The Bridge Independent Student Newspaper - November 2019

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NOVEMBER 2 0 1 9 Printed b y El Mañana in suppor t o f independe n t student w r i t i n g

The Bridge

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A & E

E D U C A T I O N

S P O R T S

Maroon Madness event draws nearly 1,200

17 years of TAMIU politics seen by professor’s eyes

Career performances lead TAMIU to 3-1 victory

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PRESENTATION SLIDE HEARD ‘ROUND LAREDO

LEONARD GONZALEZ | BRIDGE

Alyssa Wallace, left, and Alec Martinez, right, speak about water quality issues in Laredo at the Frontera Beer Garden on Oct. 5 .

BY ERICK BARRIENTOS S TA F F W R I T E R

The city of Laredo’s censorship of one resident’s presentation about water issues in Laredo created a viral discussion.

“If it was up to [the city] we wouldn’t know a damn thing; that tells you everything you need to know,” Laredo resident Alec

James Martinez said.

On Oct. 1, the Laredo Environmental Summit took place at the Texas A&M International University Student Center Ballroom and focused on promoting environmental awareness, sustainability of natural resources and community involvement.

Martinez was asked by the city to present on the topic of sustainable cities. Circumstance would have it that a few days before the LES, the boil water notice came to surface.

“I edited my presentation to include environmental issues that are affecting the kids we are supposed to be teaching,” he said. “So I put one slide in about [our water situation].

“When I walked in that morning, the lead organizer pulled me aside and she said, ‘We have a directive not to let anybody talk about water, so do you have any slides about it?’ I said, ‘Yes,’ and she responded I would have to [remove it] in order to present.”

SEE WATER, PAGE 2

TAMIU, TAMUS ban campuswide vaping

BY ERICK BARRIENTOS S TA F F W R I T E R

“This health threat is serious enough that I want to see the ban include every building, outside space, parking lot, garage and laboratory within the Texas A&M System,” he wrote. The ban also should extend to every facility of … all System properties in the 250 Texas counties.

“Further, I think it would be appropriate and responsible to stop selling any e-cigarette products or vaping paraphernalia, if

With the rise in vape-related deaths, the Texas A&M University System took action to prevent future incidents.

In a memo issued by Chancellor John Sharp, he explained that the reason for the ban on vaping is based on the health risks this activity poses on society because it is an issue people barely understand.

“Vaping and the use of electronic cigarettes have been “I hate the whole fact that they did that; associated with serious illness and deadly lung disease,” I don’t agree with the ban whatsoever.

Sharp wrote.

He cited the Centers for Disease Control and PrevenI think it’s a real big slap in the face.” tion’s reports about vaping and that more than 800 cases of lung injury and 12 deaths in the U.S. were attributed to the act.

—Ian Macdonald “All of the cases have one element in common: a hisTAMIU junior tory of e-cigarette product use or vaping,” Sharp wrote.

“I do not want to take any unnecessary chances with the health of our students, faculty and staff.

“To that end, I am directing the presidents of each of the 11 there are any points of sale at any place within our vast System.” universities and the directors of the eight state agencies within Sharp urged A&M institutions to enact the ban immediateThe Texas A&M University System to ban the use of e-cigarettes ly, but noted this may not be feasible. Texas A&M Internationand vaping as soon as possible.” al University President Pablo Arenaz followed the Chancellor’s Currently, smoking in most places in the A&M System has memo and enacted the campuswide ban here, effective Oct. 7. been banned. The ban on vaping is being made mandatory and TAMIU junior Ian Macdonald, a former cigarette smoker expanded throughout the entire System. who turned to vaping, made the switch to e-cigarettes because it

felt cleaner than having the taste of cigarettes in his mouth.

“I hate the whole fact that they did that; I don’t agree with the ban whatsoever. I think it’s a real big slap in the face,” Macdonald said. “Why can they say, ‘Oh, you can’t vape and, if you do, you’re gonna get in a lot of trouble?’ Who are they to tell me that? “[This really is an] ignorant rule—like, they should just make it to where you can use it in the pavilion … [I have to wait] and get off campus.”

While Macdonald acknowledges the people who passed away due to vaping is unfortunate, he still feels the ban is excessive and unnecessary.

He hopes TAMIU chooses to amend the rule to allow vapers to use their devices in smoking pavilions.

“I hope they take back their decision and make it to where you can use it in the pavilion [similar to the cigarette smoking situation], instead of banning it throughout the whole campus,” Macdonald said.

With the release of that memo, Arenaz sent an email to the entire campus explaining how the ban will affect TAMIU. “As a University and System, it is important that we take a leading role in the safety and welfare of our students, faculty and staff,” Arenaz wrote. “This action supersedes all previous TAMIU rules and the vaping ban will be implemented here Monday, Oct. 7, 2019.

“I realize that this action may be unsettling to some, but your safety and welfare is paramount.”

God the Mother representatives startle students

BY ERICK BARRIENTOS S TA F F W R I T E R

JESSICA RODRIGUEZ | BRIDGE PHOTO ILLUSTRATION

A TAMIU student is approached by a stranger in this photo illustration taken in late October. Some students reported that members of a group asking about God the Mother approached them on campus.

Students report being approached on campus by unknown figures reciting Holy Bible verses and asking, “Have you heard of God the Mother?”

Texas A&M International University senior Annette Palacios was approached twice, last spring and this fall, and both interactions left her with an uncomfortable and fearful feeling.

