The Hawkeye: Volume 89 Issue 2

12
www.ulmhawkeyeonline.com VOLUME 89 ISSUE 2 January 27, 2014 THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT MONROE Books to read before they hit theaters Potential dance major in development New technologies fill classrooms and safety standards P 7 find us on: Coming soon! Jersey retirement honors basketball legend P 12 P 3 P 9 P 5 Reopening fall of 2014 Photo by Breanna Harper Flaws in proposed TOPS changes

description

 

Transcript of The Hawkeye: Volume 89 Issue 2

Page 1: The Hawkeye: Volume 89 Issue 2

www.ulmhawkeyeonline.comVOLUME 89 ISSUE 2 January 27, 2014

THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT MONROE

Books to read before they hit theaters

Potential dance major in development

New technologies fill classrooms and safety standards

P 7find

us

on:

Coming soon!

Jersey retirement honors basketballlegend P 12

P 3

P 9

P 5

Reopening fall of 2014

Photo by Breanna Harper

Flaws in proposed TOPS changes

Page 2: The Hawkeye: Volume 89 Issue 2

THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT MONROE January 27, 2014PAGE 2

SGA set a date for the Mardi Gras ball and talked about the rollover RSO scholarships in their first meeting of the semster.

About RSO scholarships, treasurer Adrian Lejeune said, “We have three extra rollover scholarships from last semester, so we’ll divide them up by adding one to each month this semes-ter.”

Monohn Prud’homme, director of campus projects, said the ball is set for February 22nd but no other concrete plans regrading the ball are current-ly set.

Advisor Laura Knotts announced the possibility of more campus orient-ed projects in the future.

NEWS

w

CALENDAR

BRIEFS

Coach E.J. Ok was honored Saturday with a jersey retirement. Ok played women’s basketball at ULM ‘82-’86. The former All-American is now the assistant head coach for woman’s basketball.

NATIONWORLD QUOTESTATE

“Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads.”

Henry David Thoreau,

American author

Jindal makes waiver programfor disabled

London thieves damage urn of Sigmund Freud

Obama cracks down on collegesexual assaults

(MCT) — President Barack Obama launched a federal task force on Wednesday to combat sexual assault on college campuses, telling the es-timated one in five women who are victims, “I’ve got your back.”

Flanked by senior members of his Cabinet at the White House, Obama said he expected recommendations from the group within 90 days. He credited an “inspiring wave of stu-dent-led activism” that has cast a spotlight on the issue in recent years.

“We’ve got to keep teaching young men in particular to show women the respect they deserve and to recognize sexual violence and be outraged by it, and to do their part to stop it from happening in the first place,” the president said.

(nola.com) — Gov. Bobby Jindal’s administration has included extra financial relief for people with dis-abilities in its 2014-2015 state budget proposal.

The Department of Health and Hospitals announced Thursday that it plans to offer more than 2,500 more disability waivers to help cover the cost of special equipment and other services needed by people who are impaired.

This includes an expansion of 200 New Opportunity Waivers, called NOWs

The total cost of the waiver pro-gram growth will be $26 million, $10 million of which will come from the state. The rest of the funding will come from the federal government.

(MCT) —Thieves who attempted to steal a priceless Greek urn containing the cremated remains of Sigmund Freud from its resting place in Lon-don failed to make off with the ashes but badly damaged the 2,300-year-old receptacle, Scotland Yard said Wednesday.

The botched break-in occurred on New Year’s Day at Golders Green, a crypt preserving and displaying the remains of artists, intellectuals and political leaders who span the social spectrum, from wartime capitula-tor Neville Chamberlain to doomed songstress Amy Winehouse.

“This was a despicable act by a callous thief,” Detective Constable Daniel Chandler of the Metropolitan Police said.

Master class with Daniel Brady of the Marine Band at the Emy-Lou Biedenharn Recital Hall from 4 - 5 p.m.

Trumpet player Aaron Witek will per-form at the Emy-Lou Biedenharn Hall from 7:30 - 9 p.m.

Trombonist James Layfield will per-form with Daniel Brady at the Emy-Lou Biedenharn Recital Hall from 7:30 - 9 p.m.

Monday, 1-27

Thursday, 1-30

SGA discusses rollover RSO scholarships

Arctic storms bring snow flurries to La.

Almost 2 weeks after the polar vor-tex brought record low temperatues, Monroe received snow for the first time since Feb. 9, 2011.

Snow is a rare sight in Monroe; it’s only snowed seven times this decade before Thursday. Weatherspark es-timates the “probability of snow fall being reported in a given day” is 5%.

The snow was likely the side effect of this year’s Alberta Clipper storms. An Alberta Clipper is “a quick-mov-ing winter storm system originating from Alberta, Canada”, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospher-ic Administration’s website. They are known for their strong , frigid winds but usually don’t bring much snow. However favorable conditions this year have brought snow, ice and sleet to most of non-western U.S.

Though warm weather returned this weekend, meterologist believe there’s potential for more snow in the South this week

Congratulations!TODAY IN HISTORY

Jan. 271785: The University of Georgia , the first public

university in the United States, is founded

1888: The National Geographic Society is founded in Washington, D.C.

1996: Germany first observes International Holocaust Remembrance Day

2006: Western Union discontinues its Telegram and Commercial Messaging Service

BIRTH: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, an Austrian com-poser, is born in 1756

DEATH: J.D Salinger, an American writer, dies in 2010 at the age of 91 from natural causes

photos courtesy of MCTCampus and Wikipedia

photo by Daniel Russell

Page 3: The Hawkeye: Volume 89 Issue 2

PAGE 3January 27, 2014

Next semester may see a new addition to the school of visual and performing arts family – a major in dance.

But according to Derle Long, director of the VAPA department, a Bachelor of Arts in Dance is not quite a firm reality yet.

“The plan was approved on this campus by the administration and is now winding it’s way through the various hallways and meetings in Baton Rouge necessary for final approval,” Long said.

Although Long feels good about the degree and said he cannot imagine that it would not be approved for the fall.

Professors in the VAPA department Robin Stephens, Tina Mullone and Gretchen Jones approached Long with the idea of a dance major last year.

If approved, the BA in dance will be the only degree of its kind offered north of Interstate 10.

Long said three new dance courses at the 4000 level have been designed that will serve specific technical needs based

on what the student wants to do with the degree. One new course is called dancing for the camera.

No new faculty will be hired to implement the degree and the dance minor will continue to be offered.

Taylor LaFrance, a freshman pre-pharmacy major, has been dancing her whole life but doesn’t think she would be interested in pursuing a dance major herself since she’s always had her heart set on the medical field.

Despite that, she thinks it would be nice to watch the dance department

expand.“It gives

students other options than just being a dance minor and having to pick a major they don’t really want to do,” said

LaFrance.Kenya Ross, a senior communications

major, has been dancing since she was

three-years-old and said she would have definitely double majored in dance if she had the opportunity.

