08 31 2005

Page 1

WHY STUDY?

THE SEARCH FOR 600

Fall TV gives students plenty of reasons to slack off

Karen Chisum seeks to go where only eight coaches have gone before

SEE TRENDS PAGE 7

SEE SPORTS PAGE 12

TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY SAN MARCOS

www.UNIVERSITYSTAR.com

WEDNESDAY

AUGUST 31, 2005

VOLUME 95, ISSUE 2

University’s ALERRT now headed by former Hays sheriff

IN SEARCH OF

Ansel’s Answers

Donald Olson (left) and Russell Doescher, physics professors, recently released their findings on Ansel Adams’ “Autumn Moon” with the use of their pioneering techniques in forensic astronomy.

By Eloise Martin News Reporter

and at the same time she is aware of the cognizant of restraint that is put on the university,” McAlister said. Yvonne Eixmann, director and internal auditor of the audit and compliance department, worked with McAlister last year on another ethics audit project and is looking forward to working with her again. “She is very energetic as the chair of the marketing department,” Eixman said. “She has a lot of initiative and with

Sgt. Allen Bridges stepped into the role of sheriff yesterday in a ceremony at Hays County Law Enforcement Center after being unanimously appointed by the Hays County Commissioners Court on Aug. 23. Bridges left his role as the public information officer after former Hays County Sheriff Don Montague announced his retirement from the force Aug. 19 to join Texas State University staff. Montague began his position Monday as director of the university’s Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training. “The challenge to carry our law enforcement principles and initiatives to statewide and national levels is one that I cannot refuse,” Montague wrote in his resignation letter to the Hays County Commissioners Court. Quint Thurman, criminal justice department chair and professor, has worked in the ALERRT program since it began close to three years ago. ALERRT is one of the many programs in the department. “The department of criminal justice had an active role in starting the program,” Thurman said. “It was decided that it was the best home.” ALERRT trains law enforcement officers and military officers in the Hays County area and also from around the United States. Thurman said the program trains these officers to respond to “active shooter violence,” such as the situation at Columbine High School. “The SWAT team was called in but the officers first on the scene didn’t know what to do,” Thurman said. Thurman said the ALERRT program trains officers to handle these situations and work as a unit when facing an active shooter situation. “It could be a sheriff ’s department officer, a police officer, or a university police officer,” Thurman said. “They can all

See FELLOW, page 3

See SHERIFF, page 5

Jeremy Craig/ Star photo

Astral investigators unlock secrets to Adams’ photo By Jennifer Warner News Reporter Throughout time, the sky has played a significant role in art, history and literature. For hundreds of years, painters and writers have been fascinated by the skies, both day and night,

and moon activities have long had an influence on historical events, especially when it comes to military history. Physics professor Donald Olson teaches an honors class devoted to the sky’s influence on historical events and world art. Together, his team of professors and students has unlocked the secrets to some of the world’s most well-known paintings, photographs, writings and historical events. Most recently, Olson and his team traveled to Yosemite National Park in central California to study

“Autumn Moon,” a snapshot by landscape photographer Ansel Adams. Using their knowledge of astronomy with the help of star charts, computer software and Adams’ notes, they were able to pinpoint the photo to an exact date and time. “We know exactly where the stars are in the sky, that’s well known,” said Russell Doescher, physics professor and a member of Olson’s team. “So then we know where he was looking and where that See MOON, page 5

Marketing associate professor receives presidential honor By Isadora Vail-Castro News reporter

“I am pleased I have the opportunity to take my life’s work and use it to benefit the Debbie McAlister, associuniversity and its constituate professor and chair for ents,” McAlister said. the department of marketing, The honor of Presidential has received almost 10 teachFellow entitles McAlister to ing awards. She is a tenured participate in a presidenprofessor who has lectured tial project to be conducted around the world and has during this school year. The published extensively in her Debbie McAlister project will focus on ethics, field, and this year, she was secomprehensive risk managelected as Texas State’s Presidential Fel- ment and expanded monitoring of inlow. stitutional compliance.

“It is based off of strategic issues and wherever President Trauth would like to put emphasis on the following year,” McAlister said. McAlister said the financial disclosure problems that were created through the Enron scandal have filtered down to the university level and the effect is cascading into large businesses. The ethical compliance and risk management project will help to combat some of the foreseeable problems at the university. “I think President Trauth is committed to having a strong ethical system

Texas State custodian receives presidential commendation Ad on eBay leads local authorities to arrest in ow she “H manages $630,000 sneaker swindle to do so much By Kathy Martinez News Reporter

By Jake Roussel News Reporter The Hays County Sheriff ’s Department executed a search warrant for a warehouse in the 14500 block of FM 1826 on Thursday and discovered 7,000 pairs of designer Mizuno athletic shoes, amounting to an estimated $630,000. Police arrested 51-year-old Gregory Walberg, who is suspected of stealing the shoes from a tractor-trailer about 60 days ago in Norcross, Ga. Authorities were able to locate Walberg with the help of a Mizuno consultant who saw one of the reputedly stolen items being sold on eBay. The consultant then notified the Criminal Investiga-

tion Division of the sheriff ’s department. Deputy Mike Thielen, Hays County Sheriff ’s Department interim public information officer, said this is an ongoing investigation, and there are no leads or any other suspects. “We have no idea of anyone else who is involved with the case, and we are not even sure if Walberg is the one who stole them,” Thielen said. Walberg is charged with theft of more than $200,000, a first-degree felony. Thielen said Walberg’s bond was set at $12,000, and he is currently out of jail. If sentenced, he could face five to 99 years of imprisonment and a fine of no more than $10,000.

Today’s Weather

Sunny 100˚/ 72˚

Precipitation: 0% Humidity: 44% UV: 10 Very High Wind: S 6 mph

A custodian from the J.C. Kellam Administrative Building said she was shocked and could not stop crying when she discovered she was a recipient of an award that included a plaque, letter and certificate of commendation from President George W. Bush. “It’s funny how sometimes you think the things you do go unnoticed, then something like this happens,” Susie Longoria said. Longoria’s recent presidential commendation, in recognition of her more than 20 years of public service, came as no surprise to those who know her. Longoria, who was nominated by her colleagues from the San Marcos Food Bank, was awarded the honor last month at the San Marcos Food Bank Banquet. Longoria’s extended activism

public service over such a long period of time is amazing, especially when you consider that she arrives at work before dawn.”

— Carolyn Conn Financial services associative vice president

in public service includes working with the San Marcos Food Bank and as a Cinco de Mayo parade coordinator, holding a seat on the Martindale City Council and serving as mayor

Two-day Forecast Thursday Mostly Sunny Temp: 98°/ 71° Precipitation: 0%

Friday Mostly Sunny Temp: 97°/ 70° Precipitation: 20%

Linda L. Smith/Star Photo Susie Longoria, a custodian on the 11th floor of JC Kellam Administrative Building, recently received commendation from President George W. Bush. Longoria received this recognition as a result of 20 years of public service. pro tempore. Longoria has also been active through Texas State University, serving on the Scholarship Committee, Safety Committee

Inside

TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY SAN MARCOS

Classifieds Comics Crossword News

10 9 9 1-5

Opinions Sports Trends

and the Staff Council. Longoria joked that the award might go in her closet, See HONOR, page 3

To Contact The Star: 6 11,12 7-9

Old Main, Room 102 Phone: (512) 245-3487 Fax: (512) 245-3708 www.UniversityStar.com © 2005 The University Star


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