Feb. 29 - March 6, 2012

Journal

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Refund, please Webster looks for new inancial aid disbursement.

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The News Source for Webster University Volume 65 • Issue 21

Feb. 29 - March 6, 2012 www.websterjournal.com

Master Plan may not include Pearson House Eforts on campus begin to preserve one of Webster’s oldest buildings

BY ALEX BRANDT News Editor

Steve Baer said the breeze lowing into the small, quaint rooms in the Pearson House was nearly all it took for him to change his major. He said the architecture of the old mansion and the faculty there drew him to Pearson, where he would stay for the remainder of his college career. “hat place kind of made me who I am today,” Baer said.

Starting out at Webster as a ilm production major, Baer said taking a science iction course in Pearson helped him make the decision to change his major to English and creative writing.

However, Baer is now worried the house that holds so many of his college memories will eventually disappear. Demolishing Pearson is one of the proposals Sasaki & Associates made to faculty and residents Feb. 21. Sasaski & Associates is the irm Webster hired to help create the master plan.

During construction of the master plan, tearing down Pearson (which hosts the English and philosophy departments) was one of the options the irm presented to make space for other buildings.

Students like Baer hope the administration will not consider that option.

“I think Webster will be losing a good amount of history,” Baer said. “It’s just such a great structure and to build something brand new would be great.

I’m not opposed to change, but I think building a brand new building and then letting that classic structure kind of go to waste

Pearson House is not historic, says local building commissioner

Key 1. Student Center 2. Interdisciplinary Sciences 3. Housing 4. Housing

o

IMAGE ADAPTED FROM SASAKI & ASSOCIATES

The proposed plan for an Interdisciplinary Sciences building will house the English, philosophy and other departments if constructed. The building would replace the Pearson House. This image was taken from the Sasaki & Associates presentation on Feb. 21. Sasaki & Associates has proposed two options for the master plan and both include constructing an Interdisciplinary Sciences building.

would mean losing a lot of tradition.”

Karla Armbruster, an English professor, said she believes demolishing Pearson could have Students express their concerns dire consequences on the English about the future of the Pearson department’s enrollment.

“I think it will destroy our House on Page 4. program in the English depart-

ment,” Armbruster said. “he students that we get are the kind of people who want a small and homey environment where they are interacting with faculty, and other students.”

Armbruster said Sasaki & Associates didn’t give her any reason to believe they can recreate the

ambiance Pearson has. “he Sasaki irm said, ‘Oh, you can recreate that environment in a 90,000 square foot building,’ but they did not give me any evidence to prove that, or any samples of places that can happen,” Armbruster said. “I have a pretty big imagination, but I can’t

imagine how you could do that.”

Armbruster said many of her students transferred to Webster from large schools because they did not feel like they it in, in such large environments. She said she See Pearson House

Although Webster Groves has many historic landmarks similar to the age and design of the Pearson House the building is not considered historic, according to Mike Harney, building commissioner for Webster Groves.

Harney said there is a list of criteria that is used by the historic preservation commission in making a determination for a historical landmark. A structure can also be nominated for consideration to be noted as a historical landmark.

Harney said there are several ways this can be done. If it’s a landmark in and of itself, it has to have historic value relative to the community, state or the nation. It could also be relative to the construction.

A structure may also be legally protected if it is considered to be in a historical district, Harney said. A historical district includes what is called contributing homes and noncontributing homes.

Contributing homes have historic value because of either who lived there or mostly because of their construction type that makes the area historic.

Harney said non-contributing homes are homes that just happen to be in the mix.

— Reporting by Alex Brandt

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PARTY LIKE RIO

Redesigning Webster.edu Webster University’s Global Marketing team moves toward a more eicient Webster website said the main goal of the site should be to enhance the reputation of the university, as well as inhe process of recreating the creasing functionality for its users.

Webster University website is un“We want to make it as easy derway. In a discussion in Sunnen as possible for someone who’s exLounge, Monday, Feb. 27, Patrick cited about being here or excited Powers presented the phase one about coming here to share that goals and ideas for the information with changes to be made. all of their friends,” Ater his presenPowers said. “My tation, the loor was goal is to make this opened up for faculty as easy as Facebook.” and staf to ask queshe other objections and raise contives are: cerns. he event was — Position also streamed live to all Webster as a premier Webster campuses.

U.S. based university, Powers said the setting the standard look and feel of the site for global education. will be determined pri— Enhance the marily by the Global digital experience for and Marketing Com- PATRICK POWERS all audiences. munications team, but — Balance confeedback from those who will be trol and consistency within the using it is imperative.

Webster brand. “his site is only going to be — Make it easy for audiences as good as the input of our com- to ind information. munity,” Powers said.

Powers also said the website Powers, director of digital should be usable in all formats of marketing and communications, viewing and proofed for the future

BY HALEY LUKE Staf Writer

JOHN HAMS /he Journal

UPFRONT

Carnaval dancer Eliana Aparecida de Olivieira moves to the Brazilian beats in attempts to get the festival-goers of their feet and onto the dance loor at the Latin America Students Association’s Brazilian Carnaval on Feb. 23. Turn to Page 6 for the full story.

Tweeting #duringlectures

5

Copy editor Megan Favignano voices her opinion on manners and technology.

of technology. hat means it will be updated for mobile and tablet formats, and continue to grow with technology.

Jennifer Stewart, assistant director of the UC, raised the idea of adding more interactive media elements to the website, such as virtual campus tours, in addition to the interactive map the current website has.

A couple of attendees brought up questions regarding the extent of customization each department will have to their page.

Powers said each page on the site will have a template, but departments will have some room to make their page targeted to their speciic audience, be it dance programs or student afairs.

Concerns on who the main audience would be were brought up, as well.

Powers mentioned that for the irst time, user-centered research was conducted to see how users navigate. Students were asked to complete tasks using the See Webster’s website

Brotherly Love

Webster’s Idol

6

Former Webster University Conservatory student earns a spot in American Idol’s top 24.

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8

Former Webster tennis player Zack Papes coaches younger brother Josh (pictured) and the rest of the Gorloks.

Feb. 29 - March 6, 2012 • The Journal

NEWS BRIEFS Webster WordPress sites shut down On Saturday, Feb. 25, the Information Technology (IT) department turned of the Webster blogs server when a harmful, malicious sotware compromised the server. here is no identiication of the exact nature or origin of the compromise.

Susan Kerth, media relations specialist, said IT was working on the problem to make the server more secure before bringing it back online. he blogs server hosts web sites for academic and non-academic (student organizations) groups within the university. It also hosts the Webster Today blog. he main university website and other main communications were not afected, since they work of a diferent server.

Patrick Powers, director of digital marketing and communications, said he was working with the blogs server when it went down. He later contacted IT to help ix the problem.

He said he continued to send out the Daily Digest email to subscribers without any diiculty. he compromised server was back online by Monday night.

Webster announces new staf hires Webster Today announced the addition of seven new members to the Webster staf. he seven new employees all replaced former employees in positions across the country.

–Susan Boies has replaced Michele Warren as department assistant in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. –Lori Corzine is the new department associate for Electronic & Photographic Media, replacing Judi Smith.

–Michael Fallon joined the Ocala Metropolitan Campus in Florida as the new community relations coordinator, replacing Amanda Cebula.

–Melanie Hamm has replaced Robert Bivings as assistant director at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. –Elizabeth Hopkins is now the assistant director at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. Hopkins replaced Janie Jackson.

—Jennie Lucier has replaced Katherine Erickson as community relations coordinator at the Tampa Metropolitan Campus in Florida.

—Finally, Stacey Tunn has replaced Abby Klobe in Admissions as department associate.

MISDEMEANORS AND MISHAPS Feb. 22 Maria Hall No time given A smell was reported to be coming from a study room. No one was found in the room.

Feb. 22 No address given No time given A non-student was issued a trespass warning.

Feb. 23 8282 Big Bend No time given A laptop taken without consent from a locked area.

Feb. 23 175 Edgar Rd. 5:42 a.m.

A student was harassing a non-student. The nonstudent was issued a trespass warning.

Feb. 23 240 Edgar Rd. No time given A student became ill; was transported to a medical facility.

www.websterjournal.com • Page 2

NEWS

Pearson

Students strive to preserve the Pearson House FROM PAGE 1

BRITTANY RUESS / he Journal James Crews, Webster alumnus, read poetry from his recently published book Feb. 28 in the Pearson House.. He said he would be devastated if the Pearson House would be demolished.

Webster seeks new vendor for students to receive aid, loans

BY BRIANA BAKER Staf Writer

Ater a student applies for inancial aid, they receive a letter in the mail regarding their diferent options for disbursement of Pell grants and student loans. his letter explains three options: a paper check, an Automated Clearing House (ACH) deposit into a preferred bank account or the Webster University credit/debit card. However, the letter isn’t sent from Webster — it is mailed from Higher One. Higher One is a third party company employed by Webster as a inancial aid and student loan disbursement mechanism. According to Greg Gunderson, vice president and chief inancial oicer, Higher One was the irst company to provide this service for Webster. he university has used the company for at least three years, but is now considering hiring a new vendor. he contract between Higher One and Webster expires this year, and the inance department will begin their request for proposal (RFP) to search for a new provider. he RFP is an invitation sent to diferent vendors for them to begin the bidding process. his process includes sending proposal of services. he RFP ends in 12 months, so companies could begin the bidding process soon. Gunderson said that although Webster is pleased with the services of Higher One, they want a vendor less concerned with ACH and debit/credit card accounts.

Instead, Gunderson and the inance department are more interested in a inancial institution and not just a disbursement service.

“I like the fact that banks bring a broader perspective,” Gunderson said.

Gunderson said he’s not sure if a new provider will increase the speed at which funds are available to students, but that banks are able to provide all three disbursement options Higher One currently ofers.

If the university decides to employ a inancial institution to handle inancial aid and loan disbursement, students will not be signiicantly affected. According to Gunderson, the university is interested in doing a full conversion with a new vendor. his means that both current and new students will be converted to new accounts with a new vendor. If this happens, a letter will be sent to current students asking if they would like to continue with their current preference (ACH, check or card).

Once that is done, the new vendor and inance department will take that preference and switch it to the student’s new account. Students with a Webster debit card will be sent a new Visa or Mastercard, depending on which the new vendor provides. he new debit card will look like a student ID card with a photo on one side and an account number on the other. Students will have the option of turning the debit/credit card on or of.

Gunderson said students shouldn’t have any issues with the process of switching to a new vendor.

“Whatever we do, we want for students to ultimately think we have made the better decision, if not the best decision,” Gunderson said. he inance department is interested in providing students with a customer service experience that Higher One couldn’t ofer. Banks are interested in this decision because

they want to form a relationship with students in hopes of making them lifetime customers. he university paid Higher One for completing students’ paperwork and sending out checks. Under the original contract, Webster receives a rebate based on students’ volume of usage, but Gunderson said the rebate doesn’t come close to the amount the institution pays. Last year the university received under $14,000 from Higher One. No special payments are made to Higher One based upon the student’s usage.

