March 16, 2011 Vol. LXXX No. 21
SGA says Greek representation is fairly based By Samantha Ricketts
Editor-in-Chief A lot of students are involved in the Student Government Association. Recently the question has arisen: Are these students equally representing all parts of the CU student body? It is no secret that many members of the SGA are Greek-affiliated. Out of the 31 organization representatives, 11 are Greek, and eight non-Greek organizations are being represented by Greeks. Out of the 12 senators, seven are Greek. All eight justices serving are Greek, with one spot vacant, though the
only applicant is also Greek. And on the executive board, six are Greek, and out of the remaining three, two used to be Greek-affiliated. “We have had no non-Greek applicants for Justice positions,” Vice President Blankenship said. “One thing we question is why no nonGreeks apply to be on the court because it’s not that hard to get onto. We’d like to have more non-Greeks on the court to make it more fair, as many Greeks know each other and could be biased,” Vice President Dustin Blankenship said. And some Greek organizations overpower others in the SGA as well. Sigma Sigma Sigma claims three sena-
tors, two executives, and two justices; Tau Kappa Epsilon claims one senator, one executive, and two justices; and Chi Omega Psi claims one senator and three justices. “Because members of the Greek community are around each other more often than other organizations’ members, they hear more about what’s going on and are closer to some of the issues at hand in the SGA,” Blankenship said. Another question raised is how many of these were elected versus appointed? Last year’s election showcased two main “tickets.” The first advocated Matt Belcher for President, Spencer Stevens for Vice President, Grace
Hurney for Public Defender, Adam Pauley for Business Manager, Kelsey Queen for Attorney General, and Emily Nordmann for Board of Governors Representative. The other: Korey Hummer for President, Dustin Blankenship for Vice President, Chris Matheny for Attorney General, and Josh Lawson for Board of Governors Representative. Public Defender and Business Manager positions were unopposed. Belcher, Hurney, and Pauley won the elections from the first ticket, and Blankenship, Matheny, and Lawson from the second. However, Stevens was appointed Senator (later, Secretary), Queen
was appointed Parliamentarian, and Nordmann was appointed Senator. So, eventually all members of the first ticket came to serve in leadership positions this year. This could be cause for debate; however, all were fully endorsed for appointment by the entire executive office, according to Blankenship. “The trend is that all who run get appointed because they care,” Blankenship said. Although occupied mainly by Greeks at present, the SGA encourages students from all organizations, Greek or otherwise, to attend meetings and run for office if they so desire. Meetings are on Wednesdays at 4 p.m. in the State Room.
GSA fundraiser will Gas prices climb nationwide, focus on ‘spectacle’ Concord students try to adapt By Samantha Ricketts
the host for the event. “I get a lot of positive feedEditor-in-Chief back regarding my comedy,” he said. “It comes really natConcord’s Gay-Straight Al- urally, and I’m so pumped liance will be holding a kara- people think it’s funny. I think oke and lip-sync competition it helps keep the momentum in order to raise money for going too so people don’t their group. This is different bail when things get quiet.” than any other talent show or The karaoke competition is karaoke night, as spectacle for anyone who wants to acis encouraged over talent. tually sing a song in the show, “I want people to plan and the lip-sync category is it out and make really fun for those who would rather performances,” GSA Presi- not sing but still put on a dent TJ Meadows said. great show for the audience. Prizes will be awarded to “Overall, I don’t care if the top performer in both you have any talent whatsothe lip-sync and karaoke cat- ever, as long as you put some egories. Refreshments will heart into it,” Meadows said. be provided, and door prizes Anyone interested in perare also possible depending forming can sign up at the on availability to the group. GSA table in the Student There will be a total of Center this week. For groups five judges, likely including of three or less, the cost is Mpowerment Beckley’s Jeff $5, and an additional $1 for Crist and Trena Bolin from each additional performer. the CU Academic Success Students may choose to parCenter, who judged before, ticipate in either the karaoke and a member of the GSA. A or lip-sync competition, or raffle will be held for the final both if participants pay for two spots on the judging pan- each. The show is free for el. Students may pay $1 for a the audience, but donations raffle ticket, and two names to the group will be accepted. will be randomly drawn “Our big goal is a real Pride on the night of the show. Week on campus, and we’re The two names drawn will going to need a lot of money be awarded the opportunity for that,” he said. “Anything to help judge and ultimately and everything will help and choose the winners of the com- is very much appreciated.” petition at the end of the night. Meadows said that the ac“We encourage perfor- tual date and time are still mance all around,” Mead- undertermined, but the sign ows said. “I personally will -up table will have the date be performing twice so far. I within the next few days. put a lot of thought into it, so “The time and date are still it’s going to be a good time.” up in the air, but those who are GSA members, like Mead- interested should just keep an ows, are allowed to partici- eye out,” Meadows said. “Eipate in the show but are not ther way, it’s looking to be a eligible to win prizes, un- really good time filled with less they pay the entry fee. all things loud and crazy.” Meadows will also be
Check us out online at
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This week
News:
Announcements Board Campus Cleanup Student Success Japan Funding Author Speaks Electron Microprobe at CU
Opinions:
Tuition Increase Baseball Star Banned
Sports:
Bracketology Track and Field Megan Savioli Baseball Photo from Google Images Gas stations nationwide have taken to posting humorous amounts on signs due to the rising prices of gasoline.
By TJ Meadows
ural gas and oils due to the complications involving News Editor the nuclear power plants. Due to the nature of JaGas prices have been ris- pan’s problem, gas deing nationwide because mand is likely to rise in the of conflicts in the Middle US, because less gasoline East and the disaster in Ja- and oil will be available. pan, and Concord students Gas prices are expected have been doing their best to reach four dollars in the to cope with the increase. upcoming weeks, and poFreshman AJ Honaker be- tentially five dollars by lieves that gas prices ris- summer. Honaker said that ing will hurt the economy. students have started car“I think it’s kind of ri- pooling again to try and diculous that we’re still combat the rising prices. depending on foreign oil, “A lot of people are doing rather than our own natural their best,” he said. “There’s resources,” he said. “Why only so much you can do make times so unneces- with carpooling though. sarily hard on everyone?” There’s not really a lot to According to LATIMES. do. People have to drive.” COM, the disaster in Japan Commuter students will likely cause Japan’s are among those feelpeople to rely more on nat- ing the increase the most,
according to sophomore Basel Barghouthi. “I commute from Beckley, which is about an hour away every day,” he said. “I drive a small SUV, and a tank of gas, at these prices, hurts.” He said that commuter students overall are one of the demographics most affected by the rise. “I carpool with my friend most days,” he said. “But most of us are college kids that don’t have jobs that offer high wages or a lot of hours. We just don’t have that much money for gas to pay over five dollars a gallon.” Freshman Jordan Cardwell said that the gas
By Jeremy Sallie
Major, Outstanding Physical Education Major, Outstanding Athletic Training Major, Ronald L. Burgher Outstanding Student in Communication Arts, David S. Roth Memorial Outstanding English Major Award, James B. Shrewsbury Jr. Award for Academic Excellence, David S. Roth Memorial Scholarship, Hawey A. Wells Sr. Biology Award, Jerry L. Blatt Scholarship Award, Bruce Covey Mathematics Prize, A.H. Montgomery Chemistry Prize, Outstanding Graduate in Geography Award, Outstand-
See Gas on page 8
Kristin Kidd
Arts & Entertainment:
Rock Reviews
Cirque du Soleil Open Mic Night Ballet For All Guitar Quartet
Student Life: St. Patrick’s Day Art Convention Investment Club
ext Week Annual Honors Banquet to be held April 26 N Dance Team The tradition was first sponsored by Mary Edna BeckStaff Writer ett in 1961. Beckett attended last year’s banquet before she As graduation nears, it’s al- passed away and will surely most time again for the 50th be missed at this year’s event. Annual Honors Banquet. This In the past, students have year’s banquet will be on April received awards including 26th in the Student Center Ball- Concord University Alumni room to recognize students of Association Valedictorian high academic achievement. Award, Lucy Sneed DeNuzzo The banquet will honor stu- Award for Academic Exceldents who either earned a 3.0 lence, McNair’s 2010 Above GPA and above or went beyond and Beyond Award, Honors the call of duty in their field of Program Graduate Recognistudy. “The Honors Banquet tion, Outstanding Business is a time-honored tradition Student of the Year, 2010 BusiPhoto by Jeremy Sallie at Concord, where we pause ness Scholars (by Area of EmJerry Fowler, .Darla Wise, and Bradley Garner attend the Honors to recognize the academic phasis), Outstanding Teacher Banquet. achievement of our graduates,” Education Major, Outstanding AcademicSponsorDr.Wisesaid. Secondary Teacher Education
See Honors on page 2
SGA Sink Removal Mold Custodians Guitar Quartet Spanish Film Festival Art Exhibit ...and much more!
