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. 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:
opening word
by Lauren Humphrey
Over the summer, I had the opportunity to go to Africa for a month for a mission trip. One of my team leaders told me before going, “We need to understand that we need Africa just as much as Africa needs us.” I didn’t understand this until I was crying in front of a bonfire the third week we were there.
I wanted to go to Africa because I wanted to serve them in anyway possible and show them who Jesus is. I prepared for months. I memorized so many scriptures. I was prepared to work in the sun for countless hours. I studied the culture. I thought I was so prepared; however, when I arrived it seemed like none of my preparation was useful.
One week in, and I found myself painting a hut. “How could painting be useful to these people,” I thought, “It would be a much better use of my time if I were sharing the gospel or helping to build a hospital.” I was so
OPINIONS
by Brittany Owens
Instead of the usual “How was your summer?” conversations students have at the beginning of the school year, UALR students have been asking each other about the high school currently under construction on our campus.
Last August, it was announced that UALR agreed to allow eSTEM Public Charter Schools to build their new high school site college campus. The K-12 charter program purchased two lots on 28th Street and leased Larson Hall, located on the southwest side of campus for the new high school. The reports published since the announcement give all the pro’s associated with the partnership. They explain the benefits for the high school students and institutions; however, they make little mention of how the new school will affect current UALR students.
eSTEM plans to enroll 725 students into the new high school set to open July 2017. That means there will be 725 extra bodies on campus next fall along with the incoming freshman and transfer students we get every year. During their class time, they will not be much of a problem to college students, however, when they have lunch breaks or when they are waiting for their parents to pick them up, they could interfere with other students trying to get to class on time. For
consumed with how I measured up in my own eyes. I wanted to feel like I did a good job. I wanted that satisfaction. I wanted to serve to make myself feel better.
Two weeks later, I found myself taking down a barbwire fence. There were a hundred kids around me, and all I wanted to do is love on those kids. I was so broken by the fact that their parents don’t show them love, but I was taking down a fence. “How does this even help,” I thought again, “This fence is perfectly fine where it is.” Again, I thought that serving somewhere else would be better.
Two days later at the bonfire, I realized that I had the wrong heart the entire time. It didn’t matter what I was doing. It didn’t matter if I got recognition. I was called to serve. It was simple, but I seemed to complicate things so much. I was looking to be exalted, but I realized that I was so broken, selfish and full of greed. I was reminded of how much I
needed God in my life. I need Him to remind me that I am nothing without Him. It sounds like a miserable place to be, but honestly, I’ve never had so much joy with accepting my brokenness.
Right there, with tears streaming down my face, I understood what my team leader said. Africa doesn’t need me. I don’t actually need to paint these huts or take down a fence. Yes, it’s really helpful to the ministries involved, and they ended up being very important. But it was more important that I develop a humble heart.
I’m still trying to get it right, though. A lot of times I still look to impress people, but I am reminded that UALR doesn’t need me either. Doing a good job at being Executive Editor is worth nothing if I do it for myself. I want to serve this campus by providing you with quality news, and I’m honored to get the chance to serve this campus in this way.
instance, teenagers don’t usually pay much attention to anything but their phones, so there is a strong possibility that the high school students would be in the way simply because they are not paying attention. None of the explanations given so far have mentioned how the two learning institutions plan to blend the students peacefully, or if they plan to do so at all.
The explanations also fail to explain how lunch for the high school students will be handled. Around noon every weekday, the food court in the Donaghey Student Center is filled with an enormous number of students and the lines at Quiznos and Taco Bell are extremely long. With 725 extra bodies, those lines will be more ridiculous unless the high school students have a designated area to eat lunch that is separate from the DSC. It would not be fair to keep the high school and the college separate, but there are not enough options for lunch on campus. The Diamond Café is open for two hours a piece at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the Subconnection in the EIT building is open at the same times as the food court but it is not located as conveniently as the food court, and the Trojan Grill is not open all day. Unless more places to eat are opened on campus or the existing dining options change their hours of operation, the lunch time rush will become more hectic.
In a document that eSTEM dedicated to frequently asked questions about their partnership with UALR, the charter school explained that they will work with the city of Little Rock to minimize excess traffic on the streets but they have yet to explain how they will. Drop off and pick up are the most congested times of the day near schools. This would mean more traffic on some of Little Rock’s more frequently used streets, and on the campus.
Having a high school on campus may discourage high school seniors from other areas, transfer students, and graduate students from applying to or attending this university. Potential students may feel they will be annoyed by high school students. They may be turned off by the increased number of students on campus. Incoming freshmen from other schools may feel like they are in competition with students who come from eSTEM. They may also feel like attending a university that shares its campus with a high school may not be a step forward since they won’t feel the excitement of getting away from high school.
The partnership between eSTEM Public Charter Schools and UALR is a great idea for the institutions and the high school students. However, it does not seem well thought out because there are students who pay money to go here and it seems they weren’t considered.
by Jack A. Webb
Patrick Wilson, 18, a freshman from Little Rock, died Thursday, Sept. 1, from injuries he sustained from a skateboarding accident just east of the Student Services Center.
Wilson had been in critical condition at St. Vincent Infirmary since the accident occurred on Wednesday, Aug. 24. He had undergone at least two brain surgeries to reduce swelling, according to a GoFundMe site set up in his name.
Wilson was in his first semester at UALR. He graduated from Little Rock Central High School and was an Eagle Scout.
The GoFundMe page, an online fund-raising platform, was created shortly after the accident by a family friend to help with medical costs. More than $10,000 had been raised at press time.
A vigil service will be held Friday, Sept. 9, at 6 p.m. at Our Lady of the Holy Souls Catholic Church.
