Issuu

Mar.

31 2016

The Appalachian

INSIDE

A PROMISING FUTURE Page 8-9

STUDENTS PROTEST TRUMP Page 3

FOLK ARTIST KATE RHUDY Page 6

BATMAN v SUPERMAN Pages 12

E T

C E T E R A

THE TEAM Malik Rahili @malikrahili EDITOR-IN-CHIEF EDITORIAL MULTIMEDIA BUSINESS

Charlotte Wray @_charlottewray MANAGING EDITOR Aleah Warner @aleahwarner CHIEF COPY EDITOR

Ignacio Martinez-Alvarez @theappalachian BUSINESS MANAGER

Carl Blankenship @carl_r_blank NEWS EDITOR Katie Murawski @murawskikm A&E EDITOR

Stephanie Sansoucy @stephsans DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Allison Bennett Dyche @allisonbdyche ADVISER

Lee Sanderlin @theappsports SPORTS EDITOR Kevin Griffin @theappalachian OPINION EDITOR

CRIME LOG CAMPUS MAR. 28

5:54 p.m. | Drug Violation Coltrane Hall A student was arrested for possession of marijuana.

MAR. 28 10:55 p.m. | Drug Violation Rivers Street A student was arrested for possession of marijuana.

MAR. 23 4:49 p.m. | Vandalism Anne Belk Hall Leads exhausted.

MAR. 20 4:03 p.m. | Larceny College Street Parking Deck Under investigation.

MAR. 20 1:51 a.m. | Underage Consumption of Alcohol Bowie Hall Three students were arrested for underage consumption of alcohol.

MAR. 20 12:09 a.m. | Underage Consumption of Alcohol Frank Hall Three students were arrested for underage consumption of alcohol.

MAR. 20 10:01 a.m. | Larceny Belk Library Complex Leads exhausted.

MAR. 19 3:18 a.m. | Underage Consumption of Alcohol White Hall Three students were arrested for underage consumption of alcohol.

MAR. 19 1:59 a.m. | Underage Consumption of Alcohol White Hall A woman was arrested for underage consumption of alcohol.

Dallas Linger @littlelingerkid PHOTO EDITOR Carson Fletcher @theappalachian VIDEO EDITOR Dylan Dow @zen_dow WEB MANAGER

N E W S

APP STATE STUDENTS PROTEST AT TRUMP TOWER BY SAMMY HANF NEWS REPORTER

group of protestors outside of Trump Tower on March 15 prompted a story in The New York Times, but the story did not mention the origin of one subset of the protestors. A group of Appalachian State design students participated in a protest outside the building in New York City, the base of operations for the divisive GOP frontrunner. The protest was arranged by graphic designers Jessica Walsh and Timothy Goodman as part of their 12 Kinds of Kindness Project. A statement on the 12 Kinds of Kindness webpage said Trump was targeted for his incendiary and impolite rhetoric. “By excluding and dividing, Trump is applauding violence, playing off the fear of the disenfranchised, and feeding into a narrative of anger and frustration,” the statement said. When they boarded the subway at 4:30 a.m., no one in the group knew anything about the protest except that it required a metro card. They were responding to a social media post by Walsh asking for help with an unspecified project. Upon arriving, Rachel Bowles, a senior graphic design major, said the organizers began by asking if there were any Republicans in the room before getting into the details of the project. Volunteers were tasked with Courtesy of Rachel Bowles

holding signs that when put together read "Build Kindness Not Walls" and stand outside Trump Tower to greet Fifth Avenue’s rush hour commuters with a friendly reminder of the necessity for kindness in politics. Aaron Adkins, a senior graphic design major, said the protest didn’t feel strictly political and was more focused on spreading positivity than political critique. Bowles said the reactions on the street were a mixed bag, drawing out support as well as honks and heckles from the crowd and citing, “Do your taxes, vote for Trump” as one of her favorite bits of criticism. Lauren Crowe, another senior graphic design major, said she was excited to take part because she felt the message is very important. “I am not normally a political person,” Crowe said. “When I first found out that Trump was running for president, I actually thought it was a joke and he didn't plan on running long. I just got more concerned when I realized he was serious. It's obvious Trump is not a kind person.” Adkins said his involvement in the project prompted thought about how art can be used to address social issues and advocate for positive change. “It's really cool when art can activate social change,” Bowles said. “For me, what's really cool about things like that is that you're bringing together people from all different walks.”

Some of the protestors outside Trump Tower hold up a sign that reads “build kindness not walls,” in front of Trump Tower in New York City. 3

N E W S

PESTS PLAGUING CHRISTMAS TREES BY SAMMY HANF NEWS REPORTER

hristmas tree farmers' crops across the High Country have come under recent attack from pests that originate overseas. Cryptomeria and elongate hemlock scale, Asian emigres that cause big problems for Christmas tree farmers in the form of discoloration and defoliation are spreading across the state’s stock of the seasonal favorite. A Frasier Fir Integrated Pest Management reboot program was held on March 22 at the Ashe County Agricultural Centers to help farmers make the right decisions to protect their crops. Jill Sidebottom, a specialist on Mountain Conifer Integrated Pest Management, hosted the event. Nearly 40 local farmers were in attendance. Brad Edwards, program assistant with IPM, said when left unchecked the pests cause the trees to look a sickly splotchy yellow in the case of elongate hemlock scale and producing pockmarks that resemble a fried egg in the case of cryptomeria. Joe Freeman, owner of Mistletoe Meadows, said visual defects like those caused by the invading insects hurt the tree’s value. “People don’t want a yellow Christmas tree,” Freeman said. “They want a green one.” Edwards said that regular scouting for outbreaks and chopping down infected trees, rather than using pesticides, goes a long way in alleviating the problem. Contending that indiscriminate fertilizer use can eliminate good pests, causing the true offenders to rebound next year and damage crops even more. “We’ve always said that the best treatment for an elongated hemlock scale is a chainsaw” Travis Birdsell, agricultural extension agent, said. Edwards said the pests are so prevalent in the area because of abandoned fields that host the pests, providing a reservoir from which they can spread to local farms. Sidebottom said there is little that can be done about pest infestations in those areas, which are largely private property left unattended.

A pine tree infected with cryptomeria.

