Bulldog

S U R V I V A L

G U I D E

THE TECH TALK / SPECIAL EDITION / FALL 2014

HUMANS OF

RUSTON

A glimpse of Ruston through the prism

of those who make this city great PAGE 8
Seniors reflect
on their time
here at Tech
PAGE 3

Are vapor lounges the

new craze or passing
phase? We take a look
into Rustons latest
establishment
PAGE 10

SOUTH END
ZONE PROJECT:
Follow the progress on
Techs most ambitious
project to date
PAGE 14

GO
B U LLDOGS
OFFIC IAL PARTN E R OF
LOU ISIANA TEC H ATH LETICS

659 N. Service Rd. East

raisingcanes.com |

RaisingCanesChickenFingers |

Raising_Canes |

@raisingcanes

www.thetechtalk.org

2 Bulldog Survival Guide Fall 2014

Education Buildings
General/Other Buildings
Livestock and Agricultural Buildings
Residential/Dorm Buildings
Roads/Parking Lots
Sports Facilities
Sporting Fields
Walkways

68
54
76

48
LE

44
VD
BL

29

44
44

CC
86 CC
86

43
43

82

64

75
75

X
MA

LO

17

OD DR

41
41

60
60
AGRICULTURE DR

55

51

26
18
18 26 86 50
50
27
25
25

EVERETT ST

92
8

90
90

BARNETT SPRING RD

SOUTH CAMPUS

52

78

65
65

34

TEXAS ST

DUDLEY

20

10
ARIZONA AVE

80
80

36

HERGOT

38
38

LOUISIANA ST

46

45
16
46

66
66

11

13
13

79
84
84

49

67
67

11
11

73
73

59

71

37

44

93

33
33
72

56

GREENWAY DR

VETVILLE DR

DR

RAILROAD AVE

58

12

24
24

30
30

61
61

53
53

70
70

MC
89 MC

31
31
15

21
21
CIRCLE

23

14

32

62
62

22
22

63

57

NELSON AVE
TECH DR

VETVILLE DR

THORNTON ST

70

91

RAILROAD AVE

MAYFIELD ST

81

AR

CL

88
88 JC

86
86 SC
SC

TECH FARM RD

MAYFIELD ST

AV

R
KD

HC
87 HC
87
W. MISSISSIPPI AVE

40

AD AV

RAILRO

69

RD

TECH DR

0)

RM

WESTWO

CA

NIA

OR

LIF

H FA

Y8

W
E (H

GILMAN ST

TEC

47

74
74

BOND ST

39

BUISINESS INCUBATOR &

ENTERPRISE CENTER
ALABAMA AVE

86
86 KC
KC

(LA HWY 150)

TECH DR

ALABAMA AVE

77

TC
86
86 TC

ALABAMA AVE (LA HWY 150)

EVERETT ST

NC
86
86 NC

JAMES ST

42

WESTERN ST

83

KEENY CIRCLE

IUM

AD
ST

ADAMS BLVD

A
ST

DR
WISTERIA

CIR

WISTERIA DR

M
DIU

HOMER ST

LLD

BU

TECH DR

35

D
OG

COLLEGE ST

AGRICULTURE DR

1. A.E. Phillips Laboratory School

2. Adams Classroom
3. Adams Hall (Residence)
4. Administration & Business, College of
5. Applied Sciences Advanced Studies Labs (South Campus)
6. Art & Architecture Workshop (South Campus)
7. Aswell Hall (Residence)
8. Band Building
9. Biomedical Engineering Building
10. Bogard Hall (Engineering)
11. Bookstore
12. Butler Building (Buildings & Grounds, South Campus)
13. CAB Annex
14. Carson-Taylor Hall (Human Ecology & Science)
15. Caruthers Hall (Residence)
16. Centennial Plaza/Centennial Tower
17. Cottingham Hall (Residence)
18. Dairy Processing Plant (South Campus)
19. Dairy Production Center (South Campus)
20. Davison Professional Aviation Building
21. Dudley Hall (Residence)
22. Early Childhood Education Center (Human Ecology)
23. Engineering Annex
24. Environmental Safety Building (South Campus)
25. Equine Center (South Campus)
26. Farm Shop (South Campus)
27. Farm Storage (South Campus)
28. Flight Operations Center (at Ruston Airport)
29. Football Practice Field
30. Forestry Laboratory Building (South Campus)
31. George T. Madison Hall (Arts & Sciences)
32. Graham Hall (Residence)
33. Hale Hall (Admissions & Architecture)
34. Harper Hall (Residence)
35. Hide-a-way Park
36. Howard Center for the Performing Arts
37. Hutcheson Hall (Residence)
38. Institute for Micromanufacturing
39. Intramural Field
40. J.C. Love Field
41. Jenkins Hall (Housing Custodial Office)
42. Jim Mize Track & Field Complex
43. Joe Aillet Field House & Charles Wyly Athletics Center
44. Joe Aillet Stadium
45. KLPI Building
46. Keeny Hall (Administration)
47. Lady Techsters Softball Field Complex
48. Lambright Intramural Sports Center
49. Landscape/Lawnmower Shop
50. Livestock Production Laboratory (South Campus)
51. Lomax Hall (South Campus)
52. M.S. Carroll Natatorium
53. Maintenance Shops (South Campus)
54. Marbury Alumni Center
55. Married Students Apartment Complex (South Campus)
56. McFarland Hall (Housing Custodial Office)
57. Meat Processing Laboratory (South Campus)
58. Memorial Gymnasium
59. Mitchell Hall (Residence)
60. Nanopulse Facility (South Campus)
61. Neilson Hall (Residence)
62. Nethken Hall (Engineering)
63. Pearce Hall (Residence)
64. Physical Plant (South Campus)

28
28
E
AV

LIF

CA

IA
RN

CAREY AVE

19

65. Planetarium
66. Power Plant and Custodial Office
67. Prescott Memorial Library
68. Presidents Home
69. Printing Department (South Campus)
70. Reese Hall (South Campus)
71. Richardson Hall (Art Studios)
72. Robinson Hall (Speech & Hearing Clinic)
73. Ropp Center (University Club)
74. Rugby Field
75. Sawmill (South Campus)
76. Soccer Field
77. Sorority Row

78. South Hall

(University Police/Health Clinic)
79. Student Center
80. T.H. Harris (Housing Office)
81. Tech Farm Sales Room (South Campus)
82. Tennis Courts
83. Thomas Assembly Center
84. Tolliver Hall/Post OfFce
85. Tractor & Machinery Laboratory
(South Campus)
86. University Park Apartments
86. CC - Caruthers Commons
86. KC - Kidd Commons

86. NC - Neilson Commons

86. TC - Thatcher Commons
86. SC - Sutton Commons
87. HC - Hutcheson Commons
88. JC - Jenkins Commons
89. MC - McFarland Commons
90. Visual Arts Center
91. Wash Rack & Bus Shed (South Campus)
92. Woodard Hall (Education)
93. Wyly Tower of Learning
94. Tech Pointe

Fall 2014 Bulldog Survival Guide 3

www.thetechtalk.org

Reflecting on their time at Tech

RAY PATTERSON
Editor-In-Chief
Jordan
Whittington,
a junior aviation major,
knows what the greatest
part of his college experience has been so far.
Its having the freedom to do what you want,
Whittington said. And flying every day.
Like other older students and upperclassmen
at Louisiana Tech University, Whittington reflected on his time here
and shared some thoughts
about the college experience and what he learned.
Whittington said when
he moved out on his own,
he knew only he could
structure his life.
I realized it was all on
me, Whittington said. I
realized you have to put
your all into your goal,
and not get in with the
wrong crowd.
Learning to structure
ones life and keep goals
in focus is a skill many
learn while in college.
Go to class, is what
Blake McElveen, a senior
accounting major, said he
would tell himself if he
could go back in time.
My grades wouldve
been so much better,
McElveen said. Partying
gets the best of you.
He said he really enjoyed joining his fraternity,
Kappa Sigma, before he
couldnt afford it and had
to leave. But he knows
what he would have done
differently if he could go
back.
I wish Id have gotten
more involved with campus and not just the fraternity, McElveen said.
I could have met way
more people.
Cecilia Acosta, a senior
secondary social studies
education major, echoed
similar sentiments.
I would have gotten
more involved with extracurricular activities, associated with or without my
major, Acosta said. To
expand my social circle.
She said it was important to her because when
she came to campus, she
was always nervous about
joining groups. But she
said her time here has
done well for her.
I think I have more

