The UALR Forum - February 4th Edition

MEET THE NEW ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

Chasse Conque PAGE

“As

a department official and administrator, we would do a lot of listening, what do our students want?”

ALSO IN THIS EDITION

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM CAMPUS CRIMES

ART IN THE PARK SHOWCASES UALR’S BEST ARTISTS

JERMAINE MARSHALL TALKS INSPIRATION

PAGE 6 PAGE 10 PAGE 12

Executive Editor KenDrell Collins

Advisor

Sonny Rhodes

Operations Manager

Art Director

Byron Buslig

Features Editor

Abigail Marshall

Entertainment Editor

Grant Fox

Distribution Manager

Jordan Anderson

Photo Editor

Brady Jackson

Brian Gregory

Sashank Avvaru

Alyssa Causey

Morgan Drish

News Editor

Victoria Hickey

Sports Editor

Maggie Rogers

Business Manager

Laura Rodriquez

Graphic Designer

Tori Temple

Graphic Designer

Chris Helliwell

Staff

Ruth Houston

Tanner Newton

Jayme Goad

Caleb Mitchell

Paige Mason

Zachary Tallent

Rachel Wright

Lela-Tamara Fluker

Andra Onecic

The Forum is the official student newspaper at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. The Forum is funded in part by the student activity fee; members of the UALR community are allowed one copy per edition. The opinions expressed in The Forum are those of the staff and contributing writers and do not represent the official views of UALR. Students enrolled in Journalism 3320 and other reporting classes are contributing writers for The Forum. Advertising inquiries should be referred to The Forum’s advertising office and can be reached by calling 501-569-3319. The Forum is published 7 times in each of the fall and spring semesters. The Forum editor can be reached at 501-569-3265. All material published in this newspaper is copyrighted.

Letters to the Editor

The Forum welcomes letters to the editor on any subject as well as comments on our news coverage and editorial position.

Letters must include the author’s name, classification, major or position and a contact telephone number for confirmation.

Letters are subject to editing to meet space limitations.

Please limit letter to 500 words or less.

The staff will not alter the meaning of the letter, but will correct spelling and punctuation and edit to conform to Associated Press and news style.

All letters are subject to publication. The editor has the right to reject any letter especially those letters that are libelous, obscene or incoherent.

Letters should be emailed to editor@ualr.edu or sent to:

The Forum University of Arkansas at Little Rock 201J Donaghey Student Center 2801 S. University Ave. Little Rock, Ark. 72204

AN OPENING WORD Let’s

talk money

By KenDrell Collins Executive Editor editor@UALR.edu

I’m thinking of a number between one and twenty, can you guess it?

If you said 18, then you were right. The national debt happens to be the same number, but add trillion to the end.

College students know a thing or two about debt. Compared to the amount the government owes, though, there's no comparison. Last year alone, the national deficit was $438 billion. The deficit, as opposed to the debt, is the amount of revenue we brought in minus the amount we spent over the course of a single year. Add up all that money from every year ever and you have the total debt, now $18 trillion.

First let’s try to wrap our heads around what a trillion dollars looks like. For starters it’s one million one million dollars. Yes, that’s 12 zeroes.

So, to whom do we owe this money?

Well, about $6 trillion belongs to foreign investors, primarily China and Japan, $1.3 trillion and $1.2 trillion, respectively.

The biggest issue is not who we owe

or even how much, it’s what does it mean for the future of our country?

Theoretically, the debt could increase infinitely so long as investors are willing to invest at low interest rates. The problem is that the near future may given them reason to raise those rates.

Medicare and social security account for about 40 percent of national spending and that percentage is expected to swell as baby boomers begin to retire and take advantage of these social programs. This spending increase could push the national debt to a point where investors demand higher interests, which translates to higher taxes and cuts in spending. Those are high stakes for a smaller workforce. And guess who's is left to pay the bill, the next generation - us.

While it may not seem like there’s much we can do as citizens, we are able to demand that our congressional representatives put national spending at the top of their agenda before it’s too late.

Beast Mode Speaks...On The Field

Grant Fox Editor tgfox@ualr.edu

Maggie Rogers Editor

mjrogers1@ualr.edu

Everyone who follows sports and more particularly NFL football knows the name Marshawn Lynch. Aka Skittles. Aka Beast Mode. The Seattle Seahawks star running back, with the shiny shoes, darkly shaded visor and dreadlocks, is a formidable human being on the field. Off it, he may even be more famous. His responses of “yeah” and “thanks for asking” have been analyzed and punished over and over again by the media and by the NFL. So what’s the big deal? If a guy would really rather not talk to the media, especially if it’s due to a personal discomfort with all the cameras and microphones, is that really worth fining him

The Thinking Man: Peace through war

By Shashank Avvaru Staff Writer SXAvvaru@ualr.edu

Once we get out of the next two power-battle-filled, blame-game-infested years it will be time to crown a new leader of the free world. It will be time to bring in an all new POTUS (President of the United States) which encompasses a new administration, new policies and definitely new controversies.

$10,000?

Here is my question. Does the NFL not make enough money of Marshawn Lynch already? And is he really a bad guy for technically fulfilling the requirements set by the league office? (Obviously incidents where he breaks league rules I am not addressing)

As a mass communications major with an emphasis in journalism, I understand the desire for reporters to get the quote of the day or the inside scoop. But if you really think about it, Lynch is giving them gold. An indignant and rough around the edges or perhaps genuinely private and shy guy giving repetitive responses is kind of becoming a popular topic now a days. Just as Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder. I know it’s a hypothetical situation and long past now but let’s be honest, this guy should have capped off one of the greatest game winning drives in Super Bowl history and won the MVP. He’s doing his job. Just because a guy who may actually have a problem talking to large crowds of strangers (it is hypothesized by

If you think the current political chess match that the White House and the Senate are playing is chaotic, you are in for a set of events over the next two years that will make this seem like a pleasant walk in the park.

Sit by me in my mind’s time machine and let’s whirl back to 2007. Around this time the majority has decided that Barack Obama is going to be our man. There were many hopefuls that came close (including Hillary Clinton, who we will run into later in our article) but Obama’s fresh ideas interspersed with the country’s goal to fulfill the long overdue dream of having a black president help him win by a landslide in the 2008 election.

Let’s fast forward to 2011:

many that he has social anxiety disorder) doesn’t say what you want him to say, is he really a BAD guy.

Consider this. One of the more common arguments and reasons why people say he is a bad guy is because they believe he hurts his team by bringing negative attention to the locker room. In recent interviews done, however, his teammates have said repeatedly that both Marshawn Lynch and Richard Sherman (Lynch’s on camera personality opposite) are great teammates in their own ways and that they wouldn’t trade them for anyone.

The NFL is presenting themselves as the over controlling parental figure in the situation and does not appear to be concerned with finding out whether or not all the media attention is really just doing harm to its image as well as Lynch’s mental status. If you want to continue to “help” and “take care of your players” then do just that. Get the man tested and go from there. If you aren’t even willing to find out, and deal with a problem,

Barack Obama isn’t the beacon of YES WE CAN that 2008 promised he would be. But while the majority ponders over him, they are certain about who they are not going to vote for. An innovative albeit underwhelming president is better than a frontrunner who has declared that 47% of Americans are essentially parasites crawling through our society who rely upon the government’s generosity for their survival. And so, with a smaller majority but a majority nonetheless, America bids a NO-WE-CANNOT goodbye to Mitt Romney and Obama wins again.

Let’s tear through time and space and land back to the present. As I write this article, cyberspace is overflowing with news

then I’ve got to say, more power to Lynch. As long as a player is not a distraction to his teammates and plays the game to the best of his ability, then he can say or not say as much as he wants. Especially when he finishes the season leading the entire league in rushing touchdowns.

articles and opinions about Mitt Romney’s nay to another presidential campaign. The Republican side of things is a complex hodgepodge. Jeb Bush, Chris Christie, Mike Huckabee, Rand Paul, Ted Cruz, Rick Perry have all thrown their name in the hat and the party is a presidential pizza: each slice has a hopeful’s name written on it with some good toppings as well as a layer of hard cheese filled with uncomfortable controversies they are involved in. Even Sarah Palin and Donald Trump have expressed interest, thereby igniting my hope for some entertainment and comic relief.

And on the other side, running probably the most covert, clandestine campaign in the history of the country we have Hillary

Rodham Clinton. Her impressive run as the First Lady and the Secretary of State have contributed to Clinton being undisputedly hailed as an outstanding politician both around the world and at home. But she herself hasn’t declared officially that she will be running for President. The probability of her not running is minuscule, but it does exist and therein lies the troubling question: if not Hillary, then who? Do we even have a Democrat popular and smart enough to give the Republicans a good fight? I really want to sit in my imaginary time machine and travel but what’s more fun: finding out who the winner is beforehand or sitting back and enjoying the intellectual battle?

