January 28, 2015

FILE PHOTO

Anime.

Munsters.

Lil B The Based God. Custom merch orders for every fan.

MORE ON LIFE >> PAGE 6

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2015 | VOL. 118 NO. 76 | MARSHALL UNIVERSITY’S STUDENT NEWSPAPER | marshallparthenon.com

INSIDE: NEWS, 2

> MOZART BIRTHDAY CONCERT > TEXTBOOK RENTAL > CONCERTO WINNER > TAP TAKEOVER KELSIE LIVELY | THE PARTHENON

SPORTS, 3

> SWIMMING AND DIVING RECORDS > BASEBALL PREVIEW

RICHARD CRANK | THE PARTHENON

OPINION, 4

> DON’T SHAME THE INTROVERT > THRIFT SHOPPING

SCREENSHOT | BUZZFEED

LIFE, 5

> SKATE PARK > CUSTOM MERCH ORDERS

SUBMITTED PHOTO

TODAY’S WEATHER:

PROVIDED BY MARSHALL UNIVERSITY METEOROLOGY STUDENTS

MARSHALL AT THE CAPITOL

Tomblin, education leaders aim for improved higher education “Together we’re committed to ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed in West Virginia.”

-Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin

By KASEY MADDEN

THE PARTHENON Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin urged West Virginia college and university presidents to continue their efforts in adapting higher education for Higher Education Day at the Capitol.

Tomblin is familiar with the duties and responsibilities of those in higher education, as his wife serves as president of Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College.

Tomblin said according to recent studies, West Virginia is on track to create 30,000 new jobs every year through 2018. At least 60 percent of those jobs will require a form of higher education.

“Whether our students choose to pursue a two-year degree at one of our community and technical colleges or a four-year degree at a state college or university, it’s important that we all continue to stress the same message to our students,” Tomblin said.

“It doesn’t matter which path they choose, as long as they

choose one.”

Paul Hill, chancellor of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, said West Virginia set a new state record, awarding more than 13,300 bachelor’s degrees in 2014.

“At the end of the day, it’s those students out there that we provide the opportunities for in the workforce in building a stronger West Virginia for tomorrow,” Hill said.

Tomblin said the state government is working to provide students with the financial aid they need to succeed through tax free savings programs, needs-based programs and low interest loans.

“Together we’re committed to ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed in West Virginia,” Tomblin said.

The PROMISE scholarship program provided $400 million for more than 35,000 West Virginia students to attend state colleges and universities.

“We are investing the

Interim President Gary White and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Corley Dennison (above) talk during West Virginia Higher Education Day (below) Tuesday in Charleston.

See HIGHER ED | Page 5

‘Valley Rising” to screen at Rec

By WILLIAM IZZO

PHOTOS BY KASEY MADDEN | THE PARTHENON

THE PARTHENON The Rec Center will screen the film “Valley Uprising” at 7:30 p.m.

Thursday in the Outdoor Pursuits Center.

The film focuses on generations of climbers in California’s Yosemite Valley, an area sought after by climbers for it’s rock faces, which all vary in difficulty and height.

The movie covers these climbers as they first scale the routes of Yosemite and leads viewers to contemporary climbers handling steep heights without safety nets.

The film shows mountains and climbing routes that are legendary to climbers around the United States.

One of the fiercest routes is called

El Capitan, which is considered the best rock climb in the world.

“Valley Uprising” features a combination of archive photos, film footage and interviews with some of the people who braved the heights of Yosemite.

The Rec Center has more events planned for students in the upcoming months including a ski trip Feb. 20 to Feb. 22 at Timberline Ski Resort.

The movie is an hour and 40 minutes long and the program is free to members.

The Outdoor Pursuits Center is located in the ancillary section of the Rec Center, near the climbing wall.

William Izzo can be reached at izzo@marshall.edu.

AP PHOTO | BEN MARGOT

“Why in God’s green earth do you guys climb mountains?”

“Because we’re insane.”

Chrol named Language Collegiate Teacher of the Year

By HANNAH HARMAN

THE PARTHENON The West Virginia Foreign Language Teachers Association presented the Language Collegiate Teacher of the Year award to Eric Del Chrol, director of classics at Marshall University.

The committee looks for an accomplished educator who is a leader, volunteer and contributor to the profession to win the award.

Jenny Santilli, representative of WVFLTA said Chrol is active within the organization.

“He is proactive for the promotion of world language studies in our organization and especially for his students and the classics program at MU,” Santilli said. “Del is a role model for both novice and veteran teachers and professors.”

