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FEBRUARY 9, 2017 AMBER HARRINGTON News Editor | anh038@latech.edu

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Politics of Rape

his week, Louisiana Tech and the Waggoner Center welcomed a speaker who aimed to shed light on what some consider a rather controversial topic: rape. On Feb. 2, author and freelance journalist Jessica Luther spoke Journalist Jessica Luther encourages Tech to students about her new book students to speak about a controversial topic titled “Unsportsmanlike Conduct: College Football and the Politics of Rape,” which explores the role sexual assault plays in college football teams and the futile institutional reactions regarding “It’s particularly it. While the book breathtaking and also highlights the horrible when need for a drastic modification in the you realize, for way sports media instance, that responded and cov- when a head ered rape stories, coach of an Luther said it is not an advocation for NFL team was a protest against the head coach of a National Collegiate college football Athletic Association team, he had (NCAA) or the media. Instead, it serves multiple playas a tool to increase ers accused of consciousness and rape and literclarity about an ongoing issue in socially nothing happened to them.” ety today. “My biggest reason behind writing JESSICA LUTHER the book was probably raising awareness,” Luther said. “I don’t think of the book as activism, but more talking about the patterns and focusing on individual and noncontextualized stories of this one Photo by Ashley Kober particular issue.” Author and freelance journalist Jessica Luther speaks to Tech stuWhile she considers the book a success, Luther said she was dents about how sexual assault is addressed in college sports. hesitant at first to publish it because she feared readers would ings about it because people love it.” Luther said writing the book respond negatively to her seem- college football,” she said. “We care very deeply about what hap- was more difficult than she had ingly unpopular opinion. “Just in general, the issue of pens to our teams, so yeah, when imagined because she found the sexual assault is a very heated you’re critiquing them, you never topic itself to be an extremely issue — people have lots of feel- know how people will respond to sensitive and triggering one. She

VOLUME 91 • ISSUE 14 said it was not only grueling to read and write about this type of violence, but also to see the indifference many institutions had to it. “It’s particularly breathtaking and horrible when you realize, for instance, that when a head coach of an NFL team was a head coach of a college football team, he had multiple players accused of rape and literally nothing happened to them,” she said. “That kind of stuff I find very difficult to process, I ended up taking huge breaks.” In order to spark a structural change in the way college and sports teams deal with sexual assault, Luther said colleges must focus more on prevention and less on punishment. “We’ve tried punishment for a long time and that doesn’t seem to do much; obviously we’re not very good at it and nothing has changed so let’s try the other side,” she said. “But, that’s hard work; you have to be proactive. You have to care about your players enough and be willing to spend extra money.” Her plan for this, she said, would be to encourage athletes to be leaders on this issue. “We should be teaching consent and healthy relationships from kindergarten up and certainly, coaches should be trained in it,” she said. “Because when athletes want to be advocates, they really can be, they, more than anyone, can make an impact.” Luther encourages other journalists interested in writing on such a controversial issue to not let fear hinder them and to be willing to take on the challenge because in the end, it is rewarding. “You just have to do it,” she said.“Even now, every single time I publish a piece on this topic I get scared, I get scared while I’m writing it and then right before we do it. I don’t know what’s about to happen, it could be bad. But I know that it’s never not worth it, because the work always matters.”

Tech partners with local community colleges STARLA GATSON News Editor | sjg021@latech.edu While many universities strive to improve higher education opportunities on their campuses, Louisiana Tech has aimed to expand higher education in North Louisiana by joining forces with two local community colleges. On Jan. 24 and 26, respectively, Tech officially formalized partnerships with Louisiana Delta Community College (LDCC) and Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC). Darian Atkins, director of pubATKINS lic relations at LDCC, said the agreement will allow students of the community college to take developmental courses at Tech before enrolling at the university. “This agreement addresses cross-enrollment for developmental courses in mathematics and English,” she said. “The students who need to take these courses will be able to do so on Tech’s campus.” Atkins said the decision to partner with Tech was influenced by a need for teamwork between the two institutions. “We work better together,” Atkins said. “The reality is that we have students that start here with a desire to go to Tech but need some

> see COMMUNITY page 6

Spanish Club hosts barbecue cookout in the Quad JOHN STACK Staff Reporter | jes062@latech.edu With Spanish being the third most spoken language on the planet, students at Louisiana Tech are making a piece of this culture available for all. On Jan. 31, the sky was blue, the wind was blowing — the smell of freshly grilled food drifted throughout the air, and lovers of both Spanish food and language, students and teachers alike turned out in droves to enjoy the Spanish Club’s inauguration celebration. Jacob Fontenot, club president and a double degree candidate in mechanical engineering and Spanish, said he wanted to share his love of both the language and the culture at this inception. “The barbecue was a success,” Fontenot said. “We grilled chicken, steak and pork that

we marinated the night before and served them on tacos; the people seemed to love them. The nacho-eating competition was hysterical. I loved seeing the participants getting into the competition and everyone laughing at them.” He said they busted a piñata near the end of the barbecue and that he enjoyed seeing everyone pounce on the candy that fell out. Their Spanish professors also stopped by, along with some Hispanic international students and a few people from the ELS staff. It really was a beautiful thing seeing the community come together having a good time, he said. “It was a lot of work, but well worth it,” Fontenot said. “We had around 200 people show up.” The vice president of the club, Martin Aviles, a native Spanish speaker studying

Spanish and plant science at Tech, said he loves languages and is happy to help share his culture. “I want to thank all the students and faculty who came to our first official event, Carne Asada in the Quad and made it a success,” Aviles said. “I was so excited to meet so many people interested in the Spanish language for various reasons. Some native speakers attended the event, and I hope they continue coming to our events so that they share their amazing culture with us.” He said he has in mind their suggestions and hopes for the club and he wants them to know that he will do his best to make them a reality. The secretary and treasurer for the club, Rachel Madore, is from Phoenix and a sophomore majoring in electrical engineering and minoring in Spanish and pre-law.

“Yesterday, at the Carne Asada in the Quad, I realized the full extent of what the Spanish Club can do on campus,” said Madore, “I thought the event was a success because not only did people enjoy the food, but also they met others who were encouraging them to learn Spanish and get involved.” She said the whole mission of the club is to promote fun, freestyle learning of Spanish language and culture. “If we have as much enthusiasm as we did yesterday at every conversation session and meeting, I think that the atmosphere for students on campus who want to learn different languages will change in a beneficial way,” Madore said. “Also, I was excited to see that so many faculty members were interested in getting involved, even if they were not faculty in the language department. Let’s leave a legacy on this campus together.”

