The SpringHillian

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November 5, 2009 Volume 89, Number 8 Mobile’s 1st Collegiate Newspaper

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam

New act in Congress may change financial aid for next school year

arOund CaMpuS

Spring Hill’s GreenKeepers have named November ‘Do it in the Dark’ Month. See what Dr. Bordas has in mind. pg. 9.

The U.S. House of Representatives has past a new bill effecting student financial aid, what will happen if the Senate agrees with the changes?

Public Safety Reports for the end of October. pg. 2.

Spring Hill College welcomes the Christus Lecture as the semester comes to a close. pg. 2.

OpiniOnS & eDItorIALs

Teaching in American schools is tough, but what’s to blame? pg. 6.

Ashley Robinson writes about some high schools are punishing students for summer photos. pg. 6.

life & CULtUre

Eichold Gallery is hosting a new show starting this month. pg. 10.

Resident Hall Association hosted Halloween activities. See pg. 8 for pictures.

Mobile’s Greek Fest is this weekend, see if its worth the adventure. pg.

11.

sports Men’s basketball starts this weekend with a team ready for a win. pg. 15.

Lady Badger Volleyball finishes last home game with a win. pg. 13.

Keith Neicase / SHC Photographer

DOUG BRUCE/ Photography Editor

Students from Spring Hill College, University of Mobile and University of South Alabama work together on a land navigation course for ROTC. See ROTC page 9 .

The Hill and Beyond:

Science and mathematics majors can get creative with their dreams The American economy is making it increasingly difficult for students to find jobs, but good news for science and mathematics majors, they can dream big.

LYNNE FRITSCHER Contributing Writer

Spring Hill College, just like any university or college, is comprised of various majors that are accompanied with certain stereotypes.

Spring Hill’s theology majors can more or less be labeled as religious intellectuals, the ‘polysci’ kids can actively participate in current political discussions instead of fak-

ing like the rest of us, and the nursing students will forever be stressed while suavely sporting their scrubs in the library. So where does this leave us with the science nerds, I mean science majors?

To start off, there is no such thing as a “science’ major; however there are Biology, Marine Biology, Chemistry, and BioChemistry majors that fall under this category. Despite common beliefs, not all of these students desire a future involving rigorous studying in medical school or hope to spend hours in a laboratory mixing steaming concoctions.

Rather, the field of science and the aforementioned majors offer a variety of

See Doors page 4.

create government-run programs. The government-run programs would be directly linked to the student and their families, therefore eliminating the middleman and the banks all together.

The Act will also expand the Perkins Loan Program from $1 billion to $6 ELIZABETH FARREN Editor in Chief billion of aid per year; however, the Perkins Loan will be changed to the Direct Perkins As the school year continues, the cost of college edu- Loan. According to GovTrack Web site, the act will carry cation worries students and “the five percent interest rate parents. Recently, Congress has approached the idea of fix- and loan limits of the part E ing this problem. The Student program, but otherwise have Aid and Fiscal Responsibility the same terms and conditions of the Direct Unsubsidized Act of 2009 helps to make Stafford loans.” The site goes college education costs more on to explain that the interest reasonable for students and their families around the Unit- accumulates on unsubsidized loans while the student is in ed States. school.

However, there are It will also increase the many people who are against maximum Pell Grant funding this new act because of the awarded each year. During negative effects it will have on President Obama’s “Reclaimthe already stable financial aid ing the American Dream” system. speech, he spoke of raising The Student Aid and the Pell Grant maximum from Fiscal Responsibility Act of $4,050 to $5,100.

2009 will end student loan The new act will also programs run by banks and

See Congressional page 3.

Tau Kappa Epsilon raises funds for St. Jude Children’s Hospital

DOUG BRUCE/ Photography Editor

The men of the Upsilon Alpha chapter of TKE with the assistance of 11 teams helped raise funds for their national philanthropy during their annual TKE week. See TKE on pg. 8 .

News

Page 2 The SpringHillian November 5, 2009

Campus Briefs Public Safety On Saturday, Oct. 17, a camera bag with lenses went missing from behind the Plant Operations building. Contact Doug Bruce, dmbruce@stumail.shc. edu.

At 12:17 a.m. on Oct.17, a Public Safety patrol officer discovered damage to the wall in the New Residence Hall lobby. He also discovered that someone had removed the sign from the first floor women’s restroom.

At 3:00 a.m. on Oct. 21, a Public Safety patrol officer discovered that someone had damaged a thermostat on the wall of the recreation room located in the basement of the New Residence Hall. A table, located beneath the thermostat, was found to be covered with profane writing.

At 12:45 a.m. on Oct. 23, a Public Safety patrol officer found that someone had damaged a window screen at the New Residence Hall.

At midnight on Oct. 23, a student reported that she had discovered scratch marks on the left side panel of her vehicle.

She had parked her vehicle in the Fairway parking lot at approximately noon on that date.

On Saturday, Oct. 17, a camera bag with lenses went missing from behind the Plant Operations building. Contact Doug Bruce, dmbruce@stumail.shc. edu.

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Read The SpringHillian at www.issuu.com/thespringhillian

Paige Malone News Editor kpmalone@stumail.shc.edu

Dr. Labbé-Coldsmith to present Christus Lecture

Psychologist and professor to present “Mindfulness: Psychological Health and Spiritual Practice” PAIGE MALONE

News Editor

This month’s Christus lecture will be given by Dr. Elise Labbé-Coldsmith on Nov. 19 in Byrne Memorial Hall. Dr. LabbéColdsmith will presenting “Mindfulness: Psychological Health and Spiritual Practice” for the monthly Chrisrtus Institute.

She will be exploring mindfulness as a means of evidence-based practice for psychological and health disorders. Based on Buddhist meditation, mindfulness can be described as a secular practice of philosophy and psychology involving a calm awareness of one’s body functions, feelings, content of consciousness, or consciousness itself. Dr.

Labbé-Coldsmith will take attendees through the practice which encourages daily meditation exercises which focus on moment-to-moment experience. Mindfulness involves fostering particular cognitive and emotional qualities when attending to internal and external experience.

Labbé-Coldsmith is a licensed clinical psychologist and has spent the last 23 years as a psychology professor and clinical director for the USA Psychology Clinic. She is also working to complete the Certificate of Spiritual Direction program at Spring Hill.

Labbé-Coldsmith has presented at more than 90 conferences internationally and has received many academic and professional

awards. In addition to appearances and awards, Labbé-Coldsmith has published more than 60 professional, peer-reviewed publications in clinical and health psychology.

Her lecture will touch on her research over the last five years on spirituality and mindfulness. Her professional book on the topic, “Mindfulness-Based Interventions: A Practitioners’ Guide for Implementing and Assessing an Evidence-Based Approach,” is due for release next fall.

Admission to the lecture will be free for Christus members and $2 for guests.

The Christus Theological Institute was founded in 1989 due to the growing hunger for theological en-

richment of faith on the part of the Christian churches in the Mobile area. Through their bi-monthly lectures and annual conference they strive to promote a reflective deepening and broadening of the search for God in our Christian tradition and create a truly ecumenical network between communities.

Christus is supported by a partnership of individual members, churches and religious institutions from a wide range of Christian traditions, including Baptist, Catholic, Episcopalian, Lutheran, Methodist and Presbyterian

For a membership application visit the Christus Institute webpage at www. shc.edu/christus. and follow the Christus Membership link.

Congressional act will leave many parents and students with questions Continued from page 1.

invest $1.2 billion in Historically Black Colleges and Universities as well other universities which traditionally serve minorities. The idea behind this is that the money being invested into these schools will allow more students of minority backgrounds to afford to finish schools.

Overall, the government will be able to save $74.8 billion over the next 10 years. The most important change is that the process to receive financial aid will become simpler.

However, there are many opponents of the new Act. A primary concern is that the Perkins Loan will be completely eliminated and replaced with a Direct Perkins Loan.

A second concern is that students and their families will no longer be dealing with local studentloan advisor, but instead

with different personnel.

The program will now supply government officers to work with the financial aid program versus banks having someone specifically designated for student aid.

This switch will result in job loss for many banks.

Angela Strickland, the Perkins Loan collections coordinator at Spring Hill, feels “that customer service for our graduates will diminish if students have to deal exclusively with Direct Loans rather than myself or other institutional representatives.”

A major concern is that the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act will change how students pay back their loans. Strickland explains, “Students currently repay their Perkins loans to the schools and/or their billing services. The change would eliminate a school’s involvement in servicing and collecting these accounts.”

Strickland continues by saying, “The cancellation benefits for nursing, law enforcement, teaching, social service and Peace Corps would also be eliminated. This would definitely impact our students who are in programs relating to these fields and who plan to work in these areas.”

The Coalition of Higher Education Assistance Organization is one of the many organizations standing up against the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act. The company actually goes about suggesting other alternatives to the act, which they call “a more studentfriendly approach.”

