V THE VIDETTE
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2020 Vol. 132 | No. 20
videtteonline.com
VIEWPOINT 4
BLACK HISTORY IS AMERICAN HISTORY, NOT JUST A MONTH
SPORTS 7
SOFTBALL GEARS UP FOR TURNAROUND SEASON
Local legends Celebrate Black History Month by remembering BloNo’s African American icons ELIZABETH SEILS News Editor | @SeilsElizabeth
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lack History Month tends to call to mind several prominent and historical figures: Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, George Washington Carver and Harriet Tubman, to name a few. But black history is not just national, it is local. Black History Month is meant to highlight African American history all across the country, including McLean County. The Bloomington-Normal Black History Project was officially formed in 1982 and serves to preserve and promote the history of African Americans in McLean County. In a statement written describing the origins of the program, Illinois State University professor Mark Wyman said that African Americans first began living in McLean County in 1835. See BLACK HISTORY on Page 3
Illustration by Flynn Geraghty Vidette Art Director
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Local African American trailblazers include former ISU basketball coach Will Robinson, Bloomington doctor Eugene Covington, campus reformer Lue Anna Sanders Clark, community activist Caribel Washington and Bloomington City Council member Eva Jones. Each individual dedicated their lives to bettering their communities. Portraits Courtesy of McLean County Museum of History
PAGE 2 | NEWS | THE VIDETTE
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2020
NEWS IN BRIEF
Fine arts funds released
BY THE NUMBERS $52.3 million will go
to rennovating the buildings in the College of Fine Arts
$89 million will go to Milner Library for a multiphase rennovation
$40 million will go to general repairs
67,000 square feet will be the final size of the fine arts facilities after rennovations
61 years, the age of the Centennial Buildings Photo by Ali Rasper | Photo Editor | @alirasper4
Illinois State University President Larry Dietz spoke during Gov. JB Pritzker’s announcement Thursday. Several local politicians, including Rep. Jason Barickman, were in attendance. The university received millions in funds that come through the Rebuild Illinois Project, which will invest over $45 billion in roads, bridges, railways and universities over the next six years. “With this investment, we’re giving ISU’s current and future students a world-class education in a world-class facility … and we’re giving students the tools to succeed,” Pritzker said.
47 years old, the age of the Center for Visual Arts
$45 billion
is the total investment going to the state through Rebuild Illinois SOURCES: The Governor’s office and Illinois State University
Dallas Long named new dean of Milner Library
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allas Long, Ph.D., who has Hungary and as a Fulbright Spebeen associate dean of the cialist in Qatar. He is the winner of library since 2014, will the University’s Paul Vogt Higher become dean of Milner Education Dissertation of Library. the Year Award. Long has been a Long is also the author member of Milner faculty of “Collaborating for since 2008 as head of acStudent Success: How cess services. He became Librarians and Student interim associate dean in Affairs Work Together 2012 and was named asto Enrich Learning and sociate dean in 2014. Persistence,” as well as Dallas Long “Dr. Long is a librarwriting several articles ian, administrator and and book chapters. internationally-recognized scholar Previously, Shari Zeck served as who will provide leadership at interim dean during the search to this transformational time,” Vice fill the position. President of Academic Affairs and “My thanks to Dr. Zeck for her Provost Jan Murphy said. outstanding service as interim dean Long received a bachelor’s deand for all she has accomplished gree from Webster University. He during her lengthy career at Illinois completed two master’s degrees at State,” Murphy said. “I wish her University of Illinois at Urbanawell as she begins a new chapter of Champaign and a doctoral degree her life as she pursues retirement.” at Illinois State University. He ELIZABETH SEILS VIDETTE NEWS EDITOR served as a Fulbright Scholar in
Atlanta Child Murders focus of Black History Month keynote address
U
niversity of Pennsylvania political science professor emeritus Adolph L. Reed Jr. will be delivering the Black History Month keynote address in the next Illinois State University Speaker Series. The talk will be 7 p.m. Feb. 13 in the Old Main Room of the Bone Student Center and is IF YOU GO free and open to the public. Reed’s address is focused WHAT: Black History Month ISU Speaker on the 40th anniversary of the Atlanta Child Murders. The city in Series WHEN: 7 p.m. Feb. 13 Georgia was terrorized by a serial killer who kidnapped and murWHERE: Old Main dered two dozen black children Room of the Bone from 1979-1981, most of whom Student Center were boys. COST: Free and open to Controversy around the investithe public gation continues, including accusations of ignorance and possible KKK involvement. As a result, no one was ever convicted of the crime and authorities pointed the blame to Wayne Williams, a man imprisoned for two adult murders. Reed was working to complete a doctorate at Atlanta University during the Atlanta Child Murders. He was a policy analyst and speech writer for Atlanta’s first black mayor, Maynard Jackson, and worked as director of research and interns in the Department of the Mayor during this time as well. Reed is also an author and scholar with research
Courtesy of News at Illinois State
Adolph L. Reed Jr. will be speaking on the Atlanta Child Murders and his personal experience with it.
revolving around black American politics, urban politics and race. His current books include “The Jesse Jackson Phenomenon,” “W.E.B. Du Bois and American Political Thought,” “Stirrings in the Jug,” “Class Notes” and “Renewing Black Intellectual History.” Reed currently authors a continuous column in the New Republic and has contributed for The Guardian, The Progressive and The Nation. His work goes beyond his books with involvement and efforts for voting rights, antiwar organizing, the labor movement and the Campaign for Free Public Higher Education.