“A dance major is just as valuable as any other major. It would definitely allow

a student to take another route with their careers if he or she is not i n t e r e s t e d in the c o r p o r a t e world,” Ross said.

Senior dance minor and kinesiology major Kelseia Ellison believes she’s missing out on a great opportunity.

“I would have chose dance over anything. I hate now that I’m a senior it’s finally happening,” said Ellison. “But I can always come back and get it.”

Olive Garden, located on Pecanland Mall Drive, was destroyed in an electrical fire around 11:30 a.m. on Jan. 21.

The building that went up in flamesThe restaurant was open for lunch at the time, but

employees and patrons were safely evacuated. No injuries have been reported.

According to KNOE 8 News, two fires occurred that morning. The first appeared outside in the back and the second fire occurred inside roughly 20 minutes later.

Monroe Fire Chief Terry Williams confirmed that the second fire was electrical and is not sure if the first fire is related.

Williams believes that the fire was caused by water getting into the building’s electrical panel. The fire has left employees out of a job.

Olive Garden officials offered their condolences and said they definitely plan to rebuild it as soon as possible and that current team members will be welcomed back.

The student who is now out of workAmber Dickson, a junior communications major,

began waitressing at the Olive Garden back in October. Dickson was not there at the time the fire started, but arrived on the scene after she heard the news.

“I just came up there and supported my coworkers and kept looking at the fire spreading,” Dickson said.

As the fire went on, Dickson began thinking about the people who have worked at the Olive Garden for 25

years, since the restaurant opened.“Our slogan is ‘when you’re here, you’re with

family’ and even though I fussed and argued with my coworkers, we had a bond,” Dickson said.

But Dickson is very optimistic about her employment options. As a college student who is now out of work, she is grateful that the company she works for cares enough about its employees to help them get back on their feet.

“Darden, our mother company that also owns Red Lobster and Long Johns, they are going to see what they can do to get us back employed and get smooth sailing. I know I need a job and I was attached to that place,” Dickson said.

The man who witnessed everything

Andrew Sistrunk, a consultant at the Men’s Warehouse next door to the Olive Garden, was one of the first on the scene after being alerted of the fire.

He grabbed a fire extinguisher in hopes to help contain the first fire.

“We came back inside…called 911 and they pulled up and it was already out so we figured it was done. About twenty minutes later we heard a bunch of popping…walked outside and it was on fire again. It just got worse and went crazy,” Sistrunk said.

After the second fire began, all he could do was watch as flames consumed the building.

The fire had been completely extinguished by 5 p.m.

TY OF LOUISIANA AT MONROE

NEWS

THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT MONROE

Two separate blazes leaves many employees jobless

Local Olive Garden destroyed in fire

Consolidationsshift aroundMardi Graselection process

contact Benjamin Martin at [email protected]

With the consolidation of colleges, some majors have found a new home in a new college. And with Mardi Gras elections just around the corner, nominees and hopeful candidates may find it frustrating to figure the new organization out.

“The new system may possibly result in elections becoming more competitive. Senators, who were formerly in a smaller college, are now competing with a larger amount of students,” said Macey Scott, a kinesiology major.

The Mardi Gras court will be shortened this year by four - two women and two men.

Scott finds running for elections against larger programs, such as pharmacy, a little intimidating.

“However, this change certainly forces candidates to be more unique and work harder to become elected. Personally, I always plan on being a member of SGA if I continue to be re-elected,” Scott said.

But will other campus elections be affected by the consolidation?

“The new college set-up will not affect SGA elections,” Jana Robinson, senior history major and president of the SGA, said.

According to Laura Knotts, SGA advisor, the number of senators is based on the enrollment size of each college.

However, the nature of elections will be affected. Candidates will run against students they were not running against last year, but the end result will be a consistent size of senators.

“Our strategies for capturing the attention of an increasingly wider audience will change, but the overall representation SGA has of ULM will not,” Scott said.

by Benjamin Martin

“Buy one get one free daiquiris”

Welcome back ULM students with a 5% discount

photo courtesy of dance department archives

“I know I need a job and I was attached to that

place.”Amber Dickson,

junior commincations major

Dickson

by Kaitlyn Huff

contact Kaitlyn Huff at [email protected]

New program may dance into fall termby Ashley Lyons

Ross

Ellison

contact Ashley Lyons at [email protected]

Page 4: The Hawkeye: Volume 89 Issue 2

THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT MONROEPAGE 4 January 27, 2014

The opinions expressed in personal columns are the opinions of the author and not necessarily the opinions of the editors, staff, adviser or the University. Unsigned editorials represent the col-lective opinion of The Hawkeye’s editorial board, but not necessarily the opinions of the adviser or the University.The Hawkeye (USPS #440-700) is published

weekly except vacation, exam & holiday periods by The University of Louisiana at Monroe, 700 University Avenue, Monroe, LA 71209. Annual subscription price is $15.00. Periodicals Postage Paid at Monroe, LA 71203. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Hawkeye, 700 University Ave., Stubbs 131, Monroe, LA 71209-8832.

@ulmhawkeye

ULM Hawkeye

Stubbs 131700 University Avenue

Monroe, LA 71209Editor in chief - Jamie Arrington

Co-managing editor news - Ashley LyonsCo-managing editor design - Breanna Harper

Sports editor - Drew McCartyFreestyle editor - Gwendolyn Ducre

Photo editor - Daniel RussellOpinion editor - Tejal Patel

Multimedia editor - Landius AlexanderAdvertising director

Myraji Romero 318 342 5453 [email protected]

Faculty adviserDr. Christopher Mapp 318 342 5454 [email protected]

Feedback318 342 5453 newsroom

318 342 5452 fax [email protected]

The life of a college student is one of conserving as much money as possible. Even with the help of schol-arships, college is expensive for most students.

Textbooks are one of the most expensive items that a student is ex-pected to buy every semester, but can almost always be found at a reason-able price somewhere, whether at used bookstores or online.

But, the costs begin to mount as more and more textbooks are piled on.

Some classes require up to five or six different books, all expensive. And then, other classes require special software for quizzing, homework and testing.

Access codes can drive the price of an already expensive book into the upper hundreds of dollars. And, de-spite the pricy tag, these codes are a one time use product.

If you purchase a code for one class, it can have a lifetime of six months to a year; much longer than the class will last.

And if you happen to take anoth-er class that requires the same online software, you’re required to purchase another code.

The problem of rising costs for

textbooks is one with a few simple op-tions for solution.

Most textbooks can be bought for cheap when obtaining a used copy, or even going the e-book route.

