2014 5 1

THE

S TUDENT PRINTZ www.StudentPrintz.com

SERVING SOUTHERN MISS SINCE 1927

Thursday, May 1, 2014

Volume 98 Issue 55

MUSIC

Folk singer behind the strings USM graduate to release new album

Kate Dearman/Printz

Southern Miss graduate Jeremiah Stricklin will release Oh, Jeremiah’s new album,“Our Very Own Kingdom” May 2.

Kathryn Miller Executive Editor

Jeremiah picks up Mercedes, his Eastman Parlor guitar, and begins to strum a song all too familiar to him and the eager crowd at T-Bones Records & Cafe. He softly sings the opening lines to “Happy Now,” a song from his first album “Tall Tales and Tiny Fables.”

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The crowd relaxes and sways to the gentle collaboration between the guitar and the violinist, Erin Raber, who plays beside Jeremiah.

He trills on with a few more of the band Oh, Jeremiah’s popular numbers and he speaks to the crowd before performing his song, “Mississippi, I’m Yours.”

“This is for all the people in the crowd from Mississippi,”

NEWS Rodney Bennett President to be inaugurated May 2.

5

Jeremiah said. “You know, “The first thing I saw in was when there was no one there are those people that Jeremiah was his ambition for to play for. watch ‘The Help’ and think music,” Raber said. “Writing But Jeremiah is making his they know what Mississippi songs for a living has always dreams a reality and nothing is like. But, people from been his plan.” could make him happier than Mississippi can just sort of Before Jeremiah performed, to perform on stage with fans smile to themselves because he saw me and gave me a hug singing along to his songs. the real thing is kind of a and thanked me for coming.

“I am broke, but I am doing precious gem.”

He admitted he was nervous what I love,” Stricklin said.

The crowd laughs, and to perform and I told him not “I’m 24, and this is the happiest Jeremiah smiles big. He realizes to worry because there were so I have ever been.” he has just formed a personal many people here to see him.

See STRICKLIN, 6 connection with each fan.

He told me that the worst gig

FEATURE ‘Blackbird’ director

USM alumnus shares story of award-winning film.

7

A&E ‘Our Very Own Kingdom’ Oh, Jeremiah’s album conveys familiarity.

11

SPORTS Basketball Southern Miss names new head coach.

THE S TUDENT PRINTZ

Page 2 | Thursday, May 1, 2014

Editorial Staff Executive Editor Kathryn Miller kathryn.miller@eagles.usm.edu 850.565.0812 Managing Editor Alan Rawls gregory.rawls@eagles.usm.edu Chief Copy Editor Chris Greene chris.greene@eagles.usm.edu Copy Editor Courtney McNichols courtney.mcnichols@eagles.usm.edu News Editor Nikki Smith ashly.smith@eagles.usm.edu Sports Editor Joshua Campbell joshua.m.campbell@eagles.usm.edu

EVENTS Thursday, May 1

Sunday, May 4

Dead Days No activities allowed.

Softball FIU Noon Hattiesburg, Miss.

Friday, May 2 Dead Days No activities allowed.

Baseball 6:30 p.m.

Tulane New Orleans, La.

Saturday, May 3

Monday, May 5 Wellness Ambassadors | Health Promotion 10:30 a.m.

Shoemaker Square

Tuesday, May 6

Baseball 2 p.m.

Tulane New Orleans, La.

Student Eagle Club | Info Table 11 a.m.

TCC Atrium

Saturday, May 3

Wednesday, May 7

Softball Noon FUI Hattiesburg, Miss.

Alpha Kappa Psi 11 a.m.

Union Lobby

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NEWS

Thursday, May 1, 2014 | Page 3

ON CAMPUS

Bennett to be inaugurated Friday Alan Rawls Managing Editor

Just over a year after taking office as the 10th president of The University of Southern Mississippi, Rodney Bennett will be inaugurated at the Inaugural Ceremony Friday, May 2 in Bennett Auditorium.

Students, faculty and staff at The University of Southern Mississippi are invited to attend both the 2 p.m. ceremony and the following reception.

Bennett has been praised for his ability to connect with students and his eager willingness to better this university. Even before officially joining the Southern Miss community, Bennett attended and spoke at the February 2013 effort to clean up debris in the wake of the EF-4 tornado.

“This is our institution,” Bennett said the morning of February 13, 2013. “It is going to succeed or fail based on what we do, and each of our personal commitment to its success.”

“You can’t depend on someone else to have the passion to make Southern Miss what we want Southern Miss to be and continue to be,” Bennett said that day.

In just one year Bennett has participated in a tornado cleanup, fought for the preservation of USM’s Army ROTC program, cheered for Southern Miss athletics, set forth short-term

ON CAMPUS

Landrum named Soldier of the Year Kirstie Lowery Printz Reporter

Courtesy Photo

and long-term goals for USM and more. Bennett even began Dr. B’s Book Club, an incentive meant to encourage student reading throughout the summer.

Furthermore, Bennett is the first African-American president of what has historically been a predominantly white institution of higher learning. For this achievement, Bennett was listed among EBONY magazine’s Power 100, an annual list of the most influential AfricanAmericans in the nation.

With such an active and groundbreaking president, the Southern Miss community will now have the chance to formally honor Bennett in this Inaugural Ceremony. The ceremony will celebrate not only the university’s new leadership, but also a bright new era under the guidance of Rodney Bennett.

