The Rambler Vol.100 No.4 by The Rambler

WEDNESDAY March 9, 2016 Vol. 100 • No. 4

www.therambler.org

OPINION

Older students are on the rise Dalise Devos

dndevos@txwes.edu

The ugly truth about college degrees Students from low-income families often reap fewer financial rewards after they graduate than students from rich families.

NEWS

Beckrich named new head of security Chris Bechrich, a former police officer, takes over the job from Blake Bumbard.

4 |Wednesday | March 9, 2016

CAMPUS

TheRambler.org | For news throughout the day.

For Ashley Pickett, a 28-yearold senior psychology major, graduating high school was her chance to be free. “I had no curfew, no rules, no adults telling me what to do. It was glorious,” Pickett said. Pickett first attended college after graduating high school as a junior in 2005. She attended Blinn College in Bryan, Texas, for one year before she dropped out at age 18. She worked as a bartender and server for six years before she made the decision to go back to school. “I decided that bartending and waiting tables was beginning to get old, as was I,” Pickett said. “I had to do something to turn my life around.” Pickett enrolled at Weatherford College in the fall of 2012, then transferred to Texas Wesleyan University in 2014, where she is on track to graduate in May with a bachelor of science in psychology. For many college students, Pickett’s story is a familiar one. According to a study conducted Photo by Dalise Devos in 2012 by National Student Clearinghouse, 38 percent of all college Junior marketing major Grace Fisher studies at the Eunice and James West

5 Texas getaways

South Padre Island

Located on the Gulf of Mexico near Corpus Christi, South Padre Island offers an abundance of things to do. You can take surfing lessons, enjoy nightly live music and just soak up the sun at the cleanest and widest beaches in Texas.

Comal River

Where will you spend spring break? New Braunfels is the best place for tubing and camping. Cool off from the summer

Duo to play concert in March Rowan Lehr

rmlehr@txwes.edu

sun while enjoying a four-hour river float down the river. Nothing screams spring break more than a river full of intoxicated people having a great time.

Check out the top five places in Texas to enjoy your spring break.

Images credit to google.com. Design by: Brianna Kessler and Michael Acosta

*Jerell Ellis - SAC Player of the Year

*Brennen Shingleton - SAC Coach of the Year

 COLLEGE, page 3

Library. Fisher is one of many non-traditional Wesleyan students.

2016

spring break

Men’s Basketball SAC Champions!

students in a fall term are now adult learners, which means they are over the age of 25. The study, which looked at enrollment trends of adult learners from fall 2009 to fall 2011, also found that the percentage of these students attending college on a full‐time basis has been steadily increasing. Darren White, associate vice president of Marketing and Communications, expects that this is the new normal. “You’re not going to see a time where adult students are going to decrease from here on out,” White said. White believes that Wesleyan has been well prepared for the growing trend of adult students, while some other schools are just waking up to the idea. The Smarter. Smaller. Promise scholarship is a perfect example, as it focuses on transfer students, many of whom are adult learners. “We understand that adult students are a large part of the incoming student body,” White said. “We want to reach out to them in a way that answers the questions that they want answers to.”

Holi Festival of colors

Come and join Student Engagement for the Holi Festival of colors! This is a Hindi holiday that celebrates the victory of good over evil, and is an exciting time to celebrate love and friendship! Come during free period on March 23rd in front of the library Ma to celebrate with us!

A&E

The Other Side Of The Door is predictable This new horror film set in India offers nothing new in the way of scares or plot.

SPORTS

Jason Plog proves himself in America

Dr. John Fisher and Dr. Bruce McDonald met at Texas Wesleyan in the fall of 1995, but they didn’t perform together until eight years later. Fisher, professor of music 2, said that he and McDonald, an associate professor of religion, work well together when they perform duo-piano, which means they perform on separate pianos that face each other. “2003 was our first performance together,” Fisher said. “We’re kind of a matched pair, similar age bracket and similar backgrounds. “Dr. McDonald has an undergraduate degree in piano from the University of Texas at Austin. My undergraduate was also in piano and it was just a nice fit, so we started playing programs.” Fisher and McDonald’s 11th performance together will be March 31 at Martin Hall. The program will last about an hour and include pieces by Bach, Debussy, Mozart and Gershwin. In 2009, Fisher and McDonald

released The Fisher-McDonald Duo: A Musical Posy, which features selections by Bach, Mozart and Copland, among others. The CD is available for purchase at the Wesleyan bookstore. “We figured, why not?” Fisher said. “Groups that make music together record music together.” Fisher said that the two do more than just play the pieces; they also interact with the audience and McDonald offers light-hearted commentary. McDonald said Fisher is incredibly fun to work with. “We thoroughly enjoy doing the work and work well together,” McDonald said. “It just takes time and of course time seems to be very rare these days, it’s an endangered species.” Dr. Ronnie McManus, professor of Religion and Philosophy, said he is planning to attend duo’s performance. McManus wrote in an email that he has known Fisher for 15 years

 FISHER, page 3

Photo courtesy of Dr. John Fisher Dr. John Fisher and Dr. Bruce McDonald will play Martin Hall on March 31.

Ex-cop is new head of security Gracie Weger Coleman gjweger@txwes.edu

Plog hopes to help lead the table tennis team to its 12th national title.

ONLINE

Meet new Wesleyan football coach Joe Prud’homme

Photo by Gracie Weger Coleman Head of security Chris Beckrich was a Fort Worth police officer for 30 years.

