If you’d been wearing the same thing
for 50 years,
you’d want to
changetoo. Volume 128, Issue 1
utdailybeacon.com @utkdailybeacon
January 8, 2015
The Daily Beacon • Thursday, January 8, 2015
INSHORT
WHAT’S INSIDE
2
NEWS
3–5, 8
VIEWPOINTS
6–7
ARTS & CULTURE SPORTS
9–12 14–16
THE DAILY BEACON STAFF EDITORIAL Editor-in-Chief: Claire Dodson Managing Editor: Hanna Lustig Chief Copy Editor: Emilee Lamb, Cortney Roark News Editor: Hayley Brundige Asst. News Editor: Bradi Musil Special Projects Editor: Liv McConnell Sports Editor: Jonathan Toye Asst. Sports Editor: Taylor White Arts & Culture Editor: Jenna Butz Online Editor: Kevin Ridder Asst. Online Editor: Cara Sanders Photo Editor: Hannah Cather, Esther Choo Design Editor: Katrina Roberts, Lauren Ratliff Social Media Editor: McCord Pagan Copy Editors: Melodi Erdogan, Tanner Hancock, Alexis Lawrence, Hannah Moulton, Faith Schweikert Editorial Production: Eric Gibson, Reid Hartsell, Justin Keyes, Teron Nunley, Steven Woods Training Editor: R.J. Vogt
ADVERTISING/PRODUCTION
Advertising Manager: Shelby Dildine Media Sales Representatives: Carly Kirkpatrick, Taylor Rife, Connor Thompson Advertising Production: Brandon White, Steven Woods Classified Adviser: Jessica Hingtgen
CONTACTS To report a news item, please e-mail editor.news@utdailybeacon.com or call 865-974-2348 To submit a press release, please e-mail pressreleases@utdailybeacon.com To place an ad, please e-mail beaconads@utk.edu or call 865-974-5206
To place a classified ad, please e-mail orderad@utdailybeacon.com or call 865-974-4931 Advertising: (865) 974-5206 beaconads@utk.edu Classifieds: (865) 974-4931 orderad@utdailybeacon.com Editor-in-Chief: (865) 974-2348 editorinchief@utdailybeacon.com Main Newsroom: (865) 974-3226 editorinchief@utdailybeacon.com
LETTERS POLICY: The Daily Beacon welcomes all letters to the editor and guest columns from students, faculty and staff. Each submission is considered for publication by the editor on the basis of space, timeliness and clarity. The Beacon reserves the right to reject any submissions or edit all copy in compliance with available space, editorial policy and style. Contributions must include the author’s name and phone number for verification. Students must include their year in school and major. Letters to the editor and guest columns may be e-mailed to letters@utdailybeacon.com or sent to Editor, 1340 Circle Park Dr., 11 Communications Building, Knoxville, TN 37996-0314. The Daily Beacon is published by students at The University of Tennessee Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and Wednesday during the summer semester. The offices are located at 1340 Circle Park Drive, 11 Communications Building, Knoxville, TN 37996-0314. The newspaper is free on campus and is available via mail subscription for $200/year, $100/semester or $70/summer only. It is also available online at: www.utdailybeacon.com The Daily Beacon is printed using soy based ink on newsprint containing recycled content, utilizing renewable sources and produced in a sustainable, environmental responsble manner.
News Editor: Hayley Brundige @hayleybrundige • hbrundig@vols.utk.edu Asst. News Editor: Bradi Musil @bradi4 • bmusil@vols.utk.edu
Thursday, January 8, 2015 • The Daily Beacon
3
CAMPUSNEWS
UTPD raising awareness, keeping campus safe one report at a time Hayley Brundige News Editor (@hayleybrundige) Bradi Musil Assistant News Editor (@bradi4)
Jillian Paciello was recently named UTPD’s first ever Clery Act Compliance Coordinator, a position that she said came with “no role models” to follow. When The Daily Beacon sat down with her for a Q&A in December, she was still learning the ropes, having only been on the job for about a week. Put in place by Chief of Police Troy Lane, the position ensures that UT is in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Act, a federal mandate requiring all higher education institutions to report their security statistics, policies and practices to the community. Paciello, who also oversees UTPD’s 3,000 case files as the Records Manager, said the job will help to bring some muchneeded awareness to crime in the area. Q: What does your job entail? A: The big part is the crime statistics
and making sure that every year by Oct. 1 we are putting out an Annual Security Report. The security report has to have the statistics of our Clery crimes on our campus. It also has the policies and practices • Jillian Paciello and programming that we do for safety and security, sexual assault and things of that nature ... One of my projects this year is to make the (Annual Security Report) a little bit more marketable. It has great information and great tools for students and the community. I want to make it more fun and more interactive. Another piece of the Clery Act is making sure that, when victims do come forward with reporting a crime, that we are there to help them and make sure they are getting
the help that they need. Q: What is it like to be coming into this position as awareness of campus sexual assault spreads? A: It is definitely a juggling act. We have really stepped up our game to make sure we, as a community, are talking about sexual assault and making sure that people know that there are resources and ways to protect yourself … One of the things that the Clery Act really says is if there are a lot of crimes on your campus, that doesn’t mean that you are not a safe campus. It means your campus is talking about it ... I want to make sure it is in the forefront of everyone’s mind. Q: Have you received any feedback about the increase in UTPD alerts this year? A: Some staff and faculty have expressed that when you send out emails about the assaults occurring on campus, that those could cause fear or make people not want to come forward or report. But, really, the opposite is true. Once we made sure that
we were putting out safety notices when we needed to, really looked at the way we were reporting things and looking at our new sexual assault policy, our numbers and crime reports have climbed, they’ve doubled. That’s not a bad thing. That means that people are coming forward. Q: What improvements do you hope to make? A: We are doing a good job so far, we’re compliant in so many areas, but there are things that we could do better. One of those things is reaching out to our Campus Security Authorities … For our community of 35,000 people or so, we have about 700 CSAs -- students and staff members that have some sort of role where they are over student activities and their security. There are people who are unsure of their roles as CSA, what do they do ... One of the things that I really want to do is reach out to them, make sure they’re getting their training, make sure they understand their role and really get behind the Clery Act.
