September 17, 2019 by College Heights Herald

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2019

WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

VOLUME 95, ISSUE 04

WKU discusses confidence in Caboni BY LILY BURRIS HERALD.NEWS@WKU.EDU

Two years removed from his entry into a “tumultuous” situation, Timothy Caboni begins his third year of presidency with all eyes on him. Caboni came into his presidency with issues already prevalent at WKU. Larry Snyder, dean of Potter College of Arts and Letters, described it as a “very difficult time” in WKU’s history. “The waters had been choppy when he arrived on the ship, and that has nothing to do with him or his style,

that’s just where we are,” Snyder said. One of the biggest issues WKU was facing when Caboni arrived in July 2017 was balancing a budget riddled with debt. The debt service total from the 2017-18 WKU budget books indicates that WKU had to deal with $17.3 million of debt during Caboni’s first year alone. Dean May, a social work professor, said Caboni may not have known what he was getting into when he arrived. “He, probably once he got here, realized it was probably worse than what he may have realized or what may have been discussed when he was

interviewing,” May said. One of the ways WKU has dealt with its budget issues under Caboni is with tuition increases. During Caboni’s first year, tuition was $5,101 per semester. That has increased to $5,401 per semester. Tuition increases are a part of the way WKU is combating a large budget deficit that’s increasingly complicated due to declining enrollment and lessening state appropriations. Students provide another perspective on Caboni altogether. It would be hard to claim that students evaluate every administrative move made by WKU’s president. Some students like

Kennedy Palmer, a nursing sophomore from Memphis, Tennessee, are more interested in Caboni’s demeanor on campus than his actions taken. “I think [Caboni’s] good spirit helps us want to be better students, because if he wants to put on a good face for the school, then so should everybody else,” Palmer said. Julie Shadoan, paralegal studies professor and Faculty Senate chair, said the circumstances under which Caboni assumed the role of president were challenging. She described the culmination of issues as “the ball has been kicked SEE CABONI • PAGE A3

REED MATTISON • HERALD

Dancers take the stage holding the flags of their respective home countries. The Latin American community makes up the largest percentage of Bowling Green’s minority population, city commissioner Dana Brown said.

FIESTA FOR ALL

Bowling Green celebrates its Hispanic community SEE PAGE B5

PTS changes include parking meter rate increases for 2019-20 BY ABBEY NUTTER HERALD.NEWS@WKU.EDU WKU Parking and Transportation Services has implemented a variety of changes for the 2019-2020 school year, including one measure that, while improving convenience, will cost students more money. PTS raised rates for campus parking

meters, going from 25 cents for 15 minutes to 50 cents for 15 minutes. PTS Director Jennifer Tougas explained that part of this decision was aligning the rates at the meters with public parking areas and recovering some of the costs of the smart meters themselves. “All of the meters now accept credit cards, and there are credit card transaction fees that go along with that,” Tou-

gas said. Another new addition to PTS, according to Tougas, is a free on-demand van service in the evenings for after the buses stop running. “We’re really looking forward to students who are parking in remote areas late at night using that service to get around campus,” Tougas said. Students can download the TapRide app and log in using their NetID after

choosing the WKU option for their location. Once a student has logged into the app, there is a map of all the pick-up and drop-off locations. “It kind of works like a closed Uber or Lyft system, where it goes to the driver and the driver comes to get you,” Tougas said. SEE PARKING METERS • PAGE A2

NEWS A2

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2019 WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

Herald reporter arrested for public intoxication BY LILY BURRIS HERALD.NEWS@WKU.EDU

The Herald’s football beat reporter was arrested for alcohol intoxication in a public place on Saturday morning. A Bowling Green Police Department officer witnessed Alec Jessie “staggering on the sidewalk in the 1100 block of College Street” and he “fell into the side of a building twice before” the officer could make contact with him, according to the police report. The citation describes “a strong odor of alcoholic beverages on his breath” and “blood shot eyes, very slurred speech.” The report also said Jessie “could barely stand straight.” Jessie said was walking home from Rocky’s. “I am very sorry for my actions,” Jessie said in a statement. “I apologize to everyone that has been impacted negatively by this, including my coworkers

at the Herald. I will be better in the future and do everything I can do to move forward. I appreciate the individuals that have supported me during this time.” Herald Editor-in-Chief Jeremy Chisenhall and Sports Editor Drake Kizer decided to keep Jessie from covering WKU’s football game against Louisville in Nashville on Saturday. WKU lost 3821. Jessie resumed his duties as the Herald’s football reporter this week. “While the situation was not ideal, Alec handled it the best he could afterwards,” Chisenhall said in a statement. “He was straightforward about his arrest and was forthcoming with any information that we asked for.”

News reporter Lily Burris can be reached at 270-745-6011 and lily.burris203@topper.wku.edu. Follow her on Twitter at @lily_burris.

CRIME REPORTS September 9, 2019 8:44 a.m.

A former student anonymously reported that someone was trying to get him to send them money from a Facebook posting. WKUPD was unable to make contact with the former student.

PARKING METERS

CONTINUED FROM FRONT According to the 2019-2020 overview page on the PTS website, another change for commuters was the addition of a new commuter lot located on Park Street between Cabell Street and 14th Avenue. “The new Park Street Lot will be zoned C4 and will be served by the Topper Transit Big Red Route,” the page stated. Another change that the page detailed was for residents who don’t have cars on campus. According to the page, students enrolled in the Carless Program receive discounts on transportation services, such as free access to GObg public transit and discounted enrollment to the Enterprise CarShare program. Tougas said there were two major changes through PTS for students. The change on the housing side, related to the construction of the First Year Village, involved moving some housing students from the Pearce Ford lot over to the University Boulevard lot. The biggest change for commuters was moving to designated parking for all parking lots. “Instead of having a C2 permit that can work in several parking lots, it’s one permit per zone,” Tougas said. Tougas said that PTS dealt with challenges at Parking Structure 2, where they found that what worked last year didn’t work this year—there were too many per-

MATT GADD • HERALD

A patron feeds a parking meter next to the Academic Complex. The cost of parking meters rose to two dollars for 45 minutes and took effect at the beginning of the Fall 2019 semester.

mits in the area. “For the first two weeks of classes, we actually filled PS2 to capacity, and students had to park in the overflow zone down around Creason,” Tougas said. Tougas stated that PTS has since moved students out of PS2 into other lots that they showed interest in and moved others into other parking zones. “We’re now at the point where, as the deck fills right around that 10:30 period on Tuesdays and Thursdays, there’s still at least one or two spaces in the parking garage,” Tougas said.

News reporter Abbey Nutter can be reached at 270-745-6011 and abbigail. nutter168@topper.wku.edu. Follow her on Twitter at @abbeynutter.

WELCOME STUDENTS wishing you the best for the upcoming year!

3:28 p.m.

A student reported a suspicious person harassing students and staff outside of room 112 in the Academic Complex. The accused was trespassed from WKU owned or operated property.

September 16, 2019 10:42 p.m.

A student was cited for marijuana possession in Bates-Runner Hall.

3:44 a.m.

A student was arrested for alcohol intoxication at the Creason Lot.

3:44 a.m.

A student was cited for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia at the Creason Lot.

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2019 WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

CABONI

CONTINUED FROM FRONT down the road” to get into this tragic financial situation. “I don’t know that President Caboni can be blamed for that necessarily, but I think a lot of people are resentful of the administration generally, including the board, for allowing that situation to get to the point that it got to,” Shadoan said. All of these issues are causing problems that have hit the academic side of WKU very hard. WKU has just gone through the Comprehensive Academic Program Evaluation process, known as CAPE, which decides what programs need to grow or go. During Caboni’s first year, the University College was reorganized to put its programs in other colleges.

