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PEPPERDINE GRAPHIC MEDIA
Volume XLIII, Issue 10 | November 17, 2011 | pepperdine-graphic.com »On stands NEXT WEEK!
INDEX DPS Reports..A2 Calendar........A2 Editorial..........A8 Horoscopes....B2 Sports............B10
FORMER PROF ARRESTED Currently faces kidnapping and assault charges By SONYA SINGH ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Facing two felony charges, former Pepperdine faculty member Dr. Andrei Duta appeared in court yesterday for a preliminary hearing. Charged with kidnapping and assault with a deadly weapon, Duta pled not guilty prior to his appearance at the West District Airport Courthouse in Los Angeles. The charges date back to June 24, when at 1:47 a.m., the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) responded
to a 911 call from the victim, a woman, regarding an incident of domestic violence, according to an SMPD report. Duta’s involvement with Pepperdine began in 2007 when he was hired initially by the Business Division of Seaver College. Since that time, he has also held a position in the Palmer Center at the School of Law and served as a volunteer assistant cross-country coach. Duta, 38, has also been actively involved with aiding orphanages in his native Romania, including organizing mission trips for Pepperdine students.
At Wednesday’s hearing, Detective Duane Hicks, an 18-year veteran of the SMPD, took the stand. According to Hicks’ testimony, the victim, also a Pepperdine employee, reported that she and the suspect, Duta, became tangled in an increasingly heated verbal argument around 8 p.m. on June 23. The victim then left the apartment and returned about 10 minutes later at Duta’s request. According to Hicks, Duta was playing chess on a laptop computer and did not acknowledge the victim when she returned. Allegedly, she then threw the
Men’s basketball, 2-0
laptop on the ground and asserted that the two needed to talk. The altercation became physical when Duta, in turn, jumped up, grabbed the woman by her hair and dragged her through the apartment toward the bathroom, threatening her and attempting to stifle her screams along the way. Hicks said the victim resisted by biting Duta’s chest, after which he demanded she bring him rubbing alcohol to clean the wound. But when she refused, he poured the rubbing alcohol over her
Financial aid faces cutbacks By EDGAR HERNANDEZ NEWS EDITOR
The men’s basketball team kicked off the season with two wins in a row, defeating Pomona-Pitzer and Arizona State. »See SPORTS, B8
ALEXANDER DRUMMOND / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Malibu Presbyterian rebuilds By RACHEL MILLER COPY EDITOR
The date of Oct. 21, 2007, is one that will live in the minds of Malibu Presbyterian Church members forever as the day the Malibu wildfires engulfed their place of worship. “There’s a part of me that feels like it was just yesterday,” Pastor Greg Hughes said. “I can still taste the ashes in my mouth. But there’s also a part that seems like it was a lifetime ago. A lot has happened since then.” Though there was once a time to mourn, that time has ended. Now the church looks toward the hope for new memories as Nov. 13 marked the day of the groundbreaking for the rebuilding of a new church facility. “Today is a very special, very momentous time in our church history,” Hughes said with a smile. Despite the lack of a building, the church continued to participate in outreach ministries. Just a week after the fires, a trip to Mexico was coordinated in which members of the congregation
built a house with the nails of their old which has been built on-site for tempochurch. rary use until the necessary funds were Since the fires, the church has con- raised to build their permanent facility. Walking into the Malibu Presbytinued to persevere and even grow in connection with the local community terian Church is like walking into a family living room. It — something that Tim Jones, director seems like everyone has been a member forever; of mission outreach “I can still taste and communicamany have. Some have attended since 1965, tion, believes may the ashes in my not have occurred like couple Hayden mouth. But there’s and Marty Gallagher, if the fires had not also a part that taken place. who still remember seems like it was The church’s pretheir daughter’s weda lifetime ago.” school met in the ding in the old church local Jewish Center, sanctuary. —Greg Hughes and temporary ofDuring the service, Pastor, Malibu Presbyterian fices were built for Jill and Luke Love, staff members. The former Pepperdine congregation also students, even told the continued to hold services at the Mal- congregation the story of how they met ibu Performing Arts Center and then at Malibu Pres and were later married Webster Elementary for the duration. at the church. The church even held its annual fatherPastor Hughes highlighted some of daughter dance at Malibu Inn. the heartwarming memories that the The church’s current meeting place church has provided. is a large tent, known by the construc»See REBUILD, A4 tion company as a “Sprung Structure,”
The holidays are coming to town Thanksgiving and Christmas are fast approaching. Which holiday is your favorite?
» L&A, B1
A mass email from the Office of Financial Assistance went out last week urging students to sign a petition to save financial aid. The email warns that student financial aid is at risk of losing more money than it already has. According to the Student Aid Alliance, higher education has already lost $30 million in student aid. As the year’s federal budget is being created, the Student Aid Alliance warns that financial aid is at risk to lose much more. At Pepperdine, 75 percent of the student body receives financial aid. This includes Pell Grants, Stafford and Perkins Loans, Federal Work Study and PLUS Loans. SGA President Mimi Rothfus was among the first to be contacted by the Student Aid Alliance. “When I first heard about it, I wondered whether students would take the initiative to do this since it’s hard to get students passionate about something, especially something related to politics,” Rothfus said. “But then I thought, it’s something that so closely impacts student lives, they’ll be interested.” So far Rothfus says that feedback has been mixed. “I feel like most students have heard about it, some are passionate and reposting the link, but still a lot of students don’t know anything about it.” Rothfus believes this would be a great opportunity to get more students involved, “because it might be something to get us all more inter-
ested in other issues as well.” Senior Seelypon Phuntip was alarmed by the email. “It is a serious matter especially since financial support is one of the main reasons why many of us can attend here.” Phuntip’s classmate senior Kevin Vandivort was also concerned about how the issue would affect Pepperdine. “I don’t know how they compare to other schools, but I think that their generosity in regards to financial aid is one of the best things about the school,” Vandivort said. “I’m grateful of the financial aid Pepperdine offers to its students,” Vandivort continued. “It would be a shame for it to become even more difficult for students to learn here.” The Student Aid Alliance is a coalition of 75 organizations co-chaired by the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) and the American Council on Education (ACE). According to their mission statement, “The Student Aid Alliance supports a package of proven student aid programs to help students achieve their higher education goals without excessive debt.” The Student Aid Alliance asserts that by 2018 work force projections show that there will be jobs for as many as 22 million new workers with college degrees. It also asserts that at the current rate of cutting $30 billion from student aid programs, that mark will be missed by 3 million workers. The petition can be found at studentaidalliance.org.
edgar.hernandez@pepperdine.edu
We’re taking a break! This is the last print edition of the Graphic for the fall 2011 semester. You can still get your fill of news online. Find us on Twitter (@PeppGraphic), check the Graphic Online Daily (pepperdine-graphic.com) and like us on Facebook. We will be back in print on Jan. 19.
In defense of JoePa A Penn State transfer gives her thoughts on the firing of the patriarch of Penn State football.
Andrei Duta
»See DUTA, A7
The Waves of Malibu Fri. 5 ft @5s
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Sun. 1.5 ft @10s
Mon. 1.5 ft @14s
»PERSPECTIVES, A9 magicseaweed.com
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November 17, 2011
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NEWS
A2 Graphic
November 17, 2011
It’s just a jump to the left
Centennial imagined By EDGAR HERNANDEZ NEWS EDITOR
MALLORY CUMMINS/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Stepping up: Pepperdine’s Step Team and Genesis Gospel Choir performed at yesterday’s Chapel bringing a little beat and soul to the weekly event.
DPS REPORTS Weekly update from the Department of Public Safety 11/7/11 9:08 p.m. FM&P Assigned to Handle Location: Thornton Administration Center Ramp Summary: A Public Safety officer discovered water coming through the cracks on the pavement of the ramp. FM&P determined that a water main break caused the leak, affecting water use in Payson Library and Pendleton Learning Center. 11/9/11 9:34 p.m. Fire – Fire Alarm Location: Grad School of Education & Psychology Summary: Public Safety officers responded to a report of smoke coming from a light fixture, attributed to an unattended candle that was left burning in a faculty member’s office. Once the wax had melted, the wick fell over and burnt a hole through the surface of the furniture. The faculty member was advised that candles are prohibited on campus. 11/11/11 9:19 a.m. Property Damage – Non-Criminal Location: Tyler Campus Center Summary: A university vendor accidentally struck the elevator doors with a pallet jack, knocking the doors off track. FM&P contacted an elevator company for repairs. 11/11/11 1:34 p.m. Crime – Simple Battery/Fighting Location: Calabasas Summary: Public Safety received a report of an offcampus altercation between two students. 11/11/11 11:42 p.m. Crime – Drunk in Public Location: Hall 1 – Audene Merrill Conner Summary: Public Safety officers responded to a report of alcoholic beverages in a student’s room. 11/12/11 10:22 a.m. Fire – Fire Alarm Location: Richard Rockwell Towers Summary: A fire alarm pull station was activated, but there were no signs of smoke in the area. Shortly after Public Safety responded, a construction employee reported accidentally activating the station while moving equipment through the corridor. 11/12/11 10:21 p.m. Incident – Loud Noise Location: George Page Residential Complex Summary: Public Safety officers responded to a report of a verbal altercation between two students. Upon arrival both parties were found to be calm and cooperative.
News of the WORLD
Around the ’BU
OWS police raid deemed legal
Drowning victim identified
Arab leaders condemn Syria
Rosenthal made Malibu mayor
The police raid on Zuccotti Park, location of the Occupy Wall Street encampment, was legal according to a New York court ruling. The pre-dawn raid on Tuesday ended with the arrest of around 200 people, and the protesters are no longer allowed to camp in the park. Mayor Bloomberg also supported the eviction.
King Abdullah of Jordan was the first Arab leader to condemn the Syrian crackdown on protesters Monday, and to urge President Bashar al-Assad to step down. Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan also critiqued the government’s actions Tuesday, and the energy minister announced that Turkish joint oil efforts with Syria had been stopped.
Facebook virus offends users
Facebook users have reported violent and pornographic images showing up on their newsfeeds, including mutilated animals and people and hardcore porn. A linkspam virus is spreading the images, according to ZDnet, when users click on an alleged story link. The pictures were posted to the social network beginning Monday.
New Italian PM appointed
Mario Monti was appointed Italy’s new prime minister-designate on Sunday. He has taken the place of Silvio Berlusconi in order to tackle the debt crisis and form a new government. Monti has said he is confident that Italy can overcome the financial situation.
The body found dead Oct. 31 at Zuma Beach was identified as 51-year-old Kevin Grenon, according to the Malibu Times. Lifeguards unsuccessfully tried to resuscitate him when his body was found on the shore, with abrasions on his head. The cause of death was labeled a drowning accident.
Malibu City Council voted unanimously Monday night to appoint Councilwoman Laura Zahn Rosenthal the 15th mayor of the city of Malibu. Prior to her appointment, Rosenthal served on the city council on the Public Works Commission.
Show sued by Malibu residents
Malibu homeowners are suing NBCUniversal and Shed Media for the use of footage of their Big Rock Beach residence. According to Malibu Patch, the home was leased to two individuals who subleased to the producers of Bethenny Ever After, which was a contract violation. The homeowners are also suing the tenants.
Teacher accused of negligence
Parents have accused a special education teacher at Juan Cabrillo Elementary School of neglect, according to the Malibu Times. School district officials investigated the claims, and deemed them to be without merit. The parents have contacted the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to investigate the issue. The details of the accusations are being kept quit to protect privacy.
Reports compiled from BBC
This week we round out our series on Pepperdine’s 75th anniversary. For my last column in the News section, I’ll allow the future me 25 years from now, visiting campus for the 100th anniversary, do the talking. I’m glad I’m still alive to make it to Pepperdine’s 100th anniversary. I must say it’s been a while since I’ve been here. It looks like Malibu hasn’t changed much. There are a lot more buildings around, but the drive down the coast looks the same. There it is, the Theme Tower, still greeting people at the entrance. The campus sure does look a lot more developed. I guess that campaign to raise $450 million to improve Pepperdine really worked. Well, there it is. Hello, nice gatekeeper! I see you’re still here … still allowing just about anyone in … really? My car doesn’t even have a sticker on it! Where oh where should I park? Oh, look, some kind of underground parking structure! I guess this is a part of the Campus Life Project Pepperdine was starting during my senior year. Where is everybody heading? They seem to be going toward the gym … I’ll ask this young man. “You’re going to the basketball gym? You’re going to go see the game?” Huh, looks like people have more school spirit nowadays. Who knows, maybe they’re giving away free Snuggies like they used to when I was a student. Or maybe they are giving away those new blankets that cover everything but your face so you can see, eat and breathe. Ah, when I was a student, I spent many a weary hour in the CCB working on my favorite publication and yours. I think I’ll go there. Let’s see if those hills still induce as much pain in my thighs like they did when I was 21. Oh, Malibu. I miss this view. Look at the beautiful — DEER! Look there’s one, two, three, four five six, OK, there seems to be quite a few. Oh there’s more, eight, nine, 10. OK, well 10, that’s not too — 11, 12, 13, 14. Seriously?! Where are all these deer coming from?! Hey! That one looks familiar! It’s looking at me like it knows me. It can’t be, deer aren’t that smart, or old, right? All right, well here it is, the CCB. Let’s see if the newsroom is still where it used to be. There’s a newspaper stand right there. That can’t be, no other newspaper in the country still comes out in print. Could it be? Did the Graphic really outlast all the other print newspapers in the country? What to look at next? I know! I’ll go see the SAC, if it’s even still called that. I’m sure that by now that silly bungalow is long gone. Probably fell into the ocean or something. [I think I read that in the first-ever humorous issue of the Graphic in spring 2012!] Seriously? More deer! It’s a problem when the deer to student ratio resembles the faculty to student ratio. There it is! The new — WHAT?! It’s the exact same building! After all these years that trailer is still here? Unbelievable! Even though alumni continue to be so generous to the school to the point that classrooms and housing continues to get updated, that building still hasn’t changed. Even more countries have been added to IP! I’ll go back to main campus before I get an anger ulcer. Well, at least I’ll get to — deer! — enjoy the view — deer! — now. The campus is even greener than I remember it. Hey look, it’s AKB! I can’t believe he’s still here. He looks younger and better than ever. Last time I heard about him was in the Graphic when they reported that he tried to retire but the student body wouldn’t let him. Rumor has it they’re planning to freeze AKB’s body one day, in case of an emergency like the zombie apocalypse.