4
The Daily Beacon • Thursday, January 8, 2015
News Editor: Hayley Brundige @hayleybrundige • hbrundig@vols.utk.edu Asst. News Editor: Bradi Musil @bradi4 • bmusil@vols.utk.edu
CAMPUSNEWS Costly price tag delays first phase of Cumberland Avenue renovation Heidi Hill Staff Writer
When the Cumberland Avenue Corridor Project’s sole bid came out to $25 million, it was back to the drawing board for project manager Anne Wallace and her team of city consultants. Though the massive reconstruction was originally slated to begin January 2015, City of Knoxville officials announced in a Dec. 17 press release that the original plans must be reworked, likely pushing the project’s start date into this upcoming summer. “We felt the best course of action would be to reject that bid and to go back out ... to see if can get some more successful competition on the project, so we have better pricing and more interest from the contractors who typically do this kind of work,” Wallace said. Budgeting roadblocks aside, the fundamental logistics of the project have not changed. Phase One, according to Wallace, will focus on renovating underground utilities such as storm water drains, sewage and gas lines in addition to synchronized turn signals on Alcoa Highway and Volunteer Boulevard. This second phase, referred to as the ‘road diet,’ will channel its efforts into a new left turn lane to reduce congestion and a 14-foot sidewalk that includes recycling bins, benches and planters as a buffer for
pedestrians on The Strip. Other suggestions for improvement emerged from Nissa Dahlin-Brown, associate director for the Howard Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy, and her October 2013 team of student researchers who analyzed parking availability and the overall function of Cumberland Avenue. Considering the scope of street’s renovation, transportation savvy for a “diverse and complex area of town” persists for the student researchers as a necessity for surviving The Strip during its renovation. “I remember the kids telling me how they noticed that the city has marked the streets for bike ways, and I think in the original plans, they didn’t really have many places for bikes to park,” Dahlin-Brown said. “Just an education campaign would go along way, and that was something I hadn’t thought about at first, but the students really thought could be improved upon.” But before any white lines are painted, Wallace and the CAPC members must negotiate a fresh timeline with merchants before new dates are set. At the time of last October’s bid, the completion date was set for Fall 2017. “Certainly folks are frustrated, and I can put myself in that category as well,” Wallace said about the construction’s delay. “At the same time, we all recognize that a project of this magnitude and this scope, and we want to make sure we are getting a project that we can both afford and will be done in a timely manner with a reputable company.”
App aids commuters with disabilities Tanner Hancock Copy Editor (@TannerHancock26)
Those with disabilities may soon be a button-push away from easier travel. Through the work of researchers in UT’s College of Engineering, an app designed to assist individuals with disabilities when using public transportation may soon become open to the public. In conjunction with the handicap transportation service Knox County Community Action Committee, users of the app will be able to
alert their driver of any of their problems or needs that might otherwise go unaddressed due to their physical or mental disabilities. By examining survey results of more than 600 disabled individuals in five surrounding counties, graduate student and research member Lavanya Marella found that the number one barrier to transportation for disabled persons lies in communication. “We are hoping this is going to help (commuters with disabilities) tell the driver about their needs,” Marella said. See APP on Page 5
News Editor: Hayley Brundige @hayleybrundige • hbrundig@vols.utk.edu Asst. News Editor: Bradi Musil @bradi4 • bmusil@vols.utk.edu
Thursday, January 8, 2015 • The Daily Beacon
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CAMPUSNEWS APP continued from Page 4
The app uses around 95 descriptions and icons to increase communication effectiveness between CAC passengers and drivers. Citing the “different state of mind” disabled travelers often possess, fellow researcher and graduate student Isaac Atuahene said he hopes the app will help to eliminate the too frequent difficulties associated with handicap travel. “This app hopefully would be able to initiate the communication between (people with disabilities) and the driver and help him to address the need,” Atuahene said. Rupy Sawhney, professor in industrial engineering and leader of the research team, credits his now-deceased colleague Eric Arendt for developing the idea for the app. Arendt, who Sawhney described as a “very mature, very gentle, very thoughtful” man, was inspired to create the app after being forced to rely on CAC transportation during his battle with cancer. Arendt passed away this March only hours before the second phase of his project met official
approval. Sawhney said he appreciates the convenience the app provides to the disabled community and said he hopes the information it garners concerning disabled persons may ultimately serve to make their lives easier. “The importance is not the app,” Sawhney explained. “Now we can decipher this data in terms of what disabilities have what communication barriers.” Viewing the app as “just one symbol of what can be done,” Sawhney said he hopes to one day charge a minimal fee for the use of the app in order to raise funds to improve the lives of people with disabilities. “This is something that I’m proud of because we’re trying something different,” Sawhney said of his group’s efforts. “It will have an impact on people’s lives.” Sawhney and his group of graduate researchers plan to meet with Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero this Saturday to discuss usefulness and further applications of their creation. The research team expects the app to be available for public use by the end of the year.
DISPATCHES FBI questions Knoxville man
UT names new College of Law dean
David Garrett Jr., a local web designer, grabbed the attention of the FBI when he pranked CNN in the wake of an attack on Sony by North Korean hackers. Garrett posted an edited version of the threats against theaters on a website used by the North Korean hackers. He spent New Year’s Day in FBI custody, but was later released.
Melanie Wilson, currently Kansas University’s School of Law associate dean for academic affairs and director of diversity and inclusion, was named to be the new dean of UT’s college of law on July 1. She is replacing Doug Blaze, who will be stepping down from his current profession to pursue full-time teaching.
Man found dead in Cumberland Avenue parking garage Jimmy Joe Hardwick, 52, was found dead Dec. 13 in a parking garage behind 1700 Cumberland Ave. He was taken to the Knox County Medical Examiner’s office where his death was ruled to be a result of natural causes.
Geologist finds 30,000 diamonds UT Geologist Larry Taylor found an unusual Russian rock while working in the Udachnaya Pipe Diamond Mine on Dec.15. Inside it were diamonds, later determined to have little value on the diamond market since they all measured less than a millimeter across. The rock was donated to science in order to uncover some secrets on the natural origin of diamonds.