But access codes cannot be bought used. They cannot be shared, or sold after you finish the class. Students spend hundreds of dollars on codes and are then stuck with them when the course requiring them ends.

There is no easy solution to this problem, which in itself is a problem.

In the age of the internet and technology, professors cannot just simply ignore the perks of using on-line systems that are convenient and available for access practically any-where.

The solution to the problem is sell-ing access codes for a much lower price, separate from the textbooks, and lowering the price to reflect that separation.

There isn’t an easy solution to this problem, and it’s just a small issue in the middle of a much bigger one.

The rising cost of higher education is a serious problem that needs atten-tion immediately. Going to college should guarantee an education, not massive debt.

But, hopefully, making textbooks less costly can be a starting point of making college affordable again.

Then, in the future, students won’t have to live off ramen noodles and Taco Bell’s value menu just so they can afford spending several hundred dollars on textbooks and any limit-ed use access codes that accompany them.

OPINION

Would you pay 12 dollars for a movie ticket then show up 15 minutes late, squeezing your not-so-firm tush between rows of irritated people?

When the “don’t text during the movie or we will kick you out” ad comes on, do you whip out your phone? Usually, assuming you’re not a jerk, you don’t.

You paid for that movie for the sole purpose of seeing it in its entirety, without the distraction of your mom calling you repeatedly to ask if you want spaghetti for dinner.

The classroom is really no different. As people that pay thousands of dollars for an optional education, we should feel like customers of the university.

We should be trying our best to get everything we can for every penny we put into the business we call ULM.

Coming to class late and disrespecting your professor and the students around you is a pretty big waste of not only their time and money, but of your own.

Spend 10 less minutes in the morning watching Playhouse Disney and refusing to get up and be an adult, so you can get to class on time.

Stop texting your best friend in the middle of accounting class about how you don’t know the difference between debits and credits and pay attention.

If not for the benefit of the people around you, do it for yourself. Because if you’re going to be broke and eating applesauce for dinner, you should probably be getting something out of the place you are investing all your money.

Check out our website at ulmhawkeyeonline.com

Leave a comment to let others know your views

HAWKEYE P.O.V.

Getting your money’s worth in classroom

PREVIOUS ONLINE POLLPREVIOUS ONLINE POLL

NFL

College Football

Other

MLB

64%

18%

18%

0%

Which sport should use nickname jerseys next?

Kaitlyn Hu�

contact Kaitlyn Huff [email protected]

illustration courtesy of MCT Campus

Students cheated by pricey access codes

Page 5: The Hawkeye: Volume 89 Issue 2

THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT MONROE PAGE 5January 27, 2014

No matter what Louisiana high school each of us came from, we all remember one of the biggest things we were introduced to the day we stumbled in the door as scared and confused freshman: TOPS.

It was the entire reason we sat through two years of foreign language when we would rather be cooking in home economics.

It was why we endured a year and a half of dodge ball with the PE coach we weren’t really sure was a man or a woman.

It was motivation to take ACT prep and do well on the test because our score would determine how much state aid we could get toward that ex-pensive, but invaluable investment known as a college degree.

As far as I’m concerned, we earned our TOPS scholarships because they

were well-deserved, and today we continue to keep them because we’re reproving that each and every semes-ter.

Representative Marcus Hunter is looking to introduce TOPS legisla-tion he believes will keep the best and brightest students working in the state.

The state would require students to work in Louisiana for the number of years they received TOPS, and stu-dents who choose to leave will carry their “debt” with them. Their employ-er would have to repay the money TOPS invested in the student’s edu-cation.

We as students have learned from the very beginning of our college ed-ucation that rank and respect in the workplace don’t come easy.

It takes time and hard work to earn both and to prove to our employer that we’re an asset.

As college graduates without much work experience, finding an employ-er that’s willing to pay thousands of dollars on behalf of the new guy isn’t really probable, is it?

If we’re going to be required to re-imburse the state one way or another, it should be called the TOPS loan pro-gram, not a scholarship.

Until we can be guaranteed a job in our field the day we walk off campus as alumni, this proposed legislation is unfair to each student that worked hard to earn and keep their TOPS.

Working at the cookie place in the mall for four years just because we’re required to stay here and look for jobs that don’t exist is an even big-ger waste of the state’s money than us leaving.

Holding students hostage in the Louisiana job market isn’t the an-swer.

The answer is to let us go out and experience different and more effi-cient ways of working with people and technology so we can bring that knowledge home and apply it.

We take classes like interna-tional business and business communication because we’re ex-pected to become better and to think bigger.

We’re expected to open our minds and experience business, culture and people outside of our home com-munity because that is the forward direction.

If we don’t move forward we, not only as a community but as a state, will be left facing yet another obsta-cle on our way to creating jobs and a

healthier Louisiana to call home.In a state that’s constantly trailing

behind the rest of the nation, not only in education but also in work tech-nique, it’s become obvious the way we’re working isn’t efficient.

If the up and coming generation

doesn’t go out and find the changes that Louisiana needs, what hope do we have?

contact Tejal Patel [email protected]

OPINION

Old programs leave staff in past

Students attending ULM pay for only the best technology to be at their disposal to study and to accomplish work assigned to them by their teach-ers.

Does anyone consider the facul-ty members of the university when it comes to how up-to-date their office supplies are?

As of right now, the students of ULM are able to use computers that are fairly new. Each has the OS Windows 7 hardware and, more im-portantly, just about all computers have Microsoft Office 365.

What’s so special about this is that, with a subscription, you are given a cloud you can store documents on, so

you can access them from any com-puter with 365, instead of having to carry around a flash drive.

From observing the faculty and the hardware they have to use, computers with Windows XP seem to be the pop-ular choice for this university to keep, rather than upgrading.

It’s cheaper to postpone upgrading and not worry about losing too much productivity.

This way of saving money could prove to be a choice that costs the uni-versity more than just dollars. Why? Because these computer programs are soon not going to be compatible with the OS.

It costs too much time, effort, and money to create programs compati-ble with out-of-date hardware when the most used and available OS right now, for most, is Vista and Windows 7.

ULM has a good amount of com-puters with Windows XP, which scares me since productivity will come to a crawl when a new software update comes out. A lot of the computers will not be able to run it because they’re

not optimized for it. Now, since the last time I have ob-

served the university’s technology, they have improved on it, allowing the staff to not fall so behind the times.

In November, the library was able to give the old student computers to ULM faculty members to allow them to at least upgrade to less dated com-puters, since brand new ones weren’t available.

With these computers being old, it is not exactly a glorious transition. Some of them have been running for over a decade, but they’re not running on Windows XP.

Instead they are running on ei-ther Vista or, if the university staff is lucky, Windows 7 and have probably only been in service for the past cou-ple years.

It’s nice to see that, while it is not a huge change, it still allows the faculty to keep up their productivity and not have to put such a strain on the uni-versity’s already stretched wallet.