Every day, Chris Beckrich gets ready to come to his new career at Texas Wesleyan with a smile on his face. Beckrich is Wesleyan’s new director of campus safety and security, and he said he is already enjoying his transition from a career as a Fort Worth police officer, which he did for 30 years, to his new job. “My experience is in law enforcement, so this fit in well,” Beckrich said. Beckrich replaces Blake Bumbard, who left Wesleyan in November to take a position at the University of Texas at Tyler. Beckrich knows Wesleyan and the

surrounding area well, for several reasons. His wife of 29 years, Cindy, graduated from Wesleyan with a bachelor’s degree in finance in 1998. Also, he has spent most of his career in the neighborhood, first as a patrol officer and then, for 25 of his 30 years on the force, as a supervisor of security at the Presbyterian Night Shelter, which is only a few miles west of campus. “I coordinated with the off-duty police and made sure that things got taken care of there at the shelter,” he said. “The department had a presence and if there were any policies that needed to be adjusted they were taken care of.” Finally, Jordan, the oldest of his

 BECKRICH, page 3

2 | Wednesday | March 9, 2016

Opinion

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Is free college tuition worth it? EDITORIAL

Even though Bernie Sanders lost on Super Tuesday, he is still very much in the presidential race. Sanders appeals to young voters because of his stance on higher education. He wants us to have free tuition. Free tuition sounds great, but is his plan worth it? Most of the funding today for colleges comes from the federal government, but some states have grants and other types of aid that help students pay for college. Under Sanders’ proposal, most of the funding for higher education would come from the states. With education funding being such a big problem, especially in Texas, what has to happen for his plan to work? According to a report published by CNN, Sanders plans on taxing the upper class, targeting some of the big corporations such as Walmart . Here’s how it would work: The federal government would pay $2 in matching funds for every dollar states spend on making tuition free at public colleges and universities. The government would also cut student loan interest rates to about two percent for undergraduates, and allow those with student debt to refinance at low rates. The price tag: up to $750 billion over 10 years. According to cnn.com, about 11.1 million students were enrolled in public colleges and universities in 2014. States kicked in about $73 billion, while students kicked in roughly $64 billion. Under Sanders’ plan, the number of students enrolling in college would likely skyrocket. Let’s look at some of the obstacles that Sanders would face. What happens if the House and Senate are controlled by Republicans? There is no way the plan would pass. Do you remember Obamacare? Obama rolled out that plan in 2008; he didn’t get that

Cartoon by : Jonah Park

passed until 2010 and then the Republicans declared it unconstitutional and it went before the Supreme Court, where it was upheld in 2012. There are a lot of issues Sanders would have to look at. Kids in grade school, all the way through high school, would be paid for by tax dollars and through the state where they live. Since

getting into college would, through the Sanders plan, be much easier, what incentive do they have to try to get good grades in high school? Also, college shouldn’t be free if you’re family can afford it. There should be a limit on family income: If your family exceeds X amount of dollars, you should not qualify for the free ride. There are

many students from middle-class and low-income families that could really use the benefits of the Sanders plan; let them get the money, and make the kids from rich families still pay their own way. Let’s help people get the education they deserve.

The ugly truth about a college degree Brianna Kessler Content Producer bnkessler@txwes.edu

Did you know that a college degree is worth less if you are raised poor? So much for the American dream. We are taught that if we, no matter who we are, can graduate high school, go to college, find a passion, find a career, get married and have kids, we’ll live happily ever after and walk off into the sunset or something like that. This sham was fed to us by big businesses, like universities, and corporate America. And it’s time for people to wake up and be realistic. People are always chasing after this fairy tale so they can achieve a life they always dreamed of, but what happens when one makes all the “right” choices to attain that dream and there is a disproportionate return on investment? Yes, I am talking about upward social mobility and income growth through a college education. People with higher education levels generally tend to earn more. Therefore, if you attend college, make good grades, and graduate you can rise to the top of the economic food chain. However, what many students fail to realize

is that your socioeconomic status and family background play a huge factor in this scenario. “There is a smaller ‘bachelor’s bump’ in wages for kids who grew up in poverty than for kids coming from better-off families,” according to a report from the nonprofit Brookings Institution. Although poor kids who manage to obtain a bachelor’s degree do experience a rise in earnings, they earn less than 20 to 30 percent than rich kids with the same degrees. These skewed statistics are absurd. But I am not surprised at all because the rich generally stay rich and the poor stay poor. However, there should not be a wage gap due to socioeconomic status if two people obtain the same degree. As a graduating senior from a low-income family, I am outraged that my hard work will not be financially compensated as it should be. I feel like this makes a college degree worth less than promised. There should be a better alternative to income inequality. Students who come from low-income families usually acquire a substantial amount of college debt from student loans and credit cards throughout their college career, while students from richer families acquire less debt or have more help from their family to pay their college debt. And you are telling me that the rich kids are going to be paid more because of their background?

Photo courtesy of freeimages.com

All of this may completely unfair, but that’s life. I do not think this should discourage anyone from pursuing a college degree, because anyone with a college degree still has the potential to earn more than someone with just a high school diploma. These statistics just prove that college is all about the experience and there is no guarantee

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Michael Acosta, Ricardo Cortez, Sachiko Jayarante, Jared Rabye, Gracie Weger, Calvin Johnson, Dalise Devos, Rowan Lehr, Brianna Kessler, Sang Hyun Park

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to a great career. You just have to work hard and hope for the best. All incoming and current college students should keep this in mind when they are choosing a college and taking out loans, because too many students are left with high debt and disappointment, especially low-income students.

Rams up Thumbs up to making new friends in college. Thumbs up to Brennen Shingleton being named SAC coach of the year. Thumbs up to spring break. Thumbs up to women’s tennis team doing well.

Rams down

Thumbs down to graduation costs. Thumbs down to the men’s basketball team losing in the semi-finals of the SAC conference tournament. Thumbs down to thunderstorms. Thumbs down to no money for spring break.