Police Beat

Jayme Goad

Thief Bribes Student with Jacket for Copy of AP Test

As a student was moving out of the East Hall dormitory, her jacket was stolen. On Jan. 27, the student said she and another student got into a verbal argument which resulted in one of the students stealing the other’s jacket from the dorm room, the report said. After several exchanged text messages, the thief said she would give back the jacket in exchange for a copy of an upcoming anatomy and physiology exam. Detective Tonya Soule with DPS then advised the thief to meet her at the police station with the jacket but she the student said she gave the jacket away but would come in and speak with the detective, the report added. When the student arrived at the police station, she had the jacket. The jacket was returned to the owner. No further actions were required, according to a DPS officer.

Slashed Tires

While a student was parked in the main meter lot, her tires were slashed. According to a report from the UALR Department of Public Safety the woman said she parked her Dodge Avenger on Jan. 26 from 7:55 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. in the lot outside Stabler Hall. When she returned to her vehicle she noticed the tire sensor light was activated. She proceeded to drive to her place of employment. On her way to work, another vehicle honked to let her know her tire was flat. The woman said she pulled into a gas station and as she tried to put air in the flat tire, she saw three slashes. Estimated damage according to the report was $300.

The search for the Honors College Founding Dean continues

Brian Gregory Staff Writer bjgregory@ualr.edu

There has been an interesting development on campus, as the higher-ups at The University of Arkansas at Little Rock are in the process of hiring a Founding Dean for the new UALR Honors College. The three individuals that are being interviewed are—Ken Buckman, from the University of Texas Pan America; Tom Spencer, from Eastern Illinois University, and Michael Doran, of South Alabama.

Simon Hawkins, Interim Donaghey Scholars Director, is on the Honors Dean Search Committee and the Honors College Taskforce, and has interacted with all three-dean candidates. “Each of the three candidates have interesting backgrounds and are experts in honor program administration and in college honors education,” Hawkins said.

Each of the three candidates have taught college courses in their respective fields for over 20 years and have been decorated with numerous awards from their respective states and throughout the honors community. Buckman, a philosopher who specializes in study abroad, is the Director of the Guerra Honors Program at UTPA; Spencer is a U.S. Historian and the Director of Honors Student Affairs at Eastern Illinois and Doran is a computer scientist and the Director of Honors of rival Sun Belt school South Alabama.

The new dean will have a very important job, as this is something very new to the UALR campus. If everything goes as planned, the Honors College will be available for current UALR students and transfer students to go on the honors track for their final years at UALR. This will give the new Dean a chance to get acclimated with the students and begin to form a plan for a fully running honors college.

“UALR will be introducing a pilot program for the Honors College. This program will be a blueprint provided to the new Dean for him to shape and mold as he chooses,” Jessica Scott, Assistant Director of the Donaghey Scholar Program and member of the Honors Search Committee and the Honors Taskforce, said.

The dean candidates have met with members of the UALR administration and the Donaghey Scholars, as well as taken part in an open forum with the entire UALR campus. “UALR’s hope and goal is that it attracts high performing and qualified students who haven’t had the chance to pursue honors education,” Hawkins said.

This new position will allow for more students across the state of Arkansas and abroad to enjoy an enriching and competitive education at UALR. The goal is to add to the already high quality education we have at UALR and make it a world-class university.

Opera theater to host third annual Valentine Gala

Lela-Tamara Fluker Staff Writer ldfluker@ualr.edu

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock Department of Music's opera theater will be hosting the third annual Canti del Cuore- Songs of the HeartValentine Gala. This years' gala will be held at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, February 17 in the Great Hall of the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock.

Standard admission to the event will be $75 and table sponsorship for a table of ten is $1,000 with one spot having to be reserved for a student performer. There will be a wine reception, three course dinner and the opera performances. Funds support the vocal arts program and the opera theater.

"Other than being our main

fundraiser for the vocal arts program, it's a wonderful way for us to showcase our top talent, our best singers, and to help the community see what we're doing to here at the opera theater and how we're flourishing and to share that with the community," Rosella Ewing, Assistant Professor of Voice and Opera, said.

Ewing is a part of the planning committee for the gala. She also recruits singers, decides on songs that will be performed, and helps students practice the songs in order to have them perfected for performance night.

Last years' opera gala, sponsored by Rich Logistics trucking company, was held at the Governor's Mansion. There were an estimated 200 attendants' resulting in a very good turnout for the fundraiser and audience.

"It's a good educational opportunity for the students in the vocal

arts program. The gala setting can be new to a lot of students. Not having sung in black tie before or in evening ball gowns can be a little bit intimidating if it's your first time singing for people who paid $75 to be there. You don't want to waste your time or money, but the only way to get better at managing performance anxiety or nerves is just doing it. You can try meditation or breathing, but it's no substitute for experience. That's what it provides the students. Opera music is written to be the most challenging vocal music there is and depending on who you ask it could be the most beautiful," Daniel Foltz-Morrison, graduate student of the Interdisciplinary Studies Program and performer for the Canti del Cuore, said. There are hopes to build the reputation and recruit new students to the voice department.

UALR offers many ensembles for those interested, even if you aren’t a music major. The Music

Department will also be hosting Il matrimonio segreto, The Secret Marriage, later this semester.

“...Opera music is written to be the most challenging vocal music there is and depending on who you ask it could be the most beautiful.”

-Rosella Ewing, Assistant

Professor

of Voice and

Opera

Fight song contest to increase student spirit

TVictoria Hickey Editor vxhickey@ualr.edu

he University of Arkansas at Little Rock has a lot to offer for students all over the world, however the one thing they don’t have is a fight song. In November, the Trojan Spirit Committee announced they would be holding a lyric writing contest.

The submission deadline was the last week of January and the Trojan Spirit Committee received 16 submissions. A voting committee, composed of students, faculty and administrators, was chosen to narrow the contestants down to the top two. After the final two are selected, students will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite between February 4-6.

The purpose of the contest was

to give the Trojans another way to support their school and their team. With this fight song, the Trojan fans can join together to support all Trojan athletes and their hard work and dedication to the sports they play.

“I’m super excited about how the contest has gone. It was a great opportunity to get the Student Government Association, The Office of Communications, The Office of Campus Life, Trojan Athletics and other areas of the campus joined together for a common cause, which is simply to build Trojan Spirit,” Lauren McNeaill, President of the Student Government Association, said. After the votes are counted, Chancellor Joel Anderson will announce the winner and present them with their prize of $500 between the Men and Women’s basketball games on February 7 at the Jack Stephens Center.

Prevent campus crimes, protect yourself

Jayme Goad Staff Writer jmgoad@ualr.edu

Compared to other college campuses in Arkansas, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock holds the lowest crime rate, according to the statistics obtained from each college’s website. That’s correct, the lowest. There are many trends in crime that the Little Rock Police Department and the UALR Department of Public Safety are experiencing. Being proactive, both departments said is the key to personal safety. Here are some common mistakes that you can fix to ensure your safety.

Being Aware; Distractions Make You a Target

When students are walking back and forth to their classes,

vehicles or dorms, being aware of their surroundings is the most important factor to their safety, officer and DPS’s crime prevention specialist Jennifer Lusk said. Distractions can be anything from a student listening to music on their headphones while walking or looking down at their cellphone. This makes the student unaware of the things happening in their environment. “They [criminals] look for that, and it’s before the student has a chance,” Lusk added. Texting on a phone or checking social media while in route to your next class makes you a walking-target for someone to steal your phone.

Items in Vehicle Equal a Curious Criminal

Anything left in a vehicle can be instigation for a curious criminal. For example, items such as a GPS holder indicates the suspicion that there is a GPS device located somewhere within the vehicle.

“One thing many people do not think about is change,” Lusk said. Over the last six months there have been many reports of young children popping door handles of vehicles. “Fifty-cents looks like a lot of money to a child,” she said. The best thing to do is not leave anything within a vehicle. “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” Another way to prevent vehicle theft is to park towards the center of a parking lot, not on the outermost sides of the lot, DPS detective Sharon Bowles-Houlette said.

When in Doubt, Call DPS

Blue-emergency phone stations are located almost everywhere on the Little Rock campus. These phones put you in direct contact with campus police. If you are uncomfortable or need help, these phones are the quickest route to your protection. With police stations strategically placed at three locations on campus: the

substation at Stabler Hall, the first floor of the Donaghey Student Center and the main office by the Big Lots parking lot, DPS is able to respond immediately to any call. Another service available, is having campus police will escort you to your car. If it is 8 p.m. and you are just getting out of class, it’s dark and you’re parked far away, call DPS and they can escort you from your class to your vehicle safely. Another tip from DPS is to keep in contact with friends and family about your whereabouts, if there is a concern, DPS is just a phone call away.

Jeep Spare Tire Theft Trending Locally

A local rising trend is theft of jeep spare tires. If you have seen someone taking the spare tire off the back of a jeep, chances are it was being stolen. Here’s why. Thieves are smart enough to know that it doesn’t look anything different from the norm.

No one is thinking to report someone changing a tire to police. Flats happen every day. The tires being stolen are sold to pawn shops and traded from a number of other things Houlette said. Putting a lock on the spare tire can prevent someone from popping off the lug nuts and stealing your tire. Also, Houlette said another inexpensive way to prevent this is to engrave your “T” number on each tire so if they are sold to a pawn shop, they can contact campus police to return it to the owner. The least inexpensive way is to back the jeep up against a barrier, tree line or fence when parking, she said. This makes stealing the tire more difficult. Police urge anyone witnessing what looks like a “tire being changed” to contact them so they can evaluate the situation.

