Mar. 9, 2011 by Arkansas Traveler

Elected Sweethearts Sweeten Fraternity Life Page 6 PAGE 1 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 2011

Vol. 105, NO. 23 UATRAV.COM

Memorial Services Planned for Walker by MATTIE QUINN Staff Writer

ANDREW HAGOOD Staff Photographer Washington County Coroner officials gather outside the Flying Possum leather shop on Dickson Street. A fire Monday morning at the damaged the shop heavily, killing owner Bruce Walker. Flying Possum Leather was the third-oldest business on Dickson Street, founded in 1976.

In Flying Possum Owner Bruce Walker’s honor, George’s Majestic Lounge staff is hosting a memorial tribute Sunday in conjunction wit several Dickson Street business owners. “The event will take place from 1-9:30 p.m., and we will be having 16 local and regional bands playing in honor of Bruce. Several restaurants in the area have donated food for the event, including Flying Burrito, Jose’s, Pesto Cafe, Greenhouse Grill, Hog Haus, and others,” said Tanya Shylock, bartender at George’s and organizer for the memorial tribute. “The cover charge is tentative right now, but we recently found out that parking on Dickson will be free for the event, which we are very excited about. All proceeds from the event are going to benefit the Bruce Walker Memorial Fund.” For Shylock, hosting an event in honor of Bruce was the least she could do for an iconic figure in Fayetteville. “Bruce was such a staple on Dickson and a huge part of the music scene in Fayetteville. While we are all stunned, we want to celebrate his legacy. All of us coming together like this has reminded us why we all love Fayetteville,” Shylock said. “I got about a dozen calls on the day

of the fire saying we needed to have an event, so it all kind of fell in my lap. The biggest problem has actually been turning away bands, because I received a huge amount of interest from bands in the area and we just didn’t have enough hours in the day to have them all play on Sunday.” Walker opened Flying Possum Leather more than 34 years ago, and was one of the last remnants of the Dickson Street that existed before the enhancement project. As of Tuesday the cause of the fire was still unknown. “The cause of the fire is currently under investigation, but we have been able to rule out arson as a possible cause of the fire,” said Mauro Campos, public information officer for the Fayetteville Fire Department. “We pulled the store owner out of the fire, where he was unconscious. We preformed CPR on the scene, but he was pronounced dead upon arrival at the Washington County Medical Center.” Walker was a well-known figure on Dickson Street for selling Birkenstocks and his one-of-a-kind patented leather guitar straps, belts and sandals. His dog Bugsy was a constant

see MEMORIAL on page 5

Kimpel Hall Priority for Renovation by SABA NASEEM Staff Writer

Less than two weeks ago, a 4.7 magnitude earthquake shook Fayetteville, causing beds to rattle, desks to wobble, and for many students, it shook their faith in the structure of some of the campus buildings. If an earthquake with a higher magnitude hits, Kimpel Hall will probably be the first to go, some students and faculty said. Kimpel Hall was built in 1971 as a classroom and office space and was originally called the Communications Center. It was later renamed Kimpel Hall after the passing of Ben Drew Kimpel, an English professor at the UA from 1952 to 1983. In 2006, the first floor of

Kimpel Hall was reported as “falling down” or “sinking,” said Marti Thomas, office manager for the journalism department. Journalism professor Kim Martin has her office in the space that was experiencing problems and remembers the cracks in the floor and walls, she said. “Sometimes I would be sitting on my desk and something would just move,” she said. “Then one day I heard the sound of concrete cracking under my table.” Journalism professor Ignatius Fosu’s office floor actually started sinking and was separated from the wall by about three inches, Martin said. “The engineers came to fix the problem, but from what I

could see, all they did was shove a bunch of sand under the floor and replace the tiles. We were also getting cracks in the wall, which were about half an inch wide. They plastered the walls so that we couldn’t see them anymore,” she said. Experts with Facilities Management later discovered the floors and walls were sinking because the floor is based on clay, said Bob Beeler, associate director for design and construction in an interview in 2006. “Clay expands with water, making it a poor choice on which to base a floor. As the clay beneath the base dried, it contracted and left a gap beneath the slab, causing the floor to sink. It is not good fill material and is something they should

not have used 30 years ago,” he said in 2006. Facilities management fixed that problem, and have not heard complaints since then, he said. The floor and foundation are not the same, Beeler said. The foundations are stable because the concrete piers are drilled all the way into the bedrock. Larry Smith, a staff architect, agrees with Beeler in that the foundation of Kimpel is sturdy and its structure is fine, he said. However, institutional service assistant Jeanine Slagtand, disagrees, she said. “I’ve been working there since January of 2009 and it’s

see KIMPEL on page 5

Leaders Discuss Fulbright Colloquium by MATTIE QUINN Staff Writer

Several faculty members from the college of arts and sciences and the business college came together Friday to organize the first Fulbright Colloquium, a program dedicated to interdisciplinary exchange of ideas and research from faculty and students at the UA. “We felt a huge need to do an event like this. In the past couple of years there has been a great desire from faculty to see what their colleagues and peers were doing,” said Lindsay Puente, assistant professor of Spanish and Latin American studies, and one of the organizers of the event. “Twenty-first century academia is so interdisciplinary, and we have received so much support from faculty asking us why something like this hasn’t happened before.

We want to create conversations and stretch intellectual boundaries.” The talks that were given at the colloquium ranged from “What is the Human?,” “The State of the South” and a keynote address entitled “Erasthonenes Today!” by Chaim Goodman-Strauss, head of the math department. In Strauss’s talk, he told the audience of the need for more far-reaching teaching and thinking at the UA. “We’re going to get creamed when students can get cheaper education and not even get out of their PJs,” [in reference to for-profit universities like University of Pheonix.] “We have to distinguish ourselves. We don’t need to be broad, we just need to be deep,” Strauss said. Students attending the colloquium mostly came for

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 2011 VOL. 105, NO. 23 UATRAV.COM

class credit, but all were enthusiastic about the talks given by their professors. “I have to come to a least one talk and write a paragraph about it for Spanish class. I could have come to the talk that is during my Spanish class, but I thought I would come hear GoodmanStrauss since he is the head of the math department and that is my major,” said junior Riley Clark. “He really focuses on how to teach math, which is what I want to do with my life.” Other students came to the talk eager to learn more about their line of studies. “I am an anthropology major so I thought I would come to the “What is the Human?” talk so I could get a feel of what I am going to be doing for the next three years,” said freshman Nicolet Smith. A major theme at the col-

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loquium was making the UA a more interdisciplinary institution with more criticalthinking from both faculty and students. “The long term health of our nation and our world depends on a population that can think critically, deeply and flexibly, communicate lucidly and fluently across cultural boundaries,” according to a letter signed by 60 Fulbright College faculty members in October 2010 that was presented in Goodman-Strauss’s talk. Students and faculty can anticipate a similar event in the years to come. “I would love for this colloquium to happen every year, and have a different department host it every year as well. I think it will end up a great way for younger faculty to talk and show-off their research and work,” Puente said.

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FRIDAY 65°

Students Could Avoid Judicial Board by JORDAIN CARNEY Asst. News Editor

ASG senators are considering legislation that would recommend granting students a onetime medical amnesty. If passed, the senate would recommend to university officials that students be allowed to call for help with alcohol emergencies once, without going through the university’s judicial board. “If we’re being ‘students first’ there’s nothing healthy about a student being afraid to call for help,” said Sen. Michael Dodd, the bill’s author. Students who complete the Medical Amnesty policy would have to undergo a brief psychoeducational intervention by Pat Walker staff, according to the legislation Officials strive to give sentences that are educational, but when sanctioins include fees they tend to think they aren’t, Dodd said. Sanctions range from alcohol education classes to 50 hours of community service or one year probation if it is a student’s first major alcohol violation, according to the OCSSE website. “This is a not a get-out-ofjail-free card,” Dodd said. “This is saving kids’ lives.”

ANDREW HAGOOD Staff Photographer Cracks in many parts of Kimpel Hall have caused some students and faculty to question the structural integrity of the building through the years, though officials said the building is safe. Renovations are expected in the near future, officials said.

Reserved Student Tickets Must be Picked up by 5 p.m. Thursday in the Union All students must have a Student ID

Public tickets on sale March 15 Students who wish to purchase additional tickets to the Keynote Address or tickets for the morning Panel Discussion may visit dalailama.uark.edu for an early access code. SATURDAY 62°

SUNDAY 63°

MONDAY 57°

TUESDAY 70°

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 2011 PAGE 2

PROFILES FROM THE HILL

A Conversation with Jon Cavallero by KRISTEN COPPOLA Staff Writer

Jon Cavallero is a new addition to the faculty at the UA. He began teaching Film Lecture and upper-level film classes in the fall 2010 semester. He has a book coming out in May about Italian-American directors, and he’s met some big names through his research. Q: How did you end up at the UA? A: I interviewed for this job last year. I was at Penn State in a non-tenure-track job. This one was listed, and I applied for it and came down and interviewed. They offered the job, and that’s how I got here. Q: How did you get interested in film? A: I took my first film class as a sophomore at Georgetown, and it was a class on re-making movies. I was blown away by it. I’d always watched movies. I’d never thought of them as something you could study seriously, and that class really turned me on to it. From there I just kept taking classes in that. Georgetown didn’t have a film program at the time, but I took as many film

classes as I did classes in my major. Q: What do you want students in your classes to take with them? A: I’d like them to leave my class being better critical thinkers and better writers. In terms of film, the most important thing that I want people to walk away with is that they’re not just entertainment. They may be entertaining, but they have a lot to tell us about our culture and our world and the way we relate to one another. Q: What was your biggest disappointment at the Oscars? A: I was disappointed that David Fincher didn’t win best director [for The Social Network.] I thought his directing was good on both a technical level and working with actors. I think he did both of those aspects of film making well, and I’m confused as to why he didn’t win. Q: Who were you most pleased to see win an award at the Oscars? A: This is an obscure award, but I was glad to see

The Social Network win editing. I thought the editing was so unique and innovative in a lot of ways, so I was thrilled to see [the Academy] do that. Q: Every year you guess on who will win each Oscar. What’s the highest number out of the 24 awards given that you’ve gotten correct? A: I usually get about 16. I’ve gotten 19 before, but that was the Titanic year, so I don’t know if that really counts. I did 18 this year. It was a tough year, because there wasn’t really a frontrunner. Every award was really difficult to figure out which way the Academy was going to go. [My fiancé] is really good at it, too, and she’s beaten me a couple of years. Not this year, though. I won this year. Q: What was your favorite year of the Oscars? A: In recent memory the best year for the movies was 1999 [and the 72nd Academy Awards in 2000, which honored the movies released in 1999.] You were getting some really interesting new kinds of films that were coming out then. The Matrix came out; American Beauty was out that year, Being John Malkovich, Fight Club. They were new kinds of movies. They were doing things with narrative and the formal aspects of movies that hadn’t really been done before. Q: What has been your greatest professional achievement? A: There are probably two. Getting the job here was a big deal. It’s a tough time for PhDs in film to get jobs that are tenure track jobs. To be sitting here and to be teaching film lecture and be on tenure track is something I’m really proud of and happy with. The other thing is my book coming out in May. I’ve been working on that thing for probably 10 years now. It’s nice to finally see it on Amazon.