Page 2 March 16, 2011
News
Cleaning up campus
Student success
Photo by TJ Meadows GSA members Sam Harris, Amber Booher, Samantha Ricketts, and Sara Cameron volunteered their time to help pick up garbage around campus before the break.
Photo by Tracy Luff Sociology major Steve Redden at the Eastern Sociological Society meetings in Philadelphia, PA on Friday, Feb. 26, with Dr. Tracy Luff. Redden’s research “The Migration from Conventional Embodied Hookup Scripts to More Virtual Means: The Rise of the Facebook Generation” was accepted for presentation during the Undergraduate Poster Session. Redden developed this project during Luff’s seminar in sociology course last semester, and refined the study and prepared his presentation this semester in advanced social research. The department of sociology said they were very proud to have Steve represent Concord at the conference.
Honors
Continued from page 1
ing History Student of the Year, Outstanding Sociology Graduate of the Year, Outstanding Psychology of the Year, Philosophy Essay Prize, Outstanding Social Work Graduate for 2010, Outstanding Student in Legal Studies and Pre-Law, Outstanding Phi Alpha Delta
Student – Legal Studies. The awards give a chance for not only the university, but also for each division to recognize its brightest students. Sticking to tradition, the banquet will be hosted by the Blue Key and Cardinal Key Honor Societies, two student organizations that look for students who are leaders in their school, community, and country and putting them together in order to better serve.
Major Bert C. Riley founded Blue Key in 1924 on the belief that “students are willing to accept responsibility, cooperate with faculty and fellow students to create lofty ideas and attitudes, and improve student life and welfare that benefits the institution, the community, and the nation,” according to bluekey.org. And eight years later, Mrs. Ruth L. Riley helped found the women’s version, Cardinal Key.
Each program requires its members to have Junior Level status with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and above. Areas like leadership, service, and character are also examined in the selection process. Both organizations are great tools for service in numerous areas of life. In the past, these organizations have done things at the university level, such as planting flower beds and installing fences at the Concord Child
Care Center; on a community level, by shoveling snow in the town of Athens; and on a national level through attending leadership conferences across the country. While the Honors Banquet is hosted by Blue Key and Cardinal Key, it also includes Alpha Chi, Gamma Beta Phi, Phi Alpha, Phi Beta Lambda, and Psi Chi. Dr. John David Smith, Professor and Vice President for Aca-
demic Affairs, looks forward to the tradition: “The Honors Banquet is a time to recognize the best of the best from programs across the university.” For more information, contact Blue Key Advisor John David Smith at jdsmith@concord.edu or Cardinal Key Advisors Lisa Darlington at ldarlington@concord.edu or Darla Wise at wised@concord.edu.
The Concordian Announcements Board Don’t waste time and paper putting up flyers all over campus. Reach your audience using
The Concordian Announcements Board. All organizations, individuals, and departments are encouraged to submit short announcements about events on campus or requests from the community. Email concordian@concord.edu to submit an announcement or to inquire for further information. The Student Government Association (SGA) has regular meetings Wednesdays at 4p.m. in the Stateroom. All students are invited to attend.
There will be recycling bins available for aluminum cans and plastic bottles in North and South Tower lobbies and trash chute areas from March 25-April 22 in order to kick start Concord’s Earth Day activities.
SMARTHINKING is a free online tutoring service available 24/7 for most classes and paper editing. For help with SMARTHINKING, contact the ASC in Admin332, asc@concord. edu, or phone 304-384-6074.
Please join in congratulating Ms. Anna Mills Hardy for her appointment as the Director of the Student Center and Student Activities. Anna has been serving as Interim Director since September of 2009. Prior to assuming her duties in the Student Center and with Student Activities, Anna served as the Resident Director for Sarvay and Wilson Residence Halls. A Concord University alumnus, Anna earned her Masters of Social Work degree from West Virginia University and is a licensed social worker.
The David S. Roth Memorial Scholarship competition is open to all currently-enrolled undergraduate Concord University students who plan to re-enroll at CU in the 2011-2012 academic year (or in Summer/Fall 2011).. The winner of the competition receives a $500 scholarship. The Roth Memorial Scholarship commemorates the achievements of Dr. David S. Roth, who taught English at Concord from 1969 to 1986. Dr. Roth prized good writing and helped many Concord students to hone their writing skills. The Roth Scholarship is designed to honor Dr. Roth’s memory by recognizing the achievements of promising Concord University student writers. Application materials are available from me or can be accessed at www.rothscholarship.com. The due date for applications is Monday, March 28, 2011. If you have any questions or need more information, please feel free to contact me. Jonathan Berkey Chair, Roth Scholarship Committee The Greenbier Classic promises to be the most exciting stop on the PGA TOUR FedExCup Series. From record-setting finishes to megastar concerts, The Greenbrier Classic will be the envy of the PGA TOUR FedExCup Series. Complimentary admission to the 2011 Greenbrier Classic Concert Series are available with the purchase of your weekly badge package. Concert tickets are not sold separately. This year’s line-up includes Tim McGraw and Luke Bryan performing on Thursday, July 28th and capping off an exciting week of golf with Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert performing on Saturday, July 30th 2011. Don’t miss your opportunity to be apart of the biggest and most exciting stop on the PGA TOUR this summer. Buy your weekly badges today!
