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VOLUME 89 ISSUE 2

Tech freshman enrollment increases

CATHERINE BURKE
Staff Reporter

No.1 statewide post-graduation salary, having

the lowest college student debt in the state, and
recently being ranked a Tier 1 university by US
The 2014 fall freshmen class at Louisiana News and World Report all play into the reason
Tech is one of the largest in the schools history, for the sudden enrollment increase, Ford said.
with a 19.4 percent from last year.
According to Tech news services, the numPamela Ford, the dean of enrollber of incoming freshman with a
ment management, said she could
total of 1,853, out of the 11,271 stunot be any more pleased with this
dents currently enrolled.
falls enrollment statistics.
Campus visits are key, she said.
This university is on a roll, she
What really draws students here is
said. The momentum and positive
the Tech family. Students can get a
energy not just from this freshmen
private school education experience
class, but from our administration is
at a public school price.
through the roof.
The Tech family is what conAccording to the Office of Instivinced freshman kinesiology major
tutional Research, this is the second
Alexx Brame to leave her hometown
year Techs freshman fall enrollment
of Houston, Texas.
has increased by nearly 20 percent.
What got me hooked on Tech is
Ford also said on Saturday the
the really friendly, homey vibe it gave
FORD
university will have its largest atoff. Admissions really helped me see
tendance of Time Out For Tech, an
that everything I needed was right
event to recruit prospective students.
here, she said.
Being recognized nationally, having the
Tech President Les Guice has a goal of

2,000 freshmen and 15,000 total enrollment

anually by the year 2020. Sam Speed, the assistant dean of student life, feels that the current
improvements Tech is making helps align with
this goal.
Tech is in a good position and has a lot
to offer students. We have weathered several
storms and come out on the positive side,
Speed said. Students are realizing that they
can create their own legacy and be prepared
for the future with the help of this university.
Pamela Ford is completely confident as well
in achieving the presidents goal.
I am totally on board to make this happen.
she said. I was a business major in college and
know what it takes to accomplish this goal, and
Tech is definitely on the right track.
The incredible energy with Techs recruiting staff has put Tech where it is today and
will continue to successfully help the university
grow, Ford said.

experience it, McCrum said. If you are from

anywhere in the area, they recommend you become a commuter.
Yasmine Hines, a sophomore computer science major, said she is overwhelmed with the
fact she has to commute because she does not
own a vehicle.
Hines said she enjoyed living on campus and
felt better connected to the school when she
lived on campus.

> see DORMS page 9

> see PARKING page 9

Email comments to
cjb066@latech.edu.

Photo by Brian Blakely

Two is company, three is a crowd

Tech students living on campus are feeling
out of space due to crowding.
Amber Pruiett and Brittany McCrum feel
crowded in the room they share in Adams Hall
with one other person.
We need more space, said Pruiett, a junior
business management major. I dont understand why two dorms were torn down and are
going to be turned into a green space and not
more dorms.

Aside from dealing with the responsibilities of the fall quarter, as well as getting into
the swing of classes, on-campus residents are
speaking up about limited living space. Due to
the demand of housing for incoming freshmen,
Residential Life opted not to accept applications from returning students at the beginning
of July this year.
McCrum said she believes, because of limited space, freshmen who have to commute are
missing out on the freshmen experience.
Tech really hypes up the first year experience, but its nothing if everyone cant truly

KAILEE COURTS
Staff Reporter
Universities across Louisiana charge their students for
parking passes with prices
that range from $100 (ULM)
to as high as $575 (Tulane).
Louisiana Tech has consistently stayed under the average cost, charging its students
only $40 a pass for the past
seven years. This year, however, the price has increased to
$60, a price that has left some
students annoyed.
Savannah Chrisman, who
works in the ticket office, said
the price increase has caused
a stir in the students because
they do not like paying so
much for a sticker.
Some students were not
happy about the price change,
said Chrisman, a sophomore
elementary special education
major. But, no one refused to
buy a decal.
While some students are
not happy about the price
change, others, like Nicolette
Schilling, did not mind.
I didnt have a reaction
to the price change at all because $60 wasnt a big deal to
me; especially compared to
the price at other places that
I have been, said Schilling,
a senior mathematics and finance major.
Dickie Crawford, dean of
student life and auxillary services, said the money students
pay goes to funding the police
station, traffic office and the
salaries of the workers there.
The cost to keep the police station and traffic office
running isnt cheap, he said.
Crawford also said the extra money goes to repairing
campus police vehicles, the
cost of gas and making minor
repairs to the parking lots.
The raise in the decal
price is helping to compensate
for the increase in the police
and traffic office budget, he
said.
Crawford also said Tech
has the cheapest parking price
in the state and one of the
cheapest in the country.
Crawford said the university did not want to increase the
price, but they had to make
changes to keep up with the
rapid growth of student enrollment.

Stephanie
Clingenpeel
(top left), a
freshman
pre-vet major;
Brittany McCrum (bottom
left) a freshman
kinesiology
major; and Amber Pruiett, a
junior business
management
major, share a
single room in
Adams Hall.

FREDEDREIA WILLIS
Staff Reporter

Parking
decal price
increases

NEWS

2 The Tech Talk September 18, 2014

Photo by Colin Fontenot

Above photos by Carter Carroll

Above: The LaTechDjz provided music for Fall Fling. Above Right: Christopher Lomanaco, a junior electircal engineering technology major makes his way down the water slide. Below Right: Students
were free to use the Lambrights outdoor pool.

Fall Fling provides food and fun

FREDEDREIA WILLIS
Staff Reporter

and she does not regret attending.

Many students said the water slide was
The selection of food could have one of the main attractions at Fall Fling.
been a little better, Smith said.
I think the water slide was
It wasnt bad; I just wish it
a neat idea, even though I am
wouldve adjusted to us non- Im so glad
not swimming tonight, Dedairy eaters.
Keyzer said.
the student
Smith said she mainly came
The taco truck, hot dogs,
to hang out and have fun with body came out nachos, drinks, Hawaiian lei
friends before her teachers take and enjoyed a necklaces,
Tech-imprinted
away her freedom with a lot of great night.
bottle openers and glow sticks
schoolwork.
were all free.
Harley DeKeyzer, a sopho2014 Fall Fling T-shirts and
OUBRE
more sociology major, said she CHAZ
tank
tops were also available
Fling committee
wanted to take a break from the Fall
for
purchase
at the Lambright.
chairman
transition of moving back to
I would have had more inschool.
teraction with the crowd, like
The music is better and
things for us to do, said Nick
there is more participation than last year, Williams, a sophomore civil engineering
DeKeyzer said. There are more Union major.
Board members helping out with taking
Williams said he came to get free food
pictures and serving.
and giveaways.

Some in swimming suits and others in

casual clothing, Louisiana Tech students
crowded the Lambright Sports and Wellness Center for the annual Fall Fling September 9, sponsored by Union Board.
The event was a chance to welcome
new students to Tech and provide a fun
and relaxing environment before the
quarter became busy, said Chance Salter,
president of the Union Board.
Fall Fling was a success, said Salter, a
senior agriculture business major. It was
just something fun for them to enjoy with
food and music. They could swim, have a
hot dog or taco.
Tangela Smith, a sophomore psychology major, said the event was successful

I really like the free food they have,

Williams said. Fall Fling is kind of fun, I
like the stage and the lights are awesome.
Also featured were the LaTechDjz,
who entertained students the entire night.
Fall Fling committee chairman Chaz
Oubre said he was pleased with the turnout for the event.
Im so glad the student body came
and enjoyed such a great night, said Oubre, a junior mechanical engineering major. The planning started spring of last
year and lasted throughout the summer.
Oubre said he wanted the event to be
geared towards the students of Tech.
With the collaboration of all the
Union Board members, the event ran
smoothly and was a non-stress environment, Oubre said.

