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VOLUME 92 • ISSUE 4
Tech breaks ground on IESB BRYN YOUNG News Editor | bjy001@ latech.edu
L
ouisiana Tech took another large step in its plan for the future on Jan. 4 as fences went up around the latest addition to the school, the Integrated Engineering and Science Building. The associate dean of undergraduate studies for science and engineering, Heath Tims, says that the building will house the freshman- and sophomore -level courses for the college and will supplement current facilities. “Bogard will definitely still be used,” Tims said. “We are not abandoning Bogard at all. Matter of fact, Bogard will still continue to be one of our main engineering buildings. But what will happen is that the new building will move over our freshmenand sophomore- level stuff. We’ve just significantly outgrown this space.” The building will house three floors with the first floor dedicated to “living with the lab” type courses Tims said. The second floor will house math and the third will host classrooms and labs dedicated to chemistry and physics.
Illustration courtesy of Sam Wallace
The above graphic depicts the new Integrated Engineering and Science building on the corner of Dan Reneau and Homer Street. “I think it’s nice to be able to get a lot of our classes back in one central area,” Tims said. “I think that will be a tremendous asset. I think it’s also going to be a state of the art building.” The new facility is being built at the corner of Dan Reneau Drive and Homer Street on the gravel lot many
students had been using for parking. According to associate vice president for administration and facilities Sam Wallace, the project will cost about $37 million in total with the building expected to be completed by mid-May 2019 and open for use by fall of 2019. “There are things that
happen during construction, such as weather delays that will extend (the contract) a little bit,” Wallace said. “There are always, with a project this large, things that you don’t anticipate whether it’s a condition on the site or a delay in steel shipment that may delay it a little bit. We are going to try to hold that
as tight as we can because we need to be in the building by fall quarter 2019.” Wallace said the funds will come from the state as well as a good portion coming from fundraising done by the university. “The majority of the construction money, that $30,500,000 is from the state
capital outlay,” Wallace said. “We, the university, raised in the neighborhood of $7 million and we are contributing that to the project. Additional fundraising is always ongoing, so they are working toward that right now.” Wallace also mentioned the parking problems that come with the new construction are being noted and that things are being done to help ease those issues. “Through student affairs and some long-range work, there are some parking options (being) looked at,” Wallace said. “We just took some prices to put some rock out on the area behind the biomed building. That should be done probably before the spring quarter 2018 starts.” However, SGA treasurer Logan James says students are still feeling the growing pains of Tech and have complained to them about the parking issues caused by the construction. “We are hearing a lot of frustration really,” James said. “That parking lot is one of the biggest on campus and to have over half of it taken up by construction is really exacerbating the parking issue on campus.”
Haskins receives national recognition MORGAN BERNARD Managing Editor | mrb056@ latech.edu Louisiana Tech associate professor, Tara Haskins, was one of 17 professionals that were selected nationwide by the National Rural Health Association for its 2018 Rural Health Fellows program. “The RHF program is a year-long, intensive program that will develop leaders who can articulate a clear and compelling vision for rural America,” said Gary Kennedy, dean of the College of Applied and Natural Sciences. “This award recognized the fact that Dr. Haskins goes above and beyond her normal nursing education duties here at Tech to reach out to
underserved rusaid. “It provides ral areas, such as leadership on ruthe Bienville Parral health issues ish school system through advocacy, nurses to help communications, them enhance education and retheir program. search. NRHA’s Rural areas, such membership is as ours, are often made up of more very under served than 21,000 diwith respect to verse individuals health care.” and organizations, HASKINS Haskins, a proall of whom share fessor in Tech’s the common bond division of nursing since of an interest in rural health.” 2011, said she is honored to Haskins said she is lookbe chosen by the NRHA as ing forward to this year and it is an important association being involved with the RHF nationwide. program. “NRHA is a nonprofit “The fellowship begins organization working to im- Feb. 5 at the National Rural prove the health and well-be- Health Association Policy ing of rural Americans,” she Institute in Washington,
D.C., with a week’s-worth of orientation, meetings and advocacy training,” she said. “Throughout the year, we will work with mentors — electronically and through conference calls — to work on projects, leadership instruction and to get legislative updates.” Haskins said she is excited to see how the fellowship impacts her students’ work as well as hers. “I hope that my experiences will bring another dimension and insight to my students in clinical and classroom,” she said. “Also, I hope to model for my students that in addition to direct patient, professional nursing is also about effecting change
at all levels — local, regional, state and national — and being a voice and advocate for those that can’t speak for themselves.” Donna Hood, director of the Division of Nursing, said she believes Haskins holds several important characteristics that earned her the spot in the RHF program. “Dr. Haskins is creative, energetic and has a passion for innovation to address the needs of people, particularly those in rural areas,” she said. “There is a critical need to develop leaders in nursing who can impact change that makes a positive difference in the health of communities across this country.” Hood said being a part
of this program is not just an honor for Haskins, but for the division of nursing as a whole. “The connections that Dr. Haskins will make through this program will impact our nursing graduates at Louisiana Tech University as well as Dr. Haskins’ service and future research opportunities,” she said. “This program will provide an amazing opportunity for Dr. Haskins and will also impact our faculty and students. As nursing takes tremendous leaps into the community, it is important for our graduates to have exposure to innovative thinking and a vision for opportunities to make a difference.”
