Issue 15, Volume 117-- February 2, 2022

THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS’ STUDENT NEWSPAPER

SINGLE COPY PAID FOR BY STUDENT PUBLICATION

WEDNESDAY

Volume 117 — Issue 15

ucanews.live TODAY’S FORECAST CONWAY

Sports:

Campus Life:

Entertainment:

Women’s Track: Kennedy Timmerman places 1st in 3000m sprint event.

Glow golf : Glow-in-the-dark minigolf hosted by SAB brings students together.

page 3

Dance: Ballet Folklórico de México brings culture to Reynolds.

page 7

page 5

‘They don’t care about us’

Showers and overcast skies

54/26

THE NEWSDESK FROM THE ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

African/African American studies given two-year extension

I N T E R N AT I O N A L BY MIA WADDELL

North Korea tests long-range missile

News Editor

has tested since President years is very good news and does provide us with a path forward,” was launched with a high trajectory to avoid territorial spaces of neighbors. It

graphic courtesy of SGA

A poster advertising a petition signing to support AAAS major.

More rally coverage on page 3.

creating a plan for new student the sea. This test was North

N AT I O N A L Federal law targets surprise medical bills

for a bachelor’s degree, which is a three-year rolling average said.

photo by Mia Waddell

The letter, addressed to Provost Patricia Poulter and

three years,” Poulter said.

Rather than going through the appeals process to lower

Irby Hall. Kithinji has been vocal about his distaste of the handling of the AAAS major.

doctors

or

hospitals

in Three

insured patients higher rates to diversity by reinvesting in because the care providers are not in their insurers’ coverage network.

The viability standards, which led ease concerns, especially in

in-network

Biden administration spends on tap water

This policy states that

The letter of dissent stated that to “discontinue the the input of the faculty…is unnecessary under the guidance

“We penned the letter, students took over,”

reduction in the viability targets that are crucial to the institution’s long as students can graduate in

said.

then

awareness of what was happening

status could be appealed for a short period, according to Poulter, but would eventually “Even if we are granted the lowest possible threshold

See AAAS- page 2

PPE

Covid tests available online purchased one billion tests in

More free rapid antigen tests

persistent public distrust of tap water. It will be especially

to half a billion.

Rockefeller

can

been replaced. They are hiding

Education Coordinating Board

H E A LT H

looks to spend billions of dollars to address inequalities BY EMILY KENNARD in water quality and access, Staff Writer

suspicion

addressed to all faculty and staff, board during the past week to request another option other than deletion.”

“Even a step of declaring

doctor.

doctors and hospitals that agree to provide care for a graduates, or 18 graduates every three years. Thirteen people have discounted rate negotiated received the degree in the 16 with the insurer.

where

have

university.

“They don’t care about us,”

the state. an

students

Foundation

and

be

ship duplicate orders, so each household gets four tests delivered, regardless of its size.

Tests Jan. 28, which allows a kit tests to be delivered to each in cities with large black residential address. populations.

Tightened also shipped tests to local reveal higher lead levels in aware of an issue.

curbside pickup. The tests are

S TAT E House fire kills four people in Hot Springs

org.

graphic by Mia Waddell

response, especially during the

Twitter account.

rapid antigen tests to distribute across the state.

Four people, including two children, were killed in a

KN95 masks will soon be available to the general public at big box stores such as Kroger, Walgreens and CVS. The distribution of these masks come from the government’s National Strategic Stockpile.

KN95 masks rollout as part of Biden plan

BY EDMUND BURKE Staff Writer

“I think that the Biden The distribution of 400

they will arrive within one to two Jan. 28. The house was fully weeks after ordering.

When ordering, people can

can pick up two tests per day, and

2020.

4-year-old

provided to the public years

Wesley launched

the

website

be shipped to each household, though users can’t choose the brand they receive.

The orders “start shipping in late January” according to the

IN OUR NEXT ISSUE

typically ship within 7-12 days of ordering.”

Blood drive combats blood shortage.

Index: Police Beat People of UCA Students Say

4 4

6 Opinion 7 Entertainment 5, 8 Sports

Biden

The initiative is a response

not, is classist and totally wack,” senior Vivianne Flora said.

what they can to prevent the new fully up and running by early previously pushed the Biden for pickup at thousands of

should be considered day one.

See HEALTH- page 2

Contact Us: 2

Carly Wilson said.

“I believe the

“If you test positive for

earlier than planned.

WHAT’S AHEAD

although we’re still in the surge, we’re past the peak. I think the higher protection

began this past week following a

responders arrived. Four and

dealing with the reality of

continued to surge across the country.

University of Central

Social:

health centers across the country that partnered with

See PPE- page 2

Inside: Opinion:

Hermit crabs make terrible pets.

E-mail: ucaechoeditor@gmail.com @ucaecho The Echo ucaecho © 2022 The Echo, Printed by The Courier, Russellville, Arkansas.

see page 6

2/February 2, 2022

NEWS

Police Beat

ucanews.live

The following information is compiled from UCAPD incident reports

by Assistant News Editor Kathryn Thornberry

Air tag tracking causes suspicion

Alcohol violations Small car wreck outside PIKE house by HPER center Joshua Barber received an alcohol violation on Jan. 23, after the two were found carrying alcohol in front of the pike house.

carrying a pack of beer. a warrant in Beebe for

Federick

McFeeters

he had hit a vehicle in the parking lot between the

McFeeters said he was pulling into the parking lot at a slow speed when he lightly hit the car. The car belonged to Leilani

spoke to the passenger had been walking to and was advised to contact the city of Beebe regarding the warrant, and the two were written up for an alcohol violation.

AAAS:

Jan. 20 after she received her phone saying that she was being tracked with an the library on Jan. 19, photo from uca.edu/business

The College of Business welcomes new department chair Tracy Suter. Suter has 15 years of experience at Oklahoma State University.

day, she received a third Tufu could not see any Tufu

got

McFeeters’

of both vehicles, and gave McFeeters a copy of the

Suter named department chair at COB

BY WILL

and the owner can see her

MCDONALD

to

Assistant Sports Editor

The College of Business

aware of her surroundings and call the police if she saw any suspicious activity.

collaboration with faculty and activities.

“I

saw

the

better I can say what we should anybody else would for an open

Student activism takes over.

work is to support the College of diverse population of current and future business professionals to the challenges of the global

“Mya tried to intervene

“Without

a

budget,

of

and it was always — well, nothing can be done.”

receive funding. “because

it

“One thing I think is

position

Continued from page 1

said,

visualizing where he wants to

is

an

no faculty.”

“They are used to running

and

requests, having no renewable

UCA alumnus Kenneth Avery Jr. brings awareness to the AAAS on TikTok. Avery has been a vocal proponent of keeping the major.

and

innovation

not

necessarily

HEALTH:

engaging,

and

faculty success.” track record of success as a leader in higher education.

