PICK UP YOUR COPY OF TOPPER EXTRA BEFORE THE GAME ON SATURDAY
SEE PARTNERS IN CARING’S TRIP TO KENYA PHOTO, PAGE A6
TTHURSDAY, HURSDAY, SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER 222, 2, 22016 016 > W WESTERN ESTERN KKENTUCKY ENTUCKY UUNIVERSITY NIVERSITY > VVOLUME OLUME 992, 2, IISSUE SSUE 1100
Man airlifted after fight on Center Street late Saturday BY NICOLE ARES HERALD.NEWS@WKU.EDU
the Finance and Administration Cabinet to block the deal between WKU and The Medical Center. “It is apparent from documents we have received that this 99-year, $22 million deal was consummated behind closed doors without using legally-required open competitive processes,” the protest states. The deal between WKU and The Medical Center stems from the Aug. 19 Board of Regents meeting where the board gave approval for Ransdell to enter into the deal with The Medical Center. The deal entailed The Medical Center footing the bill on construction of the new facility, leasing the land of the new building to The Medical Center for 99 years at $1 a year and providing The Medical Center orthopedics teams as the exclusive physicians for WKU’s athletic departments. WKONA claims that while they
A man was hospitalized with serious injuries after a fight on Center Street near campus involving several people, according to the Bowling Green Police Department. An incident report released by police said Cory Johnson, 20, was flown to the University of Kentucky Medical Center with a skull fracture and brain bleeding Saturday night, Aug. 17, after being involved in a fight on 1347 Center St. near the Hyatt Place and the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity house. Johnson is still in a medically induced coma, Austin Wiard, a close friend and co-worker of Johnson, said Wednesday morning. “It was more of a shock to everybody really,” Wiard said. “First off, I would like to see justice be served to the people who did this to him. But also, we’re at the point where raising the money [for medical expenses] is very important.” On the day of the incident, Wiard, Johnson and others traveled from Frankfort to Bowling Green for a weekend visit with friends. Wiard was not with Johnson when the incident occurred, but he immediately went to The Medical Center in Bowling Green when he found out Johnson was taken there. “We had no clue what his condition was,” Wiard said. “Originally, we got to [The Medical Center] in Bowling Green and the nurse came out and said his condition was too bad to fly to [The University of Kentucky Medical Center.]” However, later that night the nurse told Wiard she had spoken with Johnson’s mother. The decision was made to airlift Johnson to the University of Kentucky Medical Center where he is still being treated. When the police arrived to Center Street Saturday at 1:53 a.m., witnesses Bowling Green junior Emily Pride, Franklin senior Michael Gonzales and Russelville senior Braxton Powell, were caring for the victim, according to the report. When the Bowling Green Fire Department and the Emergency Medical Services arrived on the scene, they both believed Johnson was highly intoxicated, according to the report. Pride told police the fight began
SEE MEDICAL CENTER PAGE A2
SEE FIGHT PAGE A2
Illustration by Jennifer King/HERALD
UP FOR GRABS WKU pulls deal with Medical Center, Will Bid Out Project
BY HERALD STAFF HERALD.NEWS@WKU.EDU
W
KU pulled its deal with The Medical Center for the Health Sports Medicine Complex on Tuesday after discussions between the university and the Capital Projects and Bond Oversight committee in Frankfort and plans to put the project out to bid. “Following a lengthy discussion that centered on concerns outlined in a protest letter from WKONA, Western Kentucky Orthopedic and Neurological Associates, WKU officials agreed to issue a Request for Proposals and bid the overall project and all aspects it entails,” Bob Skipper, director of media relations, said in an email. Skipper said WKU officials plan to issue an RFP this coming Monday inviting bids. President Gary Ransdell said there was a good, constructive discussion with the oversight committee, but the committee made
it clear they would be more comfortable with a bidding process. Ransdell said he called afterwards to tell officials at The Medical Center and said they understood the situation and will likely be an aggressive bidder. He also said there will be a committee in place for the RFP process, one in which he will offer no oversight or influence. The university’s decision to pull the deal with The Medical Center comes after WKONA filed a legal protest against the deal between WKU and The Medical Center on Sept. 2. WKONA is the former health services provider for WKU Athletics and is owned by current campus health services provider Graves-Gilbert Clinic. WKONA’s protest was filed to the state Finance and Administration Cabinet and claims procurement laws and regulations to promote fairness and transparency were not followed in the execution of the deal it also called for
Police report on racist letters shows possible motive BY JACOB DICK HERALD.NEWS@WKU.EDU The incident report documenting racist letters sent to a faculty member shows the suspected motive differs from what was previously reported and shows a connection to a candidate for a university position. The incident report also revealed Michelle Jones, assistant dean of University College, was told the incident didn’t violate Kentucky law after an initial interview on Aug. 29 with the campus police. Wednesday afternoon, Jones said
she had not been told by an officer her complaint didn’t constitute a violation of Kentucky law. She also said officers had came to her office last week to follow up on the case and received a sign-up list from the University College meeting. On Aug. 31, a follow up interview was conducted by an officer who contacted Jones by phone to fully document her story. The reporting officer notes he was asked to do a follow up after “new items” became available but did not specify what those new items were. The Herald previously reported Jones said she found three messages
folded individually under her South Campus office door on Aug. 26 after not being in her office for a 10-day period. The documents were typed and printed with racial remarks targeting Jones for being an African-American. The incident report was finally received by the Herald after being previously denied twice and cited as being involved in an ongoing investigation. After a third appeal, the report was sent by the campus police. The report initially classified Jones’ complaint as harassing communications. Kentucky state law statute KRS 525.080 defines harassing communications as con-
tacting a person anonymously, or otherwise, in any form including by phone or electronically in a manner causing annoyance or alarm. Harassing communications is a Class B misdemeanor but is also listed as one of the statutes that can be prosecuted as a hate crime when involving any mention of race, gender or orientation. The Herald originally reported a discussion about diversity and inclusion had occurred at the University College’s first meeting of the semester prior to Jones receiving the letters. Vice Provost for Policies
SEE INCIDENT REPORT PAGE A2
SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
A2 MEDICAL CENTER Continued from Front were approached with the offer to fund the new facility, WKONA and other health service providers were not offered the lease or exclusive rights as campus health services and were not allowed to compete for a bid. The protest also states that WKU “made clear that it sought out this partnership without attempting to solicit bids with private providers.” The protest cites an email Ransdell sent to the Board of Regents and later forwarded to Connie Smith, CEO of The Medical Center, in which he instructs to the board that he had
INCIDENT REPORT Continued from Front and Personnel Richard Miller originally told the Herald the discussion was needed after a candidate for director of University Studies said she felt uncomfortable while publicly interviewing for the position. Provost David Lee told the Herald in an editorial board meeting the candidate gave other reasons in addition to being uncomfortable for ending her candidacy and
FIGHT Continued from front in the front yard of the SAE house and Johnson appeared to be instigating the fight, yelling and screaming. She said Johnson and two other people were fighting in the street when he was knocked to the ground, but she didn’t know who the other people were. Pride believed they belonged to the Sigma Nu fraternity, according to the report. The Herald reached out to Pride, but she declined to comment on the incident, citing the ongoing police investigation. After allegations of fraternity involvement were stated, Charley Pride, director of student activities and father of Emily Pride, said the department of student activities is relying on information from the BGPD’s ongoing investigation. After the investigation is more conclusive, it will determine how to deal with individuals
COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD
already met with Smith to negotiate the final terms of the Letter of Intent. The email in question, which was also obtained by the Herald through an open records request, also includes a newly attached version of the letter of intent with edits made by the The Medical Center as well as Ransdell, Smith and Regents Frederick Higdon and Gillard Johnson, both of whom voted in favor of the deal at the regents meeting in August. The board was originally slated to meet on Aug. 10 to conduct a “special meeting” where the board was to discuss the deal, but Ransdell states in his
email that since The Medical Center Board had not met yet to agree to the new letter of intent they would postpone the regent meeting to Aug. 19. “I must remind each Board member and those WKU VPs who are working on this, that absolute CONFIDENTIALITY is critical,” Ransdell writes in this email to the WKU Board of Regents. “We cannot engage any party in any discussion of this until the Med Center Board acts; and you, the WKU Board of Regents, makes a decision.” In an email between Robbin Taylor, vice president of public affairs, and Doris Thomas, vice president
of marketing and development and corporate spokesperson for The Medical Center, there was also a change in how the board would vote on Aug. 19 on the deal in open session as opposed to a closed session. “Because that vote will be in the public session, I have advised Gary that we really have no choice but to issue the news release immediately following the affirmative vote,” Taylor said in the email. Ransdell said the process should move quickly after this point and the committee overseeing the process will include a student representative.
it wasn’t based on the perception of a bad racial climate on campus. In the incident report, the reporting officer claims Jones stated she believed the incident was “spurred by a search for a new director” for the school of University Studies. The officer goes on to write Jones stated “a person who applied for the position was African American” and “she and others felt as though the applicant did not receive a good interview because of their race.”