Q: What is your book about? A: It’s called “Hollywood’s Italian American Film Makers.” It’s about Frank Capra, Martin Scorsese, Nancy Savoca, Francis Ford Coppola and Quentin Tarantino. It’s got five chapters, one on each director, and it looks at how they negotiated their personal ethnic background, the constraints of working within Hollywood and the larger social acceptance or prejudice toward Italian Americans in their films.

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Q: Have you met anyone famous in relation to your book research? A: For this book, I needed to do some research on some of the materials Coppola used to make The Godfather. They let me come out there and spend the day in his garage. It’s his archive, but it’s basically in a garage next to his house. It was so generous of him to let me do that. I met the librarian there. She took me up to his screening room, so I got to see where he watches movies and where he mixed all the sound for all the films since Apocalypse Now. I didn’t get to meet him in person, but Nancy Savoca and I have talked we were just emailing this week about the book. I’ve gotten to meet some of them, but not him yet. Q: Who would you most like to meet? A: I would like to meet Scorsese. I would like to sit and talk about movies with Scorsese or Coppola. On a personal level, I’d like to meet Kurt Douglas. I had met Michael [Douglas, Kurt Douglas’ son] when I was taking the first film classes. It was meeting him in my first or second semester that I realized that people actually do this for a living. He was such a nice guy, and his dad is so proud of him. I think I’d like to meet Kurt Douglas to let him know that if his son had been a jerk, maybe I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing.

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 2011

Habitotes Back for Spring Semester by LIBBI STURM Staff Writer

The reusable bags known as habitotes are back at the UA this spring with 12,500 Hog Wild Razortotes to be distributed before the May 20 baseball game against Ole Miss. These new Razorbackthemed totes are a result of the partnership between habitotes, local sponsors and the UA Athletic Department and the commitment they share to counteracting the negative impacts of single-use plastic bags, said Greg Sparrow, creator of habitotes. Following the second successful large-scale give-away at the Ole Miss football game in October, he’s spotted the Razortote being used in stores all around the state. This next distribution will represent another 75,000 recycled plastic water bottles, Sparrow said.

She loves using the habitotes bag she received during the football game, freshman Kailee Scott said. “I use it more often than any other bag I have,” she said. Although she has not considered using her tote for grocery shopping, Scott said, she would be more likely to if she had more than one, so distributing more of the bags will help more people give up plastic bags. The purpose of habitotes, Sparrow said, is not only to reduce the litter from plastic shopping bags and plastic water bottles, but also to provide sustainable options for reducing the environmental impact of waste from shopping bags and water bottles. Junior Kalene Jochems regularly uses her tote from the Ole Miss game, she said. “It’s so big and roomy,” she said. “It’s a very useful and

green accessory. You can help the environment while looking fashionable.” Totes are made of 80 percent recycled plastic water bottles and printed with soy ink, which is completely lead and allergy free. As a practical use for recycled plastic, each tote is made from five plastic water bottles that have been removed from the stream of waste. “I think [habitotes] are an excellent idea,” said senior Josh McGuire. “It is all about going green and reusing materials that we would not otherwise use.” A way to quantify the environmental impact is to consider how many plastic shopping bags can be replaced by using habitotes. If each of the Razortotes distributed in May is used only seven times instead of a plastic shopping bag, 350,000 shopping plastic bags will have been removed, Sparrow said.

McGuire said he makes a point of using tote bags instead of plastic shopping bags because it’s extraordinary the amount of plastic wasted everyday. The benefits from habitotes are more than just environmental — they’re also practical. Each tote is about four times the size of an average plastic shopping bag. In one tote, it’s possible to carry up to 25 pounds. Lasting at least 100 times longer than the average plastic shopping bag, the totes are also extremely durable and washable. Almost any logo can be printed on the habitotes design. Featured on the new Razortotes is the U of A baseball logo on one panel and the “running” Razorback on the other. Those attending the Arkansas-Ole Miss baseball game will receive a tote prior to the game, which begins at 6:35. Razortotes are also on sale at the habitotes website for $4.99.

dents are taking part in the project, including Elizabeth Bevan, Ethan Carter, Megan Huslig, Jill Ivey, Ali McAtee, Hiroko Nakao, Kylan Rakestraw, Lizbeth Rostro, Michelle Shepherd, and Jeremy Stout. Doctoral students Jianjun Du and Tom Potts are also involved. Planet Forward, a project of the Center for Innovative Media at George Washington University, “showcases smart ideas from smart people online and on TV,” according to its website. This year the special will focus on energy efficiency. The chemical engineering team will fly to Washington to film later this week. The special will consult experts to explore the science behind all of the ideas, and compare its feasibility. After the program airs, the

public will be able to go to Planet Forward’s website and vote for the idea they find most viable. An online documentary will then follow the development of the winning idea with some additional TV promotion. The university team’s idea is focused on designing a device that can convert algae into butanol autonomously, and on a small enough scale to be somewhat portable. Algae research has been going on in the chemical engineering department for two and a half years, and this team has been working on automation for the last two months, said faculty advisor Jamie Hestekin. There were skeptics when the students first decided to automate the process for their chemical engineering design II class

and the Environmental Protection Agency’s People Prosperity and the Planet, or P3, Program. “When we presented our idea,” said Ethan Carter, P3 team leader, “they told us there wasn’t enough time.” The team returned to campus a week before the spring semester began to start working on the project, and now average about 20 hours of work a week per person. The Planet Forward competition happened at the last moment, said Elizabeth Bevan. Hestekin suggested they enter the competition, and they already had a video on hand from when they were part of a larger group of chemical engineering research teams that received the John A. White award

UA Engineers Win PBS Contest by HAILEY RAY Staff Writer

The work of engineering students at the UA will receive national attention in April, when their work with an alternative fuel appears in a PBS special. A team of chemical engineering students received enough votes in an online contest to appear on the Planet Forward PBS Earth Day special April 8. Their idea, invest in algae and butanol energy research, received 1,591 votes on the Planet Forward website. They not only ranked among the top three ideas to be in the TV special, but they also received the most votes compared to ideas from Columbia University and many other individuals. Twelve undergraduate stu-

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EDITOR: Bailey Elise McBride MANAGING EDITOR: Mille Appleton

Kimpel Should Be A Priority Managing Editor Mille Appleton had a freshman experience that not many other students have: She was hit in the head by a tile that fell from the ceiling of her class in Kimpel Hall. Many of the investigative pieces we have done this semester are on topics that we on the Traveler staff are passionate about, but none perhaps as much as this week’s piece on Kimpel Hall. For those of us with offices in the Kimpel basement and classes in this sevenfloor building, the rumor that Kimpel Hall is falling down is a scary one. Uneven floors and cracks in the walls certainly give the building “character,” but I know if I had an experience similar to the one journalism instructor Kim Bailey Elise McBride Martin had, hearing the concrete traveler@uark.edu beneath her feet cracking as she worked in her office, I would think twice about spending so much time down here. The building, which is 35 percent larger than Old Main, houses the journalism, English, foreign language, drama and communications departments and plays at least some role in almost everyone’s time at the University of Arkansas. Although significant efforts have been made to “modernize” the building, it would be nice to see a stronger commitment to Fulbright as a whole and to the departments that make such a huge impact on our campus. A recent cover story on the master plan of the University did not so much as mention Kimpel Hall. We acknowledge there are numerous buildings and departments that have needs that must be addressed as the campus continues to grow. Taking care of some of our most basic needs though, and the building that serves them, should continue to be a priority for Facilities Management and Planning officials. At a minimum, we could take measures to prevent freshmen from getting clocked by ceiling tiles.

Letter from the Editor

FROM THE BOARD

‘It’s Time to Set the Record Straight’ BLACK AT THE UA by Rosalyn Taylor

Traveler Columnist

On March 2, the Supreme Court continued its recent streak of pro-First Amendment rulings when, in an 8-1 decision, the Court upheld an appeals court ruling that the U.S. Constitution protects protesting outside of military funerals. The controversial case revolves around the Westboro Baptist Church from Topeka, Kan. and the father of a dead Marine who sued the church for picketing his son’s funeral, holding signs that read, “God hates fags,” among other offensive messages. The church and its leader, Fred Phelps, have captured the attention of worldwide media for their claims that the deaths of American soldiers are God’s punishment for the country’s tolerance of homosexuality. The Supreme Court decision has been met by a public outcry with those from the left and right outraged that the church’s hatefilled speech, which has inflicted pain and distress in the lives of hundreds of families, is protected. Justice Samuel Alito was the lone dissenter, arguing that “in order to have a society in which public issues can be openly and vigorously debated, it is not necessary to allow the brutalization of innocent victims…” While we agree that the tactics and messages spewed from the Westboro Baptist Church are appalling and inconsistent with the Christian faith, we have to disagree with Alito. Writing for the majority, Chief Justice John G. Roberts said, “Speech is powerful. It can stir people to action, move them to tears of both joy and sorrow, and — as it did here — inflict great pain. On the facts before us, we cannot react to that pain by punishing the speaker.” The fact is, the members of this church obeyed the law and were 1,000 feet away from the church. They followed police instruction and although their views are clearly opposed by a large number of Americans, the solution is not to take away their speech. To paraphrase former Justice Louis Brandeis, the remedy is more speech, not enforced silence. In Cohen v. California, a man was arrested for wearing a jacket bearing a four-letter expletive that was deemed as “offensive conduct.” However, the Supreme Court ruled that he was protected under the First Amendment and Justice John Marshall Harlan II famously wrote, “one man’s vulgarity is another’s lyric.” As we have seen through massive counter protests, biker rallies that shield families from the Westboro church’s vulgar signs and the public’s vocal disapproval of their message, we must counter bad speech with good speech. This ruling, as brutal and complex as it may have been, is a victory not simply for an intolerant church, but for free speech advocates nationwide.