Department of Public Safety: (501) 569-3400.

UALR GIRL

UPC to host numerous February events

Lela-Tamara Fluker Staff Writer ldfluker@ualr.edu

February is here and with it comes a plethora of events hosted by the University Programs Council. This month alone there will be a magician, a comedian and a movie night.

Corporate magician, illusionist, and comedian Joseph Tran will be performing on campus on Wednesday, February 4 at 7:00 p.m. Tran is from Hollywood,

California and a graduate of Theatre and Multimedia Production. He is a variety entertainer and headliner in Los Angeles. Considered to be an “entertainer to the stars”, this award winning magician has worked with companies including Disney, Hilton, Samsung, and Warner Bros.

Comedian Tracy Ashley will perform a set for the UALR campus on Tuesday, February 10 at 7:00 p.m. Tracey Ashley is a writer, known for Wanda Sykes Presents Herlarious (2013), Last

Comic Standing (2003) and Nick Mom’s Night Out (2012). Ashley also was a semi-finalist in NBC’s Last Comic Standing. She is well known for her story-telling skills and hilarious punchlines. Ashley has performed on college campuses across the country and has even been nominated by Campus Magazines as Best Female Performer for her outstanding reviews of performances.

On Tuesday, February 24, 2015, UPC will show the box office hit, “Beyond The Lights”. The film will show the story of a young

singer, Noni, and the pressures of stardom that have driven her to her wits end until she meets Kaz, a cop who helped her to break free and realize the artist inside of her. The film has grossed over 14 million dollars since its release in November 2014.

The UPC Executive Committee works hard to plan events that will appeal to all UALR students.

The committee attends the National Association for Campus Activities Conference each year to hear from performers from all over the country. The committee

then allows the members of UPC to vote on who should perform.

“The mission of UPC would be to engage students outside of the academic setting so that they feel at home. Events are a place for them to meet new people, network, and have fun on campus,” Jasmine McKissick, Executive Member in charge of special events, said.

Student Organization Spotlight: Biology Club

Victoria Hickey Editor vxhickey@ualr.edu

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has new student organizations that form each and every year, but one organization that has been around for almost 30 years is the Biology Club.

Exploring the science of biology and connecting people from all majors, is what has kept this club going strong. Currently there are almost 50 members, who meet monthly to talk about the volunteer projects and social events that the club takes part in.

The Biology Club is an organization run by the faculty and students of UALR, with the purpose of unifying students with an interest in biology. Even though the main focus is biology, you do not have to be a biology major to join. All students, from all majors are invited to attend the meetings and participate in the events. “We accept all majors and encourage people who are shy or just to meet a fun group of people to stop by one of our meetings or

events,” Allison Jackson, Biology Club President, said.

“It is a fun and easy way to help your academic career,” Jackson said, “We take pride in our club being like a big family who volunteers together, goes camping, visits national parks, helps each other with classes and networks with people who may just be a large part of our future.” Each semester the club participates in biology related activities, as well as Trojan activities, such as the Cardboard Boat Regatta, from which they have received awards in the past. They also work with other organizations, such as the Aquatic Sciences Association, to clean up the Coleman Creek during the warmer months.

“I joined the Biology Club because I have a major interest in science and it looked like a good opportunity to meet people with the same interests, as well as, experience new things in the science area,” Sarah House, Biology Club member, said, “My favorite part about the Biology Club would have to be doing stuff. We go on a fall camping trip and it was definitely one of the highlights of last semester.”

Jackson at asjackson3@ualr.edu and check out their Facebook page for information about meetings and events.

Ruth Houston Staff Writer rxhouston@ualr.edu

With the healthcare industry growing, the need for nurses is constant.

Nursing Major Spotlight

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is one of the many colleges that offers a nursing degree. The program is very competitive, with about 400 applying and only 200 accepted each year.

So why nursing? The answer is simple to some. “I got to go to clinical with my dad one time, and I really liked the one on one patient care interaction verses going to medical school you don’t get that intimate care with them that is continuous. You walk in, do your prescribing, then you go, but as a nurse you get to be with the patient through the whole process,” said Abby Pyland, a junior

nursing major.

Students at UALR wishing to enter into the program must finish their general education courses and must maintain a 2.0 average grade point average.

“The curriculum is what we call didactic which is a combination of lectures, clinical, and simulation trainings,” said Amber Nally, an academic counselor at the nursing program. “It is very rigorous but it’s because we are training you to become a registered nurse so it’s really important to have those skills.”

“The only general education classes you have to worry about is Human A&P because our teachers are so tough,” Amber Massey, a freshman planning to enroll in the program, said.

One thing that makes UALR’s nursing program competitive is the simulation lab. “It’s for whenever they [our students] start to do their clinical rotations. So we refer to that as the safe area. So if

one of our students forget to put the bed rail up its okay but in a real hospital it’s not okay because of patient safety,” Nally said.

“I really like UALR’s nursing program because we have state of the art equipment in the simulation lab, we have a high passing rate, and I just fell in love with my classmates when I was in 1300 and the faculty as well,” Pyland said.

“They [UALR] are one of the best programs in the state and the simulation lab makes it even better,” Massey said.

“Our faculty truly care about our students, they spend hours on

end looking over test questions, when a student needs to meet with them they say come on in, they really care and I think that’s what makes us truly unique is the faculty component,” said Nally.

“The curriculum is what we call didactic which is a combination of lectures, clinical, and simulation trainings.” -Amber Nally

Sigma Tau Delta to host AfricanAmerican Read-In

University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, the International English Honor Society, will be hosting the annual African-American ReadIn. This event will be held at 6 p.m. on February 17, in honor of Black History Month. The event will be in room D of the Donaghey Student Center.

Open to all students, faculty and members of the community is for those who wish to read a poem or other piece of literary work from an AfricanAmerican writer, or those wish to listen to the works being read.

Food and drinks will be provided as well as door prizes, including books written by or about African-Americans. This event will offer an opportunity to meet others with an interest in poetry and stories and expose attendees to a wide variety of African-American literary works.

For more information, contact Hunter Parham at hrparham@ualr.edu.

Senior Jermaine Marshall finds inspiration close to home

Carmien Penny Staff Writer cdpenny2@ualr.edu

Jermaine Marshall, a UALR Senior studying Computer Science, was accepted as a National GEM (Graduate Engineering Degrees for Minorities) Ph.D. Science Fellow. For Marshall, this means he is just one step closer to continuing his path of higher education. He has applied to nine PhD pro -

“Being

grams, and so far has already been accepted into two.

Marshall is and has been involved with a variety of campus organizations. Just a few of these include being a McNair Scholar, a Donaghey Scholar, member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity

involved allows you to network with the many other organizations on campus to build stronger relationships.”

tion to help others excel as well.” Looking at his success now, it’s hard to imagine Marshall as anything but. However, every path has a few bumps in the road, and his is no exception. Marshall says that while he was a student at Central High School in HelenaWest Helena, he was still deciding on what he wanted to do in life.

-Jermaine Marshall

Inc., Kappa Psi Chapter, and a African American Male Initiative Program member. When asked about the importance of being involved in on campus organizations, Marshall said “Being involved allows you to network with the many other organizations on campus to build stronger relationships.”

For Marshall, the decision to pursue Computer Science is a reflection on interests he had stemming from childhood. “I chose computer science as my major because I loved playing video and mobile games as a child and I was always curious on how these games were developed. It led me to choose one of the most sought after majors in the country in the job market.”

It’s easy to look at what Marshall has accomplished and be inspired. He has a few people in mind when it comes to his inspiration however, and is quick to point out that he does not have to look far.

“There are many individuals that inspire me but some in particular include my parents, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Dr. Charles Donaldson, my fraternity advisor Chris Johnson, and many more. They inspire me because of the achievements they have accomplished and their determination to reach their goals and at the same time their determina-

“While I may have hung around the wrong crowd from time to time, some of my teachers influenced me to pursue a college education and to be successful. To the students in school who are discouraged for one reason or another about pursuing something in a field they are interested in because they don’t see people like them in their fields especially the STEM Fields I say always remember that no one is better or worse than you and that we are all equal. Anything is achievable through hard work, dedication, and of course prayer.”

Life as a curly-haired guy

Caleb Mitchell Staff Writer cfmitchell@ualr.edu

Growing up in this world as a male with curly hair can be difficult and annoying. Though today’s society is changing, it seems many still stereotype males as being slovenly creatures who care nothing for their appearance and to do so is insanity. Guys with short, straight hair can oftentimes breeze through life with nary a hairrelated problem in the world to stand in their way; the amount of friends I have who simply get up and go in the morning with noth-

ing but a few splashes of water or a simple run through with a comb makes me sick. So, for all of those people who have ever come up to me and told me how jealous they are of my hair, allow me to present to you why having curly hair as a guy is not everything it’s made out to be:

1) People Think You Get Perms

Listen people. I’m about to blow your mind with this fact. Are you ready? Okay, here it goes: men…can have naturally curly hair. Gasp! Shock!

