5-2-11 The Vanguard

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May 2, 2011 |VOLUME 48, NUMBER 31

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University of South Alabama’s student newspaper

Students unite to help tornado victims After a horrific tornado outbreak tore through the Southeast last week, some USA students are collecting relief supplies and money to help victims in northern Alabama.

By Cassie Fambro OPINION EDITOR

What has been deemed the worst storm cluster in the U.S. in 37 years is responsible for the deaths of approximately 350 people in the Southeast. United States weather records indicate that the storm system is the deadliest since 1932 for the state of Alabama with over 250 fatalities.

Among the worst hit is Tuscaloosa, Ala., home of the University of Alabama (UA). According to the National Weather Service, it is possible that the tornado that hit Tuscaloosa will be classified as an EF-5 storm, meaning

winds topped 200 mph.

UA officials chose to cancel final exams and postpone commencement exercises due to the local devastation. Students can either accept the grade they have or take the final another time, to be negotiated with professors.

Shopping centers, schools, and hundreds of homes lay in ruins.

Approximately 1 million people are without power, which is expected to take up to a week to restore. Volunteer power crews are supporting Alabama Power from local states.

Students from USA are banding together to try and bring relief to tornado victims.

Student Government Association President (SGA) Kimberly Proctor contacted LifeSouth Blood Center, and there will be a blood drive Monday, May 2 in the Student Center lobby.

It will run from 9:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Proctor said that hospitals in the affected areas are in desperate need for blood. “We’re

WBTV.com

A possible EF-5 tornado touched down in Tuscaloosa, Ala., last week. A student captured this image of the tornado near the University of Alabama. Many affected areas suffered catastrophic damage.

see TORNADOS | 2

Dyed Dedication

Report shows USA football program profiting

inside

Opinion | page 7 Greeks vs. Thespians Spurned by a recent video, two students weigh in on who has more to offer.

By Shawn Leonard STAFF WRITER

Etc. | page 8

By finishing with a profit for the second year in a row, the USA football team appears to be paying for itself through student fees, ticket sales and county support, which University administrators had hoped for when they started the team two years ago.

The University of South Alabama is required by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to undergo an annual sports budget audit, the results of which are presented to the Board of Trustees at the end of each fiscal year.

The report, released in March 2011 by the auditing firm KPMG, showed that USA’s foot-

Interviews and You Etc. Editor Brett Williams gives tips on how to make the most of your interview.

Arts & Entertainment | page 10

Jazz Fest New Orleans

see FOOTBALL | 4

New Orleans’ 10-day music festival kicked off April 29, and the best is yet to come.

BIN LADEN DEAD Colin McGee | Photo Editor

Associate Professor of Geology Doug Haywick volunteered his hair for a good cause. Various Earth Sciences organizations came together to raise money last week and as a result, Haywick’s hair became temporarily blue and red -- USA colors.

IPolice Blotter p. 2

Happenings p. 2

Weather p.5

Osama bin Laden has been declared dead by U.S. officials, and authorities have his body. This ends a manhunt for the terrorist that lasted over a decade. Bin Laden is credited with orchestrating the 9/11 terrorist attacks that killed almost 3,000 people.

Campus Pulse p.6

Sports | page 14 Jag Baseball’s Iron Man Jake Overstreet hopes to end his senior season, also Coach Kittrell’s last, on a high note.

Distractions p.18

JagLife p.19

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NEWS

May 2, 2011

Vanguard The

University of South Alabama’s Student Voice Mission The Vanguard, the student-run newspaper of the University of South Alabama, serves its readership by reporting the news involving the campus community and surrounding areas. The Vanguard strives to be impartial in its reporting and believes firmly in its First Amendment rights.

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All submissions become the property of The Vanguard.

Unsigned letters will not be published. The Vanguard reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for length and clarity. Letters will be limited to 300 words. Letters and guest columns are the opinion of the writer.

The Staff Editorial represents the consensus opinion of the Editorial Board, which is composed of the Editor-in-Chief, Managing Editor, Associate Editor, Copy Editor, and Opinion Editor. All members of the Editorial Board have the same weight during weekly Editorial Board meetings.

The Vanguard has a commitment to accuracy and clarity and will print any corrections or clarifications.

To report a mistake, call the Editor-in-Chief at 251460-6442 or e-mail editor.in.chief@usavanguard.com.

The Vanguard is a member of Collegiate Presswire and U-Wire, which syndicates to a national audience.

The Vanguard is published Mondays during the academic year, except for exam periods and vacations, and is published twice each summer. The Vanguard is supported in part by an allocation from student activity fees and operates in the Student Media Department of the Division of Student Affairs. Issues are available at most University buildings and select off-campus locations. The first copy is free. Additional copies are $1 each.

EDITORIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief: Daniela Werner Managing Editor: Alex Whalen Associate Editor: Cameron Adkins Associate Editor: Genny Roman Senior Reporter: Carey Cox Opinion Editor: Cassie Fambro Etc. Editor: Brett Williams Sports Editor: Matt Weaver Photo Editor: Colin McGee Webmaster: Nick Griffith DISTRIBUTION Distribution Manager: Johnny Davis ADVERTISING STAFF Advertising Manager: Wesley Jackson Advertising Representative: Mohammad Ammar Al-Zarrad Graphic Designer: Brittany Hawkins MANAGEMENT Adviser: Jim Aucoin Accounting: Kathy Brannan Website: http://www.usavanguard.com Mailing Address The Vanguard University of South Alabama P.O. Drawer U-1057 Mobile, Ala. 36688 Phone Number (251) 460-6442 Article XIV, Section 8 of The Lowdown: The editors of the student publications shall be free from any type of censorship and shall be responsible for the form, content and staff of the publication.

SPLC Statement: The Vanguard recognizes and affirms the editorial independence and press freedom of all student-edited campus media. Student editors have the authority to make all content decisions and consequently bear the responsibility for the decisions that they make.

POLICE BLOTTER 4/22- Receiving Stolen Property A street sign was found in a room at the Kappa Alpha fraternity house.

4/23- Theft of Article from Auto A victim’s wallet was stolen out of an unlocked vehicle in the North parking zone near the Humanities building.

4/24- Speeding/Switched Tag An officer on patrol stopped a car for speeding and having a switched license plate.

As officers approached the car the driver fled. After a short vehicle pursuit and foot chase the driver was apprehended and booked to Mobile Metro jail on various charges.

the passenger side window of a vehicle at The Grove and stole a bag. The stolen property was valued at $60, and the damage to the vehicle was estimated at $150.

4/25- Failing to Appear/ Domestic Violence, 3rd Degree Officers responded to a report of domestic violence in progress at The Grove.

Upon arrival officers quickly located a female refusing to leave an apartment. She was escorted out and issued a criminal trespass warning. A male was arrested for two warrants with the Mobile Police Department and transported to Mobile Metro jail.

4/25- Unlawful Breaking and Entering a Vehicle 4/25- Driving Under the An unknown person used Influence of Alcohol/Open an unknown means to gain Container of Alcohol in entry to a victim’s vehicle Vehicle and remove a guitar in a soft A male was arrested on case. The items were valued Airport Boulevard for drivat $1,000. ing under the influence of alcohol and having an open 4/28- Harassing Commucontainer of alcohol in the nications vehicle.

Officers were dispatched to the transportation building 4/25- Unlawful Breaking for a report of a female leavand Entering a Vehicle ing two harassing messages An unknown person broke on their voicemail.

Tornados from page 1

mobilizing for immediate need of the victims,” Proctor said. LifeSouth’s goal is at least 300 units of blood.

The Red Cross of Alabama stated that the most efficient and effective way to immediately get assistance to those on the ground is through monetary donations. With monetary donations, the Red Cross can use the money to immediately buy supplies in bulk.

Red Cross representative Joe Kennedy told the SGA that “in purchasing bulk items, we assure disaster victims that they all receive the exact same assistance. That means a lot.”

Kennedy is also seeking volunteers; however, volunteers need Red Cross training. Those interested in becoming Red Cross volunteers should contact Kennedy at kennedyj@redcrossalcoast.org.

SGA asks the USA family to donate to the Red Cross by either visiting redcross.org or by texting REDCROSS to 90999 to automatically donate $10 which will be charged to your wireless bill.

In addition to the blood drive, the USA Greek system and Aramark are collecting donations for disaster areas. Both material and monetary donations will be accepted from 10:00 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Wednesday May 4 in the student center.

Other donation options are located at Java City and The Market. Donations such as clothing, diapers, formula and canned goods are being accepted from Monday, May 2 until Friday, May 6 during normal business hours for each location.

New or like-new shoes for tornado victims are also being collected at Mobile Shoe Hospital located on Airport Rd., and drop-off locations around campus will be set up this week. The program is called Walk by Faith and is being organized by Creativity for a Cure.

SGA President-Elect Colin Al-Greene is also setting up a donation bucket in the SGA office during office hours and another at the Fresh Foods Company that will be available during operational hours. Donations will go directly to the Red Cross of Alabama.

The

Vanguard

happenings Paint Party Studios Fundraiser for Children of Incarcerated Mothers What: Paint Party Studios will host a fund-raiser to benefit Mobile area children deal with a mother’s incarceration by providing them with regular visits to see their mothers, helping with school supplies and involvement with a mentoring program.

Where: Paint Party Studios, 6808 Airport Blvd, Suite G When: May 7 at 6 p.m.

How much: $30 For more info: Contact Corina Shulze at cshulze@ usouthal.edu or call 343-2423 to make reserve your spot.

