The Tech Talk 10.19.17

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VOLUME 92 • ISSUE 1

SGA hosts Campus Safety Week STARLA GATSON Editor-in-Chief | sjg021@ latech.edu

“A culture of awareness, preparedness and confidence provides an advantage best realized when elf-defense, Title IX accepted wholly as part of and mental health university culture,” she said. awareness were just a According to Kiernan, few of the topics discussed the threats college students during the Student Governshould be prepared for dement Association’s second pends on one’s optic and annual Campus Safety can vary in form.

Week.

“Violence can occur From Oct. 9-13, the orwhere we live, where we ganization hosted informawork, where we learn, where tional events and panels we play and where we worcentered around various ship,” she said. “There are safety resources, including legions of examples in each those for mental health, of these venues with varysexual assault, domestic ing degrees of consequencviolence, emergency prees to those involved and to paredness and self-defense. the institutions where a vioThe week concluded with lent act occurs. The range the Little Event, a campus of threats external to those beautification project. brought on by natural disasBenjamin Rice, SGA ters include violence, propresident, said though this tests that devolve into vioyear’s events were fairly lence, radicalization, drug similar to its predecessor, and alcohol related issues, it’s primary difference was predatory sexual behavior the diverse group of stuand the less tactile threats dents that participated this related to theft and fraud.” year.

Jenna Price, the SGA’s “I think the biggest director of campus activiproblem about doing these Photo by Brian Blakely ties, said she believes stukinds of events is that the dents are now more aware people who most need to The week’s events included a panel to discuss sexual assault and the recent changes to Title IX. of the resources available hear about things like sexto them, and hopes that in ual assault or self-defense on recent updates to Title IX, Rice, a senior English major, said. former federal law enforcement are the ones that don’t show up, a federal legislation prohibiting “I know they may not fit under agent who has helped advise the future, they will take advanbut I think this year has been spe- sex discrimination in educational the typical umbrella, but mental leaders in campus safety man- tage of the golf cart service, the cial in that we have had a wide va- institutions, and mental health health issues like anxiety and de- agement, said universities should police department’s safety appliriety of students going to events,” awareness. pression are rampant on college treat each week as Campus Safe- cation and promptly report cases he said.

“Mental health and sexual as- campuses, so we felt as though we ty Week in order to develop a of stalking, harassment and misIn addition to addressing top- sault are more likely to affect a needed to address them.” mindset of enhanced situational conduct to the police. ics like self-defense, the week’s student on campus than a robKathleen Kiernan, CEO of Ki- awareness that is used on a daily > see SAFETY page 6 events also included information bery, so why not include them?” ernan Group Holdings, Inc. and basis.

S

HIIM Master’s program earns national ranking MORGAN BERNARD News Editor | mrb056@ latech.edu Louisiana Tech’s department of health informatics and information management (HIIM) was recently ranked 17th in Best Programs for a master’s degree in health informatics by thebestcolleges.org.

Tech is the only university in the state of Louisiana with a Top-20 ranked program in health informatics. It is also ranked sixth in the South, and the only program in the South located west of the Missis-

sippi River that was recognized.

Jan Fuller, interim department head and associate professor in HIIM, said the ranking from thebestcolleges.org was influenced by various aspects of the degree program.

“The ranking is based upon common predictors of future success such as the admissions rate, student loan default rate, retention rate, graduation rate and the percent of students enrolled in online classes,” Fuller said. “I think our students’ success

in completing the program online as well as the support provided by Louisiana Tech faculty and staff led to receiving this ranking.”

According to thebestcolleges.org, the master’s degree in health informatics (HIM) is a 45-credit program designed for working professionals. The coursework in this online master’s degree is delivered asynchronously, and students must have at least two years of work experience in health care, information technology or a related field. Other requirements

for admission include a bachelor’s degree in health information management or a related field and a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Applicants who do not meet these standards may still be eligible on a caseby-case basis. A maximum of 12 graduate transfer credits with a B- grade or above may be transferred in during the application process.

The website also states that according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment is projected to grow 15 percent between

2014 and 2024 for healthcare information technicians.

Most common professional trajectories for those with a master of HIM include careers as health information specialists, clinical informatics managers, health information managers, informatics nurses and information technology project managers.

Gary Kennedy, dean of the College of Applied and Natural Sciences, said he is proud of the master’s program and believes its work is admired by many.

He said the success of the health informatics program shows through the hard work put into it by Tech’s faculty.

“The program facilitates meaningful, interdisciplinary research and innovation with a goal of improving population health, reducing healthcare costs and improving healthcare quality,” Kennedy said. “An academic program is only as good as its faculty, and this national ranking certainly reflects the excellent HIIM faculty that we have at Louisiana Tech.”

NEWS

2 • The Tech Talk • October 19, 2017

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Tech moves forward with newly renovated Tech Table The newest additions to Tech’s student center and cafeteria SCOTT MAGGIO Staff Reporter | smm105@latech.edu

of samples and there were long lines for everything throughout the day.”

New additions to Tech Table include: meals cooked in front of the students, fresher and better quality foods, two new food stations, all day breakfast bar, home zone station, increased seating, WIFI capabilities, more USB outlets and a more open building to attract more students. The renovation process started as soon as school ended in spring 2016 and was ready in time for when school started in the fall.

