System and cannot adequately

represent the 18,000 views among the student body.

Transparency took a hit again when we, the official student newspaper, tried to gain access to SGA’s meeting with the candidate. Access was denied because the meeting was billed as private. No one besides SGA members was allowed in. Not a single student.

The same went for Faculty Senate and Staff Senate. There are too many instances where transparency is being impeded. We received notice of the town halls too late. We are learning of their names too late. We aren’t given adequate access to the candidates.

We challenge the students to urge their representatives in student government to ask why this is occurring, and why the space for input from the university community has been almost nonexistent. We challenge our student government leaders to lead in this critical time. If something is wrong with this situation, tell those responsible.

The people responsible are administrators from UT-System. They hold the names of the candidates until the day before. Let them know the last leg of the process is flawed. System holds the key to transparency.

Stand up for your right to know.

Stand up for transparency.

Dates to Know: “Soul of a People” With Dr. Don Graham Sept. 17 at 7 p.m.

Student Union Theater September 17 , 2009

Deadline to file application for degree Sept. 18 Registrar

THE PAN AMERICAN

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University looking to increase transit service

By Roxann Garcia The Pan American The University of Texas-Pan American will be re-evaluating its contract with the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council (LRGVDC), a public transportation service for residents in urbanized and non-urbanized areas of the region.

In 2009, the university paid $6,300 out of the student service fee pool, enabling students to take advantage of a

free bus ride. Funding was to be used by LRGVDC, or Rio Metro Urban Transportation System, to create a new route from La Joya to McAllen. LRGVDC reports that only one person uses the transit to and from the campus.

The transit assists in the cities of Mission, McAllen, Edinburg, Pharr, San Juan, Alamo, Weslaco, and Mercedes and offers its services Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the larger metropolitan areas of Hidalgo County.

The transit also assists in the rural areas

of both Hidalgo and Cameron Counties.

There is also a transit located in Harlingen that participates within the agreement between LRGVDC and the university.

“The University entered into an interlocal understanding, an agreement within two governmental entities, with LRGVDC in September 2008 to provide transportation to students who were challenged with either unaffordable or unavailable transportation to/from campus,” said Letty Benavides, director of auxiliary services at UTPA. “The arrangement was

T SEEN AND CAPTURED

made last summer when gas prices were escalating, in an effort to help out UTPA students.”

But the university’s contract with LRGVDC expired Aug. 31. During the month of August 2009, it was reported that 22 UTPA students and staff primarily from the areas of McAllen, Mission and Mercedes benefited from the “free” service.

“That was the total bus load for the month of August from the UTPA cam-

See RIO SITE || Page 7

“I

think the

is good because we want to sustain the effort of reducing as many vehicles as possible.

Director of auxiliary services UTPA

Green fee given red light by committee good comprehensive look at what will happen with this fee.”

Puttagunta said that other than the “Going green” and “carbon foot- economic in flux, a continuing presiprint” have rapidly become part of the dential search has hindered the refercountry’s daily lexicon, and now an- endum. other environmental phrase has been “Currently there is no proposal to incorporated into the UT System vo- have a referendum with the search of cabulary, and may find its way into a new president still underway,” said your semester fees.

Puttagunta.

In the last state Legislative sesAn overview of the campus’ sussion there was a move to add a green tainable needs and surveys of stufee, or one that goes to support vari- dent’s opinion will be conducted for ous sustainable now in order to gage and environmental Given the time we are in, the need for the fee. programs, to pub“In the next two lic institutions of there are other fees more months we will be higher education. reviewing the fee…

The idea has crucial to academics at this to figure out whethpassed and went moment. We just didn’t want to er it’s necessary into effect Sept. 1, right now,” he said. though the fee (not burn them [the students] with With enrollment to exceed $5) must at 18,000, if passed, be voted on by the another new fee without a good the fee has the postudent bodies of comprehensive look at what tential of collecting the respective UT up to $90,000 per will happen with this fee. colleges. semester.

Though UT For now the newSystem schools ly formed Sustainhave been given Raghuveer Punttagunta ability Council will the go-ahead to SGA President be advising on susbegin the process tainable programs, toward such a charge, and a student or environmentally efficient efforts, referendum would decide on the on campus. amount of the fee, the university has Sustainability Council director put a halt on the process.

Marianella Franklin said the money Student Government Association from the fee could go toward various President and Cost of Education Com- sustainability projects such as improvmittee member Raghuveer Puntta- ing campus recycling programs, plus gunta said the committee has decided educating the UTPA community on to hold off on the fee for another two proper environmental habits. years.

According to Franklin, these ef“Given the time we are in, there are forts would contribute to the campus other fees more crucial to academics reaching a neutral carbon footprint at this moment,” Puttagunta said. “We benchmark by August 2010. The just didn’t want to burn them (the stu- benchmark is set by the American Asdents) with another new fee without a See GREEN || Page 7

“

Daniel Flores/ The Pan American

VIVA MÉXICO - Wednesday, the University Program Board sponsored a Mexican Independence Day celebration. The event was complete with food, mariachis and Folkloric dancers at the University Ballroom.

H1N1 vaccine offered next month Fever, coughing, sore throats, runny or stuffy noses, body aches, headaches, chills and fatigue are all average symptoms of the traditional seasonal flu virus.

This year however, these symptoms also could be a indication of another virus: a wolf in sheep’s clothing, or rather a virus in pigskin. As promised after the outbreak this spring, H1N1, more commonly know as the Swine Flu, is sweeping the globe.

Found initially in the United States and Mexico in March and April, the H1N1 is of swine origin, although one cannot contract it eating pork or pork products.

The virus infects the upper respira-

”

Letty Benavides

By Ana Villaurrutia The Pan American

By Samantha Koch The Pan American

partnership

tory tract, the system of organs involved in the intake and outtake of oxygen and carbon dioxide using the nasal passages, larynx, trachea, bronchial tubes and lungs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says the illness is “passed on from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with the influenza, and may also be spread by touching infected objects and then touching your nose or mouth.” This is much like how the traditional seasonal flu spreads.

