January 22, 2014

THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS’ STUDENT NEWSPAPER

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WEDNESDAY

JANUARY 22, 2014 Volume 107 — Issue 1

ucaecho.net 4 TODAY’S FORECAST CONWAY

Opinion:

Sports:

Voice:

Conque resigns, Steve Campbell appointed as new head coach 4 page 7

Reynolds performances top previous years

4 page 5

Football:

Legacy:

University sponsors Martin Luther King Jr. 4 page 3 breakfast

UCAPD increases patrols following robbery Student dies REMEMBRANCE

Sunny

52/29 4 THE ONLINE WIRE FROM UCAECHO.NET

Conway police seeking information on three armed suspects, students urged to remain alert

by Austin DuVall News Editor

University screens transgender documentary The Office of Diversity and Community invites students to a screening of “TRANS.” The 90-minute documentary highlights LT Commander Christopher McGinn, a flight surgeon, who transitioned from male to female upon discharge and a seven year old transitioning from male to female. All students are encouraged to attend the screening at 6 p.m. Jan. 30 in the College of Business Auditorium.

Professors awarded grant to study bullying The psychology and counseling department announced that Paul Nail, Elson Bihm and Joan Simon have been awarded a $286, 500 “Decreasing Bullying with Self-Affirmation: A Test of the Compensation Model” grant.

Regarding the research, Nail said, “Our current research is directed toward finding and testing new ways to decrease bullying in middle school, hopefully before it becomes a deep-seated way of dealing with others.” The grant’s duration is two years and the research will be conducted in conjunction with the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

University releases new mobile application UCA’s new application was unveiled earlier this month to keep students and faculty connected to the university.

Features include news and events, a campus map, admissions information, and athletics updates. Students can access their schedule, grades and a faculty directory. University personnel created the app with UCA Web Development and Information Technology. It is free to download and available for both iOS and Android devices.

UCAPD reported an armed robbery near campus on Western Avenue between Bruce Street and College Avenue at approximately 4:30 p.m. Jan. 19.

According to the UCAAlert sent out to all students, faculty and staff, the suspects in the incident are three black males in what is believed by UCAPD to be a green SUV with tan side skirts.

UCAPD project manager Arch Jones said the department increased their patrols throughout the day and urged students and residents to remain alert and call 911 to report any suspicious activity.

As of 1:20 p.m. Jan. 20, Jones said that no sightings of the suspects or the vehicle have been reported on campus or surrounding areas.

Conway Police Department public information Officer

4 WHAT’S AHEAD

IN OUR NEXT ISSUE

Writer, carpenter, ‘Parks and Recreation’ star Nick Offerman comes to Reynolds Performance Hall on Jan. 6

by Scott Keith Staff Writer

The Faculty senate discussed strategies to improve or replace the current GroupWise email system in light of recent concerns from university faculty during its Jan. 14 meeting at Wingo Hall.

The senate also discussed strategies to improve the IT Helpdesk’s efficiency, and whether or not students should be asked to fill out evaluations of advisers in addition to instructors.

Chief Information Officer Jonathan Glenn, in a report filed to the senate, discussed concerns about GroupWise and the IT Helpdesk.

Some faculty have complained that GroupWise is clunky and has compatibility problems with certain applications and devices, such as Gmail or Kindle Fire. There were also complaints about a lack of storage capacity

on Groupwise, and one faculty member asked why the university couldn’t simply start using Gmail after one of his archived legal documents became corrupted.

“The most immediate and relevant response is that such a decision is momentous enough to need to be driven by a strategic plan,” Glenn said. He said that the problems are being looked at, although a formal plan has not been developed.

Glenn also ruled out Gmail as an alternative to GroupWise, saying Gmail’s terms of service do not ensure that university information stays confidential, but added, “Google is in fact willing to negotiate an educationfriendlier ToS [terms of service] when a university adopts their applications.”

Glenn’s report also addressed

See Senate - page 2

EMPLOYMENT

As a new semester kicks off at UCA, new staffing changes have been made.

The university welcomed B e c k y Rasnick as the new registrar this semester. A UCA alumna, R a s n i c k returned to her alma Becky Rasnick mater in 1996 to work as an academic adviser.

Rasnick said she hopes to bring several additions to the registrar’s office that should speed up and simplify production in the office. Improvements include automated graduation applications as well as DegreeWorks, an online program currently in the works that is expected to be released in midFebruary of this year.

“DegreeWorks is going to help students track their own degree,” Rasnick said.

This program will allow

students to see how many classes they need to receive their diploma, to track their progress, as well as help with changing their major or minor.

Such programs are designed to simplify matters and help students achieve graduation.

Rasnick says her goal is to watch every one of them walk across the stage with their diploma.

In 2005, she became the athletic academic advising director and for the past two years has worked as associate registrar.

During her time at UCA, Rasnick has been involved in numerous positions. According to a university press release, she has been the student government associate adviser, Arkansas Academic Advising Network president, University Women president and UCA Alumni Association board member.

Rasnick was a member of several committees such as academic integrity, university women book scholarship, grievance, safety, health and

See Registrar - page 2

Contact Us: 3 4

theft of property.

According to the Jan. 13 article, the minor admitted he was involved with the string of robberies and identified the other suspects. He also identified Oliphant as the driver of the getaway vehicle.

The article also reported that Curtis Devante Wright, 18, was arrested Jan. 8 and was the fourth and final person arrested in the case.

According to the Log Cabin, Wright faces two counts of aggravated robbery and theft of property with a set bond of $75,000. Wright is set to appear before Judge Brazil at 1 p.m. Feb. 21.

The Jan. 13 article states that in less than two hours on Nov. 17, Conway police were dispatched to three reports of armed robberies.

All three were within two miles of one another.

in accident over break

by Austin DuVall News Editor

Sophomore Bethany Boxx died Dec. 26, 2013 after a three-car collision involving Boxx’s family and student O’Rane Williams.

According to the police report, the incident occurred at approximately 2:45 p.m. on US Highway 71 in Pineville, MO when a 2002 Dodge Ram switched lanes and rear-ended Bethany Boxx a 2013 Chevrolet 2500. The driver of the Dodge Ram then crossed the center of the roadway, colliding with the driver’s side of a 2002 Toyota Sienna van, carrying the Boxx family and Williams. The van, driven by David Boxx, 51, then travelled off the right side of the road and overturned.

McDonald County Coroner B.J. Goodwin pronounced Boxx’s death. Her younger sister, Katelyn, 16, was also pronounced dead at the scene. Williams suffered injuries that required him to be airlifted to Mercy Hospital in Springfield, MO. According to the obituary published in the Benton County Daily Record, Boxx graduated from the International Baccalaureate Program through Bentonville High School in 2012. Boxx was a biology major at UCA and was working toward a minor in gender studies.

Boxx was also a student worker at UCA. She could be found working as a cashier in the Student Center Food Court during the afternoon and night shifts.

Sophomore Winter Stanley worked with Boxx and said she was a wonderful worker and person.

“Since I am a newer employee, I often feel left out,” Stanley said.

“But Bethany would walk over and photo by Jared Holt Junior Leanna Adams fills cracks with crushed ice Jan. 20 talk to me, assist me when things before the Reynolds Performance Hall stage is transformed for got busy, and even did my dishes “Broadway on Ice.” Staff worked overnight in six-hour shifts to for me. I never asked. She just did them.” build the wintery platform for performers.

Stanley said Boxx was one of those people you looked forward I N V O LV E M E N T to talk to and see.

Sophomore Daniel Grayling, a close friend of Boxx since they met as freshmen at Bentonville High School, spoke highly of her, specifically her intelligence and “powerful force of opinion.” protect themselves against things

by Brandon Riddle “[Boxx] championed social that could derail their futures.

Editor causes and fought for the rights “A lot of people are becoming of women within a patriarchal Comprehensive sex education more and more concerned about society,” Grayling said. “She was and unobstructed access to their ability to access the health proud of her views. While her contraception were common care services and education that beliefs formed who she was, they are not what many people themes among speakers at the they need,” she said. remember of Bethany. They think The issue dominated the Fourth Annual Reproductive of her smile, laugh and incredible state legislature last year, when Justice Rally. empathy.”

The rally at 1 p.m. Jan. 18 on the two state abortion laws – Act 171 Grayling said her death is a steps of the Arkansas State Capitol and Act 301 – passed in 2013 that tragedy to all who knew her, along restrict abortions after 20 weeks in Little Rock included speakers with all who could have known her. who often held onto topic outlines and 12 weeks, respectively.

“She was warm and caring of U.S. District Judge Susan as the wind continued to gust. others,” he said, “She loved deeply Hundreds gathered on the Webber Right blocked Arkansas and with unwavering loyalty.” steps to commemorate the 41st from implementing Act 301, citing Junior Lizzy Carden, one of anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the the widely accepted medical Boxx’s friends, said Bethany was 1973 Supreme Court case that understanding of viability for a the smartest person she knew.

“She was the perfect person to federally legalized most abortions. fetus at 24-28 weeks.

Gallup polling shows that 48 go to with any questions, advice, Senior Ali Taylor, rally chair, helped organize the annual event percent of Americans consider or if you just wanted to have an while UCA’s Young Democrats themselves “pro-life” while 45 interesting conversation,” Carden said. “She was a great and fearless and Feminist Union organizations percent identify as “pro-choice.” individual who stuck to her beliefs.

Sixty percent of Arkansans favored attended.

She was a strong woman who won’t a 12-week ban on abortions in “Our primary message is be forgotten.” education and prevention,” she 2013, according to a Talk Business/ A visitation and funeral Hendrix College poll. said. service was held Jan. 4 at the First Taylor said the event has Baptist Church in Rogers. The grown every year and that it is burial service followed at Pinnacle essential for college students to Memorial Gardens, also in Rogers.

Rasnick appointed as new registrar RSOs attend fourth annual ‘Rally for

Index: 2

and bond, have not yet been set for Williams, although he faced two counts of aggravated robbery and theft of property.

According to a Dec. 20 article, the video captured at the gas station also lead to the arrest of Little Rock resident Rickiyia Oliphant, 20.

Oliphant was charged with theft by receieving and fraudulent use of a credit card, along with two counts of aggravated robbery and theft of property.

The Jan. 13 article reported that Oliphant is being held on a $75,000 bond, and is scheduled in court at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 19 before Faulkner County Circuit Judge Amy Brazil.

The Log Cabin also reported that a 16-year-old Little Rock student was arrested after police viewed the video, along with victim testemony and the help of a Little Rock school resource officer.

The minor was charged with three counts of aggravated robbery and

Faculty senate discusses email; ENTICING ICE adviser evaluations topic tabled

Staff Writer

The Pi Beta chapter of Kappa Delta Pi International Society in Education presented Jason Campbell with the Mentor Teacher of the Semester award.

Campbell, a language arts instructor at Ruth Doyle Middle School, was nominated by his student intern, Emily James.

Campbell will be invited to the College of Education pinning ceremony in the spring.