Tejal Patel

illustration courtesy of MCT Campus

illustration courtesy of MCT Campus

La. Rep suggests TOPS changescontact Benjamin Martin [email protected]

Benjamin Martin

Page 6: The Hawkeye: Volume 89 Issue 2

THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT MONROE January 27, 2014PAGE 6

Everyone has had a class with that one person who talks incessantly, spends the entire class texting or causes disturbances that slow the class down. These actions can hinder students’ ability to learn and aggravate the professor and the students.

Carl Thameling, program coordinator for communications and associate professor of communications, gave his perspective on what classroom behaviors can enhance the learning experience and what actions can interfere with it.

“Students make themselves a nuisance to others if they are talking when someone else is talking, being disrespectful, texting, interrupting or just not listening,” Thameling said.

Thameling said when he encounters a student being disruptive in his class he would first look at him or her, and if the behavior continues,

he would verbally confront them after class.

Thameling said that in this kind of situation, it is the professor’s place to speak up first. If a student feels that another student is causing a problem in the classroom, the student should complain to the professor rather than handle it personally.

The rules and codes of conduct for the classroom are set by the professor. Because each class is different, the ground rules may vary based on the type of class and the students in it.

However, some rules of classroom etiquette are applicable in most classes.

When engaging in classroom discussions, Thameling said that students should not only listen attentively and be engaged in the conversation, but that it is important to keep comments relevant to the discussion and to verbally acknowledge a change of subject before moving to a new topic.

“The classroom has to be run so that each student is free to get an education,” Thameling said, “We all want to be competent communicators, which is all about knowing the rules for what is appropriate.”

Eddie Reid, a junior nursing major, said he has experienced disruptive students in his classes. Reid said that he finds personal conversations and excessive phone use most distracting.

“The way you behave in a class and your professionalism matters in the classroom and in the work place.

Nobody wants a nurse talking on the phone at their bedside,” Reid said.

Dana King, a sophomore occupational therapy major, says professors should not tolerate any disruption in class.

“Who wants to sit by a chatter box? I wish students would just stay quiet in class while the teacher is teaching. Professors should start kicking kids out because that is so rude and inconsiderate,” said King. “Some people actually go to class to learn

and not socialize.” Texting in class and conducting

side conversations are not the only disruptancies.

Coming to class late can not only distract the entire class, but could also lose the focus of the professor.

It’s also a pain when one student constantly voices his thoughts on everything the professor says. No one came to class to hear your every thought on the class.

True, focusing while sitting in the same desk for 50 or 90 minutes is hard, but it’s not impossible. Don’t make it harder on yourself and others.

The texts and side conversations can wait. Think of others the next time you distract an entire classroom.

College classes are filled with a diverse group of people. Students should keep in mind that they are all here to learn and behave accordingly. We are all adults here; let’s act like it.

Not many would think about it, but men’s fashion seems to have taken different forms on campus. From preppy to gothic or outdoorsman to geeks, all men have their own sense of fashion that helps show a preview of what their personality is like.

Is men’s idea of fashion going crazy today with the influence of social media such as Facebook and Tumblr? What makes a man fashionable? It depends on whom is asked, really.

Darien Crochet, a freshman kinesiology major, thinks the guys are able to hold their own these days.

“I saw classy casual clothes like Hollister, button-ups and sweaters with a tie. Nearly everyone dresses nicely around here,” Crochet said.

Crochet also pointed out some of the trends he is less impressed with.

“Students are probably late when they are resorting to this attire, but for everyday, it’s not acceptable to show up to class in your sleeping clothes.”

Dorien Hall, a freshman marketing major, thinks that all guys should just keep it simple.

“Blue jeans and a button-up with walking shoes from Journeys,” Hall said when describing his go-to outfit for a casual day in class.

Kentarius Caldwell, a senior mass communications major, believes that men are trying to be different, but are simply participating in fads such as men’s tights.

“It’s absolutely terrible. For one, it’s inappropriate for men to wear

spandex and, honestly, no one wants to see that and it’s kind of nasty,” Caldwell said.

When asked about men wearing brightly colored clothing, his sentiments were the same.

The male students of ULM seem pretty relaxed about their fashion sense. Other than the occasional outlier, guys do believe that they have not gone off the deep end yet.

Guys just want to feel comfortable. It makes it easier to focus in class if the inseams of the skinny jeans aren’t riding up your area.

The southern lifestlye also has a lot of influence on the white t-shirt trend that is truly everlasting and safe.

Nonetheless, guys have fashion sense too, it’s just a guy thing. A clean shaved face- now that’s fashion.

When it comes to style, women aren’t the only ones following the fads, setting trends and looking for show-stopping outfits.

contact Benjamin Martin at [email protected]

Image courtesy of Google

FREESTYLE

Students put ‘class’ back in classroom

Do college guys have style standards?On campus students might think

style should be left for the ladies, but why can’t the guys join in? Both sexes know it takes a bit longer for a wom-an to get ready. Even still, this doesn’t mean the guys aren’t trying.

Emily Lovelady, a senior education major, says she appreciates the time and effort guys put into their apper-ances.

“It’s nice to see they take pride in their appearance, and eye candy on campus makes it even better,” Love-lady said.

Lovelady says she doesn’t think guys have a set standard on how they dress, but understand that in this stage of life that the small things, like what they wear, start to become im-portant.

“I think guys know potenital em-ployers are looking for workers that might look a certain way. For in-stance at a job interview, they most likely will expect someone to come in with a suit and tie, but that doesn’t mean they should wear a suit to class,” Lovelady said.

Do basketball shorts and a t-shirt mean men are being lazy though? Women on campus say no.

Kateland Mitchell, a senior psy-chology major, says that everyone should be able to dress comfortably without judgement.

“I think people have lower stan-dards for guys dress codes. I love sweats, but if girls are called lazy for wearing sweatpants, why

shouldn’t the guys?” Mitchell said. Style standards can also be linked

to what social circle a person runs in. If you are an athlete, your attire could be gym clothes because of the count-less practices each week.

If a guy is in a fraternity, they might wear the fraternity’s colors or may-be even a pair of Chubbies. A young man leading a youth ministry may be seen wearing skinny jeans and a pair of Toms.

Do college guys have style stan-dards? When it comes to campus life, the standards are up in the air.

Guys have standards they set for themselves. They may even adapt to the clothing of their social circle, but standards is a word left to the guy at hand. If sweats is what gets some-one to class and pass it, more power to them.

contact Jamie Arrington at [email protected]

by Jamie Arringtonby Benjamin Martin

by Halen Doughty

contact Halen Doughty at [email protected]

Image courtesy of GoogleCam

pu

s C

om

fort

Co

llege Prep

Page 7: The Hawkeye: Volume 89 Issue 2

THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT MONROEJanuary 27, 2014 PAGE 7

FREESTYLE

This is your voice.