JoAnn Cox Art Exhibit What: The works of abstract, nonrepresentational painter JoAnn Cox will be placed on display for public viewing. Cox works have won many awards and are represented in many public, corporate and private collections Where: USA Main Library When: May 3- June 30 during regular Library hours How much: Free For more info: Contact Rexann Warren at 460-7021 or rwarren@usouthal.edu.

CORRECTION In a recent article, the USA Bass Team was incorrectly described as having participated in one of three major collegiate fishing tournaments, when members have in fact competed in all three.

The article also incorrectly listed Lenny Rudow of Earth Sports (ES) as a blogger when he is actually angling editor and content manager of the ES website. The Vanguard apologizes for this error.

The

Vanguard

NEWS

May 2, 2011

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4

New dorm’s timely completion questioned

By Genny Roman ASSOCIATE EDITOR

South Alabama will see a slew of new construction projects as well as the completion of others during the summer.

The new projects slated to begin this summer are renovations to the Delta area dormitories, Student Center and the reroofing of the Epsilon dormitories.

Projects on schedule to be completed are the new student dormitory in the Delta area and the Bookstore renovation.

Renovations to the Delta dormitories include the installation of fire sprinklers

to all six Delta dorms, currently in design, and new sheetrock placed in the Delta 5 dorms.

Another change taking place is the move of Aramark staff to the Delta area. The move will keep Aramark staff close to the new dining facility in the housing area.

The Student Center renovation is presently in the planning stage according to Dr. John Smith, vice president of Student Affairs.

Expected to be done soon is the Bookstore renovation. Its anticipated opening is July 1.

Concerns about the new student dormi-

News in Brief

H2Go Engineering Design Team wins first place at regional competition

USA College of Medicine dean receives 2011 Alumni Achievement Award from UMKC

With the help of USA Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering Dr. Lanier Cauley, student members of the H2Go Engineering Design Team won first place at the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Southeast District Design Team Competition in March.

The regional competition was held at the University of Central Florida in Orlando.

The team’s challenge was to create a water-powered car to show that rainwater could be a new source of energy.

Traveling more than twice the distance of the second place team at the regional competition, USA’s engineering team’s car traveled 40 feet.

ASME’s Mobile Gulf Coast section provided support for the team’s travel to the regional competition.

The USA’s H2Go design team plans to travel to Colorado in November to compete in the ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exposition.

The University’s dean of the College of Medicine has been awarded the 2011 Alumni Achievement Award from the University of Missouri at Kansas City (UMKC).

Dr. Samuel Strada and other recipients of the reward were honored at an awards luncheon at UMKC on April 27.

Recipients are selected each year to receive alumni awards for each of UMKS’s academic units, 12 total.

Strada has been at South Alabama since he joined the staff in 1983 as professor and chair of pharmacology. Since then he has served as acting director of the graduate program in basic medical sciences, assistant dean for admissions, acting chair of psychiatry, faculty athletics representative from 1990 to 1997 and currently serves as president of the South Alabama Medical Science Foundation.

In addition to his accomplishments at South, Strada has received national recognition for his research on cellular signaling mechanisms and has published more than 200 articles and abstracts.

Letter to the Editor Dear editor: While we deeply appreciate your coverage of the South Alabama Bass Team and its sponsor, Earth Sports, we’re afraid certain parts of the article could give readers the wrong impression.

While it’s true that teams such as South Alabama face many financial challenges, this does not in any way predicate their demise as the article suggests; in fact, bass fishing is one of the fastest-growing competitive sports in the college world, and both industry support and participant enthusiasm are on the up-swing. In

The

NEWS

May 2, 2011

fact, many college teams including South Alabama have multiple sponsors (the statement in the article attributed to me which stated otherwise was a mis-quote; you can view the sponsors at http://www. southalabama.edu/usabassfishing/sponsors.html) and team spirit is at an all-time high. There is, in reality, quite a bit to cheer about when it comes to the South Alabama Bass Team.

- Lenny Rudow EarthSports Angling Editor & Content Manager www.EarthSports.com

tory’s completion deadline have risen.

“We’re making some progress,” Smith said. “We’re very close, and we have some concern as to whether they will meet the deadline.”

As of now, the dorm is on schedule for completion by July 15.

Besides the major renovations and completions taking place, the University is making improvements such as building a sidewalk along North Drive and installing outdoor lights during the summer.

Construction of 30 new parking spaces on Stadium Drive by Stanky Field will also begin this summer.

USA Biomedical Library director renewed for membership in Academy of Health Information Professionals The director of the University’s Biomedical Library has been renewed for membership in the Academy of Health Information Professionals (AHIP) at the Distinguished Member Level.

Judy Burnham, the library’s director, has been a member of AHIP for 20 years and said that the credential is a valuable membership.

“It shows that we are active in our profession and that we stay up-to-date on what is happening,” Burnham said. “As medical librarians, we must have the necessary expertise and knowledge in order to meet the needs of our users ant to provide them with quality information.”

The membership, which must be renewed every five years, indicates the highest standards of professional competency and achievement in the field of health care information.

Those with the designation have to participate in continuing education courses and other professional development activities to maintain the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully support the institution’s mission and goals.

Vanguard

Football from page 1

ball program finished the 2009-10 year with an $85,000 surplus (profit).

While that amount is about 94 percent lower than the previous year, Vice President of Financial Affairs Wayne Davis said he was happy about where the program was and the progress it is making.

“Prices are going to go up,” said Davis.

“But the football team is, financially, operating self-sufficiently.”

Davis said the decline in profits could be partly attributed to the rise in football scholarships, which the program pays for itself.

The audit report also showed that student athletic/activity fees accounted for $4.3 million of the football team’s budget, nearly 75 percent.

“Students wanted this,” said SGA President Kim Proctor. “We’ve known this from the beginning. People have been showing up [to football games] more than originally expected.”

Proctor said USA students pay less in athletic fees than they would at other schools, so because the program is turning a profit, it’s not a burden to the University.

That amount is almost $300,000 higher than in 2009, and was attributed to the growth in enrollment at South Alabama over the last year.

Davis explained that the remaining portion of the budget, $1.4 million, came from ticket sales and county support.

Senior Associate Vice President for Financial Affairs Steve Simmons commended the entire USA athletic department for the progress they’ve made in recent years.

“All the coaches and staff have done a tremendous job,” said Simmons. “They know how much money they have to work with and they stay within that.”

USA’s Athletic Director Joel Erdmann agreed with Simmons about the role the staff has played in the program’s success, but also acknowledged that the program had a long road ahead of it.

“We’re extremely pleased with where the program is to date, but it’s still in its infancy and has a lot of growing to do,” said Erdmann. “But watching that is part of the enjoyment.”

Erdmann went on to say that he feels most of the excitement about the program’s success is coming from the great student body at South Alabama.

The

NEWS

Vanguard

May 2, 2011

Gamma 9 Weather Research Center

Forecast for May 2 - 8

Patrick Bigbie Student Meteorologist

This week offers a more positive forecast after last week’s tragic and historic tornado outbreak.

On Monday: Partly cloudy with a slight chance for thunder storms, with highs around 85 and overnight lows around the mid 60s.

Tuesday: Breezy. T-storms moving in with a high around 80 and lows around 60.

Wednesday: Things should be clearing out with mostly sunny skies and highs in the upper 70s and lows in the 50s.

Thursday/Friday: Sunny with highs in the low 80s and overnight lows around 60.

Saturday/Sunday: Sunny skies and highs around the mid 80s with overnight lows in the mid-to-upper 60s.

For more local weather information, visit facebook.com/ stormteam4gamma9wx On Twitter: @metwxpatrick @stormteam4g9wx

The Vanguard is looking for editors and writers for the 2011-2012 academic year!

Reliable, self-motivated applicants interested in student journalism may send writing samples and resumes to editor.in.chief@usavanguard.com. Those applying for editing positions must be interviewed, and interviews will happen in early May.

Get Your Opinion Published!

Some perks of editing/writing for The Vanguard:

-It’s a strong line on your college resume.

-You’ll gain a working knowledge of AP style/journalistic technique.

-You’ll be published in a newspaper with a print readership of about 8,000.

Some of the positions we’ll be hiring: Managing editor Copy editor Senior reporter Etc. editor

Opinion editor Sports editor Arts & Entertainment editor Webmaster

Send Letters to the Editor to editor.in.chief@ usavanguard.com.

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Opinion

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May 2, 2011

The

Vanguard Cassie Fambro, Opinion Editor opinion.editor@usavanguard.com

www.usavanguard.com/opinion

OUR VIEW EDITORIAL BOARD >>usavanguard.editor@Gmail.com

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STAFF EDITORIAL Daniela Werner | Editor-in-Chief Alex Whalen | Managing Editor Cameron Adkins | Associate Editor

Genny Roman | Associate Editor Cassie Fambro | Opinion Editor Carey Cox | Senior Reporter

Spend to benefit students, SGA

ast week, The Vanguard urged the SGA to spend money on senate projects that would offer clear benefits to as many students as possible. When the SGA funds a project simply because they have the money, they risk throwing accountability out the window.

As with any governing body, however, the SGA requires a certain amount of funding to be able to operate. Expenses like office supplies and salaries for senators and officers are necessary, but other expenditures could easily be cut.

This week, for example, the SGA will have a banquet to celebrate the end of the academic year and bring together the group one last time. But at an estimated cost of $2,500, perhaps the SGA could find a less expensive way to end the year.

During the summer, the SGA holds a retreat to educate members on how the organization functions and how to be an effective leader. While the retreat is certainly necessary, this year’s $4,000 price tag was simply too much to pay. Just as much could have been accomplished on campus at a much lower cost.

The SGA also spent another $4,000 touring colleges.