NEWS A3 due to mold. Instructors were given dismissal letters at the wrong time in the year. A student-favorite dean was fired and rehired. A provost resigned mid semester. However, one of Caboni’s biggest projects outside of dealing with the budget has been focusing on increasing retention. This summer, the Summer Scholars program was implemented to give students who wouldn’t have been admitted into WKU regularly a chance to transition into college more easily to increase their odds of making it through college. Gil Johnson, chair of WKU’s Board of Regents, pointed to the Cynthia and George Nichols Intercultural Student Engagement Center and the Burch Institute as other programs that have helped retention. “The new dynamics in higher education require visionary thinking,

“He was handed a pretty tough task, but I would say at least so far he’s had his ups and downs,” 2018 University Senate Chair KIRK ATKINSON

Corinne Murphy, dean of the College of Educational and Behavioral Sciences, said she believes Caboni realizes WKU’s faculty and staff have the “grit” to get WKU through this period that many colleges and universities are facing. “Institutions of higher education are experiencing challenging times,” Murphy said. “They are being forced to revisit their missions; manage unprecedented changes in public, private and federal funding, and think critically about how their programs and infrastructure serve their students.” Amid all the issues WKU was facing before Caboni became president, the past two years couldn’t be described as smooth. Kirk Atkinson, information systems professor and 2018 University Senate chair, has seen this period up close. “He was handed a pretty tough task, but I would say at least so far he’s had his ups and downs,” Atkinson said. Under Caboni, WKU has gone through three provosts. There have been three new deans hired. A new strategic plan has been announced. Advising has been centralized across the university. A dorm was evacuated

strategic planning and change,” Johnson said in an email. “The president has embarked on that change, and the early indications are that he is successful.” Caboni himself is confident in WKU. “As we begin the academic year, I am confident that WKU will continue its institutional climb,” Caboni said in an email. “As a university community, we have completed much of the challenging work that ensures we are able to pursue the goals in our strategic plan. Our efforts already are producing positive results with increasing student retention, growing out-ofstate recruitment, record fundraising totals and many other indicators of our successes.” There are people who appreciate Caboni’s efforts. Kelly Madole, psychological sciences professor and department head, appreciated Caboni’s efforts to learn WKU when he started and acknowledged that not everything is his fault, especially the budget. “It’s pretty hard in the current budget context to implement some of the things he would like to do,” Madole said. “The current budget context is no reflection on his performance as a president. I don’t think it reflects a lot

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WKU plans to shut down Tate Page BY MATTHEW WILLIAMS SILAS WALKER • HERALD

President Timothy Caboni speaks about the academic year during the 2019 faculty convocation ceremony in Van Meter Hall on Monday, Aug. 19, 2019.

HERALD.NEWS@WKU.EDU

A recent decision between WKU, Academic Affairs and the Department of Facilities Management has set in motion plans to “mothball” Tate Page Hall. Mothballing is a term used to define when a building or facility is taken out of things.” of operation and reserved for possible David Brinkley, director of public future use or destruction. broadcasting, said that he believes CaBryan Russell, chief facilities officer, boni appreciates the effort faculty and said that he was mindful of the more staff put forward to help students. He than 10 years it took for the building’s hopes to see continued progress from status to finally come to a head. Caboni in the coming year. “The Department of Facilities Manage“Personally, I admire his tenacity ment is leading the effort to mothball the and resolve to help WKU through the building,” Russell said. “From the outside many challenges we are facing,” Brin- looking in, there will be no change.” kley said in an email. “In my dealings Tate Page Hall was built in 1970 and with him through our division, he has was previously referred to as the Edbeen fair, thorough and given second ucation Complex. Since then, it has chances. More importantly, I have racked up a slew of complications, observed that he has given additional ranging from multiple black mold reclarity when he has seen the need for movals, issues with the steam valve and a second chance.” renovations. Jennifer Miller, internal audit director and Staff Senate chair, said she believes in Caboni’s vision and that he has used the past two years as time to learn about WKU. “I expect him to continue empowering our staff and faculty to make appropriate decisions for the good of the university and our students,” Miller said in an email. Other people are skeptical of Caboni REED MATTISON • HERALD and the events that have unfolded Offices and classrooms on the ground floor during his presidency. Claus Ernst, of Tate Page hall are being moved upstairs in math professor and faculty regent, preparation for demolition. pointed to all the changes in the upper levels of the university, including the fact that Snyder is the only remaining In 2010, Gary Ransdell Hall was put dean who was in his position prior to in service and ultimately replaced Tate Caboni taking office. Page. The occupants and classes were “He has put a leadership team in place, and it remains for me still, it re- relocated to the new building over time. “Anytime you have a building empty, mains to be seen what that leadership it usually gets filled back up with others team will accomplish,” Ernst said. needing space,” Russell said. Shadoan said she empathizes with For the last several years, the building the unpopular decisions Caboni’s had has been used as swing space. Jessica to make but said that faculty members Steenburg, scheduling applications cofeel like they have been asked to give ordinator at the Provost’s Office, overthe “rationalization of our existence” saw the relocation in departments movin the midst of everything. ing in and out of the building. “I think as far as what he’s had to Tate Page is virtually empty now, do just to try and balance the budget, only occupied by a small group of AraI understand those are very difficult mark staff, who are moving to their new decisions,” Shadoan said. “And they home in the Gender and Women’s Studhave had very negative impacts on ies building. both the faculty and staff at WKU.” Nenna Shomler, one of the last reAtkinson described this year as maining occupants, was optimistic “pivotal” for Caboni and pointed to about the future. recruitment efforts as an example of “We’re excited about where we’re gowhat needs attention. ing,” Shomler said. “There’s gotta be some sort of clear Renovations on the north wing of Kelcut plan that I think we all need to sort ly Thompson Hall began in December of understand what that plan is, and I 2015, and during that period, its residon’t know that many faculty can tell dents were moved to Tate Page. you what that is,” Atkinson said. Renovations were recently completShadoan emphasized this point ed, and Kelly Thompson opened back when she said she thought faculty up for classes this semester. were divided on the issue of faith in After everyone is officially moved to Caboni. This point is furthered by the their new space, the mothballing will begin. results from the 2018-2019 Faculty “We made a conscious decision to Work-Life Survey, which indicates that mothball the building, which is a little 43.51% of the faculty at WKU believe different than taking it totally down,” the morale is very poor. Russell said. “We will maintain a minimal Despite the concerns from faculty, services to the building. We will maintain other students have feelings similar the fire signaling. It will still be connectto those of Palmer, seeing Caboni’s positive demeanor and characteristics ed to the central system, so in the event of a fire they will be notified.” as the important parts of his perforThe building will predominantly be mance. Shelby Triplett, an economics soph- offline for general use. Only Facilities Management will be able to enter and omore from Louisville, said she has faith in Caboni and thinks he’s a nice do inspections of the building. In order to get Tate Page into a sealguy. able condition, Steenburg and the Sur“He’s very unique,” Triplett said. plus Program spent a large portion of “He has a lot of like individualistic the summer going through and reloqualities, so he’s always well-dressed cating desks, chairs, furniture and anyand he’s always really smiley. I feel thing moveable to other parts of camlike people really like that.” pus in need. Riley Montague, a pre-pharmacy Facilities Management has a strategy junior from Owen County, said debt for what they’d like to do with the buildis an issue that most can’t get away ing, Russell said. As funding becomes from, including WKU. However, he available, they would like to raze Tate feels that Caboni has gotten better as Page in the future. a president over time. As part of their capital planning “He’s been a lot more laid back than process, they would restore the site he was before, kinda reminds me of into green space, which would expand when [former WKU President] Gary South Lawn. Ransdell was here, and I think that’s Availability of funding determines really neat,” Montague said. “I like how long it will take to demolish Tate how he’s really involved.” Page Hall, but are hoping it happens in Catherine Sheffield, a creative the next few years. writing freshman from Clarksville, Students won’t be affected by the Tennessee, said she almost feels like mothballing of Tate Page Hall. The paCaboni is nonexistent, but she doesn’t tio was recently redone and will still be dislike him when she does see him. accessible after the building’s decom“I have faith in him because he mission. hasn’t done anything wrong so far,” Even though it took over a decade for Sheffield said. “Nothing has been them to get here, Russell said it’s not an disastrous on campus so far. I haven’t unusual time frame. noticed anyway. If there was, I would “We manage six million... square feet blame him, but I haven’t noticed any- in our building inventories, and that inthing super problematic so I’m going cludes Housing and Residence Life as well,” Russell said. “It takes a long time. to assume he’s doing his job good.” We don’t get the opportunity to build new buildings that often.” News reporter Lily Burris can be reached at 270-745-6011 and lily.burReporter Matthew Williams can be ris203@topper.wku.edu. Follow her reached at 270-745-6291 and matthew. on Twitter at @lily_burris. williams@topper.wku.edu.

