The Auburn Plainsman A SPIRIT THAT IS NOT AFRAID ThePlainsman.com
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Vol. 119, Issue 40, 16 Pages
Trustees approve 4.5 percent tuition increase
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At the Auburn University Board of Trustees meeting Friday, April 12, approvals were made for a 4.5 percent tuition increase, Student Activity Center renovation architect, Toomer’s Corner redevelopment architect and Telfair Peet Theater addition budget increase. The decision made will raise tuition for students, on average, by 4.5 percent. The average coming from the difference of in-state tuition raises as opposed to out- of- state tuition raises. For in-state residents, tu-
ition will be raised by approximately $400 while those residing out of the state of Alabama will see a $600 increase. Don Large made the proposal, but had this statement to make before he showed his presentation to the board: “I know the last thing the board wants to do is raise tuition and you’ve stood strong by that in the past.” Many members of the board discussed, in depth, the decision before moving forward. President Jay Gogue talked about the promise he made
with student leaders in 2008. He met with students at the beginning of the economic downturn and the decision was made that no classes would be taken away, to ensure students would be able to receive the hours they needed to graduate despite the economic recession. Gogue also made clear to the board that it had been decided that when costs began to pile up that students would only take on half of those costs through tuition rates increasing.
Tuition and Fees Combined Cost 2005 – 2013
IN STATE OUT OF STATE
SOURCES: University of Georgia Study (2008), findthebest.com, usnews.com, collegeview.com
» See TUITION A2
Nowhere to run Community A7
Graduate recalls harrowing experience of the Boston Marathon bombings Robert E. Lee EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Social Reaction
THE PLAINSMAN POLL
This week’s question
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We couldn’t really see the first one go off, but we heard it and after that happened everybody got kind of quiet and everybody thought ‘Oh, someone has a firework or something that they were shooting off.” —Chris Serwan AUBURN GRAD 2012
just jump in, and so my mom and I went down with her to help her jump into the race and we went back downtown where we were trying to watch the elite finish,” Serwan said. Serwan and his mother, Sue, were watching the race when they saw the second bomb explode. “We couldn’t really see the first one go off, but we heard it and after that happened everybody got kind of quiet and everybody thought ‘Oh, some-
COURTESY OF THE WAR EAGLE READER
Pam Carr, wife of Scott, waits at the finish line of the 2013 Boston Marathon. Pam finished the race just over three and a half hours and was not affected by the bombings.
SERWAN one has a firework or something that they were shooting off,’” Serwan said. “Then we saw runners turn around and come back and all the debris and smoke going up, and everybody kind of stopped. Then the second one went off and we saw it, and after that we were just like ‘We have to get out of here.’” Serwan talked to his brother-in-law and sister prior to the explosions, but couldn’t communicate with them until they found their way back to the hotel. “My phone was blowing up with text messages, people just wondering what was going on, if we were OK, and I still didn’t know what happened or what exactly it was because people (thought) it was a transformer that blew or something,” Serwan said.
» See RUN A2
Associate AD, wife safe after terror strike Staff Report
Associate Athletics Director for Communications, Kirk Sampson, confirmed Senior Associate Athletics Director, Scott Carr, was present at the Boston Marathon Monday, April 15, but only as a spectator and is safe. His wife, Pam, ran in the race, and is also safe. “She could see the second explosion,” said Kathy Harker, administrative assistant for athletics. “She had already crossed the finish line and was just getting (drinks). They put certain coats on you to keep you warm after and she was doing that postrace routine and had seen the second explosion.”
Sampson also said he is not yet aware of anyone else from Auburn athletics that ran in the race. Kristen Oliver, Auburn graduate, of the Opelika-Auburn News reported members of the Auburn Opelika Running and Track Association participated in the world-renowned marathon, but are OK. Two bombs exploded near the finish line of the marathon at approximately 2:50 p.m. EST. Nearly 27,000 people participated in the marathon. There were more than 100 Alabamians, seven from the Auburn/Opelika area, participating in the race.
SGA approves funds for expanding Tiger Stomp
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INDEX Campus Opinion Community Sports Intrigue
Chris Serwan was only yards away when the second bomb detonated in Boston Monday, April 15. “When everything happened we were right by that final turn, so I mean we were 50 to 100 yards away from the second (explosion),” Serwan said. “And luckily we had just got a phone call from my sister and brother, and they had just finished and been pushed down the corral, the area after the finish line where they give you water and gatorade and all that, and luckily there were so many people that they were being pushed further and further away ( from the finish line). So they were fine.” Serwan, a 2012 Auburn alumnus, had planned to race in the Boston Marathon since 2010, but because of injuries and weather had to wait until this year. He had another injury, a micro-fracture in his right tibia, this year and decided to pass along his marathon number to his brother-in-law. “Basically that morning my brother-in-law left early to go to the starting line and my sister decided she wanted to run as a bandit runner, people that
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Evan Isbill WRITER
Monday, April 15, senate approved an Expansion fund for the Black Student Union for the amount $9,264. The fund is being allocated to BSU in the hopes of expanding their annual event Tiger Stomp. The decision garnered much discussion amongst the present senators. Walter Whatley, a senator-at-large, asked a question about a specific expense and this allowed for Jamecia Crenshaw, BSU Social Director, to explain more in depth what the expansion fund was needed for. Crenshaw went into depth explaining that moving Tiger Stomp from the Student ACT to the Auburn Arena brought a lot of unexpected costs that BSU had not foreseen. BSU had made an initial budget
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Tiger Stomp is a cultural event to showcase a part of campus that in no other event would have the capacity to showcase this event.” —Olabode Anise SGA SENATOR
for Tiger Stomp for $14,000 dollars before they had any idea how many costs would come from booking the arena. The total costs this year from Tiger Stomp were $23,264, leaving BSU with a $9,264 deficit, the amount they are now asking for. BSU took that additional $9,264 out of other BSU programs to pay for Tiger Stomp this year but is hoping the expansion fund will allow them to avoid that in coming years and re-
imburse them for the deficit this year. “Our original meeting with Keith Bagwell who is over athletic facilities, we were not informed that we would need all of these additional costs and all these additional supplies for Tiger Stomp,” Crenshaw said regarding the planning process. Crenshaw went on to explain that much of the money went to lighting because the arena cannot keep its lights on for extended periods of time.
Senator Sam Wilcox, Senator for Liberal Arts, urged his fellow senators to pass the bill making the comparison to University Program Council being given even larger sums of money for events. Senator Rob Garcia, senator for business, said Tiger Stomp is paid for out of Student Activities fees while there are non-Auburn students involved and attending the event while UPC events are only for Auburn students. Senator Richmond Gunter, senator of business, went on to clarify Garcia’s point. “If the event is expanding, if it is bringing in more students than just students in the Auburn area and of that nature; why is the event not getting sponsorships?“ Gunter said.
» See SGA A2
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The Auburn Plainsman
CRIME REPORTS IN THE CITY OF AUBURN APRIL 10–17, 2013 April 8-12 – Chadwick Lane First-degree theft of an ATV and a laptop between 4 p.m. April 8–9:30 a.m. April 12 April 13 – Shug Jordan Parkway Third-degree theft of beer and a candy bar between 8–8:13 p.m. April 14 – North Dean Road Second-degree burglary of a television and Playstation 3 between 2:30–3:30 a.m.. April 15 – Lee Road 137 Third-degree criminal trespass between 8–8:30 a.m. April 16 – Heisman Drive Second-degree theft of debit cards, credit cards, Tiger card, wallet and driver’s license between 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. April 16 – Harris Avenue Third-degree burglary of a laptop, television, sunglasses, glasses, headphones and Playstation 3 between 8:15–9 p.m.
Thursday, April 18, 2013
DUI ARRESTS FOR APRIL 10–17, 2013 ■ Justin Agogbua, 21, Philadelphia, Pa. Thursday, April 11, 1:22 a.m. on East Magnolia Avenue ■ Mary Champion, 20, Auburn Thursday, April 11, 3:43 a.m. on South College Street ■ Macon Munroe, 22, Talladega Friday, April 12, 11:31 p.m. at Shug Jordan Parkway and South College Street ■ Michael King, 20, Notasulga Saturday, April 13, 1:19 a.m. on Toomer’s Corner
■ Louisa Sipp, 20, Atlanta, Ga. Saturday, April 13, 1:58 a.m. at South College Street and Duvall Drive
■ Dnario Johnson, 25, Auburn Sunday, April 14, 2:31 a.m. at Annalue Drive and East University Drive
■ Brittney Baeke, 20, Kansas City, Ks. Saturday, April 13, 9:17 p.m. on North Donahue Drive
■ Erika Willis, 22, Tuskegee Sunday, April 14, 5:18 a.m. at South College Street and East University Drive
■ Colin Clarke, 22, Mobile Saturday, April 13, 11:01 pm. on South College Street at Walmart
■ Kirk Rentz II, 24, Ft. Meyers, Fla. Sunday, April 14, 6:27 a.m. on West Longleaf Drive
■ Tony Cannon III, 22, Linden Sunday, April 14, 1:11 a.m. at South College Street and Interstate 85
— Reports provided by Auburn Department of Public Safety
Donald Eakes awarded Educator of the Year Kailey Miller CAMPUS REPORTER
Pursell endowed professor of horticulture, Donald Eakes, was named Educator of the Year by the Professional Landcare Network Academic Excellence Foundation. This June will mark the 24th year that Eakes has taught at Auburn University. Eakes teaches multiple classes and advises the Professional Landcare Network Student Chapter. It’s a professional club where students do community service, fundraising and interact with the green industry, Eakes said. The club has professionals
TUITION » From A1
The other half would be taken care of internally with administration and the board. This differs from several other higher education institutions who throw almost all budget increases onto the student body. SGA president, Harrison Mills spoke on both sides of the issue saying he knew several students were paying their own way through college and that an increase in tuition would be hard on them as well as families with multiple children in college at the same time. He also said he understood administration having to increase tuition because of the economy and to remain competitive on the collegiate level. Mills spoke to the board directly, asking them to ensure that they were being good stewards of the money they received from tuition. Board member, B.T. Roberts said with these increases they had to ensure Auburn was not pricing itself out of the market of the students it was formed for and intended to serve and educate. Board member Gaines
come talk to the students and takes students to tour their offices and job sites. The students compete annually in a student career days event. Eakes was named Educator of the Year for the first time. “For me it just confirms what I do,” Eakes said. “It just reaffirms maybe spending extra time with them more than just in the class room. Those kind of things are important to me because I think there’s more to getting an education than just the nuts and bolts that come out of a textbook.” The Academic Excellence Foundation is a foundation that gives out scholarships
every year and also has the award for professors. They work for the green industry and do a lot with the legislation, Eakes said. Since 1998, they’ve given approximately $730,000 in scholarships to 720 different students, Eakes said. Eakes is a hard but thorough teacher, said Jeff Sibley, department head of the department of horticulture. “The plant classes that he teaches are very systematic and are a key foundation for understanding how to identify plants not just in his classes, but from there forward,” Sibley said. Sibley and Eakes were stu-
Lanier urged the board to consider that this was one of the lowest increases he had seen in his time on the board. Lanier said Auburn did not need to miss the opportunity it would be very difficult for the University to find an alternative to raise that money later down the road. After much discussion the motion passed and in June Mr. Large and the budget committee will return to the board with the final proposal for this decision so that the 2013–2014 school year students would see these increases. Because the new Recreation and Wellness Center is being built, the Board of Trustees can now consider what the current Student Activity Center should be used for. A possible use discussed for the center would be an auditorium, for physical education courses. Athletics may be able to use part of the center. Renovation will cost more than $750,000. The Board approved the architect reviewing process for the renovation of the Student Activity Center, which is expected to happen by June. There was also a request for a redevelopment of Toomer’s
Corner. “It’s one of the iconic spaces on Auburn’s campus,” said Dan King, assistant vice president for facilities management. “This is an actual project that we can move on to begin the architect selection process.” The board approved this motion. The last approval was on the Telfair Peet addition budget increase of $690,000 which would come from the College of Liberal Arts. The meeting also reviewed the status of demolition of campus buildings and new construction, renovation and infrastructure projects. The two buildings they hope to demolish by this summer is Dustan the Physiology Building, “In my opinion, it’s the worst building on campus,” King said. “They have snakes and frogs and it’s just a really creepy building. Both buildings are not worth renovating.” Owen Parrish, former SGA president, reflected over his year as president at Auburn. “Thank you for investing in me,” Parrish said. “I pray that you continue to do that with Harrison and future student leaders at Auburn.”