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THE VIDETTE | NEWS | PAGE 3
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2020
‘It was such an incredible honor’
Lincoln Laureate Radiance Campbell reflects on academic and community involvement EDITOR’S NOTE: This profile is the first in a series for Black History Month highlighting excellence at ISU. ANDREW DOUGHERT Y News Repor ter | @addough
Illinois State University senior sociology major Radiance Campbell recently received the Lincoln Academy’s Abraham Lincoln Civic Engagement Award which selects students based on excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities. She is also the recipient of ISU’s most distinguished award, the Robert G. Bone Scholarship in which she was one of 14 students to receive the award for the 2019-2020 academic year. At first, Campbell didn’t want to go to college, but with some encouragement from her family, she changed her mind. “Initially, I didn’t want to go to college, so it was kind of a 180 flip there. I think I was just kind of frustrated with some aspects of my high school experience, so I rejected the whole college thing until I got accepted at ISU with a scholarship,” Campbell said. “My mom started crying and told me I shouldn’t pass up the opportunity and so I promised her I would try a year and drop out,” she said. Within just a semester she fell in love with campus and realized that her academic life
Courtesy of News at Illinois State
Radiance Campbell receives the Lincoln Laureate Award in Springfield. at ISU would be very different from what she had experienced before. “I found a home not only with my campus life but also a home in my academic department and within the honors program.” “I was always in honors, but in high school it was pretty competitive. Where I feel the difference with my academic experience in college was about enrichment,” she said. “By taking independent studies
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
and encouraged to follow interests instead of taking the most advanced courses and as many as you can.” Campbell said that once she received the phone call about the award, she immediately began crying. “It was such an incredible honor. I called my parents right away to tell them about it.” About her experience receiving the award in November, she said the moment made her
pause, reflect, celebrate and become fueled to continue her journey. The awards Campbell has received have been for both her academic and community involvement in Bloomington-Normal. “I’m a community organizer in Bloomington-Normal working with the Climate Action Campaign, Decarcerate BloNo, Black Lives Matter, the McLean County Democrats and with the City Council.” “I’ve been pretty active in the community activist scene in the area and so I guess those awards recognized my service there as well,” Campbell said. Her message to the ISU community was to take a deep breath and trust the process. “It can be scary since we’re preparing for the future. Don’t forget that these four years of school is not a break or timeout before your entire future.” “This is part of your development so really take advantage of that and start the work you want to do now. If you don’t know what that is then don’t panic,” Campbell said. “Everything you are doing will fall into place even if you can’t see the pieces coming together now, I promise you that it will.” Campbell is set to graduate with honors in May 2020. She plans to attend law school post-graduation and work toward challenging unjust laws as part of her career.
Dr. Eugene Covington
Continued from Page 1
“The Bloomington-Normal community has been influenced in its development by the activities of its black citizens. But the story of that influence, of the many ways that African Americans participated in the life of what became a thriving central Illinois commercial and educational center, was seldom acknowledged,” Wyman said. “Their experiences lived on as memories, brought out at family reunions, almost unmentioned in local historical accounts.” The BNBHP spent decades researching and collecting oral histories. Many of their findings culminated in the 2009 book “Presence, Pride and Passion: A History of African Americans in McLean County.” Though there are several histories and people noted in the book, here are six of the many notable people who lived in McLean County.
Dr. Eugene Covington was the only black man to successfully hold a medical practice in Bloomington-Normal, according to the book. He moved to Bloomington between 1901 and 1902, according to the McLean County Museum of History. His office was on 313 Main St. in downtown Bloomington, and he lived at 410 Market St. He was voted into the McLean County Medical Association in 1901 and remained a member until 1910. Covington had a successful practice where he treated people of both races and had full privileges at the Mennonite Hospital, which is now Advocate BroMenn Hospital. “However, despite his success in attracting a large black and white clientele, Dr. Covington faced certain challenges due to his race,” his biography reads online. “Despite being a well-respected and talented physician, he was not allowed to perform surgery without having a white doctor in the room supervising him.” Covington died on Feb. 3, 1929 at the age of 56, still practicing medicine. His eulogy read “Dr. Covington spent 29 years of his life in this vicinity for the sole purpose of administering relief and happiness through his knowledge gained and medicine to those concerned.”
Lue Anna Sanders Clark
Eva Jones
Lue Anna Sanders Clark came to Bloomington in 1916 at age 24 to take a job as a housekeeper, earning about $4 per week, which translates to around $91. She worked with the Kitchells for two years until her marriage to Isaac “Ike” Sanders in 1917. Her husband opened a restaurant in 1916 called the Working Man’s Club of the City of Bloomington located at 408 Main Street, eventually moving further down Main Street until the restaurant was forced to close in 1919. “The Working Man’s Club had a restaurant, pool hall, barbershop and rooms for men to stay in overnight,” her biography, which was written based on Lue Anna much of her own oral accounts, Sanders Clark states. “Ike and Anna worked as equal partners at the club and also lived there.” Her husband worked as president of the private club, managing the pool hall, drinks and finances. Sanders-Clark cooked and served guests who entered the club. Following the closing of the Working Man’s Club in 1919 and the death of her husband in 1929, Sanders-Clark worked several jobs housekeeping. In 1934, Sanders-Clark lived with a local reverend at 603 W. Mill St. There she began renting his house out to African American students attending Illinois State Normal University, now just Illinois State University. The university allowed African American students to attend but did not allow them to use on-campus housing or eat at the campus cafeterias. Four of the people she boarded became physicians, and several others went on to have successful careers. She stopped housing students in 1944 when all the people she housed went off to fight in World War II. Sanders-Clark passed away at 100 years old in 1992. In the years before her death, she worked several jobs and served in the community, staying active. She learned to make soaps and hats and entered a cooking competition at the College Hills Mall in 1981. She is a founding member of the BNBHP.
