The Signal Vol. 85 No. 3

SEPT. 6 - SEPT. 12, 2017

VOL. 85 | NO. 3

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DANCE N E T T A S K O N B R E A D AY W E E K E N D. C N O G A R DR OR LABO F S D R O REC -1 1 GES 10 IV IN G PA A RT S & L

NAL | T H E S IG RCHESE A M IA H SOP H OT O B Y S IG N A L COVER P ON | THE H P A N IN SAL E S IG N B Y COVER D

KEEPING HOPE

FREE THE SPOTS!

DECATUR BOOK FESTIVAL

A COMMUNITY COACH

A new law will grant HOPE recipients a 0.5 GPA boost for their STEM classes.

The Downtown campus is flooded with students, it's time to consider free parking.

Authors, chefs, face painters and more left ATLiens filled with joy and an armful of books.

Joel Apudo shares his passion for soccer through coaching kids down the block.

NEWS | PAGE 6 WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

OPINION | PAGE 8

News 3

ARTS & LIVING | PAGE 12

OPINION 7

SPORTS | PAGE 18

Arts & Living 9

Sports 15

NEWS

2

GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

BLOTTER Drunk in love

AUG. 28

Just making a living

A Non-Georgia State affiliate was arrested for possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute at Piedmont NE on John Wesley Dobbs NE.

A non-Georgia State affiliate was arrested for being drunk in public by being boisterousness, profane, loud, and indecent in the A parking deck.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Christina Maxouris signaleditor@gmail.com

executive editor (atlanta) Open executive editor (perimeter) Open Editorial NEWS EDITOR Syrina Merilan

AUG. 30

signalnewseditor@gmail.com ASSociate NEWS EDITOR Open signalassociatenews3@gmail.com OPINIONS EDITOR Open signalopinions@gmail.com ARTS & LIVING EDITOR Camille Bolos signalliving@gmail.com ASSociate ARTS & Living EDITOr Sophia Marchese signalassociateliving2@gmail.com SPORTS EDITOR Open signalsport1@gmail.com ASSociate SPORTS EDITOR Open signalassociatesports1@gmail.com copy editor Alaa Elassar, Sydnie Cobb signalcopyeditor@gmail.com

Get off my lawn

I will shank you

A non-Georgia State affiliate was arrested for threatening assault with a knife in Woodruff Park.

A non-Georgia State person was arrested for trespassing after receiving prior notice at Student Center West.

SEPT. 1

AUG. 29

Drunk in cars

A non-Georgia State affiliate was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol on Auburn Ave NE.

Not my kind of ballgame

A Georgia State staff member complained of a theft from the Georgia State Stadium at the value of $1500 or Less.

Production design editor Khoa Tran signalprod@gmail.com

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PHOTO OF THE WEEK

A protest in front of the Atlanta Detention Center in support of DACA drew a large crowd on Labor Day, September 4, 2017.

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NEWS WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2017

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Honeywell proposes an alternative for real world training KOFI STILES Staff Reporter

G

eorgia State’s Computer Science Department has experienced a sharp increase in enrollment for the fall semester, but its faculty and resources are stretched

thin.

According to Associate Chair and Director of the Computer Science Department Raj Sunderraman, his department has experienced rapid growth in its undergraduate computer science program.

“We’ve been struggling with this high enrollment,” Sunderraman said. “Ten years back we had 300 majors and right now we have 1,400 majors.

LACK OF FACULTY

This growth was attributed to the changes made in the many industries where computer science is now being applied, such as policy studies and civic services.

“Everybody, whether they’re tech related or not, needs [computer science] services, so it’s prevalent in society now,” Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies at the Computer Science Department Anu Bourgeois said.

As the Computer Science Department has blown up, faculty growth has mostly stagnated. From 2009 to 2015, the department’s faculty grew from 342 to 378, but over that sixyear period, the undergraduate population grew from 415 to 1,227. Last year, the department’s faculty experienced a slight increase to 483 members, but the undergraduate population was 1,404 at that time.

The current undergraduate population sits at 1,496 majors.

The graduate population has grown as well, but is more easily managed as the department decides who gets into the program. Still, Bourgeois said that there is a very large disparity in the amount of people currently staffed to serve the computer science major population.

“Right now our student to faculty ratio [is] at 50 or 55 students to one, whereas Georgia State likes to advertise their 20 or 21 students to one faculty,” Bourgeois said.

According to College Factual, Georgia State’s advertised 21to-1 ratio overall is ranked one of the worst, when compared to the national college average of 14-to-1. To cope with their faculty disparity, Bourgeois said that the department increased class sizes, which she said isn’t beneficial to the students.

“It hampers the learning in the classes, and we have a lot of PhD students teaching, which also is not the best choice,” Bourgeois said. “Some of them do a fantastic job, but students also get upset. We’ve had some students who’ve complained that they’ve gone three years without a faculty member ‘cause all they’ve had are grad students.’”

LACK OF RESOURCES

Another issue the department has faced is the lack of computing labs. Georgia State only provides one lab that seats thirty students, so students don’t always have the resources to get hands-on experience in coding, data mining and cyber security.

“The students in computing need hands-on experience,” Sunderraman said. “They can learn the theory, but that doesn’t do them very much. If they have labs, students can meet weekly and work in a team with other students and solve problems, which are technology solution. That experiential learning is missing right now.”

However, student organizations like Panther Hackers and Georgia State’s Computer Science Club have been able to provide a measure of practical experience. Newly appointed President of the Georgia State Computer Science Club Dino

“Right now our student to faculty ratio [is] at 50 or 55 students to one, whereas Georgia State likes to advertise their 20 or 21 students to one faculty.”

— ANU BOURGEOIS

Associate Professor and Director of Computer Science Undergrate Studies Cajic said that the club is looking to increase its membership.

“We’re striving to increase the overall membership rate at the CS club to help students prepare for the working environment,” Cajic said. “Our goal is to also increase the overall enjoyment in obtaining a computer science degree.

We’re planning on accomplishing both through extracurricular projects that are designed to mimic real-world scenarios.”

Cajic said the club will be working on projects involving the club’s website, creating a desktop application that ties into the same database as the website and an Android application.

The department has also held hackathons for the last two years to supplement the hands on assignments that the department’s funding and access to space can’t always supply.

The department is often contacted by companies looking for full hires and interns.

“But right now we just don’t have the resources to make the established connections and to keep a regular pipeline set up with different companies,” Bourgeois said.

HONEYWELL

However, Honeywell International Inc. offers a solution outside of Georgia State.

The engineering company brought their Software Center and Home and Building Technologies headquarters to Atlanta last fall and has been integrating itself into the Atlanta tech community and university system.

At the close of this year, more than 200 jobs will have been created at the center and over 700 employees are expected to be hired over the next five years. These jobs will focus primarily on software application development. Software developers and engineers have been working in temporary office spaces as the Honeywell offices are being built.

Honeywell’s Vice President and General Manager of Connected Enterprises Stephen Gold said he hopes the center’s influence will bring many more job opportunities to the city of Atlanta.

“We are supporting and collaborating with Atlanta Tech Village. We very much want to engage and work with [students] in providing them access to deep domain and expertise as well as routes to market,” Gold said.

Honeywell has also started a venture fund to possibly invest in the startups created by students. Choosing Atlanta to set up the center has opened up opportunities for Honeywell to recruit top talent from the school system as well.

“We look at it as more than just recruitment,” Gold said.

“We look at it as participation in terms of working on campus, influencing the curriculum, participating in in-class projects [and] potential for research and development efforts.”

Gold said Honeywell has collaborated with multiple universities, such as with Georgia Institute of Technology’s Center for the Development and Application of Internet of

ILLUSTRATION BY SALINNA PHON | THE SIGNAL

In 2016, the Computer Science Department received a total of $2 million dollars in research funding, but in 2017, it was reduced to $835,937.

The department is in need of tutoring space, labs, and faculty.

In 2016, the department had 150 undergraduate honors students, 78 PhD students, and 99 Master’s students.

Honeywell International Honeywell invents and manufactures technologies that address critical challenges around energy, safety, security, productivity and global urbanization.

Things Technologies (CDAIT). Honeywell has also run “hackathons” on campuses to better acclimate students to the kind of work they would be doing as employees at the center.

However, for Georgia State, Gold said any program collaborations with the school are still on the drawing board.

“We’re still early in defining what the Georgia State program will be,” Gold said. “A lot of that will be directed by both the interest of students and faculty to engage.”

Still, Gold said that Georgia State students would benefit from the internships that the Software Center provides.

The center has completed its first summer internship with 17 participants and will begin an internship and co-op/ internship program in the fall and winter respectively.

“For the Georgia State students, it’s a great opportunity from a practical point of view to get real life experience [and] work on meaningful projects,” he said. “Having a role in providing support and resources to articulate what types of jobs will be available; what type of preparation, training, classes need to be offered to help prepare students to take on these type of jobs, all of those are in their early stages.”

HIV is still an epidemic in Atlanta African American gay and bisexual men are at highest risk for infection SYRINA MERILAN News Editor

H

IV and AIDS are a rising concern in the U.S., but the majority of those affected are in Georgia - more specifically, in Atlanta. The statistical demographics are telling a particular narrative, one that shows that bisexual African American men who are having sex with other men (MSM) are the ones most likely to contract HIV.

THE EPIDEMIC

Center for Disease Control (CDC) spokeswoman Donnica Smalls said that while other demographics have been steadily decreasing, HIV rates in gay and bisexual men have not been showing the same trend.

“Gay and bisexual men were the only group that did not experience an overall decline in annual HIV infections from 2008 to 2014.

Annual infections remained stable at about 26,000 per year. Infections were also stable among black gay and bisexual men, at about 10,000 per year,” Smalls said.

