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New skydiving club hopes to soar with Tech students.

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The student voice of Louisiana Tech University

Number 5

Student fee increases students hopes

SCOTT WALKINGSTICK Staff Reporter New parking facilities, recreational and parade fields, stadium field house expansion and the demolition of condemned dormitories are just a few of the projects the Student Enhancement Fee has improved and continues to work on. Last spring, Tech students and the Student Government Association passed a fee that will also help improve several campus facilities and provide new outdoor classroom space. The enhancement fee consists of a renewal of the 20 for 20 fee which helped build the newest facilities on campus including the $12 million Maxie Lambright Intramural Sports Center expansion. Eighty-four percent of students voted in favor of the $50 quarterly fee. The top three projects underway are the continuation of the alumni walkway, demolition of the unused dormitories and adding more green space to the campus. James King, vice president for student affairs, said these projects take time to develop. We have a contractor selected for the alumni walkway which is almost a decade behind, and we have about 20,000 names to put on it, King said. We should expect to have it starting

Photo by Deepanjan Mukhopadhyay

Will Dearmon, Student Government Association president, addresses the SGA body at the weekly meeting on Tuesday. The Student Enhancement Fee passed by the SGA last year will fund projects like the new alumni walkway. up again around late fall. King said the demolitions are expected to happen late spring, possibly summer, depending on how the pieces fall together. Also, their are some sketches that show an idea of what that space will look like. SGA President Will Dearmon said this fee is crucial to maintain student

services and expand the university and campus offerings for all current and future students. From this one fee, Louisiana Tech will eventually rid itself of the old, unused dorms on west campus as well as a few old living apartments on south campus, he said. With the soon to be available space, Tech will add more green space that will serve the Band of Pride as a practice area as well as student club sports and intramural activities. Dearmon said another major aspect of the resolution was to dedicate funds to provide a more adequate and better functioning athletic facility for all Tech athletes. The fee was passed while Clint Carlisle was SGA president in 2012 and according to The Tech Talk, Carlisle said he was inspired to know students help pass fees that will not directly benefit them during their time at Tech. Carlisle said that level of commitment is one of the greatest things about Tech students. A great deal of credit goes to Carlisle who shared his vision with the students, got the fee on the ballots and worked tirelessly to gain its passage, said Reneau. Reneau was also quoted saying this was only the second time in 25 years

> see FEE page 3

Burger joint set to open in Ruston 2013

ADDIE MARTIN Staff Reporter The average person is supposed to eat three times a day and sleep six to eight hours every night, but that is not the case for a college student. Since Ruston is a college town, late night restaurants are welcomed by the young adult community with open arms. Whataburger, coming to Ruston in 2013, is open 24 hours every day. Caitlin Luccous, a sophomore biology major, said that a Whataburger is perfect for Ruston because students stay up late every night studying. When the body continues to work through the night, it needs to be refueled during the night and now students, and the Ruston community will have one more midnight dining choice. It is always exciting when something new comes to town and considering the size of Ruston, we do not get new additions that often, Luccous said. Whataburger will bring another food choice and more jobs to Ruston. Scott Terry, president of the Ruston LincolnChamber of Commerce, said that Whataburger will help out the community in more ways than one. Being open 24 hours, they have to be running at least three shifts so it should provide good part-time jobs for high school and college students, he said. A new business not only brings new jobs but also adds more tax base to the community, Terry said. The city, the school district and the sheriff s office will all receive sales tax from it when it opens, he said. We cannot forget that it also gives citizens another dining choice when they get ready to go out to eat. Whataburger will be located on an empty lot directly off of the interstate between Logans Roadhouse and McKinney Honda. The location suits Whataburger well because there are not many fast food restaurants directly off the interstate in Ruston, Terry said. However, Whataburger creates more competition for the numerous amount of burger joints located in Ruston. The other burger joints will have to step their game up, Luccous said. They are all good but they have not made many improvements or changes in the past few years. As a new restaurant, Whataburger will be very appealing to the community, she said. Dillion Miller, a sophomore secondary mathematics education major, said Whataburger will not only be a competitor for fast food but for places like Log Cabin and Dawg House as well. The food is so good that it gives our burger restaurants major competition because it tastes just as good as them and it is cheap like fast food, he said. The Whataburger company is still family owned and operated keeping up the traditions like service with a smile 24 hours a day and burgers made to order with 100 percent pure American beef, according to the Whataburger website. I like the flavor of their food best, Luccous said. It is definitely better than Burger King or McDonalds. Whataburger corporation serves burgers from over 700 units across the nation ,so why Ruston? Ruston is a small college town, and everyone knows that college students like cheap food, Luccous said. Ruston centers around its old traditions just like Whataburger. Terry said the company may take into consideration Lincoln Parishs good economy. Lincoln Parish has fared well during bad economic times so with a decent population base and economy, Ruston is a good location for the company to pursue, he said. Construction on the Ruston Whataburger will begin next year, but the contract has been signed and Whataburger is leasing the property according to the landowner and family. From the talk and calls that I get, I am amazed at the amount of people truly excited that Whataburger is coming to Ruston, Terry said. Luccous said she is really excited to get a new addition to the awesome town of Ruston and for it to be a 24-hour place, it is going to be very beneficial.

Students Celebrate banned books

SCOTT WALKINGSTICK Staff Reporter Students gathered in front of Prescott Memorial Library, Oct. 5 to listen to their peers read passages from banned books as a way to express their freedom. Censorship ends in logical completeness when nobody is allowed to read any books except the books nobody reads, said Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw. For the third year in a row, International English honor society Sigma Tau Delta has hosted an annual event as a way to celebrate Banned Book Week. Associate professor of English and adviser, Dorothy Robbins, said it is peoples constitutional right to read whatever they want. Books get banned for reasons that are not logical and it is very anti-intellectual, she said. As a lover of books, it disturbs me. While Techs campus has only been a part of this the past three years, The National Library Association has been hosting this event nationwide for 30 years now. We take freedoms for granted, Robbins said. This event makes students aware that books are still banned in America. She said books were meant to be read and not edited or censored and does not purify the words in her classroom bePhoto by Scott Walkingstick cause it destroys the authors point. Reading literary works out loud, I Lydia Andreu, Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society president, dont censor the bad words, Robbins and Dorothy Robbins, English professor and adviser, read at the Banned Book Reading at Prescott Memorial Library last Friday. > see BANNED page 3

Nationwide campus bomb threats explode

ALLISON EAST Staff Reporter Boom. That is the sound thousands of students waited anxiously to hear after bomb threats were made at Louisiana State University, North Dakota State University, University of Texas at Austin and Hiram College in Cleveland, Ohio, over the past few weeks. According to a New York Times article Sept. 17, approximately 100,000 people were evacuated between the universities. The evacuations lasted between five and seven hours. In all three cases, campus-wide evacuations were ordered and police officers conducted sweeps, the article said about NDSU, UT Austin and Hiram College. Students and faculty and staff members returned hours later. Threats at these universities have called attention to the possibility of bomb threats closer to home. Randall Hermes, Tech police chief, said Tech is ready in the event a similar situation occurs. Weve had to evacuate an area for a gas line before, he said. We had to make sure the buildings were evacuated and set out a perimeter of a couple of blocks. Wed just have to do that on a much larg-

Email comments to alm85@latech.edu.

er scale if a bomb threat occurred. Vincent Bergeron, a senior electrical engineering major, said he does not foresee a bomb threat happening at Tech, but hes prepared if it does. Id follow directions they give through the Emergency Notification System, he said. Students can sign up for the emergency notification system through their BOSS accounts. We encourage students to register for the Emergency Notification System, Hermes said. We also encourage them to register their parents. We send out follow-

> see THREAT page 6

2 The T T ech alk October 11, 2012

Campus
KAB Man tickets for sale in box office
Opening night for Techs theater production of KAB Man is set for 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16 in Howard Auditorium, Center for the Performing Arts for evening performances throughout the week and a matinee performance Saturday, Oct. 20th. Tickets may be purchased at the box office in Howard Auditorium in advance or the day of the performance. Tech student tickets are $5 with a valid ID and general admission is $10. For more information contact the box office at 318-257-3942 or the theater office at 318-257-2930.

