Election results
Hidalgo County voter turnout
Pages 4-5
Volume 71,No.11 No. 11 Volume 71,
November 6, 6, 2014 Novemeber 2014
UTRGV Vaqueros
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New university mascot, colors fiercely debated
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By Marco Torres The Pan American For the first time in UTPA history the Western Athletic Conference cross country championships was hosted by the Broncs at Palm View Golf Course in McAllen Nov. 1. UTPA finished in sixth place out of eight in both the men’s and women’s cross country run. According to Assistant Coach Rob Hansen, having the competition in McAllen was an advantage for the team. They were able to sleep in their own beds and were allowed to run the golf course throughout the week leading up to the conference championships and get a feel for the trail. “We ran OK,” Hansen said. “It wasn’t our best day, but it wasn’t our worst day. It is awesome to be at home and compete here in the Rio Grande Valley. We beat a couple of teams that were ranked be-
hind so I am excited about that.” MEN’S Junior Jose Juan Wells led the Broncs in the men’s 8K run, finished in 14th place out of 55, recorded a time of 25:51 and landed a spot on the All-WAC Second Team. “This was my first WAC race and I feel like there is more competition here and more room for improvement,” the Cottonwood, Ariz., native said. “Next year, I will mainly focus on getting my endurance up.” According to Hansen, the men’s race started off fast, allowing the runners to stay aggressive which helped Wells earn a top finish. “It is always nice to have someone earn an all-conference team,” Hansen said. “I think (Wells) was real strong, stayed consistent throughout the race and represent-
ed the University well.” Coming behind Wells was Luis Serrano, a former Edinburg North runner, who finished in 27th place with a time of 26:41. Other notable finishes from the men were North alums Leo Dominguez and Rick Montero. Dominguez finished in 32nd and Montero in 45th. Wells finished almost a minute behind the winner from New Mexico State, Daniel Rubio, who ran the course in 24:56. The Broncs ended the day with 150 points in the men’s 8K run. The team fell 113 points behind the Utah Valley Wolverines who were able to win their second straight championship with 37 points.
Guy Bailey, inaugural president of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, announced his recommendation for the institution’s mascot Nov 5: the “Vaquero.” In addition he recommended the new university’s colors be orange, blue and green - a combination of colors from UTPA and the University of Texas at Brownsville that will merge in fall 2015. At the University of Texas System Board of Regents meeting held in El Paso, Bailey said his reason for choosing the mascot was to honor the culture of the region. According to the Texas State Historical Association, vaqueros are cowboys of the Spanish colonial period and 19th century Mexico with
However, some students and alumni did not feel as enthusiastic about the recommendations. According to a survey on valleycentral. com, 72 percent of more than 2,000 voters do not approve of the vaquero as the UTRGV mascot as of Wednesday night. UTPA alumna Jessica Gonzalez said the choice was “embarrassing.” “They ruined the legacy of UTPA and settled for a (stereotypical) sounding name,” said Gonzalez, who graduated from UTPA with a bachelor’s degree in 2003 and a master’s degree in 2006. For some students such as Gonzalez, they found the mascot offensive because it might create the wrong image for the new university. According to Cowboys of the Americas by Richard W. Slatta, a professor
In the end, I truly believe it was imperative to recommend something that is authentic to the Rio Grande Valley, represents the spirit of South Texas, and can be embraced by the entire region.
- Guy Bailey UTRGV president
roots in South Texas. “In the end, I truly believe it was imperative to recommend something that is authentic to the Rio Grande Valley, represents the spirit of South Texas and can be embraced by the entire region,” Bailey said.
