Vol 93 issue 15

ARKATECH THE OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1923

THE

ARKANSAS TECH UNIVERSITY // THURSDAY, FEB. 23, 2017 • VOL. 93 NO. 15

Second International Film Festival in eight languages CLAUDIA YOUNG

Editor-in-Chief

The library will be hosting its second annual International Film Festival on Feb. 28-March 16. All movies will begin at 7 p.m. in RPL 300 North.

Eight movies are scheduled and eight languages will be represented. The last movie of the festival, “Babel”, will represent seven languages alone.

The festival is a Global Focus On Track event. Students needing credit can arrive at 6:45 p.m. on the night of the film to swipe their ID. The festival is free to everyone. Philippe Van Houtte, system librarian, said he encourages faculty, staff, students and the community to attend.

Van Houtte said last year’s festival was effective and hopes more people will attend this year.

“I think it had an impact,” Van Houtte said. “And because of its impact, we decided to have another one. It can only grow.”

Van Houtte, Dr. Lowell Lybarger, music and multimedia librarian, and Dr. Nelson Ramírez, associate professor of Spanish and coordinator of world languages, have been planning the film festival since June.

“We brainstormed and tried to find a positive way to expose the community to the richness

of other cultures and languages,” Van Houtte said. “Movies are a very positive and interesting way to expose because you have audio and visual which allows you to totally embrace the surroundings and sounds of the language when you watch.”

Ramírez said they have expanded the languages and cultures offered this year.

“We decided to add a sample of other cinematic traditions,” Ramírez said. “Besides films in the languages that our department offers, this time the festival will show films in Hindi and Persian.”

Ramírez said the films will help foster the desire to continue or to start the enriching process of learning another language to those who attend.

For next year’s International Film Festival, Van Houtte said they have decided that all movies will be in the original language of the country it’s representing. They also plan to change the location.

“We hope that the auditorium in Doc Bryan will be renovated in time for next year’s film festival.” Van Houtte said.

For more information, visit filmfest.atu.edu.

TUESDAY, FEB. 28 Luther (English)

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8 Dreams (Japanese)

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1 El orfanato (Spanish)

THURSDAY, MARCH 9 English Vinglish (English & Hindi)

THURSDAY, MARCH 2 Les intouchables (French)

TUESDAY, MARCH 14 La Misma Luna (Spanish)

TUESDAY, MARCH 7 Children of Heaven (Persian)

THURSDAY, MARCH 16 Babel (seven languages)

Contributing Writer

Player of the week (Combined Stats)

• .500 batting average (5-10) • 3 home runs in one game • 10 runs batted in

MEET DR. DAVID BLANKS - PAGE 5

Tech Talks – Participate in an open forum to share your thoughts, beliefs and comments from 12-1 p.m. in Baz Tech.

Self Care – Learn how to take care of yourself and manage your stress from 3-4 p.m. in Baz Tech 202.

How Your Personality Impacts Your Leadership – Learn how to use your personality to your advantage from 4-5 p.m. in 331 of the library.

ATU Chamber and Concert Chorale Concert – Listen to the Tech choirs perform from 7:30-9 p.m. in Witherspoon Auditorium.

Soul Food Sunday – Learn more about African American Culture with DDI’s soul food event from 3-5 p.m. in Young Ballroom.

Film festival schedule:

ALEXIS BELL

Klockowski

THURSDAY

SUNDAY

'Serving Up Love for Foster Care'

Zach

News briefs

A first-time fundraiser, “Serving Up Love for Foster Care,” will give students and faculty the chance to stretch their tennis legs and help foster children this Saturday at Burns Park in North Little Rock.

The fundraiser was created by Tiffany Webster, public relations major from Conway, who is partnering with Project Zero and The CALL of Pulaski County to spread awareness about children in foster care.

According to The CALL’s website, there are about 4,500 children in foster care in Arkansas right now.

Webster said that she has a “big heart” for foster kids and encourages everyone who can to come out and support them.

“They’re coming out here and they’re playing tennis, but they’re doing more than that,” Webster said about the event. “They’re helping a child find a home. They’re helping a child get the therapy they need.

They’re helping them in so many other ways than just playing tennis.”

Another person who played a part in planning the fundraiser was Amanda McDaniels, manager of the enterprise project management office for Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

The two met for the first time recently when McDaniels heard of the

MISS TECH PAGEANT - PAGE 8

event through a mutual friend who put the two of them in contact. McDaniels contacted Webster and offered to lend her expertise in event and project planning to the fundraiser. She was also able to help reach out to more sponsors.

“I have a lot of friends who own their own business,” McDaniels said.

“I made a lot of phone calls, texts, emails, all those things to all of my good friends and asked if they wanted to donate prizes to the event.”

The list of sponsors, brought in by both Webster and McDaniels, includes businesses and organizations such as Tyson Foods, Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the United States Tennis Association in Arkansas.

“This is the kind of event that there’s so many different things for all kinds of people here,” McDaniels said. “If you like to play tennis, you can come to the event and have fun.

If you want to support Project Zero and The Call, you can come to the event knowing your donation of your ticket that you buy is going to go to a good cause.”

The fundraiser will start at 4 p.m. and end at 8 p.m. Tickets are for sale for $20 and can be purchased on the fundraiser’s Eventbrite page. 100 percent of the proceeds will being going back to help foster children in Arkansas. Food and swag prizes are being provided for free.

MONDAY

Assertiveness in Leadership: Communication that Produces Action – Learn how to be assertive in the workplace from 4-5 p.m. in Baz Tech 202.

American Composer Recital – Listen to the brothers of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and musicians from the surrounding area perform music written or arranged by an American from 7:30-9 p.m. in Witherspoon Auditorium.

