The Student Printz August 31, 2015

Monday, August 31, 2015

Volume 100 Issue 4

www.studentprintz.com PAGE THREE

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NEWS

Honors College

F E AT U R E

Successful MGCCC honors students to be admitted to USM.

International

Students discuss their transitions to life in south Mississippi.

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PAGE SIX

OPINION

S P O RT S

F. Gary Gray’s biopic a hit, but not without some flaws.

JUCO transfer Dew looks to make an impact for Lady Eagles.

‘Straight Outta Compton’

Softball

VP Pierce heads to Alabama USM celebrates 50 years of

ON CAMPUS

J.D. Rimann

desegregation

Printz Reporter

Last week The University of Southern Mississippi announced that Bob Pierce, the vice president for advancement, will be stepping down from his current position and making a lateral move to the University of Alabama.

Pierce, a Southern Miss alumnus, has spent the majority of his career working at USM, initially as the assistant director of development for athletic fundraising in 1994-1995, before becoming the executive director of the Southern Miss Alumni Association. He was the executive director of the USM Foundation before being named the vice president for advancement.

“Bob Pierce is an experienced leader in university advancement who will bring an outstanding record in fundraising, as well as energy and enthusiasm, to the University of Alabama,” said Stuart Bell, University of Alabama president.

“We are looking forward to having him join our team.”

Pierce completed a master’s degree in advertising and public relations at the University of Alabama. He was recognized as the Class of 2003 Outstanding Graduate Student in Advertising and Public Relations.

Pierce is excited for his position.

“I am thrilled to be returning to the University of Alabama to join President Bell’s team and lead development efforts,” Pierce said.

“There is tremendous fundraising potential at (the University of Alabama), and I am confident that a focused, driven president like Dr. Bell and the strong leadership group he has in place will continue the upward trajectory set in motion by the (previous) administrations.

“I look forward to getting to Tuscaloosa as soon as possible so that we can formulate and execute a sound, long-term fundraising plan for the benefit of the university as well as its faculty, staff and students.”

According to a press release, University of Southern Mississippi President Rodney Bennett explained that Pierce’s position will not be filled, but its duties will instead be folded into the Office of the Vice President of External Affairs, headed by fellow USM alumnus Chad Driskell.

“Moving forward, I am not planning to refill the position of vice president for advancement,” Bennett said.

Nan Buti

Printz Reporter

Bob Pierce/Courtesy Photo

“Instead, I will take this opportunity to downsize the university’s administrative structure and reassign the management

responsibilities of the Southern Miss Alumni Association and the USM Foundation. This change will allow us to reallocate resources

to create additional front-line positions, enabling us to reach more alumni and friends of the university on a regular basis.”

Former CNN news anchor, reporter and award-winning journalist Soledad O’Brien will speak at a keynote address on Friday at 7 p.m. in Bennett Auditorium to complement the 50th anniversary of The University of Southern Mississippi’s desegregation. The featured program, “Celebrating 50 Years of Progress: Desegregation of The University of Southern Mississippi,” will involve discussion of the historical event.

Southern Miss accepted its first two African-American students, Raylawni Branch and Gwendolyn Elaine Armstrong, in September 1965.

“Southern Miss has changed drastically since 1965, and it would be beneficial to students attending either the panel discussions, community receptions, keynote address or the Ecumenical Prayer Service to reflect on the courageous actions of Raylawni Branch, Gwendolyn Elaine Armstrong and all those who came after them who have forged the path that has led to such a diverse and inclusive student body at Southern Miss,” said Jerry DeFatta, Celebration Committee co-chair and executive director of the Southern Miss Alumni Association.

The anniversary will help the public remember the critical history surrounding racial relations at USM. “That is an important mission for the center, through our research, teaching and service activities,” Director of the Southern Miss Center for Black Studies Sherita Johnson told the Hattiesburg American.

“Having O’Brien on campus for this occasion illustrates the university’s commitment to educating and empowering the next generation of leaders.”

Soledad O’Brien hosted “American Morning” and “Starting Point” and authored two books.

O’Brien also serves as CEO and founder of Starfish Media Group.

She is a Harvard University alumnus and a member of the National Association of Black Continued on Page 3

SEE PROGRESS

Page 2 | Monday, August 31, 2015

INFORMATION MEET THE STAFF OF FALL 2015

EDITORS & STAFF

Provost update Dear Southern Miss Community:

We would like to provide you with a brief update on the progress that has been made to date in the provost and vice president for academic affairs search. Parker Executive Search, the firm charged with identifying and recruiting candidates for this position, has reached out to over 600 potential applicants nationwide and has received over 50 nominations. To date, 32 candidates have submitted their application materials, and another 12 are strongly considering submitting or have indicated they will submit an application. The committee expects to establish a short list of semifinalists by the end of September and to select 4-5 finalists for on-campus interviews that will be conducted in early October.