LaTresha Woodruff said a preliminary police report is currenly being made. Updates will be reported as they become available.

Over the past few months, UCA has seen similar crimes occur near campus, the most recent being a string of armed robberies the evening of Nov. 17.

All four suspects have been arrested following the robberies.

Devante Williams, 19, of Little Rock was arrested within days of the robberies, according to a Dec. 20, 2013 Log Cabin Democrat article. Williams was tracked down

by U.S. Marshals and was found hiding in a closet in a Dallas home.

The article reported that Williams was accused of being part of the group that robbed three peopole at gunpoint Nov. 17. Williams stole cash and later used a stolen credit card at an Oak Street gas station.

The Log Cabin reported Jan. 13 that deatils, such as arraignment

A D M I N I S T R AT I O N

by Laura Landers

Mentor teacher of the semester announced

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Reproductive Justice’ at state capitol

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Food information should be made readily available to students

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NEWS ucaecho.net

Police Beat

CHARITY

The following reports and arrests are from the UCAPD docket. UCAPD reports any tickets issued as arrests, according to ucapd.com.

Expired tags, broken headlight, suspicion of DWI lead to arrest At approximately 2:01 a.m., UCAPD noticed a headlight out and expired tags on a blue Honda Civic on Jan. 14.

Nonstudent Kevin Ferguson, 22, said he did not have the finances to renew his tags and his headlight was having electrical issues.

UCAPD smelled intoxicants eminating from the driver and asked him to comply with a series of sobriety testing to which he agreed. Ferguson informed UCAPD he was the passenger’s designated driver because it was her birthday.

After completing the testing, Ferguson was placed under arrest for suspicion of DWI. Ferguson then refused to take a requested breathalyzer test.He said he was aware of his rights and did not want to take the test. UCAPD informed him refusal to submit would be added to his charges.

Ferguson then said UCAPD is a “bunch of snakes” that just want to get people in trouble. He mentioned he had been arrested for walking home intoxicated through UCA one night. Ferguson said that it is “entrapment.”

UCAPD told him he was pulled over due to expired tags and defective equipment. Ferguson said he understood.

Ferguson was charged with DWI and refusal to submit.

Student arrested for possession UCAPD observed a black Audi fail to obey a stop sign between buildings one and nine at Bear Village apartments at approximately 1:03 a.m on Jan 4.

Student driver Nathaniel Clark, 22, reportedly had an odor of marijuana about his person. UCAPD asked Clark to step out of the vehicle while they performed a search.

When Clark was out of the vehicle, he presented UCAPD with a small bag of marijuana. UCAPD found small amounts of marijuana throughout the vehicle.

At about 1:20 a.m., Clark was taken into custody and charged for possession of a controlled substance and failure to stop.

Rape, tresspass, assault reported in Bear Hall

UCAPD was dispatched to Bear Hall on Dec. 5, 2013 in reference to an assault that occurred on Dec. 2. The only suspect in the case is nonresident Germon G. Gates, 24.

The offenses rape, first degree assault and criminal trespass have been brought against Gates by UCAPD. The complete police report has not been released, but will be reported on as soon as updated information becomes available.

‘CANstruction Challenge’ event partners with university, other Conway businesses

by Justin Merkel Staff Writer

UCA is joining several local Conway businesses and colleges in a canned food drive with an interesting twist. “CANstruction Challenge,” is for the most part like any other canned food drive with cans being collected around campus and then donated to local charities.

What makes this event unique is that before the cans are donated they are used to create artistic sculptures.

The event is based on the work of international charity CANstruction, which hosts events and exhibitions that showcase sculptures made entirely of canned food.

According to 501 Life magazine, last year HP held a CANstruction competition among themselves. This year HP has teamed up with 501 Life magazine to get the entire city involved.

Jayme Stone, Director of Learning Communities and one of the faculty coordinating the event at UCA, said that this unique way of collecting food

is so effective because it helps make the issue real for a lot more people.

“Arkansas has one of the highest poverty rates in the nation” she said, “When we have a typical food drive, all you see is a box of canned food, but when we build with that canned food instead of just collect, it gives the issue more profile.

After the profile is raised then it is much easier to show people the statistics. This is a great way to get people talking about the issue.”

UCA’s five residential colleges and the Minton Commuter College will plan, design and build UCA’s sculptures. Each residential college will also deicide which charity will receive its statue.

The best statues created by the residential colleges will compete in a city-wide competition hosted by 501 Life magazine. Those competing in the competition will include HP, Acxiom, Central Baptist College, Southwestern Energy, First Security Bank, and Nabholz Construction.

Donations will go to many different local charities, such

as the Bethlehem House, Community Action Program for Central Arkansas, Soul Food Café, Haven House, and local food pantries. The city-wide competition is set to take place in mid-February.

UCA’s CANstruction Challenge coordinator and Hughes Resident Master Brian James said that though there is no set goals for the overall amount for the campus to collect, the residential colleges will be working to collect as much food as they can.

“The primary planning and building of the can structures will be by the students in the various residential colleges, but we will be relying on the entire UCA community to help gather cans” he said.

UCA will accept donations until Feb. 13. These donations can be dropped off at all UCA residential colleges, as well as Main Hall room 104 and the Wingo Hall lobby.

Minton Commuter College will dedicate its statue to the local humane society, and those wishing to donate to their statue can drop off donations of canned dog food at the 2nd floor of Main Hall.

Senate:

Faculty hears request for adding adviser evaluations to ones already given to students 4 Continued from page 1

photo by Brandon Riddle

Junior Greer Williams leads supporters in various chants Jan. 18 during the Fourth Annual Arkansas Rally for Reproductive Justice held outside the front doors of the state capitol.

Rally:

Junior Greer Williams leads crowd in three chants, reads slam poetry about need for ‘reproductive justice’ 4 Continued from page 1 Junior Colby Sansom, Young Democrats of Arkansas Stonewall Caucus chair, said the rally supports a court decision that still holds weight and encourages a continued dialogue about abortion rights.

“That’s not something that should be voted on,” he said. “It’s an innate right.”

Junior Greer Williams, UCA Feminist Union co-president, led the crowd in three chants to kick off the Reproductive Justice Rally.

At the end of the rally, Williams recited two slam poems that related to abortion rights and issues that define the need for “reproductive justice.”

Assistant sociology and anthropology professor Lisa Leiztz thanked event sponsors and provided the rally’s mission statement.

“We believe in the right to have children, the right to not have children, the right to plan and space our pregnancies and the right to raise the children we have in a healthy environment,” she said.

Leitz said all people deserve access to reproductive health care free from conflict, opposition and shame.

“We want a legislature and a court system and that respects and protects each individual’s right and ability to make their own reproductive health care choices,” she said.

Rabbi Barry Block of Congregation B’nai Israel in Little Rock provided the invocation.

Associate law professor Adjoa Aiyetoro at UALR’s Bowen School

of Law was scheduled to attend the rally as a speaker but had to cancel due to illness.

“This landmark decision was the result of and maintained by the amazing work that has been done to protect the right of women to choose to have a child or abort,” Aiyetoro wrote in a prepared statement. “A meaningful choice to have a child for many women is tied to whether the resources are available to provide for the child and to sustain the wellbeing of the mother, child and family.”

Aiyetoro said, for women of color and poor women, the right to choice is “fundamentally tied to justice.”

In addition to focusing on reproductive rights, she said society should work to end food deserts in Arkansas, end racial profiling, ensure human rights of immigrants, providing schools with human and material resources to challenge and develop minds and assist the uninsured.

“Let’s rise to the challenge of making the movements for reproductive freedom a justice movement that’s committed to working for racial, social and economic justice for women and girls,” she said. “In this way, the reproductive rights movement will engage all women.”

Frederick Love, District 29 Arkansas State Representative, spoke about winning the battle for comprehensive sex education.

Love joked with the crowd, calling those who oppose such efforts Tea Party and Republican Party members.

He added that supporters of

pro-abortion rights are losing the battle of messaging, faith and politics.

“Why have we allowed our opponents to label us as EBA [everything but abstinence]?” he asked attendees.

Love said abstinence is part of sex education and urged people to take back messaging.

“Instead of being EBA, we need to say we are the AAA [abstinence and alternatives] coalition,” he said.

Citing Genesis 2:19-20, Love said one of the first blessings God bestowed upon man is that of choice.

“Just because I don’t like the choices that people make, doesn’t mean they don’t have a Godgiven right to have their choice,” he said. “It is their choice and their choice alone.”

Arkansas Civil Liberties Union Holly Dixon provided the closing speech, saying that the state saw the “most regressive at the time anti-choice bill [Act 301] in the nation.”

“Politicians in our state legislature and in Congress continue to try to take away a woman’s right to make her own decisions about her reproductive health,” she said. “Hostility is at an all-time high.”

Dixon called other bills to “micromanage” prescription drugs for women and restrict sex education “dangerous.”

The 36th Annual Right to Life Rally followed Jan. 19 at the same location with state legislators such as U.S. Rep. Tom Cotton speaking out against abortion rights.

the IT Helpdesk being unable to immediately answer all calls, with many callers being automatically routed to an answering machine with no response until the next day.

These problems are worse on nights and weekends.

Citing a study conducted last semester, Glenn said that on the third day of the semester, between 9 and 10 a.m., the Helpdesk received 72 calls, and each call lasted an average of nine minutes.

The three full-time staff are not able to handle the beginning of the semester, when their workload is heaviest.

The university’s Instructional Technology Group sees fixing this problem as one of its top priorities. It will evaluate the appropriate numbers of staff and their competence, the appropriate amount of coverage, and the possibility of outsourcing for certain applications.

Associate provost for assessment and enrollment support Wendy Lucas spoke to

the Senate about adding adviser evaluations to the ones already given to students, Lucas said that advisers are “the front line of retention” for students.

“They’re targeting people that, for example, give everybody ones. Those people’s comments are going to be filtered.” ­—- Associate provost for assessment and enrollment support Wendy Lucas

Some Senators objected to this, saying too much evaluating can stifle educators, and that students should be required to answer questions about their personal responsibility, such as rating how much effort they put into researching the course catalog before meeting their

advisers.

Lucas responded by saying that the evaluation software is already going to separate outliers from the other evaluators.

“They’re targeting people that, for example, give everybody ones. Those people’s comments are going to be filtered. They’re going to be separated out, and say, ‘These are just, essentially, cranky evaluators.’”

Lucas also said that she’s not sure, from her years of experience with evaluations, that asking students about personal responsibility will increase evaluations’ accuracy, and that it’s usually easy to separate the “cranky” evaluators from the rest.

Additionally, Lucas said adding more questions would lower response rates, which are about 57%, the highest they’ve ever been.

After discussing the adviser evaluations, the Faculty Senate passed a motion to table the issue until more faculty are trained as advisers, and more defined standards are set for all advisers.

Registrar:

Rasnick discusses ‘open door policy’, says students should keep an open mind about the future 4 Continued from page 1 wellness and the summer reading program.

Registrar assistant Ashley Huffman said Rasnick cares deeply about the students.