The organization wants to retain the current in-school interest benefit, and they want to keep Perkins servicing at the school level. They also want to retain the current, generous and practical Perkins cancellation benefits. The organization publicized

National Call-In Days which they requested people to call members of congress so that their voices could be heard.

Strickland explains the source of funding for these loads has shifted. “Although 90% of the funding has been provided by the Federal government for this program (with 10% being institutional funds), the administration of this program has always been with schools. It was originally set up as a revolving fund with new loans being made out of proceeds that were repaid by NDSL/Perkins borrowers.”

Overall, Strickland is intrigued by the changes saying, “I am glad that more schools will be involved in the new Perkins program; these loans in the past have been given to our neediest students. My understanding is that this program will no longer be campus based but rather these changes represent a government takeover of this program.”

News

Page 3 The SpringHillian November 5, 2009

Day & Date

Event

Coming up this week on campus...

Time

Location

Contact Person

SHC GreenKeepers, shcgreenkeepers@gmail.com Alyse Grainer, akgrainer@stumail.shc.edu Campus Ministry, 380 - 3495 SHC GreenKeepers, shcgreenkeepers@gmail.com Colten Biro, crbiro@stumail.shc.edu Campus Ministry, 380 - 3495

11:00 a.m. - 1 p.m.

3:00 p.m. - 5 p.m.

4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

5:00 p.m.

6:15 p.m.

9:00 p.m.

Outlaw Recreation Center Fairway Apartment Gazebo Tropical Smoothie Cloister Outlaw Recreation Center St. Joseph Chapel

Admissions: Senior Visit Day GreenKeepers: Consignment Store Shopping

8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

3:00 p.m.

Brandi Lyndall, 251-380-3035 Gautrelet Room Carpool leaves from Chemistry Dr. Lesli Bordas, lbordas@shc.edu

Saturday, November 7, 2009

e-waste with GreenKeepers Saturday in Service

8:00 a.m.

8:30 a.m.

Mobile Fairgrounds Buses Leave from New Hall

Dr. Lesli Bordas, lbordas@shc.edu Sr. Patty Huffman, 380-3496

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Community Mass Student Mass

11:00 a.m.

9:00 p.m.

St. Joseph Chapel St. Joseph Chapel

Campus Ministry, 380 - 3495 Campus Ministry, 380 - 3495

Monday, November 9, 2009

Financial Aid Open Session Meditation Group Karate and Self-Defense Versatile Rhythms

2:00 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

6:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

Gautrelet Room Lawn outside St. Joseph Outlaw Recreation Center Outlaw Recreation Center

Ellen Foster, efoster@shc.edu Dr. Heather Salazar, hsalazar@shc.edu Colten Biro, crbiro@stumail.shc.edu Chelsea Mack, csmack@stumail.shc.edu

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

CPB: Thrill on the Hill Meeting: Campus Programming Board Meeting: Student Government Association

11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

5:00 p.m.

9:00 p.m.

Rydex Commons New Hall, rm. 137 Burke Library, rm. 201

Carlos Serrano, cpb@stumail.shc.edu Carlos Serrano, cpb@stumail.shc.edu Colby Melvin, cjmelvin@stumail.shc.edu

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Rock for Life Praise and Worship

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

9:00 p.m.

To be announced St. Joseph Chapel

Campus Ministry, 380 - 3495 Sr. Patty Huffman, 380-3496

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Organic Apples covered in Caramel for Sale Swapaholic: clothing swap Immersion Trip Fundraiser Meeting: GreenKeepers Karate and Self-Defense Praise and Worship

Friday, November 6, 2009

Special Notices: •

Students for Life will be selling LIFE ROCKS T-shirts for $5 in the cafe every other Wednesday starting October 7. The group will also be sell-

ing 50/50 raffle tickets through Friday, Nov. 6 in Outlaw Recreation Center.

•

The Office of Admissions will be hosting Senior Open Houses on Monday, Nov. 23 and Friday, Dec. 4.

•

Greek Life is sponsoring Greek Weekend Thursday, Nov. 5 through Sunday, Nov. 8.

•

The South Alabama Film Festival is Friday, Nov. 6 through Sunday, Nov. 8. The festival will be held at the Crescent Theater; The Five Rivers Delta Center; Ben May Main Library, Berheim Hall; and the Gulf Coast Exploreum.

Athletics honored as Champions of Character Spring Hill College is awarded for great character in and out of the sports setting by the NAIA PAIGE MALONE News Editor

Spring Hill College has been named Champions of Character by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. They will be added to the 2008-2009 Champions of character scorecard which can be found at the champions of Character website.

Spring Hill athletic director Jim Hall could not be more pleased saying, “This is an honor we strive to achieve each year.”

Spring Hill was chosen as one of 231 colleges and universities to receive this prestigious honor recognizing schools that exemplify strong character in their everyday lives.

“The Champions of Character pro-

gram supports performance-driven athletics while defining expectations and standards that drive successful teams and athletic departments,” said Rob Haworth, Vice President of the Champions of Character program.

The program is used to induce an understanding of character values in athletics. They strive to provide student-athletes, coaches and parents training to pursue choices that influence strong character in and outside of athletic settings.

The schools honored this year submitted a form that was reviewed by a team directed by the NAIA Vice president of Champions of Character. They were judged on their incorporation of the five core values of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsman-

ship and servant leadership in the campus community and their success at educating student-athletes, coaches, parents and fans on specific standards and expectations.

Hall stressed that achieving this award was no easy task. “The NAIA is strengthening its requirements for attaining this award an I look forward to the opportunities that lay before us in this arena,” said Hall

Hall recognizes this accomplishment and plans to see the character of all who are involved in our athletic program grow and continue its strength. Hall says, “I am committed to creating a sporting environment in which we compete tenaciously and display the very best attributes of the human spirit.

It is not always an easy task, but we can be successful when we make it a priority.”

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News

Page 4 The SpringHillian November 5, 2009

Doors continue to stay open for math and science majors Continued from page 1. job opportunities that are incredibly vital today.

As a student that struggled in General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry, I was wary to discover the usefulness of chemistry in one’s future. Therefore, to cross the line back into the field of chemistry, I consulted one of the nicest professors on campus, Dr. Carolyn Simmons, who is most known for her General Chemistry course.

Dr. Simmons informed me that chemistry students not only have a promising future for jobs, but could also use their knowledge of chemistry for work even as students. Summer internships, often funded by the National Science Foundation, are offered for students that are incredible experiences. She explained that the programs usually run about 10 weeks, provide hands on experience, and often include a lofty stipend of $4,000 -$5,000.

As far as job opportunities with a chemistry degree, Dr. Simmons explains there are many positions available such as environmental testing and consulting, which are increasing due to the today’s emphasis and concern with the environment. She stated the chemistry degree was a “great foundation to build on no matter where you go” but also encour-

aged further education into a PhD or Masters program.

With further education, there are an “infinite number of possibilities” for jobs ranging from a pharmaceutical representative to a L’Oreal research employee to a Budweiser expert working on the quality control of beer. Chemistry can also promise jobs in forensic science, agricultural research, latent council work, and much more.

Because everything in this world is composed of and affected by inorganic and organic compounds, knowledge of basic chemical principles is essential in almost all branches of society, giving an edge to Chemistry majors that explore and learn about such compounds.

Needless to say, the chemistry degree makes one’s skills very marketable in society today and also provides for a great background for one seeking to continue their education.

While exploring the realms of the Biology and Marine Biology majors, Dr. Don Culberson had much to say about the opportunities for students as he described the biology field as an “explosive science filled with new information that doubles each year.” As the study of life and living organisms, biology extends from plants to animals to

people as well as the molecules that compose each organism. Thus, the directions one can take under this broad field is seemingly endless.

As for students now, numerous summer internships are available nationally and even internationally that are not only irreplaceable learning and educational experiences but also great summer jobs. Junior Kelsey Anbuhl spent this past summer interning in Colorado whereas other student spent their summer in Mobile interning with South Alabama’s program.

In addition to interning, graduating with a biology degree most often enables jobs such as laboratory tech positions, EPA consultants, and teachers in secondary schools. Although a biology degree, especially one from Spring Hill College, can land one with a wellpaying job, Dr. Culberson stated that further education really opens the doors to innumerable possibilities.

Many biology students go the medical route and become doctors after much time and hard work.

Other students

ATTENTION STUDENTS!!

Are YOU interested in being the next Student-Editor of

THE SPRINGHILLIAN? Applications are being accepted for the spring 2010 position of student-editor of the weekly campus newspaper, The SpringHillian. To be considered, interested applicants should submit a resume and cover letter (explaining your reason for wanting to be considered) to the Division of Communication Arts. The application deadline is Friday, November 20. It is recommended that the studenteditor be enrolled in the class CMM400/401 during the spring 2010 semester.

continue their studying by attending graduate schools to earn a PhD or Masters; those with these achievements have a much broader field of jobs to choose from such as botany, animal behavior, nutrition, and many others.