When people on campus hear the term “Greek” they often think of Sperry-wearing frat guys chugging beer or a plethora of peppy sorority girls chanting during roll-call at pep rallies. But there’s an additional stereotype — the fancy jacket-wearing black Greeks who make weird noises and step all the time. Although there are reasons these stereotypes exist, there is more to Greek life than many students might think, especially in terms of black, Greek lettered organizations. It’s time to set the record straight. Under the umbrella of Greek life there are three separate councils: Interfraterni-

ty Council, consisting of mostly white males, National Panhellenic Council, consisting of mainly white females and the National Pan-Hellenic Council, which consists of mostly black males and females. NPHC is made up of nine different fraternities and sororities that have existed for more than 100 years. They all are founded on the principles of scholarship, camaraderie and service to mankind. But each is unique in its own way. While NPHC, NPC and IFC should all be seen as equals, I can’t help but notice that there is a division between the councils. NPHC obviously stands out for the race factor. But here at the UA there is even greater a divide because of the overbearing presence of NPC and IFC, with their colossal houses, huge recruitment groups and sheer number of members. With that said, NPHC’s process of admitting members is also done differently from IFC and NPC. It’s more intimate and time consuming. For example, NPC girls have a week to “rush” houses — meaning girls visit and later pick the houses (or sororities) they want to be a part of. Hopefully the house

will pick them back, but there’s no guarantee. With NPHC, membership intake is done over a prolonged period of time. Instead of them choosing you, you chose them. If accepted, your loyalty remains with that particular organization and potential members don’t try out every sorority or fraternity to see which one works best for him or her. A friend once told me about her roommate being a member of an NPC sorority and how frivolous the whole process seemed to her. She said, “how do you get to know someone after a week?” Well, you don’t. I’ve asked many of my own friends who are a part of NPC if they knew most of their pledge class. Typically, they don’t. There are simply too many people to know everyone. When asked who founded their organization and where it was founded, the answer is usually a shrug or an “I forgot.” As a member of an NPHC organization, I can say that this is simply not the case for me or for most others. How can you represent something that you don’t know the history of? All of these differences have shaped NPHC’s underlying repu-

tation as “the other Greeks.” NPHC choses to do things differently. For members of these nine organizations, “going Greek” is not just a college thing, it’s a lifetime commitment that one keeps at the forefront of his or her life. Members are encouraged to stay active in graduate chapters after leaving their collegiate institutions. These graduate chapters help govern undergraduate chapters but remain completely independent of them. Philanthropy, a strong sisterhood and brotherhood, quality membership and a sense of pride and knowledge of the Greek organization is what makes an NPHC member truly effective and purposeful. I want to encourage those of you who don’t understand what black Greek life is all about to take a closer look. Go to the national websites or ask a member. They will be more than happy to give you some insight into what it’s all about. So UA students, it isn’t the size of the house that should determine the value of a Greek organization or council to its community. It’s the quality, not quantity of its members that make the organization great and worthwhile.

dency there. If a student has not established residency there, they must vote in the states or other New Hampshire towns they hail from. New Hampshire’s voting-related bill is just one of many being proposed by newly empowered GOP lawmakers across the country. States like Wisconsin and North Carolina are proposing bills that would add regulations such as requiring voters to present a photo ID or proof of citizenship. All of this comes in the leadup to the 2012 presidential election, in which President Barack Obama will face stiff competition from his Republican op-

ponents. Wisconsin is a prime example of Republican leaders flexing political muscle and undermining the power of Democratic voters. Unions, consisting largely of Democratic supporters, have come under fire in Wisconsin and other states, and the campaign to strip young voters of their rights is now underway. Redistricting measures throughout the nation will also have an enormous impact on upcoming elections. Redistricting in our state could lead to a dramatic shift in power and should be done with great caution. While these extreme voting

measures have not yet been introduced in Arkansas, anything is possible as election day nears. Young people at the UA and other higher institutions of learning across the country must stand together to ensure that our voices are not silenced. We cannot be dismissed as “foolish” just because we are young. We must stand with our fellow citizens in New Hampshire in saying that college students have a right to vote for the candidates we believe in — whether Democrat or Republican. It’s absurd that in 2011 we are fighting to hang on to the most basic of rights.

College Voters Under Attack by Samantha Williams Opinion Editor

College kids are foolish, lack life experience and “just vote their feelings.” That’s what New Hampshire’s Republican House speaker believes, anyway. Speaker William O’Brien went on to say, while addressing a Tea Party group, that “Voting as a liberal — that’s what kids do.” He and other lawmakers are proposing legislation that would only permit students to vote in their college towns if they or their parents have established permanent resi-

LETTER TO THE EDITOR EDITORIAL BOARD EDITOR MANAGING EDITOR OPINION EDITOR NEWS EDITOR

Bailey Elise McBride Mille Appleton Samantha Williams

Nick DeMoss The Arkansas Traveler welcomes letters to the editor. Letters should be at most 300 words and include your name, student classification and major or title with the university and a day-time telephone number for verification. Letters to the editor can be sent to traveler@uark.edu. Letters are edited for grammar and length, not content.

The U of A has done a phenomenal job of promoting green initiatives on campus through various recycling programs and other efforts, such as the “earth tubs” that recycle cafeteria food into compost. However, the green movement can sometimes get carried away. The movement to ban the sale of plastic water bottles on some college campuses has gone too far. It would be overreaching to assume that banning water bottles on campus would have an impact on the

environment given the incredible success of the U of A and CocaCola’s recycling programs here. In 2009, Coca-Cola opened a bottle-to-bottle recycling plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina that “will have the capacity to produce 100 million pounds of recycled PET plastic chips -- enough to produce 2 billion 20-ounce bottles of Coke or Dasani or whatever (Greenbiz.com). At this plant, PET plastic isn’t just recycled back into new water and soda bottles. Recycled plastic becomes flooring, playground equipment and auto parts. It also becomes fi-

bers for clothing, such as T-shirts and fleece jackets. Environmentalists are concerned that water bottles fill up landfills with plastic that won’t decompose, but now there’s a new solution: The PlantBottle. This new bottle for Dasani water from Coca-Cola is made with up to 30 percent plant-based material. Coca-Cola is also working to develop a bottle composed of 100 percent plant-based materials. According to Coca-Cola’s website, the PlantBottle is the only bottle made of plant materials, which is also 100 percent

recyclable. I hope this new bottle will become available on our campus soon. Small changes in our everyday lives like turning off the water when we brush our teeth are changes everyone can and should make. Students, faculty, and staff all play an integral role in ensuring the success of our recycling program. Corporate recycling campaigns and innovative, sustainable production go a long way to achieving green goals too. JOHN S. GRAGG Senior, Political Science/ Agriculture Business

PAGE 5

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 2011

ELC Receives Recognition as Outstanding UA Staff by HAILEY RAY Staff Writer

The employees of the Enhanced Learning Center are being recognized for a year of hard work and dedication. The Staff Senate announced the ELC as the winners of the 2010 Staff Senate Outstanding Staff Team Award in February. “We feel very privileged to have won. It’s a true honor,” said Charlotte Lee, director of the ELC. The award recognizes staff teams for their accomplishments, as well as encouraging and promoting excellence in the workplace, according to the Staff Senate website. The ELC was nominated by Karen Hodges, executive director of academic success for the center. “They work together as a team to find inexpensive and efficient way to keep up with all the students who come through the center,” Hodges said. “They are very innovative and very creative. They made their own app to help the tutors and the supplemental education leaders.” The ELC Staff Team includes Charlotte Lee, Anne Raines, Paula Agee, Bob Haslam, Ron Norvell, Johnathon P. Williams, Cat Donnelly and more than 70 student workers. Student workers serve as mentors, tutors and lead supplemental instruction sessions. “They are critical [to our success],” Lee said. “We couldn’t do what we do without student tutors, SI leaders, mentors and ambassadors.” The full-time staff implements training and planning, but students provide the services, Lee said.

KIMPEL from page 1 pretty apparent that this place is deteriorating,” she said. “The floors are uneven. I don’t know how bad it is and I don’t really try to think about it.” There were floods on the second floor stairwell after a rainstorm a couple weeks ago, there have been leaks in other areas in the building, she said. “We report everything to facilities management, however, our department is very understaffed so sometimes it takes a while for things to be fixed.” There have been incidents where people have gotten stuck in the elevators, the bathrooms are not well ventilated at all, and the entire building looks outdated, she said. As the UA works on renovating its buildings on campus, Kimpel Hall is one of the first priorities, Beeler said. The building is one of the most used on campus, for both students and professors. It houses the journalism, English, foreign language, drama and communications departments. It is approximately 135,000 square feet, which is 35 percent larger than Old Main, said Jay Huneycutt, director of planning and capital programming at fa-

“I think the key component of [our] success is the peer tutoring, supplemental instruction and mentoring,” said Paula Agee, instructional programming specialist. “Peers are more approachable and less intimidating than perhaps a professor might be, especially for freshmen and sophomores.” Students can receive tutoring in 30 subjects in buildings across campus, including the ELC’s main location on the Garden Level of Gregson Hall. Students can also get writing advice, have papers reviewed or get help with any stage of the writing process at the Quality Writing Center, an extension of the ELC, located on the third floor of Kimpel Hall. “The QWC helped me with the overall structure of my paper and the conclusion, and it helped me to get an A for my paper,” said Tom Peck, a junior history major. When Lee took her position in 2006, the ELC served 2,442 different students. Those students used the ELC 11,862 times. During fall 2010, the ELC was used by 3,870 different students a total of 24,344 times, according to the ELC 2009-10 Annual Highlights. This increase in student use occurred with no increases to the ELC staff. To cope, the ELC developed the RazorTrack application to help ELC staff members, particularly SI leaders, keep track of student participation and grades. “We’re always trying something new,” Lee said. “Before, we weren’t web-based. It was more difficult for the tutors and SI leaders.” Student leaders download the app to their iPhones or iPods, or use an iPod Touch provided by

the ELC. The app allows them to take attendance and award points, which can help students in certain SI groups raise their grades for that class, at the professor’s discretion. The use of the app has allowed the ELC to gather much more information from students, including their grade point average, major and ethnicity, which will allow them to identify and reach out to groups on campus that are not being served, Lee said. “The Enhanced Learning Center is able to help a lot of students but we know there are many more who would benefit,” said Agee. More than 50 percent of the students who receive tutoring and almost 48 percent of students who participate in the SI program have GPAs between 3.00 and 3.99, according to the 2009-10 Annual Highlights. The ELC also offers workshops to help classes, and the website offers advice for those suffering from test anxiety. Workshops cover basic college skills like time management, study skills and note taking. The ELC also provides the courses college learning I and II, which students can enroll in through ISIS. The courses are offered to transitioning freshmen, Agee said. “The classes meet on Monday and Wednesday, and on Friday they meet with a student mentor for the first 12 weeks of the semester. It helps students to adapt to the college environment and culture when they meet with an upperclassmen.” The ELC staff will be receive a plaque and cash award from the Staff Senate at their March 10 meeting in Giffels Auditorium at Old Main.

cilities management. Facilities Management has already upgraded many of the rooms to smart rooms and has “modernized” the look, he said. They will continue to work on the building until all the classrooms are changed. Renovations cost anywhere from $40,000 to $70,000 per classroom, depending on its size and condition. “An auditorium would cost three times that much,” Beeler said. This summer they will be renovating the two auditoriums on the first floor. “The new rooms are like a beauty mark on a whole body,” said Jonathon Green, a sophomore drama major. “The building is very unattractive, but these new smart rooms are nice.” Some students didn’t mind Kimpel’s appearance, and in fact, like it. “I don’t mind Kimpel at all,” said John Moseley, a senior sports management major. “I like how it looks on the outside, it’s kind of old school. It looks better than the new buildings on campus. They’re just too modernized and don’t fit in,” he said. However, most students expressed strong distaste for both the appearance and the architecture of the building, they said. If Kimpel did end up falling, they wouldn’t miss it, they said.

