Hats off to

ROBKIN

Find out what has kept this band director at the helm for 23 years.

In 1999 this former Tech Bulldog helped pull off a huge upset, beating Alabama in the last few seconds of the game. Meet the man responsible...

TECH BEATS BAMA!

PAGE 8

PAGE 7

T ech T alk
THE STUDENT VOICE OF LOUISIANA TECH UNIVERSITY
WWW.THETECHTALK.ORG SEPTEMBER 28, 2013 VOLUME 88 ISSUE 3

The

PRSRT STD NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION US POSTAGE RUSTON, LA PERMIT NO 104 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

PAID

Innovative Olympics inspires students

LAURA GUIDRY Staff Reporter Bulldog Entrepreneurs has been helping students to explore their creativity through an entrepreneurial outlet. The Innovation Olympics will be sponsored by Bulldog Entrepreneurs and will take place Tuesday, Oct. 1 from 6:30-8:30pm in University Hall. Each student who enters a completed Idea Pitch entry form will receive one raffle ticket for prize drawings. Bulldog Entrepreneurs is a student run organization that encourages change, creativity and imagination. BE holds entrepreneurship events including TOP DAWG Idea Pitch, TOP DAWG New Venture Championship and Be Your Own Boss Innovative Olympics. Debbie Inman, Coordinator of Entrepreneurial Studies, states BE holds the Innovative Olympics to create awareness about entrepreneurship, innovation and the Louisiana Tech TOP DAWG Idea Pitch. During the Innovative Olympics, students play a series of games connected to entrepreneurship and innovation while visiting with real life entrepreneurs, Inman said. Entrepreneurs host game tables

Program brings colleges together

JOHN SADLER Staff Reporter A marketable skill is the ultimate goal of a college degree, but sometimes classes alone are not enough to give students the experience they need. The Thingery is a new kind of learning environment. Located in University Hall, it is a place where students can hone their skills by designing and producing marketable products. It is a place where students can get together and learn from each other, said Billy Dia, a project manager at the Enterprise Center. The Thingery consists of a classroom and equipment used for collaborative projects from students across all fields of study. We expect and want students to come use this space, Dia said. Well have workshops to teach them how to use the equipment, and then the students can have ownership of this place. Dia said that the equipment in the lab is expensive and sometimes dangerous, so learning how to properly operate the machines is important. We have a laser cutter that Ive seen used by architecture students to cut bends and curves, Dia said. This machine has the potential to cut hands off, but our workshop will teach students how to use it safely. Dave Norris said the Thingery was

Photo by Devin Dronnett

meant to create an environment where students would feel creative and in charge. We wanted to make a place where students can visit in an interactive environment, said Norris, the Executive Director of Enterprise and Economic Development. It doesnt belong to any college; we want it to be their business. Norris, who was involved in the Thingery from the very beginning, said plans for the future of the project are more expansive. We would like to have a showroom where students can display the products they have made, Norris said. We hope to help the students sell their products. Dia said that the reaction from the student body and faculty has been positive. Everyone who came in was excited, Dia said. Every time we mention it to a professor, they are glad to join. One of the students already allowed to use the Thingery is Sean Foster, a senior electrical engineering technology student. I needed a 3D printer for a project I was working on, and I got in touch with Bilal, Foster said. He showed me the space and I just got excited about it. I wanted to volunteer to help people use this space. Foster said he has high hopes for the future of the Thingery. I think once the word gets out about it and people know what it is, its going to

Dave Norris explains the continued progress of The Thingery.

> see PROGRAMpage 3

Engineering expo aims to help

IAN EDWARDS Staff Reporter Every day, people encounter problems that make life more complicated. Whether it is having to get up to find the remote or just struggling to make ones guitar look cooler, there is a need for a solution. What is a person to do? Thankfully, the students of Engineering 122 are here to solve these problems with their prototype projects during the Freshman Design Expo. David Hall, professor of mechanical entaught in freshgineering, said man courses are his students have then applied on a been participatlarger scale, which ing in the expo later allows them since 2007. to go out on their The expo is own and develop the final activity an original projthat the students ect. perform durHall also outing their freshlined the general man courses, flow of the creHALL Hall said. They ation process. spend time in For the first 120 and 121 seven classes of learning to work with robots 122, they are told to deand programming in order velop a bug list, Hall said. to prepare for the expo. He said the basic skills > see EXPOpage 3

> see OLYMPICS page 6

Photo by Derek J. Amaya

A former expo project sits atop David Halls desk.

BULLDOGS
PROUD PARTNER OF LA TECH ATHLETICS
raisingcanes.com | RaisingCanesChickenFingers | Raising_Canes | @raisingcanes

GO

659 N. SERVICE RD. EAST

OPEN TIL 3AM THUR-SAT

2 The T ech T alk September 26, 2013

NEWS

Campus
Tech theater to perform Doubt
The Tech theater department will perform Doubt: A Parable at 7:30 p.m. each night from Oct. 23-26 and then from Oct. 30-Nov. 2 in Stone Theatre. The play won the Tony Award for Best Play and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2005. Telling the story of a nun who suspects a priest of misconduct with his schools first black student, the story was adapted into an Academy Award-nominated film starring Meryl Streep. For more information, contact the School of Performing Arts at 318-2572930. 257-4565 or email SGA President Allison East at sgapresident@latech.edu.