APPALACHIAN PROFESSOR RECEIVES BOARD OF GOVERNORS AWARD BY TOMMY CULKIN SENIOR NEWS REPORTER

isa Runner, an associate professor in the Hayes School of Music at Appalachian State, received the Excellence in Teaching award from the North Carolina Board of Governors on March 18. Professors at each of the UNC system schools were nominated for the award by students and fellow faculty members. Following the initial nomination, a committee at each school selected their school’s nominee, and the final decision was made by the Board of Governors’ Committee on Personnel and Tenure. Runner, who has been a professor at Appalachian State since 2008, teaches classes about cultivating creative expression through music, and music methods for the classroom teacher. Neither class is specifically for music majors. Cultivating creative expression through music is a general education class and music methods

for the classroom teacher is a class for elementary education majors. Due to this fact, Runner encounters students with a wide range of musical backgrounds in these classes, and she says that she enjoys the challenge of having such a great disparity in skill levels in her classes. “I have students who have years of musical training, and I have students without any prior knowledge of music,” Runner said. “Figuring out how to approach everyone at their own level, so that it makes sense to everyone without being boring for my more experienced students, is a challenge that I relish.” William Pelto, the dean of the Hayes School of Music, said these classes create allies for music programs. “When a school is low on funding, the music programs are often the first to get cut,” Pelto said. “Classes like Dr. Runner’s make sure there are allies for the arts in our school systems who have an interest in protecting those

programs.” Runner said she likes her classes to be active and participatory in the lessons, rather than just having her students listen to her lecture. David Djaniants, a former student of Runner’s who had her in the spring 2015 semester, said that Runner also liked to bring in guest speakers. “She’d bring in experts in the field or members of the community to talk to us,” Djaniants said. “If there was someone out there who knew something better than she did, she wasn’t ashamed of it or afraid to bring them in and teach us.” Djaniants also said that Runner was always very relaxed and at ease during class, which made her students relaxed as well. Runner said that one of the most important things she strives for is consistency in how she acts with her students, in class and outside of class. “When I was in school, I had

professors who would be very friendly during class, but not at all that way outside of class, or vice versa, where they’d be very stern during lectures, but warm and friendly in the halls,” Runner said. “I try not to do that. I strive to always be the same person with my students.” Runner received her bachelor’s degree in music from Milligan College in 1979, her master’s degree in media services and instructional technology from East Tennessee State in 1988 and her PhD in educational leadership from Appalachian State in 2005. Last year, Runner was honored by the popular website ratemyprofessors. com, which listed Runner as one of the 25 highest rated professors in the United States. “She is simply a consummate teacher,” Pelto said. “She is the perfect combination of caring and rigorous, and she makes her students better musicians and better people.”

Courtesy of Jill Sidebottom

PISSED OFF KIDS A R T S

E N T E R T A I N M E N T

A STUDENT CREATED CLOTHING LINE

BY RACHEL BRUNNER A&E REPORTER

As Winter Storm Jonas swept through Boone in mid-January, students were forced to stay indoors and wait for a break in the weather. Trapped in his house and alone with his thoughts, one student began planning for his future and was inspired to start his own clothing line. Hunter Greer, a senior journalism major, said the idea to start his line Pissed Off Kids developed within three days. After the idea originated, Greer began manufacturing his street wear and looking to market his brand. “Deep inside of us, there is a pissed off kid somewhere,” he said. “It’s often viewed as immature or naive, but we all have the right to be upset about something. And I don’t think it’s anything we should be afraid of, so I thought, ‘Why not wear it on your chest?’” Greer acquired his start in the fashion industry two and a half years ago when he began working in Charlotte at Brooks Brothers. It began as a Christmas break job, but was later extended to full-time. “I walked in and I asked [for a job]. They gave me an interview and I called them every week for three months,” Greer said. His own personal style and brand, however, draws style inspirations from artists such as Ian Connor and A$AP Rocky because “They’re not afraid to express themselves and let their personality shine through what they wear,” Greer said. “They dress in a way that’s entirely free of the judgement of others and that’s who I strive to be.” The line currently consists of the brand’s logo on a T-shirt, however, hats, crewneck sweatshirts and other items will be added soon. The items are designed on a computer by Greer and are made in Charlotte. Greer has sent items from his line to celebrities such as Ian Connor, Playboi Carti and Bryson Tiller in hopes that they will wear and endorse his brand. Locally, Pissed Off Kids has grabbed the attention of Greer’s fellow students, including freshman athletic training major Nicholas Meegan. Meegan liked the idea behind Pissed Off Kids because the general sense of indignation and resentment towards society that a lot of today’s youth has is reflected in the brand. He said that because Greer is a friend it makes him want to support Pissed Off Kids even more. “The way he’s approaching it, making sure the product he puts out is going to be quality stuff,” Meegan said. “Pieces that people are going to want to wear and that will last are really cool, it shows he isn’t taking it lightly, he really wants to do this right.” The concept and construction behind the line makes his designs unique, Greer said. He sells garment dyed T-shirts,

Dallas Linger

Senior journalism major Hunter Greer’s Pissed Off Kids T-shirts are packaged in labeled, white boxes and pink tissue paper. which is a process where the shirt is dyed after it has already been made. Most companies screen print, which Greer said makes the prints fade, but not the shirt itself. “It allows the product to fade and age with time, and most companies don’t do that,” Greer said. “We’re doing the opposite, the embroidery doesn’t fade, the T-shirts do.” Josh Biggerstaff, a high school friend of Greer’s, is also helping with the brand. Biggerstaff had reached out to Greer about buying a shirt, but Greer invited Biggerstaff to stake a claim in the company. “Hunter explained what the brand was about and it was definitely something I could get on board with,” Biggerstaff said. “Pissed Off Kids is Hunter’s brainchild.” Thus far, Biggerstaff’s role in the company has been to curate the products. In addition, he is in contact with a fashion blog for promotion of Pissed Off Kids and will assist with designing in the future. So far, Pissed Off Kids has produced two main orders. The first order consisted of 26 shirts and all were sold. The shirts currently come in four colors: light blue, light pink, white and acid wash black. They are $25. “After multiple washes, your Pissed Off Kids garment-dyed tee will have a look and feel unique to you,” Greer said. Greer is working to create a website, but anyone can purchase a shirt by contacting him through his social media pages and by email.

