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Spring 1994 Gumbo Magazine, Spring 1994, Issue 2 Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College

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226 West State Street In The University Shopping Center 344-2324 Hours 10-9 Monday thru Saturday 12-6 Sunday 6 Campus Playback the spring semester in review SPRING 2 - 1994 Volume 5, Issue 4 ©Gumbo Magazine 11 Louisiana State University TV Clubs Attract The Gumbo Magazine and Fans the Gumbo Yearbook Merged Into One Bright, watching shows and Timely Publication Issued making friends Four Times A Year Andrew Wong T o12 Reviews N E38 22 Fashion c good food, reading, Resumes With a and movies are 28 a sarcastic look at recommended Twist clothing trends A Different Andrew Wong, Natasha new layouts for this Perspective Gast, Jennifer Stuart necessity David Guillet discovering LSU's small wonders 40 Tidbits 16 Jennifer Stewart fun facts about LSU Religious Contemplations 24 Where is it Now 33 42 living in a Christian Art For Crafts society the Glory and the Mardi Gras Past Sake Kara Nelson, Sherry Ma Dream? the holiday's history Cover illustration by looking at the displays dwindling campus Chris La Jamie of a recent exhibit Priscilla Duty. moral If you dare to try Missy Webster Melisse Campbell some new things, 18 you'll discover that Maturity Reaches 44 New Heights 36 Baton Rouge - our 26 Wassup Coming Soon to a town - can really be some students are Research Rat Theatre Near You changing the tradi­ pretty popular, possibly Race the Varsity is where a fun place. tional mold pretentious Les Lane animal testing on Andrew Smiley students go to listen to campus live music Cynthia Lott Pete Tattersall 46 STAFF Our Town 64 it really isn't all that 54 This Old School bad Here's to Your a look at LSU's history Chris La Jaunie Health Melisse Campbell Publisher an LSU researcher Office of Student Media brings helpful anti­ oxidants to the forefront 49 Kara Nelson 66 Editor YOU SAID IT Oldest Living Eimear K. O'Connell students contemplate Graduate the pros and cons of 56 Get it Girl from the class of 1912, the Baton Rouge night Grover Rees Managing Editor scene LSU women as sports­ Angela Wingate men Melisse Campbell Kristine Colongne 67 50 Design Editor 58 Risky Business Priscilla K. Duty Fiesta adventure sports are Louisiana festivals are Waste Away growing in popularity year round the Department of Chris Granger Design Assistant Chris La Jaunie Campus Safety handles Michele Myatt hazrdous materials Jay Casey Photo Editor Mark Morrison s Photographers Brian Baiamonte Salem Chenafi Jeremy Grassman T Miranda Kombert 61 70 Gang Lu 52 Glissant Glitters Batting Better Ashley Vorhoff NRap's Where a famous writer on than Average Advertising Representatives It's At campus The LSU baseball Corrinne Schroeder two students making it team's formula for Muriel Placet Vivian V. Timm big with bounce rap success Andrew Smiley Paul Poteet Circulation Manager Mike Drago

72 Adviser A Pro-Life Choice Pat Parish fetal tissue research gives hope to many Marcie Fisher Gumbo Magazine is written, edited and designed by LSU students. The opinions expressed herein are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent the views of the 81 editor, the magazine, the Office of Student Media or the Organization University. No part of this publication may be reproduced News without the consent of the Office of Student Media. The LSU There are hundreds of choices in Campus Hotel places to go for a good meal...... Comfortable, There is only one spacious guest rooms, recently Cafe Lcuisiane remodeled and GOOD FOOD, GOOD SERVICE, reasonably priced. REASONABLE PRICES Deluxe services available , including continental Cajun Food - Seafood - Steaks breakfast, evening refreshments, and Always a comfortable, casual atmosphere shuttle service to the Mon-Sat 11A-10P Lunch and Dinner Baton Rouge Metro airport. Cafe Louisiane For reservations call Cajun Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar 387-0297 2246 & ACADIAN THRWY.* BATON ROUGE. LA. 70808 PLEASANT HALL A TRUE TASTE OF LOUISIANA WE’RE PART OF T h e st r o n g est Fam ily o f b a n k s IN LOUISIANA.

CITY NATIONAL BANK CNB OF BATON ROUGE A First Commerce Corporation Bank. Member FDIC. Index to Advertisers Alcohol & Drug Abuse Council...... Inside back Paradise Records...... 1 C & R Automotive...... 95 Parkview Baptist Church...... Inside back Cafe Louisiane...... 4 Pleasant H all...... 4 City National B ank...... 4 Stadium Squares...... Inside back Coupon page...... 96 Student Health Center...... Inside front Daiquiri Cafe...... 95 Tiger Call...... 1 Expert Tunes...... Inside front, 96 Tiger Gift Center...... 95 LSU Dairy S tore...... 96 University Baptist Church...... 95 Our Lady of the Lake...... Back cover University United Methodist Church...... 95

PLAYBACK

A M ARCH W ITH M LK By Sharon McNab

It* ras easy to hear the sting of make the King holiday more nods, amens and “yes” choruses, palm against palm once Dr. meaningful than ever. The again and again. Maulana Karenga had spoken. committee’s aim was to “bring to In a loud yet raspish voice, The applause rang out almost life the inspiring vision of free­ Karenga said they were all gathered painfully from the emotional dom” of which King dreamed, “if “to raise and praise the name of crowd and expressed their grati­ only for a day.” Dr. Martin Luther King, to talk tude for that glimpse of the In Karenga LSU found a voice about his legacy and to make him “dream” which Martin Luther and an educator to deliver King’s living tradition.” He said King was King Jr. had said existed. message in ’90s parlance. Karenga, a “monument in our history” and Barely 10 p.m. on January 20, the creator of Kwanzaa, an Afri- “we must use every opportunity to 1994, you couldn’t really call it can-American holiday, is profes­ look at our history and ask what auspicious; yet, gathering them­ sor and chair of the Department lessons we can extract from it.” selves to leave the LSU Union of Black Studies at California The stage set, the occasion Theatre the audience felt moved, State University, Long Beach. agreed upon, Karenga said he had privy to a special event. Karenga is director of the Los An- to place King in context to discuss Indeed, Karenga’s address was geles-based Institute of Pan-Afri- him meaningfully. He said this the high point of the afternoon’s can Studies and chair of the man who “spoke his own special celebrations planned by LSU’s President’s Task Force on truth” was not a revolutionary but 1994 Martin Luther King Jr. Multicultural Education and a reformer, not an organizer but a Commemoration Committee. A Campus Diversity at CSU, Long preacher, not a Muslim but a solemn candlelight march through Beach. Christian. Karenga said he himself campus streets led the activities in It was 8:05 p.m. when Karenga was not a Christian and had some honor of the life and legacy of approached the lectern. The audi­ difficulty with King’s doctrine of King, the civil rights leader slain ence waited, hushed as at worship. non-violent resistance. Yet, he rec­ on April 4, 1968. There was no let down. Karenga ognized that was King’s ideal and The 1994 LSU Commemora­ delivered his lecture with the zest that the best ideal was to com­ tive Committee was operating un­ and energy expected of militants. pletely eliminate violence from hu­ der the banner “Social Activism as It was a stirring sermon and the man relations. a Way of Life” and wanted to church responded with quick An obvious admirer of Malcolm X, Karenga referred often to his teachings. He said Malcolm X taught that one of the most valu­ able lessons to be learnt from the study of history was the existence of “human possibilities.” Karenga said social activism was a way of life for King. He said King spoke directly to African-Ameri­ cans but was in reality speaking to all the oppressed of the world about human possibilities. He took the audience back to the period between 1600 and 1800, a time he calls the “holo­ caust,” when 14 million African- Americans were wiped out. These photo by Ashley Vorhoff are people, he said, “whose history The Martin Luther King Commemorative March on January 20, 1994, preceded we will never know, whose music Dr. Maulana Karenga's speech at the Union. we will never hear, whose narratives

6 GUMBO MAGAZINE photo by Ashley Vorhoff we willnever tell.” oe ad et hm fr the owntheir danced to whowomen for shame felt and women withmyth-smashing, some white- his with congregation his ward this said He oppression. own one’s in collaborating not meant sion” in a “black church.” The The church.” “black a in sion” playful breaksKarengare­would be must that culture “a said He spurned. tastes the oppressor’s said Karenga denigration. African-American manized dehu­ which rap vulgar decried He of whatmeans it black.”beto conception racist “a reaffirm that practices shunning and rhythm) (suchashasnaturalmanheblack meant destroying mythsabout the trembled... toldtheir ownsad tale. especiallyeveningdonnedthe for costumes noisy and cloths kente and spilled hall the out into night.The communion the left crowd vi­ religious “black King’s ating recre­proud,committee thedone a goodand true society. bashingand stridentcalls build to chuckles.wrong.” I’m More if me, “Rescue line characteristic such At oppressor. so-called the for mockery of moment a ... ter teachlove.”friendcannot bestman’sa isdog a teachesthat h clru eeig ended evening colorful The crowdroaredlaugh­with The activism social said Karenga aey 0 .. . Te air The ... p.m. 10 Barely had He spoken. had Karenga CAREER dent organizations.dent Center andand Co-op severalstu­ h Cre Pann, Placement Planning, Career the 3, the Feb.Ballroom Cotillion in Union Held Day. Career at ers byvariousup setemploy­ booths 1994, the eventthe was sponsored1994, by photo by Mark Morrison tdns rwe through browse Students PIG 1994 2 SPRING K C A B Y A L P DAY n te S Mri Lte Kn Commemorative King Luther Martin LSU the and ServicesStudent Minority of Office LSU the soredby series theonprinciple unity, of a gospela choirconcert, from Jan. 17 to Feb. 27, 1994. Other activities were Other a 1994. 27, Feb. to 17 fromJan. Committee. spon­were Activities run. freedom a and show talent the activities when celebrated LSU Black freedomHistory was CommemorativeMonth of March one theMLK This march. for candles light Herbert Chrestopher ae Wlim, aln ahntn and Washington Marlin Williams, James

photo by Jeremy Grossman a hl a te no te first the Union the at held was the beginning of beginningthe everyof semester. such as this one have come to mark he ek o col Pit sales Print school. weeksthree of MLK PRINT h pit ae n exhibition and sale print The 7 PLAYBACK

COMEDY NIGHT By Troy Blanchard

The Chicago-based Second City National Touring Company, which produced Saturday Night Live greats John Belushi and Bill Murray, appeared at the Union February 5, 1994. The comedy troupe was originally named for A.J. Liebling’s profile of Chicago published in 1959 in The New Yorker, entitled “Second City” (in contrast to New York as the first city). The group began in 1959 under the direction of Paul Stills, from the University of Chicago. The Second City act is per­ formed on an improvisational ba­ sis and includes much audience

participation. In one skit the cast photo provided by LSU Union Programs Department members asked the audience to name literary figures. The actors then participated in an improvisa­ tional story as these personae. ONCE IN A LIFETIME The material also included By Troy Blanchard well-rehearsed skits and special­ ized, researched satires on Louisi­ The production of Once in a ana. The troupe definitely lived up Lifetime proved to be another win­ to their billing and continued its ner for the LSU Theatre Depart­ strong tradition in comedy ment. Moss Hart and George S. improv. Kaufman’s satire on the early Hol­ lywood film industry opened Feb­ ruary 17, 1994, at the university theatre. The play was directed by John Dennis (former artistic direc­ tor for the Resident Ensemble of the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles) and featured Jackie Cabe in the role of George Lewis. The production focused on the plight of three former vaudeville performers in search of their slice of the glitz and glamour of the Hollywood lifestyle. The three out-of-work actors seek their for­ tune as voice trainers in the studios of Glogauer films. As the story builds, the trio realizes the idiocy of the moviemakers’ lifestyle. photo photo by Brian Baiamonte The cast gave an excellent per­ A scene from the LSU Theatre's production of O n ce in a Lifetime. The theatre also presented A Bright Room Called Day in early formance and appeared to enjoy it March. as much as the audience did.