TUESDAY

Musician Jesse MacLeod – Watch Jesse MacLeod perform from 12-1 p.m. in Baz Tech.

Strategic Approach to Proposal Writing – Learn how to write a grant proposal effectively from 4-5 p.m. in Baz Tech 202.

2nd International Film Festival – Immerse yourself in eight different cultures from 7-10 p.m. in RPL 300. The festival will continue until March 16.

WEDNESDAY

Studying for the GRE: How to Begin and What to Expect – Be prepared for the GRE with this workshop from 3-4 p.m. in Doc Bryan 153.

Tech’s Got Talent Auditions – Show off your talents from 6-9 p.m. in Doc Bryan Lecture Hall to gain a spot in the Top 12.

2nd International Film Festival – Immerse yourself in eight different cultures from 7-10 p.m. in RPL 300. The festival will continue until March 16.

GOLDEN SUNS HOLDING ON - PAGE 7

PAGE 2 | Opinion

Education: equal rights for all The future of education from kindergarten to college age students is changing.

Whether that change is good or bad is yet to be determined, but we feel that one thing should not change: educational standards controlled by the government with appropriate funding.

Don’t get us wrong; we do not mean that the government should control all aspects of education. However, we do feel that everyone has equal rights to be educated and that education needs a standard for each level.

The system in place that allows that type of education, and funds it, is not perfect but should stay in place and be adapted. Current United States Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos, has plans to trade that current system and bring in a system of “school choice and school vouchers,” according to Business Insider.

“School Choice is a controversial movement that advocates for parents to “choose” the school (public, private, re-

ligious, charter, home, online) they feel is best for their children,” Business Insider said in their January edition. “Tuition is paid for by redistributing funds from government public schools, or from vouchers that come from a government entity.”

We believe this new system would be a mistake because it causes the privatization of schools, increases the profit margin of the choice schools and would create a pocket of government money that currently has no place to be allocated to.

The privatization of schools would be a mistake in our eyes because it would create niche schools. For example, a school could be designated to science.

While knowing science is a wonderful thing, knowing only science is not. We as humans need a balance in our education; we need to understand history, English, math and geography.

We need to know these things to excel beyond an isolated and limited view. To have a unique

perspective culminated by versatility.

“Donald Trump’s focus on school choice, vouchers and his overall ambivalence about the federal role in education will complicate matters for the Every Student Succeeds Act,” Edsource.org said. “That’s the recently revised federal law through which billions of dollars flow to states and local school districts. Most of that money targets low-income kids and students with learning disabilities.”

Taking tax dollars away from Acts, such as the ESSA, is why the new system DeVos suggests would not be beneficial in the long run but become a transfer of that money into the pockets of privatized schools. The profit line the schools in this system would want to reach would be the main motivation in this system; after all, education is a business. This then would become about money and not about the students.

We do not believe the current system is perfect in this

Sturgill Simpson - the revolution has begun RYAN HARMON

Entertainment Writer Did you notice a category that was surprisingly missing from the recent GRAMMYs? Each year, Nashville gets its chance to shine at the GRAMMYs with several country-specific awards, including the sought-after “Best Country Album.”

Typically, this award would be presented during the televised portion of the GRAMMYs, but this year, for some strange reason, it was presented during the internet pre-show. And social media had mixed reactions when the winner was, country outsider, Sturgill Simpson.

Although I believe the award was left off of the televised portion because Simpson is an outsider, the beauty of the situation is that it doesn’t matter.

Simpson even joked about it himself during his acceptance speech by saying, “I guess the revolution will not be televised.”

Simpson has made his displeasure with the country music industry very clear, most notably when he called them out over an award named after,

the late, Merle Haggard, a friend of Simpson’s.

Since then, Nashville has chosen to ignore Simpson, though they’ve looked somewhat foolish for doing so. Simpson’s latest album, “A Sailor’s Guide To Earth,” went to number one on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart.

I would’ve loved to have been a fly on the wall when the industry saw that Simpson was not only nominated for “Best Country Album,” but he was also the only country artist to be nominated for “Album of the Year.”

Simpson wouldn’t have a chance of even being nominated for an Academy of Country Music or Country Music Association award, both of which are controlled by people in the industry.

So, of course, the more commercially-viable artists that the industry promotes will always win those awards, but Nashville doesn’t have enough power to sway a GRAMMY vote.

What I don’t know is how much power they would have to keep an award from airing on the televised portion of the show. It could be purely a coincidence, but for an award to be cut out of the main show the year that an

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2017

Editorial: ed·i·to·ri·al

[ed-i-tawr-ee-uhl, -tohr-] noun: An article that represents the official viewpoint of a newspaper on a topic of public interest. matter, but we do believe that putting the money into the hands of a system of school choice and vouchers is not a better choice; in fact, we believe it is a step backwards.

Another step backwards would be to put the money meant for education into another system. Why? Because all other systems would fail without the proper education of the people who need to run them.

We understand that other projects within the government need more funding and this would distribute more funds to those projects. What we are trying to convey is that without an education we as a people are nothing.

There is a saying, “We’re only as strong as our weakest link,” and in this instance,

outsider wins it sounds like a pretty big coincidence to me.

The industry seems to put a lot of stock into these awards, so I’ll be interested to see how they handle the media coverage of an outsider defeating them. Will industry magazines begin running stories about Simpson? Will country radio start playing Simpson’s music? I don’t think it’s out of the question.

The country music industry will be

uneducated or improperly educated people would be our weakest link. We support government standards and government funding to schools to meet those standards.

We believe everyone has a right to education, a free education, even if the system is flawed. Funding a new system that is a step backwards is not the solution and putting money into private schools is not a solution either. Educate people, have a basic standard of what education should be and have schools strive for nothing less than the best.

