You are on page 1of 4

Ill Find A Way Or Make One

The Panther
VOLUME 23 NUMBER 2
By Staci Harp Contributing Writer The CAU Marching Band is now able to finish their season off and it was just in time for homecoming. The band was placed under a temporary suspension due to the suspension of hazing going on within the band. On August 30, the university issued an official statement and published it on the school website as follows, Clark Atlanta University today suspended performances of its Mighty Marching Panthers Marching Band, effective immediately, in light of an allegation regarding the possibility of hazing within its ranks. While there is no immediate evidence of hazing or any other foul play, the University of its own volition chooses to take a thorough, comprehensive look into this serious matter. Hazing can be small scale or it could

October 15-October 26, 2012


the Mighty Marching Panthers Band. One could imagine with the band being placed under suspension so early in the season, the members and anyone affiliated with the band will be highly disappointed. However, no statements from the band members or director regarding the suspension were given at the time and the band director had no comments to give at the time either. Though he was not able to give any quotes regarding the official suspension of the band until after homecoming, Junior Drum Major, Terrance Heath says, I think I can speak on behalf of the whole band when I say the band is excited for the remainder of the season and homecoming and we really need the support from the school. The bands first official performance will be at the homecoming game versus Concordia College at CAU held Saturday October 13.

Band Suspension Lifted: Mighty Marching Panthers will march on!


cause a death. Colleges and Universitys must take this too common occasion very seriously so even the suspicion of it could result in serious consequences for the group under suspicion. That is what alledgedly happened to the Mighty Marching Panthers of CAU and it ultimately lead to them being suspended. However, the band is now able to finish off the season and show their school what they have to offer. On October 2, the office of institutional advancement and university relations released an official statement published on the CAU website as follows, After conducting a selfimposed, aggressive and thorough investigation, which began August 30 in response to an allegation regarding the possibility of hazing, Clark Atlanta University today announces that there was neither hazing nor any illegal activity as defined by Georgia Code 16-5-61. Therefore, the University today is lifting its suspension of

BET Black College Tour Returns


By Staci Harp Contributing Writer School is back in session! It is that time of year again for the annual BET College Tour, 2012 edition. The tour made a stop at Clark Atlanta University on Friday, September 28. The event was held in the presidents lot and was open to a series of contests in which CAU students had to sign up for in order participate. Students signed up for a freestyle rap battle which the winner received a $500 CitiTrends gift card. In addition, there was a sing-off and drop the beat contest. The main stage featured guest performers including HiRiz and Kayla Brianna. Kayla Brianna is an eighteen-year-old California native who has recently been signed to Interscope records. The young artist said this about her future, I am looking forward to releasing the album and touring with the fans. Apart from being an artist on the rise and having been on tour with Mindless Behavior, Miss Kayla Brianna finds the time to attend renowned UCLA twice a week. She is majoring in independent music business. With this major, she is learning the legal aspects of the music industry like touring and accounting. Kayla Briannas future is seemingly bright and CAU got the chance to witness the makings of a young artist on the rise. Aside from the performances, the tour was full of man opportunities. There was a two-on-two basketball contest, a three-point contest, and a dance off to Michael Jackson: The Experience. Students also took advantage of the booth that gave away free seat-filler tickets to the annual BET Hip-Hop Awards 2012 show at the Civic Center. I enjoy the celebrities that come and the sports division as well. You can win stuff and go on TV as well, said sophomore Carl Green prior to the event kicking off. Despite all the activities available however, some students did not enjoy the experience.

Interscope Recording artist Kayla Briana Freshman, Tiara DuBose says, The BET College Tour was nothing like what I expected. On TV, it seems like a big event filled with energy. In all actuality, it turned out to be a small event [and] was not that exciting at all. Ouch! Sorry Tiara, maybe theyll be able to impress you when they return next year!

2
Clark Atlanta University

What does it mean to be a well-dressed man?