“The first was last semester, Spring 2019. I got out of my 6 p.m. class and I walked toward the smoking area that is behind the Cowart building,” Palacios wrote to The Bridge in an email.

“I was waiting to be picked up.

“I was alone … in my peripheral vision I saw two girls approach me, cornering me in—one in front of me and the other on the right. The girl on the right, Shaina, did all the talking. The other girl just stayed quiet and just stared at me.”

She describes her second encounter, which was in early OctoSEE MOTHER, PAGE 2

2 | News

November 2019

WATER FROM PAGE 1

After that, Martinez uploaded a video to Facebook.

He believes city of Laredo officials are probably primarily responsible for this and what they fear most is being held responsible.

“You know it’s a lot easier to dodge accountability when your people aren’t educated about the nuances of something,” Martinez said. “That’s exactly what the case was here.

“The city of Laredo poisoned our water—essentially—’cause their job is to take care of it and they didn’t. I was mostly disappointed that these officials didn’t respect [these students’] intellectual abilities enough to have a serious conversation.”

The transparency between Laredo and its residents is something he feels has been violated. Furthermore, the city’s continued pressure to keep these issues hidden is something Martinez finds startling.

“The only reason we know about this is because a [resident] complained to the city,” he said. “The city dragged its feet and it didn’t do anything so then they had to go to [the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality], and that took a while.

“Eventually, they couldn’t keep it under wraps anymore … so to censor me and demand that I can’t talk to them about [our water] is a huge insult to them and to all the [residents] of Laredo.”

According to the LES website, the event was held under the leadership of Texas State Sen. Judith Zaffirini, in partnership

with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, city of Laredo, Webb County and other organizations.

The city of Laredo did not respond to a comment about the issue. After Marinez’s video went viral, Zaffirini did respond to the matter with a Facebook post.

“I assure you that I knew nothing about this until you posted about it,” Zaffirini wrote. “I had nothing to do with [preventing] a presenter to address the Boil Water Notice. To the contrary, it would have been a timely and interesting topic.”

The response to the video is something that surprised Martinez in a positive way. He explains that the amount of people supporting him became an awesome feeling.

“We need to be talking to each other and to our neighbors, ‘cause that’s the only way we have power,” Martinez said. “The only thing stronger than the city is its [residents] and that’s us.

“Each one of us [may not] believe we’re powerful enough on our own but together we can really make a difference. Before we get there, we have to have these conversations so that’s been great.”

Martinez feels much of the spotlight should not shine over him, rather he wants all this attention to be placed on the issue at hand and have people come together to make change.

“This is not about me; I don’t want to take any credit … I want other people to come and join me,” he said. “We become more powerful as a community that way.

“As one person, I can’t do anything but if I got my community with me, we can change everything and that starts with having that conversation and educating ourselves.”

LEONARD GONZALEZ | BRIDGE

Laredo residents bring water donations amidst a water quality scandal in Laredo at the Frontera Beer Garden on Oct. 5.

Reading the Globe reaches decade milestone Reading the Globe program offers freshmen perspective from their contemporary author’s work.

At 36, Christina Rickardsson is now part of a Texas A&M International University annual tradition that stretches back to 2008. The Reading the Globe program, which assigns a book to incoming freshmen and invites the author of that book, this year’s selection is Never Stop Walking, to the University to present, discuss and answer questions students and faculty might have.

“We partook in Reading the Globe due to our UNIV class where we discussed and learned a few things about Ms. Rickardsson’s life and how she fought to overcome her misfortunes,” College of Education teaching major Shelby Rodriguez said. “We couldn’t make it to yesterday’s presentation at TAMIU, so we came to the library today to meet her in person.”

Students taking the UNIV 1101 course could also submit an essay and compete, in friendly competition, amongst their peers

for an all-expense-paid trip to whatever foreign country ties to the reading selection. This year’s Reading the Globe winners will get to go to Brazil.

Presented by the University College’s Common Read program, presentations took place Oct. 4 at TAMIU and again by One City, One Book program the following day at the Joe A. Guerra Laredo Public Library. The majority, though, were still TAMIU students who could not attend the prior day.

A line of anxious students, and Laredoans, extended out the doors of the multipurpose room of the Laredo Public Library while they waited for their meet-and-greet.

“I actually got to meet her, and she is so warm, welcoming, and down-to-Earth,” biology major Ana Salinas said after attending the meet-and-greet. “You meet her, and wonder how could all that she had gone through, yet still be so kind.”

“The Laredo Library’s One City, One Book program welcomes the [residents] in the community to read, and attend, the presentation,” event organizer Danielle M. Burns said. “We try to make sure Laredo’s [residents] have the option to learn a few things and keep them coming back every year since we have partnered with TAMIU for the last 10 years.”

casual … but it just started as casual conversation and then they asked me if I had time to talk about God the Mother,” Valdez said. “I was very curious [because] I’m part of [another] church; my parents were pastors.

“They started quoting the Bible—jumping verses to try and make a connection and I wasn’t buying it. They wanted me to go show up wherever they wanted me to go show up but that wasn’t it—they kept following me around, so they didn’t stop.”

She said after the interaction, she walked to the bookstore from the library, to avoid further contact with the group but they followed her.

“I was trying to get in touch with my mom after that and they walked by and they approached me again,” Valdez said. “They started asking me questions like where I live … and I was just trying to divert the question.

