Issuu

November 18, 2014 Volume 86, Issue 14

’ THE LION S ROAR S O U T H E A S T E R N L O U I S IA NA U N I V E R S I T Y

A Student Publication

Campus Life Page 2

Opinions Page 5

Arts & Entertainment Page 6

Sports Page 8

News Page 10

LionsRoarNews.com

Volunteers serve Thanksgiving meals By Megan Ferrando Staff Reporter

The Lion’s Roar / Jay Love

Around 500 volunteers from various churches and organizations served up some Thanksgiving goodness for over 2,400 people at the 2014 Thanksgiving Servolution. Chip Chauvin (above left) helps pack one of the hundreds of boxes of food that were handed pit Saturday morning.

Organizations donate Toys from the Heart By McKenzie DeSandro Staff Reporter

To some, the holidays are a time for food, family and fun, but not everyone is so fortunate. The Nu Delta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Nu Omega Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and the Eta Lambda Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority have teamed up since 2005 with the mission of helping to make the holidays the best time of the year for all by starting the Toys from the Heart toy drive. This year, they were joined by the Omicron Nu Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma, Kappa Nu Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Alpha Delta Epsilon Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, African American Alumni Chapter, Student United Way and National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. This year, the organizations will be servicing Central Tangi Head Start and Southeastern Headstart, as well as 20 homeless families, totaling up to over 450 children. This group is considering about expanding their reach to another school because of the abundance of generosity of the community. So far, Toys from the Heart has raised over $800 in donations for 2014. “I go to the Headstart and we give one toy to every child, but when it comes to our homeless families, we give more than one toy per child,” said Donnisha Patterson, president of the Nu Delta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. “We only give new toys to Headstart kids, but we give gently used toys and new toys to

our homeless people. We really don’t want to limit ourselves for those families, but with the schools, you can only give what people tell you.” The charity typically raises about $1,000 each year in donations from both individuals and organizations, such as the athletic department and churches around the community. “We deliver toys on Dec. 5. On the 4th, we have a wrap party where we get together, order pizza and wrap all the toys that night,” said Patterson. “The Friday after, we get up and go to each school. Someone dresses up as an elf, we have Santa Claus and we go play music and hand out gifts to the children.” This philanthropy should not be confused with Food from the Heart, or its similar Christmas charity also named Toys from the Heart. “A member of Kappa Alpha Phi wanted to be a beacon of light for Christmas time, and just that one person started something so big,” said Patterson. “Once he started it, it was like a domino effect.” Toys from the Heart is accepting donations of new and gently used toys for children and infants. No toy guns will be accepted unless they have a military affiliation. Those that want to donate can bring toys to any of the Christmas boxes located inside the Pennington Student Activity Center, located at the corner of University Avenue and General Pershing Avenue and also in the SGA office in Mims Hall, room 118. They can also be found at both ends of the Student Union from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 3-6, Nov. 1013, Nov. 17-20, Nov 24-25 and Dec. 1-2.

Follow the Roar Stay connected. Like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @lionsroarnews.

With the holidays quickly approaching and Thanksgiving less than two weeks away, the idea of service is coming forward in community members’ minds. What started as a free Thanksgiving dinner for approximately 120 community members has expanded to a free meal for over 2,400 people. Thanksgiving Servolution volunteers united on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 11 a.m to serve Hammond. The event took place at old Schwegmann’s grocery store parking lot at 1000 S. Morrison Blvd. Thanksgiving Servolution was started in 2010 by Jason Granger, who serves on staff at a local church. The day of service included The Hot Meal Distribution with Our Daily Bread Food Bank and Helping Hands Ministries, Adopt-A-School project with Hammond Westside Montessori and One Night in Bethlehem, where volunteers can help them prepare for their live nativity in December. “The goal of the event is to mobilize hundreds of volunteers to serve the city of Hammond for the Thanksgiving holiday,” said Granger. “Through the various projects we host each year, we hope to meet the needs of our community, show Hammond that churches and organizations can work together for the good of our community and light a passion for service in the volunteers that come to serve.” Along with around 500 volunteers, various churches and organizations came together to work towards one common goal. Generosity from businesses, non-profit organizations, churches and volunteers covered the expense for all the food that was served. “If we all work together, we can achieve greater things than if we were to work alone or not at all,” said Granger. “Together we can serve more people through more projects. And it’s nice for the community to see that churches aren’t in competition of each other. We are one family, one body of Christ. There’s no reason why we can’t work together to serve our neighbor.” Volunteers helped in the various serving events throughout the day. The Hot Meal Distribution project included a cook team, two teams to serve food and a clean up team. The Adopt-A-School project allowed volunteers to impact over 1,300 students and faculty as they planted vegetables, trimmed hedges and paint ed an inside hallway at Hammond Westside Montessori. The One Night in Bethlehem gave volunteers a chance to join Calvary Christian Center in preparing their property for the nativity in December. “The event provides an opportunity for community members,” said Granger. “It provides an opportunity to have needs met. For volunteers, it provides an opportunity for them to see the needs in our community so that they can work to meet those needs throughout the year. The people that we serve through this event are the most important.”

New charter school coming to Hammond

Inside this issue of ‘The Lion’s Roar’

By McKenzie DeSandro Staff Reporter

see VETERANS pg. 4

Courtesy of Veterans Upward Bound

see STARRY pg. 6

The Lion’s Roar / Sara Patrick

see FOOTBALL pg. 8

The Lion’s Roar / Jay Love

Weather Tuesday H 51 L 26

Arts integrated charter school Tangi Academy is set to open August 2015 in the Hammond area. A charter school is a tuition-free public school that is independently run. This gives it a higher level of autonomy, making the school’s administrators responsible for staffing and curriculum development. Because the school itself is responsible for these things, the Louisiana Charter School law holds them to a higher academic, financial and organizational standard. The school is to be shut down if it fails to meet the set standards. “We’re going to be the first [arts integrated school] on the North Shore,” said Lisa Prossitran, founder of Tangi Academy. “What arts integration means is not performing arts. It means your math, science, technology, engineering, your English, all those things are taught in and through the arts. Where you would be teaching fractions, you would teach through rhythm.” There are currently over 100 successful charter schools in Louisiana, most of which are in New Orleans. According to lacharterschools.org, “Many schools have been successful enough to have their charters renewed, which means that their authorizers were satisfied that they met the original goals of their charter, and therefore deserved to continue to operate. According to a 2013 study by

see CHARTER pg. 3

Reminders Wednesday H 59 L 39

The next issue of The Lion’s Roar will be on the stands on Dec. 9. Have a safe Thanksgiving break.