The CDC stated on its Web site that laboratory testing has showed many genes in the H1N1 virus that normally occur in North American swine, but is very different because it has two genes from flu viruses that normally circulate in pigs in Europe and Asia along with

bird and human genes.

With the threat of the pandemic spreading again, the university has acted, and will offer vaccinations in late October or early November, whenever the medicine becomes available.

The immunization is part of the preparation for the current strain of the H1N1 virus circulating the planet, and will be given at the Student Health Center as well as various flu shot clinics set up on university grounds. There is no cost and no need for insurance.

University officials decided to get out in front of the situation.

“Cases of novel H1N1 have already appeared on most college campuses,” said Glenn Gray, director of Student

See H1N1 || Page 7

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NEWS

September 17, 2009

Young Democrats defy ‘teabaggers’ in health care debate

By Roxann Garcia The Pan American When the Young Democrats and Students for Peace met last week for their “Don’t Get Tea-bagged: The Truth about Health Care Reform” meeting, they wanted the event to entice TEA party members, a largely conservative grassroots group that opposes excessive government involvement in the lives of citizens, into an open debate.

Though the event lacked members from the party, the meeting was still heavy with debate from students and community members.

According to a survey conducted by the CNN/Opinion Research Corporation, 50 percent of Americans support the president’s plan for health care while 45 percent oppose the idea.

Currently the Obama administration is pushing for approval but America is still heavily divided.

As health care reform has become the

centerpiece of political concern, organizers were determined to get what they believed were the facts about the issue out to students on campus.

An estimate of 40 students attended the meeting in Room 101 at the SBSC building with eager ears and plenty of questions.

Amy Claudio, a 20-year-old early childhood education major from Edinburg, made sure to attend during her lunch hour.

“I feel that it’s really important to get this message out no matter what side you’re on,” Claudio said. “In the media the facts are lost within opinion. That’s the main aspect we pick up from TV and newspapers. I would just like to know what exactly is going on.”

Claudio attended the meeting out of curiosity and not as a requirement for class.

“I mainly wanted the facts. I’m interested in what’s going on, not what people think,” explained Claudio. “I

think Freeman and Garza handled the criticism well and were knowledgeable in what they were saying. I’m not completely sure as to where I’m leaning but after the meeting, I can say that I at least know what I’m talking about.”

Samuel Freeman, an associate professor for the political science department, and Nick Garza, South Texas regional director for Organizing for America, the successor organization to Obama for America on building President Obama’s agenda of change, both spoke. They expressed concerns and held an open discussion with students.

“As a college student, it’s about getting yourself educated. This is a major issue that’s out there right now, not a lot of people know everything that’s going on,” said Garza. “You pick up those little excerpts from the media. Let’s bring some truth to the issue. Let’s make sure these folks are educated. Let’s get them involved, let’s engage them.”

Students listened as Freeman lectured

First Glimpse at Presidential Candidate

Daniel Flores/The Pan American

SNEAK PEEK - Jeremy Brown, president of Edinboro (Penn.) University, is the first of four presidential candidates to visit. Brown fielded questions from staff and students as he attended the open forum in the Student Union Theatre.

on the benefits of health care reform and what it is capable of accomplishing for each individual.

“When we talk about peace, it seems to me that we need to talk about it in substantially larger terms than simply war and violence,” Freeman noted during the lecture. “To have a peaceful life among other things, we need to have security.”

Students also became engaged in a heated discussion over the topic. Most were in favor of the reform for various reasons while others were in opposition.

Some felt that as young college students, many of whom are working and attending school simultaneously, could not afford to be without health care.

“I’m a full time student here and I work 40 hours a week. I pay my own rent, my car payment, and my car insurance, which I’m required to have,” explained David Cortez, a 26-year old History and Political Science major from Brownsville, during the meeting.

“Yet I still can’t afford (health) insurance. I would love to be able to buy into Medicare.”

Amy Claudio said people who belonged to middle to upper class families felt it was not in their favor to have universal health care.

“I’m just not in favor of, from my understanding, paying for someone else. I think that’s the significance of America; you work hard to get yourself up off your feet and successful,” explained Amy Claudio. “And I feel that’s not the message we’re sending with this reform.”

Amber Arriaga, president of The Young Democrats and a member of Students for Peace, was also at the meeting.

“We wanted mixed views, we didn’t want students to blindly support the reform. We wanted to tell them these are the facts and this is why you should support it. This is common sense and it’s good for everyone,” he said.

Another meeting is expected to take place later in the fall.

September 17, 2009

H1N1 continue from Page 3 Health Services who has been with UTPA for nine years. “We expect to see more case this fall consistent with what is happening in public communities. We strongly encourage all members of the UTPA community to take the standard precautions adopted during the flu season – and to play an active role in our public health prevention efforts.

Of 165 colleges surveyed in September by the American College Health Association, 55 percent were reported to have had cases of the virus. And the

Page 7

NEWS

university community can relate to that finding.

“One friend of mine at UT Austin got sick and had to reside within his dormitory for about five days until he got better while his homework was e-mailed to him. He just started taking regular flu medicine and got better,” reported Crystal Leal, 19, an international business major. “My mom wants me to take [the shot] but I don’t want to, I don’t like shots. I think that if you practice cleanliness you’ll be fine.”

RIO continued from Page 3 Prevention is one part of the answer, along with the vaccination.

If students start feeling like they are coming down with the flu, they are advised to follow these precautions, according to the CDC: Cover your nose/ mouth when you sneeze or cough, throw used tissues in the trash, do not share food, drinks or utensils, wash hands with soap and water frequently.

If there any questions or concerns, contact Student Health Services at 3812511.

pus community. Data provided like this is helpful in determining how much demand there is for the service. A target number was not pre-determined,” said Benavides.

