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GETTING PAST THE LAW Sophomore linebacker John Law is putting his history of injuries behind him and focusing on anchoring the App State defense. Law and the App State defense are coming off a 44-0 shutout against Georgia State on Saturday.

The Appalachian 11.04.14

Appalachian State University’s student news source since 1934

Vol. 89, No. 19

National media directs attention to Appalachian Students by Nicole Caporaso Senior News Reporter

Maggie Davis Senior graphic design major Glory Silwedel on Oct. 24 at Duck Pond. Silwedel is planning to build a home for the ducks living at Duck Pond to protect them from Boone’s harsh winters.

DUCK, DUCK, HOUSE Student starts fundraiser to front the bill for a house for the Duck Pond ducks by Thomas Culkin

News Reporter

he ducks who reside at Duck Pond near Trivette Dining Hall are being given a voice by an Appalachian State University student who is campaigning for their fair treatment. Glory Silwedel, a senior graphic design major, has raised ducks as pets her whole life. She started the campaign as part of a class project, but said she was moved by seeing the ducks freezing in the cold weather. “Two years ago, I lived in Newland [Residence Hall],” Silwedel said. “I’d always walk by and see them shivering and they didn’t have anywhere to go to get away from the cold, so I had the idea to build a duck house.” Silwedel said people have domesticated the ducks by feeding them bread. This domestication, Silwedel said, prevents the ducks from leaving the pond and finding warmth when the weather gets cold. “Some of the ducks can migrate,

but they choose to stay here because people in the community have domesticated them in the way of feeding them bread,” Silwedel said. “They don’t know that it’s going to get freezing cold, and they’re going to regret it.” To protect the ducks from the cold, Silwedel wants to build a house for the ducks in the pond that would provide warmth. Silwedel said the duck house would be floating wood, and filled with hay. She estimated it would have to be 7 feet long by 7 feet wide and the cost of materials and building would be around $1,500. Not only have the ducks become immobilized by domestication, but the bread they are being fed isn’t even nutritional for them, Silwedel said. “They’re staying here because they know they have a food source, but I think that because they do have this food source of bread, that we should provide nutritious food for them, because they are going to stay no matter what,” Silwedel said. Kathy Wilkinson, an employee of Appalachian Food Services, said

SEE AWARENESS PAGE 3

Professor honored for mental health work by Thomas Culkin News Reporter

Appalachian State University psychology professor Kurt Michael is known for his continued work to better the mental health services provided to young, underprivileged children in rural areas. In response to his efforts, Michael was honored with the Holshouser Award for Excellence in Public Service this October. The award is given to one faculty member in the University of North Carolina system. A $7,500 cash prize was given to him, as well. Michael’s biggest achievement has been founding the Assessment, Support and Counseling Center in 2006. Over the years, ASC has spread from Watauga County into Ashe and Alleghany coun-

she and some other employees frequently feed the ducks whatever leftovers are remaining at the end of the day, without worrying about the health impacts it has on the ducks. To counter this issue, Silwedel also wants to put in a feeder, which would dispense corn for people to feed the ducks. She said the cost of the feeder is not a concern, because she is trying to find somebody to donate one. Silwedel created a petition titled “Help Save Our Campus Ducks” to raise awareness for the cause, which can be found at www.change.org. “We all have to put in our time and give [the ducks] what they deserve,” Silwedel said. “I used to live on campus at Justice [Residence Hall] and then Newland Hall, and walking by the pond every day, seeing the ducks huddled together and freezing was so heartbreaking,” said Lacey Miller, a junior marketing major who supports the petition. “I’m so happy someone is taking initiative to not only bring housing to them, but better food options as well.”

Several students carried mattresses around campus on Wednesday to show solidarity in supporting Emma Sulkowicz, a student at Columbia University, and to make others more aware of sexual assault. Photos of the students with the mattresses have since gained national media attention and have been featured on several outlets, including Huffington Post, Cosmopolitan, Amy Poehler’s blog on Tumblr, the NY Magazine and the official event website, www.carryingtheweighttogether.com, said Julia Grainger, a participant and junior global studies major. Sulkowicz reported a male student at her university for rape in April 2013, but Columbia found the student to be “not responsible.” Since then, Sulkowicz has decided to carry a dorm room mattress with her around campus, until either she or the alleged rapist are no longer students at Columbia, according to www.carryingtheweighttogether.com. The event was called Carrying the Weight Together and Oct. 29 was a day in which, according to the event’s official Facebook page, more than 130 schools around the country and world had students participating. Appalachian’s execution of the event was coordinated by the Feminist Student Union. “Honestly, when I found out that it made Poehler’s blog I felt like crying,” Grainger said. “We got negative feedback from the event from a lot of people who didn’t want to acknowledge the problem of sexual and domestic violence, but to know that media outlets and individuals are taking notice has been a real confidence boost.” Camille Tate, vice president of activism for the Feminist Student Union, said she hopes, through Carrying the Weight Together, universities across the nation bring more attention to the issue and also help prevent future similar occurrences. “We want to raise awareness of the fact that one in four women are sexually assaulted while pursuing a college degree and often these cases are mishandled by the university,” Tate

ties. Michael said he is looking toward expanding ASC’s reach, but also said it’s important not to stretch its resources too thin. The goal of ASC is to provide immediate care to underprivileged children while keeping the families totally free of the financial burden typically associated with health care, as well as working to write grants on mental health. “A lot of the kids in rural settings don’t have a lot of access to mental health care, or for that matter, any form of medical health,” Michael said. “Even if there were providers, a lot of people don’t have the resources to get those services.” Michael said ASC seeks to assist people through the

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Trick-or-treaters take over campus by Thomas Culkin News Reporter

