The Standard's 4.23.19 issue

Terisa Siagatonu

‘Run, Hide, Fight’

Bears off base

Poet speaks in honor of Asian Heritage Month

Active shooter training ‘empowers’ students

Baseball team looks for positives in tough season PAGE 6

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THE STANDARD M I S S O U R I S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y

VOLUME 112, ISSUE 27 | THE-STANDARD.ORG The Standard/The Standard Sports

TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2019

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Board approves tuition increase, dependent on state funding EMILY COLE News Editor @EMCole19 The Missouri State Board of Governors has approved a tentative tuition increase for the 2019-20 school year.

The 5 percent increase was approved during an Executive Committee meeting Wednesday, April 17. A final decision on the increase will come in June.

The increase is contingent on state funding, and University President Clif Smart emphasized that the amount of increase could still be reduced.

“We have requested an adjustment to our state appropriation,” Smart said, according to a press release by University Communications. “Thanks to the work of our legislative leaders, our request has been well received and we are hopeful that it will be approved.

“While we approved an increase in tuition and fees today, we hope that state revenues will allow an increase in our state funding. If that happens, the board will consider waiving some portion of the increases or phasing them in over several years.”

On March 26, Smart posted on Twitter that the Missouri State House of Representatives had approved a state budget which included a $4.7 million equity adjustment for Missouri State.

Missouri State is currently the least-funded university in the state per full-time student. This equity adjustment would help close the gap.

If put into effect, the increased tuition could see Missouri undergraduate students paying $11 more per credit hour, creating an approximate increase of $374 per year. The biggest increase would be seen by out-of-state graduate students: $21 more per credit hour.

Even if the increase is made, Missouri State will remain one of the least expensive schools in the state, and tuition would remain below the national average.

“Missouri State continues to be one of the most affordable universities in Missouri, and the student experience is unmeasurable compared to our benchmark institutions,” said Student Body President Isaiah Villarreal, according to a news release.

“With the recent tuition and fee increase, Missouri State can continue to provide essential and critical resources to students and continue to enhance the college experience.

Missouri State remains committed to allowing students to complete a quality degree at a reasonable cost.”

According to previous reporting by The Standard, Smart said if Missouri State receives the state funding, the budget increase would fully fund the minimum wage increase for student employees and allow for cost of living adjustments for all employees.

BRADLEY BALSTERS/THE STANDARD

Amaka Agugua-Hamilton, who goes by “Coach Mox,” speaks to her new team, the Lady Bears, as she is officially announced as head coach.

Lady Bears got ‘Mox’ie AMANDA SULLIVAN Sports Editor @mandasullivan14 The new Missouri State women’s basketball head coach was formally introduced at a press conference on Wednesday, April 17.

Amaka Agugua-Hamilton, more commonly known as “Coach Mox,” was announced as head coach of the Lady Bears by Missouri State Director of Athletics Kyle Moats and University President Clif Smart.

"Today is a new day for Lady Bear basketball," Moats said. "We're hiring a seasoned veteran on a number of fronts who has earned the right to be a head coach."

Agugua-Hamilton spent her last six years at Michigan State University, four of which she was associate head coach.

While Agugua-Hamilton has no true

head coaching experience, she said Michigan State head coach Suzy Merchant fell ill in 2017, and she filled in as interim head coach.

In her six years at Michigan State, Agugua-Hamilton helped coach the Spartans to a 125-72 overall record.

She said she hopes to do what Kellie Harper did at Missouri State, as well as all of her other predecessors.

"The tradition here is to raise banners," Agugua-Hamilton said. "That will continue to be the goal. We will not waver from that. I don't plan on wavering from that."

Players who have been a part of the Lady Bears program under Harper’s lead said they were excited for Agugua-Hamilton and the future of the program.

“You can tell she’s really going to care for us as people, but she’s also going to push us and make us better basketball players too,” junior Alexa Willard said.

“It’s going to be a really good fit.”

“I’m super excited because I think I’ve met my match with someone who is as vibrant as I am,” sophomore Bri Ellis said. “Her energy when she walked in the room — I could just feel it. We’ve hit the jackpot.”

Agugua-Hamilton met with the team right after getting off the plane, and she said the hunt for her coaching staff had already begun.

While no official announcement has been made by MSU, Missouri State’s Chief Diversity Officer H. Wes Pratt tweeted a photo of Franqua Bedell on April 19 that said, “Coach Q, new Assistant Lady Bears coach Franqua ‘Q’ Bedell, welcomed by City Councilmember Abe McGull and Board members at the MudLounge. Welcome coach!”

u See AGUGUA-HAMILTON, page 7

Chorale to release first commercial album spirituals,” senior choral and vocal studies major Smith said. “Among other pieces on the album will be Knut Nystedt’s ‘Prayers of Kierkegaard,’ a six-movement work for a cappelAfter several years of planning, Missouri la chorus, as well as an arrangement by Faith State’s Choral Studies program will be produc- Morgan, one of the members of our choir.” ing their first commercial album. With collaboration between Choral Studies Director Cameron LaBarr and the choral studies executive board, the Chorale plans to record in May. During odd-numbered years, the Chorale tours the United States in the summer and this year the tour takes them to Boston and New York. LaBarr proposed the idea to the choral studies executive board to use their downtime in New York to record an album.

“We have contracted with SoundMirror, a Grammy-award winning recording company out of Boston,” LaBarr said. “The recording will take place in Troy, New York.”

Choral studies executive board member Alex Smith will be one of the 48 voices featured on Several new works from American comthe album. He hopes that the album’s variety posers and arrangers will also be featured on of sounds will appeal to those in the choral the album. community as well as those who are not.

Although some of the music is familiar to “The album will be comprised of a variety the group, some of the pieces have been reof different styles, including folk songs and cently introduced to the choir so the group has KAYLA CURRY Staff Reporter @kaylacurry

“We treat each new piece as an opportunity to be the best version of ourselves, and these pieces are certainly no exception.”

already started preparation for the upcoming tour and recording process.

“We treat each new piece as an opportunity to be the best version of ourselves, and these pieces are certainly no exception,” Smith said.

“The rehearsal process is a bit more meticulous with this album coming up, to ensure that we are making as much music as we can, discovering the little things that make each piece great.”

Both undergraduate and graduate students from various areas of study will sing on the album, and other members of the faculty will play a role in the process of recording.

Pianist Parker Payne will play piano on a number of pieces, and faculty member Christopher Thompson will be a featured soloist for one of the pieces. All conducting will be done

by LaBarr and Erin Plisco, a new addition to the choral studies staff.

LaBarr said choral studies has wanted to release a commercial album for several years now. The plan for recording an album became fully formed just last semester, leaving many details still unknown, including a title and

ZOE BROWN/THE STANDARD

Cameron LaBarr will conduct the u See ALBUM, page 9 chorale, along with Erin Plisco.

2 THE-STANDARD.ORG

THE STANDARD

TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2019

Award-winning poet performs, honoring Asian heritage KATHRYN DOLAN Staff Reporter @kathryndolan98 Snaps filled Carrington Hall’s auditorium as award-winning poet, Terisa Siagatonu, performed spoken word poetry in honor of Asian Heritage Month.

Siagatonu, a queer, Samoan woman shared her unique perspective with staff and students on a wide range of topics last Tuesday.

Siagatonu is an award-winning poet, teaching artist, mental health educator and community leader, and her writing “blends the personal, cultural and political in a way that calls for healing, courage, justice and truth,” according to her website.

Siagatonu’s presence in the poetry world as a queer, Samoan woman and activist has granted her opportunities to perform and speak in places ranging from the White House during the Obama administration, to the UN Conference on Climate Change in Paris, France.

During the performance, Siagatonu discussed the importance of representation. She said Asians living in America have to harbor an identity that is often invisibile. “(Asian Americans) are constantly moving

throughout their world not seeing people who look like them,” Siagatonu said.

Siagatonu said representation is a big part of Asian Heritage Month and it’s important for Asian Americans to see images that reflect their lived realities.

Lisa Garcia, the public affairs chair for Student Activities Council, helped plan and organize several of the Asian Heritage Month events including Siagatonu’s performance.

Garcia said Siagatonu was brought to Missouri State to show a different side of poetry.

“When you write poetry, you write from your experiences, and her experience is most likely way different than the majority of students on this campus,” Garcia said. “It’s an opportunity to look at things from a different viewpoint.”

Garcia said she hopes this event was a reminder to students that other cultures exist outside of the Midwest. She said students should take the opportunity to attend events like this to help better themselves and open up their world view.

Siagatonu has a degree in ethnic studies and a master’s in clinical psychology.

She said as a person of color at a predominantly white university, studying her own ethnicity was a healing and eye-opening experience.