It’s understandable to want to get new ideas for projects from other universities, but in this post-recession economy, the benefits simply aren’t worth the cost.

Simply put, the SGA must do a better of job of getting the most out of the money they have.

Spotlight:

Andrew Schneider Graduating: There’s More to the Story Ever since its inception, our country has held the central tenant of the American dream.

It is the idea that our country’s freedom entitles all citizens to the possibility of prosperity given hard work and sacrifice.

In 1931, James Adams defined the American Dream as the idea that “life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement.”

I find the latter part of that statement most significant. Our graduates this year do have the opportunity to seek richer and fuller lives, specifically because of their ability and their achievements.

On May 14, I and over a thousand other South Alabama students will embark on the next chapter of our careers. We have all worked incredibly hard to achieve the title of graduate.

All have put in many long hours of study, and many have also put forth the financial sacrifice needed to receive a college degree.

All of those about to graduate have ac-

Sure, the SGA was able to fund virtually every request they deemed appropriate with money to spare. But this sets a dangerous precedent for future SGA bodies and holds back the organization’s ability to fund very beneficial projects at higher price tags.

As our intramural program grows, participants will need financial support to get over certain “humps,” such as the number of fields and the amount of equipment they have. And initiatives like this year’s bike project (which will place more bike racks on campus) may not be possible in the future if the SGA spends this money on itself.

The digitization of The Lowdown this year was an excellent example of how to save money without cutting benefits to students. But if we want the campus life and student involvement to improve here at USA, the SGA is going to have to step it up.

Of course, as the University grows, there will be more students requesting more funding. While this would also entail more student fees for the SGA budget, if this spending trend continues, future students will undoubtedly bear the brunt of past SGA mistakes.

We don’t want to suggest that the SGA members, who are themselves students, shouldn’t be able to spend money on themselves. Just like with any SGA expenditure, the organization needs to figure out how to get the most bang for the buck.

complished something only 36 percent of USA’s entering freshman will ever attain, according to the USA fact book.

Following graduation, each of us will have our own view of the American dream and success as it relates to our career. Many will think of it as the pursuit of spiritual happiness.

Others will see it as a chance to do good for the community, such as nursing, medicine or education majors. Many others will see it as the opportunity to pursue economic prosperity and be true innovators of their field.

This could include those in the sciences, but most importantly includes those majoring in business, prelaw, engineering, or computer science.

I write today to caution this third group pursuing monetary success. It’s becoming a sobering fact of life that a significant number of citizens simply don’t see the American dream as being accomplished through hard work and innovative thinking.

A growing number of Americans are becoming uneducated and lazy yet still want the richer and fuller lives, as defined by Adams.

They want the monetary success some of our graduates may attain while not actually working hard to obtain it themselves.

A great many will believe that if our graduates are financially successful, it must have been because they had an unfair advantage, cheated their way to the top, and hurt many others to accomplish their goals.

This is the reality of our generation; Generation Me. This sense of entitlement is especially evident in the current budget debate.

The latest New York Times poll showed 72 percent of respondents favored increasing taxes on all couples making over $250,000 instead of doing anything to actually limit handouts and entitlements.

In his recent speech on deficit reduction, President Obama proclaimed we couldn’t afford any more tax cuts for, “millionaires and billionaires.”

Why Obama isn’t happy with the fact that about half of all federal taxes are already paid for by the top 10 percent of Americans (about $100,000 and up) is beyond me.

I’m also confused as to how those making

“F ollowing graduation, each of

us will have our own view of the American dream ...”

see GRADUATING | 13

What is Your Favorite Charity?

Why?

Matt Sessions Business Junior

TWLOHA. It reaches out to a grou that have for the large part been ignored.

People who suffer from depression or self injury far outnumber any estimation by the average bystander, and they need our help.

Creativity for a Cure manifests dreams of children with life threatening illnesses through using our volunteers’ creative talents and abilities. It is my favorite charity because it follows 1 Peter 4:10 in that it enables everyone to use the talent they were blessed with to bless others!

Alan Sells Grad Student Ad. Education

Penelope House is a local center for battered and abused women. They do such wonderful work in rehabilitation, and making sure that the children have as normal of a childhood as possible!

In light of the recent tornados devastation, the Red Cross.

Red Cross is on the ground, experienced and rapidly aiding those in need. Visit redcross.org for more information, or text 90999 to donate $10!

Jordan Wells Philosophy Freshman

Capri Abdo Founder C.F.A.C. Junior

Patrick Bigbie Meteorology Junior

Make a Wish Foundation! It’s been said so many times: Life isn’t about the number of breaths we take, it’s about the number of moments that take our breath away. I want to make sure that children afflicted get in as many smiles and hugs as

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OPINION

Vanguard

May 2, 2011

7

POINT COUNTERPOINT Who is Bringing More to the Table: Greeks Versus Thespians

Editor’s Introduction: Each major somehow finds itself in conflict with another at some point. Computer science majors informed me that “those folks at humanities won’t shut up about their feelings” and those humanities folks probably can’t play World of Warcraft to save their life. A biomedical sciences major often feels like he or she has a

Greeks and Football Bring Dollars

tougher education than, say, a graphic design major, and arguments are sure to ensue. Famously, those inclined toward the arts often rival those involved with athletics, and sometimes the fraternity and sorority culture. It recently came to a head on a video posted on The Vanguard’s Facebook page, inspiring a passionate argument for both sides.

Enlightenment From Movers and Shakers

increase enrollment as much as To quote the great John The life of an actor is one of For many audience memC. Laura C. having members of Al-Qaeda ups and downs, disappointments bers, being a part of the theater Wayne “Life is hard; it’s even and triumphs, frustrations and experience can be healing. As dance around a fountain. harder if you’re stupid.”

Brown Holloway successes. one showgoer to this year’s RabNow I am all about the I used this quote because An artist without a physical bit Hole (which follows a family first amendment and another posting videos that have hippies canvas, an actor’s medium is the stage. His following the death of their child) said, fraternity member said I was going to dancing around a fountain is going to art is in performance.

“We lost our child when he was seven. This be brought up on charges for voicing my make it harder to get potential students To those without a leg in the theater show was like a much-needed hug.” opinion. to enroll at USA. world to break, it can seem like a selfish Last year, student-directed Extremities But I ask you to look at every SEC I commented on this video and profession, a search for glory and fame in (a play about rape and its aftermath) went school; their Greek system is huge comopened the floodgates. an otherwise humdrum world. up in the Black Box theater at South, and pared to USA and football brings their I was simply trying to point out the For those inside the theater world, the its proceeds benefited Lifelines Rape Crisis enrollment up. gift of acting is not center, an advocacy center for victims of fact that videos like these drive more shared solitarily on the rape.

Football brings students away than they bring in. stage, or on screen.

Even offstage, South’s student actors use enrollment up and if Football is what brings the student For South Alabama their talents for the good of the campus. you don’t believe me, enrollment up, and one of the best ways theater students, their Just after the Virginia Tech shooting, here are some more to promote football is having a good expression hardly ends students acted in violence workshops to examples.

Greek system. within the walls of help faculty and staff prepare for potential After the UniverHere are some facts about the Greek Laidlaw Performing violence in the classroom, and their acting sity of Alabama won community that should help establish Arts Center, as their skills have also been put to use for both the the 2009 national the fact that joining a Greek organizatalents are not only Mobile Regional Airport and Fire Departchampionship, the tion is a good idea. seen all over the camment in disaster trainings. following fall was the pus, but also filling the The actors of South also bring hope to In fact, one-third of the United States community of Mobile. the community, through a yearly adoption biggest sorority rush House of Representatives; 76 percent of To someone on the of a family in need at Christmas, as well as in the nation with the U.S. Senate; 85 percent of Supreme Colin McGee | Photo Editor outside with a busiwork with Bay Area Inclusion, which fosters over 2,000 girls goCourt Justices since 1910; all but two The Be-In at the Bell Tower inspired debate ness mind and narrow help for AIDS victims. ing through rush.

U.S. Presidents since 1825; 85 percent amongst students; should USA promote the- view of the world, Each holiday season, the students also The University of Fortune 500 key executives and all of ater awareness events or focus more on athlet- their talents might go perform A Christmas Carol for the Mobile also made $40 milthe Apollo 11 Astronauts belonged to ics? What place does each have in student life? unnoticed, but without Public Library. lion in loans availfraternities or sororities. them, the campus and Some students give their time outside able to both fraterniThe Greek communities are main the community would of school, bringing drama education to ties and sororities for chapter houses. contributors to a lot of notable chariseem significantly less rich and colorful. children at the Boys and Girls Clubs in the Another example is San Diego State South puts up four main stage shows area, as well as the Regional School for the ties. Pi Kappa Phi is linked to Push each year, and in addition to significantly Deaf and the Blind.

University, which has a larger enrollment America and Kappa Alpha Order is adding to the school’s income through The Director of Operations for the Boys than USA by about five or six thousand. linked to Muscular Dystrophy Associaroughly $40,000 every season in ticket sales and Girls Clubs said in her 25 years with SDSU made $1 million for playing tion. alone, as well as over $20,000 in donations, that organization, she had never seen a Alabama in Alabama’s opening football All I want is the value of USA to the shows also bring powerful messages to a group connect and inspire these particular game of the 2010 season. increase, and having long-haired hippies growing community. see SHAKERS | 13 see DOLLARS | 11 dancing around a fountain is going to

Cassie Fambro Opinion Editor

SMOKE ON THE WATER

Storm Victims are Family in Need There is only so much of ourselves we can give. At some point, we’re spread too thin.

