Spartan Echo Volume 58 Issue 1

The voice of the Spartan community Vol. 58 Issue 1

SpartanEcho.com

08.30.10

Spartans ready the troops for rutgers

Thomas A. Wilson | Spartan Echo Students pictured speaking with Bank of America account representatives about signing up.

CARD Act puts a halt to underage swiping

By JaLiza Braxton

Thomas A. Wilson | Spartan Echo Spartans split up at practice getting ready for up-coming season opener againt the Rutgers University Scarlet Knights. This will be the second time the two meet up.

By Dan Adu-Gyamfi

S

partan football heads to the gridiron of Rutgers University for the first match-up of the season.

NSU is ranked No. 25 in the preseason Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) poll in the Lindy’s Sports College Football 2010 Preview magazine. This is the first time the Spartans have been ranked in a preseason poll.

According to MEACsports.com, NSU was number three in the conference for total offense and defense last season. But the Spartans have a big job of replacing many key starters from last season. Head Coach Pete Adrian has confirmed that Christopher Walley will lead the team as the starting quarterback in New Jersey against Rutgers.

2010 preseason second team all-MEAC tight-end Sherron Childress returns but starting wide receivers Chris Bell and P.J. Hayden are missing. Bell left NSU a year early to pursue a pro football career and Hayden is ineligible this year due to missing the NCAA credit requirement for student athletes. This leaves 2010 preseason first team all-MEAC running back DeAngelo Branche as the only person on the roster that had a receiving touchdown last year. The team has brought in transfers to help Montel Gamble and would like players Story continued on p. 4

the Spartans have a big job

of replacing

many key starters from

last season

Alcohol will not be the only thing students under the age of 21 will have a have a hard time getting this year.

Last year President Obama passed the Credit Card Accountability Act of 2009, or the CARD Act, in order to prevent unfair increases in interest rates and unnecessary fees, while protecting the rights of financially responsible credit cardholders.

Credit card companies are no longer allowed to target students from long, picnic tables donned with free cups, t-shirts, and key

Credit card companies are no longer allowed to target students

chains in exchange for credit card sign-ups. And no longer are credit card companies allowed to overwhelm students with gimmicks such as “free pizza” with the registration of a new credit card.

Included in the law is a section deemed to protect college students from credit card debt. In turn, credit cards are banned from consumers under the age of 21, unless they have adult co-signers or proof of income suitable to pay off debts.

What does this mean for the population of students who use their credit cards to pay off their tuition for the school year? A lot.

Credit has become a neverending story for many people living in an economy strapped for cash. Financially uneducated people can make the mistake of believing credit cards can fix any situation, especially in financing an education.

A study conducted by Sallie Mae in 2009, showed that “nearly one-third (30 percent) put their tuition on their credit card, an increase from 24 percent in 2004, when the study was last conducted.”

Sharren Durand, a senior political science major, sees the section of the CARD Act aimed towards college students, beneficial.

“It could be a good thing because some people think that they are going to pay the minimum,” said Durand, “they do not understand that they are Story continued on p. 3

SPARTAN ECHO · Norfolk State University · 700 Park Avenue Norfolk, Virginia 23504 NEWSROOM: 757. 823. 8562 · E-Mail: spartanecho@nsu.edu

spartan news

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spartan news

New Stealth Metamaterial

Engineered by Researchers from Norfolk State and Perdue University

editors

Ebony Fleming Managing editor

thomas A. Wilson | Spartan Echo The fall 2010 Spartan Echo editorial staff gathers around the fountain outside of the newly built Student Union Center for a group photo.

Spartan Echo Starting Line Up Debra Goode

Dan Adu-Gyamfi Sports editor

JaLiza Braxton Student life editor

Keshara cox Entertainment editor

Thomas A. Wilson Multimedia editor

Bryon Summers Layout/Design editor

Bottle to Pen making

its debut this fall

By Bethany Cartwright Echo Correspondent

Debora Goode Editor-n-chief

Keona Prude News editor

3

Editor-in-Chief, Graduate Student, Urban Studies, What it means to be a part of the Spartan family: “Being a Spartan represents success for me. As a nontranditional student and at a time in my life when opportunity seemed dim, the faculty, staff and fellow students of NSU helped me to better assess my goals and to realign them with my aspirations through continued education, autonomous learning, sharing and love.”

