SNL head writer visits Cox Auditorium
Alex Cline during his time working with The Daily Beacon. • Photo Courtesy of Alex Cline
Former Beacon cartoonist gets work for Cartoon Network
Hayley Brundige
Sterling Martin
Multimedia Editor
Copy Editor
Last Saturday, Colin Jost was in a bar. Jost, the head writer of Saturday Night Live, watched a re-run of the segment he co-hosts, “Weekend Update,” on the bar TV. After delivering a joke on the segment, Jost noticed that the closed captioning said there was [mild laughter] from the audience. “And I was like, ‘Oh I’m sorry, was that joke not impressive enough for you, dude who’s captioning for the deaf at 11:30 on a Saturday?’” Jost said. “Was that not up to your standards?” But on Tuesday night, it was standing room only in Cox Auditorium when the Emmy Award-nominated comedy writer took the stage.
Artists can often have a difficult time finding work they truly enjoy. Fortunately, that wasn’t the case for recent UT art graduate Alex Cline. A UT Alumnus and former Beacon cartoonist, Cline recently became a storyboard artist and writer on a popular Cartoon Network program called “The Regular Show.” Cline graduated with a fine art degree and a concentration in drawing. He moved to L.A. immediately after graduating from UT in search of prospective employers. “I started emailing every potential animation employer I could get a hold of and humbly interviewed them for information,” Cline said. “One of my contacts recommended me to a smaller a studio that he originally started out at called Six Point Harness … I found my other jobs while there through the people I worked with.”
See JODT on Page 5
“Local News Legend” promo. • Illustration by Alex Cline
UT professor meets with former U.S. president >>See page 3 Volume 130 Issue 6
Billy Bob (Thorton’s) Band to turn heads at The Joe >>See page 8 utdailybeacon.com @utkdailybeacon
One of the opportunities Cline encountered connected him with Cartoon Network, which had him take a story test for “The Regular Show.” “When applying for jobs in the animation business, you are usually asked to take drawing tests that are tailored to the job you are applying for,” Cline said. The network apparently liked Cline’s work, deciding to bring him on their regular animation team. “’The Parkie Awards,’ was the first of eight episodes that I have worked on with my storyboard partner Madeline Queripel,” Cline said. “The process starts with an outline that we are given, which looks like a three-to-four-page handout describing what needs to happen in [the developing] episode.” About a week is spent on writing dialogue and jokes, Cline explained, which is followed by rough sketches that are matched with the dialogue, in order to tell the story visually. See CLINE on Page 5
Jauan Jennings adjusting in new team role >>See page 10 Wednesday, August 26, 2015
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The Daily Beacon • Wednesday, August 26, 2015
DISPATCHES Chinese woman chugs entire bottle of liquor before flight Faced with losing an expensive bottle of cognac to airport officials, A Chinese woman chugged an entire bottle of expensive cognac before attempting to board her flight. The 100ml, $200 Rémy Martin XO Excellence bottle had been purchased in America, and had an alcohol content of 40 percent. The woman was later found rolling on the floor in front of a boarding gate at Beijing Capital International Airport. “She was so drunk … she couldn’t even stand up herself,” a police officer told the local paper Beijing Times. The woman was prohibited to board her flight over concers for herself and the safety of the fellow passengers. Family members later escorted her home several hours after she awoke from the incident.
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addition to the myriad of bible courses offered to students, chapel services are held twice a week, 14 of which are mandatory for students over the course of one semester. a small, private Given the school’s deep ties to the Christian college based in Jackson, Southern gospel, many of Union’s stuTennessee, has made public its stance dents support their school’s stance against same-sex marriage with its deciagainst same-sex unions. Trevor Sewell, sion to withdraw from the Council for a Union graduate student in the pasChristian Colleges and Universities eartor and Christian studies program, lier this month. feels the student body’s support makes The withdrawal from the CCCU, an sense given the school’s Christian backinternational organization representing ground. Christian universities across the globe, “If Union expects these policies and came after CCCU member schools these standards out of their students, Eastern Mennonite University and then it wouldn’t make sense that they Goshen College both endorsed the instibelong to an organization that is pertution of same-sex marriage, prompting mitting behavior and lifestyles that Union to end its 24 year relationship goes against their personal statement with the CCCU. of faith,” Sewell said. In a letter to CCCU While not an president Shirley advocate of sameHoogstra, Union sex marriage himpresident Samuel self, Sewell feels it Oliver claimed the his responsibility two universities had as a Christian to “abandoned fidelmaintain an open ity to God’s word mind and dialogue when they endorsed with those who same-sex marriage.” may disagree with He added that while his views. Union’s relationship “Christians with the CCCU had need to hold to been mutually bentheir convictions eficial in the past, while being able Union’s “faithfulness to hold converto the authority of sations,” Sewell Trevor Sewell, Union graduate student in the scripture” in regards said. pastor and Christian studies program to same-sex marriage Elias Marino, took precedence over a senior at Union their relationship University, simiwith the organization. larly feels that the While stopping school’s decision short of endorsing to exit the CCCU was the correct one. same-sex unions, Hoogstra maintained “I don’t think the issue was really CCCU’s commitment to supporting the over same-sex marriage,” Marino said. “religious freedom” of its member insti“It’s over the CCCU’s unwillingness to tutions to interpret scripture as they regard the Bible on this issue.” see fit. Like Sewell, Marino feels the school’s “CCCU is advocating vigorously on stance against same-sex unions was behalf of schools that hold the orthodox made “not out of malice,” but a convicview of marriage, and we will continue tion to strict biblical interpretation. to do so both for our members and for “The Bible is indisputably clear others who hold that view but are no about this issue, and the CCCU has longer members,” Hoogstra said in a allowed schools who are condoning this press release. behavior on their campuses in defiance Seated in the rural heart of West to the Bible to remain in the organizaTennessee, Union University is a prition,” Marino said. “It is a matter of vate, evangelical Christian college with conviction—that we do not answer to less than 5,000 students. Established the CCCU organization, but to God and in 1823, Union has strong ties to the his judgment.” Tennessee Baptist Convention, a fact reflected in the school’s curriculum. In
Hancock White House fence jumper dies Tanner News Editor after incident in Pennsylvania court Union University, Curtis Smith, 34, was shot and killed at a Pennsylvania courthouse after pulling a knife on a sheriff deputy on Tuesday, according to officials. Smith attacked the deputy at the Chester County Justice Center entrance. After the attack, a second deputy on duty drew a weapon and shot Smith. District Attorney Thomas Hagan released a statement that identified Smith as the same man who jumped the White House fence last March. It is still unclear why Smith entered the courthouse. The wounded sheriff sustained wounds to his hands and arm and is currently is stable condition. Smith was pronounced dead at the hospital.