of history at North Carolina State University, a racist and stereotypical characterization of a vaquero is someone who is “generally a peon” and seen “as a lazy, shiftless and unreliable...vagabond.” Anthony Marquez, a UTPA
CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
November 6, 2014
opinion
The Pan American
REACTIONS TO THE #UTRGV MASCOT
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Well shit, I thought Vaqueros suited our heritage and the history of the RGV rather well. I guess kids don’t care for that anymore. #UTRGV -@exayveear #UTRGV Starbucks will be replaced by aguas frescas -@torrescristal91
Worked so hard to lose the “Taco Tech” Choosing the vaquero as the UTRGV masstigma and then “Vaqueros” happened. cot is as bad as choosing the ocelot or the bronc. #UTRGV #UTRGV -@MeliEmeLamas -@hinojosa_david Of those, most (21 percent) favored Phoe- Save a horse, add a cowboy ! #UTRGV nix. Vaqueros was runner up with 14 per-@erierigaytan cent. #UTRGV #RGV -@fischlerRGV I’m gonna go against the grain here. I dig the new mascot, doesn’t it compliment the Tbh, with #UTRGV’s announcement of demographic of the RGV? Be positive yall Vaqueros as the mascot, I’m not too sure #UTRGV -@TheMichaelFasci if I wanna look into it for grad school anymore. -@RadiantDee_ Everyone is hating the mascot just like they hated the school name? What do you want?! All I know is people on Twitter don’t know #UTRGV -@Billie_Fiji the difference between a mariachi and a vaquero. #utrgv #rgv -@dlrpablo #UTRGV just gave me an even better reason to convince my mom that staying in the ValIf you’re seriously going to transfer beley for college isn’t a good idea cause a mascot, that’s sad. You all should -@dinaaperez be caring about tuition and education. Our new university mascot will be the Va#justsaying #UTRGV -@kat_brough quero (probably). I can dig it. #utrgv Anyone else offended by the possible -@texastoasther “Vaqueros” mascot? I mean like, why is it even an option? #SaveBucky Why would I, as a future FEMALE student of the new #UTRGV school, want a mas#UTRGV -@smurfykins3 cot that’s stereotypical and associated with MALES? #Vaqueros -@vicTORIa_wonk_i
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Vol. 71, No. 11
Is it possible for @Whataburger to be the new #UTRGV mascot? -@AAALLY nice abundance of racism today in the #UTRGV tag -@daddysnatcher Your grandmothers would be ashamed of you with all that hate #UTRGV -@_callmecriss
news
November 6, 2014
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 graduate student, somewhat agreed with Gonzalez. He’s unsure of how the colors will look together and while he’s not particularly fond of the mascot, he doesn’t think it’s embarrassing. “(It’s) not as horrible as people are making it out to be,” said Marquez, who is working toward a Master of Science in mechanical engineering. “I do think it’s bad, but as far as representing our region and its history, it does its job I suppose.” According to results from the most recent survey, the Phoenix, a creature from Greek mythology that is continually reborn, was the mascot with the most votes, garnering 21 percent on 2,195 votes. Vaqueros received 14 percent of the votes with 1,433. However, the option that received the most votes was “none of the above” with 45 percent of the votes at 4,689. UTPA alumnus Joel Garcia was fine with the option Bailey selected but could see why there might be backlash regarding the choice. “I can understand the reaction in the circumstances,” said
Garcia, who received a bachelor’s degree in 1993 and is now a graduate student at UTPA. “You have Bucky supporters, people not liking the ‘stereotype.’” In August 10 options for the UTRGV mascot were revealed and neither UTPA’s Bronc nor UTB’s Ocelot made the list. In
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ports Bailey’s choice. “We will always honor the legacies of the past,” Adame said in a UT System press release. “Our history is important and it will not be forgotten. I think the Vaqueros is a perfect choice that represents South Texas and honors our
They ruined the legacy of UTPA and settled for a (stereotypical) sounding name. - Jessica Gonzalez UTPA alumna
response, UTPA alumnus Alex del Barrio created a petition to save Bucky the Bronc. The petition has gained 3,741 supporters. Now the 2008 graduate has created a petition protesting the Vaquero as the UTRGV mascot. As of Wednesday night the petition had 1,650 supporters. Backlash aside, UTPA Student Government Association President Alberto Adame sup-
past and the region’s impact on the state.” The UT System’s Board of Regents Academic Affairs Committee approved Bailey’s recommendations yesterday and the full board will vote on the issue today. The UT System press release stated that the “next steps include designing logos and the look for the Vaqueros.” Itzel Lopez/ The Pan American
