The Tech Talk 10.20.16

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VOLUME 91 • ISSUE 5

Journalism scholarship fund created in honor of Craig Durrett KACIE KAUFMAN Staff Reporter | kjk019@latech.edu

Photo by Colin Fontenot

From left to right: John Fleming, John Kennedy, Caroline Fayard, Foster Campbell and Charles Boustany lined the stage Tuesday night in Howard auditiorum for the Louisiana senatorial debate.

Tech hosts senatorial debate RACHEL MAXWELL Editor-in-Chief | ram049@latech.edu

whoever it is to agree with the person I’m voting for in Arkansas, and I want to encourage my friends in From healthcare to weed killer, Louisiana to get out and vote for Louisiana senatorial candidates the conservative values that I am tackled a range of issues Tuesday voting for in my home state.” night.

T.J. Pittman, a junior political The first televised debate be- science major, said he thought all tween Louisiana senatorial candi- the candidates handled themselves dates was broadcast live from How- well throughout the debate. ard Auditorium Tuesday. Hosted by “I think this debate ran more Louisiana Public Broadcasting, the smoothly and more professionally debate lasted 90 minutes than the presidential deand featured the five topbate,” he said. polling candidates out of However, others that the pool of 24. The deattended the debate critibate, which took place cized candidates of both three weeks before the parties for some of the Nov. 8 election, was open more heated moments in to students who reserved the debate. tickets ahead of time.

During the portion A panel of journalists of the debate in which asked candidates quescandidates asked each tions that included topics other questions, Foster such as the Affordable PITTMAN Campbell, a Democrat, Care Act, education and asked U.S. representative Charles disaster relief.

Tiffany Easter, a senior politi- Boustany if he felt their opponent cal science major, said that even John Kennedy should apologize for though she is registered to vote in saying he would, “rather drink weed Arkansas, it was important for her killer,” than be part of the Washington elite. Boustany said he thought to come to the debate.

“Even though I’m not voting in his fellow Republican should apoloLouisiana, the senator is still go- gize for the comment, and that suiing to be representing the people cide and mental illness were a large of our country,” she said. “I want problem in Louisiana. Kennedy

interjected afterward and gave no sign of apology.

“I’d rather drink weed killer than answer that question,” he said.

“Joking about suicide isn’t cool,” said Jaicee Choate, a doctoral candidate in higher education administration.

Landon Powers, a senior political science major, said he thought too much time had been wasted on the weed killer comment, and also criticized Democrat Caroline Fayard for proclaiming that she was not another one of the “good old boys.”

“I think the weed killer thing is something that anybody could say and be misconstrued,” he said. “As for the ‘good old boys’ comment, that’s just Southern politics, and I think more time could have been spent on bigger issues.”

Powers said he was most impressed by Fleming, and cited the Republican’s military background and pro-life stance as reasons for giving him his support.

Pittman, on the other hand, said that Fayard stood out the most to him during the debate.

“She seemed very prepared, like she knew what she was talking about,” he said. “She wasn’t just throwing around random numbers.”

Friends and colleagues of the late Craig Durrett said excellence, community involvement and commitment to quality newspaper journalism formed the tenets of his career and life. Recognizing these attributes served as the basis for starting a scholarship fund honoring him at Louisiana Tech.

A group of colleagues recently established the Craig Durrett Journalism Scholarship Fund as a way to honor Durrett and to provide support for aspiring journalists.

Durrett graduated from Tech in 1977 and went on to serve the community as a journalist. He worked at The Shreveport Times, The Arkansas Gazette, and the Monroe News-Star over the course of his 36-year career in print journalism.

T. Scott Boatright, an instructor and adviser in the communication and media studies department at Tech, said Durrett provided a relatable example for journalism students.

“Hopefully, when they hear about the scholarship and who it is named for, they will realize that he paid the same dues that they paid here in the same building, in the same room,” he said.

Boatright said Durrett had told him about how his time at Tech brought him to love journalism.

“The Tech journalism department helped form him and his career, and now he is doing the same for future students,” Boatright said. “He is a man that made his mark on Louisiana and Arkansas journalism for years.”

Boatright said he hoped to see the scholarship used to help those pursuing a career in print journalism.

“I’d like to see it stay with print journalism,” Boatright said. “Craig was a print journalist, and that was his passion; his forte. I personally would like to see it stay within that realm because, to me, that’s always going to be the backbone of whatever form of journalism you’re doing.”

Judy Christie, a longtime friend and colleague of Durrett at The Shreveport Times, said she also believed that print journalism was a key part of the field.

“We believe strongly in the importance of good newspaper journalism,” she said.

Christie said the purpose of the fund was to help spur on a new generation of journalists.

“We want to fund scholarships for future Craigs who want to make a difference in the community through newspaper journalism,” she said.

Teddy Allen, who worked alongside Durrett at the Shreveport Times and who now works at Tech, said the scholarship fund was an appropriate way to honor Durrett.

“I feel like Craig would be very honored and happy that this exists to help future newspaper journalists, because the profession meant a lot to Craig and because Louisiana Tech meant a lot to him,” said the writer and editor for Tech’s marketing and public relations department.

Allen said the scholarship would allow more journalists like Durrett to get their basis in the field of journalism at Tech.

“He used the opportunity that Tech gave him, and if you work hard, you can be good at the craft and do some good for people,” he said.

Donations can be made by sending them to the Craig Durrett Scholarship Fund, Louisiana Tech Division of University Advancement, P.O. Box 3183, Ruston, LA 71272.

NEWS

2 • The Tech Talk • October 20, 2016

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SGA holds Campus Safety Week STARLA GATSON Staff Reporter | sjg021@latech.edu The Louisiana Tech Student Government Association made students’ safety and well-being the top priority during the organization’s first Campus Safety Week.