I look forward to Tracy’s contributions to the

Continued from page 1

Amazon and USPS to deliver tests.

should be considered day one.

questions to covid19@uca.edu,

period, people should continue

isolate after testing positive or if they should quarantine after

around others for an additional

in “bad faith.”

for viability.

said. “They are gaslighting us by saying it is not viable. They are not investing in us.”

stating it was still active and had

soon to discuss this,” Poulter said.

“We will continue to voice

by Louis L. Woods of Middle Tennesse University and Victor O. Okafor of Eastern Michigan University, reviewed the

see is instability. They don’t

anything. Every student that

creativity courses.

“It’s

innovative,

the students have been very

help, the director is burdened

to address this, what is in the content of this study. They are

In addition to overseeing

Master

forward to the possibilities.

I think we have really great colleagues to work with. I think

photo taken from @wordswithkavery

budgets,” Poulter said.

“That is then used to support the degrees offered in that

Philosophy

what I want to have happen, I want to learn about what has happened, and then think about what we can envision for

PPE:

Free masks aimed at easing Omicron stress.

Continued from page 1 Walgreens

“There is no goodwill. They like viable, has seven students. If the

released

the highest level of protection

“I plan on taking advantage

“We are pleased to partner with

disposal,” Wilson said.

“I had no idea that there

free of charge at participating Walgreens locations while supplies last. Masks have begun to roll out to the first wave of stores and will continue to roll out into additional stores in

according to the President’s

SGA

Now that I know, I will probably take advantage of it, though,” Flora said.

“I definitely plan to take advantage of the initiative and they are proven to work better than the cloth and blue

public indoor settings — even those who are vaccinated — prevent

possibly

spreading

We anticipate all participating stores will receive supply by covering — a neck gaiter — Control and Prevention has a list available online — searchable by state — of

gaiters are available in the

through Friday. In addition, available. graphic by Mia Waddell

The logo of UCA’s Student Government Association. The student group, led by President Mya Hall, meets weekly with concerns of students.

its guidance on face coverings,

on request.

Webster: ‘Diversity is not always enough’ BY

KATHRYN THORNBERRY

Assistant News Editor

said.

Business building on January

regarding the lactation suite. bring awareness to abuse in and physical.

“We’ll have a tabling event outside of the student center.

diversity within the university. we know that diversity is not

a sense of belonging,” Webster said. going to say what jobs you can do and acceptance.

“We’re working to alleviate alienation and isolation and want

differences,” Webster said.

Webster also said funding for

“What we need funding for is our signage and just a few additional furnishings,” Webster

your last years.”

and write on it and stick it out in the courtyard so everyone can see,” Mason said. “It’s just a way for us to educate each other and keep each other safe.”

office cannot put pronouns on printed bear cards.

was announced by vice-chair “They’re

planning

on

voting rights for individuals with disabilities,” McLeod said.

“They’re going to bring a real voting booth and invite elected getting a date nailed down for

has been requested. large volunteer event, will be March 10.

Moore invited senators to join graphic by Mia Waddell

Campus Life

3

February 2, 2022

Around Campus:

Health Screenings From 12:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 2, the Health Science Club will be offering free biometric health screenings to students in Doyne Health Science room 313. Screenings are by appointment only which can be made by emailing mperritt1@cub.uca.edu.

Students for the Arts: Art Activity From 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 3, Students for the Arts will be hosting an art activity in Student Center room 223. This is a monthly event that allows for students to take a break and relax.

Photo by Amber Austen

A student adds their name to the letter in support of keeping UCA’s African/African American Studies major from being removed. The original letter, penned by members of the multiple department around campus, had over 70 signatures from professors and administrators in support of keeping the program.

Crescent Classic From 6 p.m.-8 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 3, Kappa Sigma fraternity will be hosting a 3x3 basketball tournament in the HPER to get donations for the UCA Food Pantry. Attendees must bring two canned goods.

Richard Bobo Recital From 7:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 4, the Music Department will be hosting guest contrabassoon player Richard Bobo in the Snow Fine Arts Center Recital Hall.

Students petition in support of AAAS major BY

SYDNEY AMBRUS

Staff Writer

On Tuesday, Jan. 25th during x-period UCA students and faculty members gathered in the Ronnie Williams Student Center Courtyard to sign a letter to UCA, protesting the removal of the African/African American Studies major.

The meeting was organized by UCA’s Student Government Association.

UCA Student and Executive SGA President Mya Hall and College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Representative Annabelle Van Asche were stationed outside the student center at a table with two laptops, allowing students to review the letter

and sign their names.

The protest follows after Tom Williams, Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and Patricia Poulter, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs announced the African/African American Studies major would be removed because it is no longer viable.

It has been deemed unviable because the program has not graduated enough students to meet the minimum threshold established by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education.

Students, alumni and faculty members were disappointed and outraged by the news of the University getting rid of the major. They

felt as if removing the African/ African American studies major goes against the goals in UCA’s Diversity Strategic plan.

UCA Student, Evan Gillard, said, “I, as a black student, feel it is very hypocritical of UCA’s president and all of its faculty members to have a National Day of Racial Healing only to then turn around and try and get rid of their AfricanAmerican study classes. It’s inconsistent.”

The letter written by members of the History Department, Diversity Committee and Advisory Board for the African/African American Studies Program has the signatures of over 70 professors and administrators,

CSO Concert - All You Need is Love

urging UCA to re-invest in African/African American Studies and keep the major.

Another petition, started

by UCA Young Democrats, is available online to sign via Change.org that has over 1,000 signatures and a host of people voicing their concerns about the future of Afam studies.

“Keep the major. We’re the only university that offers this as a major in the state of Arkansas, just keeping it as a minor is not going to do the same thing,” UCA student, Adrianna Kimble-Ray, said.

UCA is the only university that offers African/African American Studies as a standalone major in the state of Arkansas and has been the only university for 13 years.

The Arkansas Department of Higher Education has since granted UCA a 2-year extension to re-invest in the program and meet the numbers needed for it to remain a major.

Students, faculty and alumni still gathered to raise awareness and collect signatures.

“We’re still out here because the university still does not pour in the necessary support and resources for this program to grow. So, we get zero dollars on the budget line items. We only have two faculty members in our program. And so, we’re basically out here fighting for more support so we can build back up our program,” Hall said.

MINI-GOLF

From 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 5, the Music Department will be hosting a CSO Concert in the Reynolds Performance Hall.

Winter Blood Drive From 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 7, BearX will be hosting a winter blood drive in the Student Center Ballroom for the Arkansas Blood Institute. To schedule an appointment, visit arkbi.org and enter the code W965.

A Dose of Reality From 7:15 p.m.-8:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 7, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. will be hosting a seminar about substance abuse in Student Center Room 223. The seminar from Harbor Home and bring awareness to the dangers of substance abuse.

Photo by Madison Ogle

discuss future events, like mini-golf, that they would want to bring to campus.

Kendra Scott and Dance Marathon Fundraiser From 7:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 8, UCA Dance Marathon will host a Kendra Scott shopping event in the Delta Zeta chapter room at the Delta Zeta house. UCA Dance Marathon will receive a percentage of the sales and Arkansas Children’s Hospital.