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The Daily Beacon • Thursday, January 8, 2015
Editor-in-Chief: Claire Dodson @claire_ifying • pdodson@vols.utk.edu
Letter from the Editor
Why the Beacon got a facelift Claire Dodson Editor-in-Chief
Accurate. Accessible. Well-written. Informative. Interesting. Relevant. These adjectives form the foundation for a new Daily Beacon, a paper that connects with our audience across all platforms, from our daily print publication to our social media platforms to our website. These six words are both an homage to the Daily Beacon’s past and the groundwork for its future, a future that demanded we break from a 50-year tradition and change the logo and format of our paper. Our new horizontal format is easier to carry and read in class. It’s also thicker—packed with more of the great content we bring you every day. And when we decided to reinvent our image, we also chose to renew our commitment to six key values: Accurate: First and foremost, we aim to be factually correct in every story, photo and graphic that we publish. Our credibility is vital to our impact, and when we do make a mistake, we’ll let you know. Accessible: We are students at UT. We are coming from the same standpoint as our community, and we want you to feel like you can submit your questions and concerns to us and they will be addressed. Your voice is worth being heard. Well-written: We must be wellwritten or else what we’re saying gets lost. From an audience standpoint, we don’t want to waste anyone’s time. Informative: We are and strive to be the definitive resource for campus news. This
means quality of reporting and interviewing, as well as quality of ideas. We want students to feel more in touch with campus and community issues than they were before they picked up our paper.
pelling, challenging and engaging content for our diverse audience. Relevant: We want to make a publication worth clicking on and picking up. This plays into every aspect of our publication, from design to font style to the articles we run. If someone looks at The Daily Beacon, we want them to see a reflection of themselves: what they care about and what is important for them to know. We want to be the voice of and for students. Each day, The Daily Beacon staff works countless hours to bring you stories about your campus and community. Sometimes that takes the form of bowl game coverage or Clarence Brown Theatre play reviews. Sometimes it’s SGA updates or opinion pieces from students about issues that affect us all, like racism and sexual assault. Whatever it is, rest assured it was brainstormed, reported, written, edited, photographed and designed with you in mind. What we do exists because of all the awesome things students, teachers and faculty create and do on this campus. Today marks a historic moment not only for this paper and its staff, but for you, our readers. We hope you love reading the new Daily Beacon as much as we loved putting it together.
ACCURATE. ACCESSIBLE. WELL-WRITTEN. INFORMATIVE. INTERESTING. RELEVANT. Interesting: If we don’t want to read our product, neither will anyone else. This means a continued push to providing com-
Claire Dodson is the Editor-inChief of The Daily Beacon. She can be reached at pdodson@vols.utk.edu. Let us know what you think on Facebook or Twitter at @UTKDailyBeacon.
EDITORIALBOARD
Claire Dodson
Hanna Lustig
Jenna Butz
Kevin Ridder
Emilee Lamb
R.J. Vogt
Thursday, January 8, 2015 • The Daily Beacon
Editor-in-Chief: Claire Dodson @claire_ifying • pdodson@vols.utk.edu
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VIEWPOINTS Get innovative when answering questions about future plans
Alexandra Chiasson Stained and Confused
It appears to me there is a certain language protocol the conventionally undecided (yet not altogether directionless) student learns to adopt toward the end of the undergraduate experience; a new set of clichés and formulaic explanations begin to crop up in conversations, thrusting their way into the answers we weakly provide to questions that would be better off unasked. How many college seniors before me have avoided making eye contact with a discerning conversation partner, gazed thoughtfully (or perhaps hungrily?) into the distance, and spouted something we hope sounds vaguely inspirational — or, at the very least, adequately choreographed? Suddenly, in this wretched discourse, our lives become “books,” and the “next step in the journey” becomes “a chapter”; we turn over “new leaves” at the beginning of the New Year and the storm clouds have “silver linings.” The use of these clichés is a defense mechanism, a smart diplomacy strategy at its core. We begin to recognize vagueness is key, and even a feeble answer is better than no answer at all. Of course, I have the greatest bone to pick, if
you will, with the people who insist on poking and prodding their way into these conversations with us in the first place. Frankly, if we had legitimate answers to your questions, we would probably supply them voluntarily and
“We begin to recognize vagueness is key, and even a feeble answer is better than no answer at all.” with adequately feigned humility. You can transcend the hapless creed of middle-aged nosiness. You can break the cycle. You could also just check Facebook. Churlishness aside, humor is the best way to handle questions about indeterminate, inexplicable or (in select cases) immaterial “plans.” That being said, I think we should revise a few of the age-old answers to the age-old questions
2015 is a year for change
Hawa Henderson Real Reflections
So, it’s 2015. Somewhere between listening to people tell each other “how fast time flies” and asking each other what they planned to do on New Year’s Eve, I found myself reminiscing about the past year. Some of my favorite memories here at UT include the fact that we actually got a snow day last winter, the new bridge on Pedestrian that I had been waiting to walk on for two and a half years, and of course, when Neyland Stadium was checkered orange and white. I will also remember the protest held for Mike Brown that I participated in as my fellow Vols and I blocked the street. I will remember the way I felt when I found out Darren Wilson was not indicted for murder and the eventful letter to the editor that feeling prompted me to write. 2014 was the year I decided I became tired of being complacent. Did I make the most of 2014? When I look back, will it be the year I will never forget, or the year I can’t wait to forget? Personally, I can say 2014 was decent. I made some strides toward my personal goals, and I miraculously passed all of my classes. I guess
you could say I made it. I survived. Survive. It’s quite an interesting word when you think about it. By definition, the word survive means to continue to live or exist, especially in spite of danger or hardship. So it’s relative. Survival can mean different things to different people. Here at UT not only are we surviving, but we are changing as well. Two months ago I wrote a letter to the editor calling for a conversation on race and racism here on campus. Since then, I have received multiple emails doing just that. The conversation has started on campus, yet there is still a lot of work that needs to be done. I look forward to continuing the conversation in 2015 and seeing how much of a difference we as students can make on this campus. While I look forward to 2015, I cannot forget those that never made it, those who did not survive, those who were murdered due to the sheer racism and corruption in their society. You have not died in vain. 2015 is a new year, our year, a chance to dust off old goals and work our hardest to achieve them. This
about our futures. How about this: “Yes, actually, I am so ready for graduation! As the changes in my life begin to unfurl like a poorly rolled joint, I begin to see more and more that not having an exact answer to all the questions has become an asset.” Do you see how poignant this is? What do you think about this one: “I’m not sure what I want. I do know, however, that my uncontainable wanderlust is making my feet as itchy as a butthole insufficiently wiped with one-ply toilet paper.” That’ll really satisfy the particularly ruthless champions of the Adulthood Inquisition. Or perhaps this one will suit better suit your needs: “But, then again, who really needs funding when you’ve got sugardaddie.com?” Stay strong in the final leg, my fellow final semester seniors. We are all poised to do great things, and we should answer to all our doubters and the obnoxiously inquisitive with a smile on our faces, a song in our hearts and a certain finger held high in the air. Alexandra Chiasson is a senior in English. She can be reached at achiasso@vols.utk.edu.