The week, held Oct.10-14, included a self-defense class, stress relief exercises and a yoga class hosted by organizations like the local Domestic Abuse Response Team, the Tech Counseling Center and Tech’s National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Jenna Price, the SGA’s public relations co-director who organized the week’s events, said Campus Safety Week developed from an idea to promote student use of the police station’s golf cart service.

“We were trying to figure out a way to promote that, so we thought we would do a video competition for it,” she said. “That turned from doing a small competition to creating an entire week to present students with what’s available to them to keep them safe.”

Price, a junior sociology major, said the week was split into five separate themes to give each organization involved an opportunity to share its services with the student body.

“We gave each day its own programs so we could highlight the organizations on campus that do these things,” she said. “It’s really awesome that the SGA wants to do this and give back to the stu-

dents, but it’s only for one week out of the 30 weeks we have.

Meanwhile, we have other organizations that do this all the time.”

Each day was assigned a daily theme such as mental health awareness, domestic violence awareness, sexual assault awareness, health and wellness and campus cleanup.

Mackenzie Potts, SGA president, said the purpose of the week was to educate students about the programs available to them and offer them information and statistics about each topic.

“I hope the student body can see the resources being offered and use them to their benefit,” she said. “I feel it’s important to address campus safety because it does play a huge role in a person’s mental and physical well-being.

Safety is a need that comes first to most students, and a safe environment helps increase the morale of the campus experience.”

Price said she wanted the week to be both an educational and a fun experience for all students involved.

“You have the information to help people and make them safe, but until you present it in a way that makes them want to know it, they won’t take it,” she said. “And that’s kind of what Campus Safety Week is. It’s not just throwing out information and hoping people catch on.”

Mallory Chapman, a junior English and Spanish double major, said she was initially unaware of

Photo by Danny Do

Officer Justin Brown demonstrates self-defense techniques during the domestic violence awareness day of SGA’s Campus Safety Week. The self-defense class was but one of the events highlighting various aspects of safety throughout the week.

all of the campus safety resources, and believes Campus Safety Week was beneficial in informing students about what is available to them.

“I think this is a big help because if someone is unaware, they can go to these events and learn

Tech Cheer runs Stunt Dog Dash KAILEE COURTS Staff Reporter | kec029@latech.edu

showing the runners where to go and working the sign-up tables to ensure the event ran smoothly.

Matthew Giddens, a junior computer Louisiana Tech Cheer hosted the first information systems major, said the team Stunt Dog Dash 5k Oct 15.

Misty Falting, a Tech Cheer coach, has been preparing for competition.

“As a team we have been working exsaid the race was a way for the team to raise money for its trip to Orlando, tra hard to get ready for competition,” he said. “Everyone is putFlorida, in January. ting in a lot of work, and we “It is not cheap so we are are learning new skills every having different fundraisers to day.” get there,” she said. “This is Giddens said the team just one of the fundraisers we has not been to a national are having.” cheer competition in a few She said each team memyears, and he is excited to get ber had to ask for sponsors for back out there. the race and find participants “This has been an excitto run. ing year for the cheer team,” “We are thankful for the he said. “We have been getsupport from the university,” ting more involved on camFalting said. “We are also pus and with the students. thankful for the support from FALTING We are excited to see what our sponsors.” the rest of the year has for Some of the sponsors of us.” the race were Smoothie King, Charles Kendrick, a freshman civil enRailway Coffee and Peak Sports Nutrition, and they helped donate prizes gineering major, was the first person to and money to purchase the necessary complete the race.

“It feels nice to come in first,” he said. equipment for the 5k.

David Long, the owner of Peak “It also feels nice to be able to help a fraSports Nutrition, said he was more than ternity brother, and the rest of the cheer team.” happy to help the cheerleaders.

Rachel Hebert and Grant Artero fol“A lot of these guys are frequent customers,” he said. “I love being able to lowed Kendrick, finishing second and third. help out in any way I can.”

Falting said this was the first Stunt Dog Along with donating prizes, Long also had a table set up with protein bars Dash, but she hopes it will not be the last.

“We had so much fun planning and and amino acid juice for the runners.

During the event, the team was putting on the event,” she said. “We hope around campus cheering people on, to make it a yearly thing.”

what they can do to prevent emergencies from happening or what to do if they have already happened,” she said.

Price said she was impressed with the student body’s positive response to the week’s events.

“Students have been really

open to learning all of this and participating, and I think they’re excited because their questions are finally being answered,” she said. “I want to thank them for participating and wanting what’s better for our community and for our school.”

Life Skills 101 Counseling and Career Services offers useful tips MORGAN BERNARD Staff Reporter | mrb056@latech.edu The Counseling and Career Services of Louisiana Tech has started a new series of meetings to help students with every aspect of their present and future lives.

The Life Skills 101 series is dedicated to helping Tech’s students with areas such as finances, healthy living and even relationships. These classes are held weekly in Keeny Hall.

Mercedes Richard, a counseling intern at Tech, is a part of the Life Skills 101 team and said she sees these meetings as a great opportunity for students.

“By having these classes, we hope to teach students essential skills and abilities that are needed in everyday life,” she said.

“And these classes are not only helpful in college but for future endeavors in the real world.”

Richard said each class covers a different topic that can be useful in any student’s life, such as budgeting and communication.

“We try to get a lot of different life skills to make people more well-rounded individuals in all aspects of their life,” she said.

Richard said she also hopes to see attendees of these classes gain more than just knowledge on these topics.

“I hope that people gain a better confidence in themselves and their abilities,” Richard said. “Then they will be able to easily tackle things head-on in everyday life.”

Lauren Tressler, a counselor and coordi-

nator of career development, was a speaker at one of the Life Skills 101 meetings. She said she hopes more students will see the opportunities that Tech’s campus has to offer.

“Many students don’t know much about what we have in the Counseling and Career Services,” Tressler said. “By starting these classes, we hope more students realize the resources we have to help them in their futures.”