dents together in the early 80s and then Eakes was Sibley’s major professor for his master’s degree from 1992–1994. “His care for students is beyond comprehension,” Sibley said. “I’ve just never seen anyone in my years sacrifice as much personally on the behalf of the students and I’ve witnessed him do that.” The award is a national recognition across all universities for this particular discipline, Sibley said. Eakes teaches small trees, shrubs and vines; landscape construction; nutritional requirements for horticultural crops and a class that is part of the Professional Landcare Net-
RUN
» From A1 The only thing he could think about was finding his siblings. “We talked to them on the phone right before the blast and we saw the second one, but heard the first one, and we were hoping that they were fine and nowhere near it,” Serwan said. Serwan said after the explosions the scene was surreal. “Runners were turning around, all the spectators were getting away and all the police were swarming toward it,” Serwan said. “(Police) were trying to keep people calm and tell people to walk back and out of the area and back to their hotel rooms and stuff. We were worried about another (bomb) or multiple more blasts going off.”
» From A1 Before discussion ended senator Olabode O Anise, senator for engineering, mentioned Tiger Stomps
WRITER
Several Auburn faculty, staff, alumni and students were recognized by the Office of Sustainability for their outstanding achievements related to their field, whether it was through academics, program development or finding innovation. Jacquelyn Overbey Hart, a 1998 Auburn architect graduate, who now serves as chair of the Sustainability Committee of Goodwyn Mills and Cawood, was recognized for increasing recycling and reducing waste internally through the program. Faculty members Dan Bennett, Dean Emeritus of the College of Architecture Design and Construction, and
mittee, was awarded for her contribution to sustainable transportation. Tom Tillman, director of campus planning and Emil Topel, senior executive chef of Chartwells and Tiger Dinning, were also among the awarded. Two students from the Auburn Real Food Challenge organization, president Rosco Davis and education outreach coordinator Jennifer Sellers accepted the award for their group’s commitment to sustainability by promoting their goal of bringing 20 percent of real foods to campus by 2020. The William Olson Student Achievement Award was given to Nathan Warner, who graduated with a degree in ecological engineering.
EAKES
help from some of the faculty members. Students made a video for Eakes, showing their appreciation for him as a teacher. “It’s important to me because it comes from professionals in the green industry that have been successful,” Eakes said. “It has been a humbling experience.”
Serwan then moved hotels and said, because of the proximity to the crime scene at Copley Square, he had a police escort to and from.
Although it has been more than three days since the tragedy, Serwan said the city is still trying to return to business as usual. “Everything is just slowed down a little bit,” Serwan said. “Right around Copley Square and stuff, downtown is pretty much shut down and there’s security all over the place. I’ve never seen so many acronyms in my life.” With the investigation still pending and many questions unanswered, Serwan said the Boston community persevered regardless of the unfathomable devastation. “Everybody was just being really helpful,” Serwan said. “Residents were opening their houses close by to runners and everybody was just pulling together to do everything they could, and the police were under a whole lot of stress and still they were very accommodating and very nice.”
importance on campus. “Tiger Stomp is a cultural event to show case a part of campus that in no other event would have the capacity to show case this event,” Anise said. The bill went on to pass
with much of senate urging that the fund be looked at again next year to see if these funds were necessary or if different avenues should be used to raise money for BSU’s Tiger Stomp.
Residents were opening their houses close by to runners and everybody was just pulling together to do everything they could, and the police were under a whole lot of stress and still they were very accomodating and very nice.” —Chris Serwan AUBURN GRAD 2012
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NEWSROOM Charlene LeBleu, associate professor in the college, were also recognized. Bennett was recognized as the one who planted the seed for sustainability on Auburn’s campus. The Donald E. Davis Arboretum and the staff members who work there were given an award for the work they have put into the arboretum and the visible connection to sustainability it represents. Curator Dee Smith accepted the award on behalf of the team. The Office of Information Technology’s executive director Bliss Bailey accepted the award for their building project. The staff is made up of more than 120 members. Catherine Love, a master plan implementer and co-creator of the campus bike com-
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SGA
Office of Sustainabilty awards faculty, staff for achievement Eva Woghiren
work Student Chapter at Auburn University. “I think he is a wonderful man, his character is phenomenal and he’s just one of the professors that was a mentor to a lot of us as student’s and he’s somebody that we can just go to,” said Kira Chaloupka, senior in horticulture. “His class is probably the hardest class that we have to take as horticulture students and I think almost every student would agree with that, but it’s definitely one that I’ve learned the most in and I’ve been able to apply it to my life as far as using it in the industry and jobs.” Eakes’ students were the ones that nominated him, with
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Nguyen named National Student Employee of the Year Eva Woghiren WRITER
The Career Center recognized National Student Employment Week Sunday, April 7 through Saturday, April 13 and encouraged Auburn University employers as well as off-campus employers to nominate students who exemplified exceptional character and outstanding accomplishments in the work field while attending college. After the two winners were selected, the oncampus winner was then sent to the pool of regional winners for a selection by the Southern Association of Student Employment Administration. Not only was this student selected as one of the four Regional Student Employees of the Year, but also the overall National Student Employee of the Year, given by the National Student Employment Association. According to Haven Hart, student employment coordinator, this is the first time ever for an Auburn student to be selected for this na-
tional award, so the Career Center hosted the reception to recognize the two winners and the 22 other on-campus nominees, along with the five off-campus nominees. The reception was held Tuesday, April 9 at The Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center. The two students, Meghan Sadler, the offcampus winner, and Thanh (TJ) Nguyen, the on-campus, regional and national winner, were both unaware of the awards until their names were called out during the ceremony. “I didn’t even realize that I was winning until everybody stood up and told me to go up there,” Nguyen said. “I am extremely excited and still just waiting for it all to hit me.” The NSEA board president presented Nguyen with a $1,000 check along with a plaque. After graduating this May, Nguyen plans to travel to Ecuador and said he will probably use the prize money on a plane ticket. Nguyen was nominated by Mary Lou Ewald, director of outreach in the College of Science
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and Mathematics. “His work ethic, commitment to excellence and loyalty to the unit are to be commended,” Ewald said. “On many occasions I have witnessed TJ giving a 100 percent for 15 hours straight at an event and still be the last one to leave.” Ewald described Nguyen as dependable and reliable beyond what you would expect from a busy student. Nguyen is an active member of the Cupola Engineering Society as well as service chair for the Auburn chapter of the Society of Women Engineers. This year Nguyen was promoted by Ewald to technical director of the Robotics program, a position formally only held by Auburn faculty members. One of Nguyen’s many tasks with this new position has included instructing 15 teachers at a two-day intensive robotics workshop. The NSEA highlighted Nguyen’s several qualifications for this national award during the cer-
emony. Sadler was also recognized by the Career Center for working at The Hotel at Auburn and Dixon Conference Center. Sadler was nominated by John Simms, operation manager at the hotel. “I have worked with Ms. Sadler at The Hotel at Auburn University for over a year now and I can say with absolute conviction that if anyone deserves such a prestigious award as Auburn University’s Student Employee of the Year (off-campus), it is Meghan,” Simms said. “Her work ethic, reliability, quality of work, initiative and professionalism make her a tremendous asset not only to the hotel, but also to Auburn University as a whole.” The Career Center is proud of the students that were recognized and Vice President of Academic Affairs Timothy Boosinger closed the ceremony congratulating the students and thanking the mentors who made the nominations and encouraged students in their employment to learn and develop skills for the future.
Service Supports Students Saving Ben Hohenstatt WRITER
TUN, The University Network, has been advertising the deals of college-area businesses for 10 years. It launched its website, TUN.com, in 2010. “Our goal is to help students save money every time they open their wallets,” said Peter Corrigan, TUN’s CEO. TUN attempts to accomplish this goal through its website. TUN.com displays local businesses on an interactive map. It advertises the discounts they offer to students via its website, which was launched in 2010. The site also lets users search for local businesses by name and sort businesses by type. TUN recently created an application for the iPhone and
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Transient summer student Lindsay Little enrolled in an online accounting course while studying abroad.
Android smartphones called TUNdeals that makes the company’s bargain hunting services portable. “Nowadays, technology is in our hands,” said Helen Trieu, public relations intern. Both TUN and TUNdeal are free to use, and Trieu said the majority of the company’s income comes from the companies it promotes. TUN promotes deals for more than 12,500 businesses approximately more than 600 universities across the country including almost 40 local businesses. “In general we try to include as many universities as we can,” Trieu said. “It’s still a growing business.” Trieu said TUN is also beneficial to the companies that it promotes, not just the students that receive discounts. She said it offers an opportunity to increase business and
potentially develop a loyal customer. Only businesses that offer student discounts are represented on the website, and TUN often works with the company to create or increase the discounts offered. Businesses that TUN promotes are primarily selected based on proximity to universities and willingness to offer discounts to students. Trieu said the company encourages businesses to increase the discount offered to students. TUN simply promotes discounts, it does not create them. Savings created by TUN are also maximized by the possibility of repeated use of the discounts. Trieu said unlike websites like Groupon or physical coupons, the sales advertised by TUN can be used multiple
times. “We look up businesses around college campuses and reach out to them,” Trieu said. Trieu said the company also uses feedback from students to decide what types of businesses TUN should promote. “Students can request the sort of businesses they like,” Trieu said. Trieu said if students voiced the opinion they wanted to see more discounts on gyms, for example, then TUN would attempt to advertise more deals on gym membership. One of the local businesses represented is Adventure Sports. “I think people know about the student discount,” said manager Wade Lloyd. “I think word of mouth is primarily how it gets out.” The goal of TUN is to let many more people know about discounts like this one.
AU Bookstore Slogan Contest Students compete to design the best Game Day button slogans for next year’s football season. Austin Lankford
submit slogans for any of the games they want. They do not have to do them all to participate. “After the deadline, we will get together a committee of different people and go through and pick the best ones,” Edwards said. Edwards also said they will let the people know if their slogan has been chosen, but we don’t release the slogans to everyone until the week of that game day next season. “The winning students will get a shirt, recognition on our social media account, 10 buttons with their slogan on them and of course their bragging rights,” Edwards said. “We re-
CAMPUS REPORTER
The Auburn University Bookstore is holding a slogan contest for next year’s game day buttons. Jennifer Edwards, marketing and communication specialist said the deadline for the competition is Saturday, April 27. “Students can log onto the bookstore’s Facebook page and they can enter their slogans there, or they can enter in our website,” said Jennifer Edwards, marketing and communication specialist. “They can also come in on A-Day and submit their ideas by iPad.” Edwards said students can
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The winning students will get a t-shirt, recognition on our social media account, 10 buttons with their slogan on them and of course their bragging rights.” —Jennifer Edwards MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST
ally want to encourage people to keep submitting their best ideas.”
