THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
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September 19, 2016
NEWS FREESTYLE
Student Spolight: Kendrick Jones Jones said his recent junior-year switch from pre-pharmacy to communication is allowing him to live out his passion. by Pujan Dahal
For Jones, every day in the classroom is a gift. It was not his plan for this to happen. “It’s happening and changing my life, I love it.” Kendrick Terrell Jones was classified as a junior when he switched his major from pre-pharmacy to communication with a concentration in advocacy. He originally wanted to pursue something in the science field since high school. Had Jones continued his ppursuit in pre-pharmacy, he would now be starting first year in pharmacy school. “When I look back at it now, I feel that my friends kind of pressured me into the whole science field, and I pressured myself into it,” said Jones. “I made myself believe that I was passionate about pre-pharmacy, and I pursued it.” Jones initially thought that it was stressful being in a difficult major, but he later realized that it wasn’t stress. It was force. He felt himself forcing prepharmacy in his life. “I realized sitting in a classroom, this is not what I am passionate about,” said Jones. “It was in that class that I began thinking and dreaming about the things I am actually passionate about. It is funny how that was made.” When Jones initially embraced his true passion, he was scared, but he
soon learned to accept it. “One of the main things I discovered was that being passionate about something is okay. In fact, being passionate is the most successful thing one can do,” said Jones. Jones said purpose is implemented in your passion. He knew that switching to a new major would be a clean slate for him. Though he realized he was leaving his professors with whom he had built some very good relationships, Jones still opted to go for a fresh start. He said the communication classes are changing his life. “These are days that were not intended for me,” said Jones. Jones said communication gives students an environment to be passionate and make decisions to be passionate. “I have people from different walks of life in my class… we are all put in the same classroom,” said Jones. “What I love is that the dynamic is that we come in, and we actually speak. The professor talks less, and we talk more.” “It’s not just a whole bunch of public speaking classes where everyone gives presentations every week, and you just write papers for the whole semester. That’s actually what I thought communication would be,” said Jones. “It’s literally an experience of a lifetime.” With such a major switch came
feelings of uncertainty. At first, Jones worried about the money. Jones said although pharmacy is a six figure salary and a phenomenal career, he realized money isn’t everything...passion is. “If you are not passionate about what you do, then what are you doing?” Jones received nothing but support from his family. He said they heard his heart and knew what was burning in him. Seth Hall, director of the high school recruitment and program recruitment, called Jones cheerful. Hall met Jones for the first time during Jones’ freshman orientation. “Jones is always smiling, he is really passionate about things and has a good attitude,” said Hall. Though Hall believes all the ULM students are important to the university in different ways, Hall said Jones is a bit different than most. “Jones is unique in that he has been involved in the Office of Recruitment and Admission. He has helped us and been kind of the face for the university,” said Hall. “He has done a great job with students helping them to transition from high school to college.” Hall said Jones has done a great job trying not to over commit himself. “He chooses something that he wants to do really well at,” said Hall.
photo courtesy Kendrick Jones
DO IT WITH PASSION: “If you are not passionate about what you do, then what are you doing?” said Kendrick Jones, a communications advocacy major.
Hall said he sees Jones working for the community ten years from now. Kelly Buxton, a junior pharmacy major, describes Jones to be very determined and personable. “He makes people feel they are important,” said Buxton. “If he says he is going to do something, he sticks to it. He is intentional with time and people. He makes people feel like they are valued.”
Buxton said that Jones knows many people on campus. “If we plan to get food at 12, we won’t make it till 12:20, because he knows almost everybody,” said Buxton. “He says ‘Hey’ to people even if he does not know them.” Buxton said that Jones inspires her to be more social. contact Pujan Dahal at dahalp@warhawks.ulm.edu
September 19 -22 th
STUDENTS
UNITED United Way of Northeast Louisiana
• Carnival Day • Popcorn • $1 Lunch
nd
• Movie Night • Live Music • Mobile Scavenger Hunt • Prizes • Ice Cream Social • More!
Text STUDENTSUNITED to 41444 to make a donation!