UTPA receives national recognition University ranks fourth in bachelor’s degrees awarded to Hispanics By Louay Bachnak The Pan American Last month UTPA was ranked fourth in the number of bachelor’s degrees issued to Hispanics nationwide for the second consecutive year. The University also ranked sixth in the number of graduate degrees awarded in all majors to Hispanic students, according to an annual report published by Diverse Issues in Higher Education. The magazine’s list of the top 100 degree producers showcases U.S. private and public colleges and universities that award the most degrees to African-American, Hispanic, Asian-American and Native American students. In determining the rankings, Diverse uses the most recent enrollment data from the U.S. Department of Education as submitted annually by each institution. UTPA ranked fourth in the All Disciplines Combined category with 2,446 undergraduate degrees awarded to Hispanics, compared to the 2,228 undergraduate degrees awarded in the 2011-2012 academic year. Evelyn Garcia, a freshman biology major, said she was pleased with UTPA’s achieve-
ment and believes the rankings will improve the way UTPA students see their school. “(This ranking) shows that the University is supporting and helping lots of Hispanics and others achieve their dreams,” the Rio Grande City native said. “The ranks prove that the University has a good quality of education and committed to help its students reach their dreams.” Additionally, UTPA ranked first in the number of Hispanicearned degrees in health professions and related programs, second in English language and literature/letters and third in biological and biomedical sciences. The increase of graduates in these majors compared to the previous academic year is 30 percent, 12 percent and 10 percent, respectively. According to UTPA President Havidán Rodríguez, these rankings reflect the University’s continued commitment to assisting students. “The rankings represent the University’s commitment to promoting excellence in
everything that we do and in particular, in recruiting, retaining, serving and graduating Latino/a students,” Rodríguez said in a UTPA press release. UTPA ranked fourth in the fields of communication disorders sciences and services, homeland security, law enforcement, firefighting and related protective services, mathematics and statistics and multi/interdisciplinary studies. UTPA ranked fifth in psychology and sixth in
parks, recreation, leisure and fitness studies. In regards to Hispanics the University of Texas at San Antonio ranked first in architecture and related services. The University of Texas at El Paso ranked first in education and in mathematics and statistics while UTPA ranked fourth in mathematics and statistics. Texas A&M-Kingsville ranked first in multi/interdisciplinary studies while UTPA ranked fourth.
Eric Ramirez, a freshman applied music major, said that these rankings not only positively affect the student body but the University’s reputation as well. “(This) shows that we are doing well in awarding degrees to Hispanic students and that is good because the University is located in a region where the majority of its population are Hispanics,” Ramirez said. “It means that we are doing great, unlike how some people assume that (the Rio Grande) Valley is low, we are doing a good job being fourth in the nation.” UTPA was ranked seventh in accounting and related services, public administration and social services professions. For undergraduate degrees, the University ranked eighth in engineering and foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics. Once UTPA and the University of Texas at Brownsville merge to be-
come the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in fall 2015, the new university will have an increased student population. Garcia said that the Diverse Issues in Higher Education rankings will help the new institution amass more enrollment. “Being ranked fourth for the second year puts the University in a good position because it may influence other students to come here,” the biology major said. The University also ranked number one in awarding master’s degrees to Hispanics in the fields of allied health diagnostics, mathematics and statistics, intervention and treatment professions and rehabilitation and therapeutic professions. Ramirez is proud of the current rankings and said that UTRGV can improve them by offering more aid to students. “This ranking was not only made possible by the University, but also the students and the professors,” the San Benito native said. “One way we can increase the ranking is by offering more labs, more handson experiences and more tutoring assistance.”
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November 6, 2014
THE PAN AMERICAN
November 6, 2014
THE PAN AMERICAN
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RGV counties generate increased voter turnout By Melinda Garza and Andrew Vera The Pan American
According to Odessa.edu, Texas has been known for its low voter turnout, ranking 42nd to 45th in presidential and congressional elections from 1976 to 1994. But for Hidalgo County the 2014 midterm elections proved otherwise. While Texas saw a decrease in registered voter turnout from 38 percent in 2010 to 33 percent in 2014, Hidalgo County showed an increase from 17.48 percent to 18.61 percent. The jump occurred days before ballots were cast. In 2006 Hidalgo County had 1,780 people cast their ballot on the first day of early voting. In 2010 that number increased to 6,874 and in 2014 it rose to 9,930, more than five times the rate eight years before. UTPA alumnus Ruben Garza said the Rio Grande