Student gains real world experience

Interesting INTERNSHIPS
MELISSA GRAJEK Staff Reporter

This is the third in a five-part series on the unique experience of Tech students who participated in summer internships. Each of the students left Ruston to get firsthand experience in their respective fields.
In a competitive work field, anything that will help move a resume to the top of the pile is no longer an option but more of a necessity if one has his or her eye set on success. For senior civil engineer major Isabela Lemos, hard work and dedication is nothing new, especially when it comes to her education and future career. Living miles away from her hometown in Vitria, Brazil, Lemos said she was drawn to Tech with the original plan to study architecture, but like most students, changed her major to something more her style. I went to school for two years back home in Brazil and then I transferred here before changing to engineering,

Honors Scholars host poker tourney

The Society of Honor Scholars will host its annual poker tournament Friday, Oct. 19. The event will be held above the TONK and will begin at 6 p.m. Registration will take place from 5:30-6 p.m. To play, participants must bring one buy-in item for the Domestic Abuse Resistance Team. These items include paper towels, bath towels, bath soap, toilet tissue, baby diapers, childrens pain reliever, deodorant, toothpaste/toothbrushes and hair care products. The style will be Texas Hold Em. First, second and third place winners will receive prizes donated from local businesses and restaurants. For more information or to reserve a spot, email shslatech@gmail.com.

Lemos said. I think engineering is a broader field with a lot more opportunities after I graduate. Already familiar with interning from her previous experience in Brazil, Lemos applied with a familiar company for an internship in engineering. Especially for engineering, an internship is almost required, Lemos said. Almost all my friends who are in engineering are doing internships before they graduate. Though it is not part of the required curriculum, Lemos explained that an internship functions as an understood part of the education. Once you graduate you need to have some experience, Lemos said. Otherwise nobody wants to hire you. Its a tough market, competition is hard and you need to have something else that sets you apart. While studying in Brazil at Universidade Federal do Esprito Santo, Lemos said she interned with a company called Embraer Aircraft Holding for six months as an architecture student, and decided to once again intern with them in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., as an engineer major at Tech. Its a Brazilian company, but it has offices all over the world like Europe, China, Singapore

and America, Lemos said. She said that as an international student, she was required to take an internship class where she earned college credit. I learned a lot but I think the main thing I learned is how a company works, how people act and real life experience because when youre in college you have no clue what is going on in the companies, Lemos said. You just know the theories, but once you go and get an internship you start learning how it really works. As far as her degree, she said her internship was less about civil engineering specifically and more about engineering in the broad aspect. Duties kept her behind a desk for the most part, Lemos worked in front of a computer and dealt with studies on airlines and aircraft efficiency, spreadsheets and presentations. The internship not only expanded her experience in the engineering field, but incorporated a business aspect into the internship. Fellow classmate Tanner Martin talked about how important of a role an internship plays in the early career of an engineer. Martin, a junior mechanical engineering major, worked the

Photo by Sumeet Shrestha

Lemos measures a metal part in Bogard Hall as she applies some of the things she learned from her internship to her everyday studies. summer in 2011 interning for the United States Army Corps of Engineering. He said a classroom teaches various theories but an internship provides the opportunity to practice those theories. During my internship, I found that my materials and statics class really helped, Martin said. As Martin and Lemos discovered through interning, a classroom cannot cover everything one may encounter on the

job, but may help to prepare the student for how to handle real life situations. It was a challenge because I had people 40 and 50 years old working under me, Martin said. I think it would have helped if I had taken management classes [because] the internship taught me a lot about working with people.

Email comments to mag043@latech.edu.

Skydiving team soars at first meeting

RANEY JOHNSON Staff Reporter If you are a person who likes jumping out of planes at high altitudes, then there is only one sport for you skydiving. The skydiving team officially restarted two months ago after being gone for over 30 years, said team vice president Benjamin Ford, a senior architecture major. An interest meeting for Tech students who want to join the team was held last Tuesday. Each weekend the team goes to Skydive Louisiana, a drop zone in Gilliam, to train for competitions with their coach Paul Yeagley, a bomber pilot for the U.S. Air Force. Ford said the team met Yeagley at Skydive Louisiana where he was an instructor. We kind of designated him as our coach, Ford said. Yeagley has done 1,394 jumps and said he wants to teach members skills they needed to know to become good competitive skydivers. Your first jump is just come out and jump, and see if you like it, Yeagley said. Everything Ive learned, everything I know, Im willing to share with you guys, Yeagley said. Yeagley and the team leaders told interested members skydiving is like nothing else they could ever do. From fighter [jets] to bombers to skydiving, I can tell you hands down that its skydiving, Yeagley said. Madison Dunigan, a wildlife management major, is the president of the team, and she gave skydiving the same praise. There are no words for it, you just have to try it and, and if you like it, come back, Dunigan said. Dunigan recently earned her A license for skydiving. Skydivers get the license after they jump at least 25 times. The license allows them to skydive unsupervised. Though Dunigan does not have as many jumps as her coach or the other team leaders, she and Yeagley assured the interested members the number of jumps was not important in skydiving. It is an incredible sport and it doesnt matter if you have 20 jumps or 1,000 jumps, there is always something new to learn or master, Dunigan said. But before reaching the 25 jumps to get their A license, new members must start off with a few practice jumps. Your first jump is done as a tandem, Yeagley said. Its a welcome to the world kind of thing. Tandem jumps are jumps done by new skydivers; they must be harnessed to a coach as they jump out. After the tandem jumps, the new members will do jumps not harnessed to a coach but two coaches will still be side by side of the jumper. And though some at the meeting were worried about the price of skydiving, Yeagley assured them it was worth it. For any Tech team member, your tandem will be $180, Yeagley said. Thats $40 less than any other place in the country. Yeagley said the sport is not only worth it financially, but socially. The first competition for the team will be on Dec. 29 and every weekend they can the team will be practicing for it and trying to get new members prepared. Skydiving is everything to me, Dunigan said. It has become a part of me, and I want more than anything to show other students and people how amazing it is and to pass everything I know down to them, just like my coaches and especially Paul Yeagley have done for me.

Zumbathon raises money for DART

Danni Jones Physical Therapy will present zumbathon at 7-8:30 p.m. on Oct. 18. The event will take place at the Norton Building at 207 W. Mississippi Ave. in Ruston. The cost is $15 for all ages. Proceeds from this event will be donated to the local Domestic Abuse Resistance Team. Danni Jones Physical Therapy wants people to come participate and get themselves into shape. For further questions, contact at 318-251-2995 or email at djpt09@yahoo.com.

Photos by Deepanjan Mukhopodyay

Above: The skydiving team hosted their first meeting and assured everyone the sport is worth the cost. Below: Paul Yeagley, Benjamin Ford and Madison Dunigan share their experiences with skydiving.

Speaker to lecture on sewer systems

CETF will be hosting a lecture by Jon Shladweiler as part of the Distinguished Lecturer Series called Tracking Down the Roots of our Sanitary Sewers 4:30 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16 in University Hall. Through the presentation viewers will be walked through time, the need for and the evolutionary growth of sewers with the aid of photos, sketches and anecdotes and come away with a better appreciation for the roots of our modern day sewage conveyance systems and the ups and downs they have traversed through the ages. Schladweiler was the recipient of the Public Works Historical Society and the American Public Works Associations Aedile Wolman Award, recognizing his outstanding contributions toward the collection, preservation and dissemination of public works history. For more information, contact the Trenchless Technology Center at 318-257-4072 or fletcher@latech.edu.

Email comments to rcj008@latech.edu.

Engineer societies collect recyclables

The National Society of Black Engineers and the Society of Women Engineers will be hosting a recycling drive from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday in Centennial Plaza. Plastics, plastic grocery bags, paper, batteries, light bulbs, tires, old appliances, newspapers, magazines, telephone books and furniture can be dropped off at any time during the day. For more information contact Kendall Belcher, the recycling and retention program committee chair for NSBE, at 318-347-2064 or kkb027@latech.edu.

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October 11, 2012 The T T ech alk 3

Dining services works to cater to students

RANEY JOHNSON Staff Reporter One of the easiest ways to reach college students is through their stomachs, and as Tech expands as a campus, they have created new methods to satisfy students hunger. Robert Lubbert, district manager for Aramark at Tech, said dining services job is to make sure students get the food they like. I see for the future possibly a Mexican restaurant similar to Chipotle, Lubbert said. In surveys done by dining services, Tech students have requested more Mexican food from dining services, and this would be the way to fulfill that want. There is also an attempt to add a new item to the Chick-filA menu. There is talk of serving soft serve ice cream at Chick-fil-A, Lubbert said. When you look at the cafeteria, we have added the omelets made to order [everyday], Lubbert said. That costs an extra person to come in to do that, but we felt that it was necessary. Lenard Gaulden is the man making the omelets many students like Ryan Joseph, a freshman mechanical engineering major, enjoy. I love the omelet guy, said Joseph. Dining services has also brought in Marisa Davis, a pastry chef, and some of her desserts will be served in the cafe. She graduated from the Culinary Institute of America, one of the best schools in the country, Lubbert said. We were very lucky for her to apply here. Daviss treats will not only be served in the cafe, but also at Java City. We are in the works of adding to Java City a wider variety of baked items cakes, pies and muffins, Lubbert said. Lubert said bringing in Davis is one of the many ways to make dining services more enjoyable for students. The Freal milkshake machine is a new addition in the student center that not only makes milkshakes, but also smoothies and cappuccinos. The new Freal machine caters to both spectrums the ones who want to have the high calorie items and those who want the healthy smoothies, Lubbert said. Daniel Borders, a freshman electrical engineering major, said he enjoys the new machine.