8 GUMBO MAGA2INE PLAYBACK

POETRY IN MOTION By Jennifer Goundas

The session consisted of a live It could be said that critiques discussion between writers as to serve as the livelihood of the whether poetry should be pre­ writer. If this is true, then the free sented openly or read in private, or public workshop held for poets in both. the Atchafalya Room of the Union “What is happening in poetry Feb. 17,1994, probably gave birth today is a lot of poetry readings are to new ideas for some LSU stu­ becoming performances. It in­ dents. cludes voice, gesture, singing lines As part of the 22nd annual of the poem, acting out, and even Gathering of Poets, the workshop, having music,” said Michael S. although steering toward evaluat­ Weaver, poet, playwright, and ing the work of could-be poets, ac­ professor at Rutgers University. tually gave the writers more in­ “The generation of poets who sight into the expanding world of are now in their early or mid-20s the art of poetry’s presentation. have been doing this for about Oral poetry is the name of the seven years,” Weaver said. “People game; delivery, honesty and emo­ wanted to recapture the political tion are among the most impor­ ideas of the 1960s.” tant ingredients, according to The assembly of about 120 Patricia Smith, poet and staff people discussed their beliefs and writer for The Boston Globe. concerns about the presentation of “(This) is people getting value poetry. from poetry by listening to it. It is When asked what the most im­ relegated to dusty bookshelves. portant thing involved with poetry People are now realizing what po­ is, Weaver said, “poetry touches etry is all about,” she said. the human heart and the human soul.” photo photo by Jeremy Grossman

Shirley Chisholm, the first African- American woman elected to the U.S. Congress and a fighter for racial equality, spoke at the Union Theater Feb. 24, 1994. Chisholm's talk, "Who Speab for Us? Women and the Political Agenda," was sponsored by the LSU Ideas and Issues Com m it­ tee.

Michael Weaver, Patricia Goedicke, Patricia Smith and Tom Lux, four nationally known poets, participate in the 22nd an­ nual Gathering of Poets Feb. 17 and 18, 1994. The event included free workshops and formal poetry

photo photo by Jeremy Grassman readings.

SPRING 2 1994 9 CAMPUS PLAYBACK PLAYBACK SEXUALITY UPDATE WEEK By Jennifer Goundas

Sex is a skill that takes practice, getting to the student who works and it is becoming an increasingly o ff campus,” Hong said. She plans important issue in today’s society. to incorporate other events next “Part o f being able to practice semester which will be geared to­ safer sex is being able to feel com ­ ward including everyone on cam­ fortable with talking about the pus, including all types o f stu­ facts with other people,” said dents. Luoluo Hong, Wellness Educa­ H ong expressed a very deep tion Coordinator who oversaw the concern about verbal as well as organization and presentation of published usage o f the phrase “safe Sexuality Update Week. sex.” H ong said the only way to Held in various areas o f campus have safe sex is through absti­ from Feb. 7 to 11, 1994, the week nence. Condoms, it can be said, was all about opening up and ex­ make for safeER sex. She hopes pressing feelings about sex. that people realize the difference O n the first day o f SUW, the and believes that with the incorpo­ Second Annual Condom Olympic ration of new and improved pro­ brought about a different approach gramming, this will be taught to Billy Aymamf, an advertising major, participates in to sex education. everyone involved. the Condom Olympics in the Royal Cotillion Kris Hutchinson, a junior ma­ Ballroom on Feb. 7, 1994. joring in psychology, participated in the Condom Olympics, which included an event which entailed blowing up a condom as much as possible without bursting it open. Four teams o f students competed in this event which tested the lim­ its o f prophylactics. Pi Gamma Epsilon, W omen MUSIC Organizing Women, The Gay and Lesbian Student Association, and Delta Sigma Phi were among the groups that played condom games that day. The Student Health Advocates passed out approximately 2,000 condoms during the week to stu­ dents who might not actually take Rod Stewart came to the LSU the initiative to go buy the condom Assembly Center on March 19, themselves. 1994. Another big act that played While these educators feel the at the Assembly Center was The programs do work, a few showed M oody Blues, on Feb. 26, 1994. concern about reaching all student groups. “Students who are already ac­ tive always get involved with something like this. W e are not

10 GUMBO MAGAZINE REVIEWS

Cafe Mediterranean By J e n n i f e r S t e w a r t

Ever have a craving to try something different? How joy. The menu begins with choices of appetizers and sal­ about Greek, Lebanese or Turkish food? Well, the new ads. Then a list of the main dishes of sandwiches, veg­ Cafe Mediterranean at 3374 Highland Road #C offers a etarian plates, and Mediterranean specialties are yours to variety of delicious and ex­ pick from. Nothing on the otic dishes from these cul­ menu is priced over $6.95. tures. When I visited Cafe Medi­ Upon entering the cafe terranean I had the chicken you discover a simple set­ shawerma, a pita sandwich ting of wooden tables and filled with roasted chicken and chairs, sparsely decorated covered in a white tahini sauce. walls, and hear strains of It was great. My friend had an music from unseen speak­ authentic Greek gyro and said ers. You may seat yourself it was delicious. upstairs in the smoking For dessert we enjoyed or­ area or downstairs in the ders of baklava, a wonderful non-smoking area. Unfor­ Greek pastry filled with cinna­ tunately, there are no won­ mon. It was one of the most derful smells of food to fantastic desserts I have ever tempt you, so you are left had. The service was terrific. to decide from the limited Our waitress was yet intriguing selections of friendly and attentive. foods on the menu. Photo by Ashley Vorhoff I would recommend Cafe Mediterranean to anyone Whether you are the carnivorous type or a vegetarian, looking for good food at reasonable prices and a relaxed a health conscious type or just do not have any cares atmosphere. So try it and discover the wonderful cuisine about it at all, you will definitely find something to en- of the Mediterranean,

In B l a c k a n d W h i t e

viduals — a British “slacker”, a Outback. beautiful celibate woman, a sarcas­ Yet it is also dark and pessimis­ By A n d r e w Wong tic Aborigine, a hippy, a New York tic. The laughs are there to illus­ journalist and a Vietnam veteran trate the horrors. There may be no It is the near future. The Earth who lost his sexual organs — light at the end of the tunnel, no is slowly dying. The money-mak­ stumble across the STARK con­ happy ending. ers, and the true power brokers of Topics range spiracy and its horrific aims. This was Elton’s first novel. He the world have known this for from unre­ Along the way, we get to laugh is co-author of the famous British years, but what have they done quited love to at the inanities of everyday life. television comedies The Young about it? To protect their profits, Topics range from unrequited love Ones and Blackadder, and he is also they’ve stopped any real environ­ the green to the green vegetables you get a stand-up comedian. Published in mental clean-up operations and vegetables with your hamburger, from drug 1989, this book topped the best­ the consequences are finally com­ you get with use to student life. At some points, seller charts in England and Aus­ ing. Are they going to be respon­ your ham­ the little asides in the book read tralia, and a TV film of it was re­ sible for those consequences, or try like they’ve come straight out of cently made. I strongly recom­ and squirm their way out of it? burger, from Elton’s stand-up act, but it works mend this book if you want a This is the premise behind Ben drug use to equally well in novel format. The funny, yet serious read at the same Elton’s STARK one of the funni­ student life. novel ends with the heroes at­ time. Since it can’t be found in est, yet serious, novels I have ever tempting to save the world riding your average bookstore, the ISBN read. A group of concerned indi­ a camel through the Australian number is 0 7474 0390 2

SPRING 2 1994 11 REVIEWS

We all watch television either TV Clubs on our own, or at best with the people we live with and pretend to like. But now,there is a social ac­ tivity that combines watching tele­ Attract Fans vision with meeting new people. ferent view of the same thing.” All sorts of people turn up here. The TV clubs. Together with Sabo has never been to En­ We’ve got students, engineers, other clubs such as role playing, gland, but she gets about accountants— people from any­ these are slowly (in some cases, three-quarters of the cultural refer­ where and everywhere,” Sabo said. very slowly) losing their geek-like ences. However, based on the Brit­ If you’re interested in image and joining the echelons of ish people she has met, British TEAPOTT, the group meets mainstream society. television is totally unlike the Brit­ around 7:00 pm every second, TEAPOTT ish people. fourth, and fifth Wednesday of the The TEAPOTT group special­ “British television is month at Mr. Gatti’s, near the izes in showing British television off-the-wall and outlandish pre­ Student Health Center. Phone programs, old and new. The group cisely because most British people Kristin Sabo at 768-7815 for more is actually called “There’s A Pen­ aren’t ... They can sit in their details. guin On The Tele,” after a famous homes and chuckle at something STAR ONE DELTA Monty Python sketch. The group they wished they had said or O f course, when mentioning shows more British television than done.” cult television, two words immedi­ Monty Python though, from The So why show it in front of ev­ ately spring to mind. Young Ones through Blackadder to eryone? “It’s no fun watching this Star Trek can be credited with Red Dwarf, from A Very Peculiar stuff alone,” Sabo said. “Besides, if helping to create the first TV clubs Practice through Yes Minister to something’s good, why not share it and conventions, where fans could Inspector Morse and Taggart. with everyone ? get together and discuss the show. Kristin Sabo, the organizer, “We don’t charge any member­ Baton Rouge has its own Star Trek gets tapes of the shows through her ship fees or monthly dues for those club, called Star One Delta. British contacts, but then she has who attend,” she said. “Sometimes “We discuss the implications of to run them through a converter we’ll have 14 people here, and at the episodes, the production ... so they can work on the American other times it’ll be more like 50. people involved and things like TV system. The converter is a continued on page 14 unique piece of electronics which isn’t in your average student home. But that’s a small price to pay for good quality British television, Sabo said. “(The Brits) don’t have as many resources as American televi­ sion does, but they do manage to produce a higher percentage of brilliant shows. “For starters, British mystery shows are so much better. Most American mysteries will tell you who did it within the first scene, and I hate it when they assume the viewers are so stupid. “American sitcoms are so cli- ched ... they usually tell you the entire plot within the first two minutes,” Sabo said. Another member of the group, Paul Fisher, said, “British humor’s a bit more bizarre. They have that Photo Miranda by Kombert Photo dry humor. We tend to stick to the Ed Clayton, Edward Scroth, Glen Wagues, Parker Altice and Katrina Loewe, members of TEAPOTT, slapstick style. It’s basically a dif- watch British movies at Mr. Gatti's.