We believe in knowledge, growing beyond, and we believe in you. We are saying no to the new education system DeVos wants to incorporate and we want you to do the same.

forced to acknowledge Simpson now.

Everybody’s heard the name, seen the face and heard the music. Even if they continue trying to ignore him, it’s too late. The world has now been made aware of the revolution, and it’s happening, whether the industry likes it or not.

For more information about Sturgill Simpson, visit www.sturgillsimpson. com.

Campus | PAGE 3

MAN ON THE STREET “WHAT IS YOUR PASSION OUTSIDE OF YOUR MAJOR?”

“Playing volleyball and reading novels.”

Anish Gyawali Information Technology Kathmandu, Nepal

“Spending time with my sisters in Delta Zeta.”

Kate Reese Elementary Education Heber Springs

The major you could have AMBER QUAID

Managing Editor

Undeclared.

Major change. Not the right fit.

All these words can be attached to a person’s degree plan, but Arkansas Tech University has offered a tool that can help give a current or prospective student insight into what their major could be.

The tool is called MyMajors.

MyMajors is a questionnaire that breaks down into four categories; a person’s academic achievement, aptitude, interests and personality, which determine what major would best suit them.

“MyMajors is designed to emulate a human academic adviser,” Dr. Fritz Grupe, creator of MyMajors, said in his assessment of all students’ results.

I took this questionnaire to see if I was meant to be a journalist, and though it did appear on my list, it was in the No. 5 spot. So does this mean I need to change my major? Absolutely not, but it did provide insight as to other fields I could work in or other options, had I been in the earlier stages of my education, that I could’ve pursued.

The MyMajors questionnaire provides these other options through a break down of the questions it asks. The breakdown begins with a course matrix that has four categories that your questions fall into. The categories are Low Interest, High Grades; High Interest, High Grades; Low Interest, Low Grades; and High Interest, Low Grades.

From there the questionnaire breaks down into grades and enjoyment of certain courses. Then it moves into a person’s values and preferences such as “clear connection to a career” or how a person will “exercise your creativity.”

After the breakdown is complete the MyMajors program will analyze the information and offer the top ten majors it thinks is best suited to the person.

The person can then click on the choices, and he will be taken to the Tech webpage that corresponds to that major. This allows someone to look more indepth to the majors suggested.

My number one option was fine arts, but I will tell you now that I need much more practice before I could draw a stick fig-

AMBER QUAID/THE ARKA TECH ure, sing a song in tune or naire, go online to atu.mywrite a creative fiction sto- majors.com. We would love ry worth reading. Though to hear your results and see that option isn’t a good fit if they matched your curfor me now it was inter- rent degree. Send us a tweet esting to see the options @arkatechnews to let us offered and that the degree know. In the tweet include path I’m on now was in the your results, your major top five. and what you thought of To take the question- the questionnaire.

Being there, helping those who are suicidal AMBER QUAID

Managing Editor “Playing soccer.”

Hari Devkota Information Technology Kathmandu, Nepal

“Playing with friends.”

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for college students, according to the American Association of Suicidology. However, Suicide is the “most preventable form of death,” the National Institute of Mental Health said.

To help educate students, faculty and staff, Arkansas Tech University Health and Wellness offers QPR training. QPR stands for Question, Persuade and Refer; all steps that help a person seek out information to see if a person is suicidal.

“We are not the first person to come in contact with the student that maybe experiencing symptoms,” Janis Taylor, a licensed professional counselor for Tech, said.

“We get a lot of referrals.”

Suicidal people often show “warning signs and/or clues,” the QPR training explains. There are direct verbal clues that include: “I wish I were dead.” But there are subtler clues, such as “I just want out,” or “Who cares if

Arkansas National Average

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH

I am dead anyway?”

There are also nonverbal clues, such as “giving away prized possessions, drug or alcohol abuse or unexplained

(SUICIDE page 4)

Lishan Yang Business Data Analytics Guangzhou, China

“Playing music; Christian rock music.”

James Reynolds Communication Russellville

“To help others.”

Marlee Melton Nursing Hector

ANSWERS FOR FEB. 16

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2017

PAGE 4 | News

Students get career exposure in public relations industry TAYLOR BLEAKLEY

Contributing Writer

TAYLOR BLEAKLEY/THE ARKA TECH Left to right: Joli Dupy, Skye Gorena, Seth Walker, Karla Cruz, Taylor Bleakley.

Public relations students attended agency and industry tours in Little Rock for a day of networking and learning from public relations professionals Friday, Feb. 17.

The annual Public Relations Student Society of America Agency/Industry Tours Day brings undergraduate students from across the state together to gain insight about some of the top PR work environments in Central Arkansas, according to the Public Relations Society of America.

“I feel like I’m leaving with five or six years of knowledge that a book couldn’t teach me. I really enjoyed learning about all of the different aspects there are to public relations,” Seth Walker, speech communication and public relations major, said.

Students had the chance to join industry professionals for lunch at the Regions Bank Building to network, seek career advice and watch Johnny Little, CEO/Founder of eLittle Communications, give a presentation on the communication of the Ferguson, Mo. crisis, and how he assisted the city by creating a media relations department.

Public relations students visited Mangan

Highway 7: A safer route needed for all

SUICIDE

GREGORY BRADEN

Contributing Writer

The need for a safer route at the intersection at Arkansas Highway 7 and O Street has been recognized by both city officials and Arkansas Tech University leadership.

There are multiple reasons why the construction of an underpass/tunnel at the intersection connecting Tech campus to the intramural fields should be pushed forward. Although some plans for an underpass do already exist, the construction needs to be made a priority and should begin immediately after the O Street construction is finished.