Courtesy Photo

William Landrum, a sophomore criminal justice major, has been working hard to earn his stripes in USM’s U.S. Army Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (ROTC) Program. Landrum recently had the honor of being named the State Guard’s Soldier of the Year.

According to the university website, Landrum competed with other students Feb. 24 through Feb. 28. Throughout the competition, Landrum bested the other competitors in activities that displayed

mental and physical capabilities.

The competition included activities such as a six-mile march, land navigation written test, written essay, call for fire, warrior tasks, stress shoot, first aid, soldiers creed and a board meeting as well as other extremely difficult tests. According to the website www.goarmy.com, the ROTC program at Southern Miss is among the best programs in the country, and it is therefore a great training program for those going into the army.

Winning this title has enabled Landrum to move on to the regional competition.

This level will take place at

Camp Blanding in Florida and will feature similar activities that Landrum participated in during his competition at Southern Miss.

According to the Southern Miss ROTC website, students at the university who choose to become a part of the ROTC program will not only gain leadership skills, but also financial aid in the form of scholarships and stipends.

Also, the program provides jobs for every student after he or she graduates. Upon receiving their degree, students will be commissioned as an army officer either on active duty or Mississippi National Guard.

NATIONAL

Southern Fried Comics to host Free Comic Book Day Allison Edwards Printz Reporter

Saturday, May 3 is set to be the day when thousands of people around the world will flock to their local comic book stores to celebrate Free Comic Book Day, an annual event for comic enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

Downtown Hattiesburg’s Southern Fried Comics (SFC) will be hosting its own Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) event featuring nerd core hiphop artist Adam WarRock and artist Chris Haley, co-creator of the webcomic “Let’s Be Friends Again.”

University of Southern Mississippi alumna Taylor Meyers has been working at SFC since the shop opened in 2010. She said FCBD provides the local community with the opportunity to experience something new.

“I think that FCBD definitely offers Hattiesburg residents a view of a different side of the city they might not have known existed before,” Meyers said.

“We get people who wander in all the time who say, ‘I had no idea people still read

comics.’ So FCBD offers to shed some light (on) that. Yes, comic book fans do still exist and are thriving, and they are right here in Hattiesburg.”

Owner and manager of SFC Barry Herring echoes the international praise that Free Comic Book Day has received on the event website.

He said that in his personal experience comic books can be beneficial to people of all ages.

“Opening a comic shop was always a dream of mine,” Herring said. “I’ve loved comics since I was a little kid, and I credit them with inspiring my life-long love of reading.”

For the past three years, SFC has connected with a local charity on FCBD to raise money and supplies for various causes. This year’s FCBD charity partnership is with the United Blood Services of Mississippi.

Co-Founder of SFC Jayme Foster explains that her store chose this charity because they saw that Mississippi was an area with a high demand for blood donations.

“Mississippi is a blood import state,” Foster said.

“That means that we don’t

donate enough to supply our community with the lifesaving blood it needs.”

“A few recent incidents like the SXSW tragedy brought it to our minds. After looking into it and discovering how low our local supplies are, and how many myths keep people from donating blood, it just really made us want to shine the light on blood donation.”

What are those myths exactly? Foster said many people think they cannot donate because of certain medical conditions, because they take certain medications or because they have a tattoo and so forth. Yet in reality donation restrictions are constantly being updated, and it is important to let people know if these restrictions no longer apply to them.

Those who attend FCBD, who decide to donate blood or platelets can put their name on a VIP list which will give them access to extra perks and freebies in addition to their free comic book, courtesy of SFC. The event is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 3. For more information, visit the Southern Fried Comics Facebook page or the Free Comic Book Day at SFC events page on Facebook.

NEWS

Page 4 | Thursday, May 1, 2014

WEATHER

Tornado leaves Tupelo in disarray

Zachary Odom/Printz

Joe Holloway surveys damage from the American Legion in Tupelo Tuesday morning, April 29. A dangerous storm system that spawned a chain of deadly tornadoes over three days flattened homes and businesses, forced frightened residents in more than half a dozen states to take cover and left tens of thousands in the dark Tuesday morning.

Hunt Mercier/Printz

Kim Linych and her neices and nephew sit outside, grieving the destruction from the dangerous storm system that killed nine people in Mississippi and several others in neighboring states. Tupelo, the hometown of Elvis Presley, tallied one of the total 31 deaths resulting from the Monday night twisters. Bart Aguirre, the Tupelo chief of police, said emergency crews will have their hands full this week. These crews began their work Tuesday morning by going door to door, searching for both the living and the dead.

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FEATURE

Thursday, May 1, 2014 | Page 5

MOVIES

Director’s vision soars in ‘Blackbird’ Polk talks latest release Crystal Garner Printz Reporter

Patrik-Ian Polk spent years supporting the work of other visionaries. In the late ‘90s, his name was attached to bigbudget productions like “Soul Food,” films which did not focus on the visibility of gay black characters, contrary to his vision.

“I wanted to tell a quaint, moving love story,” Polk said.

His latest film, “Blackbird,” tells just that.

“Blackbird” received the Best Feature Narrative Award this year at the 15th Annual Crossroads Film Festival held in Jackson, and the film premiered in February at the Pan-African Film Festival in Los Angeles, where it received the Founder’s Award.

With more film festivals coming up this summer, Polk aims to have the film released commercially in the fall.

