The UALR Forum - August 27 - September 9

KenDrell Collins executive editor KDCollins@ualr.edu

Ice-cold water came pouring down on UALR Chancellor Joel Anderson on Wednesday August 20, after he agreed to take the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge in order to raise awareness and money. Anderson’s friend Janet Jones, who is a member of the UALR Board of Trustees, nominated him. Dozens surrounded the chancellor in the Aquatic Center as Anderson, clothed in a blue dress shirt and his maroon UALR tie, prepared to be

soaked by the ice and water in the orange cooler behind him.

“It’s really nice to be here with all my friends. Never had quite a gathering like this before,” Anderson said.

“UALR is a community-engaged university and we’re always ready to respond and rise to the occasion and to assist the community and now we’re going to do it on the ALS challenge.”

While Anderson did nominate all UALR students, faculty, and staff, he specifically pointed out the Donaghey Scholars, the Chancellor’s Leadership Corps, Greek organizations, and the Staff Senate. Student Government Association Presi-

dent Lauren McNeill helped pour the bucket of water on the Chancellor, along with two other students. Since the chancellor’s call to action, numerous UALR organizations have joined the movement to strike out ALS.

A video of the Staff Senate’s response is available on Facebook at ‪www.facebook.com/ ualrstaffsenate. Action for the ALS cause at UALR is in tandem with the surge of support across the nation. From July 29 to August 23, donations to the ALS Association reached $62.5 million, according to its press release. The numbers for the previous year, during the same time

frame, were only $2.4 million.

The proceeds go toward the association’s mission to research, provide care services, impact public policy, and increase public education. Currently, there is no cure for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, named in honor of the former Major League Baseball player who died of the neurodegenerative disease. ALS causes a loss in the motor neurons that facilitate muscle movement between the brain and the spinal cord. This usually leads to paralysis and eventually death for those with the disease. To learn more about ALS visit www.alsa.org.

Scan to watch the video of Chancellor Joel Anderson’s ALS Ice Bucket Challenge!

It’s Always a Beautiful Day at Istanbul!

The fraternity Pi Kappa Alpha hosted the first-ever “Trojan Chill-Out GrillOut” on Friday, Aug. 22 at Murray Park. From 3-6 p.m., students both Greeks and non-Greeks alike played volleyball, Baggo, and Smash Bros on Wii. They enjoyed a water balloon fight and ate burgers, chips, and the Biology Club’s homemade biology cookies. To ensure student safety, Pi Kappa Alpha hired UALR police as security for the event. The event was open to all students, regardless of their status in Greek life or other student organizations. If they wished, registered student organizations were encouraged to set up booths for students interested in learning more about their club. The Trojan COGO is the

As small as the city of Little Rock is there is one thing we have been praised for time and time again, and that is our love of good food and the plentiful selection of restaurants we have to offer.

Perhaps one of Little Rock’s best-kept secrets is Istanbul Mediterranean Restaurant, a chic, locally owned restaurant offering authentic Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine. Since 2009, Istanbul has been Little Rock’s only Turkish restaurant and they are very proud of that. They guarantee authenticity by importing spices and herbs straight from Turkey in order to provide the genuine taste of traditional Turkish dishes to the Central Arkansas area. See Istanbul, page 3

Trojan Bucket List

Andra Onecic Editor ALOnecic@ualr.edu

brainchild of nineteen-year-old Connor Donovan. A member of Pi Kappa Alpha, Donovan is a sophomore International Business Management major with a concentration in Chinese.

“The Trojan Chill-Out GrillOut is not a student org fair; it’s more of a social gathering,” Donovan said. “It is just a time where [individuals and students part of RSOs] can hang out with each other and have fun.”

For Donovan, the Trojan COGO is not just another shindig.

“I believe the best way to fix almost every problem on campus is through campus

life. We needed an event like this that could help increase camaraderie among students where all the clubs and organizations had an opportunity to get together,” Donovan said. His vision seemed to have worked. Several different student organizations attended the event, including Young Life, the Biology Club, the American Chemical Society of UALR, fraternity Kappa Sigma, and sororities Kappa Delta and Chi Omega. Collaborating with fellow Pikes Matt Shockey and Sterg Couto, Donovan requested permissions from the Office of Campus Life, Pi Kappa Alpha, and the City of Little Rock to get the event off the ground. The

Too many students go through college without taking advantage of what UALR has to offer. And, in most cases the services provided are already covered by tuition, such as the gym, health and counseling services. Following is a sample bucket list of things complete before you graduate college.

•Study abroad. The UALR Study Abroad program gives students the opportunity to broaden their view of the world. There are many countries available to go study in and immerse yourself in the culture. If money is an issue, there are scholarships available.

