WESTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY | FRIDAY, FEB. 12, 2016 VOLUME 16 ISSUE 15
“Turning the Tide” on college admissions What should change in the college application process?
Photo courtesy of WOUWOLVES.COM
By Katrina Penaflor | Managing Editor
Wolves go 3-2 in whirlwind start of season The expectation levels for college admissions varies across the field. Typically, schools take a balance of GPA, SAT or ACT scores, and an accumulation of extracurricular activities. In a recent New York Times article, OP-ED writer Frank Bruni addressed a study titled “Turning the Tide,” which discussed the flaws in the college admission process, primarily at the IvyLeague level. He went on to say how a university’s expectations and approval process may not benefit students at every income level. Western’s application process, in comparison to non-Ivy-League or private universities, is primarily standard, meaning that when a student applies, Western takes into account their transcript, SAT or ACT scores, and a completed application. SAT and ACT scores are not required for the WOU admissions process if the universities GPA requirement of 2.75 is met, but they are beneficial for scholarship purposes. Like Western, “a growing number of colleges have made the SAT or ACT optional,” said Bruni in his article. “Some of those alterations would simultaneously level the playing field for kids applying to college from less advantaged backgrounds,” said Bruni, who continued to point out the correlation between household income and standardized test scores. An additional point “Turning the Tide” made was the negative effects college admissions have on high school students. Not only can they cause a heavy workload with additional Advanced Placement (A.P.) courses—which are
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By Jamal Smith | Sports Editor Baseball season is officially here. With the new season come high expectations placed upon the WOU men’s baseball team. On Thursday, Jan. 28 the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) Baseball Coaches Preseason Poll projected the Wolves to finish in first place in the GNAC with the best chance of claiming the 2016 regular season title. The high expectations for the new season can be traced to last season’s success. In 2015, Western finished the season with a 29-24 overall record and a GNAC record of 22-11, but most importantly, the
Wolves came out victorious in the GNAC Baseball Conference Tournament and ended a 13 year conference title drought. “It’s nice to get some recognition early in the season, but our guys know its preseason and its meaning less,” said head coach Kellen Walker. “[The team] understand the expectations when they sign up for it and that’s why they come here.” “Our players want an opportunity to win the conference title and compete for a regional and hope to have an opportunity to get back to the College World Series,” added Walker. Western began the new season
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Merkley talks equality with Western Senator Jeff Merkley discusses LGBT rights with WOU students By Alvin Wilson | Staff Writer Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) visited Western’s Werner University Center on Feb. 5 to discuss his new bill, the Equality Act, with a small audience of students. According to Merkley’s website, “The Equality Act amends existing federal civil rights laws to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in
education, employment, housing, credit, and Federal jury service.” Merkley’s visit started with a story about the events that eventually led to him writing the Equality Act. In 2013, Merkley helped lead the effort to pass the Employment NonDiscrimination Act in Congress. “During that battle, it was really interesting because it was very hostile, very emotional,” said Merkley. “I remember driving into the underground parking at the Capitol and having people kind of tap on my
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windshield, hold up placards to my windshield, yell and scream at me, tell me what a horrible person I was.” “But I felt like a very good person,” he continued. “I felt this was the right thing not just in terms of our constitutional vision of fairness, opportunity and equality, but in terms of fundamental human rights.” But that bill didn’t pass because the House of Representatives refused to debate it on the floor. “The House of Representatives was led by the other party, the Republican
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The Journal Friday, Feb. 12, 2016
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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF CONNER WILLIAMS
End to negotiation draws near President Fuller defends his and the bargaining team’s financial decisions
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Negotiations have been winding down as President Rex Fuller and his negotiating team look for ways to settle with WOUFT. Fuller has been criticized by the union for not yielding in his effort to keep the operating revenue above 15 percent. Because of the volatile nature of university revenue streams, Fuller said they are still trying to stay within the boundaries they previously set. “University funding really only consists of two components these days,” said Fuller. “One would be the state funding, which is based upon state allocation, and the other is tuition. Tuition accounts for a greater percent today than it did 40 years ago, so it does matter.” The university compiles information about future state funding, projected enrollment rates, tuition rates, and other expenses, and then bases budgetary decisions off of the projections. Tuition is expected to increase by three percent every year. Enrollment is expected to be flat next year, but by 2018 it is expected to begin increasing again. “Even with those three percent forecasts, and even with enrollment growth reversing the trend, we start to have a situation where we begin to erode into our 15 percent reserve,” said Fuller. The 2016 Operating Budget for Western includes everything in the university’s most current proposal, and it shows Western’s
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SUBMISSIONS THE JOURNAL encourages readers to share their opinion through letters to the editor and guest columns. Submissions must be typed and include the writer’s name. Contact information will not be published unless requested. Unsigned submissions will not be printed and original copies will not be returned. Letters to the editor may be up to 300 words and guest columns should not exceed 500 words. THE JOURNAL does not guarantee the publication of all letters or columns. THE JOURNAL reserves the right to edit for punctuation, grammar, and spelling, but never for content. Please bring submissions to THE JOURNAL at Terry House or email to journaleditor@wou.edu. Submissions must be received by Wednesday at 5 p.m. to be considered for print. All opinions expressed in columns, letters to the editor or advertisements are the views of the author and do necessarily reflect those of THE JOURNAL or Western Oregon University.
