University Press Sept. 27, 2018

UNIVERSITY PRESS

The Newspaper of Lamar University

Vol. 95, No. 4 September 27, 2018

NO RAIN ON THE PARADE WEATHER BREAKS FOR HOMECOMING CLIMAX Rachel Hellums UP contributor

After persistent rain all morning, the 2018 Homecoming parade took place in dry conditions, Saturday, as the week-long event drew to a close.

“Overall, at every event, there was energy from the students, excitement from the students.

So it was just a very fun week,” Brandie Van Zanden, associate director for student involvement and programming, said.

“We had a lot of successful events. I think the most fun was Headphone Disco. The students really seemed to enjoy themselves at that.”

Several parade floats received recognition for creativity and spirit. The “Grand Champion” was awarded to the College of Education and Human Development. The “President’s Award” went to the Student Engineering Council and the “Cardinal Spirit” award went to the College of Fine Arts and Communication.

The “Best Themes” float went to the Honors Student Association and the Athlete Advisory Committee received the “Most Spirited” award. Floats awarded the “Most Creative and Original was won jointly by the team of Criminal Justice Student Association, Lambda Alpha Epsilon American Criminal Justice Association and Alpha Phi Sigma National Criminal Justice Honor Society.

The “Community” float winners were Neches River Festival, Magnolia Garden Club and West Brook High School Naval Junior ROTC.

UP photo by Ricky Adams

Members of the Cardinal cheer squad flash the LU sign during the Homecoming 2018 parade, Saturday.

Jeremiah Kelly and Amari Vann were named 2018 Homecoming King and Queen during halftime of the Lamar vs. Southeastern Louisiana football game.

Van Zanden said she is look-

ing forward to bigger and better events next year.

“We will put out a Homecoming survey on OrgSync so that students can give their feedback of what they’d like to

‘Her appointed rounds’ PERKINS SEES CHANGES IN 36 YEARS AT LU POST OFFICE

More PHOTOS, page 4

Majors, Minors fair to offer guidance Tiana Johnson UP contributor

Rachel Hellums UP contributor

Cynthia Perkins, clad in her red LU vest, can be found every day behind the counter of the Lamar University post office. The same place she has been for 36 years.

“I have been at the post office since I was a student,” she said.

The Burkeville native said she worked in the records office for a while, before returning full time to the post office.

Perkins explained how the post office worked when she first started there.

“When we first started packages, the student would come to the window, give us their name, and we would hand them their package and they would leave,” she said.

Computers were not brought in until the late 1990s.

“We did everything by hand,” Perkins said. “It’s funny how, back then, nobody lost packages. Everybody was accounted for when asked for the package — it was actually the person the package belonged to.”

When Perkins tried to remember how many people she had worked with over the years, she began to count on her fingers.

“When I first came, we had eight full-time employees,” she said.

“Now, we have three full-time, two part-time, and one student.”

See PERKINS, page 8

see next year and help us plan, because really, Homecoming is for the students,” she said.

UP photo by Rachel Hellums

The Majors, Minors and More Fair will be held from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Oct. 4, in the Setzer Student Center Live Oak Ballroom.

“This event is open to all students, though we really encourage freshmen and sophomores to attend, to gain more insight to the programs available at Lamar University, and to start considering goal planning throughout their academic experience,” Jocelyn Robbins, director of the center for career and professional development, said.

“By having this experience earlier in their studies, students can be more confident in their path to success and begin goal setting. Students can discuss potential minors that are available and the impact this would have in their marketability in their careers.”

Students unsure of their major, or those who would like to know more about opportunities for involvement within their academic program should attend, Robbins said.

Staff from the Center for Career and Professional Development and the Undergraduate Advising Center will be on hand to assist students in setting up appointments to discuss potential changes to their major or coursework, and the long-term outlook on career options, Robbins said.

The Center for Career and Professional Development will also have additional information available on its See FAIR, page 2

Cynthia Perkins has worked at the Lamar University post office for 36 years.

25

Lecture discusses credit management tips Claire Robertson UP contributor

UP graphic by Claire Robertson

www.facebook.com/UPLamar

Isaacs Corporation Score, known as FICO, is used in America to Percentage ofthe tariffs express past imposed 24 months of

by U.S.one’s on Chinese steelOne can calWhat future are we working credit history. to build ourselves? To be a busi- culate a credit score as soon as ness owner? To own a home and six months after opening a line of a new car? To travel the world? credit, such as opening a credit A crucial aspect of preparing for card or being approved for fithe future is financial literacy nancing a car or other loan. A and responsibility. credit score can range from 300, Sharita Gardner of Mobiloil classed as very poor, to 850, Credit Union hosted a Credit classed as excellent.

Management Workshop, Sept.