C A L E N D A R
Thursday
International Thanksgiving Chapel 4–5 p.m. Stauffer Chapel
Friday
Midnight Mission 2:15–7 p.m. Meet at Special Programs
Saturday
Habitat for Humanity 8 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Meet at Special Programs
www.seaver.pepperdine.edu/studentlife/calendar
Monday
University Thanksgiving Service 12–1 p.m. Stauffer Chapel
edgar.hernandez@pepperdine.edu
Tuesday
Leadership and Faith 7 p.m. TBA
P
1
NEWS
November 17, 2011
help yourself. help the world. M.A. in Social & Sustainable Management
ANNIE JEONG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Talking war: Prof. Dan Caldwell addresses gathered students on Nov. 11. His lecture discussed Veterans Day and his recently released book, “Vortex of Conflict,” which explains the origins of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Prof explains ‘Vortex’ By CANEEL ANTHONY NEWS ASSISTANT
Nov. 11 is a date that carries a great amount of significance. It is not only the anniversary of the ceasefire of World War I, “the war to end all wars,” but also a time to observe and honor the veterans who have served to protect this country and its freedoms. Pepperdine commemorated this Veterans Day with a special reading and lecture by Professor Dan Caldwell on his book “Vortex of Conflict.” Caldwell is a distinguished professor of political science at Seaver College who has published multiple books and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He is also chair of the council’s Academic Outreach Initiative. His book, “Vortex of Conflict,” explains the origins of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars and demonstrates how intrinsically linked they are. Caldwell began with the tradition of the citizen soldier, which has been passed down since the Roman Empire. These are the citizens that have been called to military service and to protect their country. Moreover, his talk took place on “the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month,” as Caldwell described it, to “commemorate those who landed on the beaches in Normandy.” He also asked that those in attendance take a moment to show their appreciation to those among them who had served in any war. In 2010, the conflict in Afghanistan became the longest American war in history, as it entered its 10th year. More than two million Americans have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and more than 6,000 have died. “Society owes these warriors care and support,” Caldwell said. For such reasons, the Pepperdine professor decided to donate the proceeds of “Vortex of Conflict” to the Wounded Warriors Project. The Wounded Warriors Project was created to support the wounded soldiers returning home from active duty in any way they need. The project offer physical rehabilitation, as well as counseling services and employment assistance. The difference between past wars and the current ones, according to Caldwell, is that presently civilians have been “relatively unaffected.” In modern society, army involvement is all volunteer-based, which leads to “higher professionalism, but less contact. “I am concerned about the divergence in between these societies,” he said.
The political science professor’s book is the first that discusses both wars and their interrelation. A consequence of the 2001 Afghanistan conflict was advancement in war technology that required fewer soldiers. Due to this, it was believed that not as many soldiers would be needed in the Iraq invasion and, consequently, 15,000 were sent, half of the recommended amount. “In 2006, it was said that the U.S. was on the verge of defeat,” he continued, “and 30,000 additional soldiers were ordered.” As a result, the government is now “essentially paying off Sunni tribesmen $300 a month not to kill them.” Furthermore, the enemy also had time to develop new technologies and military strategies. In the early days of the conflict, the use of improvised explosive devices was nonexistent, and now it is the main weapon. There were no suicide bombers. The wars have also had unintended political consequences, the main one being the rise of Iran. George H.W. Bush did not have Saddam Hussein overthrown during the first Iraq war, in order to ensure Iran was “balanced with a relatively equal power. Now there is a power vacuum.” Nevertheless, a relationship with Pakistan is key to the current situation according to Caldwell. The country is in possession of “more than 90 nuclear weapons, has a large contingent of extremist Islamic radicals and has a population equal to half the population of the U.S.,” Caldwell said. However, presently, the state of affairs is not promising. “The relationship is not going well,” he said. “Hopefully the governments will be able to focus on their common interests, such as maintaining the nuclear weapons and handling the extremists.” Caldwell is optimistic for a positive outcome for Iraq, mainly because of its natural resources. However, he does not see things going as well for Afghanistan. “It is my hope that the U.S. and the international communities will assist Afghanistan to develop economically, even in these dire times,” said the professor.
caneel.anthony@pepperdine.edu
Towns rethink leadership By EDGAR HERNANDEZ NEWS EDITOR
Cities, towns and counties across California are rethinking how to tackle some of their challenges according to a report released Oct. 27 by Pepperdine’s Davenport Institute. According to the report, a new, collaborative approach is key. The report titled, “Golden Governance: Building Effective Public Engagement in California,” is a collaboration between the Davenport Institute, the National Conference on Citizenship (NCoC), California Forward and the Center for Individual and Institutional Renewal. Seven California communities are the basis of the report. The report cites them as having its citizens rethink how they engage in governance in reaction to the current financial situation. Simultaneously, the report indicates that local leaders are learning to change their approach to governance to meet the demands of its citizenry. “This new kind of leadership produces better, more creative policy solutions and better, more engaged citizens committed to the hard work of self-governance,” said Pete Peterson, executive director of the Davenport Institute, in a press release. “In an era of tight budgets, public engagement has moved beyond ‘good government’ to necessary governance.” The report highlights six projects, one of which is a $72 million water treatment project in Redwood City that was met by some citizen resistance. In a new approach to governance, city
manager Ed Everett invited citizens to meet and develop alternatives to meet the city’s water conservation goals without resorting to the controversial water treatment project. The only stipulation was that the alternative had to stay within the city’s time frame and budget. Citizens suggested that the public grass of the city be replaced with artificial turf. The solution was something that City Hall had not considered, but accomplished city goals with less controversy. “Redwood City is just one example of how citizens and government officials can come together to identify innovate policy solutions,” Peterson said. “Local government officials simply need to be prepared to enter into collaborative governance with an open mind and not a predisposed outcome.” “In short, government in the 21st century is not here to tell us what to do, but rather to serve as our partner to help achieve our common goals,” the project says. “The 21st century public sector leader should act as a convener, catalyst and facilitator of structured discussions in order to solve public problems.” The report calls for a return to some of the earliest principles and practices of the U.S.: “The partnering of our governing institutions with civil society in delivering public services has been a part of how we define self-governance.”
edgar.hernandez@pepperdine.edu
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Graphic
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NEWS
A4 Graphic
November 17, 2011
University Church faces deficit By Edgar Hernandez News Editor
The University Church of Christ is facing a potential deficit in the operational budget this year. According to an email sent out last week to its members, the church is reporting that they collect $1,000 less per week than what the annual operational budget requires. Multiplying that times the number of weeks in a year, the church expected to have a $50,000 year-end deficit. However, according to the finance ministry, the year-end deficit is not likely to go over the $12,000 mark, thanks to savings in salary and other areas. The church also reported that the potential deficit was not due to the congregation giving less, but to the church losing some donors, and not having replaced them. “It was really just a matter of math and judicious observation,” said Dean Emeritus David Beard about discovering the problem. “We hope to replace those units with new families who want to be associated
with the dynamic Christian commu- taking money from one pocket and nity that is UCC.” putting it into another would be The UCC is hoping that as the helpful,” said a letter from the church congregation continues to grow, the elders to its members. “We recognize problem will take that some of you will be able to contribcare of itself. ute more than the The elders of the “It was really just a requested amount, congregation have and for others of suggested a solution matter of math and you, it may be difto the problem. Es- judicious observaficult to contribute sentially they would tion. We hope to this much.” like to divide the replace those units Baird agreed: “It $12,000 among the is a tough financial 400 people who with new families climate, but the reregularly worship on who want to be quest was only for a Sunday mornings. associated with the dollar per day.” That means $30 per dynamic Christian “We ask that person. The church community that is each person prayerhopes that if each fully consider and person gave $30 (or UCC.” respond to this need $100 per family) be—David Baird as you are able,” tween now and the Dean Emeritus concluded the letter end of the year, the deficit issue will be from the elders. Senior and member of the church addressed. The church would like for the Beverly Cawyer was not surprised by suggested amount to be on top of the announcement. “The University what people usually give to support Church has such a dynamic membership. So many of us are students; the University Church. “This is not an occasion where we’re here for part of the year and
then we disappear for the summer. With such a fluid membership, I can see how the budget would be affected,” Cawyer said. Although a college student, Cawyer believes the request made by the elders of the church is an appropriate one. “Even though we’re students, we still have a responsibility to contribute as members of a church, whether that be monetarily or with our time,” Cawyer said. “At this point, even $5 would be helpful,” Cawyer said about the situation. “Luckily we have families and other members that can support our church, but that doesn’t change the fact that we’re members of a body and we all have a responsibility to be involved.” Although it’s a difficult situation, Cawyer is optimistic about the future of her church: “We don’t all have a steady income, and it can be difficult to contribute in that way. This may be the case for some, but I have already seen how people have stepped up to the plate so that we can reach the goal.” g
By the numbers $1,000 less is received per week compared to last year. $50,000 is the expected yearend deficit.
$12,000 is the actual deficit due
to savings.
400 members of the church are being asked to give $30 between
now and the end of the year plus what they typically give.
—based on data from the University Church
edgar.hernandez@pepperdine.edu
Earn your degree in education in 12–18 months at APU. Darin Curtis, M.A. ’95 Tierra del Sol Middle School 2 011 California Teacher of the Year
Courtesy of malibu presbyterian church
Heigh Ho, Heigh Ho!: Church members gathered for the groundbreaking of the new Malibu Presbyterian Church, which will replace the one that burned down in the 2007 fires.
Rebuild: ‘rose from the ashes’ From A1
“It has been so much more than just a building. It’s been our sanctuary. It’s been our place where we meet with the Lord. It’s where the Lord has met us. It’s been our place for weddings. It’s been our place for memorial services. It’s been the place where we’ve had our children baptized.” Now comes the time for generations of member to forge new memories with the soonto-be church facility. At the groundbreaking ceremony, Pastors Hughes and Michael Mudgett spoke of their excitement for the new chapter in the church’s lineage. “[I feel] extreme joy,” Hughes exclaimed. “This is a great day and a long time coming. I’m so excited to see our church rising up from the ashes here as we build our new sanctuary and house of worship.” Mudgett agreed. “It’s been four years in the making and a long, patient waiting process. We’re ready to get going and everything is coming together. The time is now.” Construction will be performed for approximately one year, in which time the remodeling
and rebuilding will take place in multiple phases. The new $10 million church facility, covered by insurance, will consist of a sanctuary, fellowship hall and administration and preschool area. Architects assured that the new church would be very fire-resistant, including elements like stone and copper to insure the stability of the church. The new structure will be comprised of glass walls, allowing members to look outward to the beautiful beaches. Additionally, a charred metal spire from the original sanctuary will be included in the new structure to serve as a remembrance of the church that “rose from the ashes.” During the day’s service, Building Reconstruction Committee (BRC) member Karin Larsen spoke of how much stronger the church will be because of this experience. “MPC had unique ministry in this neighborhood, a light on the hill that is Christ-centered, a message of love and redemption aimed at this particularly unusual community,” Larsen said. “This is the beginning of a new phase of God’s work in Malibu. We know that we’ve been blessed again and over again, and we will be blessed in the future.” g
rachel.miller@pepperdine.edu
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NEWS
November 17, 2011
Math skills: Pepperdine students gave high school students a glimpse of math life in college Saturday, Oct. 29.
Graphic
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Courtesy of Tim Lucas
Brains unite at Math Formal By Aubrey Hoeppner Copy Chief
The Mathematics Department has maximized the function for fun with its annual Math Formal and Math Day, both formulated to strengthen the math community. Last Friday’s Math Formal integrated the induction ceremony for the Pi Mu Epsilon honor society with the much-anticipated Rubik’s Cube competition. This year, junior Zack Reed set the lower bound for solution time at one minute, seven seconds to beat Professor Brian Fisher and take home the Rubik’s Cube champion title. “A couple times a day, during small
groups or during Sig Ep club convo, I would just pick up the cube, mess it up and solve it,” Reed said of his practice regimen. “You just get into a rhythm.” A “Casino Royale” themed dinner and ballroom dancing complemented the celebration of the honor society inductees and senior Math majors’ accomplishments. Additionally, the department invested in the Malibu community by hosting Pepperdine Math Day on Saturday, Oct. 29. Approximately 225 local high school students gathered on campus for Math Day, which seeks to promote interest and excellence in mathematics and increase Pepperdine’s involvement with local high school students and faculty. Guest speaker Dr. Anita Sengupta,
an aerospace engineer from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, shared her work on the Mars mission of the Rover “Curiosity.” “It’s meaningful to me because I care a lot about math, and these students are interested in math but may not know about the opportunities for math in college. So it’s important to cultivate that interest at young age,” said senior Math major Darlena Kern. Math Day also challenged attendees with a competitive 45-question math exam, for which the average score was 24.9 questions correct and the high score 40. Students competed for calculators, math software, and scholarships totaling $15,000. g
aubrey.hoeppner@pepperdine.edu
Functional dancing: Professor Brian Fisher and his wife showed off their footwork in front of students at Friday’s Math Formal.
Genevieve smith / PHOTO EDITOR
Concentrate: Fisher also showcased his mind skill in the Rubik’s Cube competition.
A6 Graphic
NEWS
November 17, 2011
Genevieve Smith / PHOTO EDITOR
Offering help: Dr. Jeff Banks sits with Sophomore Jason Allen as part of their weekly meetings. Allen came to Pepperdine as part of the pilot Posse scholarship program that seeks to help students from urban areas do better by offering them scholarships and encouraging them to form friendships with other students from their home cities also attending Pepperdine.
Posse gives boost to urban students By MADISON LEONARD ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR
“I never would have dropped out of college if I had my posse with me.” One simple student statement sparked the idea for the Posse scholarship program organized in 1989, which has since partnered with more than 40 colleges and universities in granting more than $400 million in scholarships nationwide. Pepperdine inaugurated its own Posse program last year and boasts two Posses of 10 hand-selected students, each from the urban Washington, D.C., area, who receive full tuition scholarships based on their strengths in student leadership. Dr. Dan Rodriguez, associate professor of religion and hispanic studies, shared his honor in being chosen as the faculty mentor to this year’s Posse freshmen. With a long history as a student, faculty member and parent of students here at Pepperdine, Rodriguez explained that the Posse student leaders would hopefully enrich the already great opportunity of attending this institution. “I think Pepperdine will always offer scholarships for people with academic excellence. And while the Posse scholars certainly had the academics to get into Pepperdine on their own, we are looking for more — for their potential to make a positive impact in terms of student leadership on campus,” Rodriguez said. “Just bringing underrepresented groups on campus doesn’t necessarily mean that they will change the culture of our university.” Along with Dr. Jeff Banks, visiting professor of humanities and teacher education, director of the Social Action and Justice Colloquium and faculty mentor to the original Posse students, Rodriguez holds weekly group and individual meetings with the students to help guide them through their first
two years on campus. “Some of these kids come from challenging backgrounds. There needs to be someone there for them when they’re down or they’re hurting or they’re lonely. That’s the real concept,” Banks said. While the weekly meetings are organized to a curriculum and intended to be educational, both mentors explained that the underlying importance is a sense of tight-knit community and that topics can range from homesickness and time management to proper etiquette when dealing with adults. “In our weekly workshops, just getting to see them encourage each other and demonstrate how in tune they are with each other is a real highlight,” Rodriguez said. “You can see the difference it makes to students to know ‘there really are people that know me and care about me.’” Sophomore Posse member Demi McCoy was drawn to the concept of the group support system after being told about the program by her high school guidance counselor. After eight months of team building and academic workshops with the nine other members before coming to campus last fall, McCoy said that she was grateful to have a group of core friends when starting out her college experience. “It’s so great to have all of these connections through the Posse. It makes it so much easier to tap into a lot of different areas on campus,” McCoy said. “It’s like networking times 10.” Faculty mentor Rodriguez explained that Posse is a whole new category of scholarship because it goes well beyond just leading in the classroom. “Pepperdine invests in these students in hopes that they will join clubs, start organizations and really make a positive impact on the campus,” Rodriguez said. “In four years, there will be 40 Posse students on campus, and we hope to notice that not only the numbers have changed, but the culture and public presence on campus.”