12 GUMBO MAGAZINE REVIEWS

time. It’s the closest you’ll get to sleep without sleeping. What’s that I hear? How do you become involved in such an adventurous pastime? Well, I’ve taken the liberty to include a list of beginner B-movies to introduce you to the wonderful world of veg­ etation. 1. Pigs — Basically a movie of a By Natascha Gast teenage girl who just recently es­ It’s late. Two in the morning to quires its followers to judge their caped from an insane asylum (who be precise, and as always you’re up. movies solely by the Golden Rule: would’ve guessed?). She goes to an With nothing else to do — this is the bigger the box, the better the out-of- the-way country town and Baton Rouge after all, not New movie. Try it out sometime. starts a job as a waitress for a small Orleans — you turn on the televi­ You’ll never go wrong. Those restaurant owned by an aging sion and wait for some cheerful boxes without pictures of actual gentleman who just can’t seem to infomercial with Cher or, better scenes from the movie on it are keep away from that extremely yet, that really annoying guy who usually even better. Especially the large and well placed peephole be­ tells you how to become a success ones with the crayon drawings. tween their bedrooms. Oh, by the just like him without ever having I suppose a clarification should way, he also owns killer pigs. graduated from high school. In­ be made between a cult classic, a The "good 2. Fat Ethel Part Two — Due stead you find yourself in the cheap B-movie, and a cheap B- to budget cuts (sound familiar) the middle of a double feature of Can­ movie which tried to be a real Samaritan" local insane asylum is being forced nibalistic Children From the Planet movie but failed miserably. Some to release some of the less danger­ Zoltan (fictional) and Incredible people regard such decent cult ous patients and Ethel is back out turns out to be Strange Creatures Who Stopped classics as The Rocky Horror Pic­ on the streets. She gets as far as the Living and Became Mixed Up Zom­ ture Show, I Spit on Your Grave, nearest halfway house where she bies (non-fictional ... scary isn’t Night of the Living Dead The Hills the crazed begins another killing spree, the it?). Suddenly, as the last zombie is Have Eyes, and Attack of the Killer last one being when she murdered being decapitated, you realize the Tomatoes (part one and two) as her family and friends 13 years killer all our sun is coming up behind the cheap trash worthy of the late ago. And why is she so angry to­ blinds. Another night construc­ night feature. This just ain’t so. ward society? Nothing comes be­ tively spent. These movies actually have plots mothers have tween Ethel and her refrigerator. So what exactly is the appeal of (as odd as some may be), develop 3. Incredible Strange Creatures Who Stopped Living and Became these cheap (and I mean really characters (at least we believe they warned us cheap) B-movies? Sure, the occa­ might be genuinely afraid of the Mixed Up Zombies — Repeated sional insomniac will reply it’s ei­ slow and painful death which again simply because of the title ther that or the aforementioned awaits them), and have some type about since which explains it all. Also a musi­ infomercial, but what about those of entertaining features (even if it cal, an added bonus. cheap-horror-movie fanatics? You can only be seen by a sick mind). grade school 4. Barn of the Naked Dead — know the ones I mean. They gen­ Hence, they require at least some Three members of an all-girl rock erally are able to not only recite kind of actual thought. band have their first big booking who chains from memory every movie ever The basic plot of all true cheap in San Francisco, but first they shown on the Captain USA show horror flicks is the stereotypical: must get there. O f course their car (which was replaced by the not so girl meets boy, girl meets monster, women to the breaks down on the way. The culturally enlightening Up All boy meets monster, girl finds de­ “good Samaritan” turns out to be Night), but also know the name of capitated body of boy, girl the crazed killer all our mothers floor of his Captain USA’s trusty sidekick. screams, girl gets naked, girl gets have warned us about since grade They’re the same ones who not killed. The End. The beauty of school who chains women to the only stay up late to watch the mov­ the true B-movie is the ability to barn. floor of his barn. Who comes to ies, but actually go to the video drift in and out of it without los­ their rescue? The mutated-due-to- store and rent them for $3.50 a ing any plot or character structure. improperly-disposed-of-govern- piece. Sick, truly sick. In other words, you get to actually mental-nuclear-waste father of the Most importantly they are true vegetate while still consciously man who has been locked in the believers in the Big Box Theory. thinking of all the better things outhouse by his son for the past Simply put, this philosophy re- you could be doing with your couple of years. Who else?

SPRING 2 1994 13 REVIEWS

5. Slumber Party Massacre Part ter cause is to make 20 more In­ TV C lu b s Two— The lone survivor of the credible Strange Creatures Who continued from page 11 last slumber party decides to go to Stopped Living and Became Mixed that,” said member Michael Scott. another one. She begins to have Up Zombies (I just like saying the “Some of the people in the group flashbacks of the last party and title). have an engineering background when she tries to warn her friends, Whatever the reason, B-movie and so they discuss the scientific of course, not one of them believes mania is here. Aside from appeal­ possibilities of Star Trek. We also her. Needless to say, they all die in ing to a certain taste, perhaps these talk about books and other fanciful ways. cheap flicks are simply a good re­ science-fiction genre items. We’re 6. The Rats Are Coming the lease — a change from movies much like any other fan club - we Werewolves Are Here — The which require intellect. But prob­ basically talk the subject to death!” women wear antebellum style ably, it’s just because we miss Star One Delta started up after hoop skirts and talk with British Lefty, Captain USA’s trusty side­ they organized a convention in accents while the men wear blue kick, so much. His sidekick was Baton Rouge which featured jeans and tennis shoes. To tell the his left hand with lips, remember? DeForest Kelly (“Bones” McCoy) truth, I’m still not sure what this and Walter Koenig (Chekov). movie is about. They’ve been around for eight 7. Psychomania — A teenage years and the membership cur­ motorcycle gang decides that the rently numbers around 30. road to immortality is through “When we first started the death. A voodoo curse always group, video recorders weren’t as helps though. The basic plot con­ widespread as they are now. The sists of the gang inventing new material wasn’t widely available, ways to off themselves without de­ so groups were formed,” Scott stroying too much body tissue. said. “Now anyone can get their 8. Generally speaking, any hands on the material, so the movie with the phrases “Double groups are basically more of a so­ Feature,” “Godzilla Meets ...” or a cial function now.” picture of Elvira on the box will Scott readily admits that some do. of those who turn up are “science 9. Ganjasaurus Rex— The fed­ fiction geeks,” but most of them eral government decides to shut are just fans, ranging from stu­ down the local marijuana ring. dents to professional engineers. They run into trouble when the They also get women and local junkie, a pre-historic, 400- couples. “That’s quite an interest­ foot monster who is searching for ing combination. Usually you’ll his favorite strain of marijuana get one member of the couple cannabis sequoia, intervenes to who is a rabid science-fiction save the crop. groupie, but then the other person 10. Mountaintop Motel Massa­ will generally help to balance the cre— Don’t disturb Evelyn. She couple out,” he said. Scott also already is. Is there anything more draws a firm line between a to say? Trekkie and a Trekker. Please, I repeat, please do not “I’m definitely a Trekker, not a confuse these movies with true Trekkie,” he said. “Trekkers have trash. And when I say trash, I a serious attitude to Star Trek. We mean all those big-budget movies discuss the technical side, the that actually tried to be real mov­ characterizations, the story line. ies and failed pathetically. Some Trekkies just say ‘Ooooh, isn’t recent examples would be Innocent Data or Spock cute?’.” Blood, Sleepwalkers (a work which The Star One Delta club meets pains true Stephen King fans), and on the third Sunday of every any movie with four or more se­ month at 2:00 p.m. at the Mr. quels to it. It’s not entertaining to Gatti’s on the Essen and Perkins think that all the money wasted on junction. such films could have gone to so many better causes, even if the bet­

14 GUMBO MAGAZINE FEATURES

C ontem plations

E veryday in A m erica, and at L SU , non-C hristians

are surrounded by references to C hristian doctrine. By Kara Nelson and Sherry Ma

s citizens of the vout, but that there is a tradition LSU of 60 or 70 members. United States, a of Christianity in their families Beth Ozbourne, a former land sought initially as a haven of and they have chosen no alternate president of Hillel and a first year religious freedom, many Ameri­ religion for themselves. It also law student at LSU, said the prob­ cans might correct you if you means that they might not notice lem she encounters most often called their society a “Christian” the countless references to the among other students is igno­ society and remind you of the free­ Christian God in their daily lives. rance. Simply put, many people dom of choice guaranteed to all Starting in grade school, are we don’t know the first thing about citizens. But, recall if you will, the not taught to stand before the flag Judaism. precise nature of the freedom for and pledge allegiance to “one na­ She finds it frustrating that “the which the pilgrims hungered. Yes, tion under God”? And, every day, majority has become so lax that it was “religious freedom,” but it do we not earn and spend currency they have not taken any time to was, for their purposes, limited to marked with the words “IN GOD learn about others.” Upon telling a Christian spectrum. They did WE TRUST”? But what effect do "Then he someone that she is Jewish, she has resist the political power of both such things have on the non- actually been asked on four or five asked if I the Roman Catholic Church and Christian who is confronted with occasions, “What’s the difference the Anglican Church, but not be­ between Christianity and Juda­ them? And how does the non- knew Jesus cause they wanted to practice Bud­ Christian LSU student feel when ism?” The main difference is that dhism or Islam. So, while the he passes in front of the Union and Christ. Of Jewish people do not believe that founders of this nation made the is bombarded with the cries of a Jesus Christ was the Son of God. separation of church and state top fervent Christian preaching from course I They are still waiting for the first priority, what they built was essen­ atop a bench to passers by? How coming of the messiah. So, instead tially a nation founded on Chris­ do they feel when they find them­ knew. I've of studying the Bible, they have tian principles. And although the selves in the midst of Christmas or the five books of Moses, the To­ United States has no official reli­ Easter festivities? seen Ben rah. Also, their sabbath is on Sat­ gion, Christianity is still the most Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and urday rather than Sunday, and Hur." common among its people. Buddhism are four of the “other” some Jews follow a Kosher diet, Because most Christian Ameri­ religions practiced by a number of which, among other specifica­ cans have extensive Christian students at LSU. Still, even taking tions, does not include ham, pork, backgrounds, they probably do the number of students that prac­ or shellfish. not notice the references and im­ tice these four religions combined, Yet, even those students who plications of Christian doctrine they are a minority. have a basic understanding of Ju­ and belief that are imbedded in so JUDAISM daism often rely on arbitrarily held many aspects of our country. A Lou Goldman, the director of stereotypes to form opinions of non-Christian individual, on the the Jewish Federation of Greater Jewish individuals. Goldman finds other hand, would be more likely Baton Rouge, estimates there are it disturbing and degrading that to pick up on these references be­ about 100 to 130 Jewish students many people believe that “all Jews cause such words and concepts are now attending LSU. The federa­ are rich ... that we have inordinate unfamiliar to their ears. tion is a non-profit agency that power ... that we control the gov­ The majority of LSU students does fund raising mainly for Jew­ ernment.” are Christians. This doesn’t mean ish causes. It also funds Hillel, a Matthew Silverman, a senior in they are necessarily pious or de­ Jewish student organization at English and member of Hillel, said