New title raises tension

Miss Tech weighs in on recent controversy
CODY SEXTON Staff Reporter
For the second consecutive year, the contestant representing New York in the Miss America pageant was crowned the winner. Nina Davuluri was crowned Miss America by her predecessor, Mallory Hagan. This made her the first Indian-American to be crowned. I was the first Indian Miss New York and now Im so proud to be the first Indian Miss America, Davuluri said after she was crowned. However, while Davuluri celebrated her victory, many viewers who were dissatisfied with the results took to the Internet to express their shock and outrage at a foreigner being crowned Miss America. This is America. Not India, @sarawhitton tweeted. Davuluri, whose father came to America 30 years ago, was born in Syracuse. Others mistook Davuluri for a Muslim and claimed to be offended the judges would crown someone they believed to be from the Middle East only days after the 12th anniversary of Sept. 11. #MissAmerica ummm wtf ?! Have we forgotten 9/11? tweeted @anthonytkr. Davuluris talent portion of the contest was a Bollywood dance number. This shocked viewers who referred to the dance as an Egypt dance, though Egypt is 3,000 miles away from India. Many were in support of Miss Kansas, Theresea Vail, an army veteran who enjoys hunting and was not shy about showing off tattoos. Vail was the contestant many believed to be the true representation of what it means to be Miss America. However, Davuluri brushed the negative comments aside. I have to rise above that, she said. I always viewed myself first and foremost American. Lauren Vizza, a senior political science and history major who was crowned Miss Louisiana 2012, said Davuluri has responded well to the racial tension. Shes been amazing and handled herself so well, Vizza said. Shes very well spoken and very smart. Vizza also said Davuluri has the chance to be a role model for other IndianAmerican girls since she won. She can show other girls they dont all have to come from the same mold to win, she said. Bijoya Chakraborty, coordinator for the International Student and Scholar Services, said students who have come to Louisiana Tech from India were excited for Daluvuris win. They were happy to see someone with family from their country win, she said. Its good to see diversity.

Career Center to host job interview seminar

The Career Center will be presenting a seminar from 3-5 p.m. Oct. 10 in Davison Hall. The seminar, which is also free to attend, will show students all the techniques that can be used to obtain jobs through longdistance interviews. The Career Center stats that in todays job market, the ability to secure jobs anywhere is a valuable asset. For more information on the presentation, contact Ron Cathey, director of counseling services, at 257-4336 or by email at rcathey@latech.edu.

Freshman president applications out

Freshmen interested in running for SGA class president or senator should meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1 at Davidson Hall, Room 113. Anyone interested should pick up an information packet in the back of Tolliver Hall. The packet needs to be completed and brought to the meeting, along with a $50 deposit and a copy of the applicants unofficial transcript. Transcripts can be picked up from the registrars office. If elected, one would be required to attend a weekly meeting Tuesdays at 6 p.m. and work a minimum of one hour a week in the SGA office. For more information call the SGA office at 318-

Union Board to host talent show

The Union Board is hosting its annual Homecoming Talent Show on Tuesday, Oct 15 at 7p.m. The tryouts will take place on Sept. 30. Students can sign up for tryouts, which will take place Sept. 30 in the Union Board office for a time slot. The theme for this years talent show is the Bulldog Music Awards and is open to all varieties of talent, not just music. The top three performances will win a cash prize. For more information contact the Union Board at latechub@gmail.com or visit their website at www. unionboard.com.

Miss New York Nina Davuluri walks down the runway after winning the the Miss America 2014 pageant, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013, in Atlantic City, N.J.

Associated Press

Email comments to cls068@latech.edu

TUMBLING DOWN

Save money with no monthly service charge

Federally Insured by NCUA

FREE Visa Check Card FREE Online Account Access FREE 24 Hour La Cap ATM FREE Mobile Access Email Alerts for Low Balance Nationwide Access Through CU Service Centers

Photo by Derek J. Amaya

A mainstay found in the quad will no longer be present. This tree fell during the storm which passed last weekend. Removal efforts are underway to remove the tree from the quad.

975 Tech Dr, Ruston 800.522.2748 / lacapfcu.org

*Opening deposit - $50.00. No minimum balance required. Must maintain Direct Deposit or 10 Debit Card transactions per month (non-ATM) required.
07/13

NEWS

September 26, 2013 The T ech T alk 3

Techs AIAS promotes green space

UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS RUSTON A little gray turned a little green for a few hours Monday. Louisiana Techs American Institute of Architecture Students participated in the worldwide Park(ing) Day, in which a local parking spot is turned into a temporary public park. The AIAS students chose an area near Tolliver Hall and placed sod and even a tree and a park bench for students to relax. The student response has been great, said Samantha Raburn, a graduate architecture student and president of AIAS. Weve had people who have sat here and done their homework and then grabbed a plate lunch. Techs Park(ing) Day event was supposed to be held last Friday, but due to the rain, AIAS members decided to move the event to Monday, which Raburn said turned out better because of the milder weather. As AIAS members cooked hamburgers and hot dogs to raise money for the organization, other students enjoyed the cooler weather and sat on the grass, under the shade of the tree and on the park bench. This needs to be expanded, said Alaina Gagnard, a freshman kinesiology major who attended Park(ing) Day. I think (additional) green space would be a good thing, but Louisiana funds arent that much, and academics come first. But if we were offered, we should definitely take it. Chris Marble, a project manager for AIAS and graduate architecture student, said he hoped the event caught students attention about the need for green space. We want to get the word out about sustainability and going green, Marble said. And we want to get people to come together and have a good time. Raburn said this was the first time AIAS had participated in Park(ing) Day, but she hoped the organization would do it again. This is an awareness event to promote green space, she said. At Tech, were lucky to have so much green space.

Students occupy the cement-turned-grassy area near Tolliver Hall for Techs Parking Day.

Photo by Derek J. Amaya

Tech hosts national music festival

UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS

RUSTON Musicians from across the nation will gather Oct. 3-5 at Louisiana Tech to participate in a melodious festival that is free and open to the public. Techs department of music in the School of Performing Arts will host its first national event, the National Association of Composers/USA National Festival. This is the second oldest music composition group in America, said Dr. Joe Alexander, an associate professor of music. This is a national group, and people are coming from all over the country. Alexander said most of the musicians who will perform are faculty members, but some are students as well. Tech graduate Joshua Carver and former faculty members Alan Goldspiel and Mel Mobley will also perform. Styles will vary from across the en-

tire gamut of music, Alexander said. People will come in and find stuff that theyll surprisingly love. Theyll hear music they dont understand, and often one hearing is not enough to comprehend the piece. Everyone likes some, and everyone dislikes some. Its always interesting to see. Alexander added that this national event was a great opportunity for residents in the north Louisiana area. Its the broadening of the mind, he said. Were giving composers a chance to perform and get their music exposed in Louisiana. Most of this stuff was composed in the last 10 years. Its current, and youll hear styles from various parts of the country. Youll get to hear whats happening in New York and California. Its a chance to expose the audience to new music. A full schedule of events and more information about the national festival can be found at http://www.jlacomposer. com/#!nacusa/c1t04.