Ebony C. Fleming Managing Editor, Senior, Journalism, In regards to the Spartan Echo team: “We have a strong team this semester. We have our individual strengths that make us collectively great.

I’m excited about what the semester has in store for us.”

under the Spartan tradition because “Norfolk State University has given me the opportunity to become someone. This university has instilled in me the value of education and the appreciation of who I am.”

Dan Adu-Gyamfi Sports Editor, Sophomore, Journalism, This semester Dan “[plans] on increasing our readers online and print, getting more involved with school activities and encouraging students of all majors to work for the Echo.”

JaLiza Braxton Student Life Editor, Senior, Journalism, In regards to her position, JaLiza “believes it is important to hear concerns of everyone and research them for the best possible answers.”

Keona Prude

Keshara Cox

News Editor, Graduate Student, Public Relations, Keona is proud to work

Entertainment Editor, Senior, Journalism, Keshara has big plans for the semester

“Building cohesiveness in communication and relationships with the team is my major objective with the Spartan Echo, such that it results in stimulating and exceptional reporting.”

Thomas Wilson Multimedia Editor, Graduate Student, Media Management, Thomas’ goal for this semester is to “set an undergrad up with the tools to not only take my place, but get the help that I had to find on my own.”

Bryon Summers Graphic Design/ Layout Editor, Graduate Student, Media Management, Bryon plans to put his years of design experience to use in helping to “rebrand the Spartan Echo as the true voice of the Spartan Community.”

By Ebony c. fleming

A new stealth metamaterial described by New Scientist as “blacker than black” was engineered by a team of researchers that included NSU professor Dr. Mikhail Noginov, director of NSF-PREM(National Science Foundation- Partnerships for Research and Education in Materials) Photonic Metamaterials and Physics professor in Norfolk State University’s CMR (Center for Materials Research).

Junior Christopher Southall, biology major, is glad NSU is being recognized for their contributions to the science field. “A lot of times, you have successful people that come from (NSU), but no one finds out about them,” said Southall.

Partnered with Dr. Evgenii Narimanov of Purdue University, the team created a metamaterial that absorbs almost all light that hits it. Vigyan.nsu.edu defines metamaterial as “engineered media comprising metallic and dielectric nanoparticles and nanostructures. They exhibit unique properties, which make them useful for a variety of unparalleled applications including imaging

Courtesty Photo Professors from NSU and Purdue partnered to create a new metamaterial that absorbs almost all light that hits it. and lithography with super-high resolution, invisibility cloaks, nanolasers, next generation telecommunication and information systems and many more.”

New Scientist, an online magazine dedicated to the exploration, interpretation and reporting of scientific discovery, states that metamaterials are composed of an array-like internal structure that gives them their unusual properties. The team of researchers created a metamaterial that could absorb nearly all electromagnetic radiation in a particular range, making it blacker than normal black objects, which always reflect a bit of light.

Southall believes the

metamaterial “would be more of a military advantage” to build equipment that will be invisible to radars.

“Man-made metamaterials can also bend light to create invisibility cloaks, ultrathin sound-proof walls and even miniature Big Bangs and megaverses,” Popular Science said.

According to vigyan. nsu.edu, CMR is involved with other projects as well, including random lasers and the enhancement of spectroscopic properties by surface plasmons.

The center was established to enhance the research capabilities, faculty involvement, and minority students obtaining degrees in materials science disciplines.

Credit card accountability Continued from p. 1 going to end up paying a lot more than what they initially charged at the time.”

Not all college students under the age of 21 are irresponsible In Sallie Mae’s national study on undergraduate credit card usage, it is stated that “58 percent of students had credit cards due to lack of savings and aid, while 34 percent say they underestimated the total cost of an education. “ Not all college students under the age of 21 are irresponsible with their finances. Trevon Brown, a freshman graphic design major,

Courtesy photo The Credit Card Act puts new requirements on companies seeking college students. already knows the consequences of being in debt because he educated himself before getting a credit card.

