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TTHURSDAY, HURSDAY, FEBRUARY FEBRUARY 22,, 22017 017 > W WESTERN ESTERN KKENTUCKY ENTUCKY UUNIVERSITY NIVERSITY > VVOLUME OLUME 992, 2, IISSUE SSUE 3300

10 members appointed to SGA BY JAMIE WILLIAMS HERALD.NEWS@WKU.EDU The Student Government Association appointed 10 new members, two committee chairs, and discussed changes to its Earn-a-Computer program during its first meeting of the semester Tuesday. Nine senators and one associate justice were appointed to replace SGA members who resigned last semester or are currently studying abroad. “I’m very passionate about cultural immersion and diversity, and I want to contribute to that voice and be the voice of the international community on campus,” said newly appointed Senator Hizareth Linares. Among the new senators are several members of the forensics team, the president of the International Student Diplomats and a young philanthropist who received the National Caring Award. Yasmine Sadrinia was appointed to the Judicial Council after deciding to get involved in the SGA by working the front desk in its office. “I see firsthand how many people this organization helps, and I want to do a little bit more than just handing out vouchers and pieces of paper,” Sadrinia said. Four committee chair positions were also left vacant this semester, two of which were filled during the meeting. Andi Dahmer was appointed as the new chair for the MyCampusToo committee, and Morgan Wysong was appointed as the chair of Public Relations. Dahmer said this semester MyCampusToo would be doing fewer forums and would instead be tabling and working on a Campus Letters Project. This project would ask minority groups on campus to write letters regarding any concerns they have with the campus community. These letters would be sent to President Gary Ransdell and incoming president Tim Caboni so they could better understand on-campus minority issues. The SGA will also look at the letters to work on legislation that could alleviate any concerns or issues that are mentioned. Chair of Student Affairs Emily Houston reported there would be several changes to the Earn-a-Com-

SEE SGA MEETING PAGE A2

Burdened WKU students graduate with more loan debt BY BRYSON KELTNER HERALD.NEWS@WKU.EDU

ver the past decade, average debt from federal student loans has nearly doubled for WKU undergraduates. Cindy Burnette, director of WKU student financial aid assistance, spoke about this increase at the Board of Regents meeting on Jan. 27, presenting information based on the 2015-2016 academic year that showed students are graduating from WKU with more financial debt than before. “Average loan debts of graduating students have gone up consistently as costs of attending have increased,” Burnette said. For the 2015-2016 academic year the average WKU student graduated $28,081 in debt from federal loans alone. That average is almost $3,000 more than it was four years ago and over $13,000 more than it was eight years ago. Burnette thinks this increase is due to loan

limits. “Annual loan limits for federal loans have been increased only minimally in the last 15-20 years,” Burnette said in an email. “This has not kept pace with the rising costs of higher education. Students dependent on federal loans to help meet the costs end up with larger gaps that most times must be paid out of pocket (and for many of our students, they do not have the funds to do so).” Loans make up almost half of the aid given to WKU students. Last year, 18,675 students received over $200 million dollars to help pay for their education. Fifty-two percent of that was in scholarships or grants (which students are not required to pay back) and on-campus employment. The remaining 48 percent rounds out to about $96 million for students to repay according to Burnette’s presentation. Burnette said WKU has experienced a steady increase in state College Access Program grants. The state

SEE LOAN DEBT PAGE A2

WKU police officer recognized for making DUI arrests BY REBEKAH ALVEY HERALD.NEWS@WKU.EDU

BROOK JOYNER/HERALD

Dustin Lee, 42, of Bowling Green, has worked as a WKU Police Patrol Officer for the past two years. From the time he graduated from the police academy in Oct. 2015 to Sept. 30, 2016, Lee made 11 DUI arrests. “[DUI’s] kill and injure a lot of people every year, and every one you get off the road makes things that much safer.”

A WKU police officer was recognized for making a significant amount of DUI arrests last year. Officer Dustin Lee with the WKUPD won the Governor’s Impaired Driving Enforcement Award. The award is given to a representative in each district, each of which is recognized at a ceremony. The winner of the award is determined by the officer who makes the most DUI arrests between Oct. 1 and Sept 30. Lee made 11 out of the 54 DUI arrests in the police department. This is Lee’s first year in the WKUPD. He worked in the Warren County Regional jail prior. He was inspired to make the switch after working with WKUPD at special events like foot-

ball games. “WKUPD is a really good place to be, and I’m glad to be a part of it,” Lee said. Lee said there was an additional challenge during the qualifying time for the award because it was his first year. “I was still learning things,” Lee said. Police training lasted from October to February for Lee, after which he was assigned to earlier shifts where less DUI arrests are made. The time frame for the 11 arrests was actually April to October. “It was also harder because I was trying to learn as much as possible,” Lee said. The additional challenges makes it more impressive and special, he said. “It’s a credit to the officers who

SEE POLICE PAGE A2

SGA MEETING Continued from front

puter program this semester. The program allows students who perform a certain number of community service hours to be eligible for a refurbished laptop. Last semester, students who applied for the program needed to have 35 hours of community service. This semester the requirement will increase to 40 hours, and the hours must be earned between Feb. 1 and April 5. All students who submit an application and meet these requirements will be approved, and then students will be selected to receive the computers based on the number available. SGA President Jay Todd Richey discussed the recent presidential search, which resulted in the public only knowing the final preferred candidate. Many people showed concern that none of the alternative candidates have been identified and that

LOAN DEBT Continued from Front

awards CAP Grants on a first-come, first-serve basis until the grant funds run out; the earlier students complete their FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, the better odds they have of receiving a CAP grant. Burnette said some students who qualify for need-based grants don’t receive the aid simply because they never filled out a FASFA. The increase of debt may partially be due to the decrease in WKU students receiv-

POLICE

Continued from Front trained me,” Lee said. A lot of his DUI training was completed by Officer Rodney McMillin, who Lee said is an “excellent DUI officer.” “He is very inquisitive and a really good officer,” McMillin said about Lee. The pair spent a lot of one-onone training together over the span

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Caboni was only brought to campus three days before the Board of Regents approved him as the 10th WKU president. “A lot of people have voiced concerns about the open-closed process, and I wanted to emphasize to you all that a lot of that really rested on the candidates’ preference,” Richey said. “If they wanted to come to campus, they certainly had the ability to do so, but a lot did not want to jeopardize their position with their current employer.” SGA members plan to attend the KY Rally for Higher Education which will take place Feb. 13 from 1-3 p.m. at the Kentucky State Capitol Rotunda. This rally will feature several guest speakers such as Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes and students from all public universities in Kentucky. The rally is in support of higher education funding — specifically funding for need-based scholarships such as the College Access Program grant

and the Kentucky Tuition Grant, which has been diverted to work scholarships for high-demand fields. The next SGA meeting will take place Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 5 p.m. in

ing federal Pell Grants. Almost 8,000 students received federal Pell Grants during the 2012-2013 academic year, while about 6,300 received them last year. Those Pell Grants range anywhere from $591 to $5,815 for the year. With this decline in Pell Grants, several students have expressed concern with the lack of recent higher education funding. Morgan Howe, a Bowling Green non-traditional junior originally from New York, said recent cuts were influencing his aid. “I think federal aid is extremely important,” Howe said. “Many stu-

dents depend on it for their education. When grants get cut, people can’t recover.” Some students are attending a rally in Frankfort for higher education later this month, including SGA President and Board of Regents member Jay Todd Richey. The rally is Feb 13 from 1-3 p.m. in the Kentucky State Capitol Rotunda. Richey said all Kentucky public university students have been invited to attend. “The purpose of the rally is to show legislators and the governor that we care about higher education and that it’s unacceptable to face cuts every

year,” he said. Burnette added it is important students remain aware of the cost of attendance as well as the resources available to help meet the costs. “The reality is that in many instances, there is not enough federal, state or institutional aid available to cover total costs and families have to be prepared to pay any shortfall,” she said.

of four weeks as well as Lee being assigned to McMillin’s shift. McMillin said he just tried to share his experiences and advanced training with Lee. “He ultimately showed that he has the want-to to hustle and do the work as a proactive officer,” McMillin said. The Governor’s Impaired Driving Enforcement Award Ceremony was held Dec. 13 in Lexington. Chief Mitchell Walker accompanied Lee to

the event, where police officers from all over the state met for a luncheon. “I got to connect with people I didn’t know and reconnect with officers I have met before,” Lee said. Every individual is presented with the award. A list of all the officers represented can be seen in the ceremony program. “It was a really cool experience,” Lee said. Winning the award presents offi-

cers with a further challenge according to Lee. He will now try to push himself and try to do even more. “I still view making arrests in the same way,” Lee said. “The bottom line is saving lives.”