A Funeral Mass will be Saturday, Sept. 10, at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of the Holy Souls, officiated by Father John Marconi. Memorials may be made to the Our House Homeless Shelter. Little Rock Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Wilson is survived by his par-
July 2017, and attendance will begin at the high school in fall 2017.
There will still be access to disability accessible parking behind Ross and Dickinson Halls and the walkway between Larson Hall and the Nursing Building.
Once it is completed, the eSTEM school will present educational opportunities for its students, as well as UALR students.
UALR Interim Chancellor Zulma Toro weighs in on the eSTEM high school, saying that the new school will serve multiple purposes. “It will allow us to work with teachers and administrators in the high school to provide those students the best education they can aspire to have.”
dents of different educational levels be able to learn in close proximity to each other, but the potential will also be there for college students to work alongside high school students.
By having a school on a college campus that will allow for dualenrollment, students will potentially be able to not only graduate with a high school diploma, but also with an associates degree.
Every letter in eSTEM represents a different field or discipline. The ‘e’ stands for economics. The ‘S’ stands for science, the ‘T’ stands for technology, the ‘E’ stands for engineering, and the ‘M’ stands for math.
ents, Leland Wilson and Laura Anne Warren, and a brother, Ben Wilson, all of Little Rock; a grandmother, Sharon Warren of Benton; a grandfather, Michael Warren (Denisce) of Conway; an uncle, Mike Warren (Beth) of Benton; cousins Lauren Smith of Kansas City, Mo., Christina Johnson of Arkadelphia and Michelle Bryan of North Little Rock; and a host of other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Vernon L. Wilson and Floy Mae (Hughes) Wilson, and uncles Ronald Wilson and Adam Wilson. On-campus memorials are scheduled for the coming days.
eSTEM construction begins at Larson Hall Freshman dies after skateboarding accident
also embracing diversity in ethnicity are important factors when considering enrollment.
The school will serve as a laboratory, and will take lessons learned and apply them in other future charter schools of this type.
The formation of the eSTEM school has been an ongoing process that began over two years ago.
by Elton Tevebaugh
UALR students may have to divert from their normal routes until the construction of the eSTEM high school is completed. With UALR’s enrollment approximately 12,000 students, the construction is sure to make some waves.
Larson Hall is currently closed and will be undergoing renovations. Other areas that are closed until fall 2017 include; the sidewalk south of Larson Hall along University Drive, the walkway from parking lot five to Larson Hall and the breezeway between Larson and Ross Halls. The construction is projected to be finished by
It will also aid in recruiting more students to UALR. Toro says, “Having a high school at UALR will allow our programs in education, counseling, nursing and others to have the possibility of providing our current students with internship opportunities and exponential learning opportunities” Toro says.
Another goal of the eSTEM school is to help to ease the transition between high school and higher education. Not only will stu-
The construction of this school will aid in the education in those fields. Toro says that, “for the most part, students shy away from those areas and disciplines early in their school years. We want to attract more students to those disciplines because our state needs more professionals in those areas that can contribute directly to the growth of the economy and the creation of jobs.”
The student body of the eSTEM school will be chosen primarily by lottery. Enrolling students who are part of a reduced lunch program, and
Toro says that, “nothing that is worth it in life is easy,” and continues to say that, “It has not been an easy process to get these partnerships in place, but I am convinced that it will contribute quite a bit to education in this state and economic development.”
While this seems like a brand new concept, the model for the eSTEM school actually borrows from models of pre-existing charter schools.
According to Toro, “There are other models across the US that involve high schools and universities.” Much is learned from successes from these other schools, but it will not end here. Toro continues, “Someone will see what we do here and will build on the model.”
Online Photo
Nicholas Sanders Photo
“Having a high school at UALR will allow our programs in education, counseling, nursing and others to have the possibility of providing our current students with internship opportunities and exponential learning opportunities” Zulma Toro says.
Introducing Chancellor Rogerson
by Jack A. Webb
Just over a year since Chancellor Joel E. Anderson announced his retirement after thirteen years as chancellor, UALR has found a new leader in Andrew Rogerson. Chancellor Rogerson’s tenure as the tenth chancellor of UALR officially began last Thursday, Sept.
1, after months of recruitment and evaluation.
The search committee, chaired by Bob Denman, vice chancellor for advancement at UALR, narrowed their global search down to three well-qualified candidates in April: Cheryl Lovell, special advisor to the chancellor and to the chief academic officer of the Colorado State University System; Mark Rudin, vice president for research and economic development at Boise State University; and Andrew Rogerson, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Sonoma State University in California.Donald Bobbitt, University of Arkansas System president, recommended Rogerson for the vacant position. “Entering in the search process, the expectation was that a very competent and high-level pool of candidates would be identified and that the right person would
rise to the top. Dr. Rogerson brings a complete skill set to match UALR’s needs and is the right person for the job at this time.”
Born in Scotland, Rogerson’s life has spanned the globe with a career that has led him to have roots in three countries: United Kingdom, Canada and the United States.
With a Ph.D. in Protozoan Ecology, Rogerson remains a researcher at heart. “In all my positions, I have been active in research involving students and have generated significant external funding to support this work...as my career progressed, I climbed the traditional academic ladder from assistant to full professor to dean and ultimately to provost... this career path has given me a clear perspective on the type of university I want to lead--a state school with research opportunities for faculty and students,” Rogerson said of his
interest in UALR.
As he makes this transition in his life--from provost to chancellor; California to Arkansas--Rogerson is looking forward to familiarizing himself to the university and becoming its ambassador to Little Rock and beyond. “My long-term goal is to make UALR a destination campus--the university that is in demand because of the nature of the educational experience we give our students and the commitment we have to student success.”