When Polk transitioned from Mississippi to Massachusetts as a teen, he left the disclosure of his sexuality in the South.

“When I get off this plane, every person that enters my life from this point on will know my sexuality,” he said.

A trip to a bookstore in Boston marked the beginning of a vision. He explored a gay and lesbian section, something he had never seen before.

“As I thumbed across the books, there was one book with an illustration of a black person on the cover, and it was ‘Blackbird’ by Larry Duplechan,” Polk said. “It’s considered the first black, gay, coming-of-age novel, and I loved every page of it.”

For the first time, he read a story that was similar to his own. “I was always frustrated by the lack of representation of black gay characters or stories in entertainment, and I quite simply was tired of never seeing myself onscreen,” said Polk. He knew one day he would turn this book into a film.

Back in his hometown, Hattiesburg, he later obtained his undergraduate degree at The University of Southern Mississippi in 1994.

Under the teachings of screenwriter instructor Dixon McDowell in 1991, Polk

Courtesy Photo

“Blackbird” Director Patrik-Ian Polk

wrote his first version of “Blackbird.”

“I certainly remembered the script from my class,” said McDowell, who suspected Polk would do great work.

“You can’t teach talent and

you can’t teach drive,” he said. “I am very proud of him and the program is proud, but it’s not because of me that he is a success.” Remembering Polk’s days as a student, “he would have been a success

anyway,” said McDowell, who only hopes he offered a hand.

Polk later attended film school in California. A proud McDowell visited Polk in Los Angeles on the set of his first feature film, “Punks,”

produced in 2001. Centered around a group of gay black friends, the feature made its debut at the Sundance Film Festival in 2000.

He then put a television series under his belt in 2005 when he created “Noah’s Arc” for Logo TV, a channel targeted toward the LGBT community. Like “Punks,” the series featured gay black men in the plot.

Nearly 25 years after being introduced to a peculiar novel in a Boston bookstore, Polk’s vision of “Blackbird” has finally become a reality.

While he ensures the heart and soul of the book remains untouched in the movie, the film has a different perspective.

“The novel ‘Blackbird’ is set in the 1970s in rural California, whereas I set the movie in present-day Hattiesburg,” Polk said.

“Blackbird” stars Oscarwinner Mo’Nique, Isaiah Washington and the main character, USM student Julian Walker, who makes his on-screen debut.

Polk was one of approximately 50 attendees invited to the Essence Black Men in Film Dinner, hosted

by Tyler Perry, a grounding moment that he said still has him pinching himself.

“Sidney Poitier, Spike Lee, Tyler Perry, John Singleton, Blair Underwood, Gayle King and Jill Scott, I am one of their peers,” Polk said, as if having an “aha” moment.

“Mr. Perry spoke eloquently of his own struggles in his career and mentioned the awe he felt walking into Oprah Winfrey’s grand home for the first time. He said he hoped having us to his home that night inspired the same hopes and dreams in us, and it most definitely did in me.”

Polk, an award-winning director and producer, was inducted into the School of Mass Communication and Journalism’s Hall of Fame in 2008.

“Patrik is the university’s most distinguished filmmaker graduate,” said Chris Campbell, director of the School of MassCommunication and Journalism. “He’s doing groundbreaking work.”

THE S TUDENT PRINTZ

Page 6 | Thursday, May 1, 2014

Stricklin continued from page 1 Jeremiah Stricklin, like many other singer/songwriters, knew music was all he ever wanted to do. He picked up a guitar when he was 11 years old and never put it back down. As a kid, he was equally obsessed with rock bands such as Blink-182, but that never deterred him from pursuing his interesting folk sound that transformed into his first album. Stricklin encourages everyone to follow their dreams and to keep moving forward when things get tough.

“It may not be easy, but it’s the happiest you will ever be,” he said.

Stricklin was born and raised in Laurel, which he refers to as the ugly stepchild of Hattiesburg.

He attended Jones County Junior College for two years where he studied music theory, and he majored in classical guitar.

Stricklin then transferred to The University of Southern Mississippi and joined the School of Mass Communication and Journalism, where he fell in love with the entertainment industry program. But, after graduating in 2012, Stricklin soon realized that his degree was just a shiny plaque he could hang on his bedroom wall.

Stricklin was the lead singer of the Mount Rushmores, a student band at Southern Miss. The band was together throughout Stricklin’s time at USM, but the band split after playing at a concert with the popular band Switchfoot.

Stricklin decided to pick up the pieces and pave the way for his music career by creating a name for himself and his band members - Oh, Jeremiah. But things were not as easy as he imagined. Stricklin had a kickstarter campaign for his first album, which in the end did not get funded. It was devastating for him at the time.

“There really isn’t anything you can do except push through the awkwardness until you’re doing something else worth talking about,” Stricklin said.

I watch Stricklin play his next song “Better Man” and think about how far he has come as a music artist, even though he is still in the early stages of his career.

During the time of Stricklin’s

Kate Dearman/Printz

Jeremiah Stricklin sits with Mercedes, his Eastman Parlor guitar, in McLemore Hall at The University of Southern Mississippi. He graduated from Southern Miss in 2012 .

2013 album release “Tall Tales and Tiny Fables” and touring in Austin, New Orleans and New York, Stricklin had a shining moment on Twitter that charged his motivation for his second album.