Excerpts from the letters sent to Jones state the anonymous author blamed Jones for the meeting and said it caused harm to the School of University Studies and University College. One of the letters also uses a racial slur when referring to the candidate director and tells Jones she “is not the victim here.” Jones told police she couldn’t think of anyone who may have been responsible for the letters. The officer concluded there were no suspects
or persons of interests at that time. Sergeant Rafael Casas said the investigation was still underway and the police department was in the process of scheduling interviews with all members of the University College present at the discussion of diversity and inclusion.
and organizations who were involved. “There is not a hard and fast rule of what is an organizational incident or how a case will be decided,” Charley Pride said. Gonzales told police they assisted moving Johnson to the sidewalk after he was knocked down, but he was accidentally dropped on his head. Gonzales stated he observed the fight, but could not identify who Johnson was in the fight with. In the report, the reporting officer references a video claimed to be held by the WKU Police Department showing the fight taking place in the roadway of Center Street. The video reportedly depicts Johnson be tackled by a man, and he is then repeatedly punched in the head by two other men who ran into the fight after he was on the ground. The video also supposedly shows another person, later identified as Peter Gall, being hit and knocked down by three people. The per-
son identified by the officer as the man who tackled Johnson is reported to have kicked Gall before he and the rest of the men involved walked away toward campus. Gall told Officer Boyar, after he had been taken to the hospital, that he didn’t know the people who had assaulted him or Johnson. However, Gall stated he had insulted the two subjects and then he and Johnson became involved in a fight with the two subjects, according to the report. The Herald reached out to Gonzales, Powell and Gall, but they did not respond before time of publication. In light of Johnson’s medical condition, a GoFundMe campaign has been started by Wiard to help pay for Johnson’s medical expenses. The goal of the campaign is to reach $50,000, and it has raised more than $8,700 in the first day. Johnson graduated in 2014 from Western Hills High School
Reporter Jacob Dick can be reached at (270) 745-6011 and jacob.dick@wku.edu. Follow him on Twitter at @jdickjournalism.
in Frankfort. He is also currently employed by Noel Clayton HVAC working toward a career in the heating and cooling industry. Jerimie Pealver, supervisor of insulation at Noel Clayton HVAC, said he and other co-workers are trying to do everything they can to help the family. Pealver said while Johnson does have medical insurance, he does not believe it will nearly cover the amount of medical expenses his family will be facing. This includes the cost of airlifting Johnson to The University of Kentucky Medical Center, Pealver believes. “Corey’s mother is so in shock she’s not thinking,” Pealver said. “There’s going to be a lot of medical expenses from here on out. Our main focus is getting the GoFundMe page out to as many people as possible.”
Reporter Nicole Ares can be reached at 270-745-2655 and nicole.ares@wku.edu.
Wkuherald.com *36:, ;6 *(47<: -9,, P(9205. 7663 -0;5,:: *,5;,9
WKu's no. 1 source for campus news FOLLOW US
LIVE BIG! 1909 Creason Street, Bowling Green, KY 270.846.1000 // cevbolwinggreen.com
wkuherald
TICKETS? CHECK. TOPPER PRIDE? CHECK.
@wkuherald
Breakfast? Check.
@wkuherald
HOURS MONDAY - FRIDAY 6:00AM-7:00PM SATURDAY 6:00AM-1:00PM CLOSED SUNDAYS
270-842-8736 1302 U.S. 31-W BYPASS BOWLING GREEN, KY
Come see us before the Tops take on Vandy!
SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
A3
COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD
Alumni survey receives few minority responses BY EMMA COLLINS HERALD.NEWS@WKU.EDU The WKU Alumni Association has released the results of its 2016 Alumni Attitude Study and only a small percentage of respondents were members of minority groups. Of the nearly 2,000 alumni who responded, only a little more than five percent of the respondents were African American. Responses from other minority groups, including Hispanics, Asian or Pacific Islanders and American Indians or Alaskans, totaled slightly under five percent. John Carter, a current board member of the Alumni Association, said the low response rate could be attributed to a number of factors including address changes. He said the low response rate could make it more difficult to understand how African Americans feel about their connection to their alma mater. In his experience, however, Carter said most of the African Americans he knows are still happy with WKU. “Most of the African Americans who I know who graduated from Western
Kentucky still love the university,” Carter said. “It’s just a matter of them getting back involved and trying to get back on board.” Anthony McAdoo, executive director of the Alumni Association, said the low response rate from minorities means it will be important to consider non-response bias when initially conducting the research. “We’re not going to forget about those individuals as we make decisions,” McAdoo said. McAdoo added he believes the percentage of people in minority groups who responded is probably reflective of the percentage of minorities who participate in the association. At the last board meeting, Carter said there was discussion about how to increase the number of people in minority groups who are involved. Carter believes advertising at events such as Homecoming may help increase the involvement of minority groups because so many people return to the university for those “big” events. In regards to African Americans, Carter said networking at the African American Step
Show and collecting addresses and emails would be one way to reach more alumni. “It’s not that they don’t want to participate, it’s just with life some of them have moved, addresses have changed, that kind of thing,” Carter said. “I know that’s one of our big things trying to reach out to minority graduates.” In addition to receiving little response from minori-
director of alumni resources, said the association, which used the research firm Performance Enhancement Group, Ltd., did not know how many alumni would fill out the online study. Keightley said a decrease in response rates could be attributed to the number of surveys people regularly receive in their emails. “According to the research firm that we worked with,
According to the research firm that we worked with, the response rate that we received was a good reponse rate and well within a statistical point where we could rely on the data.” Assistant Director of Alumni Resources Greg Keightties, the study, which was emailed to 56,552 alumni, only had a 3.5 percent response rate. This was a drop from the study conducted in 2012 which had a 6.2 percent response rate and was emailed to 37,369 alumni. Greg Keightley, assistant
the response rate that we received was a good response rate and well within a statistical point where we could rely on the data,” Keightley said. McAdoo said the survey is useful because it allows an institution to understand how alumni feel about his
or her relationship to the institution. He believes the results will also help facilitate dialogue between the institution and the alumni. “We want our alumni to feel connected to and supportive of Western Kentucky University,” McAdoo said. “This allows us to identify areas where we potentially need to change or improve our services of if we’re addressing things that are no longer relevant.” McAdoo said over the next year the association will use these results as well as the results from other studies, to create new priorities beginning July 1, 2017. After reviewing the survey results, McAdoo said he believes the association needs to focus on methods to reach out to younger graduates and those graduates who do not live close to the university. In addition to those target groups, McAdoo also said the association plans to focus on increasing minority involvement in the association.
Reporter Emma Collins can be reached at 270745-6011 and emma. c o l l i n s 3 9 9 @ t o p p e r. w k u . edu. Follow her on Twitter at @thebest_dilemma.
Department receives community health grant BY LARYN HINDERBRANDT HERALD.NEWS@WKU.EDU WKU’s Institute for Rural Health was awarded a $50,000 grant to purchase equipment, supplies and flu vaccines by the Good Samaritan Foundation for the fourth consecutive year. Last year the Institute was able to vaccinate 1,500 patients, according to a press release. The Institute provides medical and dental services for low-income patients in rural areas of south-central Kentucky. The Good Samaritan Foundation Inc., which awarded the grant, is a ministry of the Kentucky Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Director of WKU’s Institute for Rural Health Matt Hunt grew up in south-central Kentucky and, as a child, would wait three to four hours to see a physician. He said he didn’t realize his home area of Butler County was medically underserved as a county until going into health care administration as an adult. The grant received by the institute covers the purchase of medical and dental supplies, especially the price of one-time use items, in rural communities like the one where Hunt grew up. Students are also provided the opportunity to gain real-world experience working with patients. According to the Institute’s website, it engage WKU students “in service learning and multi-dis-
ciplinary activities within a diverse patient population.” According to Hunt, most of the students working with the department are undergraduates in the fields of social health, pre-med or public health. Clinic work is required in some curriculum, but a competitive internship program is also available to prepare students for post-graduation. “My goal is to instill a heart of service,” Hunt said. The medical and dental staff go out into the community to administer services. For medical outreach, they mostly see adults at locations that include the YMCA and other non-profits. Dental services are school based. Renea Watkins, a regis-
tered nurse with a bachelor of science in nursing, graduated from the WKU Nursing Program in 1999 and has been working for the Institute of Rural Health since early August. She goes into communities to perform screening services including: bone density screenings, cholesterol and glucose screenings, blood pressures, BMI, influenza vaccinations and worksite wellness. Hunt said without the grant, the scope of success would not be as broad. His department takes pride in the sheer number of services that doubles each year. Before the grant, they would administer around 3,000 services and now it is closer to 7,000. Student en-
gagement has also doubled. “The funding we received allows us to offer free flu shots to community members that might not otherwise get the vaccine,” Watkins said. “This is a great benefit for the entire community.” The Good Samaritan Foundation, Inc. aims to award grants to charitable and educational activities related to health care and health education in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, according to the website. The foundation funds proposals on a one-year basis. Follow-up grants must reflect an evolving program.
