campus news
thebattalion
Prairie View hazing death in question Prairie View A&M student Marvin Jackson, membership chairman for Phi Beta Sigma, wasn’t indicted this past year after the death of a fraternity pledge due to hazing. Donnie Wade II from Dallas had a heart defect that the fraternity claims not to have known about at the time of the initiation. Wade died Oct. 20, 2009, after the pledges participated in exercises before dawn. There was a confession and lack of knowledge on Wade’s existing heart condition, which leads some to question if this is the reasoning behind why the jury did not indict. Christine Perrenot, staff writer
Greek Life shapes up Greek Life was put on a pause in early November after a Texas A&M fraternity member reportedly shot a pet goat. A weeklong moratorium, issued by Ann Goodman, Greek Life director, on social activities for Greek Life began after five different negative reports. Texas A&M has thousands of students in Greek Life that were required at a mandatory meeting in Rudder Auditorium on Nov. 18. Since the meeting there have been no reported complaints. Christine Perrenot, staff writer
nation&world
Emanuel thrown off Chicago ballot CHICAGO — Just days ago, Rahm Emanuel seemed to be steamrolling the entire field of candidates for Chicago mayor. He had millions in the bank, a huge lead in the polls and abundant opportunities to show off his influence, including a meeting with the visiting Chinese president. But on Monday, the former White House chief of staff was waging a desperate bid to keep his campaign alive after an Illinois appeals court kicked him off the ballot for not meeting a residency requirement. The surprise decision throws the race into disarray with less than a month to go. Associated Press
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student life
Student runs for those who can’t Leukemia survivor participates in half marathon Haley Lawson
From dazed to dauntless Osa Okundaye — THE BATTALION
Students face challenges with each new semester
The Battalion Danielle Cordes is a nursing student at the Texas A&M Health Science Center who is an Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia survivor. Not only did she beat her illness, but she recently ran a half-marathon with the Snowdrop Foundation, a cancer organization dedicated to assisting patients and families with childhood cancer. Cordes uses her experience to encourage others, and it allows to relate to patients. “Danielle is a dedicated and hard working young lady,” said Jackie Costello, assistant professor in the College of Nursing. “She is willing to share her experience so that it may help others. I believe her illness as a child and the many hospital visits she endured lead her to nursing.” Cordes has a passion for children. She dealt with many nurses as a child, and this exposed her to the experiences of a pediatric nurse. “Danielle is a natural pediatric nurse, this is most likely because of the many nurses who took care of her during her time of need,” Costello said. Cordes ran the half-marathon with the founder of Snowdrop, Kevin Kline. “I have always been a runner, but I have never actually run a See Survivor on page 8
Joanna Raines The Battalion
T
exas A&M is known for its wildcats and traditions that mark each class year. Underclassmen anticipate the day they can “whoop,” and the day students receive their rings marks the day they will be forever recognized as Aggie alumni. Different challenges mark each year for a student, and each semester marks one step closer to graduation.
Freshman year can be characterized by uncertainty and adjustment. The transition from high school to college is difficult for many students academically. “My biggest challenge was studying and not being a procrastinator, because I never really studied in high school,” said Tess Earley, freshman education major. “I studied more my first semester of college than I ever have.” In addition to handling an increased workload, freshmen must live on their own for the first time. With no curfew and no parents pushing them to attend class, students have to take responsibility for their education. This
change can be difficult for some students, making freshman year one of the most challenging. Sophomore year is when students begin to build confidence. By this point, most have joined organizations and built friendships. With a year under their belts, sophomores have the experience to begin leadership roles on campus. “The biggest change [from freshman to sophomore year] is that you already know your way around and have a group of friends
faculty Freshman and sophomore year I wasn’t too worried about figuring out my life, but once junior year hit I realized I needed to stop playing around and get serious with where my life, and college for that matter, was going.” Moriah Banas, junior communication major
See Mindset on page 10
Special to The Battalion Many college students spend free time practicing ordinary hobbies such as playing recreational sports, studying and watching reality television. Sophomore electrical and computer engineering major Kate Stuckman, however, defies the stereotypical college student’s hobbies by developing a iPod and iPad application, Professor Wordington’s Spellatorium. “My dad and I have been playing this game since I was five years old and you alternate turns trying to spell a word without finishing the word,” Stuckman said. After taking three years of computer science in high school and starting the summer
See iPhone on page 4
See Bilingual on page 8
Courtesy photo
Sophomore electrical and computer engineering major develops word game available on iTunes. and there is more strategy behind it,” Stuckman said. Since the end of this past year, Stuckman’s game received high reviews on the iTunes store from anonymous reviewers giving her constructive insight and praises on the word game. “Spellatorium is professional, it’s polished, it’s innovative and
Christine Perrenot
the artwork is gorgeous and evocative. Most importantly though, it makes you think in a new way, which is the mark of a great puzzle game,” Djflippy, a game reviewer said. Being a creative, intelligent innovator at such a young age
Aggie creates popular iPhone application before her freshman year at Texas A&M University, Stuckman started designing the game as a hobby, challenging herself to create something that she cared about. “I always thought it was fun and I was just hoping other people would like it, too,” Stuckman said. Based on the game she and her father would casually play in the car, the objective of Stuckman’s game is to alternate adding a letter to a word against your opponent to spell a longer word, while at the same time trying to avoid being the last player to add the final letter of the word. “Even people who say they do not like word games will play it, because it is different
Project to use English language for globalization
The Battalion The thought of not being able to speak English while trying to do business with an American sounds impossible. The power of language is undoubtedly obvious in today’s world. Being able to use English as a means of education and globalization is what professor Rafael Lara-Alecio is trying to achieve with Project EILE, English as a Second or Foreign Language. Lara-Alecio is working with the Costa Rican Ministry of Public Education and the Costa Rica Multilingual Foundation to get students and teachers involved in Project EILE. The project tests the efficiency of various software types that are designed to teach English as a second language. “My role as a researcher is to advance the field of bilingual education in the state and nation, as well as internationally,” Lara-Alecio said. The project has been so influential that the team has received requests from other countries to try the project. “[Project EILE is] a two year research project sponsored by the Intercontinental Development
technology
Alex Lotz
Professor advances bilingual education
1/24/11 8:33 PM