Despite the Food Court closing down, almost all of the places have been relocated or moved inside of Tech Table. Chicken Bowl has been moved inside of Tech Table from Kickin’ Cajun on its normal Wednesdays for lunch.

Sushic and Burger Studio has been moved inside of Tolliver Hall beside McAli-

On September 21, Louisiana Tech held its ribbon cutting for the newly renovated Tech Table in its Student Center that featured food sampling, gift giveaways and a live DJ. Ruston Mayor Ronnie Walker, Les Guice, board members, Jim King and major Aramark employees were on hand for the renovation ceremonies.

The event started with the ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. and lasted until 2 p.m.

Throughout the four-hour ceremony, multiple gift cards and prizes were raffled off. One Tech student won a FitBit and another won a flat screen TV. “It was a very good turnout by not only students but people in the community,” Ivey Miller, Aramark marketing coordinator, said. “There were so many people we actually ran out

ster’s. Despite Wing It being removed, Tech Table will be having wing nights in the future to replace Wing It. “I think the new renovation to the cafe is a big step in modernizing our campus to becoming more and more appealing to students,” Austin Brannon, a senior clinical kinesiology major, said. “Expanding and adding additional seating helps the cafe to become more appealing to the students on campus.”

“Dr. King, his staff and Aramark started working with various organizations last fall to accommodate the students’ needs so they would enjoy the cafeteria more,” Miller said.

“Throughout the renovation process, retail has gone up some and everyone is very impressed with Tech Table.”

Aramark bosses have also been very impressed with the renovations and how the students have re-

Photo by Jonathan Shaul

Students stand in line in the newly renovated cafeteria.

sponded. There have not been too many negative responses coming from students about Tech Table.

More changes are in the works and themed nights are in the works for the fu-

ture. Tech Table is looking to hold events in the cafeteria and on campus to get students involved for different food nights throughout the rest of the year.

“We are glad the stu-

dents enjoy the changes that are being made and we hope they continue to give us feedback so we can help improve the student’s Tech Table experience,” Miller said.

Sigma Phi Lambda hosts Waffles for World Vision MORGAN BERNARD News Editor| mrb056@ latech.edu Louisiana Tech students had the opportunity to help change the world by eating waffles during Waffles for World Vision, an event hosted by Sigma Phi Lambda.

The Christian sorority held the fundraiser on Oct. 12 to raise money for their philanthropy organization World Vision, a group that provides necessities to impoverished countries such as clean water and education, and helps people in need during natural disasters in the U.S. The event consisted of a waffle bar and musical entertainment for those who attended.

Miranda Howland, treasurer of Sigma Phi Lambda and coordinator of the event, said the idea of having a waffle night came from other university’s chapters within the sorority.

“I was talking with treasurers from other chapters and they mentioned they have had waffle nights as one of their philanthropy events,” she said. “I really love waffles and love the alliteration that Waffles for World Vision provides. I proposed it to our philanthropy officers and they loved the idea.”

Howland, a junior early childhood education

major, said she believed people enjoyed the waffles and music, and the event exceeded the sorority’s expectations.

“I think it went really well,” she said. “Our goal was to raise $750 and we made over that. We had a good number of people show up and everyone seemed to have a really good time. There was a lot of positive feedback from people so that was really encouraging.”

Howland said the waffle night was successful in informing Tech students about World Vision as well as raising funds for the organization.

“We had a lot of people interested in what World Vision stood for and all of the amazing things that they do around the world,” she said. “The main goal for this event was to raise awareness of what World Vision does, and I honestly feel as though we accomplished that.

Matthew Hannah, a junior fashion merchandising major, attended the event and said he enjoyed it.

“The waffles are great of course, but it is also a relaxed, fun environment for people to make new friends and hang out,” he said. “I really like coming to events like these where everyone can just enjoy

the food, music and people around them.”

Hannah Harper, president of Sigma Phi Lambda, said she enjoys supporting World Vision as her sorority’s philanthropic organization because the service they do always goes toward helping those in need.

“They (World Vision) share some of the same beliefs that we have in Phi Lamb,” Harper said. “They help make the quality of life better in developing countries, but they also work with disaster relief during things like the recent hurricanes in the United States.”

Harper, a junior biomedical engineering major, said the event turned out to be more than she had hoped for and she is now looking forward to other Sigma Phi Lambda events in the future.

“We have a wiffle ball tournament coming up in the spring, so now I’m excited to see if the turnout is as great as tonight was,” she said. “Sigma Phi Lambda is still growing so this was a different way to get our name out there, and I think the students here seem to be having a lot of fun. We are still fairly new at Tech — this will be our third year on campus — so I’m really impressed to see this event go so well.”

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NEWS

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October 19, 2017 • The Tech Talk • 3

Students Dunk-a-Delta for disaster relief BRYN YOUNG News Editor | bjy001@latech.edu In the wake of recent disasters across the United States, the men of Delta Chi and the women of Tri Delta and Kappa Delta spent Oct. 11 getting soaked to fundraise for the relief efforts Hurricane season unleashed several devastating storms across the Gulf of Mexico with Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico being the centers of the disasters. CNN reports that as of Sunday, Oct.15 nearly 85 percent of Puerto Rico was still left without power, leaving 3 million Americans in the dark.

Moody’s Analytics said the combined costs of hurricanes Harvey and Irma are estimated to be from $150 billion to $200 billion.

