Truman State University tmn.truman.edu THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018 tmn.truman.edu
@TrumanMediaNet TrumanMediaNetwork
FEATURES | Professors weigh in on the significance of St. Patrick’s Day Page 7
Communication department, TMN develop plan for budget cuts BY DANA BARTCH Staff Writer
cess television, was called TruNews until 2007 and News 36 until 2013. Detours is a travel magazine published since 1996. Truman Media Network was Editor’s Note: This is the first installment in a series created in 2013 by converging the four media outexamining how potential budget cuts would affect dif- lets and adding a website. ferent academic departments. TMN serves as an outlet for information and provides learning experiences for students interested in As a result of Gov. Eric Greitens’ proposed 7.73 per- journalism and broadcasting fields. cent cut to Missouri’s higher education budget, each “I think student media is essential,” Self said. “As of Truman State University’s academic departments a liberal arts institution, if we’re going to value civic has been asked to cut engagement, there are back on expenses. two things we have to The Department of teach — rhetoric and Communication will be journalism. You need asked to cut $20,000 for those two things to have the 2018-2019 school a functioning democracy year. The cuts to the — you need to be able to communication departunderstand and make arment will come from the gument and analyze ardifferent budgets of the gument and refute argudepartment like student ment. At the same time, media and forensics. in order to have arguAdministrators have ment, you’ve got to have not yet determined exgood journalism.” actly what expenditures Smith said student to cut or by how much, media is crucial to any but Communication Deuniversity because stupartment Chair Jay Self dent media reports on said the plan is not to campus life and serves eliminate any of Truman as a watchdog, keeping Media Network’s platthe people informed. He forms. However, he said said student media proTMN will likely have vides essential informafunds cut for student tion for students as well payroll and the printas entertaining news. ing of The Index, its two Despite the cuts, biggest expenses. TMN will continue to “Both the departproduce The Index in ment and the student some fashion. While the media budgets are on communication departthe line, but more so ment does not plan to the student media budeliminate any aspect of get at this time,” Methe organization, TMN dia Board Chair Mark will have less funding Smith said. Photo by Nicolas Telep/TMN and will create content TMN creates and dis- Students gather in Barnett Hall, home of the De- on a tighter budget. tributes news and en- partment of Communication. The communicaEvery department on tertainment to the Uni- tion department is one of the many academic Truman’s campus is faced versity and Kirksville departments across campus faced with a reduc- with proposed budgets through The Index, tion in funding, and Truman Media Network cuts and has managed de88.7 KTRM, Detours might face cuts as a result. spite them. The commuMagazine, TMN Televinication department and sion and the TMN webTMN are no different, but site. The Index, a weekly newspaper, was established Truman has handled financial setbacks such as this in in 1909. KTRM was established as a 3,500-watt FCC- the past and will continue to do so in the future. licensed radio station in 1998. TMN TV, a series of “[TMN’s future] is as bright as the students want to broadcasts on campus and on local community ac- make it,” Self said.
SPORTS | Bulldog swimmers compete for AllAmerican honors Page 14
New meal options increase SUB traffic BY RAQUEL PITTY-DIAZ Staff Writer
Sodexo will continue to offer new meal options on Wednesdays in Mainstreet Market, which have been available since January 2018. Bodacious Burgers and Wicked Wings are offered in place of Wholly Habaneros to meet students’ desires expressed in Sodexo customer surveys. The new options are available on alternate weeks. Justin Dreslinski, Truman State University director of dining, said the idea began during a car ride with John Stewart, Truman Sodexo operations manager.
Photo by Nicolas Telep/TMN The Wholly Habeneros stand in the Student Union Building’s Mainstreet Market hosts Bodacious Burgers and Wicked Wings on alternating Wednesdays. The new options have doubled business at the location when they are available. “We were talking about things that we could do different on campus … how do we offer more options without the added cost?” Dreslinski said. Dreslinski said Wholly Habaneros typically serves 350 people on Wednesdays, but after introducing Bodacious Burgers and Wicked Wings, customers have more than doubled. He said the new options are allowing students and returning customers to reconsider previous meal choices and try something new. “I don’t think you can go anywhere in town and get a half-pound burger on a brioche bun with fries for $7.50, you just can’t do it,” Dreslinski said. The new options and pricing are not only bringing Mainstreet customers back but are encouraging new customers to go out of their way to get these meals. Dreslinski said the main reason the wings and burgers were added was to bring something new and exciting to campus without the added cost of opening new retail space. Dreslinski also said he thinks the options will break up the monotony of everyday meals at Truman. “It’s a continual improvement process, and we get that information from our students, and I’m open to suggestions for the fall,” Dreslinski said.
Thomas announces student technology fee changes BY NICOLAS TELEP News Text Editor
Photo by Nicolas Telep/TMN Students work at computers in the Pickler Memorial Library lobby. Technology fees for students will transition from a per-semester to a per-credit-hour fee next semester.
Truman State University will make changes to student fees beginning fall 2018. In an email to students on March 9, University President Sue Thomas announced the completion of a review of student fees and said the fee structure will change. Thomas said students would be charged program fees for high-cost disciplines and course fees to cover costs in specific classes. Thomas also said students will be charged a technology fee of $4 per credit hour. This will replace Truman’s current technology fee of $17 per semester. “Truman has utilized special course fees for over 50 years in fields that are more expensive to offer or have specialized needs,” Thomas wrote in the Universitywide email. “Our goal in this revised approach is to make the course-related fees clearer and easier to understand, while producing some additional revenue.” Truman’s current technology fee is the lowest of any public university in Missouri. At the State of the University address in February, Thomas said of the $17 students pay each semester, $6 goes to Pickler Memorial Library and $11 goes to improving bandwidth for on-campus internet access. Currently, the fee is not raising enough money to improve technology in classrooms.
Technology Fee Current: $17 per semester Upcoming: $4 per credit hour
Truman currently has the lowest technology fee of all Missouri public universities
$48 per semester for 12 credit hours $68 per semester for 17 credit hours
Student Government passes resolution encouraging full state funding BY NICOLAS TELEP News Text Editor Truman State University’s Student Senate unanimously passed a resolution calling for the Missouri General Assembly to restore core funding to the state’s colleges and universities. Gov. Eric Greitens’ current budget proposal calls for a 7.73 percent cut to the core funding of each of the state’s four-year colleges and universities for the 2019 fiscal year. The proposal also calls for the withholding of another 10 percent of core funding if six performance measures are not met by an institution.
VOLUME 109 ISSUE 23 © 2018
Dave Rector, vice president for administration, planning and finance, said Truman has met all six performance measures for this year. If passed, this would be the third round of budget cuts for Missouri’s public colleges and universities since Gov. Greitens took office, after executive withholdings in January 2017 and a reduction in funding in the budget for the 2018 fiscal year. University President Sue Thomas has said Truman administration will plan for the worst-case scenario, a 7.73 percent cut to the budget. The resolution Student Senate passed highlights Truman’s awards and achievements and emphasizes Truman’s role as the state’s only public liberal arts college.
“While many public universities in the state of Missouri are implementing efficiency strategies, Truman State University has already been utilizing such strategies,” according to the resolution. “As 78 percent of state appropriations go to personnel, Truman State University cannot sustain another large cut to funding without losing vital personnel.” State Rep. Nate Walker, a Republican from Kirksville, previously expressed concern about the proposed cuts to the state higher-education budget and said he thinks the final budget will include more money for higher education than the governor’s proposal.
