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Tennessee Tech University | Cookeville, TN | 38505 | Est. 1924

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Volume 96 | Issue 11 | Free in single copy | February 8, 2013

Administration to address domestic partnership employee benefits By SUZI VAUGHN Beat Reporter

Tech’s faculty senate has appointed a three-person sub committee to frame a statement in response to the University of Tennessee at Knoxville’s statement endorsing same sex benefits for employees. The issue will be resumed on Feb. 25 review the statement for approval. The faculty senate discussed extending benefits not only to same sex couples but also to heterosexual couples cohabitating. They seek a statement more

inclusive, not only extended to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered community, but extend to heterosexual domestics partnerships. A letter from University of Tennessee Knoxville Resolution supports same sex couples to receive the same benefits, as heterosexual couples, including health benefits, family leave, and educational assistance. A response has been submitted by Chancellor Jimmy G. Cheek and Chancellor, Larry Errington, UT-Knoxville, submitted a response to the UTKnoxville letter stating that the

statement is inconsistent with the public policy of the state expressed in the constitution and statutory provisions. The Tech faculty senate would like to discuss what freedom, if any, the university can exercise in extending some benefits such as access to the library and fitness center to domestic partnerships. A new admissions policy was discussed and approved by a faculty senate sub council allowing each school to decide how students will make up those deficiencies. The senate said that it did not mean all

students would have to take extra courses that each department will decide. Many in state school courses are recognized, but some out of state courses are not recognized at Tech. The sub council also approved to pass an increase in salary for adjunct faculty stating that what was once the maximum salary will now become the minimum. The academic officers and president have yet to vote on this item for further approval. In other business, there has been some conflict in policy with grade appeals at Tech

through RODP. This item has been passed to the academic council for review. The Angelo & Jennette Vople Library has instituted Jstor, which is an online journal storage hosting academic journal archives. ILLiad is now offered at the library as way to access interlibrary loans online. According to the meeting, Get it Now will also be implemented in about two months as a new way to access more journals for research interaction. The new additions to the library will be further discussed in the Feb. 25 meeting.

Committee purchases solar powered stations By BISKIE HOLMAN Beat Reporter

Tech’s Sustainable Campus Committee and the Energy Conservation Group coordinated the purchase of six Solar Power-Doks charging stations to place in common areas on campus for the spring semester as part of the Green Initiative. Solar Power-Doks are selfcontained power charging stations that give students the option to charge technology while using true off-the-grid green power. The stations are constructed from poly-recycled plastic materials with easy to clean surfaces. The tables come in a variety of colors with the option of school logo locations available on umbrella surfaces. Solar Power-Doks run on green power collected from three 45 watt and one 100 watt solar panel located on the umbrella. The umbrella has adjustable angular settings, which allows maximum efficiency of the sun’s exposure during different seasons. The panels generate and store surge protected electricity that can be used day or night. Power levels are shown through digital readouts provided by a solar charge controller. Storage capacity for the table is over 5700 watts contained by two 225 Amp hour deep cycle Gel-Cell batteries. The tables provide four 110 vac 60 hz GFCI outlets for laptops and other common chargers. Also included are two USB Type A outlets that will allow students to charge cellphones and MP3 players while they study or socialize. Lighting for the tables come from two

The Rising Hollywood

Aziz Ansari, 29, began his career has a stand-up comedian in New York in 2001.

Aziz Ansari booked as SOLO comedian By JUSTIN MATHENEY Beat Reporter

Vanderbilt University

Tech will be among several other college around the nation to debut EnerFusion’s Solar Power-Doks stations, including Vanderbilt University.

700 Lumen high intensity low power LED systems operated with a push button on a timer for machine use at night. When informed about the new Solar Power-Doks, some students were skeptical while others showed enthusiasm for the project. “They sound neat. But, I think it’ll be more of a novelty though,” Andrew Russell, history major, said. “How much maintenance will these tables require? What if something breaks or wears out?” “I feel that they’ll be very productive for students, and I can see a lot of people using them,” Noah Medley, middle school education major, said. Students can expect to see other changes on campus this semester encouraged by the Green Initiative. Changes in-

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clude: renovations to upgrade lighting in bathrooms and stairwells, and campus-wide touchless faucets in restrooms. The Sustainable Campus Committee will meet Feb. 6 and March 6 in the Student Affairs room on the second floor of the RUC. These meetings are open for students to attend and voice their opinions. Students are encouraged to become involved with the campus-wide Green Initiative. “The variety of projects your money provides is beneficial for the community, budget, and college,” DeLayne Miller, executive officer of sustainable campus committee, said. “We love to hear from students and see what kind of ideas you have that we can implement on campus.”