Anna’s contact information: Ext. 5311; Email: amillshardy@concord.edu; Campus Mail, D-130; Student Center Office 203. We are thrilled to have Anna as the Director of the Student Center and Student Activities. The Spanish Program and the Division of Languages and Literature at Concord University is happy to present Portafolio. Portafolio is an online magazine that showcases critical and creative perspectives composed by Concord students on issues surrounding Hispanic or Latino Spanish communities. The purpose of this publication is to create a forum for an interdisciplinary discussion in both English and Spanish about contemporary social, political and cultural issues of importance to the Hispanic world. In this the inaugural edition, the editorial committee asks for submissions that directly deal with notions of social, political, cultural, and/or sexual difference and debate. This call is open to all genres of artistic creation and may include, but is not restricted to, short story, essay, and photography and other plastic art forms. All entries will be reviewed by an outside committee and all participants will be notified. A selection of entries will be chosen for publication. The entry the selection names as the feature will receive a monetary award. For more information, contact: Matthew Edwards Ph.D., mjedwards@concord.edu It is time to complete the 2011-2012 FAFSA (Financial Aid application. It is FREE to apply). The On-line address is: www.fafsa.gov Important information to consider: • Priority filing deadline for Concord was March 1 • You will need your pin number (and parents’ pin number if a dependent student) • May file with estimated Federal Taxes and change to correct totals once 2010 taxes are complete • Will need parents’ information such as: marital status date, social security numbers, date of birth, and email addresses
Concord Color Fridays-Show Your Concord Spirit! Wear maroon and gray or your Concord gear on Fridays! Go CU! The Charleston Ballet presents: “PINOCCHIO”, March 25 and 26, Charleston Civic Center Little Theatre, 7:30pm We are offering to your group a ticket discount for 10 or more tickets with the 11 ticket free! You may contact the CB office at 304-342-6541 or visit our website at www.thecharlestonballet.com The Concordian is the place to advertise!
Sisters Fest: March 18 & 19, 2011 Theme: Aloha Sisters www.sistersfest.com Lei Contest Judged on Prettiest and Most Original during the Parade on Saturday Hula Dance Lessons! Limbo Contest and “Minute to Win It” Fun and Games on Saturday afternoon “How Well Do You Know Your Sister” returns emceed by Linda Marrin Appetizer & Dessert Contest PLUS an added prize for Best Themed Food Come experience the new look of Sistersville with its new shopping, restaurants and the historic Wells Inn back in all its glory, with lodging and dining. Get your act together for the Variety Show on Friday night and we were be going to the Gaslight Theatre for that event!
March 16, 2011 Page 3
Fund-raising efforts for Japan underway at CU
Press Release
Athens, W.Va. Concord University’s International Initiatives Council is spearheading fundraising efforts in response to the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The committee is composed of faculty and staff representatives. Containers for cash and check donations are being placed in the Jerry L. Bea-
sley Student Center in the cafeteria and at the welcome center. Checks should be made to the Concord University Foundation with “Japan earthquake” in the memo line and may be deposited at the collection sites or mailed to: Concord University Foundation, P.O. Box 1405, Athens, WV 24712. Concord University’s International Club is also organizing fund-raising activ-
ities. Details will be released when plans are finalized. The Concord University community has several direct ties with Japan. Nearly a dozen of Concord’s international students are from Japan and the University has a growing alumni base there. In the summer of 2010 Concord students and faculty traveled to Japan as part of a study abroad program.
‘Alaska Hoops’ author to speak at CU Press Release
class meets in Room 330 in the Administration Building. Charleston, W.Va. Crabtree is scheduled to talk about her writing Author Becky Hatcher process, as well as her exCrabtree is visiting a Con- periences teaching and cord University English 101 living in Alaska and as a class Thursday, March 17, female athlete and coach. 2011 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. “I think her presentation to talk about her new book, is appropriate for com“Alaska Hoops: Coach- position classes, as well ing Tips and Tales from the as for anyone interested Girls’ Locker Room.” The in women’s studies and
sports,” class instructor Dana Stoker Cochran said. The presentation is open to the Concord community and the general public at no charge. Visit http://www.alaskahoops.com/index.html for more information on Crabtree. For more information on the lecture call 304-384-5268.
The Division of Languages and Literatures and the Office of Multicultural Affairs invites you to its 2nd Annual Concord University Spanish Language Film Festival: “Hopes, Dreams and Realities: Telling the Story of Hispanic Youth through Film,” from March 21-24, 2011. Monday, March 21: The Crazy Life, (France/Mexico/Spain, 2009) Tuesday, March 22: The Maid (Chile, 2010) Wednesday, March 23: Pan’s Labyrinth, (Spain, 2006) Thursday, March 24, Closing Night Festivities: 4:30pm: Guest Lecture and Reception in Concord’s University Point Screening Coming-of-Age: Youth, Politics, and Culture in Contemporary Hispanic Film by Dr. Valeria Manzano, University of Chicago
News
All eyes are on rare electron microprobe at Concord University By Tom Bone
Bluefield Daily Telegraph It looks a little like a starship-shuttle cockpit from an old science fiction movie — but it is science fact, a high-tech tool to look into a microscopic world. An electron microprobe, tucked away in the basement of the Concord University Science Hall, zaps tiny samples in a vacuum chamber and yields results of interest to chemists, volcanologists, metal alloy manufacturers — and, perhaps, gas and oil drillers. And to university students, who have an opportunity unique in the state. “There aren’t many of these (devices) around,” said Dr. Steve Kuehn, director of Concord’s geochemistry laboratory. “It’s the only one in the state. It really is remarkable, having this sort of research-grade equipment at a university of this size.” J.L. “Joe” Allen, chairman of the university’s Division of Natural Sciences, said, “The students have been pretty excited (at) the opportunity to use some equipment and gain some skills they wouldn’t have had access to otherwise.” New microprobes cost around $1.8 million, Allen said. The one newly installed at Concord is a “hand-medown” from the University of Kentucky, where he once worked on the machine while doing graduate study. It was built in the 1980s but has been upgraded often since. In fact, Kuehn had nearly identical samples sent to 24 other microprobe labs in nine countries, and reported that “our data is every bit as good as the top 5 to 10 percent” of the results. The whole process starts with a tiny tungsten wire similar to those found in old light bulbs. This metal filament, however, is excited by a high voltage current that releases a powerful stream of electrons down through a thickwalled chamber with nearly all of the air pumped out of it. “This thing’s built like a tank, really,” Kuehn said. Magnets help focus the electron stream to a target area 1/1000th of a millimeter wide — or one-fiftieth
the width of an average human hair. Depending on the need, the scope can pick up visual images or telltale X-ray radiation that identifies what chemical elements are present. “The key thing is that you can determine what something is made of,” Kuehn said. “You can tell what elements are in it, and how abundant they are, even down to the trace level.” The X-ray detection is “one of the key things that differentiate this type of instrument,” Kuehn said. A special adaptation, with the impressive name of Wavelength Dispersive Spectro-meter (WDS), allows the operator to get extremely precise measurements, down to 100 atoms out of a million a sample. There are four of those WDS X-ray detectors on Concord’s new microprobe. The typical run time to analyze a target spot is around 2 to 5 minutes, but Kuehn said, “the longer you count, the better your statistics.” Luckily, the targeting is computer-run, so an operator can program in a whole series of target spots, set the time for each run, and leave the building. “You could set it up on Friday and let it go the whole weekend, unattended,” he said. With a smile, he said, “In the old days it was a lot more tedious.” The visual magnification is as much as 10,000 times actual size, much smaller than a typical human cell. By comparison, the more common light-gathering microscopes have a 200- to 400-times magnification. “Really small stuff,” Kuehn said. Allen said, “We are currently using the instrument for research in volcanology (and) climate change, and to study the physics and geology of ancient earthquakes for a study funded by the National Science Foundation.” Kuehn described his microprobe research into thin layers of volcanic ash that he found in cores of glacier ice on the Canada-Alaska border. It could help in research about how climate has changed over the centuries. Allen said that sampling rock from layers deep under the earth, and the “pore spac-
es” between mineral grains, can help petroleum researchers determine if underground basins exist in which natural gas or oil can accumulate. Looking at data from old earthquake faults may lead to “data that helps us understand the physics about how that earthquake operated,” Allen said. “It could make it easier to protect people from future quakes.” A similar line of research could help in prediction of volcanic eruptions. Kuehn noted, however, “This is not just a research tool. This is going to be a teaching tool.” Allen said that undergraduate students in Concord’s petrology class have been at work in the Science Hall, preparing target samples that they will analyze in the microprobe next week. “The students are actually doing the sample prep themselves,” he said. “They’re slicing and dicing, making thin polished sections they will put on a glass slide.” The purchase is the end result of grants Concord received from the National Science Founda-tion; the petroleum research fund of the American Chemical Society; the “Bucks for Brains” trust fund established by West Virginia state government; and a new “Innovation Grant” awarded last month by the Division of Science and Research at the state Higher Education Policy Commission. Kuehn said, “The university is putting in some resources, itself.” He added that the lab may be able to generate income from “external commercial users (who) pay for machine time.” The sciences faculty will show off the new microprobe and other Science Hall equipment at a “science open house” on March 26 during Math Field Day at Concord. Allen and Kuehn are scheduled to present a scientific paper about the geochemistry lab at a meeting of the Geological Society of America later this month as well. The location of such a sophisticated instrument in the small town of Athens may hold a unique distinction, Kuehn speculated. “This may be the only microprobe in a town with only one traffic signal,” he said.