Page 2 November 18, 2014

Campus Life

The Lion’s Roar

Philanthropy

Week

Photos by Olivia Moreno

The university celebrated Philanthropy Week from Nov. 10 to 15 to promote giving back to the community and students. The week of events was hosted by the Office of University Advancement, whose goal is to enhance Southeastern’s reputation by getting students, faculty and staff more involved in philanthropic exploits and the Lion Legacy Association. The division consists of Advancement Services, Accounting Services, Alumni Relations, Marketing and Communications and Development. Each section has its own set of responsibilities, but all work together to achieve their goal as a department. Philanthropy week was kick-started with a Blood Drive on Monday, Nov. 10, which was meant to help out a student in need on campus.

The following day Pig Drop, Thankathon and Cookout were thrown, handing out free food and drinks as well as free thank you cards to extend appreciation toward the veterans and active soldiers for their dedication and service to the country. The remainder of the week included the Blacklight Volleyball Tournament on Wednesday Nov. 12, Philanthropy Organizational Browse on Thursday, Nov. 13 and Solid Gold Saturday on Nov. 15. Phil the Pig, the philanthropy mascot, was present at each event in an effort to encourage students to give back to the university. All proceeds went to the Food Panty found at Mims Hall. For more information about the Office of University Advancement and their future exploits, call (985) 549-2239.

Director of Marketing and Communications Mike Rivault cooks hot dogs and hamburgers for students passing by in order to raise awareness for the student philanthropy organization, Lion Legacy. Students were encouraged to enjoy free burgers, whether or not they decided to give their change to the pig-drop banks.

Along with food, drinks and thank you cards, flyers were handed out at the event, promoting future events of philanthropy week to the students. Students were given a chance to donate spare change to green piggy banks. All of the proceeds go toward Southeastern’s food pantry.

KSLU set up a booth where Fred Minor (right), KSLU Radio DJ and junior psychology major, provided music entertainment to attract visitors to the Philanthropy Week event. Free CDs, T-shirts, cups, pens and candy were given to attendees. Sophomore kinesiology major Jeremy Melvin (left) and sophomore kinesiology major Chris Melvin (middle) enjoyed the event.

$ $ $ CASTING CALL $25.00-$50.00 PER HOUR Models needed for glamour and film industry. Send name, contact information and recent photos to: PO Box 98 Hammond, LA 70404 $ $ $

Phil the Pig made an appearance at the Thankathon and Cookout, which was hosted by the Office of University Advancement. The event was entitled Pig Drop (above). Students who attended the event were able to give extra change to Phil the Pig. All proceeds collected by Phil went to the Food Pantry. Phil the Pig also made appearances at the Solid Gold Saturday. Graduate Assistant and University Advancement worker Traci Mayeaux (Left), prepared the burgers and hotdogs given out to students passing by for the Cookout and Thankathon. By handing out free food, she helped her fellow volunteers garner attention from many students, furthering the success of philanthropy week.

As part of the Thankathon, students were able to write to veterans and active soldiers with the cards envelopes and pens were provided by the University of Student Advancement. Freshman biology major Jonathan Vales received a free hamburger and chips at the cook-out during Philanthropy Week. He wrote a few thank you cards during the Thankathon to show his appreciation for veterans and active duty soldiers.

TANIGIPAHOA P

Visit tangitouri sm.com for full ca lendar of events !

1.800.542.7520 www.tangitourism.com

Campus Life

The Lion’s Roar

November 18, 2014 Page 3

Sims Memorial Library gets face lift By Megan Simon Staff Reporter

The Student Government Association and the administration of the Sims Memorial Library have teamed up to renovate and update the library. Earlier this week, new furniture was placed in the serials reading section on the second floor, the first visible accomplishment of all their efforts. This marked the beginning of the long road to renovating the entire library. The main organizers of the project are SGA senator and Student Life Committee Head Megan Anciro, Director of Sims Memorial Library Eric Johnson and head of serials Janie Branham. In the beginning, the library originally filed for a $100,000 grant to update the serials reading section in an effort to start renovating the library; this included getting new furniture and computers. Unfortunately, the grant was not awarded to them. It was not until Anciro arrived two years ago, fulfilling her duty as a freshman senator for the SGA, that the library was able to get the funding it needed to start planning and carrying out the process to renovate the library. “As a freshman, you don’t really know what you want to study yet, so it helps to get those people who aren’t sure what their department is going to be and to hear their concerns,” said Anciro. “So I talked to some students who were just hanging around, and I heard that a lot of these people spend their time in the library and

thought it needed to be updated. That’s when I contacted Mr. Eric.” By working together, both the SGA, Friends of Library and the library were able to get new furniture for the serials reading section, which complimented the newly painted walls. In addition to the new furniture, extra electrical outlets were put in to give students more places where they can charge their laptops, phones and other electronics. This is only the first phase of the plan to update the serials reading section into a specialized learning hub. The next phase will be to get group study tables, varying in different heights, that are moveable. This is so students will be able to move their work spaces wherever they desire, whether it be near a window, connected to a friend’s or the other side of the room. There will also be stationary tables with white boards in between them. “This room will be more geared for working up projects together and for group study with computers and laptops,” said Johnson. The third phase will be to change the format of the computers stationed in the left area of the serials section, making it resemble more like a modern cyber cafe’s layout. The next phases will mainly involve updating other parts of the library, such as the second and fourth floors. In the future, the library hopes to continue updating sections of the library until all of it is modernized. “I can’t tell you how grateful we are to the SGA for this and to Megan,” said Johnson.

