Oozeball: Ooze it or lose it
What it’s like to be a Resident Assistant
spring 2016 • vol. 5, issue 2
Beloved teacher retires after fourteen years
trends • culture • events
WHY gettingi
Involved on Campus s good for r
u o y
career
I was terrified. I was absolutely terrified. Then I realized I had the power.” Carolyn Haines– see page 24 for more
DueSouthUSA.com Editor-in-Chief Jordan Knox Assistant Editor Shannon House duesouth@southalabama.edu starters... 6 Q & A: Tony Peppers 7 Calendar 8 New + Noteworthy 9 How & Where to Vote agenda... 14 Get involved?
Why you should and how it can help you
16 Bienville Books
A local bookstore home to hundreds of hidden treasures
18 Mobile Writers Guild The local writing group open to all 30 Outdoor Adventure The best way to experience nature in our own backyard
34 Green Campus
USA is poised to become the most eco-friendly University from Florida to Texas On The Cover Oozeball Tournament
by Jordan Knox
features... 10 20
Ooze it or Lose it An insider’s view of a South Alabama classic event
From Mobile to the stars A South student becomes a NASA Ambassador
24
Carolyn Haines
28
Being an R.A.
Beloved Creative Writing professor retires after fourteen years of teaching and inspiring students
A Resident Assistant tells what it’s like working on campus
Due South is published twice per academic year – once in the fall and once in the spring. Unless otherwise noted, all content is copyrighted by Due South. Due South is a production of USA Student Media, and does not necessarily reflect the views of The University of South Alabama’s administration.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF JORDAN KNOX
ASSISTANT EDITOR SHANNON HOUSE
ADVERTISING MANAGER CHRISTINA WERNER
ADVISER JOHN SELLERS
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Letter
from the
Editor
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he University of South Alabama is relatively small compared to some universities, but what we lack in enrollment, we make up for in student involvement! South Alabama currently has over 200 student organizations and clubs for students to choose from. From student government to academics, athletics to the arts, politics to video games, there is something for everyone. In this issue of Due South, we are highlighting just a few of these organizations as well as some of the things that make Mobile so great. We feel that student involvement plays a pivotal role in creating well-rounded students who can go out into the career field prepared for whatever comes their way.
Jordan Knox Editor-in-Chief, Due South
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starters
INTERVIEW
Q&A
CALENDAR
INNOVATIONS
Tony Peppers a student who does it all an interview by Jordan Knox
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ony Peppers is a twenty-one year old, full-time student majoring in Communications. When he’s not in class, he is fully aware of what it means to “work your way through college.” He works, is involved on campus, and somehow still manages to find time to relax and have fun. Peppers is living proof that it is possible to have a job and make the grades. Q: What are you currently involved with on campus? Do you have a job outside of school? A: Aside from a full course load, I am a member of Alpha Epsilon Rho, and I am also currently the Program Director over at The Prowl, the campus radio station. I am also a full-time bartender on the weekends and I am also a contributing writer for Babetalk.tv. Q: How do you balance work, school, extracurricular activities, and a social life? A: I was told that in life you have to pick two of three things: good grades, sleep, and a social life. This was really good advice until I realized I could have all three if I really, really tried. I’m all about the “work hard, play hard” mentality. Sure you might cry a lot or maybe feel yourself turn a little crazy, but the strangest minds have the greatest times.
really had high self-esteem, and despite having big dreams, I was never really sure of myself. Once I started attending USA however, all that changed. I started seeing people follow dreams really similar to mine, and it was amazing. I said “I can do that too.” A lot of people told me I wasn’t capable of doing most of the things I’ve accomplished in the past year and looking back, that negativity is the most positive thing to happen to me recently. Since attending South I’ve adopted two new mantras: “I am capable of anything, so long as I try” and “Nobody has the right to tell me I can’t.” Q: What advice would you give to students in similar situations? A: Stay focused and love yourself. Stop worrying about what your crush is doing or wondering if anything’s going on at that one bar that you know won’t ID you. There’s time for that later. But don’t be afraid of taking breaks either; too much stress *will* break you. If you push yourself past your limits, eventually your whole body will shut down on you. Find time to treat yourself.