Martin Shkreli under pharmaceutical fire After Congressional committee voiced feedback via Twitter By Jenna Beresheim | News Editor During a Congressional committee on Thursday, Feb. 4, Martin Shkreli, former CEO of Turing Pharmaceuticals, became the focus after a decision to steeply increase the price of a life-saving drug from $13.50 to $750. Shkreli continuously cited the Fifth Amendment in order to not incriminate himself, eventually falling silent in favor of planting a smirk on his face. USA Today reports that the pharmaceutical industry entrepreneur had previously been arrested in Dec. 2015 due to allegations by
operating revenue falling below 15 percent by next year. Fuller and his negotiating team both see this as a risk, but Fuller believes it will be worth it, saying “I believe that gives us time to rebuild the enrollment pipeline. The bet I’m making as a president, if you will, is that we’ll actually exceed these enrollment figures.” Fuller said that there’s a problem with most of the school’s funds coming from tuition, since the Western Promise has locked in the tuition rates for about half of the students. This means that when the university increases tuition rates, it will be hard to predict how much of an increase in funding it will bring. “Therein lies the financial risk, which is part of the reason why we have the 15 percent reserve,” said Fuller. Fuller admits that a compromise must be made to settle with WOUFT, but he doesn’t agree with some of the claims the union has made about his side of the negotiations. “I think one of the things that has been said is that the university is stalling,” said Fuller. “I would say that’s contrary to all the evidence I’ve seen.” Fuller says that he and his negotiating team have been active in trying to resolve the negotiations from the beginning. “We have changed proposals to be responsive to the concerns of the union,” he
federal prosecutors that he illegally took stock from the biotechnology company Retrophin to pay off unrelated business debts. Shkreli was also accused of using company funds to settle personal disputes with investors, such as telling an investor their hedge fund held $35 million assets even though it only held $700. This was one of seven accounts of fraud Shkreli was indicted on, resulting in his stepping down of CEO for Turing. “We’ve agreed to lower the price on Daraprim to a point that is more affordable and is able to allow the company to make a profit, but a very small profit,” Shkreli told ABC News during the initial backlash last year. Daraprim is commonly used to treat toxoplasmosis, a parasitic disease that affects individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those with AIDS or pregnant women. Toxoplasmosis parasites can be found in contaminated food and cat feces. Symptoms include muscle pain, fever, and headaches that last for weeks.
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said. “We were prepared to go to mediation in January; the union was not.” Fuller says the university is close to settling with WOUFT and that he is ready to consider any proposal they might offer. “One of their emails said they believe that we could solve it within the amount of money on the table, and I stand ready to consider something we haven’t considered yet,” said Fuller. “We work on this every week—anytime that there’s an opportunity to adjust.” Mark Perlman, president of WOUFT, says there is no risk of a faculty strike, suggesting that they are working on reaching an agreement as well.
“Drug company executives are lining their pockets at the expense of some of the most vulnerable families in our nation,” said U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Maryland, in USA Today. “It’s not funny, Mr. Shkreli. People are dying and they’re getting sicker and sicker.” “He smirked, rolled his eyes and looked away when ranking Democrat, Representative Elijah Cummings [of Maryland] tried to appeal to his sense of morality and reflect on his actions,” reported NBC. Once the committee was finished, Shkreli turned to Twitter to post: “Hard to accept that these imbeciles represent the people in our government.” Due to Shkreli’s past, he has earned multiple nicknames such as “Pharma Bro,” “Garbage Monster,” and eventually “The Most Hated Man in America.” Backlash appears to stem not from just the increase of drug pricing, but rather due to the fact that other drug companies have made similar moves, raising the price of niche products, but few have been so publicly unapologetic about these actions, stated British Broadcasting Corporation.
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Former WOU students convicted of rape and sexual abuse Both men await sentence in Polk County Jail By Jenna Beresheim | News Editor Two male former Western Oregon University students were recently convicted of rape and sexual abuse of a female student in 2014. According to the Statesman Journal, Robert Godeaux Savoy III, 23, was convicted of first-degree rape, first-degree sexual abuse, and third-degree sexual abuse. Christopher James Weekly, 23, was convicted of first-degree sodomy, first-degree sexual abuse, second-degree sexual abuse, and third-degree sexual abuse. The two-day trial took place in the Polk County Circuit Court before Judge Norman Hill. Both first degree rape and first degree sodomy are considered Measure 11 offenses, and as such they carry mandatory minimum prison sentences of eight years and four months. Both Savoy and Weekly are not considered students at Western as of 2014 and are being held in Polk County Jail. Their official sentencing took place Feb. 11 at 4 p.m. in Polk County Circuit Court. “In my role, I feel that justice is being served for this victim,” admitted Dr. Mary Ellen Dello Stritto, the Director of Abby’s House on Western’s campus. “We’re the victim advocates here, it’s a positive outcome,” continued Dello Stritto. Abby’s House is a resource and referral site on campus that supports individuals in any trouble they are experiencing in their life. Some examples listed were sexual harassment, pregnancy, mental health, stalking, housing, substance abuse, LGBT*Q issues, and more. There are currently fourteen trained student advocates to respond to crises by supporting an individual, aiding them in considering their options, and allowing them to make educated choices about the next step in
handling the issue at hand. “Our assistant director Andrea Hugmeyer, and myself are confidential advocates who can support a victim without needing to be mandatory reporters,” said Dello Stritto, “that’s something we can offer, whereas our student advocates are still mandatory reporters.” Abby’s House is a non-discriminatory safe zone for all students that is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. the other three days. “We’re here to support survivors - which means all students, survivors are men as well,” encouraged Dello Stritto. Another campus support system that works closely with Abby’s House is the Student Health and Counseling Center. “Our professional staff provides students at WOU with quality primary health care, information, referral services, counseling, and educational services,” said Jaime Silva, Director of the Student Health and Counseling Center. “In situations of rape and sexual assault, we provide students with compassionate, confidential, and supportive services to help them feel validated and also to help them make informed decisions about their situation,” continued Silva. The Student Health and Counseling Center is open during school hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and offers emergency appointments as well as a host of resources and hotlines for support during weekends or closed hours. “We talk to students about the resources available to them and help them be in as much control of their situation as possible,” said Silva. One final resource, as means of prevention, can be found in the on-campus club Green Dot. “A green dot is any behavior, choice, word, or attitude that promotes safety for everyone and communicates utter intolerance for sexual violence, partner violence and stalking,” reports the Green Dot website.
Green Dot offers multiple trainings to aid in prevention of these intolerances, as well as hosting weekly club meetings. For more information regarding Green Dot, contact club president Dacota Ashwill at dashwill12@mail. wou.edu. Photo courtesy of STATESMANJOURNAL.COM
“Turning the Tide”:
Equality Act:
From Front Page
From Front Page party, which was not willing to do this,” said Merkley. “We felt that we had the votes in the House of Representatives, but to win the vote it has to be held, and the leadership of the house refused to do so.” This prompted Merkley to write a new piece of legislation. “We decided it was time to talk differently about this,” he said. “It was time not to talk about chipping away here or there, it was time to simply say our LGBT community deserves the same fundamental laws against discrimination that are enjoyed by Americans in regard to gender, ethnicity, and race. “The bill that I wrote is about utilizing the 1964 Civil Rights Act as a foundation.” The Equality Act already has 40 cosponsors, but it hasn’t passed yet. “I don’t think that my Republican majority colleagues are going to hold a hearing on the bill,” said Merkley. “So, what are we doing in the meantime? We are building a stronger coalition.” He said they are recruiting companies to endorse the bill, and they already have 20 Fortune 500 companies on board. “We’d like that to be 200 Fortune 500 companies,” he said. Merkley said one Republican recently agreed to cosponsor the bill. “Mark Kirk of Illinois, who had been a partner of mine with the Non-Discrimination Act, endorsed it,” he said. “So, we can now call it a bipartisan bill.” So, what’s next for the Equality Act? “Really, the next step right now is building awareness of it, getting citizens to lobby their house and senate members to become cosponsors, and getting the corporate world to endorse it,” said Merkley.