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For the first time in the history of the SOLO Concert Series, Tech students are finally getting what they voted for. The winner of the popular vote, Aziz Ansari will be performing at the Hooper Eblen Center on April 4. Ansari received more votes than Gabriel Iglesias, Ralphie May, Joel McHale and Bill Engvall to win the contest, which took place last No-

vember. Ansari has appeared in “30 Minutes or Less,” “I Love You Man” and most popularly “Parks and Recreation.” “It has been one of the biggest thorns in my side since I have been president of SGA that we have not been able to get the winner of the contest on campus,” SGA President, Lee Gatts said. “It was never because we didn’t have the money. We had plenty of room there.”

See “SOLO,” page 3

Former presidential candidate to retire By KIMBERLY MANNING Beat Reporter Susan Elkins, vice president for extended programs and regional development, will be retiring at the end of the semester, from Tech after accepting a position with the University of South CaroElkins lina. Elkins previously ran for the office of the president at Tech but lost to Phil Oldham. Starting this fall, Elkins will be the founding chancellor of an online university called South Caro-

lina Palmetto College at USC. She has been with the University 20 years and her accomplishments at Tech are numerous. She was involved in the reshaping of regional economic development and was instrumental in the founding of the College of Interdisciplinary Studies. Elkins also worked to extend programs and further access to higher education across the region by implementing online courses for both traditional and nontraditional students. However, she said she does not feel as if she has worked a day in her life. Elkins described her current position at Tech as “fulfill[ing] people’s dreams.” See “Retirement,” page 3

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NEWS Page 2 | February 8, 2013

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- Feb. 5- 5:30 -Feb. 1 - 10:30 Classification: Intimidation Classification: Theft from Motor Vehicle Location: Browning Hall Location: Tech Village West (Parking Lot) Disposition: Referred to administration. Disposition: Open Case. Notes: Incident occurred on Facebook. Notes: Vehicle left unlocked.

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- Feb. 5 - 5:30 - Feb. 1- 3:55 Classification: Aggravated Assault Classification: Motor Vehicle Theft Location: New Hall South (Dixie Ave.) Location: Tech Village West (Parking Lot) Disposition: Closed. Referred to Dean of Disposition: Open Case. Notes: Subject shot with BB gun. Tech Students. Police officers watching for shooter. Notes: Suspect wrecked vehicle off cam pus. Cookeville PD investigating accident.

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Student enrollment sees flux By Casey Woodard Beat Reporter

Student enrollment for the Spring 2013 semester is down by about 1304 people from last fall but is up slightly from last spring. “We had 11,469 students enrolled last semester,” Dr. Robert Hodum, associate vice president for enrollment management and student success, said. “The official number for this semester has not been confirmed yet, but it looks like we have about 10,165 students enrolled this semester.” Graduating seniors is the main reason for the drop in enrollment from last semester. “About 900 students graduated in December,” Hodum said. “The drop

in enrollment between fall and spring is not unusual. Your fall class is usually the largest class of the year.” Non-returning freshmen are another reason for the decreased enrollment this semester. Last semester there were about 2,200 incoming freshmen. “Usually about 10 percent of our freshmen choose not to come back for their second semester,” Hodum said. “Of the roughly 200 freshmen who do not return, about 80 will go to a community college or a school closer to where they live, but many of those students will come back to Tech in the future.” Although enrollment is down from the fall, it is up slightly compared to the spring 2012 semester.

“Last spring we had 10,144 students enrolled, so this semester we are up by less than 1 percent,” Hodum said. “We have a better retention rate here at Tech compared to most of our sister institutions. Most schools in the Tennessee Board of Regents are reporting that enrollment is down from last spring. We are happy to be up.” Some students are noticing a decrease in the amount of people on campus compared to last fall. “Going back and forth between classes, it seems like there are less people,” Caleb Freeman, student, said. The official enrollment number for this semester will be confirmed later this year.

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9 Brittany Stovall Josh Knight works on a campus server switch called “the matrix” in Clement Hall. Knight says the switch is being phased out.

Out with Xythos, in with SkyDrive By Jordan Kerley Beat Reporter Last semester Tech decided not to renew the license with the Xythos system (U:Drive), causing students to find other ways to save files at the PCLABs. With the launch of the student email server in 2010, Tech decided not to renew the licenses with Xythos and discontinued the U: Drive file saving software on Dec. 31. “When the Xythos system was implemented in early 2007, it only allowed student to save 100 megabytes worth of files,” Dennis Hood, systems support manager, assistant director of information technology systems, said. “When we switched over to the live email server, students were given seven gigabytes worth of storage for files.” ITS sent out an email last semester stating that Xythos has become obsolete and that maintenance costs have continued to rise, so Tech has decided to discontinue the old system. Tech has been using money from the Technology Access Fee fund to pay the $40,000 license renewal fee each year. “This was a good thing