“I don’t necessarily think that everyone under 21 is irresponsible,” Brown said, “it gives people a chance to grow and learn how to manage their spending so they can have the

responsibility to have the card.”

As of August 2010, credit card companies are prohibited from charging a late fee greater than the minimum payment of a card and any increase in APRs, or annual percentage rates, must be thoroughly explained to the cardholder.

Bryon Summers | Spartan Echo (Shown above) A water bottle and ink pens from Pilot Pen’s B2P BEGREEN project. The pens and bottles are some of the newest items in stock at the campus bookstore.

By Keona Prude Norfolk State University continues its efforts to go green.

Valuable strides are being made to push the movement throughout the campus.

Recycling receptacles have been placed around campus and paper trays are no longer used in Scott Dozier Dining Hall.

To continue in the pursuit of making NSU environmentally friendly, the bookstore has purchased a new product, the Bottle to Pen (B2P) gel-ink pen

by Pilot Pen. Pilot Pen is the third largest writing-instrument company in the United States. The B2P is the newest product in the BEGREEN campaign.

The BEGREEN line already has more than a dozen pens, highlighters and other ecofriendly products on the market. B2P is a pen made from discarded plastic water bottles. The company says the pen is environmentally beneficial and has a high quality of writing performance.

“The B2P is an important milestone in Pilot Pen’s history. We’ve taken an environmental liability – the water bottle – and turned it into an affordable, usable asset – a

pen.” said Robert Silberman, Vice President of Marketing for Pilot Pen Corporation of America.

According to earth911. com, “Americans buy an estimated 29.8 billion plastic water bottles every year and nearly eight out of every 10 bottles will end up in a landfill.” Recycling the bottles can significantly cut down on wasting materials.

For the B2P project, one plastic water bottle can make approximately two pens.

The body of the pen has the appearance of a water bottle and is made from 89.9 percent of recycled materials. Other features of the B2P are fine 0.5mm and medium 0.7mm retractable, roller-ball points.

Both come in blue, black and red ink. The pen can be refilled using the same ink refill as Pilot’s G2 pen, which is America’s number one gel pen.

Students and faculty can do their part to further the green movement on campus by buying the eco-friendly pen when stocking up on other school supplies and books this semester. The suggested retail price for the B2P is $2.29 and is currently available at the NSU Bookstore.

spartan sports

4 NSU StudentAthletes Honored for Good Grades

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Rutgers Football Preview

spartan sports

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$500,000+ upgrade for Dick Price Stadium

By Dan Adu-Gyamfi Dick Price Stadium is starting the 2010 fall semester with a major renovation. Over the summer the track received more than $500,000 in upgrades. The new state of the art BSS 2000 track totes an Olympic-caliber International Association of Athletic Federations certification; few universities currently have bragging rights to the top of the line track. According to the Benyon Sports website, the developers proudly market the track’s ability to “offer[s] athletes the top level of control and maximum energy return. It makes training more manageable and allows athletes to compete at the highest levels with the best in the world.”

Some of the world’s youngest and fastest athletes took to the new track in the late summer for the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Junior Olympics. This was Norfolk State’s fourth time hosting the nationally renowned event. The young athletes were enthusiastic about the track.

Ashley Avery, a 13-yearold from Dallas, competed in the 200-hurdles and the

Bryon Summers | Spartan Echo Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) honored several NSU athletes.

By Dan Adu-Gyamfi For their effort both on and off the field, six NSU studentathletes made it to a more exclusive team. The Spartans were honored by the Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) and joined the 2009-10 All-State Academic team.

Athletes representing track, softball, football and baseball proved to be hard working and dedicated to their personal goals.

The Spartans that made the team were 2009 graduates Brett Dodd and Brianeisha Eure. Seniors

Photos thomas A. Wilson | Spartan Echo The new BSS 2000 track adds an Olympic-caliber to Dick Price Stadium. The renovation cost more the $500,000.