The Index
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THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018
Renovations begin at MO Hall
Photos by Nicolas Telep/TMN Top: The sidewalk and part of the parking lot behind Missouri Hall has been fenced off in preparation for renovation. The kitchen and dining hall will be renovated throughout summer 2018. Left: A temporary sidewalk is paved around the area. The fence was erected during Spring Break and work will begin before the school year ends. Bottom Left: Kitchen equipment sits on the sidewalk as the kitchen prepares for renovation. The kitchen has not been updated since it was built, and new equipment and air conditioning will be included in the project. Below: The plans for the renovation are on display in Missouri Hall’s lobby. The updated space will include new stations and seating arrangements.
staff Serving the University community since 1909 Editor-in-Chief Brently Snead Assistant Editor Johanna Burns News Editor (Text) Nicolas Telep Features Editor (Text) Rachel Fechter Opinions Editor Morgan Gervais Sports Editor (Text) Rachel Steinhoff Sports Editor (Multimedia) Jeremy Jacob Copy Chief MacKenna Palazza Assistant Copy Chief Trevor Hamblin Photo Editor Bethany Travis Design Chief Mariah Radle
Distribution Manager Jessica Rose Staff Writers Jase Willhite, Ashley
Murphy, Kennedy Martin, Paul Province, Patrick Pardo, Stephanie Hulett, Brooke Bailey, Travis Maiden, Ryan Pivoney, Dana Bartch, Gordon McPherson, Justin Newton, Aura Martin, Elisabeth Shirk Sales Manager Joey Iaguessa Copy Editors Molly Thal, Bethany Spitzmiller, Ellen Thibodeau, Allyson Lotz, Elise Hughes, Cara Quinn, Jenna Faulkner
Cartoonists Annie Kintree, August Davis Designers Georgia Gregory, Maddie
Kamp, Emmett Divendal, Emily Taylor, Kaitlyn Farmer Photographers Lawrence Hu, Athena Geldbach, Austin Dellamano, Daniel Degenhardt, Hannah Ahlenius, Samantha Garrett Distribution Representatives Greta Roettegen, Amanda Claywell Adviser Don Krause
The Index
THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018
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LETTER TO THE EDITOR | Our View inaccurately reflected cuts Submitted by Kathryn Hodge, senior art history major I saw The Index’s article about budget cuts, and many subsequent letters to the editor arguing that less frequent printing of The Index would be majorly detrimental for students and the local community. I would consider myself an Index reader because it is where I go to find campus news, but I disagree with this stance, and how the situation was handled in the article entitled “Our View: Cutting The Index cuts the journalism track.” Right now, everyone at Truman is feeling the effects of budget cuts, and we’ve all had to be understanding and make sacrifices. First, saying that the journalism track should be cut was insensitive to the students and faculty whose
programs actually have been cut, such as myself. This article was unable to prove how print journalism is superior to online journalism, which is central to the argument. For the record, I have always read Index articles online. I have never picked up a paper and have never seen anyone else with one. Additionally, there were no source citations for the claims that The Index is the primary news source for the Kirksville community. This article has inspired some very passionate pleas on the Index’s behalf, but it is unclear if the claims in the original article are even entirely true, which is not good journalism. This reaction seemed extreme considering that The Index will still exist, and will still be printed, just less frequently. If the argument is being made
that it is not appropriate to make cuts at the Index, then the article should have provided an alternative solutions, otherwise this is not being productive. $20,000 must be cut from the communication department’s budget, and unless anyone can provide an alternative for where that money should come from, the arguments that are being made will not prevent these cuts from being made. Yes, The Index is an important Truman tradition, but why is it less valid if published online? I understand what it is like when something close to your heart is affected by budget cuts. However, this was not an appropriate way to respond. This article should have been based on a productive argument, and provided reliable sources for its claims.
business. Welland said the changes allow for students to take more electives that are focused on what they are studying. “People are also doing this for health or science and technology or language teaching, and so [the business communication course] is really not relevant to everyone,” Welland said. “For example, I’m majoring in health sciences, and if I were to do the French for the professions minor, I can do French for the health professions.” French professor Audrey Viguier said she has wanted to change the program since she was hired last year, and the new changes might encourage more students to pursue the major. She said students majoring in French will not have to take a business class which will allow them to take another class they want. Viguier said Truman hired a new French professor, Mélanie Giraud, to help teach the new classes. Giraud specializes in French for the professions. She said along with taking two of the four new courses, students in the new minor will have to com-
plete an exam in the topics of business or tourism with the Chamber of Commerce. She said passing the exam grants students a Diplôme de français Professionnel, which translates to Diploma in Professional French. Students can add this accomplishment to a resume. Viguier said she is working on getting internship opportunities for students in Southern France. She said having professional experience in a foreign country is great for students, and the department wants students to be able to use French when they enter the workforce. “... if [French students] have experience as an intern in France, that’s amazing because very few students do that in the U.S.,” Viguier said. “We have a lot of double majors. Many of them want to become doctors, working in medicine, so that’s when they can use French.” Viguier said the department is still in the process of making and planning for the changes to the major and adding the French for the professions minor.
French program alters major, adds minor BY ELISABETH SHIRK Staff Writer
This fall, the Department of Classical and Modern Languages is making changes to the existing French major and adding a minor called French for the professions. The department plans to add new course options within the next few years, including French for business, tourism, medicine, and science and technology, to create more flexibility and versatility for majors and minors. Lucy Lee, classical and modern languages department chair, said current French students can choose to switch to the new catalog. Lee said she has long been advocating the greater flexibility to the French program. Sophomore Jonie Welland said before the changes, a requirement for the French major was the international business communication course, and that was re-evaluated because not everyone is interested in
calendar Global Issues Colloquium
March 22 7 p.m. Baldwin Hall Little Theatre Erik K. Olsen, University of Missouri - Kansas City economics professor, will be the speaker at the March Global Issues Colloquium. Olsen specializes in Marxist economics and will speak about worker cooperatives as a democratic alternative to capitalism. Students for a Democratic Society is sponsoring the colloquium.
“The Breakfast Club”
March 24 7 p.m. SUB Georgian Room A The Student Activities Board will host a showing of the 1985 John Hughes film “The Breakfast Club.” SAB will serve waffles and sausage patties while supplies last at the event. Food is guaranteed for the first 150 guests and gluten-free options will be available. The date of the showing is the 24th anniversary of the day the events in the film take place.
Free HIV/STI Testing
March 27 1-5 p.m. SUB Georgian Rooms Students can get a free test for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Results will be made available through an online portal and will be completely confidential. The Truman State University Nursing Department, Nursing Student Association and Student Government are sponsoring the event.
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THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018
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[ Our View]
Codes, ordinances should be applied fairly to businesses
Take time to be happy and healthy BY BETHANY SPITZMILLER Copy Editor Any time something bad happens on Truman State University’s campus, students tend to blame professors or administration because it’s easy. They seem to hold power, so we think they should be able to fix problems. It’s like how citizens often blame the government when anything goes wrong, no matter what — people frequently say things like, “Oh no, I dropped my chips! Thanks, Obama.” This might be happening because the administration is this big, faceless beast we assume so much about. We often forget the administration is made up of real people. We often forget professors are people, too. They’re spouses, caretakers and so much more outside of their jobs. The administration already has so many responsibilities. Administrators can’t make decisions for everyone, and honestly, they shouldn’t. Part of growing up is gaining the responsibility for decisionmaking. Students should be able to make the decision whether attending class is or isn’t an option. In the real world, if you get sick, you call in to work saying you can’t make it. At Truman, when there is too much ice for your car to safely drive up the hill to Barnett Hall, you should email your professor to say you can’t make it to class. If a class is stressing you out, take a personal day. Students often forget they’re allowed to be happy, so take time if you need it. The University can try to prevent students from making bad decisions, and they are taking steps to make this more possible. This spring, Truman is implementing a four-year, campus-wide
program called JED Campus to enhance mental health services. Also, a group of students have taken initiative to create a supportive organization called Positive Peers to allow other students who might be struggling with their mental health to have open discussion. There are so many helpful programs being formed, but there is always something you, as an individual, can do. The best thing students can do is improve the socioecological environment of campus. Make Kirksville, and specifically Truman’s campus, be somewhere people want to live. We should try to change what makes a Typical Truman Student. We often praise students who force themselves to the brink by staying up all night and studying, but are those students who are too stressed to eat or sleep really the happiest students? We should encourage all students to calm down. A TTS should be someone who is happy to learn. We should encourage all students to calm down.We should praise those students who get a lower grade and learn from their mistakes. We should praise those students who reward themselves with Netflix when they finish a homework assignment. We should praise those students who get eight hours of sleep and take care of themselves. At graduation, the student with a 4.0 GPA and the student with a 2.0 are both Truman graduates. Students covered in cords, medals and stoles and students wearing a plain gown are Truman graduates alike. Calm down, and take it easy. Getting a C as a final grade in statistics won’t kill you, and it’s not the end of the world.
While some might say zoning and sign codes are bureaucratic red tape consuming citizens’ time and money, they are important tools for municipalities to ensure economic development happens in a responsible manner. There is nothing wrong with updating such codes if necessary for businesses to flourish. However, there must be a reliable system in place to make sure they are evenly and fairly enforced. In the past year and a half, multiple national chains — including Menards, Hobby Lobby and Arby’s — have opened or announced plans to open locations in Kirksville. Along with the city’s recent economic boom has come multiple requests for zoning and sign variances. At the same time, the owners of multiple Kirksville residences have applied for special use permits to rent out their houses as Airbnb locations. Any one of these individuals or businesses who wants to alter the rules requires the city to schedule a Planning and Zoning Commission meeting or hearing to address the situation. We, The Index Editorial Board, think municipal planning ordinances should be
enforced fairly and equally. While it is good for our town to attract big employers, they should not be given preferential treatment when they ask for zoning or sign code variances. Sign ordinances certainly have a place in our neighborhoods, but their existence seems pointless if variances will be granted to any corporation that asks for one. Locally owned businesses should not be forgotten. If national chains are allowed to advertise their businesses beyond what would usually be allowed, local businesses should be afforded the same courtesy. Additionally, we think planned hearings should be sufficiently advertised and hosted regularly enough so concerned citizens can know where and when to make their concerns known. The city certainly does not try to hide these hearings from public view, but municipal government should make a stronger effort to inform citizens of this accessibility. Hosting hearings at a regular time after typical working hours would be a good start, and an explanation of what will be on the agenda at each meeting would be helpful as well.