when it was first implemented but now it just didn’t seem like a good use of student’s money,” Hood, said. Students on campus have access to a file hosting service through their student email called Microsoft SkyDrive. SkyDrive is similar to the U:Drive except it allows students easier access to their files online. For students who do not want to use up all the space in their live.edu account they can use a free file hosting service website called dropbox.com. This website is a great tool for students who want to use devices other than a computer to access their files. Dropbox is a lot like the old U:Drive system in design making it is easy to understand and manage files. The Dropbox service offers apps for download on phones and tablets so that files can be seen while on the go. “When Xythos was first implemented, file sharing sites didn’t even exist, and now that they do, it just seems like a waste of money to keep putting into something that is already offered free online,” Hood said.

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Page 3 | February 8, 2013

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The one-mile walk will take place at 2 p.m. Feb. 9 on the Main Quad.

February kicks off events for women violence prevention BY ALEXIS MACALLISTER Beat Reporter

One out of every three women will be beaten or raped in their lifetime. February is becoming an eventful month as the V-Day movement, designed to end violence against women, expands in Cookeville. Tony Award Winning play, ‘The Vagina Monologues’ returns as well as two new events to raise awareness. With no time to waste, Art a la Carte located on 121 W. Broad St., hosted their first art showing devoted to the V-Day movement Friday, Feb. 1. A large group of local women came together to create and sell artwork for the cause. Cast

>> RETIREMENT CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 “The goal that I had when I came to Tech was to help the campus reach out to the region and provide access to education to people who couldn’t necessarily come and sit in a classroom at 18,” she said. “I have been so blessed. Nobody has been more fortunate than I have been to do what I love and help impact lives here in Tennessee.” Elkins said she believes recognizing the fabulous team she has worked with at Tech is the most important aspect of her retirement. Michelle Huddleston is the coordinator for service learning for student organizations and said she believes the department’s loss of Elkins is monumental. “I think Tech will feel the loss. I don’t know how they couldn’t,” she said. Huddleston has worked under Elkins for five years and has seen a

Murray Ledger

members from the play ‘The Vagina Monologues’ also made an appearance. A percentage of the proceeds made that day were donated to a local non-profit organization dedicated to ending violence against women. At 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9 students and community members are encouraged to come together on the Tech Quad for a rising/rally. One Mile for One Billion is a free event asking that we unite for a one-mile walk complete with speakers and a sneak preview of the latest Vagina Monologue. “Anyone who wants to participate can. The V-Day movement asks that we strike dance and rise for those one billion women who have been beaten or raped,” noted Diana Lalani, a Tech women’s centers adminis-

trative associate. Directed by Beth Thompson and Mary Boring, ‘The Vagina Monologues’ will be returning Feb. 14-16, to the Backdoor Playhouse. The cast is an array of 24 women entertaining the audience with different interpretations of what it is to be a woman. “Tickets are first come first serve. The show is starting at 8 p.m. so I suggest arriving thirty minutes early so you can be sure to have a seat,” Mark Creter, producer and former director of ‘The Vagina Monologues.’ Tickets are $12 general admission $10 for students. All money raised will be donated to the Tennessee Task Force Against Domestic and Sexual Violence.

variety of programs grow with her leadership. She has also experienced professional and personal growth of her own under Elkins’ direction. “I cannot think of anybody better to model myself after,” Huddleston said. “She is probably one of the most caring people I have ever met in my life. Her passion for Tech has always been amazing, but she has a passion for the community too.” Huddleston said Elkins has made significant accomplishments in developing opportunities for education and that she admires her relentless work ethic. Huddleston said that she has been on the phone with Elkins before at 11 p.m. working, while Elkins and her husband were waiting at the ER to get a fish hook out of his hand. “South Carolina doesn’t know what they are getting,” Huddleston

said. Elkins said she is looking forward to working at USC. She will establish South Carolina Palmetto College and its online program in its entirety. Her goals for promoting community involvement remain the same as her goals for Tech. Elkins laughed when she spoke of why she chose USC. “My accent was not going to work very well in the north and I don’t like snow and cold weather,” she said. “It’s a flagship institution and the system is attractive to me because I get to work all across the state.” Elkins said she will al-

A pickup truck struck Brittany Taylor, freshman nursing major, while she was crossing U.S. 641 in Murray, Ky Friday, Feb. 1. According to the Murray Ledger, traffic was halted in north and southbound lanes on the highway. Taylor was air-lifted to Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, where she is currently under medical supervision in stable condition.