Until a decision can be reached on whether to continue the arrangement, there will be a month-to-month arrangement between the Division of Business Affairs and LRGVDC. The Student Affairs Advisory Committee has been established to recommend the allocation and to participate in the deliberation on incidental and other student service fees.

LRGVDC is providing the SAAC with information to assess whether it is worth continuing. The university will be reevaluating on whether or not the transit

service is cost-effective for the campus and will be working with the committee before they provide a recommendation for or against the contract. There is no specific date as to when word from either party will be in or when the decision will be made.

Though the number of people taking advantage of the service was relatively low, university officials believe that problem can be remedied in the future.

“I feel we may need to market the service and publicize it more,” Benavides explained. “I think the partnership is good because we want to sustain the effort of reducing as many vehicles on campus as possible. This is a reasonable investment and a partnership worth looking into.”

GREEN continued from Page 3

Source: www.cdc.gov

sociation of Sustainability in Higher Education through its Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventory. AASHE is an organization of colleges that helps universities reach sustainability. According to the group, a neutral carbon footprint is achieved by implementing various environmental programs.

“It’s not just about (sustainable) buildings and recycling, but about changing a habit and improving our footprint over where we are at the moment,” Franklin said.

Puttagunta said that though the fee has a few more hurdles to pass, the university could still receive money from other avenues to fund these efforts.

For Your Information Other Universities with green fees per semester

-UC Berkeley: $5 -Colorado College: $20 -Western Washington University: $10.50 -College of Denver: $1 Source: sustainability.ucsb.edu

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THE PAN AMERICAN

September 17, 2009

September 17, 2009

THE PAN AMERICAN

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Story By: Andrielle Figueroa • Photos By: Veronica Gonzalez • Design By: Roy Bazan

Artists inspired by Chicano culture On Sept. 15 University of Texas at Brownsville welcomed the Serie Project to campus as a part of the art group’s 15-year anniversary in making Chicano artwork.

Art Director Celeste De Luna, a University of Texas-Pan American graduate, worked with the Serie Project to bring the exhibit to UTB. Created by Sam Coronado in 1993, the Project arose after Coronado attended a workshop that explained what Serigraphy is.

Serigraphy is different then the average work from paints and canvas. The artists use a transparency of the image they want to make, and then fashion it into a stencil, placing a mesh screen over the stencil to continue the process. James Beard, is the 25-year-old studio manager of Serie Project he explained the rest of the procedures in creating these pieces.

“With the stencil we push the ink through the mesh into the open stencil and we get, one by one, each color the artist needs,” Beard stated.

Beard has a BA in Russian language and literature from the University of South Carolina and is also a participating artist. He added that the artists use a range of from eight to 25 different colors and multiple stencils placed on top of each other, depending on what they want the end product to look like.

The Serie Project printing shop is located in Austin where Coronado lets his participating artists use his equipment to create their artwork. The artwork is used for the project’s exhibits, which have been showcased in Texas, the United Sates, Mexico, South America, and Europe.

The point of the artwork is to send the message out about Chicano culture and the struggles of the people. Beard explained that the works are based on Chicano art, which is a little different from pieces created in Mexico.

“A lot of the work is based off the farm workers movement, mainly out of California,” explained Beard.

Chicano was a name created out of pride for the Mexican-American heritage. Currently the name is attached to the political stand taken by Mexican-Americans in the ‘60s and ‘70s.

“We have been very lucky to have a lot of our work collected by major institutions like the Smithsonian, The National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago, and several universities,” Beard said.

Sept. 15 also kicked off the Hispanic Heritage Month, and Beard added this was a happy accident for the exhibit. The month of celebration goes hand in hand with what the group stands for.

“A lot of people know about the civil rights movement but not many people know

that at the same time there was a whole Chicano movement,” Beard explained. “It’s a topic that is slowly picking up steam with institutes, it’s going to be important and relevant in our future.”

An attendee at the exhibit, Edinburg native Lilia Cabrera, had great interest in the process.

“It was a clever exhibit because it’s all dealing with silkscreen, serigraphy and they’re all Chicanos,” said Cabrera, who has been teaching in the UTPA art department since 2007.

Terry Necipoglu, a Donna native familiar with teaching art, believed that the pieces were examples of the lives we find in the Valley “I think, ‘Oh! I know that!’ I would go to my grandma’s house and she would have a little shrine for ‘La Virgen’ there and then you would go and turn on ‘The Brady Bunch,’” Necipoglu recalled. “It’s a unique way of intertwining the two cultures because we are both.”

The exhibit will have an extended UTB stay until Oct. 16 at the Rusteberg Building. For more information, contact Celeste De Luna at Celeste.DeLuna@utb.edu.

Dates to Know: Culture Clash Sept. 18, 8 p.m.

Cine El Rey Page 10

THE PAN AMERICAN

Faculty Recital Sept. 19, 3 p.m.

FC-103 September 17, 2009

Improv music night showcases local artists

By Victor Ituarte The Pan American The black-and-white Spanish films screened on the TVs behind the bar at Cine El Rey in McAllen were no competition for the live music last week at Tuesday Night Music Club. The crowd of 20-somethings and 30-whatevers had attention set to the band performing in the lobby.

The weekly event, which brings together an array of musicians to perform never-rehearsed music, originated from the mind of Cine El Rey co-owner Bert Guerra when he sat in on a few afterhours jam sessions in Las Vegas. He

was able to meet and perform with artists such as Prince, Earth Wind & Fire, Rick James, Steely Dan, Kenny Loggins, and Blue Man Group.

“Their improvisation music jams started at 12 midnight and didn’t stop until the morning hours,” the McAllen resident explained. “I was recharged musically, how I was accepted not just as a musician but as an artist looking to express myself musically and how open-minded people were with music and creating it live with no rehearsal.”