Since the topic was brought to the City Council’s attention last year, multiple people have applied for special use permits to list their houses on Airbnb. Some of these permit requests have been approved, and at least one has been denied. The request that was denied was because of a group of neighbors who spoke in opposition of the permit at a Planning and Zoning Commission hearing. These neighbors made a concerted effort to block the permit, and citizens should know they have the power to support or oppose any permit or variance at a hearing. Planning codes are used all around the United States to ensure economic development does not get out of hand and diminish the quality of life for a city’s residents. They serve an important purpose, but there are also situations in which they should certainly be altered and updated. However, they should not be altered on the whim of any individual or business. Citizens should be aware of the power they have to oppose or support changes to these codes, and they should have ample opportunity to do so.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR | Wind farms pose risks to communities While I fully support the use of renewable energy, I’m concerned about the economics of industrial wind energy. Industrial wind was initiated in the U.S. by Enron as a tax shelter generating scheme. MidAmerican Energy owns 7% of the country’s wind generation. Buffet stated publicly, “We get a tax credit if we build a lot of wind farms. That’s the only reason to build them. They don’t make sense without the tax credit.” Although the wind farms don’t produce enough energy to pay for themselves, they provide an enormous tax credit, funded by the tax payer, to profit the corporations. For example, it’s estimated MidAmerican Energy pays no taxes on $1.5 billion of income, as a result of the wind tax credit. Furthermore, the amount of wind energy generated by a wind farm is small — the actual amount of electricity produced is only about 32% of the capacity amount advertised. Additionally, the turbines are expensive to maintain, and 2000 turbines have been abandoned. Wind energy is completely dependent on the Wind Tax Credit — there’s been subsidies of more than $176
billion since 2000 for wind energy. If Trump eliminates the WTC, the industry will discontinue, or electric rates will skyrocket, as it will be cost-prohibitive to maintain the turbines. Wind farm risks include the turbines becoming obsolete in 10-20 years, and not worth maintaining. If the WTC expires before that, then the turbines will not be replaced, and farms will be stuck with inoperable turbines. Whenever the WTC expires, rates will increase significantly, because now the rate-payer will be funding what the subsidy had covered. In Europe and Austrailia, as a result of wind energy, rates have skyrocketed, making energy unaffordable. The DeKalb County, MO, wind farm includes a Decommissioning Agreement, which stipulates if the wind farm is not operational for a year, that the owner, NextEra, is responsible for removing the turbines. There is also a guarantee from NextEra’s principal subsidiary, Florida Power & Light. However, if there is not a WTC to fund new turbines, then even if the wind farm survives, there is a risk there will not be corporate funds available to honor
EDITORIAL POLICY: The Index is published Thursdays during the academic year by students at Truman State University, Kirksville, MO 63501. The production offices are located in Barnett Hall 1200. We can be reached by phone at 660-785-4449. The Index is a designated public forum, and content of The Index is the responsibility of The Index staff. The editor-in-chief consults with the staff and adviser but ultimately is responsible for all decisions. Opinions of The Index columnists are not necessarily representative of the opinions of the staff or the newspaper. Our View editorials represent the view of the Editorial Board through a two-thirds majority vote. The Editorial Board consists of the editor-in-chief, managing editor, section editors, copy chief and assistant copy chief. The Index reserves the right to edit submitted material because of space limitations, repetitive subject matter, libelous content or any other reason the editor-in-chief deems appropriate. Submitted material includes advertisements and letters to the editor. LETTER POLICY: The Index welcomes letters to the editor from the University and Kirksville community. Letters to the editor are due by noon the Sunday before publication and become property of The Index upon submission. Once submitted, the letter is subject to editing for grammar and spelling errors. Submissions must contain a well-developed theme and cannot exceed 500 words except at the discretion of the opinions editor and/or editor-in-chief. Submission does not guarantee publication. Letters containing personal attacks, libelous attacks or inaccurate information will not be published. All letters to the editor must be typed and submitted by email to index.opinionseditor@gmail.com or online at tmn.truman.edu. Include the words “letter to the editor” in the subject line of the email. Letters which are not submitted digitally will not be taken in consideration.
Decommissioning Agreements. If the wind farm is owned by a private equity firm, the risk is significantly increased, because even if the firm is willing to sign a parent guarantee, the PE’s often have the goal of selling the wind farm in about 5 years or less. For example Energy Capital Partners purchased Terra-Gen in 2015, and could plan to sell it in 2020, which would render the parent guarantee invalid. If so, farmers would be left with inoperable turbines displacing productive farm land. And it would be the farmer’s responsibility to remove the turbines, in accordance with EPA regulations. Even if removed at the farmer’s expense, the soil will not be the same again due to soil compaction and enormous concrete bases. The cost of unproductive farm land for generations, outweighs the benefit of landowner compensation for a decade or so (or less). Farmers, there are real risks associated with the high returns being offered for wind turbine leases. Please understand the huge risks before betting the farm! BY DEBORAH GAMES
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THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018
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Candidates speak at forum before election BY RYAN PIVONEY Staff Writer
Candidates for Kirksville City Council and for the Kirksville R-III School District school board participated in the Kirksville Area Chamber of Commerce’s candidate forum on Tuesday. The Kirksville Daily Express moderated the event and candidates had three minutes to make an opening statement, two minutes to respond to questions and two minutes for a closing statement. Larry Burton, executive director of the Adair County Ambulance District, gave a presentation about a ballot proposition before the candidates stated their opening remarks. City Council candidates presented before the school board candidates. Phillip Biston, Glen Moritz and Kevin Alm are running for the open seat on the City Council. The three candidates were asked about maintaining economic growth, plans for the new aquatic center and how to involve the community with the project, plans for engaging the Missouri Department of Transportation about fixing Baltimore Street, and how to move forward regarding the growing immigrant population in Kirksville. Biston said he would like to see more economic growth moving forward. He said he supported more input from citizens on the aquatic center and would like to work more with MoDOT on how to best make Baltimore Street repairs. Biston said he would like to see more opportunities for those who speak English as a second language to ease into the Kirksville community. Moritz said he would continue with the current economic growth pattern, encouraging more businesses to expand and locate to Kirksville. He said he would heavily involve the public in decisions about the new aquatic center and would push to see more action from MoDOT regarding Baltimore Street. He said he would like to see more education for city staff to learn how to better integrate the city’s rising immigrant population. Alm said he would like to see more businesses in Kirksville and new ownership of businesses. He said the current location of the new aquatic center is too small and the project needs more work. Alm said he would like to find out why MoDOT is not working on Baltimore Street and take city action on the street, if necessary. He said he did not have an answer to the question about the growing immigrant population in Kirksville. After the City Council candidates’ closing remarks, candidates for the Kirksville R-III school board followed. Matt Copeland, Gay Nichting
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Photos by Ryan Pivoney/TMN City Council candidates Phillip Biston, Glen Moritz and Kevin Alm answer questions at the candidate forum Tuesday, March 20. The three candidates are running for a single open seat on the City Council.
Larry Burton, executive director of the Adair County Ambulance District, speaks at the forum. Burton spoke about one of the propositions which will be included on the April 3 ballot. and Michael Bishop II are running for the two open seats on the school board. The three candidates were asked about qualities they would like to see in the next Ray Miller Elementary principal, technology in the classroom, how to accommodate the rising number of students on the autism spectrum and how to improve teaching in STEM areas. Copeland said he would look for someone with the credentials and a compelling nature as the next principal. He supported more technology in the classroom and would like to
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Kirksville R-III School District school board candidates Matt Copeland, Gay Nichting and Michael Bishop II speak at the candidate forum. The Kirksville Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the event at A.T. Still University.
see more education for teaching staff and the community about autism. Copeland said with the decreasing science test scores, there is an opportunity for change and would like to see a bigger group-based approach to the problem. Nichting said she would like to see someone on the cutting edge of education with new ideas fill the role of the next principal. She said the needs for technology in education are ongoing and she would like to see more attention paid to autism at an early age. She said she would like to hear from teach-
ers about solutions for the lower science test scores. Bishop said he would be looking for a leader that inspires teachers and students to be the next principal. He said he thinks technology is an essential part of learning, and he would seek the input from the special needs department on how to best serve current and future students. Bishop said the best way to raise student test scores is to gain input from and to help teachers as much as possible. Municipal elections will be held on April 3.