not available in all high schools— and extracurricular activities, but the pressure of becoming an ideal candidate can bring increased anxiety. “Poorer high schools aren’t as likely to offer A.P. courses, and a heavy load of them is often cited as a culprit in sleep deprivation, anxiety and depression among students at richer schools,” said Bruni. Western has tried to combat the stressful application process by heading directly to high schools and having students apply in an environment familiar to them. “Something that we do to make it more convenient, and reduce that stress and make it more WOU focused, is we do instant Wolf onsite,” said Luanne Carrillo, admissions counselor and multicultural recruitment coordinator. This means the university will work with the students’ counselors and faculty to ensure the necessary paperwork is
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acquired and the students only worry about their application and application fee. This provides the opportunity for any questions about the processes to be directly answered and students will receive an admissions decision the same day. Possible changes or reassessments can even go back to what is acceptable on a high school level. Carrillo suggests, “looking back at the high school concept and saying ‘should you all still offer D’s?’ because D’s are not passing for a university.” As “Turning the Tide” suggests, finding well-rounded students goes beyond the number of club activities and SAT scores. It is a university’s job to see how their admissions requirements can shape the behavior of potential students, and if that is happening in a positive or negative fashion.
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HUMANS OF WESTERN Thomas Licata, senior interdisciplinary major What kind of music do you like? “Weird stuff... Everything. My favorite band is actually this band [called Consider the Source]. It’s Middle Eastern sci-fi metal, but it does a lot of funk and jazz. I don’t know, they have a lot songs that are literally just like Middle Eastern folk songs on like classic instruments and then they have stuff that’s just shredding and noise solos.” By Megan Clark | Campus Life Editor
The Xenat-Ra Experience Xenat-Ra performs one of a kind music for WOU students By Justin Oehler | Staff Writer Xenat-Ra (pronounced zin-Ät-rah) is an experience to behold. They are a band of self-proclaimed nerds and it shows in their musical expression. Most of the songs Xenat-Ra performed on Feb. 10 had a very space age vibe to them; one could almost describe the music as “alien rock.” With powerful bass lines and heavy use of synthesizer over lightning fast vocals the sound of Xenat-Ra is truly like no other musical experience imaginable. This band mashes together genres as they have never been heard before, pulling from hip-hop, metal, jazz, progressive rock, dubstep, funk, and world music. The band is comprised of six members: vocalist Ben “Future Metz” Metzger, Matt Calkin on the electrified tenor saxophone, Dave Trenkle on the synthesizers, drummer JD Monroe, Joel Hirsch on the various other percussions instruments used, and finally Western’s own Page Hundemer on the electric bass guitar. The band composes their music all together and once they have completed a track they present it Metzger who adds his own speed rap/spoken word style to the music. Eli Schenk, a fourth year music major, attended the event and raved about the performance afterword saying that he thought the performance was “amazing and mind opening.” Schenk also said that the sound is hard to describe but giving it his best shot called it “Rage Against the Machine ate a Quesorito made of different time signatures and just jazz everywhere.” This seems like a fitting description to the out there sound that Xenat-Ra produced. Another student in attendance, Nathan/Natasha Mireles, said that the performance was powerful and like nothing they had ever heard before.
Club Spotlight: Black Student Union By Rachael Jackson | Staff Writer The Black Student Union meeting I sat in on was a little different than usual because they were missing their group president, Thelma Hale. Leading the meeting in her stead was future club president G’Waun Dudley, an undecided first year, and secretary Courtney Briscoe, junior psychology major. Though they both said they were nervous, they jumped right into the discussion with gusto. They started with signups for the upcoming week of events -- be sure you check the Black History article for more information on what’s happening. The group energy was high and electric as they discussed the upcoming events. A few people remarked that some of the events seemed silly, but everyone, including the naysayers, seemed excited and were signing up for various events. Dudley, once the group had settled, brought up a recent event in the news coming from London. A West End club has recently been brought into the limelight for refusing, or over charging, service to dark-skinned and overweight women. The discussion about the West End club went for a while as group members pulled apart the news story and examined it while asking critical questions. Next, there was discussion on the legality of using rapper’s lyrics against them in the court of law. Most notable among those mentioned is Bobby Shmurda who recently had parole denied after being convicted in 2014 due in part to lyrics in a song. There was a more polarizing effect in the group with this topic. Many believed that you were taking that risk when you write lyrics like that; others saw it as another level of artistry, likening it to writing crime novels. The group was an eclectic bunch that all held varying opinions and came from different backgrounds. “It helps me keep my culture,” said Dudley when asked about why he joined the club. “I think it is good for people to know about what has happened in the world. With anyone -- we support all races, all cultures. I like that about the Black Student Union.” If you are interested in lively discussion, the BSU meets on Tuesday February 16 at 4:00 p.m. in the Klamath room. Non-black students are welcomed and encouraged to join.
upcoming events Resume Ready Feb. 15 12:00-1:00 p.m. WUC, Ochoco room Tree Advisory Commitee member application due Feb. 15 Midnight Email trees@wou.edu for more info Students with Disabilities panel Feb. 16 12:00-1:00 p.m. WUC, Willamette Room
Photo by JUSTIN OEHLER
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Cabalito Negro Feb. 17 7:30-9:00 p.m. Smith Hall 121
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Black History Month on campus A brief history of Black History Month, student opinions, and what’s happening on campus to celebrate it By Rachael Jackson | Staff Writer Black History Month began when the Association for the Study of African American Life and History declared the second week of February, beginning in 1926, to be “Negro History Week”. The holiday was officially recognized by President Gerald Ford in 1976 in an attempt to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” In his proclamation declaring February 2016 to once again be dedicated to African-American history, President Barack Obama called for the younger generations to exercise their freedom by voting. “Our Nation’s young people still echo the call for equality, bringing attention to disparities that continue to plague our society in ways that mirror the non-violent tactics of the civil rights movement while adapting to modern times,” said Obama in the proclamation. Despite having a month of dedication set aside, it isn’t enough to gain a full perspective, or even a glimpse, into the history and current lives of African-Americans, including their struggles, triumphs, and ongoing issues. For many, learning about black history outside of the month of February is limited, if it exists. Andre Dickson, social science major and senior, said he has seen this in his own experience as a student, saying, “To me, it’s important because of the fact that I’m African-American; but also because black history isn’t recognize in this country throughout the year.”