A credit score is calculated on 19, in Galloway Business Build- five factors, Gardner said — paying, to educate Lamar students ment history, capacity, length of on the importance of having a credit, mix of credit and new good credit score. She gave ad- credit. vice on how to build credit or rePayment history makes up 35 pair credit so that students can percent of the calculation. For plan for their future with less fi- every 30 days one is late for a nancial anxiety. monthly payment, the credit Gardner said that the Fair score is reduced by 60 points.

www.lamaruniversitypress.com

Gardner said a helpful tip is to set up automatic billing to ensure payments are not missed.

Debt should not exceed 30 percent capacity, which is the total balances of revolving debt divided by the total limits of revolving debt. Revolving debt refers to credit cards or lines of credit which are used through the month and paid off. This is different from an installment debt, which is a fixed amount of debt owed, like a car payment or mortgage. To calculate capacity, add total balances on each line of credit.

For example, if one has a $400 balance on one credit card See CREDIT, page 6

www.twitter.com/UPLamar

INSIDE

QUOTE OF THE DAY

Thursday, September 27, 2018 University Press Page 2

“Nobody will ever deprive the American people of the right to vote except the American people themselves and the only way they could do this is by not voting.”

— Franklin D . Roosevelt

CALENDAR

FAIR from page 1 new career assessment tool, Focus 2 Career, which can help students in the process, both academically and professionally.

Student success resources will also have representatives on hand to help students connect with tutoring services such as the Writing Center, Disability Resource Center, Financial Aid and others.

Robbins said that students will also be guided toward student organizations that will help their major, and faculty and student leaders will help students set realistic expectations so they can have a successful college career. There will also be guidance on internship possibilities.

Robbins said that students should be prepared to ask

NOTICE

The University Press can be read online at www.lamaruniversitypress.com.

Advertising rates can be found on the site, along with practically all information that a person might be looking for.

Sept. 29

LU Volleyball vs. McNeese McDonald Gym 1 p.m.

Oct. 3

Ethics Workshop Landes Auditorium 12: 35 p.m. to 1:35 p.m. questions, including “What activities do you recommend to help me explore my major?”

“Does your major have concentrations or tracks?”

“Are there requirements, such as minimum GPA?” “What do students find most rewarding about the major?”

“What are the classes like?” and “What electives are available, and if electives are available, what are some advantages of having a minor or secondary major?”

Other pertinent questions include special programs (honors opportunities, re-

search, independent study, study abroad, student organizations, internships, etc.), departmental and professional affiliations, and jobs available to LU graduates with the particular degree.

For more information, call 880-8878.

Voter registration deadline set for Oct. 9 Olivia Malick UP managing editor

The deadline to register to vote for the 2018 midterm election is Oct. 9.

To register to vote, one must be a U.S. citizen and reside in the country where the application is submitted, be at least 17 years and 10 months old and be 18 by election day, not be a convicted felon (although one may be eligible if one has completed sentence, probation and/or parole), and has not been declared by a court to be either totally mentally incapacitated or partially mentally incapacitated without the right to vote.

If students have moved out of their home state for college, they can either vote in their home state or re-register in Jefferson County, but cannot be registered in both. Students wishing to vote in their home state need to sign up for an absentee ballot, which vary from state-to-state.

To register in person, go to the Jefferson County courthouse, located at 1149 Pearl St., and visit the tax assessor-

Voter registrars Paula Moore, left, and Susan Kabeschuh assist Luke Cerda, Vidor freshman, with voter registration during National Voter Registration Day in the Setzer Student Center, Tuesday.

UP photo by Ricky Adams

collector office.

One may also fill out an online voter registration application at https://webservices.sos.state.tx.us/vrapp/index.as p which can be printed out and mailed to P.O. Box 2112.

The required identification for voting in person includes: — Texas driver license —Texas election ID certificate —Texas personal ID certificate

—Texas handgun license —U.S. Military ID card —U.S. citizenship certificate containing the person’s photograph For more supporting ID form information, go to www.votetexas.gov.

Election Day is Nov. 6, early voting begins on Oct. 22 and ends Nov. 2.

For more information about voting in Texas, visit www.votetexas.gov or call 835-8683.

Oct. 4

LU Volleyball vs. Nicholls McDonald Gym 7 p.m.

Oct. 5

LU Soccer vs. Southeastern LA LU Soccer Complex 7 p.m.

Oct. 5-7

LU Theater presents: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time Studio Theatre 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.) 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. (Sun.)

Oct. 6

Social Justice Symposium featuring Congressman Joaquin Castro Gray Library 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 6

LU Volleyball vs. New Orleans McDonald Gym 1 p.m.

Oct. 10

LinkedIn Workshop Landes Auditorium 12:35 p.m. to 1:35 p.m.

OPINION

3 UNIVERSITY PRESS Thursday, September 27, 2018

Nike ad ignites burning controversy Kennedy Smith UP contributor

Nike’s latest ad campaign, involving former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, continues to stir controversy across the nation.

The company’s campaign, launched for their 30-year anniversary, carries an inspiring message urging people to overcome obstacles and follow their dreams. Kaepernick is the voice and face of the campaign which includes a close up of him with the phrase, “Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything.”