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THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018
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Beyond the Beers
St. Patrick’s Day holds cultural significance to Irish-Americans
BY JUSTIN NEWTON Staff Writer On St. Patrick’s Day, happy partygoers wore green, sang songs and drank beer. But it wasn’t just Irish who were smiling. From Ireland to America and back again, the feast day of the patron saint of the Emerald Isle has morphed into a general celebration of all things Irish. St. Patrick’s Day was celebrated in Ireland less intensely before the mass influx of Irish immigrants to America in the 1840s, said Adam Davis, professor and Missouri Folklore Society webmaster. St. Patrick’s Day was originally the Catholic religious celebration of the liturgical feast day of its namesake — Saint Patrick. Although much later folklore grew up around Saint Patrick, Davis said it is quite possible there was an actual historical figure named Patricius. Patricius was kidnapped from his native England into slavery, taken to Ireland, escaped and returned as a priest in order to convert a pagan land. He was adopted as the patron saint of the country and has been venerated as such for a very long time, according to Davis. Davis said historically, the Irish have kept a very strong sense of their cultural identity as distinct from English culture. Davis said the English have exercised military control over Ireland for several centuries, including attempting to eradicate the Irish language. This attack on their land and culture, Davis said, prompted the Irish to cling to a very specific cultural identity. Aspects of the Irish cultural identity appeal to Professor Christine Harker. Harker became involved in Irish dance and music during graduate school in Los Angeles through association with a group of Irish expatriates. “It’s still a culture of participation instead of a culture of performance, and that’s a really big change [from modern American culture],” Harker said. Over time, St. Patrick’s Day developed to celebrate this specific Irish cultural identity. Part of that development occurred across the sea from Ireland, in America. The Potato Famine of the 1840s drove a huge number of Irish immigrants to America. “We talk about the black diaspora, the Jewish diaspora, the Irish diaspora,” Davis said. “It’s [diaspora] an ethnic scattering from a homeland. The people of the Irish
diaspora developed their own culture of Irishness, their own idea of Irishness once they came to the United States.” Elements of the surrounding American culture became combined with the immigrants original Irish culture through a process of cultural assimilation, leading to a unique Irish-American culture. Davis said through careers in public service such as police officers, firefighters, the military officers, teachers, and clergymen, the initially lower-class immigrants were able to move upward in society. The history of how St. Patrick’s Day became the nationwide celebration that it is now is part of the story of Irish assimilation into the larger American culture. Davis said that an American Protestant influence led to the decline of the cult of St. Patrick, and he morphed into a national hero. “... What’s really puzzling in some ways is Protestant Irish are as delighted to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day as Catholic Irish are in the United States,” Davis said. This nationalist change was then brought back to Ireland and adopted there. Davis said this was a demonstration of a
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“A folklorist would wonder if there is any authenticity left to St. Patrick’s Day as a folk form,” Davis said. “It seems to have been completely appropriated by commercial interests and completely commodified — made into a product — the same way that Mardi Gras has.” Davis talked about a common cultural trend for a “safety-valve” holiday, where rowdy behavior is allowed, saying the more rowdy features of St. Patrick’s Day have some of this characteristic. “Are they still functional in a society where people can get drunk anytime they feel like it without consequences?” Davis asked. “That’s an open question.” Harker lamented the fact that, while the culture of participation is still prevalent in Ireland today, it seems to have been lost in America. Rather, music and dance are generally oriented toward performance. “ ...It’s such a different thing if you’re not thinking about, ‘How will I look? Will people admire me?’ but more like, ‘I’m doing it because it’s fun,’” Harker said. “And I thought it’s really a shame that we have largely lost that as a culture, and it’s still totally the norm, even in urban Ireland today.” While the authenticity of the American St. Patrick’s day is arguable, it remains less commodified in Ireland. Harker said St. Patrick’s Day in it’s country of origin does not have as many of the external trappings it does in America. “An awful lot of Irish people I know, they don’t wear green on any particular day, and it’s not critical to be, ‘St. Pat’s, I’d better wear green stuff,’ because it’s not at stake for them,” Harker said. “They know that they’re Irish and they’re fully Irish. They don’t need to sort of put on any show.” Although the American St. Patrick’s day might not always be authentically Irish, it is a genuine testament to peaceful cultural interaction and influence. Although the Irish experienced some discrimination when they first arrived in America, they quickly overcame it, so much so that a distinctly Irish holiday has come to be celebrated all around the country. “So I think St. Paddy’s Day is in many ways a celebration of our best hope for assimilation and the idea of the melting pot,” Davis said. “It’s an assimilation success story.”
We talk about the black diaspora, the Jewish diaspora, the Irish diaspora. It’s [diaspora] an ethnic scattering from a homeland. The people of the Irish diaspora developed their own culture of Irishness, their own idea of Irishness once they came to the United States.
-Professor Adam Davis
VOLUME 109
ISSUE 23
phenomenon folklorists call the pizza effect. “Pizza wasn’t a big deal in Italy before World War II,” Davis said. “American GIs discovered pizza in a few neopolitan restaurants. They took it back to the United States, said ‘Hey, you gotta try this stuff,’ developed lots of pizzerias. Then that gets re-exported to Italy, and now every block of every Italian city has a pizzeria on it, and it’s a big deal.” While it remains more authentically Irish in Ireland, the American St. Patrick’s Day contains strong elements of what Davis called fake lore. He discussed the artificiality of the Americanized holiday, with its green-wearing, beer-drinking, non-Irish revelers.
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The Index
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THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018
Windfall literary magazine channels students’ creativity BY AURA MARTIN Staff Writer
It was a story about potatoes, and the general consensus was the piece was well done, because it seemed to be edited several times before arriving to Windfall. Inside Baldwin Hall 101, the Windfall staff read over this potato story among other submissions to potentially select for Truman State University’s undergraduate literary magazine. The 15 members sat at desks arranged in a large circle. Junior TiTi Navalta, the submissions editor, handed out Post-it notes, and each member took one to vote on each piece on a scale from 1-10. Junior Joseph Katz, Windfall editor-in-chief, started the meeting by announcing open editorial positions, updates to the printing budget and reminding members to continue spreading the word that the Windfall spring submission deadline was approaching. Windfall meetings consist of reviewing work found in the weekly submissions packets. The Windfall process also involves building awareness that the magazine is accepting pieces. Usually the first semester and the first half of the second semester of each year are spent evaluating submissions and then going over them in meetings, Katz said. Toward the end of the spring semester, Navalta creates a huge packet of all the pieces still under conPhotos by Aura Martin/TMN sideration, and they discuss in-depth which pieces to accept. Then, once the content of the magazine is final- Windfall staff members sit in a circle in Baldwin Hall 101. The staffers discuss which of ized, the magazine is published — meaning a designer their submissions they want to publish in their annual literary magazine. gets involved with the layout. The group reviews the magazine, makes final edits, and then its sent to the “You should be looking at your peers and seeing there — with the art that you’re making,” Smithprinter. Katz said there will hopefully be a publication how they’re dealing with certain situations because son said. party that is usually held once a year. they can bolster a new way of looking at something,” Navalta said a student from any major can experi“We usually try to invite artists and writers who had Smithson said. ment with art and submit their work. their work published [to the publication party], so they Katz said editors lead each discussion, and if they At the end of the meeting, Navalta warned the can go over their pieces and talk about what their pro- think the group is getting off-track, such as one person group the packets for future meetings will be enorcess was and why they made it,” Katz said. dominating discussion, the editors try to redirect the mous, and there will probably be more meetings to Part of Navalta’s job is to search through emails, or- conversation and open it more to the whole group. accommodate the load. Katz closed the document ganize each weekly packet and to ensure the author Katz then scrolled to the first prose piece of the night and timer and switched off the SMART Board. remains anonymous. and set the timer. Following this, the prose editor, “Every meeting we have a new packet, and we go junior Jacob Colangelo, through it,” Navalta spoke for the first time said. “We get to disthat night. cuss, in a limited Navalta said reading amount of time, what We always try to be respectful other people’s works helps we like about the piece members of Windfall read and fair to pieces, but also mainand what can be imdifferent styles and learn proved.” new perspectives. For extain honesty. If there’s something One of the members ample, somebody might wrong with the piece, we try to who spoke first that be into poetry but have to night gave his overall read and discuss prose for point out what it is, and if there’s opinion of the piece, the literary magazine. including what he liked a problem with that, then try to “Over time, they can and didn’t like it. Once talk as much about prose figure that out and get all of the he finished speaking, as they would about popeople voiced their etry,” Navalta said. opinions out there. thoughts and concerns. The lights remained Some humor slipped dimmed while Katz - Junior Joseph Katz, Windfall editor-in-chief in while people comscrolled to the final submented. The group mission, another poem. concluded they wished The group focused on althe poem was different legories and how images from the dozens of othcan enhance a piece of er winter poems received this semester. Katz stopped the work. The members wrote their votes on the Post-it timer, always set for seven minutes, and told the mem- notes and passed them back to Navalta. bers to write scores on their Post-it notes. “We always try to be respectful and fair to pieces, Senior member David Smithson said reading and but also maintain honesty,” Katz said. “If there’s discussing other people’s work can be tremendously something wrong with the piece, we try to point out helpful in building confidence, especially for those in what it is, and if there’s a problem with that, then Windfall who are often writers or artists themselves. try to figure that out and get all of the opinions out Members read developing pieces of work, not the there.” fleshed-out, final versions that are found in upperTo those who wish to be published in Windcrust literary journals, he said. Smithson said it was fall, Smithson said people shouldn’t be afraid to Staffers voice their opinions on various pieces beneficial to see how other artists in college were in submit work. of poetry, prose and artwork at their weekly the process of developing their own voices, and mem“You’re sending it to a place that might be Windfall meeting. The 15 or so members albers of Windfall can use writing techniques they see able to publish your work, and the people are ways try to be respectful, but critical, of the from others. engaging with the ideas that you’re putting out works they receive and deliberate over.