HELICON

Become a part of an award winning team of writers, photographers and designers.

Advisor: [email protected] or 318-342-5450Hawkeye Editor: [email protected] Editor: [email protected]

...or visit us in Stubbs Hall, 131

Scholarship opportunitiesStudent jobsReal-world experienceTeam building skillsAnd much more

CONTACT US:

You could receive:

Pick up your

2013YearbookPick up your FREE copy of the

2013 Chacahoula in Stubbs 131.Limited availabilty.

Prepare yourself for 2014 movie releases

“The Giver” is a book that many of us probably remember from our mid-dle school or hgh school reading list.

This novel originally gives off the impression of a perfect, utopian so-ciety.

There are no diseases, everyone is considered equal and society is supposedly under control. Each ciz-iten is assigned a position by the Community and 12-year-old Jonas is given Reciever of Memories. The Giver is the only one who knows the truth about the past and now he must pass on those truths to Jonas.

The book gradually appears to be more dystopian and is considered one of the first dystopian young adult novels.

Taylor Swift and Meryl Streep will appear in this film once it is released on Aug. 14.

As dystopian novels seem to be a new trend amongst not only the teen novel industry, but the movie indus-try, it’s no surprise that “Divergent” has been picked up by Hollywood.

Dystopian Chicago is divided into five factions based on personality type; Dauntless, Amity, Erudite, Ab-negation and Candor. But Tris Prior finds out that she doesn’t fit into any of the factions. She’s declared Diver-gent which threatens her survival.

“Divergent” is the first of the se-ries. “Allegient,” the third installment, was released last October. This novel has been compared to other dystopi-an series’ such as The Hunger Games and The Maze Runner.

The book is influenced by Philip K. Dick’s 1964 novel called “Clans of the Alphane Moon.”

The movie comes out March 21.

Who hasn’t heard of John Green by this point? And if you haven’t read any of his books yet, then “The Fault in Our Stars” would be a great place to start.

Hazel is suffering stage IV cancer and meets a boy named Augustus Waters at a support group for her ill-ness.

Augustus is a cancer survivor him-self and the two quickly fall in love despite the fact that Hazel may not live.

The story is a flurry of fear, anger, sadness, hilarity and love.

This two-hour movie will hit the-aters June 6.

Other works by John Green are “Looking For Alaska,” “Paper Towns,” “An Abundance of Katherines” and various short stories.

This coming-of-age novel is told from the point of view of a man named Henry Wheeler who is telling the story about something that hap-pened when he was 13-years-old.

Back in the ‘80s, Henry and his depressed, divorced mother find themselves harboring a fugitive in their home over the course of a Labor Day weekend.

The fugitive, Frank Chambers, is a wanted murderer. Frank promis-es the family that they are in good hands. He begins to take care of Hen-ry.

And of course, Frank and Henry’s mother become infatuated with each other. But this book is deeply moving and full of unpredictable twists.

Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin play the paired star-crossed lovers. The movie will be released Jan.31.

“A Long Way Down” is a British dark comedy that deals with themes of suicide and promiscuity.

The story alternates from the per-spectives of the four main characters Martin, Maureen, Jess and JJ as they meet on a rooftop on New Year’s Eve with the intent of committing sui-cide. Their plans, however, are put to a halt when they develop a friendship and decide to come down from the rooftop.The novel recounts their mis-adventures from then on.

Despite the novel’s dark topic, the book is a balance of hilarity, emotion and provactivity.

Aaron Paul, who is known for his role on the hit television series Break-ing Bad, plays the character of JJ.

The movie will release March 7 in the U.K. No word yet for the U.S. but prepare yourself!

Page 8: The Hawkeye: Volume 89 Issue 2

THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT MONROE January 27, 2014PAGE 8

NEWS

ULM Book Swap Members Photos Join Group + Create Group

About 1,520 members

If you are having a hard time finding a book at the ULM Bookstore, or want to find out if someone on campus might have what you need, then look no further than the ULM Book Swap page on Facebook.

Josh Dowell, a graduate student in pre-professional health studies, first came up with the idea of the ULM Book Swap Facebook page around the fall of 2009.

But it wasn’t all him. Dowell said that Tyler Buccola, a junior pre-nursing major, and Alex Jobe, a senior toxicology major, were a big help in the development and maintenance of the Facebook page.

“Since 2011, ULM Book Swap has grown from approximately

400 members to upwards of 1,500. It would have been impossible to manage that kind of group alone,” Dowell said.

One of the many active members of the group, Devan Oetgen, a senior elementary education major, believes that the Facebook page has been a convenient and money-friendly option.

“Selling my books on there has been good considering that the bookstore wouldn’t buy back some of my textbooks in the past,” said Oetgen. “I definitely feel this is a cheaper alternative than buying from the bookstore or Amazon.

Dowell said that it is the willingness of fellow students to sell their books to each other for much less than what they

may have originally paid and the selflessness of the members that keep the group so successful.

The Facebook group has helped students save hundreds of dollars on otherwise expensive textbooks.

Cody Grimsley, a senior biology major, is impressed that so many people are willing to help out fellow students manage their textbooks and money.

“It gets stressing every semester when you are having to pay for things on your own and I’m always having problems with shipping,” said Grimsley. “It’s good that this group is here to fall back on. Even though I didn’t even know about it until now.”

Selflessness saves moneyby Benjamin Martin

contact Benjamin Martin at [email protected]

Applications are available in the SGA office.

Return by Thursday, Jan. 30th

Election dates online: Feb. 5th & 6th

STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

Court will be presented at Mardi Gras Ball on February 27, 2014

• FounderofULMBookSwap,JoshDowell,cameupwiththeideain2009

•TylerBuccolaandAlexJobehelpmaintainthepage

• Thegrouphasgainedaround1,100memberssince2011

•Studentshavesavedhundredsofdollarseverysemestersincetheopeningofthepage

Page 9: The Hawkeye: Volume 89 Issue 2

THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT MONROEJanuary 27, 2014 PAGE 9

Walker Hall has closed since the building caught fire in the summer of 2012 causing scattered majors and classes across the campus, leaving them homeless and ill equipped.

But things are looking up. The construction on the building officially began on Nov. 18, 2013.

The Division of Academic Affairs is in the process of determining space assignments in Walker Hall to academic departments. The work that is ongoing costs $4,923,580.50

according to Jason Roubique, director of facilities.

“The building will include some new life safety features to protect building occupants from future fires and emergencies by providing state of the art alarm systems and fire protection systems,” Roubique said.

The projected date of completion is June 30, 2014.

Roubique said, “If everything stays on track we are planning on Walker Hall being open and occupied for the start of the Fall 2014 Semester.”