Email comments to flw005@latech.edu.

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Run Ruston Run

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La Tech womens
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Community 5k race
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work from Spring/
Summer Quarter

La Tech womens
volleyball hosts
Western Kentucky at
7 a.m.

www.thetechtalk.org

NEWS

September 18, 2014 The Tech Talk 3

College of Business plans construction

BRENNEN LEGE
Staff Reporter
Four years after its initial
groundbreaking ceremony and
two years since its opening, Louisiana Techs College of Business building will begin expanding its size this school year.
With the planning stages nearly complete, shovels could hit the
dirt as soon as spring 2015 to add
an additional 20,000-square foot,
three-story wing to the original
40,000-square foot building. The
majority of the new wing will be
made up of classrooms to meet
the challenges of a growing student body.
We knew we needed extra
space before we even finished
this building, said Tim Bisping,
interim dean of the College of
Business. We always try to stay
ahead of the game, and this is
going to allow us to have all of
our students in this building.
The blueprints show two bigSubmitted photo
ger classrooms meant to seat
90 and 70 students, along with
many smaller classrooms and This is a computerized rendering of what the planned wing of the College of Business will look like once completed. Construction of the new
seminar rooms for graduate wing could begin early next year.
students. Along with new classDickerson said she is proud to see the
We are going to be offering outreach
rooms, the new wing is planned to sport chitectural style as the main building.
As the College of Business grows, Dr. universitys student body grow and that to the community, to north Louisiana for
newer technology as well, such as brand
Guice would like the whole university to more learning spaces for her students training, for workshops and for educanew computers.
tion, Dickerson said.
A photographic rendering of the ex- grow and the College of Business is go- will be a welcome sight.
ing
to
be
a
big
part
of
that,
said
Marcia
We
are
putting
a
lot
of
effort
into
Although the groundbreaking certerior of the finished wing was also inDickerson, assistant dean of undergradu- recruiting students and making sure we emony will not be held until early next
cluded in the blueprints.
The wing will be built directly adja- ate programs in the College of Business. have programs that are attractive to stu- year, Bisping said, the College of BusiDickerson said that this year the build- dents, Dickerson said. We need more ness was eager to share and spread the
cent to the current building on the corings
classrooms are booked all day, ev- classroom space.
word about its plans early on to its stuner of College Street and West LouisiBisping said that the funding for the dents.
ana Avenue. It will extend west towards ery day, Monday through Friday. Some
Keeny Hall, giving the building an L of the larger lecture classrooms have no wing will come from a grant which will
shape. The wing will have the same ar- available seating, with up to 90 students allow for a workforce development ap- Email comments to
in one room.
proach to building.
bsl008@latech.edu.

Game Jam highlights student

developers from all levels
IAN EDWARDS
Staff Reporter

Some kids go through the college experience and come out thinking they have
a guaranteed job, he said. Game developFor many people who play video games, ment is a cutthroat field. There are people
it is all too easy to see a finished game and who can make wonderful games, but never
forget about the people behind the scenes get a chance because competition is so
who put in all the work.
stiff. As if you were an artist, a portfolio
This past weekend, in collaboration with of your work is essential to show potential
the Bossier City Arts Council, Jerry Berg employers, and game jams are a great way
educated the students of his game design to fill said portfolio.
class on the rigors of the development cyIn addition to Tech students, high school
cle by hosting a Game Jam.
students could also compete. One such
Berg, an associate professor
group was the team of Trent Roof art, said the rules of the Jam
bichaux and Gavin Jones, both
were designed to challenge his
15-year-olds from Caddo Magstudents.
net High.
The various teams have 48
Robichaux said they wanted
hours to create a finished projto take full advantage of the
ect based on a theme that they
theme, which was exploration
wont know until the event cominto the mind.
mences, he said. This is a very
Our game was called Guru
good way for them to test their
Meditation, he said. The obproblem-solving skills, as well as
ject was to rid yourself of bad
learn about themselves as dethoughts using enlightenment
velopers.
rays. It was based off of an existBERG
Berg, who was also one
ing game called Color Sheep.
of the judges of the event, reJones said he greatly apprecruited some industry veterans
ciated the chance to learn under a profesto assist with judging the games, includ- sional developer.
ing Nolan Baker, a professional software
Nolan looked at our game and inengineer working for Twin Engine Labs in stantly thought of mechanics to add that
Shreveport.
never crossed our minds, he said. I aspire
Baker said he had participated in over to work for Rooster Teeth in Austin, Texas,
100 game jams and he believes the events one day, so his advice about the industry
are an invaluable teaching tool for anyone really means a lot to me.
looking to become a developer.
Berg said the final projects would be
I personally think that game jams are featured at the Digifest South Tech Expo
what made me successful in my career, he on Sept. 17-18, where the winner will be
said. Software development is not some- announced along with a Peoples Choice
thing that has an exactly right way to be award.
completed like the college classes will tell
The Expo is a huge benefit to these
you. In reality, its more like, Oh, we were students, he said. In addition to my
supposed to have this done yesterday, and class, Tech will be represented through the
Jerry and I want to teach these kids that School of Design. I enjoy seeing the work
working under pressure is an invaluable these students have been able to produce,
skill.
and I am excited for what the future holds
Baker said that the development field is for them.
very competitive, so aspiring developers
should strive to make games in their spare Email comments to
time.
ije001@latech.edu.

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4 The Tech Talk September 18, 2014

Insight
The

TechTalk

FROMTHEEDITOR

Talkin bout my generation

MANAGEMENT
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
John Sadler

MANAGING AND
ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
Cody Sexton

NEWS EDITOR

Ray Patterson

FEATURE EDITOR

Kelsy Kershaw

MULTIMEDIA EDITOR

Wynnifred Sanders

ASSOCIATE
MULTIMEDIA EDITOR
Ellie Moslander

PHOTO EDITOR

Deepanjan Mukhopadhyay

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Brian Blakely
Carter Carroll
Devin Dronett
Colin Fontenot
Jaclyn Perry

ADVERTISING MANAGER
Taylor Loftin

ADVISERS

Dr. Judith Roberts

T. Scott Boatright

ADVERTISING ADVISER

JOHN SADLER
Editor-In-Chief

was clicking around on the

Internet the other day when I
stumbled across an article on
Quark.com titled How to hire
millenials-- and weed out the bad
ones.
Guess how you hire Millenials?
The same as everyone else.
This article was not meant
to be derogatory to Millenials, I
mean, it was even complimentary
at times, but it made me wonder:
do older generations really consider us that different from them?
Most people my age have
heard it, that Millenials are inherently lazy and entitled. That they
do not believe in hard work.
I resent generational stereotyping in any form, honestly. I

think it is strange and dishonest

to say all people born in this time
period are the same.
I mean, sure, we have certain
characteristics that define us.
We did grow up in a time that
saw the one of the highest divorce rates.
We also entered the job market during one of the worst recessions in U.S. history.
We grew up in a world with
terrible environmental regulations and a faltering climate.
We are also told we cannot get
a job without a college degree
which puts us tens of thousands
of dollars in debt, only to be told
we are entitled when we assume our degree will get us a job.
Is it realistic to assume an education guarantees us a job? Well,
no. But teaching children a col-

lege degree will get them a job

and then being annoyed when
they assume it to be true is a little
strange, right?
I do not have a problem with
Baby Boomers, which is what
most people say when they defend Millenials; Oh, those Baby
Boomers wrecked the climate
and destroyed the economy.
Whatever. We cannot blame a
generation for the mistakes of the
wealthiest portion of them.
But, if we were to, would it not
sound worse if a generation had
destroyed key parts of the world,
instead of such ghastly crimes as
(gasp) expecting a job?
John Sadler is a junior journalism major from Extension who serves as Editor-In-Chief for The Tech Talk. Email
comments to jts040@latech.edu.