confidence, I definitely
was reserved, Acosta said. Every year, I
branched out more and
more.
Yet learning is as fun
for her as a growing circle
of friends.
I enjoy class and learning, the powerpoints and
all, Acosta said. I could
spend hours in a classroom. I just hate showing
I learned; I just dont like
tests.
But sometimes the
expectations of college
dont match up to reality.
I thought, Yes, college, finally, said Zach
Brown, a senior business
administration major, of
the presumed near-anarchic freedom of coming
to college. I expected
the stereotypical college
scene, for the rules of
Tech to be not so firm.
But it was probably what
I needed. If I had gone to
LSU or something, I
probably wouldnt still be
in college.
Brown said he tore ligaments in his leg, bashed
the skin open above his
eye and lost a tooth falling
up a flight of stairs, as he
showed the nearly identical replacement in the
front of his mouth.
I was wrestling a buddy, we were both drunk,
Brown said with a smile
like a learned sage. He
got me in a hold, and
dropped me. My tooth exploded, and I never saw it
again.
All this action, however,
taught Brown some lessons to carry through life.
I learned to sit back
and watch, not to open
your mouth so much,
Brown said. Things are
gonna be bad. Youve
got to roll with the punches. Theres always another
day, more sunshine.
Brown left some final
thoughts on preparing for
the business world:
Its not about the
grades you make, but the
hands you shake.
Whittington
shared
what he thought was most
important in meeting new
people.
Your first impression
is the number one thing,
Whittington said. You
get your foot in the door.
Dont mess up.

Above: Zach Brown, senior

business administration
major.
Right: Jordan Whittington,
junior aviation major.
Far right: Blake McElveen,
senior accounting major.
Below: Cecilia Acosta,
senior secondary social
studies education major.
Photos by Devin Dronett

McElveen shared what

he disliked most about his
experience on campus.
Itd be nice if they
got rid of the dorms and
didnt make you have to
live in them, McElveen
said. One thing made me
mad. It felt like they never
turned the A/C on.
And Acosta summed
up what the journey of
college best means on an
individual level:
Yea, education is important, Acosta said.
But I think college is the
time to try new things. To
become the person you
want to be.

Email comments to
cjm048@latech.edu.

Canterbury Association

THE EPISCOPAL MINISTRY AT

LOUISIANA TECH WELCOMES YOU!

CHARLESTON SQUARE
A

Canterbury meets every Wednesday evening at 6 P.M.

All Canterbury services followed by Fun, Food & Fellowship
Where: Church of the Redeemer, 504 Tech Drive PH 318.255.3925
The Rt. Rev. Jake Owensby, Bishop The Rev. Bill Easterling, Rector
Stephanie Carwile, Faculty Advisor, School of Architecture

24 Hour
Emergency
Maintenance
On-Site Laundry

Private
Balconies

Dishwashers
& Garbage
Disposals
1 Mile From
La Tech

EVER
Y

I S W YO N E
E LC O
ME!

-www.latech.edu/tech/orgs/canterbury-

2100 WEST BARNETT SPRINGS AVE RUSTON, LA 71270 318.251.0595

www.thetechtalk.org

4 Bulldog Survival Guide Fall 2014

Insight
The

TechTalk

Life is a marathon

MANAGEMENT

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Ray Patterson
MANAGING EDITOR
Cody Tick McElroy
MULTIMEDIA EDITOR
Harold Foster
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Devin Dronett
Kayla Frith
ADVERTISING MANAGER
Nicholas Todd
ADVISERS
Dr. Judith Roberts
T. Scott Boatright
ADVERTISING ADVISER
Dr. Reginald Owens
ADVISER/PRODUCTION MANAGER
Michael LeBlanc
ADVERTISING PRODUCTION
Michael LeBlanc
DEPARTMENT HEAD
Dr. Reginald Owens

RAY PATTERSON
Editor-In-Chief

ecently, I found myself getting scorched by the Louisiana sun while working to
replace my jeeps busted radiator.

As sweat dropped from my brow

with a calculated rhythm, I found
myself worrying about the work I
was missing, the shift I had lost and
the school work I was losing ground
on as a result of my misfortune.
Those thoughts gave way to
worrying about putting the finishing touches on my wedding in October, which is a whole other beast
in its own right.
My graduation in March, my
internship, my last classes and my
wedding were consuming every
thought I had and they only grew
stronger as the sun rose higher.
Then, I smiled.
A single thought ran through my
mind that made everything calm.
This is life.
Ive been in such a hurry to get
married, graduate and start my
life, that I didnt understand and
recognize it had already begun.
Life isnt just about those key-

SUBSCRIPTIONS

PUBLICATION

POSTAL

Second-class postage paid at Rus

ton, La. Postmaster: Send address
changes to The Tech Talk, P.O. Box
10258, Ruston, LA 71272-0045.

CONTACT US

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

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

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.shtml.

stone moments like graduation,

marriage, birthdays and anniversaries.
Life is about the radiator busting in the middle of Tech Drive, its
about leaving your cell phone at
home and finding out when you are
halfway to work, its about the irony
in cutting your hand while opening
a pack of knives with a knife and
its about the four hour emergency
room visit you spent waiting for
stitches.
I will argue these days are more
important than the good days because they teach us to appreciate
the times when things go right, the
times we get to celebrate another
birthday with a loved one, the moment your child walks across the
stage or the instant you hear that
tear-jerking cry of a newborn baby.
We often associate life to some
sort of timeline containing all of
these things but we rarely include
the moments when life puts obstacles in our way.
These trials and tribulations
forge our character, teach us to
believe in ourselves and serve as
a constant reminder that nothing
worthwhile comes easy.

We have to appreciate the struggles in our lives as much as we celebrate the victories.
Robert Frost said it best, In
three words I can sum up everything I have learned about life: it
goes on.
Dont let perceived limitations
hold you back from working toward everything you want out of
life.
You can either make excuses or
you can make progress; the choice
is yours.
Life isnt a sprint to graduation,
to a new job, a wedding, a baby
or retirement its a marathon
and when our bodies tire, we can
look back at the life we had, forged
through good times and bad, the
smiles and frowns, the laughter and
crying and the loving and dying
and find peace knowing we lived
every second as best we could.
Perhaps it is the breath right before the last, when we realize how
precious life is.
Ray Patterson is a senior journalism
major from New Orleans who serves as
Editor-In-Chief for The Tech Talk. Email
comments to rcp022@latech.edu.

FROMTHE MANAGING EDITOR

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.

FROMTHE16TH FLOOR

FROMTHEEDITOR

From Descartes to de heart

CODY TICK MCELROY
Reporter

ogito ergo sum, or Je

pense, donc je suis, or I
think, therefore I am. French
philosopher Rene Descartes determined, through a line of rational
logic, that an individual can only
know with absolute certainty one
simple fact: he or she exists (I am).
It is proven by recognizing there
is an individual who can question his or her own existence (I
think). Past that, we know not. Is
this a matrix in which our bodies
float? Are our emotions and physical reactions but mere phantasms?
The list is literally as infinite as
the imagination can conceive.
We may not really have a body.
We dont know what happens after death. Or when or how it will
come. The only other thing we can
guess with as near of certainty as
our consciousness is we will all die.
The mortal coil will unwind, to
steal a phrase, and hopefully we

shall find a rest of our bones and obtain souls delivery, to steal another.
Religion attempts to explain
origin and the great hereafter, and
such a comfort dulls the maddening
realization of ones own mortality.
But that is neither here nor there.
What is, however, is the question
of what to do with ones existence.
That maddening cognizance
of mortality may initiate another line of reasoning: that there
is no point in doing, for we all
die anyway. My little sister once
complained as to why we must
make our beds because it will get
messed up again anyway. That is
the same mentality, yet we make
the bed (at least some of us). Why?
That is an individual quest. For
me, it is because we as humans
may find a literal cure for death,
or alternate dimension which is
what we consider heaven, a link
to the afterlife and therefore severer of deaths unyielding scythe.
The metaphor is sports: I will
likely lose at least once, likewise

my life to death. Yet would I not

play, try to score? But what actually matters is not the score.
Its the ability to look my teammates in the eyes, my brothers
and sisters in life, and say I did all
I could. I died on my last deadlift on the platform, breaking my
body to score the touchdown,
sliding into home plate. Thats
the only score which matters.
Life is a game. Play it, because
it will end regardless, and you
need to know for yourself that you
played your best game your last.
To steal a final phrase from a
loosely tied movement from some
of the greatest minds of human
history, I say to you, as I leave you
all for my hereafter to grad school
and beyond, Carpe diem. Look
that one up.
Cody McElroy is a senior English major and journalism minor from Grayson who serves as managing editor
for The Tech Talk. Email comments to
cjm048@latech.edu.