The Lion’s Roar / Megan Simon

Dr. James Lea, a library visitor, enjoys the new furniture that was recently placed on the second floor of the library. More updates in both this section and other parts of the library are expected in the future. “I’m so glad she came to inquire about that [the renovation of the library] and it fit in with our plans so perfectly. So you will see changes over the next few years and more improvements as we continue.” As for the future of the library and its relationship with students, Anciro hopes students will benefit from the new updates and see their

requests for renovation were heard and answered. “SGA is here to serve the students,” said Anciro. “This was that was a concern brought to me by the students. They thought the library needed to be updated because at some point people do come to the library often. It’s one of the buildings I can honestly say is most used on campus.”

University expands partnership with Follett Education Group By McKenzie DeSandro Staff Reporter

The days of spending 30 minutes to find your textbooks at the start of each semester are over. Follett Higher Education Group, the largest college bookstore operator in North America, will be taking their partnership with the university further by managing textbook rental as well as the retail bookstore. “The university has had a successful business relationship with Follett for CHARTER continued from pg. 1 Stanford University’s Center for Research on Educational Reform, Louisiana’s Charter Schools are outperforming traditional public schools in the state in reading and math.” The school is now accepting applications for students who will be in kindergarten through

years through its management of the University Bookstore,” said Robin Parker, director of marketing and strategic initiatives for Auxiliary Services. “Follett’s textbook rental system falls in line with the way the university has managed its own rental system since its inception in the 1930s. With the expanded partnership, Southeastern will be able to continue to offer its students one of the most successful and economical textbook rental programs in the country with a company that is known for its superior

offerings in e-commerce, retail solutions and digital content.” Follett will be adjusting the way books will be picked up. Students will no longer come in, print their list of required reading material from LeoNet and scout the aisles to find their books. “[Students] will receive an email when their order is ready for pickup. When they come in, their books will be boxed and ready to go,” said Parker. “They will just need to provide their student number and the order number from the email. Our goal is to have the

majority of these completed before the holidays.” To assist in the process, Follett will be hiring additional staff over the next few months. There will be morning and afternoon positions available, along with a handful of evening positions. Applications can be found at follett.com. Newly hired staff members will start the first week of December. The goal of Follett is to make this aspect of college life easier and more efficient. According to the Follett website, “Follett has been a trusted partner to pre-K and

K-12 schools, districts and college campuses for more than 140 years, taking care of the critical details that make it easier for schools to run, teachers to teach and students to learn. We’re more than just a book company, we’re a gateway to knowledge— harnessing our insights to help improve student outcomes and shape the future of education as we know it.” Follett.com lists a number of potential employment benefits: however, as per the website, “Benefits eligibility depends on employment

status, location and other variables.” Textbook rental hours are currently set from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Monday through Thursday and from 7 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. on Friday. Extended hours will be offered during the first week of school. Students can like the Facebook page to stay updated on store times and processes at facebook.com/ southeasternbookstore. For more information on the expanding partnership, go to Textbook Rental on North Campus.

fifth grade until Jan. 15, 2015. Applications are available at the Hammond Rec Center at 601 W. Coleman Ave and Ruby at 111 E. Thomas Ave. They are also available online at tangiacademy.org. “Instead of opening with just the kindergarten and slowly growing, we’re taking applications from K-5 the first year,” said Possitran.

“Our model is a little bit more aggressive because there’s such a huge need in Tangipahoa Parish.” The schools are looking to have 200 students enrolled for the 2015 year, and if more than 200 students apply, names will be drawn publicly by a third party to ensure equality. After about five years, the school is expected to reach full capacity

of 450 students, ranging from kindergarten through eighth grade. Students from St. Tammany and Livingston Parishes can apply for admission, and Tangi Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, nationality or ethnicity in any of its practices. There will be no testing to attend the school and has open enrollment.

Community Information meetings will be held Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. at Hammond Feed & Seed, Nov. 22 at 9 a.m. at the Hammond Rec Center and Nov. 24 at Hammond City Hall. These meetings will discuss the structure and mission of Tangi Academy. The location for the school is still tentative. “Even though we don’t

have our location, we know it’s going to be in Hammond and it’s going to be accessible to our community. That’s part of our mission. Academic excellence through arts integration and individual creativity,” said Possitran. For more information, visit tangiacademy.org, call 985218-0179 or email info@ tangiacademy.org.

Organizational News is due on the Friday before publication by 10 a.m., with a limit of 150 words.

FCA

Join us on Monday nights in the Kinesiology Gym at 7:30 p.m. The yearbook staff will be taking our photo for the 2015 Le Souvenir publication. Please wear green or black Southeastern apparel. FCA welcomes all students enrolled at Southeastern.

CAC

CAC is seeking new members and leaders for next semester and the 2015 school year. Anyone interested in joining CAC should contact Rachell Sons at rachell.sons@selu.edu.

NSCS

The minutes from the last meeting have been sent out. Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 5:15 p.m. in Fayard Hall, room 205. Members are encouraged to wear NSCS t-shirts as it will be our last meeting of the semester. Awards will be presented in addition to recognition of our graduating seniors. Anyone interested in helping with the hot chocolate donation should email our chapter account at nscsselu@ gmail.com. Log in to the NSCS portal for available scholarships and internship opportunities.

NAMI

NAMI stands for the National Alliance on Mental Illness. We are the largest grassroots mental health advocacy organization in the nation. Please join us for our Pet Therapy and Stress Management Workshop event near the Memorial Fountain on Wednesday, Dec. 3 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Counseling student Tara McInnes will allow students to

interact with her dogs Poleaux and Tiana-Bethany, who are currently training to be certified emotional support dogs. Additionally, we will be providing stress balls and mental health information along with other stress management activities. Like our Facebook page “NAMI On Campus-Southeastern” for more updates. Mental health fact of the week: Studies show that petting animals such as dogs causes endorphins to be released, suppressing pain and improving mood.