Ater a student has been awarded inancial aid, Higher One contacts the student via email then mails them a letter with details of the three refund preferences. Due to the university objective, as well as Higher One, funds are disbursed faster than the federal law requires. Students can have funds available to them within 5-7 business days by paper check or within 2-3 business days if they decide to have an ACH transfer to another bank account.

To have refunds available on the same day Webster releases them, students can register for the Easy Refund, which puts the money on their Webster debit card. Student loans may take longer for the student to receive because they are third party loans from banks, not the federal government. Paper checks take longer to process because they must have signatures from both the university and the student. he funds are then deposited into the school’s bank account and, after they are cleared, deposited in the student’s Higher One account.

Students are not contacted by inancial advisors with any information on the disbursement options. Amanda Swearingen, freshman acting major, decided to use the Webster debit card because she didn’t have any other credit or debit cards. Although she hasn’t spoken with a inancial advisor, she said she felt the fees were carefully explained in the pamphlet the card was sent with.

Clare Bowen, freshman sociology and women’s studies major, received her card but isn’t sure if it’s active. Bowen said she hasn’t done anything with her refund and hasn’t spoken with any inancial advisors about her disbursement process or options.

Although Webster inancial advisors may not be active in explaining disbursement options, the new vendor will offer many diferent outlets and customer services. Most banks are interested in opening a branch on campus or sending representatives to the university so students can speak with a person face-to-face to inquire about their account.

Some banks also have mobile apps available on Android and iPhones for students to access their account information on the go.

A new vendor could also allow students to transfer funds to and from any other account, whereas Higher One only allows this transaction to be made with other Higher One

accounts.

Gunderson is unsure when the university will switch to a new vendor. He said if the RFP is sent now, it could possibly take a year. he estimated time frame includes suicient time to choose the best vendor and train all representatives.

Contact the writer: wujournal@gmail.com

did not feel like they it in, in such large environments. She said she does not know what will attract students to Webster if the Pearson House is torn down.

“It’s what makes us different from other schools,” Armbruster said. “If we become like other schools, (certain) students won’t have any reason to choose us. I don’t know what will make us stand out. I don’t know how Webster will beneit from big, anonymous buildings. Students come to Webster because we are not like that.”

However, Bill Barrett, a member of the master plan faculty committee, said massive plans like these oten take time to complete, and are oten changed.

“Plans like these are always being tweaked,” Barrett said. “No one’s going to be at Pearson with a wrecking ball tomorrow.”

He said he is certain administration will be open to those concerned.

Another concern if Pearson is to be demolished is that the new building would host not only the philosophy and English departments, but other interdisciplinary studies as well.

Baer, who minored in philosophy, said he supports students of mixed majors and academic backgrounds socializing, but he found value in the philosophy and English departments staying together in one building.

“Something about the Pearson house that was so cool was that you had a limited array of majors,” Baer said. “he space that (Pearson) created for people to communicate with each other and to interact with one another is where people could socialize, but then you also had some private places, as well.”

Baer said some people don’t understand why he is upset about Pearson potentially being torn down, since he is no longer a student. He said he wants others to have similar experiences he had while still a student, which has led to his concern for the building.

“I really believe if it wasn’t for the allure of that place and the draw, and uniqueness of it, I wouldn’t have been in the English department; I wouldn’t have gotten into philosophy at all,” Baer said.

Baer said he trusts that Webster administration will listen to faculty and students who wish to keep Pearson the way it is. He said when he was a student, Webster was sensitive to others’ opinions.

He said when the university initiated the master plan in 2011, there was a space on the master plan website asking for suggestions and comments — something Baer appreciated.

“I’d like to see a plan that takes into account the opinions of the English and philosophy departments, and people who like Pearson, and just be open to that,” Baer said.

Baer and other members of the Webster community have made an efort to have their concerns addressed.

On Feb. 22, a Facebook page online was made called Save Pearson House, which had more than 120 likes at the time of this publication.

“You’d be losing a great, unique space that you really can’t get back with a new structure,” Baer said. “here’s just a certain charm about those old structures; it’s irreplaceable.”

Contact the writer: wujournal@gmail.com

NEWS

Page 3 • www.websterjournal.com

Feb. 29 - March 6, 2012 • The Journal

Faculty pursues equity survey to ensure fair pay Faculty senate works with provost to produce a salary equity analysis for faculty

BY JULIA GABBERT Staf Writer

he Faculty Senate is working with Provost and Senior Vice President Julian Schuster to work out details on a proposed salary equity analysis for Webster University faculty members. he equity study was irst proposed in a Faculty Senate meeting in November and then again this month. he Faculty Senate is now working with Schuster to deine the word “equity” in order to determine the parameters of the study. “he goal is always to help Webster,” Faculty Senate President Ralph Olliges said. “We’re going to strive for fairness.”

Olliges said the conlict on the deinition of equity centers around deciding if the term exclusively includes gender equity, or other types of salary equity. he proGraphic by Victoria Courtney posed study was already Information provided by the United States Department of Labor sent to Schuster once and returned to clarify the deisume,” there are gender equity He said the deinition of nition. Olliges said the study will move forward when termi- issues at Webster, but no one can equity will be a major topic of know for sure until a more in- discussion at the Faculty Senate nology can be agreed upon. meeting hursday, March 1.

In a diferent proposition depth study is done. “here’s always a need for Olliges said the Faculty Senfrom March k n o w l e d g e ,” ate and the provost are, “commit2010, the M a c C a r t n e y ted to working together.” women’s stud“here’s always a need for said. “Even if MacCartney said whatever ies department the answer to the outcome of the future study, knowledge. Even if the ansought a study the question she feels conident the administhat would swer to the question is that is that every- tration will deal with the results evaluate items everything is ine... thing is ine, appropriately. including salary Danielle MacCartney there’s always a “My experience with the curdistributions by head of Women’s Studies need to ask the rent administration is that they’re sex, race, rank, question. We very responsive and very keen to years of service, shouldn’t be make sure that Webster is putting discipline, deafraid of the truth.” its best foot forward,” MacCartpartment and school/college.

Olliges could not yet com- ney said. “I believe that if a study Danielle MacCartney, head of women’s studies, requested ment on what the equity study found any kind of inequity, that representation by the women’s would entail, but said Faculty the administration would work studies department in the current Senate would not be working to quickly to address it.” equity analysis proposal, but has make the study happen if there was not a need for it on campus. not yet received a response.

MacCartney said, based on Olliges said he hopes the study labor market research she has will be worked out and conductContact the writer: seen, it would be, “easy to as- ed before the end of the year. wujournal@gmail.com

The Blues Go Marching In

GAIL WHITEHEAD / he Journal

Webster University President Elizabeth Stoble speaks with Student Government Association comptroller Kris Parsons ater the Delegates’ Agenda on hursday, Feb. 23, in Sunnen Lounge.

Five campus issues presented before administration at Delegates’ Agenda

BY STEPHANIE LEFLER Staf Writer

As Katie Maxwell, began her presentation in Sunnen Lounge at the Delegates’ Agenda on hursday, Feb. 23, her partner, Michael Grosch, soon interrupted her. He rushed up to the front of the room apologizing for his tardiness. he audience turned to look at Grosch and they smiled, laughing as he walked by. He had a broomstick sticking out of the back of his pants.

Maxwell asked where Grosch had been. He tried to explain the Quidditch club’s emergency of trying to ind a place to store their equipment.

“Uh…Michael,” Maxwell said as she pulled the broomstick out of Grosch’s pants.

Grosch then handed the broomstick to President Elizabeth Stroble. She kindly accepted as the crowd let out a laugh.

Maxwell, sophomore sociology and math major, and Student Government Association (SGA) secretary, and Grosch, sophomore international relations and speech communications major, and SGA vice president, were advocating for more space on campus for student organizations to store their supplies purchased from SGA funds.

Maxwell said there is currently only one drawer in the SGA oice for more than 60 organizations to

keep purchased items. Students cannot hold budgeted supplies from SGA funds in personal spaces. he lack of space means SGA has to turn down certain organizations’ purchase proposals.

“Being the SGA comptroller, I’m the person who has to tell these student organizations, ‘No you can’t buy this TV, you still have to use your own personal TV and lug it from your apartment to the library to use for your club,’” senior Kris Parsons said. “hat’s not good for anyone and we are holding these student organizations back.”

Maxwell and Grosch said the lack of space means organizations have limited access to their supplies. Restrictions on funds from SGA on which organizations can purchase and unsustainable purchasing when items are lost over time, are also problems.

Justin Barton, retention initiatives program coordinator, said his oice is located in the SGA oice, which is usually crammed witn supplies from diferent organizations.

“From a staing perspective and an adviser perspective, having additional room and storage would help,” Barton said. “Sometimes I have to move hula hoops of my chair so a student can come have a meeting with me.” he presenters suggested padlocked boxes for organizations to use in a storage room on campus close to the University Center.

Maxwell said some of the possible locations for the storage space could be the Kirk House, the Carriage House, the basement of the Pearson House or the Garden Park Plaza Parking Garage basement.

“All the items on the Delegates’ Agenda, how we see them, are goals, goals in process,” Provost and Senior Vice President Julian Schuster said. “Successes happen when we ask the right question and then when we work together in order to provide the right answers.”

Students presented four other proposals at the Delegates’ Agenda. he proposals were to upgrade academic facilities, improve the identiication card system, have more student accessibility to the Wellness Committee and create additional scholarships for international students.

Students, staf and faculty will gather for the Administrative Response on hursday, March 22, to see what possible solutions university administration has come up with to solve these campus issues

Contact the writer: wujournal@gmail.com

Website Webster to redesign university website FROM PAGE 1

website in its current format.

A caller from the Albuquerque campus was concerned the site would be directed, generally, toward undergraduate students and not for graduate programs. Powers said the focus of the site, just like the institution, will put all students irst.

Ater a message from Geneva came through asking if the new site would afect any of the international campuses’ domains, Powers said that in the initial phase, international campuses will keep their sites.

Contact the writer: wujournal@gmail.com

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4

Opinions

The Journal Feb. 29-March 6, 2012

Modern day manners: mobile etiquette Technology creates an excuse to be rude When my sister says, “Say, ‘Hi,’ to Siri,” my 16-month-old niece walks across the room, grabs my sister’s iPhone and sits down. She knows what button to push to make Siri talk (although Siri never understands my niece’s baby talk).

Technology is being integrated into our lives from a very young age, but technology etiquette isn’t necessarily being considered.

An Intel State of Mobile Etiquette survey from 2011 found that half of children between 8-12 years old have two or more mobile devices.

While I don’t think it’s necessary for someone age 8-12 to have a cell phone, I also think this is a missed learning opportunity. I worry that parents are not teaching their children proper etiquette MEGAN when it comes to technology. As an aunt, I think FAVIGNANO about this oten.

We are role models for the children in the world today. If we don’t use the manners we learned as children, I think the world would become a very rude place. I’m no exception.

