The Auburn Plainsman 04.16.15

A-Day Special Section Inside

The Auburn Plainsman A Spirit That Is Not Afraid

Thursday, April 16, 2015, Vol. 121, Issue 36, 36 Pages Online

First copy is free. Additional copies 50 cents per issue.

greek life

UPC

Nelly will perform despite drug arrest corey williams

ThePlainsman.com VIDEO and GALLERY: Tiger Stomp

campus editor

inside campus

photos contributed by zach bland

Alpha Psi Rodeo attendee stands on top of two trucks at the fraternity’s philanthropy event.

Page A4

Nick Offerman offers laughs

Rodeo roundup

Arrest increase at Alpha Psi event

community

Six-story building plan for downtown sports

Page A8

First baseman breaks out in 2015 intrigue

Page A12

Day in the Life of a Tiger Stomp dancer index Campus Opinion Community Sports Intrigue

A1 A5 A6 A8 A11

Are you moving to Birmingham?

—Sagar Leva

UPC director of major entertainment and senior in finance

University’s Corner Block Party on Saturday, April 18, after the A-Day football game.

Increased rates affect some campus facilities Kris Martins

“That is the philosophy of the board. The board doesn’t necLogging onto Tiger i to essarily like to increase tuition. pay an eBill gives students a They do it to the level that they glimpse into how much it takes have to do it to keep all things to receive an education at Au- created equal.”

The Board of Trustees, for burn University. Nevertheless, tuition is only a portion of example, determines the dinwhat students pay, and the rates ing plan to offer students more services and to aren’t static. ensure on-camMichael pus and offReynolds, campus stuexecutive didents use the rector of Stu- I know one thing dining facilident Finan- that is the goal ties. cial Servic- to keep us on a “It wouldn’t es, said part be in place if of tuition level playing field we didn’t feel is distribut- so that we’re it was impored across the providing the level tant for the studifferent coldents to make leges and of services that our Auburn the ulschools, de- students expect.” timate college pending on —Michael Reynolds e x p e r i e n c e , aspects such executive director of quite frankly,” as instruction student financial services Reynolds said. and salaries.

“It’s for the Tuition rates, along with rates for hous- benefit of the students.”

State appropriation is signifing, dining, transit and other services go through the Board icant in altering the tuition rate each year, according to Reynof Trustees for approval.

“I know one thing that is olds.

“There’s tuition, which is the goal is to keep us on a level playing field so that we’re based on what the board votes providing the level of servic- on — a per-hour rate of tuition es that our students expect — — and, generally, it will go up the type of instruction, the every year to some extent,” type of classroom, the type of technology,” Reynolds said. » See tuition a2 Campus Reporter

Rodeo attendee lassoes a bull head at Rodeo.

“

Two Rodeo attendees dance to music at the event in the tailgate area.

ing to Jones.

Jones said the crowd was approximately 10,000 people, although it grew and shrunk throughout the day.

The increased police presence also meant an increase in arrests. Forty-five people were arrested at this year’s Rodeo, according to the Sheriff’s Office. In 2014, six people were arrested at the Rodeo, according APD reports.

Jones said four DUIs could be tied to people attending the rodeo.

In 2014, a 22-year-old woman was injured in a car crash while riding in the back of a truck while leaving Rodeo. The driver of the truck was arrested for driving under the influence.

Alpha Psi responded to the

Crowne at Grandview

» See rodeo a2

Crowne on 10th

We have the perfect home for you!

crownepartners.com

Auburn University is aware of the situation, and, at this point, the show will go on as scheduled.”

Where tuition goes

Community Editor

Page A6

“

nelly

Money

Jim Little

A change in location and jurisdiction for the 50th annual Alpha Psi Rodeo in 2015 brought an increase in the number of arrests at the event compared to 2014.

Rodeo took place Saturday, April 11, at Ingram Farms on U.S. Highway 80 with a headline performance by Brad Paisley.

Alpha Psi, which is the veterinary fraternity, began the amateur rodeo in 1965 for veterinary students. Since then, the event has opened up to the public and grown to draw nearly 15,000 people, according to the Alpha Psi Rodeo website.

In past years, Rodeo has been held at a location on Sandhill Road in Auburn, but the event was moved to Ingram Farms this year because of road construction and traffic concerns.

Moving the location out into unincorporated Lee County meant the Lee County Sheriff’s Office became the primary law enforcement agency responsible for policing the event.

“We had a lot more support staff and law enforcement officers at a much higher number than in previous years,” said Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones.

Several agencies provided resources to support the Sheriff’s Office for the event, including the Auburn Police Division, the Opelika Police Department, the Lee County Emergency Management Agency and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, accord-

Nelly will perform at Auburn Airwaves despite his arrest, according to Sagar Leva, UPC director of major entertainment and senior in finance.

Nelly was arrested Saturday, April 11, in Putnam County, Tennessee, after state troopers found methamphetamine, marijuana, other drug paraphernalia and guns on his bus, according to a statement released by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.

The rapper was charged with felony possession of drugs, simple possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

“Auburn University is aware of the situation, and, at this point, the show will go on as scheduled,” Leva said in an email.

Nelly will perform with Nick Jonas and Kesha during the

Crowne at Overton Village

Crowne at Cahaba River

Campus A2

The Auburn Plainsman

Thursday, April 16, 2015

aviation

DUI reports The following were arrested and charged with driving under the influence by the Auburn Police Division from April 6-12:

Rebecca Oliver Campus Writer

April 6: -Chad Hixon Mitchell, 28 Gatewood Drive at 2:42 p.m.

April 7: -John Neill McCorvey, 20 North Ross Street at 2:28 a.m.

April 8: -Katarina J. Mason, 21 Opelika Road at 2:35 a.m.

April 9: -Addison Paige Worley, 22 North Gay Street at 11:07 p.m.

April 10: -Enrique Gabriel Morales, 23 Annalue Drive and Cherry Street at 8:40 a.m.

-Douglas Henderson Martin, 25 East University Drive at 1:46 p.m.

April 11: -Kelly Marie Bufford, 23, Shug Jordan Parkway and North College Street at 5:25 a.m.

-Gary Jones, 31 Interstate 85 at 7:10 p.m.

-Joshua Grant Pitts, 23 Dekalb Street at 10:34 a.m.

“

Auburn approved to operate unmanned aircraft systems The Federal Aviation Administration has granted Auburn University the first approval nationwide to conduct a new Unmanned Aircraft Systems Flight School within the Auburn University Aviation Center.

Bill Hutto, director of the Auburn University Aviation Center, said the aviation program is not limited to students enrolled in Auburn University or the aviation program.

“Faculty, staff, students and those not associated with the University are all eligible to take the course,” Hutto said.

According to Hutto, the Unmanned Aircraft systems Flight School is at this time not a part of a degree program.

“At some point, the University could offer a minor or a major, but, right now, this flight school serves to provide another tool for those who take the class to make themselves more marketable,” Hutto said.

Hutto said the Unmanned Flight School could add marketability for Auburn students with various degrees.

According to Hutto, there are professors at Auburn in building science, agriculture and engineering departments who are interested in doing research with the unmanned aircraft.

“We want to be able to provide the nec-

essary resources to them,” Hutto said.

National FAA regulations on the Unmanned Flight School have been strict, and, while other universities offered some programs for the Unmanned Flight School, they were not allowed to use unmanned aircraft systems outside without tethering the aircraft because the FAA considers tuition a commercial payment, according to Hutto.

Hutto said Auburn was able to bypass the tethering restriction by applying as a commercial operation that allowed payment to be taken to teach just as the traditional flight school does.

According to Hutto, companies in various industries are obtaining the approval to fly the unmanned aircraft systems including cellular service providers, real estate and agriculture.

“The FAA has recently released a proposed rule that would make it easier to fly unmanned aircraft commercially in the coming years,” Hutto said. “It’s almost limited by the imagination. The students who come through our flight school will be able to provide an asset to a company who has approval to fly.”

John McGraw, president of John McGraw Aerospace Engineering LLC said companies look to hire not only someone who can operate unmanned aircraft systems, but someone who has received cer-

At some point, the University could offer a minor or a major, but, right now, this flight school serves to provide another tool for those who take the class to make themselves more marketable.”

—Bill Hutto

directir if Auburn university aviation center

tified training.

“With Auburn being the only school who can provide that training, students are getting the education companies require,” McGraw said.

Dale Watson, director of flight education, said the Unmanned Flight School adds valuable resources to the Aviation Center, which allows for more educational initiatives.