By Aleisha Hull PR Manager Actor and former fashion model Boris Kodjoe believes that to be a well-dressed man one must define their brand and be comfortable with who they are and what they wear. Kodjoe and his clothing company World of Alfa partnered up with The WellDressed Man organization Friday on Morehouse campus for The Perfect Cut: A Custom Made Suit Experience, an event that focused on educating young men and woman on building their brand by looking the part in an affordable way. Branding yourself is a huge part of becoming successful and the message you want to portray while being yourself is one of great influence, Kodjoe said. The former fashion model spoke to students about how to build their brand by looking the part without breaking their pockets. In fact, Kodjoe along with his business partners, Patrick Kodjoe, his brother, and James Brown introduced students to their clothing company, World of Alfa, which offers affordable customtailored business attire. The Germany born actor was often times humorous while sharing advice and tips on branding and marketing themselves in a way that will prepare them for any job interview. Encouraging them to invest in good business attire, but more specifically invest in good business attire from World of Alfa. Every time you step out the door you want to be ready to meet the person that can change your life, the actor said. We (World of Alfa) wanted to find a way to make custom fit clothing that was affordable for everyone. Co-owner of the clothing company, James Brown, informed the students that there is always a way to find nice business attire on a budget. Dont let the financial piece get you out of a job where you can make more money, Brown said. The men presented a road map to the group of students that laid out the steps it takes to successfully build their brand. They made it clear that having a well taken care of appearance is the first step in the right direction. The World of Alfa owners wanted students to be

NEWS

The Panther October 15-October 26, 2012

AUC, get ready for the biggest water ballon fight ever!
By Sequenza Williams News Editor As the fall is slowly making its way into the atmosphere, Richard Scooter Taylor and Jarrad Mandeville-Lawson are already preparing for the next opportunity for warm weather. Last April, the Morehouse College students began planning the introduction of Water Wars Atlanta, a water fight designed as a charity event to raise money for various African countries that are unable to access water. After random web browsing, Taylor and Lawson came upon a YouTube video of the record holding University of Kentucky Water Wars water fight. Last April, the dynamic duo along with another 11, 622 attendees made their way to the University of Kentucky for the Water Wars. Richard Taylor expressed his eager goal after attending the event, I felt like we could do this in Atlanta. Taylor and Lawson began to build a team that would turn their dreams into a reality with assistance from the Morehouse College PreAlumni Association advisor, Mr. Phillips as well as the creator of the WaterWarsATL brand and logo, Donovan Whitaker, a sophomore Marketing major at Morehouse College. As they continue to expand their network, WaterWarsATL will begin to be the main topic at all Atlanta colleges and universities such

Actor Boris Kodjoe aware that opportunities can be presented at any time and they should always be ready. Patrick Kodjoe told students, You have a choice to put you best foot forward and you have a choice to be ready to meet someone that may change the rest of your life. The World of Alfa clothing company chose to partner up with the Well-Dressed Man because of similar purposes and goals set by both organizations. Just like the Well-Dressed Man program we seek to provide the necessary tools needed to be successful, Kodjoe said. The Perfect Cut: A Custom Made Suit Experience is the third event held by the Well-Dressed Man organization as a part of their annual Well-Dressed Man initiative. The program focuses on educating students in Atlanta and connects them with resources that could lead them down a path of success.

...a water fight designed as a charity event to raise money for various African countries that are unable to access water.
as Georgia Technical Institute, Agnes Scott College, Emory University, Georgia State University, Spelman College, Morehouse College and of course Clark Atlanta University. WaterWarsATL hopes to take action to the water crisis in various African countries such as Uganda and Sudan to raise over $50,000 for The Water Project Inc., an organization that specializes in building wells, which bring clean water to these countries. Taylor and Lawson are currently reaching out to various sponsors, alumni and are accepting any donations to finance the upcoming WaterWarsATL. Next semester the registration for WaterWarsAtl will begin. Each month the CEOs plan on unleashing more information about the event to keep their audience alert and fired up for the biggest water fight in history. I want this to be the biggest thing happening in Atlanta on that day, Taylor said. The official WaterWarsATL website launched Oct. 11, followed by an event on October 18th at Morehouse College in Sale Hall for all interests. All student organization representatives were invited.