The residence halls located on the east side of Appalachian State University’s campus participated in Trick-or-Treat for Tots on Oct. 30, a program where students could give out candy to the children of local community families. The event has become a tradition over recent years, and one that students and children alike relish in, said Shannon Jordan, the assistant director of residence life for East Campus. “A lot of students look forward to providing this event for the community [each year],” Jordan said. Roughly 400 to 500 children trick-or-treated through campus, which is the largest number the event has had. Jordan said the increase is due to a larger advertising campaign via flyers. 360 rooms on campus

Halle Keighton Children trick-or-treating on campus Thursday evening.

participated in giving candy out to the children. In addition to the trick-ortreating, there were also games such as cornhole and inflatables on Sanford Mall for the children to enjoy. A canned food drive was included in this year’s Trick-orTreat for Tots event, which in-

volved families bringing canned goods that were then donated to Watauga County’s Hospitality House. “I was very happy with the energy that the students brought to the event,” Jordan said. “The buildings looked great and all the students had huge smiles on their faces.”

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

The Appalachian | TheAppalachianOnline.com

BOONEâ€™S MANY COLORS Morgan Cook, Halle Keighton, Sarah Weiffenbach and Maggie Davis

Boone is an amazing place to be during the fall season. With trees and mountains surrounding the entire town, the colored leaves have given Boone residents beautiful views for the past few months before the chilly transition into winter.

NEWS

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

The Appalachian | TheAppalachianOnline.com

AWARENESS

Opinion: Why your vote matters more than ever

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 said. “We are acting in solidarity with Emma and all women who have been forced to see their assailant’s face on campus after a traumatizing experience like sexual assault. Tate said three mattresses were carried throughout the duration of the day, and club members were handing brochures out on Sanford Mall. Grainger said sexual assault statistics on college campuses are scary, but if they are not addressed, they can only get worse. “The biggest message that I, and I think the other protesters were trying to get across, is that sexual and domestic violence on college campuses is a pandemic,” Grainger said. “Some might call the collective carry too in-your-face or too assertive, but how else is one going to make people see that one in four college women will experience sexual assault during her academic career or that every 21 hours there is a rape on an American college campus?” Nifemi Ogunro, another participant and sophomore industrial design major, said she believes the only way of getting the message across is to be radical. “An actual visual and physical display of the effects that students go through when issues aren’t properly addressed is a great way to get students to stop and pay attention,” she said. “Unfortunately we live in a world where people’s passion for a subject is dictated by its popularity.” Ogunro said she thinks what is happening is great, but national at-

by Laney Ruckstuhl News Editor

Carson Hager

(From left to right) Aakriti Agrawal, Julia Grainger, Brie Sciales and Rachel Clay pose with a mattress used for the mattress walk in Plemmons Student Union on Wednesday. The mattress walk was held to raise awareness for sexual and domestic violence in the college community.

tention should not be necessary to bring light to events such as what happened to Sulkowicz. Other North Carolina schools that participated, according to carryingtheweighttogether.com, include UNC Charlotte, UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke University and Chapel Hill High School. “I think I just want people to know that as much as we educate

and talk about social justice on this campus it is very important that we also take action,” said Justis Tucker, founder of the Feminist Student Union and freshman accounting major. “I am proud that we are able to be a part of a nationwide movement to raise awareness about sexual assault on college campuses and demand change from administration on this issue.”

Professor honored for tourism education

Halle Keighton Hospitality and tourism management professor Dana Clark won the Barentine Special Achievement Award from the Destination Marketing Association of North Carolina for the way he ties his involvement with the tourism industry into the classroom. Read the full story on TheAppalachianOnline.com

Over the past year, The Appalachian has closely followed the constant struggle students have faced with state and local policies and actions that have attempted to impede on their personal, constitutional voting right. The changes began August 2013, when statewide legislation was enacted to make voter ID a requirement at polling places, meaning that college-issued ID cards would be among identification that will no longer be accepted at polls starting in 2015. The law also took away same-day registration and the ability to vote out of precinct. This change was originally not supposed to take effect until 2015 either, but the NC Supreme Court ruled Oct. 8 that the changes could be implemented immediately. With recent victories like the return of the early, one-stop voting site to Plemmons Student Union, some may feel the battle has been won. Voting is more important now than ever before, but early voting results do not indicate this. Early voting took place this year from Oct. 24 to Nov. 1. In the last general election of 2012, 15,316 people in Watauga county voted early at one-stop sites, while only 8,238 were cast this year, according to www.carolinatransparency.com’s NC Voter Tracker. According to an August 2013 article in The Appalachian, the voting site was originally removed from campus due to low turnout. Immediately after the State BOE ruled the Plemmons Student Union’s Price Lake Room would be a one-stop early voting site on Aug. 22, the NC Supreme Court issued a stay on the lower court, allowing the board to rescind their decision at any point. “I would hope they would respect the will of the community and the will of students and community members,” said Ian O’Keefe, plaintiff in the case against the State BOE for the site and Appalachian student. “Justice has been served and people of this community will now have a voice and will be able to vote in an accessible location.” However, not all students seem to be concerned. Only 1,259 of more than 8,000 that voted in Watauga County during the early voting period were college-aged, or 18 to 22 years old, according to www. carolinatransparency.com. This makes up 15.3 percent of Watauga County. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 28.1 percent of Watauga Count residents are enrolled in college. This population margin is not representing itself this year as it should, though last year’s voter turnout totalled 25.4 percent in the same age range. This now can only be made up for by raising turnout on Election Day itself. Due to the law making it impossible to vote out of precinct, only students who live in residence halls on the east side of campus will be able to vote at the oncampus election day site, Legends. Pam Williamson, plaintiff in the case against the State BOE for the site and Watauga Democratic Party member, said the dividing line is Rivers Street. Those outside of this area will have designated sites on election day that vary based on precinct. A list of boundaries and their respective sites can be accessed at www.wataugacounty.org. The democratic party will be shuttling students to polling sites from the library traffic circle tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., though Williamson said students of any affiliation should utilize the resource. “Students have to come out tomorrow and show they’re insistent,” Williamson said. “The most important thing is that they show they are a force to be reckoned with.” As a student body, we must show politicians that we care by casting our votes on election day. This is not an issue of party or affiliation, but of basic constitutional rights. Before heading to the polls, it is important to educate yourself on candidates and key issues. Special attention should be paid to Board of Elections candidates who will influence decisions in the future. Though it may seem temporary, you can make history by casting your vote and setting precedents that could change the future of voter suppression for students to come. Do not let your vote go to waste.