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Donnan receives Goldwater Scholarship Donnan has co-authored four papers, which were published in top peer-reviewed journals, one being “Resonant quantum transitions in trapped antihydrogen atoms,” published in Nature, a top science journal. “I originally wanted to be a chemist, but I took AP chemistry in high school and that went out the window,” Donnan said. “I enjoyed it, but I knew it wasn’t for me so I started looking in to physics. It’s the right blend of math and things that are actually going on.” In addition to physics, Donnan also has a passion for music. Although he has played the bassoon for eight years, Donnan said he tried several instruments before settling on that instrument, which to him is the most fun to play. “I wanted to keep playing my instrument and developing my ability, so majoring in it was not only a great way to do that, but a great way to learn more about music itself,” Donnan said. With plans to eventually be a physics profes-
After 30 years of teaching, Ed Williams, journalism professor, is retiring. After graduating from the University of Alabama, Williams began working at Auburn in 1983 after working in the newspaper business for seven years. Primarily working in community journalism, Williams worked at four different newspapers prior to his employment at Auburn, which was his first teaching position. Williams has taught several courses essential to success in journalism including; newspaper makeup and layout, newswriting, community journalism, newspaper management, feature writing, reporting, photojournalism and journalism fundamentals 1100. “The two things that I’ve done the longest that have meant the most were journalism 1100 and faculty adviser to The Auburn Plainsman; I did The Plainsman for 23 years,” Williams said. “The 23 years I spent at The Auburn Plainsman were the best years of my life.” Williams said he enjoyed getting to know the students on a more personal level while working on the Plainsman that he sometimes couldn’t get in the classroom. Williams’ dedication to the student publication is remembered even years after his retirement as adviser. An award is given annually recognizing the most dedicated, loyal staffer whose service to The Plainsman is unmatched, much like Williams’ time at the paper, during which the publication picked up 13 of its 23 pacemaker awards. Williams’ stepped down in the spring of 2008. Williams keeps a memory box that includes roll books with the names of every stu-
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The two things that I’ve done the longest that have meant the most were journalism 1100 and faculty adviser for The Auburn Plainsman.”
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dent that he has ever had in class. He guessed that throughout the past 30 years, he has taught hundreds if not thousands of students. Williams said he has been thinking about retiring for several years. “It has been so much fun, I’m not retiring because I don’t like it,” Williams said. “I just felt that after 30 years, it was time to step back, and slow down and I’m not sure yet what I will do, but with my newspaper time I’ve been working 37 years, so I’ve been working a long time and I’ve enjoyed every day of it, but I just felt like in my heart that it was time to step back and slow down.” Chris Roush was a student of Williams from 1984–85 and had Williams as a Plainsman adviser from 1986–87. Roush is now a journalism professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Roush said he uses what Williams taught him every day. “I’ve told him that I’m happy for him, but I’m sad for Auburn journalism students because they will not have the opportunity to have (him) as an instructor,” Roush said. “Ed is somebody that I have kept in touch with for the past 25 years because he is more than
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Ed Williams retires after 30 years
sor, Donnan also hopes to own a small, private music studio where he can teach elementary to high school bassoon players. “I can’t say that I’ve ever met anyone more driven to accomplish their goals.,” Gill said. “Patrick formulates a plan, and he follows through. The Goldwater application process involves thousands of exceptional students, and Patrick showed out as one of the top ones. It’s a testament to his work ethic.” Donnan said learning to prioritize has been a crucial factor in managing his busy schedule and accomplishing his goals while here at Auburn. “Looking forward, this award means that graduate-school applications are going to be easier, but it’s really a great honor to be able to look back at the work I’ve done and see it recognized by this award,” Donnan said. “It’s very humbling and reaffirms all the work I’ve been doing. It’s very exciting for me, because I applied last year and didn’t get it.”
let
Patrick Donnan, junior in physics and music, was awarded the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship to help fund a year of his undergraduate studies at Auburn University. Along with three other students, Donnan was nominated by the University as a candidate for the Goldwater Scholarship. The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship only awards 300 sophomores and juniors nationwide each year. “It’s considered one of the most prestigious undergraduate awards in science, technology, engineering and math or stem field,” Donnan said. Donnan, who plans to earn his Doctorate in Atomic Physics after he finishes his degree next December, is the president of the Society of Physics Students and is involved with the Music Teachers National Association, in addition to playing the bassoon in the Auburn Communi-
ty Orchestra, the Bassoon Ensemble, the Woodwind Quartet and the Auburn University Symphonic Band. “Perhaps the greatest compliment I could give Patrick is that if I had to write up a resume for the ideal undergraduate student, Patrick’s resume is what I would use as my template,” said Matt Gill, senior in physics and electrical engineering and member of the Society of Physics students. “There is no one here more deserving of that award.” Donnan, a member of the University Honors College, also works as an undergraduate research assistant for Francis Robicheaux, a professor in Theoretical Atomic Physics at Auburn. “He is an excellent student. He did very well in the two classes he took from me,” Robicheaux said. “Also, he has done very well on his research projects, completing several over the past three years. For all of these projects, the results were published in refereed journals, which is certainly not common for undergrads.”
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Auburn Running Festival a teacher, he is a friend.” The faculty and staff of the journalism department is hosting a retirement reception for Williams to honor his work
to the Univeristy. The reception will be held on Friday, April 19, at the Auburn University Hotel and Dixon Conference Centerd.
Saturday April 27,, 2013 vww
Starting at Toomer's Corner and finishing on the 50 yard line of Jordan-Hare Stadium
1/2 Marathon 10 K 5 K FunRun www.runauburn.com
Use the code PLAINSMAN and save 25% off your registration for any event!
Opinions
A6 ThePlainsman.com
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Opinions
Our View
Not So Trustee Most college students suffer from stress. We have to deal with long papers, brainmelting exams and less than cordial professors. Some of us even have to deal with the added stress of a part-time job along with our regular college coursework. But we keep going, keep trying to make it to graduation and the promised land of employment. However, all that hard work is paying of less and less, and the promised land is quickly turning into a debt-ridden hell. The Board of Trustee’s recent decision to raise tuition is a perfect example of how bad the business of higher education is getting. They voted to increase tuition by an average of 4.5 percent for the main campus and 8 percent for Auburn University in Montgomery. Obviously, the Board does not have the student’s best interest in mind. They don’t seem to realize we are the reason Auburn exists – not football, not parking garages and not fancy new buildings. Even the faculty would agree they have to have someone to teach in order to do their job. So why does the administration keep
making it harder for us to get an education? Simply put, we feel exploited, especially those of us who sold our soul for a student loan. We live in a time when it is almost impossible to get a decent job without a college education. But there is no point in going to school if we are going to be in debt for 10–15 years and basically a wage slave after we graduate. On a national scale, average college tuition is somewhere between your left leg and your first born, so Auburn is not unique. Inflation is the new god, and he is an angry and jealous god. But we’re here to tell you, it doesn’t have to be this way. Education is a right, and sometimes you have to fight for your rights. We understand that running a university is expensive, but it’s certainly not as expensive as the Board of Trustees would have us believe. For instance, if we were all charged the current rate an in-state student pays, the University would make approximately $450,000,000 every year. Remember, that’s
Letter to the Editor
According to the Bible In the most recent issue of The Plainsman, a column was written concerning what the Bible says about homosexuality. It is not my place to condemn anyone, but God has clearly revealed His position to us in His holy, inspired Word. Romans 1:26-27 reads, “For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.” Several observations can be made about this passage. Firstly, notice what words are used to describe this activity: vile, unnatural, shameful, erroneous, and penalty-inducing (Leviticus 18:22; 20:13
also refer to it as an abomination). Secondly, it is important to note how these individuals came to homosexuality. The passage that surrounds these verses (Romans 1:16-32) adds clarity to this issue. These people led lives of rebellion against the holy God, and their continual rebellion against Him led them down a pathway to foolishness. They were not born homosexuals; they willingly rebelled against the God of Creation and allowed their hearts to be continually darkened. Homosexuality is a clear violation of God’s law, but God is able to save even the chief of sinners. Ephesians 6:23 reads, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Thomas Sherer Mechanical Engineering, Senior
just tuition, not football tickets, housing, books or parking. A flat tuition rate, or even a tuition cap, might not seem like a good idea, but something has to change, and we see these as practical solutions — at least temporarily. There is no justifiable reason to continue raising tuition. Asking for more money for students is a sign of greed and hubris, not legitimate need. Bryan Elmore, director of budget services, said “The money will mainly go toward mandatory state operating costs and possibly building costs.” Mandatory costs include various insurance and safety regulations. We’re sure you can figure out what building costs means. We don’t need granite counter tops and flat screen LCD TVs in the new dorms; we don’t need parking more parking decks we can’t use. What we need is to know our education is actually worth something, and an Auburn degree is not just a really expensive piece of paper. However, the administration seems to be running in the opposite direction, a direction of high cost and no value.
RACHEL SUHS/DESIGN EDITOR
Her View
Rodeo lassoes in the lunatics RAYE MAY PHOTO@THEPLAINSMAN. COM
Rodeo is a special time of year where we suspend disbelief and pretend we’re all from Texas and nobody questions it. That’s not a slight at Texas, but it’s true. Is there really that much use for cowboy boots in Alabama? How many of us actually like NASCAR? Is it really necessary to start drinking at 7am in the morning? Of course, these are probably all resounding ‘nos’, but we do it anyway. We do it because it’s fun. Right? The Alpha Psi Rodeo, despite being a charity event, seems to bring out the absolute worst in everyone. This year with the reduction of parking passes, the shuttle lines were unreasonably long, and what I witnessed while I stood in line with likely 2,000 others caused me to suffer an almost complete loss of my
faith in humanity that I’m not certain I’ve regained just yet. Maybe it was because the average wait time was two hours to get to a bus. Maybe it was the morning sunshine that shifted too-quickly from pleasant to torturous, and the ensuing sunburn. Maybe it was the fact that there were people already drunk at 9 am. Whatever it was—I’ve never seen adults behave this way. People were shoving and hitting each other. People were cutting in line in droves. I heard more remarks of profanity, racism and sexism shouted through that crowd than I’ve ever witnessed anywhere else. A line that started as maybe 10 or 15 people across turned into 50, and the barriers were torn down. When the time finally came to board a bus, the crowd threw beer cans—both empty and full ones—at the boarders, and held up middle fingers. One of the people trying to control the crowd even gave up after a while and got in her car and cried. People were arrested. Cops were ha-
rassed. I’ve never seen college-educated adults behave in such a way. Even before all that started, all the good was taken out of the charity. Do you really think it’s okay to buy a ticket for a good cause and then scalp it for triple the price? I heard someone say that parking passes were going for as much as $500. How is that okay? Sure, maybe you bought the ticket for $45. Good for you. The charity still got that and you made it back five times over. How altruistic. People traveled from all over the South to come to Auburn for this event. When this is how we behave for them, what does that say? Do we really want this to be the foot we’re putting forward? We’ve been called one of the most hospitable campuses in the South. We’ve been called one of the friendliest, the most welcoming, even when we’re hosting rival football teams. Shouldn’t we try to put forward that same hospitality in all aspects of Auburn life? I thought Auburn men and women were better than this.
