The Rocket 05-02-2014 by SRU Rocket

Rappers Rock The ARC Juicy J, Wale, Chevy Woods, and Bass come to SRU to perform, as well as discuss the struggle behind their success. Page D-1

Friday May 2, 2014 • Volume 97, Issue Number 24 • Slippery Rock University's Student Newspaper

the rocket

www.theonlinerocket.com

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Library

campus safety shutdown: concerns students

NEWS

Library Builds Math Lab Learning math will be easier for students with a new math lab in Bailey Library. Page A-2

OPINION

Rocket Staﬀ Says Goodbye The graduating seniors of The Rocket bid farewell to the campus and reﬂect on their time at the newspaper. Page B-2

SPORTS

HALEY BARNES/THE ROCKET

Racism Still Alive In The NBA Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling earns a lifetime ban from NBA for his racist remarks. Page C-2

CAMPUS LIFE

A Bucket List Dream Fulﬁlled An SRU student shares her once in a lifetime skydiving experience. Page D-1

Kengor Awaits MLB Draft Senior shortstop Will Kengor's success at SRU catches the eye of professional scouts. Page C-1

Slippery Rock students stand outside of Bailey Library on Monday at 11:55 a.m. waiting for the library to reopen. The library was set to reopen at noon on Monday after a burst waterline left the building with no facilities on Sunday. Students in need of the library on Sunday were encouraged to use the computer labs in Spotts and Eisenberg.

By Haley Barnes Rocket Contributor

Bailey Library was shutdown on Sunday morning due to a burst waterline on the second floor of the building. Philip Tramdack, Director of Library Services, was called at his house on Sunday at 8 a.m. by the police. The police discovered and reported to Tramdack that there had been a serious water leak in the building. “I went to the library within an hour and found that there was considerable damage in Career, Education, and Development and some damage in library areas and that the water had been turned off,” Tramdack explained. “No water in the building.” “Because of no water in the building, I decided that the library, mainly for hygiene reasons and because the adjacent buildings are not open, like Eisenberg was not open, that it would be best if we did not open on Sunday at all,” Tramdack said. Tramdack explained that the library was in concern of safety of the students. There were no operating bathrooms or running water in the library. “Now what happened was one of the larger water mains that are in the walls in the second floor burst and caused the flood,” Tramdack said.

Tramdack explained that the pipes are as old as the building and are generally in bad shape. He hopes based on this emergency that the University will advance the project of re-plumbing in the building because it is an inconvenience to students and there are major hygiene issues when the water soaks the carpets. There is also a lot of valuable equipment in the building that could have been destroyed. “Now when I came in Monday, they were working and we agreed that it would be better if the library stayed closed until noon,” Tramdack said. “The work was completed late morning and the library did open at noon, so things are getting back to normal for the library part of the building.” According to Tramdack, Career, Education, and Development took a serious hit and temporarily moved to the lower level of the library. He hopes they will be able to get back into their office soon. But after a school year of various shutdowns and emergencies, campus safety is concerning students. Spotts Bridge has been closed since Nov. 2013 as it was decided dangerous by an engineer. Miller auditorium has been closed since Aug. 2012 with the hopes of a remodel, but recent budget cuts delayed the renovations. Students have

expressed campus wide that there are also other issues, like poorly lit streets, residence hall defections, and violent crimes. Marshé Barnes, Secondary Education English major said she lives in North Hall and is out late on campus due to rugby games. "The campus is not safe because when I'm walking after dark, the sidewalks are not lit up well at all," Barnes said. Haley Crompton, Secondary Education English major, lives in Building E and she said she frequently notices that desk attendants do not do their jobs to the full potential. "I normally feel safe on campus, but I feel unsafe when I notice that the DA's in the residence halls let people in without cards, allowing anyone to come into the building," Crompton explained. As a Criminology major, Mandy Feldbauer expressed that the violent crime on Slippery Rock's campus is a key contributor to an unsafe campus. "Lately, I feel unsafe on campus because of the amount of sexual assaults this past semester," Feldbauer said. Tramdack explained that shutdowns and emergencies are always bound to happen, but are always taken care of in the interest of the students.

New experimental communication course offers the key to happiness By Amber Cannon Rocket Contributor

Slippery Rock University is bringing a new class to the Communication Department for the Fall semester. The new class, Comm and Well Being, better known as "Happy Talk" will be taught by Dr. James Laux. The idea for the class came to Laux awhile back when he read a book called Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikszentmilhalyi. Also, the idea developed from watching and following up on a professor at Harvard named Dr. Tal Ben Shahar. "Professor Tal Ben Shahar created and taught a class called Introduction to Positive Psychology," Laux said. "After watching and following up on his teachings, I knew that I wanted to develop a similar course that takes a communication perspective

on positive psychology because I could see also that there were a lot of communicative aspects to it." Although Comm and Well Being is the appropriate title for the class, Laux has decided to give the class a more fun and appealing name, "Happy Talk." "The name for the course actually came to me while I was cutting grass, when suddenly this song popped into my head, "Happy Talk" from South Pacific," Laux explained. "After I listened to the song, I knew that was it. The name "Happy Talk" really captures the essence of the class, which is how talk is related to human happiness." Unlike any other classes that he has taught, Laux explained that the grading for "Happy Talk" is going to be a lot different. If students regularly attend class and complete the assignments, everyone should do well. Assignments in the class are going to SEE LAUX, PAGE A-2

REBECCA DIETRICH/THE ROCKET Dr. Laux teaches a section of Public Speaking, along with many other Communication classes. He has been teaching at SRU for 25 years and plans to retire next academic school year.

NEWS

A-2 7-DAY FORECAST FOR SLIPPERY ROCK

NATIONAL FORECAST FOR THE WEEK

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

Variable clouds with a shower

Clouds and sun, showers around

Periods of sun with a shower

Partly sunny

Clouds and sunshine

Rather cloudy with a t-storm

A couple of showers

55°

41°

60°

43°

57°

REAL FEAL TEMPERATURE

Fri.

Sat.

Sun. Mon.

Tue.

Wed. Thu.

Fri.

CITY Akron Allentown Altoona Cleveland Erie Harrisburg Indiana Johnstown Philadelphia Pittsburgh Scranton State College Wheeling Williamsport Youngstown

Friday HI LO W 56 43 c 65 44 pc 60 41 c 56 44 sh 54 43 sh 66 44 pc 56 41 c 54 41 c 69 50 pc 59 44 c 62 40 pc 62 42 c 57 44 c 64 42 c 55 42 sh

Saturday HI LO W 64 43 sh 64 45 pc 63 43 pc 62 43 pc 59 40 sh 68 46 pc 61 43 sh 58 42 pc 70 51 pc 63 45 sh 63 43 pc 63 44 pc 64 46 sh 67 43 pc 61 42 sh

61°

42°

44°

64°

Sat.

Sun

Sun. Mon.

Tue.

Wed. Thu.

The higher the AccuWeather.com UV Index number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection. 0-2 Low; 3-5 Moderate; 6-7 High; 8-10 Very High; 11+ Extreme.

Sunday HI LO W 59 38 pc 64 41 sh 60 36 pc 56 41 pc 54 37 pc 68 40 pc 57 37 pc 53 36 pc 68 47 pc 60 38 pc 60 37 sh 60 40 pc 61 39 pc 61 36 sh 57 36 pc

Monday HI LO W 64 44 pc 64 40 pc 62 40 pc 60 46 pc 55 42 pc 67 44 pc 61 41 pc 58 40 pc 66 45 pc 63 45 pc 61 37 pc 62 40 pc 64 45 pc 65 39 pc 61 42 pc

Tuesday HI LO W 68 46 pc 66 44 pc 66 45 pc 62 46 pc 57 43 pc 65 46 pc 66 43 pc 65 44 pc 67 48 pc 67 47 pc 64 39 pc 62 43 pc 70 48 pc 65 43 pc 63 43 pc

69°

48°

TEMPERATURES

52°

74°

Above Near Below Normal Normal Normal

IN THE SKY

™

The patented AccuWeather.com RealFeel Temperature is an exclusive index of effective temperature based on eight weather factors. Shown are the highest and lowest values for each day.

REGIONAL CITIES

35°

UV INDEX

Wednesday HI LO W 67 52 t 67 45 pc 69 49 c 65 52 t 61 49 t 70 50 c 69 49 c 67 49 c 71 51 pc 72 53 t 68 46 pc 68 50 c 72 55 t 70 46 pc 68 48 t

Thursday HI LO W 78 57 t 70 48 c 72 45 r 73 59 c 69 56 r 75 50 r 75 55 sh 71 48 r 73 53 sh 78 56 r 69 45 pc 72 50 sh 78 57 r 72 44 r 74 54 sh

Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

Moon

Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

Rise 6:17 a.m. 6:16 a.m. 6:15 a.m. 6:13 a.m. 6:12 a.m. 6:11 a.m. 6:10 a.m. Rise 8:53 a.m. 9:44 a.m. 10:37 a.m. 11:32 a.m. 12:28 p.m. 1:24 p.m. 2:21 p.m.

MOON PHASES

Set 8:18 p.m. 8:19 p.m. 8:20 p.m. 8:21 p.m. 8:22 p.m. 8:23 p.m. 8:24 p.m. Set 11:40 p.m. none 12:25 a.m. 1:05 a.m. 1:41 a.m. 2:13 a.m. 2:44 a.m.

First

Full

Last

New

5/6

5/14

5/21

5/28

May 2, 2014 PRECIPITATION

Above Near Below Normal Normal Normal

National Summary: A broad area of low pressure will spark numerous showers across the Great Lakes and Northeast Saturday; however, they will be rather brief. A couple of showers and thunderstorms will also move through much of Florida. Dry weather will be found across the rest of the Southeast and Plains, and into the West as well. A few showers will dot the northern Rockies. A few spotty showers will again dot the Northeast Sunday, with dry weather across the Southeast to the Southwest. Periods of rain can be expected along the Northwest coast. Steady rain and even a few thunderstorms will continue Monday across the Northwest. Showers will move into the northern Rockies and Plains.