MEMORIAL from page 1 companion and could almost always be seen hanging around the outside of the store. “The dog was pulled unharmed from the fire and was taken to an animal shelter. As far as damage to the store is concerned, the back of the store (which served as a storage area,) suffered major smoke damage and will need to be rebuilt, but the rest of the building isn’t a total loss,” Campos said. After was Walker was pronounced dead, Bugsy’s future became a source of great speculation. “We do know that a family member of Walker’s is coming to get him (from the animal shelter,) later on this week. Which family member that is and when they are coming isn’t known at this time,” said a representative from the Fayetteville Animal Shelter. Other owners of Dickson Street businesses felt a great loss after Walker’s passing. “We lost a great neighbor in Bruce today. He was a living institution in the area, Fayetteville lost a great man today,” said Michael Theodore, owner of Kosmos Greek Cafe, next door to Flying Possum Leather.

ENGINEERING from page 3 for student-faculty cooperation. When their team became one of the top 22 nominees, emails were dispatched to students in the Honors College and College of Engineering, and the votes began coming in. “We’re excited that the idea is out there, and that people are looking at alternatives to gas,” Carter said. “It’s exciting that they’re looking at [our work].” Butanol has comparable efficiency to ethanol, but with several other perks. Butanol is noncorrosive, and can be used in most cars on the market with only minor mechanical adjustments. Ethanol has to be mixed with gas and is produced largely from corn, Carter said. “Corn takes away from the food supply and uses land space.” Butanol also has a more subtle smell, Bevan said, and does not become a vapor as easily. Through a series of chemi-

cal processes and fermentation, algae can be converted into butanol. Using algae provides no competition for the food supply, so the price of corn is not affected, and even removes pollutants from the waters it grows in. “We get our [algae] from New York City where it’s a nuisance,” Carter said. The city usually piles the algae into landfills when it overtakes waterways, so instead of taking energy from the food supply, it comes from waste. The group hopes to develop the process into an automated system that is affordable enough that its purchase can be justified by the savings on fuel. “Our objective is to put the feed in one side, hit the red button, and get butanol out the other side,” Carter said. They want the device to be accessible to people who aren’t engineers, allowing them to maintain it by following a simple instruction manual. When finished, the portable and environmental algae converting equipment, PEACE one

, will take about two pounds of dried algae and convert it into 25 mL of butanol, or about two tablespoons, in less than a week. Though it may not seem like a lot, the next prototype will run continuously and produce about 10 gallons of butanol a week. That stage of development will take about a year, and depending on the amount of support received from the public, the technology could be implanted with three to four years, Bevan said. After enough development, the technology could potentially be used like oil rigs in the ocean, said Kylan Rakestraw. Large algae farms could grow in the ocean, be harvested and converted to algae on the rig and then be piped through existing lines to the main land. The goal of their work to produce clean energy, not just an alternative to foreign oil, is exemplified by the project’s title in the P3 competition, “Cleaning water, fueling society, and sustaining life.”

THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER

You can check out the Traveler online at uatrav.com or by scanning here:

PAGE 6 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 2011

FEATURES EDITOR: Lindsey Pruitt ASST. FEATURES EDITOR: Erin Robertson

Elected Sweethearts Sweeten Fraternity Life

Courtesy Photo

Members of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity are pictured with their Sweetheart, Tori Pohlner. by ELIZABETH BOSTWICK Staff Writer

Ask any Greek guy about his college experience, and girls are destined to factor into the conversation at some point. Maybe it’s a blanket statement, but girls are simply a key component of fraternity life. That being said, it should come as no surprise that most fraternities have an annual program designed to identify and honor one ideal girl. Around this time of year, fraternity members assemble to nominate and vote on potential “Sweethearts.” Sweethearts are chosen based on their involvement in fraternity activities, relationships with fraternity members and other criteria determined by individual houses. The Sweetheart system, though similar in many cases, is unique

to each fraternity. Sweethearts are photographed, and their pictures are included in the fraternity composites. “We have had a Sweetheart every year as far back as the 50s and 60s,” said Graham Talley, president of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. “We are currently in the process of selecting our Sweetheart and have taken nominations. [We will] announce this year’s SAE Sweetheart during our ROW Week Day Party on April 11.” The Sweetheart system is similar in most Greek houses, though some fraternities have already agreed on their Spring 2011 Sweetheart selection. “As far as I know, Farmhouse has been picking Sweethearts since we have been founded here in 1954,” said Topher Addison, president of FarmHouse frater-

nity. “We choose our Sweetheart based on their involvement with Farmhouse. They usually come to all of our events, bake us cookies and most of them have been dating FarmHouse men.” Unlike several of the fraternities, the men of Farmhouse have identified this year’s Sweetheart. “Our Sweetheart this year is Ms. Kara Dell,” Addison said. “She is [our former President] Daniel Hollinger’s fiancé. She has been involved with FarmHouse for as long as her and Daniel have been dating. She attends all of our events and is a strong supporter of everything we do.” Pi Kappa Alpha chooses their Sweetheart based on whether or not she is the ideal woman. “We narrow it down to one girl [who] exemplifies everything you want in a woman,”

said Alexander Marshall, President of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. The Lamda Chi Sweetheart program has a unique history. Formerly called the Crescent Girl program, the program is intended to recognize “those we cherish,” said Jeff Hughes, president of Lamda Chi Alpha fraternity. Lamda Chi members select a Sweetheart in the fall. “For [this] school year, Kelli Golden of Zeta Tau Alpha is our Sweetheart,” Hughes said. “She is a senior, psychology major from North Little Rock, Arkansas. She is the former President of Zeta Tau Alpha. She has been dating a Lamda Chi, Mason Miller, for the past four years. She has been a wonderful Sweetheart and a great representation of Lamda Chi Alpha.” The Sigma Chi Sweetheart program has a different back-

ground. “In the spring of 1911, two newly initiated members of the Abion College chapter sat down and created the song, ‘The Sweetheart of Sigma Chi,’” said Jake Fair, president of Sigma Chi fraternity. “Since then, the concept of the Sweetheart has gained popularity all across the world with the adoption of Sweethearts at every chapter and even an international Sweetheart.” The reigning Sigma Chi Sweetheart is Jordan Easley. Sigma Chi members selected Easley, a member of Delta Delta Delta, in Spring 2010, Fair said. “We select our Sweetheart through a nomination process of about four weeks and then an overall chapter vote,” Fair said. “We vote on our Sweetheart in the spring semester. It’ll be announced this year at a Kansas

City Royals baseball game that we will be attending as a part of our formal in April.” Phi Delta Theta fraternity has also selected a Sweetheart for the year, Tyler McKimmey, president of Phi Delta Theta, said. “Our Sweetheart this year is Tori Pohlner who is a sophomore Zeta Tau Alpha. Tori is always helping our chapter out with rush, planning functions and making T-shirts, just to mention a few. She also bakes us cakes or cookies before finals, initiation etc.,” McKimmey said. Sweetheart programs differ depending on the fraternity, but the central purpose of the program is the same in every house. Sweethearts make the fraternity experience that much sweeter—figuratively and literally, of course.

Courtesy Photo

Members of Farm House Fraternity are pictured with their Sweethearts, Kaitlin Mitchell ‘09, Kara Dell ‘11, and Madalene Major ‘10

Rising Singer/ Songwriter

Battles the Age of Downloading by BRADY TACKETT Staff Writer

Contessa Shew STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Brooke Benham’s clothing line was featured in a fashion show Tuesday. The clothing line gives tribute to Native American dress.

UA Celebrates the Art of Women byLIBBI STURM Staff Writer

Charlotte Hill O’Neal, also known as Mama C., is an internationally acclaimed visual artist, musician, poet and author of “Warrior Woman of Peace.” She will host the finale of the UA celebration of Women’s History Month in the Arkansas Union Theater on March 31 from 6-8 p.m. The presentation will conclude the month’s other events honoring Women’s History Month including the display of Brooke Benham’s clothing line in the Anne Kittrell Art Gallery, a crosscultural fashion show on the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day and the Women’s Information Expo. Women have always played a critical role in the economic, cultural and social well-being of communities, and Women’s History Month is an opportunity, said Brande Flack-Armstrong, program coordinator of the Multicultural Center, to “educate the campus community about women’s achievements in the community and around the world.” Showcasing the achievement of women has a unique importance on the university campus, said Cedric Kenner, Multicultural Center director,

because of the challenges women face in the professional world. “I have seen many instances during professional meetings that a woman’s comment or suggestion will not be heard until her male colleague repeats it,” he said. Even today, the old mentality persists that the domestic duties are the sole responsibility of women and that men are the dominant actors in the workplace, he said. Awareness of the contributions women make around the world will help dispel this myth. “Another common issue is the guilt that sometimes arises when mothers have to spend less time with their children because of their job,” he said. “This is an opportunity for us to celebrate, honor and encourage women.” “It’s a time for change,” Kenner said, “and I hope the events throughout the month will be a challenge to women to continue to pursue independence.” Flack-Armstrong she “hopes to show the campus that women of all walks of life can make a difference in the community and the world,”

see ART OF WOMEN on page 7

The music industry of old is crumbling. Barely 5 percent of people that download music pay for it, according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Music labels are no longer a necessity for fledgling artists, who can suddenly record, advertise and distribute music without a label’s funding. Megan Slankard, a young San Francisco songwriter who will perform Sunday at George’s, is a case study. The singer’s last two releases cumulatively sold more than 25,000 units, driven mostly by word of mouth and an appearance on the TLC show “What Not to Wear.” “You don’t need a big record company to be successful,” Slankard said. She recalled when Radiohead digitally released 2007’s “In Rainbows” on their website, without help from any labels, a move she called “very brave and very necessary.” “I think it’s an exciting time to be an independent artist,” Slankard said. “I think music itself is flourishing in a different way because we don’t have the big, giant labels.” Without label-backed tour vans and stage set-ups, independent musicians must rethink live performances. Slankard seized on what seems to be a rising market – house concerts. “It’s kind of an underground culture that’s pretty healthy,” she said. “It’s fun to go across country and play and be exposed to an audience that’s completely paying attention.” These events recall a time before recorded Courtesy Photo sound, when live music was the only music. Unlike arena shows, house concerts allow musicians to connect with individual audi- Megan Slankard is a musician from San Francisco who uses word of mouth to expose others to her music. She will open for Andy Frasco at George’s on Sunday. ence members, Slankard said. But most of her songs are written and practiced for an audience of one. Slankard’s pet first one, ‘It’s Easy to Fall.’ It’s pretty funny, her newest release, “A Token of the Wreckparrot, which she has owned for 11 years, even then I was writing mopey singer-song- age.” always sings writer stuff.” The record, her first in five years, is a long along “in his Slankard cites time coming, Slankard said. own special The Beatles as “I started recording it about three years ago. IF YOU GO: Megan Slankard way,” she said. i n s p i r a t i o n , It was so exciting to start a new record, but Slankard is but her songs little things kept happening to delay it,” she will perform at 9 p.m. Sunday 26, and spent smack of a dis- said. at George’s Majestic Lounge. half those years tinctly AmeriThis was likely a side effect of trying somewriting and can radio pop. thing new – “Token” is Slankard’s first record She will open for Andy Frasco. performing, she She has worked with the band she has toured with for four said. with nice-guy years. “I’ll tell you ’90s rockers like “These songs are a little more mature. I feel one thing – the first songs were not very Counting Crows and Hootie and the Blow- like the musicians were more mature, they regood,” she said. “I remember the title of the- fish, groups that clearly left an impression on ally challenged me,” she said.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 2011 PAGE 7