John Rodriguez, professor of communication, is excited for the digital media lab that will be available in Walker.

The facility will feature a recording studio complete with a green screen

wall .“It will be a professional studio so

students can produce Hawk TV and other professional work such as short films,” Rodriguez said.

Within the recording area will be LED lighting rig. Also, plans for a whisper room, an area dedicated to voice-over work.

A conference room equipped with SMaRT boards and will be available to the department.

According to Rodriguez, there will

also be a production room complete with 40 brand new Mac computers and overhead projectors.

“The rooms will be much easier to teach in and students will have easy access. The facilities will be a lot nicer for the students, everything will be close together and key cards will guarantee easy access on the weekends while remaining secure,” Rodriguez said.

“The students deserve this, and the facilities will finally match our equipment,” said Rodriguez. “Stubbs has been slated for renovation for a long time, and is the only building on campus to not be, so this is like our renovation.”

EJ Kimble, a junior history major, hopes that when construction is done

the Write Place will return to Walker Hall.

“It would free up some much needed space in the library and make it a lot quieter,” said EJ Kimble, a junior history major. “After the fire, it seems like everything was just crammed into the library. ”

Roubique is pleased that the project is progressing well, is on schedule and within the project budget.

NEWS

Kimble

Walker Hall scheduled to open for fall semester

by Kaitlyn Huff

Rebuilt structure to hold new smart classrooms, labs

Ongoing construction of

Walker Hall costs $4.9 million

contact Kaitlyn Huff at [email protected]

Earlier this month, ULM alumnus Eric Liew pledged a personal donation of $1 million for the construction of an international student center.

The million dollar manWhen Liew arrived from Malaysia

30 years ago, he wasn’t sure what to expect. He walked to a supermarket to buy a few groceries. But when he made it to his room, he discovered that he didn’t have a refrigerator.

“If I had a place like I’m about to build, I wouldn’t have had to put hot dogs and milk in the snow,” said Liew. “I understand how international students feel.”

Liew wants international students to have a place to go and hopes this project will help recruit more to ULM.

Students from around the worldNabin Timilsina arrived at ULM

from Nepal over three years ago and always felt welcome.

“I never had a feeling that I was international,” said Timilsina. “I never had any negative experiences.”

But it’s not always like that for

everyone and Timilsina, a senior biology major and president of the International Student Society, believes that the international

student center is a very important project.

T i m i l s i n a said, “If an i n t e r n a t i o n a l student comes here and doesn’t know where to

go, nobody is here, then we have that place for him or her.”

Timilsina also thinks the center will be a great place where American and international students can share their cultures and ideas.

“A lot of international students come here with a dream. They come thousands of miles way from home,” Timilsina said.

Timilsina hasn’t been home since he first arrived American and said he would want to go back to Nepal right now to see his mom, family and

friends.“But the thing is, the situation is

different for international students. We pay a little more money than local students here. Our expenses are high. When you fly back home, our travel expenses are almost three to four thousand dollars minimum,” Timilsina said.

According to Timilsina, many international students don’t go back home until they graduate.

“They come here with a reason and a dream. And the fact that they stay way from family encourages them to pursue their dreams,” said Timilsina. “I think that’s what happened with Mr. Liew. He came here with a reason. He had nothing and he worked hard. Now he’s a man with money and power. Now he’s giving it back to the people who are right now in the stage where he was.”

“I came here with nothing, too,” said Timilsina. “Maybe I can be a millionaire. I’m just kidding.”

Diana Ndunda, a senior toxicology major from Kenya, said it took a while

to get used to Monroe. But once she got settled in, she found her place among the student body.

Ndunda said, “My most positive experience here has been meeting all the amazing people and not just those from America but even those from other parts of the world.”

Though sometimes Ndunda finds herself overcome with extreme homesickness.

It’s sad to miss out on monumental things in the lives of friends and family back home, but it’s the sacrifice you make,” Ndunda said.

Ndunda finds the idea of an i n t e r n a t i o n a l student center to be hugely beneficial for people like her.

“I think Mr. Liew is a good example of former international student who has made the best of the opportunities offered to him,” said Ndunda. “I’m

grateful that he still remembers his struggles and empathizes with the plight of international students...”

Many international students believe this center will be able to provide comfort for them since the transition between life at home and university life in America is not always an easy one.

The home baseThe center will provide

transportation donated by Interstate Dodge owner John Klagholz.

It will be equipped with a kitchen, meeting rooms, short-term lodging and socializing space. According to Liew, construction is set to begin this year and there is currently a process of forming a sub-committee to make decisions. He hopes to have the center completed by the end of this year.

by Ashley Lyons

contact Ashley Lyons at [email protected]

International students grateful for donation

Timilsina

NdundaFor the full story

visit:

ulmhawkeyeonline.

com

Page 10: The Hawkeye: Volume 89 Issue 2

THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT MONROE January 27, 2014PAGE 10

FREESTYLE

crosswordhoroscope

Across1 Asian noodles6 Quick looks11 “The __”14 Poke __ in15 Game console button16 __ polloi17 “Sommersby” actress19 1992 figure skating sil-

ver medalist20 What “will be” will be?21 Actress Dolores __ Rio22 Post-blizzard creation24 “The Federalist Pa-

pers” co-writer27 Part of UNLV28 Shortcut, perhaps33 Kobe’s home36 Energy

37 Environmental sci.38 Hosp. areas39 Freaked out43 Org. for analysts44 Dickens clerk46 __ Aviv47 Plant circulatory tis-

sue49 Measure used by nav-

igators53 Some govt. lawyers54 Kind of memory58 Golfer and his bud-

dy, say62 Barbecue item63 Never, in Nuremberg64 Trash holder65 Packaged produce

buy, and a literal descrip-

tion of the ends of 17-, 28-, 39- and 49-Across

68 Word before or af-ter blue

69 Paris pupil70 Picture71 “Mr. __ Passes By”:

Milne play72 A.J. Foyt, e.g.73 Flies aloneDown1 Hindi for “king”2 Now, in Nicaragua3 Surfing equipment4 Ransom __ Olds5 Locker room exchange6 Opening words7 Some RPI grads8 Body shop figs.

9 Sharp10 Easy pace11 Playfully kooky12 Minute amount13 Utah national park18 Crumbly cheese23 Corduroy ridge25 Biographer Tarbell26 Extended short story29 Singer/actress Pee-

ples30 Energize, with “up”31 “Not a chance”32 Character actor Jack33 Doe in many films34 Specialty35 Lewis Carroll, for one40 Non-Rx41 Museum funding org.42 Bookplate words45 Educ. collaborators48 As of now50 Glucose, to fructose51 Geese : gaggle : crows

: __52 Beatnik’s “Gotcha”55 “Barry Lyndon” actor56 Musical nickname re-

lated to jewelry57 Survey answers58 Cook’s meas.59 Collaborative Web

project60 Kunis of “Black Swan”61 Corporate VIP66 Holiday starter67 Rock genre

Aries: March 21-April 19Try to be open to embracing a broader point of view as you work to improve your love life. Grab a self-help book, see a therapist, or talk to an expert. The sun says you need to bring in some fresh ideas and new perspectives to re-ally understand what's going on.