Although the infection rate for MSM has not decreased throughout the past years, it also has not increased, and according to Smalls, that’s a good sign.

“After more than a decade of increases, stabilization of incidence among gay and bisexual men is an encouraging sign, especially in the face of rising HIV prevalence which creates more opportunities for infection.”

The issue does not seem to lie in having sexual intercourse with the same gender, because according to Smalls, it is just rare to see cases of female-to-female transmission of HIV. “Case reports of female-to-female transmission of HIV are rare. The welldocumented risk of female-to-male transmission shows that vaginal fluids and menstrual blood may contain the virus and that exposure to these fluids through mucous membranes (in the vagina or mouth) could potentially lead to HIV infection,” Smalls said.

In fact, the cases that have been reported are often linked back to heterosexual sex or the use of dirty needles to inject drugs.

“Case reports of suspected female-tofemale transmission typically indicate that the majority of infections among women who have sex with women (WSW) likely come from behaviors with a higher risk of HIV transmission like injection drug use or heterosexual sex,” Smalls said Currently, the CDC is implementing a High Impact Prevention program which targets high risk regions and implements preventative

measures, such as increased funding for state and local health departments.

“High Impact Prevention focuses on delivering the most effective interventions to the groups and regions with the greatest need, and we will continue investing in prevention and treatment for gay and bisexual men, especially men of color,” Smalls said.

LIVING HIV POSITIVE

But there’s more to the infection than statistics. Deondre Moore is a gay African American man that was diagnosed with HIV, and representative of Positively Fearless, an organization aimed at educating and helping to empower Black and Latinx (a genderneutral term for those of Latin decent) gay and bisexual men to be “positively fearless” in taking charge of their health.

Moore was diagnosed when he was 19 years old and in his freshman year of college. Moore said the hardest part of finding out was having to tell his mom.

“I found out I was HIV positive and then I was immediately in a state of devastation and stress and I was really depressed,” Moore said. “ I told [my mom] what happened and that for me was in itself one of the hardest things I ever done because I had to go home to my mom and tell her ‘your baby is sick.’”

Immediately after sharing his test results with his mom Moore began treatment to keep his health the best it could be.

“The first thing she said was ‘now we have to hit the ground running.’ A couples weeks later I found a specialist and then I started taking my medication and it went from there,” Moore said.

Moore said that he shares his story to tell people about the journey he has gone through and how he deals with it.

“I wanted to use my voice to do something and to share what I have been going through. I gave my testimony to church and then it kind of took off from there,” Moore said. “People started calling me and asking me to give my story and my experiences, and my life kind of built up from there.”

According to Moore, there are a lot of misconceptions of the type of physical contact that you can engage in with someone who is HIV positive.

“There are some small misconceptions about HIV like you shouldn't touch them, you can’t kiss, or you shouldn't drink after them.

None of that is true. You can’t get HIV from doing certain things like kissing and hugging or just shaking hands or eating off each other,” Moore said.

One of the biggest reasons that African American gays and bisexuals struggle with HIV

and AIDS is because they don’t stay in treatment.

“I think one of the biggest things now is trying to get black gay men to get into care, but to stay in it as well. It’s one thing to get in it but to stay in it is really really important because statistics show the percentage of black gay men fall out of care for some reason,” Moore said.

He said that the reason for this might stem from stigmas, social determinants, and accessibility to a doctor. However, he stressed that staying in care is the most important thing to do. Moore also said having a support system could be the difference between life and death.

“That is probably the reason I am alive, is have a support group. A lot of people I think who may or have tested positive and they didn’t have that support system are the ones who didn’t make it or are not doing as good,” Moore said. “A support system doesn’t have to be your family. I have friends out there who are positive [and] their support system is just their friends.”

THE POSITIVITY FEARLESS CAMPAIGN

Representative of Positively Fearless and supporter of HIV education in the LBGTQ community Todrick Hall spoke to The Signal about stigmas in HIV and why African American gay and bisexual men are the highest percentage to contract it.

What makes Positively Fearless different from other HIV awareness campaigns?

HALL: It makes them different, because there are different statistics. There are different cultural things that we as African American people face that sometimes other people don’t. I applaud Positively Fearless for realizing there's an issue with our community specifically and diving in head first to try to get up and give us this information and give us tools that might be specific to us.

How do the stigmas on HIV affect the lives of those who are HIV positive?

HALL: I think that they completely make people feel that they can’t be open and honest.

They make people scared to go to the doctor.

They make people afraid to have a relationship with their doctor or to tell anybody about their status. It makes them afraid to date people because you have to be honest with them and tell them everything about their status.

It just creates a scenario where people are so ashamed that they tend to hide inside and not address the situation and not get medication and put their lives at risk.

Why do you think black gay and bisexual men are among the highest percentage to have HIV?

HALL: I think that it’s a cultural thing for me. In black culture often times it’s just so strongly looked down upon and people feel that their masculinity is questioned if they're gay or if they have anal sex. I feel that because we’re so harsh in our belief and our religion, that we feel that being gay is so horrible and people are forced to live these down-whirl lifestyles. People tend to do things in secret and not seek out the information and don’t equip themselves with the information they should know, because they are so ashamed that they’re having these thoughts and urges.

45%

Southern states account for approximately 45% of all people living with an HIV diagnosis.

52%

In 2015, the south accounted for 52% (9,601) of the 18,303 new AIDS diagnoses in the United States.

55%

In the south 55% of those infected are African American.

80%

80% of people living with diagnosed HIV in 2015 were men, and 20% were women.

83%

In 2014, gay and bisexual men accounted for 83% (29,418) of the estimated new HIV diagnoses among all males aged 13 and older.

13-24 Young, black MSM (aged 13 - 24 years) – the most severely affected subpopulation of MSM – accounted for more new diagnoses in the United States (3,888 in 2015) than any other subgroup by race/ ethnicity, age and sex.

ACCORDING TO THE CDC

What would you say to someone who has contracted HIV?

HALL: Don’t freak out, it’s not a death sentence. You can live a long healthy, prosperous, loving life, all you need to do is go get tested, create a relationship with your doctor, stay healthy, take your medications, and stay on your medications. Only 37 percent of African American men who have been diagnosed with HIV are on medication, and also we as black LGBTQ community are twice as likely to miss a dosage of medication which is very dangerous.

PAGE DESIGN BY KHOA TRAN | THE SIGNAL

2% 1%

<1% <1%

20%

Diagnoses of HIV Infection in the South in 2015.

22%

55%

ACCORDING TO THE CDC

Representatives for Positively Fearless Todrick Hall, Youtube star and Deondre Moore, who is HIV positive.

PHOTOS BY VANESSA JOHNSON | THE SIGNAL

NEWS

6

GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

Classes that can raise your GPA

HOPE recipients can now add 0.5 points to their average SYRINA MERILAN

S

Lt. Greg Abbott was granted an early retirement after he was caught on camera saying, “we only kill black people” to a white woman who was nervous to reach for the phone in the presence of the cop.

According to AJC, Cobb County Police Chief Mike Register announced on Aug. 31 that he had plans to terminate Abbott, however Abbott turned in his request to retire on Sept. 1 and was granted it.

Hasan Salih, a graduate student at Georgia State, showing off the crystal making process in an organic chemistry lab.

in STEM fields and make Georgia even more competitive in attracting high tech companies to locate and expand in our state,” as quoted from Jones in a press release.

Georgia State student Gabriel Lumpkin is a HOPE recipient and Communications Science major who believes that the GPA boost is well deserved.

“I feel that it’s well deserved because science isn't really easy and you lose HOPE so quickly. It helps us a little bit to keep our GPA up so we will be eligible for HOPE,” Lumpkin said.

She agrees that the boost should only be for HOPE GPA because otherwise it wouldn’t be fair to the other students.

“Then I feel like it wouldn't be fair for everyone

PHOTO BY VANESSA JOHNSON | THE SIGNAL

else. I feel like it's fair because we’re actually getting HOPE, but if they gave us a GPA boost for our institutional GPA, I feel like that wouldn't be fair to the other students that do not receive HOPE,” Lumpkin said.

According to Lumpkin, science classes are more difficult, because they require more effort and time to get a better grade.

“Honestly it's not hard for me, but it’s time consuming. You have to study everyday before you go to class. I know a lot of other people in my biology class last semester struggled because it’s a lot of components that go with science. It’s not like other simple classes,” Lumpkin said.

Students push back against white supremacy

Georgia State students voice their take on the Confederacy in Atlanta KOFI STILES Staff Reporter

G

eorgia State protesters have taken to the streets to protest and memorialize the violence that occurred in Charlottesville, Va. Violence in Charlottesville ensued when white nationalists began protests in a “Unite the Right” rally that lasted from Aug. 11 to 12 to protest the city’s plans to remove the statue of Robert E. Lee, a Confederate general during the Civil War, from Emancipation Park. Counter-protesters met the rally on that Friday and the fighting began.

On Aug. 19 the Ronald J. Freeman Chapter of the Black Law Students Association (BLSA) at Georgia State took part in the “Georgia Resists: Take Down White Supremacy” march. BLSA president Roland Turner said that the groups attending the march wanted to demonstrate that Atlanta has no place for hate.

“In my opinion, their mission was to send a message to Georgia and to America that hate will not thrive in Atlanta,” Turner said. “They wanted to send the message that the members of the community can come together at a moment's notice to denounce the hate and bigotry when they see it.”

Georgia State Professor and the founder and coordinator of the African-American Studies department Jacqueline Rouse said that it is the

LOCAL Cobb Lieutenant granted retirement after racist comment

News Editor

TEM majors and students taking science classes will now receive a boost on their HOPE GPA just for attempting the class.

Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) representative Chris Green said the new policy will be enacted starting fall 2017 to give HOPE scholarship students a boost in their GPA as long as their grade is anything between a B and a D. “Beginning this fall term, specific degree-level science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) courses identified as leading to high demand career fields in Georgia and taken at an eligible postsecondary institution will have an additional weight of 0.5 added to grades of B, C and D at the end of the fall term,” Green said.

Only certain STEM classes fall under this category such as all Calculus (MATH 2201, 2202, 2212, 2211), Organic Chemistry ( CHEM 2400 and 2410), Physics ( PHYS 1111K, 1112K), Biology (BIO 2107 and 2108) and other courses that can be found on the Weighted Courses Directory.

However, all the previous classes students have taken will not be affected by the change. Any STEM classes taken before fall 2017 will not receive the 0.5 point boost, according to Green.

“The law does not apply to any previous coursework, and only approved courses from the STEM Weighted Course Directory during the period the course is approved by the STEM Weighted Course Approval Council [will count],” Green said.

The law was created as a way to draw students into science courses and encourage more STEM majors. According to Pro Tempore of the Atlanta city council, Jan Jones, STEM majors are needed to make Georgia more competitive as a whole.

“This initiative will encourage our young people to develop the 21st century skills demanded

LAST WEEK

nature of people to fight for what they believe is theirs and that is why there is a spur of white marches.

“Our society created these issues before they got how they are now. White has always been superior and black inferior. People feel entitled; therefore, they feel the need to fight for what they feel is theirs,” Rouse said.

Georgia State student and president of the Black Student Alliance LaShanah Thomas said it is unlikely that white supremacist marches will come to Atlanta.

“The riot would probably happen in Georgia but not Atlanta. People wouldn’t bring it here. If it was brought on campus, it wouldn’t happen. If you’re a white supremacist and you choose to come here, I don’t understand you. If it does happen, I want to see that,” Thomas said.

Mayor Kasim Reed announced in a press release on Aug. 18 that he is assembling a panel to consider changing Atlanta street names associated with the Confederacy. Potential candidates for the name change include Holtzclaw Street, Estoria Street, Calhoun Street and Confederate Avenue.

“To do this, we will assemble a group of advisors to recommend a process for our community to determine the future of each street name and marker,” Reed stated in the press release. “We want to ensure that we approach this endeavor in a thoughtful matter.”

However, Georgia State student Nalin Singh said he doesn’t think that renaming the streets is necessary.

“We shouldn’t erase American history unless it

NATIONAL Trump has not made a decision on to attack North Korea

Washington Post reported that President Donald Trump said he’s not going to call a strike against North Korea.

On Sept. 3 Trump made tweets commenting to the hostility North Korea is showing the U.S. “North Korea has conducted a major Nuclear Test. Their words and actions continue to be very hostile and dangerous to the United States . . . North Korea is a rogue nation which has become a great threat and embarrassment to China, which is trying to help but with little success,” tweeted Trump. Trump said “we’ll see” when asked if he’ll attack North Korea.

GLOBAL Islamic State leader may not be dead

PHOTO BY HANNAH GRECO | THE SIGNAL

was done intentionally to ‘preserve white heritage,’” Singh said.

Singh said displaying Confederacy symbols in public wouldn’t send a good message to the surrounding community. Instead, he would prefer Confederate symbols to be contextualized in museums where the public could learn about the history of those symbols.

“We can’t let history be forgotten, but there [is] a proper place to display such things,” Singh said.

As reported by BBC, the leader of the Islamic State (IS) Abu Bakr alBaghdadi may be hiding in a remote border area between Iraq and Syria according to Gen Stephen Townsend, commander of the anti-IS coalition.

There was a Russian airstrike on Raqqa in june and Russian officials claimed that there was a "high probability" that Baghdadi had been killed.

Since this discovery antiIS groups have made an assault on the city, where an estimated 2,000 militants are hiding out.

OPINION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2017

www.georgiastatesignal.com/opinion

A RELIGION JUST LIKE YOURS

Do Muslims really have to prove they’re not here to kill us? was a vocal Christian, but no Christian leaders were asked to speak out against his act, which resulted in two casualties inside a California elementary school last spring.

Jim Adkisson shot up a Unitarian church in Knoxville in 2008, leaving two dead, and was praised, along with other Christian perpetrators, by a terrorist organization called “Army of God,” who primarily promote violence against abortion centers and researchers.

But hate crimes did not spike against Christian youth after these attacks. Why? Muslim students and followers of the religion certainly incur backlash after ISIS attacks.

..AND MUSLIMS ON THE DEFENSE?

CHRISTINA MAXOURIS Editor-in-Chief

Christina is the current Editor-in-Chief of the Georgia State Signal.

Raised in Greece, there is nothing she loves more than soaking up sun rays (preferably on a beach), and having a good debate!

Tweet CHRISTINA! @ITS_XRISTINA

A

bout two weeks ago on the streets of Las Ramblas, Barcelona, a Muslim man held a sign that read “I am Muslim, I am not a terrorist. I share hugs of love and peace,” offering hugs to passersby. And he wasn’t the only one. Muslims took to the streets over the next couple of days after the Barcelona terror attacks to publicly proclaim they condemn terrorism.

This bothered me. And I’ll tell you why.

WHY ARE CHRISTIANS ON THE OFFENSE..

Twenty-one years ago, a 40-pound bomb was left in a centralized park during the Olympics, killing one person and injuring over 100, and shortly after, Christians took to the streets to denounce the act as not part of Christianity.

You know, Centennial Olympic Park, two blocks down, back in 1996 when Atlanta had been awarded the honor of hosting the Olympic Games.

Eric Robert Rudolph, a Christian white supremacist, escaped police until 2003, when he was arrested for the park bombing, along with an abortion center and gay nightclub attack as well.

Except the last part never happened. No Christians on the streets, no denouncing, because no one was targeting the religion as the cause of the attack.

Christian attackers have never been placed under the umbrella of their religion, and Christians have never felt the need to explain that those acts did not represent their faith. They’ve been “lone lunatics,” crazy extremists, and worst of all, there have been...a lot of them.

San Bernardino shooter Cedric Anderson

Why should a man have to stand on the streets to clarify the distinction between his religion and terrorist acts?

In Las Ramblas, Sanda Hernandez told The Independent that the Muslim man who held the sign hugged her daughter and “asked her forgiveness many times,” but why?

Prompted by a classmate who claimed that not enough Muslims took a stand against terrorism, an American Muslim created a 712-page document in March 2017 with the names of Muslims who condemned terrorism.

But why should they have to go to such extreme lengths?

Why is an entire religion and its followers continuously held accountable for acts of extremist and radical groups? If I were a Christian, should I then be held accountable for the murders by Ku Klux Klan members because most of them happen to be Christian? Should I be persecuted and bullied because of Rudolph’s Centennial Park bombing because we “share” the same religion?

As Georgia State Muslim

Student Association (MSA) Event Coordinator Hadia Husseini told me, Muslim students often take it upon themselves to prove to everyone they are not terrorists.

“We have to show that ‘I’m not here to kill you, I’m just another human being,’” she said.

The extremist groups, like ISIS, definitely do not represent Islam. I asked Husseini how radicalized members use the Qur’an to justify their actions, and as I predicted, she said it’s easy to take lines out of context. “[Radical groups are] cherry-picking lines from the Qur’an. Usually what’s in the Qur’an is stories from the past,” she said. The stories used by radicalized groups often refer to the killing of other people if they hurt Muslim followers first. In other words, violence only occurred when used as defense.

But, hopefully not to your surprise, text analyses have revealed that the Bible is actually more violent than the Qur’an. “...utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them. But kill both man and woman, infant and nursing child, ox and sheep, camel and donkey” is a verse from Book 1 of Samuel that refers to what we commonly know today as genocide.

Yet it falls on Muslims’ shoulders to denounce acts of hate and educate their peers about the Qur’an and how it’s not a violent text.

“When I’m talking to people, sometimes I feel the pressure to denounce terrorism, [and] find myself out of nowhere trying to explain myself,” Husseini said. She shared with me that when people bring up recent terror attacks, she feels the need to let them know that her religion is not a religion of violence but of peace.

Husseini said she found it so important to stand up for Muslims in the past year, with the aggressive political climate and verbal attacks, that she started wearing a hijab.

With Muslims bullied around the world after every terror attack, Husseini said she noticed more and more of her friends taking off their scarves.

But Husseini was anything but scared.

“I decided to wear it in November,” she said. “To show this is who I am, and I’m proud to be a Muslim. This is my identity. Nothing is more important than standing up for people who I identify with.”

The change even surprised her parents, who told her they didn’t think she’d ever give up her T-shirts and curling her hair.

With Husseini now wearing her hijab in public, her parents continuously worry when she’s out late. But she strongly believes that it is her duty to stand up for her religion and help the Georgia State and surrounding communities understand she is just like them.

“We might be reading the same verse as you are but in a different language. We believe in the same God. We’re all in this together, we just look a little different than you.”

It’s as simple as that. Don’t believe me? Do your research, read the two texts, look at people’s responses, or better yet, as Husseini told me, “strike up a conversation.”

Education is key.

PAGE DESIGN & ILLUSTRATION BY GABRIELLE PARRIS | THE SIGNAL

EDITORIAL

8

GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

editorial

Why is the parking always gone?

Students pay for parking that isn’t always guaranteed

S

tudent parking at the Downtown campus, or lack thereof… Really, where to even begin?

Perhaps we start with the unreasonably long parking permit lines that hundreds of us must wait in during the beginning of each semester? Is there no better system for distributing parking credentials besides an understaffed desk with overworked Georgia State students?