With the rise of environmental concern, many biology based jobs are in high demand which makes the biology student even more marketable. So whether one decides to work in the wine industry or become a physical therapist or a zookeeper, a background in biology is essential and worthwhile.

So whether the stigma of science indicating nerdiness is true or not, one thing is for certain- those involved in a science major have endless opportunities for their futures.

Also within this same division is the mathemat-

ics department. A student who majors in mathematics may have a concentration in actuarial, applied or pure mathematics. The fourth concentration is computer analysis. The good news for mathematics majors is that according to the Spring Hill Survey of Spring 2009 Undergraduate Degree Candidates, many mathematics majors upon graduation having starting incomes of $41 thousand or more.

Some fields that mathematics student consider include statistician, electrical engineer, surveyor, physicist, cost estimator or actuary.

Currently a more popular option with undergraduate mathematics majors is to continue their studies in graduate school. Many students go on to receive their master’s or Ph.D. in mathematics.

News

Page 5 The Springhillian November 5, 2009

Thank you for your service

SHC employees honored for their continued dedication.

5 Years Laura Allsup Dr. Sharee Broussard Tracey Childs Pamela Combs James Crosby Karen Lawrence Lynda Olen Lynn Smith Dr. Catherine Swender David Taylor Elizabeth Williams 10 Years Kathleen Broxterman Annette Heim Christopher Hughes Tracie Lawrence Brandi Lyndall Janie Mathews Darlene McMahan 15 Years Dorothy Barnett Dr. David Dean Ellen Foster Bret Heim 20 Years Dr. Timothy Carmody 25 Years Dr. Charles Cheney Mindy Hovell Joan Siegwald 30 Years Rev. Christopher Viscardi, S.J. 35 Years Glenn Bell Dr. George Gilmore Josetta Mulloy 40 Years Dr. Melvin Brandon

First annual South Alabama Film Festival begins

South Alabama Film Festival to kick off its inaugural year in the coming week. View should expect to see some very familiar faces and places on screen and behind the scenes.

KENDRICK DUNKLIN Op/Ed Editor

The South Alabama Film Festival, also dubbed the SoAL Film Fest, will kick off its inaugural event this weekend in Downtown Mobile.

The SoAL Film Fest is Mobile’s first official film festival that will showcase local filmmakers’ feature films and short films. The festival will also offer educational seminars and workshops for adults and school-aged children about the film industry.

Some of the films that will be featured at the festival include “Mississippi Queen,” “Rootsy Hip” and “A Genesis Found.”

“Mississippi Queen” is a documentary that examines how the southern gay population struggle to strive because of the strict religious background of the South.

The film will debut at the Crescent Theater at 2:45 p.m. on Friday.

“A Genesis Found” is a fast-paced adventure film about a University of Alabama student’s mission to understand his beliefs, his purpose, and where we all began through his grandfather’s discovery of an abnormal skeleton that was neither animal nor man. The film is a study of man’s connection to nature, to one another, and to God. The film will premiere at 5 p.m. on Saturday at 5 Riv-

ers Delta Resource Center on the Causeway.

“Rootsy Hip” is an intimate documentary that follows a group of white hiphop artists from Mobile, Ala and Memphis struggling trying to find their place in the rap game, while challenging a series of predetermined concepts and stereotypes.

“Rootsy Hip” will premiere at 11 p.m. on Friday at the Crescent Theater.

“Rootsy Hip” and “A Genesis Found” will premiere as a red carpet event and will host a VIP event at the Mobile Arts Council after the screenings. The Alabama Music Box will have a party afterward where some of the groups from “Rootsy Hip” will perform.

The festival will also debut the feature film, “The Saints of Mt. Christopher,” which stars Clifton Powell and Tom Sizemore. Spring Hill College senior Doug Bruce is featured in the film, and he was also Unit Production Manager.

“The film had tremendous support from the local community,” said Bruce. “Some scenes were even shot at Spring Hill College.”

The movie, directed by Shane Dean, will premiere Sunday at 2 p.m. at Ben May Main Library in Bernheim Hall and 2:45 p.m. at the Crescent Theater.

The movie, which was filmed in Mobile, is a movie about how the friendship of Dreese Williams, a

driven African American Center, Look & Listen, Busibasketball player, and Matness Resource Center and thew Satler, a troubled white Copy Shop, B-Side, Mobile teenager, is torn apart beArts Council and The Wine cause of the racial restraints Loft. of the South.

For more informaThe SoAL Film Fest tion about films and sponsors, will be held Friday, Nov. visit the SoAL Film Fest 6 and will climax Sunday, website. Tickets are available Nov. 8 with the festival preat the Crescent Theatre. miere of “The Saints of Mt. Christopher.”

Tickets for all ticketed events will be $5 or $25 for a weekend pass.

The SoAL Film Fest is sponsored by The Crescent Theater, Mobile DOUG BRUCE / Photography Editor Public Library, Gulf Coast Ex- The crew of “Saints” shoot a scene at Wilploreum Science liamson High School in September 2008.

Page 6 The SpringHillian November 5, 2009

Opinions & Editorials

Kendrick Dunklin Opinions & Editorials Editor ktdunklin@stumail.shc.edu

Discrimination on campus: Letter from the Editor: Education in America Elizabeth Farren discusses how teachers are not the problem with education Consider what you think about 80 percent of teachers fix everything, but most schools John Merill discusses gender and clothing JOHN MERRILL

jamerrill@stumail.shc.edu Contributing Writer

This past weekend, amidst the crowds of costumes, jostling between the shoulders of vampires and referees, walking past Waldo and Frankenstein’s monster, there was something a little bit different.

Guys were dressed up like girls, makeup on, pushup bras strapped tight and hoses pulled taunt – crossdressing.

Between Friday and Saturday night, I saw at least five or six cases of gender inversion, all of which were met with varying degrees of acceptance, laughter, derision and scorn. My question is a pretty simple one: Why?

First, why were the reactions to certain people’s choice, to jump the gender pool for a night, positive while others were given the cold shoulder or worse?

Secondly, why did these people cross-dress and finally, why does it matter?

For a specific case to demonstrate the various forms of reception, let’s look at two people who dressed up as the same person, Lady GaGa. One person, hairy, chubby and splattered with fake blood, squeezed into a white jumpsuit with a single shoulder pad (breaking the suit in the process). He donned a wig and was met with encouragement and laughter. The other, who took the costume much farther, was wearing a white dress lined with white fur, white

The SpringHillian Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam

E-mail: hillian@stumail.shc.edu

pumps, white glasses and a white handbag. He was all crowned with a suicideblond wig and a white fur cap, complete with push-up bra and shaved legs. He was met with cold shoulders and uncomfortable whisperings.

While I understand that seeing a guy dressed up in that much femininity can be a little jarring, but what are costumes for if not to enjoy throwing away social conventions? But, then again, there were other cross-dressing men that night, and none of them were met with the sort of disrespect that was shown toward Lady Gaga and her companions in heels. No one refused to talk to Ryan Nocito when he dressed up as Cher, or when he dressed up like Jasmine at the Phi Mu Mangeant.

But it’s not just what they wear, is it? It can’t be.

No, it’s something deeper.

It’s a question of becoming uncomfortable. It’s a question of prejudice.

Yes, I realize that prejudice is a weighty word to throw around and that no one really wants to admit that they have prejudices.

But when it comes down to it, that’s what this is. When we look at a person, we expect certain things, and one of those things that we tend to expect is for that person to fit within the standard binary gender system that we’re all familiar with. But what if that person doesn’t?

What if the person identifies as transsexual or gender queer? Are they any less of a person? Of course not. The inability of a binary gender system to describe certain people is not a failing of the

See Double page 6.

Phone: (251) 380-3850 or 380-3840 Fax: (251) 460-2185

ELIZABETH FARREN

eafarren@stumail.shc.edu Editor-in-Chief

Last Thursday, the U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan made a speech at Columbia University about how America’s teaching colleges are not completely preparing teachers for their job. He claimed that these colleges and universities are only doing a mediocre job of preparing our teachers for the harsh reality of America’s schools.

But I really wonder if it is the teaching schools which are preventing our teachers from doing more than mediocre.

Honestly, I think it is funding that is the source of some of the issues. Of course money cannot

have an insanely high studentteacher ratio, which forces many teachers to carry a load too much for any one person. More funding would allow for teachers to have more resources, which would ultimately allow for better support for the teachers and a better experience for the students. Not only this, but also, most schools do not have the resources to prepare their teachers for the variety of circumstances that they may encounter during their first few years of teaching.

In his speech, Duncan attributes poor education to the education received by teachers.

He says the source of problems in education is what teachers are being taught, as well as how they are being taught to deal with reallife situations in their classrooms.