As Arkansas Highway 7 is the main highway in Russellville, it is bound to be busy. The intersection of O Street and Arkansas Highway 7 is one of the most dangerous intersections in Russellville, according to The Courier. The problem with the location of the Highway is that it splits ATU campus from the intramural fields and vista place apartments.

The answer ­— an underpass.

When asked about the intersection, Russellville Mayor Randy Horton was deeply concerned about the safety of pedestrians. He recommended that there not be a bridge but an underpass tunnel due to the underpass being more cost efficient and easier to walk through.

“A safer route for pedestrians is a high priority deal, and that construction for an underpass is in the city development plans for the future,” Horton said. Horton estimates that the underpass construction could start as early as late 2017 or early 2018.

Funding for the underpass will come from the ten-yearhalf-cent sales tax, which was passed by the state in 2013, for transportation and highway needs. The tunnel is estimated to cost just over a million dollars.

Many students walk back and forth from campus to Vista Place Apartments and the intramural fields. A tunnel would be much safer for pedestrians crossing the intersection.

Caraway Hall, serves as sorority housing and sits off

Holcomb Partners, Stone Ward, Ghidotti Communications, The Communications Group, Heifer International and the Union Pacific Jenks Locomotive Facility.

“This has opened my eyes to more opportunities within public relations,” Karla Cruz, junior public relations major, said. “I feel like if I pursue public relations that the Public Relations Student Society of America is the best way to get my foot in the door.”

Students were able to network with public relations specialists including president/ CEO of Ghidotti Communications, Natalie Ghidotti, Public Relations Society of America Arkansas president, Sarah Kinser, senior brand manager and public relations account manager, Heide Harrell, and many more.

“It is important for students to have these opportunities for exposure, networking and other benefits that you can’t teach students in a classroom,” Megan Toland, assistant professor of journalism, said. “It also helps students figure out for themselves what they might want to do, and what options they have if they go into public relations.”

For more information about PRSSA go online to prssa.prsa.org or contact ATU PRSSA adviser Dr. Hanna Norton at hnorton@atu.edu.

GREGORY BRADEN/THE ARKA TECH Arkansas Highway 7 is the main highway in Russellville.

Highway 7, just south of the intersection.

When asked if an underpass would be helpful to the women of Caraway Hall, Maggie Hand, Zeta Tau Alpha president, said, “a tunnel would be used a lot. Most of us drive to the intramural fields due to the hazard that Highway 7 presents. An underpass there would make walking to the fields a lot easier.”

With a tunnel being placed under Highway 7, there would be more people walking not just from Caraway, but from the rest of campus as well. This would tremendously help the parking situation at the intramural fields as less students would be driving to the intramural fields.

For safety’s sake, let construction of an underpass come with haste and provide protection to all at Arkansas Tech University.

From Page 3

anger, aggression and irritability.” Paying attention to the signs is one way to recognize a suicidal person.

“Any of these signs by themselves certainly doesn’t mean that someone is thinking about suicide,” Hunter Bramlitt, licensed associate counselor for Tech, said. “When you see a lot of them together is when you should start worrying.”

Asking a family member, friend, fellow student or co-worker if they are suicidal can be a difficult task for some people, but the QPR training offers tips on asking.

Tips such as: “have you been unhappy lately?” or a more direct approach that offers open communication, “Are you thinking about killing yourself?”

While some may think asking the question out right is a little rude or intrusive, the training and Tech counselors say that opening a line of communication to those who are suicidal is often the best solution.

Showing people you care and are there for them puts a “spark of hope”

back into a person and can “be the difference” in a person’s life the QPR training states. Getting a person help is the next step.

“A survey of college counseling centers revealed that 86% of students who died by suicide did not seek campus counseling services prior to their death,” the American Association of Suicidology said.

Learning how to properly assess a situation and engage in conversation about suicide can be done through training provided by the Health and Wellness Center, but if a person feels the situation needs attention now, counselors are available to all students.

Students receive 10 free sessions per academic year.

For more information or to request QPR training for groups 25 or larger contact the Health and Wellness Center by phone at (479) 968-0329.

Counseling services are available Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and appointments can be scheduled online at atu. medicatconnect.com.

The Arka Tech

GENERAL POLICY

Editor-in-Chief: CLAUDIA YOUNG

News stories printed in The Arka Tech must be accurate, fair and as unbiased as possible. Any mistakes in fact found in an issue of The Arka Tech will be corrected in the first possible issue. Opinions expressed in The Arka Tech are not necessarily the opinions of Arkansas Tech University or its students. Individual copies of The Arka Tech are free to members of the Tech community.

Contact the adviser for pricing of multiple copies.

Managing Editor/ Layout Editor: AMBER QUAID

CONTACT US

Assistant Online Editor: ELEXIS HARPER

Office: Energy Center 138 General email: arkatech@atu.edu Ads email: arkatech.ads@atu.edu

Online Editor: SAM HOISINGTON Copy Editor: AMBER APPLEBY Sports Editor: MATTHEW EMERY Assistant Layout Editor/ Editorial Cartoonist: EZEKIEL MASCUILLI

Entertainment Writer: RYAN HARMON

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2017

Faculty Advisor: TOMMY MUMERT

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ARKATECH

Features | PAGE 5

History department head holds many roles GABBI CALABRESE

Staff Writer

SUBMITTED

Dr. David Blanks, head of the department of history, overlooks the skyline of Dubai in his travels during 2015.

SUBMITTED

Blanks visited with students at the University of Ilorin in Ilorin, Nigeria in 2010.

In Aug. 2015, Dr. David Blanks was appointed as the head of the history department at Arkansas Tech University.