2 • The Tech Talk • February 9, 2017

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Union Board hosts archery tag event KEIERA BELL Staff Reporter| klb072@latech.edu

Tech’s Union Board (UB) held an event Tuesday, Jan. 31 in the TONK where teams of eight competed against one another with bows and foam-tipped arrows for a competition of archery tag. Samuel Parsons, a junior kinesiology major and UB’s special events committee head, said the idea for archery tag came from a conference UB attended in the fall. “We found the archery tag company at the conference and thought it would be a great fit for Tech students,” Parsons said. He said they received requests from students through social media. He said students would tag the UB Facebook page in the comments of videos and ask them if they could possibly bring the activity to campus. “We chose this specifically because it was a response to students’ desires,” Parsons said. “We haven’t had an event quite like this before.” He said UB will host another event that is similar to archery tag’s concept because the students

Photo by Danny Do

Edward Taylor (right) a sophomore in psychology, participates in archery tag hosted by Union Board. seemed to enjoy it and get back in line to play again. DeJason Fowler, a senior electrical engineering and physics major, said he thought it was something like laser tag, but then noticed it

was a medieval nerf kind of game. “My first reaction was that I wouldn’t like it, but that all changed once I began playing,” Fowler said. He said it was his first time shooting an actual bow and arrow,

Up Til Dawn event teaches students how to contribute MORGAN BERNARD Staff Reporter | mrb056@latech.edu

group’s purpose is to unite Tech’s campus in an effort spearheaded and led by the student body to educate the campus and Louisiana Tech’s Up Til Dawn (UTD) community about the mission of St. Jude organization held a fundraising event Jan. Children’s Research Hospital.” Maness said she is excited about the 30, where its members learned how to contribute to fundraising through a step- progress UTD has made in its first year at Tech and is thankful to be a part of the by-step process. The FUNdraising 101 event consisted team. “Around this time last of a short class on fundraising as well as raffles, prizes “The group’s purpose year, I started trying to recruit people to join for the and free pizza for students is to unite Tech’s executive board, and it has who attended. been the best experience,” Avery Maness, executive campus in an effort director of UTD, said the spearheaded and led she said. “Through this club, I have met so many event was an opportunity people, and more imfor people who were inter- by the student body portantly, I have learned ested in the group to learn to educate the camabout how cancer and about what the organization pus and community other diseases have affectdoes with St. Jude Children’s ed so many people’s lives.” Research Hospital and how about the mission of St. Jude Children’s Kathryn Lafleur, a they can become involved. sophomore accounting “We started with a mo- Hospital.” major, said she thinks the ment where everyone could audience had fun at the hear about what St. Jude’s AVERY MANESS event. is, and the effects they have Executive director of UTD “The beginning of the when they sign up for things event was more about like Up Til Dawn and help learning what St. Jude’s is fundraise,” Maness said. “The event was really to be able to sit like and how our team works with them,” down and hang out with your friends Lafleur said. “Then the fundraising bewhile learning some simple but effective gan, and every time you finished a task ways to fundraise. If people signed up for you received a ticket that you could place the event but had not fundraised yet, it in the various raffles. I think most attendwas the perfect chance to knock it all out ees were excited about the Apple watch in one night with people there that can and Eno hammock that were some of our prizes.” answer their questions." Lafleur said she enjoyed the event and Maness said she hopes by coming to the fundraising event, people learned a looks forward to UTD’s future. “I love how quickly the Up Til Dawn little more about UTD and its work. “I hope the audience gained a better team has grown in just a year,” she said. understanding of what St. Jude Chil- “Tech is a great place to start anything, dren's Research Hospital is as well as the but this community is especially good impact we are making by being a part of at rallying around causes that affect so the Up Til Dawn team,” she said. “The many people.”

but used to create his own by using a stick, rubber band and a pencil. “I’m glad the opportunity to play was there because there isn’t much to do in Ruston,” Fowler said. “I love participating in events,

although I don’t live on campus anymore.” He said the Union Board made archery tag a way of being socially active because they opened their options so students could get involved more and have a chance to meet new people by putting them on teams. Mack Hall, a Tech graduate and Lifetime UB member, said he has never done something like archery tag before, but being able to play was fun and awesome. “Archery tag is something all students should look forward to when given the chance,” Hall said. “It’s also very exciting to see current members bringing new activities to the campus. He said as long as Tech’s UB members continue attending the national convention every year and stay in touch with students on social media, they should be able to find different ideas for campus activities. “It makes me proud to be a lifetime member of an organization that works hard and is constantly looking for something fresh and new to bring to students,” Hall said.

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February 9, 2017 • The Tech Talk • 3

Who’s Who showcases Tech seniors KACIE KAUFMAN News Editor | kjk019@latech.edu

Twenty seniors who were deemed representative of the Tenets of Tech through the Who’s Who competition were honored Jan. 30. The Tech Who’s Who Banquet at the Davison Athletic Center brought together a group of students who had undergone an extensive application and interview process. The winners were chosen based on GPA, campus involvement, leadership and other factors. Lawrence Adams, a senior mechanical engineering major, said the process of being selected to Who’s Who was representative of his college years, and brought back memories of his time at Tech. “It kind of brought to fruition for me what the half-decade of college has been,” he said. “It’s a lot of fun; there’s a lot of memories of the struggle that was engineering and the academic world. It’s a nice way to finish off school and the academic career.” Adams was selected as one of two Tech Elite from the Who’s Who honorees. “Even being nominated to be selected for this process was an honor in itself and to get Tech Elite,” he said. “It leaves one speechless; I can’t really even process all that’s happening right now. It’s beyond an honor.” Adams said this particular group of soon-to-be graduates of Tech had a large reservoir of potential. “These people are going to be top leaders wherever they end up in their industries,” he said. “Keep a close eye on us. Hopefully we can be proud Tech alumni for the future and be leaders.” Catherine Seabaugh, a senior political science major, said receiving the award was a great way to finish her career at Tech. “It was an honor for sure, it’s just great to know that Louisiana Tech has given me so much, and I’ve tried to give so much back to it and I think it’s great that just that it is being recognized,” she said. “It’s a great embodi-

Photo by Brian Blakely

Lawrence Adams (left) and Eva Edinger (right) pose with TJ Pittman (middle) and their Who’s Who competition awards. Adams and Edinger were selected as the two Tech Elite from among the Who’s Who students. ment of my time here.” Seabaugh said she decided to take part in the competition due to her range of campus involvement. “I think that I was inspired to apply because I’ve been involved in very different areas of Louisiana Tech, like I was a cheerleader and then in a sorority,” she said. “I’m

