Florida International University FIU Digital Commons The aP nther Press (formerly The Beacon) Special Collections and University Archives 4-28-2008 The Beacon, April 28, 2008 Florida International University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/student_newspaper Recommended Citation Florida International University, "The Beacon, April 28, 2008" (2008). The Panther Press (formerly The Beacon). 189. https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/student_newspaper/189 This work is brought to you for free and open access by the Special Collections and University Archives at FIU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in The aP nther Press (formerly The Beacon) by an authorized administrator of FIU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. A Forum for Free Student Expression at Florida International University Vol. 20, Issue 68 www.fi usm.com April 28, 2008 INTO THE REAL WORLD Pay attention: life may throw you a free drink XAVIER VILLARMARZO lege was much like yours. Staff Writer I was already anxious and excited, but it didn’t really I remember it like it was hit me until I went inside my yesterday. It was one of the fi rst class that I had no idea very few times in my life what I was going to do with when I woke up my life. refreshed and Six years energized. My and three major mom had already changes later, I picked out the leave no wiser perfect outfit by academically the time I got out than I did when of the shower. I I walked in. Of can still remember course that’s the smell of my hyperbole, but I new, blue plastic COMMENTARY realized that col- Power Rangers Xavier lege is as much lunch box, which Villarmarzo about the experi- she had already ence as it is about filled with a sandwich, the degree, if not more. PHOTO COURTESY MARBELY frozen Kool-Aid cooler, a Whether it’s developing banana and a Little Debbie your fi rst crush in class and SUPER SENIOR: Former SGC-UP Chief Justice Bill Buchanan will be getting his Bachelor degree in religious studies. Bu- brownie. going so far as to make a chanan is planning to take a year off from school and then return to FIU as law student or employee of the University. Then came the annoying study group to talk to her, pictures: outside the house being frustrated at a class with the new outfi t and book you just can’t seem to grasp, Farm life wasn’t for him, FIU sure was bag, with my sister and par- hating your professor, going ents outside the school, etc. endorsement from Sen. Connie Mack a farm. BEN F. BADGER JR. Yeah, my fi rst day of col- VILLARMARZO, page 2 Asst. News Director III and Sen. Bob Graham. “One day I was working on a farm His plan was to become the next and looked over to my uncle, who was When Omar Bill Buchanan III great military legend, but due to like 60 at the time, and I said I have to started his college journey in 2000 he an accident while playing football, get out of here,” Buchanan said. We all have a story had no idea how long his quest would Buchanan was forced to leave West With nothing more than a transcript be or how many twists and turns would Point. and his possessions Buchanan moved be involved. In addition to the rigorous curricu- to South Florida, knowing only a hand- to tell, now it’s time Buchanan started at West Point, an lum, there were physical requirement ful of people. One of his fi rst stops extremely prestigious military acad- as well. was FIU where he was accepted on emy that requires the recommendation “I could have forced the door open the spot. of a senator or house representative for a few more months,” Buchanan From the start Buchanan was very to fi nd an ending to enroll. said. “But I didn’t.” active on campus, even living in the The farm boy who grew up in After leaving West Point, Buchanan dorms. Before long he had managed GEOFFREY Maybe you’ll recall all Meadow, Fla. received not only a spent the next year in several odd jobs to intertwine himself with the core of ANDERSON, JR. the times your face lit up recommendation from Rep. Daniel including skydiving. But he would Life! Editor when you found a lone Miller, but also received a ringing have an epiphany while working on BUCHANAN, page 2 parking space on campus First, a word to the (thank you, Miami-Dade graduates: For many of Youth Fair). Perhaps you’ll Athletics’ graduation rates rebound us, college was remember all the best of times the new friends and it was the you made each JONATHAN RAMOS worst of times. semester, the Pete Garcia, Athletic Director Asst. Sports Editor As we sit same ones you “That’s why we’re in business. Our number one priority is here together at never saw again In the spring of 2007, FIU did not commencement after finals meet the minimum requirement that to ensure that our student athletes have all the resources waiting to get week. student athletes are supposed to set in and support to graduate and get their degree. on stage, I can Most likely, the classroom. honestly say that you’ll just look The Golden Panthers were penal- these past few back and be glad ized by the NCAA academic progress has ever graduated in a single semester, ensure that our student athletes have all years at FIU - COMMENTARY that last-minute rate and dealt with the loss of nine which caps off a very successful aca- the resources and support to graduate, four or fi ve for Geoffrey term papers and scholarships, the most in Division I. demic school year. get their degree, and get ready for the some, six to Anderson, Jr. cramming are What a difference a year makes. For Athletic Director Pete Garcia, outside world.” eight for others things of your FIU is set to graduate 44 student it’s business. The successful spring semester and more than that for the collegiate past (unfortu- athletes at the conclusion of this semes- “That’s why we’re in business,” he unlucky - will remain in nately, your procrastina- ter, the highest number the University said. “Our number one priority is to ATHLETICS, page 2 our minds for quite some time. ANDERSON JR., page 2 2 The Beacon – April 28, 2008 NEWS www.fi usm.com Be proud of your Student athletes have higher sons and daughters Fall GPA then regular students ANDERSON JR., page 1 fessor Mario Diament, an instruc- ATHLETICS, page 1 tor in the School of Journalism and tion habit isn’t). Mass Communications. Although follows a Fall semester that saw To all the parents in attendance, I enjoyed all of his lectures, there FIU’s student athletes have a I congratulate you: not for picking was one statement he made that higher cumulative GPA (2.90) up this newspaper, but for produc- struck a chord in me. than the student body. Also in ing a fine son and/or daughter He said that everyone had the Fall, 41 percent of student who will soon - if he or she isn’t a story to tell and that it was a athletes earned academic honors doing so already - contribute to journalist’s job to fi nd it. Since and 59 of 352 athletes made the our society in a particular area of then, I’ve interviewed a number dean’s list. Less than one percent expertise. of people, including illegal immi- of Fall classes were dropped. Your offspring have worked grants and the homeless, to fi nd FIU’s student-athletes have exceptionally hard to be here out their stories: the life decisions benefi ted from a budget increase today, so please be very proud of they made, their past and present at the Student-Athlete Academic them. Some of them worked even motivations and their thoughts for Center (SAAC), and a commit- harder at getting you tickets to the future. ment from administration. this special ceremony, so please The stories I heard, some heart- “It is a combination of the be grateful, too. breaking and others hopeful, coaches we have hired and the At the beginning of the semes- made me realize the truth in my administration,” Garcia said. ter, I was asked to write this gradu- professor’s statement: each of us “But the overall credit goes to ation column. I’d never written does have experiences that molded [FIU President] Modesto Maid- one before – surprise – but because us into who we are today, sitting ique, who has been very support- I had four months to think of a cen- in this arena - but this is just the ive since the day he hired me.” Garcia credits Maidique for tral theme, I wasn’t too worried. beginning of our journey. VICTORIA LYNCH/THE BEACON his drive to push the program Four months later, I’m just as So now, as you sit here eagerly CONTACT: Outfi elder Raimy Fuentes is among the many student athletes forward. confused as I was back then. You awaiting the sound of your name, who have seen an increase in academic support in Athletics. see, I can’t predict the future. I it’s my turn as a journalist to ask “Does he want to win?’ He don’t know what’s going to happen you a question: What’s going to wants to win at the highest level.