Until about three months ago, I had a semi-fancy, Internet-capable phone. I checked my email and Facebook constantly. If I was waiting in line for cofee or walking to class, my cell phone was in hand. My semifancy phone’s touch screen broke and, being the poor college student that I am, I couldn’t aford to ix it. I went back to my old, non-Internet accessible phone in November.

Just as in “Flowers for Algernon,” in which the main character’s intelligence was temporarily increased, having a fancy phone meant my technology usage was temporarily increased. I had only had an Inter-

ners weren’t the best. he Intel survey also found that 75 percent of U.S. adults believe “mobile manners” have become worse (compared to Intel’s 2009 survey).

As a journalist, I understand the importance of technology and social media. As a human, I enjoy technology and social media. However, as a journalist and human, I also appreciate good manners.

I attended a lecture at a journalism conference recently. At the beginning of her talk, the speaker, an employee of WCCO-TV in Minnesota, encouraged everyone to tweet about her talk. She said she knows the audience can multi-task and use their smart phones while also absorbing the information she has to share. Ater hearing that, my irst thought was, “Playing on your phone while someone is giving a speech? hat’s rude.”

As technology continues to advance, we should keep in mind what manners we already know. I learned to pay attention when someone is speaking in kindergarten. hat concept shouldn’t change because I have a smartphone in my hand.

Smartphones can be an extremely useful tool, but can also be overused. Next time you get your phone out, take a second to examine your surroundings and determine if this is the best time.

ILLUSTRATION BY VICTORIA COURTNEY

Megan Favignano is a sophomore journalism major and copy editor for The Journal.

net-capable phone for a year before losing it. When I irst got the phone, I didn’t think I would use the Internet as much as I did. Going from a phone with Internet to a phone without it was diicult at irst, but I adjusted.

I’ll admit when I had an Internet-accessible phone, my phone man-

Contact the writer: wujournal@gmail.com

Taking a shot at 5-Hour Energy Use of unnatural cafeine is out of control

Cafeine, the friend of business people and students everywhere, is found naturally in cofee beans, guarana fruit, green tea leaves and more. But these natural caffeine sources don’t seem to be enough to keep us lethargic Americans going. Today, the drug caffeine is mixed into everything from syrupy energy drinks to beef jerky and, since 2004, Americans have been getting buzzed of a wave of “energy shots.” Led by the top-selling 5-Hour Energy, little bottles of vitality booster have looded convenience store counters across the country.

EVAN In an interview for CNN, Carl Spencer, MUELLER spokesperson for 5-Hour Energy, said, “It would be easier for me to tell you where we didn’t sell it in the U.S. than list all the places we do.”

5-Hour Energy targets the over-worked and unmotivated, infamously advertising to consumers there is “no crash” ater drinking the elixir. he caloric content and vitamins in 5-Hour Energy mean it can be classiied as a dietary supplement, escaping FDA regulation. In the

company’s most recent television campaign, the slogan has been modiied to encourage use, “every day.”

I can understand the desire to take a shot of this chemical cocktail; say, for instance, you are at work and can’t be sipping a latte during your shit. Or maybe you just don’t have the time to brew a pot of java in the morning. Maybe, like me, you were handed a free sample on campus and were curious to feel its efect.

I don’t understand how the 5-Hour Energy sales force is allowed to suggest that taking their potion every day will promote a healthy lifestyle. he human body will develop a tolerance to a drug used every day, meaning more becomes necessary to consume for the desired efect. his means that you’ll be dependent on the stuf or something similar just to operate normally.

What I believe 5-Hour Energy is really selling in these ads is the idea that it’s okay to be addicted to their drink. he student who buys a bulk package and slams one of the shots every day isn’t doing anything wrong, he’s simply doing what the commercials purport is normal (don’t tell me this bro is supposed to think for himself).

My problem isn’t with cafeine (I love the stuf), but with the way

5-Hour Energy and other energy shots deliver “energy” via cafeine and other drugs into the system. Cofee and tea are naturally-cafeinated beverages that humans have enjoyed for hundreds of years. Energy shots have been around for less than a decade. Cofee and tea are the direct byproducts of plants, not created by scientists from artiicial ingredients. Most importantly, cofee and tea are social devices that bring people together and inspire conversation. Energy shots are knocked back with a cringe and inished in less than a minute; you’ll never see people getting together to drink energy shots.

I suggest that the next time you’re feeling like an energy boost, drink a cup of tea or cofee (or water!), do some exercise or take a guilt-free power nap. In a pinch, you might try an energy shot, but please don’t listen to the ads. Hard-working people all over the globe get it done without an energy shot every day, and so can you.

Evan Mueller is a senior ilm production major and multimedia editor for The Journal.

Contact the writer: wujournal@gmail.com

Letters to the Editor Webster community expresses concerns about university’s newest master plan To Whom It May Concern:

student body. Pearson houses and fosters the community of the English department in a way no other I have recently been informed that the new Sa- building successfully could. he aforementioned saki Master Plan involves the demolition of Pearson class sizes and inviting classrooms allow for intimate House. As a student of Webster in general and of the readings and discussions while also providing an English department, I strongly urge you to recon- atmosphere that encourages the building of comsider this plan. munity in writing workshops, which require such a I would begin by stating that the Pearson House bond of the students and professor if the class is to accounts for nearly half of the reason I decided to be successful. In addition to this, the green spaces attend Webster in the irst place. Not only the build- of Pearson provide a unique opportunity to broaden ing, which is quaint and inviting, but also the ideas the reach of the classroom. On spring and summer behind the house, encouraged my excitement about days, students and professors can interact with the coming to Webster. In my college search, I irst and material they are studying in nature and oten proforemost considered the class size and intimacy of a fessors organize their syllabi around this capability; college. On irst entering the Pearson House, I was works such as Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s convinced by its small, warm classrooms that this Dream “and horeau’s “Walden” lend themselves to was the place where I wanted to hone my skills as a outdoor readings and discussions. In light of this, I writer and reader. Pearson spoke to me that Webster doubt that a traditional brick building could provide University was a small, liberal arts school that cared all of the charm and usefulness of Pearson’s patios, about the comfort and educations of its students, lawn, and French doors. All of these qualities distinfostering the exact kind of one-on-one interactions guish Pearson House from all of the other buildings between students, staf, and faculty that I sought. on campus. Webster students, faculty, and staf know Pearson convinced me that, unlike the other gi- that Pearson houses the English and Philosophy deant universities I was considering, Webster provided partments, not simply because it does, but because a unique experience: placing more importance on the character of the house itself suggests that this the individual student’s success and college experi- fact is so. Pearson lends itself, by the character of its ence than on the money to be gained from a larger appearance and the quirks of its rooms, to housing English and Philosophy courses.

Until now, I have been happy to call myself a student at Webster University and would go so far as to say In last week’s edition of he Journal, in the article “Biology department revamps that I was an advocate of the school programs, it was incorreclty stated that the biology department is ofering certiito anyone I knew who was searching cates in biodiversity and chemistry. It is not. he two areas of study are emphases for the perfect it that I found here as part of the majors. Also, the evolution course is not a new course, but it will now be required for the major. It was not before, and also a B.A. in biology was at Pearson House nearly three years not oicially passed through the curriculum committee. he committtee met on ago. However, if Webster University the aternoon of Tuesday, Feb. 21, and passed it. Furthermore, the B.S. in biologi- continues with the current plan to cal sciences was discussed in the curriculum committee meeting on Feb. 21 and demolish the Pearson House, I doubt passed, but with a few contingencies. It is not fully in place. Finally, the course that I will ever be able to feel quite as at home on the campus as I did beStream Ecology was incorrectly referred to as Extreme Ecology. fore, nor will I be able to suggest half as strongly that others attend classes here. he entire philosophy that sohe Journal welcomes letters to the editors and guest commentaries. Letters to the lidiied my decision to attend Webeditor must be less than 200 words. Guest commentaries must be between 450 and ster would be demolished along with 750 words, and guest writers must have their photograph taken to run with their the Pearson House. he ideals of incommentaries. All letters to the editor and guest commentaries must be signed. dividuality and intimacy for which he Journal will edit all submitted pieces for grammar, style and clarity. If there Pearson stands in my mind and in are any substantial revisions, the writer will be notiied and allowed to edit his or the minds of my fellow students her own writing. comprise a single philosophy that single-handedly distinguishes Webster University from all the other universities in the state of Missouri.

If Pearson House goes, so does this distinctive philosophy and, with it, the integrity of Webster University as a liberal arts institution, not only

Corrections

Letters and commentaries

Submit all letters to the editor and guest commentaries to wujournal@gmail.com by 2 p.m. on Monday.

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in my eyes, but in the eyes of future students who ultimately would have fallen in love with Pearson as I, and many other students before me, have.

Sincerely, Mariah Nadler, creative writing major, class of 2013 Dear Journal Staf, As a student whose education has occurred mainly in the Pearson House, I was devastated to discover that there are plans for its destruction. I would like to submit this opinion piece about the value of the building: Some people aren’t quite sure what happens within the brick walls of the Pearson House. It’s big and it’s white, but that’s about as much as they’ve gathered. Others had a class in there during their freshman year; some general education class that assigned way too many papers.

To students in the Philosophy or English departments, the Pearson House is the building where their education exists, as if the building itself represents the very education that they are receiving. To demolish it and locate its departments elsewhere would be tragic to the students who regard the building so dearly. he Pearson House ofers four classrooms, which are lexible in their set up. his allows for spur-ofthe-moment desk reorganization allowing for small group conversations or debate-style arrangements. he size of the classrooms oten relates to the size of the class, creating an intimate setting in which the students feel comfortable and can get to know one another. he basement ofers lounge space, vending machines, and computers for student use. In addition to its utility, the building creates an irreplicable learning environment. he wooden loors, original ireplace, courtyard, and the creepy side of the basement are incomparable to the students who consider them to be a vital part of their Webster experience. he building and its environment is relaxed, yet professional. Stimulating, yet simple. Classic, yet functional. Upon irst step into the building’s foyer, a sense of comfort and calm overcomes the entrant. Its outward appearance, stoic, vast, and stunning, gives hint to the love that is felt for the building by those who spend their days there.

A diferent Webster exists in each of its students, and the buildings in which our education is based serves as a major part of that identity. he Sverdrup building functions as it should for business and technology students to whom electronics and functionality is crucial. Webster Hall is home to the sciences, providing classrooms, labs, and oices necessary to its programs. he Priest House, as with the Pearson House, ofers a sound familiarity and house-like ease of use. Currently, Webster ofers a functional variaStaf Hayden Andrews Andy Arb Briana Baker Victoria Courtney Victoria Dickson Eric Fuchs Julia Gabbert Akira Komatsu Stepahnie Leler Haley Luke Sam Masterson Caillin Murray John Pohl Tierre Rhodes Sherrod Tunstall

Photographers Max Bouvatte Victoria Caswell Brittany Ruess Sean Sandefur Gale Whitehead Advisers Editorial Larry Baden Photography Robert LaRouche General Manager Amanda Westrich

tion in the classroom environments on its campus, with each building supporting the education that is occurring within them. If the current master plan were to be approved, the Pearson House will be slated for destruction. If this happens, the house isn’t the only thing that will be damaged. he students, past, present, and future, will be afected by its removal from the campus that we so love. he Pearson House isn’t just a house; it’s our home. hanks, Megan Summers, Webster University student Dear Journal, I transferred to Webster University as a sophomore ater spending a year feeling like a piece of livestock at a large state university. While the beautiful grounds, small campus and quaint neighborhood all factored into my decision to become a Webster student, Pearson House sealed the deal. From my irst campus visit I was smitten with it and the next three years simply proved that my gut feeling was right.