STEVE TRAN/THE STANDARD

Terisa Siagatonu performed her spoken word poetry at Missouri State as part of Asian Heritage Month.

“In college, I used to sit in the back of the class She said people of her ethnicity didn’t even with the other students of color and listen to my know such terminology existed because they white peers theorize the hell out of the oppression were too busy living the realities of them. that we were born from,” Siagatonu said.

“It is one thing to major in ethnic studies, Siagatonu said her white peers and profes- it is a whole other thing to be the reason for its sors often used terms such as “institutionalized racism” and “class warfare.” u See POET, page 9

SGA to install LED lights in Lot 31, Bear Park South ZOE BROWN Staff Reporter @zoe_zoebrown The Student Government Association passed two motions to install LED light bulbs in two parking lots, Lot 31 and Bear Park South, to conserve energy and address student safety concerns.

The project will be jointly funded by the student safety fund and sustainability commission fund. Abdillahi Dirie, junior health communications major and SGA director of administration services said they wanted to balance the costs between the two funds.

“We didn’t want all that amount to come from the sustainability commission fund, just so that we can give students the opportunity to submit projects but also the student security fund has a lot of money still in it,” Dirie said.

Dirie and his committee have been working on the project since the beginning of the spring semester.

“LED lights are sustainable, more energy efficient, luminous than traditional light bulbs, are an investment with a quick payback period and help create more campus safety,” read the proposal for Lot 31.

Dirie said the benefits outweigh the costs for the project.

“It’s better just to pay that amount upfront and eventually that payback will be a lot better,” Dirie said.

Dirie said the project should be completed by the beginning of the fall 2019 semester.

“It’ll make students more safe and kind of give them that assurance that they can walk around campus and still be okay,” Dirie said.

Lot 31 is a residential parking lot located across

from Juanita K. Hammons Hall for Performing Arts and behind Hutchens and Hammons Houses. It accounts for 471 parking spaces for residents with green and red parking permits.

Julia Wade-Hess, freshman business major, lives in Hammons House and parks in Lot 31.

She said the time she feels most unsafe is when she is alone at night.

“Students have already branched out on their own to live in a new place, they are without their parents and feeling safe in a new place is a big deal, especially with new independence,” Wade-Hess said.

Wade-Hess said safety is a big issue on college campuses and that increased lighting is beneficial to students.

“I think increasing lighting is something that will make a lot of people feel safer at night, considering the fact that more crimes are like-

ly to happen in the dark,” Wade-Hess said.

Besides the safety benefits, installing LED lights in Lot 31 will result in a 75.4 percent energy use reduction and $2,518 in annual savings, according to the proposal.

The motion for LED lights in Lot 31 passed on April 9 with unanimous consent.

The project is estimated to cost $24,331.

Funding for Lot 31 will come from the sustainability commission fund. According to the proposal, there is $210,000 of unallocated money in the student sustainability fund.

Similarly, SGA senate voted to pass a resolution on April 16 to add LED lights to Bear Park South. Bear Park South has 1,234 parking spots.

Funding for Bear Park South will come from the student security fund. It is estimated to cost $83,026.

THE STANDARD

opinion

TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2019 | THE-STANDARD.ORG

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Stop trying to shut people up ISAAC DEMOTTA Columnist @isaacdemotta Ilhan Omar, a Democratic representative for Minnesota, has been under fire from both Republicans and Democrats for repeatedly making anti-Semitic and other repugnant remarks. She claimed that Israel has hypnotized the world, that Israel is only an American ally because of Jewish money, that Jewish people have dual loyalty and she described 9/11 as “some people did something.” Most of these comments were made in the last two months alone.

I bring Omar and her comments up not to speak about anti-Semitism, though. I am more interested in how Omar and her associates have been responding to criticism. Ilhan Omar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rashida Tlaib have been something of a trio since being elected to Congress. So, when Omar came under fire for comments, AOC and Tlaib came to the rescue.

Instead of Omar and associates apologizing for such viewpoints and comments, they have decided to defame those who dare to criticize the statements.

The last comment that had Omar in hot water was her characterization of 9/11 as “some people (who) did something.” Following her statement, the New York Post printed a cover

that said, “Here’s your something” with the twin towers burning in the background. Ocasio-Cortez then called out the paper, saying the cover page was getting to the point of being an “incitement of violence against progressive women of color.” And Tlaib called the same cover page a “pure racist act.”

AOC’s and Tlaib’s comments are ludicrous for a couple of reasons. First, speech that incites violence –– the only kind that is not legally allowed –– must be overtly calling for violence.

So no, the New York Post was not inciting violence by printing out a picture of the twin towers and juxtaposing it with Omar’s comments. Second, the New York Post criticizing a person for grossly characterizing the worst terrorist attack in American history is not racist. The Post made no mention of Omar’s skin color, only her words.

AOC and Tlaib know that this is not incitement and they know that the New York Post couldn't care less what color or sex Ilhan Omar is — what they want to do is shut down opposition.

If they can successfully castigate those who disagree with them as racist and sexist, then they can effectively silence their critiques. After all, who cares what racists have to say? It allows them to tell the world “there is nothing wrong with me or my views. Those other people are just racist!” It is the definition of an ad hominem attack –– a logical fallacy in which

one attacks the speaker rather than the argument. It is an intellectually lazy trick that people use when their own position is too weak to handle criticism.

American author Elbert Hubbard quipped, “if you can’t answer a man’s argument, all is not lost; you can still call him vile names.” If Omar and her friends are the representatives of the future that they claim to be, if their ideas and arguments are really as powerful and true as they claim, then it should be easy for them to coherently respond to whatever criticism is thrown their way. But they can’t. So, their next move is to get people to discount criticism by demonizing their opponents as racist and sexist.

But Omar and company have not stopped at demonization. AOC called criticism from the Post an “incitement of violence.” The following day, Elizabeth Warren said that the “President is inciting violence against a sitting Congresswoman” after President Donald Trump tweeted out a video with Omar’s comments paired with videos from 9/11. Not only is criticism racist but it is actually dangerous! It is so dangerous that it needs to be censored because it is inciting violence. This a foolish, slippery road to go down. Whether you are on the right or the left, it is a dangerous thing when major politicians begin labeling criticism of their side as “incitement of violence,” because incitement of

violence is a violation of the law and can be shut down.

Besides overt calls for violence, there is no incitement. It is not incitement of violence when Bernie Sanders claims that Republican policies will literally kill millions. Omar was not inciting violence against Trump when she claimed that he is not human. Nor is it incitement of violence when every single major Democratic presidential candidate calls Trump a racist, sexist or a bigot. Heated political rhetoric, whether you agree with it or not, is covered under the First Amendment.

If we are to have any civility in politics, the way to do it is not to shut down opponents by slurring them. Civility will certainly not be achieved by censoring those who say things we do not like. Censoring rivals is a one-way ticket to the destruction of freedom. In a nation that is growing ever more polarized, we need basic ground rules by which we all play. Chief among these ground rules is this: Free speech is an absolute right.

We all have a right to free speech, despite the fact that some people will exercise their free speech in ways we may not like. But that is part of the deal. This means that Omar, AOC and Tlaib have every right to rant about whatever matter they desire. Likewise, those who disagree with them have every right to criticize their ideas. On this, we must all agree.

500mg of cringe and an IV drip of mediocre directing COLE TRUMBLE Critic @Cole_Tr A tale close to home, “The Act” is a fictionalized story inspired by Gypsy Rose Blanchard and the murder of her mother Dee Dee. As a lot of you might know, Gypsy Rose was a Springfield resident in 2015. Once upon a time, Gypsy met a man online and they fell in love, and did a bunch of gross Skype sex stuff, at least according to the show. Even better than that, they decided to meet up in sunny Spring Vegas and loverboy did what prince charmings often do — he murdered Gypsy’s mother in her sleep and the two fled the home.

Now I know what you’re thinking, “Love, murder and icky Tumblr sex? That’s not interesting even just a teeny little bit. I sure wish there were something more to this show.” Well luckily there is, you sicko. Gypsy isn’t just your average girl — I mean she is, and that’s the weird bit, I mean, uh … it’s like this: Gypsy lived most of her life in a wheelchair, taking a slurry of medication for a slew of illnesses that — get this — she doesn’t have. She doesn’t need any medication and the only illness she has ever had is a slight lazy eye — she never needed the wheelchair. And that is just enough daytime-TV style drama to get this turned into a Hulu original series!

If you’re interested in the story then I guess that’s enough reason to watch. Personally, I’m not drawn in by fiction that seems to focus on telling the stories of people you’d find on an episode of “Cops,” or “Hoarders,” but I am of the belief that every story has something that makes it worth telling.

That special “something,” however, is usually not weird incel dudes with a vampire persona baiting reclusive girls into online BDSM. In case you couldn’t tell, I hate that “The Act” exposed me to that and I will resent Hulu for it until I die.