THE DAILY BEACON STAFF EDITORIAL
Union University leaves organization over same-sex marriage
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Christians need to hold their convictions while being able to conversation.”
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Wednesday, August 26, 2015 • The Daily Beacon
UT professor interviews former president Hannah Marley Staff Writer Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States known for facing consistent economic recession on the home front and pursuing peace at the Camp David Accords, recently revealed that he has melanoma that has spread to his brain. Despite his continual health battle, the former president recently made time to grant a rare interview with a UT journalism professor. Dr. Amber Roessner, a professor in the School of Journalism and Electronic Media, is currently writing a book entitled,“Jimmy Who? Jimmy Carter & the Practice of Presidential Press and Promotion.” In the course of her studies, Roessner has conducted 25 interviews with members of the Carter administration in addition to research at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and the Emory University special collection on the former president. “On any given day, you never knew what you might encounter—a telling memo from campaign advisors, telephone logs and letters with records of interactions with the press or just a humorous political cartoon,” Roessner said. In a culmination of her research efforts, Roessner was granted the interview after three attempts and sending a copy of her first book on the Carter administration. “It was a great privilege to have the opportunity to interview President Carter, even for a brief time period, as he rarely grants interviews to scholars or journalists anymore,” Roessner said. The interview centered around Carter’s image and relationship with the press, exploring the challenges the president faced regarding Southern stereotypes throughout his presidency and his often strained relationship with the
media. Richard Pacelle, the head of the political science department at UT, said that Carter’s poor media relations, along with Carter’s reputation as a Washington outsider, both helped and harmed his ability to be an effective leader. While he was able to distance himself from the corruption of the Nixon presidency, Pacelle explained that it was difficult for him to work well with a strong congress given his lack of experience in the capitol. While discussing these themes, Roessner hopes to elaborate on the positive aspects of the Carter administration in order to dispel the commonly held belief that his presidency was often ineffective and riddled with problems. “I think when we revisit it we will find that Carter’s term in office was more of a success than we give him credit for,” Roessner said. “In particular, I believe that we’ve overlooked how he helped America move past Watergate and the era of the credibility gap.” Carter’s domestic shortcomings on the economic front earned him a reputation as the “failed president.” Despite that, Pacelle maintained that Carter’s success in mending the damage left by the Nixon presidency is often underrated. “Carter was able to calm the country down after Nixon, restoring faith in the office of the presidency,” Pacelle said. In regards to Carter’s recent announcement about his health, Roessner said he displayed the same level of poise that she would expect from the former president. “Many journalists have noted being surprised by the candor with which President Carter spoke about his melanoma and its spread to his brain last week, but I don’t think that should come as a surprise from a man who dedicated his presidency to being forthright with the American public,” Roessner said.
Amber Roessner, assistant professor in the School of Journalism and Electronic Media, met with Jimmy Carter. She is writing a book about the former president. • Photo Courtesy of Tennessee Today
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The Daily Beacon • Wednesday, August 26, 2015
Engineering students prep for Beijing Conor Barnhill Contributor UT’s Engineering Department will be put to the test this September as a group of five students visit Beijing for the Global Grand Challenges Summit competition, where they will unveil their work on a project over half a year in the making. The project, headed by a group of students and faculty mentors, presents a realistic exercise for in-training engineers by asking them to solve one of the “Grand Challenges for Engineering,” one challenge, of a possible 14, modern engineers face. The group of five will be pitted against other teams from the United States, as well as several teams from China and the United Kingdom, who have also collaborated on respective projects that attempt to solve one of the remaining global issues faced by engineers. According to Kevin Kit, one of the team’s mentors and a professor in the UT Engineering Department, he and the other mentors chose to tackle the issue of sustainability before any students were selected to compete. “From that point it was pretty much up to them to, with the broad area of sustainability, come up with an idea to launch a new business,” Kit said.