ASSE

Hall Council would like to congratulate the new Executive Board members of Hall Council. The Executive Board positions have been given out to the following students: National Communications Coordinator: Krista Achor President: Taylor Williams Vice President for Involvement: Madison Guitreau Vice President for Public Relations: Patricia Fowler Vice President for Communications: Paul Haddican Hall Council also invites all residents to join us for our final event this semester, a “Dinner & Movie” (Jumanji) night in the Mane Dish at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 18, 2014.

SPANISH CLUB

Thanks to all who contributed to the planning and execution of the 2014 International Night. Direct any questions to seluspanishclub@gmail. com.

PRSSA

PRSSA would like to thank Melanie Lanaux Zaffuto, North Oaks Health System Communications Director for joining us at our last meeting. Members enjoyed her presentation and look forward to collaborating with Mrs. Zaffuto and the Communications Staff for future projects. Join in the conversation for the Diversity Twitter Chat tonight using #PRSSA. Our final meeting of the semester will be held Wednesday, November 19 at 6 p.m. in Fayard Hall, room 123. During the meeting officers will be elected and graduating seniors will be recognized. Anyone interested in holding a position on the executive board should schedule a meeting with Jasmine Tate this week; she can be contacted at jasmine.tate@selu. edu. All members should dress in black white and green attire for the yearbook photo.

AST The ladies of Alpha Sigma Tau had our formal last Friday. On Monday, our new Executive Committee was elected and the direction positions were appointed. We are so excited for the upcoming year and what our new officers have in store for our chapter! Tonight we have our Thanksgiving Sisterhood. Come out and watch the our Mr. Green and Gold Pageant this Wednesday, November 19th at 6:00 in the Student Union Ballroom! Tickets are $5 in advance or $7 at the door. We hope everyone has a fantASTic week!

Page 4 November 18, 2014

Campus Life

The Lion’s Roar

Military honored at annual Veterans Appreciation Day By Sara Patrick Editor in Chief

Veterans Upward Bound is a federally funded TRIO program working to provide a wide range of services to honorably discharged veterans including academic instruction, enrollment assistance and financial aid assistance. Last week the program teamed up with the Office of Veteran Services to host a Veterans Appreciation Day. The Office of Veteran Services held an open house on Veterans Day at 9 a.m., followed by free activities and a resource fair at the Pennington Student Activity Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. “We had a big tent set up because at 1 o’clock we had the official national roll-call,” said Chevonne Neal, director of Veterans Upward Bound. “We had 25 names of fallen heroes from the Southeast area. We had a gentleman dressed in uniform come out to read the names. Then we had a moment of silence for active military soldiers.” Veterans who are current

students, faculty and local community members attended the event and enjoyed the variety of entertainment and services. “I was really pleased with that because it looked very nice inside the Pennington Center,” said Neal. “Everybody was engaged and supportive and willing to help out. It attracted a different population of people. It attracted students who had questions as well as the community.” Other organizations that were part of the fair included Veteran Affairs, Educational Opportunity Center, University Counseling Center, Disability Services, Disabled American Veterans, Center for Student Excellence, University Health Services and Louisiana Workforce Commission. “We had some of our own [Veterans Upward Bound] participants who came out and were asking questions about admissions,” said Neal. In addition to the people available to answer questions, fun activities had been coordinated both inside and outside of the Pennington. The Louisiana National Guard set

up a pugil pit outside in which students and veterans could joust and tug-o-war. Veterans Upward Bound also offered a bean bag toss and other activities. Students were given the opportunity to express their gratitude for the military by signing the “Thank a Veteran” bulletin board fashioned after an American flag. “I wanted students to have an opportunity to share and express thanks because I don’t believe there’s been an avenue for students to express thanks, and there’s a lot of students who have people in their family who have served,” said Neal. “They appreciated having that, and as a thank you they got a bag of candy.” Local organizations and businesses made donations for the Veterans Appreciation Day. Donations were made in support of Veterans Day by Albertson’s, Berrytown Produce, Chili’s, Cracker Barrel, Jimmy John’s, Paul’s Café, Piggly Wiggly, Raising Cane’s, Ryan’s, Target, WalMart, Winn Dixie and Creations by Chantal Imes. “We had a lot of different

Courtesy of Veterans Upward Bound

This year Veterans Upward Bound and the Office of Veteran Services teamed up to form a committee to plan the Veterans Appreciation Day. Members of the committee (above) pose with the soldier who read off the names during the national roll call. The resource browse at the event allowed active soldiers to come and ask different departments questions. refreshments as a result of different local businesses that supported Veterans Day,” said Neal. “These are the names of the businesses that did support Veterans Day by way of gift cards and sandwich trays, that sort of thing. The total was about $650.” The donation of scrapbooking materials was made by Twisted Cable Designs. Neal worked with veterans who attended Appreciation Day in a Memory Making Workshop to create scrapbooks honoring their time in the service and help them tell their stories. “Our goal was to raise the consciousness for the university, in regards to our student population, about our veteran population,” said Neal. “Being that we are a precollege program for veterans, Southeastern has also been

listed for the third year in a row as a veteran-friendly campus.” Veterans Upward Bound has been serving veterans in the area for over 25 years, helping prepare them for higher education and walking them

through the enrollment process at a variety of institutions. Those who are interested in learning more about the free federal program may view their page on the Southeastern website in the Academic Programs section.