Now, perhaps there may be some redeeming quality to the production that brings it back from the brink. Perhaps, but not quite. Not that there is anything exceptionally wrong with the production, it just doesn’t hold up that well. The cinematography and the editing both have some bizarre flaws that are obvious attempts to spice up the show.

For example, a large chunk of the show is shot in portrait mode. This is used in close up shots to show more detail on the face of whoever the subject of the shot is. This wouldn’t be so odd except that there are plenty of close-ups where the background is also in focus, so it is difficult to see any purpose to the drastic focus change other than convenience.

There are plenty of really evocative shots where the camera moves ominously down a narrow hallway, or where we catch a wide shot at an angle meant to show another character spying on another’s actions. These shots definitely stand out but they clash with the realistic style of the other half of the show. The incredibly powerful choices in a select few scenes make it difficult to care about the simple scenes and makes them feel like filler in between the more exciting scenes, and the realistic scenes make it hard to take the more creative scenes seriously.

Another really kooky point of interest that comes up, is that in scenes where the “romance” makes an appearance, the lighting goes absolutely bonkers. Nothing could be further u See TRUMBLE, page 10

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Pride is not just a party, it’s political JORDAN PHILLIPS Columnist @jrdnphillips As some of the readers may know, I wrote a column on April 2 titled “An Open Letter to Straight People: Pride is Not For You,” and from the reactions I got from friends and fellow queer people alike, it seemed to cause a stir in both good ways and bad ways. I stand by the statements that I made in that column and would not change a single sentiment — this is not an apology. However, with the help of the coordinator of Multicultural Programs and LGBT Student Services, Matthew Banks, I wanted to make something clear.

When I wrote the other column, I did not realize that its title may be alienating to my heterosexual transgender brothers and sisters, as well as those who identify outside of the gender binary yet still identify as heterosexual. Those of you

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who do identify as such are still part of the LGBTQ community and therefore, you do and always will belong at Pride celebrations. I do apologize for not making those distinctions.

Like I said in the aforementioned column I wrote on April 2, Pride was started by transgender people of color such as Marsha Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, and should have always included them.

But, I cannot speak for the transgender community because I do not identify as such and cannot imagine the struggle that transgender people go through.

Nowadays, there have been certain heterosexual and cisgender people who do not know the history of Pride celebrations and the struggle of queer people to fit within society and do not care to learn it. That is the struggle that I tried to portray in the other column. It was not to demean non-cisgender heterosexual people.

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I also wanted to give a shout out to those heterosexual, cisgender readers who read “An Open Letter” and were offended by it. I do not hate straight people and would never do anything to openly discriminate against straight people.

However, if you were offended by it and you are heterosexual and cisgender, I would like to tell you something: This is one thing that the LGBTQ community has started and the one definitive thing that caters to us. Just because it does not cater to you does not mean we are excluding you. Straight, cisgender allies are always welcome. But you must be able to educate yourself in the history of LGBTQ Pride and its celebrations.

My title stands exactly where I do.

Pride is not just a party that happens one month a year. It is a political act against those who wish the LGBTQ community harm, and we do it by being unapologetically ourselves.

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THE STANDARD Grad student fitted for care

life

TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2019 | THE-STANDARD.ORG

CONNOR WILSON Staff Reporter @Connor4Wilson

ZOE BROWN/THE STANDARD

Casper’s has been a Springfield staple since 1909, serving “American comfort food.” Casper’s current owner Shawn Kraft, right, describes the restaurant as eclectic — a place where old meets new.

Get your kicks at Casper’s Springfield’s oldest diner on Route 66 serves up sense of timelessness, family ZOE BROWN Staff Reporter @zoe_zoebrown The old-school, retro countertops and brightly colored leather booths of Casper’s diner feels like an escape from reality. It could seamlessly be inserted into a movie scene. The joint is noisy, colorful and has an undeniable sense of energy.

The business is 110 years old and has changed locations three times over the course of its history.

“As a business, it’s the oldest thing on Route 66, the oldest in the four states,” Shawn Kraft, the current owner of the diner, said.

Since 1985, Casper’s has been in the same quonset hut — a galvanized, semicircle steel hut — located downtown on Walnut Street, just off of Route 66. Casper’s is a fraction of the size of the breweries and apartment buildings surrounding it. However, the color of the facade makes Casper’s stand out — the front of the restaurant is orange with a bright blue door.

In one word, Kraft describes Casper’s as eclectic — a place where old meets new.

Kraft said the wall decorations have accumulated from the original owners and customers.

From the walls to the shelves, nearly every surface is covered. The curved walls are plastered with miscellanea — framed artwork, foreign money and family photos.

Some are prints of iconic artwork, some are originals. A painting of Casper’s in the style of Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” hangs directly above the door.

The shelves are lined with trinkets, each more unexpected than the last. Antique stat-

uettes, old soda bottles and a lava lamp rest on the counter while marionette puppets hang from the ceiling.

“The atmosphere is like the art hut at a summer camp,” Kraft said.

The eccentric decor gives the restaurant a sense of timelessness.

“A lot it came from the family, and then a lot of it started coming from friends and customers which are friends,” Kraft said.

However, Casper’s is more than a historical diner with unconventional decor.

“We’re just a little quonset hut that’s very quirky on the inside, has a lot of character, a lot of personality, not real big but big enough for everybody,” said Marcie Brown, a waitress at Casper’s.

Each time a customer enters, they are immediately met with an lively hello and “Have a seat wherever you’d like,” from Brown. One customer she called “sweetie.”

“It’s a true original — you can’t get this just anywhere.”

The customers, staff and ownership all describe the restaurant like a family.

“A lot of my customers aren’t my customers — they’re my friends,” Brown said.

Brown said that it’s a combination of the customers, owners and co-workers that make her love her job.

“I’ve been here 10 years, and there hasn’t been one day I’ve woken up and said, ‘Man, I don’t want to go to work today,’” Brown said. “I look forward to coming to work. It’s kind of like my little home away from home.”

Brown said because of the variety of people that stop in at Casper’s, every day is special.

“I get regulars that come in here, people that find us on the internet that come in here, people traveling through,” Brown said.

One of those self-proclaimed regulars is Drew Pearce. He’s a Springfield native and has been coming to Casper’s since he was a kid. Pearce said he eats at Casper’s about three or four times a month.

“You feel like you’re going to your strange uncle’s house to eat,” Pearce said.

Pearce describes the atmosphere as imaginative, unique and cheerful.

“It’s a true original — you can’t get this just anywhere,” Pearce said. “You have to be here in Springfield. If you tried to franchise this place, it wouldn’t work.”

But that’s not the only reason why he keeps coming back to Casper’s. He said he keeps coming back for the signature dishes he describes as authentic Americana comfort food.

“I usually get either a hamburger, a cheeseburger or today I got a large chili and a hamburger with everything on it,” Pearce said.

Comfort food fills the menu but it has a twist. Kraft said Casper’s is “Route 66 greasy food with a flare of carnival and fairs.”

Pearce said there’s a secret ingredient in the chili he hasn’t been able to figure out.

He said many customers have tried to uncover the secret recipe.

“The thought of that is cool, that it’s hidden away in some vault, you’d need to send Indiana Jones to go find it,” Pearce said.

The paradox of comfort and adventure is embodied in the blink-and-you-miss-it quonset hut restaurant — familiar yet exciting, social but humble, nostalgic but inclusive.

Before Pearce leaves, Brown gives him a hug.

They’d formed a special bond last November when they’d both experienced the loss of their mothers around the same time.

He said he and Brown talked about it together, helping each other through.

“It’s nice that someone would actually take the time to do that,” Pearce said. “When they get to know you, you’re part of the Casper’s family.”

In 2017, several Missouri State students traveled to Haiti over spring break, with the goal of fitting Haitian students for glasses. In that week, they screened around 400 students and fitted about 85 of them.

Leading the charge was Lucy Beeler. She’d graduated from MSU with a cell and molecular biology degree and was already familiar with the vision program implemented on the trip. For Beeler, this trip to Haiti wouldn’t be a one-time experience volunteering abroad.

For the Womxn of Distinction award winner, it marked the beginning.

On her first Haiti trip, Beeler was a senior taking a service learning credit. As a part of the credit, she was taught about MSU’s vision program and learned about the trip they would be taking.

“I always really liked traveling, but just being in that kind of environment, I knew that was the kind of thing I wanted to do,” Beeler said.

Lora Hobbs, a religious studies professor, is in charge of the Haiti trip each year. She’s organized service learning opportunities in the past in other areas, but the vision program was new for her.

When it was time to leave, the staff member who would be leading the vision testing in Haiti couldn’t go. The trip wasn’t canceled; instead, the responsibility fell onto the next person most knowledgeable about the program — Beeler.