Senior journalism major Hunter Greer wears a Pissed Off Kids T-shirt. Pissed Off Kids T-shirts come in white, pink, blue and black, all with pink stitching. 5

A R T S

E N T E R T A I N M E N T

KATE RHUDY BRINGS ‘SAD RIVER FOLK’ TUNES TO BOONE BY MOLLY FLINCHUM A&E REPORTER

young, blonde college student got on the stage at Boone Saloon and began playing a cover of the song “Crazy” by one of her favorite artists, Gnarls Barkley. It was a moment she remembered fondly, and she spoke highly of her friends who provided her with the harmony she said she needed in that moment, a moment unrehearsed by any of them. Kate Rhudy, junior music industry studies major, said that she first picked up the violin when she was five years old in an effort to be like her sister, who began playing two years earlier. While taking classical music lessons through the Suzuki program, a method of learning that applies the basic principles of language acquisition to the learning of music, her family played at the Galax and Allegheny Fiddler’s Convention. At 13 years old, her music became her outlet for her “rollercoaster of teenage emotions.” As she started college, she started performing with local bands and through that experience she was able to create an avenue to making her own music by fall 2015. Rhudy said that it’s fun to be a part of the Boone local music scene. Andrew Graves, graduate psychology student and member of the band Sensation of Falling, said that her presence in the music scene is unique. He said she sticks to playing her roots instead of incorporating elements of psychedelia, which is common within Boone’s local music scene. Graves first saw her when she opened for the band Holy Ghost Tent Revival at The Local in November 2015. “It was electrifying folk music – straight ahead songs with often uptempo grassroots drive,” Graves said. “There’s an element of sadness in her music, which I think juxtaposes the drive nicely.” Rhudy’s music has undergone some change in the months she’s been performing and touring. She originally played in the band “Kate Rhudy and the Boys,” performing with banjo player Ben Banick and bassist Zach Smith. While Banick and Smith have gone their separate ways to tour and perform their own music, Rhudy said “the boys” are her way of saying she is bringing a full band with her to perform. “I love having new people play with me,” Rhudy said. “The other day the boys from Unaka Prong and Arson Daily backed me up at a house show.” She has also recently acquired her own website, something she said was a professional milestone in her career. Her site contains videos of past performances, shows she will be performing at in the future and links to her social media outlets. Rhudy has her own genre of music,

Kate Rhudy performing in Legends on Feb. 4. something she calls “sad river folk.” “I often described my music as sad folk; sad loosely meaning nostalgic, reminiscent, wistful and I think the river came along because it conveys some cool imagery,” Rhudy said. A lot of the music is about the bittersweet, Rhudy said. She said that a lot of time things don’t work out, but that is fine and that is what she tries to convey in her music as well. “It’s fine, and I write about that too, because there’s this dope thing that time makes you okay,” Rhudy said. Through her music, Rhudy tries to convey universal feelings such as nostalgia, time and the human connection. Love, she said, is a very common human emotion that everyone can relate with. She’s been in relationships, but her experience with love goes beyond that. She said that she loves her family, her friends and herself. Every song is different, as is every time she goes to write one. She said that a song can come from a random idea in her head or by seeing something inspirational in her day to day life. Folk music is important to Rhudy. She said that she gets invigorated driving down NC Hwy 105 listening to a sad Gregory Alan Isakov ballad. “Folk music does this crazy thing to me, it pumps me up,” Rhudy said. “It’s music that’s meant to be felt, not heard.” Rhudy said that music was always there for her, and it could accomplish what nothing else could. She said that performing music for others is where she finds herself the happiest and is the only time she’s completely in the present.

Kate Rhudy performing in Boone Saloon on Feb. 26. “I would like people to have that relationship with my songs,” Rhudy said. “It sounds kind of dark, but music is my way of being close to people without having the ability to hurt them.” Rhudy said that she wants her music to tell stories and to be able to take people on a journey. She wants to lift her listeners’ souls without being given the power that could also tear them down. Kendall Atwater, junior commercial photography major, said that she first heard Rhudy perform when she was playing with a band called Andy Ferrell and the Oncoming Train at Legends. Atwater said that when she listened to Rhudy sing a solo cover of “Jolene” by Dolly Parton, Atwater thought that

Rhudy could go solo because of her “pure and lovely voice.” “It's just really nice to see someone like Kate writing all of her own songs and playing her instruments really well in an industry that can easily become dominated by men,” Atwater said. “Kate is sort of like Wonder Woman.” Next on her list of shows is a performance with Alexa Rose at 185 King Street in Brevard, North Carolina on March 31. She said that she hopes her future is full of happiness and staying in touch with the humans she loves. She tells people that apologize for missing her shows not to worry, she will be playing music until she reaches her grave.

Courtesy of Kendall Bailey Atwater

A R T S

E N T E R T A I N M E N T

Sophomore and junior Appalachian State University dance students perform at an event hosted by West Virginia University with the American College Dance Association in March 2016.

DANCING IN WEST VIRGINIA TWO STUDENTS RECEIVE ADJUDICATION ON THEIR CHOREOGRAPHY BY MIKE HEBERT A&E REPORTER

wo Appalachian State dance students had their choreography adjudicated by three professional choreographers from the American College Dance Association. The conference was held at West Virginia University on March 18-21. While at the conference, the students attended master classes, discussions and concerts. Between November 2015 and March 2016, senior dance studies majors Nisha Jackson and Raquelle Pollock prepared their own choreographed routines and had them performed and judged individually. To help the process, ASU sophomore and junior dance students volunteered to perform the routines. The students were chosen to attend the conference after their performances at the fall Appalachian Dance Ensemble Concert in November 2015. Jackson and Pollock were both chosen to attend the ACDA. Jackson choreographed the dance “Pendulum” and said that the dance is an exploration of the emotional stages in the Pisces zodiac sign. Jackson’s piece included eight dance students: Erin Brathwaite, Jordan Ballard, Alaina Brown, Montana Bright, Brielle Cornacchio, Jason Dawkins, Sarah Quinn and Makaleigh Smith. Pollock’s piece was called “Rememory” and had a cast of five dance students: Erin Brathwaite, Samantha Courtesy of Jamille Wallick Brayshaw