McCoy has certainly found niches of her own upper administration is looking at it and saying, on campus as the financial director of Women of ‘Is it going to pay off?’” Banks said. “And it’s my Color, Los Angeles mission program coordinator job and Dan’s job to make it pay off so that Posse for the Pepperdine Volunteer Center, the soprano continues.” section leader in the Genesis Gospel Choir and a Rodriguez agreed that the ultimate goals in noted spoken word artist, just to mention a few graduation rate, while looming, are important to activities. the destiny of this program on “I think we help bring a the Pepperdine campus. “We were so welllot of D.C. culture and East “We are looking for 100 perCoast perspective here to cent graduation rate, which is prepared before Pepperdine,” McCoy said. probably asking a lot, but the coming here, and “We are trained to get on expectations are higher because even have amazing campus and lead, but we also these kids are getting an incredimentors once bring some culture to help ble scholarship for leadership, so this campus become more if even just one student doesn’t arriving here on well-rounded.” work out, it’s going to hurt,” Rocampus.” All of the students hail driguez said. —Ashley Thurmond Freshman from the D.C., Virginia and But freshman Thurmond is Maryland region, specifically up to the task, as she has become school districts that are usuconnected on campus as the ally overlooked by high-rankmanager of the girl’s basketball ing institutions and college fairs that assume low team and as a member of both Women of Color numbers of potential prospective students based and the Step Team. She perceives the pressure as on the socioeconomic status of the area. just an extra spirit to get involved and achieve on First-year Posse member Ashley Thurmond campus. says that going to school so far from home was “It’s more of a motivation to find our niche here initially a culture shock, but it was nothing that at Pepperdine,” Thurmond said. “Since it’s just the the Posse encouragement couldn’t ease. beginning of the program here at Pepperdine, we “We were so well-prepared before coming here, have to think a lot about how we work with each and even had amazing mentors once we arrived on other and how we represent ourselves to others.” campus,” Thurmond said. “And having that kind Despite the pressure to justify Pepperdine’s inof support, that sense of home, just reminds me of vestment in these student leaders, Posse members all that we have done together and all that we can and mentors are optimistic about the future for achieve together in the future.” the program on this campus. With such effort put into selecting student “These kids have got talents and gifts, and so leaders and organizing the program here at Pep- now we just have to get them to that place where perdine, both mentors and students alike feel the the need and the gifts coincide,” Rodriguez said. pressure to work toward proving the value in the “I’m very hopeful for this great experiment, and I Posse program. want to see it succeed.” madison.leonard@pepperdine.edu “This is a big investment, and I’m guessing that g
Sig Ep football tourney provides fun and funds By NARINE ADAMOVA ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
COuRTEsy Of DAviD chAnG
Breaking free: A Delta Gamma runner, freshman Katrina Kirsch, attempts to break free of Pi Phi defender, sophomore Macey Isaacs, on Saturday during the flag football tournament hosted by Sig Ep.
A cloudy and windy Saturday afternoon was brightened up by 12 groups of students in colorful shirts competing in a flag football tournament. The philanthropy was organized by Sigma Phi Epsilon to raise money for YouthAIDS. Competing in girls and guys divisions, participants got an opportunity to prove who are the fittest and fastest among them all. “Mostly all Greek groups participated,” said senior Devon Walker, the VP of communication of Sig Ep. “Sigma Chi was the only group that did not show up.” Each team also had two people playing on a root beer pong team. “This is the second year of the event. We improved our fundrasing effort by getting money from ICC to put on the event. We raised several thousand dollars in donations, a 250 percent increase from last year in donations collected for YouthAIDS.” “The girls division got pretty intense they showed some real athleticism,” Walker said. Pi Phi and Alpha Phi were the winners of the girls tournament, while Alpha Tau Omega became the champions of the guys division. The participants could sign up for the tournament for $75 per
team and $2 to participate in the root beer pong afterward. The event was free for visitors allowing for fans to cheer on the sidelines. “We were grilling hotdogs and hamburgers and were selling water and soda at the event. “The most unique part of the event was the idea of handicaps,” Walker said. “The fans, observing teams or competing teams could buy certain handicaps to impede the other team.” Participants could put a blindfold on one of the players for $100, taping tennis balls to the hands of a player for $20. Everything depended on the imagination of the participants. “Everyone was coming up with various gags, like giving ridiculous clown shoes, forcing to play various masks and costumes, ski goggles, bibs, tie two players together with a rope,” Walker said. “I think the event was a great success,” Walker said. “It definitely was fun for all participants. Next year I think we might call stricter rules as it is no contact.” Now that the philanthropy has happened, the chapter is getting ready to prepare for two major events, one of which will be the chapter’s 15-year anniversary in the spring. “As for the fraternity as a whole, in the spring we do our annual
Prepping to pass: The Pi Phi QB sets up to pass. Pi Phi won the tournament.
blood drive and are working on several projects,” Walker said, “Our application to get the residential learning community distinction from our national chapter, which is given only to chapters with accredited faculty fellows and programming focused on learning and pairing with higher education.”
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narine.adamova@pepperdine.edu
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A7
Students raise awareness about poverty
Genevieve Smith / PHOTO EDITOR
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NEWS
November 17, 2011
The Week of Hunger and Homelessness began Monday and goes through Friday. The week kicked off with a Hunger Banquet hosted in the Drescher Cafeteria on Monday in which participants were assigned a socio-economic class upon their arrival and ate according to that class level. During the rest of the week students camped out in Joslyn Plaza were they simulated what it is to be homeless.
Courtesy of Allan Spencer
Duta: arraignment scheduled From A1
head and knocked her down. The victim swallowed some rubbing alcohol. When the struggle momentarily calmed, the two talked in the living room and the victim suggested Duta leave. Hicks testified that she then retrieved a butcher knife from the kitchen, but quickly returned it out of fear after Duta refused to leave. Duta eventually knocked the victim to the floor, covered her mouth and began to choke her. Throughout the ordeal, Duta continually muffled the victim’s cries. After biting his hand, she managed to escape to a neighbor’s apartment and call the police, six hours after the incident began. Officers placed Duta under arrest while still in the victim’s apartment, according to the SMPD report. After being taken into custody, Duta was booked for kidnapping and assault with a deadly weapon, and his bail was set at $100,000. Bail was posted and Duta was released shortly after — from jail and Pepperdine. In 2007 Duta joined the Seaver Business Division as an assistant
professor of Organizational Behavior and Management. After reportedly receiving mixed reviews in his three-year evaluation, an assessment that provides guidance and feedback for tenure-track professors, he opted to leave Seaver and take the position of Entrepreneur-in-Residence and director of microfinance at the Palmer Center for Entrepreneurship. In spite of mixed reviews, the Romanian-born professor’s philanthropic efforts have been well known to the Pepperdine community. Upon graduating from Abilene Christian University in West Texas, Duta and a group of friends started an adoption agency in Abilene. After Romania, a nation formerly under Soviet control, banned international adoptions in 2001, Duta has said he felt moved to help in his home country. Also in 2001, he founded a nonprofit group of orphanages, “His Little Ones,” to support Romanian youth in and around Bucharest. He has been actively involved with it since. With such a philanthropic attachment to Duta’s name, his charges of kidnapping and assault with
a deadly weapon this summer were surprising to some in the Pepperdine community. Dr. Keith Whitney, chair of the Business Division at the time of Duta’s hiring, said he was saddened by the gravity of the situation. “As a former attorney, I certainly realize that Dr. Duta is the accused facing trial, but whatever the situation proves to be, we are saddened when the lives of former colleagues take such a serious turn in the wrong direction,” Whitney said. “We hired a young professor whose involvement with ‘His Little Ones’ was anticipated to be an inspiration. I pray that that Andrei somehow finds his way to what I also pray is his heart’s true home.” Public Relations as well as administrators from Seaver and the School of Law all declined to comment. Currently residing and working in Austin, Texas, Duta has vacated his Malibu residence on Mariposa Circle and has been taking anger management classes. His arraignment is scheduled for Nov. 30. g
sonya.singh@pepperdine.edu
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PERSPECTIVES November 17, 2011
Graphic
ROB BERTRAM STAFF WRITER
Media play favorites in GOP race
American representative democracy is founded upon the idea that an educated populace is capable of gathering information about candidates running for office. The most popular source of information for modern Americans is the mainstream media, which are categorized on a scale that asks how liberal or conservative it portrays their views. The problem that occurs in this system is that when we use the word “conservative,” we really mean how much it represents Republican ideals and when we use the word “liberal,” we really mean how it represents Democratic ideals. Thus, we have media that are based on of a dichotomy between the Republican and Democratic parties. Through the power that portraying information to the general public offers, they advocate their information through the lens of what a certain party proclaims and serve their own ideologies. They seek to distort viewers’ views rather than liberate them through information. Whenever information is presented, we can expect a bias. However, the popular media’s biases have become blatantly purposeful. They now intentionally seek to control public perception of GOP candidates. An obvious victim of media bias is Ron Paul. Last week a CNBC took a poll off their website that showed Ron Paul winning. Early on in the race, Ron Paul was competitive in almost every poll, but the media excluded him from their front-runners, despite his success in the polls. In the recent CBS debate, Ron Paul was only given 89 seconds of speaking time. Another example is found in a clip on CNN news where a reporter is covering Ron Paul’s presence at an event, but is told by the CNN anchor, “If you get a video of Sarah Palin or get a sound bite from her, you can bring that back to us. You can hold the Ron Paul stuff.” Ron Paul is not the only candidate to be given a raw deal by the media. According to World Net Daily, an email leak between CBS’s political director and a correspondent advised that Rep. Michele Bachman not receive many questions. The leaked memo was posted on her Facebook page by her campaign manager and serves as a testimony of the media’s intentional desire to shut certain candidates’ opinions down. The worst part is that these are only a handfull of examples of blatant media bias. The sad reality is that a major part of our political system is grossly biased and shuts down certain people due to their political ideologies. An even sadder reality is that many voters limit their understanding of the world to a very narrow selection of popular media. The media will not rely so much on changing your view of the world as much as they will attempt to make it appear that only certain candidates have a chance at winning. So when you listen to the media and see how they have displayed candidates like Paul or Bachmann, you too may decide that such candidates must not have a probable chance at winning. So what do you do at this point? You want your vote to count, so you back a candidate seen as electable. When a mass of people buys into this same way of thinking, it empowers media bias. As a voter, you must vote on principle, not electability, especially when you don’t like any of the winning candidates. The message is simple: Don’t let the media steal your vote, even if it takes the votes of others. Vote for what you believe in and your vote will be legitimate. This involves doing your homework by reading a variety of news sources. Do so, and in the end, you will have voted upon principle, not compromise.
robert.bertram@pepperdine.edu
STAFF EDITORIAL
LUKE RUEGGER / ART EDITOR
For the sake of integrity, fired DPS officer owed apology We’ve been doing some thinking. Pepperdine’s affirmation statement proclaims “that truth, having nothing to fear from investigation, should be pursued relentlessly in every discipline.” Whether in political science, languages or scientific research, we are instructed, as students of this university, to pursue truth relentlessly. Not half-heartedly, not so-much-as-wedesire, not so-long-as-it’s-comfortable, but relentlessly. In September 2010, Steve Moore, then deputy director of Public Safety, was summarily terminated after refusing to abandon his public crusade to free American student Amanda Knox from Italian prison after she was sentenced to 26 years in December 2009 for the murder of her British flatmate Meredith Kercher. Moore, a 25-year veteran of the FBI, had appeared on NBC’s “Today” and ABC’s “Good Morning America” detailing the reasons he believed that Knox and her then-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito, who was sentenced to 25 years, had been wrongly convicted. Moore claimed that the University first asked him to stop the investigation, citing the safety of those in the Florence program. Moore replied that he could not do so in good conscience, considering that the evidence he examined completely exonerated Knox. Days later, he claimed, the University asked him to resign with a severance package and a promise to keep Pepperdine’s name out of media attention related to the controversy. After his termination, University administrators neither explained nor defended their decision to fire Moore, but Moore explained in an interview last September that Chief Administra-
tive Officer Phil Phillips and Executive Vice President Gary Hanson told him initially in April 2010 to go for it, but keep Pepperdine out of it. There had been no mention of Pepperdine in either television appearance, yet, less than three weeks after the Graphic interviewed Moore, he was gone. While, at the time, most in the Pepperdine community probably paid little attention to the termination, it was big news in our newsroom. But we’re nearly as addicted to consuming news as we are to consuming Starbucks coffee. We understand it’s not the majority of Pepperdine students who can pick Amanda Knox from a lineup, despite the media storm surrounding her trial, conviction and release, and despite the fact Steve Moore was right. So, you might be wondering, “Why should I care?” Well, it’s the transparency issue at its core. It’s the mission statement. We understand that nondisclosure must exist for any institution to run properly. If we were advocating complete disclosure, for better or possibly much worse, Julian Assange would be president of Pepperdine. No, we’re glad President Andrew K. Benton is at the helm. Strategic nondisclosure is one thing. But sometimes, what you’re not saying can only hurt you. It makes no difference to those students who can’t tell Amanda Knox from Julian Assange, and those who have followed the case must not care this much. But there are people out there familiar with the case and, more importantly, Pepperdine’s involvement with it in its treatment of Moore. We don’t know what the terms of settlement were, but would a public
QUESTION
OF THE
apology to Moore hurt? In this case, we think silence does more harm than good. Unless, of course, we’re considering the “having nothing to fear from investigation” clause. Yes, it is perfectly reasonable to assume we do have something to fear from this investigation — the safety and wellbeing of our International Programs students and faculty in Florence. The prosecutor in the Knox case, Giuliano Mignini, is nicknamed the “Monster of Florence,” after all. Let’s not upset him. If there is an ounce of danger, we completely understand dissociating ourselves from someone championing the innocence of “Foxy Knoxy.” And we see that the University was aware of this issue when it first contacted Moore about dropping the investigation. Perhaps we could’ve made a statement allowing Moore to do his thing on his own time, but also saying that his opinion does not reflect that of Pepperdine and the institution is not responsible for what he does on that free time. As a seasoned veteran of the FBI and as a man unwilling to compromise his integrity for the sake of his job, Moore deserves an apology. At the time of his termination, the University, as an institution that respects the rule of law, may have been justified in their concern. But today, six weeks after Amanda Knox was declared not guilty, the University owes Moore a public apology. Moore should be lauded for his unwillingness to compromise his integrity and his search for truth. He is a living example of why “truth, having nothing to fear from investigation, should be pursued relentlessly in every discipline.”
WEEK
“What is your favorite thing about the Graphic?”
“The crossword is a fun distraction.”
“I like that you recap all the events on campus from sports to Greek life, to student activities.”
“It makes my week reading the DPS reports to see how stupid some people can be.”
“My favorite thing about the Graphic is seeing my friends in the Graphic.”
HANNAH NOVAK Freshman
DEMI MCCOY Sophomore
JEREMY HILL Junior
KEVIN RIVERA Senior
Executive Editor Scott Lawrence Managing Editor Zach Alfred Associate Editor Sonya Singh Online Managing Editor Jessica Abu-Ghattas News Editor Edgar Hernandez Assistant News Editor Madison Leonard News Assistant Caneel Anthony Sports Editor Albert Owusu Assistant Sports Editor Nariné Adamova Perspectives Editor Ian McDonald Assistant Perspectives Editor Taylor Harris Life & Arts Editor Nikki Torriente Assistant Life & Arts Editor Nathan Stringer Life & Arts Assistant Britt Kidd Design Editor Alexa Stoczko Section Designers Emily Branch Amy Cummins Kealy Jaynes Andrei Zamfir Photo Editor Genevieve Smith Assistant Photo Editor Ashton Bowles Staff Photographer Yixin Zhang Art Editor Luke Ruegger Assistant Art Editor Aaron Schott Copy Chief Aubrey Hoeppner Copy Editors Lindsay Jakows Rachel Miller Paulina Taylor Multimedia Producer Al Lai Sports Producer Richie Estrella Website Architect Jason Parham Advertising Operations Manager Greg Stevens Director of Student Journalism Elizabeth Smith Assistant Director of Journalism Courtenay Stallings
Mission Statement: The Graphic is an editorially independent weekly student newspaper for the greater Pepperdine community. It serves the community with news, opinion, contemporary information and a public forum for discussion. The Graphic strengthens students for purpose, service and leadership by developing their skills in writing, editing and publication production, by providing a vehicle to integrate and implement their liberal arts education, and by developing students’ critical thinking through independent editorial judgment. The Graphic participates in Pepperdine’s Christian mission and affirmations, especially the pursuit of truth, excellence and freedom in a context of public service. Although the Graphic reports about Pepperdine University and coordinates with curricula in journalism and other disciplines, it is a student and not a University publication. Views expressed are diverse and, of course, do not correspond to all views of any University board, administration, faculty, staff, student or other constituency.