SPRING 2 1994 15 FEATURES

many stereotypes are reinforced ing of one who was most worthy to treatment of women, but in many especially in a southern city such receive it — Mohammed, the Arab countries, as in most other as Baton Rouge where there are prophet of Allah. countries, men have been ruling... probably no more than 500 Jewish Most Muslim students at LSU and use their power to oppress families in residence. are not only of a different religion women,” he said. “When I meet new people, they but also of a different nationality. Marouf said, “Women are be­ expect me to be so different be­ The significant overlap of these ing mistreated, but it is not the Is­ cause they’re not exposed to Juda­ two factors in the lives of these stu­ lamic way. Men and women are ism on a regular basis,” Silverman dents from Arab countries makes it equal under the Koran.” said. difficult to distinguish the reli­ Still, there are many aspects of But one of his most recent and gious barriers from the cultural Islam that seem unfair and sexist to irritating experiences involved a barriers they face as they try to ad­ many westerners. For instance, the guy who did not know that just to life at LSU. traditional dress of the Muslim Silverman was Jewish. Silverman, Said Bettayeb, computer sci­ woman usually includes a veil. who works at Union West Mini ence professor and faculty advisor Also, according to the Koran, a Market, recently overheard a cus­ for the LSU Muslim Student Asso­ man may have as many as four tomer who had to write a check for ciation, helps many new Muslim wives and can divorce any one of a very small amount say, “I can’t students adjust to life in the States them, for any reason simply by say­ believe I have to ‘Jew’ down and after they experience what he con­ ing “talaq” three times in her pres­ write a check for $1.50.” siders to be basically “culture ence. (“Talaq” is the formula for Silverman was angry, not so much shock.” divorce.) A Muslim woman, on at the individual himself but at the Marwan Marouf, president of "I don't the other hand, finds it virtually anti-semitic jargon he had prob­ the Muslim Student Association, impossible to divorce her husband. ably unwittingly inherited. said even though they have few expect to (She is only allowed to have one.) Ozbourne said she finds it espe­ people and little resources, they Chris Jackson and Cat Stevens cially difficult to be in the non- feel it is their responsibility to con­ are two celebrities who have con­ Christian minority during Chris­ vey their message and to help the walk into a verted to Islam. tian holidays. At Christmas time, community. The word “religion” HINDUISM it is almost impossible to ignore in Arabic is defined as a way of life. McDonald's To an outsider, Hinduism the decorations, the music, the Marouf believes that the social, seems unbelievably exotic, with a gifts, and the celebrations going political and economic aspects of wild array of colors and pageantry. and see an on all around — and all to com­ an individual’s life should “all be Its multitude of gods and various memorate an event that has no governed by your religious beliefs.” cults are more than enough to meaning in her life. She realized Marouf said among Christian stu­ Indian overwhelm any person raised she could not escape it when, dents there is a general lack of in­ against a monotheistic back­ while walking across campus, she terest in religion, and that this con­ ground. The gods are there for you munching on heard Christmas hymns being trast to the Muslim way is one of to choose; You can pray everyday, played from the Memorial Tower. the reasons that interaction among or not pray at all. It does not make ISLAM Muslim and non-Muslim students a Big Mac." you any more or less religious than To most Americans, Islam is is low. the next Hindu. even more of a mystery than Juda­ “LSU is one of the top party The concept of reincarnation is ism. Mohammed, the founder of schools ... Many students couldn’t fundamental to being a Hindu. the Muslim religion was born 570 care less about knowing another But, you carry the consequences of years after the birth of Christ. religion or philosophy, because all your past actions; and what you Muslims believe that though he they don’t even care enough to get do in this life can seriously affect was illiterate, he was inspired by to know their own,” he said. what will happen to you in your the angel Gabriel to write the Ko­ Bettayeb said that, from his per­ next. ran, the holy book of Islam. spective, there is not much of a So how do Hindus here fit into Mohammed was the last and problem (visibly) with prejudice the Christian society and the greatest of God’s prophets who against Muslim students, but dur­ American lifestyle? also include Adam, Noah, ing the Gulf War there seemed to “I don’t expect to walk into a Abraham, Moses and Jesus. So, be more tension. McDonald’s and see an Indian both Jewish and Christian ele­ According to Bettayeb, the big­ munching on a Big Mac,” said Dr. ments come into play in Islam, but gest misconception about Islam Guy Beck, assistant professor of Muslims believe that the Koran has to do with the treatment of religion at LSU. Cows are sacred existed in heaven since the begin­ women. because they were listed in the holy ning of time and awaited the com­ “Islam never allowed the mis­ scripts as one of the seven mother

16 GUMBO MAGAZINE FEATURES

figures. This concept is so in­ that bothers me though is that kids won’t believe in any at all,” grained in an Indian’s conscious­ Christians tend to think of others said Nigam, half-jokingly. ness that “even Indians who are as heathens. Holidays such as Christmas thoroughly Americanized will “There have been three at­ and Easter seem to hold little reli­ probably hesitate to eat beef.” tempts so far to convert me to gious importance to them since According to Beck, “The Indi­ Christianity and I can’t say I ap­ they are indifferent to Christian­ ans who have already settled down preciate them. The first time I was ity. They merely regard these oc­ and raised families (in Baton standing outside Cortana Mall casions as a chance to kick back Rouge) are much more open waiting for a bus. A total stranger and have some fun. “Saying about their religious practices. She realized came up to me and asked if I were ‘Merry Christmas’ is like saying They have built a new Hindu- a Muslim. I said no, I was a ‘Happy New Year’ to me, I am Vedic Society ... and the people she could not Hindu. Then he asked if I knew wishing people well, that’s all,” who attend are, by material stan­ Jesus Christ. O f course I knew. Nigam said. dard, quite American. But on the escape it I’ve seen Ben Hur. I’ve been to BUDDHISM other hand, they are very pro- church on Christmas Day. But he Buddhism is not entirely unfa­ when, while Hindu ... and they always make insisted on asking if I really knew miliar to mainstream Americans sure their children know some­ walking Jesus,” he said. today with high-profile Buddhist thing about Hinduism.” “I interpret Hinduism in its celebrities such as Richard Gere Aravind Somanchi, a Ph.D stu­ across broadest sense. I believe we have and Tina Turner, not to mention dent in the Department of duties here on Earth, and in the the Dalai Lama who won the Botany, is the president of the In­ campus, she midst of doing our duties, it’s nice Nobel Peace Prize in 1989. dian Student Association of LSU. and it’s enough to just think about “People on campus just don’t However, he is not a fervent heard God, whatever or whoever it is, realize there are Buddhists here. Hindu. once in a while,” Somanchi said. We could be walking all around “People who are very religious Christmas Sachit Verma shares his apart­ them and they wouldn’t know,” tend to sit down and pray as soon ment with an old schoolmate from said Huyen Van, a junior in edu­ hymns being as they come out of the shower,” New Delhi, Punkaj Nigam. Both cation who came to America from Somanchi said. played from are studying chemical engineering. Vietnam about 10 years ago. “One “There are many festivals in Verma and Nigam call them­ reason is that when you pass by Hinduism, almost every month the Memorial selves Hindus, but more because some acquaintances on your way there is a festival. The pious Hin­ of the Hindu traditions of their to class and chit-chat, you don’t dus try to obtain a Saka calendar, Tower. perspective families than any really talk about each other’s reli­ which is different from the strong personal beliefs. gion.” Gregorian calendar, to determine “My grandparents believed in “I try to keep an open mind exactly on which day a certain fes­ about 20 or 30 gods. My own par­ about other religions,” Van said. tival falls and celebrate it as much ents believed in about five to 10.1 “But I don’t like people trying to as possible in the way it is cel­ believe in one or two. Probably my continued on page 80 ebrated in India,” he said. “But even if some Hindus are relaxed, their upbringing dictates a certain lifestyle. There are things very few Indians would ever do, here or anywhere, such as premari­ tal sex. “Even dating is not accepted at home, not in the way it is accepted here. I have been here for two years, 26 months to be exact. I have never asked anybody out, I just don’t see myself doing that. Nobody has asked me out and I wouldn’t know what to do if any­ body did,” he said. “Christianity is nothing new to me. I like Jesus Christ, his ideas and what he had done. I like it in Baiamonte Brian by photo a storybook sort of way. One thing What they built was essentially a nation founded on Christian principles.

SPRING 2 1994 17 FEATURES Maturity Reaches

When returning to college, nontraditional students New Heights

find out that older doesn’t necessarily m ean easier. B y Les L a n e photos by Miranda Kombert

Kathy Strobe and Richard Babin, third year landscape architecture students, wait for class to begin.

Bill speaks three languages. In 1973-74, he didn’t return to LSU pursuing graduate degrees. the ’60s he was a rock musician in to get his bachelor’s degree in Ger­ When asked what their majors Ivy Peoples Medicine Show, char­ man until 1990. are, all of them chimed in “Social tering planes to gigs in surround­ “Just coming back after a 20- " W e 'r e Studies.” ing states. By the early ’70s he was year absence was odd. In a way ev­ “We’re going to save the studying classical and flamenco erybody looked so young ... really g o in g to world,” Ellen, 36, quipped. guitar with the world-renowned young. It looked like high school,” "... As soon as we get our lives Carlos Sanchez, and during the Bill said of his first few weeks as a sa v e the put back together,” 35-year-old late ’70s and ’80s he made a good 39-year-old undergraduate. Angel added. living playing Spanish guitar in Rachel, Ellen, Angel, Diane, w o r ld ." These LSU students are repre­ New Orleans, San Antonio, Dal­ Margaret and Keith are a group of sentative of an increasingly wide­ las, Chicago and Boston. “nontraditional,” or older, stu­ spread phenomenon. Across the Though Bill went to school dents gathered around a table at nation older students are returning part time from 1969-70 and the Union Cafeteria. They are all to school in record numbers, and

18 GUMBO MAGAZINE FEATURES

not just in graduate programs. Students older than 24 accounted for 44 percent of all undergradu­ ates in 1990, and by the year 2000 they are expected to represent half of all undergraduates, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. LSU may reflect the national trend. Out o f 20,040 undergradu­ ates for the 1993 fall semester, 3,818 (19 percent) were between the ages of 25 and 75 — up 4 per­ cent from 1988, when 3,396 were in that age range. These figures, from the Office of Budget and Planning, are only an estimate since registration forms are often almost illegible and because some may lie about their age. But they serve to bring closer to home what has become a major demographic shift nationwide. Continuing education is an idea whose time has come. Diane, 36, is a wife and mother who does not live on campus. As a result she is pulled in many differ­ ent directions. She said she has more trouble with energy than she does with learning. This is not uncommon with older students, since having a family and returning to school can be very taxing mentally (Who goes where at what time, and what time are they to be picked up? Does it fit into my schedule? What if one car is down? What about the laun­ dry, shopping and houseclean- ing?), physically ( Haul the grocer­ ies around. Haul the books around. Haul the baby around. Jaan Ingle, a Ph.D. candidate in linguistics, walks through the quad with her son, Martin. Haul the baby and books around together.), and emotionally (The person that you were, you’re torn depth instead of variety, he said. children miss you. Your spouse between two worlds,” she said. To be “torn between two worlds” misses you. The dog misses you. Dr. Bernard Atkinson, director "... they at this stage can therefore be very You miss you.). of Mental Health Services at the can be difficult. “It’s a lifestyle change,” Angel Student Health Center, explained both a The most obvious difference said. “You sort of alienate yourself this problem of trying to straddle between older and younger stu­ from the life that you had before. two lifestyles. Older students are joy and a dents is a physical one, and college You change friends. You change typically in the “intimacy vs. isola­ pain to can be physically demanding. your routine, and some of your tion” stage of psycho-social devel­ instruc­ There are books to carry and friends will follow over with you opment. During this stage a per­ sometimes considerable distances and they’ll be okay with it ... but son is looking to settle down into tors." to walk or run between classes. In some of them won’t. somewhat predictable circum­ addition, sleep is often a distant “Even though you are the same stances and work on relationship memory to a college student. For

SPRING 2 1994 19 FEATURES

the nontraditional student, the would always get us involved in dean of Teacher Education, agreed physical strain coupled with real- the discussion. He was very outgo­ that older students may be out of world commitments requires extra ing.” practice. motivation, ingenuity and aca­ For th e Okay. So older students can do “In a lot of ways they’re aca­ demic drive. it physically. What about men­ n o n tra d i­ demically rusty, so they have to Nicole, a 19-year-old liberal tally? Can they keep up with learn how to learn again. But older tio n a l arts major, admired an older stu­ bright, young adults who have students are somewhat more seri­ dent in one of her classes who pos­ student, the been attending school ever since ous of purpose. They are more sessed these characteristics. p h y sic a l they were knee-high to a working clearly directed in what they want “There’s, this one particular strain parent? to do,” he said. lady who looks like she’d be a Kimberly, a 19-year-old envi­ Because of this seriousness of c o u p le d grandmother. She has a little thing ronmental management systems purpose they can be both a joy and that’s used to carry suitcases that with real- major, said she noticed a differ­ a pain to instructors. England said she uses to carry her books, and I w o rld ence between older and younger older students are less likely to play think that’s neat,” she said. c o m m it­ students in her trigonometry class games with the instructor or take Another 19-year-old, Melanie, last year. m e n ts shortcuts. But, at the same time, Was impressed with a physically “(Older students) are a lot they’re less likely to worry about re q u ire s challenged older student. more interested in study period what the instructor wants and less “I had an English class with this e x tra and paying attention, yet a lot of tolerant of poor instruction. He older man. He had gotten into an motivation, them are a little more lost because explained older students may be accident and he was paralyzed ... in g e n u ity they haven’t been to school in so making a mid-life investment in but he participated a lot. I think a long,” she said. “They weren’t in a n d a c a ­ their future by coming back to lot had to do with the fact that his sync with what was going on as school, and it means a lot to them major was physical therapy, so he d e m ic much as students my age because to have quality experiences and could help other victims of acci­ d riv e . we’ve gone to school since we were quality courses. dents,” she said. “I think that had in kindergarten, and school is all “(Older students) have been in to do with why he was so active in we’ve known.” more stressful situations (than all the classes. He was the one who Dr. David England, associate younger students) and they under­ stand their own coping skills and strategies better,” he said. Dr. David Wetzel, a chemical engineering professor, said, “The real question here if they (older students) went to school sometime ago is ‘How are they performing now compared to how they per­ formed then?’ not ‘How they are performing now on an absolute scale?’ My suspicion is that most of them are doing better. “Younger students are moti­ vated to memorize anything you drop in front of them. In class they ask questions like, ‘Is this going to be on the test?’ not ‘Is this impor­ tant for my career?’ or ‘Is this im­ portant to my understanding of the world?’ Older students won’t do that. They want to understand it, and won’t sit still for pure memorization,” Wetzel said. Allen is a 35-year-old under­ graduate in Industrial Engineer­ ing. Seventeen years ago he at­ tended college for one year, then Bill, 39, and wife April, 32, study together in the Union. quit school to work.