Hunter, Zoe Reddig, Natalie Willmschen and Katie Woodruff. Pollock said that her dance focused on “the people and conversations that we carry with us in our memories.” She said that it was an amazing learning experience and she was thankful to the department of theatre and dance for giving her an opportunity to grow outside the university setting. “I was working on the routine since September, but spent months working on it since then,” Pollock said. After this performance, Jackson and Pollock were both selected by the department of theatre and dance to attend the ACDA to have their work adjudicated. Laurie Atkins, associate professor of dance studies attended the conference and said that the performances went really well. Atkins said that the constructive criticism from the adjudicators was a stepping stone for the students and was key to their growth. Cara Hagan, associate professor of dance studies also attended the conference and said that the conference is not periodically attended by the department, and the goal is to showcase students’ work, not faculty. Hagan said that the lighting designer for “Pendulum” received very positive feedback, which is rare because adjudicators do not usually pay attention to the lighting and design crew, Hagan said. Jackson said she was very thankful

to be given the opportunity to show her work to other dancers outside of Boone and it was a great learning opportunity to grow as a choreographer. Jackson and Pollock had to teach their peers the sets they had prepared on their own. Both students explained that they had a great deal of freedom in the preparation of their performances. Jackson and Pollock said that these months were not without problems, but they were pleased with their outcomes. One problem that Pollock mentioned was striking the balance between friend and choreographer. Her dancers were her peers and friends, and she said that sometimes it was hard to start practicing intensely after chatting and joking during rehearsals. “It was hard, but I think I found a way to get them to practice,” Pollock said. “They knew it meant a lot to me so they gave their best.” Their best was also noticed by the experts that judged their performance. One of the most notable pieces of feedback was the great synergy and chemistry that the dancers shared during the performance, Pollock said. Which she considered to be great news, because it demonstrated her desired theme and mood she strived for in the routine. “It was all about swaying, rocking and moving together,” Pollock said. “I’m really proud of their performance.” Like Pollock, Jackson said she

was very happy with how her dancers performed. Unlike Pollock, Jackson did not talk about her troubles organizing her dancers. She is the president of the dance club Entropy on campus and said she is “no stranger to leadership.” The club is focused around individual students creating choreography for their fellow members to perform. The student choreographer rotates as the semester progresses allowing each student to showcase their abilities in a more public way. Many of the students in the club are dance studies majors themselves and want to seek a career in the field, Jackson said. “Most people are there to dance, but a few want to choreograph primarily,” Jackson said. Jackson plans on attending graduate school at North Carolina A&T in Greensboro, where she wants to stop dancing and instead become an elementary school teacher. “I’ve had enough dancing so far,” Jackson said. “But I still love it and like choreography.” Pollock, on the other hand, wants to continue her career in dancing. She said she really enjoys dancing more than choreography and wants to continue to improve. Pollock is waiting to hear back from a few dance programs, including one sponsored by Disney, and is optimistic that she’ll find work doing what she loves.

S P O R T S

A PROMISING FUTURE BY COLIN TATE SPORTS REPORTER

Orcutt, in her first year from Senoia, Georgia, has started all but ith nine freshman and only two seniors on the active two games this season and has continued to improve. roster to begin the season, the Appalachian State softball The current leadoff batter for the Mountaineers, Orcutt has a teamteam knew they would need hefty contributions from high batting average of .356. What is more impressive is her ability their new additions. to get on base. Her .500 on base percentage is by far the best on the While the team has continued to struggle this season as it did team, and she also leads the team in walks as well, with 25. last year, two freshmen have stood out as potential stars for the “I love being the leadoff,” Orcutt said. “That’s what, when I came Mountaineers’ future. here, my major goal was. It does mean a lot because [coach Savage is] Freshman catcher Jenny Dodd and freshman outfielder Natalie Orcutt putting a lot of trust in me, because I haven’t played in the Sun Belt have made contributions, both batting and fielding, for Appalachian before. On base percentage, that’s most important. Getting on. It sets State this season. the tone. We know we’re gonna score then.” Coming from Mocksville, North Carolina, Dodd has started as Orcutt is also second on the team in hits with 32, with four of those catcher for the Mountaineers in all 34 games this season, committing being doubles, 12 RBI’s and three home runs to finish filling out the only one error. She’s third on the team with a fielding percentage of .993 stat sheet. and has also accumulated 122 putouts so far this year. When Orcutt gets on base, whether it be from a hit or by a walk, “I have had some success, but it has been a lot of hard work,” Dodd she often finds a way to score, leading the team with 21 runs. said. “I’ve always been an OK catcher, but there was a lot of stuff “I was really scared in the beginning to run against Sun Belt mechanically that you don’t think about whenever you’re playing high pitchers,” Orcutt said. “I’ve definitely relaxed, and I trust myself that school and travel ball. You’ve got to be on your toes all the time because I’m fast. Every single pitch I try to get that extra base.” you’re in every single pitch. You’re the only person that can see the Savage said that while at first Orcutt was afraid to make a mistake, whole field at all times.” she has now become a more confident player. Dodd is a weapon for Appalachian State, not only when she’s behind “Natalie has a no fear swing, and that’s what it takes to be the plate, but also when she is at it. Second on the team in RBIs with 31, the leadoff,” Savage said. “You’re the one that’s out there that she has also hit six home runs and currently hits in the coveted third spot has to figure it out for everybody else. She’s done a great job of in the batting lineup. understanding that role and being the best at that role she possibly can “A big part of that would be the mental part of the game,” Dodd said. be.” “Before I got to App, whenever you go up to bat you’re like ‘I want to However, there is still room for Orcutt to improve. At the plate, she hit the ball really hard,’ but you don’t really think about the strategic has been a stat-stuffer for the Mountaineers, but, in the field, she is has part. Being in college, the game is so much more advanced. You can’t accumulated ten errors, second-highest on the team. just go up there and hack. You have to go up there with a plan. More While these stats do explain some of the impact that the freshmen, mental preparation.” particularly Orcutt and Dodd, have had on this season for the Mountaineer head coach Janice Savage called Dodd a “pleasant Mountaineers, it takes more to truly grasp their potential. surprise,” based on all that the team has asked her to do as a freshman. “Our freshman have grown a ton,” Savage said. “Not only in terms “I challenged Jenny really hard early and got on her harder than what of athletic ability, in the weight room and in the classroom, but as I usually would for a freshman, because I wanted her to understand the people. Our freshmen have come a long way, obviously athletically important role she was gonna have for us behind the plate,” Savage said. your starting to see a difference, but as people and learning what “That really helped push her offensively as well to be in a better mental college Division I softball is all about and being a part of a team and state to handle the three hole. It’s tough for a freshman. It’s tough for a being selfless. The freshmen have done the best job this year, of any sophomore to learn. So she’s done a great job of understanding that and group that I’ve ever had, of learning to make that transition.” wanting and accepting that role.”