Please nominate and encourage colleagues whom you consider to be strong candidates for the position of provost and vice president for academic affairs at Southern Miss to apply. There is still time before the Sept. 1 priority deadline, and we would like to have the broadest and deepest pool of applicants possible.

Here is the link to information about the position and the submission of nominations and applications: www.usm.edu/provostsearch.

As always, please do not hesitate to direct your concerns and questions to us.

Sincerely, Cyndi Gaudet, Ph.D. Provost Screening Committee Vice-Chair Sabine Heinhorst, Ph.D. Provost Screening Committee Chair

Editorial Policy

The views represented in The Student Printz’s columns and editorials do not necessarily represent those of the faculty, staff, or administration of The University of Southern Mississippi. We welcome letters to the editor representing similar and contrasting opinions. To be eligible for publication, all submissions must include name, class distinction, major, phone number, and email address. Submissions should be emailed to printzeditors@gmail. com by 5 p.m. Friday. Please limit them to 500 words or less. The Student Printz reserves the right to refuse publication or edit any material on the basis of clarity, space, or journalistic ethics.

Join the ISSS office and the Graduate Student Senate on Thursday, April 30, at 7:30 p.m. for a Candlelight Vigil to honor the victims of the Nepal earthquake. We will meet on the Weathersby Lawn (in front of Walker Science Building) on the Southern Miss campus.

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NEWS

ON CAMPUS

Monday, August 31, 2015 | Page 3

USM, MGCCC agree to honors partnership Andrew Dutton Printz Reporter

USM and the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College signed a partnership concerning their honors colleges.

According to WLOX, honors students from MGCCC will now be automatically admitted into The University of Southern Mississippi Honors College if they are in good standing with the community college and present a letter of recommendation from their honors instructors.

Leaders from MGCCC and Southern Miss met in Perkinston to make it official.

Mary Graham, president of MGCCC, commented on

ON CAMPUS

the agreement.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for them to spend two years with us getting quality instruction and then moving straight on into The University of Southern Mississippi (to) get the quality instruction that the university has to offer as well,” Graham said. “It was a great agreement made possible with the help of several departments.”

According to Graham, there are currently around 150 students at MGCCC who qualify for transition.

USM President Rodney Bennett showed his gratitude for the amount of effort many others put forth.

“None of us really get to days like today without a whole team of people that are a part of the

process,” Bennett said.

According to the Hattiesburg American, Bennett described the advantages of the agreement in a press release.

“The opportunity to co-enroll will expand degree options available to Gulf Coast students who already have access to more than 50 academic programs offered through our Gulf Park campus,” Bennett said.

The honors program at USM is the sixth oldest admissions base public honors college in the nation and the oldest in the state of Mississippi. The honors college has an attendance of 600 students who perform at a high level academically.

Part of the team in the

partnership includes the dean of USM’s Honors College Ellen Weinauer and Vice President of Academic Affairs Steven Moser.

“It’s extraordinary for us to enhance our relationships with the community colleges and to really work toward getting their brightest students to USM,” Moser said.

“We have a long standing tradition here with collaborative efforts with the community colleges.”

Moser further discussed university’s relationship with MGCCC. “Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College has been one of our biggest partners,” Moser said.

“At any given time, over half

and sometimes more than half of our student population comes to us from a community college.”

According to Moser, the university is trying to achieve strong communication and partnership with community colleges.

“MGCCC is one of our most important sister institutions in terms of transfers,” Weinauer said.

“We want those transfer students to have the same opportunities as any student to complete the Honors curriculum.”

Weinauer explained that transfer students can enter into the second two year honors curriculum or ‘keystone’ curriculum. To enter, a student must complete over 40 hours and have a GPA of 3.25.

University’s new Title IX office raises awareness Nan Buti

Printz Reporter The University of Southern Mississippi incorporated a new Title IX office to its institution this past February in an effort to take an active role against sexual misconduct.

The new office follows original policy protocols but works to make the student body more conscious of sexual misconduct.

“We realize that sexual misconduct is a serious matter on university campuses nationwide,” said Paul Walters, director of the Office of Compliance and Ethics at Southern Miss.