“It didn’t take long to see that Lucy is an organizer,” Hobbs said.

While the trip was underway, Beeler took notes of everything — what went well, what they should have done differently — so that when the trip in 2018 took place, they would be more prepared. Thanks to Beeler’s efforts alongside the rest of the team, Hobbs said the 2018 trip went even more smoothly.

“We have provided eyesight to a lot of kids and Haitian school staff,” Hobbs said. “That could not have happened without Lucy.”

Since the trip in 2017, Beeler helped lead the trip in 2018 and planned to do the same in 2019, but had to cancel due to political unrest in the country. In addition, she volunteered in Tanzania for two months because she had a semester-long break and felt she needed to be doing something.

“I was already interested in public health, and that kind of helped me realize that I also liked international health and helping those who may not have as much as we do,” Beeler said.

While volunteering independently from MSU in Tanzania, Beeler focused mainly on a women’s empowerment project. Every day during the week she worked with Pippi House, which houses women in need. Beeler’s role was helping their business, teaching English, teaching computer skills, working a garden and with whatever else they needed.

There was no set schedule to follow — Beeler and other volunteers figured it out as they went.

“Other places aren’t as efficient as we are in the U.S.,” Beeler said. “In Tanzania, they have this saying, called ‘Pole pole,’ which means ‘Slowly, slowly.’ The culture is just so different.”

Because of this and many other cultural differences, Beeler said she made a point to ensure they were working in the context of the Tanzanian culture.

“The infrastructure isn’t there how it is in the U.S.,” Beeler said. “That’s a big reason why I’m interested in public health because I want to go over and not put my culture on them, but I want to try to help them help themselves.”

Aside from the experience itself, Beeler

u See BEELER, page 10

The Bravery Board aims to inspire women through vulnerability REESE RADMACHER Staff Reporter @Reese_Radmacher “We believe this fallacy that there are places for dreamers, and it’s probably far away from where you are now … You don’t need to be on a coast or in a big city to create something amazing. You can do it right where you are.”

It’s this idea, stated by Jeff Houghton in a video produced by The Mystery Hour, that serves as an underlying core concept of The Bravery Board.

The Bravery Board, established in 2016, is comprised of four women — Michelle Houghton, Kate Alsup, Jenn Fortner and Lindsay Donaldson — who strive to empower other women through honest conversations about tough topics that allow women the chance to be heard and be vulnerable.

The original founders of the board included Houghton, Alsup and Madison Hedlund, who has since left. Fortner, current member and Houghton’s twin sister who is a licensed counselor, said the conception of the board arose from discussions the women were having about their counseling professions, which resulted in a desire to create something for the community that was wellness-driven.

Along with that, Donaldson said they wanted to create a forum in Springfield that women could be a part of and use to share their

it “real and relevant.” Their podcasts also feature a variety of special guests.

Their most recent podcast is centered around the need for control and the ways in which those individualized needs have impacted their lives.

“Some of those things may be hard to discuss and talk about,” Fortner said. “But I think we see our vulnerability inspiring other people to come out and talk about the things that they’re grappling and struggling with themselves.”

Quarterly gatherings, which take place at Eurasia Coffee & Tea, are another way the board works to connect women in the community through speakers and discussions with one another.

“I think it is way too easy nowadays — especially with how connected we are all the time via technology — to feel really lonely in our own experience,” Donaldson said. “A thread that runs through our podcasts and gatherings would be vulnerability in terms of the mask for that pretense of ‘I’ve got everything together.’

We try to pull that away and ask the question, ‘OK, what’s really going on here?’”

When searching for guest speakers, Donaldson said they try to find people who can bring JAYLEN EARLY/THE STANDARD knowledge about certain topics to conversations Lindsay Donaldson speaks about her role as a member of The Bravery they can’t.

Though each member has a versatile range Board, a local podcast covering real-life stories about bravery and health. of titles including counselor, speaker, writer, experiences and learn from others as well. topics relating to things they are personally The board regularly produces podcasts about facing at the time, which Donaldson said keeps u See BRAVERY, page 10

TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2019

THE STANDARD

THE-STANDARD.ORG 5

Do renovations make realities?

Studies show smart design impacts student learning, but not all MSU buildings recieve the same attention

ANDREW UNVERFERTH Staff Reporter @unverferthandr1

TINSLEY MERRIMAN Staff Reporter @MerrimanTinsley A student’s chosen study environment is just that: the student’s choice. Noise and light levels all depend on what the student prefers. Missouri State aims to help students study by providing engaging areas to study all across campus.

In 2017, the nonprofit association Educause outlined 10 different strategies for higher education. The association is dedicated to helping higher education through the use of technology. The first of these strategies was on the use of active learning classrooms.

“Active learning classrooms (e.g., student-centered, technology-rich learning environments) was the top technology this year,” Educause reported. “As institutions transform the student advising and planning experience, they are focused on another component of student success: improving learning.”

One of the most notable buildings with active learning classrooms is Glass Hall. Originally opened on Oct. 8, 1987, the building was renovated in 2017. The recent renovations included lots of natural lighting, strong wireless signals and a range of active learning classrooms.

David Meinert, dean of the College of Business, said that MSU partnered with Dake Wells Architecture and Perkins+Will to complete the renovations to Glass Hall.

Meinert said as part of the planning committee, he wanted to make a space that students would want to use. He consulted students on what they would like in a learning environment, and he said he made sure to deliver.

Meinert said that the first three things students wanted were better Wi-Fi, a food service, which became the Einstein’s Bagel Bros, and more touchdown spaces. Meinert said that Glass Hall may be the strongest Wi-Fi spot in the city of Springfield.

“We’re probably the densest Wi-Fi on campus and maybe even in Springfield,” Meinert said. “Finally was the touchdown space.

We’ve got space all over the building where students can have time before, between and after classes.”

The project took over $5 million to finalize. Meinert said this funding came from multiple places.

“It was a mix,” Meinert said. “It came from

Training prepares MSU students for potential active shooter scenario

JAYLEN EARLY/THE STANDARD

Brick City, located in downtown Springfield, is the home of Missouri State’s Art and Design Department. gifts from donors. We also got some state match money. We bonded a portion of the funding, and also we had built up funds from the college, from various sources.”

Glass Hall is home to the College of Business, offering majors such as accounting and cybersecurity. The accessibility and features of Glass Hall don’t go unnoticed by students all the way from Brick City.

Madisyn Oglesby, senior graphic design and illustration major, said buildings for art are darker than those for business.

“There’s not a lot of natural light,” Oglesby said. “So, we’re kind of holed up here for most of the day, and it’s easy to forget what time of day it is.”

Brick City consists of five buildings located in downtown Springfield. Once belonging to a refrigeration company, the buildings were bought by MSU on Jan 23, 2019. All five were renovated within the last 10 years and house the MSU Art and Design Department, each one dealing with a separate area.

The first building also houses the University of Missouri-Kansas City Pharmacy.

Since the buildings were once used for refrigeration, they are built from brick and JAYLEN EARLY/THE STANDARD mortar, giving the area its name. But these The skylight and numerous windows bricks also block views to the outside. Senior

in Glass Hall fill the atrium with

u See DESIGN, page 10 natural light.

It’s now been 20 years since the tragic shooting at Columbine High School shook the nation.

With similar tragedies at Sandy Hook Elementary and Parkland High School, along with dozens of others in recent years, the threat of a school shooting is a major fear for many American students.

There can be a lot of doubt and uncertainty surrounding the subject of a potential active shooter on campus. A major worry for some is knowing what to do should it happen, but students at Missouri State can receive hands-on training to ensure they’re ready.

David Hall, director of University Safety at MSU, recommends that any concerned students or faculty attend an active shooter training session to help answer their questions and prepare them should the situation arise.

These sessions are conducted based on requests, meaning that students, faculty or campus organizations can ask the Department of Safety and Transportation to provide one whenever they like, so long as there are enough participants.

Hall said there has been an increase in the number of sessions held and suggests that one reason for the increase might be the improved simplicity of the new “Run, Hide, Fight” training compared to the previously used ALICE program.

“It’s much more contemporary,” Hall said.

“It really gives people actionable information …

I attended one of the ALICE trainings right after I got here, and two hours later I couldn’t remember what the acronym stood for.”

Hall compared the active shooter training to fire and tornado drills, suggesting that people might feel safer if they were trained in active shooter events as frequently and as early as other disaster scenarios.

“People just don’t know what to do,” Hall said. “By giving them this training, it empowers them to really have an idea or a sense of ‘At least I know the basic things to do.’”