When a cause is close to us, personal or related, we can’t understand how other people wouldn’t care about it.

If your parent has breast cancer, you wear the pink ribbon. If a little boy in your town is sick, you ask neighbors to help raise money.

When a storm hits and damages your

state, you band together.

Stripped down to nothing, humans are all the same. Someone with a mansion is identical to someone living in a trailer when a tornado has destroyed everything they own.

At the bottom of the pit of despair, we are all equals.

Much has been said about how it takes a crisis of great magnitude to unite our nation, but I think if we look a little harder, we’re more united than it appears.

We bicker, argue, and insult each other over politics and beliefs.

It’s funny, when you’re standing in disbelief in the slab of where your house was, rain dripping from torn trees watching your neighbors doing the same thing, those political disagreements don’t matter anymore.

When a family loses a member, everyone hurts together. The recent violent string of storms took over 300 lives.

Imagine that, hundreds of families

changed forever in a violent second. We can all imagine what that kind of loss would be like, and when we empathize with them, we all become a family, and we’ve lost over 300 members. After Hurricane Katrina, people grew sick of such comparisons and became tired of hearing about our survival.

We became tired of watching CNN and seeing our local stores destroyed, a constant slice into a fresh wound. The wounds healed and people built up barriers.

Desensitized to the scenes of destruction and death, the world started to change the channel, and CNN started to air other stories.

Unknown to most, volunteers still come from all over to the coast and help rebuild.

No one talks about them except the local news, but that’s fine. They’re doing it from their heart.

Our friends and family in Birmingham, Tuscaloosa and other affected areas will

need us for a long time, and we need to keep them in our hearts.

There will always be a place affected by natural disaster. For instance, there are catastrophic fires in Texas right now.

If each state bands together and takes care of its own, we can help in a way that doesn’t need the media keeping tabs on us.

Just like we would help a neighbor, we can help up north.

Volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, become a Red Cross volunteer, just go up there and ask what you can do. If you can’t make time to go there, donate to the organizations and support their efforts.

There are going to be mothers with infants that lost all their clothes, and children might not have a school to go to, much less supplies.

There is always something you can contribute. Our state is made up of our neighsee NEED | 13

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May 2, 2011

How to handle interviews

Five helpful tips for when you’re faced with your first interview after graduation

By Brett Williams ETC. EDITOR

According to NACE, the National Association of Colleges and Employers, employers expect to hire 19.3 percent more graduates from this year’s class than last year. However, NACE is also expecting there to be more than 23,000 college graduates. Graduates should expect some tight competition and packed waiting rooms for entry-level positions.

To make sure they’re prepared, graduates should be going over their checklists now because we all know that only the strong and well-prepared succeed in today’s world. Don’t have a checklist? I have a short one for you and its complete with all the tips and details you’ll need so that you’re prepared when you go in for your interview.

First, familiarize yourself with your potential employer. Do your homework. Check online for articles that paint a picture of what the company’s image is.

Before you give your life away for a few dollars, it’s a good idea to make sure that the company you’ll be spending years working for shares your values and beliefs. At the very least, find out about what options and benefits the company can offer you as an employee. Retirement doesn’t just happen because you’ve been with a company over 25 years anymore. I’d hate to find out that you’ll be working well into old age.

Second, practice makes perfect. There are dozens of websites and articles online that list the questions that employers are likely to ask you and the best ways for you to answer. Don’t be rigid, but use the tools at your disposal to shape your answers accordingly.

Third, be sure to dress for the occasion.

South Alabama Career Services has some information on dressing for interviews. First impressions mean everything and business casual does not apply to you even if you’re familiar with your prospective employer’s lack of enforcement of their dress code.

When you go in for an interview, you are selling yourself. Go for that “I-own-a-Mercedes look” and not the “I’ve-never-set-footin-an-office look.” Remember, if you look like you’ve never been inside a real business, see INTERVIEWS | 9

The

Vanguard Brett Williams, Etc. Editor etc.editor@usavanguard.com

www.usavanguard.com/etc

Federal government rushes to aid after storm crisis kills hundreds

Individuals and organizations across the country including the federal government could only watch on as storms in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Virginia and Kentucky tore through the South.

By Brett Williams ETC. EDITOR

Not long before tornadoes took the lives of hundreds of Alabamians, the National Weather Service announced a tornado emergency for Cherokee County, Alabama and advised residents of Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana that “there’s a high risk of multiple strong tornadoes.”

Now, thousands are coming together to help give those lives back. Facebook pages like “Pray for the Tornado Victims of April 27, 2011” for the deceased are growing rapidly. At midnight Friday, it had as many as 111,000 likes.

Another page is seeking to reunite people with what they lost because of the storms. “Pictures and documents found after the April 27, 2011” is an online community of Facebook users who are attempting use the tools available to find and piece together the lives of those who had their possessions literally scattered by the winds.

One user, Matthew Hubbard, has even been interviewed by National Public Radio based on having uploaded a photo of a little boy whom he’d attempted to find.

Much of what users are trying to give back is photos, but some users have turned in even check stubs and ultrasounds.

The policy for documents is that any information like social security numbers, information that can be used to exploit and any other pertinent identifying information be excluded when scanning.

Restoring the victims’ lives even includes restoring their photos for one user, Danena Crist in Arkansas. She took it upon herself to offer her expertise using Photoshop to fix and restore worn photos to their old glory.

“I wish you all the very best and it is truly inspiring to see people come together to help those they’ve never met...,” Crist wrote. This page sprang up like wildfire just hours after tornadoes sliced through areas like Tuscaloosa offering words of encouragement.

Other users are simply posting notes, comments and statuses that express their feelings for those who were victims. Currently, the page has over 75,000 followers who have added 1,295 photos from as far away as Tennessee.

By 8:20 a.m. Thursday, CNN had announced that another eight people had

facebook.com Members of the Facebook group "Pictures and Documents found after the April 27, 2011 Tornadoes" uploaded this and other photos so that the owners could retrieve their lost items.

The page features photos of everything from family photos and personal belongings to check stubs.

One National been killed by storms Weather Service in Virginia, bringing meteorologist the death toll to 202 even called Thurspeople in Southern day “a day dark in storms since Thurscalled the loss of lives Alabama as far as day. In the wake of tornado history is the tornadoes, Presi“heartbreaking” and said concerned.” dent Obama also that the federal government However, if announced that he would do everything in its April 27, 2011 will would visit Alabama power to assist. always be rememon Friday. bered as one of Obama called the the darkest days in loss of lives “heartAlabama history, breaking” and said then the days folthat the federal government would do everything in its lowing may become recognized as some of the brightest. power to assist.

Obama

The

ETC.

Vanguard

May 2, 2011

9

Self-described black feminist brings Feds drop summer Pell controversial lecture to USA

By Nick Griffith WEBMASTER

Self-described black feminist and atheist author Sikivu Hutchinson promoted her controversial book “Moral Combat: Black Atheists, Gender Politics, and the Value Wars” to a full auditorium April 28 in the USA library.

With a Ph.D. in Performance Studies from New York University, Hutchinson has taught women’s studies, cultural studies, and urban studies courses at multiple universities.

Hutchinson’s lecture, titled “Beyond Kumbaya: Godless Morality in the ‘PostRacial’ Age,” broached the controversial topics expected by many in attendance.

An emotionally charged introduction, Hutchinson developed an unnerving atmosphere by unabashedly discussing the violent racism associated with the Civil Rights Movement.

The disturbing imagery segued into a comparison between the perceptions of modern racism with the older age of racism to discredit what many consider a “Post-Racial” Age. The segment divulged several key issues confronting non-white Americans: most notably the rate of African-American incarceration, racial profiling, and White Supremacist Cultural Ideology (the idea that Christianity is required for nonwhites, especially in positions of power, to be accepted as an individual).

Many participants were disgruntled by this grim outlook on society, and Hutchinson fueled this sentiment to give stronger insight into the struggling trials of young African-American girls.

Immersed in an oppressive gender culture, the feminine black youth in America

Interviews from page 8

there’s a better chance you never will be.

Fourth, shake hands firmly, men and women, and look at your interviewer in the eye and hand over a copy of your resume.

Resumes are a saving grace. They say precisely what it is that you’re so tonguetied about and may even list some things that your interviewer thinks are interesting.

So, be attentive. Do not fidget. Nervousness is to be expected, but it’s also extremely distracting and gives a bad impression of how you’ll be if your career puts you under any pressure. Be calm and answer all questions to the best of your ability. Speak loudly and in the affirmative. Be positive about your growth with their company.

Finally, above all else, you’ve got to stick the landing. Have questions of your own ready. In my mock interview, I was told that salary especially isn’t something that is expected to come up in the initial interview.

At least, it isn’t expected to come from you. I’d recommend not asking.

Prospective employers need to know

greenascot.com

Self-described black feminist and aetheist author Sikivu Hutchinson brought her lecture, “Beyond Kumbaya: Godless Morality in the ‘Post Racial’ Age” to USA April 28.

mature into young women with the precept that they cannot fulfill the generic “precious” female role.

This culture fosters the restricting sentiment that birth is a backbreaking affair, men have no responsibility, and beauty is a staple for acceptance.

Yet African-American girls are not the only children who struggle in an oppressive culture. Hutchinson exclaimed the solution to an equal existence for young women is by “Transforming masculinity” – subduing the male culture of developing aggressiveness, violence, and dominance over women.

But Hutchinson’s agenda extended be-

yond the gender culture, fighting the “War on Women” declared by the American systems of global capitalism, evangelicals, and patriarchy.