I am trying to be exactly who I am in my lyrics. I want to be honest, vulnerable and open about the biggest holes in my personality.

Jeremiah Stricklin Josh Ritter, a popular singer/ songwriter and Stricklin’s hero, tweeted at him after listening to one of his songs and told Stricklin he loved his first album.

“Nothing ever came of it, but there was something affirming about that someone I value so much in my professional life basically reached through my phone and patted me on the back,” Stricklin said. He came to the conclusion that this was a sign to keep going and that someone out there was listening to his music.

David Gustafson, the editor/ publisher of Hub City Spokes, saw something extraordinary in Stricklin. Gustafson said when Stricklin gave him “Tall

Tales and Tiny Fables” he was pleasantly surprised because it sounded more polished than anything else he had heard in the local music scene.

“He had a real unassuming nature about (his music) because most musicians or songwriters think that they are really, really great,” Gustafson said. “I don’t think he knew then and I don’t think he knows now how truly talented he really is.”

Gustafson said Stricklin’s voice, style and songwriting are very unique yet familiar at the same time.

“I think the world of him as a performer,” Gustafson said.

A year later, Stricklin is perched on a stool with his guitar in the middle of a llama exhibit at the Hattiesburg Zoo. Two llamas surround him and Stricklin thinks this will be ideal for his second album cover for “Our Very Own Kingdom.”

When he called the zoo to make arrangements for a simple picture, he had no idea they would let him inside an exhibit to play with the animals.

Stricklin’s new album, which will be released May 2, is about animals and monsters, metaphorically speaking.

He finds, however, that big parts of him are hidden in these characters.

“I hurt like everyone else and I don’t hide it in my writing,” he said. “By putting those experiences into other characters, I can take a step back and look at them like everyone else can. Sometimes I feel like I get to relate in the same way as the listener, just watching it all unfold.”

He loves telling stories and incorporating narrative into every song he writes, even if this means his songs are not playing on every radio station in the country.

“I am trying to be exactly who

I am in my lyrics,” Stricklin said.

“I want to be honest, vulnerable and open about the biggest holes in my personality.”

Every song he has written depicts the inner workings of his life such as the song “Circles,” which talks about the one unfortunate time he had the West Nile virus.

The first line of the song pulls the listener in as Stricklin talks about how time stands still.

I’ve never seen so many circles like I have seen here in this room.

The clock hands, they make circles, but time just doesn’t move.

“Happy Now” is also from a personal experience. Jeremiah had a high school sweetheart who was Mormon. He said she was a beautiful redhead, his tennis partner and his best friend. But, the dilemma was she wanted Jeremiah to be Mormon and he could not grant those wishes because he is Christian.

She moved to Utah and attended Brigham Young University and married a Mormon man.

Stricklin said he heard through mutual friends that she had gotten married.

But I heard everything. The words were hidden in a grapevine and thrown in my face.

But, Stricklin’s work life is not always about storytelling sessions filled with metaphors and creative anecdotes. He spends most days as his own business manager booking gigs and a new tour for this summer.

“Most people don’t see it, but I know for a fact that he works harder than almost anyone I have ever met,” Raber said. “He does all of the not-so-glamorous parts of the music business and rarely complains because he knows it’s necessary.”

Oh, Jeremiah’s drummer Cody Carpenter believes Stricklin is one of the most driven individuals he has ever met.

“I once asked Jeremiah what his backup plan was if he decided to not do music anymore and his answer was that he has no backup plan,” Carpenter said.

In his spare time, one can find Stricklin pedaling on his bike up and down the streets of Hattiesburg or melting away stress at the gym. He formulates new material when driving on the road, cutting the grass or reading a book.

Stricklin’s personal life merges with his music career as his songs and his performances bleed a sense of authenticity and a quirky, yet charming demeanor.

Carpenter admits that most people do not know Jeremiah cries every time he listens to “Amsterdam” by Gregory Alan Isakov.

“The tears usually start during the bridge,” Carpenter said.

On most days during the week, Jeremiah takes a seat in T-Bones Records & Café to start off his morning. He wears black thick-framed glasses and a shortbrimmed hat to cover his hairless head. His hat is a wardrobe staple since he started balding in his early 20s. Jeremiah’s look is completed with a light blue tee, gray skinny jeans and Cordones TOMS shoes. Raber said he has more shoes than any girl she knows.

Jeremiah sips his first black coffee, as he usually drinks four more before the day ends. His workday has only just begun and he is simplistically happy.

Memories float around in his head as he remembers a minuscule, yet unsurpassable moment in his music career.

Jeremiah played a solo gig in Birmingham and one of his high school teachers showed up that he had not seen in years. The teacher stayed the entire time and shook Jeremiah’s hand after the show and left. Jeremiah was disappointed that his teacher did not show more excitement. It was then when he got back to his hotel that he found a two-page e-mail from his teacher. He told Jeremiah he had turned into the man he was always supposed to be.

Recollections like this litter Jeremiah’s life as he continues to produce music that makes listeners feel right at home wherever they go and aspire to follow their dreams.

Thursday, May 1, 2014 | Page 7

REVIEW

Oh, Jeremiah delivers angelic album

Jeremiah Stricklin meanders through Southern Miss campus, guitar and harmonica in hand. Oh, Jeremiah’s first album is “Tall Tales and Tiny Fables” and “Our Very Own Kingdom” will be the band’s second album.