OPINION

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2019 WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

INTERWEB WOES

ILLUSTRATION BY MADALYN STACK • HERALD

BEVIN, BESHEAR AND KENTUCKY’S INTERNET BLUNDER BY HERALD EDITORIAL BOARD HERALD.OPINION@WKU.EDU

Issue: KentuckyWired — the state-sponsored program meant to bring higher speed internet throughout the Commonwealth — recently finished installation in eastern Kentucky, but delays and wasted funds during a pension crisis have proven to be costly. Our stance: While the effort to raise the standard of living in rural areas is a noble one, the end does not justify the means in this case, since Kentucky is not in a position to be spending this amount of money. When KentuckyWired was announced in 2015 by former Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear, the goal was to have the project completed by 2016. Four years later, current Republican Gov. Matt Bevin and the rest of the state government have still not completed the project and are shooting for an end date of 2020. KentuckyWired is meant to bring government-sponsored internet to the entire state. Organizations like the Kentucky State Police and Child Protective Services would receive direct access to the service, while private internet companies could connect to it and offer private citizens a much faster broadband connection. However, the delays in the process have cost taxpayers $88 million, when the initial plan was only supposed to cost $9 million. This will not only cost taxpayers more than they originally thought, but the state government too. In 2018, Finance and Administration Cabinet Secretary William Landrum said in a testimony that the state

government did not realize it couldn’t borrow over $300 million for the project and also receive $11 million in funding. Landrum also said the state government spent nearly $1 million on advisers for the project, but they still did not foresee the issues that would plague KentuckyWired. The hundreds of millions of dollars borrowed will come from public-private partnership bonds, which means the state government contracts a company to front the money while construction takes place. The state government will then pay back the large amount with interest over the next several years. Nearly everyone needs internet today to complete tasks, whether it’s someone in the workforce receiving important emails from home or a student needing to do research to finish an assignment. But this amount of spending will only cause greater problems in the future — with or without the internet. The state pension crisis has drawn a lot of attention around teachers’ retirement funds, and while this is a valid criticism, it has left many unaware to the danger health clinics are in across the state, as over 40 could be shut down within the next year without adequate funding. The 39 counties in eastern Kentucky that KentuckyWired will now serve would fare much better if the funding had gone to the health clinics in jeopardy of closing, especially since this part of the state is the one that needs medical attention the most. The

opioid crisis has ravaged Kentucky and eastern counties are the least equipped to deal with it due to their lack of medical facilities. This shows mismanaged priorities from the state government that fall on both political parties throughout multiple administrations. Funding internet instead of health care or retirement plans is misguided, and it’s another example of the state government wasting money by not understanding what Kentucky citizens truly need. Kentucky is the first state to try something like KentuckyWired, but it is not in the position to take unproven risks while so many suffer from a lack of adequate care. Trying to give internet to impoverished areas on a smaller scale and then judging the program’s results would have helped the state save money on the process. The overeager commitment to the program helped cause delays and wasted millions of dollars. KentuckyWired has been ill-advised even with consultants on the project, but with the recent completion in eastern Kentucky it is too late to turn back. Kentuckians will be forced to watch the state spend a large sum of money on a service that will primarily benefit government programs, and private citizens will get secondary benefits while they hope the state soon turns its attention to their urgent needs.

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FUN A5

TUESDAY, MONTH XX, 2019 WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

FUN PAGE Across

14 15 13 Bluecoat Coming-out 17 18 16 Rebuke 21 22 19 20 Wood sorrel From Dublin 24 25 Wake Island, e.g. 23 Asian capital 28 29 30 31 More secure 36 37 33 34 35 Impertinent House coat 41 42 39 40 Cavort Straighten out 44 45 43 Chemistry jar 50 47 48 49 Construct Out for the night 52 53 54 Car ad abbr. Cathedral topper 58 59 60 61 Consequently 65 66 62 63 64 Expel Paltry amount 69 68 Courtroom event Clairvoyant 72 71 Blood carrier Copyright ©2019 PuzzleJunction.com Pipe fitting Take stock of Down 15 Assumed name Expressions 20 Kernel Interference 1 Aquatic South 22 Cow pasture Ulcer type American rodent 24 Mouth piece Type of fever 2 Neptune’s realm 26 Bone-chilling African howler 3 Lose one’s cool 27 Fit for a king Physically weak 4 Having doubts 29 Actress Kudrow Omit 5 Victorian, for one 30 Drivel Priestly garb 6 Son of Willy 32 Opinion follower Dig (into) Loman 33 City near Phoenix Comics orphan 7 Cybercafe patron 34 Squeeze Mineo of 8 Pulsate 35 Kind of room “Exodus” 9 Disciplinarian 37 Continental coin 71 Car bar 10 Prune 40 Inventive 72 Beeped 11 Yodeler’s perch 42 Listen up 73 Ram’s ma’am 12 Thickness 45 Apex

1 4 9 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 21 23 25 28 31 33 36 38 39 41 42 43 44 46 47 50 52 54 58 61 62 65 67 68 69 70

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32 38

46 51 55

67 70 73

48 Newspaper section 49 Not guzzle 51 Stratego piece 53 Bargainbasement 55 Needle 56 Acquired relative 57 Monthly bill 59 Humerus neighbor 60 Warble 62 Kind of approval 63 Author Stout 64 “Is that ___?” 66 Game piece

Last week’s solution: To solve the Sudoku puzzle, each row, column and box must contain the numbers 1 to 9.

This and That

3 5 1 1

6 6

7 9 4 5 8 5 7 9 1 2 3

3 4

1. In medieval times, how much did a suit of armor weigh? (a) 50-55 lbs (b) 30-35 lbs (c) 60-65 lbs 2. What was the first hurrican named after a man? (a) Hugo (b) Frank (c) Bob 3. What gem was once considered a charm against drunkenness? (a) Topaz (b) Amethyst (c) Turquoise 4. What actress wrote her autobiography when she was just 14? (a) Tatum O'Neal (b) Hayley Mills (c) Drew Barrymore 5. Who was listed in the 1920 Chicago phone book as a second hand furniture dealer? (a) Al Capone (b) Dutch Schultz (c) Charles 'Lucky' Luciano 6. The tree that produces nutmeg originated where? (a) The Bahamas (b) Falkland islands (c) Molucca islands 7. Who played the part of Daniel in Bridget Jones's Diary? (a) Colin Firth (b) Hugh Grant (c) Simon Pegg 8. The Pleiades star cluster in also known by what other name? (a) The Seven Maidens (b) The Seven Friends (c) The Seven Sisters 9. In a standard drug test, what seeds can cause a false positive result for opium? (a) Poppy (b) Sunflower (c) Carraway 10. What does a hygrometer measure? (a) Waves (b) Humidity (c) Pressure

1 8 2 7 4 3 6 5 9

Solution 6.c 7.b 8.c 9.a 10.b

9 7 3 5 6 2 4 8 1

5 6 4 1 8 9 3 2 7

2 9 1 3 5 7 8 4 6

4 3 8 9 2 6 1 7 5

6 5 7 8 1 4 9 3 2

8 2 5 6 3 1 7 9 4

3 1 9 4 7 5 2 6 8

study. sleep. play play. EVERY TUESDAY IS COLLEGE I.D. DAY It’s been an entire day since the weekend. We know you need a break from the grind!

