April 8th, 2014

CHRONICLE Richland

Vol. XXXIX, Issue 11 April 8, 2014

They can dance Pg. 4 Richlandchronicle.com

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Campus

Wall of Honor students shine

Staff Photos Melanie Brandow

Horacio Velador

Jorge Valderrama

Karen Cuttill

Martha Camarillo

Associate degrees, Arts and Business. B.B.A. in Finance and Management Information Systems. M.B.A. in Accounting. Vice president and portfolio management officer at Bank of America in Dallas.

Awards: 2014 Faculty Association Merit Scholarship, 2013 Celia Millemon Achievement Scholarship, 2012-2013 Fossil Company Achievement Scholarship, 2012-2013 Rising Star Scholarship and the Texas Rangers 2011-2012 Scholarship.

Associate degree from Brookhaven College. Master of Arts in Clinical and Counseling Psychology. Now works as a counselor at Richland.

Associate degree from Richland College. Bachelor’s degrees in English and Spanish. Masters degree, Business Administration. Now pursuing a Ph.D.

KISTEN S. CHETTY The Council for Community Building announced its choices for the Wall of Honor on April 2.

The council chooses four to five students each year who will have their picture along with a short essay hung on the Wall of Honor.

The wall is located in Crockett Hall, and the students’ frames remain there for an entire year, until the new students are chosen.

The students honored this year are Martha Camarillo, Jorge Valderrama, Tsegazeab “TJ” Gebreyohannes, Horacio Velador and Karen Cuttill.

According to professor Jon Ewing, a member of the council, there are three major requirements.

A student must shine academically. That’s

the first requirement. This means a good-togreat GPA is required to be nominated.

Second, and one of the most important requirements, is service in the community. All five of these students either volunteer or in some way or form give back to their community, either through charity, tutoring or hosting workshops.

The last requirement, as Ewing explained, was that the nominee had to have triumphed over adversity.

There must have been some ordeal, problem or multiple problems that the nominee overcame to reach where they are now.

Here are some excerpts from the student’s biographies. A full version can be seen in Crockett Hall: Martha Camarillo – “Martha forged ahead, working in Richland College’s School of World Languages, Cultures and Communications and taking classes at the same time. She

Not to be forgotten were the three teachers selected for the Student Engagement Award.

These teachers, nominated by students and chosen by a faculty counsel, also have their picture and a biography hung in Crockett Hall for an entire year. The teachers selected this year were Dr. Lesley Daspit, School of LEAD, Gabe Edgar, School of World Languages, Cultures & Communications and professor Vicki Mayhan, School of HFPA .

These teachers were recognized for going above and beyond the norm in getting their students involved. One innovative example came from Dr. Daspit who created a garbology class that required students “to collect, sort, and analyze recyclables from ‘normal’ garbage from parking lots and other areas on campus. A presentation to administration and Facilities offers baseline information and supports Richland College recycling efforts.”

Edgar drew praise for his commitment to using electronics to enhance the learning experience. Foliotek e-portfolio forms a core part of his teaching method because students can track their progress in a visible medium.

Mayhan tugged at the heartstrings of the audience with her project to fill the blank white walls of a children’s clinic. She gave her students an optional assignment to create pieces of art for display at the clinic.

Her idea came about when “during the tour of the clinic I noticed that the exam rooms were very sterile with white walls and thought that had to be rather scary environment for children who had never been to a dentist or doctor before.”

Like the Wall of Honor Students, full biographies can be viewed in Crockett Hall.

— Kisten S. Chetty

Richlandchronicle.com April 8, 2014

Editor-in-Chief

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Above and beyond faculty

earned an associate degree from Richland and then transferred to the University of Texas at Arlington, where she earned bachelor degrees in English and Spanish.

Jorge Valderrama – “Because of financial challenges in his family, Jorge worked from 5 p.m. until 2 a.m. every day of the week while attending high school. He functioned on less than six hours of sleep most days. Not working was not an option.”

