Thursday, January 30, 2014 ■ Vol. 44 Issue 20
THE
New sorority strives to create status on campus Pg. 5
Cheer team places 3rd in National competition Pg. 8
SHIELD www.usishield.com
THE
NURSING experience
USI nursing students have leg up By DEVYN CURRY Special to The Shield Before graduating in May 2013, USI nursing program graduate Krista Coccaro had already accepted a job offer in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit at Deaconess Hospital’s Main Campus. Coccaro completed an internship in the unit, and in March 2013, Deaconess offered her a full-time position. “I never would have thought I would want to work in the ICU,” Coccaro said. “But after my critical care rotations, that changed.” USI has more ICU and critical care clinical hours than any other university in the state of Indiana. “About one fifth of my graduating class is either working in the ICU, critical care setting or emergency room,” she said. “As a new grad, it is hard to get those positions because most of the time, they want experienced nurses.” The amount of clinical hours nursing students complete and the experience at local hospitals is what sets USI’s nursing program apart from other university level programs. Students begin clinical rotations in the fall of their junior year. USI requires more than double the amount of clinical hours than the state minimum requirement for all nursing programs, giving USI students an advantage when they begin applying for jobs in the area. “Everyone in my graduating class had at least one job offer in Evansville before or right after graduation,” Coccaro said. “The program is well-known, so the hospitals in Evansville know the amount of experience USI grads have received through clinicals.” Coccaro said she didn’t fill out one application or interview for her nursing position. After her critical care rotation with
the Cardiovascular ICU, she had an internship there, which led to the job offer. She said Deaconess and St. Mary’s hospitals both offer internships in the spring, so a
Coccaro said it is similar to an unpaid internship for extra clinical hours. Each student will work a nurse’s full-time schedule the last month and a half before
trauma services at St. Mary’s Medical Center, said when she receives applications for different nursing positions, she chooses to interview USI students first.
Photos by BLAKE STAYROOK/The Shield USI Nursing graduate, Krista Coccaro, says that everyone in her graduating class had at least one job offer in Evansville before or right after graduation.
lot of students take internships in units they potentially want to work in after graduation. “If the unit likes you after the internship, they will offer you a job – most likely before graduation,” Coccaro said. To prepare students for a career in the nursing field, USI requires practicum.
graduation. Since Coccaro accepted the job offer with the Cardiovascular ICU, she was able to use her practicum hours as orientation for the new job. She said many students who receive early job offers do the same. Melanie Kincaid, executive director for critical care and
Kincaid held the position of Nursing Director at St. Mary’s for about seven years. At that time, she was in charge of hiring nurses throughout the hospital. She has been the executive director for critical care and trauma services for two years, but sometimes still assists in the hiring process.
A Day in the ICU By DEVYN CURRY Special to The Shield Kelsey Strahla wakes up at 4:45 a.m. for her critical care clinical, which begins at 6:30 at Deaconess Gateway Hospital. The senior nursing major is assigned to a nurse and looks over a patient’s medical records before she goes to visit them. “We do morning assessment of the patient and any morning medications that they need, along with looking over lab work if necessary,” Strahla said. After the first patient assessment is complete, Strahla said they move on to the second patient. The hospital requires hourly checks on patients in the Intensive Care Unit. “Every hour you need to lay eyes on the patient,” Strahla said. “We will ask them if they are in any pain, need to use the restroom and reposition them every two hours if they are sedated and can’t do it themselves.” Strahla said she basically moves back and forth between two patients for the entire shift. On a regular floor, nurses would see five to six patients because they are less critical and nurses are able to check on them more often. “There are days when I won’t get to sit down at all during a 12-hour shift, and I am just exhausted,” Strahla said. Between Oct. 21, and Dec. 2, Strahla completed 180 critical care clinical hours for just one class, and that is not including classroom hours at USI.
NURSING on Pg. 3
University receives grants College of Business secures nearly $1 million from global investment firm
Governor aids in Pott College’s STEM development
By JAMES VAUGHN News editor
By SHANNON HALL Staff writer
SS&C Technologies announced it will contribute nearly $1 million to USI’s Romain College of Business in cash and in-kind donations, which will benefit the university’s accounting program. “This is a great opportunity to sort of celebrate that gift and what’s going to be an ongoing partnership,” President Linda Bennett said during a press conference Friday. The college unveiled an investment accounting track in the fall, in which 11 students are enrolled. Dean Mohammed Khayum said his goal is to have 20 students enrolled by the end of the semester. The university will receive $200,000 in cash donations, which will directly benefit the investment accounting program. The in-kind donations include the installment, maintenance and training of advanced specialized software and technologies via the SS&C Investment Accounting Accelerator – access no other undergraduate program in the nation has, Khayum said. “Our group here in Evansville is already using the technology that we are gifting to the university,” said Bill Stone, SS&C chairman and chief executive officer. “This will give us the opportunity to grow faster and hire more people, and enhance both MILLION on Pg. 3