Taurus: April 20-May 20You're expanding your social circle as the moon makes you more outgoing than ever. You'll be entertaining clients, doing networking, and discovering that there are loads of people out there who find you enormously attractive. Things are looking up.

Gemini: May 21-June 21This week you could come up with a creative way to save a relationship. Maybe you and your honey have had some huge disagreements, but you've figured out a good compromise. The sun is filling your head with solutions to long-standing problems.

Cancer: June 22-July 22You could be very thin-skinned this week, taking other people's negative comments way too personally. Blame the moon for making you super-sensitive. This is a good time to hang out with loving, generous people who appreciate the real you.

Leo: July 23-Aug. 22With the sun opposite your sign, you could feel like you're going backwards instead of forwards. But really, this is just a good time to take a look at what happened in the past so you can make better future choices with life and with love.

Virgo: Aug. 23-Sept. 22Your physical energy could be low right now, so be extra careful to get enough rest and take in some decent nutrition. A moon opposition is creat-ing an energy lag, and you might feel down or depressed. Don't let a bad mood spoil good times with your sweetheart.

Libra: Sept. 23-Oct. 23Things are starting to move forward in your love life. Maybe you and your honey are taking things to the next level in your romance. Mars is encourag-ing you to follow your heart and work to build a brighter future in the best way possible.

Scorpio: Oct. 24-Nov. 2You have a lot going on right now, and the moon could make it difficult for you to remain focused. Just remember, you can't be everywhere at once. And you can't be everything to everybody. You might need to spend less time with your honey while you tend to outside business.

Sagittarius: Nov. 22-Dec. 21The moon is bringing you some clarity about a puzzling personal situation. Maybe you're finally figuring out what motivated your ex to indulge in some bad behaviors. Or maybe you're discovering how to heal an addiction in your own life.

Capricorn: Dec. 22-Jan.19You're making progress with your romantic relationship as Venus keeps bringing you healing energy. If you had some ups and downs with your honey, expect more ups at this time. You'll feel more committed and con-nected to that special someone.

Aquarius: Jan. 20-Feb. 18A new moon in your sign is giving you loads of positive vibes. You'll want to hold a party, give a performance, or pleasure your partner in the bedroom in inventive ways. Do something that allows you to express that creative nature.

Pisces: Feb. 19-March 20Saturn is helping you to fix things that weren't working before. Maybe you're doing actual reconstruction of your home. Or perhaps you're plumb-ing the emotional depths of a relationship, figuring out how to heal old wounds.

Page 11: The Hawkeye: Volume 89 Issue 2

THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT MONROEJanuary 27, 2014 PAGE 11

The ULM athletics department has come up with a way to not only increase attendance at athletic events, but to reward students that try to make as many events as possible. This program is called Ace’s Army. It has potential to help generate a huge amount of school pride while also increasing revenue for the university.

Ace’s Army will work on a points system in which students will earn points each time their student ID is swiped at a ULM sporting event. The points can then be used to buy a variety of items such as an Ace’s Army kozie, T-shirt or ice chest. This adds an attractive incentive for students to attend games that they may not have had interest in going to before.

The system would also hold bigger points for bigger games. Most games give one point, however, the basketball double header against Troy on March 1, and the baseball game against Grambling on April 13, will give two points. There will also be two big events, the March 3 softball game with LSU, and also the annual spring football game. Events over school holidays will be worth double points.

The athletics depatment is on the upswing. Two years ago, the baseball team won the Sun Belt Conference and the foot-

ball team continued its recent surge of success. The university hopes to use the support these teams have gotten and use

them to propel other areas of athletics.This is a great move to try to increase buzz around the often-overlooked

sports. Attendance at many of the athletic events on campus is severely lack-ing.

ULM may have an enrollment of over 8,600 students, but there are sport-ing events that fail to reach the attendance that their high school equivalents meet on a consistent basis. Ace’s Army has the potential to be a great thing for ULM’s athletic program. Keep an eye out as changes can be made and some games may be come worth more than originally stated.

SPORTS

Athletic Dept. hits home run with Ace’s Army program

DAKOTA RATLEY

photo by Daniel RussellStudents will have a chance at winning free tuition for a semester by attending the most Warhawk athletic events.

contact Dakota Ratley [email protected]

A meeting will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 4 in the Scogin room at Malone Stadium for anyone that is interested in trying out for the football team.

Several requirements must be filled in order to participate. Students have to be a full-time student at ULM and have a minimum GPA of 2.5. Partic-pants are also required to have played high school football and to bring proof of insurance.

Students that are chosen for the team will have the chance to poten-tially earn a scholarship.

Director of Football Operations, Vince Logan, says Head Coach Todd Berry holds a strict policy of putting the best player on the field, even if they are a walk-on. There are multiple examples of recent success at ULM.

“The ULM football program has had a lot of success with walk-ons in recent years,”said Logan.

“Brent Leonard who came here as a walk-on, ended up in the pre-seaon in camp with the New Orleans Saints and left here as the all-time leading

receiver in ULM history.”Leonard played a key role in the

success of the 2013 team. His fourth quarter contrubitions against the then eighth ranked Arkansas Ra-zorbacks were vital in the team’s dramatic upset victory.

Other notable Warhawk walk-ons include former middle lineback-er, Jason Edwards and deep snapper Madison Tharp.

Edwards worked his way to a start-ing position and and stayed there from 2010-2011.

Tharp was the team’s deep snapper from 2010 though the 2013 season.

NFL stars Jordy Nelson, J.J. Watt, and Clay Matthews all spent time as walk-ons at their respected uni-versities. These are just a few recent walk-on successes.

Logan says that if anyone has questions or concerns, they can contact him at (318) 342-5369 or via email at [email protected].

contact Drew McCarty [email protected]

by Drew McCarty

Football team to hold tryouts

Former Warhawk great, Brent Leonard, joined the program as a walk-on.

photo by Daniel Russell

Former Warhawks soar in NFLPA Bowl

Every college football player dreads the moment that they will buck-le their chinstrap and run onto the field for the last time. Three former Warhawks were given a special op-portunity to play together for a final game on Sat., Jan. 17.

Je’Ron Hamm, Josh Allen, and Kolton Browning were among the few outstanding seniors from across the nation to be chosen to participate in the 2014 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.

“I wish I could’ve played with all of my teammates but to play with Kolton and Je’Ron it was good to have that experience with them,” Al-len said.