Letter to the Editor
Student calls for public apology from graphic display As I am sure many of you noticed, our main concourse was graced with an organization exhibiting in the strongest of senses their freedom of speech. They wielded banners with inflaming remarks, warning of Genocide images, and making comparisons that they themselves admitted were not supported by scientific research. Their posters, which are now implanted in my memory, drew parallels between the Holocaust and abortion. I, like many students, was outraged by this. I, and other students, noted the extreme proximity to the on-campus school. I personally find the images to be disturbing and distasteful, but I understand that shock tactics such as these images are part of the movement's methodology. I also respect that they have the right to show these images to the public in a public display. However, I think we can all agree that these images do not need to be in the minds and nightmares of children. A child is not going to be having an abortion, and certainly I believe we can agree that they are not an appropriate audience for this type of presenta-
tion. I personally believe that when uneducated minds are introduced to something that is legal but under debate, they should be presented both sides of the argument, not lambasted with one side. I am concerned and confused as to the location. The visual range for the presentation was almost at the Child Care Center, and far further than where their warning signs were placed, which did not feature any kind of real warning to parents as to what the content they were about to view contained. Considering that the message is about saving lives and saving children, I would think that they would be concerned for the children and what they're viewing. I have no clue how this affects children's psyche, as that's not at all my field, but it would seem if movies and video games are rated and age limited, then seeing gruesome images would have some affect on them. I believe the display should not have been located here, or if this is the only location, should have been muted down, or the
signage should have been more clear, which is addressed in my next point. According to Article II of the 1951 UN Treaty regarding genocide, genocide is: any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group. Abortion is not an attempt to destroy, in whole or in part a national, ethnical, racial, nor religious group. Abortion is not an organized movement aimed at the destruction of babies just because they're babies. As such, it does not equate to genocide. The term Genocide carries, as it should, and as I'm sure they know it does, serious emotional weight. It infers hate crimes. It infers cold, ethnic cleansing. I definitely do not believe that abortion amounts to this, and I would surprised to hear if most people did. A legal medical procedure cannot and should not carry that weight. Furthermore, the signs warning about the content we were about to witness were misleading. They warned of pictures of Genocide, and I
thought I would be reading about Genocides, an issue that I am always interested in learning about. I completely agree that warning signs should be in place. However, I believe that these signs should be clear as to the content you are about to view, as the content is abrasive at best, and can be deeply emotionally damaging at worst. We need to always keep in mind honoring the memories of victims of Genocide, an idea that is vital to my next point. The Holocaust was one of the single most horrific events in human history. It is unacceptable to equate a legal medical procedure to the horrors that victims of the Holocaust experienced. As a descendant of Holocaust victims, I would have found this highly offensive on any day. To make this comparison is belittling to victims, survivors, and their descendants. In fact, I would go so far as to say as it harms the Jewish community, which is very much still recovering from this event. Sunday, April 7 is a day which we set aside to remember the victims of the Holocaust. It was
especially hurtful to me today, after learning and researching about my great great great aunt and uncle who were brutally murdered in Lithuania and Estonia, to see this essentially baseless comparison. The Holocaust carries a serious amount of weight, and is something that too many Americans do not have a full understanding about. I have been told too many times that the Holocaust didn't happen, or the Holocaust wasn't that bad. The desensitizing of Americans to the Holocaust is only encouraged by comparisons such as these. Today we say, Never Forget. Never forget meaning of course to remember our lost ones, but furthermore to never forget how bad and brutal it was. I understand that I am a minority at the school and in the nation. But I believe that I and other people sharing my faith deserve respect and dignity regarding this tragedy in our past, and I certainly believe my ancestors who perished in the Holocaust deserve respect. This goes even further than the Jewish community. More than 12 million were target-
ed in the Holocaust, including homosexuals, gypsies, mentally and physically disabled people, and communists. Each of these communities hurts from the losses suffered in the Holocaust, and none should have to see a legal medical procedure compared to this atrocity. I think freedom of speech is most certainly a right, and encourage the utilization of that right. However, I believe, and hope you can see that this event was inappropriate and offensive. In my opinion, the Center for Bio-Ethical Reform owes a public apology to the Jewish community, GLBTQ community, and other communities who were systematically murdered in the Holocaust less than 75 years ago. It is unacceptable for an on campus organization to make comparisons such as this and present unproven information as fact. I hope to work with this organization to prevent these sorts of comparisons in the future. Sam Bartlett Computer Science, Sophomore
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A7
ThePlainsman.com
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Community
State legislature to hash out Marijuana and Hemp Act Chandler Jones Community Reporter
To put it bluntly, marijuana saved Christopher Butts’ life. It rescued him from narcotic addiction, revitalized his life and relieved him from pain, Butts said. “And honestly, I’m never going back,” Butts said. Ron Crumpton is the author of House Bill 550, also called the Marijuana and Hemp Reform Act of 2013. He used the bills recently passed in Colorado as a template. Crumpton, executive director of the Alabama Safe Access Project, said his organization’s main concern is for the patients, but extends to personal usages and to opening hemp agriculture. Since the Supreme Court decided legalization of marijuana is a state’s right issue, the Alabama Medical Marijuana Coalition has worked to pass legislation that could protect the patients of Alabama who can benefit from the medical use of marijuana, according to Butts the president of AMMC. This bill covers personal use of marijuana for users over the age of 21 years old, medical usage for “certain qualifying patients” and the regulation of hemp. Patricia Todd (D-Jefferson) is the bill’s sponsor. She has been working for years to get medical marijuana legalized in Alabama. The bill allows personal use, personal possession is limited to less than an ounce and the
uses of hemp range from Ford Model-T, which was going to be made with a hemp composite frame to a fiberglass-like substance to be used in construction to paper and clothes. Hemp can also produce as much as six-times more biodiesel per acre than an acre of corn. “These products are nothing new, it was just something taken away from us out of ignorance and it’s time to give it back to the people,” Crumpton said. “It’s medicine, has a ton of agricultural uses and some people enjoy it recreationally. It’s safer than alcohol, cigarettes and aspirin.” Todd has experienced first-hand how marijuana can eliminate pain and increase quality of life in AIDS patients. “People use it casually,” Todd said. “Some people go home and have a glass of wine; some people go home and just light up a joint.” According to Crumpton the bill would bring in revenue for the general fund and 5,000 jobs. “When you look at what other states are doing there is actually this whole entrepreneur network that’s developing around legalization,” Todd said. “It’s going to happen and these entrepreneurs are out front looking at distribution centers, paraphernalia and that sort of thing.” Patients rights is the prominent concern for the AMMC and ASAP. “The cannabis plant has been a medicine in almost every culture on this planet for thousands and thousands of years,” Butts said. “It was us, the United States and our infinite wis-
Emily brett / freelance graphic designer
dom that made it illegal.” The bill has been filed in the Public Service and Homeland Security Committee of the state government. Todd said in her experience most legislators understand the medical benefit, but they’re afraid that voters wouldn’t understand and think they are soft on drugs. Representative E. Richard Drake (R- Jefferson, St. Clair) said his vote would be “No.” “I have not seen any proof that it helps in any way and I have a concern about the control,” Drake said. Drake serves on the Public Service and Homeland Security Committee and doesn’t see
the estimated 5,000 jobs this bill predicts. “I have no idea where they got that information,” Drake said. Drake said he gets upward of 35 emails a day. “I don’t think they have a chance. I really don’t, not in my opinion,” Drake said. “Of course I’ve got one vote, I can’t speak for the rest of the committee, but I just don’t think they’re going to pass. “ Supporters believe it may take time. “Alabama is so conservative that it’s not going to happen over night, but it’s never going to happen if we don’t start the conversation,” Butts said. Crumpton is now working on a bill to decriminalize marijuana. The penalty would be the equivalent of a traffic citation with a maximum fine of $100. Crumpton said that in his experience most police officers believe they have more important things to do than “harassing people with weed, and that’s real common place.” Crumpton said savings will also be found in decriminalization. He said that it would resolve prison overcrowding and save money throughout the entire judicial process. The law states that upon the first offense, if less than two ounces, is as a misdemeanor then the second infarction is a felony and is punishable up to jail time. “We’re going to do something,” Crumpton said. “We’re going to make progress in Alabama.”
East Alabama goes dancing with stars Anna Claire Conrad Writer
Amber Franklin / Writer
Attendees at Tailgate for a Cause sampled tailgate treats from tents at the Tailgate for a Cause competition at Ag Heritage Park.
Community cooking for a good cause Amber Franklin Writer
While many students were lounging in truck beds at Rodeo on Saturday, a different kind of tailgate was happening at Ag Heritage Park. The first Tailgate For a Cause, which lasted from 2–6 p.m., was a cook-off between 12 non-profits from the Auburn and Opelika area and was sponsored by Allstate’s Prewett Insurance Group. “We started off just partnering with local non-profits,” said Rusty Prewett, Allstate agent and organizer of Tailgate for a Cause. “I love to barbecue, so it was just a good fit to pair them both together and have Tailgate for a Cause.” Prewett advertised the event through social media and word of mouth and opened the event to any non-profit that wanted to participate. “We got a call from Rusty Prewett and we thought it’d be a great way to give back to the causes and get our name out there,” said Jessica Laird, volunteer for Lee County United Way. Many of the non-profits were partnered with a business that sponsors them throughout the year. United Way was partnered with Afni, Lee County Literacy Coalition was partnered with Beef O’Brady’s, Women’s Hope Medical Clinic was partnered with Overton
Real Estate and Jean Dean RIF was partnered with Collins and Evans Real Estate, along with many others. For the cook-off, people paid $5 to sample a different tailgate dish from each nonprofit’s tent. Some of the different options to choose from were pulled pork sandwiches from Jean Dean RIF, barbecue, ribs and wings from Women’s Hope Medical Center and three kinds of dessert served over grilled angel food cake from United Way. “We knew a lot of people were going to be doing barbecue, ribs, things you usually find at a tailgate,” Laird said. “We wanted to come up with something different, but still tailgate so we said ‘we’ll grill angel food cake.’” Once attendees decided which dish was their favorite, they dropped a gold token in the organization’s collection can. The organization with the most tokens won an additional $300 for their cause, a grilling trophy and bragging rights. This year’s winner of the cook-off was Firefighters for Life, which raises money to pay for things like medical bills and hospital equipment for children. The Hudson Family Foundation was second, and Freedom 21 came in third place. Even if their group didn’t win, each nonprofit received a donation from the proceeds of the event, corporate sponsors, the
raffle that was held and the T-shirt drive that took place before the event. “Our goal is to raise a good amount of money for these nonprofits, but mainly we want to raise awareness,” Prewett said. “With a lot of these great causes, most people don’t even know about them.” The event did allow many organizations a chance to advertise for upcoming events. Jean Dean RIF had waivers and signup sheets for their Ride to Read Motorcycle Run, which happens in June, and United Way told people about their Team NFL program, which they will be signing people up for on A-Day. The event also helped Auburn students get involved. “I haven’t been involved with them yet, but I want to start, so I volunteered to help today,” said Leslie Wright, freshman in international business and volunteer for Jean Dean RIF. There were approximately 10 student volunteers at the event, according to Prewett. “We’re partnering with these organizations throughout the year, so we’re always looking for good volunteers and people that want to get involved,” Prewett said. For more information about local nonprofits and how to get involved with volunteering, students can call Prewett at 334502-5111 or visit WeLoveOurCause.com.
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For the third year in a row, 10 local celebrity dancers will be paired with 10 professional dancers to raise money for the Child Advocacy Center by competing against each other to be deemed the Dancing Stars of East Alabama. This year’s event will take place tonight, April 18 at 8 p.m., in the ballroom at the Auburn University Hotel and Dixon Conference Center. Votes in the form of donations will be collected during the show for each couple. All proceeds go to the Child Advocacy Center. This competition will not mirror the popular televesion show, according to Lauren Ashley Whaley, one of the professional dancers in the top 10. “This competition is not exactly like the show Dancing with the Stars,” Whaley said. “You are assigned a partner and you pick a style of dance then teach your partner and you practice one routine for the show.” According to Cleone Brock, executive director of the Child Advocacy Center, this year’s performance will trump its two predecessors, and in one big way it already has. “The competition is stiffer this year, the rivalries are unbelievable and everybody is having a great deal of fun,” Brock said. “And we have already exceeded what we made last year in donations.” You can participate by voting online and making donations for your favorite team at dancingstarsofeastalabama. com where you can also watch the event live on your computer.