Announces Summer Line-Up

Bailey McBride EDITOR IN CHIEF

Bonnaroo is a summer music festival held in Manchester, TN. This year Bonnaroo will be held June 9- 12. Some of the artists coming include Eminem, Arcade Fire and Widespread Panic by EMILY DELONG Staff Writer

Tens of thousands of music lovers will gather for the four-day music and camping festival this summer, known as Bonnaroo. The festival will be held June 9-12 in Manchester Tennessee. Named “Best Festival” and declared one of the “50 moments that changed rock & roll” by Rolling Stone magazine, Bonnaroo has become a summer tradition and a must-see event for many. The 2011 festival will mark the tenth year for the festival and will feature tons of shows, activities and happy campers. Bonnaroo recently released

from ART OF WOMEN on page 6 Flack-Armstrong said. “I hope [the events] inspire women to dream big and come together for the greater good of the world.” The month’s programs began with the opening of Brooke Benham’s clothing line on display in the Anne Kittrell Art Gallery. A local clothing and jewelry designer, Benham is also the owner of Ultra Studios and Salon. The display will be open until March 31. There will be a presentation of the historical evolution of women’s clothing March 10 from 7-9 p.m., including a reception. In the Union Connections Lounge from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 16 there will be a Women’s Information Expo. This is a time, FlackArmstrong said, for campus and area organizations dedicated to women to network with each other and

its 2011 lineup, which many consider its strongest one yet. Headliners include rapper Enimem, recent Grammy-winner Arcade Fire and beloved jam-band Widespread Panic. While the festival originally featured mostly jam bands, it has recently broadened its appeal so much to include acts from almost every genre: hip-hop, bluegrass, jazz, electronica and indie rock. The lineup is so diverse that it should be able to appease music fans of all varieties. Those interested in hip-hop will be happy to hear Lil Wayne, Big Boi and Atmosphere during the weekend; folk and bluegrass fans should check out Alison

Krauss, Mumford & Sons and Old Crow Medicine Show; anyone into electronic music should not miss Ratatat or Bassnectar; while those who love jazz can relax to the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Other bands not to miss include My Morning Jacket, an alt-country band known for great live performances, the legendary, high-energy indie rock group The Strokes, and garage-inspired indie rock engineers The Walkmen. A full lineup is available at www.bonnaroo.com. For those who grow weary of the non-stop music, Bonnaroo provides many other activities to keep attendees occupied. In addition to the music, the

with students and to advertise what’s happening locally concerning women’s services. In honoring the significant achievements of women throughout history as well as in the new millennium, several events will include a broader, global perspective. The International Student and Scholars Office staff hosted the first cultural presentation Tuesday afternoon with a fashion show and other cultural performances in the Union Connection Lounge. Mama C.’s final event will also bring in a multicultural perspective. Born in Kansas City, Kan., she has lived in Tanzania since 1972 and is “a special motivator for women who has traveled the world inspiring students to become productive members of their communities,” Flack-Armstrong said. A dynamic artist who captivates her audience with her words and music, she said, Mama C. uses her poetry and

music as a creative expression of her heritage and as a way to encourage unity and solidarity among people from all walks of life. “There are rich traditions involving women more than just locally and we want to let people explore what’s happening around the world,” Kenner said. “It’s good to see many cultural perspectives.” “The planning for this month has been a collaborative, campus-wide effort,” Kenner said. From the fifteen women on the Women’s History Committee generating ideas along with the student committee, to the sponsorship of the Dean of Students Office, the International Student and Scholars Office, University Programs and faculty members, there has been a lot of support from a diverse range of groups across campus. “But,” he said, “Brande [Flack-Armstrong] deserves a lot of thanks for her passionate effort to put these events

festival offers a comedy tent, a silent disco, a grafffiti wall, the “Broo’ers” beer festival, an on-site cinema, a classic arcade, art exhibitions and an abundance of shops and stalls, among other things. “[New activities] are being developed as we speak,” said Ken Weinstein, a spokesman for the event. “The organizers always develop new ideas every year.” Bonnaroo has taken an interest in sustainability from the start, and offers many environmental programs such as recycling, composting and Planet

see BONNAROO on page 9

PAGE 8

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 2011

UA Professors Bridge the Gap Between Past and Present

Courtesy Photo

Pratt will combine business with pleasure on his visit to Arkansas. The pianist will celebrate his second performance on campus and will reunite with friends in the UA music department.

World Famous Pianist Awadagin Pratt to Play at UA by ANDREW VAN GENDEREN Staff Writer

Awadagin Pratt is as prodigious as he is unconventional, playing classical piano with a passion and intensity that not only tells the composer’s story, but his own. “It’s not easy to describe an artistic personality of such scope,” said Jura Margulis, professor of music at the UA. “He really has a complete command of the instrument, and he communicates with the audience in a sincere and serious way.” Awadagin (Ah–wah–da– JEEN) is both a sight and a sound to behold. Eschewing tuxedos, he plays concerts in bright floral shirts, dreadlocks flowing over his shoul-

ders and puts his entire body effortlessly into the keys. The 45-year-old has made quite a name for himself since he broke into the music scene in 1992, winning the prestigious Naumburg International Piano Competition. He has played with nearly every major orchestra in the world and obtained some of the most prestigious music degrees in the United States and Europe. Margulis is especially excited about Awadagin’s upcoming performance, and not just because of his stellar musicianship. “Awadagin was a student with the same teacher I was studying with; he is a dear friend of mine,” Margulis said. “I am looking forward to the whole thing. The reper-

toire that he is doing is a very wide, very serious repertoire.” Margulis and Pratt have played together at the Walton Arts Center, as well as in festivals around the United States, Europe and Asia. They have also played two concerts together in Fayetteville with the chamber orchestra. “Not only was it great fun playing with him, it was great fun rehearsing with him,” Margulis said. “He has a very unique style of communication going on during rehearsal – not just verbally but musically, through his instrument.” This will be Pratt’s second time to play at the University of Arkansas, and at least the

see AWADAGIN PRATT on page 9

Courtesy Photo

The bridge to War Eagle is a historical staple of Arkansas and the inspiration for a documentary on natural history created by UA Journalism professors Dale Carpenter and Larry Foley. by ERIN ROBERTSON & SABA NASEEM Traveler Staff

In the Ozark Hills, not far from Fayetteville, Ark., flows an unprotected stream, under an old steel bridge and next to a red gristmill, carrying the many stories of people who are touched by its current. The War Eagle Creek not only carries the legend of its name, but the stories of all those who live and thrive on it. UA journalism professors Larry Foley and Dale Carpenter have taken this picturesque image of War Eagle to tell the stories of the people around it, in their documentary “Bridge to War Eagle.” The documentary will premiere March 10, at 7 p.m. at the Fayetteville Public Library. Foley and Carpenter have worked together on numerous projects over the years, beginning with their careers at KATV, transfers to AETN and finally, a place in the UA journalism department. “We’ve known each other since ’79 and have worked together off and on ever since,” Foley said. “There’s a rhythm to how we work together.” The duo has maintained their award-winning partnership, making documentaries like “Lost Squadron,” a film profiling the restoration of a WWII P-38 airplane forgotten under layers of glacial ice in Greenland for 50 years, and “Sacred Spaces: The Architecture of Fay Jones,” about the beloved UA architect. “To me, the best stories are the ones that are captivating for any number of reasons but have escaped general knowledge…and have a bit of a wow factor,” Foley said.

Their newest film exemplifies this, and focuses on environmentalism and a genre Foley likes to call “natural history.” “The idea actually began when I got a call from a friend of mine who asked if I would be interested in doing a documentary on the War Eagle Creek,” Foley said. “The first thing I asked was ‘What is the story?’” he said. War Eagle Creek is an unprotected stream that falls off the top of an Ozark Mountain and flows into Beaver Lake. Communities and landowners have minimal restrictions on how they use the War Eagle, or what can seep into the water from their property and so the people downstream are dependent on the “thoughtful protection of those living upstream,” according to a press release. “It’s not like the Buffalo, which is a nationally protected stream, but it flows into our drinking water,” Foley said. Foley described the film as one of environmental concepts, framed around the well-known bridge over War Eagle Creek. It features all four seasons and shows how this natural system changes throughout the seasons. And yet, Foley said, “The ultimate message is this: it’s up to all of us to protect what we have.” In no way is the film a dry, scientific piece. “Bridge to War Eagle” is thirty minutes of lush cinematography, spanning the Ozark Hills and waterways from the first filming in the spring of ’09 until the final shots were recorded in fall of ‘10. Foley was particularly proud of the aerial shots, done by photographer Trey

Marley from a low-flying airplane and a wide-angle lens. The result is a broad, ethereal view of the wilderness surrounding the Bridge, symbolic of its wide-reaching influence. The film begins with the story of Fort Smith artist John Bell and his creation of a new painting titled “The War Eagle Bridge.” The painting is set in 1907, when the bridge was built. “Bridge to War Eagle” tells the story of Texas wildlife biologist Rufus Stephens, who comes to the area to stay in his family’s cabin on the creek. This was the place his father brought him and where he brought his own son, before he was tragically killed. The film also profiles Ron Duncan, a retired school teacher who created a project in the 1980s that grew into the national “Hooked on Fishing” program and Robert Swain, who designs and produces guitar picks for music stars. Swain lives right on the creek, near an impressively rugged bluff known as “Big Eddy.” Of the challenge of preserving the creek for future generations, Swain said in the film: “[My goal is to] get as many people to fall in love with it as I did.” And thus, at its simplest, “Bridge to War Eagle” is a love story. Funding for “Bridge to War Eagle” was made possible by Jim Lindsey, Audubon Arkansas, the Junior Memorial Fund, the Beaver Water District, the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission, and the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism.