Indiana Governor Mike Pence awarded USI $835,138 through the Indiana STEM Teacher Recruitment Fund to create a program that will recruit Indiana STEM teachers. USI has more than 2,400 students majoring in either STEM disciplines or teacher education programs. “This is a first time we received a grant to promote the math and science teaching,” said Scott Gordon, Pott College of Science, Engineering and Education dean. “We have a long history working with STEM educators in professional development.” The program - Teaching Eagles Scholarship Program - will take two years to complete, and will assist students with tuition. The scholarship will pay for up to 27 credit hours for elementary teaching students and 30 credit hours for secondary teaching students. While USI was one of 10 Indiana organizations to receive the grant, it was one of the only colleges to receive it. “We already have very strong STEM programs and very strong education programs,” Gordon said. “This brings two strong programs together to really make an impact in the state for the quality and number of science and math teachers.” STEM on Pg. 3
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Page 2
The Shield - January 9, 2014
PUZZLES
TOP TEN MOVIES
Top 10 Pop Singles
Top 10 Hot Country Singles
This Week Last Week 1. Pitbulwl feat. Ke$ha No. 1 “Timber” 2. One Republic No. 2 “Counting Stars” 3. Eminem feat. Rihanna No. 3 “The Monster” 4. Katy Perry No. 6 “Dark Horse” 5. A Great Big World & Christina Aguilera No. 5 “Say Something” 6. Passenger No. 7 “Let Her Go” 7. Lorde No. 4 “Royals” 8. Avicii No. 8 “Wake Me Up!” 9. Imagine Dragons No. 10 “Demons” 10. One Direction No. 12 “Story of My Life”
1. Florida Georgia Line No. 1 “Stay” 2. Luke Bryan No. 3 “Drink a Beer” 3. David Nail No. 4 “Whatever She’s Got” 4. Luke Bryan No. 2 “That’s My Kind of Night” 5. Cole Swindell No. 7 “Chillin’ It” 6. Cassadee Pope No. 5 “Wasting All These Tears” 7. Eli Young Band No. 8 “Drunk Last Night” 8. Jason Aldean No. 9 “When She Says Baby” 9. Zac Brown Band No. 10 “Sweet Annie” 10. Parmalee No. 6 “Carolina” Source: Billboard
Top 10 DVD, Blu-ray Sales 1. Despicable Me 2 (PG) Universal 2. Fast & Furious 6 (PG-13) Universal 3. Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters (PG) FOX 4. Man of Steel (PG-13) Warner Bros. 5. The Lone Ranger (PG-13) Disney 6. Elysium (R) Sony
7. The Wolverine (PG-13) FOX 8. Insidious: Chapter 2 (PG-13) Sony 9. Don Jon (R) FOX 10. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (PG-13) Warner Bros. Source: Rentrak Corp.
1. Ride Along (PG-13) Ice Cube, Kevin Hart 2. Lone Survivor (R) Mark Wahlberg, Taylor Kitsch 3. The Nut Job (PG) animated 4. Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (PG-13) Chris Pine, Kevin Costner 5. Frozen (PG) animated 6. American Hustle (R) Christian Bale, Amy Adams 7. Devil’s Due (R) Allison Miller, Zach Gilford 8. August: Osage County (R) Meryl Streep, Dermot Mulroney 9. The Wolf of Wall Street (R) Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill 10. Saving Mr. Banks (PG-13) Emma Thompson, Tom Hanks (c) 2014 King Features Synd., Inc.
Page 3 - The Shield - January 30, 2014
News Briefs Say goodbye to Stetter Former Greek life adviser, David Stetter, will be honored in a going-away ceremony at 3 p.m. Friday in the Fireside Lounge of the University Center. Stetter announced his departure from the university Jan. 12, after accepting a position at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo., as a coordinator of fraternity and sorority life.
Students to offer tax assistance Romain College of Business students will provide free federal and state income tax preparation on Wednesdays, Feb. 5, to April 9, in room 1004 in the Business and Engineering Center. Appointments for the sessions will be available at 6 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. The USI VITA site will closed March 12, for Spring Recess. Individuals are required to bring their tax information, photo identification cards and social security cards for themselves and their dependents. International students must bring their passports and visas as well. Students should bring 2013 state and federal tax returns if they are available. To make an appointment, call the Romain College of Business at 812-464-1718.
SGA seeks executive clerk The Student Government Association is seeking an executive clerk to fill the recently vacant position. To qualify for the paid gig, applicants should have great note-taking skills, maintain a 2.5 grade point average, have the ability to follow Robert’s Rules of Order, possess strong time management skills, be proficient in Microsoft Word and be available at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Students can apply at https://orgsync.com/43251/ forms/95990.
Save the date The Evansville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority is partnering with the Delta Research and Educational Foundation to present the Strawberries and Champagne Gala at 7 p.m. Feb. 15, at the the Evansville County Club. Students should visit dstevansvillealum@yahoo.com to purchase tickets, which cost $55 per person. Formal attire is required.
The Shield Editor-in-Chief Applications Available The Shield is seeking an editor-in-chief to guide the publication in 2014-15 The editor-in-chief is responsible for the overall operation of the publication. The skills required include leadership, management, journalistic knowledge, multitasking and the ability to meet deadlines and make ethical decisions. Knowledge in Photoshop and InDesign are preferred. Candidates must have at least one full year remaining at USI. Applications are available at: https://secure.jotform.us/form/30506264351143. Completed applications are due by noon Feb. 21. Questions should be directed to Erin Gibson at emgibson@ usi.edu.