November 17, 2011
Syria gets the boot
PERSPECTIVES
IAN MCDONALD
SIENNA JACKSON
The Arab League moved to suspend Syria’s membership on Saturday, in a strong repudiation of President Bashar al-Assad’s violent repression of protesters. By acting against Syria, a central member of the Arab League, the organization took their boldest stance yet in support of the sweeping democratization of the Arab world. The formal suspension began Wednesday, and gave Assad one last chance to carry out an agreement to end the violence — a bloody crackdown that has received considerably less attention from the international community than other Arab Spring uprisings in Libya and Egypt. In response to the decision, Syrian ambassador Youssef Ahmed accused the League of being “subordinate to American and Western agendas” on Syria’s state television. In response to the revolutionary wave that has swept the Arab world since spring of this year, the Arab League is attempting to accommodate democracy without triggering an armed takedown of the Syrian government, or international intervention like that in Libya. It’s a fine tightrope to tread, as deaths in the country continue to mount. The Arab League consists of 22 member nations, including Iraq, Libya, Tunisia, Qatar and Egypt among others. Both Egypt and Iraq abstained from Saturday’s vote. Qatar, a small but influential nation in the Persian Gulf, came out in strong support of the measure, sharply refuting the accusations by Youssef of carrying out a Western agenda. The United Nations has put the death toll in Syria at 3,500 since the uprising began in March; more than 100 civilians have been slain since Syria accepted an Arab League agreement to halt the violence in November. This move by the Arab League could pave the way for harsh sanctions against the Syrian government, or even a military intervention if the violence persists. The resolution also called for Arab states to withdraw their ambassadors in Damascus, the Syrian capital. However, the United Nations Security Council has been ambivalent about the violence in Syria, offering a few weak condemnations and no agreed-upon plan of action. This news comes at a time of economic vulnerability in Syria, where European embargos on Syrian oil have devastated production by as much as 75 percent, according to statements by European diplomats to the international press. Syria’s oil exports represented anywhere from 15 to 35 percent of the state budget, and more than 90 percent of those exports went to Europe. Furthermore, the Arab League made vague allusions to political and economic sanctions against the Assad government, though the exact nature of these sanctions is still unspecified. Assad assumed control of the country in 2000, inheriting the position from his father, Hafez al-Assad, who ruled Syria with an iron fist for nearly 30 years, drawing criticism for human rights abuses and the executions of his political opponents. It is unlikely, then, that the Arab League’s decision to politically humiliate the government of Syria will put an end to the violence. Indeed, the Assad family has ruled over Syria for 40 years, and will not cede that power without a fight. For the United States and allies, the move by the Arab League is a fortunate one that takes the pressure off of Western shoulders to make the first move in condemning the Syrian government. President Obama applauded the Arab League’s leadership on Saturday during his Pacific-Asian diplomatic summit in Hawaii. But for a U.S. making a quick pullout from Iraq and the region at large, the League’s defense of human rights and the Syrian people’s move for democracy is heartening. The Arab League also hosted a meeting of Syrian opposition leaders in Cairo on Tuesday, in what will hopefully be the start to a peaceful dialogue.
sienna.jackson@pepperdine.edu
A9
Seniors: move on, but don’t check out PERSPECTIVES EDITOR
STAFF WRITER
Graphic
It was four years ago that I started to get excited about college. It’s been a great four years, but my love affair with academia is over. Problem: I have one semester left to go. Getting through the current one is going to be trouble enough; writing a senior thesis on half-enthusiasm (at best) might prove difficult. So, putting the brakes my educational slide into apathy, the key from here on out is to keep an eye on the future without neglecting the present. Much to the ire of some of my professors, my motivation is shifting away from schoolwork. You see, I possess a rare characteristic among people my age: a job. Rarer still: I have two of them. This is actually my third semester of dual employment in addition to my academic endeavors. I’ve tasted what it’s like to be productive, and I crave more. About a third of my waking hours are spent writing, designing, and editing for the very newspaper you hold in your hands. I spend another
third coordinating volunteers for Habitat for Humanity. The final third is spent in class or doing homework. (What? Social life?) When I look at my time, I see two thirds of it spent accomplishing stuff, and the other fulfilling rather superficial expectations. Working allows me to create something of value for other people and get paid for it. School lets me (my grandparents) pay lots of money to do lots of work and get a piece of paper that tells other people that I’m really as smart as I already know I am. Now, adults are prone to remind the younger generations that college is the best time of our lives, but comparative analysis doesn’t convey the same story. My parents not only work fewer hours than I do, but they also make vastly larger amounts of money. As a college student, my studies extend from early-morning classes to late-night homework with time for little else. I’m perennially dependent on Pepperdine’s charity and my family’s support. Overworked, broke and sleep-deprived are apparently characteristics of the glory years. College isn’t all bad though. I have to remember that when my senioritis kicked in last time, it was because I had my eye on the future,
and that future was college. College, a wonderful place full of intellectual discussions, broadening horizons and studying abroad. In comparison, high school seemed a dreary remnant of my old life gone past its expiration date. While I now suffer nostalgic bouts of yearning for those days when I didn’t have to think about what I was doing with my life, I know that I couldn’t have stayed there forever. What college was to high school, working is to college. (I say working in place of the usual cliche, “real world,” because the way things are, the real world doesn’t necessarily equate to a job.) That glowing future I dreamed of as a high schooler is now the past I fondly recall: meeting interesting new people, encountering challenging new concepts, forming new ideas and opinions. I’ve lived in different countries; I speak a new language. College has been extremely generous to me in every aspect except girlfriends (still five months left!). It’s been good, but it’s time to move on. This doesn’t mean I’ve completely checked out of my education or that nothing I’m currently learning doesn’t matter, just that I’ve come to that point where my focus is elsewhere. I want to stress that I’m not anti-learn-
ing. Anyone who knows me and has suffered through my uncontrollable assault of trivia (Hey, did you know ...) knows that I have an unending desire to always know more stuff. I may have, regrettably, just painted a target on my back for all my professors. But I had to say it, for myself and for those who fancy themselves ready to launch. I’ll do my best to keep my feet on the ground, as long I don’t get too much trouble from having my head in the clouds. As arbitrary or onerous as I may find these last few classes, especially when I know I’m capable of working, my education isn’t done yet. The refrain of “live in the moment” so often repeated in regard to life experiences also applies to class. My fellow seniors and I (and probably even a handful of juniors) are probably getting really tempted to check out early. Don’t do it. Being ready for the future is crucial, especially at this stage of life, but staring at the future is sort of like staring at the sun, damaging to your vision. The future will eventually be the present, and you’ll need to know how to work in it. Practice that now. You may learn something.
ian.mcdonald@pepperdine.edu
Penn State Board scapegoats Joe Paterno MEAGAN MCCARTY ONLINE PHOTO EDITOR
JoePa, or Joseph Vincent Paterno, the legendary Penn State football coach, was fired last week — and Penn State students are angry. Being a former Nittany Lion myself, I am also angry at how the situation ended up unjustly focused on Paterno, especially considering how small his role was in the situation, compared to the others involved. To students, Paterno was more than just a football coach. At 84 years old, he had led the Nittany Lions football team for 46 years and was a beloved symbol of the university’s pride. He held the record for the most FBS victories at 409, was the only FBS coach to reach 400 wins and coached five undefeated seasons, including two national championships. To a university that lives and breathes football, losing someone like this is more than just a tragedy — it is a loss of a culture and spirit that can never be replaced. So, what happened? On Nov. 5, former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky was arrested on 40 counts of sex crimes against 8 young boys over a 15year period. Mike McQueary, a graduate assistant at the time, said he witnessed Sandusky in the act with one of these young boys at campus facilities and reported the incident to Paterno. Paterno, required by law to report such an incident, called Penn State Athletic Director Tim Curley and passed on what he had been told by McQueary. Curley and Penn State Vice President for Finance and Business Gary Shultz, who was also informed, are now under investigation and have been charged with perjury and failure to report suspected child abuse. Curley and Shultz have both stepped down from their positions while still maintaining their innocence. After the scandal broke, Paterno made the decision to leave, and announced that he would retire at the end of the
AARON SCHOTT / ASSISTANT ART EDITOR
season. Paterno was never meant to be a target of the investigation, as he met his legal obligations in reporting the alleged incident. However, the board of trustees decided not to accept Paterno’s retirement at the end of the season and decided instead to terminate him from the university immediately with only three games remaining. They fired him with nothing more than a phone call from one of the board members to Paterno. To most, the outcome may seem obvious and uncontroversial, but to the students in Happy Valley there is much more to it. Why have Penn State students reacted to this so much more strongly than everyone else? It’s hard to convey the intense, emotional level of Penn State pride that emanates out of State College and especially Beaver Stadium. When it comes to football, every Penn State student is part of a family.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters to the Editor must bear the writerʼs name, signature, class standing, major, address and phone number. Letters must be fewer than 300 words and will be edited for syntax, grammar and brevity. Letters can be mailed to student publications or emailed to graphic@pepperdine.edu.
Football is the culture there. As the saying goes at football games, “It’s just me and 110,000 of my friends.” For Penn State, losing JoePa is like losing the patriarch of the close-knit family. So yes, they are angry that they have lost their beloved football coach. And they’re angry that he couldn’t finish the last three games of the season and retire normally. But there is even more to it then that, and I think I represent many at Penn State in my feelings. As a former student, I am angry at the situation. I am angry at the way the media has played up Paterno’s role in the whole series of events. I am angry not only that they blamed the beloved coach, but also because they failed to put just as much blame on the other members of the coaching staff involved. Paterno did report what he knew to his superiors. Could he have taken it a little further? Sure, but
he did not ignore the situation like Shultz and Curley did. Not only was JoePa unfairly targeted, but also most of the others involved, with the exception of the university president, haven’t been fired. Curley took a leave, Shultz resigned, and McQueary, who actually witnessed the alleged crime, now an assistant coach is only on paid leave. No action was taken against them, but the board of trustees fired Paterno, even after he had offered to gracefully step down after a historic run. They fired a legend, a symbol of the community and of the university over the phone. They didn’t even have the grace or respect to do it in person. In my opinion and that of many other Penn State students, this was a slap in the face to 46 years of history and culture, and an insult to the Penn State family.
meagan.mccarty@pepperdine.edu
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LIFE & ARTS November 17, 2011
THANKS GIVING CHRIST MAS The holidays are here, which means it’s a fight to prepare for Thanksgiving and Christmas. The long-underrated Thanksgiving holiday aims to pull out all the stops this year and refrain from standing behind Christmas’ shadow. But Christmas won’t go down without a fight. Whom will you choose? The turkey? Or the jolly old man?
HEATHER MANES / SENIOR STAFF WRITER
LIFE & ARTS
B2 Graphic
November 17, 2011
By NATHAN STRINGER
ASSISTANT LIFE & ARTS EDITOR
1796, Russian empress Catherine the Great died. Overall, she led Russia pretty well. Under Catherine’s rule, Russia expanded to the Black Sea by defeating the Ottomans. She also got a big piece of Poland when it was partitioned by European powers. (Sorry, Poland.) Catherine also began colonizing Alaska and established the first institution of higher learning for women in Europe. To that intellectual end, she was fluent in French and corresponded with Voltaire for 15 years. He, who was so critical of French institutions, praised the Russian despot, calling her “The Star of the North.” She even reformed the political and bureaucratic structure of Russia. That having been said, she wasn’t the most tolerant of non-Orthodox adherents. She also spent over 10 percent of the state money on courtly life, especially favoring her many lovers. But neither of those things was unusual for the 18th century. That she died having sex with a horse would have been unusual, but it probably didn’t happen. She did, however, collapse from a stroke in the bathroom — paving the way for Elvis.
1869, Egypt’s Suez Canal opened. While a Frenchman spearheaded the project, the British shortly bought up and then occupied the canal. The British love their navy, and just as they’re keen to keep Gibraltar and control the entrance to the Mediterranean, they aimed to keep the Suez Canal well up to 1956. When President Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalized the canal, Britain allied with France and Israel to invade and take back control. Canadian Secretary of State for External Affairs Lester B. Pearson proposed U.N. troops keep the canal open to all. He won the Nobel Peace Prize. Illustrating the difference between the U.S. and our better behaved neighbors to the north, America just started selling pounds sterling to put pressure on the British to stop. The Suez Crisis embarrassed Britain and cemented the United States as the new global power player. The canal itself is only about 100 miles long and saves ships the approximately 3,000 miles it takes to sail south around Africa, but Somali piracy and receding Arctic ice have made alternate routes popular recently. Incidentally, check out “Pirates of the Caribbean on Ice” on YouTube.
1871, the National Rifle Association was founded. Essentially, a few Civil War veterans were upset at accurate rifles being shot like inaccurate muskets. And for all of you who don’t regularly exercise your Second Amendment rights, here’s the difference between a rifle and a musket. A musket shoots a spherical bullet through a smooth barrel, meaning the bullet can tumble, end up anywhere and can’t go very far. A rifle has a grooved barrel and a pointed bullet, so that firing a shot is like throwing a spiraled football. It’s more accurate and can go much farther. A couple world wars and the advent of the sub-machine gun have definitely changed tactics since then. Today, the NRA is right up there with the AARP as far as powerful lobbies in Washington. In just 2010, the Supreme Court declared that the Second Amendment was an individual right that cannot be violated by state governments any more than it can be by the federal government.
1942, American director Martin Scorsese was born. An asthmatic Sicilian-American, Scorsese loved films as a youth. He chose to earn a bachelor’s degree in English and then a master’s in film rather than enter the priesthood. You might know him for a few of his movies: “Taxi Driver,” “Raging Bull,” “Goodfellas,” “Casino,” “Gangs of New York,” “The Aviator,” “The Departed” and “Shutter Island.” He won his first Oscar for his direction of “The Departed.” Scorsese is also a big fan of biopics. Besides “Goodfellas” and “The Aviator,” he has directed documentaries about Bob Dylan and George Harrison and has one forthcoming on Frank Sinatra. (His interest in music meant he was able to supply some of the historic songs played in the “Gangs of New York” soundtrack from his own personal library.) But someone could well make a biopic of Scorsese; he’s pretty interesting. For example, while he admires filmmakers like Akira Kurosawa and Stanley Kubrick, he’s also a big fan of 3-D. And he’s not big on ball sports — one thing he has in common with many British parks.
1944, American actor Danny DeVito was born. Sorry to do another Italian-American in Hollywood, but it’s Danny DeVito! He got his start playing Martini in “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” but went on to play far less dramatic roles. He starred opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger in both “Twins” and “Junior.” (For those of you unfamiliar, the former is about the physically mismatched pair being separated from birth, and the latter is about male pregnancy.) DeVito then went on to star as the Penguin in “Batman Returns” and the dad and narrator in “Matilda.” He’s also leant his voice to movies like “Space Jam” and “Hercules.” He’s produced some great projects, too, including “Pulp Fiction,” “Erin Brockovich,” “Gattaca,” “Garden State” and “Reno 911!” Since 2006, he’s appeared as Frank Reynolds on “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” where he plays a character who is pretty much down for doing anything, whether it’s gambling away fingers, waterboarding his daughter or hanging himself. But for all his bizarre and dark humor, DeVito has a stable family life. He’s been married to the redhead from “Cheers” since 1982 and has three children.
nathan.stringer@pepperdine.edu
Photo of the Week
Swan lake: A smattering of water-sitting fowl enjoy the calm waters in Hyde Park, London.