Putt-putt palooza: Student Activities Board hosts glowing event for beginning of students’ semester

BY ADDI FREEMAN

student assistant for SAB, said.

Members of SAB attend a

Editor-in-Chief

Students

of

all

the Student Activities Board’s free night of glow-in-the-dark mini-golf on Jan. 27.

The event was one of several SAB has hosted this semester, the-dark mini-golf had come to UCA. “We actually haven’t held one of these events before. We always try to bring something new every semester, every year,” Hazel Bonilla, a graduate

events to bring to UCA. Each semester the SAB sends out a survey to gather information about the types of events students would like to see come to campus.

“When we go to our conferences once a semester, we So when survey time comes around, we put the options in the survey, and we choose the highest rated ones that students chose,” Bonilla said. “This

[mini-golf] was one of them, so we brought it.”

Junior Cedric O’Donoghue and freshman Jordan Henley participated in the mini-golf course.

“I like glow-in-the-dark stuff, and I used to play mini-golf thought, ‘Oh that would be really fun. I should go,’” Henley said.

O’Donoghue attended the event mainly because “it was free.”

“I expected there to be a little bit more. I thought it would be a little bit bigger. But it’s still a great thing, and it’s

something different on campus,” O’Donoghue said. “It’s a great way to get out, meet new people, talk and hang out. It’s kind of a way to relax, especially after class.”

To gauge student interest in the event, members of SAB speak to attendees and ask what they liked or disliked about the event.

“From there, we adjust, whether it be having a bigger mini-golf course or maybe not glow-in-the-dark, things like that,” Bonilla said. “We try to judge based on their reaction.

Usually, students are pretty open

to letting us know what they like and don’t like.”The SAB has events scheduled throughout the semester.

One of their most anticipated events this semester is the free ticket event.

The SAB will give out

then take ticket holders to the The next event will be spoken word artist Kyla Jenee Lacey on Feb. 2, at 7 p.m. in the Ronnie Williams Student Center.

4/ February 2, 2022

CAMPUS LIFE

Poetry slam entry fee nearly causes trouble for UCA’s Students for the Arts

BY LINDZIE LUNSFORD Staff Writer

UCA Students for the trouble due to an entry fee that was cut last minute from the Art of Words: Poetry Slam at UCA Downtown, Jan. 27th.

“I didn’t want our club to be suspended or be removed, so I was like, okay, well, that’s fair. We’ll go ahead and just not make a fundraiser,” President of the UCA Students for the Arts and Head Coordinator, Avery Rudolph, said.

Originally, there was going to be a $5 entry fee. However, Rudolph said that there was a risk that the UCA Students for trouble, and the organization could get removed.

“We weren’t aware that we weren’t allowed to pay Chauncey Williams. So what happens is every club is supposed to have a bank… because what the school is trying to avoid is auditing from the IRS. Well, we never needed a bank because Arkansans for the Arts will reimburse us for everything that we buy,” Rudolph said.

Williams, the host for the

Art of Words: Poetry Slam, introduced each contestant as they walked to the mic and entertained the audience while judges deliberated the results of the poetry slam.

Rudolph said that the UCA Students for the Arts is underneath Arkansas for the Arts and is the only club of its kind in the United States.

The Art of Words: Poetry Slam was a poetry slam competition between seven poets for prizes of $20, $30 and $50.

Poets were graded on emotion, projection and body language, with each section worth 10 points for a total of 60 possible points per round.

After deliberation from Rudolph and Leron McAdoo – the judges for the poetry slam – Jaden Wilber – a Hendrix freshman – placed

Wilber said that he “was raised to speak and do speeches” and decided to go to the poetry slam because he saw the poster advertising the event.

Wilber performed his poetry, ‘Hear My Cry,’ in round one, ‘Rhythem and Soul’ in round two and ‘Hey Look Grandma’ in round three.

Wilber said that his poetry centered around the question, “what does it mean to be me?”

“I was like, what better way to show what it means to be me [than through poetry]?”

Wilber said that his greatest supporter was his mother.

“She has always been there for me no matter what. She’s a single mother, so seeing her do the impossible makes me want to do the impossible,” Wilber said.

Wilber is from Little Rock, Arkansas, and is a freshman who plans to major in psychology and minor in social justice.

Getting contestants for the event was a bit of a challenge.

Rudolph said that she wasn’t

Hypatia Meraviglia placed second with a prize of $30 and Tyberius Real placed third in the competition with a prize of $20.

“I’m very humbled, very grateful for this opportunity.

Every single poet in here was amazing…I felt like it was very challenging,” Wilber said.

discussed the creation of the Art of Words: Poetry Slam last year.

Two weeks before the event, she found out that no competitors were ever looked for.

Rudolph said she initially wanted twelve and “quickly created [her] social media posts and posters searching for competitors.”

In the end, seven competitors entered the competition.

“That’s how it came to be. I’m relieved that it was successful as it was,” Rudolph said.

The poetry slam, which had 39 attendees, was sponsored by UCA Downtown and Arkansas for the Arts.

One attendee to the Art of Words: Poetry Slam was UCA senior and creative writing major Hannah Crawford.

Crawford said that she didn’t expect much from the competition, however, she “absolutely enjoyed it” “There was so much talent here tonight, and I feel like I was so lucky to hear everyone’s voice, whether it was a poem that they wrote or discovered. I was absolutely blown out of the water.”

The next event that the UCA Students for the Arts will host will be in the Student Center in room 203A at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 17th.

ucanews.live

STUDENTS SAY

“

What restaurant would you add to campus and why?

”

Story and photos by Olivia Snelson and Will McDonald

Sophomore Erin George

Senior Keisuke Hoshino

“I think it’d be nice to have like a healthy alternative sometimes.

So maybe something like Tropical Smoothie or an alternative that’s a little more cost-effective.”

“Panda Express. Because I feel like Panda Express is super close to Asian food.

I’m from Japan so like if you go to Chinatown you can still get a Panda Express, so I say Panda Express.”

Sophmore Emily Bills

Sophomore Addison Hankins

“I think I would enjoy Arby’s being added to campus.”

“Panera Bread just because I know that where I’m from we have one in town, and it was really popular. It had a lot of high school and college students going there, so I think it would fit in really well.”

“By the very nature of what we put on view is a cultural offering, which in our case is showing the visual arts. Visual arts are a cultural offering,

Freshman Taliyah Williams

Freshman Polet Ocna

said.

Baum is receiving entries for the Student Art Competitive up until Feb. 24th.

The Baum Gallery is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., and Thursday from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. The gallery is located in the west wing of McCastlain Hall.

“Maybe a McDonald’s because I feel like the prices are out of this world and it may be really tasty. I would want to get like a four-for-four sometimes, instead of spending $10 every time I come to the student center.”

“Probably like a Mexican restaurant similar to Taco Bell.”

SEMINAR

Science Wednesday discusses leadership

BY ESTEFANIA MOJICA Staff Writer

STEM Residential College Science Wednesday of the semester via Zoom on Jan. 26.