NURSING continued from Pg. 1
News
“USI produces incred- difficult for them to even ible nurses,” Kincaid said. hold a part-time job, so “They have so many more finances can be an issue. clinical hours than other It can put a lot of stress programs. I believe that is on students, and we know what sets them apart from that.” other schools.” But due to the fact that When looking for good they are in the clinical area qualities in a nurse, Kin- more than other programs, caid said the first charac- Swenty said they have a teristics she looks for are more hands-on learning compassion and an interest experience in the hospiin learning. tals. Being there eight to “Skills and grade point 12 hours a day provides average are somewhere the students the whole farther down my list of nursing picture – from the Photo by BLAKE STAYROOK/The Shield importance,” Kincaid said. beginning of a shift to the Two USI nursing students, Ashley Libbert (left) and Kay“We can teach nurses skills end. and they can gain experi“There is nothing like la Mason (right) are excited to be in a program that ence, but if they don’t have learning something from accepts only 110 students each year. compassion, then we don’t your book in the classhave a lot to work with.” room, and then taking that St. Mary’s offered jobs information and apply- like anatomy and chem- and have the same goal as to 68 graduates in the ing it in a patient setting,” istry, and others were just you,” Coccaro said. “Your core curriculum classes.” GPAs are all about the spring of 2013. USI made Swenty said. After students fi nish taksame, so you have to do up 37 percent of extra curriculars to set the that total with 25 bar higher for yourself.” job offers. Of those USI is a preference over other nursing Coccaro said the hard25, 21 were offered est part about being in the programs because they choose wisely those positions program was balancing the three months before who they admit into their program. Not tests, projects and clinicals graduation. just anybody gets in at USI. while she played volley“USI is a prefball for USI. She said they erence over other would have class on Monnursing programs days and Tuesdays and the because they choose rest of the week would be wisely who they Executive Director for Critical Care and Trauma spent in clinical. admit into their Services at St. Mary’s Medical Center, Evansville “There would be cliniprogram,” Kincaid cal days where we would said. “Not just anying those courses, Coccaro get on the unit at 6:30 body gets in at USI.” said they apply in the fall. a.m. and not leave until 7 USI Nursing Program The nursing program GPAs and extra curricular p.m.,” Coccaro said. “UE Director Constance Swen- can fill up to 110 seats activities are the only two students would come in ty said the amount of clini- each year. considerations for getting around 9 a.m. and leave by cal hours for the program “Before applying to accepted into the program. 1 p.m. It just seemed like has its advantages and dis- the program, we had to “It is hard to set yourself we would get more experiadvantages. take prerequisite courses apart, especially from stuence for a real nurse’s shift “It means our students that were very difficult,” dents who have all taken versus other programs.” are extremely busy,” Coccaro said. “Some you the same prerequisites Swenty said. “It is very could apply to nursing,
-Melanie Kincaid
MILLION continued from Pg. 1 their (student’s) learning experience and their business experience when they come out of the university.” Stone said it also gives faculty a leg up. “There (aren’t) really investment accounting textbooks,” he said. “The people here at the University of Southern Indiana are going to be some of the first people exposed to this range of assets.” Stone said investment accounting, investment reporting and investment systems are fungible. “You can teach those anywhere in the world, but
you have to have compassion and commitment, and you have to have bright people,” he said. Stone said both Khayum and Bennett have embraced what SS&C is trying to accomplish. “We want to give our students experiential learning so that when they come into the workforce, they have some experience and they have hit the ground at least jogging rather than crawling,” Stone said. “We have an opportunity to really build on that and that’s something we think over the next 10 or 20 years is really going to benefit not
only the local Evansville economy, but greater Indiana and the greater Midwest. We really believe this will be a national and international center of excellence.” Students will help SS&C manage $26 trillion in client assets. They will learn sophisticated tax strategies, performance attribution and the different types of financial risks people need to know about. Kyle Fields, director of the Indiana office of SS&C and USI alumnus, said the partnership will make the accounting program much
more exciting than it was when he attended USI. “Something like this obviously didn’t exist when I graduated in 2006,” Fields said. “It opens up a lot more doors for students, and not just in Evansville – we’re not biased – we’ve got 47 offices around the world.” He said the most attractive thing about the partnership is the opportunities beyond the classroom, including internships at the local branch. “Knowledge is power,” Fields said. “Now they’ll learn more.”
STEM continued from Pg. 1
USI Security Incident Log 01/22/14-01/25/14 Illness Report University
Property Damage – Univer-
Center (East) 01/22/14 2:15
sity OʼBannon Hall 01/24/14
p.m. Closed
11:31 a.m. Closed
Incident Report (Informa-
Harassment Physical Plant
tion Only) Childrenʼs Center
01/24/14 12:46 p.m. Closed
01/23/14 3:30 p.m. Closed
STEM Program Director Rick Hudson said USI’s strong STEM programs were key to bringing the grant to USI. “I think we have a lot of STEM initiatives that our students can be involved with here,” Hudson said. Ninety students will be eligible for the scholar-
FAST FACTS: According to the Teaching Eagles website, the following are obligations for those interested in applying for the Teaching Eagles Scholarships: •
Traffic Accident Park Lot P Injury Report University Blvd
01/24/14 9:26 a.m. Closed
01/23/14 8:00 a.m. Closed
•
Incident Report (Information Fire (False Alarm) OʼBannon
Only) 8027A OʼDaniel Ln –
Hall 01/24/14 11:31 a.m.
Boon Bldg 01/25/14 7:00 p.m.
Closed
Closed
• •
Information gathered from USIʼs Public Crime Log, provided by USI Safety and Security.
•
Crime Log Key • Case suspended: No suspects listed, no leads. No follow up investigation unless new information arises. • Case cleared: The incident is resolved, suspect was identified and will be adjudicated appropriately. • Case pending: On hold, awaiting new information. • Violation of University Policy: Violation of the Studentʼs Rights and Responsibilities. • Failure to comply with a university official: Any university official, from an area coordinator to a security officer. *Residential entry: Someone walked into the residence. This is different than burglary because burglary is entering with intent to commit a felony.
ship, which will only be available to those who plan to enroll in both the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 academic years. To learn more about the program, visit http://www. usi.edu/science/teachingeagles-scholarship-program.
• •
Complete a major in a STEM field and a Secondary Education Licensure minor OR 2) complete a major in an education field and a minor in a STEM field Fulfill requirements of the USI Teacher Education program, including maintaining a 2.75 cumulative, major and minor GPA and a C or better in all coursework leading to the degree Seek licensure to teach science and/or mathematics in Indiana Seek employment in an Indiana K-12 public school (including charter schools) and accept employment or a contract for services if offered Attend at least two Teaching Eagles meetings each semester of the two-year program (one Road to Success Workshop; one Teaching Eagle Employment Workshop) Participate in a Teaching Eagle special interest group (or SIG) Participate regularly in extra-curricular STEM outreach initiatives throughout the course of the program; STEM outreach initiatives might include volunteering at a SwISTEM-sponsored event (e.g., Tri-State Science & Engineering Fair, Sea Perch Challenge, First Lego League tournament) or leading a STEM experience in a K-12 school that is not required for USI coursework
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Features
Page 4 - The Shield - January 30, 2014
Warhol exhibit comes to USI
Photo by SARA BEHNKE/Special to The Shield
Students and community members participate in getting their own portraits for the Warhol Exhibit.
