The Utah Statesman, April 2, 2010

Page 1

Friday, April 2, 2010

Utah Statesman The

Campus Voice since 1902

Utah State University • Logan, Utah • www.aggietownsquare.com

Humor-religion columnist: I’m OK with being an idiot By MIKAYLA RICH staff writer

Robert Kirby, a columnist for The Salt Lake Tribune and, according to professor Ted Pease, “the only humorreligion columnist in the world,” appeared as part of the Media and Society Lecture Series Thursday. “I’m not exactly sure on the exact day that I came to understand that I was a genius,” Kirby said. “It was just this gradual sense that I was smarter than everyone else around me. I don’t know the exact day when I realized I was a genius, but I know the exact day when I started to get stupid. It was April 23, 1972, when I reported to Fort Jackson, South Carolina, for basic training. My father laughed all the way to the airport.” Kirby’s lecture was titled “You’re not as Smart as You Think You Are,” and he illustrated that with examples from his life and his columns. “I’m actually OK with being an idiot

for two reasons. First, when you conpeople before he got really good at it. fess your idiocy If you’re from and realize just Toole, I don’t how stupid you care. I have a “I don’t care what are, there’s an really big scar you believe, but enormous weight on my chest that I care how about that lifts off of gives me the how you believe it, you and suddenly right to say that,” you don’t have Kirby said. because how you to be right about But after believe it usually has stuff you know 11 years of police a lot to do with how nothing about. work, Kirby And second, I’m decided he wantyou treat other peoOK with being ed to do someple who don’t.” an idiot because I thing else with know that you’re his life. Kirby – Robert Kirby, commented that one too,” Kirby said. Salt Lake Tribune it was a very Kirby served stressful time humor-religion columnist because he comes an LDS mission in Uruguay and from a family of later became a Toole County police policemen and all of his friends were officer. policemen, but he went to work writ“For those of you who aren’t familiar with Toole County, I tell people - See HUMOR, page 4 that it’s where God practiced making

ROBERT KIRBY, columnist for The Salt Lake Tribune, discussed religion, writing and humor with students Thursday in the TSC Auditorium. Kirby said everyone has “sacred cows,” a metaphor he used for things people focus on so much that they lose perspective. ALISON OSTLER photo

USU undergrad research second oldest in nation

Getting a view of Cache Valley from the sky

By MEGAN ALLEN staff writer

THE ARMY BROUGHT BLACKHAWKS to USU Thursday for an ROTC lab. ROTC cadets, as well as a few members of faculty and staff, were given trips in the Blackhawk around the valley. The lab was to give cadets some experience flying in a helicopter. PATRICK ODEN photo

In 1975, the first episode of “Saturday Night Live” aired on NBC, and Bill Gates founded Microsoft. That same year, though not as noticed, USU founded the Undergraduate Research program from the vision of Glen Taggart, the president of USU from 1968-1979. Utah State’s Undergraduate Research program is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, making it the second-oldest undergraduate research program in the country, second only to MIT. “Undergraduate research helps students build stronger resumes with real-life experiences, making them better candidates when shopping the job market,” said Joyce Kinkead, associate vice president of research at USU. Undergraduate research programs such as this one are fairly unique, Kinkead said. Most research universities are only interested in graduate students and post-doctorals. Twice a year, Undergraduate Research gives 50 to 60 Undergraduate Research and Creative Opportunity grants. In the last 10 years, the program has given out nearly 1,000 grants to assist students in their projects and research. “These students are producing research of

- See GRANTS, page 4

Rail Jam to bring 25 tons of snow to campus By JESSICA SWEAT staff writer

Next week, USU’s Entrepreneurship Club will host its second annual E-Week. According to the club’s Web site, the event will include competitions, presentations, speakers and food. While E-week used to be E-day, the club felt the need to expand the event into a week-long series in order to host more events and expand opportunities and resources for students. As part of the week, April 9 will be the specified E-day in which entrepreneurs from surrounding areas attend. According to the event’s advertisement, there will be some large competitions taking place, such as the Rail Jam, an Elevator Pitch Competition and a 72-hour competition in which students will be presented a problem and have 72 hours to find a solution. The Elevator Pitch Competition will allow students a two-minute

Inside This Issue

pitch of their idea for a business that may result in a cash prize to start up a business of their own. One of the most anticipated events will be the Ski and Snowboard Campus Rail Jam powered by Galvanic Design in which 60 riders will compete on a threestory scaffolding structure. The structure will include an all star drop-in ramp and 25 tons of snow that is being trucked to USU. Club President and junior in finance and economics Paul Rossiter talked about the preparations his club has made for E-week, saying, “We have put in hundreds of hours between officers and volunteers. We even started looking into Rail Jam in November.” Rossiter said he wants the everyone from campus to be at the Rail Jam because “it will probably be our biggest event.” Rossiter explained that if there is a big enough turn out, USU could become a stop on the Campus Rail Jam Tour. “We want to make Rail Jam a yearly event,” Rossiter said.

4/02/10 Concealed weapons classes offered to USU students at no cost. Page 5

USU Wrestling Club makes strong showing at U.S. nationals. Page 9

The club’s Web site states that Rail Jam is open to riders aged 18 and up and has a $25 fee. However, space is limited. For viewers, Rail Jam will have giveaways, live disc jockeys and some “amazing talent,” according to the Web site. E-week will also include a Partners in Business Seminar, where industry leaders from across the globe will share their advice on business. One speaker will be Greg Warnock who, according to marcatoparters.com, has launched more than 21 businesses. Warnock is the founder of Junto Partners, an “entrepreneurship education initiative that trains and mentors aspiring entrepreneurs,” Rossiter said. Rossiter said that during E-Week, members of the club “want to expand knowledge about our club and promote business, but we mostly want people to know that we are here to help them. We

- See E-WEEK, page 3

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