Eva Jones was born in Arkansas but moved to Bloomington with her family in 1944 at age 14. Jones first ran for public office in 1970 for a seat on the Bloomington City Council. However, in a crowded election of 10 candidates she was not elected. In 1971 she was elected to the District 87 Board of Education, serving as the first African American and only woman to hold a board seat. In 1979 she ran again for Bloomington City Council. “Opposition to her candidacy came from both white and black members of the community,” the
Eva Jones
Will Robinson Will Robinson was the first African American Division I basketball coach. He joined ISNU’s basketball team in 1970. While there, he had five winning seasons and finished with a 78-51 record. One of his star players was Doug Collins, who was the first pick in the 1973 NBA draft. Former Alumni Association Board member Daniel Kelly spoke on the energy at Horton Will Robinson Field House when the team would compete. “It was always loud and an exciting place to play. It was definitely a home advantage. That ties in well with the story of Will Robinson,” Kelley said. “Will was only here for five years but had a lasting impact and served as the launching pad for Division I athletics at Illinois State.” After his time at Illinois State, Robinson worked as a scout for the Detroit Pistons before retiring in 2003. Robinson received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Missouri Valley Conference in 2003.
Eugene Covington
biography states. “Whites because of traditional racism, blacks because many thought she was ‘selling out’ to the established order.” Jones was successfully elected to the council and during her time also worked on several local projects. She served on the YWCA board, the League of Women Voters, the United Way and several other local and religious organizations. She was recognized with the Bloomington Normal Human Relations Award. She died in 1987 of cancer, she was 57 years old. She is buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Bloomington.
Caribel Washington
Donald McHenry
Another person who aided in helping the desegregating efforts in Bloomington Normal was Caribel Washington. The YWCA board used a tactic of having a group of mostly white members, with one black member to see if they would be served at restaurants. Washington was often the person who went. She noted that as long as there was a group of white people, the black person would be served. Caribel Washington Washington lived in Bloomington for most of her life. She lived and worked through the depression. She worked with State Farm which employed few African American people at the time and was involved with making the union archives there. She was another founding members of the BNBHP. Washington began her research into the black history of the community in the 1950s. For her service to the community she was awarded the WJBC Spirit of McLean County Award in 1984 as well as two other awards: The 1992 Light of Unity Award and from Baha’i in Bloomington and becoming the first recipient of the Studs Terkel Humanities Service Award.
Donald McHenry organized the first student chapter of the NAACP at ISNU in 1957. He, along with his peers, worked to stop discrimination in Donald McHenry restaurants and businesses. They would enter restaurants and tell restaurants to either serve them or be sued. They worked to stop discrimination in restaurants that refused to serve African American students. The work to fight discrimination continued into the 1960s. PHOTOGRAPHS AND INFO COURTESY OF THE MCLEAN COUNTY MUSEUM OF HISTORY
Viewpoint
PAGE 4 | THE VIDETTE
VIDETTE EDITORIAL
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2020
Black history is American history, not a month
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uring the month of February, the United States, along with the Illinois State University community, takes a month to reflect and celebrate crucial and motivating moments throughout black history. Please note, that the use of the term “black history” is not what it should convey, but seemingly has been societally placed into one month of remembrance. Black History Month allows us to both memorialize and celebrate the accomplishments achieved by the African American community over the course of history. Due to African Americans’ triumphs and tribulations, their history is a complement to America’s as a whole. Systemic and historical hardships that continue to rejuvenate the foundation for equality for future generations of African Americans should forever be remembered. Those leaders brought forth the reality that we face today, and the brighter future
continually pursued toward progress. So why just in February do we look back on it? The importance of black history does not cease to exist once the last minute of February ends. All achievements made by past and present African Americans should be highlighted all throughout the year. For example, achievements like those of the members of the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II — who overcame segregation and
prejudice to become one of the most highly respected fighter groups of World War II. We also cannot forget about the accomplishments of the recently celebrated Martin Luther King Jr., who became one of the most influential leaders of the civil rights movement. With his many nonviolent civil rights demonstrations, King, along with other activists such as Malcolm X and Rosa Parks, initiated conversation of systemic change, unity and peace, paving the way for the progression of modern civil rights
projects as these figures continue to be icons for equality. But not all icons are famously renowned. Parents, doctors, community leaders, activists — this is about celebrating those who ignite and contribute to change both in the past and present. This month is not just about remembering those civil rights leaders decades ago, but rechanneling their messages of equality and prosperity for decades to come. Through the actions of leaders in King and many African Americans before and after him, black history has become the staple of empowerment for the younger generation of African Americans throughout the country, continuing to grow through the actions of today’s generation. With the continuation of revisiting black history during the month of February, it is imperative to celebrate black history as American history all year long. Black history is American history, not a fragment of it.
Editorial Cartoon by Flynn Geraghty | Vidette Art Director
EDITORIAL POLICY Editorial written by RAFAEL MENCHACA a member of The Vidette’s Editorial Board. Editorial policy is determined by the student editor, and views expressed in editorials are those of the majority of The Vidette’s Editorial Board. Columns that carry bylines are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Vidette or the University.
Travel while you’re young, it’s worth it MY VIEW HAILEY BIALAS | Features Reporter
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he issue with wanting to see the world as a college student is that one thing rings true for us all: we are all so broke. We want to see the world and explore a little, but we also have a solid $2.50 to our name. We are all aspiring full-time adults who have been confined to our little Midwestern towns for our entire lives. So, why should I waste my last dime on transitioning from being a child of the corn to a culturally well-rounded individual?
