TCCD Collegian March 31, 2021

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Soaring to new heights PG. 4

Wednesday, March 31, 2021 – Volume 33 • Issue 21 News

Feature

Entertainment

Opinion

Editorial

LENDING A HELPING HAND Food pantry gives to any of those needing assistance. PG. 2

A GOOD SIGN American Sign Language bridges communication gap. PG. 3

FOLK MEETS PUNK A supercut of life through song. PG. 6

A VIRTUAL HOME INVADER Exam proctoring software barges into student bedrooms. PG. 5

PLAY BALL Bad juju with Texas Rangers stadiums. PG. 5

In-person classes returning for fall

File Photo/The Collegian

TCC announced March 29 its plans to return to on-campus learning in the fall semester after students have spent a whole year learning virtually.

ALYSON OLIVER & JOSE ROMERO senior editors editors

Students will return to campus for in-person learning during the fall semester.

“TCC’s reopening will prioritize the health and safety of the campus community, plus the excellent academic and co-curricular experience throughout the college,” Chancellor Eugene

Giovannini said at a board meeting.

Classes have been online since midway through spring of 2020 when students left for break in March and didn’t return in the wake of the pandemic.

South English instructor Lindsey Davis said because TCC has done a good job of keeping students, faculty and staff safe during the pandemic, returning to campus is a decision she is OK with.

The Texas Department of State

Health Services recently changed the criteria for vaccinations by opening it up to any adult who wants one. As of March 29, almost 15% of Tarrant County residents were fully vaccinated, and over 26% were partially vaccinated, according to the CDC. Using data from the CDC, NPR estimates that by December, 85% of the U.S. population will have received the vaccine.

“It is my opinion that students, fac-

SOUTH

South chooses new president

ulty, and staff should have the personal freedom and the right to return to campus regardless of their vaccination status,” speech instructor Paige Carr-Lovelace said.

However, Davis said she hopes there will not be any problems when it comes to students still following safety guidelines such as social distancing and wearing masks.

Fall registration opens May 10 for all students.

DISTRICT

Daniel Lufkin shares blueprint for South’s future JOSE ROMERO senior editor

Daniel Lufkin was appointed as president of South Campus effective April 1.

Before his selection, Lufkin served in Virginia as Paul D. Camp Community College’s president for five years and has spent over 20 years in various education-oriented leadership positions. He has been vice president of student affairs at Virginia’s Thomas Nelson Community College, and an adjunct faculty member, athletic director, director of Student Life and dean of Enrollment Management at Arizona’s GateWay Community College.

At PDC, Lufkin was locally and regionally recognized for the implementation of development programs, resulting in increased enrollment and retention, Chancellor Eugene Giovannini said in an email welcoming him to the staff.

“When I was selected and appointed as the next president of the South Campus, I was just extremely excited,” Lufkin said. “I had the opportunity to visit the campus.

There’s great facilities there. I like the programs, the skill-based programs, but I also really value and appreciate the work that’s being done for general education as well, so it’s a great opportunity.”

A major difference between PDC and TCC is location and size.

Photo Courtesy of Daniel Lufkin

Lufkin has had over 20 years of experience in leadership roles.

PDC is a smaller school in rural Virginia, while South Campus is located in Fort Worth, the fifth-largest city in Texas. He views the move as an opportunity because Fort Worth is constantly expanding with an annual growth rate of 1.77%, according to trend and data site World Population Review.

Still, Lufkin said his skills and duties can shift to a larger college as well. A few transferred responsibilities he listed include collaborating with faculty, industry partners and elected officials, meeting with community members and developing programs. Determining what would be most efficient for students is another assignment.

It’s important to listen and respond to the needs of students, he said. Previously, Lufkin surveyed

PDC to decide what programs would be the most beneficial. In doing so, organizations, staff and faculty gave ideas on how the campus could assist in alleviating some adversity, leading to the development of food pantries and programs for housing insecurities.

Program development on South will require some time because Lufkin — and other leadership roles — need to decide how efficient a program would be for students and the community before beginning the process. Job outlook, transferring students and success rates are all factors taken into consideration when determining which programs will be created.