1.a 2.c 3.b 4.c 5.a

1 9 8 2

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7 4 6 2 9 8 5 1 3

PHOTO

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2019 WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

A group of young girls performs a dance routine at Bowling Green’s annual Fiestaval on Sunday, September 15, 2019.

¡BIENVENIDOS!

Celebrating Bowling Green’s Latinx community BY SAM MALLON & REED MATTISON HERALD.PHOTO@WKU.EDU

he Light of the World Church in Bowling Green held its Fiestaval on Sunday, a biannual event that celebrates Latin American culture in Bowling Green this week-

end. The event took place on Saturday and Sunday, a precursor celebration to Mexican Independence Day on Monday. The spring Fiestaval coincides with Cinco de Mayo. The Fiestaval features performances done by members of Bowling Green’s hispanic community, games such as a dunk tank for children, and many authentic Latin foods.

Women and men of Bowling Green’s Latin community serve different beverages, including horchata and sandía, at Bowling Green’s annual Fiestaval on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019.

Suni Marcias, 4, plays with a miniature horse in the petting zoo tent at Bowling Green’s annual Fiestaval on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019.

A month-old potbelly pig was a popular attraction in the petting zoo tent at Bowling Green’s annual Fiestaval on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019.

Performers file into Tortilleria Provincia, a Hispanic grocery store and restaurant on Clay Street during the BG Fiestaval on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2019 WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

SPORTS

PHOTO COURTESY OF WORLD BASEBALL SOFTBALL CONFEDERATION

Canadian Women’s National Team outfielder Larissa Franklin (26) shouts to her teammates during Team Canada’s 1-0 win over Italy at the WBSC Women’s Softball World Championship in Chiba, Japan, on Aug. 4, 2018. Franklin tripled and scored for the only run of the game.

GOING FOR GOLD

Former Lady Topper qualifies for 2020 Olympics BY NICK KIESER HERALD.SPORTS@WKU.EDU

Former WKU softball player Larissa Franklin recently became the Hilltopper program’s first-ever Olympic qualifier when Canada secured one of six spots in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics with a 7-0 runrule win over Brazil on Sept. 1.

PROVIDED BY SOFTBALL CANADA

Canadian Women’s National Team outfielder Larissa Franklin (26) stands in the batters box during a game for Team Canada. Franklin played for WKU during her senior season in 2015.

The Maple Ridge, British Columbia, native helped Team Canada become the fifth qualified team for the Olympic softball competition by scoring a run and slashing for two hits, a triple and three RBIs in just two at-bats during the team’s five-inning win. Franklin, a 2015 WKU graduate, was on deck in the fifth inning when her teammate Kaleigh Rafter hit a walkoff home run to center field. Rafter’s mercy-rule shot ended the game early, sending Franklin and Team Canada to the pinnacle of the sport for the fifth time in history. “I knew as soon as the ball left her bat that it was going over,” Franklin said. “After she did that, we just were able to celebrate knowing that we would be going to the Olympics.” The 26-year-old’s road to the Olympics began in 2011, when Franklin saw her first action with the national team at the World Baseball Softball Confederation Junior Women’s World Championship. The team finished fifth in the event. Franklin joined the senior team in 2013, assisting her country in the World Cup of Softball and the WBSC Americas Qualifier, where Canada won a silver medal. The outfielder has done more to solidify her spot on the national team over the last six years.

During Franklin’s time playing for Canada, she has amassed a gold medal at the 2015 Pan American Games and a silver medal at the 2019 Pan American Games. With Franklin roaming the outfield, Team Canada also collected bronze medals at the WBSC Americas Championships in 2017 and the WBSC Women’s Softball World Championships in both 2016 and 2018. “As a group, we have a pretty cool confidence,” Franklin said. “Before big games, like when we played the U.S. at the Pan [American] Games, we had a good feeling. I felt we had the same feelings before our game with Brazil, and there wasn’t much being said about the outcome. We were just focused on the present moments that would be at hand for us.” But before Franklin could dream of donning her country’s colors in the Olympics, she was recruited to play college softball by current WKU head coach Amy Tudor, who was head coach at Indiana-Purdue University Fort Wayne from 2010-2013. Tudor coached Franklin as a freshman in 2012 and a sophomore in 2013 before leaving IPFW for a job on the Hill. Franklin played under head coach John Bassett as a junior in 2014 before following Tudor and transferring to WKU for

her senior season in 2015. During her junior season at IPFW, Franklin led the Mastodons with a .459 batting average, a school-record 84 hits, 106 total bases, 19 stolen bases and a .515 on-base percentage. Franklin also set IPFW school records in stolen bases (71) and hits (207) in just three years. In Franklin’s lone season at WKU, she started all 50 games in center field. Franklin smacked the softball 70 times, posted the team’s second-best single-season batting average at .417 and tallied 39 runs, 22 RBIs, 18 walks and 19 stolen bases for the Hilltoppers. The National Fastpitch Coaches Association First-Team All-Region honoree and All-Conference USA First-Team selection helped WKU clinch the Conference USA regular-season title before the Hilltoppers won three games in a row to also claim the C-USA Tournament championship. Tudor had high praise for her former player, who tied the WKU program’s longest hitting streak at 15 games in 2015 and helped the Hilltoppers pick up wins over North Carolina and No. 16 Georgia in the Athens Regional during the 2015 NCAA Division I Softball Tournament. “This has been her dream since freshman year,” Tudor said. “She competed with her country and made time to come

SEE OLYMPICS • PAGE B2

WKU volleyball extends winning streak Hilltoppers enter first bye week with questions to answer BY KAYDEN GAYLORD HERALD.SPORTS@WKU.EDU

BY ALEC JESSIE HERALD.SPORTS@WKU.EDU After a 38-21 loss to Louisville (2-1, 0-0 ACC) on Saturday evening, the WKU football team (1-2, 1-0 C-USA) will be forced to hit the reset button this week during the first of two scheduled bye weeks throughout the 2019 season. WKU has seen mixed results in the first three games of the Tyson Helton era, as both the offense and defense have had struggles and successes in the first quarter of the season. Regardless of the good and the bad WKU has put on the field so far, the first-year coach said he’s happy with how the Hilltoppers have battled through adversity. “I like our football team,” Helton SEE FB • PAGE B2

The WKU volleyball team (9-1) extended its winning streak to five matches this past weekend, as the Lady Toppers won all three of their matches and were crowned champions of the Holiday Inn–University Plaza Invitational. “What a weekend for our team,” head coach Travis Hudson said. “This was a high-quality tournament and these were three high-quality wins on our résumé. Hopefully we can continue to build moving forward.” The tournament was the third WKU has played in this season, but it was the first tournament the Lady Toppers played in Diddle Arena in 2019. WKU’s first matchup came against Bowling Green State University (5-5) on Friday morning. The match was a close affair in each frame, as all three sets were decided by four points or less. But the Lady Toppers found ways to distance themselves from the Falcons, claiming the first three sets 25-22, 25-20 and 25-21 to claim a decisive victory. Junior transfer Nadia Dieudonne had 43 assists, WKU found the floor for 47 kills and the Lady Toppers used a .248 hitting percentage to claim a clean 3-0 sweep. “The defense really kept us in it and they were able to make it possible to run our offense,” Dieudonne said.