This month’s topic was “The Science of Leadership.”

The two guest speakers were professors Kyle Hurley and Louis Nadelson.

Students who joined the Zoom were encouraged to post any questions they had in the chat.

UCA students had many questions on ways to be better leaders in their future careers and current lives.

Speaking on what their it looks like, Nadelson said, “Leadership from my perspective comes in many different forms.

Nadelson mentioned that the two styles of leadership that resonate the most with students at UCA are self-leadership and

servant leadership.

“Leadership is not just guiding others but guiding yourself as well,” Nadelson said.

When it comes to leadership opportunities in STEM, Hurley said, “Clubs are the way to go to start out in minor leadership that could potentially lead to higher position roles in the future.”

Nadelson had a different response.

“Extending your opportunities to local places where you can volunteer and start developing good leadership skills is a great way to begin to learn about leadership roles,” Nadelson said.

Regarding the technology shift during the pandemic and how it changed his leadership role, Hurley said, “It changed in a positive way. When we had to switch online, I found myself making more for my students… I became more involved with them outside of the set class time.”

One student submitted the

question, “How can a leader keep themselves happy while keeping others (people they are leading) happy?”

“Celebrate the small things, recognizing progress, even if it’s small, can help keep you motivated,” Hurley said.

Nadelson said, “Research shows that recognition of good leadership by those who are being led brings motivation to that leader.”

Nadelson also pointed out that feeling valued as a leader will help keep people in that positive mindset. question — “how does a good leader handle things going wrong or not progressing?” — Hurley suggested simply revising and revisiting your goals.

He said just because something is not going the way we want it to does not mean it’s not going positively.

Nadelson’s advice was to not

for yourself to do things that you enjoy. That way, your mind is not all the time. the science of leadership, both guest speakers left UCA students with some advice.

“You are currently the leaders of whatever it is that motivates you, and if you’re not you can become a leader at any time,” Hurley said.

Nadelson said, “Keep in mind that you are leading your life. This is the most important leadership you’ll ever have. Find a leader that you really admire, that you like and learn it from them.”

The next Science Wednesday is to be held via Zoom, Feb. 23. on the topic of vaccines. In the future, organizers of Science Wednesday hope it will be held in person, which will allow more audience and speaker interactions.

ART

Baum hosts first painting exhibit in five years

BY FELICITY AUXIER Staff Writer

The Baum Art Gallery welcomed its new exhibit “Painting” on Thursday, Jan. exhibition the gallery has hosted The exhibit features 10 artists, including Tessa Davidson, Wade Hampton, Matt Kloss, Ryan Brehlming, Tim Stone, Lisa Krannichseld, Phoebe Deasley, Dean Mitchell and Joan Waltemath.

“What inspired it was a conversation I had with a

professor of painting here who mentioned we hadn’t had a painting exhibition in about Young, said.

The Baum Art Gallery has not had a traditional painting exhibit since 2017. Young and the professor discussed this, leading to the production of the new painting exhibit.

“I asked her if we were to do a painting show, who would you like to see and she gave me some names. I mixed her artists with some artists I’ve worked with and like and combined the two of them. I then worked to secure

the paintings from the different artists,” Young said.

The exhibit will be in the Baum Art Gallery until Feb. 17, 2022. More exhibits are expected soon after the closure of “Painting.”

“On March 3rd, we’ll have the annual Student Art Competitive. Then on April 7th, we have the BA/BFA exhibition, which is for our graduating seniors from the art and design department,” Young said.

Hosting these exhibitions gives the opportunity to share art that helps cultivate our culture on campus.

People of UCA: Jeromy Hunt

BY MACI ENGLAND Staff Writer

Jeromy Hunt Jr. is a student who loves getting involved and making a difference in the UCA community.

He has always enjoyed working with the public.

Hunt, 20, is currently a sophomore majoring in Public Relations with a minor in Political Science.

“Government and politics have been a passion of mine. Being a PR major with a minor in political science will give me the insight to advocate for the people in government,” Hunt said.

Once graduated, Hunt plans to put his degree to use and pursue a career working in the public.

“Whether it’s teaching, running for a governmental position, or anything that I can do to inspire the next generation,” Hunt said.

Hunt was born in Kansas City, Missouri but raised in Eudora, Arkansas.

He decided to attend the University of Central Arkansas during his junior year of high school while taking part in Boys State.

Boys State is a week-long camp where high school juniors from across Arkansas can learn about civics education.

UCA often hosts the event on campus, which is where Hunt fell in love with the school.

“I came to Boys State, and this school felt like home even though I wasn’t a student here yet. The support, family and resources that I have received since I’ve been here have been a blessing,” Hunt said.

Hunt is a part of many organizations here at UCA. “I am the President of the Bear Den, Chaplin of UCA Gospel, Community Service Chair of the Black Male Achievement Challenge, Mentor for the Minority Mentorship Program, Alumni Leader for I.D.E.A.L Freshman Leadership Team,” Hunt said.

Hunt is also a member of the Latino Student Association and Students for the Propagation of Black Culture, as well as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and Young Democrats.

“I love all the organizations I’m a part of. Each organization brings a different thing about me to light.

I’ve bettered my faith, inspired the future and become a better man.

The knowledge, family and friends I’ve gained have helped me go further in life,” Hunt said.

Hunt is actively engaged in the campus community.

“A few things that you can see me doing on campus are talking to different people, walking fast or going to a meeting,” Hunt said.

Despite being so busy, one of Hunt’s favorite things to do on campus is to take a seat and relax by the Harding Centennial Plaza fountain.

“It’s where I go to clear my mind when I’m stressed,” Hunt said.

Hunt encourages others to keep hope circumstances.

If he could share one piece of advice, it would be the Bible verse Galatians 6:9.

“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”

Hunt said, “Hard times don’t last always.

No pressure, no diamonds. You are doing wonderful in the situation you’re in.”

Photo courtesy of Jequan Carter

Jeromy Hunt is a public relations major and a political science minor.

Hunt has always enjoyed working with and around others.

Sports

5

January 26, 2022

Upcoming Games

Women’s Basketball 4 p.m., Jan. 27 at North Florida Men’s Basketball 7 p.m., Jan. 27 at North Florida Men’s & Women’s Track and Field Jan. 28 at Texas Tech Invitational Tennis Jan. 30 at Missouri State University

Editor’s Take

Transgender Women in Women’s Sports BY

EMILEE HAGEWOOD

Sports Editor

The subject of transgender women being allowed to participate in women’s sports has been a hot topic for a while now and has recently made headlines again. Republican Gov. Kristi Noem has promoted a bill currently making its way through South Dakota’s legislature that she claims will be the “strongest bill in the nation” of its kind, aimed at protecting fairness in women’s sports.

The bill will restrict transgender athletes in the collegiate and K-12 levels from participating in sports opposite of the sex they were assigned at birth. It was approved by one South Dakota legislative committee Jan.17 and, if it passes the legislature, South Dakota will be the 10th state to create restrictions against transgender people participating in teams that match their gender identity.