NATIONAL CITIES

Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday CITY HI LO W HI LO W HI LO W HI LO W HI LO W HI LO W HI LO W Atlanta 71 49 pc 75 55 s 83 60 s 85 61 s 86 62 s 87 62 pc 86 56 s Boston 65 48 pc 65 49 sh 66 44 sh 63 45 pc 63 46 pc 63 48 s 62 50 pc Chicago 59 44 c 66 43 pc 59 39 pc 62 47 pc 65 50 pc 68 54 t 75 57 t Cincinnati 61 44 c 70 48 pc 71 49 pc 77 55 pc 77 59 pc 83 57 pc 84 61 pc Dallas 80 49 s 87 60 s 89 62 s 91 69 s 95 68 pc 90 69 pc 90 64 c Denver 76 44 pc 80 48 s 85 48 pc 83 47 pc 79 41 s 71 41 t 68 46 t Detroit 57 45 sh 62 42 sh 61 40 pc 63 45 pc 57 43 pc 62 48 t 74 58 c Houston 78 54 pc 85 58 s 87 61 s 86 63 s 87 67 pc 85 69 pc 86 70 t Indianapolis 60 45 c 68 48 pc 68 48 pc 75 56 pc 76 57 pc 78 58 pc 78 56 c Kansas City 68 49 s 76 53 pc 81 56 pc 84 62 pc 85 62 pc 81 58 pc 78 55 t Los Angeles 92 62 s 82 60 s 73 56 pc 69 56 pc 68 56 pc 72 57 pc 73 63 s Miami 87 75 pc 88 71 t 84 71 pc 84 71 pc 85 71 s 86 74 s 87 77 s Nashville 67 46 c 76 53 s 84 58 s 85 58 s 85 61 s 85 61 s 85 63 pc New Orleans 73 57 pc 79 61 s 83 63 s 83 64 s 82 68 s 89 69 pc 90 73 pc New York City 68 51 pc 67 50 pc 64 48 sh 65 47 pc 66 49 s 67 50 pc 69 50 pc Orlando 83 68 t 79 60 t 85 60 pc 86 63 s 86 65 s 89 67 s 89 68 s Phoenix 93 71 s 97 74 s 99 72 s 95 69 pc 87 64 s 86 69 s 96 71 s San Francisco 71 53 s 63 51 pc 64 52 pc 62 50 pc 65 49 pc 64 50 pc 67 55 s Seattle 74 49 pc 60 47 sh 61 47 sh 62 46 r 63 45 pc 61 46 c 61 45 sh Washington, DC 70 49 pc 73 54 pc 74 48 pc 71 52 pc 69 55 pc 75 58 c 77 57 r Weather (W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy, c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms, r-rain, sf-snow ﬂurries, sn-snow, i-ice.

Math lab makes learning more effective P

Catch something exciting happening on campus? Want your Insta-photos to be featured in The Rocket? Just follow @SRURocket on Instagram and use # in the caption for your chance to be featured here every week!

INDEX Blotter.................A-3 Sports...................C-1 Opinion................B-1 Campus Life.............D-1 Comics...................B-5

By Jonathan Janasik News Editor

Bailey Library has begun the process of removing books in order to make room for a new computer lab designated for math classes. “What we’re actually looking at right now is a change in the nature of what people think an academic library is for,” Philip Tramdack, Director of Library Services said. “Maybe it should be more of a multipurpose space that serves people in different ways with the focus being on teaching learning and development. Maybe what we should be doing is rethinking our collection and focusing more on stuff people want.” Dr. Mark Campbell, Tutorial Coordinator explained that a math lab was chosen because math is a subject that everybody has to take and is one of the most requested subjects for tutoring. “We’re trying to better support our math classes, especially beginning algebra and intermediate algebra,” Campbell said. “[These are] courses that are taken by a lot of people and we want to make it what’s called a ‘flipped classroom,’ which is where students work with professors and tutors online.” This allows math classes to become more self-paced, which is important because often times some students will complete their work faster than others. Although the project was started by Provost Philip Way, Campbell stated that the math department has helped as well. “The math department has been very involved,” explained Campbell. “We’ve all been working together to

pick the software that the courses will be using. The professors will be working over the summer to get their courses onto the new platform.” Math professor Dr. Robert Vallin explained that he knew very little about the new math lab. “Basically, they told us that they were going to build it and it was going to be split into two pieces,” Vallin explained. “One part is going to be a classroom and one part would be a tutoring center, and that’s about it.” Math professor Dr. William Lindgren opposed the placement of the new lab. “As far as I’m concerned, if having that math lab meant that we had to give away one book from the library, I would be against it,” said Lindgren. Lindgren stated that if a math lab was necessary, then it should have been put somewhere other than the library. Tramdack disagreed, and explained that the library is a good place for a math lab. “This is a good place for a math lab, better than putting it off in some building somewhere which is say a classroom building. It’s better to be here because the people will come here to take advantage of the math lab but they can also take advantage of our collections, take advantage of our group study space, and enjoy the social atmosphere of the library,” Tramdack said. “If we can reinforce teaching and learning in the math lab, this is a resource to help good students get better.” Dr. Catherine Rudowsky, Chair of the Library Department explained that books would have to be removed from Bailey Library’s

Laux promises life-long learning with 'Happy Talk' Continued from Page A-1

220 Eisenberg Building Slippery Rock University Slippery Rock, PA 16057

2012 Mark of Excellence First Place Winner in Region 4 from the Society of Professional Journalists.

collection in order to fit the new math lab. The process of “weeding” or selectively removing unused or outdated books is normal for the library. A similar process is being used now to get rid of the excess books. Rudowsky explained that subjects like English, philosophy, and history require less weeding because the information is timeless, while subjects like business can be replaced more quickly because the information becomes outdated over time. Each department has an associated librarian who specializes in a related topic. Professors from each department are encouraged to collaborate with their respective librarian in order to decide which books to keep and remove. The general rule for weeding is that if a book is 15 years old and hasn't been checked out, then it will be considered for removal. Philosophy professor Dr. Richard Findler said that he received a list of philosophy books that he was supposed to help sort through to determine what would be removed from the library’s collection. In response, he wrote a letter to Provost Philip Way and employees of the library asking them not to remove any philosophy books. “I said that just because books aren’t being checked out doesn’t mean that they’re not being used, research can be done in house,” Findler said. “You never know what students walking through the stacks will find, and what might have an impact on their lives.” Findler received a response stating that no philosophy books would be removed from the library.

range from mini assignments to mini papers based on the material covered in class, but moreover based on applied practices. "There will not be a whole bunch of objective exams because the goal of the class is to have people happy, and not just like, 'I'm happier today', but lifelong happiness," he explained. One of the many assignment that is going to be given is a gratitude visit. "One of the assignments in the class is along the lines of a gratitude visit," Laux said. "You're going to write or type a one page letter to someone in your life who you'd really like to express sincere and heartfelt thanks to. Then you're going to give it to them and talk with them about it." According to Laux, students are expected to gain a lot from this course. He is striving to not only make people happy for the semester, but for the rest of their lives. "I hope that what students take from this course is a profound, life-changing learning experience," Laux said. "The objective of this course is to talk, act, think, and be authentically and lastingly happier, so that's what they should expect from it." Although it seems that the number of students currently signed up for Happy Talk

is growing each day, many students question whether this class fulfills a liberal studies requirement. Laux stated that this course fulfills upper division credit along with elective credit. "I'm a little disappointed at the fact that I know some students have been misinformed about the course," Laux said. "I've heard people say they were told that they really shouldn't take the course because it wouldn't fulfill any requirements. So, what you're saying is every course that you take at this university should fulfill a requirement and should be on a check off sheet? That sound pretty absurd to me." Any prerequisites to the class will be waived so that anyone who wants to take the class can. Laux stated that he is going to give it his all to make sure that the class will be a success. "I'm going to try as mightily as Jim Laux knows how to make sure this class is a success," Laux said. "I'm going to pour every ounce of energy that I have into this course to make it successful, meaningful and beneficial for the students who sign up for it, but I'll say this, if it doesn't succeed, its one hundred percent Jim Laux's fault." Laux hopes to fill the ECB auditorium up with the maximum 93 students, but he stated that whether the class has 93 or three students he would still teach the class wholeheartedly.

NEWS

May 2, 2014

A-3

POLICE BLOTTER Campus April 26 - There was a report of possible drug activity in Building A. No contraband was found and no other action was taken. April 27 - Pa. State Police requested assistance on a report of an intoxicated individual lying in the middle of Kiester Road. The individual was transported to his residence. The Pa. State Police are handling the incident. April 27 - Charges are pending for an intoxicated individual at a concert at

the Aebersold Recreation Center. The individual was transported to Grove City Hospital. April 27 - Zachary Luben, 18, was issued an underage citation when police initiated a parking violation at the Health Center. April 27 - Rachel Scurpa, 20, was issued an underage citation after a report of a intoxicated individual at a concert at the Aebersold Recreation Center. April 27 - Police responded to possible domestic violence. Services

were offered to the individuals. No other action was taken. April 28 - Amy Jordan, 19, was issued citations for being underage and public drunkenness after a report of a possible intoxicated individual at a concert at the Aebersold Recreation Center. April 29 - Alexander Berg, 23, was charged with defiant trespass, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness when he refused to leave a concert at the Aebersold Recreation Center.

April 29 - Elizabeth Rohm, 18, was issued citations for being underage and public drunkenness after a report of an intoxicated individual at a concert at the Aebersold Recreation Center April 29 - Brittany Ruffo, 19, was issued an underage citation for an alcohol violation at a concert at the Aebersold Recreation Center. April 29 - Kelsey Landberg, 20, was issued citations for being underage and public drunkenness after an intoxicated individual was reported at

a concert at the Aebersold R e c re at i on C e nte r. Landberg was transported to Grove City Hospital. April 30 - Police made a welfare check on an individual at Old End. The individual was located and transported to the Health Center. Borough

influence of alcohol and under 21 years of age. April 26 - Emily Cutrell of Greensburg, Pa . w a s c i t e d f o r disorderly house after being observed throwing a cup into another's yard along West Cooper Street. April 27 - A white Buick Rendezvous was reported stolen from the parking lot of Sheetz. An unknown black male was observed entering the vehicle and drove west on New Castle Street.