Clark Atlanta University

NEWS

3
The Panther October 15-October 26, 2012

Taste of Atlanta still offering Atlanta Patrons a deluctable experience


By Sequoyah Armour Managing Editor Even with over 10 years under their belt, Taste of Atlanta brings new food junkies every time. Taste of Atlanta is the premiere place for anyone who enjoys food from all walks of Atlanta. This years food festival was located at Tech Square in Midtown, packed with food from over 80 restaurants. Patrons had three days to enjoy the festivities that ranged from hands-on cooking classes to listening to a live band. I have to say that even though Ive only been here for about 30 minutes, Ill be back next year. This food is amazing, Atlanta resident Amanda Andrews said. Food stations served hundreds of food samples and wine during Fridays premiere night The Big Grill. The stations included a poster with the chefs name and restaurant, menus and a description of the samples of food. Some of the premier restaurants included Chef Jay Swifts 4th and Swift located on North Avenue that served BBQ Beef Short Ribs. Chef Ron Eyesters restaurant Rosebud featured Pickled Springer and Mountain Drumsticks that sent one Atlanta native to a cup of water. That chicken was sort of spicy but it was really good, Jessica said. Its not something I would normally order at a restaurant. Food tasters were given a purple ticket that was used to determine which station they enjoyed the best. $35 general admission tickets barely made a dent in some peoples wallet, but for others the $75 VIP ticket dug a hole. The VIP ticket afforded them with the opportunity to participate in wine and beer tasting. The ultimate reason for Chelsea to attend was to see what

Vendor at Taste of Atlanta good eats Atlanta had to offer. Im a foodie so any time I can eat a nice meal for a nice price Im all for it. I like that I can sort of taste this food for free before I even step foot in their restaurant. Taste of Atlanta gives Atlantas restaurants a spotlight and just the right amount of traffic they need to keep people talking.

Clark Atlanta University Takes 2nd Place in Prestigious NBMBAA Case Competition
By Donna Brock Lets give the students in the Clark Atlanta University School of Business a hand! During the 2012 National Black MBA Association Conference, a team of 2nd year students in the business school placed second in the national case competition. The team consisted of Jerel Butler, Francisco Fernandez, and Amanda McCroskey. See below for a picture of the winning team. Every year the Chrysler Corporation sponsors a national case team competition at the NBMBAA Conference. More than 30 schools from around the country compete in this competition for more than $50,000 in award money. While the CAU is a regular participant in the competition, this is the first time a CAU team has placed among the top three teams. The CAU team won its bracket on Thursday, September 28th to advance to the finals on Friday, September 29th. The six schools in the final round included Bentley University (MA), Clark Atlanta University (GA), Florida A&M University (FL), Howard University (D.C.), Rollins College (FL), and University of Southern California (CA). The CAU team placed 2nd behind University of Southern California. This is a wonderful achievement for these students. Congratulations!!

Kevin McCall stops by CAU and talks music and politics


By Chivone Smith Editor in Chief Up and coming artist Kevin McCall stopped by Clark Atlanta University and gave his thoughts on college, politics and the music industry. Many people may be familiar with the young rapper from a collabo he did with singer Chris Brown back in 2010 called Deuces. Since then, the young rapper has gone on to write songs for various artist such as Keri Hilson, Kelly Rowland, Tank and many more. Perhaps it was his college experience that taught him the skills he needed to work with different types of people. A member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, McCall graduated from Washington State University. He said it was there that he learned how to adapt to different people. I made friends with people from all over the place, McCall said. I think that helped me once I was removed from college because now Im in the business world of music and entertainment which is ran by all kinds of people and I know how to function with them andbe a

Rapper/Songwriter Kevin McCall chameleon to that. Not long after college, McCall turned down a deal with an NFL team to pursue music. While he claimed that he would be a football player if he wasnt doing music, he realized that the position he would have been playing

for wouldnt have guaranteed him a time to play. I play running back and their longevity is only 3 years average. So ill probably be figuring out life right now, McCall jokingly said. Ultimately, McCall just wants to become a household name. He said that a mans work is never done and that he hopes to become a man of many hats. He mentioned that he wants to win Oscars and Grammys all at the same time. He also mentioned modeling, which should be fairly easy for him since his looks give you Tyson Beckford. Hes also been working with many artists and is currently in the studio Gucci Man along with a few music producers and will soon be releasing some new tracks. In light of the upcoming elections, and while hinting who has his vote, McCall encouraged students to make their voices be heard. He said, I believe the person in charge right now is [trying to] do the best he could do with what he has and I support that.