Whaley will dance a swing dance with Dan Anniuk, a 1999 Auburn University alumni. “Dan’s a great guy,” Whaley said. “We have been training since January and train at least twice a week. We are both very busy and have hectic schedules, but we make it work.” Dancing has been a part of Whaley’s life since she was 5 years old. “I have learned and practiced many different styles of dance,” Whaley said. “My favorites are hip-hop and ballroom. Dancing is a great way to exercise and stay active. I think dancing can fix any kind of problem you’re having, too.” Jaky Wilson, senior in marine biology, said she knows Whaley will be tough to beat. “I’ve seen Lauren Ashley dance at events for our sorority, like Greek Sing, and she always rocks it,” Wilson said. “I don’t know how good of a dancer her partner is, but with Lauren Ashley on his team I’m sure they’ll do great.” Whaley said she is excited about tonight’s event not only for the dancing, but also for the cause. “They needed an extra person, and I was in the right place at the right time,” Whaley said. “It benefits such a great cause, too. The Child Advocacy Center helps children who have been sexually abused. Its funding has been decreased, and they need this center because it helps so many people.” Miss America Mallory Hagan will also be at this event to speak on her platform about child sexual abuse.
Community A8
The Auburn Plainsman
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Auburn rallies in support of local icon James Owens Sydney Callis Community Editor
The Auburn and Opelika communities are coming together this Friday, April 19, at the Event Center Downtown to support one of their own. James Owens was the first AfricanAmerican football player at Auburn University. He came to the University to play in 1970. Owens, who became a minister after his time at Auburn. is currently recovering from neck surgery. He is scheduled for lower back surgery in the coming months and hopes to be re-added to the heart transplant list after that surgery, said Terry Henley, former Auburn football player and close friend to Owens. “His heart is just kind of worn out,” Henley said. “I told him he’s got such a big heart that that’s why it’s so worn out.” These medical ailments have made it difficult for Owens to navigate his home, said Lisa Ditchkoff, co-owner of the Event Center Downtown and friend of Owens. “Defining Courage” is an event to support Owens and raise money to renovate the bathrooms in Owens’s home. Ditchkoff said Henley contacted her a few months ago to fill her in on Owens’s health condition and let her know a couple surgeries and the recovery from those surgeries would determine his placement on the heart
transplant list. Ditchkoff began the planning for the event after a visit to Owens’s home made her realize his bathroom’s needed renovations to make them more handicap accessible. “The need was evident that he was struggling getting out of the shower,” Ditchkoff said. “He had fallen a couple times. His hands were going numb and he was having trouble gripping. The need was so evident to make these bathroom’s handicap accessible, so I met a contractor over at their home.” Henley said he became close to Owens during their time as teammates. “It was different when we got the first African-American player on our team, but it was a blessing to have one of the best,” Henley said. “He’s such a good person. He’s the hardest working person, and he was so strong and fast. It was a privilege to be in that freshman class with him when he came to Auburn.” Henley and Owens have remained friends from their years playing football at Auburn together. “James just happens to be one of those special people that you want to be around, that you want to stay in touch with and that you care about,” Henley said. “He truly cares about you. He’s a wonderful person and the world would be a better place with more people like him.”
Ditchkoff, also said the world would be a better place with more people like Owens. Ditchkoff said she and Owens have been friends for several years. “James’s entire life has been, in my opinion, about courage with the challenges that he’s faced,” Ditchkoff said. “He’s an icon for Auburn University, an icon for the community, and he exemplifies the kind of person we should all be and learn from.” Henley said this event offers a good opportunity for the public to come out and support one of their own. “It’ll be a most enjoyable event for the public to rub shoulders with some famous athletes,” Henley said. “There will be a lot of laughter, and it promises to be an outstanding event.” The event will feature live entertainment and heavy hors d’oeuvres. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the first part of the evening will be a time to socialize, followed by a conversation with Owens and other former football players, including Henley will take place, Ditchkoff said. “They’ll be on the stage and tell the stories of what it was like back then,” Ditchkoff said. “I think it’s fascinating to hearing the guys tell the stories.” Tickets for the event are $30 for individuals and $500 for sponsorships, which includes six tickets and recognition. Tickets can be purchased at the door and at their website, eventcenterdowntown.com.
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Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis
ACROSS 1 Hip-hop fan 5 Les __-Unis 10 Olympian’s goal 14 Smidgen 15 Chevy Blazer, now 16 Orchestral wind 17 *One to four inches per day, for bamboo 19 Endorse, in a way 20 Rice-__ 21 Toga party costume 23 Take part in a 1920s fad 26 Like a prof. emeritus 27 Big pitcher 28 *Noted scythe bearer 33 Lowly laborer 34 Goody two shoes 35 *1973 Thomas Pynchon novel 41 Concerning the ears 42 Japanese noodle 43 *Wrestling style that forbids holds below the waist 46 First responders, briefly 50 Cyclotron input 51 Meeting 53 Eleanor Rigby, for one 57 Snorer’s problem, perhaps 58 Hops drier 59 *Pearl Jam genre 62 Attend to, as a job opening 63 Come out with 64 Wrath, in a hymn title 65 “South Park” cocreator Parker 66 Nonlethal weapon 67 Recipe amts. DOWN 1 Oaf 2 Take for a time 3 “Becket” star 4 No page-turner 5 Ordinal suffix
6 Roofer’s goo 7 Obsessed fictional captain 8 For the full nine months 9 Garden apparatus 10 Dad-blasted 11 Drama award 12 Theater section 13 It might be pounded out 18 “True dat,” quaintly 22 Do more than listen 24 “__ Around”: Beach Boys hit 25 “Iliad” setting 29 “Recapping ...” 30 Pint seller 31 Old Japanese capital 32 Remote button 33 Test showings 35 Silence 36 Robot play 37 “Now We __ Six”: Milne 38 Thoughtless way to stare 39 Nutritional figs. 40 First-class
ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE:
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Sudoku
Sudoku
53 Like fuzzy slippers 54 Poker holding 55 Cruise destination 56 Wearying routines 60 Once known as 61 Canine warning that the answers to starred clues have in common, initially
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Sports Thursday, April 18, 2013
B1 ThePlainsman.com
Sports
Raye May / Photo Editor
Left: Jonathon Mincy waits for his turn to get some repetitions at practice. Center: Jonathan Wallace and the offense get ready to start working. Right: Gus Malzahn has some words for his players during practice.
Final practice before A-Day game George Nunnelley Writer
Although the Tigers are winding down with only a week left in their allotted 15-practice spring, don’t expect to see a depth chart any time soon. Similar to last week, coach Gus Malzahn cancelled Monday’s practice in order to further evaluate what he has seen so far this spring, from both the team as a whole and individual players. However, Malzahn seemed more pleased today with the way the team responded to Monday’s off day. He has rescheduled those practices for next Monday and Wednesday to make some final adjustments after Saturday’s A-Day game, before the spring concludes Wednesday, April 24. The coaching staff has continued to mix and match personnel in order to see what kind of packages might be available to them.
“We are letting all of our guys compete,” Malzahn said. “Once we get through our A-Day game, the pieces of the puzzle will fall into place.” However, junior Justin Garrett has continued to get recognition from his teammates and the coaching staff with his emergence as a playmaker on the defensive side of the ball this spring. “I’m ecstatic to get the opportunity to get to show what I can do,” Garrett said. “But, I know that I have a long way to go before the start of the season.” The coaching staff has also taken note of the downhill running style of Allan Hancock Junior College transfer Camerson Artis-Payne. “I feel like it was an adjustment when I got here for the first couple of days,” Artis-Payne said. “But, just getting comfortable with the pace made it easier to transition. I’ve always liked being physical, so it hasn’t been too bad.” Malzahn is not overly concerned with the Xs
“
We are going to try to make A-Day as close a game as possible, not only for our fans, but for our coaches and players as well.” —Gus Malzahn Head Coach
and Os at this point. He wants to see what kind of attitude and character his players have and how they respond to adversity. “It’s right in the middle of the grind,” Malzahn said. “It’s been a very physical spring, and this is the time when you find out a lot of information about your guys.” The Tigers stressed physicality in last Saturday’s scrimmage and will look to do the same during A-Day. The NCAA only allows each team
three full-contact practices during the spring, and so far, the Tigers have made the most out of theirs. Junior running back Tre Mason, although somewhat limited, was in the mix of practice today and may see some action on Saturday. Junior defensive lineman Angelo Blackson also saw some repetitions and should be available for Saturday as well. The Tigers will take to the practice field on Friday morning for the final time before they look to impress the fans at A-Day with their new offensive and defensive schemes. Malzahn said they have tried to stay away from getting too fancy, and that they want to get good at a few things for now. “We are going to try to make A-Day as close to a game as possible, not only for our fans, but for our coaches and players as well,” Malzahn said. “It will be a good way to evaluate our guys in front of a crowd and see how they react.”
Men’s golf team swings for the SEC Championship Ethan Brady Sports Writer
The No. 20 ranked men’s golf team has been preparing for the upcoming 2013 SEC Championships April 16-18. Finishing second last year, the Tigers continue to look for their first conference title since 2002. Led by seniors Dominic Bozzelli and Michael Herbert, the team has won three tournaments and recorded three top-three performances this season. Earlier in March, the Tigers won the Mobile Classic and Samford Intercollegiate backto-back, defeating the competition by a combined 15 strokes. “I think everyone is starting to peak at the
right time,” said Bozzelli. “I know if we play to our potential we’re capable of playing with any team in the country.” The SEC Championships will be held at the Seaside Golf Club in St. Simons Island, Ga. The 6,945 yard par 70 course features tight fairways and greens. “We know it’s a little tight off the tee,” said Herbert. “You have to be able to hit it accurately. It’s also right off the coast so it tends to blow and get pretty windy.” Herbert commented that a lot of the Auburn players have competed at Seaside and the experience should help them throughout the tournament. “Its an awesome area for golf, right by the wa-
ter,” said Bozzelli. “Its not a very long course so you have to hit it straight and our short game has to be pretty good this week with the tight grass around the greens. It’s tough for the short game.” Individually, Bozzelli won the Amer Ari Invitational in Waikoloa, Hawaii and Herbert has two top-three finishes at The McLaughlin and Mobile Bay Classic. “It was nice to start off the spring season with a win in Hawaii,” said Bozzelli. “After that I started fine tuning a little bit and hoped to peak at the right time with the SEC Championships coming up. I feel like I’m in a good spot right now with my swing.” Coach Nick Clinard has now won 11 team
and 11 individual events in his four seasons with the Tigers and has led the Tigers to the most successful three and a half year span in Auburn men’s golf history. The only thing missing is a SEC Championship. To get the title, Auburn will have to face five national top-25 ranked teams that include No. 1 Alabama and No. 8 Florida. “Overall it’s been a pretty good year. I expect for us to give it our best,” said Herbert. “Most of us have played the course before and hopefully we’ll get a good showing and get a win.” After the SEC Championships, the Tigers will head to the NCAA Regional competition May 16-18.