Well, let me tell you, it is worth the temporary ramen noodles diet. Now, hear me out, I am not saying sell your kidney on the black market to go stare at the Eiffel Tower for a bit and then go home. Do not just go somewhere to eat at that country’s McDonalds and boast on Instagram. I am saying go anywhere, and everywhere, that you possibly can. Even if it is Cleveland, no offense to the Browns. Why? There is so much to see and experience, even in the tiniest nooks and crannies of our planet. Do you know what you gain from experiences like that? Knowledge, and a ton of it. I started venturing out of the great plains in small spirts. I went to Arizona and saw some mountains. There were amazing beaches I saw in California, and I ate some amazing clam chowder
Chicken Doodle Soup by Claire Wagner | Vidette Cartoonist
in Boston. That was not all I saw and did though. I saw other people and learned from them. The outside world that doesn’t consider “ope” as a synonym for sorry can seem terrifying, until you get out there. There was a little coffee shop in London owned by an Italian couple who have lived in four different countries. They taught me that it realistically does not cost an arm and a leg to travel if you just do your research, and that matcha tea really is not that bad. This unbelievably kind woman in Amsterdam told me how she would take $5 bus trips for hours just to see her relatives who live all over Europe on the holidays. She expressed how some people are worth that, and the scenery along the way is stunning.
An older man in New York, who walked me through the subway system, told me that he has never left New York. Why? He had no reason to, yet it his biggest regret he has in life because he cheated himself out of living the most fulfilled life he possibly could. So, all I am saying is that we have time right now. We have time to go pick the brains of some random people, try some new foods and immerse ourselves in new cultures. Do we have the money for it? Maybe not right now, but if you work hard enough for it, the money will always come back. Everything you learn from the rest of the world, though, will never leave. HAILEY BIALAS is a Features Reporter for The Vidette. She can be contacted at hgbiala@ilstu.edu. Follow her on Twitter at @haileybialas.
VIDETTE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Vidette welcomes letters to the editor, provided they are no longer than 250 words and are typed and double-spaced. Letters that exceed the 250-word limit can be published at the editor’s discretion,but shorter letters take precedence. Letters containing name calling and insults will not be published. Letters must be signed and contain the major or official title of the writer, the year in school if presently enrolled, address and a daytime telephone number for verification. Letters without phone numbers will not be considered for publication. Names may be withheld upon request, but only after approval by the editor. Letters are subject to editing for style and space at the editor’s discretion. Letters sent via email to vidette@ilstu.edu are accepted, provided they include a telephone number for verification.
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EDITORIAL BOARD JONATHAN BARLAS Editor-in-Chief | @janveselybarlas GRACE BARBIC News Editor | @gracebarbic ANDREW DOUGHERTY Columnist | @addough ANDREA RICKER Features Editor | @ ricker_andrea ELIZABETH SEILS News Editor | @SeilsElizabeth
THE VIDETTE | NEWS | PAGE 5
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2020
Four tips ahead of the Spring Internship Fair
Construction continues on new sorority house
JAKE DAHL News Reporter | @jdahl3005
Photographs by Alex Gant | @AlexGant16
Progress is coming along on the Alpha Omicron Pi Beta Nu Sorority house, which began construction last fall. The house will be at 405 Normal Ave. It’s unknown when the project will finish, but a ribboncutting ceremony will take place when the house officially opens.
Longtime Redbird reflects on 34 years at Illinois State University ANDREW DOUGHERTY News Reporter | @addough
Scott said. “But I think my greatest accomplishment on campus has been to After 34 years of dedicated serhelp to develop a culture of colvice to Illinois State University and laboration within the facilities its community, Chuck Scott retired departments," he said. "We take on Friday, leaving behind a legacy on an approach that every day is of institutional knowledge and an interview and so if you want sustainability. to improve yourself and want to Scott received his bachelor’s improve your surroundings and degree in crop and soil science and workplace, you have to step up and was the regional manager for three treat that day as if it was an intergarden centers before he became view and do your very best." Illinois State's director of grounds “When we see good people doing maintenance and recycling in 1985. good things, it just helps to grow the What many Illinois State facentire culture in a very, very, posiulty members and students may tive manner,” he added. not know is that during his time Scott is both excited and nervous as Superintendent of Operations about his retirement from Illinois in which he supervised grounds Courtesy of News at Illinois State State, but knows he will have plenty maintenance and building services, Chuck Scott, who helped create the Fell Arboretum, retired from Illinois State to do since he is an active person in Scott created the recycling program after 34 years of working in facility management, primarily as the Superintenthe community. dent of Operations. on campus. “The part that I know I will miss the “Also, during that time, I was most is being able to interact with so “The Arboretum was established primarily as a involved with the creation of the Fell Arboretum. many good people on campus and that’ll take some vision of Barbara Wallace, the first lady at the time Around 2000, I became the executive director of adjustment to get used to being in a little bit more under President Tom Wallace. She envisioned that Facilities Management and Parking,” Scott said. solitude than I am now. the university could be more of a destination and “At the time the recycling program was studentHis farewell message to the Illinois State comthought that because he had been involved with led and so I got together with the housing director munity was one of hope and excitement. some botanical things in the past that we could do and said let’s make this more comprehensive and “I think the next several years are going to be the same thing here,” he said. begin to look at how we can, as an institution, a very exciting time for campus. I think we’re “Under her guidance and leadership, we put begin to reduce our waste stream.” going to finally see some capital money come together a pretty comprehensive committee of “We started with a pilot program on eight diffrom Springfield and relieve the pressure we see faculty, staff, students and local volunteers who ferent buildings on campus and eight different on our campus facilities. When we see the innoidentified the type of garden we wanted to have commodities such as paper, plastic, aluminum, vations and new buildings, it helps create morale on campus and whether it should span across the cardboard, etc.,” he said. and excitement on campus,” Scott said. whole campus. We wanted to build off of the legacy “Eventually we grew it all around campus. Now “I think that any advice I could relay would go that Jesse Fell originally created for our campus,” commodities include everything from motor oil back to the fact that we’re all individual strands Scott added. to used batteries. of thread and we come in multiple shapes, sizes On Tuesday, ISU was once again recognized as "It’s been a pretty great program for us," Scott and colors. Individually, we’re only strands, but if a Tree Campus USA by the National Arbor Day said. we have a common goal and focus, we can weave Foundation. As the director of grounds maintenance and those threads together into a fabric that is ISU,” When asked what his greatest accomplishment recycling, Scott was invited to join a committee he said. was during his time at ISU, Scott said it was difwhich would make the Illinois State campus an “I think that people recognize that and know ficult to name just one as he has been involved in arboretum. they are part of that fabric. I pray that the campus hundreds of physical projects during his tenure. Fell Arboretum stretches across more than 400 environment continues to have a common goal “It would be difficult to reduce it down to my acres of the campus and contains approximately and focus to continue making Illinois State the favorite or greatest accomplishment if you’re 2,000 trees and other plants native to Illinois. best university in the state.” looking at the campus physical environment,”
For students looking for an internship, the Illinois State University Career Center will be hosting its annual Spring Internship Fair. The fair will be from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday in the Brown Ballroom. Students will have an opportunity to showcase their resumes to potential employers and land an internship for the summer and/or fall 2020. A wide variety of companies will be looking to fill positions covering many different majors. Students can check out the list of employers and what positions these companies are looking to fill on the Career Center website. The Spring Internship Fair will also be providing free professional headshot photos at the fair. Photos will be taking place from 4:30-6:30 p.m. After the fair, students can find these photos on Flickr through a link on the Career Center website. One piece of advice that Assistant Director of Career Center Marketing and Communication Susan Whitsitt would give to students looking to land an internship is to be prepared. “Students should bring the best version of themselves,” Whitsitt said. “Being prepared means dressing professionally, having several copies of a polished resume on resume paper and having already conducted research on the attending employers.”