AWARD

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hardships of achieving health care and problems that may arise through this process. “If [the families’] barriers are availability of providers, that’s one thing we address, but we also address the financial constraints, because the costs associated with it do not apply with the families of kids,” Michael said. Michael also spends a great amount of time traveling to schools in other counties and even other states, teaching the importance of mental health. “I’m often asked to go to other states, just trying to promote the value of good mental health early as a way to prevent further difficulty down the road, and maybe just as important, to promote academic success,” he said. Michael said ASC’s outreach isn’t merely aimed at children, but also at families, teachers and administrators in the local schools they go to. “It’s not just kids that we serve, but entire communities,” Michael said. “Whether it’s through education, health promotion or prevention.”

Opinion 4

The Appalachian | TheAppalachianOnline.com

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Staff Opinion

CA initiates reinvestment, new vision in incarceration Talking to Dewey Mullis Opinion Writer

It isn’t a new discovery that the United States leads the world in the number of citizens incarcerated per capita. Sadly, it might be one of the few rankings in which the U.S. tops the charts. Some may see this as a victory for the “get tough on crime” mantra, but in reality, the chart-topping incarceration rate highlights a major defeat for the U.S. How did this problem come to fruition? Punitive attitudes and decades of the “lock them up and throw away the key” mentality took us on a conviction frenzy. By the time crime rates went down, the mandatory minimum sentencing laws had packed the prisons. We had begun to see fewer people going into the prison but leaving at an even slower rate. Of the lucky ones to see the

end of their prison sentence, 60 percent will end up back in the hole within one to three years. Inside the walls are millions of men and women doing time in one way or another. Like a time capsule, a prison takes us back to the early days of man when survival was key and anything went. Hunting, killing, dominance, respect and territory mean everything to an incarcerated individual’s survival. Opportunities for pro-social modeling are often severely restricted. In some instances, one must have a clean record of good behavior in order to participate in a program. But one extra library book or an extra bar of soap in their cell would be considered contraband and most likely cut short their participation. Simple mistakes are turned into cause for concern and will easily leave a hard-working inmate alone and back at square one. Many inmates use previously untapped craftsmanship to construct beautiful wood furniture, toys and displays that the public will never see. The peo-

ple who called for their confinement don’t get to see the fruits of their labor. We are missing out on what some have to offer. Departments are short on both the budgetary and personnel ends. Case managers at North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women, for example, carry a caseload of up to 100 inmates. And the state claims to not have enough money to hire more case managers. This leads to a lack of accountability and oversight from both inmates and staff. Accountability issues were the reason the individual ended up incarcerated in the first place, but learning to find alternative, acceptable motives becomes challenging if a case manager is having a hard time keeping up. But there may be hope in California. State voters will have the opportunity to tackle this prison problem head-on this November. On the ballot is Prop. 47: The Reduce Penalties for Some Crimes Initiative. The first phases would reduce six charges from felony to misdemeanor status. It’s estimated that tens

of thousands of offenders currently serving for these crimes would be able to have their sentences reduced. The most noteworthy element of this legislation is that it takes the estimated $150 million to $250 million saved on incarceration costs and redirects it to education, community corrections and reentry initiatives. This is what we have to do. We have to make a serious effort to reinvest resources toward successfully transitioning individuals back into our community. I’m excited to see how this reinvestment initiative can affect the outlook on people reentering a society that has an often negative perspective. We can no longer avoid the truth that we are too punitive. We have to change our mentality. We have locked some of the best and brightest human minds in cages. They’ve done their time and now we have to re-think punishment. Mullis, a senior criminal justice major from Wallburg, is an opinion writer.

Editorial Cartoon

Bridget Mundy | The Appalachian

Staff Opinion

Diversity promotes positive educational, social values Kevin Griffin Opinion Writer

Chancellor Sheri N. Everts announced the formation of a student advisory committee geared toward increasing enrollment diversity. The chancellor will work with a committee of 12-15 student leaders toward that goal, according to The Appalachian. The idea for the committee came about in part because of the fact, reported by www. forbes.com, that 87 percent of the student body is white, with various minority groups only composing 13 percent of campus, according to The Appalachian. For many, the idea of diversity is regarded with a certain cynicism. Particularly among some conservative-minded people, diversity is linked to

ideas of affirmative action, of giving people things they do not deserve. Additionally, it is bemoaned as typifying an overemphasis on multiculturalism and political correctness. However, diversity does have legitimate value for a number of reasons. It is an unfortunate fact of our history that many minority groups have faced discrimination. While there has been some progress in this area, the cultural advantages have not disappeared. Setting up a system that allows individuals from these groups to have fair access to opportunity matters. Increasing diversity of enrollment is one way of addressing this. Also, having individuals with a variety of backgrounds and viewpoints contributes to both the educational and social atmosphere of a university. Interacting with people from different backgrounds provides an introduction to

the real world. Having a new emphasis on fostering diversity is a positive development, but even with this we must be careful. As important as it is for universities to take a genuine interest in diversity, in many cases universities see diversity as a marketing gimmick. A December 2013 NPR report explored the marketing mindset that frames diversity at many universities. It recounts an incident in which the University of Wisconsin Photoshopped a black man into a photo on the cover of an application manual. Tim Peppert, an expert quoted in the NPR report, explained that the purpose behind this is to promote an image of inclusiveness to attract prospective students. Not that this is a bad thing. Putting out an image of diversity is good, but there should still be an effort to seriously work to make to actual progress with respect to diversity.