Laryn Hilderbrandt can be reached at 270-7456011 and laryn.hilderbrandt963@topper.wku.edu.
Students work, save lives with Global Brigades BY BRYSON KELTNER
HERALD.NEWS@WKU.EDU The WKU Global Brigades chapter gained momentum after 27 students provided medical care, health education and water systems while visiting Nicaragua last month. Global Brigades is a completely student-led international nonprofit organization. It utilizes volunteerism to provide medical and economic help to communities in Honduras, Panama, Ghana and Nicaragua, according to its website. The WKU students spent over a week in Nicaragua. One of those students was Sam Fugate, who is the current co-president of the chapter.
He said they worked for three days in a medical clinic, two days building sanitation stations and one day with “water brigade,” which focused on digging trenches to provide clean drinking water. “I can fully contribute my absolute decision to pursue medicine to it,” Fugate said. The students not only provided care while abroad, but also educated citizens on how to continue to care for themselves. “The most important part of a brigade is education because you’re providing them with the knowledge they need to sustain themselves as a community,” Caleb Fulkerson, vice-president of the chapter, said.
“Providing them with that knowledge is the best gift that a human can give.” While students from various disciplines participated, Merry Krueger,
“It’s really great for premed, pre-dent and pre-pharmacy students because you get to have hands-on interaction with doctors, patients and pharmacists,” Krueger
The most important part of a brigade is education because you’re providing them with the knowledge they need to sustain themselves as a community.” Global Brigades vice president Caleb Fulkerson founder of the WKU Global Brigades chapter, expressed the program’s benefit to pre-professional students.
said. “We ended up seeing almost 1,400 people.” Krueger also spoke about the logistics of the program.
“We get to chart our direction of where we want to take the organization in the next couple of years,” she said. “We organize all our own fundraising. So it’s really more than just getting pre-professional experience ... you’re getting leadership experience, you’re dealing with financial issues, and really taking charge. What you put into it is what you get out of it.” For more information about how to get involved with the Global Brigades, email globalbrigadeswku@wku.edu.
Reporter Bryson Keltner can be reached at 270745-6011 and philip.keltner856@topper.wku.edu.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING STUDENTS WHO ATTENED NPHC GREEK 101!
OFF! FAcebook.com/stakzfrozenyogurt
@StackzBG
Armstrong, Martajia
Draper, Juanesha
McKnight, Michaela
Berry, Faith
Earthman, Alexis
Mennefield, Marie
Blakemore, Patrick
Green, Brandon
Mumford, LaDeirde
Collins, Alesis
Holloway, Kearra
Ray, Indygo
Davell, Gianna
Jackson, Jessica
Reece, Malik
Davies, Kamry
Johnson, Janelle
Saunders, Jordan
DeBerry, Lakierra
Kendrick, Ariana
Venning, Cori
Doram, Mee’Shawn
Lester, Robin
Wilson, Alexis
Lewis, Quanshae
THE OFFICE OF STUDENT ACTIVITIES PUBLISHES NAMES OF STUDENTS INTERESTED IN JOINING AN NPHC ORGANIZATION TO ENCOURAGE TRANSPARENCY AND SAFETY FOR ALL STUDENTS INVOLVED. ANY AND ALL QUESTIONS MAY BE DIRECTED TO ALEX KENNEDY, COORDINATOR OF GREEK AFFAIRS AT ALEXANDRIA.KENNEDY@WKU.EDU
SEPTEMBER 22, 2016 > WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY
WKUHERALD.COM
OPINION
Have an opinion? Tweet us @wkuherald or find us on Facebook at WKUHerald as well. Let us know your thoughts about the editorial, or write us with what is on your mind.
@acherryontops: #WKU Pulls Out Of Medical Center Deal, Figures Out It Can’t Just Hand Out Century-Long Leases At Random — 6:52 PM - 20 Sep 2016 @HaleyBWheeler: Always holding the “STAND UP” sign because I’m looking for the real Slim Shady #cheer #WKU — 4:50 PM - 20 Sep 2016 @Katera_Metcalfe: When PFT is low key trying to help u practice beer pong #WKU — 3:20 PM - 20 Sep 2016 @PinkDaisyBG: Join us for a little tailgating fun before the big Vandy game! #BigRed might even drop in to see us! #Lilly&Mimosas #LillyLovesTheTOPS #WKU — 10:41 AM - 20 Sep 2016 @Ynl_DomoLewis: Anybody trying to stay in Pft that don’t already stay in Pft ? Hit me serious inquiries only #Wku — 11:29 PM - 19 Sep 2016 @McMillen02: Spotted the other team 45 points in flag football. Came back and won 54-45. #DreamTeam #TeamGOAT #WKU — 7:06 PM - 19 Sep 2016 @allie_cat9: Game Day on the Hill can’t get here soon enough! #WKU #BeatVandy — 4:00 PM - 19 Sep 2016 @MikeTooEazy_: Get G Herbo & Lil Bibby for homecoming. #WKU — 5:54 AM - 19 Sep 2016 @WKU_Rivals: #WKU opens as a 7 1/2 point favorite over #Vanderbilt — 4:59 PM - 18 Sep 2016 @Madalyn_Biggs4: I’ve had 4 people stop me at the airport in Nashville, telling me they love my Western sweatshirt, and proceed to yell Go Tops #WKU — 8:16 PM - 15 Sep 2016
WALK IN THE LIFE
Mother Teresa’s work of hope, comfort BY MILLIE RONKAINEN HERALD.OPINION@WKU.EDU Last semester I took a class that examined difficult problems in communities. These problems included things like poverty, lack of education and racism to name a few. Throughout the semester, we had group projects to formulate plans to solve these problems in Bowling Green. During the last lecture of the semester, our professors told us that though Millie we had spent the Ronkainen whole semester looking for ways to eliminate problems in the community, there was really no way we could ever solve them or even make the world a better place. I think they were wrong. Sept. 4, a woman who spent most of her life in the slums of Calcutta, India, was named a Saint by the Catholic Church. Mother Teresa, founder of the Missionaries of Charity, spent her life working with the most dispar-
aged people of India. She saw difficult problems of poverty, substance abuse, lack of education and even lack of personal hygiene every day for almost 50 years. And yet she never lost hope that the problems of the world could be solved or the suffering of the people relieved. How did she continue her work without becoming burned out by the awful conditions around her? Following the example of Saint Therese of Lisieux, a French nun and her namesake, she performed little acts of love and mercy for people as if he or she were Jesus himself. She prayed constantly and spent time in silent meditation. Mother Teresa grounded herself in God, drew her strength from his love in prayer and set out to love him in other people. The prayer practiced by Mother Teresa had many levels. She prayed traditional prayers of the church like the Rosary and the Liturgy of the Hours, but she also practiced more radical forms of prayer. The Missionaries of Charity set aside time for silence before God. It is one thing to pray and tell God we love him, but it is another to lis-
ten to him saying he loves us. This requires silence and attentiveness. In the book “Experiencing Jesus with Mother Teresa,” author Jean Maalouf looks at the life of Mother Teresa. Maalouf wrote mother Teresa she would “’inhale’ God’s blessings, and ‘exhale’ praise and thanks” in everything she did. This practice moves prayer beyond a time set aside in a chapel or with scripture and brings it to our everyday work. This was where Mother Teresa found her strength. Some might argue Mother Teresa did not solve the problems of the world. They are correct. She did not rid the world of hunger, poverty or substance abuse. But she did change the lives of many people, bringing hope and comfort to them. Even if she could not physically help them, she at least offered a smile, kind word and comforting touch. She would hold the hands of the dying until he or she had breathed his or her last. She also changed the world in those little ways, even winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.
FASHION
How to stay stylish while saving a few dollars BY SARAH HICKS HERALD.OPINION@WKU.EDU We are surrounded by new trends everyday with access to the whole world of fashion in the palm of our hand. With advertisements taking over our feed, our favorite celebrities inspiring us and new seasons coming around the corner, most of us can’t help but always want more. Your wallet and overwhelming stuSarah Hicks dent loans may beg you not to, but you find yourself desiring to indulge. How do we control our endless yearning for the newest trend when we are on a budget? Maybe you aren’t a loyal shopper but desire to know where to start and how to
be smart about shopping. Either way, we can all benefit from tips on shopping smart and saving a couple bucks. Learn that patience is key. This can be the hardest step, but a lot of times if you wait a couple of weeks two things can happen. One, you discover you’re over what you’ve been eyeing and no longer desire it. Two, you score a sale by waiting a couple of weeks. Your wallet will thank you for either outcome. Don’t mindlessly shop. If you have items you know you are wanting, keep a list over time of them. When you go shopping, pull this list out so you can strategically shop for good finds you know you will use because you’ve previously thought about them; this can help with those impulse buys! Shop with what you already have in mind. This may seem like a no-brainer, but we buy clothing all
the time we never wear. Before buying something, double check you have something that goes well with it. If you don’t have something you love to wear with it, chances are you won’t actually wear it. Also keep in mind what you already have so you aren’t wasting money on similar pieces. Be determined to find a good deal by comparative shopping. A lot of retailers carry the same designers and merchandise, but may have different prices through sales or could better benefit you with good reward programs. Learn what to splurge on. Save more on your trendy pieces which may go out of style soon, while spending more on basic clothing that will carry your wardrobe through many seasons. Plan ahead. This one is for those of us who wait last minute to buy a dress for a wedding or event.