App State Athletics

S P O R T S

FINDING THE FAIRWAY Senior Caleb Keck begins his downswing during a golf tournment.

MEN’S GOLF SEARCHES FOR CONSISTENCY IN AN UP AND DOWN YEAR

or Appalachian State's men's golf team, finding consistency in their spring season is the team’s top priority amidst an up and down start to their 2016 campaign. Currently ranked eighth in the Sun Belt Conference, the Mountaineers have plenty of ground to make up before season’s end. “We had a chance to get a top five finish at a really high quality field that had ACC and a couple of Big Ten teams in it and just did not finish the job,” head coach Bill Dicus said. Dicus was referring to the team’s collapse during the last round of the Kingsmill Intercollegiate in Williamsburg, Virginia, where they placed 11th out of 24 teams after coming into the last day of the tournament tied for fifth. Freshman Alex Burris shot a six-over par 76 in the last round to add on to the team’s overall final round score of 303, which was 15 strokes higher than the Apps’ lowest round that weekend. Sophomore Chance Watson posted the low round of the tournament for the Mountaineers with two rounds of evenpar 70. “We have just got to learn how to close out tournaments and finish the

BY ANGELO ERRICO SPORTS REPORTER

final rounds a little stronger,” Burris said. “We’ve put good rounds together but we need to combine scores a little better and get some lower scores. A few shots here and there will save everybody.” Including the 11th place finish at Kingsmill Intercollegiate, the Mountaineers boast a head-to-head record of 34-20, meaning that in the tournaments they’ve played, they’ve been roughly in the top third of competition every time. “I would consider [the record] a positive,” Dicus said. Caleb Keck, the team’s lone senior, has seen gradual improvement from the team throughout the spring season, even more so in comparison to their fall campaign. “I feel like our team is definitely getting better each tournament,” Keck said. “We’re all playing good it’s just more of playing good together and just staying mentally focused. This past tournament the weather and the conditions were probably the hardest thing we had to deal with, there was a lot of wind and cold, but I think we’re all playing really well.” There is truth in Keck’s statement of the team’s spring progression, since

they only had one top five finish in the fall season. The men finished fifth in the Cape Fear National Intercollegiate after finishing seventh at Bash at the Beach for their first spring outing. The team’s finish at Kingsmill proved that the Mountaineers can struggle while ahead of the competition. The Mountaineers were slated to play in their annual men and women paired University Cup tournament with Gardner Webb University on March 24, until the match was canceled two days before play. “It’s an unusual circumstance that it’s the only place that you would see both men’s and women’s teams actually play together, and so trying to get all four of those teams lined up logistically with our schedules and all that we just couldn’t quite make it happen,” Dicus said. “It’s a different kind of event in that we’re playing against one other team so it probably has more significance for people outside the program than from inside. In a grand scheme of things it’s more of a glorified practice session than anything else.” Dicus said the next three tournaments would be the hardest test thus far for the men, especially the Irish Creek Intercollegiate, which he described as

“our toughest field of the year, no doubt about it.” The field for the Irish Creek Intercollegiate includes ACC stalwarts UNC Chapel Hill, Wake Forest and Florida State, all three programs with national prominence. Before the Sun Belt Championship, the Mountaineers will venture to the Wofford Intercollegiate in Spartanburg, South Carolina, where Keck won the tournament three years ago. “Spartanburg is a place where we have had success. One of our players [sophomore Jake Smith] is from Spartanburg, so it’s going to be kind of a homecoming for him and hopefully he’ll be able to give us a solid performance there,” Dicus said. “He struggled in the last tournament, but that’s kind of the nature of the game, when you think you got it all figured out you don’t have anything figured out. He’ll bounce back and I expect he’ll play well.” The Mountaineers look to improve on last year’s finishes at both tournaments where they finished 13 out of 15 at Irish Creek and 13 out of 14 at Wofford. Appalachian State men’s golf continues their season at the Irish Creek Intercollegiate at Irish Creek Golf Club in Kannapolis, North Carolina from Courtesy of App State Athletics

WOMEN’S GOLF LOOKS TO STAY ON COURSE S P O R T S

BY LEE SANDERLIN SPORTS EDITOR

In golf, players often talk about being close. Close to finding their game, close to putting it all together or close to finally breaking through. For the Appalachian State women’s golf team, the general belief is that they’re all close to putting it together for a breakthrough win in a spring season full of close calls. “We’ve improved every tournament, and there’s still room for improvement,” Savanna Wood, sophomore from Boone, said. “I think we are very close to peaking at the right time.” Prior to their last tournament, the 2016 John Kirk Panther Intercollegiate, which saw the team finish a disappointing 11th out of 15 teams, the Mountaineers had recorded three straight top-5 finishes at the Seminole Spring Break Tournament, the Bulldog Invitational and the Low Country Intercollegiate to start their spring season. Wood, along with juniors Emily Stinson and Hannah Craver have used their strong individual performances to help propel the team forward this spring. Wood’s strong play began at the Seminole State Spring Break tournament where she finished in a tie for eighth place after rounds of 81 and 77. Wood continued her strong play, posting a sixth place finish at the Bull Dog Invitational. Emily Stinson had her best finish of the spring season to date at the Bulldog Invitational where she finished in third place with a two day total of 3-over par 147. Stinson also posted a top-10 finish at the Low Country Intercollegiate where she placed ninth. She has attributed the team’s success to their well balanced roster as well as the ability to learn from event to event. “I think we have a strong team and I think we are learning new things every tournament,” Stinson said. “Having two juniors, two sophomores, a senior and a freshman gives us a lot of different perspectives.” For head coach Heather Brown, the progress has been visible as the team works towards hitting their peak in time for season’s end. “We’ve been progressing at each tournament, taking advantage of what we learn at each tournament and applying it to the next one,” Brown said. “This past tournament [2016 John Kirk Panther Intercollegiate] on paper doesn’t look like we did very well, but we were only a few shots from finishing a spot higher. It was our first time meeting up with other Sun Belt teams and I think we did okay. If you did a contact sport comparison we would be 1-3 against Sun Belt teams. Our last round score was competitive with the other Sun Belt teams.” For the season, the Mountaineers have two tournaments remaining, the 2016 Mimosa Hills Invitational and the Sun Belt Championship. The Apps host the 2016 Mimosa Hills Invitational which is played at Mimosa Hills Country Club in Morganton, North Carolina. The event is one the team feels strongly about, knowing that it’s their best chance to peak before heading into the Sun Belt Championship. “We’re going into our home tournament this weekend, it’s exciting playing on a familiar course that we all like,” Wood said. App State has traditionally faired well at Mimosa Hills, with two wins and a second place finish in three of the last four seasons. As far as the Sun Belt Championship is concerned, the course figures to be a new test for every team in the conference as this season will be the first time that the women in the Sun Belt Conference have played the course in competition. The Raven Golf Club, at Sand-