He hopes that the future of UALR is a bright one where students can gain the appropriate education required for the 21st century. Rogerson adds, “Graduates must have the skill sets to allow them to be entrepreneurial, innovative and be ready for lifelong learning...our graduates must be given the right education, and that will be the reason students
choose UALR in the future.”
Rogerson understands that many students in today’s job market question whether an investment in higher education is worth the time, effort and financial burdens that are closely associated with college. He believes that UALR should be accessible and affordable to all students who seek to learn.
Rogerson’s wife, Janessa, does have ties to Arkansas as her mother was born here and still has many relatives in the state. They are the parents of four children and enjoy spending time together by walking outdoors and entertaining with friends. They look forward to cheering on the Trojans.
Chancellor Anderson retired on June 30. Zulma Toro, executive vice chancellor for academic affairs and provost, served as interim chancellor from July 1 to Aug. 30.
Online Photo
BEAT
Breaking and Entering
by Sydney Bradshaw
On Aug. 10, a student reported to the Department of Public Safety that a person was breaking into cars in Lot 12. The responding officers found a barefoot man that smelled of alcohol, and a few cars that seemed to have been tampered with. The top of a convertible Mustang had been ripped back, and the inside had been gone through. The officers were able to get ahold of the Mustang’s owner and return the items that the suspect had taken. Upon being searched, the officers found that the suspect was carrying a pen that had been altered to smoke narcotics. He was charged with Breaking or Entering, Theft of Property, and Drug Paraphernalia and taken to Pulaski County Jail. Man on Top of Cooling Tower
On Aug. 11, a man was found on top of the residence hall cooling tower beside West Hall and Lot 15. The man appeared to be only half dressed and was ordered to come down. He was cooperative and told the officers that he might have a warrant. The officers found that he did have a warrant for failing to report to his parole officer. The man was arrested and charged with Criminal Trespass and Disorderly Conduct.
Belongings Thrown Out
On Aug. 11, DPS got a call from one of the Village’s resident assistants regarding an angry student whose belongings had been thrown out, the student was told by the RA, by the cleaning crew. The officers arrived and helped the student locate some of his items. Some, but not all, of his things, were found in one of the dumpsters. One item that was not recovered was a large navy blue wooden trunk. The director of Campus Living was notified of the situation and met with the student and officers to help with the situation. He found the student’s belongings and assured him that he would return them to him the next day.
UALR prepares for Hispanic Heritage Month
by Antony Wanjala
Next month, the country will celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month. UALR will join the celebration with several events planned.
A number of organizations are operating in tandem to make the coming month’s celebrations run as smoothly as possible. The Department of International and Second Language Studies is working in coordination with the Mexican Consulate to host a number of events for Hispanic Heritage Month.
In addition to Little Rock’s consulate, Mexico has 55 other representations in the United States. On their webpage, you can find one closest to you and learn how you can engage with your local Hispanic communities. The purpose of the consulate ranges widely, but primarily focuses on endorsing community events and facilitating cultural exchange with local organizations.
UALR’s Edma Delgado Solorzano, assistant professor of Spanish, detailed a run-down of the events students and faculty should expect
over the next month.
Over the course of the commemorative month, students will be volunteering at the Ron Robinson Theater alongside individuals from the University of Central Arkansas. The theater will host an art and crafts market where students, non-students and faculty alike will provide enthusiasts the opportunity to indulge in Hispanic cultures. Artists will display their wares with the hopes of celebrating their heritage in a palpable way.
On Sept. 11, Pulaski Technical College will host an event in honor of the month. Details on this event are still in the works as of publication.
In addition, from Sept. 1 to Oct. 1, the Gallery in the Argenta Art District will also contribute to Hispanic Heritage Month.
Hispanic Heritage Month is not just an excuse to visit your local Spanish food eatery. The month is a celebration of the Hispanic culture, a culture that encompasses millions of people across the globe.
According to the Pew Research
Center, as of 2015 America’s Hispanic and Latino populations make up 17.4% of its total demographic. With this in mind, it is no wonder why the United States designates Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 a time for acknowledging the finer aspects of Hispanic culture. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of American citizens who can trace their lineage back to places like Spain, Mexico and the Caribbean.
The official website for the month (hispanicheritagemonth.org) explains that the dates for the commemorative month just so happens to accommodate the anniversaries of a large number of Latin American countries. Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Chile, Belize and Nicaragua just to name a few.
The month itself can trace its lineage back to Ronald Reagan’s presidency, as it was enacted into law on August 17, 1988. Before having a full month, there was a Hispanic Heritage Week. Celebrated annually, Hispanic Heritage Week last from 1968 until it was expanded.
UPC hosts free events on campus
UALR’s University Program Council (UPC) returned to work over the last few weeks. The student organization released their list of September events.
The first UPC event to happen after this paper’s print date is a Ultimte Fighting Championship (UFC) pay-per-view. UFC 203 will feature the long awaited MMA debut of former WWE champion CM Punk. Punk will fight Mickey Gall. The main event will see UFC Heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic defend against Alistair Overeem.
The fight is on Sept. 10 and will be shown at Ledbetter Hall at 9 p.m. Two days later, UPC will host a game show, “Beat the Banker.” This game will be a condensed version of “Deal or No Deal.” Real money is on the line in this game. The game will
start at 7p.m. at Ledbetter B and C.
The final UPC event of September will be “The Jungle Book Live.” On Sept. 21, UPC will show the new Jon Favreau adaptation of the Rudyard Kipling classic. The movie will start at 7:30 p.m. on the Trojan Lawn.