Tsegazeab “TJ” Gebreyohannes – “TJ was born and raised in the impoverished area of Addis Ababa – Ethiopia’s capital city. His father was a truck driver and his mother was a janitor. The family struggled financially and when TJ was still young, his father died. Life was very hard for TJ, his mother and siblings but, despite these challenges, they persevered.”

Horacio Velador – “He put in 15-hour days taking classes, working and studying. He also

Tsegazeab “TJ” Gebreyohannes A 2013-14 DCCCD Foundation STEM scholar and a nominee for the 2014 International Scholar Laureate Program in engineering and technology.

was the president of Richland’s Student Association of Spanish Heritage. Under his leadership, the club was involved in the community by visiting area schools to promote higher education, tutoring elementary students and participating in the DCCCD’s Dia de la Familia and Hispanic Summit.”

Karen Cuttill - “She had a turbulent childhood that culminated in running away from home and a suicide attempt as a teenager. She quit school at age 16 and married at 17. By the time Karen was 22, she was divorced with two sons.”

These are just excerpts from the biographies of the student honorees. Full accounts of their accomplishments are available on the Wall of Honor.

Students interested in the process of nominations can find the application form on the Richland College website at: www.richlandcollege. edu/wallofhonor/

Staff Photo Melanie Brandow

Vicki Mayhan, School of HFPA, left, Gabe Edgar, School of World Languages, Cultures & Communications, and Dr. Lesley Daspit, School of LEAD, win Student Engagement Awards.

Campus

Saying thank you Copy Editor

Staff Photos Ashling Han

Jadan Garcia celebrates after a two run walk-off win.

T-Ducks in a walk-off win Blanca Reyes Sports Editor

The Thunderducks won a nail-biter 10-9 against North Lake on Friday.

The victory is just the latest in a chain of successful games that the Thunderducks have had.

The T-Ducks won two other victories last

week against Texas Wesleyan JV .

At press time, the team was scheduled to play against North Lake one more time on Saturday at Richland.

Richland is scheduled to play a doubleheader Wednesday at home against Northwood JV. The games will be at noon and 2 p.m.

For more information visit www.richlandcollege.edu/baseball or stop by Guadalupe Hall, room G-114.

Upcoming events Tuesday, April 8: 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Free STD Testing East Circle Drive (outside library) The Dallas County Health and Human Services Sexually Transmitted Disease Mobile Medical Unit will be on campus providing testing for HIV, chlamydia, syphilis and gonorrhea. For questions contact them at 214-500-2968 or the clinic at 214-819-1819. For more information call the Richland Health Center at 972-238-6135 or stop by Thunderduck Hall, Room T-110.

Friday and Saturday, April 11-12: 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Spring Dance Concert, “Shazaam” Fannin Performance Hall, Room F-108 The public is welcome to attend. No reservations are necessary.

Monday - Wednesday, April 14-16: 6 to 8 p.m.

Richland Cheerleader Tryouts Guadalupe Hall, Room G-101 Those trying out will be required to perform a cheer and chant that will be taught on site. A combination of three jumps (toe touch, side and front hurdler) and any tumbling that you have (not required).

Tuesday, April 15: 5 p.m.

Student Government Association Elections These positions are up for election: president, vice president, secretary, parliamentarian, historian and ambassador. The deadline for applications is today at 5 p.m.

Pick one up in the Office of Student Life in El Paso Hall, Room E-040.

The elections will be held April 23-24.

One week this month was devoted to thanking professors and professional staff for all they do. That week, Teacher-Staff Appreciation Week, was March 31 to April 4.

John Drezek, instructional labs coordinator in the Learning Center, said that people really get into it. It’s something that’s done every year and used to be called “Faculty Appreciation.”

Drezek is one of the members of the Council for Teaching and Learning, the Richland employees responsible for the event. He said he’s not sure who first came up with the idea, but that he and the other members really want to thank those who work here.

Drezek’s role in the project was to create an art contest, send Thank You cards and call the restaurants [sponsors] to see if they would provide donations for food trays on April 1.