Valley is an important community in Texas when it comes to politics. He said young voters’ eagerness to cast ballots played a role in increased voter turnout. “There’s been a sort of consciousness-raising with regards to voting in our community. I think a lot of people are talking about voting,” said Garza, the regional field organizer for UTPA’s Texas Freedom Network, an organization that works to engage students across the state by organizing and advocating for social change. “Through my work with millennials... though they tend to have a bad rap with civic engagement, that’s starting to change faster than people expect.” The Texas Tribune reported that turnout has increased in regions that lean toward the Democratic Party. Hidalgo and Cameron are among the counties in the RGV where voter turnout rates are increasing. Although
more than 1.7 million Texans cast their vote for Abbott, Valley counties like Hidalgo and Cameron supported Democrat Wendy Davis. Sixty-four percent of votes in Hidalgo County and 56 percent in Cameron County went to Davis Tuesday. On Nov. 4 Abbott won the governor spot over Davis. According to the Associated Press, Abbott got 59.27 percent of the votes while Davis received 38.92 percent and Republican nominee Dan Patrick won the election for lieutenant governor against Democrat Leticia Van de Putte. President of TFN Veronica Higareda believes one of the factors that affects voter turnout in the Valley is young age and the liberal mindset of voters. “People from the ages of 18 to 30 are more progressive on a lot of issues and that makes young people want to go out (and vote) more,” the junior philosophy major said. “The
legislation we have, not only statewide but nationwide, they aren’t really the beliefs that we have. We want to put our beliefs in place in legislation.” Higareda said issues like immigration and abortion rights have hit close to home this year and could be responsible for the eagerness of young voters to cast their ballot. Senate Bill 5, a law that added greater restrictions to abortion access, debuted in June 2013. After 11 hours of filibustering against it State Sen. Davis, D-Fort Worth, lost her fight and McAllen’s only abortion clinic, Whole Woman’s Health, closed along with 12 other clinics statewide. “With the closing of the (abortion) clinics in the Valley, that affected a lot of people in the community and it just stirs us up more and makes us actually want to go out and create a change,” Higareda said. “It’s not only the age factor and the progres-
sive mindset that most of us have...like a lot of immigration issues, and it’s just affecting us so much that we can’t keep quiet anymore.” The 2015 merger of UTPA and the University of Texas at Brownsville to form the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley shows the area has grown, according to Garza. He said the future of the both universities as well as the medical school will continue to encourage voters to hit the polls. “There is a lot of rhetoric coming out of UT System saying that UTRGV (will be) this community-oriented, community-focused institution,” Garza said. “If they are true to their word about engaging students through community learning, then I think...that sense of hope and some kind of accomplishment or some kind of future to look forward to, that will encourage more voter turnout.”
The Valley has also seen an influx of candidates campaigning. Abbott made multiple visits to the region including a recent visit with actor Chuck Norris Oct. 31. Davis also made her presence known in the RGV by opening a campaign office in McAllen this May. Sept. 19 marked the initial gubernatorial debate between Abbott and Davis, but it was also the first time an event like this took place in the Valley. Higareda said the increased presence of both candidates in the border region promoted greater voter turnout and shows the changes in the region. “The Valley is going to grow so much more,” 20-yearold Higareda said. “Not only economically but educationwise with the merger with UTRGV, and that of course is going to create more education, more access to different things, and that is going to open more possibilities.”
*Sources: Texas Monthly Hidalgo County Elections Department
Graphic by Francisco Rodriguez/ The Pan American
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November 6, 2014
THE PAN AMERICAN
November 6, 2014
THE PAN AMERICAN
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RGV counties generate increased voter turnout By Melinda Garza and Andrew Vera The Pan American
According to Odessa.edu, Texas has been known for its low voter turnout, ranking 42nd to 45th in presidential and congressional elections from 1976 to 1994. But for Hidalgo County the 2014 midterm elections proved otherwise. While Texas saw a decrease in registered voter turnout from 38 percent in 2010 to 33 percent in 2014, Hidalgo County showed an increase from 17.48 percent to 18.61 percent. The jump occurred days before ballots were cast. In 2006 Hidalgo County had 1,780 people cast their ballot on the first day of early voting. In 2010 that number increased to 6,874 and in 2014 it rose to 9,930, more than five times the rate eight years before. UTPA alumnus Ruben Garza said the Rio Grande