SGA Chief justice Cody Cox swears in new incoming senators during their first meeting of the semester on on Tuesday in DSU. In their first meeting they talked about the impact of President Donald Trump’s immigration ban. GRACE PRITCHETT/ HERALD

Corrections

Downing Student Union.

Reporter Jamie Williams can be reached at 270-745-6011 and jamie. williams539@topper.wku.edu

Reporter Bryson Keltner can be reached at 270-745-6011 and philip. keltner856@topper.wku.edu.

Reporter Rebekah Alvey can be reached at 270-745-6011 and rebekah.alvey660@topper.wku.edu.

• In the article “WKU professor bares his bones in new book” published in print on Jan. 31, Steve Huskey was reported to have started teaching at WKU in 2013 and is in his fourth year at the university. Huskey actually started in 2003 and is in his fourteenth year at WKU. The Herald regrets the error and encourages readers to report mistakes in order to remain accurate and responsible. • In the article, “Immigration ban leaves international students in limbo” published in print on Jan. 31, it was reported Dubai was located in Saudi Arabia. It is located in the United Arab Emirates. Also, Elnaz Jalali was said to have been accepted into a Medicinal, Bio-organic and Computational Chemistry PhD program. It is actually Pharmaceutical Sciences with a minor in Medicinal Chemistry. The Herald regrets the error and encourages readers to report mistakes in order to remain accurate and responsible.

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Professor appointed to human rights task force BY JAMIE WILLIAMS HERALD.NEWS@WKU.EDU A WKU professor has been appointed to a task force working to promote and protect human rights internationally. Professor Emeritus and human rights activist Sam McFarland was appointed to the American Psychological Association’s Task Force on Human Rights. The task force aims to identify what the APA is already doing well in regards to human rights and what the organization could be doing better. “In the end, what our task force is about is what is the APA doing and what is the APA not doing and ought to be doing,” McFarland said. The task force, which consists of six members, was created in response to a lapse in human rights protections during the early 2000s. In 1994, the U.S. ratified what is commonly known as the Convention Against Torture. This convention stated torture could not be justified under any circumstances. The U.S. followed this convention until after 9/11, when the government redefined torture as being limited to acts that would cause serious maiming or death. These enhanced torture techniques were used until 2008. During this time, some groups such as the American Medical Association condemned this newer, lax definition of torture as a violation of the Convention Against Torture and ethical standards; the APA did not. By identifying possible problems with human rights

protections, the task force hopes to prevent the APA from making the same mistake in the future. “I don’t think it’s ever going to happen again in APA,” McFarland said. “If that happens again, APA would be an opponent and not a supporter. I’m sure of that.” The task force has been assigned to produce a report for the APA that will review the organization’s current activities and make recommendations for future human rights related activities. McFarland has written several sections of the task force’s report, including a definition of human rights in relation to psychology. The APA’s website states this definition will, among other things, “clarify the relationship of human rights to APA’s mission” and “frame and guide APA’s work to promote human rights.” McFarland has also written a section regarding the distinction between human rights and social justice. He explained the APA currently follows a social justice framework, and the task force would like the association to move to a human rights framework instead. “Think of equality as a guiding theme for APA,” McFarland said. “Human rights is broader than that. Human rights is absolutistic. The right not to be tortured is not the right to be tortured less than somebody else; it’s the right not to be tortured.” McFarland also wrote a distinction between human rights and human welfare, and plans to recommend the APA provides reparations to

Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Human Rights for Honors College Sam McFarland is currently working on an American Psychological Association Task Report that will go to the American Psychological Association to inform individuals about human rights. “APA, I think, needs to have a permanent standing committee on international human rights...Right now there is nobody who has an ongoing responsibility to bring human rights issues to the attention of the governing council. A standing committee would do that,” McFarland said. EBONY COX/HERALD past victims of torture. “People who have been tortured have a right to mental health treatment,” he said. “People who have been tortured have a right to financial amelioration. APA has provided neither.” McFarland said he hopes the APA will create a standing committee in place of the task force to continue monitoring international human rights issues. This committee would be able to advise the APA’s governing council and bring possible issues to its attention. “In the end, I hope that it will make the American Psychological Association much

more attuned to potential human rights abuses and much more attuned to ways in which it can advance human rights, both through its science and its advocacy,” McFarland said. McFarland has also put an emphasis on teaching college students about human rights and said many students don’t know much about the often-untaught subject. After teaching his last class at WKU in 2013, McFarland authored Human Rights 101: A Brief College-Level Overview, which is an online publication free to download for any student or teacher interested in the top-

ic. Since McFarland retired, no human rights courses have been offered at WKU. “Students — honors students, juniors and seniors — come into my class and say, ‘I never knew any of that,’” McFarland said. “That was a fairly common reaction.” After a pause McFarland added, “Human rights is the most important untaught subject matter in American education.”

Reporter Jamie Williams can be reached at 270-745-6011 and jamie.williams539@topper.wku.edu.

Monthly group discusses gender identity

BY CASEY MCCARTHY

HERALD.NEWS@WKU.EDU

A variety of individuals gathered to a few tables; the dim lighting and close proximity provided an intimate atmosphere for intellectual discussion. Questions and conversation abounded at the Science Café Monday evening, as students dissected the topic of gender identity. Richard Gelderman, a professor of physics and astronomy at WKU and director of the Hardin Planetarium, helps organize the event, which occurs once a month. The meetings are open to everyone to come discuss a different topic or issue. Gender identity is the most controversial topic discussed yet, Gelderman said, adding

he tends to avoid highly controversial topics. Gelderman said the Café started as a way to extend the reach of the Southern Kentucky Science Festival from an annual event. The Science Café is meant to be a science event for adults, he said. Each event features a speaker who is an expert in the subject being discussed. Originally, the Café was held at White Squirrel Brewery, which Gelderman said helped build traction for the event. “We’ve been blown away,” Gelderman said. “People want to get off work and have a cool conversation about science.” Gelderman got the idea for the Science Café after seeing a similar one set up in Europe. He followed guidelines including no microphone, no

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electronic devices, no presentations and most importantly, the setting has to be a place people want to be. “Imagine you’ve all been invited to dinner, like a dinner party,” said Gelderman. Lance Hahn, a psychological sciences professor at WKU , was the featured speaker. Hahn teaches a class on psychology and sexuality at WKU. “I like the idea of interacting with the community,” Hahn said. “Sexuality can be a difficult topic to discuss, and it is better to confront the issues and move past them.” The conversation covered different aspects of gender identity. Hahn identified three elements that make up one’sidentity -- biological sex, sexual orientation and gender identity -- and how they relate to one another.

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“People try to oversimplify things,” Hahn said. Psychological matters are never all one way or one thing; there are always exceptions. Environment, genetics and prenatal environment are all factors that affect gender and sexuality, he explained. Hahn spoke of gender dysphoria, or identifying with a gender other than the one you’re born with, which has been treated as a malady or disorder throughout history. Psychology often repeats past problems by simply labeling them as problems, he said. “The discussion was great,” Hahn said about Monday night’s event. “Everyone provided lively interaction, contributing ideas and keeping the discussion going.” Hahn said he hopes as the conversation continues, gen-

der identity lines will continue to blur. Issues such as the bathroom bills in North Carolina have reinforced the topic’s debate. As our culture becomes more accepting, people become more open to addressing his or her own gender identity, Hahn said. The Science Café will meet next month to discuss storm chasing, led by Joshua Durkee, associate professor of geography and geology. Durkee teaches a class at WKU that involves students actively chasing storms in the Midwest.

Reporter Casey McCarthy can be reached at 270-745-0655 and casey.mccarthy573@topper.wku.edu.

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FEBRUARY 2, 2017 > WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

WKUHERALD.COM EDITORIAL

OPINION

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Restricting Records Releasing Title IX records would benefit victims, promote accountability

BY HERALD EDITORIAL BOARD

THE ISSUE: The attorney general has ruled that WKU violated the Kentucky Open Records Act by denying records of Title IX investigations to the Herald and the University of Kentucky’s student newspaper, the Kentucky Kernel.