Wednesday | March 9, 2016|3

News

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COLLEGE

continued from page 1 Pati Alexander, vice president of Enrollment and Student Services, has witnessed this trend first hand at Wesleyan. “The number of adult learners has increased over the past several years,” Alexander said. “Many adult learners are returning to school after dropping out in order to get a better job, get a promotion, or simply complete their goal of earning a college degree.” According to collegefactual.com, Wesleyan attracts a majority of older students, with only 39 percent of undergraduate students fitting into the “traditional” 18 to 22 age bracket. The national average is 60 percent. Dr. Bruce Benz, who has been a biology professor at Wesleyan since 1997, sees most of these adult students in his evening and weekend course offerings. “I’m teaching a Saturday course this semester, and of the 13 students, only two are traditional,” Benz said. Benz believes the growing trend of adult students comes from the economic apprehen-

FISHER

sion of buying into debt. “I think high school students are becoming more cautious, because it is a big risk,” Benz said. “Then, when they do come back, when they’re older, they’re much more responsible.” Benz said persistence gets students through college, not intelligence. “I don’t care how brilliant you are if you’re not going to stick with it,” Benz said. “I think that’s why people come back to school, and that’s why they’re better bets, because they’ve figured out that it’s about persistence.” This advice resonates with Grace Fisher, a 25-year-old junior marketing major who did not know what career path she wanted to take or even what she wanted to major in her first time in college. “When I was in college at age 18, I did not take it very seriously,” Fisher said. “I feel like I was still trying to figure out who I was as a person. Now, at age 25, I am the most secure I've ever been with myself as a person and as a student.”

continued from page 1 and McDonald for 21 years, and that he has attended every one of their performances unless he was out of town. “My wife and I attend and there is usually a good representation of Wesleyan faculty and

students,” McManus wrote, adding that Fisher seems very passionate about his work and students, and that McDonald speaks incredibly highly of him. “I’m not terribly musically inclined, but rec-

ognize some of the pieces from teaching humanities, which I have taught for more than a decade,” McManus wrote. “Whenever you ride in the car with Dr. McDonald classical music is playing.”

Dr. John Fisher and Dr. Bruce McDonald will perform together on March 31 at Martin Hall. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free.

ready made a positive impact on the campus.” Beckrich said that his time working at the shelter taught him a lot about interacting with the public. “Something I’ve noticed a lot in the police force is I believe in treating people with respect,” he said, “and that’s something I have already imparted on the security team; to make sure whatever they’re doing they’re going to treat it with respect. “Whether they’re good guys or bad guys it doesn’t make a difference. They’re still going to be treated right. So I think that’s pretty much something I go by a lot.” Beckrich also said that he is currently educating himself about how to be an effective director of campus safety and security. “Coming from a police department, and into this position, I have several contacts like with

the TCU police chief and others,” he said, “and have been making contact to see what policies and things have implemented to improve campuses and see if we can do them here or if it’s possible to implement them here.” He’s also studying the campus and reading up on Wesleyan’s 2020 Vision and how it relates to campus security. “Right now I’m just observing what Wesleyan has in place and to look for places to improve,” he said. “I plan on, at some point, doing the right assessments on all the buildings on campus to make sure it’s safe and to recommend improvements to make it safer.” Security is a major part of the 2020 Vision, said Ann Davis, director of communications. The strategic plan calls for a safe and secure campus, Alexander wrote, and Beckrich’s experience will benefit Wesleyan in coming years.

“We need to grow with (the 2020 Vision),” Beckrich said. In the coming months, Alexander wrote, Beckrich will be training faculty, staff and students on emergency preparedness. At present he’s also reaching out to students to get their perspectives on campus security. “I have an open door and I’m more than willing to come if they have an issue to come talk to me,” Beckrich said. “I’d be happy to see what we can do to address it. I think it’s important to get the perspective of security from the students who live on campus. “Students are like clients, so security needs to make sure they’re taken care of properly. Ultimately my plans are to continue to make Wesleyan one of the safest universities in America.”

BECKRICH

continued from page 1 four children, recently graduated from the Fort Worth Police Academy and is patrolling in the neighborhood, Beckrich said. Beckrich is a student himself. He will graduate this summer from Tarleton State University with a degree in criminal justice. His experience with East Fort Worth, and his connections to the school, were major reasons he was selected for the job, according to Vice President of Enrollment & Student Services Pati Alexander. “Chris’s work on local events, such as the Cowtown Marathon, managing security for the Presbyterian Night Shelter, working with the mayor on her community bike rides, his previous experience in East Fort Worth, and his investigative and management experience made him the perfect candidate for this position,” Alexander wrote in an email. “He has al-

DINING SERVICES SPRING BREAK DORA’S CLOSED

TheSUB CLOSED

March 12th to March 19th

March 12th to March 20th

4:30pm on March 20th

7:00am on March 21st

OPEN

EASTER DORA’S CLOSED

March 24th and 25th

OPEN

March 26th and 27th Normal Operating Hours

TheSUB CLOSED

March 24th to March 27th

OPEN

7:00am on March 28th

We hope that you all have a SAFE and FUN Spring Break and Easter Break!

VISIT US ONLINE at www.txwes.campusdish.com

4 |Wednesday | March 9, 2016

Campus

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2016

spring break 5 Texas getaways

South Padre Island

Comal River

New Braunfels is the best place for tubing and camping. Cool off from the summer sun while enjoying a four-hour river float down the river. Nothing screams spring break more than a river full of intoxicated people having a great time.

Images credit to google.com. Design by: Brianna Kessler and Michael Acosta

Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Basketball SAC Champions! *Jerell Ellis - SAC Player of the Year *Brennen Shingleton - SAC Coach of the Year

Holi Festival of colors

Wednesday | March 9, 2016

Campus

TheRambler.org | For news throughout the day.

South by Southwest March 11-20

Enjoy the ultimate music and film experience at one of Texasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; most beloved concert series in Austin this spring break. For more information visit sxsw.com.

Hueco Tanks State Park El Paso

This strange cluster of rocks in El Paso is actually an ancient wonder, because people used to trek here for the rainwater held inside the rock basins. Now you can rock climb, hike, or marvel at more than 200 images of masks on the rocks drawn by Native Americans. For more info visit texas.gov.

Lake Texoma This massive lake, situated on the Texas-Oklahoma border, is only about an hourâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s drive from Dallas, and features 89,000 acres of blue water. For more information visit laketexoma.com.

ACCESS THERAMBLER.ORG For the latest in sports, campus, arts & entertainment, local news, opinions, weather and upcoming events calendar.