The second annual Dunk-a-Delta fundraiser helped raise more than $400 as well as donations of supplies including clothing, toiletries, diapers and pet-care items. These donations will be going to the charities Feeding America, Habitat for Humanity, Americares and the Humane Society of the U.S. to

help with the food, shelter, health care and pet-care needs of victims of hurricanes Harvey, Maria and Irma.

Skyler King, Delta Chi vice president, said this event gave him and the Greek organizations involved a way to help out in the face of such large catastrophe.

“Between the disasters caused by the hurricanes, the devastation in Las Vegas and the tragedy at LSU, it’s a great feeling to get out and help people in need while also showing the positive side of Greek Life,” King said.

King said that Hurricane Harvey hit close to home for several members of the Delta Chi fraternity, which motivated them to help out in any way possible.

“Our chapter has members who were personally victimized by Hurricane Harvey, and we all had friends and family who were impacted by the damage it caused,” King said.

“We were already planning on doing something, and when Hurricanes Irma and Maria hit, we asked Tri Delta and Kappa Delta if they wanted to help us

Photo by Bryn Young

A participant aims at the target of the dunking booth as part of the Dunk-A-Delta fundraiser.

with this event, and they were more than eager to help.”

The members spent their time collecting donations, getting in the tank and getting passersby to spend a dollar to dunk a

Louisiana Tech Concert Association hosts Soul Street Dance Crew

Delta.

Lauren Giddens, a sophomore marketing major and Kappa Delta member, was one of those who helped get students to participate in the event or donate items. She said she

thought the Dunk-A-Delta event was an interesting and exciting way to raise money for many people in need of aid.

“I think it’s a fun way to raise money for a good cause,” Giddens said. “It’s

also kind of smart because if you miss, you are going to want to keep going and going and it will raise more money. And, it’s for a good cause because it is helping people out — people that lost everything they had.”

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4 • The Tech Talk • Octber 19, 2017

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A RUNNER’S RAMBLINGS

MANAGEMENT

Smile like you meme it

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Starla Gatson

MANAGING EDITOR Kacie Kaufman

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Brian Blakely

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KACIE KAUFMAN Managing Editor| kjk019@latech.edu

F

ree time. Something we often claim to have very little of, as college students. Yet, in reality, we have an excess of time on our hands. Think of the number of times you pick up your phone during the day to scroll through Facebook or Instagram and tag your friends and followers in photos or memes. It may count as a substantial portion of your day in totality, yet this sacrifice of time gives us the digital connection we now crave.

We have set a new standard for communication. We’ve progressed from basic T-9 texting emoticons to emojis to a combination of Bitmoji animations, GIFs and memes filling our inboxes and social media pages. We find relatable situations in the midst of our seemingly endless scrolls, and in turn, we continue to return to these sites to find new variations and content.

In particular, photos captioned with relatable quotes have found a way into daily communication.

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thought I was the only who thought or did this,’ provides a sense of relief and gratification, and even fosters a sense of social belonging.

Take, for example, Grumpy Cat, a champion of millennial values. This cat is constantly dissatisfied and dislikes typical social situations. These photos have morphed into a widely shared internet phenomenon.

Memes give us an idea of what it is to be human, often through nonhuman personification. There is a meme for almost every mood or situation, depending on whether you feel like being a Grumpy Cat person, or if you’re feeling more like a Buddy the Elf. They give us a way to show our emotions with no physical action and provide an outlet of sorts.

While this connection can provide positive benefits, it can take up significant time, and it is necessary to be aware of this. Please scroll responsibly, and be a meme queen (or king).

Kacie Kaufman is a senior communications major from Loveland, Colorado.

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Instead of a simple message composed entirely of text, now we send each other memes to convey emotions and as part of responses. There are entire Facebook pages and other venues entirely devoted to the creation and sharing of these posts.

Memes may only be digital images, but they are having a profound impact on human interaction. Relationships can be strengthened through sharing, and tagging one friend in a meme (and not another) can foster jealousy. In fact, there are memes about the importance of including friends in memes. What keeps us coming back to exchanges such as these?

According to Mauricio Delgado, associate professor of psychology at Rutgers University, many social media interactions produce a positive reaction in the brain, and this triggers a release of dopamine. According to him, this conditions people to return to these sites.

In essence, we are all truly just looking to belong. Finding a picture encapsulating a moment and the realization of, ‘Thank goodness, I

What would you do?

SCOTT MAGGIO

Staff Reporter| smm105@latech.edu

A

few weeks ago I had to pleasure of listening to Tom Rinaldi, and ESPN reporter, speak in my hometown of Natchitoches, Louisiana. Tom Rinaldi holds a ton of positions on ESPN but one of his top jobs is as a reporter for the Emmy award winning show E:60. Rinaldi narrated the story of Welles Crowther in E:60 and eventually wrote a book called “The Man in the Red Bandana.”

While listening to Rinaldi speak he often asked a question: what would you do in the last hour of your life?

Many people would do all the things they wish they hadn’t done previously throughout their lives but not Welles Crowther who spent the last hour of his life saving others. Crowther was a former Boston College lacrosse player and was at the time a financial broker in New York City. He was 24 years old and had his whole life ahead of him.

He was about a year away from making a salary until a plane went through his building, the North Town Tower.