Tuesday Night Music Club started in the third week of February and the original goal was to invite different musicians to host the event. But according

to Guerra, the first rhythm section loved graphic design major at The University it so much they asked to come back the of Texas-Pan American, attended the following week. event for the first time last week. His inGuerra mentioned that participating tent was to distribute flyers for another musicians say it’s a great place for them event but he made his way to the stage to explore and create music from many later that night, helming a guitar. styles, which includes jazz, funk, and “It just happened. We were there Latin. They’ve also had notable artists talking about this art show and I saw play a part as well. that they were jamming out,” the senior “Elida Reyna y Avante and members graphic design major from McAllen from her band who have been nominat- said. “Isaac asked me to go up because ed in the Latin Grammys have stopped he knew I played instruments.” by on more than a Irigoyen, who few occasions,” he I was recharged musically, has played guisaid. “Other Gramtar on and off for my award-winning how I was accepted not just as a about 10 years, is and nominated muno stranger to cresicians have been musician but as an artist looking ating music on the musicians from fly.

(Grupo) Mazz, Ru- to express myself musically and “I used to be in ben Ramos, JenniThey Mean Us and fer Peña, and Little how open-minded people were we start off jamJoe.” with music and creating it live ming out and that’s Most of the muusually the process sicians have a pretty with no rehearsal. when we make good musical backoriginal music,” he ground and experinoted. ence in performing They Mean Us music live, accord- Bert Guerra is a McAllen-based ing to Guerra. band that encourCine El Rey co-owner “I think the one ages “free/progrescommon thread that most have had is sive thought through instrumental muthe open mind they have towards live sic,” according to the group’s MySpace music,” he said. “The ages have ranged profile. Irigoyen said performing imfrom 15-year-olds to 70-plus. It’s promptu at Tuesday Night Music Club amazing to see music evolve live from was pretty much the same even though musicians who have never met or per- he performed with a different set of formed together.” people that night.

As a testament to the spontaneity of “You just have to figure out what the event, Saul Irigoyen, a 25-year-old everyone’s about,” he explained. “You

“

get an idea of what could come out of it as far as what styles they like. They’re older so they like more classic stuff like classic rock and blues.”

Guerra said they plan to keep hosting Tuesday Night Music Club in the lobby of Cine El Rey. “Every Tuesday is special. The music you hear is live and perhaps never again the same way and that is what makes music improvisation so uniquely magical.”

Cine El Rey is located at 311 S. 17th St. in McAllen.

”

Alma Hernandez /The Pan American ON THE FLY- Isaac Guerra, owner of Cine El Rey, sings as part of the theater’s Tuesday Night Music Club, where musicians make up the music as they play along.

Alma Hernandez /The Pan American

NEW FANS - Viewers look on as local musicians perform improv at Cine El Rey in McAllen.

September 17, 2009

THE PAN AMERICAN

Page 11

STC professor celebrates ‘Banned Books Week’

By Isaac Garcia The Pan American WESLACO -- Every year the American Library Association observes Banned Books Week during the last week of September. Since 1982, the ALA has advocated that people not take the freedom to read for granted. For instructor Phyllis Evans and her exhibit, “Sealed For Your Own Protection,” BBW presents an interesting way to showcase her art.

Evans, chair of the visual arts and music department at South Texas College, worked for more than four months completing her collection of 30 books that have previously been banned, censored, burned, or put into question over their content.

“I got hardback copies of these books that had been banned or censored and I manipulated the books by rendering them shut with a type of wax called encaustic,” Evans said. “I painted the books shut with the exception of the front cover, which can still open, but you can’t turn any of the pages. I drilled a hole on the cover of each book then I placed the image of an oversize human eye on the front page of each book so that it appears to be peering out of the hole.”

The exhibit, which opened Sept.

9 at the Mid-Valley Campus on 400 N. Border Ave., is open to the public and meant to celebrate books and the right to read what one wishes. This is not Evans’ first exhibit; she previously showcased “Sealed For Your Own Protection” at the Pecan Campus last year.

This time, however, instead of being out

in the open, the books are embedded in the library stacks.

“Instead of having the books on display, I did it so that if I wanted to find a copy of ‘Brave New World’ then I would go to the stack where the book is supposed to be shelved and have it displayed in its actual location,” she said. “It kind of takes people by surprise because there is this great big eye looking at you as you walk on by. It will especially take people by surprise that are not aware of the exhibit and all of a sudden they see that they got caught by this big eye.”

The artist drew inspiration from the ancient painting medium that consists of beeswax and resin (encaustic), and the 2006 German film “The Lives of Others,” which takes place in East Germany in 1984. It explores the theme of control, illustrating a totalitarian government monitoring the lives of artists, musicians and writers. Dystopia is one of Evans’ favorite types of fiction.

“My favorite is dystopian fiction that ironically tends to be about manipulation, control and censorship. I’m a big fan of ‘1984,’ ‘Brave New World,’ and ‘Fahrenheit 451,’” Evans said. “One book that is very important to us and has a really long history of being banned is Darwin’s ‘Origin of the Species.’ Another is Thomas Paine’s ‘The Rise Of Man,’ which I find so ironic because it is supposed to be about human rights and then you have someone who is denying those rights, preventing you from reading

these books.”

Last year the ALA received 513 banned book challenges on works such as Khaled Hosseini’s “The Kite Runner” and Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson’s “And Tango Makes Three,” a children’s book about two same-sex penguins who adopt a young chick in New York’s Central Park Zoo. “A lot of these books were banned along time ago, but there is a list of books that come out every year that are challenged and questioned,” Evans explained. “The majority of the cases are going to be parents requesting that books be removed from reading lists; this happens all the time. Most of Tony Morrison’s books, because of sexual and racial issues, have been questioned.”

Usually, the process of book banning or questioning begins at home.

Parents often find reading curriculum assigned by teaches too risqué for children. According to the ALA, books are questioned for the best intentions, to protect children and almost always are questioned for the following reasons: material is “sexually explicit,” contains “offensive language” and is “unsuited to any age group.” These titles later go on review by the school board where, ultimately, their fate is decided by the school or public library.

Alma Hernandez/The Pan American SEALED SHUT - STC Professor Phyllis Evans drew inspiration from an ancient painting medium, encaustic, to bring her art to life during a four-month process.