Teachers submit materials and a letter of recommendation to be reviewed.

Nominees must be members of the WVFLA, and they must have an executive board office and a non-voting position. They must also attend, present and volunteer at WVFLTA’s annual conference.

Chrol received a plaque and other gifts in recognition of the prestigious honor.

294211 MARSHALL CAREER SERVICES

“I’m really happy for the recognition,” Chrol said. “Foreign language is important to all of our futures. It’s really nice to be a part of such a great organization.”

Chrol said he primarily teaches Latin and believes this helped him stand out against other nominees.

“Our members appreciate his dedication to the teaching of classical languages and keeping them alive, despite the public's misperception that Latin is a ‘dead’ language,” Santilli said.

See TEACHER | Page 5

LEXI BROWNING | THE PARTHENON

C M Y K 50 INCH

2

| MARSHALLPARTHENON.COM

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2015 |

Galloway Named Winner at Concerto Competition

By MIKAELA KEENER

THE PARTHENON The annual Concerto Competition took place at Marshall University’s Smith Recital Hall, giving students the opportunity to be judged on their musical talent.

Steven Trinkle, interim director of bands for Marshall University said the students have the opportunity to either perform with the wind symphony or the symphony orchestra depending on the year.

Each student performed individually for three outside judges including Joe Brown, trombonist at Ohio University, Richard Souk, marching band director at Ohio University and David Oyen, bassoon teacher at Morehead State University.

“You never know what to expect on these, but these students really played well,” said Trinkle. “They came loaded for bear.”

Six students competed this year for the opportunity to perform with the wind symphony.

The six contestants included: Scott Nibert, clarinet; Robert Galloway, saxophone; Allison Kessing, flute; John Bruce, trombone; Thomas Kavender, trombone and a duet

by Kevin Eason, trumpet, and Chris McConaha, trombone.

Robert Galloway, music education and jazz studies major and winner of the competition, will perform with the Marshall University Wind Symphony.

Galloway won the judges’ unanimous vote with his performance of “Tosca Fantasy”

by Puccini.

“It’s really a great honor,” Galloway said. “The wind symphony is doing tremendous things.”

At a young age, Galloway began making music. He started playing saxophone in sixth grade and grew up in a family devoted to music.

“Dedicate yourself to what you want to do,” Galloway said.

“If it’s in art, music or any of the other arts, you really have to put time away and dedicate yourself to what you’re studying or want to do. If you do that, you’ll prosper.”

Galloway will perform with The Marshall University Wind Symphony at 7:30 p.m. April 25 at Smith Recital Hall.

Mikaela Keener can be contacted at keener31@ lmarshall.edu.

CRAFT BEER RENAISSANCE Local restaurants support a growing craft beer culture in Huntington

By KELSIE LIVELY

THE PARTHENON The Charleston Brewing Company showcased 10 beers Monday at Black Sheep Burrito and Brews for a “Tap Take Over.”

Ryan Heastings, head brewer at Charleston Brewing Company, said Raj is their most popular beer.

“We make an IPA called the Raj, and it just blows everything out of the water,” Heastings said. “It’s probably 3 to 1. We have big tanks and small tanks, so we have to use all the big tanks for the Raj.” According to the company’s website, the Raj is an interpretation of a West Coast-style India Pale Ale and it has flavors of more hop-derived pine and citrus.

Other craft brewing companies have a range of IPAs on the menu that have different flavors and aromas.

“It is definitely community driven, so there’s an element of brewing where you want to be creative, make beer that your passionate about,” Heastings said. “There’s also an element that we are in the service business so I need to make beer that people want. If I don’t, I won’t be a brewer for very long because if nobody drinks the beer…”

Alex Durand, Black Sheep Burrito and Brews of Huntington manager, invites local brewers to the restaurant to expand the minds of locals to craft beer.

“We try to bring them in to expand on education of the beers and how the process actually happens in order to hopefully expand people’s palette on the beer,” Durand said. “Also, to bring more of a personal relationship with the brewer and to get the brewer out of the brewery and meeting the people that enjoy their beer.”

Heastings said to entice other members of the beer community

MEGAN OSBORNE | THE PARTHENON

Black Sheep Burrito and Brews, located at 1555 Third Ave., offers a selection of 14 beers on tap. to step away from big beer companies and try beers a little closer to home, there needs to be something for everyone.

“I think the biggest thing is to make a wide range of beer,” Heastings said. “I want there to be a beer on the board for everyone, so regardless of whether you like IPAs, really, really aggressive beer, or really you just like PBR or Natty Light and you’re just there because your friends are there, we want there to be a beer for you.”