Addie Netterville, a freshman undeclared major, was a participant in several Life Skills 101 classes and said she has benefited from these meetings.

“In the communication class, I learned to take more responsibility,” Netterville said. “I didn’t realize how much we all tend to blame others for things.”

She said her favorite was the job interviewing course, and she learned tips she never knew about interviews.

“I learned about writing thank you notes to companies after interviews and what questions that you should ask the company,” Netterville said. “Without this class, I would have never known these things, so I feel much more prepared for my future.”

Netterville said she believes any student could benefit from the Life Skills 101 series and hopes more people think about trying the course out.

“I think coming to these classes has just made me a better person,” she said. “I think this can teach anyone how to become a better version of themselves.”

UPCOMING EVENTS FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

• Lady Techster soccer vs.

MTSU, 7 p.m. @ Lady Techster Soccer Complex

•Paintball Program by Residence Hall Association, 5 p.m. @ Lambright Intramural Sports Center

• No events scheduled

• New Frontiers Lecture Series, 3:30 p.m. @ University Hall

• Elevator Pitch Practice and Improvement, 5:30 p.m., University Hall

•Job + Internship Search Strategies for Beginners, 11 a.m. @ Keeny Hall

•Life Skills 101: Health and Nutrition, 2 p.m. @ Keeny Hall

•Family Feud Night (Google Style) Social, 7 p.m. @ A.C.T.S.

NEWS

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October 20, 2016 • The Tech Talk • 3

Downtown Ruston welcomes Railway PAYTON POTTER Features Editor | jpp017@latech.edu

Railway Coffee has been roasting in Ruston since 2014, but the specialty small-batch roasting company now has a shop in downtown to call its own.

Railway Coffee opened its doors Oct. 13 and has seen a surprising influx of customers, Maryanne McClure said.

“Our first day we were completely overwhelmed at how many people came out to support,” said McClure, a manager at Railway Coffee. “We were thinking there would be quite a few, but I guess as many as came wasn’t on our radar. So we were definitely surprised. There were a few times we had gone back to the kitchen and we were all like ‘man, we want to cry tears of joy because so many people are out here showing love and support for the new coffee shop.’”

Founder and co-owner Michael Davis said he shared McClure’s sentiment and was grateful for the many patrons.

“We opened on Thursday, and we were flooded with people,” he said. “A lot of people we knew personally came by to say congratulations. A lot of college students too, which was awesome for us because that’s who we want to cater to. Especially in a college town, that’s going to be a huge part of the community.”

Katherine Morris said she had visited Railway Coffee twice since the store opened. Morris, a senior marketing major, said several factors drew her to revisit the coffee shop.

“I really like the atmosphere,” she said. “I think the prices are really good relative to other coffee shops around town. It’s new, and everyone wants to come.”

Morris said knowing Railway Coffee roasts and brews its coffee in Ruston is important to her as a patron.

“I like to support things that are done by people in Ruston and in the Ruston area,” she said. “Ruston is so small that I want to support people here.”

Davis said Railway Coffee aims to be intentional and honest with their business practices and products.

“Everything is done with a purpose – sometimes it takes a little bit longer because we are doing it in the way that gives you the best product,” he said. “We are back

Photo by Jonathan Shaul

Chandler Guerrerio, a junior family and child studies major, takes a customer’s order at Railway Coffee.

there cooking stuff in the kitchen – not just taking things out of a wrapper and putting them in the microwave.”

Davis said being located in downtown Ruston provides Railway Coffee with a unique opportunity to interact with students and professionals in downtown.

“The efforts to unite the city and the university – there has been such a change in the feel of downtown,” he said. “You see more students riding their bike and walk-

ing. That adds a level of energy to downtown that wasn’t there before.”

Davis said his favorite thing about owning the coffee shop is doing business his own way.

“What I like most about Railway is that we are free to execute our vision and be part of such a vibrant downtown community,” he said.

Science seminar aims to give students research experience MORGAN BERNARD Staff Reporter | mrb056@latech.edu

Louisiana Tech students attended a seminar Oct. 13, in hopes of becoming better prepared for graduate school and jobs coming up in their near futures.

The seminar presented information about research opportunities for students named Research Experiences for Undergraduates.

Caylin Colson Vanhook, a senior electrical engineering and physics major, was the key speaker of the event. She spoke about how to apply for REUs, their benefits and why students should participate in them.

Vanhook began her presentation by explaining what an REU is and how it can be beneficial to students’ learning.

“These are programs that allow undergrad students to actually participate in their program’s research,” Vanhook said. “An

REU allows you to experience researching in a way that you will not get from a lab or classroom.”

She said that an REU has many opportunities to offer students, such as experience needed for their futures.

“They serve as great opportunities for undergrads to gain research experience, and that looks great for grad school and future jobs,” Vanhook said. “Even if you don’t know much about the topic, participating in the research is a great way to grab a better understanding on it.”

She said that meeting new people and making new connections is also a big part of REUs. “When you go to these programs at different universities, the engineering and science worlds are pretty close together, so you will always meet new people and make friends,” Vanhook said.

She also described the application pro-

WE ARE

cess and how it benefited her in her own life.

“Every REU is different, so you must look at each one’s requirements and deadlines,” Vanhook said. “Applying to REUs actually prepared me for the process of applying to grad school.”

Vanhook even gave the audience a few tips on how to apply for these research opportunities.

“Apply early and often,” she said. “That is the best advice anyone could give you.

Most people apply to five or six but may only be accepted by two. This way, you still have options to choose from in the end.”

Danielle Howell, a senior chemical engineering major, attended the seminar and said she learned a lot from Vanhook’s presentation.

“I’ve thought a lot about grad school, so the usefulness of this before grad school — seeing what these research opportunities

would be like — is helping me a lot in my decision,” Howell said. “The more things you apply for the better you get at it, so this is a great way to get prepared for that.”