Former Tiger may be gearing up for a move to Sweden Andrew Yawn Sports Reporter
The clock was ticking, regulation was almost at an end, and Auburn was 44 seconds from going into overtime at BYU (19-1-1), the No. 2 team in the nation. It was Nov. 15, 2012, and the Tigers were seeking a win and the program’s first-ever berth in the Sweet 16. However, with almost no time left in regulation, a controversial foul called against junior defender Bianca Sierra inside the box gave BYU a penalty kick, the game and the season. For the second straight year, the Tigers were eliminated in the second round of the NCAA Women’s Soccer Tournament, and for senior striker Ana Cate, there would be no third attempt. For four years Cate had led her team, and now she faced the uncertain future of life after college, an even more daunting prospect when considering professional soccer’s lack of success in America. In December 2012, a month after Cate’s last game as a Tiger, the striker went home to Tampa, Fla. for Christmas break and spoke to friend, mentor and former club coach Ben Strawbridge. Like a well designed play, Cate suddenly saw her opening and took a shot. “I was looking for what I wanted to do with
my life over Christmas break, and one of his old players had gone and played in Sweden,” Cate said. “I got in touch with (Strawbridge), and asked if she was still there. He said she was. She put me in touch with one of her coaches.” Jackie Bachteler, currently a center midfielder with Swedish pro-league team Gustafs GoIF, knew Cate from Bachteler’s time at Florida Southern College. If Cate wasn’t in class at Joe E. Newsome high school or practicing with Strawbridge, she was playing indoor soccer with Bachteler. “From what I have seen I know that Ana is an extremely technical, creative player with great vision on the field,” Bachteler said. “She is someone you won’t forget after seeing her play.” After Bachteler was approached with Cate’s idea to follow her to Sweden, she immediately began working to facilitate the move. “With her style of play I know she will be very successful over here,” Bachteler said. “I have quite a few contacts and I hope it can work out where Ana can come to play shortly after graduation.” Cate is scheduled to graduate in August with a degree in exercise science, and said playing in Sweden is the “ideal goal” for her right now. Cate has no contract as of yet, but both she and Bachteler are working to get a deal done. According to Strawbridge, currently an as-
“
From what I have seen I know that Ana is an extremely technical, creative player with great vision on the field. She is someone you won’t forget after seeing her play.” —Jackie Bachteler Professional Midfielder
sistant coach at the University of Arkansas, Bachteler has several connections within the league and has helped Cate quite a bit since originally receiving the proposal. “All Ana and I did was discuss the potential of playing overseas and how important it is as a young lady to get to go and experience something like that before she gets into the hustle of real life,” Strawbridge said. “Go and have a great time living on not much and playing a sport she loves.” Emphasis on “living on not much.” Unlike American professional sports, Sweden’s Damallsvenskan (Division 1 women’s soccer league) is not fueled by billionaires. In fact,
Bachteler and most other players have to work a second job to support their soccer careers. Auburn head coach Karen Hoppa is familiar with Sweden and has spoken to Cate about a possible move overseas. To Hoppa, finances shouldn’t sway Cate’s decision about furthering her soccer career. “At the end of the day, it’s women’s soccer,” Hoppa said. “It’s still developing, and they’re not going to make millions doing it. They’re going to have to have other jobs. With where she’s at right now this is the best option for her, and to get to go spend several months in Sweden would be tremendous for her.” While Cate may not be ensuring immediate financial success with the move, she is excited at the prospect of playing for one of the “premiere leagues in the world.” While playing in the Damallsvenskan is Cate’s dream at the moment, she knows she’s not going to stay there forever. “If anything soccer-wise it would be the perfect thing, because it wouldn’t be long term,” Cate said. “My contract would be for the season, and I’d be able to go home and then go back. I’d be able to take everything I learned in Sweden and bring it back.” Still, Cate is no stranger to playing overseas.
» See Cate B2
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The Auburn Plainsman
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Raye May / Photo Editor
Jonathan Wallace tries out a designed run play as defenders Joshua Holsey and T. J. Davis change directions to pursue during practice Wednesday, April 17.
A week in Auburn sports Baseball:
Women’s Tennis:
Men’s Tennis:
The baseball team defeated Georgia in two of three games played last weekend. The Tigers took the first game Friday, April 12 by a score of 4–3, and the second game Saturday, April 13, scoring 8 runs to the Bulldogs’ 4. The final game came later that Saturday, and Georgia stomped the Tigers 7–1, though the series belonged to the home team. Earlier in the week, Wednesday, April 10, the baseball team defeated Alabama State 2–1. Tuesday, April 16 the Tigers improved to 23–14 by defeating Samford 6–2.
The No. 22 women’s tennis team had a loss and a win last weekend, as it fell to the No. 4 Georgia Bulldogs 4–0 Friday, April 12, but emerged triumphant against No. 24 Tennessee Sunday, April 14. With the weekend split the Tigers moved to 17–7 overall and 7–6 in conference play. It is the first time that the women’s tennis team has reached 17 victories since 2008.
The No. 18 men’s tennis team had a difficult assignment last weekend when they faced No. 3 Georgia Friday, April 12 and No. 10 Tennessee Sunday, April 14. The Tigers were defeated by both teams 4–0. Both competitions were on the road, and they also ended the Tigers’ regular season. Their record now stands at 13–9 (5–7 SEC).
Softball: The Auburn women’s softball team had a difficult week on the diamond, three of four games in a week. The lone victory came against Troy Wednesday, April 10 when the Tigers won 6–1. The weekend proved difficult as No. 5 Tennessee swept Auburn Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 12-14. The scores of those games were 5–3, 6–1 and 6–0, respectively. The Tigers’ record dropped to 27–18 (6–12 SEC).
Women’s Soccer: The women’s soccer team stomped South Alabama 5–1 in the final game of the spring season Sunday, April 14. Tori Ball was the main facilitator in the victory as she played a part in each of the five goals the Tigers scored. She had four assists and earned a goal for herself as well.
cate
HUNGRY?
» From B1 Half Nicaraguan, Cate chose to play international soccer for her mother’s home country, and in early March, helped her team earn a silver medal in the Central American Games— the team’s first ever medal— and an automatic qualification for the pre-World Cup games in Mexico. Should Cate receive a contract offer, the Nicaraguan international said she would play to the end of it and return home with luggage full of experience and her eyes on an even bigger goal: becoming a coach. Cate currently trains girls for the Auburn Thunder, the local rec-league team, and has worked soccer camps for the university. When asked about her desire to coach, Cate pointed to her own past as her inspiration. “I’ve always been around mentors and coaches and dif-
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ferent families that were so helpful regardless of how good I was or how good our team was,” Cate said. “They just cared so much about us having a good experience. I think that’s what made me love soccer and love playing, and I want to be able to pay that forward for somebody who may not play soccer otherwise, and all they need is someone who loves it just as much as they do. “I really attribute everything I’ve ever done with soccer to my parents and to the people who help me along the way and I’d love to be that person for somebody else.” Strawbridge was “that person” for Cate. Now that Cate is moving on, her former coach gushed at Cate’s potential to shape the youth and share her love of the game. “Ana’s going to have a big impact on young kids’ lives when she coaches them, so the more she plays in different environments the better she’ll be with
Track: The Auburn track team had four athletes win events last weekend at the Spec Towns Invitational that was hosted by the University of Georgia. Harry Adams won the men’s 200meter dash with a time of 20.90 seconds. Jessie Johnson posted the highest mark in the women’s pole vault at 12 feet, 11.5 inches. DJ Smith won the men’s high jump by clearing 7 feet, 0.5 inches, and Valentina Muzaric threw the shot put 56 feet, 1.75 inches to win the women’s shot put.
Courtesy of Todd Van Emst
Ana Cate may be gearing up for an international move to Sweden.
that,” Strawbridge said. “Nothing was ever given to Ana. She just works for it, and that’s what makes for a good coach.” Cate finished her Auburn career with 15 goals and 10 as-
sists, one goal shy of making the career goals top-10 and she scored the game-winning goal to clinch the team’s first-ever SEC Tournament Championship in 2011.
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The Auburn Plainsman
The next week in Auburn athletics Thursday, April 18
Men’s tennis vs. Vanderbilt, Oxford, Miss., at noon.
Baseball vs. Mississippi State, Starkville, Miss., at 6:30 p.m.
Women’s tennis, SEC Championships, Starkville, Miss., all day. Women’s equestrian, NCEA National Championship, Waco, Texas, all day.
Friday, April 19
Softball vs. South Carolina,
Men’s tennis, SEC Tournament Semifinals, Oxford, Miss., all day.
Women’s golf, SEC Championship, Greystone Golf Club, Birmingham, all day. Men’s golf, SEC Championship, Seaside Golf Club, Seaside Island, Ga., all day.
Women’s tennis, SEC Championships, Starkville, Miss., all day. Track, War Eagle Invitational, Auburn, all day. Women’s equestrian, NCEA National
Auburn, at 6 p.m.
Championship, Waco, Texas, all day.
Baseball vs. Mississippi State,
Sunday, April 21
Starkville, Miss., at 6:30 p.m.
Women’s soccer, Auburn Alumni, Auburn, at 1 p.m.
Women’s golf, SEC Championship, Greystone Golf Club, Birmingham, all day.
Softball vs. South Carolina,
Men’s golf, SEC Championship, Seaside Golf Club, Seaside Island, Ga., all day.
Track, War Eagle Invitational, Auburn, all day. Women’s tennis, SEC Championships, Starkville, Miss., all day.
Men’s tennis, SEC Tournament Quarterfinals, Oxford, Miss., all day.
Women’s equestrian, NCEA National
Auburn, at 1 p.m.
Men’s golf, SEC Championship, Seaside Golf Club, Seaside Island, Ga., all day.
Women’s golf, SEC Championship, Greystone Golf Club, Birmingham, all day. Men’s tennis, SEC Tournament Final, Oxford, Miss., all day.
Women’s tennis, SEC Championships, Starkville, Miss., all day.
Championship, Waco, Texas, all day.
Saturday, April 20
Baseball vs. Mississippi State, Starkville, Miss., at 4 p.m.
Women’s soccer vs. Ole Miss, Birmingham, Sports Blast Field #2, at 4 p.m. Softball vs. South Carolina, Auburn, at 5 p.m.
Keep up with all news @ ThePlainsman.com
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Thursday, April 18, 2013
Tigers land 3-star linebacker Ethan Brady Sports Writer
Three-star linebacker Deshaun Davis committed to Auburn early Wednesday, April 17 after being offered a scholarship position by Gus Malzahn and staff. The Vigor High School junior chose Auburn over Clemson, LSU, Florida State, South Carolina and others. Davis is 6-feet-tall, 225 pounds and had an impressive 145 tackles this past season that included 15 for a loss and one sack. “That’s the offer I’ve been waiting on for the longest,” Davis told Rivals.com. “I was waiting on him to pull the trigger. Me and Coach (Dameyune) Craig have been communicating a lot. I gave them my word.” According to Rivals, Davis stated he would commit to Auburn immediately if given a scholarship spot on the 2014 recruiting class. Malzahn contacted him via phone, offered the spot, and like Davis said he would, he commit-
Deshaun Davis
ted immediately. To bury any questions about Davis decommitting from Auburn, he said Auburn would most likely be his last visit. “This is the place for me. Deshaun Davis will be attending Auburn,” Davis said.
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“From point of view”
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Demetruce McNeal will add needed experience to next season’s safety corps.