“It’s too premature to come in and say ‘I’m gonna do this program’ because the students may say ‘Hey, that worked in Virginia, but it doesn’t really help us here at the South Campus,’” Lufkin said.

TCC campuses closed over a year ago because of COVID-19, but Lufkin discussed the elements in a potential plan for reopening.

He plans to sit down with leadership from the campus office and district before coming to a finalized conclusion. The health and welfare of students, faculty and staff is the most important thing to focus on, he said. Lufkin wants to ensure he analyzes all available data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention so he and his peers can make an informed decision.

File Photo/The Collegian

TCC students have not had a physical graduation since 2019.

COVID-19 robbed alumni’s ceremony JANINE SHUMAN campus ca mpus editor

While TCC’s graduation announcement excited 2021 graduates, the class of 2019–2020 is disappointed in missing out on the momentous occasion.

TCC announced a rolling commencement ceremony will be held May 15 for students who graduated in the summer, spring and fall semesters between 2020 and 2021.

TR student Chantel Dalby missed out on graduation because it was canceled last year due to COVID-19.

“I think it’s ridiculous to have a make-up ceremony for only some but not all,” Dalby said.

TR nursing student Kristian Mustafi graduated in 2019 and is saddened to have missed out on the commencement and pinning ceremony after all of the hard work she put into the achievement.

“I think rolling commencement ceremonies are a good idea and I am glad they are offering them some sort of celebration to mark their graduation,” Mustafi said. “But I think they should consider the class of 2019-2020 since they didn’t receive graduation and some may not have another graduation planned in their near future from a four-year university.”

TR student Maria Granados said TCC may think past graduates have moved on, attributing that as the reason for excluding them from the ceremony. Despite this being a possibility for some students, Granados believes there are many students who would greatly appreciate being a part of the occasion that many cherish forever.

“A lot of our families waited for us to graduate to see us in a cap and gown and watch us get our degrees,” Dalby said. “It’s a big moment in a person’s life and after all of the money we pay to go to TCC, I think we deserve it.”

March 31, 2021 • Page 2

News

The Collegian

SOUTHEAST

Food drive combats hunger in Arlington

Photos by Azul Sordo/The Collegian

Elder White and Osmar Castino load boxes of food into the trunk of a passing pickup. The event was sponsored by Arlington Charities and Tarrant Area Food Bank.

LYDIA REGALADO campus editor

What started as a cold, empty lot with a few short rows of cars turned into a spirit of community as volunteers and missionaries joined together to help distribute food to over 400 families in need on SE campus.

The mobile pantry opened to all visitors for the first time this year at this location. Missionaries from around the country worked with Arlington Charities and the Tarrant Area Food Bank to fill empty trunks of cars with boxes of food and water.

The mobile pantry, which will continue to make its way to SE Campus every third Friday of the month, is open to everyone, regardless of income or residence.

Some needed food for their families while others were there for neighbors and those unable to leave their homes.

Visitor Julio Casablanca was there to pick up food for his grandmother, who he said could not attend because of the pandemic.

“I won’t directly benefit from what I’m picking up myself, but it will definitely benefit others,” Casablanca said.

Arlington Charities volunteer Gail Longell said grocery stores such as Cost-

co, Sam’s, Kroger, Walmart, Spec’s and Penzeys are among those donating foods and spices for the pantries.

Longell enjoys giving to give and used to volunteer once a week but started volunteering five days a week since the pandemic began.

“People need to eat,” Longell said.

“We try to do the best we can with fresh produce as well as staples and meat.”

In addition to the mobile food pantry, Arlington Charities gives back to the community in other ways as well, she said.

“We feed the homeless three days a week. We also take care of some housing problems like utilities,” Longell said.

“We also have home delivery for those who do not have vehicles. We deliver once a month to senior living places.”

Missionaries from states across the country including Utah, Nevada and Arizona did much of the heavy lifting. For missionaries like Elder Kendal Jones and Nolan Tenney, giving to others is what it’s all about.

“This is why we’re out here. We’re here to help and we know we’re here for a reason during this time of need,” Jones said. “We absolutely love it.”