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TOP 5
Movies Snubbed at the 2018 Oscars
No. 5: “Raw” This directorial debut from Julia Ducournau, “Raw” is a French horrorsatire about a young vegetarian woman who develops cannibalistic urges during her first week at veterinary school. Though unquestionably stomach-churning and not for the squeamish, the academy should have recognized this film as the cinematic achievement it is.
No. 4: “Good Time” A relentlessly stressful and uncomfortably humorous film, “Good Time” revolves around the misadventures of Connie as he attempts to get his brother out of a notoriously violent prison in New York City. Robert Pattinson portrays Connie with manic energy, and long gone are his “Twilight” days, giving a ferocious performance that deserved a nomination.
No. 3: “The Florida Project” Director Sean Baker’s unforgettable film “The Florida Project” follows a young girl named Moonee, played by first-time actress Brooklynn Prince, who lives with her mother in a budget motel within minutes of Walt Disney World. Shown entirely through Moonee’s point of view, the film is heartbreakingly and achingly human. Thankfully, the academy recognized Willem Dafoe’s performance as a sympathetic motel manager, but Baker’s film deserved nominations for the “Best Picture” and “Best Original Screenplay” categories as well.
As told by Gordon McPherson, staff writer and The Index movie reviewer
No. 2: “Wind River” “Wind River” brings attention to the injustices Native Americans face in modern society. Jeremy Renner plays Cory Lambert, a big game hunter and wildlife tracker who, along with a rookie FBI agent played by Elizabeth Olsen, attempts to track down the killer of a young Native American woman. The film’s raw performances and haunting atmosphere shouldn’t be overlooked.
No. 1: “War for the Planet of the Apes” The concluding chapter of the rebooted “Planet of the Apes” trilogy sees Caesar, played by Andy Serkis, embarking on a personal quest for revenge against an army led by a ruthless colonel, played by Woody Harrelson. Serkis’ performance is convincing and emotionally powerful. It’s a crime the academy didn’t nominate Serkis for “Best Actor in a Leading Role,” even though his performance used motion capture.
THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018
The Index
9
Letter To The Editor
Truman can be our hero: Save The Index, save the world BY STAN JOHNSON
tional guardsmen during an anti-war protest at Kent State University in Ohio. The administration of my school — then called Northeast Missouri State University — wanted to muzzle the hippie generation, and they thought they had a safe choice with the sports guy. The previous semester I was named Missouri “College Sportswriter of the Year” for stories about Lenvil Elliott, a football and track star
to remove it. I covered Native American and AfricanAmerican activists in a rural farm town. I wrote about paranoid security measures at protest marches by campus and city police. I even got to spend time with John Trudell, spokesperson for the Indians of All Tribes during its occupation of Alcatraz. Add in ample amounts of Vietnam War debate, and The Index became Kirksville’s connection to the free
The following year I transferred to the University of Editor’s Note: Stan JohnMissouri in Columbia, where ston is a digital content expert I continued to misbehave in who has worked for compaprint by uncovering the fact nies such as Hewlett Packard that the school was chargEnterprise, NetApp and Mcing students twice in their Clatchy. Previously, he was fees for a new athletic cenan award-winning newspaper ter. I also wrote a piece for writer, editor and manager. [Mizzou’s] alumni publicaHe was editor-in-chief of The tion detailing allegations Index from 1970-71. the journalism school dean had manipulated political When I read that Truman coverage. Later, I worked State University was considon newspapers in four U.S. ering killing its student states, including stints newspaper, The Index, as sports editor of The I had a flood of memoSacramento Bee and ries — most reminders St. Louis Sun. Eventuof how important the ally, I moved into mar109-year-old publication keting and communiis to the University and cations in the Silicon City of Kirksville, Mo. Valley, but I never forI worked on The Index got what I learned in during a time of high Kirksville. student activism and saw During a time of first-hand its crucial role noisy debate and poin bridging the school larization, The Index and community. played a crucial role In the summer of -Stan Johnson, former Editor-in-Chief of The Index as a platform for in1970, The Index was in telligent discussion crisis. Most of its ediabout volatile issues. torial staff had resigned in who later played in the NFL. speech movement. Don’t we need the same toprotest when the college ad- [The administration] probEventually I caught the day? Student journalists are ministration refused to let ably figured I wouldn’t care attention of the University’s uniquely positioned for that them print articles opposing about mundane issues such president by writing an edi- role, especially in the age the Vietnam War and then- as University budgets. torial [column] criticizing of digital newsrooms. Local President Richard Nixon. However, my motto as the decision to build a new newspapers will always face The only returning journal- editor was, “We aim to mis- administration center when economic pressure from loist was the sports editor – behave,” long before Joss classrooms were crumbling. cal businesses. However, inme. The publication’s faculty Whedon made it famous. I I didn’t ask the adviser’s per- dependent voices can truly adviser called my parents’ knew they had to name me mission to run the opinion be our “Fourth Estate” at the home in St. Louis, offered editor-in-chief or kill The piece, so I wasn’t exactly community level. Our deme the job as editor-in-chief, Index, which the school surprised when the presi- mocracy and nation dependand asked me to report two couldn’t let happen. Fortu- dent invited me into his of- ed on it in my college years, weeks before school started nately, the adviser let me fice for a chat about it. Our and we depend on it today. to rebuild the staff and con- test his boundaries repeat- conversation quickly deBecause of that, Truman tent. edly with completely unmer- volved into him calling me State can be our hero in the In retrospect, I feel sorry ited hubris. “a potential bomb-throwing end: Save The Index, save for the adviser. Tensions I snuck into the printing radical” and me respond- the world. were high coming into the plant and put the Black Pan- ing, “You’re probably right.” fall semester. The previous ther “national anthem” by It was one of the highlights spring, four students had Elaine Brown on the front of my journalism career, all been shot to death by na- page after being ordered thanks to The Index.
During a time of noisy debate and po“larization, The Index played a crucial
role as a platform for intelligent discussion about volatile issues. Don’t we need the same today?
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Netflix-exclusive passion project “Mute” is a generic, lifeless disappointment This movie gets 1/5 brain cells
BY GORDON MCPHERSON Staff Writer When an acclaimed filmmaker announces a new project, viewers anticipate a film that lives up to the director’s previous efforts. Unfortunately, director Duncan Jones’ Netflix-exclusive passion project “Mute” is a lifeless, blatantly sexist and utterly generic rip-off of Ridley Scott’s “Blade Runner.” “Mute” takes place in a futuristic version of Berlin, where flying automobiles roar through a grimy, neon-lit cityscape. Leo, played by Alexander Skarsgård, is a mute bartender who works in an adult entertainment lounge with his girlfriend Naadirah, played by Seyneb Saleh. Their love is passionate, but Naadirah keeps secrets from Leo. When Naadirah goes missing, Leo embarks on a journey through Berlin’s criminal underbelly to find her. He eventually encounters eccentric black market surgeons Cactus Bill and Duck, played by Paul Rudd and Justin Theroux, respectively. With the near-endless stream of cyberpunk movies releasing in theaters nowadays, it’s to be expected that one of them will turn out to be pretentious garbage. “Mute” is a prime example of this, paling in comparison to films such as 2017’s “Blade Runner 2049.” What made “Blade Runner 2049” an all-out masterpiece was its combination of philosophical themes and atmospheric worldbuilding. Jones’ “Mute” fails to recapture any of what made “2049” brilliant. Almost every sequence in “Mute” contains something that defies logic. From the beginning of the film, in which Leo’s Amish family poses for a photograph, viewers know they’re about to watch a film that doesn’t hold up to scrutiny. Characters make seemingly random decisions and come to improbable revelations, red herrings abound, and side characters that serve little to no purpose are introduced.