Interestingly enough,

are educated at teaching colleges. But Duncan expressed that this is especially true because teachers are not trained to deal with classroom fights and other disruptions. Part of the reason that Duncan feels this way is that many teachers are just “thrown” in the classroom and told to survive.

So how do we fix this?

More management classes for teachers? However, I find that I have to agree with Washington Post communist Jay Matthews, who states “teachers who have survived that toss-them-intothe-water approach say it works better than class management classes at their teacher’s colleges.”

However, it is because of this toss-them-into-the-water

See Teaching page 6.

High school cracks down on students’ online life

Ashley Robinson blames the media for the recent trend of promiscuity in students and how much it affects the morals and actions of the younger generation

Well, its official: the era of consent is upon us. I am sure you are wondering what I am talking about. Well it is simple; no longer do we limit ourselves.

Overindulgence, overeating and over-dramatizing has become the latest trend.

Next stop: the wide acceptance of sexuality, or have we already reached that point?

As I seized my attack on pharmaceutical companies and decided the subject was much too immense for just one column, I skimmed an article online that didn’t sit well with me. The article was about two girls suing their

high school for not allowing them to participate in fall sports.

Oh, but it gets better.

The two female students posted provocative pictures on Myspace of their summer break from a slumber party they attended. When I say provocative, I mean posing with suggestive gestures.

The school’s case stands on one ground, stating it “creates a disruptive influence on the discipline, good order, moral or educational environment,” according to the school’s athletic code. Wow, call me a liberal, but last time I checked, my pictures from last summer have nothing to do with my ability to hammer a volleyball (or whatever sport) over a net.

I do not condone these girls’ actions, but I do feel it is a matter for their parents to deal with, not a principal.

What do you expect when all the movies on the shelves of local Blockbusters these days are decorated with sex, drugs and diseases? Our music is being sexed up and our morals are teetering! More and more young people are losing their religion and finding other things to do, whether it is a distasteful photo shoot or not.

As the digital age, once again, slaps us in our faces, our morals must still adhere. I do respect these girls for actually keeping their Myspace private, allowing only their friends to see, but maybe there should be an age of consent with these sites. Why does Myspace allow high schoolers to post porn-like pictures? Once again, we are left with the blame game and a two-headed monster called the Internet. Dear Media: sex sells, but it also influences.

Spring Hill College 4000 Dauphin Street Mobile, AL 36608-1791

800-742-6704 251-380-4000 www.shc.edu

Photography Editor Doug Bruce dmbruce@stumail.shc.edu

ASHLEY ROBINSON

acrobinson@stumail.shc.edu Editor Emeritus

Page 7 The SpringHillian November 5, 2009

Opinions & Editorials

“Push” to find happiness Teaching is a difficult task on all levels be a teacher. as well. Usually the class sizes Continued from page 5.

It takes a special person are small, but there are still the with just being yourself to be a teacher, especially in troublemakers and the kids who Kendrick Dunklin discusses how the novel, “Push,” should be inspiring to the oppressed

About a year ago, I stumbled across a book called Push, authored by Sapphire. It was a very powerful novel that should be read by millions.

The novel centers on Claireece “Precious” Jones, a 16-year-old girl from Harlem who has been repeatedly raped by her drug addicted father and physically and mentally abused by her mother. Precious is a single mother of two children, which are fathered by her own father. Precious is also obese and illiterate.

The story illustrates Precious’ journey to overcome illiteracy and the abuse that she suffers from her family.

Although she is young, she is able to become an independent and powerful woman. Through her struggles, Precious becomes a woman that finds freedom and security to be able to care for herself and her son.

I think the story of Precious symbolizes the lost and oppressed of America. Many people lose their way when they cannot seem to overcome a certain struggle in their life.

They look towards means of hurting themselves to escape the ills of their situation, but Precious’ story illustrates that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

I know there are times when we just want to let it all go, but there may be a plausible reason for what you are going through. Whether it’s a lesson for you to learn or for you to make an important decision about life, I don’t think it’s more than you can possibly tolerate. In life, we are all going to make mistakes, and we are all going to have trials and tribulations. It is our job to learn from what we have gone

through. If we fail to learn from the mistakes and trials in our life, then we are destined to repeat our actions.

When asked “what exactly was the point of committing all this horror to paper” by a journalist, the author stated, “Things are bad, but they can get better,” stated Sapphire.

“I aspired to instill awareness and hope in my readers, by confronting the major issues, regardless of how scary or gruesome they may seem.”

Horrific situations that we deal with in life usually get better. We usually get over the death of loved ones, we usually overcome a natural disaster and we can usually overcome social hardships. But if we fail to tackle the issues that we face, then we will perpetually be trapped in a dreadful state.

Precious chose to confront her issues with illiteracy, sexual and mental abuse, obesity and teen pregnancy, and she moved forward. She did not let it keep her down in the slumps. Although she did not become wealthy or removed from the inner-city, Precious was happy with herself.

Happiness is what many of us ultimately seek out in life, so I urge people to do what makes them happy. It may not be appealing to the masses, but if it brings you contentment, I say go for it. At the end of the day, we have to be comfortable with who we are to be able to exist in this world.

Push has been adapted into a movie called Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire, which is directed by Lee Daniels. I hope that the film will be as effective as the novel.

The movie stars Gabourey Sidibe, Mo’Nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey and Lenny Kravitz, and it will be released in select theaters Friday, Nov. 6.

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KENDRICK DUNKLIN Op/Ed Editor

approach that the majority of teachers quit in their first few years. So my solution is somewhat based on the internship program that so many majors require. Give first year teachers the opportunity to have teaching assistants to help them deal with their students. So where are we going to find them? The local teaching college, of course.

This solution helps with two problems. It gives the teacher the assistance they needs and, it helps the student to realize whether he or she really wants to

under funded and over populated schools. Sadly, these are the schools that young teachers are traditionally placed initially. Although this gives the harsh reality of teaching, and it really tests them in their applied knowledge, I would not doubt that this particular placement is the majority of the reason that teachers quit in their first few years.

Now don’t get me wrong, it is not just the public schools that are difficult. Teaching in private schools can be extremely tough

cannot pay attention.

Teaching, no matter which level, is a difficult task. Sadly students do not change over time and as a result are constantly testing their teachers and professors.

So next time you want to harass your professor, just remember they have the world’s most under-appreciated job. So try to be nice. And remember when you are thinking about future jobs that teaching requires a special person who deserves congratulatory appreciation for their work.

Double standards of cross-dressing Continued from page 5. person; it’s a failing of the system.

What seems to be most interesting or, to be more accurate, disturbing, is the disparity between those who identify as gender queer male and those who identify as gender queer female. A “girl” can wear a tux, slacks or a men’s polo without a problem. But if a “guy” wears heels, a dress or make-up, it’s unacceptable. Why the double standard?

The LGBT community (or LGBTQ if you would rather) has come up with a handful of terms to help people describe themselves.

It varies from the obvious heteronominative straight

male and straight female to their close relatives, gay male and lesbian female, to more inventive pairings such as gender queer, butch female and bisexual.

Of course, this quickly becomes pretty messy.

What would you call a person who’s biologically

male, wears dresses and heels, puts on make-up and has a girlfriend or a wife?

Straight? Queer? Lesbian?

The answer is pretty simple.

A person. Ultimately that’s what we all are and that’s how we should be treated. Like people.

Coffee Talk from Spring Hill College NEXT WEEK’S TOPIC: Do you feel that students who dress against gender norms are treated differently on campus? Do you feel some students are treated differently than others?

Submit your answers to hillian@stumail.shc.edu

EDITORIAL POLICY

The SpringHillian is published weekly from September to May, except during examination periods and vacations. The views expressed herein do not represent the views of Spring Hill College and are not the views of the faculty, administration, staff or students, but are the views of the individual columnists.

SUBMISSIONS

The SpringHillian publishes guest submissions at the discretion of the studenteditor and section editors. Submissions should be less than 500 words, and editors Advisor Stuart Babington sbabington@shc.edu

Contributing Copy Editor John Merrill jamerrill@stumail.shc.edu

Advertising Manager Adam Pfaff appfaff@stumail.shc.edu

Page 8 The SpringHillian November 5, 2009

Life & Culture

Abby Cowart Life & Culture Editor alcowart@stumail.shc.edu

Residence Hall Association sponsors ‘Fear Factor’ event

DOUG BRUCE/Photography Editor

TKE Sweethearts, the overall winner of TKE Week, pose with their coaches at the powder puff game.

TKE Week raises awareness for St. Jude

The men of Tau Kappa Epsilon unite the Spring Hill community for a good cause ABBY COWART

Life & Culture Editor

The men of Tau Kappa Epsilon hosted their annual “TKE Week” from Monday, Oct. 26 to Friday, Oct. 30 to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Eleven teams participated in the weeklong event including Delta Delta Delta, Phi Mu, Delta Gamma, DG Devils, TKE Sweethearts, Grim TKErs, Bad to the Bone, TKEilas, Team 12: We don’t cur, we’re going to that party, TKE-or-Treaters and Toil-n-Trouble.