Safety from the deep ball Will Gaines Sports Reporter
For the past few years one of the major problems for the Auburn defense has been its tendency to give up the deep ball. When this happens there is plenty of blame to go around, but most of the blame falls on the safeties. The safety’s job is to defend the deep portion of the field and to play from sideline to sideline to prevent the home run ball. Auburn has not done well at this lately, but they will be looking to improve in 2013. All the positions on the defense will gain an advantage by the hiring of Ellis Johnson, with the safeties gaining the most. Johnson’s 4-2-5 defense will drop a linebacker thus gaining a third safety to help with these responsibilities. The third safety will be called the “star” position and it is a hybrid between a safety and a linebacker. This will allow for more help in pass coverage while not losing support in the run game. Of the current players on roster to handle the “star” position will be linebacker Justin Garrett and safeties Ryan Smith and Robenson Therezie. Of all these, Garrett has shown the best ability at the position so far this spring, but Therezie has also been gaining some interest from coaches at the position. Therezie has been playing
cornerback up to this point in his career, but coaches are seeing a more natural fit for him at the “Star”. Smith has always been a player that’s been good in run support, but not so much in pass defense. He also has been getting a look at the “Star” but it looks like Garrett and Therezie have an upper hand. While some players have stepped up into the role, coaches still say every position is open and there is still plenty of time for other players to step up before the end of spring practice. “There’s still a lot of good competition going on for jobs,” Johnson said. “A lot of guys are in the picture for the depth chart. The biggest thing Saturday’s scrimmage will give us is finding out about those guys who can handle the game situation as opposed to being just a great drill player.” The competition for the “Star” position could go into the fall, as the Tigers have two players coming in who actually fit the role better than what is currently on roster, with Brandon King and Mackenro Alexander. King is a junior college transfer, who was hand picked to play this position by the coaching staff. At 6-foot-2, 210 pounds he has the size to play linebacker and the athletic ability to play safety. He may be the one that plays this position next season.
“Brandon King is a defensive back/safety from junior college,” Malzahn said. “Once again, we felt like we needed some depth at safety and some guys that could immediately play. He’s a very hardnosed, physical type player, so we are very excited about him.” Alexander was a big get on signing day last year, but he will probably settle in behind one of the older guys and learn the position his first year. At the free and strong safety positions last year’s starters are all returning including Jermaine Whitehead and Demetruce McNeal. Trent Fisher also saw some time last year and he has been getting a good look from coaches this spring. Whitehead moved from corner to safety last season and struggled with the transition. With a year under his belt though he should be a muchimproved player. McNeal has been a solid player since his freshman season. If he improves just slightly by making more plays in the passing game he could be a great player in this conference. With more emphasis being put on the safeties in the new system, the safeties should be a much-improved unit. With this being the last position group to go over in this series, the team overall should be much improved from a year ago. It can’t get much worse, right?
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Intrigue
Courtesy of Kristin Sweeting
Humming House, although based in Nashville, has traveled all over the U.S. to perform live.
Courtesy of Holley Maher
Humming House’s musical and lyrical style is an intersection of folk, rock, country and blues.
Q&A with Justin Wade Tam of Humming House Kelsey Davis Intrigue writer
Nashville-based band Humming House took the stage Saturday, April 13 at The Railyard after Tedo Stone opened at 9 p.m. Full of energy and offering a variety sounds from Irish pub influences to ukelele accompaniments, Humming House doesn’t disappoint. The show served as an after party to weekend-long Alabama G.O.A.L. Fest - a local non-profit organization aimed toward encouraging the community to “go out and live” by hosting trail runs, criterium bike races and more. Lead singer and lyricist Justin Wade Tam recently visited WEGL Radio’s recording studio where The Plainsman caught up with him.
Can you tell me a little bit about how you grew up and how it influenced you musically? I kind of grew up in the weird Southern California world of indie rock music like Radio Head and Red Hot Chili Peppers. There was also all the emo stuff going on back then too with Jimmy Eat World and Death Cab for Cutie and stuff like that. But actually, one of the only reasons that I
moved to Nashville is because I ran across a Ryan Adams record. I was like, ‘This sounds really country, but I really like it a lot.‘ I was looking at schools, and I looked at Belmont and saw they had a music business program. So I came out for that, and sort of stuck around.
What do you remember about your first gig? My first gig, I think was in 8th grade. I think it was like a lip sync competition, but we broke the rules and actually played. Me and this guy that we called Stoner Mike had a band together, and the song that we played was called ‘Summer.’
Who would you say your biggest musical influences are? That’s always such a hard question. I listen to so much music, but I think some of my bigger influences are Simon and Garfunkel, I’m a big Paul Simon fan. I mentioned I grew up on Radiohead, and then just a bunch of singer songwriters. I think Ryan Adams is probably one of them. I love Gillian Welch and Ray LaMontagne, Van Morrison, Bob Dylan.
How did the band form? Well it was kind of born backwards. I had written an album, and was kind of toying with the idea of doing a solo project or a band. I had some people play with me at shows and they came in as the session musicians on the record. Then because it went so well and it turned out much more like a band record than a solo album, I just decided to keep rolling with it. They decided to jump on board and we became a band. That and also we used to do these Irish pub nights at my house. We’re big appreciators of Irish music so we started jamming on these Irish pub tunes on Sunday nights. Our mandolin player started coming to those, that’s the only reason he ended up in the band is because of these Irish jams.
What was the inspiration for the band name? Well we came up with all of these crazy back stories, but none of them are true. I really like the images that it conjures a lot—something inside of a house, there’s a lot going on, there’s activity, it’s a musical term, ‘humming,’ and I’m sort of a sucker for alliterations. You’ll notice
that in a lot of my lyrical content.
How long have you been on tour? I guess we’ve been touring for a little over year now, on and off. At this point we’ve been focusing mostly on the Southeast. We live in Nashville, Tenn., so we draw a six-hour circle around Nashville, Tenn., in about 13 major cities. We’ve just been trying to build up our regional deal. The farthest we’ve been out is Colorado, thus far, not for lack of want to go farther though. We’re about to get really busy in April. We’ll be opening for the Carolina Chocolate Drops in Charlotte, N.C., and festivals in Nashville, Tenn. and Knoxville, Tenn. I think we’re going to be doing about 30 colleges this fall, so it’ll be a lot of universities as well.
What other times have you played at Auburn in the past? I guess our first show was in the fall. We did a small show at the Overall Company and we came back in January and it was pretty much sold out, so there’s definitely been a good response here locally and we’re excited to get more involved with the campus here more if we can. Opelika is just a cool town.
Get in the loop with The Auburn Circle The student-produced literary magazine releases spring issue Jessa Pease writer
Rachel suhs / design editor
So, how ‘bout that ride in Kelsey Davis Intrigue Writer
The aftermath Rodeo brings already looks like a post-apocalyptic waste land, but trying to board the shuttles to get there was the first time I’ve ever thought to myself, “So this is what the apocalypse will be like.” We already looked like a bunch of vagrants - everybody dressed in rags, carrying the bottom of our food (read: beer) supply, formed in a line that stretched for miles. Really only a couple hundred yards, but who’s counting? It didn’t start to seem like the apocalypse though until we started inching nearer to the shuttles. The closer we got, the more I realized that I was surrounded on all sides by psychopaths. People were clawing and shoving to get on to the buses like it was the last ride out of North Korea. Here are a few things that went down while we waited: People on the ground chucking full beers at those who had managed to escape the madness: Granted, it was only a Natural Light. But even though the beer is lighter on alcohol, its metric weight remains the same.
People on the bus throwing the bird to those who got left behind: What a rude gesture from the lucky bastards who got away. No wonder some dude threw a natty at their heads. People beating the side of the bus as it drove away: Yeah, you get ‘em. I like to beat up buses when I’m mad too, especially when I’m dressed like a redneck mobster. Straight up bribery: It happens everywhere, but never so blatantly as when a girl waves a $20 bill at a bus driver, the doors open, she falls in, and the doors close. By the time I got to Rodeo I could have been checked into a psych ward for full-on PTSD. My exodus from the pre-Rodeo wasteland was a stroke of pure luck. I was sitting on top of a trailer, stacked with lime stone, off to the side when I spotted a bus across the field letting a few people on. I quietly pointed it out to a few of my friends, and we hauled ass over there just as the bus was filling. Next year I’m going to do everything completely opposite. Instead of wearing redneck attire and riding in on a truck, I’m just going to strap on a green morph suit and parachute onto the site of Rodeo.
Photography, art, fashion and fiction can all be found on the pages of this semester’s issue of The Auburn Circle at the release party, Snaps, Tuesday, April 23 at 7 p.m. in the Student Center ballroom. The Auburn Circle is the student run and student generated literary magazine that showcases submissions of creative writing, photography, art and fashion designs from Auburn students. “This time it was particularly tough, because we really got the word out this time and we got tons of great submissions,” said Gabby Bates, managing editor. “We actually had to turn away some really great stuff, so we are excited for the quality of the magazine this time.” The staff managed to fit 95 out of 250 submissions, into an 80 page publication for this edition. Bates said she expects students will be very impressed by the quality of work other students are producing. “It’s a little bit of a darker mood, which you would think spring would be all happy colors, but for some reason a lot of our content was a little heavy and a little on the dark side,” Bates said. “We have a really graphic cover that kind of captures that, so it might not be what you would expect.” According to Bates, since she and chief editor, Shelby Rice, took over the Circle, they wanted to improve the quality of the magazine and give it a fresh and modern look. When Rice moved from the Glomerata to the Circle in the fall, she said she found boxes upon boxes of the 2011-2012 Auburn Circles in her office. “That is just not okay. We don’t print a whole lot,” Rice said. “I think last year they printed 4,000 copies and I don’t even know if half of those got distributed. There is no point in having the publication if people
Courtesy of The Auburn Circle
Staff members of The Auburn Circle received an Outstanding Media Organization award at the AU Involvement Awards.
aren’t going to read it. So that’s what I wanted to do with this year was to get people to know about it, to get people to read it and pick it up. The Circle is a wonderful thing. It has been around since 1974, and people submit their stuff.” The Circle has established a social media presence, distributed all their copies last semester and hosted a release party for the first time, Snaps. Approximately 150 people attended last semester’s Snaps, according to Rice. The Circle is also trying to push other sections that appeal to more people on campus, Rice said. They want to get as many people interested in the magazine as possible. “We’ve really been trying to hit fashion, and like those other things because not everyone on campus is interested in reading a poem or reading a story,” Rice said. “So we want to appeal to everyone on campus, and the way to do that is to make what is
in the magazine, the content of the magazine, more varied.” Dana Stuckey, editor of the photography, art and graphic design sections, said she loves the collaboration of the staff this year. She has been on staff for three years, and she said how the group worked together to create this edition was great. “It’s really well organized. It’s really cool,” Stuckey said. “Usually only one or two people work on the layout, but everyone on staff was part of it. There are a lot of themes mixed in between the writings and the art. A lot of things are connected in cool ways, and we drew in our own themes, which I thought was cool.” The first time students can get their hands on a copy of this semester’s Auburn Circle will be at Snaps, but students will also be able to pick up a copy in front of the student center, on the concourse and by Mell Street from 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Wednesday, April 24- Saturday, April 27.