To better explain the reason for “My project hasn’t received any questioning or banning, each book has negativity. The only criticism is that a library index card in it with a brief I’m actually making the book unreadhistory of its censorship, something that able by making it shut,” she said. “I’m some STC students sort of censoring like 20-year-old it myself. I kind SEALED FOR YOUR Daniela Tovar find of struggled with OWN PROTECTION very interesting. doing that and “I had heard felt tremendously On display Sept. 9 through Oct. 31 about the exhibit guilty - for some from a friend, but I people, books are STC library, Mid-Valley Campus wasn’t expecting it such sacred things to be so interactive,” and I felt a little 400 N. Border Ave., Weslaco said the sophomore wrong for sealing Public welcome nursing major. “It them shut.” really strikes a chord One drawwhen you pick up the book, see it and back of art being totally interactive like hold it, unlike just walking by and look- “Sealed For Your Own Protection” is ing at it.” that it can fall prey to theft and vandalAnd interaction and conversation are ism. Evans recently stated that vandalwhat Evans was hoping would come ism of her books has been reported, and from “Sealed For Your Own Protec- that the library planned on pulling them tion.” from the shelves and showcasing them “I had the same exhibit on display in in a safer location. the Pecan Campus Library last year and Despite book vandalism, Evans feels I received really interesting responses that her exhibit has done BBW justice. because people get very curious and it “Ideally when I was taking stukind of takes them back a bit,” she not- dents to the library, I got the reaction ed. “And I’ve heard that some people that I was looking for and that was carried the books to the front desks and the opening up of dialogue for First asked the librarian what was going on - Amendment rights and the value of I really liked that.” written word and having the freedom Evans said that the only criticism of expression,” she commented. “It reshe has received speaks ironically to ally started a lot of great conversations. exactly what the exhibit at- That was what I was really trying to tempts to illumi- do.” nate.

“Sealed For Your Own Protection” will run through Oct. 31.

Page 12

ARTS AND LIFE

September 17, 2009

Popular eatery serves up local favorites

By Nadia Tamez-Robledo The Pan American In El Pastor Restaurant, the gentle strumming of a guitar takes turns with a mariachi band playing on the stereo as patrons converse over cups of coffee served in hand-painted china cups.

At the front, a chef stirs the coals beneath several cabritos, a traditional Northeastern Mexican dish made of goat. This is not the eatery in Reynosa by the same name, but the new Valley location of a business that has been in owner Jesus Martinez’s family since the 1960s.

“When we were little kids, instead of staying home and playing, we were supposed to go to the restaurant and pick up the dishes from the tables,” Martinez said. “Sometimes the waiters got mad because we used to grab the tips.”

Martinez credits his father with teaching him everything he knows about managing a restaurant. He shared his father’s dream of one day bringing El Pastor, which means shepherd in English, to the United States.

“My father used to say that if we wanted something, we had to work for it,” said Martinez, who has been planning to establish a second El Pastor for 10 years. “He has been working since he was 6 years old. He doesn’t stop working

even though he’s retired because that’s the way he was brought up.”

Members of the Martinez family also own the restaurants El Jardine and La Pasta in Reynosa. The vision of branching off into the Valley came to fruition when El Pastor’s sister bistro opened its doors on Aug. 29 in McAllen.

“The restaurant business is a way of life,” he said. “That’s what many people don’t know because they go into the restaurant business and they just see the glamour when you are at the tables and everything’s working fine. I feel at home whenever I’m in the restaurant. Sometimes I work 15 or 20 hours, and I don’t feel it.”

El Pastor’s specialty is cabrito, which Martinez said was brought to Mexico by the Moors and Spaniards who colonized the country centuries ago and is traditionally prepared by grilling kid goat.

Chef Jose Estrada has 25 years of cooking experience, nine of which have been spent grilling cabrito for El Pastor in Reynosa.

“The secret [to good cabrito] is us, El Pastor,” he said. “It’s all in the spices we use. We are the best at making cabrito. We have no competition.”

Despite the 60-year-long tradition, Martinez said that he is always on the look out for new items to add to the menu whenever he travels.

“I always ask the main chef or the main waiter, ‘What is the specialty?’” he said. “They know what they sell the most. What I do is I grab a few recipes and I bring them here.”

Besides items like garlic grilled mushrooms and octopus, Martinez was inspired to include one of the seafood dishes during a trip to the city of León in the Mexican state of Guanajuato. Alongside more typical Mexican foods, the menu now boasts an entrée of salmon cooked over blue onions with soy sauce and honey.

George Gause, special collections librarian at UTPA, has been a fan of El Pastor in Reynosa since 1974 and has taken notice of the new additions.

“In Reynosa, they have slightly expanded the menu. Over in McAllen, the have done far more than that,” he said before recommending the octopus. “It’s delicious; it’s different.”

Gause has dined at the McAllen location five times so far and attended the grand opening celebration on Tuesday.

“It saves the drive over to Reynosa, fighting the bridge traffic, the tolls and so forth,” he said, adding that it is only a few minutes drive from his house.

He has taken notice of the differences between the sister grills, from the still-adjusting kitchen to the flavor

of domestically grown avocados for the guacamole.

“It takes a while to get the kinks out of a restaurant, so they were still playing with trying to bring over from Reynosa the same sabor,” Gause said.

“The first cabrito I had there was good, but it was a little dry. However, the cabrito I had there last night was delicious.”

Other Valleyites seem to agree. Martinez recalled that the first day El Pastor welcomed McAllen patrons, it was nearly full within three hours of opening.

Though he admits that he had a few worries about opening a restaurant in the current economic state, Martinez decided to approach the situation based on a piece of advice from his older brother.

“If you want to do something and you’re good at it, don’t go small, go big.

My father started small, so we’re on the next step,” he explained. “I try not to think about it because of course you get worried, but it’s not in our hands. I put all my plans and all my thoughts in God’s hands.”