A children’s study, widely recognized as the White Doll Study, that queried children to attribute characteristics to six differently pigmented dolls, provides strength to Hutchinson’s argument that these systems are pre-determining racism within children. The study revealed that most children associated the best characteristics of an individual with the lightest-pigmented doll.

Concluding her lecture, Hutchinson detailed a series of everyday interactions to familiarize the audience with the blatant racism and oppression still evident in America, but also to convey that white Americans should steer clear of the problems of non-whites – how could a white man possibly know what’s best for a black woman?

The speech left an overall impression of academically unsatisfying citations, perhaps a reflection of Hutchinson’s categorically irrelevant Ph.D. in Performance Studies.

The audience noted Hutchinson’s material had no accreditation aside from citing undervalued or unproven material, which detracted from her crucial agenda to further cultural equality.

The question and answer segment developed into a heckling routine from the audience, resulting in quoted scripture and sporadic yelling.

Ultimately, this research courageously sails into the violent political waters of racism and oppression, but Hutchinson falls considerably short on her credibility when passing the blame and assessing who should bare this cultural burden.

that you’re looking forward to working for the company. Don’t let them know that you’re only in it for the money. If you’ve impressed them with your responses, then you can talk about salary when you’ve gotten a call back or during a second interview.

What Career Services teaches in the CA 420 the Job Search, is also what may be the most overlooked part of the interview.

You should always follow up. Immediately after the interview, jot down notes: what was your interviewer’s name, what questions did you answer well, what questions could you have answered better and what questions should you have asked?

Keep these all organized. They’ll come in handy if you aren’t becoming instantly successful and have to go through the ringer again.

Then, you should write a letter thanking the company for the opportunity to interview.

Whether the employer is expecting it or not, it looks good for you and may set you apart from the crowd. Need to hear any of this from an expert? Career Services gets pay to offer this kind of wisdom.

Write for The Vanguard!

Send Writing Samples to editor.in.chief@ usavanguard.com.

Grant from 2012 budget

By Brett Williams ETC. EDITOR

Though the federal government managed to stave off a shutdown and save themselves from comparisons to the NFL, it still managed to fail its “players”.

Students expecting summer Pell Grants, which are awarded through FAFSA, can forget it. University of South Alabama Financial Aid Director Emily Johnston confirmed Friday that the entire portion of the budget for summer Pell Grants was cut out of the federal budget. The absence of the summer grants is likely to disrupt some students’ plans to attend summer courses in 2012 in order to graduate more quickly.

Last year, 7,700 students sought to attend summer courses at the University of South Alabama according to the Registrar’s office.

Similarly, this year there are currently over 5,000 students who have registered for summer courses.

By cutting out the summer portion of the budget for Pell Grants, the federal government retained the maximum award students can receive for the fall semester: $5,500.

The Year-Round Pell Grant was started in 2008 as part of the Higher Education Act of 2008. Since then, the cost of delivering Pell Grants has grown to $34 billion up from $16 billion.

The program was a part of President Obama’s initiative to increase the number of students graduating from institutions of higher learning throughout the country by 2020. “We thought the year-round Pell Grant funds were great for our students who wanted to accelerate their graduations,” Johnston wrote.

Obama came up with the idea to cut out summer funding as one solution to a debate between Democrats and Republicans about whether to cut out $2,000 directly from the maximum amount students can receive during the fall term.

In order to meet this goal, financial aid experts who are also worried about additional budget cuts next year are suggesting for changes to the current rules in place.

Other options for schools include requiring students to take 15 hours per semester instead of 12, reducing eligibility from eight years to six.

They have also considered changing what goes into determining how they decide how much money students are receiving to ensure that only the neediest students are receiving the maximum grant amount.

Students have their financial aid department’s support. Johnston writes that “the budgets cuts are unfortunate and all of the proposed solutions that Congress debated affected some group of students negatively. However as an aid administrator, I have to be in favor of maintaining a maximum award amount per year of $5,550. Decreasing that amount would hurt the see PELL GRANT | 9

10

Arts & Entertainment

The

Vanguard

Carey Cox, A&E Editor ae.editor@usavanguard.com

May 2, 2011

www.usavanguard.com/a-e

Student art addresses abstract ideas

By Carey Cox

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

The University Library will display art by students in the Visual Arts Department until June 30. The reception for the show will be May 4 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Room 181.

The show will feature the works of Riley Brenes, sculptural artist; Haley Franklin, drawing artist; and Courtney Smith, photographer.

Brenes’ exhibit will feature ceramic pieces he has worked on throughout the semester in a directed studies class.

Smith’s pieces are silver gelatin prints done in the style of photo montage. She said social problems existing throughout the world were her inspiration for the series.

While Smith has done group shows before, the library exhibit will be her first solo show. Smith created the montage for a directed studies course with Margarita Skiadas, assistant professor of photography.

Franklin’s exhibit, “Women in Nature,” features six watercolor drawings. Inspiration for the drawings came from artist Sylvia Ji. Franklin said she uses the female form as a canvas and facial expressions to set the mood for the drawings.

“I like to put a lot of hidden things in it.

You can still find something you like about it, even if you don’t like it,” Franklin said.

Larry Simpson, graphic design professor and Franklin’s directed studies professor, called Franklin a “serious artist” who will carry on with her work after graduation.

“She’s very self-motivated and has a great sense of concept,” Simpson said.

The artists will be open to selling some of the pieces featured in the show.

Image courtesy of Haley Franklin

Haley Franklin's series, "Women in Nature," is one of three student exhibits that will be featured in the Library gallery until June 30. Franklin said her drawings were "all about the hair" and using facial expressions to convey mood.

Jazz Fest mixes traditional, contemporary artists

By Madison Murphy STAFF WRITER

If you find yourself looking for a good time this weekend or next, look no further than our neighbor, New Orleans, for the 42nd annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. The 10-day festival kicked off April 29th and features headliners Wilco, The Decemberists, Lupe Fiasco, Amos Lee, Mumford & Sons and more.

Each year over 400,000 music lovers flock to the Big Easy to catch their favorite musicians on 12 stages in every genre from Caribbean to Zydeco. In the past, musical greats like Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, and Willie Nelson have graced the Jazz Fest stages and have earned the festival the title of “the country’s very best music festival” by Life magazine.

This year is said to include the best musical lineup yet.

“The 2011 Jazz Fest lineup will deliver an unprecedented balance of the tradi-

tional and the contemporary in all of the deeper lineup of essential American mumany music categories the Festival pres- sical styles than any other festival in the ents, from Bon Jovi, Sonny Rollins and nation.”

Arcade Fire to The Jazz and Jimmy Buffett, Heritage Festival Kid Rock, John is much more than Mellencamp and a music festival.

Willie Nelson to Festival-goers will Ms. Lauryn Hill, be able to indulge the Strokes and in Cajun delicaRobert Plant and cies like frog legs on and on, along and gator gumbo. with the unendFor those with the ing list of New milder tastes, othOrleans’ super er delicious Louisit a l e n t s, ” Q u i n t ana cuisine will be Davis, producer/ served in the two director of the large dining areas festival, said. at the festival.

Jazz Fest has The cultural nola.livemusicblog.com/tag/jazz-fest/ been named Fesexperience of Jazz tival of the Year by Pollstar magazine four Fest doesn’t end with the food. Artisans years in a row. The Wall Street Journal from around the world will be showcasing said that the festival “showcases a wider, and selling their works.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience the charm of New Orleans while enjoying the best music on the scene today at the Jazz and Heritage Festival at the Fair Grounds Race Course, which is only 10 short minutes from the French Quarter. The festival resumes this Friday and ends May 8.

Tickets are available at www.nojazzfest. com and www.ticketmaster.com, as well as all Ticketmaster outlets. Single day tickets cost $45 in advance and $60 at the gate.

For those who want more than the average Jazz Fest experience, three separate VIP packages are available.

The Big Chief VIP Experience tickets provides special viewing access at almost every festival stage, while the Grand Marshal VIP pass allows up-close viewing at the three major stages. Patrons who purchase the Krewe of Jazz Fest pass are entitled to special covered seating at the Acura stage.

The

Vanguard

Dollars from page 7

I could be wrong, but last time I checked, “Rent” or “Hair” didn’t make any college in this world a million dollars.

The reason is because the average guy fresh out of high school likes three things when starting college: football, chasing girls, and drinking.

I’m sorry most of you don’t think that is the case, but it really is and you should face the truth.

I am not trying to put down the arts, all I’m saying is that football and the Greek system bring in more student enrollment and money than the arts do.

May 2, 2011

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12 May 2, 2011

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

The

Vanguard

Ugli Stick reaches new popularity heights

By James Guess STAFF WRITER

Extensive interstate touring and three studio albums have brought the Ugli Stick to heights rarely reached by their fellow peers in Mobile in recent years. Now with the help of Fishbowl Records, the four-piece is looking to ascend even higher.

Since forming in 2000, the Ugli Stick’s travels have seen the band play with a wide variety of artists, which includes the likes of Victor Wooten and Colin Hay. The group performed at Pearl Harbor on the 4th of July and also had their music featured as the theme music for the TV series “Drag Race High.”

But as the members of the group will tell you, any group trying to attain validation for their efforts are going to face challenges.

“You are chronically tired because you are working a graveyard shift, essentially working the opposite hours that the rest of the world has,” said guitarist Dale Drinkard Jr. “The price of traveling is a big bummer too, especially with gas prices going up.

“People never count on how bad dead time before a show can be,” said front man Eric Erdman.

But despite these hurdles, the Ugli Stick has persevered. Drinkard attributes the group’s success to the hard work ethic instilled in the band by forming in Mobile. This “Work your butt off ” mind set, as Drinkard calls it, along side the rhythm and chemistry that developed by playing sometimes as many as 250 shows per year has members of the group feeling that the Ugli Stick has never been stronger musically.