Skip Russell s Skip Russell s

>

PROGRAMfrom pg. 1
afraid to come over here, Norris said. Our staff will show them how to use the equipment, and they will gain many benefits from it.

Campus Campus Washateria Washateria

to University Apartments behind Wesley Foundation Next Next to University Apartments behind Wesley Foundation

be backlogged, Foster said. Youll have to put your name on the waiting list. Norris said he believes the students are the backbone of the project and they will determine its eventual success. I want to encourage students not to be

Just East of of Tech Campus Just East Tech Campus

Email comments to jts040@latech.edu.

engineering last winter, said he is looking forward to the expo because he already has four bugs. I have an idea for a decibel level sensor, he said. It will adjust the decibel level in your car while factoring in other variables like road noise. That way, people wont damage their ears in the long run. The expo will be held Nov 4 in Bogard Hall Rooms 129 and 130. For more information, contact the engineering department at 318-257-2842.

>

EXPOfrom pg. 1

The list consists of things that bug them in their daily lives. It doesnt have to be school-related either. Hall said after class nine, the students come together in groups of about two to four, combine their lists and attempt to make the best project a reality. As the Expo plays out similar to a high school science fair, awards are given out to competitors. However, a few unique awards can be won. In addition to the typical first and second place

award, we have the Rolex Award, da Vinci award and the Shoot the Moon Award, Hall said. The Rolex Award goes to the most cleanly set up project, the da Vinci Award goes to the most creative project, and the Shoot the Moon Award goes to a highly ambitious project that maybe did not have all its components fully working during the time of presentation. Even though the expo is not until November, many students are already feverishly working on the preparation process. Garrett Cobb, a sophomore who began freshman

Open24 24 hours hours / / 77 days a week Open days a week Cleanest in in town Cleanest town Newmachines machines New Air Conditioned Air Conditioned
Wesley Wesley
Alabama

Wyly Tower Wyly Tower

Keeny Hall Keeny Hall

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK SERVING TECH STUDENTS SINCE 1965 SERVING TECH STUDENTS SINCE 1965 YOUR PARENTS WASHED WITH US YOUR PARENTS WASHED WITH US

Email comments to ije001@latech.edu.

Alabama

Campus Washateria Campus Washateria

Louisiana LouisianaAve. Ave.

Homer Homer St. St.

Texas

Texas

Insight
T echT alk
MANAGEMENT
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Kelsey Kershaw Hannah Schilling Austin Vining Chad Merritt

4 The T ech T alk September 26, 2013

The

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

An unequal playing field

CHAD MERRITT Associate Editor

GRIN AND MERRITT

MANAGING EDITORS NEWS EDITOR

ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
Addie Martin Kaleb Causey Deepanjan Mukhopadhyay Devin Dronett Kayla Frith Derek J. Amaya

Allison East

SPORTS EDITOR PHOTO EDITOR

PHOTOGRAPHERS

MULTIMEDIA EDITOR
Raney Johnson Elliott Terral

ADVERTISING MANAGER
Dr. Judith Roberts T. Scott Boatright Dr. Reginald Owens

ADVISERS

ADVERTISING ADVISER
Michael LeBlanc Michael LeBlanc

PRODUCTION MANAGER

ADVERTISING PRODUCTION
Dr. Reginald Owens

hate the media. Journalists are in a unique group. You need no qualifications, special skills, nor are you required to pass a test to become one. Basically, anybody can be a journalist. Someone who writes for the New York Times is a journalist just as much as someone who updates his or her blog on a daily basis. Twitter can be a form of journalism in its own right. So when anybody can become a journalist, it leaves a lot to be desired from the media. What is more shocking to me though is when the professionals butcher the news, as they have in recent memory. The Zimmerman-Martin incident, Benghazi attack, IRS and NSA scandals and the Snowden/ Wikileaks situation are some highprofile incidents the media failed to competently report. On Sept. 16, journalism profes-

sor David Guth from the University of Kansas tweeted that the blood is on the hands of the NRA and next time, let it be your sons and daughters in response to the Navy Yard shooting. I have been appalled over the past year at the mishandling of almost every major story by almost every major news outlet. With all the tomfoolery happening in the media today, one would assume the government would step in and do something about it. And they are. A senate panel has recently backed legislation on a new shield law which is designed to help protect journalists and their sources. The sticky part of this new law is that the government will define what a journalist is. The new criteria for a journalist, per this new bill, is someone who has worked one year out of the last 20 years, three months out of the past five years, or someone who has a substantial track record of freelancing over the past five years.

The bill also has examples of what it considers to be a news outlet for which someone can have worked to fit the criteria for being a journalist. This new bill will, not surprisingly, exclude groups such as Wikileaks from protection meaning they would have to reveal their sources if asked. A congress that was recently burned by the documents posted by Edward Snowden is trying to prevent an incident from happening in the future. In the process, they are essentially shutting down citizen journalism. The media is a system of checks and balances. Having the government decide who is and is not a journalist is vague enough as it is. Having whomever the government decides is a journalist report on the very same government sounds even worse. Chad Merritt is a senior journalism major from Livingston who serves as associate editor for The Tech Talk. Email comments to cam059@latech.edu.