Awe! Yes, yes, I know this is hard to digest, but it’s the truth. Not everyone who has curly hair goes to a “Steel Magnolias”-style barber and pays money to spend hours seated in a chair while their hair is tied up in rollers (I can’t believe people willingly do this).

2) “You’re such a girl,” and Other Sexist Comments!

“You have more hair products than any female I know.” Like most of these other comments, I get this. All. The. Time. Another one:

How to deal with stress as a student

Carmien Penny Staff Writer cdpenny2@ualr.edu

Stress is a part of everyone’s lives, and it manifests in a variety of ways. Many studies have been done acknowledging individual issues that affect stress levels. While being part of a minority group or certain gender may bring specific types of stress, other factors can affect an individual’s stress levels as well. This could include being previously diagnosed with a mental illness, being in a financial bind, having a disability, being a veteran, and/

or being active in a religious or spiritual group. For many college students, stress may come from not only attending school, but taking care of a family and working full-time.

Despite the greatly varying backgrounds of college students, there seems to be universal stress factors that affect them. Sleep (or lack thereof), whether or not they have a healthy lifestyle and the types of relationships students have can greatly affect their stress levels, and ultimately their success in school.

A study was published in 2013 by the University of North Dakota’s Department of Nutrition

and Dietetics discussing stress on college students.

“Over three-fourths of college students get inadequate sleep on five or more days per week, and that inadequate sleep is often accompanied by feelings of tiredness and sleepiness, equating to poor sleep quality,” it stated. “Poor sleep quality has also been associated with higher levels of stress and physical illness compared to good sleep quality.”

For many college students, getting a decent night’s rest seems to be out of reach, but it’s important to prioritize it if at all possible. It can have a positive impact for something so seemingly simple.

in the check-out lane at Target instead of concerning themselves with my shopping cart full of Paul Mitchell products because excuse me for going on a shopping spree the one time they have a sale!

3) The Elements = Your Mortal Enemies

“You spend more time on your hair than most girls do.” Well, you know what, Snarky-Person-IDon’t-Know-From-Adam-JudgingMe-For-Fixing-My-Hair-In-theMirror-of-theMen’s-Restroom-atWalmart? Maybe the girls you know don’t care about their hair. Maybe they actually spend more time than I do on my hair and you just don’t see it. Maybe we’re all people and everyone has their own hairtending habits and maybe we should quit stereotyping people based on our preconceived notions of how they should be living their lives. Maybe people should mind their own business

The same can be said for having a focus on nutrition and exercise.

Healthy eating habits as well as having a regular exercise regimen has been emphasized again and again for college students. Having access to a fitness facility on campus, as well as the availability of group classes, is helpful for those who wouldn’t be able to make it otherwise.

Another important and often overlooked aspect of dealing with stress is having an emotional support system. This can be in the form of a good friend, a romantic partner, a mentor and even a counselor. Although having a few different people is helpful, an emphasis should be placed on quality over quantity. Of course it can also be said that having

Most people: “Oh, what a breezy day! I love it!” Me: “Great… where’s my extra strength hairspray?” Most people: “Ugh, it’s so humid. Better wear a tank top!” Me: “Ugh, it’s so humid. Better avoid all human contact today, because no matter how much product I put in my hair I’m still going to look like a cotton ball that lost a fight with a weed whacker.” And so on and so forth. Basically, unless it’s a perfect day with a perfect amount of sunshine, a perfect humidity level, a perfect lack of wind, and a perfectly consistent temperature, at some point during the day I’m going to look like Medusa.

So, there you have it - my list of reasons why curly hair is overrated. As a guy, you really can’t win, in my experience. You either do not care about the way your hair looks and get ridiculed for looking like Albert Einstein after a hurricane, or you take care of your appearance and people make fun of you for the amount of effort it takes to keep everything in place. For the most part, I’ve learned to shrug it off, and on the rare days when you wake up and your hair is flawless, it’ll all be worth it. But, regardless, as a guy with curly hair…the struggle is real.

relationships causes stress, but the assumption is that these relationships should be emotionally healthy and fulfilling. When stressed, being able to go to someone who cares for your well being can be invaluable.

While attending college is considered a guaranteed way to add stress into one’s life, steps can be made to better deal with it head on. Compromising one’s health and well-being shouldn’t have to be a mandatory part of a student’s lifestyle. With a little planning and prioritizing, small changes can make all the difference.

UALR Art in the Park

Morgan Drish Staff Writer madrish@ualr.edu

The UALR Department of Art’s students, faculty and alumni had the opportunity to showcase some of their work at Wildwood Park’s “Art in the Park.” The exhibit includes all kinds of artistic endeavors from sculptures to prints to 3D renditions of famous masterpieces. It will remain open for visitors until Feb 15 and may be visited Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. It is a bit of a drive from campus but it is well worth it.

According to their website wildwoodpark.com, “Art in the Park’s vision is to create a dynamic environment for the visual arts to be in conversation with contemporary culture, the community of Little Rock, and the natural environment of Wildwood Park.”

“The time is coming for this city.”

-Morgan Hill, former UALR student

It is a chance for students and the community to see the variety of work and talent amongst our art department. One of my favorite pieces was by student Tiffany Partin made of cardboard, plaster, caulk, fabric and acrylic paint in 2014. It was a near perfect 3D rendition of Pablo Picasso’s The Kiss. Although it looked just like his painting, the artist took her own creative approach by adding colors and texture that took the eye-catching piece to a whole new level.

The Wildwood Park has engaging geography. The inside of the center which currently holds all of the UALR works, also houses a beautiful theatre where shows are often performed. The outside of the center is just as beautiful with walking trails, ponds, outdoor sculptures and a garden. There is a wonderful contrast between the outside’s natural beauty and the man made beauty of the art inside the building. At Wildwood Park you are simply immersed in multiple forms of beauty and art that anyone could appreciate.

The mission of their organization, according to their website, is to “enrich the lives of Arkansans of all ages by creating community

through nature and art.” They are very interested in continuing to have native artists come and display their work. This is only the second of hopefully many more artist exhibits to come. Sofia Gonzalez, the Educational Programs Coordinator at Wildwood Park, talked with me about the visual arts at the park and how the program will continue to grow which I think will add to the momentum of the art movement that is coming to Little Rock. She interviewed Morgan Hill, a former student in the UALR Art Department whose art was showcased in the exhibit, Morgan talks about the art scene in Little Rock, describing it as “up and coming.” She says, “The time is coming for this city. Little Rock hit the moment where there was enough people coming to the city that there had to be someone looking for a shop or art scene. Most likely these people could not find what they were looking for here and just decided to make it for themselves.”

The inaugural exhibit premiered in October 2014 and just ended in December. The upcoming exhibit will be here around June or July, more information will come in the future. Visiting the Wildwood Park for me was like finding a hidden treasure in Little Rock. I had never heard of it before and wish I had sooner. I am looking forward to a warm spring day in the future to walk around the trails and see some more Arkansas art!

The School’s Best Poet

Tanner Newton Staff Writer tgnewton@ualr.edu

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is home to one of the best poets in the state. Professor Nickole Brown is that poet. She is the author of a book called Sister and is getting ready to release her second collection of poems, Fanny Says.

A poet since the age of 15, she has spent her life dedicated to writing. However, she does not just think of herself as a poet. Her upcoming book, while in poems, features a mixture of creative nonfiction and oral history that she collected while listening to her grandmother, Fanny, of Bowling Green, Kentucky. In her opinion, the boundary between the different writing genres are not as defined as most people imagine them to be.

“There is a little more room in poetry, I think at least, to capture the reality of lived experience.” One reason that she leans more toward poetry is because she pays a lot of attention to how the lines break on the page. The

shape of the poem is important. Another reason is because there is often pressure on short stories and creative non-fiction to “have a definable plot and make sense of the world.” But poetry, to her, can “hold the inexpressible a bit better.”

When not writing poetry, she can be found on campus teaching classes. Introduction to Creative Writing, Poetry I, Poetry II, Form and Theory of Poetry, and Fiction II are all taught by Prof. Brown, as well as a publishing seminar she teaches every other year. She is also the Faculty Advisor of Equinox, UALR’s student-run literary magazine. She “shepherds” a staff of about a dozen students through the process of publishing the magazine, which is released in April of each year.

As for her new book, Fanny Says, it is a biography about her late grandmother and tries to “understand where she came from and what made her who she is.” From start to finish, it took roughly 12 years to complete this book. The book will be released this spring and Prof. Brown will be doing a reading from it at the Arkansas Literary Festival in April 2015.

“ There is a little more room in poetry, I think at least, to capture the reality of lived experience. ” -Nickole Brown

Travel Talks: Road Trip Tips

Abigail Marshall Editor almarshall@ualr.edu

With Spring Break coming up this semester, a lot of people are looking into traveling. Like most people, I love getting on a plane and getting off in another country, but travel is not all about that! Especially when you just have a week and are on a college student budget. I love road trips! They can be the best way to have a multi-faceted trip. You have your destination but along the way you get to discover all the little places in between, it’s an adventure!