Apr i l 25 - L inda Roldan of Greenville, Pa . w a s c i t e d f o r disorderly house after being stopped along East Water Street. Roldan was found to be under the Compiled by Amber Cannon

New Rocket staff opens door to new opportunities Recently, The Rocket hired new staff members for the 2014-2015 academic year. New Editor-in-Chief, Kevin Squires, is a junior biology major from West Mifflin, Pa. Squires plans to bring a breath of fresh air to The Rocket from outside the confines of the communication department. Squires previously served on staff as Assistant News Editor. "As a biology major, it offers a unique perspective to a broader range of majors on campus, and I think that there is a lot of overlap between science and journalism that people usually don't consider," Squires said. "With science, everything is about finding sources, doing research and understanding how people come to conclusions, and you obviously see a lot of that in journalism as well." Squires also has many new ideas in store for The Rocket. "I'm considering starting a science column," Squires said. "I'd like to do that to be able to communicate the things that are happening in that world to the rest of the university. In addition to that, it is really important to me that The Rocket have more of a presence both online and in the campus community." Returning members to The Rocket include junior Alex Mowrey, a communication -

emerging technology major from San Diego, Ca. as Photo Editor, freshman Rebecca Dietrich, a communication - digital media production major from Plum, Pa. as Assistant Photo Editor, and Karleigh Santry, a junior communication - emerging technology and journalism major from Girard, Pa. as Advertising Manager. New staff in the News section include Haley Barnes, a sophomore communication journalism major from South Fayette, Pa., as News Editor and Amber Cannon, a sophomore communication major from Sharon, Pa. as Assistant News Editor. The new staffers that make up with Sports section include Brian Hepfinger, a junior communication - journalism major from Allison Park, Pa. and freshman Ryan Barlow, a communication - public relations major from Girard, Pa. as Assistant Sports Editor. Campus Life staffers consist of Katie Ellis, junior communication-journalism from Pittsburgh, Pa. as Campus Life Editor, and Janelle Wilson, sophomore communicationjournalism major from Enon Valley, Pa., as Assistant Campus Life Editor. Other sections are comprised of Andrew Conner, a junior communication - emerging technology major from Mercer, Pa. as

CATIE CLARK/THE ROCKET

New Rocket staff includes (first row) Ryan Barlow, Brian Hepfinger, Alex Mowrey, (middle row) Katie Ellis, Karleigh Santry, Kevin Squires, Shelby Stearns, Haley Barnes, (back row) Rebecca Dietrich, Emily Brown, Janelle Wilson, and Amber Cannon. Not pictured: Andrew Connor.

Web/Social Media Editor, Shelby Stearns, a middle level English education major from Bay Village, Ohio as copy editor, and Emily Brown, sophomore communication - emerging technology major from Annapolis, Md. as Multimedia Reporter. According to Squires, he is looking forward to the many new faces on staff next year. "It's definitely exciting," Squires said. "It opens the door for a lot of new creativity."

Rocket Faculty Advisor, Dr. Mark Zeltner, has high hopes for next year's staff as well. "We have a lot of new people coming in next year, which means there will be a lot of change, but that's a good thing," Zeltner said. "We will get some new energy and new ideas and will hopefully be able to maintain the same level of quality we have over the years."

OPINION

Our View

OPINION rocket.letters@sru.edu Volume 96, Number 24

220 Eisenberg Classroom Building Slippery Rock University Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania 16057 Phone: Fax: E-mail:

(724) 738-4438 (724) 738-4896 rocket.letters@sru.edu

EDITORIAL BOARD Catie Clark

Editor-in-Chief

Jon Janasik

News Editor

Rebecca Marcucci

Campus Life Editor

Kristin Karam

Sports Editor

Alex Mowrey

Photo Editor

Todd Hart

Web/Social Media Editor

Mary Leach

Copy Editor GRAPHIC BY REBECCA DIETRICH

Kevin Squires

Assistant News Editor

Stephanie Cheek

Assist. Campus Life Editor

Matthew Morgan

Assistant Sports Editor

Rebecca Dietrich

Assistant Photo Editor

LaRae Ferguson Mark Zeltner

Multimedia Reporter Faculty Adviser

ADVERTISING STAFF Karleigh Santry

Advertising Manager

ABOUT US The Rocket is published by the students of Slippery Rock University every Friday during the academic semester with the exception of holidays, exam periods and vacations. Total weekly circulation is 3,000. No material appearing in The Rocket may be reprinted without the written consent of the Editor-in-Chief. The first copy of The Rocket is provided free of charge. Additional copies may be purchased for 50 cents each. The Rocket receives approximately five percent of its funding from the SGA General Service fee paid each semester by students. All other income is provided through the sale of advertising. Advertising inquiries may be made by calling (724) 7382643 or by e-mailing rocket.ads@sru.edu.

CORRECTIONS If we make a substantial error, we want to correct it. If you believe an error has been made, call The Rocket newsroom at (724) 738-4438. If a correction is warranted it will be printed in the opinion section.

SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions to The Rocket are available. Subscriptions are $20 per academic semester and $35 for the full academic year. Inquiries should be directed to the Editor-in-Chief at the address listed here.

EDITORIAL POLICY The Rocket strives to present a diverse range of opinions that are both fair and accurate in its editorials and columns appearing on the Opinion pages. “Our View” is the opinion of the Editorial Board and is written by Rocket editorial board members. It reflects the majority opinion of The Rocket Editorial Board. “Our View” does not necessarily reflect the views of Slippery Rock University, its employees or its student body. Columns and cartoons are drafted by various individuals and only reflect the opinions of the columnists.

SRU Maintenance staff should be more proactive After a waterline break shutdown Bailey Library for a day and a half this week, students were forced to find alternative locations for completing work and studying for exams. The building reopened Monday, with the Career Education and Development office and portions of the Technology Learning Center sectioned off with limited access to continue addressing the break. The area is still sectioned off with caution tape, discouraging individuals from entering the area. It seems like everywhere you look, Slippery Rock University is in a state of dilapidation, and it doesn’t seem like much is being done to solve the problem. After all, the waterline break was just the latest in issues in the grounds and facilities at SRU, some of which pose as potentially dangerous. Miller auditorium has been closed in order to treat the asbestos in the foundation. Plans to demolish the building and build a new performing arts center were reconsidered for smaller scale renovations to the already existent building in a cost saving effort. The large pothole by the art

building presents a danger and unsightly problem. It at least had a wooden board placed overtop of it recently, but the board has since been removed. Finally, the bridge to Spott’s World Cultures Building is still blocked off after being discovered as “structurally unsound” last semester. The actions of the university to closedown the library, Miller, and the bridge were all studentsafety first decisions, which we are in full support of. However, more and more it appears that the “solutions” for these problems are nothing more than temporary fixes which fail to fully address the situations. Part of the problem here is that improvements are only considered when a problem arises. When this mentality is applied, we see exactly what is happening at Slippery Rocktwo new problems for every one you “take care of.” You can never keep up and are left in a frantic state of constant renovations. Ideas that would actually offer improved conditions for students, such as the demolition of Kraus Hall to create additional parking are on hold. In the cases of

In the Quad In the Quad is a segment in which random students, faculty and staff are asked for their opinions on a specific topic.

Miller, potholes and the bridge, improvements can clearly be seen, but are being put off or flat out unaddressed. There needs to be a closer look at updating the campus, not simply repairing it. Maintenance should not just be about bringing quick fixes to the table when issues arise, rather should have a more proactive stance on keeping our university up to high quality, safe standards. It is time for Slippery Rock University to stop coming across as a work in progress for problems in terms of safety and construction and to become a place that is always being enriched. Obviously that can be difficult with people depending on facilities daily, but with the summer arriving soon we can only hope that large projects, such as the replacement bridge to Spott’s, will take off successfully and efficiently. The quick fixes can be translated into permanent solutions for the students and the university can move forward in offering improvements to the campus to enrich student’s lives. In the meantime, brand new ionic columns were just installed at North Hall, so be sure to check those out.

This week’s question: What do you think should be fixed first in terms of campus construction?

LETTERS POLICY The Rocket welcomes letters to the editor and guest columns, but does not guarantee their publication. The Rocket retains the right to edit or reject any material submitted. Submitted material becomes the property of The Rocket and cannot be returned. Anonymous submissions will not be published. Those who submit letters must identify themselves by name, year in school, major and/or group affiliation, if any. Please limit letters to a maximum of 400 words. Submit all material by noon Wednesday to: The Rocket, 220 ECB, Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, Pa. 16057. Or send it via e-mail to: rocket.letters@sru.edu.

Megan Peters Junior Accounting Major Erie, Pa. “The sidewalks in front of ECB need to be fixed, they’re really deep.”

Mike Hartman Junior Criminology and Criminal Justice Major Butler, Pa. “The doors in Spotts should be opening inward because they don’t open safely and it’s a fire hazard.”

Emily Duncan Freshman Exercise Science Major Palestine, Ohio “Spotts bridge should be fixed, then Spotts hallways should be bigger because it’s always crowded.”