A further issue is what we consider to be our idea of diversity. From the reports, the proposed commission is focusing on racial and ethnic diversity. While that certainly matters, there could also be value into focusing on other groups and forms of diversity as well. Diversity of ideas is a great example of a way broadening the concept of diversity. Demonstrating that the campus provides a forum for people to exchange ideas in a safe environment could be a worthwhile way of expanding diversity beyond what are considered the normal boundaries of what defines diversity. It is good that we seem to be taking an interest in diversity, but as we work in this area, we should be sure that the commitment is genuine and a broad idea of diversity drives university policy. Griffin, a junior journalism major from Madison, is an opinion writer.

professors is worth it Lindsey Chandler Opinion Editor

Being that education is consistently a hot topic, I believe it is imperative that we as students and involved members of higher education understand how to make the most out of our academic experiences. We pour thousands of dollars every semester into our educational pursuits, and most of us fall into a routine of doing our assignments the night before they are due and avoiding textbook readings at all costs. While we rush from class to class, we are missing out on one of the greatest resources we have: our faculty and staff. One element to my education I have greatly appreciated and also felt like I didn’t get enough of, includes the communicative relationships I have developed with some of my professors and teachers. I have learned more about the opportunities presented around the campus by having brief, and sometimes even extended, conversations with my professors. I have also learned not all professors value a letter grade as the ultimate sign of a learning experience. Upon reflection of a lessthan-satisfying grade last fall, I talked to my professor about what he thought it meant for me. His response was swift and thought-provoking. He simply asked, “But did you learn something?” I thought for a minute, and realized I had been rambling on about sleep cycles and dopamine in the weeks prior to our meeting. I came to the conclusion that I had indeed absorbed more information than what my grade might have reflected. Being stuck with one final grade is definitive for many students; any final grade lower than a B usually results in subsequent statements about hating the class or the professor being too harsh. However, those grades ultimately rest on our shoulders as students. While we can’t always ask them for the direct answers, faculty and staff members at ASU are interested in seeing their students succeed using all possible tools, and they are more than happy to provide that information for us. One incredibly beneficial aspect of a communicative relationship between teacher and student is the fact that a student can discuss his or her academic standing in a particular course and ask the teacher how he or she would evaluate performance. It is unfortunate that we as students take this opportunity for granted. If we were to take a few minutes to talk to our professors, I am sure they would have more to tell us than what we could ever learn in any lecture. When teachers and professors say to us that they are here for us if we need help, they really do mean it. The office hours on a syllabus are more than just times that a professor is not spending in a classroom. They are minutes of opportunities, as well as those before and after classes, to discover meaningful relationships with the people who are here to see us transform into well-rounded, successful students. Chandler, a senior psychology and Spanish major from Cary, is the opinion editor.

The Appalachian | TheAppalachianOnline.com

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

App Submit announcements App News is a service of the Division of Student Development. Email dycheab@ appstate.edu at least two weeks in advance. Submissions should not exceed 100 words and must include the event title, date/ time, location and cost, other pertinent information and a contact(s) (email, phone and/or URL). Announcements will be edited as needed and will run as space allows. Preference will be given for events that are free or have a nominal cost. Who’s Who nominations Nominations for the 20142015 Who’s Who are open through Nov. 17. Each year, Appalachian State participates in the Who’s Who in American Universities and Colleges Program. The program recognizes students for academic and leadership excellence. Students are selected based on the following criteria: scholarship abilities, participation and leadership in academic and extracurricular activities, citizenship and service to the community and App State, and potential for future achievement. Currently enrolled undergraduate students who have earned at least 75 semester hours prior to fall semester, 2014; have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.50; and have not been previously elected to Who’s Who are eligible for nomination. Students may nominate themselves. The nomination packet may be downloaded from www. studentdev.appstate.edu by choosing Leadership and Service Awards, and then selecting Who’s Who in American Universities and Colleges. All nominations must be submitted electronically. Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training Open to all faculty, staff and students. Extra credit slips will be made available. Learn suicide statistics, myths and facts about suicide, what to look for, how to talk to someone in distress, and where and how to refer for more help. • 7-9 p.m. Nov. 4, room 421, Belk Library • 5:30-7:30 p.m. Nov. 19, Three

News

Top Mountain, PSU • 4-6 p.m. Dec. 4, Three Top Mountain, PSU Go to preventsuicide.appstate.edu or email cavallaroe@ appstate.edu.

occurred during Argentina’s last military dictatorship (19761983). René Horst, who lived in Argentina during the regime, will discuss the film.

Documentary screening Award-winning filmmaker Randy Benson presents his documentary “The Searchers,” 7 p.m. Nov. 4, room 114, Belk Library. Free and open to the public. “The Searchers” is a 90-minute documentary portrait of researchers of the assassination of JFK. Sponsored by University Documentary Film Services.

L.A. Theatre Works production “In the Heat of the Night” will be performed at 8 p.m. Nov. 11, Schaefer Center. The production demonstrates the country’s struggle with integration and an evolving acceptance of the Civil Rights Movement. Tickets: $10 students $20 adults. For more information, visit: pas.appstate.edu.

The Wellness Workshops Presented by the Counseling Center presents the series of workshops with the theme “Feelin’ Good in the Neighborhood.” • 7 p.m. Nov. 5, Being Real: The Value of Vulnerability, Three Top Mountain Room, PSU

Auditions A new show, SPORTS BAR, is conducting auditions to find three student sports fanatics to appear on the show. The sports show will be hosted by David Jackson of the App State Athletic Deptartment and will air on AppCable. The auditions will be held at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 12 at The Rock sports bar.