It was Sept. 11, 2001, at 9:02 a.m.

Many people were running trying to get out but not Welles. Welles stayed to get people out. Welles had a red bandana he had his whole life and covered it over his mouth to go and save people. Over the course of the last hour of his life, Welles saved 18 people in the North Twin Tower. Multiple times, Welles brought the person down and every time turned around to go save others. Welles eventually died when the towers collapsed, but his legacy lived on. Many people went on to talk about the courageous efforts of “the man in the red bandana.” His story spread around, it became a feel good story during the hard days after 9/11 and is still inspiring to this day.

While listening to Rinaldi speak, I sat back and myself and asked, “would you go back to save lives or would you save yourself ?” When you ask yourself that question you immediately think, of course I would go back and save others but what would be the honest truth? I know I personally would be trying to get out of that building before it collapses. My answer

to that question is a sad truth about what most Americans would do today, we often put ourselves before others.

In a world today, with so much hate and division the story about Welles and stories like his could often change the way we think and act. We love to hear about stories like his but hate to be the one on the other side of the story. We all would love to have the title hero but would not want to see ourselves lose our lives in the process.

Welles had it all going for him and could be very successful at this exact moment but he decided to risk his life to save others.

At the end of his speech, Rinaldi told a story about how Welles’ parents gave him a red bandana after his E:60 story and book became popular and left a single quote on the inside of it. It said, “Always Go Back Up!” In today’s world, it’s so easy to go back down but in all walks of life and whatever you do, always go back up.

Scott Maggio is a sophomore communications major from Natchitoches, Louisiana.

TJ TALKS

Where are we, America?

TERRY PITTMAN JR Staff Reporter|tgp005@latech.edu

O

ur generation has the awkward privilege to live in a time period where technology and social media is thriving. This privilege comes with the pro of being able to communicate instantly with people across the globe. Sadly it also comes with the con of individuals being able to spread hate, ignorance and bigotry.

In the wake of national anthem protest and white supremacy rallies, I asked myself how did we as a country get here. I found myself being attracted America’s past more than its present. After a short phone call home I convinced my mother to bring my sisters to Birmingham, Alabama so that we could visit the Civil Rights Institute as a family.

Birmingham has a history drenched in racism and tragedy which was made clear when viewing a classroom for whites compared to one for blacks.

On Sept 15, 1963, four members of the Ku Klux Klan planted at least 15 sticks of dynamite attached to a timer beneath the steps of the church building. Four girls who were only 11 to 14 years old died instantly, with 22 other children being injured. On display at the museum was a purse, a small children’s Bible and a shoe were all centered around several pieces of brick that were removed from the girls skull.

As I stood there my thoughts were filled with confusion and my heart was filled with outrage. How much hate must be in a person’s heart to bomb a place of worship and peace? Is a black persons’ God any less of a God than a white persons’? How can something as thin as skin divide a town, a state and a country to its very core?

The bombing served as a turning point for the Civil Rights movement, but why did it take the death of four young girls for the citizens of Birmingham to rally around humanity rather than race. Like the 16th Street Baptist Church, Amer-

ica will make it through this patch of racial tension, but at what cost?

There must be a compromise before our country reaches a point of another civil war.

I challenge anyone who reads this to step out of your comfort zone, friend group and social class.

Have productive conversation about race, politics and anything else outside the norm. Our country needs us to band together as humans so that history doesn’t repeat itself. It costs you absolutely nothing to do one act of kindness a day, but it will cost you everything to not be better tomorrow than you were today. It’s 2017; more importantly it’s time we stop acting like it’s 1953.

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.

Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr TJ Pittman is a senior political science/pre-law major born in Baumholder, Germany.

Time to start gunning for change

W

hile the necessity of stricter gun regulations has been questioned for years, the topic has recently come back to the forefront of the minds of the American public following a mass shooting at a Las Vegas music festival.

The shooting, which occurred Oct. 2, left 58 dead and more than 500 injured and, according to CNN, is now ranked as the deadliest mass shooting in modern American history. In the aftermath of the attack, the American people were left filled with grief and a desire for change.

The argument is not whether or not measures should be taken to prevent future attacks, but is instead about the extent of the measures taken.

Many believe that, with stricter gun control legislation or by banning guns entirely, mass shooting incidents in the United States will decrease dramatically or cease completely. Gun control supporters argue that in countries with strict gun laws, like Australia, the homicide incidence rates are lower than they have been in decades.

Those who oppose gun control argue that, even if guns were banned, people will still find ways to obtain them illegally. They believe that banning guns will take away a valuable method of self-defense, and tougher limits on purchasing a gun would do almost no good, as those who could not buy guns would just steal or borrow them. Regulations for owning a gun are already in place: federally required background checks are already in place in many states, and some states limit the purchase of guns to just once a month.

Those who are anti-gun control also make the case that, in the instance that guns are banned entirely, it would be nearly impossible to confiscate hundreds of thousands of weapons across the country.

At The Tech Talk, we feel there are ample regulations that limit the types of guns that are available for purchase. However, an updated process is needed to determine who can buy or access guns. A more thorough screening process is necessary and should include measures to be certain that the gun’s buyer is in fact mentally stable enough to own a weapon.

Though it is not our opinion that guns should be banned entirely, we feel the implementation of a stricter screening process would do no harm.