Heastings said the flavors of beers the community wants to taste, changes from season to season.

He said it is important to be ahead of the game, thinking about the upcoming season and what flavors they are able to introduce.

“I think that so much of what we consume and what we buy is packaged and kind of commoditized and comes from big factories,” Heastings said. “It’s kind of nice to go back to the old school and have, like this guy is your butcher, this lady is your fishmonger and oh look there’s Ryan, he’s the brewer.”

Supporting small business within the state is

an element that will boost the economic status of West Virginia.

The mention of craft breweries in Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin’s State of the State Address is promising for the economic development of the state through the craft beer industry.

“It was really, really cool that he mentioned craft brewery in his State of the State Address, and I think that even if it’s more symbolic than any thing else that were being seen as a positive influence in the state,” Heastings said. “People are seeing what we are doing as being an enhancement to daily life in West Virginia. Specifically what we’re working on now is making it a little bit easier for breweries in the state to operate.”

The new laws will make it easier for Breweries to operate and allow the breweries and local pubs to fill growlers for consumers to take the beer to-go for consumption at home.

For restaurants like Black Sheep, the distribution of growlers will allow them to sell a larger amount of beer.

Kelsie Lively can be contacted at lively37@ marshall.edu.

Marshall professors perform concert in honor of Mozart’s birthday

By MIKAELA KEENER

THE PARTHENON Marshall University’s School of Music and Theatre presented Mozart’s Birthday Celebration Tuesday at the Jomie Jazz Forum.

Wendell Dobbs, flute and theory professor, and Júlio Alves, guitar and theory professor, performed with special guest Richard Spece, clarinetist and music director of the Mannheim Rocket Orchestra.

“The performance, you are talking about a period in which things like all these distractions, like video games and all these things that the modern world has, they didn’t have at the time,” Alves said. “At the time, music was the entertainment.”

The pieces were performed on replicas of instruments created in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Alves said modern-day instruments create a different tone than 18th and 19th century instruments.

“The instruments aren’t as loud as

modern instruments,” Dobbs said. “There range of expression is much more subtle.”

Dobbs said Mozart played a big role in the music industry for a long time period.

“Mozart was such an influence on everything that happened for the next hundred years,” Dobbs said. “Everyone imitated Mozart. You can hear Mozart in those opportunes that we did.”

Along with a piece by Mozart, the trio also performed pieces by Mercadante, Rossini and Kreutzer.

Spece has performed with Dobbs and Alves in the past as part of a week of wind quintet music for the past three years.

The quintet also toured in Richmand and Willamsburg, Virginia and Virginia Commonwealth.

Spece will perform with the Mannheim Rocket Orchestra along with other Marshall faculty March 13 at the Monumental Church in Richmond, Virginia.

Mikaela Keener can be contacted at keener31@marshall.edu.

Wendell Dobbs (left), flute and theory professor, and Júlio Alves, guitar and theory professor, perform at the Jomie Jazz Center Tuesday.

MIKAELA KEENER | THE PARTHENON

Textbook loan program helps to ease the rising cost of school books

By JESSICA BURFORD

GEOFFREY FOSTER | THE PARTHENON

THE PARTHENON Marshall University’s University College provides a program for students to check out textbooks from the John Deaver Drinko Library for two-hour increments.

University College Academic Counselor Amber Bentley said the Textbook Loan Program is new to Marshall students.

“We started it right after the beginning of fall semester,” Bentley said. “It took us some time to get it approved and set up,” Bentley said they were not able to advertise to the potential they would have liked, but they have had success with the program.

“Last semester we had over 200 different check outs of the books that we have,” Bentley said.

Bentley said the program is constantly adding page designed and edited by GEOFFREY FOSTER| foster147@marshall.edu

books as well.

“The faculty have gotten on board and have suggested books that would help for their classes,” Bentley said.

Students can also help determine what books are added, by logging on and registering for a book they need.

Sophomore Amanda Caudill said she has used the program, and she finds it useful.

“I used this program last semester for my history class,” Caudill said. “I definitely plan on utilizing it this semester,” Students can check out the textbooks in the library at the resource desk or online as long as the book remains in the library.

Jessica Burford can be contacted at burford16@marshall.edu.

C M Y K 50 INCH

3

| MARSHALLPARTHENON.COM

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2015 |

Marshall University swimming and diving competes againt Xavier Univeristy Nov. 1, 2014 in the Fitch Natatorium.