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he has asked for a specific fee to be passed and these resources will greatly enhance the academic and student life resources that are available to students. Leah Stevens, a junior communication design major, said while no one is ever exactly thrilled about fee increases, this fee will help Techs extremely unfavorable dormitory situation and having lived in one, this is welcome news to her. It means a lot that they finally wanted to do something about the dorms, Stevens said. Residential life getting attention is just the best news ever. If all we need is a reasonable fee increase to help this, I am all for it. Stevens said she is ecstatic

FEE from pg. 1

about the future landscape gether. our campus and school will Students may have noticed take and said Techs focus a continuation of the alumni should be improvement in all walkway which the new fee areas. made possible. According to Being recogKing, this program nized as a Tier will impact nuOne university merous programs and moving our across campus and athletics to Conwill pay tremenference USA are dous dividends in both monumental the future. achievements for The fee, couTech, Dearmon pled with other said. This Student benefactors, put Enhancement Fee the university in a was a measure takposition where it is en by the student able to advance, body to guarantee RENEAU King said. In this all students access difficult time, the to innovative facilistudents are putties for decades to ting the campus in a positive come. direction. It was a popular fee with the students and I Email comments to am glad to see them stick to- rsw020@latech.edu.

Photo by Deepanjan Mukhopadhyay

Leonard Gaulden prepares an omelet in the student cafeteria. I think that it is pretty cool and quick too, Borders said. And it is not too bad of a price. The Freal smoothies are not the only healthy additions; the cafeteria salad bar has been expanded to give students more variety in making a healthy choice, and Montegues now has fresh bread made everyday, Lubbert said. Joseph said he enjoys the sandwiches in the cafe for a healthy choice. The line gets long, but when you get a sandwich its healthier, Joseph said. The student center also features a new sushi restaurant called Sushic. Lubbert said the group is better than the sushi restaurant from last year. The product not only tastes better, but there is a better variety, Lubbert said. Lenard said the goal of dining services is also to make food cheap for students. We like to know what they like, and we encourage them to let us know what they like, Lubbert said. Dining services is here for students, and if students have something they would like to see then they should tell dining services, Lubbert said. We are trying to not make items that are boring for [students], Lubbert said. We continuously try to strive for good food on a daily basis.

that homosexuals are normal folks. According to an article in the Los Angeles Times, students said there was nothing graphic said. I wouldnt say the f-word at my dinner in the books and most were halfway through table, but if Im reading out loud I will. Books can be banned for having religious with the novels when they were forced to return and socialist undertones as well as too much the books to the school. Lydia Andreu, president of Sigma Tau Delta, foul language or provocative content. Books such as The Great Gatsby, To Kill said it is important to read banned books because censoring books means a Mockingbird, and The censoring ideas. Diary of Anne Frank are some surprising titles that Censoring books is not alhave made the banned lowing people to grow intellecbook list. tually, she said. We shouldnt The Diary of Anne let people decide what they can Frank was banned for being The Diary of Anne or cannot read. We should take too depressing, Robbins Frank was banned for the initiative upon ourselves to said. I guess she should read what we want. have talked about the happy being too depressing. I Enjoying the readings was things that happen when Allison Hebert, a senior Engyou are hiding in an attic guess she should have from Nazis. talked about the happy lish education major, who said it was great seeing people getDonald Kaczvinsky, dean of the College of Lib- things that happen when ting together to enjoy literature and finding out new things. eral Arts, said some of the Being in such a prominent greatest works of literature you are hiding in an atare banned simply because tic from Nazis. area on campus, I think it made the author had an open people stop and appreciate mind or made someone what we were doing, Hebert question his or her values. Dorothy Robbins said. We have to remind ourI read whatever I want, professor of English selves we have the ability to he said. If I dont like it, Ill lead and express ourselves. Its put it down. all part of our freedom. In 1995, Penny Culliton, Robbins said it is very important to keep a high school teacher in rural New Hampshire, gained national attention when she came under reading alive. People have died protecting our freedom, fire after a local newspaper had reported she was involved with a lesbian and gay support she said. This is one of our liberties that we group and had passed out books depicting ho- have to keep promoting. mosexual characters. Culliton said she was trying to show students Email comments to rsw020@latech.edu.

>

BANNED from pg. 1

Email comments to rcj008@latech.edu.

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Insight
PATRICK BOYD Editor-in-Chief

4 The T T ech alk October 11, 2012

FROM THE EDITOR

Reading in public
cannot think of a more fearful literary endeavor than to read a banned book in public, yet that feeling is also so gratifying. This past week on the steps of the Prescott Memorial Library, students gathered to read passages from books that were banned at various times over the past few centuries. Everything from Paradise Lost to The Perks of Being a Wallflower were banned for various reasons: sexuality, homosexuality, violence, racism and yes, even for the depressive nature of a book. I participated in the Banned Book reading competition, and we were judged on various things like how we interpreted the selection, literary merit and of course, shock value. Wanting to score high, I rushed to the eighth floor of the library, checked out a copy of Lady Chatterleys Lover and started trying to find a passage that would qualify (It didnt take long). When it was my turn to read, in front of about 30 or so students, I delved into the passage trying not to look up or think about what my parents would say if they were hearing what was coming out of my mouth. Reading in public is always exhilarating and I love the feeling of trying to create a world for just a few moments. Something I noticed from the conglomerate of students gathered around the reading area and those pouring out of the library, was the timidity and awkwardness they seemed to be feeling during the proceedings. Now, of course, certain readings would make some people blush, like a Lady Chatterleys Lover or Ulysses if your ear can pick up the modernist riffs. As I sat out there for a while though, I realized that it did not really matter what books we were reading. We could be reading the cleanest, most un-banned works of literature ever, and it still would have made people feel uncomfortable. Why is this? First of all, books are becoming a really daunting thing to even think about, much less read, because our attention spans (in the world of reading at least) have gone from long-distance running to short sprints, if that. Reading in public, at least in the South, is not too common, so making a demonstration using words not our own, chockfull of emotion and making a statement is looked at as going against the norm. This only makes me think even more deeply about the state of reading. With technology bombarding our senses and motivations (centering our lives around the ease that technology gives us), we never really experience public demonstrations of feeling anymore. We see feeling in the movies and when we read in private, but when I hear a friend read poetry or listen to a song live, I get a tinge of excitement, as well as an insurmountable bit of tension. I am taking a playwriting class this quarter, and having your own stuff read out loud is probably the most nerve-racking thing a writer can do but also the most gratifying. Challenging people to listen and think for a moment about life in a way that only literature can evoke, is something we all should do, for it makes us better as writers and human beings. Out of all the things I thought I would ever do in public, reading Lady Chatterleys Lover out loud is not one of them. I appreciated Banned Book Week for the simple reason whether going in or out of the library, or just sitting there in the grass, they were at least feeling something. Patrick Boyd is a senior journalism major from Choudrant who serves as editor for The Tech Talk. Email comments to gpb009@latech.edu.

IN OUR OPINION

Inching toward the apocalypse

A STEP IN THE WRITE DIRECTION

Dads voting red; Im voting blue
AUSTIN VINING Managing Editor hom are you voting for? My dad said [insert political figure here] was good, so I guess him. This is a dialogue that occurs far too often between young adults, and it is these same young adults who often do not end up at the polls. Many young adults probably do not realize they may have different beliefs than those their parents hold. According to the study, The Influence of Parents in the Voting Behavior of Young People: A Look at the National Civic and Political Engagement of Young People Survey and the 2008 Presidential Election by John Gross, which was completed prior to the 2008 presidential election, Americans aged 18-24 were 20 percent more likely to vote in the upcoming presidential election if their parents were politically interested. This shows a correlation between young adults political interest and their parents. The study argued that the more often the same young adults were more likely to vote the more they talked to their parents about political issues. But there is a twist. The more often the young adults disagreed with their parents, the more they responded they would definitely be voting. What does this mean? In an age where voter turnout is low, individuals have an opportunity to have their voice be heard. Young adults should talk to their parents about political issues. Young adults should not find out in passing whom their parents are voting for, decide they support that candidate, then never do anything about it. For people to grow and develop their own thoughts and ideas, it is important for them to not only do their own research, but also talk to others who are close to them. Young adults need to sit down and find out the information necessary for them to form opinions. Sure, many have opinions, but how many can back those opinions up with responses other than, That is how my mom and dad are voting. Why are voters whose opinions are at odds with those of their parents turning out to vote in such large numbers? It could be because these individuals have taken the time to do research on their own, and these are the individuals who care enough to form their own opinions. That idea is only strengthened by the information from the study showing that young adults who talk to their parents frequently about political issues are more likely to show up at the polls. If these young people care enough to talk to their parents about politics so much, it makes sense they would find out information on their own. It also makes sense they would be the ones showing up at the polls. Wait, something does not quite make sense. People who care enough about shaping our future through voting do research and talk to their parents about political issues the most. It is these same people who disagree with their parents the most. Well young adults, it is time to find out which candidate you side with. Maybe youll find out you do not agree with your parents, and maybe Ill see you at the polls. Austin Vining is a junior journalism and sociology major from Minden who serves as managing editor for The Tech Talk. Email comments to acv001@latech.edu.

