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Wednesday, January 25, 2017

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OMA conference to highlight diversity in student bodyBy Parastoo Nikravesh

Managing Editor

The Office of Multicultural Affairs will hold its third annual Diversity Conference: Facing Diversity, to celebrate the differences of people from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday in the BPSC.

“The Office of Multicultural Affairs is committed to advancing Stephen F. Austin State University’s commitment to diversity and multiculturalism,” the OMA website said. “To continue our commitment,

the Office of Multicultural Affairs presents the Office of Multicultural Affairs Diversity Conference. The Diversity Conference seeks to provide a platform for presenters to share their diversity-related work with conference attendees and engage in vital multicultural dialogue.”

The Diversity Conference is run by the OMA and includes the SFA community to come and speak out about their experiences, good or bad, regarding diversity.

“We have various faculty, staff and students presenting

about various topics regarding diversity, multiculturalism and social justice. We also have lunch and keynote speakers,” Veronica Weaver, director of Multicultural Affairs, said. “Students should expect to feel educated and enlightened about various topics regarding diversity. Powerful discussion, activities and lectures will be presented.”

The keynote speaker is Dr. Kwame Badu Antwi-Boasiako, professor and chair of the Department of Government. Antwi-Boasiako has published

about diversity before, and once he was invited to speak at the conference, he accepted.

“Basical ly, the speech would focus on why diversity cannot be avoided, hence the need to embrace it with better understanding,” Antwi-Boasiako said.

According to A nt w i-Boasiako, he hopes his speech will contribute to the ongoing awareness and importance of diversity at SFA.

“No one event is drastically going to change the minds

of people. These events keep the narratives and discussion ongoing. So it’s very important to have such events from time to time so that diversity does not become a one-day wonder,” Antwi-Boasiako said. “There is strength in diversity, and together, we build.”

Additionally, the event will have a Facing Diversity Museum, which will include submissions from around campus of artwork, video/audio or writing.

DIVERSITY, PAGE 4

Students serve community during MLK Day of Service

Photos by Hannah Russell/ The Pine Log

The Office of Multicultural Affairs hosted the annual MLK Day of Service Jan. 16. Students received the opportunity to participate in a variety of projects, including cleaning Temple Park and helping at Clay House. At Clay House, students worked under the supervision of George Avery, director of SFA’s anthropology and archeology laboratory to help restore the property. “The event has done very well in past years and has brought the campus and Nacogdoches communities together for a great cause,” Veronica Weaver, OMA director, said in a press release. The MLK Day of Service is held throughout the country to honor Martin Luther King Jr. In addition to the day of service, OMA hosts several events throughout the year. ‘The mission of the SFA Office of Multicultural Affairs is to create a campus environment where all students, staff and faculty feel welcome and included. We create networks of support for students, staff and faculty that provide opportunities for meaningful cross cultural interactions and learning experiences that promote respect for diversity” according to the OMA website.

By Emily BrownCopy Editor

The SFA Gardens is hosting a public seminar over gardening techniques and other various gardening topics from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 4, at the SFA Pineywoods Native Plant Center.

Two SFA staff members will speak at the seminar. Dawn Stover, a research associate for the SFA Gardens, will speak on which garden vegetables are her favorite to plant in East Texas. Jocelyn Moore, an assistant education coordinator for SFA Gardens, will explain a technique called “lasagna gardening,” also known as “sheet mulching.” Using this unique method helps build rich soil at a low cost.

“This event is modeled after the concept of a ‘permablitz,’ a tradition of coming together to learn a skill, share labor to establish gardens or infrastructure and build community,” Moore said, according to a press release.

The project will then be used in the gardening beds for a new after-school program called Nacogdoches Naturally. This club is a nature-based program that works alongside the Nacogdoches Boy’s and Girl’s Club.

The process Moore will be discussing is a method that will benefit anyone who is looking to improve his or her

garden.“Lasagna gardening is the process of layering organic

materials that will decompose over time, similar to a compost pile,” Moore said, according to a press release. “Utilizing this method and planting resilient vegetables in your garden will greatly increase the likelihood of a successful harvest. Brown and green thumbs alike are encouraged to join us for this enriching day.”

Any participants looking to partake in this seminar are encouraged to wear clothes they won’t mind getting dirty and bring a dish to share for the potluck set to follow the seminar. The event is free, but a $5 donation that will go toward the SFA Gardens is suggested.

The gardens will host several upcoming events, including the monthly Theresa and Les Reeves Lectures series at 7 p.m. Feb. 9 in the Brundrett Conservation Education Building at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center. Director of the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens Bob Byers will speak.

In addition, the SFA Gardens will host the Great Backyard Bird Count from 9 a.m. to noon on Feb. 18 at the Native Plant Center. Pineywoods Audubon Association and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department non-game ornithologist Cliff Shackelford will help participants count birds. The event will also give participants a chance

to engage in activities, play games and make crafts. For more information about the Pineywoods Native

Plant Center, contact the SFA Gardens education office at (936) 468-1832, or visit their website at sfagardens@sfasu.edu.

SFA Gardens to host public seminar at Native Plant Center

Upcoming Events

SFA Gardens Seminar 10 a.m.-noon, Feb. 4

Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture series 7 p.m., Feb. 9

Great Backyard Bird Count

9 a.m.-noon, Feb. 18

CMYK

SFA will hold the Spring Involvement Fair to introduce students to the different clubs and organizations available on campus from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday in the BPSC lobby. “You join one organization, and that adviser and those people involved in that organization can help you build up your resume, your connections and experience, which can benefit you in huge ways,” Jeana Salinas, Traditions Council member relations officer, said.

Page 2

News @thepinelog

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By Brielle ThomasStaff Writer

SFA’s Involvement Center will host its Spring Involvement Fair, which engages students in on campus organizations, from 5-7 on Thursday in the BPSC lobby.