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ways have a place in her heart for Tech despite her excitement about her new position. “Every student is special in their own way,” she said. “They all have their own story and each of those stories is special to me. Every student is a part of me, whether they are 18 or 81, 19 or 91. It’s great to have had a chance to be a part of their life by making Tech accessible to them. I’ll always be connected. My blood runs purple.” A retirement reception for Elkins will be at 2 p.m. Friday in the Tech Pride Room and is invitation only.

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Ansari will perform an hour to an hour and a half of a stand up comedy show. Ansair will bring an opening act with him. The opening act has yet to be determined by Ansari at this point. “We are excited,” Gatts said. “We are looking for everyone to help us spread the

word.” A date for the tickets to go on sale has not been officially set yet. Each student presenting their Eagle Card will receive two tickets for the event. All tickets are first come first serve. The first 600 students to arrive at the Hoop on the night of the concert will have the option to sit at floor level if they choose.

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OPINION

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Page 4 | February 8, 2013

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Can we afford to keep troops in Afghanistan? KRISTY HARDIN Opinion Editor

Beginning Sunday, Jan. 13, tens of thousands of troops from the 10th Mountain, 101st Airborne and the 1st Armored Divisions began boarding an aircraft bound for yet another combat tour in Afghanistan. When the war began in 2001, some of these troops were still in grade school, and will now be on their second or third rotation. But now, after a U.S. investment of $641 billion pumped into funding the war and victims numbering 2,162 dead and 18,188 wounded, the Pentagon reports that the Taliban insurgency that was thought to have been beaten is still active and resilient, that the Afghan government is still corrupt and that Afghan security forces are still unable to fight the war on their own. The Obama administration has been working with Afghan President Hamid Karzai during his recent visit to Washington to determine how many of the 68,000 U.S. troops currently in Afghanistan

will be needed through the end of 2014, when the Afghan army and police are supposed to assume responsibility for fighting the war. Administration officials say U.S. military personnel will almost certainly be needed after 2014 to advise and support the Afghans. But given the grim picture presented in the Pentagon’s latest assessment of the war, released last month, The Huffington Post asked Defense Secretary Leon Panetta recently how the administration could justify continued U.S. involvement in the war. “We have poured a lot of blood and treasure into this war,” Panetta responded at a Pentagon press conference. “We have made a lot of progress as a result of sacrifice by our people, and we’re not gonna walk backward.” When asked whether he saw any prospects for a negotiated settlement, Panetta indicated that further training of Afghan troops and more fighting

would have to come first. “The stronger position we are in, the better the chances over time of political reconciliation,” he said. Panetta and other U.S. officials insist the transition to a full takeover of Afghan security by its own forces is on track. But others aren’t so sure. “Afghanistan is hurtling toward a devastating political crisis,” the International Crisis Group reported this fall, concluding, “Plagued by factionalism and corruption, Afghanistan is far from ready to assume responsibility for security when U.S. and NATO forces withdraw in 2014.” In an equally glum assessment, Anthony Cordesman, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, writes “there has been no meaningful military progress since the end of 2010.” With Afghan presidential elections scheduled for April, 2014, Cordesman said he worries that there are “no public U.S. plans that show how the Obama administration will deal with either the civil or military aspects of this transition between now and the end of 2014, or in the years that follow.”

Photo courtesy United States Army

Statistics posted on our Army’s own website detail the deaths and wounds suffered in various wars and battles in American history.

One reason the media and some members of the American public are so adamant that the U.S. pull troops out of Afghanistan soon is the high number of casualties incurred during the past 11 years of war. However, compared to statistics posted on our military’s own website, the deaths and wounds our troops have suffered while in Afghanistan are merely a drop in the bucket when compared with either of

the World Wars, the Battle of Gettysburg, or even Sept. 11, 2001. The fact is, as pointed out by former U.S. Marine Christopher Dingwall, “Afghanis are not secure in daily administrations... they aren’t ready...they don’t have the resources or training to handle the situations [border crossings by Al Qaida and the Taliban]. When we leave, there will be a period of uncertainty and unrest. Only time

will tell if us pulling out the way we are is good or bad.” With the website Costofwar.com showing the cost of the war at $609 billion and rising every second, and with a national debt of $16,452,185,163,039.13 as of Feb. 5 at noon, many Americans are asking if we can afford to keep our troops in Afghanistan. The better question may be, can we afford to leave?