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Arts&Entertainment

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Door is just another ghost movie Victoria Garcia vpgarcia@txwes.edu

The Other Side of the Door is another bland and predictable ghost story, and even from its beginning, I felt like I had seen it before. Directed by Brit Helmer and Johannes Roberts, Other (96 minutes, rated R) is sporadically silly, and it looks like a filler on a Chiller TV weekend when the station plays back-to-back-to-back bad films. This is the first Hollywood release by Helmer and Roberts, and it lacks the desired gore, subconscious chills and, most important, narrative buildup that might otherwise compensate for its deeply derivative material. The plot focuses on an average young Americans couple. Maria (Sarah Wayne Callies) and Michael (Jeremy Sisto) are on vacation in India, where they decide to permanently relocate after discovering Maria is pregnant. Six years later, the couple grapples with the grief of losing their son Oliver (Logan Creran) during a miscarriage while continuing to raise their young daughter Lucy (Sofia Rosinsky). Maria’s profound sense of guilt over Oliver’s death is revealed in a harrowing

flashback (the film’s lone effective sequence) juxtaposed with an attempt to take her own life. While her actions shake Michael, they spark something else in housekeeper Piki (Suchitra Pillai). Having lost a child of her own and seeing Maria at the end of her rope, Piki shares the story of a remote Hindu temple where visitors can communicate with the dead. I would’ve used a Ouija board but that’s just me. Now don’t get your hopes up; it doesn’t get better. Maria goes to the temple, and this is when the film’s title is mentioned a million times. The only way the temple will work is that only one person converses a single time through the temple’s front door. Piki warns Maria to keep the door shut, no matter what happens. It’s hardly a spoiler to say the rebellious Maria ignores her warnings. Like so many films in which a dead family member haunts the living, Oliver’s spirit follows Maria home to catch up on tormenting his father, sister and Piki. Door is full of boring and bloodless mayhem that manifests in a predictable series of loud noises and jump scares and the requisite spooky use of a familiar song in this case, the old Hoagy Carmichael hit Heart and Soul. Although this is the rare major studio production both set and shot in India, Pil-

Photo courtesy of IMDB.com

lai’s Piki is the only Indian-speaking role of any significance, and the routine horrors that befall Maria’s family could have been set anywhere. With even a bare minimum of anthropological curiosity, Helmer and Roberts might have uncovered a fresh angle for the story. But there’s no interest in min-

ing the setting for anything other than exploitation, such as the beggar who startles Michael by knocking on his car window or the families living in cramped quarters where Maria gets lost looking for Lucy. Door would have been better if the directors had done more with the setting, and if every scare wasn’t such a cliche.

New hole-in-the-wall eatery is great

Photos by Jared Rabye i-PHO has a great homey atmosphere with contemporary decor that makes you feel right at home and the menu selection is fantastic with a wide variety of pho diishes to choose from.

Jared Rabye jdrabye@txwes.edu Conveniently located near Texas Christian University, i-PHO is a hole-in-the-wall Vietnamese restaurant with a few Chinese options. The restaurant is owned by Tue Nguyen and has only been open for about five months. His staff is very small, with only six employees. You will find a variety of Vietnamese dishes, including eight different types of pho: beef, beef round eye, meatball, chicken, veggie, shrimp, seafood and the special, which combines brisket, round eye and meatballs. These range from $8.25 to $9.25; other entrees range

from $3.95 to $9.95.When I first walked to the open dining area, the aroma of the restaurant hit me a little hard. It’s not that it was bad, it’s just that I have never smelled anything like it. A few seconds later, however, I became quite accustomed to the smell. One thing that is different about i-PHO is that you walk up to the register to order and pay for your food before you sit and eat it. This is probably due to the fact that most of the business is from takeout orders. After I sat down, it took less than five minutes before my food was at the table. I ordered the sesame chicken ($7.75) because it was something I was familiar with; one

Free food and live worship

every Tuesday and Thursday at 12:15 p.m.

of my friends ordered the chicken pho ($8.25), which is one of the more popular dishes at the restaurant. My chicken and steamed rice with broccoli was great. Everything was cooked precisely, the portions were exceptionally large, and because everything I needed to eat was on the table (silverware, chopsticks and condiments) I did not have to rely on a waiter or waitress; I got my own beverage refills. I could not have asked for a better meal, and my friend said her pho was delicious. The atmosphere in the place is very relaxed; it is a very good restaurant that is inexpensive and makes you feel like you’re just lounging

John Fisher and Bruce McDonald to present a duo-piano recital March 31

around kicking it with friends. Pho restaurants have become very popular in Fort Worth. i-PHO is a place I would recommend to anyone who wishes to try something new. Instead of going and spending $20 at a restaurant everyone goes to, why not go to a place where you will spend $12.50 max for the same or better quality food? i-PHO is located at 2817 W. Berry St. in Fort Worth. The hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The restaurant accepts all major credit cards and is wheelchair accessible.

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Sports

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Plog proves himself in America

Photos courtesy of Jason Plog Jason Plog, photgraphed here playing for his former club team in Germany, currently has a rating of 2377 in the National Collegiate Table Tennis Association and is ranked No. 26 in the country.

Ricardo Cortez rbcortez@txwes.edu

Jason Plog was a success playing table tennis as a teenager in his native Germany. Introduced to the sport by a friend when he was nine, Plog was playing at the club level just a few years later. “My club back in Germany won the German National Team Championships in the minors division back in 2013,” said Plog, a 20-year-old marketing major. That championship took him to Berlin, where he got his first taste of real competition. “There were players there that went to a school specifically for table tennis like an academy. There were some crazy good players on that team,” he said. These competitions, along with good play and a passion for the game, landed him a sponsorship with a German table tennis brand, Donic. “A few people from my club had the sponsor ship as well and it was a really good experience,” he said. All of these accolades and triumphs, in Plog’s opinion, belong not just to him but to his former team.