The involvement center, located in BPSC Suite 1.204, holds an involvement fair every semester, so there are plenty of opportunities to attend.

“We have one every second Thursday of every semester,” Involvement Adviser Samantha Puente said.

There are many different organizations and clubs that are on campus that students can get involved in.

“There are more than 200, probably close to 300,” Puente said. “It just depends. People can make their own clubs, so there’s a lot.”

There are different types of on-campus organizations, as well. For example, there are academic or professional organizations, Greek organizations, service-based organizations and even faith-based organizations. All these and more will be a part of the fair.

“All the school-sponsored ones and independent ones will be there,” Puente said. “All they have to do is sign up for a table, and then they can come and just share what they have.”

Jeana Salinas, Traditions Council

member relations officer, said it is important people attend the involvement fair.

“People should attend because they get to see how many different clubs there are and see what clubs fit them,” Salinas said. “They also get to see what they’re really interested in and say ‘Hey, I’m actually interested in this.’”

According to Puente, students who join clubs and organizations can benefit by gaining social skills from interacting with all the different people they meet, and rising into positions can help students gain different skills, as well.

“You definitely make a lot of connections, and that’s how you network,” Salinas said.

“You join one organization and that adviser and those people involved in that organization can help you build up your resume, your connections and experience, which can benefit you in huge ways.”

According to Jessica Cuitareo, a sophomore at SFA, going to the involvement fair opened her eyes to the different clubs she could involve herself in on campus.

“When I went to the involvement fair last year, it really showed me what kind of opportunities there are here in Nacogdoches and informed me on the many clubs we actually have here on campus,” Cuitareo said.

SFA Involvement Center will hold spring involvement fair

By Devin HogueEntertainment Editor

The SFA School of Theatre participated in the nationwide Ghostlight Project Thursday to show support for the safety and inclusion of all people.

For The Ghostlight Project, people gathered outside of theatres on the eve of the presidential inauguration for a simultaneous action of creating a “light” for challenging times ahead, which is inspired by the tradition of leaving a “ghost light” on in a darkened theatre. Communities pledged to stand for compassion for everyone, regardless of race, class, religion, country of origin, immigration status, disability, age, gender identity or sexual orientation, according to a press release.

Students and faculty of the School of Theatre joined hundreds of other theatre communities across the nation from Broadway to college and high school theaters.

“A bunch of the theatre majors and theatre artists of the community came together in the veranda area of the Turner Auditorium,” SFA student Angel Williams said. “What this project does is it sends the message that theatres are a beacon of light in the darkness of times. They are a place where everyone can feel accepted and remain to feel that way.”

According to SFA student Taylor Dobbs who spoke at the event, the ceremony was a moment of support and not protest.

“In the current political climate, there is a lot of people who feel unsettled

and restless amidst the results of the [presidential] election, and some particular communities are feeling pressure and fearful about what the next four years has to hold,” said Dobbs. “Whether you agree or not, this project is not protesting what you don’t like. We want to be a brave space that allows people of all different backgrounds to come together and make great art with each other.”

Participating in The Ghostlight Project has a different meaning for different students.

“I think one thing that was important to me is that people really came out and saw how supportive everyone was,” Williams said. “In theatre you collaborate a lot, so when you have a good atmosphere with many diverse people it sets precedence in how we conduct ourselves in real life.”

For more information about The Ghostlight Project, visit the official website at www.theghostlightproject.com.

“This is about respecting and valuing those who are different from us in terms of demographic profile, but it’s also about extending that same concern for those who disagree with us philosophically or politically. As theatre people, we understand that you don’t have to be a monarchist to appreciate Racine, or a Communist to appreciate Brecht, or a Hindu to appreciate Kalidasa,” Dr. Rick Jones, professor of theater and interim director of the SFA School of Theatre, said, “but sometimes it’s harder to translate that into our everyday lives.”

A reception announcing the public opening of The Rusk Family Letters—a new collection representing Texas historical figures Thomas J. Rusk and his brother, David Rusk—will be held at 1 p.m. Monday in the East Texas Research Center, located on the second floor of the Steen Library on the SFA campus.

SFA’s Board of Regents approved the purchase of the collection, which contains about 1,000 items, from members of the Rusk family. The family generously donated approximately 600 additional items, and ETRC staff members have been diligently working since then to prepare the materials for public presentation.

“I have finished organizing the purchased materials,” said Kyle Ainsworth, ETRC special collections librarian. “Now, I’m organizing and describing the donated materials so that I can integrate them with the purchased items and create one collection.”

The collection contains Republic of Texas historical materials that have been in the Rusk family since the 1830s and includes several legal and personal documents of Thomas J. Rusk, a political and military leader of the Republic of Texas who served as its first secretary of war and as a general in the Battle of San Jacinto. He was later a U.S. politician and served as a senator from Texas.

Comprising the majority of the collection are documents addressed to David Rusk, Thomas’ brother, who served as a Nacogdoches County sheriff and tax collector during the Republic period. Additional documents in the collection include letters addressed to David’s son, John, as well as other family members.

There also are important county records, including delinquent tax rolls from the 1830s, several of David’s civil and criminal sheriff’s docket books, and receipts for the construction of the county’s courthouse.

According to Ainsworth, the materials help tell the story of Nacogdoches as well as the Republic of Texas and are an intimate picture of the Rusk family’s private lives and public service.

“The highlights of the collection are the 60 letters received by David Rusk from his older brother, several rare maps and appointments signed by various presidents of the Republic of Texas naming David Rusk sheriff of Nacogdoches County,” Ainsworth said. “One of the appointments signed by Sam Houston in 1837 is exceptional because David Rusk was the first sheriff Houston appointed in Texas.”