“She is one of the busiest people I know, but she is always willing to listen,” Huffman said.

Rasnick said her favorite thing about UCA is the students.

“I love the involvement of

the students,” she said. “It’s fun to see how the students take an active role in helping others and in helping the university.”

To address students’ needs, Rasnick said students can always come for help through her “open door policy.”

“If anybody has issues, feel free to come and see me,” she said.

THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS’ NEWS SOURCE SINCE 1909

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Rasnick also mentioned the life and energy of the students as they walk around campus remind her of her own days here at the university and show her that students never know where they are going to be in five or ten years.

“When I was a student here, I never thought I would be coming back to work at UCA,” she said.

The Echo

Opinion

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3

The Voice

January 22, 2014

Reynolds performances top previous years with big name acts, speakers

Food information should be made readily available to students

The Echo Staff

When I go to the Student Center for food, I typically don’t worrry about the kind of food I’m going to get, but rather the time it takes me to get it.

If it’s noon and I want Quiznos, I know I’m going to have to spend 15 minutes in line to get the sandwich itself, then a minimum of another 10 minutes to buy it.

Even with cashiers on all lanes, traffic flow gets pretty jammed. Perhaps if the quality of the food in the cafeteria was improved, I wouldn’t spend so much time waiting in line for Quiznos.

Because of all this waiting, the average person isn’t going to pay much attention to the ingredients or calories in what they buy. They’re just hungry and tired of waiting. And it’s hard to blame them.

By far the easiest thing to purchase in the food court is Chick-fil-A, because they always have chicken nuggets and sandwiches ready for grab-and-go eating. The personal pizzas at Pizza Hut are the same way–grab a pizza and drink and you’re ready to eat.

The new Coke machines are pretty nifty. I remember when a touch screen on my iPod was a big deal, but now the same technology is in our vending machines. Talk about clever marketing.

I am by no means a health aficionado, but I do try to be aware of my caloric intake. I choose Quiznos because there’s a laminated graph with all the calorie counts for their different sandwiches on the wall in the food court. This

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makes me happy.

But I want it to go deeper than that. Where did the meat come from? Where did the cheese come from? Was the bread baked in-house, or shipped in from another state?

In order to accurately assess my carbon footprint, I would need to have all this information. When I get salads, I want to know where the lettuce comes from.

In some grocery stores, the answers to these questions are easy to find, but in the student center I’m left in the dark. I think people are more aware than ever of the declining health of our planet, so they should take steps to put this information in the food court.

To give an example, look at the sushi, which is often considered a “health” food. In its ingredient list, California rolls contain any number of preservatives, food colorings and other such additives, the names of which I don’t

by Austin French recognize. Imitation Staff Writer crab meat? What is that, exactly?

According to FoodRepublic.com, it’s the product of pulverizing white fish meats into a tasteless paste, then adding coloring and flavoring so that it resembles snow crab meat.

Now, I’m not saying to avoid the sushi in the Student Center. The fake crab is pretty tasty. But i think people need to have adequate information so they can make educated decisions for themselves about what foods they want to eat, and what foods they want to avoid.

Tyler Riley

Entertainment Editor

Taking small trips cheap, easy way to relieve stress during college

Jared Holt Photo Editor

Stacee Gallina Editorial Cartoonist

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When times get stressful and it seems like everything is closing in, I find the best way to manage my stress is to get away from it for a little while.

Taking a small trip is often all it takes for me to feel revitalized after weeks or months of school, work and everything else that adds up to stressful days and nights.

While stress relief can come in all sorts of forms, only by physically removing myself from it am I able to feel better.

Long trips can be expensive. However, taking a short trip over a weekend with friends or a significant other to a nearby city can be fun and relaxing, as well as cheap. There are lots of outdoor activities in the areas surrounding Conway, including hiking, swimming and camping, which only cost the price of gas and the equipment required.

There are many established camping spots within an hour of Conway, but asking around campus may give you insight into less traveled parts of Arkansas.

If you are inexperienced with camping or outdoor activities in general, it is best to go to more populated campsites, but if you feel adventurous, there are plenty of places to camp that are out of the way, but still safe to go.

Boating is another fun activity to do around Central Arkansas, but requires more money than many other activities. If you take several friends, however, costs can be kept minimal when renting a smaller boat.

Outdoor activities aren’t for everyone, but there are plenty of things to do near Conway that do not require much physical exertion.

Little Rock’s River Market has plenty of great food and Central Arkansas culture to keep nearly anyone entertained. The River Market includes the Arkansas Museum of Discovery, which is

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generally aimed at kids, but college students will likely enjoy it as well. Also in the River Market is the Clinton Presidential Library, which contains much of the history of President Bill Clinton’s life and presidency.

Food is also plentiful in the area, with many restaurants such as Sticky Fingerz Chicken Shack, Boscos and Flying Saucer, which have great food and plenty to drink, if that is something you enjoy doing.

Also in the area are the Diamond Bear Brewery and the Rock Town Distillery. Both of these companies give tours of their installations, which can be done without consuming any alcohol if you prefer.

During warmer months, there are many outdoor festivals in Little Rock, including the Jewish Food Festival, the Greek Food Festival and Riverfest, which attracts many large musical acts over the course of a May weekend.

Students often like

by Brad Smith to complain that UCA Opinion Editor generally doesn’t have much going on. While it’s true that Conway doesn’t have the equivalent of Fayetteville’s Dickson Street with tons of bars and restaurants within walking distance of campus, there are plenty of things to do if students just look a little harder and open up to slightly more creative ways to have fun and stay active while in school.

Unfortunately, most things that are fun outside of the Conway area require a vehicle to appreciate. However, if a student has a vehicle or can convince a friend to drive them, there are plenty of beautiful and interesting places to explore.

Students may find that the small trip they take one weekend will help them deal with stress better than sitting in their dorm rooms all day.

But if students find themselves saying there is nothing to do around here, they aren’t looking hard enough.

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.

This year, UCA and the Student Activities Board have stepped up their game with public appearances at Reynolds Performace Hall. While there have been notable public appearances in the past, the number of appearances by speakers who draw big crowds is on the rise.

One of the larger acts to come to Reynolds in years was comedian Bill Cosby, who gave a great performance with his standup act last September.

Cosby’s appearance, which sold out quickly, was a boon for UCA’s public appearances and helped bring people to the university.

Cosby was a great choice for Reynolds because he is wellknown by both students and older generations.

Another big name, astrophysicist and author Neil Degrasse Tyson is a speaker best known by young people and students, but still draws large crowds when he speaks. Tyson, who will speak Feb. 27, sold out Reynolds about as quickly as Cosby. His presentation will likely focus on more academic topics, but will undoubtedly be interesting and rife with humor.

The ticket sales for these two events were sudden and not welladvertised to students, most of whom were not on campus when tickets went on sale during the summer. However, the events themselves should be commended for the prestigious nature of the speakers.

To top off the big speakers this year, comedian, author and woodshop owner Nick Offerman, of “Parks and Recreation” fame, will perform at Reynolds on Feb. 6. Offerman’s performance is also sold out, but is another good example of Reynolds bringing strong performances to UCA. Other performances, such as ice skating performance “Broadway on Ice” and ballet “Alice,” may draw fewer students in, but will play an equally large role in getting people in the area involved on campus. “Broadway on Ice” will be the first time Reynolds will turn the stage into an ice rink. This performance is a good example of UCA attempting to branch out to more diverse performances.

Reynolds is UCA’s conduit to the surrounding community, and the events that happen there are a great way for UCA to advertise and look more prestigious.

This also allows the surrounding community to become more involved in UCA. Getting the community involved is an important aspect of a university’s mission.

Having a variety of funny, fun and exciting shows helps bring people to UCA and show what the campus is capable of. Big names may cost the university more and ticket prices may rise for larger events, but this will be offset by more people getting a taste of what UCA has to offer students and the surrounding community.

Reynolds should continue to try and attract big names to help keep positive attention focused on UCA and to draw larger crowds to the university’s big events.

The Echo is printed weekly at the Log Cabin Democrat in Conway, Ark. 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.

Reynolds is UCA’s conduit to the surrounding community, and the events that happen there are a great way for UCA to advertise and look more prestigious.

Campus Life

4

January 22, 2014

Around Campus:

What’s your dream?

Go Bears The women’s basketball team will play in the Farris Center at 5:30 p.m. Thursday and 2 p.m.

Saturday. The men’s basketball team will play in the Farris Center at 7 p.m. Thursday and 4:30 p.m.

Saturday.

Remembering Martin Luther King Jr.

Decision making The first Leadership Foundations session of the semester, which will focus on decision making, will be at 5 p.m. Wednesday in Student Center 223.

Medical exhibition “The Best of Contemporary Medical Illustration” exhibition at the Baum Gallery continues through this week. The gallery is free and open to the public. Its hours of operation are 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday and 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. on Sundays.

Tails with a twist Telling the story of two actors who mix up the scripts to classic fairytales, this wacky play is appropriate for all ages. “Furry Tails With a Twist” is showing at Reynolds Performance Hall 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 31. Admission is free and doors open 30 minutes before curtain.

Want to go Greek?

There will be a Greek 101 session in Student Center 223/224 during x-period Thursday, Jan. 30. These sessions are mandatory for anyone wanting to join an IFC, IGC or Panhellenic organization. Visit uca.edu/ gogreek for more information.

Yearbook portraits The Scroll will take yearbook pictures from noon - 2 p.m.

Feb. 3, during x-period Feb. 4, from noon - 2 p.m. Feb. 5 and during x-period Feb. 6 near the amphitheater in front of the Student Center. Interested students should look for a Scroll photographer in the area.

‘TRANS’ documentary The documentary “TRANS,“ featuring the personal stories of several individuals, seeks to shed light on the world of transsexuals. The documentary will be screened by the Office of Diversity and Community at 6 p.m. Jan. 30 in the College of Business Auditorium 107.

Submissions Please submit events for Around Campus in 50 words or fewer to ucaechoeditor@gmail.com.

Include basic who, what, when and where information as well as contact information.

photo by Sarah Irvin

(Above) Guest speaker UCA Board of Trustees member Victor Green addresses Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast attendees Jan. 17.

by Elise Woods Staff Writer

UCA encouraged students to pursue their dreams at a “Dr. King had a Dream…What is Yours?” prayer breakfast honoring Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. The Office of Diversity and Community sponsored the ceremony, which was at 9 a.m.

Jan. 17 in the Student Center Ballroom.

Associate Director and Master of Ceremonies Kaylon Bradford opened the prayer breakfast with illustrating his dreams as a young sixth grader who “just wanted to be like Dr. King.”

An opening prayer followed introductions and sophomore Cody Jefferson sang the Negro National Anthem.

UCA President Tom Courtway expressed his gratitude to the Office of Diversity and Community and introduced important attendees, including Congressman Tim Griffin, State Representative Jason Rapert, Circuit Judge HG Foster, City Attorney Mike Murphy and Conway Mayor Tab Townsell.