According to several ancient cultures, publications and philosophers, our time on Earth will be coming to a close in approximately 74 days. The primary source of panic has stemmed from the imminent end to the Mayan calendar. Fear not, todays calendar maps out time with a substantial difference than that of the Mayan calendar. For example, according to the NASA the Mayan calendar is separated into intervals, or months, with 20 days in each. When 360 of these time intervals have collected, it becomes a katun. It takes 20 katuns to equal a baktun, which is approximately 144,000 days. The significance of Dec. 21, 2012, on the Mayan calendar is its marking the end of Baktun 13, a Mayan Great Cycle. However, a new cycle will begin the next morning just as each present year rolls into the next. It will simply represent the end of an era. Obviously, if the end of time is established based on the Mayan prophecies, the world will most likely live on through the coming Winter Solstice. The Mayan calendar did not account for leap years nor did its months and years last the same amount of time as todays standard calendars. Theories have also been advanced by Michel de Nostradamus and writings in the Bible. According to the Bible, no man will know when the second rapture is coming, so most believe the fate of our world will not be determined in the near future. Chill out, America, you will probably be sitting around a tree Christmas morning like any other year as Dec. 21 would have passed by like any other day. The most legitimate cause for panic as the year approaches its end is an asteroid scheduled to whiz by the Earth in February 2013. According to NASA, asteroid 2012 DA14 is approximately 60-meters in length and will come dangerously close to Earth early next year. If an asteroid of that size collided with Earth, it would have an impact similar to the strike of a thermo-nuclear bomb. In an article on rt.com, scientists said the asteroid could potentially split into several pieces upon colliding with the Earths atmosphere, thus burning before ever reaching the Earths surface. Still, it could strike with enormous force, so as Brian Williams on NBC News suggests its never a bad idea to have your affairs in order. Whether its a Third World War, an asteroid or the second coming of Christ, it most likely will not happen in our lifetime. All the conspiracy theories surrounding the end of the earth have individuals worldwide on their toes. In an ABC News online feature, a 51-year-old man named Patrick Geryl quit his job with enough money in his pocket to last through December 2012. He has purchased supplies with an understanding that humans will have to start an entire civilization from scratch. The movie industry and several Internet sites like YouTube have benefited immensely from the same apocalyptic paranoia. People are curious and books, movies and survival sites spark human curiosity. If the end is near, only the prepared will survive. Though we recognize an undetermined date for the end of the world, you may want to stock up on water and Twinkies just in case.

T T ech alk
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The

I DONT GIVE A CENSORED

How not to get to Sesame Street
AMIE ROLLAND Contributing Editor n Oct. 3, 2012, presidential candidate Mitt Romney threatened the existence of a certain talking bird that many of us are rather fond of. We all know Big Bird as the encouraging, problem-solving, yellow-feathered bird that helped us through our ABCs and 123s. More than 40 years ago Sesame Street aired for the first time in November, 1969. The show was created to make TV entertaining, yet educational, to help shape the minds of Americas children. Today Sesame Street is still viewed by millions of children in more than 120 countries around the world, according to an article in TIME Magazine. Rest easy my fellow Americans; whatever plans Gov. Romney has to cut federal funding to the Public Broadcasting Service will not send Big Bird and the rest of the gang into extinction. According to Sherrie Westin, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of the Sesame Workshop, Sesame Street receives little funding from PBS so funding can be raised through sponsorships, donations and other means. The threat to cut funding for Sesame Street came from the larger notion to cut funding to PBS, the service provider. According to pbs.org, PBS is Americas largest classroom, the nations largest stage for the arts and a trusted window to the world. PBS provides educational programs for young children, documentaries and news programs. Just this month I have watched two PBS documentaries in my classes. The PBS emblem is embedded in my mind from childhood as I recall watching numerous documentaries and educational shows for school and at home. I think it is safe to say that PBS is one of the only, and in my opinion the only, broadcasting service where a person can truly gain knowledge from watching TV for countless hours. I probably spend less than 10 hours a week watching TV, but I am not blind to the fact that many people are addicted to spending their free time watching television and learning from its numerous programs. For this reason, I think it is important to have services like PBS available at a young age to teach children that TV can be educational, not simply entertainment. I said all of that to say that although Romney said he would cut funding for PBS in last weeks debate, there is no real threat offered from this because in reality a small portion, only 0.014 percent of the federal budget is used to fund PBS. According to a New York Times article, Americans pay less than $4 a day for the public programming of PBS and NPR. In rebuttal to Romney, PBS stated that the federal investment for public broadcasting equals about one one-hundredth of 1 percent of the federal budget. So, now we know that Romney cant kill Big Bird because the federal funding PBS receives can be met by other means, but shouldnt Romney have known this? And if he did, shouldnt he be concerned with cutting other programs that actually impact the budget? Amie Rolland is a senior journalism and politcal science major from Keithville who serves as contributing editor for The Tech Talk. Email comments to asr017@latech.edu.

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Arts&Entertainment

October 11, 2012 The T T ech alk 5

MOVIE REVIEW

Have you been pitch slapped?

GRACE MOORE Entertainment Editor Music is the heart and soul of everything good in this world, and movies that embrace the art of song are significantly cooler than most others. Pitch Perfect, like Glee, took a group of misfits and allowed them to harness his or her talents and entertain us all, with a little practice, of course. The film embraced several themes, though none were portrayed in great depth, like divorce, homosexuality, love, lust and a wide variety of eccentric lifestyles. It was essentially a feelgood movie, entertaining as all get-out, which emphasized acceptance and second chances. Beca (Anna Kendrick) is a freshman at Barden University, which is actually filmed on the Louisiana State University campus, and she dreams of producing music in Los Angeles someday. Her father, who is a Barden University professor, encourages her to join at least one club and if she is still set on leaving for the West Coast upon actively completing a year of college, he will support her wishes. She is then roped into joining an all-female a cappella group, the Barden Bellas. One of the Bellas, and my personal favorite character, is Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson). She won the hearts of millions in her hilarious role of Kristen Wiigs English roommate in Bridesmaids, and her portrayal of an Austravolved with Beca and Fat Amy in the Bellas are sex addict Stacie (Alexis Knapp), the two returning members, Chloe (Brittany Snow) and Aubrey (Anna Camp), the obvious lesbian, Cynthia Rose (Ester Dean) and the Asian introvert, Lilly (Hana Mae Lee). Lilly was so quiet that each time she spoke, the camera zoomed in ridiculously close to her face and what she said was still barely audible. She and Fat Amys characters made me giggle until my stomach hurt. Of course there was a love interest in Pitch Perfect, and it was not impervious to the usual clichs in its genre. Jesse (Skylar Astin) was a part of the Trebel Makers, the male a cappella group at Barden, and he was obviously into Beca instantaneously. The romantic tie between Beca and Jesse stemmed back to several Breakfast Club references. The Breakfast Club is one of the greatest movies of all time, and Jesse makes Beca watch the ending when Judd Nelson crosses the football field to Dont You by Simple Minds and throws up a celebratory fistpump. Classic. Pitch Perfect was a predictable film, as Im certain most anticipated, but the ending was so perfect I didnt mind one bit. Beca finally convinces the Bellas to stray from their prehistoric song choices, allowing them to actually have a shot at beating the Trebel Makers. The Bellas sing a modern mash-up of current hits with Dont You thrown into the mix. When popular movies of

Universal Studios

Pitch Perfect HHHHI lian college student continued to fuel the fire. Some other characters in-

today reference classic movies from the past, it always makes my heart melt. Jesses reaction was priceless as well, cheesy, yes, but priceless. When Beca began singing to Dont You, he recognized her apology and threw up his very own celebratory fist pump in the crowd. They then had a luscious liplock session and everyone lived happily ever after. Despite its predictability and mild lack of depth, everyone I have spoken with, including myself, has been raving about Pitch Perfect. Its witty, entertaining and a toe-tapping good time. I recommend that everyone get pitch slapped as soon as possible.

Email comments to gmm008@latech.edu.