OPINION

May 2, 2014

B-2

It’s almost time to move on Rock fans Finding a silver lining at The Rocket

Kristin Karam Sports Editor When you graduate from high school, all your friends’ parents and relatives tell you how college will be the best time of your life. They tell you to stay as long as you can and to enjoy every second of it. You don’t understand why they stress it to you so much until you’re about to leave. In college, you have ups and downs. You lose touch with friends, make mistakes, get your heart broken and have too much to drink, but you make new friends, you learn, you move on and you build a tolerance. I never thought I’d end up at Slippery Rock and I never thought I’d be sad to leave. The past four years have been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride and I would go back and do it all again if I could. Despite an old coach putting the program through a lot of stress, I’ll always look back on Rock cheer and smile. I’m proud to say I was able to do the “boom, boom, clap” before the Rock cheer started at Nationals, it’s a shame that tradition went away. My body will not miss the fatigue of “Hell Month” but I’ll miss everything else about it. You work so hard with a group of people and the longer you’re together, the more they become your family. Big Steve always knew when you needed a

break, Cougar was there to remind you to relax and stop thinking and when a coach said “one more time”, it never meant one more time, it meant seven more times. When you finally got the chance to be “lost in Japan”, it was just as entertaining as you thought it’d be. I will miss being a part of such an amazing program so much. Getting involved with The Rocket was single-handedly the best decision I could’ve made to get started on my career path. The opportunities I’ve been able to capitalize on are irreplaceable. I will never be able to thank the people I’ve worked with enough for how they’ve helped me grow as a professional. One day, I hope to make you all proud. I’m currently working on a video that highlights the past four years of my life and it’s helped me to see how much I’ve grown as a person. Going back through all the pictures and videos is extremely bittersweet. So much has changed but so much has stayed the same. The people I’ve met over the years have really made an impact on my life. Some of us have been through hell together. I don’t know if we could’ve made it on our own but we never had to chance that, because we had each other. We’ve had to say goodbye to too many of our friends far too early, but together, we keep their memories alive. I’ll never forget the candle ceremony held on campus for Jack Hill Jr., seeing Derek Durand’s football ring on his hand or the chills I’d get every time the football team would carry out Zach Sheridan’s jersey before the game. Those people, good people, will never be forgotten. As we prepare for the next chapter in our lives, I know that I can count on my Rock family to be there. We don’t have to talk every day, but we know we’ll be there for each other. Farewell SRU, it’s been real.

Matthew Morgan Assistant Sports Editor People always say that “College is the best time of your life,” and in most instances I would say that is a bit cliché. When it comes to The Rocket however, I couldn’t agree more. Out of all my extracurricular activities while here at SRU (which only amount to maybe three or four), I always enjoyed contributing for The Rocket and its sports section. Oh, and eventually working here as the Assistant Sports Editor was pretty neat too. Personally, I had never really saw myself as a writer until I received an email from the Communication department prior to the Fall semester of 2012 looking for contributors. I thought, “I might as well try my hand at sports journalism, I do love sports!” Yet, in my mind, I imagined I would get all the glory and cover football or baseball or another super cool sport that everyone cares about all the time. That isn’t reality though. You have to work your way up. The first sport I covered as a contributor was women’s cross-country. “But who the hell cares about women’s cross-country?” Unbelievably rude, I know, but after rethinking my situation I knew I needed to work

my way up to (maybe) cover the big stuff. And I was happy covering anything; I just love seeing my name attached to something. I was like a dog marking my territory; I just wanted people to know that something was ‘mine’. That dream of covering football or baseball never did come to fruition; as a matter of fact I only covered women’s sports during all my time at The Rocket. And that was great for me. During my time with The Rocket I covered women’s basketball (x2), softball, cross-country, lacrosse and soccer. I’m just a regular ladies’ man! Thinking back on it, I would not have changed any sport I covered. Each team posed a different challenge for me. Softball taught me to always interview someone besides the head coach, basketball taught me to find a silver-lining in losing all the time and Soccer taught me that......... our soccer team was really good and Noreen Herlihy is a saint. Helping design the layout for the paper as the Assistant Sports Editor was a really great experience also. I enjoy working with InDesign, so getting to add my personal flavor to the section was just as exciting as writing. Out of every experience at The Rocket, there is one over-arching fact that everyone must remember: “Catie Clark is ‘bae’”. Look around you everyone, reach out and get involved. You never know where taking that first step or writing that first article will take you. I never thought I would be in a position to write this send-off, yet here I am. Everyone here at The Rocket, past or present, thank you for what you have done. It has been my pleasure being a part of this newsroom and non-traditional family. I wouldn’t trade any of it for the world.

Joining The Rocket, just one of the great ideas to come from the bathroom the greatest strokes of genius come of those. I like to write, I wonder butterflies altogether, BUT I WAS office couch. The Rocket has been so

Catie Clark Editor-in-Chief I think everyone does their best thinking at two different times: when they are taking a shower or when they are taking a dump. While some people choose to waste this valuable time singing pop songs that nobody will remember next week or playing Candy Crush, I argue that some of

to us on the toilet. Don’t you ever wonder if the person who invented Post-It Notes or Vino2Go Wine Sippy Cups ever thought up these ideas while on the toilet? I certainly do. It was during one of these intimate thinking moments, when I happened to be shampooing my hair that I realized I could write for The Rocket. My internal dialogue went something like this, “Oh, this new shampoo smells nice, I wonder if it is what that girl that sits in front of me in class uses? Her hair always smells nice. But it also long and sometimes gets on my desk when I’m trying to do things, which is annoying. Actually, I hope this isn’t the same shampoo. I forgot to pick up The Rocket on Friday so I will grab one

if only journalism majors write for The Rocket? Surely not, maybe I’ll stop by the office and ask when I get there and see if they are looking for writers.” I’m just going to stop the dialogue there because I’m sure I had a 20-minute-long conversation with myself after that, which I frequently do. Anyway, the point to the shampooing story is this, I did stop in the office and talked to the then News Editor, and I started contributing to the news section right away. Seeing my name in print on the front page for the first time gave me butterflies. Like the good kind. Somewhere in between eatingmint-chocolate-ice cream butterflies and kissing-someone-for-the-firsttime butterflies. Or maybe different

EXCITED, OKAY? This was in Fall 2012, and I was a sophomore. Today, as a senior who is graduating in a little over a week, the time seems to have flown by. I still do my best thinking in the bathroom, and I have even been hauling that ugly black dress I’m supposed to wear next Saturday into the bathroom with me when I shower to try to steam the wrinkles out of it. As the Editor-in-Chief of The Rocket, I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. This academic year, The Rocket has won 47 awards and I couldn’t be more proud of the staff for all the hard work they have put in over the year. We are a great big, nontraditional (and at times dysfunctional) family with two adopted monkeys who live on our

much more than a “resume builder” for me. I’ve learned many life lessons, made new friends and been pushed outside my comfort zone to handle certain situations more than I’ll ever care to admit, but it all made me grow into the person I am today. When I’m walking across the stage next weekend, I know I’ll feel prepared for my future with my experiences at The Rocket to thank, I also know I will have some kind of butterflies that I probably can’t describe appropriately, I know I will be having a conversation with myself in my head and probably miss when my name is called, and I know I will be wondering where my next bathroom will be. Great minds need great bathrooms.

embrace of the Senior year brings pay off and thanks The Rocket: a warm depressing art of skepticism

Rebecca Marcucci Campus Life Editor After four years I’m tired of hearing the phrase “get involved.” I would roll my eyes every time but I’ve come to find your classes aren’t even enough on your résumé. It’s the experiences and the organizations you become a part of that will expand your major involvement. But don’t get crazy, or you’ll burn yourself out. I learned that the hard way. But that isn’t what I want to talk about. As I looked back on my very first column in The Rocket, I laughed at my tin grinned headshot and I laughed even harder at my childish mind. I was certainly optimistic about my college experience. I had no idea what I was in for. As a freshman, the two roommates you’re stuck with will talk about pot and their boyfriends, tremendously. So you’ll decide to make new friends and you become that ghostly third roommate. But once they both transfer you’ll decide to live in the cooler dorm with all of your new friends and you’ll commit dormcest by dating someone who lives across the hall from you. It’s what all the cool kids do. As a sophomore you’ll realize you were a wimp your freshman year and you didn’t branch out far enough, so you’ll join any club and organization that fits your

hobbies. By your junior year you’ll realize everyone thinks their organization, class, or cause are the only thing that matters and so you decide you really need to build your résumé, so that logic leads you to joining a sorority. But soon enough you become a nutcase and your life becomes very stressful trying to cram everything in before your senior year. But then writing for The Rocket pays off and you join staff. Senior year becomes a cake walk of procrastination and heartfelt lasts. Last time scheduling for classes, last Boozel breakfast as a student, last time moving out of your apartment, well this sucks. And you’ve realized you’ve made new friends in your last year that you should have known all along and you’re not ready to say goodbye. So goodbye isn’t really for me. I’m not ready to leave. As much as I’d like to play college forever I know I need to be moving on. So with goodbye I’ll say thank you. Thank you to my very first friend at college, my roommate for three years and my best friend Ashley. I couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you to all the upperclassmen who have left for showing me the ropes. Thank you to my professors for instilling me with wisdom, but especially Dr. Harry. Thank you to Dr. Zeltner and The Rocket staff. We’re a weird dysfunctional family, even Eduardo and Sergio. Thank you President Norton. Thank you to all of my friends for walking with me and working through struggles together. Thank you for the Taco Bell runs and the countless whimsy Kelsey. I can smile upon my experiences at Slippery Rock and maybe come back to homecoming as an obnoxious alumna. As for now, rock on SRU. Come on, I couldn’t leave without a rock pun.

understanding of all matter depends on the use of the senses, but the senses are unreliable, so you can’t really know that the condom exists. Skepticism is depressing like that. Pure skepticism is a silly thing, but Socrates practiced Jonathan Janasik it as more reasonable belief. If you don’t know something, News Editor then you shouldn’t act like you In ancient Greece, there was know it. He would walk around a school of thought dedicated Athens and ask everybody to the practice of skepticism. why they did the things that Philosophers rarely agree with they did, as if he was a toddler each other, so the specific fixated on annoying parents beliefs of the skeptics differed by repeatedly asking, “Why?” from person to person. If He was put to death for being taken to the fullest extent, too annoying. So, skepticism skepticism is the belief that was still depressing. it is not possible to know The phrase “rock n’ roll, anything. saved my soul” is romantic. There’s an obvious problem It brings up imagery of barwith this belief. If you believe hopping while riding on a that you can’t know anything, motorcycle and being covered then it’s impossible know that in the smell of cigarette smoke. you can’t know anything. It’s a I’d like to say that skepticism contradiction. helped me get through college More importantly, the more than anything else. skeptics were probably seen There’s no cool way to say that, as being complete idiots. I so I didn’t even attempt to use imagine some skeptic guy alliteration. getting ready to have sex. His When I came to college, I ladyfriend asks him if he has was an incompetent geology a condom, and even though major. Nobody ever said, “If he has one he says, “Nobody you stay a geology major, knows.” He misses out on sex you’re not going to get a job because he wanted to prove because you suck.” I honestly some bullshit metaphysical wish that somebody would point about how our have said that. If you don’t

question yourself, you can end up living a life without contributing anything of value. I took an introductory philosophy class in my freshman year and it initially ruined my life. I just began to question everything. I lost my girlfriend, I quit my major, and I had to see a therapist. I realize that this sounds like I’m telling a joke, but it’s true. I took Socrates’ skepticism to heart, and it broke me. Not being able to be certain about anything is terrifying. Looking back, it was for the best because it saved me from embarrassing myself in several science classes that I simply didn’t understand. If that sounds worse than being a skeptic, then why not join The Rocket? You get to ask people questions that they may not answer. Better yet, you can ask questions that you personally find interesting. People grow up being trained that they shouldn’t ask questions because their parents are the ultimate authority. That’s poppycock, asking questions is something that should be celebrated. Free yourself from that childish way of thinking, become a reporter. There is literally no reason to not write for The Rocket. Think about it.