The event kicked off at 9 p.m. on Monday night with a dodgeball tournament in the racquetball courts in the Outlaw Recreation Center. The

DOUG BRUCE/Photography Editor

Jay Hay models his dress in the newspaper fashion show.

double-elimination tournament concluded with the championship match between the ladies of Delta Delta Delta and TKE Sweethearts. Delta Delta Delta took home first place, and the TKE Sweethearts placed second.

On Tuesday, the men of Tau Kappa Epsilon showed their feminine side with a newspaper fashion show in front of Byrne Hall. Toil-n-Trouble won first place for creating the best newspaper costume for their TKE coach Adam Leibold.

Wednesday night featured a Harry Potter-themed powder puff football game on Dorn field with the motto, “If Harry Potter was Greek, he would be a TKE!” Bad to the Bone took first in the event.

Some of the other events that took place during TKE Week were a scavenger hunt to find “skulls” around campus, a poster decorating contest and a pumpkin carving contest.

On Friday, Oct. 30, TKE Week concluded with the Saints and Sinners bash, where the overall winners of the week were announced. For the TKE Sweethearts were named the top winner overall. DG Devils placed second, and Toil-n-Trouble won third place.

Overall, the event was a success, raising both funds

and awareness for Tau Kappa Epsilon’s philanthropy, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

St. Jude is a famous treatment and research facility that specializes in the field of pediatric oncology. The hospital is funded mostly by public donations, which go toward the hospital itself, terminal illness prevention research and the three housing facilities for patients’ families.

In total, the TKE Week events raised around $1,900 for the hospital. “Anytime that we are able to raise money for St. Jude’s it is a success and because everyone was able to have fun, it made the week worth all the hard work that goes into planning it,” said treasurer John Koch.

TKE Week not only offered a week of fun events for students, but it also served to unite the community for a good cause. “What I enjoyed most about TKE Week this year was the overall spirit and positivity surrounding the week. We sold all of the products we purchased from St. Jude’s gift store and raised thousands of dollars for the hospital,” said philanthropy chair Brannan Griffin. “It was really awesome to have such strong support from the Spring Hill community for our philanthropy and greatly appreciate everyone’s efforts to help us save children’s lives.”

DOUG BRUCE/Photography Editor

Contenstant Vega climbs into a tent full of live grasshoppers.

DOUG BRUCE/Photography Editor

Middle: Senior Alex Holder struggles to unlock the container that holds what item he will be forced to eat at the ‘Fear Factor’ event.

DOUG BRUCE/Photography Editor

Left: Sophomore Geraldo Vega braces before biting into indects during the ‘Fear Factor’ contest on Saturday, Oct. 31 on the South Lawn.

Page 9 The SpringHillian November 5, 2009

Life & Culture

Student Spotlight: Marcus Coleman

Senior Marcus Coleman shares how his passion for basketball and his family brought him to the Hill.

GREENBERRY TAYLOR Sports Editor

Starting at guard, measuring 6-feet tall and weighing 180 pounds, number 23, Marcus Coleman.

If you do not know senior Marcus Coleman, you can find him one of two places: the hardwood of the recreation center or the tennis courts. The tennis courts simply because they are the only other place on campus with basketball hoops.

And if he’s not on either court, chances are he’s kickin’ it with Spring Hill College “bromance” sensation, Rico Dread and Alex Looney. But most likely he’s on the court.

Plain and simple, Marcus Coleman eats, sleeps and breathes basketball.

To some, this may seem like an exaggeration or per-

haps as a plug to hype the Badgers’ upcoming season, which starts this Saturday at 2 p.m. at home, but neither of these are true. Basketball is just what Coleman is truly passionate about, besides the books of course, and he has the numbers to back it up.

Coleman is a three-point shooting freak. He currently holds two records in the threepoint shooting category: most three-pointers as an individual (274 before this season) and most three-pointers for an individual in a single season (115 in the 2007-2008 season).

Aside from being the reigning king from behind the arch, Coleman is currently No. 27 in the ‘1,000 point club’ with 1,103 points. Like the old saying goes, ‘numbers don’t lie.’

While numbers prove Coleman is ‘unconscious’ from three-point land, do not

Dr. Bordas provides some simple ways to conserve power in order to help preserve the environment DR. LESLI BORDAS

lbordas@shc.edu Associate Professor Chemistry

Source: Badger Athletics

think his success has come cheap.

Teammate and close friend, junior Rico Dread, said that Marcus is dedicated to every aspect of the game of basketball. “Marcus is one of the hardest working guys on and off the court,” said Dread. “He puts in the amount of work needed to get the job done, and he plays hard everyday like it’s his last time on the court.”

See Basketball page 11.

ROTC students gain training experience ROTC students from local colleges describe the downfalls and benefits of cadet training and how much they have in common with the typical college student DOUG BRUCE

Photography Editor

Recently, I walked down a trail through a wooded area behind the University of South Alabama on a Thursday afternoon. The air was slightly brisk and the clouds overhead began to trickle rain.

As the brush crackled beneath my feet, a small team of cadets dressed in their basic combat utility uniforms emerged from the woods. They were not armed with weapons at this moment, but rather compasses, plot sheets of Global Positioning Systems Coordinates, and the emerging skills that help them with a lifetime career in military service.

These are the Reserve Officer Training

DOUG BRUCE/Photography Editor Christina James andseveral Army ROTC cadets conduct a land navigation exercise.

Corps (ROTC) students from the University of South Alabama, University of Mobile and Spring Hill College conducting a land navigation exercise. This is one of the exercises the students from this battalion of Army ROTC conduct to sharpen their skills and

Do it in the dark

prepare them for advanced training.

But what makes these cadets interesting is that they do not just live a military lifestyle like many students would imagine Military Basic Training to be like.

See Local page 12.

So what’s it going to take to motivate Spring Hill College? I could throw a lot of statistics at you on how we consume more energy per capita than most schools, and how we have nearly doubled our energy consumption in just five years.

I could use guilt (I’m sure you’re familiar with that one) and associate energy consumption to egotistic behavior. I could use a logical persuasive argument but honestly Dr. Forstrom is much better at that. I could try being scandalous to get your attention and run across campus in the buff, but that would lead to more than one student needing counseling!

So I’ll stick to a catchy (and sexy) slogan.

Let’s do it in the Dark Spring Hill! This is our chance to demonstrate that we are capable of making a difference and that together we are a force to be reckoned with.

This is your time and this is your place. Are you ready?

This is what you need to do: 1. Turn off the lights. Not just yours. If they are on but nobody is using them . . . turn them off.

2. Use a power strip and connect all your

electronics into it. To make this work, you need to turn it off when you leave your room.

3. Only wash clothes when you have a full load.

Do you really, really want to use that shirt tonight?

Wash it in the sink.

4. Use CFL’s in all of your lamps. They use one fourth of the energy and last 5 years.

5. Adjust your thermostat to be a little warmer in the summer and a little colder in the winter. It’s not that big of a deal. Wear a sweater or take a cold shower.

6. Wash your clothes in cold water, always.

7. Unplug all of your bathroom appliances (hair dryer, toothbrush, curling iron, razor etc.) They all use electricity even when not in use.

8. Take shorter showers.

One of the biggest uses of energy is heating up water.

9. Hang your clothes up to dry.

10. Show your friends how to be eco-friendly.

It doesn’t sound like much, but that’s all it takes. So bring it on!

And do your part. Stay tuned to cardboard Mike (become his fan on Facebook) for more updates on how to save energy. It’s all up to you Spring Hill. You have the power.

Page 10 The SpringHillian November 5, 2009

Life & Culture

Get to know: Ellen Foster, Financial Aid Nocturnal Phantasies to Ellen Foster, Director of Financial Aid, discusses the challenges and rewards of working with students and the process of funding education

display in Eichold Gallery

lenge comes when she has to remind students that with financial aid comes great responsibility. As director, the end of the semester marks when Foster has to inform students the repercussions of their slipping grades.

She states, “The biggest challenge for me is at the end of each semester when my office reviews grades and completed hours. We are required to place students on financial aid probation or suspension, as set out in the Bulletin and/or by the Department of Education. It is often difficult to explain to a student that they may not be able to return to Spring Hill for the next semester. As fulfilling as getting them here is, it is the reverse to ‘threaten’ that possibility.”

If you would like to know more about Spring Hill’s financial aid programs or other means of financial support for students, you can contact Ellen Foster via e-mail at efoster@shc.edu, calling her at 380 - 3460 or stop by her office on the first floor of the rotunda in the Lucey Administrative Center.