FROMTHEBARC

Always ready to lend a helping hand

n behalf of the First Year

Experience,
the
Bulldog Achievement Center (BARC) and the Division
of Student Affairs: Welcome!
We are here to help our newest
undergraduates, both freshmen and
transfer students, transition into the
academic, social and cultural community of Louisiana Tech University. We do this through integrated
offerings of curricular and co-curricular opportunities throughout
the first year at Louisiana Tech.
We know that you have been
welcomed to campus by a dynamic and informative Orientation program; we want to
expand on that experience!
Welcome Week offers a host of activities that will offer you the opportunity to become more familiar with
your new home-away-from-home.
Campus organizations will provide great entertainment and food!

You can find a complete listing of

events at www.latech.edu/fye. Welcome Week activities will culminate
with the Academic Convocation on
Wednesday night September 10.
Academic Convocation is the
formal welcome by the university president, vice-presidents,
faculty, staff and other students.
First-year students will have the
opportunity to participate in the traditional medallion deposit, followed
by a pep rally and treats provided
by the Marbury Alumni Center!
Please stop by the BARC
and meet the kind and caring
staff of the First-Year Experience and Residential Life who
are also housed in the BARC.
The BARC is located on the second (main) floor of Wyly Tower of
Learning. We know that this first
year may come with challenges.
We want to be a resource for you
as you transition to university life!

Confidence
Knowledge
Leadership
Caring
Excellence
Integrity
Loyalty
Hope
Commitment
Respect
Enthusiasm
Pride

It all
starts
here
W

elcome to Louisiana Tech

University! You are a part
of one of our biggest and
best freshmen classes ever and we
are thrilled to have you here. We
want you to know that we are committed to providing you with outstanding educational experiences
throughout your college career.
We also recognize that your education and development extends
beyond the classroom, so our faculty and staff are committed to
providing great learning opportunities for you outside the classroom.
It is your involvement in those
unique and exciting experiences
that will distinguish you when you
graduate with your degree from
Louisiana Tech University. Get involved!
Tech has earned a strong reputation for producing exceptional
leaders over its 120-year history
and I am confident that our reputation will continue to grow because of your decision to be here.
Many employers come to Tech
to seek out our graduates. I encourage you to get engaged in activities
such as career fairs and professional organizations that will help to
prepare you for success throughout
your career. Be sure to check out resources like our Career Center that
will provide information about jobs,
career opportunities, and internships throughout your time at Tech.
Dont wait until the week before
graduation to begin to explore opportunities after college. We have
faculty and staff who can mentor
you on the availability of graduate
schools, professional schools, and
service organizations should those
be of interest to you. Be prepared!
This is a great time to be at
Louisiana Tech. Tech continues
to be recognized among the best
institutions nationally for value, return on investment, starting salaries
for graduates, and more.
The
strength and quality of our student
body is getting better each year,
and the growth of our freshman
class has been a testament to one
well-known fact: Great students go
to great universities.
In addition to engaging and innovative curricula, caring and committed faculty and staff, diverse and
active student organizations, excellent and new academic facilities,
and great internship and career opportunities, Louisiana Tech offers
you a nationally prominent athletics program that will build pride in
your alma mater and provide you
with spirited venues in which to celebrate Techs successes. Have fun!
I look forward to visiting with
each and every one of you during
your time at Tech. Please be sure to
stop by for a visit, or if you see me
around campus, be sure to say Hi
and let me know how youre doing..
You are my reason for being here.
Welcome to the Tech Family!

Fall 2014 Bulldog Survival Guide 5

www.thetechtalk.org

Product team offers opportunity

CODY TICK MCELROY

Managing Editor

A new campus organization offers students from a

variety of backgrounds the
opportunity to create web
solutions, products and
technologies which could
legitimately be brought to
market.
Konstantin Dolgan, a
blank-year blank major, said
he conceived the Louisiana
New Product Development
Team in January while taking an innovative research
class.
I realized the university
does not deliver a lot of inventions or new technologies or products, Dolgan
said. However, Louisiana
Tech has all the resources
available: smart teachers,
smart students, equipment
and a supportive community. I decided that if professors do not deliver new
stuff then students can take
a shot and try to move our
university forward.
The teams diversity is
evident in the eight departments Dolgan said is necessary for its functioning:
research and development,
prototyping,
parketing,
public relations and promotion, IT and web-development, intellectual property, finance and human
resources
Dolgan said LA NPDT,
which started Feb. 12, has
already completed two
web-development projects.
Dolgan said the first, IAP

Photos by Devin Dronett

Tech student Constantin Dolgan, founder of the LA New Product Development Team, speaks at a meeting.
network (iapnetwork.com),
is a website which serves a
company that deals with international students applying and entering American
universities.
The team has developed a responsive design
for the website and integrated features such as the

ability to see information

on every visitor and assist
them via online text chat,
voice or video call, Dolgan said. He noted other
features such as integrated
social media, compatibility
with mobile devices, announcements and online
registration and payment.

Dolgan talked about

MusiColor, an ongoing
project he says is a new
way of teaching and learning music.
With MusiColor, conventional notes are substituted with colors, Dolgan
said. This makes learning
music more natural and

Campus housing
at max capacity
CODY TICK MCELROY
Managing Editor
Talks have begun regarding plans for building
new on-campus residence
halls and renovating existing ones at Louisiana Tech
University.
Dickie Crawford, dean
of student life and auxiliary
services, said rising numbers of students living on
campus were part of the
reason for wanting to add
or renovate residence halls,
adding that the university
can house 2,450 students
on campus right now.
We are full, Crawford
said. We are hesitant to increase the number we can
house, but we may change
how we assign residence.
The average freshman
enrollment from 2009-2013
was 1,520 students, according to university records,
but 2013s enrollment was
only marginally above average at 1,552. It increased 84
percent over 1307 in 2012,
but was behind 2010s and
2011s 1,600 and 1,632 enrollment, respectively.
Perhaps a high retention
rate and students staying
on campus have created a
higher number of those living on campus.
We have been successful with retaining upperclassmen, Crawford said.
Our philosophy is to priori-

tize freshmen. Its a win-win:

Crawford said these
its better for development plans were extremely early
and retention.
in concept and nothing has
According to an online been set in stone.
U.S. News and World ReThe type of building
port study online showing Crawford said being considthe average freshman year ered is a cross between trato sophomore year return ditional residence halls and
rates for 2008-11, Tech held full apartments like the ones
at 76 percent, ranking low in already on campus near the
the national standings, hold- Lambright Center. Having
ing just over three quarters all apartments like some
of freshmen to the next year. universities may seem nice,
I think we definitely but doing so would bottlehave to do something, neck students financially
Crawford said. Whether we Crawford said,
grow or not.
We are one of the best
Crawford said a reason schools in not having debt
for wanting to replace or for its students when they
renovate some
leave, Crawbuildings was
ford said. We
age, referenc- I think we
dont want to
ing buildings definitely have to force more exlike the recent
penses on the
demolition of do something.
students.
Neilson
and
Crawford
C a r u t h e r s DICKIE CRAWFORD also
menhalls, built in dean of student life and
tioned
the
auxiliary services
the late 1960s.
process
for
The type of
funding resibuilding also
dence halls is
plays a factor, specifically a different than with other
high-rise building like Harp- kinds of buildings, such
er Hall, he said.
as
academic
facilities.
Theyre just high cost,
He said it is not done
Crawford said of multi-sto- through the state budget,
ry buildings. Both to build but through other means
and maintain.
such as student fees, so the
Crawford
mentioned university would need to
buildings which might not ask the students what they
be demolished which in- want.
cluded Adams, Aswell, Dudley and possibly Graham Email comments to
and Pearce.
cjm048@latech.edu.

easier, especially for beginners. We are currently

developing the first instrument with MusiColor technology integrated.
The LA NPDTs hard
work has already paid off
in its short six-month lifespan.
Dolgan said LA NPDT

took three of four prizes on

Techs Top Dawg New Venture Championship, a competition featuring teams of
students who present their
ideas to judges, faculty and
fellow students and which
encourages students to develop creative, innovative
products and services valuable in the marketplace.
Dolgan also said LA
NPDT has been featured on
KTBS television in Shreveport twice and received a
grant from Tech.
Dolgan said he is extremely proud of the team
and what it has accomplished so far.
Our team is not a
bunch of people who like
to play with cool stuff,
developing potato launchers or some other useless
things; our team consists
of very dedicated, ambitious and determined
people,
Dolgan
said.
We want to make peoples lives better and easier
by solving their problems.
We also want to show by
our example that the purpose of studying at Tech
is not to get out of school
sooner, but actually to use
school time efficiently, to
be productive and work
on achievement of your
dreams.
Those interested can
see their other achievements and contact them at
lanpdt.org.