Hispanic Heritage Month Featured Student Denise Priscila Ramirez Hometown - Monterrey Nuevo Leon Major - Communication Studies Broadcast Journalism Minor - Rehab Services Classification - Senior Age - 21 Club/Organization - President of Communication Club Job - Career Services, Student Career Advisor for COAS College.

Anyone interested in contributing photos, art, poems, or stories for Hispanic Heritage Month, please e-mail izek_el@yahoo.com or call (956) 381-2541.

Hector J. Garcia/The Pan American PROUD TO BE HISPANIC - Denise Priscila Ramirez feels that Diesiseis de Septiembre is a very important day for Mexicans in celebrating their culture and independence.

September 17, 2009

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Page 13

Dates to Know:

Page 14

SportsCommentary

It is a battle that has been raging for as long as anyone can remember: are males better than females? Are women smarter than men? In a move that can be called the social equivalent of an arms race, each side tries to out do the other, especially in sports.

Yet what happens when the lines are blurred?

With the advent of genetic testing for gender, the lines are not so clearly drawn out as one might hope. Take the recent case of 18 year-old South African track star Caster Semenya. She won gold in the 800 meters at the 2009 World Championship in Athletics with a time of 1:55.45 in the final, once again setting the fastest time of the year. It just so happens that she is a hermaphrodite, or as the condition is being called now, has “disorders of sexual development.” Which basically means that she has no ovaries or uterus, and has internal testes that produce large amounts of testosterone.

During pregnancy, the fetus of a male and female child share many of the same traits, and it is only when a hormone is produced that many of the traits that are deemed male or female start to take place.

In the case of Semenya, something went wrong during that time and she didn’t develop as a normal baby would.

To say that she is not female is not entirely incorrect, but at the same time not correct. A female is characterized as having two X chromosomes, while males have an X and a Y. At the same time, it can be argued that sexual identification is not merely based on genetics but can reflect social factors as well.

The result of all this can be very troubling. Talks are in order to set up a committee to decide whether or not to strip Semenya of her medals since she is not genetically female. This development is certainly not her fault, just the result of some genetic mishap, though having a female with large amounts of testosterone can be viewed as an unfair advantage, especially considering that a male with relatively the same problem (having large amounts of estrogen and low testosterone) would be seen as having a certain disadvantage when competing against other males with the proper amounts of testosterone.

The fallout of these talks have hit the proverbial fan as many South African civic leaders, commentators, politicians, and activists, including Nelson Mandela, have begun to decry the controversy, claiming it to be racist, and an affront to Semenya’s privacy and human rights.

Semenya, herself has accepted it with all the grace someone who has been thrown into this situation can. In the South African magazine “YOU” she was quoted as saying, “I see it all as a joke, it doesn’t upset me. God made me the way I am and I accept myself.”

Cross Country

South Dakota 7 p.m. Sept. 17 Vermilion, SD

UTSA Whataburger Invitational Sept. 18 San Antonio September 17, 2009

SPORTS

Toddy digs past the 1,000 mark

What makes a woman a woman, that is the question UTPA senior is

By Gregorio Garza The Pan American

Volleyball

a mere 295 digs away from breaking program record

By Sara Hernandez The Pan American Sept. 2 was a special day for Rebecca Toddy. The University of Texas-Pan American volleyball team libero came up with dig number 1,015 in her career. This placed her eighth in program history and only 372 digs from breaking the school record with more than half of the season remaining. Ironically, she has been able to amass such a fine statistical line without worrying about the numbers.

In fact, the psychology major senior from McAllen said that the achievement came somewhat unexpectedly; during the game against Texas A&M-Corpus

Christi she didn’t get a chance to celebrate because she was concentrating on each play.

“I had no idea until the day before, coach told me, ‘You need six more to break it,’” Toddy said. “I remember them cheering out loud; I didn’t even pay attention to it when they announced it because I was so focused on the game.”

That Tuesday, the Lady Broncs dropped a 3-2 decision against Corpus Christi.

After accomplishing her 1,000th dig, Toddy reflected, going back to her second year as a Lady Bronc, when circumstances forced her to gain maturity as libero. Over time, she says she had acquired the knowledge it takes to man that key position.

“Our first-team libero had gotten hurt my sophomore year and I was the next defensive player up, and they just threw me and I became the starter,” she recalled. “I had to step up right away.”

In volleyball, every team gets to select

a libero, a player specializing in defense possibility of holding a higher spot in that can only perform in the back row. the record books as the perfect finale Today, as one of two seniors in the to her collegiate career. Number two team (Noelle Mayon the all-time list is or is the other), I had no idea until the day Heather Bravo with Toddy tries to mo1,294 digs, while Jactivate her team- before, coach told me, ‘You need lyn Muszinski is first mates by example, with 1,387. Bravo demonstrating that six more to break it.’ I remember played from 2003 to every ball is worth 2006 and Muszinski them cheering out loud; I didn’t from 2000 to 2003. fighting for.

“I’m not much kind of a reeven pay attention to it when lief,“It’s of a spokesperson but it’s also kind motivator, but I they announced it because I was of sad… because volthink I’m more of leyball is what I’ve a leader by action; so focused on the game. been doing for more I play hard and they than half of my life, see me play hard, it’s been my life this some balls that whole time,” Toddy seem impossible to Rebecca Toddy said. “But that would get I still go after it 295 digs away from school record be very awesome beand I still dive,” she cause that would leave explained. “If my teammates can see that my name behind that was a great player. I’d I go after every ball, maybe that will in- be in the books for quite a while.” spire them and get them to want to play Currently, Toddy’s count stands at hard.”

1,092. The team’s record is 2-8 and the Although the McAllen Memorial ex next game is Sept. 17 in Vermillion, sees her last season with the program S.D., against the University of South with nostalgia, she also perceives the Dakota.