Becoming a department head at a university is something that takes time and requires extensive academic experience, Blanks said.

“Universities work in either one of two ways,” Blanks said. “Either you are a department chair, which somebody is elected by your department for a fixed term, or you’re a department head, which is appointed by the administration. And that’s sort of an annually renewable contract, but it’s also generally you’re there for however long the administration wants you to be there.”

After many years of teaching and research, he was elected as chair of his department at the American University of Cairo. He worked there for nearly a decade, which helped him build his experience and get hired at Tech.

Now, Blanks teaches two history courses during the semester and a course over the summer, but he has many other responsibilities as department head. He is in charge of budget, scheduling and hiring for the history department.

“Basically, you’re just making sure that everything functions on a sort of annual cycle,” Blanks said.

He serves the university in other areas, too. He is on the museum board and the faculty welfare committee, and he is heading the recently-added diversity and inclusion initiative.

However, he loves the interactive aspects of his job with students and co-workers.

“The people I work with, that’s my favorite part,” Blanks said.

Although he has only been in charge of the department for a short time, he knows which areas he would like to help grow, such as the public history program, cultural and geospatial studies, interdisciplinary studies and the new philosophy minor.

Blanks said they are “trying to expand on areas where we offer something unique.”

Blanks originally hails from Cali-

fornia, and he has dedicated a hefty portion of his life to traveling around the U.S. and living in the Middle East.

He said his curiosity about how our culture has evolved is what drew him to history in the first place. According to Blanks, his travels have given him a broad range of diverse experiences, which, he believes, is important for faculty, students—everyone.

“It’s an increasingly globalized world,” he said. “The demographics of the United States are changing.

Students need to be prepared to deal with difference.”

Blanks wants to encourage everyone to go on a study abroad program, take foreign language classes or take courses in regions of the past.

“I think the more international diverse experiences you have the better you’re going to be off as a job candidate, but also, the happier you’re going to be as a person.”

Blanks still intends to visit Egypt and the Middle East. He says there are plenty of beautiful places to visit, but he admits it’s much more difficult to live in the rougher conditions that he had come to know in Cairo.

Dr. Blanks said he hopes students will take part in Dr. Bowen’s new diversity and inclusion initiative, which he is chairing. This spring they will be setting up focus groups for people to express their needs in terms of diversity and inclusion on Tech’s campus.

“I hope that people feel that they can approach me and tell me their stories or, you know, what their thoughts are on that matter,” he said.

“You know, when they see me on campus just come up and tell me what they think because I’m trying to understand the climate of diversity and inclusion at Tech.”

Blanks said his job is not directly related to the department of Diversity and Inclusion on campus, though.

That department was set up specifically to take care of students, whereas Blanks is leading a working group that will come up with a new plan for diversity and inclusion for the entire university, including faculty and professors. He described it as more of an “administrative initiative,” trying to come up with ways in which they can help the campus’ diversity and inclusion in the long-run.

Civil rights speaker shares history, experiences and understanding BRIANNA DAVIS

Staff Writer

Sheyann Webb-Christburg, who was personally involved with the Civil Rights movement, will give a speech telling her story to conclude Black History Month at Arkansas Tech on Feb. 28.

Webb-Christburg grew up in Selma, Alabama, where she was introduced to Dr. Martin Luther King at the age of 9 during the Civil Rights Movement.

“Since I’ve been here, this is the first person that we’ve had that had this close relationship with a civil rights activist,” Dr. MarTeze Hammonds, associate dean for Diversity and Inclusion said. “This speaker is history. Think of the courage it took to be 9 years old

and to be marching.”

Webb-Christburg was there for the historical event in Selma known as “Bloody Sunday,” which was the first attempted Selma to Montgomery march.

“I think it’s important for anybody to hear black history,” Hammonds said. “When we have the opportunity to talk about Hispanic Heritage month we brought in a Hispanic speaker; Black History Month we bring in a Black History Month speaker and for LGBTQ, we brought in a LGBTQ speaker. These are voices that are sometimes lost or unheard on this campus, so I want to make sure they have that opportunity.”

Black History Month events are co-sponsored by the department of

Need service hours?

Arkansas Tech's Debate and Forensics is hosting tournaments on

Feb. 24-26 and March 23-27.

Volunteers are needed to serve in several capacities.

Diversity and Inclusion, Career Services and the College of Arts and Humanities.

“It took some time, but ultimately our system worked for people who maybe have a minority status or have experienced oppression and sort of the arch towards equality,” Jeffrey Woods, dean of the College of Arts and Humanities, said. “For me it’s about providing context for understanding that story to better understand ourselves.”

Webb-Christburg will be speaking at the Doc Bryan Lecture Hall, and there will be two sessions. The first one will be the afternoon forum at 4 p.m. on Feb. 28, and the second will be the keynote speech at 7 p.m. the same day. This lecture is open to Tech students and the public.

WEBB-CHRISTBURG

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NOW IN PROGRESS! Friday, Feb 26 9:30-8 • Monday-Saturday 9:30-6

If interested, contact Dr. Gabriel Adkins at gadkins@atu.edu

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2017

PAGE 6 | Entertainment

Cobb shines on new album RYAN HARMON

Entertainment Writer Country star Chris Stapleton announced a summer tour last week, and one of the openers is up-and-coming artist Brent Cobb.

I’d heard of Cobb before, though I hadn’t heard any of his music. He’s recently been gaining a lot of attention for his first full-length album, “Shine On Rainy Day,” such as his performance on NPR’s “Tiny Desk Concert,” where I first heard him.