Q: What do you do for fun? A: When I manage to find a day off, I love traveling or catching live music. It’s not uncommon to find my Instagram crowded with shots from venues or food from different cities. If there’s good music and good food, you’ll probably find me there. Q: What are your plans after graduation? A: After I graduate I really want to be a professional radio personality, but I also sent in a couple applications to the Ministry of Magic, so we’ll see how that goes. Q: How has your time at South impacted you? A: It has taught me how to respect myself. I never { 06
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INTERVIEW
CALENDAR
starters
INNOVATIONS
save the dates... community events April
22-May1
NEW ORLEANS JAZZ & HERITAGE FESTIVAL
Musical acts like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam, Van Morrison, My Morning Jacket and Bonnie Raitt come together for an awesome musicfest.
May
FREE COMIC BOOK DAY
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Fan of comic books? How about 50 FREE titles to choose from? A costume contest, a free cookout, ice cream and an obstacle course.
11 a.m. - 7 p.m. FOS Comics
New Orleans, LA
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July
16-17
July
SLOSS MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL
FOURTH OF JULY
Death Cab for Cutie, The Flaming Lips, Grouplove, Washed Out, Glass Animals and more!
No classes!
May
20-22
HANGOUT FEST
Over fifty musical acts come together to celebrate music and art in Gulf Shores very own music festival. Gulf Shores, AL
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August
USA FIRST NIGHT Welcome to the Jungle! 7 p.m. Mitchell Center
Birmingham, AL
August
16
August
24
MOVIE NIGHT!
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL First day of fall semester for students
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August
BEERFEST
Movie night with Jaguar Productions 7 p.m. Student Center Ballroom
For those 21 and up! Mobile Beer Festival takes places downtown with more than twenty bars and restaurants participating. Sample some beer and check out downtown! 25$ per person. Dauphin St.
September
SKATE NIGHT
14
Hosted by Sunshine Skate Center 8 p.m. Sunshine Skate Center
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September
GLOWBALL
13-16
SHRIMP FESTIVAL
Glow in the dark volleyball! 6 p.m. Rec Center indoor soccer court
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Musical acts, vendors, and over 200 pounds of shrimp per day! Gulf Shores, AL
starters
INTERVIEW
CALENDAR
INNOVATIONS
new+noteworthy UNIVERSITY NEWS
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he University of South Alabama will be represented for the first time at the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders. Sophomore nursing student, Kinsley Knapp from Tallahassee, was selected to attend the conference. Krista Harrell, associate dean of students and Title IX coordinator, advised her to apply. The conference is sponsored by the American Association of University Women and will be held June 2-6 at the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland. Kinsley Knapp
CAMPUS
For Earth day this year, South students decided to CLEAN UP CAMPUS take action. Starting on April 17 students boarded kayaks and canoes to clean up three major waterways along the Glenn Sebastian Nature Trail. Earth Day was observed on April 22 and to mark the day, the SGA and the Student Sustainability Council continued the observance with trash audits on the green space between the Student Center and Meisler Hall, according to an article posted on the USA website. The Sustainability Council hopes that this will encourage students to recycle.
USA STUDENTS
WORLD
Disney’s Star Wars: “The Force Awakens” passed Avatar as the highest grossing film in the domestic market, whereas Avatar took almost a year to gross over $760.5 million, The Force Awakens far surpassed that at over $900 million in just two months.
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STATE NEWS
Alabama lawmakers began the impeachment process of Gov. Robert Bentley on April 5 due to a reported sex scandal. Gov. Bentley denies the allegations and claims there are no grounds for impeachment.
How&
Where to
Vote
The 2016 Presidential election will be held on Nov. 8, 2016. Many students are not sure where to vote and some may not be registered. If you are interested in voting in this presidential election, here are some things you should know. First, make sure you are registered to vote in the state in which you currently live. If you are a student living on campus, you can register to vote in Mobile. If you aren’t sure if you have registered in the past, go to MyInfo.AlabamaVotes.gov and click “registration information.” Fill out the required fields and it will tell you if you have registered to vote. If you are already registered and need to update your information, you can update from the same site. The website will also guide you to your designated polling center. On the other hand, if you have not registered, you will need to visit AlabamaVotes.gov and click “register to vote.” In order to register, you must meet the following requirements: Be a citizen of the United States, live in the State of Alabama and be at least 18 years of age on, or before, Election Day. You will need to have a valid Alabama driver’s license or a non-driver’s identification card with you when you arrive to vote at your designated polling center. You cannot vote if you are barred from voting because of a felony conviction. You cannot vote if you have been judged “mentally incompetent” in a court of law. Finally, you must complete the online form and wait for a confirmation email. The County Board of Registrars will review your application and within a week or so, you will receive a card in the mail saying that you are now a registered voter in the state of Alabama. The notice will include your designated polling center. If you are a Republican, Democrat or anything in between, make sure you cast your vote on Nov. 8!
