Run Like A Girl
J. Cole Returns
Read about the Society of Women Engineers’ first 5K. | PAGE 2
Check out our review of the rapper’s latest album. | PAGE 4
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VOLUME 92 • ISSUE 13
COB alumni group funds department’s new projects certainly caught alumni attention. The tools his grant will purchase allow for research to be conducted “Just Business,” an concerning consumer atalumni group of the Col- tention. lege of Business, has fund“The eye tracking aled eight cutting-edge new lows us to automatically projects led by faculty, staff assess a person’s gaze, gaze and students. meaning what that person’s On April 16, the College pupils become fixed on for of Business even tiny announced “This department and fractions of the recipi- its students are very seconds,” ents of the Babin sad. 2018 “Just grateful for the ability “Then, we B u s i n e s s ” to attend and particisee if the g r a n t s . pate in the Economic gaze corEight projresponds to ects were Scholars Program with things like s e l e c t e d students from all over preference for funding the country.” or knowlin effort to edge.” encourage OTIS GILLEY Not m o d e r n head of economics and finance only will the c o n n e c - departments tools make tions of fithe students nance and capable of innovation and perpetuate more extensive marketa culture of inspiration in ing research, but access to Louisiana Tech’s business such new technology will and economics depart- prepare COB students for ments. future careers in large comOtis Gilley, head of the panies. departments of econom“With more elaborate ics and finance, received a systems, you can assess grant that funded the travel gaze in a real world setand conference expenses ting without being tied to of Tech faculty and stu- a computer or using virtual dents as they attended the reality glasses,” Babin said. Economic Scholars ProKevin Watson received gram at the Federal Reserve two “Just Business” grants, Bank of Dallas, a program both of which will have a which enables students to direct, positive impact on witness and partake in the students. gathering of business and While one of his grants economics research. will provide study materials “This is a huge confi- for production and invendence builder for our stu- tory certification exams, dents,” Gilley said. “This the other grant will fund a department and its stu- trip for supply chain mandents are very grateful for agement students to visit the ability to attend and Nissan’s vehicle assembly participate in the Econom- plant and one of their nearics Scholars Program with by suppliers in Clinton, Misstudents from all over the sissippi. country.” “Supply chain manageTotaling in $19,000, the ment is one of those things grants were divided out where it helps to have a among applicants whose point of reference,” Watideas would prove to be tru- son said. “We hope to use ly innovative. Barry Babin’s this experience as an oppitch to purchase eye- portunity to introduce our tracking software to moni- students and program to tor consumer response Nissan and their suppliers.” DESTIN SHIMER Staff Reporter | dcs033@latech.edu
Photos by Precious Brown
The African Student Association’s event showcased African culture through singing, fashion, food and dancing.
ASA hosts Africa Night TAMARIA WILLIAMS Staff Reporter | tmw055@latech.edu The African Student Association hosted its first Africa Night that gave students and the Ruston community the chance to experience African culture with an evening composed of dancing, singing, fashion and traditional African foods. The ASA is a newer organization that helps establish an African unity at Louisiana Tech. “So far here at Tech, we haven’t had any African representation,” said Mercy Karanja, vice president of ASA. “Forming ASA was more of an internal issue where we just wanted to bring the Africans together. However, it was also an issue that no one knew a lot about Africa.” Karanja, a senior biomedical engi-
neering major, said the organization began planning for Africa Night during fall quarter of last year. “No one knows what our culture is, no one knows our struggle, some people don’t even know that there are actually many African students here,” she said. “We just wanted to bring that to the table and make sure people know we have African students and let them know that they can be a part of the community and have exposure to the culture as well.” Karanja said in the future, ASA’s goal would be to strengthen the African community and have Africa Night as an annual event. “We’re about to have elections very soon, so we have to make sure that our new officers are up to the challenge because it was a challenge starting it,” she said. “We also need a strong force to be able to keep it; such
The event included a dance performance by Art Hampton and Vesua Teixeira.