200-meter dash said “It was very comfortable. It is a soft track and is fast.” Denzel Harris, a 13-year-old from Ann Arbor, MI, participated in the 200 and 400-meter dash, and the long jump, stated “It is a very soft, fast track. I like how it feels.”

The athletes weren’t alone in their praise of the new track.

Vernita Brown, an assistant coach for Hampton City Track said

“This is a very good location.

Athletes have not complained about the track, it is a very fast track, and it’s great to see the growth at Norfolk State.”

While NSU athletes have yet to perform on the upgraded track, renovations of this magnitude are sure to highlight the school’s continuing effort to help expand the track and field program for future athletes.

(Top Right)The eight lane track upgrades attractiveness of the venue to outside suiters. The AAU Junior Olympics was the first to hold an event. (Bottom Right) Not only was the track renovated but the pits and steeple chase were also upgraded.

Football Team still Looks For Starting QB

“The recognition that we’re received for athletics and academics is good for the school as a whole.”

Ryan Hathaway, Juan Herrera, Cameron Parsons and junior, Casey Pomeroy also made the academically successful team.

Across the state of Virginia, a total of 119 student-athletes were selected, meeting eligibility requirements with a minimum of a 3.2 GPA and were at least a sophomore. The all-state academic team includes schools that compete in either NCAA Division I, II, or III, NAIA, or independents. Matt Michalec, NSU’s Sports Information Director, says this puts a positive light on the school “The recognition that we’re received for athletics and academics is good for the school as a whole.”

These student-athletes realized they were not only representative of themselves but Norfolk State University as well. It is NSU’s mission to have all students realize their potential and ability to compete in any arena.

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Photos Bryon Summers and Thomas A. Wilson| Spartan Echo (Top Left) The defensive line looks to anchor a strong defense that was ranked 6th in the FCS in 2009.

(Top Right) Defensive Backs take a rest during drills.

(Left) Chris Walley is getting the nod to start the Rutgers game at Quarterback. (Above) Defensive Backs Coach Marco Butler discusses strategy with his players.

Continued from p. 1 Jeremy Wicker, 25 receptions last year, and Derrick Demps step up.

Left tackle Kendall Noble, 2010 preseason first team all-MEAC, is an important return as he will protect the quarterback.

The defense lost Terrell Whitehead who was a three time first team all-MEAC selection, but still have players like 2010 preseason all-MEAC selections like linebacker Anthony Taylor, nose tackle Josh Turner, and safety/return man Dwight Fluker-Berry. Linebacker Corwin Hammond also comes back who was third on the team with tackles. But Coach Adrian said

“we do have a veteran defense coming back.”

Coach Adrian notes that more than 20 players are returning starters and 45 lettermen are back this season. “...we have about 20 seniors and we have a big junior class and I think our leadership is going to be good.”

The Scarlet Knights return 14 starters including junior running back Joe Martinek who rushed for 967 yards and nine touchdowns last season. For big plays, Rutgers depends on their passing collaboration between quarterback Tom Savage and wide receiver Mohamed Sanu who connected 51 times last season with three resulting

in touchdowns. They lost offensive tackle Anthony Davis who went pro but still have two returning starters returning on the offensive line.

On defense, Rutgers use a 4-3 defense and according to BigEast.org had the best defense in the Big East conference and led the nation in tackles for loss last year.

They lost cornerback Devin McCourty who was drafted in the first round by the New England Patriots. They return defensive end Jonathan Freeny who had 9.5 sacks off the bench the previous season and defensive tackle Alex Silvestro who got 12 tackles for a loss last year.

Coach Adrian has a positive outlook on the past with hopes for a rewarding future this season. “The last time we played Rutgers we played them tough for about a quarter-anda-half and (then) they blew us out but we played hard the whole game. Later that year, we played for the MEAC championship. The players are up for the challenge.” Even though the game between the Spartans and Scarlet Knights will only be the first of the season for both, it is important to start on a good note.