OUR STANCE: By receiving these records, our intention is not to drag anyone’s name through the mud or publish sensationalized details of sexual misconduct or assault. Our purpose and intent remain the same as it has for 93 years, to hold the university accountable.

he Herald’s ongoing scuffle with the university over faculty and staff sexual misconduct records dates back to November when WKU’s Office of the General Counsel denied our request. WKU, per university policy, defines sexual misconduct/assault as “actual or attempted sexual contact with another person without that person’s consent.” This includes, but isn’t limited to intentional and unwelcome touching, sexual contact when the victim isn’t able to consent and rape. In the university’s denial letter, they disclosed WKU had conducted 20 investigations into faculty and staff sexual misconduct since 2013. Nine of these cases involved faculty members and 11 were staff; six of the 20 investigations found a violation of university policy, but all six resigned before the university took final action. After a second denial, the Herald filed an appeal to the Kentucky Office of the Attorney General. One of the reasons for denial was the then ongoing litigation between the University of Kentucky and the Kentucky Kernel. However, the premise WKU could deny the Herald records then based on ongoing litigation WKU was not party to is like saying your neighbor can’t borrow a cup of sugar because the guy down the street is out of sugar. We’re not asking the guy down the street; we’re asking our neighbor. Since then, UK won its lawsuit against the Kernel when a Fayette County judge ruled UK had the right to withhold documents about a sexual assault case involving James Harwood, a former associate professor at UK, according to the Courier-Journal. The Kernel plans on appealing the decision, which would be taken up by the Kentucky Court of Appeals. When asked by the Herald, attorney Jon Fleischaker said he felt these

cases strongly differ in the number of documents WKU is withholding and the number of instances where a university employee was found in violation of policy. Additionally, the attorney general, in an extension letter to the Herald, said the reasoning for withholding records based on the litigation between UK and the Kernel was not upheld anywhere in the Kentucky Open Records Act. But we don’t want to drag this legal jargon on as it’s likely of no real interest to any of our readers. This kind of talk is useful to the general counsel here, us here at the Herald and the attorney general. What we want to convey from here on out is the following: why we want these records and what we plan to do with them. We do not want these records because we’re trying to be petty or vindictive or are trying to prove a point that the university shouldn’t mess with us. Why we want these records is simple and goes to the heart of who we are as a newspaper. We want to better hold this university accountable and promote transparency. Now, as a newspaper, we freely throw around terms like “accountability” and “transparency” as if they’re candy at a Fourth of July parade, but allow us to elaborate. We know the process involved in Title IX investigations and the steps taken for reporting incidents, but of the 20 investigations all we know are six resulted in findings of violations of university policy, but even that’s

broad. What university policies were specifically violated, is there a pattern among these cases with what policies were violated, exactly how common is resignation before final action is taken? What’s also important for us to know is if WKU did not take final action in these six cases, is there a paper trail which follows these people if they were to go to another university and get another job? Furthermore, in the 14 other cases why did these not result in any final action or resignation? What can these cases tell us about the inner workings of Title IX investigations? Why we want these records is not to accuse WKU of sheltering sexual assaulters or accuse them of some grand wrongdoing. What we will do is offer critiques of the Title IX process, investigate this more thoroughly and hold this process accountable and to the light, not to harm anyone but to help people. Everyone benefits from a better working system that investigates and handles cases of sexual assault. The university benefits and most importantly, victims benefit. We know talking and reporting about sexual assault can be a difficult issue. It’s a sensitive subject that should be handled as such, which is exactly why the attorney general allowed for the university to submit these records with the identity of students redacted to protect the names and personal identifiers of students, but the university said this would not be sufficient to protect the identity of

students. Let’s make this clear, it is not, nor will it ever be, the policy of the Herald to publish the names of rape and sexual assault victims. What we will do, however, is work with victims and encourage them to tell their stories if they’re comfortable doing so. Storytelling can be curative. These records are not a singular moment for us at the Herald, but a new dawn of what we want to do as a publication to discuss and report on sexual assault and to bring this issue to the table. We don’t want these discussions to be regulated to a single month when college students, both male, and female, are at a higher risk to be sexually assaulted than non-students, according to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network. We’re committing to work with victims and their advocates now more than ever before. Finally, we’ve seen how contentious the battle between UK administration and the Kernel has been, and in some instances, it’s disheartening. We value the relationship we have with our administration and the openness they often show us. We’d like to avoid a courtroom drama because that detracts from the gravity of our request and transforms this into a needless soap opera. If necessary, we’ll fight for these records, but as the UK and Kernel case has shown us, that tends to hurt victims more than helping them. In true sincerity, we hope WKU releases these records not just for the benefit of transparency, but for the benefit of helping victims.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Kentuckians need easier access to quit smoking In Kentucky, you don’t have to look far to see the negative impacts of smoking. With more than a quarter of Kentuckians regularly lighting up, we consistently lead the nation in smoking rates. As an ear, nose and throat specialist, I have treated many patients suffering the physical consequences of smoking. Smokers are at high risk for contracting a number of serious diseases, including chronic sinusitis, bronchitis and throat and larynx cancer. I have also had the privilege of helping patients who chose to quit. In fact, most smokers in Kentucky — 70 percent — do want to kick the habit. That is why I support Senate Bill 89, which would create barrier-free access to proven-effective smoking cessation treatments as prescribed to patients by their physicians.

Studies have shown that smokers who work with their physicians are more likely to quit successfully. Doctors are uniquely and ideally poised to advise their patients on how to quit and help them along the way. We know our patients’ medical histories and can develop a treatment plan tailored to each person’s individual needs. But what happens when insurers limit access to the treatments that medical professionals believe will be most effective for their patients? Unfortunately, this is all too often the reality as many insurers in Kentucky do not offer comprehensive, barrier-free smoking cessation coverage. This makes it extremely difficult for smokers to stay motivated to quit. Senate Bill 89 would ensure that physicians, not insurers, determine

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patient care. It would remove complicated barriers like prior authorization and step therapy that often inhibit patients from quickly and affordably getting the treatments they need. A smoker who quits experiences improvements to his or her health right away. Blood pressure and heart rate become more stable within 20 minutes. After 12 hours, a smoker’s carbon monoxide levels return to normal. Overall lung function can improve within a couple weeks. The benefits of smoking cessation extend beyond health outcomes. Kentuckians pay $1.9 billion each year for smoking related health care costs — approximately $590 million of which is billed to taxpayers via the state’s Medicaid program. Providing Kentuckians with barrier-free access to cessation treatments now will save

taxpayers in the long-run, as the risk for costly tobacco-related diseases rapidly decreases as soon as a smoker quits. Lawmakers in Frankfort have an opportunity to take a critical step forward in reducing Kentucky’s smoking rate and reducing our healthcare costs by bringing SB 89 to passage. I encourage everyone in the health care community — physicians, patients, health care advocates and insurers — to join me in supporting this important legislation to ensure comprehensive, evidence-based smoking cessation insurance coverage for all. If any Kentuckian wants to quit smoking, let’s help them do it. — Dr. Shawn Jones, former president Kentucky Medical Association.

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1. What is the official name of the man behind bars in the game Monopoly? (a) Jake the Jailbird (b) Pete the Prisoner (c) Ike the Inmate 2. What rapper studied ballet in High School? (a) Ice Cube (b) Eminem (c) Tupac Shakur 3. Before he was famous,who won a contest naming him 'America's Toughest Bouncer'? (a) Daniel Craig (b) Mr T (c) Samuel L Jackson 4. A 'Roman a Clef' is a type of what? (a) Novel (b) Decorative pillar (c) Musical composition 5. What author married Virginia, his 13 year old cousin? (a) Charles Dickens (b) Edgar Allan Poe (c) Oscar Wilde 6. At what nature preserve did Jane Goodall do her research on chimpanzees? (a) Gombe (b) Kafue (c) Okavango 7. What singer was born Paul Hewson? (a) Sting (b) Prince (c) Bono 8. Where is it against the law to make faces at your neighbor's dog? (a) Mississippi (b) Oklahoma (c) Wisconsin 9. The movie Casino was based on true events that occured in what Las Vegas casino? (a) The Flamingo (b) The Tropicana (c) The Stardust 10. While in high school Bill Gates' first company created what? (a) Traffic counting machine (b) Electronic timers (c) Voting machines

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4 2 5

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62 67 70 73

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List ender Carrot family Flax family Back muscle, for short Fairness Believe in Surmise Period in history Move crabwise Some chamber groups “Cogito, ___ sum” Brings to a close Bake sale org. Ventilate Way of the East

To solve the Sudoku puzzle, each row, column and box must contain the numbers 1 to 9.