•Participate in intramural sports. UALR provides a wide range of intramural sports: basketball, volleyball, and even racquetball. Not only are sports fun, but staying active keeps your mind healthy as well. For more information, visit, ualr.edu/campuslife/recreation/intramuralsports.

•Take a course only because it interests you. A class such as drawing, a foreign language or even philosophy. Find something you’re passionate about and keep your dreams alive. It is so easy to get bogged down with school work and feel so overwhelmed that there is just not enough time in the day to get everything done. However, finding something you truly enjoy doing will give you the strength to get through the overwhelming piles of homework. Make time for what you love.

•Learn how you work best and use it to your advantage. For example, are you an early bird or a night owl? Some people work better late at night or don’t even sleep some nights; others would rather go to bed early and get their work done early morning when they feel their mind is clear.

•Join Greek life. Joining a fraternity or a sorority can offer life-long friends and a support group with shared values. Also, participating in various activities you may make connections for employment opportunities. For more information, visit ualr.edu/campuslife/greeks/faq.

•Make as many friends and connections as possible. Maintaining your social life and staying connected within the university is crucial to a successful college experience. Also, making as many connections as possible may provide employment opportunities later, maybe even ten years after graduation.

•Make and/or build onto your résumé. Many students put their résumé on the back burner throughout college, but the sooner you get your résumé out into the workforce the better your chances of finding a career after graduation.

•Take advantage of the on-campus gym. Although it may be difficult to find the time to exercise, the gym is conveniently located at the heart of the campus in the Donaghey Student Center. And while you’re there, go ahead and sign up for a Zumba or a yoga class—they’re free. There’s no such thing as a free gym membership or work out classes outside of the university.

men requested funds through Pi Kappa Alpha to finance the Trojan COGO. ”I want this to be a yearly thing,” Donovan said. He believes that one goal of the Trojan Spirit Committee, over which Donovan presides, is not just to create traditions but to “set up some events to where students can create their own traditions.”

For students wishing to submit ideas about generating more Trojan Spirit, contact Connor Donovan at cpdonovan@ualr.edu.

Police Beat

By Victoria Hickey

Property Damage in Parking Deck

On August 16, a property damage report came in stating that there had been damage to a vehicle that was parked in the parking deck between May 26 and August 16. The victim of the damage stated that he left his vehicle in the parking deck before he went out of town. Upon his return, the victim discovered that his car would not start and noticed damage to his rear bumper on the driver’s side. The bumper was scratched and bent, slightly shifting the bumper under the rear quarter panel.

Contraband at Big Lots

On August 19, two officers were alerted of a bag containing a “green leafy substance” in the Big Lots parking lot. A passerby had discovered the bag and alerted the authorities. The “green leafy substance” appeared to be marijuana and was taken by DPS to be properly destroyed.

Theft at the Gym

On Aug. 19, approximately $150 was taken from a backpack at the gym.

Lot 13 Accident

A vehicle accident occurred on Aug. 20, in Lot 13.

Would you like the opportunity to have your work published?

The staff of Quills & Pixels is looking for nonfiction essays to potentially publish in its 2015 edition. Personal essays, research papers, and academic writing are accepted. All essays do not have to be newly written. We want that essay you have in your files that you know is good. It only takes a minute to attach a file to an e-mail and send it in, so why not do it right now?

The submission deadline is Sunday, September 21. Digital submissions are preferred. Please email submissions and/or questions to alonecic@ualr.edu with the subject line “Quills & Pixels Nonfiction Submission.

UALR Suicide Prevention Week brings awareness on mental illness and suicide

No situation ever stays the same.”

awards during a ceremony on Sept 12 in the DSC A & B.

enormous, with entrée orders including the main dish and side dish, a side salad, and choice of Lentil or Tomato soup. Istanbul also has a wide array of desserts to choose from including Baklava, Greek Profitorole, Noah’s Pudding, and Sütlaç (rice pudding). Istanbul Mediterranean Restaurant is located in the West Little Rock Pleasant Ridge Shopping Center across from Belk’s Department Store. You can visit their website at: http:// www.istanbullr.com/index.htm

IShashank Avvaru Staff Writer SXAvvaru@ualr.edu

n a dark alley, where goons tower over him like demons, Johnny asks his sweet, innocent lady Marcy to look away because he has to “break some bones”. He then proceeds to do exactly that. While the majority of the scene is occupied with him tearing limbs apart, for a few seconds the focus shifts to Marcy. She looks away, she keeps looking away, and then, with greedy eyes ,she sees the bloodbath in front of her and

he recent news of Robin Williams’ death by suicide

er that we need to talk about

gling with it. In order to spread

tion, UALR Active Minds, along

vention week Sept. 8 through

selor, said that talking about suicide is one of the major preventive measures to stop it. “When young adults are at that point where there are so many stressors upon them, they thinkcide”, she said “I believe that if we talk about it, when these persons are going to get to that point, they’ll know they can ask for help rather than taking this permanent solution. Not being perfect and having issues is what everybody goes through.