By BOBBY SHIPMAN Features editor USI’s “Andy Warhol: Photographs and Prints from the University Collection” began its residence at the McCutchan Art Center/Pace Galleries with the display’s grand opening on Jan.23.
Students and faculty can experience an array of photographs and prints donated to the university by The Andy Warhol Foundation for Visual Arts to commemorate the foundation’s 20th anniversary in 2007. “They had these photographs and they decided they’d distribute some to
institutions, such as USI,” said Kristen Wilkens, curator of the exhibit. “They distributed something like 26,000 photographs out of the 60,000 estimated to be in his (collection).” Andy Warhol was a 20th century artist known for his interest in the glitz and glamour of pop-culture. The inspiration for War-
hol’s famous silkscreen prints came from his Polaroid photographs of celebrities. Wilkens said she was excited by the arrangement they chose for the showing. “If you walk and look at how the series is laid out, they almost read like film,” she said. “It is very
People who attended the opening got their polaroids taken. Those photos are part of the exhibit.
much like video art,and you can actually kind of see how the model was being manipulated.” The exhibit also features the interactive installation “Silver Clouds,” based on the 1966 collaboration between Warhol and engineer Billy Kluver, in which viewers can immerse themselves in wonder by standing amongst large, silver, pillow-shaped “clouds.” English Instructor Kevin Allton said he enjoyed the “Silver Clouds” exhibit. “I’d seen it on film before, and I thought that in real life it really (looked) kind of magical,” he said. “I smacked them around.” Allton said he has been to many exhibits at USI before but never one with such a large turn out. “I think it’s a testament to Andy Warhol’s importance,” he said. The exhibit documents what he was doing and shows his capacity to use ordinary technology to impress his vision on society, Allton said. Other interactive features in the gallery include a photo booth where people can dress up like Warhol and get a Polaroid taken, and glass dishes full of “drugs,” which are actually colorful candies. “People want to touch. They want to taste. They want that contact with Andy,” Allton said. “Andy Warhol was the center of the Zeitgeist for the 20th century and everything since. He is a post-modern deity.” Kenny Demoss, senior illustration major, said the interactive features create a personalized experience.
Warhol’s polaroid’s interested Demoss the most. “I would say that this is not his typical work that most people are really drawn to about Andy Warhol. This is us seeing a different side of Warhol,” Demoss said. “We get to know this different character (rather) than the major pop-icon.” Demoss said Warhol would have changed one thing specifically about the showing. “He would probably say that there needs to be way more drugs,” he said. Studio art and sculpture major Kiara Perkins said she was surprised at how many photographs USI received. “I think it is amazing how well kept all of the art has been throughout the years,” Perkins said. “I really like the photographs of the unidentified people. I think those are the coolest.” Perkins said she planned on skipping class to come to the showing, but her class ended early. “To me, art is the rawest form of human expression. It’s animalistic and instinctual,” she said. “I could spend hours in an art gallery. Just being able to see and be up close to art that is legendary, especially in Evansville - we don’t have a lot of art around here.” The exhibit will remain on display through March 9 in the McCutchan Art Center/Pace Galleries, located in the basement of the Liberal Arts Center. The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Photo by SARA BEHNKE/Special to The Shield
Local filmmaker needs help for DVD/Blu-ray release By BOBBY SHIPMAN Features editor Kevin Chenault first began dabbling in film at age 12 when his parents gifted him with a “high eight” camcorder he and friends used to film skateboarding videos. A few years later they were crafting sketches they would pitch to public access. The idea to create his own stories, instead of filming skateboard tricks, sparked an interest within Chenault to compose fictional stories and eventually feature length films, he said. “That is always a good thing when directors are like, ‘I remember the first movie I saw.’” Chenault said. “Sadly, there’s no
‘Aha!’ moment. I didn’t have one of those.” Although, at two months old his mother took him to see his first movie, “Ghostbusters,” and he paid attention the entire time, he said. Chenault debuted his second movie, “Different Drum,” in August 2013. The film portrays the awkward relationship between an unemployed
musician, Tod, and his pregnant ex Lydia, while trapped in a car traveling across the Mid-west. Zach Zint (Tod) and Isabella DeVoy (Lydia), with no prior film experience or familiarity with one another, rehearsed the script once before heading out to film. “The kind of awkwardness they had between them really worked for the film because they, in the film, are supposed to be awkward around each other,” he said. “So it kind of worked out for their characters.” The film showed at Showplace Cinemas North to a respectable mix of familiar and new faces despite the matinee time-slot, Chenault said. Chenault has a cam-
paign running with Kickstarter.com where anyone can donate money to fund the release of “Different Drum” on Blu-ray and DVD. The Kickstarter campaign ends Feb. 15, and will only be funded if $7,000 of donations are received. Chenault started his company, Blackstrap Pictures, in 2010 with the production of “Young Islands,” which explores a similar tangent of awkwardness between two friends. The movie’s production did not use a Kickstarter campaign, but did show a Showplace Cinemas North, as well. “Young Island” was released on DVD through the vinyl record label Gulcher. (It was) their only DVD re-
lease. “The films that I like and the film directors that I admire really run all types of genres,” he said. “Directors like David Lynch. I don’t know if a David Lynch film fits into a genre. It might be its own genre.” Chenault said his favorite directors, such as Stanley Kubrick (“2001: A Space Odyssey”), Wes Anderson (“Moonrise Kingdom”) and Noah Baumbach (“Fantastic Mr. Fox”), have impacted him as a director. “The thing about influence is that not only are the films that you enjoy influencing you but also the films you don’t like in a way that you are like, ‘I don’t want to make a
film like that.’ Some of my greatest influences are films that I don’t really enjoy.” He enjoys every aspect of movie making, he said. “Getting out there and directing scenes and creating, with the actors and cinematographers - the overall tone of a movie is a great feeling,” he said. Chenault is currently working on music videos, short films and another feature film project, “Back at the Laundromat.” To donate, visit w w w. k i c k s t a r t e r. c o m / projects/2034862912/different-drum-blu-ray-dvdrelease.