PHOTOS BY RICHARD CRANK | THE PARTHENON

Herd Swimming and Diving breaks records

By JILL SHEMANSKI

THE PARTHENON The Marshall University swimming and diving team posted a 167-94 win over the Dukes.

Marshall swimmers won 11 of the 14 events in the contest and three records were set in the meet.

Freshman Madi Pulfer from Ottawa, Ontario, was among one of the three record setters for the Herd.

Her win in the 200 backstroke with a time of 2:05.57, surpassed the old record set in 2010 of 2:05.62.

Pulfer said moving from Canada and going to school in West Virginia forced her to make some adjustments and experience diversity.

“It’s definitely a lot more training than I’m used to, and the intensity level is a lot higher here,” Pulfer said. “I went to school in French all through my high school career so that’s been an adjustment as well, with trying to relearn terms and math and science classes.”

Pulfer gave credit to the team’s training trip in Florida during winter break as a step in the right direction for its overall success.

“It was a week of really, really hard training, but I think the whole team kind of comes together when we do stuff like that,” Pulfer said. “When we succeed well in practice it gets us more excited for meets and prepares us to do well.”

Freshman Nele Albers from Ludinghausen, Germany, also broke a record in the 400 IM with the time of 4:27.91.

The old record of 4:33.34 was set in 2010.

The record breaking for the weekend continued with the 400-relay team made up of Gloriya Mavrova, Danica Ross, Rachel DePietro and Madi Pulfer.

The team broke Duquesne’s 2014 record of 3:35.25, and set the new record at 3:34.43.

Sophomores Mikaya Reynolds and Chloe Parsemain

Josh King pitches on the mound at Appalachian Power Park in Charleston.

FILE PHOTO

were in the spotlight for the Herd as well. They collected their first collegiate wins at the meet.

Reynolds, from Chattanooga, Tennessee, won the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:07.55.

Parsemain, a native of Fos Sur Mer, France, took the win in the 100 butterfly with a time of 58.78.

Head coach Bill Tramel said he thinks the team is in a good place right now.

“We have really been on a roll the last few meets with new people winning events for the first time,” Tramel said.

“As a team, I think we are in a very good place right now.”

The team has one more opportunity to race Saturday at the C-USA Championship.

Tramel said they are getting excited to see how fast they can finish.

Jill Shemanski can be contacted at shemanski@ marshall.edu.

New expectations for Marshall baseball

By MALCOLM WALTON

page designed and edited by JESSICA STARKEY| starkey33@marshall.edu

THE PARTHENON Marshall University’s baseball team had a disappointing season last year that ended with the team finishing 2031, including 10-19 in conference play.

Senior Andrew Dundon said he has different expectations for the team this season.

“My expectation for the team is to win the conference championship and advance to a NCAA regional,” Dundon said. “We haven’t accomplished that feat since I’ve been here, and I want to win a championship for coach Waggoner.”

Last season, Dundon started all 51 games for the Herd at second base and led the team in runs with 21.

Junior pitcher Chase Boster, who was a Collegiate All-American this past summer, also said he has high expectations for the team.

“I think our pitching coach has certain goals for us, and I think we can meet all of those goals,” Boster said.

“Individually, I hope I can just do my role as a player on the team, whatever role that may be.”

After starting 3-2 last season,

Marshall lost 14 of its next 17 games.

The Herd closed out the season by losing its final seven games—all of which were against conference opponents.

“I think we obviously struggled at certain points during the season, especially at the end of the year,” Boster said. “At the end, it really comes down to leadership, especially senior leadership, and I think we have a lot of that this year.”

The Herd has an experienced group of 21 veterans returning to its roster this spring.

Dundon and Boster also mentioned that the team is excited to have the new Chris Cline Athletic Complex indoor facility, especially during this time of the year.

“The new indoor facility is great,” Dundon said. “It gives us a lot of room to practice and get work in without the weather being a factor.”

Marshall’s first game is scheduled for Feb. 13 against Florida A&M in Tallahassee, Florida.

Malcolm Walton can be contacted at walton47@marshall. edu.

C M Y K 50 INCH

Opinion

4

| MARSHALLPARTHENON.COM

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2015 |

EDITORIAL

The Parthenon, Marshall University’s student newspaper, is published by students Monday through Friday during the regular semester and Thursday during the summer. The editorial staff is responsible for news and editorial content.