that it is going to be strong enough that it will never fall apart.” Oluwatoyosi Kade, a member of ASA, said the organization hosted Africa Night to make African culture and ASA more noticed on campus. “We were like ‘Why not do something to make us known to the entire school, like an event?’” she said. “The school will be more aware of ASA and we can have more people come join us so we decided to do this.” Kade, a senior computer science major, said she felt like it was important to host events like Africa Night at Tech to encourage people to learn more about the culture. “I’ve had so many people assume that Africa is a country,” she said. “I personally feel that events like this will let people know more about Africa and it will enlighten them.” Aerial Stanford, a sophomore elementary education major, said Africa Night was an amazing experience that kept her engaged. “With it being its first year, I didn’t really know what to expect,” she said. “But I was excited. I knew it would be fun and high energy. It exceeded my expectations.” Stanford said she attended the event to experience a different side of the culture. “I was curious to see and explore the culture,” she said. “I really didn’t know more than what the media would tell me. I wanted to get their side of it and get their input on it.” Stanford said she felt like it was important for students to have a platform to show their culture. “Everything about tonight was significant because they all had the time to share their countries,” she said. “This was a time for us to sit and listen and watch and take that in. It was awesome. I really learned a lot.”
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2 • The Tech Talk • April 26, 2018
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SWE hosts Run Like a Girl 5K MORGAN BERNARD Managing Editor | mrb056@latech.edu
Louisiana Tech students and other runners got to experience an energetic fundraising event during the Run Like a Girl 5K, hosted by Tech’s Society of Women Engineers on Tech’s campus April 21. This event was a fundraiser for Camp Quality Louisiana, a local summer camp for children with cancer and their families. Kelly Kneale, president of SWE, said the organization’s mission is to share the fields of STEM with the community. “We in the Society of Women Engineers strive to advance all of those in STEM related fields,” she said. “From the youngest of minds to women braving the fields of math and science, all should be able to enter this amazing and fascinating field. On campus, we focus on professional development, mentorship, outreach for K-12 and community service.” Kneale, a senior biomedical engineering major, said SWE decided to use its 5K event to raise funds for Camp Quality Louisiana because it is an organization they fully support. “After searching for lo-
cal charities, most officers agreed on making our proceeds go towards Camp Quality,” she said. “Camp Quality serves children with cancer and their families by providing year-round programs, experiences and companionship at no cost. Camp Quality promotes hope and inspiration while helping children foster life skills and develop their full potential.” Kneale said runners from the 5K gained a lot more from the event than just a fun workout on Tech’s campus. “I hope participants gain awareness of the local charity (Camp Quality) as well as the national organization Society of Women Engineers,” she said. “I hope our presence in the community increases from this experience. I also hope the participants realize how much their participation is going to impact a child’s life.” Julie Gaudin, SWE vice president, said the Run Like a Girl 5K was a success in its first year, and reached all of the organization’s’ expectations. “I think it went extremely well,” she said. “We have been planning for a few months and had about 80 runners signed up and
Runners of the Run Like a Girl 5K ran a circuit around campus starting and ending at Tolliver Hall. about 90 ended up running. We are all really proud that we were able to fundraise over $2,000 for this amazing camp for kids with cancer and their families.” Roger Willingham, a freshman mechanical engineering major, was a participant in the race. He
said he enjoyed the run and how it was easily accessible to him on campus. “I enjoy going to runs like these, but there aren’t many that take place on our campus so some are too far for me to go to,” Willingham said. “I liked that I was able to do a
warm-up from my apartment to the starting line. I was also worried about the rain coming in, but it’s been a beautiful morning so far.” Willingham said he had not heard of SWE or Camp Quality Louisiana prior to the event. “I like the group that the
Photo by Jenna Carrier
money is going to and the work it does,” he said. “I didn’t know SWE was an organization on our campus, and I think it’s really cool that part of what they do is educate kids about STEM programs and raise money for things like Camp Quality.”
College Democrats protest in honor of Columbine shootings BRYN YOUNG News Editor | bjy001@latech.edu
Protestors and counter-protestors of the gun debate met April 20 outside of Tolliver Hall.
