FILM DISAPPOINTS
SIGNING DAY
“Live by Night” excels in atmosphere, but a choppy plot holds the film back.
20 recruits commit to play football at Eastern. The group consists of High School Seniors and college transfers.
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“TELL THE TRUTH AND DON’T BE AFRAID” Thursday, February 2, 2017 C E L E BRATI NG A CE NTUR Y OF COV E RA GE E S T . 1 915
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Workgroup host townhall, seeks feedback Staff report Workgroup No. 8, Academic Visioning I, is hosting a town hall meeting to get feedback on their work in the vitalization project so far. They are asking those who participate to share their ideas for new or modified programs, completion programs, signature programs and micro degrees. Those unable to attend the session can provide feedback in a survey or can present their suggestions during the group’s weekly meetings from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. in Room 2116 of Blair Hall.
ANALICIA HAYNES | THE DAILY EASTERN NE WS
Brianna Torrance, a freshman family consumer sciences major, dances with the African Student Association Wednesday night at the comedy show as part of the kick off for African-American Heritage Month. ASA performed a combination of traditional African and modern dances and opened up for Xclusive the Comedian.
Performers honor heritage month
By Lydia Shaw Assistant Online Editor | @DEN_News Students, faculty, community members and visitors took a walk through history and found themselves surrounded by “the Power of the Black Millennial” as they kicked off African-American Heritage Month in the Grand Ballroom of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union. Nia Douglas, comedy coordinator for the University Board, which put the celebration together, based the theme of the night on her definition of “The Black Millennial.” “Our fight isn’t over, we took it and changed the rules, although they still exist, we’re going to change them. We invent music, dances, we’re using what we know,” she said. Douglas said the event was a way of networking and showing the talent of black students. “Sometimes we’re pushed to the back and looked at in a negative way and I want to show something positive,” she said. “Instead of hearing things about us dying, we’re here to showcase our talents.” After working with students to put together events for six years, this is the first year Yolanda Williams, an academic adviser for the Gateway program, is organizing the month-long celebration without a budget and without a student committee. “That was sad to me because I couldn’t do the month that I wanted
OLIVIA SWENSON-HULTZ | THE DAILY EASTERN NE WS
Dr. Shawn Peoples, director of civil rights and diversity, admires the art on display during the African-American Heritage month event kickoff , “Honoring The Past, Inspiring the Future “ in the Martin Luther King Jr ballroom.
to do,” Williams said. Williams said the lack of finances from the university makes her sad. Despite the challenge, Williams said her students who volunteered and gave their time and efforts in planning the event pulled through. “I’m really happy about that because (the student volunteers) are not
seeing it as we have no money, they’re seeing it as ‘OK we’re just going to do it,’ and that made me very proud,” she said. Cydne Garrett, mainstage coordinator for the University Board, said the campus community has a lot of creativity to show to the world. Using both ballrooms in the
Union, participants spent the first half of the three-hour celebration observing student-made artwork depicting the power as well as the struggle of African-American citizens. Poetry, music performances and presentations entertained and enlightened members of the audience in the second hour. Performers, page 5
Student Senate elects new Speaker By Loren Dickson Entertainment Reporter | @DEN_News The Student Senate almost unanimously voted to make student senator Felicia Wagner the new Speaker of the Senate at their meeting Wednesday. Wagner ran against student senator JaLisa Smith. Maralea Negron, Executive Vice President of the Student Senate, told her fellow peers on the Senate to focus on the candidates themselves and what they represent as an individual. “No matter how this election goes, the success of the Senate as a whole is not just because of one person, it’s because of all of us. We have to work together whether you agree or disagree with who is selected,” Negron said. Student Body President Catie Witt said it is important to think about which candidate can best address everyone in a professional manner. Student Senator Edwyn Mitchell said one of his biggest fears as a member of the Student Government is for someone to get elected as speaker and not carry out their plans. As the discussion continued, Smith and Wagner both presented their final thoughts. “If selected (as) speaker, I’m going to make sure that the foundation is laid to make sure my ideas are carried out,” Smith said. “I’ve been around to see what works and what doesn’t and I know that with our current foundation, there are a lot of things that will not work.” Wagner said while Smith does have a lot of experience in Student Government, she has a lot of experience herself. Student, page 5