Visitors rolled by, stopping for the missionaries and volunteers who loaded several packs of water and a box of food into trunks and truck beds. Even though

Elder Tenney and Elder Jones await the next vehicles with boxes in hand. there was little verbal communication, a sense of gratitude was shared in the open space.

“It’s hard times going on right now, so I figure we could help out and spread a little bit of happiness, a little bit of joy while doing it,” Tenney said. “I feel like we get a lot more out of it than they do honestly.”

The next mobile pantry on SE campus will take place April 16th and continue every third Friday for the remainder of the year. No appointment is nec-

essary, and all visitors are welcome.

Executive director of Arlington Charities Deborah Coppola said there are several additional locations where folks can find mobile food pantries including the Arlington Charities location every fourth Friday of the month and St. Andrews Methodist Church every second Saturday of the month. Those interested in finding more information can visit the Arlington Charities and Tarrant Area Food Bank’s websites for more information.

DISTRICT

Closing gender gaps with careers in STEM fields LOGAN EVANS campus editor

Students who joined TCC’s virtual Women In STEM event were greeted by the brass voice of Billie Holiday crooning on a scratchy 1941 recording while they waited for the session to start. The sound conjured up a bygone era, when innovative women like Holiday were often chalked up to anomaly in the public eye.

Minutes later, two speakers appeared on screen to discuss one of many trends moving away from that idea — the growing number of women seeking careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

“Where were we, where are we now, and where do we go?” asked speaker Kayleigh Bowers.

Bowers, an assistant architect at Lockheed-Martin, has spent the last seven years at a company on the cutting edge of aerospace. Having completed a business degree at the University of Texas at Arlington, she began in a supply chain but soon realized the technical side of engineering was calling out to

her. She joined an electronic warfare team and spent several years working on the F-35 combat jet.

Now, Bowers works on developing advanced aviation cockpits. She and her colleagues examine the human factor of flying and use it to improve the technical side.

“Growing up, my mom was always into astronomy,” Bowers said. “We always had a telescope in the house. I really attribute my initial love of science to my mom.”

Bowers grew up as an athlete playing traditionally male-dominated sports.

She was used to being the only girl on the team, something that prepared her for when she entered STEM. “I came in and just worked as hard as I could and let my results speak for me,” she said.

Bowers pointed out that only a short time ago in history, social norms placed men at work and women at home with children. That’s changed, she said, and young women will start to see that STEM actually isn’t as male-dominated as it once was despite some lingering effects of the old norms.

Speaker Jennifer Kite, a learning lab

manager for TCC’s automotive technology department, realized how big the gender gap can still be in some areas of STEM when she took her current job.

The completion rate for an automotive technology degree at TCC is 92% male and 8% female.

Kite attributes this disparity to lasting effects of the “car craze” of the 1950’s, when men in the automotive world were lauded as greasy-handed mechanics and women were presented as pin-up models posing off to their side.

In her leadership position, Kite works to steer away from these dated roles. She has a motto: “We’re not mechanics. We’re technicians.”

NW student government association president Rae Brown, who moderated the event, said imagery and representation are key to the development of young women and that any move away from restrictions of the past is a step toward a stronger future.

Bowers and Kite both consider themselves lucky in that neither has experienced overt discrimination in the workplace because of their gender, but small traces of past stereotypes can rear their heads from time to time. Kite still

receives strange looks when she tells people she works in automotive. She doesn’t let it get to her.

“We use our brains to diagnose vehicles,” she said. “There’s going to be dirt, but it’s not just greasy faces and greasy hands.”

Bowers believes the biggest benefit of a diversifying field is the unique results different viewpoints can yield.

“If you have 10 copies of yourself sitting around a table, maybe you’ll come up with good ideas,” she said.

“But you don’t make the progress you could have made if you brought diverse perspectives, ideas and experience to the table.”

Bowers and Kite said it’s up to everyone to support progress in the field and help close gender gaps. Doing so will increase opportunities for all and usher in new ideas to advance STEM as a whole.

“You might break down that next barrier,” Bowers said. “Another young woman will see that you’ve broken that barrier and they might break the next one.”