Lexi Miller, a senior industrial engineering major, was also a part of the audience and said she enjoyed learning about these research opportunities.

“I really like that the process of applying to REUs will help me when also applying for grad school or other things in the future,” Miller said.

She said she was also surprised by the variety of research topics that are available to undergrad students.

“I was very interested in how many research topics there are to choose from,” Miller said. “This made me a little more confident and excited about preparing for research experience opportunities in the future.”

www.thetechtalk.org

4 • The Tech Talk • October 20, 2016

The

TechTalk

FROM THE EDITOR

Smart media consumption

MANAGEMENT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Rachel Maxwell

RACHEL MAXWELL Editor-In-Chief | ram049@latech.edu

MANAGING EDITOR Caleb Daniel

FEATURES EDITOR Payton Potter

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Payton Potter

SPORTS EDITOR

Matthew Valcho

PHOTO EDITOR

Brian Blakely

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Colin Fontenot Jonathan Shaul Ashley Kober Danny Do

ADVISERS

T. Scott Boatright Dr. Judith Roberts

ADVERTISING ADVISER Michael LeBlanc

PRODUCTION MANAGER Michael LeBlanc

P

eople love to criticize the media. While some of these gripes are founded, they often mischaracterize what the media actually are. I often hear people say things like, “the media sensationalizes,” “the media focuses on unimportant issues” or “the media is biased.” But what is “the media?”

Is “the media” an evil club whose members all conspire to rig elections and focus the country’s attention on irrelevant fodder? No, the media are comprised of millions of different outlets with thousands of different goals.

One thing all of these sources do have in common is that they are profit-driven. Media sources have to keep their lights on, and to do that, they need people to consume what they are producing. To stay in business, online sources need to

get clicks, print publications need readers and broadcast stations need viewers. What these media sources produce is ultimately decided by market preferences. Consumers hold a lot of the power when it comes to setting standards for journalism.

Let’s say you disagreed with a certain business practice; we’ll use animal testing as an example. To combat that as a consumer, you would only support companies that do not implement animal testing for their products. This same logic applies to the media – if you think an outlet is biased, don’t subscribe to that publication. If you think a source is focusing on unimportant issues, don’t click its links. If you think a network is sensationalizing issues, don’t tune into its broadcasts.

In fact, many consumers of media are doing much more to encourage the type of journalism they criticize than to combat it. As much as we all say we hate sensational-

ized news, that is exactly what gets the highest ratings. As much as we say the media doesn’t focus on important issues, sources that report on the Kardashians usually get a lot more clicks than those that cover, say, the conflict in Syria.

Because the media is, by nature, reactive to the people, we as consumers need to examine what we expect from the media and then make a point to back that up with our consumption. Consumers who disagree with animal testing are accomplishing nothing if they continue to purchase those products.

Consumers of media have no room to complain about what stories dominate the news if they continue to support those outlets while letting legitimate sources shrivel and die from lack of support.

Rachel Maxwell is a junior journalism major from Benton who serves as editor-in-chief for The Tech Talk.

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Nixon nixed narcotics

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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, 138 Keeny Hall, by 4 p.m. the Friday prior to a Thursday publi­ cation. Letters should be mailed to The Tech Talk, P.O. Box 10258, Ruston, LA 71272. Emails should be sent to techtalk@latech.edu.

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Louisiana Tech University is com­ mitted 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 oper­ ates. For Title IX information, see University Policy #1445 at http:// www.latech.edu/administration/ policies­and­procedures/1445. shtml.

PAYTON POTTER Features Editor | jpp017 @latech.edu

I

n June 1971, former president Richard Nixon declared a “War on Drugs.” Although the government of the United States had been controlling different narcotic drugs for almost a century prior, Nixon’s declaration had a unique impact.

Nixon’s administration presided over what was one of the most highly protested wars in U.S. history – the war in Vietnam. While soldiers were overseas risking their lives in a conflict that many believed should never have involved the United States, hundreds of thousands of protesters took to the streets, often with marijuana in hand, to put a stop to the war.

Nixon’s “War on Drugs,” not so coincidentally, placed marijuana on the FDA’s list of Schedule 1 drugs – those often considered the most dangerous.

In 1972, a review commission recommended completely decriminalizing the substance, but Nixon’s White House declined to follow through. And, despite the many efforts by former President Jimmy Carter to decriminalize during his presidency, the schedule one status of the drug was never revoked. A look forward into the Reagan ad-

ministration showed the number of people incarcerated for drug use and possession skyrocketing.

Although many boast the war on drugs as stepping stone to a safer society, a member of Nixon’s cabinet, John Ehrlichman, admitted in a 1994 interview that the declaration of the war was little more than a method to control hippies who opposed the war and black people who were largely disliked by the Nixon White House.

The statement, included in the following paragraph, exposed exploitation and bias in the White House that led to today’s current incarceration rate of 2.2 million Americans, almost half of whom are imprisoned for drug-related crime.

“The Nixon campaign in 1968, and the Nixon White House after that, had two enemies: the antiwar left and black people. You understand what I’m saying? We knew we couldn’t make it illegal to be either against the war or black, but by getting the public to associate the hippies with marijuana and blacks with heroin, and then criminalizing both heavily, we could disrupt those communities. We could arrest their leaders, raid their homes, break up their meetings and vilify them night

after night on the evening news. Did we know we were lying about the drugs? Of course we did.”

Of course they did. Of course they knew they put a harmless substance on the list of most-dangerous drugs. Of course they knew they were misleading the public for their own benefit.

But they did it well enough to persuade the public that marijuana was dangerous. So dangerous, in fact, that it is still a Schedule 1 drug 45 years later.

It is shameful that the residents of the United States must fight so hard to legalize a substance that should never have been criminalized, even as, according to a Pew Research Center study, 57 percent of American adults support legalization. It is shameful even as a man responsible for the war on drugs has claimed its illegitimacy. It is shameful even as Coloradans can possess the drug without penalty while a Louisianan can do jail time for possessing less than the weight of a paperclip in marijuana. It is a shameful, shameful blemish on American history.