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2 • The Tech Talk • January 25, 2018
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Elementary education degree earns national rank HANNAH JONES Staff Reporter | hej006@latech.edu After examining various factors attributing to the success of elementary education bachelor degrees at schools across the nation, Best Education Degrees ranked Louisiana Tech’s Elementary Education Bachelor’s Degree as second highest of all universities in the United States. The website, besteducationdegrees.com, where the ranking is listed, provides an overview of each school it lists as well as a general overview in regard to elementary education. “In almost all cases, a teacher licensure program will require candidates to complete a student teaching placement,” it says. “This placement might
be one or two semesters, depending on the state and the school.” Often, in most semester schools, student teaching is for merely a semester, giving future teachers only a taste of the elementary atmosphere before they begin their own teaching careers. However, with the quarter system at Tech creating an even more time-crunched schedule for these student teachers, the administrators at Tech decided to change how they do things. Dawn Basinger, associate dean of Tech’s College of Education, is one of those administrators who is part of the team who redesigns the education degree programs in order for these future teachers to have the greatest preparation
“The rankings actually were what brought me to Tech. I was deciding between Tech and another school and saw that the other school’s rankings had been decreasing the past couple of years. Tech’s were really high, so I decided to come here.” Gracie Hawkins freshman elementary education major
for their careers. One of the redesigns included the student teaching program. Rather than only one quarter, senior educa-
: n o i t n , S e R E t , N S t G R I a DES APHE
tion majors now experience a full year clinical residency. “The residency actually begins in August,” Basinger said. “But that full year really gives them a real picture of what it’s like. They come out and when they are hired, they feel like they’re in their second year.” These university students not only experience mere 10week snapshots of their future, but receive a full picture, and often experience the reality of their future as their present. Many first year teachers who have graduated from Tech’s program receive second-year pay instead due to certain districts acknowledging their clinical residency as a full year of teaching. The rankings reflect the accomplishments of Tech;
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however, they also affect the amount of incoming students. For many potential education students, the increase or decrease in rankings by these comparative websites will make or break the decision to attend a particular university. “The rankings actually were what brought me to Tech,” said Gracie Hawkins, a freshman elementary education major. “I was deciding between Tech and another school and saw that the other school’s rankings had been decreasing the past couple of years. Tech’s were really high, so I decided to come here.” The rankings of Tech’s various colleges and degrees can be the determiner for prospective students considering their options.
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A community photographer shares his memories from Ruston and Tech’s past.
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T Tec h Talk he
FEBRUARY 18,
THE STUD ENT
2016
VOICE OF LOUISIAN
WWW.THETECHTALK.
ORG
Gov. John Bel Edwards addresses a joint state session on Feb. 14 about education budget concerns and beginning the new special legislative session.
OF TOPS Patrick Dennis
/ The Advocate
Louisiana Tech and for the future other state universities address, discuss of higher educati ELLIE MOSLAND a plan on during financia Editor-in-Chief | emo012@ ER what exactly l crisis latech.edu to do with
TOPS. “The recent dents will not As Louisiana announcem actually be directly gan registration Tech students be- lated to TOPS had to do ents re- impacted. Instead the university last week, the for spring quarter expected shortfall of statewith the be receiving approximately the most impact will future of the higher education $28 million, funds, this change. states were from funds became necessary that huge concern. “It should have a the remainder to fund TOPS for no effect on dents at this point,” On Feb. 11, of this year,” Les Guice, the Louisiana he said. “We stufice of Student Tech president. said pect it to have Of- governor exFinancial Assistance a budgetary “The of $1.5 clarified that (LAFSA) announced impact million to $2 the suspension to support the TOPS those funds university million on the of TOPS and fund would be this absorbed by for 24 hours many dents and faculty the universities. us to reduce year which will cause stusome services wondering how members were left ed to let our students know I want- other adjustments or make that as . We to attend school they would be able soon as possible so that they would faced with other budget are also not have to worry in the cuts for this year.” The Taylor or have a job. for Students Opportunity Program studies and registration.” midst of With these Although many has played a in Louisiana (TOPS) said some of new changes, Guice students, ulty huge his members facpart in main and assisting many student’s funding dents have beenand Louisiana resi- with these changes are concerns tion; but Louisiana lenges they the chaleducaawaiting news may cause the higher education how this change of sity is faced with a crucial decision– students, future may effect current of at the end of the year univerbecause spent students funs universities, Guice and their and prior obligations. said current stu-
107.5 host 35th
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Student organ ization hosts secon d line event for Mardi Gras holidays PAYTON
THE FUTURE
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A TECH U NIVERSI
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POTTER Staff Reporter | jpp017@ latech.edu A number of African American comed the Mardi organizations wela New Orleans Gras season to Louisiana tradition known Tech with The celebration as of traditional second lining. United Afrikan dance, last Wednesday American Men (UAAM), hosted by According outside the student center.took place is defined as to FrenchQuarter.com, the a group of dancing second low a main parade, celebrants who line foldance with parasols,such as a Mardi Gras parade, and UAAM president banners or handkerchie fs. Anthony gy major, said the celebration Parker, a junior sociolothe participants’ was intended ancestors. to honor “It means of all, I’m fromeverything to me,” Parker New Orleans. said. “First time to give thanks We to everybody wanted to use this give thanks to from New Orleans; paving the wayall our ancestors before us, and also for for all us black campus. We wanted kids to make sure on Louisiana Tech were seen, and we were make Parker said the sure we have a good heard, we time.” second line from a New Orleans tradition is derived funeral tradition. “We used day,” he said. to second line for funerals back in the Mardi Gras or “But now, we do it at celebrations song comes on,birthdays or whatever. Whenever for Parker said everyone knows how to second the line.” with the Black the second line celebration Student Union’s “We chose Black Culture aligned needs to know this day to pump everything Week. about our black everyone BSU vice president culture,” Siana ShepherdParker said since Mardi Gras marks the beginning noted that second line celebration was a last hurrahof Lent, the “Mardi Gras ple start fasting,is fun,” she said. “It’s right for many. before so it’s peoa rejuvenation. before you do Have fun right what Shepherd said you’ve got to do.” the second line as a way to bring celebration served together the African ganizations on American orcampus.