1 6

3 8

3 5

14 Tolkien creatures 13 Insect stage 16 17 18 Face-off 22 23 20 21 Sulk Formerly, once 24 25 Pitch-black Wrinkly fruit 29 30 31 Bored 37 38 39 33 34 35 36 Foil’s kin Magnificent 42 43 41 Musically connected 45 46 44 Supporter of the 49 50 47 48 arts? Crèche trio 51 52 53 54 55 Popular cooking spray 59 60 61 Shriner’s topper 65 66 63 64 Attraction Browning’s Ben 69 68 Ezra, e.g. Finito 72 71 Burn soother Copyright ©2017 PuzzleJunction.com “Snowy” bird Beyond tipsy 10 Like some songs 70 Lunkhead “Halt!” to a salt or people 71 Medea rode on it Donnybrook 11 Barely get, with 72 “Iliad” city Dalai ___ “out” 73 Pianist Dame Skins 12 Soapmaker’s need Myra Mixture of 18 "The Collector" soluble salts actress Samantha Down Floral ring 21 Equip again Born 23 Be bedridden 1 Sonata, e.g. Dead against 27 Emerged 2 Scalawag Mission 28 Track events 3 Mea ___ Yield 30 “J’accuse” author 4 Pigpens Strike caller 32 Kind of lamp 5 Little rock Poker holding 6 Dot-com’s address 33 Broadcasted again Civilian clothes 34 Like a gymnast 7 Sacred hymn Norse war god 35 Negotiating 8 Bewildered Bell sound 36 Phi ___ Kappa 9 Losing Candidate’s goal 38 High spirits proposition?

To solve the Sudoku puzzle, each row, column and box must contain the numbers 1 to 9.

PREVIOUS SOLUTION

FEBRUARY 2,2017

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COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD FEBRUARY 2, 2017 > WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

PHOTO

From front to back, Louisville senior Jeff Lightsy, 21, Ft. Lauderdale senior Brent O’Connor, 21, and Dallas junior Durwan Green, 20 step in a line on Tuesday Jan. 31, 2017 at the Dance Art Studio.

Dallas junior Durwan Green, 20, middle, and Cincinnati senior, Adeleke Ademuyeoo, 21, right, watch and critique a video of them stepping.

Stepping Up Photos by Ebony Cox

s the reigning champions of the National Pan-Hellenic Council Fall 2016 Homecoming Step Show, the Eta Rho chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity will compete in the Kentucky District Alpha Phi Alpha step show on Friday, Feb. 3, 2017 at 6:06 p.m. in DSU Auditorium. The show includes eight other chapters of the fraternity in the district competing against one another. “I think competition is at an all time high being that we all won at our own colleges,” Nick Farmer said, referring to the other chapters. “It should be a treat for everyone...Come out to all our events. We do this for our campus and not ourselves.” Admission is free.

Ft. Lauderdale senior Brent O’Connor glances as himself in the mirror and steps at the Dance Art Studio in Bowling Green. The men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, INC. practice their skits and step routines for the District Step Show on Friday Feb. 3, 2017 in DSU Auditorium.

Louisville Senior Nathaniel Hearn, 21, relaxes on his phone while his fraternity brother work on their skit.

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Georgia senior Nick farmer, 21, strolls with his fraternity brothers.

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FEBRUARY 2, 2017 > WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

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LIFE

» Dog Sees God: Check out page B2 for a preview from the new play performed by the WKU Theatre and Dance Department.

locs of meaning

Two WKU Students find self-acceptance through hair growth BY DANIELLE CHAVIS HERALD.FEATURES@WKU.EDU Seniors DeConious “DeCon” Greene and Caleb Smith are committed to the lifestyle of locking. Hair locking, commonly referred to as dreadlocks, is a method of interweaving hair follicles over themselves until the strands grow together, forming the dreadlock. Viewpoints surrounding dreadlocks and the appropriation of the hairstyle in school and the workplace have been the focus of some recent debate. In 2016, the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals legally ruled in favor of allowing businesses to refuse hiring potential employees because of their dreadlocks. In other cases, dreadlocks and natural hairstyles, such as cornrows, have been addressed in the school system. Butler Traditional High School in Louisville gained national attention in 2016 when a now-suspended school policy banned students from wearing cornrows, twists and dreadlocks. Despite these events, Greene said his dreadlocks are more than just a hair style. “My locs, to me, mean patience,” Greene said.

Greene said this patience he has developed is beneficial to his self-esteem. In his six-year dreadlock journey, Greene said his perception of self has transformed. “I’ve been learning to develop my own self-patience and learn who I am along the way,” Greene said. In the first stage of locking, dreadlock specialists, or “locticians,” suggest to shave the scalp and begin new. “You deal with a lot of insecurities when starting over and looking completely different,” Greene said. Both Greene and Smith said the beginning stage of growing dreadlocks is awkward but necessary for the process. “Dreadlocks really are a journey,” Smith said. “When I first started to grow them, I didn’t think of them like that. Going through the short stages, when you have the itty-bitty small dreads is funny because it’s so ugly and you really don’t want them.” “Like DeCon said, ‘It kind of kills your self-esteem a little bit,’ but after a while you don’t even

SEE DREADS PAGE B2

PHOTOS BY: EBONY COX

TOP LEFT: Nashville junior Deconious Greene, 24, became interested in locing his hair in 2009. He plans on cutting his hair after he graduates college. “I like evenness, the start of my freshman year of high school is when I started my dreads and I will cut them after I graduate college to dignify the long process it has taken to come this far in my succession.” Significance of dreads represents a tree. The roots of the tree that supports the tree, it’s the roots.

CENTER: Louisville senior Caleb Smith, left, and Nashville junior Deconious Greene, 24, met 5 years ago and are now roommates. “we have like a yin yang relationship because we balance each other out,” Smith said. “There’s good times and bad times but at the end of the day we always stick together.” TOP RIGHT: Louisville senior Caleb Smith became interested in locking his hair his sophomore year of high school. He didn’t want to have to deal with the upkeep of a regular hairstyle and has no intention of cutting them off. Often times he will trim them because they become too heavy. “My hair holds memories and strength, long hair means strength. With dreads you can feel different energies. You are more in tuned with yourself,” Smith said.

Flour bags from the past are educating the present A little bit BY KALEE CHISM

of country, blues and rock and roll

HERALD.FEATURES@WKU.EDU

Years ago, nearly every town in Kentucky had a flour mill. Today, the bags once used to hold the crop are being displayed at the Jackson Gallery in the Kentucky Building on WKU’s campus. “Milling Around: Flour in Our Cupboard” is an exhibit that shows multiple items related to milling and Kentucky, including cloth and paper flour bags, a grist millstone, books and manuscripts. “Milling Around is an exhibit that features our flour bag collection, but it also talks about all the other things related to milling,” Jonathan Jeffery, the Department Head for Library Special Collections and Manuscripts and Folklife Archives Coordinator. “We’ve got a grist millstone, documents of how much it costs to build a mill in the 1800’s here in Warren County, so it’s a hodgepodge of things all related to milling in some way, and all related to Kentucky.” Jeffery’s interest in the bags started due to the graphics often placed on them as a marketing strategy, he then donated them to the Kentucky Building where the exhibit is in place. “I love the iconography, or what some people call the graphics, on the bags themselves,” Jeffery said. “They’re very bright and bold, and they were meant to pull people right to them as a selling mechanism. So I always enjoyed that part of it, and I just thought every little community in Kentucky had a flour mill at one time. They had bags like this and unfortunately over the years I find fewer and fewer and fewer of them. And so there’s this whole history that’s gone.” Jeffery said he believes the bags show a piece of the community’s history as well, giving them a deeper meaning than just the graphics. “I love the images that are on the bags themselves, that’s what attracted me to it in the first place, and also how they document the community,” Jeffery said. “Sometimes these pieces from our past tell us a little bit about the community we live in.” Kentucky has a long milling history as they were used not only to make bread, but also to power other

BY ELISABETH MOORE HERALD.FEATURES@WKU.EDU

A student walks past the Kentucky Museum on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017. SILAS WALKER/HERALD

industries. Nearly every community in Kentucky had a mill. “Everybody had to eat bread at one time or another,” Jeffery said. “These mills often supported auxiliary things such as textiles operations in the same building because they all used the same water power and steam power. It was a very significant industry in Kentucky all the way up until the 1920’s and the mills started to consolidate and we lost a lot of the smaller mills.” Jeffery said that the mills gave a uniqueness to towns throughout Kentucky. “[The mills] gave them a since of identity, that this is a product that is locally produced, that we can trust this person that’s doing it,” Jeffery said. “I feel like sometimes we buy food from the grocery store so there’s no attention to that at all, it’s all hundreds, sometimes thousands of miles away from us but in that day it was locally produced. And it’s funny how now we have this whole movement back to locally produced food, and this trust issue about food, and I think there’s a tie-in there that students could go away from the exhibit and see how that operated at that time.” The exhibit offers a range of dif-

ferent bags, books and artifacts that give you a deeper look into the milling industry of that time. “I just find it a surprise in terms of the variety and the artwork and the extent of the flour milling industry and the bags that were produced in this area,” said Lynn Niedermeier, the Manuscripts Assistant. “It’s just quite an interesting thing that you don’t even think about in terms of it’s visual aspects as well as the business aspects.” Jeffery said he students can look deeper into the marketing strategies that bags served, as well as the evolution of milling and it’s impact on our communities right here in Kentucky. “I think an appreciation for marketing, how they decided to print these very bold patterns on these bags, and that we do lose things eventually, things change and evolve and I think the exhibit shows the evolution of milling and Kentucky and the marketing techniques that were used in the past,” said Jeffery. “It also helps to show how it waned, it could no longer substantiate itself in these smaller communities.”

