The Battalion - January 24, 2019 by The Battalion

A call for democracy

Cassie Stricker— THE BATTALION

Quarterback Nick Starkel won the starting job in 2017 but lost it to Kellen Mond in 2018.

Starkel announces plans to transfer Backup quarterback to earn A&M degree early, move to new program By Hannah Underwood @hannahbunderwoo

Cassie Stricker— THE BATTALION

At 7 p.m. Tuesday night, Texas A&M backup quarterback Nick Starkel announced his decision to transfer from A&M. According to his Twitter account, Starkel will receive his Aggie ring in April before completing the classes necessary to graduate in June. As a redshirt sophomore, Starkel has two years of eligibility left to spend with another program. “I am forever thankful for all of the help I have received and I am blessed to have developed important relationships with my professors, mentors, coaches, teammates, and many others,” Starkel said in his announcement. STARKEL ON PG. 2

Christian Rodriguez, Class of 2018, holds up a sign while speaking to other demonstration attendees on Wednesday afternoon. The event was hosted by the Texas A&M Venezuelan Student Association to support change in the Venezuelan regime.

Students hold demonstration to call for reform in Venezuelan government By Sanna Bhai @Bhaisanna Expressing support for regime change in the Venezuelan government, the Venezuelan Student Association hosted a “call for democracy” demonstration in Rudder Plaza Wednesday evening. Jan. 23 or “23 de enero” is remembered in Venezuela as the day when dictator Marcos Perez Jimenez was overthrown after 10 years of military rule from 1948 to 1958. This year, the day may mark the start of another regime change in the South American

nation. In 2013, Nicolas Maduro was elected president by a small margin after the death of Hugo Chavez, who had held the office since 1999. During Maduro’s regime, there has been turmoil throughout the country from inflation, corruption and violence. On Jan. 10, Maduro was inaugurated for his second six-year term, though the election was widely labeled fraudulent by the international community. On Wednesday, opposition leader and head of Venezuela’s National Assembly Juan Guaidó — who has called Maduro a usurper — declared himself acting president. Now officially recognized by U.S. President Donald Trump and leaders from more than 10 Latin American nations, Guaidó has promised to institute a transitional government focused on human-

itarian aid and free elections. Venancio Mendez, civil engineer junior and president of the Venezuelan Student Association, said they hope the military authorities of both Venezuela and other international communities will stand at the side of democracy and recognize Juan Guaidó as the nation’s president. “Maduro was elected through a fraudulent process. More than 70 countries rejected that process and they stand against the dictatorship in Venezuela and they support any transitional democracy that is going happen in Venezuela,” Mendez said. “We are getting together and trying to support from College Station, Texas. We are here standing for democracy in Venezuela.” VENEZUELA ON PG. 2

Ambassador visits Bush gravesite

Edith Anthony — THE BATTALION

A new MSC exhibit explores angles beyond art techniques and movements.

Female art, artists featured in gallery

Hockey meets with Texas A&M cadets, places flowers to honor late president

MSC exhibit explores evolving role of women as creators and subjects

By Jane Turchi @JaneTurchi

By Claudia Soto @cisoto98

Australia’s ambassador to the U.S., Joe Hockey, visited George H.W. Bush’s gravesite Wednesday to pay his respects to the late former president and first lady. While the ambassador never met the 41st president, he is acquainted with the Bush family. Hockey was present at Bush’s funeral at the Washington National Cathedral in December and said he was moved to visit the gravesite. The ambassador left a bouquet of flowers and took part in a short prayer to honor the site. “We should be very proud of this guy, but also very proud of America,” Hockey said. The ambassador was greeted by members of the Corps of Cadets, and the Singing Cadets sang “How Great Thou Art” and “The Lord Bless You and Keep You” for the event. After Barbara Bush’s passing in April, the Singing Cadets performed at her funeral. It was important that the cadets honored President Bush

Women take the spotlight in the newest art exhibit at Texas A&M. “Women’s Work” is an interactive exhibit in the MSC’s Forsyth Galleries, featuring artwork from female artists including Mary Cassatt, Peggy Bacon, Grandma Moses and Texas-native Dorothy Hood. The exhibit aims to address women’s role as artists and as the subject in various pieces of artwork. Pieces from both the Forsyth and Stark Galleries’ permanent collections are displayed, as well as those from the Runyon permanent collection. The items from the Forsyth Galleries are primarily from the late 19th and early 20th-century collection while the Stark Galleries’ pieces are contemporary and focused on Texas artists. Jennifer Korolenko, curator of education and public programs for the Forsyth Galleries, said “Women’s Work” is the first show she has curated solely on her own.

AMBASSADOR ON PG. 2

Cassie Stricker — THE BATTALION

Joe Hockey, Australia’s ambassador to the U.S., speaks with seniors Chris Haerr, Laura Martinez and James Bovenkerk during his visit to the Bush gravesite.

ART ON PG. 2