“Mute” seems like a film envisioned through the eyes of a perverted teenager. Characters and subplots are introduced which serve only to depict some fetishistic, repulsive desire, like intercourse with robots and pedophilia. Viewers can’t even become emotionally attached to Leo, the main character. While Skarsgård obviously cares about the film, his performance eventually devolves into awkward stares at other characters, often through teary eyes. Unlike Guillermo del Toro’s “The Shape of Water,” which utilized its mute protagonist to portray emotionally resonant themes of isolation and alienation, “Mute” fails to use this concept to flesh out Leo’s character or build viewers’ emotional attachment to him. Although, viewers might be entertained solely through the unintentionally humorous nature of Skarsgård’s performance. The film’s dialogue lacks any trace of subtlety, often force-feeding viewers exposition and characters’ motivations. Cactus proves the most compelling character, but he seems to be in a different movie altogether. If “Mute” were directed by Quentin Tarantino, Cactus might have been an appropriate antagonist. His toxic, cynical demeanor is entertaining in a sort of guilty pleasure kind of way. In this film, though, his darkly humorous dialogue seems completely out of place with the overbearingly morose proceedings. The only thing “Mute” has going for it is its depiction of futuristic Berlin. Even so, the cyberpunk setting seems a near-exact replicant — see what I did there? — of the dystopian vision in the “Blade Runner” films. When there are so many science-fiction offerings available for viewers to stream, there’s no excuse not to watch Jones’ 2009 masterpiece “Moon,” or either one of the “Blade Runner” films instead. Viewers deserve better than “Mute,” a painfully disappointing film from a once-great filmmaker.
The Index
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THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018
Questions on The Quad What did you do over Spring Break, and did you enjoy it?
Brandon Petit, freshman
“I went to the beach because I’m from Miami, Florida. Went to some art museums. I went to South Beach, and I linked up with some of my friends from high school, and we all went to get some Caribbean food from Honduras and some Cuban food and Dominican food. I just enjoyed myself, relaxed, enjoyed the weather — high 80s. Then, unfortunately, I came back to [Truman State University].”
If you could take a trip to the beach, the city or the mountains — which would it be, and why?
“The beach. It feels free. I can yell. Just do what I want. In the mountains, you’re restricted to lots of walking. Lots of climbing. I feel like there’s lots of animals in the mountains — like some bears that will come eat you. The beach, you shouldn’t have to worry about that. The beach is nice. Swimming. Coconuts. All that stuff.”
Do you prefer warm weather or cold weather, and why?
“Warm, every day. I can show off my body. The ladies love that. And I like to pursue that.”
“I had a great time. I hung out with some friends back home and did a little bit of homework — mostly math — and just hung out.”
“I’d go with the city because there will be more to do, activities and places to eat and stuff.”
“I prefer cold weather because at least you can bundle up to get rid of the cold, but like, if it’s too hot there’s only so many layers you can strip down.”
“I went to Texas to visit my family, and it was a good time.”
“Probably the city because I like to go to the museums and movie theaters and things like that.”
“Warm weather because cold weather — the wind hurts your face, and when you walk through the snow your shoes get wet, and it’s just not a good time.”
“I had a pretty great Spring Break. I basically sat around the house and did nothing. It was glorious.”
“I’d probably choose mountains just because I’m not a huge fan of the beach, and I live in the city, so it’s not all too exciting.”
“I definitely prefer cold weather. I hate getting sweaty in the summer. It’s just not pleasant.”
Hannah Fortner, freshman
David Massie, junior
Megan Vollenweider, senior
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The Index
THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018
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Softball splits Spring Break games
Submitted Photo Senior infielder Jamie Fowle anticipates applying a tag on a runner in Truman State University’s doubleheader against Wayne State College. The Bulldogs have had to play tighter defense this season as they have played seven one-run games in their first 16 compared to their one in the first 16 last season. BY RACHEL STEINHOFF Sports Text Editor After a 10-day break from competition because of wet conditions, the Truman State University softball team resumed the 2018 season with a series of six games in four days to cap Spring Break. Truman went 3-3 during break, splitting all three days of competition. Junior catcher Sydney Scherzinger said the scheduling this year has been a crazy twist to the start off this season. “My freshman and sophomore years, I don’t think we really had any games canceled, much less tournaments,” Scherzinger said. With the extra practice days, Scherzinger said head coach Erin Brown did a good job of keeping the team sharp in game situations. She said the team used the days to scrimmage and to practice situations that happen in a real competition.
Following the long stretch of rainouts and indoor practices, Truman welcomed nonconference opponent Wayne State College to Bulldog Softball Park. The ’Dogs dropped the series opener 5-6, but quickly bounced back to send the Wildcats home 9-1 in five innings of play. Then it was off to Kansas City, Missouri, for the Bulldogs, where Truman entered GLVC territory at Rockhurst University and William Jewell College. Both teams proved equal contenders, with three of the four matches decided by one run. Truman fell to Rockhurst 2-1 before later taking an eighth inning to defeat the Hawks 6-5 in the doubleheader cap. “I think we’ve competed really well so far, and we’ve already been in some big pressure situations,” Scherzinger said. “[That] will benefit us as we get in more close games as conference keeps going.” Scherzinger said the team’s experience in tight games is aided more by the mental side of its game. She said the
ATHEISM REQUIRES FAITH, TOO! John Clayton
Does God Exist? Lectureship Sponsored by Ekklesia Campus Ministry & Churches of Christ - March 23-25, Kirksville, MO -
Fri. March 23, Robison Planetarium, Truman State, Magruder Hall 7:00 PM “What Is God, & How Are We In His Image?”
Sat. March 24: Church of Christ, 110 Pfeiffer Ave, Kirksville, MO 10:30 AM “Which God? Why the Bible?” - Noon Free Lunch 1:00 PM “The Rational God” - Break 2:30 PM Q&A 5:00 PM Dinner on Your Own @Take Root Café, 114 W. Harrison St. (court square) 6:00 PM Free Movie @ Take Root Café Theatre, The Case for Christ
players focus more on playing for one another — following the motto “we over me” — rather than on individual accomplishments, which can relieve some pressure in close games. Sunday, Truman took the first game against William Jewell with a convincing 6-2, but the second game was a challenge. After Scherzinger’s homerun put the ’Dogs on top 3-0, runs were hard to come by for the Purple and White. Brown said the team struggled with playing consistently and adapting throughout the games. She said the Bulldogs missed out on opportunities to capitalize with runners on base, leaving them vulnerable to those come-frombehind losses late in games. The Cardinals clawed back to tie the game, only for Truman to take the goahead run in the top of the seventh inning. The Truman defense had to stop the Cardinals one more time and Jewell rang in two runs to walk the game off 6-5.
Brown said her team had made a goal to score five runs per game, but she finds her team’s offense is struggling to put up that number. Because of the slow offense, she said the team has to be sharper on the defensive end to finish those close games. Brown said the team had detrimental errors that led to unearned runs, and she’s also looking for a sharper command of the strike zone from her pitchers. “Walk-offs are absolute heartbreakers,” Brown said. “As a player, all you have to do is hold them, but ultimately if we don’t make the plays on defense, we’re not giving ourselves the best chance to win … games are lost more than they are won, and they get sick of me saying that, but that’s the reality. ” The Bulldogs will play the third and fourth games of a six-game home stretch against Missouri University of Science and Technology, starting at noon Saturday at Bulldog Softball Park.
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Sun. March 25, Church of Christ 10:00 AM “Why Did God Create Man, & Why Do We Suffer?” 11:00 AM “What Kind of Faith Do You Have?” - Lunch on Your Own 2:00 PM Devotional at Highland Crest Assisted Living 6:00 PM Congregational Singing John Clayton was part of the same organized atheist group that made Madeline Murray O’Hair famous. He decided to write a book called All the Stupidity of the Bible, but instead found himself slowly becoming convinced about Christianity. He is a retired teacher and geologist by profession, having taught for 41 years in public schools in South Bend, Indiana. He maintains a popular website that stresses that science and faith are not enemies, but friends. His website is http://www.doesgodexist.org/ ekklesia.truman.edu
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THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018 The Index BASKETBALL | Bulldogs’ 20-win season put to halt by Bellarm- March | 2018 tournament is Continued from page 14 The Bulldogs will now enter offseason looking toward the the year of the future of the program. In addition to a successful season, the ’Dogs have 16 of their 18 players returning next year. underdog
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Fischer will be one of the players leaving along with redshirt junior forward Connor Lusso. He was the team’s leading scorer this season, averaging 17 points per game, but the team will have four of its five top scorers returning, including junior guards Jake Velky and Nathan Messer. The Bulldogs also received contributions from redshirt players like Scott, Hughes and junior guard Jack Green. “There’s no better teacher than experience,” head coach Chris Foster said. “For these younger guys to get the experience of playing in a conference tournament, playing in a championship game, and playing in the regional tournament, it will give them confidence and drive them as we move into the offseason.”