MARIESA SHORT SENIOR
Want to show off your talent to the Pepperdine and Malibu community? Send in your photos that reflect the lens through which you see the world, and get your photo featured in the Graphic or on the Graphic website. Email it to graphic@pepperdine.edu to enter.
SCORPIO — Stop climbing the
thing from Sagittarius if you stay
ladder and take the stairs.
on his left.
SAGITTARIUS — Don’t turn left
GEMINI — Avd vwls ths wk.
this week.
CANCER — Take the plunge and
CAPRICORN — Scorpio’s job is
get into a new TV show right
up for grabs. Also, the elevator’s
before finals. Nothing bad will
empty.
ever come of it.
AQUARIUS — Only the good die
LEO — Taking yourself seriously
young, so don’t worry.
is no laughing matter.
PISCES — Virgo’s ready to help
VIRGO — Don’t leave home with-
you this week.
out a stapler.
ARIES — Your best years are
LIBRA — Help teach Aries and
ahead of you.
Leo how to enjoy the moment by
TAURUS — You can steal any-
narrating it.
A calendar to keep you entertained all week Thursday, Nov. 17
Friday, Nov. 18
Saturday, Nov. 19
Sunday, Nov. 20
Monday, Nov. 21
Tuesday, Nov. 22
Annual Thanksgiving Dinner: 8 p.m. in Drescher Cafe
The Randumb Show: 6 p.m. in Elkins
The Board presents the Hollywood Hike: 11 a.m. (Sign up in the HAWC)
Campus Rec. presents Candlelight Yoga: 6:30 p.m. in the Fitness Studio (class is free)
United Giving Service: 12 p.m. in Stauffer Chapel
LACMA California Design 1930-65 Exhibit: 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.; (Student admission costs $10)
PIT: 8 p.m. in Elkins
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LIFE & ARTS
November 17, 2011
Graphic
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The Bucket List By AUBREY HOEPPNER COPY CHIEF
Put the list to rest to reap friendship’s best
COURTESY OF RELATIVITY MEDIA
Brute force: Theseus, played by Henry Cavill, battles with the Titans in Relativity Media’s new film, “Immortals.”
‘Immortals’ bleeds action, lacks story “Immortals”
By ALEX WILSON STAFF WRITER
Like a series of fantastic Renaissance-style paintings depicting ancient Greek myths, “Immortals” comes to life in 3-D, reminiscent of “300,” but certainly no knock-off like “Clash of the Titans.” Directed by Tarsem Singh (“The Cell,” “The Fall”), the film feels like much of his other works, filled with beautiful and complex images and special effects, and a not-so-special script to complement it. The artistic genius of Singh cannot be denied, however; his storytelling leaves quite a bit to be desired. Mickey Rourke stars as the ruthlessly violent King Hyperion, along with the impressive-bodied Henry Cavill, who plays Theseus; the two
Overview Release Date November 11
Starring
Henry Cavill, Mickey Rourke, John Hurt
Director
Tarsem Singh
Runtime
1hr 50 min
go head-to-head in a story that won’t please myth purists and historians but will dazzle simpler audiences or those who appreciate aesthetics. The film takes place in a computer-generated Greece that becomes host to the conflict between the gods and the Titans, as well as the conflict between King Hyperion and all who stand between him and his prized treasure. Also starring the beautiful starlet Freida Pinto as the Sybeline Oracle, Kellan Lutz as Poseidon and Isabel Lucas as Athena, the film focuses more on the beauty of its characters than the reality of their experiences. While the Abercrombie models-turnedactors portray gods, the veteran actors like Mickey Rourke and John Hurt simply phone it in. There are times when Singh’s grand sentiment tries desperately to make its voice clear, dwelling on man’s need for God and God’s response that free will prevents a union of God and man in the mortal world. The lofty ideals of fate and free will are delivered, but not successfully. Singh fails to articulate any ideas; behind a lazily acted, action-packed plot is the mere throwing together of attractive models in front of some pretty backdrops, ultimately failing to produce anything with any substance. It is the beginning of time, and the gods have warred against the Titans
Relativity Media
and banished them to Tartarus. The evil King Hyperion wants to free these Titans by finding a magic bow and extracting unexplained vengeance on the gods. Theseus, a man of virtue, stands in his way and joins the sexy virgin oracle that is haunted by visions of the clash of the gods and the Titans. The plot seems to include details on a whim and clutters up the plot with new characters that show up, only to be brutally tortured or killed. Meant to be sentimental, it comes off as cheap and unattached. The violence holds little weight, and instead becomes simply gross to witness. The gods eventually intervene because of Hyperion’s brutality, and what takes place next is a series of beautifullyshot action sequences between the gods, Hyperion, the Titans and the good guys. Singh takes many artistic liberties, choosing not to remain consistent with Greek mythology, and instead draws from multiple stories such as the founder myth of Theseus as well as the Titanomachy where the Titans face off against the gods. Instead of a grand display of the gods’ might and the Titans’ evil, the battle more closely resembles the conflict of wolves vs. vampires in “Twilight.” What is tragic about this epic retelling of Greek myths through modern CGI
Rated: R
and special effects is the glimmer of a vigilante-turned-war-hero cliche that remains entirely inorganic through the film. Tarsem Singh focuses on his lighting, CGI, make-up and costumes, while completely ignoring every other aspect of telling the story. With action sequences inspired by “300” and other Snyder flicks, mixed with the dreamlike images that Singh’s style calls for, the film does indeed redeem itself, but it will not satisfy any intellectual or emotional needs the audience may have. However, with vivid golds and reds alongside the gorgeous but morbid CGI cliffs, Singh’s raw sense of imagery is unrivaled. But other films like “300” or “Watchmen” that use similar imagery make this film’s notso-Shakespearean plot look simplistic and disastrous, merely relying on visuals. This is not enough to keep “Immortals” afloat. Singh’s “The Fall” and “The Cell” have their place in cinematic history as great accomplishments both visually and as narratives, but “Immortals” will be nothing but a blip on the radar in this new era of visually stunning films augmented by technological improvements that can only aid special effects, not storylines.
alexander.wilson@pepperdine.edu
‘Love: Part Two’ Angels & Airwaves By NIKKI TORRIENTE LIFE & ARTS EDITOR
Angels and Airwaves released their fourth studio album Nov. 1, titled “Love: Part Two” on the bands own label, To The Stars Records. In accompaniment to their third album, Love: Part One, Angels and Airwaves’ new album continues the space theme and gives fans all the Tom DeLonge they love. Unfortunately, the album sounds much too similar to Love: Part One and doesn’t offer anything different than what’s been heard. The collection of tracks on this album all have long play times, some even as long as five minutes. This means that the songs on this LP, for the most part, all have minute-long instrumental intros before any vocals are heard. “Saturday Love” is the first song off the “Love: Part Two” album and sets the space mood for what’s to come on the rest of the album. The intro to the track sounds strangely similar to Daft Punk’s work on the “Tron: Legacy” soundtrack. It has an electro-synth dance music tune
that sounds like something that could come out of a music box. For those a bit sensitive to foul language, the song is explicit, so be aware. Aside from that, the synthinfused track breaks into an upbeat rock song that highlights Tom DeLonge’s unique vocals. The mix of synth and rock sounds Coldplaylike, along the line of their “Speed of Sound” track. The song is not wholly original, borrowing sounds from their previous album and other pop-rock bands. “Moon As My Witness,” another track off the album, is all rock ballad with its slower pace and its epic guitar solo. The song’s beat is reminiscent of a military march with its heavy drum melody. The track stays at this steady, rhythmic pace for the about three minutes and then suddenly the song breaks into a whimsical, spacey instrumental that makes the listener feel as if he’s out taking in the night sky or floating out around on the moon. The synth gives the track an otherworldly, far-out sound that fits perfectly with Angels and Airwaves’ space theme. Track no. 11, “We Are All That We Are” rounds out the album
Geffen/To The Stars Records with a smooth piano intro that sounds similar to indie-rock-popsynth band Paper Route. The build-up of the piano gives the song so much potential, but the lyrics fall flat with their weak lyrics. It seems as if DeLonge, who wrote the lyrics, resorted to easy rhymes that show no complexity in lyrical skill. Although the looping piano gives the track a cool spin on the usual rock ballad, the lyrics kill the song. It’s sad because the song has potential with its epic guitar solo. “Love: Part Two” is a nice attempt at continuing a cool theme, but it lacks ingenuity. Listen to their “Love: Part One” album; it’ll be easy to pick out the tracks that melody-wise are suspiciously similar. It’s sad because the band has so much potential to do something really great with the space theme. Don’t go looking for a solid album. It’s an easy listen but really has no substance and doesn’t show off any of the talent of the members of the band. Maybe DeLonge was too distracted with the reuniting of Blink-182, but nonetheless, that’s no reason to give a half-hearted effort.
leticia.torriente@pepperdine.edu
COURTESY OF ANGELS & AIRWAVES
Key Facts Band Members Tom DeLonge David Kennedy Matt Wachteer Ilan Rubin
Genres
Alternative rock
Label
Geffen To The Stars Records
Website
modlife.com/angelsandairwaves
I am entirely the wrong person to be writing this column. If you haven’t figured it out yet, I don’t do a lot of bucket list-worthy things. While many, many, many people would consider a life of copy editing to be one of infinitely thrilling twists and turns, the rest of my life doesn’t quite live up to this expectation of excitement. The edgiest thing I did this week was attend the Casino Royale-themed math formal, where there was no actual gambling allowed. I’ve never been arrested, and I’ve never been to Canada. Instead of raging in the front rows of concerts, I listen to the same track on the same album over and over at a reasonable volume, and then I spend the rest of the day humming it. (Sorry, roommates.) This leaves me with proud parents and good hearing, every college senior’s dream. I have been lucky enough, though, to have good people and good conversations fill my less-than-exhilarating life. And it’s these things that can easily get pushed aside in senior year at Pepperdine, in the land of bucket lists and to-do lists. We believe that meaningful activities are only found far away from Malibu, or we get trapped in trying to accomplish everything written on a mess of Post-its and planners. Then we miss the wealth of beautiful, challenging and wonderfully weird people who populate Pepperdine and its surroundings. It is the conversations with these people that have been my most enriching college activities. My Friday ritual is not to draft a lineup of the parties I’m going to hop later that night, but to go to Starbucks and spend all afternoon chatting with the people around me, under the guise of getting work done. Whenever I take a few minutes to look up from my laptop, it’s as if the people in the cafe sense that someone wants to listen to their story, and they start talking. About a month ago, I met a man in Starbucks who was walking around the U.S. He had exchanged his IT business and comfortable married life for donated meals and blistered feet, all to fulfill a Crocodile Dundee-inspired childhood dream of doing a walkabout along the perimeter of the country. Often these story-filled people will tell me much more than I care to hear. This is generally the case with scads of filmmakers and actors who are on the brink of fame … which they will cash in on as soon as one of their movies makes it to theaters. More fulfilling than the Starbucks acquaintance exchanges are the hours spent with fellow students, doing nothing but sharing each other’s lives and struggles, joys and fears. These conversations have earned me lower grades and less sleep, but also the unique rewards of greater compassion and appreciation for others’ experiences. The trouble with both these kinds of relationships is that they are temporary, one more so than the other, but few college relationships will follow us through moves and marriages and career changes. It really would be more utilitarian to avoid the entanglement of others, be they one-time Starbucks friends or weekly coffee buddies. But when we move on from college, it will be the memories of late-night talks in parked cars, lessons learned from professors during office hours and encouragement from those few on campus who knew the whole story that we will recall in times of loneliness and uncertainty. Even though I may not graduate with the best stories, I have heard some great ones. I will not have the best collection of life-threatening experiences, but I cherish my collection of eye-opening moments shared with friends. Don’t let checking exciting things off your list overcome the importance of connecting with the people in your circle or the people you could meet during the process. And maybe watch the volume on your music, too — good hearing is important for conversation.
aubrey.hoeppner@pepperdine.edu
LIFE & ARTS
B4 Graphic
Museum infuses fun into science
November 17, 2011
By Corina Mun Staff Writer
It is not uncommon to associate the city of Los Angeles with culture and artistry or even refer to it as a center for the arts. When it comes to exploring the multitude of museums located within this bustling city, the more popularized to-do list may include snapping pictures with the lines of lamp posts at the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art (LACMA), looking at the stars at Griffith Observatory, or for the Pepperdine student, paying a visit to the nearby Getty Villa. But for those who prefer a more visual and interactive location, visitors may want to try a more unlikely spot. The California Science Center may be just the place to immerse in all kinds of knowledge without any sort of the typical dry curator voice involved. Located right next to the football stadium on the USC campus, the California Science Center offers free admission to most of its exhibits, with a suggested donation of $5 for adults. The Science Center may sound a bit drab and even intimidating at first — especially to those expecting paintings instead of scientific concepts. However, its informative and interactive exhibits make for an educational yet leisurely visit. Made up of three floors, two of which offer various types of exhibit galleries, this museum leaves no room for boredom. It also covers a copious amount of subject matter, so it’s more than likely that there will be an exhibit of interest for everyone that visits. Its versatility is a definite standout. In terms of the plethora of scientific information the Center boasts: 1,001 Inventions, a special exhibit that is open until the end of this year, centers on the scientific contributions made by Muslim civilization during its Golden Age. Actors portraying these different inventors discuss their contributions entertainingly on screens that visitors can listen to by picking up a pseudo-telephone that allows them to “talk” to these major contributors. This unique way of presenting information — as opposed to reading an excerpt off of a placard — adds onto the decorative display of the inventions established during this time period. Among the permanent exhibits are galleries titled World of Life, Creative World, and Ecosystems. The World of Life exhibit focuses on the life processes of all living organisms, allowing even those who are intimidated by anatomy and physiology to grasp a basic idea of how our bodies, as well as those of other organisms, function. From a guessing game that involves matching a certain-sized brain to its rightful owner to a display of eggs due to hatch within the next week, the functions of body parts as well as the concept of birth, both of which seem to be heavy-duty subject matter, are brought to life through interactive means. The Creative World exhibit addresses the various means of communication and transportation humans use. Visitors are exposed to the different types of energy that are utilized to start a car engine, move a sailboat and even talk on the telephone, which all seem like faraway concepts. However, step-by-step explanations regarding how these modes of transportations function as well as hands-on demonstrations are placed throughout this exhibit. Among the notable displays included the “whisper dishes,” where one can say a message into a transmission dish to someone all the way across the room. The Ecosystems exhibit is the biggest, newest and perhaps the most interesting gallery, mainly due to the fact that it opens the visitor’s eyes to the different environments that exist in our world. There are several “zones” that incorporate all kinds of ecosystems; from the River Zone, which delves into how fluids carry energy and material from one place to another, to the Island Zones, which cover the concepts of isolation, evolution and adaptation, all of these distant environments are visually presented to visitors in rooms that represent the respective ecosystems. The exhibitions that the Science Center has to offer clearly encompass a number of scientific areas, but they go even further to benefit the audience. Through the accessible way in which information is presented, the scientifically unfamiliar can still comprehend and take enjoyment in what is being presented. What sets apart the California Science Center from other museums is its admirable versatility and approachability.
g
corina.mun@pepperdine.edu
COurtesy Of Bombay Bicycle Club
Birds of a feather: The four-member British band Bombay Bicycle Club is constantly reinventing their sound, but, collectively, remains on the same page.