>> see SECOND
LINE page 6
PRINCESS WARREN Staff Reporter | pcw005@ latech.edu part of it. KXKZ, Z107.5 “Not only it hosted its 35th of Ruston made a annual Radiothon difference as every year ,butdo I have to do it raise money in order I get to do it every for St. Jude’s year; t’s challenging was raised, and Hospital. More to help all proceeds $60,000 a rewarding thing but certainly Jude’s. went directly to do,” McKento St. ney said. The Radiothon was held He said the radio to all to donate or volunteer. Feb. 1-2 and was open station does not set a monetary Z107.5 broadcasted is no disappointm goal, so there from Super 1 where volunteers MCKENNEY selves or others. ent to themof money raised updated listeners on Foods store “The goal is to make pledges and encouraged peoplethe amount or donate in person. bring to call in to Jude’s,” McKenney hope as we can to the as much Matt McKenney, kids of St. the program said the station He said the radiosaid. has been doing director at KXKZ, Radiothon station plans more than 30 the Radiothon for ways to each year and they are to keep having the from when he years. He said he remembers always make was younger it bigger and thinking of so now it is coolthe event better. to be a >> see RADIOTHO Patrick Hall, a Tech alumnus, N page 6 Radiothon Photo by Ashley answers phones Kober to raise money for St. Jude Children’sduring KXKZ’s 35th annual Hospital.
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UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA TECH THE STUDENT VOICE • ISSUE 10 WWW.THETECHTALK.ORG
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lt Remembering Gary Zumwa years A tribute to the late geology
professor of over 35
how to geology or kayak-making or study,” Diane said. Marta Sramkova, a junior finance major, shared some of her memories of Zumwalt. and “He was a great professor loved amazing person,” she said. “He thing that Photo by Avery Bryan his job with all his heart. One you is very strong in my mind when audiology lab located in the when I An ear on display at the new ask me about Dr. Zumwalt is, today? asked him, ‘How are you doing Rawle Enterprise Center. He always said: surviving.’” was a Even though Dr. Zumwalt passion geology professor, his true his share was woodworking. He had but his of rock and fossil collections, most many completed projects were impressive. enDuring my first office hours proudly counter with him, I noticed his wooddisplayed pictures of two about stripped kayaks. After I inquired you the pictures he asked me, “Would own?” be interested in building yourboth kayPhoto provided by Diane Zumwalt CALEB DANIEL He and his wife had built yard. Staff Reporter | csd020@ latech.edu he built. aks in the wood shop in his back geology professor, with a kayak Little did I know, this new friendship Gary Zumwalt, a Louisiana Tech and Hearing Center rebuildThe Louisiana Tech Speech would teach me more than boattools, I and clinics, and its his guidance and cently added an additional location upgrades. vironmental remediation. said ing. With long hours in his shop durPAUL DAUTERIVE His widow, Diane Zumwalt, new site came with some important clinic in Rawle Enbeloved spent many own Former Staff Reporter | pd010@ latech.edu These sites include an audiology he was an inspiring and muchthe long ing my off days working on my other facilities set up in for terprise Center, along with two augmentative commuwood -stripped kayak. Tech teacher who was known Gary Zumwalt, a Louisianapassed lectures that he gave without notes for Robinson Hall; including a new He was a teacher inside and outside time I that During geology professor since 1980, classroom. nication lab. himself. to be able to bring this his of the and away on Dec. 21, 2015. “I’m very proud and privileged also to provide wonShe said he would always keep learned a lot about woodworking memand with stories about a lot more about life through his interHe was a long time faculty type of service to our center to our graduate students Sciences classes entertained used to ber the School of Biological derful training and experiences said Daphne Washinghis many experiences. “HeColorado, esting stories and life experiences. environmenboth to for get to not courses trips will in teaching who participate the program,” Unfortunately, Gary cam- take his students on Louisiana,” Diane in residence. I have tal sciences and geology across ton, a speech-pathology professional Arkansas and South see my completed kayak, but student, said the pus. to finish it. Ashton Hay, an audiology graduate con- said. to the original. de- every intention He was known to have a deep his is the best way for me to honor Tech used to have a geologyEnginew clinic is a vast improvement This them “With newer equipmaking of a monucern for his students, “It’s 10 times better,” Hay said. partment under the College him and his memory because quickly and serve more top priority, myself included. the Col- neering and Science. Zumwalt would ment bigger than Wyly Tower would ment, we can test patients more on field trips and not be enough. As a faculty member of people.” Sciences, take his students at his home. graduate students lege of Applied and Natural The clinic, operated by audiology have crawfish boils Rest in peace, Gary Zumwalt. a variety of services init was Zumwalt taught geology, oceanogra“He loved to teach, whether and faculty supervisors, offers