Continued from page 14 That was exactly what they saw. The Retrievers won convincingly, topping the No. 1 seed by a margin of 20 points for a final score of 74-54. For the first time in men’s NCAA history, the juggernaut No. 1 seed had fallen to the No. 16 seed. March “Madness” is right.
Photos by Kara Mackenzie/TMN Redshirt junior guard Jake Socha defends a Bellarmine University attack. The Bulldogs first faced the Knights on Feb. 17.
Redshirt sophomore guard Brodric Thomas shoots a jumper Redshirt senior forward Zach Fischer competes for the jumpover Bellarmine defense. Truman finished 0-3 vs. the Knights. ball. Fischer was named a COSIDA Academic All-American.
“... would it really be March without a little bit of madness?” -Jase Willhite, Staff Writer Let it be known, however, UMBC was not technically the first team to do this. In the 1998 Women’s NCAA Tournament, the No. 16seed Harvard topped the No. 1-seed Stanford in a downto-the-wire game that ended in a close 71-67 victory. So it is fitting, on the 20th anniversary of Harvard’s team making history, and as a No. 11 seed and No. 9 seed prepare for the sweet 16 games, this tournament be deemed the year of the underdog. Fans and players of the those teams that didn’t quite make it, do not linger long on the loss, because would it really be March without a little bit of madness?
SWIM | Truman swimming raced for All-American honors Continued from page 14 After his fourth-consecutive and final season with AllAmerican honors, Shanel said participating in nationals was an awesome way to end his career. He said he could not be more proud or happy to be part of the team and will miss the people he met along the way. As for swimming, he admitted he is ready for the next chapter in his life. “I’m sure I won’t be able to get away from the pool entirely,” Shanel said. “But it’ll be awhile before I find myself getting back in the suit.” Though Shanel might not step in the pool as a Bulldog next year, junior Sam Heveroh and freshman Natalie Galluzzo, the other two national qualifiers, will return next year. Junior Heveroh broke his own school record in the 100 free, finishing 13th with a time of 44.52 seconds. Taking home fourth place in the 200 free and clocking in at 1:36.89, Heveroh picked up All-American honors. In the preliminary round of the 200 freestyle, Heveroh actually swam a little faster, beating his school record with a time of 1:36.48. He finished in 31st in the preliminary round of the 50 free. GLVC Freshman of the Year Galluzzo took home eighth place in the 100 breaststroke, touching the wall at 1:03.32. Her 200 breast performance,
at a time of 2:16.45, was good another top-10 in 10th place. She finished 28th in the preliminary round of the 200 IM. Galluzzo said she loved the competition of the meet. She said it was a great opportunity for her to improve racing against so many talented swimmers. She said she was really happy with the team’s performance this year, and is excited to see what her next three years will bring. In addition to individual successes, the women’s team competed in four relays. In the 800 frees relay, Sisson, Galluzzo, Fitzpatrick, and senior Jasmine Roghair placed 13th in the finals with a mark of 7:28.37. The 200 medley relay composed of Galluzzo, seniors Grace Fodor, Libby Opfer and Fitzpatrick finished 21st in the preliminary round with a time of 1:44.08. In the 200 freestyle relay, the team of Fitzpatrick, Fodor, Opfer and Sisson took home 17th with a time of 1:34.27 in the preliminary round. Lastly, the 400 medley relay team of Fodor, Galluzzo, Opfer and Sisson placed 23rd in the preliminary round with a time of 3:49.92. Overall, the men finished 22nd out of 35 teams, while the women placed 25th out of 45 teams.
Submitted photo Senior Will Shanel takes an underwater selfie with Truman State University’s national qualifying squad. Shanel became a four-time All-American in his final competition as a Bulldog.
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The Index
THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018
Golf starts spring season
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March
24 Saturday Tennis TBA in Kirksville, Mo. vs. Quincy University
Track and Field 11 a.m. in Canton, Mo. at Wildcat Open
Softball Submitted Photos Senior Nicolle Barmettler tees off a hole in the Bulldogs’ first spring outing in Litchfield Park, Arizona. She was at the center of the team’s historic play in the fall and led the team to start the spring with a fourth-place finish. BY ASHLEY MURPHY Staff Writer
Although this spring season has seen less than ideal weather for outdoor sports, that hasn’t stopped the Truman State University golf team from performing well in its first meet of the spring season. Coming off a historic fall season, the women are looking for continued success on the golf course. Looking at the year so far, head coach Clint Fitzpatrick said this team has come a long way. “Four or five years ago, we were last in the conference,” Fitzpatrick said. “Every year, we have gotten a little better.” Fitzpatrick said the team’s goal this year is to finish in the top four or five in the conference instead of being in the bottom half. He said the team’s goal is to go to regionals. If the team doesn’t make it, he expects the team will be close. Fitzpatrick said the women all performed well in their first spring outing, including junior Brooke Kelley scoring 162 during the two days — two strokes better than her previous best. He said this was a huge success for the team because it hasn’t had a chance to practice outside yet, and he said being competitive with some great teams is a testament to how hard the women have worked. Although the weather prevented the team from practicing outside, the team found a way to continue with its momentum from the fall. Fitzpatrick said the players condition on their own by going to the gym, and they use a simulator at the Kirks-
ville Country Club where they can hit indoors in a cage that predicts distance, spin and projection. “We went to our first tournament having played only nine holes,” senior Amanda Ressel said. “We wish we could play more through the winter, but it just makes our first tournament more important.” Ressel said the team does have an advantage in windy or stormy conditions because it is able to practice in similar conditions in Kirksville spring weather. Regardless of the harsh weather this winter, the team is sustaining its good performance from the fall season, during which it finished in the top 6 in all five of its showings, finishing in the top 3 in its last three tournaments. “A big highlight for us this fall was setting the school record with a team score of 308 in our first tournament of the season at the Bulldog Fall Preview in Big Rapids, Michigan,” Ressel said. “Then, in our next tournament, we broke the same school record that we set the previous week and shot a team score of 306 at the MIAA Fall Preview. In the process of breaking the school record twice, four girls shot their personal best round or tournament.” Ressel said the great thing about this team is that every time the women tee off, everyone has the chance to be the person who makes a difference for the team. She said senior Nicolle Barmettler is a solid player who can always be counted on to play well, and she said she even shot a career-low round three times in the fall. Kelley, senior Stephanie Hulett and sopho-
more Lindsey Repp were other Bulldogs that shot career-low tournament scores. Ressel said Hulett is consistent and plays well regardless of the competition, bad weather conditions or anything else the course might throw her way. She said Kelley has an unmatched work ethic, Repp has perseverance and transfer junior Montana George has become an asset. The Bulldogs finished fourth in their first spring tournament March 12 in Litchfield Park, Arizona. Kelley said the tournament made the team’s spring break exciting because the players were able to get outside and play before a lot of their competition got the chance, which allowed them to have an advantage in preparing for this spring. “We finished in fourth, but were only three shots out of second, so the competition was really close,” Kelley said. “We had some good team totals during the two days, so we are excited to see what the rest of the spring has in store.” Kelley said the seniors really stood out at this opening tournament. She said she was glad Barmettler, Hulett and Ressel all had good days and started their last campaign well. Kelley said the team played consistent golf and kept its mental game in check despite not being able to play outside much. “We’ve all worked really hard in indoor practices and just tried to go out there with confidence in ourselves and our teammates,” Kelley said. “We put our trust in the work we’ve put in during the offseason, and it really paid off for us.”