Indie Brit band searches for footing By Sonya Singh Associate Editor
There was never a sweeter moment in the gray June workday than the moment someone walked over to the stereo and put in our magazine’s copy of Bombay Bicycle Club’s forthcoming third album, “A Different Kind of Fix.” And that was just the problem. See, the NME office gives a whole new meaning to whistling while you work. It’s great; there’s an album blaring throughout the office for much of the workday. And at least once a day for a couple weeks, the first hint of the ethereal ahs and bright guitar riff of the opening track, “How Can You Swallow So Much Sleep,” would shake me out of my preoccupied intern haze. I had no clue who Bombay Bicycle Club was before these afternoons in the NME office. All I knew was that they had a strange name and that I liked the catchy melodies and weird riffs more and more each day. Now that you’re curious, their name is derived from a chain of Indian restaurants in London. Yes, even the band has admitted it’s a bit ridiculous. Anyway, for a few days I was too hesitant to interrupt my so-busy-I-take-lunch-at-my-desk colleagues to ask what band was blaring through the stereo. It’s only fair to clarify that their kindness always invalidated my reticence — contrary to whatever I made up in my head before these situations, no one dropkicked me for daring to ask a question. I finally asked one of the editors next to me, and he replied happily that it was
BBC (not to be confused with the slightly better known British Broadcasting Corporation), leading to a moment of shared appreciation while we listened to this surprisingly solid album, again and again … and once more for good measure. “I actually considered going around the empty office last night and hiding all available copies of this album,” wrote NME Reviews Editor Emily Mackay when she posted the first review June 22. “Not because I don’t like it, but because it’s been on so much I’m terrified the office Obsessive Compact Disc sufferers will ruin it for me before it even comes out.” Amen. But we all knew there were plenty of reasons it wielded so much staying power in the office stereo. However, these reasons are subtle — it was days before I realized that BBC’s melodies had burrowed their way into my subconscious, surfacing at really opportune moments, like the quietest part of class or at dinner. Yet, none of what was popping up in my head stood out while listening to the album at work until I actively listened for it. This album, led by Jack Steadman’s easy vocals, has a sleek, pleasant, neutralizing sound full of sound loops being used as both melody and percussion, like on the single, “Shuffle.” “The same impulse that triggers my desire for an Oreo McFlurry makes me want to listen to ‘A Different Kind of Fix,’” wrote the folks at Pitchfork about the hypnotic quality that “Fix” shouldn’t have, if you really think about it, but it does. But even before “Fix,” the band had already charmed the U.K., swooping in to beat out others
like Mumford & Sons and The xx for Best New Band at the 2010 NME Awards, for example. With this album, I think Bombay has a good chance of breaking in America (not counting their contribution to one of the “Twilight” soundtracks, because that should never be your big break in America). Preceded by acts like Mumford & Sons, Florence + the Machine, Laura Marling, Adele and a variety of other brilliant Brits, BBC easily has the talent to ride the wave of this new British Invasion. There’s only one problem — three albums and 10 singles into their career as a band, and they’re a bit of the Killers here, a hint of the Libertines there, maybe a tinge of Mumford wedged in the acoustics in between. Who are these guys? Are they commendably diverse or just a bit restless? “I think we’re getting there, maybe with a couple more albums,” bassist Ed Nash told NME on Nov. 11. “We’re still a way away from having our own sound. We’re just probably borrowing from other people’s sounds, like a hybrid.” At least they’re aware that they’re borrowing (ahem, Coldplay). But there are flashes of originality on “Fix,” and I think they’ve got what it takes to carve their own niche. The spotlight may have fallen on Bombay Bicycle Club before they were completely ready for it, but they’re a band to keep your eye on. Sort of like how we keep our eye on that Oreo McFlurry as we pass the McDonald’s, except you won’t feel as bad about yourself after letting “A Different Kind of Fix” play in your stereo once, twice or 17 times. g
sonya.singh@pepperdine.edu
Thanksgiving remains underrated, yet holds a world of awesomeness By Nikki Torriente Life & Arts Editor
Thanksgiving is only a week away, which means it’s time to pack up and head on home for a few days. There are a million reasons why Thanksgiving is so awesome, but here are the five best things about the holiday celebrating Pilgrims and Indians. Those Turkey Day lovers will know what’s up. It’s only one of the most underrated holidays ever. 1. The first thing that makes Thanksgiving such a great holiday is the fact that overeating is acceptable and expected. This is the only holiday where going back for seconds, thirds and fourths does not call for an intervention. Thanksgiving marks the once-a-year occasion where people can eat entire pies or turkeys by themselves, without being judged by society. After slaving away in the kitchen preparing threecourse meals, moms and grandmas want people to go back and stuff their faces with more food. Honestly, moms and grandmas would be highly offended if everyone only ate one plate. So, enjoy this time to pig out. No one’s judging you … that harshly. But really, you have a whole day to eat good homecooking. Remember, come Monday it’s back to school. 2. Along with the fact that Thanksgiving is the only occasion for overeating, Thanksgiving is also a day when the “special pants” get taken out from the very back of the closet or drawer and nobody makes fun of them. The heavy duty elastic might be 30 years too late, but when it comes to comfort at the dinner table, those pants you’re pretending you don’t own are the only things that can handle the feast. Circulation won’t be cut off by tight jeans
Luke Ruegger / Art EDITOR
and buttons, and the special pants leave room to grow. At the end of the day, your stomach won’t resent you for trying to squeeze it into a pair of jeans. 3. Thanksgiving in college speak means real food. Yes, for all those who will be making the trip home for a few days, this means that you will finally be able to eat something of variety. Don’t act so surprised at your own motives. Thanksgiving means that you are fed by real home-cooked meals for almost five days. No more mac and cheese, frozen foods or most importantly, Caf food. And maybe your parents will love you enough to make your favorite food during this time. Thanksgiving cannot get any more perfect. You get a whole day of delicious food that’s warm and made with love. Even better, you can snag a few Tupperware containers of leftovers. The fun never has to end. Just remember to tell your mom you appreciate her cooking skills. Maybe
during Christmas she’ll let you choose the menu. 4. Turkey Day also marks the beginning of holiday family events. Don’t roll your eyes. As much as you hated family events back in high school, it’s different now that you don’t see your family every single day. Admit it. You get a little sentimental when you reflect back on those family times where everyone made an effort to meet at Grandma’s house to pass around fluffy dishes of mashed potatoes or fresh-out-ofthe-oven biscuits. Or even gather around the TV to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Thanksgiving is the day where everyone comes together to celebrate and catch up. So what if it means that you get a few lectures here and there about the future? It’s family. And when it comes down to it, that’s what’s most important. 5. Sentimentality aside, the fifth and final best thing about Thanksgiving is that it means Christmas
is only a month away. The holiday cheer is in full swing when Thanksgiving comes and, subsequently, goes. Once Thanksgiving and the succeeding food comas pass, it means that it’s time to bring out the tinsel and garlands because it’s Christmastime. Oh, you’re above decorating are you? Scrooge, it’s best you embrace the holiday spirit and decorate. Lights synced to a Justin Bieber holiday song? Oh yeah, it’s happening. The smell of gingerbread wafting through the room? Yes, that means Christmas is almost here. Thanksgiving makes way for Christmas decorating and the countdown to the new year. How better can Thanksgiving get? So, Waves, go enjoy the miniholiday. It offers a nice reprieve from the crunch time that defines the end of the semester. And remember, Thanksgiving is just as important as Christmas and deserves to be properly celebrated. Happy Thanksgiving! leticia.torriente@pepperdine.edu g
LIFE & ARTS
November 17, 2011
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BriTT kiDD Life & Arts AssistANt
Cleanse mind of negative thoughts for life of clarity
When most people hear the words “toxic” or “pollution,” they most likely relate these terms with the toxins or pollutants in the environment. But do you ever relate these terms to the human mind? Quite similar to the Earth’s surface, the human mind can become polluted with toxic thoughts that can be detrimental to one’s self-esteem and sense of self-worth. However, by recognizing triggers that cause you to think negatively, you can learn to purify your thoughts and break negative thought patterns.
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COurtesy Of VeRoNica meRRick
Embrace unity: Pepperdine students come together to support the concept of One Wish: to inspire youth to be proactive and change the world.
Students rally for One Wish By Sarah raCker stAff Writer
For those bold enough to brave the cold and rain on Friday evening and make their way up to Drescher Courtyard, The Board hosted a nonprofit festival, featuring booths celebrating making a difference in the world. In addition to the array of booths, a cozy tent warmed by space heaters was filled with live music and places to munch on food from a free organic food truck. Seven booths featured clubs on campus benefitting nonprofit organizations with the goal of making the world a better place. Ranging from causes in Congo to North Korea, all of the booths were student-hosted with a distinct mission in mind. LiNK, a group started in 2004 by two college students, seeks to protect refugees fleeing North Korean tyranny. Refugees who are caught fleeing to China are deported back to North Korea and punished severely when they arrive. “LiNK strives to protect refugees from the North Korean border and save them from abuse,” junior Stella Kim said. The Face of Microfinance supports companies like Kiva and Opportunity International, nonprofit organizations that raise money for loans in developing countries. Anyone can lend as little as $25 to give opportunities to people in povertystricken countries. “We facilitate the loans so that people with less opportunity can be given the chance to succeed,” junior Niki McManis said. The newly formed TOMS club, based on TOMS shoes, raises money to buy shoes to give to children in local homeless shelters. When a shopper buys a pair of TOMS, a pair is given to a child in need. Since the shoes bought will be given to children in local homeless shelters, the TOMS club will be supporting children both locally and globally. Outside their booth, the club had an activity called Experience the Walk, where participants were invited to walk barefoot through three different terrains — gravel, dirt and sand. “We want people to experience what it’s like to be barefoot and to walk in the shoes of someone who doesn’t have any,” freshman club member Alanna Araujo said. TOMS club is coordinating with We Art Aware, which also had a booth at One Wish. The clubs will be having a Style Your Sole event Dec. 10, where people can buy or bring TOMS to have them painted by members of We Art Aware. We Art Aware also sponsored the fashion show of the night, with clothes provided entirely by Artifac Tree, a local thrift shop in Malibu. Artifac Tree is also a nonprofit or-
COurtesy Of VeRoNica meRRick
Making waves: Students set up non-profit booths to bring more awareness to the Pepperdine community about global causes of all kinds.
ganization that supports the local homeless community. “We Art Aware tries to bridge the gap between the common individual and social needs and injustices through art,” said sophomore and president of We Art Aware, Genevieve Ruddock. Teach For America, supported by The Board, is a two-year program for undergraduate students in any field to become teachers for underprivileged school children. Teach For America supports institutions wherever there may be a need for teachers, from schools in Washington, D.C., to various Native American reservations. “I’ve always been able to have good teachers and been inspired by mentors, so it’s really important to me to be able to give that opportunity to someone else,” said senior Mimi Rothfus, who recently applied to be
a teacher for Teach For America. The Board was also promoting the Week of Hunger and Homelessness through International Justice Mission and the Pepperdine Volunteer Center. During the Week of Hunger and Homelessness, students have camped out in Joslyn Plaza, opting to go without beds and shelter in order to experience a little of what it’s like to be homeless. Falling Whistles was also being supported by The Board, specifically through what is known as the Face Campaign. Falling Whistles is campaigning for peace and free elections in Congo, and instead of signing a petition, they are encouraging advocates to take pictures of themselves and send them to the White House. “There’s even a handy little iPhone app now, so people can easily take pictures of themselves and their friends and send them directly to the
White House,” senior Kevin Rivera said. The final booth was for Lovemine, an organization dedicated to protecting political prisoners in Burma. The organization was founded two years ago by three Pepperdine undergraduates after a trip to the Thai-Burma border. Burma is currently experiencing a 50-year civil war due to a military dictatorship, where over 2 million people have been displaced. Lovemine aims to protect and support refugees fleeing the injustice of Burma. “This is the longest running civil war in history, and 3,100 villages have been destroyed due to the military dictatorship,” said Tim Jones, missions director at Malibu Presbyterian Church. “We’re made up of entirely volunteers, and we want to connect every individual and their particular skill set in order to help the refugees,” said Pepperdine alumna Lauren Hartley (2010.) While each of the booths was promoting individual organizations, Green Truck was providing free organic, sustainable food, and a DJ and Pepperdine originals senior Greg Pinizzotto and freshman Karianne Larson were providing music. Despite the rain, spirits were not dampened to inspire change in the world with One Wish on Nov. 11. Even if the digits do not align however, it’s never the wrong time to celebrate those that strive to make the world a better place.
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sarah.racker@pepperdine.edu
Tip No. 1: Check your surroundings and your thought patterns. Whenever you begin to catch yourself polluting your mind with toxic thoughts, stop and evaluate your surroundings. What were you just doing? Who were you just talking to? What made you begin to think this negative thought? Often people unknowingly continue to place themselves in situations that cause them emotional stress and, in turn, trigger negative thoughts. By evaluating your surroundings, you can understand the causes of these thought patterns. With this newfound understanding of what environments or circumstances cause you to think negatively, you can work on new approaches to removing these situations from your life. If you constantly and unknowingly put yourself in these situations, your time and emotions are exhausted by negative toxic energy. If possible, completely remove yourself from these situations beforehand so that you will not have to deal with the harmful repercussions. If you cannot withdraw yourself from these circumstances, try brainstorming new approaches to combat the negative thoughts. Perhaps you will have to go into these situations with a new and more positive mindset to help get you through the negativity unharmed. Tip No. 2: Know that you are in charge of your own thoughts. Often people do not recognize that at the end of the day, what they think is their choice and their responsibility. Nobody can physically implant thoughts into your mind, or tell you what to think. You, ultimately, have the power to decide what thoughts race through your mind. Although others cannot physically control what you think, your surroundings and individuals in them can heavily influence your thoughts. However, as mentioned in the first tip, by recognizing what toxic environments cause you to think negatively about yourself, you can exercise your free will and remove yourself from those environments. Even if it is impossible to physically remove yourself from a toxic environment, you are in control of your mental state, and you can shift your mindset from negative to positive. By choosing to see the situation for what it is and by not allowing yourself to fall into its negative trap, you can train your mind to repel negativity. Tip No. 3: You can reformat your thoughts in a positive fashion. You are in control of your own thoughts, as mentioned in tip no.2, and therefore, you can train yourself to think positively. Once you recognize what circumstances cause you to think pessimistically, you can train yourself to break the negative pattern. Whenever you begin to notice that you are thinking negative thoughts about yourself, such as: “I’m not good enough,” “I can’t do this,” or “I’m not smart enough,” you can reformat those thoughts into optimistic thoughts. For example, “I’m not good enough” can be reformatted to “I am strong and capable of handling this task,” or “I can’t do this” can be shifted to “I am doing the best that I can.” Although it seems slightly strange to talk yourself out of negative thoughts, it is part of a training process to help your mind weed out the negativity. Negative thinking can become a habitual pattern, and it is up to you to make the choice to break that pattern.
COurtesy Of VeRoNica meRRick
A night of unity: Senior Greg Pinizzotto and freshman Karianne Larson serenade the One Wish crowd on Friday evening.