CODI MOHR EXECUTIVE EDITOR mohr13@marshall.edu

JOCELYN GIBSON GEOFFREY FOSTER MANAGING EDITOR gibson243@marshall.edu

NEWS EDITOR foster147@marshall.edu

JESSICA STARKEY

MEGAN OSBORNE

SPORTS EDITOR starkey33@marshall.edu

LIFE! EDITOR osborne115@marshall.edu

DONYELLE MURRAY

KRISTA SHIFFLETT

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER murray91@marshall.edu

COPY EDITOR shifflett7@marshall.edu

SHANNON STOWERS

ANDREA STEELE

ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR stowers44@marshall.edu

PHOTO EDITOR steele98@marshall.edu

SANDY YORK FACULTY ADVISER sandy.york@marshall.edu

Don’t judge the introverts of the world; it’s more complicated than you think There are two (well kind of) types of people in the world.

There are those whose idea of a good time involves a room full of people—friends, strangers, acquaintances—partying, talking about the mundane aspects of everyday life, meeting new people and doing new things. Then there are those who prefer a more relaxed environment, sometimes alone, just watching a movie or reading a book and more in depth conversation.

Most people who have

been through puberty are at least somewhat aware of the simplest ways their brains work—how they socialize, how they entertain themselves, etc. But introversion and extraversion are perhaps two of the most telling personality traits a person can possess.

“Introversion” and “extraversion” are terms most people are aware of, but few use them in their correct context. Many assume an introvert is a shy person while an

CONTACT US: 109 Communications Bldg.|Marshall University|One John Marshall Drive Huntington, West Virginia 25755|parthenon@marshall.edu|@MUParthenon

THE FIRST AMENDMENT

The Constitution of the United States of America

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people to peaceably assemble; and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

BE HERD: GUIDELINES FOR SENDING LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Please keep letters to the editor at 300 words or fewer.

They must be saved in Microsoft Word and sent as an attachment. Longer letters may be used as guest columns at the editor’s discretion. Guest column status will not be given at the author’s request. All letters must be signed and include an address or phone number for confirmation. Letters may be edited for grammar, libelous statements, available space or factual errors. Compelling

letters that are posted on The Parthenon website, www. marshallparthenon.com, can be printed at the discretion of the editors.

The opinions expressed in the columns and letters do not necessarily represent the views of The Parthenon staff.

Please send news releases to the editors at parthenon@marshall.edu. Please keep in mind, letters are printed based on timeliness, newsworthiness and space.

extravert is an outgoing person, but such a presumption could not be more wrong.

The dictionary definition of introversion classifies it as a person’s tendency to direct his or her attention toward the self, while extraversion is defined as the habit of being predominantly concerned with gratification outside the self.

But the definitions also give a somewhat confusing explanation of what it really means to identify with one end of the personality spectrum or the other. By definition it seems as though introverts are self-centered while extroverts focus on the people or things around them.

In reality, however, the terms relate more to the way the brain works, and more importantly how a person receives energy. While an extrovert draws his or her energy from public connections, an introvert is drained of energy by excessive social

interactions. The introvert is not just an anti-social hermit who dislikes other people, but he or she simply obtains energy from within himself or herself.

For some, extraversion is seen as the dominant or standard personality type. Such people may determine achievement in life based on social or public speaking abilities. But within such a stigma, in which only the social butterflies who easily assert themselves in a public situation acquire success, introverts are assumed to be the uncomfortable, shy people standing in the corner at parties.

For an introvert, that means sometimes staying home away from people outside a small circle is sometimes the best option. It’s not a lack of socialization or a loner characteristic. Staying home for an introvert means revitalization.

It means more energy to put themselves in social situations later.

SCREENSHOTS | BUZZFEED.COM

COLUMN

More than a few of my favorite things are thrifted “A dedicated thrift shopper will make several trips and visit multiple stores to find the exact thing they are looking for on the cheap.”

By JOCELYN GIBSON

MANAGING EDITOR It’s no secret that I love thrift shopping, but what might not be so obvious is why. And, let me tell you, the reasons are plenty.

First and foremost, I do it for the environment. Why would I need to buy something new (creating more waste) when I could get it used? It’s simple supply and demand. If I’m not buying newly manufactured goods from department stores, then I am not creating a greater demand for the goods.

The second (and more fashion-related) reason is I like finding clothing and décor items that are unique. There is nothing worse than walking into a room and seeing someone else wearing the same exact clothing item as you. You can find clothes and accessories at thrift stores that no one else has, and…leading to my next point…

You can make them your own! I love finding an item at a thrift store in which I can see a second life. My favorite transformation is finding dresses that don’t fit in the

bust and turning them into awesome new skirts, which I can pretty much guarantee no one else is going to have in their wardrobe.

Another aspect I feel adds to my ability to thrift is my unconcern about brand names.