Women’s Studies Distinguished Lecture Series Chancellor Sheri Everts will give a talk titled “Women and Leadership” at 5 p.m. Nov. 5, room 114, Belk Library. Free and open to the public. Hmong Harvest Festival The festival will be held 7-9 p.m. Nov. 6, Parkway Ballroom, PSU. The festival, in its third year, is free and open to all students, faculty, and staff. There will be free authentic food, entertainment, and prizes. There will also be a silent auction to auction off homemade and traditional Hmong merchandise. Learn about a different and unique culture. For more information, email vuea@appstate.edu or go to https://www. facebook.com/hscapp. Film screening The seventh film for the Latin American Film Festival is “The Official Story,” to be screened at 7 p.m. Nov. 6, Rough Ridge Room, PSU. The 1985 drama is about an upper middle class couple who lives in Buenos Aires with an illegally adopted child. The mother comes to realize that her daughter may be the child of a desaparecida, a victim of the forced disappearances that

Study abroad opportunity “Paris: Tales of a City” will examine the culture and intellectual history of Paris. Students will explore monuments and museums, attend musical and theatrical performances, and venture off the beaten path to discover local points of interest. Pre-departure readings and films will prepare participants to get the most out of the experience. The travel dates are May 1125, 2015, and the cost is $3795 (includes airfare). Upon completion of this program, students will receive General Education credit for LLC 2025 in the Aesthetic Perspective, “How We Tell Stories” theme. No language skills are necessary to apply! If there is sufficient student interest to do one section in English and one in French, students will have the option of counting the course toward the French major. For more information, email gardnerdl1@appstate.edu and fournierj@appstate.edu. AppHack3 Begins at 7 p.m. Nov. 14 and runs through 7 a.m. Nov. 15, room 112, CAP building. AppHack is a hackathon,

where 70-100 students from multiple disciplines get together to build software that is then put to use for the good of the community. AppHack3 is officially sponsored by ECR Software Company in Boone and the Transportation Insight Center For Entrepreneurship. Students are provided with free food and coffee to help keep them productive. The entire process is collaborative. There are two cash prizes given to the best developer or team For more information and to RSVP, go to http://cs.appstate. edu/apphack/. Run the Gobbler, Eat the Cobbler! The Gobbler 5k will begin at 8 a.m. Nov. 15 at Duck Pond Field, and winds through campus ending with a sweet cobbler treat. Over 300 runners turned out last year and raised $6,300 for the Leigh Lane Edwards scholarship fund. Registration coming soon. For more information: http://act.appstate.edu/ gobbler-5k. Acappellageddon Featuring special guest Dakaboom, 6 p.m. Nov. 16, Schaefer Center. Come cheer on your favorite ASU a cappella group as they battle to win several categories, including best beatboxer and best performance of the night. Musical comedians Dakaboom will host the event. Admission: $3/Watauga High School students; $5 advance; $7 door. All proceeds from Acappellageddon will benefit Mountain Alliance. Sponsored by APPS Special Events & Student Programs. For more information, email apps@ appstate.edu or call 828-2623032. Global Perspectives Panel Featuring a panel of international students discussing topics concerning current political issues, cultural stereotypes, their thoughts on American culture, and more. The panel is scheduled for 6-7 p.m. Nov. 18, Price Lake, PSU. Culture Crawl 7-9 p.m. Nov. 21, Grandfather Ballroom, PSU. Visit tables hosted by international students from all over the world. Featuring free food and performances.

Oudoor Education Certifications The certifications begin in September. • Dec. 5-7, American Mountain Guide Association, Climbing Wall Instructor • Dec. 14-22 and March 7-15, Wilderness First Responder • Feb. 5, Epinephrine Administration • Feb. 21-22, Wilderness First Aid • April 10-12, Wilderness First Responder Re-Certification • Leave No Trace Master Educator, Aug. 10-14, 2015 Master of Public Administration Program Appalachian State offers the Master of Public Administration Degree Program (MPA), for students looking to become leaders in public and nonprofit organizations. Three distinct concentrations allow students to craft their own programs of study: • Town, City, and County Management • Administration of Justice / Criminal Justice • Not-For-Profit Management For information, email bradburymd@appstate.edu or visit http://mpa.appstate.edu. Educational Media Master’s Degree or Certificate Appalachian State offers an Educational Media Master’s Degree and Certificate programs. The program is entirely online and includes a range of courses involving media and technology. Students develop the technical, aesthetic, and intellectual expertise and perspectives needed to analyze and develop online environments using new media and online networks. Go to http://edtech.appstate. edu/. Broadstone facility info The Broadstone facility is now run through University Recreation. Broadstone can be reserved at a nominal fee for all types of groups on campus. It’s available for retreats, meetings, workshops, trainings, cookouts/ picnic, celebrations and kickoff/ end of the year events. For information, go to http:// broadstone.appstate.edu/.