Dickson continued, “Other people may have an opinion on how much black history month means to them, but to me history is history and black history shouldn’t be minimized to recognition for only one month.” Thelma Hale, senior and communications major, echoed Dickson’s sentiments. “There are a lot of African-American students in schools who know nothing about the history of their people because it is not taught in schools,” said Hale. “Because of Black History Month you are able to gain awareness and knowledge of all the accomplishments and successes Blacks have achieved in history.” There are a few events on campus you can check out around campus following up to and during the week of the Feb. 22 as part of African-American Awareness Celebration. The events hosted by the Black Student Union include: Jeopardy & Snacks, Feb. 22, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. in the WUC Summit Ask a Black Person panel, Feb. 23, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. in the Willamette room Dear White People movie screening, Feb. 24, 7:00 p.m. in the Willamette room Open Mic & Poetry Slam, Feb. 25, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. in Cafe Allegro The Multicultural Student Union will be hosting various events throughout the week as well. Look for posters around campus for more information. Photo courtesy of WOU.EDU/MSU
“OMG! There’s a Deaf Person in the Room” Rian Gayle provides insights into Deaf culture By Megan Clark | Campus Life Editor Rian Gayle, M.A. and Accommodations Coordinator for the Office of Disability Services, gave a fun and informative presentation on Deaf culture, which explained how hearing people should interact with Deaf or Hard of Hearing people. Gayle’s amusingly titled presentation, “OMG! There’s a Deaf Person in the Room,” was held on Feb. 9 in the WUC. Gayle began with a brief personal history about his youth in Jamaica and how he lost his hearing due to meningitis. After graduating Gallaudet University, Gayle returned to Jamaica to advocate on behalf of Jamai-
can Deaf people. He continued on with his presentation, listing the top five worst reactions people have to finding out someone is Deaf. The list included being overly sympathetic and acting like the person is helpless. Gayle, however stated that this is not the case. He reiterated the point that “deaf people can do anything except hear.” He continued, “One thing that drives me a little crazy ... they keep saying I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry.” Another thing that bothers Gayle is when hearing people dismiss him by saying “Oh, forget it,” if they aren’t understood the first time. “The point is to try and communicate,” insisted Gayle. There are more productive ways to communicate with someone who is Hard of Hearing or Deaf, even if you don’t know American Sign Language (ASL). You can enunciate clearly, face the person, write things
down, or make use of an interpreter if one is present. If an interpreter is present and on duty, the Deaf person should be addressed directly, not the interpreter. Gayle also covered a variety of technologies used to aid in communication, such as FM systems that amplify sounds and Video Relay Services that can be used to make phone calls. For a bit of fun, Gayle taught the gathered audience how to sign the alphabet and count to ten in ASL. He then invited Brent Redpath, an ASL instructor at WOU, to join him and help show how certain signs were different between ASL and Jamaican Sign Language. “It was cool to learn another culture’s signs,” said Katelynn Farmer, a junior business major. According to Gayle, the key to interacting with a Deaf or Hard of Hearing person is to try, even if your knowledge of sign language is limited.
Western loves X Lovers
By Megan Clark | Campus Life Editor The musical styling of X Lovers is self-described as “acoustic pop,” with a focus on “love, lust, and life in the modern world.” While passing through Monmouth on their most recent tour, the band X Lovers decided to stop by Western on Feb. 10 and play for its students in the WUC. The trio came together to create music when they were just 14 years old. Now, Jacob Ames, London Jackson, and Max Mann, 17, 18, and 19, respectively, hope to continue their career in music and find inspiration for future music from other genres, such as hip hop and EDM. Not only did they perform for Western, they also sat down for an interview with The Journal staff. The podcast will be available to listen to on Feb. 22.
Photo by MEGAN CLARK X Lovers gave a live performance for The Journal on Feb. 10.
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Roth leaves PAC for Wolfpack How Roth overcame adversity to succeed in new league By Alvin Wilson | Staff Writer Alex Roth is a third-year business major and basketball player who came to Western for a second chance. As a guard for the Wolves, Roth averages 10 points per game, with an average of 43 percent from the field, 44 percent from the three-point line, and 73 percent from the free throw line. Roth started his college career playing basketball for Oregon State, but after contracting a rare nerve disease in his shoulder, he was forced to stop playing. He decided to transfer to Western after being contacted by a coach who believed he could be useful to the Wolves. “My main motivation for coming to Western was a second chance to play the game I love,” said Roth. “I was contacted by Coach Shaw with the opportunity to continue playing, so I thought I’d give it a shot here.” He said his favorite thing about Western is its size and proximity to Salem, where his family lives. “I love the size of the school and the fact that my friends and family can come
to my games,” said Roth. “So far the biggest difference between both schools is obviously the school size,” he continued. “On the court, though, the biggest difference is the size and speed between PAC-12 and GNAC players.” Changing schools after two years can be a difficult transition for some to make, but Roth said it hasn’t been difficult for him, saying, “Overall, the transition has been very easy. My teammates, coaches and members of the Western Oregon community have welcomed me with open arms, and I thank everyone for that.” Roth said his role for the Wolves is different largely because he was injured for two years at OSU, and there’s more opportunity for him to improve here. “When it comes to my role on the team, I like Western much more due to the fact that at Oregon State I was injured for two years and not playing, but now I have a chance to compete and battle for a top 5 team in the country,” he said. Roth is optimistic about the current season. Western is currently at the top GNAC and is also ranked No. 1 in Division II. “We want to win every single day, and hopefully that ends with a national championship victory,” said Roth.