Drezek said that 12 major restaurants near Richland provided a variety of food trays to be delivered April 1 to a number of divisions and offices on campus.

Faculty and staff who took part in the project included: Heather Appleby, Christopher Manes, Ludmilla Smith, Susan Wehe, Melanie Pruit, Megan Farmer and Griselfa Flores. (Appleby and Manes are co-chairs of the council for Teaching and Learning.)

An art contest, sponsored by the council, began in February. The deadline was March 17.

“In the past, we would make a cover for preprinted cards for students that said ‘thank you’ to professors. The students would put them in a box. Then volunteers would deliver the cards all week,” Drezek said.

Drezek said someone on the committee decided to get students to create the art for the cover of the thank-you cards, so they had a contest.

The contest was open to anyone on the Thunderduck staff and students alike. The subject matter concerned any art that was appropriate for a thank you card, such as a painting, a photograph or a graphic illustration that

would fit on a 5½-by-4-inch card.

The entire Teaching and Learning Committee examined the PowerPoint entries and then voted on them, Drezek said. There was a tie so they voted again.

Drezek said they had four first-place student winners out of 14 total entries. They are: Doris Brogan, Sa Huyh, Vicky Nguyen and Samantha Zagurski. Last year, there were only four entries.

Drezek said 4,000 cards are printed every year, so that’s “4,000 thank yous that faculty, staff, advisers and other employees receive.”

“We have even had students here on our campus who would like to thank teachers at our sister campuses,” Drezek said. “We’re happy to put that in the in-campus mail and send that to them.”

Prize providers included two local businesses that offered first-place prizes. Asal Art Supply donated four $25 gift certificates and the Follett Bookstore four $10 gift cards.

Drezek said he loves this project because it involves the students in the creation of art. He would like to see it expanded to all colleges in the DCCCD. “It creates a lasting positive feeling when someone receives this card,” he said. “They may keep it and put it in their offices. Whenever they’re feeling frustrated and sad or having a hard day, they can look back and re-read a card sent to them, and that will pick up their spirits.”

When they first started this about three years ago, Drezek and members of the council were concerned that students might not want to participate, so they only printed 500 cards.

“But, I was pleasantly surprised that students were very excited and some of them asked for four or five blank cards so they could thank everyone that made a positive impact from Richland,” Drezek said.

The first year he said they kept having to print more and then they decided to do 4,000 [cards].

“That’s quite a bit of positive energy being sent out to Richland. We will have this again next year. We hope to keep expanding the art contest,” Drezek said.

Richlandchronicle.com April 8, 2014

JOYCE JACKSON

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CAMPUS

Flash mob members move muscles to the ‘Cupid Shuffle’

Staff photo Veronica Jacob

The Richland community enjoys the third year of the Flash mob Friday. Kay Coder, Ph.D.(left) has been in charge of this event since it started. This year, the Flash mob marked the end of the appreciation week for Richland faculty.

Staff photo Blanca Reyes

Staff photo Lora Advincula

Richlandchronicle.com April 8, 2014

Thunderducks show off their best dance moves

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There were fewer sign ups this year for the So You Think You Can Dance competition, but as the competitors danced their talents away walk ups made it more eventful. The winners shown above, left: 1st place Tamyra Butler won a $100 gift card to the bookstore. 2nd place John Tran won a $75 gift card. And 3rd place Juan Ramirez won a $50 gift card.

— Staff photos Melanie Brandow

Movies

The one where Noah leaves the rock warlocks behind RICKY MILLER Entertainment Editor

Image courtesy wallpaperup.com

Russell Crowe gives a convincing performance as the biblical Noah.

Two by two they came.

Sure, Russell Crowe looks stellar in director Darren Aronofsky’s “Noah,” but despite the epic look and feel of a biblical event many a year ago, one feels a little cheated at the end.

Aronofsky’s a director I neither love nor hate because he concocts the oddest of recipes resulting in a smorgasbord of sandwiches that either taste great (“The Wrestler,” “Black Swan”) or like vile poison coupled with a shot of penicillin (“Requiem for a Dream,” “The Fountain”).