Payton Potter is a senior journalism major from Farmersville, Texas, who serves as features editor for The Tech Talk.

READING BETWEEN THE SIDELINES

Sorry, Higgins, I was wrong MATT VALCHO Sports Editor | mvv002@latech.edu

I

have a tendency to be stubborn.

I like feeling like I was right or that my way of thing or doing something was right.

In this case, I was wrong. Very, very wrong.

At the beginning of the season, I was one of a group of Tech alum and students who were calling this a rebuilding year for the Bulldog football team. Ryan Higgins was now the starting quarterback. A massive class of seniors left the program like Kenneth Dixon, Vernon Butler and Jeff Driskel, which left a lot of holes to fill.

The expectation was still a bowl game, but there were too

many questions to be answered for a clear picture of how the season would go.

Then, before the season even starts, Higgins had a run-in with the law and J’mar Smith was named the starter for the game against Arkansas. After nearly pulling off a massive upset, Smith had the support of countless Tech fans that remembered Higgins’ sub-par 2013 season.

Fast-forward six weeks into the season. Higgins is now leading one of the best offenses in the country and throwing to the best wide receiver tandem in the NCAA. The senior has had back-to-back 450yard games and has had four 400yard games this season.

I could go on and on about the

awards the offense has garnered with Higgins at the helm, but I think my point has been made.

Ryan Higgins has proved his doubters wrong in a big way. Despite the jeers and boos raining from the crowd when he took the field against South Carolina State, he has continued to push on and silence the haters.

Also, credit to Skip Holtz for never wavering under the pressure of a fan base that was so adamant that Smith should be the guy to take the snaps for the Bulldogs.

So, like I said, I was very wrong, but I’m extremely happy I was.

Matt Valcho is a senior journalism major from Benton who serves as sports editor for The Tech Talk.

Are competitive video games sports?

It’s October, and the Major League Baseball playoffs are in full swing.

However, a much less traditional competition is projected to see a larger viewership this month than America’s favorite pastime.

League of Legends, the most popular of the competitive video games known as Esports, is in the midst of its sixth World Championships. Last year’s World Championships were viewed by 36 million people.

The baseball World Series hasn’t hit that number of viewers in 20 years.

The global sports market is changing. Esports are already poised to overtake traditional sports in most Eastern countries. North America is starting to get into the trend as well, with celebrities like Shaq and Magic Johnson investing in Esports teams.

With the onslaught of competitive video gaming moving closer to home, the question is more relevant than ever: are Esports actually sports?

A “sport” is defined as “an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.” Video gaming definitely includes individuals and teams competing for entertainment.

It’s the “physical exertion and skill” part that is up for debate.

Some reject the idea that video gaming could include any major physical component. Video games, almost by defintion, are the opposite of physical activities. Sports are for the athletic, and video games are for the nerds.

No matter how much things may be changing, that idea still lives somewhere in our minds.

The case can be argued, however, that Esports do involve some measure of physical prowess. While gamers may not be dunking basketballs or running for touchdowns, the coordination needed to rapidly and continuously make the right button inputs at the right time is not a skill that just anyone possesses.

From the pro-Esports side, the “physical exertion” point may be harder to argue than “physical skill.” While one may occassionally spot a professional gamer pouring sweat from the intensity of his match, no Esport can match the physical demands of traditional sports.

A common argument against Esports is that athletes devote their entire lives to the game. Intense training regimens, diets and lifestyles all combine to give the player a chance to succeed at the pro level. The effort gamers put in cannnot compare on a physical level. However, the idea that video game players do not work hard for their sport is simply a falsehood. Professional gamers spend countless hours honing their craft, while often also keeping abreast with producing YouTube and streaming content in order to make enough money to compete.

As the world of Esports continues to gain traction, the question of whether they should be counted as sports will continue to be asked. Regardless, gaming is a strong and growing industry that captivates millions of viewers worldwide, and it’s not going away anytime soon.

October 20, 2016 • The Tech Talk • 5

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Fashion week strings together Ruston retailers KACIE KAUFMAN Staff Reporter | kjk019@latech.edu The Heard Building in downtown Ruston transformed from a previously vacant space into a venue filled with music and lights during the culmination party for Ruston Fashion Week.

After a week of fashion shows and extended shopping hours, the stores of Ruston came together the evening of Oct. 15 to put on the event’s first finale party.

Each business brought in a selection of merchandise for the attendees to browse throughout the party.

Rebeccah Fletcher, a sophomore fashion merchandising and retail studies major, said the venue embodied the ideas of creativity and design that were essential to the show.

“It’s in an abandoned building,” she said. “The side that you can bring to it is the design and taking something from nothing, and making it into something.”

Fletcher said the week of events provided valuable insight into the world of fashion and retail for students.

“For fashion merchandising, it gives us a lot of experience to see how it’s done,”

Photo by Brain Blakely

Models show off new trends at the Fashion Week finale. she said.

Kathleen Heiden, a professor of fashion merchandising and retail studies at Tech, said students could gain hands-on experience through building partnerships with local stores.

“It gives them a look into what it is like to have a re-

tail store, especially doing events,” she said. “That’s part of what we do. We have a class called retail events, so it lets them see what goes into planning an event — what goes into putting that on.”

Heiden said fashion week gave students a way to help

out the local stores, which often offered their services to the students of Tech.

“This is just our way of giving back to the community that gives to our program,” she said.

Heiden said another aim of fashion week was to help show the community the

variety of products Ruston businesses provided.

“It’s showcasing what we have in our community as well as allowing people to see that even though we’re a small town, we do have a lot of fashion and have a lot of things to offer here in our town,” she said.

Kelly Hogan, owner of The Fashion of Ruston, also said a large goal of the event was generating interest in the city’s fashion market.