The Cold War never ended

DEPARTMENT HEAD

Tech Talk subscriptions are $25 a year. Mail to: Tech Talk Subscrip tions, P.O. Box 10258, Ruston, LA 71272. The Tech Talk (USPS 535-540) is published Thursdays of the regular school year, except in vacation and examination periods, by the Jour nalism Department of Louisiana Tech University. Publication office is in Keeny Hall, Room 139. Second-class postage paid at Rus ton, La. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Tech Talk, P.O. Box 10258, Ruston, LA 71272-0045.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Squashing a superbug
KELSY KERSHAW Managing Editor

EVERYONES ENTITLED TO THEIR OWN OPINION

doctors have given the pathogens and bacteria the opportunity to be more powerful than the drugs used to treat them. When antibiotics are consumed, the targeted bacteria are killed for months. This in turn weakens the immune system and provides a solid foundation for bacterial invaders to reproduce and strengthen. Of the growing drug-resistant bacteria, there are three in the United States that have been reported as urgent threats. These threats are CRE, also called the nightmare bacteria, Neisseria gonorrhea and C. difficile. Edward Septimus, an infectious disease expert at HCA Healthcare System in Houston, said all of these organisms are increasing at an alarming rate with limited treatments. I do believe it is a looming public health crisis, he said. Both Frieden and Septimus said professionals are responding to the rapid growing diseases, and intensive research is being performed to try to develop new drugs to stop these bacterial killers. The most dangerous concept about these bacterial infections is the way in which they are contracted. It can be as simple as physical contact with another person. The need to be extra sanitary and observant of ones surroundings is even greater now. These statistics and this information are not meant to bring on paranoia, but they are meant to educate and inform and make the public aware of the microscopic dangers that could take their lives. Some of these infections have unnoticed symptoms, so by the time they are detected it could be too late. Be aware, be observant and be smart, and next time, wash your hands before and after using the restroom. Prevention has to start somewhere. Kelsy Kershaw is a junior journalism and MCS major from Jennings who serves as managing editor for The Tech Talk. Email comments to kjk016@latech.edu.

PUBLICATION

POSTAL

CONTACT US
NEWSROOM 318.257.4946 ADVERTISING 318.257.4949 EMAIL techtalk@latech.edu JOURNALISM DEPARTMENT
318.257.4427

The Tech Talk welcomes letters to the editor. However, we reserve the right not to print anonymous letters. We also ask that each letter be accompanied by a telephone number, address, clas sification or title. We will not print the telephone number. Viewpoints should be mailed or brought to The Tech Talk office, 146 Keeny Hall, by 4 p.m. the Friday prior to a Thursday publication. Letters should be mailed to The Tech Talk, P.O. Box 10258, Ruston, LA 71272. Emails should be sent to techtalk@latech.edu. You can also submit letters online at www.thetechtalk.org/home/ lettertotheeditor/. Louisiana Tech University is committed to the principle of providing the opportunity for learning and development of all qualified citizens without regard to race, sex, religion, color, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or veteran status for admission to, participation in, or employment in the programs and activities which the University sponsors or operates. For Title IX information, see University Policy #1445 at http:// www.latech.edu/administration/ policies-and-procedures/1445.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

he term superbug does not just refer to the transformerlooking grasshoppers hiding out in the backyard; recently, it has become a popular term for drugresistant diseases that are rapidly growing in the United States. According to a recent report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 2 million people have developed life-threatening bacterial infections that are resistant to multiple types of antibiotics. This resistance to antibiotics has led to at least 23,000 deaths from infections in the last year. It is a scary fact to think that antibiotics were able to cure almost anything and how they have become almost useless. How did this happen? Thomas Frieden, director of the CDC, said the bugs resistance is due to over prescription of antibiotics. By resorting to antibiotics in so many instances to cure illnesses,

Dont fight the YOLO

HANNAH SCHILLING Features Editor

YOURE WELCOME

OLO: the word declared before some of the best decisions I have ever made. You only live once the motto that some cringe from and some overuse is most valuable to college students. As I begin my last year at Tech, I am starting to feel like Jim Carrey in the movie Yes Man. For example, I said yes and wrote this column on my week off. An even better example I said yes and came back to the Tech Talk after my summer as editor-in-chief. At the beginning of the summer, my roommates and I took a YOLO trip. We did not book a hotel. We did not have a real destination except Orange Beach. We packed food, planned to sleep in the car and hoped we would find a public shower. An hour into the seven-hour

drive, we were eating cold macaroni and cheese from a Tupperware container. We did sleep in the car that night, but we got a hotel the next night. Never in my life have I been so happy to take a shower. It was one of the best weekends of the summer. We learned so much. Cold raviolis from a can are not that bad. Sand is not as fun as it seems. Washing your face in the ocean is a good way to wake yourself up in the morning. My YOLO adventures have great variety. I have thrown huge parties, driven to Shreveport at midnight, planned a camping trip to the Renaissance Festival and played guitar on a trampoline at 3 a.m. But keep in mind that the motto, like any good thing, must be used in moderation. If we stayed in a YOLO state of mind all day every day, nothing would ever get done. Should I go to work, school, practice and all of these meetings I have and not have any energy to

do anything fun tonight? Or should I stay at home, bake some cheesecake bites, take a nap and then go out? YOLO, where are the cheesecake ingredients? LETS DO THIS. In reality, we should scratch that and reverse it. Go to all of those stressful things because why did you go to college? To better yourself so you can have a better future; essentially, because you only live once, so you wanted to make the most of it. Embrace YOLO it is the best way to guarantee you have less regrets. Maybe just dont say it out loud all the time standing in the cereal aisle and throwing a box of Frosted Flakes in the cart and yelling YOLO is not a good look for anyone. Hannah Schilling is a senior journalism and political science major from Bossier CIty who serves as features editor for The Tech Talk. Email comments to hms017@latech.edu.