Snoozer Bowl 50
Payton Manning celebrating Denver’s 24-10 victory over Carolina
Super Bowl fizzes out with lack of offensive firepower By Jamal Smith | Sports Editor The Super Bowl is the epitome of an American tradition. In fact, there is nothing more American than the Super Bowl, with the exception of the fourth of July. What makes the Super Bowl so special is that the event transcends the sporting world and becomes a global
Photo courtesy of TELEGRAPH.CO.UK
phenomenon. That’s why it saddens me to say that Super Bowl 50 was a letdown. According to Sports Illustrated, Super Bowl 50 raked in 111.9 million viewers to become the third most watched television show in U.S. history. Many people tune in just for the commercials and some for the half time show. The big game had all the makings of must-see-television. Two teams, the Carolina Panthers and the Denver Broncos, battled each other on the biggest stage in the world for the Vince Lombardi trophy.
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Photo courtesy of WOUWOLVES.COM
My main problem with the game itself was the lack of offensive firepower from both teams. Some football fans appreciate defense, and there is a saying that defense win championships, but let’s get real, the game was downright boring. Let me break down some of the game’s statistics. First, neither team was able to score a touchdown through the air. There were no spectacular plays (except for a 61-yard punt return), and there were no moments that made you jump out of your seat. Of course Bronco’s fans were ecstatic over their 24-10 victory, but for the fans that just wanted a good game, it had to be disappointing. The game was never close, there was no drama, there was no excitement; Super Bowl 50 just fizzed out. Part of what made the game so disappointing was the low score. The 34 combined points in this year’s Super Bowl was the lowest since the New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots 17-14 in 2008. In fact, according to ESPN, there were only two other Super Bowls in the past 40 years with a lower combined score. Maybe I had too high of expectations, but I can only sit through a game so long when all you see are threeand-outs. Near the end of the game and the Panthers down by two scores, the CBS announcers desperate to create drama said, “can the Panthers score two more times?” The answer was no. I wasn’t the only person who thought the game was boring. Aspiring Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump posted this message on his official twitter account: “So far the Super Bowl is very boring - not nearly as exciting as politics - MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” For me, the highlight of the game wasn’t the game itself, but rather the Puppy-Monkey-Baby Mountain Dew commercial and Lady Gaga singing the National Anthem. That’s why I’m bitter.
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Wolves pounce on Falcons in overtime Wolves victorious in 84-82 overtime victory against Seattle Pacific By Jamal Smith | Sports Editor The Western Oregon men’s basketball team has fought hard against adversity all season long, and the 84-82 overtime victory over No. 19 Seattle Pacific University (SPU) on Saturday, Feb. 6 was a testament to the Wolves’ season-long success. In the Wolves’ first meeting against the Falcons in early January, SPU chipped away at Western’s double digit lead in the final minutes to push the game into overtime but the Wolves eventually overpowered the Falcons for the win. This time, it was Western who came back from a 14 point deficit to take the game into extra time, and the Wolves again found themselves victorious. Redshirt senior Andy Avgi (F), the second leading scorer in the GNAC, had a game-high of 29 points on 10-for-15 shooting from the floor. Avgi was lights out from beyond the arch, shooting 5-for-7 from distance. The Wolves had three other players hit the double digit mark in scoring. Senior Jordan Wiley (G) had 17 points, redshirt sophomore Tanner Omlid (G/F) had 16 points, and senior Julian Nichols (G) filled out the stat sheet with 10 points, four rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and a steal. On their home court, Western jumped out to an early 19-12 lead on consecutive three-pointers from redshirt sophomore Alex Roth (G) and Avgi. But after the Wolves missed a few shots and the Falcons went on a scoring run, the point advantage switched to SPU. SPU increased their lead late in the first half by hitting the long ball, shooting 7-for-10 from beyond the three-point line to take a 49-35 lead into half time. In the second half, Western came out determined to get within striking distance. WOU forward Omlid
Senior Andy Avgi (F) drives to the basket against SPU.
scored seven points in the opening minutes of the second half on a 9-4 opening rally which brought the score to 44-51. The Wolves spent the rest of the half chipping away at SPU’s lead, which the Falcons maintained all the way up until the end. With less than one minute left to play, and the Falcons up 76-73, Avgi drained a clutch three-pointer to tie the score at 76-76 and sent the game to overtime. In the five minute overtime period, Western put pressure on SPU by creating turnovers and never allowing the Falcons to take easy shots. Avgi, Wiley, Nichols, and Alexander all hit baskets in the overtime period to give the Wolves the 84-82 advantage.
Photo courtesy of WOUWOLVES.COM
The come-back victory improves the Wolves’ overall record to 20-2 and 13-1 in GNAC conference play. The overtime victory also brings the Wolves winning streak to a season-high 11 games. On Wednesday, Feb. 9, it was announced that the Wolves moved into the No. 1 spot in Division II basketball. It is the first time in school history that Western has earned the top spot. Up next, WOU hosts Simon Frasier University on Saturday, Feb. 13 in the armed forces and first responder appreciation night. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. in the New P.E. Building.
Wolves get devoured by Seawolves Wolves fall to Alaska Anchorage 72-42 By Jamal Smith | Sports Editor Coming off a heart-breaking 61-62 loss on Thursday, Feb. 4 to the University of Alaska Fairbanks Seawolves, the women’s basketball team looked to climb up the GNAC standings with an upset over the No. 2 ranked University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) on Saturday, Feb. 6. UAA had dominated the GNAC conference, coming into the game in first place with a record of 12-1. Western on the other hand, was positioned at the bottom of the GNAC, but a victory would have moved the Wolves up from the bottom spot. Although the Wolves hung in there for the first half of the first quarter, the Seawolves built an early lead and crushed Western’s hopes of an upset, winning 7742. Senior Emily Howey (C) led the Wolves in scoring with eight points and had six rebounds, two assists, and two steals in
23 minutes of play. Senior Michelle Bromagem (G) had six points and junior Launia Davis (G) and freshman Kaylie Boschma (G) each scored five points. From the opening tipoff, the Seawolves swarmed the Wolves on defense and showed why they belong at the top of the GNAC. UAA took the early lead but the Wolves hung in there, only trailing by five points or less with five minutes to play in the first quarter. Western tried to keep pace with UAA but costly turnovers and the Seawolves stifling defense proved to be too much for the Wolves to handle and the score got out of hand. The first half ended with UAA up 3813. Western shot a dreadful 6-of-27 from the floor in the first half, including going 0-for-7 from distance. In the second half, the Wolves’ shots started falling and they finished the second half shooting 9-of-23. Unfortunately, the Seawolves continued their red-hot shooting and increased their lead. Western finished the game shooting 30 percent (15-for-50) from the floor.