The Lady Toppers’ second match came against Ohio State (4-5) on Friday night. WKU was tested early — both teams traded blows and went on small runs throughout the first set. But the Lady Toppers eventually pulled away and scored the last two points to claim the opening frame, 25-23. The Lady Toppers had a more comfortable lead in the second set, leading the Buckeyes by as many as eight points on numerous occasions. WKU won the set 25-20. OSU held a 24-23 lead over WKU in

like the underdog.” WKU’s third and final match of the weekend came against Tulane (8-3) on Saturday. The Lady Toppers’ match against the Green Wave was another hard-fought battle. WKU held the Green Wave to just six kills and showed staunch defense during the first set, as Tulane had a .059 hitting percentage. WKU took the opening set, 25-16. Set two was a closer affair, but it still had the same result — WKU won 25-22 and held Tulane to a .171 hitting percentage

“The defense really kept us in it and they were able to make it possible to run our offense,”

Junior transfer NADIA DIEUDONNE

the third set, but sophomore Lauren Matthews recorded back-to-back kills to give the Lady Toppers the advantage late. Freshman Paige Briggs closed the game with a kill for the Lady Toppers, sealing a 25-21 win in the third set and WKU’s second clean 3-0 sweep of the day. “I think it makes it more exciting and more fun for us,” Matthews said about playing Power 5 teams. “They’re not expecting us to come how we come, so we’re

compared to the Lady Toppers’ .351. The third set saw the Lady Toppers lose their first frame of the tournament, 25-20. Tulane kept WKU to a .119 percentage, their lowest of the tournament. Tulane also led late in the fourth set, but a run of points for the Lady Toppers gave WKU the lead and ultimately a 25-20 win in the frame. WKU then claimed the match, 3-1. SEE VOLLEYBALL • PAGE B2

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2019 WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

SPORTS B2

OLYMPICS

CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1 play with us as well. Her work ethic is unreal, and she is a real special player. She has great instincts on the field as a player and good power. Not only that, but she is a great teammate. She’s a super talented person.” Tudor said Franklin has always dreamed big and has consistently put in the work to make her dreams come true. As long as Franklin continues to be herself and competes hard during both games and practices, she will showcase the Canadians in a very positive way at Tokyo 2020. Franklin has been representing Canada on the field since her WKU career ended, but the 2020 Olympics will give the softball standout a chance to shine on the world stage in a way that hasn’t been possible since the 2008 Beijing Olympics — baseball and softball were last contested in 2008, but both sports were reinstated for the 2020 games. The softball tournament at the 2020 Olympics will showcase a single round-robin competition between the six qualifiers, followed by bronze and gold medal games, which means 17 contests in total will be played from July 22, 2020, through July 28, 2020. Canada, Japan, the United States, Mexico and Italy are the nations already set for Tokyo 2020. The sixth and final Olympic spot will be claimed by the winner of the WBSC Asia/Oceania Qualifier, which is to be held in Shanghai, China, from Sept. 24-28. “We’re going to do what we can day-today to be prepared,” Franklin said. “Just making sure that we are putting 100% into what we are doing, and then everything falls into place from there.” According to the Baseball Federation of Asia, a softball match will be held at

PHOTO COURTESY OF WKU ATHLETICS • HERALD

WKU outfielder Larissa Franklin (19) runs the bases during a game from the 2015 season. The WKU softball team finished the year 36-14.

Fukushima Azuma Baseball Stadium in Fukushima Prefecture two days before the opening ceremony, which will make softball the first official event of the 2020 Summer Olympics. The WKU alumna will aim to play a key role during Team Canada’s quest for supremacy in 2020, especially because baseball and softball weren’t included among the shortlisted sports for the 2024 Paris

Fahad Alotaibi • HERALD WKU’s quarterback Steven Duncan (10) attempts to run downfield with the ball before getting tackled by Louisville Cardinals defensive lineman Amonte Caban (53) during WKU’s 38-21 loss against the Louisville Cardinals in Nissan Stadium on Sept. 14, 2019

FOOTBALL

CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1 said postgame. “I’m never happy with us being 1-2. The name of the game is winning, but I like our football team. I really do. I think the kids battle. I think they try to stay positive. We’ll just keep on grinding.” But the team’s latest result will certainly leave Helton and the Hilltoppers with a bad taste in their mouths. The Cardinals blew past WKU in Nissan Stadium in Nashville, netting 415 yards of offense and running for 210 yards against what had been a stout WKU run defense. “They just overpowered us, to be honest with you,” Helton said. “Defensively for them, they controlled the line of scrimmage. They were able to hold the point and control it. I thought the O-line battled. They were doing the right things. They just got a little bit outmatched here and there.” WKU will also be forced to name a new starting quarterback. Helton announced on Monday morning that redshirt junior quarterback Steven Duncan injured his left foot in the third quarter against Louisville and will be out indefinitely. Doctors recommended Duncan have surgery immediately, Helton said. The team is now expecting to be without Duncan for “several weeks” — and maybe the remainder of the 2019 season — which opens the door for

Arkansas transfer Ty Storey, redshirt sophomore Davis Shanley and redshirt freshman Kevaris Thomas to be the “next man up” as QB1 for the Hilltoppers. “I would think, you know, Ty would be the obvious answer just because of what we’ve been trying to do,” Helton said. “But I really like Shanley, I really like [Kevaris Thomas], so we’re gonna leave it open and just try to have the best plan for UAB.” With the first three-game stretch of the season already in the books, Helton and his entire staff will have a chance to evaluate the team’s progress and make any necessary adjustments. Some of the early season positives include redshirt junior running back Gaej Walker, the run defense and the offensive line play. A few of the negatives have been a handful of big plays that have burned WKU in each of their losses, execution on third downs and a lack of offensive identity. Walker has been a major surprise for the Hilltoppers. The former defensive back broke the two-year streak of no 150-yard WKU rushers against Central Arkansas and racked up back-to-back 100 yard performances to open the season at his new position. The run defense has also impressed early on. Louisville obviously had success on the ground, but as a Power 5 group, it was reasonable to expect such a performance running the football. Through its first two contests, WKU gave up just 171 rushing yards for an

Olympics, meaning Franklin may never get another shot at an Olympic medal. Franklin said Team Canada is keeping its eyes on the immediate future it can control, which means many more months of preparation before a summer full of games and practices. “We try to manage our highs and lows every single day because we do not want to get too caught up in the highs and also not get too caught up in the lows either,”

Franklin said. “Qualifying is awesome, but at the same time we have to put the work in toward the ultimate goal and getting the gold medal at the Olympics.”

average of 2.3 yards per carry. Defensive coordinator Clayton White said prior to Saturday’s game that he credits the defensive line for setting the tone for the WKU run defense. “The defensive line does a really good job of building that wall to where the defensive backs and linebackers can run through and make plays,” White said. “I think the defensive line is starting to play. They understand the defense.” Another bright spot for WKU this season is the offensive line. The unit has opened up gaping holes for Walker and has paved the way for his pair of 100-yard performances. The line has also given up just two sacks through the team’s first three matchups. As for the negatives, big plays have crushed WKU in each of its two losses. Louisville receiver Tutu Atwell had touchdown receptions of 46 and 62 yards. UCA receiver Lujuan Winningham posted 222 yards and three touchdowns to help knock off the Hilltoppers 35-28 in the season opener. Redshirt junior defensive tackle Jeremy Darvin, a Nashville native who grew up near Nissan Stadium, said the defense was prepared for Louisville but still gave up chunk-yardage plays. “This has been redundant, just three to five plays in the game,” Darvin said. “We let up a big score on a pass and we let a guy break out on a run and we just gotta get those three to five plays and you know, maybe the ball tips our way in both our losses this year.” WKU has also been unable to convert third downs in recent matchups. After going a solid 9-of-16 on third downs against UCA, the Hilltoppers have taken a step back in the last couple of games, converting a combined 9-of-29 in the next two games against FIU and Louisville. Helton says it’s his job to put his players in the best position to succeed and WKU must improve its offensive execution. “As a coach, you’re always going to try to put your team in the best position to go out there and execute,” Helton said. “Sometimes [Louisville] played good defense, and sometimes we didn’t execute. That’s football. We gotta go back and try to get better.” A lack of offensive identity has also been an issue for the Hilltoppers. Helton said during the spring he wanted to “sling the ball all over the place” and play an entertaining brand of football. Three games in, that hasn’t exactly occurred. Key playmakers expected to have an impact — such as Jackson and redshirt junior tight end Kyle Fourten-