aid evaluations, hearing and enphy, mineralogy, paleontology cluding hearing tests, hearing for balance, earaid sales and fittings and evaluations ringing and auditory processing. the School of CommuBrenda Heiman, director of dual purpose: providing a nication, said the clinic serves as services to patients. experience to students as well facility for the students,” training a “This is essentially sciences and resisupervises the students as Green is a professor of agricultural Heiman said. “The faculty will now serve as interim KEIERA BELL dent veterinarian at Tech. He Agricultural Sciences and they interact with the client.” Bryan, an associate proStaff Reporter| klb072@ latech.edu director of the new School of between One such supervisor is Matt services. order to help facilitate the transition of agricultural Forestry in fessor and director of audiological improved equipment, two complex units. As of Dec. 10, 2015 the department new to Tech beBryan said in addition to the have merged togeth- the space to provide the clinGreen said merging is not something sciences and the School of Forestry the new site is simply a better in what faculty have called cause departments in the College of Liberal Arts have er to create one department larger a services. ic’s Campus South very cumbersome bemerged together as well. an effort to give Louisiana Tech’s “Our setup in Robinson was College of Applied and actually in Woodard Hall,” Gary Kennedy, dean of the there have been some and more unified presence. up of the two previously cause the testing booth was patients from the office in Sciences, explains how This new school is made Bryan said. “We had to walkthem tested. Now they have of agricultural sciences Natural in the process of planning the merger. problems separate units of the department Robinson to Woodard to get why it took so long to “I honestly feel that saying and School of Forestry. much easier access.” bit unusual the two units merge the two units is hard, but I believe the budget cuts William Green thinks it is a the process of had to deal with slowed down have been separate here at Tech. of agricultural that we’ve said. department mergers,” Kennedy page 6 “At other universities, the department were already together, the > see SPEECH AND HEARING page 6 sciences and School of Forestry departments is not some> see DEPARTMENT MERGER but having mergers between thing new to us,” Green said.
The Louisiana Tech Speech and Hearing Center opens new center, facilities
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FROM THE EDITOR
MANAGEMENT
People need people
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Starla Gatson
MANAGING EDITOR Morgan Bernard
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STARLA GATSON Editor-In-Chief | sjg021@latech.edu
W
hen I was in elementary school, I decided I was not a fan of group projects. I always felt the need to take on the entire assignment by myself, not because my group members were ever unwilling to do their share of the work, but because, even as a young girl, I had a hard time leaving my fate — my grade — in anyone else’s hands. I knew what kind of grades I expected and I trusted myself, so who better to guarantee I get what I want than me? Flash forward to the present day: I’m still not a fan of group projects. Asking for help is not one of my strong suits, I still feel compelled to take on everything myself. But there’s always a reason a teacher or professor assigns a group project, and that reason is usually the same: the job is too big for one person. There are too many components of the project or so
many details that it’s almost impossible for a single person to complete it easily. Life, I’m learning, is kind of like a group assignment. Yes, it’s possible to do it on your own, but that doesn’t mean you should. I am a person who likes control. I trust myself to do the job correctly, and I know if I take on a task by myself and I don’t have to rely on anyone else to get it done, my fate never depends on anyone else. But because I try to tackle enormous workloads alone, I end up drowning in stress. There never seems to be enough time in the day to get everything done, and when things start to slip through the cracks, I’m left feeling like a failure because there’s no one to blame but by myself. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned this year is that asking for help is not a sign of weakness. Admitting a job can’t be completed or an idea can’t be fully developed without someone else’s assistance does not threaten your intelligence
or abilities.Life is not meant to be lived alone. If we were capable of doing everything by ourselves, we wouldn’t have family, the people we’re supposed to be able to trust and rely on to help carry the personal loads. We wouldn’t have friends to offer a listening ear or helping hand when things get too overwhelming to carry alone. We wouldn’t have coworkers to help split the difference when a job gets too big for one person to take on. Don’t misunderstand me; there’s nothing wrong with independence or being able to take care of yourself. In fact, self-sufficiency is an admirable trait. But sometimes, you need other people to succeed, and that’s perfectly OK. As it turns out, group projects may not be so bad. Starla Gatson is a senior communication major from Farmerville who serves as editor-in-chief for The Tech Talk.