Or maybe we should reflect on the fact that only a small percentage of people are accepted for parking passes to begin with (which cost hundreds of dollars and must be purchased around the same time that we are all scraping pennies for class dues and textbooks).

Thus, a greater number of students are either coughing up $5 a day to park in one of the parking decks, or parking a couple of miles away at Georgia State stadium. If they choose the latter, they must ride the overcrowded shuttles into campus.

We’ve heard students’ comments about the need for more shuttle buses, and we couldn’t agree more. It shouldn’t take an extra 30 minutes to get to and from campus. Is this yet another classic example of an understaffed university?

And while it is a very nice new stadium you

have purchased for us, Georgia State… can we see a show of hands for how many Panthers would have preferred a few new on-campus parking deck acquisitions?

Realistically speaking, Georgia State has a decent amount of parking facilities for a well-established urban area. The problem is that out of all the parking decks and lots, there is not one single parking area exclusively for students.

That’s right. Even our precious and very convenient M Deck—which some of us pay the big bucks to be able to park in each semester—is shared with visitor parkers.

Non-Georgia State affiliated people pay $7 to park in our “student” parking decks all day. So how do students know they are guaranteed a spot every day if random people can come and go as they please?

So who’s going to be the one to tell our professors that we were late because we couldn’t find our nonexistent parking? There is too many people and not enough spots!

Perhaps this is the reason behind the T-Deck (shall we rename it Traffic-Deck?) epidemic.

It’s taking people over an hour to exit this

(inconveniently located) parking deck. Georgia State Parking, don’t you see that it is a very serious issue if students are tweeting about these traffic jams on a daily basis?

With Georgia State Perimeter College now adopting many of our policies, it is high time we adopt one of theirs: free parking, and enough of it... looking at you, Stadium parking. Yes, the setup of the Perimeter campuses is different from the Downtown campus, but that doesn’t mean that the students are any different. They might have the room/luxury for spacious parking lots but Georgia State definitely has the money (hence the high student fees we all pay every semester.)

A deciding factor in attending Georgia State was not getting to play musical chairs with parking spots, despite what some may think. This isn’t getting any better either since nearly 4,000 new freshman joined the lot—pun intended—of us this fall at the Downtown campus. That’s record breaking. While our student body continues to grow each year, the parking situation remains the same. And like it or not Georgia State, we are still a commuter college at the core.

ARTS & LIVING The many faces of Dragon Con WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2017

www.georgiastatesignal.com/artsandliving

the costumes and the people in them P

CAMILLE BOLOS Arts & Living Editor

eople from all over congregate in Downtown Atlanta over Labor Day weekend for the infamous Dragon Con Convention. People of all shapes and sizes,

bearing everything from fake hammers to lightsabers, faces painted as characters from their favorite show or game, fitted head to toe in costumes meticulously made for this special occasion. Over 80,000 fans gathered in our city this year to see their favorite writers, hear guests speakers, watch the parade, party at the silent disco and socialize with the other 79,999 people there. Here are some of the many faces of Dragon Con this year.

Starlord and Baby Groot

Magneto “I’m Andrew! I’m actually from Marietta, [we] Ubered down here this year since...I’ve been to Dragon Con five times now. I love it! It’s a great time, it’s my Labor Day weekend and I always come to hang out with friends, see the panels...it’s a great time.”

“Starlord and Baby Groot here from Atlanta! We Ubered down here this weekend and we’re staying in a hotel nearby.”

“I am Groot!”

“She’s [baby groot] been coming for a long time, probably like 10 years or something like that.

Why do I come? Oh baby, it’s all about the party!

Party at the panels, with the speakers...everyone, everywhere!”

Jenna Say What, Goth Mama Cosplay and Sashimi Cosplay

“We’re from North Carolina and we got in last night! We’re staying at the Indigo for the weekend. This is our second year here and we’re so excited! We love coming and mainly for the reason that we get to dress up and hang out with our friends.”

“Hi I’m Taylor and this is my third year at Dragon Con! I live over in West Midtown so it’s super convenient.

I come to see people dressed up, you know...people watch.

And I love costumes so I have a really good time making mine every year.”

Angewomon from Digimon

PAGE DESIGN BY CHRISTOPHER WINLEY | THE SIGNAL

Spiderman and the Green LanterN “I’m Matt (Spiderman) and I’m Dustin (Green Lantern) and we’re from Conyers, Georgia! We got here this morning and checked into our hotel and boom, here we are, at Dragon Con! We’ve come the past three years basically to people watch and interact with everyone here.”

People walking the streets on the first day of Dragon Con weekend.

PHOTOS BY CAMILLE BOLOS | THE SIGNAL

DRAGON C TAKES OVER

The truth about Atl ant

SOPHIA MARCHESE & JALEN JENKINS Arts & Living Associate Editor & Staff Reporter

O

ver 80,000 earthlings spent their Labor Day weekend in Downtown Atlanta for Dragon Con 2017 on Sept.1-4.

The city streets transformed into a whirlwind of cosplay and creativity, as this internationally recognized, multigenre convention has been a tradition for more than 30 years.

At Dragon Con, gamers meet face-to-face, fantasy worlds blend with pop culture, and science lovers hang with sci-fi fanatics. People from all over the world gather in our city to dress up and geek out, creating lifelong memories of fun and fandom.

Whether you’re there to show off your homemade costume or sit on the side lines for some prime time people watching, the convention is a place for everyone of all ages.

“People just treat each other so well here and they’re always really supportive,” Atlanta native Crystal Dorta said. “And that’s really cool to see in this community. It’s insane how nice people are and all their different stories.”

The stars of Dragon Con Many beloved pop culture celebrities, authors, artists and actors come to the convention each year to give talks and participate in meet and greets. This year, with attendance hitting a new record high, fans waited in long lines wrapped around the corners of the five Downtown host hotels—Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Marriott Marquis, Hilton Atlanta, Westin Peachtree, and Sheraton Atlanta.

Anxious to see their favorite characters come to life, cosplayers passed the time posing for photos and admiring each other’s costumes.

So much to do, so little time Parties, panels, parades! Dragon Con is an overwhelming, nonstop, action-packed four day weekend.

Luckily, the convention’s official app helped attendees schedule their busy itineraries. The Dragon Con app also included direct links to social media sharing, event photos, detailed maps and tons of other features that helped people get the most out of their weekend.

When asked what he most looked forward to, Kennesaw’s Joseph Ellison said that he could not decide so easily.

“The real beauty of these kind of events is that there is so much good stuff to pick from that it’s hard to make a decision. The events are always really fun,” Ellison said, who has attended Dragon Con for the last eight years. “It’s nice to see where you can go and have fun with these niche types of hobbies.”

From workshops with fantasy writers to science events and costume crafting, the convention caters to hobbies of all kinds.

University of Georgia student Breanna Horton has found a place for her science-loving spirit at Dragon Con for the past three years.

“I’m a science girl,” Horton said. “So I’m always most excited to see that kind of stuff. Last year there was a lot of astronomy and genetics, but this year it’s different.”

Horton said that she really enjoyed the “But That’s Impossible!” event, which explained former scientific impossibilities that are now possible due to improved technology.

“It’s stuff that is futuristic, but not too far off in the future,” Horton said. “I thought it was really interesting to hear other people’s perspectives on futuristic technology.”

Cosplay,you say?

Rusty Murphy, from Fayetteville, Georgia strutted down Peachtree St. in his Joker costume—circa Jack Nicholson— waiting for the annual Dragon Con Parade to start on Saturday morning.

“I’m most excited for the parade,” Murphy said. “I went through where they were having all the celebrities and that was pretty fun. The coolest person I saw was [Kevin] Sorbo… He was Hercules!”

During the parade, the legendary Stan Lee, 94, of Marvel Comics rode in a red convertible through the con crowds. Lee co-created many classic comic book series such as Spider-Man and Doctor Strange.

Other notable guests included Lena Headey from HBO’s Game of Thrones, actor William Shatner, and Jon Heder, who plays the title character of the classic comedy film Napoleon Dynamite.

Heder helped emcee a Dragon Con costume competition at the Georgia Aquarium on Saturday, Sept. 2.

Cosplay, short for costume play, is choosing your favorite character and finding a way to make that character your own.

That’s the truth about Dragon Con. It’s not just for superhero wannabes or geeky, basement dwellers. It’s for anyone that wants to play in a world where nonfiction ends and fiction begins.

Cosplay is an opportunity to be bold and get creative. This year, it went above and beyond.

“My favorite part is being able to see all of the creativity and fandom and ingenuity on display. It’s amazing how much love people put into these projects,” Dragon Con attendee AnnieMee McBride said.

McBride, dressed as a character from the online role-playing game World of Warcraft, travelled to the Atlanta convention from Louisiana.

Innovative craftsmanship, body paint, stilts, clever puns (a dragon dressed as a convict)— the list goes on forever. Some people dress to compete, and others dress for fun.

Although, the costume contests are not taken lightly.

Participants prepare months ahead of time for competitions like the Dragon Con Masquerade, “which is both the oldest continuously run competition in fandom as well as one of the largest in the world,” as said in a statement from the convention’s media relations team.

“I like anything to do with craft foam and making cosplays out of it,” attendee Kristin Lussier said—who came all the way from Detroit, Michigan to enjoy her first Dragon Con. “I’m working on a Wonder Woman cosplay right now. So a lot of foam and a lot of war blood.”

CON 2017

DOWNTOWN

ta’s L abor Day tradition

!

DO’S

Foam is just one small example of the materials fans use to create unique cosplay fabrications. This weekend saw everything from plastic piping to plywood to LED lights.

Lussier said that she plans to wear the costume at Youmacon, a Detroit-based anime and gaming convention.