“This is an exploding field, and we are very excited to be on the leading edge,” Watson said.

Unmanned Flight School classes should be available within the next 30-45 days, according to Hutto.

April 12: -Dantego Carderas Brooks, 38 Opelika Road at 12:10 a.m.

-Ronald Leonard Walker Jr., 30 South College Street and Persimmon Drive at 4:05 a.m.

-Manuel Leon Emery, 23 South College Street and Woodfield Drive at 4:51 a.m.

A full crime report provided by the Auburn Department of Public Safety is available online at ThePlainsman.com.

–Reports provided by the Auburn Department of Public Safety

rodeo » From A1

incident by banning Rodeo attendees from riding to the event in the back of trucks.

Bobby Woodard, vice president of Student Affairs, sent an email to students in March distancing the University connection to Rodeo.

“Following the 2014 rodeo event, we encouraged the organizers to present a safety plan in order to receive any future logistical assistance from the University,” Woodard said in the email. “They failed to complete that plan after extensions of numerous deadlines.”

Seven people had to be taken to the East Alabama Medical Center, including a person who was injured bull riding, according to Jones. Eight people were taken to EAMC in 2014, according to an Opelika-Auburn News report.

Despite the increase in arrests, Jones said the event went well.

Alpha Psi pledged to raise $1

tuition » From A1

Reynolds said. “Generally, you can count on no more than 5 percent. The board really does not like double-digit increases.

It’s pretty consistent.”

Reynolds said tuition has increased by approximately 3-4 percent in the past few years.

“Anytime the budget is less than what it was the year before, which it always is, then we go into something called proration, because it’s proration of the budget,” Reynolds said. “So there’s a built-in fee of $200 that makes that up.”

Besides tuition, Reynolds said many of the student fees are self-assessed, and students come to the Board of Trustees with resolutions.

For example, students asked for a fee for the Student Center.

“That’s your building because you’re paying for it,” Reynolds said.

Rex Huffman, manager of transit services, said student fees for the transit go toward paying for the continuation of the services.

“We have a contract with First Transit,” Huffman said.

“That’s our vendor. It’s a turnkey contract, meaning we pay

“

We had a lot more support staff and law enforcement officers at a much higher number than in previous years.”

—Jay Jones

Lee county sheriff

million over 10 years in 2010 for the College of Veterinary Medicine, and Rodeo is their largest fundraiser, according to Alpha Psi’s website.

“The majority that were in attendance were very cooperative and patient with what we were trying to do,” Jones said.

Jones credited the taxis and buses with keeping people safe.

“Certainly (having a good time) involved having beverages, and we appreciate them not getting behind the wheel,” Jones said.

Alpha Psi did not comment by publication deadline.

“

Anytime the budget is less than what it was the year before, which is always, then we go into something called proration, because it’s proration of the budget. So there’s a built-in fee of $200 that makes that up.”

—Michael Reynolds

executive director of student financial services

them an hourly rate to rob us currently $63.98 every hour a bus is in operation. We run about 600 hours a day in support of Auburn University.

That’s what the transit fee goes toward.”

The student fee doesn’t cover the hourly rate, so they provide charter services to help with the cost, according to Huffman.

“Most students have the misconception that their fee — their piece of tuition — covers everything,” Huffman said.

photos by zach bland

Brad Paisley, country music singer, performs at Alpha Psi Rodeo.

Rodeo attendee stands on top of cars in the parking area of Alpha Psi’s event Saturday, April 11.

“Well, no.”

Virginia Koch, director of Residence Life, said housing is a part of Auxiliary Services.

“We do get money from all the room rentals, and that basically makes up the budget for our day-to-day operations,” Koch said. “But there are other ways the University gets money — through bonds and other funding things, either through the state or elsewhere that also come into play.”

According to Reynolds, these decisions are made to maintain high-quality services and academics.

“Anytime you’re talking about money, no one wants an increase, but what … can lessen the pain of that increase is if you understand what you’re getting from it,” Reynolds said.

“We’re not like other schools that are trying to increase enrollment. We know what produces the best students that we’re putting out into the workforce, and we’re happy with that. But, with that, we know what level of services and academic levels that we have to be at to maintain the high quality, successful student.”

Check ThePlainsman.com for Board of Trustees coverage Friday, April 17.

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Thursday, April 16, 2015

Campus A3

The Auburn Plainsman

academics

upcoming events

Thursday, April 16

• Auburn University Medicinal Plant Collection tour on Woodfield Drive, across from Plant Science Research Center, at 5 p.m.

Female-focused class to be offered this fall Rebecca Oliver Campus Writer

Friday, April 17

• Auburn University Board of Trustees meeting in the Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center at 9:30 a.m.

• “The Guest List” in the Telfair Peet Theatre at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 18

• A-Day game at 1 p.m. in Jordan-Hare Stadium • Corner Block Party at Toomer’s Corner at 5 p.m.

• Auburn Airwaves at Toomer’s Corner at 6 p.m.

• Veterinary Medicine Open House on the College of Veterinary Medicine Campus at 8:30 a.m.

Are you a campus organization? Send your events to calendar@ThePlainsman.com or submit them to The Plainsman’s online calendar at ThePlainsman.com/calendar to be featured online or in the paper.

photo of the week

Emily Enfinger / Photo editor

Mat Kearney sings and plays guitar during his performance at UPC’s Groovin’ on the Greenspace on April 10.

A new class will be offered in fall 2015 called Engage, Interact, Lead.

The class will focus on women’s approach to environmental leadership.

Barbara Baker, executive director of Women’s Leadership Institute, said she decided this class would be a good idea after teaching various courses in the community and civic engagement minor.

“I was looking for a topic that would interest a broader range of people,” Baker said.

Baker said her original goal was to get students involved.

“It struck me that, maybe if we could reach outside of our own areas of humanities and arts, we might be able to educate more people on how they can get interested in the idea of how they can become involved in civic and community engagement,” Baker said.

According to Baker, all of the community and civic engagement courses are designed to get students involved with leadership in the community.

Baker said it is her personal goal to discover ways to facilitate a learning environment where students can expand on interests they already have in community and civic engagement.

“Students will learn how people have, in the past, dealt with tackled problems, rather than just saying, ‘Go find a problem,’” Baker said. “We’re going to focus on a problem, which is sustainability, and let students study how leadership and engagement have been done in the past to figure out the future to tackle issues that everyone needs to be looking at right now.”

Engage, Interact, Lead will look at classic leadership and community engagement texts with ongoing social media discussions about current environmental issues.

“Women have traditionally looked at problems in a different way than those in power do,” Baker said. “We’ve seen throughout the world that women approach problems with a democratic, participatory, groupthink attitude rather than in a hierarchical fashion.”

Engage, Interact, Lead will be individual-

1888 Ogletree Rd. Auburn 826-1207

“

It struck me that maybe if we could reach outside of our own areas of humanities and arts, we might be able to educate more people on how they can get interested in the idea of how they can become involved in civic and community engagement.”

—Barbara Baker

executive director of women’s Leadership institute

ized with each student being provided with the foundational texts of leadership and sustainability.

Students are then allowed to find their topic of interest and use their personal strengths to develop a plan of how the problem can be addressed as their class project.

Jessica Terrell, senior in public relations, said she chose the International Buddy Program as her class project for a previous community and civic engagement course taught

by Baker.

“I saw a need both for international students and American students,” Terrell said. “I saw where they needed to be immersed in our culture, and we needed to develop a greater understanding of theirs.”

Terrell said she doubts she would have ever become involved in the International Buddy Program if she had never met Baker.

After working with international students who were also in the class, Terrell said she found her passion.

Nanette Chadwick, Academic Sustainability Programs director, said Engage, Interact, Lead is intended to develop leadership skills that allow students to engage in sustainability-related issues and view them in a civic context.

“We need to engage diverse leaders and affect change that leads to forward thinking,” Chadwick said.

1017 Columbus Parkway Opelika 749-3528

600 Webster Rd. Auburn 821-9996

2300 Gateway Drive 1599 S. College Street 1791 Shug Jordan Parkway Opelika 749-2309 Auburn 826-1716 Auburn 887-7460 1650 Opelika Rd. Auburn 821-7835

334 W. Magnolia Avenue Auburn 826-2476

Campus A4

Thursday, April 16, 2015

The Auburn Plainsman

upc

Nick Offerman ‘parks’ in Auburn Haley Lanigan Campus Writer

UPC hosted “Comedy on the Plains” on Tuesday, April 14, in the Student Activity Center.