Whoever wins hopes to keep the momentum going for the rest of the season.

By Dan Adu-Gyamfi With the departure of Dennis Brown, the football coaching staff has been looking for someone to replace his play and leadership. Heading into this season, three candidates are ready to takeover but only one can start.

Between the candidates, only one has been a Spartan their whole career and that is redshirt junior Dexter Merritt.

The odds were against Merritt to start because he is attempting to make a full recovery from tearing his right ACL. Regardless of this, Merritt is in good spirits.

“I’ve been rehabbing every day and it’s getting stronger.” This competition has also helped him to work harder; “This battle is helping me to be more humble, learn the system as best I can and to play my best.” Also, the competitiveness of the situation is bringing the best out of everyone and also teaching teamwork Merritt explained.

Jake Strickler committed to playing at San Jose State but when their head coach was fired it opened the door for NSU to lure him. Last year, he competed at Mendocino College in California and had 3,096 yards, 32 touchdowns, and was named the Mid-Empire Co-Offensive Player of the Year and was a first-team all-conference and all-state Region I pick. Strickler is a runner-up for the position due to seniority as he joined the team over the summer.

Chris Walley is a transfer from Joliet Junior College in Illinois. Last season for the Wolves, he threw for a

school record 2,638 yards and 18 touchdowns and led his team to a 7-5 record. “Two years of starting experience helped a lot, to be a leader you get a better feel for the game after a while” Walley said.

He arrived at NSU in the spring and has been learning since. “I’ve got a good feel of the wide receivers, linemen, and running backs and just been learning as much of the system as I can.” Coach Adrian announced that Walley would be starting the season as the number one quarterback.

“All I know is that I’m starting the Rutgers game and I can’t make turnovers and Coach Adrian always tells us to end every drive with a kick.”

Photos Thomas A. Wilson | Spartan echo Former NSU Quaterback, Dennis Brown, seen here scrambling against University of Kentucky in 2008, leaves some sizable shoes to fill for the next Spartan Quaterback.

spartan student life NSU Gives PASSport to the Future

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PASSport Program gives students a second chance

By JaLiza Braxton Norfolk State University, in partnership with local community colleges, is providing a way for Hampton Roads students to embark on their road to higher education.

Every year countless graduating high school students are faced with the disappointing fact that because of failure to reach admissions requirements, they can not attend a four-year institution.

The Partnership for Academic and Student Success, or the PASSport program, was developed in 1997 by former university president Dr. Marie V. McDemmond. More than a decade later, the program has expanded exponentially and has helped transform dozens of community college students into Spartans.

NSU, along with Thomas Nelson, Tidewater and Danville Community Colleges, have teamed up to develop the PASSport program. PASSport is in place to give students who do not initially meet NSU’s academic requirements an opportunity to work on specific areas of learning.

While learning at a community college, students earn credits from prerequisite classes to

prepare for a transfer to NSU. Students on the peninsula have the opportunity to attend Thomas Nelson Community College in Hampton. Those on the South Side of Hampton Roads can attend Tidewater Community College in Portsmouth and, in the southeastern region of Virginia, students are able to attend Danville Community College.

Eligible students are selected based on SAT/ACT scores and transcripts then notified by PASSport with an acceptance letter. Selected applicants attend an orientation, sign an agreement and meet monthly throughout their time in the program with the NSU Community College liaison and a PASSport advisor.

Danielle Williams, NSU Community College Liaison, is optimistic about what the program has to offer students of Hampton Roads.

“I think students respond well to the program because it gives them another opportunity, another avenue to get into Norfolk State University,” said Williams.

Earlier this month, 35 of the 45 students accepted to the program attended PASSport new student orientation. Last year the program accepted 30 students and three are

Thomas A. Wilson | Spartan Echo Student Government Association President Juan Lascano poses with Hank, the Spartan.

Your student government association welcomes your attendance, participation and support. Juan Lascano, president of the SGA, spoke with Spartan Echo and said he envisions the SGA as the organization that “let’s students form the year.”