Competing students were chosen through their involvement with the Grand Challenges program, an extracurricular honors program for engineering students around the world. By late March, the students had met several times a week to discuss possible ideas to work on, a process which Adam Hasse, a senior in nuclear engineering and one of the five engineering students going on the trip, said was the most difficult part of the process. To make matters more difficult, the students not only had to come up with an idea, but also a model for a successful business. This was another challenging aspect of the project. Originally, the team planned to use zeolite, a crystal known for its ability to absorb gases like methane, to improve technology used in the natural gas industry. But after meeting with several potential customers, the team decided that the substance could be better used for agricultural purposes — a turn of events that Hasse and Kit both found surprising. “We thought we had an idea, and then we started talking to people in the natural gas industry, and they pretty much just shut us down,” Hasse said. “So, we really had to pivot to find our next customer.” As the project nears completion, Hasse and his team are working to finish the final steps, including the design of the actual business model in addition to the product itself.
Project Pengyou works to foster international friendship Heidi Hill Assistant News Editor 7,452 miles is a long way to go to look for a friend. But that’s exactly what president Jianyin Roachell, junior in supply chain management, and his fellow organizers in UT’s chapter of Project Pengyou want to do. Designed to foster future global leaders and ambassadors, Roachell said Project Pengyou seeks to “build a bridge” between Chinese and American students, all in the hope of uniting two of the world’s economic giants. “Pengyou is Chinese for friendship, so we are literally called ‘project friendship,’” Roachell said. Though a local chapter began at UT just last year, Roachell and his peers represent one of many local branches of the national Project Pengyou as a result of the U.S. State Department’s 100,000 Strong in the Americas initiative. This initiative, Roachell explained, is the direct result of President Obama’s push for a better relationship between China and the United States — two cultures that often don’t have the clearest view of each other. “To be a global leader of the 21st century, you have to know China,” Roachell said. “If we were to be global leaders of the 18th or 19th century, we’d have to know British leaders, but this century is about China. “This century is all about power and how the East will gradually get that shift of power from the West.” Secretary Tristen Callis, sophomore in business management, said this cultural disconnect between the nations is a trend he witnessed firsthand while living in China for four years. “I know I want go back, so that I can tell people about the culture and about why we needed to keep our focus in China, especially since the two largest economies in the world actually don’t work that closely together,” Callis said. To prepare for such a shift, Callis and Roachell emphasized that Project Pengyou offers a chance for Chinese and Americans to not only befriend each other, but also amass career connections while earning degrees in their chosen fields. “They didn’t really have a platform for Chinese study-abroad alumni to network and stay together, pass along information and share knowledge with each other,” Roachell said. “So, this really works to mend that.”
The Pengyou organizers plan to pursue advisors aggressively, citing past benefactors from the UT political science department, the Haslam College of Business, the UT Department of Engineering, the Center for Career Development, the Confucius Institute and Chancellor Jimmy Cheek. Roachell recalled Chancellor Cheek’s visit to the International House last year and said he was inspired by how much enthusiasm the chancellor expressed over the organization’s presence on campus. “Friendships are our vision, and [Cheek] values that vision fully,” Roachell said. One of Pengyou Project’s supporters, the Tennessee China Network shares this vision, working to create a more globally aware community as well. Executive director Elizabeth Rowland, once a policy analyst in China, said she saw a need for a more welcoming platform into the American job market when she returned to her hometown of Knoxville. “I found that there was a lot of more business here between Tennessee and China than I thought and a lot more than anyone knows about,” Rowland said. “That’s part of the problem — there’s no awareness of how developed the Tennessee-China relationship actually is. And there’s no platform for people for network.” However, one recent shift in Knoxville’s relationship with China, according to Rowland, occurred when the China-owned Cirrus Aircraft expanded services in the McGhee Tyson Airport with a Vision Center that aids in customized passenger experience. More importantly, Rowland said, the addition of the Vision Center in May (http://cirrusaircraft.com/cirrus-aircraftwill-expand-to-knoxville-tn-with-a-customer-experience-vision-center/) opened up approximately 50 jobs for the surrounding Knoxville community. Rowland explained that the Tennessee China Network is rooted in the same mission of fostering cross-cultural relationships — only differing in its location in the job market, outside the walls of a classroom or study abroad trip. “There’s a lot going on right now, and that’s why I decided to create the Tennessee-China Network,” she said. “To help connect the dots, so that people are more aware and so we can connect the dots between people as well.” For anyone interested in participating in Project Pengyou, interest meetings will be held on Sept. 14 and 17. To apply to be a member, email Jroachell@vols.utk.edu (mailto:Jroachell@vols.utk.edu) .