It’s not easy to be different in the music world, but when your cousin is popular producer Dave Cobb you’re already off to a good start. Dave Cobb has produced award-winning records for Jason Isbell, Jamey Johnson and, of course, Stapleton.

Being a fan of classic country music, Cobb’s new record was right up my alley. He certainly has his own slant on it, though. The best way I can describe it is a mix of classic country, southern rock and folk rock. It’s comfortably familiar, yet excitingly fresh.

The album opens with “Solving Problems,” and immediately takes the listener to Ellaville, Georgia, where Cobb is from.

I’m sure the Georgia connection is what reminded me of Dickey Betts, legendary Allman Brothers Band guitarist, when I first listened to this record.

The album’s soulful title track follows that same path, with a groove and vocal delivery that’s reminiscent of artists like Bob Seger.

“Traveling Poor Boy” and “Down In The Gulley” are two of my favorite songs on the record. Both songs highlight the

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Series ends on high note AMBER APPLEBY

Copy Editor

BRENTCOBBMUSIC.COM

Brent Cobb's album "Shine on a Rainy Day" was released in 2016. consistent beat that’s found throughout this record, similar to Waylon Jennings.

The album closes on a slightly different note, with a bluesy tune called “Black Crow.” The closing song can make or break an album, and Cobb certainly made the right decision with this one. It’s the icing on the cake.

It’s always great to hear a good, hon-

‘Rings’ less scary, less imaginative, less engaging GABBI CALABRESE experiment featuring a creepy black and white Staff Writer VHS tape that leaves When I was younger, someone with only I peed my pants watch- seven days to live after ing Gore Verbinski’s they watch it. Julia then “The Ring.” As far as decides it’s her responhorror movies go, that’s sibility to put a stop to setting the bar high for the entire operation and me. When I heard about save VHS-watchers ev“Rings,” directed by erywhere.

F. Javier Gutiérrez, I My primary issue almost peed my pants with this film was Juin excitement. I wish I lia. While I can apprecould say it was every- ciate her attempt at thing I was hoping for feminism, I thought and more, but I left the she was just downright theater feeling unfazed. dumb—the type of pro“Rings” is essential- tagonist you’re yelling ly a more science-based at for going upstairs or version of its predeces- investigating the mystesor, “The Ring.” This rious noises in the othrecent installment fol- er room. She marches lows Julia, a young adult into dangerous situawho insists on being a tions without thinking hero. and without backup.

Holt, Julia’s boy- There’s a difference friend and supposed between being a tough one true love, leaves female lead and a reckfor college and begins less one. Julia falls into ignoring her calls and the latter category, in texts. As the story pro- annoying fashion. Aside gresses, she discovers from her questionable an underground science decision-making, we

don’t know much about her. Or any of the other characters, for that matter. It was hard to find anyone to connect with or cheer for in this film.

I also expected more from the plot. There were several scenes throughout the film that made me think, “This is just like that other scary movie.” There are a few shudder-worthy scenes in the movie and quite a few jump-scares tossed into the mix, but nothing that I think back on with fear. This film could have done so much with the modern setting and current technology, but everything is just so lackluster.

However, there is one aspect of the movie that shines: the ending. I hate a story with a happy, ribbon-tied ending, and I am delighted to say that “Rings” does not give us one. Whereas much of “Rings” is timid, the film’s conclu-

est album from a new artist, but this one has a feel that I haven’t heard much from newer or older artists. I’m excited to see what the future holds for Brent Cobb, and I’ll be anxiously awaiting his future releases.

“Shine On Rainy Day” is available now. For more information, visit www. brentcobbmusic.com.

TEASER-TRAILER.COM

"Rings," directed by F. Javier Gutierrez, hit theaters Feb. 3. sion, while not all that unpredictable, delves into a more intense and sinister component.

I was left with several questions leaping around my head, and I am more than pleased to not have answers. I am content to let my imag-

ination take the reins at the end.

If the entire film had gone to the same place its finale went, “Rings” could have been absolutely fantastic. As it stands, most of the movie is not very scary, imaginative or engaging.

Smooth edgy solo act releases 12-track album BRITTANY WALKER

Staff Writer

When I was in high school, my favorite rap collective was Odd Future. I loved them because of their obscene behavior in interviews and award shows but also their smooth and edgy music.

This group was composed of rap and R&B subgroups, one of them being the Grammy nominated group: The Internet, an energy filled neo-soul band with Syd as the lead singer, songwriter and producer. Now, Syd is a solo act and has released her debut 12-track solo album entitled “Fin.” “Fin” was released February 2017 via iTunes, and as soon as I heard the news, I clicked onto Apple Music and immediately vibed out to the first track called “Shake Em Off.” “Shake Em Off” starts off with a snare and Syd’s melodic vocals harmonizing to give the song sophistication.

The second song comes in pretty broad-

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ly with keyboard horns starting the intro and then drifting into an almost acapella groove with just a kick beat, a sample and Syd’s vocals giving an Aaliyah sound. This is actually my favorite track because it stands out from the rest of the songs on the album by bringing back that old vibe of Timbaland and Missy Elliott’s

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2017

sound that gave artists like Tweet and Aaliyah their signature sound.

The next song is “No Complaints,” which is a 1-minute interlude into “Nothin to Somethin,” which blends perfectly. From the very start of “No Complaints,” Syd rap-sings about her success in the game so far. The beat to “Nothin to Somethin” immediately drops after and gives the album a bop to vibe to.

As for the rest of the album, it slows down and the production of every song gets smoother.

With Syd coming from a band, this album shows her confidence and zealous consistency for music. She plays with a lot of weird sounds that wouldn’t normally fit into an R&B mood, but she jells it in well with her hard hitting hihats, kicks and suave approach. “All About Me” is a great example of that.