I have bragged on this element of my Webster education both as a student, and now as an alum.

I love the nontraditional, innovative use of space. I have touted the beneits of this, both for the larger community and the university at length.

—Utilizing these homes allows Webster University low almost seamlessly into Webster Groves, something that allows for an important relationship between the school and the city.

—he ongoing cultivation of small, intimate spaces requires students, faculty and staf to connect on levels that go beyond the classroom or the halls.

—he unique and characterful nature of Pearson House lends itself to creative pursuits in ways that new, technologically advanced buildings cannot.

I hope to be able to continue to speak of these virtues when I talk about Webster University and the remarkable efect it had on my young adult life. To lose a beautiful building that so innovatively and creatively promotes the intimate connection necessary for liberal arts education would be regrettable to say the least.

Please consider preserving this space and what it represents as a crucial part of the Webster University campus.

Best Regards, Sarah Ratermann Beahan Webster University alumna, class of 2001

he Journal is the oicial student publication of Webster University. Unsigned editorials relect the opinion of the newspaper, not necessarily that of the university or the Publications Board. he opinions expressed by columnists and contributing writers do not necessarily relect those of he Journal. All text, photos, graphics and other content are copyrighted by he Journal and may not be reproduced without permission. Any photograph that has been substantially altered or staged for use as a graphic will be labeled as a photo illustration. he Journal reserves the right to reject advertising, stories, columns or letters to the editor that it deems graphic, obscene or that discriminate on the basis of race, culture, gender or sexual orientation. Single copies of he Journal are free; for additional copies, contact the business oice, located in the Sverdrup building, room 247, on the Webster Groves campus.

OPINION

Page 5 • www.websterjournal.com

Feb. 29 - March 6, 2012 • The Journal

Jump for joy! It’s a leap day!

The Journal weighs in on the issues

Ohio high school shooting kills three, injures more.

Netlix to drop more than 1,000 Starz titles from instant streaming due to contracts.

Jaleel White, who played Urkel, will be on next season of “Dancing with the Stars.”

“he Artist” wins Best Picture at 84th Academy Awards.

Men and Women Basketball knocked out in SLIAC semis.

Kansas beats Mizzou 87-86 (OT) in inal battle of the team’s long-standing rivalry.

GRApHIC BY JOSH COppENBARGER AND TIM DOTY

Urban literature: is it beneicial reading?

Urban literature is a genre which depicts lifestyles in urban settings and those afected by it. But does this type of literature provide any merit to its readers? Two Journal writers debate on whether or not urban literature is “real” literature.

Urban iction is real literature Urban Literature is a literacy genre set in a city landscape, as the name implies. However, the genre is as much deined by the race and culture of its characters as the urban setting. he tone for urban literature is usually dark, focusing on the underside of city life. he characters tend to be AfricanSHERROD American TUNSTALL or Latino.

Sometimes the characters portray thugs, homegirls or hustlers.

But, my deinition for Urban/ Street literature is that it’s based on urban life and real-life experiences, and, therefore, urban literature is part of American culture. he genre helps a lot of children who live in urban cites read more instead of playing video games.

As a 25-year-old black, educated man, I ind reading Urban Literature gives readers some insight on where the writer comes from and what they went through in their own lives. Even with the slang, sex and profanity, it reveals some piece of their environment while the character is trying to reach his or her goals even though they’re still living their illegal lifestyles.

Bestselling author Nikki Turner (“A Hustler’s Wife” and “Glamorous Life”) said in an interview that she wanted to write Urban Literature so she could write about characters she could relate to.

Turner mentioned she could’ve written a book about a young woman who is married to an old judge and also having an afair with her tennis instructor, but Turner said that wasn’t her life or her friends’ lives. People, she said, want to read about someone who is relatable to them and where they come from.

Turner says she also writes urban iction as urban fairy tales where the women do not go looking for their prince charming, but they create their own destinies.

Her character Yarni in “A Hustler’s Wife” goes from being the wife of a drug lord to a successful attorney. he character Mercy in her novel “Riding Dirty on I-95” goes from being a drug transporter to a scriptwriter of urban dramas.

Another bestselling author, Kiki Swinson (“he Wifey Series” and “Cheaper to Keep Her”), said inspiration came when she was serving a ive-year sentence for being a “wifey” of a drug dealer.

She said in her younger days she dated diferent drug dealers.

While in jail, instead of just sitting in her jail cell, she decided to tell her stories on paper to warn young girls that dating

Editorial Controlling the contraception debate Last hursday night proved a rousing evening in TV land. No, it wasn’t the premiere of a new reality dating show or an expose of regular people doing even more regular things. he Republican Party held a GOP debate in Arizona on Feb. 23, and it might have been the most entertaining television event of the week. he Journal isn’t quite sure where to begin in summarizing the night’s talking points, but we’ll choose one topic to expound upon. It seems itting that he Journal dedicate this editorial space to contraception, since the GOP candidates have made it a main focus in media coverage of their campaigns.

Yes, these wealthy and educated Caucasian males are very concerned with women’s reproductive health rights. he main issue of course is health care, and whether insurance companies should be required to provide contraception such as the birth control pill, patch or ring to women. hey argue that to do so encourages promiscuity and supports pro-choice agendas. hese candidates can argue that this is a inancial concern, and that the end goal is to protect young girls who are uneducated about sexual health. While there are certainly risks associated with young teens becoming sexually active earlier in their lives, banning access to contra-

ception could only make the problem worse. he increasing trend of teen pregnancy is bound to rise even higher.

But he Journal believes this family-planning issue exposes a huge problem in America’s political system. If there were more women representatives in U.S. politics, the contraception problem would be a non-issue. GOP candidates such as Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich believe they are taking a stand for families everywhere. What they are really doing is taking a stand against women’s rights. he Journal is embarrassed that an issue like this has taken the stage, decades ater using birth control ceased to be taboo.

We ind it ridiculous that male politicians feel the need to control what women do with their own bodies. And we are discouraged that the media has given so much time to this obvious cry for attention and fringe voters.

Webster University is an institution with a history of supporting the rights of all, regardless of sex, race or religion. he Journal advises Republican candidates to consider those you are ostracizing and degrading as you rally for votes by trying to take away women’s freedom and choice.

drug dealers isn’t as wonderful as it may seem. To them, she said, it seems good, but it doesn’t end well when he asks you to take the rap for him and do his time. hese types of novels can be very educational because they can tell you what’s going on in your own backyard.

For example, Sister Souljah, bestselling author of “he Coldest Winter Ever,” said the reason she focused on drugs in her novel was because she saw strangers and even her own family use drugs growing up, and that it’s not only going on in her neighborhood, but in all urban neighborhoods in the United States.

Many of the authors who write in the Urban Literature genre say they’re not trying to glorify it; they write because they don’t want to see readers in the street, and want readers to see that it’s not good to be a drug dealer or a prostitute. he author’s main focus when writing these books is to help young people who may be going through what a character is going through, so that no one will sufer the terrible fate of going to jail or ending up dead.

Sherrod Tunstall is a senior journalism major and a staf writer for The Journal.

Contact the writer: wujournal@gmail.com

Genre is not mentally stimulating While browsing the Internet, I came across the perfect deinition. he Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) deined reading literacy as “understanding, using and relecting on written texts in order to achieve one’s goals, to develop one’s knowledge and p o t e nt i a l , BRIANA and to parBAKER ticipate in society.”

Keeping this in mind, I oppose reading urban iction.

As a young, black, educated, urban female, I ind reading urban iction not only self-degrading to my African-American culture but also detrimental to American society in general.

With the constant use of slang, profanity and improper grammar, I don’t understand how this can help anyone develop their knowledge, potential or help to achieve any goals.

One of the most popular urban iction books is Sistah Souljah’s “he Coldest Winter Ever.” he irst page of the book reads: “Brooklyn-born I don’t have no sob stories for you about rats and roaches and pissy-pew hallways.

I came busting out of my momma’s big coochie on January 28, 1977 during one of New York’s

worst snowstorms. So, my mother named me Winter. My father was so proud of his new baby girl that he had a limo waiting to pick my moms up from the hospital.”

Now, I know many will argue that urban iction is designed to help portray what life is like in the urban community or the ghetto, but I am a big fan of “It’s not what you say but how you say it.” he author could have just stated that although she was born in Brooklyn, she didn’t have any stories of living in poverty, and still get her point across. Sistah Souljah should have just mentioned when she was born instead of the day she came “busting out her mom’s big coochie.” Someone not luent in urban lingo may not understand that “moms” is slang.

Reading comprehension determines the level of understanding from a written text.

Wikipedia sources Keith Rayner, Barbara Foorman, Charles Perfetti, David Pesetsky and Mark Seidenberg state this understanding comes from the interaction between the words that are written and how they trigger knowledge outside the text. he motive behind the publication of urban literature is great, but the content is self-deterring and non-educating. here is no way possible that I can take anything I’ve read in a novel written like this to become anything greater psychologically than

what I inspired to be before.

Studies have proven reading stimulates the brain and can help a person listen faster, as well as process speech faster and in more detail. On the other hand, there has also been research which found reading remedial literature can hinder a person from sounding out words correctly and takes many more hours of reading for the brain activity to reach the levels of stimulation as it would for someone reading any other type of literature.

Although I am not aware of any evidence supporting this, I believe that reading urban iction can have these same efects as reading remedial literature.

If reading stimulates one’s brain and the literature someone read helps that person become literate and comprehensive, then I believe improper grammar usage, repetitive slang and incorrect word choices can alter current knowledge, forcing you to begin pronouncing words incorrectly and slowing down your process of speech.

As an educated student and literate person, I ind it mentally challenging to engage in urban literature.

Briana Baker is a junior journalism major and a staf writer for The Journal.

Contact the writer: wujournal@gmail.com

American Savage ‘Tricky’ Rick Santorum here’s an old saying: If you’re young and gelists and professional athletes. But there it is, conservative, you’ve got no heart and if you’re shining bright and big in a goofy-looking forold and liberal, you’ve got no brain. Youth in mer senator from a state that is hard to spell.

Santorum likes to evoke frightening imthe heart puts liberalism in the mind, it would seem. But age apparently saps the tree of lib- ages and biblical passages to make his point. eralism. We know this to be true because, if Santorum thinks higher education indoctriit weren’t, the hippies would have turned this nates children by producing tiny liberals. He’s whole gig around, man, instead of copping out right about the result, but wrong about the cause. Youth produces liberalism, not for a just to pay mortgages and buy neckties.