Dr. Reginald Owens

PRODUCTION MANAGER

LETS GET ONE THING STRAIGHT

Michael LeBlanc

ADVERTISING PRODUCTION

Putting the out in South

Michael LeBlanc

DEPARTMENT HEAD

Dr. Reginald Owens

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Tech Talk subscriptions are $25 a

year. Mail to: Tech Talk Subscrip
tions, P.O. Box 10258, Ruston, LA
71272.

PUBLICATION

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.

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CONTACT US

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EMAIL techtalk@latech.edu
JOURNALISM DEPARTMENT

CODY SEXTON
Managing Editor

am not a southerner. Though I

have lived in the South for half
of my life, the cultural influences have slid off of me like those
freakish water-resistant pants.
Unlike my younger brother
who embraced all that the South
had to offer, I have remained resilient save for my usage of the
contraction yall.
However, it was not for lack of
trying. There is a part of me that
wishes I were able to embrace the
culture of the South, but due to
my inability to fully adapt, I have
never felt as if I actually belonged
here.
I hold no ill will to the South or
its inhabitants. On the contrary, I
feel about the South the way my
favorite fictitious, marijuana-selling mom Nancy Botwin (played
by Mary-Louise Parker) feels.
I like the South, she said.

Legacies, tradition. We dont

have that up North. We have sarcasm and iced coffee.
The South holds this beauty
steeped in tradition and somewhat timelessness. Its resilience
to conform and its unwavering belief system is commendable to an
extent. Now that I have reached
my last year of college and the
final countdown until I leave the
state of Louisiana, I find myself
looking back on my time spent
south of the Mason-Dixon line
and am almost saddened by its
coming end. Almost.
I wish I could be the type of
person who found happiness in
the simplistic lifestyle found in the
more rural regions of the South,
but lets face it, Im Reese Witherspoon during the first half of
Sweet Home Alabama.
The prospect of leaving for a
large city like Chicago gives me
a feeling of elation comparable
only to what one gets from sky-

diving or heroin.
I understand it is not necessary
to leave the South to live in a big
city, but the only cities worth their
salt are New Orleans or Austin.
While I love the Crescent City, I
cannot bring myself to live below sea level, and though Austin
is considered one of the Souths
most progressive cities, it is still
Texas.
The sad truth about the South
is, try as it may to be welcoming
with its southern hospitality,
it falls short as soon as it is met
with something it does not understand. I will say thank you to the
South for helping me exercise my
sarcasm daily. My quick tongue is
the strongest muscle on my body
at this point.
Cody Sexton is a senior journalism
major from Seattle who serves as
managing and entertainment editor
for the Tech Talk. Email comments to
cls068@latech.edu.

318.257.4427

THE BOTTOM LINE

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 and
classification or title. We will not
print the telephone number. View
points should be mailed or brought
to The Tech Talk office, 139 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.

Theres no zero tolerance in NFL

RAY PATTERSON
News Editor

urrent NFL commissioner

Roger Goodells you-knowwhat is on the line and hes
only got himself to blame. Chances are, youve heard the name Ray
Rice recently in the media.
On Feb. 15, the Baltimore Ravens running back and his thenfianc Janay Palmer were arrested and charged with simple
assault after what Rices attorney
described a minor physical altercation at a casino in Atlantic City,
New Jersey.
Only four days later, TMZ released footage showing Rice dragging the unconscious body of
Palmer out of the elevator.
Baltimore Ravens head coach
John Harbaugh, general manager
Ozzie Newsome and owner Steve
Bisciotti all expressed public support for Rice, often times lauding
his character and heaping praise
on their star running back.
At that point, the only video we

had seen is that of Rice dragging

Palmers body out of an elevator.
No one saw what happened inside
the elevator or so we thought.
On July 24, the NFL suspended Rice for two games for aggravated assault on his wife. There
was moderate public disdain
and many media outlets felt that
Goodell was far too lenient in his
discipline.
Retractors aside, Goodell
stood by his decision for about
a month, and this is where things
started going south for Goodell.
A little over a month after handing down a two-game suspension,
Goodell admitted he didnt get it
right in a letter he sent to every
NFL team.
Then Sept. 8 happened, and
Goodell lost every ounce of credibility he had.
TMZ, again, released yet another video. This one showed the
gruesome event that took place
inside the elevator Rice punching Palmer and knocking her unconscious. That same day, after

the entire world saw what actually

happened, the Ravens released
Rice and the NFL suspended him
indefinitely.
Goodells immediate response
was that he had never seen that
tape and we asked for video, but
we were never granted that opportunity.
Two days later, citing an anonymous law enforcement official,
the Associated Press reported
the NFL was sent the video back
in April and a voicemail from an
NFL office telephone number
confirmed the video was received.
Goodell now says he had no
knowledge of ever receiving
a video. Well, commissioner, to
quote what you said when you
suspended New Orleans Saints
head coach Sean Payton for one
year: Ignorance is no excuse.
Ray Patterson is a senior journalism
major from New Orleans who serves
as news editor for The Tech Talk. Email
comments to rcp022@latech.edu.

Is a
tobacco-free
school policy
necessary?

s we have moved into the

2014-15 school year, students will notice a dif ference in the atmosphere around
the Louisiana Tech University
campus.
They will pass small red signs and
stickers declaring the campus as tobacco-free since a new tobacco-free
campus policy became effective in August.
Under the Louisiana Smoke-Free
Care Act, Tech has joined 1,372 universities in becoming smoke-free.
This act requires public post-secondary institutions to be smoke-free
around the entire campus. While other
campuses allow certain tobacco products, Tech is 100 percent tobaccofree and even restricts the use of ecigarettes. Tobacco products are not
allowed to be advertised or sold on
campus.
Tech used to allow smoking 25
feet away from buildings, but it was
not strictly enforced. This is not only
an issue affecting students in Ruston,
but around Louisiana and the United
States.
The big push on college campuses
is the fact that tobacco companies
have always targeted students to purchase their product. It is good universities are trying to help students become
aware that smoking is harmful, but they
can do so without being restrictive.
While this law is intended to help
the health of students, professors, university employees and visitors to the
campus, the policy is too strict and an
inconvenience. Campus is where students will spend the majority of their
time, especially those who live on campus. They will have to go out of their
way to somewhere off campus to use
tobacco products from now on.
The law may be an attempt to help
them quit, but rather it is forcing them
to.
According to Americans for Nonsmokers Right curbing tobacco influence on campuses could prevent a
new cohort of lifetime smokers. Ages
18-25 are the peak years for people to
begin smoking; this act is trying to prevent students from starting or continuing to smoke.
This policy may seem like a big initiative because college campuses have
always been a hot spot for smoking,
but now times are changing. Advertisements are constantly displaying,
We can be the generation to end
smoking, on popular websites such as
Spotify and Facebook.
Although the policy is intended to
help people and the environment, it is
restrictive towards smokers. They must
walk off campus to smoke, which is
inconvenient, while at the same time,
inhaling second-hand smoke on their
way to class may have bothered nonsmokers.
Campus is fairly large, and as long
as people are not smoking near buildings or around large groups of people,
they should be able to enjoy a cigarette.
If the university enforced designated
areas for smokeing, this may help everyone. Because the policy is under a
state law though, it does not seem as if
it will change any time soon.
The question is will it change or is
this the new image of the university?