7:30pm: Feature Film—Captive, (Argentina, 2004)
Upcoming Events:
Movies are for mature audiences and may contain adult content.
March 16: Band Ceann and St. Patrick’s Day Celebration - Subway Stage, 9p.m.
All events are free of charge. All movies are in Spanish with English subtitles All movies will be shown at 7:30 p.m. in
March 17: St. Patrick’s Day Giveaway - Student Center, 11a.m.-1p.m.
Concord University, Marsh Hall 237.
March 18: St. Patrick’s Day Up-All-Night with free food and drinks - Gameroom, 11p.m.
For more information contact Dr. Matthew
March 21: Open Mic Monday - Subway Stage, 9p.m.
Edwards at mjedwards@concord.edu
March 23: Wii Tournament - Gameroom, 8p.m.
This event is partially funded by the West Virginia Humanities Council, and Concord University’s Division of Languages and Literature and Office of Multicultural Affairs.
March 28: A Pair of Nuts Comedy Duo - Subway Stage, 9p.m. March 29: New Release Movie Showing - Admin 237, 9p.m.
Page 4 March 16, 2011
Opinions
Finding funding without tuition hikes
By Scott Noble
Staff Writer I was reading an article from the Gilmer Press regarding the need for tuition hikes in our two and four-year college tuition rates. Then Governor Manchin proposed a freeze in fees and tuition for at least a year and there seemed to be mixed reactions on the issue. The opposition cited that unless additional funding is found, closures may be the only way to sustain the system. At the same time the “doom and gloomers” are talking about a record-setting enrollment of 93,712 students in our two and four year schools. I’m no rocket scientist or armchair economist, but a record number of enrollees should equal more revenue in itself, should it not? There was a bizarre litany of numbers and percentages thrown out in the story, but this one kind of stuck with me. Mind you, I’ve been around long enough to realize that as time passes, prices do go up, but this is coming off as a “smoke and mirrors” and “the world is toast in 2012” kind of scenario. Granted, we can use the “economy is in the toilet and folks just cannot afford higher rates” argument; however, how in the world can we not find the money to prevent closures and layoffs?
We continue to find funding for stupid remote control cars on Mars (get over it, there is nothing there and we really do not need to know why) and useless earmark-funded teapot museums in North Carolina, yet our higher education system is in peril. Sounds like a shell game or some sort of political ploy. I’m not a conspiracy theorist or anything of the like, but money for our 11 colleges and universities cannot be found without passing the buck (pun intended) onto our students and their families? With over 100 varieties of taxes paid on income, goods, and services are we so broke that this cannot be done? Is it a question of our lawmakers’ economic skills? I am sure the problems are rooted in politics and no one wants to give up any pieces of the pie, but when situations such as this arise it appears to me compromise is the last thing on anyone’s mind. I was fortunate enough to receive a call from a friend of mine who is attending his last term of law school in Boston. Allen is a pretty astute guy and was kind enough to kick around a few things regarding this subject. His field of expertise will be in medical administration law and he made a few good points. First, what is the auditing system used for in our higher
education system? When a new facility is being proposed, is a form of a “certificate of need” being used to justify said need? Are the enrollment numbers being presented current and as accurate as possible (i.e. are students that have dropped out or transferred being counted)? Note to our esteemed admin; my learned friend implies no impropriety, just a question of how is this number determined due to his (and my) lack of information regarding our system. We went on to discuss satellite campuses. In the case of Concord, we have a campus in Beckley and I believe a fledgling campus in Lewisburg. With Mountain State in Beckley, is this something we really needed at the time? If costs and funding are a problem, why expand right now? In the above referenced article, it stated West Virginia has more higher education institutions per capita than many of the other southern states. The story even mentioned counties with at least two four year schools in close proximity (Mercer ring a bell?). Instead of creating satellite campuses that compete, why not consolidate schools that are close to each other with different strengths? Concord, with our history of Education, Arts, and Business majors paired with a Bluefield State
where they tend turn out engineers and medical professionals would make for a fantastic choice at one school with two neighboring campuses. I wonder how many administrative functions and financial dynamic problems that could consolidate and solve. I’m not proposing this merger; I am just throwing ideas out there to get people to think instead of generally griping about a problem. What can we do to fix this? In the Air Force, I was taught to pair a complaint with what I would perceive as a workable solution. Even if what I presented was not viable, it showed I was at least thinking toward a fix rather than just idly whining about an issue. I am pretty sure when it comes to money and growth, no one really wants to give more than an inch or two, but eventually something has to give. With the advent of the lottery and gambling parlors, I’m still shocked when I hear of education funding being a problem. Between that sort of voluntary taxation (what I believe it is) and the 100 taxes or so I mentioned earlier, this conversation should never have a need to rear its ugly head. If this issue is of concern to you, please drop a line here at The Concordian. We would love to hear your take. This was just mine.
One of baseball’s best wrongly banned
By Scott Noble
Staff Writer Since baseball season is now upon us, I thought I would rant a little on a subject near and dear to my baseball lover’s heart. The topic is “Shoeless” Joe Jackson. For the uninformed, Shoeless Joe was a millworker’s son from Greenville, South Carolina, who honed his baseball skills in the organized mill leagues in his hometown around the turn of the 20th century. His nickname was derived from a story about a game in which the spikes he wore caused blisters so discomforting that he played the remainder of the game in his stocking feet. He was a hitting machine with a glove that was known as the place “where triples go to die.” Joe was one of the most naturally gifted all-around players in baseball history. In his first full season, Shoeless Joe batted .408 and finished second in the batting title race to the great Ty Cobb. As a “five-tool” player, I’d say
this guy had more tools than a NASCAR pit crew. Sadly, he was also involved in one of the biggest scandals in baseball history, the 1919 World Series. Eight players (including Joe) were paid by gamblers to lose the World Series. The White Sox did indeed lose that series and after the scandal broke, the eight were tried for conspiracy. In the end, all were acquitted. The owners, wanting to distance themselves from any culpability, hired the first commissioner of baseball, Judge Kennesaw Mountain Landis. Landis’s first act was to ban the “Black Sox” eight for life. This essentially put an end to their careers and any chance at being elected to the hall of fame. Unlike some, Joe took this news at face value and never once petitioned for reinstatement. Not out of guilt, but out of being pragmatic enough to accept the circumstances given to him. My problem with this lies within a couple of facts; first, Joe went to Charley Commiskey’s (then owner of the Sox)
office with the $5000 in his possession and told Commiskey of the fix and even offered the money as proof. Commiskey arrogantly brushed him aside stating that nobody could ever fix a series (denial, anyone?). Second, Jackson had the highest batting average, runs batted in, and a perfect fielding percentage for the series. If anything, he was guilty of welching on the gamblers. After his ban, Joe continued to play minor league ball under assumed identities and opened a dry cleaners in Georgia. Eventually, he moved back to Greenville and opened a liquor store and settled into the community. Ty Cobb mentioned an encounter with Shoeless Joe later in life. Ty walked into Joe’s store to purchase a bottle of liquor (go figure) and Jackson pretended not to know him. Before leaving, Cobb turned and said “Joe, it’s me, Ty. Don’t you recognize me?” Jackson replied, “Sure Ty, I just didn’t think you wanted to talk to me.”