Sure it’s always a bonus to find a quality brand item for cheap at a thrift store, but there is so much more out there to be discovered. The brand especially doesn’t matter if I am going to reconstruct or modify the item anyway.

Personally, I also just enjoy the thrill of the search. You never know what you are going to find on a trip to a thrift store, and I would argue that it is best not to have too many expectations. You don’t want to limit yourself. You need time to peruse every section with a keen eye to grab the best finds.

I never let a single section of the store go un-browsed. Be careful though — if you get really good you run the risk of spending too much money on all of the wonderful things you find.

There are always the staple items you can almost bet

on finding at any given thrift store, but you don’t want to go in hunting for a particular item and settle on one that is subpar. A dedicated thrift shopper will make several trips and visit multiple stores to find the exact thing they are looking for on the cheap.

Another bonus to thrift shopping is purchasing from organizations that are making a positive impact in the community. Goodwill, for example, sponsors many community programs and workshops for disadvantaged peoples. Small local thrift stores often partner with charitable organizations or churches to give back.

I won’t say that thrift shopping is for everyone, though.

You have to be patient and willing to work and wait for the things you want or need.

If you are the type of person who likes to just go and grab the item in one trip without a lot of hassle, you should probably avoid second-hand stores.

It takes a special kind of person to love thrift.

Jocelyn Gibson can be contacted at gibson243@ marshall.edu.

This Aug. 27, 2014 photo shows the New Hope Animal Rescue, a volunteer-based organization located inside of the Paws and Shop Thrift Store on Putnam Avenue in Hurricane, W.Va. The group takes every penny it earns from the volunteer-managed store and puts it toward helping needy cats and dogs. Its goal is to open a no-kill shelter in the area.

AP PHOTO | CHARLESTON DAILY MAIL | TOM HINDMAN

page designed and edited by JOCELYN GIBSON | gibson243@marshall.edu

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2015 |

HRL seeking resident advisers and academic mentors

By MATTHEW EPLION

THE PARTHENON Marshall University Housing and Residence Life planned upcoming events for old and new students.

Tracey Eggleston, the assistant director at HRL, said the deadline for the Academic Selection program is approaching.

Eggleston said they are looking for academic mentors and resident advisors to apply.

Students can apply on the HRL website by Feb. 13 at 4 p.m.

Interviews for the positions will take place Feb. 28 and March 1 in Corbly Hall.

Students who become academic mentors will need to perform such tasks as tutoring, giving academic advice and holding academic and life skills programs. Resident advisors are also needed for the fall semester.

They must be able to help their floor’s residents if they are in need, plan activities on the bulletin boards and build a community on the floor.

Resident advisors and academic mentors will be assigned to a floor of the residence halls and will live there with the other students throughout the semester.

Eggleston said about 40 students have already been hired for the 2015 fall semester.

Eggleston said they are looking for students who have or want to develop strong leadership skills.

HRL is offering resume and cover letter writing workshops on Jan. 28 at 1 p.m. in the Student Resource Center and Jan. 29 at 7 p.m. in the Twin Towers West Classroom.

Eggleston said these writing workshops are for students who need assistance with preparing their resumes and cover letters.

An open halls event will take place on Feb. 4 for freshman students to tour the campus residence halls and to receive help with housing accommodations for the fall semester.

Matthew Eplion can be contacted at eplion11@marshall. edu.

|

Jury convicts 2 ex-Vanderbilt players of raping woman

By SHEILA BURKE

ASSOCIATED PRESS NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A jury convicted two ex-Vanderbilt football players on Tuesday of raping a former student, rejecting claims that they were too drunk to know what they were doing and that a college culture of binge drinking and promiscuous sex should be blamed for the attack.

The jury deliberated for three hours before announcing that Brandon Vandenburg and Cory Batey were guilty of aggravated rape and aggravated sexual battery.

Batey was stoic, staring ahead and Vandenburg shook his head "no," appearing stunned. His father had an outburst and abruptly left the courtroom.

The victim, a 21-year-old neuroscience and economics major at the time of the June 2013 attack, cried as each guilty verdict was announced.

The men face decades in prison when they are sentenced March 6.

The jury heard two weeks of dramatic testimony from a parade of witnesses, including police, former and current Vanderbilt students and the woman, who said she didn't remember what happened that night, only that she woke up in a strange dorm room. They

also saw cellphone images from the night of the attack that Vandenburg sent to his friends as it was happening.

Despite the photos and video, and witnesses seeing the woman unconscious and at least partially naked in a dorm hallway, no one reported it.