Earlier that same day, UPC will host the “Live” part of the event. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., UPC will have live animals on campus.
Animals they plan to have include snakes, chinchillas and huge tortoises. The animals will be located at the Ottenheimer Library Courtyard.
Earlier this month, UPC showed “Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice” and “Now You See Me 2.” They also had a magician on campus and hosted a karaoke night.
UPC is a student organization on UALR. UPC membership and UPC events are free, as UPC is funded by
the student activity fee.
The group is run by three executive committee members. This year they are Blaise Hale, Jasmine Mckissick and Victoria Hickey. Hale is the entertainment chair, Mckissisk is the special events chair and Hickey is over movies and PR.
Explaining what an executive committee member does, Hickey said, “We plan the events. We each have a different responsibility.” Hickey also said that the job is a “December to December” job, meaning that at the end of the semester, new members will likely be hired.
UPC members interested in becoming executive committee members can apply for the job at the end of November. To be eligible, students must have at least a 2.75 GPA.
by Tanner Newton
DOWN
1…Elementary lessons
2…”You’re a riot … not”
3…Jai __
4…Fatal plant diseases
5…Outskirts of the outskirts
6…Weimaraner warning
7…Joan at Woodstock
8…Horror’s “Mistress of the Dark”
9…Spanish hero El
10…Classic cowboy hat
11…Windex target
12…MLB postseason semifinal
13…Kremlin refusal
18…Genesis shipbuilder
19…List listings
24…Wall St. deals
26…Price of admission
27…Check-signing needs
28…__-Z: classic Camaro
29…”Not gonna happen”
30…Zany
31…Try to bite, puppy-style
35…Kiddie-lit monster
36…Sing like Joe Cocker
39…Best-seller list entry
42…Fusses over
43…LAX listing
ACCROSS
1…Captain obsessed with a whale
5…Baseball great Ruth
9…Channel covering Capitol Hill
15…Taken by mouth
16…Rome’s home
17…Chronological documentation in a court case
20…Prior name of Ho Chi Minh City
21…Spot of acne
22…Driver’s license prerequisite
23…Damaging precipitation
25…NFL officials
27…Point an accusing finger at
32…Greek Cupid
33…Great Lakes’ __ Canals
34…Prom participant
37…Japanese drama
38…Cry bitterly
40…Links org
41…Sharpshooters’ magnifiers
45…Discouraging answers
47…Organs that may be pierced
48…”Be careful on that icy sidewalk”
51…When repeated, a Hawaiian fish
52…Shoelace securer
53…Offended smack
56…New Deal org
58…More gloomy
62…Brief film role
65…Female reproductive gland
66…Any one of the Bahamas
67…Geometric art style
68…Cup, in Calais
69…Cartoon screams
70…Leaves speechless
44…The “a” sound in “about” or “around”
46…Ice cream treats
47…Erik of “CHiPs”
49…Flower child, e.g
50…Roll in the aisles
53…Kilt wearer
54…Volcanic flow
55…Amo, __, amat
57…Vaulted church recess
59…Had the information
60…Behold, to Caesar
61…Classic cars
63…Santana’s “__ Como Va”
64…Lodge logo animal
The STRUGGLE REAL is
by Alexandria Barnes
Each semester, I face the same question: “Which classes can I get away with not buying a textbook for?” Every college student knows how expensive textbooks can be. It’s not rare for us to drop $300 on books for just one class. And the sad reality is, you might not even need to use the book.
It seems as though professors are always telling us, “The textbook is required” or “You can’t pass my class without buying the book.” Hearing that, of course, you go and buy the book for the class thinking that you can’t live without it. Then next thing you know, you’ve just shorted yourself several hundred dollars.
A few weeks in, you start to realize the class was easier than you thought. Most of the answers to your homework and online tests can be found on Quizlet, and the textbooks that were a must-have for you to pass the course have been sitting on your desk since mid-August. Unfortunately, the deadline to get a full refund on those books has passed, and if you try to sell them back at the bookstore, the most you’ll probably make off of them is a few bucks.
Another downside is that you never know what class you will need a book for and what class you won’t. If you wait too long to buy the book for a class, you can get behind on work or miss assignments. And if you buy your books from the bookstore, there is a chance they may not have the book you need after classes begin.
Basically, buying textbooks in college is a lose-lose situation. You’re either going to pay way too much money for a book you might not even use or possibly miss assignments trying to wait and see if you need to buy the book. Hopefully, you got lucky this semester and are using the textbooks you spent money on.
Pokémon Go
by Shaun Williams
Pokémon Go, a free app developed by Niantic and released in July, has taken the nation by storm.
The concept of the game is to walk around to real-life locations called “PokeStops,” to get items and collect the Pokémon that pop up along the way. After hitting a Pokestop or capturing a Pokémon, you will gain XP, which stands for experience points. Experience points are the unit of measurement for many role-playing games and mark the progression of your character.
After capturing the Pokémon you travel to take over real-world objectives called “Gyms,” from other
players. Since the game has been out a few months most won’t find a gym that doesn’t have Pokémon over 1,000 combat power.
Most players find the main appeal of Pokémon Go to be how people can go out in the realworld and find tons of others who see the same augmented reality that they do, which brings the sort of immaterial dream of Pokémon to life.
One of Niantic’s problems is that they aren’t listening to their fan base. Pokémon Go can be very intriguing in the beginning because players are very focused on “becoming the very best” by constantly catching Pokémon and leveling up. However, after doing this repeatedly for several days straight, most get bored and just find the next big thing that is out.
Though we know for sure that trading will be coming to the game in the upcoming updates, there is still the problem of the use for Pokémon other than bat-
tling an npc Pokémon that was left in a gym by its owner. An npc is a non-player character which is controlled by artificial intelligence.