tephen Colbert has a recurring segment on his show called Cold War Update in which he jokingly makes a point of why the Cold War is not over. But this joke may become a little more real as tensions continue to build between the U.S. and Russia. One of those issues is the current civil war in Syria. Russian President Vladimir Putin gave his views on the issue in a recent opinion editroial for The New York Times. Recent events surrounding Syria have prompted me to speak directly to the American people and their political leaders, Putin wrote. Putin then explained why he thinks the United States intervention in Syria will only have dire consequences. He backed up this point by noting that a strike could take attention away from solving the Iranian nuclear problem and cause more problems in the Middle East. He makes a clear point in the op-ed to make Russia seem like the protector of peace and America the instigator of violence. From the outset, Russia has advocated peaceful dialogue enabling Syrians to develop a compromise plan for their own future, Putin said. We are not protecting the Syrian government, but international law. He explained why America is no longer a model of democracy, but instead a country seeking its own interest in other countries. It is alarming that military intervention in internal conflicts in foreign countries has become commonplace for the United States. Is it in Americas long-term interest? I doubt it, Putin said. Putin took particular offense to President Obama calling America an exceptional nation. He gave his rebuttal by saying, it is extremely dangerous to encourage people to see themselves as exceptional, whatever motivation. Putin stated there are countries big and small, rich and poor, those with long democratic traditions and those still finding their way to democracy. Here is a Russia different from the one many remember from the Cold War of the 1940s to the 1980s. This Russia is not supporting communism or trying to promote it. This is a Russia openly advocating democracy. Putin ended the op-ed in a surprising way. We are all different, but when we ask for the Lords blessings, we must not forget that God created us equal, Putin said. This is definitely not the old Cold War Russia. A Russian leader is using God and religion in an argument, instead of arguing against any god or religion. The Cold War may not be over, but the enemy has definitely changed. America is no longer against the ideological enemy. It is no longer democracy vs. communism. It is now our version of democracy vs. their version of democracy. Putin is using the same argument toward the Soviet Union for democracy, freedom and peace against the U.S. In a way, he makes America seem like the old freedom supressing Soviet Union. We here at The Tech Talk definitely suggest reading Putins op-ed.

Arts Entertainment
IAN EDWARDS Staff Reporter After what seemed like an inhumane wait, the years most anticipated game came crashing down like a bolt of lightning last Tuesday. Developed by the visionaries at Rockstar Games, Grand Theft Auto V was released with record-breaking sales of $800 million worldwide on the first day. GTA Vs world is the biggest in-game map Rockstar has ever created, totally eclipsing 2010s western-shooter (and previous record-holder) Red Dead Redemption. The sprawling city of Los Santos and the surrounding Blaine County area provide no shortage of things to do. Rockstar has always filled its games with parodies of real-world events and organizations. In GTA V, these return in full force. Some priceless gems include the F.I.B. (F.B.I.), Weazel News (FOX News), and the horribly not safe for work version of the NASDAQ (hint: it has to do with male genitalia.). Also, celebrities make cameo appearances as the various radio DJs. Nothing Sadly, next to the bombastic Trevor, Michael and Franklin begin to feel a bit bland over time. Between missions, the characters who you arent controlling at the time live out their daily lives, and switching to them will drop you down into their shoes to continue their day. The thing is, while you can usually predict Michael and Franklins activities, you never know what you will drop into with Trevor. At one point, I switched to him and he was lying on the railing of a bridge drunk and in his underwear. As soon as I stepped toward his truck, cops swarmed the area with shotguns, forcing me to make a feeble escape attempt (as driving drunk is a serious challenge). Those kinds of dynamic, unscripted experiences make the game feel that much more alive. Lets be perfectly clear, GTA V earns every bit of its mature rating. If you have kids, this is not the game for them. There is nudity,

September 26, 2013 The T ech T alk 5

Rockstar finally releases the next GTA

Rockstar Games

Grand Theft Auto 5 HHHHH beats outrunning cops to classic rock handpicked by DJ Kenny Loggins. For the first time in a GTA game, the story focuses on three leading men: Michael De Santa, Franklin Clinton and Trevor Phillips. The three men team up and form a crew to take on progressively audacious heists.

graphic language and loads of violence (almost all of which is brought about by Trevor). All of the women Ive come across so far, with the exception of one (youll know her when you meet her), tended to come off as generic stereotypes. Anyone who is sensitive to the use of the n-word also may not have a good time, as the first few Franklin missions threaten to eclipse the PlayStation 2 classic GTA: San Andreas (which was inspired by gangsta movies, so that should give you an idea of how many times the word is used). Grand Theft Auto V is the generationdefining console experience that players have waited for since 2005. It isnt a perfect game, but it has come closer for me than any game this entire generation. With the new consoles looming on the horizon, GTA V is one amazing final blast for the beloved PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

Email comments to ije001@latech.edu.

Grand Theft Auto V main characters (left to right) Trevor Phillips, Franklin Clinton and Michael De Santa.
Photo courtesy of Rockstar Games

Elvis Costello and The Roots create genre-mashing album

JOHN SADLER Staff Reporter

The world remembers previous Rock and Hip Hop collaborations, such as Aerosmith and Run-D.M.Cs Walk This Way, with a mixture of nostalgia and regret. Wise Up Ghost, the collaboration album from The Roots and Elvis Costello, might create the nostalgia, but not the regret. After collaborating on the set of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, the two artists decided to put their musical talents together to create a full album. Questlove, the drummer for The Roots, explains in the albums liner notes that he was too afraid to approach the idea directly with Costello. I subliminally put out the idea of a larger collaboration, Questlove said. Or maybe passiveaggressively I was too afraid to suggest that we actually make a record together. It is a good thing he did. The album, while stumbling in places, is well put together with Costellos voice flowing excellently over The Roots calming music. The opening track, Walk Me

Blue Note

Wise Up Ghost Elvis Costello and The Roots HHHII

Photo courtesy of the artist, Danny Clinch

Elvis Costello and The Roots drummer/producer, Questlove, join together to create the new album, Wise Up Ghost.

Uptown, is a violent, political anthem and an apocalyptic start to the album. With lyrics like We wont make a sound, but to sing our

sorrow. Will you walk us uptown? As our tears run in torrents, the song is a major-attention grabber, though the chorus is a little weak and arhythmic.

The best part of the album is the track Cinco Minutos Con Vos, in which Costello sings with Mexican-American vocalist La Marisoul. It is a haunting

song, with echoes of Marisouls voice and The Roots steady beats creating a kind of dreamlike state. The song that follows up that collaboration, Viceroys Row, is less memorable. It seems like Costello is reaching for notes he cannot hit, and the result is not very pleasant. Thankfully, however, this is not a recurring problem. Costello stays well within his range in other parts of the record, to mostly good results. Though Wise Up Ghost definitely stumbles in places, it ultimately provides a strange but satisfying mix of jazz, hip-hop and rock and roll.