Courtway ended with a quote from King’s speech, “The Purpose of Education.”

“The function of education, therefore, is to teach one to think intensively and to think

critically,” Courtway said.

“But education which stops with efficiency may prove the greatest menace to society.”

Benton high school student Nakayla gained the largest round of applause that morning when reading her published poem, “Dreams Are Not Meant to Be Broken.”

Benson’s poem included the following line: “George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Nelson Mandela; what are you going to do to put yourself in that category? Dreams don’t work unless you do.”

The guest speaker, UCA Board of Trustees member Victor Green, went back in time to replay King’s legacy.

Green said his father told him he could do or dream anything he set his mind to.

“Don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t do something,” his father said. “But I want you to know that that does come with a qualifier. Just dreaming doesn’t do anything. Dreaming in [and] of itself isn’t effective. It involves sacrifice. Think about Dr. King. Those speeches of his dreams followed up with action and movement.”

Green said he was very grateful that Angela Jackson, Director of the Office of Diversity and Community, asked him to be the guest speaker.

“Out of all the people she

could have picked, she picked me,” Green said. “And I am very humbled about that.”

Junior Kameron Lovelace said he was honored to volunteer and be a part of the prayer breakfast.

“Dr. King has had so much impact on my life and I know he has to everyone else as well,” Lovelace said. “I want to thank the Office of Diversity and Community for honoring and continuing Dr. King’s legacy today.”

The ceremony ended with the Martin Luther King Jr. quote, “If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl. But whatever you do, you have got to keep moving forward.”

ART

Baum Gallery introduces four new exhibits, attracts many

by Jessica Seastrom Staff Writer

UCA hosted the first Baum Gallery art opening for the 2014 spring semester, introducing four new exhibits showcasing a wide variety of artists.

A public reception was held 5-7 p.m. Jan 16.

The four exhibits included in the opening were Deb Schwedhelm’s “Whispers from the Sea,” Kirsten Kindler’s “Paper Construction,” “Drawing Blood and Guts: The Best of Contemporary Medical Illustration” and “Recollections Transformed: An Interaction Installation Inspired by the Work of Miranda July.”

A line of viewers waited for the doors to open and a steady flow of attendees moved throughout the gallery during the reception.

The first room of the gallery contains three walls of medical illustrations by 17 different artists.

The content of the illustrations are cellular structures, a variety of organs, bones and ventricle systems, diseases and more, with most of the illustrations focusing on one area of these systems.

All illustrations are medically accurate, as well as visually clear, precise and finely detailed.

Many of the artists have

works in famous medical science books, magazines, web sites and museums.

Junior Alyssa Woods said the bright colors drew her in.

“It was interesting because they are layered with colors as well as medical illustrations,” Woods said.

In the second gallery, Kindler’s works fill four walls and sections of the main floor.

Works made from collected magazine cutouts are fitted together in a variety of patterns to create intricate designs.

Some of the designs are showcased in frames, others on the walls and some stretch fully from floor to ceiling.

The delicate cutouts contain images that are related to one another, such as staircases, tire rims or electronic devices.

In the third gallery, Schwedhelm displays a body of photography focused around her children and water.

The images are all black and white and are not only taken of water, but also taken in water.

While the photographs vary from clear to blurry, they all contain a similar theme.

The third gallery also showcases an interactive installation being put together by the UCA art department in collaboration with Hendrix College.

The “Recollections

Transformed” project was inspired by famous artist, actor and writer Miranda July, who will come to UCA in February.

Attendees were welcome to participate and become part of the artwork by writing or drawing an image of a bad memory or something that they wanted to let go of.

They were then instructed to white out and cover up the memory.

The artists name would then be written at the bottom of the paper and collected. The ‘erased’ memories will be gathered and stacked in the center of the third gallery room for a collaborative work of art.

Pictures will be taken and it will be displayed with images from a similar project that is taking place at Hendrix University.

Baum Gallery Director Barclay McConnell said, “Because there are four exhibitions happening at once, I think there’s something to intrigue anybody.”

Acoustic folk artists Jeni Holland, Trey Gibson and Jacob Pledger provided musical entertainment.

These exhibits are on display until Feb. 20.

For Baum Gallery information and hours of operation please visit uca.edu/ art/baum.

photos by Pham Minh

(Top) Sophomore Holly Dickson joins the opening of Baum Gallery on Jan 16. (Bottom) Junior Emily Qualls (left) and Senior Alyssa Woods (right) discuss the new exhibits.

Q&A SAB President Brian Thompson

by Julia Kramer Staff Writer

photo by Jared Holt

Senior Brian Thompson is starting his second semester serving as the Student Activities Board president.

He has been involved with SAB for four years, serving first as a general member and also as film chair and pop culture chair.

Thompson is a Conway native and is majoring in English with a teaching licensure.

This semester, he is student teaching full time with a seventh grade English class at Maumelle Middle School.

w w w. UCAE cho .n e t / c ampu slife

“I’ve always been a pop culture enthusiast, and I saw SAB as a way to connect my passion with a wide audience.”

“Upon becoming president of SAB, I really wanted to get the students involved.

Eventually, we are the ones who make the decisions, but we try our best to let everyone’s voice be heard.”

Are there any activities you’re particularly excited for this semester?

Are you involved in any other organizations on campus? If so, which ones?

What made you want to get involved in SAB?

“Well, I’m really looking forward to Nick Offerman on Feb. 6, and it looks like we might have a pretty exciting musical act this semester.”

What do you think you can bring to campus as president?

“I am a member of the English honor society, Sigma Tau Delta. I have also been known to frequent the UCA Film Society and Cru.”

See Q&A - page 5

ucaecho.net

CAMPUS LIFE

January 22,2014 /5

GIVING

Athletes distribute shoes to needy

by Ashley Thomas

Assistant Campus Life Editor

photo courtesy of Abigail Hodgson

Senior middle Abigail Hodgson washes the feet of a young girl at the “Shoes of Hope” event Jan. 12.

UCA athletes and coaches distributed new socks and shoes to approximately 225 recipients as part of the “Shoes of Hope” event in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 12.

The UCA StudentAthletes Advisory Committee partnered with Samaritan’s Feet International to host the event, which lasted from 3-7 p.m. at the True Holiness Saints Center in Conway.

At the event, volunteers washed the feet of needy children and the elderly before distibuting the new shoes.

Recipients included Conway and Bethlehem House residents.

Junior midfielder/forward Brooke Ballard was one of the many athletes who participated in the event.

“I’ll never forget the look on the little girl’s face when I showed her the brand new shoes she was getting,” Ballard said. “It’s a great feeling being able to affect people’s lives by doing such a small thing such as sacrificing a few hours on the weekend.”

Samaritan’s Feet Communications Specialist Deni Avant said washing the feet is symbolic.

“It’s just an opportunity for us to serve them while spending time getting to know the person, encouraging them and just hearing about their dreams,” Avant said.

“Shoes of Hope” was one of 11 shoe distributions held across the United States in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. An estimated 3,700 pairs of shoes were given away nationwide.

The goal of Samaritan’s Feet is to provide 10 million pairs of

shoes to children in the next 10 years, according to its website.

Since the organization’s founding in 2003, more than four million pairs have already been distributed in more than 60 nations, 1.1 million of which were donated during 2013 alone.

“We refuse to accept the fact that the almost three billion people living in poverty are hungry, don’t have access to healthcare and can’t afford education and basic articles of clothing and shoes,” the website states.

In a promotional video filmed during the “Shoes of Hope” event, Samaritan’s Feet Director of Development Graham Gibbs said while it was great that people were getting new shoes, the day was really about serving.

“One of the greatest examples we’ve been given

about serving leadership is by Jesus, who washed the feet of his disciples,” Gibbs said. “It’s really just an opportunity for us to serve others in a very unique way, a way they really don’t forget. It’s powerful not only for the volunteer, but also for the recipient.”

The video is available on the UCA Athletics YouTube page.

Natalie Shock, UCA assistant athletic director and SAAC adviser, said the UCA SAAC has been working with Samaritan’s Feet for two years now, putting on events such as pancake breakfasts and participating in their “Barefoot for Bare Feet” program.

“Athletes from all sports are going out all the time and helping around the community,” Shock said. “Just in September, UCA athletes from all teams performed over 470 hours of community service.”

STUDENTS SAY

I N T E R N AT I O N A L

“

If you could have any superpower, which would you want to have and why?

”

story by Ashley Thomas photos by Jared Holt photos courtesy of Sabrina Runge

(Left) Juniors Christine Massey and Sabrina Runge stand on top of Jungfraujoch Mountain in Switzerland with a view of mountains in at least three other countries. (Right) Massey and Runge visit the Colosseum in Rome, Italy, as a part of their study abroad trip in the fall 2013 semester.

Students have life-changing experience abroad

by Anastassiya Khvan Staff Writer

Two UCA students participated in an exchange program with Edge Hill University in the U.K. for the fall 2013 semester.

Junior English and creative writing major Christine Massey and junior creative writing major Sabrina Runge decided to go for a trip around Europe first, so they left in the middle of August and returned home in December before Christmas.

Massey previously went to England in May 2012 and said she expected a similar experience to her previous trip. However, Massey visited Northern England in the fall, while she had visited Southern England the previous year.

Massey said she experienced a drastically different culture.

It was Runge’s first trip to England. While Runge said she expected the trip would be a fantastic experience, she did not anticipate that not every aspect of the trip was going to be great.

“There are a lot of lonely nights, terrible Wi-Fi, very little sleep, living out of a suitcase for long periods of time and lessthan-desirable hostels,” Runge said.

“Despite all those things, we had an amazing trip, but for anyone wanting to study abroad, just remember that there’s a lot more to the trip besides the highlights you post on Facebook or Instagram.”

During their time away from home, Massey and Runge visited more than 30 cities in 11 countries: England, Ireland, France, Monaco, Italy, Vatican, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland and Wales.

Every second abroad was a learning and life changing experience for both girls.

The two girls met young people from all over the world in the hostels where they were staying around Europe.

Massey said it was extremely interesting just getting to know so many different cultures and types of people.

“We met Australians, Canadians, Brits, Argentinians, South Africans and more,” Massey said. “It was a blast.”

Massey and Runge made friends during school, mostly American students from different places all over the country, since they were the ones the girls were living with in the dorms.

“We all became so close since we were sharing the experience and going through all of the excitement and homesickness together,” Massey said.

The girls had the opportunity to try different kinds of food, including their favorite, Italian, and their least favorite, English.

Massey said traveling across Europe proved to be a much more daunting task than she ever would have thought.

“Mostly it was just nervewracking and stressful to be navigating Europe by ourselves,” Massey said. “But once we figured out how things worked, it was no problem catching international trains every other day.”

Massey said the most difficult part was making sure they didn’t miss their stops, especially when the train conductor was speaking a foreign language.

Massey and Runge experienced many new things abroad, such as biking in the Bavarian Alps in Germany and hiking up to Neuschwanstein Castle, which was the inspiration for the Disney Castle.