Photo Courtesy of App State Athletics

Appalachian State’s Savanna Wood during the 2015 Sunbelt Conference Women’s Golf Championship at Steelwood Country Club in Loxley, Alabama on Tuesday. estin Golf and Beach Resort in Miramar, Florida will be hosting the women’s championship for the first time. The club held the men’s championship last season and will hold it again this year. Despite the lack of course knowledge, the expectations remain high for the Mountaineers. “Well, we finished fourth in the Sun Belt last year and our expectation is to do better than we’ve done,” Brown said. “Ultimately we’d like to win it and that’s

not something that’s out of our reach. We have to go in there ready.” Coach Brown is ready for the team to peak, and knows it’s her job to help them get to the summit. “It’s my job to get them not only to talk the talk, but to walk the walk,” Brown said. The Mountaineers play the Mimosa Intercollegiate April 3-4 and the Sun Belt Championship April 17-19.

O P I N I O N

‘BATMAN v SUPERMAN’ WARNING: BATMAN v SUPERMAN SPOILERS AHEAD

DC SHOULD TAKE A PAGE DC DOESN’T NEED TO COPY OUT OF MARVEL’S PLAYBOOK THE MARVEL MODEL

arner Bros. Entertainment’s newest superhero film “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” came out on March 25, and as a staunch comic book fan, I would say it was disappointing. When I first walked out of the theater, I thought it was terrible. The pacing was off, the characters, primarily Batman, Superman and Lex Luthor, felt wrong and a fair number of scenes in the movie felt shoehorned in. But then, as I’ve had time to process the movie, I’ve just come to feel disappointed in the movie for what it could have been. The parts of the movie that focused on Batman were stellar. Ben Affleck did a wonderful job of portraying both Bruce Wayne and Batman. In comparison, the parts that featured Superman, as portrayed by Henry Cavill, were less than stellar. The character felt rather bland and one-dimensional. While watching the movie, I found myself wanting to skip through the scenes that didn’t include Batman. This difference in quality is what makes the movie so disappointing. The Batman-centered parts just make the rest of the movie look awful in comparison. Had it just been a Batman and Superman movie focused on the two of them coming into conflict over differing ideologies, it would’ve been great. Instead, the movie took too much time away from establishing the other characters and tried to fit in as many characters and minor cameos for future films as possible. This scattered, unfocused approach kept most of the characters, save Batman, from being fleshed out and developed. But instead, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. felt that they needed to emulate the cinematic universe created by Marvel Studios. As part of that attempt, they added extra characters and a tacked on, overarching plot contrived to prepare for the upcoming Justice League movie. This is an effort to compete with the largely expanded universe that Marvel built over the last 10 years. Marvel did a great job of building each of their characters in their

QUENTIN RUSSEL is a freshman journalism from charlotte, who is an opinion writer universe, with each character getting their own individual movie to build and establish them. These established characters allowed Marvel to bring them together in “The Avengers” without it being a ham-fisted, cluttered mess. In contrast, the DC universe did a poor job of establishing its characters, especially when it came to Superman, who is seen by many as their flagship character. The world established by “Man of Steel” was a fledgling one where the only individuals with powers were Superman and the Kryptonians. Much like Marvel, they should have rolled out their movies, and the heroes portrayed, slowly and with care. It is understandable, on the other hand, why Batman was included in the way that he was. While the Nolan trilogy of films ended in 2011, those films did a good job of giving us a primer for understanding the character we see here. The same can’t be said of Superman or any of the other characters in this film. The additions of Wonder Woman and the other heroes, namely Cyborg, the Flash and Aquaman, could also have been handled better. These cameos only served to detract from the plot of the movie and it just reminded me of how this film seemed only to build the future DC universe. The problem with that is that “Dawn of Justice” has been critically panned. It currently sits at a 28% on Rotten Tomatoes, which is lower than “Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2.” With a reception like that, there may not be a future for this universe at all. Marvel’s line of films can survive a bad movie or two, because they’ve established that they can do really good movies such as “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” and “Iron Man.” Overall, I didn’t hate “Dawn of Justice.” I just hope that with future films, DC is able to learn from their mistakes and adopt a more Marvel-style approach to building their cinematic universe.

atman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" was destined to be hated from the get-go. From the moment the first trailer aired, people broke out their pitchforks and torches and wanted to hate this movie. “Ben Affleck is going to be a terrible Batman.” “They gave away too much in the trailers.” “Marvel has a better cinematic universe.” “They’re just trying to copy Marvel!” These are just some of the popular chants that the angry mobs have been shouting, with a few expletives removed. I, for one, couldn’t have been more excited to see Batman fighting Superman on the big screen. I was like a kid in a toy store on opening night, and I was grinning from ear to ear while watching the movie. Hell, I’m even wearing a "Batman v Superman" shirt while I’m writing this. Full disclosure: I love DC Entertainment. I love all the characters, their stories and their universe. But, I am not a DC comic guru. However, I have read a handful of comics and understand the major story lines that pertain to major characters like Batman and Superman. Now, back to the movie. "Batman v Superman" was an awesome film. The second I left that theater, I wanted to turn around and watch it again. The characters were great, the story was good and it was a huge stepping stone for the DC cinematic universe. "Batman v Superman" did a fantastic job at setting up their characters. From the grizzly and tough Batman, a Superman questioning his existence, the mysterious and badass Wonder Woman and a Lex Luthor who is off his rocker, "Batman v Superman" played host to some of the best DC characters we have seen on the big screen. These characters are deep and conflicted. They have flaws and internal struggles and are far from onedimensional. They aren’t the knights in shining armor that the Avengers are. The dynamic between all of them made for some of the best moments in the movie. I was worried that having all of these characters under one roof was going to bog down and hurt the movie, especially after hearing about the cameo characters. But "Batman v Superman" didn’t