November

sunday

monday 2

tuesday 3

wednesday 4

Election Day

saturday 7

Movies by Movers Movies by MovFilm Festival, 6 p.m., ers Film Festival, “The Searchers” Turchin Center, free 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m., screening, 7 p.m., Turchin Center, room 114, Belk University & Cham- free Library, free “Private Violence: Air Force Brass ber Singers, 8 p.m., A Documentary” Quintet, 6 p.m., Re- Rosen Concert Hall, “The Giver” Student Composscreening, 7:30 cital Hall, free free screening, 7 p.m. ers Recital, 8 p.m., p.m., Holmes Conand 9:30 p.m., I.G. Rosen Concert Hall, vocation Center, free Percussion Ensem- “The Giver” screen- Greer, $2 free ble, 8 p.m., Rosen ing, 7 p.m. and 9:30 “Good Morning Concert Hall, free p.m., I.G. Greer, $2 Vietnam” (1987) screening, 7 p.m., “The Giver” screen- “Good Morning Greenbriar, PSU, $1 ing, 7 p.m. and 9:30 Vietnam” (1987) p.m., I.G. Greer, $2 screening, 7 p.m., Jazz Ensemble I, 8 Greenbriar, PSU, $1 p.m., Rosen Concert An Evening with Hall, free Chatham County Contra Dance feat. Line, 9 p.m., Laurel Creek String Legends, $8 adBand, 7:30 p.m., vance/$12 door Legends, $3-$5

9 Tyler Stark Student Percussion Recital, 2 p.m., Rosen Concert Hall, free Jonathan DobbinsString Bass, & Trestan Peck Trumpet Student Recital, 4 p.m., Recital Hall, free US Fleet Forces Navy Band Woodwind Quintet, 8 p.m., Rosen Concert Hall, free

Visiting artist talk by Janet Echelman, 6:30 p.m., Parkway Ballroom, PSU, free

friday

thursday

11 Irish Ensemble, 8 p.m., Recital Hall, free

12 “Dead Poet’s Society” (1989) screening, 7 p.m., Greenbriar, PSU, $1

Hmong Harvest Festival, 7-9 p.m., Parkway Ballroom, PSU, free

The Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writer Series: Shira Dentz: craft talk at 2 p.m. and reading International Educa- at 7:30 p.m., Table tion Fair, 10 a.m.-2 Rock, PSU, free p.m., Grandfather Ballroom, PSU Insurance Jeopardy, 5:30 p.m., Holmes Auditions for Convocation Center “Sports Bar” TV show, 6:30 p.m., The “The Lego Movie” Rock sports bar screening, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., I.G. Greer, $2

14 Author and book collector Charlie Lovett, 3:30 p.m., room 421, Belk Library, free Professional Drag Show, 8 p.m., Legends, $10

15 Appalachian Leadership Forum, 8:15 a.m.-4 p.m., PSU, free for App students; $40 nonstudents Michael Grimes Student Horn Recital, 2 p.m., Recital Hall, free

Rory Parrish Student Guitar Recital, 6 p.m., Recital Hall, “The Lego Movie” free screening, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., I.G. “Dead Poet’s Soci- Greer, $2 ety” (1989) screening, 7 p.m., Greenbriar, PSU, $1 “The Lego Movie” screening, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., I.G.

A&E

The Appalachian | TheAppalachianOnline.com

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Feature

Behind the beans of the High Country’s Bald Guy Brew

by Emma Speckman Intern A&E Reporter

“I

kind of built the business based on the movie Fight Club,” said Don Cox, the founder, owner, original bald guy and self-described “grunt” of Bald Guy Brew coffee roasting company. “I work weird hours. I’m kind of hard to find.” Bald Guy Brew started in the parking lot at the Watauga County Farmer’s Market nine years ago. In the beginning, Cox roasted his beans out of a biofuelpowered van — one of the first of its kind in North Carolina. In 2011, he opened up a shop off of Highway 105 Bypass in Boone, and currently three shops in the High Country — one in Blowing Rock, one in Boone and the main roasting shop in Valle Crucis — use the name Bald Guy Brew, but Cox maintains that it is not a franchise. “When you franchise, you owe me money even if you don’t sell anything,” Cox said. Instead he lends his name to coffee shops that exclusively sell Bald Guy Brew beans. “We’re throwing our brand behind their business,” he said. Cox is partly so hard to find because he’s often not in the country. He’s busy hanging out with coffee growers in remote corners of the world. He’s bi-

lingual and travels to Costa Rica at least once each year and also tries to venture to Africa and Mexico whenever possible. The latter of which is where he and his wife lived for three years. Over winter break, he leads an Appalachian State University trip to Costa Rica with professor Ken Corley’s supply chain management class. “We take students to meet my friends and we walk around coffee farms,” he said. “We look at the cooperatives, the micro mills — we’re in the bowels of the coffee growing business.” Cox does all this because he is passionate about fair trade — real fair trade. “Coffee, if you’re not familiar with it, is traded on the New York Stock Exchange, and it’s the second largest commodity next to oil,” Cox said. When he buys beans to roast in his shop, Cox has a checklist he goes through to make sure he’s buying top quality, much like a sommelier does for wine. First, he looks for beans that can cook well, that will make coffee that tastes good. Then, he said, he needs some level of traceability, “So I can get back to the person who grew it.” Third, he needs to know the farmer will be paid a decent wage for his work. Finally, he looks for environmental practices

Sarah Weiffenbach

The Bald Guy Brew roasting headquarters in Valle Crucis. Bald Guy Brew also has a location on West King Street in Boone.

that match the values of his company. In particular, he tries to only buy shade-grown coffee because the process reduces the need for chemicals. “We try to be honest with what we buy,” he said. “We know where the coffee came from; we know they’re upcycling, recycling, multi-purposing.” Cox’s checklist pretty closely matches the one put out by Fair Trade USA, the main

company that provides fairtrade certification to farms, for an annual fee usually costing thousands of dollars. Though it would probably make the selection process easier on him, Cox does not require that the coffee he buys be certified fair trade. “Fair trade is a bust for [the farmers] because they have to pay for the certification,” Cox said. Many of the farms he

works with are too small and poor to take on that cost. Within the next few years, Cox wants to open a couple research and development farms in Costa Rica. He wants to help farmers raise their coffee IQ, he says, and market themselves to roasters like him. “The goal is to empower coffee growers, not exploit them,” he said. “We’re just trying to do right by people.”