For a complete list of activites, visit unitedwaynela.org/studentsunited
September 19, 2016
THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
PAGE 9
NEWS
Bruno cues up at Wesley Freshmen Connection party
President speaks to incoming students and plays billiards by Alison Brabham
This week students at the Wesley got to know the president of ULM a little better. President Nick Bruno played pool and talked with students Monday night at the Wesley Foundation’s Freshmen Connection event. The event was hosted as part of the Wesley’s effort to welcome incoming students to campus and give them valuable advice for success now that they are here. Parker Neathery, a senior communication advocacy major and member of the Wesley Foundation, said the Freshmen Connection is “a way for freshmen to connect to each other, the Wesley, and other aspects of campus life and other organizations.” Every Monday night until November 28, freshman can come to the Wesley and meet and greet other fellow students. With each new week comes a new theme. The theme for the Monday’s event was “Brownies, Billiards and Bruno.” Brownies and ice cream were served to all who came. After a few minutes of chatting and eating brownies, the party moved to the chapel where they did an ice breaker to get everyone comfortable
for the question and answer session with Bruno. When asked what was his favorite thing about ULM’s campus, Bruno said the bayou. Aside from questions, Bruno also gave students some advice. Bruno urged students not to be afraid to change their majors because he did when he was in college. He also encouraged everyone to go to as many athletic events as possible to support their fellow Warhawks. Walters After the discussion, a name was drawn out of a basket for the chance to compete in a game of billiards against Bruno. Allison Deglandon, a freshman biology major, was chosen to play. The game was very intense. “At one point in the shot, everybody was hollering because they were so excited,” said Deglandon. Deglandon wants to encourage other freshmen to attend the Freshmen Connection because it was very fun, and everyone there was very supportive and nice. After winning the game of billiards, Bruno said the Freshmen Connection allows the students to see him as an individual and not just the president. “It was fun, they had good
photos by Brea Joyner
PLAYING TO WIN: Jack Lockeby and Parker Neathery watch in the background as President Bruno plays billiards.
questions, and I enjoyed myself because I won at pool,” said Bruno. “It was a great event. I wish we had more of these.” Sarah McDonald, an undeclared freshman, went to the very first Freshmen Connection and has been involved with the Wesley since then. McDonald said that she’s met a lot of friends by going to the Freshmen Connections. Helena Kemp, a freshman toxicology major, Kemp enjoyed the “no-pressure atmosphere” at the Wesley and plans to go to other events hosted there. Haley Walters, a freshman elementary education major, said she came to the event to meet new people and to meet the president. contact Alison Brabham at brabhaac@warhawks.ulm.edu
CLOSE CALL: Allison Deglandon having a mini “freak-out” when she thought the 8-ball went into the pocket.
Savannah still fighting by Olivia Barfield
photo courtesy “Prayers for Savannah Payne” Facebook page
Savannah Payne, a senior speechlanguage pathology major and residential life hall director, remains in critical condition after a severe infection forced doctors to amputate both arms and legs. Since last week, Payne has been conscious but is reportedly still largely unaware of what is going on around her. It has been about a week since Payne’s story blew up big on social media, and now her parents are keeping the public updated through a Facebook page called “Prayers for Savannah Payne.” The page, which has been liked
over 3,000 times so far is updated daily. The most recent update to the page, made on Sep. 16, said that Payne is still fighting a hard fight. Her fever was still high, her heart rate was concerning and she was scheduled for dialysis on Friday night. Her family asked for as many prayers as possible. Payne was rushed to the hospital at the end of August due to seizures, according to a KNOE article. Payne’s mother, Stephanie Payne, said she coded and was brought back over the course of her battle. Payne’s father, Tim Payne, said doctors didn’t think her condition was due to an infection because her
white blood count wasn’t high. Doctors eventually discovered she had a staph infection plus strep, but severe side effects from some medications and treatments to lower her body temperature forced doctors and her parents to make the tough decision of cutting off parts of her arms and legs to save her life. Payne is currently staying in Shreveport. Those who wish to donate to Payne’s family or keep updated can visit the “Prayers for Savannah Payne” Facebook page. There are shirts for sale on the page that also benefit the family. contact Olivia Barfield at barfieldor@warhawks.ulm.edu