“They can serve as an example for all of us,” professor says By Megan Ferrando Staff Reporter

With the passing of Veterans Day last Tuesday, Dr. Harry Laver of the History and Political Science department spoke on “The Greatest of Their Generation: D-Day Medal of Honors Winners.” The lecture recognized four veterans and heroes from D-Day who received the Medal of Honor on June 6, 1944. Laver discussed the individual stories of veterans Carlton Barrett, Jimmie Monteith, John Pinder and Theodore Roosevelt Jr., what they did before the war and what they did on D-Day. “I was telling some lessons to take from [the four veterans],” said Laver. “First to remember them and all veterans, and second, they can serve as an example for all of us and what we do in our daily lives to try to accomplish extraordinary things as Roosevelt did.” Both Jimmie Monteith and John Pinder died on D-Day. Barrett lived until 1986 and Roosevelt lived until July of 1944. Laver accredited their receiving of the Medal of Honor to the standard image many have of extraordinary acts while under fire. “[They were] seriously wounded and yet continuing to carry out their responsibilities and to help other soldiers,” said Laver. “The one general that was awarded the Medal of Honor was actually Teddy Roosevelt’s son, Theodore Roosevelt Jr., who was a onestar general; he was awarded the Medal of Honor because of

his decision making.” According to Laver, Roosevelt was in the first wave to land upon enemy-held Utah Beach on D-Day and he made decisions that saved the operation after errors were made. Barrett risked his life to save his comrades in the water while under fire. Monteith showed gallantry and leadership as he landed with the initial wave while under enemy fire. Pinder went into the fire-swept surf multiple times to salvage communication equipment while seriously injured. The reason these four alone were chosen as recipients of the Medal of Honor is clear, but why the many other men and women were not recipients is unclear. “There were, by the end of D-Day, over 70,000 American forces in France. Why those four? One, each of them did extraordinary things. But there were dozens if not hundreds of others who did similar things on D-Day,” said Laver. “Why those four? Better question: why not the others?” Laver explained that to receive the Medal of Honor there has to be recognition, recommendations and nominations. For many, there were not surviving witnesses for what they did. As days passed after D-Day, though, many more were recognized for their heroism, but only the four mentioned were recognized on D-Day. Despite being President Roosevelt’s son, many do not think of Theodore Roosevelt Jr. and his accomplishments when the name Roosevelt is

mentioned. The four veterans do not have commonly recognized names despite their award. “They’re not common names, which I think is in part intriguing,” said Laver. “Many of the individuals who won the Medal of Honor have been like us. Average, ordinary Americans with their own faults and demons they have to fight off. And yet they accomplish extraordinary things. There’s really not a reason in our lives we shouldn’t be striving to do the same things they did.” Laver explained how one of the Medal of Honor winners wrote a letter to his mother before D-Day where he mentioned that people forget the soldiers who fight their battles within hours. “I think in America today we have a problem with that. For the majority of us, we haven’t been affected at all,” said Laver. “We haven’t been limited in what we can buy, what we can do. It’s that very small percentage of the American public who have suffered—those in the military and their families.” Many recognize Veterans Day, but soon forget about it the next day.

$ $ $ CASTING CALL $25.00-$50.00 PER HOUR Models needed for glamour and film industry. Send name, contact information and recent photos to: PO Box 98 Hammond, LA 70404 $ $ $

“Veterans Day is almost a bumper sticker day,” said Laver. “We say how we are so thankful and then for the other

364 days of the year we don’t really think about it. Veterans Day is at least one day that forces everyone to recognize

what those men and women are doing and have done time and time again for years.”

Opinions

The Lion’s Roar

November 18, 2014 Page 5

Should students be well-rounded? Liberal arts education is a blessing As an English major whose interests lie in writing, cinema and literature, I was not happy to have to Emily Stephan take math and Staff Reporter science courses for my diploma. I have been terrible at anything involving numbers from day one, so comprehending a lot of the material in these courses has always been a struggle. We all wonder why we have to bother with classes that have next to no relation to our field of study. I’ve even heard some argue that a well-rounded education is potentially harmful; after all, wouldn’t you rather have an excellent doctor who flunked his class on early world literature than a mediocre doctor who passed that course? In spite of that, I think much can be gained personally and professionally from having a wellrounded education. First off, taking a variety of courses gives you a broader picture of the world and opens a universe of possibilities. Most people are

uncertain of what path they wish to take when they enter a university. Some people come in pursuing literature only to decide they want to have a career in foreign language or communications instead. Some come in for mathematics and switch to computer science or even biology. Also, your future career will likely involve more than just your main area of study. I recently did a piece on the several graduate entrance exams out there, and one of the people I contacted, Dr. Volker Stiller, told me that the MCAT exam now includes psychology and sociology. The medical world currently realizes the influence of socioeconomic backgrounds in its practice. There’s more to it than just the sciences. In my own field, I too have to branch out to other areas of study. Historical and cultural context are often required when studying the literature or cinema of other times and places. In general, you will always encounter math in some shape or form. A basic knowledge of biology or chemistry is desirable. Literature can open our minds to how those different from us view life and the world. And the growing numbers of

Spanish-speakers in the United States as well as the globalization of the modern world also give us a greater need for foreign language courses. Were we to keep college curriculums solely to one field of study, we would be ignorant to a great many things; intellectual tunnel vision has few virtues. However, I do think that with classes outside of one’s field, the grading scale should be a little more lax. It doesn’t need to be infantile, but when an art student whose mind is not wired for algebra and trig has to take a mathematics course, the professor should be a little easier on them. While there are more than a few issues with the well-rounded education model as it currently stands, it should not be done away with in entirety. Having general knowledge of areas outside your field of study can help you grow as a person and make you even more valuable to potential employers. So next time you groan about memorizing biology definitions or making sense of the Elizabethan verse in Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet,’ think of it as a chance to broaden your mind and intellect.