Events

In light of Halloween: the Pagan Student Association defined

James Johnston

Freshman biology major Amanda Wilkinson (left), sophomore special education major Taylor Mundy (center) and sophomore computer science major Chris Roth (right) in their costumes Friday night in the Grandfather Mountain Ballroom.

by Liz Flamming Intern A&E reporter

The Pagan Student Association hosted its annual Halloween Ball in Plemmons Student Union on Friday, where the pagan group members, who refer to themselves as the PSA or the Pagans, gathered in costume to celebrate in the Grandfather

Mountain Ballroom. To the pagans, Halloween means more than a chance to dress up and pig out on Jell-O shots and candy. Junior psychology major and club historian Elizabeth Robinson said while most people celebrate Halloween on Oct. 31, pagans celebrate Samhain. Samhain, pronounced “sow-

in,” is a time for celebrating ancestors by remembering and respecting them through setting places for them at the dinner table and performing seances. Senior sustainable development major and PSA president Michael Barry believes Samhain is one of the most important holidays for a pagan. “It’s essentially the pagan new year,” Barry said. Barry, who dressed as the Greek deity Dionysis, complete with a pine-cone thyrsus and blood smeared hands and mouth, has been involved with PSA since transferring to Appalachian State University last year. He has been involved with pagan associations before, and at his previous university, he formed a Pagan Student Alliance. Barry said what appealed to him about pagan associations was the sense of belonging and safety. “I identify as pagan, and for me building a community is a huge thing since we’re such a small and marginalized group,” Barry said. “It’s really necessary

to create a space where we can feel safe.” Barry acknowledged many students at Appalachian do not understand or have not heard of PSA, but his years as a pagan have more than equipped him to answer one frequently asked question – what exactly is a pagan? “It is a broad term that describes a collection of faiths that are, at their roots, usually nature-based,” Barry said. “They can be monotheistic or polytheistic, reconstructionism or aboriginal. We’re looking at lots of native religions or fractured native religions from all over the world, so they are usually not text-based and are usually passed down culturally.” Barry noted that while pagan beliefs can vary extensively, most pagans have shared value of inclusion, open-mindedness, respect and tolerance that bring them together. He also mentioned the resurgence of Paganism in the United States since the 1960s hippy movements, usually referred to as “neo-pa-

gan” or “temporary Paganism.” The PSA was formed in 2003 at Appalachian, and currently about 30 of this new generation of pagans have found a community. New PSA member and junior anthropology major Sydney Boulware said her favorite part of the club was how the group formed a family unit inside and out. “We’ll go to meetings and a lot of us will go out to eat afterwards, it’s really like a group of friends,” Boulware said. Boulware also added that while the pagan community is certainly tight-knit, they are in no way exclusive to pagans. In fact, many PSA members do not identify as pagan, but rather as atheist, agnostic or Christian, and stay for the community and educational aspects of the club. “Everyone is welcome,” Barry said. The Pagan Student Association meets in Plemmons Student Union every Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

Review

Local wineries, vineyards provide unique experiences to visitors

by Casey Suglia Intern A&E Reporter

Boone plays home to a bounty of breweries, where there is no shortage of places to enjoy a beer crafted locally. For those looking for a different pace, there are the wineries of the High Country. While the word vineyard draws up images of France and Napa Valley in California, Watauga County serves as a location in the eastern United States for award-winning wines made and bottled locally. For a fun weekend activity with friends or parents, consider visiting one or all three of the following wineries in the area. Grandfather Mountain Vineyard and Winery Fifteen minutes from campus off of Highway 105, Grandfather Mountain Vineyard and Winery is a family-owned business that opened in 2011.

Located at the base of Grandfather Mountain and along the Watauga River, the views will not disappoint. The family’s three dogs serve as the unofficial greeters of the winery, welcoming visitors with wagging tails and tennis balls in their mouths, begging to be played with. The tasting room provides a variety of options depending on your comfort and familiarity with different wines, separating them by white wines and red wines. A tasting of four wines costs $6, and a tasting of eight runs at $8. Each tasting includes a souvenir wine glass to commemorate the trip. The tasting is a great way to try what the winery has to offer while also discovering something you might not have tried before. The vineyard grounds have chairs facing the mountain and creek that allow visitors to enjoy both their wine and the view. The winery also encourages visitors to bring food

along with them if they please, serving as a quality location for a picnic or a late afternoon snack. Banner Elk Winery The Banner Elk Winery is located in Banner Elk at a 30-minute drive from campus. For $12, you can sample all of the winery’s wines, both white and red, which equates to a whole glass by the end of the tasting. The experts leading the tasting give in to the experience. They ask for feedback from tasters and give interesting facts about each wine. The interior of the tasting room is cozy and rustic. Outside, a lit fire in the fire pit in front of a lake on the winery grounds serves as a nice backdrop to the experience. Linville Falls Winery A 40-minute drive from campus on a 40-acre farm in Newland sits Linville Falls Winery. In the parking lot, you’ll see cars with license plates from South

Carolina and Alabama, as the attraction draws in visitors from all over. Inside a Tuscan-inspired building is the tasting room, where visitors can try a selection of five wines for $5 or all of the winery’s eight wines for $8. The blueberry wine is a bronze medal winner at the North Carolina Wine Competition and one of the more unique wines you’ll find in the High Country. The winery features a patio for enjoying wines, a view of the mountains and hiking trails. The vineyard’s grapes are grown alongside Christmas trees on the farm, instilling a true High Country experience. While the wine scene in Boone caters to tourists and visitors from all over, they provide as an excellent and new way to branch out into wines. The experience is relaxing and eduSarah Weiffenbach cational — you come away The Legacy Winemakers Blend, an award-winwith a nice day well spent ning wine at Grandfather Mountain Winery in and some new knowledge Banner Elk. about wines.