Thompson:

Runge said one of their most memorable days was in Switzerland.

They spent a couple of days exploring Zurich, but she said they were eager to see the famous snow-capped Swiss Alps before they left. They took a tour to Jungfraujoch, also known as the Top of Europe.

“We rode up the mountain in a cogwheel train and it began to snow on us, which made the experience absolutely perfect,” Runge said. “We arrived at the summit of the mountain, and it was so cold that our phones kept shutting off. So we had quite some trouble taking photos. The tour was very expensive, but it was worth every penny.”

From the top they could see mountains in at least three other countries.

Massey said it was absolutely the time of her life and that she wouldn’t change a thing.

“I would love to go back to England–especially London,” Massey said. “But what I’d really love to do is go back and visit my favorite places–Paris, Florence, Germany, Switzerland with my family and friends so I can show them how amazing they are.”

Runge said studying abroad was life changing.

“It helped me grow more independent, fiscally responsible and strengthened my desire to see even more of the world once I realized that I was capable of doing something like that on my own,” Runge said. “I would like to go to England again, but more so mainland Europe. There are still so many countries that I did not get to see, so that’s definitely on my bucket list.”

Massey said she would definitely recommend going abroad to anyone.

“I honestly didn’t expect

Junior Drew Pounders

Senior Connor Lawson

“Batman, because he has a batmobile and it flies around and it’s cool.

Batman’s a superpower, right?“

“I’d want to fly because I wouldn’t want to walk or drive a car. Flying is just cool.”

Freshman Miyu Fujita

Sophomore Rebecca Polacek

Freshman Calmon Clark

Freshman Raina Silva

Freshman Jordy Beth Beard

Sophomore Sam Chavez

Runge stands on the Pont de l’Archevêché Bridge in Paris, France, where lovers leave locks with their initials engraved on them.

how much it would change me as a person, but being exposed to so many different cultures and figuring everything out on your own is such a growing up experience for any 20-something,” Massey said. “There are hard parts about it, like being so far from home and from family and friends, but the memories and the experiences you gain are more than worth it.”

Runge said it was an experience like no other.

“You can read books and watch movies about other countries all day, but you don’t truly know what any of them are like until you actually go there,” Runge said.

“Meeting new people and experiencing new cultures gives you a fresh perspective on the world. At the same time, it not only helps you realize that there is more out there than where you grew up, but makes you gain appreciation for where you come from. I will always love traveling, but there really is no place like home.”

“I would want to be able to teleport because going back to my country takes a long time.”

“I want to fly so I can go to different countries and not have to pay.”

“Being able to read someone’s mind. It seems like the most useful power.

It’d get you through life.”

“Time travel. I want to go back and spend some more time with my mom.”

SAB has helped its president connect with fellow classmates

4 Continued from page 4

How do you plan for major events, such as the upcoming performance of Nick Offerman?

“There are a lot of hoops to jump through when planning a major event like that. All of the pieces have to align perfectly.

We begin by finding where our budget intersects student interest. From that, we focus on artist availability and see if we can’t make it happen. Every once in a while, everything works out

and we are able to have a great show.”

something students could really stand behind.”

What is the most memorable event, in your opinion, that SAB has sponsored?

What are your plans for after graduation?

“The most memorable event for me was when we brought Iron & Wine. There seemed to be a pretty great buzz surrounding the event, and because of this, it sold out in a matter of days.

That was one of the times when I truly felt that we were bringing

“I’m still waiting to hear from some graduate programs. I hope to continue my education.”

How do you think being a part of SAB has impacted your time at UCA? “SAB has really allowed me to discover my inner extrovert and

connect with my fellow students.

It has also provided me with a lot of organizational skills that I will use for the rest of my life.”

Is there anything else you want to say concerning SAB and your plans for the year?

“We are hoping to make this year a great one. We are bringing events that I am very proud of, such as Nick Offerman, a screening of “12 Years a Slave” and hopefully a large concert.”

w w w. UCAE cho .n e t / c ampu sl ife

“I’d want to read people’s minds so I could already know if there was a problem and work to fix it.”

“My favorite character is The Flash, so speed.

And because I’m a runner.”

“ What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?”

Tweet @UCAEcho with #UCAStudentsSay and your answer may be featured on ucaecho.net.

Entertainment

6

January 22, 2014

TELEVISION

New This Week

Korean drama dazzles

Movies

by Anastassiya Khvan

Jan. 24 ­—I, Frankenstein, directed by Stuart Beattie, starring Aaron Eckhart, Bill Nighy, Miranda Otto, Virginie Le Brun

Staff Writer

Jan. 28 — Son of God, directed by Christopher Spencer, starring Diogo Morgado, Roma Downey, Amber Revah

Music Jan. 28 — Same Illusion - Barbara Trentalange Jan. 28 — Come To Life - Cities Aviv Jan. 28 — Croz - David Crosby Jan. 28 — Too True - Dum Dum Girls

photo courtesy of hollywoodreporter.com

Joaquin Phoenix portrays Theodore Twombly in “Her.” The lonely Twombly falls in love with an artificial intelligence operating system.

“Her” explores love, technology

by Austin DuVall News Editor

Jan. 28 — Trouble - Hospitality Jan. 28 — Restoring Forces - Of Mice and Men Jan. 28 — Clear - Periphery Jan. 28 ­— INNOCENCE - Pontiak Jan. 28 ­— Red Dragon Cartel - Red Dragon Cartel Jan. 28 — Fifth - The Autumn Defense Jan. 28 — Metropole - The Lawrence Arms Jan. 28 — Same Illusion - Trentalange

Books Jan. 28 — Red Velvet Cupcake Murder (Hannah Swensen Series #16) by Joanne Fluke Jan. 28 — Still Life with Bread Crumbs

by Anna Quindlen Jan. 28 — Up From the Grave: A Night Huntress Novel by Jeaniene Frost Jan. 28 ­—The Silence of the Library (Cat in the Sacks Series #5) by Miranda James Jan. 28 — Life Inside the Bubble: Why a Top-Ranked Secret Service Agent Walked Away from It All by Dan Bongino Jan. 28 — Red Rising (Signed Edition)

by Pierce Brown

Video Games Jan. 28 — Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition on PS4, Xbox One Jan. 28 — Tomb Raider: Game of the Year Edition on PS3, Xbox 360

Jan. 28 — Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Z on PS3, Xbox 360, PS Vita

Jan. 29 — Rekoil: Liberator on Xbox 360 Jan. 29 — Rekoil: Liberator on Xbox 360

When I first heard about this movie, I immediately thought of “Lars and the Real Girl”. A man falls in love with an inanimate object. Sounds logical enough.

I’ve always liked director Craig Gillespie’s 2007 film, though I still stand by my opinion that it was too long.

It was a great story, featured superb acting, with the exception of the doll of course, but I still think the movie would’ve been just as good with about 30 minutes cut out.

Seeing as this film has been promoted throughout various social media outlets for some time now, I had high hopes, along with missing Joaquin Phoenix’s acting something awful.

Luckily I got what I wanted in the first minute.

Set in a “not-so-far-away” future America, Phoenix plays a shy, mousy ex-writer named Theodore Twombly, an employee at BeautifulHandwrittenLetters. com where he reads submitted letters aloud to a computer, which then transcribes them into, well, beautiful handwritten letters.

Forms of Cheap Entertainment

List compiled by Tyler Riley

Scarlett Johansson, Samantha is the name she chose for herself.

I liked her immediately. She is funny, charming, intelligent and extremely witty. I never thought of her as a computer, not even from the beginning.

Writer Spike Jonze wrote Johansson’s role superbly, not to mention how well her friendly, and slightly seductive voice fit with the part. I sat there thinking, “OK, even I couldn’t help but fall in love with that voice.”

This film, like “Real Girl”, is the dramatic rising action, climax, and falling action into the death of a relationship.

“Real Girl” was good, but it wasn’t very funny. This movie, however, is hilarious, but still keeps momentum throughout.

Phoenix’s phenomenal acting along with Johansson’s suave and intelligent voiceover created a chemistry that I have not seen on screen in years and provided a well-anticipated emotional rollercoaster.

“Her” is now playing at the Rave Motion Pictures theater in Little Rock and is two hours long.

The film is produced mainly by Annapurna Pictures and is rated “R” for language, sexual content and brief graphic nudity.

MOVIE

‘Lone Survivor’ joins ranks of best war

films, depicts SEALs’ responsibilities

by Andy Robertson Sports Editor

Based on a true story, the film “Lone Survivor” has made its mark as one of the best war movies of all time.

This movie follows a fourman reconnaissance team of SEAL Team 10’s Operation Red Wings mission on June 28, 2005 to capture or kill a notorious Taliban leader Ahmad Shah during the War in Afghanistan.

“Lone Survivor” starts by showing actual film clips of SEAL training and what they go through to become one of the strongest military units in the world.

Some soldiers make it through training and those who fail are forced to ring a bell and put their helmets down in a line out of respect for those who make it through.

After this scene, viewers are taken to the Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan where they are introduced to the four men who conduct Operation Red Wings.

Mark Wahlberg, who helped produce the movie along with director Peter Berg, plays Special Warfare Operator Second Class Marcus Luttrell. Luttrell brought this story to life with author Patrick Robinson to create the 2007 book of the same name.

Taylor Kitsch plays team leader Lieutenant Michael P.

1. Work

The Top Five

It’s not very far into the movie when we see why Twombly is so withdrawn.

Through a serious of flashbacks and a fantastic score

by Owen Pallett, we find Theodore terribly in love with woman named Catherine, played by the stunning Rooney Mara. They are in the midst of a divorce and Theodore has yet to sign the final papers.

In order to make some sense of his every day life, now without Catherine, Theodore turns to what a lot of men turn to in times of emotional stress: porn and video games.

I must say, I had a few moments during the film where I was solely focused on the extremely immersive video games Theodore plays after work. They were absolutely stunning and I pray we get there some day.

One day after work, Theodore stumbles upon a sales ad for the new OS1 operating system— the first artificially intelligent operating system available.

The slogan reads, “It’s not just an operating system, it’s a consciousness.” Theodore buys it on the spot.

After a brief set up period, we meet Samantha, Theodore’s new OS1 operating system. Voiced by

This might not sound like entertainment at first, but stew on the idea and you might come to realize that work could be the best form of cheap entertainment.

If you find work that is fun, engaging, challenging and worthwhile, you might entertain yourself into a healthy, productive lifestyle that makes you money.

Consider hobbies such as crafting and cycling. People pay good money to buy crappy little handmade trinkets. And if you cycle, you’re going to save money on gas and have a great body.

“Murph” Murphy, Emile Hirsch plays Special Warfare Operator Second Class Danny Dietz and Ben Foster plays Special Warfare Operator Second Class Matthew “Axe” Axelson.

Soon after meeting the characters, viewers, along with squad members, are given a briefing of what the operation will consist of. After this Murphy, Luttrell, Dietz and Axelson are dropped via fastrope to the drop zone to begin their mission. The team moves quickly through the checkpoints on the backside of a mountain and soon gets a visual on the village that Shah resides in and of Shah himself. Murphy gives the team orders to rest up so they can continue their mission the next day.