I have heard many opinions about how there should be an enemy team that is bent on causing havoc for the trainers. Old versions of the Pokémon game and show had some type of foe that would routinely disrupt the trainers’ adventures.
Pokémon Go has impacted the world by allowing its users to interact and come together to find the many different Pokémon that are currently in the game. Though there are a few that are only in different countries you still may be able to get them in Pokémon eggs. In the game players receive limited time items, such as lures, an item that attract pokemon to any pokestop. This allows players in the community to meet other trainers who are also trying to catch as many
Pokémon as they can. Placing lures keeps the communities alive so if you ever place a lure on campus get ready to see a crowd of trainers heading your way.
Overall Pokémon Go is a fantastic, can’t miss social experience; an experience that makes the world of Pokémon real. However, its RPG mechanics and combat don’t have nearly enough depth to support itself in the long term. People will start to lose interest because of its lack of depth, and grow tired of just tossing pokeballs and tapping their screen during gym battles. As a result, many are looking forward to what Niantic has instore for Pokémon Go in hopes that they don’t let their fan base down. So if you want to be the very best like no one ever was, get out there and catch them all
Bethany Hoover Illustration
TROJANS’ RENDING OPICS
What’s something interesting you did over the summer?
Charles Moore
Sophomore
Major- Biology
Quote- “I got an internship to work with Dr. Helen Beneš at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.”
Katherine Zambrano
Sophomore
Major- Mass Communication
Quote- “I went to the Dallas Aquarium and saw a bunch of fish.”
Joseph O’keke
Junior
Major- Information Science
Quote- “I was an outstanding math mentor for the Charles W. Donaldson Scholars Academy.”
Anesia Scott
Senior
Major- Criminal Justice
Quote- “I worked! I was an orientation leader. I also worked as a dean’s assistant for student affairs and I am also a research intern for E-learning.”
Rikki Turner
Faculty Member
Department- Student Affairs
Quote- “My husband and I had our 10-year anniversary and we went to Orlando without a kid.”
The true msg about MSG
by Renea Goddard
Whether you know of it as an eastern scientific achievement, a toxic detrimental to your health or a centuriestraditional flavor enhancer, MSG has existed in the public consciousness for decades. You might see it on your Chinese takeout or on the door of your favorite Asian buffet: “No MSG Added”—a phrase that has cropped up all over the United States in response to backlash against this contro-
Kikunae Ikeda first synthesized the chemical compound monosodium glutamate (usually abbreviated to ‘MSG’) in 1908 after he noticed the existence of a flavor in many foods that was hard to identify. This flavor, which monosodium glutamate isolates, soon entered Japan’s vocabulary as ‘umami’.
This savory, rich taste often emerges in foods such as Parmesan cheese and mushrooms, as well as the seaweed and kelp soup broths that have been used in east Asian cultures for centuries as natural flavoring.
Though traditional ways of extracting the flavor of MSG has already made it a staple in many Asian cultures, Ikeda’s patented new flavor enhancing product soon became a popular new must-have.
But just as quickly as it took the West by storm, MSG fell out of favor. The beginning of this controversy started in the mid-20th century at the height of anti-Asian racism and xenophobic sentiment in the United States. Since 1968, when the New England Journal of Medicine published a letter describing “Chinese restaurant syndrome” that named symptoms such as headaches, tingling limbs and other symptoms of allergic reaction, critics in the United States have accused MSG of causing everything from cancer to obesity.
Even more interesting than the history behind this compound is the science (and pseudoscience) behind it. Glutamate, a component of MSG, is actually a naturally-occurring amino acid that our bodies produce to survive. Many of the critics of MSG has claimed that this flavor additive has the ability to “over excite neurotransmitters”, calling it an ‘excitotoxin’—however, this myth likely arose from the fact that glutamate is used in our bodies as a neurotransmitter to regulate learning and memory.
Even very excessive amounts of MSG intake doesn’t actually affect the naturally occurring glutamate that we produce biologically. Glutamate can also be found in most of the fruits and vegetables that are used in the culinary world for flavoring, such as mushrooms and tomatoes, and ways of extracting the flavor of glutamate has existed for thousands of years.
MSG is simply a naturally occurring glutamate that is extracted and crystallized with sodium to stabilize the compound. To put it quite simply: MSG is nothing more than protein mixed with salt. MSG’s use as a flavor additive relies immensely on this fact.
When we taste glutamate, we’re not actually tasting a real flavor—we’re tasting our brain’s pleasure-inducing response to its protein-richness. That’s why the ‘umami’ flavor of MSG is often described as meaty or savory.
So it looks like we’ve all been consuming MSG our entire lives with no long-term detriments, why the controversy then?
The “Chinese restaurant syndrome,” as well as the myriad of other ailments purportedly caused by MSG, appears to have no basis in scientific fact. In actuality, there has never been a definitive study that has proven any real association between MSG and the negative health effects that critics have listed. Many of these purported health effects seem to be common symptoms of allergic reactions to the plants and herbs (such as peanuts and cumin) that are used in many Asian dishes.
In addition, it’s not surprising that many Western-raised restaurant-goers who are unaccustomed to the strong spices, seasoning and fermentation common in Asian food would feel physically ill and uncomfortable after eating it.
Even if the history behind MSG isn’t enough to prove that the West’s fear of it is largely irrational, science will always stand as an objective and factual reminder that this tiny white powder offers nothing more terrifying than strong, delicious flavor.
Leah Atkins Photos
by Whitney Bryson
Amasa Hines stuns with debut album
by Marty McNally
Independent Arkansas band, Amasa Hines is bringing soul back to rock music while still flying under the radar of being a mainstream band.