“Here at UT not only are we surviving, but we are changing as well.” year Inshallah (god willing), I will achieve a goal that my family and I have been looking forward to for a long time: I will become the first person in my family to graduate from college. I am not just doing it for myself and my family, but for Jordan Davis. I do this for Mike Brown, for Tamir Rice and every other black youth whose life has been cut short because they were born the wrong color. 2015 will be the year we never forget. Hawa Henderson is a senior in microbiology. She can be reached at hhender7@vols. utk.edu.
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The Daily Beacon • Thursday, January 8, 2015
News Editor: Hayley Brundige @hayleybrundige • hbrundig@vols.utk.edu Asst. News Editor: Bradi Musil @bradi4 • bmusil@vols.utk.edu
CAMPUSNEWS
Checking in with SGA
Note from President Kelsey Keny
All Vol Tailgate (Keny-Dugosh campaign) Hosted tailgate before the Utah State season opener with free food and drinks, which more than 600 students attended. Followed up with a tailgate/watch-party in Presidential Courtyard for the Georgia game. Looking to work with future SGA administration to discuss ways of incorporating additional All Vol Tailgates.
When we started out the 2014-2015 school year, our plan for SGA was to be more intentional -- with our actions and our initiatives. We wanted to work effectively so that, come May, we would be able to reflect on the year and know it meant something. Being at the middle of the year intimidates me because it makes me stop and think — how far have we come on what we set out to do? Where have we fallen behind? And how can we use our remaining time to do better? Last semester was busier than I’d imagined it would be, in different ways than I’d imagined it would be. We hit some of our top agenda items quickly, while other campus initiatives came up. The list you see to the right shows some highlights of what’s gotten done and what’s coming up, but the truth is, it doesn’t show half of the work that I see SGA members doing on a daily basis. Whether it’s our treasurer looking for ways to secure a more effective budget, our traditions directors working to make more students feel included on campus, our government affairs director advocating for student programs to legislators, our dozens of administrative committee members speaking up for students in dining, parking, technology, student-program allocation, and numerous other meetings, I don’t believe there’s one day of the school year that goes by when someone in SGA isn’t representing us students. I wish there was a way to show every bit of it, but I haven’t found that answer yet. So for the time being, take a look at our mid-year report and keep checking our website for updates. But know that while we’re proud of the work we’ve done so far, we’re not satisfied. We’re going to constantly, intentionally aim to be better for all students. Because whether our year in office “meant something” -- well, that’s up to you.
Dining Dollars/All-Star at sporting events (Keny-Dugosh campaign) Secured four concession stations in Neyland Stadium to accept Dining Dollars and All-Star. This option will also be available soon in Thompson-Boling Arena.
Opt-In Promoted what the new opt-in policy is and how it impacts the student body; 93 percent of students taking 6 hours or more opted in.
Gender-Neutral Bathrooms Advocated for gender-neutral/family style bathrooms on campus along with multiple campus commissions and an Undergraduate Senate Bill; Chancellor Cheek has since reported all new buildings/major campus renovations will provide gender-neutral/family style bathrooms.
Waiting on feedback for passed Undergraduate Senate legislation Loading zone spaces available in Sorority Village Extended Meal Equivalency in Thompson-Boling Arena lunch dining Alma Mater lyrics displayed at football games Mandated first-year student orientation Additional information on campus maps Additional microwaves in campus buildings Freshmen Council will provide a freshman forum and work on issues they received feedback on last semester.
Braille in Nursing Building Braille is being added in the College of Nursing building as a direct result of an Undergraduate Senate Bill from Senator Elizabeth Hamilton.
Extended Hodges hours Worked with library administrators to extend Sunday hours in Hodges; starting Feb. 1 it will open at 10 a.m.
Presented three nominees for the vacated UT Board of Trustees Student Representative position Jalen Blue, Grant Davis and Bethany Vanhooser
Free Scantrons (Keny-Dugosh campaign) During Finals, SGA gave out free Scantrons to students; additional free Scantrons are available in the SGA office for anyone.
Re-charge room in Haslam SGA lobbied for an area for a location with more charging areas in the Haslam Business Building; it is on the first floor and available to all students.
Civility Campaign Working with administrators and other students for civility initiatives on campus to ensure UT’s campus is “welcoming to all, hostile to none.”
Student Services events Student Service committees held numerous events ranging from the Beat Bama bonfire, Big Orange Friday celebrations, a political debate, an open forum with Chancellor Cheek and more.