“This is our second year to try fashion week,” she said. “It started from a concept of trying to highlight what all we offer in Ruston.”

Hogan said the interest shown in the events this year and the expected attendance to the final party indicated the week’s success.

“We are blown away by the number of tickets we sold,” she said. “It appeals to people of different ages.”

She said fashion week provided a chance to integrate the students of Tech into the community.

“It will appeal to the students, which is what so much of what we are doing downtown is trying to do.

We want to blend our city with Louisiana Tech students,” she said.

Hogan said the event generated new ideas and ways to involve the students, including a design competition between students.

“There was so much more creativity this year,” she said. “Stores really thought outside the box and came up with some great ideas.”

Faculty performs in concert series STARLA GATSON Staff Reporter | sjg021@latech.edu

The sounds of a piano, a vibraphone and a soprano voice filled Louisiana Tech’s Howard Auditorium during the first performance of Tech’s faculty concert series.

The concert, held Oct. 13, featured faculty members Steele Moegle on the piano, Gregory Lyons on the vibraphone and Lisa Maxedon as the vocalist.

Moegle, an associate professor of music, said the faculty music recitals, which usually occur three to four times during the year, allow students to hear the compositions they have learned about in class.

“I hope this helps to translate some of the things that students hear us talk about in their lessons and hopefully inspires them to practice and play more,” she said.

The concert included works from a variety of composers from different eras, including Claude Debussy, Franz Schubert, Hugo Wolf and Ivan Trevino.

Lyons, an associate professor of music, said concerts like these not only benefit the students in attendance, but also the faculty performers.

“We’re all professional musicians as well as teachers, so this is part of our research as well as our creative output,”

he said. “But I think it’s important for students because any time you hear new music, it exposes you to other styles.”

Lyons said he enjoyed introducing students to music they may have been previously unfamiliar with and giving them the opportunity to relate the songs to their own lives and experiences.

“Even the non-music majors have probably heard similar types of music and can relate that4-1to09their 0 own back318-25 p grounds,” he said. “We think weFlo can connection with r & GiftaSho wemake the audience that way.”

Dasia Canales, a Tech alumna, said she most enjoyed being able to understand the stories and emotions of the songs.

“During the first few songs, I felt like I was in a dream,” Canales said. “And I thought it was really cool that with the vocalist, we had the lyrics in front of us so we could understand what was going on and picture the scene as she was expressing herself.”

Canales said she believes college students should be more open to different styles of music to gain more knowledge of the customs and history associated with the compositions.

“I don’t know if it’s the age or culture or what, but0I9don’t 0 think people our age are exposed to this anymore,” 318-254-1sheShsaid. op

Photo by Colin Fontenot

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6 • The Tech Talk • October 20, 2016

WEEKLYHOROSCOPE www.horoscopes.com.net

Aries March 21 – April 19 You might experience a bit of an internal conflict today and be you’re unsure how to proceed, Aries.

One side feels an urge to fight, while another side - a more mental aspect - asks you to keep this urge under wraps. It could be that this conflict keeps you immobile because of your lack of confidence in either camp. Try not to get stressed out over any one issue.

Taurus Apr 20 - May 20 It may be hard to connect with others today, Taurus.

People may be rather indecisive. On the other hand, people are apt to be more malleable. This could be a good time to take charge. Be sure that you keep in mind the best interests of all parties involved. It isn’t fair for you to take advantage of people who can’t make up their own minds about something.

Gemini May 21 - Jun 20 You’ve had a strong propensity for war lately, Gemini.

Your drive toward getting things done has rallied and you’re anxious to make progress. The problem is that you might have to hold back a bit today, since there is a great force at work encouraging to you to take a break from your current trajectory. Slow down and make a plan instead of just plowing blindly ahead toward the unknown.

Cancer Jun 21 - Jul 22 Your balancing powers will be put to the test today when your desire to fight conflicts with your need to plan, Cancer. You might be even more indecisive than usual as a result of this internal tension. Be aware of time and the restrictions that it puts on you. Devise a plan that uses your energy in the most efficient way possible. It’s especially important for you to think before you act.

Leo Jul 23 - Aug 22 Try not to get too frustrated by the indecisiveness that plagues you today, Leo. The longer you stand still, the harder it will be to get moving. The key is to find a balance between planning and forcefulness. There’s an incredible need for you make progress now. If you’re met with resistance, you should probably just back off for now. Fighting won’t yield positive results now.

Virgo Aug 23 - Sep 22 Indecisiveness could be your biggest nemesis today, Virgo. The general tone of the day is apt to be quite explosive as a feeling of restriction and discipline comes into conflict with a need to fight and conquer.

You might find that your go-with-the-flow, easygoing attitude is exactly what saves you on a day like this.

Lay low and let someone else take the lead now.

Libra Sep 23 - Oct 22 Your plans meet with harsh opposition today, Libra.

You’ve been going along at a slow and steady pace, but you will find that abrasive tension arises the more you try to force your will on others. Gridlock is quite likely due to the fact that there are strong forces coming to a head. Neither one of them is in the mood to yield now.

Scorpio Oct 23 - Nov 21 Getting your opinions out now may stir up the maelstrom even more, but ultimately it’s for the best, Scorpio. There is an explosive tone in the air right now that’s difficult to ignore. You need your strong will to combat the abrasive forces at work today. You have the opportunity to initiate control over the situation.

Other people might be too unsure of themselves to make a move.

Sagittarius Nov 22 - Dec 21 Your best plan of attack today is to not attack at all, Sagittarius. There is enough aggressiveness out there.

You don’t need to add any more to the fray. Let others duke it out. Your job is to wait until the dust settles.

Try not to get involved in other people’s disputes.

You might get dragged further into the situation than makes you feel comfortable.

Capricorn Dec 22 - Jan 19 You might need to put on the brakes today, Capricorn.