But the training sessions cover information well beyond the fundamentals of how to handle yourself in the event of an armed intruder. The session on April 16 at Magers Health and Wellness Center, presented by Hall, began with a brief history of school shootings.

u See SHOOTER, page 9

6

THE STANDARD

sports

TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2019 | THE-STANDARD.ORG

From redshirt, to fill-in, to starter with a scholarship

MSU baseball team still has improvements to make

CLAIRE NIEBRUGGE Senior Sports Reporter @claireniebrugge

SAM GRUS Sports Reporter @SCGRUS_6

Lee’s Summit West product, infielder John Privitera, is batting .255 so far in his collegiate career at Missouri State.

During his sophomore high school season, Privitera won the Titans’ defensive player of the year after posting a perfect fielding record. He stole 21 bases in 21 attempts during his junior campaign, helping lead the team to a district title.

Privitera said his high school baseball team was very competitive with a lot of great players. He said his favorite part of being apart of the team was creating relationships with guys he still keeps in touch with today.

As a senior, Privitera hit .334 with 21 steals in 31 games, earning him conference and district honors.

Rated as the No. 30 prospect in the class of 2015 according to Prep Baseball Report, Privitera had just one option after high school: Missouri State.

Head coach Keith Guttin said he wanted Privitera because of his athleticism, running speed and the fact he was a left-handed hitter.

Although Privitera had a spot on the team when he came to Springfield, he did not have a scholarship, according to Guttin. He had to work to earn his scholarship.

“Privitera is a hard-working kid from a hard-working family,” Guttin said. “He kept working and worked his way into a position, and eventually got a scholarship.”

Privitera was not the only player Guttin wanted from Lee’s Summit. High school teammate Logan Geha became Privitera’s college teammate at Missouri State as well.

“I was pumped when I found out he committed here,” Privitera said. “I was really fired up.”

Geha felt the same way; he chose Missouri State because of his friendship with Privitera.

“I knew a couple guys when I arrived at MSU, and when John committed it made it a much more appealing choice for me,” Geha said.

Privitera and Geha have played together since little league, and Privitera said he doesn’t want to seem biased, but Geha is his best friend on the Bears’ squad.

“He’s always been a competitor as a player,” Geha said. “On and off the field, he gives it his all and is overall a great person to be around. We share similar person-

who was out for the rest of the season due to an injury. Privitera cleanly handled 90 of his 92 fielding chances and hit .313 in conference play that season.

“When he stepped in for Aaron Meyer on that ‘17 team, he did a nice job for us in the postseason,” Guttin said.

With 15 games remaining in the regular season for the Missouri State baseball Bears, it’s time see where the team is at. With an overall record of 13-26 and a conference record of 4-5, the Bears have lost seven of their last ten and three of their last five.

Of the Bears’ next 15 games, 12 are Missouri Valley Conference opponents, which is loaded with good teams. Only three of the teams in the conference are below .500, and the Bears are one of them.

For the Bears to have a chance at playing spoiler, or just competing in the conference, the pitching all around has to be better. Over the past five games, the Bears’ pitching has given up nearly nine runs per game. They surrendered 20 in Saturday’s loss to the University of New Orleans.

Junior Logan Wiley threw a complete game shutout against the Privateers. The right-hander gave up one run on four hits and four walks. The complete game was the junior’s first on the season and just his second victory of the year.

Wiley has the team’s second-best ERA, right behind right-hander Connor Sechler’s 3.18. The team’s combined ERA of 6.73 is not going to cut it when going into what most would call a stretch run. The bullpen has been better, with RHP Hayden Juenger finding a home in the bullpen and giving head coach Keith Guttin another name to call on that isn’t Sechler.

Juenger gave over innings of relief work during Thursday night’s 8-3 victory against the Privateers. The freshman’s 4.75 ERA is good enough for third best on the staff and has a strikeout-towalk ratio of 33-19. The Bears will need him to continue his hot streak on the mound if they want to have success.

The offense for the Bears has been better as of late, averaging seven runs per game over the last five. The team’s batting average is on the rise as certain key hitters have started to find their groove.

First baseman Ben Whetstone has seen his batting average climb from .224 to .271 over the past 10 games. The junior has four home runs and 25 RBIs on the year, his on-base percentage of .385 is good for second on the club, behind junior Drew Millas’ .389. Whetstone has started every one of Missouri State’s games and, barring injury, will not be out of the lineup soon.

Freshman Dakota Kotowski has found a spot in Guttin’s lineup card. The outfielder leads the team with a .282 batting average and is tied for the team

u See PRIVITERA, page 8

u See BASEBALL, page 8

BRENNA LUMLEY/THE STANDARD

John Privitera runs towards second while watching the ball. Privitera has seven stolen bases. He also has 16 RBIs off 40 hits. Privitera said he has to make adjustments to how pitchers are throwing and change how he bats. alities, we’re goofy and have a good sense of humor. We’ve been together all our lives and share so many great memories.”

Privitera decided to redshirt his freshman season.

He said Guttin gave him the option to do so, explaining he might not get much playing time or many at-bats over Aaron Meyer, who emerged as the Bears’ top of-

fensive threat and starting second baseman.

“I felt like it was the right thing for me to do,” Privitera said. “It was probably the best decision I’ve ever made, other than coming to Missouri State.”

In 2017, when Privitera was eligible to play again, he stepped into the shoes of All-Missouri Valley Conference first-teamer Meyer,

An offseason look at the football Bears AMANDA SULLIVAN Sports Editor @mandasullivan14 The Missouri State football team played its spring football game on April 18. Here are a few notable takeaways:

There are a few new coaches.

The biggest change on the coaching staff for the Bears is Justin Kramer’s move from assistant coach for the tight ends to offensive coordinator.

Mack Brown, the former holder of that spot, accepted a position as a defensive assistant with the New York Jets. Sean Coughlin was associate head coach for the 2018 season before he accepted the head coaching job at Arkansas State as the offensive line coach and running game coordinator.

Someone familiar with the already set offense is a bonus for the Bears keeping Kramer as the coach.

“We’re not going to change the offense,” head coach Dave Steckel said. “Our kids know the offense — Kramer knows the offense inside and out. But you’re going to see his stamp played some of the season as the on it.” starting center. Carter played in one game — the 24-21 win over No. 9 The offensive line is young.

Illinois State.

Missouri State’s starting offenDaniel Allen is a transfer from sive line last year was almost all Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College. veteran players. In the spring game, This offensive line, along with redshirt freshman Ian Fitzgerald the others who played, will need to filled in at left tackle, sophomore spend the summer continuing to Derek Kohler played left guard, ju- perfect this offense that most of nior Casey O’Brien played center, them already know. With this being junior Charles Carter played right Kramer’s fifth season at Missouri guard and junior Daniel Allen played State, he’s familiar with the offense right tackle. and can help lead them in the right Players like Kohler and O’Brien direction. played in several games during their “It’s pretty much the same ofredshirt freshman seasons. O’Brien fense,” sophomore quarterback Dalton

Photos by AMANDA SULLIVAN/ THE STANDARD

(Left) Dalton Hill hands the ball off in the Bears’ spring game on April 18.

(Above) Peyton Huslig looks for an open pass while running the ball in.

Hill said. “Kramer makes sure we’re Granato threw 102 yards for two running things that we’re comfortable touchdowns. Granato connected with with and what the offense is comfort- redshirt freshman Ja’Ron Burks for able with. It’s hardly been a transition.” both of those touchdowns.

The quarterbacks had bright moments.

Senior Peyton Huslig started for the Bears in the spring game and did well. He threw for 88 yards, going 8-for-15. He also ran on four different occasions, picking up a total 10 yards.

Hill and redshirt freshman Parker Powell earned playing time, but senior J.T. Granato statistically had the best night.

third down stops. On the flip side, the offense earned two points for converting the play on third down. According to StatBroadcast, the final score was 14-10, but the true final score with the Third downs, as usual, are a additional points was 38-22. focus for the Bears.

“We obviously have a lot of work The circumstances of spring to do,” Steckel said. “Moving into games often change and vary based summer, I’m pleased, but I’m not very on the school. For Missouri State, content.” third downs were one of the worst The fall schedule is tough. statistics.

The Bears had a 37 percent third The Bears have a tough schedule down conversion rate compared to their ahead of them, starting on Aug. 29 opponents’ 46 percent conversion rate. against Northern Arizona.

In the spring game, the defense would earn two points for those key u See FOOTBALL, page 8

TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2019

THE STANDARD

THE-STANDARD.ORG 7

Beach volleyball team sets new standard Purple Aces sweep Bears with winning record in second season MONICA BLAKE Sports Reporter @monicablak3

DEREK SHORE Sports Reporter @D_Shore23

The beach volleyball team at Missouri State wrapped up its second season with a record of 12-11, the first winning record since its initiation season last year.

“It was an amazing second year,” head coach Terri Del Conte said. “We put in so much to not look like a second-year program.”