“I never heard from them again but I just thought this was a weird creepy incident but it wasn’t. Later on, I [found] out there were other people who went through the same thing.”

The TAMIU University Police Department could not be reached for comment but a statement was released by the TAMIU Public Relations Office from Steve Harmon, director of public relations, marketing and information services.

“If you’re approached by someone on campus to discuss subject matter that doesn’t interest you, is aimed at [you] providing personal contact information (phone numbers, email addresses, social account information), or makes you feel harassed, intimidated or threatened…please contact the TAMIU Police Department immediately at 956.326.2100. Our TAMIU Police Department is dedicated to ensuring our campus experience is safe and respectful. They’re available 24/7 and will respond promptly.”

Students are encouraged to be aware of their surroundings, especially when on campus after dark. If approached by suspicious persons, students should contact the TAMIU Police Department.

B Y D AV I D G O M E Z J R .

S TA F F W R I T E R

LEONARD GONZALEZ | BRIDGE

Christina Rickardsson reflects on her life in Brazil as she speaks about her book at Joe A. Guerra Laredo Public Library on Oct 5.

MOTHER FROM PAGE 1

ber this year, and that experience was as scary as the first.

“I got out of class at 9 p.m. in the Western Hemispheric Trade Center; I was walking alone toward the Killam Library,” Palacios recalled. “While I was walking, I was approached by a girl and a guy—who was dressed really professional [in a] white button-up shirt and tie.

“They asked me if I knew about God the Mother. I immediately said, ‘No thank you, I’m not interested.’ The guy was frustrated and desperate and tried to talk to me again, [that scared me even more] because I was alone and sprinted toward the library.”

The individuals are part of the World Mission Society Church of God. The religion originated in Korea and currently claims 3 million followers in 175 countries and about 7,500 churches worldwide, according to their website.

TAMIU is not the only campus where this group makes its presence known. Schools in states including Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi and Ohio reported student interactions with the group as well.

Furthermore, the University of Memphis and the university in Mississippi banned the WMSCOG members from advertising on their campuses.

TAMIU alumna Ismerai Valdez experienced something similar with the group last year, as well.

“The way that they approached me [in the library it] was very

MATTHEW BALDERAS | BRIDGE PHOTO ILLUSTRATION

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November 2019

Opinion | 3

TOMAS CRUZ | BRIDGE ILLUSTRATION

Is 33 larger than 39,773? ... asking for a friend

BY M AT T H E W B A L D E R A S EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

EDITOR’S POINT OF VIEW It seems as if we have all become desensitized to it. Just another school, just another shooter, just some angry kids calling for change, just some parents crying about their dead kid.

The Pew Research Center has calculated the number of gun-related deaths to be at 39,773 in 2017, which is the most readily available complete data.

While typing out the death toll, my initial reaction is, “I’m not surprised.”

Having done two study abroad programs and knowing the difficulties of being in another country, I always try to lend my assistance to international students who study here at TAMIU. It was both fun and sad to hear when I asked the new group of international students, what is one thing you absolutely want to do while you are here. While there were many responses, one of the most common responses was, “I want to shoot a gun.”

This was not surprising. When I was in Europe and I would tell people I was from Texas, the most common response was “Oh, Texas!” as they drew their fingers into the shape of a gun and pretended to shoot people.

“Just another school, just another shooter, just some angry kids calling for change, just some parents crying about their dead kids.”

According to U.S. News, in an article headline – Poll: Majority favor gun control – a majority of Americans are in favor of some type of gun reform. From extended background checks to red flag laws, to buy-back programs, according to this poll, the majority favors change.

So why is nothing being done?

T E X A S A & M I NT E R N AT I O N A L U N I V E R S IT Y I N D E P E N D E N T S T U D E N T N E W S PA P E R

The Bridge EDITOR-IN - C H I E F . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . M A T T H E W B A L D E R A S SPORTS ED I T O R . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A L L A N R O D R I G U E Z STAFF WRI T E R S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N A Y E L L E A C O S T A , ......... . . . . . . . . . D A V I D G O M E Z J R . , E R I C K B A R R I E N T O S DESIGN CH I E F . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . M A T T H E W B A L D E R A S ILLUSTRAT O R . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T O M A S C R U Z DIRECTOR O F P H O T O G R A P H Y . . . . . . . . . . J E S S I C A R O D R I G U E Z PHOTOGRAP H E R S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . V A N E S S A V A L L A R T A , ......... . . . . . . . L E O N A R D G O N Z A L E Z , G A B R I E L R O D R I G U E Z LEAD FACU L T Y A D V I S E R . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T . R O B B R O W N FACULTY D E S I G N A D V I S E R . . . . . . . . . . . . . . M R S . A N A L E E P A Z FACULTY A D V E R T I S I N G A D V I S E R . D R . A R T H U R S O T O - V A S Q U E Z PSYCHOLOG Y & C O M M U N I C A T I O N C H A I R . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ......... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D R . J O S É C A R L O S L O Z A N O

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As if it appeared out of a cloud of smoke, vaping hit the scene and is the raging fad. No matter where you look, there is some young hipster with a sleek style pen filled with their favorite flavored “vape juice.”

According to Live Science, on Tuesday, Oct. 17, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the death toll from vaping-related lung illnesses has increased to 33.

It’s with these 33 dead that regulations are already being put in place to limit access to vape pens.

The creator of a popular brand of vape pen has even come out against his own product and acknowledged the harmful vision effects of the pen and has also said the company will stop producing flavors that entice a younger crowd to try the product.