Reporter Kalee Chism can be reach-ed at 270-745-2653.

A mixture of country, blues and rock and roll will be heard at the A Frame in Bowling Green on Feb. 9, courtesy of the Blackfoot Gypsies. The Nashville-based four-piece will be performing at the music venue at 10 p.m. Originally a two-person band, the Blackfoot Gypsies now consists of frontman and co-founder Matthew Paige, drummer and co-founder Zack Murphy, bass player Dylan Whitlow and harmonica player Ollie Dogg. The Blackfoot Gypsies originally began when Matthew Paige moved to Nashville. With no place to stay, Paige began to live in a bus, which he said reminded him of the life of a gypsy. Originally born in Alaska and having moved to various states throughout his life, Paige said he wanted to name the band after what had inspired him. Traveling, making music and creating things are among a few of the things that inspired Paige at the time, so he decided on the name Blackfoot Gypsies. “We thought about it for a while, and it was just something about the name Blackfoot Gypsies,” Paige said. “Outside of the obvious Native American reference, it means something quite literal. If you walk enough, your feet turn pretty black. So, it was along those lines.” The Blackfoot Gypsies started with Paige and Murphy in 2010, which remained a duo for the first three years of their existence. After touring and releasing some music, Whitlow and Dogg were added, which allowed them to tour more and to create a

SEE BAND PAGE B2

FEBRUARY 2,2017

COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD

WKU theatre takes on an “unauthorized parody” BY MILES SCHROADER HEREALD.FEATURES@WKU.EDU Rehearsal has begun for director Scott Stroot and his cast of WKU students in the play “Dog Sees God.” The play is an “unauthorized parody” written by Bert V. Royal that follows teen-aged versions of characters based on the comic strip “Peanuts.” Stroot said when deciding what play to direct, he chose “Dog Sees God” because of its roles for both male and female actors, the target age and the relevance of a beloved old cartoon in “Peanuts.” The play never uses the names of the actual “Peanuts” characters, and neither Charles Schultz, nor United Features Syndicate have any affiliation with the making of it. The characters go through issues such as bullying, depression, homophobia, drug and alcohol abuse and violence during the play. Even as the characters face serious issues,

humor plays a big role throughout. “This is not the play to bring grandma to,” Sheperdsville freshman Matthew Kerman said. Kerman plays “Van” in the play, who is inspired by “Linus.” He explained that he has played “Linus” before in high school, and this role is completely different because of

leave the theater, I hope that people make some changes in their lives due to what they saw.” Pauly plays “Tricia” in the play, who is inspired by “Peppermint Patty.” Stroot said there is language in the play that some might find offensive. He said that this play is for mature

This is not the play to bring grandma to.” Sheperdsville Freshmen Matthew Kerman

how much darker it is. “It’s really a special show,” Hope Pauly, a junior from Villa Hills, said. “It’s definitely a comedy; but that doesn’t mean there’s not very serious topics. The humor juxtaposed with the themes it represents is definitely going to entertain. But, when people

audiences who aren’t afraid to be presented with mature language and situations. Viewer discretion is advised. There are only eight characters in the play, and Stroot said 81 people auditioned. This meant he was faced with difficult decisions when casting.

“I felt really blessed that I was one of the eight chosen,” Kerman said. “It’s been a dream role of mine since sophomore year of high school. I didn’t really expect to get it since I’m a freshman, so I’m really excited.” Louisville freshman Becca Willenbrink who plays “Marcy” in the play, inspired by “Marci,” explained the cast has become close because of the intensity and vulnerability of the subject matter in the show. “I want the audience to get sucked in and really enjoy the play,” Stroot said. “I want them to enjoy the humor, but also to be moved by the very real situations that these kids find themselves in.” The play will be held Feb. 23 through Feb. 28 in the Lab Theatre of Gordon Wilson Hall.

Reporter Miles Schroader can be reached at 270-745-6288 and miles. schroader178@topper.wku.

Gatton Academy students receive literary awards

BY REBEKAH ALVEY

HERALD.FEATURES@WKU.EDU

Three Gatton Academy students were recognized for their literary work at the Regional level of the Scholastic Arts and Writing Awards. Rhiannon Connor, Deeya Patel and Evan Poole each entered award-winning pieces of poetry, essays or short stories. Gatton Academy focuses on science, technology, engineering and math principles, accepting select high school juniors and seniors to attend classes on WKU’s campus. “A lot of students do come to the academy to pursue STEM interests, but many times they have arts interests as well,” Gatton Academic Opportunities Coordinator Cheryl Kirby-Stokes said. The Scholastic Arts and Writing Awards is a national event, receiving almost 320,000 works of art and writing last year, according to the Scholastic Arts and Writing Awards website. Connor, a senior originally from Berea Community High School, re-

DREADS

Continued from B1 “Like DeCon said, ‘It kind of kills your self-esteem a little bit,’ but after a while you don’t even notice them anymore and they just get longer and longer,” Smith said. Greene and Smith that the journey of growing dreadlocks is largely a

BAND

Continued from B1 new album called “Handle It.” The band originated from Paige’s desire to create a group that would tour and create their own music. Starting by putting an advertisement on Craigslist, Paige began to look for a drummer. According to Paige, Murphy rarely scanned Craigslist for anything, but once they had their initial phone call, he knew Murphy would be a perfect drummer. Since their beginning as a fourpiece, the Blackfoot Gypsies have released two albums and plan on releasing a third in April called “To the Top.” They have a total of 50 recorded songs, though there are many more that have not yet been recorded.

ceived a Silver Key award for her critical essay titled “Prestige in Higher Education and its Effects on Students,” and for her Writing Portfolio. She also received an honorable mention for her Critical Essays “Love in Wuthering Heights” and “Veganism: a Lifestyle through the Lens of Activism and Identity.”

but not my only interest,” Connor said. “Gatton was the first time interests and writing were coupled.” Patel, a junior originally from Hopkinsville and the University Heights Academy, received a Silver Key award for her poems “Ephemeral Beauty,” “Stellar,” “This Place” and “Vernal.” She also received an honorable men-

Growing up, STEM was a strength but not my only interest.” Gatton Academy Student Connor Patel

estly,” Patel said, who wants to study biology and go into the medical field, an interest on which she bases a lot of her writing. Poole, a junior originally from Muhlenberg County High School, received an honorable mention in Flash Fiction, for a short story titled “Mirrors” under 1,000 words. “It doesn’t relate to my career but I’ve always been interested in literature,” Poole said. “I’ve always been interested in computers,” Poole said. He hopes to go into cyber security and based off current events hopes to “increase the standard.” Kirby-Stokes said this was the first time Gatton students were recognized in the Scholastic Arts and Writing Awards. “The students are very self-motivated,” Kirby-Stokes said. “When they find something they are interested in they go after it.”

Connor said a lot of her important work from her English 300 class went towards her portfolio. Connor is planning to study environmental sociology because of an interest in social sciences and sustainability. “Growing up, STEM was a strength

tion for her poem “Supernova.” This was not her first time publishing writing but her first competition; she wrote for the Hopkinsville Community College magazine, “The Roundtable,” and her high school magazine. “Science is really beautiful hon-

spiritual experience. “It promotes my strength definitely because my hair is strong and my hair is durable,” Greene said. “Because of that, it represents me in a way of how I’ve been able to endure a lot of things in life. My hair has been enduring a lot of those things with me and it still manages to hang on just as I have.” “Dreadlocks make you go back

and think of memories where your hair was different lengths and what you were going through,” Smith said. “It helps you connect back with the time.” Greene said the dreadlock is uniquely associated to the individual who wears them. “It’s hard to identify the person with the dreads,” Greene said. “You have to try to make a good judgment

off of them. You don’t have to put it into a stereotypical type of view. We’re not meant to be seen like that. We’re meant to be seen like normal people who want to grow their hair out like everyone else.”