The guest of honor was Nick Offerman, known for playing Ron Swanson on “Parks and Recreation.”

Miranda Marty, UPC director of speakers and comedians and senior in political science, said the student body as well as the members of the community responded positively to the announcement of Offerman’s visit.

“With the selling out of all of the tickets within, like, the first 24 hours of the event, I would say that’s a pretty positive response,” Marty said. “I know so many of my friends were really excited about the event, so I would take that as a positive response.”

Marty said UPC looked at other speakers, such as Mindy Kaling, but those options were too expensive or unavailable.

However, she said Offerman was a perfect fit for the event.

According to Marty, booking Offer-

man went smoothly compared to some of the speakers UPC has had in the past.

“Fortunately for us, it’s been easier than some other events because we contacted his agent, his agent got back to us in a timely manner, the dates worked out and he was in budget,” Marty said. “Everyone involved in the facilities booking part of this event were really great.”

Zach Getson, senior in psychology, said Offerman was the reference point as to what a “man” is.

“Nick Offerman is basically the quintessential man,” Getson said. “Lots of bacon and meat.”

William Burkett, sophomore in business administration, also said he was fond of Offerman’s manly nature.

“My favorite thing about him is the way he lives his life,” Burkett said. “He just doesn’t care. He’s a man’s man, and I think that’s awesome.”

Burkett said he was hoping to see some of Offerman’s older material, but was looking forward to new material as well.

“I’m hoping for him to talk about his

Netflix thing where he did the 10 Life Steps,” Burkett said. “I think that would be funny, but I mean, if he’s got new material that’s always good too.”

After the event, Zach Rock, sophomore in business, said he thought the event was funny and not what he expected.

“I was not expecting that amount of sexual content,” Rock said.

Many audience members said they enjoyed when Offerman sang “Bye Bye Lil’ Sebastian,” a song featured on “Parks and Recreation.”

“I loved the ending,” Marty said. “I just loved that it was such a crowd pleaser, and he kind of stepped back into his Ron Swanson role, which is something he didn’t do throughout the show.”

According to Marty, the event was a success and exceeded her expectations.

“I knew his style of comedy, so it was everything that I was expecting and more,” Marty said. “I was happy with the crowd turnout and the overall crowd response. I think it was a successful event.”

amelia johannes / photographer

Nick Offerman performed in the Student Activity Center on April 14.

Student Government

Senate approves resolution for class registration Ben Ruffin

Campus Writer

SGA’s meeting saw the unanimous passing of a resolution introduced during last week’s senate meeting Monday, April 13.

Jesse Westerhouse, executive vice president of initiatives, discussed the resolution that may change the way Auburn students register for classes.

The resolution is for a new class registration model, Tiger Scheduler, which Westerhouse said will ease the usual excruciating registration of classes while also freeing up valuable faculty time.

“It will be really good for when you’re in a ADVERTISEMENT

room with 40 or 50 students and you’re trying to write down the CRNs and get it all figured out,” Westerhouse said. “With this, you type in your classes, and you’re really able to run through 30, 50, even 100 different schedules. It will also free up a lot of time for advisers to spend with students outside of registration.”

The Office of the Registrar presented SGA with two different class registration models senate executive committee researched. The senate finally came to the conclusion the visual schedule builder was the best fit for Auburn students, according to Walker Byrd, SGA president.

The new model will allow students to block off time periods, and the schedule builder will

build a schedule around that time period. Westerhouse said this type of registration will no longer require CRNs, but instead students will only need the name and number of the class or name of the instructor, unless students prefer the registration process now.

Byrd said this new model for class registration will benefit everyone who chooses to use it, but the ability to block time frames will benefit student-athletes as well as students who have meetings throughout the day.

“The visual schedule builder will especially benefit student-athletes who need to block off morning times for their athletic needs,” Byrd said. “It will also benefit those students who have

meetings during the day and need to block of hours for those meetings.”

Other features of the visual schedule builder include the ability to pick what time of day you would like classes to be, such as all morning, midday or evening classes. The schedule builder also allows students to choose an option that gives them the most days without classes if those classes are available, Westerhouse showed in his presentation.

“You can see it’s not always going to be the perfect schedule you want,” Westerhouse said.

“But it’s really cool all the features this has and is really interactive and good for the student body as a whole.”

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Opinion

a5

Thursday, April 16, 2015

ThePlainsman.com

Opinion

our view

Room for improvement

SOCIAL MEDIA ON THE PLAINS

Topic:

The supper Club and the vault are closing in auburn

Responses to “Change coming to Chewacla, rise in entrance rates and other fees” Emily Waugh “What about the cost for children?”

Viewpoint:

Jason Sanders “I know funding is probably tight, but Chewacla is and always has been an awesome park.”

auburn needs a night-life revival; lessons can be learned from both bars

With the recent announcements of The Vault and The Supper Club closing in the summer, Auburn seems to have become a bar graveyard.

Auburn doesn’t have the largest night scene, with arguably only three relevant bars that serve much of the downtown crowd.

In short, Auburn’s bar scene has room for improvement.

There are no immediate glaring issues with downtown.

However, with both closings there is an opportunity to cater to more diverse crowds.

SkyBar, Quixotes and 17-16 have found a successful niche in Auburn and regularly draw large crowds, but their business models and success cannot necessarily be copied.

While the closings weren’t directly correlated to patronage — raised rent prices were listed in each closing — the bars could have definitely done more to draw larger crowds.

A greater variety of bands would help a revival.

Auburn’s band choice seems to be cyclic, with the same performers coming regularly and performing the same songs.

New performers and larger headlining bands could draw more crowds and create bigger hype.

However, The Supper Club and The Vault bars also have some systems the establishments that will replace them and current Auburn bars can learn from.

The Supper Club has a bus that will take you from their bar to your house or apartment.

Albert Vickers “I have always enjoyed going out to Chewacla. I think it’s a great asset to the Auburn community. I understand the need to pay the park’s bills and have cash flow for improvements, but $4 per person is a bit much. I used to go out and enjoy the park weekly, but now I can only go every once in a while. It may seem trivial, but when you’re having to pay for at least 2 people every time you go, it adds up considerably.

Guess I will just keep going to the Ecology Preserve to enjoy the outdoors.”

Responses to “Supper Club employees determined to save it from closing” Cody Davis “Auburn is f***ing up day by day.”

Tyler Wallace “The bars downtown seem to have very little interest in helping create a local music community. I moved here back in 2010 and it’s been on a pretty steady decline ever since. There are a lot of quality music and players in town, but not a whole lot of support. Or, maybe, we all suck and are delusional. Who knows? I’ll definitely miss both clubs terribly.”

kelsey gainer / graphic designer

Not only is this safer, cutting down on DUI’s and going directly to your home rather than to assorted stops along predetermined routes, it’s also a bonus that could attract groups who have no set designated driver.

The Vault has Taco Tuesdays with dollar tacos.

Not only do they cater to a college budget, but the greasy treat can attract people trying to line their stomachs before indulging in beverages.

The Vault’s back patio, which is often quiet or has soft light music, allows for conversation unlike the loud bass pumping found in other bars around Auburn.

Whichever bar replaces them should continue the relaxed atmosphere.

Auburn needs a bar they can go to that doesn’t constantly barrage people with music.

While loud music and dancing are what draw crowds to other bars in Auburn, having a quieter option is necessary.

The closings of The Vault and The Sup-

question of the week:

Lindsey Shannon “I wish someone would step in and save The Vault!”

Do you think Auburn needs a night life revival?

Responses to “Nobel Laureate discusses the origins of life on Earth”

Yes, Auburn needs more variety

Virginia Turk Harper “God spoke,and so it WAS!!”

No, I like downtown how it is

Kelley Black “Couldn’t God have spoken, and life happen the way evolution has proven it has?”

I don’t care; I don’t go downtown

Responses to “Send your photos from Alpha Psi Rodeo 2015”

Vote online at ThePlainsman.com

Brent Butts “Wow so cool...”

per Club is sad, but it is also a chance for growth.

Auburn has room for more than three successful bars and one basic business model.

It’s time for more diversity downtown.

her view

Pressures of tradition in the Bible Belt Emily Enfinger photo@theplainsman. com

Over the past few years, my Facebook newsfeed has evolved rapidly into a catchall of my peers’ engagements, wedding announcements, babies, “My boyfriend will be the best husband,” anniversaries and kitschy seasonal couple photos.

Good for them.

It is sometimes difficult seeing all of this without having a nagging feeling of exclusion.