“I feel like I’m in the best writing zone I have

ever been in,” Drinkard said.

Erdman said he feels the band is “right on the edge” of having every song possess that extra pop.

One local record label owner also praises the groups evolving live performances.

“Their live performance is always improving, you think you’ve seen the best Ugli Stick show… until their next performance,” said Ryan Chavez, owner of Fishbowl records.

Musically speaking the Ugli Stick is nothing if not original, blending unlikely genres such as hip hop, rock, and country music into an eclectic blend of music that Drinkard said is directly influenced by Mobile.

Photo courtesy of musicgarden.net

“The music that I’m writing I know is 99.9 percent influenced by where I grew up. Everything that I write is based around the experiences I’ve had here in life,” Drinkard said.

While some musicians feel Mobile hampers local original music, the Ugli Stick feels Mobile did far more good than bad for them by nurturing their ability to play a wide variety of genres.

“Mobile is a great place for spawning original music because there are so many places that showcase different types of music,” Drinkard said.

Erdman said that Mobile helps “diversify your playing style and consequently, helps improve your playing a thousand-fold.”

The unique musical style brought to the table by the Ugli Stick, however, was far from planned out. According to Erdman, it just happened.

“Anybody can just cram five different types of music together, but we find a way to make it gel because that’s just how it comes out. I don’t know of many bands that can incorporate as many styles as we do and make it sound natural like we do,” Erdman said. “[Their] music cannot be explained by genre,” Chavez said. “You can’t label the Ugli Stick’s music with traditional genres, and they have no target demographic, their music is appealing to all ages, sexes, races, etc…”

Even in the beginning, the Ugli Stick captured support immediately for their live shows, something the band is admittedly grateful for.

“Having that support in the beginning is a luxury that a lot of bands don’t have,” Erdman said.

The enthusiasm for the band traveled quickly, developing even as far away as Boulder, Colo.

“We are actually better received outside the region than here on the Gulf,” Erdman said.

“People don’t care to hear you try and play Jack Johnson stuff out there because they can see Jack Johnson, they want to hear what you can do. They are so open to it,” said Drinkard.

Looking forward, the band has their sights set on attracting a bigger booking agency while trying to expose themselves to new audiences.

“The bands that ‘make it’ play 250-300 dates a year. It’s important for the Ugli Stick to continue developing their fan base within this market and to play the ‘right dates’ outside of it,” said Chavez.

The Ugli Stick will be releasing a live album this summer on Fishbowl Records to further their expanding fan base.

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May 2, 2011

13

Graduating from page 7

$250,000 are suddenly now millionaires.

Have Americans come to despise those who work harder than others and in turn earn more money?

It seems that’s become the case, often times because they themselves have such a lack of responsibility or self discipline to accomplish the things they complain about.

I understand many work very hard in vital fields that do not pay large salaries (education), however those that do work hard and garner financial gain should not be punished for doing so.

With this knowledge, some of USA’s graduates will have an important choice to make as they enter the work force.

Should they pursue success, climb the corporate ladder, take a risk and start that new business, and be the absolute best in their field, knowing that any monetary rewards they may reap over $250,000 could be taken away as punishment for hard work?

Or, will some succumb to the class warfare Obama is trying to incite; opting instead to be mediocre and failing to spur innovation and economic prosperity for the country as a whole? Many of our own alumni have chosen the first path.

A look through the USA Alumni Association website and the list of generous donors to our school (ironically, many donating over $250,000) shows numerous names of graduates who were not afraid of hard work and reaped the financial benefit of doing so.

I find it most impressive to see that they chose to donate back to the University that gave them the tools to succeed in the first place.

Need

from page 7

bors; our neighbors are really extended family, and we can give them something.

It all comes down to that no matter how thinly spread we feel, we have a roof, and that’s more than many of the storm victims can say.

Just because you’re looking through a screen at the damage doesn’t make it less real. These people have faces.

Insurance claims will take a long time to come through, and these people need help now.

With any disaster, imagine if it were you, and do what you can to help.

Sports

14

May 2, 2011

The

Vanguard Matt Weaver, Sports Editor sports.editor@usavanguard.com

www.usavanguard.com/sports

Iron Man Completes Senior Season

Matt Weaver

Overstreet hopes to send Steve Kittrell out on high note

Sports Editor

CHARGING THE MOUND

By Jayson Curry SPORTS REPORTER

USA Sports Hits Crossroad

It’s that time of year again – nearing the end of yet another athletic season at the University of South Alabama.

I plead guilty in advance to the criminal amount of Gonzo journalism that’s about to be spilled upon The Vanguard.

You see, a lot has happened over the past calendar year. We’ve seen our fledgling football team remain undefeated despite facing stiff competition from Georgia State and California Davis, the latter of which was one of the top sporting moments of my young career.

In fact, it could be argued that the Davis missed field goal is a perfect analogy for the entire 2010-2011 athletic season: A crossroad.

The identity of a young program hinged on that kick. Still undefeated. A possible overtime would have thrown that identity into murky doubt, yet the Jags survived their toughest challenge with a 24-21 victory over the Broncos.

Yet another crossroad was reached on July 15 when USA announced the hiring of former South Carolina NCAA Championshipwinning pitching coach Mark Calvi to replace 28-year baseball head coach Steve Kittrell at season’s end.

Calvi is currently serving as an assistant coach to Kittrell’s staff and has led that program to a 22-21 record. While that story hasn’t ended, the future of a program once ranked No. 1 in the country seems absolutely secure moving toward 2012.

Men’s basketball began their season with high expectations but faltered down the stretch, finishing at 12-16. They were eliminated in first round of the Sun Belt Tournament by Arkansas Little-Rock, leaving many fans to question the future of the program. If Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year Augustine Rubit and an impressive 2011 signing class are any indication, the Jags might be the future of the conference.

Rubit was the first South Alabama player to earn the league’s top rookie award since Jeff Hodge in 1986 and the first Jaguar ever named to an all-conference team as a freshman. I shouldn’t have to remind long-standing fans what Hodge accomplished next.

For those out of the loop, Hodge followedup that freshman season by becoming the Jags all-time leading scorer and sinking the most important basket in program history, defeating Alabama, in the first round of the 1989 NCAA Tournament.

The Houston native will look to improve on 13.1 points per contest, second on the team and 12th in the league. He scored 20 or more five times, including a career-high 26 at Middle Tennessee. Familiarize yourself with the names Rubit, Ammons, and Jones-Goldstein. The future is bright and closer than you realize.

Within the past year, we’ve seen soccer head coach Mike Varga improve two wins in-conference from a disappointing 2009. The “kids” are a year older, and if they reach max potential, the Lady Jags could contend for a Sun Belt Championship later in the fall. see CROSSROAD | 15

To become a great athlete you have to combine many elements into one’s game.

You have to be a leader. You have to not only have the physical ability but also the mental ability. And you have to be consistent. South Alabama senior infielder Jake Overstreet is a great athlete.

Overstreet has played his entire career at South Alabama after graduation from Thomasville High School in Alabama. His path to becoming the great athlete he is today started long before high school, but Thomasville definitely helped Overstreet out.

He not only shined on the baseball diamond but also as a quarterback on the football team, a position considered to be the most important of all in sports. Leading his offense and the entire team to great victories on the football field transformed Jake into one of USA’s great baseball leaders.

Jake still admits that football on Friday nights is unmatched by any sport because of the intensity, and yet, he still loves baseball more.

“I love the competition,” Overstreet said.

“That and just getting ready to go out and play with the guys.”

Overstreet has proven to have the physical and mental ability on the baseball field after his final season in a stellar career comes to an end. Before the season began Overstreet had a .328 career batting average with 210 hits, 21 home runs and 140 RBIs. Last season Jake was tied for the league lead with 74 RBIs.

usajaguars.com

Jaguar infielder Jake Overstreet has been an impotant part of the Jag ofense in 2011.

After this weekend’s game with FIU, Overstreet moved into third all-time at USA with 248 hits.

Jake’s performance has not only been noticed by fans of the program but people inside and out of the Sun Belt conference. Jake was

honored as a pre-season all-conference team member which is selected via the previous season’s performance and also the projected performance of the upcoming season.

The last thing Jake has done is hard to comprehend, but he somehow has done it.

Starting the season Jake had started 153 consecutive games at third base for the Jags.

That shows the ultimate meaning of consistency. The coaching staff and every teammate could count Jake in as the starter for all of those games.

Overstreet had continued the streak through this season. The streak is what Jake is most proud of in his memorable career with South Alabama.

And if you’re a South Alabama baseball or baseball fan in general you have probably heard of South Alabama head coach Steve Kittrell. Kittrell is the reason Overstreet ultimately came to USA. This will be Kittrell’s last season after coaching at USA since 1984 and being one of only 50 coaches to win over 1,000 games as a head coach. Kittrell is one of the many reasons Jake has become such a great player to watch.

“I was actually committed to play baseball at Southern Miss, but coach Kitt put the push on me late,” Overstreet said, “Coach Kitt and one of the assistants came to my house for a visit, and coach changed my mind that day.

“Playing for coach Kittrell is a lot of fun.

He is so well-respected, and it is truly an honor to play on his last team. We have 14 games left, and me and the rest of the guys just want to send coach out on a high note.”

Commentary

Multi-sport athletes finding mixed success

By Ryan Franklin SPORTS COLUMNIST

greenascot.com NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan is one of many failed two-sport athletes.