“Rock and roll is probably the easiest way to describe our music,” Murphy said. “It’s just a blend of country and blues and rock and roll, really. We are trying to kind of touch on a little bit of everything and if you are going to do that, it will take some time. So, we are kind of taking our time getting to each.” The Blackfoot Gypsies have averaged around 250 shows a year. Outside of their extensive touring, the Blackfoot Gypsies also have separate jobs that help fund their everyday lives. According to Paige, the band is not yet able to pay all of the bills that each member has through music, though they are coming closer after each performance they play. Paige said, the Blackfoot Gypsies

are planning to grow their band, creating more music and creating a sustainable group that is an institute for creativity and fun. The ultimate goal for the band right now is to create enough money that will allow them to live off of while focusing on the art of creating music, according to Paige. “There is no telling where the end goal is, but there is no limiting the ideas,” Paige said. “You can be realistic without being limiting, you know? We are friends and family now, so it’s like you have this gang of guys that are good at things and will help you with a vision.” At their performance at the A Frame, The Blackfoot Gypsies plan on playing as many songs as they can fill into their performance time. After

performing at the A Frame, the Blackfoot Gypsies plan on going straight to Athens, Georgia, for another performance over the weekend. Based on all of their experience as a band, Murphy said he would advise beginners to have fun and if they considered making money from music, to treat their music as a business while keeping in mind that they are also in the business of making art. On the other hand, Paige advises beginners to keep working hard and to pace yourself while being happy with how far you have gone.

Wkuherald.com

Reporter Rebekah Alvey can be reached at 270-745-6011 and rebekah. alvey660@topper.wku.edu

Reporter Danielle Chavis can be reached at 270-745-6288 and danielle.chavis191@topper.wku.edu

Reporter Elisabeth Moore can be reached at 270-745-6288 and elisabeth.moore938@topper.wku.edu Follow her on Twitter at @emoore938.

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FEBRUARY 2,2017

COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD

B3 WKU Forensics Team debates across the country BY ANDREW CRITCHELOW AND OLIVIA MOHR HERALD.FEATURES@WKU.EDU Students of the WKU Forensics Team spend hours preparing speeches for tournaments and national competitions, their most recent outings taking place in St. Louis and DeKalb, Illinois. Jon Sahlman, a senior from Modesto, California and a member of the WKU Forensics Team, said he transferred to WKU from Modesto Junior College largely because of the success of the team. “[I] loved the coaches and team environment right away,” Sahlman said. “I knew instantly that WKU was where I wanted to be.” A team of 15 traveled to St. Louis on Saturday and placed third in the overall team sweepstakes hosted by Webster University. The team faced off against schools including Boise State University, University of Alabama and Hillside College. The next day, a team of 12 won the team sweepstakes championship at the MAFL 6 tournament held in DeKalb. The competitions consist of debates and individual events. Sahlman, who earned co-champion

in the Lincoln-Douglas debate, seventh debate speaker and semifinalist in extemporaneous speaking at the Webster University competition, discussed the effort the team’s competitors invest in their work. “Our competitors spend long hours researching, memorizing, reworking and redrafting every aspect of their events,” Sahlman said. “We take practice very seriously.” Freshman Claire Champagne from Lafayette, Louisiana and Director of Forensics Ganer Newman graduated from the same high school. Through Newman, Champagne discovered the Summer Forensics Institute the team organizes for high school students. “I attended in 2015 before my senior year of high school and started getting recruited after that,” Champagne said. “I always practice all of my events at least twice in the days leading up to the competition. Tournaments require long days and constant energy, so I try to get a good night’s sleep before I compete.” Both Sahlman and Champagne expressed a passion for competing in forensics. “I love that it gives me a great platform to make my voice heard,” Champagne said. “I love traveling with teammates...traveling really allows me to

get to know teammates I don’t know as well, and we always make memories wherever we go.” “I love that forensics is an opportunity to spread messages,” Sahlman said. “There are topics that are controversial in today’s society ... forensics humanizes these topics and gives people a space of expression.” Traditionally, the team attends two national competitions, The American Forensics Association and the National Forensics Association Championships, but the team will attend a third national competition this year, according to Assistant Director Ben Pyle. “AFA only allows 66 entries and we have an unlimited number of entries at NFA,” Pyle said. “We make the final roster for our nationals roster in March ... and deliberate over which events are most competitive for the given region.” There are 12 speaking events at the competitions, including debate, public address, limited preparation and interpretation of literature. “At the most basic level, judges are looking for strong argumentation and evidence, vocal capability, physical poise and presence,” Newman said. “However, the activity is very subjective ... we have to be adaptable ... to maximize our competitiveness.” According to Newman, students

debate or perform their speeches or interpretation events in preliminary rounds and judges then decide a winner in each round. The students with the best ranks at the tournament advance to semi-final and final rounds. The time limit set for each speech typically ranges from seven to 10 minutes. “Our coaching staff takes great care to plan well in advance when each student will travel for competitions throughout the season, and ensure that no student travels more than three weekends in a row,” Pyle said. “This way our students may prioritize their academic success and maintain a healthy balance with the rigors of college life.” Passion drives the forensics team at WKU, according to Newman “In addition to honing public speaking skills ... students learn innovative ways to engage in civic issues,” Newman said. “More than trophies, I cherish how the activity encourages students to improve their communities.” The WKU Forensics Team will hold a public performance Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. in the DSU auditorium.

Reporter Olivia Mohr can be reached at 270-745-6288 and olivia.mohr564@ topper.wku.edu

Calendar

Thrusday Feb. 2

Friday feb. 3

Lady Topper Basketball vs. Louisiana Tech Location: Diddle Arena Time: 7 p.m.

Free Evening Planetarium Show Location: HPL Planetarium Time: 7 - 8 p.m.

Saturday Feb. 4 Steven Cavallo: Breaking the Silence Location: FAC Corridor Gallery All day

All About Anime Association Location: Downing Student Union Room 2086 Time: 7:30 - 10:45 p.m.

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FEBRUARY 2, 2017

COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD

National Signing Day WKU’s TOP gets Mik’Quan Deane, TE, 6-4, 240, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, Tulsa, Oklahoma Calder Marria, DL, 6-4, 225, Jonesboro High, Jonesboro, Georgia

On Wednesday, the WKU football program added 23 new players to its 2017 roster on National Signing Day.

Juwuan Jones, LB, 6-3, 235, Lanier High, Buford, Georgia Josh Samuel, RB, 5-11, 200, Central Gwinnett High, Lawrenceville, Georgia Jaylon George, DL, 6-3, 260, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, Atlanta, Georgia Carson Jordan, DL, 6-3, 265, Mississippi Gulf Coast College, Poplarville, Mississippi Preston Mixon, OL, 6-4, 295, Jefferson Davis High, Montgomery, Alabama

Really, it’s ok to ask questions THURSDAY- FEB 9 4:00 P.M. GRISE HALL 439

The WKU Bahá’í Club is holding a Kickoff meeting to introduce ourselves, plan the semester, and begin a discussion about how Bahá’ís and their friends work to change the world through service.