After all, what girl doesn’t have a wedding board on Pinterest or hasn’t at least thought about marriage and the ideal wedding when growing up?

It’s especially hard when marrying young is the norm, and almost considered the expectation passed on from the generation before.

My mother married when she was 21, and her mother married at the age of 18. I am creeping on 22 and single.

One evening, during my freshman year of

college, I went to visit my grandmother at her house.

I walked through the front door, greeted by her, I say, “Guess what.” She replies without skipping a beat, “You’re getting married?” “No, Mamaw.” I said, “I just wanted to tell you about my classes.”

I recently broke up with my boyfriend of three years to focus on my career. It wasn’t easy, even though I knew that’s what I wanted.

We had talked about getting married and starting a family after we both finished school. That is something that I wanted intensely for a long time, but I realized later it would interfere with my dreams and career goals I had set.

He told me after we broke up, that he was planning on proposing to me this coming summer. After hearing that, it felt like a punch in the stomach. I felt like I had let down my mother and my grandmother. But why?

My career is something I have always valued and is something I need and want to focus on now.

Was I only dating to marry to please my family? To follow tradition, to make them happy?

Did I make myself think that’s what I wanted, too, when clearly my mind wasn’t genuinely set on those goals right now?

Since the age of 16, finding a boyfriend as a potential suitor for marriage has lurked in the back of my mind because of the expectation set by tradition — comparing myself to others instead of thinking about me for me.

I have watched my friends suffer from the same pressures and expectations, listening to them complain about how they’re single and how they need to find husbands before they grow old.

Then watch them jump furiously into any relationship they can get a grip on, only to have that relationship fail from the lack of compatibility that was originally blinded by the desperation of my friends.

While getting married young and starting a family soon may be the goal for many girls here in the Bible Belt, there isn’t a need to do that now, and it’s OK if we don’t.

We are young, we have time and we shouldn’t allow an idea of tradition to keep us from being happy.

Emily Enfinger is the photo editor at The Plainsman. She can be reached at photo@ ThePlainsman.com.

Corey Williams campus

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Pariah Poetry “Druggie hmmm would you have an issue if it were willie Nelson or Jethro Tull or any rock band etc they all do drugs” Wayne Partridge “Was Luke Bryan not available?”

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corrections The letter to the editor “VP of Student Affairs’ response to restructuring” stated the student media reorganization took place as “a result of a four-year independent study.”

The study mentioned was conducted over two days four years ago. It was not a four-year study.

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Community Thursday, April 16, 2015

A6 ThePlainsman.com

Community

New frozen trend ‘popping’ up around town Business

Rachael Taylor Community Writer

It was frozen yogurt, then the cupcake and now it is the ice pop. Throughout the past few years, ice pop shops have been popping up, with many people racing to get the chilly treat.

These aren’t the ice pops you grew up with.

Many of the new shops sell ice pops that contain all-natural or sometimes even local ingredients.

Two well-known ice pop shops of the Southeast are actually located in Auburn and Opelika — Steel City Pops and the Pop Factory at The Overall Company.

David Tice, manager of Steel City Pops in downtown Auburn and sophomore in psychology, said he thinks the appeal of ice pops is they are marketed to seem healthier than other desserts.

Tice said ice pops can be similar to a smoothie and said it is the satisfaction of a dessert without feeling bad about it later.

Tice worked at a Steel City Pops location in Birmingham starting in February 2014, and moved to Auburn to go to school.

Now Tice manages the Auburn location, which opened April 3.

Steel City Pops has two types of pops: dairybased creamy pops and water-based fruit pops.

Tice said the fruit flavors are healthier than the dairy alternative.

While the weather is not always perfect for pops, Tice said the company has seasonal flavors, which helps bring in business when the weather is not ideal.

The winter and fall pops are more cream-based flavors, such as pumpkin and peppermint, while the spring flavors are a mix of creamy and fruity

flavors.

The seasonal flavors switch out approximately every three months, but there are certain core flavors that are always available, such as vanilla and chocolate, according to Tice.

Jim Watkins, owner of Steel City Pops, comes up with most of the flavor ideas.

Steel City Pops are made of all-natural ingredients, Watkins said.

The pops are made in Homewood and transported to Auburn via a refrigerated van approximately every week.

The Pop Factory at The Overall Company sources ingredients for their ice pops locally.

According to Reese Shirey, manager of the Pop Factory at Overall Company, the only pop without local ingredients is the vanilla bean pop because it contains Madagascar vanilla. The milk they use is from southern Alabama. “(We come up with) flavors that we could create by using local ingredients,” Shirey said.

Shirey used to be in the ice cream business in north Alabama and learned about the Overall Company through the co-owner, Jay Pritchard, who is a family friend of his.

Shirey said he thinks the appeal of ice pops may be they are more convenient than other desserts.

“Reese (Shirey) makes all of the batches and he is responsible for each one that goes out,” Pritchard said.

Pritchard said Overall Company started making the treat in January 2012.

The idea was born after hearing of a trend in southern Florida and California called paletas, which is a Spanish ice pop, Pritchard said.

Overall Company takes the trend to the next

amelia johnnes / photographer

The Pop Factory at The Overall Company sources the ingredients for their ice pops from local farmers.

level with alcoholic pops as well as chocolate sauce to dip the pops in.

“We wanted a really great frozen product that we could offer alongside the coffee,” Pritchard said.

Pritchard said people now pair ice pops with alcoholic beverages.

The core flavors of ice pops that Overall Com-

pany offers include vanilla bean, basil lemonade, strawberry balsamic, chocolate, cookies and cream and salted caramel.

Overall Company also offers approximately 15-20 seasonal flavors.

While many food trends come and go, the appeal of the ice pop is popular in the Auburn community and is here to stay.

housing

Six-story building planned Jim Little

COMMUNITY EDITOR

Contributed by the city of auburn

The Parker will feature more brick than is shown in the photo above submitted to the Board of Zoning Adjudtment.

A new six-story development is in the works outside the apartment moratorium boundary.

The design of The Parker was submitted to the Auburn Board of Zoning Adjustment at the April 1 meeting.

The developers, CA Ventures, presented the plans to the board to request a variance requiring buildings built in the Urban Core District to be built out of brick with accents of stucco, limestone or wood.

The board denied the variance request in a 3-2 vote. The original plan for the building as presented to the Board, called for 41.7 percent brick and 31.3 percent glass, with the rest of the building being made of cement.

Although the board denied the plan, CA Ventures resubmitted plans that called for more brick to on the exterior, according to Forrest Cotten, director of the Planning Department.

“As a result, I was able to approve (the design) based on my interpretation of the ordinance,” Cotten said.

Staff comments on the variance request point-

ed out that too much brick on a large building can make them seem overwhelming, and the ordinance requiring the use of brick was meant for smaller buildings.

“I think (the ordinance) certainly needs to be looked at,” Cotten said. “I’m not saying that necessarily needs to be changed.”

Cotten said ordinances in other cities are more prescriptive, but Auburn’s ordinance allows only brick with other material as accents.

“What percentage needs to be accent,” Forrest said. “At what point do the other materials become more than accent material.”

The Center Court apartment complex at the corner of Wright Street and East Glenn Avenue is the proposed site of the new development.

The building would be approximately 75 feet tall, according to city documents.

Cotten said although the developers will still have to submit more plans to the city, they can all be approved administratively.

“We get phone calls all the time from various people about various properties,” Cotten said.

“But there’s out there that appears to be as real as this.”

events

Big Swamp Blues and BBQ during 15th annual CityFest Pierce Ostwalt Community Writer

This year’s Auburn CityFest will be held Saturday, April 25, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Kiesel Park.

CityFest is going on its 15th year as Auburn’s largest free outdoor festival. The event will be presented by the Opelika-Auburn News and Four Seasons Credit Union, among many others including Jim ‘N Nicks BBQ, which will be catering the event, according to Mary Ellen Dixon, interim public relations specialist for Auburn parks and recreation and co-coordinator for Auburn CityFest.

This year’s theme of Blues and BBQ will include entertainment for children as well as adults.

“We’re going to have three bands throughout the day, along with all the children’s activities, and it’s going to be a really fun day,” said Morgan

Gamble, special events and programs intern for the Parks and Recreation Department. “We’re hoping for some good weather and that a lot of people come out to join us.”

The headlining act for this year is Alabama Blues Project. The group is made up of three women based out of Tuscaloosa, but have played in Auburn many times according to Gamble.

“We also have Big Swamp Blue Band and Soul Coalition,” Gamble said. “They are all blues bands, local to the Auburn area.”