Inside the Mind of Miss U of A

Courtesy Photo by SHELBY GILL

Contributing Writer

Kacey Keefe, representing Kappa Delta Sorority, won over judges at the Miss University of Arkansas Pageant and took home the crown as the Miss U of A 2011. She is a biology and psychology major, a member of the Panhellenic Judicial Board and a FYE orientation leader. Q: How did you get involved with pageants? A: I actually competed for the first time in Miss Northwest Arkansas two years ago. I signed up with only two weeks until the pageant. It was definitely a learning experience. I had a great time and I became a believer in what this system does for young ladies and the scholarships I could win by competing. Q: What does the work “behind stage” entail? A: For interviews, I did a lot of practice questions and stayed up on my current events. I tried to prepare myself for anything they could possibly ask me. I also did a lot with the Arkansas Children’s Hospital as part of my platform: “Youth and You: Supporting Your Local Children’s Hospital.” Work-

from AWADAGIN PRATT on page 8 fourth time he has played in Fayetteville, Margulis said. Margulis’s credentials are at least as impressive as Awadagin’s, yet he has nothing but admiration for his friend and fellow musician. Born in St. Petersburg, Russia into a family of musicians, he studied piano in Germany before coming to the U.S. to make a living. “I was born in Russia, raised in Germany, and an American by choice,” Margulis said. Although he had the benefit of growing up in a family of artists, the piano stood out to him from a young age. His father, also a renowned pianist, taught him initially before he was sent to school to study. “It was a perfect match,” said Margulis of the piano. “We found each other.” One of the things Margulis most admires about Awada-

ing with Arkansas Children’s Hospital is something I care a great deal about and it’s a great extension of my platform. For talent, I had to find the perfect song and I began to practice it on my own, in the car, in front of my friends, just about anytime I could. Swimsuit was the most difficult part, staying in shape, making sure I was eating healthy. Oh, and I practiced the twirl we had to do onstage to make sure I didn’t trip. Q: How did you feel when you were crowed Miss U of A? A: At first, I was in complete shock. And then it really hit me and the excitement and adrenaline kicked in. The best feeling was realizing that I had made it to Miss Arkansas, especially as Miss U of A. Q: How does Miss U of A impact your future?

as most of the country knows, placed 1st Runner Up at Miss America. Her talent is amazing and I love how America has responded to her in such a positive way. I love seeing Alyse perform on all the national morning news and talk shows and I admire the work she does in the community. Q: What do you do to keep your body in good shape and health for competitions? A: It takes time and commitment. I have to plan both my workout schedule and meals ahead of time and make myself stick to them. But I’ve also learned it’s okay to cheat every once in awhile because it keeps you happy! Miss Northwest Arkansas Tracy Neal and I are accountability partners so that helps me stick to my schedule too. Q: What does Miss U of A do?

A: The opportunities I get as Miss University of Arkansas are incredible and the preparation for Miss Arkansas will be useful even after I stop competing in pageants. I’ll have an opportunity to meet and develop relationships with a lot of community and state leaders -- I just visited Little Rock for Razorback Day at the Capitol, for example. Practicing for interview will help me next year when I begin applying to medical school. My involvement with the Arkansas Children’s Hospital also allows me to spend time in an environment I plan to pursue a career in.

A: I am granted the privilege of representing the U of A as a scholar, volunteer and an active member of our campus. I also get to do a lot of fun appearances too. I just recently met many of our state government officials at the capitol and promoted Children’s Miracle Network as part of National Pancake Day. I will be singing the national anthem at various Razorback sporting events throughout the year and I hear I even get to throw the first pitch at a Northwest Arkansas Naturals game. I am also honored to represent my university at the Miss Arkansas pageant in July.

Q: Who do you look up to in the pageantry business?

Q: How long have you practiced your talent?

A: Alyse Eady is a great ambassador for our state. Alyse is our current Miss Arkansas and

A: I actually changed my talent song to “If I Were a Boy” about two weeks before the pageant,

gin is his incredible versatility – and not just in music. In high school, Awadagin was forced to decide between pursuing a professional tennis career and studying music. He chose the latter, and it seems to have served him well. He earned an unprecedented three degrees from the renowned Peabody Conservatory of Music in piano, violin and conducting, and shortly thereafter commenced touring the world, winning an astounding number of competitions and awards along the way. He has played in recent years at the White House (for the administrations of both President Obama and President Clinton), with the New York Philharmonic, on National Public Radio, on Good Morning America and the Today Show and on Sesame Street. “He is very multitalented. He is not only an outstanding pianist but also a conductor,”

Margulis said. “Also, he is a good chess and Scrabble player, as well as a tennis player. He is truly a sort of Renaissance man. He also cooks.” The polymath Pratt will be playing selections from Beethoven, Schumann, Bach and Liszt, the latter of which is, according to Margulis, one of the most important pieces written for piano in the entire romantic period. “The last step of mastery is when you play the piano like you invented it,” Margulis said. “And this is what he does. It is pure communication, pure expression. What he wants to communicate is deep, and spiritual, and emotional and he does that when he plays.” The concert will be held in Stella Boyle Concert Hall March 13 at 8:00 p.m. Admission is free for students. A reception will follow the event.

but I typically begin practicing a song a few months in advance. Q: What do you view as your strengths in pageantry? A:I love the interview portion of competition, which lasts 10 minutes. I have a very strong personality and I love the atmosphere of the interview room. If you go in with confidence you have to expect tough questions -- anything from controversial topics to current events to knowing the amount of uninsured children in Arkansas. I make sure I always feel prepared before I walk and in love the challenge that a good interview can present.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 2011 PAGE 9 from BONNAROO on page 7 Roo village, an area of the farm full of non-profit organizations, vendors and performers dedicated to promoting environmental issues. “We will be doing all we can as we do every year to make sure our footprint is as small as possible,” Weinstein said. Most people who attend Bonnaroo choose to spend the night in tents, although hotels are nearby. Bonnaroo’s website recommends bringing plenty of sunscreen, hats and water, as Tennessee in mid-summer can be hot. Since its inception in 2002, Bonnaroo has been highly successful in meshing good music with a lively

atmosphere. If the number of sellouts is any indication, Bonnaroo truly lives up to its name, a term meaning “a really good time.” For those interested in a weekend of music and activities in a fun, outdoor environment, shelling out $250 may lead to an unforgettable experience. And the experience seems to be just what keeps bringing people back every year. “Just going there, being there, arriving. That’s what everyone looks forward to the most,” Weinstein said. “It’s just an amazing feeling being on the farm. That you get to see 125 bands, 20 comedians and a variety of movies, as well as dance at the silent disco amongst other things is gravy.”

THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER

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PAGE 10 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 2011

Comics, Games, & Much Much More!

WORD SEARCH

SUDOKU

THEME: THE OSCARS T

P B N K

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King’s Speech C. Firth Black Swan N. Portman T. Burton True Grit

Difficulty:

The Fighter Inception Social Network Winter’s Bone Toy Story Three J. Franco

Difficulty:

THIS WEEK’S SOLUTIONS

LAUGH IT UP Secretary: “Doctor, the Invisible Man is here to see you.” Doctor: “Tell him I can’t see him.”

Q: Did you hear who won the neck wear contest? A: It was a tie.

THAT MONKEY TUNE Michael A. Kandalaft

WONDERMARK David Malki!

BREWSTER ROCKIT Tim Rickard

CALAMITIES OF NATURE Tony Piro

CROSSWORD ACROSS

1 World Wide __ 4 Gunpowder element 10 Turns seaward 14 Firefighter’s tool 15 Dream up 16 Losing strategy? 17 Lather-holding cup 19 Homely fruit 20 Eye part containing the pupil 21 Timeline divisions 23 Habit wearer 24 Kimono sashes 25 Sock mender’s tool 28 Magi 30 Sweden neighbor 31 Utmost degree 32 Church instrument 35 Flag maker Betsy 36 Violin knob for pitch adjustments 38 “__ to that!” 40 Ecstatic way to walk 41 Roman 700 44 1992 Olympic skating champ Yamaguchi 46 As an alternative 48 Retriever or pointer 51 Heidi’s heights 52 2011 minus year of birth, roughly 53 It replaced the franc 54 Handling the job 55 Member of an Iraqi minority 57 Joke that gets funnier with repetition 61 “Now ___ me down ...” 62 Complete 63 Hurry, old-style 64 Clearance event 65 Smells to high heaven 66 Blasting sply.

DOWN

1 Used to be 2 Lettered piece of court evidence 3 Pessimistic about Wall Street 4 Biol. and chem. 5 Coffeepot for a crowd 6 Jeans part 7 Hall of __: enshrined athlete 8 One-eighty 9 Win back 10 Campus e-mail address letters 11 Special report subject 12 Sturgeon yielding expensive caviar 13 Tight-fisted 18 Workbench clamp 22 Noisy sleepers 24 Part of BYOB 25 Bruce of “Coming Home” 26 Prefix with -plasty 27 Pirate’s quaff 29 Canadian lawman on horseback 33 Raggedy doll 34 Whodunit writer Marsh 36 Try out 37 Unwelcome engine sound 38 Peppery salad green 39 Twenty Questions choice 41 “Afternoon __”: suggestive #1 hit of 1976 42 Ship’s leader 43 Jewel box contents, briefly 44 Military pants 45 Hardens 47 Zesty taste 49 McJob holder 50 “__ know you?” 54 Vending machine bills 56 Hair coloring agent 58 Author Anaïs 59 Rub the wrong way 60 Retrieve

SOLUTION

Crossword by MCT Campus

THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER

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SPORTS EDITOR: Jimmy Carter ASST. SPORTS EDITOR: Zach Turner

PAGE 11 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 2011

BASKETBALL

Pelphrey: ‘A New Season’ by ZACH TURNER

Assistant Sports Editor

RYAN MILLER STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

The ball hasn’t bounced Arkansas’ way lately. The Razorbacks have lost two consecutive games entering the Southeastern Conference tournament.

Arkansas ended its roller coaster regular season on a downward plunge. The Razorbacks entered the Mississippi State game Wednesday with a winner-take-all matchup for the Southeastern Conference West division No. 2 seed and a first-round bye in the SEC Tournament. The Hogs fell at home 88-78. The No. 3 seed and an opportunity to play East No. 6 seed

South Carolina were on the line Saturday at Ole Miss in the regular season finale. Ole Miss made 14 3-pointers in an 84-74 win, relegating Arkansas to the No. 4 seed and a first-round matchup Thursday against Tennessee. “This is a new season,” Arkansas coach John Pelphrey said. “The slates are clean. Both teams have played a lot of basketball since then. That first game was played so long ago.” Tennessee went into Sunday’s finale with Kentucky with a chance to earn the East No. 2 seed with a win. The Volunteers

fell short to the Wildcats 64-58, though, dropping all the way down to the No. 5 seed because of tiebreakers. “The margin between one place and another is not very far,” Pelphrey said. Arkansas hosted Tennessee Jan. 8 to open SEC play. The Hogs put together a resilient effort in front of the Bud Walton Arena crowd, winning 68-65 after stumbling into the game on a sour note,

see BASKETBALL on page 12

FOOTBALL

Mallett a Big Draw at Arkansas Pro Day by JIMMY CARTER Sports Editor

There were other Arkansas athletes working out, but quarterback Ryan Mallett was the main reason around 25 NFL personnel attended the University of Arkansas’ Pro Day workout Tuesday. Mallett ran the 40-yard dash and participated in passing drills during the workout in front of representatives from NFL teams, including the Dallas Cowboys, Carolina Panthers and Buffalo Bills. “It was a good workout,” Mallett said. “My whole thing was just to continue to be consistent. I felt like I was consistent at the (NFL) Combine. I improved off some of my other numbers. I’m pleased with my day.” Mallett ran a 5.37 40-yard dash his second attempt. He started his first attempt, but pulled up less than halfway through. “I thought it was a bad start,” Mallett said. “I didn’t ask (about his time). I really don’t care. I’m not Mike Vick — everybody knows that.” He was sharp in passing drills, completing every deep pass. The only aspect of the drills he struggled in was completing 1-of-3 seam-route passes. “I felt good about all my throws,” Mallett said. “The ball was spinning in our indoor

(facility), like going in practice again.” His pre-draft experience has been tenuous. A website run by NFL scouts, NFLDraftMonsters.com, published a story Jan. 20 that two anonymous sources had witnessed Mallett use marijuana and cocaine. Mallett evaded questions about the allegations and character questions during his NFL Combine press conference. Some reports said he left the press conference early. “First of all, I didn’t walk out of the media session,” Mallett said. “My mediator said it was my last question, I said ‘thanks, guys,’ then went and worked out. I answered the same (character) questions about four times. What else do you want me to say? I mean, come on. If you ask me six times, I’ll answer it the same way six times. “I’m used to it, though. Since high school, it’s always something, so you’ve got to get used to it. It means I’m doing something right.” His workout at the combine and performance in team interviews has received mixed reviews and his draft stock has dropped in the eyes of draft experts. Mallett was initially slated as the No. 25 pick in January by ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr.,

RYAN MILLER STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Quarterback Ryan Mallett worked out in front of NFL personnel Tuesday at the University of Arkansas Pro Day.