I love this album because the sultry mood is at a consistent pace and never leaves me bored. Syd’s poise and inventive songwriting will have you listening to this with satisfaction every listen.

As my Black History Month series draws to a close, I have begun thinking back over the books that I have read. These novels have all been extremely sad and enlightening. I have encouraged you to read them all because they are important novels that should be read. Dinaw Mengestus’s novel, “All Our Names,” is absolutely no exception; this novel was by far my favorite of the four.

The story is told in alternating points of view and follows two different timelines.

Issac’s story is set in Uganda during a time of revolution, fear and an extremely bloody war. His story focuses on the love of friendship, the disaster of war and the lengths that people will go through for each other.

Helen’s story takes place in rural Illinois where segregation is done more out of politeness than requirement.

Her story focuses on forbidden love, the pain of understanding more than you ever wanted to know about yourself and it explores more fully the lengths people go through for each other.

They are two separate stories that are inextricably connected by Issac, the main character. A main character you’re not really sure you like, but whose story you have to hear because Mengestus sucks you into this world of love and war.

As you watch Issac and Helen deal with the perils that go with their everyday lives, you begin to realize that love, no matter if it’s romantic or platonic, matters more than what people say, distance or the inevitability of human failure. Their connection is a real connection that I feel many loves can relate to.

I finished this book in about three days, and it only took me that long because I had to go to work and do adult things that really hindered my reading time.

Needless to say, I really enjoyed it.

Mengestus has an art for storytelling. It is difficult to tell a story from two different characters, but he does it flawlessly. He drops crumbs of information about events later in the book that draw the reader deeper into the story, forcing them to keep reading because they have to know what happens next.

I won’t lie to you. Occasionally, Issac’s story gets a little slow, but it’s all important and it’ll all makes sense in the end.

If you do not read any of the novels I have talked about in this series, read this one. Mengestus tackles racism, love and loss in such a way that you almost don’t realize he’s doing it, but it really makes you think. And that’s not a bad thing.

Sports | PAGE 7

11-game streak has Wonder Boys in tie for first

RICCI LOGAN

Sports Writer

The Wonder Boys will play at East Central in Ada, Oklahoma on Feb. 23.

Tip off for this game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

The Wonder Boys defeated the Harding Bisons, with a final of 78-59, to move up one game behind the Arkansas-Monticello Boll Weevils for first place in the Great American Conference standings.

In the Wonder Boys’ final home game of the season, they battled the Boll Weevils for a shot at first place in the Great American Conference.

The Boll Weevils opened the game up by scoring the first five points to hold a lead through the first four minutes. Justin Graham, from San Antonio, Texas, scored five consecutive baskets to give the Wonder Boys the lead, 11-10, as he would be clutch for them all night.

Both teams continued to go back and forth in the first half. There were three ties and 10 lead changes.

Grant Prusator, from Rochelle Township, had success from the threepoint line, going 4-4 in the final seven minutes. This sparked a 25-4 run going into halftime to make the score 47-33.

In the first half, Tech shot 58.1 percent from the floor, also hitting eight three pointers.

Coming out at halftime, the Boll Weevils went on an 8-0 run to cut the deficit down to two points. Graham would help the Wonder Boys spark an 11-3 run, scoring eight of those points in the run. Graham scored 29 points in this game and went 4-4 from the threepoint line.

The Boll Weevils continued to battle back by answering with a 10-2 run, cutting the lead to a one possession game.

Trevon Woods, from Sugarland, Texas, scored five straight points to ignite a 11-0 run by the Wonder Boys. The Boll Weevils would not be able to come back in the game, and they would lose, 92-86.

The Wonder Boys are now on an 11game winning streak after beating the

RICCI LOGAN/THE ARKA TECH Justin Graham from San Antonio, Texas beats two Harding defenders for a lay-up.

Henderson State Reddies, 98-81. This is the longest winning streak the Wonder Boys have had since 2011. With the win,

Golden Suns open conference MATTHEW EMERY

Sports Writer

The Arkansas Tech Golden Suns will open Great American Conference play against the Northwestern Oklahoma Rangers in a fourgame series starting Friday, Feb. 24, at 2 p.m. in Alva, Oklahoma.

Conference play should be a welcome change for the Golden Suns, as they have yet to hit their stride, opening the season at 6-6.

The Golden Suns most recent undertaking was the Arkansas-Monticello Division II Softball Classic, held in Bentonville last weekend. The challenge saw the Golden Suns dropping three out of four matchups, including being 1-hit by the

MARCOMM

Jalissa Gum, of Red Rock, Oklahoma, tallied 19 strikeouts last weekend. She is now eight strikeouts away from most in ATU history.

Minnesota State Mavericks, on Saturday.

The lone win of the weekend came last Friday against the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs with a final of 6-2.

Despite her phenomenal season in 2016, the win was Jalissa Gum’s,

Klockowski has historic weekend

from Red Rock, Oklahoma, first of the young season, pushing her record to 1-2.

Gum went 5 innings, allowing only 2 runs and striking out 11.

Megan Goodnight, from Cabot, started things off in the first in-

ning with a 2 RBI home run, her third home run of the season, which put the Golden Suns up 2-0.

In the third inning, Gum took to the plate and sent one over the center field wall for a 2-run home run, her third home run of the season, pushing the lead to 4-0 for the Golden Suns.

Sarah Coronado, from Frisco, Texas, joined the long-ball fun in the fourth inning, hitting a solo home run, her first of the season, making the lead 5-0.

Following the upcoming series with the Rangers, the Golden Suns will open home play with a series against the Ouachita Baptist Tigers, starting on Friday, March 3.