The bands will play all day while people enjoy the arts and crafts vendor section as well as nonprofit vendor section and food vendor section.

“Parents can do a little early Christmas shopping or getting birthday gifts,” Dixon said. “We have a little over 80 arts and crafts and fine arts vendors, and they sell anything from

jewelries, potteries, photographs; really anything you can think of, we will have one vendor out there that does that.”

Parents can enjoy food, music, shopping and other festivities while their children spend time in the Children’s Imagination Station.

“For CityFest, we have a section called the Children’s Imagination Station,” said Evelyn Walker, intern for the Parks and Recreation Department and in charge of the CIS. “It is catered for children ages 5-12, and we have a lot of really awesome activities that are planned.”

The CIS will include a variety of activities for children to enjoy: the headlining hog racing from the Hogway Speedway Racing Pigs, inflatable moon jumps and obstacle courses and demonstrations from the Boy Scouts of America and the Central Alabama

File photo

Residents enjoy the festivities at the 2009 CityFest. This year will be the 15th CityFest.

Mountain Peddlers, among others, according to Walker.

The fun-filled day for children doesn’t end there, as there will also be pony rides from Jubilee Farms, an outdoors expo for children from Mountain High Outfitters, a sandbox farm

dig from The Home Depot and a tractor for children to take pictures with, courtesy of Sun South John Deere, according to Dixon.

“This is really an event for all ages,” Dixon said. “We have people come from all over to come to this event.”

Thursday, April 16, 2015

Community A7

The Auburn Plainsman

MUSIC

Singing and dancing with nature AU Singers perform at Kreher Preserve and Nature Center

FAB FINDS at

ANGEL’S Auburn Metal Signage

Kendyl Hollingsworth Community Writer

The AU Singers sang and danced the afternoon away before a crowd at the Music in the Forest event at the Kreher Preserve and Nature Center on Saturday, April 11.

The Music in the Forest benefit concert, which is now in its second year, is a collaboration between KPNC and Auburn University’s music department, according to Jennifer Lolley, outreach administrator for KPNC. The event serves to provide the community with musical entertainment while benefitting KPNC’s children’s educational programs and AUMD’s student scholarship fund.

Sixteen members of the AU Singers performed a few musical numbers, including crowd favorites, such as Bob Seger’s “Old Time Rock ‘n’ Roll,” Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bridge over Troubled Water” and Olly Murs’ “Dance With Me Tonight.” They closed their show with “Ease on Down the Road,” an upbeat song from the musical “The Wiz.” The performance also featured two solo acts of the hit songs “Blank Space,” by Taylor Swift, and “Somethin’ Bad,” by Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood.

“It was great having everyone here and having all these people out here supporting us, and the atmosphere was great,” said Ashley Moates, member of the AU Singers and sophomore in communication disorders.

The AU Singers’ performance featured some musical numbers from their fall show, as well as a few new ones that will be in their upcoming spring show May 2-3, according to Moates.

“I felt like we had a lot of fun with it,” said Zachary Blomeley, member of the AU Singers and junior in accounting.

“We don’t really get to perform outdoors, and we don’t really usually perform small shows like this. We’re really grateful to everybody that came out.”

Audience members young and old enjoyed the AU Singers’ performance, with a few dancing to the upbeat songs and several more clapping along.

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The AU Singers perform at the Kreher Preserve and Nature Center on Saturday, April 11.

Margaret Holler, member of the advisory board for KPNC, said she loved watching many of the children dance and enjoy the entire show, even with most of the songs being more recognizable to adults.

“This place has so much to offer young families and children, and (the performance) is a perfect example,” Holler said.

In addition to the AU Singers’ perfor-

mance, KPNC will feature more performances by some of AUMD’s ensembles this quarter as part of the music series.

“We are always striving to serve new audiences and hope that the music series will inspire people to discover the preserve and the wonderful opportunities found there to enjoy and learn about nature,” said Jamie Anderson, coordinator for KPNC.

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Thursday, April 16, 2015

scoreboard Baseball (21-15, 5-10)

ThePlainsman.com

Sports

Softball

his view

Rhodes to greatness

Gymnasts front and center under Graba Andrew Monson sports@theplainsman.com

RECENT Win vs. Alabama State, 8-1 Win vs. Alabama A&M, 8-1 Loss at No. 3 LSU, 6-2 Win at No. 3 LSU, 6-1 Loss at No. 3 LSU, 3-2 UPCOMING April 17-19 vs. Ole Miss

No. 7 softball (40-6, 12-3) Jim Little / Community editor

Jade Rhodes hits a home run during a game against Kentucky on March 20.

First baseman breaks out in 2015 Lauren Christopher Sports Writer

RECENT April 15 at Samford Win at No. 23 Texas A&M, 12-4 Loss at No. 23 Texas A&M, 12-4 Win at No. 23 Texas A&M, 8-1 UPCOMING April 17-19 vs. No. 6 Alabama

no. 8 Gymnastics (6-5)

RECENT NCAA Auburn Regional 2nd - 196.900 UPCOMING April 17-19 NCAA Championships Fort Worth, Texas

equestrian (7-7, 2-6)

The Auburn softball team has reached new heights so far in the 2015 season with a record of 406, including 12 wins within the SEC. Not to mention ranking within the top 10 for three consecutive weeks and going strong.

This impressive run is credited to the players, of course, who could make bat-to-ball contact with the best of them.

One particularly strong hitter has come out of hiding for her junior season and taken Auburn by storm.

Jade Rhodes, first baseman for the Tigers, now tallies a total of 17 home runs this season alone, leading Auburn’s offense with 48 RBI. Coach Clint Myers has said to his players, “A home run is nothing more than a by-product of a good swing,” but he has praised Rhodes for her impressive season.

“Just look at her numbers,” Myers said. “The thing that’s scary about Jade is, if she truly ever understood and did the things that she’s capable of, she could be one of the best hitters in the country.”

Last season, Rhodes didn’t stick out much with her quality at bats, but she’s made up for it and more in 2015.

“I didn’t really understand the game all the way,” Rhodes said.

“I think this year we all have an

emily enfinger / photo editor

Jade Rhodes prepares to field at first base in a game against Georgia State on Feb. 2.

understanding of the game, so that helps going up to bat and getting my mental state right.”

Rhodes also commented on her progress and said she didn’t expect to reach her home run achievements at all coming in this spring.

“We don’t expect anything,” Rhodes said. “We don’t play who’s in the other dugout. We just play our game.”

Earlier this season in Auburn’s SEC sweep over Ole Miss, Rhodes hit three home runs in one game, contributing to her 17 homers.

Just last week, she was tied with Kasey Cooper and Emily Carosone for the most home runs on the team after playing Tennessee.

Both Rhodes and Carosone commented on the race for first, and said it isn’t a competition, but a team effort.

“I mean (17 home runs is) cool, but we’re just trying to hit the ball solid,” Carosone said. “It’s good that we have that many because it just makes our team do so much better.”

Rhodes agreed.

“It’s just whoever is on that day, we all have each other’s backs,” Rhodes said.

As far as future achievements go, Carosone said Rhodes isn’t done yet.

“Jade is always improving,” Carosone said. “She amazes me.

Jade’s just been doing awesome, she knows exactly what she needs to do and she does the job.”

Myers also said softball hasn’t seen the last of Jade Rhodes.

“Baby steps,” Myers said.

“She’s a lot better than she was last year, and she’s still getting better. It’s really in Jade’s hands, she can be as good as she wants to be.”

For as long as I can remember, the SEC has boasted elite gymnastics programs.

Teams such as Alabama, Florida, Georgia and LSU were annually in the top 10 and regularly advanced to the NCAA Championships.

But Auburn was never in that conversation. Not until the hiring of Jeff Graba in 2010.

Auburn was always an afterthought in the gymnastics world, but Graba claimed the Tigers would contend in the ultra-competitive SEC. After winning his third SEC Coach of the Year award in four years, he has more than delivered on his promise.

The NCAA Championships from April 17-19 will mark only the fourth Nationals appearance for the Auburn program.

It will also mark the end of a historic season, a season that has placed Auburn in the elite conversation it has never been a part of before.

The accomplishments of 2015 are astounding.

Highest regional seed, highest overall score, highest Regional Qualifying Score and highest final ranking.

Auburn has scored a 197 or higher nine times in program history. Five of them were this season alone.

The Tigers were also able to beat Georgia for only the fourth time in 80 meetings.