“It is incumbent upon us to pursue every means available to

PROGRESS Journalists, as well as the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. O’Brien currently serves as television anchor and correspondent for CNN, HBO and Al Jazeera America’s “America Tonight.” She is the recipient of the George Foster Peabody Award as well as the NAACP’s President’s Award for her coverage of Hurricane Katrina.

In 2009 she received the Medallion of Excellence for Leadership and Community Service from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. She covered the U.S. presidential election and the earthquake disaster in Haiti, all for which she won three Emmy awards.

Southern Miss alumna Tena Clark, chief executive officer and chief creative officer of DMI Music and Media Solutions, is a personal friend of Soledad O’Brien. “Clark was a tremendous help in reaching out and assisting us in contacting O’Brien to be the keynote speaker,” DeFatta said.

“We encourage all students to take the opportunity to hear first-hand from an award-

ameliorate the consequences of this unlawful and demeaning conduct,” Walters said.

The U.S. government’s Office of Civil Rights recent growth of Title IX has promoted educational institutions to strengthen their sexual misconduct policies.

Title IX, created in 1972, grounds its purpose in eliminating discrimination and harassment against students in schools receiving financial aid from the federal government.

“This is particularly true in response to public outcry over the types of sexual misconduct occurring on college campuses and a perception of inadequate response on the part of the institutions,” said Title IX Coordinator Rebecca Malley

in a press release.

“Title IX is now interpreted by the federal government as encompassing, not only protection from disparate treatment based on sex, but also on gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or perceptions of such,” Malley said. “It also provides protection for students based on pregnancy status.”

The Title IX Office at USM works with departments like the Shafer Center for Crisis Intervention, Human Resources and Student Counseling Services, the University Police Department to upkeep awareness of and to eliminate sexual misconduct and sex or gender-based discrimination.

“We have a good process for

winning American journalist and author. Her experiences, paired with the extensive list of prestigious accolades she has earned throughout her career, will no doubt be inspiring to students and all in attendance.

Through her experiences, she will be able to share some keen insights on the importance of the desegregation of Southern

reception featuring panelists Anthony Harris, Judge Deborah Gambrell, Riva Brown, Aubrey K. Lucas and moderator Chester Morgan. “We are excited about the opportunity for Soledad O’Brien to visit Southern Miss,” DeFatta said. “We do expect she will generate a large crowd, which Bennett Auditorium will accommodate.”

Soledad O’Brien/Courtesy Photo

Miss and its subsequent impact on the student body today and in the future.”

There will be a panel discussion Thursday starting at 3 p.m. in the Thad Cochran Center Ballroom followed by a

The keynote address is open to students, faculty, staff and all members of the community. Reserved seating located towards the front of the auditorium will be available to students in attendance.

reviewing allegations of sexual assault,” Malley said.

“I believe that the guidelines for disciplinary action that are in the policy are the right way to handle a sexual assault situation.”

In 2013, the university changed its Sexual Misconduct Policy and procedure after command from the Office of Civil Rights. Currently, the protocol provides one policy and one process for handling allegations of sexual misconduct regardless of who is involved whether it be a student, staff or faculty member.

“This allows consistency in investigation, adjudication and discipline for all instances of sexual misconduct,” Walters said in a press release.

The university presents a separate complaint procedure for the resolution of sexual misconduct allegations. The university’s sexual misconduct procedure begins with

the Title IX coordinator receiving a complaint, then assessing the complaint to decide whether or not the information provided is sufficient enough to initiate a formal review. From there, the complaint is dismissed or a formal review is initiated and an investigation begins.

By Sept. 1, USM will implement an online training program for all university employees and students that will include modules associated with issues like sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, sexual violence, bullying, bystander intervention and alcohol and drug education. For those without access to the Internet, trainings will be conducted in person with the same modules.

It was reported that in 2013 only one case of sexual assault was filed with UPD. In 2014, there were three reports filed.

UPD encourages victims to speak up and report their cases.

Page 4 | Monday, August 31, 2015

FEATURE

NATIONAL

Influential female graces the $10 Camille Myrick Printz Reporter

United States Treasurer Jack Lew announced in June that an influential female figure will be featured on the $10 bill.

Since this announcement, polls have swept the nation to get an idea of which woman should be featured, but no clear preference has been determined.

The Department of the Treasury said that while the decision is currently unknown, it will become clear by the end of the year.

The new version of the bill will appear in 2020, a very significant year for women. It marks the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment, which granted women the right to vote.

Complaints have been circulating about the change.

Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton said that the featured woman should appear on the $20 bill instead of the $10 bill.

“I think a woman should have her own bill, and it may be more appropriate to look at the $20 than the $10,” Clinton said.