Photos by Bryn Young
The Louisiana Tech College Democrats spent April 20 honoring those lost in the Columbine massacre and protesting gun violence with a die-in protest outside of Tolliver Hall. As students walked out across the nation in remembrance of the 1999 shooting, the College Democrats took a stand and laid down in protest of gun violence. They were covered in bandages to look like victims and were surrounded by signs showing the statistics of gun violence in the United States and death tolls of mass shootings in recent years. Nik Durman, special events coordinator for the College Democrats, said they chose the die-in protest to draw interest and show the effects of gun violence and school shootings. “It’s different,” Durman said. “A lot of people don’t even know what a die-in is. This is something different to catch people’s attention rather
than just sit here with a microphone. It allows us to throw up all these signs and for me, it’s a snapshot of school shootings. This is a snapshot of Louisiana Tech if a massacre happened.” Durman said they took the anniversary of Columbine as a chance to keep the gun debate relevant and in the minds of fellow students. “People have a shortsighted memory,” he said. “People tend to forget. They will remember Columbine today but tomorrow it will be out of sight and out of mind. It is good to spark conversation and keep conversation going. We had the March for Our Lives last month to try and start a conversation. It is important that as these dates keep coming up, we keep hitting it and keep it in everybody’s mind.” The protest garnered a crowd of onlookers and counter-protesters looking to engage in debate about the causes of gun violence. Paul Dugas, a junior accounting major, was passing out pocket constitutions and pro-gun
stickers. He said he came to present his side of the argument and challenge the notions presented by the protest. “I’m not saying there has not been any gun violence,” Dugas said. “By every statistic, when you spread them all out, there have been more deaths by beatings than gun violence by four times the amount in the past decade.” Dugas said he can see compromises between both sides and hopes his fellow students are willing to see his side of the argument. “I agree with some things, like certain things need to be implemented like background checks,” he said. “We need to keep track of mental illnesses and people with felonies, but you have a right to protect yourself. I feel like we can come up with a compromise because I feel there is a compromise at hand. I’m not saying let everyone have their guns but every time you ban something it affects the law-abiding citizens and not the criminals.”
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THE ISSUE AT THE TABLE
MANAGEMENT
Weeding out injustice
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Starla Gatson
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BRYN YOUNG News Editor | bjy001@latech.edu
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A
pril 20 is a date synonymous with a few different things. It is the United Nations Chinese Language Day, the anniversary of the Columbine shooting and, as you probably know, the day for marijuana enthusiasts to celebrate their preferred plant. The attitudes on marijuana in the United States have changed drastically in recent years bringing many states to legalize its use in some shape or form. But, as legal weed powers ahead, the consequences of years of policing the drug remain locked in place. While many in legal states spent their April 20 celebrating the now legal drug, many inmates arrested for possessing and distributing it are still locked behind bars. These economies are soaring high on the same drug that got nearly 8.2 million people arrested from 2001 to 2010. While many are still piecing
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getting away clean. As the industry starts to boom, it is very likely it will become yet another instance of the rules being broken to help the rich and white while the rest are punished. There is hope, though. Many voices in media and politics have echoed these sentiments and are likely to look for solutions. Although many Americans can now enjoy pot in a free and easy way, we must not forget those whose lives were destroyed by the same product only years ago. As voters, it is up to us to ensure that an legalization efforts are also amnesty efforts for those victimized by the war on drugs. Let’s finally right the wrongs of decades of racist policing tactics before taking advantage of the new laws and the billions the industry will rake in. Bryn Young is a junior communication major from Mountain View, Arkansas, who serves as news editor for The Tech Talk.
JUST A THOUGHT
PUBLICATION 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 GTM, Room 165.
together lives destroyed by a drug arrest, the pot industry is likely to pull in $11 billion in revenue in 2018. As our nation moves forward with marijuana legalization and legislation, we must not forget those serving time. Non-violent offenders who have been incarcerated for possession or distribution deserve to be freed and have their records expunged as part of marijuana legalization. It is unjust and immoral to punish those who were arrested for what many are now profiting on. Ending this imprisonment is also a chance to fix the racial injustices the system was built around. The war on drugs has primarily targeted black communities. Black people have been four times as likely to be arrested for marijuana possession even though usage rates of the drug are similar between black and white people. As a result, we see more black drug offenders being locked away even if their white counterparts are
Keeping it professional ASHLEY LAMBERT Staff Reporter | apl007@latech.edu
I
n life you have to know when it is appropriate to speak your mind and when it is best to bite your tongue. In a business setting, sometimes this can be difficult to do when you are surrounded by people who do not share your work ethics or values. Keeping a professional appearance starts by knowing how to keep your personal life and work life separate. How you may share friends inside and outside of work, and knowing what to discuss in the workplace and what to keep as private conversations. Being able to do this will help keep your personal life private and your business not out in the open. In addition to this, it is pertinent to understand that there is a time and place for confrontation and a proper way to handle it. If you have a problem with a
fellow employee, do not go around talking about that person behind his or her back. Instead, attempt to confront them nicely and talk to them calmly in attempt to solve the problem between the two of you. If the problem continues, request a private meeting with your supervisor to inform them and request their guidance in solving the issue. Once you have discussed it with your supervisor, keep your distance from the other person, but stay civil. You still have to work with this person. Be cordial, say hello and keep chitchat to work related items and move on about your day. This way, it is obvious you are keeping it professional and not causing any added drama to elevate the situation. In the unfortunate circumstance you may have an issue with your supervisor, you need to be very cautious of how this is handled. Be sure not to discuss it with fellow employees and try to put your personal feelings aside so you can get your job
done. Speak to another supervisor or manager about the situation to request assistance and guidance in how to resolve the issue at hand and then move on. Regardless if the issue is in the workplace, a group setting or a class project, always remember that your outcome is what you decide it will be. If your attitude is positive and productive, the issue will resolve and not be escalated. If you decide you want to talk about this person to others and not handle it properly, you are only hurting yourself and jeopardizing your position in that company, group or your grade in the project. Stay positive, keep productive, forgive easily and try not to hold a grudge. In doing so, much of life will be much less stressful. Ashley Lambert is a senior communication major from Houston, Texas, who serves as a staff reporter for The Tech Talk.