More milestones can be set at Nationals, but this season’s team will not be remembered for what it accomplished, but for what it started.

Since his hiring, Graba has stubbornly repeated how long the rebuilding process in gymnastics takes.

It takes years of coaching, years of recruiting and years of work.

But once an elite program is created, it becomes much easier to maintain.

The 2015 team is laying the foundation for future Auburn teams under Graba, teams that will raise the bar even higher.

Auburn has all the recipes to continue its success for seasons to come.

It has a staff of coaches who are great teachers, and is led by one of the most elite head coaches in the country. Just his job done at Auburn is deserving of that praise.

It also has a staff of coaches who know who to recruit and how to recruit them, an important element in building elite depth.

It has attractive facilities, including a brand-new arena many programs simply cannot match.

Finally, it now has a fan support it can proudly boast, with the program recording its first sellout against Georgia this season.

This year’s team may not end up being Graba’s best at Auburn, but it may end up being the one that started a gymnastics powerhouse.

Andrew Monson is a sports writer for The Plainsman. He can be contacted at sports@ThePlainsman. com.

gymnastics

‘First stepping stone’ Tigers look to make history in Fort Worth LAST WEEK Win vs. No. 1 S. Carolina, 13-6 UPCOMING April 16 NCEA Championships Tennessee-Martin

Men’s Tennis (14-12, 2-10)

LAST WEEK Loss at Kentucky, 4-1 Loss at Tennessee, 4-1 UPCOMING SEC Championships April 15-19 College Station, Texas

Sam Butler Sports Writer

On the day before the Auburn gymnastics team travels to Texas for the NCAA National Championships, the team had one final practice in the McWhorter Center, followed by a short conference with coach Jeff Graba, Caitlin Atkinson and Bri Guy. “There’s a lot of energy in the gym, a lot of excitement,” Atkinson said.

After placing second in the NCAA Regional on April 4 in Auburn, the Tigers earned one of the 12 possible spots at Nationals, a feat the program hasn’t achieved since 2003.

Despite reaching Nationals for only the third time in 22 years, the Tigers insist the gravity of the situation won’t overwhelm them.

“I think everyone expects us to just go in there and explode, to just collapse,” Guy said. “They expect us to just not do well at all because it’s our first time there in 12 years. But we aren’t telling ourselves, ‘We have to be perfect.’ We’re just there to have fun.”

The Tigers’ side of the bracket, which includes SEC foes LSU and Alabama along with perennial power Oklahoma, will prove to be a tough draw.

The Tigers know they will have to per-

form exceptionally well to advance to the Super Six. “Of the 11 other teams there, the most national championships any of them have missed in the last decade is three,” Graba said. “This is the fourth in the history of our program, so we’re fighting an uphill battle. We have to be really good.”

No matter how well Auburn performs over the weekend, the Tigers know what they have accomplished.

Gymnasts such as Atkinson look at this season as a springboard for the program, one that will allow it to become a consistent contender year-in and year-out on the national stage.

“Our goal leading up to the postseason was to make Nationals,” Atkinson said.

“Now that we’ve made it, we’re just trying to go out and do the gymnastics that we know, and if we make Super Six, that’s just an added bonus. If we don’t, we know that we gave it our all, and that’s what’s really important to us, just knowing that we’ve really changed the direction of this program and will continue to for the years to come. This is the first stepping stone toward more great things happening over the years.”

Auburn will compete Friday, April 17, at 7 p.m., and if they advance, they will then compete Saturday, April 18, at 6 p.m.

Kenny Moss / assistant photo editor

Caryn Kadous completes a balance beam routine in a meet against LSU on Feb. 13.

Thursday, April 16, 2015

The Auburn Plainsman

Sports A9

kenny moss / assistant photo editor, adam sparks / photographer and auburn athletics

UPPER LEFT: Keegan Thompson throws a pitch against Vanderbilt on March 20. UPPER RIGHT: Fraser McKean completes a dive during the SEC Championships on March 27. LOWER LEFT: Maxime Hinnisdaels runs in to play a shot against Jacksonville State on March 26. LOWER RIGHT: Marcy Harper throws a pitch against UAB on April 8.

This Week in Auburn Sports Baseball

Following a dominant performance Saturday night, April 11, in a win on the road at LSU, sophomore Keegan Thompson has been named the SEC Pitcher of the Week.

Thompson pitched his second consecutive complete game in the win, becoming the first Auburn pitcher to accomplish that feat since Colter Bean in 2000.

In helping Auburn claim its first win over a top-ranked team since 2007, Thompson overpowered the SEC-leading LSU offense, holding them to one run in nine innings while striking out three.

Thompson now leads the SEC in wins with seven and has a 2.50 ERA, which places him first among the top 10 pitchers in the conference who have pitched the most innings.

In his last seven starts, Thompson has a 2.50 ERA, striking out 50 in 54 innings total.

The Tigers will return to action Wednesday, April 15, against Alabama State in Auburn.

Swimming and Diving

Senior diver Fraser McKean received the Male Diver of the Year Award, the SEC office announced Tuesday, April 14.

The recognition came after his series of finishes in the 2015 SEC Championships, which included a first-place finish on the platform, and the NCAA Championships, where he took fifth in the platform and sixth overall on the 3-meter springboard.

McKean’s scores at the national meet put together the best finish by an Auburn diver since 2010.

The senior also received the H. Boyd McWhorter Scholar award, an Athlete Post-Graduate Scholarship by Auburn University on Monday, April 13.

Junior swimmer Annie Lazor was honored with a spot on the USA Swimming roster for the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto on Wednesday, April 1.

The junior will compete in the 100m and 200m breaststroke for the USA team in the third-largest international multi-sport event in the world from July 14-18.

Lazor is coming off strong swims in the 2015 NCAA Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships, where she and five other Tigers earned All-America honors.

Touching in at 2:08.41 in the 200-yard breaststroke in the consolation final, Lazor had the second-best swim in school history and only .18 seconds shy of the school record.

Softball

Auburn softball won their fifth-consecutive SEC series this weekend, taking one of two games in the doubleheader Saturday April 11th.

The series moved Auburn to 40-6 overall with a 12-3 mark in conference play.

Auburn gave up 10 runs in the third inning in the first game and eventually lost 12-4.

Branndi Melero was the star of the second game, going 3-for-5, including a grand slam in

the seventh inning that locked things up for the Tigers, giving them a 12-4 lead.

Melero also hit another homer, giving her a total of seven RBIs. On the mound, Rachael Walters picked up both her 15th win of the season and her secondstraight complete game, giving up four runs on six hits.

One of the biggest series of the year approaches for the Tigers as the Alabama Crimson Tide comes to town for a three-game series.

The series kicks off Friday, April 17, at 7:30 p.m. at Jane B. Moore Field.

Women’s Tennis

Auburn’s women’s tennis team took on the Arkansas Razorbacks on Sunday, April 12, in their last SEC match of the season.

The Tigers lost 4-3 in a matchup that had four three setters.

Auburn lost the doubles point despite a victory on court two by juniors Paula de Man and Michala Kucharova.

They won 8-3, but the Tigers lost 8-5 and 8-6. on courts one and three.

The Tigers took a quick 2-1 lead after junior Pleun Burgmans won 6-3, 6-3 on court one and senior Jen Pfeifler won 6-2, 7-5 on court six.

Sophomore Reka Muller lost 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (4) on court four, bringing the score to 2-2. Freshman Andie Dikosavljevic also lost in a third set by a score of 4-6, 6-3, 6-1.

After Emily Flickinger won 6-4, 2-6, 6-0 and the score was 3-3, the deciding match fell to de

Man on court five.

Despite coming back to win the second set after falling in the first, de Man was unable to earn the win with her match finishing 6-4, 4-6, 6-2.

The Tigers’ latest loss disrupts a three-match winning streak and brings the season record to 15-12.

The Tigers are set to start SEC Tournament play April 15, in Columbia, South Carolina.

Men’s Tennis

The Auburn men’s tennis team ended the regular season Sunday with a 4-1 conference loss at Kentucky in matches played at the Boone Tennis Center in Lexington, Kentucky.

Kentucky won the doubles point, but Auburn’s top tandem of Lukas Ollert and Marko Krickovic continued their strong showing with a 6-4 win over Beck Pennington and Kevin Lai in the number-one position.

Auburn had several good starts in singles play as well. Oliver Plaskett was a 6-4 first set winner over Kevin Lai on court six, and won that match 6-4, 6-3. Dante Saleh and Marko Krickovic each won the tiebreaker in the first set, Saleh 7-4 over Trey Yates on court four and Krickovic 7-5 over Jerry Lopez on court two.