B-3

May 2,

Head coach, George Mihalik, cheers in triumph with his team after a great victory.

hether it was on the grass, the track, the turf or the court, Slippery Rock University’s athletic programs saw a number of championships, playoff runs and program firsts this past year. Reaching a few of these marks was the football team. The program won the PSAC-West title and made it to their first NCAA playoff game since 1999. Head coach George Mihalik continues to lead the team to success year after year. Another head coach that has consistent success at SRU is John Papa. Papa led the women’s indoor track and field team to another PSAC Championship this year. Other highlights include the women’s soccer team making it into the Sweet-Sixteen of the NCAA playoffs, the men’s soccer team winning the PSAC Championship and professional scouts meeting with baseball head coach Jeff Messer’s shortstop, Will Kengor. These moments brought out strong emotions from players, coaches and fans. - Kristin Karam & Matthew Morgan

Senior short stop, Will Kengor, fields a groundball.

Freshman defender, Marissa Scullin, and senior defender, Lauren Impey, celebrates after a goal.

B-4

, 2014

Sophmore mildfielder, Erin Wilcox, fights for a goal during her lacrosse game.

Senior guard, Sa'Quan Davis, drives towards the basket in a game against Seton Hill University.

Bronte Soul launches herself into the air during her long jump event.

Declan Brennan counsels his teammate Brandon Chiu after a devistating loss. Photos by: Alex Mowrey/Photo Editor and Becca Dietrich/Assistant Photo Editor Design: Alex Mowrey/Photo Editor

May 2, 2014

B-5

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COMIC Spaghett Kat

By Jack Johnehsick

Spaghett Kat! I‛m your biggest fan! I‛ve been searching for you all year.

I love you. Will you come live with me?

I‛ve got to finish what began a long time ago.

I understand. Take my rocket ship.

Nope.

COMIC

Farewell! I‛ll never forget you!

Horoscopes Today's Birthday (05/02/14). List your talents, skills and accomplishments by passion level. Where would you like to be by your next birthday? Disciplined attention to partnerships pays off this year. Enjoy a communications hot streak until July 16. After that, your focus draws closer to home. Schedule family time, renovations and artistic endeavors. Explore what you love. To get the advantage, check the day's rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

Pasteh Kitty. I knew that I could never trust you. You stole my spaghetti. This ends now.

Justice is not black and white.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) -- Today is a 7 -- A hunch could get profitable. You can get what you need. Finish old business, and chart out a new direction (in detail). Peaceful productivity behind closed doors satisfies. It feels so good to get stuff off your list... leave it empty for a bit.

the rocket

SPLAT!

Cancer (June 21-July 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Avoid distraction and procrastination for a while. Reward yourself later. Plan and scheme in detail. Delegate tasks to team members, and ensure strong communications structures. Inspire by example. Pay attention to a loved one's point of view. Schedule necessary actions.

You destroyed the spaghetti. How could you?

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Networking and schmoozing helps your career and advances your agenda. It's a good day to be social. Get involved with a community project together with friends. Schedule meetings. Moderate a clash between normally gentle souls. Clean up messes as you go. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- Today is an 8 -- Travel beckons. Expand your influence and seek new territory. Find alternate routes, just in case. Leave your schedule flexible for unexpected detours. Take on a challenge. Practice makes perfect, and your goal is exemplary service and quality. Leave them wanting more.

My name is Spaghett Kat. I died because of my love for Spaghetti. The very thing that my identity is centered around killed me.

If you love something, you become vulnerable. It will end up killing you.

We rebuild.

He‛s dead.

I completely disagree with your philosophy. I’m going to eat it.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) -- Today is a 7 -- Home holds your attention. Invest in ease and comfort. Take time for love, romance and creativity. Provide emotional support to one who could use it. Play with family and friends. Initiate a creative challenge, and get lost on a quest. Games and diversions delight. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Make household decisions, and improve a situation that's been bugging you. Neatness counts double. Interior decoration or organizational infrastructure projects satisfy. Research options before spending. Comparison-shopping pays off. Find what you need close to home. Tend your garden with love. (c)2014 BY NANCY BLACK DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Munch munch munch!

Don‛t look. It‛s gruesome. And now I‛m all alone on the moon.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) -- Today is an 8 -- There's plenty of work, and it could seem overwhelming. Remember your partners, and negotiate how to best collaborate. Share talents, and each one comes away with more. Delegate the stuff you enjoy least. Consult experts. Save your time for what you love. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Today is a 7 -- The pace quickens. The great work you've been doing reflects well on you. You're attracting attention, both for business and personal affairs. Express your passion without reserve. Dive into your projects with energy and enthusiasm, and reap rewards. Include exercise, good food and deep rest.

Hmmm, what do you expect us to do now then?

I realized that you shouldn’t love anything.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Take inventory of your assets, and discover more than you thought. Chart your direction, and include a vacation or escape. Map the route and make reservations. Budget to include adventure and unforgettable experiences with beloved people. Dream big. Add some romance to your agenda. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) -- Today is a 7 -- Respond to a passionate call to action. Review resources with your partner. Compromise, and focus on strategy. Prepare for negotiations. Don't let a windfall slip from your fingers. Consider an investment in your education. Play by the book. Prayer and meditation are powerful tools.

I‛m sorry. This had to be done.

the rocket

Taurus (April 20-May 20) -- Today is a 7 -- You're in your element, and it's getting profitable. Bask in glory as you rake in the dough. Keep track of expenses. Household changes seem easier to accomplish. Don't spend on treats until checks clear and the bills are paid. Then share a simple feast.

the rocket

Aries (March 21-April 19) -- Today is a 7 -- Conserve resources and save money. Study and explore new financial opportunities. Choose projects that include practicing an art or talent. A solution to an old problem becomes obvious. Review the manual before taking anything apart. Suddenly everything makes sense.

What are you going to do? Kill me for taking your spaghetti? That is not justice!

Perhaps I deserve isolation. I‛ve pushed away everyone who cares about me.

I never thought I‛d say this, but...

I may need to rethink my life. I never thought I‛d say this, but...

If doing what you love kills you, the real way that I should live my life is by doing what I hate! I’m going to be a changed kat! I’m going to hang out with Prissy Kitty, I’m going to read Pasteh Kitty comics, I’m going to play sports, make friends, I’m going to learn about spider jurisdiction!

ZZZzzz

After a quick nap.

Jack Johnehsick‛s award-winning comic Spaghett Kat has everybody talking! The Society of Professional Jonathan Janasik screams, “This Journalists raves “Rendering in is a fantastic goof and a spoof of Bruce Janasik not very well articulated, but the the classic comic Peanuts! Who chants, “I‛d like to content is clearly understood.” knew that replacing Snoopy with read it.” a cat could change the context of so many cliché jokes?”

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May 2, 2014

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S SPORTS

INSIDE SPORTS

Online Exclusive The SRU baseball team competed in the PSAC playoﬀs Thursday afternoon. For full story coverage, see our website. Visit theonlinerocket.com

SRU Lacrosse The SRU lacrosse team ended their season with a loss to Lock Haven University on last Sunday.

See page C-2.

Rock senior awaits MLB draft By Ryan Barlow Rocket Contributor

As the Major League Baseball draft approaches on June 5, Slippery Rock University senior and All-American shortstop, Will Kengor, will be awaiting a phone call informing him that he has been selected to join a Major League organization. Kengor’s career at SRU has been filled with awards and several other honors, but his road to becoming a dominant Division II baseball player, and arguably the best all-around player in the PSAC, has been a long one. Kengor was cut from his high school baseball team at Central Catholic his freshman year, causing him to throw away almost everything that he owned that had to do with baseball. He promised himself that he would never touch that stuff again. However, Kengor decided he couldn’t simply just walk away from his favorite sport. He practiced that entire summer and he was able to earn a varsity roster spot his sophomore year. His junior year at Central Catholic he was able to lead his team in hitting with a .442 batting average. After his junior year, Kengor signed a letter of intent to play baseball at Duquesne University, but midway through his senior year Duquesne’s head coach called him and told him that their baseball program had been cut. “I started to freak out a little bit,” Kengor said. “Luckily, one of my coaches from Central Catholic played at Slippery Rock and put me in contact with Coach Messer.” Kengor visited SRU for the first time the summer following his senior year, and he immediately liked what he saw. After a tour, his parents convinced him that Slippery Rock was a perfect fit. After starting just six games at shortstop his freshman year, Kengor came back and earned a role as the everyday starting shortstop. That season, he had a .336 batting average, 31 RBIs, and that was just a preview of what was to come. In his junior year, Kengor ALEX MOWREY/THE ROCKET

Will Kengor throws out a runner at ﬁrst base during a matchup against the University of Pitt-Johnstown on April 19.