The Eichold Gallery will be displaying the work of local artist Pier Hardin beginning this week

ELIZABETH FARREN Editor-in-Chief

Last week, The SpringHillian focused on Beth Jackson, Assistant Director of Annual Programs for the development office. In keeping with the same financial genre of the Spring Hill College faculty, this week The SpringHillian interviewed Ellen Foster, Director of Financial Aid.

Foster started at Spring Hill 15 years ago as an office secretary.

Throughout her time on the Hill, Foster has worked every position in the Financial Aid office. She worked her way up from department secretary to director. She has also worked as a loan specialist, counselor, assistant director and associate director until her current position.

Foster has always enjoyed the challenge of a new pursuit, which is part of the reason she enjoys working in financial aid so much.

As Director of Financial Aid, Foster works directly with families and the administration of Spring Hill. She also reports to the state and federal government. Foster also describes

SUDOKU

her position by saying “It is my job to make sure that we meet the financial needs of our students, while monitoring institutional aid, and staying within compliance of all the federal regulations for about 10 federal grant/loan programs. I also meet with parents, students, faculty, staff, and administration of the school to facilitate exchanges of ideas and programs to better meet everyone’s needs.”

Foster considers the best part of her job as her ability to help families send their children to college.

For many families, she is considered a miracle worker. Foster’s ability to help students find loans and financial support for college has helped many families afford Spring Hill.

She considers this one of her favorite parts of her job. “Being able to meet a family’s financial aid needs so that their family member can attend SHC is extremely rewarding,” said Foster. “When a parent or student reaches across my desk to extend a hand or hug, we make a connection that helps open the door to our campus community.”

Foster’s greatest chal-

Answer to last week’s puzzle:

MARY RIES mtries@stumail.shc.edu Contributing Writer

greens that allude to night.

When I look at her paintings I think of moonlight, fantastic botanical-scapes and sometimes the sense of vulnerability that accompanies darkness,” said Wanda Sullivan, Assistant Professor of Fine Arts. “I think everyone who comes to this show will be impressed.”

If this sparks your curiosity, Hardin will be available to discuss her works on Nov. 5, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dr. Alex Landi will be also be available to discuss the Master of Liberal Arts Program at Spring Hill College.

The Eichold Gallery is open from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The exhibit is free for all to come and step into new surroundings. For more information on the Eichold Gallery, contact Wanda Sullivan at (251) 380-3863 or wsullivan@shc.edu.

Need a break? Take a walk through the mystical world of the plant kingdom and feast your eyes upon an assortment of luminous paintings, filled with elaborate patterns and brilliant palettes. These creative pieces are the works of Pier Hardin and will be on display in the Eichold Gallery in the Fine Arts Building from Nov. 4 to Dec. 4.

Hardin has been an art, literature and creative writing teacher at UMSWright for more than 20 years. This exhibit, entitled “Nocturnal Phantasies,” will be held as her culminating project for her Master of Liberal Arts degree with a concentration in fine art.

Hardin is an actively involved member of society throughout the Mobile area. She has been a member of the executive committees of the Mobile Historic Development Commission, the Mobile Tree Commission and Streetscapes.

Along with teaching at UMS-Wright, she also teaches summer courses at the Mobile Museum of Art. “Nocturnal Phantasies” is guaranteed to take viewers into a whole new enchanted world.

“Pier Hardin’s paintings are mysterious and evocative. Ms. Source: Fine Arts Department Hardin uses rich Pier Hardin’s artwork, as shown patterns painted above, highlights the plant kingdom. in deep blues, and

Page 11 The SpringHillian November 5, 2009

Life & Culture

Mobile’s Greek Fest begins this week Last Heath Ledger film The annual Greek Fest arrives today in Midtown Mobile offering delicious food, church tours and exhibits chronicling historical events in the community to premiere next month KENDRICK DUNKLIN Op-ed Editor

Mobile’s Annual Greek Fest will kick off Thursday, Nov. 5 at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Midtown Mobile.

The Greek Fest is an event that includes Greek food, church tours, Greek dancing and music, shopping and a children’s carnival.

The Greek Fest offers a variety of food on its menu, which will be served in the Hellenic Center, or visitors can have the food delivered to their car through the festival’s Curb Side Pick Up.

Some of the food that is being offered includes lamb cooked on the spit, Grecian chicken, Dolmathes, Pistachio, Gyros, Loukoumades and Souvlakia.

Church tours will also be offered throughout the festival. The tours will allow visitors to see the ico-

nography in the interior of the church, the Byzantine architecture of the church and visitors learn about the traditions and customs of this 2,000-year old Greek religion.

There will also be two exhibits offered with the church tour. The Malbix Exhibit will present a historical and illustrative account of the Malbis Family. The AHEPA and the Daughters of Penelope will also have an exhibit of their involvement in the life of the Mobile Community.

Nick Trivelas and his Aegean Greek band will be featured at the Greek Fest for entertainment. The live band will play all three days of the festival.

The Hellenic Dancers will also be featured again this year as the dancers for the event. The Hellenic Dancers will perform over 200 traditional Greek dances from different areas of Greece, Cyprus and Asia

Minor, such as the Tzambeko, Sirto and Kalamatiano.

The Agora, which is the marketplace at the Greek Fest, will feature several vendors that will sell a variety of Greek items. Some of the items include Greek imports and souvenirs, Greek style jewelry, handbags and scarves.

The Greek Fest will kick off Thursday, Nov. 5 and runs through Saturday, Nov. 7. Hours of operation are 11 a.m. through 10 p.m. daily.

Admission tickets are $2 per person. You may also purchase a “Greek Dinner Plate” ticket, which includes the Greek dinner plate, an assorted pastry box and free admission, for $18.50.

Ticket proceeds will go to the Alabama School of Math and Sciences, the Bay Area Food Bank, Penelope House and Catholic Social Services.

Basketball star describes his love of the game Continued from page 9.

Since he was sixyears-old, Coleman has been handling the rock (basketball), but one year earlier he discovered his first true love, football.

Coleman’s football career started at the age of five as a running back. He played as a back until the sixth grade when he made the switch to receiver, and then as a cornerback in high school, where he was awarded as the best defensive back his sophomore year. However, Coleman forfeited his junior and senior year to take basketball “more seriously.”

“I loved football so much because it was the first thing I knew, but making the decision to quit actually

wasn’t that hard,” said Coleman. “People were telling me I could have been better in football, but I loved basketball so much more that it didn’t matter.”

Even though Coleman was on the grid-iron his freshman and sophomore years, he managed to make the varsity basketball team, averaging 14 points his sophomore year.

Coleman continued to make the varsity team the rest of his high school career, averaging 17 points as a junior and 18 his senior year. With Coleman’s impressive stats there was no doubt why the Hill wanted this impressive prospect, but Coleman chose Spring Hill for more important reasons.

At the end of his senior year of high school, Coleman found out that his mother was

diabetic. “Learning this about my mom made me want to stay close to my family,” said Coleman. “Plus, I loved the coach and SHC was fresh off a national tournament bid. The offense also fit my style of play the best.”

Throughout Coleman’s time here on the Hill, he said he has really enjoyed himself, both on and off the court.

From the friends he has made to the times he has had, it is no surprise that Coleman has been “gettin’ it in” since his freshman year. Even though he enjoys the flows of T.I. and watches LA Laker Kobe Bryant every chance he gets, there is still one thing Coleman said that stands out above everything else, “There isn’t anything else like playing the game of basketball.”

Late star’s film should hit the box office in December ANNA PLOVANICH alplovanich@stumail.shc.edu Contributing Writer

I have a feeling if any of you have heard of The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, it is due to the fact that it is Heath Ledger’s last movie. I mean no disrespect, but, from the clips I’ve seen, I think it deserves a little more credit than that.

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus began production in December of 2007 and wrapped in early 2009. The film is written and directed

by Terry Gilliam, the creative genius behind a slew of zany films, including Monty Python and the Holy Grail, 12 Monkeys and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. His newest film to date stars Jude Law, Colin Farrell, Tom Waits, Johnny Depp and, as afore-mentioned, Heath Ledger. As was the fact with The Crow and Poltergeist III, for a time production was at a standstill after the star’s death.

However, with a new ending and the help of computer-generated imagery, Imaginarium was completed.

The plot focuses on Doctor Parnassus and his traveling theater, which includes a mirror that allows his audience to escape reality and explore their imaginations. According to imdb.com, “Dr. Parnassus is cursed with a dark secret.”

Having obtained immortality from the devil, he has made yet another bargain in which, upon meeting his true love, he trades his immortality for youth, under the condition that his firstborn child will belong to the devil at age sixteen.

Upon his daughter Valentina’s sixteenth birthday, Dr. Parnassus makes another deal with the devil, agreeing to either seduce five souls or hand Valentina over. Furthermore, he promises a man named Tony his daughter’s hand in marriage if he will help him. Tony

is played by Ledger as well as Depp, Law and Farrell, who were cast after Ledger’s death.