Arts & Culture Editor: Jenna Butz @butzjenna • jkw546@vols.utk.edu
Projects Editor: Liv McConnell • mmccon@vols.utk.edu
Thursday, January 8, 2015 • The Daily Beacon
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ARTS&CULTURE Rhythm N’ Blooms festival to return with more local sound Hannah Zechman Staff Writer
American roots are taking over the generalization of Americana sound and redefining what it means to have homegrown music. The Rhythm N’ Blooms festival, a threeday musical event birthed to Knoxville in 2010, prides itself in moving from an Americana festival to an American roots festival. Welcoming local sound from the different corners of the region, the festival allows bands to come and share their Knoxville-impacted music. Partnered with Dogwood Arts Festival and sponsored largely by Samuel Adams for the events in April, Rhythm N’ Blooms promotes the opportunity to come out and learn Knoxville’s role in music history. Chyna Brackeen, president of Attack Monkey Productions and Co-Producer of Rhythm N’ Blooms, explained the original call for the festival. “The festival began to showcase East Tennessee’s role in showcasing roots music,” Brackeen said, “and there is an emphasis on having bands with ties to Knoxville.” Brackeen is carefully specific in choosing who will headline and perform, as the 2015 lineup will include Knoxville band The Dirty Guv’nahs, The Decemberists and Delta Spirit. She explained that there are two sticking points for her decision: the artists have to be able to play their instruments and be able to create and write their own music. “I wanted to be able to say our bands can play right there next to this band from California that’s heard on the radio all the time, and our bands are going to kick ass just as much,” Brackeen said. Besides wanting festival-goers to walk home with new favorite bands they have never heard of, Brackeen has worked on locating the entire festival in the Old City. She said she is hoping to give a beautifying experience to the current rebirth happening in the Old City as well as provide people a reason to be in the area at three in the
afternoon, having a great time. The venues stretch from the gritty setup of Pilot Light to an intimate setting in Lox Salon, even utilizing the space at The Standard and on the Old City streets for building exclusive Rhythm N’ Blooms venues. James Trimble, lead singer of The Dirty Guv’nahs, is ready to be home playing in the city that shaped the Guv’nahs’ sound. Barley’s, a restaurant venue in the 2015 lineup, was home to some of the Guv’nahs’ beginning shows, including the parking lot beside the restaurant that debuted the locally grown band for their first performance. “Every time we play at home it is by far the most enjoyable time,” Trimble said. The Dirty Guv’nahs are happy to share this new, personal experience with the Rhythm N’ Blooms crowd, as well as several new songs. Along with the music scene and local vendors setting up in the streets of the Old City, Brackeen is excited to announce another year of musician’s workshops happening on Saturday during the festival. The workshops are free to the public and have discussions on topics such as lyric writing and honing personal instrument skills. Any musician playing at the festival may help instruct the workshop, providing an opportunity for an educational meet-n-greet for fans and attendees. Rounding out the schedule, the Dogwood Arts Festival also supports art in local schools with a student-only competition involving hand painted guitars. Art students from Knox County Schools are chosen to enter the competition and paint their own ideas on the face of a guitar. The guitars are then displayed during the entire festival and put up for auction. All proceeds go towards the Rhythm N’ Blooms festival and supporting art in local schools. Brackeen, alongside the Dogwood Arts Festival, has continually made an extensive effort to create a unique to Knoxville experience for locals and travelers. Ultimately wanting to contribute to extending the American Root sound, Rhythm N’ Blooms strives to play a role in growing local Knoxville bands. Each year, new artists
Brett Dennen headlined 2014’s Rhythm N’ Blooms Festival. This year The Dirty Guv’nahs, The Decemberists and Delta Spirit will headline. Hayley Brundige • The Daily Beacon
come out of the woodwork and are welcomed into the region’s sound. Evan Ford, member of Cereus Bright, recalled their performance in the 2014 Rhythm N’ Blooms festival as one of the band’s most memorable weekends. Recently making their first headlining debut at the Bijou Theater, the festival served as a milestone for the group. Ford explained how each musician brings their personal adapta-
tion to the American roots sound. “We can say that this festival is growing, maybe because of us,” Ford said. “Its very encouraging for Knoxville as a music city.” Rhythm N’ Blooms begins the weekend of music and art on Friday, April 10 and concludes with performances on the Main Stage on Sunday, April 12. Tickets are available online and are $60 for a three-day pass.
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The Daily Beacon • Thursday, January 8, 2015
Arts & Culture Editor: Jenna Butz @butzjenna • jkw546@vols.utk.edu
Projects Editor: Liv McConnell • mmccon@vols.utk.edu
ARTS&CULTURE
It’s a hard Knox life Faith Schweikert Copy Editor (@got_2haveFaith)
Two and half hours later there wasn’t a single person not singing to themselves, one song or another, as they walked out the doors of the Tennessee Theatre Tuesday night. Broadway’s “Annie” visits Scruffy City through Jan. 11, bringing with it all the optimism it did when the program first aired in the ‘30s. Hollywood’s newest recreation of the musical may be playing just down the street at the Regal Riviera, but nothing can match the awe of watching a live performance, complete with an adorable dog and beautifully crafted, changing sets. Excitement could be seen as the cast expertly performed familiar songs such as “Tomorrow” and “NYC” while great laughter erupted from the audience with nearly every other line, proving that people just
need a little redheaded girl to bring some happiness into their lives. In this production, that little girl was Issie Swickle, whom otherwise should be known as the perfect Annie. For such a young person, she impressively commanded the stage with her powerful voice and enthusiasm. Waiting for something to go wrong proved fruitless as the show went on. She is Annie. It seemed, though, that all the youngsters ruled the stage. Second only to Annie were the group of orphans she affectionately called ‘the kids.’ As the later hour approached, it seemed at some point they’d show their weariness, but like Swickle, all seven of them sang and danced like they’d been doing so for years. Unfortunately, the talent ran low after that. Miss Hannigan (Lynn Andrews, respectively) was a particular disappointment. While admirable in her efforts to recreate such an iconic role, she lacked the passion in her movements and words that
The cast of Annie brings the hard-knock life to Knoxville. Esther Choo • The Daily Beacon
so embody Miss Hannigan. Yelling loudly and stumbling around a stage doesn’t make an actor Miss Hannigan, it makes them an actor. The end result was an overexaggeration of iconic lines to make up for an otherwise average performance. Similarly, Rooster Hannigan (Garrett Deagon) and Lily ( Lucy Werner) managed to take such fun and outrageous roles and reduce them to performances anyone comfortable on a stage could do. Despite this, I too was one of those
people singing to myself as I walked home. You just can’t help it. So not all of the actors were the best, and there were minor errors in the execution of landscapes, but the familiarity of the show and the happiness it emphasized was infectious. So at least in that all actors succeeded; they were able to make us completely forget about our own lives, dive into the Great Depression era and still come out wearing a smile from ear to ear.