A different kind of family bonding

Stick with the core classes I spend countless hours writing essays for English, memorizing Spanish and studying math. The problem: I Samantha Stephan am an art student. Staff Reporter I put hours of blood, sweat and tears into studying for classes that have absolutely nothing to do with my major. What good will knowing how to solve a logarithm be for my future career in the long run? Not much. It is said that by taking all of these extra classes outside of our core curriculum, we are gaining a more “wellrounded” education, but wasn’t the point of elementary and high school to give us a base foundation in a vast number of subjects? We learn the basics of English and math we need to get along in life in high school. College is secondary education, therefore it should bend more to what we want to learn. Universities should focus on honing in on the skills required by what major we plan on pursuing. This would allow for so much more time to be able to put all our efforts into what we are trying to gain a degree for. As an art student, I have to spend a lot

of my time working on various projects. The time I take out to research for a paper could be used to perfect my pieces. It is unfair that my core classes should suffer because I cannot put my full focus on them. It is highly stressful to have to not only juggle several different classes and projects, but also to pay for courses that are ultimately useless to my career. It is bad enough that I am forced to take these extra courses to obtain my degree, but the classes are also difficult. The classes do not just teach the basics of their subject; they go deep into the topic. They demand much of your time and effort if you actually want to do well in the class and understand the topics the professor is covering. The worst part is that if you don’t do so well in these other courses, it brings down your GPA. I could be the greatest artist, but due to the fact that I am not good at geometry or algebra, my transcript must suffer as a result. Should an aspiring biologist fail out of college because they have trouble writing an essay about Shakespeare? The well-rounded education system is flawed. It does not take into account that everyone cannot be a jack-of-alltrades. Instead of being somewhat good at everything, why not be great at the thing you came to college for in the first place?

SPEAK OUT What are you thankful for? Ashlin Hinojosa

Sophomore, Nursing “I am thankful for my Theta Phi Alpha sisters, my dog Bosco and my faith.”

Cierra Stewart

Freshman, Nursing “I am thankful for The Lord letting me make it this far in life.”

Kaylee Collier

Sophomore, Communication “I am thankful for my family because they are just awesome, really different, but we have each other’s back. We put the fun in dysfunctional.”

Patrick Plummer

Freshman, Undecided “I am thankful for friends, family, being able to go to college and having a job.”

Shaquana Smith

Junior, Social Work “My family because without their support I wouldn’t be the person I am today.” Thanksgiving is one of my favorite times of the year. Most people would think that it is my favorite because you get to see all Morgan Ledet your relatives and Staff Reporter spend time with them. However, it is my favorite because my parents and I go to Foley, Alabama for Christmas shopping on Black Friday. Thanksgiving has recently become an ignored holiday. People are so concerned with Christmas that no one really cares about eating as much turkey as possible. My parents and I used to leave for Foley after we went to visit my family. Then my entire mom’s side decided Thanksgiving wasn’t important, so now we all go to Foley. My Thanksgiving involves dinner at Cracker Barrel and a visit to an outlet

mall. People tell me that my family is crazy for not celebrating Thanksgiving, but nobody in my family cooks anymore so there is no point in staying home. Black Friday shopping has become a tradition. When people think of Black Friday, they imagine people fighting for certain appliances, televisions, toys, gaming systems and pretty much anything worth the effort. I have never fought with somebody for anything. Not all people are like that. The outlet mall is calm on Thursday night. Like most places, the outlet mall does open at 10 p.m. on Thursday night, but no one is running around or fighting over things. Everyone has different traditions, and this happens to be my family’s. After we eat, we go back to the hotel and rest up before we head to the mall. We head out to the mall around 9:45 p.m. and it becomes more crowded every year, but not to the point where it’s crazy

and people are fighting. The latest we have stayed out is 3:30 a.m. Sleeping really isn’t something we do on Black Friday. We wake up around nine on Friday morning and we are back at the mall again. In all honesty, you cannot beat the money you save on Black Friday. I can get a new wardrobe for less than $100. My mom uses these sales to buy Christmas presents for both sides of my family. Others may say that we are forgetting the most important part of Thanksgiving, but it has been like that for me for about five years. Black Friday to my family is something we do together; it’s family bonding. We use this time to just enjoy each other’s company and walk around the mall. Enjoying time together as a family is what our Thanksgiving and Black Friday are about. We do not have to be around a table feasting upon great food; just being together is something to be thankful for.

that the submission will be edited. Organizational News space is provided at no charge as a courtesy for university recognized Greek and Student Organizations. The space of such articles is limited to 150 words. Submissions of this Organizational News must adhere to the same polices as other submissions or letters to the editor, but must also include the name of the organization. All views expressed in The Lion’s Roar are those of the author or, if unsigned, those of the staff of The Lion’s Roar. These views should not be interpreted as the views of the administration, faculty or students of Southeastern Louisiana University. A single issue of The Lion’s Roar is free.

Senior, General Studies “I am thankful for my friends, family and fraternity brothers in Kappa Alpha Psi because they help me be a better person.”

Collin Wright

Senior, Business Management ‘I am thankful for being able to get an education at this fine establishment, good parents, friends, and I thank the Lord that I’m here.”

Jesse Hood

Freshman, Criminal Justice “I am thankful for my girlfriend, Sabrina.”

The Lion ’s Roar - Staff

Policies and Procedures The Lion’s Roar is the official newspaper of the students of Southeastern Louisiana University. It has been in continuous publication since 1937. Submissions and letters to the editor are welcomed, but the editor of The Lion’s Roar reserves the right to edit all submissions for grammar, libel and available space or refuse publication without notification. Submissions must include the author’s full name and either phone number, e-mail or other contact information (not to be published). Faculty and staff members should include their title and department. Students should include their classification and major. By submitting an article for publication, the author understands

Shaquell Windley

Additional copies may be purchased for 50 cents in Mims Hall Room 128. Annual mail subscriptions are $35 within the continental U.S. The Lion’s Roar, in its print form, associated Web sites and CD/DVD versions are designated public forums. Student editors have the authority to make content decisions without censorship or prior approval. The Lion’s Roar also defends the rights of student journalists relative to freedom of speech and press as stated in Amendment I of the Constitution of the United States of America. The Lion’s Roar is published through the Office of Student Publications, part of the Division for Student Affairs. It is published weekly during regular semesters and monthly during the summer semester.