Despite the expected downfall of the film, the cast and crew of Imaginarium pulled together to create a visually stimulating masterpiece. It has already been shown at various festivals around the globe and is predicted to open in the States on Christmas day. From the official preview, it looks as if The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus will prove to be a fantastic holiday film.

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Page 12 The Springhillian November 5, 2009

life & CulTure

Local students give insight into the life of military training Continued from page 9.

Glenn Gardner, a senior and Student Government Association President at University of South Alabama has been involved in ROTC since he started school. He says, “A lot of people don’t realize that those in the Military are actually very different. We have many with differing religions, political views, and life experiences. Many in the cadet core here at South are involved in many types of activities. Things like theatre, religious organizations, honor programs or societies, Greek Life, or even SGA. We are taught to be well rounded individuals, and in doing so the quality of the program becomes well rounded as well. Despite some of our differences our common link is we love our country and are willing to commit much of our time and effort to preserving everyone’s way of life.”

Gardner explains there is a closeness that exists in this cadet community. He continues, “Many cadets in the program become the best of friends because we PT together every day, have similar classes,

SUDOKU Fill in the grid so that every row, column, and 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9. Answers for the puzzle will be in next week’s paper.

labs, field training exercises, and often room together.

I myself have made many great friendships that will last well into my Active Duty Career.”

Christina James, a Command Sergeant Major cadet in the program expresses the same sentiment. She says, “Army ROTC is much like any fraternity or sorority. It’s a brother/sisterhood. You are more likely to run into the people you were in ROTC with than the people you may have graduated college with. The Army is like a big family and that is how I see ROTC, as a big family.” James has been involved in ROTC for five years, two in high school and is now in her third year at USA. The cadets’ training is not limited to this area.

Every semester there is training at places like Fort Benning, Eglin Air Force Base, or Camp Shelby.

Eric Ball, a junior at Spring Hill was part of the battalion from August 2007 until he volunteered for deployment in October of this year.

According to Ball, a typical ROTC day looks like this: “Physical Train-

ing from 0530 to 0700.

Regular classes at their parent school, and then an Army focused class lasting one hour followed by a “Military Science Lab” which generally lasts from 1430-1700, but can last until 2100 if night land navigation is the focus. The training isn’t hard, its just unusual.”

Last summer, James went through Leadership Development and this summer she completed an Assessment Course. She explains, “It is a month long and we conduct a lot of different events such as: Day and Night Land Navigation, APFT, confidence course, water confidence course, first aid training, gas chamber, a 10k ruck march, grenade assault course, U.S. weapons training, STX lanes, and Patrolling lanes.”

Due to recent times, training for cadets has had to evolve. Gardner describes how his training had changed into foreign diplomacy as well as urban warfare in environments like Iraq or Afghanistan.

He says, “We still go over a lot of urban type tactics but with an emphasis now on working with local groups

DOUG BRUCE/Photography Editor

A cadet in training works his way through the woods, attempting to master the land navigation course. and media to connect with the people. In most cases the military is the first experience others have with our American culture so it is important that we not only be warriors but effective communicators and diplomats on the battlefield.”

Because of their distinctive uniforms and time commitment, there are some misconceptions of the Army ROTC program.

Ball says that many people think that the cadets are actively part of the army. He explains, “Nothing could be farther from the truth, the majority of the cadets have no contract to serve the army until they reach their junior year. As well, many cadets already have military service either with the National Guard or the Active Duty prior to joining the ROTC program.”

Not only has the training evolved but over recent decades, so has the opportunities for women.

James expressed that she

loves ROTC, and that being female has not impeded her at all. She says, “One of the best parts about being in ROTC is that ‘you’ are a cadet, a future leader. It’s not about whether you are a male or female. We are all here for the same purpose, to serve our country. In my opinion, it has nothing to do with your sex.” James also expresses, “ROTC is a course designed to train men and women to become future leaders in the military, whether it be for the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, or any other branch of service.”

Gardner encourages anyone who is interested to look into the program. He says, “If anyone is interested in joining the ROTC programs offered here at South I would highly encourage them to contact someone and talk about it before deciding the military is not for them. There is no obligation or commitment if you want to try it out for your freshmen year.”

Page 13 The SpringHillian November 5, 2009

Lady Badgers get final home victory Seniors Melissa Williams and Maura O’Callaghan get a big victory playing in their last game home game as Lady Badgers.

GREENBERRY TAYLOR

ence opponent Concordia College-Selma 3-0 at home

by match scores of 25-3, 25 The Lady Badgers won 9 and 25-15. their final home game of the

The first set was all 2009 season Tuesday night Spring Hill as they took 10-0 against Talladega College lead and built it up to a final 3-0. Spring Hill College won of 25-3. The second match by match scores of 25-9, 25was not much different as the 13 and 25-12.

Lady Badgers jumped to a

Senior Maura 6-0 lead out of the gate and O’Callaghan scored nine ended the match with a total kills with three total blocks of 25-9. while senior libero Missy

However, Concordia Williams recorded 14 digs took control in the third, takand four service aces. Soph- ing a 7-6 lead early, but the omore setter Sally Reese Lady Badgers would not be handed out 27 assists. phased as they rallied, goThis win ing on a “We came together and played 11-1 run was not only im- well as a team for our last that turned home game of the season. It portant into a 17-8 was nice to get one last win on lead before since it was the ending in a our home court.” last home 25-15 win game of for Spring the season, but also because Hill. it marked senior night for

Once again, Marchand O’Callaghan and Williams. lead the Badgers getting

Williams said that getnine kills. Sophomore Reese ting the win meant a lot dished out 20 assists and six because “we came together service aces while Williams and played well as a team for had seven digs and nine reour last home game of the ceptions. season. It was nice to get one Before the win over last win on our home court.”

Concordia, Spring Hill fell

Conference foe Belon the road to Jesuit and haven College defeated the GCAC rival Loyola UniverLady Badgers 3-1 on Halsity New Orleans 3-0. LUNO loween afternoon in Jackson, defeated SHC by match Miss., by match scores of 25- scores of 25-17, 25-20 and 16, 19-25, 25-19 and 25-20.

25-23.

Junior Cassandra

Marchand lead the BadMarchand racked up 16 kills gers once again with 10 kills with 10 digs while senior while Williams added 23 Williams added 25 digs digs. bringing her career total to

The Lady Badgers play 2,118 digs. on the road next Tuesday

Two days earlier on night in Livingston, Ala., Thursday, Oct. 29, the Lady against the University of Badgers crushed non-confer- West Alabama at 7 p.m.

Sports Editor

Greenberry Taylor Sports Editor gbtaylor@stumail.shc.edu

Sports

Men’s soccer team wraps up the season The men’s soccer team finishes up the season with a tough loss in the GCAC Tournament Wednesday afternoon and say farewell to senior Zechariah GREENBERRY TAYLOR Sports Editor

The No. 4 seeded Spring Hill College men’s soccer team fell to No. 5 seeded LSU-Shreveport 3-1 Wednesday afternoon in the “play-in” round of the GCAC Tournament.

Sophomore Gable Fortune scored the Badger’s only goal one minute into the second quarter.

The men’s soccer team squeezed past the NCAA D-2 Hurricanes of Georgia Southwestern State University on Halloween, defeating the Canes 3-2 in an overtime thriller.

After a first half goal from a free kick from

sophomore Brice Privett.

The Badgers had a 1-0 lead until freshman team captain Andy Poveda scored at the 63 minute mark of the second half off of an assist from Privett, extending their lead to 2-0.

The Canes came firing back, scoring goals at the 73 and 88 minute marks of the game to tie the match and force a ten-minute overtime period.

With their backs against the wall and pressure building the Badgers prevailed. Junior Ryan Burns headed a Privett corner kick into the goal with only one second left on the clock to secure the win for the Badgers.

Junior goalkeeper Corey Bronenkamp picked up the win in goal with five saves.

Previous to the overtime thriller against GWS, the Badgers fell to arch- rival The University of Mobile by a score of 4-0 on Thursday Oct. 29.

Bronenkamp made three saves against 17 Mobile shot-attempts.

The Badgers finished up the regular season with a 5-14 overall record and were 1-3 in the GCAC.

Many players will be returning to take the field next year for the Badgers’s except senior Zechariah Townsend who graduates this spring.

Page 14 The Springhillian November 5, 2009

SpOrTS

Fall season brings with it a breakdown of the Breeder’s Cup James Love writes his thoughts about what makes this great American horse racing tradition stand out from all of the others JAMES LOVE

jvlove@stumail.shc.edu Contributing Writer

Early November has brought us back to standard time and the first true feelings of year’s end, since it is not getting dark around 5 p.m. The next two days will also mark a feeling of year’s end on the calendar of major horse racing in the United States.