The Collegian

Feature

March 31, 2021 • Page 3

TRINITY RIVER

Photos by Azul Sordo/The Collegian

American Sign Language instructor Maureen Denner assists TR student Anabel Bernal in making her resume. They wear clear masks to see one another’s facial expressions.

Signing program persists in pandemic

TR student Penny MacCornack watches as instructor Maureen Denner signs instructions to the class.

TR student Paige Brown signs a question to the instructor.

American Sign Language courses play an important role in TR Campus’ identity, structure ALYSON OLIVER senior editor

American Sign Language interpreters must adjust to their environment and the linguistic needs of their clients constantly, ASL instructor Sammie Sheppard said.

COVID-19 has required that kind of adaptation on steroids, but it has demonstrated the strength and determination of students, faculty and staff involved in TCC’s ASL program, she said.

“ASL is a visual language, and to not have that kinesthetic visual way of learning in person was an obstacle for us across the board,” TR student Katie Beard said.

The program transitioned online last spring and remained virtual through the summer. This required a large amount of video work, ASL instructor Maureen Denner said.

This meant instructors could not be present to help students fix their hand position-

ings, for instance, Beard said. Additionally, internet issues and poor video quality posed problems of their own. And facial expressions, an important part of grammar in ASL, were also difficult to see.

“Even though our instructors are doing a bang-up good job of getting things online, it’s still not the same when you have to learn a 3D language, and you only get 2D,” Sheppard said.

Throughout the process, they were blessed to be able to work alongside creative faculty and staff members, she said.

ASL moved back on campus during the fall since it is a specialized technical program.

Now in-person, participants in the program wear masks — often transparent, Sheppard said, so others can see their facial expressions — and go through their classes socially distanced.

“The students are much happier to have classes held again in person,” Beard said.

TCC’s ASL program is one out of four

accredited two-year interpreting programs in the U.S., Denner said.

“With our academics and our skill, what we give the students, that puts us on par with four-year universities,” she said.

Students in the program come from a variety of backgrounds, Sheppard said. Some want to take ASL as a foreign language.

Some are first responders who wish to give their Deaf patients more quality care. Others are employees whose company pays for the program so they can communicate with fellow workers who are Deaf.

“You can come here as you are and we’ll start teaching you from the back down,” Sheppard said. “One of the most important things students learn in our program is about how to interact and show respect to the Deaf community.”

They are taught by Deaf faculty, she said, and can learn about the culture from those who are a part of it.

Students begin by taking ASL classes

and become comfortable in basic conversational abilities before they have the chance to enter the interpreting program, Denner said.

First, they must go through a screening to ensure they will be successful, as it is very intense, she said. As a part of the screening, they must have recommendations and undergo an interview with a member of the Deaf community.

“The process of actually interpreting is very different from the process of just learning a language,” Denner said.

The goal is to prepare students for workbut also to get them ready for their state exams so they can work as certified interpreters, Denner said.

After completing the program, some students go to four-year universities, and others continue to grad school, she said. Many go on to work as interpreters in the Deaf community.

Page 4 • March 31, 2021

Entertainment

The Collegian

DISNEY+ REVIEW

Identity crisis drives new Marvel show

Photos courtesy of Disney

Sam Wilson, played by Anthony Mackie, reflects on the responsibility bestowed on him by Steve Rogers, former Captain America, after the events of “Avengers: Endgame.”

JANINE SHUMAN campus editor

Marvel’s “The Falcon and The Winter Soldier” debut showcases the revered heroes in a humanizing light with its mental health themes, illustrating how even the most potent heroes haul around emotional baggage.

The series opens with a silent post“Avengers: Endgame” Sam Wilson hesitantly sealing away the shield given to him by Steve Rogers, who adamantly assured a reluctant Wilson that he was best fit for the role of the new Captain America, something Marvel fans were thrilled to see.

Wilson’s taking the mantle as Captain America was exciting as Marvel expanded on having more prominent minority representation in the franchise.

The silence is quickly broken as Wilson sets off on a mission appointed by the U.S. military. In a not-so-subtle fashion, he dives off of the plane, revealing his Falcon wings, and sets off to save a kidnapped military asset.