Intrigue B6
The Auburn Plainsman
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Oregon-based Beth Wood travels Local musician explores to perform live at Sundilla the art of music with guitar Anna Beth Jager
Caitlin Wagenseil
Intrigue reporter
Intrigue reporter
This Friday, April 19, Auburn’s Sundilla Acoustic Concert Series will feature “traveling songwriter, joyful singer (and) barefoot acoustic enthusiast” Beth Wood at the Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. Wood hails from Eugene, Ore., and has been touring as a singer-songwriter for 16 years. When describing Wood, her website said, “Picture a home-body with an ever-present wanderlust, an introvert with a passion for performing, a creative free-spirit with enough discipline to rework her dream year after year, calloused little hands and a big pile of curly hair and you’ve got Beth Wood.” For those who aren’t familiar with her music, she describes the sound as joyful and has made a habit of never playing with her shoes on. “My music is like Sheryl Crow but a little more acoustic. I am a self-taught guitarist with some vocal training. I use lots of alternate guitar tunings and my greatest joy is singing. I try to communicate that joy through my music,” Wood said. Wood’s music is heavily influenced by her life, friends and the various emotions she carries around with her from day to day. Usually something completely random, like an overheard word or phrase, will spark an idea that turns into a song. “Writing a song is like working a puzzle except you don't know what all the pieces look like until you create them,” Wood said. She uses this method to create music with earthy, unique vibes and honest, emotional lyrics that resonate with her
Ever since his grandfather gave him his first guitar in the sixth grade, Chance Bridges, junior in electrical engineering, hasn’t stopped playing and recording music. Three years ago, Bridges launched his own musical project called Balcony View, and recently released his first EP titled “Wanderer.” “The music that I make now is not really music in the traditional sense that you’d think of music,” Bridges said. “It’s more like a sound art.” While Bridges said he sometimes adds vocals to his songs, he mostly sticks to instruments. “I blend together a bunch of different sounds,” Bridges said. “They don’t really sound like the original instrument playing—it’s like a composition in a way that creates a certain atmosphere.” Some of the instruments he can play in addition to the guitar include the piano, violin and banjo. Bridges’ interest in many different types of music has influenced what he plays. He added that in high school, he would attend shows all the time, and through that became interested in a variety of musical genres. Bridges said he listens to everything from metal to hip-hop, and even classical music. “I try not to discriminate when it comes to types of music,” Bridges said. “I try to expose myself to everything, and take feelings and styles from certain types of music.” Bridges said he came up with the title of his musical project while visiting the beach. “I was up on a balcony overlooking the beach, and I just thought it would be a good way to describe the general nature of my music,” he said. Bridges played a show in the Birmingham area Saturday, March 23, and afterward said he was selling his newly-released EP, which seemed to be receiving favorable reactions from the crowd. “That’s the most rewarding part,” Bridges said. “Seeing something that I’ve created actually being released and available to buy. And then being able to perform in front of people and have those people come up and give me a compliment on what I’ve made.” Additionally, he said getting paid to do something he loves is extremely rewarding. Getting his finished product to that point,
Courtesy of Beth Wood
Beth Wood, an Oregon native, can play both the guitar and piano.
audience. For Wood, this emotional reaction is one of her favorite parts of performing. “I love watching people's faces and looking in their eyes while they watch a story unfold,” she said. “Sometimes music will work its mysterious magic and something resonates, stirring emotions. Whether it’s laughter or tears, it's what I live for. I love connecting with an audience through live performance. Every night is different. I never know what to expect.” For up-and-coming artists, Wood has an abundance of knowledge and advice to give. She stresses the importance of practicing until a piece feels completely natural. “As many times as you prac-
1888 Ogletree Rd. Auburn 826-1207
tice something in your room, it will never be the same as when you play in front of other people,” Wood said. “You have to practice that part until it feels natural.” She also emphasizes the importance of communicating and playing with other artists in order to grow and learn many new things through an equal love of the art. “Don't pass up an opportunity to collaborate with other musicians,” Wood said. “Sometimes magic happens, sometimes not. But we always learn something.” Wood said she is looking forward to the concert, and encourages any Auburn student who enjoys supporting independent music to come out and have a great time.
Courtesy of Chance Bridges
Chance Bridges performs in Birmingham.
however, is no easy task. “I’m a perfectionist when it comes to my music,” Bridges said. “My stuff has to sound a certain way, or I’m just going to delete it.” The amount of time it takes to write and record his music varies, and his mood is always a factor. “It depends on what kind of mindset I’m in,” Bridges said. “There are times when I’ve recorded five songs in five days and they’ve sounded awesome—but then I’ll go entire months without getting anything solid.” Bridges said he owes much of his success to his record label, Step Pepper Records. “They’ve really helped me a lot. They made all my shows possible,” Bridges said. As for the future, Bridges would love to be able to tour, instead of just playing shows in the Birmingham area. Bridges’ music can be found at soundcloud. com/balconyview.
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Thursday, April 18, 2013
Intrigue B7
The Auburn Plainsman
The recipe to owning a restaurant Anna Beth Jager INTRIGUE REPORTER
Top 5 podcasts Elizabeth Wieck INTRIGUE@ THEPLAINSMAN. COM
Podcasts are an oft-forgotten virtue of iTunes. They’re free–an anomaly among Apple products–and come in almost every variety of interests. Here are my top five picks. This American Life This weekly show has long been top-rated for a reason. Personal anecdotes, sometimes submitted, and pieces of fiction dominate the themed hour-long radio show. The stories are humorous, poignant and emotional–all hinting at what it means to be human. Stuff You Should Know The Stuff You Should Know podcasts transform mundane or ordinary topics into informational lessons that last anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour. The majority of shows is set up in a “How Stuff Works” format, and cover science topics like “How Black Holes Work,” relational topics like “How Marriage Works” and random ideas like “How the Musketeers Worked.” Freakonomics Radio Based on the popular book Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner, this weekly podcast examines the hidden side of life. The show delves into controversial and often shady topics like “How American Food Got So Bad,” “The Hidden Side of the
Super Bowl” and “Does Money Really Buy Elections?” Here’s the Thing Actor Alec Baldwin sits down with artists, politicians, actors, musicians and other high profilers and allows us to listen in an intimate conversation with the subject, many of which are his personal friends. The show is released every two weeks and has featured talents like Kristin Wiig, Billy Joel, Brian Williams and Chris Rock. A Way With Words A Way With Words is an examination of the English language. While many might perceive this as an uninteresting subject, the hosts of the show, an author and dictionary editor, offer commentary on grammar usage, regional dialects, old adages and word origins.
One might guess the life of a restaurateur is chaotic and fast-paced, a constant cycle of decision making and order taking with very little time to put feet up and relax for a minute. To better understand the process of owning a restaurant, we caught up with Kim Sellers, an Atlanta native and Auburn grad who is also the owner of the popular Italian joint Venditori’s, formerly known as Provino’s, to see what a day in the life of a restaurant owner is really like. To make it in the restaurant business, you have to start small and work your way up. Sellers’s father was a restaurant owner, and she began her trek growing up in the business. After graduating from Auburn, she worked for a local ad agency before being offered the position of Membership Director for the Opelika Chamber of Commerce. Through this position and multiple business contacts, Sellers’ journey in the restaurant business began. Venditori’s is going on 21 years, but as most Auburn locals recall, it hasn’t always had the same name. When it first started and for many years after, it was Provino’s, a franchise that has multiple restaurants based in places such as Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee. So why change the name to Venditori’s? According to Sellers, they decided to pull out of the Provino’s franchise for business purposes. “The main reason we made the decision (to pull out of the franchise) was to stop paying the three percent franchise fee and to have the ability to change or add menu items if we choose” she said. Now Sellers has the opportunity to add new things, distribute different wines and do specials just to see how they will go. Under the Provino’s chain, they didn’t have the ability to do any of this. Venditori’s also means Sellers in Italian, staying true to the family name, and even without the original title, Venditori’s still has a great relationship with the Provino’s corporation, especially since they agreed to let Venditori’s keep signature items and kept Sellers in the circle of their group pricing. While only the name has changed,
RAYE MAY / PHOTO EDITOR
Diners enjoy wine, salad and garlic rolls in one of the many dining rooms of Venditori’s.
customers don’t always realize it is the same restaurant as before and assume Provino’s was sold. “Slowly but surely, we are getting the word out that we didn't sell and only the name change is different, but it has been a tough process,” Sellers said. The history also plays a lot into how the restaurant is run, and Sellers said the work has always been very hands on. “It’s a pretty easily run restaurant. We’ve done it for 20 years,” she said. “Fifty percent of my kitchen has been with me for probably over 15 years.” Sellers said the restaurant is what she calls “circumstantial hectic.” It always depends on the day and how many people decide to walk through the door each night. “It’s probably more hectic based on how many people are in the lobby raising hell,” Sellers joked. Luckily, the restaurant doesn’t open until 4:30 pm, which gives staff time for preparation, orders and inventory that has to be done before the evening begins. To Sellers, Auburn University graduation is the most chaotic and one of the worst days for work because nobody wants to be there. It’s always packed and full of grumpy, exhausted relatives,
which explains why it wouldn’t be the most pleasant evening to work. Other holidays usually have better vibes, especially Valentine’s Day where couples don’t mind waiting because they are too involved with one another to be upset. “Valentines day is the best because everyone is happy and trying to be loveydovey,” Sellers said. Sellers favorite part of owning Venditori’s is being able to treat every evening like she’s prepping for a party. “It’s fun to have a social setting. It’s like you’re throwing a party,” she said. “We feel like we need to try to host a party every night. Some people don’t want to be there, some people do.” Her least favorite part however is the incredible differences within family life. In the beginning, she used to work five nights of the week, leaving little time to spend with her husband and kids. Luckily, her hours have changed, but it’s still an incredibly unique and demanding job. But either way, after every long day, Sellers and her team constantly reflect on the good things that happened instead of any negativity. “You take the good with the bad. That’s our philosophy,” Sellers said.
Donald E. Davis Arboretum celebrates roots 50 years deep Michael Hill WRITER
The Donald E. Davis Arboretum, a 7.5-acre site used to display native Alabama species, is celebrating its 50th birthday this year. Patrick Thompson, arboretum specialist, said the land originally housed logs and mature trees and was developed by Bill Reynolds. “He took the tree collection from 17 originally occurring species to about 180 species and then he turned it from a hog farm to a park,” Thompson said. The arboretum was named after Davis, a professor of Botany, for his 35 years of distinguished service. The arboretum has grown from 17 species to now 1,000 species and has expanded to 14 acres. According to its website, the Arboretum is an Auburn University facility dedicated to the display of native woody plants of the Southeastern United States and is a teaching resource for many University classes. In addition to displaying native
plants, the goal of the Arboretum is to promote ecological education through the study and observation of plants and their natural habitats. The mission of the Arboretum is to promote an understanding of and appreciation for the natural world, emphasizing native southeastern plants and other associated organisms. Two main objectives were set for the Arboretum: to provide a named collection of woody plants to serve as a reference for study and research and to provide a place of beauty where people could enjoy the natural world. The three main collections that the Arboretum has are the oak trees, azaleas and the carnivorous plants. Thompson says that since the Arboretum was originated, it has become less of a park more of a botanical garden. To celebrate the 50 year anniversary, there have been several events held this year including a rainwater harvesting workshop and the Marie
RAYE MAY / PHOTO EDITOR
The Davis Arboretum is a haven for thousands of species of plants and animals.
Wooten Memorial 5K this past week and events will continue throughout the year. They held a photo contest that
ended Friday, April 12, that encouraged photographers to submit photos of the arboretum to be published in the annual calendar for the arbo-
retum which can be bought in the AU Bookstore. Dee Smith, curator for the arboretum, says the big event to celebrate the anniversary will be Saturday, August 24 and there will be cake and ice cream for those who attend. The new master plan will also be unveiled for the arboretum. Smith says that the Arboretum is also working on a joint publication with the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Arts in celebration of the anniversary that will include a map and tour of the arboretum. Not only is the Arboretum used for research, a natural classroom and house native plants, other events including weddings, concerts and workshops are held there as well. Smith says the biggest event that the Arboretum hosts is Earth Fest, which was held Saturday, April 6, and averages anywhere from 500– 800 people a year. To find out more about the Arboretum and hosted events, visit its website at auburn.edu/arboretum.
Register NOW! April 19 & 20, 2013 Friday 6-9 pm & Saturday 9am-12:30 pm Auburn Chamber of Commerce
Start planning your life together with a FREE 6-hour workshop for couples in all stages of their premarital relationships! Have FUN and learn more about how relationships work best. All couples who complete the workshop will be compensated for their time. Free food and childcare provided.
Register online at www.auburn.edu/cconline • Questions: 844-3238 We have workshops for couples in all stages of their relationships! Visit www.alabamamarriage.org for more info.
Auburn University • College of Human Sciences The purpose of this information is the dissemination of technical information. Funding is provided through a grant from: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services—Healthy Marriage Demonstration Grant #90FM0006. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s)/presenter(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families.
Intrigue B8
The Auburn Plainsman
Thursday, April 18, 2013