The tension between Kaepernick and many citizens across the U.S. began when the quarterback became the first football player to take a knee during the national anthem at a game back in 2016. Many saw his action as “disrespectful” and were outraged that Kaepernick expressed his political views while at work.

Kaepernick’s reason for kneeling is rooted in racial injustice, an issue that lingers across the country.

It is not that Kaepernick is kneeling to dishonor the flag, or those who serve our country, as his opponents claim, but instead he is demonstrating that the

country fails to reflect the “Liberty and justice for all” proclaimed in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Of course, politicians were the first to offer their disapproval of Nike’s utilization of Kaepernick.

“Just like the NFL, whose ratings have gone way down, Nike is getting absolutely killed with anger and boycotts,” President Donald Trump tweeted.

Some people even burned their Nike products and posted pictures to social media.

Nike pinched a few nerves locally. Beaumont councilman Mike Getz shared his stance by posting a video of him burning his Nike tennis cap on Facebook.

This past week, Commissioner Marshall Fisher of the Mississippi department of public safety, announced the agency would no longer purchase Nike products.

“I will not support vendors who do not support law enforcement and our military,” Fisher said in a story from The Associated Press.

Many Mississippians were not pleased with Fisher’s decision.

“These are the people that are creating policy that impact all of our lives,” the Mississippi

UPeditorial Voting is a right, responsibility Election day is Nov. 6, when voters will decide the fate of hundreds of congressional, state and municipal seats across the nation.

The highly-contested Texas senatorial race between incumbent Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Beto O’Rourke will finally come to a head to see if Texas is on track to become a blue state for the first time since the 1970s.

The biggest surprise to come out of election day however, will be the voter turnout figures.

Texas ranks 44th out of the 50 states and Washington D.C. in voter registration, and it ranked 47th out of 51 for turnout during the 2016 election, according to the Dallas Observer.

In the U.S., we are given the right to vote at age 18, provided we complete the registration process.

Voting in elections gives us the power to decide who governs us — it’s an important responsibility.

It’s easy to think that our votes don’t mean much, but don’t be deterred, we have more power than we think we do. If one is able to vote and doesn’t, then one can’t complain about the outcome.

Every vote counts. There have been elections that have been decided by a couple of votes. For instance, in 1845, the U.S. Senate voted 27-25 for Texas to become a state. If even one senator had voted differently, the U.S. would be a far cry from the nation it is today.

It’s also important to remember to vote in all elections — not just the presidential ones.

Local elections can dictate the things that occur in your neighborhood, in your community.

Gubernatorial elections decide who will govern your state. If we don’t like what the current governor is doing, then we have the power to change that by voting, and making sure our friends and family vote as well.

No vote is unimportant. Voting for what we believe in is our duty as citizens.

Voting isn’t just a right — it’s a responsibility.

chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union stated in the article. “These are the people that took an oath to uphold the Constitution. Yet, they refuse to understand what equality, justice, and accountability means. This petty decision is just another show of racism, discrimination, stupidity, inequity, and divisive politics.”

Burning Nike products, far from being an expression of patriotism, which simply illustrates Kaepernick’s point about society’s racism and inequality. Our nation still struggles with discrimination, and to burn Nike products just because one disagrees with the campaign shows failure to recognize that there are still flaws in our society when it comes to equality.

Kaepernick is exercising his freedom of speech, just like the president and many other people do. To bash Nike for using a public figure for advertising lacks awareness that racial injustice is a problem.

Instead of destroying Nike products, find a way to donate them if the urge to purge the brand is overwhelming.

Burning the gear is exercising free speech — the same freedom that would be denied Kaepernick and Nike.

Prep for natural disasters When Harvey dropped four feet of water on Southeast Texas in 2017, I thought I was ready.

After all, I lived through the Waldo Canyon Fire and the Black Forest Fire that swept through Colorado Springs, two of the most destructive wildfires in Colorado history.

But as I huddled with my cats in my apartment complex offcampus, I watched the water rise in my parking lot, lapping at the curb of the sidewalk just outside my front door.

And it just kept coming.

I bought gallons of distilled water from Wal-Mart and enough non-perishable food for several meals. However, when the City of Beaumont lost water for a week, I realized the four jugs I had for me and my two cats wasn’t enough. If a semi hadn’t arrived at my church delivering pallets of water, I would have run out.

Many Southeast Texans weren’t ready when the rains came because Harvey originally headed for Corpus Christi, more than a four-hour drive away from Beaumont. Stocking up on emergency supplies seemed like overkill.

Commentary

Eleanor Skelton UP contributor

Editor..........................................Cassandra Jenkins Managing Editor...............................Olivia Malick Staff .................................................Noah Dawlearn, .............. Cade Smith, Sierra Kondos, Vy Nguyen, ......................Abigail Pennington, Rachel Hellums, ..........................Mandy Forsythe, Jocelyn Morales, ........................................Kaitlin Vu, Sierra Kondos, .................................Valarie Flores, Kennedy Smith Business Manager ............................Eloisa Lopez Advisors Andy Coughlan and Stephan Malick Member of Texas Intercollegiate Press Association

UP graphic by Kennedy Smith

Letters Policy

Once the storm headed north, there wasn’t time to evacuate — but I couldn’t leave my job anyway.