CAREER FAIR TIPS Develop a 30-second summary Being able to list your academic achievements, areas of proficiency and interests in a short amount of time will allow you to sell yourself to more companies faster.
Prepare for on-the-spot interviews Preparing for an interview is as simple as looking up some frequently asked questions for your specific major and readying some answers ahead of time.
Register for the Spring Internship Fair It is not a requirement, but there are benefits for registering, such as uploading your resume for employers to see ahead of time and getting a map of the layout of the fair.
Develop a plan Do your research on which employers you would like to see and how important each of them is to you, and then plan to get to each of them ahead of time.
PAGE 6 | THE VIDETTE
Features
Unneccesary ‘ruff’ness Puppy Bowl ‘paw-vides’ opportunity to bring home a ‘fur-ever’ friend
Test your knowledge with some Black History Month trivia. Visit Videtteonline.com for the answers.
1
When did the celebration of Black History Month begin?
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he adorable and annual Puppy Bowl has been stealing the hearts of the nation for the past 16 years. For the Bloomington-Normal community, the Puppy Bowl found its way to the local Marriot Hotel and Conference Center. The hotel teamed up with a local organization, Pet Central Helps, for the third annual Puppy Bowl Ashley Binkowski | Vidette Staff Photographer fundraiser from 4-7 p.m. Pet Central Helps held its third annual Puppy Bowl fundraiser Sunday in the Mariott Hotel and Conference Center Sunday. Over the course of the three-hour fundraising event, dogs because we get more people riott have used this opportunity to the hotel. In three years, the organiabout 100 attendees showed up to to do more adoptions,” volunteer raise money to help these animals zation has fostered and adopted out see some of the puppies who were foster mom Angela Mann said. in need through a variety of ways. almost 2,000 animals. looking for their ‘fur-ever’ homes The dogs who ‘paw-ticipated’ in These include selling Puppy Bowl “It’s publicity for adoption and families. the PCH Puppy Bowl were given T-shirts and hoodies, having a [and] getting people to come out “Every event like this gets our bandanas that represented both silent basket auction and giving atand foster for us because we are a name more known in the communithe Kansas City Chiefs and San tendees a chance to win a free night foster-based rescue. While we’re ty, which means we can save more Francisco 49ers. The amount of stay at the Marriott for $5. building a new shelter and with any cuteness and “We really try to get animals luck we’ll be in it by the end of the fun from into the right homes. It’s not about month, we don’t want to keep dogs the evening interrogating people, looking at in the shelter,” Director of Canine outscored their house or anything like that,” Behavioral and Cognition Laboraeach perExecutive Director of Pet Central tory Valeri Farmer-Dougan said. son’s version Helps Lisa Kitchens said. As for right now, PCH has been of the Super “Studies show that you’re more executing its missions and work at Bowl, all successful if you have a conversaits headquarters at 360 Wylie Drive unnecessary tion with people. If you find out in Normal. The organization plans ‘ruff-ness’ what kind of pet they’re looking to expand and move into a new and size for, get them that pet and then space by March 1. aside. follow up [with] services like Those who missed the Puppy Within training.” Bowl have another opportunity the last three PCH has already done so much to go ‘mutts’ over these adoptable years, both for these animals since its opening pups every Saturday at PetSmart Ashley Binkowski | Vidette Staff Photographer PCH and in 2016 outside its annual Puppy where PCH provides more chances Kids pose with adorable puppies while at the Puppy Bowl. the MarBowl and current partnership with for fostering and adopting.