Email comments to
cjm048@latech.edu.

Now serving 3 locations

Ruston Store
Phone: 318-251-0065
3487 Highway 33

Arcadia Store
Phone: 318-265-4822
1820 North Raildoad Ave

Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Saturday
8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Monday -Friday
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Saturday
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Bossier City Store

Phone: 318-562-3880
2695 E Texas St.
Tuesday- Friday
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Saturday
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

www.thetechtalk.org

6 Bulldog Survival Guide Fall 2014

2014 WELCOME WEEK

Saturday, August 30

Wednesday,September 3

TAILGATE WATCH PARTY

Come out to Argent Pavilion to watch our Bulldogs
take on Oklahoma! Burgers and refreshments will be
provided by Cook Baptist Church.
Sunday, August 31

TASTE OF RUSTON
Come check out our annual Taste of Ruston cook-off
in the Plaza from noon - 2 p.m. Be a part of supporting
the local businesses, campus organizations and restaurants in town as they share their free dishes with you!

CHURCH PICK UP!

While you are at Dog Haul, make sure to sign up for a
religious service.

TOURS OF RUSTON
Take a break from the heat and join us on a quick,
scenic bus tour of Ruston! Tours offered between 10
a.m. - 1 p.m.

BURGERS IN THE QUAD

Come fellowship with University Campus Ministries
and enjoy free burgers in the Quad starting at 6 p.m.
Bring your friends for an evening filled with food and
fun!

STUDENT RECRUITER
PERSONALIZED TOURS
From 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., student recruiters will be located
in the Plaza to show you where your classes are. Be sure
to bring your schedule and find someone in a blue polo!

Monday,September 1
PANHELLENIC AND IFC COOK OUT
Techs Greek community wants to give you the opportunity to meet and hang out with some of its Greek
leaders in the Plaza at 6 p.m.
MOVIE ON THE JUMBOTRON
Come out to Joe Aillet Stadium at 8:30 p.m. for refreshments and a movie!
Tuesday,September 2
PICNIC WITH PANHELLENIC
Come hang out with the ladies of Panhellenic and your
Gamma Chi leaders at 11a.m. for some lemonade in
the Quad!
OSL REUNION
Come have some fun with your OSL at the Lambright
Intramural Center starting at 2 p.m.
GAME NIGHT
Residential Life has a fun night of games and food
planned for you. Come on out to the TONK upstairs
at 6 p.m!
NEW STUDENT VIP NIGHT
The Tech Bookstore will be open from 7 - 9 p.m for
first time students.

STOMP IN THE QUAD

The NPHC fraternities and sororities invite you to
come watch them show us their best struts on the steps
of Howard Auditorium starting at 1p.m. The Taste of
Ruston winners will be announced here!
FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE
CONVOCATION
Come be a part of this Louisiana Tech tradition and
First Year Experience! See you in Howard Auditorium
at 7p.m.
Thursday,September 4
FALL FLING
Come out and enjoy an awesome poolside event hosted
by Union Board at the Lambright from 4 - 8 p.m. to
start your year off right!
FUSION
United Campus Ministries will be providing a Praise
and Worship service in Howard Auditorium at 8 p.m.
Friday, September 5.
B.L.A.S.T.
Black Student Union, National Pan-Hellenic Council
and United Afrikan American Men will be providing
refreshments and informational handouts at the Lambright pool from 5 - 7 p.m.

AT LOUISIANA TECH UNIVERSITY

RENT

UP TO

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ON

TEXTBOOKS
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(318) 257-3066 /latechbookstore

Fall 2014 Bulldog Survival Guide 7

www.thetechtalk.org

Orientation an example of growth

CODY TICK MCELROY
Managing Editor

curately predict the number

of incoming freshmen in the
following fall.
Last year saw a record
Oh, theyre heavily cornumber of incoming fresh- related, Cline said. There
men to Louisiana Tech Uni- are usually 100 or more
versity, and this summer has freshmen that come in the
seen a record number of fall.
orientation students.
Cline said the total numAndy Cline,
ber of those
director of oriregistered
for
entation
and Our main
orientation inspecial
pro- goal is to
cludes the four
grams, described
three-day sesthe energy sur- help students
sions, two transrounding orien- transition.
fer-student sestation this year.
sions and one
Im
so But Presents
one-day session.
p u m p e d , helps get them
All but the
Cline said. We excited and
one-day session
worked so hard
are three days
to reach our want to come
long each, from
goal.
Wednesday to
to Tech
That
goal,
Friday.
Cline said, was JORDAN RUSING
Cline said on
to have more orientation
Wednesday, stuthan 2,000 stu- student leader
dents were indents sign up.
troduced to the
This
goal
city and univerkeeps in line with another sity, and were tied to their
one Cline described. As a orientation groups, meeting
university, Tech president each other and their orienLes Guice hopes to have tation leaders.
15,000 students by 2020.
On Thursday, they were
According to university introduced to their intended
records, the total number majors, advised on their first
of registered students for classes and registered for
orientation was 1,834 as of the fall.
June 13. This is a 5.12 perFriday, they made any
cent increase over two sum- adjustments needed and
mers ago with 1,412.
were given tours of the resiOther high numbers in dence halls and on-campus
recent memory were 1,619 apartments.
from the summer of 2004Jordan Rushing, one of
2005.
this years orientation leadThe question is whether ers, said they have been
orientation numbers can ac- preparing since January. He

said the orientation groups

took a class to learn things
like Tech traditions and department requirements.
We have most of it
down, Rushing said. What
you dont know you learn as
you go.
Leaders like Rushing
have a high level of energy
for the orientation numbers.
I think we get more and
more excited when we hear
numbers go up, Rushing
said.
Rushing described a
part of orientation called
Presents, as in presentations, not gifts. It was held in
Howard Auditorium where
orientation leaders perform
skits, the Regal Blues perform a dance routine and
keynote speakers share
words of wisdom.
Our main goal is to help
students transition, Rushing said. But Presents
helps get them excited and
want to come to Tech.
Both Rushing and Cline
echoed something Guice
has said: Everybody is a
recruiter.

Photos by Donny Crowe

Andy Cline, director of orientation and special programs, rides with orientation student
leaders Corey Green and Carlton Gray at a recruiting event.

Email comments to
cjm048@latech.edu.
Right: Orientation leaders
and students fill Rail Road
Park at sunset in downtown Ruston.

Lousiana Tech University

A V I A T I O N

SEARCHING FOR OR LOOKING

TO CHANGE YOUR MAJOR?
Boeing predicts a need for
over 20,000 airline pilots a year
until the year 2032.
With more than a forty year history, Louisiana Tech Universitys Department
of Professional Aviation has established itself as a high-quality degree
program with a national reputation for outstanding graduates. The department
is a member of the University Aviation Association and is accredited by the
Aviation Accreditation Board International. Our links with industry are accomplished by internship programs with numerous major air carriers, regional airlines, corporate aviation, and government organizations as well as maintaining
close contacts with our graduates.
DEPARTMENT OF PROFESSIONAL AVIATION P.O. BOX 3181 RUSTON, LA 71272 (318)257-2691 WWW.LATECH.EDU/AVIATION

MORE TALK




t


Bulldog Survival Guide t


'BMM


'BMM



t


Bulldog Survival Guide t




Q. If you could

Q. If you were

be an animal,
which would
you be and
why?

a mixed drink
what kind of
drink would you
be and why?

A. A cat.

Because theyre
mysterious
and smart and
besides, my
nickname is
Kat.

A. An Arnold
Palmer.
Because its
part lemonade, part tea.
Which means
Im classy, but
Im still a bit
tangy.

i)VNBOT
PG
3VTUPOw
XBT
JOTQJSFE
CZ
#SBOEPO
4UBOUPOT
i)VNBOT
PG
/FX
:PSLw
'PMMPXJOH
#SBOEPOT
JOTQJSBUJPO
UIJT
QSPKFDU
XBT
DSFBUFE
UP
TIPXDBTF
UIF

XPOEFSGVM
QFPQMF
XIP
NBLF
3VTUPO
UIF
VOJRVF
DJUZ
JU
JT

KATRINA HARRIS
owner of
One Wardrobe

Q. If you could
give one piece
of advice to a
large group of
people what
would you tell
them?

ROSS MOORE
Stylist
Rumos Barber Shop

Q. If you were
stuck on a
desert island
with only one
other person,
who would
that be?

A. To be

brave, cause
life is short. To
not let fears
keep you back
from trying
something.
JAKE DUGARD
co-owner of
Makers Union

Q. What is

your proudest
moment so far
in life?