The week will kick off Monday with the Chancellor’s Proclamation in the Diamond Cafe area at noon. On Tuesday, there will be a booth in the Diamond Cafe area where items will be given away as well as a “creativity station” where students can decorate luminary bags with messages of support to help those struggling with suicide ideation or to honor someone they had lost. These luminary bags will be displayed the following day at 7pm during the “Together We Can” Memorial Vigil.

Unlike last year, the Gallery of Hope Artistic Expression Contest will take place on Thursday instead of Wednesday, from 10am to 2pm in the DSC Upper Concourse. The contest is open to all UALR students, faculty and staff who can register on the UALR Counseling Services webpage until Sept. 8. Categories include visual, written and performance art that express messages of hope and strength in coping with suicide. All participants receive prizes and the winners will receive their

Like last year, a panel discussion will take place in the DSC A & B Friday at noon to show support and teach people how to help someone struggling with suicide.

“The whole point of this event is to bring a sense of community around the persons who are struggling. Let those people know, especially who want to help but don’t know what to say or do and thus ignore it, that there is support on campus. A lot of people care on this campus” Muse said. Muse added that suicide affects everybody. “A lot of people perceive that if they had enough money, if they had the right relationship, if they had the right prestige in society, they wouldn’t feel sad and depressed. Robin Williams had everything and it still affected him. Suicide is indiscriminate, it doesn’t hit one type of person. Nobody is immune to suicide.”

This year, the event is based on the message “Suicide Prevention, Together We Can Do It.”

Sinful. Good. Sinfully good.

in a puddle of his own blood while endangering the life of his beautiful admirer, Marcy (Julia Garner). On the rooftops of the posh houses in the luxurious part of the city is Private Investigator, Dwight (Josh Brolin) whose peaceful existence is shattered when the love of his life, Ava (Eva Green), returns begging for help.

she does not want to look away anymore.

In 30 seconds, this scene defines Sin City: A Dame To Kill For.

The movie is an interwoven bloody web of stories. In one end of the city, Marv (Mickey Rourke) is unraveling his version of vigilante justice in the underbelly of the city. Speeding through the roads to the entrance of the city is Johnny (Joseph Gordon Levitt), an ambitious gambler who has never lost, out to challenge the city’s most powerful politician Senator Roark (Powers Boothe). Johnny eventually ends up

All these men with darkness and fear in their hearts find solace in Katie’s, a gentleman’s club where Nancy (Jessica Alba), the star entertainer, is dancing the nights away and spending mornings scheming ways to avenge the death of her savior and lover Hartigan (Bruce Willis).

These flawed men and women constantly run into each other across the murky, sadistic depths of the city. Their triumphs and tragedies form the rest of the movie.

Sin City: A Dame To Kill For screams of Frank Miller and Robert Rodriguez. Known for making action-filled, artistic movies with overflowing originality, these two creative giants

have dished out another nononsense movie. It is gory, violent, sensual, cruel and makes no apologies. The movie runs like a pulp comic book. Gray characters, corny dialogue, and macabre themes run rampant in the movie and the trademark black-and-white cinematography of Frank Miller is plentiful with a dash of occasional bright, optimistic colors. The movie does not offer much music-wise, unless you enjoy listening to gunshots and arrows piercing bodies.

Watching Sin City: A Dame To Kill For is like watching a building’s demolition in slow motion. You know it is wrong, you know it is not something you should be looking at, and you are scared of the repercussions it might have on you… but you can’t help it.

It is sinful, it is good, and it is definitely sinfully good.

Rating: ***/*****

UALR Volleyball Team Predicted to be Champions

Brian

Gregory Staff Writer BJGregory@ualr.edu

The Trojan’s volleyball team is poised to be a dominant force in the Sun Belt conference this year. Last year, they finished second in the league tournament. Although they lost in the first round last season, these Trojans have garnered the prestigious honor of being the preseason favorite to win the conference. Their experience along with their developing talent is believed to lead them to a successful upcoming season.

Coach Van Compton is excited about this season, because she knows that her personnel are highly talented and latent with experience. “When we recruit we not

only look for highly talented individuals, but we also look for high character kids with great attitudes,” Compton said. The team has had a longstanding record of academic success with 100 percent of their student-athletes graduating. As a team, they have been placed on the Academic All-American team. Coach Compton spoke about the stress and demand she puts on work ethic, effort, responsibility and commitment. “It is the common thread that runs throughout program on the court, in the weight room, and in the classroom,” Compton said. The players are excited for this year’s upcoming season as well. Edina Begic, who is the captain and preseason favorite to win the MVP this year, is the leader of the team. She leads by example in all facets of the

game. “The team has improved a lot along with the fact that our rival Western Kentucky has moved out of the conference,” Begic said. She believes that the freshman will be able to contribute to the team’s success.