The first general meeting will be held on September 25th. Follow them on Twitter at NSU_SGA.

Excellence continued Courtesty Photo 2009 Run for Excellence particpants begin.

Continued from p. 6

Thomas A. Wilson | Spartan Echo NSU partners with local community colleges to give students a second chance. currently enrolled at NSU. According to the 2009 CSSE, Community College Survey of Student Engagement, about 73 percent of community college students have made it their goal to transfer to a four-year university; 19 percent indicate that moving on to a four-year university is not an option because they were academically unprepared.

Whether students were faced with unfortunate circumstances

that impacted their academic focus, or just had a case of “senioritis” during their last year of high school, they are given a fair chance to further their education via PASSport.

“People don’t want to hear ‘no’ all of the time,” said Williams. “Some people just need a chance and that is what PASSport is; it is a chance, a second chance.”

PASSport students receive

special PASSport student IDs, an NSU email address and an invite to participate in university cultural, athletic, and social activities.

$250-$1,000 and is awarded to incoming students based on need and qualifying criteria.

Clayton and supporters of the cause have made it a personal goal to give back to their community. “It’s important to help your own, this is where it starts...all year round I collect money to help Norfolk State. It’s hard not to, the instructors and professors there saw something in us to say you are as good as people graduating from top tier schools.”

Clayton hopes this year, as in years past, donors will come out to support, with their running

For more information about The PASSport Program, please contact the NSU Community College Liaison at 757-823-2766.

shoes on and a few dollars to spare. A few weeks out from the run Clayton says close to 100 people have registered. She’s hoping at least another couple hundred register within the days leading up to the race. “We’re looking for an influx of students.

We know they don’t have a lot of money but once they get sponsors, the dollars add up.” She recognizes the economic downturn has been hard on most and is thankful for the support that does come from her community. “Being in this area I’ve seen Norfolk State and my community come so far and I know I would not be here and my family would not be where

Independent committees are also a part of the diversity of the SGA and include such groups as ‘The Spartan Calvary’, ‘Big Brothers & Big Sisters’, ‘Community Service’, ‘Alumni Board’, ‘The Street Team”, and the team of presidents representing each class of NSU (freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors). For more information, visit your SGA office at the Student Center.

For visitors and strangers to south side Hampton Roads, at first glance Eddie’s Crabhouse appears to be a weathered momand-pop shop nestled into the bend of Campostella Boulevard on the border of Chesapeake and Norfolk. But for some locals, Eddie’s Crabhouse is a down home tradition, specializing in good old-fashioned steamed and fried crabs. For the past four years Eddie’s business owner and Norfolk State University alums, Sharon Clayton and her three siblings, have committed themselves to building a new tradition, one that can potentially change the lives of countless NSU students.

On Saturday, September 4 at 8:30 a.m., Eddie’s Crabhouse will sponsor the fourth annual 5K Run for Excellence in conjunction with NSU’s 75th anniversary.

In 2007, Eddie’s Crabhouse and NSU came together for the first

they are today if it weren’t for the people in this very community.”

The goal for this year’s Run for Excellence in $20,000. With sponsors as varying as Coca-Cola, Britton’s Accounting Services and political support such as Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim and Senator Yvonne Miller, this event is expected to be a success.

Participants in this year’s Run for Excellence will get to take part in the free Crab-feast and mid-day comedy show.

For more information on registering or how to donate to the Eddie’s Crabhouse Scholarship Fund, visit www. ecsfcollege.org.

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NSU Presidential Search Committee to hold Presidential Search Forum The Norfolk State Presidential Search Committee will host a Presidential Search Open Forum on Thursday, September 9, at 7 p.m. in the L. Douglas Wilder Performing Arts Center on the campus of NSU. The Presidential Search Committee plans to use the forum to gather input on specific skills, talents, experience, qualifications and character traits that the next president should bring to the university.

This comes months after Dr. Carolyn Meyers stepped down from a four-year tenure as NSU’s president.

Effective July 1, Dr. Kim Luckes, former liaison to the Board of Visitors and assistant to the president, was named acting president of the university.