Tech aviation partners with Cape Air DILLON NELSON Staff Reporter | djn005@latech.edu

as part of their training at Tech to eventually work on a major one. Louisiana Tech’s avia“This opportunity altion department has been lows them to interview broadening its horizons and be selected as a by partnering with several sophomore, to graduate, regional airlines over the work for us for about 500 years. hours of instructions, then The department part- work for Cape Air for two nered with Cape Air out years,” he said. of Nantucket, MassachuLyons said Cape Air setts, in an airline path- makes the student pracway agreement Monday, tice on a twin-engine, sixJan. 23. Tech’s accredited seater plane rather than status enables students to a jet during that time. He start working toward an said this is one aspect of airline with 1,000 hours of the program which makes flying time. them more attractive to Jordan Lyons, director other employers. for the aviation depart“You build quality time ment, said these agree- being a captain, a first ofments are meant to help ficer, a flight attendant pilots get hired very early and a baggage handler on in their college these flights” he career. “Boeing fore- said. “It creates “Our graduate well-roundedplacement over casts that the ness in a pilot.” the past eight world needs Lion Carroll, years is 100 per- half a million a pilot recruiter cent, and the rea- pilots by the for Cape Air, son for this is the said he decided worldwide de- year 2030.” it was a nomand for pilots,” JORDAN LYONS brainer to parthe said. “Boeing, aviation director ner with Tech a worldwide aviawhen he visited tion researcher, the campus and forecasts that the world met with Jordan Lyons. He needs half a million pilots said the culture of Tech’s by the year 2030.” aviation program was a Lyons said the goal of great fit for their own. entering agreements with “Jordan knew all of his Cape Air and other air- students, and there was a lines is to give Tech gradu- small, family atmosphere, ates a way to start work- which was just a huge aping for a major airline in peal to us,” he said. a non-standard path. He Carroll said his prosaid most graduates go to gram places student in a a smaller, regional airline non-automated cockpit

and lets them make a majority of the calls. He said the program emphasizes this slightly older way of flying to broaden the students’ skillset even further. “We hand-fly smaller aircrafts, so with the skills that you get in an operation like ours you get quality pilots,” he said. “Instead of going up the lines from first officer position others, you come to us and fly with the captain for a while so you’re getting some hands-on experience.” Chad LeViolette, a senior aviation major, said he believes Tech’s aviation program has a good reputation because it has a quality record and take part in smart endeavors like the Cape Air agreement. “They’re very structured and have very good flight instructors,” he said.”We’re pretty highly sought after because, at the end of the day, these airlines recognize that we produce a good pilot.” LeViolette said the employee culture of Cape Air reinforced this idea and made a positive impression with him. “It was more of a happier place to work and it was about serving the customer and enjoying your job,” he said. “I’m not saying other airlines don’t promote this, but they really seem to take it to heart.”

in a lot of different organizations, and so I think because I’ve been shaped by a lot of different areas in the university, I’d be a good representative.” TJ Pittman, a junior political science major, said as the commissioner of academic affairs for the Student Government Association, he played a major part in organizing

the event. He said the event was one to remember. “I think it’s really prestigious,” he said. “I think that everyone who made it is deserving, and even some of the people who didn’t make it were very deserving. It’s very, very competitive, and it really brings out and shines on the best students at Tech.”

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4 • The Tech Talk • February 9, 2017

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TechTalk

LET’S TRY A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE

MANAGEMENT

Are there only two sides?

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KEIERA BELL Staff Reporter | klb072@latech.edu

n a life with so many mishaps and disagreements, it’s hard for some people to keep a positive outlook. So if you can’t be positive, just become neutral, like Switzerland. I’ve been through quite a few hardships in my life, like breakups, arguments with family and friends, bad grades, the loss of loved ones, close encounters with death, depression, anxiety, etc. Sometimes I feel like I’ve been through so much that life itself can get worse rather than better. However, I know that is not a healthy way to go about things because it can become a detrimental way of thinking. So my solution is to become neutral. Seeing life through a neutralized pointof-view can help make things somewhat balanced. It is not always guaranteed to work, but it helps to deal with many aspects of life which seem to be more negative. For instance, I dislike politics because people are so adamant about their views and opinions, which they believe

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fect midground can give us the opportunity of seeing both sides of our lives. From my personal experience, it has shown me how to see the good and bad of future possibilities depending on my choices. I also feel like it has made me both sympathetic and empathetic to those around me because I can put myself in their shoes and think of ways to help them, whether it be by giving them advice or a nice bear hug. Regrettably, not everyone can be as passionate or see life through a set of neutral eyes where they can visualize and fully comprehend the pros and cons of a situation and how it will affect those around them. So the lesson here is to think before your actions; just because it is not a problem to you doesn’t mean it won’t be problematic for someone else. Taking a step back to center yourself in life might prove difficult at times, but now it’s needed more than ever. Keiera Bell is a senior journalism major from Opelousas who serves as a reporter for The Tech Talk.

WHEELIN’ AND DILLON

End of an era

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The Tech Talk (USPS 535540) is published Thursdays of the regu lar school year, except in vacation and examination periods, by the Journalism Department of Loui siana Tech University. Publication office is in Keeny Hall, Room 138.

are always right and just for everyone. Yet, no matter my dislike, I know politics are needed in order to run our country; thus I pay attention to know what’s occurring around the world. As a journalism major, I cannot simply abandon any form of news because it is both my right and job to know. Another part of my job is to be unbiased — which means not having an opinion — in my writing or reporting so the readers can form their own beliefs or decisions. So allin-all, this neutral area is where I belong. I know it’s not habitually easy to stay in a gray area when certain circumstances arise, especially when there is a need for one to take action and make an onthe-spot decision. Nevertheless, there is a need to have some form of balance in our lives, just like the Chinese philosophy of yin and yang. The two opposite yet complementary energies in this world are completely different in their individual qualities and nature, which makes them interdependent, but they are never separate because they cannot exist without the other. So if need be, finding that per-

DILLON NELSON Staff Reporter | djn005@latech.edu

ost days I keep the TV tuned to Cartoon Network both on the couch and around the house. I’ve always watched it, but since my sophomore year in high school, the channel has been in something of a second golden era which I have kept up with more than any other era of the network. “Adventure Time,” “Steven Universe,” “Regular Show” and “The Amazing World of Gumball” are some of the deepest animated programs around, and I have always looked forward to the release of these shows’ 15-minute bursts of art. However, I took it for granted that each show could run for years and years and could not imagine them ending. This goes against my normal desire for favorite shows to end after a reasonable run so they do not start to decline in quality, but I felt these shows had a special quality that would allow them to continue for years. With “Regular Show” over and the other three showing signs of winding down or slated to end, I now realize we are near the end of an era in animation.

These shows have been a reliable comfort to me as I have tried to stay whimsical and optimistic at heart as I grow older. I also realize that my shock at this idea is tied to my personal unease with having to grow up, and I imagine other people my age might be feeling the same way. Panic at this thought might seem unreasonable to the uninitiated, but these were the shows we actually grew up on. I do not mean in the same way your parents said they grew up on “Tom and Jerry.” Sure, that show is a classic, but older cartoons like this lacked the scope and emotional resonance of the modern form of cartoons of which Cartoon Network is pioneering. To me, these shows were made for the purpose of growing up on, which is why they began using continuity and story arcs more heavily. “Adventure Time,” “Steven Universe” and “Regular Show” are all coming of age stories in their own ways with frequent themes about growing up and dealing with all aspects of life. These shows made a point not to condescend its young target audience, while still resonating with older audience members like myself. This made for some of the most mature, thoughtful

television even as episodes were often as wacky as they come on a surface level. I will cherish these shows and miss this period of my life as it is likely to be the last time Cartoon Network will have such a sublime lineup and the last time its shows will ever be able to touch me in the same way. I, along with other fans, can take solace in two things though. The shows will always be around to re-watch and share with others throughout our lives, especially our children. Another is how, in a couple of years, there will be a whole new generation of animators and writers who grew up on this era of animation making their own shows. I am confident this generation will continue to experiment and improve on the groundwork Cartoon Network (along with other networks that followed) has laid. Though I am bummed out that I will not have my favorite cartoons to marvel at anymore, I am happy to have gotten to grow up during this special era of animation. Dillon Nelson is a senior English literature and communication major from West Monroe who serves as a reporter for The Tech Talk.