“The entire club I had in Germany was really great, we were all really close,” he said. “The team in general was a close knit community.” With Plog’s German campaign behind him, in 2014 he turned his sights to across the Atlantic, knowing he would have to prove himself in America all over again. “I lived in Germany my whole life, I wanted to continue playing table tennis and I found Texas Wesleyan,” Plog said. This interest led to Plog reaching out to head coach Jasna Rather. “He came here with his father to look at the campus and we got an opportunity to look at his skill,” Rather said. “At the time, when compared to our other players, his level was not where we expected him to be.” Plog joined the team in the fall of 2014. It seemed to Rather that his lack of skill was due to lack of practice. So she waited patiently as he began practicing with the team. Her patience has paid off. “His desire in the match, his fire just transforms him,” she said. “Even though his technique or skill may not professional level yet he always improves and plays with one hundred

percent the whole time.” This has been reflected in Plog’s achievements. In 2014 he beat United States national champion Jimmy Butler and was selected to represent the U.S. in the North American Championships. He currently has a 2377 rating in the National Collegiate Table Tennis Association, good enough to be ranked No. 26 in the nation. All of this almost never happened. “My grades were translated so wrong that Wesleyan wasn’t going to accept me,” Plog said. “The GPA that was given to Wesleyan was so low that I almost didn’t make it.” Tyler Gerwig, a sophomore finance major and Plog’s roommate since he came to Wesleyan, believes his friend has a bright future. “His mental game has improved a bunch,” Gerwig said. “That comes with time I know but I think going from club to collegiate competition so quickly definitely helped him mature.” Gerwig believes that the change from Ger many to the U.S. also helped Plog. “He’s in both worlds equally, basically an American international,” Plog said. “He was already accustomed to American culture and I think it helped him a lot.”

Plog and the rest of the team hit a roadblock last season. It was the first time in 12 years that the team did not win the national championship. “It was one of the best teams we ever had,” Plog said. “We were so close so it was very disappointing. To make it even worse several of my teammates from last year took it so it hard.” With this year’s national championships closing in, Rather expects big things from both Plog and the team. “Everybody should come and watch him play,” she said. “He is proof that if you work hard enough you can achieve the level that you want. “We are so happy that he is now playing like we knew he could.” Rather said that if Plog keeps going, he could be a great player. “If he continues to play table tennis seriously both in and after school at one point he will have a chance to make the U.S. Olympic team,” she said. “It’s all on how much time he decides to dedicate to the sport, so only time will tell.” The Texas Wesleyan table tennis team hosts the Texas Wesleyan Open at the Sid Richardson Center on March 19. Admission is free.

8 | Wednesday | March 9, 2016 TheRambler.org | For news throughout the day.

Lady Rams focus on conference play

Photo by Jared Rabye First baseman/third baseman Bailey Terry gets ready to throw the ball to a teammate.

Jared Rabye

Photo by Jared Rabye Lauren Davis, left, throws to Samantha Vasquez at a recent Lady Rams practice.

physically and mentally and during the tournament they showed poise and determination,” Gower said. Gower said she is happy with the non-conference play and knows that the team’s biggest challenges for the rest of the season will be on how well the players can manage themselves. “Managing games and school for the players is probably one of the biggest challenges,” Gower said. “Battling small injuries and the large amount of games we’re about to play in a short period of time add to the chaos of the season as well.” A few players in the young season have stood out to Gower a little more than others, she said. “Everyone on the team is very versatile, but that being said a few of the girls have stepped their game up and are being noticed,” Gower said. “Samantha Vasquez, Kaylee Batchlear, Kayla Prachyl and Dani West have all played

jdrabye@txwes.edu

After starting the season with a 7-7 nonconference record, the Lady Rams softball team wants to put the past behind them and focus on conference play. The team held a lead in all but two of their 14 non-conference games. However, losing five of those leads put a dent in the team’s record, head coach Shannon Gower said. “I feel like something we need to improve on is holding leads,” Gower said. “Being up in all but two of 14 games so far and only having seven wins is a little bitter.” The Lady Rams went 4-2 at the North Texas Softball Bash in Februrary. Gower hopes the team’s play there will set the tone for conference play. “The tournament really helped the girls

well thus far, and with hard work from the other players the team will excel.” The Lady Rams won their first two conference games when they shut out Southwestern Assemblies of God University 6-0, 6-0 on March 1. The Lady Rams face off against Saint Gregory’s University at home on March 12; this is one of the team’s most significant conference games, Gower said. “We never underestimate teams, but Oklahoma City University and Saint Gregory’s are the two teams we are looking to take down because of their stature in the conference,” Gower said. Assistant coach Matt Wilkins who’s charge of the pitchers and said that this season there is much more communication between them. “They just have a group mindset this year and are more vocal with each other,” Wilkins said. “The practice format has also really al-

lowed the girls to excel and hone their crafts a bit better.” Wilkins has noticed that his pitchers are more focused and competitive and he wants to see more of that. “I just want them to have a bulldog mentality and attain a deeper focus on the mound so they can perform to the best of their ability,” Wilkins said. Junior psychology major and first baseman Samantha Vasquez came from Ranger College, and said she never really had to compete for a spot there. “Coming to Wesleyan has made me more of a teammate because I have to battle every day at practice, and during games to keep my place on the field,” Vasquez said. The Lady Rams play a doubleheader Friday against Bacone College at Sycamore Park in Fort Worth. The first game starts at 2 p.m. Admission is free.

The Rambler’s Editor in Chief position is open for Fall 2016. AY NESD WED 14, 2015 Oct.