Notable UA Pro Day Results 40-yard Dash

Ramon Broadway: Rudell Crim: DeMarcus Love: Ray Dominguez: Ryan Mallett:

Vertical Jump*

Bench Press *

4.47 Wade Grayson: 4.51 Ben Cleveland: 5.06 Ramon Broadway: 5.31 Damario Ambrose: 5.37 Anthony Leon:

24 18 17 17 12

* Reps of 225lbs

see PRO DAY on page 14

Ramon Broadway: Anthony Leon: Rudell Crim: Ray Dominguez: Ryan Mallet:

41 37.5 34 28.5 26

*Inches

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

COMMENTARY

NBA Season Heats Up Ball Hard

BRIAN WASHBURN dwashbur@uark.edu

Over the past few years the NBA might as well have stood for the National Bore-Me-To-Death Association. With the league making transitions from the revolutionary Bird/Magic rivalry to the Jordan dominance to the Iverson/Shaqera to a more defense-friendly style of basketball that not only allowed the Spurs and Pistons to become dynasties throughout the last decade, but (honestly) also bored fans half to hell. (Yes, Duncan is great, but boring.) But now it seems those babyfaced draft picks from the last decade ago are ready to step up, take the NBA reins and drive into its next dimension of existence: the one I like to call the “High Power Era.” LeBron, Wade, ‘Melo, Rose, Howard, Bosh, Stoudemire, CP3, D-Will and the Durantula (a nickname I have condemned but come to accept). All names basketball fans have heard millions of times in the past few years. The talent level of this new era might be on a similar level than those of the past, but the storylines and the method of play separate this new generation of NBA superstars from their predecessors. Just for fun, let’s take a look at a few of the top story lines that will highlight the NBA for the next decade and a half. LeBron James, D-Wade and the villain Miami Heat Yes, we know. The Heat are losing. Everybody hates LeBron now and loves to root against him (See: NWO in the ‘90s). Say what you will, LBJ is still the best player in the NBA and will be a top-five all-time player when it is all said and done. This is just another chapter in his legacy. LeBron took the road less taken, but this road will lead him and D-Wade to multiple champi-

see NBA on page 12

BASEBALL

Filling the Void RBI Robinson Playing Big Razorbacks Avoid 16-day layoff with SIUE game by MEGAN HUCKABY Staff Writer

The Arkansas women’s basketball team will host nonconference opponent Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville without its best shooter Thursday. The Razorbacks take on the Cougars for their final regular season game at Bud Walton Arena after already finishing the Southeastern Conference schedule and being bounced from the first round of the conference tournament by Florida 68-59. “We can use this game to bounce back,” coach Tom Collen said. Had Arkansas not scheduled SIUE, there would have been a 16day layoff from the end of the SEC tournament until the next possible game in postseason play. “We really felt like it was a wise thing to do to slide a game in after the SEC tournament,” Collen said. “So far I think it has been a positive thing. I think we were able to bring the kids back Monday and focus on an opponent and really work towards figuring out how to win another basketball game.” There is a possibility that the Hogs will make the Women’s NIT. The SIU game will help the Razor-

TOM COLLEN backs break in some new talent before a possible showing in the WNIT after junior guard Lyndsay Harris tore her ACL and MCL in the final minutes of the Florida game. I think we got their attention right away, their spirits seem to be OK,” Collen said. “We are trying to figure out how to adapt without Lyndsay.” Keira Peak strained her MCL in the LSU game Feb. 20, but it’s possible that she could return to action in the SIU game, giving her needed playing time before the WNIT. Peak returned to practice this week, but was held out of contact

see WOMEN’S BASKETBALL on page 12

by PATRICK GRINNAN Staff Writer

Kyle Robinson is making up for lost time. The senior played in just six games last season, but has been Arkansas’ top hitter in the first 11 games in 2011. The senior from Boca Raton, Fla., touts a .465 batting average, three home runs and 21 RBIs, all team highs. “I’ve been working hard, and I just thank the good Lord that he gave me the ability to come out here and play,” Robinson said. “I’m just trying to help the team out, and hopefully I can continue to do that the rest of the season.” Last season, the 6-foot-3inch, 215-pounder totaled six hits in 17 at-bats and finished the season with five RBI’s. Robinson transferred to Arkansas from Indian River Community College in Florida, where he was selected to the All-Southern Conference first team and was a thirdteam All-American. The Razorbacks (10-1) lost sluggers Zack Cox, Brett Eibner and Andy Wilkins to professional baseball, but Robinson has done his best to pick up the slack early this

season. Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn said Robinson was the Razorbacks’ best hitter during fall and summer ball, both for average and power. That’s carried over to the start of this season. “His start is great,” Van Horn said. Lately, Robinson has been even better. In the Hogs’ second game against McNeese State, Robinson hit a first-inning grand slam that gave Arkansas an insurmountable lead in an 8-3 win Wednesday. In five games this week, Robinson batted .474, hit three home runs and had 13 RBIs as the Razorbacks went 4-1. Sunday against Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Robinson and Van Horn discussed a strategy Robinson executed perfectly by hitting a two-run home run. Robinson knew the ball was a home run the moment the ball left the bat, he said. “They kept throwing a first-pitch breaking ball, and he kept taking them,” Van Horn said. “We talked about it in the dug out, and so he was sitting on the curve ball right there. They threw the breaking ball, and he crushed it. That’s smart baseball. “That’s good baseball and

GARETH PATTERSON STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Senior Kyle Robinson is batting .465 with three home runs and 21 RBIs this season, all team highs.

I’m proud of him. You still have to hit the ball, and he did. He hit every bit of it.” Robinson and freshman first baseman Dominic Ficociello have been a dangerous tandem at the plate early this season. Robinson has scored 13

runs, second to sophomore third baseman Matt Reynolds. Ficociello has 16 RBIs. “It’s nice, I get on base and he drives me in,” Robinson

see ROBINSON on page 13

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 2011 PAGE 12 from BASKETBALL on page 11 a 79-46 loss at then-No. 12 Texas four days prior. “It would surprise me if (Tennessee) said ‘(Arkansas) has a psychological edge because they won the first game,” Pelphrey said. In the first meeting between the two teams, Arkansas’ starting big men were able to take control of the game. Senior Delvon Johnson and sophomore Marshawn Powell combined for 31 of Arkansas 68 points. However, Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl was not on the bench for the Volunteers, as he began his eight-game conference suspension for NCAA infractions involving recruits. “If you are Tennessee you want coach Pearl on the bench as opposed to not having him on the bench,” Pelphrey said. “Still the same players, but I think there is a confidence level having him out there. Certainly he is a great coach

and has been through a lot of situations. “He is one more guy over there with an already experience coaching staff, so I think he makes Tennessee better and from our standpoint a bigger challenge for us.” Arkansas had been one of the hottest SEC teams during the second half of the conference schedule. The Razorbacks had won four of their last five contests before the Mississippi State and Ole Miss losses to end the regular season. “I think we are playing good basketball,” Pelphrey said. “Last week was tough on us since we didn’t get a win, but I didn’t think that we played poorly. I thought we shot the ball well, we did have some costly turnovers at times last we that cost us points, but I think the guys will be very ready to go.” The last two SEC Tournaments have been rough experiences for the Hogs. Two years ago, Arkansas was dismantled 73-58 by Florida to end a tumultuous second season for Pelphrey.

Last season was similar. Arkansas faced into a Georgia team they beaten on the road in the regular season and lost 77-64 to the Bulldogs in the first round. In Pelphrey’s first season at the helm, the Razorbacks went on a tear in the conference tournament and made it to the finals, losing 66-57 against Georgia. A strong performance this week would increase the Hogs’ NIT chances. “Well first we have to start winning the first one,” Pelphrey said. “In order for us to win the first one we are really going to have to defend and rebound. We will have to execute and be on edge and alert because I think when we do that we have a chance to compete with anyone in our league.” Arkansas is 20-18 during its 20-year SEC history, including a 3-6 mark in first round games. The Razorbacks have won the SEC Tournament just once — in 2000, defeating Auburn 75-67 in the championship game.

from WOMEN’S BASKETBALL on page 11 drills. With Harris out for the remainder of the season and Peak questionable, the Hogs face a tough challenge with some young players on the court. Harris led the team in 3-pointers and was second on the team in minutes played. “She was a player we were accustomed to playing for 35 minutes,” Collen said. “We need someone to fill that void and that could be Chrisstasia Walters or Julie Inman.” Walters has made an impact and is a viable option against SIUE. She played 32 minutes in the loss to Florida. “It won’t be 100 percent starters out there,” Collen said. “There is going to be a freshman.” The Hogs are still hopeful for a WNIT tournament berth. The field of 64 teams will be announced the evening of March 14, following the 2011 NCAA selection Show.