The primary lesson to be learned is to get more water than one thinks one will need. The idea behind prepping is basically to store enough to last until semis loaded with supplies can make it through flooded roads and replenish the stores.

When I woke up to no running water on my birthday early that Thursday morning, I knew I didn’t have enough water. Ready.gov recommends one gallon a day for each person in the house. Water purification tablets or a Life Straw would have been a good idea, especially since the water wasn’t potable when it came back several days later.

And having four cans of beans does not a survival kit make.

Food for a disaster kit should have a long shelf life, be easy to prepare (doesn’t need to be heated or refrigerated) and high in nutritional value.

I also realized there’s other ways to cook food. One of my neighbors started pulling frozen food out of his thawing freezer, cooked it on another neighbor’s barbecue grill and they offered it to us. A frozen pot pie warmed on a barbecue grill tastes different than the microwaved version, but it was warm and I was hungry.

It’s not just water and food that one needs to think of. Proper clothing really helps.

I was glad my parents had bought me an L.L. Bean raincoat back in high school. But what I didn’t realize I needed until it was too late was a good pair of rain boots. There is nothing more un-

Individuals who wish to speak out on issues should send a letter fewer than 400 words in length to Letters to the Editor, P.O. Box 10055, Beaumont, TX 77710, or drop letters off at our office in 202 Carl Parker Building. The writer’s name, address, telephone number and ID number must accompany each letter. Letters received without this information cannot be printed. Letters may be edited for length, grammar, style and possible libel.

Opinions expressed in letters are not necessarily those of the UP student management. Letters by the same writer on the same subject will not be published. Poetry and religious debates will not be published.

comfortable and annoying than squelching through flood water in sneakers — and they, nor my feet, ever seemed to dry out.

The stores were all out of rainboots, but my best friend in Atlanta found a Dallas couple on Twitter who were bringing relief supplies. My one request was a pair of boots. I’m still so grateful for those size eights.

The most useful items I already owned were my solar-powered gadgets — a phone charging bank, a flashlight and a radio with a hand crank. I charged all of them in my windowsill before the storm and every day during the storm, although there wasn’t much sunlight coming through the clouds.

After the internet, and then the power, disconnected, I listened to the rain pummel the roof during the most pitch-black night I’ve ever waited out. I set my phone alarm for every two hours make sure the water wasn’t up to my door yet. But I had my flashlight to see my way, the radio to keep up with the news, and my phone in case I needed to call for help — although the service was spotty and required me going to the second floor balcony with my head at a weird angle under my raincoat hood to get enough signal.

Other useful items include a first aid kit, extra prescription medications, cash, toilet paper, antibacterial hand sanitizer and toiletries. And all of this can fit into a plastic tote under the bed.

We still have several weeks of hurricane season left. Fingers crossed, none of this will be needed this year.

But you never know.

The opinions that appear in editorials are the official views of the University Press student management as determined by the UP Student Editorial Board. Opinions expressed elsewhere on this page are the views of the writers only and are not necessarily those of the University Press student management. Student opinions are not necessarily those of the university administration. ©University Press 2018

4 UNIVERSITY PRESS Thursday, September 27, 2018

HOMECOMING

UP photo by Ricky Adams

UP photo by Mandy Forsthe

UP photo by Abigail Pennington

UP photo by Abigail Pennington

UP photo by Abigail Pennington

UP photo by Noah Dawlearn

5

IN PICTURES

UNIVERSITY PRESS Thursday, September 27, 2018 Homecoming wrapped up Saturday with a big parade featuring floats from various colleges and organizations, as well as bands and guests from the community.

The week’s events included non-Newtonian liquids, a glow disco, dodgeball and a comedy show. Participants were able to create their own mums and tie-dye Tshirts. While the rain caused the bonfire to be canceled, the skies cleared long enough for the parade, although the rains returned for the game at Provost Umphrey Stadium where Big Red was on hand to entertain the crowd whose spirits were undampened, and Jeremiah Kelly and Amari Vann were named Homecoming King and Queen.

UP photo by Kameron Williams

UP photo by Rachel Hellums

UP photo by Vy Nguyen

UP photo by Abigail Pennington

UP photo by Ricky Adams

UP photo by Vy Nguyen

5

IN PICTURES

UNIVERSITY PRESS Thursday, September 27, 2018 Homecoming wrapped up Saturday with a big parade featuring floats from various colleges and organizations, as well as bands and guests from the community.

The week’s events included non-Newtonian liquids, a glow disco, dodgeball and a comedy show. Participants were able to create their own mums and tie-dye Tshirts. While the rain caused the bonfire to be canceled, the skies cleared long enough for the parade, although the rains returned for the game at Provost Umphrey Stadium where Big Red was on hand to entertain the crowd whose spirits were undampened, and Jeremiah Kelly and Amari Vann were named Homecoming King and Queen.

