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Wednesday, January 11, 2012 Issue 1 T H E

E D I T O R I A L L Y

Vol. 119

I N D E P E N D E N T

S T U D E N T

PUBLISHED SINCE 1906

PAGE 7

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Knoxvillians run to show support for diversity YWCA Knoxville to host growing Race against Racism Deborah Ince Staff Writer Eliminating racism and empowering women has always been the prominent goal of YWCA Knoxville since its establishment in 1899. In keeping with this mission, the YWCA hosts its annual Race against Racism on Jan. 14 at the YWCA Phyllis Wheatley Center. “We’re about celebrating diversity throughout the community,” Danielle Benson, YWCA’s Director of Operations, said. Each year, the event offers participants the opportunity to listen to guest speakers and to enjoy many different entertainment venues. This year, Steven Waller, UT associate professor of recreation and kinesiology, will be speaking about diversity and increasing its awareness throughout the community. Beginning at 11:30 a.m., participants complete a 5K run around many historic landmarks that emphasize the progression of diversity. A one-mile walk, stroller walk and stroller run are also offered this year. Awards will be presented at 1:45 p.m. to all participants. “We want to promote a better understanding of the diverse population in the community and of ways to create diversity every day of the year,” Benson said. Held annually, the race has been one of the major events for YWCA for over 15 years, and Benson is pleased with its expansion over the years. “The race is growing every year,” Benson said. “We’ve already got over 300 people signed up for this year.” Corporate sponsors and non-profit organizations often partner with the YWCA in helping host the event. Benson also said that student volunteers are needed to

Fraternity brings grad students together Victoria Wright Student Life Editor

slew of social events geared to help law students interact with other grad programs. Social chair of Sword and Scales Nigel Vordrith, 24, has organized multiple tailgates with the UT pharmacy program and a mixer at Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria with law students from Lincoln Memorial University. “We wanted to get people familiar with who they’re going to work with in the future,” Vordrith, also a second-year law student, said. “One of the main aspects (of the organization) is building social opportunity.” Both Vordrith and Waters agree that networking plays a major role in law school as employers are more likely to hire candidates that they know. “A lot of friends have gotten jobs from going to networking events,” Waters said. “It’s pretty huge in this job market.” Creating a certain atmosphere is also important when Sword and Scales hosts its events. Waters said that among the 400 to 500 law students at UT, some are married with families or are in the 30-and-up age range, making it difficult to mingle at undergrad events. “We can have a more adult event where we don’t have to worry about (someone) being under-aged,” Waters said. “Though, you’re never too old to have a tailgate.”

The graduate school workload is challenging, but the social life doesn’t have to be. Sword and Scales is a social outreach and networking fraternity for UT College of Law students that attempts to connect with other graduate programs on campus. President Alexander Waters started the company last August. The 23-year-old began the organization due to difficulty meeting other graduate students in different programs. “I wanted to meet new people I normally wouldn’t meet by just going to school,” Waters, a second-year law student, said. His peers shared his frustration to meet other people. Though the law schools sits across from the UC and in clear sight of students heading to class on Cumberland, Waters said the school can be isolating. Undergraduate students normally flock to the library or the UC, allowing for easier social interactions, Waters said. Waters created the name from the sword and the scales the judicial symbol Lady Justice holds. He said the name embodies the legal background of the organization while still representing a coed fraternity. The organization alleviates the issue of meeting other graduate students by organizing a See LAW SOCIETY on Page 3