A variety of interest groups have nominated candidates meaningful to their association.

Girl Scouts of the USA are campaigning for their founder, Juliette Gordon Low. Their official website lists five reasons why Low should receive the honor.

More popular candidates include Eleanor Roosevelt, Rosa Parks, Betsy Ross and Susan B. Anthony—meaning there is a chance that the woman chosen will be the first African American

to appear on U.S. money.

Other suggestions include Mother Teresa and Pocahontas.

Some argue Pocahontas has already had her fair turn on paper money. Pocahontas was the first woman to decorate a bill when she was depicted on the back of a $20 bill in 1860.

Officially, Martha Washington is considered to be the first woman on U.S. currency. Her portrait

was introduced on the front of the $1 bill in 1886—more than 20 years after Pocahontas. Famous advocate for women’s suffrage Susan B. Anthony was the first woman to have her portrait on an American coin in 1978.

Fewer than 800 million of the $1 coins were minted. It was too easy for the public to mistake the large coin for a quarter.

Even if the woman on the new

Photo Illustration/Printz

$10 bill is not the first to appear on paper money, the ethnic variety of candidates may make history in a different way. Paying respect to women by representing them on money is another step toward racial and gender equality.

It is unknown when exactly the decision will be made, but more information will appear in headlines in the following months.

ON CAMPUS

Life as an international student at USM Alexis Ware Printz Reporter

Getting adjusted to new schedules, living arrangements and professors presents students with a challenge at the start of every passing year. The struggles of student life prove even more challenging for a student thousands of miles away from home.

For three international students, they have experienced a quite literal warm welcome to America and college life. While coming prepared for cultural shock, the most difficult feat to overcome for the three was the intense Mississippi heat.

“When I got off the plane, my hair went poof. I thought it was maybe the air conditioner from the airplane, but it was just the humidity,” said Beatriz Rodriguez, an exchange student from Spain.

Shannon Jones, an exchange student from England and who attended a university in Wales, has similar objections to the weather. “(If my home country experienced this) kind of weather, you’d have health warnings. Like ‘keep your blinds closed, check out for elderly people,’” Jones said.

Along with the weather, they also have had to make adjustments in American classes.

Jones majors in American Studies, which emphasizes American history, politics and literature.

She particularly enjoys the South.

“I wanted to go to a university in the South. I just like the history and culture in the South—there’s a lot to it,” Jones said. “It’s quite intricate and complicated.”

She has found that her classes require more physical work than those she is used to taking in the U.K. She plans to study at The University of Southern Mississippi for a year, so she joined Alpha Delta Pi sorority.

There are no Greek Life opportunities for her in the U.K., so this was a chance to do something she would otherwise not get the chance to do.

After spending a year abroad in Germany, Rodriguez decided she wanted to spend some time in an English-speaking country for a semester.

Not wanting to go to Erasmus, the European opportunity for study abroad, she came to America for the first time.

She studies economics and international business.

For Rodriguez, having such large classes makes her feel disconnected from her professors as opposed to her classes in Spain. She makes up for this disconnect with the relationships she makes outside

of the classroom.

“I like to talk a lot, and the people here are like, ‘You’re not from here; tell me about where you’re from,’” Rodriguez said. “I like that they seem interested.”

Like most incoming freshmen, German student Rebecca Lietz, a psychology major, faces the challenges of making friends, beginning college courses and living on her own for the first time.

Unlike Jones and Rodriguez, Lietz was prepared for the heat after spending a year at an Arkansas high school as an exchange student. Her previous year abroad led her to the decision to receive her bachelor’s degree from a college in America.

“So far I’m learning (things) similar to what I learned in high school in Germany,” Lietz said.

Though all of the girls have had different experiences so far, they all agree that the friendliness of the people is something not found in Europe.

“People are even friendlier than in Arkansas, which I wouldn’t have thought (was) possible,” Lietz said. Their time at Southern Miss will allow them to experience even more cultural differences.

For more information on how you can participate in an exchange program visit www. usm.edu/study-abroad.

Jillian Rodriguez/Printz

Junior international student Shannon Jones, an American Studies major, shows off a flag from her university in Swansea and her Southern Miss lanyard on Friday, Aug. 28.

FEATURE

ON CAMPUS

Monday, August 31, 2015 | Page 5

Remembering USM’s history of desegregation Nan Buti

Printz Reporter In 1954, Brown v. Board of Education ruled segregation unconstitutional at public schools.

Clyde Kennard, a black Korean War veteran, attempted to enroll at what was then known as Mississippi Southern College and was rejected three times. Kennard would not give up, so he wrote letters to the local paper pushing for educational integration.