A. Im going

to say my older
brother, because he could
build me a boat
to get back.
Because he can
build anything.

KATE TEDETON
designer/videoorgapher
Kelly Moore Bag

A. When

everybody from
high school
sent me a big
postcard when
I was having
surgery.
KEITH SHEPARD
senior C.I.S. major

Q. If you had

to pick a Disney
movie that best
define your life
what would it
be?

A. Probably

Tangled. My
parents were
so stricy when
I was growing
up. I felt really
trapped like Rapunzel was in
her castle.

Q. If you could
live at any
time in history,
when would
that be and
why?

A. Right now.

TORI SMITH
barista at
Parish Press
Coffehouse

Its a great time

to live. The
world has so
much to offer.

Q. Youre

Q. What is you
Q. What are

you most afraid

of?

suddenly told
you have a
million dollars
to spend on
yourself, what
do you buy?

A. Snakes.

A. A plane

greatest fear?

A. Not being
MEGAN IRVIN
senior
architect major

successful in
what I want to
do in my life.

Q. What do you
want to do?

A. I plan on us-

ing my degree to
go into starting
my own bicycle
company and
build and manufacture my own
bicycles.

BLAKE DAUZAT
junior
mechanical
engineering
major and
Turbo Goat
employee

MORGAN HITT
Social Bites
employee

ticket to New
Zealand.

Q. Just a plane
ticket?

A. OK, Ill buy

property in
New Zealand
and TWO plane
tickets.
ALICE MORGAN
Lincoln Parish
Public Library
employee

www.thetechtalk.org

10 Bulldog Survival Guide Fall 2014

Lounge offers tobacco alternative

RAY PATTERSON
Editor-In-Chief

rettes, Page said. You

dont have to stop smoking cigarettes (immediThis fall is the first ately). Its a tool to help
quarter in which a new people gradually quit.
Page said he smoked
state law mandates Louisiana Tech University to for more than 11 years
be a tobacco-free cam- and multiple attempts to
pus. Sitting just a stones quit eventually failed until
throw from campus, Alti- he discovered vaping.
According to the Totude Vapor Lounge, 975
Tech Drive, Suite 4, offers bacco Vapor Electronic
Association,
students an alternative to Cigarette
electronic cigarettes
traditional tobacco.
or
E-cigs,
The
vapor
contain five
lounge is the
first of its kind I was smok- ingredients, all
of which are apin Ruston and ing at least a
proved by the
lounge manag- pack a day,
Food and Drug
er Jarrod Page
Administration.
said its a sign and then I
The
FDA
of progress and came here.
regulates
eacceptance that
cigarettes
as
their doors are BRANDON
it does other
open in town.
VICKERS
tobacco prodRuston is a tech student
ucts
accordvery sound city,
ing to TVECA
Page said. It
doesnt let in a lot of rifraf, and new state legislaits like clockwork and you tion has forced Louisican almost pinpoint to the ana Tech to become a
day when things are going tobacco free campus
to change and thats from which includes a ban on
habit doing things the e-cigarettes.
Brandon Vickers, a jusame way for so long. And
in that same breath, I see nior kinesiology major at
progression, I see things Louisiana Tech, said he
changing and I think we stumbled into Altitude
one afternoon just curious
will be embraced.
Vaping, as its called to learn what the business
for short, is somewhat of offered and has since
a new technology, Page kicked his tobacco habit.
I was smoking at least
said, and at its core, it
offers an alternative to a pack a day, Vickers
said. And then I came
smoking.
Its something to help here and started using a
people get off of ciga- low rig, which has a re-

Photos by Ray Patterson

Jarrod Page (left) and Brandon Vickers (right) vape inside the Altitude Vapor Lounge on
Tech Drive.
ally high nicotine content.
Then I slowly realized the
lower the nicotine, the
better the taste and I just
sort of worked my way
down. I give all credit to
Jarrod and Altitude for
helping me quit smoking.
Page said part of Altitudes plan is to offer high
quality products and a
safer alternative to smoking to their customers.
Also, part of their plan

is to create a community
atmosphere that can bring
people in the community
together. The lounge features artwork from local
artists showcased on its
walls.
Ruston is a city that
doesnt have a whole lot
of places to go and congregate, Page said. Its
got a bar scene, and it
did have a (local) coffee
house but there arent

many places to go sit and

hangout.
Aside from e-cigarettes
being a safer alternative
to cigarettes, Page and
Vickers agree that choosing to vape is much
easier on the wallet than
buying cigarettes.
Lets say you smoke a
pack a day and that pack
costs five dollars, Page
said. Thats $35 a week.
One of our starter kits,

with the longest lasting

battery, is $50 after tax
and it can last for up to
two weeks so in that
time its already paid for
itself when compared
to what you would have
spent buying cigarettes.
Vickers said he feels
better overall and that his
anxiety and coughing is
all but gone after switching to vaping.
I literally feel better
because there is none of
that harmful throat bite,
no coughing every morning when you wake up,
you just get up, put your
battery in and youre good
to go, said Vickers.
Page said the grand
opening for Altitude is
scheduled for early September and that he is
encouraged and excited
about the initial response
from customers.
The lounge offers free
WiFi and is open from 11
a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday
through Saturday and 1
p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Page said the staff is
eager to help anyone who
has never vaped before
and will explain everything in detail to make
sure customers enjoy
their experience.
I really feel like this is
going to get huge here,
Page said. The sky is the
limit.

Email comments to
rcp022@latech.edu.

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www.thetechtalk.org

Fall 2014 Bulldog Survival Guide 11

Tech alum ventures into entrepreneurship

RAY PATTERSON
Editor-in-Chief
After working in the
manufacturing
business
for 25 years, Chris Willis a 2002 graduate of
Louisiana Tech University, decided to follow in
his sisters footsteps and
become an entrepreneur,
opening reTagz thrift store
at 208 W. Alabama St., in
Ruston.
The store is open from
10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10
a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturdays.
While the excitement
over being his own boss is
nice, Willis said there are
some concerns about the
new found freedom.
The key to my success here is going to be
advertising and networking, Willis said. Those
are both new to me. The
jobs I previously had there
wasnt any networking,
you just went to work.
Now, Ive got to get out
and meet people, meet the
other business owners and
get my name out there.
Willis said thrift stores
offer a great value and said
he is excited to be able to
offer that to Ruston and
the Tech community.
I think we have a lot
to offer college-aged students, Willis said. Weve
got brand name clothes
that come in, we wash

Photo by Ray Patterson

Video games, DVDs and other entertainment items are displayed for sale at reTagz.
them and then put them
out in the same way a retail store would.
The store also sells
DVDs and VHS tapes and
old gaming systems like

the Super Nintendo and

Sega Genesis and offer a
selection of games to purchase along with them.
Willis said his store has
something for everyone

and he hopes people will

enjoy the friendly environment at reTagz.
When someone comes
in the door, we say Hey,
how are you doing? Wel-

come to reTagz. We want

to have a pleasant atmosphere for everybody here
and we price our items as
fair as we possibly can.
Getting started wasnt

easy as Willis said the

stores opening was delayed due to unforeseen
circumstances with the
state fire marshal.
We got in here in February, Willis said. The
state fire marshal had construction to get done in
the back and that took four
months and we opened in
June.
Willis runs the store
with the help of his mother
Mary Blood who is also a
Tech graduate and his girlfriend, Vivian Wells, who is
the store manager.
Willis said he chose to
open the store after being
encouraged by his sisters
success owning two thrift
stores in Farmerville.
She already knew the
layout of how the business
works, Willis said. She
already knew about the
documents that need to
be filled out and she had
plenty of inventory to help
us get started.
Many of Techs students leave for the summer quarter and Willis said opening in June
wasnt ideal but he does
look forward to the future.
Its been slow to start,
Willis said. But with all the
stuff we have in here and
new merchandise coming
in daily, I really think (reTagz) is going to take off.

Email comments to
rcp022@latech.edu.

The 2014

Parishwide Partners

is approaching!
Take advantage of a
publication that not only is
distributed throughout
campus and the Ruston area
but is handed out to thousands
of screaming Bulldog fans at
the Homecoming game!
For advertising inquires contact
Tech Talk Advertising at 257-4949
or email us at techtalkads@latech.

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Each office is independently owned and operated.