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GUEST COLUMN

United we stand, divided we fall SAM SPEED Assistant Dean of Student Life

often wonder what a snapshot of our world will look like in 20, 50 or even 100 years. More particularly, what the United States of America will look like? I have often commented that we are more like the Un-united States of America than the United States of America. We are divided along several issues such as politics, religion, and race showing among other things we lack appreciation of other people’s perspectives. James Deacon said regarding perspective, “What you see depends not only on what you look at, but also, on where you look from.” Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu said, “A world issue can only truly be understood when we see it and analyze it from multiple perspectives.” One example would be what we are taught about the discovery of this country, which is Christopher Columbus discovered America. Obviously this is a European and now western perspective. The Native Americans however would say he discovered a place they already called home. Dr. Ivan Van Sertima would tell you of indigenous African people who passed Columbus on two of his journeys would say that they “explored” the land long before Columbus (Christopher himself documented this by the way). As

Dan Brown says, “Sometimes all it takes is a tiny shift of perspective to see something familiar in a totally new light.” We must break down and challenge our own perspectives. So, back to the snapshot, lets take one of our country and see if we can force ourselves to see it from a few different perspectives. Obviously a lot of energy and effort has gone into the political landscape so lets take a stab at this divisive entity. I hear terms such as left, right, conservative, and liberal so much and with so much vitriol I’m starting to believe they are curse words. Maybe if they were curse words we would refrain from using them and start to listen instead of criticize. Hearing to respond is different than hearing to understand. Take in the questions below and answer them from multiple views. By the way, spend the majority of your time on the view you traditionally oppose. Is liberal truly open-minded or is it only if you have liberal views? Is left wrong and right actually right? Are political views divided along racial lines? What does it mean to be conservative? Are most Christians conservative? Are Muslims conservative? What are you conserving? Who are Christians? Who are Muslims? Has America been “great” for all people? If America becomes great

again, when was it first great? Can you truly be pro life and yet not want everyone to have adequate healthcare? Should a person receiving government assistance be given money only as a part of wages for a job where they are appreciated and treated with respect? Can a person work hard their entire life and not be adequately compensated and or respected for their work without being accused of asking for a handout? Does capitalism truly reward those who work hard? It’s my attempt to engage in dialogue not to prove my point(s) but to challenge how we think and to learn how to respect others perspective. We have all developed and shifted to a particular paradigm as it relates to life. How we move forward with this paradigm is of utmost importance. We as a people must bond together, put aside our differences, embrace our differences, respect our differences, understand our differences, and rise together as a nation. We don’t have to agree in order to agree. Our agreement must be predicated upon humanity and the pursuit of life and liberty. Please join me in this pursuit to change perspective, and let’s remember do so in love and with respect.

Sam Speed is the assistant dean of student life who can be reached at sspeed@latech.edu.

The truth behind the travel ban The first two weeks of Donald Trump’s presidency have been filled with action. During the first 10 days, Trump signed seven executive orders. The order that has gotten the most attention is the EO halting immigrants from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States. This ban bars citizens from Libya, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Iraq, Somalia and Yemen from entering the U.S. for 90 days. Trump also suspended the US refugee program for 120 days. While this order may come as a surprise, this is not the first time a president has put a halt on immigration. In 2011, Obama’s state department stopped processing Iraqi refugee requests for six months. The order came from a direct threat made by Iraqi nationals living in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The argument against Trump’s ban is that there have been no direct threats from any of these seven countries. According to a Politifact report, no immigrant from the countries listed has been implicated in any fatal terrorist attack in the Unites States, though perpetrators of at least three nondeadly cases were connected to Iran or Somalia. The job of the president is to first make sure his citizens are safe. That is what both Presidents Trump and Obama have done. The difference with Trump’s order and Obama’s is the media. The news media has been covering Trump and his orders very closely. Some would say they are just doing their jobs. Is the media making this more of a circus than it should be? Twitter has made it easier for the public to follow what is being said and done, and Donald Trump himself is no stranger to the popular social media site. American citizens are scared and want to see change. They do not want to see another terror attack on this nation. The people understand this nation was built on immigrants, but they want to be able to keep everyone here safe before welcoming new citizens. The people from these countries are fleeing war and looking for a better life. They look to America as the land of freedom and opportunity. The American people must come first, and Trump is doing that. Not all American citizens are happy with this ban. The travel ban has been blocked by multiple federal judges, and we are waiting to see if the order will get overturned. It has been three weeks since Trump was sworn in. We still have four more years with this man as our president. While he may say outrageous things on Twitter, he is still the president. The role of the president is to keep its citizens safe, and that is what Trump believes he is doing, whether we like it or not. Our country is going through a transitional period, and only time will tell how things will play out.

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February 9, 2017 • The Tech Talk • 5

Every dog finds its purpose MIA HESTER Staff Reporter | msh061@latech.edu

“A Dog’s Purpose” was released Jan. 27th and was directed by Lasse Hallström. The movie is about the reincarnation of a particular dog named Bailey. Hallström has directed many movies, such as: “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape,” “Safe Haven,” “The Hundred Foot Journey,” “Dear John” and “Chocolat.” The cast in the movie were mainly under-the-radar actors except for Dennis Quaid. The movie was filled with heartfelt moments, just as you would expect in an dog movie. Think of the movie “Marley and Me” or even “Lassie.” The visuals were quite pleasing and changed throughout the movie with each owner of the dog. In the beginning, were in a average suburban area with a middle class family in the ‘60s era. Then the dog, Bailey, was reincarnated into a police dog in the ‘70s era. After that, he came back as a Corgi, which is a smaller dog, and that was in the ‘80s and ‘90s.

Dreamworks Studio

Ethan, played by Dennis Quaid, with Bailey during one of his reincarnations.

The last time the dog came back, he had the same owner as he had the first time he was on Earth, and that was in the present. Each time Bailey was reincarnated, he had a dif-

ferent purpose because he was in different situations. He learned things from each owner, because each one was unalike from the next one. One was a little boy that he grew with, another

was an African-American woman in college, then a Hispanic policeman. In the movie, Bailey, voiced by Josh Gad, said a dog’s purpose was to enjoy life, but it was more than that. He was there to

use what he had learned in order to help those when possible. He had learned to appreciate the good owners and things from the bad. Bailey was even a stray dog for a while, but it

worked out in his favor. The heartfelt moments of the movie were the relationships and bonds that he had made with the different owners. Another thing that was interesting about the movie was that they used the concept of reincarnation in a dog movie. On the other hand, the transitions between each life seemed a bit forced. The producers should have made them more cohesive and smooth. The movie also seemed a bit rushed overall, and there was not an equal time for each owner. The beginning part was with the first owner, Ethan, and he was with Ethan for most of the movie. There should have been a balance between each owner and dog; but the focus was mainly on one relationship. Although this relationship with Ethan and Bailey was the one of the most heartfelt relationships in the movie, there should have been a little more of that in each situation. In the end of the movie, everyone learns the value of relationships with their pets and even the people in one’s lives.