With the dreadful thought of an NFL lockout next season, many football players are finding other ways to manage their time while they patiently await the outcome of the ongoing negotiations. Since they can not attend training camp or team workouts, superstars such as Chad Ochocinco try their hand at other sports.

Ochocinco announced that he wanted to play soccer. Many players and analyst thought that this was another publicity stunt or a chance for Chad to remain in the spotlight even though the season was over.

But Ochocinco grew up playing soccer and said he was still a big fan of the sport."[I am] excited to be able to follow my childhood dream."

He tried out for the Major League Soccer team Sporting Kansas City, but did not impress the coaches enough so his dream was cut short after only two days into the tryouts. And failed to secure a spot on the team's roster.

But he did manage to play in the teams reserve game the following Monday against the teams development league squad the Kansas City Brass. Ochocinco played the

last 30 minutes of the match and was not much of a factor. Sporting KC lost 3-2.

Even though they lost, Ochocinco said he had fun, and the coach even made him an honorary member of the team so he could continue to work out with them.

Ochocinco is not the only athlete who tried to play other sports and failed miserably. Six-time NBA champion and arguably the best basketball player to ever step foot on a court, Michael Jordan, tried to conquer not one but two different sports besides basketball.

In 1994 Jordan shocked the world by retiring from the NBA and managed to get a spot on a Minor League Baseball team the Birmingham Barons an affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. He played 127 games and had an unproductive season.

The only accomplishment Jordan had in his minor league baseball career was getting more people in stadium seats to watch him play and selling a few jerseys.

His batting average was .202 and only had three home-runs, needless to say his short-lived baseball career was indeed a failure. Jordan also tried to play golf which was an even worse venture than his baseball experiment. But thankfully he did not take see ATHLETES | 19

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Ryan Franklin Sports Columnist

IZOD IndyCar Series

FROM THE PERIMETER

Some Fans Take Athletics Too Seriously After the defending World Series champion San Francisco Giants won their season opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers, fans made their gradual exit toward the parking lot.

That’s when the real excitement began.

Just as the first wave of fans got to their cars, a Giants fan was brutally assaulted by two unknown fans outside of Dodgers Stadium. The assault left the victim in a coma which he is currently recovering from, but the two attackers are still at large.

They were presumed disgruntled Dodger fans by onlookers and the police.

There was absolutely no reason for the assault to occur. Why were they so angry?

So your team lost their first game of the season, get over it. There are still 161 games remaining in the season.

Fans who take sports too seriously need to realize that it’s just a game and a form of entertainment.

Harvey Updyke Jr. is another example of an extreme fan that needs to get examined by a psychiatrist. He’s the now infamous Toomer’s Corner tree poisoner who united Alabama and Auburn even before tornados racked Tuscaloosa.

Updyke is the type of fan that teams do not want to be associated with because of how they take team spirit to a criminal level.

Updyke called into the Paul Finebaum radio show late last month to apologize for his actions and mentioned how it was ruining his family’s life.

“I don’t want those trees to die,” Updyke said. “I would give anything in the world if this had never happened. I don’t want my legacy to be the Auburn treepoisoner. I guess it’s too late now.”

Yeah, it is.

He should have had that thought before he acted out. Now he’s reinforced the stereotype that all Alabama fans are just as crazy as he is.

He relayed a story of how he was attacked at a gas station and how it was related to his actions. Regardless, what he did was wrong. Whoever may have attacked him just added more fuel to the flame of an already heated rivalry.

Now he faces up to 10 years in prison.

So is taking your school or team pride worth going to jail for? I think not.

These fanatics need to think of the example they are setting for their kids.

It’s not OK to lash out on other people’s property because your team lost a game.

Those people need to get a reality check and grow up because there is more to life than sports.

greenascot.com Firestone Indy Lights series driver James Winslow has found success for Andretti Autosport.

At 27 years old the IndyCar Series ladder system might be Winslow's last chance at success.

Rookie driver Winslow represents Indy’s Future

By Matt Weaver SPORTS EDITOR

If Indy Lights driver James Winslow is the future of open wheel racing, the sport is in excellent hands. The Vanguard had the chance to speak with James last month at Barber Motorsports Park, and he carried himself very well.

At 27 years old, Winslow is growing older than his prospect status would assume. Just two years ago, the Brit was winning championships in the Formula One feeder ranks and poised to join a major racing team.

That’s when the credit crunch happened, leaving Winslow reeling for financial support.

The Witham-native is back in the Firestone Indy Light Series full-time in 2011 and is ready to make his final run toward the Indianapolis 500 and grand prix-style open wheel racing.

Winslow is an excellent ambassador for IndyCar, and I wish him the best today at Barber.

The Vanguard: When did you start racing, and at what point did you decide that you could do this for a living?

James Winslow: I started out racing karts when I was about nine years old. My dad raced, and we traveled to many tracks when I was younger.

My family was Formula One fans, and that’s the style of racing we followed when I was growing up.

VG: You’ve raced all across the world. Is there some romanticism to traveling across the globe and seeing so many places?

James: Definitely. The only drawback is that we can’t go out and see the cities we visit because we’re so busy here at the track.

But at the same time, I can’t get distracted by that. All that matters is what happens on Sundays. I don’t have much time to enjoy the cities, which is unfortunate.

I try to not get distracted by that sort of thing. All that matters is what happens on Sunday.

VG: How hard is it to move up once you feel like you’ve graduated from a particular series?

James: The past couple of years have been hard. We won back-to-back championships in 2007 and 2008 (Formula Renault V6 Asia Championship and the Australian Formula 3 respectively) but fell on hard times right after that. It’s been difficult.

VG: The name Andretti invokes a special aura in motorsports. What is it like being a part of Andretti Autosport?

James: It’s fantastic. They carry a prestige all across the world, and it’s great to work with such quality people.

VG You mentioned growing up with Formula One. Is Grand Prix Racing your ultimate goal?

James: F1 is still the dream. I grew up with both F1 and Indy cars. Indy Lights is my current goal. It’s my last chance to get to F1.

VG: Could you describe what it’s like to talk to prospective sponsors and supporters?

James: It’s really difficult to convince them to support me. The economy has really worked against us over the past couple of years, and the amount of money needed to compete at the highest level is so great that it’s hard to convince them to join us.

VG: How well do you and your teammate, Stefan Wilson, work together?

James: We worked together for just one weekend at St. Pete, but I’ve known Stefan for quite a while. We’ve been friends for a long time, and it’s great to be on the same team.

VG: You’re running the full Indy Lights schedule, right?

James: We plan to run the full schedule, yeah.

May 2, 2011

15

Sports Briefs Florida International Completes Sweep of Jag Baseball Florida International scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to knock off the University of South Alabama baseball team 4-2 and clinch a Sun Belt Conference series sweep Sunday afternoon at FIU Baseball Stadium.

With the score tied 2-2 entering the bottom of the eighth, FIU (28-16, 13-8 SBC) scored two runs on an RBI single by Rudy Flores and RBI double by Jose Behar.

Kyle Fitzpatrick (7-1 ) earned the win in 2 1/3 shutout innings of relief, and allowed just two hits while striking out three and walking one.

Carlton Paris (2-4) suffered the loss in seven innings, allowing three runs on seven hits with two strikeouts and three walks.

Paris held FIU scoreless for the first four innings, and allowed only one hit until the bottom of the fifth when the Golden Panthers loaded the bases on three consecutive singles, and pushed the game’s first run across on a sacrifice fly to right field by Garrett Wittels.

T.J. Shantz doubled the FIU lead in the bottom of the sixth on an RBI single that scored Jabari Henry, who doubled down the left field line earlier in the inning.

South Alabama Softball Series Finale to Florida International The University of South Alabama softball team fell 3-1 in the series finale against Sun Belt Conference opponent Florida International Sunday afternoon at the FIU Softball Complex.

Jaguar starter Lindsey Croft (8-3) was credited with the loss after going the distance in the circle. She allowed one hit and three runs - only one earned, while striking out three FIU batters.

FIU’s (28-25, 12-10 SBC) Ashley McClain (6-4) earned the win after pitching a complete game. She allowed four hits and one run while striking out three. McClain also recorded the only hit of the day for the Golden Panthers.

-Wire Reports

Crossroad from page 14

Softball and head coach Becky Clark has gone off the rails in a good way in 2011. The Lady Jags have yet to finish their season but currently rest at 34-14, by far the best in program history. Prior to this season, South Alabama’s best season came in 2009 when they finished 31-29-3. I’ve received the opportunity to watch that program grow, and I couldn’t be any more proud to be a student and a fan.

The story of South Alabama’s rise to national prominence has just begun. The crossroads might get littered with bumps and turns, but don’t get off. The destination is sure to be worth it – we’re living in the early of stages of history in the making.

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Out With The Old, In With The New In the academic year’s last paper, the old editor says goodbye, and a new editor looks forward.

Thanks for a great run

For the past three semesters that are the wild ride I call my editorship at The Vanguard, my staff and I have spent innumerable hours editing late into the night, chasing down administrators and unsuspecting students for comment and brainstorming editorial ideas. Herculean amounts of coffee and Hungry Howie’s have been our sustenance while pursuing this challenging yet extremely rewarding practice of student journalism. I hope I speak for all the staff when I say that all the work has been worth it, because the experience has been more than rewarding – professionally and personally – for me.

There was nothing fun about beginning an editorship with a bare-bones budget, but it showed me what the students working at this paper have: the motivation and creativity to keep publishing a quality college paper despite money woes.

Even though this past year had a rough financial start, I’ve received a humbling amount of support and encouragement; my family, friends and colleagues have been there through thick and thin with me, and they have my utmost gratitude.