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has a eating stress ex“And ess is said. Benz do with it.” reduce str also hulot to best way to wever, it is t in junk ler for el The d. Ho a Kess u , he sai to find comh a high lev re ise Briannr@txwes.ed erc mo ure foods wit ation day.” n nat to be mical ssle e Gracie WeGer bnke n n ma d, becaus rates tend che Joy Woods, a political science mamo ca a coma that foo carbohyd due to the giweger@txwes.edu you llege jor with a pre-law emphasis, is also 15,” co le leads ting mes g of man the ide lifesty rk and Crystal Hinshaw, a criminal jus- graduating in December, said still “fresh refers to unds durin e comfor und. Costue on a dent’s The wo tice major, is one of the hundreds of works just as hard as a senior as she which gain 15 po lege, is onut compo college stu t school, Whaley, mak et gan s l slo The onsisten d Aaron nter. seniors graduating from Texas Wes- has before. r of col ths abo stume ts wil budg n co e Batman v Superman: “I don’t think my study ethic and studen shmen yeamon my an inc edule, sai Fitness Ce ere to leyan this semester. to llowee d are sur fre Ha t n sch adh ary an 10 Who wins? their most com She is also one of many students work ethic has changed, but this sebut no social or of Morto it hard to These under $30 ight, necess of the e. suffering from senioritis, which mester it’s more that time managedirect can make y habits a healthy gain we are all ress. Liptak colleg en do t gain This ed health intain urbandictionary.com defines as a ment has had to change,” Woods sica to imp weigh ordma y. Freshm t much. Two of our writers square off by Jes disease that has such symptoms as said. “I can’t study the night before acc the tim dy to tha fact,” shman tion ale e. debate who will win the nearly average fre ee pounds, -Nation- for the bog, said Wh an 15 is a to so Illustra exercis “laziness, an over-excessive wear- anymore. I have to start three, four of thr shm talked HA , a reein The superhero struggle. lack five weeks in advance for tests. or fre shirts, athletic AC old ll-b d der pants, track of ter ing we e an the ent cen t un nk the food is jus a study by h Assessm a about “I thi said. “I hav fitness back sweatpants, athletic shorts, and That’s really the main thing that has junk stress, ing to llege Healt t collects dat aviors Whaley dents in the d to get some sweatshirts. Also features a lack of changed from when I started at Wesfrom beh nee ight al Co group tha habits, ny stu d, ‘I gained studying, repeated absences and a leyan to now. in we e ma o have sai already nts ga “I do have a little senioritis when search ts’ health generally dismissive attitude. The colleg wh Stude I’ve eGer studen ceptions. weight in h exer- in shape. 3 only known cure is a phenomenon it comes to the more simple classes. cie W u ge ug ra ed n per ” pa ’ t. G , es. It’s not because I want to, it’s because and igh known as graduation.” ts gai not eno ir of the AN 15 er@txw Studen ess and Benz, cha ences. we ghHinshaw said she has “definitely” I am exhausted from studying in evPark gjweg ESHM str throu ce Sci  FR erything else.” rsities sistently due to d Dr. Bru & Social n a little Food tdoor experienced the disease. unive con ou fork Woods said that the hardest thing cise, sail of Natural mon to gai college,” “I don’t think it has affected my es and tes are Clearrs scenic Colleg ited Sta en food. r.org, Schoo fairly comsemester of grades, but it has affected my study about graduating this semester is offe g t t the Unout uneat icle on np duc“It is firs finding a job that she can do before jugd is ou who r Hinshaw, said ” habits, tin an art pro ing t t you ea tornadoes pular, throw ding to an e studenChasing weigh gling 19 credit hours, a full-time job she goes to law school in the fall of d wastea are po parks to Accor e colleg ds of foo George Blackwell with, as trucks and being a single mom. “My biggest 2016. rag ses un Food rth has two “I really need a break, but it’s still the aveut 142 po e campu e of 22 struggle about being a senior is the Wo leg Fort rag abo Weger Gracie col from. by racking,” Woods said. illustration nerve ave Photo readmuch so es been has se It work load. d. t an Thefoo r, and choo senioritis; talks about as veteran Navy a yea , throw ou uneaten Clinton Riggins is one of the many Wesleyan students experiencing Tex ing this semester. I have a ticker on of d at became  SENIORITIS, page 3 he n, how di- interested in he says his professors are continuing to mentor him until graduation. group n pounds d is waste my phone for countdown to graduClifto ra’s millio little foo chaelstorms. Do Very , said Mi vices for ser yan Wesle of dining dictpre in h te rector accura pare eac Café. are very d to pre n’t have “We much foo “We do The top superstitions in America brand truck in the movie Twister,” Brianna Kessler w d. to ing hoClifton sai at all.” e three Blackwell said. tries bnkessler@txwes.edu day,” food waste t on averag wasted The Navy veteran, who served as nnis m last e te much n said thaof food get es burnt The clouds turned gray, creating a a naval information technology speTabl und fro lud Clifto or less eable cialist for 12 years, used his techniste inc ds blanket of darkness in the sky. rebo is wa is not salvag poun t es The wind began to swirl, picking cal training to help him navigate day. Th d tha year the n 13th includ win at each foo Why is Friday e bee of dust and debris and through the destructive storm’s path bits little up to and which hav d scary? ks so m, rs foo , see inting se. o yea lightning lit up the sky like the be- all alone. The tea shmen appo for reue past tw fre ge 3 a dis “During my time in the Navy, I football night pa Friday a of ginning , eight als after TE “Th would guide ships out at sea using WAS game in a small Texas town. Nation t spring. We look at the roots of common OD  FO superstitions Americans believe It began to drizzle and the air was a HAM radio,” he said. “Which is loss las Liptak sica warm and humid as the thunder helpful now because a lot of storm in. by Jes chasers are HAM certified.” roared across the plains. Photo for reuse. Behind the wheel that day in 2013, able It was May 15, 2013. A dangervage sal thought to himself that at least he he t ous storm was coming, and George no that’s Blackwell, Texas Wesleyan’s IT ser- had some training. food luding This tornado, which would include vice desk manager, was driving into y, inc Photo by George Blackwell winds of up to 140 miles per hour ch da it. d ea storm George Blackwell chased in 2013. s of foo He had been traveling west on and grew to be eight miles wide, This funnel cloud formed during a or les unds nd tor Route 377 for over an hour, trying to hit several small Texas towns and, po sa ee es mpute catch a glimpse of Mother Nature’s according to the National Weather stes thr al us has really helped him chase storms derstorms in Texas and is scared he fe wa Service, killed several people. whirlwind. s Ca Vandage co might be out chasing one. Dora’ It was the first tornado that Black- for the past five years. Blackwell gripped the steering dam “William calls any time there is a Vol. 99 • No. “I am always watching the news after months of training. saw well 1500 Ram Dodge 2006 b his of wheel la 9 tornado in Texas, even if I am no“You have to know what you’re for severe storms,” he said. “I think Pickup with one hand while, with his The Peanuts gang technology helps people stay in- where near it,” Blackwell said. www.theramb other, checking his GPS, two tablets doing out there,” he said. “I feel very Blackwell said he often tinkered ler.org returns formed, especially with weather anand the radarscope app on his phone fortunate that nothing happened.” with gadgets as a boy. Blackwell, 45 and a Washington, nouncements.” as he approached the dark clouds of Charlie Brown, Lucy, Snoopy “When I was little, I remember Blackwell said his brother William, the tornado that roared across Hood D.C. native, has been the IT service and more reunite for a new also D.C., Washington, in lives who years. five past the for desk manager County. 3 movie. stays up to date with severe thun-  STORM CHASING, page “Of course I had to get the same He said his knowledge of technology The