IANSANE IN THE MEMBRANE
How to fix TOPS IAN GONZALES Staff Reporter | iqg001@latech.edu
O
ur budget is broken. The state of Louisiana cannot continue to afford to fund the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students. TOPS is a program that provides college funding to Louisiana residents with academic excellence. For many of us in college, we would not be here without it. However, due to our budget problems, TOPS is on the verge of being defunded. Because of this, a lot of us might lose the fundamental thing that we rely on the most. All hope is not lost. Some politicians in the capital hear our cries. They understand the need to fund high education for the next generation. A multitude of solutions have arrived since the crisis originally arose. While all of those are great, I am proposing a more unorthodox approach to saving TOPS. While raising the prerequisites to qualifying for TOPS has already been proposed by lawmakers, what
I am suggesting is much more intense. What we need for our future are smart and heroic leaders — people who have the intelligence to make the choices to lead society in the right direction and the heroism to endure the burdens that a great leader must endure. Therefore, I am proposing a more heroic based solution to the problem at hand. TOPS should go to the person who displays the most merit. We as a society should uplift those who display the best leadership. A leader must sacrifice and endure great hardships to gain the strength needed in order to properly guide the future. And what better way to obtain this level of leadership than to go through the 12 labors Hercules went through? All selected candidates will be put through 12 rigorous trials to weed out the weak and bring out the most worthy. The first trial will be to slay the Nemean Lion and bring back its skin to the test proctor. After this, they must then slay a hydra with only their bear hands.
The next two trials involve capturing the ferocious two beasts, the Ceryneian Hind and the Erymanthian Boar. The candidate must then clean the stables of King Augen in a single day. For the sixth trial, the candidate will have to slay the Stymphalian Birds. Once completed, they must then capture the largest cretan bull. The next four trials involve obtaining coveted items such as the Mares of Diomedes, the Belt of Hippolyte, the Cows of Geryon and the Apple of Hesperides. For the final challenge, the candidate must kidnap the guardian of the Underworld, Cerberus. Once all 12 labors are complete, the candidates name will be dropped into a hat and drawn at random. If their name is not called then they must go through the 12 trials again. Then and only then will they be eligible for TOPS. Ian Gonzales is a freshman history major from Shreveport who serves as a staff reporter for The Tech Talk.
Why media representation is important in society
W
hile we have seen changes in representation in media over the years, there is still a majority of the same types of people being shown in just about everything else we see on television. In a world where there are hundreds of different combinations of people with different races, orientations, ethnicities and abilities, there should be representation of everyone in the media. When bringing up this lack of representation, most people think this is just about not having different people’s races represented in major roles. While that is true, there are other characteristics of large populations of the world that are also not shown very often in media, or when they are shown, they are played by someone who has no background of that characteristic. For example, in John Krasinski’s new film “A Quiet Place,” the daughter in the family, Regan, is played by deaf actress Millicent Simmonds. In an interview with Teen Vogue, Simmonds mentioned how she never thought she could be an actress as a deaf girl because she never saw anyone like her on television growing up. She said she now sees herself as a role model for other deaf people who aspire to be on camera. Simmonds said representation is important because only a deaf person can tell the real story of what it is like to be deaf. If a hearing person would have portrayed Regan, the character would not have been as strong. Another dilemma with misrepresentation in the media is whitewashing. Characters who are people of color or people of different cultures are portrayed by white actors. Angelina Jolie played the role of Fox in “Wanted,” which was based on a comic book series where Fox’s character was black. In Ben Affleck’s “Argo,” Affleck played the main character of Tony Mendez, who in real life is Hispanic. While this is not on the same level as actors on television in the ‘60s using blackface to represent black characters, it is still denying groups of people representation. Another celebrity who has spoken about representation in media is transgender actor Elliot Fletcher. In an interview with E! News, Fletcher explained that when people see characters who are supposed to be like them being played by people not like them, the characters usually take on stereotypical roles that society has of them instead of being a more real and relatable character. Whether it has to do with orientations, disabilities or even race, it is obvious when the actor’s portrayal is strictly from script and not from within personal experiences. We think that while media has come a long way, there is still room for improvements to be made. As human beings, we all seek out role models and others who represent us in a way we would like to be represented. No one should have to be denied that simply because they are different from the basic ideations set up in our society.