With his latest opus, “Noah,” Aronofsky tells the story from the Bible about the saving of the innocents from our planet. Those innocents are the creatures both male and female who have no real stake in selfish thoughts or ideas. Essentially, they only know about one thing. Survival. That is it, plain and simple.

They are not worried about selfish thoughts and ideas concerning the almighty dollar, which seems to be the driving force of the majority of people on Earth.

What really surprised me was the segue into the fantasy element Aronofsky weaved into his tableau. In order to help build the ark, he created Warlocks, essentially like The Rock Biter from Wolfgang Petersen’s “The Never-

ending Story.”

He spooled this into “Noah,” since with their size and girth they could do the heavy lifting and construction requirements of putting the hefty ship together.

Also included in the “Noah” storyline is Anthony Hopkins as the grandfather Methuselah, who suddenly gets a hankering for berries, which he realized he missed in all his days on dry land. Jennifer Connelly, from my boyhood crush of “Labyrinth,” supports as Noah’s caring wife Naaneh.

Also key to the “Noah” storyline is an adversary in Ray Winstone’s Tubal-cain, a selfish man. While sneaking his way onto the ship he takes the bite out of a creature, disregarding the creature’s life, only thinking of his own selfish interests.

Emma Watson from the “Harry Potter” franchise supports as Ila, a girl who essentially gets adopted by Noah and the rest of the family. This part of the flick seemed confusing to me because at one point she seemed to be with Logan Lerman’s Ham but in the end ends up with the other brother, Douglas Booth’s Shem.

To me, “Noah” was like “Titanic” in that it wanted to be grander and more exorbitant than it actually was, because it was just a bunch of old nuts without any grains to compliment the rest of the package.

Grade: C

RICKY MILLER Entertainment Editor

For me, “Captain America: The First Avenger” felt kind of flat. I did not hate it.

But I gave it a so-so grade of a B- in 2011.

The sequel, “Captain America: Winter Soldier,” picks up where the original left off. Chris Evans returns as Steve Rogers, an American soldier who was a frozen Popsicle for many a year.

Unlike the majority of flicks that as of late are struggling to reach that pinnacle trilogy mark, this one just eases its way right into the story.

What is surprising, however, is Robert Redford’s role as one of the antagonists of the movie. His character of government higher-up Alexander Pierce is a lie, since he’s also working for Hydra, the main villainous entity that is evil incarnate through and through. I thought his part would cover the same grounds as either his enthralling role from the amazing “Three Days of the Condor” or Alan J. Pakula’s enthralling “All the President’s Men.” Scarlett Johansson returns as Black Widow, a person now prevalent in the Marvel universe.

New and key to the story is Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson persona, a former soldier from overseas whose superhero name is the Falcon.

Also returning are Samuel L. Jackson and Toby Jones. The former is the head of S.H.I.E.L.D., while the latter is Dr. Amim Zola, one of the higher-ups at Hydra. Part of the time, he’s not present, rather just his voice.

Although Captain America is the name on the posters, Black Widow has more than her share of scenes where her persona shines and kicks major butt. She does some major hand-to-hand combat and fighting a la her part in “Iron Man 2.”

What is also ironic is that they have the stage set for a third entry in the “Captain America” series, already teasing part three in what will eventually become a trilogy. They have the Asgardian weapon featured from “The Avengers” and plan to use it in the next entry into the series.

This one was directed by brothers Anthony and Joe Russo. The pair made the robber-caper flick “Welcome to Collinwood” in 2002 featuring George Clooney as well as the mediocre “You, Me and Dupree” the story of a schlep of a friend, played by Owen Wilson. He disrupted the lives of a recently married couple played by Matt Dillon and Kate Hudson.

When it comes down to it, this comic book entry does what it’s supposed to do.

This one did not deliver the goods entirely but, like the last chapter in “The Hunger Games,” left me hungering for more.