UP photo by Kameron Williams

UP photo by Rachel Hellums

UP photo by Vy Nguyen

UP photo by Abigail Pennington

UP photo by Ricky Adams

UP photo by Vy Nguyen

Page 6

Thursday, September 27, 2018 • UNIVERSITY PRESS

SSAH Fit Lab offers students ‘CrossFit’ style gym Christina Segura UP contributor

Richard and Amie James, founders and directors of the Gusher Marathon, have opened a functional fitness gym, SSAH Fit Lab, located at 3824 N. Twin City Highway, five miles from the Lamar University campus.

The SSAH Fit Lab is housed in a metal building that looks like a typical ‘CrossFit’ style gym. Featuring equipment ranging from barbells to SkiErg machines.

“We have a diverse selection of training methods and all one has to do is show up,” Richard James, director of Sports Society for American Health, the non-profit organization that hosts Gusher Marathon and the Fit Lab, said.

“A coach will guide them through the one-hour workout.

“Students are busy and have much mental stress involved with their studies. We can customize programs to fit the students’ schedules and to remove any additional thought or planning for

CREDIT

UP Photo by Christina Segura

Daniel Guilbeaux, Lamar engineering student, bench presses at SSAH Fit Lab, Sept. 14. their training. It’s like having a personal trainer without the extreme expense. We are always open to finding creative ways for people to be involved, and we always have volunteer hours available both at the facility and at our events.”

Since 2010, Richard and wife Amie have hosted the area’s only marathon. The Gusher is a

USATF sanctioned/certified course and runners can qualify for the Boston Marathon.

“We want everyone to become active,” Richard said. “It does not matter your history or current physical condition, everyone can participate and make a difference in their life, thousands have kickstarted a healthier lifestyle — many times life changing and/or

lifesaving — through participating in our events. Now we can do that every day through SSAH Fit Lab.” SSAH Fit Lab hosts free Wednesday weekly fitness challenges. These events feature movements that are simple to perform, and they offer the opportunity to participate in a fitness challenge without pressure to make a commitment, Richard

said. Free chiropractor assessments and massages are also available, and prizes are awarded to each month’s overall winners.

“Our society is often too reactive in the case of health,” Richard said. “Unfortunately, we wait until someone is stricken with diabetes, Alzheimer’s, cancer, heart disease, etc., to react by hosting a fundraiser, beginning to exercise or improving our diet. This does not have to happen.

“We want to pull the community together in this effort with the support of our industry and businesses. We definitely continue to approach this through our high-profile events, but we now work to enhance that on a daily basis through our SSAH Fit Labs programs.”

The gym is open Monday through Friday, from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturdays from 5 a.m. to 11 a.m.

For more information, visit sportssocietyforamericanhealth.org, call 527-5158, or email richard@thegushermarathon.

from page 1

and a $200 balance on another, with each having a $1,000 limit, the calculation would be, Capacity = 400 + 200 / 1,000 + 1,000 = 0.3 or 30 percent.

In this case, the cardholder is at the maximum 30 percent capacity, meaning the credit score is not yet negatively affected.

Gardner said most of her questions concern understanding capacity. In order to avoid overspending, Gardner said to never make purchases one cannot afford, and it is preferred to pay off credit cards in full each month.

Credit score is partially determined by the length of credit history. Gardner said that having a score in the mid-700 range as a young adult, with only one or two lines of credit open, is a great start, and the score will grow with time and consistency.

As university students graduate and begin taking on more financial responsibilities, like mortgages, their mix of credit will diversify with more revolving and installment debts.

New credit is a delicate balance, Gardner said. For each credit inquiry (when one applies for a new line of credit), the score

is deducted five points. If approved and the credit line is opened, one’s score is deducted another 10 points. By the time the new card is activated, the score has been deducted 15 points. This seems like a real hit, but after holding the new line of credit for one year, the credit score can rise by 50 points. If handled responsibly, a new credit card is an easy way to raise one’s credit score within 12 months, Gardner said.

The benefits of a good credit score include lower interest rates on loans, credit cards, and mortgages; lower deposits required for basic utilities and lower home and car insurance premiums. Potential employers often view credit scores to check personal and financial responsibility.

Most college students are not paying mortgages late (which can negatively affect your score up to 165 points), nor are they declaring bankruptcy (minus 200 points) or having homes foreclosed (minus 150 points). However, there are still risks students regularly take with their credit, Gardner said.

When a cashier at the mall offers the

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From its beginnings as a Roman fishing village to a Regency hotspot, to being one of England’s most diverse, progressive and eclectic cities, Brighton and its surrounds has plenty to interest any major.

For more information, contact ahcoughlan@lamar.edu or the Study Abroad office

chance to save 20 percent by signing up for a “Rewards Card,” once they are provided with a name and social security number, they run a credit inquiry with your consent. As each credit inquiry costs five points, a long day shopping in multiple stores can provide quite a hit, Gardner said. Students should avoid unnecessary and unwise credit inquiries.