Editor in Chief Sara Patrick Assistant/A&E Editor Allison Crady Distribution Tyler Kennedy Advertising Assistants Ashley Guillot Taylor Bergeron Office Assistants Katherine Langley Administrative Assistant Heather Collins Coordinator Lorraine F. Peppo Director Lee E. Lind

Contact General Offices Mims Hall Room 128 Mailing Address The Lion’s Roar SLU 10877 Hammond, LA 70402 E-mail lionsroar@selu.edu Telephone Numbers 985-549-3527 (newsroom) 985-549-3842 (fax) 985-549-3731 (advertising) www.lionsroarnews.com www.selu.edu/lionsroar

Page 6 November 18, 2014

Shattered Illusions

Arts & Entertainment

The Lion’s Roar

Starry Night lights up downtown By McKenzie DeSandro Staff Reporter

By Sara Patrick Editor in Chief

Review “Baby, it’s cold outside” was an understatement last Friday night as I took to the streets of downtown Hammond. I went to Starry November Night knowing it would be frigid and knowing that there would be plenty of other people enjoying the festivities, but I’m sure shopping and stargazing are much more enjoyable when one is not freezing. Although there was a decent turnout, I can’t help but feel that the turnout would have been far greater if the event was held just a few weeks earlier before the freeze hit the South. As I walked by the different boutiques, I could see that some places downtown were packed with people who were looking for warmth, familyfriendly fun and early Christmas shopping deals. I dared not venture into the most crowded businesses. Certain places held sales that drew some shoppers into a frenzy. Others used appearances by figures such as Santa Clause to make eager children drag their parents around. One big positive was that several local shop owners were offering hot chocolate in an attempt to warm up the frozen residents of Hammond. Speaking of “Frozen,” characters from the popular Disney movie made an appearance at Hook’d Up Bar & Grill, where there was a long line of parents and kids waiting to get in. Although that was a great technique for drawing in families, it wasn’t worth the wait. Despite the weather, the town of Hammond came alive Friday. The streets and stores were bursting with people, which means the Hammond Downtown Development District definitely did something right in marketing the occasion. The fake snow, Christmas decorations and lights adorning the trees were a beautiful sight to behold, despite the loss of feeling in my fingers and toes. Ultimately, I think the Hammond DDD did a great job drawing families out into the cold for some holiday fun, but fell short offering entertainment to the college students who live right down the road. It was the perfect excuse to stroll and appreciate the charm of downtown Hammond, but had there been more entertainment, such as a live band, I believe more of the college crowd would have come out for the occasion.

The Christmas spirit officially reached the Hammond Historical District with Starry November Night. On Friday, Nov. 14, Downtown Hammond lit up with Christmas lights, snow hit the ground and local retailers were given the opportunity to promote their business for the upcoming holidays. This has been a Hammond tradition, hosted by the Hammond Downtown Development District, for the last 10 years. “This is my first experience with it, but I’m loving the whole atmosphere,” said Jaime Gelpi, a freshman communication major. “People can come together on this one night, have fun with each other and get ready for the holidays.” Businesses downtown that wanted to participate in the event put stars by the door. This indicates that they will be hosting special activities, including wine, art, music and the opportunity to visit with Santa Claus. Some places had seasonal refreshments, such as hot chocolate, to help keep people warm for the evening, and carriage rides through downtown were made available on Cate Street to give an old-time feel. Anyone 21 years old and over could participate in the wine tasting that made its way into retail stores and businesses by buying a bracelet and light up wine glass for $20. “The Downtown Development District has several events throughout the year, and it draws a huge crowd downtown,” said Ann Maddry, who

The Lion’s Roar / McKenzie DeSandro

Among many things planned for the enjoyment of Hammond residents on Starry November Night was a personal appearance from Santa Claus himself. Children shared their Christmas wish lists with St. Nick while having their photos taken to commemorate the event. helps operate Imagine Boutique. “Everybody wants to come out and have a good time.” Artificial snow was brought in to simulate a more traditional holiday atmosphere. Children and adults crowded the small patch of what

became a cluster of frosted ice chunks due to the hovering moisture in the air. “I think it’s a really wonderful event because it’s a time for people to come out in the community and bring their kids,” said Sandra Cashe. “I think it really instills that sense of community

that we don’t have the opportunity to do in such a big way every day of the year. I love it. I love seeing people out with their kids, walking around.” For more information on events hosted by the Hammond DDD, visit their Facebook page.

Palmetto Press hosts printmaking T-shirt Night By Allison Crady Assistant Editor

The Lion’s Roar / Allison Crady

Sara Triche, a senior printmaking major and member of Palmetto Press, dries the fresh ink on a student’s redesigned shirt at T-shirt Night.

Ambient, synthetic sounds filled Clark Hall as students inked T-shirts and learned about printmaking through Palmetto Press’s T-shirt Night. Although the student printmaking organization has participated in Art Night every semester since 2008, they have been increasing efforts to host events on their own. Everyone was invited to experience art in a new way last Thursday night along with snacks and a live performance from the ambient band Listen, Earth. “We’re trying to present a fun opportunity for students hang out and enjoy making art together, getting cool T-shirts printed, listening to cool music and eating snacks,” said Amber Damare, president of Palmetto Press. “I think as an art student you really need to be connected to other art students, and with an event like this, it gives them an opportunity to be more educated about printmaking regardless of their concentration.” Ernest Milsted, associate printmaking professor and faculty advisor for Palmetto Press, was a founding member of the student organization. “I think it’s important for

students to get outside of the university to get an education, meet other students studying this same medium of art and exchange ideas,” said Milsted. “Not only does Palmetto Press bring the art department of Southeastern’s student body together, but it allows these guys to raise some money to be able to do things outside of campus.” Money raised through T-shirt Night will be given back to the organization and the printmaking department. Monetary contributions will help the department purchase a letterpress machine and to fund members’ participation in the Southern Graphics Conference International, an annual professional printmaking conference. Palmetto Press members also attended a miniature conference with the printmaking groups of University of Louisiana at Lafayette and Nicholls State University to share art designs and techniques. Additionally, the organization manages Hyde Gallery in Clark Hall, where artists can apply to have independent exhibition showings. “We like to give the fellow art students an opportunity to host their own shows,” said Damare. “When you graduate, you need

to have these options on your resume.” While the organization has been established since 2008, they have grown more active in their efforts to share their designs, unite students and help anyone create a unique image with ink. Rachel Davis, a sophomore graphic design major currently enrolled in a printmaking course, hopes the event will be a recurring one. “I really love the illustration process of creating the images and the technical process of that image going on to a shirt, which is something people wear to show what they like, represent or stand for,” said Davis. For more information about the organization, contact Damare at amber.damare@selu.edu or stop by Clark hall on Wednesday nights at 5 p.m. for Palmetto Press’s weekly meeting.