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COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD FEBRUARY 2, 2017 B5 Lady Tops look to rebound with two-game homestand BY SAM PORTER

HERALD.SPORTS@WKU.EDU As the postseason gets closer, every game seems to get a little more crucial for the WKU women’s basketball team. That statement is especially true in the Conference USA this season. More than halfway through the season, WKU, Charlotte and Middle Tennessee are tied atop the C-USA standings with 7-2 records in conference play. For the Lady Toppers, the next hurdle in their pursuit of the No. 1 seed in the C-USA tournament comes tonight against Louisiana Tech who boasts a 10-10 (5-4 C-USA) record. WKU is coming off a heartbreaking road loss against UTSA, a game in which they led for three quarters and gave up 80 points -- the highest total they’ve given up all season in games that ended in regulation. “When it got late, they made some big plays,” Head Coach Michelle ClarkHeard said about the loss. “With our rotation and the way we were guarding them and changing up our defenses,

we were just a half second late at times. They got some fifty-fifty balls that we got our hands on, and they took advantage of it. I think that was the difference.” Despite failing to capitalize on the opportunity to take sole possession of first place in the conference, the Lady Tops are 5-0 this season after coming off a loss and will look to push that mark to 6-0 when the Lady Bulldogs come to town. In those five games, the Lady Tops have outscored their opponents by an average of 20.2 points per game. “It says a lot about the resilience of our crew,” Clark-Heard said. “I think the most important thing that everyone understands is that it’s a long season, and it would be awesome to win every game, but these are young ladies working every day trying to be the best they can be. So our job as a staff is to put them in that position so we can keep getting better. We hit February pretty soon so we just want to continue to be the best we can be.” Louisiana Tech enters Diddle Arena

looking to move up in the conference ranks itself. If the Lady Bulldogs can pull the upset, they will move into fifth place behind the three teams tied for first and fourth-place Southern Mississippi. The Lady Bulldogs are primarily led by the two-headed monster that is Kierra Anthony and Jasmine LeBlanc. Anthony comes into the game averaging 12.9 points per game and 3 assists per game while LeBlanc averages 12.5 points per game and 9.2 rebounds per game, good enough for third in C-USA. “They’re very athletic,” Clark-Heard said about the Lady Bulldogs. “Kierra Anthony can get to the basket, she can shoot the three and can pull up. Then they have Jasmine LeBlanc who is very athletic and is almost averaging a double-double this year. They have kids that can shoot the three, and they’re going to press us.” Redshirt senior guard Kendall Noble will most likely be the Lady Topper to match up against Anthony. Junior forward Ivy Brown, who ranks fourth in C-USA at eight rebounds per game,

will likely be tasked with handling LeBlanc underneath. Offensively, the Lady Tops rank first in the conference in points per game (75.8) and will be facing a team that will likely show signs of pressing and play zone in the halfcourt. The Lady Bulldogs’ zone has caused problems for all of their opponents to date, as their opponents are shooting just 37.5 percent from the field, which ranks first in C-USA for opponents’ field goal percentage. “They’re in the zone most of the time and they’re very active,” ClarkHeard said. “They can get their hand on the ball in the lane sometimes, so we’re going to have to take care of the basketball and make sure that we’re getting the shots we need to and getting the ball reversed.” Tip-off is set for tonight at 7 p.m. in Diddle Arena.

Reporter Sam Porter can be reached at 270-123-456 and sam.porter270@ gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ SammyP14.

WKU Baseball looking for a new start in 2017

Junior right hand pitcher Cody Coll pitches during the Hilltoppers 3-2 win over Belmont University on Tuesday, April 19, 2016 at Nick Denes Field in Bowling Green. Coll faced 17 batters with four strikeouts. SHABAN ATHUMAN/HERALD

BY TYLER MANSFIELD

HERALD.SPORTS@WKU.EDU Winter is starting to slip away as temperatures are beginning to rise, the sun is filling the sky each day and college baseball teams are now practicing on a day-to-day basis. WKU is one of those teams. The Hilltoppers, entering their third season in Conference USA, do so with their backs against the wall. WKU was picked to finish 12th out of 12 teams in a conference that sent four teams to the NCAA Baseball Championship last season and ranked fifth out of all conferences in 2016. Along with being placed at the very bottom of the pack, WKU had no players named to the All-Conference Team. Preseason polls are generated

WALKTHROUGH Continued from SPORTS

Just one week ago, former WKU greats Forrest Lamp and Taywan Taylor showcased their talents at the Senior Bowl, representing the Hilltopper program on the national landscape. As logical and practical as it may have seemed when Brohm was promoted from within the program in 2013, his hiring was a program-altering move. Brohm’s fast, exciting brand of football worked. That was the major part of his plan and it’s part of the reason why Lamp and Taylor are two of the program’s most decorated players ever. If Brohm was able to realize his goals as a first-time head coach, there’s no reason Sanford can’t either.

TOPS ON THE ROAD

Continued from sports

the C-USA standings. The Golden Eagles are led by senior swingman Quinton Campbell is netting 12 points per game while sophomore guard Cortez Edwards puts in 10.4 per contest for USM. Both matchups will be important opportunities for the Toppers. The team has a chance to get some rhythm and confidence as they get closer and closer to the post season. “All wins are important, no matter if

based off teams’ performances the prior year, and the Hilltoppers didn’t play their best baseball in year one under rookie Head Coach John Pawlowski. WKU finished 24-30 overall in 2016 with a mark of 10-20 in C-USA and ended its campaign on a 10-game losing streak, watching its postseason hopes vanish. In 2015, their inaugural season in the new league, the Toppers also struggled, finishing 24-28 (10-19 C-USA) failing to reach the conference’s postseason tournament. WKU opened last year’s slate with a home series victory over Youngstown State and then went 3-0 at the Bulldog Invitational, hosted by Georgia, as it defeated Cincinnati, South Alabama and the hosts themselves. The Toppers carried that momentum into their next two games as they won both, but then

went on a downhill slide throughout the remainder of the season. Pawlowski and his group will likely have their minds set on overcoming adversity, winning games, making it to the C-USA Tournament and protecting its new turf at Nick Denes Field in 2017. Todd Stewart, WKU Director of Athletics, announced last May that an AstroTurf-designed playing field would be installed at WKU’s home ballpark. The $1.3 million project was 100 percent privately funded and was completed in August. “When I came to WKU our facilities were already great,” junior outfielder Kaleb Duckworth told the Bowling Green Daily News in August. “The new field is definitely exciting. It’s awesome that people are investing in our pro-

Whether he’s tweeting about an upcoming WKU sporting event, walking around the campus cafeteria meeting students or gearing up with stripes and a whistle to serve as the referee for scrimmages for youngsters at halftime of WKU home basketball games, Sanford is always working. He’s always working to share his energy and passion for the everyday “pursuit” he insists will make his plan work. I’m convinced he hasn’t rested a single day since he arrived. As I mentioned in a previous column, the pedigree Todd Stewart now searches for and is expected to get, in a head coach is higher than it ever has been here on the Hill. As hard as it is to predict the success of a rookie head coach, I’m confident that when tested

with the more demanding questions, Sanford will find the answers. All he needs is his plan.

gram. Now we need to go win some games for them.” The Toppers have the chance to do that beginning Feb. 17 when they open their season with a three-game series against Valparaiso on the new field. On top of getting to play in front of its home fans to kickoff 2017, WKU will play 17 of its first 21 games in Bowling Green. The Toppers can take advantage of that golden opportunity with the help of their key returning starters. Pawlowski will have the chance to mold his team around returning players Duckworth, redshirt senior infielders Leiff Clarkson and Thomas Peter, redshirt senior outfielder Zach Janes, senior outfielder Paul Murray and senior catcher Hunter Wood. The six players combined for an overall batting average of .273 while also recording a total of 232 hits and 135 runs, including nine home runs. On top of the offensive returners, Pawlowski has a strong bullpen with a handful of experienced pitchers in redshirt senior right-handers Jackson Sowell and Kevin Elder, senior righty Cody Coll, redshirt junior left-handed pitcher Ryan Thurston and sophomore lefty Evan Acosta. The five returning pitchers combined to record 181 strikeouts in 225.4 total innings pitched in 2016. As for Pawlowski, he enters his 15th year as a Head Coach with 529 wins under his belt and 11 NCAA Tournament trips in his 23-year collegiate coaching career. The hot start he and WKU got off to last season was the best start for the Hilltoppers since the 1985 campaign. After the Bulldog Invitational, WKU received votes in the National College Baseball Writer’s Association poll, which marked the first time the Toppers were ranked in any poll since May of 2010. WKU will try and get off on the right foot for a second-straight year later this month.

Reporter Tyler Mansfield can be reached at 270-745 6291 and tyler. wkuherald@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter at @RealTMansfield.

Evan Heichelbech can be reached at 502-415-1817 and evan.heichelbech059@topper.wku.edu. Follow him on Twitter at @evanheich.

IT’S TIME TO PUT THE

PUB BACK IN

they are in November, December, January, February or March,” Stansbury said. “But no question, when we move forward they all become important home or away. It’s obvious, like most teams do, but we play pretty well at home rather than on the road. Again, we have got to find a way to go on the road and be better than their guys.”

Reporter Matthew Stewart can be reached at 859-7973140 and matthew. stewart015@topper.wku.edu. Follow him on Twitter at @MES_WKU22.

Beer and Wine sales will end at 7:30 from Monday - Thursday and at 3:30 on Friday

FEBRUARY 2, 2017 > WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

WKUHERALD.COM

SPORTS

» Football: National signing day coverage inside.