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It shows just how bad he felt about being out of baseball. Joe Jackson was a decent man and a great ballplayer that got caught up in a bad situation and was pretty much made an example of by a rigid and draconian system. He was banned for life. Well folks, Shoeless Joe died in 1952. I believe his ban ended then. He served his time and his lifetime .356 batting average and other statistics speak for themselves. I’m pretty sure there are less than saints in that hall and what Joe did or did not do would not bring an ill pallor to that hallowed institution. I invite you to look this story up and would love to hear your thoughts on this. If you have not seen “Eight Men Out” with John Cusack and (ahem) Charlie Sheen, I highly recommend the film. Some of the characters have been embellished for dramatic effect (like Jackson), but it is a fairly accurate portrayal of the events that led to their dismissal from the game. Now, if only opening day would get here.
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Crossword Puzzle
ACROSS 1. Loose gown worn at mass 4. Type of paint 10. Atmosphere 11. One of the N. and S. States 12. BB association 13. Calculator 14. Generator 16. Set of supplies 17. Beeps cousin 18. Beryllium (abbr.) 20. Teacher's assistant, for short 22. Water pipe 26. Feign 29. Slushy mass 31. Dainty 33. Bullfight cheer 34. SW Asian river 35. Pea holder 36. Inactivity 37. Doll © 2011. Feature Exchange
DOWN 1. Root beer brand (3 wds.) 2. African country 3. Cereal ingredients 4. Swiss-like cheese 5. Rich man 6. Precedes an alias 7. Twit 8. Decorative needle case 9. Endure 15. Clever 19. Flightless bird 21. Computer code for characters 23. Choose 24. Ice house 25. Homeless 26. Fifth book in the New Testament 27. Voucher for a small debt 28. Roman cloaks 30. Not as much 32. Tax agency
Sudoku The challenge is to fill every row across, every column down, and every 3x3 box with the digits 1 through 9. Each 1 through 9 digit must appear only once in each row across, each column down, and each 3x3 box.
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The First Amendment
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“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
March 16, 2011 Page 5
Sports
Basketball Bracketology Hints Students run through spring break By Zack Sowder
Staff Writer Helpful lecting
Hints your
for SeBracket
It can be pretty embarrassing to lose to your mom, your sister, or your girlfriend when it comes to March Madness and filling out your bracket, but you can win.
Granted, if you are like me, you have been watching plenty of basketball all year, gotten mad at all the bracketology reports, and think you know of some teams that can pull the upsets. But that doesn’t equal success, and often times it can lead to a pretty bad bracket. Just because you know the facts does not equal success, you have to use a theory to figure what stats matter and which ones to ignore when picking each game. Here are a few helpful hints. 1. Don’t worry about the numbers
The NCAA selection committee can’t seed all the teams correctly, and especially with
the same opinion you have. Just because a team gets a low seed, doesn’t mean they are limited to playing like a 12 seed. Maybe they have started a hot streak lately but not enough to make their ranking higher. So don’t pay attention to the little number beside the name. Think about the teams that are playing and make your decision accordingly. 2. Head over heart
I know it is hard, but most of us have to realize we are biased. Yes, it is nice to follow your heart, but not during March Madness. The heart was for February. Now the head must lead you, no matter how much you think your team can pull off the miracle, or how much you hate Duke and think that they will lose in the first round. We all know that is most likely not going to happen. Choose with your head and if your team gets lucky and makes a run, enjoy it. 3. Be moderate
Normally there are around 12-18 upsets in the NCAA
tournament, and last year 16 upsets occurred. Choose your upsets wisely, and make sure you do not go upset-crazy and have half your picks being upsets. If you pick a big upset in the first round, take the higher seed in the next game. It may save you from losing a bunch of points if the first round upset does not come to fruition. Also, make sure that you are not too conservative. There are always upsets every year, and many times they are predicted. The 12 v. 5 match up will always produce an upset, but that doesn’t mean you can pick all four 12 seeds to move on.
Sports Editor Q: What motivated you to run hurdles?
A: Well my mom did them when she was in high school and when I started track my freshman year of high school I wanted to give them a shot and I really enjoyed it. Q: Coming into college did you think you would be where you are now with
A: Not really. In the high hurdles I never really expected to get that much better because my first year in college I never ran them, only 400m hurdles. There were hopes I’d be better at the 400m hurdles, which was why they were my main focus. When I got to Concord that’s when I really started to focus on both of the races, 100m hurdles and 400m hurdles.
Over spring break the Concord track and field team competed in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina at Coastal Carolina, while two other athletes competed at Division II Nationals in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Sports Information
There’s the old saying, “Go big or go home.” For Concord’s Baseball team Sunday, it was “Go home and go big.”
Q: How does breaking Playing their first home two records in one track games in two weeks, the meet make you feel? Mountain Lions busted out A: I was really excited. At for several big innings in first I kind of didn’t believe sweeping a WVIAC sevenit, but now I definitely feel inning doubleheader from that it’s a great way to star Fairmont State, 20-8 and 10-4 out the season. It was the first conferQ: What are your major ence action for both teams. goals for this season? The sweep improved A: My major goals for this Concord to 5-0 at Anseason are to continue to P.R. derson Field this season. and to do well in the upcomIn the first game, CU scored ing conference meet. four runs in the 1st inning,
five in the 3rd, seven in the 4th and four in the 6th. The Mountain Lions took cona double-steal attempt. trol of the second game with Wenger’s RBI single in a seven-run rally in the 4th. GAME ONE the 6th ended the scoring.
CU’s second game of the baseball season By Kyle Cooper Sports Information Mays, Concord’s starting pitcher, and FSU starter Tyler Kincaid combined to keep the contest scoreless through the first three innings. The visitors utilized two CU errors to score three times in the top of the 4th, but again, Concord answered promptly. Wenger doubled to lead off the bottom of the 4th; Webb walked and Blevins bunted for a single to load the bases.
Sydnor then hit tailor-made double-play grounder to Falcons’ SS Brandon Skoff, but the senior misplayed it into an error that scored both Wenger
and Webb. One out later, Sanchez singled to left, scoring Blevins. Clay Riggleman followed with another single to left that brought in Sydnor. Mays bounced a triple over the head of Falcons CF Jimmy Earp, bringing around Sanchez and Riggleman.