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The Tech Talk welcomes letters to the editor. However, we reserve the right not to print anonymous letters. We also ask that each letter be accompanied by a telephone number, address and classification or title. We will not print the telephone number. Viewpoints should be mailed or brought to The Tech Talk office, 165 GTM by 4 p.m. the Friday prior to a Thursday publication. Letters should be mailed to The Tech Talk, P.O. Box 10258, Ruston, LA 71272. Emails should be sent to techtalk@latech.edu. You can also submit letters online at www. thetechtalk.org/home/ lettertotheeditor/. Louisiana Tech University is committed to the principle of providing the opportunity for learning and development of all qualified citizens without regard to race, sex, religion, color, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or veteran status for admission to, participation in, or employment in the programs and activities which the University sponsors or operates. For Title IX information, see University Policy #1445 at http:// www.latech.edu/administration/ policies-and-procedures/1445.shtml.
MORGAN BERNARD Managing Editor | mrb056@latech.edu
W
hat do our favorite childhood bands, TV shows and movies all have in common? They’re split up. Done. Never to return again to broadcasting, or so we thought. While looking through daily articles of pop news, I have come to discover a trend in television and music. There has been speculation of several shows, movies and music artists who are making a comeback. Classic shows like “Friends” and “The Office” had recent cast reunions which of course made fans hope for new seasons. These in particular seem quite unlikely, but you can’t help but want to join in on the fun. Who doesn’t want at least one of these shows to make a return? Everyone talks about wanting to go back to the old days of being a kid and living life carefree. So when casts from “High School Mu-
sical” or “Hannah Montana” have get-togethers, the inner child in you can’t help but feel excited. A time when Disney Channel was truly at its peak. We all knew it could only go downhill from there. Music fans are seeing this same hope for their favorite bands to return to the spotlight, particularly boy bands. The Jonas Brothers recently reactivated their band account, and several media posts have been allegedly hinting at their return. I can already hear “Year 3000” playing in sold out arenas. Even NSYNC fans have been culminating theories of a reunion tour. Could you imagine? Even though a lot of this seems far-fetched, I still have a tiny piece of me wanting to believe this is all true. We are already returning to the ‘90s and 2000s in the fashion world, so why not bring it all back? Among these speculations, I only saw one in particular that may have the slightest possibility of happening. A group I hold near and
dear to my high school memories, One Direction. Because they never “officially” split as a group (sans Zayn) and are on hiatus to do solo careers, fans have yet to give up. Recent photos of the members bumping into each other at award shows and other events have popped up recently, making their fanbase only assume the best. I know I probably should be, but I am not ashamed to say that if there were a reunion tour, I would be in the crowd. I can already picture a stadium full of college girls screaming just like they did as freshmen in high school. Even if you don’t appreciate any shows, movies or bands I have previously mentioned, just think of your own favorites as a kid. No matter who you are, you can’t help but smile a little at the thought. Morgan Bernard is a junior communication major from Echo who serves as managing editor for The Tech Talk.
ONE MAN’S BEET
The great Tom Brady RODERIC LLOYD Staff Reporter | rsl010@latech.edu
T
om Brady’s legacy was solidified well before he earned his third Super Bowl nod in four years. I am not a fan of Tom Brady, or the Patriots for that matter, but I cannot deny his greatness and seemingly endless consistent level of play on this historic run. At 40 years old, Brady has led the Patriots to yet another Super Bowl berth on the heels of an MVP caliber season. He finished the regular season with 4,577 yards and 32 touchdowns, statistics that are profound for a quarterback at his age or any for that matter in any given season. Brady has been to seven Super Bowls and won five. Words like consistency and longevity do not do what he has continuously put on display justice. It takes consistency year-to-year to maintain longevity in the NFL, so what Brady
has accomplished thus far is simply unheard of. He was the seventh quarterback selected and a sixth-round draft pick out of Michigan in 2000. The scouting report heading into that draft pegged him as a skinny system player, lacking mobility and arm strength. All of these are small details that have motivated Brady from day one. He has carried that chip on his shoulder throughout the entirety of his career and that passionate fire continues to burn. From the moment he saw any real action as a starter in the NFL, he won a Super Bowl and the Patriots have not suffered a losing season since. He is a 13-time Pro Bowler, twotime MVP and holds many more historical accolades. Last season, Brady led his team out of a 28-3 hole to complete the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history against the Atlanta Falcons to capture his fifth title. Sunday afternoon he looked
to do the same as the Patriots were down by 10 against the Jacksonville Jaguars heading into the fourth quarter. Brady methodically chipped away at the Jaguars’ defense to lead his team to another come from behind win, this time around to receive a berth to the Super Bowl. It was Brady’s 54th comeback victory of his career, as he looks to capture his sixth ring by Super Bowl LII’s end. Brady can solely hold the lead for most championships by a player with a win. It will be a rematch of the 2005 Super Bowl won by the Patriots 24-21 against the Philadelphia Eagles. I have never seen dominance at this level in a team-driven sport, but then again, I have never witnessed anyone quite like Tom Brady. Roderic Lloyd is a junior communication major from Longview, Texas who serves as a staff reporter for The Tech Talk.