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brittany.kidd@pepperdine.edu
LIFE & ARTS
B6 Graphic Rogue Wave
November 17, 2011
»CROSSWORD PUZZLE
Happy Holidays ACROSS 2 Miserly man hates X-mas 8 Cindy Lou Who’s hometown 10 Arctic autocrat 11 Number of Hanukkah days 12 Magical snowman 14 Side dish, ’50s dance 16 Elf who loves smiling 21 Schwarzenegger & Sinbad 24 Inaudible evening 25 Newest X-mas album 26 Killer snowman 30 Christmas train 32 X-mas flower 34 Gift socks 36 Valentine reindeer 37 Birthplace of X-mas 42 Father’s brother 43 Emancipator, Thanksgiving declarer 44 Striped sweet 46 Lucky turkey tendon 47 Foxy reindeer 48 Santa’s ride
By BeN hOLCOMB stAff Writer
Find solace among the family chaos I don’t like gravy, you guys. I’m sorry — I just don’t. And yes, you’re right, I’ve never actually tried it, but with a hue hovering dangerously close to se(w)a(ge) green, do I really need to? And it’s not as if the smell helps its cause any, either. But it’s not just the gravy, you guys; it’s the sweet potatoes, the inexplicable stuffing crudely jostled into the carcass of a beheaded turkey, the pumpkin pie and the cranberry sauce unceremoniously plopped onto a saucer from a can. Like a Native American cringing at the kids’ table of the first Pilgrim feast, Thanksgiving and I just don’t mesh very well. I sometimes think back to how it all started, with Pocahontas breaking the first bread of the holiday with Pilgrims like Christopher Columbus and … that other guy. Back to the good ol’ days when Indians agreed to stop scalping the heads of wandering settlers, if only for a long weekend, and the native British halted their methodical subjugation of sacred land in the name of the king. Has there ever been a more noble foundation from which a holiday was birthed? I think not. And yet somehow, every year when my extended relatives gather around the overflowing cornucopia centerpiece for one lavish meal, I find myself perpetually at the kids table, not having a good time. And it makes me wonder if there’s something wrong with me, if I’m somehow un-American or anti-family. But I’m not. I love my 102-year-old great-grandmother; I love her more than anything. I just don’t look forward to flying 3,000 miles across country to sit at a shortened 4-by-4 folding table attempting to hold a conversation with someone whose attention span has now deteriorated to goldfish levels. And I love my cousin, but I’d rather not be on “choke alert” all night, as he tests the limits of his trachea with ever-increasing sizes of turkey slices. Does that somehow make me less patriotic? Sacajawea said it best when she said, “This Thanksgiving stuff is nonsense.” Now I had a hard time actually locating that official quote, but if you’ve ever seen “Almost Heroes” or her face on the back of a coin, it’s safe to say that statement’s not too far from her line of thinking. Where do I turn? Where do I find solace on this sacred Thursday in November when everyone else is flooding social networks with adoration of feasting, fellowship and football? I wish more than anything that my neuroticism wouldn’t lead me to stare apprehensively at the buffet before me, scanning for things I’d actually eat. But these were the cards dealt to me, cards that say I’d rather eat Chickfil-A than yams. Nevertheless, I’ll still be there, traversing the hectic lines at LAX, rushing to catch my flight home so that I can sit at the table annex 10 yards away from the rest of my family, awkwardly poking the mush on my plate, staring blankly into eternity, monitoring my great-grandmother’s inadvertent drooling, hoping that, for whatever reason, this year we exchange presents. God bless the USA.
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william.holcomb@pepperdine.edu
See the pepperdine-graphic.com/life-arts for solutions to this week’s puzzle.
DOWN 1 Ran over Grandma 2 Helpful Indian 3 Roasts on open fire 4 Holiday for the rest of us 5 Dreamy color of X-mas 6 Dark shopping day 7 Pilgrim state 9 Unaccompanied youngster, movie
13 15 17 18 19 20 22 23 27
Turkey Day sport Mother’s sister Vertically-challenged percussionist Santa’s nickname Santa’s booze X-mas ballet Kissing plant Santa’s midnight snack Falls at 32 degrees
28 29 31 33 35 38 39 40 41
Sleepy turkey chemical X-mas birthday boy Jack Skellington Santa’s home Red-nosed reindeer Parading department store African-American holiday Stole Christmas Color of Starbucks cups
Student artist’s abstract style finds muse in nature By LaUreN JOhNSON
though adapted, never entirely repeated, DemerestSmith manages to capture and convey the integrity of the object depicted, coercing the viewer into doing a If you’ve ever been anywhere near Pepperdine double take on nature and its surrounding elements. University’s Cultural Arts Center, chances are you’ve Of course, as Demerest-Smith has said, art can never run into Pepperdine student and local California artist compete with nature; it can perhaps only cause you Brighton Demerest-Smith. Demerest-Smith lives and to look harder, look more intently, look differently breathes his art, spending the majority of his time at an element or aspect of it that you may have never here at Pepperdine holed up in one of the upstairs noticed before. It is with this in mind that Demereststudios, churning out piece by piece like a machine Smith explores his subject, doing highly personal — but without the mechanically formed, apathetic psychological-scientific “experiments” through varied contrivances that too much of art today seems to approaches to the subject matter, all the while hoprobotically insinuate. Demerest-Smith works from his ing to discover something new about the flower, and head, paints from his mind and through his hands, about himself, in the process. trying to express an idea through universally recogAs an artist, Demerest-Smith naturally finds a nized forms of beauty. His paintings almost require an deeply personal connection with the theme of the oremotional response, whether it be a plein air landchid — an “obsession,” as he calls it. What strikes him scape piece, where forms ebb in and out of abstraction the most, after having studied and observed several and lucidity, or one of his most different orchids in order recent undertakings: a series of to prepare for the painting orchids. process, is the beauty of the If you do find yourself strollorchid in sharp contrast ing by the CAC and happen to with its origins. The stem, run into Demerest-Smith see if the leaves and the roots at he’ll take you up to the studio the bottom of the plant are and show his works in proall rather displeasing to the cess. Recently, I was fortunate eye, if not downright ugly, enough to take a peek inside he explains. It is only the myself. Upon walking into the blossom — which separates studio, it’s not surprising to at itself from its low-lying first be overwhelmed by the exroots by a slender, long stem plosion of color and paint that thrust high into the sky — CoUrtEsY oF BrIGhton DErMErESt-SMIth seems to coat the studio like a that represents any beauty. layer of dust. In a sense, Demerest-Smith Maybe the ghost of Jackson Pollock was working says, he sees the flower as staying strongly connected here, one might muse; but then one is immediately to its history, its source, but never fearing to display confronted with a few of Demerest-Smith’s recent its stunning attractiveness and its exquisite potential. paintings, a series of orchids. Containing the emoThus, through abstracted representation, through tional expressivity of a Pollock without all the mess, artificially realistic beauty, Demerest-Smith promises Demerest-Smith uses what can only be paradoxically the viewer more than just a delectable confection, as deemed “controlled spontaneity” — thick, impasto some of his pastels might suggest. Rather, his works brush strokes that lend an expressive creativity and an are capable of conveying and expressing a beating emotionally charged feeling to the work. Sure, they’re heart beneath layers of oil on canvas. images of flowers, each represented in varying forDemerest-Smith was born in Irvine, Calif., in malistic degrees, each highlighting and emphasizing 1991; he has been involved in the arts for several different parts of the vegetation — the silky smooth years, painting since he was 12 and attending an allflatness of the petals, the varying color temperatures arts high school in Orange County. Having exhibited contained within a single blossom, the diverse simiin several nationally recognized Southern California larities within an entire bunch — but there is someart venues, fairs, and galleries, Demerest-Smith’s thing rather expressive to them. Some of the paintings young career as a Los Angeles artist has already been contain almost incised, carved elements. The paint met with a great degree of success. One of the few practically leaps off of the canvas, begging the viewer young artists to be currently represented in a galto indulge it with a glance, a comment, a murmur of lery, many of Demerest-Smith’s works in his current appreciation for its sculptural qualities. “Orchid” series can be seen on display at Skidmore Through the use of strong, frenetic, painterly Contemporary Art Gallery in Santa Monica’s Bergalauren.johnson@pepperdine.edu gestures, each one unique to the specific work, and mot Station. ContriBUtor
WIKI
OF THE WEEK
Wikipedia has nearly four million English articles, and many of those are boring. Some, however, are surprising, amusing and downright interesting. Each week, we select a Wikipedia article that fulfills these criteria. Scan the barcode for a direct link to the page!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_western_civilization Studying for a humanities final? Wikipedia is the answer. In fact, this article could substitute for the entire humanities track. Roughly 11,000 years of history takes about 65 printed pages to get through. So, let’s be real: You’re not going to read this. If nothing else, just peruse it for the pictures. They range from the Parthenon to the U.N. General Assembly, from Jesus to JFK and from a map of medieval Europe to a picture of Neil Armstrong on the moon. After all, why go to class or read books when you can browse Wikipedia?
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LIFE & ARTS
November 17, 2011
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Single’s Guide: Master Thanksgiving festivities By Nathan Stringer
Assistant Life & Arts Editor
You’re single and you should be thankful — and not just because it’s the Thanksgiving season. You save enormous amounts of time and money by not dating. After all, why would you spend a Saturday night out on a date when you can stay at home alone, staring at the wall of your dark room and dreading the sunrise? Yes, Thanksgiving can be a wonderful celebration of your singlehood. There’s no awkwardness about bringing someone home to meet your parents, and you have no reason to watch your waistline either. Enjoy the holiday even further with these tips. 1. Invite other singles to your dinner. This may seem counterintuitive. Why would an uncompromising individual like yourself need any company at all? Well, do it for selfish reasons if for nothing else. Having other singles around will help you gauge how relatively pathetic your situation is. For example, you might find a crazy cat lady to sup with. You can tell yourself, “At least I still have my personal hygiene,” while you ignore the mustard stains on your jeans that you bought at Ralphs. You can also look at the cat lady and think, “At least I don’t live through my pets,” as your hamster runs endlessly in his wheel at home, mocking your Sisyphean life. 2. Host your own parade. You’ll probably find that the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade doesn’t quite satisfy what you want from the holiday. From what I understand from watching this parade, New Yorkers like spending a lot of money on utterly pointless cartoon balloons. Money is far too valuable to you, and everything must have a purpose. That’s why you should stage a small parade through your house, reading your resume through a bullhorn and enlisting the younger members of your extended family to dance in your honor. All that praise will definitely mask your vices and bitter loneliness.
3. Pretend like you’re totally fine around your family. Family members are great, right? They voice political views you thought didn’t exist outside of cable news networks, and they fill your spam box with chain emails. At Thanksgiving, you actually have to talk to them in real life. That can be problematic, as their questions may become uncomfortable. “So, have you been seeing anyone lately?” “What do you do on the weekends for fun?” “If you go to school in California, why are you so pale?” Cleverly avoid answering any of these questions by turning them right around. “How’s your significant other?” “I hear you’ve joined a book club!” “You look tan. Have you traveled anywhere recently?” Because, at the end of the day, you can always avoid talking about yourself by getting others to talk about themselves. 4. Watch some football and root for the referees. You may have to bond with the men in your family by pretending to like football. Ordinarily, you can cheer for the team with the more powerful mascot. (Who would win in a fight between the Bears and those Green Bay meat packers? I wonder.) But this arbitrary team loyalty could run you aground of the fans in your living room. Instead, follow the referees on the field and observe their calls. Pick your favorite and try to trace his influence. Does he seem to sway the decision of the head ref? Just make sure you only cheer for the refs when everyone else does, otherwise you’d be worse off than rooting for the Packers. 5. Toss around the football — by yourself. After watching full-time paid professionals play football, men like to pretend they can play, too. This can be problematic for you, because the only spiral you’re familiar with is the colorful doodle you drew on your hand. Avoid all the awkwardness of feeling pigskin slap your cold bony forearms by tossing the football to yourself. This may seem logistically daunting, but that’s never stopped you from taking group activities and making them horribly isolating.
Aaron Schott / Assistant Art Editor
6. Eat for two. If you can’t have a partner to love, you might as well make up for it by gorging yourself. Besides taking double portions of everything, take two plates and two sets of silverware. That way while you’re eating, you can pretend to be that special someone you’ll never actually meet. Laugh at all your own jokes and play footsy with yourself. When you start getting strange looks, declare people just don’t understand your love and retreat to your room where you can cry on your own shoulder. 7. Tell everyone how thankful you are for being single. There’s nothing wrong with you the way you are. In fact, there’s nothing wrong with anything. That’s why you should
widely publicize how great it is to be single. This may seem to fly in the face of No. 3’s suggestion to gloss over personal questions, but that’s just because you’re thinking too assertively. Telling everyone how thankful you are for being single should be done through sniped comments. When your sister starts going on about her husband, just cut her off: “Yeah, it must be nice to have to discuss every decision.” You’re your own, and you have the freedom to do whatever you want. Why do you even need someone else by your side? Right?
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nathan.stringer@pepperdine.edu
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SPORTS
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November 17, 2011
Men’s basketball wins two straight Two solid wins spell trouble for conference By Richie Estrella Staff writer
Alexander Drummond /Staff Photographer
Waves on the attack: Sophomore Nikolas Skouen goes for a layup in Saturday’s game against Pomona.
Men’s basketball took a step in the right direction this past Saturday when they defeated Pomona-Pitzer 59-50 at Firestone Fieldhouse. Junior guard Caleb “Tank” Willis paced the squad with a career high 18 points and four assists, and senior forward Taylor Darby added 14 points for the Waves (1-0), who won their first game under newly minted Head Coach Marty Wilson. The Waves started off ahead early in the first, leading 17-10 after consecutive 3-pointers by senior guard Dane Suttle Jr. who came off the bench to infuse offense into the stagnant opening stanza. However the Sagehens (01), members of Division III,
answered the Waves’ first half push with a 15-9 run to end the half down only one (26-25), led by the stellar play of their bench that produced 13 of their 25 first-half points. Willis hit a 3-pointer with no time left on the clock to help the Waves escape to halftime with a lead. The story of the second half was the domination on the boards by Pepperdine, led by the inspired play of center Corbin Moore who was held scoreless, but left his mark on the game with a team leading 10 rebounds. Darby added six of his own to add to the Waves’ 42-29 rebounding edge. The offense woke up in the final seven minutes of play, with Pepperdine pulling away with a 9-0 run in 2:02 to take a 4336 advantage. The Waves finished the last 1:22 of regulation
shooting a near perfect 7 of 8 from the free throw line to seal the victory. “It felt good to start the year off on a winning track with our new coach,” Suttle said after the game. “Hopefully we can bring excitement like that the rest of the year let people know to get ready for the waves.” Suttle finished with 8 points in 20 minutes off the bench for Pepperdine. Pepperdine took on the Sun Devils of Arizona State on the road and came home with a 6660 win at Wells Fargo Arena. The Waves continue their two game trip with a match-up with CSU Bakersfield this Saturday at 7 p.m.
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richard.estrella@pepperdine.edu
Waves soccer championship hopes dashed By Zack Jenkins Currents Editor
In a closely matched game, the women’s soccer team fell in the closing seconds of the first overtime to Long Beach State, 1-0, in their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2005. Finishing their best season in years, the 15-2-4 Waves won the second West Coast Conference Championship in the program’s history and set a record 13 consecutive undefeated matches. Despite out-shooting the ’49ers 16-7 the Waves failed to net any goals. The first half ’s pace picked up as the Waves held possession for most of the half. Throughout the second half sophomore Katie Gallanes continued to be the only thing standing between the Waves and victory as her diving saves and aggressive defense blocked shot after shot
from freshman forward Lynn Williams and sophomore defender Michelle Pao. Pepperdine junior goalkeeper Roxanne Barker was not challenged to make a save until the 69th minute of the match. In the first 10-minute overtime period, the Waves came out on the offensive with senior Laura Cole forcing Gustaves to make another diving save 42 seconds in. And with 13 seconds left on the clock a counterattack by the ’49ers saw freshman Nadia Link speed down the left side, cut in through defenders, and chip a shot just over Barker and into the back corner of the net, ending the Waves’ remarkable season with a 1-0 loss. “We wanted to make a run further than Pepperdine’s ever been,” Head Coach Tim Ward said after the game. “I think this team deserved a better draw than it got, but we did get them on our home field, and it’s our first loss on our home field all year, so that’s sort of extra painful in a
way. … We had two championship sides playing each other in the first round this year.” While many of the players were in tears after the game, after the shock set in they were still proud of the season. “We had an incredible team chemistry, and everyone played an important role in our success,” junior defender Ana Pontes said. “The seniors were awesome leaders and a major reason why we were so close, but I’m confident that this year’s success, as well as the loss to Long Beach, only motivates all of us to do even better next year.” As the team begins off-season training at the beginning of next semester, the sting of that lastminute chip will fuel the fire of the soccer team.