In one letter penned by Thomas in 1835, he lets David know

that a mail route to Nacogdoches has just been established via Fort Jessup in Louisiana. In another letter, Thomas tells David that he has just arrived at the Capitol, sat in his senate seat and will shortly meet with President James K. Polk.

Four letters addressed to David from various veterans of the Battle of San Jacinto ask him to provide details on how they may obtain a Texas Revolution Service Pension.

“The cursive writing from the 19th century can be difficult to read,” Ainsworth said. “During the reception, we will display mostly documents where the noteworthy feature is an important signature that everyone can recognize and appreciate as having value, including signatures from Presidents of the Republic of Texas Sam Houston, Mirabeau Lamar and Anson Jones.” The ETRC will exhibit these noteworthy items outside of their offices.

The opening reception coincides with SFA’s Board of Regents winter board meeting. There will be several speakers, including SFA President Baker Pattillo.

The reception is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

The Rusk collection will be housed inside the ETRC and available for research beginning Feb. 1 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. The exhibit of noteworthy documents is located outside the ETRC and viewable during library hours, 7 a.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday; 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; and noon to midnight Sunday.

Reception planned to open Rusk Family Letters

The Ghostlight Project was an event for people to rally together and support one another regardless of race, class, religion, country of origin, immigration status, disability, age, gender identity or sexual orientation. The event was held around various theatres from Broadway to high school theatres, banding people together. “This is about respecting and valuing those who are different from us in terms of demographic profile, but it’s also about extending that same concern for those who disagree with us philosophically or politically. As theatre people, we understand that you don’t have to be a monarchist to appreciate Racine, or a Communist to appreciate Brecht, or a Hindu to appreciate Kalidasa,” Dr. Rick Jones, interim director of the SFA School of Theatre, said.

Photo by Ronnie Chapman/ The Pine Log

SFA holds Ghostlight event

Photo by Ronnie Chapman/ The Pine Log

Fast Facts:

SFA has over 200 student organizations.

There are service organizations and clubs for majors including:

PRIDE Nac, College Republicans, Driving Jacks, Accounting Club, LARP Club, Quidditch, NAACP, Traditions Council, Purple Haze Association, Rodeo Club, SFA Jeep Club, Student Government

Association, Unblemished, World Politics Club, Braille and Cane Club, Baptist Student Ministry and Asian Club, to name a few.

CMYK

Page 3Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Entertainment@thepinelog

By Cynthia Cogan

Web Master/ Social Writer

It was March 2002 when

the writers for ABC gathered

around a large table to come

up with a newly designed,

never before seen type of

dating show. They wanted

a show that incorporated

the passion of a telenovela,

the drama of “Keeping Up

With the Kardashians” and

the temperament of female

WWE stars. The idea was to

put dozens of girls in a house

for several months, fighting

for the love of one extremely

attractive man, who was

usually very wealthy.

S e v e r a l o t h e r

corresponding shows

have followed along to

accompany the original

show. Of course one of

those is “The Bachelorette,”

which is the gender reversal

of “The Bachelor,” where a

woman has all the power.

Must be nice. Along with

“The Bachelorette” came

“Bachelor in Paradise” and

the game show, “Bachelor

Pad.”

Being a newcomer to the

series, I don’t have many

seasons to recap on except

for this past year’s season.

Maybe being a lonely

college girl has made this

show more entertaining to

me? I have no idea.

Then there is our newest

Bachelor for season 21,

Nick V. He is not a new

face to the Bachelor/

Bachelorette television

series. He’s participated in

“The Bachelorette” season

10 and 11, and “Bachelor in

Paradise” season 3, which

seems a little ridiculous.

Why have we given this

guy so many chances?

You would think that the

casting director of the series

would’ve booted him off by

now—but I guess not.

Speaking of crazy

contestants, Corrine in

season 21 is a whirlwind

and not in a good way. Nick

says he likes her because

“she’s fun.”

Sorry Nick, but I don’t

think your mother would

approve of her due to

her actions on the show.

Optionally going topless in

a photoshoot with you, or

straddling you in a bouncy

house wearing a swimsuit

during a pool party on

national television is not

acceptable. He truly

makes me question

why I’m even

watching this season.

The majority of the

girls he has fighting for

his affection are gorgeous

and incredibly talented,

but of course he and the

show’s directors keep

the girl who is overly

dramatic and makes

the viewers extremely

uncomfortable.

Which leads me to

ask: Nick, what are you

doing? Vanessa, Raven,

Rachel, Astrid, etc. are

so many other choices.

Why do you feel the need

to keep Corrine around?

On behalf of all viewers of

“The Bachelor,” season 21,

I think I can speak for a

wide majority of us when

I say, please do us a favor

and rid Corrine of her spot

on the show. If we want

that type of drama she

causes, we can go back

to high school for a day

and be satisfied enough

for at least three years.

My first impression hasn’t

been good of Nick, but I’m

hopeful that he’ll turn this

season around and find

“the one” so we don’t worry

about ever having to see

him again.

Either way, this season

hasn’t been anything

less than interesting

and enticing in grabbing

my attention, but there

needs to be some major

improvements on Nick’s

end. I hope the next

bachelorette isn’t as naïve

as Nick and is a contestant

from his season so she has

some better options than

just Nick. Nonetheless, I

look forward to the episodes

to come and this season

coming to its “happy”

ending.

By Brooke MosleyStaff Writer

Thursdays might be a little better now that the Shonda Rhimes-produced TGIT lineup is returning on Thursday. The premieres of “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Scandal” and “How to Get Away With Murder” were originally scheduled to return on Jan. 19, but were pushed to the following week by ABC due to a pre-inauguration 20/20 special by ABC News. The delay was upsetting, especially to fans of “Scandal,” who have been waiting for the show’s return since it was on break this past fall due to Kerry Washington’s second pregnancy. Despite a minor setback, the TGIT trio seems to be ready for a fierce and drama-filled comeback.