The game is a prime venue for play-ers to meet NFL scouts and grow their potential NFL draft stock. Each prac-tice is essentially a skills showcase for professional football executives and coaches.

All three players representing ULM play for the National team under for-mer NFL head coach Dick Vermeil.

Allen was listed as the only true center on his team’s roster.

Browning was one of three quarter-backs on the National squad. Joining him was former Cincinnati quarter-back Brendon Kay and former South

Carolina quarterback, Connor Shaw. “I felt confident going in there be-

cause it’s all about preparation,” said Hamm. “I prepared all week and studied the book every chance I could so that at practice I could make my presence felt!”

Hamm went without a catch in the game but he says that he had a great week of practice and that helped get his name out a bit.

Allen had significant amount of playing time in the game, which could only help his draft stock.

“I think I did great going against the other guys. I listened to the coaches that were there and used the techniques I was taught,” Allen said.

Browning went 3-5 for 15 yards in

the game. He connected with former UL-Lafayette receiver Daryl Surgent on his first two passes.

The National team went on to win the game by a score of 31-17. For-mer LSU fullback, J.C. Copeland, took home MVP honors.

“I know for a fact Je’Ron and Kolton did great in the practices which were the most important factors for the scouts,” said Allen.

Both Hamm and Allen say that they will continue to train and prepare for the upcoming ULM pro day where NFL scouts will visit Malone Stadi-um to evaluate potential professional talent.

The drills at the pro day will be sim-ilar to those at the NFL combine. Players will be required to show their upper and lower body strength, as well as speed and leaping abilities.

“I pray to get picked up by some-body’s NFL team and have a great career there but ultimately I plan to get into real estate and coaching younger kids,” said Hamm.

These three former Warhawks all have a chance to make it to the next level.

by Drew McCarty

contact Drew McCarty [email protected]

“I listened to the coaches that were there and did what I was

taught.”Josh Allen,

former ULM center

NFL scouts play close attention to practices and game

Page 12: The Hawkeye: Volume 89 Issue 2

THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT MONROE January 27, 2014PAGE 12

Former All-American E.J. (Lee) Ok’s nember will forever hang from the rafters of the building where she has cultivated unforgettable memories and has put in countless hours of work.

“Retiring this jersey is history. I’ve made a lot of history with basketball, but this to me, is unbelievable history,” said Ok.

The accolades and awards that she has compiled over the last thirty years of her basketball career are staggering.

In her playing days at ULM she was an All-American three times, she set school records for assists and free throws attempted (both of which still stand) and led the 1985 to the women’s final four. Ok was also named Southland Conference Player of the year each year she was at ULM.

Her success was earned, not given. She first picked up a basketball in fifth grade and never looked back.

“I sat on the bench. I didn’t like that,” said Ok. “I am very competitive. I hate to lose.”

Ok would spend at least three hours per day of her own time working relentlessly on her skills. She knew that if she pushed herself, she could not only get off of the bench but become a special player.

In her native land of Korea, her coach saw unlimited potential right away. In practice, he would often force her to play alone against seven of her teammates. This pushed Ok to improve her ball-handling skills.

Her high school team toured the United States several times playing various high school and AAU teams in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. By this time her skills were fine-tuned and she was well on her way to a basketball scholarship.

Former ULM women’s assistant and head coach, Roger Stockton, first saw Ok play in 1983 directly after her freshman year.

“I was able to coach her for three years and during that time, she just blossomed into one of the best point guards that I’ve seen. She’s by far the best, if not the best point guard I’ve

ever watched play,” said Stockton.Her college playing years molded

the person she is off of the court to fit seamlessly with who she was on the court. Stockton says that she really transformed into the great person that she is today.

“She’s a tremendous person,” said Stockton. “For women’s basketball, if they were going to retire anyone’s jersey, I’m glad it’s hers.”

Ok is currently serving as an assistant head coach of the women’s team.

She says that she wants to do everything possible to put ULM back on the map in women’s basketball.

“This university is my alma mater. I love this university. I was successful as a player, I want to be successful as a coach,” said Ok.

“I want to help my players not only become a good player, but a good person as well.”

Ok adds this honor to her long list of accomplishments in her basketball career. She has also been inducted into the ULM Hall of Fame and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.

The ULM women’s basketball team fell 77-73 Wednesday to Western Kentucky in a hard fought contest that went down to the final minute.

The Warhawks jumped out to a 41-31 lead at the half behind a 52% shooting effort. The script was flipped in the second half as Western Kentucky overcame the deficit with some hot shooting, while the Warhawks went cold from the floor.

Coach Mona Martin recognized the Warhawks’ struggles down the stretch.

“We just panicked with the ball. We quit attacking; we quit trying to go inside. The inside was wide open so many times, but we were nervous with the ball.”

Senior forward Asheigh Simmons also took note of the way of the game got away from the team in the latter part of the contest.

“Some times it gets down to the wire and things get kind of critical and we get scared. That’s not something we’re going to be able to do well if we keep letting that happen.”

Simmons recorded a double-double, scoring 20 points while pulling down 10 boards. Elexar Tugler poured in 19 points, and Alexar Tugler

rounded off the double-digit scorers with 13, including a 3-5 three point shooting effort.

Western Kentucky’s all-conference forward Chasity Gooch led the way for the Lady Toppers with a new career best of 31.

ULM dominated the first half of the game. The Warhawks built up a lead as big as 11. They began to build their advantage with about 16 minutes left in the first half, and did not let Western Kentucky back in front until 8 minutes left in the contest.

A 10-0 run from Western Kentucky late in the second half set the stage for a back-and-forth battle in the last few minutes. An Alexar Tugler three-pointer brought the game to within two, before clutch free throw shooting from the Lady Toppers put the game away.

This contest is seen as a sort of measuring stick, as Western Kentucky was a popular pick to compete for a Sun Belt title.

Simmons feels that this game ultimately proved that the Warhawks are part of that conversation.

“We can play with anybody, and in my opinion, when we play, we’re better than anybody in the conference.”

contact Dakota Ratley [email protected]

by Dakota Ratley

SPORTS

Toppers top Warhawks

Above: Jasmine Taylor the ball down the court Wednesday night in con-tested battle with the WKU.

photo by Daniel Russell

Ok’s legacy forever on displayLouisiana basketball hero celebrates career

by Drew McCarty

contact Drew McCarty [email protected]

photos by Daniel Russell

Left: Ok first came to the United States from Korea on a basketball tour in 1979. She first came to ULM in 1982 to join the women’s basketball team.

Right: Ok with her children Peter and Christina during her jersey retire-ment ceremony Saturday, January 25, in Fant-Ewing Colisieum.

Left: During her jersey retirement ceremony, Ok delivered a speech of thanks.