ARTS&CULTURE
Wednesday, August 26, 2015 • The Daily Beacon
JOST
Colin Jost One Liners
continued from Page 1 Jost, a Staten Island-native who has written for SNL since 2005, was brought to UT by the Cultural Attractions Committee. When he requested “fun facts” about Tennessee from the students he met with, he was given a long list of decidedly un-fun facts, like “mandatory meal plans are a thing” and “three tons of paint fell off the Rock because it was so hot.” “What the f*** is happening here?” Jost asked. “This place is falling apart.” Jost himself provided probably the most interesting fact: two SNL writers, Paula Pell and James Anderson, are former UT students. Anderson and Pell are also now the recipients of a short video shot by Jost of current UT students saying hello, or — more likely — incoherently yelling. In his hour and a half stand-up set, Jost covered everything from the Republican debate to the downfall of Jared from Subway to unwelcome racism from his grandfather to being single. “It’s funny, when you’re dating someone, you’re like, ‘Oh my god, it would be so much fun to be single!’” Jost said. “And then when you’re single, you’re like, ‘Oh yeah, this is better.’” UTDAILYBEACON.COM To see the full story, visit utdailybeacon.com SNL’s Colin Jost performed in the Cox Auditorium on Tuesday night. Justin Keyes • The Daily Beacon
CLINE
formative for me in school.” Current Daily Beacon Creative Director Katrina Roberts, a senior in English, was a continued from Page 1 freshman when she met Cline in the Daily “We go through two pitch meetings with the Beacon newsroom for the first time. Cline was creator of the show, J.G. Quintel, and the out- the Design Editor at the time, and Roberts said line writers,” Cline said. “After a few weeks of she would pick up the paper everyday just to finessing we turn it in. The rest of the work for “fangirl” over his graphics and original visual that particular episode will build from the story- designs. board. For example, a Roberts said it was two years after character designer will Cline graduated that she allowed any base their drawings off of his front-cover illustrations that of the sketches we’ve were hung on the office walls to be provided.” taken down. Cline called working Ultimately, Cline took Roberts at Cartoon Network under his wing during her freshman “wonderful.” year, and Roberts credits much of her “They have the design skills to his influence. utmost respect for their “I hadn’t really thought of how artists and are pretty visual a story can be, and how much willing to take risks on more it draws people in, until that our crazy ideas.” point,” Roberts said. “It’s about lookNot only did Cline ing at things in a different way.” earn a degree in art, Above all, Cline said he recognizes he also worked extenhow vital it is to keep a positive attisively for the Beacon tude, regardless of outside pressures. during his time at UT. “The hardest roadblock was stay“I ran a Monday to ing optimistic about the probability Friday comic strip for“The Parkie Awards” promo. of finding work,” he said. “That waittwo and a half years• Illustration by Alex Cline ing period can be brutal, but it’s really called ‘Scrambled Eggs.’ important to not dwell on the “what About half the time it was terrible and recycled, ifs” and to instead just focus on the present and but it gave me the chance to have an audience,” sharpen your craft. Cline said. “I got to see what evoked responses “Persistence is probably the answer to everyand what fell by the wayside. That was pretty thing.”
• “Tennessee is great, when you see Tennessee on a map, it’s really cool because it looks like Tennessee is pointing up to West Virginia like, ‘See, we’re not that bad!’” • “I thought I was a reasonably intelligent human being, but it took me about six years to realize that will.i.am is just William with dots in it.” • “Whenever I’m in a public bathroom and someone knocks, I just say, ‘Come on in.’” • “It’s funny, when you’re dating someone, you’re like, ‘Oh my god, it would be so much fun to be single!’ And then when you’re single, you’re like, ‘Oh yeah, this is better.’”
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The Daily Beacon • Wednesday, August 26, 2015
Breaking down stereotypes
Maria Smith Opinion: Inclusion is key to diversity
UT did not have a desegregated undergraduate class until January 4, 1961. The university was established September 10, 1794. Our beloved home on Rocky Top was not intended to accept the diversity we have now. Let that sink in. Although diversity is an essential part of students becoming well-rounded and aware individuals, many universities were not originally made to promote diverse surroundings. Originally, UT was not intended for me to attend simply because I am an African-American student. My grades could have been stellar and my extracurricular résumé could have been enviable to even that of Miss America, but still, I would not have been accepted. And, it is because of UT’s segregated history that multicultural communities on campus go out of their way to include minority groups on campus, empowering them to thrive academically and socially. For instance, an event called “How To: Survive & Thrive at a PWI” took place in the newly named Frieson Black Cultural Center last Thursday, when three panelists talked about their experiences of being people of color at predominately white institutions. I attended the discussion both out of curiosity and necessity. I can still be oblivious to some aspects of campus life that I didn’t know others were concerned about. One of the topics touched on was getting involved. Yes, this may sound like an easy step to take, but getting involved with organizations
outside of your comfort zone is the tricky part, especially when the majority of an organization’s membership identifies with another race besides your own. When we condition ourselves to follow those who resemble us, especially by race, we create unintended segregation because that’s where we feel comfortable. I know it is said that comfort is key, but it’s different when applied to diversifying the real world. We have to deepen our depth as individuals by partaking in uncomfortable situations so we can see where we fit and thrive. The cultural commonality of a certain organization should not stop you from dabbling or committing to something that is interesting to you. As a student body, we have to erase our boundaries of comfort to defeat stereotypes. For instance, it is often perceived that the Multicultural Mentoring Program is only for black people. This is an absolute lie that (how can I say this without sounding violent?) really grinds my gears. Any and everyone is welcome to join an organization that is based on helping guide first-year students with diverse cultural backgrounds. So if this is the mission of the organization, why would it be limited to one ethnicity? Our generation of students is here to defeat the stereotypes given to predominately and historically white institutions like our own. With our school simply being in Tennessee, the university gets asso-
VIEWPOINTS ciated with the origin of the Ku Klux Klan in Pulaski, Tennessee, the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Confederate flag. The history associated with the state alone could turn an eager student from Ghana or Kurdistan away from a great educational opportunity. Statistically speaking, the enrollment of people of color has reduced at UT since around the 1960s. We could blame this on various things, but inclusion and comfort could possibly be two of the main factors. How do we expect people to be interested in an institution if they’re constantly reminded that they don’t fit in? Although grades and football are important, a Volunteer who really bleeds orange to the pit of their soul cares about the impact that their decisions may have on others, especially those different from them, whether it be from an economical, racial or religious standpoint. Even though I bleed orange, I could die tomorrow because I’m different, and society still has the tendency to assume my character before I even have a chance to make it anywhere in this world. This is why I wanted to start here, with this platform, in order to make sure that I do my part as a volunteer. Maria Smith is a sophomore in journalism and electronic media. She can be reached at msmit304@ vols.utk.edu
On congratulations, class registration and oversleeping
Clint Graves Opinion: No excuses. Go to class.