4
Clark Atlanta University

Voter ID Laws
By Adam Vann Contributing Writer Are voter ID laws going to keep the Democratic Party from winning this years upcoming Presidential Election? Over 30 states in America are enforcing voter ID laws. These laws are meant to prevent voter ID fraud, but history shows that in-person voting fraud rarely happens in America. These voter ID laws are better known as voter suppression. This idea is brought up

by the Republican Party. The tactics used in voter suppression requires people to show certain forms of identification that many people dont have. The good news is that Americans are aware of the procedures that are trying to keep them from voting. U.S. citizens are standing up and trying to do what is necessary to obtain a valid ID regardless of the difficult and unfair methods used to keep them from voting. While Americans stay encouraged to vote, voters suppression is keeping a lot of people from exercising their right to vote. The voter ID laws require people to present a valid ID. Among seniors and young voters, 18 percent

EDITORIAL

The Panther October 15-October 26, 2012

do not have a valid ID. 25 percent of African-Americans do not have a valid ID either. While Republicans are saying that its just a way to prevent voter fraud, it mainly targets democrats. The young voters, seniors and African-Americans are the main people that represent Democratic Party. Based on these facts, the only suggestion is to do whatever is necessary to make your vote count and your voice heard. Speak up about voter suppression! Most importantly, try the very best to obtain a valid ID, regardless of how hard it is to do so. Lastly, bring every form of identification to the polls to ensure a fair election.

The Panther

Chivone Smith Editor in Chief Sequoyah Armour Managing Editor Sequenza Williams News Editor Demeshia Jackson A&E Editor Rashida Dotson Photographer Demitria Sanders Copy Editor Nia Testamark Kinyonna Anthony Staff Writers James D. McJunkins Sr. Faculty Adviser

Soda ban in New York a Waste of Energy?


By Erika Benton-Martin Contributing Writer Will the nations most populated city lead the country to healthier consumer habits? Recently, New York Citys Board of Health passed a rule banning sales of large sodas and other sugary drinks at restaurants, concession stands and other eateries. The regulation was proposed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg in an attempt to tackle the nations growing obesity problem. The regulation puts a 16-ounce size limit on cups and bottles of non-diet soda, sweetened teas and energy drinks. The ultimate goal of this ban is to decrease the obesity level in the city. Consumers will hopefully be encouraged to take on healthier habits. The ban also highlights the fact that obesity is a growing problem in America that can no longer be ignored. Many of those immediately affected by the ban feel like it is an intrusion into their lives, restricting things they can consume. The restaurant and beverage industries believe that the ban will have a negative impact on their businesses. Although sugary drinks do contribute to weight gain, so do fattening foods and lack of exercise, but the ban does not mention these things. If people want soda, they will find a way to get it. Obesity is on the rise, but solely limiting access to sugary drinks will not stop it. This ban could easily be replaced with a Surgeon General warning label.

Spiritual Enrollment
The other day I visited a local coffee shop. Upon entering I heard chatter, but the attendant and I were the only two in shop. I sat down brushing it off until I heard it again. I scanned the room in suspicion until my eyes fell to the table in front of me. To my amazement, I witnessed the fork and spoon teasing the saucer! The spoon taunted as the fork barked on in laughter. Look at the saucer, all its good for is sitting beneath the tea cup. The fork can pick up, I can scoop up and the cup can hold the hottest of tea. Everyone here serves a purpose in every meal; except you! The saucer began to get frustrated, turning red with embarrassment, until I started to pour the tea. t that moment the fork stared in envy as the spoon closed her eyes in jealousy, because after I stirred the tea, I put the spoon down and after I finished my meal, I placed the fork in the tray, but when I finished the tea, we all witnessed that the saucer was filled with the overflow of what the tea cup couldnt handle. As I walked away, the only one left holding something was the saucer. I used to RUN from mentorship! I thought too highly of myself to think I would ever need someone to stand above me. But one day I realized how much one can receive, and how long one can hold on to it, if we would just position ourselves under someone whose cup is running over. Success in life is never by happenstance or coincidence, but when you humble yourself through the scrutiny of others and the pressure of the cup thats over you, soon you will reap the overflow of what the great people in your life have to offer. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Psalms 23:5 NIV -Tyler Joshua Green

he Panther is published by students at Clark Atlanta University. The opinions expressed in The Panther reflect only the positions of the student writers and editorial staff and not the ideas or opinions of the University or its governing board. The Panther has both the right and responsibility to report news of student interest from on and off campus, to editorialize on matters of student concern and to provide a forum for the free expression of opinion and exchange ideas in the community. Reprints by permission of the editor and adviser. All rights reserved.

Want to be a Part of an Award-Winning Organization?


The Panther newspaper is looking for a team of writers, proofreaders and layout & design staffers. If you dont have the skills, we will train you. We meet Thursdays at 5 p.m. in room G30 in the Mass Medai Arts Center located on the lower level of the Robert Woodruff Library. E-mail: caunews05@yahoo.com

You might also like