Kathryn Miller Executive Editor

I greatly admire singer/ songwriters who take pride in telling a story. They have a clear understanding of how to create a scene or tell a story metaphorically. The song lyrics convey their personalities as they reveal their deepest thoughts to listeners.

Jeremiah Stricklin, lead singer love of storytelling. of Oh, Jeremiah, has immersed “I wanted to challenge myself himself into the lives of animals, to tell a boring, real life event monsters and punching bags and make it captivating,” in his new album “Our Very Stricklin said. He said he dated Own Kingdom.” a woman who had friends who The five-track EP album were not too fond him. This song takes the listener through a is relatable to listeners who have rollercoaster of life, love and how had a similar experience. By our society has changed today. transforming humans into two “Two Animals,” the opening animals, this song has a whimsical track, was inspired by Stricklin’s twist on the unfortunate and

Kate Dearman/Printz

awkward situation.

“Beautiful Monster” is my personal favorite. This song possesses an air of nostalgia, allowing me to recollect those mornings when time stood still.

I can imagine myself under my bed covers, sipping my coffee and never wanting to leave my sanctuary for the rest of the day.

It also makes me think of past relationships and how I once

thought someone was perfect for me, and they turned out to just be a pipedream.

“It’s about being attracted to the parts of a person that you later hate them for,” Stricklin said. “Then even later, (you) later learn to respect and even love (them for).”

Stricklin wrote “Beautiful Monster” in 10 minutes and said it was one of the most effortless songs he has ever written.

“Scenic Route” is also about love, which Stricklin admits was written after a break up. “It was my attempt to living a little,” he said. “My idea was to go out and make a lot of bad decisions. I was all talk. I still went to bed at 10:30 p.m.”

Other intriguing songs on the album include “Punching Bag, ” which is a song about closure, and “Brothers and Sisters,” which Stricklin sings about how cruel people are on social media.

Most of the songs contain juxtaposition between the acoustic guitar and the violin, which gives Oh, Jeremiah a slightly different sound than most bands in the local scene.

Stricklin’s honest, quirky lyrics are relatable to many young people, whether one is moving on from a break up, going through the post-breakup stage filled with careless decisions or being bullied by someone on Facebook.

Although Stricklin has crafted each of his songs with sincerity and authenticity, “Two Animals” is his favorite song from this record. He said it is the best representation of him as a songwriter.

In this album, every one of Oh, Jeremiah’s songs are strikingly contagious and they leave a sense of familiarity ringing in our ears.

“Our Very Own Kingdom” is a record that fans will listen to as they are sitting on their front porch swings, drinking Fat Tire and wishing time would just slow down. It is familiar, fresh and honest.

Stricklin’s EP album is just a stepping-stone for his next fulllength record.

“My (next) record is going to contain everything in my soul I possess,” he said.

“There will be wild stories, more orchestral elements and brutal honesty.”

Oh, Jeremiah’s album release party for “Our Very Own Kingdom” will take place Friday, May 2 at the Thirsty Hippo. The event kicks off at 10 p.m. and a special guest will include The Squid & The Whale.

FEATURE

Page 8 | Thursday, May 1, 2014

LIFE

USM talks evolution of gender roles Megan Fink Printz Reporter

Women’s role in our society has changed a lot in the past century, but some women and men on campus at The University of Southern Mississippi believe that our perception of gender roles may still need to evolve before equality is achieved.

“Women today have more opportunities, but still face many of the same obstacles once in their careers that their mothers and grandmothers did,” said Kate Greene, an associate professor of political science at USM. Greene teaches a class entitled Women in Politics, among other classes.

“There is even more pressure on women to have the perfect body, perfect skin and hair, be the perfect mother and wife and have a career.”

Greene has hope that younger generations will continue to change the way that society views gender. “I want to note that more and more students are fighting for justice and equality in this world and that is a great thing,” Greene said. “My fear is that they will burn out too quickly because of all the other demands this world puts on them and because fighting for these things can be difficult and disheartening.”

Erin Curley, a senior graphic design m a j o r, presented her research poster at the Undergraduate Research Symposium this semester about the sexist way that advertisers appeal to males and females. She won

second place in creative and performance art research.

“Women still need to be on the same playing field as men,” Curley said.

For Curley, portraying gender in media and language is very important. “The concept of being female is still an insult for males, whereas being ‘like one of the boys’ is generally a compliment for females,” Curley said. “We need to change the mindset of what it means to be man and what it means to be a woman.”

Our perceptions of gender roles do not just affect the women on campus. Nicholas Powers, a s e n i o r music major, faces similar issues as a gay male. “I’m not out to most of my family,” Powers said. “They’re very classic southern. Like old school. It’s unacceptable (to them.)”

Powers said the problem is a combination of our regional culture in Mississippi and the result of a generation gap. “College-aged men and women are generally just more accepting. But the South in general is raised on (the idea that) homosexuality is sin and an abomination.”

Powers said that it is important to remain authentic, even if society disapproves.

“Live life the way it makes you happy. Don’t settle for what society thinks is the norm.”

Angelique Shumacher, a sophomore paralegal studies major, wants to become a judge advocate general (JAG) and practice law as an army officer. “I will constantly have to prove myself,” Shumacher said. “In some ways, I have

to prove myself more than the males.” Although she may face extra challenges, S h u m a c h e r is confident in her future as a JAG. “I think society is changing for females,” she said. “It is not

Source: faqs.org

uncommon to see females taking fields such as law and the military, which are very male-dominated careers.”