Brandon Carter* Editor-in-chief
Emma Austin* Features Editor
Lashana Harney* Digital Editor
Nicole Ares* Will Hoagland Assistant News Editor Advertising adviser
Jacob Dick* News Editor
Craig Ostertag* Design Editor
Andrew Henderson* Samantha Clark* Copy Desk Chief Opinion Editor John Reecer* Sports Editor
Shaban Athuman* Assist. Photo Editor
Mike Clark* Photo Editor
Kenzie Grubbs Ad Manager
Ashley Cooper* Video Editor
Julie Hubbell Marketing Director
Caitlin Murray Ad Creative Director
Carrie Pratt Herald adviser Chuck Clark Director of Student
Publications
Shop early to give yourself sufficient time to find a good deal or sale. Stock up on event dresses you love when you see them on sale. Shop off-season. In the summer months you will find winter and fall clothing drop dramatically as retailers are making room for their new summer merchandise. This is a great time to stock up on basics or clothing you’ve been eyeing. Be careful to not waste money, even on sale pieces, buying something you won’t love by the time the season hits again. There’s no need to sacrifice being trendy to save money. You can achieve both when you shop smart and plan ahead. Savvy shopping may require additional work, but it’ll be worth it when you and your wallet are rejoicing over your saved dollars.
VOICE YOUR OPINION
CONTACT US
Opinion 270.745.4874 ||herald.opinion@wku.edu
Advertising: 270.745.2653 herald.advertising@wku.edu Newsroom: 270.745.6011 herald.news@wku.edu Address: 1906 College Heights Blvd. #11084, Bowling Green, KY 421011084
The Herald encourages readers to write letters and commentaries on topics of public interest. Here are a few guidelines: 1. Letters shouldn't exceed 250 words. Commentaries should be about 500 words and include a picture. 2. Originality counts. Please don't submit plagiarized work. 3. For verification, letters and commentaries MUST include your name, phone number, home town and classification or title. 4. Letters may not run in every edition due to space. 5. The Herald reserves the right to edit all letters for style, grammar, length and clarity. The Herald does NOT print libelous submissions. 6. Submissions must be received by 7 p.m. on Sunday and Wednesday.
REPORT AN ERROR Editor: 270.745.5044 herald.editor@wku.edu
DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in this newspaper DO NOT reflect those of Western Kentucky University's employees or of its administration. *Denotes editorial board members. The Herald publishes on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the school year. The first copy is free, and additional copies are 50 cents each, available in the Student Publications Center on Normal Street.
COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD
SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
A5
THE FUN PAGE
CLASSIFIEDS Classified Advertising Manager: Miranda Lear
herald.advertising@wku.edu
FOR SALE BUY - SELL - TRADE: Games, DVDs, Records! Also, comics, toys, CCGs, RPGs, more! The Great Escape Records & Comics. 2945 Scottsville Rd (near Greenwood Mall) (270)782-8092
HELP WANTED Babysitters Wanted. Christ Episcopal Church is looking for responsible part-time childcare workers for care of children 5 years old and younger. Experience is a plus. Competitive pay. Close to campus. Email Laura@cecbg.com.
Servers/Host/Bartender/Drivers (Bowling Green) Looking for experienced a plus but not needed bartenders/waiters/waitress, hostess, and drivers. Compensation: Please inquire directly The Gondolier Italian Restaurant in Bowling Green, KY is looking to hire immediately, experience is a plus, but not needed. Will train waiters, waitresses, hosts and bartenders. All shifts are available - PT & FT. WILL WORK with your school schedule. Contact the restaurant directly to apply or come in and fill an application. Gondolier Italian Restaurant 2019 Scottsville Road, Bowling Green, KY 42103 Note to Readers: The College Heights Herald screens ads for misleading or false claims but cannot guarantee any ad or claim. Please use caution when answering ads, especially when asked to send money or provide credit card information. The College Heights Herald is not responsible for the content or validity of these paid classified ads.
SUDOKU
PREVIOUS SOLUTION
Across 1 Retro photos 7 Condescends 13 Tympanic membrane 15 Half a notable San Francisco intersection 16 Heavy marble 17 Worried about 18 Brandy letters 19 Some grad students 21 P.O. boxful 22 One of a divided trio? 24 Like some room fresheners 26 Anthem contraction 28 Lucid 30 Tony winner Martin in the 2013 “Pippin” Broadway revival 32 Cargo wts. 33 With 43-Across, acting like an unscrupulous contractor ... and a hint to this puzzle’s circles 35 Prom dress material 37 They may be crunched 38 Bollywood star Aishwarya __ 39 Curaçao
cocktails 43 See 33-Across 47 RR schedule listing 48 Land on a lake? 50 Psyche’s beloved 51 Letters on old TV dials 52 Strainer 53 For time eterne 54 “Girls” creator Dunham 57 “There’s __ in ... “ 58 XL squared 60 Old Buick 62 Indian spiced drink 66 Wearing, with “in” 67 Lots of shots 68 Juiced-up Roadsters? 69 Breastbones Down 1 French possessive 2 Take in 3 Hinder 4 Ominous date 5 Patron of Alice’s 6 __ generis 7 Louisville-toNashville dir. 8 Fare-well bridge 9 Scottish resort town known for its
whisky 10 Defeat at the polls 11 Gift 12 Barrett of Pink Floyd 14 Doling (out) 15 Declare 20 Furthermore 22 Mil. bravery medal 23 Evian, par exemple 24 Colorful flowers 25 The very beginning, figuratively 27 Pretoria’s land: Abbr. 29 Virginie, to Eugénie 31 A long way away 34 Support beam 36 Penalty for wrongdoing 39 The Bulldogs of the SEC 40 Game player 41 Overruns 42 Fished with a net 43 Study of government 44 Meccano construction set 45 1973 Court decision alias
START
END
46 Old map abbr. 49 One of the fire signs 55 Attach, in a way 56 Magical opening 58 Beer ingredient 59 Act like a loon? 60 Map coordinate: Abbr. 61 Legal thing 63 Possesses 64 Poetic dusk 65 Simile center
SEPTEMBER 22,
Senior Kaitlyn Wathen, 21, helps kids blow bubbles while on a lunch break during clinics in Rukanga, a village in Kasigau, Kenya.
COLLEGEUNIVERSITY HEIGHTS HERALD SEPTEMBER 22, 2016 > WESTERN KENTUCKY
Senior Kaitlyn Wathen, 21, leads students to reaction time at the school in the main village of Rukanga.
Partners in caring WKUHERALD.COM
PHOTO
Physical therapist, Rachel Haddock, helps a patient through stretches to help with leg and lower back pain while in the Makwasinyi Dispensary in Kasigau, Kenya.
Photos by Jennifer king Over the course of two-and-a-half weeks, students in the Partners in Caring: Medicine in Kenya program traveled thousands of miles to volunteer in health clinics in Kasigau, Kenya. The program provided a unique learning experience for undergraduate students pursuing careers in the medical field. Students gained hands-on training in health clinics, volunteered in schools and experienced local life during their stay in Kenya. “I think having that perspective definitely makes us smarter and makes us more aware,” sophomore Jonathan Greene, 19, said. “And it makes us, as students, more willing to put in the work and put in the time to try to make a difference.”
TOP LEFT: Junior Colton Smith, 19, jumps rope in a school courtyard in Kasigau, Kenya. BOTTOM LEFT: Jonathan Greene, 19, takes the blood pressure of a patient in the clinic at Makwasinyi. All of the students participating in the Partners in Caring: Medicine in Kenya program learned how to take blood pressure and heart rate during triage training. TOP RIGHT: An orphaned elephant eats from a bottle of formula from one of several handlers at The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant orphanage in Nairobi, Kenya. Illegal poaching for ivory results in a devastating number of elephant deaths in Kenya every year. The sanctuary provides the much needed protection for the young elephants as they grow strong enough to be released back into the wild. BOTTOM RIGHT: Junior Katherine Citak, 21, reflects on her first day in clinics through journaling in a tent which was her temporary home during the week of clinics in Kasigau, Kenya. Students were required to participate in group reflection time as well as individual journal time each night while in Kenya.
SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
WKUHERALD.COM
LIFE
COLLEGEUNIVERSITY HEIGHTS HERALD SEPTEMBER 22, 2016 > WESTERN KENTUCKY » Topic: Check out page B2 for a look at WKU student band “Remanence.”