Valley is an important community in Texas when it comes to politics. He said young voters’ eagerness to cast ballots played a role in increased voter turnout. “There’s been a sort of consciousness-raising with regards to voting in our community. I think a lot of people are talking about voting,” said Garza, the regional field organizer for UTPA’s Texas Freedom Network, an organization that works to engage students across the state by organizing and advocating for social change. “Through my work with millennials... though they tend to have a bad rap with civic engagement, that’s starting to change faster than people expect.” The Texas Tribune reported that turnout has increased in regions that lean toward the Democratic Party. Hidalgo and Cameron are among the counties in the RGV where voter turnout rates are increasing. Although
more than 1.7 million Texans cast their vote for Abbott, Valley counties like Hidalgo and Cameron supported Democrat Wendy Davis. Sixty-four percent of votes in Hidalgo County and 56 percent in Cameron County went to Davis Tuesday. On Nov. 4 Abbott won the governor spot over Davis. According to the Associated Press, Abbott got 59.27 percent of the votes while Davis received 38.92 percent and Republican nominee Dan Patrick won the election for lieutenant governor against Democrat Leticia Van de Putte. President of TFN Veronica Higareda believes one of the factors that affects voter turnout in the Valley is young age and the liberal mindset of voters. “People from the ages of 18 to 30 are more progressive on a lot of issues and that makes young people want to go out (and vote) more,” the junior philosophy major said. “The
legislation we have, not only statewide but nationwide, they aren’t really the beliefs that we have. We want to put our beliefs in place in legislation.” Higareda said issues like immigration and abortion rights have hit close to home this year and could be responsible for the eagerness of young voters to cast their ballot. Senate Bill 5, a law that added greater restrictions to abortion access, debuted in June 2013. After 11 hours of filibustering against it State Sen. Davis, D-Fort Worth, lost her fight and McAllen’s only abortion clinic, Whole Woman’s Health, closed along with 12 other clinics statewide. “With the closing of the (abortion) clinics in the Valley, that affected a lot of people in the community and it just stirs us up more and makes us actually want to go out and create a change,” Higareda said. “It’s not only the age factor and the progres-
sive mindset that most of us have...like a lot of immigration issues, and it’s just affecting us so much that we can’t keep quiet anymore.” The 2015 merger of UTPA and the University of Texas at Brownsville to form the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley shows the area has grown, according to Garza. He said the future of the both universities as well as the medical school will continue to encourage voters to hit the polls. “There is a lot of rhetoric coming out of UT System saying that UTRGV (will be) this community-oriented, community-focused institution,” Garza said. “If they are true to their word about engaging students through community learning, then I think...that sense of hope and some kind of accomplishment or some kind of future to look forward to, that will encourage more voter turnout.”
The Valley has also seen an influx of candidates campaigning. Abbott made multiple visits to the region including a recent visit with actor Chuck Norris Oct. 31. Davis also made her presence known in the RGV by opening a campaign office in McAllen this May. Sept. 19 marked the initial gubernatorial debate between Abbott and Davis, but it was also the first time an event like this took place in the Valley. Higareda said the increased presence of both candidates in the border region promoted greater voter turnout and shows the changes in the region. “The Valley is going to grow so much more,” 20-yearold Higareda said. “Not only economically but educationwise with the merger with UTRGV, and that of course is going to create more education, more access to different things, and that is going to open more possibilities.”
*Sources: Texas Monthly Hidalgo County Elections Department
Graphic by Francisco Rodriguez/ The Pan American
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arts & life
November 6, 2014
UTPA art community wishes to spread out Story by Nerio Celaya Photos by Jon Nutt The Pan American With an official address of 2412 S. Closner Blvd. and no spot on the campus map, it’s clear why most students are unfamiliar with the University’s Visual Arts Building. Art students feel the distance is both a blessing and a curse. While art majors are granted the freedom to adorn the building with their work they are not given an audience to appreciate the pieces because the place is off the beaten path. The 67,000-square foot building sits on almost six acres and was a Wal-Mart before it was bought by UTPA in 2000. It became a part of campus with the help of the Meadows Foundation, a private philanthropic institution created in 1948 by Algur H. Meadows and his wife Virginia. The building became the UTPA Annex, which houses public service programs such as the Southwest Border Nonprofit Resource Center and the Minority Business Opportunity Center. It was renamed the Visual Arts Building and the Art Department moved in April 30, 2013. The building’s former aisles and offices were exchanged for classrooms holding easels, pottery equipment and welding materials. Unfinished pieces of art can be seen drying outside as well as other welding projects waiting to be