DOWN SOUTH

THE WALKTHROUGH

Sanf Sanford’s got a pla plan and he’s not afraid a to tell y you about it BY EVAN HEICHELBECH

HERALD.SPORTS@WKU.EDU HERALD.SP

TOPS look to continue winning streak on the road BY MATTHEW STEWART HERALD.SPORTS@WKU.EDU After winning back-to-back games in Diddle Arena, the WKU men’s basketball team is back on the road to take on Conference USA opponents Louisiana Tech and Southern Mississippi on Thursday and Saturday. In last week’s wins over Texas El Paso and Texas San Antonio, the Hilltoppers (11-11, 5-4 C-USA) began to click on the court, leading from start to finish in both contests. Despite the wins, Head Coach Rick Stansbury stressed the importance of improvement and moving forward with the season. “We got to take that next step,” Stansbury said. “I told our team that right after the game. Everybody is good at home. Those two wins we just had Thursday and Saturday were games that we were supposed to win as we were favored in both of them. Well, it’s time for us to do something special, go do something that we are not supposed to do and go somewhere and win where we are not favored to win at.” Now that the active roster is down to just 10 players, any injury can greatly affect the team’s depth. The Toppers will likely be without senior forward Ben Lawson this Thursday in Ruston, Louisiana, against La. Tech as the 7-foot big man from England has a sprained ankle. “It’s going to be the same game plan. It’s just the same thing every time,” senior guard Junior Lomomba said of Lawson’s injury. “It’s the next man up. It’s an opportunity for the guys who played behind him to come in and give us the spark that we need in order for us to get a win.” La. Tech is 14-8 on the season with a 6-3 record in C-USA, as the Bulldogs are sitting at third in conference standings. Just like WKU, the Bulldogs have three players scoring in double figures. Senior forward Erik McCree is a Murray State transfer putting up 17 points per game. Junior guard Jacoby Boykins follows McCree with 14.7 points per game. Freshman guard

Jalen Harris ng a is having standout first veragseason averaging 10.9 points est. per contest. With scoring from coming different posid spots tions and on the floor it will be a challenge for the Tops to hold La. own as Tech down erage 76 they average points per game behind a potent offense. “It’s a great opy for us, portunity I think they’re top three in the conferht now,” Loence right momba said. “So, just er there as the to go over g and try to get underdog in, that’s a big a road win, e for us.” challenge oppers present The Toppers similar challenges for dogs, as they the Bulldogs, o guards and a have two forward averaging in double figures. figures. Senior guards Que Johnson ncake Thomas and Pancake aging just under are averaging 28 pointss combined, and e coming off hot both are performances shooting k. last week. “This is a big chance,” nson said. “EspecialQue Johnson his game being on the ly with this road, we kind of struggle on the road, so this would be a great opy to get a big win for us.” portunity ays after the matchup with Two days La. Tech, the Toppers will be in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, on Saturday ff against the Golden Eato face off outhern Mississippi gles of Southern The Eagles are struggling Junior forward Justin Johnson (23) goes for a with a 6-15 (3-6 C-USA) record, layup during WKU’s 65-62 victory over UTEP dropping them to 11th place in on Thursday, Jan. 26 at Diddle Arena. Johnson SEE TOPS ON THE ROAD made recovered 12 rebounds. PHOTO ILLUSTRA-

PAGE B5

TION BY KATHRYN ZIESIG /HERALD

When Je Jeff Brohm accepted the Purdue head coaching job in early December, h he left the WKU football program at th the peak of its brief Division 1 existenc existence. Naturally, this created an inherent cchallenge for whoever the man to succeed su him on the sidelines inside Smi Smith Stadium would be. We now know the man is Mike Sanford and th the challenge is steep, uphill and will re require the Hilltoppers to become mou mountain climbers in order for the rookie head coach to keep WKU at the summ summit of Conference USA in his first season season. Within this larger challenge, Sanford faces a number of other obstacles to ma maintaining the new standard of success set by Brohm and athletic director To Todd Stewart in recent years. The key to any model of success in coaching — no matter how different each bluep blueprint may be — begins and ends with recruiting. At Wednesday’s National S Signing Day, Sanford finalized his firrst recruiting class as a head coach, sig signing 23 total players and getting a couple of ESPN three-star prospects on signing day. No matter how th the major recruiting services rank WKU WKU’s 2017 class, Sanford did a more-than commendable job, and it was only tthe beginning executions of the well-traveled well-tr offensive guru’s plan. Sanford Sanford, 34, is the youngest head coach in tthe FBS who was hired just over a month-and-a-half mo ago. When Brohm left left, he eventually took the majority of th the Hilltoppers’ commits with him to Pu Purdue, leaving Sanford with little time to get enough young men to buy into his system and believe in a first-time h head coach in order to fill a recruiting class. He had to scramble to get a coac coaching staff together, carefully picking a collection of talent — old and young, young alumni and stranger, experienced and fresh — to form a crew he trusted to help him hit a home run in his first job. The only way he was able to jum jump over all of those immediate hurd hurdles is because he had a plan. At his introductory press conference on D Dec. 14, Sanford came to answer ques questions from some of the local media and fans, but he also came equipped with some questions of his own. Where Whe have we been? Where are we no now? Where are we going? Around th those rhetorical questions, Sanford framed fr and revealed his fivefold plan o of action –- more popularly known now as #ThePursuit17. He said he wanted to graduate every player, serve the ccommunity, win the C-USA Champion Championship, defeat a Power 5 team every year and eventually win a New Year’s Six b bowl game. He said he knew those asp aspirations were “lofty goals” and mayb maybe they’re “far-reaching” at this point. But he said it all with confidence and an enthusiasm that could make anyone forget he had just signed his first head coaching contract hours earlier.

SEE WALKTHROUGH PAGE B5

Bench play gives Lady Tops a balanced boost BY KENTON HORNBECK HERALD.SPORTS@WKU,EDU Heading into last Thursday’s conference matchup against Texas San Antonio, WKU sophomore guard Kayla Smith was averaging just 3.6 points per game. While the Lady Toppers rely on consistent production from All-Conference USA guards Kendall Noble and Tashia Brown, the balance in their roster allows for different players to step up and shine. Smith came off the bench scoring 17 points on six of seven shooting from the field against UTSA, and although they lost the game, Head Coach Michelle Clark-Heard remains optimistic about the team’s depth. “We expect our bench to be able to give us some quality minutes with a lot of things that we need for us to be successful,” Clark-Heard said. “And as you get deeper into the conference you

have to have that.” Smith, who was a regular starter in her freshman season in 2015-16, remained modest about her breakout performance on Saturday. “I wasn’t really focused on how many shots I had made, I was just helping my teammates as best I can,” Smith said. During the dog days of basketball season, coaching staffs cherish unexpected production. As the middle of conference play carries on, the Lady Tops look to remain steadily trending upwards. The better the bench performs at this point in the season, the more trust Clark-Heard has in her talented young roster. “I think they’re still young, but I think we do have a lot of talent,” Clark-Heard said. “I think that a lot of the ways that we’ve been able to win in certain situations ... different people stepped up at different times. As a coach, what you hope for is for some

consistency and you know exactly what you’re going to get. One thing I do know is that I’m very comfortable and confident in whoever I put out on the floor and in every player that plays on this team. On any given night and on any given day, you gotta be ready because you don’t know how the defense is gonna play and you don’t know how your ball is falling compared to someone else’s.” Whether they’re diving on the hardwood for loose balls, playing hardnosed man-to-man defense or fighting inside for a rebound, bench players are the glue of a team. “It’s just the little things like focusing on boxing out, hustling, and 50/50 balls,” Smith said. “Those little things can change a lot in a game.” Smith hasn’t been the only player to contribute meaningful minutes off the pine. Redshirt sophomore guard Jaycee Coe currently leads all players on the team in three-point field goal percentage with a minimum of 30 at-

tempts, shooting from beyond the arc at a 37-percent clip. Senior guard Ima Akpan is fifth on the team in total rebounds despite averaging 13.3 minutes per game. These types of skill-sets are beneficial for Clark-Heard’s team because of the flexibility it gives her in distributing minutes. Strong bench play also creates confidence within the coaching staff. If the Lady Tops continue to have high bench production, Clark-Heard’s squad can be a serious threat heading into the C-USA tournament. “Whatever place she puts me in, I know it’s what’s best for the team so that’s what kind of helped me too on learning and adapting to different things,” Smith said.

Reporter Kenton Hornbeck can be reached at 859-445-7702 and kenton. hornbeck159@topper.wku.edu. Follow him on Twitter at @KentonHornbeck.