The Achilles’ heel for the Wolves this season has been coughing up points from turnovers. This game was no different with the Seawolves scoring 26 points off of 22 Western Oregon turnovers. In contrast, the Wolves only scored two points off of 15 UAA turnovers. Up next, the Wolves hit the road on Thursday, Feb. 18 to face Northwest Nazarene University. Western is looking for revenge against the Crusaders who edged the Wolves 63-51 last month. The next home game is on Thursday, Feb. 25 against Saint Martin’s University.
Senior Emily Hower (C) looks to pass the ball against UAA.
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Photo courtesy of WOUWOLVES.COM
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ENTERTAINMENT
The Journal Friday, Feb. 12, 2016
Latest from Coen Bros. is pure cinematic delight By Declan Hertel | Entertainment Editor There is a subgenre of movies that I started to enjoy with “The Big Lebowski,” began to love with 2014’s “Inherent Vice,” and have truly begun to appreciate with “Hail, Caesar!,” the latest offering from near-legendary filmmakers Joel and Ethan Coen: comedic neo-noir that is light on plot and heavy on mood. In these films, what is happening is not nearly as important as the world it’s happening in and the people it’s happening to. The mood is what matters, character is what matters, and the meandering, disjointed plotline (or more appropriately, plotdots (coined it)) becomes secondary. I have to admit, I didn’t expect this at all from the Coen Brothers, two of my favorite filmmakers ever. Even the aforementioned “Lebowski,” which shows elements of plot-dot structure, still has a clearly visible and comprehensible progression of events, or as much of one as a noir can have. Noir has never been a genre known for easy-tofollow, A-B-C plotting, but these particular sorts of noir films take the inherent complexity and winding stories of the genre to their logical conclusion. But just because I didn’t expect it doesn’t mean I didn’t love it. A sunny, comedic neo-noir taking place during the Golden Age of Hollywood, starring an astounding number of supremely talented actors, as created by the Coen Bros? It sure feels like
someone asked me what I would really, really dig in a movie, although I don’t remember such an incident. There are no real standout performances in “Hail, Caesar!” because literally everyone in the film is fantastic and clearly having the time of their lives playing these larger-than-life Hollywood types. Although, one performance that does rise above is Alden Ehrenreich as Hobie Doyle, a slightly dim, yet earnest and kindhearted star of many silly cowboy flicks. Ehrenreich is a relatively unknown name in Hollywood at the moment, but I hope that this movie puts him on the map for real. Every moment he’s onscreen is an absolute joy and his adorable rapport with Veronica Osorio’s character in the middle third of the movie melted my heart (speaking of unknowns, I would also love to see Osorio get more work). The best thing about this movie is that it not only takes its setting from the Hollywood Golden Age, but it also plays like a movie from the era. It’s a feeling that’s hard to describe, but it’s at least partially due to about half the cast getting at least one moment to be the undisputed star of the picture. It harkens back to when times were perpetually trying and movies were about entertainment: escapism. Before “intellectual” movies, before cinema was an “art,” and film was trying to find what it was. And it was entertaining. That’s what “Hail, Caesar!” is; it’s entertainment of the purest form. I won’t pretend to know what the motivation behind “Hail, Caesar!” was for the Coen brothers. But as it is, it is a wonderfully fun piece of entertainment that doesn’t have any illusions of being something “greater.” It comes in, makes you all happy and fuzzy, and leaves. And sometimes, a film doesn’t need to do anything else. Channing Tatum as Burt Gurney in “Hail, Caesar.” Photo courtesy of HAILCAESARMOVIE.COM
Guns and gore: new “Doom” releasing this year
promised “badass demons, big effing guns, and moving really fast” as the game’s key When gamers hear the name Bethesda, principles. they may be too focused on some of their “Doom 3” was released in 2004 and newer material like “Fallout” or “Skyrim” to pushed the boundaries for violence in remember the roots of the company, a huge games, just as every installment of “Doom” part of the early gaming industry: had done in the past. The newest “Doom.” “Doom” is no different; the The original “Doom” was newly released campaign first released in 1993 and trailer shows off the game’s shocked the gaming inaction with chainsaws, dustry with its graphdismemberment, and ic and bloody gamebuckets of blood. It’s play. Since its release, safe to say that those “Doom” has had nuwith weak stomachs merous sequels, reshould stay far away. masters, and a film. From the trailer, The newest “Doom” the new “Doom” is will be released this looking to be one of the May. most violent games ever “Doom” follows a Space created. The studio is shyMarine working for the ing away from the horror asUnion Aerospace Corporation pects of “Doom 3,” and jumpwho fights hordes of demons Photo courtesy of DOOM.COM ing right into the fast-paced, and undead. The original gory goodness of the original. “Doom” was one of the first ever first perDoom will be released on May 13 for son shooters and paved the way for current Playstation 4, Xbox One, and PC, and is up first person shooter games. for pre-order now. The newest Doom was announced at E3 2015, executive producer Marty Stratton
By Ashton Newton | Staff Writer
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ENTERTAINMENT
The Journal Friday, Feb. 12, 2016
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The Super Bowl ads were the real winner this year Photo courtesy of INSTINCTIVERACOON.BANDCAMP.COM
Sing Hallelujah for the Old Machine By Darien Campo | Staff Writer
Photo courtesy of ADWEEK.COM
Super Bowl 50 brings some great (and some not so great) new commercials By Ashton Newton | Staff Writer With Super Bowl 50 came a new batch of hilarious, awesome, and strange commercials. For years, Super Bowl commercials have been making us laugh, cry, and have warm feelings inside, and Super Bowl 50 was no different. This Super Bowl felt specifically tailored toward fans of comic book movies. “Deadpool” had a pretty large presence, “Captain America: Civil War” had an awesome new trailer, and Coca-Cola had a movie-quality Hulk vs. Ant-Man commercial, with the two characters fighting over a can of Coke mini. Turkish Airlines gave everyone a look at Gotham City and Metropolis to promote the upcoming “Batman v Superman” starring Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne and Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor. Doritos delivered some extremely funny material, as always. One featured dogs dressed as people to buy Doritos from a store, and the other featured an ultrasound where the baby wanted Doritos enough to be born early. The NFL itself had a notable ad that spanned the length of the entire game featuring a choir of “Super Bowl babies” playing off the statistic that 9 months after the Super Bowl, winning cities see a huge growth
in children born. Super Bowl 50’s commercials were star-studded. Kevin Hart chased his daughter’s boyfriend, Key and Peele danced in a hallway, Alec Baldwin entered a hilarious battle of words, and Steven Tyler talked to himself in Skittle form. One commercial managed to become trending on Twitter. Mountain Dew’s Puppy-Monkey-Baby instantly became a big deal, not because it was funny but because it was so strange. The commercial received very mixed feelings from people on social media. The strange was definitely a huge part of the Super Bowl ads this year too. One ad featured a personified intestine running to go to the bathroom. Another featured a man and his humanoid marmot hiking in the woods, until the man attempted to kiss the marmot. The Super Bowl wouldn’t be the Super Bowl without some sentimental ads, too. One in general stood out for Audi. The ad features a retired astronaut who felt like he was blasting off into space one more time while behind the wheel of an Audi. Jeep also touched the hearts of millions with an incredible commercial detailing all the events that Jeep has been there for, including “running from dinosaurs” and “on the beaches of Normandy”. Overall, the Super Bowl commercials did what Super Bowl commercials do best and left viewers happy, entertained, and a little confused (I’m looking at you puppy-monkey-baby).