Beloved comic comes to life SARAH-KATHERINE SEMON Staff Reporter | sks033@latech.edu On Jan. 26, the CW premiered its new series, “Riverdale,” based on the beloved “Archie” comic books. The premiere episode presented multiple plots and storylines as a way of introducing the characters and providing background, illustrating the differences between this version of “Archie” and the original comics. Although this was the first episode, TELEVISION and it is expected to set the scene for the season to come, so much was established in the beginning it was difficult to follow along. The show successfully intertwined almost every character in some way, whether it be through friendship, a relationship or conflict. K.J. Apa, whose hair was dyed an outrageous orange color, plays the role of Archie. As the main character of the show and the namesake of the comics, Apa had some big shoes to fill. At first his character was slow to develop and was lacking in emotion, but eventually he became likable and relatable. Archie’s best friend, Betty Cooper, is played by Lili Reinhart. Betty’s character began as intelligent with a get-it-done attitude, which

K.J. Apa and Luke Perry star in “Riverdale.” quickly changed to a whiny and somewhat pathetic demeanor after her relationship with Archie takes an unexpected turn. The friendship between Archie and Betty serves as one of the many storylines that audiences will find intriguing. The character of Veronica, a New York socialite, moves to Riverdale in this episode and makes her place among the characters. She is portrayed by Camila Mendes, who gave one of the best performances of the show. Veronica tests the trust of many characters in this episode and portrays the challenge of being accepted that many teenagers face today. Perhaps the most well known actor of the Riverdale bunch is Cole Sprouse, who is also known for his Disney Channel show “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody.” He plays Jughead, and while Jughead does not appear to be a central character in the social relationships between the main characters at Riverdale

CW Studios

High, he plays a pivotal role in that the show is narrated as a result of his observations and interactions. Cheryl Blossom, the twin sister of the boy whose death serves as a key storyline is played by Madelaine Petsch. Her personality is vibrant and bubbly while being cruel to everyone she comes in contact with. Although she is the typical mean girl, there is a dangerous edge to her that separates her from the stereotypes that come with that sort of character. “Riverdale” did border on the side of a cliché teenage drama. The characters fight over boys and use text lingo in actual speech, as if that is something normal teenagers do. The only thing that saves it from going full on teen drama is the murder mystery plot line that brings not only substance but intrigue to the story. The premiere episode was very promising, and if “Riverdale” lives up to the success of other CW shows it is sure to be a hit.

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6 • The Tech Talk • February 9, 2017

www.horoscopes.com.net

Aries March 21 – April 19 When you were younger, your humanity and generosity seemed limitless. You felt very involved in the world and what was going wrong with it. Today you may remember these great dreams. It may be time to make some of those dreams come true. It would be especially beneficial to you if you could somehow connect this to the work you do for a living. It’s never too late to make a dream come true. Taurus Apr 20 - May 20 You’ve always been sensitive to the pain of an unhappy childhood, Taurus. Today you can no longer stand the thought of all those children living in misery, victims of war or other atrocities. And this becomes especially painful when you take a look at the happy children full of joy around you. You may think that it’s time for you to do something about it. You may be right. Gemini May 21 - Jun 20 You may feel like you need to work for a cause or political party, Gemini. The period you’re in right now is bringing you closer to social issues or humanitarian causes and pushing you to think about what you can do for people less fortunate. You can help develop a new strategy as far as human relations are concerned. Don’t hesitate to listen to your heart and be a little more generous in life. Cancer Jun 21 - Jul 22 Unfortunately, Cancer, this may be a period of conflict and tension in your family life, especially where siblings are concerned. Don’t you think it’s time to deal with these problems once and for all? It would be nice to build a new relationship with them. It might be painful, but it’s up to you to take the first step. Call a family meeting and put all your cards on the table. Leo Jul 23 - Aug 22 You now seem to be able to do everything you want to do, Leo. Things are going well as you reap the rewards of important past decisions you made. The obstacles that tended to get in your way are history now. Your family is happy and healthy. Your success is encouraging you to make plans for the future. It also enables you to look forward to much better days for you and those close to you. Virgo Aug 23 - Sep 22 You need to be more spontaneous, Virgo, and stop trying to organize other people’s lives. You will see that it isn’t so hard to just let things happen. The unexpected also has a special charm. You’re a slave to routine. You need to take a

big bite out of life and put your trust in chance for a while. The people around you would like to see more originality in your personality. Listen to them. Libra Sep 23 - Oct 22 You’re a hard worker, Libra, and you expect the same from the people around you. Today you may want to take a look at your personal and work relationships. Demanding person that you are, you may be concerned about the quality of your friendships. Don’t be afraid to separate good from bad. Life is too short to devote your energy to bad relationships. Scorpio Oct 23 - Nov 21 Scorpio, some volatile emotional matters that may have reared their heads over the past few days could finally be settled to the satisfaction of all involved. The subject of money may come up. Happiness reigns in the home, as all the members of your household are basically pleased with the way their lives are going. The appearance of some well-loved visitors may add to the contentment. Sagittarius Nov 22 - Dec 21 Some solid, honest communication between you and those you love is likely to clear up some confusion. Roles are more clearly defined, emotional problems clarified, and chores are more fairly allotted. This is going to make a big difference in your daily life. The removal of relationship issues will guarantee that the atmosphere is more harmonious from now on. Capricorn Dec 22 - Jan 19 If people say that you’re stubborn when you’re just determined, let them talk, Capricorn, and do what you need to do. However, when you think you’re being determined but you’re actually being obstinate, you may want to listen to the people around you. They don’t tell you to calm down because they’re jealous of you but because they care about you. They may not know that you hate to lose. Aquarius Jan 20 - Feb 18 It’s time to face up to certain things about yourself that you may have denied for some time, Aquarius. You have only yourself to answer to, so relax. You aren’t the first one to have to deal with old issues that probably aren’t as shameful as you think. You don’t have to be proud of them. You can’t keep hiding them from yourself. This could cause more problems than dealing with them once and for all. Pisces Feb 19 - Mar 20 It scares you when life seems like it’s slipping through your fingers and you can’t slow it down. But it isn’t life that’s playing tricks on you. You aren’t seeing things as clearly as you should be. You feel a little left out, but don’t worry. You’re just out of energy. Try and think of this empty feeling inside as a kind of purification or a much-needed break from everything.