Mourning a hero: Former Navy SEAL Chris Kyle killed on US soil SARAH DINGWALL Assistant Opinion Editor

“When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.” Proverbs 21:15 (ESV) Former Marine, Eddie Ray Routh, killed former SEAL, Chris K y l e and his neighb o r over the weekend, at Kyle a shooti n g range in Texas. Many people will say that Kyle got what was coming to him, while others will say we lost a hero

THE

who saved more lives than he killed. “The number is not important to me. I only wished I had killed more,” Kyle wrote in his memoir, “American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History.” “Not for bragging rights, but because I believe the world is a better place without savages out there taking American lives.” We can compare someone like Kyle to the kings and judges from the Bible. They lead Israel to battles to keep the peace. King David is the most celebrated king in the

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Bible because of his war tactics, military strategies, and most important his faith in God. King David killed because he would do what the LORD told him to do so his kingdom and God’s people would be protected. Chris Kyle was doing no less than King David. Many people believe that because Kyle was a professed Christian that what he did in “murdering” so many people makes him a hypocrite. However, if people would stop to actually read the Bible, specifically the Old Testament, they will find many wars where people had to kill other people. “I’ve seen the blogs,” Kyle said. “People who have never been out there, never experienced it – and they think that, because I consider myself a Christian, I’m a hor-

rible Christian, because Christians aren’t supposed to be killin’ people. But you know what? In the Bible, God sent people to kill people. I feel extremely justified in what I did. I’m not out there murdering people; the people I killed were actively trying to murder my people, and I was out there trying to protect’em.” Truly Kyle represented the true nature of a Christian by protecting the people he loved. After being shot twice by the opposition in Iraq, he came home to protect his family and left the military. His Christianity is proven when you read about all of the efforts he made to help veterans through FITCO Cares, an organization that helps provide at-home fitness equipment for emotionally and physically wounded vet-

erans. He knew how to reach out a helping hand and in the end was killed in the doing. “We have lost more than we can replace. Chris was a patriot, a great father, and a true supporter of this country and its ideals. This is a tragedy for all of us. I send my deepest prayers and thoughts to his wife and two children,” Scott McEwen, co-author of “American Sniper,” said in a statement to ABC News. We have lost a true American hero, someone who put his neck on the line to save us, all of us. We need to honor what he did to save so many warriors who fight for our lives, not tear him down and say he was a murderer. He did what David did with one smooth stone and a sling. He had faith to save as many in this na-

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tion that he could. If we tear Kyle down, we tear our nation down. Pray, pray for his family, pray for your family, just pray. Men like Chris Kyle are few, but we have many who would give their lives for this nation. Don’t diminish what he did for us like we diminished what the men and women of the Vietnam Conflict did for our country. The people who serve this nation in any capacity that they could lose their lives deserve the utmost respect and we should honor them in every way possible. To the men and women who fight for us, we salute you and pray you come home to us and live without fear of what is around the corner. We pray you stay safe on the ground you call home, the United States of America.

4. Letters may not run in every edition due to space. 5. The Oracle reserves the right to edit for style, grammar, length and clarity. 6. Submissions must be received by 4 p.m. on Tuesday.

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DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in this newspaper DO NOT necessarily reflect those of Tennessee Tech University’s employees or of its administration.


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Page 5 | February 8, 2013

Women grab two in Nashville By SAM OMACHONU Beat Reporter

Jamal Ferguson Junior forward Dennis Ogbe goes up for a layup in the final minutes of a recent game. Ogbe and the team are looking to bounce back after a bad trip to Nashville put them on a two game losing streak.

Men’s basketball on two game skid By CALLEN HARRELL Beat Reporter Tech’s men’s basketball team looks to bounce back after a loss to Belmont when they host Jacksonville State University Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. The Golden Eagles visited Nashville Saturday to take on the No. 1 team in the conference, the Belmont Bruins. After a close first half, the Bruins had a three point lead over visiting Tech, however, poor ball handling and the Bruins’ key ability to capitalize on Tech’s mistakes ultimately lead to their ninth win in OVC play. “Fortunately for them, every time they [Bruins] drove it to the rim there was some contact and they were successful at the free throw line,” Tech head coach, Steve Payne, said. “Against a team like Belmont, you’ve got to take care of the ball and knock down some shots.” Senior guard Jud Dillard tied his mark from last season with his eighth double-double of the year scoring 17 points and pulling down 10 boards. Junior forward Dennis Ogbe led Tech’s scoring attack with 19 points and going three for four from behind the arc. Sophomore guard Javon McKay had a career high

four assists against the Bruins which lead the team in that category. The Golden Eagles will need to win out in the rest of their conference game to obtain a .500 record in OVC play but coach Payne said he cannot look that far ahead right now. “You can’t really worry about the tournament right now,” Payne said. “We’ve got to try to be the best we can be, day to day and game to game.” Payne said that having Jacksonville State in The Hoop Saturday is going to be a good opportunity for his team to get some momentum at home and get their February going. “Jacksonville State is a veteran team with a lot of guys that can make plays,” said Payne. “We’ve got to be able to take care of the ball, draw some contact at the rim, and hit our free throws.” Payne commended the faculty and students on their student support over the last few games and is hopeful that it will continue as they look to make a run in February. Saturday’s festivities include the Tech women’s basketball team taking on Jacksonville State University at 5:30 p.m. before the men tip off against JSU at 7:30 p.m.