SEE KENGOR, PAGE C-3

Rock softball loss to Vulcans ends playoff hopes By Brian Hepﬁnger Rocket Contributor

The Slippery Rock University softball team (16-26 Overall, 11-16 PSAC) ended their season with a 16-1 loss to California University of Pa. (30-4 Overall, 23-0 PSAC) Monday. The two teams faced each other two days prior with Cal winning both games of the doubleheader. Cal dominated all three of the matchups, scoring a total of 38 runs in the three games. Cal won the two games of the doubleheader 11-1 and 11-3. Cal opened up the 16-1 win by scoring eight runs in the first inning. They then scored another five runs in the second inning, two runs in the third inning, and then capped it off with another run in the fifth inning. The Rock scored their only run in the second inning, when freshman catcher McKenzie Popatak hit a solo homerun to left-center field. SRU senior pitcher Emily Lobdell was tagged with the loss, giving her an overall season record of 9-11. SRU had a chance to sneak into the playoffs before the game against Cal, but a series of other losses made that chance very slim. The Green and White swept Edinboro University of Pa. last Friday, but then got swept by Cal and Indiana University of Pa. on Saturday and Sunday.

“When you’re playing California, who is a nationally ranked team with multiple girls hitting over .400, your whole team needs to be focused and ready to play those games like they’re the last games you’re ever going to play,” junior outfielder Alaynna Beers said. Even though Cal dominated SRU in all three matchups, Popatak doesn’t believe that the team did anything wrong. “We knew that Cal and IUP were really tough teams,” Popatak said. “We played as hard as we could and we played together, but we came up short.” The Green and White, like this season, won 16 games last season and missed the playoffs. This season, SRU was led by underclassmen and a few upperclassmen. Sophomore third baseman Ashley Samluk led the team in batting average with .355, freshman outfielder Eliza Sykes was second with an average of .297, and Beers was third with an average of .275. “All in all I thought we had a very strong team this year,” Beers said. “Unfortunately, we did hit a rough patch with our offense that caused us to lose some important PSAC games that knocked us out of the playoffs. Next year I expect us to be even stronger since we will have many of our starters

REBECCA DIETRICH/THE ROCKET

Senior Emily Lobdell pitches to a Mercyhurst batter during their matchup on April 17. Lobdell had a record of 9-11 in 2014.

returning.” Samluk led the team with 44 hits, sophomore infielder Katie Kaiser had 35 hits, Beers had 33 hits, and Popatak had 30 hits. “It was an amazing learning experience and I am very fortunate for the opportunity I had to play on this team,” Popatak said. “We had amazing

teammates and a great group of seniors to really mentor us as freshmen and take us in. Even though we didn’t make playoffs, I was very grateful for the experience that I had.” The Rock played well at home this season, but struggled away. They had a record of 17-11 at home and a 7-22 away record.

SPORTS

C-2

May 2, 2014

Women's lacrosse ends season against Lock Haven By Matthew Morgan Assistant Sports Editor

ALEX MOWREY/THE ROCKET

Sophomore Anna-Marie Warrington looks to score against Millersville University on April 18. Warrington had 10 goals and 11 assists this season.

Ranked seventh in the nation, the Lock Haven Eagles (15-2, 11-1 PSAC) cruised to their 13th straight win last Sunday with a dominating win over Slippery Rock (6-11, 3-9 PSAC) by a final score of 25-6. The Eagles exploded out of the gates with 11 straight goals in the first 10 minutes of play. Junior midfielder Kelly Hamilton and redshirt-junior midfielder Jessica Pandolf each had three goals for Lock Haven during that span. Junior attacker Paige Costatino scored two unassisted goals for SRU within 90 seconds of each other. "I am a person with a lot of perseverance and I am hard working," Costatino said. "Each season I try to be better than the last." Lock Haven answered back quickly with six more goals to enter halftime with a 17-2 lead over SRU. The 17 goals given up in the first half is the highest since SRU gave up 19 goals in one half against West Chester University in 2008. The Eagles took the initiative to strike first yet again with two goals in the second half to raise their lead to 19-2. Costatino responded with her third goal of the game, the Rock now trailed by 16 goals, 19-3.

LHU delivered another flurry of goals, this time totaling at three, to give themselves a 19 goal lead, their largest of the game. For the remaining 13 minutes of the contest the two teams took turns exchanging goals back and forth, three times in total. Junior attacker Jess Verbic scored initially for SRU followed by a goal by the Eagles. Senior attacker Morgan Pettit scored the final two goals for SRU which were equalized by two more Lock Haven goals, bringing the final score to a lopsided 25-6 Eagle victory. S ophomore Han na h Houde received the loss for SRU after letting up 17 goals in the first half. S ophomore Jordan Wagner entered the game following halftime and allowed eight goals. Pettit rounds out her fourth year at SRU tied for second in the record books with 57 goals this season. Thanks to her successful four year career at Slippery Rock she also tied for third in career goals with 112. "I never thought I would ever actually be up there," Pettit said. It is very exciting though to know that I will now leave something to be remembered for." Defender Kaitlyn Hafdell and midfielder L acey Allis also brought their collegiate lacrosse careers to an end on Saturday. "We will need to have more players that are goal

scorers," Costatino said. "We will also need people to step up on defense and be impactful because that is also going to be another key for us to be successful next year." Since its establishment in 2007, the SRU women's lacrosse team has compiled an overall record of 49-86. T h e pro g r am we nt winless in its first two years of participation (0-34). Under head coach Emily Hopkins, the team has slowly improved from year to year. Since she took over the program in 2008 the team has won 49 games and lost 69. Hopkins took a 2008 program that went 0-17 and turned it into a 12-5 team in 2012. One of the only areas that the Slippery Rock Un i v e r s i t y w o m e n ' s lacrosse team has yet to find any success, however is maneuvering their way into the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference playoffs. SRU will enter the 2015 season in pursuit of their first playoff berth, something that the entire staff and roster are eager to accomplish. "The program will have a lot returning players which will be a huge advantage," Pettit said. "If everyone individually focuses on the little things in the off season, as a team they can work on the bigger picture. No doubt they can do better next season."

Sterling's racist remarks earn him life-long ban and fine

Steven Bartley "View from the Cheap Seats" Steven Bartley is a senior journalism major and a regular contributor to The Rocket.

Los Angeles Clippers owner, Donald Sterling, recently made racist comments towards African-American people. There is a tape-recording of Sterling making racist comments. First off, racism in today’s world should and will not be tolerated. Sterling’s comments show that money still comes before everything. Although we are far removed from slavery, Sterling was kind of running his business like an old plantation. It's like his mindset was, "I don’t like the people that are running my land, but they sure are making me a lot of money." Did Sterling not realize what league he was in? The NBA is predominately AfricanAmerican. His comments are some of the dumbest I have ever come across in sports. The conversation was private, but sometimes it’s a means to an end. Not only was his comment dumb, his supposed mistress is the one that turned him in. Allegedly, she didn’t turn over the tape. The NBA players have done

a wonderful job of handling themselves throughout this process. The players were outspoken and didn’t resort to anything irrational. Snoop Dogg's comments were a little far-fetched. The players were able to show unity black or white. The players united, and that is the way it should have been. I applaud them for that, because this could have turned into one of the ugliest things in sports history. I dread to think what former commissioner David Stern knew or even what his ruling would have been. This is not Sterling's first walk around the block with racism. The Department of Justice previously sued Sterling because he would use race as a factor for filling in apartment buildings. He would not rent to African-Americans in certain neighborhoods. The report is that Sterling settled out of court with a $2.7 million fine. He also had to pay lawyer fees that were close to $5 million. In 2009, Sterling was also sued by a Clipper executive and former NBA player, Elgin Baylor. He felt he was being mistreated because of his race and age. He claimed that Sterling said he wanted poor black players from the south with a white head coach. What took the league so long to see this issue? How much did David Stern know? All of this was happening right under his nose and he let it go. I find it amazing that a commissioner can be that naïve. League commissioners are almost laughable in every

PHOTO COURTESY OF MCT CAMPUS

Los Angeles Clippers owner, Donald Sterling, shows a sign of disgust during a Clippers game. Sterling was recently banned from the NBA and ﬁned $2.5 million by NBA commissioner Adam Silver.

league. Gary Bettman of the NHL has had two lockouts during his regime. The NFL's commissioner, Roger Goodell, does not know what football is anymore, and MLB commissioner, Bud Selig, has seen his legacy shaped by the different steroid scandals. New NBA commissioner, Adam Silver, let the entire league know on April 29, that the NBA is his league and he

won’t put up with racism. The world got a glimpse of what a real commissioner looks like. Silver banned Sterling for life and fined him $2.5 million. He received a lot of praise across the board from the league. Silver will also push for Sterling to sell the team. He set a precedent, he acted quickly and appropriately, and again I applaud him for that. I wonder, along with Silver

being a lawyer, if his upbringing helped with decision. Silver is Jewish, and although race and religion are two different things, they can both garner hate. I think Silver was able to look upon the history of Judaism and the spread of hate to make a decision along with it being a moral human rights issue. This story will be interesting moving forward.

SPORTS

May 2, 2014

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Kengor leaves lasting mark at SRU Women's track set for outdoor PSACs Kristin Karam Sports Editor

ALEX MOWREY/THE ROCKET

Will Kengor gets a hit against the University of Pitt-Johnstown on April 19. Kengor hit .415 with 30 RBIs this season.

Continued from Page C 1

PHOTO COURTESY OF BARB KENGOR

A young Will Kengor poses for his little league baseball team.

exploded with a .448 batting average and led the PSAC with 77 hits. His impressive numbers were enough to earn him AllAmerican honors, as well an invitation to the Cal Ripken Summer Baseball League. That summer, he had a .316 batting average to go along with five triples, 11 doubles, one homerun and 27 RBIs. “I was just able to hit the ball really well that year,” Kengor said. “I hit a lot of hard line drives that were just able to get through.” Kengor’s senior year was just as impressive. He posted a .415 batting average during the regular season with a total of 71 hits. “Will has just gotten better every year,” SRU head coach Jeff Messer said. “He’s done everything possible here. Between his leadership as our captain and his attitude off the field he is certainly going to be missed greatly. We don’t exactly have a replacement for him because you just don’t have players come along like that very often.” Many major league scouts have come to watch Kengor play this year, and many others have contacted him. “I’ve gotten letters from the Yankees, Blue Jays, Rockies, and many others,” Kengor said. “I’ve met with the Cubs and I’ve seen a guy from the Pirates organization at games a few times but I haven’t actually talked to him. It would definitely be nice to get drafted by them because Pittsburgh is where I’m from.” The MLB draft takes place on June 5, and will last till June 7. Kengor is eagerly waiting for the phone call that will inform him that his dream of playing professional baseball is about to come true.