To the Louisiana Tech Family:

Thank you for taking a moment to read and consider my
announcement. I have re-engaged my real estate license
from the 1980s. This will be a second career, not a parttime effort.
I pledge the same commitment to you that I did to the
students, faculty, administrators, alumni, and friends
of Louisiana Tech University. The opportunity to make
dreams come true for students and their families was a
driving force in my life. The relationships formed were
based on trust and are lifelong in nature.
Gary Stokley, PhD.
I chose Keller Williams because of a team approach and
the companys philosophy toward life that I share: God, family, and work. Keller
Williams is the largest real state firm in the United States and Canada. I am surrounded by partners with many years of experience. What you will receive from
me is the enthusiasm and passion of a new agent and the wisdom and expertise of
someone with many years of experience. But...
I cannot do this without YOU!!!
Whether it is you, your family, or friends when deciding to buy, sell, rent, or invest in land, commercial property or a home, I would appreciate the opportunity
to make YOUR dreams come true.
Gary Stokley, Ph.D.
Realtor, Licensed in Louisiana
Cell: 318-278-3124
Office: 318-812-7659
Fax: 318-396-2574
garystokley@gmail.com
Current member: Trinity United Methodist Church (Administrative Chair), Big
Whit Foundation, Emerson Centre, Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce,
Ruston Park and Recreation Advisory Board. Active supporter of CCA, D.A.R.T.
and United Way.

www.thetechtalk.org

12 Bulldog Survival Guide Fall 2014

Arts Entertainment
RAY PATTERSON
Editor-in-Chief
Talk about breaking
away from the prototypical
superhero flick Marvels Guardians of the
Galaxy, throws down on
audiences with breathtaking
CGI, a rhythmic screenplay
and a superb cast.
One doesnt immediately gravitate to Chris Pratt
when thinking of a superhero, but dont let the funnyman fool you, he packs
quite the punch as Captain
Peter Quill, who unknowingly steals a mysterious
orb coveted by Ronan, a
villain who wants nothing
more than to rule the entire
universe.
The movie opens on a
scene choreographed to tug
on heartstrings.
A young Quill is in a hospital with his dying mother.
The scene is very raw, and it
ends by showing Peter as an
adult in the present day.
Director James Gunn
was expected to deliver on
the comedy and action but
setting such a somber tone
early shows his diversity
and maturity within his direction.
Quill finds himself paired
with a unique combination
of comrades such as Rocket
Raccoon, voiced by Bradley
Cooper, and green alien
space babe Gamora, played
by the lovely Zoe Saldana.
Vin Diesel lends his

Guardians of the Galaxy is

OUT OF THIS WORLD

Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios

voice to a talking tree

named Groot and World
Wrestling
Entertainment
star Dave Bautista plays the
role of Drax, rounding out
the Guardians clan.
Gunn, known mostly
for directing the 2006 film
Slither, and writing segments for episodic comedies like Movie 43, really settles into his own with
GOTG.
The movie carries itself
with a sort of nonchalant
attitude one that bodes

well and showcases an impeccable script written by

Gunn and Nicole Perlman.
The bravado and machismo is blatant, yet perfectly
mixed with the appropriate amounts of off-the-wall
comedy Gunn has become
synonymous with.
I really dont think
enough can be said about
Pratts portrayal of Peter
Quill/Star-Lord.
Pratt has made a living
off of his comedies and he
serves as the catalyst for

taking the comedy in GOTG

to the next level.
It seems a simple equation great script + great
actor = great performance
yet so many movies have
flopped trying to find the
right actor and trying to work
with the right screenplay.
The movies main characters all mesh incredibly well
and the villian Ronan, played
by Lee Pace, is portrayed in
classical tyrannical fashion.
What is even more
endearing
about
the

plot is that none of the

movies heros necessarily started out as such.
They all find themselves
working together to not
only save the galaxy,
but for a bit of personal
redemption
for
things
theyve done in the past.
Best of all, is that
the movie ends on an
open note, leaving the
story open for a sequel.
This a rare movie where
half way through watching
it an audience member finds

themselves hoping for a sequel well played, Gunn.

GOTG is a prime example of brilliant direction,
excellent writing and MARVEL-ous acting.
Combine all of those
ingredients with excellent
casting and a bevy of eyepopping special effects and
youve got the recipe for the
summers biggest blockbuster.

Email comments to
rcp022@latech.edu.

Mayhem Fest...A bowl

full of awesomesauce
CODY TICK MCELROY
Managing Editor

Skip Russell s
Skip Russell s

Campus
Campus
Washateria
Washateria
JustEast
East of
of Tech
Just
TechCampus
Campus

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

Open24
24 hours
hours / /7 7days
a week
Open
days
a week
Cleanest in
in town
Cleanest
town
Newmachines
machines
New
Air
AirConditioned
Conditioned

people run in, pushing everything in the way out of

the way. Variations include
a circle pit, where members
run around the edge of the
space in an intense human
blender of sorts, and a wall
of death, which is exactly
what it sounds like: two
sides, a drop in the song and
then a mangling of bodies.
Intensity varies, too.

Sometimes
its
someone standing alone, head
down, flailing arms and
legs, and getting in their
comfort zone is done at
your own risk. Sometimes
its some basic but heavy
pushing with an occasional accidental elbow.

> see MAYHEMpage 13

Wyly Tower
Wyly Tower

Alabama

Alabama

Wesley
Wesley

Homer
Homer
St. St.
Texas

ST1TCH from Mushroomhead surveys the crowd at Mayhem Fest 2014

Campus
Washateria
Campus
Washateria

Texas

Photos by Cody McElroy

Louisiana
LouisianaAve.
Ave.

We are THC! And we

are the real deal; this aint
sweet tea in this bottle!
Thats how the last day
of Rockstars 2014 Mayhemfest in Houston, Texas,
started: with the band Texas
Hippie Coalitions lead singer, Big Dad Ritch, pouring a
fresh bottle of Coldcocks
whiskey on his face and lapping it out on the audience
with his tongue.
THC opened with an absolutely solid performance.
They had a heavy sound,
not too fast but speedy
where needed, and the
large front man donned
with a black cowboy hat,
sleeveless button up shirt
and walking out slowly with
a Texas flag brought that
home-state swagger infamous of the state.
The first band is always
the warmup where the
crowd gets comfortable with
each other and the heat.
No moshing took place for
THC, and my friend Burkart
and I just head bobbed to
the music, pleased. But with
the heat and close proximity, our sweat glands were
already going and we were
ready to get hot and heavy
with the moshing and jams.
For those who dont
know, moshing involves a
chunk of the crowd backing
up to open a space usually at least 10 to 15 yards
across, large ones around
50 to 100 yards where

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

www.thetechtalk.org

Fall 2014 Bulldog Survival Guide 13

Distractions
WEEKLYHOROSCOPE
www.horoscopes.com.net

Aries
March 21 April 19
This weeks New Moon in Virgo can be helpful for ditching
bad habits and committing to new, more life-enhancing
ones. However, when it comes to finances, wait a few
days before applying for a loan or other credit, as you
may have more luck toward the end of the week. There is
still a focus on fun, leisure, and enjoyment, which youll
find rejuvenating and entertaining. One romantic liaison
could move to a new phase of passion and intensity.
Taurus
Apr 20 - May 20
If youve been thinking about taking a budding romance
to the next level, the New Moon on Monday may give
you the incentive you need to make it happen. You have a
two-week window of opportunity, but catching the Moon
tide sooner rather than later might bring better results. In
the meantime, if someone is being stubborn, dont try to
persuade them against their will. Later in the week they
may come around to your way of thinking anyway.
Gemini
May 21 - Jun 20
The pressures on this week at work, so make a point
of chilling on a regular basis so you can cope with the
extra demand. In addition, you may be pushing yourself to
complete projects on the home front, particularly if youve
suffered from procrastination in this regard. Dont pile
too much on your plate - it could lead to disappointment.
Instead, make time to be with friends and enjoy relaxing
in good company whenever possible. Later, you may need
to compromise but find it hard to do so.
Cancer
Jun 21 - Jul 22
Social trends spotlight an interesting plan, although
cooperation and compromise may be required to handle
a certain relationship. A partner or love interest could be
headstrong and impulsive, causing you to feel frustrated.
However, as the week progresses it will become easier
to talk things over and come to an arrangement. Where
finances are concerned, use this opportunity to consolidate your affairs and find ways to get your money to work
harder for you. Dont fritter it away if you can help it.
Leo
Jul 23 - Aug 22
Issues on the home front could come to a head on
Monday, yet something positive can arise out of this. If
youve been battling frustration and tension for some
time, its possible that a solution can be born out of a
desire for peace and harmony. As for you, you seem to
be upbeat and positive, so try not to let such matters
distract you from the goals, plans, and opportunities that
are now opening up for you. Stay focused and you can do
very well.to give.
Virgo
Aug 23 - Sep 22
Mixed signals suggest that one piece of news could
cause anxiety, or perhaps a friends plight will impinge
upon your time. However, giving an edgy situation the
attention it requires might help ensure a relatively
trouble-free week. The New Moon in your sign on Monday
can be excellent for kick-starting a plan or making
changes in any area of your life you choose. You have a