The following people should pat themselves on the back, because they deserve the credit for the good in the 2010-2011 volume of The Vanguard: Dr. James Aucoin: Your passion for journalism – and ultimately, the truth – is contagious, and studying with you has ruined me for any other profession. I would never be able to name all of the invaluable things I’ve learned in my time as your student.

Your advice, encouragement and even your correction have helped me than I could possibly express. Thank you for your dedication and patient leadership.

And don’t think you’re rid of me just yet. You and Mrs. Margaret haven’t seen the last of me.

Wes: I’m going to miss our long talks

about crazy Republican congresswomen, Bill Mahr and random environmental issues. The way you’ve helped to sustain The Vanguard with all the revenues you and your team have brought in has blown us away. I so look forward to seeing what you do with the paper’s advertising potential this coming year.

Alex: Thank you for being the rock I could always count on. You got stuck with editorial duty more often than not and you always accepted graciously. Most of all, thank you for being honest with me about the paper.

You have raised the bar with SGA coverage at this paper, and you’re leaving some big shoes to fill. I wish you luck in Europe and wherever you go after graduate school.

Cameron: I am going to miss the latenight laughs, the inane jokes. You were always the last one out before I sequestered myself in the office to finish last-minute edits on Sunday nights, and knowing you were down the road, ready to drive back at any moment should a problem arise, was such a comfort.

Who knows. Maybe I’ll have the privilege of writing with you at the graduate level.

Colin: I’ve been lucky to have you as my photo editor, considering that you could have ditched the college journalism scene after getting plenty of clips at the DM. You’ve made the job fun. And thanks for exposing me to random YouTube videos.

Genny: Having you there to make sure

Daniela Werner

see THANK YOU | 19

The future is bright

The coming year will bring challenges and new adventures. I started writing for The Vanguard after my freshman year and have become more and more involved. I’ve come to know many people on campus through my various activities and they have come to play a crucial role in my success.

After the first editor I worked for, Patrick Senn, I knew I had a place at the paper. In the time I have been both a writer and then Opinion Editor I have found that while I major in psychology, I love journalism.

I’ve had controversial articles and been congratulated by strangers for others, and I always stand by what I write. Most of all, writing gives me the ability to educate, and that is a humbling power to have.

I’m excited about what the future holds for our paper.

The future of The Vanguard is bright.

You’ll see a streamlined layout, a revamped website and a wider breadth of content. If you ever want to write, comment or want us to know about something, don’t hesitate to shoot me us an e-mail.

People who have made a difference in my life this year are as follows: The person who has most inspired me to embrace my passion is outgoing EditorIn-Chief Daniela Werner. If it were not for Daniela, I would never have gained the confidence to even apply for the position. She is a patient teacher, a vast resource for all things USA, and a great friend to have. I hope to continue her legacy of maintaining accountability, professionalism and respect for our paper.

Dr. Connors is someone I look up to and have a tremendous amount of respect for.

He has been a continuous source of mentorship in my three years at USA and I am very grateful for his guidance.

Dr. Doug Marshall has also been a positive source of encouragement for me, and I thank him also for his ability to relate and mediate with both humor and wisdom.

Chris Willis and I met two years ago at the beginning of Sustainability Council, and he told us it was going to be a tough road. I also saw the passion for change in his eyes,

and I am happy to be on JagSmart with him today.

Keith Ayers, you have always been honest and open with me and are always very kind.

I’m also glad to be working with you, and look forward to our conversations next year.

Alex Whalen was the editor I worked most for when I was just a writer. I am thankful for the e-mails, conversations and events where we’ve sat and made fun of stupid people. I wish you were going to be here next year, but I’m happy for you.

Genny Roman is one of my favorite people on the planet. She is creative, witty, and insightful, and I’m glad to have her in my corner. It will be great to have you on staff next year.

Kim Proctor, you already know how big a fan I am of you. Thank you for giving me insight, advice and being real. Real people are hard to find.

Mrs. Kathy, you make sense of the details behind the paper, and that certainly deserves a big kudos!

Wesley Jackson, I already know working with you is going to be a creative and productive experience. Your knowledge is invaluable, and you care as much about this paper as I do.

Cameron Adkins, Matt Weaver, Brett Williams, Colin McGee, and everyone else involved with the staff have been great people to work with and fantastic sources of humor.

Future writers and editors, I know that we will work together to set a standard of accountability, empathy and work-ethic that will make your paper experience as enriching as mine has been.

Erik Gabriel, without you, I would not be who I am. Thank you.

Finally, 2011 graduates, keep your head up and do what you love. Good luck.

Cassie Fambro

The Vanguard is looking for editors and writers for the 2011-2012 academic year!

Reliable, self-motivated applicants interested in student journalism may send writing samples and resumes to editor.in.chief@usavanguard.com. Those applying for editing positions must be interviewed, and interviews will happen in early May. Some perks of editing/writing for The Vanguard: -It’s a strong line on your college resume.

-You’ll gain a working knowledge of AP style/journalistic technique.

-You’ll be published in a newspaper with a print readership of about 8,000.

Some of the positions we’ll be hiring: Managing editor Copy editor Senior reporter Etc. editor

Opinion editor Sports editor Arts & Entertainment editor Webmaster

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May 2, 2011

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May 2, 2011

Distractions

The

Vanguard Vanguard Staff editor.in.chief@usavanguard.com

www.usavanguard.com/distractions

Caption Contest

Do hilarious things come to mind when you see this photo? E-mail your funniest caption to editor.in.chief@usavanguard.com. The winner will be published in the next edition!

Caption Contest Results

Winner: “Tennis shoes -$80, Baseball mitt -$75, Forgetting to wear your protective cup in front of dozens of spectators -Priceless” -Tela Vincent

Sudoku Sudoku puzzles brought to you by USA’s Student Health Center.

To make an appointment, call 251-460-7151.

Rules: Fill each row, column, and square of nine boxes with the numbers one through nine without repeating any. Answer keys provided at www.usavanguard.com/distractions.

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Jag Life

May 2, 2011

Follow VanguardJaglife

A Comic by Ben Lewis

Shakers from page 7

club members like our students did.

As for our most recent endeavor, theater students at South open the musical “HAIR: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical” on April 29, and controversy abounds. The show contains nudity, sexual situations, drug use, and foul language, but it also promises to rock the audience with unshakable truths.

We go about our daily lives right here in 2011, but we are a country at war.

Brothers, fathers, sisters, mothers, friends. People we know and love are fighting a war, every day.

We sit in our classrooms or offices, reading our horoscopes, drinking our coffee, and yet, at that very moment, someone in an American uniform is at war.

It’s amazing that “Hair” originally opened as a protest piece to the Vietnam War and now, over 35 years after the conflict ended, we find ourselves again a nation of unrest, frustrated and confused again by the whiplash of war.

South’s theater students are again bringing light to an issue, a healing for the pain.

Maybe theater students’ biggest contribution is their lack of fear in presenting the stories that aren’t always easy to see, or the truths that most of us just choose to ignore.

“HAIR” runs through May 6, and we challenge you to see the show and leave the same.

Athletes from page 14

it as serious and resulted in just hosting charity golf events.

There are countless other superstar athletes who try and play other sports besides what they are best known for and they also come up making themselves look bad.

With a few exceptions such as Bo Jackson other athletes should take notes and stick to the sport they are good at instead of embarrassing themselves.

Pell Grant from page 9

neediest students on our campus.”

The federal government has earmarked the changes to go into effect in 2012, meaning this summer will be students’ last chance to receive funding from the federal government for summer school. However, the potential to slow or harm thousands of students’ chances of graduating is still hanging in the balance because of this news.

According to St. Louis Today online writer Tim Barker, [the federal government] said that a more general acrossthe-board cut would have affected a much larger pool of students.

19

Thank You from page 17

we crossed our t’s with copy editing has been most helpful. Thanks for listening when I vented about the paper.

Carey: You are much better at this reporting thing than you may have thought when you first started the job. Thank you for accepting assignments without grumbling, even when they were less than compelling.

Cassie: So much I could say. You jumped into this mess with a refreshing amount of enthusiasm, and your contributions have gone beyond the description of opinion editor.

This paper needed someone like you.

I so look forward to what you do with it next year.

Brett: Thanks for being flexible and for putting your heart into your section.

Matt: Late night editing with Matt Weaver has always been great. Thank you for sticking out another year of wrangling together those weekend sports stories.

Your reliability has meant a lot to me.

Nick: Thanks for coming on with us at the last minute. We’ve talked about the weekly grind of the routine; don’t let it stifle your drive for making this paper great.

Matthew: I learned so much under your editorship that equipped me to lead

the paper. Thank you for speaking your mind, even when my headlines weren’t to your liking.

Mrs. Kathy: You’re the unsung hero behind this paper. Thanks for keeping the ball rolling around here.

Johnny: Thanks for sticking it out with me when there was no money to hire editors. Sunday nights still aren’t the same without you.

Keith Ayers: Like the editor before me, I have to thank you for your honesty. Your openness helps make this paper great.

The ladies of USA Public Relations: Thank you for keeping us chalk-full on story ideas each week. You have been a joy to work with.

Chief Zeke Aull and Lt. Keith West of USAPD: Thank you for answering our questions. It’s been a pleasure working with both of you. Good luck in your tenure here, Chief. The way you’ve reached out to students speaks much of your leadership.

Chris Willis: Thank you for being so accessible, and especially for returning phone calls on Fridays.

Dr. James Connors: You don’t know how many times your encouragement helped me keep a positive outlook on things at USA. Thank you for your involvement at this University.

20 May 2, 2011

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