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Ooze it or Lose it An Insider’s Perspective on a USA Tradition
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Text by Grace Mitchell Photos by Jordan Knox
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n Saturday morning, April 16, I donned a handpainted T-shirt and a pair of cheap sneakers, with every intention of getting a face full of mud in the hours to come. This year marked the 28th annual Oozeball tournament at the University of South Alabama and my second time to compete. Oozeball is organized by The Southerners, a campus student ambassador group. The event is a typical volleyball tournament but instead of being played on solid, shiny, hardwood courts, the nets span large, square holes, filled with thick mud and water. Students can compete for a specific organizational team or on independently formed teams. My team was assembled through the Catholic Student Association; we called ourselves the Marian Mangalitsas, named for a species of wooly pig that resembles a sheep. Throughout the day, we competed against teams with names like Knees Deep, Muddy Buddies, and Brown Nos-
ers. Mud- and volleyball-related puns are not required, but most students can’t seem to resist the opportunity. Before our first game, we wrapped our shoes in layers of duct tape. This practice was encouraged by more experienced players who said it helped keep mud out and prevent our shoes from falling off during the games. Even with this time-tested precaution, my shoes were still squishing as I walked by the end of the first game and were completely full of mud by the end of the fifth game. First stepping into the mud was a shock. It’s extremely unpleasant for the first few moments. Then, your body adjusts, first to the temperature, then to the filth. Each year, the weather brings different challenges to the sport. This year, the sky was overcast and the temperature hovered around 60 degrees. This was more challenging off the court than it was during the game. Shivering players walked around covered in cold mud. Despite the dreary day, participants still managed to have a good time. In contrast, last year’s games followed a series of rain-
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storms. The water in the courts was anywhere from waist-deep to shoulder-deep. Needless to say, movement was nearly impossible. Oozeball is not called off because of rain, so participants must be able to adapt to Mobile’s erratic weather patterns. As games go on, teams fizzle out. Once a team loses for the second time, it is eliminated. Most teams leave after elimination. Players smartly opt for a hot shower back at home and wait for an announcement of the winners after all is said and done. The games this year started at 9 a.m. My team stayed in the tournament until around 2:30 p.m. In the hours between, we won
three out of five games, mud-wrestled, ate some long-awaited Foosackly’s who caters the event and enjoyed each other’s company. Players on the team I joined were significantly randomized in skill level – a common occurrence in the sport. While some teams play competitively, most consider Oozeball a time to get together and have fun in an unconventional way. My team challenged, affirmed and uplifted one another throughout the hours we played. I definitely consider this sort of comradery worth getting dirty for once a year.
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why should
I
get
Text by Alexander Moylan
A
ccording to Ferris Bueller, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it.” Ferris was just a high schooler, but his words epitomize the college experience, too. If you’re not careful, your time in college will pass by so quickly that you’re left wondering whether you fully took advantage of all the opportunities that were available. No matter how long your collegiate journey is, if you make the grades, your graduation day is inevitable. If graduation anticipation alone isn’t enough, sometimes students are also under pressure to begin working immediately after graduation. Meanwhile, we’re constantly told that the “real world” is extremely competitive, but there’s hope! Getting involved in activities outside of the classroom can benefit you as much as, if not more than, a high GPA when you’re on the job search. When I was a junior pursuing an English degree, I wanted to write for my
invoLvEd?
school’s student newspaper. However, I never made time for it and I missed out on the opportunity to do something fun and have additional writing experience to add to my resume. Luckily, during my first year as a graduate student here at South, I came across an opportunity to submit articles for publication with both The Vanguard and Due South. Of course, this time I ran with the opportunity, rather than missing out like I had earlier! Without these experiences writing for South’s student publications, I wouldn’t have this important skill. For me, the extra-curricular writing experience helped further develop an important skill for my career. There are several options for students seeking experiences outside the classroom. Most include something that aligns with your interests, and something that can be career-altering. For example, are you interested in the environment? The Sustainability Council is concerned with the environment and demonstrates their passion by hosting several go green-themed events such as campus and community cleanups. If you want to pitch in on a
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campus clean-up, or just put your green thumb to work at the garden, there’s a home for you here. Maybe you are more interested in politics. There are student organizations for Republicans and Democrats, or you can take your passion for politics to the Student Government Association meetings. You could even seek election to a position within this organization or more simply sit in on meetings to ensure that your voice is heard. Being involved in activities outside the classroom is influential on your developing career. As someone who has reviewed countless resumes between interning at Career Services and working at the Writing Center, I can tell you from experience that what will help you stand out the most is making your time with a student club or organization count. To do this you can’t only be on a membership list but you have to participate, you have to pursue leadership opportunities. You need to bring something to the table and stand out, especially by doing anything that may be applicable to the career you’re pursuing.