As our society and economy change, women are graduating and entering the workforce

in greater numbers than their grandmothers did.

Some changes may still need to be made in order to achieve gender equality, but USM students seem ready for the challenge.

Infographic by Cody Bass

FEATURE

Thursday, May 1, 2014 | Page 9

ON CAMPUS

LIFE

2014 Summer vacation: Graphic Design trading lazy for lively Senior Show Destiny Reynolds Printz Reporter

Kara Davidson/Printz

Senior Neil Carey presents his display, “Mosaic,” at the Graphic Design Senior Show Wednesday evening, April 30. He has been working on this project all semester and he hopes the public will appreciate the hard work and time that he and his classmates have invested in their senior projects.

Kara Davidson/Printz

After years of hard work and dedication, the graphic design graduates of spring 2014 are showcasing their senior projects and celebrating their success at the Art and Design Senior Show.

It will be displayed in Cook Library until May 9th.

Summer vacation draws nearer each day, and in these times one’s mind naturally turns toward what one will do to occupy the summer break.

Many are thinking about ways to relax, trips to the beach, video games to play and other recreational activities.

However, with three months of vacation time ahead, one should consider doing something more productive than marathoning Netflix.

What is there to do that is productive, though?

Some students already have productive plans in place.

“I will be studying Victorian literature in London with the British Studies Program,” said Emma Reeves, a freshman English licensure major.

“Even though I will be giving up four weeks of my summer to do pretty extensive course work, it’s giving me the ability to go somewhere I’d never be able to see otherwise.”

Venturing abroad for a productive summer does not have to be limited to studying, however.

Wilson Williams, a freshman international studies major, will be going abroad with less of a focus on academia. “Most students picture summers abroad as either religious missions or scholastic pursuits,” Williams said.

“A third option on campus (which) people rarely hear about are the deployments given to cadets in the Army ROTC Program that volunteer to serve abroad over the summer,” Williams said. “In layman’s terms, I - as a part of a team of cadets - will conduct humanitarian missions (in Macedonia), like working with an orphanage to run a camp for the kids, or teaching members of the Macedonian military English. In short, attempting to, in some small way, help make the world a better place.”

For those that cannot go abroad this summer, be it for academic pursuits or to act as an ambassador, there is plenty to do in Mississippi. For those interested in volunteer work, Christian Services is a soup kitchen in Hattiesburg that serves meals to the homeless or needy five days a week.

Courtesy Photo

Potential volunteers can visit christianserve.org for a volunteer application.

St. Vincent de Paul is another organization dedicated to helping the needy through their outposts in Hattiesburg and Biloxi, as well as others across the nation. They are always accepting donations and volunteer work, with more information available at svdpusa.org, svdpbiloxi. org, or svdpofhattiesburg.org, depending on one’s local area.

In addition, volunteers are almost always needed at local animal shelters.

Those interested in academic pursuits should

look into taking summer courses at USM, either at the Hattiesburg campus or the Gulf Park campus.

Many courses are still available, and excess financial aid can be applied to the courses under the advisement of the financial aid department. If one cannot get to either of these campuses, one should consider speaking to his or her local community college about available courses.

While relaxation is wonderful and needed after a hectic semester, a productive summer is best to keep the mind and body in shape for the upcoming academic year.

OPINION

Page 10 | Thursday, May 1, 2014

HEALTH

‘Thinspiration’ craze lowers women’s self-esteem Destiny Reynolds Printz Reporter

With summer vacation coming up, it’s almost impossible not to hear the nearly universal cries of, “I want my bikini body.”

While there is nothing wrong with wanting to get fit for the summer, there is something wrong with the “perfect body” image that society is feeding us.

As I’m writing this article, I’m scouring the web for articles and blog posts and images about body image, and the results are, to put it nicely, horrifying.

For example, a popular movement on social media and media sharing sites such as Pinterest and Facebook is “thinspiration,” otherwise known as “thinspo.”

This movement is dedicated to the circulation of motivational images and posts in order to aid those struggling with losing weight.

This sounds innocent enough, until one looks at the posts. Many of them are proeating-disorder, giving tips on how to successfully starve yourself or how to purge after eating meals larger than half a grapefruit.

Some resort to fat-shaming, which is the promotion of thinness through the antagonizing and dehumanizing of those who are more than a size two.

Another popular revolution is the “thigh gap” that social media has recently become obsessed with. In fact, this movement to have an empty space between a girl’s thighs has become so popular that medical outlets are capitalizing on it. That’s right, there is now a medical procedure to give girls the much-sought-after “thigh gap.” This procedure is called CoolSculpting, and according to its primary website, coolsculpting.com, it is a noninvasive procedure that quite literally freezes the fat off of stubborn areas, like the thighs. This sounds wonderful, but the attitude it promotes that the only way to be pretty is to be skinny - is wrong.

Allow me to clarify a point here: there is nothing wrong with wanting to be more secure in your body image.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to lose a few pounds to be healthier, or the desire to be thinner to boost selfesteem. There are, however, proper methods to do so, and resorting to medical procedures is never a good idea unless it is

absolutely medically necessary.

In addition to being costly, there is always an inherent risk in medical procedures. There are also proper reasons to desire to lose weight, and wishing to do so simply because society tells us it is the right thing to do is

not one of them.