The Tigers finish the regular season with a 1412 record (2-10 in SEC action). SEC tournament play at Texas A&M begins Wednesday; pairings will be announced on Monday.

Compiled by Eric Wallace, Sam Butler, Patrick Lucas and Derek Thompson

Sports A10

Thursday, April 16, 2015

The Auburn Plainsman

Softball

Bleachers added for home sellouts David McKinney

Assistant Sports Editor

Kenny Moss / assistant photo editor

Jane B. Moore Field, home of the Auburn Tigers softball team, as seen from the temporary bleachers set up along the third base line.The bleachers were added to accomodate greater crowds this season.

Clint Myers has ushered in a new era at Jane B. Moore Field.

The wins keep coming, and so do the crowds.

They’re coming in such large quantities that 400 additional bleacher seats had to be installed above the third base line.

On April 16, the Tigers will kick off what is arguably their biggest series of the season so far as they play host to their archrival the Alabama Crimson Tide.

All three games for the series have sold out, and junior infielder Emily Carosone said a large crowd is a huge boost to the team.

“It’s awesome to have some supportive fans out here,” Carosone said. “When the umpires make bad calls, they let them know for sure, and we don’t have to yell at them and the coaches don’t have to yell at them. They’re great fans.

Just imagine what it’s going to be like for Alabama.”

Crowd noise has increased over the season at Moore Field, and senior outfielder Branndi Melero agreed it lifts the team to a higher level of success.

“It’s great that they’re all involved every inning of the game,” Melero said. “It get us motivated. Hearing them cheer us on when we’re on the field making plays or when we’re hitting, getting great base hits or home runs, and they stand up an clap for us. That’s always great to feed off of. We love the energy.”

Sold-out games and added seats are nothing new to SEC football stadiums and basketball arenas, but Melero said she never would have expected to see those things in a softball stadium.

“When I first got here, it was literally just the parents in the stands,” Melero said. “Now it’s sold-out crowds that we’re playing in front of. I’m just grateful to be here with this amazing team and coaching staff, and being able to show off all our hard work in front of the fans that are here.”

The Tigers have three more SEC series in front of them, two of which are home.

A record crowd is expected to show up for the Alabama series.

If the wins keep piling up, don’t expect that record to stay unbroken very long.

Adam sparks / photographer

Kasey Cooper (13) is greeted at home plate after hitting a home run. Cooper and her teammates said crowds have boosted their home play.

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Intrigue Thursday, April 16, 2015

A11 ThePlainsman.com

Intrigue

Art seniors creatively construct final senior projects

student spotlights

Anne Dawson Intrigue writer

As they wrap up their time at Auburn, seniors in art leave their final mark by completing senior projects.

“It’s a test of your skills,” said Nathan Coker, senior in fine arts. “It’s like leaving your legacy.”

Deli Robertson, senior in fine arts, has been working on her senior project since the beginning of this semester.

Robertson said she spends anywhere from 20-40 hours in the studio working on her project each week.

Before she could begin her project, Robertson said she had to come up with a concise proposal to present in front of a committee of faculty members.

Once the committee approved her projects, she could begin.

Robertson’s senior project showcases her printmaking ability and will be made up of six to eight of the 30 prints she has prepared to show the committee.

Her prints will include intaglio printing, where she takes a copper plate and changes the plate a little at a time or drastically.

Once she is done, the print will display the series of changes she made.

Robertson said she has found inspiration for her work through printmaker Beth Van Hoesen and director John Waters.

While she has been inspired through assigned projects, Robertson said this project is different from others because it is completely her own.

Robertson said working on the project was a freeing experience.

“It’s a series of self-reflection,” Robertson said. “I’m exploring how I connect with other people and myself.”

Robertson is putting the final touches on her project and will have it reviewed by the committee Thursday, April 16.

During the final review, committee members

“

It’s a series of self-reflection. I’m exploring how I connect with other people and myself.”

—Deli Robertson senior in fine arts

will select which works they think Robertson should display in the exhibit.

Robertson said the committee members might say some pieces are not ready to be displayed or do not fit in well with the other pieces in the series.

After the most suitable works are chosen, a reception for all senior projects will be held April 20.

The public will be able to see all the work the seniors have put in.

Each semester, the number of senior projects varies, but this semester, there were six: three print projects and three ceramics projects.

Robertson said this would provide the audience with a mix of media.

Coker will start his senior project next semester, but will begin brainstorming and perfecting his proposal this summer.

He said he plans to focus on painting, and produce six to 10 large paintings.

Coker said he finds inspiration for his work through music.

“When I’m painting, the album that I’m listening to will have a direct influence on what I’m working on,” Coker said.

Once the committee approves his idea, Coker will start on his senior project and have it completed at the end of next semester.

Coker said he is unsure of the number of seniors he will be working with next semester, but said there could be as few as one or as a many as 10.

academics

Above: ellen Jackson / photographer (below) contributed by Nathan Coker

Deli Robertson (above) and Nathan Coker (below) hone their craft with their art.

culture

Bridging major gender gaps Codie Smith Intrigue Writer

Contributed by Corrine champion

Corrine Champion left the University of Alabama behind to attend Auburn for social science education.

Transferring from UA to AU Anne Dawson Intrigue writer

As unlikely as it seems, some students bridge the state football rivalry gap.

Tuck Borie, freshman in undeclared science and math, and Corrine Champion, junior in social science education, both left the University of Alabama behind them to attend Auburn.

Borie grew up an Alabama fan. Both his parents attended the University of Alabama, and he has a brother who goes there now.

Originally, he had the opportunity to play football at Alabama, Auburn or Air Force, but Borie chose Alabama because of friends and family.

At Alabama, he was a punter, but he said he realized soon into the season he would not be playing often.

“Ultimately, I didn’t choose to go to school there,” Borie said. “I chose to play football there.”

After one semester at Alabama, Borie decided to make the switch and come to Auburn. He has been at Auburn since January.

Champion grew up an Auburn fan, but followed her friends to Alabama. Champion started off at a community college in her hometown, Albertville, but transferred to Alabama after a year.

Champion said she attended Alabama along with most of her graduating class, but was ready to go home after two weeks of being in Tuscaloosa.

“I always knew I wouldn’t stay at Alabama very long,” Champion said.

After taking another semester at a community college, Champion transferred to Auburn in January 2013, and has been here since.

While she was not at Alabama for a long time, Champion said she figured out quickly she did not belong.

According to Champion, it is harder to be involved at Alabama than it is to be involved at Auburn. At Alabama, Champion said students are chosen for organizations based on who they know and who their parents know, whereas at Auburn, it is based on a person’s character.

Borie said he also realized quickly he did not belong at Alabama.

“I didn’t fit the mold there,” Borie said.

According to Borie, the influence of Greek Life at Alabama is overwhelming, and Greek Life is much more relaxed at Auburn, which he said he prefers.

Borie also said the atmosphere of Auburn was relaxed and makes him feel more at home than in Tuscaloosa.

Champion agreed Auburn is more of a home. According to Champion, Auburn is in its own nook, which gives it a neighborhood feel.

While both said they agree on the overall feel of Auburn, Borie and Champion had different academic experiences.

Borie said Alabama challenged him academically more than he thought.

“People always say it’s harder to go to school at Auburn, but I found it harder to

go to school at Alabama because of the plus and minus system,” Borie said.

Because of the plus and minus system, Borie said, students at Alabama have to have a 93 in a class to receive an A. Therefore, Borie said, it is easier to earn an A at Auburn.

Borie also said teachers at Auburn teach their own material, whereas, at Alabama, he found himself having to read the textbook more and teach himself.

Champion said she felt the education at Auburn was more difficult.

Although she only attended classes at Alabama for a few weeks, Champion said she believed the education program at Auburn was better suited for her and has challenged her more than Alabama could have.

Because she has been so successful at Auburn, Champion said she does feel like she wasted time at Alabama.

However, she said having gone to Alabama has made her appreciate Auburn that much more.

Similarly, Borie said his time at Alabama helped him realize how much he belongs at Auburn.

Borie said he might have always had that what-if thought in the back of his mind had he not gone to Alabama first.

Both Borie and Champion said they agree Auburn is a home, and the people around them are their family.

“I know without a shadow of a doubt that I’m better off here,” Borie said.

For some majors, there comes an assumed stereotype. For example, people expect that communication majors love to talk, agriculture majors must want to become farmers and environmental science majors are all hippies.