Gangnam Style:
Americas love or hoax?
KAITLYN CARROLL Contributing Reporter Oppa gangnam style. These three words have been sung, watched, imitated, danced to and laughed at on YouTube by over 400 million viewers, and still counting. With that staggering number of views, it goes without saying that Gangnam Style is popular, but why? What does America see in PSY that makes him so popular, and what does that say about our culture? As an American and a fan of Korean pop music (KPOP), it is surprising and interesting to me that Gangnam Style has become as popular in America as it has- the first KPOP song to ever reach the top 10 on US Billboard Hot 100. I cannot help but wonder why PSY, out of all the Korean artists successfully making music today, is the one to break through the glass ceiling of the American media as a non-English language recording artist. I see Gangnam Style as the Macarena of today, said Steven Jordan, a recent Tech masters graduate. Its an intentionally goofy song in another language, and the dance is becoming inseparable from the music. When Americans watch a Saturday Night Live skit, or something similarly comedic in nature, there is a sense of respect for the program. It could be the stupidest skit in the world, but if it is funny, makes people laugh and people connect to it, viewers will praise the actors and actresses for a great performance. For PSY and the American public, however, this may not be the case. Gangnam Style appears to be going down in the same category of American pop culture history as Toddlers & Tiaras Honey Boo-Boo Child and the Bed Intruder Song inspired by Antoine Dodson. Unlike these Internet sensations, Gangnam Style is meant to be funny. Gangnam is a super-wealthy area of Seoul, home to the nouveau riche, a high-rise, high-density Korean version of West Egg, said John Eperjesi, an assistant professor of English at Kyung Hee University in Seoul, on the Huffingtons Post online blog. This should be rather familiar to U.S. audiences, for [PSY] has a literary ancestor that goes by the name of Jay Gatsby, alluding to the novel The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. This Gatsby-esque theme is understood clearly by PSYs Korean audience. Oppa in the Korean language is a term essentially meaning older brother, used by younger females to older males in an expression of familiarity and friendli-

Poets recite in Railroad Park

ADDIE MARTIN Staff Reporter Speaking in front of a crowd is nerve-racking for most people but Tim Cormier required students, faculty and the Ruston community to face their fear Friday night at the Railroad Park poetry reading. Cormier, a Tech graduate, said people were previously allowed to simply attend the readings, but everyone, even those only coming to listen, were asked to participate at the poetry reading this fall. A new rule has been made this year, everyone must read at least one line, he said. Reading is laying a claim on certain words and saying those words are good. Cormier has hosted poetry readings without an admission fee in the past but this fall, the price to be paid was a reading. At 7:30 p.m. people began to arrive at the concrete stage ready for poetry read from journals, literature textbooks, and personal favorite books. Cormier began the night with a brief introduction on the agenda and stating the new rule. April Honaker, a Tech English instructor, said she can see both sides of the rule change. I have mixed feelings about it, she said. I personally had to overcome being introverted and having anxiety from getting up in front of people, but reading others works is definitely a good thing. The spring Railroad Park Poetry Reading accumulated 12-18 people but only had four readers. I do not want people to come expecting entertainment, Cormier said. They need to come to entertain. Cormier said he kept a mental tab of who had read and who had not. Toward the end, he said, Ok, there are six people that still owe everyone here a reading. If attendees failed to come prepared to stand on

Photo courtesy YouTube

PSYs Gangnam Style, a Korean pop song and YouTube sensation, has recieved more than 600 million hits to date. The dance seems to imitate riding an invisible horse. ness. To explain this whole phrase the long and awkward way, as all slang expressions sound when being described in detail, it means older guy, you are so hot and awesome and rich, nearly palpably dripping in irony and sarcasm with the reference of the Gangnam Districts attitude and sterotype. This irony is not only heard in the lyrics, but can be seen in nearly every situation of the music video. We first see PSY in seemingly trendy locations, only to have it fade into somewhere far less glamorous.. A luxurious beach becomes a childrens playground, a fashion runway starts spraying out foamy garbage, a fancy yacht is revealed to be surrounded by duck-shaped paddle boats and a hip night club becomes PSY sitting on a toilet in a grungy bathroom. South Korea, a country of less than 50 million, somehow figured out how to make pop hits for more than a billion and a half other Asians, contributing $2 billion a year to Koreas economy, an article in The New Yorker stated. Yet, despite KPOPs prominence in Asia, until recently few in the United States had heard of it. While America does love Gangnam Style, my point is this: most Americans seem to be laughing at PSY, not with PSY. This is not a clash of cultures between the East and Westwe as Americans think Gangnam Style is funny because Koreans think it is funny, too. If this communication paradox is true, then it looks like the irony could be extending father than PSYs lyrics and music video; the joke is on us. PSY is known for his unique dance style, comical lyrics, and addictive melodies, according to talktomeinkorean. com. We are really glad that he finally got the attention that he deserves! He has definitely got the attention, but is it the kind of attention that an artist like PSY wants? Is Gangnam Style opening the door to KPOP in America or alienating the genre from ever reaching sincere popularity? It is much easier for The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Today Show and Saturday Night Live to interview a quirky Korean singer who happened to become a viral Internet sensation than to address Americas resistence to listen to foreign to us music. To give America and KPOP some credit, there is not a complete void of genuine KPOP fans in the States. Google hosted a 10-act KPOP concert feauturing some of the biggest groups open to the general public for free near their headquarters last May-- the line to enter the show extended for over a mile. Tickets to see BIGBANG, one of KPOPs most popular groups, are sold out in both New York and Los Angeles this November, with ticket prices ranging from $65-$300 and an additional date being added to each city. PSY was an attendee of Berklee College of Music in Boston. As Americans, I think we should be proud of the role one of our own institutions has played in PSYs musical career and appreciate him genuinely as a musician and comedian, not just laugh at a funny-looking Asian guy riding an invisible horse simply because we do not understand, or better yet, because we do not think we understand.

stage, friends from the crowd shared their poetry books. Sarah Gilbert, a senior English major, said she agrees with the rule change. It is a little obnoxious but is a good idea, she said. It keeps the poetry reading from becoming a three-person show. I like coming to the readings because I like poetry and writing poems. I do not get to share poems often so I would come even if my friends stayed home. Cormier said he usually receives a good turnout to the readings because no one else hosts them in such a small town. There is not much going on in Ruston, he said. A poetry reading is free and is a relaxing way to spend a Friday night. Honaker said sharing poetry is essential and writing can act in a therapeutic way. Sharing not only mine but poetry in general is important, she said. It can move people, especially when shared at such an intimate level. Gilbert said she agrees poetry is healing. I have liked poetry since I was little, she said. Writing is a good way to process my emotions and thoughts. It also helps young writers gain confidence in themselves, she said. As people walked to the platform to read, the crowd cheered them on and shouted words of encouragement. One couple did stretches before reading and others went on stage as a group for moral support. When I spoke with Tim earlier, he said he hosts the readings to inspire himself to begin writing again, Honaker said. I can see that as a common thing among students. She said there are often a variety of pieces presented, including abstract, deep or humorous pieces with a few songs thrown in the mix; poetry readings are very eclectic.

Email comments to kec025@latech.edu.

Email comments to alm085@latech.edu.

Distractions
SUDOKUPUZZLE
Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 grid contains the digits 1 through 9. Difficulty VERY EASY
www.

6 The T T ech alk October 11, 2012

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Sudoku, Kakuro & Futoshiki Puzzles
Sudoku 9x9 - Very easy (135236053)

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CROSSWORDPUZZLE
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2 4 6 2 9 1 1 8 4 6 3 9 4 7 5 5 8 2 8 6

4 3 7 9 5 1 7 8

LAST WEEKS SOLUTION

2 5

8 2 1

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WEEKLYHOROSCOPE
Aries March 21 April 19 You may feel more reserved than usual, Aries, especially when it comes to romantic relationships. You may be feeling apprehensive about expressing yourself fully, even in the most intimate situations. Be careful about sending messages that suggest that you dont want to be around others. People are apt to think theyre to blame for your reluctance. Its fine to be a recluse, but dont completely alienate yourself in the process. Taurus Apr 20 - May 20 Be careful about being too boisterous and chipper around people who dont exactly feel the same way, Taurus. Be sensitive to other peoples feelings, and dont make jokes that are too harsh for the occasion. No one appreciates a wise guy. Theres a somber mood to the day thats likely to form a dark cloud by late afternoon. Do your best to be the ray of sunshine and not the bolt of lightning. Gemini May 21 - Jun 20 Your mood should be quite good for the most part, Gemini, but theres apt to be some tension in your relationships. Romantic endeavors arent exactly in your favor now, so dont force an issue that seems too difficult to resolve. Find comfort in your internal warmth. By taking the time to nurture yourself, you will inevitably have more love to give to the people around you. Cancer Jun 21 - Jul 22 Theres a deep longing to be comforted and reassured, Cancer. You may want nothing more than for someone fix you some warm, homemade soup. If this is the case, feel free to call and ask a good friend to come over. Dont continue to play the part of the strong, independent one if this isnt the way you feel. If you arent honest about your needs, it will be impossible for anyone to know how to fulfill them.