6/28/2016

CROSSWORDPUZZLEBestCrosswords.com Puzzle #1 for June 15, 2016 Go back | Print | Help

Across 1. Wagers 5. Mogul capital until 1658 9. Swiss peaks 13. I cannot tell ___ 14. Less common 15. Champagne name 16. Subterranean room 18. Ripe for drafting 19. Foolish persons 20. Contemptible 22. Fewest 23. Make ___ at 24. James ____ Jones 26. Beer and lemonade 31. Delivery room docs 34. In order (to) 37. Refrain in a children’s song 38. In spite of 42. Confusion 43. ...baked in ___ 44. Kauai keepsake 45. “Misty” composer Garner 47. Invitation letters 50. Relaxes 53. Chair designer Charles 57. Handrail 61. Fervent 62. Teen follower 63. A reactionary 65. Switch ending 66. Relaxed 67. Internet writing system that popularized “pwn3d” and “n00b” 68. Bluish white metallic element 69. Cambodian currency

Who are we? Why are we here? Who knows? For the past two and a half millennia mankind has been wondering such and Tech students will have an opportunity to study this and more this spring in the new course, Philosophy and Theology in the Axial Age. Don Kaczvinsky, dean of the College of Liberal Arts, facilitated this course’s inception. “In essence this course is a comparative religion one,” Kaczvinsky said, “and is a first in Tech’s history.” He said he is excited to see how this course turns out and he could not wish for someone with more expertise and practical know-how to handle the class than Sportiello. “This course will explore the Axial Age Thesis by investigating these dissimilarities,” Sportiello said. “We will be reading from six of the relevant wisdom traditions―specifically from Confucianism, Daoism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism and what the Greeks call ‘philosophy.’” He said these traditions are rooted in certain conceptions of the human condition and have existed for thousands of years. As it goes, a sort of revolution swept across Eurasia―a revolution not of the sword but of the heart, of the mind (if there is such a thing). As what had been empires were riven by war, a few sages questioned conventional wisdom: reflecting on the limit of fame and fortune, they concluded that lasting satisfaction required a sort

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70. Stumbles

Across 1 Wagers; Down 5 Mogul capital until 1. Pesto ingredient 1658; 9 Swiss peaks; 13 I cannot . Evade tell 2___; 14 Less common; 15 3. Big bonename; 16 Champagne 4. Bristly room; 18 Ripe for Subterranean 5. Swiss drafting; 19river Foolish persons; 20 6. Seize Contemptible; 22 Fewest; 23 Make Queen of Spain ___7.at; 24 James ____ Jones; 26 8 . “Gunsmoke” star31 Delivery Beer and lemonade; 9. In a frenzy room docs; 34 In order (to); 37 10. Burt’s ex Refrain in a children's song; 38 In 11. Hammer end spite of; 42 Confusion; 43 ...baked 12. Adult male deer in ___; 44 Kauaiquartet: keepsake; 14. Monopoly Abbr.45 "Misty" composer Garner; 47 17. Bluesy James Invitation letters; Relaxes; 53 21. White as a 50 ghost Chair Charles; 57 23. designer HI hi Handrail; 61 Fervent; 62UTeen 25. They appear before follower; 63resource A reactionary; 65 27. Help, Switch ending; 66 Relaxed; 67 28. Singer Sedaka Internet writing system that 29. Take a meal popularized and "n00b"; 30. Hanna"pwn3d" Barbera bear 6831 Bluish element; . On awhite singlemetallic occasion . 1922 Physics Nobelist 6932 Cambodian currency; 70 33. The closest one Stumbles;

to us is the sun

LAST ISSUE’S SOLUTION 54. Gangster Lansky 35. Nile biter Down 55. Computer key 36 . Agitates 1 Pesto ingredient; 2 Evade; 3 Big 56 bone; 4 Bristly; . Cancels a dele5 Swiss river; 6 Seize; 7 Queen of Spain; 8 39. Court star; 9 In a frenzy; 10 Burt's "Gunsmoke" ex; 11 Hammer end; 12 Adult male deer; 14 Monopoly 57 . Woodstock singer Joan 40. Capri and17 Man quartet: Abbr.; Bluesy James; 2158 White as aprefix ghost; 23 HI hi; 25 They appear before U; 27 . Farming 41. resource; DDE opponent Help, 28 Singer Sedaka; 29. Take meal; 30 HannaBarbera bear; 31 On a single Noblea gas 46. Second of twoPhysics Nobelist; 59 occasion; 32 1922 33 The closest 60 . Camaro modelone to us is the sun; 35 Nile biter; 36 48. ___39 Beach, Florida Agitates; Court; 40 Capri and Man; opponent; 61. 41 CityDDE official: Abbr. 46 Second of two; 48 ___ Beach, 49 . Flat bladed oar Florida; 49 Flatbladed oar; 51 Caravansary; 52 Uneven, as if gnawed away; 54 Gangster 64. Hair goop 51. Caravansary Lansky; 55 Computer key; 56 Cancels a dele; 57 Woodstock singer Joan; 58 Farming prefix; 59 52. Uneven, as if gnawed away Noble gas; 60 Camaro model; 61 City official: Abbr.; 64 Hair goop;

WEEKLYWEATHER

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Philosophy, theology course to be offered at Tech in spring JOHN STACK Staff Reporter | jes062@latech.edu

Puzzle #1 for June 15, 2016

of conversion―a rendering of oneself so that one was no more a slave to desire and fear. “In coming to this conclusion, they relocated the source of authority: salvation would come would not come through devotion to this or that local god but rather to an order that transcended the particularities of time and place,” said Dan Sportiello[1] [2] , lector of philosophy and coordinator of the Interdisciplinary Studies Program. “And in coming to this conclusion, they saw that another world could arise―a world where all men and women were brothers and sisters, where justice mattered more than power and mercy more than justice.” He said or so states the Axial Age Thesis. According to this thesis, the wisdom traditions of China, India and Israel are continuous with that of Greece: born at the same time―and motivated by the same anxieties―they articulate the same insights into the human condition. For this thesis to be true, the traditional distinction between philosophy and theology must be false: the dissimilarities between Socrates and the Buddha―and, for that matter, between Confucius and Laozi―must be superficial, Sportiello said. Sportiello said the goal of this course is for the student to be able to reflect upon his or her own life in terms of these conceptions, and thereby coming to know one’s self. This course is open to all students― no prerequisites required. Who are we? Why are we here? After two and a half thousand years, find out this spring. Maybe.

http://www.bestcrosswords.com/bestcrosswords/printable/Home,printable.sdirect?formids=loadSolution%2CpuzzleNumber%2CpuzzleDate%2CDatePicker%2Cforma...

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Difficulty HARD

LAST ISSUE’S SOLUTION

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

>COMMUNITY from pg. 1 extra reinforcements before they apply. It’s in Tech’s and LDCC’s best interests to work together to provide a seamless transition for these particular students.” While Tech’s partnership with LDCC will benefit students, the agreement with BPCC is geared toward the community college’s faculty and staff. Les Guice, Tech’s president, said Tech’s partnership with BPCC will allow employees of the community college to pursue higher education at Tech at a discounted tuition rate. “Faculty and staff often appreciate the opportunity to advance their education and provide them more knowledge and skills to be more effective in their classrooms and to give them better opportunities for advancement,” he said. “I believe that we will see quite a few people take advantage of the programs that we have to offer.” He said the partnership has already gone into effect, and BPCC’s faculty members were

eager to have the opportunity to pursue higher education as soon as possible. “The agreement is in effect immediately,” he said. “I met a couple of faculty at BPCC during the signing event who indicated that they were ready to enroll.” Guice said Tech is responsible for providing high quality education to citizens of the state and the region and feels the partnerships with both BPCC and LDCC will better allow the university to achieve that goal. “We know that many people can’t come to Tech immediately because of their need for additional preparation, or being place-bound, or lacking of financial resources,” Guice said. “Being able to begin at a local community college and then coming to Tech afterwards may be the best or only way for them to achieve their educational and life goals. We welcome those students with open arms and know that they add a great dimension to our campus culture.”