The Bears started their season at the Horned Frogs Challenge competing against three top 20 teams: No. 19 Grand Canyon University, No. 16 Georgia State and No. 17 Tulane, as well as Texas Christian University. They came away 0-4, but feeling excited after a close game against TCU (2-3).

“My partner and I beat TCU,” junior Kelsey Larsen said. “That was a really huge match because they’re a highly ranked team. That was a huge challenge for us that we overcame together.”

Kelsey’s partner at the time was freshman Kylee Davis.

The players attribute most of their success this season to a different team atmosphere and putting in a lot of hard work.

“It was night and day from the first season,” sophomore Sam Brinkmann said. “I think all of us improved so much and we really honed in our skills.”

Del Conte had a lot to do with this change.

“We did a lot physically,” Brinkmann said.

“Terri pushed us a lot physically in practice, but she pushed us a lot mentally too, and I think that made the biggest difference.”

Looking and acting like a second-year program was out of the question for Del Conte.

“I knew we really needed to start off right off the bat with a lot of hard work, a lot of conditioning, and just really setting a new standard for year two,” Del Conte said.

The Bears competed against many other ranked teams throughout the season including No. 9 Long Beach State, No. 7 Cal Poly, No. 13 Loyola Marymount and No. 11 South Carolina.

After hitting its stride last week, the Missouri State softball team returned to Killian Stadium for a three-game set against a Missouri Valley Conference rival.

The Bears hosted Evansville from April 19-20.

The Purple Aces took advantage of the wind blowing out of Killian Stadium in the doubleheader, muscling up for a combined four home runs and 21 total hits to earn a sweep of Missouri State, 3-1 and 11-7.

In game one, Evansville scored three runs in the third inning off sophomore Steffany Dickerson and held off a late surge by the Bears to win the opener.

Dickerson went the distance and faced just five over the minimum, striking out three. She also led all players with two hits.

Freshman Alex Boze singled home Missouri State’s only run to make it a 3-1 game.

But Boze bounced into a game-ending double play in just the fourth home loss of the season for the Bears.

Missouri State had Evansville on the ropes in game two.

The Bears racked up the fifth-most walks in the NCAA season with 14 free passes issued by the Purple Aces pitchers, but Evansville smacked two home runs in the seventh inning to escape with an 11-7 victory.

Sophomore Madison Hunsaker was tagged with a pair of earned runs in the top of the fifth to tie the game.

She redeemed herself in the bottom of the frame when she drew a bases-loaded walk to give the Missouri State a 7-6 lead going into the seventh.

That lead held until the final frame when the Purple Aces scored five times on four hits in the seventh to win it.

Senior Kyana Mason had two hits to lead the Bears while sophomore Kelly Metter and Dickerson each walked three times.

To end the week’s action, Missouri State mounted five hits in the fifth and sixth innings to get within one run of Evansville.

But the Purple Aces held on down the stretch for a 5-4 victory to secure their first series sweep of the Bears since 2000.

Evansville posted a 4-0 lead in the second inning after a two-out grand slam from leadoff hitter Eryn Gould — her ninth home run of the year and second of the series.

The Bears received five quality innings of relief from Hunsaker from there. The left-hander struck out a season-high six batters while surrendering just one run to keep Missouri State within striking distance.

Offensively, Missouri State tallied 10 hits on the day — its most since April 1 — including three from freshman Payton Minnis.

“I thought we showed a lot of resiliency

The official Lady Bears schedule for 2019-20 has not been released, but Agugua-Hamilton said it will look much like years past in difficulty.

In the 2018-19 season under Harper, the Lady Bears started 1-7 against tough opponents like ranked Mizzou and Gonzaga. The Bears started a 13-game win streak at the Roo Holiday Classic in Kansas City, Missouri, over the university’s holiday break.

Missouri State went on a roll through the NCAA Tournament to the Sweet 16, defeating No. 21 Drake, No. 24 DePaul and No. 13 Iowa State. before losing to No. 6 Stanford.

“There’s definitely a lot of pressure,” Agugua-Hamilton said. “Making the Sweet 16 is not easy, and it’s going to take a lot of hard work to make it back. Our goal is to be competing for conference championships, reaching the NCAA BRADLEY BALSTERS/THE STANDARD Tournament, getting hot and repeat that and go beyond. It’s been done here many times before.

Amaka Agugua-Hamilton speaks at We definitely have the talent to get it done. It’s the press conference announcing her not a given, but we will be dedicated to it.” as head coach for the Lady Bears.

In the meantime, Agugua-Hamilton will be

implementing her F.A.B. philosophy. F.A.B. stands for family, academics and then — lastly — basketball. Agugua-Hamilton said family, whether the immediate family or basketball family, always comes first.

“Family is very valuable to me,” Agugua-Hamilton said. “It shows that we’re in it for something bigger than ourselves. We as a family will attack this together.”

Then, academics always precedes basketball.

Agugua-Hamilton said she is here as a coach not only to prepare the athletes for every game on the court, but also for life after college.

She will be working with a talented, young group of athletes that are expected to return for next year’s season. Players like freshman Jasmine Franklin, who holds the MSU rebounds and blocks records for a freshman season, are expected to make an impact for the Lady Bears.

“I’d like to thank Kellie Harper and her staff for continuing to raise the bar here and for recruiting these talented individuals in front of me,” Agugua-Hamilton said.

u See SOFTBALL, page 8

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a second match against Tulane, a team they had fell 2-3 to in the first invitational of the season.

“Me and my partner Sarah Demmer had the last match — the deciding match — and we won it,” Brinkmann said. “All my teammates were on the sidelines cheering us on, it was awesome.”

Del Conte said beating Tulane was an amazing way to end the season and really put a cherry on top of the season.

The Bears are already preparing for next season, adding an entire new half of a team, all with beach volleyball background.

“This third year is a whole new level of excitement,” Del Conte said. “We have nine new freshmen coming in with a nice background of beach volleyball, plus a grad transfer that we’re planning to get.”

E

“We battled really hard with No. 7 Cal Poly; we took them to three (sets) in several pairs scenarios,” Del Conte said. “We just really showed everything we had that match. The results didn’t reflect the battle we had with them.”

The Bears also hosted the MSU Beach Invitational against Park, Ottawa and Missouri Baptist.

The Bears won every match of the invitational.

The Bears also competed at the ULM Warhawk Invitational against New Orleans and Houston Baptist.

“We had a really nice win over University of New Orleans,” Del Conte said. “We beat them 3-2, and it was a really neck-and-neck battle. I really saw the grit from our team in that match.”

The last match of the season for the Bears was

TH

File Photo by GRETA CROSS/THE STANDARD

Sam Brinkmann and Sarah Demmer high-five after earning a point at the Betty and Bobby Allison Sand Volleyball Courts on March 22.

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THE STANDARD

TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2019

SOFTBALL

FOOTBALL

and a lot of grit after two losses and falling behind again,” Missouri State head coach Holly Hesse said in a press release. “I thought we fought the whole time, and I’m proud of the effort they gave. (Hunsaker) really shut them down through five innings, and I thought Payton (Minnis) was a huge spark for us all day.

“We just have to keep moving forward.”

With just two series left in the regular season, the Bears now have an overall record of 26-17, 11-8 in the Missouri Valley.

Missouri State currently sits fifth in the conference.

Last year, MSU surprised Northern Arizona with a 40-8 win.

At the time, Northern Arizona was ranked 20th.

Since then, Jerome Souers stepped down after 21 years at the helm of the program. He was fired after the 2017 season and then rehired for the 2018 season.

Chris Ball was named head coach of the program on Dec. 10.

Ball accepted the position after three seasons as defensive coordinator at the University of Memphis. He has over 30 years of experience in collegiate football.

The Bears also play Tulane and Kennesaw State in their nonconference

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Missouri State will travel to the University of Missouri - Kansas City on April 23 for its final nonconference game of the year.

They return to Killian Stadium from April 27-28 for a three-game set against first-place Drake.

The Bears will finish off the 2019 campaign at Indiana State, which is scheduled from May 3-4.

Assuming the season were to end today, Missouri State would draw the fifth-seed in the Missouri Valley Softball Quarterfinals.

BILL SIOHOLM/THE STANDARD They would play the winner of Daphne Plummer prepares game one in the opening round which is No. 8 Evansville or No. 9 to tag out a runner sliding into second base.

Valparaiso as of right now.

schedule before diving in to Missouri Valley Football Conference play.

The Bears started the 2018 season 4-2 after upsetting both Illinois State and Northern Arizona.

The Bears also defeated Lincoln and Indiana State; the two losses were to Oklahoma State and South Dakota.

Missouri State ended losing its last five MVFC games.

The Bears finished out last season against the conference’s toughest opponents.