games. The Bulldogs have been relying on mostly underclassmen starting so far this season. Freshman outfielder Noah Schrader has been one of the younger Bulldogs counted on to produce, hitting
leadoff in every one of their first 20 games. Schrader came to Truman State University from Pingree Grove, Illinois, where he hit .337 at Hampshire High School and had a .412 onbase percentage. The leadoff spot can be challenging, but Schrader said he has some experience hitting from the same spot in high school. He said, though, that college has been tougher because the games move so much faster. Schrader said his focus right now is to do whatever he can to help the team win. Head coach Dan Davis said Schrader was consistently getting on base during the fall season. He said getting on base, and not just batting average, is the No. 1 priority for a leadoff hitter. Davis said he has done well so far this spring after doing a good job in the fall. As for other freshmen, Davis said his program believes in recruiting and teaching freshmen so they have more time to get better, along with the occasional transfer athlete to fill a position here or there. Out of the 27 men on the team, 10 are true freshmen and five are redshirt freshmen. Davis said the nonconference schedule this year was tough, having a lot of road play. The weather was a barrier which caused the ’Dogs to
Noon in Kirksville, Mo. vs. Missouri University of Science and Technology — Doubleheader
Baseball Noon in Liberty, Mo. vs. William Jewell College — Doubleheader
25 Sunday Softball Noon in Kirksville, Mo. vs. Drury University — Doubleheader
Baseball Noon in Liberty, Mo. vs. William Jewell College — Doubleheader
Bulldog baseball backed by underclassmen BY BROOKE BAILEY Staff Writer
During break, the Truman State University baseball team went 2-6, losing by more than five runs in two
Junior catcher Jon Lyons meets team at home plate. Underclassmen like freshman outfielder Noah Schrader combined for 13 runs batted in in eight games.
only be able to play outside on their own field a few times within the first few weeks of the season. Alongside the weather, injuries have affected the ’Dogs. Davis said he felt like the team had every position figured out before injuries sidelined or limited veteran players, like junior outfielder Mason King and senior infielder Brendan Trimble. He said the younger players are really talented, but they didn’t have to play a big role to begin their Bulldog careers. “We have veteran guys who can lead the younger guys, but it seems like, to start the year, the older guys have been injured, and we’ve had to mix and match and play guys in different positions,” Davis said. “Our guys have responded fairly well, and it’s hard when you start and you don’t see success in the win column.” Conference play starts this weekend against William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri. Davis said he was proud of how his team was able to win Sunday’s doubleheader against Saginaw Valley State University after losing both games of the previous day’s doubleheader. These two wins ended a seven-game losing streak, so Davis said his younger team will enter its conference schedule with more confidence.
ATHLETE of
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Sophomore pitcher Alyssa Hajduk picked up her sixth and seventh wins of the season during her last two appearances. Hajduk struck out five batters and allowed one earned run in four innings Saturday against Rockhurst University. Sunday, she struck out six and allowed two earned runs in seven innings against William Jewell College. Hajduk leads the team in earned run average, wins and strikeouts.
Alyssa Hajduk
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THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018
Chasing greatness in Greensboro BY KENNEDY MARTIN Staff Writer
The Truman State University swim team finished the four-day 2018 NCAA Div. II Swimming and Diving Championships last weekend at the Greensboro Aquatic Center in North Carolina. Truman sent five swimmers, two men and three women, as well as three more women for the relay competition. Of the five swimmers who competed, three seniors, Jamie Fitzpatrick, Nikki Sisson and Will Shanel, finished their swimming careers on a high note. Fitzpatrick made finals in two of her three events. With a season-high time of 23.39 seconds in the 50-yard freestyle, Fitzpatrick took home a 13th-place finish, and 11th in the 200 free with a time of 1 minute 50.03 seconds. Participating in the 100 free preliminary round, Fitzpatrick finished 23rd. After 13 years of swimming nearly year-round, Fitzpatrick said she felt mixed emotions after finishing her last race. “My very last race of the meet, I did feel pretty weird right before it,” Fitzpatrick said. “Just like, ‘wow, this is really it.’ But it couldn’t have ended on a better note.” Fitzpatrick said she immediately had feelings of relief, accomplishment and sadness. She said she will miss the team atmosphere the most. Sisson made the finals for her last Truman race in the 200 free, finishing 14th with a time of 1:50.26. She also placed 22nd in the preliminary round of the 500 free and 47th in the preliminary rounds of the 50 free.
Photo submitted by Elizabeth Opfer The Truman State University national qualifiers, along with head coach Jerod Simek, pose for a picture at the Greensboro Aquatic Center in Greensboro, North Carolina. The NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships was a four-day event. Sisson said it was fun to finish her swimming career alongside her best friends. Though she will miss the camaraderie and racing opportunities, she is not sad it’s over. Instead, she said she feels proud of all she has accomplished in and out of the pool at Truman and she is excited about what the future has in store for her. Shanel received All-American honors after placing 14th in the 200 individual medley with a season-best 1:49.61, 10th in the 200 butterfly with 1:47.60, and sixth in the 400 IM with 3:52.02. See SWIM, page 12
Top Truman Finishes at Swimming National Championships MEN
200-yard Individual Medley Senior Will Shanel 14th place, Broke Truman Record
During Spring Break, the Truman State University men’s basketball team’s season came to a close. The Bulldogs lost 82-65 to Bellarmine University for a
third and final time in the first round of the NCAA Div. II Tournament. Truman started strong, taking an early lead after an 11-2 run. The lead decreased throughout the first half, and the Bulldogs led 37-35 at the half. Bellarmine came out fir-
Photo by Kara Mackenzie/TMN Junior guard Nate Messer fires a 3-pointer in Truman’s first match against Bellarmine University on Feb. 17. The No. 4 Knights topped the ‘Dogs at all three meetings this year. VOLUME 109
ISSUE 23
tmn.truman.edu
50-yard Freestyle Senior Jamie Fitzpatrick 13th place, Achieved Personal Best
400-yard Individual Medley Will Shanel 6th place,
200-yard Freestyle Jamie Fitzpatrick
100-yard Freestyle Junior Sam Heveroh 13th place, Achieved Personal Best
100-yard Breaststroke Natalie Galluzzo 8th place
200-yard Freestyle Sam Heveroh 4th place,
200-yard Breaststroke Natalie Galluzzo 10th place
Broke Truman Record
Achieved Personal Best
200-yard Butterfly Will Shanel 10th place, Broke Truman Record
Bellarmine bests Truman in NCAA tourney opener BY PAUL PROVINCE Staff Writer
WOMEN
ing in the second half, going on a 10-0 run, and maintained the lead the rest of the game. Guards redshirt freshman Turner Scott and redshirt sophomore Brodric Thomas led the team with 13 and 12, respectively. Most of their points came in the first half, as they only had a combined five points after halftime. No Bulldog reached double figures in the second half. “It was a good game overall,” redshirt junior guard Taurin Hughes said. “It was very familiar playing them again, and we stuck with them in the first half. We just didn’t end it the way we wanted to.” This game marked the third time the Bulldogs took on the nationally ranked Bellarmine this season and was the second time the two teams faced each other in the postseason. The Bulldogs and Knights played against each other in the GLVC conference tournament, with Bellarmine clinching the win 75-61. While the season is over for the ’Dogs, it was filled with many accomplishments. This NCAA tournament appearance is the second straight for the Bulldogs and first time they have made backto-back appearances. Truman also had its fifth straight 20-win season, including its highest ranking in the GLVC tournament, coming in as the No. 2 seed. “Before Winter Break, our record was 5-5,” redshirt senior forward Zach Fischer said. “We definitely came a long way this season. A goal of ours was to make it to the NCAA tournament, and I’m proud of the team for sticking with it.” See BASKETBALL, page 12
11th place, Achieved Personal Best Senior Nikki Sisson 14th place
800-yard Freestyle Relay Senior Jasmine
Roghair, Nikki Sisson, Natalie Galluzzo, Jamie Fitzpatrick 13th place
Mad for March: the year of the underdog
BY JASE WILHITE Staff Writer Every March, millions of college basketball fans gather to watch one of the greatest postseasons in the world of sports. It is a tournament sure to leave fans and teams alike either jumping for joy as their team makes it to the next round or sinking in sadness as they realize their season has come to an end. This is, of course, the NCAA Tournament March Madness. Every year, the tournament is filled with upsets, blowouts and down-tothe-wire games that are sure to get everybody, at home or in the arena, on their feet and into the action. This year’s March Madness has proven to be momentous, as many underdog teams have defeated higher-seeded teams regardless of the odds. In the first round alone, there were six games where the lower-seeded team defied
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the odds and came out victorious. Of those six games, one made history. Prior to this year, no No. 1 seed had fallen to a 16 seed in the men’s NCAA Tournament. Year after year, the 1-16 game was seen as a courtesy game, a game that was usually a shoo-in for the 1 seed to continue their dream and an easy pick in bracket pools. This was the plan for No. 1 seed Virginia as they stepped on the court Mar. 16 in Charlotte, North Carolina. But the Retrievers of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County had something else in mind. The score was 21-21 after the first half, the Cavaliers were shaking off the excitement of the tournament, and the Retrievers have to be thinking, “Why not us?” As the second half went underway, fans got a feeling they might be witnessing history as the Retrievers began the half on a 20-6 run. See MARCH, page 12
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