For that, Kennard was arrested twice on out-of-context criminal charges for which he was convicted and sentenced to seven years in jail.

The college’s fifth president and state archivist William David McCain was hired in 1955 and tried to further develop Mississippi Southern College. McCain tried to keep Kennard out of the college. During his trip to Chicago, McCain tried to sway the business community to make investments in the state of Mississippi. He attempted to keep talk of integration at a minimum, but he mentioned to businessmen that African Americans who wanted to desegregate schools in the South were Northerners. Kennard, however, was a Hattiesburg native.

Kennard was battling terminal cancer and was eventually released on parole in 1963. He died six months after his release.

According to the Center for Oral History and Cultural Heritage at The University of Southern Mississippi, McCain said, “We insist that educationally and socially, we maintain a segregated society. In all fairness, I admit that we are not encouraging Negro voting,” he said.

“The Negroes prefer that control of the government remain in the white man’s hands.”

Mississippi felt nationwide pressure to integrate as the rest of the country’s institutions were integrating during the early 1960s. McCain made his objection to integration apparent.

Herbert Randall/Courtesy Photo Local people and volunteers cross arms and join hands to sing the anthem of the civil rights movement, “We Shall Overcome” at True Light Baptist Church in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, as part of Freedom Summer, 1964. This photo was probably taken after the performance of Martin Duberman’s play “In White America” by the Free Southern Theater performers. This photo is from the Randall (Herbert) Freedom Summer Photographs.

He was opposed to having black students enrolled at Mississippi Southern College.

Again in Mississippi, another African American attempted to enroll at a university. In 1964, James Meredith was accepted to the University of Mississippi, although riots raged across the region as a result. Ole Miss and Mississippi State University were both integrated by 1965 after enduring major opposition and violence from the white public. By then, The University of Southern Mississippi was pushed to integrate. Plans to accept the university’s first black students were in progress.

To protect the prospective students, faculty members were instructed to support the students

HISTORICAL TIMELINE

with the transition, and the campus police department was told to prevent and stop any riots, protests or other acts against the two black students, Gwendolyn Elaine Armstrong and Raylawni Branch, who enrolled in September 1965, according to the Southern Miss Alumni Association.

USM recruited and encouraged students, political leaders, fraternity members and athletic members to ensure a calm environment on campus.

Since the 1960s, the university continued to transform and flourish by the day: online classes were implemented, the School of Nursing was considered a college, the university became affiliated with Conference USA and the From The University of Southern Mississippi website: http://www.usm.edu/about/desegregation-southern-miss

Southern Miss enrolls its first African-American students, Raylawni Branch and Gwendolyn Elaine Armstrong.

Basketball player Wilbert Jordan becomes the university’s first AfricanAmerican student athlete.

Walter Washington becomes the first African American to earn a doctoral degree from Southern Miss, also making him the first from any Mississippi institution of higher learning.

1965

1968

1969

1974

Fred Cook is selected as the university’s first African-American Mr. USM.

1980

Jacqueline Redd is selected as the university’s first African-American Homecoming Queen.

1993

At a university celebration honoring the contributions of African-American students, faculty and staff, the Student Services Building is renamed KennardWashington Hall, in honor of Walter Washington and Clyde Kennard.

2013

Rodney Bennett becomes the university’s 10th president and first African-American president of any predominantly white university in the state of Mississippi.

Mississippi Polymer Institute was created.

September’s historical significance marks the 50th anniversary of desegregation at USM, which is why commemoratory events will be held on the Gulf Coast campus and in Hattiesburg. The 50th anniversary of desegregation at The University of Southern Mississippi will be held Sept. 2-6 and will include Soledad O’Brien’s keynote address.

Raylawni Branch and Gwendolyn Elaine Armstrong achieved a milestone the university is proud to claim, and students continue to

change and expand the university.

The school’s growing diversity continues today with 37 percent of the student body being made up of minorities. Southern Miss is home to 17 predominately AfricanAmerican student organizations, academics enliven opportunities for African Americans through the Southern Miss Center for Black Studies and the Southern Miss Alumni Minority Constituent Society and the university provides annual changes for black alumni to network and continue to contribute to the Southern Miss community.

OPINION

Page 6 | Monday, August 31, 2015

ON CAMPUS

Room for improvement still at USM Sydne’ Autry Printz Reporter

When it came to the Brown v. Board of Education ruling, the issue with this seemingly faultless decision was that it did not change the attitudes or feelings of individual Mississippians and institutions that felt African Americans should not receive higher education.