Don Cheadle’s character James Rhode makes a cameo appearance in which he urges Wilson to not surrender Captain America’s shield to the Smithsonian. The series spends time commemorating Steve Rogers with shots of Wilson emotionally observing his exhibit in admiration. These fragments serve well to long time Marvel fans who aren’t ready to let

go of the characters they’ve grown up with for over a decade.

Despite the show revolving around the Falcon and the Winter Soldier’s relationship, the pair never meet in the first episode.

Rather, the episode relies on answering fan questions and introducing the hero’s current situations. While it would have been nice to have them meet, the show did a great job at developing the individual backstories.

Perhaps the greatest arc in the series is the portrayal of the characters’ struggles, which gives viewers a sense of relatability, something a lot of superhero media tend to lack. From a psychological standpoint, the series does a phenomenal job displaying Barnes’ trauma associated with his dark past.

Bucky Barnes is introduced to the audience sitting vulnerably on a couch, conversing with his therapist who seems to take more of a “tough-love” approach with him. In his hand is a list of amends he believes will help him overcome his extreme pent-up guilt from his days as a brainwashed Hydra weapon.

Barnes grows frustrated with his therapist as she tackles his deep-rooted issues, revealing he has been ignoring all social contact, including Wilson’s attempts at reconvening. Although Barnes seems to struggle with a form of post-traumatic stress disorder throughout the series, Marvel does a good job at not glossing over the fact that no individual is immune to mental health struggles when enduring extreme hardships. It has been done

Bucky Barnes, played by Sebastian Stan, goes to court-mandated therapy after being brainwashed by extremist organization Hydra. before with movies such as “Iron Man 3,” where Tony Stark suffered from anxiety and PTSD. Aside from the mental health themes, the series reveals Sam and his family are dealing with significant financial hardship. Despite being a prominent figure in the universe, Wilson does not make money from his efforts, and he and his sister are unable to obtain a loan in an attempt to avoid selling their family boat and tainting their family legacy.

The ending of this episode is where

Marvel fans can end up feeling immensely disappointed. The episode closes with the announcement of a new Captain America by the same guy who assured Wilson he did the right thing by giving up the shield. The new face of Captain America is shown on screen waving to the crowd in a new suit and shield, disappointing fans who anticipated Wilson’s role since 2019.

MUSIC REVIEW

Folk punk record tells honest life story through song ALYSON OLIVER senior editor

Photo courtesy of A-F Records

The Homeless Gospel Choir has put out five records, the first released in 2010, with lyrics that are personal, political and always poignant.

“Normal” is a vulnerable supercut of a life full of ups and downs and a love letter to punk rock.

The Homeless Gospel Choir is a folk punk band hailing from Pittsburgh. “Normal,” its third record released in 2017, employs storytelling that could make listeners laugh, cry or all of the above.

The title track declares, “I found my escape / In that Green Day tape / When the songs would end we’d just rewind them,” and “Twenty years and change / Well, this is more than just a phase / I found something that I can believe in.” Many of the album’s musical elements are full of punk grit.

But things start off on a gentler note.

“6th Grade” recounts a negative experience with a middle-school science teacher to a soft musical backing.

After a quick transition, “Depression” gives listeners a taste of all facets of the record — its folk and punk elements, its tell-ithow-it-is lyrics (“With friends like that, who needs friends / When you have seasonal depression?”) and its adventurous moments as it ends with a sound collage of advertisements.

Its often energetic, upbeat sound contrasts with its storytelling, either giving it an element of dark comedy or coming across as sheer desperation.

In “Alright,” “Crazy” and punchy “1983,” lines like, “She asked me where I’m

going to now that I’ve f---ed up everything / I said I’ve been in standstill traffic since 1983” are accompanied by fast-paced music with bright lead guitar lines, pick slides and deftly strummed chords.

The record has its laid-back moments as well. Its slower songs are where its folk sound starts to really come through, reminiscent of tunes one would play while sitting around a campfire. In “Sometimes,” frontman Derek Zanetti sings over acoustic guitar, banjo and organ, “Maybe time forgot me / Or maybe God’s out to lunch.”

These softer moments can drag a bit, and the fast-paced ones can feel a bit short in comparison, leaving more to be desired.