You’ve made it a week. For this, I must say congratulations. The immediate hurdle is cleared; you should have at least some sense of accomplishment. But don’t go crazy, kid — it’s only been a week. You’ll have to do that 15 more times, and I promise, it doesn’t get easier. But that’s the point. If it got easier, then a college education would be an even bigger perversion of intellect than it already is. Because it gets harder, I’m here, like a semipsychotic uncle figure, to encourage you to get out of bed and keep trying, despite any inclinations you may have toward skipping class. And my encouragement starts with a reflection on the process of registering for classes. You never get any good advice on choosing classes from anyone who isn’t currently in college. And by “in college,” I mean “responsible for registering for classes.” This includes teachers, advisors, parents and that stoner dropout you probably know. None of these people, whether they have registered for classes in the past or haven’t, have the slightest clue about how it works. And that’s annoying, bordering on scary, given the fact that advisors are paid to do exactly that. It is said that if you’re a morning person, you should take morning classes. If you’re a night owl,
you should take afternoon classes. But that’s just verbal refuse. You have no control over when the university or its instructors decide to plan classes. And when you start taking classes that actually matter, there often isn’t a choice at all. You need to take a highly esoteric, 400-level, women’s studies course to graduate? Good luck. There is a more-than-likely chance that the course has only one section and that section is slated for the much-coveted 11:17 PM Tuesday-Friday space, with a lab section at high noon every third Wednesday. “But not many people take those high-level, specialized courses,” you may say. And you’re right. But it doesn’t make a difference. Even if the capacity of the course is just two and the people who sign up happen to not be the same person, then there will inevitably be a problem. All of this to say: the fact that students are told that oversleeping is a not an acceptable excuse for being late because they could have tailored their class schedule to their biological clocks is, at best, an act of charlatanry perpetrated by admissions officers and high school gym teachers. But I’m here to say that oversleeping is, for entirely different reasons, a non-valid excuse for missing class. It’s wrong in the same way that running late isn’t a valid excuse for driving your car at mach-2.
Know this: as long as you aren’t staggeringly late or actually moving at twice the speed of sound, I’m ranting about a non-issue. But the French are right. People run late. But there are a myriad of reasons why showing up to class early or on time is the correct thing to do. For one: you run the chance of increasing your understanding of the course material, and perhaps, your overall course grade. That’s just a fact. Self-respect, of course, is another reason. And if those two things aren’t enough, then you deserve nothing short of failure. Cue the liberal arts major: “But I don’t like statistics. It’s boring and has nothing to with my chosen profession of saving the baby polar bears from the wrath of rampant capitalism.” First of all, it does. Second, statistics doesn’t like you or get you either. It never has and it never will. And it certainly does not, as I have on occasion heard, actively dislike you. That’s preposterous. It’s a subject of study, not an animate being. All subjects are this way. Except pre-1600s literature. It hates me. But I may have gotten off track. The point is this: get to class, shmuck. Clint Graves is a junior in communication studies and English. He can be reached at bhr713@vols. utk.edu.
ARTS&CULTURE
Wednesday, August 26, 2015 • The Daily Beacon
Floral artist to give lecture at McClung Megan Patterson Arts & Culture Editor Did you know that if you look closely at the head of a sunflower, it’s actually made up of hundreds of small flowers growing together? Local artist Gerry Moll knows that, and that is why he sees the sunflower as the perfect floral celebration of Labor Day. For the past few years, Moll has embarked on what he calls the Labor Day Sunflower Project culminating in a giant public art installation in downtown Knoxville. It all started with a simple idea that came to Moll one Labor Day morning seven years ago. “I just woke up and started thinking about this holiday and how it was really a great thing — honoring the idea of labor,” Moll said. “I was thinking more broadly and just the idea of work and how that’s what sustains us and how that should be celebrated.” To celebrate, Moll took sunflowers from his front yard and wove them into a circle on a chain link fence in his neighborhood. Over the next few years, more and more of Moll’s neighbors and friends joined in on the project until the circle of sunflowers finally outgrew the neighborhood fence. From there, Moll took his project to the downtown art emporium and finally to its current location, Krutch Park alongside Gay Street downtown. However, Moll’s project has grown in more than just sheer size; the core of the project is in community involvement. “Since it’s about our collective work, it makes sense that the project has evolved to be a collective work in itself,” Moll said. “One of the main ways that we do that is through a grower’s program.” From the sunflower heads used in the exhibit, volunteers shake out seeds and winnow out the organic material before packaging them for distribution. Individual residences and community gardens grow these seeds and harvest their flowers for next year’s installation.