Colleges and universities are no diferent. lack of faith, but because of a lack of fear. We hey are cesspools of the liberal agenda, and the youth have what some have called its inal Rick Santorum knows it. hat is why he said luxury: idealism.

When it’s gone, it’s gone. But for now, something interesting in an interview with young people (of many faiths) aren’t having certiied expert on everything, Glenn Beck.

Responding to a statement by President debates about gay people or birth control.

Barck Obama that all American children We’ve inished those arguments (to say nothshould go to college, Santorum responded, ing of our enjoyment of birth control) and “What a snob.” He went further, referring we’ve come out less judgmental and less certo colleges and universities as “indoctrina- tain of our own absolutism.

We have loans and jobs and rent to deal tion mills.” his is what our higher education system is — nothing but a smoke screen for with, and the bedroom behavior of others the liberal agenda. Sure, it might be the most just don’t seem relevant anymore. But “Tricky extensive university system in the world pro- Rick” doesn’t know that, because he has the ducing scientists and doctors, but who wants beneit of self-delusion. Santorum thinks he is being divinely called to the oice of the presia liberal doctor, anyway?

Santorum wasn’t inished. He told Beck 62 dency.

He also thinks women shouldn’t serve in percent of youths who enter college with faith combat and that gays are an abomileave without it. nation, implicitly making God into Granted, he didn’t a partisan entity — a registered Rehave a source publican. Rick equates faith to confor the painfully We the youth have what servatism and, worse, to his own vague statement, some have called its inal party. He said in last week’s debate, but because Sanluxury: idealism.

“Obama doesn’t ordain our rights; torum regularly God does.” converses with And if we’re having any trouble unGod, we can be asCollin Reischman, derstanding God, we can just ask sured it’s probably Santorum to clarify those tricky bibwithin the margin columist lical passages endorsing child slavery, of error. rape, incest and capital punishments here is no for pickpocketers. Human rights are more divinely entertaining platform for any candidate to run ine and good, but only God can really ordain on than to imply the singular endorsement of our rights, right, “Tricky Rick?”

So, sure, the Constitution says we can the Big Guy. he combination of humility to the will of God, and the hubris to presume it practice any religion, but God wouldn’t want is a combination usually reserved for televan- us practicing paganism or Islam. Santorum

isn’t just subservient to God; he believes that Obama is pushing a non-Christian “theocracy” and blocking God from American life.

So, apart from implying that President Obama has the divinity to wage a powerstruggle with God, Santorum is one of those self-ordained saviors here to show us the error in our ways.

Santorum wants to restore “God’s America,” which is confusing to us, the young Godless elitists. Call it the folly of youth or the tragedy of minds yet undeveloped, but there is something deeply hateful and discomforting about the God that Santorum seems to endorse.

Voters tend to get a little wary when candidates oppose things like more education. hough, in Santorum’s case, it is pretty clear: well-educated people are likely to ind him laughable and unqualiied, so we might as well paint them as heathens of the let preemptively.

American Savage is a weekly column written by Journal columnist Collin Reischman.

Contact the writer: wujournal@gmail.com

LifeStyle

6

The Journal Feb. 29 - March 6, 2012

PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHAEL BECKER / FOX

Pictured with “American Idol”’s top 24 for the 2012 season, Creighton Fraker is featured on the far left, in a plaid shirt and vest. Fraker, a Webster student in 2001, moved to New York City after being cut from Webster’s Conservatory.

An ‘American Idol’ dream come true Former Webster Conservatory student Creighton Fraker lands a spot among the top 24 contestants on latest episode of ‘American Idol’

BY MEGAN FAVIGNANO Copy Editor

Creighton Fraker, former Webster University Conservatory student, won a place among the top 24 contestants on “American Idol” during the show’s Feb. 22 episode.

“We gotta pick our top 24. Everybody’s diferent. Everybody has something special to ofer. It just comes down to who we feel has been the most consistent, who we feel has that special something (that’s) going to touch America,” “American Idol” judge Jennifer Lopez said on the Feb. 22 episode.

Fraker attended Webster’s Conservatory in 2001 for musical theater. Ater two years, Fraker was cut from the Conservatory and he moved to New York.

“It (New York) seems to be the place to be when you’re a musical theater actor,” Fraker said.

Before informing Fraker he had made it to the top 24, Lopez asked him how he was feeling. ”More nervous right now than I have been before any of my

songs,” Fraker said. of the heavy metal band Flotsam Ater hearing of his placement and Jetsam. in the top 24, Fraker jumped up Fraker has worked with the from his chair and covered his face Friends in heater Company in with his hands. Fraker thanked the New York for approximately ive judges and went backstage where years. Ater production costs, his family Friends in hewas waiting. ater donates 100 His birth fapercent of their When I went in there I ther, whom proceeds to had a calm come over he met three charity. Fraker me and I just felt very years ago, was said he and some comfortable in front of among his friends, whom family backhe met in New them. It felt easier than I stage.

York, wanted to though it would. “his just do projects and got so real. act instead of Creighton Fraker, hey want me constantly audion auditioning for “Amerito be on the tioning. Because show,” Fraker Friends in hecan Idol” said to his ater is a nonfamily on the proit, Fraker Feb. 22 episaid they were sode. more easily able to obtain funding Fraker started singing when from business. he was three years old. He said he “It’s worked out well that way always knew singing would be a and we’ve also been able to give large part of his life. Fraker, who back to the community at the was adopted, was encouraged to same time. It’s been a nice way audition for “American Idol” by to approach being creative in the his birth father, a former member city,” Fraker said.

Fraker was initially nervous about auditioning in front of the “American Idol” judges.

“I was really nervous before I went into the room (with the judges),” Fraker said. “For some reason when I went in there I had a calm come over me and I just felt very comfortable in front of them. And I sunk into it a little bit. It felt easier than I thought it would.”

Gary Glasgow, Webster Conservatory of heatre Arts professor, has been watching Fraker on “American Idol” online.

“I largely remember him as very enthusiastic and energetic, the same way he appears on TV,” Glasgow said. “I have downloaded the YouTube videos of his performances and enjoyed watching them.”

“American Idol” will make more cuts and announce inalists on hursday, March 1st.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHAEL BECKER / FOX

Contact the writer: wujournal@gmail.com

Creighton Fraker started singing when he was three yearso old. He said he always knew singing would be a part of his life.

CONTRIBUTED BY JOHN HAMS

Performers in the Brazilian band Samba Bom play drums and tambourine during LASO’s Carnaval celebration Feb. 23.

Carnaval celebration

Brazilian band, dancer entertain at annual festival

BY VICTORIA DICKSON Staf Writer

CONTRIBUTED BY JOHN HAMS

The lead vocalist of the Brazilian band Samba Bom sings in Portuguese while shaking a tambourine during a Carnaval celebration on Feb. 23 in the Sunnen Lounge. Samba Bom performed Brazilian musical styles such as Bossa Nova, Brazilian Jazz and Samba. An elaborately-costumed Brazilian dancer gave group dance lessons to willing participants and started a conga line which stretched throughout the Sunnen Lounge. LASO hosted Carnaval to share their culture with Webster students and faculty. Carnaval is a traditional Latin-American celebration which occurs before Lent. It is the most famous holiday in Brazil.

Eliana Aparecida de Oliveira, a Brazilian dancer dressed like the Chiquita banana girl glided her way through Sunnen Lounge, grabbing audience members from their seats to join her.

Brazilian music greeted people at the door while a line gathered to try LatinAmerican food displayed on a table. he Latin American Student Organization (LASO) hosted Carnaval at Webster University from 12 to 2 p.m. on Feb. 23 in the Sunnen Lounge. Carnaval is an annual Latin-American festival that occurs before Lent and is the most famous holiday in Brazil.

LASO provided free food, which consisted of mini Cuban sandwiches, chips and guacamole, sweet plantains and arroz con leche (rice pudding).

Students, faculty and staf had the opportunity to get their faces painted and decorate masks; both are very popular Carnaval traditions.

Samba Bom, a Midwest-based band, performed Brazilian music throughout the entire event which ranged from Bossa Nova, Brazilian Jazz and Samba.

Mo Marchini, director of Samba Bom, used a berimbau, a single-string percussion instrument.

“We were interested in this group

because they’ve performed with us in the past,” said Kate Brooks, department associate for the Center of International Education. “hey explain each song and the history of the Carnaval. If you just had an event with music that meant nothing, students wouldn’t get anything out of it.”

Brooks, who is also an advisor for LASO, joined the organization because she said she wanted to work with students more on a one-on-one basis. She has never been to Latin America, but she does speak Spanish.

Maria Alejandra Arias, president of LASO, said the event resembles the Carnaval in Brazil. “his is a Brazilian themed Carnaval,” Arias said. “It’s kind of where Mardi Gras has come from. Pretty much like the Carnaval in Rio (de Janeiro); that’s kind of the theme.”

LASO has hosted a Carnaval celebration for the past three years. Arias said that one of LASO’s missions is to bring the Latin American culture to Webster. With Carnaval, they keep the same traditions of their culture every year. “here’s always something diferent to it, but for the most part we always have the live samba music and the Carnaval dancer to portray the Brazilian

culture,” Arias said. “We also like to have Latin-American food for everyone to try since many people haven’t tried these dishes.”

During the event, a dancer danced to several of Samba Bom’s songs. he dancer donned three diferent colorful costumes. In one costume, she wore a hat made of assorted fruits and feathers. She accompanied it with a blue, two-piece outit. It had yellow, green and white, layered rules encircling the bottom of her skirt and on her shoulder.

She also gave samba lessons to anyone who was interested. She irst taught the students all together in a group session.

She then had them partner up to dance with one another.

Charles Jacobs, sophomore media communications major, participated in the dance lessons at Carnaval. Jacobs said watching a projector showing footage of Carnaval made him want to go to Brazil because, “it looked real lashy.”

He also said he learned the limits of his dancing abilities.

“I cannot do the samba,” Jacobs said.

“I had not done anything like this before, but next time I’m going to come back harder and stronger, get my dance moves together and we’re just going to Contact the writer: wujournal@gmail.com

Page 7 • www.websterjournal.com

LIFESTYLE

Feb. 29 - March 6, 2012 • The Journal

Alumnus hosts new TV show to air in fall Roger Hunt, 1987 Webster grad, will host live performance show “Who’s Next 2 Blow”

BY MEGAN FAVIGNANO Copy Editor

Roger Hunt, Sr., 47, stood in front of a mirror at his home as he practiced talking to an audience.

Hunt began doing this everyday recently to prepare for hosting “Who’s Next 2 Blow,” a new live performance TV show.

“I practice on my own. I get in front of the mirror. (As a TV host) I don’t have a script so I have to improv,” Hunt said. “When I’m at home, I’ll actually practice my walk.”

Hunt is the host and associate producer for the show, which will focus on spoken word perfromaces. It will launch in St. Louis on March 1, then travel to seven other cities.