The women’s basketball team returned victoriously from a two game road trip in Nashville. After a 16 point home loss to Murray State on Jan. 29, the women’s team went on the road to defeat Belmont University and Tennessee State University Saturday, Feb. 2 and Monday Feb. 4. In the first matchup against Belmont, Tech’s ability to capitalize on free throw shooting helped seal the victory. Tech visited the charity strike 25 times in the second half, scoring 18 points before capturing the 67 to 62 win. Monday night’s win against TSU was another close contest for the Golden Eagles. The games decision required overtime, in which senior Guard Lashay Davis caught fire; scoring the first eight of Tech’s 13 points in the extended time period. Tough defense and rebounding was enough to hold off the Lady Tigers and take a 71 to 68 victory. Junior and senior guards, Diamond Henderson and Jala Harris, led the women’s team in scoring during both away games. Harris scored game highs in both contests, scoring 21 and 19 respectively. Henderson, the team’s leading scorer, finished with 17 in both games. “It is very important for me and Jala to aggressive scorers.” says Henderson, “When we attack; we break down defenses which gets everyone else involved. That is also our roles on the team, and it is something we have to do every game.” Strong performances in rebounds were another factor in the two game winning streak in Nashville. Sophomore forward T’Keyah Williams led the way, bringing down 11 boards in each game. Williams also had one of her best college performances versus Belmont; finishing with a double-double of 10 points. “Rebounding wins championships,” says Williams. “I think that when teams get offensive rebounds, they are able to hang in there with us. They can’t beat us with the first shot, but they can if we allow them the second. Rebounding is important to our success and I take pride in it.” The two victories bring the women’s team to 13-10 regular season record. Along with improving to 7-3 in Ohio Valley Conference play, Tech is now tied with Belmont and Eastern Kentucky University for first place in the Eastern division.

Soccer team adds a solid class of nine on National Signing Day By EMILY HOMAN Beat Reporter

Matthew Hill Head coach Matt Bragga gets his team prepared for their Feb. 15 home opener against Illinois at Tuesdays practice.

Baseball team preparing for season opener

By DREW HASTON Assistant Sports Editor The Tech baseball team looks to bounce back this season after an off-year last season. “We do things the same every year,” Head Coach Matt Bragga said. “Last year, things didn’t click, and occasionally you’re going to have that.” The Golden Eagles went 21-32 overall last season and 10-16 in the OVC. Bragga was asked what the key was to getting back to the top of the OVC. “What we have this year, that I’m really excited about, is key player leadership,” Bragga said. “I’m really excited from that standpoint; I think the guys have done a great job with that.” Bragga added, “Another key is how do you handle adversity? How do you handle obstacles? The teams that can handle those issues are the teams that win.” Junior First-baseman Zach Stephens also commented on what will take to win the OVC. “We all have to do the little things so we can accomplish what we want to as a team,” Stephens said. “I feel so confident in our team and believe in all of our guys to get the job done this year.” Senior Outfielder, Austin Wulf also added what he thinks it will take to win in the conference. “To win an OVC championship, it’s

going to take a lot of hard work, persistence and dedication to reach our goals,” Wulf said. “We have a great group of guys that I love playing with, and I believe this group has a chance to be great.” Bragga noted that one of the biggest strengths for this year’s team is the depth with position players saying it’s the best the club’s ever had. “It’s very good depth, we’re a very athletic team,” Bragga said. Some impact pitchers for the Team this year will be Tristan Archer, David Hess, Jacob Honea and coming out of the bullpen, Seth Lucio. Archer was the Team’s ace last year, going 4-4 with a 4.04 ERA in 89.0 innings pitched. “Archer is our returning number one, he’s going to be great for us,” Bragga said. “David Hess was in our weekend rotation last year as a freshman and has had a good fall. Jacob Honea transferred in from Motlow and has had an unbelievable fall.” “Seth Lucio will be filling in for Cullen Park,” Bragga said. “That’s his role, he could easily start. He has electric stuff and a dynamite arm. I really like this guy.” The impact position players for Tech this season are first-baseman Zach Stephens, outfielders Austin Wulf and James Abraham, third-baseman Michael Morris, and shortstop Dylan Bosheers. Stephens led the team last year in every major offensive category with a