Amasa Hines formed in 2010 in Little Rock, and included members Joshua Asante, Judson Spillyards, Joshua Spillyards, Ryan Hitt, Norman Williamson and Walter Henderson. They have made a sound that is truly their own, and have been featured in Paste and Southern Living Magazine as “Bands to listen to now.”
The album “All The World There Is” is their first album. This album has a rich southern jazz sound with Afro-beats and hints of influences from John Coltrane and The Black Keys.
A small taste of lyrics with a little guitar rhythm playing softly in the background starts the album with the song “Even the Wise.” Suddenly, a man takes over the microphone with a smooth, but a little raspy, voice singing his soul out. As his story unfolds, the energy of the band kicks in, entrapping the listener with the sound of instruments blending to make an incredible sound.
It then goes to “El Hajj El Shabazz,” a funky song with a soulful feel.
“Where Our Hearts Used to Be” is a slower song that picks up and goes back down with the instruments echoing out the words it seems.
“Earth and Sky” will get your head going with hard sung love lyrics and the occasional solo of the band members. “Sweeping Exits” is a song that
TJazz in the Park ‘Monty Python’s Spamalot’
by Sydney Bradshaw
During September, Jazz in the Park will be coming to the History Pavilion in Riverfront Park. Each Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., there will be a different performer. The artists that will perform are: Sounds So Good Jazz Quintet on Sept. 7, Julia Buckingham on Sept. 14, Tonya Leeks on Sept. 21 and Rodney Block on Sept. 28.
More information about this event can be found at the River Market’s website, http:// www.rivermarket.info/learn-more/events.aspx.
Need some comedic relief in your life? Come check out “Monty Python’s Spamalot” The musical will be performed at the Arkansas Repertory Theatre every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from Aug. 31 to Oct. 2. The admission ranges from $30 to $55.
More information for this play can be found at The Rep’s website, http://www. therep.org/.
E T BE
inspires the listener to sit and think about life. It is one of those rainy day songs.
“Akimbo Limbs” starts out loud, but goes into a steady beat with strong blend of brass. The drummer makes this song come alive.
“Coltrane” is one of the best songs on the album. Rumor has it that the song was written for the artist’s son. The love of a child radiates from the song. The drummer then kills it at this point with speed, but the sound that every talented musician put on could be felt at this moment.
The final song, is “Mwana Harmonies.” It fits it’s place for it’s sound as an ending song of the story of the album.
Overall, this album is a must-have.
The Fold
by Brian Gregory
One restaurant UALR students should try at least once is The Fold Botanas Bar. The Fold is a welcoming place that’s really delicious.
My friend and I had never been there, much less had heard about this restaurant. We were tired of the same old Panera Bread, Texas Roadhouse, Buffalo Wild Wings deal that we usually did. We just wanted to go somewhere different.
After a long extensive Google search and process of elimination, we decided on The Fold. When we got there, we looked at the menu and for an ethnic Mexican restaurant it had an extreme amount of variety. They offer appetizers, salads, tacos, burritos, and tortillas.
The Fold only has four items priced above ten dollars: the steak burritos, bison burritos, steak tortillas, and the pork tortillas. This restaurant definitely fits the college budget and not only that but the food there is extremely filling.
For my entrée, I chose the Chicken Sencillo Tacos. They cost three dollars per taco. It comes with white onion, queso fresco, and the cilantro. I replaced the freshly cut cheese with habanero queso. They were some of the best tacos I have ever eaten. You have a choice of getting the tacos corn or flour made. Continued online.
Online Photo
Three great movies shine in a lousy summer
by Tanner Newton
Over the summer months, paying audiences continually buy tickets to bad movies, and leave the quality movies to empty auditoriums. The three movies that I liked the best over the summer have collectively earned only around $145 million domestically.
When you are looking at the best mov ies of the summer, you are really looking at the best bombs of the summer.
The best movie of the summer was “The Nice Guys.” Directed and co-written by Shane Black, the 1970s throwback is the funniest movie of 2016.
The film is about two detectives, a career best Ryan Gosling and a decade best Russell Crowe, who have to find a missing girl. Crowe played a similar character in “L.A. Confidential.” A double feature of the two films would be amazing.
“The Nice Guys” made little money, but it didn’t cost a lot to make either, so losses were likely small. The same cannot be said about the second best movie of the summer, “The BFG.”
For the first time since his undeservedly hated 2008 film “Indiana Jones and the Kingdome of the Crystal Skull,” Spielberg returned
to the summer movie scene with “The BFG.”
In the last eight years, Spielberg has mostly
played with dramatic subjects, WW1, Civil War and Cold War, so it is great to see the man behind “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” and “E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial” still knows how to craft a family picture better than anybody else.
The opening scene shows the Big Friendly Giant wandering around the streets of London at night. The way the giant manages to remain hidden from sight is amazing. During this scene I developed a huge grin on my face that didn’t leave until the credits started. The BFG is the only friendly giant in Giant Country. The rest are cannybulls who like to eat human beans. The evil Fleshlumpeater wants to eat the BFG’s friend Sophie. Sophie and BFG’s adventure leads them to Buckingham Palace in
what is the best scene of the year.
The last film is the only one that will likely pull a profit, “Pete’s Dragon.”
Pete’s Dragon is a remake of an old movie that I haven’t seen. After watching this masterpiece, I doubt I ever will. There is no way that it can match what director David Lowery has made.
Pete is a young boy who has lived in the forest for years. Like many Disney protagonists, he finds himself in this situation following the disturbing deaths of his parents. Stranded in the woods, Pete is about to be killed by wolves when a big friendly dragon saves his life and becomes his best friend.