NEXT ISSUE WILL BE FEB. 25 WOU.EDU/WESTERNJOURNAL
Three Blind Wolves is a three-piece indie rock band that hails from Glasgow, Scotland. Though they’ve not been active long, they have quickly proven themselves to be a stellar group that is well worth listening to. Their unique sound, self-described as “folk-tinged psychedelic blues-rock,” is brought to life in their first full-length album “Sing Hallelujah for the Old Machine.” Released in 2013 under Scottish indie label Instinctive Raccoon, “Sing Hallelujah for the Old Machine” is a piece brimming with a tremendous amount of power and emotion. The tracks are a fantastic blend of driving guitar rock, backed by a complex orchestra of instruments. Mandolins, slide guitars, and horns fill out the sound on this album, bringing a very country/ folk feel to the music. Almost like The Decemberists meets Arcade Fire. Listeners are served with a wide array of arrangements on “Sing Hallelujah.” From songs like “Parade,” which pound the crunching guitar and hit us with a rousing chorus, to songs like “When the Garden Gets Near,” which features no more than Ross Clark and his acoustic guitar. And even with the diversity in dynamics, all of the songs seem equally compelling. The album spans 11 tracks of raw humanity, poured out into your headphones. We’ve all listened to sad music, but you’ve probably never heard it sung like Ross Clark. Clark’s vocals soar from soft whispers, mumbled into the microphone, all the way to roaring screams of power. Clark’s lyrics weave a gorgeous tapestry of wanting. Each song is a thread through different aspects of loss and loneliness, all penned by Clark himself. “Sing Hallelujah for the Old Machine” is less about wallowing in our own sadness, and more about rejoicing in it. These songs almost seem to celebrate our human ability to experience such emotional pain. It brings a delightful edge to what could have just been a series of sad songs. On the album’s single, “Parade,” Clark said: “Times are hard just now. You’ve got to keep yourself moving on.” If you’re looking for a new rising band to keep an eye on, it’d be hard for me to find a better recommendation than Three Blind Wolves, and their album “Sing Hallelujah for the Old Machine.”
EDITORIAL
10 Musings from a woman on the edge The Journal Friday, Feb. 12, 2016
Photo courtesy of WWW.FASHIONGONEROGUE.COM
By Katrina Penaflor | Managing Editor My excitement for the “Full House” reboot “Fuller House” has completely flown off and disappeared somewhere far, far away. I just watched the trailer for “Fuller House” and sadly, I’ve grown to be completely underwhelmed, and it left me questioning why I enjoyed the show so much in the first place. Also, no Michelle Tanner (I’ll get to that in a minute). Shows that I long thought rested away in television heaven seem to be making their way back to our screen. “X-Files,” “Gilmore Girls,” (both of these I have zero complaints about), and, of course, “Fuller House.” I’m pretty sure this idea reaches to people’s love of nostalgia, and how, for me, letting things you love go can be pretty impossible. My anticipation for the show has been building ever since I heard about it through John Stamos’ Instagram. And, yes, of course I follow him, and all the people who don’t are severely missing out. Unfortunately, after seeing the trailer (and if you haven’t seen it just go watch it or accept the fact that this article will make no sense) I have one word to describe it—cheesy. But then again, “Full House” always did have that cheese-ball factor in the past. Maybe because I watched it when I was younger I didn’t think about it the way I do now. I’d like to add adorable, yet at times mildly annoying, Michelle (played by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olson) is nowhere to be seen. She was mentioned via a voicemail by her sisters, but that was it. My disappointment in her absence was a major part in my less than enthusiastic response to the trailer. Who knows, maybe when I give the actual show a try I’ll take back everything I just said? Also, it arrives on Netflix on my birthday, which—because I’m super odd—always makes me feel really cool.
Beyonce’s “attack” on police officers By Stephanie Blair | Copy Editor
Photo courtesy of NETFLIX VIA YOUTUBE.COM
For many, Beyoncé was the MVP on Sunday at the Super Bowl. Performing her new single, “Formation,” she took to the field and outshined her fellow half-time performers— side note: does anyone remember who they were? (I was distracted by Queen Bey’s glory.) However, despite the brilliance of her message, Beyoncé is currently under fire in a debate “about whether it was appropriate for Beyoncé to inject politics into her performance” as the Washington Post phrased it. Beyoncé and her dancers sported black leather jackets, black berets, and natural hair. This was in a salute to the Black Panther organization
and also a tribute to the current Black Lives Matter movement. Marni Senofonte, Beyoncé’s stylist for the Super Bowl, told Essence magazine that this was a way for her to honor and empower black women. “The women of the Black Panther Party created a sisterhood and worked right alongside their men fighting police brutality and creating community social programs,” said Senofonte. “That image of women in leadership roles; believing they are a vital part of the struggle is undeniably provocative and served as reference and reality.” However, not everyone shares this positive view of the performance. Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani said that he felt “it was outrageous that she used it as a platform to attack police officers who are the people who protect her and protect us, and keep us alive.” There have been vast amounts of
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debate on this subject on social media. I have a few points of my own. Beyoncé has been a longtime feminist. From her 2011 hit “Run The World (Girls)” to performing in front of the word “FEMINIST” lit up on her last tour, Queen Bey has never been too subtle about her views of gender equality. I think this was simply a more specific channel for that same message. When the “Formation” music video was released (before the Super Bowl) Essence magazine described it as a “4:53 second ode to Black-girl-ness.” So, yeah, there’s some race involved. But, and this is important here, it’s not about you, angry, white men! So, can it Giuliani. This one is about building up one of the most oppressed demographics: black women, not tearing down the highest paid and least incarcerated.