While not a state law, TAMIU and TAMUS placed campuswide bans on vaping, yet TAMIU still allows concealed carry on campus and in the classroom.

It took a double-digit 33 deaths to spark change in vaping rules, but a greater 39,773 deaths have fallen on deaf ears.

Our ol’ payphone reflects past, present, future

B Y D AV I D G O M E Z J R .

S TA F F W R I T E R

The payphone outside the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library reminds us where we have been and where we are going.

The payphone—it’s an outdated, period piece, a reminder of the days of old.

It took more than a century since the payphone, technically the first phone booth invented in 1902 by William Gray, to become nearly extinct.

In the modern era, mobile phones reign supreme among all things.

Though, if you take a closer look at the payphone to the far left of the Killam Library entrance, you might spot a shiny, chrome telephone worthy of admittance into Valhalla. It gleams right before sunset.

Any sooner or later, and you will forget all about it. It is cast in the shadows in the day and a snake in tall grass at night. Once you notice it, hopefully like me, you will start to feel nostalgic and have old payphone commercials run through your head.

I can see Mr. T telling me he pities the fool who does not dial 1-800-COLLECT, or

an AT&T-sponsored Carrot Top informing Los Angeles tourists to dial right down the center. Payphone ads were everywhere back in the ‘90s.

In those days, at least before I turned 10, I would mostly hang out with my cousin and we would ride bikes, ditch and start playing with matches. Never once could we start a fire and so, we would give up and go across the street to a convenience store. That store was far from our homes, so we would make a collect call, but like many teens and kids our age we would do “the trick” when we called either of our parents.

And our folks would anticipate: You have a collect call from - HelloIt’sUsComePickUsUpByTheDitch! – would you accept the charges?

“city morgue.” I know, we were terrible kids.

From the moment I first recall, phone calls cost a quarter. That was 1996. By 1999, they ranged from 35 to 50 cents. It mostly depended on which city you were in that determined the cost of a call on a payphone. By the 2000s, it increased to 50- to 75-cent calls. Times were changing for the payphone and they now competed with the rise of cell phones.

Nowadays, payphones are used as a joke to describe something outdated. And of course, it will be. Alan couldn’t get a signal on his beeper in “The Hangover” back in 2009, so he asked the concierge if there’s a payphone bank he could use to conduct business. Though, Blockbuster Video is the go-to cliché for outdated references, payphones are probably on the topfive list to describe older things—right behind Rolodex, I imagine.

There is a telephone museum in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Just a “fun” fact.

That lone payphone outside the library reminds me of when things were simple but it also reminds me that things change.

I’ll go out on a limb to say this is a reflection of ourselves.

It still works, in case you happened to wonder. You don’t even have to put change in to use it.

It is a part of TAMIU and I hope it stays there as a reminder of where we’ve been and where we’re heading.

“I can see Mr. T telling me he pities the fool who does not dial 1-800-COLLECT...

Sometimes when we were with neighborhood kids, and up to no good, we’d have the opportunity of a lifetime when the payphone happened to ring. The first one to answer would get bragging rights for the day because we would pick it up and say, “Thanks for calling Mike’s Sperm Bank, you crank it, we bank it,” or

4 | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

November 2019

JESSICA RODRIGUEZ | BRIDGE

The Dustdevils women’s basketball team dances in a friendly competition with the men’s basketball team during Maroon Madness on Oct. 23.

MAROON MADNESS

Annual basketball ‘big spectacle’ lives up to its name B Y D AV I D G O M E Z J R .

S TA F F W R I T E R

Nearly 1,200 TAMIU students and faculty made their way to the Kinesiology Convocation Building for one of the University’s events-of-the-year to kickoff basketball season.

For another year in a row, Maroon Madness was a student turnout success. While it was a tad smaller turnout this year than last year’s 1,200, it turned out to be for the better. Activities included: bean-bag toss, a water dunk tank, a basketball-themed Connect-Four game and an American Gladiator-style one versus a moon bounce.

As the basketball season draws near, both women’s and men’s teams participate in an all-star style event to pump up Texas A&M International University students with games like a three-point shootout, men’s slam-dunk contest and, new to

this year, a coach-versus-coach three-point shootout. Early on, a dance contest happened; the women won, which foreshadowed the rest of the night. In the end, the women’s team earned bragging rights by shutting out the men in stunning fashion.

“I’m a transfer student. This is my first year here and this was pretty cool and a lot of fun,” three-point contest winner and kinesiology major Eva Langdon said. “We have nothing like this back home in Weston, Nebraska.”

Winning coach of the three-point shootout, Nate Vogel, playfully said, “All we do is win, win, win—no matter what.”

Before the basketball events, as the sun set into a warm yet crisp evening, DJ KRAZMIX pulled a rabbit out of his bag of tricks as he entertained and bumped into the night with some remixed bangers of modern and yesteryear club hits.

“It seems like a better turnout this year because everyone is having fun and actually participating and dancing,” men’s basketball forward Tom Higgins said. “Including me.”

Host Sammy “the House” brought humor and oozing charisma to keep the crowd going inside the gymnasium.

This year also marks the first year with the new Lone Star Conference. Men’s basketball coach Taylor said, “We have the ‘ugliest,’ best players in the world.”

At the KCB entrance, the first 1,200 students who partook in the Maroon Madness celebration automatically received a free event T-shirt to commemorate the University’s 50-year legacy in Laredo.