“Why not show the world that St. Louis has great talent here? A lot of times your big shows start in New Jersey, Atlanta, LA, New York, but you’ve got great talent right here in our Midwest city,” Hunt said. “We igured, let’s do the show in St. Louis, in our own backyard.”

Ater the launch in St. Louis, the show will visit seven other cities: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Chicago, Detroit, Memphis, Atlanta and inish back in St. Louis.

Hunt said he is excited about the opportunity the show provides for artists.

“Allowing (the spoken word artists) a national platform to present their crat, their art,” Hunt said. “To spotlight them to the world in hopes that someone will discover them to get them a contract, to get them an opportunity to expand their art.”

Hunt auditioned for the hosting position through Midwest Flawless Entertainment Company last spring ater seeing the posi-

tion listed on Craigslist.

Hunt was a sales account representative for Direct Mail Firm.

He sold Direct Mail advertising for 15 years.

“With being downsized in corporate American three times in 10 years, I decided to try my hand in modeling and acting,” Hunt said.

Hunt decided he wanted to model and act at age 45. He said he was told he couldn’t do it.

“I was too old, I was too fat,” Hunt said. “It was like, so what?

It’s not your dream. Understanding your dream and what your vision is helps you obtain and achieve your goal.”

In March 2011, Hunt signed up under Azalea Talent Agency.

In April 2011, he was selected for the hosting position. He also signed a contract for a locally produced ilm, “26.2,” in May 2011.

Hunt is co-starring in the ilm, which has already begun ilming.

He has also done commercials for General Motors, Lumière and Schnucks in the past year.

Hunt said presenting and acting isn’t something he enjoyed doing growing up, although he did have practice. Hunt has been doing announcements once a month at his church since he was 13 years old. He continues to do announcements today. Hunt said he has become close with his pastor, Richard L. Pearson.

“He’s been a good spiritual brother for me, advisor,” Hunt said.

Hunt said his mother and wife have been supportive of his career shit.

He said he is grateful for his upbringing and education. Hunt transferred to Webster ater attending Rockhurst University for a semester, University of Missouri-St. Louis for a year and St. Louis Community College-Forest Park for a year. Hunt studied at

Webster for a year and a half before graduating. Hunt graduated from Webster with a BA in marketing and a minor in media communications in December 1987.

He graduated from Fontbonne in 2000 with his master’s in management.

“What I learned here at Webster really relects what I do now, as far as getting speciic camera angles and speciic shots,” Hunt said.

Hunt said his education in management and communications is a good combination for his role as host and associate producer. “(It’s important,) being able to put all that (his education) into play; from the marketing to management to producing, having the right mix of all those ingredients to make any project successful.”

Hunt said “Who’s Next 2 Blow” will have auditions on Friday, March 1, and will be recorded live on March 3, at the Mad Art Gallery. he Midwest Flawless Entertainment Company will do a spinof reality show. he reality show will include segments of contestants from the spoken word edition of “Who’s Next 2 Blow” and will air on a local network. “Who’s Next 2 Blow” has plans for several spinofs such as R&B, hip hop editions, as well as “Who’s Next 2 Praise Him,” a gospel music edition.

“Who’s Next 2 Blow” has been approached by a major network with whom they are still in negotiations. he show will air this coming fall.

MEGAN FAVIGNANO / he Journal

Contact the writer: wujournal@gmail.com

MEGAN FAVIGNANO / he Journal

A Chinese performer dances on stage at the Joseph Schulte Theater at St. Louis University High School on Feb. 27.

The Confucius Institute invited the performers. St. Louis was the third stop on the the 2012 Spring Festival Performance tour. The show included Chinese singing, dancing and musical performances.

A taste of China The Confucius Institute brings Chinese performers to SLU High School

BY MEGAN FAVIGNANO Copy Editor

Chinese dancers moved in unison across the stage. he long sleeves of their gowns fell as they raised their arms. A large banner with a dragon surrounding “2012” hung behind the performers. he Confucius Institute at Webster University and the Confucius Classroom at St. Louis University High School hosted a team of Chinese performers Feb. 27 and 28, at SLUH’s Joseph Schulte heater. St. Louis was the performers’ third stop on their 2012 Spring Festival Performance tour.

More than 500 people attended on Feb. 27. he performers are students from the East China Normal University. Despite not being art majors or professional performers, Li Fang, Confucius Institute program director, said the dancers performed in a professional way.

“Every time, it’s a very exciting event for St. Louis. Not only for our students, but for the whole

community,” Fang said.

Yamin Wu, a dance teacher at St. Louis Chinese Language School and Webster alumna, attended the Spring Festival with the principal of St. Louis Chinese Language School. Both paid special attention to the costumes. hey hope to take some ideas back to the Chinese Language School.

Fang said her students most enjoyed the changing face performance, Bian Lian. A masked man moved about the stage, changing his mask quickly and without the audience’s knowledge. His masks represented diferent characters. he technique of changing masks in the changing face performance is not taught in Chinese schools. he technique is passed down in families. Fang said usually fathers teach it to their sons. he mystery behind the mask changing is why Fang said her students enjoyed this performance.

Ater their performance, a group of dancers invited children from the audience on stage. he

Chinese dancers, dressed in ornate clothing, taught the children Chinese dance moves. “hose kind of performers will become a bridge between America and China,” Wu said.

Hanban, Confucius Institute’s Headquarters, sent the tour to St. Louis ater the Confucius Institute in St. Louis invited them.

SLUH’s Confucius classroom is a subdivision of the Confucius Institute. he Confucius Institute provides support, supplies and books in return for the promotion of Chinese culture. Fang said there are about 350 Confucius Institutes all over the world.

Fang said she most enjoyed the folk song performed which used the pipa — an instrument which looks like a small guitar, but is played vertically.

Contact the writer: wujournal@gmail.com

As Roger Hunt stood in Webster’s video studio, he said he remembers working in the studio as a student. Hunt graduated from Webster in 1987 with a BA in marketing and a minor in media communications.

Feb. 29 - March 6, 2012 • The Journal

SPORTS

www.websterjournal.com • Page 8

Brotherly Love Zack and Josh Papes adapt to new relationship dynamic on the men’s tennis team

BY ANDY ARB Staf Writer

Brothers Zack and Josh Papes learned to play tennis at a young age from their father, Mike Papes.

With the help of their father’s coaching, Zack and Josh Papes found success as four-year starters at McCluer North High School and as players for Webster University’s men’s tennis team. Now an assistant coach at his alma mater, Zack Papes is following his father’s lead.

Freshman Josh Papes is in his irst season playing tennis at Webster. Zack Papes graduated in 2011 ater a four-year career on Webster’s team. Being an assistant coach on the 2011-2012 team has allowed Zack Papes to interact with his younger brother on the same tennis team, as they did growing up.

“It’s weird because I can’t call him coach,” Josh Papes said. “I see it as him trying to help me out, but sometimes I just don’t want to listen because it’s just that brother attitude I have.”

Zack and Josh Papes have a relationship many brothers have. hey weren’t the best of friends when they were younger, but they said their relationship has improved as they have gotten older.

“As kids, we were a little bit more at each other’s throats,” Zack Papes said. “As we’ve gotten older, we’ve kind of learned to live with each other a little bit more. I think we’re a lot better friends now that we’re older.”

While they have learned to live with each other of the tennis court, there is still a competitive nature between the two on the court.

“It was more cutthroat when we were kids, but otherwise it’s still cutthroat right now,” Josh Papes said. “We still have that competition with each other, even though we’re a little more mature about it. But it’s a healthy competition.”

Zack Papes took on a leadership role during his junior and senior years at Webster.

“He was a really talented player,” coach Michael Siener said. “He was always trying to help kids when he was out there on the court. I relied on Zack to be kind of our captain his last two years.”

Zack Papes doesn’t think his younger brother will feel pressure to emulate his success.

“I think he’s his own person,” Zack Papes said. “It used to be diferent when he was younger. It was kind of one of those things where he was competing. As he’s gotten older, he’s developed into his own person.

He’s perfectly content with being himself. I would say he has a competitive nature about him. It’s more him competing against himself and not against me anymore.”

Zack and Josh Papes have a similar style of play from years of coaching from their father. But Josh Papes is diferent from his brother because he is an ambidextrous player.

“Josh is very similar to Zack; skill-set wise,” Siener said. “Josh is diferent because he serves and over-

BRITTANY RUESS / he Journal

Former Webster University men’s tennis player and current assistant coach Zack Papes (left) walks with younger brother, freshman Josh Papes, after a team practice on Feb. 28 at the Webster Groves Tennis Center. The two brothers are still getting accustomed to their difering roles on the team.

hands let-handed, but he’ll hit his groundstrokes right-handed. You don’t see that very oten. I don’t know where or how he developed that, but I assume it’s something he’s been doing since he was a young boy.”

Josh Papes’ style of play can confuse his opponent, but also himself.

“It can sometimes throw an opponent of, but it can also create havoc with myself,” Josh Papes said.

“Sometimes I don’t even know what’s going on.”

Josh Papes’ ambidextrous style can work to his advantage, but Zack Papes thinks their style diferences make it more diicult for him to coach his brother.

“It deinitely helps him,” Zack Papes said. “I think it’s the tale of two swords or the double-sided blade.

It’s really hard to teach him and give him advice on

how to do things because he does do things diferent.

At the same time, it’s also deinitely a weapon and works out to his advantage.”

Siener invited Zack Papes to be an assistant coach because of the leadership skills he showed as a player.

Zack Papes accepted the position in hopes of helping the men’s tennis team accomplish something he wasn’t able to in his four years — winning a St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship.

“I still have a lot of friends on the team,” Zack Papes said. “I still really enjoy tennis. I guess I still had the bug in some ways. I really would like to help the men’s tennis team win their irst conference title in any way I can.”

Josh Papes shares this goal. He wants to outdo his brother and help Webster win the SLIAC championship before he graduates.

“I’m only striving to do better,” Josh Papes said.

Zack Papes’ presence may motivate Josh Papes to do better, but they’ll have to deal with their cutthroat type of relationship to make that happen.

“I haven’t seen anything yet — any bickering or anything like that,” Siener said. “here’s probably some sibling rivalry there as far as competing against each other and Josh following in Zack’s footsteps, trying to play or get to his level. “heir dad likes to coach them. hey probably chirp at their dad and probably chirp at each other a little bit. I don’t anticipate them getting into a ist ight or anything on the court, although it would kind of be entertaining.”

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Page 9 • www.websterjournal.com

Feb. 29 - March 6, 2012 • The Journal

SPORTS

Heather Kelley prepares for new coaching role

Pohl’s Perspective Against The Odds

Former Webster University assistant cross-country coach transitions to interim head coach

BY TIM DOTY Opinions Editor

Heather Kelley has always enjoyed running.

She started running competitively at 8 years old and ran until she was 16. he Kirkwood native quit running ater her sophomore year of high HEATHER KELLEY school, when she injured her knee.

“I enjoy running no matter what it is,” Kelley said. “I ind it relaxing. It’s stress relieving. I enjoy the competition. I’ve always liked to watch track meets and crosscountry meets. I watch every minute of the Olympics when track and ield is on. I love watching the competition and doing it myself.”