As politicians continue to push for these laws, there are already numerous transgender athletes shaking up the system. Their participation and achievements in sports that don’t match their gender assigned at birth have put the internet in a frenzy.

Lia Thomas, an accomplished freestyle swimmer, is competing in her first season as a woman this year, and it has caused an uproar in the sports community.

Thomas competed at the University of Pennsylvania for two years as a man until she underwent two years of hormone therapy. She just recently broke two school records and posted nation-leading times at the Zippy Invitational, where the controversy started.

Professional athletes such as Michael Phelps and Nancy Hogshead-Makar, both Olympic swimming champions, have openly disagreed with the NCAA’s new policy over transgender athletes on a sportby-sport basis. It’s a complicated topic. Wanting transgender rights to flourish while also protecting everything that biological women have worked for in the last century is difficult.

Testosterone suppression can’t reverse the biological advantages that a man develops once he enters puberty — in bone mass, blood circulation, lower body fat, more resistant connective tissue and larger hearts and lungs. The question is then, where do we draw the line, and is there a way to make sports both fair and inclusive?

Photo courtesy of ucasports.com

Junior guard Darious Hall dunks on Jacksonville State Gamecock Juwan Perdue in a close game that led to the end of a three-win streak at home for the Bears. The Bears will be travelling to Jacksonville, Fla. Thursday to face the North Florida Ospreys.

Bears lose by four against Jacksonville State Gamecocks

BY FELECITY

AUXIER

Staff Writer

The Bears fell short, 86-81, against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks on the 18th, leaving the Bears with an overall record of 6-12 and the Gamecocks at 11-6.

“The strongest aspect of the game for us was the first [half]. We played very well on both the offensive and defensive end,” senior forward Jared Chatham said.

The game endured 24 lead changes and 11 ties but ultimately came down to a loss for the Bears. At halftime, the Bears held the lead 41-39.

“Our weakest point was finishing defensive plays.

We would play great defense but allow the Gamecocks to get an offensive rebound, and then they would score on their second opportunity,” sophomore guard Masai Olowokere said.

Camren Hunter, a freshman guard, scored 14 points

and had 6 assists. Junior Eddy Kayouloud earned 12 points after coming off the bench. Chatham and freshman Ibbe Klintman both earned 11 points. The Bears shot a percentage of 43.7 from the field and 34.8 from the three-point range. The Bears also forced 20 turnovers on the Gamecocks while only having nine turnovers themselves.

“I feel like, for the most part, we executed our offense really well, and we shared the ball a lot,” Chatham said. “I would say late in the second half, we had the chance to close out on a really good team on the defensive end, but we came up short.”

The Bears didn’t go down without a fight against the highly ranked Gamecocks.

“Overall, the guys gave a great effort. And Jacksonville State is really good. They are a really good team. I told the guys, they are a team that could win this conference. And we’re close, we’re really close,” coach

Anthony Boone told UCA sports.

After winning over North Alabama in overtime and then facing a loss against Jacksonville State, the Bears still have high hopes for the rest of the conference.

“This loss makes us even hungrier because we have an idea of what we’re capable of in this conference, but we still have to prove ourselves. This loss is a good one to learn from,” Chatham said.

Hungry for the rest of the season, the Bears expect to grow throughout the season in hopes of more wins.

“I expect us to continue to do what we are doing, but we have to take it to another level. We are learning to play with each other more and more, and we will continue to get better from here on out,” Chatham said.

The Bears are now 3-2 in the ASUN conference, while Jacksonville State is 4-0. Their next game will be in Jacksonville, Florida against North Florida Jan. 27 at 7 p.m.

FEATURE

Cain believes UCA track will steal conference title

BY WILL

MCDONALD

Assistant Sports Editor

Thomas Cain is a graduate student working on his MBA and a distance runner for the UCA track team. Cain is from Yuma, Arizona, where he ran in high school.

In 2018, he began his collegiate career, placing 8th at the Southland Conference Championships in the 5k with a time of 15:30. He was also a member of the 2018 SLC Cross Country Championship team.

Last indoor track season, he placed sixth at the KMS Open and ran a 4:21 in the mile.

Cain maintains focus during meets by reminding himself of his goals.

“Always keep the bigger goals in mind. I really want to go sub-4 in the mile, sub-14 in the 5k and sub-24 in the 8k,” Cain said. “These are big personal goals. It’s good to always know what you’re working for.”

His personal best in those events are 4:13 in the mile, 14:49 in the 5k and 24:53 in the 8k.

After being put out of the season for a while, Cain is ready to come back with a bang

in the season and in school.

Cain said, “4.0 [GPA] for sure. Shoot for the stars.

Athletically, I just came back. In October, I got diagnosed with mono after one of our races, so I was out for about two months.

I’m just starting back and want to have a healthy, full outdoor season.”

Health is of the utmost importance for many studentathletes this semester who are hoping for a successful season amidst the Omicron outbreak.

“It’s unpredictable, really.

You just have to be able to roll with the punches. That’s part of what being a student-athlete is all about, or even just being a person — getting hit and getting back up again,” Cain said.

Cain thinks the team will finish the indoor season strong and compete fiercely in the outdoor season as well. “We had kind of a rough winter break. A few of us got COVID, and a few of us had some injuries, but we are coming back strong,” Cain said. “I think the team is looking forward to competing at the ASUN indoor meet. I think we can steal a conference title there and during the outdoor

season, too.”

The ASUN Indoor Conference Championship will take place February 25th and 26th in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Cain plans to stay in sports after graduation too. “After I complete my master’s, I’m looking into going into a doctorate business program.

I want to do something within sports like sports marketing.

That would be awesome,” Cain said.

When he is not training or in classes, Cain enjoys reading and playing video games like Fortnite with his friends.

“It’s tough because [classes and training] take up a lot of my time, but I’m a big video game guy. I’ve been playing Fortnite a lot recently. I’ve been working on myself and doing a lot of reading recently,” Cain said.

Cain gave his future self these words of wisdom: “Future Thomas, keep going. Don’t give up. I think a lot of people get ‘senioritis’ or decide to give up early, so just keep dreaming.”

As Cain races towards his future, he strives to achieve his running goals, complete his MBA and represent the bears with pride.

Photo courtesy of ucasports.com

friends when he isn’t training or racing.

PREVIEW

Softball gears up for first season in ASUN Conference BY

DELANEY VAN-WILPE

Online Editor

Similar to other sports at UCA, the Bears’ softball team is preparing to enter their first season as a part of the ASUN Conference.

Jordan Johnson, a returning UCA pitcher, said, “We are facing a conference of opponents we have never seen before, so we are going to have to adjust quickly and bring our best each time… The new conference is going to be tough, but we have always played tough teams and competed really well.”

The team began practice for the spring season Jan. 10 and are building on what they accomplished in the fall.

Head coach Jenny Parsons said, “We had a very good fall season of training and implementing our defensive and offensive systems.”