Clyde Kennard, an overlooked civil rights forerunner, saw this firsthand in 1955, when he

attempted to become the first African American to enroll here at The University of Southern Mississippi, then known as Mississippi Southern College.

Instead of being welcomed into the university, Kennard was unjustly denied enrollment numerous times despite the “set” law.

It was not until 1965 that the first African Americans, Raylawni Branch and Gwendolyn Elaine Armstrong, actually made history

by becoming the first to enroll at Southern Miss.

Now, 50 years later, USM welcomes students of all races to enroll in the university based on their ability and not the color of their skin.

However, have we made genuine strides outside of desegregation in bridging the gap of the races?

Visibly, the answer would be yes.

For one, Southern Miss inaugurated President Rodney Bennett as the 10th president and first African American to lead the university.

Southern Miss is not only made up of a diverse population of students but there is also a consistent increase of minority students.

However, there are many internal factors that show our institution still has room to grow. Examples of this needed growth are visible in the present organizations on campus.

While the university chartered organizations such as the AfroAmerican Student Organization

to serve as a voice for minority students, there is still a lack of respect or attention paid to minority organizations.

More of this racial divide is seen in our Greek community where there is a lack of diversity and councils seem to stick with more of the traditional racial presence.

In order to achieve a true harmonious environment, progress needs to be seen in more ways in our Southern Miss community.

ON CAMPUS

N.W.A. biopic captures intensity of group’s past Julius Kizzee Printz Reporter

Few movies help shape the perception of a society’s values.

“Straight Outta Compton” does exactly that.

According to Box Office Mojo, the film’s opening weekend was more successful than other previous bigname titles such as “Cars,” “22 Jump Street,” “Toy Story 2” and “Ted.” According to Fandango and the New York Times, “Straight Outta Compton” as of now has grossed nearly $135 million. This places the movie above other summer notables such as “Fantastic Four,” “Southpaw” and “Dope.”

This movie is based on the story of N.W.A., a former rap group consisting of rappers Eazy-E, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre and Arabian Prince, among others.

The group burst onto the national scene with a compilation album called “N.W.A and the Posse.”

The album was not solely a part of N.W.A’s rise to fame, but it is credited as the first piece of work contributed by the group. The group’s most successful album was entitled “Straight Outta Compton,” which helped put them on the national stage with their unique perspective on social issues and hip-hop culture.

N.W.A hailed from Compton, a suburb roughly five miles south of Los Angeles. That area has dealt with racial barriers and tensions in the past, having climaxed during the riots caused by the beating of Rodney King. Even though some of their records criticized the actions of police in the Los Angeles area and beyond, they were known for being the first hip-hop group to showcase the harsh realities of living on the streets.

After the group’s breakup due to contractual issues, a reunion was set for the group to collaborate one last time. Devastatingly, rapper Eazy-E died due to complications from HIV/ AIDS. Now, Ice Cube has pursued an acting career and Dr. Dre has become a multi-cultural ambassador for hip-hop and the music industry as a whole.

The director, F. Gary Gray, did a remarkable job of reflecting the

personality and influence of the rap group. The camera work for the movie involved an abundance of first-person scenes, where viewers saw the action through the actors.

Even though the movie was mostly a biography, the film work could be portrayed as an autobiography. The void left by Eazy-E’s death is cleanly filled in during the movie. Although Eazy-E was not able to contribute his story, his side of the group’s success is portrayed successfully.

One of the first things that stands out about the film is how closely the actors resemble the real life characters. Mind you, “Ice Cube” in the movie is played by the real life Ice Cube’s son, O’Shea Jackson, Jr., so the resemblance is there. As for other characters in the movie, Jerry Heller, Dr. Dre, Tupac and Suge Knight are very closely resembled by their respective actors.

In my opinion, the most compelling scene in the movie was when Eazy-E became diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. His sickness is built up throughout the movie as he loves to entice women. The rapper is diagnosed with the illness shortly after he is admitted to the hospital due to passing out in the studio. After he is diagnosed, the scene immediately turns dark and grabs the viewer.

That moment in the movie relates the larger-than-life personalities of the rappers to the daily embarking of the human experience. It shows that illnesses and diseases do not discriminate against color, race, financial status, sex, career or any other variable.

This movie was only made possible through the contributions from Ice Cube and Dr. Dre. Both former members of N.W.A, they were able to give their first-hand accounts of the group’s hiatus and success to 1995 when the group disbanded.

While the movie is great in capturing the audience’s attention, it did lack some elements of the story.