batting average of .368 with 18 home runs and 52 RBIs. Abrahams, Morris, and Wulf all had big years at the plate last year, all hitting over .300. “Zach Stephens is one of the most dynamic hitters I’ve ever coached,” Bragga said. “Austin Wulf is a great leader, he’s had some great years at the plate for us, and James Abraham is one of our captians.” “Dylan Bosheers started last year at second-base for us,” Bragga said. “He is going to end up being the finest shortstop I’ve ever coached in seventeen years. He works hard, he’s gritty, and, to me, he’s the prototypical shortstop.” Tech will open their season playing 12 of 13 games at the Averitt Baseball Complex. Those games include home series against two Big Ten teams, Illinois and Michigan State. “How does the team handle the challenges, obstacles and adversity,” Bragga said. “How do they handle the name across the chest in the other dugout? Do we come into that with, ‘hey, who cares. I don’t care who it is, we’re whooping them,’ or not. Those are things that at this time of year we’ll have to wait and see, but I believe in my heart how we’ll respond to that.” The Golden Eagles will open Feb. 15 against Illinois at the Averitt Baseball Complex.

The Golden Eagle soccer team added nine new players to its roster for the upcoming season on National Signing Day this Wednesday Feb. 13. Assistant Coach Corey Boyd was eager to talk about the incoming class. “We expect the new players to come in and bring some life to the program. They are all really excited for the opportunity to play at the next level,” said Boyd. The team will return 14 players in the fall, and has been working extremely hard in their off season. “We already saw a couple of players really grow towards the end of the season this fall, and we are excited about seeing them develop further,” said Boyd. “With adding such a big incoming class, we hope to see a lot of energy coming into preseason camp.” Despite the fact the team will be adding nine new faces, the program’s goals continue to remain the same. “Right now our goal is to and come together, to work even harder, and to try and fill in the sports that are now open with the senior class leaving,” said Leigh Heffner, senior defender. “We are mainly working on team unity and creating a more positive environment by encouraging one another.” “I think the team will be excited and ready for a new group of girls. It will take some adjusting as always but the main goal is to win the Ohio Valley Conference and to have an open mind set for the fall,” Ellie Iaciofano, junior forward said. The team is adding a variety of players, from both in and out of state. The incoming class will consist of five girls from Tennessee and the remaining from Illinois, Missouri, Maryland and Ohio. “As leaders we are going to try and help them feel at home and part of this new family they have joined,” said Heffner. “We are going to organize a lot of team bonding activities so we make the new freshmen feel welcome and comfortable around all of us.”

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Beyoncé puts past Super Bowl halftime performances to shame By JAKE THREET Entertainment Editor Months ago Beyoncé was announced to be headlining this year’s Super Bowl halftime performance. Needless to say, I was excited and a tad giddy. After the infamous nip slip and wardrobe malfunction during Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake’s Super Bowl XXVII show, the performers in the following years were a letdown. The National Football League decided to go with less risqué performers that included: Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, Prince, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Bruce Springsteen and The Who. No disrespect to those artists, I have tons of their songs on my iPod, but they were just not halftime show material in my mind. They did not really work that hard to get the crowd pumped up or engaged. After a string of halftime shows done by the legends, the NFL decided to start adding some flavor back into the show. In 2011, this began with The Black Eyed Peas. It failed miserably and I still have a headache from Fergie’s horrendous live singing. Last year, they made steps for improvement with the “Queen of Pop,” Madonna, taking the stage to perform. I love a good Madonna song and can belt “Like a Virgin” and “Like a Prayer” just as good as the next ‘80s music junkie, but unfortunately her show just could not totally take me there. It was good and I enjoyed it, but I needed something to get me out of my seat. Last Sunday, I was out of my seat in under a minute with Beyoncé’s performance. The beginning of the performance was crazy good. The voiceover leading into the fans running onto the field, the huge fiery pyro that exploded to show the amazing stage design and of course the enormous lit up statue that was behind her as she rose upon a platform was marvelously done. She then started into a few notes of “Love on Top” and, at first, I thought this was going to be her opening song, luckily I was saved from being

‘Vagina Monologues’ set to return to Backdoor Playhouse By HANNAH BENJAMIN Entertainment Critic

TV Week

Beyoncé’s Super Bowl halftime performance was watched by more than 104 million viewers.

disappointed. She sang a few more lines of the song and then the spotlight hit her. “Superdome 1, 2, 3, 4,” she said. Then bam, she went right into “Crazy in Love”. The way she was strutting down that stage, I knew she was coming for us and we were in for one hell of a show! I was out of my chair faster than Honey Boo Boo’s mom chasing a plate of ribs. She was working that stage and the crowd was going nuts! She went on to perform a song I did not know and also “Baby Boy,” both of which were good. Then the Destiny’s Child girls fly up on stage. Literally, they were catapulted from beneath the stage and I almost pissed on myself laughing. They started with “Bootylicious,” which happens to be my favorite song of theirs, and I loved every minute of it. Next, they did “Independent Women” and joined Beyoncé on “Single Ladies.”