Page 5 - The Shield - January 30, 2014
Features
University gains new sorority By BOBBY SHIPMAN Features editor Monique Stephens said she has dreamed of joining Delta Sigma Theta since she learned of the organization in high school. Before transferring to USI, Stephens received her associate’s degree from Vincennes University, where a Delta Sigma Theta chapter never existed. “I have always wanted to be a part of Delta Sigma Theta. It’s just (that) there was not always active chapters where I went to school,” the senior business administration major said. In her second year at USI, Stephens became elated when she heard the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated reinstated the Kappa Nu chapter, she said. Kappa Nu is a citywide chapter encompassing USI and UE. “I was shocked when I was elected to be president for Kappa Nu because the opportunity to be a part of this illustrious organization just presented itself last semester,” she said. “This was something I (have) wanted to do for a long time and to know that I might not have gotten that chance was awful. ... When I was elected president I was like ‘Wow! This is really happening.’” Within two months of reinstatement, Kappa Nu tackled many endeavors with only three members. The chapter volunteered at the midnight breakfast, held a study table during finals week that provided refreshments, and held an information table where they passed out red ribbons that promoted awareness for World AIDs Day.
“The Devil’s Due”
Photo by BLAKE STAYROOK /The Shield
Members listen in on the MLK Luncheon on Jan. 20.
Kappa Nu also plans to host future events. “We are going to do a black history program for Black History Month where we are going to have some games, such as like ‘Black History Bingo’ and talk about some black history facts,” Stephens said. “Also (we’ll) bring awareness about our Founder’s Day for our sorority.” Kappa Nu also looks to expand its membership before the girls graduate. “We plan on trying to collaborate with other sororities and fraternities and other organizations on campus and doing events with them,” she said. “Also, we need to make sure when we bring an awareness to the campus, we are also bringing a sense of unity. We don’t want to separate ourselves from everybody else; that’s not what we’re here for.” Delta Sigma Theta is a private, non-profit organization providing assistance and support through established communities across the globe. Academic Outreach Coordinator for the chapter
Kerseclia Patterson, said the organization began talking about reinstatement in April 2013. That began a complicated process to get the chapter up-and-running. “There are policies and procedures for everything they do that require training,” Patterson said. “We have to properly be trained on hazing issues, documentation, responsibilities (of those who pledge), our role and responsibility on a college campus. So there’s a lot that it entails. You have to be trained by the proper people.” Patterson said she trained in Charleston, Ill., to be an adviser, and Indianapolis, Ind. for understanding membership intake process. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated celebrated 101 years since its founding day Jan. 13. Since its founding, more than 200,000 women have joined the sisterhood of predominantly black, college-educated women. The sorority currently has 1,000 collegiate and alumnae chapters located in the United States, Eng-
land, Japan, Germany, the Virgin Islands, Bermuda, the Bahamas, Jamaica and the Republic of Korea. Being new on campus, Kappa Nu wants people to know who they are, she said. “We want them to understand their sole purpose is to help not only the USI community but the Evansville community.” She said they want people to know they are a group about helping the community with injustice, poverty, and social and economic issues. “If you don’t know the history of us, then you don’t know what our role is,” she said. Stephens said she hopes the chapter will continue on and not die out like it has in the past. “We have made it this far. However, the work does not stop there,” she said. “You have to continue to progress and to improve where you lack and also you have to continue those great things that other sororities before you have done.”
USI partners with community for ‘Big Read’ reading program By SHANNON HALL Staff writer The Big Read program has a long month ahead of itself. The Big Read, which is part of USI’s Service Learning Program and community partners, is organizing a month-long discussion surrounding the book “The Grapes of Wrath” by John Steinbeck. The events kick off at 2 p.m. Saturday with an open panel in the Browning Room at Central Library. “We’re trying to get people to read the book,” said Anne Statham, Service Learning director. Author John Steinbach won a Pulitzer Prize for the
“The Grapes of Wrath”
novel. “The Grapes of Wrath” is a novel that exposes the reader to hardships during the Great Depression. Statham said the readers can compare the Great Depression to the Great Recession.
“We want to get the generations talking about these issues. The young people and old people are seen as competing for resources,” Statham said. “We want people to think and talk about issues collaboratively rather than feel in competition for resources.” The program is funded by a $12,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. At least five USI classes will be involved with the program as well as a few classes from the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation. The public is welcome to join as well. “The whole point of the program is to think about literature and how to think
through issues,” Statham said. USI’s provost emeritus Robert Reid will give the keynote address at 7 p.m. Feb. 5 in Mitchell Auditorium. Reid said he read “The Grapes of Wrath” in high school. “It was recognized as a really important piece of literature,” he said. “I don’t believe I read it as a requirement. I read it because it was by a major, major American writer.” Reid will discuss images that most Americans have seen in the 1930s during an economic hardship. “That’s a subject that’s interesting to me,” he said.