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This year, the McClung Museum stepped in to distribute seeds through their gift shop. The museum connected the installation with their botanical exhibit and will be hosting Moll for a lecture this Thursday in the museum auditorium. Lindsey Wainwright, coordinator of academic programs at McClung, originally reached out to Moll after talking with him at a booth where he gave away seeds at a farmer’s market. “He’s also going to be talking about how this project, this collaborative project, fits within a larger tradition of community-based art: artists working with and creating works with the community and involving the community,” Wainwright said. “It’s going beyond the walls of the gallery and the museum in order to engage with these larger issues of agricultural and labor and collective good.” Moll elaborated with his definition of public art as, “art that is generated from a public need,” and when asked if Knoxville is a good place for artists, Moll had an interesting reply. “Sometimes people ask me is Knoxville a good place for artists and I always felt a little strange about that question,” Moll said. “I knew what they meant — is there a good support structure for artists and can you make a living making art? I kind of come at it from another angle, and I think it’s a valuable angle and a valuable angle for students. Is there a need for what I do?” A mindset of community activism is what Wainwright and Moll hope for students to gain from the lecture. “As university students, we aren’t just learning skills to get a job,” Wainwright said. “We are learning how to be part of our own community, and right now even if students are in Knoxville just for their four years or five years or however many years at UT, to make the most of those years I think that engaging with the community and other entities off campus is really going to make their experience richer.” Gerry Moll will give a lecture on Thursday, Aug. 27 at 5:15 p.m. at the McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture.
People enjoyed last year’s Labor Day Sunflower Project. The project is an annual art event where people come together with their sunflowers. • File Photo
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ARTS&CULTURE
The Daily Beacon • Wednesday, August 26, 2015
The Boxmasters to play Cotton Eyed Joe Jesse Bellew Contributor The Boxmasters consists of four experienced and passionate musicians. Teddy ‘Zig Zag’ Andreadis is on the piano and harmonica with J.D Andrew on the rhythm guitar and Brad Davis as the lead guitar. Rounding out the band is front-man and drummer Billy Bob Thornton. Each are veterans of the music scene and have played with some of the greatest musicians to ever take the stage, from Willie Nelson to B.B King and Kanye West. The Boxmasters are currently on a tour
that’s taking them all over the United States. Starting in venues like the Skylight in Santa Fe and moving east to the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, they’ve played night after night without a break since August 13th. When asked why the band wanted to play at the Cotton Eyed Joe, venue manager Jed Bakri called the venue the “best in Knoxville.� “Everybody comes here,� Bakri said. “Everybody wants to play here.� The local joint, which is about 30 minutes west of UT on I-40 in Farragut, Tennessee, has an atmosphere that fits right into the band’s image. It’s gritty and ready for a rock-and-roll show. The band has coined their style as “modbilly,� which is a blend of ‘60s British rock and
southern country rock as well as the namesake of their third album released in 2009. This album reached #1 on the Americana radio chart for two weeks in 2009. The Boxmasters formed in 2007 as a roadhouse, country-rock band when their self-titled debut album “The Boxmastersâ€? was released. Since then, they have produced boot-stomping original hits of their own, such as “The Poor House,â€? as well as nostalgic covers of legends such as The Beatles and Mott the Hoople. Despite their extensive rĂŠsumĂŠ, the band hasn’t gained much mainstream attention. “Everybody knows Billy Bob Thornton, but not too many people know the Boxmasters,â€? Bakri said. “If I’m not a customer (of the Cotton Eyed Joe) then I want to come see him because I’ve
seen him on TV.� The association with Thornton’s name and the reviews that the band has received from the music community are enough to peak some curiosity. After the band’s manager contacted Bakri about performing at the Cotton Eyed Joe, he decided to check out the band himself. “Really high energy band,� Bakri said. “I’ve listened to them and I’ve watched them before. I confirmed the idea and said, ‘Go for it.’� The Boxmasters will be playing at the Cotton Eyed Joe on Thursday, August 27th. The venue is 18+ and tickets are $10 in advance and at the door.
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PUZZLES&GAMES
Wednesday, August 26, 2015 • The Daily Beacon
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Get Fuzzy • Darby Conley
NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD • Will Shortz
I’m Not A Hipster • John McAmis
Cartoons of The Daily Beacon are the views of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Beacon or the Beacon’s editorial staff.