assembled. The interior is adorned wall to wall and ceiling to floor with art from both students and faculty. Every hall is a new gallery featuring different styles, media and themes. The benches lining the halls are hand-crafted pieces of art as well. “A lot of us gather inspiration from other pieces of work. It’s motivational as well just to see everyone’s pieces and it also adds something different to the building,” said Angelica Cantu, a junior majoring in art education. “It’s just really beautiful to see everyone’s work and getting a feel for each of their styles and mediums.” Another aspect of the building that art students like Cantu embrace is the six-and-a-half-mile distance from the main campus. She said although it can be inconvenient, often making students without a car work their class days around a bus schedule, she feels the distance is another characteristic that makes the department
stand out as a whole. “Sometimes it gets annoying just because I don’t have a car so I have to take the bus and get used to the bus schedule,” the 20-year-old said. “But other than that...I really like it.” According to Megan Rae Gonzalez, a graphic design major, the students and faculty love their building and its facilities, but feel it lacks the audience to showcase their work to. “That’s what every artist wants, we want to be known out there,” the junior said. “That’s going to be our career, we have to get out our artwork for people to see. So if we’re just in our own little space, not much is going to happen. We need to put our work out there to show it.” Looking for ways to publicize his students’ work Ramon Fierro Barela, an adjunct professor of art, strives to reach out to the main campus to spread work for others to appreciate. “I think it would be interesting to have more of a space to actually show some of the student’s work, maybe even have an area with large TVs, where say like students or any professor can photograph and then display their work,” Barela said. “So it’s a constant change of artwork being shown. Just because we want to honor the student and I think that’s a really important part to show the student’s work so they can see it in a professional setting.” The UTPA alumnus said the faculty are allowed to display their work only in the glass case of the Charles and Dorothy Clark gallery in the Arts and Humanities building and the Visual Arts building. He is troubled by the small number of people who take the time to appreciate the works. “I think it would be interesting to have more of the work of professors displayed even outside of the galleries because they tend to be isolated,” Barela said. “We’ve got two main galleries: one over in Arts and Humanities and one over here in the Art Annex, but how many students actually walk through the gallery?” The past showcase “Art Faculty Exhibit” was on display this past summer and brought a total of 300 people while on display. The building’s glass gallery is currently housing the annual Coalition Against Violence
and Exploitation showcase. The project is aimed at identifying and eradicating conditions that perpetuate violence against women, children and men. So far the exhibit has brought in about an average of 20 people a day in the times that it is open according to Laura SanchezMartinez, a general studies major who volunteers her time to operate the gallery. The ARHU has two more exhibits planned for this fall semester that consist of work from students receiving their Bachelor in Fine Arts for Graphic Design called “BFA Graphic Design,” which will open Nov. 17. The other exhibit will feature the Texas Sculpture Group unveiling their work called “Due South Reloaded.” Barela went on to say that even if the ARHU is being utilized to display an artist’s work not many students walk through and catch a glimpse or appreciate what is on display. “It’s very limited and it’s like taking the art onto the streets,” Barela said. “We’ve got to get it out onto campus, so maybe some of the work could be displayed and spread out or dispersed throughout the campus so students can go, ‘Whoa, look at that,’ and they start seeing more diverse work out on display and you can start seeing what the Art Department is actually doing.” Overall the art students love the building and show it through their art, drawing inspiration from the surrounding Rio Grande Valley, Cantu said. “I really like it because I feel like there is a lot of room for everyone. Everything is really just chill, it’s like we have our own piece of campus,” she explained. “The art alone is so indicative and symbolic of the Valley with the bold lines and equally bold colors it just represents us as South Texas, you can’t help but be proud at being part of that.” The Charles and Dorothy Clark gallery in the ARHU will be open this semester on Mondays: 4 p.m.-8 p.m., Tuesdays: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Wednesdays: 4 p.m.-8 p.m., Thursdays: 5 p.m.-7 p.m. and Fridays: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. See the full photo gallery at thepanamericanonline.com
The Art Gallery at UTPA’s Visual Arts Building being prepared to display pieces of art depicting violence in Mexico.
A bronze sculpture of a woman found in the main hallway of UTPA’s Visual Arts Building. Many of the hallways there are decorated with works made by both students and professors.