The Tech Talk staff would rather see more restrictions enforced and less lives taken than have no new action taken at all.

It should be acknowledged that updated regulations will not stop gun deaths completely, but just a few lives saved would be worth the change.

5 • The Tech Talk • October 19, 2017

‘Blade Runner 2049’ reconnects series to roots Blade Runner 2049 HHHII RODERIC LLOYD Staff Reporter | rsl010@LaTech.edu “Blade Runner 2049,” a sequel to the original film “Blade Runner,” premiered Oct. 6 with great anticipation from a longtime avid fan base.

The cinematic prowess within this film was on display from the opening scene. The film’s landscape panned out into endless amounts of deserted land filled with pollution, so much so that it was often impossible to differentiate figures from the smog. It provided an introspective peek into the life of a “blade runner,” a machine-based replicant human and the secrets that lie within.

The actors portraying the lead characters, K (Ryan Gosling), and Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) play their roles well but the plot and more importantly the ending, leaves a bit to be desired.

K is a modern day blade runner replicant designed to hunt and kill older rogue blade runners that were flawed with emotions. Rick

Photo from Vox

Ryan Gosling and Harrison Ford star in the sequel to the classic “Blade Runner” film

is the most sought-after replicant because of the secrets he holds, defiant freedom he represents and life he created.

The film lacks a surefire antagonist, as K begun hunting rogue replicants but eventually found him-

self working alongside Rick searching for his own true identity and purpose because of what he believes is childhood memories sparked by an origami horse. I found it awkward for a film with violence and action to lack an adversary

to the greater good of a protagonist.

The creator of the modernized and more subservient replicants, Niander Wallace (Jared Leto) came into the fold but never as a focal point or outright adversary to Rick

Gaga opens up in Netflix film Gaga: Five Foot Two HHHHI SARAH-KATHERINE SEMON Staff Reporter | sks033@latech.edu “Gaga: Five Foot Two,” the unfiltered documentary of one of the biggest pop stars in the world hit streaming services Sept. 22. The film, released by Netflix, takes viewers into a day in the life of Lady Gaga.

The singing sensation spared no truth in the movie, making it an honest and genuine representation of her true self. Gaga is known for her outlandish outfits and somewhat strange songs. The documentary shows the real, human side of the singer.

The documentary takes viewers on an up-closeand-personal ride through Gaga’s life as an international superstar. From producing her latest album to playing with her pups, the film shows the Grammyaward winner in her natural habitat, providing a raw look into the world of Gaga.

The documentary shows a behind-the-scenes look at the intimate process of producing an album. Mark Ronson, music producer extraordinaire, makes multiple appearances throughout the film, helping Gaga with her most recent album. In

shows Gaga explaining the story behind Joanne, the namesake for her most recent album. In an interview with The New York Times she recalls the story of her aunt, who lost her life to an illness before Gaga was born.

The scene opens a wound in Gaga and she bleeds out onscreen for the viewers to see; this is music for listeners but for Gaga, it is her life. Behind the clothes, hair and makeup, Gaga is a human being just like everyone else and this documentary shows this.

She talks a lot about her former albums and the person she was and where she was in life when those albums were made and released. It Photo from E! is clear that Gaga has Lady Gaga’s documentary released to Netflix Sept. 22, 2017 grown tremendously and triumphed through these scenes in particular, control and is working every many low-points in her it is clear that Gaga cares day to be her best self. life.

A standout in the docuabout her music and surAlthough Gaga is clearly rounds herself with people mentary is not a person working through some very who support her in her en- or thing, but the honesty difficult things, the film still of Gaga. She held nothing portrays her as the intellideavors.

She explains she has back, from sharing her feel- gent and strong woman she tried for years to not lose ing towards other artists, is. The documentary as a control to the “higher-ups” like Madonna, to the ups whole shows not a celebrity in the music industry. It is and downs of the condition but a person coming into evident, not only in her mu- of her health. her own and realizing she Perhaps the most emo- does not have to apologize sic but also in her documentary, that she has kept that tional scene in the film for who she is.

or the replicant freedom movement. He only strived to acquire knowledge that could further his development of modernized replicants. Knowledge that could only come from the secret that he obliviously worked alongside, in Dr.

Ana Stelline (Carla Juri).

It felt as if Wallace was only there to connect the backstory of this film to what had taken place in the original. A spotty placeholder in the role of what should be a villain.

Stelline, the daughter of Rick and Rachel (Sean Young), another replicant, was secretly birthed and hidden for 30 years. Stelline seemed to be the ultimate quest for all characters within the film but only appeared sporadically.

If you are in search for that exuberant actionpacked film, “Blade Runner 2049” may come across as a bit of a disappointment.

It implores a lot of scenes filled with high octane action and violence, but the visuals often provide more information than the characters and their place of importance in the film themselves. The lack of context or heightened involvement of Stelline and Wallace left holes in the films storyline.

“Blade Runner 2049” in my opinion employs a loose plot but is strengthened by great visuals. If you appreciate solid cinematography with a side of action then this is definitely a film for you.

WE ARE

6 • The Tech Talk • October 19, 2017

WEEKLYHOROSCOPE www.horoscopes.com.net

Aries March 21 – April 19 To turn Finally Aries/ram the excitement of last month are pleased to you to know that things should start to bottom now to agree. It is an opportunity for promotion and boys should be something extremely positive stock news also expected. Romance can be tricky!