The difference between Dragon Con and other conventions around the country is the fact that Downtown Atlanta becomes a giant melting pot of originality, thanks to the illimitability of a multi-genre convention.

There was even some politics scattered throughout the homemade costumes, as well as protesters positioned throughout the streets.

A knock-off Donald Trump was seen chatting with a man in a Black Panther T-shirt (the comic book superhero Black Panther, also conceptualized by Stan Lee).

Two women marched confidently with protest signs that read ‘Not my captain’ and ‘She persisted’ with the Resistance symbol from Star Wars stitched on their clothing.

A man in full armor held up a sign that said “#RepresentationMatters” as he posed for photo opps with little kids.

And, of course, the very religious megaphone abusers showed up to protest and preach about the “sins of cosplaying.”

“God loves us just as much as he loves you,” one Con attendee screamed in counter-protest.

STAY HYDRATED

Looks aren’t While many Dragon Con goers were on a mission to look their best, Alabama author Jeff Sproul was busy giving out missions himself. Sproul explained that he dressed as his own made-up character: he who gives quests to people as they approach.

Once they complete a few simple “quests,” participants get a small reward. Saturday’s topnotch prize was gourmet lollipops and glow sticks.

“I wanted to put together a cosplay all my own. And I thought it would be cool to give people stuff because I write in a genre that is called LitRPG,” said Sproul—setting the bar pretty high for being a Dragon Con newbie.

LitRPG, or Literature Role Playing Game, is a literary genre that takes massively online multiplayer role-play games (World of Warcraft, for example) and links components with sci-fi fantasy novels. Challenges form a foundational part of these types of games, and leveling up is much like receiving a gourmet lollipop.

In addition to the diverse works showcased at the Dragon Con Art Show, there are some attendees that are inspired to make their own art throughout the weekend instead of focusing on costumes.

Since the early 90’s, Thomas Tulis has done just that. He has preferred to sit and observe from the sidelines, creating live art as he watches the many faces of Dragon Con.

“I come here and I draw and kind of fill stuff out,” Tulis said as he pointed to his large sketchbook filled with painted con characters. “And then I go back later and finish them into works of art.”

With or without costume, everyone had their reason for making the trek to Atlanta for Labor Day weekend—even the out-of-town football fans that looked supremely confused as they walked the crowded streets after the first college game in the Mercedes Dome.

Some people spend their holiday weekend grilling hamburgers and soaking up the last bit of summer sunshine, but in Atlanta...we Dragon Con.

Dragon Con may not seem like a place where stops for hydration are necessary, but the convention is actually extremely dense. Within the multiple hotels it’s held in, there are events at opposite ends of the floor as well as on different floors, so it is wise to stay at your peak by staying hydrated.

COSPLAY!

For many, a big part of Dragon Con is dressing up as a favorite character from a TV show, cartoon, movie, etc. and act like them for the fest — so there’s no better way to dive into the traditions of Dragon Con than to do a little cosplaying.

Some people spend weeks creating their own costumes and some just pick out a corresponding outfit. One way or another, get into the spirit!

NETWORK

Half of the fun of Dragon Con is the before and after events. Talking to people might give yourself access to a pool you didn’t know about or a hotel party going on after your favorite panel, or maybe even where the celebrities will be having a drink later that night!

&DON’TS Miss Your Favorite Event

Go Overboard on the Partying

Dragon Con is packed full of events every single year, so going in with no game plan is not the way to go. Poor planning could ensure you will be missing out on a panel you wanted to see, or a screening of a movie.

Another huge part of the convention is partying. There are Dragon Con raves you can attend and there are afterparties in multiple areas of the city. You do not want to be the person throwing up on the Marriott stairs. Keep a good pace and have a good time!

PHOTOS BY SOPHIA MARCHESE AND SALINNA PHON & PAGE DESIGN BY KAREN KOSASI | THE SIGN AL

ARTS & LIVING

12

SAVANNAH ELDER & VICTOR SLEDGE Staff Reporters

More than meets the eye

GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

THE AJC DECATUR BOOK FE S TI VA L

Authors, journalists, chefs and vendors join together

T

he 11th annual Decatur Book Festival (DBF) proves that you definitely cannot judge a book by its cover. Hundreds of books were displayed last weekend, but it was also the food, families and entertainment that kept the crowds flipping pages and stuffing faces all weekend long.

ATLANTA AUTHORS ON THE RISE

One of the busiest tents at the festival housed the Emerging Writers Stage. A vast lineup of new, up and coming authors shared their work to everyone under the tent before promoting book sales and signings. A staple in Atlanta’s atmosphere is the ample opportunities to network and promote yourself and your work. The Emerging Writers Stage was the perfect idea for that. Listeners were exposed to many different authors of all ages, races, religions and occupations who shared their stories with the audience.

Whether it was TJ Morris’ Sci-Fi books, Joy Jinks’ self-help books, or Bridgette Brown’s law enforcement educational books, there was one theme that transcended all genres. Every author’s work was a remarkable reflection of his or her own life. Being the largest book festival in the nation DBF was surely the place to share their stories and market their books.

FICTION, FAMILY, AND FUN

In the midst of adults discussing books with hundreds of pages, and not one picture included in them, the laughter of children was definitely a pleasant surprise at the festival. Surpassing expectations of the average book festival, DBF was incredibly kid-friendly.

Crossword puzzles, temporary tattoos, popsicles and children’s’ books made the festival suitable for full family fun, no matter the age.

A teen/young adult stage hosted talks on topics ranging from magical realism to “Women Warriors.”

The games and children’s tents kept them occupied with their nose in a book or seeing who could find the most words on jumbo crossword puzzles.

COME FOR THE BOOKS, STAY FOR THE FOOD

To eat, or not to eat? That was the question all the festival-goers had to ask after they made it past tents of books and authors and the answer to that question was simple: eat. Readers could indulge their taste in books and burgers at DBF. With diverse options of Mediterranean, Mexican, Creole, American classics and more, books weren’t the only works of art at the event.

The festival also offered a chance for some local culinary artisans to showcase their product. Bringing in vendors that offer foods grown right in the city’s backyard is a great way to get customers flocking to the many hidden hometown gems here in Atlanta, and to create an even stronger sense of community. People love to know that there are local options that they can buy and that an event as big as the DBF is supporting them.

The Decatur Book Festival was, without a doubt, anything but average. Just judging by the sheer number of people that attended the festival, the DBF is hands-down ATLien bookworms’ number one event of the year. The food, the family, and the fun, only left one question: how are they going to top it next year?

Book vendors displaying their vast collection for sale.

PHOTOS BY CAMILLE BOLOS | THE SIGNAL

Journalism in our current environment

ever-changing industry since the Founding Fathers implementation of the First Amendment. It was meant to be somewhat of a facet of American society, but not many amounted its power to its current abilities until recently.

JOURNALISM IS ALIVE

On Friday, Sept. 1, an important conversation for today’s journalist took place at Emory University’s Schwartz Center for Performing Arts.

In part of the AJC Decatur Book Festival, Kevin Riley, editor of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, held the Journalism in Our Current Environment discussion among himself and three influential journalists.

The panel brought forward answers to the essence of journalism and its place in America’s society through analyzing the shifts in the relationships between media production and its consumption.

THE GOOD FIGHT

Riley was joined on stage by National Public Radio host Brooke Gladstone, Carolyn Ryan, a senior politics editor with The New York Times, and Wesley Lowery, a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter from The Washington Post.

Current events were the forefront of the discussion as Riley asked Lowery to describe his experience last week in Texas. Lowery saw firsthand how the Houston community dealt with being underwater and how the media’s performance affects the way that people’s lives have been changed.

He described filming houses sinking like ships as “one of those moments that’s rejuvenating, although exhausting, because of how it reminds us why we’re doing what we’re doing.”

Lowery said that his capturing of those scenes for the public’s eye led to a powerful intimacy in the traffic and response from readers to Hurricane Harvey’s victims.

Journalism has been an ever-increasing and

According to the panelists, the prevailing style of journalism became objectivity over time. “It was the kind of disengagement that allowed newspapers to become advertising,” Gladstone explained. “Selling the audience to advertising rather than supporting good journalism led the participation of such into becoming a political act and engagement.”

Emphasizing the shifts in American culture involving politics, violence, and the media, the panelists voiced their desires on how much they “just want to get it right” while writing about these events, saying that an obligation of the people is to tell the media when they don’t.

Meanwhile, there’s a constant suggestion to the media that the things they decide to do are important to the readers. Readership increased by half a million at The New York Times recently because “people in their 20’s showing their interest in the media,” and according to Ryan, “It’s heartening.”

The media has a responsibility engraved in its foundation: to serve the public. The outstanding effects of the news has been known to translate into future generations.

In the times of 24-hour news cycles, the speakers said that social media platforms which have hosted fake news influence society’s perceptions of media. “You can make the media better by how you consume it,” Gladstone said.

The panelists agreed that the continuation into the digital age for journalism will aim to serve an evergrowing online audience with new and innovative approaches to journalism with the goal of righteously serving the public.

PAGE DESIGN BY DEVIN PHILLIPS | THE SIGNAL

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2017

ARTS & LIVING

13

MOVIE REVIEW

‘Birth of the Dragon’

The Epic battle between two masters TYLER BATES Staff Reporter

C

onstant action, epic battle scenes and left hooks for days. That’s what would come to mind when watching a Bruce Lee film, right?

“Birth of the Dragon” is a biographical action/drama that re-enacts the premature years of famed martial-arts master and actor Bruce Lee. The film is centered around the controversial faceoff between the legendary Bruce Lee and Wong Jack Man, the Kung-Fu master and Shaolin monk, and everything else random that happens in between. People still talk about this faceoff from the 1960’s, and if you don’t know what I’m talking about, Google it.