The midseason finale of “Grey’s Anatomy” ended with a cliffhanger, as Dr. Alex Karev went to the district attorney’s office to take a plea deal for assaulting another doctor. Karev seemed sure about his decision up until the last minute of the show, when Dr. Meredith Grey left a voice mail trying to persuade him to not take the deal. The show also ended with the fate of Dr. Richard Webber’s job, and the fate of Amelia and Owen’s marriage, up in the air. Out of the whole TGIT lineup, I’m most thrilled for the return of “Grey’s Anatomy.”

At the end of the fifth season of “Scandal,” two candidates were announced in the shows presidential race, and Olivia Pope seemed to be making her father, Rowan Pope, proud. According to a recent teaser, the show is supposed to pick

back up on election night, where the first female or Latino president will be announced. There’s no telling what direction Rhimes will take Olivia’s character in this season. I just hope the main character will revert back to her old ways and not travel further down the dark path she has began to go down.

In an attempt to solve the mystery of who died in the house fire, the question of “Who’s under the sheet?” drove the first half of season three of “How Get a Way with Murder.” Fans waited in anticipation as the show revealed one person who wasn’t under the sheet each week up until the midseason finale. At first,

I applauded the writers for this strategy and because it made this season stand out from the previous two seasons. However, I was a little disappointed by the main character they chose to kill off the show. Peter Nowalk, the creator of the show, said in an interview that killing this character off was “not about the shock,” but what else could it have been about? Despite this upsetting decision by the writers, I’m curious to see how the character actually died, and how the series continues on without one of its principal characters.

Catch up while you can and brace yourself for the return of TGIT starting at 7 p.m. Thursday on ABC.

New ‘Bachelor’brings drama to Mondays

Shonda Rhimes’ series return to ABC network

Review:

T.G.I.T.

By Nick IreneStaff Writer

Boxing may have seen a decline in popularity, but the sport could see a rejuvenated boast in the unlikely of sources, rappers Soulja Boy and Chris Brown.

People might think that they could be investing or possibly promoting boxing. But a social media war has started from Soulja Boy liking one of Karrueche Tran’s, photos on Instagram. Tran was Brown’s ex-girlfriend. Apparently, Brown was upset and wanted to beat up the artist behind “Crank That.” Soulja later tweeted some explicit words, but ultimately accepted the challenge to a three-round boxing fight.

As of today, the two rap stars seem to be on track for a fight that will be broadcast throughout on pay-per-view. Even former stars of boxing are now involved. Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson has shown allegiance to Brown, a Grammy winner, and has even offered to train him for the super fight. Tyson has later posted videos stating that he guarantees victory for his guy. Don’t feel too bad, though, because Soulja got his buddy, a 15-time world champion and undefeated legend, Floyd Mayweather on his side.

If you are looking to buy tickets to this showcase, you will more than likely need plane tickets. After the Nevada State Athletic Commission canceled any desire of sanctioning this circus fight, Soulja suggested Dubai as the possible

destination, and they look to go forward with it. Soulja stands at 5 feet 8 inches tall, and weighs in at a

whopping 130 pounds, while his opponent, Brown, stands at 6 foot one inch, and weighs 160 pounds. Even Vegas has started a betting line with Brown opening up as -400 favorite.

This spectacle could be used to showcase lesser-known fighters and make a name of them. Boxing has seen a sharp decrease in revenue ever since the retirement of Mayweather back in 2014. If the fight even happens, the expected date should be sometime in March. It will be guaranteed to do successful in pay-per-view numbers, which in the process could spark the ice-cold boxing industry.

Courtesy Photo

Courtesy Photo

Review:

Celebrity social media feud evolves into boxing matchColumn:

VS

Courtesy Photos

CMYK

Page 4 The Pine Log 2017

OPEN MEETING NOTICE

Stephen F. Austin State University

Board of Regents Meeting

Nacogdoches, TX

8 a.m. Monday, Jan. 30(Committee Meetings)

Austin Building, Room 307

9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31(Board Meeting)

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www.sfasu.edu/regents/agendas.asp

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From Page 1

First-, second- and third-place prizes will be given out during the closing ceremonies, according to the OMA website.

Weaver hopes that the event can bring out a positive transformation around campus and will give people a chance to learn others’ viewpoints and be able to share their own opinion.

Students and faculty can pre-register to attend the event, which will include a three-course lunch and a free T-shirt to the first 100 students who register. Same day registration is also available from 8-9 a.m. but will not include the lunch.

“The Diversity Conference seeks to provide a platform for presenters, the SFA and Nacogdoches community, and share their diversity-related work with conference attendees and engage in vital multicultural dialogue,” Weaver said.

The Stephen F. Austin State University Alumni Association announced that Zachary McSwain of Spring and Morgan Pulliam of Dallas have been selected as recipients of the 2017 Mr. and Miss SFA Award.

The Mr. SFA Award was established in honor of the late Stan McKewen, a 1934 SFA graduate. The Arnodean Covin Miss SFA Award honors the late alumna who was named Miss SFA in 1940, 1941 and 1942.

A 2013 graduate of Klein Collins High School, McSwain, who received the Stan McKewen Mr. SFA Award, is a senior history major and the son of Randall a nd Susette McSwain.

“Zach has d e m o n s t r a t e d e x c e p t i o n a l leadership in his contributions to the university, its students and our community,” Lacey Folsom, associate director of student engagement at SFA, said. “He truly exemplifies the Lumberjack spirit, tirelessly giving his time and energy to show others the value of an SFA education. He is an excellent role model for all students.”