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zachary.jenkins@pepperdine.edu
Tsunami hits Arizona By Albert Owusu Sports Editor
Men’s basketball has begun this season on a rocket of a start. The Waves snagged their second victory of the season Nov. 15 in a game against Arizona State University. Junior guard Joshua Lowery lead the Waves with 13 points and eight assists as Pepperdine dominated in his hometown of Tempe. The score was settled at 66-60 as the Waves earned their second victory. The Waves dominated the game from the onset. A flashy layup by Lowery to start the first half gave Pepperdine a 9-8 lead. Sophomore guard Nikolas Skouen and freshman guard Jordan Baker each hit a three pointer that helpd stretch the lead in the Waves’ favor. Though the Waves played fluid basketball, Arizona State managed to chip at the lead, ending the first half 35-29. The Sun Devils came out of the half hungry and eager to tie the game; however, the talents of junior guard Caleb Willis were too much as Willis hit two free throws and finessed a 30-foot 3 pointer. The Waves would gain their largest lead of the game at 14 points when senior forward Taylor Darby managed to get an “and one.” The score was 56-42 with seven minutes left in the game. ASU, however, responded with their own 10-2 run over the last few minutes of the game. A put-back by Darby helped the Waves regain the fluidity they once had. Key free throws by Lowery late in the game would seal the match in Pepperdine’s favor. Said Head Coach Marty Wilson, “I’m very happy. Our guys stuck to the game plan, our guys were very disciplined. We’ve been preaching toughness and defense, and we did a great job of it today. I’m very, very proud of our guys.” The Waves held the Sun Devils down into 34 percent shooting from the field as well as a 25.9 percent from beyond the 3-point line. This marks the first win for Pepperdine against ASU since December 1957. The team is in the middle of a five-game road trip. Next up is CSU Bakersfield on Saturday. g
albert.owusu@pepperdine.edu
SPORTS
November 17, 2011
Graphic
CALL ‘EM AS WE SEE ‘EM Thoughts, reflections and predictions from our staff on the world of sports.
The NBA’s cold war has officially started this week the Players Union refused the owners’ latest proposal. Along with this refusal, the Union has filed an antitrust lawsuit against the NBA as well as disbanding its own union. Basically, the players are claiming the owners are bullying them into playing and are hoping the government is going to step in to save everyone’s paycheck. Only time will tell.
ALBERT OWUSU
What is happening with soccer players? Not too long ago Chelsea’s John Terry made very offensive comments about an opponent from the Queens Park Rangers and now Liverpool’s Luis Suarez is racially abusing Manchester United’s Patrice Evra. Premier League officials need to make it clear: Racism should be kicked out of soccer. This is the only thing I can tell: Respect of opponents should be the primary virtue of any professional athlete.
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mArIA PrAdA / Staff PhotograPher
ASK A WAVE
Athlete and mother: Phyllis Reffo is in her first year at Pepperdine and her second decade of motherhood.
Student-athlete inspires teammates, conquers swimming and motherhood By nArine ADAMOVA aSSiStant SportS Editor
Phyllis Reffo is not a typical college athlete. She celebrated her 49th birthday March 13, and she is a mother of two teenage girls. Whenever she enters Raleigh Runnels Memorial Pool, many think she is one of faculty members or Malibu residents who come to enjoy the nice weather by the water. However, it is not quite so. Reffo is a full-time student and a member of the swimming and diving team. She shared her family background in an interview with the NCAA. Coming from a family of Italian immigrants, Reffo grew up in a very strict home. Her parents did not appreciate that their daughter played basketball games and volleyball or joined a track team. When she graduated from Bishop Grandin High School in Calgary, Alberta, with the class of 1980, Reffo did not choose to pursue her education further by going to college. Being employed as a fashion model, she spent several years traveling all over the world, from Tokyo to London, from Milan to New York City. After that, Reffo spent almost eight years working as a broker within the finan-
cial industry in Vancouver, Canada. “I learned the financial business from the ground up and took the appropriate industry courses that would allow me to function at more demanding levels within the industry,” Reffo wrote in an email, “from the bottom up, as they say. Within a few years I was working with a partnership of brokers, very exciting work. And at the same time, very demanding.” She resumed swimming six years ago, to stay in shape and maintain fitness after a knee replacement surgery due to her torn anterior cruciate ligament. When kinesiology professor and swimming and water polo coach Steve Contarsy of Santa Monica College, where Reffo was getting her associate’s degree in general science, noticed a persistent and technical swimmer, he suggested that she join the team. Reffo couldn’t say no to the enticing offer, even though it brought additional challenges. When she graduated from the college with high honors, she realized that at that point the education she had achieved was not enough. She applied to many universities, but being accepted to all of them she chose Pepperdine for “its outstanding sports medicine program.” That’s how Reffo found her place as a Wave, becoming one of the oldest female
Division I athletes in history. “Phyllis is improving a lot as a swimmer,” Head Coach Nick Rodionoff said, “Her strokes are getting better. She has gained a lot of strength, and the team is looking forward to a successful season.” For now, the primary goal that Reffo has determined for herself is to masterfully combine her academic studies and intense schedule of swim practices. Reffo has become an inspirational model for her much younger teammates, as she gives a perfect example of dedication and spiritual strength. “‘Suit up and show up’ is my favorite quote, most useful when it comes to swimming,” Reffo said, “but applies to all facets of life. Dress the part and do the job, essentially. “Everyone I come in contact with teaches me something valuable, and I always look to someone who is a little ahead of me to strive toward and someone who is beyond where I am — a hero. Dara Torres, Janet Evans are two examples.” Reffo listed her future goals as “being a good mother and conscientious human” and “becoming a physical therapist.”
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Staff writEr
Pepperdine’s men’s tennis team continues to clean up some last-minute kinks in preparation for their spring season, following their performance in the Lakewood Ranch Intercollegiate Clay Court Classic in Sarasota, Fla. The tournament included some tough talent and a rare appearance on a clay court. Pepperdine displayed that they can fight tough but also showed that they need some growth. The team contributed three singles competitors including junior Mousheg Hovhannisyan, and seniors Daniel Moss and Jenson Turner. Pepperdine also contributed a doubles team composed of Hovhanni-
syan and Turner. The first round saw Hovhannisyan and Moss take part in action, while 98th-ranked Turner was cut from the competition in the first round. In a tough match against University of Minnesota’s Phillip Arndt, Turner fell by a score of 6-3, 7-5. Turner’s counterpart and number 111th-ranked Mousheg Hovhannisyan also experienced a tough match against Duke’s Raphael Hemmeler. Hohvannisyan showed true grit on the clay after dropping the first set to Hemmeler but found a way to win the match. Hovhannisyan then won the second set in a tiebreaker, going on to outlast Hemmeler and win the third set decisively with the match final score be-
ing 4-6, 7-6 and 6-1. Hovhannisyan, a North Hollywood native would prove to be Pepperdine’s most effective performer in the Lakewood Ranch Intercollegiate Clay Court Classic with a victory over University of Minnesota’s new recruit from France, Mathieu Froment, in the Round of 16 (round two) with a final score of 6-2, 6-2. Hovhannisyan then had to face top-seeded and No. 12-ranked sophomore Marcel Thiemann from University of Mississippi. Although not truly reflected in the final 6-3, 6-3 score, Hovhannisyan put up a tough battle against the German native Theiman. Hovhannisyan would end up being the only Pepperdine student to reach the quarterfi-
nals in the Clay Court Classic due to Jenson Turner’s surprise lost to University of Arizonia’s Giacomo Miccini 6-3, 7-5. In addition, the doubles team lost 9-7 in their first match to University of Florida’s Andrew Butz and Michael Alford. This tournament offered Pepperdine’s men’s tennis team a unique opportunity to play on a clay surface. Waves Turner and Moss identified the tournament as a “learning experience.” The tournament concludes Pepperdine’s fall season tournament run and gives the team ample time to prepare for their Jan. 22 match against Fresno State and start their campaign to return to the NCAA tournament. g
deanjelo.platt-friday@pepperdine.edu
Rugby: Waves continue tradition From B10
the ball down underneath the posts then the conversion can be kicked from in front of the posts; however, if the player touches the ball down close to the sideline, then the conversion must be kicked from the sideline. In rugby there are two groups of players who work together to move the ball. The “forwards,” or “the pack,” are the bigger and stronger players who push the ball forward running straight up the field. The forwards can be compared to the linemen
in American football. They do the dirty work in the trenches and hardly ever pass the ball or score. The “backs” are the smaller and faster players who attempt to move the ball up the field by running laterally and finding gaps within the defense. The backs can be compared to the running backs and wide receivers in American football. They both do a majority of the ball handling and scoring for their team. The backs use the entire width of the field while the forwards are generally bunched up in one area. In rugby, it is the combination of these two groups that allows for the continuous
“To have a successful season.”
“To pass anatomy.”
SUMMER ENALEN
JASON FLOWERS SENIOR WATER POLO
SOPHOMORE TRACK
“To meet Tiger Woods.”
ALEX FORSS SOPHOMORE GOLF
“To meet Macaulay Culkin.”
“To have a better relationship.”
“Do well on my finals.”
MIKE TRAGILL SOPHOMORE WATER POLO
ANDREW ENSLEN SOPHOMORE TENNIS
ALE GRANILLO SOPHOMORE TENNIS
narine.adamova@pepperdine.edu
Men’s tennis team dominates clay By De’AnJilO PlAtt
What was your 11/11/11 wish?
play. While one group is working to move the ball, the other group has time to set up for when the ball will return to them. When there is a dead ball the referee blows his whistle, and there is what is called a “scrum.” This is a test of strength between the opposing packs that is used to determine possession after a dead ball. If the ball goes out of bounds for any reason then there is a “lineout.” This is where the two packs line up and lift a player in the air to win the ball which must be thrown straightly in between the two teams. g
brady.johnson@pepperdine.edu
ADVERTISEMENT 4 Clean 250cc Honda Scooters for sale. No hill on campus too steep for these guys! (Even with another student riding behind you) Pictures and more information is available at: http://ventura.craigslist.org/mcy/2626162510.html http://ventura.craigslist.org/mcy/2626184119.html http://ventura.craigslist.org/mcy/2626176673.html Any additional questions please call Larry: 805-418-7810
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B10
SPORTS
November 17, 2011
»pepperdine-graphic.com/sports
ASHTon BoWleS / aSSIStaNt Photo eDItor
Wave Ruckers: Junior Takuto Suzuki and Seniors Orlandon Sweeney and Dalton Egger stand ready as they prepare for the weekend’s game.
Rugby battles onto center stage By brADY JOhnsOn Staff writEr
As myth would have it, rugby originated in 1823 when William Ellis picked up the football during a match and began to run forward with it. It was this breaking of the rules of conventional European football that led to the creation of the sport. Rugby became extremely popular among Ivy League col-
leges in the 19th century and even more popular internationally. American football eventually evolved out of rugby. American football implemented blocking, forward passing and stoppage of play to create the more popular version of the sport. According to Waves Head Coach Robert Ahola, “In the mid-19th century American football evolved out of rugby when Walter Camp took rugby and screwed it all up.” Pepperdine rugby is currently 5-3.
Though the team had minor behavioral issues with the referee in their last tournament, they are hopeful for the rest of the season. Last season, the team ended with a record of 15-2-1. There are elements of many different sports in rugby. Aside from the obvious similarities to American football, rugby can be compared to soccer, volleyball, basketball and wrestling. It is this diversity that allows for many different types of athletes to play rugby. There is
a position for every body type on the rugby field. If a player is small then he is placed on the outside wing where his size becomes irrelevant and he can use his speed to help the team. If a player is big, strong and slow then he can be put in the pack and help the team there. A full side consists of 15 players who work together to move the ball down the field. Two sides compete against one another for two continuous 40-minute halves. A try is worth 5 points and is
scored when a player touches the ball to the ground in the try zone, or endzone. The ball must touch the ground in order to count. This is where the American football term “touchdown” originated. After a player scores, the team can elect one player to kick a conversion goal that is worth an additional 2 points. The conversion must be kicked from where the ball was placed when the try was scored. If the player touches
»See RUGBY, B9
Water polo thwarted by UCLA By nArine ADAMOVA aSSiStant SportS Editor
Led by senior Andrew Milkovich, No. 9 Pepperdine fell to the vicious pressure of No. 1 UCLA (who share the leading position with USC) in the Raleigh Runnels Memorial Pool at the last home game of the season. The Bruins outscored the Waves 9-6 after the intense battle last Saturday. “We beat ourselves more than they beat us,” sophomore Mike Tragitt said, “We had many good opportunities to score, and it is very unfortunate that we did not.”
The Waves were down in the first quarter as the Bruins attack in the beginning of the game brought them far ahead to 4-1. Pepperdine, however, managed to concentrate on the defense and tie in the other three quarters (2-2, 1-1, 2-2). Despite the tremendous effort, the team could not make up for the lost points. Senior Spencer Hamby and junior Danny White made several outstanding passes and scoring two goals each. Throughout the game, the Bruins were led by junior attacker Griffin White, who earned the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) Player of the Week Honor.
The goalkeepers of each team, Bence Valics (Pepperdine) and Matt Rapacz, finished the game with 10 saves each. “We have almost two weeks to get ready for the next tournament, and it is a top priority for the team to practice and learn from our past mistakes,” sophomore Nick Cooper said. “We will definitely work on improving.” Pepperdine’s men’s water polo is approaching the end of season with a record of 12-11. UCLA will host the MPSF tournament starting Friday, Nov. 25.
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narine.adamova@pepperdine.edu
SCOREBOARD Womenʼs Volleyball vs.
Loyola Marymount Saint Mary’s
Date
Nov. 10 Nov. 12
Score
W, 3-0 L, 3-0
Menʼs Basketball vs.
Pomona-Pitzer Arizona State
Date
Nov. 12 Nov. 15
Score
W, 59-50 W, 66- 60
Womenʼs Soccer vs.
Date
Long Beach State Nov.12 NCAA Tournament
Score L, 1-0
C.Record: 17-5 17-6
AlexAnder drummond/Staff PhotograPher
The Waves never give up: Sophomore Michelle Pao tries to break the opponent’s defense on her way to the net. »See MORE, B8
NEXT UP ... Saturday, Nov. 19
Thursday, Nov. 17
Basketball vs. CSU Bakersfield Womenʼs Volleyball vs. San Francisco atMenʼs 7 p.m. at 7 p.m. Womenʼs Volleyball vs. San Diego
Friday, Nov. 18 C.Record: 1-0 2-0
C.Record: 0-1
at 1 p.m.
Womenʼs Basketball
vs. Fresno State
Womenʼs Swimming
at Arena Classic
at 7 p.m.
Day Two
Womenʼs Swimming at Arena Classic Day Three
Sunday, Nov. 20
Womenʼs Basketball vs. Boise State at 1 p.m.