Your present trajectory isn’t quite in line with the people and energy around you. Make sure you aren’t stepping on other people’s toes with your abrasive behavior. This is a day to consider a more disciplined approach. You might need to establish a better structure so you use your energy more efficiently in general.

Aquarius Jan 20 - Feb 18 If you’ve been reluctant to make a move, Aquarius, you should consider why. What has been holding you back? Fear of failure? A negative comment from someone else? Feeling like you aren’t quite prepared for the consequences of your actions? It’s time to free yourself of these mental barriers that keep you from making progress. Don’t let self-doubt get in the way of your plans.

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47. Polite refusal 50. Snobbish conduct 54. Mil. truant 55. ___ once 57. Writer Wiesel 58. Grab, slangily 59. Nary a soul 60. ___ Misbehavin’ 61. Concordes, e.g.

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DAILY U

50. Gin flavorer 51. Lamb’s pseudonym 52. Circular band 53. Abominable snowman 56. Chop off

LAST ISSUE’S SOLUTION

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

Pisces Feb 19 - Mar 20 Discipline and a solid plan are your friends today, Pisces. Slow your approach and consider the consequences of your actions. This is the time to concentrate on what you need to get done and devise a plan to make it happen. There is restlessness in the air that might cause you to act hastily. Don’t forget the old saying that says haste makes waste. This is an important lesson.

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October 20, 2016 • The Tech Talk • 7

COMING OUT DAY

Members of PRISM celebrate LGBTQ pride on Coming Out Day with rainbow streamers.

Photo courtesy of PRISM

Louisiana Tech students and faculty share their stories DILLON NELSON Staff Reporter| djn005@latech.edu uesday, Oct. 16 was National Coming Out Day, a holiday meant to encourage people to come out as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer and join a community which has grown safer and more accepted as the years have gone by.

Shawn Igou, a junior graphic design major and the president of the Louisiana Tech chapter of PRISM, said she believes the annual observance of this holiday allows people in the LGBTQ community to be open and brave in their own skin.

“To me, personally, it means an opportunity to celebrate queer visibility and the chance to be happy and celebrate who we are and how far we’ve come as a community,” Igou said.

She said she believes the holiday has gone a long way toward normalizing the community nationwide.

“Gay and lesbian people have come a long way from being publicly ridiculed, and American culture is even beginning to grow more accepting of transgender people,” Igou said. “We still have to worry about the occasional threat of violence, but at least now when horrible things happen to the LGBTQ community, the whole country reacts instead of just sweeping it under the rug.”

Igou said though there is more compassion for people in the LGBTQ community, many people are still uncomfortable with such alternative lifestyles.

She said those people need to try to understand the human element of the issue and set aside their prejudices.

“They should just keep in mind that sexuality and

gender identity does not change the content of a per“I had no idea there was such a thing as being son’s character, and you can be a wonderful person openly and proudly gay,” Hartman said. “There were regardless of your gender or sexuality,” Igou said. no role models, and all I knew was, ‘Hey, there are hoHannah Craft, a freshman theater major, said she mosexuals, and you shouldn’t be one of those kinds had to grapple with this issue when she came out to of people.’” her parents by writing a letter. She said she had exHartman said he was finally able to put together pressed her fear of being kicked out of her parents’ the feelings he was having during his sophomore year house in the letter and had planned to find alternative at University of Houston. housing if need be.

“I guess it took going to college and being in a “Due to my mother and father’s relimore intellectual environment to begin gious background, they didn’t agree with to put together the pieces,” Hartman being gay,” Craft said. “My mom called “I had no idea said. “When you get outside of your own a pastor within our church who is an ex- there was such milieu or the place you grew up in, you lesbian, and, eventually, they had me talk a thing as being meet other people, and you get to experiwith her.” ence new, positive attitudes.”

She said this led to further familial tur- openly and Hartman said even though he has moil, but, ultimately, her parents more or proudly gay.” openly been a part of the LGBTQ comless came to terms with her sexuality. munity since his sophomore year in col“My mom isn’t really accepting and WILLIAM HARTMAN lege, there are still aspects of it he has is a little in denial, but she still loves me assistant professor only recently learned about. regardless,” Craft said. “My dad is a little “Some of it is relatively new to me, better about the gay thing and makes and I’ve actually learned quite a bit in my jokes with me, and we’ll comment on women being role as faculty adviser,” Hartman said. “I’ve learned hot but just not when my mom is around.“ the subtle difference in gender and the difference beWilliam Hartman, a faculty adviser for PRISM, tween sexuality and gender identity.” said he grew up confused about the feelings he was He said the Internet has allowed these issues to having and did not come to understand them until he come to the forefront after decades of being misunwas older. derstood and stifled.

“It was difficult because I went to high school in “There have always been people who have had Shreveport and my father was in the Air Force,” Hart- these feelings, but there was never really a consciousman said. “It was a relatively long time ago, so there ness of it, so I think social media has gone a long wasn’t as much awareness or understanding in soci- way toward getting rid of the isolation that LGBTQ ety as there is today.” people have felt,” Hartman said. “Now there are well Hartman said there was no real community for established communities across the Internet that help LGBTQ people, and the consensus around the coun- people begin to understand that, yes, there are other try was largely negative. people who have these same feelings.”

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8 • The Tech Talk • October 20, 2016

THIS WEEK IN Continuing to beat the odds

BULLDOG

FOOTBALL

Trent Taylor shows the country he can do it all

The Louisiana Tech football team will travel to Miami to take on the Florida International University Golden Panthers at 6 p.m. Saturday.

The game can be seen on ESPN3 and can be listened to on Z107.5FM. Tech leads the series between the two teams (2-0).

Overall Record: 4-3, (2-1) Points per game: 41.6 Points allowed per game: 32.7 Players to watch: Carlos Henderson – WR 42 catches, 884 yards, 10 touchdowns Xavier Woods – S 50 tackles, 1 sack, 3 interceptions Tech is ranked No. 1 in the country in total offense.