Taurus Apr 20 - May 20 Taurus success should be your sounding slogan this month, while he finally within your reach.

Your social life may suffer, but it is worth it in the end. A friend tried and you and it may be necessary off your foot, at least until the last week of September below.

Gemini May 21 - Jun 20 Gemini, You have more this month a little beyond.

Work or school is good and you should take a break from the pressures Register. Margin looks good as friendship groups, so a trip away with your group of miners just the tonic means that you need now!

Cancer Jun 21 - Jul 22 Cancer You have some important milestones in your life so far this year and now is the time when you with some satisfaction can sit back and look at all that you have achieved. Spend time with your family and recharge your batteries new, during a busy autumn ahead are ready!

Leo Jul 23 - Aug 22 Leo, reflection is not your favorite activity than you, the much prefer to be active. However, you must spend some time thinking in particular in the direction of a relationship. They believe little, towards the end of the month is exhausted, it would be a good idea to have more time to Sozialisieren to give.

Virgo Aug 23 - Sep 22 Virgo, you still feel something on a height after last month’s successes. This is a risky time, as you may be inclined to unwise to invest or someone to trust your best interests at heart

may not have. Treat this month as a time to focus on everyday tasks and concentrate all major decisions should be avoided.

Libra Sep 23 - Oct 22 Libra, Venus is back this month, although now the emphasis much more on your love life rather than friendships. Single Librans may well meet someone, by the middle of the month and is specifically attached Librans recalls, it was about her partner, the first called.

Scorpio Oct 23 - Nov 21 Scorpio practicing your natural caution this month, they gave all sorts of business opportunities. However, you may caution to the wind in the affairs of the heart throw. Abnormally feel about your innermost feelings with someone special this month comfortable.

Sagittarius Nov 22 - Dec 21 Thanks to your shooter natural optimism, you are always ready to change and new ideas.

You have the chance to be a leader this month, while the less you to benefit from a new concept convinced. Emotional grow in sensitivity and understanding of this month.

Capricorn Dec 22 - Jan 19 Capricorn Taking the risk of creating major tensions within a relationship, if you continue your work agenda before the main life. A reliable friend has some wise advice about your uncertainty in regard to some close-held ambition. Try and open up a little more and all are good.

Aquarius Jan 20 - Feb 18 Aquarious, You have a naturally Ruhelosigkeitsstreifen and this is to the front at the moment fetched. They are sharp, new challenges to learn and if you steer this constructively, it could be an opportunity for greater recognition at work or school. Love feels towards the end of the month particularly satisfied.

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CROSSWORDPUZZLE Across 1. Like old friends 6. Paint crudely 10. Pro ___ 14. Let up 15. ___ mater 16. Paradise 17. Viscounts’ superiors 18. Tears 19. Tidy 20. Achievement 23. Slangy denial 24. Battery size 25. Sense of self 26. Ques. response 27. Large punch bowl 32. Per 35. Freedom from war 36. Agnus ___ 37. Direct 41. Driver’s aid 42. Approaches 43. That’s ___!

44. Almond-flavored liqueur 46. Part of UNLV 48. Best 49. Fall back 50. Apt. divisions 53. Mathematical operation 58. Blackbird 59. Musical composition for two 60. Apportion 61. Bread spread 62. Writer Sarah ___ Jewett 63. Have a feeling about 64. Org. 65. Cordelia’s father 66. Bury Down

DAILY U

1. Song of joy 2. Fiber obtained from a banana plant 3. Durable wood 4. WWII battle site 5. Toady 6. “Our Gang” girl 7. Et ____ (and other men) 8. Strike callers 9. Beat up 10. Go back on one’s word 11. Glandular 12. Milk source 13. Hill dweller 21. Dance step 22. Unit just above a yard 26. Bingo!

27. Paris subway 28. Lummoxes 29. Cpl., e.g.

30. Actress Hatcher 31. Conceal 32. This, in Tijuana 33. Up and ___!

34. Living things 35. Excellent, slangily 38. All thumbs 39. Obtain 40. Used to be 45. Deodorant type 46. Fond du ___ 47. 1992 Wimbledon champ 49. Unit of volume 50. Laughing 51. Code name 52. Villain’s look 53. “Alice” diner 54. Object of devotion 55. Free from contamination 56. Singer Horne

57. Not now 58. Extinct bird

LAST ISSUE’S SOLUTION

Have any ideas for future comics or feedback? Email dwyer@latech.edu

Pisces Feb 19 - Mar 20 As the oldest pisces in the zodiac sign, you have a for-permission to respect natural. However, this month you can you at least have little to rebel when you achieve your goals. You can surprise you on how much you can be somebody and he

PLEASE!

R E M E M B E R to R E CYC L E

> SAFETY from pg. 1 “In order for these initiatives to work and be effective, students must be willing to use them,” she said.

“We have many resources, but the students do not use them to their full capability.”

Price, a senior sociology major, said she not only wanted to promote physical safety initiatives, but also those promoting mental health.

“So many students are affected by mental health issues but because these are not physical symptoms and problems, they bury the hurt,” she said. “There is not the same stigma on mental health as there used to be. Help for students who

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suffer from mental health issues, even if it’s temporary, is available and usage should be encouraged.”

Price said she helped create Campus Safety Week specifically to show students how much they are cared for by the university and its administration.