help with the race and encourages UT students to become involved. Anyone who is interested in helping on race day is encouraged to contact her directly at the YWCA for more information. “We are actually very involved with UT this year,” Benson said. Several UT organizations have already signed up to participate, including UT Volunteers Against Racism, UT LGBT and UT Social Work Society. Students can also fill out a registration online on YWCA Knoxville’s website if they would like to run. Registration is $25, with every participant receiving a long-sleeved T-shirt on race day. All race proceeds benefit the many free programs YWCA Knoxville offers, including a seniors program, domestic abuse assistance and an after-school program benefiting middle school students. “I think everyone has had a close connection to YWCA Knoxville somehow even if they didn’t know it,” Benson said. “It may be a server at the restaurant you eat at or a neighbor. This organization has touched everyone in Knoxville somehow. “After the race, many participants have said that it was so inspirational. It gives time to talk about racism and celebrate diversity. We try to provide tips and tricks on how to confront such issues in the community and the workplace and offer practical things you can do to encourage diversity.” Jordan Dronebarger, sophomore in graphic design, thinks that the event is very important for the community. “I think it’s really good,” Dronebarger said. “Racism is still pretty relevant in today’s society. I mean, we’ve come a long way, but there are still issues that need to be addressed.”

Tara Sripunvoraskul • The Daily Beacon

Mark Newman, undecided sophomore, crosses the finish line during the Running with Hope 5k in Circle Park on Saturday, Nov. 12. The YWCA Knoxville will be holding its annual Race against Racism on Jan. 14, starting at the YWCA Phyllis Wheatley Center.

UT campus livens again with new semester expectations Lauren Kittrell News Editor Midway through the academic year, students are given a chance to recoup and prepare for another semester of school, work, parties and time management. While the change to the Spring Semester may not seem like anything major, for many freshmen and upperclassmen alike, it can mean a transition to something more enjoyable and familiar or the end of something that has been a large part of life. The beginning of a new semester generally holds a mixture of excitement and fear as the reality of school approaches and round two begins, but for Lilly Watson, a freshman in art education, going back to school is something to look forward to. Watson said that her experiences over the last six months have been amazing and a new semester holds new and exciting experiences and friendships for her. “My first semester of college went great,” Watson said. “I feel like I adjusted pretty well. I loved having my friends so close by all the time.” The only downfall for Watson was being away from her parents and siblings,

but the pros seem to outweigh the cons. Watson even enjoys living in a dorm. “I did miss my family from time to time,” Watson said, “but I liked being on my own and having the freedoms that come with it. I actually love my dorm room. I’m looking forward to my classes this semester and growing in all my new friendships.” For upperclassmen, the beginning of a new semester rarely holds the same expectations or concerns as many freshmen might have. While there are still new classes to attend, the wonder and awe, or fear of the unknown, begins to fade and a routine emerges. The change from freshman to senior is a matter of time and experience and can vary from the extreme to hardly noticeable. For Jenny Yuhasz, senior in hotel, restaurant and tourism management, the change is for the better, and she looks at her last semester as the home stretch: comfortable, casual and simple. Looking back, Yuhasz remembers her first semester and what it looked like for her. The school, the classes and the schedule were something new, different and rather difficult. “Coming in freshman year, I was nervous,” Yuhasz said. “I had a math class at 8

a.m. on the Hill and was basically taking courses to fulfill Gen. Ed. requirements. I had a color-coded, I kid you not, map of the university so I knew where each class was.” This year, Yuhasz is merely wrapping up the hard labor of many years. She’s just thankful that the color-coded map is no longer a necessary companion. “This semester, I don’t think I have it too hard,” Yuhasz said. “Since I carefully planned my college courses to complete my hotel, restaurant and tourism major, I am left with just making it to 120 or 121 hours. So, this semester I’m taking walking and bowling, along with other classes, to make my hours and to keep me a full-time student to keep the HOPE scholarship. It should be a lot more fun!” Marissa Landis, a junior in the College Scholars Program, agreed with Yuhasz. “As a junior, I know what to expect to some extent,” Landis said. “I’m much more relaxed and can look forward to my classes rather than stressing out about them.” The beginning of the Spring Semester doesn’t only mean the end of the break and the start of school; it can signify the end of a first year or the beginning of an end.

George Richardson • The Daily Beacon

Local media get a glimpse from the sixth floor balcony of the student lounge in the Min Kao Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Building. The new facility will house the EECS department and opens its doors to students for the first time for the start of the Spring Semester.


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