“Thank you for turning up to TAMIU’s big spectacle,” TAMIU President Pablo Arenaz humbly said. “Let’s try to fill the seats for the games and hopeful for a good basketball season.”

“Let’s all make sure to have a great time tonight,” Arenaz added.

Entering the KCB, students were also given a raffle ticket to take part in free giveaways such as $250 worth of items at the bookstore, Playstation 4s, headphones and 5- inch televisions.

MATTHEW BALDERAS | BRIDGE

Women’s basketball coach Nate Vogel (left photo, above) and men’s basketball coach Joel Taylor (right photo) speak to the crowd about their teams’ season plans.

JESSICA RODRIGUEZ | BRIDGE

November 2019

Features | 5

MATTHEW BALDERAS | BRIDGE

Matija Novkovic poses for an action shot during the TAMIU men’s basketball media day Friday, Sept. 20.

Serbian finds opportunity in college basketball career

BY TOM HIGGINS BRIDGE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

JENNIFER RODRIGUEZ | CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Matija Novkovic of Belgrade, Serbia

Most people find the thought scary of leaving everything they know and moving to a foreign country. This thought never held back the dream of junior Matija Novkovic of the Texas A&M International men’s basketball team, making the long move from Belgrade, Serbia.

Novkovic’s reason for leaving his homeland centered on the pursuit of his goal to play basketball.

“I love playing the game of basketball so much and it is a great opportunity for me to make connections and friendships with people throughout the world that will last a lifetime,” he said.

Novkovic comes from a family of five and he describes himself as being the “baby” of the family. He says leaving home is one of the hardest things he ever had to do. Even though he misses his family and friends he enjoys being away.

Before committing to play in Laredo, Novkovic spent two years attending and playing for Utah State Eastern Junior College men’s basketball team. While in Utah, he met a lot of people that are close to his heart.

“I met a family while playing in Utah,” Novkovic said. The family was so nice to me. I couldn’t believe it. Still, to this day, we keep in touch a lot. They have done so much for me and I’m so grateful for it.”

“My first thought when I left the Laredo airport was, ‘Wow, how is it this hot while still being midnight?” he recalled. “It snowed like crazy [in Utah] and all the time too.”

Being in the Laredo heat, after the freezing cold, became a pleasant experience for him. In his life off the court, Novkovic spends time with his roommate, Jacob Pfaffinger.

“The first day I met Matija, was move-in day,” Pfaffinger said.

“I had a lot of bags to carry and I was all by myself. Matija kindly offered to help me move all my things, which was not an easy task.”

The friendship grew from there, Pfaffinger said.

“Living with a Serbian roommate consists of a lot of loud phone calls talking in Serbian, lots of singing in the shower to top Serbian hits, and just an overall good time with never a dull moment,” he said.

Novkovic said he’s happy to be able to have the opportunity to play the game he loves for another two years in what he calls a great place.

TAMIU professor, wife bring students along for several recurring Indian visits

BY LO RYNN SALIN AS BRIDGE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Many students jump at the opportunity to visit another country.

Whether it is about experiencing new things or even getting a few college credit hours out of the way, studying abroad is a learning experience many enjoy taking part in.

Education Department Chair and Associate Professor Randel Brown made a return trip to India in the summer of 2018 and notes the differences between India and the U.S. “It is so different,” Brown said. “The school system differed in a way that is very interesting; they do not go up to 12th grade— they stop at 10th and are expected to know three different languages by the time they graduate.”

After five trips to India, Brown said plans are underway for a sixth return trip with his wife, Guadalupe Brown. “It’s so beautiful over there,” he added. “I definitely have to keep going back.”

Teaching a different culture of students definitely made an impact on the married couple.

“Oh my gosh, the students were so wonderful,” Guadalupe explained. “They were so respectful and grateful that we visited

India just to teach them. We even keep in contact with friends we made over in India via Facebook or Whatsapp.”

The first time the Browns visited India, they were amazed by how little everyone there had, but are still an extremely happy and grateful people.

“Some people in America take a whole lot of things for granted,” Randel said. “These people were so happy all the time and did not complain about anything, even though they do not have much.”

With that, the couple decided they wanted to bring along Texas A&M International University students to experience India with their own eyes.

“I felt the experience to study abroad to India was way too good to miss,” TAMIU student Juliana Zuniga said. “Dr. Brown and Mrs. Brown kept the trip fun, educational, and so exciting 100 percent of the time throughout the whole trip.”

While traveling to another country might sound unsafe or dangerous, the students were comfortable and so was the staff.

“We had security 24 hours of the day, seven days a week,” Randel said. “It was pretty hard to not feel safe when the students, my wife, and I were completely protected and had to always let the guards know where we were going. Our guards even informed us on which places were safe and unsafe.”

ANDREW ALFARO | CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Education Department Chair Randel Brown

6 | Education

November 2019

Economics major studies abroad for six months in South Korea

BY AM ANDA N. RAMIREZ BRIDGE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

XOCHITL MUÑOZ | CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Jennifer Lozano, TAMIU study abroad student

For her, Corpus Christi to Laredo was a short trip with littleto-no culture shock but one TAMIU economics major decided to go the distance with a six-month study abroad in South Korea.

Jennifer Lozano, who wants to pursue a law degree, said this experience made a lasting impact on her academic career. Lozano’s trip occurred in Spring 2019 where she studied Korean language, media culture in Asia, and international women’s studies.