In the 2019 season, the Bears will end with games against Illinois State and Indiana State — the two Valley opponents the Bears beat last year.

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BRENNA LUMLEY/THE STANDARD

Anthony Herron Jr. swings all the way through.

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lead in home runs with sophomore Joey Polak. Kotowski’s .564 slugging percentage tops on the team.

While he hits for power, it’s with the bases empty. For a guy that has seven home runs, to see 10 RBIs next to it is disheartening.

While the offense has started clicking, the club is still striking out at an alarming rate. The pitching staff has struck out 312 batters on the season, and for comparison Bears hitters have struck out 395 times. If the strikeout rate does not slow down, the Bears could be on the outside looking in when it comes time for the postseason.

In stacked conference, the

Bears are finding themselves trying to climb out of the basement at the wrong time of the season. Three of their next conference opponents have records of .500 or better, the biggest test of this club will be Dallas Baptist. The Patriots are 2712 overall and 6-3 in conference play. DBU has been the biggest thorn in the Bears side over the past couple of years.

While a chance at making a conference tournament championship run is unlikely, it is baseball and anything can happen. The Bears’ next game is at the University of Missouri on Tuesday, April 23, and will host the Bradley Braves from the 26-28.

Privitera went 5-for-13 in postseason play that year, helping the Bears advance to the Super Regional for the second time in three seasons.

Privitera said he never felt nervous or anxious when he filled in for Meyer. He said when the time came, he wasn’t antsy — he was ready.

“In all honesty, I wasn’t nervous,” Privitera said. “I kind of had a chip on my shoulder. I knew I was as prepared as anybody else.”

Privitera came back attacking for his sophomore season, collecting career records in almost every offensive category. He posted 38 runs, 45 hits, 20 RBIs and 11 stolen bases.

He started 56 out of 57 games as a sophomore while fielding at a .978 efficiency. Privitera drew 45 walks that season, ranking fourth in the Valley and 51st nationally.

Following in Meyer’s footsteps, Privitera emerging as the most productive player at the plate for the Bears down the stretch and earning All-MVC first-team honors, batting .292 in league play.

Privitera said though he improved from the previous year, he didn’t feel like he was at the top of his game that year. He said he felt as though he was in the middle of his career and that he hadn’t reached the ceiling yet and could still maximize his potential.

At the end of the 2018 campaign, Privitera said he was focused on improving in every area, just trying to

get better and ready for the next season. One of the areas Privitera said he wanted to work on most was at the plate. He said he wanted to work on his approach, mechanics and swing for more productive at bats.

In the beginning of this season, Privitera did just that. He led the clubhouse in batting average for the few couple weeks of nonconference play.

Privitera has since drifted to fourth out of the starters.

Guttin said he isn’t worried about Privitera and doesn’t think he’s in a slump.

“That’s baseball,” Guttin said.

“You’re going to have days where you hit everything on the nose and have a great night — and there’s nights when you don’t do that. It kind of evens out over the long haul.”

Privitera did not seem worried either.

“I’ve been going through some mechanical tweaks,” Privitera said. “Pitchers are pitching me a certain way, pitching me harder. I’ve had to adjust my approach and my mentality.”

Privitera is one of three starters to have started every single game thus far this season. He has collected six doubles, three triples and one home run this season in 35 of his 137 at bats, posting an average of .255.

Privitera is fifth among Bear starters in fielding percentage at .960.

He is currently tied for fifth in the Valley at fielding double plays and 10th in the conference for most at bats.

Privitera said he is really looking

BRENNA LUMLEY/THE STANDARD

John Privitera stands ready to bat against Mizzou.

forward to the conference tournament and seeing what this team can do down the stretch in crunch time.

“I hope we can start turning this around and playing better baseball because we have the talent,” Privitera said.

Privitera said his favorite part of being a Bear is the day-to-day atmosphere of being around the guys and the coaches. He said it’s like a family and enjoys the relationships he’s building along the way.

“Regardless of what happens on the field, we’re a pretty tight-knit group in the clubhouse and on the road,” Privitera said. “We’re all really close and like to have fun together.”

TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2019

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University security re-brands, plans updates to campus CLAYTON FRYE Staff Reporter @clayton_frye Do you feel safe on campus? The answer to that question is the job of a whole team of people working around the clock, from law enforcement experts to dispatchers to Bear Line drivers.

All of these positions fall under the umbrella of the Office of University Safety, previously known as the Department of Safety and Transportation. This division is responsible for managing all transportation, emergency preparedness, law enforcement and general campus safety.

“We want to be viewed as the campus safety experts,” said David Hall, director of University Safety. “Students should feel comfortable coming to us with any safety needs they may have.”

There have been changes recently to the structure of the Office of University Safety.

According to the 2019 University Safety Spring Update, “the emphasis is moving from nonsworn, security enforcement to an extreme focus on crime prevention, increasing safety training, campus risk-reduction and providing professional level services.”

For example, public safety officers are now known as campus safety specialists and will wear polos instead of uniforms. This is meant to communicate that they are not law enforcement, but a resource to help students when they need it.

They perform duties that don’t require professional police training, such as safewalks, car jumps and room unlocks.

“We try to leave law enforcement to the professionals,” Hall said.

Another new priority is upgrading the camera systems and lighting in areas of campus where students don't always feel safe, especially parking lots.

According to the 2019 spring update, Student

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existence,” Siagatonu said.

Siagatonu said it’s easy to avoid topics such as racism because it makes most people feel uncomfortable.

“You can’t claim racism doesn’t exist if you’ve never known what it means to survive it,” Siagatonu said.

Amy Walser, a sophomore exercise and movement science major, had never seen spoken word poetry performed live and said she thoroughly enjoyed Siagatonu’s performance.

“As an Asian female I was really inspired by her,” said Walser.

“We all have voices and it’s up to

us whether we use them or not — we can each make a difference.”

Walser said Asian Heritage Month is an important time to reflect and celebrate everything Asians have done in the past.

She said this month is also a great reminder to everyone of the impact Asian culture has on the world today.

Several of Siagatonu’s spoken word poems are available to watch online.

Her work has been featured on Button Poetry, CNN, NBCNews, NPR, Huffington Post, Everyday Feminism, The Guardian, BuzzFeed and Upworthy.

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cover art.

“We do not yet have a title or album art for this album,” Smith said. “My guess is that we will title it with one of the pieces on the album.”

According to LaBarr, to take on this project, the choral studies program will be supported by private donors, the Missouri State Choral Endowment, along with the College of Arts and Letters.

LaBarr said the process of recording an album will take more planning,

along with post-production work. The Chorale plans to release the album sometime within the next year.

“I think I speak for all of the students when I say this year has been an amazing year of growth, both musically and environmentally,” Smith said. “This album will be an excellent showcase of that growth.

“I am so excited to have a permanent way to look back on this year and remember all of the details that made the journey so enjoyable.”

After explaining how shootings and preparedness for them have evolved, Hall spoke to the small audience about preventing these tragedies before they even happen.

Though he explained that “there is not a profile for an active shooter,” he did suggest there are a few characteristics that might be useful for determining whether or not someone is a threat to others or, more likely, themselves.

The majority of the training session was spent explaining the ideas behind “Run, Hide, Fight,” a title that, Hall admits, could be somewhat misleading.

“Run” is fairly straightforward. If you hear gunshots at a distance, your first priority should be to get as far away from that noise as possible.

“Hide” more often means barricade. If fleeing isn’t an option, the next best plan is to make it as difficult for the shooter to reach you as possible.

“Fight” is a last resort. If no other options exist, training suggests that you do whatever you can to prevent the shooter from hurting you, whether it be attacking, screaming or moving erratically.

While these plans can certainly seem easy to understand, Hall also said that the pressure of an active shooter scenario can very easily cause people to freeze up and not think properly, which is why training and preparedness is so vital.

The training is a roughly hourlong presentation, which Hall hopes

Weekly Crossword © 2019 King Features Syndicate ACROSS 1 Fellow 5 “-- Blue?”

8 Barbershop item 12 Mentor 13 CD- -14 Sheltered, at sea 15 Office machine 17 Tarzan’s transport 18 Scrooge’s outcry 19 Hateful 21 Future mare 24 Met melody 25 Sandwich cookie 26 Site of many sites 30 Swindle 31 Paquin and Quindlen 32 Id counterpart 33 Gap 35 Bartlett, for one 36 Line of stitching 37 Papa 38 Triangular letters 41 “-- Town” 42 Pelvic bones 43 Lyon-based crimefighting group 48 Expansive 49 Old hand 50 Norway’s capital 51 Initial chip 52 Author Umberto 53 Spruce (up) DOWN 1 Film high-tech tricks (Abbr.)

2 Attila, for one 3 Skill 4 Colorado city 5 St. Louis attraction 6 Cattle call?

7 Undying

Government Association recently approved a measure to fund additional security cameras in Bear Park South, Lot 31 and Lot 33.