MALIK RAHILI is a senior journalism major from Durham, who is the editor-inchief. take too much time to try and shoehorn these characters in. They were executed perfectly. Cyborg, the Flash and Aquaman’s cameos were quick two minute ways to show that these characters exist in this world, and that was all we needed. We didn’t need an exposition on each of these characters and who they are because we will be getting those in stand alone movies as the DC cinematic universe expands and their roles become more prevalent. Their appearances were important in setting up the overarching storyline of the "Justice League" and not "Batman v Superman." From the nightmare sequences and Flash talking to Bruce from the future, there is a bigger story in "Batman v Superman." It hints that Darkseid is coming and Bruce must unite the Justice League in order to stop him. That. Is. Awesome. Rather than making years of single-character movies lead up to "The Avengers," the only one average people really care about, DC is coming in guns blazing and hitting DC fans with the Justice League from the ground floor. This is because DC fans already understand who Cyborg, the Flash and Aquaman are. This movie is for DC fans who already understand the universe they are in and the characters that are in it. Disney and Marvel make movies for everyone. That is not Warner Bros. and DC’s approach. They don’t need to piggyback off of the success of Marvel and "Batman v Superman" makes shows why. Now to be clear, I am not saying this movie was perfect. It has its problems. Batman kills people, which is totally out of character, and the pacing in the beginning is awkward. The whole “Martha” scene wasn’t handled well and the African desert scene doesn’t really go anywhere or have a point. But DC has started something special and unique with their cinematic universe. Variety is the spice of life and watching Marvel movies again with a DC skin slapped on it would not have been a better route for DC to take.

O P I N I O N

EQUALITY FOR ALL...

UNLESS YOU ARE DIFFERENT

ebruary was a good month for LGBT citizens in North Carolina. Charlotte passed a non-discrimination act that allowed transgender people to use the bathroom of the gender they identified with. Sadly, for every step forward made towards progress, there is always one step back. Before the Charlotte ordinance could even go into law, the North Carolina General Assembly rushed to repeal the ordinance. With the passage of House Bill 2, the state government has nullified that progress. The bill opens up the possibility for businesses to discriminate against people on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation. In addition to the content of the bill, the way in which it was passed was also suspect. The bill was rushed through, with no one being allowed to read the bill until the committee met, and they were only given five minutes to read it, according to Sen. Jeff Jackson, D-Charlotte, on

Emily Howard

JAMES BRANCH is a sophomore journalism major from Brunswick, Ga, who is an opinion writer. Facebook. Gov. McCrory tweeted that the reason the bill passed so quickly to â€œstop the breach of basic privacy and etiquette,â€? and to â€œensure privacy in bathrooms and locker rooms." This bill is not just a blatant attack on the LGBT community, but also a showcase of how much Republicans rely on fear and hate mongering to advance their agenda. America has changed in a number of important ways since the days it was common to ban black people from public accommodations. Yet, the actions of Republican governments show that we have not come as far as we might hope. This was made very clear when lawmakers made no attempt to disguise their actions, but openly attacked transgender people by portraying them as predators and dangerous to others.

The only danger I see here is the fact that Republican lawmakers are pedaling fabrications about transgender people that have been thoroughly debunked. Thanks to a combination of laziness among some journalists and very active attempts to ostracized the transgender community, we have seen a false portrayal of transgender people as phonies and potential sexual predators. This is the type of dangerous narrative being used to support House Bill 2. Let there be no mistake: Allowing transgender people to use their preferred bathroom poses no risks. A report by Media Matters reveals, through the testimony of public officials from around the country, that there are no instances of sexual assault from allowing transgender people to use the bathrooms they want to. It's a dangerous myth. Giving the most generous interpretation, the people who use these reports to support discriminatory legislation either do not know they are wrong, or in the worst case scenario, they just do not care.

The latter is an even scarier thought because these men and women are making decisions and running the country. But just by looking at the current presidential debate, it is not surprising to see the state of politics and the future of America is going in this direction. Just tune in to any Republican debate to see the amount of homophobia and racism still prevalent in some parts of America culture. This is why communities like the LGBT community are having so much trouble fighting for equality. That is why it is so important to band together to do our part in making the world a better place, to help out all communities being oppressed. Still, we are seeing a push back to this extreme measure. The ACLU and other groups have filed a lawsuit against the state over the bill, while numerous businesses are calling on the state to reverse course. But it's like an ant eating an elephant. It can only be done one bite at a time.

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SUBMIT ANNOUNCEMENTS

App News is a service of the Division of Student Development. Email dycheab@appstate.edu. Submissions should not exceed 100 words and must include the event title, date/time, location and cost, and a contact email, phone and/or URL. Announcements will be edited as needed and will run as space allows. Preference is given for events that are free or have a nominal cost.

A P P

N E W S

WHAT TO DO VISITING WRITERS SERIES The Hughlene Bostian Frank Spring Visiting Writers Series Events will take place with craft talks and readings in Plemmons Student Union. Book sales and signings will follow each event. • March 31 (The Juanita Tobin Memorial Reading): Poet and former Charlotte Observer books editor Dannye Romaine Powell, 3:304:45 p.m. Craft Talk: The Art and Craftiness of the Literary Interview; 7:30-8:30 p.m. Reading; Table Rock, PSU • April 7: Travel and Adventure Writing with Peter Fish and Leigh Ann Henion, 2-3:15 p.m. Craft Talk: Travel Writing; 7:30-9 p.m. Reading; Table Rock, PSU • April 28 (with the Diversity Speakers Series): Poet, Memoirist, and Social Justice Activist Luis Rodriguez, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Craft Talk in Table Rock, PSU; 7:30-9 p.m. Reading in Blue Ridge Ballroom, PSU

DIGITAL APPALACHIA LECTURE SERIES Digital Appalachia lecture with David Trowbridge, associate professor of history at Marshall University and creator of the Clio Mobile History App will be presented at 10 a.m. April 1, room 421, Belk Library. Sponsored by Appalachian State Belk Library & Information Commons, The Digital Humanities Working Group, The Center for Appalachian Studies, The Department of Cultural, Gender, and Global Studies, and University Documentary Film Series.