NEWS

www.thetechtalk.org

September 18, 2014 The Tech Talk 5

Photos by Brennen Lege

Above: Local patrons enjoy the atmosphere of the new coffee shop. Top right: Parish Press is located in the old Crescent City building . Bottom Right: Parish Press sells their own coffee
grounds in the shop for patrons to take home.

Parish Press offers fresh look and coffee

CATHERINE BURKE
Staff Reporter

In the wake of the recent

closure of the popular local
coffee shop Crescent City, a
more modern coffee house
has arrived in Parish Press.
Megan Seal, a manager
at Parish press, said the new
owners wanted to bring a
more modern take on the
business.
The goal is still the
same, Seal said. To be a
spot for Tech students, business meetings and the Ruston community in general.

While the businesss

objective is still to provide
people with a place to enjoy a cup of coffee and for
students to come and study,
some major changes came
as well.
Parish Press owner
Bradley Walker said he
spent over a month renovating the new store.
We wanted to brighten
up the place and change
the seating to open up the
space, he said.
Walker said he took a
hands-on approach with
the renovations.

We did a lot of the work

ourselves with the help of
family and friends, he said.
I built the tables with reclaimed wood.
Although the interior
design has gone through a
drastic transformation from
its Crescnet City days, Seal
said most of the regulars
seem to approve.
It is definitely reassuring to see the regulars that
have been coming for years
still here, she said.
Robert Hearne, a Ruston native, said he was a
regular at Crescent City for

eight years and he is okay

with the changes.
The ambiance is fresh
and I like the soft, padded
benches, he said. The old
ones were hard and miserable.
However, some were
disappointed to see Crescent City go and are not so
excited about the new shop.
The new hours of operation have also annoyed
some customers, like Carly
Hogg, a senior nursing major.
Hogg said though there
are some things she liked

about Parish Press, she preferred Crescent City to the

new shop.
I do not like the new
atmosphere and the new
times will make it difficult
to study here, she said.
Parish Press, like Crescent City before it, will also
serve as a place for local
artists to showcase their
work.
We have been working
with North Louisiana Arts
Council on all the artwork,
Bradley Walker said. If
an artist would like to have
their work displayed they

would have to talk to Jessica Slaughter at the arts

council.
Walker also said he also
hopes to have more food
options for lunch in the future.
As for the menu, Seal
said customers do not have
to worry about missing the
beignets.
Parish Press will continue to make the beignets
the same way Crescent City
did, she said.

Email comments to
cjb066@latech.edu.

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MORE TALK

6 The Tech Talk September 18, 2014

Louisiana Tech Presidents

home gets a makeover
KAILEE COURTS
Staff Reporter

niversity president Les Guice has not only

been busy with his presidential duties, but
has also been busy designing rugs to put in
his house.
Guice and his wife, Kathy, moved in to the presidents home last December and since then they have
been busy renovating to make it fit their lifestyle.
The house was well built, but it was outdated,
Guice said.
Some of the changes that they have made and are
making is stripping the old wallpaper off of the walls
and painting them a lighter color. The floor has been
stripped of its white carpet and has been replaced
with wood flooring that was donated by alumni.
When former President Taylor designed the house
he wanted to bring some of the same designs from
the Ropp Center, where the university presidents
once lived, to this new home. Guice said he wanted
to save some of the historical value as well.
The fireplace in the house is the same design as the
fireplace in the Ropp Center and made from bricks
that were once part of the original A.E. Phillips Lab
School.
Guice said they are going to leave the bricks exposed because it reflects on the history of the university.
In the main room of the house sits an old piano
where the Alma Mater was written. The original sheet
music can still be found there.
One of the major renovations that was done in the
house was to the kitchen.
We have people over quite a bit, and one of my
hobbies is cooking gumbo on a gas stove, Guice said.
The kitchen has all-new appliances and the presi-

September 18, 2014 The Tech Talk 7

The

TOP D GS

dent said he is looking forward to cooking for his

guests.
The president and his wife also enjoy spending
time outside on the deck that Guice helped design
when he was an architecture student.
I graduated from Tech in architecture and one of
my first jobs was to help design the deck, Guice said.
He even found the old designs in a drawer in the
house.
From the deck, you get a view of the lake at HideAway Park as well as a view of the football field. They
had the underbrush cleared so they could get a better
view of it.
The president said that he loves being able to look
out and see people enjoying Hide-Away, whether they
are walking or just hanging out.
Guice also said that he enjoys being able to look
out and see the football team practicing.
I walked outside the other day and was able to see
the football players practicing in the stadium, Guice
said, The view and scenery is absolutely wonderful.
Guice said that he and his wife love their home and
wanted to bring the interior design up-to-date, while
also making it reflect their lifestyle and who they are.
While the major renovations to the house are done,
they are now working on the finishing touches.
He said that he really wished to hang up more pictures of students and faculty in the house, as well as
student artwork.
Guice said he is proud of the university and loves
being able to live in a place where he can still see
what is going on.
This house is not my home, he said. Its for the
university, and I am blessed to be living here.

New Home

Email comments to
kec029@latech.edu.

Above, Louisiana Tech president Guice

and his wife Kathy in front of the fireplace featuring the same design as the
one in the Ropp Center.
Top right, Brick walkway leading to
the front entrance of the Guice familys
home.
All photos by Deepanjan Mukhopadhyay

After 25 years, the home of Louisiana Techs presidents has been renovated.
1. The piano in the living room.
2. The room where Guice and Kathys son stays
during his visits.
3. The bulldog salt and pepper shakers in the formal dining room.
4. The fountain facing the homes entryway.
5. The kitchen the Guice family modernized upon
moving in by making the island smaller.
6. Stadium seats from the original Joe Aillet Stadium.
7. The original sheet music for Techs Alma Mater.
8. A bulldog statue on the porch deck that Guice
helped designed.

8 The Tech Talk September 18, 2014

World
W&NBRIEFS
WORLDNEWS
West Bank settler
population grows
JERUSALEM (AP)
Israels settler population in
the West Bank increased by
2 percent in the first half of
the year, an advocacy group
announced Tuesday, signaling robust growth in the settlements even while Israel
was conducting peace talks
with the Palestinians. The
new figures drew criticism
from the Palestinians, who
seek the West Bank as part
of a future state.

Odile hits Mexican

Baja Peninsula
CABO SAN LUCAS,
Mexico (AP) Odile weakened to a tropical storm
Monday night after blazing a trail of destruction
through Mexicos Baja California Peninsula that leveled
everything from ramshackle
homes to luxury hotels, and
left entire neighborhoods as
disaster zones.

Military suggests
deploying troops
WASHINGTON (AP)
The nations top military
leader told Congress on
Tuesday that if President
Barack Obamas expanded
military campaign to destroy Islamic extremists fails,
he would recommend that
the United States consider
deploying American ground
forces to Iraq.

STATENEWS
Jindal speaks out
about US energy
WASHINGTON
(AP)
Louisiana Gov. Bobby
Jindal said Tuesday that
President Barack Obamas
administration has become
science deniers, failing to
do enough to harness the
nations energy potential.