RYAN MILLER STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Junior guard Rotnei Clarke was named second-team All-SEC Tuesday and will lead Arkansas against !"##"$$""%&#%'("%)%*$'%*+,#-%+.%'("%/+,'("0$'"*#%1+#."*"#2"%!(,*$-034%

from NBA on page 11 onships, setting up a rivalry that will divide NBA fans in half — the Miami Heat vs. everyone else. They might not be championship caliber this year, but wait until they find a way to incorporate Chris Bosh’s pure ability to..... well I’m sure there is at least one thing he can add to this team? Nothing? He can’t shoot? Not even a 5-footer? He can’t even rebound? Well I guess it’s down to the Big 2. Where will Kobe, Nowitzki, Nash, Duncan, Garnett and Pierce finish in history? NBA superstars seem to age overnight and lose a majority of their freak athletic ability that made them a star in the first place. However, lately a group of stars have continued to play at the same level, even in their waning years. We all know Kobe will go down as top 10 all time when is all said and done. But what about Duncan if he gets another title? What if Nowitzki and Nash are either able to get their first? What if Pierce and Garnett lead the Celtics to their third title appearance in four years? These stars might be aging

GARETH PATTERSON STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

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but they still have the drive and talent to take their teams to the championship level. All Star Teams: Good or Bad Idea? Yes, we all know the backlash from “The Decision” fiasco. And yes, we all know how annoyed we were with the ‘Melo drama this year. Barring a lockout, though, a few big name free agents are expected to test the open market with championship caliber teams intently interested in signing two or three big name superstars. Dwight Howard, Chris Paul and Deron Williams (who hasn’t signed an extension with the Nets) just to name a few. A couple years from now, there could be five or six NBA teams with at least a couple superstars playing for the title (Heat, Lakers, Bulls, Thunder, Knicks). Thunderstruck The Oklahoma City Thunder will be the most exciting team in the world just a year from now. With all of the talk about playing for big media market cities, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Serge Ibaka and company will lead an NBA team in the middle of Oklahoma to a level Karl Malone and John Stockton

could not even get to in Salt Lake City. The abundance of young talent and determination should vault the Thunder to the top ranks in the NBA by next season and could lead to what some might call one of the greatest rivalries of all time: the villain Heat, led by LeBron James, facing the hard-working, silent-butdeadly Oklahoma City Thunder, led by Kevin Durant. Assumptions and predictions can be fun, but they do not always pan out (See: Tracy McGrady, Greg Oden, Michael Jordan being a legendary GM). But one thing is almost certain in the National Basketball Association right now: intensity, power, talent and athleticism will reign over the next decade and inevitably lead to some of the greatest playoff matches this generation hasn’t seen since Bird, Magic and Jordan. Final Thought Three words to sum up what might be one of the biggest NBA signings in history: Blake Griffin, 2014, Oklahoma City. Just remember you heard it here first when the goliath known as Blake helps KD, Russ-West and the Oklahoma City Thunder to multiple NBA titles. Brian Washburn is a guest columnist for The Arkansas Traveler.

PAGE 13

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 2011

from ROBINSON on page 11 said about the freshman. “We keep on swinging and keep putting up runs.” The Hogs have been successful early despite fielding a team with 26 underclassmen on the 35-man roster. Five true freshman pitchers have pitched early for Arkansas. “We’ve meshed well as a team, a lot of the freshmen

stepped up big,” Robinson said. “Pitchers have done really well. All in all, as a team right now at this point in the season, we feel pretty good about ourselves.” With Southeastern Conference play coming up, the Razorbacks will face a higher level of talent. The Razorbacks’ first SEC game is Friday, March 18. The Hogs went 18-12 in conference play in 2010.

“Conference is coming on, and we’ll see some better pitching than we have in these non-conference games,” Robinson said. “We’ll have to get ready for that, but I think we’re ready.” Before Conference play begins, the Diamond Hogs play San Diego State in a four-game series at San Diego this weekend, followed by a single game in Fayetteville against Kansas.

FOOTBALL

Broadway, Crim Show Out at UA Pro Day by ZACH TURNER

Assistant Sports Editor

Quarterback Ryan Mallett and tight end D.J. Williams dominated headlines for Arkansas’ Pro Day, but the duo was part of a group of 21 athletes that worked out in the Walker Pavilion Tuesday. Safety Rudell Crim and cornerback Ramon Broadway were among the group competing to impress the around 25 NFL scouts and representatives in attendance in hopes of being drafted. Crim clocked a 4.51 40yard dash time, while Broadway showed a wide range of athletic abilities by doing 17 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press and showing off a 41-inch vertical. “It went exactly how I thought it would,” Crim said. “I wanted it to go just a little better, but today still turned out pretty good.” Several NFL teams have talked to the 5-foot-9, 191-pounder about playing cornerback because of his size, he said. The Tallahassee, Fla., native played cornerback during his first season as a Razorback in 2009 after transferring from Butler County Community College in Kansas. He was moved to his more natural position of safety for his senior campaign, where he started 12 games during the 2010 season. Broadway missed the final four games during the 2010 season with a dislocated ankle. The 5-foot-8 Shreveport, La., native had arguably the best all-around testing performance. “I think the way I bounced back after four months, I am

proud of the way I performed today,” Broadway said. “A lot of the drills, it was my first time running them so I am just trying to get some faith in them.” Arkansas’ fourth-leading tackler in 2010, Anthony Leon, also participated Tuesday. The 6-foot3 linebacker only put up 12 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press, but recorded a 37.5-inch vertical. However, Leon opted to not participate in the running events of the 40-yard dash, shuttle run and the 3-cone drill. Several older former Razorbacks were also on hand, looking to catch the eye of NFL personnel. Receivers London Crawford and Reggie Fish as well as running back and local radio personality Michael Smith competed in all the Pro Day activities. Smith reportedly ran a sub 4.4 40-yard dash. All three players were part of last year’s team that went 8-5 and won the AutoZone Liberty Bowl over East Carolina in overtime 20-17. Williams to Give Back to Charity Tight End D.J. Williams was named the 15th annual winner of the Disney Sports Spirit Award in December going to college football’s most inspirational player/ team. He was named a finalist March 3 for the Sullivan Award, an award that goes to the student-athlete in the nation best showing character, leadership and sportsmanship. Williams family moved from the Greater Dallas area to Little

Rock when he was young with his mom and two sisters after a series of abuse his mom suffered from Williams father. Williams plans to visit Northwest Arkansas again sometime in April to raise money toward the cause, he said. “This is a chance where I get a little down time and a chance to give back to the community,” Williams said. “I plan on coming back around springtime and setting up some type of fundraiser, maybe an autograph session/mini-camp and kids go out and watch spring practice.” Proceeds generated from the event would go to a shelter for abused women, Williams said. Pro Day Reunion Since junior Ryan Mallett declared early for the 2011 NFL Draft on Jan. 6, two days after the 31-26 loss in the Sugar Bowl to Ohio State, the 6-foot-6 quarterback has been training in Frisco, Texas. Tuesday, Mallett had the chance to reunite with several teammates including older former players. During the passing portion of the UA Pro Day activities, Mallett threw to receivers London Crawford and Reggie Fish, as well as last year’s teammates Ben Cleveland and Van Stumon. “I haven’t played with Reggie Fish and London (Crawford) in two years,” Mallett said. “It was the same.” Mallett plans on staying in Fayetteville until he concludes all individual workouts with teams prior to the draft, he said.

RYAN MILLER STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Cornerback Ramon Broadway ran a 4.47 40-yard dash, recorded a 41-inch vertical and did 17 reps of 225 pounds in the bench press Tuesday at the University of Arkansas Pro Day.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 2011 PAGE 14

Arkansas senior tight end D.J. Williams talked to Traveler assistant sports editor Zach Turner and members of the media Tuesday after Arkansas’ Pro Day. Williams participated in passing drills and talked about his experience leading up to the NFL Draft. He didn’t run in the 40-yard dash Tuesday because he was content with his 4.67 official time at the combine. How did Pro Day go? It went well. The cool part is I got to enjoy my last day with teammates I will probably never play with again unless something crazy happens in the draft. We came out here and had a good time as a team for the last time and everything went well with everyone working hard.

D.J. Williams

Senior, TE 6-foot-2 251 pounds 627 yards 4 touchdowns

What were your goals for the day and how do you feel you did? Come out and stay crisp, and do what a lot of people think I do best, with running routes. I feel like if you show them what you do best and work on it and stay consistent with it, that is what they are going to draft. I don’t think a team is going to pick a player and change their whole system just to fit them. Hopefully when it comes to draft day, a team that needs a player like me will pick me first. Talk about the NFL Draft Combine experience and your results there. It was a very long experience. A lot of people only see what they show on TV. It is a long four days. As far as when the combine starts, I think people try to get their rest and come out and give everything they got. It is all on the line, the path to prime time. It was a good experience and got to meet a lot of cool people, cool coaches and I am excited for my next step. Where have you been working out since you left Fayetteville to train for the Draft? I was working out in north Miami with BPS. They have worked out current players Vernon Davis, Bruce Campbell, Greg Olsen, Johnny Knox and you can keep going down the list.

RYAN MILLER STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER from PRO DAY on page 11 but dropped out of the first round in Kiper’s February mock draft. Mallett isn’t listed on Kiper’s “Big Board” of the top 25 prospects in the April 28-30 draft. ESPN’s Todd McShay listed Mallett No. 16 in his January mock draft, but dropped Mallett in the February edition. Mallett had a good experience talking to NFL personnel at the combine, he said. “My favorite part of (the combine) was sitting down in front of the GM’s and head coaches, talk to them,” Mallett said. “One of my favorite things to do is show off my football IQ. Coach (Bobby) Petrino really helped me out in the understanding of how the process went, so I wasn’t blind to the process.” Kiper does list Mallett as his No. 3 quarterback, behind Missouri’s Blaine Gabbert and Auburn’s Cam Newton. His latest mock draft projected Gabbert and Newton to go in the top 10. Mallett has workouts sched-

uled with several NFL squads. “Hopefully I impressed (NFL personnel) a lot, to where I can come in, do private workouts and they’ll take me out there,” Mallett said. “We can see how we fit together.” Tight end D.J. Williams was one of the other top-tier players working out Tuesday. He didn’t run the 40-yard dash after posting an official 4.67 at the NFL Combine. “I’ve always felt like I’m just a good football player,” Williams said. “I’ve never been a good tester, so I was happy with the numbers I put up.” Williams was pleased with his meetings with NFL teams, he said. “They give you a blank sheet of paper, say draw up the defense and offense — I do that every day in meeting rooms,” Williams said. “I ask them ‘do you want this linebacker bossed over?’ and they’re looking at me like I’m a coach. “Then they ask me ‘what if this guy blitzed?’ I say, ‘I’m going to block down, the tackle’s going to pull out and the guard’s going to read and work with the center.’

They looked at it and said, ‘We might have to use this ourselves.’ Working with coach Petrino, he’s a great coach and he’ll be an asset for Arkansas football for years to come.” Offensive linemen DeMarcus Love and Ray Dominguez also participated Tuesday, in addition to working out at the NFL Combine. Love improved on his 5.31 40 time at the combine, running a 5.06 Tuesday. He didn’t participate in any other drills. “I stood on all my combine numbers except for the 40-yard dash — I improved on that,” Love said. “I think I did a lot better in position work and showed the scouts I can do, run and pass blocking.” Dominguez ran a 5.48 at the combine, but ran a 5.31 Tuesday. The 6-foot-4, 334-pounder didn’t bench press at the combine or Tuesday. “I feel like I did better in my test results,” Dominguez said. “The combine and leading up to it was hectic. Pro Day was more laid back, so I thought I did better.”

RYAN MILLER STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Offensive tackle Ray Dominguez improved his 40-yard dash from the NFL Combine Tuesday at the University of Arkansas Pro Day.