However the tracklist’s frequent dynamic changes never feel forced, oscillating nicely between upbeat and lowkey.

It also has its experimental moments.

“Fear” is what the title implies: a track composed of different people talking about what they are afraid of. Topics range from sharks to bugs to self-destruction to never being good enough, all backed by discordant orchestral sounds.

“Normal” is a record that tells the story of someone who has found a home in the world of music, even as they go through the struggles of life. It’s good for a summer night, on the road with the windows down, or the dead of winter, as snow falls from bleak gray skies. But most importantly, it’s likely to have its audience coming back for a re-listen.

Opinion

The Collegian

Viewpoints

Finding inner peace through meditation

STAYCE PETTIES campus editor

Meditation is the key to finding your peace, focus and concentration.

With everything happening during the pandemic, the mind as an inner world still needs to be balanced for order and organization. Different meditation techniques can be helpful during these times of distress and panic. The first thing to do is find your peace. One has to find their happy place where it can be just them.

Different people have different mechanisms to meditate, but a common one that is helpful is sitting in a quiet place, blocking out noise, taking slow, deep breaths in and out and focusing on something that provides peace of mind. Despite what happens in the world, remembering the good through the bad and ugly is what keeps people sane.

Music is also a form of medita-

tion — especially certain playlists.

One can think of at least 10 songs to get them in their groove or make them feel happy and even lift their spirits.

Making a playlist called meditation, or even just listening to inspiring artists who have positive, good songs and vibes, can be used as a form of it.

For the busy athletic people in the world, working out, running or just taking a walk in the park can clear one’s mind. Get active and get moving.

Finding a special room or spot in the house dedicated to peacefulness can work as well. If one has a best friend or a partner, they can get them to do it with them to interact and help provide support and focus.

Finding your peace is what gives you the mindset you need to start your day.

Even the busiest families, parents and single parents can have time to meditate, either by themselves or with their children. Sometimes, even in the craziest out-of-control situations, one can still find a calm way to meditate, find perfect peace and just tune everything out. In any situation, just be ready to show it who’s boss and who is in control.

Everyone has their source of what works for them. Just find out what works for you.

senior editor

Bedrooms transitioning into classrooms impacted students enough, but some professors took it to the next level by invading their privacy with the exam proctoring software, Proctorio.

Once downloaded, Proctorio asks for a cornucopia of personal information, ranging from webcam footage to audio recordings. If students do not have a camera or microphone for their computer, tests will be inaccessible to them until the items are purchased.

According to its website, there are three layers of encryption — an encoded file available only to the people with a passcode — meaning Procotorio cannot see the recordings. But, professors can view them, which is where the intrusion begins.

Not every student has a stable environment to work in, so the unnecessary stress Proctorio adds to an exam is

Editorial

History repeats at Rangers’ Stadium

Amber Davis/The Collegian

Professors mandate intrusive software

JOSE ROMERO

March 31, 2021 • Page 5

outright disrespectful. The lack of trust professors show by using the software is appalling.

With Proctorio, professors place a microphone and a camera in there to monitor them like a hawk.

What if a student has a shared bedroom? What if they live in a one-bedroom apartment shared by many? These factors are not considered at all when applying the software to a course. Now, let us look at it from a professor’s point of view.

Students are no longer in classrooms making it difficult to ensure they are not cheating on a test. Proctorio seems like the perfect solution. It records audio, camera footage and records the screen, so it is like the professor is standing right over the student.

When broken down, it seems logical. But, we are not on campus. We are in our own homes and our privacy needs to be respected.

If instructors are so worried about cheating, then another solution would be to make the tests themselves. Professors embed in the minds of students the dangers of plagiarizing, yet they copy/paste tests from the internet — making it simple to find the solutions.

I can’t imagine how difficult it is to be an instructor, but if we’re expected to put in extra effort for a virtual transition, then professors should be held to the same standards.

The Texas Rangers have called three different ballparks home since 1972 when they relocated to Arlington, and every move has brought a series of the most unconventional events.