Ian Humphrey lifted a sacrifice fly to left that ended the scoring. CU was ahead 7-3. FSU got a run back in the 5th, but missed a chance to add more when Mays picked off a pair of base runners for the final two outs of the inning. In
the
bottom
of
the
5th, Beard roped and RBI double to score Blevins, later scoring as part of
on a show at the Coastal Carolina invite, breaking three more records on the women’s side and adding more names to the record books.
Chelsea Calloway broke the steeplechase record with a time of 11:43.74. Not only did she break the record but also she won first place in the event, showing that Concord’s distance squad is able to compete against division I teams and win.
Two records were broken by Concord’s hurdler MeaPhoto from cumoungan Savioli. She broke the tainlions.com 100m hurdle record with a Chelsea Calloway running her time of 16.42 seconds and race. the 400m hurdle record with sixth, Robby Peters placing a time of 1:06.94. There were second in the 5000 and the other notable top perfor- men’s 4x800m relay placmances by Rachel Williams ing third. Congratulations in the 800m placing sixth and to the Concord University Concord’s women’s 4x100m Track and Field squad on relay placing seventh, Brent breaking records and making Roark in the 10000m placing many notable performaces.
CU Baseball: Going Big
Double record breaker: Megan Savioli hurdles?
Sports Editor
While at Nationals R.J. Anderson could not compete because of a hamstring complication. Shawnee Carnett ran the 800 and in the prelims qualified to the finals on the first day of competition. On the second day she gave it her best and ended up with a 4. Picking the finals third place showing. ShawKnow that all four number nee Carnett is an All-Amerone seeds will not move on to ican, and Concord congratuthe Final Four, and pick ac- lates her on a job well done! cordingly. This has only hap- On the other hand, the rest pened once, and won’t hap- of the Concord track team put pen this year with the lack of quality in the top teams. Pick teams that have been there before, and are consistent throughout the year. These picks carry much more weight, so take your time and By Kyle Cooper you will be much better off.
Use these tips to make your own bracket on page 7!
By Jae Wharton
By Jae Wharton
The Fighting Falcons exMays scattered nine hits and allowed only one ploited two Concord erearned run in seven innings rors to score an unearned to get the complete game run in the top of 1st. win. He helped himself at The Mountain Lions anthe plate by driving in two runs and stealing a base. Wenger paced Concord’s offense with three hits.
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slam and a 13-4 CU lead.
Wenger singled and Webb walked to being the inning, and Bret Blevins’ RBI single scored Wenger. Sydnor walked, loading the bases, and Randy Beard hit a sacrifice fly that brought in Webb.
In the bottom of the 5th, RBI singles from Morrisroe (right) and Kyle Webb highlighted a four-run rally – aided by two FSU errors – that put the Mountain Lions ahead 20-4.
FSU put together four hits to score three times in the top of the 2nd, evening the score at 4-4. But the tie lasted only until the bottom the 3rd.
Chichester hit Sanchez to reload the bases. One out later, Chichester hit Mays, scoring Blevins, then hit Morrisroe, scoring Sydnor. Wenger, the tenth batter of the inning, drew a walk that ended Chichester’s day and capped the rally. Concord led 9-4. CU erupted again in the bottom of 4th. Bret Blevins, Sydnor and Randy Beard started the inning with consecutive singles, bringing up Raphael Sanchez, who took a Gage Chichester offering over the wall for a grand
FSU reliever Nick Mayle walked Claxton and Morrisroe; Claxton hustled in to score on Wenger’s fielder’s choice groundout. Webb singled and Blevins walked, loading the bases for Sydnor, who delivered a two-run single to left that pushed CU’s lead to 16-4.
The Fighting Falcons reached Concord reliever William Zuspan for four runs in the 6th to end the game’s scoring.
CU starter Ryan Weatherholtz allowed five hits and four runs in five innings – with no walks -- to get the win. Offensively, six Concord players had at least two hits, with Sydnor going 3-3. Eight Mountain Lions produced RBIs, led by four from Sanchez and three from Morrisroe.
Concord senior Kristin Kidd makes basketball Final Four
Up next for Concord (7-8, 2-0) is a WVIAC doubleheader against defending conference tournament cham- By Kyle Cooper pion Seton Hill, Tuesday Sports Information afternoon at Anderson Field. First pitch is scheduled for Kristin Kidd is go1:00 pm. Admission is free. ing to the Final Four.
Comments, questions, complaints, suggestions? Send them to concordian@concord.edu!
swered with RBI hits from Keith Morrisroe, Josh Wenger and Randy Beard in the bottom of the inning; a double steal brought in Nick Sydnor with the fourth run.
The Concord Women’s Basketball senior has been selected by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association to be a member of the “So You Want To Be A Coach” program.
Sponsored by NCAA Diversity and Inclusion, NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee and the NCAA Committee on Women’s Athletics, the “So You Want To Be A Coach” program aims to help women’s college basketball players who are interested in pursuing a career in coaching women’s basketball. The program helps with professional development and career advancement, through education, skills enhancement and networking opportunities, while
increasing awareness of talented female basketball players who want to coach. Kidd will attend a conference held in conjunction with the WBCA’s national convention in Indianapolis on April 1-3, and will be able to attend the Women’s NCAA Division I Basketball Final Four games at Conseco Fieldhouse.
“This is a great honor for Kristin and for our program. She’s very worthy,” said Concord head coach Kenny Osborne. “The application Photo from cumounprocess takes a long time. tainlions.com The program usually takes Kristin Kidd in about one hundred par- the most of this opportuticipants, but if you take a nity and moves closer to her look at the number of col- goals in the coaching field.” leges in the country -- on all Kidd started all 29 games levels -- this is really great. for Concord this past season, “Not only will she get to helping the Lady Lions finish take in the conference, she’ll 17-12 and reach the semiget to attend the coach’s con- finals of the WVIAC Tourvention and see the Division nament. A psychology major I semi-finals and the Na- from Valdese, NC, Kidd is tional Championship game. scheduled to graduate in May. I hope Kristin she makes
Page 6 March 16, 2011
Arts and Entertainment
Second Open Mic Night of the semester ‘Ballet for All’ program makes perBy Joel Hagy
A&E Editor Before Concord closed for its spring break this past week, SAC put on its second “Open Mic Night” of the semester . In case you haven’t heard, one Monday every month students can go to Subway Sides and sing, read poetry, or do pretty much anything within reason. This last Open Mic Night hosted its usual group of souls to brave the limelight. The first act up on the stage was
a new face that admitingly brought quite the shock, and had the audience suprised. After the first act ended the people we hear from frequently had their turn to swing the mic. Some poetry written by Tim Brown was read out by the author himself, and Brooke Bailey, one of the night’s regulars, showcased a song that she had written herself. Following those two, Jared Bennett brought his usual style up on the stage which was greeted by the crowd with enthusiasm.