The Big Read Schedule Feb. 2 2-4 p.m. Opening Panel/Reception Central Library, Browning Room Feb. 5 7 p.m. Keynote Address Mitchell Auditorium, USI Feb. 6 Noon to 1:30 p.m. Talk about “Heritage Quilts” by Nell Jordan Bayard Room, second floor, Willard Library
Feb. 13 6 p.m. Talk “Of Determination and Despair” by Karen Tannenbaum Willard Library Feb. 20 Noon to 4 p.m., 4-8 p.m. Showing of Dustbowl documentary Arts Council of Southwest Indian Feb. 21 1:30 p.m. Movie “The Grapes of Wrath” 16 W. Virgina
Feb. 21 7 p.m. Movie “The Grapes of Wrath” Forum I, USI Feb. 26 3:30 p.m. Dramatic Reading of “The Grapes of Wrath” Play Large Group Room, second floor, USI 5 p.m. Rice Library, Reading Room – second floor, USI
For the full schedule, go to usishield.com
Bringing nothing new to the found footage horror spectrum, “Devil’s Due” is a drawn out horror flick that you should avoid. Producer John Davis should be bent over and spanked for thinking that “Rosemary’s Baby” needed a makeover. It’s not just because the story is a clone, but also because he condemns a genre of horror movies that has more potential. Devil’s moviegoers suffer from predictability and know every move about to be thrown at them if they have seen any of the “Paranormal Activity” movies. Allison Miller and Zach Gilford’s performances were the two saving graces as a newlywed couple, recording every new moment as a family whose lives take a terrifying turn for the unholy. On the last night of their honeymoon, Samantha (Miller) and Zach McCall’s (Gilford) camera finds them unconscious with Samantha in the center of a cult séance. When they return home, Saman-
tha is pregnant and Zach is the happiest and best husband in the world. You won’t care if the teenage girls next to you are talking because you know that apocalyptic baby isn’t his. I can’t say that everything about “Devil’s Due” is not enjoyable, but it’s definitely disappointing to see directors Matt Bettinell-Oplin and Tyler Fillet (V/H/S) take on a script that’s lacking. As a fan of both “Rosemary’s Baby” and the found footage subgenre, I believe the pointless character development would have been better as a 20-minute short film.
Rating 1/5 By BILL BURKE, Staff writer
“Blackfish” Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite came under a lot of heat for her controversial documentary “Blackfish.” The movie documents the abusive treatment of orcas (killer whales) while in captivity. Tear-jerking interviews with previous Sea World trainers and shocking archival footage of carnal behavior exposes the sordid operation of domesticating orcas. Many orcas featured throughout the film display deeply emotional reactions such as agitation with their trainers, social exclusion from other whales and stifling grief at the loss of a calf. Infamous bull orca Tilikum, known for the deaths of three people, becomes a major focus as Cowperthwaite delves into his terrorizing past. As a calf, Tilikum was taken from his pod and placed at a lesser-known park “SeaLand of the Pacific,” where he performed acrobatics by day and stayed locked in a dark cage with other feisty whales by night. After an incident where a girl died while in the clutches of two female orcas and Tilikum, the orca was transferred to Sea World, but the incident of death was not revealed to his future trainers. Two more deaths occured at Sea World due to Tilikum’s possible mental instability created by poor treatment. One of the deaths happened to be a seasoned trainer. Many interviews reveal trainers feeling shame
about working in ignorance with the orcas. “Those are not your whales. Ya know, you love them, and you think, ‘I’m the one that touches them, feeds them, keeps them alive, gives them the care they need. They’re not your whales. They own them,’” Trainer John Hargrove said in “Blackfish.” I became saddened when “Blackfish” failed to earn an Academy Award nomination for best documentary. An article in the LA Times states Cowperthwaite said she felt her film may have been overlooked because it “wasn’t so much a work of art as it was art doing work.” “A lot of times the documentaries that do well have a lot of original footage, and a lot of the footage in ‘Blackfish’ is archival,” she said. Sea World recently released a nonsensical PR campaign rebutting the image Cowperthwaite’s documentary paints. Backlash and Oscar snubs aside, “Blackfish” puts a sobering lens on animal captivity and hopefully resonates with viewers for a long time.
Rating 5/5 By BOBBY SHIPMAN, Staff writer
Opinion
Page 6 - The Shield - January 30, 2014
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Tolerance should be taught to USI Athletes By JESSIE HELLMANN Opinion editor This isn’t an opinion about gay marriage, believe it or not. This is an opinion about respect, tolerance and common sense. Anyone who watched the Grammys, uses social media, or exists right now knows that during Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’ performance of “Same Love,” Queen Latifah officiated 33 marriages. Not just gay couples were wed, but biracial couples, straight couples and couples from all walks of life. It’s frustrating to me when three USI men’s basketball players I follow on Twitter express disgust over the whole ordeal, thereby alienating their fans.
Let’s be real. I’m a huge USI basketball fan. You’re all beautiful, talented, hard-working and I’m extremely proud of the 14-3 season and the fact that the GLVC tournament is coming to Evansville. I am not, however, proud of the public, homophobic remarks made by some of our basketball players. We’re college students and we come from all over the place. I understand we were all raised differently and we’re going to have different opinions on matters such as this. It doesn’t matter what my opinion is personally, but what does matter is tolerance. I can remember being taught to practice tolerance since third grade.
For about 15 years of my life, the idea of respecting and loving people, no matter how different they are from you, has been taught to me. So I’m ashamed when people who are in the spotlight - albeit a fairly small spotlight like our men’s basketball players slam out embarrassing and crude tweets that could particularly hurt and offend their fans. It’s already difficult enough for the USI athletic department to recruit enough students to show up to games, and now I can see even fewer people showing up. I want to be proud of our team for showing good character on and off the court, and I’ve only seen one of those accomplishments this season.