The Slippery Rock women’s track and field team added 24 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) qualifying marks at the Ashland Open this past weekend to help their chances at sweeping championship titles for the 2013-2014 year. “We have a good amount of big meet experience and our athletes can perform well under pressure,” SRU head coach John Papa said. “We will compete at a high level and focus this week.” At Ashland, junior Katelyn Wetzel took first in the 100-meter dash with a time of 12.29 seconds. Wetzel, freshman Julie Galante, sophomore Emily Moroco, and sophomore Jasmine Bailey combined to run the fastest 4x100 meter relay time in the PSAC this year at 47.24 seconds. The time earned the four a first place finish. SRU’s 4x400 meter relay team of Moroco, Galante, Bailey and sophomore Cassandra Swartzbaugh placed second with a time of 3:56.61. Rounding off the highlights on the track was junior Janine Powis with a second place finish in the 800-meter run at 2:17.70. “With conference right around the corner, a lot of us are working on fixing

the little things,” sophomore Samantha Taylor said. “Our health is probably the number one priority right now. We all want to feel the best we can so we can perform to the best of our abilities at PSACs.” Taylor has consistently been hitting NCAA marks this season in the javelin throw and expects to perform well at the PSAC Championships. “I still like to have fun at practice, but when the time comes to buckle down and be serious, I am,” Taylor said. The SRU athletes have been pushing each other all season in hopes of winning back-toback titles. “We have several quality athletes qualified for the PSAC,” Papa said. “We should be one of the teams that finish in the top few spots.” In the high jump, sophomore Ashley West took third at 1.65 meters, sophomore Paige Kassab placed fourth at 1.60 meters and freshman Sabrina Anderson took seventh at 1.60 meters. Freshman Bronte Soul finished third in the triple jump with a leap of 11.19 meters. “Ashland was a good tune-up for us,” Papa said. “The weather held some of our athletes back but they’re all saving their best performances for this weekend.” The PSAC Championships will be held at Shippensburg University May 1 to May 3.

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May 2, 2014

Soak up some courses at

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May 2, 2014

INSIDE CAMPUS LIFE

Free Fallin'

The Best and Worst of Met Gala Fashion Rock 'N Fashion columnist Katie Ellis explores the history of the Met Gala and looks at the future of the institute.

An SRU student takes a leap of faith from 13,500 feet in the air. Read on to find out more about her firsthand experience.

See Page D-2

CAMPUS LIFE

See Page D-2

Juicy J and Wale perform for a sold out crowd

REBECCA DIETRICH/ THE ROCKET Wale reaches into the crowd of students during his performance, showing his devotion to his fans. The hip-hop star credits his fans for being the inspiration behind his music.

By Kristin Karam Sports Editor

Saggy pants, half-naked women, drug and alcohol abuse, violence and explicit content are just some of the stereotypes that plague the hiphop industry. Kevin Woods, also known as Chevy Woods, began his journey into the industry alongside his friend Cameron Thomaz (Wiz Khalifa). The pair, along with several other artists, are part of the Taylor Gang record label. Taylor Gang began as a fan base network but eventually expanded into a record label. Khalifa’s career took off after the release of “Black and Yellow” in 2011. He released several mixtapes prior to the hit song, but the tribute to

Pittsburgh caught national attention and threw him into the spotlight. Woods and Khalifa have kept a close relationship throughout their breakouts into mainstream success. “We started off together,” Woods said. “It didn’t matter if something happened for me or something happened for him. I’m happy for him and I’m supportive of everything he’s doing. I have a new single out now, so he’s supporting me. Taylor Gang is everything.” Being able to get into the mainstream in any genre is a difficult task. Artists spend hours writing songs, performing at local venues, promoting themselves and doing everything they can to get the right people to notice them. Olubowale Akintimein, better known as Wale, also fought through some of the same struggles

that upcoming artists experience. “You have to lead the way and be your own biggest critic,” Wale said. “You have to invest in yourself.” Wale and Chevy Woods were brought together this past weekend, along with Juicy J (Jordan Houston) and BAS (Abbas Hamad), by the Slippery Rock University Program Board for the university’s spring concert. Universities across the nation bring in artists to perform for students and many artists use the opportunity as a time to better connect with fans. “On a smaller stage, it’s more intimate,” Woods said. “I just try to get the whole crowd into it.” Woods briefly attended Robert Morris SEE RAP, PAGE D-2

"Laundry and Bourbon," "Lone Star" have rocky start, but keep audience laughing By Janelle Wilson Rocket Contributor

The Slippery Rock Department of The atre broug ht James McLure’s comp anion plays “Laundry and Bourbon” and “Lone Star” to the stage this week, but it didn’t get there without some difficulty. “Laundry and Bourbon” and “Lone Star” are both one-scene plays taking on two perspectives of the same story. Both take place in rural Texas and focus on the dynamic relationship of married high school sweethearts, Elizabeth and Roy, who can’t move on from the glory days of their past and into their less-than-glorious present. Director Dr. David Skeele brought “Laundry and Bourbon” and “Lone Star” to the stage after the good response his students had to the plays in his acting class. He said that among themes of war, relationships, and religion, the prominent theme of “Laundry and Bourbon” and

“Lone Star” is the crippling effect nostalgia has on people and their relationships. In “Laundry and Bourbon,” Elizabeth waits on her porch for her husband, Roy, to come home in the pink Mustang convertible that he’s had since high school. She explains to her best friend Hattie that she tolerates Roy’s flighty nature because of how he used to make her feel when they were dating. In “Lone Star,” we see a drunken Roy at Angel’s bar reflecting on his glory days of high school after someone wrecked his infamous convertible. “Nostalgia has a very toxic effect on people,” Skeele said. “People try so hard to relive the glory days of their past, that it destroys their perception of the present.” S k e e l e s a i d t h e bi g g e s t struggle of directing the plays was the unexpected illness of SEE ROCHOW, PAGE D-2

REBECCA DIETRICH/THE ROCKET Hattie, played by Kaitlin Cliber, in a drunken fight over an air conditioning vent with Amy Lee, portrayed by Ally Kryl in "Laundry and Bourbon". Follow this QR code to check out this online exclusive to meet the cast and get a back stage tour of the production, "Laundry and Bourbon" and "Lone Star."

CAMPUS LIFE

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The Met: Hollywood Glamour

Katie Ellis "ROCK'n Fashion"

"Jimmy G's Rock Reviews"

2.5 Stars Jimmy Graner is a junior journalism major and film and media studies minor and a regular contributor to The Rocket. PHOTO COURTESY OF MCT CAMPUS Jessica Biel in Prada and Justin Timberlake in Tom Ford make a handsome couple at the Costume Institute Gala.

both good and bad. Just last year at the “Punk: Chaos to Couture” exhibition, Jennifer Lawrence gracefully made her way up the Met’s steps in a navy tealength Dior dress, adorned with black sequined embroidery, and accessorized with sky-high black heels, and matching black netted veil. Lawrence was one of the night’s best dressed, even though she decided to go against the theme, unlike Nicki Minaj who unexpectedly played it safe in her cut-out Tommy Hilfiger column gown. The only eye-catching part of her ensemble was her tightly curled, unruly blonde locks. Wearing a sheer black vintage Valentino dress with feather accents put a blonde Anne Hathaway at the top of the fashion pack that year, as did Jessica Biel’s black Giambattista Valli gown with a long train, and short front hemline, exposing a pair of spider webinspired pants. Gwyneth Paltrow’s sparkling nude Stella McCartney column dress with thigh-slit and low back was one of the highlights from the “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty” even in 2011. Unfortunately, the black and gold embroidered Emilio Pucci mermaidstyle gown that Beyoncé wore to the same event suffered in the style department, as a result of her inability to maneuver the stairs in it. The Met Gala’s theme for Monday night’s high-profile event signifies a return to the glamorous exhibitions held in years past, like “Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years” and “The House of Chanel” presentations held in 2001 and 2004, respectively. As guests arrive in their tailcoats and ball gowns on what will likely be the most fashionable Cinco de Mayo in history, fashion critics will be waiting to see whose interpretation of the theme reigned supreme, and whose fell short of expectations.

Rap artists stay grounded throughout musical success Continued from Page D 1

University before pursuing his career as a hip-hop artist. The rapper received many calls from former college friends during RMU’s tournament game against the University of Kentucky last year. “I’m fairly well-removed from college but it was cool,” Woods said. “My friend was like ‘Yo, are you watching the game?’ and he was surprised I said yes.” The connection that artists have with their fans helps to keep them inspired and enjoying what they do. “My connection with the consumer and the real fans runs deep,” Wale said. “I’m very connected to them, for better or worse.” Wale said that he uses his connection with the fans as inspiration when he’s working on new tracks.