Arts & Culture Editor: Jenna Butz @butzjenna • jkw546@vols.utk.edu
Projects Editor: Liv McConnell • mmccon@vols.utk.edu
Top 5 Christmas break films Faith Schweikert Copy Editor (@got_2haveFaith)
Christmas is a time for gingerbread, Santa and ugly sweaters. For movie buffs though, it marks the release of many of the top movies of the year. The Daily Beacon’s Faith Schweikert braved the cold to review the top films of the season.
“The Theory of Everything” Brilliance. Stephen Hawking has “it,” but I dare say this film about his relationship with his wife does even more. It explores how the inner workings of Stephen’s discoveries and illness impact Jane Hawking in a way that neither victimizes nor portrays her as some sort of angel. While interest is derived from the obvious obscureness of the Hawking’s life story, the filmmakers and especially actors Eddie Redmayne (Stephen) and Felicity Jones (Jane) make it fantastical. Every movement enhances the film, right down to each muscle in Redmayne’s face that match Hawking’s almost eerily. But this only makes the story even more hauntingly beautiful.
“The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies”
Any problem with this final “Hobbit” film stems from the fact that a 300-page book was split in three. However, with that being said, “The Battle of the Five Armies” marks the end of “The Lord of the Rings” films, so it has to make the record books despite its lack of plot (see The Hobbit’s one and two for that). In true LOTR manner, all costumes are perfect. All the CGI and scenery make Middle Earth come to life. Martin Freeman continues to make Bilbo Baggins the loveable young Hobbit the audience has become accustomed to.
“Night at the Museum” The third installment of this series that could’ve stopped after the first one, will not be winning any awards for outstanding direction or acting or anything in between. But, it’s on the list because it makes you smile. Suddenly, you’re remembering back to when you saw the first one years ago, how much you love Robin Williams and all the honest laughter that occurs over that hour and a half. Not every film changes the world, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t worth the time. Some are just plain good.
“Unbroken” Nothing can ever be an excuse to not do what needs to get done after watching the true story of former Olympian turned POW, Louis Zamperini. The film is not as breathtakingly inspiring as expected, as director Angelina Jolie was keen on showing both sides of the conflict, thus evoking less sympathy for Zamperini’s situation. However, there was no shortage of intrigue watching upcoming actor Jack O’Connell struggle to maintain his humor and determination throughout the years. He may have been unbroken, but nearly everyone in the theater will break down in tears watching him be so.
“Wild” Thank you, Reese Witherspoon, and especially the real-life woman she portrays, Cheryl Strayed, for teaching theater-goers how to get over a break-up and the loss of a loved one, how to get sober and to move on: you hike. “Wild” chronicles Strayed’s journey to self-empowerment, after hitting rock bottom, as she walks the 1100-mile Pacific Crest Trail solo. Witherspoon deserves every award given to her for putting us inside the mind of this woman.
Thursday, January 8, 2015 • The Daily Beacon
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Arts & Culture Editor: Jenna Butz @butzjenna • jkw546@vols.utk.edu
The Daily Beacon • Thursday, January 8, 2015
Projects Editor: Liv McConnell • mmccon@vols.utk.edu
ARTS & CULTURE International coffeehouse offers multicultural treats
Southern comedy to open tonight
Hannah Moulton
Theatre Knoxville Downtown constructed Granny’s house — just in time for the family to come to town. Wednesday, cast members put the finishing touches on the set of their upcoming production “Daddy’s Dyin’: Who’s Got the Will?,� a southern comedy that puts a family’s internal disputes under the spotlight. Courtney Woolard is on the board of directors for Theatre Knoxville and will play the role of Marlene Turnover in this weekend’s production. Woolard, along with the other cast members, crew and coordinators of Theatre Knoxville, work as volunteers to ensure the organization remains the oldest nonacademic, volunteer-based theater in Knoxville. “We are a community organization, and we’re really passionate about getting people involved and really spreading the message about theater,� Woolard said. “Daddy’s Dyin’: Who’s Got the Will?� will be performed on Theatre Knoxville’s stage on Gay Street. “We are small,� Woolard said. “It’s only about a 50-seat theater, but we are one of the few companies that can say they aren’t homeless.� It will be Staci Swedeen’s first time performing on the Theatre Knoxville stage. “This theater really reminds me of all the little black box theaters that are very prevalent in New York City,� Swedeen said. “It’s very intimate. You’re 3 feet from the stage.� This intimacy brings family drama such
Copy Editor (@Hannah_Moulton)
For lovers of coffee, new friends and new cultures, the International House’s newest program is for you. The program has been dubbed the International Coffeehouse, and starting this semester, students can get together to chat and experience the culinary world of different cultures. Each week will highlight a different culture, country or region, said Lauren Longino, I-House coordinator. “If we were going to do Mexico one week, we’d have maybe a couple of little snacks from Mexico that you can try,� Longino said. “Something authentic.� The I-House will collaborate with students from whichever culture or country showcased that week to ensure the recipes are original. At least one type of coffee or tea will be served that is strictly authentic to that country or culture. The idea of the International Coffeehouse is to bring students together, both American and international. “It’s a great way to meet new people and possibly other cultures in a more natural and relaxed studying,� said Kelsey Ray, a student assistant at the I-House. The program evolved through Longino attending a conference where people from other schools were discussing their univer-
sities’ “coffee hourâ€? programs. “Just thinking this would be a good way to get our students involved,â€? Longino said. “It’s not as big of a commitment as our World Showcase series ‌ This is just something small.â€? The International Coffeehouse will also provide students a chance to learn more about the I-House. Longino said many American students are unaware that the I-House is open to anyone regardless of nationality. “A lot of our international students and those of us that work here, we really want to share things with them about other cultures,â€? Longino said. “I want them to just get maybe a little more exposure to the International House and kind of understand that we do offer things like free coffee and tea all the time. “It’s a space for anybody.â€? Ray also sees the International Coffeehouse as extremely beneficial to students. “There’s a lot of ways to learn about the world, and sometimes hanging out and talking over coffee is a great way to start,â€? Ray said. The first week of the International Coffeehouse will feature treats and coffees from various places around the world. The International Coffeehouse will be held every Wednesday from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. in the Mary E. Greer room in Hodges Library.