The Ranger’s first home was Arlington Stadium, which should have been packed with excited fans during opening day in 1972 after the team’s relocation from Washington as North Texas’s official major league baseball team. Instead, the field was empty and over 37,500 seats and bleacher stands went unfilled. The first ever player’s strike in MLB’s 103-year history delayed the team’s much-anticipated debut.

In 1994, the Rangers moved into The Ballpark in Arlington, a newly-designed stadium built with updated amenities and more seating capacity. The teams made it to opening day that year, but none of the major league teams made it to the World Series.

The entire season ended abruptly when a 232-daylong MLB strike began. Before then, the World Series had not been canceled since 1904.

In 2020, Globe Life Field was ready for opening day after two and a half years of construction. A 24-million-pound retractable roof, the largest of its kind in the world, could keep Texas heat and unpredictable weather out and games at a comfortable 73 degrees.

Not long before the stadium’s debut, the pandemic hit. Spring training was canceled, and it was later announced that no fans would be admitted into games for the shortened and delayed season.

A crowd gathered outside of Globe Life Field to watch opening day on big screens and in the bars and

restaurants of Texas Live. Other fans peered inside the glass walls of the ballpark, hoping to catch a glimpse of the game.

When Globe Life Field did open, it opened at about 28% capacity for 11,500 Los Angeles Dodgers and Tampa Bay Rays fans for the 2020 World Series.

The last time the Texas Rangers played a regular season game in front of fans was in 2019 during their last game at Globe Life Park against the New York Yankees.

Now, Globe Life Field will be the only major league ballpark to allow full capacity for opening day. On April 5, the park will open to just over 43,000 people in seats and 518 more in standing room.

TCC students who are sports fans may still feel torn between being happy to have in-person sports back and leery of such a large crowd gathering just over a month since Texas opened 100%.

We’ll see if the long-awaited fan-debut of Globe Life Field in Arlington draws a full crowd, and if the team can rebuild and recover from the most surprising season nobody could have ever predicted.

This is a big event happening in the sports world and in general where many eyes will be on our community of Tarrant County. It’ll be a new type of normal to have actual fans in the stands, rather than seeing cardboard cutouts and hearing audio of a crowd from past games.

Baseball fans aren’t new to season frenzies, and Rangers fans aren’t new to heartbreak, but who would have thought the past few seasons would be the most unconventional of them all?

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Feature

Page 6 • March 31, 2021

INVENT Celebrating women throughout history with a passion for creation

ALYSON OLIVER senior editor

Ada Lovelace was the first computer programmer. While writing about the hypothetical Analytical Engine, she proposed a computer could be programmed — or follow a series of steps — to make calculations, according to Britannica.

After noticing her china plates chipped while she washed them in the sink, Josephine Cochrane thought there had to be a more efficient way to do the dishes, according to Lemelson-MIT. Thus, after doing plenty of work, the first dishwasher was born.

The board game “Monopoly” was derived from “The Landlord’s Game,” an extension of inventor Lizzie Magie’s progressive beliefs and a critique of

figures like Andrew Carnegie, according to The New York Times. She created two versions — monopolist and anti-monopolist — to show the advantages of the anti-monopolist rules.

Marie Van Brittan Brown laid the foundation for modern security.

Concerned for her safety due to her and her husband’s irregular work hours, she created the first closed-circuit television security system so she could re-

motely see and communicate with anyone outside her door, according to Lemelson-MIT. Mary Anderson invented windshield wipers, a modern necessity. After watching her driver use his hands to push water from the windshield during a rainy drive from Alabama to New York City, she decided to come up with a more efficient way to keep the windshield free of

water, according to Lemelson-MIT. Evelyn Berezin, alongside a few of her colleagues, invented the electronic word processor, according to the National Inventors Hall of Fame. This not only gave users the ability to reprint their text but the luxury of being able to edit it as well.

Patricia Era Bath was the first Black woman to receive a medical patent, according to The New York Times. In her mission to fight against blindness, she invented laser surgery to remove cataracts from the eyes.

Ann Tsukamoto was a part of the invention of stem cell isolation, which has contributed greatly to cancer research, according to The Inventors. Tsukamoto has continued to conduct potentially life-saving research related to stem cells.

Illustration by Amber Davis /The Collegian