Grade: B

Richlandchronicle.com April 8, 2014

‘Winter Soldier’ delivers

image courtesy comicvine.com

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CAmpus

‘Shazaam’ dance concert sparks creativity Joyce Jackson Copy Editor

About 30-35 Richland students are scheduled to perform in “Shazaam,” Richland’s dance concert at 7:30 p.m. April 11-12 in the Fannin Performance Hall. It will be directed by Gina Sawyer, adjunct dance professor.

Sawyer said the title came from one of the students in her modern dance class.

“It [Shazaam] has the energy that we are looking for and the innovation for our spring concert,” Sawyer said.

Sawyer said students from the dance classes were selected for the concert by audition and

were selected for a particular piece by a panel of dance faculty, which includes Julie Rowley and Cheryl Callon, also adjunct professors.

Guest choreographer Jill Rucci, who recently relocated to Dallas from New York City, was a principal dancer and guest choreographer for Vissi Dance Theater for more than 10 years. She has trained, taught, performed and presented her choreography in a number of cities, including Boston, Los Angeles, Dallas and New York.w Eight and One Dance Company, under the direction of Rucci, will also debut as guest artists. Faculty works will include original pieces from Sawyer, Callon and Rowley.

The dance concert will showcase diverse

student and faculty performances that include modern, ballet, jazz, tap and hip hop dance styles.

Sawyer said three former dance students are returning to perform in “Shazaam.”

“They had participated in a performance flex class at the end of the fall semester and they have developed these pieces for the spring concert,” Sawyer said.

Sawyer said the concert will provide some stimulating and electrifying dances, both created and performed by student and professional artists.

The concert is free and open to the public.

No reservations are necessary. For more information call 972-238-3775.

STUDENT MEDIA LEADERS Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Layout Editor Online Editor Sports Editor Entertainment Editor Radio News Director Copy Editor

Kisten S. Chetty Jonathan Lee Lora Advincula Melanie Brandow Blanca Reyes Ricky Miller Carla Davis Joyce Jackson

ON THE COVER Richland students showcased their various dancing skills at the So You Think You Can Dance competition

COVER AND FONTS Staff photo by Melanie Brandow Cover Certain fonts are provided by the following: http://www.nymfont.com - http://www.bvfonts.com

STUDENT MEDIA STAFF Doris Brogan Sayako Metoki Veronica Jacob Joyce Liu Ben Siebel

Raymond Thomas Pronk Pete Shannon Gabriel Flores Majid Abdel-Raziq Ashling Han

STUDENT MEDIA ADVISERS Terry Blend Erica Edwards Jack Fletcher David Goodloe

Tim Jones Steve Noviello Larry Ratliff Marshall Siegel

Spring 2014 ISSUES January 14 January 21 January 28 February 4 February 11 February 18 February 25

March 4 March 25 April 8 April 22 April 29 May 6 May 13

Staff photos Melanie Brandow

Darrell Rodgers practices for his part.

Jewel Garnica struts her stuff.

Michaila Evans perfects her spin before the “Shazaam” dance concert.

Fitness Center provides place to work out on campus Jonathan Lee Richlandchronicle.com April 8, 2014

Managing Editor

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By this point in the semester, many students likely have broken their New Year’s resolution to join a gym and get in shape. Fortunately, Richland has its own Fitness Center conveniently located on campus.

“It’s always good to stay physically fit,” said Kammren Woods, a 21-year-old engineering and architecture student. “It helps with health.”

Whether the goal is to lose weight, build muscles or simply adopt a healthier lifestyle, the Fitness Center offers a variety of amenities to students, faculty and the community.

The state-of-the-art equipment includes free weights, weight machines, treadmills, stair-step machines and more. There’s also a jogging trail outside.

The wall-length windows overlook the beautiful campus, so exercisers have a scenic view of Lake Thunderduck.

Students enrolled in P.E. classes may use the Fitness Center for free. Otherwise, member-

ship costs $20 per month.