Megan Patterson Staff Writer
as “Daddy’s Dyin’: Who’s Got the Will?� right under the audience’s nose, which Woolard referred to as “King Lear� set in Texas. “I would describe this as every family’s comic nightmare. It’s fun and fast, and what family doesn’t have issues?� Swedeen joked. “You think your family has issues, come look at this one. You’ll feel so much better about yours.� The play revolves around an unusual sort of family reunion when a Texas family gathers to face the imminent death of their patriarch. Despite the seemingly morbid topic though, this play is not a tragedy. “It’s definitely a comedy,� Willard explained. “At least we hope it is.� The volunteer-based company holds open auditions before each production. This leads to a shifting and diverse cast with each new play. “There’s people of all different levels and ages and stages on the stage, and that can be both fun and terrifying,� Swedeen said. The cast includes both theater veterans and amateurs ready to try something new, yet the cast still shares a common goal. “There’s probably not an ounce of pretension among us,� Woolard said. “We’re here to provide a service to the community and have fun while were doing it.�
“Daddy’s Dyin’: Who’s Got the Will?� opens Thursday, Jan. 9 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 at the door.
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Thursday, January 8, 2015 • The Daily Beacon
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PUZZLES&GAMES Get Fuzzy • Darby Conley
Non Sequitur • Wiley Miller
NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD • Will Shortz
dadoodlydude • Adam Hatch
ACROSS 1 Haunt 7 Game with its own dictionary 15 Sense 16 Showed one’s support, in a way 17 Casino employee 18 Pulls 19 It stinks 20 Like the rightmost elements 22 Fox 23 Theatrical event 24 Woman’s name with a ring to it? 26 Play in 7-Across with the rack DEIORRW 29 Singer on Canada’s Walk of Fame since 2005 30 Mars, to some 31 One with all the answers? 32 Common workout target 35 “Rocks” 36 Play in 7-Across with the rack DDEEIRS 39 Major suit 40 Youth 41 Sonata, e.g.
42 Latin trio member 43 Youth 44 Play in 7-Across with the rack ADEGNRS 47 Lower 50 Orange ___ 51 Université breaks 52 “Clear now?” 53 “Li’l ol’ me?” 56 Governor who said “I don’t think there’s anybody in America who would necessarily think my personality is best suited to being number two” 59 Creation 61 Place with rides 62 1998 and 1999 Super Bowl champ 63 What the three possible answers to each of 26-, 36- and 44-Across are, leading to 27 possible solutions to this puzzle 64 Kind of bar DOWN 1 Even ___ 2 Sugar source 3 Blackjack choice
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The Daily Beacon • Thursday, January 8, 2015
Sports Editor: Jonathan Toye • jtoye@vols.utk.edu
Asst. Sports Editor: Taylor White • ty15@vols.utk.edu
SPORTS FOOTBALL
Vols look to improve, build off emphatic Taxslayer Bowl victory Troy Provost-Heron Staff Writer (@Troy_Provost)
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The trophy was passed from hand to hand. The cameras flashed from every conceivable angle. After a “rollercoaster of a season,” Tennessee had finally achieved what it set out to do with a 45-28 bludgeoning of the Iowa Hawkeyes in the TaxSlayer Bowl on Jan. 2. “Coming into the season, our goal was obviously to make it to a bowl game, and when we got there, (our goal was) to win it, as we did today,” sophomore quarterback Joshua Dobbs said. But after a lengthy celebration at EverBank Field, Dobbs changed the tone as fast as the Volunteers had put away the Hawkeyes in Jacksonville. “This is the start of a foundation for
something big going on in Tennessee, momentum we can carry into the offseason,” said Dobbs, with his TaxSlayer Bowl MVP trophy glistening to the right of him. Dobbs’ backfield counterpart Jalen Hurd didn’t hold back either when talking about what kind of statement the Vols sent after their first bowl victory since the 2007 season. “It shows that we’re here to compete and you better watch out for us because we’re coming,” the freshman running back said. “We’re coming, for real.” And it didn’t take long for these comments to manifest into the public’s opinion. Shortly after the final whistle had blown, UT became an up and coming SEC East contender — some even naming them the SEC East favorite. See GAMER on Page 15
Coach Butch Jones holds the trophy UT won in the TaxSlayer Bowl game against Iowa on Jan. 2. Hayley Pennesi • The Daily Beacon
Sports Editor: Jonathan Toye • jtoye@vols.utk.edu
Asst. Sports Editor: Taylor White • twhite15@vols.utk.edu
Thursday, January 8, 2015 • The Daily Beacon
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SPORTS FOOTBALL
Bowl win signals return of winning culture for Tennessee football
David Cobb Senior Sports Columnist (@DavidWCobb)
You know it’s a special moment for University of Tennessee athletics when the traffic beaters are stirred enough by what is occurring to stay until it ends. The outcome of Tennessee’s 45-28 TaxSlayer Bowl victory over Iowa on Jan. 2 had essentially been decided by the end of the first quarter, but about 40,000 UT fans stayed to celebrate every precious moment of the game and the party that followed it. They stayed to celebrate the end of the
GAMER continued from Page 14
Second-year head coach Butch Jones, however, pumped the brakes. “We still have a long way to go,” Jones said. “But I tell you what. I said this is the most challenging year I’ve ever had in coaching, but (it’s also been) the most rewarding. We have great character in our football program. “We still have a long way to go. But we’re making progress. We talked about building this program brick by brick. We put another brick into the foundation today. The main thing of anything of setting a culture in place is learning how to win. Not just hoping to win, but believing you’re going to win and also deserving to win.” While that brick may be one of the biggest to be laid in that foundation in quite some time, Jones knows that more will have to be cemented from now to fulfill the evergrowing expectations. But he doesn’t plan on failing on that front. “Now we have to go assemble a top3, top-4 recruiting class, which we will,
frustration they had endured since 2008, and they stayed to celebrate the beginning of the success that UT’s thrashing of the Hawkeyes at EverBank Field foreshadowed. And there is no mistaking the fact that success should be a part of this football program’s future. The culture has changed. Losses can happen, and they probably will next season. Anyone promising to their friends or proclaiming on message boards that the 2015 Vols will doubtlessly be a 10-win team still needs a few days to come down from the high which the bowl game provided. But there is an obvious difference when the current Vols - the ones who slayed Iowa with a two-deep consisting almost entirely of returning players - are compared to their predecessors, and Butch Jones pointed it out in his postgame press conference. “We’ve learned how to win,” Jones said. “Our players expect to win now every time they step on the football field. To me, a because we’re building and we have something special and great people,” Jones said. The bowl victory, though, doesn’t just provide a breakthrough moment for a program attempting to climb its way back. But what lies ahead for the 2015 edition for the Vols? If this year’s squad’s goal was to win a bowl game, what’s the standard for next season? Those answers have yet to be determined, but Jones does know one thing that they will be striving for. The same thing they always have. “We always have one goal and one constant goal in our program when it comes to our performance and it’s to be a better football team each and every day,” Jones said. “Each individual taking accountability for their own self-determination. If you improve individually, you improve collectively as a football team. “We already have the offseason mapped out. We just have to continue to get better. We have to develop depth. We have to get stronger. We have to continue to recruit … But we’ll cross that bridge when we get there. I just want these kids to enjoy the next couple weeks.”