The reunion was over and I was pleased. It was nice to see them reunite and Kelly looked good and sang nicely and Michelle was, well she was Michelle. Closing the halftime show, Beyoncé sang “Halo” and it was wonderful. Towards the end of the song, she started whipping her hair like a propeller on the fans in front of the stage and I hated them at that moment. “Halo” was really the first time she had sang all night and not focused on dancing, but nonetheless it was a great closing song to an awesome halftime show. Beyoncé set the bar very, very high for future performers and I’m anxious to see who the NFL will get for next year. After years of so, so performances and one Black Eyed Peas hot mess, the NFL finally scored with a winning halftime show. When it was over, I was left feeling very satisfied and even a little hot and sweaty. Sounds like a good time to me!

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This Valentine’s Day weekend, vaginas are taking the stage. The Backdoor Playhouse will present Eve Ensler’s ‘The Vagina Monologues’ for the eighth time since it was brought to Tech’s campus in 2001. The controversial monologues are performed every other year to promote awareness and to end violence against women and girls globally. It encourages discussions about something every female has, yet no one wants to talk about. While the title shocks most people originally, the monologues share a powerful message of love and community for women offering insight on what it is really like to be a woman. This year the show is directed by Mary Boring and Beth Thompson, two local women who bring fresh new ideas to the show in it’s fifteenth anniversary. The monologues, performed by women of all ages in Cookeville, gather in a coffee shop to share their experiences with love, relationships, sexuality, family and their trials and tribulations they face because they are women. This year’s focus is on the One Billion Rising movement. Did you know one in three women will be raped or beaten in her lifetime? Colleges and communities across America have been campaigning for change with V-Day events using ‘The Vagina Monologues’ and other

Backdoor Playhouse

The offical poster for the ‘The Vagina Monologues,’ opening Feb. 14 at the Backdoor Playhouse. artistic means to raise awareness for gender-based violence. In addition to the show, Tech will host a One Mile for One Billion rally on the Main Quad on Saturday, Feb. 9 at 2 p.m. Art à la Carte is featuring an (It Takes a) Village V-Day Women’s Art Exhibit featuring local female artists who collaborated with the Backdoor Playhouse production to raise awareness for One Billion Rising.

The actual performance dates for The Vagina Monologues will be Feb. 14, 15 and 16 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12 general admission and $10 for students. The proceeds go to the cause therefore, no discounts will be available. Seating is limited per usual in the Playhouse so get there early! Join the revolution and celebrate women this Valentine’s Day.

‘Warm Bodies’ breathes life into zombie genre By LINDSEY GORE Entertainment Critic

“Warm Bodies” puts a fresh spin on romantic comedies and shatters zombie stereotypes with an entertaining, lighthearted plot. “Warm Bodies” takes place after an epidemic leaves humans vastly outnumbered by zombies. Vinyl-collecting zombie R (Nicholas Holt) spends his days wandering around an airport with his fellow zombies until he is love struck by Julie (Teresa Palmer) after eating her boyfriend’s brain. R’s unusual relationship with Julie sparks a change in him, and he finds himself becoming a little less dead every day. While romantic comedies usually come across as more cheesy than anything funny, “Warm Bodies” combines two

unlikely genres to make a refreshing romantic comedy. Romance is not overpowering or cheesy and is not the center of attention the entire film, and the comedy does not rely on old or raunchy jokes. Frustration that R experiences as a zombie, torn between his life as a human and his life as a member of the undead, is where most of the film’s comedy comes from. R’s often deep, philosophical thoughts as a zombie are often funny and relatable to even those still living. “Warm Bodies” does not disappoint when it comes to acting either. Holt and Palmer have excellent chemistry and complement each other. John Malkovich plays Palmer’s father and an important military figure with precision, and Rob

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Corddry, who plays Holt’s zombie friend M, makes an unconventionally cute zombie. Dave Franco and Analeigh Tipton perform admirably in their roles as Julie’s boyfriend and best friend. The soundtrack works beautifully and sometimes ironically with the film. Featuring songs from bands like M83, Feist and the National set the mood for scenes and keep up the movies fresh feel. One of the few negative aspects of the film is the special effects work on the menacing skeletons, adorably nicknamed “bonies,” that eat anything with a heartbeat. The fact that the skeletons are made using computer-generated imagery is painfully obvious, and their movement is a little too unnatural and sticks out. The “bonies“ phony look is not enough to take away from the film’s cool, quirkiness, and it eventually goes unnoticed. “Warm Bodies” is the lovable, Romeo-andJuliet-esque outcome of the mash up of two unlikely genres that creates a film that is destined to become a cult classic. “Warm Bodies” is rated PG-13 for zombie violence and some language.


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