ACROSS 1 Get a promotion 5 Johnny Carson’s Carnac the Magnificent, e.g. 9 1972 Olympics sensation Mark 14 Linear, in brief 15 Buckshot and such 16 Painter Matisse 17 Carpet choice 18 Installed, as 17-Across 19 Mark up or down, say 20 Lex Luthor, notably 23 “I’d say,” in texts 24 I.S.P. that bought CompuServe 25 Nonverbal communication, for short 26 Postage stamp letters 29 Busters? 31 High-end tailoring area in London 34 As a whole 36 Do-over serve 37 Prince Harry’s aunt
1 2 3 4 38 Belly dancer’s decoration 14 41 Neck ridge 44 Prefix with skeleton 17 45 100% 20 21 49 Tropicana Field team renamed in 23 24 2008 52 Refute 29 30 53 Send packing 34 54 Hyman Rickover’s rank: Abbr. 38 55 Hurry, old-style 57 ___ Air (Taiwanese 41 42 43 carrier) 49 50 58 What’s found on some canapés 53 54 (and hiding in the answers to 20-, 31-, 38- and 49-Across?) 58 61 1998 and 61 62 63 2005 role for Banderas 66 64 Handed-down wisdom 69 65 iPod Mini successor 66 Shady spot 69 Bellyache 67 Airer of the 70 Judicial position “Not Top Ten” plays 71 Cartoon skunk Le 68 Sci-fi weapon Pew setting DOWN
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42 Mardi Gras king 43 Genesis evictee 46 Promote in rank 47 Add zip to 48 Beginning of time, figuratively 50 Capital of Punjab province 51 Everest guide 56 Air traveler’s need: Abbr. 58 Trim, as a photo 59 What a model strikes 60 Clouseau’s rank: Abbr. 61 Reverse of a 13-Down 62 Bruin Hall-of-Famer Bobby 63 Result of a basesloaded walk, briefly
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SPORTS
The Daily Beacon • Wednesday, August 26, 2015
FOOTBALL
10 DAYS ‘TIL KICKOFF
Jennings making his mark at wide receiver Troy Provost-Heron Training Editor When Jauan Jennings stepped onto campus as an early enrollee in the spring, he was adamant about playing quarterback at the collegiate level. But the freshman from Murfreesboro, Tennessee could not envision himself sitting on the sidelines, and with junior Joshua Dobbs fully entrenched as Tennessee’s signal caller, he decided he could help the team elsewhere. So when the Volunteers opened up their fall training camp, Jennings lined up out wide instead of under center and started catching passes instead of completing them. “I thought I could play this year,” Jennings said. “I wanted to explore my talents and see what I could do. I never played receiver before I got here, but with my talent and skill set, it’s kind of natural.”
That natural talent showed from day one and has not waned over the past few weeks, with Jennings reaching the point to where he was taking some first-team reps during the Vols’ practice Tuesday. But despite having all the physical attributes to play the position, Jennings’ conversion from quarterback, where he was a standout at Blackman High School, to one of the Vols’ “playmakers” at wide receiver has even surprised his coaches. “Jennings’ adaptation to wide receiver exceeded our expectations right away,” Tennessee head coach Butch Jones said. “Usually there is a learning curve. Usually what happens is, in a transition of taking a person and moving them to another position, they come out doing well because there’s not a lot of thinking. You are very limited in your install, so the recall is easy. “Then all of a sudden … you’re working on a heavy volume of install, so all of a sudden the game becomes really fast and there’s a lot of
moving parts and pieces. That has not affected Jauan.” Few things have: especially the level of conditioning needed to play wide out. After getting a feel for UT’s high-tempo offense in the spring, the intensity was ratcheted up on the 6-foot-3, 201-pound freshman when he made the transition. But, once again, it did not wear on Jennings. “I don’t know if people understand, but the biggest thing from transitioning from quarterback to wide receiver is the volume of running,” Jones said. “You’re basically lacing your shoes up, and you’re going non-stop, and really being in football condition. I’ve never, not once, heard him complain about it. He’s welcomed it.” From there, the concepts of playing receiver took care of themselves. His understanding of where to be and his responsibilities were ingrained in him from his time spent learning the offense as a quarterback this spring.
“I already knew where I had to line up and I knew what route I was running, now I just had to perform it technique wise,” Jennings said. “That helps me because now I don’t have to think as much, I can just go out and play.” And when natural talent and knowledge of the offense have not been enough, the remaining concepts have been learned by osmosis. “It was a little unsure going out at first, but having all the receivers motivating me and making sure that I keep my head straight and keep pushing, it was easy [to transition],” Jennings said. “Those guys are great. Honestly, if you get someone off the street and put them in a room with those kinds of guys, they could do it too.” But it is Jennings who is reaping the benefits, and with his seamless transition, it seems as if his decision to change positions has paid off. “I can answer that right away,” said Jones about the possibility of Jennings contributing this season. “Yes.”