TOPS cuts make a comeback L
ouisiana is in the midst of one of the worst budget crises that this state has seen in a while. Gov. John Bel Edwards’ budget proposal for the next fiscal year has to make several deep cuts to government programs unless current taxes that are set to expire in July are renewed or new taxes are raised. The New Orleans Times-Picayune reported last week that one of those cuts is likely to be an 80 percent reduction in funding to the TOPS scholarship program. The program currently costs the state around $300 million to run. If the current cuts go through, it would leave merely $58 million to run the program, meaning that students and schools will have to absorb the cuts to their budgets. Colleges in Louisiana will face not only budgetary issues, but issues recruiting and retaining the pipeline of students that would invest in local economies and be assets to the workforce once they graduate. A cut in funding to TOPS would drive in-state students to look elsewhere when deciding where to attend college. This would also wreak havoc on the bank accounts of lower-income students and force more to seek out loans to cover the costs of higher education. This could discourage many from going to college, as the cost could severely outweigh the potential opportunities. There have been a few solutions proposed to save TOPS from a drastic cut. Gov. Edwards said he did not want to cut from the program and instead wants to balance the budget with new forms of revenue like new taxes. Leadership in the House of Representatives appears to be willing to back an extension of the higher sales tax rate as well. Another proposal looks to reform the program by dropping the scholarship for wealthier students or changing the requirements to receive the scholarship. Statistics from the Louisiana House of Representatives fiscal office shows that the proportions of students getting TOPS from families with annual incomes of more than $100,000 have steadily grown since 2005. At The Tech Talk, we believe the TOPS program should at least be preserved in its current state to prevent a fallout that would hurt students, universities and the state. TOPS is crucial for Louisiana students to achieve their dreams of higher education, and choosing to divest from those students will only hurt the state in the long run. Politicians should not use the fates of thousands of Louisiana students as a bargaining chip in the budget deals. Although TOPS may be costly, it is a necessary and helpful expense in the state budget. The return value on the students of this state far exceeds that of the money poured in, and taking away a lifeline to many students will cause greater harm than good in the future.
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4 • The Tech Talk • January 25, 2018
Brockhampton releases ‘Saturation 3’ Saturation 3 HHHHI BRYN YOUNG News Editor | bjy001@ latech.edu The rap collective/boy band Brockhampton had one of the busiest years in the music industry in 2017. They dropped three separate albums with plenty of touring, videos and interviews in between. Their ability to produce content both musical and visual is a testament to the group’s work ethic and drive. Their latest project, “SATURATION 3”, was released Dec. 15 and rounded out the yearlong SATURATION project. The group lived up to the project’s name and saturated the hip-hop scene with their sound and content. The third installment felt very similar to the others but changed up the formula enough to make it refreshing and new. “BOOGIE,” the first single from the album, is an exciting, in-your-face tune that showcases what makes Brockhampton so unique. It mixes a trap-like dance beat with a loud repeating siren that really makes the song feel groovy but still very industrial.
Photo courtesy of iTunes
It also showcases a wonderful chemistry between the group’s vocal members as they jump back and forth on the track. The album’s consistency and overall cohesiveness brings a level of sophistication to the sound. Hard-hitting, bass-filled tracks bleed over into soft, popish bal-
lads or synth-heavy dance tunes. The sheer use of styles and instrumental sounds makes this album worth a listen to anyone who loves a diverse atmosphere to their music. The band uses this album as a way to showcase their pop side as well as giving spotlights to some
of the lesser utilized members of the band, such as Joba’s parts on both “BOOGIE” and “BLEACH.” Songs like “STUPID” mix slow tempos and extremely catchy hooks that will keep replaying in the listener’s head for days and weeks after. On the song “BLEACH,” we
hear Kevin Abstract, Joba and Ryan Beatty’s true vocal talents as they sing over chilling keyboard and snare melodies that sounds something like a movie soundtrack. The song was originally released alongside Kevin Abstract’s short film “Billy Star” which may explain the sound choices. Although the album is yet another great piece of artwork from the boyband, it does have its own issues. Though it does seem that BROCKHAMPTON tries to push their music in a different way, they seem to get stuck in their ways that were established on the first two SATURATION albums. Ameer Vann gets stuck in the habit of rapping with the same style that makes Brockhampton unique, the “Brockhampton flow” as music critic Anthony Fantano calls it. Although this style is theirs alone, it does get tiring listening to to the same slow, dramatic rapping patterns on every track. Even though the lesser known members get their spot in the limelight, every track still hinges on the interplay between Ameer Vann, Kevin Abstract and Matt Champion. “SATURATION 3” is ultimately another great album by a group that has exploded onto the scene and should be considered by anyone looking to find something refreshing and different.