“Maxing out” credit cards is using 100 percent of capacity and not paying at least 70 percent off by the due date. This can cost up to 50 points.

Closing old credit cards can take up to 60 points off the credit score, because it shortens the credit history and impacts available capacity. Paying monthly bills late can reduce the score by 60 points after the first 30 days, and can continue up to 150 points.

Gardner said that one can improve the score in several ways, including paying off balances on time and in full each month, paying off past due balances, which can regain 80 percent of lost points, using credit responsibly and not charging more than one can afford, keeping a positive payment history, limiting new credit in-

quiries to three a year; and boosting capacity by applying to increase credit limits.

Students should regularly monitor their credit score, Gardner said. One can check a credit score once a year at each of the three credit bureaus, TransUnion, Equifax and Experian, without it affecting credit negatively. Gardner said the best process is to check a different bureau every four months. It is important to monitor one’s score to be fully aware of one’s financial standing, as well as noticing fraudulent activity, Gardner said.

It only takes a name, social security number and one more identifying factor to steal an identity, Gardner said. Do not use free or unsecured public WiFi for mobile banking, or when dealing with other sensitive information, like completing a FAFSA form.

Gardner said that Mobiloil Credit Union has free credit score advising and students are welcome to visit her.

The credit union is located at 3535 Calder Ave. in Beaumont. For more information, call 924-5080, or email sgardner@mofcu.org.

7

SPORTS

UNIVERSITY PRESS Thursday, September 27, 2018

Cards fall in Homecoming game to SLU, 30-24 Cade Smith UP staff writer

In a game marred by heavy rain bands, the Lamar Cardinals Homecoming woes continued as they dropped a 30-24 loss to the Southeastern Louisiana University Lions, Saturday, at Provost Umphrey Stadium. This marks the Cardinals’ fourth consecutive Homecoming loss.

“It hurts, and it hurts bad,” head coach Mike Schultz said.

“There were a few things that didn’t go our way. I’m proud of the kids, they fought hard and continue to fight hard and I know they are hurting. I’m hurting for them, but like I told them in the locker room, we’re going to watch the film and learn from it.”

The Lions scored less than three minutes into the game with a six-yard rush from junior running back Devonte Williams. On the Cardinals next possession, the Lion’s defense forced a fumble from LU quarterback Darrel Colbert Jr. to regain possession of the ball. The Cardinal defense immediately responded when SLU quarterback Chaston Virgil threw a 53-yard pick-six to senior defensive back Davon Jernigan.

“That play was actually a blitz designed for me and another safety,” Jernigan said. “I was blitzing off the edge and I heard someone say, ‘Screen,’ so I knew what to do. My responsibility was to take the running back and I knew that he was behind me.

(Virgil) tried to dump it off so I grabbed it.”

However, the snap for the PAT went wide, causing LU kicker Elvin Martinez to be intercepted as he tried to throw the ball away, giving SLU a 7-6 lead to end the first quarter.

The second quarter saw both teams trade possession. First, when Colbert was picked off by SLU freshman back Ferlando Jordan, and then when Lamar senior back Tyler Rios stripped the ball from SLU wide receiver Juwan Petit-Frere. With the momentum of the turnover, the Cardinals took the lead after Colbert rushed for two-yards into the end zone and made up for the earlier missed extra point to convert for two. The Cardinal defense was back on the move, forcing SLU to kick a 36-yard field goal. The Cardinals closed the half with a 32yard field goal from Martinez to lead 17-10.

The Cardinals finished the half with 269 yards of offense, while holding SLU to 196. The defense forced four fumbles, recov-

UP photo by Abigail Pennington

LU players scramble to recover an SLU fumble during the 24-30 Homecoming game loss at Provost Umphrey Stadium, Saturday. ering three, and one interception.

“We were running the ball a little bit easier in the first half,” Schultz said. “Our game plan doesn’t change much as far as defense goes — we go into it knowing to take the run away.”

In the third quarter, the Lions scored on a nine-play, 76-yard drive that ended with a 26-yard pass from Virgil to sophomore receiver Austin Mitchell to tie the score at 17. SLU then held Lamar throughout the third quarter and got the ball back moving deep into Cardinal territory aided by two roughing-the-passer calls.

In the beginning of the fourth, the Cardinal defense held SLU to a 22-yard field goal, giving the Lions a 3-point lead. On the first play of the Cardinals next possession, SLU defensive back Tre’ Spann picked off Colbert and returned it for 24-yards to set up the offense. SLU scored three minutes later with a nine-yard pass from Virgil to junior tight end Bransen Schwebel to up the lead 27-17.

Despite giving up 17 unanswered points, Lamar didn’t quit and got the ball back late in the fourth to score on a 12-play, 80yard drive aided by a pass interference call. The drive ended with a 22-yard pass from Colbert to senior receiver Dewan Thompson to close the gap to 24-27.