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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 WOMEN’S In the women’s 5K competition, Los Fresnos High School alumna Jennifer Zapata finished in 17th place out of 63 runners and posted a time of 18:40. Following her was Mercedes High School alumna Teresa Sova, who finished in 33rd place with a time of 19:35. Edinburg High alumna Rebekah Rodriguez earned a 40th-place finish and recorded a time of 20:02. “The women’s race started off real fast,” Hansen said. “The first 800 meters is a bit downhill, then it turns into a bit of a rollercoaster after that. But the girls went in strong. I thought a little too strong and it might have caught us a little bit during the race.” As a team the women ended in sixth place, scoring 168 total points, which was 125 points behind first place Seattle University. Missouri-Kansas City senior Courtney Frerichs won with a time of 16:52. Head Coach Xavier Richardson said it was a great privilege to host the conference championship because it gave the other schools the opportunity to see the University and some things the area has to offer.
Although the event didn’t have the results Richardson had hoped for he said the team has room to grow and become better. “We certainly compete in a talented region that history has had some fantastic performances in past regional meets,” Richardson said. “We’re a young group no doubt, but we won’t make excuses and we want to compete at our best when we arrive back in Fayetteville next week.” The Broncs return back to as they travel to Fayetteville, Ark. to compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Central Regionals Nov. 1. The team will have a chance to move on and qualify for the NCAA South Central Regional meet. “Certainly the day after the conference race our thoughts and preparation moved towards the Central Regional meet,” Richardson said. “We want to make a much better showing at that competition so getting ready to do so is paramount.”
By Kristela Garza The Pan American The men’s basketball team is heading toward its second year in the Western Athletic Conference. Last year’s team faced a tough season and ended with a 9-23 record, taking home five wins out of 11 WAC games. However, Head Coach Dan Hipsher insists that last year is behind them and he looks forward to a new season. “In a lot of ways last year, even though we lost games, we probably played to our potential,” Hipsher said. “That is all I want this team to become, to get to that high level of potential. Hopefully (our potential) is winning now rather than just being involved in games.” Looking to leave last season in the past, the entire Bronc roster has been revamped. The 15-man list is filled with new faces and only two returning players from last season including Shaquille Boga, a 5-foot-11 senior who scored 435 points last season, averaging 14 points per game for the Broncs with 107 rebounds. Also returning is power forward Shaquille Hines, who averaged 12.8 points per
game with 6.8 rebounds and 47 assists last season. “I am excited there are whole new faces and a whole new energy,” said Boga, who is from Missouri. “(We have) guys who are taking advantage of the opportunity, that are coming in here ready to work while pushing each other every day. We are just going to keep getting better.” As one of two returning players, Boga feels the team is set to do well in the new conference season. He feels the team is ready to accumulate wins and play to its maximum potential this season with Hipsher leading the way. “All the guys are starting to learn the strengths of one another,” Hipsher said. “But your teammates have to know those strengths too and put you in situations so that you can be successful. So that is slowly evolving, but it is a process.” As one of the new team additions Dan Kimasa agrees with Boga and feels that building a winning team will take time. The Rwanda native is a former top 20 player out of the state of Florida. He is looking to win games and push the Broncs to a
new level this season. “We are working really hard to make sure we are ready,” the 6-foot-9 forward said. “We are all for the same goal so we try to execute as good as we possibly can. This is my first NCAA season so I am a little nervous. It is a big stage but I am ready to play anybody as long as we are doing our part. We will be ready.” As the team builds chemistry they are preparing for a season that starts with a home exhibition game against Texas A&M International University Nov. 8. Afterward the Broncs prepare for the regular season opening against Wayland Baptist University Nov. 14 at the Field House. According to Hipsher, this year’s new additions to the roster are going to make some things easier for the Broncs. Last year’s team lacked height Hipsher said, causing disadvantages against much taller teams such as New Mexico State University, who had a 7-foot-6 athlete. However, this year the addition of 11 players 6-foot-4 or taller should remedy the “lane” issues. What this means is that the team will now have better cover-
age and defense in the 12-footwide area extending from the free-throw line to the basket, making it more difficult for teams to score against the Broncs. “That kind of length presents problems now in the lanes that weren’t there last year,” said Hipsher, who is entering his second season with the Broncs. “It gives us a chance offensively and defensively to compete in the lane and that should help us a lot. More length defensively makes it harder for teams to play over and around us.” With players like Boga, Hines and Kimasa as well as other notable roster additions the Broncs are rearing to go and Hipsher is looking to take his new team to a winning season. “We have a lot of new faces, a lot of good energy and a good group of kids,” Hipsher said. “Sure we have to clean some things up, toughen some things up, but it is nice to have more size speed and athleticism. We have gone through the teaching and we continue to teach, but we are now combining that with preparing to play other teams.”