Soon after viewers are shown the team resting, they see goat herders walking through the mountain near where the team is stationed for the night. The herders walk in the area and do not spot the hidden team and viewers see Luttrell moving his leg back so he won’t get stepped on.

He didn’t move his leg far enough because a herder steps on his foot and the team is forced to step out and capture the three herders.

The team is then faced with a tough decision, whether to let the guys go because of Rules of Engagement and abort the mission, or kill them so they won’t tell the Taliban that Americans are

2. People Humans are social animals.

So, it’s only natural that personon-person interaction is one of the best forms of entertainment.

Not only are people fun to watch, hear, smell, taste and touch; but they’re 100% interactive.

Get some people together with their pets and some random objects and start a band, fight a dragon, play some fetch or take a walk. With other people you can explore the world, explore your minds, explore your bodies or lay around in a pile and explore the back side of your eye lids.

in the mountainside.

Although not a popular decision, the team lets the three herders go and are then forced to retreat and call in evacuation, but the communications are down because the team is out of range and they are unable to call back to base.

The team soon becomes involved in the fight of their lives.

Although some events are stretched for movie purposes, “Lone Survivor” is a gruesome movie that shows a glimpse of what real life situations are for the men and women who fight for this country.

I have heard that this is a propaganda film, but I never thought that the entire time I was watching it. This movie made me proud to live in this country and admire those who serve and protect us.

The guys I saw this with all agreed it was a very impactful movie and it really made them think.

Before going into this movie, I heard it was the best war movie to come out since “Saving Private Ryan” and it did not disappoint.

It has become one of my favorite movies I have ever seen and I will go watch it again if I have the chance.

“Lone Survivor” is playing at the Conway Cinemark with a run time of 121 minutes and is rated R.

3. Imagination The cheapest and arguably most versitile form of entertainment comes in the form of a liberated imagination. Forget that people might be watching.

Better yet, pretend noone’s watching. Anything is possible with the power of imagination.

The downside to this option is your imagination may be atrophied from lack of use. But hope is not lost! Pull that bad boy out, shake it off and get ready to play. Imagination is a muscle. The more you use it the stronger it gets. Plus, it’s free.

Korean drama “Bel Ami”, which translates as Beautiful Man, was broadcasted on Korean television from Nov. 20, 2013 till Jan. 9, 2014. It is based on comic book series “Yebbeun Namja”

by Chon Kye-Young. The cast includes actors Jang Geun Suk, IU, Lee Jang Woo and Han ChaeYoung.

The drama is the story of a man named Dokgo Ma Te, who was born handsome and thus always attracted women. In the drama we see a transformational period in Ma Te’s life, who one day, with the help of another main female character Hong Yoo Ra, decides to be successful and chooses to reach his goal by “enchanting” women. As the story progresses Dokgo Ma Te meets 10 women. He looks for a key to their heart but every time in a different way. Those women help Ma Te to reach his goals and find his place in this world.

The film deals with the psychology of people because Ma Te had to learn to think from the perspective of a certain person.

Sometimes this can be very challenging because everyone has a different background. But Ma Te’s charm and the ability to captivate people in spite of their

different personalities helped him to see life in a full light – with all its pleasant and difficult moments. Ma Te gained skills in communication with people and with the connections he built his life in the right way. Hong Yoo Ra was directing Ma Te during most of the episodes and she was doing it because Ma Te also could help her in some way.

And, as many Korean dramas “Bel Ami” also has a love story – Ma Te’s family friend and his past neighbor Kim Bo Tong loves him with the craziness of a fan who loves an idol. Gradually in the course of the plot we can see that Bo Tong is not just staring at her object of love; it is not a thoughtless deification. The girl proves her feelings with actions of self-sacrifice by putting Ma Te’s interests above her own.

This drama is a good directory for describing female personalities and it also shows an example of the ideal type of love that everyone is seeking subconsciously. A cast of great actors makes the story exciting and interesting to watch. There are a several unexpected twists that the viewers don’t anticipate at all.

“Bel Ami” is definitely one of the best dramas of the year, it even beats The Heirs, in my opinion. So I hope everyone will enjoy “Bel Ami” because it is must see!

ADVENTURE

photo courtesy of theguardian.com

Ben Stiller delivers an uncharacteristically serious performance in “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.”

Ben Stiller shows his

more dramatic side

by Elise Woods Staff Writer

Many critics have compared “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” to “Forrest Gump.” I couldn’t agree more. The film was directed

by Ben Stiller, and made its debut Christmas Day. Walter Mitty, portrayed by Ben Stiller, is a negative assets manager at Life magazine with a propensity for daydreaming.

The magazine gets taken over by a new boss who makes an announcement that Life is downsizing and the next issue will be its last.

Walter is given several negatives and a wallet by photojournalist Sean O’Connell, portrayed by Sean Penn.

However there is one negative, negative 25, which O’Connell says captures the “quintessence” of Life Magazine.

Walter cannot seem to find negative 25 and is in a panic because the new boss gives him a deadline to give him the negative so it can be the cover of the final edition of Life.

With the help of his assistant, Walter decides to try and get in touch with O’Connell to find out where negative 25 is.

O’Connell does not have any devices that would help Walter get in touch with him, so Walter decides to put together the rest of the negatives to find out where O’Connell is.

He then decides to take a journey to find O’Connell.

4. Random Objects Alongside imagination, random objects can provide an individual with endless entertainment. Random objects can even be entertaining for those with zero imagination. My brother used to chunk rocks at me for hours and never tire of the mindless enjoyment. With sufficient ground junk, I could build a fort. With a single pebble and two free hours, I could destroy said fort from 20 feet away. This form of entertainment is just as free as pretending, but steer clear of other people’s stuff.

Ben Stiller was one of many producers of “Walter Mitty” and he did an outstanding job. Stiller has produced many movies, however he has produced mainly comedies such as “Dodgeball” and “Blades of Glory.”

This was Ben Stiller at his best. Stiller has always played a character that I can’t take seriously because he’s always so funny.

But I found myself connecting with Walter. The same goes for Kristen Wiig, who portrays Cheryl, Walter’s coworker and secret crush. She has always been a character in humor movies, but her character in this movie was moving and inspiring.

My favorite part of this movie was the big twist at the end.

The movie had some slow parts, however. When Walter was on his adventure to find O’Connell, there wasn’t much “sitting on the edge of your seat” type of adventure, which I thought it should have been.

I give “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” four stars. It is an inspiring movie with adventure and comedy.

I definitely recommend this movie to those who love heart-felt movies with meaning about life and its journey.

“The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” is playing at the Cinemark Towne Centre in Conway and is two hours long.

The film is rated PG by the Motion Picture Association of America for language, action violence and some crude comments.

5. Animals This option isn’t always cheap.

But, with proper budgeting skills, pet costs are manageable. Playing with a pet isn’t just entertaining, it is good for your soul. If you choose to go the free, all natural route and you want to play with wild animals, avoid getting too close. Petting is reserved for domesticated animals. If you’re going to chase squirrels, remember that the goal isn’t to catch them. The fun is in the chase. Again, do not try to catch a squirrel. Stick to catching animals that can’t bite or sting you.

Sports

7

January 22, 2014

Week at a glance New coaches

New head football coach Steve Campbell has completed his coaching staff with 10 assistant coaches and a new strength and conditioning coach. Former UCA quarterback and quarterback coach Nathan Brown will take over as the new offensive coordinator. Greg Stewart will over as the defensive coordinator. Dan Augustine returns for his sixth season at UCA as the defensive line/ special teams coach. Pete Bennett will take over the as the wide receivers coach, Harland Bower will be the outside linebackers coach, Ron Carpenter will become the safety coach, Robert Cunningham will return as the assistant offensive line/ director of football operations, D.J. Looney will be the tackles/ tight ends coach, Mike McCarty will take over as the running backs coach, Tommy Rybacki will be the new cornerbacks coach and Robert Stiner Jr. will come over from Mississippi State to become the new strength and conditioning coach. The new staff has hit recruiting hard in anticipation of the Feb. 5 signing day.

Chasing a dream One of the most successful runners in UCA track and field history, Edward Limo is forgoing his last semester of eligibility this spring to enlist in the United States Army.

Limo never thought about running in his native Kenya for the first 20 years of his life. He wanted to be the first in his family to go to college.

Limo got the chance to run after he learned that it could help him earn a scholarship. He went to a training facility 100 miles away from his home. Soon he got the attention of a coach from a New Mexico college but the school only had a women’s team. The coach let another coach at Colby Community College in Kan.sas know about Limo. He got a visa that allowed him to travel to the U.S. UCA assistant track and field coach Beau Theriot was the first to come in contact with Limo at a regional meet after getting the attention of several other Southland Conference schools.

Since coming to UCA, Limo has set several records, broken more of his own and worked on campus for Aramark food service. He left the week of Jan. 8 for basic training in Fort Jackson, S.C., where he will spend eight weeks. He will then go to Fort Lee, Va. for nine more weeks of training.

Upcoming games Men’s Basketball

Thursday vs.

Northwestern State University. 7 p.m.

Saturday vs. Stephen F. Austin University. 4 p.m.

Women’s Basketball

Thursday vs.

Northwestern State University. 5:30 p.m.

Saturday vs. Stephen F. Austin University. 2 p.m.

Men’s and Women’s Track and Field

Friday at Arkansas State University. 10 a.m.

Feb. 1 at Southern Illinois 10 a.m.

Clint Conque resigns after 14-year career as head coach; Steve Campbell introduced at conference following week

by Andy Robertson Sports Editor

Less than a week after former UCA head football coach Clint Conque’s departure, Athletic Director Brad Teague introduced Steve Campbell to take over as Conque’s replacement.

During his 15 seasons as a head coach, Campbell compiled 126 wins and 38 losses, never had a losing season and has won two national championships.

He started his head coaching career in 1997 at Southwest Mississippi Community College, where he went 12-8 (.600) including the school’s first winning season.

From there, he went to Delta State University where he had previously held the offensive line and strength and conditioning coach positions.

He won the Division II National Championship in his second year there in 2000 and recorded a 27-8 (.771) record in his three years as head coach.

In the 2000 championship

photo courtesy of ucasports.com

Athletic Director Brad Teague introduces new head football coach Steve Campbell at a Dec. 20 press conference in Wingo Hall. game, Delta State set championship game records of 63 points, 649 yards and 36 first downs.

Conque said he has known Campbell for a long time and once coached against him when Delta State played UCA in Conway.

“He had a great team when I took over at UCA in 2000,” Conque said. “We held it close at half, and then they flexed their muscles and took over the game.”

Campbell has spent the last 10 seasons at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, where he

posted an 87-22 (.798) record and won the National Junior College Athletic Association National Championship at MGCCC in 2007.

In 2013, MGCCC averaged 444.4 yards and 37.5 points per game.