FOOTBALL
Fils-Aime looks to future with Vols Stephen Kasper Staff Writer When 2016 running back Carlin Fils-Aime committed to the University of Tennessee, it surprised people. Nevertheless, the 5-foot-11 180-pound back from Naples, Florida chose the Vols over Auburn just seven days after his unofficial visit to Tennessee’s campus on July 23 and believes that Knoxville is where he wants to be. “I just fell in love with UT when I went to visit,” Fils-Aime said. “I know it was a surprise but I felt like it was the perfect choice for me.” For a while it seemed that Auburn was the favorite to land the running back. With scholarship offers from at least 15 division-one universities including Alabama, Ohio State and Georgia, Fils-Aime, who is a four-star prospect according to the 247Sports Composite score, had several options. However, in the end, Fils-Aime decided that Tennessee was the best place for him to continue his football career. A promise from the Tennessee coaching staff likely contributed to his decision. “I am the only back they are taking this class,” Fils-Aime said. “It’s a pretty big compli-
ment, and I’m proud to be a Vol.” Many scouts note speed and explosiveness as Fils-Aime’s greatest assets, running a 4.57 40-yard-dash and a 4.39 shuttle drill, according to his 247Sports.com profile. However, he insists he is more of an allpurpose back, capable of making every kind of play required to be a successful running back. “I’d say I’m balanced, but that’s just me,” Fils-Aime said. “Style of play, I do not know. Strength, I’d say burst.” Currently only the first two running back spots are solidified for the Vols by sophomore Jalen Hurd and redshirt sophomore Alvin Kamara likely receiving the bulk of the workload. Although he hasn’t had the chance to get to know his future teammates, Fils-Aime says he is very excited about joining them next season. “I see myself fitting in really well with them,” Fils-Aime said. “I haven’t spent any time with them but Coach [Gillespie] tells me a lot about them and how much of great guys they are. So I see myself fitting in with them really well.” As recruiting season continues, so does Fils-Aime’s senior season with the Naples High School Golden Eagles. Friday night he helped lead his team in a preseason game against St. Petersburg-Lakewood. “It was okay,” Fils-Aime said. “We won 41-0.”
SPORTS
Wednesday, August 26, 2015 • The Daily Beacon
11
FOOTBALL
Jones looking for freshmen to step up on special teams Jonathan Toye Sports Editor
Tennessee head coach Butch Jones made one promise on Tuesday: almost every freshman will play in 2015. And more specifically, most of the freshmen will contribute on special teams. It’s a challenge for freshmen to enter the program and win starting spots from older players. Most have to wait before they can start on offense or defense. While they wait, they can flash their potential on special teams. (Playing special teams) is an opportunity to help Tennessee win,” Jones said. “You get live game repetitions playing in big-time venues, in meaningful games.” Starting outside linebacker and team leader Jalen Reeves-Maybin made his mark on special teams his freshman year. He presented the team with his special teams highlights, attempting to show the value of coverage units. Tennessee needs freshmen to absorb ReevesMaybin’s message after special team contributor Rashaan Gaulden suffered an injury. Because as Jones likes to note, special teams can be the difference between winning and losing. “Everything is about field position, and us understanding that there isn’t one element that doesn’t affect field position more than special teams.” Jersey Change: Robertson wanted to wear Marcus Jackson’s No. 75 jersey. It just happened earlier than he expected. Robertson changed his jersey number from 73 to 75 earlier in the fall training camp to honor senior left guard Jackson, who is likely to miss the entire season after injuring his bicep. “We talked about (changing my jersey number) and he thought it was a great idea,” Robertson said. “We had already talked about it previously, just about it being his last year and me potentially taking over his number.” Robertson said he is doing everything he can to help Jackson—including offering transportation, providing food, and simply caring for him like a brother. Jackson, however, is handling the injury pretty well himself. “He has got the new Madden (NFL video game),” Robertson said, “So he is straight. We are about to get down on that.” Black Stripe Removal- Aside from receiving playing time, having the black helmet stripe removed is the biggest honor bestowed on a Tennessee newcomer.
It’s a sign that the player has earned his respect from his older peers in his position. Two freshmen received that recognition on Tuesday. Cornerback Micah Abernathy and offensive lineman Venzell Boulware had their black helmet stripes removed on Tuesday, Jones said after practice on Tuesday. “They had the opportunity to address the team and did a great job with that,” Jones said. He didn’t reveal what the two players specifically told the team, saying he believes that it is confidential information. But Jones did say that the two players’ speeches fell in line with what other newcomers have said after shedding their black stripe. “The great thing to see, is [that] they all talk about the older players and what they’ve meant to that in their overall development, and just how proud they are to be a part of this football team and this football program,” Jones said. “Some are a little more outspoken than others as you could imagine, but it’s always great to have them address their peers and their teammates.” Robertson was happy to see Boulware lose his black stripe, saying that he has never seen a young guy play with as much effort as Boulware. “(His effort) might not show up from the stands,” Robertson said. “But it’s wowing in the film room. Everybody notices it.” Other newcomers who have lost their black stripe include Alvin Kamara, Kyle Phillips, Jauan Jennings, Shy Tuttle, and Quinten Dormady. Injury Report: Wide receiver Josh Smith and tight end Alex Ellis missed practice due to muscle spasms, Jones confirmed on Tuesday. He expects both players to return to practice in a couple of days. Happy Returns: Several important playmakers returned to practice on Tuesday. Jones said freshman guard Jack Jones, junior wide receiver Marquez North, and cornerback Justin Martin all practiced on Tuesday. Martin’s return is especially important after Gaulden’s season-ending foot injury, as the vols need to fill a gap in the secondary. But Jones stressed patience in regards to Martin, who missed more than two weeks of practice with a knee sprain. “It’s still going to be a long process for him,” Jones said. “It’s still going to be a long road, and then you throw schematics in. You have to make sure you don’t put too much on them at one time. You have to be patient, and it does take time. Justin’s done a very good job of getting himself back healthy, but it’s going to be a step-by-step process.”
Sophomore Jashon Robertson blocks upfield during the game against Arkansas State last Fall. • File Photo
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The Daily Beacon â&#x20AC;˘ Wednesday, August 26, 2015