Music built on stories of artists Singer-songwriter Denise La Grassa shares social commentary with powerful medleys
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inger-songwriter Denise La Grassa’s social commentary is woven into her powerful and melodic original songs she shares. The Oak Park native grew up with a musically talented family. La Grassa’s sound merges rhythm and blues, folk and soul with jazz undertones. Honesty serves in the best way in her emotionally alluring 2009 album “April Dreams.” La Grassa’s 2015 follow-up “The Blue Ain’t a Color” steps into powerful, soul-infused anthems. La Grassa is the Head of the Contemporary Jazz Studies program at Lincoln College. La Grassa has brought over 25 years of music and theater performance in Chicago’s finest venues to a new generation of songwriters and performers. Teaching and challenging her students to think outside the box, La Grassa has shown her students how to perform their original music and how to stand out in today’s society. “How do you make your music stand out today?” La Grassa said. “Well I explained to my students that you have to have that narrative that brings the audience in. Then you are able to
Test your knowledge of black history GRACE KINNICUTT Features Reporter | @gkinnicutt
KELLIE FOY News Reporter | @kellie_foy
ASHLEY BINKOWSKI Features Reporter | @BinkowskiAshley
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2020
connect with that audience through a common understanding of the world around you.” La Grassa believes in honest and truthful communication in her storytelling. She advises students who are interested in a music career to “Learn an instrument, go to a show, study history and look at the stories of artists that built this music.” “Connect your own human experience and really bring your first-person narrative forward.” La Grassa said. “You’re going to find what you’re going through is also Photo courtesy of deniselagrassa.com what other people can relate to, Denise La Grassa is a singer-songwriter from Oak Park who is now the head of the Contemporary Jazz Studies Program at and you know you’ll have an audiLincoln College. ence when you’re telling the truth and being honest.” That is exactly what La Grassa album, which is inspired by her mother’s journey does and will continue to do as she is currently from Scotland to America and the struggles of working on her upcoming album called “Ameribeing a woman in today’s society. can Women,” scheduled for a fall release. La Grassa plans to release a film in conjunc“We all have our baggage,” La Grassa said. tion with her upcoming album and will continue Baggage is an accurate symbol for her upcoming writing, performing and teaching.
“Connect your own human experience and really bring your first-person narrative forward.” Denise La Grassa, singer-songwriter
A. 1963
B. 1923
C. 1926
D. 1957
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Which President officially recognized Black History Month? A. President Gerald Ford B. President Jimmy Carter C. President Richard Nixon D. President Ronald Reagan What is the 2020 Black History Month Theme?
3
A. “African Americans and the Vote” B. “Civil Rights in America” C. “Black Migrations” D. “The Crisis in Black Education”
4
When did Rosa Parks’ bus boycott
happen?
A. September 1955 B. January 1958 C. December 1955 D. November 1955
5
When did Martin Luther King Jr. give his “I Have A Dream” speech? A. Sept. 9, 1965 B. Jan. 19, 1963 C. Dec. 21, 1962 D. Aug. 28, 1963
6
What organization
formed Feb. 12, 1909? A. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People B. The National African American Leadership Summit C. National Black Chamber of Commerce D. National Black Women’s Justice Institute
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Who wrote the bestselling memoir “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”? A. Coretta Scott King B. Alice Walker C. Maya Angelou D. Michelle Obama MORE QUESTIONS AND ALL ANSWERS @ videtteonline.com
THE VIDETTE | SPORTS | PAGE 7
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2020
2020 SOFTBALL PREVIEW
‘Lots of energy’
Redbirds look to rebound after 18-33 2019 season
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Zach Copeland remains the Redbirds’ top scorer, averaging 15.6 points a game. Copeland is keeping pace with his non-conference numbers shooting .407% from the field and .403% from beyond the three-point arc. But that is not where the problem lies with the senior guard. Copeland leads the team with 31 turnovers with just 13 steals. Copeland’s troubles with turnovers came to light when he sat against Indiana State.
JAKE SERMERSHEIM Sports Editor | @JakeSermersheim
llinois State University’s softball team opens its season looking to improve on an average Missouri Valley Conference slate from a season ago. ISU head coach Melinda Fischer is confident in this year’s squad. “Lots of energy. I think we have a great desire right now to get outside and see what we can do. We have had one good day on the turf,” Fischer said. “We are very anxious to get going down in Tampa.” The Redbirds finished in the middle of the pack with an 11-10 Valley finish. Along the way the Redbirds ranked first in batting, but fifth in pitching and dead last in fielding percentage. ISU looks to improve these areas despite losing key players from a season ago. “We have a different type of team this year, a little more speed. We lost some offensive production and a pretty consistent pitcher in Ali Domsuski,” Fischer said. “We have been focusing on our offense, looking for consistency for those returning and our new freshmen.”
Hillsman struggled during non-conference play but has finally lived to expectations as one of the Redbirds’ most consistent player during Valley play. Averaging 30 minutes a game, ISU head coach Dan Muller has been leaving the San Jose transfer on court as long as possible. Hillsman has also managed to raise his average rebounds up nearly one rebound per game with five.
Opening tournament The Redbirds look to open their season on a high note when they travel to Tampa, Florida, opening with a 5:30 p.m. showing against Southern Florida. After facing off with the Bulls, the Redbirds take on No. 17/14 Michigan State, No. 7/9 Florida, Fresno State and Georgia State over the course of the weekend. Last season the Redbirds lost all five games of the tournament. Also last season, ISU lost to USF, MSU, FU, Arizona and North Carolina State.
Key players Morgan Day comes into the season looking to maintain her claim as the Redbirds’ ace. Last season Day led ISU in most categories. The junior led the Redbirds in wins (10), earned run average (3.26), strike outs (156) and innings pitched (154.2). Day’s track record earned her a nod on the Preseason All-MVC team. Senior outfielder Alyssa Wiebel looks to be a key part of the Redbirds’ lineup and outfield. Wiebel’s end of season statline read .260/.440/.298 along with six home runs while appearing in all 51 games. Wiebel earned a second team All-MVC selection last season along with an MVC Scholar Honorable Mention. Emme Olson comes in with the highest returning batting average from a year ago. After starting 51 games as a freshman, Olson looks to improve on her 2019 slashline of .275/.486/.392. Olson impressed last season, ranking fourth on the Redbirds with 27 runners batted in.