According to the film, the fight initiates due to the direction Bruce Lee (played by actor Philip Ng) decides he wants his Kung Fu teaching methods to go, which doesn’t sit so well with the old heads of martial arts.

Lee chose to share the beauty of the Chinese culture with everyone through his philosophy of “Kung Fu for all.” This ethos was not shared amongst more traditional followers of the Chinese art form, as expressed by Wong Jack

Man (played by actor Yu Xia). According to Jack Man, Lee was upsetting many in the martial arts community, because he was exposing such a valuable part of their Chinese culture to outsiders. Eventually Lee decides to call Jack Man’s bluff on the issue and they agree to go head-to-head for one of the most anticipated battles of their time. Everyone wanted a little piece of the action—even the neighborhood gangsters placed bets on this fight.

In the midst of all of the preparation for the epic battle, there is a random love story taking place between a Kung Fu student and a young girl that is being groomed for the escort life. As the film goes on, this side plot seems pointless since the film is supposed to be centered around the “Birth of the Dragon” Bruce Lee. When the battle begins, things start to heat up on the action side. The fast-paced, heart throbbing scene kept me on the edge of my seat craving more. The movie finally ends with one more epic fight scene in the establishment ran by the neighborhood gangsters and concludes with the Kung Fu student attempting to help fight off the gangsters in his lover’s honor. Of course, he was of no help as the true masters finishes it off.

GRADE

C-

TOP BRUCE LEE FILMS TO SEE 1. Enter the Dragon, 1973 2. The Big Boss, 1971 3. The Way of the Dragon, 1972

VERDICT

The film’s action scenes kept me on my toes, but you can’t outdo the master. Bruce Lee was a legend and should be honored as such. The more the scenes dragged on and the more I kept seeing the random Kung Fu student show up, I couldn’t help but think, “Why is this guy here?!”

ALBUM REVIEW

‘Black Ken’: An ode to the West Coast

We waited seven years for Lil B’s newest mixtape, and it was worth it JALEN JENKINS Staff Reporter

L

il B has finally dropped his long awaited mixtape “Black Ken.” First announced seven years ago, the album is what the enigmatic rapper calls his “first venture into hip hop” and his “first official mixtape,” although he has been putting music out for over 10 years. His first venture was with hip hop group The Pack, who found success with their hit song “Vans.”

Since then, Lil B has denounced all standards of hip hop—wearing Vans skate shoes as a fashion statement, dropping mixtapes with 100+ songs on them and having a completely different mindset in his rapping. He preaches positivity at one moment and plays the role of a gang banger the next. Lil B has gained icon status while being independent of a record label, solely depending on Myspace pages and music videos hosted on Youtube as well as his Twitter page. Lil B’s character and its intricacies could fill textbooks, but for now the rapper has left us with “Black Ken,” a pinnacle of Lil B’s career in terms of production and rapping.

Lil B’s rapping has been misunderstood for a long time. The first time it was recognized as something worth paying attention to was in 2011, when he was featured in the XXL Freshmen List among the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Meek Mill, Mac Miller, and many more. Sometimes rapping like a newcomer and sometimes rapping on par with the greats, Lil B keeps the listener on his toes. This fun

and laid back style was ahead of its time, influencing the current new wave of rappers such as Lil Yachty, Lil Uzi Vert, and the like.

On “Black Ken,” Lil B takes the form of a late 90’s California rapper, taking his time on the bouncy production.

For example, on “Berkeley,” Lil B flows right on track. He delivers lines of positivity such as, “1989 when I was born/Thanks mom and dad for making me yours/I don’t care what the news say cause it’s okay/So I put on my clothes and started my day,” over a beat reminiscent of a NWA b-side. For someone who has never heard of Lil B, this is a good place to start.

This mixtape has a vibe that has not been seen from Lil B. He fully embraces the 90’s west coast style, taking every chance he has to shout out to his hometown of Berkeley. Most beats seem like they are from that era—mid tempo, bass heavy, melodic, and reminiscent of something from a Snoop Dogg song. Lil B is the only one responsible for the production on this tape. His amateurish production skills mixed with this west coast vision creates a product all its own, with some beats being downright scary sounding like “Rawest Rapper Alive.”

The high points are met with low points in this project. For one thing, this album has some fluff on it. Tracks like “Global” and “Turn Up (Till You Can’t)” are a couple examples of club banger attempts or turn up songs that are funny but do not offer much past that. Historically, Lil B makes his fans dig to find the gems. In the past, mixtapes have had a ridiculous amount of songs on them, some sharing the same name, and on Black Ken some digging is still required.

1

MIXEDBERRIES_.

2

EUCALYPTUS

3

MELLOW WAVES

4

SUMMERSET (SIDE B)

5

FRENCH KIWI JUICE

6

SOMERSAULT

7

NEON DEATH

8

ARTIFICIAL BEACH [EP]

9

MURDER OF THE UNIVERSE

B+

BEST SONGS 1. “Berkeley” 2. “Rawest Rapper Alive” 3. “Free Life”

VERDICT This is an enjoyable and extremely unique listen from Lil B. There is really nothing like this in the slew of rap releases that have come out this year. Lil B delivers his signature flow over beats he produced.

The listener receives the brunt of his weirdness that might just be genius.

Avey Tare

Cornelius

V/A - Lush Selects

FKJ

Beach Fossils

Floor Baba

Shimano Moki

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard

10

DADA

11

SHADOW EXPERT [EP]

12

AZULEJOS

13

NOTHING IS EASY, EVERYTHING IS (...)

14

GRADE

Foisey.

B Boys

Palm

Populous

Futility Music

SOFT SOUNDS FROM ANOTHER PLANET Japanese Breakfast

15

ART SCHOOL JOCKS

16

CIGARETTES AFTER SEX

17 18 19 20

Art School Jocks

Cigarettes After Sex

DE MIM, PRA VOCÊ Sango

ZONEZ V.3: THE WORLD UWINDS ME BUT (...)

Suzi Analogue

CAPACITY Big Thief

KICKINIT ALONE Kiefer

CALENDAR & GAMES

14

GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

things you don’t want to miss Thursday

Wednesday

More events and info at georgiastatesignal.com

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wellness Wednesday

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Old Fourth Ward Fall Festival

Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade

Love Stories of Oakland

Health is a Human Right

Merry Go Zoo

September 6

September 7

September 8

September 9

September 10

September 11

September 12

Athleta Atlantic Station and Evolution Yoga are bringing us free yoga in Central Park to get through the hump-day and stretch out what stresses the start of the week brought us.

Bring your own mat!

Go back in time to Paris in 1482 and enter the romantic, musical world of Quasimodo and Esmeralda. Showing at our very own Rialto Center for the Arts through September 17.

Tickets start at $15.

Held at Historic Fourth Ward Skate Park, this fall festival is free to attend!

They’ll have lantern workshops for the parade Saturday, food trucks, King of Pops yoga, live music and cold adult beverages!

Make your own lantern, bring it down to 660 Irwin Street and march it high and proud down the Beltline to Piedmont Park. Or grab your bestie and watch the glowing spectacle from the sidelines!

Grab your lover (or your friend!) and take a tour through Oakland Cemetery, listening to the loves and lives lost in Atlanta’s past.

Tickets are already on sale, enter your student ID and get in for $10!

An exhibit of historic photos and documents in the College of Law building examines the history of trying to reach health equity for diverse groups in the U.S. for the past 120 years.

Free to the public.

A new exhibit at the High Museum has arrived showcasing an interactive piece by Jamie Hayon. It’s a second installation to the outdoor space added to animate the area. Student ID’s get discounts!

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HARD

SPORTS WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2017

www.georgiastatesignal.com/sports

PHOTO BY HANNAH GRECO | THE SIGNAL

Opener: Panthers fall to Tennessee State

The Panthers fought until the end, but couldn't overcome the mistakes CHRISTIAN CRITTENDEN Staff Reporter

A

fter two years of talk and anticipation, the Georgia State football team finally got to play a game at their new home: “Pete” H. Petit Field at Georgia State Stadium. Everything was perfect; a nice clear sky, warm weather, a great crowd. The crowd was continuing to file in from the pre-game festivities, and there were over 20,000 people in the seats for the start of the game.

The setting was perfect. Georgia State kicked the ball off to Tennessee State, and they forced a three and out. The offense got the ball after a pass 17-yard pass from Conner Manning to Todd Boyd. The Panthers fumbled on their next play, and it all went downhill from there.

DEFENSE STANDS FIRM

The final score read Tennessee State 17 Georgia State 10. However, anyone who watched that game saw the Panthers get dominated by an FCS opponent on both sides for the majority of the ball game. TSU is no slouch. They have real talent and had University of Florida transfer Treon Harris as a quarterback. And despite it being the first game of the Shawn Elliott era, this is still a game you feel like the Panthers needed to play, with everything surrounding it beforehand.

All night long, Georgia State never seemed to be able to get it together. Offensively, that is. The defense did an excellent job. From time to time during the game, the defense would bend but not break. They would give up a few big plays here and there, but only allowed 17 points. The Panthers even blocked a field goal in this game, giving the team a chance to win time after time.

“You look at our defense; I thought they

played their tails off. They went out there, they give us the opportunity to compete, gave us the chance to tie the game. I thought they fought, but they stayed on the field a long, long time. And that’s something that is unacceptable for us,” Elliott said after the game.

TSU ran the ball 42 times for 238 yards and 5.7 yards per carrying. Harris, along with TSU running backs Seth Rowland, and Sabree Curtis gashed the Panthers on the ground.