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February 9, 2017 • The Tech Talk • 7

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W&NBRIEFS WORLDNEWS Former prime minister, a US citizen, wins Somalia vote MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — A former prime minister who holds dual Somali-U.S. citizenship was declared Somalia’s new president Wednesday, immediately taking the oath of office as the long-chaotic country moved toward its first fully functioning central government in a quarter-century.

Gunmen in northern Afghanistan kill 6 Red Cross staff KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Gunmen killed six employees of the International Committee of the Red Cross in northern Afghanistan on Wednesday, the aid group said, adding that two other staffers were missing.

Madonna faced questions in adoption process Madonna was asked “uncomfortable questions” by a judge in Malawi during the pop star’s successful application to adopt more children from the southern African country, according to a court document obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press

U.S. NEWS First transgender Boy Scout recognized MAPLEWOOD, N.J. (AP) — A New Jersey boy has become the first openly transgender member of the Boy Scouts one week after the Boy Scouts of America changed its policy to allow transgender children to join the organization.

Bloody rampage across South Authorities say they’ll expedite the move to Florida of a woman who faces multiple charges in the deaths of four women in a bloody rampage across three states that ended at a Georgia motel with another suspect fatally shooting himself.

Pentagon looking to rent space at Trump Tower NEW YORK (AP) — The United States military is looking to rent space at Trump Tower for use when President Donald Trump returns to his longtime home in New York City.

Tornadoes wreak havoc in New Orleans ASSOCIATED PRESS NEW ORLEANS (AP) — National Weather Service teams were studying scenes of severe weather damage in Louisiana and Mississippi on Wednesday to determine where tornadoes struck and just how powerful they were. At least four confirmed tornadoes hit Louisiana and one hit Mississippi on Tuesday, meteorologists said. There may have been more still in Louisiana, but it could take several days to find the evidence, Christopher Bannan said. “Confirmation teams look for a concentrated, focused path” and check whether tree trunks and other large pieces of debris in that path cross each other, he said. That differs from other wind damage, he said: Damage from a downburst radiates outward from a central point, and straight-line wind damage is widespread, without a set path, with downed trees and other debris pointing in the same direction. One of the tornados lifted the trailer home of Brittany Ross’s family into the air and slammed it back down moments after she was savoring the smell of her aunt’s simmering white beans. “The place started shaking, kind of twisting,” she said amid the wreckage at a small trailer park in eastern New Orleans, which got the worst of the weather that injured about 40 people in southeastern Louisiana. Ross, 26, her aunt and two others crawled out of the wreckage as debris was still flying around them — uninjured, but suddenly homeless. The Louisiana tornadoes destroyed homes and businesses on Tuesday, flipped cars and trucks and left thousands without power, but no deaths were reported, Gov. John Bel Edwards said. The governor took an aerial tour

AP Photo / Gerald Herbert

A man stands next to a destroyed home after a tornado tore through an eastern neighborhood of New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017. Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards took an aerial tour before meeting New Orleans officials. and made a disaster declaration before meeting with officials in New Orleans. Worst hit was the same 9th Ward so heavily flooded in 2005’s Hurricane Katrina. Edwards, a Democrat, said he was heartbroken to see these people suffering again. He promised the state will provide the people affected with the resources they need as quickly as possible. He said seven parishes were hit by tornadoes in an afternoon of tumultuous weather across southeastern Louisiana. The storm also brought hail and heavy rain to Mississippi, where two counties reported wind damage from suspected tornadoes. Parts of the Florida Panhandle and southern Alabama also saw severe weather, but no injuries. Artie Chaney said her granddaughter pulled up to the house

from school as a hailstorm fell, just ahead of the tornado. “Rocks were falling on the car, and I was looking out the side door and saw the clouds moving fast. I heard this sound. We looked up in the air and we could see debris in the distance and before we knew it, it was just barreling down on us,” Chaney recalled. “We ran in the house; the lights went out. We ran down the hallway to the middle bedroom and then we just heard glass shattering. We thought we weren’t gonna make it. It seemed like it lasted a long time. It was a horrible experience. We were just so grateful to God that nobody was hurt.” Chaney’s voice broke as she looked over the wreckage. “We went through all of Katrina, with no damage. I didn’t think I’d be starting

over again.” The Baton Rouge area also got hit. Three people were injured and several homes and buildings damaged in the historic part of Donaldsonville, about 20 miles southwest of the capital, said Ascension Parish Sheriff ’s spokeswoman Allison Hudson. And in Killian, just east of Baton Rouge, the mayor said several houses were destroyed and several others damaged, but an elderly couple suffered the only injuries he knew of: one, a broken leg; the other, a broken arm. “How you manage to get blown completely across the street with cinderblocks flying and no worse than a couple broken limbs — apparently the good Lord was looking after them,” Mayor Craig McGehee said.

Silencing of Warren throws Senate into turmoil ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic senators fighting to derail Jeff Sessions’ nomination as attorney general repeatedly challenged Republicans Wednesday by reading aloud from a critical letter from Martin Luther King Jr.’s widow, a day after the Republicans silenced Sen. Elizabeth Warren for doing the same. Warren was ordered to sit down Tuesday night, throwing the Senate into turmoil as it headed for Wednesday night’s vote on the Alabama senator. She was silenced for reading the letter that Coretta Scott King wrote three decades ago criticizing Sessions’ record on race. Other Democratic senators read from the letter Tuesday night after she was told to sit down, and more did so Wednesday morning. Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat whose name has been prominent in speculation about the 2020 presidential race, was given a rare Senate rebuke for impugning a fellow senator and she was barred from saying anything more

AP Photo / J. Scott Applewhite

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. reacts to being rebuked by the Senate leadership and accused of impugning a fellow senator, Attorney General-designate, Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala. on the Senate floor about Sessions. The late-night dustup quickly spawned the hashtag #LetLizSpeak that was trending on Twitter early Wednesday. The Senate has been working around the clock since Monday as Democrats challenge President Donald Trump’s nominees, although the party lacks the

votes to derail the picks. Senators reading from the letter Wednesday included Tom Udall of New Mexico, Sherrod Brown of Ohio and Bernie Sanders of Vermont. Sanders said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who ordered Warren to sit and be silent, should apologize to her. Without directly referencing the letter, McCon-

nell said of Sessions: “It’s been tough to watch all this good man has been put through in recent weeks.” On the other side, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York said Wednesday that McConnell’s action had been uncalled for, and he saw a possible link to President Donald Trump’s words and actions.