The Appalachian | TheAppalachianOnline.com

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

CRIME LOG Nov. 1 CAMPUS

The Appalachian 217 Plemmons Student Union, Boone, N.C. 28608 828 • 262-6149

Nov. 2 8 p.m. | Harassment Mountaineer Hall The investigation has been closed because the victim refused to cooperate.

12:20 a.m. | Drug Violations Coltrane Hall An arrest was made for the possession and concealment of drug paraphernalia.

Nov. 1 2 p.m. | Harassment Unknown The incident is under further investigation.

Nov. 1 1:02 a.m. | Possession of Marijuana Eggers Hall An arrest was made for possession of marijuana.

Nov. 1 2:10 a.m. | Drug Violations Frank Hall A student referral was given for the possession and concealment of drug paraphernalia. Nov. 1 12:07 a.m. | Underage Consumption of Alcohol Hill Street Parking Lot An arrest was made for underage consumption of alcohol.

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Sports Tuesday, November 4, 2014

The Appalachian | TheAppalachianOnline.com

Football

Putting injuries behind him, Law keeps living in the moment by Jason Huber Intern Sports Reporter

The road hasn’t been completely smooth for John Law since committing to App State out of Grady High School in Atlanta in 2012. The sophomore linebacker played just three games his freshman season before suffering a freak ankle injury while exiting the team bus in Chattanooga, which forced him to miss the rest of the season. Law received a medical redshirt from the NCAA and was listed as a redshirt freshman coming into the 2013 season. Law appeared in all 12 games in 2013 and ranked third on the team in tackles with 71 and was tied for the Southern Conference lead in interceptions with three. He made the allSoCon freshman team and was the first App State freshman to have three straight double-digit tackle games since former App State linebacker DJ Smith. Despite Law’s breakout freshman season, he was limited through nine games of the second half of the season because of nagging injuries. After finally getting back to his full health, Law came into this season in top condition, ready to make his presence felt on the field. In fact, Law said the adversity has helped him put the opportunity to play in perspective. “I feel like the injuries were something that really shaped me,” Law said. “It was something I had to deal with and I had to really learn how to wait my turn.” Law leads the team this season with 62 tackles through the team’s first eight games and has become the leader of App State’s defense after starting every game this season. Ju-

nior defensive back Doug Middleton said the Mountaineers have followed Law along the path to getting better. “He is just a guy who is a leader,” Middleton said. “Everything he does – he leads the guys and gets everybody to follow. He plays fast and gets us going.” Middleton said while Law is all business on the field, he has a funny side that allows the team to relax and laugh from time to time. “He is a class clown and funny,” Middleton said. “He is serious when it is time to go to work.” Defensive coordinator Nate Woody said having Law at 100 percent has been a huge boost for the team. “John is one of the guys everyone looks up to,” Woody said. “He has a demeanor that he is going to get it done and has the right answer for himself and it rubs off on the players, as well.” Law said he feels that the injuries have not only helped him grow, but have improved him as player by being fully healthy for the first time in his career. “Being healthy means everything to me,” Law said. “It gives me a chance to be out there and give my full effort.” Now that his health is consistent, Law has big goals for himself and the team. “I want try to lead the team, conference and nation in tackles,” Law said. “I want to give my all out there and give the team the best chance to win.” However, for Law, the desire to win takes importance over any other individual accolade. “App State has a winning tradition and that is all I saw when I came here,” Law said. “My biggest goal is winning.”

(Left) Sophomore linebacker John Law pumps up the crowd during a loss to Liberty on homecoming Oct. 11. (Bottom) Law prepares to make a play in the homecoming loss. Law is leading the way this season for the Mountaineers, amassing 62 tackles in eight starts.

Cara Croom

Paul Heckert

Club sports weekly

Club baseball set to participate in NCBA Greenville Invitational by Brooks Maynard Intern Sports Reporter

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The App State club baseball team will travel to Greenville, South Carolina this weekend to participate in the 2014 National Club Baseball Association Greenville Invitational tournament. Other notable teams participating this year include Virginia Tech, Coastal Carolina, East Carolina and NC State. “This year I think we definitely have a chance to advance past pool play,” team president junior Patrick Sekel said. “With club sports it’s pretty hard to tell who stays and who goes, but I think this year [we have] one of the best teams we’ve had in a while.” App State will play UNC Wilmington, Virginia Tech and Kennesaw State in pool play at the tournament, with hopes to advance to play Sunday as one of the top four teams in the tournament. Sekel said a strong tournament result would

depend on a group effort, rather than one player specifically. “Obviously, it doesn’t come down to one player but the biggest players would definitely have to be Ryan McQuirt, one of our ace pitchers, and Jon Smith, our best hitter,” Sekel said. “If Ryan pitches and Jon hits, we’re going to be in great shape, but like I said before, it doesn’t come down to one player – it comes down to one team.” Because it is a club team, Sekel and his players are largely responsible for organizing games and tournaments themselves such as the Greenville Invitational. Sekel said a lot organization is required to pull this event off. “We have to plan hotel rooms, finance gas and rides for car pool, figure out lineups and pitching matchups as best we can,” Sekel said. Sekel, in his first year as president of the team, has been faced with an

unusually high turnout rate concerning player participation. Roughly 30 students have consistently attended practices, a number that is much higher than past years. “We had to cut down our roster several players for the [Greenville] tournament, which was difficult because everyone on our team has been working very hard,” Sekel said. Club baseball has played three series so far this fall, splitting a two-game matchup with Surry Community College, winning one of three games against UNC Charlotte and losing both games against Catawba Valley Community College. The team will travel to Greenville on Friday for its first matchup of the tournament at 7 p.m. against UNC Wilmington. This is App State’s third consecutive year participating in this tournament, but a championship would be the team’s first at this event.