Shakespeare comedy year’s first theatre show BY KALEE CHISM HERALD.FEATURES@WKU.EDU The department of theatre and dance will debut its first show of the year, Shakespeare’s romantic comedy “Much Ado About Nothing,” on Thursday. “It’s Shakespeare, so obviously that’s different than most, but it’s really funny,” Nashville sophomore and cast member Baylee Morton said. “Most people are like ‘blah, Shakespeare’ but this one, it’s different, it’s funny, it’s interesting; there’s lots of twists and turns. It’s just fun.” The show features a lot of “Shakespearian” language, prompting the actors to use their performance skills to help the audience understand. “I’ve never done Shakespeare, so this has been a really good learning experience,” junior Gabriel Pless of Brentwood, Tennessee, said. Pless said learning the different style of language made line memorization challenging. “It takes a little bit to get used to the language because the actors of that time spoke in a different cadence,” Julie Pride, pianist and publicist for the theatre and dance department, said. “And some of the words are maybe not as familiar to us. It would be like an audience from then hearing our slang and being like ‘okay, I heard that but I’m not really sure what that means,’ so the actor has to use their performance to convince you of what they’re talking about.” Bruce Schulte, head of the biology department and assistant director of the show, said one difficulty was balancing the production so it wouldn’t sound exactly like Shakespeare without losing his style completely. “You don’t want to completely do 21st century modern, but you’re not also trying to pretend you’re back with Shakespeare at the Globe Theater,”
Professor Michael Nichols has several buon fresco works on exhibition in the Downing Museum at the Baker Arboretum in Bowling Green. Matt Lunsford/HERALD
IN THE ‘LIMELIGHT’ art professor featured at downing museum
BY MEGAN COLE HERALD.FEATURES@WKU.EDU Mike Nichols, art professor of 12 years at WKU, opened his new exhibit, titled “Refresh,” at Downing Museum Monday, Sept. 19, seeking to advance upon the concepts of creative thought and boldness. In his featured pieces, Nichols takes a new spin on Buon Fresco, an art technique of painting onto wet plaster. The paint fuses into the plaster, essentially creating colored limestone. Through modern techniques, Nichols made the ancient practice contemporary in his work. The exhibit includes modular pieces of fresco projecting from the wall and a focal piece, “Limelight,” designed to bend and conform to the shape of the room.
“If light were to come into the room from a stained glass window, it would hit the wall and floor,” Nichols said. “So, you see that the installation bends. I wanted to celebrate that and the blues that come with stained glass.” The exhibit also features portraits made by silverpoint, a technique involving fine metal rubbed over a textured surface. “They look really still, yet the silver on the surface of the paper is actually oxidizing right before our eyes,” Nichols said. “But we can’t see it because it’s a long process. In a couple of years, it will gradually grow warmer, which initially contradicts between its appearance and the underlying nature of the thing. I like that.” This follows the idea of shifting edges, and how we never know when
SEE THEATRE PAGE B2
things begin or end, Nichols explained. After attending a workshop at the Los Angeles Fresco School, taught by founder iLia Anossov, Nichols felt it was his duty as a contemporary artist and professor to push the medium in a way that made it approachable for contemporary art audiences. During his 2014 sabbatical leave, Nichols received a grant from the Research and Creative Activities Program to dig into contemporary Buon Fresco, which is when he began some of the pieces now in his “Refresh” exhibit. Nichols said he wants viewers to come see the exhibit with their own perspective and to look at it the way they want to see it. Most importantly, he said, he wants visitors of the museum to be able to get what they want
SEE ART EXHIBIT PAGE B2
Kentucky basket weaver shares her story BY FORDE WOMACK
HERALD.FEATURES@WKU.EDU Leona Waddell, 88, has been using her hands to cut and weave tree bark since she was 10 years old. She learned the traditional basket making art from her mother at their home in Club Run, a small town in Hart County. “I used to sit in the living room with my mother,” Waddell said. “We would strip the wood and make the threads for the baskets.” Waddell said weaving was a big part of her childhood; she worked with and learned from her mother to master the craft. Taking part in each step of the creation process, Waddell would cut down trees and peel them for bark, which she used to create her baskets. Although Waddell took a break from weaving when she got married at age 17, she said she picked it up again after the birth of her eldest daughter. At that time, she began making market baskets, which she would sell on roadside stands. As she raised her children, Waddell alternated between working as a stay-at-home mom or in restaurants and sewing factories to help provide for her family. She also worked as a baker for 14 years in a public school. After retiring in 1996, Waddell began to share her weaving skills by teaching others how to make baskets. Waddell’s eldest daughter, Gerri Peters, 65, said she remem-
Leona Waddell, a master white oak basketweaver, participates in the White Oak Gathering for the “Standing the Test of Time: Kentucky’s White Oak Traditions” event on Saturday, September 17. Waddell learned the art of basketweaving from her mother at a young age and has passed her knowledge on to different apprentices during her time as a basketweaver. Kelsea Hobbs/ HERALD
bered her mom’s upstairs room where she would weave and where her daughters watched her work. “I used to see her make ribs for the basket, and she would do it so flawlessly,” Waddell’s second daughter, Pam Antchetti, 53, said.
Peters said she once saw her mother cutting tree branches and making them into ribs, which create the framework holding the basket together. Peters said her mother would make the blade dance on the wood as she whittled the rib base.
“I said, ‘that doesn’t look too hard,’ and I went upstairs and into the room, sat down in Mom’s chair, and started to scrape,” Peters said. She remembered seeing her thumbnail “whoosh” the air, followed by a lot of blood.
SEE BASKET WEAVER PAGE B2
B2
ART EXHIBIT Continued from LIFE out of the experience. “A lot of people will ask me, ‘why don’t you just make pretty paintings in fresco,’ but I feel very satisfied seeing if I can push the boundaries a little
THEATRE Continued from LIFE
Schulte explained. Another challenge the cast faced was transferring to a stage larger than the rehearsal space. “You get used to doing something in a room maybe a fifth the size, and then all the sudden you’re in this big space and you have to get it ready in maybe five or six days,” Schulte said. The play includes a large cast, which
BASKET WEAVER Continued from LIFE “I remember going downstairs and showing [my mom], and she said, ‘well, it ain’t so easy, is it?’” Peters said. The Kentucky Museum held the opening reception for its new exhibit, “Standing the Test of Time: Kentucky’s White Oak Basket Tradition,” on Friday, Sept. 16, at which Waddell
SEPTEMBER 22, 2016 bit more, and see if I can think of it in a new way that it hasn’t been thought about before,” Nichols said. “That’s important to me.” This is the first time the Downing Art Museum has offered an exhibit dedicated to the fresco art form before, according to Jack LeSieur, interim di-
rector of the museum. LeSieur said Nichols was chosen from a series of artists to showcase their exhibits; and this is just one of many exhibits Nichols has under his belt. “His whole purpose is to provide the viewer with something new and a fresh
Morton said is her favorite part about working on the production. “There’s so many people around and so many new people to meet and people to hang out with and be friends with,” she said. “It’s exciting.” Pride said she loves to see the actors feed off of each other and watch their characters interact. “It’s such a neat energy that you get on live stage that you can’t get other places,” she said. The cast is hoping for a large audi-
ence ready to give them feedback. “We have really, really good turnouts here on campus,” Pride said. “Of course, you always wish every show was a sell-out, but I hope that the audience responds to what the actors are doing and finds it funny.” The greatest reward for an actor is feedback, Pride said. The actors are hoping to bring humor and laughter to the audience through this play, proving Shakespeare can be fun.
is a featured artist. Brent Bjorkman, director of the Kentucky Museum, said the basket exhibit shares a story about an important Kentucky tradition known nationally. Bjorkman met Waddell 17 years ago through his work with the Kentucky Folklife Program, and has had opportunities to document her work and give her recognition.
Waddell’s work was included at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in 2013 as well as several other galleries and exhibits, according to the biography written by Bjorkman for the National Endowment for the Arts. She was also awarded with the National Basketry Organization’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and is an upcoming recipient of a National
COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD
perspective of the practice, and he follows through with that through the Refresh exhibit,” LeSieur said.
Reporter Megan Cole can be reached at 270-745-2655 and megan.cole775@ topper.wku.edu.
“I’m definitely most excited to see the audience’s reactions, because those are always fun, especially with Shakespeare,” Morton said. “I’m most excited to see how the audience responds to it.” “Live theater is just so cool,” Pride said. “The season’s off to a great start.”
Reporter Kalee Chism can be reached at 270-245-2655 and kalee.chism704@ topper.wku.edu.
Heritage Fellowship from the Library of Congress. “Basket weaving to me is everything; it’s my life and it fed my children,” Waddell said. “I love it; I always will.”
Reporter Forde Womack can be reached at 270-745-2655 and forde. womack368@topper.wku.edu.