In the third quarter, the Panthers had the Tigers backed up deep in their end zone on the 4-yard line. After declining a holding call on TSU, Rowland busted through a hole and gashed the Panther defense for a 59-yard gain and took the ball into Panther territory. TSU would go on to score on that drive.

The Panthers’ defense gave the offense a chance time after time. They had a goal-line stand in the first quarter to force a TSU field.

The defense would go on to force a three and out on the next TSU drive.

OFFENSE SPUTTERS

While the defense played well for the most part, the offense was an entirely different story. They struggled from start to finish, there were a few flash plays, but outside of that they didn't get anything going. On the Panthers’ third play of the game running back, Kyler Neal fumbled, which was just one of the Panthers’ five turnovers on the day.

The worst part of the day for the Panthers and probably the biggest thing that contributed to the loss is the fact they couldn't establish a running game at all. They carried the ball 29 times for a total of 49 yards, which is an average of 1.7 yards per carry.

“Something unacceptable for us offensively.

You look at our stats; I think we rushed for 38 yards today. 38 yards. That’s something that’s hard to do,” Elliott said.

Coach Elliott also said that after the game, the team just got beat up front a lot of times

and that was what contributed to the poor rushing effort.

With a little under three minutes to go into the third quarter, Manning left the game and wouldn't return.

“Well, actually, he got a little ding on the back of his head. It wasn’t a concussion, but he was dizzy. Had to come out of the game, didn’t feel like he could go back in,” Elliott said.

MISCUES

The Panthers did themselves no favors in this game with five turnovers and untimely penalties.

“And five turnovers, simple things, simple things. Turnover there at the end of the game?

A missed assignment on an out-route, it was not very well executed,” Elliot said.

The Panthers only had five turnovers for 61 yards, but the timing of those penalties was the killer part. At least three of those penalties brought back big plays or went on to stall drives.

Coach Elliott also has a quick hook. After Neal’s fumble to start the game, the coach gave the bulk of the carries to running back Taz Bateman. Neal would only see four carries after that. Redshirt Sophomore, Brandon Wright started the game off at punter, but after his first punt went only 26 yards, he was replaced by Oliver Holdenson.

Luckily for the Panthers, they have some time to regroup before their next game. They are off until Sept. 16, when they will travel to Happy Valley to square off against No.6 Penn State.

“We’ll go back and regroup, we got 17 days to prepare, got an open date ahead, and we’ll see what we can do. One loss and one win do not make a season; I can tell you that,” Elliott said. “It does not. Does not at all. I’m telling you we need to build some kind of leadership from this loss, and we got to move ahead. It’s going to be a tough loss to swallow over the next 17 days.”

Highlights GSU DeAndre Applin, Safety - 9 tackles Trey Payne- 8 tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL Taz Bateman- 6 catches, 74 yards 1TD Conner Manning-14-17 159 TSU Treon Harris- 12-25, 241 yards, 1 TD Seth Rowland 9 rushes, 78 yards 1 TD Patrick Smith- 6 catches, 70 yards Chris Collins- 12 tackles, 1 sack, 3 TFL

ILLUSTRATION BY CLOUD HOLMES | THE SIGNAL

SPORTS

16

GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

Will this be the year of the Panthers?

Chandon Sullivan enters his senior year and wants to leave a mark TOBI ADEYEMI Staff Reporter

T

hursday night marked a new beginning for Georgia State football. It was the first game of a new season, with a new head coach, in our brand new stadium. But it also marked a new beginning for one football player. It will be the start of the end of All-Sun Belt corner Chandon Sullivan’s collegiate career.

“It kind of hit me that it will be my last season of college football,” Sullivan said before the Aug. 31 opener. “But I don’t think it will really hit until the first game. It will be tough.”

With everything he’s accomplished with this program already, it makes sense why. A three-year starter, Sullivan made an impact as a true freshman.

He racked up 43 tackles, an interception, and a fumble recovery in his first season. Since then, he’s become Georgia State’s all-time leader in interceptions and passes, defended with career totals of 136 tackles, six of them for a loss, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, and even one blocked kick. Now he’s looking forward to bringing his dominance to the Panthers’ new home.

“It’s exciting to finally have a stadium, somewhere to call our home,” he said. “Playing at the Georgia Dome was fun, but at Panther Stadium we have a real home field advantage.”

And Sullivan was eager to set the tone from day one.

THE HOPES OF A HOME FIELD

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY GEORGIA STATE ATHLETICS PAGE DESIGN BY PHILIP DURAL | THE SIGNAL

“We want to start fast. The last few seasons we dropped the ball during the first game,” said Sullivan.

“We want to get this first win under our belt and keep it rolling.”

Getting that first win Thursday night against Tennessee State would have gone a long way for the team’s ultimate goal: getting back to a bowl game.

“Our program deserves another bowl game, our fans deserve it, especially if we can do it in our new home.

That’s the goal.” Said Sullivan.

A bowl game is no easy task, and Sullivan knows that first hand. His freshman year, the Panthers won only one game in an abysmal season. The next year, his sophomore campaign, the Panthers rebounded. They won their final four games, including beating rival Georgia Southern for the first time in school history to clinch the program’s first ever bowl game. During his junior season, the expectations were not only to go back to a bowl game, but to win it this time around. It didn’t work out that way. The Panthers lost their first four games last season and then endured another three game losing streak that all but ended their bowl dreams.

His three years as a Panther have been a rollercoaster ride, but it made him remember a valuable childhood lesson.

“Ever since I was young, I was taught never to get too high and never get too low,” said Sullivan.

“Continue to stay hungry at the bottom and continue to remain hungry at the top. Hopefully this year we’ll be able to get this program heading in the right direction.”

That’s been the focus since the last game of their three win season last year: how can they right the ship?

The Panthers knew they should have been better and they started their culture change from the top, firing their old head coach and replacing him with an almost entirely new coaching staff, headlined by Georgia State’s new head coach, Shawn Elliott.

THE CHANGE IN A LEADER

With the coaching perspective taken care of, now it’s

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY GEORGIA STATE ATHLETICS

on the players, and Sullivan knows it starts with him.

“I have to be a better leader, on and off the field,” he told The Signal. “I’ve got to lead by example and be more vocal, and the rest will follow.”

Sullivan’s focus and preparation for this season have been different from past seasons, and he hopes it makes the change this year.

“Really, I’ve been working on getting back to the basics, the small things,” said Sullivan. “Watching more films, my technique. It’s really the little things that make the biggest difference in the game.”

Sullivan worked hard this offseason, and he hopes it translates into his senior season being his best one. He also hopes that his final college game won’t be the last one he plays.

“Getting drafted to the NFL is always the goal, seeing Robert Davis do it this year makes it known that it is possible,” said Sullivan. “But that’s the long-term goal?

As of right now, I’m just trying to get wins this year, right the ship and leave this program on a high note.”

Regardless of what happens this year, Sullivan wants to be remembered as more than just a football player.

“I just want to be remembered as a good kid, on and off the field,” said Sullivan. “I try to excel in the classroom and the gridiron. I want to be remembered as a well-rounded student-athlete.”

And it’s safe to say he is.

He was named College Sports Information Directors Association Academic All-District in 2015 and 2016.

He was named to Sun Belt Commissioner's List 201415 and 2015-16 school years. He’s also been on the Dean’s list every semester since Spring 2015, so being remembered as an exceptional student-athlete off the field won’t be an issue.

But for now, Sullivan’s primary focus is the field. He wants the final chapter of his Georgia State career to be the greatest.

He knows the team’s expectations: they want to go to a bowl game, and they know this year they have more than enough talent and experience to do so.

He also knows his expectations. He wants to have his best season yet. But more than anything, he intends to bow out of Georgia State football in historic fashion, as something they’ve never truly been.

“I want to go out as a winner,” said Sullivan. “I’ve never experienced a winning season here, so it’s only right that I leave the program as one.”

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2017

SPORTS

17

Stud on the field, and a singer off the field

Kendrick Dorn talks position switch to receiver and reveals singing passion

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY GEORGIA STATE ATHLETICS

D’MITRI CHIN Staff Reporter

K

endrick Dorn is one of the more versatile players on this year's Georgia State roster, making the position switch from running back to wide receiver.

Not to mention, Dorn also has hidden musical talents. But first, let's dissect the reasoning behind the position switch.

"Well, when the coaches first got here in the spring, I used to always be at the facility putting in extra work, and a couple of them noticed I had good footwork," Dorn said in regards to what initially ignited the position switch.

Dorn credits Director of Player Personnel and Recruiting coach Daniel Wilcox for encouraging him to consider playing wide receiver.

"Really, it was Wilcox's idea after he saw one of my Instagram posts I was doing a drill and he said 'you need to be playing receiver' I just laughed. But after a day of practicing with the running backs, the head coach called me in to ask me if I could play wide receiver for the team. I said 'I can try it out,' and I ended up loving it."

During his career as a running back at Georgia State, Dorn has 110 yards on 31 carries with one touchdown, according to georgiastatesports.com. Dorn has also displayed the ability to catch the ball coming out of the backfield when given the opportunities. Last year, he had 11 receptions for 66 yards.

So does he see himself more successful this season as a receiver or a running back? Well, in this case, size definitely matters to Dorn.

"I love playing both positions, but I would say wide receiver because I'm a good-sized wide receiver," Dorn said. "When I was playing running back, I was doing fine, but I wasn't the typical 6-foot 220 running back; I'm only 205 pounds."

Dorn certainly can earn playing time at his new position, being that Penny Hart and Todd Boyd are the only two receivers returning to the Panthers’ roster that have solidified their spot on the depth chart. But head coach Shawn Elliott reminds his players often that “nothing is given, everything is earned.”

Fortunately for Dorn, he has used the offseason to help make the transition smooth.