20 GUMBO MAGAZINE FEATURES

“I was working construction jobs. I’d bounce around from job to job — never could really get es­ tablished in something I really wanted to do, and jobs were hard to find. So I decided to come back to school to try to make a specific goal for myself,” he said. He ex­ plained almost shyly that he is meeting his language tutor. He is studying Japanese. “It’s a tough language,” he said. Dr. Gary Crow, associate pro­ fessor of education, said that from a returning student’s point of view college is an artificial environment where different rules apply. “If you’ve been in the work force for a while the chances are pretty good that you’ve achieved some kind of mastery. Whereas if you’re coming straight out of col­ lege, or are in college, mastery is not an issue. Mastery has to do with whether or not you pass a test. “Mastery for nontraditional students has been achieved in terms of their work experience. They’re walking into a situation where mastery is defined in a very different kind of way. It’s defined by professors and students,” Crow said. But, nontraditional students may have an edge on most of their younger counterparts. Atkinson said people between the ages of 16 Cathy Poupciau, a Ph.D. candidate in sociology, browses through the reference books and 25 are working through the “identity vs. role confusion” stage and when their income changes, hours of classes, and I’ve had to of development, defining who their customary lifestyle changes, drop down to nine hours of they are and where they want to go sometimes very noticeably. Finan­ classes. I have bills to pay you " In a w a y in life. During this period they try cial support from parents is long know,” Allen said. on different identities and often forgotten for most older students. e v e r y ­ Bill is still in school, pursuing a experiment with sex, drugs, O f the six students in the Union b o d y master’s in philosophy. His wife lifestyles, majors, social groups, Cafeteria, Ellen and Diane are be­ April, 32, is a mother, graduate etc. ing supported solely by their l o o k e d s o student in comparative literature According to England, older spouses; Rachel has spousal sup­ y o u n g ... and a Russian instructor. In addi­ port as well as a loan; Angel is us­ tion to being a husband, Bill takes students are generally more settled r e a l l y and secure economically. They ing a trust fund; Keith, a 33-year- the time to share the responsibility have made money, and they may old single father, is working full y o u n g . It of raising their 2-year-old. He also have saved enough to finance their time and has a loan; and 24-year- l o o k e d manages to tutor German, teach education. But they often have to old Margaret is being supported by guitar and occasionally perform, lik e h i g h be willing to sacrifice a great deal. her parents. in addition to working as a Older students may have to Allen works full time. s c h o o l . " teacher’s assistant 20 hours a week quit work or at least decrease their “Sometimes I’ve worked 40 in order to pay for his schooling hours in order to attend school, hours a week, and tried to take 15 and other expenses.

SPRING 2 1994 21 FEATURES

R e s u m e s

W ith trends in art and design, some employment seekers have chosen to abandon the usual resume format in favor of adding colors and creative style.

By David Guillet Every college student has to have a resume. A good resume is ply a miniature resume about fessor and owner of a local design the first step into the job market twice the size of a business card, to shop, said a creative approach is and its construction is crucial. In be folded and placed in a wallet or essential in the job search. most cases, a resume will be the ini­ coat pocket. These would be use­ “Creativity is the raw material tial contact with a prospective em­ ful if a job seeker met personally for most any job,” she said, adding ployer. What is stated and how it is with a potential employer before a that creativity does not necessarily presented will have a tremendous formal interview. mean bizarre. effect on getting an interview, Some applicants take this ap­ Although the creative approach much less a job. It used to be that proach a step further. Lea Wilson, is potentially useful in any area, every student was told to do a graduating senior in graphic de­ both Peters and Discherry agree it resumes one way: simply with cen­ A major sign, has a 4-by-6-inch spiral- is most effective when used in the ter-spaced black type on white pa­ bound booklet as her resume. The creative fields such as art, design or per. But now a growing number of difference booklet has several grey pages advertising. people are breaking away from tra­ which contain her history, experi­ According to the Louisiana Job dition in hopes of making them­ ence and other information, with Seekers Guide in Middleton Li­ in these selves stand out and getting every each being separated by a smaller, brary, the imaginative approach to edge possible. different-colored divider sheet. resume writing should be re­ With trends in art and design, new The most creative aspect of stricted to “applicants seeking jobs some employment seekers have Wilson’s resume is that it folds that require originality of expres­ chosen to abandon the usual neatly into a self-mailer package. sion.” The guide states the ap­ resumes is resume format in favor of adding “It’s not the kind you would proach should never be used for colors and creative style. Bright send to most businesses, but as a executives or clerical work. colored paper or painted names the letter­ design major, they want to know But regardless of this growing across the top of the page are some you’re creative capability, even on trend, some are still staunch sup­ techniques being used. Another ex­ ing style... a resume,” she said. porters of the old guard. ample is using paper that doesn’t fit Nanette Discherry, director of Judy Vargas, a director at the usual dimensions. This way, advertising for the Louisiana Lot­ LSU’s Career Planning and Place­ when employers shuffle all the tery, strongly advises applicants to ment Center, said there is little resume into a stack, the one that use color in the headings of their space for creativity in resume writ­ just doesn’t fit automatically com­ resumes, larger lettering for their ing. Judging from the huge mands special attention. headings, layouts different from amount of resume she sees each A major difference in these new the conventional center spacing, semester, Vargas said art tends to resumes is the lettering style, with and anything else that may help to take away from the professional possibly large, colored letters stat­ grab attention. look of a resume, like a “loud” tie ing the applicant’s name, or put­ “These kinds of resumes are might take away from a tuxedo. ting information in lower-case let­ uncommon as of now, but the Oversized paper, in her opin­ ters down one column. Also, some ones I have seen certainly stand ion, looks “like someone ran out of have illustrations. Others even in­ out. It’s not that this type of good paper,” and it would “clutter clude poems or abstract designs resume would make an applicant a stack of standard resumes.” printed in the background or near more favorable than another, but “You don’t want an interviewer the applicant’s name. it does make them a bit more to remember you by the color of Another innovative example is memorable,” she said. your tie,” Vargas said. the “pocket” resume. This is sim­ Jenny Peters, a marketing pro­ Though she notes that creativ-

22 GUMBO MAGAZINE FEATURES

ity can be excessive, she does agree that resumes should be tailored GENERAL TIPS: experience that would apply to a towards certain employers, par­ There are three distinct ap­ related job. ticularly in the journalism, de­ proaches to consider when creat­ It is important to remember sign and advertising fields. ing a resume: chronological ap­ to include buzzwords in a Most large companies have proach —- This format organizes resume. These are more formally personnel departments and unless qualifications by date — the lat­ "It's not that descriptive words than would be an applicant intends to forward a est dates coming first — and as­ used in casual writing or speech. resume directly to the interviewer sumes the last job is most impor­ this type of A fork lift driver, for instance, any risk of being inappropriate tant. This is the best route for would be classified as an “indus­ should be avoided, she said. people with limited work experi­ resume would trial machinery operator.” Vargas also said colored paper ence. Education or work experi­ Employment on a resume should be avoided, with white or ence can be listed first, which­ make an should not reach back further eggshell being the only viable ever is more important. than eight years, nor should choices. functional approach — This applicant trivial jobs that have little rel­ The CPPC, on the first floor of is best if the applicant has exten­ more favor­ evance to the resume be listed. CEBA, helps students from start sive job experience. It allows you Companies with large per­ to finish in their job search, from to emphasize related activities able than sonnel pools keep separate stacks tips on speech interaction and while omitting temporary or un­ of resumes that pass or fail after general dos and don’ts, to advice important jobs. another, but it a quick review by an employer. on proper dress for an interview. basic principles approach — Any negative element of the Their main feature, however, is This is when the names of em­ does make resume such as grammatical er­ advising the creation and distribu­ ployers and dates need not be in­ rors or careless mistakes will tion of students’ resumes. After cluded. The applicant can group them a bit probably make it a failure, ac­ featured skills and specialized proofreading and refining the in­ more memo­ cording to Rod Parker, a graphic formation, a usable resume re­ knowledge. Also, if the applicant designer who teaches a senior sults, and the job hunt begins. has changed jobs frequently or rable." level class which deals with The center conducts resume been unemployed for a length of resume writing. workshops each semester to an­ time, this format can shroud Other aspects regarding re- swer any questions or problems these facts while showcasing umes, such as delivering one students may have getting started skills. This approach is also effec­ personally, or sending one or finished. tive when changing jobs in the through express mail, could give Yvonne Williams, a supervisor same field because it enables the an added advantage, according in the personnel department at applicant to show background to Peters. Premier Bank, sees many resumes from LSU graduates and said resumes with color or graphic de­ sign are rare in her files. “I have not seen many that are different from the standard resume but I honestly don’t think it would help a graduate seeking a job at the bank,” she said. Whether style is incorporated or not, all resumes have the same objective: It is you in your ab­ sence. It is a professional intro­ duction that should display stu- dent-to-employee progress. The style of a resume is a per­ sonal choice. All job seekers have the same objective just as all resumes do. The important thing is to create a resume that is the most applicable towards the job at hand. The question is, can you photo by Brion Baiamonte work as well as your resume? New resume designs include large lettering and illustrations

SPRING 2 1994 23 FEATURES

T he 1960s are referred to as T he G ood O le D ays ...