Students collaborate, create musical group BY JULIA ADAMS HERALD.FEATURES@WKU.EDU Seven months ago, three WKU students came together, each bringing an individual musical style to create their alternative band, “Remanence.” Max Will, a junior from Shelbyville and vocalist and rhythm guitar player for Remanence, started performing with David Johnson, a sophomore from Shelbyville and lead guitarist for Remanence, four years ago. Johnson and Will played together in various bands during those four years; they formed Remanence after meeting Yan Garza, a junior from Mexico. Garza joined the band to play drums. The three band members have all been interested in music for a long time. Will said his love for music began at age 5 after watching The Beatles perform on British rock/pop music television program “Ready, Steady, Go!” “I fell in love,” Will said. “I knew I wanted to do this.” Johnson’s musical interest began when he joined choir in high school. Will said he encouraged Johnson to pick up a guitar in a “friendly little challenge.” “Will said I couldn’t do it,” Johnson said. Garza has played violin since he was 5, and began playing the drums at age 11. Each band member has a variety of musical influences affecting personal style: Will said he has been most influenced by The Beatles, U2 and Coldplay, while Johnson prefers Led Zeppelin, The Black Keys, and Eric Clapton. Garza said his range of influence is a bit
San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico junior, Yan Garza, 21, on drums, Shelbyville sophomore, David Johnson, 19, on guitar, and Shelbyville junior Max Will, 21, on rhythm guitar and vocals play together as Remanence on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016 at Rocksober Fest on South Lawn. The trio have been playing together for about a year since it met at WKU. Kathryn Zeisig/HERALD wider, including Miles Davis, Animals as Leaders and Dennis Chambers. With each style brought by each individual, the band as a whole said it’s difficult to describe a genre it fits into. “We like to say alternative because it’s such a blanket term for all the alt bands out there, but we pull influences from everywhere,” Will said. “We don’t really know yet.” Will said it’s important for each member to have chemistry with each other to create a successful and happy
band. “It’s all about the music,” Garza said. You have to have a true passion for music to be in a band, he said. Each member expressed an interest in pursuing music as a professional career; Garza is a music major, and Johnson studies music education. All three agree working with music is something they want to do for the rest of their lives, whether it remains a hobby or they make a full-time career out of it. Remanence has finished five songs
for an EP they plan to release around Christmastime. It will also have merchandise available for purchase. Remanence will have its next performance on Oct. 8 in Shelbyville in a benefit to raise money for WKU’s department of music.
Reporter Julia Adams can be reached at 270-996-2106 and julia.adams897@ topper.wku.edu. Follow her on Twitter at @JuliaSkyeAdams.
SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
B3
COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD
Green River Grotto keeps underground clean BY EMMA AUSTIN HERALD.FEATURES@WKU.EDU Green River Grotto, Bowling Green’s local caving club, hosted the annual Kentucky Speleological Survey meeting last weekend alongside a sinkhole cleanup and cave explorations. The Kentucky Speleological Survey is responsible for storing and distributing all cave data collected in the state, according to KSS vice president and Green River Grotto member Josh Brewer. Local grottos across Kentucky collect data by surveying the caves and providing mapping information to the KSS, Brewer explained. The map is then given to the landowner, or may be used by the Kentucky Department of Transportation for road planning. Green River Grotto, headquartered at WKU, is made up of about 15 to 20 volunteers, Brewer said. In addition to cave surveying, the grotto responds to landowners with sinkholes on its property. “A lot of people throw trash in sinkholes, and it’s a problem,” Brewer said. “Anything you throw in the ground is going to get in your water.” Keeping both caves and sinkholes clean is essential to keeping water clear from contamination, Brewer explained. Brewer said anyone is welcome to join the grotto, no matter his or her level of caving experience. Occasionally, the group takes recreational trips to caves, allowing members to get a better understanding of how to handle and navigate caves before beginning work with mapping and surveying. “If they don’t know, we will teach,” Brewer said. Brewer joined Green River Grotto in 2005 as a geology student at WKU and has been an active member of the group ever since. Currently, several members are WKU graduate students studying geology, he said. Grotto member Sarah
Arpin said she began caving 10 years ago when she took a weeklong trip with the American Hiking Society. “I just happened to be sent to Mammoth Cave,” Arpin said. “We did a bunch of trail restoration, and we went into a couple of caves at night. I just got hooked. I ended up staying for the rest of the summer.” Arpin said her interest in caving initially came from not knowing what was ahead. After graduating with a master’s degree in geology, she began to focus on the importance of conservation and collecting data. Survey data can be used for a variety of purposes, she explained, such as planning for land use above the cave, or determining whether the groundwater is getting contaminated. Last Friday evening, the grotto kicked off the KSS weekend with a sinkhole cleanup at a property owned by Travis Cummings, who contacted Brewer to get help clearing out a sinkhole on his land. Cummings said the hole had been there since before he purchased it two years ago, and was filled with old lumber until the grotto cleared it out. Sinkholes form when groundwater eats away and pulls material down, Brewer explained. Once the material breaks down, a hole is created. Although the KSS schedule originally planned on having participants survey Lost River Cave, cavers were sent instead to explore Hoy Cave in Simpson County because of rain. Green River Grotto hosted the annual meeting on WKU’s campus Sunday; one focus was to rewrite the KSS bylaws to make data distribution more caver friendly, according to Brewer. “It’s a different world underground, for sure,” Brewer said. “You can see things that very few people really understand.”
Sarah Arpin carries a piece of wood during a sinkhole cleanup event hosted by the Green River Grotto Friday, Sept. 16 off of Mount Olivet Road. Green River Grotto is a group made up of people interested in caving and environmental awareness who do clean up events and explore around the Bowling Green area. Tyger Williams/HERALD
Reporter Emma Austin can be reached at 270-745-2655 and emma.austin177@topper.wku.edu. Follow her on Twitter at @emmacaustin.
Weston Hennion carries logs during a sinkhole cleanup event hosted by the Green River Grotto Friday, Sept. 16 off of Mount Olivet Road. Green River Grotto is a group made up of people interested in caving and environmental awareness who do clean up events and explore around the Bowling Green area. Evan Boggs/HERALD
SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
B4
COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD
VOLLEYBALL
WKU ready to begin Conference USA play BY MATTHEW STEWART
HERALD.SPORTS@WKU.EDU After a solid weekend outing with a win in the Panther Challenge, the Lady Toppers volleyball team bounced back into the AVCA top 25. This Friday, WKU will be kicking off conference play in Diddle Arena as Head Coach Travis Hudson is excited to begin league play. “We know we got a target on our back after the last two years and being ranked in the top 25 so far, but there’s things we can be a lot better at,� Hudson said. The Lady Tops are excited to take on some familiar faces within conference play as well. “There’s always pressure going into conference [play], we know we have a target on our back,� senior defensive specialist Georgia O’Connell said. “Everyone is going to play out of their minds against us. There’s always a little pressure, but at the same time I think having that is good.� “We kinda like it [the target on the back] we’ll take the challenge,� junior outside hitter Alyssa Cavanaugh said. “Now we will get our scouting reports so we will have a little more responsibility for these teams.� The first Conference
USA opponent of the year for WKU is Florida Atlantic University (5-9), who currently has a quality win over Georgetown University. “They are always one of the teams that are highly respected in the league by me,� Hudson said. “They are really competitive, and they play hard.� FAU is led offensively by senior outside hitter Maja Ristic. The native Bosnian has 190 kills on the season, good for 3.39 kills per set. Sophomore setter Ivone Martinez has put together 341 assists up to this point in the year. Martinez also has seven service aces on the season. Defensively the Owls have been led by senior libero, Nathalie Rosado, a Florida native. She has 251 digs on the season, over 100 more than the player with the second most digs on the squad. The first serve of the match is scheduled for 7 p.m. in Diddle Arena. Sunday, the Lady Tops will welcome the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (6-8) to Bowling Green to round out the weekend’s competitions. Charlotte is coming off a loss to Furman University and will be looking to get their season back on track when they take on WKU. Some key players to watch for Charlotte as they take on
Junior setter Jessica Lucas (1) blocks a shot during WKU’s 3-0 win over Belmont Sept. 6 in Diddle Arena. Matt Lunsford/HERALD the Lady Tops include freshman outside hitter Molly Shaw who leads the 49ers in kills with 163 on the year. Freshman Sofie Perrens has 296 assists this season which equates to 5.29 per set, and on the defensive side of the ball senior defensive specialist Shelby Green leads the way with 262 digs.
WKU has had another successful non-conference stretch as they have posted a 12-2 record. However, the ladies know they have a target on their back once again as conference play begins. “You kinda think about how we played teams last year, the competition is always gonna be there. I think our
mentality is good,� O’Connell said. “Every time we step on the court you know we are playing for each other.�
Reporter Matthew Stewart can be reached at 270745-6281 and matthew. stewart015@topper.wku. edu. Follow him on Twitter at @MES_WKU22.