Kelley wanted to get into coaching, so she became a volunteer assistant for Webster University’s cross-country teams in August 2010.

“I knew I didn’t have any experience, and the position came up,” Kelley said.

“I thought it would be a good way to do something I enjoyed and get experience at the same time. Hopefully, that would lead to getting a paid position ater I had done some volunteer time.”

Her dedication paid of. In August 2011, Kelley was hired as an assistant coach for the men’s and women’s cross-country teams. Last fall, the women’s cross-country team won its irst St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title with Kelley’s assistance.

“It was great — really nice to see them really excited,” Kelley said. “hey were really proud of themselves, and I was proud of them. It was the culmination of a lot of hard work and determination. It was a really great thing to see.”

Last week, Director of Athletics Tom Hart appointed Kelley to the position of interim head coach of the cross-country teams ater Dusty Lopez resigned as head coach. Lopez cited his wife’s opportunity for a full-time radiology position in Ann Arbor, Mich., as the reason for his move.

Lopez will inish the track and ield season as head coach.

JOHN POHL

JOSEPH BODENBACH / he Journal

Interim Webster University cross-country head coach and assistant track and ield coach Heather Kelley (center) leads the track teams in a workout in the University Center on Feb. 27. Kelley was named interim coach of the cross-country teams after Dusty Lopez resigned last week.

“A number of years we had some runners come in, and they didn’t really have a good discipline,” said Jane McKibben, a junior on the cross-country and track teams.

“At one point, they’re really strong athletes, but they didn’t discipline themselves to that summer training. Whereas when coach Kelley came on, and working with coach Lopez, we were able to see the talent our team had, and also stress the importance of summer workouts.

“She’s really good at emphasizing the fact that training outside of our season is highly important. Being a good leader and a good authority person, I feel she’s going to be really good at instilling discipline in the team. With cross-country, if you’re not running every day, you’re losing your endurance. She’s going to bring a good approach to the team as far as that discipline is concerned.”

Kelley started running competitively

again about six years ago. Her most recent competition was the GO! St. Louis Marathon in April 2009.

“I do race half-marathons and anything from 5K and up,” Kelley said. “I have done four half-marathons, but I have not done a full marathon yet.”

Kelley not only helps with training, but she also runs with the team at practice and creates workout routines.

“A lot of the faster guys usually run with coach Lopez. It’s kind of cool being able to run with the coach,” McKibben said. “Not only does that help instill high morale, but she also is really good at formulating core workouts that we do prior to runs. Not only is she mimicking coach Lopez’s workout, but on top of that she’s incorporating her own ideas and creativity.”

Kelley said she enjoys learning about the athletes at Webster and helping them improve as runners.

“I like that you’re working with them on a day-to-day basis,” Kelley said. “hey’re a really great group of athletes. I like getting to know them better as the season progresses — watching them improve, work hard and see the sense of accomplishment they feel when they run a personal best or set a school record. It’s nice to see when they do that; it’s probably my favorite thing.”

Kelley will still be assisting the track and ield teams as they complete their spring seasons. Because she’s currently the interim coach of the cross-country teams, there is a chance Kelley will take the reins as head coach next fall.

“She’s playing the role as assistant coach right now, but she’s also playing a really good role at being a future head coach,” McKibben said.

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Counselor Gladys Smith speaks to athletes about eating disorders During presentation, Smith encourages 30 Webster student athletes to ‘break the silence’

BY ISABELLA ESPINOZA Contributing Writer

Approximately 30 Webster University student athletes attended a discussion on eating disorders, in recognition of National Eating Disorders Awareness week, on Feb. 26 in the Sunnen Lounge. Gladys Smith presented at the event, which was promoted by the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

Smith is a certiied advanced substance abuse counselor. She worked in substance abuse treatment centers and psychiatric hospitals prior to her current job as a Webster University counselor.

At the presentation, she encouraged everyone to speak up when they’re worried about a friend.

“Please get involved. For you or for someone you’re worried about, talk to a coach, a teammate or a friend,” Smith said during the hour-long presentation. “Break the silence and just talk about it. he hardest thing to do is ask for help, but it’s OK to ask for help.

It’s a sign of strength. hat was the goal tonight, for you guys to open up and talk about this.”

Smith worked as an emergency medical technician in the U.S. Navy. Her work with the Navy sparked her desire to become a counselor. Smith began working with substance addicts, where she witnessed a self-induced trauma as a result of weight.

Smith discussed the correla-

tion between athletes and eating disorders. She opened the session by asking student athletes to read a list of bulleted facts concerning eating disorders and their presence in the athletic arena.

Elite gymnast Nadia Comaneci, boxer Mia St. John and crosscountry runner Whitney Spannuth are on the list of professional athletes who have sufered from eating disorders. “he numbers aren’t changing,” Smith said. “hey are going up, and it is an issue that is not talked about enough.”

Smith said the danger begins when athletes form a distorted view of how to improve their performance. hey become convinced that dropping weight equates to increasing speed and agility, but, in actuality, they begin to lose lean muscle.

Lean muscle is essential for endurance and for properly sustaining the human body, Smith said. An even bigger threat arises because of the imbalance of electrolytes, which the athlete unknowingly causes. his imbalance puts athletes at great risk of heart failure.

Smith said eating disorders are diseases of disconnection with perfectionism. She said that is the main issue. his desire to be perfect transcends race, socioeconomic status and gender, and affects eight million Americans. “he death rate caused by eating disorders was very surpris-

ing,” said freshman men’s basketball player Izodeosa Obaseki. “I did not know that it was the leading cause of death for girls 15 to 24.”

In her years of research, Smith noticed depression and anxiety were common in athletes. hose two factors are the top causes of eating disorders. Smith said it should not be surprising that many athletes sufer from eating disorders, because it’s a topic not oten discussed.

Smith said once the pattern of an eating disorder develops, it is diicult to break. Secrecy by the victims can make it easy for others to remain oblivious to their struggles.

Freshman men’s basketball player DeVon Haynes said he was surprised at the correlation between athletes and eating disorders.

“Statistics about athletes having eating disorders was surprising, because I did not think it was

a relevant issue before tonight,” Haynes said.

Information on athletes and eating disorders will be presented at eight SLIAC schools. For more information regarding facts and efects of eating disorders, Smith can be reached at gmsmith@webster.edu or visit nationaleatingdisorders.org.

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Hope, excitement and momentum — those were the words to describe the feeling of the Webster University women’s basketball team in November as it prepared to begin the 2011-2012 season. Like any sport, the beginning of the season was a time of “new beginnings” and a feeling of “anything can happen.”

It was no diferent for the reigning St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament champs.

From the beginning of the season, it was a tough road for the Gorloks, and they found their best-laid plans didn’t always work out. However, when these women got knocked down, they came back ighting. hey discovered repeating as champions was like trying to catch Albert Pujols and all his $240 million before leaving the city. Or getting all your school inancial aid taken care of without having to make one single phone call.

Now, before you all start screaming that I have it in for the women’s team — just hold on a minute. his is not a bashWebster-women’s-basketball column. he Gorloks fought valiantly at times, but they have been their own worst enemy. I’ve seen irsthand the Webster faithful’s frustration with the team.

Before this season even started, Webster lost all-time great Katy Meyer when she graduated last season. he Gorloks felt the pain of that, as they started the season 1-8 and shot below 30 percent from the ield in several games. hen, conference play got going in January and Webster seemed to have new life and optimism.

Gwen Williams, a junior college transfer, played aggressively and with ire. She drove the basketball, made steals and dished out assists. She was a game changer. he Gorloks won ive of six games behind Williams’ all-around play. She was a breath of fresh air the Gorloks desperately needed.

And then suddenly, Williams was gone. Williams ended up being ruled ineligible for academics for the rest of the season, and the team seemed lost without her. What next? Being snake-bitten is one thing, but this bite seemed to be lethal.

Ater the Williams suspension, the Gorloks dropped three out of four games and their record fell to 9-13. Webster tumbled to ith place in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. he Gorloks’ shooting woes continued — as a team that once prided itself on drilling 3s, Webster couldn’t ind the basket.

Freshman center Cassie Endicott showed she can block shots, grab rebounds and score in bunches. But most games, it seemed Endicott got into foul trouble. I‘d hear people at the games whisper, “If she could only stay on the loor, she’d be something.” How right they were. he Gorloks were searching for answers. Coach Jordan Olufson was constantly making lineup changes and things never quite got there. On more than one occasion, it was not uncommon to see 13 to 14 players see action in a game. It just didn’t work, but the Gorloks never quit. he Gorloks fought for pride and managed to win their last three regular-season games. hey made it into the SLIAC tournament as the fourth seed.

One more time, they were knocked down — like a boxer in the 10th round who knows he can’t win, but keeps ighting. he Gorloks trailed eventual SLIAC champions Westminster College by only six at the half.

But Webster simply ran out of gas and scored a meager seven points in the second half. he Gorloks were blown out 69-34, and the 2011-2012 season came to a merciful end. his Webster team will have no banner to hang in Grant Gymnasium. But the Gorloks can hold their heads up high, as they fought to the end and

MACKENZIE WILDER / he Journal

Webster counselor Gladys Smith spoke about eating disorders to student athletes on Feb. 26 in the Sunnen Lounge.

Look for a column by Journal sports editor Josh Sellmeyer next issue.

10

Sports

The Journal Feb. 29 - March 6, 2012

Webster collapses in second half, upset by MacMurray Highlanders go on 28-7 run during second half to pull away from top-seeded Gorloks

BY ANDY ARB Staf Writer

he Webster University men’s basketball season came to a shocking end in the semiinals of the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament on Feb. 23. he No. 1-seeded Gorloks were upset by No. 4-seeded MacMurray College 68-62 ater a second-half collapse by Webster.

Leading 37-26 at haltime, Webster increased its lead to 13 points midway through the second half. But that’s when it all began to unravel for the Gorloks.

MacMurray went on a 28-7 run to take a 64-56 lead with 2 minutes remaining.

Webster made a pair of desperation 3-pointers in the inal minutes and was forced to foul MacMurray. he Highlanders made their free throws to clinch the six-point victory. MacMurray outscored Webster 42-25 in the second half.

“Ater beating that team twice, having them at our home loor and everything going well for the irst 35 minutes, having it end like that is pretty disappointing,” junior guard Cody Bradisch said.

“It was pretty humbling.”

Poor shooting doomed Webster. In the second half, Webster shot 29 percent from the ield compared to 65.2 percent by MacMurray.

“We just didn’t make shots,” Webster coach Chris Bunch said.

“Cody (Bradisch) and (sophomore forward) Stefan (Whittingham) have shot it well all year.

Cody was a little bit hurt and he missed some shots. Stefan missed some shots. (Sophomore guard) Hollis (Edwards) missed a 3.

“Up at MacMurray a week earlier, those three guys were the very guys who made shots that put us over the top. I’m not blaming any one person because it wasn’t any one person’s fault, but they took essentially the same shots they took last Saturday that they made.”