W h ere is it now

t h e

a n d t h e By Missy W ebster photos by Salem Chenafi

(Wordsworth)

Some still display their pride in LSU with bumper stickers. These things made the spirit tending LSU in 1965, over 5,000 strong in the dormitories and on voted in the SGA elections, which “Ouch!” An LSU freshman campus in general. There was a is almost a third of the entire stu­ male wakes up with a flick on the definite sense of camaraderie, dent body. This semester a couple head by his roommate. It stings. It Gurie said. thousand voted out of 26,000, ex­ stings bad because there is no hair In the name of spirit, freshman emplifying the decline in student on his head to cushion the blow. boys attended their first football participation, Gurie explained. No hair on his head, or on any game in pajamas. They had to But, voting polls is not a com­ other freshman male in 1965. All In '65 stand for the first half and they pletely accurate means of measur­ in the name of tradition. weren’t allowed to bring dates. ing student moral because laziness students were “If you wouldn’t shave it, some­ “They hated it, but they knew in government involvement is it was part of LSU tradition,” one else would shave it for you,” required to partly due to societal trends. said Randy Gurie, the 1994 assis­ Gurie said. Then what is it folks? Why are tant to the chancellor for special live on Gurie was a band member as people referring to LSU’s past as projects. well as SGA president who gradu­ The Glory Days and not today? Meanwhile the females were campus and ated in 1969. “I had Golden Girls How is it that some students come busy studying the L Book. This was carry lunch trays for boys and re­ and go without forming any senti­ a book listing LSU traditions, eat in the quest a vote for me during my mental ties or knowing any school events and rules of womanly con­ election. It was fun and I was traditions? duct, such as no hair rollers worn cafeteria until made the first non-Greek presi­ In ’65 students were required outside of the rooms, no pants al­ dent,” Gurie said. to live on campus and eat in the their junior lowed unless one is attending gym Gurie is now the director of the cafeteria until their junior year. and no smoking at social func­ year. “Rekindle the Spirit” campaign, Also participation in the Reserve tions. Ladies must follow the strict which works to improve LSU’s Officer Training Core was re­ 8-12 p.m. curfew depending on diminished student morale. quired and the greek system was her year and grades. Failure to Whatever the reasons, be it the much stronger. meet these requirements resulted lack of organized events or the “The students of LSU devel­ in a minor. Too many minors re­ apathy of students, morale at LSU oped a definite sense of unity sulted in a major, which meant the has reached a low point. through these requirements. You lady must remain in the dorm for “The difference between stu­ couldn’t help but be involved and the weekend. dents in ’65 and now is that stu­ connected to the university,” These were considered The dents then participated much Gurie said. Glory Days, but 1965 probably more,” Gurie said. In 1969, due to growing senti­ sounds like hell to today’s student. Out of the 18,000 students at­ ment of students and faculty, the

24 GUMBO MAGAZINE FEATURES

ROTC requirement ended. Forc­ “Our student morale depends campus as well. ing students to take part was hav­ just on whether our team wins or “There’s a myth that LSU’s ing a negative effect on the ROTC loses unlike the past where our large size makes is impersonal, but program, Gurie explained. team was supported in defeat as in actuality LSU is a community In the ’70s, campus morale was well,” said Scott Oakley, a junior of communities,” Crane said. still high, even though the require­ in microbiology. Students get to know each ment to live on campus ended Gurie emphasized that though other in their departments and it is around ’75. athletics strengthens university then they begin to get wrapped up, “Times were upbeat due to the programs “you can’t make the tail "It was Crane explained. Louisiana oil boom and the main wag the dog.” With students being so en­ student concerns were parties and Plus, football is not the only obvious to grossed in their department alone football,” said Wayne Parent, po­ athletic activity at LSU. There are as well as living off campus, it is litical science professor and alumni other sports such as baseball and me spirit was easy to see why the unity of the since 1976. track where LSU has a reputation low when I past has not been maintained. The At that time, the average num­ for good standings. only cure is involvement in many ber of men who attended fraternity However, views as to the reason saw commer­ aspects. rush week was 1000-1200. This for low morale varied. Some found In order to regain involvement, semester it was about 350. themselves viewing LSU nega­ cials with LSU Chancellor Davis has developed “In the early ’80s LSU kept tively because of the great empha­ the “Rekindle the Spirit” cam­ booming by hiring the best profes­ sis on athletics over academics. team mem­ paign, a three-year program, with sors, but in the past 10 years stu­ “We had better learn to accept Gurie as director, aimed at pro­ dent morale and participation has that the part of the university that bers request­ moting unity through a series of steadily declined,” Parent said. is no fun (academics) is going to ing support." projects. Many attribute low morale to crumble, while the part of the uni­ Last semester, “Trash and the football season. versity that is fun (athletics) will Treasure” was organized in an ef­ “Football is the catchall or the look like a shining city on the fort to get students to clean up the lightning rod of morale because hill,” Darren Gauthier, KLSU sta­ campus. The event awarded prizes everyone feels better when we tion manager, wrote in the fall reg­ to the students who found the win,” said assistant director of LSU istration edition of The Daily Rev­ pieces of specially marked litter. public relations, Jim Crane. eille. Prizes included autographed base­ Crane explained the game af­ “Morale was low due to a num­ balls, dinners for two and a grand fects faculty as well as students ber of factors such as faculty cuts, prize of a $ 1,000 scholarship given whether they know it or not be­ lack of pay raises, parking, a drop by the Chancellor’s Office. cause the team’s success travels like in campus maintenance, higher Also, campus oak trees could be a “circular electrical current.” fees for students and the lack of adopted by an individual or an or- “Athletic morale filters down money given by the state,” Gurie continued on page 79 and positively affects attitudes said. whether it is from the excitement “(After the budget cuts) LSU or funds raised from the game,” participation and unity was the said associate director of public re­ lowest I had ever seen,” Parent ex­ lations, Jackie Bartkiewicz. plained. “It was obvious to me spirit was “The budget mess was talk ev­ low when I saw commercials with erywhere — on the radio, TV and LSU team members requesting newspapers,” Bartkiewicz said. support,” said Kristen Winne, a “Even in such crisis, there were sophomore in journalism. still glimmers of hope and we sur­ “In the past, I was accustomed vived through it.” to the stands being packed. When The end of 1993 has seen great I saw empty seats, especially in the strides with a “dynamite crop of student section, it was a stab in the students,” she said, referring to the heart,” Gurie said. Student Government. Last semester, however, the I was glad to see the ““Rekindle Alabama and Tulane wins changed the Spirit”” stickers being passed that. With renewed support given out on campus in the campaign only as a result of these wins, many for morale, Winne said. students realized how negative the Not only does morale need to spirit of LSU had become. be improved on campus, but off A young Tiger fan at an LSU football game

SPRING 2 1994 25 FEATURE

R e s e a r c h

a

t

r a c e By Cynthia Lott

A look at anim al testing on cam pus.

The LSU Vet Lab, and the Ki­ the committee, he’s only had to riodically throughout the year on nesiology, Microbiology and Psy­ turn down three proposals. These an unannounced basis. chology departments use animals were turned down because the Dr. Lynn Bourgeois, a USDA for different experiments concern­ drugs in question were inappropri­ inspector, inspects LSU twice a ing insulin, Sudden Infant Death ate for that species, the research year. He said LSU has been writ­ Syndrome, antibiotics, skin dis­ period was too long, and there ten up a couple of times but the eases, allergy treatment and can­ were to be multiple surgeries on The LSU Vet reasons were not serious. Overall, cer. The largest percent of re­ the same animal. he judged LSU to be adequate. School search animals are rats, but rabbits, The committee also visits each “LSU always corrects what is dogs and cats are also used. animal-holding facility on this receives found wrong,” he said. A 12-member Animal Lab campus to ensure that they are ap­ The USDA has lists of ap­ Medicine Committee reviews all propriate and that the specific re­ federal proved certified vendors. The LSU departmental proposals, in which quirements laid down for different Vet School receives federal money, the researcher must describe the breeds are met. money, therefore they must comply with goals, procedures and techniques The Division of Animal Lab federal guidelines, which means of the proposed project. The com­ Medicine hires trained personnel therefore purchasing animals from this list. mittee asks questions like: What to ensure compliance of Federal For example, a beagle will cost anesthetic is the researcher using? Regulations. The Animal Welfare they must $300. Is it appropriate for that particular Act regulates the transport, pur­ “It gets more and more expen­ comply with species? Is the housing adequate? chase, sale, housing, care, handling sive each year,” Smith said. How long will the procedure last and treatment of animals used in federal LSU does have an agreement and will there only be one proce­ teaching and research. The Ameri­ with the Baton Rouge Animal dure performed? can Association for Accreditation guidelines... Control which allows them to buy “We fine tooth comb through of Laboratory Animals is a volun­ animals that have been in their these questions. It’s a complicated tary program that provides peer center for quite a long time. The process,” said Dr. Richard E. evaluation of animal care pro­ Vet School feels that these cats and Smith, head of the committee. If grams and facilities. The United dogs would be more useful as re- the researcher’s proposal is appro­ States Department of Agriculture priate, the committee sets him or is responsible for enforcing regula­ her up in a laboratory with animals tions, and inspecting facilities pe­ to do the research. Smith said out of the eight years he’s worked on

26 GUMBO MAGAZINE FEATURE

search animals, than simply being perature and humidity are con­ animal is subjected to more than euthanized and thrown aside. The trolled. Animals are fed commer­ one experiment or one surgical Vet School and other departments cial diets that are laboratory certi­ procedure. are not allowed to accept animal fied. Sometimes, for extra Vita­ An example of a type of surgi­ donations. min C, vegetables are given to the cal procedure performed on ani­ Close to 4,000 animals are rabbits; alfalfa is also given to aid mals at LSU include hip replace­ bought each month by the LSU the digestion of hairballs. ments, and heart, lung and kidney Vet School. This does not mean There is also a requirement in transplants. Bivin said, “No they are all used. Many of the ani­ the regulations for psychological Nobel Prizes have been won at mals will remain in the research well being. Aside from attention LSU from experimenting on ani­ units for an extended period of and room to run, the animals are mals, but vaccines, treatments, time. In the last 20 years, the num­ given toys to play with. These implants and transplants have ber of animals used in research has toys, as with the cages and the been found." dropped 10 to 15 percent. rooms, have to be sanitized. "If research­ In one area of specialized re­ Smith said it is necessary to use “We believe in proper, humane search, fox hounds are bred in a ers had been animals in experiments because and appropriate treatment, care, separate dog colony for nutrition housing, feeding and watering for study. A goal of this type of study “there must be the interaction of concerned body fluids, circulation and all of the animals,” Smith said. is to develop better diets for fe­ muscle movement” to obtain accu­ “If researchers had been con­ about their male dogs during pregnancy and rate results. Many doctors believe, cerned about their research ani­ to increase weight gain and health. like Smith, it is rare that a test mals 50 years ago, some of these research Bivin emphasized that the hu­ tube, tissue culture, computer, or things that give the research com­ man life span has expanded be­ model can duplicate the intact, munity a black eye would not animals 50 cause of medical advancement on functioning, physiological living have occurred,” Smith said. He animals. animal system. Tissue cultures are believes that once a few unfortu­ years ago, In February, the Legislation In used as an alternative whenever nate incidents are discovered by Support of Animals, Inc. (LISA) some of these possible. These are essentially mu­ Animal Rights Advocates, these sued LSU in New Orleans because they claimed the average person cus membrane-type cells that can incidents are exploited. Then, ev­ things that be extracted from animals and hu­ eryone seems to think all research has no access to any information mans without harm. It is then labs are that cruel or distasteful. give the concerning the university’s re­ grown. “I can’t guarantee there isn’t search of animals. In the early stages of discover­ any pain felt by the animals, but research “Publicly funded experiments ing a new antibiotic, a virus is in­ we try our best to make it very must be open to public scrutiny,” jected into the tissue culture. The minimal,” Smith said. community a said Dana Dorson, vice president antibiotic is then injected to see In a few cases, animals are not of LISA. how it works against the virus and terminated right after the condi­ black eye LISA plans to announce the how long it takes. tioning stage. Some animal tech­ launching of a five-year campaign would not When the animals go into the nicians end up caring for the ones to study the use of animals in ex­ periments, specifically in the New research division, they are sent that have not been researched on. have oc­ through a conditioning stage to “Some of the research animals Orleans area. The group will also make sure they are healthy. This have been in our facilities for curred." be carrying out numerous field in­ must be done before they are used years,” Bivin said. Some of the vestigations and seeking to pros­ in any project. The animals are healthy animals that have not ecute violators of the Animal Wel­ cared for from the conditioning been experimented on are reas­ fare Act. stage throughout the length of the signed to another researcher. This “We as a public have the right experiment. prevents the researchers from go­ to demand public accountabilities. All animals are kept in sterile ing out and buying more animals, The public should be able to vote environments with the air changed thus reducing the number of ani­ on each and every experiment,” every four hours. Ventilation, tem­ mals used in experimentation. No said LISA founder Jeff Dorson LISA wants to promote alter­ natives to animal testing and see fewer experiments

SPRING 2 1994 27 PHOTO ESSAY

a different perspective

By Jennifer Stewart Photos by Gang Lu

28 GUMBO MAGAZINE You are on campus probably five days a week. You traverse the same paths

time and time again.