Lozano’s trip occurred in Spring 2019 where she studied Korean language, media culture in Asia, and international women’s studies.

“Initially, I signed up without telling my parents and I feel like that’s the most rebellious thing I’ve ever done,” Lozano said.

This marked her first trip out of the country, so hiding it from her parents made this trip even more nerve-wracking. She mentioned, “I seem to always do things for others, get good grades, and please my parents—which I don’t mind— but I thought this was an opportunity for me to do something for myself.”

She further expresses how her sister, Janel Lozano, was the culprit for her studying in South Korea, and the first to know she was leaving.

“I didn’t know much about South Korea at the time,” Lozano recalled. “So, I spoke to Janel, who has always wanted to go to South Korea. She knows a lot about Korean artists and dramas.

Being the oldest sister, I want to be a role model, so I took the initiative and signed up.”

While there, she went on spontaneous adventures.

“I had the opportunity to go to my Korean friend’s house and they made me a traditional Korean meal,” she said. Her friend’s parents only spoke Korean, so her friend became the translator.

It was both her first time in a Korean home and her friend’s parents’ first time of meeting a foreigner. “It was such an amazing experience being invited to a Korean home.”

Another highlight of her trip was the opportunity to observe the city of Busan.

“Living in Corpus, I’m used to the beaches and seafood,” she said. “So, being away for six months, I got a little homesick. Busan has beautiful beaches named Haeundae and Gwangalli with several seafood restaurants around, so I enjoyed both.”

17 years of global politics seen

by Bangladesh professor’s eyes B Y L I S S E T T E M O N T E M AY O R T R I S TA N BRIDGE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

From Bangladesh, to Canada and to Chicago, Associate Professor Mehnaaz Momen has worked in various places, even countries, in her career. However, out of all the places she’s worked and lived, Momen worked in Laredo the most. She worked for Texas A&M International University for 17 years.

Yes, that’s right, Momen continues to lecture about national and state government and teaching MPA master’s programs for about the same lifespan as an average incoming freshman.

During her tenure, the University went through various changes, growing a diverse faculty and student body from all around the country—and all over the world.

“She knows what she’s talking about,” freshman music composition major Aaron Sepulveda said.

Sepulveda takes her state government class, which is Momen’s main focus, because it’s the area she’s most experienced in.

Momen began her political science interest while residing in Bangladesh. Due to her imperial schooling, since Bangladesh is a part of the Commonwealth, she received the same education as a person residing in a more-developed country would. Her parents were both teachers and she grew up in a middle-class household;

however, it wasn’t until she began working in public administration that she would see the poor reality of the Bangladesh around her.

Afterward, Momen moved to Canada, and later to Chicago, to pursue her doctorate. Suddenly, crisis stroke. Following the events of Sept. 11, the federal government rejected many student visas (which she had), and Momen soon faced immense pressure to get a job. An opportunity to become a TAMIU faculty member presented itself. “I appreciated the academic environment, especially after Sept. 11,” Momen said. “A lot of my friends were facing a lot of discrimination in a number of different cities all over America. My experience was very different than theirs and I understand I was kind of in an academic bubble—and I think I appreciated that.”

The academic environment isn’t the only reason Momen remained in Laredo for almost two decades.

“I think this is the perfect place,” Momen said of Laredo with its 94-percent Hispanic community. “The only diversity we have is in the University,” she said is important because it’s a place “where we can look at international issues, we can look at disconnections, we are on the border, so I think we have to do it.”

Today, Momen only teaches state government classes at TAMIU. “So much is going on, I didn’t have time to finish my syllabus,” she said, followed by a laugh.

One way to Hong Kong: a college student’s goal

BY GABRIELLE P R AT H E R BRIDGE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Way back in Dusty Camp of 2015, one college freshman knew exactly what she wanted to do before graduation. Her interests in Asian culture began as embers of interest in Japan in elementary school, continued to kindle flames for Korea in high school, and then burning for China into ELKIN CORTEZ | CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER her college years.

Priscilla Rangel, TAMIU study abroad student Senior communication major Priscilla Rangel of Larunderstand the insight and to being at home.” edo, also minoring in internapolitical perspective of KoRangel said classes in tional leadership, graduates in rea, such as tensions between Hong Kong are different than December 2019. She took the North and South Korea, and in the U.S. opportunity to study abroad learning about female rights “At TAMIU, we meet in Hong Kong for a whole and the LGBTQ community. twice a week and it’s like an year.

The general history behind hour or an hour and half,” “I was always fascinated by Korea motivated her to move she said. “Over there, it’s once the Asian culture—it’s what I there and immerse herself. a week and it’s a three-hour love,” she said.

Rangel said when going to long lecture.”

Sophia Orozco, one of a different country with a difOther than that, she said Rangel’s Texas ferent language, it’s A&M Internaimportant to be pational University tient. Visitors can’t friends, knew quite expect to know well of her love of what they learned all things Asian. the day before and “When the day can’t expect so came, I was so exmuch in such little cited and happy for time. her because I know “I live in Larehow much dedicado and my Spanish tion [she has placed is not that good and in this],” Orozco I’m surround my —Priscilla Rangel said.

Spanish, she said.

TAMIU study abroad student Rangel’s mother “Be strong willed felt nervous about and don’t give up.” her daughter She got inspending a whole year in a difvolved heavily with the Hong there was no difference and ferent country on her own.