culture in anything that you do, that’s the starting process for anything.” UT’s second-year coach is not one to offer plainly stated goals or marks of progress for his program. In fact, since his introductory press conference more than two years ago, Jones has stuck to a strict script, which is to talk in circles using slogans that have come to nauseate those who cover him because of how consistently he relies upon them to gauge the progress of his program. But his statement that the Vols have learned how to win should not be cast into the garbage can of cliché quotes that holds most of Jones’ other “brick-by-brick” and “process” riddled press conferences. In fact, the declaration that his team has learned how to win only adds credence to his public relations strategy because now it appears to be true. The Vols did not just beat Iowa, they
steamrolled it, and nearly all the players responsible for that outcome are returning next season with a level of swagger and actual ability unmatched by any UT team in recent memory. Actually, the culture has not changed at all. There was no beating the traffic on the way back to Knoxville from Jacksonville, and there is no denying that the fans who made the trek, and the ones who did not, expect greater successes in the future. The culture has returned. Tennessee is once again expected to be successful, and a 7-6 season won’t be something worth enduring the traffic to commemorate when 2015 turns to 2016. And that is something worth celebrating. David Cobb is a senior in journalism and electronic media. He can be reached at dcobb3@vols.utk.edu.
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The Daily Beacon • Thursday, January 8, 2015
Sports Editor: Jonathan Toye • jtoye@vols.utk.edu
Asst. Sports Editor: Taylor White • ty15@vols.utk.edu
SPORTS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Lady Vols seek third top ten win against ‘physical’ Texas A&M squad Patrick MacCoon Staff Writer
The last time Holly Warlick took the sidelines on the hard court opposite of Gary Blair, Tennessee snuck past Texas A&M late in the semifinals of the Southeastern Conference tournament on March 8, 2014 in Duluth, Georgia. Another tough matchup between the two top-10 teams is in store, as the No. 7 Lady Vols welcome the Aggies into ThompsonBoling Arena on Thursday night for a 7 p.m. tip-off. Blair’s ninth ranked team will look to avenge its previous loss and end its twogame losing streak against Tennessee. Since joining the conference in 2012, the Aggies have a 1-3 record against Tennessee. Blair, who is a Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame member, won a National Championship with the Aggies in 2011 and is 686-274 (0.715) all-time as a head coach. “The Aggies can score inside out and are
extremely talented on the defensive end,” third-year Tennessee head coach Holly Warlick said. “They are a very solid team and are well-coached. It’s a big challenge for us.” Texas A&M (14-2, 2-0 SEC) returns four of five starters from last season that are looking to give Tennessee its first home loss of the season. Courtney Williams and Courtney Walker, who combined for 48 points in the Aggies 86-77 semifinals loss to the Lady Vols last season, both lead the team lead in scoring at 14.6 points per game. “Texas A&M is a great team,” UT point guard Andraya Carter said. “They have a couple mid-range shooters that are hard to stop. We are going to have to play really solid defense. They like to run the ball and are athletic. It’s going to be an exciting game and we just have to execute our game plan.” UTDAILYBEACON.COM See the full story online.
Tennessee beats Mississippi State, 61-47 Associated Press STARKVILLE, Miss. — Kevin Punter scored 15 points, Josh Richardson added 11 and Tennessee beat Mississippi State 61-47 on Wednesday night. First-year Volunteers coach Donnie Tyndall earned a win in his SEC debut. Tennessee(9-4, 1-0 SEC) won using a suffocating defense, forcing Mississippi State (7-7, 0-1) into just 30.6
percent shooting (11 of 36) from the field. Tennessee wasn’t great on offense either — going more than 12 minutes at one point during the first half without a field goal — but used a 22-5 run early in the second half to put the game away. The Volunteers never trailed in the second half and led by as many as 18. Mississippi State has lost seven of nine games dating back to Nov. 29. The Bulldogs shot just 24 of 44 (54.5 percent) on free throws.
SWIMMING/DIVING
Swimming, diving team looks to gain experience from weekend road trips Lucas Hunter Contributor
After three consecutive days at the Tennessee Diving Invitational, the Tennessee swimming and diving team has two days of rest before it travels to College Station, followed by a visit to Louisiana State University. While in Texas, the Vols will face Missouri State as the Lady Vols square off against Texas A&M and Southern Methodist University on Jan. 8. “Over the course of the break - since the Nike Cup - we’ve been working on the fundamentals, some of the technical elements of our race,” assistant coach Lance Asti said on the team’s preparation. “So we want to see them go out and execute great race plans and put together some of the pieces that we’ve been working on.” After facing Auburn, winner of six
national titles since 2003, Tennessee knows what to expect in SEC play, as the Lady Vols prepare to face an Aggie team that Asti described as “exceptionally deep” with multiple weapons. “SEC competition is just so deep. Every team you go against has the potential to swim very fast and give you the highest level of competition,” Asti said. Following additional meets with SMU and Missouri State, the team will travel by bus to Baton Rouge, Louisiana to face the LSU Tigers on Jan. 10. The Volunteers may be looking for a revenge meet in Louisiana when they take the stage inside the LSU Natatorium on the Tigers’ senior night after the Tigers claimed the top three spots in the Tennessee Diving Invitational. UTDAILYBEACON.COM See the full story online.