UP photo by Abigail Pennington

A downpour of rain hit the LU field late in the Homecoming game against SLU, Saturday, at Provost Umphrey Stadium.

The Lions responded, kicking a 23-yard field goal with 35 seconds left in the game. However, the Cardinals failed to recover SLU’s on-side kick, allowing Southeastern Louisiana to wrap up a 24-30 win.

“We just didn’t take care of the things we needed to take care of in the second half,” Schultz said.

“Southeastern is a talented football team. They have a good quarterback and skilled kids and can do some really good things offensively.”

Colbert ended the night com-

pleting 15-of-27 passes for 171 yards, with an extra 67 rushing yards and a touchdown. Junior running back A.J. Walker led the ground attack with nine carries for a season-high 88-yards, including a season-long rush of 48 yards. LU recorded 351 yards, with 180 rushing. SLU had 488 total yards.

“We just got to keep doing what we are doing,” Walker said.

“I think we are doing a great job, we are improving a whole lot.

Everyone is saying we are doing a whole lot better and I can see

that.”

The Cardinal defense was led by senior back Lane Taylor with 11 tackles, sophomore linebacker David Crosely with nine tackles, junior end Daniel Crosely recorded seven stops, and Jernigan with seven tackles, a fumble recovery and an interception.

The Cardinals will travel to Thibodaux, La. to take on the nationally-ranked Nicholls State Colonels, Saturday, at 2:30 p.m.

The game will be live on KLVI AM 560 and on Eleven Sports.

LU Volleyball defeats rival IWU Cardinals, 3-1 Cassandra Jenkins UP editor

The Lady Cardinal volleyball team nearly went three up, three down against the visiting Cardinals of Incarnate Word, Tuesday, in McDonald Gym. Closing in on a sweep, LU faltered in the third set before finishing their attack and ending the night 3-1.

“It is a big win for us,” head coach Michelle Kuester said. “It got us back on track.”

Freshman outside hitter Abigale Nash started off the Cardinal offense capitalizing on an IWU attack error to put the first point on the board. Nash went on to tack on the next two points after a service ace and another attack error to start the first set 3-0. The score was immediately matched by IWU following three LU errors to tie at three. The game went on in similar fashion for the remainder of the set as each team answered the other point for point, tying 10 times.

The final moments of the set came after Nash hit a kill-shot to pull away from the tiebreaker 21-20. An attack error by IWU tacked on another point moments later to give the Lady Cards a 22-20 advantage. IWU’s Bethany Clapp answered with

two points of her own before the LU Lady Cardinals pulled away 24-22 with two consecutive kills

by Nash and middle back Dannisha House. LU sophomore Bre’Ala Box served a perfect ace to wrap up the set, 25-22.

The second set was just as intense as the first, with nine ties, before LU pulled away to take the victory, 25-20. After securing a 2-0 lead in the match, LU got too comfortable and Incarnate Word used that to their advantage. They led the majority of the third set and eventually claimed a three-point victory, 22-25.

“We came out in the third and we were really slow, and we got sluggish,” Kuester said.

“We’ve learned throughout some of our matches, that if we are not staying aggressive and staying communicative on the floor, then that’s when we are really going to start struggling.”

In the fourth and final set, the Lady Cardinals were prepared to go on the offensive and take the game. After a service error by IWU, Thomas and House hit back-to-back kills, followed by another two kills by Thomas to take a quick 5-0 lead.

Junior outside hitter Nina Pevic also added a kill of her own to up the score to 6-1.

LU never trailed for the remainder of the set and swiftly

UP photo by Cassandra Jenkins

LU freshman, Abigale Nash, led the team with a double-double after hitting 18 kills and 13 digs in the Lady Cardinals 3-1 win over Incarnate Word University, Tuesday, in McDonald Gym. ended the match, 3-1, with a final 22-16 victory in the fourth.

Nash led the team with the only double-double at 18 kills and 13 digs. Thomas wasn’t far behind with 17 kills of her own.

House also had nine kills and two digs along with Pevic who had eight kills.

“It’s great to see (the team) being happier and more confident,” Kuester said. “You always want the girls to have a good experience, and you want to make sure, as a coach, that you find a balance between letting them stay aggressive and make errors.

“But, also, making sure they

learn from them. The kids have done a really great job of finding the balance between those two things.”

The Lady Cardinals move to 1-2 in Southland Conference as they remain home to host rival McNeese State, Saturday, at 1 p.m. in McDonald Gym.

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Thursday, September 27, 2018 • UNIVERSITY PRESS

Theatre to present ‘Curious Incident,’ Oct. 5-13 Valarie Flores UP contributor

tion teacher. She said the character came easily to her as many women in her family have been an aid to someone with special needs.

“I’ve had a lot of experience with people on the spectrum,” she said. “It was a little easier for me to dive into. We had to find, within the script, what Christopher’s quirks were and we all had to make a choice on how our characters would respond. I think, if for no other reason, people should come out and see this show is to open some eyes, so that people can understand and create an awareness to how people with autism are, and how they perceive things.”