Kong community and as an found it comfortable and a “I’m happy because I wantEnglish language exchange nice transition. Her profesed to do what I wanted—to student, received a certifisors spoke English and were explore other places,” Rangel cate for helping local people similar to TAMIU professors. said. “She felt content that I in Hong Kong with their Rangel took a class called unwas happy over there and said English accents and converderstanding Korean society it’s funny how we talked more sational English. She helped through film. Being a comwhen I was abroad compared with some community tours. munication major helped her

“I was always fascinated by the Asian culture —it’s what I love.”

ALYSSA WALLACE | CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Associate Professor Mehnaaz Momen of Bangladesh

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Campus | 7

Economy professor guest for Keynote Speaker Series

BY LO REN A R. M O NTIEL BRIDGE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

TOMAS CRUZ | BRIDGE

Co-author Edward Nik-Khah presents his speech about his book “The Knowledge We Have Lost in Information” on Oct. 16 at TAMIU.

The A.R. Sanchez Jr. School of Business and the Center for the Study of Western Hemispheric Trade welcomed Professor of economics Edward Nik-Khah, co-author of “The Knowledge We Have Lost in Information” (2017, Oxford University Press) to the University. Nik-Khah was the University’s first special guest for the IBC Bank and Commerce Bank Keynote Speaker Series for the 2019-2020 school year.

Nik-Khah is a former economics professor at Roanoke College in Salem, Virginia. Some of his earlier work included: “In Search of Media: Markets, The Contributions of Business to Economics, and History of Political Economy.”

His Oct. 16 attendees learned about the history of information in economics, commercialization and imperialism of economics, the political economy of medicine and market design.

Nik-Khah began his lecture by giving a brief introduction of the nature of information in microeconomics which changed throughout the years. Nik-Khah and colleague Philip Mirowski explored how the origins of information come from neoliberal-

ism and the theory of Friedrich Hayek, an Austrian-British economist and philosopher. However, Nik-Khah mentioned that market designers are trying to reconstruct the nature of society by the information they receive.

“Markets are conceived less and less about giving people what they may think they want and increasingly about operating regardless of what they want,” Nik-Khah told the audience.

He said AI and algorithms allow economists to design platforms to structure social interaction so it benefits employers.

“All of our activity is becoming information for the market,” he said. “Now, the market is less about me choosing because we are building into these interactions, devices that will anticipate what we should want and giving it to us without us making a choice—such as Pandora Radio.”

Nik-Khah said people might be concerned with the constant surveillance markets operate to obtain people’s activity information. One of the solutions proposed was for people to sell data property rights to firms gathering data, if they please.

Student Natalia Lopez said, “Professor Nik-Khah’s lecture was truly enlightening. I got to learn about the story of the contemporary history of our society. And how neoliberalism infiltrates in every aspect of our lives.”

ROLANDO SANTOS | TAMIU PUBLIC RELATIONS

Participants break bread with TAMIU President Pablo Arenaz during the 50th Anniversary President’s Dinner held Oct. 17 in the Great Room at the Sue & Radcliffe Killam Library. Tower Award was given to three honoree; The killam Family, The A.R. Sanches Jr. Famiu, and The Lamar Bruni Vergara Trust.

ALPFA holds first Laredo event The Bridge T E X A S A & M I NT E R N AT I O N A L U N I V E R S IT Y I N D E P E N D E N T S T U D E N T N E W S PA P E R

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Yessenia Escobedo speaks during the ALPFA event Oct. 12 in Laredo.

BY ALLAN RODRIGUEZ S P O RT S E D I T O R

One of the largest Latino professional organizations decided to make Laredo and TAMIU home to one of its recent events.

In the fall of 2018, Texas A&M International University senior Ivan Gonzalez-Cantu met David Peña, the national Association of Latino Professionals for America president, when both agreed to host the first event in the border city on Oct.12.

“It was the biggest event I organized, it was a lot of work and responsibility,” Gonzalez-Cantu said. “I am truly

blessed to have been able to host this event and it has been one of the highlights in my academic career here in TAMIU.” The ALPFA helps its members through development career workshops and career resources to develop leaders for the nation.

TAMIU senior Fernando Martinez met people from all over the U.S. at the event.

Martinez said the importance of networking can open doors for someone in the future by collaborating on projects with people and help them get a job in a different city or state.

“There are a lot of opportunities like this that do happen in TAMIU and Laredo that a lot of students are not

aware of until you see this stuff happening,” Martinez said.

Students from more than 15 universities came to TAMIU for the event.

“Something that I took away from this event was a lot of networking experiences, a lot of professional development,” University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley sophomore Correa said. “I own a business myself and I got to meet someone here that was doing marketing, so hopefully we can start working together.”

After the event, attendees had the chance to attend a job fair where students had the opportunity to talk to different companies.

8 | Sports

November 2019

MEN’S SOCCER NO.12 NATIONALLY IN 5TH POLL

BY ALL AN RODRIGUEZ S P O RT S E D I T O R

MATTHEW BALDERAS | BRIDGE

Forward Nadav Datner (7) attempts to reach the ball as defender Keanu Born (31) moves in on the play.

After obtaining a solid 8-1-1 overall record halfway through the season, the men’s soccer team managed to become No.12 nationally in the United Soccer Coaches Poll. The USC Poll showcases weekly the top teams of the region and nation.

A team must have a .750 winning percentage to be considered for a ranking—the Dustdevils managed to start off the season with six undefeated games, their best six-game start since 2011.