“Families take care of each other and that is why we have all these resources,” she said. “The heart I put behind this event is not only for awareness but also for each and every student.

I love Tech because it has been a place where I can learn, grow and be loved.

No student should ever feel like they cannot have these things also.”

SUDOKUPUZZLE

www.sudoku-puzzles.net

Difficulty VERY EASY Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 grid contains the digits 1 through 9.

LAST ISSUE’S SOLUTION

Sudoku Puzzle - Easy

Sudoku Solution - Easy

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www.sudoku-puzzles.net

More Puzzles:

More Puzzles:

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October 19, 2017 • The Tech Talk • 7

More Talk A comeback story:

Completed

Photos by Donny Crowe

Jaqwis Dancy (23) reaches for a touchdown against Northwestern State University in the 2017 season opener.

ANDREW BELL Staff Reporter | agb022@latech.edu It was second and goal for Louisiana Tech on the 4-yard line, with the game tied. Jaqwis Dancy had just gotten a carry and was stopped short of the goal line. The offensive linemen in front of him huffed and puffed as they got in their stances, ready to pave the way for their fellow running back to score the first collegiate touchdown of his career.

Dancy had been waiting for this moment for years. “(Coach Skip Holtz) tells everybody to work their hardest and prepare like we’re starters,” Dancy said. “So the time came and it was my moment. I had been preparing for this the whole time.”

On the next play, Dancy would receive the most momentous hand-off of his life. The ball was snapped, sophomore quarterback J’mar Smith took it, shifted left and transferred it to Dancy.

Thundering forward, he was tripped up before reaching the end zone; but in a miraculous output of pure effort and grit Dancy lunged forward, crossing the plane and fulfilling a lifetime goal simultaneously.

“It was the icing on the cake,” Dancy said. “Practicing and everything, it felt

After showing so much potential as good to be back and the first time stepping on the field was great, but my first a freshman, many were expecting him time stepping in the end zone; there’s no to develop a bigger role and more responsibilities in Tech’s offense in his true better feeling in the world than that.”

That score not only helped Tech de- sophomore year.

These expectations were feat Northwestern State 52-54 shattered by the heartbreakin the season opener for both, ing news of the diagnosis of it completed Dancy’s win over “I definitely stage three Hodgkin’s lymcancer. feel like gophoma in early October 2016.

Dancy, a redshirt sophoGerald Jordan, assistant more running back from Junc- ing through athletic director for sports tion City, Arkansas, grew up what I went medicine and head football with a single mother and three through athletic trainer, helped break siblings. the news to Dancy.

“Growing up, it was kind of made me the “Obviously, when we had tough at times,” Dancy said. person that I to deliver that news it was “I was with a single mother, a shocking, but after that he little sister and two older broth- am today.” really handled the entire proers, but my mom always told us cess like a champ,” Jordan to just work hard at everything JAQWIS DANCY sophomore said. “He stayed enrolled as we did.” running back a full-time student the entire That work ethic instilled time and juggled his classes. in Dancy from a young age helped him get through the trials and His instructors were great to work with and our athletic department assisted him tribulations that were soon to come.

After being recruited to Louisiana along the way.”

According to head football coach Tech as a three-star running back out of Junction City High School, Dancy began Skip Holtz, Dancy’s constant positive ata promising freshman year. He played in titude helped get him through his most all 13 games, primarily on special teams, grueling moments in chemotherapy and and racked up 328 all-purpose yards rehab.

“Jaqwis is very jovial and very upmostly off of kick returns.

beat and he’s always got a smile on his face,” Holtz said. “He’s not a moper. He’s very positive and happy. Youthful energy would be the best way to describe him.”

This youthful energy, along with an unwavering determination and work ethic, paid off for Dancy. After enduring four months of chemotherapy treatments and radiation at St. Jude Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, he was given the news that he was cancer-free Feb. 9, 2017.

“It was tough,” Dancy said. “But I always kept a positive mindset and worked hard through everything. (Football) was everything that motivated me to come back. Football is something that I love and the brotherhood that I have here made it way easier than it should’ve been.”

Dancy returned to to spring practice April 2017 a new player and a new person. The fruits of his labor have been shown in his performance thus far, with nine rushes, 53 yards and a touchdown with nearly six yards per carry.

“I definitely feel like going through everything that I went through made me the person that I am today,” Dancy said.

“I feel like I got stronger. It seems like all the motivation and anger from that year built up and it shows on the field.”

www.thetechtalk.org

8 • The Tech Talk • October 19, 2017

THIS WEEK IN

BULLDOG

FOOTBALL The Louisiana Tech football team will host the University of Mississippi Golden Eagles Saturday evening at 6 p.m. inside Joe Aillet Stadium.

The game can be listened to on Z107.5FM.

Photo by John Martel

Junior defensive specialist/libero Morgan Currie (1) faces off against Southern Miss junior setter Sarah Bell (2) as they battle fot the ball. The Lady Techsters faced a tough loss against the Golden Eagles, but Tech head coach Adriano De Souza believes more experience and team playing time will lead to future success.

Overall Record: (3-3 , 1-1) Points per game: 28.0 Points allowed per game: 26.5 Players to watch: J’Mar Smith – QB 9 passing touchdowns, 1529 passing yards Jarred Craft – RB 359 rushing yards, 2 touchdowns Tech is ranked No. 72 in the country in total defense.