Judge throws out

pension hike
BATON ROUGE, (AP)
A state district judge on
Tuesday threw out a lastminute retirement hike lawmakers gave to the state police superintendent, ending
a political firestorm over a
pension boost passed without public scrutiny on the
last day of the legislative
session.
Judge Janice Clark ruled
that the Louisiana Legislature didnt follow proper
procedure in approving the
enhanced benefits for Col.
Mike Edmonson and a 32year trooper in Houma. Both
Edmonson and the trooper
had said they wouldnt accept the increased retirement benefit, but critics
of the legislation wanted
it voided so the two men
couldnt change their minds
later.

www.thetechtalk.org

Nation

Obama: No US combat in Iraq

ASSOCIATED PRESS
TAMPA, Fla. (AP)
President Barack Obama
reaffirmed Wednesday that
he does not intend to send
U.S. troops into combat
against the Islamic State
group, despite doubts about
the ability of Iraqi forces,
Kurdish fighters and Syrian rebels to carry out the
ground fight on their own.
The American forces
do not and will not have a
combat mission, Obama
told troops at MacDill Air
Force Base.
It was a firm response
to suggestions raised Tuesday by his top military commander that under certain
circumstances, American
ground forces may be needed. Obama said U.S. troops
will support Iraqi forces on
the ground as they fight for
their own country against
these terrorists.But, he
added, As your commander in chief, I will not commit you and the rest of our
armed forces to fighting another ground war in Iraq.
Obama offered a vision
of a potent force that can
have a major role in conflicts, a more forceful view
than he has embraced before. But he still stressed
that for the effort to succeed
against the Islamic State
group, the U.S. will need to
lead the international coalition and local forces must
handle a significant role. On
that point,
Iraqi Prime Minister
Haider al-Abadi was in
agreement with Obama
and stressed in a Wednesday interview with The Associated Press that he sees

As your commander in
chief, I will not
commit you
and the rest
of our armed
forces to fighting another
ground war in
Iraq.
PRESIDENT
BARACK OBAMA

AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais

President Obama speaks at US Central Command (CentCom) at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2014.
no need for other countries
to send troops into Iraq to
help fight the Islamic State
group.
Not only is it not necessary, al-Abadi said. We
dont want them. We wont
allow them.
Lawmakers in both parties have raised worries that
the U.S. might be unable to
find enough Syrian rebels
who could be trusted to
confront the Islamic State
group or that their numbers
would be sufficient.
Army
Gen.
Martin
Dempsey, the chairman of
the Joint Chiefs of Staff,
told reporters traveling with

him to Paris that about half

of Iraqs army is incapable
of being an effective partner with the U.S. to push
back the Islamic State
group in western and northern Iraq. He said the other
half needs to be partially
rebuilt with U.S. training and
additional equipment.
Dempsey told senators on Tuesday that if it
became necessary for U.S.
military advisers to accompany Iraqi troops into
combat, he might go back
to the president and make a
recommendation that may
include the use of ground
forces.

AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais

President Barack Obama reaches into the crowd

to greet members of the military.

$1 billion is needed to stop Ebola

ASSOCIATED PRESS
GENEVA (AP) The number
of Ebola cases could start doubling
every three weeks in West Africa,
the World Health Organization said
Tuesday, warning that the outbreak
will cost nearly $1 billion to contain
so it does not turn into a human catastrophe. Even as President Barack
Obama is ordering the deployment
of 3,000 U.S. military personnel to
help provide aid in the region, Doctors Without Borders said the global
response to Ebola has been far short
of what is needed. The response
to Ebola continues to fall dangerously behind, Dr. Joanne Liu, president
of the medical charity, told a U.N.
special briefing on Ebola in Geneva.
The window of opportunity to
contain this outbreak is closing. We
need more countries to stand up, we
need greater deployment, and we
need it now.
Dr. Bruce Aylward, WHOs assistant director-general, said Tuesday
that this health crisis we face is unparalleled in modern times.
The numbers are staggering: At
least 2,400 deaths have been blamed
on the outbreak, which has touched
Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Nigeria and Senegal since it was first recognized in March. Half of the nearly
5,000 cases occurred in the last
three weeks, and officials said Tuesday that it was not unthinkable that
20,000 could become infected before
the outbreak is over. Its a potential

AP Photo/Abbas Dulleh

Workers move the body of a person they suspect died from Ebola in Monrovia, Liberia.
threat to global security if these
countries break down, Obama said,
speaking of the hardest-hit countries
of Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.
If the outbreak is not stopped
now, we could be looking at hundreds of thousands of people affected, with profound economic,
political and security implications
for all of us, he said after outlining
new steps being taken by the U.S. to
contain the outbreak.
In addition to the troop deployment, the heightened U.S. role in
West Africa will include erecting

new treatment and isolation facilities, training health care workers and
boosting communications and transportation support, U.S. officials said
in Washington. Hundreds more international health workers will likely
be required. Some 3.3 million hazard
suits will be needed in the next six
months to protect those caretakers
from the virus, which is spread by
contact with bodily fluids such as
blood, urine or diarrhea.
Some $23.8 million alone will pay
burial teams and buy body bags,
since the bodies of Ebola victims are

highly infectious. In a report released

Tuesday, WHO said all of this and
more will cost $987.8 million. Thats
10 times what the organization estimated the outbreak would cost at
the beginning of August.
We risk a humanitarian catastrophe if we do not see rapid action to
scale up, not just the Ebola response
but also the provision of essential
services and the support platform to
put that in place, Aylward said.
Recent weeks have seen a flurry
of promises of aid. In addition to the
U.S. forces, the U.N. health agency
said China has promised to send a
59-person mobile laboratory team
to Sierra Leone that includes lab experts, epidemiologists, doctors and
nurses. Britain is planning to build
and operate an Ebola clinic in Sierra Leone, and Cuba has promised
to send the country more than 160
health workers.
The question is translating these
commitments into quick action on
the ground, said Dr. Unni Krishnan,
head of disaster preparedness and
response for the aid group Plan International.
The United States, in particular,
drew criticism last week when it
promised to set up a 25-bed field
hospital in Liberia to serve health
care workers, both local and foreign,
who become infected. Many thought
the contribution was paltry, given
that experts were saying Liberia
needed at least 500 more treatment
beds.

September 18, 2014 The Tech Talk 9

www.thetechtalk.org

Distractions
WEEKLYHOROSCOPE
www.horoscopes.com.net

Aries
March 21 April 19
A get-together of some kind is likely to happen during
the course of the working day, Aries. This should lead
to pleasant and interesting conversations, possibly
involving philosophy, spiritual matters, or the arts.
Communication with those around you should be clear
and open. Correspondence could take up almost as
much time as conversations right now.
Taurus
Apr 20 - May 20
A message or phone call from someone dear who
lives far away could arrive today. Youve been thinking
about this person for a while, Taurus, so dont be
surprised if you hear from him or her. Youre especially
attuned to the thoughts and feelings of others right
now. In fact, you may feel especially inspired to work
on projects of your own, as ideas are likely to fill your
head. Have fun!
Gemini
May 21 - Jun 20
Daydreams and reveries could inspire new ideas for
creative projects today. Visions, stories, or melodies
might flood your mind, and it might be a good idea
to write them down before they disappear. Youre
also likely to feel more attuned than usual to the
thoughts and feelings of others. Dont be surprised if
you intuitively give people what they want and need
before they ask.
Cancer
Jun 21 - Jul 22
Affection blooms in close relationships as you tune
into the thoughts, feelings, needs, and desires of those
around you. Communication should be clear, open,
and honest without being brutal. Social events should
prove especially enjoyable today, Cancer, as youre
likely to attract interesting people with intriguing
and useful information. Reading could also prove
beneficial now. Enjoy your day.
Leo
Jul 23 - Aug 22
You should be in glowing good health today, Leo. Youre
feeling especially fit, and your appearance likely
reflects that. Youre looking for healthy activities that
also bring you pleasure, such as exercise and proper
diet. Find a cookbook full of tasty recipes and use it.
Your relations with others should be warm, loving,
and companionable. Exercising with friends should
encourage you to keep up the good work.
Virgo
Aug 23 - Sep 22
Love blossoms in close relationships as communication flows freely. Youre intuitive by nature, Virgo, but
today you feel especially attuned to others thoughts,
feelings, needs, and desires. Dont be surprised if