“It shows that we are putting in the work, we take every game seriously and we have a really good squad,” junior midfielder Cem Izgec said. “We are in a good moment and we hope we can be in that same position, maybe even be the top team in the conference.”

Izgec also said the strong bond in the group has let them execute well on the field.

Only three teams from the Lone Star Conference made it to

the polls for October, with Midwestern State University being No. 6 and St. Mary’s University at No.19.

“We are working hard during the week and executing in every game,” freshman forward Nadav Datner said. “At this stage of the season, we are trying to keep pushing up, and not slow down.

The coaches talk to us a lot on how to overcome all kinds of stuff.

Coach [Claudio] Arias is a great coach and a great person and I’m happy to play for him and for the rest of the staff.”

In the Lone Star Conference, the maroon and white stand in second place just below North Western University’s undefeated conference record of 4-0.

“As a team, we have continuously worked hard to be ranked 12th in the country. It has not come easy,” senior goalkeeper Josh Jones said. “We have overcome a lot of challenges, especially traveling away to places like South Dakota and Utah, where the weather and altitude were intense. We just take each game oneby-one and give 100 percent each time.”

The Dustdevils will compete in the Lone Star Conference Tournament on Tuesday, Nov. 12, through Sunday, Nov.17.

Career performances lead TAMIU to 3-1 victory F R O M TA M I U AT H L E T I C S R E P O R T S

TAMIU volleyball (3-14, 0-6 LSC) rebounded from a setback in the first set to claim a 3-1 victory (28-30, 25-18, 25-17, 25-20) over Cameron (5-15, 1-5 LSC) on Saturday.

Sophomore Mackenzie Catalina led the Dustdevils with a career-high 18 kills to go along with nine digs, six aces and three blocks. Senior Annie Deininger also posted a career-high with 16 kills in addition to four digs and an ace. Sophomore Maison Kosse logged a season-high 44 assists with seven digs, three blocks and two aces. Senior Hannah Semon contributed a career-high 31 digs to go with three aces and two assists.

Cameron jumped out to a 4-2 lead early in the first set, only to see Texas A&M International University rally to tie things 5-5.

The Aggies responded by going up 15-9 thanks to a 7-2 run. The Dustdevils battled back to trim the deficit to 17-16 with a 7-2 run of their own. They kept grinding and eventually tied things again at 24-24. From there, both teams traded points for the next several rallies. Two TAMIU errors gave Cameron the set 30-28.

The second set saw the Aggies keep the momentum as they started on a 5-1 run. The Dustdevils battled back to tie things 5-5. They would then take their first lead of the set thanks to a 10-2 run, taking a 16-10 lead. Cameron tried to comeback and cut the lead to 19-15. TAMIU closed out the set with a 6-1 run to take a 25-18 decision.

The Aggies started the third set strong with a 4-0 lead, but again would see it slip away as the Dustdevils took the advantage 8-7 with a 5-1 run. TAMIU then proceeded to rip off a 9-1 run to go up 17-8. Cameron slowly tried to claw their way back in to the set and were able to trim the deficit to 20-16. However, the Dustdevils shut things down with a 5-1 run to close out the frame with a 25-17 win.

Like they had all day, Cameron would jump out to a 4-1 lead early again in the fourth set. However, TAMIU would again muscle their way to the lead with a 13-5 run for a 14-9 advantage. They continued to assert their dominance with a 7-3 run to go up 21-12. With the Aggies down 23-14, they ripped off four straight points to cut the deficit 23-18. The Dustdevils eventually claimed the victory with a 25-20 decision.

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MATTHEW BALDERAS | BRIDGE

Outside hitter Annie Deininger attempts a kill against Cameron on Oct. 19. TAMIU won 3-1.

All-conference star shifts from softball to soccer

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W W W. GO DU S T D E V I LS . C O M

Forward Maddison Schofield, left, former TAMIU softball player, now takes to the soccer fields after using up her four years of NCAA softball eligibility.

International University.

“There [are] some things that do not show up on statistics, as far as you looking at a paper,” softball coach Scott Senior Dustdevil MaddiLibby said. “Things that show son Schofield hit it out of the up when you see her on the park in her few years at TAfield—it was like, ‘Oh, wow.

MIU. She can also do this and do The second that,’ and one of Dustdevil to earn them was base “I wanted to keep playing the Heartland running and the Conference Playother one was and getting er of the Year is playing good dethe opportunity not only passionfense.” ate about hitting After college, to play soccer home runs and Scholfield plans and continue running the basto stay in Ameries. Now, she’s ca, coach softball my education.” trading those and keep playhome runs in for ing.

—Maddison Schofield goals.

“It feels good TAMIU women’s soccer player She is already to be playing one of the top after I was done scorers of the season for the with softball,” Schofield said.

Before the spring season startDustdevils with 4 goals in 11 ed, Scholfield earned Presea“I wanted to keep playing and games. getting the opportunity to son All-Heartland Confer“Maddison is one of play soccer and continue my ence Team for softball. She the most competitive and academics. also ranked 2nd among the coachable student-athletes I “It feels great and it feels Heartland Conference homehave had the opportunity to run leaders for Texas A&M great to represent TAMIU.”

BY ALL AN RODRIGUEZ S P O RT S E D I T O R

coach,” women’s soccer coach Felipe Arias said. “She is a team player and does not spare effort. She is honest and generous when it comes to sacrifice on the pitch. She strives for excellence.”

Schofield had a majestic second season at the ballpark.