Solution:

www.horoscopes.com.net
Sagittarius Nov 22 - Dec 21 When tension builds, your sense of security is likely to falter, Sagittarius. You may have a hard time dealing with other people. You could be tempted to turn to food or alcohol for inner nourishment. Curing emotional needs by indulging this way may temper your ailment for a while, but it isnt the solution to the overall problem. Work out the bugs with the people involved, and dont try to do it on an empty stomach. Capricorn Dec 22 - Jan 19 You might have difficulty expressing your needs, Capricorn. The bottom line is that theres no right or wrong way, although it may be difficult to see this on a day like today. Deep-seated insecurity may make expressing yourself difficult. At a time when you feel like you should politely take things in, you really may be feeling like you want to run from the people around you. Aquarius Jan 20 - Feb 18 Although you may find it hard to express yourself in some ways, Aquarius, the one avenue thats completely wide open today is art. Difficult tension is laced with emotional insecurity, making it hard for you to express your feelings. If you feel that this is the case, find some other means of expressing these emotions. A large canvas and some paints will work quite nicely. Pisces Feb 19 - Mar 20 You might be feeling rather insecure when it comes to your peace of mind, Pisces. Because of the insecurity, it may seem like your relationships are on the rocks. At the same time, having problems in your relationships is making you less likely to trust these close partners with your insecure feelings. Talking about your emotions in an honest manner will help you break out of this difficult situation.

Leo Jul 23 - Aug 22 You may feel like you desperately need something, Leo, yet youre unsure as to what it is exactly. Someone close to you may be trying to fit the missing puzzle piece into place, but this may be next to impossible if its unclear which piece is actually missing. This difficult situation may lead to frustration if you arent careful. Feel free to admit that you feel powerless. Dont be ashamed to say so. Virgo Aug 23 - Sep 22 You may want to remedy every situation by talking things out or taking some sort of action, Virgo. Be careful of making any sudden moves before you really understand what youre feeling. One minute you may be full of exuberance and ready to launch into a new project, but once you start moving forward, youre suddenly feeling insecure. Take this resistance as a sign that maybe this isnt the best time to move forward. Libra Sep 23 - Oct 22 Compliments are apt to feel like gold to you, Libra. Theres nothing you need more than love and affection on a day like this. Beware that you may end up as putty in the hands of whoever showers you with flattery. You may also resent this need for attention and not be willing to receive it graciously. This isnt the right attitude. Receive accolades with open arms and offer an equal amount of affection in return. Scorpio Oct 23 - Nov 21 If you find that theres tension in a close relationship, you may get the feeling that this isnt the right partner for you, Scorpio. Dont automatically assume that the problem lies in your partner. Difficult situations involving the need for love and affection are likely to emerge regardless of the situation or the company. Instead of running to the next person, take the time to work things out.

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BestCrosswords.com - Puzzle #1 for July 20, 2012 Across 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 1. Across Sorts 14 15 16 5. 1- Sorts; 5- Birdlike; 10- Deep Birdlike 10. Deep affection affection; 14- Cop's collar; 15- In 17 18 19 itself; collar 14. Cops16- Pianist Gilels; 17Yours, in 15. In itself Tours; 18- River that 20 21 22 23 flows through 16. Pianist Gilels Paris; 19- Ballerina Pavlova; Tours cream topped 20- Ice 17. Yours, in 24 25 with syrup; 22- through Paris 18. River that flows Incitement of rebellion; Pavlova 24- Swiftness; 2526 27 28 29 30 31 19. Ballerina Flog; 26- Stadium din; 28- Greek 20. Ice cream topped with syrup fabulist; 32- Chews the 32 33 34 35 36 37 22. Incitement of rebellion fat; 35Distress signal; 37- Oppressor; 24. Swiftness 38- "Evil Woman" band; 3938 39 40 41 25. Flog 41- Seed of a legume; Phase; 26. Stadium din a fish; 4542 43 44 45 46 42- Land, as 28. Greek fabulist 46- Flat sound; Afternoon social; 32. Chews the fat a raise; 48- Fr. 47 48 49 47- Reason for 35. Distress signal miss; 50- Explosions; 54- Hand 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 37. Oppressor hanging; 58- One woven wall 38. Evil Woman band out; 61- To who has been cast 58 59 60 61 show a 39. Phase different surface; 62Small of a legume dam; 63- Leers at; 65- To 62 41. Seed 63 64 65 ___ (perfectly); 42. Land, as a fish 66- Stuck in ___; 67- Chip dip; 6845. Afternoon social Evening, 66 67 68 informally; 46. Flat sound69- Meddlesome; 70Stony gray;a raise 71- Prepared to 69 70 71 47. Reason for drive; 48. Fr. miss 50. Explosions Down 12. 3- Basic monetary unit of Denmark; 4- Arachnids; 5- Church 54. Hand woven wall hangingCessation; Chianti, e.g. 58. McGregor of Trainspotting 1- Bridge declaration; 213. Brio 58. One who has been cast out 7- Whiskey type; 8- "Lou Grant" star; 9- ___CombiningSkin of animal; 59. lift?; 10- form meaning dry recess; 6- Flight formation; 21. Tumult 61. To show a with present; 12- Chianti, e.g.; 13- Brio; 21- Tumult; 23- Brit'sName of 12 popes Horse's 60. exclamation; 2511- Prefix different surface 23. Brits exclamation 62. Small dam 29- Dupes; 30- Addition column; 31- School orgs.; 32- Microbe; 33- Away from the 61. Anthem opener gait; 27- Org.; 25. Horses Blue 63. Leers34- Afrikaner; 36- Was in session; 37-gait hue; 40- Precious stones; 43- Freedom; 44- ___ 64. Superlative suffix wind; at 27. At ___ 65. To ___ (perfectly) 49- Test site; 51- Org. for words; 52- George of "Just Shoot Me"; 53- I cannot do; 46- Attendant; 29. Dupes 66. Stuck in ___ ___ lie; 55- Knot again; 56- Narrow mountain ridge; 57- War horse; 58- McGregor of 30. meaning " dry "Trainspotting"; 59- Combining form Addition column"; 60- Name of 12 popes; 61- Anthem opener; 67. Chip dip 64- Superlative suffix; 31. School orgs. 68. Evening, informally 32. Microbe 69. Meddlesome 33. Away from the wind 70. Stony gray LAST WEEKS SOLUTION 34. Afrikaner 71. Prepared to drive 36. Was in session BestCrosswords.com - Puzzle #1 for July 19, 2012 G R E G A S H E N A S A P Across 37. Blue hue 1- Golfer Norman; 5- Gray; 10Down R E B A C H A R Y T A R O PDQ; 14- Country singer McEntire; 15- Cautious; 1640. Precious stones Edible corm; 17- St. crossers; A V E S L Y S O L L A I R 1. Bridge declaration 18- Disinfectant brand; 19- Den B U R E A U A D O R A B L E 43. Freedom 2. Cessation of wild animals and dragons; 20Chest of drawers; 22- Awwww! S E T O N S T E N O S 3. Basic monetary unit of Denmark 44. ___ do Cute!; 24- Attack; 25- Shorthand pros; 26- Drew on; 28- Eagle's U S E D A E R I E home; 32- Aardvark's prey; 3546. Attendant 4. Arachnids Small batteries; 37- Fake; 38A N T S A A S E R S A T Z Summer sign; 39- One on 49. Test site 5. Church recess L E O S K I E R P E R slopes; 41- Apiece; 42- Soggy 51. At ___ for wordsand reedy; 45- ___ Grande; 46- M A R S H Y R I O U S M A 6. Flight formation West Point inits.; 47- Michael of R.E.M.; 48- Agrees tacitly; 50S T I P E N O D S 52. George of Just Shoot54- Brings up; 58Burning; Me 7. Whiskey type Military attack made at night; 61O N F I R E R E A R S Cameo shape; 53. I cannot ___ lie Esophagus; 62-65- I could ___ 8. Lou Grant star 63- Scoundrel; C A M I S A D O G U L L E T horse!; 66- Dole (out); 67- Lucid; 55. Knot again 9. ___ lift? 68- Sports figure; 69- Uncle O V A L R O G U E E A T A 56. Narrow mountainRemus title;71- Shrivelled, ridge70- Lauder of 10. Skin of animal cosmetics; M E T E C L E A R S T A T without moisture; 57. War horse B R E R E S T E E S E R E 11. Prefix with present Down
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up information that could be very helpful to parents who cant get through on cell phones. After notifying the students and completing the evacuation, the next focus would be acquiring manpower for a bigger area, Hermes said. Closing off a road is closing off a road, he said. The first issue we may run into is how we relieve the people posted there.