Theatre dept. to debut ‘Living Dead in Denmark’ HANNAH JONES Staff Reporter | hej006@latech.edu
“Living Dead in Denmark” brings back to life the tragically star-crossed stories of some of Shakespeare’s most famous works. But in bringing back these lovers from the dead, a whole world of the undead follow and create havoc through which the Shakespearean heroines Ophelia, Juliet and Lady Macbeth must battle for their lost loves. The show premieres Tuesday in Stone Theatre and was written by Tech alumnus and Emmy and OBIE award-winner, Qui Nguyen. It conveys a story of friendship and love while also promising the audience action-packed, thriller romance with scenes of heroines fighting for their lost love in a post-apocalyptic world of zombies. Because of the Shakespearean background, a viewer may fear being unable to understand the dialogue. However, Katie Brumfield, an arts administration and stage management graduate student and the show’s production stage manager, said she is confident it will not be a problem. “It’s written in very millennial-style language, so it’s funny, but still poignant,” Brumfield said. “It’s like an action hero movie. The show includes lots of beautiful lighting and crazy cool combat. Sound is a big part of the show and there are beautiful costumes.”
Photo courtesy of Katie Brumfield
The cast of Living Dead in Denmark rehearses various fighting styles shown throughout the play. Along with the clarity of language is the benefit of combat to keep the audience on their toes. Emilie Belisle, a directing and management graduate student, serves as assistant director for “Living Dead in Denmark” and oversees the combatants in their preparation. “There’s a little bit of everything,” Belisle said. “There’s unarmed combat — slaps, punches, kicks that don’t involve weapons — and fighting with various weapons such as a quarterstaff, axes and good old swashbuckling, which is all about flare: very dramatic, very theatrical. But it’s not all serious; there’s some comical combat mixed in there.” The plethora of fighting styles is presented with each scene of combat and the introduction of new charac-
ters with differing skills. Olivia Willcox, a senior theatre major, is cast in the lead role of Ophelia, and said she enjoys the role because of the show’s creative and masterful synthesis of moving themes and relatability. “It’s one of my favorites,” Willcox said. “It’s not just a love story; it’s an actionpacked thriller with many twists. And what’s so cool about this show is that you don’t feel like you’re just watching a show. You feel like you’re going on an adventure because the language is so conversational and so relatable.” “Living Dead in Denmark” will run through Feb. 4, and tickets can be purchased at the box office by phone 257-3942 from 1-4:45 p.m. Monday-Friday or online at latechuniversitytheatre.com.
SPEAK MAGAZINE
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Running a rescue The voices of 4 Paws Rescue Inc. talk about its connection with the Lincoln Parish community MORGAN BERNARD Managing Editor | mrb056@ latech.edu
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hrowing balls, cleaning kennels and rubbing dog bellies are all in a day’s work at 4 Paws Rescue Inc., located in Ruston. 4 Paws is a nonprofit organization that’s mission, as stated on its website, is to provide food, shelter, medical care, recreation and a safe environment for homeless animals. Sue Martin, president of the organization, said 4 Paws began in 2005 as a foster system for rescued dogs and cats. As its animal occupants grew in numbers, they decided on finding a central location in Lincoln Parish to work from. In 2012, the rescue found a home in Ruston and has been here ever since. “We started out from just picking up dogs at dumpsters to building a reputation for 4 Paws,” Martin said. “Now we have people who bring animals to us. They know they will be cared for here.” Martin runs the nonprofit rescue with the help of many volunteers from Louisiana Tech, Ruston High School and the rest of the Ruston community, but 4 Paws enjoys opportunities to give back to the community as well. Martin said they have had instances where the organization has helped the city of Ruston and its people in need. “We’re more than just an animal rescue; we try to help people too,” she said.
“We share our extra animal food and supplies with the public, and we allow people to get their volunteer hours for school organizations and other things. That’s the great thing about it — this relationship with the community — it’s what keeps us going every day.” Martin said if 4 Paws continues to remain open successfully, she hopes to see great changes in its future, as they plan to work with the city’s animal shelter to house an even larger rescue. “There is a project called Moving Ruston Forward and part of that program is to build a state of the art shelter,” she said. “It’s been ongoing for a couple of years, but I’m told that ground should be broken at the end of this year.” Martin hopes for this collaboration with the city shelter as it will not only help 4 Paws continue, but also help more animals in need. “Our future is kind of in the balance right now,” she said. “We would like to become the main shelter of Ruston and let the city do animal control while we carry on the care, adoptions and other tasks that get the animals ready for new homes.” Martin said she has always loved her time with 4 Paws even through the difficulties. She believes the time and work is worth it to see the dogs become part of loving families. “When they do leave healthy and happy it makes
Photos by Ashley Kober
4 Paws is run with the help of many community volunteers from Louisiana Tech, Ruston High School and the rest of the community. the times where I have to make hard decisions a little easier,” Martin said. Calah Mershon, a manager at 4 Paws, said that doing work for the organization not only benefits the animals, but also the volunteers. “The people who volunteer with 4 Paws get a sense of accomplishment, and a way to say they gave back to their community,”
she said. “If not for us and the other volunteers, these dogs would be out on the street, in the cold, starving to death.” Mershon, a sophomore animal science major, said 4 Paws is lucky to be part of such a helpful community. “To our volunteers, your work is always appreciated and without people like you we wouldn’t be able to function,” she said. “It is with our
whole heart that we thank you for all you do.” Chandler Schulz, a volunteer at 4 Paws, said that being involved at the rescue has made him feel like a part of the Ruston community. “I’ve gained a sense of pride in our community,” he said. “It’s also a way to give back to the people of not only Ruston, but Lincoln Parish as a whole, by taking in dogs and allowing them
to find new homes.” Schulz, a junior history major, said this close connection between 4 Paws and Lincoln Parish is a large part of what keeps the rescue on its feet. “If we didn’t have the support of the people of Ruston, we wouldn’t have the money or the labor to help take care of our dogs,” he said. “The community is what runs 4 Paws.”