SPORTS IN BRIEF Men’s tennis splits Sunday’s showcase in Nashville The Illinois State University men’s tennis team finished up its three-match swing in Tennessee on Saturday by splitting contests between Tennessee State and Belmont. The Redbirds finished the weekend at 2-1 and improved to an overall record of 6-4 this spring. In its first match of the day, ISU had the brooms out early as it swept both the singles and doubles matches for a 7-0 win. In doubles competition, Diego Emilio Moura Herrera and Aleksa Lazarevic defeated Kato Richardson and Maksims Kazijevs (6-1) and the duo of Jorge Adair Bartra Quispe and Pol Botifoll Rius took down Juan Carlos Rojas Antezana and Alberto Gonzalez Raton (6-1) to secure the doubles point. ISU showed little signs of trouble in singles action against the Tigers, but ultimately secured the win with
We are now a little over halfway through Missouri Valley Conference play. Since the beginning of the MVC ISU has sputtered to a 2-8 record, with wins over No. 1 Northern Iowa and last place Evansville. With that being said here are grades for some of the Redbirds’ most impactful players:
Jennifer Haiden | Photo Editor
Morgan Day looking in for her signs during a game last season.
Games to watch out for ISU opens the season competing in tournaments across the country, taking on high-level programs such as Louisiana State, Kentucky and Arizona State. The Redbirds begin single-game action when they travel to Southern University March 9, before traveling to Southern Illinois to start MVC play on March 14 and 15. ISU plays at home for the first time on March 17 when Bowling Green comes to town. April 1, in-state rival University of Illinois comes to Normal for a midweek showing. Preseason No. 1 Drake travels to Normal for a three-game set on April 10 and 11. ISU’s home slate of games wraps up on April 25 and 26 when Valparaiso comes into town. Then the regular season wraps up with the Redbirds opening May with a pair of games at the University of Northern Iowa on May 1 and 2. To close out the season, the Redbirds will compete in the MVC Tournament.
After ranking second on the Redbirds with 8.8 points a game during non-conference play, Boyd has been trending in the opposite direction in the MVC. The Eastern Kentucky transfer is down to just 4.4 points a game. Boyd has only been in double digits once in the Valley, 15 against Loyola.
Despite having some cold stretches this season, Horne has been one of the best Redbirds in Valley play on both sides of the ball. After getting thrust in the starting spot due to his defense, Horne has backed up his play offensively ranking second on ISU’s team averaging 10.8 points.
One of few Fischer sits at an exclusive rank among NCAA head coaches. Fischer is just one of 22 current coaches in college to win over 1,000 games while coaching over 10 years. She is also just one of 12 coaches to do it with just one program. Fischer holds 1,092 career wins to her name.
The 6-foot-9 first year player has been giving ISU good around the rim. In just 12 minutes per game, Ndiaye is averaging 3.4 rebounds a game with 10 blocks. Muller has been favoring Ndiaye instead of sophomore forward Rey Idowu.
JAKE SERMERSHEIM is a Sports Editor for The Vidette. He can be contacted at vidette_jrserme@ilstu.edu. Follow him on Twitter at @JakeSermersheim.
six players winning in straight sets. ISU then dropped a tough match against Belmont to wrap up the weekend’s action. Belmont picked up the early doubles point and later in singles competition, Pol Botifoll Rius defeated Hendrick Inno (7-5, 7-5), earning ISU its lone point of the match. The Redbirds will look to get back to their winning ways Saturday when they take on Butler at the Butler Bubble at noon CT.
Women’s tennis narrowly falls to Chicago at home
Alex Gant | Senior Photographer
Junior Laura Fitzgerald.
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The Illinois State University Redbirds hosted the University of Illinois Chicago in its second match of the weekend and lost to the Flames, 4-3, in a close decision. Freshman Elena Jankulovska and sophomore Tara Damnjanovic were the only two Redbirds to win their matches, both by tiebreakers. Jankulovska beat UIC’s Nell Arendt
6-4 in the first set and then in a 7-6 tiebreaker in the second set. Damnjanovic defeated Georgia Colic 6-4 in the first set before dropping the second set 2-6. She battled back hard, winning the third set 11-9. “A lot of credit to our opponents today for playing very well across the board. It made it hard for us to get going in the middle of the lineup,” head coach Maja Kovacek said. “Tara and Elena have both shown a lot of improvement since the fall.”
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Sports
PAGE 8 | THE VIDETTE
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2020
Back to square one
REDBIRD REPORT
Track teams tie
Redbirds again in loss column following 80-70 defeat by Valparaiso for second JAKE FOGAL Sports Editor | @jfogal5
The Illinois State University men’s and women’s track teams tied for second place at the Adidas Classic. Several Redbirds saw personal bests attained, and five individuals took home a victory. Freshmen hurdlers JT Lowder, Brandon Ratliff and Jalen Johnson all saw personal bests that put them in the top 10 in ISU history.