Overall Record: 3-4, (3-0) Points per game: 21.2 Points allowed per game: 32.4 Players to watch: Alex McGough – QB 115 for 202, 1303 yards, 7 touchdowns Treyvon Williams – LB 75 tackles, 3 sacks, 5 tackles for loss FIU is ranked No. 101 in the country in total defense.

Photo by Tom Morris/LATechSportsPix.com

Trent Taylor makes a diving catch in the Bulldogs’ 38-34 loss to the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Sept. 24 in Murfreesboro.

ALEX HEARD Staff Reporter | amh072@latech.edu There is a ghost among us in Ruston.

Yes, it seems fictional, and a tad coincidental because Halloween is just around the corner.

However, this apparition is no joke and has not just arrived, it has been in North Central Louisiana for almost four years now – haunting opposing defenses at Joe Aillet Stadium as a wide receiver for the Louisiana Tech football team.

Trent Taylor is only 5-8, yet is putting up statistics more like a 6-4 receiver would. He is so quick off of the line of scrimmage that defensive backs and linebackers responsible with guarding him cannot touch him, much like a ghost. And every play they do not get a hand on him, he is wide open for big gains and touchdowns, which haunts opponents like a ghost. They must not touch him much at all because he already has 75 receptions for 987 yards and eight touchdowns through only seven games this season. For his career he has 266 receptions (second all-time in Tech history to Biletnikoff winner Troy Edwards 280, which should be passed this season) 3363 yards and 28 touchdowns.

Growing up in Cookeville, Tennessee, Taylor learned to overcome much larger opponents despite his small stature. He would play tackle football with his older brother who would treat him as if he were big, not small, running him over any chance he could.

“That is where I adapted my quickness,” Taylor said. “I had to learn to get away from him somehow. I would play with him and his friends which got me ready for what I do today. I play Photo by Tom Morris/LATechSportsPix.com with a bunch of monsters.”

Trent Taylor returns a punt during the Bulldog’s Monsters and a ghost – how fitting.

Taylor moved to Shreveport to play high 21-20 loss to the Arkansas Razorbacks Sept. 3 in school football at Evangel, a powerhouse that has Fayetteville. put out a myriad of college and professional football players.

“The level of play they have at Evangel is tre- succeed in the National Football League. Antomendous,” Taylor said. “They got me prepared nio Brown, son of former Tech receiver Eddie in any way possible for college. The offensive Brown, of the Pittsburgh Steelers is only two minds that we had there were just way past the inches taller than Taylor and has become the best high school level. I would not be here if it was in the league. He got there through his quickness and footwork, much like Taylor. Before Brown not for them.”

Size is not the only thing Taylor has had to there was Wes Welker – who is only an inch taller. overcome. While at Tech, Taylor has had a differ- Taylor not only models their physical traits but ent starting quarterback each year he has played. their mental traits as well.

“I like to pay attention to the smaller-sized reMost of the time, in order for receivers to put up the type of statistics like Taylor, they play with ceivers like me,” Taylor said. “Guys like Welker, the same quarterback over a span of multiple Brown, Steve Smith, Cole Beasley and Danny seasons. Taylor, on the other hand, has kept his Amendola. I like seeing guys who play with a numbers consistent despite Tech’s quarterback bunch of passion out on the field. I like to learn whatever I can from them and add it to my game.” carousel.

Players like Trent Taylor are rare. Guys who “Our coaches like to tell us each team has life span of one year,” Taylor said. “Each year you have complete disregard for what they are told start out with a new team and there has got to they can or cannot do. This is because they know be a completely different mind set. Having new that a person’s size can be measured but their quarterback each year is where that mind set heart cannot.

With the mind set he has there is no way he holds true.”

It is not like a player of Taylor’s size cannot cannot succeed in life, the sky’s the limit.

Tech’s Dancy diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma NEWS SERVICES

the issues that we have. Now we have something close to home, a teammate in a battle for his Louisiana Tech sophomore running back life.”

Dancy learned of the diagnosis Jaqwis Dancy has been diagnosed the Friday following the WKU game with stage 3 Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and is scheduled to begin treatment head football coach Skip Holtz anthis week at St. Jude’s Research Hosnounced Monday. pital in Memphis, Tennessee. Holtz “Jaqwis is in a different battle right informed Dancy’s teammates the folnow,” head coach Skip Holtz said. lowing Sunday evening.

“All of our thoughts and prayers are The team wore special decals on with Jaqwis. He is constantly on our their helmets supporting Dancy durminds and in our prayers with what ing its 56-28 win over UMass this we are doing as a football team right past Saturday at Gillette Stadium in now. There is a dose of reality that we Foxborough. have a teammate and a family memHodgkin’s lymphoma is a treatber that is fighting through a tough able form of cancer of the lymphatic battle right now. For everyone on this DANCY system, which is part of the immune team, it has brought a real sense of system, according to the American togetherness and appreciation for the blessings that we have on a day-to-day basis. We Cancer Society.

“Our No. 1 goal is to be there for Jaqwis durfind a way to complain, moan and groan over

ing this time in his life,” Louisiana Tech Director of Athletics Tommy McClelland said. “He has the complete support and love from all of us within the Louisiana Tech Family. He will be in our prayers as he battles this disease.”

A native of Junction City, Arkansas, Dancy saw action in all 13 games as a freshman in 2015, while totaling 17 kickoff returns for 296 yards. He was used primary on special teams throughout the 2015 season, but has been sidelined the first half of this season due to an ongoing ankle injury.

Dancy was a three-star recruit out of Junction City High School and was ranked 63rd nationally among running backs by Rivals in the 2015 class. He was a three-time state championship game MVP while helping lead Junction City to three consecutive state titles during his prep days.

Fans are encouraged two tweet support for Dancy using the hashtag #Dogs4Dancy.