two-week window of opportunity, but the sooner you act,

the better the results can be.
Libra
Sep 23 - Oct 22
This weeks New Moon in your spiritual sector brings
an opportunity to take up a spiritual practice such as
meditation, yoga, or tai chi. Your willingness to make this
a regular habit could have a positive effect on all areas
of your life, particularly the stressful and uncertain parts.
At the same time, youll be boosted by the companionship
of good friends who can make a positive contribution to
your life this week. In romance, you could be attracted to
someone who oozes sex appeal.
Scorpio
Oct 23 - Nov 21
A setback, hampering situation, or disappointment, possibly in connection with a friend or loved one, may test
you. Instead of throwing your hands up in the air, focus on
sorting things out. However, tensions ease as the week
gathers pace and you begin to feel more confident and
upbeat. Socially, things are looking much more positive.
This weeks New Moon early on could entice you to move
in new circles and seek out friends and companions on a
similar wavelength.
Sagittarius
Nov 22 - Dec 21
Exciting influences prevail where your love life is
concerned, though you may have to move outside your
comfort zone for them to show up. As for career, this
weeks New Moon brings a positive boost to a new project or plan. You have a two-week window of opportunity,
so make use of it and youll find that things come together
much more quickly than they might otherwise. When it
comes to travel and adventure, someone may have a
suggestion that youll find hard to resist.
Capricorn
Dec 22 - Jan 19
A patient approach may be needed concerning a friend
or associate who is unwilling to compromise. But once
this is out of the way, the week looks almost buoyant. The
continued focus on your zone of finances and megabucks
encourages you to connect with folks who are successful
in their own right. This may be the time to learn a few tips
and tricks that might come in handy. Regarding romance,
someone may seem to have soul-mate potential. Perhaps
its time to strike up a conversation!
Aquarius
Jan 20 - Feb 18
This week the New Moon in your zone of shared
resources can be helpful if you want to apply for a loan
or line of credit, but it might be worth waiting a day or
two to avoid complications with those in authority. The
coast should be clear by Thursday or Friday, with a better
chance of getting what you want. Regarding relationships,
things look very positive, but youll need to put in
the effort to continue to reap the rewards. Later, your
significant other could be too tempting to resist!

CROSSWORDPUZZLE
Across
1. Continue
5. Director Lee
8. Attention-getter
12. Prefix with present
13. Son of Abraham
15. Colombian city
16. Freeway access
17. Style
18. Nabokov novel
19. Fit to be seen
22. NFL scores
23. Very skilled person
24. In ___ land
26. Pity
29. Clan emblems
31. Antiquity, in antiquity
32. Prevention dose
34. Ginger cookies
36. Tough soap
38. Pan-fry
40. Math course
41. Mindlessly stupid
43. Aired again
45. CD earnings
46. Ultimate purpose
48. Places of contest
50. Air.filled rubber hoop,
become fatigued
51. The Mustangs sch.
52. Actress Alicia
54. Renter
61. Trademark
63. Total
64. Carsons successor
65. Soared
66. Shooting sport
67. Neighbor of Sask.
68. Adjutant
69. Paris possessive

DAILY U

www.bestcrosswords.com
70. Difficult
Down
1. Hikers snack
2. General Bradley
3. Treaters words
4. Tries to bite
5. Id hate to break up ___
6. Granny
7. Attire
8. Angel dust
9. Flagship of Columbus
10. Lost traction
11. Sardine containers
13. Pertaining to fire
14. Big fiddle?
20. Reverberate
21. Chow
25. Fast time
26. Flat surface
27. Privileged
28. Growl angrily
29. Aquarium fish
30. Rotates
31. Biblical high priest
33. White ball, in pool
35. Cpl.s superior
37. The King ___
39. Hearing distance
42. ____ Grey, tea type
44. Captain of the Nautilus
47. Ogles
49. Intermittent watercourse
52. ___ Romeo
53. ___ me tangere
55. Diving birds
56. Dagger of yore
57. French summers
58. Boxer Oscar ___ Hoya
59. ___acte (intermission)

60. Highway
62. Be in debt

LASTISSUESSOLUTION

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

Pisces
Feb 19 - Mar 20
If a long-range dream seems even more distant and out of
reach, that doesnt necessarily mean its impossible. You
may find you can attain your wish at a fraction of the cost
by scaling back your plans. In addition, the New Moon in
Virgo offers a chance to take a budding romance to a new
level of commitment. If youre already in a partnership,
use this Moon phase to kick-start a challenging project
and have a better chance of success.

SUDOKUPUZZLE

Hey Bulldogs!
The Tech Talk is the student voice of Louisiana Tech, and that is
why we want to encourage you to use it! Do you know of a special event happening on campus? Let us know! We want to hear
your voice so we can better serve you as your campus newspaper.
Send any stories, ideas or input to jts040@latech.edu

www.sudoku-puzzles.net

Fill in the grid Difficulty MEDIUM

so that every
row, every
column and
every 3x3
grid contains
the digits 1
through 9.

LASTISSUESSOLUTION

Sudoku Puzzle - Medium

www.sudoku-puzzles.net

>MAYHEMfrom pg. 12
We went to get water, and
when we came back the
crowd was thick and Mushroomhead was going strong.
They played tight and
confidently, featuring a female vocalist once to offer a
crystal contrast to the deep,
bassy, popping rhythm of
their sound.
Burkart and I had never
listened to Emmure and
from the first note, we were
hooked.
The guitar riffs cut across
to our ears, the vocals
soared over and through all
sound to reach us and the
drum blasts thumped our
hearts like a hard shot in a
pillow fight with your older
siblings.
Avenged Sevenfold was

finally up.
About five years ago, their
drummer, James The Rev
Sullivan, died. To be blunt,
he will have inspired and
influenced a generation of
drummers, myself included.
As a band, you must be
respectful to your friend, to
what hed done for you and
also to the fans who had that
unique relationship with you
as a whole and that person
individually.
A7X was a true culmination of that day.
We lost our dear friend
five years ago, lead singer
Shadows said. This song
is for anyone you love and
have lost.
I dont think about it
much, but I couldnt ignore
reflecting on my mothers
death four years ago in my
senior year of high school.

Or my friends mother who

committed suicide earlier this year. Or our mutual
friend who succumbed to
a heart infection about a
year ago. Theres a lot you
could take away from that
experience. Its those little
moments, those shared
experiences. The concert
with my friend, the time
with my mother trail riding
and at rodeos. Those seemingly pointless conversations
which mean so much.
Strike a note on a guitar
and when it fades, you have
only memories. So keep
playing with those who matter until the end and remember the shows honestly but
stay true to your loved ones
characters.

Email comments to
cjm048@latech.edu

More Puzzles:
www.sudoku-puzzles.net

Emmure gets set to start their performance on the final stop of the 2014 Rockstar Energy
Drink Mayhem Festival at The Woodlands, Texas.

www.thetechtalk.org

14 Bulldog Survival Guide Fall 2014

Construction
crews excavate
dirt behind the
south end zone at
Joe Aillet Stadium.
Photo by Devon Dronett