formances accessible to the masses
Overall Open Mic Night is seeming to pick up a slightly bigger audience each time, erate on the honor system. first-come, first-served basis with a few new brave souls Press Release Notices with the program for our ballet performances at who want to show what they logo will also be used in the Civic Center Little TheCharleston, W.Va. have been working hard on. our printed publications ater. PINOCCHIO will be If the turnout continues to The Charleston Ballet is and advertising materials. performed March 26, 2011. grow hopefully we will start very committed to making We know that access to af- (see attached flyer) Tickto see a weekly or bi-monthly the art of dance more acces- fordable arts programming ets must be purchased or renight of music and poetry. sible to students and children is often hard to come by for served in advance. They may The next date for Open Mic in our region. This year, children and families of lim- be purchased at the CharlesNight is Monday, March 21, we want to make it easier ited economic means. We feel ton Ballet Office. If there is at 9 p.m. at Subway Sides. for economically disadvan- very strongly—and the stud- someone in your community Hopefully we’ll see a couple taged families to experience ies back us up-- that exposure who might assist us in this fresh faces on stage and a largthe cultural and educational to the arts helps children be- program, we can make tickets er crowd to encourage SAC to benefits of the perform- come more creative think- available locally to make acup the frequency of this event. ing arts. We have designed ers, enabling them to im- cess easier. Please feel free to the BALLET FOR ALL prove their academic levels call the Charleston Ballet ofprogram for that purpose. and personal achievements fice at 304-342-6541 or email The BALLET FOR ALL over a lifetime. Our goal us at info@thecharlestonbalprogram offers greatly re- with the BALLET FOR ALL let.com if you have any interduced ticket prices to any program is to provide much- est, questions or comments. family with children who needed access to the arts to We hope the availabilcurrently qualify for the re- a disadvantaged portion of ity of the BALLET FOR duced and free school lunch our community population. ALL program to local famiprograms in the Kanawha and There will be 200 tickets lies will help make the arts Putnam county areas. We available at this special $5 more accessible for everyare offering a $5 per person price at our matinee perfor- one. We hope you will help ticket for qualifying fami- mance on March 26, 2011 at us spread the word of this lies (a 75% discount off the 2:00 pm. These are available program to children and regular ticket price.) Partici- to any family with children families in your community. pation in the free or reduced who qualify for the reduced Please see the attached logo lunch programs will be all or free school lunch pro- and flyer. We appreciate any that is necessary to acquire grams in West Virginia coun- publication of this informathese tickets. We will op- ties. They are available on a tion and thank you in advance.
Photo from Google Images My Chemical Romance in their new video for “Na Na Na” from their new album Danger Days.
TJ’s Indie Albums of the Season! By TJ Meadows
News Editor It has been a fantastic few months for music and if you’re a rock fan, there are three albums that you should add to your collection, as they may be some of the most wonderful albums in current modern rock. As far as alternative rock is concerned, music is booming and new artists are reigning supreme, but one act is still making quality music. My Chemical Romance’s latest release Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys delivers a fresh take on a the band that is like ear heroin. All it takes is one simple dose of the infectious melodies and you’ll be hooked. Conceptually, there is no story, according to interviews with the various band members, but ever since the release of the music videos for “Na Na Na” and “Sing” a story involving an evil corporation and a handful of outlaws has emerged and given some of the songs new meaning. The album on the whole is fresh as each of the songs carries a lighthearted tone,
despite coming from one of rock’s most dire and dreary bands. I will say though that MCR’s newfound lightness does not make the album an instant classic like their last release, The Black Parade. Old fans will rejoice over Danger Days, but fans that were picked up from the Parade may be alienated by the album’s different approach and the band’s new colorful look. Another album that everyone should want and need is from alt poprock duo Sleigh Bells. Treats is a powerful debut that gets everyone dancing and blends genres in a magical way that no one has tried before. Stomping hits like “Kids” and “Riot Rhythm” bring the noise and the groove and can appeal to hardcore fans and even the hip hop crowd, as the guitar’s gritty breakdowns flow magically over the hip hop beats, while vocalist Alexis Krauss soars over the noise and croons blissful lyrics about murder and guitars. Sleigh Bells’s dynamic sound brings a new flavor to modern rock, and the band will likely be around for a long, long time.
Lastly, former Chiodos frontman, Craig Owens’s, new supergroup Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows’s self-titled debut is a powerhouse in the alt rock scene. Owens abandoned his old overly poetic lyrical approach for a brutal honesty that keeps his music pure, despite a different sound than Chiodos. The album is heavy, but also maintains a friendly radio vibe that may help DRUGS succeed where Chiodos did not. The album’s brutal honesty and powerhouse lineup (including members of From First to Last, Story of the Year, and Matchbook Romance) will likely draw fans across the board. The rich quality and production harkens to other releases like The Used’s Lies for the Liars and older releases from Armor for Sleep. My only criticism is that the album feels a little stale in places, and doesn’t use Owens’s trademark shrill screams as much as it could. Overall, each of these albums is absolutely wonderful and belongs in every rock fan’s collection.
Guitar Quartet comes to Concord Press Release
Athens, W.Va. The Georgia Guitar Quartet (GGQ) will be performing for Concord University’s Artist Lecture Series in the Alexander Fine Arts Center Theater on Tuesday, March 22 at 7 p.m. The performance is the first event of 2011 for the concert series. Like the band R.E.M., Brian Smith, Jason Solomon, Phil Snyder and Kyle Dawkins met when they were students at the University of Georgia. John Sutherland, the
guitar professor instrumental in the quartet’s formation, said they connect with traditions of the past and push forward in new and unique directions by putting a little rock ‘n’ roll into their interpretations of classical music. The GGQ draws inspiration from classical masters like Bach and Brahms, experimentalists like Cage, Bartók, and Stockhausen, and contemporary rock icons including Radiohead and Led Zeppelin. They are known for their energetic performances on college
campuses across America. Tickets for the GGQ’s performance can be reserved through the Concord University Box Office at www. ConcordUEvents.com and by calling (304) 384-5101 or e-mailing BoxOffice@ concord.edu. Admission is free for Concord faculty, staff and students as well as for senior citizens, children and non-Concord students. Tickets are $5 for all other adults. The University Box Office will open an hour before the show for ticket sales.
Photo from boomcherry.com
Cirque du Soleil fails to meet expectations By Catherine Jackson Staff Writer To be perfectly honest, I had high expectations for Cirque du Soleil’s performance of “Totem” but came away drained of money and disappointed with the performance. Totem’s narrative attempted to trace mankind’s evolution, and to highlight the connection between humanity and nature. However, the mix between the cheesy and the ethereal made it so disjointed, and it failed to hold my interest. Let me try to explain. The first act is quite fantastic; there is a giant tortoise shell tent in the middle that is lifted away to reveal a sort of glittery primordial ooze of acrobatic dancers, symbolic of man’s beginnings. And then all of a sudden in the next act, you are whisked away to a cheesy beach acrobatic dance performed by two modern men in swim trunks and shades. I kept holding out, thinking maybe the next scene would get better. It only seemed to go downhill from there. True, the acrobats performed with precision and had great
talent and grace, but the narrative itself was just all wrong. There were some unique acts involving Native American traditional dancers on roller skates swinging like lassos around each other’s necks, and a scene between two agile lovers discovering love for the first time on a high bar, but they were few and far between. The scenes that provided filler between the fantastic ones were more prevalent, and again seemed like something that I could easily see in a city park. For example, in one act a man juggled what looked like salad bowls, and then there was a random fisherman that made a swan out of a plastic trash bag; I half expected a harmonica player with a jar for loose change to come panhandling onto the stage. There were nice visuals and beautiful lighting and makeup, but the whole act needs cohesion and depth, and I don’t feel like that is asking too much of it, especially after you pay a pretty penny for a good seat. I attended Totem in an attempt to have an entertaining
date night, and we could not get out of there fast enough, and neither could many of the other audience members— literally, the usher held us hostage until we clapped for all of the performers and listened to their speech about how we should donate money for clean drinking water. Now, this is a good cause that Cirque supports, but considering how much the audience spent on concessions (which were extremely overpriced) it seemed a little ridiculous. Why not just donate a percentage of the concession money to clean drinking water? Just a thought. Perhaps choosing an ambiguous name such as TOTEM allows them to get away without adhering to any particular structured plot of any kind, but I for one was completely baffled about the relation between the acts and the evolution of mankind. My advice for you if you want to attend this show: down some of that $10 wine from the concession area and you just might have yourself a good time.