Grammys, a deserving popularity contest By JAKE TAPLEY Staff writer If you didn’t get to see the Grammys on Sunday, you missed out. And if you did, you might have also missed out. For those of you who aren’t aware, the Grammys is a music awards show that is usually followed with pretentious internet bickering. It is truly disheartening that we can’t give trophies to every eligible musician, or at least to all the nominees. But this is the unfortunate design of an awards show. So if the person you want to win doesn’t win, just remember that it’s a popularity contest. It’s never a surprise who wins. With that being said, I don’t approve of the notion that the winners are in some way undeserving. Given the award, they are
literally always deserving. Their music was popular. Their music had commercial success. That’s the point. Now, do I personally like the music of everyone that won this year? No, of course not. But at least I can understand why they won and reconcile with these results. I think what might be most annoying is when people talk down talented musicians who have been doing some pretty great things for the industry just because they don’t care for their style of music. For instance, I saw some Facebook statuses that said, “Why I don’t watch the Grammys… Macklemore & Ryan Lewis: 4, Led Zeppelin: 0, Jimi Hendrix: 0, Bob Marley: 0, The Who: 0.” What kind of attitude is that? I mean, I like Zeppelin. I like The Who. They are
both great bands that are deserving of public recognition. But haven’t they received a substantial amount of recognition as it is? Both bands are considered a couple of the greatest rock and roll acts of all time. I think it’s time we move on and learn to enjoy a good thing. Macklemore has helped pave the way for both hip hop music and independent artists, as well as produced a beautiful anthem for equal rights with “Same Love.” To say that he is not deserving is severely discrediting what he has been able to do in such a short amount of time. There will always be musicians who receive less attention than others. So why do we have to be so persistent on griping about the ones who do well?
Strengthen background checks for student safety By BRENDA WU Staff writer
Already into this new year, Indiana has experienced a very scary school shooting. Last week, Purdue’s University faced a threatening experience where some students feared for their lives. I remember texting and calling some of my closest friends desperately hoping they would pick up or answer my call. I was very grateful they were safe. Unfortunately, one student was not. The news at Purdue really hit home for some of the students because it seems as if the shooting was right in our backyard. I feel very secure and safe at USI, but everyday the thought of someone on campus having a weapon truly scares me down to the core. Within the past couple of years, laws have “hankered down” on gun control. It is my firm belief that people have a right to protect themselves, as stated in the second amendment, the Right to Bear Arms. But, as I see school shootings such as the recent one at Purdue, Sandy Hook, and even Virginia Tech, I become more and more concerned that people will argue their right to defend themselves. As a college student, I believe that solutions can be made in the near future without the whole country turning against one another. I have a friend, actually here on campus, who wishes to go into the Police Force or something of similar nature. His family has a business, which sells guns. I talked to him about the background checks that he has to do before giving a customer a gun, and he reassured me that they do their utmost to make sure these people have the right reasons for purchasing a weapon. In today’s society, I honestly believe that people who sell weapons should really hunker down on the background checks that are performed, and maybe even do something of the nature of a recheck every so many months. With everything that happens in this crazy world, I would feel safer knowing that the tightest background checks are done. Each day I am extremely thankful for where I live and go to school, and I pray for those individuals who are not so lucky.
Letter to the Editor I am writing to respond to your article on House Bill 1018, also known as the bill that would prohibit banning firearms on University Campuses. I recently honorably discharged from the Army in April of 2013. I served as a Sniper Team Leader in a Reconnaissance platoon. During that time I participated in two combat deployments and served on many bases where everybody was always armed. Not only did having weapons help neutralize threats, but also discouraged them. Now I know a college campus is a far cry from a base in Afghanistan, and college kids from trained soldiers. However, the fact still remains, the possible presence of personnel on campus having conceal carry weapons would help prevent and possibly stop armed assailants from harming staff or students on campus. A person coming onto a college campus would have no need for permission to carry a gun; they’d just do it anyways! So now I pose a question: would you rather come onto a campus with a firearm and hostile intent, knowing the campus had banned firearms, or one where students have the active right to defend themselves? Michael Morrow, USI student
Page 7 - The Shield - January 30, 2014
Sports
There is no place like home Women’s basketball plays at home after three road games
File photo/ The Shield
Mary O’Keefe pushes through for a shot during a last season game against the University of Evansville.
By SHANNON HALL Staff writer
After five games in nine days, the women’s basketball team came out with another win, 45-58, Saturday against University-Wisconsin Parkside, which brought a third win out of the five games. “It’s nice coming off with a day off yesterday,” said Mary O’Keefe on Monday. “We came back ready today. We got a lot done.” Junior forward/center
O’Keefe scored 14 points against UW-Parkside while junior forward/center Anna Hackert lead the Eagles with 16 points. Hackert came back into play after a concussion from the Saint Joseph’s game on Jan. 16. “My mindset changed a little bit with her being out with a concussion,” O’Keefe said. During a couple of the games, I tried to fill her shoes a little bit.” Between the two, O’Keefe and Hackert scored a total of 30 points
and got 23 rebounds. “I feel like the guards got us the ball where we need(ed), and we just tried to get it in the hole,” Hackert said. With games against University of Illinois Springfield and McKendree coming up, the Eagles (12-5, 6-3 GLVC) are focusing on their defensive lines. “I know rebounding was a struggle on Thursday (against Lewis University) so we tried to work on that,” Hackert said. “If
they don’t score, then we only have to score one bucket to win – so defense is really key right now.” With the past three games away, Hackert said playing at home will be one more advantage coming off of a win. “The students make it loud, and I just like playing for people,” she said. “It’s a lot more fun playing in front of people than when the stands are empty.” Women’s basketball Head Coach Rick Stein wants to focus on the ba-
sics. “I talked to our guys, and we’re trying to be the best basketball team out there,” he said. He said playing at home is always good, especially after a long road week. “It’s our court, and we want to protect it,” Stein said. “We work really hard here and we want to protect it. If the fans come out, they will see a great game.” USI hosts Illinois Springfield (5-12. 1-8 GLVC) at 5:15 p.m. today
in the Physical Activities Center (PAC). Then the Eagles go up against McKendree (7-9, 2-6 GLVC) Saturday at 1 p.m. in the PAC. USI students get into the games for free, but USI is asking everyone to bring a canned item for Archie’s Food Closet. Adult tickets will cost $5 if someone brings a canned food item for the men’s and women’s doubleheader.