“I can get my daily workout, so that way, if I’m too busy at home and I can’t do my workout after school, then I work out during my class time,” said Paula Ricks, 16.

The Fitness Center always has a staff member on duty to lend assistance. The staff has solid experience in fitness and athletics, and some of the staff members have masters degrees in kinesiology.

“I’d recommend to anybody who’s new here: Consult with the staff member there, talk about what your goals are, and then get that person to identify some machines to work on, and then get a routine,” said Fitness Center director Michael Iachetta.

“I circle around a couple of times,” said Iachetta. “Two or three times, depending on how much time someone has, would be good.

I also recommend something a little aerobic to mix in there – the stair-step, the treadmill, just something. I think it’s good to start to get your blood going a little bit, about five minutes. Do some stretching. And, also, if you’re ambitious, I would recommend also for aerobics some jump roping.”

Iachetta warns first-timers against overexerting themselves.

“With exercising in general, you kinda want to ease into it and just be committed for the long run,” said Iachetta. “I think that most people can think of a time where they just said, ‘I’m gonna turn over a new leaf.

I’m gonna start working out,’ and then you overdo it. ... You don’t want to, the first time out, do too much and then just never want to do it again; you want to just say, ‘I’m committed for doing this for the rest of my life.’

So, it’s a marathon, not a sprint, as people say.”

Exercise is a good way to release stress, especially during the middle of the semester.

“Being a student can be very stressful.

Being a human being can be stressful,” said Iachetta. “I would just remember the advice of one of my mentors here at Richland.

He said, ‘When you’re especially busy, that’s when you really need to get in to work out.’”

The Fitness Center operates Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Guadalupe Hall, Room G-114.

AWARDS ACP Pacemaker Winner, 2000, 2001, 2007 ACP Pacemaker Finalist, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2007 ACP Online Pacemaker Finalist, 2007, 2008 1st Place - TIPA Sweepstakes, 2005 3rd Place - TIPA Online, 2005 & 2006 Over 150 Texas college journalism awards since 2000

CONTACT INFORMATION El Paso Hall, Room E-020, 12800 Abrams Rd. Dallas, 75243 Newsroom: 972-238-6079 E-mail: chronicle@dcccd.edu Advertising: 972-238-6068 E-mail: advertise@dcccd.edu Fax: 972-238-6037

MEETINGS & POLICIES Staff meetings: Monday and Wednesday 3 p.m. in E-020

------Letter Policy Letters to the editor may be edited for space. They will be edited for spelling, grammar and malicious or libelous statements.

Letters must be the work of the writer and must be signed. For identification and verification purposes, letters also must include the writer’s classification (grade level), full name, address and telephone number, although address and telephone number will not be published.

Editorial Policy The Chronicle is the official student-produced newspaper of Richland College. Editorials, cartoons, columns and letters are the opinions of individual students and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of other individual student writers, editors, advisers or the college administration. © Richland Chronicle 2013

CAmpus

Jordanian student a published author at 15 Doris Brogan Staff Writer

Fuad Banisalameh, 19, is successful author, publishing his book at the age of 15.

nocence. He ends up back on the cruel, cold streets where he was found 15 years earlier and dies from hunger and exposure in front of the same cold walls.

Fortunately, Banisalameh’s story had a happier outcome than that of his hero.

“The Cold Walls” was written during the 14 days between the fall and spring semesters of school. He spent 14 to 18 hours each day working on the novel that he had been developing in his mind for a month prior to the commencement of the writing.

Banisalameh regrets that the book isn’t yet translated into any other languages. “I dream one day to be able to translate it into English,” though he went on to say, “In my opinion, Arabic is more interesting than English … it is a flowery language and any imagery a man may imagine can be described in Arabic in a very eloquent way.”

Banisalameh’s family supported him in his literary pursuits when he first started writing Arabic poetry at the age of 12. They were very supportive when he began writing the book, and were extremely proud of his accomplishment when his novel was cleared for publication.