Email comments to

Distractions
WEEKLYHOROSCOPE
www.horoscopes.com.net
Aries March 21 April 19 Communication between you and a family member could be difficult today. Your warmth and understanding might give this person the courage to tell you whats on his or her mind. You might feel adventurous, Aries, so you and a romantic partner could decide to go out on the town and kick up your heels tonight. Youre both looking and feeling good. Have a great time! Taurus Apr 20 - May 20 A welcome letter, phone call, or perhaps visit could come from a lover or close friend bringing interesting news. Your creative energies are bubbling over, Taurus, so you might want to try writing, music, drawing, or painting. You might send some letters, place a lot of phone calls, or make a lot of short trips in your neighborhood, maybe to libraries or bookstores. Gemini May 21 - Jun 20 Good news regarding money could have you thinking in terms of freshening up your home. You might want to do some painting or add some small decorative touches like art or houseplants. You might even want to shop for some new furniture. This promises to be a lot of fun, Gemini, so get family members to do it with you. Cancer Jun 21 - Jul 22 A visit from a relative or neighbor early in the day could put you in a fantastic mood. Perhaps this person has some interesting news, encouraging words, or maybe a gift. Listen and enjoy, Cancer, but beware of idle gossip. Some of what you hear is unlikely to be true, so its best to keep it all to yourself. In the evening, go out on the town! Leo Jul 23 - Aug 22 Your inspiration and imagination are soaring today, Leo. You may want to try an artistic project of some kind. You could be pleasantly surprised at the results. Your intuition is also high, and your understanding of those around you is greatly increased. Dont be afraid to act from instinct. This is one of those days when it should win out over rationality and logic! Virgo Aug 23 - Sep 22 You look gorgeous and feel especially sociable today, Virgo. Dont be surprised if you either host a social event or decide to attend one to which youve been invited. Youre always a congenial companion, Virgo, but today more than ever your enthusiasm is high. People will want to enjoy your company. You may also have some interesting information everyone will want to hear. Libra Sep 23 - Oct 22 Some misunderstandings could cause confusion in the home, Libra. Your intuition and insight should defuse the situation, especially since youre more diplomatic than usual. You could also have an artistic inspiration, perhaps a new project that could be very important to you. It could be important to your career or it could open up new opportunities for you. Scorpio Oct 23 - Nov 21 Social events you attend today could put you in touch with some fascinating people. A new acquaintance could become a close friend. These individuals may be highly educated in a field that interests you or from other states or countries. Conversation should be stimulating. Any information gleaned could serve you well for a long time. Writing, teaching, and publishing matters come to the forefront. Sagittarius Nov 22 - Dec 21 You generally like to think of yourself as a practical and down-to-Earth person, Sagittarius. Today you might depend on intuition more than usual. People around you might seem to be acting peculiarly, and your insight could give you hints as to their true motivations and how to deal with them. Relations with colleagues could especially benefit from this. Follow your heart! Capricorn Dec 22 - Jan 19 Emotions could run high among those close to you, Capricorn. It might seem like everyone is in a bad mood! In your own relations with them, your friendly nature and social skills will calm them down and keep them on an even keel, at least when youre around! Social events may keep you busy. You could make some valuable contacts. Aquarius Jan 20 - Feb 18 Your warmth, sensitivity, and understanding in your relations with those you care about are heightened, Aquarius. You should feel especially well, as your health is good. You want to get out and be social with friends and family. If there are no outings planned, dont hesitate to be the instigator. Everyone will have a wonderful time, and your company will be greatly enjoyed. Pisces Feb 19 - Mar 20 Matters of romance, love, and marriage should go very well for you today, Pisces. You should feel especially warm and supportive. Intimate conversations come easily to you. Make certain before you speak that youre expressing your thoughts in the right way. Theres a danger your partner might misinterpret your words. You dont want any upset, however temporary, to mar your day!

6 The T ech T alk September 26, 2013

CROSSWORDPUZZLE
Across 1. Tubular 5. Trumans Missouri birthplace 10. Heels 14. Tosca tune 15. All together 16. Actor Morales 17. In spite of 20. Photograph 21. Destroy hearing 22. Very early 23. Cracked 24. Unsteady gait 28. Boot attachment 29. Exist 32. D-Day beach 33. French friends 34. Mild oath 35. Divide up 38. Dedicated to the ___ Love 39. Dutch name of The Hague 40. Breakfast fruit 41. Georgia, once: Abbr. 42. Golda of Israel 43. Cuts off 44. Before long 45. Actor Linden 46. Egyptian goddess of love 49. Pledged not to marry 54. Empiricism 56. Actress Sommer 57. Because 58. Dutch cheese, wrapped in red wax 59. For fear that 60. Carried 61. Vamp Theda Down 1. Gives a bad review 2. Tigers choice 3. Falafel holder 4. Yelp 5. Suds 6. ... who lived in ___ 7. The majority of 8. Tiny toiler 9. Readapt 10. Aromatic wood 11. Clueless catchphrase 12. Hamlet, for one 13. Indication 18. Honest! 19. Become closer to 23. Imitating 24. Flaps 25. Signs 26. Reduce gradually 27. Baht spender 28. Campaign tactic 29. Quick and nimble 30. Sharp.edged instrument 31. Utopias 33. Lower a sail 34. Hgt. 36. Thinker 37. First name in aviation 42. Heath 43. Cured, in a way 44. Article of bedding 45. Therefore 46. Back part of the foot 47. Wheel shaft 48. Toll rds.