The victim said in a statement she was hopeful the publicity from the case would lead to a discussion of how to end sexual violence on college campuses. In Nashville, where the prestigious private university is located, hundreds of college officials from across the state were meeting this week to discuss exactly that.

"Finally, I want to remind other victims of sexual violence: You are not alone. You are not to blame," she said.

Vandenburg and Batey were on trial together, but represented by different attorneys.

Attorneys for Vandenburg, who had been seeing the woman, said he did not assault her.

Testimony showed Vandenburg passed out condoms to the other players, slapped her buttocks and said he couldn't have sex with the woman because he was high on cocaine.

Batey raped the woman and urinated on her, prosecutors said. His attorneys argued the images didn't show that.

5

MARSHALLPARTHENON.COM

Defense lawyers argued that Vandenburg and Batey were too drunk to know what they were doing and that a college culture of binge drinking and promiscuous sex should be partly to blame.

During closing arguments, Deputy District Attorney Tom Thurman told jurors that the college culture argument was a "red herring" and that the athletes thought the law didn't apply to them.

"That's the culture that you really saw here," Thurman said. "Their mindset that they can get away with anything."

Earlier, one of the defense attorneys conceded that Vandenburg took "deplorable" photos, but shouldn't be convicted of rape because he didn't take part in it.

"He took photographs that he never should have taken," attorney Fletcher Long said.

Batey, of Nashville, turned 21 on Tuesday. Vandenburg, 21, is from Indio, Calif.

Vandenburg's roommate at the time testified that he had been on the top bunk and saw the woman face down on the floor. He said he heard one of the players say he was going to have sex with her, but didn't do anything because he was afraid.

Rumors about what happened quickly spread around AP PHOTO | LARRY MCCORMACK, POOL

campus, and the assault might have gone unnoticed had the university not stumbled onto the closed-circuit TV images several days later in an unrelated attempt to learn who damaged a dormitory door.

The images showed players carrying an unconscious woman into an elevator and down a hallway, taking compromising pictures of her and then dragging her into the room.

School authorities contacted police, who found the digital trail of images.

The university said after the verdict that they had kicked the players off the team many months ago, expelled them from school and were confident they acted appropriately.

"We will also continue our comprehensive ongoing efforts to raise awareness of the importance of every Vanderbilt student intervening when another student is at risk or in distress," the school said in a statement.

Jaborian "Tip" McKenzie, who is also charged in the case, testified he did not touch the woman himself but also took pictures.

No trial date has been set for him and Brandon Banks, the fourth former player accused in the assault. Banks did not testify.

TOP: Cory Batey testifies in his own defense during the his trial Monday, Jan. 26, 2015, in Nashville, Tenn. Former players Batey and Brandon Vandenburg are standing trial on five counts of aggravated rape and two counts of aggravated sexual battery.

BOTTOM: Brandon Vandenburg looks at the jury as Judge Wilkins reads the charges during his trial on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015 in Nashville, Tenn. Vandenburg and Cory Batey, two former Vanderbilt football players, are each charged with five counts of aggravated rape and two counts of aggravated sexual battery.

Basketball invitational to come to Big Sandy Arena Area middle, high schools to compete with travelling teams

By SOFIE WACHTMEISTER

THE PARTHENON Big Sandy Superstore Arena will host the St. Joseph Central Catholic High School Huntington Invitational from Jan. 28-31.

The four-day event will feature numerous games played by over 20 boys and girls middle school and high school basketball teams. A number of teams are local, while others are traveling from Kentucky, Ohio, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

Cara Hedrick, marketing and sales manager at Big Sandy Superstore Arena, said she is excited for a new addition to the invitational.

“Not only do we have middle school teams playing on Wednesday and high school teams playing Thursday and Friday, but we actually have a men’s college game that’s going to be played on Saturday evening,” said Hedrick.

The game will be played between men’s West Virginia Tech and Rio Grande at 6:45 p.m. Saturday.

A number of ticket options are available to the public. Games played on Wednesday and Thursday will cost $8, and games played Friday and Saturday will cost $10. Courtside seats are available for $20 a day, and four-day passes start at $25.

The event, which used to be called the St. Joseph’s Invitational, has been moved from St. Joe’s campus to the Big Sandy Arena due to size.

Sofie Wachtmeister can be contacted at wachtmeister@marshall.edu.

HIGHER ED

Continued from page 1 “We are investing the future of our state right by providing students with quality higher education systems they deserve,” Tomblin said.

Marshall University Interim President Gary White represented the university for his first Higher Education Day at the Capitol.