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Bienville Books...
Local book store is home to hundreds of treasures
Text and photos by Jason Ruffin
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ne of the only independentlyowned bookstores in Mobile, Bienville Books sits across the street from its namesake, Bienville Square. The small shop is a book lover’s dream, with aisles of hardto-find books, some of which are signed or first edition. Owner Russ Adams opened the bookstore 13 years ago, after a career in computer graphics and publishing. Adams, who was born in Mobile and spent many years in New York, said he has always loved reading, and opening a bookstore downtown just sounded like a good idea. Adams said he hoped to inherit some of the customers from a previous bookstore that was situated downtown called the Haunted Book Shop. Before you walk through the door at Bienville Books be prepared to spend an hour or so sifting through vintage and signed books. Walking through Bienville Books you can still see memorabilia from the previous shop. Adam’s own store borrows themes from the Haunted Book Shop, such as its huge selection of horror and science fiction books upstairs. The overwhelming collection of books and the nostalgic smell of print come together to give the whole shop a warm and historic feel. Bienville Books also carries a large selection of regional and local authors including South’s own Sue Walker who recently retired from teaching at South. Walker was one of the only authors that brought a good number of people in for book signings, as well as students for events, according to Adams. They carry Walker’s book of poetry close
to the front desk, and it was clear talking to Adams that he very much admired her work. Bienville Books also boasts a very knowledgeable staff. Karen Kirby studied English as an undergrad at LSU, and Angela Trigg is an author working on her fourth book. Everyone at the store has a favorite genre they specialize in, whether it’s the classics or romance. For Adams, sciencefiction and thrillers are his specialty, which explains the shop’s huge collection of horror books. When some people think of independently-owned bookstores, they may think of a dying industry, but Adams said that he has not really seen much of a change with the advent of E-books. In fact, the business of owning a bookstore has gotten easier in the last couple of years. “It’s fairly good. It’s odd, when I started it was difficult because of Barnes and Nobles and Books-a-Million,” said Adams. But he sees a future for small bookstores now, especially if they fill a particular niche. However, the business of selling used books does not always deal in nickels and dimes. The shop stays stocked with rare signed books, and Adams sells others online. The most expensive book he has ever sold, was a signed copy of To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee which sold for $39,000. Adams regularly visits estate sales searching for rare books and his efforts show. The shelves are filled with rare used and signed books, which makes spending an hour or so combing through the shelves in search of a hidden gem all the more special. If you are a book lover or even a collector of unique or vintage items, Bienville Books offers something for everyone.
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Owner Russ Adams
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Mo Text by Natalie Franklin
T
heir meetings begin like any ordinary organization: announcements are read, the treasury report is reviewed and business is conducted. These are all typical practices of any other organization, but the Mobile Writer’s Guild is anything but ordinary. Aspiring writers, as well as professional writers, comprise The Mobile Writer’s Guild. “Our purpose is to help educate and inspire writers of all age levels and experience levels,” Carrie Dalby Cox, the guild vice president, said. The organization was established in 2005 by Mahala Church and Tracy Hurley. Since the organization’s establishment, local writers have had a place to gather and support one another. “I think that the Mobile Writer’s Guild is terrifically good and would be terrifically good for students who are interested in writing,” Linda Busby Parker said. Parker is a creative writing instructor in the English department at South Alabama. She has been a guest speaker for the guild and has attended meetings in the past. The guild meets on the first Thursday of every
month, September through May. The various authors who comprise the guild feel at home as they meet at the home to thousands of books – West Regional Library. Guest speakers are invited to each meeting to discuss a variety of topics including publishing and the delicate writing process. “This last November meeting, we had Carolyn Haines. She spoke to us about the benefits, pros and cons, of traditional versus self-publishing,” Cox said. Haines is an assistant professor in the English department at South Alabama, and she has published more than 20 books. While Haines is not a member of the guild, she is an advocate of writing organizations in general. “I, personally, believe that gatherings of writers to discuss writing and the business of writing is a very helpful thing,” Haines said. The guild offers a plethora of opportunities. “We are in the process of setting up outreach programs with different stores around town. Right now, we have a Mobile Writer’s Guild table at the Urban Emporium on downtown Dauphin Street where only our members can sell their books,” Cox said.