$ $ $ CASTING CALL $25.00-$50.00 PER HOUR Models needed for glamour and film industry. Send name, contact information and recent photos to: PO Box 98 Hammond, LA 70404 $ $ $

Arts & Entertainment

The Lion’s Roar

November 18, 2014 Page 7

Nontraditional romance to unfold onstage By Emily Stephan Staff Reporter

The Lion’s Roar / Emily Stephan

Tom, played by Trey Tycer (above left), is put in a tight spot when his on-off girlfriend Jeannie, played by Kayla Hill (above right), discovers he’s fallen in love with someone else. That someone is the witty and intelligent Helen, played by Lydia Caballero (below).

“Fat Pig,” a play by Neil LaBute, chronicles the romance between a young professional, Tom and a librarian, Helen. Though the two characters are deeply enamored of each other, their relationship is put into jeopardy when Tom’s colleagues give him a hard time due to Helen’s heavy size. The director of the production, Veronica Gutierrez, is not new to the world of theater. Having made her directorial debut last fall, Gutierrez is returning to the

position. However, this time she has a personal connection to the play. “I was approached by the faculty and asked if I would like to direct again,” said Gutierrez. “They gave me some time to come up with a few different shows, so what ended up happening was I came up with some plays, ‘Fat Pig’ being among those, and they felt strongly about the vision that I had for it, so it was inevitable that it would be what I put on. Many things drew me to it. Besides the writing and how natural it is, it speaks to me on a personal level from Helen’s stand point on love and just how difficult it is for women when there’s such a high standard for what women are supposed to look like.” Though this is not her first time directing, this production provided Gutierrez with several new challenges. “I directed around this time last year for the first time. It was difficult, but also exhilarating,” said Gutierrez. “It’s much more difficult this time around. It’s also been a learning experience for me because I’ve only done comedy, and this is more of a serio-comedy. The play has funny moments and it’s witty, but it touches on such a sensitive subject matter.” There are occasions in the theatre where roles meant for actors of a certain gender are altered due to the needs of the production. For ‘Fat Pig,’ Gutierrez had one of the supporting characters changed from a heterosexual male to a lesbian. “It’s been tough having Carter as a female when the role is written for a male,” said Gutierrez. “The

person who stood out the most for this role was Jaimee Rome, and I had to have her. I was worried about having Carter as a lesbian, whether it would read well, but it ended up being the most natural thing. You would never guess Carter is supposed to be male if you haven’t read the script.” In general, the cast of the production comes from different levels of experience in the theater, not all of it involving acting. “I have four actors, two who are well-seasoned on the stage, one who was with us last year and now at LSU, and a first-time debuting actress as Helen, who had previously been on the stage management side of production,” said Gutierrez. “So they’re all from different levels of acting and having an elevated standard as well is intimidating for me, a relatively new director.” Gutierrez hopes the show will inspire heightened tolerance and understanding in the audience. “If there was one thing I would want them to take away, it would be to be more accepting,” said Gutierrez. “Someone else’s love life or personal life shouldn’t be interrupted just because it makes you uncomfortable. Tom genuinely loves this woman and she clearly loves him back without question, and to see that he can be swayed by the words of his colleagues who tell him not to ‘settle’ for someone who’s not conventionally attractive is completely disturbing to me. Are you happy? Then that’s all you need.” ‘Fat Pig’ runs from Tuesday to Friday this week. Each show starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Vonnie Borden Theatre in D Vickers.

Final exhibit to showcase seniors’ artistic journey By Megan Simon Staff Reporter

Senior art majors get to show off their hard work and the skills they have mastered during their time at the university at the upcoming annual Fall Senior

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) There could be an unexpected change in plans for your upcoming holiday travels. But keep in mind that a little flexibility goes a long way in resolving any disappointments. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) A new relationship might not be responding quite as quickly as you’d hoped. Could you be expecting too much too soon? Try to ease up and let things happen at their own pace. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) As we approach the frenetic pace of pre-holiday planning, take time out now to reconnect with the wonderful people who share your life, especially the one who also shares your dreams. CANCER (June 21 to July 22) A misunderstanding should be resolved before you get caught up in the flurry of holiday preparations. Set your pride aside and deal with it, regardless of who might have hurt whom first. LEO (July 23 to August 22) Being told that a colleague might have been trying to undercut your effectiveness might or might not be true. Get all the facts before you even think about acting on this so-called information. VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) It’s a good idea to start your holiday preparation plans early in order to avoid a time crunch if an unresolved workplace situation causes a problem. That old friend might have some welcome news. LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) A family member’s

Art Exhibit. The exhibit will take place on Nov. 20 through Dec. 13 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Contemporary Art Gallery. It will be featuring works of the graduating seniors of the art department. The works displayed will actions continue to surprise you, but this time with positive results. Could be your wise counsel finally got through. It’s like having an early holiday gift, isn’t it? SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Your reluctance to act in a current situation could be traced to your inner self advising you to take more time to study its complexities before you attempt to deal with it. Good luck. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Soothing hurt feelings before they can ignite an angry outburst is the wise thing to do. And, of course, when it comes to doing the “wisdom thing,” you do it so well. CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Budget your time so that you can handle both your workplace duties and your personal holiday planning -- including travel arrangements -- without burning out on either end. AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) You might find that you still need to firm up one or two of those still-outstanding decisions so that you finally can move forward as you had planned. Weigh the facts, then act. PISCES (February 19 to March 20) You usually don’t carry grudges, but you might feel this is one time when you’re justified in doing so. But aren’t you spending too much energy holding onto it? Let it go and move on. BORN THIS WEEK: You have a way of using your quiet strength to persuade people to follow their better instincts and do the right thing. (c) 2014 King Features Synd., Inc.