ARTIST RECEPTION

“Stars and Bars” will be 6:30-8 p.m. April 1, Looking Glass Gallery, PSU. Free and open to the public. The exhibition, featuring work by Moore is in response to the recent controversy of the confederate flag that arose this past summer concerning the flag being removed from the South Carolina State House in Charleston, SC, following a mass murder committed by Dylan Roof at a local church. However, this problem extends further than this secluded incident. Moore’s aim is to expose people to the frustration that many marginalized people feel about this flag. This exhibition brings to the light the controversial past of the Confederate flag, and acts as a catalyst for further conversation.

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN PROGRAM ANNIVERSARY

THE FOOD SUMMIT: SEEDING COMMUNITY RESILIENCE

The Counseling Center presents “The Wellness Workshops: Feelin’ Good in the Neighborhood!” Space is limited. Reservations should be made at campbellha@appstate.edu. Extra credit slips will be made available. Visit counseling. appstate.edu or call 828-262-3180. • What Shape is Your Personality: Learn more about Yourself and How to Relate to Others, 4-5 p.m. April 6, Linn Cove, PSU • Let’s Get Out! Explore the Connection Between Positive Mental Health and Being Outdoors, 5-7 p.m., April 14, workshop will take place outside, email to register

The Goodnight Family Sustainable Development Department at Appalachian State University, in partnership with Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture, will be hosting a one-day event 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. April 2, Great Hall, Living Learning Center (LLC). The purpose of the summit is to bring together farmers, students, gardeners, homesteaders, chefs, faculty, and other interested members of the community to talk about the ways in which we can continue to build upon our existing strengths to develop a more resilient and just local food system. A local lunch will be provided by Reid’s Catering. Tickets are $20 general and $15 students. For registration and more information visit foodsummit.brwia.org.

The artist reception with Victor Moore for

The Industrial Design program is turning 10 this year, and the community is invited to celebrate and learn more about the program’s evolution. Free and open to the public. The celebration begins at 1 p.m. and ends with a cook-out at 7 p.m., and includes an open house and studio tours, alumni presentations, student merit presentations and networking. The Industrial Design program is part of the Department of Applied Design in the College of Fine and Applied Arts.

THE WELLNESS WORKSHOPS

FREE LEGAL ADVICE The Student Legal Clinic, in suite 324 in Plemmons Student Union, offers confidential advice, information, and referrals provided by a licensed attorney. The attorney can meet with any currently enrolled Appalachian State student and can advise

students on any issue that is not directly adverse to the university. Make an appointment by calling 828-2628284. Information at legalclinic.appstate.edu.

NAVIGATING COLLEGE The group will explore healthy lifestyle choices and the impact of alcohol and other drug use in college. Students are invited to the Wellness and Prevention Services office to join a mindfulness-based group focused on the impact of alcohol and other drug use while in college, incorporating resilience building, high risk substance use prevention and harm reduction strategies by way of stress reduction, healthy decision-making and group support to assist in personal growth and success as a college student. The group will meet 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesdays, room 306, Reich College of Education. Email asmabt@appstate.edu.

STUDY ABROAD IN ITALY Outdoor Programs and Recreation Management is presenting a study abroad program in Italy this summer. A course in Commercial Recreation and Outdoor Recreation will be offered, along with immersion in the language, local cuisine, and distinct cultures found along the way. The trip dates are June 7 to 27, and the cost of $4,100 covers everything. To learn more, visit www.op.appstate.edu or email campbllrh@appstate.edu or sharaievskai@appstate.edu.

THURSDAY, MARCH 31

FRIDAY, APRIL 1

SATURDAY, APRIL 2

SUNDAY, APRIL 3

“The Peanuts Movie” Screening

Sensation of Falling Concert

7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. I.G. Greer Auditorium $2

9 p.m. Legends $4-$6

Appalachian Young People’s Theatre “Aladdin”

Deb Foerst Lecture, “Tell Them We Are Human: Sovereignty, Education and the Eastern Band of Cherokee”

“The Peanuts Movie” Screening

2 p.m. I.G. Greer Studio Theatre $5-$10

The Food Summit: Seeding Community Resilience

Brandon Nutt Student Trombone Recital

9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Great Hall, LLC $15-$20

4 p.m. Recital Hall Free

“The Peanuts Movie” Screening

Wendy Rolfe Guest Flute Recital

7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. I.G. Greer Auditorium $2

6 p.m. Recital Hall Free

3 p.m. Gathering Room, Reich Education Bldg. Free

Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writers Series: Dannye Romine Powell 7:30 p.m. Table Rock, PSU Free

7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. I.G. Greer Auditorium $2

“Pretty In Pink” Screening 7 p.m. Greenbriar, PSU $1

Koffee with Kruger 2 p.m. Room 114, Belk Library

MONDAY, APRIL 4

TUESDAY, APRIL 5

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6

THURSDAY, APRIL 7

Surround Sound Electronic Music in the Dark

15th Annual Diversity Celebration

“Sixteen Candles” Screening

“The Revenant” Screening

3-9 p.m. Plemmons Student Union Free

7 p.m. Greenbriar, PSU $1

7 p.m. and 9:0 p.m. I.G. Greer Auditorium $2

Cara Conway Student Flute Recital

Brian McKenzie Student Percussion Recital

Hughlene Bostian Frank Spring Visiting Writers Series: Peter Fish and Leigh Ann Henion

8 p.m. Recital Hall Free

Standing With Survivors, Part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month 6:30 p.m. Room 124C, Reich College of Education Free

6 p.m. Rosen Concert Hall Free

Faculty Gala Concert: April Showers — Evening of Spring Renewal 8 p.m. Rosen Concert Hall Free

6 p.m. Rosen Concert Hall Free

What Shape is Your Personality: Learn More About Yourself and How to Relate to Others 4 p.m. Linn Cove, PSU Free

7:30 p.m. Table Rock Room, PSU Free

Spring Appalachian Dance Ensemble 7:30 p.m. Schaefer Center $10-$17

START THINKING AHEAD. START PLANNING YOUR FUTURE. START FEELING INSPIRED. START RAISING YOUR EXPECTATIONS. START A NEW EXPERIENCE. START EXPANDING YOUR HORIZONS. START STRONG. Enroll in Army ROTC at ASU. Take on new challenges and learn valuable leadership skills. You could even receive a two-year scholarship. After you graduate, you'll be an Army Officer.