Unfortunately, the day usually passes

in a blur and the surroundings

g o unnoticed.

But if you get lucky one day

you may discover

some of the beauty of LSU. Many of the buildings around

campus are surrounded by wonderful

landscaping, such as old oaks, and resplendent flowers and bushes. The lakes on

our campus are beautiful. LSU is one of the few campuses that has the luxury

SPRING 2 1994 29 of surrounding waters.

The plant life found in

this area can be utterly

breathtaking if you are

not jogging or driving

by at a frantic pace.

The peace of the cypress

and other trees

at dusk is unimaginable without a first-hand experience. If you take the time to explore this area you might discover a world usually

missed because of its miniature proportions. There are also lots of animals

like ducks, geese and, on occasion, pelicans

to be seen swimming and sunning

themselves in this area.

30 GUMBO MAGAZINE PHOTO ESSAY

The egret here can be caught in

a breathtaking stance of wings

spread before flight across the waters. If you take the time to stop and examine

you will discover small, single

elements of beauty.

A lone flower or dandelion amongst

the clutter of grass, or mushroom

clusters can be found in various places.

Take a look around the Greek Theater, the

Assembly Center, or the Parade

Ground to find some of these delicacies.

A good time to explore is after it rains or after the early morning dew has fallen. Leaves sprinkled gently with water can be found in a stance of unimaginable stillness.

It is a shame LSU cannot offer a class in sitting

outside and looking for

natural beauty because the

things we would discover

would be amazing.

Everyone sees things

so differently and would

finally be given the time

to discover all of their

surroundings.

This would definitely

be one class with an

excellent attendance

record.

31 CONTRIBUTORS

The Gumbo Magazine would like to thank all of our contributors. We couldn't have done it without you! contributors

Muriel Placet is a Ph.D. stu­ Chris La Jaunie is an MFA stu­ Pete Tattersall would rather dent in the Department o f French dent in English who won the John be anywhere in the Caribbean & Italian. She would like to thank Hazard Wildman Award for fic­ (except Haiti) sipping on a cold Edouard Glissant and Sylvie tion in 1993. He owns a sick num­ beer. Semavoine for their friendship and ber of guitars. especially for having been there for Kristine Calongne is a senior her in July 1993. She also wants to Sharon McNab, home these in news-editorial mass communi­ dedicate this article to her father days is where she happens to be. cation. She is a member of the Jean-Louis Placet. LSU Union Fashion Committee, Sherry (Xiaowen) Ma is a and this is the third edition of the Jennifer Stewart is a freshman sophomore in business adminis­ Gumbo she’s written for. journalism major, minoring in tration and French. She speaks Spanish, in Kappa Alpha Theta English with a thick accent and I’m Melissa Webster. I go to sorority who wants to get her doc­ still lives under the rule of her collidge. When I grow up, I torate in journalism and teach col­ mother. Someday she hopes to be wanna be an Asstronot. lege. the secretary general of the United Nations. Melisse Campbell is working Chris Granger, upon gradua­ on her Master’s of Mass Commu­ tion, is going to fly sea planes for Andrew Smiley, a senior in po­ nication to graduate in December fishermen in Montana, while writ­ litical science, will graduate next of 1994. She graduated with a ing for Grey’s Sporting Journal. semester. If anyone would like to Bachelor’s of Art in Southern offer him a job can 383-3060. Studies and History from the Les Lane is a baby-boomer University of Mississippi in Au­ graduate student in mass commu­ Kara Nelson is a senior in En­ gust 1992. She works freelance nication. glish who will graduate in May. with the T. Harry Williams Cen­ But, having no idea what it’s like ter for Oral History Collection. Cynthia Lott is a junior in cre­ to live as a non-student, she will ative writing. She hopes one day to probably “hopefully” end up in Andrew Wong is on the final travel to the Czech Republic and grad, school in about a year. legs o f his one year mission to ex­ live in Prague “for at least a year.” plore LSU and Baton Rouge. She hopes to one day become a David Guillet is a speech com­ And he still hasn’t found a car. writer and meet Daniel Day Lewis. munication major graduating in Fan mail can be sent to the December. Upon graduation he Gumbo. Marcie Fisher, for every line plans to take work as a profes­ she unlearns, she learns something sional wrestling referee. Paul Poteet is a second semes­ ter freshman who plans to major Jay Casey is still working on his in economics and/or political sci­ Natasha Gast is a freshman ma­ graduate degree in journalism, ence. In his spare time, Paul en­ joring in English whose future goal with a minor in history. He’s in­ joys lifting weights and playing is to be anywhere than where she is terested in going into foreign cor­ basketball at the Rec Center. and with anyone than who she’s respondence. Most days, he can be seen riding with, but only for half an hour. his mountain bike around cam­ Jennifer L. Goundas is a pus or working at the College of Troy “the exterminator” sophomore with a double major in Arts and Sciences. Blanchard, bastard son of Jack English and news-editorial jour­ Kerouac, plans to finish his degree nalism. She wants to wipe out yel­ in sociology and take Hester to low journalism. Pamplona. THANK YOU

GUMBO MAGAZINE FEATURES

This years celebration carried on a long line of rich tradition. By CHRIS LA JAUNIE photos by Salem Chenafi ness of the public is what makes son to drink heavily and catch the Mardi Gras a relatively trouble-free souvenir throws the krewes fling ev­ festival considering its size. Watch a erywhere. But the few days of cel­ friend who has never been to a Mardi ebrating and parades before Ash Gras before, and that person will pass Wednesday are only a small part of through several transformations. First the fun. The elements that make up there is utter shock and disorienta­ its tradition are an eclectic mix of tion. They cannot believe a party this Christian religion and pagan mythol­ huge is taking place. Second comes ogy from many cultures, oddly com­ timid loosening up, then a feel for cel­ bined into what we know as the mod­ ebration as the person becomes famil­ em Mardi Gras. iar with the Carnival surroundings. Most people think Mardi Gras is By Tuesday that person is in harmony simply the final carousal in self indul­ with everyone else, having the best gence before the 40 days of Lent prior time and treasuring shiny plastic to Easter Sunday, when most Roman beads for no particular reason at all, Catholics abstain from eating red and that is what Mardi Gras is all meat on Fridays. Its roots date back to about. the Roman tradition of merrymaking When a city or town throws a It is odd, however, that with as before a period of fast, when feasts large festival, they usually gage how many people that come to celebrate such as Saturnalian and Bachanalian successful it is by comparing it to Mardi Gras, few know its rich historic (Bacchus) were held. When Rome ac­ New Orleans’ annual Mardi Gras. traditions. Most just like having a rea­ cepted Christianity, the Christian Unfortunately for them, the com­ parisons are usually poor, for few fes­ tivals anywhere can equal the inten­ ...under sity of Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday. Spanish W ith five days of feverish celebration control, the before Ash Wednesday, it is one of the largest and most widely recog­ city banned nized festivals in the country, with Mardi Gras hundreds of thousands of people and mask­ from all over the US attending every year. This year, over 1 million people ing in came to New Orleans, bringing close particular, to $10 million into the state. fearing a Perhaps what is most fascinating about Mardi Gras is the trance-like revolt under state of mind that seems to come over the disguise everyone attending. Like Christmas, of a celebra­ people generally feel an urge of hap­ tion ... piness and celebration. This cohesive­ FEATURE

church incorporated Rome’s familiar mythological celebrations into the church calender in order to con­ tinue its hold on the Roman people. Louisiana, once part of France’s largest New Colony, combines elements of the Roman tradition with French heritage into its celebration. The pre- lenten festival was greatly favored by the people in France after the Renaissance, much so the king him­ self at times would personally direct the carnival. The name mardi gras is French for fat Tuesday, so named for the tradition of parading a fat ox through the streets of Paris on Shrove Tuesday, or the Tuesday of shriving - confession. It is a festival celebrated in many Roman Catholic countries all over the world. France’s festival is also named Mardi Gras, although the name is different for some other countries. In Germany it is called Fastnacht. In England it is called Pancake Day, so

The name mardi gras is French for fat Tuesday, so named for the tradition of parad­ ing a fat ox through the streets of Paris on Shrove Tuesday, or the Tuesday of shriving - confession. FEATURE

named for the eating of pancakes (the English version Perhaps what of the King Cake) on that day. Mardi Gras is a legal is most holiday in Alabama, Louisiana, and Florida. Though fascinating cities in Louisiana such as Lafayette and Houma cel­ about Mardi ebrate their own Mardi Gras, the one in New Orleans is the largest and most well known. It is also one of Gras is the the oldest. Although the first recorded carnival was trance-like not until 1827, many believe that as soon as Bienville state of mind founded New Orleans in 1734, the men under his command had their first Mardi Gras. that seems to Carnival. The entire celebration of Mardi Gras is come over known as Carnival, taken from the Latin came vale, everyone or “farewell to the flesh.” It was originally celebrated by exclusive secret societies. Carnival traditionally attending. continued on page 76 What is that buzz you hear? It haust that overpowers the rich is probably the sound o f caffeine aroma of freshly roasted beans. being pumped out o f all the coffee W hile spawning a new age o f caf­ houses around Baton Rouge and feine addicts, they could be turn­ into LSU students. Coffee houses ing out a new generation o f artists have become alternatives to the li­ and intellectuals. brary for study sessions and have Some people say the trend come to substitute bars and restau­ came about as a cultural exchange rants for socializing. between the United States and Yes, the neighborhood coffee Europe — we traded them house that became popular in Eu­ Harley-Davidsons for cappuccino rope during the Impressionist and espresso. Movement has become prevalent O h yes, the breakfast o f cham­ in Baton Rouge too. W hile there pions S - a strong cup o f gourmet At Highland Coffees you can hang out with friends under the sun while cars whiz by leaving a trail of exhaust that overpowers the may not be one on every corner as coffee and a sugar-laden pastry for rich aroma of freshly roasted beans. in Paris, Milan or Madrid, we’re just the right blend of caffeine certainly getting there. buzz and glucose high. But it’s not These coffee houses provide just for breakfast anymore. LSU ... WIT MR. FATTY? excellent settings for studying, students can be seen bouncing o ff I f you are down with M r. Fatty pleasure reading, or hanging out the walls at Highland Coffees, then you definitely know what’s with friends under the sun while both locations o f Perks and, most up. Although many students are cars whiz by leaving a trail o f ex­ recently, the Bean Tree at any time sporting the T ’s, for those who o f the day. One o f the local book­ may not have seen his parapherna­ stores also contains a coffee shop Mr. Fatty is a lia being circulated around the so you can read books and maga­ walking, LSU area here is a brief bio. Mr. zines without actually having to talking, Fatty is a walking, talking, broadly purchase them. And for those who smiling joint (as in marijuana). He wish to give their new couch a test broadly smiling can be seen on a variety o f T-shirts drive before the next big coffee so­ joint (as in in many different caricatures. cial there is a furniture gallery in The idea was developed a few town that serves gourmet coffee. marijuana). years ago by a small group o f So if plain black coffee is not friends who were wondering why your cup o f tea, you’ve got plenty there was no ganja to be found in o f things to choose from now. this town. The question, “W here’s M r. Fatty?” was asked, and a friendly character was born. The original design was created by T od d W hited. It was printed

36 GUMBO MAGAZINE ENTERTAINMENT

... WIT ALL THESE BITSY STORES?