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fter ending their sevengame losing streak against Evansville on Wednesday, the Illinois State University men’s basketball team (7-15, 2-8 MVC) is back in the loss column with a loss to the Valparaiso Crusaders (12-11, 5-5 MVC) 80-70. Keith Fisher III was hot from the start for the Redbirds, having double-digit points through the first 10 minutes of the game. Fisher finished with 19 points, but a foul-troubled ISU team was the downfall for the Redbirds. Totaling 27 fouls in the game, including a technical foul on Jaycee Hillsman, hurt the Redbirds’ chances in this one. When addressing the foul trouble that the ’Birds displayed in the game, head coach Dan Muller knows his team just needs to play smarter. “We have to have a couple more guys we can count on to play,” Muller said. “We need our depth to be more consistent.” Another player who was able to heat up for the Redbirds was DJ Horne, who finished with 16 points on 5-11 shooting. Horne was able to step up in the second half as Fisher scored his last points at the 16:14 mark of the second half. “He’s really good, he’s grown leaps and bounds mentally [with] being able to handle pressure and being able to handle coaching and adversity. We want him to be aggressive, and he’s just going to keep getting better,” Muller said when addressing the play of Horne throughout the season. With the fast-paced style that Valparaiso flashes, the Redbirds could only hope to keep up with the pace and outwork the Crusaders at their own game. Early on, that was the case as the Redbirds held the Crusaders scoreless through the first four minutes of the contest. Abdou Ndiaye got his first start of the season against Valpo. The big man got to work early for the Redbirds, allowing no easy buckets in the paint and racking up two blocks in the first six minutes. While Fisher was being a relentless scorer, the rest of the Redbird team struggled to keep up with the
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Coach says We always just try to focus on getting better every meet and I feel like we made progress on that today. The three men’s hurdlers all being freshmen and ranking in the top 10 alltime is phenomenal.” Jeff Bovee, ISU track and field director
BY THE NUMBERS
Courtesy of Redbird Athletics
Keith Fisher III driving in for a layup over two Valparaiso defenders during the first half. Fisher tallied double digits through the first 10 minutes of play as the quick start gave the Redbirds an early lead. game’s intensity. Fisher had nine of the team’s 10 points through eight minutes of the first half. Without help, the Crusaders began building their lead on ISU, maintaining a six-point lead all the way to halftime. ISU shot 30% from the field in the first half, only hitting three shots from beyond the arc. The Redbirds caught fire heading into the second half, as they matched the number of threes made in the first half within the first three minutes. Outscoring Valpo 13-7 through the first four minutes of the second half had many thinking the Redbirds may be running away with the game. The only thing in the way of that outcome was the Redbirds’ offensive
Up next Illinois State looks to bounce back when it travels to Missouri State for a 7 p.m. tipoff Wednesday. The preseason poll favorites currently sit at 10-13, 4-6 MVC on the season and sit eighth in the Valley. struggles that continued into the second half. Key turnovers allowed for easy layups that saw Valparaiso go on an 11-point run to stretch its lead to 52-43 with just over 10 minutes left. The deficit proved to be too large for the Redbirds to come back, allowing the Crusaders to coast to an 80-70 victory.
The second half lapses have been something that have been persistent in several Redbird games this season, and many of the lapses have been the primary reason for most if not all the losses this team has sustained. Winning on the road has proven to be an uphill task in the Valley, and as the Redbirds now sit 0-4 on the road in conference play and 0-7 total, any hopes of a turnaround are beginning to fade to dust. With eight games remaining, the ’Birds at best can finish 15-15 overall, but could take a winning record in conference play to Arch Madness at 10-8. A rather large turn of events needs to take place for any of this to happen, but the possibility remains.
“We have to have a couple more guys we can count on to play. We need our depth to be more consistent.” Dan Muller, ISU head coach
Redbirds bow to No. 21 Bears; host Bradley Friday MATT KALINOWSKI Sports Reporter | @mattkalinowski8
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he No. 21 Missouri State University Bears (18-3, 8-1 MVC) defeated the Illinois State University women’s basketball team (13-7, 5-4 MVC) 87-74 on Sunday. Senior forward Lexi Wallen scored 25 on 9-19 shooting and six rebounds. Redshirt freshman guard Mary Crompton had 18 on 6-12 shooting, and 6-11 from beyond the arc. Senior guard TeTe Maggett struggled from the field. She had 13 points on 5-18 shooting but added eight rebounds and five assists. MSU’s Alexa Willard led the Bears’ scoring with 16 points on 7-11 shooting. Brice Calip scored 15 points on 4-9 shooting along with eight assists. Abby Hipp had a 10-point,
11 rebound double-double along with four steals on 5-7 shooting. The Bears outscored the ’Birds 23-16 in the first quarter. MSU shot 9-16 compared to ISU’s 7-16. The second quarter would tell a similar story. MSU’s defense held the ’Birds to 6-17 shooting as the Bears cruised to an 8-11 performance to win that quarter 22-17. Missouri State had 10 points in the paint compared to ISU’s two. MSU led 45-33 at halftime and junior guard Juliunn Redmond led ISU with 10 points, two rebounds and one steal. ISU won the third quarter 23-17. The ’Birds shot 8-13 and held MSU to 6-15. They corrected the points in paint disparity and won that margin 10-4. Going into the fourth quarter, ISU still trailed 56-62. MSU regained control in the fourth. Its 25-18 run in the fourth
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wins have been found by the men’s basketball team when playing on the road this season. The Redbirds have four remaining chances to win a game away from home.
MVC MBB STANDINGS Conf Ovrl Northern Iowa Loyola-Chicago Southern Illinois Bradley Indiana State Drake Valparaiso Missouri State Illinois State Evansville
8-2 19-3 7-3 15-8 7-3 13-10 6-4 15-8 6-4 13-8 5-5 15-8 5-5 12-11 4-6 10-13 2-8 7-15 0-10 9-14
MVC WBB STANDINGS
Conf Ovrl
Missouri State Bradley Drake Illinois State Northern Iowa Southern Illinois Loyola-Chicago Valparaiso Indiana State Evansville
8-1 7-2 7-2 5-4 5-4 5-4 4-5 3-6 1-8 0-9
18-3 16-4 15-6 13-7 13-7 13-7 13-7 11-9 3-18 3-17
UPCOMING Softball ISU begins its season in Florida as it takes on five separate opponents beginning at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.
Track
Alex Gant | Photographer
Redbird players huddle around women’s basketball head coach Kristen Gillespie during a timeout during a recent game. clinched the 87-74 victory. The Lady Bears shot 9-17 and held the ’Birds to 7-20. Missouri State’s bench contributed seven points in the quarter. Missouri State proved why it has one of the very best programs in
the nation. They continue to lead the Missouri Valley Conference as well. Illinois State hosts Bradley (16-4, 7-2 MVC) at 7 p.m. Friday as part of the Pack the Arena promotion.
ISU travels to South Bend, Indiana, for the Meyo Invite, which begins at 10 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
Women’s gymnastics ISU heads to Colorado to face Air Force and Seattle Pacific 2 p.m. Saturday. Compiled by JAKE FOGAL Vidette Sports