Campbell has coached six

G O A LT E N D I N G

players who are currently on National Football League rosters.

The players include Baltimore Ravens nose tackle Terrence Cody, San Francisco 49ers cornerback Tramaine Brock, Indianapolis Colts running back Vick Ballard and New Orleans Saints defensive tackle John Jenkins.

Ballard said “Central Arkansas is getting one hell of a coach!” in a Dec. 18 tweet.

Campbell’s teams have supplied several players to top Football Bowl Subdivision and Football Championship Series.

Teague said Campbell showed the qualities he was looking for in hiring a replacement for Conque.

“We wanted someone who is a good person, someone who demonstrated much success and had a deep desire to be at UCA,” he said.

Campbell said he will bring a different type of offense to UCA. “We will have a no-huddle spread, high tempo offense with a

See Resigns - page 8

JUMPSHOT

Bears lose 73-72 against ACU on controversial call, Women win two games on road, continues struggling ways in Finley’s inaugural season tied with SFA for best SLC record

by Jessica Seastrom Staff Writer

The new year has not started strong for the UCA men’s basketball team after it lost two games to move to 1-4 in 2014 and 4-12 overall.

Thursday’s 87-72 loss took place in San Antonio, Texas against the University of the Incarnate Word (14-3, 2-2 SLC) at the McDermott Center.

The Bears (4-12, 1-4 SLC) continued Southland Conference run, when they competed first against the top three-point shooting team in the league.

The three-point shooting didn’t cause problems for the Bears, though. It was rebounds.

The Bears were out-rebounded 49 to 32.

Senior guard LaQuentin Miles scored 13 of the first 21 points of the first half.

Miles finished the game with a team-high 21 points.

The Cardinals kept up, going on an 11-2 run right before the break to put the game at 37-32.

Four Bears reached double digits, including Miles with 21, senior guard DeShone McClure, sophomore forward Tirrell Brown

and junior guard Aubrey Ball.

Ball made three three-pointers in the second half and was four of four from three point land on the game.

The Bears trailed early in the second half, going down 47-39 less than three minutes into the half.

Minutes later freshman forward Jalen Jackson scored to bring the score to 49-47.

Brown McClure scored 13 points each for the Bears.

Brown gained his third doubledouble with 12 rebounds in just seven games since returning to the court following a suspension.

Five Cardinals reached double digits in the game.

Senior forward Anthony Horton scored 21 points, junior guard Denzel Livingston had 19, freshmen guard Sam Burmeister had 12, junior guard/forward Justin Philippe scored 11, sophomore guard Kyle Hittle scored 10 and senior center Ian Markolf added 6 points and 19 rebounds for the Cardinals.

UCA finished the game with 18 turnovers, while UIW finished with 19.

UIW hit seven of eight from the free-throw line in the final 17 seconds of the game.

Saturday’s loss was held in

Abilene, TX against Abilene Christian University (7-11, 1-3 SLC) at Moody Coliseum.

ACU’s Wildcats, newcomers to the SLC, completed Saturday’s game with a victory of 73-72.

The Bears made eight of 20 free-throws and shot 53.6 percent from the field.

UCA led by 12 points at the early stages of the game, but the Wildcats took the lead with only 21 seconds left by making a pair of free throws.

Brown turned the game around for UCA and scored with just three second left.

In the last few seconds, ACU’s sophomore guard Parker Wentz made a controversial play by working his way down the entire length of the floor.

His layup was blocked by Brown, but a video review gave the victory to the Wildcats when the shot was discovered to be on the way down for a goaltending call.

Four Wildcats scored in double figures for the game.

Wentz led ACU with 21 points making 51.7 percent of shots from the field in the second half.

See Struggling - page 8

by Mason Addison Staff Writer

The Sugar Bears basketball team (10-6, 4-1 SLC) won the final two games of a three-game road trip last weekend.

UCA won against the University of the Incarnate Word Cardinals (8-8, 2-2 SLC), 60-40, and the Abilene Christian University Wildcats (11-7, 2-1 SLC), 67-54.

It started off rocky at 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 16 in the McDermott Center at San Antonio, Texas. going down 12-6 early in the game, but wouldn’t last long as the Sugar Bears started a run that would continue until the end of the half.

After going down early, the Sugar Bears started a 19-7 run, led by senior center Courtney Duever and freshman guard Brianna Mullins. Mullins scored nine points on that run with Duever adding six points.

Senior guard Micah Rice and junior forward Brittany Agee added two points each.

After the first half, the score was 25-19 with things clicking for the Sugar Bears.

The Sugar Bears didn’t let up during the second half, coming out of the gate ready to play.

Freshman guard Maggie Proffitt started out scoring five points in 30 seconds, hitting the game’s first three-pointer.

The Sugar Bears outscored the Cardinals 35-21 in the second half, building their lead and winning the game 60-40.

Head Coach Sandra Rushing said the team fouled too many times during the game.

“We gave up too many free throws,” she said.

The Sugar Bears won the rebounding battle 37-25 with 10 being offensive rebounds.

They also shot 51 percent from the floor holding the Cardinals to only 26.7 percent from the floor.

The Sugar Bears lost the turnover battle giving up the rock 16 times to the Cardinals’ 13.

At 1 p.m. Jan. 18 in Moody Coliseum in Abilene, Texas, the Sugar Bears went in to face the Wildcats, who were previously undefeated in conference play.

The game looked as if it would be a close one with 13 minutes to go in the first half with the score at 9-8 and the Sugar Bears on the losing end.

Duever hit a layup to start a 23-8 run that wouldn’t end until three minutes left in the first half, making the score 31-17.

Mullins’ first half scoring was the key to building a Sugar Bear

See Women - page 8

CHAMPIONS

Baseball captures attention of nation, looks to build on Southland Championship reign

by Justin Freeman Staff Writer

The 2013 baseball season was one to remember for Central Arkansas as the Bears completed their best season in school history, finishing 42-22 overall and winning their first Southland Conference Tournament.

This wasn’t the only milestone for the Bears, however, as they advanced to the final game of the Starkville, MS regional in the NCAA Tournament before falling to eventual runner-up Mississippi State.

This year UCA starts the season against another bear opponent, the Missouri State Bears. The first game in the threegame series at Bear Stadium is at 2 p.m. Feb. 14 .Fans can view the full schedule and ticket information at ucasports.com.

The Bears face high expectations in 2014, but junior pitcher Connor McClain, a Conway native, said the team’s mindset is the same as it is before every season.

“Our team’s expectations are obviously to go after another championship and to play for an NCAA title after that,” McClain said.

Another NCAA Tournament bid is a possibility in head coach Allen Gum’s third year, as Gum led Southern Arkansas University to its first No. 1 ranking in school

history in his third year with the Muleriders in 2008.

“In the past few years, UCA Baseball has come a long way,” senior infielder Scott Zimmerle said. “Coach Gum holds us to high standards and expects nothing less than the best. With that said, we have our sights set on Omaha and expect to add a few more rings to UCA Baseball’s collection.”

UCA will have to replace the production of all-American outfielder Forrestt Allday, selected in the 8th round of last year’s Major League Baseball draft by the Boston Red Sox, along with fellow outfielder Jonathan Davis of the Toronto Blue Jays. Catcher Michael Marietta, outfielder Ethan Harris and infielder Blake Marchal are also gone.

Not all recent events are bad for the Bears. Zimmerle joins senior infielder Justin Treece, sophomore infielder Chris Townsend and senior infielder Doug Votolato among those returning at UCA. “Losing those guys was tough,” he said. “Not only were they great baseball players but they were also great leaders, great men and great friends, but our coaching staff did a great job of recruiting an awesome batch of guys who are talented, hard-working and passionate about the game. We’re excited to take the field with one another to show everyone what the 2014 bears can do.”

The Bears’ pitching staff

photo by Jared Holt

The view from the dugout looks onto Bear Stadium. UCA finished with a 21-6 record at home on the way to the SLC championship. led the Southland Conference last year with a 2.82 earned run average, thanks in large part to Jeffery Enloe. Enloe, selected by the San Diego Padres, struck out a team-high 86 batters and threw four complete games in 16 starts.

Enloe joins former pitcher Caleb McClanahan as weekend starters that will need to be replaced this season.

Senior right-hander Bryce Biggerstaff, a weekend starter a year ago, returns after sporting a 3.03 ERA in 2013, including a nohitter against Jackson State on Feb. 24 that earned him Louisville Slugger National Player of the

Week honors.

Sophomore Connor Gilmore played well toward the end of the season for the Bears, tossing a two-hit, complete game against Southeastern Louisiana in the Southland Conference championship game. Gilmore finished with a 5-0 record and a 0.73 ERA in 12 appearances, including six starts.

Senior John Rand joins McClain as returning pitchers who are expected to make an impact this season.

“I would say the talent on the pitching staff is just as good as last year, I have great confidence in

the way we are going to perform,” McClain said. “The coaching staff has done a great job recruiting players to build a team that will be successful.”

UCA had its first-ever Associated Press top 25 ranking.

The Bears were also the only team from outside of the Southeastern Conference to win a series against Mississippi State in the regular season.

The Bears look to continue their success this season, and with the leadership of Gum, the team will look to continue building on last season’s success.

8/ January 22, 2014

Resigns:

SPORTS YEAR IN REVIEW

Athletic programs see two championship teams; hope to bring more titles back to Conway in ‘14

Football sees first coaching change in 14 years after

Conque leaves

4 Continued from page 7

by Andy Robertson Sports Editor

the ball more,” he said.

In 2005, MGCCC led the NJCAA with 306.1 rushing yards per game.

Campbell’s teams have been ranked in the NJCAA Top 25 for 115 straight weeks, dating back to Sept. 2005, and finished in the Top 10 in eight straight seasons.

Campbell said UCA’s talented football players helped with his decision to come to the university.

“The talent helped,” he said.

“A lot of great leaders and some of the best players are returning.”

At a 12 p.m. teleconference meeting Dec. 20, the UCA Board of Trustees approved Campbell’s four-year contract.

The contract gives him an annual salary of $165,000.

An additional $20,000 will be paid from the UCA Foundation for a total annual salary of $185,000.

Campbell began his tenure Jan. 1, 2014 and the contract will last until Dec. 31, 2017.

Conque compiled 105 wins during his 14-year stint as UCA’s head coach before resigning Dec. 14 to take the head coach position at inter-conference rival Stephen F. Austin State University.

UCA senior defensive back Jestin Love said Conque’s decision to leave surprised him.

“The decision did shock me because he has roots in the community and good standing within the organization, with plans on making memories like the previous friendships and championships,” he said.

Love said younger players were hurt by how he made his decision.

Conque earned his 100th win this season in the Bears’ 17-13 win over Missouri State on Sept. 21.

The victory put Conque’s name in the history books alongside former Arkansas Razorbacks head football coach Frank Broyles as the only two Division I coaches to win 100 games at an Arkansas university.

This season, the Bears faced several key injuries, but were able to overcome and compile a 7-5 record overall and a 4-3 record in the conference.