www.bestcrosswords.com

49. Small change 50. Air bubble 51. Opera set in Egypt 52. Nicholas II, for one 53. Anarchist Goldman 55. O Sole___

LASTISSUESSOLUTION

DAILY U

Have any ideas for future comics or feedback? Email dwyer@latech.edu

WEEKLYWEATHER
TODAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY

www.accuweather.com
TUESDAY WEDNESDAY

SUDOKUPUZZLE
Difficulty MEDIUM Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 grid contains the digits 1 through 9.
Sudoku Puzzle - Medium

www.sudoku-puzzles.net LASTISSUESSOLUTION
Sudoku Solution - Medium

HIGH 90 LOW 63

HIGH 89 LOW 64

HIGH 90 LOW 66

HIGH 86 LOW 66

HIGH 83 LOW 60

HIGH 87 LOW 65

HIGH 86 LOW 57

www.sudoku-puzzles.net

www.sudoku-puzzles.net

>

OLYMPICSfrom pg. 1
Evan Puckett, a sophomore business management/entrepreneur major, discusses his company ConnectOne LLC, which was produced through the Idea Pitch and TOP DAWG New Venture Championship. Connect One LLC is an electronic accessory company that wholesales/develops products, Puckett said. Our first product, which is currently in the production phase is a double-maleended auxiliary cord. Puckett believes that without the guidance of the TOP DAWG mentors, his company could not have been started. The preparation for the competition walks you through the steps of creating a successful business

and talk about their entrepreneurial experiences as students play. During the event, winners of games will each receive raffle tickets which will be entered into prize drawings. This years prizes include a $100 VISA card and a variety of gift certificates from local businesses. Brandon Parker, a junior accounting major and member of Bulldog Entrepreneurs, explains the purpose of Be Your Own Boss Innovative Olympics. Innovative Olympics is an advertising pitch to help get students involved in the Idea Pitch, which leads to the TOP DAWG New Venture Championship, Parker said.

plan, Puckett said. The mentors are set in place to answer any questions you have and to challenge your thought process in order to better your business. ConnectOne LLC is launching this Black Friday with their ConnectOne AUX cord. Preorders will be available 20 days early for the special Black Friday price. They will be found at Amazon.com and potentially BestBuy.com. I owe the success of ConnectOne LLC in large part to the TOP DAWG personnel, Puckett said. I encourage anyone going into any business or engineering field to enter this competition; even if it is just for the experience.

E S I T R E V AD ith US! w
IN PRINT & ONLINE

More Puzzles: www.sudoku-puzzles.net

More Puzzles: www.sudoku-puzzles.net

Student yearbook photos

will be taken from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Thursday, September 26 in the lobby of Tolliver Hall. Photo packages will be available for purchase.
a ttention seniors! Have your portrait made for resumes, in cap and gown and to put in the yearbook all in the same sitting. Photos will be made by

318-257-4949
apartments

ARK MANO

601 E. Maryland Ruston, LA

LOVELY 2 BEDROOM SAFE, SECURE, QUIET GOOD TENANTS ONLY NO PETS $495

Email comments to lgu006@latech.edu.

318-325-8888

Portraits Plus of Ruston

More Talk

September 26, 2013 The T ech T alk 7

The Man
Under the Hat
Photo by Deepanjan Mukhopadhyay

JOHN SADLER Staff Reporter Jim Robken paced around the active band practice field, repositioning the drum majors maces and giving advice to the musicians over the fields public address system. The band is a critical component of game day, Robken said. You can see the people get excited when we start to parade to the stadium. Robken has been director of bands at Tech for 23 years and has his hands in all aspects of the band department. After earning his bachelors degree at Tech, Robken enlisted in the Navy and served on an aircraft carrier for five and a half years. He then obtained his masters degree in music composition at the University of Arkansas, where he became director of athletic bands. I was happy there, but I saw a position was open at my alma mater and was excited to try and take it, he said. Robken said Tech is one of the best environments he has worked in. The kids are fun, creative and willing to do whatever is necessary, Robken said. He said that while playing for all of the sports teams was fun for both him and the band. Basketball was his favorite. I know kids who will put up with being in the marching band just so they get to play at basketball games, he said. Its the more intimate environment that makes everyone, himself included, enjoy it the most, he said. Youre all in the same building, very close to one another, he said. Everyone is just excited to be there. Robken said that he tries to make band non-strenuous and fun. Its difficult to pledge too much time to this when youre in college, Robken said. I try to make it fun and let the kids enjoy themselves. His directing style certainly pays off in the eyes of his students, especially Sabrina Olivares, a senior general studies major and tuba section

leader. He is one of the most helpful faculty members, Olivares said. He has a completely open-door policy. Camella Card, a junior chemistry major, said her experience as drum major has been improved by Robken. Hes crazy in a good way that rubs off on you. Hes quite the character, Card said. She said the whole band treats Robkens word as law. Hes got the kind of presence where you just listen to what he has to say, she said. Whether its right or wrong, what Robken says, goes. One of Robkens most enduring characteristics is his signature white hat, which he is rarely caught without. The hat is more important than I am, Robken said. Its a ticket into everything. The tradition began when he needed to find a way to make sure his students could see him during practice and games. Somebody just handed me a hat one day, and Ive stuck with it ever since, Robken said. People see that hat and can be like, Oh yeah, you, get over here. Its a good safety thing. Olivares said Robken is one of the few truly unique people she knows. He knows his job in ways other people dont, she said. People know who we are because of him. Robkens admiration for his students is clear to anyone who speaks to him. I get to work with the best kids, he said. These kids are a great representation of our university and great ambassadors. Its a pleasure to have that. As Robken moves in and out of the group of kids, giving individual recommendations to some and just talking to others, you can see the students return his respect. He takes care of us, Olivares said. Ive never seen another director like him.

Photo by Deepanjan Mukhopadhyay

Top: Robken directs the band during the Tulane game while sporting his signature hat. Middle: Tech cheerleaders and potential students follow Robkens lead during the alma mater at Time Out for Tech. Bottom: Drum major Camella Card awaits instruction from her band director at practice.

Email comments to jts040@latech.edu.