GOLF
Freshman leads Lady Tops in dominant win BY SAM PORTER
HERALDSPORTS@WKU.EDU The WKU women’s golf team opened the season Tuesday, Sep. 13 at Murray State University’s Drake Creek Invitational. Led by freshman Mary Joiner, the Lady Toppers won the season opener in dominant fashion as second place Murray State finished 16 strokes behind. Joiner, a graduate of nearby Franklin-Simpson High School, shot 217(71-75-71) at the par-72 Drake Creek Golf Club to edge out Southern Illinois’ Brooke Cusamano (218) and WKU teammate junior Georgina Blackman (218) for the victory. Blackman and Joiner were tied for first place individually going into the final round. Blackman shot an even 72 as Joiner shot a 71 to earn her first collegiate victory in her college debut. “It definitely wasn’t what I ex-
pected,� Joiner said about her victory. “Winning is always the goal, but I knew the competition would be tougher in college than it was in high school and the wins wouldn’t come as easy. I just went out there and played great and I hope I can continue doing that in the future.� As a team, the Lady Tops led after day one of the invitational and never looked back, finishing with a final score of 886 (294-300-292) to propel themselves over second place Murray State University (902) and third place University of Akron (908). WKU’s 292 on the final day was the program’s best single team round since shooting 290 in the season opener last season. The Lady Tops had three team rounds of 294 or better all of last season and registered two rounds of 294 or better in two of the first three rounds of the 2016-17 campaign. “I was super excited about the
team’s performance,� Head Coach Adam Gary said about the team victory. “Everybody’s been working hard over the summer and I could tell last week when we went over our stats in individual meetings. We went through our entire roster, and everyone improved from last year so I know that they put the time in. One thing I emphasized with them is that hard work pays off and it showed.� Following Joiner and Blackman on the scoring card was junior Emily Alexander, who finished 11th overall with a 226(75-75-76), followed by junior Katie Story (17th overall) and senior Daniela Galassi (19th overall) to round out the scoring for WKU. The victory is Gary’s fourth championship since taking over the helm in 2014. Gary is also the second coach in program history to consecutively win a tournament in the first three seasons.
“Everyone played solid,� Joiner said. “We brought five players and nobody shot in the 80’s which is really good. We won by 16 strokes so that gives us a lot of confidence moving forward. It just shows how deep we are as a team.� The WKU women’s golf team will be back in action next Monday at the Lady Pirate Intercollegiate in Greenville, North Carolina. “We just want to take it one tournament at a time,� Gary said. “We take it week by week and try to get better than the week before. Obviously if we work on the right things than the results will come so we’re more focused on the process than the actual outcome.�
Reporter Sam Porter can be reached at 270-745-6291 and samuel.porter841@topper.wku.edu. Follow him on Twitter at @SammyP14.
Wkuherald.com WKu's no. 1 source for campus news FOLLOW US
wkuherald
@wkuherald
@wkuherald
What can the Kentucky Army National Guard offer you “On the Hillâ€?? ŕ Ž <W [V 2 ;\P[PVU (ZZPZ[HUJL H[ >2< ŕ Ž 4.0)ÂŽ [H_ MYLL H TVU[O ŕ Ž 4VU[OS` KYPSS JOLJR ŕ Ž ;L_[IVVRZ MVY ;YVVWZ™ WYVNYHT H[ >2< ŕ Ž /LHS[O *HYL ŕ Ž :[\KLU[ 3VHU 9LWH`TLU[ ŕ Ž 7HY[ ;PTL 1VI
On Campus Office located in Diddle Arena :-* ,YPJ =PUJLU[ LYPJ ]PUJLU['^R\ LK\ , ( +PKKSL (YLUH 9T
;,?; Âş.6 ;67:Âť [V
SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
B5 REECER’S PIECE Continued from Sports this city, and I would venture to say that nowhere near 25 percent of those people show up to football games. Before the last few years, people had an excuse for not coming to the games because Topper football was embarrassingly bad. Now the program is proudly impressive, and it deserves sellouts ev-
FOOTBALL Continued from SPORTS rable. I hate it for him because he’s been very healthy, he works hard, and he’s in great shape. It’ll hurt our football team not having his leadership and his expertise out there on the field.” Lamp likely won’t be alone on the sidelines this weekend as running backs Anthony “Ace” Wales and D’Andre Ferby along with senior safety Marcus Ward are all listed as questionable. “It’s always a problem when somebody goes down, but we have a lot of depth and a lot of experience on our O-line so to have somebody like Jimmie Sims step up and move Diesel [Darrell Williams] over, I don’t think it’ll be that much of a problem,” Halpin said. The only positive side of injuries for a young football team like Brohm’s is that in a usual starter’s absence, young players like freshman running back Quinton Baker get an opportunity to come in and make an impact early.
COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD
ery home game. What better way to start this trend than with an afternoon game against an SEC opponent? Football games at WKU are actually very enjoyable even if you don’t like the sport. Good music, good friends and good food are always in play at every WKU football event as the school has tried numerous different ways to make games a great time for fans. What more does it take for the community of WKU and Bowl-
ing Green to come out to games? The mere fact the football program launched a literal campaign this week to try and sellout Smith Stadium should be embarrassing to Topper fans. This team is talented enough to where it shouldn’t have to ask for a sellout because a sellout should already be expected. Start a change with this perfect opportunity and give these
athletes a much deserved sellout. Oh, and if you are one of those disappointed UK football fans, you should come to the game as well so you can watch a real football team play. Just don’t wear blue.
“We’ve got a lot of guys learning on the job, and sometimes [injuries] happen,” Brohm said. “We’ve got to be good enough to overcome that and get our guys mentally and physically ready for that challenge. Regardless of who’s in there we expect them to perform.” Baker carried the ball 20 times against Miami (Ohio), which was good enough for 103 yards and the first rushing touchdown of his career. With the backfield in limbo for the first couple weeks of the season, Brohm hopes Baker can be both a short and long term answer. “I thought we made strides,” Brohm said of the rushing attack against Miami (Ohio). “I’d like to be better than what we were, but that’s where we’re at right now. We’ve got to find a few more creative ways to run the football. [Vanderbilt] will present a lot of problems in the running game so we’ll have to be creative and find ways to get something going and get some rushing yards.”
As Baker and the rest of the WKU backfield try to figure out a way to manufacture rushing yards against the Commodores, redshirt junior linebacker T.J. McCollum will be trying to stop the Vanderbilt backfield from doing the same. The Commodores feature the SEC’s leading rusher to this point in the season in junior running back Ralph Webb. “We always come out wanting to be the best, and to be the best defense you have to beat the best offense,” McCollum said. “We played against some tough offenses, especially against Alabama … they’re known for running the ball and I feel like we stopped them pretty good. This is another SEC team that likes to run the ball … It’s going to be exciting and fun just showing what we can do against those teams.” Last year, Webb gained 70 yards on 18 attempts against the Toppers in Nashville, and he’s already racked up 377 rushing yards this
season on a rate of 5.6 yards per carry. Webb’s production combined with the fact that the Commodores have seen the kinds of looks a WKU defense can bring makes it all the more important for McCollum, and the defense as a whole to be sharp. “I’ve never been with a program where an SEC school came to a lower conference school, so it’s going to be a very exciting game,” McCollum, a UAB transfer, said. “Hopefully all of our fans come out and support us.” In a game where points could be scarce and defense can be critical for a victory, the crowd and atmosphere can be a big advantage. “[A big home crowd] gets us really excited,” Halpin said. “It pumps us up and gives us an extra edge, but it shouldn’t just be for this game because it’s Vandy, it should be for every game.”
Reporter John Reecer can be reached at 270-745-6291 and john. reecer104@topper.wku.edu. Follow him on Twitter at @Reece_12_Falcon.
Reporter Evan Heichelbech can be reached at 270-745-6291 and evan. heichelbech059@topper.wku.edu. Follow him on Twitter at @evanheich.
SOCCER Continued from Sports to play with her for one year because we went to the same high school.” With her being a standout athlete, Backes was shown plenty of interest by college teams. However, she knew she wanted to be a Lady Topper from the start. “I mean, the campus and everything is awesome, but really the communication I had with the coaches [sold me],” Backes said. “When I talked to Jason [Neidell] and everything, he would call me basically every week and just checkin on me, and to me that was like, ‘Wow. Like he really cares about me. He really wants me to be here.’” Head Coach Jason Neidell says his forward is a very hard worker, and that’s what caught his eye when recruiting her. “I first noticed her as a freshman,” Neidell said. “She was very athletic and had a nose for the goal. She loved chasing down balls. She loved battling defenders. Chandler isn’t afraid to do the dirty work. For us, she does more than score goals –– she gets others involved.” Backes says she loves playing for Neidell and the rest of the coaching staff. “You know, there’s definitely times where they get angry with you, but what I like is that they’re always hard on me and always pushing me to become a better player,” Backes said. “They’re never letting me just settle to my standards.” In just nine games for the Lady Tops, Backes has already netted eight goals. Not only has that helped her Conference USA club outscore opponents and win matches, but it has also given her plenty of recognition. Backes currently leads all of the
Freshman forward Chandler Backes (5) runs downfield during the Lady Toppers’ 3-0 win over Blemont on Tuesday at Rose Park in Nashville. Kathryn Ziesig/HERALD league in goals scored and has al- tribute to their success on it. time at WKU is just getting started. ready received a C-USA Offensive “We have one of the best team “I for sure want to make the NCAAs Player of the Week honor, which was chemistry’s that I have ever been a –– that’s huge, as I’m sure everybody WKU’s first since the 2014 season. part of,” Backes said. “Everyone was else on our team does,” Backes said. She was also named to topdraw- so welcoming when I first got here “Winning a conference championersoccer.com’s National Team of the and I didn’t even feel like a fresh- ship and making it to the NCAAs Week after a three-goal weekend man. And our coaches always say would just be incredible. Personally, back in the earlier part of the month. that when we’re out on the field, our in my four years, I would like to be the “You know, I came into this sea- chemistry is so good that you can’t C-USA Player of the Year at least once. son with the mindset that I wanted even tell who the freshmen are.” Backes will look to continue her hot to do big things,” Backes said. “It’s a “We all get along really well,” Back- start as she and the Lady Tops return lot of being in the right spot at the es said. “We all can make jokes about to action tonight at 7 p.m. Against right time, and a lot of it does come each other and be funny and just have the University of Southern Missisfrom all of my teammates. But, it’s a good time. I feel like that translates sippi at the WKU Soccer Complex. been pretty awesome, so hopefully onto the field and it makes us more I can continue to score more goals.” comfortable around each other.” Reporter Tyler Mansfield can be As for the people she plays with, With a great player comes reached at 270-745-6291 and james. Backes says she and her team- great goals, and Backes has sever- mansfield143@topper.wku.edu. Folmates all connect as one and al more goals in her sights as her low him on Twitter at @ByMansfield. their bonds off of the field con-
GMAT REVIEW COURSE The Gordon Ford College of Business is AACSB accredited making your degree worth more.