"I have been working on my releases and my hand movement at the line and working on getting separation so I can make the route as easy as possible," Dorn said. "Also, during the route, I've been working on leaning the defender and stacking him - making it difficult to be guarded."

However, the process hasn't necessarily been that smooth.

Dorn has been dealing with an injury that prevents him from actually catching the ball with two hands.

"The biggest challenge for me right now is to come back with confidence. I broke my hand, so when I get out of my cast/club I'm playing in, I just need to come back and play better than before."

ANOTHER TALENT

We've all heard the saying; it's good to have a backup plan (or a "plan B," if you will). For Dorn, that backup plan may very well be a music career - an R&B singing career, to be exact.

"Music has always been around for me, everyone in my family does music," Dorn said as to why he wanted to engage in a music career. “My dad is a singer and so is everyone on his side of the family."

After a football injury caused him to miss time on the field last year, Dorn flirted with the idea of becoming a musician.

"I recently started engineering when I got hurt last year," Dorn said. "I had to find something other than football that interested me and music was it. I started off engineering, but then I started singing because it was more fun."

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY GEORGIA STATE ATHLETICS

One artist that has Dorn's attention music-wise is PnB Rock.

"He's killing the game right now," Dorn said of the 25-yearold singer and songwriter from Philadelphia. "I'm hoping I can work with him soon."

As for Dorn, he recently released an EP called "Tranquility" -- a project that he has invested quality time creating.

Tranquility is available on Apple Music, Spotify, SoundCloud and Tidal, just to name a few.

According to Dorn, however, the spelling of his stage name is Kendrik -- as opposed to the original spelling of his name (Kendrick).

So what can we expect from Kendrik in the future?

"We are about to get one of the songs titled "One Chance" on the radio, so we are going to push that hard and continue to make new music every day.”

SPORTS

18

Joel Apudo, a Georgia State senior, teaching children soccer at Five Points station Sunday, August 3, 2017.

GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

PHOTO BY VANESSA JOHNSON | THE SIGNAL

Serving the community one goal at a time Joel Apudo turns his passion for soccer into a benefit for the community TOBI ADEYEMI Staff Reporter

E

verybody wants to give back to the community one way or another. Some feed the homeless, help build houses, or mentor younger kids. Georgia State student Joel Apudo chooses to serve the community while doing what he loves.

“I’ve played soccer all my life,” Apudo told The Signal. “Why not share my passion with these kids?”

Apudo started playing soccer when he was 7-years-old. His career would take him through youth leagues all the way up to his high school varsity team. He wouldn’t continue to play in college, but he still plays recreationally with adult leagues. Now his soccer journey has brought him to the next

phase of his career: coaching.

Every Sunday, Apudo coaches kids at the Five Points Marta Station soccer field. He takes these kids through a series of drills that improve footwork, speed, and dribbling.

During the second hour of the training session, all the kids play a scrimmage game to put into action everything they learned. He has been coaching these kids for more than a year now through the Soccer in the Streets organization.

“Soccer in the Streets named me a mentorcoach for the program,” said Apudo. “Once they reached out to me about this idea, I was all for it.”

Soccer in the Streets is an organization dedicated to empowering underserved youth through soccer training, mentoring, character development and employability programs.

Once they reached out to Apudo about coaching, it was a no brainer for him.

“I’ve always wanted to coach,” he said. “My dad was one of my first coaches. Throughout my soccer career, all of my coaches have been very influential in my life. One of my biggest motivators to coach is one of my previous coaches who passed away. He was very influential to me learning the game.”

Now, with the opportunity to do one of his life goals, Apudo is taking full advantage.

He wants to use this opportunity to not only improve these kids’ soccer skills, but to alsogive them life skills they’ll need off the pitch.

“I want these kids to think for themselves,” said Apudo. “Thinking is an important part of soccer and life. You have to be able to make your own decisions and stand by them.”

Apudo also wants his coaching sessions to be an outlet for the kids because he knew how much of one soccer was for him.

“With coaching, I want to give these kids

a solution,” said Apudo. “Whether it’s escape from their personal lives or just weekly exercise.”

Apudo hopes his coaching journey doesn’t end here either. Currently, he and the rest of Soccer in the Streets are working on putting together a youth soccer team. He hopes his amateur coaching gig will eventually lead to his first professional one.

“I would absolutely love to continue coaching in the future,” said Apudo. “Before, I never saw myself coaching professionally, but working with Soccer In The Streets has definitely opened my eyes to it.”

If you have any younger siblings or know any kids who are interested in soccer, bring them to the Five Points Marta Station Sundays at 11 A.M. Coach Apudo will handle the rest.

Panther volleyball off to a slow start this season The Panthers have struggled early, but there is still time to recover CHRISTIAN CRITTENDEN Staff Reporter

T

he Georgia State women’s volleyball is looking to rebound this season after a disappointing season last year. They lost a few seniors, but returned most of their roster. Coach Sally Polhamus has another year under her belt now at Georgia State.

The Panthers started off the season with an exhibition game against Mercer, in which they won in five sets, (25-23, 25-22, 22-25, 25-20, 15-11).

The match was back and forth for the entire time, even forcing a tiebreak after the fourth set with the match being tied 2-2.

Since it was an exhibition, the fifth set wasn't required, but both teams decided to play anyway, and the Panthers came out on top.

Sydney Stroud, Anna Rantala, Carley Eiken, and Morgan Hash all performed well in the match. All 17 members on the team were able to play in this match.

The real season got underway on Aug. 25 against Big Ten member Rutgers at the ECU invitational. The Panthers beat the Scarlet Knights three sets to one. Eiken got the Panthers rolling to start the first set. The Panthers scored 10 straight points to start the match and Eiken served nine of those first 10.

The Panthers went on to dominate the rest of that set and win it by a score of 25-8.

Crystal Lee got the Panthers going in the second set scoring six straight points to start.

The Panthers went on to win the next set 25-15, but dropped the next set as the Rutgers would rebound to win 26-24. The Panthers scratched and clawed their way to victory in the final set 25-23, led by Lee with 16 kills and 10 digs. Eiken had 40 assists and Morgan Hash had 16 kills.

The Panthers continued action the next day in a double header against East Carolina University and William and Mary.

First up for the Panthers was East Carolina.

The Panthers dropped that match in straight sets, (19-25, 17-25, 25-27). Celeste Friesen and Jha’Meisheia Griffin were the top performers in the match.

In the second match of the day against William & Mary, the Panthers dropped the first two sets, (16-25, 22-25). Georgia State

battled back to win the third set before ultimately losing the match in the fourth set.

Sydney Stroud led the team in kills with 11.

The Panthers started the Blazer Invitational with a match against UAB, in which they lost three sets to one. They were able to win the first set 29-27 after a few tiebreaks, but weren’t too fortunate the rest of the match, losing three straight sets (22-25,22-25,1625). Stroud had 13 kills and 5 digs for the Panthers. Lee had 9 kills and 14 digs herself.

The Panthers are now 1-3 on the season as they finish out the UAB Invitational before a matchup with Kennesaw State University.

Despite the slow start, the Panthers still have time to rebound and have a very successful season.

SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2017

PANTHER OF THE WEEK

COLLEGE SPORTS PREDICTIONS

LOTTE MEYBERG

Track and Field

CHRISTIAN CRITTENDEN

Lotte Meyberg was the top finisher (finishing 23rd) for the Georgia State team at the Queen City Invite 5K, with a time of 18:45. The German sophomore studies management and joined the track and field team in January. Meyberg began running in 2014 in high school and has since then continuously improved her times and beat her personal best records. She also excels in class, and was honored for excellent scores in her biology and math graduation exams.

Staff Reporter

Georgia vs. Notre Dame GEORGIA STATE PANTHER OF (Football) Auburn vs. Clemson (Football)

PHOTO BY GEORGIA STATE ATHLETICS

— Two runners from the Georgia State cross country finished in the top 30 runners at the Queen City Invite 5K, in Cincinnati.

Volleyball

— Lost three sets to one against UAB on Thursday, dropping the team 1-3.

THE WEEK

CLEMSON

Oklahoma vs. Ohio State (Football)

OKLAHOMA

Stanford vs. USC (Football)

STANFORD

Louisville vs. North Carolina (Football)

LOUISVILLE

Pittsburgh vs. Penn State (Football)

PITTSBURGH

SPORTS BRIEFS cross country

19

Women’s Soccer

­ Lost to Tennessee Tech, 1-0, in their — second of the three-road streth. The Panthers will play Mercer Friday night as the third game.

Men’s Soccer

— Lost 1-0 from No. 11 Louisville, dropping them 2-1 on the season.

SPORTS CALENDAR SOCCER

VOLLEYBALL

Sept. 8

Sept. 8 JACKSON STATE

WOMEN'S SOCCER MERCER

Macon, Georgia

7 P.M.

3 P.M.

SEPT. 8 WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY

SEPT. 9

SEPT. 9

KSU INVITE

Cartersville, Georgia

6 P.M

SIU EDWARDSVILLE 10 A.M.

Chattanooga, Tennessee

MEN'S SOCCER LIPSCOMB

Chattanooga, Tennessee

CROSS COUNTRY

8 P.M.

Nashville, Tennessee

CHATTANOOGA

Chattanooga, Tennessee

7 P.M.

RECORDS Football: 0-1 Men’s Soccer: 2-1 Women’s Soccer: 1-3-1 Volleyball: 2-4

SEPT. 10 WOMEN'S SOCCER CHATTANOOOGA

GSU Soccer Complex

5 P.M.

CORRECTIONS — "International enrollment remains stable" was written my Kofi Stiles.

— The "Office of International Students" is referred to as "International Student & Scholar Services."

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