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4 • The Tech Talk • April 26, 2018
J Cole’s newest album fails to break away from stereotypes KOD J Cole HHHHI ANDREW BELL Sports Editor | agb022@latech.edu Released April 20, J Cole’s new album “KOD” appeals to loyal fans, but fits into his cryptic, enigmatic stereotype to doubters’ disapproval. Dissing mainstream, modern-day rappers and raising questions about various social and political issues, J Cole is back to his usual antics and has hip-hop fans divided. Cole’s music is some of the only modern-day rap that splits fans’ opinions between trap music and poetry. The obscurely hidden lyrics and smooth, old school beats in this album bring back a 90s vibe and call for a certain mood and attention to truly be appreciated. There are no features on the album except “kiLL edward,” which is rumored to just be Cole’s alter ego. This is a nice touch, considering Cole is notorious for not having features in his albums, similar to Lil Dicky and his alter ego, Brain. The letters “K.O.D.” have three esoteric meanings, according to Cole’s Twitter account before its release:
Billboard
J Cole’s fifth studio album, “KOD,” was released April 20. Kids on Drugs, King Overdosed and Kill Our Demons. All three meanings are somewhat displayed at times throughout the 12-track album. “Kids on Drugs” seems to correlate with his references to drugs and mainly drug abuse on songs like
“Once an Addict” and “FRIENDS,”which have drawn satirical comparisons on Twitter to the D.A.R.E. program from elementary school. In “FRIENDS,” he states, “I understand this message is not the coolest to say but if you down to try it I
know of a better way. Meditate. (Pre-chorus) Meditate, meditate, meditate, meditate. Don’t medicate.” Although he might be taking slack on Twitter about the unpopularity of his lyrics on drug use, Cole’s effort is admirable to sacrifice some street cred to pos-
sibly help guide some young people away from drugs. “King Overdosed” is most likely a reference to the allure of money, as depicted in the art on the album cover and the graphics in his music video of “ATM,” which is an anecdote of a man and woman chasing
money while it gets them nowhere. The underlying meaning of “Kill our Demons” is still up for debate, but he does mention in “Window Pain” that he wishes he could “kill the man who made (his) momma cry.” That is the most cryptic of the three possible meanings. Overall, the body of work on the album as a whole is impressive. It is evident there was an inordinate amount of work put into it, as you would expect from Cole. Considering the detailed touches like the subtle guitar on “Photograph” and the interludes of small messages at the beginning and end of various songs like “KOD” when it ends with an ominous woman saying the most powerful drug of all is love. This type of work is what people have come to expect from Cole as he sets the bar higher throughout his career. This album probably would rate closer to “For Your Eyes Only” in 2016 than “Forest Hills Drive” in 2014, which is his masterpiece. The one thing missing from “KOD” is the one unanimous hit that catches everyone’s eye. The songs are solid and play well off of each other, but the lack of hierarchy in his tracks keeps “KOD” from a 5/5 star rating.