The world inside Christopher’s mind will be displayed through lights, projections and choreography.

“It’s very movement heavy,” Sullivan said. “It’s stepping in and out of the mind of an autistic child.”

Carolyn Johnson, a professional actress and dialect coach, is guest directing for the second time at Lamar University. Joel Grothe, associate professor of theatre, met her at the professional production in Houston and invited her to direct the

When 15-year-old Christopher Boone discovers the body of his neighbor’s poodle, Wellington, it sends him off on a quest to find the killer. But this is no ordinary “whodunit,” as Christopher’s autism gives a twist to the stereotypical “whodunit” detective.

The LU department of theatre and dance will present “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time,” a Tony Award-winning play, opening Oct. 5.

Senior Daelen Fox plays Christopher. He is a costume design major and this is his first major part. Portraying a character who has autism is a challenge, Fox said.

“I was very nervous at first,” he said. “Autism is not rare. I have two cousins who are autistic and my boyfriend is on the spectrum — but it is a spectrum, and you have to decide where your character is, where they stand and how their symptoms manifest without going stereotypical.”

Senior Chloe Sullivan plays Siobhan, Christopher’s paraprofessional, a special educa-

PERKINS

UP photo by Noah Dawlearn

Daelen Fox is lifted into the air during a rehearsal for “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time,” in the Studio Theatre, Sept. 20. The play opens Oct. 5. play.

“I know this show very well and it is very different from anything I have directed — which also means it’s challenging,” she said. “It’s pretty complex and I thought it would be a good teaching opportunity.”

Johnson said the play taught the students to open their eyes.

“It’s very tech heavy and it will have a lot of choreography that will help tell the story,” she said. “The students had to learn a lot for this show.”

Johnson pushed the students further as actors, Sullivan said.

“I haven’t had the opportunity to be directed by a female,” she said. “She respects each character in the play and she never judges them, even if they seem like bad people. She’s teaching us to fall in love with each character.”

Fox said it is a powerful story.

“It’s a very unique show and people will get a new kind of ex-

perience out of this — not just with the story, but with the visuals that we are doing,” he said. “It is definitely worth seeing.”

Show times are 7:30 p.m., Oct. 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, with a 2 p.m. matinee, Oct. 7.

Tickets are $7 for LU/LIT students with ID, $10 for LU/LIT faculty and staff, senior citizens, or non-LU students, and $15 general admission.

To purchase tickets online, visit Lamar.edu/theatre.

arts and sciences in 2007.

Family is the heartbeat of the decisions Perkins has made from the time she was a student until today, she said. She even works with her younger brother, Tod, in the post office. He’s been here since 1994 and graduated from Lamar in 2015.

“I’m from a family of 12,” Perkins said. “Every last one of us either has an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree. My mother’s goal was for everyone to get an education. (Lamar) was close to home. Where we lived, if I would have had job opportunities, I would have never left home. I’m a homebody.”

One of her daughters followed in her mother’s footsteps and earned a bachelor’s of applied arts

and sciences degree from Lamar in 2015.

Perkins grins as she recalls her family, and talks about her faith and her love of music.

“I play the piano,” she said.

“Just about all the girls (in my family) play the piano. My older brother has his own jazz band. He plays bass guitar and he also plays the keyboard. We’re a music family. I played for churches all my life, our whole family did.”

Perkins joked that “Lamar” has become a family name. Her husband works in the Lamar police station.

“He’s a CSO (campus safety officer) at the police department — he’s been here for two and a half years,” she said.

Perkins considers the Lamar

post office to be an extension of her family.

“The students that worked here, graduated and gone on — they still come back here to check on us all the time,” she said. “We haven’t had high turnovers in here. We had one pass away, but the majority graduate and move on.”

As for the next 36 years?

Perkins laughs.

“I don’t know what day or when I’m going to walk out of here, but I know the time is coming — I think I’m young,” she said.

One thing is for sure, Perkins said.

“Whoever’s working here, I’m going to make sure they’re prepared.”

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The post office has always been a constant in Perkins’ life, she said.

“My favorite part is metering mail,” she said. “For the longesttime, people didn’t even know that I worked here because I never went to work the window. I stayed in the back, encoding and metering mail, and took mail to the post office and that was my day.”

Perkins has experienced much in her 36 years, and even helped train one of her supervisors that came from another department.

“I know just about everything, and my supervisor, she came from administration, and when she came and took the position as our director, she knew zero,” Perkins said.

Lamar used to be very different to what it is today, Perkins said.

“I remember a computer center, where only a certain amount of people could come in and use the computers,” she said. “Back then, nobody had a personal computer and the line would be all the way down the sidewalk waiting for your turn to come in.

Sometimes, students wouldn’t get to bed until two to three in the morning because they was waiting to use the computers.”

Perkins started at Lamar as a student in 1978, and after switching her major from health and kinesiology to family studies, she got her associate’s degree in early childhood education, and went on to get her bachelor’s in applied