bary — have been inconsistent thus far. Instead, Helton has stuck to the ground game and more intermediate throws to begin the season. The offense likely won’t change much following Duncan’s injury. Shanley, Storey and Thomas are just as mobile in the pocket and all three have solid to above-average arm strength, so whomever Helton chooses to be his new signal caller won’t be asked to go too far outside of his comfort zone. Helton said the quarterback room features several players who can help the team win games, and the Hilltoppers might try their hand at utilizing all of their “different skill traits” in games to come. “The first thing I want to do is put the best 11 out there offensively that gives us a chance to win,” Helton said. “So it may not be a one-man deal. You know, certain guys may have certain packages and we gotta do a great job as coaches of having the right packages for a guy.” Junior wide receiver Jacquez Sloan said the team’s performance so far hasn’t been frustrating and the Hilltoppers are “going to get things working” during their bye week. “I feel like this bye week is at a perfect time,” Sloan said. “We need this bye week. We need this week off

VOLLEYBALL

The Lady Toppers have defeated Belmont in clean 3-0 sweeps during each of the last five seasons. The last time the Bruins won a set against WKU was on Sept. 3, 2013. On that date, Belmont claimed the first set but dropped the next three to lose 3-1. Belmont is currently on a seven-game losing streak, with their most recent loss coming against Jacksonville in the River City Rumble Tournament. Their only win this season was a clean 3-0 sweep against Alabama A&M on Sept. 3. Game time from Curb Event Center is set for 5 p.m. on Tuesday.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1

MATT GADD • HERALD

Head coach Travis Hudson yells to his team to make an adjustment before they receive the serve.

Matthews was named Tournament MVP, while junior Logan Kael joined her on the All-Tournament Team. “I just give it [up] to my teammates,” Kael said. “I wouldn’t be where I am or play where I play without them, so without them I wouldn’t have had the performance that I had.” Following an undefeated run through the Holiday Inn–University Plaza Invitational field, WKU will travel to Nashville to face Belmont (1-10) in an annual non-conference matchup on Tuesday. With a few exceptions, the two schools have met yearly since 1997. WKU is currently undefeated against the Bruins, as the Lady Toppers own a 20-0 lead in the all-time series.

Reporter Nick Kieser can be reached at 270-745-6291 and nick.kieser036@ topper.wku.edu. Follow Nick on Twitter at @KieserNick.

“We need this bye week. We need this week off to learn more, learn our opponent and just get right.” Junior wide receiver JACQUEZ SLOAN to learn more, learn our opponent and just get right.” With more changes sure to come over the next week, WKU will take its 1-2 record into the rest period. The Hilltoppers will be in action for the next time on Sept. 28 against Alabama-Birmingham in HouchensSmith Stadium. Kickoff for the Parent & Family Weekend game is set for 6 p.m. The game will be streamed live for ESPN+ subscribers.

Reporter Alec Jessie can be reached at 270-745-6291 and alec.jessie226@ topper.wku.edu. Follow Alec on Twitter at @Alec_Jessie.

Reporter Kaden Gaylord can be reached at 270-745-6291 and kaden.gaylord559@ topper.wku.edu. Follow Kaden on Twitter at @_KLG3.

B3 SPORTS

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2019 WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

WKU soccer’s weekend features 10-goal outburst BY ELLIOTT WELLS HERALD.SPORTS@WKU.EDU

The WKU soccer team (4-2-1) closed out its non-conference slate over the weekend, as the Lady Toppers earned back-to-back wins for the first time this season by defeating first-year Division I program Southern Illinois 3-0 and Alabama A&M 7-1. Head coach Jason Neidell said Sunday that his team has grown a lot mentally during its seven-game non-conference slate. “We’ve come a long way over the course of this three or four week stretch of doing a better job with being thoughtful with what we’re doing in the game of soccer,” Neidell said. “I think that’s something as getting into critical games and conference play, not only take care of the soccer ball, not only play with relentlessness, but being able to play smart and thoughtful soccer.” WKU welcomed SIU (4-4-1) on Friday. The Lady Toppers outshot the Salukis 29-4 without allowing a single shot on goal during SIU’s first-ever trip to the Hill. Sophomore duo Ambere Barnett and Deven Jackson led the Lady Toppers to a win. Barnett had a goal and assist, and Jackson notched the first two goals of her career. Jackson received her second start as a Lady Topper on Friday night, as she was sidelined for the entire 2018 season after injuring her hip in the preseason. Jackson started at the centre-midfield spot in place of Barnett, who started at centre-forward. WKU’s pregame adjustment worked out for the Lady Toppers, as they controlled the pace of the game and had more solid chances at goal against SIU. The Auckland, New Zealand, native said she thought the Lady Toppers came into Friday night’s match with a great game plan that led to a 3-0 shutout win. “I think, honestly, we had the mindset to play the ball up and knock it back,” Jackson said. “I think that having our fast attackers that we have really helped us out in our attack and just over our mindset. We’re going into conference next week and we’re really trying to get our confidence up, playing like the way we want to attack as a team.” The Lady Toppers carried their newfound confidence into Sunday’s match, when the Lady Toppers defeated Alabama A&M 7-1 Sunday’s meeting between WKU and Alabama A&M was the first meeting between the two programs since Oct. 20, 2002, when the Lady Toppers shutout the Bulldogs 2-0 in Normal, Alabama. The Lady Toppers are

GABI BROEKEMA • HERALD

WKU freshman Ansley Cate (20) looks to control the ball against the Alabama A&M Bulldogs at the WKU Soccer Complex on Sunday Sep. 15, 2019.

now 3-0 in the all-time series against the Bulldogs. During three all-time games, WKU has outscored the Bulldogs 11-1. Alabama A&M’s only goal against the Lady Toppers came on Sunday when senior midfielder Iris Torress’ free kick deflected in the box and eventually found freshman forward D’Essence Burnett, who placed a left-footed shot around redshirt senior goalkeeper Anne-Marie Ulliac. WKU scored its most goals of the 2019 season, and the team’s seven goals were the most against a Division I opponent since the 2016 season opener against Tennessee-Martin. Before WKU’s games against SIU and Alabama A&M, the Lady Toppers had only scored eight goals through five matches. WKU combined to score 10 goals over the weekend, bringing its total number of goals for the season to 18. Barnett, who leads the Lady Toppers with eight points (three goals and five assists) said the team played off one another in both games, leading to many chances on goal. “Playing off each other and getting to the seven-11’s,” Barnett said postgame on Sunday. “Trying to work together from midfield, getting it out, getting it back in.” With non-conference play wrapped up, the Lady Toppers must now focus their attention on Conference USA play starting against Southern Mississippi on Saturday evening.