Luckes brings over 20 years of experience in higher education to the university. Prior to NSU, she served as executive vice president at Saint Augustine’s College in Raleigh, N.C. As executive vice president, she was responsible for the areas of institutional effectiveness, personnel management, and strategic planning and

assessment. Additionally, Luckes was responsible for until a new president is selected and named Luckes will continue to serve as president of NSU until the Presidential Search Committee and the Board of Visitors determines the best fit for the position.

Presidential Search Open Forum on Thursday, September 9

The Presidential Search Committee ensures that the voices of administrators, faculty, staff and students play a vital role in the search process and that comments will be given significant weight during the search for the most suitable individual to lead the university.

Four presidents have presided over NSU since its establishment in 1935.

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Courtesy photo Gov. Bob McDonnell and Eddie’s Crabhouse owner Sharon Clayton, pictured with Mr Spartan at 2009 run. run, the purpose--to involve the local community and students in raising funds for the institution’s School of Business. Previous years’ runs have raised a total upwards of $55,000. The funds go towards the development

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spartan entertainment

08.30.10

Wiz Who? Taylor What?

While some of our favorite rappers were spending the summer behind bars, another emcee emerged on the scene. Wiz Khalifa. The slender, 6-foot-4, completely tatted, Pittsburgh native has hit the rap scene and taken it into a new direction.

Born Cameron Jibril Thomas, Wiz started writing rhymes at 14.

Finding music to be his passion, he acted upon this talent wholeheartedly. Even though the name may be new to some, Khalifa has been in the hip-hop industry since 2006. He released two albums Show and Prove (2006) and Deal or No Deal (2009) while signed to Rostrum Records, an independent label, and Warner Bros. More interestingly, he has four times as many mixtapes as released albums.

Yet, it doesn’t end there.

His latest mixtape, Kush & Orange Juice, became a number one Google and Yahoo! Search, Twitter’s top trending topic, and number one on iTunes’s Hip Hop chart when it debuted as a free

download on April 14, 2010. Just last month, Wiz Khalifa beat 19 other newcomers and was voted “MTV’s Hottest Breakthrough MC of 2010” and graced the cover of Honey magazine’s double-cover August issue.

It is not just his inked body that draws the attention and fans to him alike, but the reflection of his outgoing personality expressed through his lyrics, too. In songs such as “We’re Done” and “The Statement” from Kush &Orange Juice, Khalifa raps about living the life of a young 22-year-old and all the fun that comes with it. That includes his fondness of a particular substance. His bluntness, no pun intended, about how he spends his free time has caused some controversy, but has not kept him from achieving anything short of success. The influences for his music are some of the industry’s greatest lyricists such as Jay-Z and Snoop Dogg.

Although Wiz Khalifa has been a part of Rostrum Records since the start of his career, he recently

announced that, in an agreement with Rostrum, he has signed a deal with major label Atlantic Records.

He is currently working on his upcoming album that is scheduled for release in early 2011.

Much of his success can be attributed to his loyal fan base and supportive entourage whom he calls “Taylor Gang.” He is known on Twitter as @ RealWizKhalifa with over 265, 000 followers, has a Myspace page that has been visited over 7 million times with over 21 million song plays, and a Facebook page with over half a million likes.

As the rapper continues to strive in the music industry, he is headlining the upcoming Waken Baken Tour. The tour is scheduled to kickoff on September 16th in Philadelphia and will feature

rap game newbie Yelawolf. If you want to catch the “Taylor Gang or Die!” front man, he will be making his way to downtown Norfolk’s The NorVa for a second time on November 11.

#itsallfunandgamesuntil

you get to class to find out you were de-registered Bryon Summers| Graphics

By Keshara Cox

Fall Album releases

By Keshara Cox Summer is the time to unwind and up the fun but the following ten artists have been on their grind. No matter if a rookie or vet, they all have albums releasing this fall, sharing the common goal of topping the charts.