Sophomore political science and Spanish double major Taylor Provencher provides some insight into the matter of body image and satisfaction.

“There’s a lot to say on the subject, and as much as I

A.J. Stewart/Printz

This illustration is meant to depict the idea of going to absurd lengths in order to alter your body shape such as the CoolSculpting surgery.

would like to say I am not selfconscious about my body, I am,” Provencher said. “The focus on what exactly the ‘right’ body for a female is has shaped a lot about how I feel about myself.

That’s not how it should be.”

“There is no ‘right’ type. We may be the same species, but it doesn’t mean we were built to look the same,” Provencher said. “We are supposed to be different, and I feel that is what makes us beautiful. That being said, I feel this applies to males and females. Men are just as subjected to these insecurities as women, and it’s a pity that our culture has turned into this, but I can’t see it changing without some sort of drastic change in entertainment and other cultural sources.”

In addition, Joseph Jelinski, a sophomore molecular biology major, provides a male opinion on the matter. When asked whether or not he thought a girl has to have a thigh gap to be considered pretty, he said, “Of course not. Regardless of whether or not she does, physical beauty will still be mostly drawn from her face, hair and how she dresses. I think that thigh gaps are a fairly novel characteristic, and that is the reason they are getting so much attention.”

Ladies, you’ve heard it from the source: you do not have to have a thigh gap in order to be pretty, nor is the societal convention of what is considered pretty always the right look for you. Again, to clarify, it is perfectly fine to have a thigh gap if that is your natural body shape, but let’s face it, not all of us can have that muchdesired gap, and neither should we want to.

If you really want to lose weight this summer, go for it. Go to the gym a couple of times a week, eat more fruits and vegetables and fewer carbohydrates or jog around your block each night. There is nothing wrong with wanting to be happy and healthy. Don’t, however, let your body image remain at the forefront of your mind. Do not get sucked up into this lie that there is one set definition for pretty. Beauty comes from within, and it is who you are, not what you look like, that really counts.

SPORTS

Thursday, May 1, 2014 | Page 11

BASKETBALL

USM hires Doc Sadler to be next head coach Joshua Campbell Sports Editor

Since Donnie Tyndall left for Tennessee last week, Southern Miss Athletic Director Bill McGillis has been searching for his replacement as the head men’s basketball coach.

News broke Tuesday night that Southern Miss had offered the job to Stephen F. Austin State University head coach Brad Underwood (SFA), whom many believed would accept the job.

However, that is no longer the case.

Underwood has decided to turn down the position and stay with Stephen F. Austin. “Coach Underwood has indicated

USA Today Sports

to me that he will remain a Lumberjack,” SFA Athletic Director Robert Hill said in a press release.

With Underwood no longer in the mix, USM set its sights

on Iowa State assistant coach Doc Sadler and landed their second choice. Sadler was officially hired Wednesday night to be the next head coach of the Golden Eagles.

McGillis called Sadler a perfect match for Southern Miss. “(Sadler is) universally regarded by the greatest coaches in the country as an outstanding head coach,” McGillis said.

Tyndall even weighed in and said he was happy for his former players and that Sadler will do huge things in Hattiesburg.

Sadler emerged as the favorite Wednesday afternoon considering he has the most head coaching experience with stops at three other

schools: Arkansas-Fort Smith, UTEP and Nebraska.

In his two seasons at UTEP, who are one of USM’s biggest competitors in Conference USA, Sadler compiled a 4818 record including 25-7 in conference play.

His best season as head coach came in 2004-05 when he led the Miners to the first round of the NCAA Tournament with a 27-8 record.

While his six-year span at Nebraska is not nearly as impressive with a 10189 combined record, he was facing much stiffer competition in the Big 12 and later the Big Ten. The surprise hiring would have been Ladner who has

ties to USM dating back to being a member of the 1987 NIT Championship team.

He was even considered a few years ago when Tyndall was eventually hired and was recently hired to be the head coach at Southeastern Louisiana University.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Goodman, some of the other candidates that USM was considering were Wichita State assistant Greg Heiar, Murray State assistant Steve Prohm and Southeastern head coach Jay Ladner.

The press conference introducing Doc Sadler as the new head coach will be take place Thursday at noon.

GOLF

Eagles tie for sixth in C-USA Championship Wilton Jackson Printz Reporter

In Edmond, Oklahoma, the Southern Miss men’s golf team finished sixth in the 2014 Conference USA Championship tournament.

The tournament was played at the par-70, Oak Tree Golf Club. The Golden Eagles shot 298 in the first, 288 in the second and a 300 in the third round to finish at 46-over par for the tournament.

Senior Trent Hillis shot a 73, the best score for the

Golden Eagles during the first round and his best score of the tournament. He finished 21over par in 52nd place.

Junior Casey Fernandez finished the tournament tied at 10th place, his career-best finish. During the second round, he shot a 69, the best score by any Southern Miss player for the round. He ended the tournament, shooting a 73.

Senior Kevin Brady finished 26-over par, in 63rd place. His best score for the tournament came in round two, shooting a 70. However, in round three, he finished with an 80.

Sophomore Kevin Jordan finished in 30th place at 12over par. Jordan capped off the event shooting a 72. This was his team-leading seventh round of par or better for the year.