Weather will be biggest X-Factor in Super Bowl XLVIII By CODY LACHANCE U. of Maine via Uwire The biggest concern for the NFL after it decided to let New York’s MetLife Stadium host Super Bowl XLVIII was that weather would become a large factor in determining the outcome of the game. As of now, the forecast for the Super Bowl is cold and rainy — quite unlike the games we’ve seen in recent years that were played in domes or warm climates. Regardless of what any football analyst says, the weather is the absolute largest X-factor in Super Bowl XLVIII. The Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos play
nearly polar opposite styles of football. Denver’s Peyton Manning and his record setting offense want to make the game a track meet where he can air it out all day to his cast of Pro Bowl-caliber receivers, while cornerback Richard Sherman and the Seahawks “Legion of Boom” wants to slow the game down and stop Manning from driving as much as they can. If the weather forecast holds out and it is cold and rainy on Super Bowl Sunday, then the Seattle Seahawks will win their first ever Super Bowl. A cold, rainy game plays right into their hands as they are a ground and pound team that lives
off running the ball with Marshawn “Beast Mode” Lynch. Russell Wilson has the ability to make a throw if he needs to, but he also has the ability to get out-
team should be praying for the absolute worst weather possible on Sunday. Manning has put up the best statistical season by any quarterback in NFL
USI SUPER BOWL EVENT -5:30-10 p.m. -Student Life Lounge Join the Activities Programming Board in watching the big game. Free food will be provided.
side the pocket and run for some yards himself. Add that to the top ranked defense in the NFL, and this
history. Breaking nearly every offensive record there is, the Broncos have had few issues scoring
points this year. Manning won’t be as lucky as he was during the AFC Championship game when he benefitted from sunny, 60 degree weather and his Broncos beat the New England Patriots 2616. He will have difficulty passing the ball against the Seahawks superb secondary, but add onto that a cold, driving rain, and it only adds up for disaster for the Broncos. Although Denver running backs Knowshon Moreno and Montee Ball have done a decent job all year, if Manning can’t establish the pass game, the Seahawks front seven should be able to keep them in check. If the weather forecast stays the same, Man-
ning’s historic season will run short and he will lose his second straight Super Bowl appearance. There have been four quarterbacks who have led the league in passing yards and passing touchdowns, as Manning did this season. The three quarterbacks before him all lost in the Super Bowl. The more physical, defensive teams normally find a way to win in February over the more offensive, finessed teams. With bad weather in the forecast, this only helps Seattle’s cause. On Sunday, Russell Wilson will lead the Seahawks to their first ever Super Bowl title over Manning’s Denver Broncos.
The Shield - January 30, 2014
Page 8
Cheer team places third at nationals
Photo by BLAKE STAYROOK/The Shield
Cheer team performs its national routine during a home game in the Physical Activities Center.
By SHANNON HALL Staff writer Senior history major Ben Hanson never thought he would be a cheerleader. “It wasn’t something I intentionally sought out,” Hanson said. “I was asked to help about three years ago, and I told them I would help them if they needed an extra person. I never saw myself being a cheerleader.” But he found out he enjoyed it. “It was something I could see myself doing for USI,” Hanson said. This year was Hanson’s second year competing at the Cheerleading Championship, where the USI cheer team placed third on Jan. 18. The team has finished in the top five for the seventh time in eight years. “We had high hopes. There was unfortunately a little bit of a disappointment (placing third),” Hanson said. “We all worked very hard to get where we were. I guess you can say we expected more.”
A broken wrist made the team pause for a second about their high hopes. It was still a goal, but any injury made them stop for a second. Cheerleaders receive more injuries than basketball, football and baseball combined, Hanson said. “I guess that’s the nature of throwing people up and catching them,” he said. The cheerleader who broke her wrist continued to practice with her cast on, Hanson said. “To me, that shows the drive that people don’t tend to see in cheerleading,” Hanson said. He said they pushed themselves a little harder than previous years. “We wanted more than top five,” he said. “I guess we’ve always wanted more, but we decided this year to commit the extra time in.” The cheer team’s Assistant Coach, Sara Fehrenbacher, said the team usually practiced three to four times a week, but then picks up the notch after fall finals. The cheer
team got three to five days off around Christmas, and then it practiced every day leading up to nationals. “The type of cheerleading in high school or at basketball games is different,” she said. She said practicing the team’s national routine helped prepare the team, but it’s limiting. “They are very limited with what kind of stunts we do at basketball games,” Fehrenbacher said. Senior elementary education major Devan Brady said the skills done this year were more difficult than previous years. “The people who beat us – their skills were really hard, too,” Brady said. “We keep getting better every year, but so are all the other teams.” She has one more year to participate in nationals, but Hanson and senior Madison Burklow are graduating. “(Burklow’s) an amazing flyer,” Brady said. “And it’s going to be really hard to replace (Hanson).”
Upcoming Events: Men’s Basketball Jan. 30 vs. University of Illinois Springfield (7:30 p.m.) Feb. 1 vs. McKendree University (3:15 p.m.)
Women’s Basketball Jan. 30 vs. University of Illinois Springfield (5:15 p.m.) Feb. 1 vs. McKendree University (1 p.m.)
Weekend Update: Men’s Basketball USI 97 vs. Saint Joseph’s College 78 USI 73 vs. University of Indianapolis 64 USI 68 vs. Bellarmine 66 (OT)
Women’s Basketball USI 69 vs. Saint Joseph’s College 56 USI 73 vs. University of Indianapolis 44 USI 62 vs. Bellarmine 72
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