MBA
AT WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY
WKU.EDU/MBA
NOW THROUGH SEPTEMBER 23RD
DATES: Starting on Wednesday, October 26th TIME: 5:00 P.M.
(5 Meetings)
PLACE: Grise Hall 530 COST: On-Campus Only $400!
PAY BY OCT 19 & GET $25 OFF
Opportunities to earn GMAT and Book Scholarships! Contact for more details or visit wku.edu/mba
NOTHING BEATS BEAATS THE THHHEE EASE ASSE AN AND ND CONVENIENCE CONVENIENC CE OFF EATING ON CAMPUS. NO BANK FEES. NO MINIMUM BALANCE. NO OVERDRAFTS. NO HASSLES.
Purchase Dining Dollars online at topnet.wku.edu WKU MBA Choose Online, One-Year On Campus, or Professional For more information email mba@wku.edu or call 270.745.5458 *Terms and CondiƟons do apply. For complete terms & condiƟons, visit: hƩƉ͗ͬͬwww.wku.edƵͬǁkurgͬĚbdollars.php
SEPTEMBER 22, 2016 > WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY
WKUHERALD.COM REECER’S PIECE
SPORTS
» Football: The Hilltoppers will take on Vanderbilt University Saturday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. within the confines of Smith Stadium.
SOCCER
Matchup vs. Vandebilt warrants a sellout BY JOHN REECER HERALD.SPORTS@WKU.EDU If you are a student who lives on or around campus, you should be at the game on Saturday when the Hilltoppers take on Vanderbilt University. I sympathize with those of you who can’t make it due to unfortunate or reasonable circumstances. However, the excuse of “I have JOHN REECER to do homework” or “I’m going home this weekend” just isn’t going to cut it. An actual SEC opponent is coming to play the Toppers in Bowling Green in a football game. If you had told me that six or seven years ago when WKU had a 26-game losing streak, I would’ve said you were crazy. I understand if you hate sports and can’t appreciate just how far this football program has come. That’s perfectly understandable. So don’t not go to the game because you hate sports. Instead, go to the game because you love your school. Whether you like it or not, college football is very beneficial for universities in a number of ways. That benefit cannot be achieved if the stands aren’t being filled for home games. The amount of time, money and dedication that has been put toward WKU’s football program over the past few years has been substantial. Now that the program has built up enough national respect to host an opponent from the most prestigious football conference in the country, it’s time for Toppers fans to answer the call. Smith Stadium should experience not only a sellout on Saturday, but the attendance of this game should rival that of the alltime record at WKU- 23,252 people. Now this burden just doesn’t fall on WKU students, but it also falls on the community of Bowling Green as well. More than 60,000 people live in
SEE REECER’S PIECE PAGE B5
Never backes down Freshman forward finds early success at WKU
BY TYLER MANSFIELD HERALD.SPORTS@WKU.EDU Pride, dedication, talent and integrity are just a handful of the many words that can be used to describe freshman forward Chandler Backes’ soccer career. Those adjectives have all translated to her time at WKU as the young player is currently leading the WKU women’s soccer team in goals and points. It began back when she was just three-years-old playing recreationally and has now brought her to WKU where she is the top scoring threat on the team. “My oldest sister always played golf, so she was never really into soccer, but my middle sister, Brooke, had started playing soccer when she was young, too,” Backes said. “She’s four years older than me, so just being the typical younger sister, I followed her around everywhere and went to all of her soccer games and so I think then that just sparked my interest of wanting to play soccer.” Backes said Brooke suffered a significant injury back in her junior season of high school and was able to make an eye-catching return the following year. Because of that, the 18-yearold calls her middle sister her “greatest influence.” “In high school, she got taken out by the goalkeeper and broke both of the bones in her leg, so her season was over,” Backes stated. “So she had to get rods and screws and all of that in, made a full recovery and then her senior year she got to play and they won state. So it was kind of like, ‘Wow. Cinderella story.’ Like she got hurt, she recovered, came back and scored on the
Freshman forward Chandler Backes (5) races Morehead State’s defender Taylor Stivers (3) for possession of the ball during WKU’s 2-0 win Sunday, Sept. 11 at the WKU Soccer Complex. Erica Lafser/HERALD
goalkeeper that broke her leg. So that was like, ‘Wow. If my sister can come back and do that, I can do anything.’ Pretty motivating.” The player was a fouryear forward at Carmel High School in Carmel, Indiana. With the dominant program coached by veteran Frank Dixon, Backes was able to score 23 total goals on 202 shots for 65 points along with 19 assists. In her final season with the Greyhounds, who went 15-1-2 overall, she found the back of the net
five times for 16 points and also tallied six assists. Her former coach calls Backes a “dominant player in high school.” “Her sister, Brooke, played for us and was Ms. Soccer and I think Chandler, just being the younger sister, wanted to follow in her footsteps,” Dixon said. “She had a really exceptional high school career. She played varsity as a freshman and was just a great player for us.” As for Backes, she is proud to have played at the
school under Dixon with the teammates she did. “So, I went to a pretty big high school –– we have about 5,000 kids in it,” Backes noted. “Our coach has been there for a very long time and he understands the game and he understands the level of competition we play. My teammates were all high-level players –– so, I got to be surrounded by really good athletes. Olivia Fitzgerald [senior defender at WKU] –– I got
SEE SOCCER PAGE B5
FOOTBALL
Hilltoppers prepare for home SEC challenge BY EVAN HEICHELBECH
HERALD.SPORTS@WKU.EDU Coming off a tough 31-24 victory over Miami (Ohio), the schedule won’t get any easier for the WKU football team with Vanderbilt University making the trip to Bowling Green on Saturday. “This is a very good football team,” Head Coach Jeff Brohm said of the Commodores in a press conference Monday. “They match up very well against us. Their defense is outstanding. We didn’t turn the ball over last year, and they still held us to 14 points.” In what is arguably the biggest non-conference home game in recent memory for the Hilltoppers, Saturday’s contest is a rematch from a year ago. WKU defeated Vanderbilt in Nashville by
a final score of 14-12 on the first night of the 2015 season. This year’s game has potential to be another defensive slugfest with the way both teams’ defenses are playing to this point in the season. “Our defensive staff has done a great job,” Brohm said. “We’ve got quite a few guys on that side of the ball, so we’re able to rotate guys in. There’s not a huge dropoff so we’re not scared to do that. The defense has played at a very high level and they’re going to have to continue to do that.” Vanderbilt (1-2) comes to Bowling Green boasting the 28th ranked defense in the nation despite giving up 38 points in a 38-7 loss to Georgia Tech last week. While the Commodores struggled to stop Georgia Tech’s patented option offense a
week ago, Head Coach Derek Mason’s defense has all the physical tools to give an offense some problems. “They’re really tough, they’re really disciplined, and they’re an SEC defense,” redshirt senior center Max Halpin said. “We’re going to have to play our best, and we’re going to have to be on point, so we’re going to need a good week of practice.” Halpin and company will be tasked with stopping a formidable Vanderbilt front without senior left tackle and captain Forrest Lamp. Brohm said Lamp will miss Saturday’s game and will “be out for an extended period of time” after sustaining a left leg injury against Miami (Ohio). “He’s been the rock of our team,” Brohm said. “Up to this point he was very du-
SEE FOOTBALL PAGE B5
Junior quarterback Mike White (14) throws to junior wide receiver Nacarius Fant (1) during WKU’s 31-24 victory over Miami (Ohio) on Saturday, Sept. 17, at Yager Stadium in Oxford, Ohio. Evan Boggs/HERALD