Conque received his first head coaching job at UCA in 2000 and became arguably the best head coach in UCA’s history.

In his 14 seasons as head coach, he has compiled two seasons of at least 10 wins, four seasons of making the playoffs and three conference titles.

Conque has coached at the Division II level and the Division I level since becoming the head coach at UCA. In 2005, UCA’s last year in Division II and the Gulf South Conference, he led the Bears to an 11-win season and a spot in the Division II playoffs.

The Bears lost in the quarterfinals of the tournament and finished the season ranked sixth overall. While in Division II, Conque compiled a 44-26 record.

UCA made the move to Division I before the 2006 season

photo courtesy of ucasports.com

Women:

ucaecho.net

and was a Football Championship Subdivision independent. The Bears finished that season 8-3.

The following year, the Bears joined the Southland Conference.

UCA went 5-2 in conference play and 6-5 overall.

Since making the move to Division I, Conque’s Bears have a 56-30 record. They have finished in the top 25 in four of their seven Division I seasons.

The Bears have a 31-13 record against Southland teams since joining the Southland, which is good for a .705 winning percentage.

UCA is the only Southland program to post three nine-win seasons during the last seven years. Conque has led the Bears to two Southland championships.

During the past six seasons, UCA has won the most home victories and has had the highest home-winning percentage among all Southland teams.

The Bears are also the only Southland team to go undefeated at home in three seasons during that time – 2008, 2011 and 2012.

Conque had two quarterbacks win Southland Offensive Player of the Year with Wynrick Smothers (2012) and current offensive coordinator Nathan Brown (2007 and Player of the Year in 2008).

Conque received a five-year contract at SFA worth $200,000 annually. His base salary at UCA was $135,000, but bonuses and coaching show income brought his total to $175,000 to $180,000 per year.

Conque will also take some of his assistants to Nacogdoches, Texas.

Austin Emerson, former UCA offensive lineman and current Morrilton High School coaching staff member, said he was surprised Conque left.

“I was shocked because he had told us my senior year that he would probably retire in 2015,” he said. “I thought he would be here until he retired, but now that I’m a coach, the thrill of a new opportunity is what drives a lot of people. Plus, financially, the move was great for him.”

After many injuries caused the team to not have the season it expected, they will look to move back in the chase to capture its Second Southland title in three seasons with coach Campbell at the helm.

Several new recruits will make their way to Bears team on the Feb. 5 signing day.

The Bears will travel to Lubbock, Texas to take on Big 12 opponent Texas Tech Red Raiders on Aug. 30 to kick off the season, and head to Nacodoches, Texas to take on Conque’s new school the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks on Oct. 4.

Campbell finished his coaching staff Jan. 14, with several coming who have coached with Campbell at his vairous stops and a strength and conditioning coach coming from the Mississppi State Bulldogs.

Sugar Bears continue success in Southland, remain atop

conference 4 Continued from page 7 halftime lead, going up 35-24.

Rice said Mullins was a big help in the win over ACU. “We also got a big spark from [Brianna] Mullins,” she said. “She was very aggressive and set the tone for us offensively.”

Mullins scored 12 points in the first half shooting 85.7 percent and Duever added nine points and six rebounds.

The second half began with UCA going on a 6-0 run that was abruptly halted with the Wildcats scoring five unanswered points.

UCA built its lead 50-31, midway through the second half, but the Wildcats weren’t done.

They got back within seven points with 3:26 left in the game, making the score 58-51.

Mullins free throws were a factor in the second half.

She scored 13 points in the second half with nine from the charity stripe.

Freshman guard Kelsey McClure added seven points and Duever added six points.

The Sugar Bears wouldn’t let the Wildcats get any closer than

that, though, and won the game 67-54.

The Sugar Bears shot 55.2 percent in the first half and held the Wildcats to 38.1 percent. They also held a 17-10 rebounding lead and won the steal game 5-1.

The Sugar Bears were vulnerable in the second half, shooting 27.3 percent while still holding the Wildcats to 37 percent.

The Sugar Bears crashed the boards hard with 41 rebounds to the Wildcats’ 23 rebounds.

Rice said the team’s success came from aggression.

“We just came out very aggressive and attacked the basket,” she said. “We didn’t settle for jumpers, which helped us get an early rhythm.”

Rice said the defense exceled during the game.

“We also had a great team effort defensively,” she said. “We made them take hard shots and didn’t bail them out.”

The Sugar Bears will return home at 5:30 p.m. Thursday to face the Northwestern State University Lady Demons.

Southland Standings Conf.

All

Central Arkansas

4-1

10-6

Stephen F. Austin

4-1

10-7

McNeese State

4-2

11-6

Lamar

4-2

9-8

Abilene Christian

2-1

11-7

Northwestern State

3-2

10-7

SE Louisiana

3-2

4-13

Nicholls State

3-2

8-9

Sam Houston State

3-3

8-9

UIW

2-2

8-8

Oral Roberts

2-3

3-12

Houston Baptist

2-4

6-11

A&M-Corpus Christi 1-5 New Orleans

0-6

8-9 0-17

Students, fans and faculty saw UCA athletics turn in one of the more successful years since joining Division I competition in July of 2006.

The baseball and softball teams began 2013 with history making seasons as both set a program record for wins in a season.

The baseball team turned a 24-win season in 2012 into a 42-win team that took home its first Southland Conference Championship in 2013.

Notable games for the team include a 9-3 win at home against Kansas, a 6-3 win at home against Wichita State, an 11-3 win at Oklahoma State, a record-setting 30-0 win at home over Grambling State, two wins at Mississippi State and a no-hitter thrown by now senior Bryce Biggerstaff against Jackson State on Feb. 24, 2013.

UCA also saw three players selected in Major League Baseball’s First-Year Player Draft, which is the most in program history.

Outfielder Forrestt Allday was selected in the eighth round by the Boston Red Sox, outfielder Jonathan Davis was selected in the 15th round by the Toronto Blue Jays and pitcher Jeffrey Enloe was selected in the 37th round by the San Diego Padres.

The softball team improved its record from 36 wins in 2012 to 38 wins in 2013.

The 74 wins covered over those seasons are the best two-year span in program history.

The softball team won its first two postseason games in history and was one win away from taking the SLC Championship, but fell 12-4 to Sam Houston State in the Southland Championship game.

Former pitcher Kelsie Armstrong, the 2013 Southland Conference Pitcher of the Year, posted one of the best seasons in program history with 30 wins, which was the most in the league since 2003.

She also threw her second

career no-hitter against Grambling State on Feb. 23, 2013.

Former second baseman/ third baseman Melissa Bryant broke the program’s single-season record for doubles, with 18, in her final game of her career at UCA. Her twin sister, former catcher Melanie Bryant had her 44th run batted in, which is tied for secondmost in a season.

The men and women’s track teams also saw success in 2013.

The men’s team finished fifth in the Southland Outdoor track meet.

The women’s track team saw one of the most successful runners come through the program in Brooke Cassar.

Cassar was named Southland Conference Female Cross Country Athlete of the Year and was awarded the Freshman of the Year title.

She is the seond female athlete in UCA history to receive both awards.

She was also the lone runner from UCA to run in the NCAA Cross Country regionals.

In Corliss WIlliamson’s last season as the men’s basketball coach, the team reached the Southland Conference tournament.

Led by former forward Jarvis Garner and guard Robert Crawford, the Bears finished the season with a 13-17 overall record and went 7-11 in conference play.

The Bears delivered several thrilling games to fans including a triple overtime win against McNeese State University on Jan. 24 and a 86-84 overtime win against Oral Roberts University.

The Bears fell 69-63 to Sam Houston State University in the first round of the Southland Conference tournament.

The women’s baskeball team showed promise for coach Sandra Rushing’s first season as the Sugar Bears head coach.

Unfortunately for the Sugar Bears, they saw their season come to an end in the first round of the Southland Conference tournament to Stephen F. Austin State University on March 10.

This season solidfied former center Megan Herbert’s career as one of the best players the Sugar Bears have seen.

During her career she joined Baylor great Brittney Griner as the only active NCAA women’s players with 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds.

The men’s and women’s soccer teams struggled, but will look to have further success in future seasons.

The football team struggled throughout the season with injuries. At one point, it lost eight players to season ending injuries including reigning Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Year and former quaterback Wynrick Smothers.

Despite the injuries, the team finished tied for third in the SLC with Sam Houston State with a 4-3 record.

The team will endure a change in new head coach Steve Campbell.

The baseball team wasn’t the only team to bring an SLC championship to UCA in 2013.

The Sugar Bears volleyball team went18-0 in the SLC and had a 29-4 record overall.

Key wins for the team were against No. 20 Kansas Jayhawks and Louisiana Tech.

The team’s only losses in the regular season were to No. 2 Penn State, No. 10 Marquette and No. 24 Arizona.

The team featured former setter Marissa Collins who is the UCA career record-holder in assists with 5,742.

She ranked sixth nationally in 2013 with 12.02 assists per set.

She was also the 2013 SLC Player of the Year, three-time SLC Setter of the Year and four-time SLC All-Conference player.

The Sugar Bears made their second NCAA tournament in a row, but lost in the first round to Purdue.

The Sugar Bears compiled 59 wins in two seasons, which is second to Penn State.

The Sugar Bears won 22 straight matches and 28 in a row against Southland competition.

photo courtesy of ucasports.com

Struggling:

Men drop games against Cardinals, Wildcats; team shoots 52.9 percent from behind three-point line against UIW 4 Continued from page 7 Three Bears reached double digits.

Miles added 19 points and McClure 13 for the Bears.

Freshmen guard Michael Grant scored 17 points and junior guard Julian Edmonson had 15 for the Wildcats.

McClure said the future is tough to see with the recent struggles the team has gone through.

“It’s really just a lot of answers up in the air,” he said. “I don’t really know what’s going on. We just have to keep working hard, I know I am.”

The Bears shot poorly from the free throw line, going four of 10 from the line.

ACU shot 75 percent, making 18 of 24 shots.

The Bears return home to the Farris Center to play Northwestern State University at 7 p.m. Thursday and Stephen F. Austin State University at 4 p.m. Saturday.

The Bears will have to find a way to stop the NSU Demons’ offense, as they are leading the SLC in scoring offense with 87.8

points per game. UCA ranks fourth with 76 points per game.

The Demons’ defense, however, is giving up the most points in the conference with 90.6, while UCA is giving up 82.2, which is second worst in the conference.

Stephen F. Austin State is leading the conference in wins with a 16-2 record and a 5-0 record in SLC play.

The Bears fell to the Lumberjacks 72-36 in last year’s matchup in Nacodoches.

UCA vs. Abilene Christian Jan 18, 2014 Moody Coliseum

4-12, 1-4 SLC 7-11, 1-3 SLC 72

Score

73

53.6

Field Goals %

47.2

40

3FG%

35.7

40

FT%

75

35

Rebounds

30

12

Offensive

8

23

Defensive

22

16

Turnovers

15

1

Blocks

1

11

Steals

12

Assists

11

11