So, planning the perfect road trip? Well, I was pleased to stumble across an efficient new road trips tool on the Budget Travel website called Destination Anywhere, sponsored by Firestone. Check it out: You can enter the start and end point of your “ultimate road trip” and a search engine with information from FourSquare will provide you with a route and fun places to stop along the way.

Another perk of using the Destination Anywhere road trip tool is that you can enter to win a 7-day vacation at one of 1,800 resort destinations, a set of 4 Firestone tires, or a $500 Firestone Visa Prepaid Card (you can enter once daily to increase your chances).

Here recently gas prices have been at record lows, so it is the perfect time to fill up the tank and ride off into the sunset. Many popular destinations for road trips in the vicinity of Little Rock are Dallas, New Orleans, St. Louis, and Atlanta. All of these destinations fall under 12 hours and offer plenty of enjoyable pastimes for college students and families alike.

If you plan on a road trip that is longer than a day’s worth of a car ride, factoring in a place to stay is important. By using the Destination Anywhere tool all of the best little “middle-of-nowheres” are pointed out, and these places are sure to have much lower rates than the big cities along your route.

Bonus Tip: Listening to audio books on road trips is a popular pastime, however audio books are not cheap! Check out the Cracker Barrel restaurants along your route and rent and return audio books at any location!

Protecting the natural in the Natural State

Abigail

Marshall Editor almarshall@ualr.edu

As everyone knows, Arkansas is known as “The Natural State.” Home to only 2.9 million people, surprisingly Arkansas offers access to 52 state parks! As college students, volunteer time is something everyone needs to build a resume, so look no further than the Nature Conservancy of Arkansas. Their field office located at 601 N. University is a stone’s throw from campus and they are always looking for volunteers to be involved with the work they do in Arkansas.

The Arkansas branch of The Nature Conservancy has been in operation since 1982.According to their website, over their time in Arkansas they have “facilitated

the conservation of over 75 sites representing more than 300,000 acres in Arkansas.”

Jorge Gonzalez, a UALR sophomore, began volunteered with the service during his freshman year of college. He originally began volunteering because like all UALR freshman enrolled in an introductory Speech or Freshman Experience course, volunteering is a part of the curriculum. However, he says “I have continued volunteering with The Nature Conservancy because of the work they do. It is so fulfilling to know that the work I do with them helps to preserve Arkansas’ beauty for later generations.”

Volunteering with the Nature Conservancy of Arkansas takes you all over our great state. So if you are looking for a volunteer opportunity where you will see a lot of places you have never

seen, and enjoy the beauty of the Natural State’s outdoors then contact the field office and begin volunteering today!

Trojan Helmet Awards

Brian Gregory

Staff Writer bjgregory@ualr.edu

disappoint her and that leaves in a spectacle of heavy sobbing and tears.

Best Scene Award: Interstellar

are able to encounter a supreme spiritual experience in movies that only comes around once every 10 years.

the human spirit, there is no way you can see why the Oscars decided to leave it off for best animated film. There is no possible way.

Most Tear-innducing Character Award: Murphy

This award goes to the character that induces the most tears. For me there is only one choice. That is Murphy played Mackenzie Fox, Jessica Chastain, and Ellen Burstyn in Interstellar. If you haven’t seen it her agony as her daughter longing to be with her father is the most beautiful dynamic of the whole movie. Not only does it make you wish you had a daughter, but it also wants you to make sure that you never

Grant Fox

Staff Writer tgfox@ualr.edu

Funniest Character Award: Rocket

The best joke of the entire year had to be Rocket pretending to need a fellow inmates prosthetic leg. The feisty ex-Raccoon has a series of one liners and facial expressions that will get more than a chuckle out of audience members. Plus he’s just so little

Shashank Avvaru

Staff Writer sxavvaru@ualr.edu

Best Movie Jerk: Jim Bennett, The Gambler

A depressed professor with a gambling addiction, Jim Bennett (played by Mark Wahlberg) is a perfect jerk simply because he has no reason to be a jerk. That doesn’t stop him from being arro -

The best scene in a movie goes to the scene when in Interstellar when Cooper (Matthew McConaughey) gets trapped in the tesseract. The whole experience going from complete exasperation in not being able to communicate with Murphy his daughter to complete hope when he realizes he’s the “alien” that was trying to communicate with her, and she is able to save the Earth. Through Hans Zimmer’s music, McConaughey’s superb acting, the visual affects, and Director Christopher Nolan’s directing we

Most Underrated Award: The Lego Movie

The most underrated movie and also the biggest snub of the award season goes to The Lego Movie. I’ll admit this was not my first choice of movie. However, when you watch the movie and see the message that it portrays: working together, creativity, and

Sexiest Couple Award: Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield

For sexiest couple, as tempted as I am to go with the popular pick of Peeta (Josh Hutchinson) and Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) in the Mockingjay Pt. 1 or Hazel Grace (Shailene Woody) and Gus (Ansel Elgort) in The Fault in Our Stars, I’m going with something out of left field: Gwen (Emma Stone) and Peter (Andrew Garfield) from The Amazing Spiderman 2. Here you have two people that are not forced upon us but who have naturally developed on their own. They don’t

seem awkward and we root for them to stay together and agonize with him when Gwen dies. Plus it helps that they are a beautiful to look at and are a couple.

The Denzel Washington Award: Denzel Washington

The Denzel Washington Award goes to the individual in a movie, be it man or woman who just embodies the role of anti-hero and has us wishing we were that daring, that bold and that smooth. This award is definitely going to Denzel Washington in The Equalizer. Do yourself a favor go see it. You will love his character, his bravado, his efficiency at defeating bad guys, everything. Go see it, you owe it to yourself.

and fuzzy.

Best Movie Soundtrack:

Guardians of the Galaxy

From the opening scene to the credits, the soundtrack from Guardians of the Galaxy, released by Hollywood Records, plays hit after hit throughout adding to the humor and upbeat style that mixes well with the screenwriting. Plus you can play it in your car all day and not get bored. Ok maybe that’s a stretch.

Most Over-Hyped Movie: A Million Ways to Die in the West Seth MacFarlane truly outdid himself in how poorly this film

gant, self-righteous and careless. Come forward, Jim, and collect your well-deserved prize. Or don’t. Jerk.

Weirdest movie of the year: Left Behind

We are all fans of Nic Cage but except for Joe all his recent movies are a who’s who of why-inGod’s-name-did-they-make-thatmovie list. While a plane soars in the sky the biblical apocalypse hits. Instead of trying to survive what does Nic do in Left Behind? It’s either trying to impress his

Illustration by Chris Helliwell

daughter or spit out terrible dialogue; we still aren’t sure.

Most Confusing Movie: Left Behind

Dashing pilot, an apocalypse survivor attempts to win his family back with charm and sweetness. WHILE THE APOCALYPSE

was done. The dialogue and jokes were predictable and the film did better in the romance genre than when it came to comedy. All you have to do is watch the trailers and you see all of the good jokes, and a few bad ones. Disappointing lack of creativity from the creator of one of the funniest shows on television.

Best Non-American Film: Grand Budapest Hotel Written and directed by Wes Anderson and co-produced by British and Germans and financed by German Financial Companies follows the tale of Ralph Fiennes

IS HAPPENING! The confusion is not related to the plot of the movie or the characters, it’s related to the idea that a movie can get international release in spite of making no sense to a sane mind.

Most Anger Inducing Movie: The Interview

If there is a nation’s leader the majority loves to hate what do you do? Seth Rogen & Co. makes a movie about an elaborate assassination attempt on him and releases it all around the world. If that doesn’t frustrate and annoy

and his employee on a hilarious, star studded journey after the concierge is framed for murder. Dead on line delivery and straight faced humor pour from this film. Best Animal in a Movie: The Octopus Normally Rocket would have one this award but technically he’s not a natural animal. However, one animal did become quite memorable very quickly. Because I couldn’t say it any better, I’ll let Jonah Hill. “It’s inking in my mouth!!!” Yeah that Octopus was pretty memorable.

an entire country and not to mention its trigger happy leader we don’t know what will.

Best Movie of the Year: Nightcrawler

There is nothing more wonderful for a freelance journalist than doing steady paid work and making a difference, unless you are a highly intelligent sociopath. Then you create news by instigating accidents and murder. Genius plot and amazing performances make Nightcrawler the undisputed best movie of the year.

Book Review: Before I Go to Sleep

Ailsa McCartney Staff Writer ajmccartney@ualr.edu

How would you react if you woke up in a strange bed, not recognizing where you are and seeing a reflection of yourself twenty years older than you thought you were. In the book, Before I Go to Sleep, by S J Watson it is a daily occurrence for Christine. Every morning is a blank slate, her identity and past have been erased. Then one day she begins to question everything she has been told. The only person she trusts may be telling her half of the story.

The book begins with an intriguing introduction. The author keeps it interesting with

the way he opens up the book by making it feel like you are having the exact experience as the main character. The process and understanding of figuring out where you are and how you got to be in a certain position is a complex concept. Then when Christine realizes that she is in her own home twenty years older, she gets told that she was in an accident and does not have the ability to make or remember a past. Having each day started as the life of a seemingly new person is attention grabbing and keeps the audience interested in finding out the rest of the story. This book is a good read for someone who is intrigued by suspense and mystery. It is a perfect setup for a crime and a wonderful nail bitter till the end.