The creators of the film could have shed more light on Ice Cube’s endeavors. Even though Ice Cube left the group in December 1989, the movie does not show much of what happened to him afterward. To this day, it can be argued that Ice Cube is the most successful outside of the

group, besides Dr. Dre. He also does not have much dialogue in the movie, and you could argue that Eazy-E is the main character due to getting the most dialogue and glamor.

The film is also very vague on Jerry Heller. Even though it is depicted that he is credited for the group’s demise, Heller’s past musical history and his ulterior motives for the group are not expanded upon much in the film. Being an antagonist in the movie, Heller could have had his motives and history expounded on a bit more.

The movie is phenomenal for its direction, production and storytelling.

The rap group was influential and monumental to the formation of west coast hip-hop talents such as Kendrick Lamar, Tupac, Snoop Dogg, The Game and many more.

Its impact on the racial barriers put the movie in perfect context with current society. In today’s world, police brutality against African Americans is highlighted among all racial barriers.

This movie exemplifies one way a group of men handled it. Even though their morals could have been a bit smoother, they expressed themselves in the best way that they could. N.W.A. was the product of that creativity.

Courtesy Photo

SPORTS

SOFTBALL

Monday, August 31, 2015 | Page 7

Dew brings big bat and leadership to USM Ashley Hickman Printz Reporter

With fall practices underway, Southern Miss is gearing up for a brand new season with the addition of stud JUCO transfer, Tori Dew. Dew, a junior, transferred from Jones County Community College to play for the Lady Eagles. Her freshman year, Dew was named the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II softball player of the year.

She led Jones to a 52-6 record and a state championship. Dew led the nation with a .602 batting average and 104 RBIs. She also represented Jones on the NJCAA All-Star team during her sophomore year and was named to the All-tournament team.

One would imagine Dew had a plate full of scholarship offers, and she did.

USM head coach Wendy Hogue was the main reason for Dew choosing to wear the black and gold. Dew originally planned to suit up for William Carey until Hogue was hired on at USM a week before her scheduled visit to William Carey.

“I love the way she can talk

SOCCER

to you as a person, instead of yelling after you make a mistake,” Dew said. “She will talk you through it, tell you what you did wrong and (tell you) how to correct it.”

Dew compliments Hogue on always being true, whether someone is watching or not.

“She is true to what she believes,” she said.

Despite all her success at Jones, winning is not the most important part to Dew. It is about the friendships with teammates, the coaches she comes in contact with and her walk with Christ.

Dew’s cousin has been diagnosed with spina bifida, not being able to talk or walk. Dew has always kept him in her mind when stepping on the field. He has even inspired her to major in special education.

“It’s not about the winning part,” she said. “It’s about playing for those who don’t get the chance to. I know he would play ball if he was able.”

Dew is also eager to take the field again with two of her former Lady Bobcat teammates, Bailey Stokes and Lauren Holifield.

“It’s kind of like having your sisters back. It’s like my home away from home

with the connection we all have together.”

Making the transition from junior college softball to Division I can be tough for some athletes, but Dew believes it is all about how well you can adapt. The early morning workouts have been the main difference for Dew so far.

“The season doesn’t start in February,” Dew said. “It started last week actually and preparing yourself over the summer is necessary to get yourself where you want to be.”

Prepping at Jones has taught Dew valuable lessons she will carry into her career at USM. “Me and Lauren (Holifield) were leaders at Jones for the past two years, so we would like to bring that over here,” Dew said.

Dew is determined to do all she can to help her team succeed. She prides herself on working every day for the team, not for herself.

Dew wants to represent Christ through everything she does. She does not want her teammates to remember her just because of softball.

“I want them to see God through me and be that light for him,” Dew said. “If it changes

Courtesy Photo/Jones County Community College

someone’s life, then it does.

I want them to know Christ more than anything and not just softball.”

Twenty years from now, Dew knows softball will not matter anymore, but says her heart and relationship with God will always be eternal and she hopes to bring that motive to her

new team.

The Lady Eagles are coming off an underachieving season, going just 18-34 overall and 3-21 in conference play.

If Dew’s track record is any indication, the Lady Eagle offense will be much improved when the season starts in February.

Lady Eagles have disappointing weekend Jacob Kemp Printz Reporter

Southern Miss’ women’s soccer team tied Nicholls State 2-2 on Friday in double overtime and fell to UL-Lafayette Sunday, 2-1, in heartbreaking fashion.

Against Nicholls, the Golden Eagles started out sluggishly and allowed Nicholls to rush out to a 2-0 lead at halftime. But, the Golden Eagles came out with a sense of urgency and tallied two goals in the second period, the first by Mark Kate Smith in the 52nd minute. It was Smith’s first career goal.