you grow closer to those around you. Children, in

particular, should provide warmth and love. If youre
artistically inclined, start a new project today.
Libra
Sep 23 - Oct 22
Happiness reigns as you and your household embark
on one or more projects that could make your home
more cheerful, Libra. Warm and companionable
conversations involve sharing interesting information
and bring you closer. Visitors could come by and other
people could call with interesting news. This is a good
day to throw an impromptu party. Enjoy your day!
Scorpio
Oct 23 - Nov 21
A gathering in your neighborhood could prove
unexpectedly pleasant and enjoyable. You might meet
new people and get closer to the ones you already
know. A lot of interesting and useful information
could be exchanged. There might be more than one
get-together that youll want to attend, Scorpio, so you
might spend a lot of time in the car. You might also
lend or borrow some books.
Sagittarius
Nov 22 - Dec 21
A pleasant surprise comes your way when you receive
either a present or small sum of money, perhaps in the
mail, Sagittarius. Someone will either pay you back a
loan or you could receive a gift for some small service
you performed for someone. You could be tempted to
turn that around and buy a present for someone else.
Expect some calls that result in long and meaningful
conversations.
Capricorn
Dec 22 - Jan 19
Communication is likely to be warm, informative, and
companionable today, Capricorn, and youll probably
grow closer to those around you because of it. Your
inspiration and imagination flow freely, and youre
likely to want to channel much of your energy into
creative projects. You may also want to phone a friend
who shares your artistic interests.
Aquarius
Jan 20 - Feb 18
If youre musically or artistically inclined, Aquarius,
today you might have visions or melodies in your
head that simply cry out to be written down. If youre
a writer, you may be filled with story ideas. Whatever
your creative interests, inspiration abounds. Its a good
idea to start working on these projects today or they
could disappear.

CROSSWORDPUZZLE
Across
1. Like old friends
6. Paint crudely
10. Pro ___
14. Let up
15. ___ mater
16. Paradise
17. Viscounts superiors
18. Tears
19. Tidy
20. Achievement
23. Slangy denial
24. Battery size
25. Sense of self
26. Ques. response
27. Large punch bowl
32. Per
35. Freedom from war
36. Agnus ___
37. Direct
41. Drivers aid
42. Approaches
43. Thats ___!
44. Almond-flavored liqueur
46. Part of UNLV
48. Best
49. Fall back
50. Apt. divisions
53. Mathematical operation
58. Blackbird
59. Musical composition for
two 60. Apportion
61. Bread spread
62. Writer Sarah ___ Jewett
63. Have a feeling about
64. Org.
65. Cordelias father
66. Bury
Down

DORM DAZE

www.bestcrosswords.com
1. Song of joy
2. Fiber obtained from a
banana plant
3. Durable wood
4. WWII battle site
5. Toady
6. Our Gang girl
7. Et ____ (and other men)
8. Strike callers
9. Beat up
10. Go back on ones word
11. Glandular
12. Milk source
13. Hill dweller
21. Dance step
22. Unit just above a yard
26. Bingo!
27. Paris subway
28. Lummoxes
29. Cpl., e.g.
30. Actress Hatcher
31. Conceal
32. This, in Tijuana
33. Up and ___!
34. Living things
35. Excellent, slangily
38. All thumbs
39. Obtain
40. Used to be
45. Deodorant type
46. Fond du ___
47. 1992 Wimbledon champ
49. Unit of volume
50. Laughing
51. Code name
52. Villains look
53. Alice diner
54. Object of devotion
55. Free from contamination
56. Singer Horne

57. Not now

58. Extinct bird

LASTISSUESSOLUTION

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

By Connor and Sean Dwyer

Pisces
Feb 19 - Mar 20
Today should be busy with regard to communication,
Pisces. Calls and emails to people close to you may
take up a lot of your time. You could be organizing a
meeting or social event of some kind. Youre probably
feeling optimistic and enthusiastic, and youll likely
spread these feelings to others. Youre also better able
to intuit whats going on with them.

WEEKLYWEATHER

www.accuweather.com

TODAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

HIGH 88
LOW 67

HIGH 90
LOW 66

HIGH 91
LOW 69

HIGH 88
LOW 66

HIGH 87
LOW 63

HIGH 83
LOW 60

HIGH 83
LOW 62

PARKINGfrom pg. 1

www.sudoku-puzzles.net

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

DORMSfrom pg. 1

>

Senior finance major impact on the funding of

Nick Oliver said he looked the police station and trafat the price increase from fic office. Tuition covers
an
economic
the cost
view.
of
the
Parking stick- We do not want
classers are a product, to affect the
room; facjust like anything classroom, but
ultys salelse, and with
aries and
the increase in we do want to
facilities.
demand for park- insure the safety
We do
ing stickers, the
not want
price will also in- and security of
to affect
crease, he said.
the classour students.
Crawford said
room, but
university admin- DICKIE CRAWFORD we
do
istration is con- Dean of Student Life
want to
scious of the cost
ensure the
and is working to
safety and
keep it at a reasecurity
sonable price.
of our students, Crawford
He also said the cost of said.
tuition does not have any
Crawford said students

SUDOKUPUZZLE

LASTISSUESSOLUTION

Sudoku Puzzle - Easy

Sudoku Solution - Medium

www.sudoku-puzzles.net

www.sudoku-puzzles.net

>
do not have to worry
about the price of parking
decals increasing again
anytime soon.
As a university, we
know that as we continue
to grow were going to
have to make changes and
were prepared for that,
he said.
Crawford said the main
concern of the university
administration is the students safety.
The most important
thing is for our campus to
be safe and that is what
the police station is for,
he said. That is where the
money is going to.

Email comments to
kec029@latech.edu.

More Puzzles:

More Puzzles:

www.sudoku-puzzles.net

www.sudoku-puzzles.net

I really feel like they Casey Ingram, director of

should keep students up- residential life.
dated about housing inforReturning students are
mation, Hines
given the opporsaid. I wouldnt
tunity to reserve
have been so
a space on camshocked if they
pus during the
would have sent
spring quarter,
me something
prior to move-in
telling me I had
in the fall, Into
commute
gram said.
earlier.
She also said
Hines said
the department
housing
sent
of
residential
her a letter statlifes future plans
ing they, were
are to continue
MCCRUM
only accepting
to serve stuincoming freshdents and to
men and not
enhance their
returning or readmitted overall college experience
students.
by providing a safe, comFreshman are not giv- fortable on-campus living
en housing priority over environment.
returning students, said
I would like to encour-

age residents to make wise

use of the space afforded
them, Ingram said.
In a previous Tech Talk
article, Dickie Crawford,
dean of student life and
auxilary services, said
plans were in the works to
renovte or replace some of
the older residence halls,
so relief may be on the
way.
According to the university, more than 2,000
students signed up for the
2014 summer orientation.
As numbers continue to
increase it creates a worry
for the 2,450 rooms offered for non-commuting
students.