'Under the Skin': A racy sci-ﬁ fantasy

Jimmy Graner

Katie Ellis is a junior journalism major and a regular contributor to The Rocket. Football has the Super Bowl, hockey has the Stanley Cup, and fashion has the Costume Institute Gala. While no trophies are handed out at the Costume Institute Gala, or Met Gala as it's better known, this event is the ultimate celebration of fashion, even more so than the Oscars red carpet or Fashion Week. On Monday, May 5, fashion’s and Hollywood’s most elite stars will be walking up the iconic crimson steps leading to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, in designer creations aligned with this year’s theme “Charles James: Beyond Fashion.” Those in attendance will be expected to follow the strict White Tie dress code established by event co-chair, Anna Wintour, who has been a major supporter of the Met since 1999. This year’s Gala also marks the transition of the Costume Institute to the Anna Wintour Costume Center to honor her commitment to the institute, and to recognize the $125 million she has raised to support their dedication to the arts, according to Time. First Lady Michelle Obama will be in attendance at the event, and will deliver a speech before the ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the famed editor. Men will be expected to wear tailcoats, vests, and sharp white bow ties, to look like gentlemen from the James era. The women will be arriving in exquisitely tailored ball gowns, reminiscent of the designs that he created between the early 1930s and the late 1950s. Two of James’ most famous creations are the “Taxi dress” that was named for its quick-change capability in the back of a moving cab, and the “Butterfly ball gown,” a column gown with a voluminous half-skirt that trails behind the dress. Many A-list women also come as guests of their favorite designers to the event, dressed in custom gowns created specifically for them. In the past, Diane Kruger has accompanied Jason Wu in one of his designs, and Emma Stone has been the esteemed guest of Lanvin’s Alber Elbaz on a few different occasions, to the Gala which costs $25,000 a person to attend. While many of the attendees’ attire fits the theme of the event, there have been a number of rule breakers in the past that have turned heads for reasons

May 2, 2014

Both Woods and Wale said that they try to ignore the negative stereotypes that people place on the hip-hop industry. “I think assumption is the worst thing,” Woods said. “I think [critics] don’t know any better. There’s a lot going on, legal and illegal, but it’s a lot of work to do what we do. I just try to do what’s right, stay grounded and stay positive.” Wale agreed with Woods and said that he feels that critics often use the negativity to benefit themselves. “They use it when it’s convenient,” Wale said. “They use it to sell cheeseburgers and computers and stuff like that. You have to take it with a grain of salt.” The industry, like many others, will always have its critics but artists are continuing to break down barriers and fight their way to the top.

The science fiction genre in the movie industry is by far a crowd pleaser when it comes to telling a made up story. The writers and directors can bring to life some of the most imaginative thoughts that some of us wish already prevailed. For most of us though, it’s experiencing the idea that alien life forms exist. In most cases, they come to take over our planet, or at least try to. Whatever the reason may be, the ability to explain this, is what gives us the drive to want more. “Under the Skin”, a film by Jonathan Glazer, does the complete opposite. We are introduced to a character by the name of Laura (Scarlett Johansson). After a bizarre opening scene, we learn that Laura uses the human skin of a deceased woman to disguise herself from her true form. From there, we find a man who we learn later is also an alien, packing a white van, which will act as Laura’s way of transportation for her duties. Her task at hand is to find male figures and persuade them into thinking that she is looking for a booty call. With that idea implanted in their minds, she leads them into a dark living space, where as she undresses, puts them in a type of trance. Once completely vulnerable, they follow her as she leads them into a pool of black ooze. And from there, she continues on her way, finding new prey. The synopsis of the film is as follows, “An alien seductress preys upon

PHOTO COURTESY OF MCT CAMPUS Scarlett Johansson plays alien seductress, Laura, in her latest film, "Under the Skin."

hitchhikers in Scotland”. For about the first forty-five minutes, the film is just that. We follow one person as she embarks on a duty of what seems to have no rewards or punishments. There are no action scenes, no futuristic CGI, or even a somewhat comedic phrase to laugh upon. To make matters worse, some sequences contain little to no language whatsoever. One must rely solely on the music being played, to explain the mood in the room. The acting of Johansson however negates the negativity. I mean, this is the Black Widow (The Avengers) we’re talking about, even if most of the scenes are of her posing or interacting with something. She’s able to stray our feelings of remorse and distraught even after performing a ruthless act. She is the reason we’re still keeping track of what’s going on in the story. Although it sounds like I’m insulting the overall idea behind the film, it’s important to look at it from an artistic side. To feel grief for another living thing, even though it’s your job not to care, is truly remarkable. We all have a job we either like or dislike. But how we do each task, no matter what the outcome may be is always up to us, and that’s why adapting to more than one thing is so important. Under the Skin gives us an explanation to understand if what we’re doing in the end is the best and only option.

Rochow portrays the role of the intoxicated husband, Roy Continued from Page D 1

the original actor who was supposed to play Roy. Four days before the show, Skeele asked Ethan Rochow to step in for the role of Roy. Rochow, an acting major, 24, said that when he was approached for the role, he devoted any time he could to memorizing lines. “I just kept saying to myself, ‘oh my God, I don’t know if I can do this,'” he laughed. “When the time came, it just went, and it was great.” Stage manager Kyle Andreas, theatre design and technology major, 21, faced the challenge of the entire set being redesigned for safety issues. Andreas said that one of the main issues with the redesign was that the actors had to wait a week for the set to be finished, and they didn’t get as much practice with the set as they could have. Skeele said the plays, which originally aired in 1979, have cont roversial t hemes t hat playwrights today couldn’t get away with, including the use of racial slurs, and the comic portrayal of the effects of posttraumatic stress disorder. “I think the trick to using these sensitive subjects in a way that isn’t offensive is to create characters who are so

sympathetic and innocent that you don’t focus on the darker parts of their character,” Skeele said. Rochow said that Roy was his favorite character he has ever played because of the creative freedom that he had in portraying drunkenness. The drunken scenes between Roy and his younger brother, Ray, were very well received by the audience and got a lot of laughs. This was especially true when Roy requested Ray’s help in reenacting his missions in Vietnam. “Ray is my favorite character in 'Lone Star' because, though he is an adult, he sees the world through child’s eyes,” Skeele said. “Even when he reveals his infidelity with his brother’s wife, you can tell it came from a very innocent place.” The audience also responded well to Kaitlin Cliber’s portrayal of Elizabeth’s best friend, and mother of three, Hattie in “Laundr y and Bourbon.” Rochow said that Hattie was his favorite character because of her over-dramatized persona. “The hardest part of directing i s m a k i ng you r au d i e n c e understand your characters and their relationships,” Skeele said. “The cast barely broke a sweat in achieving those relationships, and were very believable.”

May 2, 2014

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By Courtney Moats Rocket Contributor

Skydiving seems to be a popular item on many people’s never felt braver. “Ready, set, go!” bucket list and it certainly was at the top of my own list of And with those simple instructions, my things to do before I die. However never did I imagine crossing one of the staple items on my bucket list off just shortly before instructor and I began our 90 second free fall at 13,500 feet traveling approximately 120 mph. graduating college The surge that was soaring through my body was It was March 15, 2014 when my boyfriend Perry, a recent Slippery Rock graduate, asked me to take a leap of faith with nothing like the stomach drop of a roller coaster; him… literally. Perry surprised me with two skydiving tickets it was much bigger than that. The adrenaline was out of this world. As fast as we were traveling, it for Skydive Pennsylvania in Grove City, Pa. “Let’s do it,” Perry said with enthusiasm. We had always felt as if time and the rest of world were standing talked about the idea of skydiving, and like most, we had spent still. I never felt more a considerable alive. amount of time just After the minute chalking it off as and a half of pure something on our intensity, my bucket list that we instructor pulled may or may not get the parachute open to eventually. and I spent the next However, even ten minutes or so in with the skydiving complete bliss. Not tickets now in hand, wanting to waste a I spent the next second, I didn’t even month or so with want to blink. The the casual idea that view was absolutely the day was drawing beautiful. As we nearer for me to be floated through the jumping out of a air, my instructor plane at 13,500 feet. pointed out Slippery It was March Rock, Grove City 27, 2014 when and even Moraine reality sunk in. As State park. He Perry and I pulled encouraged me to into the parking look up, look down lot of Skydive and look ahead and Pennsylvania we PHOTO COURTESY OF COURTNEY MOATS to soak everything were greeted by the Courtney Moats, 21, a senior Public Relations major, crossed skydiving off of her bucket list as she and a tandem-jumper leapt out of a in, so I did just friendly staff and plane 13,500 feet above the ground. that. I don’t think I I was immediately surprised as to how casual the entire process was. I expected have ever smiled so much in my life. When you are in the sky a lengthy training with detailed rules, regulations and safety floating through the air, it’s so peaceful and surreal; it’s unlike procedures, but in reality, our initiation process was far anything else in this world. I found a true appreciation for life simpler. Perry and I watched a short video about the process during my time in the sky. Our landing was smooth, my instructor told me to of skydiving as we initialed and signed every dotted kick up my legs and we glided in a seated position line and then one of the staff members talked to into the landing area, again I was amazed at us for just a few minutes about some of the how easy the whole process was. diving procedure. With the sun beaming on our backs, “Cross your arms and kick your we unfastened our harnesses and took tandem-jumper in the butt… oh, off our helmets and goggles. My eyes and don’t forget to breathe,” the immediately swelled with tears, I staff member told us. Perry and was completely overwhelmed with I nervously chuckled at how emotions at what had just happened, nonchalant her instructions were. it was a feeling not like any other. Perry and I joined ten others on After just a few short minutes, the plane. As I climbed up the rungs Perry landed behind me and I ran of the ladder, I didn’t know what to and wrapped my arms around him, expect inside the aircraft. The plane it was amazing to be able to share was equipped with two benches, one such an amazing experience with on each side. We all filed in, straddling him. As we both tried to put into words the benches, and my instructor began what we had just experienced, the whole explaining to me what was about to skydiving staff surrounded us with hugs and happen. He made me feel really comfortable congratulatory words. Smiling ear to ear, Perry and excited, and as the plane took off and we and I both acknowledged continued to climb in elevation, my heart started that we had officially crossed fluttering with excitement. “What day is it?!” “It’s jump day!” said my instructor with skydiving off our bucket list, together. enthusiasm. Life is an adventure that is filled And just like that, the small door on the side of the plane flung open, the wind circulated through the plane and the men with endless opportunities, if you and women who had once been seated just in front of me, were chose to take them. My only regret now each catapulting out into the open sky. Perry and I high- about skydiving is not doing it sooner. As college students, we are fived and wished each other luck. so focused on tomorrow, or what It was my turn. Sitting with my knees over the edge of the plane door with is coming next, that we take little my arms crossed tightly across my chest, it felt as if all reality, time to appreciate what is now, Scan this QR Code to fear and doubt had fleeted my body. Strangely enough, I have what is right around us. watch Courtney's skydive

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May 2, 2014

Wale dances on stage.

Juicy J teases the crowd with his gold chains.

Wale looks out into the audience during his performance.

Juicy J steps onto center stage.

Photos and Design: Rebecca Dietrich/Assiantant Photo Editor and Alex Mowrey/Photo Editor

Wale shakes the hands of his fans.

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May 2, 2014