Whittingham, who was honored as SLIAC Player of the Year before the game, was 3 of 15 from the ield, recording nine points and six rebounds. Bradisch was

GALE WHITEHEAD / he Journal

Webster University sophomore center Jarrod Huskey guards the ball as MacMurray College freshman center Clayton Whitlock defends. MacMurray upset the Gorloks 68-62 in a SLIAC semiinal on Feb. 23 at Grant Gymnasium.

1 of 7 shooting and scored three points, while Edwards was 2 of 7 for ive points.

“We just struggled there at the end to get anything going ofensively,” Bradisch said. “hey beat us fair and square. I don’t want to take anything away from them.”

Webster’s shooting struggles helped MacMurray continue its

second-half run.

“When a team is making a run at you, (if) you can score some points and kind of stop the run a little bit, then you can be where you want to be,” Bunch said. “hey were just scoring every trip down the court, and then we were coming down and turning it over or missing a shot.

“he wave gets so much bigger because you’re not scoring some to stem the tide. hat gave them added conidence to go down on the other end, and they ripped of a run of scoring opportunities.” he Highlanders were able to keep the momentum during their scoring spree with the support of MacMurray fans who made the

trip from Jacksonville, Ill. he MacMurray student section was on its feet behind the Highlanders’ bench the entire game. “hey’ve had good crowds all year,” Bunch said. “heir coach has a lot of energy and their crowd feeds of that energy a little bit. It’s like we were almost playing a road game.”

Junior guard Roman Robinson and freshman guard Ahmad Smith were the two bright spots for Webster. Robinson was 7 of 13 from the ield for 16 points, while Smith shot 4 of 6 for 11 points.

MacMurray freshman center Clayton Whitlock, the SLIAC Newcomer of the Year, led all scorers with 22 points on 10 of 12 shooting. Whitlock helped the Highlanders advance to the championship game against Westminster College, where they lost to Westminster 58-56 on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Westminster’s Joe James. he loss to MacMurray will resonate with the Gorloks until next season. “his one hurts, and it’s going to hurt for a while,” Bradisch said.

“I guess I have ive or six months before I can start thinking about next year.” he Gorloks should ield another competitive team next season, since they have no players leaving due to graduation. “here are three or four (SLIAC) teams besides us who have almost everyone returning,” Bunch said. “Everybody just assumes, ‘Well, you’re a year older, you’re going to be better.’ It doesn’t work that way. hey have to make sure they individually work on their games.

“I’ve got to make sure we do some things better. I’ve got to make sure we bring in some more players who can help us be better than we were this year. We all have things we need to do in the ofseason to make sure next year maybe we can put ourselves in the position again and do a better job of closing it out.”

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Westminster uses 36-7 second-half surge to overwhelm Gorloks Webster’s women’s basketball team ends season with 69-34 SLIAC semiinal loss to Blue Jays

BY JOSH SELLMEYER Sports Editor

FULTON, Mo. — Down just six at halftime, the Webster University women’s basketball team had to be feeling good about its chances to upset heavily favored Westminster College for the second straight season in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament.

But in the second half, turnovers and poor shooting by Webster and stellar defense by Westminster squashed the Gorloks’ upset bid. he Blue Jays held Webster scoreless during the game’s inal 12 minutes and 40 seconds en route to their 69-34 SLIAC semiinal win on Feb. 24 in Fulton, Mo. “We missed a couple shots and got down,” Webster coach Jordan Olufson said.

“When you don’t make shots and the other team makes shots, it’s a hard thing to handle. We didn’t handle it real well. hey made a run — instead of ighting back, we kind of just laid down. By the time we made a run, we were dug deep a little too much.”

Last season, the third-seeded Gorloks upended top-seeded Westminster 74-58 in the SLIAC championship game. Even though the setup for this year’s matchup was similar, Westminster coach Tracey Braden insisted last season’s game had no bearing on how her squad prepared for Webster this time around.

“I’m going to be honest — we have not talked about that because this is our focus,” Braden said. “Our focus is this team, this year. Last year is over and done with. Webster has a new team; we have a new team. his is a new opportunity. It’s not the same season or anything.

“So, other than focusing on Webster and that was who our opponent was, we didn’t even talk about last year. It was what do we need to do to put us in the position for where we want to be for Saturday.” he No. 1-seeded Blue Jays (22-4, 14-2 SLIAC) went on to beat second-seeded Eureka College 60-54 in the SLIAC championship to earn their irst-ever trip to the NCAA Division III tournament.

With the loss, Webster ended its season 12-14 overall and 10-6 in SLIAC play. he No. 4-seeded Gorloks entered the conference tournament on a three-game winning streak and used the end-of-season momentum to jump ahead 8-5 early in their game at Westminster. he Blue Jays responded with a 16-5 run to take a 21-13 lead with 9:20 let in the irst half.

Down 31-20, Webster closed the half on a 7-2 spurt and trailed only 33-27 at the break. Braden said that run by Webster had her team “shell-shocked,” and adjustments were in order for the second half.

“I told my team (at haltime), ‘We’re go-

DAVID NASH / he Journal

Webster University senior guard Blaire Underwood eyes Westminster College freshman guard/forward Tylere Goans during the Gorloks’ 69-34 loss to the Blue Jays in a SLIAC tournament semiinal on Feb. 24 in Fulton, Mo. Westminster pulled away by outscoring Webster 36-7 in the second half.

ing to be OK, but we’ve got to get back to playing our style of ball and not their style of ball,’” Braden said. “We’ve got to take care of hitting free throws, hitting gimme shots, making sure we’re playing defense with our feet and not our hands. We were not taking advantage of some opportunities; we had to push the ball and run.”

In the second half, Westminster’s pressure defense caused all sorts of problems for the Gorloks’ attack. Webster shot 3 of 29 (10.3 percent) from the ield and 0 of 10 from 3-point range. For the game, Webster made 11 of 48 ield-goal attempts and 0 of 13 shots from beyond the 3-point arc.

Westminster outscored Webster 36-7 in the half and closed the game on a 19-0 run. he Gorloks outrebounded Westminster for the game, but that was ofset by 33 Webster turnovers, including 17 in the second half. Webster’s turnovers, combined with poor shooting, enabled the Blue Jays to run in transition and get easy layups on

odd-man rushes. Westminster hit 43.8 percent of its second-half shots and made 40.3 percent of its shots for the game.

With the loss, seven Webster seniors — including Megan Willett (5.0 points per game), Loren Douglass (4.4 ppg) and Tori Fenemor (4.3 ppg) — had their careers come to an end. Douglass said she prepared for the Westminster game as if it was any other game.

“It wasn’t until ater the game that you really realized it was the last time playing in a Webster uniform, and the last time I’ll play competitive basketball in my career,” Douglass said. “It was deinitely an emotional locker room aterwards — that’s when everyone really started to realize that was it for us.”

Douglass said a high point for the seven seniors was when they helped Webster beat Westminster last season and put up a good showing in the irst round of the NCAA Division III tournament.

“You look at where the program was when we were all freshmen and where it is now, we’ve made great strides in the women’s basketball program,” Douglass said. “hat’s deinitely something to be proud of. he program is going to continue to grow and get better from where we let it this year.” he group of seniors was the irst class Olufson recruited to Webster. For that reason, and because the class compiled a 5748 overall record and a 38-26 SLIAC record during the past four seasons, Olufson said the group holds a special place in his heart.

“We’ve had a lot of back-to-back great years,” Olufson said. “his year wasn’t the year we really wanted. But for a group that started 1-8 and inished 12-14, (I’m) very proud. We could have gave up and we didn’t. I’m very proud about that.”

Contact the writer: wujournal@gmail.com

Baseball team swept by Hendrix, opens season 0-3

BY ERIC FUCHS Staf Writer

he Webster University baseball team traveled to Conway, Ark., for a three-game series against home team Hendrix College on Feb. 25 and 26. he Gorloks fell in all three games to the Warriors to open the season 0-3.

Prior to its games against Webster, Hendrix had already played nine games this season and had a record of 4-5. In the opener, the Gorloks tied the game at 1 in the fourth when sophomore second baseman Taylor Stoulp led of with an inield single. hen, Stoulp stole second, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on freshman Isaac Behme’s ground out.

In the bottom of the fourth, Hendrix scored two runs to take a 3-1 lead. Junior center ielder Cody Stevenson led of the sixth with a walk and then stole second. Stoulp also walked, and then senior Tom Henke lied out to center ield to move Stevenson to third.

Stoulp attempted to steal, which allowed Stevenson to score and cut the lead to 3-2.

Stevenson tripled in the seventh and scored on a passed ball to tie the game at 3. he Gorloks went cold in extra innings, as they were 0 for 9 in the eighth, ninth and 10th innings. Hendrix led of the 10th with a triple. he next batter hit a sacriice ly to center to score the game-winner for the Warriors.

Senior David Mueller threw a solid seven-inning game. He allowed seven hits, struck out ive and allowed two earned runs.

“My arm felt good,” Mueller said. “It was a little chilly out there and it took me a couple innings to settle in. But ater that, my arm felt ine.”

In the nightcap, Webster started of strong by taking a 2-0 lead in the top of the irst.

Webster scored three more times in the fourth inning to take a 5-0 lead into the ith, but it all went downhill for the Gorloks from there.

Hendrix scored a run in the bottom of the ith and went on a hitting spree in the bottom of the sixth, scoring eight runs on ive hits. Hendrix went on to win the second game 9-5. Webster junior starter Steven Dooley pitched 5 1/3 innings, gave up seven hits and four earned runs.

All three Webster outielders — junior Alex Kazmierski, junior Mike Rainbolt and Stevenson — had two hits apiece.

Rainbolt sufered a dislocated shoulder in the sixth inning, and his recovery timetable is uncertain at this point.

Stevenson said he felt good about his irst games of the season.

“I did a lot better than what I expected — pretty good two games with our irst games being a doubleheader,” he said.

On Feb. 26, the Gorloks couldn’t avoid a sweep by the Warriors. he Gorloks’ bats were silent in the irst ive innings, as they produced only two hits.

In the sixth, Webster inally got on the board with three runs, as junior designated hitter Colin Bates hit a two-run homer to put the Gorloks up 3-2. he Warriors took over the lead in the bottom of the sixth with two runs and never looked back from there. Hendrix scored seven runs in the seventh and one in the eighth to win the game 12-3 and sweep the three-game series.

Webster coach Bill Kurich had mixed feelings about his team’s early-season performance.

“We did some things very well; we did some things pretty poorly,” Kurich said. “I thought we had three very good starting pitching performances. We did not get the performances from the bullpen that we needed. But for being outside for the irst time, even though we went 0-3, we played a very good team and a well prepared team.” he Gorloks will try to bounce back this weekend, as they play four home games at GCS Ballpark in Sauget, Ill. Webster plays Grinnell College on March 3 at noon and against Millikin University at 6 p.m. On March 4, Webster plays Grinnell at 10 a.m. and Millikin at 4 p.m.

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