J. Cole - Cole World (RocNation/ Columbia) Release Date - TBA First to sign to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation label, the Fayetteville, North Carolina native had everyone asking “Who Dat” from his first single. J. Cole became an underground sensation after releasing his first mixtape, The Come Up, and this month he dropped his second single entitled “Blow Up.” He has caused quite a buzz in hip hop, we’ll see if Cole World will keep it going.

John Legend and the Roots - Wake Up! (Columbia/ Sony) Release Date - September 21, 2010 When sultry meets soul you have an amazing combination with the potential to create something remarkable. The Roots and John Legend are Grammy award-winning musicians who have released over four studio albums each. Good music being

a part of their reputations, the forthcoming collaboration is likely to be a classic.

Kanye West - Good A** Job (Def Jam/ Roc-A-Fella) Release Date - TBA Mr. Controversial himself is back and with a vengeance.

Kanye made his return with a hot track that has been taking over the airways since summer.

“Power,” the first single off the outspoken rapper’s fifth album, is a good look of what’s to come.

Kid Cudi - Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager (Universal/ Motown) Release Date - TBA This creative emcee is gearing up for his sophomore album. Kid Cudi’s alternative and hip hop flows have grabbed the attention of a variety of fans. Since the second album is a continuation of the Man on the Moon series it should deliver his originality even better than the first.

Lyfe Jennings - I Still Believe (Atlantic) Released Date - TBA Need relationship advice?

Lyfe Jennings has your back when he releases his fourth album this fall. The record‘s first single, “Statistics” hit hard

and had women of all types reevaluating their relationships.

If I Still Believe delivers like his preceding albums, he’ll have something for everyone to relate.

Ne-Yo - Libra Scale (Def Jam) Release Date - October 5, 2010 Ne-Yo, “The Gentleman,” has returned. The successful singersongwriter is gearing up for his fourth album. He has released two upbeat singles “Beautiful Monster” and “Champagne Life” that promises that traditional Ne-Yo sound for your listening pleasure.

Nicki Minaj - Pink Friday (Cash Money/Young Money) Release Date - November 23, 2010 The Harajuku Barbie has one of the most anticipated albums of the year. Nicki Minaj is the front lady of the Cash MoneyYoung Money camp and will finally be gracing listeners with her first solo studio album. Her songs “Massive Attack” and “Your Love” were two summer anthems proving her upcoming debut will be official.

Roscoe Dash - Ready Set Go! (Interscope) Release Date - October 5, 2010

#itsallfunandgamesuntil

your parents make a surprise visit to campus and you’re not there #itsallfunandgamesuntil

you miss meal plan because your evening class was longer than usual #itsallfunandgamesuntil

Writing rap songs since he was 12, it’s finally time for this ATLien to hold it down for his city. Dash has released hit singles such as “All The Way Turnt Up,” “Show Out,” and the latest “My Own Step” featured on the “Step Up 3D” soundtrack. His style is rap, rock, and pop giving an interesting mix for the fan of any genre.

T.I. - King Uncaged (Atlantic/ Grand Hustle) Release Date - TBA As the “King of the South” stated he’s back! After spending the first part of the year incarcerated, T.I. is ready to unleash King Uncaged. This will be the King’s seventh album that has fans awaiting the trap music they’re used to.

Trey Songz - Pain, Pleasure & Passion (Atlantic) Release Date - September 14, 2010 VA’s own is at it again. Since his first album the “Prince of VA” has delivered sexy singles like his most recent “Bottoms Up” featuring Nicki Minaj. Trey Songz is releasing his fourth album in a few weeks giving his lady listeners all they want and more.

they decided to put cameras in the hallways of the suites #itsallfunandgamesuntil

the sorority/fraternity you want to join decides not to have a line #itsallfunandgamesuntil

midterms and see that you’re failing #itsallfunandgamesuntil

the campus floods and there is no parking #itsallfunandgamesuntil

your academic advisor informs you that you have to take geography #itsallfunandgamesuntil

financial aid decides they’ll post your refund check at the end of the semester #itsallfunandgamesuntil

you find out that your roommate is the worst match ever – Keshara Cox