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obileWriter’sGuild Writers also have the opportunity to perfect their craft through the guild. “Several of us are in critique groups we form through meeting each other at the Writers Guild,” Cox said. These critique groups meet and go through a process of assessing each other’s material. Critique groups are important for writers at any level. “They keep you motivated,” Parker said. The guild members are quite diverse. “Our membership base is usually college level up to retirees,” Cox said. The guild is not only beneficial to experienced, published writers, but it also offers pertinent assistance to beginning writers. “We can point people in the right direction to help, whether it’s which website or how-to books or inspirational books to read to help with the writing craft or getting over rejections,” Cox said. “I think the students would be delighted to find that here’s this community organization. If they’re writers, that organization will be great support for them,” Parker said. The guild unites writers to create and share personal success. “We set goals for ourselves and at the next meeting, the president reads through what the
goal was that you wrote down and asks, ‘Did you accomplish it?’ So, it’s a way that you’re accountable and you have to report and it helps push you along to get to the next level,” Cox said. To be in the presence of veteran authors is beneficial to young writers beginning their craft. Treasure Scarbrough, a graphic design major at South Alabama, has attended a few events held by the guild. “It’s a great opportunity for anyone who has ever dreamed of writing novels but is too afraid to take that first step,” Scarbrough said. Contrary to popular belief, writing is no easy feat. “Writing is solitary work,” Haines said, “and it’s nice to get together with other writers and discuss contracts, promotional opportunities, share information on good editors, etc.” So, what is the most valuable aspect of the guild? The answer is unanimous. “I think the guild is a great way for local writers to learn from each other,” Scarbrough said. A more experienced writer, Carrie Dalby Cox, answers that question in nearly the same way. “The comradery. We’re very supportive of each other.”
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usa student reaches
for the stars Text by Benjamin McKay
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ife has recently changed in an astronomical way for University of South Alabama senior Jamie Ellis. She was selected by the NASA Solar System Ambassadors Program to become an ambassador in the Mobile area. The Ambassadors are space enthusiasts from across the nation who are interested in providing greater service and inspiration to the community. The Solar System Ambassadors Program (SSA) is a public outreach program sponsored by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA, a leading research and development center for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The SSA volunteers communicate the excitement of JPL's space exploration missions and information about recent discov-
eries to people in their local communities. The SSA Program expands the outstanding efforts made by the Galileo mission since 1997. Because of the success of the original Galileo Ambassadors program, JPL missions exploring Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Earth, asteroids, comets and the sun now come together to expand the program's scope to the entire Solar System and beyond. Aside from this being an incredible opportunity, it is also a selective honor, earning Ellis some serious bragging rights. For 2016, there are only 700 Ambassadors across the United States, including Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands and Guam bringing the excitement of space to people across the nation. So what exactly does Ellis do as a member of this program? Ambassadors are required to write a biographical statement
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Right: The Majestic Messier-104 (M-104) Sombrero Galaxy. Left: Jamie Ellis {{ due due south south
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Bottom: NASA’s Juno Spacecraft Top: Death of a star Photos courtesy of Hubble Space Telescope {{ due 22 }} 22 south due south
that details their areas of interest and expertise. They also schedule presentations or events in different areas in their communities. For her first event as an official ambassador, Ellis planned at Serda’s Coffee Company in downtown Mobile. Her work concerned the solar eclipses, since one took place on March 9 of 2016, as well as a Penumbral Lunar Eclipse that was visible from Mobile on March 23. Unfortunately, the event was cancelled last minute, but that definitely hasn’t slowed Ellis down. She has plenty of other events lined up during her time as an ambassador. Ellis spoke at USA’s Marx Library on March 30 about the Hubble Telescope and on Part 1: NASA’s Mission to Mars. “NASA is doing some really cool stuff with Mars and Jupiter this year,” said Ellis. “Later in the year, I will be conducting
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more presentations on Mars, and then going on to Juno, the spacecraft, landing on Jupiter on July 4, 2016,” Ellis said. Ellis has also been asked to be a science guest for MobiCon, a comic and science fiction festival, scheduled for the weekend of May 27-29. At the event, she will be discussing the parallels between Sci-Fi movies and ongoing missions with NASA. “I am even going to do couple of star nights out during the summer with my telescope!” said Ellis. If this all sounds interesting to you, be sure to check her out at some of these events. You can even arrange for her to speak at a Solar System Ambassador event you plan in your community by visiting the SSA website. Clearly, Jamie Ellis has a very exciting year planned out as a Solar System Ambassador and a very sunny future ahead of her.