McSwain serves as secretary of the SFA Traditions Council, co-founder and former president of the SFA League of Legends Club, and is a member of the History

Club. He also has made the College of Liberal and Applied Arts Dean’s List.

Additionally, McSwain has volunteered with The Big Event and works as a student technician for SFA’s Technical Support Center.

“SFA has shown me more than just the college experience. I discovered that this university is rich in culture and tradition. Through all these things, I have become more than a student. I have become a true Lumberjack,” McSwain said.

Pulliam, recipient of the Arnodean Covin Miss SFA

Award, is a 2013 graduate of Newman Smith High School. She is a senior psychology major and the daughter of Joy Pulliam. She also is a first-generation college student.

“Without SFA, I do not know where I would be,” Pulliam said. “I have met so many people and made so many connections, which wouldn’t have happened without my campus involvement. SFA is in my heart and soul. I eat, sleep and bleed purple.”

Pulliam is active in many community and SFA-related clubs, organizations and associations, including

serving as student director of the Purple Haze Association, student instructor for SFA 101 and Jack Camp counselor.

She has served as president and vice president of New Opportunities for Romanian Orphan Children. She also has served as an SFA Orientation leader, and volunteered with the Nacogdoches Animal Shelter, The Big Event and SFA’s food pantry.

“Morgan is welcoming, approachable, personable, a leader and a true SFA Lumberjack,” said Dr.

Hollie G. Smith, assistant dean of student affairs for programs at SFA. “The list of organizations she is involved in as a member and/or leader is something to admire. She

takes on each new task with a lens of going above and beyond.”

SFA’s Alumni Association awards the Mr. and Miss SFA titles annually to exemplary students who well represent and promote the university.

Recipients are selected based on their scholarship, pa r t ic ipat ion a nd leadership in academic and co-curricular activities, and citizenship, service and loyalty to the university. A committee of faculty and staff members, community leaders and alumni makes the selections.

Diversity: OMA to host conference for SFA students

Alumni Association names the 2017 Mr. and Miss SFA

“Without SFA, I do not know where I would be,” Pulliam said. “I have met so many people and made so many connections, which wouldn’t have hap-pened without my campus involve-ment. SFA is in my heart and soul. I eat, sleep and bleed purple.”

- Morgan Pulliam, Miss SFA

Courtesy Photo

SFA Alumni Association named the 2017 Mr. and Miss SFA, Zachary McSwain of Spring and Morgan Pulliam of Dallas. McSwain graduated from Klein Collins High School and is a senior history major. Pulliam is a graduate of Newman Smith High School and a senior psychology major. The titles are awarded annually to exemplary students representing SFA.

By Haley PogueStaff Writer

The deadline for submitting SFA scholarship applications for the 2017-18 academic school year is Wednesday, Feb. 1. According to Scholarship Coordinator Amie Ford, a lot of information for the application such as GPA, major, etc. is already supplied, but it also requires information about the student’s involvement in various activities, income questions and company or organization affiliations.

“There is a blanket application that covers all 833 scholarship opportunities,” Jennifer Sowell, assistant to the executive director of alumni affairs said. “Once the student applies, the system will sort the applications by scholarships they qualify for.”

Any student with a mySFA username and password is eligible to complete and submit a scholarship application. Students can find and complete the application by logging into mySFA, clicking on the financial aid tab, then selecting the “SFA Scholarship Application” link on the right side of the page in

the “Financial Aid Tools and Info” box.

“Criteria varies depending on what the donor of the endowed schola rsh ip requested,” Sowell said. “Some are based on financial need, but scholarships also can be based on accomplishments, such as academic merit, athletic ability, leadership, extracurricular activities, service or even winning an essay contest.”

According to Sowell, last year the SFA Alumni Foundation awarded over $900,000 in scholarships, not including what the University Foundation awarded.

“Without assistance from an outside source, some students may have trouble paying for the degree they need in order to enter the workforce and become a contributing member of society,” Sowell said.

Students selected to receive awards will be notified by email or letter.

“There are so many scholarships out there and all have unique criteria,” Ford said. “You have to apply to get the scholarship.”

Scholarship deadline for 2017-18 academic year approaching

How to Apply1. Login to mySFA

2. Select the Financial Aid tab

3. Select Scholarship Application

SFA Scholarships

University Regents Scholarship

Academic Excellence Scholarship Program

Community College Transfer Scholarship

Program

Courtesy Photo

T h e O f f i c e o f Multicultural Affairs will hold its third annual Diversity Conference S a t u r d a y i n t h e BPSC. “The Diversity Conference seeks to provide a platform for presenters, the SFA and Nacogdoches community, and share their diversity-related work with conference attendees and engage in vital multicultural dialogue,” Director of Multicultural Affairs Veronica Weaver said.

Internationally renowned violinist Chloé Trevor, who will serve as an adju-dicator at Saturday’s prestigious George and Peggy Schmidbauer Young Artist Competition at Stephen F. Austin State University, will perform a guest recital at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

Trevor, who has appeared as a soloist with orchestras worldwide, including the Hong Kong Sinfonietta, Latvian Chamber Orchestra, Slovak State Philharmonic, Plano Symphony and the Knoxville Symphony, will be joined by pianist Jonathan Tsay. She made her New York concerto debut in 2013 and Avery Fisher Hall debut in 2014.

Trevor’s recent performances included a tour with the Latvian Chamber Orchestra in Riga, Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto with the Dallas Symphony and Prokofiev’s

2nd Concerto both at Sala São Paulo in Brazil and with the Cleveland Institute of Music Orchestra as a result of winning the Cleveland Institute of Music’s Concerto Competition.

She went on to perform Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto with the Houston Symphony and recitals at the Music in the Mountains Festival with pianist David Korevaar.