Following Parsons’ 10 seasons of coaching UCA

as an assistant coach, this is Parsons’ first season as head coach. Kayla Lucas previously served as a volunteer assistant and has moved to assistant coach for this season. Lindsey Kirschman was also hired as UCA’s assistant strength and conditioning coach.

Johnson said a new softball coaching staff has allowed them to be more successful.

“The team has been really pushed this year with a new strength coach and softball coaching change.

We have become much stronger and prepared for this season,” Johnson said.

Spring season will have many returning players, like Jordan, pitcher Kayla Beavers, and Jenna Wildeman, who led the NCAA in stolen bases last year with a total of 56.

“We return the core of our lineup from last season. A lot of our young players were able to get really good experience,” Parsons said.

Johnson believes this extended time spent together playing season-to-season has

allowed for a more cohesive and tight-knit team.

“We were fortunate to have many starters and upper-classmen return this season, so I believe we are continuing to build on the chemistry from last year,” Johnson said. “The newcomers are molding into the team well and are a good addition to our foundation.”

Last season, the team claimed a spot as the 2021 Southland Conference Runner Up and ended conference play 15-6.

Parsons has high hopes for her team this 2022 season.

“I expect that this team will compete day in and day out with maximum effort. If we can control that, then good things will happen for us,” Parsons said.

Their first game is in Baton Rouge at the LSU Tiger Classic Feb. 11. They will be playing South Alabama and Illinois. On Feb. 12 and 13, they will take on LSU.

Opinion

6

February 2, 2022

The Voice

C onser vatives complain of discrimination in campus sur vey

The Echo Staff Addi Freeman Editor-in-Chief Bennett Tinnermon Associate Editor Mia Waddell News Editor Kathryn Thornberry Assistant News Editor Madison Ogle Campus Life Editor/Cartoonist Olivia Snelson Assistant Campus Life Editor Milo Strain Opinion Editor Sydney Cyr Entertainment Editor Emilee Hagewood Sports Editor Will McDonald Assistant Sports Editor Delaney Van Wilpe Online Editor Olyvia Gonzalez Asistant Online Editor

Got Letters?

Comments or complaints about content of The Echo or in reference to anything on campus should be registered with the newspaper by letters or email to the editors. All letters must be limited to 300 words and include the author’s name and phone number. All letters may be published unless they are marked private. Letters may be edited for style, clarity and length.

Editorials written in The Voice express the opinion of the newspaper and the editorial staff. Individual staff opinions are expressed in individual columns.

The Echo office is located in Stanley Russ Hall 124

ucanews.live ucaechoonline@gmail.com ucaechoeditor@gmail.com David Keith, Advisor

Advertising echonewspaperads@gmail.com

COVID sacrifices amount to nothing Two years ago, I remember driving past UAMS and seeing its “Heroes Work Here” sign, longing to see my mother more often. The early stages of the pandemic were scary for her. As a she was pulled down to COVID-19 units due to the massive need for healthcare workers and the abundance of sick Arkansans.

My father recently revealed to me that the shortages caused him tremendous stress as he became the primary caregiver for myself and my brother.

“I went into the store, and there was nothing. I sat in my car and cried. I didn’t know how I was going to feed you two.”

There were no vaccines, no real information, and my mother was constantly being exposed. We met

BY MIA WADDELL outdoors. We talked News Editor through windows. We texted updates on state and school guidelines.

Two years on, and the whole family is vaccinated, healthy, and safe — but the Omicron surge begs the question: what was it all for?

My mother and her coworkers at UAMS are now required to use their sick days if they are exposed at the hospital. No more paid quarantine.

What if you don’t have any sick days? You don’t get paid.

What decides if you have to quarantine?

Depends on who you talk to.

Some nurses with positive test results are made to come back and work. Others who were

simply exposed, such as their child contracting the disease, are put on an immediate 10-day quarantine. God forbid they do not have the sick days to support that.

It goes without saying how completely unethical it is that a workplace that puts your life and health at risk punishes you so severely for trying to care for the illest people in the state.

What happened to your heroes, UAMS? What happened to the pizza parties, the free tickets to ball games, the endless newscasts about our frontline workers? never appreciated any of this — but most did not bother to ever ask them.

It was always performative. It was always empty. It meant nothing.

Here are some things nurses actually want: higher pay, paid time off, safe work environments and consistent guidelines.

What do they get? Used, abused and thrown away. The fact that they are the ones keeping the sickest of the sick cared for is completely ignored.

So what did we do anything for? If we were going to default to treating our healthcare workers like this, why did we shelter in place?

Why did we wear masks? Why did we do a damn thing about COVID-19 if none of it actually ever mattered to the general public?

The wave of apathy washing over communities is horrifying in comparison to the bleeding heart semantics of the 2020 era pandemic.

Why hermit crabs are the most useless pets

The reclusive, shelled creatures known as hermit cramped and tired, dreading the next spray down. crabs are the worst pet that one could own.

However, the humidity and water bowls are not Hermit crabs are by far the least interactive, the only thing that a keeper of these fragile creatures most reclusive and somewhat highest maintenance must watch out for. The temperature in their of the many creatures that one could call a pet. environment is also a key factor in a hermit crab’s This creature’s high maintenance begins with survival. the special types of water that it requires to survive.

Like the humidity, the heat must be kept at A hermit crab requires not one, not two, but three optimum temperatures for hermit crabs to survive. different types of water: freshwater, saltwater and Along with an optimum temperature and distilled water. humidity, hermit crabs need something to climb on The freshwater and saltwater are for drinking. to entertain them.

However, this cannot be just any freshwater or However, being the picky little creatures they saltwater. One either has to purchase the two different are, hermit crabs will see their new toy, eye it types of water from the pet store – which can be for a few minutes, and decide to climb on it quite a strain on a college student’s budget — under the cover of darkness or never have or buy water conditioner. anything to do with it again. One could The more economical route of the go through numerous toys before two requires precise measurement with every tiny droplet that comes out of the Hermit crabs require company to conditioning bottle, as to not poison thrive in their environments. and kill the shelled creatures.

A lone hermit crab can Furthermore, when supplying become very lonely and die water to hermit crabs, the water without a partner. Therefore, it bowls must not be too full, or is important to get more else the hermit crabs might than one hermit crab.

BY LINDZIE LUNSFORD drown and die in the water This means more money Staff Writer of their choice. Due to the out of pocket for another water’s shallowness, not hermit crab which, if it only must the water bowls be dies, the other is likely to follow. day.

One would think that a happy hermit crab Finally, there is distilled water, which is used to would move, especially with a friend. However, keep the humidity up in a hermit crab’s environment. this is not the case. Hermit crabs rarely move, and If the humidity is too low or too high in the when they do, it is at night and quite a rare sight to enclosure for a long time, the hermit crab could die. see.

Therefore, spraying down a hermit crab’s enclosure Quite frankly, one could get as much interaction the perfect amount a few times a day is key. from a pet rock in a day as one can get from a hermit While the hermit crabs will be left feeling crab. The only difference is a pet rock requires little comfortable after the subtle spray with the distilled more maintenance than a slight dusting off of a high water, the hand that was spritzing down the cage will shelf, while a hermit crab requires an act of God to not. By the end of each spray, a person’s hand is left keep alive.