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carolyn haines Creative writing professor retires after fourteen years at South
Text by Caroline Goldman Photos courtesy of Carolyn Haines
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arolyn Haines was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, to two journalists, Roy and Hilda, and grew up in Lucedale, Mississippi. Growing up, she would often spend time in the back of The George County Times, where her parents worked. “Ink is in the blood,” she said. For Haines, this is clearly true. She received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1974 and a master’s degree in creative writing from the University of South Alabama in 1985. She was a journalist for more than 10 years before she switched to fiction writing.
“I had already started writing and had an agent when I went into the program at South. I was never the great hard news reporter that my parents were. I was a feature writer. It was about language and telling a story. I felt I could tell more truth in fiction than by writing facts in a newspaper.” Just like most writers, Haines struggled before her first publication in 1988. “I was rejected, like anybody else, for a number of years. I had published some short fiction. Then, I had an agent who said you need to write a novel. And I’m like really? A novel? Nobody can write that many pages!” Haines laughed. “I was going to be a short story writer like Flannery O’Connor, Eudora Welty or Lee Smith. These were the voices I loved and I wanted to be that. But then, when I started writing the novels, I
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I felt I could tell more truth in fiction than by writing facts in a newspaper.�
Carolyn and her horse, Cogar
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realized that the mysteries took me all the way back to Nancy Drew, the love of mystery and the creepiness of ghost stories. So, I found my place.” Haines has written more than 70 books in multiple genres. Her most popular books are the Sarah Booth Delaney mystery series. “I really love writing mysteries. I never thought I could plot well. I thought that was my greatest weakness and to find out if I apply myself I can make that walnut size left brain shine.” Haines learned a lot from her experience of being published. “I can remember when I sold my first novel, which was “Summer of the Redeemers” in 1994. I remember riding my horse through the woods counting my money. I had no clue what the real-
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ity was. No clue at all. I thought my career was made, and the truth of the matter is: in publishing, it’s never the last book. It’s the next book. That’s where your future is because no matter how good your last book was, the last book is done. Her advice to anyone who wants to write is to read about writing. Then, write. “There is so much information available on the internet now that wasn’t around when I started. Read about writing. Read what writers you admire have to say about it. Read their work. But, the most important thing is to write. Write every day. Find people who share your desire and start a critique group. Try to get better as a writer. Submit. Try to get an agent. It’s a long road. It’s a hard road, but if you don’t start walking it you will never get there.”
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Haines started teaching at the University of South Alabama in 2002 and will retire at the end of May 2016. She has taught 14 years of undergraduate and graduate fiction writing. Haines also served as the fiction coordinator for the Department of English. “It was only going to be for one [year], but I started it and I loved it, and I just stayed.” Haines remembers how she felt when she showed up for her first day at the University of South Alabama. “I was terrified. I was absolutely terrified. Then I realized I had the power. I was so fortunate because I had a group of students who were really good students. They were serious writers and so I fell into an easy rhythm being able to teach them what I knew.” After retiring, Haines plans to write new books, re-publish some of her older, out-of-print books, and visit Costa Rica. “I am going to Costa Rica this summer to look around. They have some beautiful land, it’s for sale, and you know, I think I
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could be very happy in a sunny little country.” Haines has her eye on a few hundred acres of land that are home to three waterfalls. She worries about how she will transport her horses more than 1,000 miles across the Gulf of Mexico, but she is excited about the possibility of spending her retirement in a new place. When asked what she would miss most about South, she said, “I’m going to miss my students, but everyone has my phone number and my email. They can reach me if they want to. I will miss teaching. I love it, but it’s time for a change.” Haines said she owes a big thanks to Dr. Sue Walker who hired her and was a great co-teacher. She said she also thanks Dr. Wierzbicki for his being a wonderful person. Haines has two novels being published later this year. “Rock-a-Bye Bones,” coming out May 17 with St. Martin’s Press, and the first book in a new series called “The Book of Beloved,” which comes out Aug. 9 from Thomas and Mercer.