THREAT from pg. 1

Wed need double the amount of people, and while thats going on, we still have other things going on. Its manpower intensive. Manpower on a small campus may not bother students like Bergeron, but Sara Beth Jacob, a sophomore biology major, does not see Techs size as a deterrent. We all think our campus is safe, she said. But realistically, this could happen anywhere. It

takes one person to pick up the phone thinking its a joke, and suddenly we have an outbreak on our hands. Hermes said is confident our campus is safe but anything can happen. I wouldnt have been surprised to receive a call that day, he said. I was expecting a call, but Im glad that we didnt because thats a very serious crime. Bomb threats at Tech are

possible, but other situations more likely to occur around Ruston could also force an evacuation, Hermes said. It could be a train derailment, he said. There could be a hazmat spill. Neighborhoods may have to be evacuated as well. Weve worked through those scenarios. Its doable. Both train derailments and bomb threats carry devastating possibilities, but only one can carry a jail sentence.

Its counted as terrorism, Hermes said. Its not something anyone would take lightly. Its not a joking matter at all. Boom. That is the sound thousands of students anxiously await as bomb squads pour over their campus or it could be the sound one prank caller hears as the judge slams down his gavel.

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More Talk

October 11, 2012 The T T ech alk 7

All photos by Jessica Van Alstyne

Derek Warden, a senior political science major, found the inspiration to write an epic poem after being hospitalized this past February when he was hit in a crosswalk.

From tragedy to triumph

After accident, Derek Warden finds inspiration to achieve his life goal by writing an epic poem
KELSY KERSHAW Staff Reporter Derek Warden leaned forward on his elbows and cringed when he recalled the memories of what happened Feb. 15, 2012, as he explained the inspiration for his published epic. Warden, a senior political science major, said he was a dedicated weightlifter who practiced for four hours a day, six days a week, for three years. His dedication ended on that day in February when he got hit by a car, dislocated and completely destroyed his shoulder. In less than six hours, I went from being able to lift 300 pounds over my head in one swift motion, to not even being able to walk on my own, Warden said. I was devastated when the doctor told me I would never return to weightlifting. The pain was excruciating and almost unbearable, Warden said, and writing eventually became his therapy. It was cathartic, he said. I was essentially paralyzed from pain for weeks and weeks on end, I needed something to help me deal with it. Warden said it was during those dark times when he really started to write which now, eight months later, has led him to a published epic poem. Ive always wanted to write an epic poem, he said. Ive wanted to ever since my freshman year of high school when I read The Odyssey. He said he also read Beowulf, then eventually he read John Miltons Paradise Lost, which is where he said he drew most of his inspiration for his epic poem titled Eternity Regained. Warden said the response was not what he expected. He said in the response Jacobs said he was very impressed with the poem and Warden should consider publication. Dorothy Robbins, an assistant professor of English, said she is very proud of Warden, and she said she knew he had The epic poem was officially published on Sept. 17, 2012, the talent to write such a masterpiece. Derek has always been a diligent student who mastered Warden said, and the print version is available on Amazon. time management, she said. He applies knowledge learned com and as a digital book for Kindle. It was originally something to help me cope with the in one class with the material from another, then applies sheer mental pain of everything that was going on, Warden those insightful connections to his imaginative projects. Alan Hudgins, a senior communication design major, has said. I wasnt going to try and get it pubknown Warden for two years. lished. He said they have worked together quite He said only a few hours after he rea bit and Warden has always had a voraturned home from the hospital is when he cious work ethic. began writing his epic. Having written and published a book He said he could only sleep for about three hours since he was not on pain medi- My story of writing shows that he is an incredibly resilient and He is ambitious, cations. it essentially became focused person, he said.something, it is all and when he commits to I would wake up at like four in the mornhe thinks about. ing and just have to write, Warden said. Id the theme, Warden Hudgins said that is why Warden turned have to put things on paper. said. One of my to writing and hence achieved a goal he has He said that was the process over the had. past few months as he wrote the epic poem darkest moments The car accident changed his life, he and he would barely sleep at night. became a life said. He worked so hard at training and From there it ballooned, he said, from developing himself as a lifter that after the something that was going to maybe be 20- achievement. accident he needed something else to focus 30 pages to a complete story that is 140 on. pages. DEREK WARDEN Warden said the accident changed his My story of writing it essentially became Senior political life, and he is not angry with the woman the theme, he added. One of my darkest science major who hit him. moments became a life achievement. The day I finished writing the poem is He said he did not expect it to be good, when I realized [I was not angry], he said. let alone good enough to publish. I wouldnt have been able to achieve one I was very nervous after I sent Dr. Ed Jacobs [the former dean of liberal arts] a copy of it to read, Warden said. of my lifes goals without it happening. When he emailed me back, I was anxious to open the reEmail comments to kjk016@latech.edu. sponse.

Sports Talk SEC foes tough on Dogs

TECH VS. SEC PER DECADE
W
A breakdown of the upcoming LA Tech vs. Texas A&M football game.

8 The T T ech alk October 11, 2012

L 1 10 14 6 0 1 0 6 4

T 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0

Win % PFPG 50.0 9.1 17.6 0.0 0.0 50.0 0.0 18.8 0.0 23.5 15.2 13.5 12.7 0.0 10.0 0.0 6.0 5.0
Source: mcubed.net
Graphic by Harold Foster

FROM THE SPORTS DESK

with DEREK J. AMAYA

BATTLE OF THE TURNOVER The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs have only lost four fumbles, and redshirt senior quarterback Colby Cameron has yet to throw an interception. Creating turnovers gives the potent offense a chance to get back on the field quickly. PLAY WELL ON ALL SIDES OF THE BALL Special teams play will be critical in this game. Both teams are top in the country for their special teams play. The game possibly could fall down on a last-second field goal. KEEP THE ENGINE RUNNING IN THE MIDDLE QUARTERS Texas A&M dominates in the second quarter, outscoring their opponents 9010. Tech also plays well in the middle of the game, but this is a step up in competition.

2010s 2000s 1990s 1980s 1970s 1960s 1950s 1940s 1930s

JOHN TABOR Sports Reporter
Throughout its history, Louisiana Tech has usually played second fiddle to the heavyweights of the Southeastern Conference. Whether a member of the Southland Conference, an independent or now, in their last year of membership in the Western Athletic Conference, the Bulldogs have waged a constant battle for respect against the bell cow of college football in the deep south. Next in line on the gridiron are the Aggies of Texas A&M University. The Aggies are currently in their inaugural season of the SEC. Techs 2012 season may be the one to dispel those notions thanks to the Bulldogs historical start of the season. Off to a 5-0 start for the first time since 1975, Tech is riding high with emotion. However, much to the chagrin of loyal Tech fans, the historical record against the SEC doesnt paint a pretty picture for the Dogs. Techs overall record against the SEC is 7-42-1. Pete Perot, longtime offensive line coach for the Bulldogs, said

1 1 3 0 0 1 0 1 0

This is OUR time!

PLAYERS TO WATCH
TEXAS A&M FRESHMAN QUARTERBACK JOHNNY MANZIEL

He dominates the moment he steps on the field. He accumulated 557 of their 716 total offensive yards aga i n s t Arkansas. He is a dual threat quarterback, allowJOHNNY ing him MANZIEL to stay in the TEXAS A&M pocket to throw the ball or rush for a big gain.
LOUISIANA TECH SENIOR WIDE RECEIVER QUINTON PATTON

the Dogs have struggled historically against the SEC. The records and stats dont lie, Perot said. Its obvious that weve had a tough time against the SEC. Of those 50 total games, 33 have been played since Tech entered competition as a Division 1-A member, now known as the Football Bowl Subdivision. Five of the seven total wins have also come during this 24-plus year stretch. Local sportswriter and guru of all things Tech football, Buddy Davis, talked about Techs occasional success against the SEC big boys. Techs biggest win against an SEC team was undoubtedly when the Tim Rattay-led Bulldogs upset Alabama at the Tides home field in 1999, Davis said. It was a huge shocker and the highlights of the radio broadcast are still played at Tech games on the Jumbotron. Ironically it was not Rattay who threw the last-second 28yard touchdown pass against Alabama. Backup quarterback Brian Stallworth came in to save the day because Rattay, a future NFL veteran, was on the sidelines at the time with an injury. Perot agreed that the upset