Years later, Pete is discovered by loggers, the always great Karl Urban and Arkansas’ Wes Bentley, and a park ranger, Bryce Dallas Howard, and is taken back to civilization. From there the film has two stories--the ranger, along with her dad played by Robert Redford, trying to reintroduce Pete back to society, and the loggers trying to catch the dragon.
The effects are wonderful, the cinematography is Oscar worthy and the acting is top notch. This is true of most of his performances, but I believe Redford deserves an Oscar nomination for this movie.
Give all three of these wonderful films a look, you won’t regret watching them. You will only regret not watching them on a big screen.
Zachary Tallent Illustration
From UALR to Rio
by Antony Wanjala
At an age when most people are contemplating their wasted years, Natasha Wodak is doing quite the opposite. Thirty-four years has brought her face-to-face with our planet’s finest athletes. Despite the appeal of the Olympic theater, few know of Natasha’s humble beginnings.
The Canadian-born Olympic runner has had a long relationship with athletic events but it is in recent past that the fruit of her labor has come to fruition. It has been a long journey with its ups and downs, including a brief battle with plantar fasciitis and peroneal tendonitis, Wodak is living proof that hardship is a mind-set that doesn’t have to be a reality.
The Olympic titan may have been born in Canada, but Arkansas helped chisel her athletic acumen. For the most part, the coaching staff that was with Natasha during her time at UALR has since moved on to better and
brighter venues but, after catching up with Evan Drexler, Associate Director of Athletic Communications, a few details sprung up from memory.
Natasha ran for the UALR campus for two years in 2000 and 2001. Despite her tenure on our campus, Wodak managed to etch her name into many places in the school’s record books. Placing ninth at
the league’s championship in 1999 won her the All-Sun Belt in Cross Country accolade. The Sun Belt Conference, part of the NCAA’s Division I, attracts some of America’s most talented athletes.
Wodak’s tenacity did not stop there.
Since September 2000, Natasha has remained 17th alltime in UALR program history
in the Cross Country 5K with a time of 18:26. This is a list littered with some of Arkansas’s best and brightest though only two Trojans have gone on to compete in the Olympics. An exclusive list which Natasha’s recent successes validate.
Furthermore, Wodak’s 3K time of 10:21:56 is also still the ninth-fastest time in UALR outdoor-program history.
Even after leaving UALR back in 2001, Natasha has yet to rest on her laurels. The Olympic athlete improved her 3K personal best by more than a minute, racing to a finish of 9:02:57 in 2013. In a sport like running, seconds could mean the difference between an ordinary first place win and a world record, so a full minute improvement is astonishing, to say the least.
As can be seen by her athletic accomplishments, Natasha Wodak has made running her life’s work. The fact that she reached the zenith of athletics, the Olympics, and, to add to this, the very notion of UALR playing a hand in the achievement, will make high school athletes think twice about which athletic program they should invest their time into.
The University of Arkansas’s Athletic Program has many to thank for its current place in America’s collegiate zeitgeist, of which Natasha Wodak is one that will never be forgotten.
LEFT: In Natasha Wodak’s cross country days at UALR, she placed ninth at the league’s cross country championship. RIGHT: Canadian Olympian placed 22nd in the Rio Olympics on Friday, Aug 12.
HOT CORNERShouldIquittheNFL?
by Brian Gregory
This summer I have been asking myself a question I would have never thought to ask myself. Should I watch the NFL this season? I know right, coming from one of the biggest sports and football fans you will ever meet. I am super excited about seeing my Steelers hopefully, and finally, have a good enough defense to compliment their dynamic offense and be able to make it to the Super Bowl. I want to see them go up against Denver’s defense and the greatness of the New England Patriots. I am excited to see Seattle and Carolina and so many other great teams around the league. I want to see Odell Beckham Jr. vs. Josh Norman, if RG3 can hopefully lead Cleveland out of the gutter, or if Andrew Luck will return to form and Indianapolis back to the playoffs.
However, the NFL, as a business, a brand, and a league have pushed me to my wits end to where I don’t know if I can watch their games anymore. The reason being it is the most hypocritical entity in the entire world of sports. More than FIFA, more than the Russian Federation of Sports, more than the World Anti Doping Agency. The NFL decides that someone who hits and beats up his wife like Josh Brown gets one game; someone who has a loaded assault rifle, is drunk and speeding, and has a child in the back seat like Sheldon Richardson gets suspended and gets one game; or someone who hits and beats up his girlfriend like Greg Hardy and gets convicted by the court of law gets 4 games. But if you smoke weed you get four games, ten games or even a whole season. Yet the league has alcohol commercials, which regardless of your stance of weed is not as dangerous on any level except if it is laced with another drug. The hypocrisy of the league is ridiculous.
It’s not just the suspensions, but the league’s treatment of players. Martellus Bennett was quoted as saying the NFL stands for “N word”s For Lease. While his use of the term is graphic, it speaks in reference to the fact that there are so many poor players that come into the league and, although not everyone makes superstar status, players aren’t getting the treatment they deserve. If you get injured you are cut or your money is taken away. It forces players to play injured, through concussions, sprained ankles, and bad hamstrings, which lead to bigger issues like ACL tears, back injuries, and ultimately life-long health problems. So I don’t know if I’ll watch the NFL this year, because honestly I am prepared to take my money elsewhere.
Athlete to watch: Sara Small
by Marty McNally
This issues featured athlete is UALR’s women’s soccer team Sara Small. Small is a transfer student from Wake Forest who came to Arkansas to further her soccer career. She is from Bend, Oregon and has been playing soccer since she was seven. She is the goalie for the Trojan soccer team and while being in her last year she plans to get her dream job of being a professional soccer player.