The 2017 distinguished panel of adju-dicators for Saturday night’s final round of the Schmidbauer Competition include Trevor, conductor Richard Lee of the East Texas Symphony Orchestra and pianist James Cho.

The recital is free and open to the public. For more information about the Schmidbauer Competition, contact Moon at (936) 468-3885 or moongh@sfasu.edu or visit www.schmidbauercompetition.org.

Violinist Trevor to perform

CMYK

Page 5Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Opinions@thepinelog

COLUMN

OPINIONS EDITORJUWAN LEE

SPORTS EDITORDEVIN BROOKS

ADVERTISING MANAGERTYLER FISHER

WEBMASTER/SOCIAL MEDIACYNTHIA COGAN

MANAGING EDITOR PARASTOO NIKRAVESH

PHOTO EDITORHANNAH RUSSELL

ENTERTAINMENT EDITORDEVIN HOGUE

COPY EDITOREMILY BROWN

VIDEO EDITORAUDRA BRIDGES

CIRCULATION MANAGEREMMA GREGERSON

Spring 2017 Editorial BoardOpinions

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEFJOANNA ARMSTRONG

Finding peace in the terror of indecision Illustration by Olivia Boan/ The Pine Log

What do you want to do with the rest of your life? For some, the answer to that question is easy. They have been planning their career since their freshman year of high school. However, many students are unable to give an answer, or some even find themselves unable to choose among the many subjects they are passionate about.

There is a large number of students across the country who struggle with choosing a career path that is right for them. It can cause stress and anxiety when trying to plan your entire future after graduating at the age of 22. Being undecided about what you want to pursue during your college career can be scary, but it can also be informative. It can expose you to multiple career paths without having to make a commitment to any of them. More importantly, it keeps you from constantly changing majors while in school.

Before you arrived at SFA you may have had a dream job that you wanted to pursue, and you chose the major you felt would best prepare you for that career field. The introductory courses present basic demands you are able to complete. Once you

progressed to the advanced courses in your field, you soon realizes half of the requirements of the class, and others moving forward, are feats you have little interest in.

You do not have to box yourself into a major you feel uncomfortable with, thinking that it is the only path to your career choice. Why do we put so much pressure on ourselves to pick one career path when there are multiple options out there for us to try? Students should be focusing on gaining knowledge and life skills instead of worrying about choosing the correct major.

Attending college has given students the opportunity to establish connections and learn tools they can use once they enter the professional world. It is natural for our minds to change and harbor new emotions about the direction our life is headed. Remember, choosing a major is not the only point of your decision to attend college. There is an evolution that will take place from your first to last year. Change comes with growth. Though we may have a four-year plan on how we want to live our lives, there is no certainty in any of it.

You should not feel isolated or

different because your friends “seem” to have their life’s calling figured out. Use any ambiguity as an opportunity to explore different careers and majors to uncover what you are truly passionate about.

You can begin with getting involved around campus. Of course, you have heard this repeatedly from the first day of orientation until now. But, it is a tremendous way to meet people who have similar interests as you and connect with people you can share the stress of college with. Find out their major and why they chose that major. Also, determine what is enjoyable and even displeasing about their major.

Picking a major is important, but it should not be stressful. If you have not chosen a major, do not panic. Yes, you need one to graduate, but you want to ensure that when you leave you feel confident about what you dedicated your time toward.

For those who have chosen a major, do not feel as if you are stuck with that profession for the rest of your life. Choosing a major is just one factor among many others that decides where you will end up in your career. Just enjoy the journey.

The SFA School of Theatre hosted The Ghostlight Project on Jan. 19 on the veranda of the Griffith Fine Arts Building.

The Ghostlight Project, lasting no more than 20 minutes, served as an affirmation from all who attended that regardless of race, religion, sexuality and politics, attendees would, as the project’s website stated, “be a light in times of darkness.”

Now, I’m not a particularly political person, but I can grasp the fact that the date of this event was no accident.

However, I think the message of the Ghostlight Project is a little too universal to confine to just inauguration fears.

For me, the project served as a very humble reminder of my job as an artist. It’s really easy, when you’re lodged neck-deep in GPA calculators and navigating academic theatre on the way to your degree, to lose sight

of why you decided to go into an artistic field.

The reasons for getting into theatre are different for every artist, but for me it was what kept me in theatre that was more important.

See, I’d gotten into theatre simply because I auditioned for a show when I was kid, decided I loved it and just kept going. The reasons I stayed in theatre, however, were very different.

Growing up, I struggled immensely with my mental health. It’s something I still have a huge issue with, but it’s not something I’m as ashamed of as I was through middle and high school.

A huge step forward for me came from being in theatre, where I was in a space that was full of people who didn’t care about the fact that I was mentally ill.

In theatre, I have never been The Girl With a Mental Illness; I’ve just been me, a person who does theatre

and, oh yeah, also happens to have a mental illness.

It’s that kind of inclusion, that sort of comfort and feeling of acceptance and safety, that I think warrants something like The Ghostlight Project.

Being able to set aside those things that otherwise separate us, whether it be race, religion, mental illness, or anything else along that line, is an immensely powerful aspect of artistic communities.

Like I said, I’m not a very political person, but I do know a lot of people are afraid of what’s coming up after this most recent election. I’ve heard a lot of my own friends, even members of my family, expressing fear over things that relate to discrimination, and how they’re going to be affected by how our nation changes over the next four years.

Taking a few moments to stand outside on a beautiful January evening with my community, for me, was a really heartwarming way

to start a year in which many people are so afraid.

One of the quotes from the student speakers at the Ghostlight ceremony that really hit me came from Dominique Rider, who said, “Not a safe space, but a brave space.”

This is the motto I want to adopt as I move forward in my senior year. As I wrap up my last semester at SFA and move to a place where I can devote myself to theatre as a full time job, I want to make my job being a part of that community that helps others feel included.