The second goal came by way of Asia Ribbens, who sent one over the head of the Nicholls goalkeeper in the 58th minute. Both teams held tight and played conservatively, even in both overtimes. The game ended in a tie and would be the highlight of the weekend for the Golden Eagles.

Southern Miss hoped to turn things around against the Ragin’ Cajuns, but were let down early as the Ragin’ Cajuns scored in the seventh minute of the game to quickly go up 1-0.

Southern Miss had many opportunities in the first half, but just could not find the back of the net. They had nine shots on goal in the first half.

Despite not holding much

possession, the Ragin’ Cajuns managed to net another goal in the 36th minute after a chip shot from 25 yards out that skimmed the fingertips of USM goalkeeper Brittany Taylor and went into the net.

USM continued their aggressive offensive approach in the second half with eight shots on goal, but were still stymied. However, Asia Ribbens scored her second goal of the weekend after a free kick edged the Ragin’ Cajuns defense.

Despite their resiliency and second half surge, the Golden Eagles could not overcome the two-goal deficit and ultimately lost.

Golden Eagles head coach Mohammed El-Zare said he was proud of the fight his team showed, but that they need more of the energy they had in the second half to show up in the first half.

“We have to have a little more patience in the first 15 to 20 minutes,” El-Zare said.

“We have to be able to hold the opponent off a little longer and slow the game down and that comes with playing the game more and having experience.”

The Golden Eagles will return to the soccer pitch to play at Southern University on Friday at 6 p.m. The Golden Eagles next home game will be September 20th against South Alabama.

Courtland Wells/Printz Southern Miss midfielder Hannah Abrams prepares to send a ball upfield during the game played against University of Louisiana at Lafayette in Hattiesburg on Sunday afternoon.

SPORTS

Page 8 | Monday, August 31, 2015

VOLLEYBALL

Eagles dominate in Southern Miss Invitational Julius Kizzee Printz Reporter

The Golden Eagles held their volleyball invitational this weekend, inviting Mercer, Southern and Nicholls State to play in friendly competition.

Southern Miss dominated the competition, winning all three of their matches.

“We’ve got to find a way to practice better,” said coach Amanda Berkley. “It’s going to be a good challenge for us but it’s going to help us get better.”

Southern Miss opened up their tournament showing against Mercer. The Golden Eagles came out flat, but flashed their potential going a full five sets.

Mercer challenged the Golden Eagles as USM held a slim 1918 lead, but USM fizzled down the stretch. Mercer held the Golden Eagle attack down, bringing the set to an end, 25-20.

Hunt Mercier/Assistant Photo Editor Freshman Sarah Bell serves the ball at Southern Miss Invitational on Aug. 29.

In the second set, it was more of the same for the Golden Eagles. They fell once again as Mercer went on a 7-3 run to win in the match, 25-23.

Southern Miss came out swinging in the third set with the match at stake. They jumped out to a 5-1 lead behind Mary Pursell and Stephany Purdue’s persistent offense at the point of attack. Southern Miss kept up the offensive attack and went on to win, 25-19.

A rough set in the fourth put Southern Miss back on the edge. Both teams battled consistently, tying the game up at 10 apiece. Then the Golden Eagles used a 15-7 run to crush Mercer’s momentum, winning 25-17.

Pursell put the Golden Eagles on her back in the beginning of the set, putting the Golden Eagles ahead 8-6. Even though Mercer fought back to escape the momentum of USM, they fell

short. The Golden Eagles went on to win the set 15-10. Initially down 2-0, the Golden Eagles started their weekend on a high note with a come-from-behind victory against the Mercer Bears, 3-2.

“We’ve just got to keep fighting no matter what,” Berkley said.

“Every point matters to us.”

After Southern Miss dispatched Mercer, they prepared for their doubleheader on Saturday against the Southern Jaguars and the Nicholls State Colonels on Saturday.

The Golden Eagles would go on to win all three games in the Southern Miss Invitational.

Their next match is slated for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept.

1 at Reed Green Coliseum.

They will face the Southeastern Louisiana Lions, who have begun the season 1-2 but are coming off a commanding 3-0 win over North Carolina Central.

Hunt Mercier/Assistant Photo Editor The Southern Miss Volleyball team celebrates a point won by senior Rachel Johnson at the Southern Miss Invitational on Aug. 29.

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601-620-0908 Hunt Mercier/Assistant Photo Editor Freshman Sarah Bell hits the ball back over the net at the Southern Miss Invitational on Aug. 29.