Ruston hosts plein air painting competition MIA HESTER Staff Reporter | msh061@latech.edu Local artists showcased their talents and showed appreciation for Ruston landmarks in the city’s first-ever plein air painting competition. The competition was held April 21 in the Cultural District, and the 25 participants were given less than one day to paint a landscape of Ruston. The contest was open to all artists 18 or older who work in pastel, oil, acrylic and watercolor painting. The event was a collaborative effort between local artists Kacey Richard and Liz Zanca. Richard, a freelance artist, lived in Wyoming, where competitions like these are very popular. During her time there, she developed an interest in plein air painting. “I observed plein air competitions and went to a few of the competitions there,” she said. “I thought it would be a really good thing to add to Louisiana because it is not very popular in the south.” Once the idea was formed, Jessica Slaughter, executive director of the North Central Louisiana Arts Council, brought Richard and Zanca together. “We had a coffee date and the idea was just brought up,” Zanca, a landscape artist, said. “We put
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Julie Crews, first place winner of the painting competition, creating a Ruston landscape. together a proposal and presented it to a few sponsors, including the Ruston Cultural Board.” The Ruston Cultural Board provides opportunities and funds projects for local artists and contributed the prize money for the contest winners. Other sponsors of the competition included Remax Results Realty and Fine Line Supply Co., who sponsored the people’s choice award. Zanca, who also competed in the event and was one of the people’s choice
award recipients, said she felt prepared because she had painted Ruston a few times before. “Painting in one day is very fast paced but if you go in with a plan, it ends up being exactly what you wanted,” she said. “I still would love to add more detail to my painting.” The other people’s choice winners were Marge Collier and Amanda Roe. The first and second place winners were Julie Crews and Emory Nolan. Ricky Sikes, a graduate
student at Louisiana Tech, served as juror of the event. Sikes, who is also very active in the Monroe and Ruston art community, said his favorite part of the event was getting to see and be inspired by other local artists’ work. Sikes said he thinks having the opportunity to judge other artists’ work was a positive experience. “I feel like I have something to contribute,” he said. “For me, it is a contribution because I have been doing art for a long time.”
April 26, 2018 • The Tech Talk • 5
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Members of Louisiana Tech’s Model United Nations represented the university at a national MUN conference in Los Angeles.
Developing
DIPLOMACY Just two years after its foundation, one Louisiana Tech club is experiencing national success
DESTIN SHIMER Staff Reporter | dcs033@latech.edu
J
ust two years after its establishment, Louisiana Tech’s Model United Nations Club competed at a national level at an MUN conference in Los Angeles, California. The group left Ruston April 19 to attend the competition, which took place from April 19 to April 22. The Los Angeles Model United Nations is an annual conference hosted by University of California at Los Angeles, and this year’s session was their 13th annual convention. The purpose of this convention was to offer a dynamic experience to collegiate MUN members to prepare them for a future in government delegation. “I think that knowing we have the ability to compete nationally — since this is only our second year of existence at Tech — is a testament to the students’ dedication and their desire to see Model UN become a long-lasting institution at the university,” said Amanda Sanford, a professor of political science and chaperone of the trip. “I hope the MUN at Tech continues to grow and that this conference attracts new students to us.” Sanford said though the group does not yet have plans to attend next year’s conference, they do intend to seek out and
compete in other national conventions as well as regional contests. “While I don’t know that we will plan to attend the LAMUN every year, I do know that we intend to attend a national conference of this caliber every year, and we will probably try to attend a regional conference at least once a year as well,” Sanford said. Zach Rogers, a freshman cyber engineering major and MUN team member, said he was pleased with the way the club performed at the convention and was happy for the opportunity to travel with his team. “Even though this was our first conference, everyone seems to have done well,” Rogers said. “We all met a lot of delegates in our community, and we got to explore Los Angeles.” Because this conference intends to mimic the true process of UN deputation, difficulties in delegation often arise. Alex Gras, a senior political science major and a member of Tech MUN, said this convention opened his eyes to the true challenges of attaining success within the thick bureaucracy of the UN. “I’ve learned a lot about how difficult it is for countries to get things done in the UN,” Gras said. “That’s given me a newfound respect for diplomats working in that capacity.” Stormi Verret, secretary of Tech’s MUN and a sophomore English and Spanish major, found this conference as an opportunity for their club to really flex their muscle as an organization for the first time. “I think this trip was really successful,” she said. “This group of people not only worked well together, but were also able to perform well within the convention committees. Even our new members were able to hone their public speaking skills and learn more about domestic and international issues.” Verret said she also saw the convention as a way to solidify a spirit of professional camaraderie within the club and to attain bit more attention for their group on campus. “The interdisciplinary makeup of our team stimulated interesting conversation both in and out of the committee sessions,” she said. “I think this experience helped us grow as a team and we’re all looking forward to attending more conferences–hopefully with an even larger team — in the future.”