The author S J Watson was born in the Midlands and currently lives in London. In 2009 Watson was accepted into the first Faber Academy ‘Writing a Novel’ course, a program that covers all aspects of the novel-writing process, as a result he was able to write Before I Go To Sleep. His book has become a phenomenal international success, sold in 42 territories around the world. It is a New York Times and Sunday Times bestseller, and won both the Crime Writers’ Association Award for Best Debut Novel and the Galaxy National Book Award for Crime Thriller of the Year. On his website (http://www.sjwatsonbooks.com) there are more books that he has also written and more information about the author him self.

The Penland Experience offers vast collection of artwork

Rachel Wright Staff Writer rswright@ualr.edu

Brad Cushman said.

The Penland Experience art exhibit in the Fine Arts building is on display from January 15- March 6 in Gallery I.Penland School of Crafts is a school in Blue Ridge Mountain, North Carolina, where art students and teachers are encouraged to further develop their design skills.

“It is an art summer camp for adults,” said Jessica Jacobs, graphic design major, about the Penland summer workshops.

“UALR art students have attended Penland for workshops,” Gallery Director and Curator

“The Penland Experience has pieces that belong to the university on display, as well as pieces on loan from Little Rock artists that have taught or studied at Penland,” Cushman said.

According to Cushman, all the pieces have a connection to Penland. Some of the art on display is on loan from UALR Resident Artist in Metals and Penland School of Crafts Board

Trustee David Clemons and Associated Professor of Applied Design Mia Hall, who are loaning a metal work piece made of steel, cubic zirconia and silk by Ben Dory.

Morgan Hill, a recent graduate with a BFA in applied design and furniture design, has her

Egg Drops piece on display and for sale. It is made of ash, milk paint and acrylic paint. Hill focuses on creating items such as furniture and wooden jewelry. She has gone to Penland three times, twice for workshops and once as a volunteer for the annual fundraising auction. She is a Core-Fellowship student and is moving to Penland as part of a two year residency program to work and take classes.

Robyn and John Horn are lending 21 items from their collection to the gallery in connection to Penland.

“We love Penland, and think it is an incredibly inspiring place to meet artists of all calibers,” said Robyn Horn. The Horns said they began collecting art in the

mid-80s and started working with Penland 15-years ago.

Pieces from the UALR Permanente Collection include Gothic Pillow, a steel pillow, by Elizabeth Brim, an instructor at Penland and blacksmith. Brim is “known for feminine imagery in her iron work” (Gothic Pillow, Gallery I). Another piece includes Untitled (Rabbit), a ceramic plate, by Ron Meyers, a former instructor at Penland.

The exhibit features guest lecturers. “One lecture was earlier this week by artist Ken Baskin. He met with ceramics students taking classes this semester, and he did a public lecture in the Fine Arts building on Wednesday January 21,” Cushman said.

The Gallery hosted a recep -

tion on February 1. The reception was open to anyone, and had guest lecturer Jeffery Clancy. Clancy talked about his experiences in metalsmithing and silversmithing and his focus on utilitarian arts. Clancy taught at Penland three years ago. The Jeffery Clancy/Revere exhibit is on display in Gallery II in the Fines Arts building.

Jean McLaughlin, Director of the Penland School of Crafts and Steve Miller, letterpress artist, are guest speakers at the Fine Arts building on February 25. The lecture is open to anyone. “It is free and open to the public,” said Cushman, “we will make room even if it is standing room.”

Justifying Justified

Shashank Avvaru Staff Writer sxavvaru@ualr.edu

“Dear Lord, before we eat this meal we ask forgiveness for our sins, especially Boyd- who blew up a black church with a rocket launcher, and afterwards he shot his associate Jared Hale in the back of the head out on Tate’s Creek bridge. Let the image of Jared’s brain matter on that windshield not dampen our appetites, but may the knowledge of Boyd’s past sins help guide these men.” –

Raylan Givens

The above quote, in its elegance, captures the essence of Justified. Quotes like this remind us why we live in the Golden Age of television.

Quotes like this make Justified one of the best western TV shows ever made.

Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant), a hat wearing, loose cannon US Marshall is transferred from the sunny skies of Florida to the country back roads of Lexington, Kentucky after a legal hassle. There are two primary issues that Raylan has to deal with on his arrival:

1) Live in a hometown he despised growing up in while trying to coexist with his ex-wife and a justice system whose ways he often disagrees with.

2) Stop Boyd Crowder (Walter Goggins) – a childhood friend turned neo-Nazi anarchist who only finds happiness in destruction, chaos and bloodshed.

The basic premise incorporates smart character types and themes from Westerns. While the foundation of the show is a lawman chasing a criminal through Kentucky’s scenic pathways and legal loopholes Justified’s true genius lies in bringing the good ol’ Cowboy action into the 21st century.

The Justified crew is rallying up for another season, their sixth and final. Since its creation, the show has brought a significant amount of chatter and interest from viewers. This rough and rowdy rural

Bottoms Up

Grant Fox Editor tgfox@ualr.edu

crime show is a delight for those that love drama mixed with some good old blue collar violence. With the new season out for everyone’s enjoyment, the story is moving to a big dramatic close involving all roles on the show. The show’s appeal lies in both its law enforcement basis as well as its poor and rural southern traits. Raylan, the protagonist, is a cool and collected US Marshal with a strong attitude and a harbinger of fresh justice. Boyd Crowder, the antagonist, is a cool and collected tyrant enjoying ruining the lives and properties in Kentucky. Justified manages to also capture these polar opposite versions of confidence beautifully. With every role there is a perfect amount of complexity that adds such body and intrigue to the story and with every side-story there is living, breathing art that invokes powerful, intriguing emotions . Everyone in Justified is acting of their own accord towards their own plan letting no on stand in their way. It has the very real and dangerous villains pinned against the “dark knight” integral protagonist to create huge suspenseful showdowns. Many viewers that hold an appreciation for stark representations of rural life and those that love a show chock full of intensity will find themselves loving Justified. The final season will be a wild, action packed conclusion to the story as a whole, so strap in for a bumpy ride.

American Sniper: The real REAL American Hero

Shashank Avvaru Staff Writer sxavvaru@ualr.edu

Zach

Martin

Staff Writer

zrmartin@ualr.edu

War is terrible. War brings about death, damage and destruction. War is never the answer to anything. And yet since the birth of mankind war has been the most efficient and the most everlasting form of transition in the society. War is wrong but war is also necessary. That is perhaps the moral of American Sniper, dramatization of the incredible true story of Chris Kyle.

Chris Kyle (Bradley Cooper) is fresh out of a rodeo job and a cheating girlfriend when he discovers the glory of a military career during the late nineties. Shortly after beginning his training as a Navy SEAL sniper he runs into Taya (Sienna Miller) at a bar. An awkward confrontation turns into a happy marriage.

That is when there is a call for war.

Leaving home, a pregnant Taya, and a lot of unfulfilled dreams, Chris departs to Iraq. His skill as a sniper begins with him saving a group of soldiers from a deranged mother and son armed with a grenade. His prowess is quickly recognized and soon he garners the reputation of “the legend” – a name given to him by his fellow soldiers in recognition of his ability as a marksman to shoot near impossible targets.

The movie takes us through Chris’ career as a sniper along with the emotional struggles and trauma of Taya. The movie takes us on the path of a soldier in the heat of war and the shell of this soldier trying to adjust and survive in the suburbs in the aftermath of this war. With the burden of war on a man comes the spirit of the warrior. A select few in the world are endowed with this spirit upon birth and alone it drives to contour every shape of that person’s life. Chris Kyle’s story exemplifies the life and love and trials of a true warrior. Despite its violent and unnatural essence, war has its own amount of purpose and American Sniper with every scene attempts to bring that purpose to the heart of the viewer. There are men and women born in this nation everyday that will find themselves willing to give their life and mental health for the safety of the nation. This coverage of a true American Sniper is practically never before seen. This film encompasses the full experience of this American warrior’s life and his struggles with the power of his natural skills, an awesome and devastating set of skills that leaves a long body count behind. Bradley Cooper takes his acting to a whole new level with this film, with such a feat as the role of a PTSD haunted, professional killer. Clint Eastwood’s direction is top notch and true to his unique blend of amazing action coupled with pure emotion.

American Sniper doesn’t glorify or insult war in any way. It is simply an honest portrayal of war in its two truest senses: the war

This semester the Forum will be having a column about the drink of the month. Yes we are talking about specialized mix drinks, so no beer, whiskey and cokes, or gin and tonics. I do want to make a few things clear before the first article comes out.

First, neither myself nor any other member of the Forum endorses underage drinking. Wait until you are 21.

Second, if you are of age, drink responsibly. Third, we will be explaining thoroughly the ingredients in

each drink and they are expected to be somewhat exotic. If you choose to order one sometime, be aware of what it contains and what allergies you have.