Some majors, though, have stereotypes based on gender, such as fashion design and merchandising or building science. When majors come with gendered expectations, it can easily make some students feel ill at ease.

Lana Watson, sophomore in professional flight, a major Auburn University enrollment statistics listed as 97 percent male in 2013, said she felt extra pressure to succeed when she began in the program because of the gender gap.

“At first, it affected me because I felt kind of inferior, especially when I first started flying,” Watson said. “My flight instructor is a guy, and so that kind of intimidated me a little bit, just because I feel like if I mess up I already have me being a female going against me, but just like with anything else, you get used to it the more you do it and so now I feel comfortable.”

Hanna Fowler, junior in aviation management, a major Auburn University enrollment statistics listed as 10 percent female in 2013, said she felt more determined to succeed.

“It does give you more determination because there aren’t as many women in my field,” Fowler said. “It’s not the fact that there are more men, like it’s not the fact that it’s majority men, but it’s just that there aren’t a lot of women in general. It’s kind of a determination to blaze the trail thing. If I can do it and get through then I can help other girls to also do the same thing.”

Fowler also said being one of the only women in the program has allowed her to form close friendships within the program.

“It is fun to be a girl in a male-dominated industry because you get so close with the other girls in your industry,” Fowler said. “A lot of girls find that through a sorority or something like that, sisterhood and close friends and things like that. I feel like for girls in aviation, it’s just the fact that we have each other. It makes us a lot closer.”

Matthew Schopp, a senior in human development and family studies, says that the female to male ratio in his classes is usually 20 to 1.

“It actually gives me a lot of encouragement because I see such a need for males in the field,” Schopp said. “Having a strong male role model in your life can make a big difference with boys and girls alike. It’s a great thing having so many people in this field.”

Kelsey Gainer / graphic designer

Differences in gender enrollment in degree programs can add a sense of determination.

Intrigue A12

Thursday, April 16, 2015

The Auburn Plainsman

dance

Day in the life of a Delta Zeta Tiger Stomp member Andria Moore Intrigue writer

This year was the first year the Delta Zetas entered to participate in Auburn University’s Tiger Stomp, a traditionally National Pan-Hellenic Council run event.

“I would really like my sorority to get involved in bridging the gap between the NPC (National Panhellenic Conference) and the (NPHC) National Pan-Hellenic Council) gap,” said Lexi Burkard, senior in biomedical sciences and pharmacy.

Burkard was appointed Delta Zeta’s Tiger Stomp chair with the help of Delta Zeta’s sister sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha.

Burkard was in charge of choreographing almost all of the dances the group needed to learn and step shows featured in her sorority’s performance.

“You have 15 minutes to put together your performance,” Burkard said. “That includes the time it takes to set up. You have to have traditional steps that your whole sorority knows, but other than that you have free reign.”

Katherine Trotter, junior in human exercise science, battled her allergies and homework and still said she had the best time of her life.

Trotter said all of her struggles were worth it.

“It hasn’t been as difficult because our practices are late at night,” Trotter said. “But one night I was running a fever and had to deal with that while I was at practice.”

The Delta Zetas began practicing months before the competition, but Burkard said they practiced every night after spring break.

“I have an 8 a.m. class, then work, then I work-out, then class again, work at the Pharmacy Health Services on campus and then practice,”

Burkard said.

Elizabeth Major, junior in human resources management, had never stepped before and said the hardest part was learning the steps so quickly.

“We would learn the steps in one day, and then, at the next practice, learn the next part,” Major said. “But if you can hear it in your head, you can make your body do it.”

For those involved in dance, such as Burkard, who is a member of AU Rhythm, it was easier to choreograph and teach the dances.

“The easiest way to teach choreography is to show them what they are about to learn, and then break each move down,” Burkard said.

When the team first began practicing they were in the coliseum and didn’t have mirrors.

Eventually, they were able to move to the Student Activity Center and practice in the facilities there that did have mirrors.

“My favorite part of this whole experience besides the dance itself was just being with my sorority sisters,” Trotter said. “Especially since I don’t live on the hall. It’s nice to have that time to see everyone, even the ones that are older.”

As the choreographer, Burkard faced many challenges the rest of the team did not have to worry about.

“The hardest part is learning to keep the beats in your head,” Burkard said. “Once you do that, you just put moves to it, and you have to pay more attention to hand placement and feet placement.”

Once performance day finally came, Major said she was excited to finally be there.

“It was really nerve-wracking,” Major said.

“But, right when I got on stage, the nerves disappeared. When I came off the stage, I was like, ‘Let’s do it again!’”

Ellen Jackson / photographer

Hosts Benji Brown and B-Phlat presented Delta Zeta Stomp chair, Lexi Burkard, with the $2,000 prize.

Burkard said Tiger Stomp competitors have to remain in good shape, and maintain decent balance to be able to perform all of the moves required of them. Burkard said she felt her team did a great job, given none of them had ever stepped

before.

“A lot of other sororities and fraternities have their own signatures moves,” Burkard said. “But we are still gabbling. I would like to see my sorority continue this tradition.”

international

“

Perceptions of attending Auburn from Brazilian exchange students Andria Moore Intrigue writer

When a person is accustomed to a certain culture they have been raised with, speaking Portuguese to everyone they meet and attending a university in Brazil, transitioning to school in the United States can be difficult.

“Usually students take 24 or 25 credit hours in Brazil,” said Rafael de Almeida Leite, senior in agronomy and soils. “It is also common to have about 20 hours of research or an internship as well.”

De Almeida Leite, from Rio de Janeiro, is part of an exchange program that allows him to attend Auburn for one year.

“You have to be prepared because things are different,” de Almeida Leite said. “You have to get used to a different kind of living, a different climate — but it will be an experience for your life.”

De Almeida Leite said it is hard at first to learn how to succeed at school in the U.S., especialy if students aren’t used to so many tests, quizzes and homework assignments.

Thaís Regina Lemfers, third year graduate student in veterinary medicine, agreed.

Lemfers said she was surprised at the expectations from her professors and the way they interact with students.

“In Brazil, you can talk to professors like they are your friends, and you can call them,” Lemfers said. “But here you have to make an appointment, and it just seems more formal.”

Lemfers said she does believe there are many benefits to schooling in the U.S., benefits that extend beyond student-professor relations.

“I’m more excited to go to class here because I can have more contact in my field,” Lemfers said.

“There is more technology and labs.”

Andresa Bezerra, junior in chemistry, said grading and professor relations are not the only aspects of life that take getting used to. As an exchange student with an accent, she said she often

I think, in Brazil, we have more expressions, because sometimes I wil want to say something but it wouldn’t make any sense here.The best part, though, is in the end, when you feel like you are progressing, and now I can talk with people.”

—Thais regina lemfers

graduate student in veterinary medicine

receives judgment from native students.

“Sometimes it’s hard because people judge you just for being an exchange student,” Bezerra said. “But I think I’ve grown in confidence while I’ve been here.”

But confidence isn’t the only part of Bezerra’s growing experience.

“Everyone knows you grow a lot, but what they don’t know is how much you can grow doing this,” Bezerra said. “Going to school in a foreign country, you are basically learning how to live alone and do everything by yourself. You don’t have friends to help you. You don’t have family to help you. You have to begin your life again.”

Lemfers said she believes it is easier for students from all over the world to do an exchange program in the U.S., rather than in another country because she said America is so highly broadcast that they are already semi-familiar with expectations.

“It’s easier to come to the U.S. because we already know so much about it,” Lemfers said.

“But it’s also different because people in Brazil are more friendly to strangers, but here everyone treats me differently.”

Ginny barton / photographer

Thais Lemfers is a third-year graduate stuedent in veterinary medicine at Auburn.

De Almeida Leite said the worst part about living away from home is missing his favorite foods.

“I really miss Brazilian barbecue,” de Almeida Leite said. “But I do love fried chicken.”

Each student has especially enjoyed the opportunities they have had here to speak and learn English, although Lemfers said the Brazilian way of speech is much different from the American style.

“I think, in Brazil, we have more expressions, because sometimes I will want to say something,

but it wouldn’t make any sense here,” Lemfers said. “The best part, though, is in the end, when you feel like you are progressing, and now I can talk with people.”

Lemfers, de Almeida Leite and Bezerra all said going home will be a mixture of emotions, but they all have enjoyed the time they’ve had at Auburn.

“I don’t know how I will be when I leave,” Bezerra said. “But I also really enjoyed the time I spent here and know it has been really good for me.”

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