Since WKU joined C-USA in 2014, the Lady Toppers lead the overall series between the Golden Eagles 2-11. WKU’s only loss to Southern Miss came last season on Sept. 16, 2018 — a 1-0 loss in overtime. The Lady Toppers dropped each of their first four conference matches on the road in 2018, but WKU will get to play its first four conference matches at home as part of a program-record seven-match homestand in 2019. Last season, the Lady Toppers finished 10th overall in C-USA play with a 3-5-2 record and failed to reach the C-USA Tournament for the second consecutive year since only the top eight teams in the league make the postseason tournament. WKU has only made it to the conference tournament three times since joining C-USA in 2014. Each year the Lady Toppers reached the tournament field, they were eliminated in the first round. WKU’s most recent visit to the conference tournament came in 2016, when the Lady Toppers were upset by Charlotte in a penalty kick shootout. The C-USA league office announced on Aug. 12 that the WKU soccer team was picked to finish 10th out of 14 teams in the 2019 preseason C-USA coaches’ poll. Neidell said he doesn’t believe much in preseason polls because they’re based on last year’s successes and his team is totally different than a season ago.

“I think it gives us some motivation and fuel for the fire,” Neidell said about being picked 10th in the preseason. “But at the end of the day, it’s irrelevant and all that matters is where we’re at in November.” Going into conference play, nine different Lady Toppers have scored at least one goal. Junior forward Ashley Leonard leads the team with four goals, all while coming off the bench. WKU has 20 assists through seven games, ranking third overall in C-USA in that category. Barnett leads the Lady Toppers with five assists and she also leads all C-USA players in assists per game at .714. Ulliac and the Lady Toppers also lead C-USA in goals allowed on the season. WKU’s five goals allowed through seven matches ranks the Lady Toppers first overall in the conference with a .71 goals against average. Neidell said his team is looking forward to getting conference play started this weekend. “It’s one game at a time,” Neidell said. “So hopefully we’ll be out on our front foot against Southern Miss on Saturday and put on an entertaining game for the fans and get a W.”

Reporter Elliott Wells can be reached at 270-745-6291 and douglas.wells357@topper.wku.edu. Follow Elliott on Twitter at @ewells5.

GABI BROEKEMA • HERALD

WKU redshirt junior Aleksandra Kozovic fights for control of the ball against the Alabama A&M Bulldogs during their game at the WKU Soccer Complex on Sunday Sep. 15, 2019.

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B4 LIFE

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2019 WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

EBONY COX • HERALD

Louisville senior Harrison Hill, left, and Ft. Lauderdale senior Brent O’Connor, right, perform during the 2017 yard show. The yearly performance is one of the many events associated with the National Pan-Hellenic Council, the governing body of WKU’s nine historically African American fraternities and sororities.

Step show sets out to highlight NPHC history BY GABBY BUNTON HERALD.FEATURES@WKU.EDU

The Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity teamed up Friday to celebrate another National Pan-Hellenic Council yard show. Kiara Holloway of AKA said yard shows have long been a tradition at WKU. “It’s my second year doing this,” Holloway said. “I’m just a performer, and I have a fun time doing it.” Yard shows are well known for their exciting nature, featuring choreographed performances characterized by a form of percussive dance called “stepping.” The shows are a staple of NPHC organizations, maintaining roots as far back as the beginning of the 20th century. “It’s a very hyper energy, and I think it’s a very important part of black culture simply because it allows us to bond and get together even if we’re not in a sorority or fraternity,” sophomore Kendra Stevenson said. Downing Student Union evening programming coordinator Justin Burrus, a WKU alumnus, said the yard

show was a highly anticipated event on campus when he attended school in 2009. “It’s fun and exciting to see the fraternities come together and just put on something for the community,” Burrus said. “It shows what a brotherhood and sisterhood is all about for all the freshmen who want to see it.”

sororities and fraternities. Each responded with its respective chant. Performances served to entertain as well as call attention to each organization’s pride and overall mission. Whereas the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity brought an element of comedy to its performance, most organizations kept their stepping intense, focusing on hard-hitting movements to engage

“It’s a very hyper energy, and I think it’s a very important part of black culture simply because it allows us to bond and get together even if we’re not in a sorority or fraternity.” Sophomore KENDRA STEVENSON

How it went down As the lights in the DSU auditorium dimmed and the crowd began to settle, the two hosting organizations announced the show and introduced all chapters part of the Divine Nine, the nine historically African American

and impress. This was particularly true with the Iota Phi Beta Fraternity, which commanded its performance with riotous chanting. Despite being one of the smaller organizations on campus, its synchronized roaring sounded like a

mass of fans on game day. Such excitement was only equaled during one of the night’s final performances — a fierce showing by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. The Deltas moved with attitude, showcasing a unity between members inspiring enough to incite the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority to action. During the middle of the Deltas’ stepping, the Zetas fired up their own chant, setting a tone of sisterhood the AKAs soon took advantage of when performing next. As AKA was the first established African American sorority, featuring a history of over 110 years, the sorority made sure everyone knew it would always be an original. With the night capped off by a powerful performance from Alpha Phi Alpha, the step show revealed an all-encompassing passion shared among the entirety of NPHC. Despite the head-to-head nature of the show, it’s apparent the Divine Nine revolves around unity. Features reporter Gabby Bunton can be reached at 270-745-6291 and gabrielle.bunton605@topper.wku. edu.

WKU alum helps rural Kentucky get connected BY KATELYN LATTURE HERALD.FEATURES@WKU.EDU

Here in Kentucky, not everyone has internet access. WKU alumnus Alex Wilson, 2017 graduate, works to change that. Alongside his older brother, Eric, Wilson owns and operates Ridgenet Network Group, an internet-providing business based in Science Hill. “There were tons of communities that didn’t have access to internet,” Wilson said. “We really focus on rural communities, because that’s where the need is.” The need With larger internet providers like AT&T and Spectrum, a business like Ridgenet seems backwards. Rather than opening its doors in the 21st century, one would think it should be closing them. “I never saw myself going into that field,” Wilson, who graduated with a communications degree, said of working in the internet business. Wilson would rather meet with the client than have them come to him, he said. Although the business’s first objective is to make money, its heart revolves around better serving the community.

One of Ridgenet’s biggest clients is Kentucky Kingdom, which uses two-way radio systems the business provides. “They break a lot of radios there,” Wilson said jokingly. Ridgenet also provides these systems to the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office. Born and raised in Somerset, Wilson went to Pulaski County High School, where he found his interest in business.

Murray said attendance increased and the club earned a record number of awards. “He was already thinking about what he wanted to do at a young age,” Murray said. Due to the isolated location of his family’s Somerset home, which sits atop a hill, slow internet speed was an issue Wilson and his brother experienced daily. After buying some equipment and a 20-foot service tower, the two improved internet access

“For me, they’re all important to us. I’d rather make an honest dollar than a lot of money.” WKU alumnus ALEX WILSON

‘I’d rather make an honest dollar’ Pulaski County High School business teacher James Murray served as one of Wilson’s earliest mentors. He said Wilson had a knack with leadership even before his time at WKU. With Wilson as president of Pulaski’s Future Business Leaders of America club during his senior year,

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where they lived drastically, inadvertently kickstarting Ridgenet. Wilson said the biggest thing setting Ridgenet apart is its customer service. “For me, they’re all important to us,” Wilson said of its customers. “I’d rather make an honest dollar than a lot of money.”

James Turpen, a WKU alumnus, has known Wilson and his family for multiple years. He said Wilson is the kind of business owner worth trusting. “People want to be able to trust you, and I think he has that,” Turpen said. “He has high respects and ethics.” The full picture Not only has Wilson worked with the local police and students, he also gives back to the community’s other needs. After encouragement from Murray, Wilson recently joined the board of trustees for Over My Head Somerset, a homeless shelter for those in transition. “It’s pretty impressive that a young man like him is wanting to give back to the community,” Murray said. Wilson already helped organize a fundraiser for the shelter and has more projects in mind, Murray said. Turpen said he believes Wilson and his brother’s persistence is starting to pay off. “I told him and his brother the other day, ‘You know overnight success comes after 15 years of hard work,’” Turpen said.

Features reporter Katelyn Latture can be reached at 270-745-6011 and katelyn.latture423@topper.wku.edu.