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6 • The Tech Talk • January 25, 2018
Tech’s freshmen duo pushes Bulldogs past North Texas MICHAEL LOVETT Staff Reporter | mdl034@latech.edu The Dunkin’ Dogs used career high performances from two of their freshmen to squeak past North Texas on last Thursday night in the Thomas Assembly Center. Freshmen Anthony Duruji and Amorie Archibald each scored careers highs of 25 and 21, making up almost 70 percent of the team’s offense, as the Bulldogs came away with a 66-65 win. Duruji made two clutch free throws down the stretch to seal the victory with under a second left in the game. Coming into the contest, the Bulldogs had seven games decided by four points or less, and they only won two of those. “I believe our guys were able to make plays when we needed to,” said Tech coach Eric Konkol. “I just think we were able to step up defensively and get stops when they were critical,” said Duruji. “Those stops were able to help get us over the hump.” With starting point guard DaQuan Bracey out for the third time this season with a back injury, Archibald did not waste the opportunity to once again step up and perform. “I was telling myself just play hard and give everything I have,” Archibald said. “I don’t care about points or assists or anything, I just want to win and carry my team as a point guard is supposed to.” Duruji has emerged as a key contributor for the Bulldogs and has become a regular starter in the lineup for Konkol and Co. “I feel like my confidence is growing,” Duruji said. “I’m getting more comfortable and gaining more trust from Coach, so I’m not afraid to make mistakes and and
Photo by Darrell James
Standout freshman forward Anthony Duruji handles the ball against North Texas, looking to add to his stat line of 25 points, seven rebounds and three blocks in the close win. worry about coach taking me out.” Archibald and fellow freshman Exavian Christon have seen significant role increases since sophomore guard Jalen Harris’ departure from the team. However, Archibald said he does not consider his role to be get-
ting bigger; he said he is only doing what is necessary to help his team improve and keep winning games. “I don’t feel my role is getting bigger than being the floor general,” he said. “I’m just playing basketball and doing what I need to do for my team to win.”
When asked about his career night, Duruji had this to say. “I was just playing my game and was trying to be aggressive offensively,” he said. “After I knocked down a couple of shots early my confidence grew and my teammates kept encouraging me to
keep shooting the ball from the three.” The Bulldogs one more home game left of a three game home stand after they beat the Rice Owls Jan. 20 and will now face the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles on Saturday.
Lady Techsters’ tough road trip comes to an end ANDREW BELL Sports Editor | agb022@latech.edu
Photo by Donny Crowe
Freshman guard Amber Dixon will lead the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs into Friday night’s C-USA game against Old Dominion.
After a grueling four-game road trip, the Lady Techsters should be relieved to be back home for their next two games. The Louisiana Tech women’s basketball team dropped their last game to Florida Atlantic (9-7, 3-2 Conference USA) in an 86-72 shootout, to even their record to 12-7 overall and 3-3 in C-USA. This game was the last of a grueling road trip in which Tech went 1-3. The Lady Techsters had no answer for FAU senior forward Sasha Cedeno, who is second in the conference in scoring (18.7 ppg) and sixth in rebounding (8.6 rpg). Cedeno racked up a game high 30 points while shooting 50 percent from the field, 57 percent from the 3-point line and 73 percent from the free-throw line. She also grabbed a game high 11 rebounds to round out a game-altering performance. Another key performer for FAU was junior guard Danneal Ford, who dropped 21 points and dished out seven assists to her teammates. For Tech, its shining performances included those from freshman guard Raizel Quinto, junior forward Reauna Cleaver and sophomore guard Anna McLeod. Quinto scored a team high 16 points while draining four threes, McLeod knocked down five of her eight shot attempts for 12 points
and Cleaver racked up 12 points but struggled from the free-throw line, only hitting six of her 18 attempts. Free-throws and threes were the death of Tech on this particular night. Tech struggled mightily from the free throw line, only making 11 of their 26 attempts for an abysmal 42 percent while FAU made 23 of their astounding 33 attempts. Tech actually shot well from 3-point land at 41 percent. However, they allowed FAU to shoot 7-14 from behind the arc. FAU also outrebounded Tech 50-35. With these statistical factors in FAU’s favor, it was tough for Tech to find a way to outduel the Owls. Head coach Brooke Stoehr and the Lady Techsters started conference play off well with a 3-1 record, but their last two consecutive losses dropped their conference record to 3-3. In order to bounce back, Stoehr believes they have a few adjustments to make. “We didn’t defend well enough down the stretch and put them at the free-throw line too many times instead of making them make shots,” Stoehr said. “At the end of the day, our focus as coaches and administrators has to be on the welfare of these students. We were put in a very difficult situation today and weren’t able to make enough plays to win the game.” Tech will look to get back on track Friday as they host Old Dominion (4-16, 2-4 C-USA) at 6:30 p.m.