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6 • The Tech Talk • April 26, 2018
Tech wins Senior Day rubber match ANDREW BELL Sports Editor | agb022@latech.edu The Louisiana Tech softball team had a picture-perfect ending to Senior Day with a rubber match victory against UAB to improve their home record to an impressive 17-3 and strengthen their hold on the first-place throne of the Conference USA. Despite a slow start, the Lady Techsters (30-18, 15-6) slayed the Blazers (20-28-1,11-6-1) by a score of 7-1 April 22, in a game three rubber match to take the series away from the second ranked team in the C-USA. After a first inning dominated by UAB offensively and defensively, Tech absolutely took control in the following innings by catching fire from the plate in the third, fourth and fifth innings and getting a dominant performance from junior pitcher Preslee Gallaway after the first inning. “Senior Day’s always filled with emotion, so any time you can have the happy ending attached to it, it certainly helps,” Tech head coach Mark Montgomery said. “But (this) was a big series for us. We needed to win this series to maintain first place and be in the driver’s seat going forward and win the Conference USA regular season title.” Tech has five graduating seniors who played their final games at the Lady Techster Softball Complex. A couple of those seniors who stood out included infielder Karlee Jensen, who hit a double and had two RBIs and right fielder Ali Galaz, who had an RBI and made a spectacular diving catch in right field, most likely preventing a run or two. Senior shortstop Katie Smith went 0-for-1 from the plate
Photo by Donny Crowe
Seniors Karlee Jensen (far left), Kassie Harris (left), Bailey Allen (center), Katie Smith (right) and Ali Galaz (far right) during senior day ceremonies. but was walked twice. Tech was climbing uphill after a tough first inning in which Gallaway gave up two doubles and a run. Luckily for her, Galaz’s previously mentioned diving play saved what could have been two more runs for UAB and Gallaway got out of the inning with only one run
earned and two hits. The batting lineup also struggled early, not recording a base hit until the bottom of the third inning. But when it rained, it poured for UAB’s pitching staff, as their starting pitcher Megan Smith allowed two earned runs and their relief pitcher Claire Blount allowed five in the contest.
“Preslee made a couple of mistake pitches both when she was up in the count 1-2 and 0-2 and I called timeout to state the obvious to her, which she knew as well,” Montgomery said. “Then she got a little fired up and got out of that inning, and from that point on it was just a matter of seeing
the (UAB) pitcher for a while and making adjustments.” Tech will head to NSU and will then play a two-game series against Utah State before facing off with UTEP (18-28, 7-11) in El Paso, Texas May 5-6, in what will be their final conference series of the season.
Robinson named C-USA Hitter of the week LA TECH ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS For the fourth time this season, the Louisiana Tech baseball team earned weekly recognition from Conference USA, as junior outfielder Mason Robinson was named Hitter of the Week, league officials announced Monday. Robinson joins Dalton Skelton as the second Bulldog to earn Hitter of the Week accolades this season. Matt Miller and Logan Robbins were each named C-USA Pitchers of the Week earlier this year. The Cartersville, Georgia, native got his week started in a big way – hitting for the cycle on Wednesday evening at in-state foe UL-Lafayette. The cycle, which was LA Tech’s second of the season, included Robinson notching new careerhighs in both hits (four) and RBI (five) in the 15-2 dismantling of the CaPhoto by Tom Morris juns. The junior got startJunior outfielder Mason Robinson has now improved his over batting average to .285, after an impressive week at the plate ed at ULL with a twoagainst in-state rival ULL in which he hit a cycle, and then added to that performance with a three-hit, two RBI game against run blast to left in the Marshall, in Tech’s first ever C-USA road sweep. top of the second. Then,
following a two-RBI triple, and a single, Robinson entered the Tech history books in the ninth. Needing a double to complete the feat, Robinson smoked a line drive to the wall in left center, and coasted into second base and the record books. Robinson continued his strong play at the plate in the Bulldogs’ first ever C-USA road sweep this weekend at Marshall, securing three more hits and two more RBI – completing arguably, his most successful weekend as a Bulldog. In four games Robinson slugged a teambest .778, while reaching base at a .421 clip. Following the strong weekend, Robinson has upped his season batting average to .285. His 27 RBI in 2018 are thirdmost on the team, while his four home runs are fourth-most. Robinson and the Bulldogs (29-13, 13-5 CUSA) return to action at home this Tuesday night, taking on the aforementioned Ragin’ Cajuns. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. from J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park.