Techsters fall to Golden Eagles ANDREW BELL Staff Reporter | agb022@latech.edu The Louisiana Tech women’s volleyball team was hoping to ground the soaring Golden Eagles Friday night, but instead found themselves picking each other up off the floor of the Thomas Assembly center.

The Lady Techsters (6-14) took a tough loss to Southern Miss (13-8) last week with a final score of 3-0 (25-23, 25-21, 2522), slipping to 11th in the Conference USA with a 1-5 conference record.

Tech was led by star senior outside hitter Marta Monne, who notched her 11th double-double of the season with 11 kills and 11 digs. Other key contributors included freshman Gina Cortesi with 10 kills and freshman Carter Mirich with nine kills and six

digs of her own.

Southern Miss was led by junior setter Sarah Bell with 38 assists and six kills, a relatively high number of kills for a setter.

Junior outside hitter Kylie Grandy also played well, accumulating a game high 12 kills and 10 digs.

Tech head coach Adriano De Souza did not seem too pleased with his team’s overall output after the game, but looked to learn from this experience going forward into their next game against Marshall.

“I thought the intensity of the game was just warm, and we didn’t play hot enough,” De Souza said. “I told the girls that if we play with a little more enthusiasm and if we can show that we are attacking and defending the (opponent) as a team and together we will do better. I

told them that we need to play more as a team. If we had put forth more effort, we would have saved more balls on defense and put more balls on the floor on the other side and the other team would be having to work harder to stop our offense or to kill balls against us.”

The Lady Techsters will need to harness their intensity and effort going into a tough road game against Marshall (7-14) Sunday.

“We didn’t run the entire net,” De Souza said. “I think we need to be able to use more of our middles on the right side so we can make sure the other team is concerned about us setting the ball on the strong side. We played too many times on the left side, so we need to be tactically a little more conscious of what we are doing.”

De Souza went on to praise the Southern Miss team and the problems that they presented against his squad.

“They had a very good performance,” he said. “Two of their best three attackers were their middles: (Catherine) Repsher and (Alexis) Coombs.They had a good performance against us. We didn’t respond very well to the kills that they had against us. Their setter got six points against us and that’s too many for a setter.”

De Souza is confident that with hard work and practice, the team will get back on track soon.

“Part of the quest here is to keep training and to keep providing them opportunities to succeed,” he said. “They have to understand that the more we play for each other, the better we will be.”

Lady Techsters take on former tourney champs Overall Record: (4-2, 2-1) Points per game: 20.8 Points allowed per game: 25.2 Players to watch: Ito Smith – RB 733 rushing yards, 192 receiving yards Racheem Boothe – DB 2.5 sacks, 30 total tackles USM is ranked No. 44 in the country in rushing offense.

RODERIC LLOYD Staff Reporter | rsl010@latech.edu Louisana Tech women’s soccer team had never defeated the Charlotte 49ers, the defending Conference USA tournament champs, until Friday when they won 2-1 at the Lady Techster Soccer Complex.

The 49ers came into the contest winning eight of their last nine with an overall record of 9-4 and 4-1 in C-USA. Tech entered the game at 9-2-4 and 2-1-2 in C-USA. “I think it shows we can play with anyone now,” head coach Kevin Sherry said. “We have reached that level where we can play with the top teams because they are the top team. We are not afraid of anyone now.”

The first 45 minutes were dominated by the Lady Techsters as they took 10 shots but failed to get on the scoreboard, entering the half at nil-nil.

Sherry credited the Lady Techsters’ hard work not only in that half, but throughout the entirety of the game as being the best that he has seen.

“In high level sports if you are willing to work hard you stand a higher chance of good things happening,” Sherry said. “And tonight, that was the hardest that we have worked all season and naturally we got a good result.”

Sophomore forward Jenna Dages opened the scoring in the 59th minute as her shot deflected off of a 49er defender and over the outstretched arms

“I think it shows that we can play with anyone now.

We have reached that level where we can play with top teams because they are the top team.”

KEVIN SHERRY head socceer coach

of the goalkeeper.

LA Tech’s lead did not last long, as the 49ers quickly responded with an equalizer in the 67th minute when Remi Roberts sent a cross to the far post, where a racing Megan Greene perfectly placed a header to knot the score at 1-1.

Dages responded once

more, as Nomvula Kgoale struck a through pass that split the 49ers center backs in the 71st minute.

Dages ran onto it and with one strike sent the shot just inside the far post. It brought her season points total to 16, eight of which are goals (five in league action), tying Mylene RoyOuellet for the most on the team.

The Lady Techsters defense stood strong to maintain the lead from then on, as the unwavering 49ers continued to attack until the sound of the final horn.

Goalkeeper Courtney Tompkins had four saves on the evening as she picked up her eighth win.

Makenna Johnson, a Tech defender, said they were determined to hold

on and get the win.

“We played with great intensity and determination to overcome the talent on their team. We were not expecting to win this game but I think our team motto of playing with passion and fearlessness carried over and we went out and played to the best of our abilities to get the win,” Johnson said.

Johnson believes they can build on this game throughout the rest of conference play.

“Coming out with this win definitely gives us some confidence and I think we’re going to use the momentum from this game and carry it throughout each and every game that we play going into the conference tournament,” Johnson said.