RICCI LOGAN/THE ARKA TECH Kelsey McClure from Muskogee, Oklahoma goes up for a shot in the first half of the play.

Golden Suns set to finish regular season RICCI LOGAN

Sports Writer

NOAH DELASHAW

Contributing Writer

After opening Great American Conference play 3-0, the Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys will take on the Northwestern Oklahoma State Rangers this Friday at 7 p.m. at Tech Field.

The Wonder Boys had an exciting weekend, opening conference play against the Southwestern Oklahoma Bulldogs; coming out with a 3-0 record in the series bringing them to an overall record of 5-5 and 3-0 in GAC play.

After a slow start to the season with a 2-5 record in non-conference play, the declining Wonder Boys said not to worry. “We have got a lot of good talented players,” said Dylan McDearmon, from Greenbrier.

Going into the weekend, Assistant Coach Kadem Tharp felt pretty good about opening conference play.

“I’m pretty confident we will do fine in conference,” he said. “Our non-conference schedule is about as tough as it gets.”

The Wonder Boys won the first of three games this weekend; 17-0 in a record blowout against the Rangers. Zach Klockowski, from Tinley Park, Illinois, started the game off hot with a home run down the line to get three RBIs. Klockowski finished the game with three home runs bringing the total to four on the day, the most in a game since 2015, after Cody Wescott,

Tech moves into a three-way for first place in the Great American Conference standings with UAM and East Central.

MARCOMM

The Wonder Boys will return to action Friday at 7 p.m. at Tech Field. from Phoenix, Arizona, also hit one late in the sixth inning. Kyle Wilson, from Flagstaff, Arizona, earned a complete game, the first of his career, allowing only two hits in seven innings and striking out 12 batters.

In the two remaining games the Wonder Boys continued to sweep the reigning regular season champions with a 7-3 and a 5-3 win in their first series sweep since 2015. The Wonder Boys combined for eight hits with just their first two runners.

McDearmon picked up his first home run for the season along with 5 RBIs in the last 2 games.

Klockowski picked up his 10th total RBI on the weekend.

Trent Armstrong, from Waxahachie, Texas, earned his first win allowing only three hits and one run and striking out six batters. Geoffry Birkemeier, from Papillion, Nebraska, earned his first win while playing 5 innings.

The Arkansas Tech Golden Suns will travel to Ada, Oklahoma to face the East Central Tigers on Thursday, Feb. 23. Tip off for this game is 5:30 p.m.

The Golden Suns are coming off a loss to the Harding University Bisons, 64-62, last week, despite going on a 11-2 run late in the fourth quarter to pull within two.

The Golden Suns also played the Arkansas-Monticello Boll Weevils later that week on Senior Night, defeating them with a final of 86-41.

Following the end of the home stand, the Golden Suns went on the road to Arkadelphia to face Henderson State Reddies last Saturday, winning 82-73.

The Golden Suns opened the game on 7-0 run. The Reddies soon came back to cut the lead to two points, making it 14-12 with 3:58 to go in the first half. The Golden Suns got hot, going on a 13-2 run through seven min-

utes to take a 27-14 lead with 7:06 left before halftime.

The Reddies pulled back within nine with 2:08 left.

The Golden Suns continued their hot shooting going on an 8-4 run to make the score 42-29 at halftime. In the first half, the Golden Suns shot 59.26 percent shooting from the floor. The Golden Suns also went 5-9 from the threepoint line in the first half shooting 55.56 percent.

In the second half, Anissa Pounds, from Kotka, Finland, scored 11 of her 34 points in the game. Pounds went 9 of 13 shooting from the floor and 7 of 11 from the three-point line. The Reddies put together an impressive run in the fourth quarter by outscoring the Golden Suns 21- 6 in the first seven minutes, making the score close at 70-68.

With 3:06 left to play the Golden Suns held a threepoint lead, and Pounds iced the game going 6 of 6 from the free throw line to win the game, 82-73.

The 34 points is a single game career high for Pounds.

This week in Tech sports THURSDAY 2/23/17

WTEN vs John Brown. Chartwells. 1 p.m.

WBB @ East Central. Ada, Oklahoma. 5:30 p.m.

MBB @ East Central. Ada, Oklahoma. 7:30 p.m.

FRIDAY 2/24/17

SB @ Northwestern Oklahoma. Alva, Oklahoma. 2 p.m.

SB @ Northwestern Oklahoma. Alva, Oklahoma. 4 p.m.

BB vs Northwestern Oklahoma. Tech Field. 7 p.m.

SATURDAY 2/25/17

SB @ Northwestern Oklahoma. Alva, Oklahoma. Noon.

BB vs Northwestern Oklahoma. Tech Field. 1 p.m.

WBB @ Southeastern Oklahoma. Durant, OK. 1 p.m.

SB @ Northwestern Oklahoma. Alva, OK. 2 p.m.

MBB @ Southeastern Oklahoma. Durant, OK. 3 p.m.

BB vs Northwestern Oklahoma. Tech Field. TBD.

SUNDAY 2/26/17

WTEN vs Henderson State. Chartwells. 1 p.m.

WEDNESDAY 3/1/17

BB vs Missouri Southern. Tech Field. 2 p.m.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2017

PAGE 8 | Community

Miss Tech

2017 Photos by Destiney Carroccio Carly Copeland, Miss Tech 2016, and Kelsey Stone, who was crowned Miss Tech 2017 Friday night.

ABOVE LEFT: Raigan Purtle, first runner-up, during the swimwear competition.

ABOVE: Anna AdamsKing, fourth runner-up.

LEFT: Anna AdamsKing baton twirled to "You Can't Stop the Beat" as her talent.

RIGHT: Payton Marshall, second runnerup, singing for the talent portion.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2017