The 26th annual Breeders’ Cup World Championships of Horse Racing will take place this Friday and Saturday at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Cali. There will be 14 championship races for the second straight year at the Breeders’ Cup. Six of the races will be on Friday and eight of the races will be on Saturday. The Breeders’ Cup is known as the richest event in sports, because the races carry a combined purse of 25.5 million dollars. The event is culminated by the richest horse race in the United States, the five million dollar Breeders’ Cup Classic.

The Breeders’ Cup is essentially known as the year-end championship for racing. The fourteen races represent fourteen different racing divisions based on gender, age, racing surface and race length. The best horses from all over the world compete for the right to be known as the best horse in their division and to hopefully be recognized as the Horse of the Year at the annual Eclipse Awards for horse racing.

Five races will be restricted to only female horses and they will all be run on Friday. The Juvenile Fillies Turf --- two year old horses only ---, the Filly and Mare Sprint, Juvenile Fillies, Filly and Mare Turf

and the Ladies’ Classic. The Ladies’ Classic is a nine furlong race on Santa Anita’s all weather track restricted to female horses ages 3 and up.

Zenyatta, a five year old female, is the defending champion of the Ladies’ Classic. She is 13 for 13 in her career and a win in either the Ladies’ Classic or the Breeders’ Cup Classic could help her seal Horse of the Year honors. Zenyatta has never faced male horses in her dominant run, so the Breeder’s Cup Classic could be a tall order for her.

I, however, have learned to not doubt female horses against males over the last few years, because Rags to Riches won the 2007 Belmont Stakes and Rachel Alexandra has dominated male competition all year.

In fact, Rachel Alexandra is currently the favorite to lock up Horse of the Year honors, even though she will not run in the Breeders’ Cup. The other nine races will be open to male and female horses. The Marathon is the only one of these races that will be run on Friday. The eight Saturday races will be the Juvenile Turf, Dirt Mile, Turf Sprint, Juvenile, Sprint, Turf Mile, Turf and Classic. The Classic --- and not the Kentucky Derby --- is the true pinnacle of horse racing in the United States and the world for that matter. I will take a look at a few favorites in the Classic and then make a bold prediction regarding the outcome of the race.

Zenyatta is still undecided between the Ladies’ Classic and the Classic, but if she runs in the Classic she will be considered one of the favorites, because of her success at Santa Anita.

Summer Bird was the long

shot winner of the Belmont Stakes this year and he is slated to run in the Breeder’s Cup Classic. He also won the Travers Stakes at Saratoga in August and the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont in the fall. He

will be one of the favorites in the Classic, despite having no experience on Santa Anita’s all weather track and having most of his success in New York.

I keep mentioning that the Breeders’ Cup is a

spectacle for world horse racing and the top European horses always come in full force to win big races.

Last year, a European horse named Raven’s Pass won the Breeder’s Cup Classic See Horse page 15.

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Page 15 The SpringHillian November 5, 2009

Sports

Women’s soccer continue post season run Lady Badgers beat LSU-S to guarantee a spot at William Carey on Friday GREENBERRY TAYLOR Sports Editor

The fifth seeded Lady Badgers defeated fourth seeded Louisiana State University of Shreveport 1-0 Tuesday afternoon in the “play-in” round of the GCAC Tournament at Belhaven College in Jackson, Miss., to keep their post-season alive.

The majority of the game proved to be a defensive battle on both sides of

the field. However, the ladies of Spring Hill College proved to be more determined on the offensive front

With only five minutes remaining in regulation, freshman Sarah Uptmor scored the only goal of the game off of an assist from sophomore Katie Pendergast, securing the win for the Badgers.

Junior keeper Emma Pitchford had two saves and

as a team the Lady Badgers took 20 shot attempts and six corner kicks while Louisiana State University of Shreveport only got off three shot attempts and two corner kicks.

This win advances the Lady Badgers to the GCAC Playoffs, where they face top seeded, fourth ranked in the NAIA, William Carey University at William Carey in Hattiesburg, Miss., this Friday at 6 p.m.

Badger basketball is ready to start their season Men’s basketball begin their season this weekend against Southeastern Bible College GREENBERRY TAYLOR Sports Editor

As the Badgers prepare to tip-off another season this Saturday at home against Southeastern Bible College at 2 p.m. they will be welcoming back some familiar faces to the starting line up along with some new additions to their roster.

Seniors Marcus Coleman and Owen McNally return to the starting lineup for their final season as Badgers. Coleman, 6’0 and 180 pounds, will resume his position as starting shooting guard while Mcnally, 6’7 and

220 pounds, will return to the starting power forward position and might also see some time in the post.

Aside from the seniors in the starting line-up, fans can expect to see junior Nick Brown, 6’8 and 260 pounds, back down low at center and also sophomores Antonio Birch, 5’11 and 170 pounds, at point guard and Chris Dees, 6’5 and 215 pounds starting at small forward.

Over the summer the Badgers picked up some new talent like freshmen Alex Looney, 6’6 and 190 pounds;

Greg Eckblom, 6’4 and 170 pounds; Alex Grant, 5’9 and 145 pounds; John Redman, 6’0 and 185 pounds and junior Greg Pulliam, 6’3 and 173 pounds.

Last year the Badgers finished the season with a 1910 overall record and were 117 in the GCAC, before losing to LSU-Shreveport 58-7 in the GCAC Championship game.

Expect to see the Badgers looking good this season with their impressive returning starters and also their deep bench, which is stacked full with a deadly arsenal of talent.

Horse race has many unique breeds Continued from page 14.

and in the process he upset the heavy favorite Curlin.

This year the European’s will send another strong contingent and their headliner in the Classic will be an Irish bred named Rip Van Winkle. He has won two straight group one races in England on the turf and should take kindly to Santa Anita’s all weather track, like Raven’s Pass did last year.

Many folks may consider Quality Road the second best American male horse in the race behind Summer Bird, because he

ran a close second to him in the Jockey Club Gold Cup and third behind him in the Travers. I, however, think that Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird is still the second best American male in the race despite recent weak efforts. Unlike Summer Bird, he has experience at Santa Anita and on artificial dirt surfaces and his deep closing style could be strongly benefitted by a hot pace between Quality Road and Regal Ransom.

He will provide an attractive price and the three favorites --- Zenyatta, Summer Bird, Rip Van Winkle

--- are either coming in off of a couple of slow winning efforts (Zenyatta) or have no all weather track experience.

Play a small all Bird exacta box and take a long shot flyer with Mine That Bird. If you want to trust all weather track form and feel she is capable of pulling it off against the boys, bet on Zenyatta if she runs.

The Breeders’ Cup will be on ESPN2 Friday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. and ABC at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday. Enjoy a weekend filled with great championship racing action.

31st Annual Battleship

RUGBY

TOURNAMENT

THIS WEEKEND AT USS ALABAMA MEMORIAL

Come out and support The Spring Hill College rugby team this weekend as they participate in the 31st Annual Battleship Rugby Tournament this weekend.

There will be four fields hosting different games from 9-4 p.m. on Saturday and 9-1 p.m. on Sunday.

Men’s Club teams include: The Renegades, Gypsies, New Orleans, Nashville, Baton Rouge, GRU Collegiate Select Side, Pensacola, Battleship, Cayman Islands Development Side, and Birmingham.

Other teams participating include: women’s clubs,

RECENT RESULTS TEAM MS

DATE Oct. 29

OPPONENT Univ. of Mobile

OUTCOME L: 4-0

VB WT MT

Oct. 29 Oct. 30 Oct. 30

Concordia College Selma William Carey Univ.

William Carey Univ.

W: 3-0 RESCHEDULED RESCHEDULED

MS VB VB MG WG

Oct. 31 Oct. 31 Nov. 2 Nov. 2-3 Nov. 2-3

Georgia Southweastern Belhaven College Talladega College Univ. of Mobile Classic Univ. of Mobile Classic

W: 3-2 L: 1-3 W:3-0 3rd of 7 5th of 7

KEY MS- Men’s Soccer WG - Women’s Golf MT- Men’s Tennis MB- Men’s Basketball

MG - Men’s Golf VB-Volleyball WT- Women’s Tennis

UPCOMING GAMES TEAM MC

DATE Nov. 7

OPPONENT GCAC Championships

SITE Clinton, Miss.

WC MB MB

Nov.7 Nov. 7 Nov. 9

GCAC Championships Southeastern Bible Coll.

Auburn-Montgomery

Clinton, Miss SHC SHC

VB MT WT

Nov. 10 Nov. 11 Nov. 11

Univ. of West Alabama William Carey William Carey

U of W A WCU WCU

Page 16 The SpringHillian November 5, 2009

Sports

Sports Snaps Highlights from Badger sports

DOUG BRUCE / Photography Editor

The Spring Hill College baseball team faced off over family weekend for their traditional purple and white series scrimmage. Over the course of the scrimmage, players provided plenty of entertainment with impressive pitching, hard hitting and noholds-bared sliding.

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