Like artists so often ask themselves to do, and what The Ghostlight Project wants us to affirm, I thoroughly plan to be a voice wherever I possibly can, and I heavily encourage everyone else, regardless of artistic inclinations, to do the same.

For more information on The Ghostlight Project, visit www.theghostlightproject.com.

Students find reassurance through Ghostlight Project

COLUMN

By Andrea NELSON

“I’ve heard a lot of my own friends, even members of my family, expressing fear

over things that relate to

discrimination...”

COLUMN

By TylerJOHNSON

The new semester and new year are underway, and it’s time to get back to those New Year’s resolutions that many of us set aside for a week to get readjusted to our school routine.

This year, like every year, it seems, I set out to become healthier and get in better shape. I know, it’s a very cliché resolution, but it’s one that I plan on sticking with once and for all.

My plan was to eat a fruit and maybe an egg or two for breakfast every morning. For lunch and dinner, I would eat broccoli, chicken and rice in some way or fashion. I also planned to run every morning before class.

Well, to say the least, there was a lot going on last week. It was rainy all week, and there were many distractions from around the country that had me glued to the TV, ignoring all of the healthy decisions I told myself I was going to make this year.

Suddenly, I woke up Sunday morning, and the sun was shining and the ground was dry. It was a new week and a new opportunity to get back to work.

So I ate a banana, put on my running shoes, put my headphones on and

turned on the playlist to the “Rocky” theme song. That song always gets me pumped up. I proceeded to run like Forrest Gump. There was no stopping me.

It was great. The cool winter breeze struck my face as I zipped down the trails of Lanana Creek. I saw a number of people running or walking their dogs, as well. They all greeted me with a “Good Morning!” or “How do you do?” I smiled and continued to run.

We all set out goals for 2017, and no one can deter us from those goals except

ourselves. It’s a new year

and a new semester, and

by 2018, there could be a

new you.

“It was a new week and a new

opportunity to get back to work. So I ate a banana, put on my running shoes, put my headphones on and turned the

playlist to the “Rocky” theme song. That song always

gets me pumped up. I proceeded to run like Forrest Gump.”

2017 begins chapterof new healthy lifestyle

The Pine Log Opinions Page regularly features the Axe ’Em Advice Column. The staff answers questions about everything from relationships to general life issues and everything in between. To submit your question, email

sfasupinelog@gmail.com.

CMYK

SportsSFA Athletics | Intramural Sports | Sport Clubs

@TPLSports

Page 6 The Pine Log 2017

Sports SFA ScoreboardMEN’S BASKETBALL: Jacks to host conference foe UCA Wednesday

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Ladyjacks look to extend win streak vs. UCA

TRACK & FIELD: Jacks set to compete in Houston for the weekend

TENNIS: Darinka Tiboldi named SLC women’s player of the week

FOOTBALL: Lumberjacks continue to make offseason acquisitions Photo by Hannah Russell/ The Pine

Log

Champions bred during offseason

By Devin BrooksSports Editor

Despite the college football season being months away from the limelight, the Stephen F. Austin State University Lumberjack football team has made many offseason acquisitions that could benefit their upcoming season.

Over the last two months, the SFA football team has added five notable members to their football family, including four coaches and one player. Defensive coordinator Jeff Byrd, defensive coach Josh Lawson, running back coach Ben Beasley, secondary coach Jake Brown and junior quarterback Foster Sawyer joined the team.

All of these additions have numerous years of experience in the game of football, and they look to use their knowledge of the game to inspire and improve the Lumberjack football team.

One of the biggest additions to the football team was the signing of 14-year veteran defensive coordinator Byrd. He will be SFA’s new defensive coordinator, and he hopes to use his aggressive, defensive play-style to mold the SFA defense into a tough stonewall.

“I’m very excited to add coach Byrd to our staff, bringing in someone with a pedigree of success at a high level at the defensive coordinator position,” Conque said.

“He will bring a lot of energy and passion to our program. He is a proven defensive play caller and will present a wealth of knowledge to our program.”

Byrd spent five seasons as a defensive coordinator for the University of Tennessee-Martin. In his time at UT-Martin, Byrd was a part of a staff that posted a 35-23 record. His

defense also held opponents to fewer than 30 points per game in four of his five seasons at UT-Martin. Under his supervision, Byrd’s defense was known as one of the top defensive teams in the Ohio Valley Conference.

Byrd will take over the SFA defense that ranked among the national leaders in numerous defensive categories in the 2015-16 season. Byrd will have the services of the two-time All-Southland Conference defensive performer John Franklin to anchor his defense for the upcoming season.

Another addition to the SFA football team was the

arrival of junior quarterback Sawyer. The 6-foot-5, 220-pound quarterback from Fort Worth will look to come in and make an immediate impact. He is expected to compete for a starting position, since former quarterbacks Zach Conque and Hunter Taylor graduated after the 2015-16 season.

Sawyer spent the last three seasons at Texas Christian University. He started two games for the Horned Frogs and

played in 12 total games. In those 12 games, he completed 37 of 82 passes for 433 yards and three touchdowns. Sawyer played his high school football at the prestigious All Saints Episcopal School in Fort Worth. He led the Saints in back-to-back TAPPS small-school state championships in the 2012-2013 seasons. During his last two years in high school, Sawyer combined to throw for 5,592 yards while flinging 79 touchdown passes. He also passed for 454 yards and six touchdowns in the state championship game. In his senior year, he was named the Star Telegram Player of the Year.

Conque said he is pleased to have a player like Sawyer join of the program.

“Sawyer is a very talented player looking for the opportunity to compete at the quarterback position,” Conque said. “He is a high character young man that will be an incredible asset to SFA football, both on and off the field. We are excited to be a part of his bright future.”