Email comments to
flw005@latech.edu.

www.thetechtalk.org

10 The Tech Talk September 18, 2014

Arts Entertainment
Stone Theatre annual lineup
CODY SEXTON
Managing Editor
As a new school year begins
and students prepare themselves for full schedules and
an onslaught of homework,
others, like members of the
Stone Theatre, have the added
task of readying themselves for
another year of bringing entertainment to the students of
Louisiana Tech and residents
of Ruston.
For the 2014-2015, associate professor of theater Paul
Crook said this years play
selection had an underlying
theme of family.
The plays deal with the
theme of family relationships,
he said. Theres an interesting
kaleidoscopic take as a whole.
Each quarter has its own

production. The first of the

season is Laundry & Bourbon
and Lone Star, directed by
theater professor Cherrie Sciro,
which will premiere Oct. 9.
The story tells two sides of
small town life and has a comedic nature that helps balance the characters conflicts
The audience will love it,
Crook said. Its a great southern comedy.
The winter quarter production of The Last Night of Ballyhoo, directed by Crook will
premiere Jan. 29. The play was
originally written by Driving
Miss Daisy playwright Alfred
Uhry.
Both explore the themes
of Jewish culture, Crook said.
The characters are upper, elitist, German Jews in Georgia.
Set in 1939, amidst the trou-

ble in Poland, Atlantas Jewish

residents are getting ready for
Ballyhoo, a cotillion and the
social event of the season.
The Stone Theatre will conclude its season with the Neil
Simon hit Brighton Beach
Memories, directed by theater
professor Kenneth Robbins. It
premieres Apr. 22.
The story follows young
Eugene who must deal with
his self-professed boring life in
1937 Brooklyn with his colorful Jewish family. It is highly regarded as one of Simons best
plays.
For any information regarding tickets to any of the upcoming Stone Theatre productions call 318-257-3942.

Email comments to
cls068@latech.edu.

The Leftovers leave viewers behind as well

CODY SEXTON
Managing Editor
The HBO drama The Leftovers
wrapped up its first season on Sept. 7, leaving viewers scratching their
heads more than a thirdgrade class with a lice outbreak.
TV SHOW
Watching this show reminds me of the time I
dated a hipster and had to
pretend I enjoyed listening
to Bon Iver.
The show, based on a book by Tom Perrotta, is set in the apparent post-rapture,
fictional town of Mapleton, New York, and
follows the lives of several of the towns residents who have in some way been affected
by the Sudden Departure of 2 percent of the
earths population.
Photo courtesy of HBO
Three years after the Sudden Departure
Mapleton residents who have been left be- Kevin Garvey (played by Justin Theroux) tries to live a normal life after the rapture.
hind are trying to salvage what little bit of
normalcy they can, only to be constantly living with him is his daughter Jill, who is the after her unborn child was raptured from her
reminded by a mysterious cult of chain- epitome of every bratty teenage girl to ever womb (which affirmed my belief that there is
a higher power and it is pro-choice), Kevins
smoking mutes called the Guilty Remnant be on television.
Other Mapleton residents include a rever- stepson who was tasked by a mind-healing
that nothing can ever be the same.
The shows main protagonist is the towns end who attempts to justify being left behind guru to take care of one of the girls carrypolice chief Kevin Garvey, whose family by saying everyone taken was a bad person, ing his lovechild and a hodgepodge of other
crumbled after the Sudden Departure even an insurance agent whose job is to collect in- people who make about as much sense as
though none of his family members disap- formation on those taken to look for trends, Howie Mandels career.
The show has been met with mixed-topeared. The last member of his household Kevins wife who joined the Guilty Remnant

Youll

The 2014

positive reviews and has been praised for being thought-provoking and artfully crafted.
I call bull crap. The Leftovers is one of
those shows people watch and they have no
idea why until they are in so deep they have
to keep watching just to find out if the guy
with magic hugs is real.
Watching The Leftovers is like watching a good show gone bad in later seasons
that viewers stick with because of the time
already dedicated to it. The unfortunate part
being this is the shows first season and it
was only 10 episodes long.
While I am open to the notion that I am
too uncultured or simply too stupid to appreciate a show some people I idolize rave
about, I am not alone in thinking that just
because a show is overtly complex that does
not mean it is a cultural phenomenon.
It is not as if the show is too difficult for
someone to follow because it is all laid out
quite clearly for viewers. It is simply dull until
the ninth episode, which had an ending so
predictable writers should be embarrassed.
However, in my never-ending attempt
to appear cooler than I actually am, I will
watch the second season.
But honestly, it will just be so I can find
out if the guy really did have magic, wishgranting hugs.

Email comments to
cls068@latech.edu.

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www.thetechtalk.org

September 18, 2014 The Tech Talk 11

Get your bang for no bucks

The year 2014 is more than halfway done, and while the world is still waiting on some of the rumored major-label releases (heres looking at you, Kanye), some smaller artists have been building up or establishing their hype with mixtape
releases. For everything from punk noise to socially conscious lyrics to dark trap beats, check out the following:

Information compiled by John Sadler

Cyhi the Prynce has always basked in the shadow of

his fellow G.O.O.D. Music-label artists, but his Black
Hystori Project, released in February, is a step in the
right direction toward getting him a larger audience.
His socially conscious lines make him stand out among
his label-mates, and should do
a good job of getting people
hyped about his debut album,
tentatively titled Hardway Musical, which
is still without a
release date.

DAYS BEFORE RODEO

TRAVI$ SCOTT

THE POWERS THAT B

DEATH GRIPS

FREEBASE EP
2 CHAINZ

BLACK HYSTORI PROJECT

CYHI THE PRYNCE

While mixtapes are

generally associated
with up-and-comers,
established rappers
use them as well. 2
Chainzs Freebase
EP is loaded
with guest acts,
including Rick
Ross, A$AP Rocky
and Lil Boosie. It
is definitely worth
the download if
you are interested
in 2 Chainzs brand of
ridiculous rap.

Death Grips, everybodys favorite noise-punk-rap trio (seriously, there are a lot of adjectives to describe this band),
released the powers that b this year. While not
technically a mixtape, it is a free album and worth
mentioning because not too long afterward the
group announced their disbandment. The
band also said that there was another
album, jenny death, that formed a
double album with the powers that
b. Getting more of the powers
that b in any way is excellent, because the album
represented the group at
their peak. Heres hoping
jenny death does the
same.

Travis Scott (or Travi$ if youre nasty) already

had a lot of hype built up around his projects
with his mixtape Owl Pharaoh, and his production work on Kanye Wests Yeezus, but he
stepped it up a notch with Augusts Days
Before Rodeo, a prequel to his upcoming studio album Rodeo. The albums
trap production and Chief Keef-esque
singing definitely makes listeners
look forward to his official debut.

Skip Russells
Skip Russells

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life. All of our women raise money and volunteer their
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The social aspect of sorority life is another great benefit. Each house has formals, theme parties, sisterhood
nights and exchanges with different fraternities.
joining a sorority will definitely be the best decision
you will make during your college career!

12 The Tech Talk September 18, 2014

Sports Talk
THIS WEEK IN Sokol starts strong at 2-1

BULLDOG

with Jared King

FOOTBALL

Bulldog
offense
making
strides

The Louisiana Tech

football team renews
its in-state rivalry with
the Northwestern State
Demons Saturday in Joe
Aillet Stadium in Ruston.
The game will Louisiana
Techs home opener and
can be listened to on
Z107.5FM.
The Bulldogs lead the
series between the two
teams

(53-19-5).