“

”

REBECCA TODDY Class: Senior Hometown: McAllen, TX High School: McAllen Memorial H.S. Height: 5-2 Position: Libero

Overall Individual Statistics (as of Sept. 16, 2009)

Hector J. Garcia/The Pan American

PULL TOGETHER - Rebecca Toddy is approaching the UTPA alltime record for most career digs. She currently has 1,092.

GP-MP-MS

|-------------ATTACK----------| K K/Game E TA Pct

36 10-1

1 0.03

1 15 .000

|-----SET-----| |-------SERVE-------| A A/Game SA SA/Gm SE

7

0.19

13 0.36

G

RE

|------DIG------| |------------BLOCKING-------------| DIG DIG/G BS BA TOTAL B/GAME BE

36

21

165

4.58

0

0

0

0.00

0

10

BHE

1

September 17, 2009

SPORTS

Lady Broncs bring home second volley win of season

By Sara Hernandez The Pan American The University of Texas-Pan American Volleyball team (2-8) finished strong at the McNeese Invitational, which took place Friday and Saturday at Lake Charles, La. The Lady Broncs defeated Prairie View A&M 3-0 after dropping matches against Louisiana-Lafayette and McNeese State.

“It ended well, we came home with a win, it was very exciting and something we needed,” head coach Angela Hubbard said. “Unfortunately we got some terrible calls, but I’m proud of them, they kept fighting from the beginning to the end.”

UTPA started the weekend giving tough competition to Lafayette. Although the Ragin’ Cajuns dominated the Lady Broncs 25-12 and 25-19 in the first two sets, UTPA came back in the third.

The team improved.045 and .030 hitting percentages to .333 in the third, controlled the match, 25-16.

In Game Four, the Lady Broncs rallied from eight down to tie it at 20, the Ragin’ Cajuns had a stronger finish and defeated UTPA 27-25.

The Lady Broncs started the second day with a clear-cut loss against McNeese State. UTPA struggled from the start and lost the first set 25-9. Despite played better later, the Lady Broncs suffered a 25-23 loss and then fell in the third set by 10.

Later that afternoon, UTPA accomplished its second win of the season. The Lady Broncs fought a close first set, and overcame the Panthers 25-23. The second game presented a similar situation, as the women fought from behind and recovered by the middle of the set.

Still, the Lady Broncs were more efficient in the second set, where they recorded a hitting percentage of .270 against .097 in the first.

But the best was yet to come. The team consistently stood two or three points behind Prairie View A&M during the third set, but equaled the score 17-17. The two teams maintained a locked game until the Lady Broncs prevailed 26-24.

Hubbard mentioned that although the Lady Broncs showed what they are capable of in this game, there are areas that the young team has to focus on in order to achieve its full potential.

“I think the team is going well, we’re starting to find a lot of what’s going to work best for us and (the players) will be able to find themselves in the court better,” she said. “We still have to work on getting used to each other, learn what each is capable of, and figure out how to play from the beginning to the end.”

The UTPA Volleyball team will start conference activity Thursday, up north to face the University of South Dakota, followed by a match against North Dakota Saturday.

Page 15

Slew of new events added to intramural calendar

By Benny Salinas The Pan American Freshman Adan Salinas isn’t afraid of intensity and a couple drops of sweat.

He’s a fierce competitor with a love for a good workout. But between school, homework, job-hunting and church activities, the 18-year-old mechanical engineering major has a hard time balancing responsibilities with his avid enthusiasm for sports.

“I need something that gives me an awesome workout and involves a lot of running, but that also doesn’t take up too much time,” he said.

The Wellness and Recreation Center has provided an answer for the growing number of students like Salinas: intramural sports.

“I signed up for racquetball because it’s an intense sport,” Salinas said. “It gives me a great workout and it’s a lot of fun.”

With a calendar full of events covering almost every game, from basketball to volleyball to soccer to table tennis, there is no shortage of opportunities for students to get competitive.

As the fall semester kicked off, so did the slate of games at the Rec, and there seems to be a real sense of enthusiasm from organizers of these events.

“Oh, it’s going to be a really fun semester,” said Cody Jennings, coordinator of intramural and club sports. “We’re doing a lot of things differently than we did them last year, and we’re trying out a few new things.”

“We’re definitely considering addThe changes this semester are subing some more sports to the roster but stantial enough to make note of.

“We decided that instead of two iden- it’s really up in the air,” Jennings said. tical basketball seasons - one in the fall Kickball has recently been added to the and one in the spring – we’d have just list of sports after some indecisiveness one long season, with a break in the regarding its fate.

Traditional sports aren’t the only ones middle for all-star week,” Jennings said.

“We also decided to extend the dodge offered by the organization. A miniature golf tournament will be held Oct. 29, ball season.”

Registration for the basketball season and the Armageddon Chess tournament ends on Nov. 5, and play begins Nov. 9, will take place Nov. 19. Registration for while play for dodge ball begins Sept. these events will take place on the day of competition.

21, with registraThe most obscure tion having already We decided that instead of of these sports days ended. A full list of registration dates two identical basketball seasons happened Sept. 10. A Rock-Paper-Scissor for each sport is - one in the fall and one in the tourney was held now available on the Wellness Cen- spring - we’d have just one as part of “Rock Da Rec,” a public event ter’s Web page.

This full list is long season, with a break in the held biennially to promote awareness part of a shift on middle for all-star week. for the Center. behalf of the \ Cen“That was a good ter to include more time. It gave people online participation the chance to come from players and the Cody Jennings Coordinator of intramural and in and just be goofy,” general public.

Jennings reported.

“Teams and indi- club sports “We gave away some viduals will now be able to register on the Wellness Center’s small prizes like a duffel bag and some Web page,” Jennings said. “Schedules, shirts.”

This semester’s sports and tournaplayer stats, and in-depth analysis for playments provide a good opportunity for ers will also be made available online.”

Additionally, the schedule of events, both athletes and the general public to including tournaments, is a fluid docu- have a good time.

“This is good way to get people toment, with sports being added as the need arises and events being moved pe- gether,” Jennings said. “We really want riodically due to weather or availability. people to just have a lot of fun.”