A&E

OPINION

od of fo aste w y il e da its th ’s lim a r o D

SPOR

Senioritis spreads across campus

NEWS

CAMPUS

4 |Wednesday | November 11, 2015

caMPUs

TheRambler.org | For news throughout the day.

Veteran puts his spin on tornadoes

Breaking a mirror

A mirror was once considered to be divine and supernatural. Breaking a mirror was thought to break the image of the divine, and as a result, the breaker would receive bad luck for seven years.

Knocking on wood

Wishing on a wishbone

When soothsayers would kill birds, they use to lay the collarbone out in the sun to dry. They would then make a wish upon it and snap it with another person. Whoever got the larger piece believe it was

The orginial superstition only involved touching wood. Many medieval churches had wood believed to have been from the cross of Jesus. From that point on, touching wood was thought to help

a sign that the gods heard him or her.

people avoid tempting fate.

Bad news comes in threes

There are a few different theories about the origin of this superstition. One is the trinity of the father, son and holy ghost. Second is that three establishes a pattern. People often look for patterns in

things to help understand what is going on around them.

Four-leaf clover

Opening an umbrella inside

People use to think that four-leaf clovers would keep away witches and allow the finder to see fairies. They are extremely rare and believed to bring good luck, especially if found accidentally. Each leaf represents something: faith, hope, love and

The true origins of this superstition are unknown, but some argue that it comes from the early Egyptians. Umbrellas were used to protect leaders from the heat of the sun and to open one inside offended the God of the Sun. Others say the superstition is associated with umbrellas breaking objects or causing injury.

Lucky penny

luck.

Metal use to be believed to offer protection from evil and harmful spirits. When different cultures began to use metal in currency, those who had the most were not only wealthy, but had extremely good luck.

Hoops is Here!

ONLI

Men’s Basketball Home Games

ing Thanksgiv

If so, Do your Thanksgiving Plans involve staying on campus? We please come by the Office of Student Life and let us know. a head would like to provide a Thanksgiving meal but need

Nov. 12 vs. Paul Quinn, 7:30 pm Nov. 19 vs. Texas College, 7:00 pm Nov. 21 vs. St. Thomas, 2:00 pm

count. https://www.psychdata.com/s.asp?SID=168767 by 8:00am If you plan on participating, please complete this survey on November 12, 2015.

Women’s Basketball Home Games

Nov. 23 vs. East Texas Bapt. 5:00 pm

www.ramsports.net

WEDNESDAY

A&E

t. 16, 2015 d sports! news an r morerambler fo l e n n Fort WortehRamhblea r TV Cham/user/thetwu utubse.cotaco fever ut th SPORTS Smartphone addiction not so smart Check ohttps://www.yo Sep

OPINION

Brianna Kessler bnkessler@txw es.edu

Texas officially loves tacos more than any other state, and Fort Worth is second only to that love tacos Arlington in cities the to a 2014 survey. most, according Editorial on the “deregistration Cowtown native ” policy for internat Joshua Matthews, ional student a senior science in athletic s. training major, is not surprise d by these sults at all. re“I believe people love tacos in Fort Worth because of and diversity in all of the heritage said. “I love tacos.the city,” Matthews ” Matthews, who eats tacos about twice a week, recommends Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, Torchy’ s Tacos and Jack in the Box. “I mostly go to for tacos because Jack in the Box Three potential they’re two for a stores dollar,” he said. “And I love coming to Wesle Fuzzy’s breakfast tacos. yan But Tacos is the best I think Torchy’s As part of the place for tacos 2020 Vision, Westown. in ” leyan plans to fill the vacant Estately, an online storefronts to blog, conducted enhance the the 2014 survey, student experie nce. Cities in Americ “Most Taco-Crazed a” to find out which of the largest 50 most taco enthusiU.S. cities had the NBCDFW.com asm, according to Fort Worth ranked number two for highest level out of the largest of taco enthusiasm behind Arlingt 50 U.S. cities, right These are the top four places on to get tacos in Fort Worth, tin, which came and topping Aus- age according to of each city’s in third. Dallas students surveye Graphic by Brianna Kessler restaurants servSan Antonio were and ing tacos d for this article. Philadelphia, Bostonfourth and fifth. Facebo via Yelp, the percentage of cording to blog.estately.com. Info graphic ok users in each Taco enthusiasm much more living of college brought up the rear and New York ing interest city expressstudents’ ment in Fort Worth ing to out of state is even spread- than I did at in tacos via The survey measur 48, 49 and 50. and the al back home,” he health level of interne Facebook, said Adrian Perez,Wesleyan students, ed the percentsaid. Perez, who eats t searches related to tacos via tacos once major from Miami. a senior biology two weeks, Google Trends, loves going to every Statistics about ac“I have started Chipodepression, eating tacos so stress and suicide, and how

Wesleyan given moreshould have Internationalwarning to students

NEWS

CAMPUS

4 |Wednesday

caMPUs

| Septemeber

16, 2015

Mental health of college students TheRambler.org

| For news throughout

the day.

Signs of depression

•

Difficulty concentrating, remembering sions details, and making deciFatigue and decreased energy Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and/or helplessness Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism Insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, Irritability, or excessive restlessness sleeping

Loss of interest in activities or hobbies Overeating once pleasurable or appetite loss Persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or lems that do digestive probnot ease even with treatment Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” feelings • Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts • Making comments about being hopless, helpless, • Putting affairs in order, or worthless tying up loose • Saying things ends like “It would be better if I wasn’t here” •

•

Warning signs

Excessive sadness or moodiness Hopelessness

•

Sleep problems.