Sophomore Drew Kirby shot a 74 in round one and 75 in both of the final two rounds to finish the tournament 14-over par.

Rice shot 21-over par to win the tournament. The University of Alabama at Birmingham came in second-place, one shot below the Owls.

The C-USA tournament concludes the season for the Golden Eagles.

Courtesy Photo

Junior Casey Fernandez tied his career-best finish for 10th place at the C-USA Championship yesterday. Overall, the Eagles tied for sixth place.

SPORTS

Page 12 | Thursday, May 1, 2014

FOOTBALL

2014 NFL Mock Draft Joshua Campbell Sports Editor

Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Sept. 8, 2012; College Station, Texas; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) throws a pass against the Florida Gators in the first quarter at Kyle Field.

ARE YOU READY? To complete your Master’s Degree in…

ONE YEAR

Speaker’s Edge • Professional Development • Mentor Program

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR FALL 2014 DEADLINE TO APPLY JULY 1 Contact Ashley Jones at ajones@bus.olemiss.edu / 662-915-5483

www.olemissbusiness.com/MBA Speaker’s Edge • Professional Development • Mentor Program

1. Houston Texans – JaDaveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina: Clowney is too good of a talent to pass up here.

2. St. Louis Rams (from Washington Redskins) – Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn: Rams may look to trade this pick, but Robinson will help keep Bradford upright.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars – Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M: Owner Shad Khan needs to make a splash, and I think Gus Bradley sees Russell Wilson in Johnny Football.

4. Cleveland Browns – Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson: Watkins and Josh Gordon on the outside will give defensive coordinators nightmares.

5. Oakland Raiders – Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M: Raiders struck out in free agency at tackle and will look to rectify that here.

6. Atlanta Falcons – Khalil Mack, OLB, Buffalo: Falcons would love to have a dynamic pass rusher like Mack fall to them.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M: Lovie Smith was in Chicago when they drafted Alshon Jeffery to compliment Brandon Marshall.

Does the same here to compliment Vincent Jackson.

8. Minnesota Vikings – Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville: Vikings reached big on Christian Ponder, but get my favorite quarterback in the draft with Bridgewater.

9. Buffalo Bills – Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina: Ebron will help develop EJ Manuel as a receiving threat at TE. 10. Detroit Lions – Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State: Lions need help in the secondary and get a great press-man corner here.

11. Tennessee Titans – Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State: Titans lost Alterraun Verner to free agency, but get a solid corner in Dennard.

12. New York Giants – CJ Mosley, LB, Alabama: Giants had a lot of issues on defense last season and getting Mosley in the middle will help fix that.

13. St. Louis Rams – Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama: ClintonDix is a rangy thumper in the back end and will help take the Rams defense to another level.

14. Chicago Bears – Aaron Donald, DT, Pitt: Perfect 3-technique tackle for their scheme.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers – Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State: After losing Keenan Lewis last season, the secondary struggled mightily.

16. Dallas Cowboys – Anthony Barr, DE, UCLA: With DeMarcus Ware in Denver, Dallas looks to replace him with a skilled rusher off the edge.

17. Baltimore Ravens – Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville: Ravens are still looking to replace Ed Reed and Pryor is the perfect man for the job.

18. New York Jets – Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU: Regardless of who starts under center, the Jets need playmakers.

19. Miami Dolphins – Zach Martin, OT, Notre Dame: After the bullying scandal, the Dolphins line was in shambles. Martin will go a long way in fixing that.

20. Arizona Cardinals – Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State: Perfect QB for Bruce Arians’ system. Will get the luxury of learning behind Carson Palmer.

21. Green Bay Packers – Ryan Shazier, LB, Ohio State: Packers are still trying to fix a horrible defense that has kept them from going far in the playoffs.

22. Philadelphia Eagles – Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State: With DeSean Jackson in Washington, Eagles will replace him with the mammoth receiver Benjamin.

23. Kansas City Chiefs – Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State: Chiefs need playmakers, period. Cooks fits that mold with 4.33 speed.

24. Cincinnati Bengals – Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri: Bengals need to replace Michael Johnson. Ealy is the perfect man for the job.

25. San Diego Chargers – Kyle Fuller, CB, Va. Tech: Chargers actually do not have a lot of holes, but getting a guy who can do everything at the CB position never hurts.

26. Cleveland Browns (from Indianapolis Colts) – Blake Bortles, QB, UCF: A lot of people are a lot higher on Bortles than I am, but the Browns finally get their guy at QB. 27. New Orleans Saints – Dee Ford, OLB, Auburn: The Saints were hit with the injury bug last season at OLB and adding a speedster off the edge with Ford will give Rob Ryan a new toy to play with.

28. Carolina Panthers – Marqise Lee, WR, USC: The Panthers need WR help more than any other team in the league. Luckily for them, Lee is as pro-ready as they come.

29. New England Patriots – Ra’Shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota: Patriots love guys with position flex and Hageman’s blend of size and athleticism is too rich to pass up.

30. San Francisco 49ers – Stephon Tuitt, DE, Notre Dame: 49ers are always looking to beef up their D-line and get a pro-ready 5-technique in Tuitt.

31. Denver Broncos – Xavier Su’aFilo, G, UCLA: After the Super Bowl, it is evident that the Broncos need help with the interior of their line.

32. Seattle Seahawks – Cody Latimer, WR, Indiana: The best team in football grabs an intriguing prospect with true boom or bust potential.