On the front page of The Echo last week there was a story about the results of a student survey. The survey asked students about their perceptions of campus, and the results were interesting, to say the least. Students’ top concerns were visibility, perception of administration, perception of peers and campus training focused on sexual assault.

These are all obviously very serious issues that should be handled with care, and the faculty’s proposed solutions to these concerns are troubling. Instead of any real concrete solutions to change student perceptions, top suggestions included things like a diversity week for 2023, the increase of diversity among faculty and administrative ranks.

Diversity is obviously a good thing, and a more diverse faculty and administration would be an undeniable improvement for our campus, but right now, it just smells like an excuse to add even more administrators to the already bloated bureaucracy of UCA the existing issues that affect student perception.

If UCA really cares about its students they should trim every bit of fat from the administration, starting with President Houston Davis’ extremely generous salary. Or stop increasing the police budget every year while department budgets are slashed.

What’s also interesting is that the survey found that many politically conservative students and faculty complained about “discrimination against and harassment towards those with conservative or unpopular viewpoints.”

It’s like the mere presence of any opposing viewpoint on campus, no matter how small, is a direct and personal attack on every conservative student It is completely ridiculous and laughable that a conservative student can look around this predominantly white, over-policed campus and think, “Yes, it is I who is being discriminated against here.”

This is a campus that almost got away with removing its African American studies major. For a group that is “woke culture,” it’s deeply funny that they don’t see the irony in complaining about their alleged discrimination and harassment.

We literally have a Chick-Fil-A on campus, one of the most politically conservative fast-food chains in the country known for donating to antiLGBTQ organizations. Greek life, made of historically conservative and white fraternities and sororities, absolutely dominates and controls the party scene on campus and is allowed to get away with almost anything. It is truly nated against at UCA when they should be having the time of their lives here.

Back in 2016, when a Sig Tau Gamma member went to a party in full blackface, it took the Students for the Propagation of Black Culture blowing it up on Twitter before it got any attention, and now Sig Tau Gamma is allowed back on campus.

It’s like the mere presence of any opposing viewpoint on campus, no matter how small, is a direct and personal attack on every conservative student and faculty member. Get over yourselves.

If you’re a conservative somehow reading this and you disagree with everything here, please write in and share your experience of being discriminated against or harassed. And no, being told “happy holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas” or having to walk by a trans person without screaming a slur at them does not count.

Have an opinion? Everyone does.

Write a letter to the editor at ucaechoeditor@gmail.com Letters to the editor don’t just have to be about Echo content.

If you’ve noticed something on campus that’s positive or negative, we want to hear about it.

The Echo is printed weekly by The Courier. Decisions about content are made by the student editors.

The views published are not necessarily those of the University of Central Arkansas. All material is subject to respective copyrights.

Entertainment 2, 2022

New This Week Movies

7

“Shoals” strays from band’s old sound, eccentric theme BY

AMBER AUSTEN

Staff Writer

Feb. 3 — Ghosts Of The Ozarks (NR), directed by Jordan Wayne Long and Matt Glass, starring Angela Bettis, Brandon Gibson, and David Aaron Baker

Feb. 4 — jackass forever (NR), directed by Jeff Tremaine, starring Austin Post, Chris Pontius, Chris Raab, and Dave England

Photo courtesy of www.wearepalace.com

“Shoals” is Palace’s third album. Palace has four members: Leo Wyndham, Rupert Turner, Will Dorey, and Matt Hodges.

Feb. 4 — Moonfall (PG-13), directed by Roland Emmerich, starring Ava Weiss, Carolina Bartczak, Charlie Plummer, and Donald Sutherland

Music Feb. 4 — Time Skiffs — Animal Collective

D I S N E Y P LU S

PERFORMANCE Feb. 4 — Give Me The Future — Bastille

Feb. 4 — Ants From Up There — Black Country, New Road

Mexican folk dancing brings Reynolds culture BY

ADDI FREEMAN

Editor-In-Chief

Feb. 4 — Pompeii — Cate Le Bon

Feb. 4 — Requiem — Korn

Feb. 4 — Laurel Hell — Mitski Photo courtesy of www.disneyplusoriginals.disney.com

“The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild” is the sixth movie in the Ice Age franchise. The movie has an 82 minute running time.

Netflix Perhaps

Feb. 3 — Murderville (Season 1), directed by Iain K. Morris Brennan, starring Will Arnett, Haneefah Wood, Lilan Bowden, Philip Smithey, and Conan O’Brian

the

most

Spin-off “Ice Age” film offers silly storyline, lacks familiarity for fans BY

KATHRYN THORNBERRY

Assistant News Editor

was a good way to start the

Feb. 4 — Sweet Magnolias (Season 2), directed by Norman Buckley, starring JoAnna Garcia Swisher, Brooke Elliott, Heather Headley, and Chris Klein

was You

may

the

messages

remember

the character teaches the boys

The two were brothers to

Feb. 4 — Through My Window, directed by Marcal Fores, starring Clara Galle, Hugo Arbues, Eric Masip, and Guillermo Lasheras

1. Kerbal Space Program 2

Kerbal Space Program 2 leads

Top 5 highly anticipated video games of 2022 List compiled by Andrew McMahan Staff Writer

2. Modern Warfare 2

3. Elden Ring

4. Gran Turismo 7

5. Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2

ucanews.live

SPORTS

8 / January 26 , 2022

UCA STATS CORNER SPORT

OPPONENT

RESULT

RECORD

Men’s Basketball

Jacksonville State

86-81 L

6-12, 3-2

Women’s basketball

North Alabama

60-53 W

7-10, 2-4

PERSONAL RECORDS

Photo courtesy of ucasports.com

Graduate Student and forward Hannah Langhi releases the shot while being guarded by sophomore forward Madison

Sugar Bears lack of defense results in 64-47 loss against Gamecocks BY

EMILEE HAGEWOOD

Sports Editor

The Sugar Bears fell short in the second half last Wednesday against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks, losing 64-47. The Bears pushed through the first two quarters, putting up 16 points in each, but were unable to defend the goal, giving up multiple points in the third quarter.

Freshman guard Randrea Wright scored the first two points of the game with a jumper and assisted graduate student Hannah Langhi with a three-pointer. The Gamecocks responded with a three of their own, and a game of keep-away ensued.

For every point the Sugar Bears put up, the Gamecocks responded with their own.

The first half continued with an even streak until the 5:15 minute mark when the Gamecocks took the lead.

The Sugar Bears didn’t score another point until minute 2:04.

The Sugar Bears came back in the second half, outscoring the Gamecocks by four. Graduate student guard Savanna Walker assisted Langhi with a jumper to start the half. Down seven

points, Walker, Langhi and Wright took off with a 6-0 lead, closing the gap with 90 seconds to spare. Freshman guard and forward Ruth Balogun scored a free throw and tied the quarter 32-32.