against the Crimson Tide was the greatest win for the Dogs versus the SEC. I think the win at Alabama had a huge impact for our program, Perot said. It helped push Tech in the right direction againt the big boys. While the overall historical landscape may look a bit bleak, in recent years Tech has fared much better against the Southeastern Conference. Since 2008, Tech is a very respectable 2-3 with only one of those defeats being decided by a double digit point spread. Included in this stretch was last years dominant 27-7 road victory at Ole Miss. Techs opponent this week, Texas A&M, defeated Ole Miss this past Saturday in a 30-27 nail biter. The SEC newcomer, along with Tech, just cracked the top 25 polls for the first time this season. Tech, however, will not be intimidated by the Aggies lofty ranking (22 in AP/21 in USA Today) or the looming battle against another SEC foe. Davis said he has a great premonition on how Tech will fare this coming Saturday. I picked Tech to beat A&M in the originally scheduled game, and I think theyll do it

this time, he said. I just feel that the Bulldogs have so much confidence and momentum going that its going to be tough for anybody to whip them. Davis added he expects the national pundits to take notice of Techs undeniable success so far this year. If Tech wins over the Aggies they will be in Top 25 the following day when USA Today coaches announce their national poll, he said. Then on Monday, theyll be in the Top 25 Associated Press. As most Bulldog supporters by now know, the national polls decided a week earlier that Tech is worthy of a Top 25 placement. The Dogs are currently ranked 23rd in the Associated Press poll and 24th in the USA Today/Coaches poll. The question looms, can Tech continue its recent run of success against SEC opponents or will they regress back to lackluster performances of years gone by against them? Saturdays battle with Texas A&M will certainly determine whether or not the Bulldogs remain in the national polls.

Email comments to jmt028@latech.edu.

Fighting for Independence

ALWAYNE GREEN Sports Reporter In 1925, Independence Stadium, once branded as the State Fair Stadium, was born in Shreveport. It opened its gates to become Louisiana Techs second home in 1928 when the Bulldogs lost to Union (Tenn.) 28-0. Not the best way to start a relationship, but it gave birth to a longstanding affair between Tech and Northwestern State. According to the 2012 Tech football media guide, since 1937, the teams have played each other at the venue 48 times with Tech having the upper hand, claiming a record of 33-12-2. Techs overall record at the stadium is 45-22-3. The Independence Stadium has a seating capacity of 50,459 and is home to the Independence Bowl every season. Tech has appeared in the bowl game on four occasions, winning over Louisville 24-14 in 1977, losing to East Carolina 35-13 in 1978, tying with Maryland 34-34 in 1990 and defeating Northern Illinois 17-10 in 2008. The relationship between Tech and Independence Stadium bared Tech two of its biggest crowd turnouts. In 1990, 48,325 people gathered to watch Tech draw with Maryland in the Independence Bowl. Also in 2003, 43,279 fans were on site as Tech lost to No. 2 Miami 48-9 in a regular season game. The Bulldogs have also faced other big name teams inside the stadium such as Baylor, North Texas, Oklahoma State, California, Houston and Texas A&M. Now another page in history will once be written inside Independence Stadium when the Tech Bulldogs seek a revengeful bite against the Texas A&M Aggies. However, history seems to favor the Aggies inside Independence Stadium, as the last time both teams faced each other the Bulldogs were defeated 37-17. Head coach Sonny Dykes said though their intention is to turn the tables against the Aggies, their main focus is to continue playing good football. Every year is a different year and a different team, he said. You cant draw much from the past, so what we have to do is focus on playing well Saturday and giving our best effort. Similar to Dykes, quarterback Colby Cameron said they have done a good job on focusing on this years team rather than past teams. Cameron added the team wants to do well and the mood heading into Sat-

Techs playmaker has had a great season thus far, but he must play at a 110 percent. This is an SEC defense, s o m e of the toughest QUINTON PATTON p l a y e r s LA TECH in the nation. He must have a perfect game for Tech to win.

Photo by Media Relations

PREDICTION:
Louisiana Tech 31 Texas A&M 28 Momentum is on the Bulldogs side. Every week they risk losing the chance to play in a BCS bowl. Even though the Dogs have had little competition, they have proven they can score a lot. It is their time to prove to everyone around the NCAA they are a new contender. A last minute field goal seems like the perfect ending for a chance to go perfect.

41,567 people attended Techs victory over Northern Illinois at the 2008 Advocare V100 Independence Bowl. urdays game is on point. gies at Independence Stadium Everyone is excited about works in the Bulldogs favor beit, he said. I think the commu- cause it will allow more Tech nity and the players have a lot of fans to attend the game. emotions going into the game Its certainly better than because its such a big one. playing at Kyle Field, their home Cameron said it was not an field, Dykes said. We feel like easy road to the teams recent in some ways its our home stasuccesses and it was important dium and playing in Shreveport everyone remember how hard is like playing at home for us. they worked to get there. CamWith a team ranked at No. eron said he had a good experi- 23, the Dogs will have a lot to ence when he played Grambling prove to their critics as well as at Independence Stadium in the the No. 22-ranked Aggies inside 2010s season opener. Independence Stadium this SatIt was a fun atmosphere to urday night. play in and there were a lot of fans, he said. Email comments to Dykes said playing the Ag- ahg007@latech.edu.

he Louisiana Tech Bulldogs called their final timeout with 2:02 left on the clock in the 2011 San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl. Texas Christian Universitys quarterback, Casey Pachall, then converted a third down, and the rest was history. Head coach Sonny Dykes and his Bulldogs almost pulled off the unthinkable but lost to TCU 31-24. Coaches, players and fans left with a bad taste in their mouth, but everyone in Ruston saw great things coming from the team for the 2012 season. However, the offseason was not kind to the Bulldog nation. In a series of unfortunate events, sophomore quarterback Nick Isham transferred, we learned the Western Athletic Conference would be no more and lost two beloved members of the Tech family running back Tyrone Duplessis and Tech XX. To top that off, after one minuscule upset pulled off by University of Louisiana-Monroe, suddenly the Warhawks became Americas team, according to some local analysts, which wreaked havoc amongst Bulldog fans. However, this column is not about the disappointing obstacles the team has faced, but about how they are overcoming these problems and doing so with a lot of heart. Offensively, we are arguably playing the best in the nation. Even though the Bulldogs have struggled defensively this season, fans must remember Techs avergage time of possession per game is 26:22. Fatigue sets in. Special teams have also proven themselves by senior kicker Matt Nelson coming in the clutch with field goals and Ray Guy Award winner, redshirt senior punter Ryan Allen, controlling field position. Attitude reflects leadership and the way the Dogs play on the field shows how much leadership we have on both sides of the ball. Redshirt senior quarterback Colby Camerons presence alone has been able to keep the team focused and ready to win. While the rest of the state cheers on powerhouse LSU, here in Ruston, we know who the true top-notch team in the state is and that team is the only undefeated team in Louisiana. Now we are ranked 23rd in the Associated Press Poll and we are starting to turn heads. There are people, who have never heard about us before, that are now talking about how well the Dogs are playing. Im sure we would like our leader of 25 years, President Dan Reneau, to end his career here with a Bulldog BCS bowl trophy, too. So I apologize to Texas A&M. Any other season, I would say your team could dominate our darling Dogs, but its not happening this year. This is our time. We are writing a message to our doubters and it reads, Bring it on!

Audibles in store for game festivities

REINA KEMPT Sports Editor Saturday will be one of the most anticipated games of the year for Louisiana Tech as it takes on Texas A&M at Independence Stadium. It has been a long wait for the Bulldogs and fans as they had to hold their horses to get ahold of the Aggies due to Hurricane Isaac when the game was initially scheduled. But now the day is near and kickoff will be at 8:15 p.m. Because of this, many activities will change. The night will no longer have the Pro Football Hall of Fame day. But there will be the Global Strike Command Day, which will honor various commanders of Barksdale Air Force Base as well as viewing a special pregame tribute video as part of the 60th anniversary of the B-52 aircraft. We will not get to see the historic B-52 plane fly over Independence Stadium due to the late night scheduling of the game. Things that will stay the same will be the Louisiana Tech Alumni Association and LTAC will be hosting a tailgate sponsored by Argent Financial Group in the Roundup Room located adjacent to the Hirsh Coliseum from 5-7:30 p.m. The cost for that tailgate will be $8 in advance and $12 at the door. RSVP for the tailgate at www.latechalumni.org/am12 or call the Marbury Alumni Center at 318-255-7950. Plenty of other Tech fans and supporters will be out on Independence territory tailgating as well. Also the Tech tradition of pregame skydivers will faithfully hit the turf 20 minutes prior to kickoff.

#RIPTD22 #RIPTechXX #WeAreLATech Derek is a junior journalism and marketing major from Metairie. Email comments to dja014@latech.edu.

UPCOMING ATHLETICS
BULLDOG FOOTBALL vs. Texas A&M - 10/13 8:15 p.m., Shreveport LADY TECHSTER VOLLEYBALL

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vs. Seattle University - 10/11 7 p.m. vs. Idaho - 10/12 7p.m.