“

”

Page 16

OVER

September 17, 2009

SPORTS

AN

OCEAN, ACROSS TWO COUNTRIES

By Alvaro Balderas The Pan American Leaving home for four years and traveling halfway across the globe, knowing little to nothing about the destination or its intricacies, may sound a little daunting. How does one gather the courage and strength to convince oneself to make a decision that will undoubtedly shape a life?

For Kenya native Judith Chumba, opportunity and family helped her make that choice, and she ended up pursuing education and running track for The University of Texas Pan-American.

“Even though I applied to come over, the moment I found out that I was coming I didn’t know if I really wanted to come anymore,” said the freshman long distant runner. “I felt I was going to miss my family a lot knowing I wasn’t going to see them for a long time.”

Her family’s words of encouragement, although mixed with melancholy, gave her the confidence needed to leave on a positive note.

“My mom told me not to cry and that I was just coming here to study for four years,” Chumba recalled.

“She let me know they’d be praying and waiting for me. I was like, ‘Oh my God.’ My dad was like, ‘Go there and be yourself and always remember who you are. Remember people here are looking up to you and they’ll be here waiting for you.’”

Chumba, youngest of 11 in the family, fell in love with running at the age of five and began competing in races at 12. She continued to run regularly until reaching high school, where she stopped because of her school discouraged running.

“My school didn’t really encourage us to run and also for me high school brought changes. You can say I was getting a little bored of it. My mind was tired.”

After graduating Chumba again took up her passion

but this time missed a year of school because of tuition at a local university was too expensive. Determined to succeed, she applied for scholarships in the United States and received several responses but would end up choosing UTPA because it offered a full scholarship for nursing. She also figured the weather would be nice.

“I wanted to go to school on a scholarship but couldn’t get one so my friend suggested I apply for one in the United States and I did. I took my SAT’s along with many other people that were in the same process as me and was accepted by schools in California and here. I narrowed the schools based on what they offered and also because the name Texas sounded nice.”

The UTPA team was scheduled to open the season at the Texas A&M Cross Country Invitational last Saturday but the meet was canceled due t heavy rain. Instead the Broncs ran in the Brazos Valley Open after Hartman and a few other coaches scouted an area to hold the meet.

Chumba finished with a team-best time of 19:37 in the 5K, placing 14.

It’s been almost a month since Chumba arrived in the Valley and surprisingly, the difference between African and American food hasn’t been the issue.

“I like everything about the food. It’s very sugary.

Sometimes I don’t know what to pick because I don’t know what it is,” Chumba said jokingly, admitting that her favorites are pizza and waffles. “I think that’s my major problem.”

Another problem for Chumba has been working the laundry machines in the dorms, but teammate and friend Daphne Payton has been there to help, though she says she’s seen Chumba do some crazy things with clothes.

“As she was doing her laundry I was amazed when I saw her walk around with the laundry basket on her head with no hands,” said freshman psychology major Payton. “I’ve never had an African friend before and Judith has been really cool.”

Chumba’s dream is to achieve the highest level in education and get the best times possible in her meets.

When talking about accomplishments or achievements, Chumba says running and getting an education at the same time is an accomplishment already.

“I want to balance my education and running,” she noted. “I’m not that far from reaching my highest potential in running. With determination and a lot of work I think I can get there.”

Having few accounts of her pre-collegiate capabilities she’ll look to prove herself in this upcoming season for the Broncs.

UTPA men and women’s cross country coach Dave Hartman shares the same sentiment and is excited to have the Eldoret native on the team.

“Judith’s a strong-willed person. That type of person can really become successful,” he said. “I think she’s going to emerge as one of the better distance runners in the Great West Conference and hopefully an All-American down the line.”

J U D I T H

C H U M B A

Kevin Stich/The Pan American

‘Border Ball’ recounts Valley football history

By Kevin Stich The Pan American “Border Ball: The History of High School Football in the Rio Grande Valley” is probably the largest summation of local high school football information ever assimilated. Authoring the massive undertaking is Greg Selber, professor at the University of Texas-Pan American and adviser to The Pan American, a oneman football archive.

Two years in the works, the book is a 450-page compilation of Valley high school football from the years of Dan Barnhart (1934 Eagles), the first player from the region to ever play in the NFL, to the turn of the recent century. Stats, anecdotes, and the impact the sport has had are captured in the first book of what looks to be a two-book collection.

“The process was: gradually becoming aware of the fact that people down here love their sports. Particularly football,” Selber said. “When I first moved here, the first thing I did was I sat down with the archives and record books at the Valley Morning Star newspaper, and I just started reading old newspaper clippings.

Then I started categorizing and making lists, and trying to put together who was good and what year, by team, by player.”

The focus of the book is on the 1950s to the 1970s, or what the author calls the Valley’s “Golden Era.” Having covered sports for various radio/TV outlets, the Valley Morning Star and the Edinburg Review, Selber has trekked the Valley, listening and learning, amassing information.

“Everywhere I went people would be talking about the old days. ‘You remember old Bobby Lackey from Weslaco?’” he said, mimicking conversations that he’s no doubt had numerous times.

He’s a self-trumpeted throwback – the only thing he won’t understate – and might have been at home in a different era. His personal experience goes back to 1989 when he moved to the RGV as a sports writer, but his knowledge of Valley sports spans decades.

He left the area in 1995 to earn a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin, but returned six years later with what he amusingly calls “big-shot” degrees.

“I didn’t really think that I would have much to do with sports when I moved back to the Valley. I thought I would be an egghead like the rest of the professors,” said Selber, who still writes about high school football during season. “That’s why this whole thing is kind of ironic, because I still had that vast breadth of learning and knowledge about the area’s high school sports, but I really wasn’t planning to put it into play.”

The book is a culmination of a career spent paying attention to detail. In “Border Ball,” He shares the mileage he has acquired during a career in sports journalism.

The book was available for pre-order in early September, and is expected to arrive on Barnes & Noble bookshelves soon.

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