Junior Sonja Milanovic, who was 1st team All-Conference last year, looks to be a major contributor to the team. “We gained a lot of respect last year and we are a very good team,” Milanovic said. She believes a focus on teamwork is the key. “Individuals win games, but teams win championships,” Milanovic said. Sonja implores all students to “come and see what greatness is about.” This season looks to be one that will give the students of UALR much to cheer about. The first home conference game will be on September 17 against ULM at 7 p.m.

UALR Swim Team Awarded CSCAA Scholar All-America Status; GPA Ranked Second

TGrant Fox Staff Writer TGFox@ualr.edu

he UALR swimming and diving team has been honored by the College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) for achieving Scholar All-America status, according to the UALR Athletics Department website. The Trojans earned a 3.68 GPA for the Spring 2014 Semester and ranked second nationally behind Kentucky.

The Team Scholar All-America Award is presented during the fall and spring semester to collegiate swimming and diving teams that have a team GPA of

a 3.0 or higher. Lead by Coach Amy Burgess, the Trojans have once again had a successful semester.

“Being a student-athlete means that we have to be very organized,” says UALR senior and one of three team captain’s Alexis Stone. “Attending class, completing homework, and going to practice while balancing the demands of daily life means organization is a must. As a team, we try to push each other to succeed. Coach does a great job of making sure that we stay on track.”

All members of the swim and diving team are required to attend a mandatory study hall for two hours a day, Monday through Thursday, if they don’t

maintain a 2.6 GPA or higher. Each member of the team also undergoes a grades check every six weeks to ensure that each student keeps up with their studies.

“Founded in 1922, the College Swimming Coaches Association of America is the oldest professional organization of college coaches in America. The CSCAA is dedicated to serving and providing leadership for the advancement of the sport of swimming and diving at the collegiate level,” says the UALR Athletics Department website. The hard work of these dedicated student-athletes along with their system of checks and balances is exactly what the CSCAA has in mind.

Track Star Emma Dahl Awarded Academic Honors

Margaret Rogers Editor MJRogers1@ualr.edu

Track and field/cross country athlete Emma Dahl received recognition for her hard work in school by becoming a part of the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-Academic team (USTFCCCA). To be able to do that, a cumulative GPA of 3.25 is required and one of the athletic standards has to be met. One of the requirements for indoor season is that the athlete has to have finished the regular

season and be ranked in the national top 96 in an individual event. The requirement for outdoor season is that the athlete has to have participated in any round of the NCAA Division I Championships. The Sweden native is now a junior, and has a 3.44 cumulative GPA. She is majoring in health science. Dahl is a distance runner and has broken records throughout her athletic career at UALR in Cross Country, both indoor season and outdoor season. During indoor season, she became the second all-time in UALR history with a time of 9:49.13 in the SBC

Championship 3k in February.

During outdoor season, she moved to fifth all time in the 1500 with a personal record race of 4:34.32 at the Mt. SAC Relays on April 18. She became the first female to compete at an NCAA West Regional.

For upcoming events in Cross Country, the team is getting prepared for the Brooks Memphis Twilight Classic at Memphis, Tennessee on August 30. To cheer on Dahl and the rest of the team here in Little Rock, the UALR Invitational will be held on October 18 at the Rebsamen Golf Course.

Chris Curry Selected as Head Coach for Baseball Team

Ericka Henson Staff Writer EFHenson@ualr.edu

On July 1, UALR announced the new head coach for the baseball team. Chris Curry, an Arkansas native, played for the Chicago Cubs and for the San Francisco Giants. He was a pitching coach at Northwestern State, and has been on the baseball staffs at Arkansas Tech, Arkansas, and Meridian Community College. When asked what he planned to do differently from the previous head coach he said, “I don’t know what the previous head coach did, but I plan to encourage student athletic responsibility in how they carry themselves on and off the field, and encourage them to be aca-

demically responsible.”

The coach gave some insight about what motivates him and how he will help the team grow. “Training young men to be men, training them to be tough, and to become developed players. My family also motivates me,” Curry said. He has high standards for the young men that he will be coaching this year.

Curry has a quote that he carries with him to keep him moving forward. “You have to do the things you have to do, to do what you want to do,” Curry said. He elaborated that everything he does leads him to the next step in his life and that this is one of those great opportunities in his life. The UALR baseball team is currently preparing for their upcoming season next spring.