Small is a comical person who has one of those smiles that just welcomes you. She is a relaxed and confident person who loves making her teammates and friends laugh. They also know that when push comes to shove she will stand her ground and handle her business on and off the field. When asked how much soccer meant to her, she said, “it means everything to me”.
She said she used to be a twosport athlete in track and field which she did the pole vault and soccer. But during her freshman year at Wake Forest, she eventually quit the track and field team just to focus on soccer, which is what her passion is.
If all her plans go accordingly she will play overseas in Europe to pursue a professional career with soccer. While every college athlete has the dream to go pro, Sara also plans on getting her degree in Criminal Justice just to have a backup plan if things don’t go her way.
When asked how much time out her week was taken up with school and sports. She just smiled and said, “it is like having two full-time jobs without getting paid”. With going to class, going to practice, playing games, traveling for games, practicing outside of practice, and working
out to stay on top of her game. It’s no wonder that when she finds time to relax its taken advantage of.
With Small’s limited free time, she enjoys hanging out with her friends or watching Netflix. She likes to watch her favorite movies Braveheart or Stick it and she will occasionally throw on Despicable Me. Besides hanging out, she will wind down and relax with artist like Halsey or Chainsmokers, or put on Pandora and relax. But when she wants to get pumped up to get ready for a game, she listens to her favorite artist Eminem to clear her mind off everything else while getting mentally prepared. Sara has a very welcoming personality and seems to have a hard work ethic from what she has said and with that UALR is sure she will be successful with anything she does in her life.
Marty McNally Photo
Women’s volleyball makes strides in invitational
by Adrian Miller
We had a great three days of volleyball over the weekend as the UALR Lady Trojans hosted the first ever Little Rock invitational. The invitational saw the likes of Big 12 powerhouse Oklahoma, SEC participant Mississippi St., in-state competitor UAPB of the SWAC conference, and UT Martin of the OHIO Valley conference. Oklahoma won the overall tournament by going 4-0, Mississippi St. came in second finishing 3-1, the Lady Trojans were third going an even 2-2, and UAPB ending up last going 0-4.
UALR had a hard out in their first game of the tournament against Oklahoma. The Lady
September 16th 17th 18th
Sooners won the match 3-1 featuring their senior outside hitter Madison Ward with 19 kills and 4 blocks. Sophomore setter Audrey Alford had an outstanding 58 assists. The Lady Trojan’s outstanding sophomore middle blocker Veronica Marin led the team in kills with 13. Sophomore Taylor Lindberg contributed 22 assists, and sophomore Sydnee Martin pitched in with 18 digs.
The Lady Trojans were able to bounce back in their second game of the tournament versus UAPB. UALR won the match in straight sets and it was also their first win of the season. Senior middle blocker Edina Selimovic had a good game with 10 kills and five blocks. Taylor Lindberg boasted 30 assists in the match. UALR went 28 for 35 on kill shots collectively. The Lady Golden Lions Lauren Corby had 6 kills and 3 blocks and Britney Sahlman chipped in 17 assists.
UALR looked to be upset minded against Mississippi St. with the Lady Trojans starting off winning the first set 25-23, but it was all Bulldogs
from there. Little Rock native Evie Grace Singleton felt right at home in the Jack Stephens Center. She led the Bulldogs with 27 kills. Taylor Lindberg had another great game for the Lady Trojans with 39 assists and three blocks.
In their last game of the tournament, UALR was able to finish their first ever home tournament on a strong note. The lady Trojans won a decisive victory over UT Martin, in which they won in straight sets. The victory brought their tournament record to 2-2 and their overall record to 2-5. The marvelous Taylor Lindberg continued her excellent performance in the tournament issuing another 38 assists and grabbing four digs. Veronica Marin went an amazing 64% on kill shots, going nine for 14. Her excellent play throughout the tournament was awarded by her being named to the AllTournament Team.
The UALR Lady Trojans should feel very good about their performance throughout the tournament. Their victories were dominant and their losses had shining moments with the Lady Trojans winning sets against both SEC contender Mississippi St; and Big 12 great Oklahoma. The tournament was good for our volleyball team, our athletic department, and for the university as a whole. The UALR women’s volleyball team showed flashes of greatness that can keep us hopeful for the remainder of the season. But on top of that, we can thank the Lady Trojans for allowing us to be a part of UALR history.
Lauren Humphrey Photos
LEFT: Freshman from Fonthill, Ontario, Hope Larmour serves the ball on Friday, Sept. 2 in the first set. RIGHT: Trojan attempts to block the ball in the final set against Mississippi State; however, despite their efforts, the trojans lost the match 1-3.
Chi Alpha missions
During June, 12 students went to Africa with Chi Alpha, a campus ministry. During their trip, they served and ministered to the people of Zambia and South Africa.
TOP: After four days of spending time with the village people, 28 people were baptized in the flood plains. “Seeing the joy on the people’s faces after they got baptized brought so much joy to all of us. It definately changed the mening of baptism for me,” Sophomore Adam Fry said.
LEFT: Junior Tina Robertson rolls paper beads with the women of Hope Art. Through hand made jewelry, Hope Art raises money for orphans and widows.
“I loved making the paper beads. It’s harder than you would think. We had an incredible time getting to sit with them and learning about what they do every day,” Robertson said.
RIGHT: Before a church service, graduate student, Nathan Davis talks with Gabby about the Bible.
“That’s where she noticed my note turned bookmark that I got from someone in my previous trip. It holds a sentimental reminder of how the Lord changes me on these trips, and encouragement from my family,” Davis said.