Sawyer is now one of the seven transfer players to be added to the Lumberjack football team before the National Signing Day period, which is on Feb. 1.

Three other coaches were added to the staff for the upcoming 2017-18 campaign. Lawson, a veteran defensive coach was the defensive coordinator for eight years at Southern Arkansas University. He will be the linebackers coach for SFA. Beasley will oversee the Lumberjack safeties, while Brown will run herd over the Lumberjack running backs.

Conque said he is excited to have all these new additions to the football program in place and added the staff and players will work together to build on the progress that has already being made.

Throughout this journey of life, there are three things that are guaranteed: death, taxes and salty Dallas Cowboys fans. The Dallas Cowboys are widely known as “America’s

Team” because no matter what time of the year it is, they will always find a way to become newsworthy. People all around the world tune in to either watch them win or to watch them lose, which is something fans don’t do for all the other NFL teams in the league.

This NFL season, the Dallas Cowboys, with their multi-million dollar playpen AT&T Stadium and their colorful owner Jerry Jones, made headlines ever y second of every day.

They drafted a rookie quarterback in the fourth round from Mississippi State Universit y named Dak Prescott and a high-motored running back from

Ohio State University named Ezekiel Elliott. These two rookies not only held down the fort for

the team, but they also led the team to an unexpected 13-3 record and a number-one seed in the NFL playoffs. People thought that Prescott would just calm the sea for some games before Tony Romo came back from his plaguing back injuries. Instead, Prescott played on another level and took Romo’s starting spot from him, leading the Cowboys on an 11-game win streak en route the NFL’s best record.

With the Cowboys getting a bye for the first round of the playoffs, every Cowboy fan, media member and analyst not named Stephen A. Smith or Shannon Sharpe had them going to Houston to play in the Super Bowl, but thank God for the Green Bay Packers.

I am a die-hard Green Bay Packers fan, so unlike all the other Dallas Cowboys fans out there, including my uncle, I can give the other teams credit. The Cowboys were the best team in the NFL. They had the best offensive line, the best rushing attack and a consistent defense and passing attack. However, even though they beat the Packers once during the season, I knew the playoff game would be a different story.

All Cowboys fans thought they were going to destroy the Packers like they did the first time around. My Green Bay Packers came into Jerry’s world and set the tone.

Aaron Rodgers and company scored 21 unanswered points on “America’s Team.” The first quarter was still in progress, and the Cowboys’ players and fans already looked

defeated. Of course the Cowboys got their act together and made a game out of it, but when the deck was stacked, my main man Rodgers made an all-time-great pass to tight end Jared Cook who did the Michael Jackson slide on the sideline to secure the catch that set up the game-winning field goal by kicker Mason Crosby.

Crosby was the real hero of this game, making three 50-plus-yard field goals that tied and won the game for the Packers.

After the game was over, Cowboys fans all over were making up excuses, as usual, as to why the Packers won. I heard many excuses, but I never heard the truth. The truth was the Dallas Cowboys underestimated the Green Bay Packers, and they dug themselves too

deep of a hole to get out of. Never underestimate the heart of a champion.

The following days were brutal for Cowboys fans as they couldn’t seem to get over how their team lost. On the Monday following the game, the world just seemed quiet. The air didn’t feel the same, TV didn’t look the same and people seemed dead.

It was great watching my Packers defeat the Cowboys in the most watched playoff game of all time, but it was even greater to see and hear all the reactions and excuses from the saltiest fan base known to man.

I understand that football in Texas is a religion, and the Dallas Cowboys are God to some people, but at the end of the day, it’s just a game.

I personally have no ill-will toward the Cowboys, and I couldn’t care less what they do. They can win all the games they want, just as long as they’re not playing the Packers.

I believe the young and promising backfield the Cowboys have, along with the offensive line and all the talented receivers, will be a force to reckon with for years to come, but this year wasn’t their time. As long as Rodgers and the Packers are in the NFC, the Cowboys will have to cut the cheese.

I have a message for Dallas Cowboy Nation: your team had a great year, but they lost fair and square. Prescott, Elliott and Dez Bryant all showed up to play, but the Cowboys still lost.

So quit crying, complaining and losing your mind over a team that doesn’t even know you exist. If you want to blame anybody for the loss, blame the coaching staff because they dropped the ball on numerous occasions throughout the game.

Jerry Jones doesn’t pay your bills, Elliott doesn’t put your kids through college and Prescott doesn’t put food on your table every night. The Dallas Cowboys lost, and the Green Bay Packers won—plain and simple. Go Pack go.

Devin BrooksSPORTS EDITOR

SPORTS COLUMN

Lumberjack football team bulks up coaching staff, roster with new additions all across the board, hopes to improve from last season’s losing record

The Lumberjack football team has added four new coaches and seven new players to their program during the offseason. With the addition of the coaches, the Lumberjacks have completed their coaching-staff search for the offseason and can now focus on recruiting the rest of their roster for the upcoming 2017-18 football season. National Signing Day is set for Feb. 1, and the Jacks’ coaching staff will work to build the team’s roster even more before the season starts next fall. Pictured from left to right: Running backs coach Jake Brown, defensive coordinator Jeff Byrd, linebackers coach Josh Lawson and safeties coach Ben Beasley.

Photos courtesy of SFA Athletics

“Jerry Jones doesn’t pay your bills, Elliott doesn’t put your kids through college and Prescott doesn’t put food on your table every night. The Dallas Cowboys lost, and the Green Bay Packers won—plain and simple.Go Pack go.”

Dallas Cowboys fail to cut the cheese in playoff game

“[Foster] Sawyer is a very talented player looking for the opporunity to compete at the quarterback position. He is a high character young man that will be an incredible asset to SFA football ...”

— head coach Clint Conque