Hall also looks to improve the campus dispatch system.

“By having two dispatchers, instead of just one, a dispatcher can stay on the line with the person who needs immediate assistance while the other dispatcher uses the camera system to help law enforcement locate the person,” Hall said.

Emergency preparedness is another important aspect of campus safety. This section of University Safety includes safety trainings, such as the ones held earlier this year for active shooter situations, and also safety equipment like fire extinguishers and automated external defibrillators.

“We have 1,996 fire extinguishers on campus that need to be inspected once per month,” Hall said. “That’s a big job.”

More AEDs were added this last semester too. There is an app available for people

8 Ritzy spread 9 Hodgepodge 10 Server’s handout 11 Honey bunch?

16 Shaft of light 20 Conks out 21 Central points 22 Press 23 Fasting period 24 Region of Vietnam 26 Tending to spread 27 Requirement 28 “Zounds!”

29 British conservative 31 Neighborhood 34 Subject of a will 35 Buccaneer’s bird 37 Payable 38 Prima donna 39 Verve 40 Roster

41 Sgt. Snorkel’s dog 44 Asian electronics giant 45 Omega preceder

46 On in years 47 Actress Myrna

trained in their use created by the Springfield Fire Department, University Safety, Mercy Hospital and Cox Health. According to University Safety’s Spring Report, PulsePoint is an app that will notify users when someone is in cardiac arrest, and provides the location of the nearest AED. “In the case of an emergency, the equipment needs to be there and it needs to be working,” Hall said.

While this division may be large, the awareness of it is not.

“Getting accurate information to students about what we do and how to access our resources is something we struggle with,” Hall said.

The Office of University Safety already has a blog, called Safety First, but they will be getting a new website soon.

“Ultimately we want to be that kind of neighborhood person that you can come to if you need help,” Hall said.

gives attendees the information and security they need. Sophomore history education major Sydney Davis, who attended the April 16 session, said she was a bit more comfortable after the training.

“As an education major, it’s something that kinda scared me going into teaching since you hear about school shootings in the news all the time, but this course made me feel a lot better about it, just being prepared and realizing that there are more school fires than there are shootings,” Davis said.

Senior criminology major Sam Butler was also at the session. She came out of concern stemming from recent mass shootings.

“For me, I didn’t really think about it until Parkland happened because I was watching it live as it happened,” Butler said. “I was thinking ‘Oh my gosh, I’m in school right now. That’s very scary.’ So I wanted to be more prepared.”

During the session, Hall said “there is a greater chance to survive than ever,” emphasizing the importance of learning what to do before anything bad actually happens.

“There needs to more emergency-preparedness training of all types for faculty, staff and students,” Hall said. “The time to know what to do for an emergency is before an emergency happens, not after it happens.”

While there aren’t specific requirements for active shooter training at MSU, university faculty cover some scenarios at their orientation in a general preparedness training, and, according to Hall, there has been talk about adding something to the school’s GEP courses to prepare students as well.

Currently, 10 states allow concealed carry weapons on public postsecondary campuses: Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Mississippi, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin.

National Conference of State Legislatures

Along with increased student preparedness training, MSU might soon have the option to designate full time employees as campus protection officers, who would be allowed to conceal carry firearms on campus.

Hall said House Bill 575, which has already passed in the Missouri House of Representatives and is under review in the Senate, would allow MSU’s Board of Governors to select officers who would be trained based on requirements set by the state Department of Public Safety.

Although he’s fine with the core legislation, Hall said MSU takes issue with an amendment to the bill which would allow for broad concealed carry on campus.

The MSU Board of Governors currently decides who is allowed to conceal carry and where. Hall said that taking that discretionary power away from the board could lead to issues with individuals carrying firearms when they simply wouldn’t before.

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from the realism that the show begins with. Specifically in the fifth episode when Gypsy meets her internet lover, the harsh fluorescents of a movie theater bathroom are instead replaced with an overpowering magenta, as well as some ambient blue light that seems to come from nowhere.

While I am usually a fan of oversaturation of color, the way the lights fall on Gypsy trying to get sexy with a man who looks greasier than the bottom of a Pizza Hut box gives off way more of a crusty vibe than a mystical one.

To contrast the production, the acting in “The Act”

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brought a piece of Tanzania home with her. In Arusha, the city she stayed in, she adopted a rescued puppy and named him Rushi. Despite the less-than-ideal conditions of flying a stressed puppy on a plane for 17 hours, Beeler said it was worth it.

Beeler worked closely with senior cell and molecular biology major Hayley Kendrick in 2018 to make the Haiti trip as efficient as possible, and the two prepared for another trip in 2019 until it was cancelled.

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TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2019

is stellar. Everyone on the cast has a lot to work with and they manage to cover all their bases with skill and subtlety.

The actor that makes the biggest impression is Chloë Sevigny. She plays a mother and neighbor to the Blanchards. Her role is delivered with consistent underlying emotional struggle and she is able to communicate her complex, internal thought process without needing to articulate her every impulse.

At the end of the day if you want to learn a little more about Springfield lore, and if you like watching shows about true stories of screwed up people, you’ll find something to appreciate in “The Act.” It isn’t terrible but there are a lot of better things out there.

It isn’t playing it safe and you can tell that the creative team involved was trying, which is more than can be said for a lot of shows being made. 4/10 Since the trip is just once a year, Hobbs said she almost doesn’t want Beeler and Kendrick to leave because of how helpful they’ve been.

Currently, Beeler is studying for her master’s degree and is working as a graduate assistant. As soon as she earns her master’s degree, she will join the Peace Corps to continue her volunteer work.

Beeler said that while not everybody will be willing to spend months of their time volunteering abroad, it’s still important to stay educated about the rest of the world and what’s happening in it.

“Learning about other places and other people, it can help you better understand your own and where you live,” Beeler said.

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Lindsey Holbert, graphic design and illustration major, said the buildings needed more windows, feeling that it’s “like a dungeon” inside the classrooms of Brick City.

Another recent article provides a reason why windows and natural light are so popular.

Edutopia, an educational foundation formed by director George Lucas in 1991, aims to help education to further students. In a 2016 study, Dr. Melina Uncapher said hormones controlling sleep in the brain respond to blue lights.

“Even more importantly, all light is not the same,” Uncapher wrote. “While the presence of any light can influence hormonal secretion via this non-visual system, blue light has the most powerful effect. People are more alert and less sleepy when exposed to blue light versus other wavelengths.”

Natural lighting can help students wake up faster, cutting the need for coffee. Windows allow this natural light inside and help stimulate a student’s brain.

But windows might take a few years to be added to Brick City.

This summer, MSU, Vecino Group and the City of Springfield are planning to renovate IDEA Commons.

This 88-acre area houses Brick City, but construction will mainly focus on other things like sidewalks and building expansions.

JAYLEN EARLY/THE STANDARD There is no confirmation on construction to Brick City Brick City was once used for refrigeration, in the near future. However, for updates one can visit the which makes the buildings more closed off IDEA Commons section of either the City of Springfield website or the MSU website. from the outside with less windows.

JAYLEN EARLY/THE STANDARD

The Bravery Board meets quarterly, typically over coffee at Eurasia Coffee & Tea, to talk about real-life stories on bravery and mental health. The group’s next gathering is on June 1. Kesha Alexander and Lindsay Donaldson will discuss the topic “lie of inadequacy.”

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attorney, pastor, artist, musician and humanitarian, Donaldson said the difference in educational experiences allows for two different approaches.

“We’ve definitely invited our fair share of therapists, counselors and psychiatrists,” Donaldson said.

“Their ability to speak with incredible emotional intelligence is a great asset at the gatherings.”

Donaldson referred to a book by author Shauna Niequist titled “Present Over Perfect.” One chapter, Donaldson said, challenges the idea that we are powerless to create the life we want, but instead encourages the notion that gradually, one decision at a time, it is possible to live a life we love.

Donaldson said this type of mentality is what they want women to feel through their podcasts and gatherings — the idea that “incremen-

tally you can create a life that you do love, and it does make you happy, and you don’t have to feel alone on the journey.”

As the latest member to join, Donaldson said she was floored when Houghton asked her to join the board; she’d initially placed them on a pedestal she said she felt she could not reach because she saw them as creative and successful women who always had it together.

Instead of letting that be a reason to shy away, Donaldson decided to view it as an opportunity to surround herself with women who have achieved things she hopes to one day.

“They are just normal women with great days, terrible days and everything in between,” Donaldson said.

The board has an upcoming gathering on June 1 about the lie of inadequacy which will feature speakers Kesha Alexander and Donaldson.

For more information about The Bravery Board, including how to access their podcasts, visit www. thebraveryboard.com.