Banisalameh said he came to Richland by way of Indiana State University where he was enrolled in the Interlink Language Center for eight months to study English to augment the 12 years of English instruction he received in Jordan. Even though English is a required subject in the Jordanian school system, it is taught in Arabic by Jordanian teachers, so apparently the curriculum is weak and focuses

Staff photos Doris Brogan

Banisalameh’s book “The Cold Walls” is currently available only in Arabic.

on reading comprehension and grammar, not the spoken language.

Banisalameh is continuing his literary pursuits in the U. S. by writing poetry, sonnets to be specific. And more impressively, he’s writing them in English. He doesn’t have any plans to write another novel right now. “These days I am trying as much as I can to focus on studying more than enjoying any other activities,” he said.

He is the oldest of four children. He has one brother and two sisters who live with his mother in Zarqa, Jordan, which is 25 kilometers northeast of Amman.

Banisalameh’s father works as an electrical

and mechanical engineer in Kuwait.

When Banisalameh graduates from Richland, he plans to attend Texas A&M to continue working toward a degree in engineering.

“Leaving Jordan was bittersweet,” Banisalameh said. “I’m leaving my family, but I’m going to the United States to study engineering where they have the best schools in the world.”

As a point of interest, Arabic books are bound on the right and open to the right.

Richlandchronicle.com April 8, 2014

This is the first in a series of articles featuring international students at Richland.

There are 109 different countries represented on this campus and at least 79 different languages spoken. The Chronicle would like to acknowledge and celebrate Richland’s unique and rich diversity.

Richland student Fuad Banisalameh, a 19-year-old from Zarqa, Jordan was already a published author in his native Jordan when he enrolled at Richland to pursue a degree in engineering.

Banisalameh was only 15 when he wrote his novel, “The Cold Walls.” He then had to convince the Ministry of Culture that he was indeed the author of the novel before it could be considered for publication.

Book publishing in Jordan is handled much differently than in the United States.

All book publications must be approved by the Ministry of Culture in Amman, Jordan.

In Banisalameh’s case, the Ministry of Culture was reluctant to believe the author of the novel was a mere 15-year-old boy. Banisalameh’s father, who was working in Kuwait at the time, called the Ministry of Culture and convinced them to meet with his son in an effort to get the work published.

The ministry agreed to meet with him, so he traveled to Amman to present his case.

The ministers initially greeted him with skepticism. “A group of trained writers who had read the novel refused to believe it was written by a 15-year-old,” Banisalameh said. “They felt the plot was too well-developed for such a young author.” After meeting with ministers for an hour and a half, Banisalameh prevailed and convinced them to allow his book to be published. They advanced him money to help cover the cost of printing 1,000 copies of the novel. According to Banisalameh, the 168-page novel “… was described by the Ministry of Culture as one of the most interesting works they’ve ever read. It’s the thing that makes me most proud of this work.”

In some ways, Banisalameh’s publication struggle mirrored the struggles of his hero in “The Cold Walls.” The story is set in Paris at the beginning of the 19th century.

The misery of poverty is widespread and Redick, the main character, is a 12-year-old homeless boy. The proprietor of a homeless shelter finds him hungry and exposed to the elements in front of cold walls that offer no comfort.

The kindly man adopts Redick and provides a warm home and education for him.

Jealousy ensues. Redick’s adoptive father is killed and Redick subsequently finds himself accused of the theft of an expensive watch and is sent to prison. Upon his release, he cannot return to school or find a job because no one will believe in his in-

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Climb to new heights.

Two Guinness World Records obliterated.

Richlandchronicle.com April 8, 2014

There are no limits to what you can achieve.

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Over 40,000 feet in six hours.

Record-breaking achievement is the new standard for the Climbing Society at A&M-Commerce. As a student organization, the group puts effective collaboration and healthy competition into practice on the climbing wall at the university. But through dedication and preparation, these students took rock climbing and bouldering from the level of campus club distinction to world recognition.

As the proud holders of two Guinness World Records, our Climbing Society has proven that you can take your hobby from extracurricular to extraordinary at A&M-Commerce.

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