With that said I hope everyone enjoys this column as myself and Byron will enjoy writing and illus-

trating it. Also feel free to email us if you have any suggestions for exotic drinks. My email is tgfox@ ualr.edu. Also feel free to email any feedback if you do try one of the drinks. The more interactive, the more fun. Bottoms Up!

Shashank Avvaru Staff Writer

sxavvaru@ualr.edu

Zach

Martin Staff Writer

zrmartin@ualr.edu

In the world of coming-of-age films, there is The Breakfast Club and then there are all the other movies.

This seemingly small-scale movie takes a basic setup, a generic idea, a few ordinary characters and elevates itself from regularity to greatness.

The premise: Five high school students, true to their stereotype – the athlete (Emilio Estevez), the princess (Molly Ringwald), the basket case (Ally Sheedy), the criminal (Judd Nelson) and the brain (Anthony Michael Hall) are brought together in the library by the unforgiving call of Saturday detention. As each of them go from being strangers to an unstable group to mischief makers to a gang of friends, they realize how wrong they were about each other and how much more there is to a person than

College Classics

the initial impression they give off.

However, not everything is hunky dory. The assistant principal monitoring them is not on their side and he is not afraid of slapping detentions or even legal action.

John Hughes manages to create something original and intriguing from truly human characters and that is where the glory of The Breakfast Club lies. Metaphors and inferences run rampant in the movie and each of them touches you and forces you to think, empathize and feel.

The Breakfast Club is the Godfather to all College classics. This cinematic masterpiece broke ground for every teenage angst movie after its inception. With its perfect blend of teen perspective mixed with personal character development, this is a movie every single person can relate to. John Hughes uses the categorical nature of high school to personify the problems that teens face.

The loser, the jock, the pretty girl, the weird girl and the outcast are representations of the factions created within each high school with every character being the advocate for their

experience. The jock knows the princess, no one knows the geek, and everyone knows the burnout. This is a refreshing way of personalizing our “cliques of life” and allowing empathy for all viewers. Hughes was the first person to speak out in this way, challenging the tyranny against teens in that decade.

Our hearts reach out to accept all of their stories with ease because of the brilliance at which they are conveyed with such a talented cast of actors. Each role is such a beautifully unique part of the movie as a whole and adds immense depth to the plot. Many students can relate to this easily and will open their mind to their own story. This film is still THE film about teens. No one has come close to this amount of cinematic excellence in the same category since. Next time you think you have judged someone too quickly or have created an impression of a stranger quicker than you are comfortable with, invite them to a showing of The Breakfast Club. You might find yourself pleasantly surprised. Or, better yet, you could find out something new about yourself.

Dreams come true for Conque

Maggie Rogers Editor mjrogers1@ualr.edu

Our new athletic director Chasse Conque said in his first press conference at the Jack Stevens Center Jan. 6 that this position was his dream job. Now that his dream became a reality on Jan. 20, he said he has to pinch himself from time to time.

“It’s been so busy the last few weeks, I don’t think it’s still sunk in exactly what it’s going to mean to me,” Conque said. “I think I’ll have those moments occasionally as we continue to work and continue to have some of the successes that we aspire to have,

I think that’s when reality will really set in.”

Before he accepted his new position as athletic director, he worked at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences as senior director of development. Conque started at UALR in the athletic department as director of development for four years.

“This is something that I wanted to do at that time, I knew I needed to strengthen my skills set a little bit in fundraising, which I was able to do at UAMS,” Conque said. “I knew coming back home to UALR was important, but also getting back into athletics and eventually having the opportunity to lead a department.”

There was past controversy involving UALR’s former athletic director Chris Peterson, who

resigned after comments made at a women’s soccer game, Conque said he feels like the department has overcome what happened.

“I feel that our student athletes and our coaches and our mission, that helps us overcome any adversity,” Conque said. “I think the university has handled everything appropriately, so I guess the pressure I feel is how do we move the program forward.”

There are many things Conque looks forward to doing in his new position. The first thing he said was he looks forward to is working with our campus. Conque added that the athletic department is “an auxiliary of UALR and it has the opportunity to bridge our campus to our external community.”

“We need our campus to sup -

port us, but we also need to do our part in embracing our campus,” Conque said. “I’m excited about working with our student athletes, but also our student body and building that support that we all want to have.”

With Conque’s fundraising background, he said another thing he looks to do is keep the athletic department’s budget strong.

“It’s a lean budget right now,” Conque said. “It’s very important that we continue to build our enrollment, we want to play a part in that, I think athletics plays a role in enrollment management. I think that as our institution continues to grow, our budget situation will get better in that regard. At the same time, I think if you can be also successful at fundraising, you’re getting both of those efforts running parallel to each other, at the end of the

day it makes our financial landscape much better,” Conque said. In his press conference, Conque said that he wants to meet student leaders once or twice a year to hear what the students are interested in doing during athletic events.

“It’s a spirit committee that I think they’re wanting to continue and maybe take to the next level,” Conque said. “As a department official and administrator, we would do a lot of listening, what do our students want? We want them involved in our game day experiences, we want them to get to know our coaches and student athletes.”

He said there are exciting theme nights coming up. There will be a 80s night Feb. 7, and a superhero night for the Arkansas State game Feb. 19.

It's all about the fundamentals

Brian Gregory Staff Writer bjgregory@ualr.edu

I’m not a mainstream sports fan. I care about the sports no one seems to cares about. It doesn’t matter if it’s golf, tennis, NASCAR racing, ice-skating, hockey, whatever. I will watch because I owe it to myself to as an educated sports fan not to be a band wagoner number one, and number two not to just care about the three big sports. We have to understand that there is more to sports than just football, basketball, and baseball. Sports fans must understand that there is a whole world of athletes who exist for us to watch and marvel at their sacrifice, athleticism, and skill.

This especially applies to women’s sports. Many times whether it’s in the media, barbershop conversations, etc. we have put women’s sports below things like golf, tennis, and even NASCAR. Not saying that those sports aren’t enjoyable, but we are more often than not going to see that on SportsCenter, the front page of a newspaper, or in the forefront of our sports brain than anything else. I realize that since a majority of the audience that watches sports is men that, they are going to cater to the needs of their audience. However, the ignoring of women’s sports has gone on long enough and needs to stop.

One example we have is women’s basketball. Whether its college or the WNBA, it consistently achieves ratings lower than most basketball games. At UALR this trend is highly noticeable. The last

Trojans fizzle out against Mavericks

Brian Gregory Staff Writer bjgregory@ualr.edu

The University of Texas at Arlington Mavericks defeated the UALR Trojans men’s basketball team 75-68 Jan. 24. After a starting the first half shooting over 45 percent from the field, the Trojans had a cold night from the field shooting less than 40 percent for the rest of the night. The Mavericks were a force on the defensive boards as they corralled 37 defensive rebounds to the Trojans 24. This led to a plus10 rebounding advantage for the Mavericks. The Trojans did apply enough defensive pressure for 16 Mavericks turnovers.

At the beginning of the game the Trojans came out with a lot of energy and focus. They were shooting the ball well and playing with a lot of defensive intensity. Junior Josh Hagins and junior Roger Woods the top two scorers in the game came out and

women’s home game had hardly any people at the game. Most of the people there were there for the halftime entertainment by Arkansas Children’s Hospital. The men’s game however had fans cheering them and had the Jack Stephen’s Center rocking for the most part. When talking to both Senior Kiera Clark and Junior Alexius Dawn they both said the same thing about the lack of attention to women’s sports. “We aren’t seen as fancy, or as athletic. Which means we aren’t as entertaining because the fans want to see things like dunks”, they both said. For me though I couldn’t find that to be further than the truth. When college basketball season is on I look to find both the women’s and men’s games on TV. I find them both equally entertaining. “We are more fundamentally than the men, but they put

on better show”, said Dawn. I find it appalling that I live in a world were women’s sports is not put on the same pedestal as women’s sports. The biggest women’s sports star in this country is probably Serena Williams and that is because she is so dominant and she is the best player in tennis. For most women’s athletes the reality is if you aren’t inarguably the best at your sport you will hardly ever get attention unless you win something big. Even then you might not be able to get that much recognition. In volleyball, a sport were the men’s and women’s game is given equal media treatment, more people show up to men’s games and the men get paid a higher salary. Senior volleyball player Edina Begic commented, “The men just hit so much harder, and that’s what people want to see. The ball hit as hard as possible not the par-

ticular fundamentals”.

In a world that seems to want style over substance, the dynamic between women and men’s sports is the perfect. Not saying that it isn’t wrong to mainly want to watch men’s sports, but the women who go and work hard at their craft deserve our money and our time. Until women and men stand up and require that they give us women’s sports it will never happen. Until people invest in women’s sports it will never happen. Something has to change, not only in sports but also in the world. We as a society have to demand fairness for women in business, politics, income earning. Our society cannot just make women be second-class citizens, but allow them have the same opportunities as men do. Until this happens then women’s sports will never get the proper due that it needs to be given.

shouldered the early scoring load for the Trojans. Hagins with five points and Woods with four points led UALR to a 15-2 lead at the first media timeout. The Trojans maintained a double digit lead throughout the first half. James Reid came off the bench and hit three 3-pointers. When talking about their strong first half, Josh Hagins said, “We came out with a lot of energy and we were playing hard throughout the first half.” At halftime, the score was 39-28. In the second half however, the Trojans lead began to unravel. The energy and focus that they put on the defensive in the first half was not there. UT-Arlington shot over 50 percent of the field in the second half and hit 7 of 14 from beyond the three-point line. The tone for the second half was started by an 18-8 run early in the first half. This gave the Trojans a one-point lead in the game. At one point it seemed as if every time the Mavericks shot they couldn’t miss, as Reid attested to.