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LIFE

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2019 WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

REED MATTISON • HERALD

Community members cheer as Bowling Green City Commissioner Dana Brown announces Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 is now recognized as Hispanic Heritage Month during the “BG Fiestaval” on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019.

CELEBRACIÓN Bilingual accounts of Bowling Green’s Fiestaval

Hispanics in Bowling Green BY KELLEY HOLLAND HERALD.FEATURES@WKU.EDU

Cars were lined up and down Clay Street when I arrived at the “BG Fiestaval” on a humid Saturday evening. Music could be heard, and a smell of food filled the air. The Fiestaval — a combination of the Spanish word “fiesta” and English word “festival” — is a two-day celebration of Mexican Independence Day, Sept. 16, set up in the parking lot behind La Perlita Mexican restaurant and store. It’s been an annual tradition in Bowling Green since 2016. I saw women in flowing, colorful dresses perform traditional Mexican dances atop a central stage as children

Though the term “Hispanic” entails all people of Spanish descent, that does not mean all Hispanics share the same traditions and culture. Despite this, an event like Fiestaval presents an opportunity for a community comprised of various cultures to connect and celebrate what is shared — a desire for greater Hispanic representation in the United States. That was exactly why Nathan Ortiz, a WKU alumnus, first organized the Fiestaval. It started as a Cinco De Mayo celebration, but Ortiz decided his community needed more. He wanted people of Bowling Green to see and notice the city’s flourishing Mexican community, which has been around for decades. “We got a lot of inspiration from the international festival, but we wanted

“We got a lot of inspiration from the international festival, but we wanted something specifically for our community” WKU alumnus NATHAN ORTIZ

ran around happily, playing games and getting balloon animals. A variety of Hispanic vendors located in tents sold freshly made, authentic Mexican food and goods nearby. Among the foods offered were tacos, tortas, gorditas, fresh fruit sorbet and tamales. They even sold hamburgers and fries for those feeling less adventurous. However, what caught my eye most was an offering known as a Mexican fruit cup: a large cup filled with fresh fruit of your choice and topped with a chile lime seasoning. It was a unique spin on eating fruit and consisted of an explosion of sweet, salty and spicy flavors. While I sat down to dig in, I observed the many people around me. It struck me as a celebration of Hispanic culture not so easily defined.

La comunidad que no conoces BY GRIFFIN FLETCHER HERALD.FEATURES@WKU.EDU

Me llamo Gilberto. Pues, me llamo Gilberto cuando hablo español. Creo que el nombre me asegura que el origen no siempre define, y me gusta pensar que llamarme Gilberto me ayuda sumergirme en el idioma. Soy estudiante en mi último semestre de la universidad, y planeo graduarme con un título en español este diciembre. Solo hay un problema: ¡Tengo casi ninguna experiencia hablar con hispanohablantes nativos fuera de la clase! Es la razón que decidí ir a la celebración hispana “BG Fiestaval” el domingo. Es un evento organizado por la iglesia local La Luz del Mundo, y sirve para representar la comunidad hispana que vive alrededor de la ciudad. Pero antes de escribir sobre mi experiencia a la celebración, debería comenzar con una confesión: Decir que hablo español con fluidez es una mentira absoluta. La fluidez requiere años y años de práctica y usualmente mucho tiempo pasado en un país hispano. Un título no es suficiente. No obstante, quiero escribir este artículo en español para representar una parte de nuestra comunidad que típicamente no nos fijamos. Como estudiante de español y escritor, creo que es mi responsabilidad compartir mi experiencia con la comunidad hispana de Bowling Green y esperar que siga un mejor agradecimiento para ella.

something specifically for our community,” Ortiz said. “Ultimately our goal is exposure.” The Fiestaval inspired a heavy sense of community and made me feel welcomed to enjoy a culture with which I’m largely unfamiliar. To see so many different people come together to enjoy authentic Mexican food and dance showed maybe Mi primer encuentro we aren’t so different after all. Después de conducir a la calle de Going into the Fiestaval, I was un- Clay, el lugar del festival, inmediatasure of what to expect. Although I am not-Hispanic, I did not feel out of place, and I appreciated the opportunity to experience a new side of Bowling Green. “Es muy importante You can bet I’ll be back next year.

Features reporter Kelley Holland can be reached at 270-745-6291 and kelley. holland872@topper.wku.edu.

El momento de hundir o nadar Después de acostumbrarme mejor al espíritu de la celebración, decidí que finalmente necesitaba probar mi español. Primeramente, hablé con Nathan Ortiz, organizador del evento quien es nativo de Bowling Green. Él me dijo aunque la población hispana en Bowling Green tiene herencia no solo de un país sino muchos, no significa que no hay unidad. “Somos una comunidad de diferente nombre,” Ortiz dijo. La mayoría de hispanos en la ciudad es mexicana, incluso él, y salvadoreña, Ortiz dijo. Sin embargo, hay guatemaltecos, colombianos, chilenos y otros que son parte de la cultura hispana aquí. Leyda Becker es intermediario de comunidades internacionales en Bowling Green que es originalmente de Venezuela. Ella se mudó a Bowling Green en 1993 y nunca se fue. Becker habló durante la celebración y les animó a todos los miembros de la comunidad a votar en el próximo censo, lo cual ocurrirá en 2020. Ella quería que la ciudad pudiera recibir unas estadísticas bien determinadas de su población local, y enfatizó que es importante considerar el censo como método de expresarse. “En este caso es muy importante,” Becker me dijo unos minutos después

saber quien está aquí, quien vive aquí, y contar a cada una de las personas.” Intermediario de comunidades internacionales LEYDA BECKER

mente pensé: “Esto no se parece a la ciudad que conozco yo.” Había música hispana, una variedad de tiendas de colores vívidos y un olor de humo que me dijo que comida asada estaba cerca. Pero lo que me afectaba más fue el ruido de voces hispanas — voces que me hacían sentir como turista en un país extranjero. Sin la presencia de más personas como yo que no hablan español principalmente, empecé a preocuparme un poquito: “¿Ellos me van a comprender cuando hable yo? ¿Voy a darme cuenta de que saber cómo conjugar verbos no iguale la habilidad de comunicar con hispanohablantes?” Tenía que descubrir. Empecé caminar a todas las tiendas para ver lo que se ofrecían. Aunque unas se vendían dulces extranjeros y otros artículos, la mayoría se dedicaban a la comida hispana tradicional como las tostadas, las gorditas y las tortas. SAM MALLON • HERALD Había cientos de personas al festiJemima Espino (left), 15, and Rachel Rodriguez (right), 17, purchase a fruit cup from a vendor after val, también. Aunque no compartimos performing during Bowling Green’s annual Fiestaval behind La Perlita grocery store on Sunday, Sept. la misma lengua materna, me sor15, 2019.

prendía ver lo parecidos que somos. Los niños corrían por todas partes y jugaban con una pelota de fútbol; los viejos se sentaban bajo de la sombra de alguna tienda y comían. Era una escena casi imperceptible de cada reunificación familiar en que he estado, lo cual me ayudaba relajarme.

de dirigirse al público al festival. “Es muy importante saber quien está aquí, quien vive aquí, y contar a cada una de las personas.” ¿Qué significa? Debido a su proximidad al día de la independencia mexicana, lo cual pasó el lunes, el 16 de septiembre, creo que esta celebración servía como herramienta para representar mejor nuestra comunidad de hispanos. Solo es la realidad que existen diferencias entre la cultura hispana y la cultura estadounidense, pero es indudable que ellas no deberían manifestarse como un obstáculo para la unidad. Después de pasar unas horas al festival, fue fácil ver que no nos diferenciamos por el deseo sino el origen. Tal vez es una posición que vale la pena considerar.

Junior Spanish major Rachel Greis contributed editing to this report.