Walker said, “[Wednesday’s] game, we executed our game plan well for the most part. We just came up short due to our own mistakes.”

After the first half, the Sugar Bears couldn’t keep up with the Gamecocks in the second. The third quarter saw numerous turnovers and missed shots. The Gamecocks outscored the Sugar Bears 23-7, ending the third quarter 55-39.

The team’s defense tightened in the final quarter, with the Sugar Bears only allowing nine points to be put up by the Gamecocks.

The Sugar Bears didn’t catch up to the big lead and only put up eight points of their own, with the game ending at 64-47 in favor of the Gamecocks.

Langhi and Wright both tied for points with 13 each.

Junior guard Rita James had a season-best seven points, while Walker followed close behind with six.

According to ucasports.

NEW RECRUITS

com, the Bears were outrebounded for the first time in a month. Walker said, “Moving forward, we plan on continuing to get better and grow as a team. We will watch the film, correct our mistakes, and continue to work.”

The Sugar Bears have had two games postponed this year, Lipscomb and North Alabama, which Walker said was caused by the Omicron variant.

Although other teams have been battling the virus, Walker assures that the Sugar Bears are 100% vaccinated and always wear the proper protection.

The Sugar Bears played their rescheduled game against North Alabama on Jan. 24 and won 60-53, updating their record to 1-4 in conference.

As the Sugar Bears continue their ASUN season, they have high hopes and goals for the end.

“The expectations for the rest of the season is to give it your all, win the ones at home and steal some on the road,” Walker said.

The Sugar Bears will be traveling to Jacksonville, Fla. to play North Florida this Thursday at 10 a.m.

Staff Writer

The Central Arkansas Baseball Prospect Camp scouted 9th-12th graders who wished to play baseball for UCA on Saturday in both UCA’s Indoor Facility and Bear Stadium due to the cold weather.

“It is a great way for us to interact with interested potential student-athletes to see their athletic ability as well as to see if they are a good fit for our program,” coach Justin Cunningham said.

The camp, which cost $150 per camper, started with a warm up for a 60-yard dash. Next, the campers warmed-up to showcase their ability with a pro-style defense by throwing and catching different pitches, such as ground balls and slow balls. Finally, campers moved to the bullpens.

“We receive a lot of interest in our baseball program because of past and present student-athletes with word of mouth and their positive experience with the baseball program and the university,” Cunningham said.

In the indoor facility,

parents and supporters of the campers were told to watch out from the sidelines and were left dodging a few speeding baseballs that landed on the wall.

After lunch, campers moved to bullpens at Bear Stadium.

“A lot of potential student-athletes come to camp because someone they know plays here or has played at UCA in the past,” Cunningham said.

One aspiring player at the event was 10th grader Tucker Satterfield from Conway High School.

Satterfield said that his favorite activity during the event was double pays because “you can sauce it up, you know it’s not just something that’s boring; it makes it interesting.”

Satterfield said that he came because it would be a good opportunity.

“Right now there are no other schools for my-ageplayers that are out there looking for us.”

Satterfield said that he had been playing baseball since he was two or three.

“I saw my older brother playing it, and I decided I wanted to do it. Both brothers

Arkansas Invitational starts Bear’s Track & Field Season BY

DELANEY VAN-WILPE

Online Editor

The University of Central Arkansas’ track and field team’s performance at the Arkansas Invitational Friday, Jan. 14, in Fayetteville resulted in personal records for many athletes.

The teams competing alongside UCA were Oklahoma University, University of Tulsa, Oklahoma State, Arkansas-Little Rock, University of Arkansas, Oral Roberts, Allen Community College, Coffeyville Community College, Butler Community College, Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Alcorn State.

A few notable contenders from UCA’s track events were Niklas Iking, Jordan Atkins, Sierra Temple and Anna Bommes.

Iking placed 3rd with a 1:53.60 in the men’s 800M, Atkins placed 5th with an 8.13 in men’s 60M hurdles, Temple placed 6th with a 7.77 in women’s 60M hurdles and Bommes placed play for the Conway High 4th with a 2:23.79 in the School Wampus Cats, and women’s 800M. Satterfield plays shortstop for Kennedy Timmerman also the team. made strides at the meet.

Once Satterfield graduates Timmerman placed 7th with high school, he said that he a PR of 10:27.10 in the women’s 3000M and placed hopes to play Division 1 baseball for UCA. “You can play some of the best players in the country, and I’d like to face the competition.”

“We have interest throughout the region from potential studentathletes that desire to play baseball here at UCA, and at the division 1 level,” said Cunningham.

Satterfield said the reason he wants to play for UCA is because “the ball games are really fun, I went to them as a kid. They have a great fan base, and it’s a great community.”

However, baseball will not end with Satterfield after UCA. Satterfield said that he wants to either be a coach or a sports broadcaster in the future.

“I’d like a shot in the pros too.”

Cunningham said that the prospect camps are held two or three times a year.

The next Central Arkansas Prospect Camp will be held June 7th, 2022.

Baseball Prospect Camp helps Bears scout potential players

BY LINDZIE LUNSFORD

Photo courtesy of ucasports.com

6th with a PR of 2:25.26 in the women’s 800M “This was the first indoor meet for a lot of us this season, including myself, so it’s really exciting to get back into the swing of things,” Timmerman said. “Overall, I’m happy with the results, but there is still a lot of work to be done and many more miles to be put in. For the next meet, I’m hoping to be much more aggressive.”

For the field events, Michael Jackson placed 4th in men’s long jump with a 7.09m, and Natalie Louw placed 5th in women’s high jump with a 1.58m.

Louw and other UCA athletes shared similar feelings about the difficulty of coming back to a meet following UCA’s winter break.

“Overall, I do think we had a little bit of a rough start after the break. It’s tough when some of us didn’t have proper facilities or equipment over the break while being home,” Louw said. “I think it was a good meet in the sense where it got us all back in the game and a good building block for the rest of the season. I do believe we will have a pretty good season.”

Senior Tate Whaley said, “It was the first race for many

of us, so we are calling it more of a rust buster.”

Whaley, along with Julian Haessner, Jaron Hamilton and Johnny Cordero, placed with personal records in the men’s 3000M. According to UCA Sports, Haessner placed 6th with a PR of 8:37.23, Hamilton placed 8th with an 8:51.32, Whaley placed 9th with a PR of 8:52.21, Parker Jackson placed 11th with a 9:01.36 and Cordero placed 13th with a PR of 9:06.06.

“In the 3000M, I went out with the mindset to win but sadly didn’t have it that day.

A personal record is always nice, though,” Whaley said.

Whaley also placed 16th with a 2:49.07 in the men’s 1000M alongside teammates Tomas Thompson in 14th with a 2:47.12 and Parker Jackson in 15th with a 2:47.48.

“As a team, I am proud of how everyone did, but as we all know and talked about, we can do much better and have a lot of work to put in over these next few weeks,” Whaley said.

Timmerman said, “We’ll only get better from here.”

The Bears will take on their next meet at the Texas Tech Invitational in Lubbock, Texas, on Jan. 28 and 29.