“They hit some tough shots. We let them get too comfortable in the

Photo by Brian Gregory

Guard J.T. Thomas surveys the defense in the second alf versus the UT-Arlington Mavericks

second half. They hit some shots if you let them get open early, then they are going to hit contested ones and as a shooter you can vouch for that”, Reid said. While the two teams traded baskets for a while, the misses began to pile up and the Trojans ended up with a seven-point loss that dropped them to 2-7 in conference play and a 7-12 record overall.

Coach Steve Shields noted the efficiency of the Mavericks offensively. “You got to give UTA credit. They are very efficient, offensive team,” Shields said. He said that the Mavericks brought an intensity that the Trojans brought out in the first half.

“You can’t give up 54 percent from the second half, 50 percent from the three-point line against a

team that’s good, extremely good offensively,” said Shields on the lack of energy by the Trojans in the second half.

Why salaries matter in sports industry

Lauren Lockhart-Lindsey Staff Writer lalockhartl@ualr.edu

When it comes to sports in this day and age, many people only know the entertainment aspects based on what they have found most interesting. Who is the best team? Who is in the top 25? What player should be drafted first? Which organization has the best franchise? All of these questions tend to play an even bigger role in the foundation behind what is really important, and for the average coach, winning! Here in Arkansas, one thing that Division I campuses have in common is a basketball team. Though these colleges are similar in many ways with the way they set up their contracting and coaching staffs, many differences were spotted as well. Four schools were compared, or contrasted... whichever seems more probable: The University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, The University of Arkansas at Little Rock, The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and Arkansas State University.

Mike Anderson, head coach at the U of A Fayetteville, is under contract for seven years ending March 22 of 2018. His contract includes an annual salary agreement of $1,500,000 total, payable in increments at the end of each month for 12 months from public and private funds. Anderson’s contract also entitles him to health benefits, automobiles, media, tickets, and endorsements. If for any reason he decides to leave Fayetteville and is to coach for another team without medical reasoning, he will be held accountable for paying back previous salaries in past years. His contract informs that his compensation and hiring was commended for many reasons, such as him spending 17 years as an assistant coach with the program leading to its many successes including three NCAA Final Four appearances and the 1994 NCAA National Championship as well as suc-

Late first half run leads to another blowout win by the Lady Trojans

cessful seasons at other Division I programs. Over his 12 seasons as a head coach, Anderson has also compiled a 275-141 record, eight 20-win campaigns, six NCAA Tournament appearances, two Sweet 16 berths and a run to the 2009 Elite Eight. Anderson is one of just nine current Division I head coaches with 10+ years of experience and no losing seasons. He is 75-43 at Arkansas as head coach.

Steve Shields, head coach at the U of A Little Rock, is under contract for three years with an annual salary of $228,843 ending June 30 of this year. Shields contract also includes medical benefits, tickets, one courtesy automobile, donor sponsored gas card, compensation for his radio show, country club membership, and $5,000 bonuses for an NCAA appearance, Sunbelt Conference and/or Championship win. Shields has an overall record at UALR of 179-160 and 101-83 in conference.

Coach George Ivory of the U of A Pine Bluff is contracted at $120,000 annually over the course of a 12-month period ending on June 30 of this year. Ivory is said to be able to receive benefits, which were not specifically listed. The director of athletics is able to award bonuses based on performance to be agreed upon. $5,000 bonuses will be awarded for SAC Conference win and or championship along with any post season contest win. Ivory has a record of 78-112 at UAPB.

John Brady, coach at Arkansas State University has been contracted under extension for $100,000 annually terminating on March 31, 2016. Brady can receive benefits within his contract that allow him to receive a country club membership, travel compensation, a cell phone, tickets, long term insurance, and other fringe benefits. Brady was previously the head men’s basketball coach at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Brady had coached the Tigers to an unlikely Final Four run in the 2006 NCAA Tournament, the fourth men’s Final Four in LSU history. He is 99-90 overall at ASU.

Brian Gregory Staff Writer bjgregory@ualr.edu

The UALR Lady Trojans basketball team defeated the University of Texas at Arlington Lady Mavericks 66-38 Saturday, Jan. 24. The Lady Trojans held their opponent under 33 percent shooting, grabbed six more rebounds, and forced 17 turnovers. They also shot 42 percent as a team from the field and hit 19-22 free throws in the game. Junior forward Shanity James led the team in scoring and rebounding with 17 points and eight rebounds.

As the first half began it was a struggle for both teams on the offensive end. UALR and UT-Arlington are arguably the two best defensive teams in the conference with them being number one and number two respectively in scoring defense and opponent field goal percentage. The Lady Mavericks’ Rebekah Van Dijk was the leading scoring in the game in the first eight minutes with five early points. However,

she got into early foul trouble, which gave way to the offense of the Trojans. The Mavericks played a triangle-and-two defense, which Coach Joe Foley said, gave them trouble. “I thought the first seven or eight minutes the triangle-andtwo took us out of the offense. Of course we made our adjustments but we were so worried about the offensive end that we let up on the defensive end,” Foley said.

This lead to James and Keanna Keys shouldering the offensive load in the first half.

“We knew we all had to step up in the beginning, and we were able to do it,” James said.

From the 9:24 mark on it was all UALR. Alexius Dawn hit a 3-pointer and four quick points off the bench by Keys led to a 26-8 run to end the half. Their effort was also helped by the fact the fact that the team did not commit a turnover for the entire half. The half was capped off by the first career 3-pointer by senior Ka’Nesheia Cobbins, which made the lead 38-20 at the half. Keanna Keys had 8 of her 12 points in the first half.

In the second half they held

the Lady Mavericks to 26 percent shooting after a 42 percent first half. Taylor Gault took over on the offensive for the Trojans 11 of her first 13 points in the second half. At the 7:49 mark the lead grew to 30 points. The Trojans ended up winning by 28 points. Cobbins lead the team with five assists, Gault forced two steals, and James had two blocks as well.

Foley said his team is staying focused even though they’ve been blowing teams out. “I haven’t seen any wane in focus from our team. They’re mature kids. They’re juniors and seniors,” Foley said. When asked about his last blowout win he said, “The kids have to understand what we are trying to do on defense. They’ve done an excellent job of that.”

James and Keys were both pleased with the team’s performance. “I think today we learned a lot about our team. We were able to make adjustments. They threw a curveball at us today. I think it says a lot about the maturity of team,” James said.

Trojans prepare for opening day against Evansville

Maggie Rogers Editor mjrogers1@ualr.edu

For the baseball team, opening day will be here in a couple of weeks. On Friday, Feb. 13, the Trojans will play against Evansville at home at 3 p.m. Head coach Chris Curry said the team will be ready for their opponent when they arrive.

“The effort, the attitude and the hustle are there in the preparation as far as what it takes to win,” Curry said.

The Trojans had their first

official practice Jan. 27 to start preparing for their season, and the number one thing Curry said they’re working on is “commanding the fastball.” They’re also working on their approach at the plate, where they look for the baseball in situational hitting, and base running.

So far the team has had three scrimmages, and Curry said the first day went well but the second one didn’t go as well as the first day. He said the team needs to improve on strike throwing and situational hitting.

“For me, it was just mediocre which is good enough to get you beat,” Curry said. “We have some spots that are good, but we’re not

all there yet.”

All seniors were elected to serve as the team captains for the 2015 season. Cameron Allen, Drew Merten, Dyllon Brownmiller, and Sam Vogel were first picked by their teammates, and then the coaching staff approved the decision.

“When you talk about those four guys, the common thread is character, work ethic, and accountability,” Curry said. “To be voted almost at a majority by the teammates tells me a lot, means there’s trust and respect.”

Outfielder Sam Vogel said it’s an honor knowing that his teammates selected him to serve as a team captain.

“It’s an honor to know that my teammates look up to me and respect me enough to choose me as a leader of the team,” Vogel said.

As captain, Vogel overlooks the team and he notices that two of the team’s strengths are their competitiveness and their physical strength.

“One of our biggest strengths is our competiveness, out of all the years I’ve been here this is one of more competitive teams,” Vogel said. “Everybody’s out there practicing, wanting to play and contribute in some form.”

Vogel agrees with Curry, he says the team will be ready for game time on Feb. 13.

“When Evansville gets here, I think we’ll be ready for them,” Vogel said.

There is a lot of excitement going into the new season. One the things Curry is most excited about is having the opportunity to coach this team and seeing the players improve and compete well against future opponents.

“Having the opportunity to be fortunate to coach at this level at this university, there are a lot of folks that would really love to be in this chair,” Curry said. “Having the opportunity to excite an entire city and maybe an entire state if you do something special at the end, and seeing the guys get better and compete.”