“I sincerely hope this anti-free speech attitude is not traveling down Pennsylvania Avenue to our great chamber,” he said. In the 1986 letter , Martin Luther King Jr.’s widow said Sessions’ actions as a federal prosecutor were “reprehensible” and he used his office “in a shabby attempt to intimidate and frighten elderly black voters.” At the time, Sessions was being considered for a federal judgeship. Democrats are portraying him as a threat to civil rights, voting rights and immigration. Republicans have defended Trump’s choice to be the top law enforcement officer as a man of integrity who will be an independent voice in the new administration. The incident Tuesday night underscored that the partisan divide in the Senate has devolved into nearly unchecked rancor, with majority Republicans muscling through Cabinet nominees in committee by changing the rules. Democrats are under intense pressure from their liberal base to challenge the entire Trump agenda, especially his nominees.

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8 • The Tech Talk • February 9, 2017

Techsters look to maintain physicality ALEX HEARD Staff Reporter | amh072@latech.edu

Marshall did not fold and made a late push scoring six points in the final 50 seconds of the third quarter to come within There was a pillow fight in West Vir- 10 (50-40). However, with the help of some youngginia. No, there was not a sleepover, just a soft sters Tech did not to allow Marshall to first half of basketball by two teams who get any closer as freshmen Kierra Lang and Anna McLeod buried back-to-back lacked physicality. At halftime of Saturday’s Conference 3-pointers in the first two minutes of the USA game between Louisiana Tech and fourth quarter. Then another underclassman took over. Marshall, Lady Techster head coach Kierra Anthony, a sophomore guard, Brooke Stoehr spoke to her squad, comparing the opening two quarters of play to scored 14 straight points for Tech, including three straight 3-point shots and then a pillow fight. In the second half, Tech (11-11, 6-5 C- a conventional and-one, three-point play. USA) got the message and had a differ- Anthony’s layup with 3:24 to play gave the ent type of energy about them at the Cam Tech an insurmountable 20-point lead. Henderson Center, outscoring Marshall Tech was lethal from the perimeter in (12-10, 4-7 C-USA) by 18 points in a 72- the final 10 minutes of play, hitting 5-of5 3-pointers. She ended the game with a 54 win. The loss was only Marcareer-high 23 points. shall’s third at home in 12 games Stoehr said she loved how this season. “This has her team executed down the Stoehr said she let her team stretch. know how winnable the game been a long road trip, but “We got some big shots from was for either squad. “I told them at halftime that it we dug down Kierra (Lang) and Anna early and then Kee (Anthony) really looked like neither team wanted took over,” Stoehr said. “We to be out there,” Stoehr said. “I deep and were able to use some clock told them whichever team could played with because of the lead and just come out in the second half some real continued to knock down shots. and really play with some urThis is a big win for us. This was gency and energy for a 10-min- fire in the ute stretch … that team had a second half.” a team win. We got a lot of contributions from so many people chance to really pull away and and that’s what we needed towin the game.” BROOKE day.” Stoehr said the team’s play on STOEHR Marshall entered the game defense flipped the game around Head Women’s Basketball Coach as the CUSA’s most deadly in their favor. perimeter team, averaging 8 “I thought we did exactly 3-pointers made per game. The that in the third quarter,” Stoehr said. “I thought it started with Rochelle Thundering Herd made their average yet Vasquez’s energy on the defensive end. it took 31 shots. Tech proved to superior We started to really attack the glass on from the 3-point line, hitting a season-high both ends and get out and push the bas- 8 3-pointers on only 17 attempts. However, the team’s success in the ketball in transition. We still missed some shots but our energy allowed us to build paint is to thank for all of the open perimeter attempts. the lead.” Stoehr said she is thrilled by the way her Tied 29-29 at the half, Tech came out in the third quarter and punched the Thun- team bought into what she was preaching dering Herd in the mouth, scoring 14 of about the lack of hustle. “I loved our energy in the second half,” its 21 points in the stanza in the paint with nine of those coming on second-chance Stoehr said. “This has been a long road points. Tech got 10 offensive rebounds in trip, but we dug down deep and played the quarter and out-rebounded Marshall with some real fire in the second half. I know we are all ready to get back home, 21-14. Alexus Malone scored seven points, but the trip home will be a lot more pleasJasmine LeBlanc added five and Ashley ant after today.” Tech plays the University of Texas-El Santos chipped in with four points during that third quarter as Tech built as much as Paso at 6:30 p.m. today in the Thomas Assembly Center. a 16-point lead at 50-34.

Photo by Darrell James

The Lady Techsters’ Jasmine LeBlanc (22) goes high to take a shot against Marshall. LeBlanc helped Tech to a 72-54 victory over Marshall.

New club sport brings more options to Tech students ALEX HEARD Staff Reporter | amh072@latech.edu A new sport has come to Louisiana Tech. Though not yet a varsity sport, lacrosse is the new game Tech has to offer. Tech is in Division II of the Lone Star Alliance (LSA) in the Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association (MCLA). The LSA is composed of 22 teams throughout Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma. Other notable schools in Division II are: Southeastern Louisiana, the University of LouisianaLafayette, Rice and Baylor. Division I has: Texas Tech, Texas, LSU and so on. John Watts, head coach for Tech, said the process of getting lacrosse to Tech started about seven months ago, while rumors have swirled for quite some time. “It started in July,” Watts said. “There had been rumors of Tech lacrosse starting for several years. We were finally able to get it done and take the bull by the horns.” Watts said Tech helped the process go smoothly. “The university was very welcoming,” Watts said. “Both through the leadership of the intramural center and with field space. They were very accommodating and we really appreciate their help.” Watts said Tech is perfect for those play-

Photo by Tes VanHoy

The lacrosse team offers new opportunities for club sport participation. ers who do not feel comfortable at small universities. “For lacrosse players to play at the col-

legiate level you essentially have to go to a liberal arts, division III college,” Watts said. “Not everyone is a liberal arts, DIII kind of

person where there are four hundred kids at the school. I am a Tech graduate and saw great opportunity so we wanted to give players who can get a great education at a reasonable price the opportunity to play a high level of lacrosse.” Watts said the program already has a bright future despite being so new thanks to great local talent. “The Shreveport/Bossier area has seven high school teams, a majority of those teams have all-state and all-district players with some all-americans --- we can get to know the kids very well,” Watts said. “We have got eight to twelve seniors committed to Tech to play lacrosse. The sport is getting a lot of excitement, it has great potential.” Tech is currently 2-1 with wins against Dallas Baptist University and Texas A&MGalveston. Its sole loss was to Rice. Watts said the win is especially promising being that the players have no prior experience together and were thought, at first, to have growing pains and lack chemistry. “For guys who had not played together, not in fall ball or anything, to play this way is very promising,” Watts said. “These guys had never played, much less a college game, one is a senior and had not played since high school. We are just having fun.” Tech plays Sam Houston State University at 7 p.m. Feb. 25 in Huntsville, Texas.