Photo by Donny J. Crowe

Senior quarterback Cody Sokol took control of the Bulldogs with 243 passing yards, five touchdowns and one interception against North Texas September 11.
Overall Record:
(2-1, 1-0)
Points per game:
35.3
Points allowed per
game:
29.7
Players to watch:
Cody Sokol QB
64-100, 729 yards
9 touchdowns
Xavier Woods DB
17 tackles, 1 sack
1 interception, 1 touchdown
Tech is fifth in Conference USA in total
offense.

WILL TRAHAN
Staff Reporter

he Louisiana Tech
Bulldogs
are
a
quarter of the way
through their second season in Conference USA
and have looked impressive through three games,
with their only loss coming
against No. 4 ranked Oklahoma Sooners in Norman,
Oklahoma.
Second-year
head
coach Skip Holtz credits
the teams confident demeanor and poise on the
field to his coaching staff
specifically strength and
conditioning coach Kurt
Hester.
For this football team
right now, I think that confidence has been built

Points per game:

28.0
Points allowed per
game:
43.7
Players to watch:
Zach Adkins QB
68-94, 660 yards
6 touchdowns
Marion Chapman LB
25 tackles, 2 tackles for
loss, 1 sack, 1 forced
fumble
NSU has lost 16 of the
last 18 meetings
between the two.

over the last eight months,

which I think is a testament
to Kurt Hester and these
players with how good they
want to be and how hard
they have worked, Holtz
said.
The Bulldogs played the
University of Louisiana at
Lafayette on the road in
week two. The Bulldogs
were down two touchdowns, but that did not
stop them from defeating
the Ragin Cajuns 48-20.
The offense, led by senior quarterback and Iowa
transfer Cody Sokol, racked
up 533 yards while the
defense forced three turnovers highlighted by a 46yard interception returned
for a touchdown by sophomore defensive back Xavier
Woods.

Former freshman AllAmerican running back

Kenneth Dixon scored the
first points of the game
on a C-USA and Louisiana
Tech record 99-yard rush.
You go from being
backed up on the 1-yard
line to all of a sudden its
seven to nothing, Holtz
said. I dont know what the
total yards were before that
run, but we werent doing
much on offense.
The Bulldogs had a
short week to prepare for
their conference opening
game against the University of North Texas Mean
Green in a Thursday night
matchup.
Tech lost to the Mean
Green last year 28-13 in Joe
Aillet Stadium, but this year
was a different story as the

Bulldogs put on a show by

beating North Texas 42-21.
Offensively, we got off
to a slow start, but Cody
Sokol settled down after he
got hit a couple of times
and came out here and
played well, Holtz said.
The Bulldogs will host
the Northwestern State
University Demons Saturday in their home opener
after playing their first three
games on the road.
The Demons are 1-2 on
the season notching their
first win of the season last
week against Southern University 51-27.
The game is scheduled
to kick of at 6:05 p.m. at Joe
Aillet Stadium in Ruston.

Email comments to
bwt008@latech.edu.

Lange leads Tech golf to victory

NEWS SERVICES

Overall Record:
(1-2, 0-0)

FROMTHESPORTS DESK

handle pressure and not be afraid

of the moment. They showed that
Louisiana Tech golfers Victor today, said Tech head coach Jeff
Lange and Ben Robinson each went Jenkins. Techs team score of 871
1-under-par over the final three (283-293-295=871, 7-over-par) is
holes with Lange shooting a birdie the best team score at the Memphis
on the final hole of the tournament Intercollegiate since Louisville shot
to propel Tech over host
857 to claim the team title
Memphis to claim the
in 2006 and is the fourthteam championship at the
best team score in tourMemphis Intercollegiate
nament history.
Tuesday.
Lange was tied for the
The Bulldogs entered
individual lead entering
the final round and spent
the last round of play,
most of the day trailing
finishing second overall
Memphis by one stroke,
after shooting an evenbut the Bulldogs pulled
par 72 Tuesday. A native
even as Chuck Spears hit
of South Africa, Lange
an even-par on holes 16finished with a three
18 while Memphis Cory
round score of 212 (68LANGE
Gaylord bogeyed the par-5
72-72=212). Mississippi
hole 18. Earlier in the day,
States Ben Wood edged
Spears hit a hole-in-one
Lange by one stroke for
on the par-3 hole 5.
the tournaments individual title.
That set up Lange and Robinson
Victor had a great drive off of
to combine for 2-under-par over the the tee on 18, which is a very tough,
final three holes to give the Bulldogs championship-caliber hole, Jenthe two-stroke advantage to clinch kins said of Langes clinching birdie.
the win, marking LA Techs first There is water all down the left side
team tournament title since claim- and he hit a perfect drive just over
ing the Jim West Intercollegiate title the pin. He chipped it downhill and
on April 11, 2011.
almost had an eagle but tipped it in
I think today shows what I re- for a birdie.
ally thought about our guys comRobinson moved up one spot over
ing into the season: that they can the final round to finish tied for ninth

after shooting 2-over-par Tuesday to

finish 2-over-par for the tournament
(72-72-74=214).
Ben and Victor are the leaders
on this team, Jenkins said about the
clutch performance late by the two
juniors. For them to step up and
close out the win was huge.
Apart from winning the team title
and Lange finishing second individually, Spears hole-in-one was another
highlight of the day with his first
career ace. Spears finished tied for
24th overall as he finished the day
at 3-over-par and ended the threeround tournament at 6-over-par (6978-75=222).
Right off the club I knew I had it
long and I didnt think it could come
back at first, Spears said. It just
slowly rolled back and fell in at the
last moment. With the team winning
the tournament, it made for a really
great moment today.
John Lewis Sams followed Spears
with a final tournament score of
7-over-par (75-74-74=223, tied for
29th) but matched Robinson with
the second-best round of the day for
LA Tech as he shot 2-over-par with
two birdies over the final four holes.
Lange was named Conference
USA golfer of the week on Tuesday
after posting the best finish of any
C-USA golfer at the tournament.

nless you have been

hiding under a rock
for the last three
weeks, Louisiana Tech football fans should have noticed a huge improvement
on the gridiron from a season ago.
Transfer
quarterback
Cody Sokol has provided
competency and leadership
at the quarterback position the 2013 squad sorely
lacked. The addition of the
senior signal caller has given head coach Skip Holtz
versatility on offense the
team simply did not have
last year.
Of course, Sokol is not
the quarterback of the future for the Bulldogs. The
Iowa transfer has just one
season of eligibility, but
Tech fans need not worry
because the addition of Sokol has given Holtz the luxury of redshirting freshman
quarterback Price Wilson.
In three games this season, Sokol has thrown nine
touchdown passes. To put
that in perspective for you,
that is one less touchdown
pass than Ryan Higgins and
Scotty Young accounted for
through the air combined
last season.
The quarterback position is not the only spot
Holtz has made changes.
Holtz is using various formations to give the Bulldogs multiple fronts along
the offensive line, including the addition of junior
tight end Ricky Jones as a
fulback and junior tight end
Josh Gaston as an extra
blocker and occasional red
zone target.
Still, those are not the
only changes Holtz has
made on the offensive side
of the ball. During the offseason, Holtz announced
he would be taking over the
play calling duties from offensive coordinator Tony
Petersen, who had never
called plays until last season. To take that one step
further, Holtz does not wear
a headset on the sidelines
to communicate with Petersen, who sits in the press
box.
Holtz fancies himself an
offensive guru and has been
both a quarterbacks coach
and offensive coordinator
during his coaching career.
Armed with those facts
and having seen the production on the field this season,
Louisiana Tech fans should
rest assured that Holtz has
the Bulldogs headed in the
right direction.
Jared King is a senior
journalism major from Jena.
Email comments to jki008@
latech.edu.