EDITORIAL
What motivates you? My inner conflict with finding the right tools for motivation By Conner Williams | Editor-in-Chief “Your competition got stronger and faster today … Did you?” That omnipresent statement was plastered in huge bold letters on the wall of my high school weight room. It served as a constant reminder that there is always someone out there who works harder than I do. I took the statement as a personal challenge to do my best to put in more effort for each workout than I did for the last one. I like to think that I work hard in most areas of my life. I do well in school, complete work assignments with professionalism and enthusiasm, and exhaust myself in the gym. Weightlifting has been a passion, hobby, and lifestyle of mine for a while
The Journal Friday, Feb. 12, 2016 now, and my hard work has allowed me to progress significantly over the years. And while I work hard, I am occasionally reminded that there are others out there that work way harder than me under circumstances that require extreme mental willpower. Sometimes I use this as motivation to push myself when I see others who are differently abled than I working harder than me, but lately I have felt a little bit differently. I feel like I owe it to those that tackle the world through a differently abled experience that I do to push my body and mind to their limits in order to achieve my maximum potential. Without attempting to sound vain, people like me –those that are temporarily abled– have it pretty good, and we owe it to those that are less physically blessed to give our best effort in all of our pursuits. I used to train with a man that was born with dislocated hips, leaving him basically unable to use his legs for everyday functions. In high school, he was told that he would never be able to bench press 400 pounds. A little more than a decade later, he set a world record by pressing 710 pounds at a bodyweight of 259 pounds. But get this: his legs don’t touch the ground. And anyone that has ever performed the bench press before knows how crucial one’s leg drive is for
a successful lift. He did not take no for an answer, and he had to approach it in a personalized way unique to him. I used to think that way – that I needed to prove myself to other people and that I had to show the world that I was capable of athletic greatness – but I think I just grew out of it. I don’t think like that anymore. I’ve stopped worrying about other people and what they look like, and I no longer constantly compare myself to others. I now focus on myself by doing things day in and day out that help me reach my goals for me. I feel like I owe it to others that are differently abled than I. And when I say that others are not as blessed genetically as I am, I am not implying that they do not have amazing skills and qualities about them that make them extraordinary people in their own way; I am talking in a physical sense of being able to achieve fitness goals. Those that are temporarily abled physically have it easier to accomplish athletic feats than those that are differently abled, which is why I aim to give my best effort whenever I can. I still have a long way to go in order to get where I want to be, but I know that each step forward that I take is for me, and for those that are unable to do so. And this is not to say that people who do things for others or in spite of others are wrong for using that as their moti-
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vating factor; I have simply found more happiness by focusing on myself and doing what makes me happy for me, and not for others. Despite my renewed attitude of doing things for myself, there is one thing that has always stuck in my mind since the day I heard it: the conversation between Chuckie (Ben Affleck) and Will (Matt Damon) in “Good Will Hunting” towards the end of the movie. “Oh, come on! Why is it always this, I mean, I f----in’ owe it to myself to do this? What if I don’t want to?” Will said to Chuckie when he was told that he had something none of their others friends had. Will had a gift, a way out of poverty. He was a genius. “[…] F--- you. You don’t owe it to yourself. You owe it to me. ‘Cause tomorrow I’m gonna wake up and I’ll be fifty and I’ll still be doing this s---. And that’s all right, that’s fine. I mean, you’re sitting on a winning lottery ticket and you’re too much of a p---y to cash it in. And that’s b------t ‘cause I’d do anything to have what you got!” Chuckie exclaims to Will. That line gets to me every time I see the movie. We all have our own inherent gifts and talents, and there are many others out there that would love to possess what someone else has. That is what I mean when I say that I owe it to other people to give it my best every day.
What’s the deal with churching? Churches in Motown, there are a bunch By Declan Hertel | Entertainment Editor I have no stance on this. I have no feelings for or against. All I am doing here is stating facts. Facts have no opinion. And these are the facts. Monmouth has a lot of churches. Like, a lot of churches. At least eight in Monmouth proper, and the number jumps to 14 including Independence, not to mention the couple that are just outside the limits of both cities. I don’t know what this means. I don’t know what to make of it. In my hometown, we have at least six times as many people as Monmouth, and maybe three churches: the Super-church on top of the hill, the LDS church in the wetlands, and I’m sure there’s another one somewhere in the city limits. But Monmouth, a town whose already small population drops by about 67 percent during the summer months, has eight. I’m sure there’s a logical explanation: holdovers from the farmstead days, Monmouth’s convenient middle-of-nowhere location, varying denominations, etc. But that doesn’t change the fact that there are, like, a ton of churches in Monmouth. It’s also notable that there are no non-Christian houses of worship in the area. The nearest synagogue is in Salem
and the nearest mosque is in Corvallis, not to mention places for the non-Abrahamic faiths. This is probably due to the local demographic breakdown, but even so. Interesting. Is the concentration of churches a bad thing? No. That’s silly. But is it a good thing? I don’t know, maybe. I can’t see any positive effects on my Monmouth experience from the high density of churches. But I also can’t see any negative effects. This
may be because I am nonreligious and have no real stake in the issue. But I suppose it’s a good thing for not only the local religious contingency, but also for the population of faithful students trying to find a place to practice their faith while away from home. That’s undoubtedly a good thing. All that said, I’m still a little bit baffled. Because, guys: Monmouth has a LOT of churches.
Photo courtesy of GOOGLE MAPS
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TAIL-END
The Journal
Baseball: From Front Page
in whirlwind fashion, playing their first five games in four days, starting on Thursday, Feb. 4 and finishing on Sunday. Feb. 7. The first four games were against Azusa Pacific University in which the Wolves split the matchup 2-2 (W 3-1, W 8-4, L 1-2, L 6-7). Then on Sunday, thanks to a top of the ninth sacrifice fly from senior first baseman Nathan Etheridge, Western edged California State University of Dominguez Hills 7-6. “We used the majority of our roster which is a credit to the depth of our team,” said Walker. “[The game] was a good early season test for us to go on the road and play five games in four days against two really quality teams and come back over five-hundred.” The Wolves’ next game is on Saturday, Feb. 13 against the California State University of East Bay in Hayward, Calif. The first home game is on Saturday, March 12 against Saint Martin’s University. Photo courtesy of WOUWOLVES.COM
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