“You don’t understand the magnitude of it until the whole higher education system is represented here in the Capitol,” White said. “It’s very impressive as to what we have to offer in West Virginia.”

White attended the event sporting a green and white bow tie and took his first selfie with West Virginia University’s President Gordon Gee. Kasey Madden can be contacted at madden24@ marshall.edu.

AP PHOTO | THE TENNESSEAN | JOHN PARTIPILO, POOL

CL012815 CLASSIFIED CLASSIFIED 2 x 8.0

TEACHER

Continued from page 1 Language Collegiate Teacher of the Year is annually chosen at a K-12 and higher education level.

Hannah Harman can be contacted at harman34@ marshall.edu. page designed and edited by JOCELYN GIBSON | gibson243@marshall.edu

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2015 |

Life!

|

MARSHALLPARTHENON.COM

Skateboarders flock to new skate park

By KARIMA NEGHMOUCHE

THE PARTHENON Skateboarding is a form of transportation that could be a hobby or even a form of meditation for some.

Marshall University student Ryan George said he is passionate about skateboarding. He specializes in transition skating, which is commonly referred to as vert skateboarding.

George said he started skating when he was 10 years old.

“When I was younger, I always rode a bike,” George said. “One day the tire on my bike popped and I didn’t know how to fix it, so I found a skateboard, and I’ve been skating ever since.”

George said he gets most of his boards in Louisville, where one of his favorite skate parks is located.

Over winter break, George had the opportunity to explore Manhattan and Brooklyn, New York on his skateboard.

While skating in Huntington may not be as exciting as skating around Times Square, the city is working to change that fact. Huntington’s first and only skate park is now open to the public.

“One of the three phases of the park is complete,” George said.

Construction on the park started after city council members accepted a $5,000 grant from

the Tony Hawk Foundation in March.

The skate park is located on the west side of Harris Riverfront Park near the floodwall across from Pullman Square.

George visited the skate park and said it was packed with people of the community, of all ages.

Marshall student Josh Martin also checked out the new skate park.

“I’ve been to the park a few times, and it’s awesome to finally have a safe place to skate in Huntington without having to worry about grinding up public benches or ledges,” Martin said.

Martin said he has been skating for more than eight years.

“When I hopped on my first board and started pushing around my neighborhood, it just felt natural,” Martin said. “Skating has turned into a meditation practice for me.”

George also said skating is a fun way for him to workout.

“A lot of people may not look at it like this, but skating is a huge workout,” George said. “It is hard but not as boring as lifting weights.”

Martin said he skates to and from classes.

George may not be seen skating around campus, but he does skate to and from other areas in Huntington.

Karima Neghmouche can be contacted at neghmouche2@marshall.edu.

“When I hopped on my first board and started pushing around my neighborhood, it just felt natural." Josh Martin Ryan George skates a bowl at an indoor skatepark.

Customized in Huntington FILE PHOTO

Local bloke caters to fandoms with Etsy shop

By WILLIAM IZZO

Brandon Mitchell, operator of Pins and Needles, uses a machine to make buttons.

THE PARTHENON Pop culture enthusiasts are usually left waiting on official merchandise for their favorite shows, movies or games to be released at the whim of their respective parent companies.

Custom ordering is something large companies tend to stray away from, but Brandon Mitchell, a local Huntington print maker, said bring on the custom orders. Mitchell runs Pins And Needles, a West Virginia company producing custom screen-printed merchandise including buttons, t-shirts, posters and beer koozies.

Mitchell founded Pins And Needles after realizing he often ordered merchandise on his own.

After some research, Mitchell said he began to print his own things.

“It takes some goal orientation, but you can order parts online,” Mitchell said. Customers can come to Mitchell with a design or an idea and he will work on producing their choice of merchandise.

Mitchell dabbles in graphic design work and Photoshop but he said he is no professional.

People interested in Mitchell’s buttons can also order from a variety of premade designs These sets include everything from anime, horror movies or buttons featuring rappers such as Lil B The Based God. Mitchell said he enjoys printing anything to do with activism.

“If it’s gender positive, queer positive or anything positive, I like it,” Mitchell said. Pins And Needles ships to West Virginia and surrounding areas but recently sent an order of 400 buttons to the United Kingdom.

Mitchell said he thinks some expansion could be happening very soon.

Mitchell is working on a website for the business this year, but for now, those interested can contact him through the Pins And Needles Etsy store.

William Izzo can be contacted at izzo@marshall.edu.

FILE PHOTOS page designed and edited by MEGAN OSBORNE | osborne115@marshall.edu

SUBMITTED PHOTO