A work in

PROGRESS
South end zone undergoing
extensive renovation
RAY PATTERSON
Editor-in-Chief
For several years, Louisiana
Tech officials have brainstormed
ideas to expand Joe Aillet Stadium and if all goes according
to plan, the finished product of
those ideas will come to fruition
on Aug. 1, 2015.
Everything is on schedule,
said Assistant Athletics Director Adam McGuirt. Weve had
some rain delays throughout the
project but everything is on track
right now.
McGuirt said the project is a
70,000 square feet addition to the
south end zone.
The lower floor will feature
a new weight room as well as a
new equipment and locker room
for the football team.
McGuirt said the weight room
will be available to every team
within the university athletics department, and the new room will
more than double the size of the
old one.
The middle level will be filled
with coaches offices and position
meeting rooms and the upper level is the club level.
McGuirt said other than game
days, the club level will be avail-

wise this is just the beginning. This is the first part and
we will identify what is next.
Were just a piece of what Dr.
Guices vision is for the entire
campus.
McGuirt said the total
cost of the expansion is a
fluctuating number and so far
$18 million has been spent at
this point in the project.
When you start a big
project you dont what is going to happen or what you
may find, McGuirt said.
Especially when youve excavated as much dirt as we
have, something is bound to
Illustration courtesy of Media Relations
happen.
An artists rendering showing the completed look of the south end zone renoMcGuirt said it is fair to
vation.
say that excitement is a common theme among those
look like have all been excited to dont have access to the field in
associated with Tech these
see this addition to the stadium.
the same way now and weve had days and the future is bright.
They are ready to see the shutdowns over the summer with
Anybody that can step back
building come out of the ground, water and electricity and they and see what is going on strateMcGuirt said. Theyve heard have kept their eye on the prize gically in different places and the
about it for a while and they are at the end.
vision of Dr. Guice and athletics
ready to see it happen. Theyre
McGuirt said Tech President director Tommy McClellands viimpressed with what they have Les Guice is working on a master sion for athletics, you cant help
seen. They think weve done a plan for the entire university and but get excited, McGuirt said.
good job in designing the build- the south end zone expansion is They have a specific direction of
ing and they are waiting to see it just the beginning.
what they want to do and where
develop.
Dr. Guice has a tremendous they want to go and they both
McGuirt said the players and vision for our campus, McGuirt work hand in hand to make that
coaches share the same excite- said. He wants to grow the stu- happen. It is tremendously exment as the fans do in anticipa- dent body to 15,000 and athlet- citing to work with those two to
tion of their new facility.
ics is a big part of that. The two make all of this happen.
They are thrilled, McGuirt go hand in hand and he sees the
said. Theyve been great in value in both of those together. Email comments to
working around the changes. We As far as athletics goes, facility- rcp022@latech.edu.

able to any campus organization

for banquets, award ceremonies
or other general use.
Itll provide a really fun and
interesting venue, McGuirt said.
McGuirt acknowledged the
new seats will provide new revenue from an athletics perspective but he said the expansion is
about much more than increasing
ticket sales.
The seats are just a minimal
aspect of (the expansion), McGuirt said. Its not about adding
seats, its about better serving our
student-athletes and providing a
venue that is not matched by any
other in Ruston.
Aside from the new visuals,
McGuirt said the expansion will
provide other benefits to fans at
Joe Aillet.
The south end of the stadium
will be closed in, McGuirt said.
That will have a great impact
on the sound of the game. It will
make it louder. The amenities that
will be offered in the club area, for
those that purchase a ticket, are
going to provide an experience
that is not available anywhere
else.
McGuirt said the fans and
alumni who have seen renderings
of what the finished product will

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Fall 2014 Bulldog Survival Guide 15

Sports Talk
I feel like Ive
been here long
enough and Ive
had a great time.
Its time for it
to come to an
end.

HOMEGROWN:
Johnson leaves legacy
RAY PATTERSON
Editor-In-Chief

Colby Johnson always knew where he

wanted to go to college.
COLBY JOHNSON
senior outfielder
Born and raised in Ruston, Johnson was a star at
Ruston High School and
when Louisiana Tech offered him a
s c h o l a r s h i p,
he pulled the
trigger
and
chose to play
for his hometown.
Its nice
actually having your family get to
come to every
game,
Johnson said.
Friends
get to come
Submitted photo
watch me play
too, you know.
Its nice being this close to home and
being able to go see my
parents whenever I want.
It was one of the biggest
factors of me coming
to play here (Tech) is
Photo by Kayla Frith
where I grew up. I didnt
Senior outfielder Colby Johson stands in the dugout at J.C. Love Field in Pat Patterson Park. really weigh my college

choices because I knew

this is where I wanted to
come.
Now heading into his
final year in the classroom
and on the diamond, the
redshirt senior said he
is focused on finishing
strong.
I want everyone to
know that I come out here
every day to work and
get better, Johnson said.
And I want to help make
other people better. I want
people to see me doing
the right things like going
to class, paying attention
and being a good teammate.
While most college
students may settle into
their character while going through the rigors of
a collegiate curriculum,
Johnson said he hasnt
changed much, if at all as
he reflected on his time at
Tech.
Honestly, I havent
changed very much,
Johnson said. Ive pretty
much been around the
same group of guys since
Ive been here. Id say that
Ive matured a lot, I can
tell that. Ive done better

in school and baseball is

the same old thing just
go out and have fun every
day.
Johnson said maturing
helped him do better in the
classroom and if he could
go back in time, there is
one thing he would have
done differently.
I definitely would have
paid more attention in
class, Johnson said. I
took school gently my first
couple of years and it hurt
me. If I could go back I
would like to start off on
a good note school-wise.
As he reflected on his
time at Tech, Johnson said
he will surely miss his time
as a student-athlete but he
also remains optimistic
and excited for the future.
Its kind of bittersweet, Johnson said.
But, Im looking forward to (the future). I feel
like Ive been here long
enough, Ive seen everything there is to be seen
and Ive had a great time.
Its time for it to come to
an end.

Email comments to
rcp022@latech.edu.

Looking for a source for music,

culture, food, fitness and the arts?

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MAGAZINE

is almost here...

Look for it after the Bulldog Survival Guide

2 0 1 4

F A L L

S P O R T S

SCHEDULES
VOLLEYBALL
BULLDOG FOOTBALL

BURGER NIGHT
Every Monday 4pm - 10pm ANY BURGER!

8/30
9/06
9/11
9/20
9/27
10/04
10/18
10/25
11/01
11/08
11/22
11/29

TV
TV
TV

TV
TV
TV
TV
TV
TV
TV
TV

6 p.m. CT
6 p.m. CT
7 p.m. CT
6 p.m. CT
TBA
6 p.m. CT
TBA
2:30 p.m. CT
TBA
11 a.m. CT
12 p.m. CT
11 a.m. CT

at Oklahoma
at ULL
at North Texas*
vs. NSU
at Auburn
vs. UTEP*
vs. UTSA*
at Southern Miss*
vs. WKU* HC
at UAB*
at Old Dominion*
vs. Rice*

SOCCER
9/5
9/12
9/14
9/19
9/21
9/26
9/28
10/03
10/05
10/10
10/12
10/18
10/24
10/26
10/30
11/4,5,6,
7,8,9

297 North Service Rd East , Ruston (318) 255-5254

6 p.m. CT
7 p.m. CT
1 p.m. CT
7 p.m. CT
2 p.m. CT
7 p.m. CT
1 p.m. CT
7 p.m. CT
1 p.m. CT
6 p.m. CT
12 p.m. CT
1 p.m. CT
7 p.m. CT
12 p.m. CT
7 p.m. CT

at Southern
vs. ULL
at Miss State
vs. Grambling
vs. Jackson State
at North Texas*
at Rice*
vs. Middle Tenn.*
vs. UAB*
at Charlotte*
at Old Dominion*
at Southern Miss*
vs. WKU*
vs. Marshall*
vs. Flordia Atlantic*

CONFERENCE USA TOURNEMENT

DETAILS - TBA

Home Game *Conference Game

BIG DADDYS INVITATIONAL

9/5
9/5
9/6

10 a.m. CT
2:30 p.m. CT
3:30 p.m. CT

vs. Jackson State

at McNeese State
vs. UT-Arlington

LA TECH INVITATIONAL
9/12
9/13
9/13

7 p.m. CT
10 a.m. CT
6:30 p.m. CT

9/15

7 p.m. CT

vs. UTPA
vs. New Orleans
vs. Stephen F. Austin
vs. UAPB

REBEL INVITATIONAL
9/18
9/19
9/19

6:30 p.m. CT
1:30 p.m. CT
7:30 p.m. CT

9/22
9/26
9/28
10/03
10/05
10/10
10/12
10/15
10/19
10/24
10/26
10/31
11/02
11/07
11/09
11/14
11/16

7 p.m. CT
7 p.m. CT
7 p.m. CT
7 p.m. CT
1 p.m. CT
7 p.m. CT
1 p.m. CT
7 p.m. CT
2 p.m. CT
6 p.m. CT
1 p.m. CT
6 p.m. CT
2 p.m. CT
7 p.m. CT
1 p.m. CT
6 p.m. CT
12 p.m. CT

11/21,22,23

at Ole Miss
vs. Jackson State
vs. Lamar
vs. Southern Miss*
vs. Western Kentucky*
at UAB*
at North Texas*
at Middle Tennessee*
vs. UTSA*
vs. FIU*
vs. Grambling State
vs. North Texas*
at Charlotte*
at Southern Miss*
vs. Marshall*
vs. UTEP*
vs. Middle Tennessee*
at Rice*
at Flordia Atlantic*
at FIU*

CONFERENCE USA TOURNEMENT DETAILS TBA

16 Bulldog Survival Guide Fall 2014

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