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Being a Resident Assistant One student’s journey to becoming more involved on campus
Text by Micaela Walley Photo by Jordan Knox
I
always wanted to do more on campus, so I decided to become a Resident Assistant. This was an easy decision for me because I loved living on campus and wanted to do more within Housing. I am often asked what it’s like to be an R.A. I usually respond by saying it has been a learning experience from start to finish, and it has definitely made me grow as a student leader. Applications for the R.A. position are usually due around the beginning of spring semester. The interview process includes one group interview and one individual interview. If you are offered the position, Housing tells you what community you will be living in during the upcoming year. You are then introduced to your staff members
who will be working in the community with you. Afterwards, you have an entire summer to prepare yourself for the job training sessions. These sessions usually occur one or two weeks before fall semester begins. During these training sessions, the new Resident Assistants listen to presenters from all around the University, including representatives from Counseling and Testing Services, Jaguar Productions, and USAPD. We are taught everything from how many clubs are offered on campus to how to handle policy violations. It is a rigorous time period of lectures and team building, but we are well prepared to handle whatever comes our way by move-in day. Each Resident Assistant is given anywhere from 20 to 80 residents that they are responsible for, and this varies according to community. We act as a resource to residents and are the first responders to any housing related incident. All residents
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within a housing community are given the phone number of the R.A. on duty in case of emergencies. Resident Assistants alternate duty shifts, but typically each R.A. is on duty once or twice every other week. The typical day of the R.A. on duty begins at 4:45 p.m. and ends at 8:00 a.m. the following day. At night, Resident Assistants are required to sit at the front desk of their building from 8:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. We carry around the duty phone which can and will ring at any moment; you never know what to expect when you pick up. Sometimes the problem is a simple lock out, and other times it can be a more serious incident. Whatever happens, you have to respond with a positive attitude. In addition to being on duty, another R.A. responsibility is to plan events for residents. Each R.A. must plan nine events for our residents. A few of the events we have done recently include an open mic night
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with the Oracle, a study session with Delta and a Valentine’s Day party. Because most people are in their own bubbles, to get attendance for our events normally requires a lot of marketing on our part to encourage residents to come out and have fun. We definitely have to step outside of our comfort zone to get our residents to be active within the community. If you are considering being an R.A., know that student leadership is what this position is all about. Even when we are not on call, we are still responsible for the wellbeing of our residents. There are high expectations on us every day, but luckily there are also many rewards. Along with free housing and a meal plan, we receive invaluable work experience and create strong bonds between our residents and our staff members. This job requires a lot of time and energy, but is worth it for those of us who want to be more involved in ResLife.
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ADVENTURE IS OUT THERE Text by Jason Ruffin Photos by Shannon House
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t was early; too early. I don’t usually wake up until I’ve had my normal 12 hours of sleep, but here I was, paddling a small kayak through a canyon of cypress trees in the middle of the Mobile-Tensaw delta. It was early September. A couple weeks before, I’d found Michael Brown and his staff handing out flyers for Outdoor Adventures in the small pond beside the Marx Library. The kayaks looked larger, or maybe the pond was smaller, either way the prospect of paddling through water seemed less daunting when watching someone float in a small pond, which was not much deeper than a swimming pool. Google outdoor adventures and one of the first results to pop up will be a map and a link to The University of South Alabama. For all of our area’s natural wonder, few programs take advantage of it. However,
South is home to one program that does. Outdoor Adventures is located inside a small cabin that would look more at home in the wilderness than on South’s contemporary campus. This rustic cabin and the head of the program, Michael Brown, are both a part of the University, although you wouldn’t be able to tell contrasting either of the two. Wood planks make up the floors and walls of the cabin. Jag bikes are stacked in most of the rooms, along with outdoor equipment, and a poster of Bob Marley is hanging behind the counter. Brown, the head of the program and a former South student, looks like a graduate student with his long hair and athletic build. Brown started working for South a year ago and has been taking trips through the wilderness all his life, “My first camping trip, I was so young I don’t remember it,” he says. Anyone who has used the Jag bike program knows that this is where it’s run from.
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But, along with keeping up the bikes and offering free fixes for students, Brown and his staff also offer outings exploring the local area. Trips vary in activities and duration. They offer everything from weekend camping trips to morning paddles. All of these trips are offered at affordable costs to students and faculty. For example, in October, Brown is offering a three-day canoeing and camping trip for only $25 a student. Amazingly, none of the trips are subsidized by the university; costs are kept down because the program owns most of the gear it uses on trips, “I try to make them as cheap as possible,” says Brown. “I’m not trying to make money. I’m just trying not to lose it.” Since taking over the position, Brown has tried to diversify the types of trips the program takes. In November the program is taking a caving trip to northeast Alabama, and at the end of the semester the staff is taking students on a skiing trip to North Carolina. Another way Brown is trying to grow the program is by visiting some
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of the larger destinations in the region. For example, at the end of the semester, Outdoor Adventures is planning an eightday camping and hiking trip to the Great Smoky Mountains that includes whitewater rafting and three days of hiking. Currently, the program runs on a staff of eight, but you don’t have to work for the program to lead outings. “One area of growth we’re really trying to work on is developing student trip leaders,” Brown said. Trip leaders are basically volunteers that are certified in a few basic skills, and get to lead and go on trips for free. Other schools operate in a similar way, though their outdoors programs can be much larger, with as many as 50 trip leaders. South’s program is still fledgling, according to Brown, but he hopes to get enough trip leaders to start taking two or three trips a weekend. The program has a lot to choose from when selecting trips. The Mobile-Tensaw Delta is one of the most biologically diverse places in North America, even more so than the Everglades, according to Time Magazine. Various groups are even exploring ways to turn it into a national park.