Photo by Derek J. Amaya

Sports Talk

8 The T ech T alk September 26, 2013

LIFEafter FOOTBALL
From scoring game winning touchtowns to owning his own Smoothie King, Sean Cangelosi continues to capitalize on great opportunities.
PAUL HARRIS Staff Reporter This is the second entry of a series looking into the many different career paths of former Louisiana Tech University athletes. Fourth and 23 on Alabamas 29-yard line and Louisiana Tech trailed by six with nine seconds left on the clock. This scenario allowed former Tech receiver Sean Cangelosi to haul in a pass that hell never forget. Louisiana Tech starting quarterback Tim Rattay had just gone down with an injury forcing backup Brian Stallworth to enter the game. Cangelosi sprinted down the sideline, right after A younger crossing the goal line, Cangelosi poses and caught the ball in suited up and the middle of three ready to go as a Alabama defenders to Tech Bulldog wide propel Tech to victory receiver. at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., in 1999. Although Cangelosi was a four-year starter who caught over 150 balls for 2,111 yards and 21 touchdowns, he will always be remembered for the touchdown grab that took down the SEC giant Alabama Crimson Tide. I cant take all the credit for that win; it was a team effort, Cangelosi said. I do know success builds interest though, and for us to knock off an SEC opponent was big for the university. Cangelosi has taken his competitive mindset from the field and applied it to his everyday life. When we first played Alabama, we werent supposed to win and I asked myself Why not? he said. After proving everyone wrong and beating them two years in a row, it showed me that if you believe in something, then you can make it a reality. Following his career at Tech, Cangelosi asked himself, Why not? Why not me? Why cant I be successful? Cangelosi now resides in his hometown of Baton Rouge and recently opened his fourth Smoothie King. He also owns a Roly Poly sandwich shop. I feel that sports TOP: Sean Cangelosi and his family celebrating Smoothie gives you the mentality Kings 40th year of business. Cangelosi currently owns four to be successful in this Smoothie King restaurants. ABOVE: Cangelosi celebrating afworld, Cangelosi said. Along with balanc- ter catching the game winning score against Alabama in 1999. ing multiple businesses, Cangelosi said he has another job at home. Aaron Bradford and Sean I am the father to three young girls, Dewine got me going and have aided me a Cangelosi said. I have a first grader, one in lot in business, Cangelosi said. Tech was pre-k and a 1 -year old. a unique experience that allowed me to Cangelosi said there were many people meet a lot of different people and gave me at Tech that guided him in his career path confidence to move on in life. and he is thankful for all the experiences Ruston exposed him to. Email comments to phh007@latech.edu.

FROMTHESPORTS DESK
with Kaleb Causey

Aldon Smith made the right move

hen I first got the SportsCenter update that Aldon Smith, linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers, had been in a car accident and was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence, I just ignored it. I chalked it up as another professional player going off the deep end with what I was assuming to be little consequence. However, Smith did something I was not expecting last Sunday. He stood before the media, apologized for his mistakes and said he would be seeking help. This was not an insincere apology like a lot of athletes give after they mess up. Smith knew he had done wrong and reported to the front office of the 49ers that he wanted to fix it before they even approached him. As a Dallas Cowboys fan, I have seen a lot of players apologize and move on as if nothing happen. These types of players think their celebrity status gives them an out of every situation. It does not. Kids and young athletes need role models like Smith. He has been in and out of trouble for the past two years, but he has admitted his mistakes and is working to fix them. Professional sports have been starting to look like daytime dramas in the offseason. From Aaron Hernandez to the New Orleans Saints bounty scandal, it almost looks like a terribly scripted episode of one of the wrestling shows we watched as children. In this age of a 24/7 news cycle, these players have to start taking responsibility for their actions. Every move these prominent players make is reported on. Given the constant news cycle and social media websites, it makes fan perceptions of athletes more prominent than they were a decade ago. Even though teams might not admit it, fan perception matters when they are considering a player. Fans are the people who buy jerseys, souvenirs or anything else featuring the face of a player they like. This is why these athletes need to take a line out of Aldon Smiths book. If you make a mistake, own up to it and try to change it. Not only will it help your image, but also it will be an inspiration to the thousands, if not millions, of kids hoping to play on the same field as you one day.

Track fairs well at Mook 5 Invitational despite weather

DANIEL GETSINGER Staff Reporter

It was cold, wet and storming, but the runners never slowed down. Last weekend, the Lousiana Tech cross country team was one of many that participated in the Mook 5 Invitational held in Ruston. The race was supposed to be at Lincoln Parish Park, but due to extremely heavy rain, the event was moved to the Jim Maize Track and Field Complex. Coach Gary Stanley said he and his team of managers only had a small amount of time to get the race started. We thought we would be running the 5k out at Lincoln Parish Park, Stanley said. We only had about an hour to get everything set up. Even though it was raining, that did not hinder the abilities of two Louisiana Tech competitors in Saturdays event. Paul Sakit finished with a time of 15:26.50 in the 5,000-meter race, which gave Sakit the victory in the mens division. Techs Anthony Plourde finished second with a time of 15.31.11, which makes this top-two performance the best the team has seen in several years. In the womens division, Mary

Photos by Donny Crowe

Paul Sakit (left) and Mary Kate Hayes (right) both competed at the Mook 5 Invitational held at the Jim Maize Track and Field Complex last weekend.

Kate Hayes was the top Lady Techster finishing with a time of 20:00.65 and giving her a fourth place finish on the day. Overall, the Bulldogs had five runners finish in the top 10 Saturday morning.

Taylor Ashton recorded a top five finish for the Tech men, finishing fourth with a time of 15:52. Rounding out the Tech mens top 10 was Tor Gach and Tom Stringer, who finished with times of 16:05 and 16:06 respectively.

Sakit said his victory was very pleasing, but the conditions were tough. The win gives me confidence but the time wasnt that huge, Sakit said. I didnt expect to run that time because of conditions and other things. The conference meet is where he wants to showcase his ability, Sakit said. I wanted to win and we all wanted to win this meet, Sakit said. The most important meet is the conference meet two weeks from now. Sakit was named the Conference USA Mens Athlete of the Week on Tuesday after his Invitational victory. Sakit averaged a 4.58 mile, despite extremely wet conditions and a different course location than expected. Next, the Louisiana Tech men will travel to Lake Charles to participate in the McNeese Cowboy Stampede on Sept. 28, while the women will travel Oct. 4, to Clinton, Miss., to participate in the Watson Ford Invitational. For more on track and field and Tech athletics, follow the Tech Talk Sports Desk on Twitter at twitter. com/techtalksports.

Email comments to phh007@latech.edu.

Kaleb Causey is a senior political science and journalism major from Jonesboro. Email comments to ktc013@ latech.edu.