March 16, 2011 Page 7
St. Patrick’s Day history may surprise you By Sara Cameron Staff Writer Have you ever heard the saying, “A best friend is like a four leaf clover; hard to find and lucky to have”? Honestly I hadn’t until now. Nevertheless, it speaks the truth and obviously represents luck and in turn reminds us of St. Patrick’s Day. Speaking of St. Patty’s Day - tomorrow is the day! We all know that we must wear green, so we don’t get pinched. Do you know the meaning behind the green though? Who St. Patrick even was? Or, you know, anything about the holiday? Let’s start off with etymology of the holiday. It was in 387-461 AD that the most recognized patron saint of Ireland lived. I am aware that the majority of you could probably couldn’t care less about the history of St. Patty’s Day, but in honor of the holiday I’ve decided to educate myself and attempt to educate my audience! St. Patrick is credited to bringing Christianity to Ireland. St. Patrick’s Day originated as a Catholic holiday, but in the early 17th century became an official feast. Originally the color associated with St. Patrick was blue. Over the years the color green and its association with the holiday grew. As early as the 17th century, people have worn green ribbons and shamrocks in celebration of St. Patty’s Day. The holiday was first celebrated in 1737 in Boston, Massachusetts. Today there are more than 100 parades held in observance to the holiday across the country. Shamrocks, being a prime symbol of the holiday, have a fascinating history. The shamrock was a sacred plant in ancient Ireland symbolizing the rebirth of spring. By the 17th century, the shamrock had become a symbol of emerging Irish nationalism. Many Irish began to
Student Life
wear the shamrock to display their pride for the country and displeasure with English rule. Snakes also symbolize St. Patrick’s Day. It is said that Saint Patrick, during his mission to Ireland, stood on a hilltop that is now called Croagh Patrick, and with a wooden stick by his side, banished all snakes from Ireland. The Irish nation was never a home to snakes again. Corned beef and cabbage are traditional meals on St. Patrick’s Day to Irish Americans. And we can’t forget the little green guys - Leprechauns! News to me though, have nothing to do with St. Patrick or the celebration of the holiday. In 1959, Walt Disney created a film called, “Darby O’Gill & the Little People.” In this movie, he introduced a very different type of leprechaun to America in comparison to Irish folklore, where they are notorious, cantankerous little men. So, the friendly leprechaun is an American invention, but has evolved to be a symbol of both St. Patrick’s Day and Ireland. Here are some interesting facts: in 1991, March was declared Irish-American History Month. It is one of the leading days of the consumption of alcohol in the US and usually is one the busiest days for restaurants and bars. Regardless of your heritage, it is common for those not wearing green to be pinched. Many cities dye their rivers green also. As you can see, St. Patrick’s is a holiday that has been around for decades and has a lot of history behind it. The next time a holiday rolls around (ex. April Fools), research it and learn the meaning behind it!
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Fill Out Your Own March Madness Bracket!
Page 8 March 16, 2011
Student Life
Reidmiller and students attend art conference
Press Release
Athens, W.Va. Dr. Lauri Reidmiller and members of the Concord University National Art Education Student Chapter attended the West Virginia Art Education Association 2011 Spring conference last week. During the conference the group attended a selection of presentations and hands-on workshops. The conference also gave the students the opportunity to meet art teachers from around the state and learn some new teaching resources. During the conference Dr. Lauri Reidmiller presented “Polymer Clay” an interactive presentation designed for junior high
and high school art students. Assisting with the presentation were Concord University’s Art Education students; Kate Armentrout, Tiffany Blair, Brittany Cantley, Mathew Lilly, David Poticher, and Kayla Tilley. “I am a proponent of active learning and I believe that learning environments extend beyond the four walls of a classroom. I always encourage my student to accompany me when I present at conferences, conduct outreach projects and teach workshops in our public schools” states Dr. Reidmiller. Also in attendance were art education students, Crystal Richmond and Tim Hiner. In addition to attending the conference
Tim Hiner helped register artwork for the West Virginia Youth Art Month 3-D Competition in which Dr. Reidmiller is chairing this year. Dr. Reidmiller reports that many of her students will be assisting her with the Youth Art Month 3D Award ceremony and judging the Raleigh County Art Show next month. Reidmiller continues, “I believe that supplying my students with these types of opportunities empowers them to take responsibility for their own learning and enables them to participate in their professional organization, build their resumes, network with educators regionally and nationally and become visible advocates for the arts”.
CU Investment Club seeks new members
By Jeremy Sallie
Staff Writer The Concord Investment Club (CIC) looks to branch out across campus, embracing new members from any department. Meetings are held bi-monthly; the next being this Thursday at 3:30 p.m. in the Rahall Conference at RH 200. An initial investment is not required and there is an opportunity for students to earn one credit hour through participating in the club.
According to the club’s constitution, their mission is to familiarize and educate interested members with the fundamentals of investing and to provide the opportunity to gain real work experience in applying these principles. Assistant Professor of Finance Dr. Zagorchev advised on the importance of investing early, “When you are a young investor, you have the opportunity to choose growth-oriented investments, which will yield a higher return, allowing you to build capital for your future.” The CIC provides students with a real world experience
to the realm of investing.
Students are given the opportunity to invest their funds in investments voted on by the students themselves, with faculty advisors providing guidance. “The meetings allow interested students to discuss potential investments in a semi-formal setting, with experienced investors there to provide support in the learning process,” Chase Smith, Acting President, said.
As with any student organization, there are several potential networking possibilities.
Currently, the club has funds close to $3,500 in the market, with stocks in companies like Sony, Cisco, and Toyota. The club also holds stock in a mining company known as Vale S.A., which could provide a 56.4 percent return for members if sold today. For those who wish to hold off on any initial investments, the club runs a semi-annual investment competition through Investopedia.com. Each student starts the semester with $100,000. The week before finals, the member with the highest cumulative
Photos by Dr. Reidmiller Above: Front- Tim Hiner, Mathew Lilly and David Poticher Back- Dr. Reidmiller, Tiffany Blair, Kate Armentrout, Brittany Cantley, and Kayla Tilley Below: Concord University Art Education student, Kate Armentrout, assisting attendees at the WVAEA spring conference.
earnings is awarded a prize.
The club also utilizes Facebook as a means of discussion for potential investments. It is not only a technical club, but also a social one. “Students not only learn about the techniques of investing, they are given the chance to express their ideas about potential investments,” Smith said. Faculty advisors include Dr. Islam, Dr. Zagorchev, and Mr. Fazio, who have longterm experience in investing. Dr. Islam is currently on sick leave and the team wishes him a quick recovery.
“I love to smoke.”
The meetings often last less than an hour, and as Mr. Fazio says, “Investment is long term, investment meetings are short term.”
And I’m tired of hearing that I’m going to die.
For more information on the Concord Investment Club, contact Chase Smith at smithb11@mycu.concord. edu. For potential credit hours, contact Mr. Fazio at jfazio@concord.edu. You are invited to take this opportunity to see what the world of investing is about, because after college, you often have to pay for a chance like this.
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Photo by Jeremiah Nelson The Concord Investment Club is all smiles after a very profitable gain on a new investment.
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