•

Sudden calmness Withdrawal

•

of suicide

Changes in personality and/or appearance Dangerous or self-harmful behavior Recent trauma or life crisis Making preparations: This might include visiting ily members, friends and giving away fampersonal possessions, cleaning up making a will, his or her room and or home. Some before committing people will write a note suicide. Some will buy a fi rearm or other means

like poison.

•

Threatening suicide: From 50% to 75% will give someone of those considering -- a friend or suicide relative -- a not everyone warning sign. who is considering However, suicide will one who threatens say so, and not everysuicide will follow through suicide should with it. Every be taken seriously. threat of

Where to get

help

The Community Counseling Center Free personal councling to Wesleyan students, faculty and staff. 3106 E. Rosedale Ave.

817-531-4859

National Suicide

24/7 help for

Prevention

Lifeline

anyone

1 (800) 273-8255

www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Don't miss the action this weekend!

FRIDAY

Soccer - Sept. th 18 hosts St. Thomas 6&8pm Volleyball - Sept. 18th hosts Southwestern Christian 7pm

SATURDAY

Soccer - Sept. 19th hosts University of the Southwest 2&4pm Volleyball - Sept. th hosts St. Gregory's19 2pm

get help.

A&E

Wesleyan ho pes to fill store fronts

 TACOS, page

A Walk in the Woods is “excellent” Hilarious momen ts make this movie worth seeing.

SPORTS

Wesleyan r looking to golfe go pro Alexis Belton works to accom plish her dream of going pro, despite slim chances.

ONLINE

Weslyan plans

to fill vacant

retail spaces

Brianna Kessler bnkessler@txw es.edu

Texas Wesleyan dale Renaissance University’s Roseto an end, and Project is coming the considering food university is now chise retailers for vendors and franfronts on campus three vacant storeto further the 2020 Vision. This is an opportu nity for Wes-

with student -oriented busines

ses after constru leyan to provide ction is comple additio ted on Roseda Photos by Jessica retail and the school’s nal space for preside le Street later Liptak nt of marketing this semester. programs, said & communiPresident Fred cations. Slabach. Diner,” she said. “We would love “We are have somewhere “I would love to place that is appealito have a retail tailers intohighly motivated to get rewe can all eat gether.” tothe storefronts, ng to student Slabach said. “A place where s,” “And we are very interest ” he said. There are not dents can hang many stu- type places ed in eatery on campus so a new food options would be ideal. out, study and eat to enhanc for our new retail spaces place to eat ” would be great, e the community. said Daniella ShackNeighborhood ” There are a lot elford, sophom of people ore psychology nomic develop revitalization, eco- pus with ment and campus macertain diet restrict on cam- jor. hancement are ions and strategic parts en- cannot eat at Dora’s or “I would like of the Kelsey Subway, said 2020 Vision, said to see someth Manuel, senior healthy and cheaper ing John Veilleux, vice go in as far as “We need someth theatre major. ing like Spiral  STOREFRON

Service Desk streamlines re quests

TS, page 3

Gracie WeGer gjweger@txwe s.edu

Texas Wesleyan’s the Service Desk. Help Desk is now The difference is not just a name change. The reorgan ization means that “the Service D

solved,” Spence said. Spence spoke highly of the new

The reorganization hold people accoun helps Wesleyan This has elimina table instead of ted the complaints for the turn around tions, said Spence. on job compleSpence said that the cha

“The Facilities adoption of the v

Lady Rams wrap up a great season A strong group of seniors have set the bar high for next years volleyball team.

ONLINE

Students duel as campus carry debate fires up

adults and 60 percent of teens own smartphones, according to telegraph.co.uk. And those phones are causing addictions similar to drug abuse. These addictions include both physical and psychological side effects, and according to Good Housekeeping magazine, one in five people around the world are likely to experience new syndromes associated with excessive smartphone use. Here are those new syndromes. Computer vision syndrome is a side effect from staring at tiny text on a bright LED screen while scrolling Photo courtesy of freeimages.com through newsfeeds and other things The photo illustrates how students causing you to strain your eyes, acquire cell phone elbow. which results in blurred vision, dizziness, headaches and dry eyes. More than 70 percent of AmeriBrianna Kessler cans do not know or are in denial bnkessler@txwes.edu that they are susceptible to digital Smartphones are starting to cause eyestrain, according to The Vision serious addictions that can lead to Council. Jacqueline Jacobson, a senior acseveral health problems. Ninety-one percent of American counting major, said she has experi-

enced computer vision syndrome often during 12-hour workdays often spent in front of a computer screen. “I spend a lot of time on my computer and Kindle, which causes me to feel many of the symptoms commonly associated with computer vision syndrome,” she said. “I have experienced severe headaches for years and have started seeing a neurologist about this occurring issue.” Dr. Bruce Benz, chair of the School of Natural & Social Sciences, said that the effect of computer vision syndrome on vision warrants our consideration. “Since the invention of the television this has been a potential threat,” he said. “It is no surprise that millennials would suffer from something similar with their smartphones.” Benz said this is true especially now that we have started reading on illuminated screens. “But studying this would be a hard thing to do,” he said. “You would first have to weed out cause

from effect to isolate the situation to determine whether or not the effects are caused from this specific action.” iPosture and text neck are caused from hunching over your smartphone for hours. This strains back and neck muscles. According to a 2012 study by the Pew Research Center, 70 percent of people check their smartphone within an hour of getting up, 56 percent check their phone within an hour of going to sleep and 51 percent check continuously during vacation. There are many people suffering from posture problems from watching television, so this could be true for smartphone use, said Benz. “I do not disagree that excessive smartphone use could have long term repercussions.” Cell phone elbow, similar to tendinitis and carpal tunnel syndrome, causes inflammation in tendons. According to orthopedic special-

 ADDICTION, page 3

Pick up an application today! PMC 219 Submission deadline is April 15.