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“There is abundant amount of outdoor opportunities in this area,” Brown said. Sea kayaking is right on our doorstep, and rock climbing is within four hours driving distance, and there is great hiking. When we arrived at our second destination, we had paddled about seven or eight miles, surpassing my usual daily exertion by about seven or eight miles. We ran our kayaks onto shore, and walked through the swamp to a spot Brown told us he had been many times. About three minutes into our walk we could see the reason we had come here. A single tree stood out from the rest. It rose above the other trees like a parent dwarfs a small child. It was the only cypress the Spanish did not cut down when they settled the area, Brown told the group. I stared at the root system and at how the tree’s knobs came as high as my waist, and then I stared up into the sky towards the top of the tree, and towards the sun. I felt small, and I wondered what else we might have missed. We all took pictures before we left to paddle the remaining three miles back to the launch. It was early still, but not too early.
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Eco-Friendly USA
Growing as a sustainable campus
Text and photos by Alexander Moylan
T
he University of South Alabama is poised to become the most eco-friendly University from Florida to Texas. This effort has been long-standing, thanks to several student-led programs leading the University’s charge. “There’s one particular cabinet in my office that I always keep closed. That’s where I keep my soda cans for recycling,” University President Dr. Tony Waldrop, said nearly two months ago in a USA community email. The message highlighted the progress USA had made to become a more environmentally-conscious and sustainable institution. The communique solidified USA’s commitment to become a leader among institutions in the South, and especially along the Gulf Nearly three years ago, during the 2013 fall semester, I came into contact with Angela McGaugh after she heard of a small recycling program I started in the Delta housing campus community. My program was small and would have never taken off without the help of the resident and office assistants who worked in Delta housing. Angela’s passion was pivotal; she was able to take what began in only one housing community and, through collaboration with the larger housing office, establish a pilot recycling program in
two additional communities. Recycling became a student-led effort during the first year the sustainability program was emphasized on campus. The following year was defined by the Sustainability Council’s work toward establishment of South’s first community garden, which later became known as the Food Bayou. Again, collaboration with South’s administration paved the way for a concept to become a reality. Additionally, through grant-writing and SGA funding requests, much of the garden’s basic necessities for sustainable growth (fencing, composting materials, basic gardening tools) were made available to the Sustainability Council. Small campus cleanups have followed with the support of our campus’s students, faculty, and staff. Thanks to the growing support for this initiative, a staff- and faculty-led Sustainability Committee was founded to further aid South’s effort. Anyone familiar with campus sustainability will tell you that this initiative simply isn’t possible without the backing of administration and the buy-in of the campus community. South has progressed in its effort each semester. One example of progress is the large recycling station in the Student Center. An administration-focused effort helped bring the machine, which accepts most plastic and aluminum
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cans, to campus. In general, this machine provides universities a way to track small-scale recycling. Last fall, South placed fourth in a nationwide recycling competition involving more than 60 colleges and universities. USA received a monetary award allocated to the Sustainability Council for future projects. This may not have been possible without the involvement of the Student Center, which founded the Recycling Frenzy compeition. This competition rewards the student organization that deposits the most recyclables before the end of each semester. Waldrop has been a continued supporter and has emphasized how everyone can participate. “I encourage each of you to contribute, whether it’s by picking up bottles you may find on the ground, making sure paper finds its way to a recycling bin or bringing materials from home to our drop-off location,” he said. Establishing institutional support for this type of effort is half the battle. Student participation is the other. In a relatively short period of time, this University has surpassed expectations in the context of recycling. My experience with the studentled Sustainability Council and the faculty- and staff-driven Sustainability Committee has demonstrated that there are plenty of passionate individuals capable of seeing the University through such a transition.
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