There is a dealer on every cor­ stones, bath salts and oils, and ner. Parents complain that they are other all natural items. Lezard taking all our children’s money. Rouge specializes in one-of-a- Can anything be done to stop kind metal sculptures that high­ them? Oh, why even try. While light a blend of South and South­ their products may vary, the ideas west styles. Coyote Moon seem very similar. If you have ever focusses on literature and gifts noticed a “one-of-a-kind” hand with a metaphysical or natural bag or vest, an interesting piece of theme. And Mystic Gemcraft has jewelry or a metal sculpture in the a variety of custom-made jewelry shape of an animal chances are that and T-shirts among the usual as­ it was bought at one of the increas­ sortment of incense and art work. Rocky Holland, wearing a "Free Mr. Fatly" T-shirt, co-owns the company that produces and sells them. ing number of nature and Don’t bring too many friends to multicultural shops in Baton these tiny shops though, because on T-shirts and marketed on a Rouge. The products featured in five people probably presents a small scale through Primal Screens such stores are indicative of cur­ fire hazard. with help from Tamara and Rocky rent shopping trends in the area Judging from the popularity of Holland. The first shirts featured and all over the country. Consum­ natural and global gift stores we the catchy slogan “Free Mr. Fatty” ers are beginning to take note of do like what they have to offer, that implied pot should be legal­ non-mass-produced, nature-ori- even if going into one of these ized. That got the joint rolling, so ented items for gifts and personal shops is like stepping onto Noah’s to speak, and more designs fol­ use. Ark: wooden floors, a definite lowed. If you can tiptoe through the sense of nature and a lot of clut­ The second rendition of Mr. bean sprouts and wade through ter. The respective owners of Fatty was drawn by Tamara Hol­ the mineral water then you will these stores attribute their popu­ land and is now produced and sold find stores such as Wikutha, larity to a rising awareness of the by Circle-A Tees, a company Lezard Rouge, Coyote Moon, earth and the fragility of nature. owned by Tamara and her hus­ Nature’s Treasures and Mystic band, Rocky, and also at Wakutha Gemcraft. They all offer the same Global Treasures. alternative to mall Mr. Fatty’s popularity rose like shops and commer­ smoke. He is depicted in several cial gifts. The get- roles as Reverend Fatty; Mr. Fatty ting-back-to-nature for President; Soldier Fatty; Dr. approach has found Fatty, who is a female physician; an appeal in Baton and Farmer Fatty, which is a Rouge for those parody of the famous painting looking for mer­ American Gothic with a cannabis chandise that tran­ bud substituted for the pitchfork. scends this modern, More characters are sure to follow industrial era and has since the market has expanded to very little practical include head shops and novelty use. Sharon Goodwy stores all over the South. of Wikutha Global Relevant facts about marijuana Treasures has spent are on the back of each shirt. These years traveling locally facts include medical uses, farming and around the tips, and alternative uses for world, collecting hemp.It is the message, not the hand-crafted cloth­ profit, that is important, said ing, jewelry, chemi­ Rocky, who is a member of Can­ cal-free perfumes, nabis Action Network. Future and original works of plans are to print the designs on art. Nature’s Trea­ This artistically cluttered display at Nature's 100% hemp fiber shirts, which is sures also offers in­ Treasures is not unusual to the other bitsy one of the strongest textiles made. cense, polished stores around Baton Rouge.

SPRING 2 1994 37 FASHION FEATURES

A sarcastic look at clothing

respectably cropped hair round glasses trends around campus —

clean shaven big politician smile you've probably seen some

starched oxford button down of them yourself illustrations by Priscilla Duty

gun shot belt

only jewelry allowed -class ring

pick your extreme: way-too- khaki duckheads long mane or short crop (white shorts if hot day)

lipstick only on face argyle socks studious-looking glasses freshly washed with all- Bass wingtips or Baeks natural products moon, sun or SGA MAN star earrings headed necklace

patchouli mingles with fruit scent lingering on fingertips - white, tye-dyed or advocating- no meat teaches this bod a-cause 100% cotton T-shirt

ea t-eff jeans (old jeans hair greasy, beginning to dread, hoaght that Way from a part down middle a pins legs can he shaven or not second hand store) heavy eyelids

Birkenstock sandals, can he a not-too-inconspicuous tattoo substituted for clogs, preferably goatee earth tone (Tetras also seen here) old T-shirt GRANOLA CRUNCHER plaid shirt must be present, can he worn around waist body piercing may adorn nose, eyebrow, lip, nipple, or bellybutton

faded baggy, if bothering to change socks, usually torn jeans nearest pair found

Doc Martin Boots or Converse hightops GRUNGER FASHION FEATURES

crazy shaved head hidden by knit hat

gently cascading hair, straight or power to the people curly - never teased

make-up applied to give illusion not wearing any striped T-shirt

silver hoop earrings a must

beeper optional flowered scoop-necked dress extremely baggy jeans, brass knuckles in back pocket

sparsley jeweled manicured nails

Adidas shoes

perfume lingers for five GANGSTA minutes wherever she goes

woven mules - strapless preferred

90210

50% chance she dyes scrunchies predominate, a trusty her roots black twist-up held by bow or d ip will suffice straight hair parted down middle big smile, bright lipstick dark eyeliner, over-done lashes white face, extensive pearl necklace use of powder bus trip or any too hip to smile choker, for sex appeal function T-shirt

she lives for wind shorts gold rings a must

white ruffled poet shirt fake-baked legs silver rings on every finger including thumb hip-hugging, black bell bottoms white socks only, scrunched down running shoes

SORORITY GIRL

serious platformss, preferably black suede DISCO CHIC

SPRING 2 1994 39 SPACEY TRI DELTS Tri Delta took to space on the latest Colum­ bia space shuttle mission. A Tri Delta father who works with National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) arranged for an LSU Tri Delta badge to make the trip on the Columbia Shuttle. Perhaps the idea was planted by astronaut Neil Armstrong in 1969. When Armstrong landed on the moon he pinned his fraternity pin and his wife’s Tri Delta sorority pin on the American flag. The badge is now prominently displayed in a framed collage in the Tri Delta house. - Ju d y Nordgren

DEDICATION Have you ever walked through the towering oak trees behind the Union and wondered what’s their significance? Well, that area is Memorial Oak Grove, LSU’s dedication to the veteran’s of World War I. Memorial Oak Grove was first dedicated in March 1 2 , 1929 during a memorial for students that died in the war. On that Fri­ day classes were canceled to allow interested students the op­ portunity to witness the dedication. The grove contains 31 big oak trees. The plaques at the bottom of each tree bear the names of 30 known soldiers that died. The one without a name represents LSU’s unknown soldier Who was lost in the war. - Ken Meyers

UNDERGROUND TUNNELS Careful, danger lurks on campus. On cold nights at LSU, the cam­ pus becomes alive as steam and smoke rise from the ground, and the sleeping giant awakens and exhales its mighty breath. Actually that smoke you may often see rising from the ground at night is the hot air rising from access tunnels which condenses as it hits the cold air outside. Charlie Martin, vice president of LSU System, said the tunnels are used for electrical wiring, heat exchange and other campus needs. Sonny DeVillier, assistant to the chancellor, said when he was a freshman at LSU he and his friends used to give campus police fits w hen they raided the girls’ dorm s by running through th e a c c e ss tun- nels beneath the campus. Martin said although these tunnels may have provided fun for DeVillier then, access to the tunnels is now closed because they are packed with high-voltage cables that could electrocute any visitors. - David Mitchell FOR THE BIRDS LSU’s Bird Refuge, at President’s Point on University Lake, is a favorite spot for the White Pelican to spend its winter. Usually between 100 and 200 of these birds come each season, .but this year only one or two could be found BEATING THE BUDGET BURN around the lakes. Terry Chesser, a graduate Following the collapse of Wall Street in 1929 student in ornithology, said no one really knows the country was spurred into the Great Depres­ why there was such an unusually small number sion. Colleges and universities, especially pub­ this year. The one or two birds that did show up lic institutions, were among the first to be af­ also came late in the season. fected. Enrollment dropped and operating dol­ Chesser said the White Pelicans tend to lars were almost impossible to come by. many breed on inferior lakes, therefore they are prob­ state universities were forced to cut back staff ably coming from somewhere in the interior of and faculty or at least reduce salaries. the North. Once the birds arrive they like to However, in a time when educational institu­ hang out on land around the point of the sanc­ tions across the country were experiencing a tuary. When they feed though, they stay on the massive enrollment decline, LSU experienced a surface of the water and try to push the fish in­ 300 percent increase — one of its greatest ward to the bank. growth periods. By March, the pelicans are once again on Gov. Huey Long by some means influenced their way. the state legislature to provide funds to not only - Yvette Hamilton maintain salaries but in some cases also give salary increases. Long even got the legislature to set up a large student-aid fund. This aid and federal funds made it possible for students to go to LSU. Faculty members also dedicated a per­ centage of their salaries to the student-aid fund. - Ju d y Nordgren

IT’S GOT NO BELLS If you have never noticed, the Memorial Tower is without its bells. How could such a symbolic tragedy be allowed to exist? According to Charlie Martin, vice president of LSU System, under the tenure of Chancellor Paul Murrill the bells w ere rem oved and placed under the Business Affairs Building because students would get up to various types of mischief, such a s climbing the tower at night, ringing the bells and cutting the ropes that rang the bells. Now a recording of chiming bells is used to re­ place the lost bells, and the bell tower is locked. - David Mitchell FEATURES

ART FOR CRAFTS SAKE An exhibit in The Museum of Art in the Memorial Tower this semester displayed works that were both beautiful and functional. By Melisse Campbell

photos by Ashley Vorhoff

The Arts and Crafts Movement brought to the forefront the creation of handmade objects for widespread use and enjoyment

When most people think o f arts ization. A revolt was born in re­ the artists to work in. Through and crafts, images of weaving pot sponse to the mass production o f this avenue, the status o f the crafts­ holders as a 10-year-old at summer objects and poor working condi­ With indus­ man and the quality of the object camp come to mind. But the Arts tions within the factories. trialization was elevated. In 1861, Morris, and Crafts Movement in America Prior to the Industrial Revolu­ Marshall, Faulkner and Company and Europe is actually more so­ tion, England had been an agricul­ came mass was founded and works from the phisticated than spin art and tural society, dependant upon its production, movement were sold in their Lon­ potholders; it is a collection o f individuals for products. But with don showroom. work designed by trained artisans industrialization came mass pro­ and many The artisans intended to make revolting against the Industrial duction, and many artisans found artisans beautiful things by hand which Revolution. there was no longer a demand for found there common folk could enjoy. The art T he Museum of Art in the Me­ their products. The Arts and works, such as a 19th century wool morial Tower held an exhibition Crafts Movement recognized was no carpet from Russia and two Egyp­ of these works from January 16 to these dangers and aggressively longer a tian-inspired scarab paperweights March 19, 1994, displaying works sought to bring the hand-made that were on display, reflect Orien­ primarily on loan from local col­ objects to the forefront. demand for tal, Eastern and Medieval influ­ lectors and dealers. William Morris, a textile de­ their prod­ ences but are not direct copies of The Arts and Crafts Movement signer during the Industrial Revo­ ucts. these earlier traditions. began in England in the 1850s to lution, attacked the new techno­ “The Arts and Crafts move­ address the dangers affecting the logical wave in society by estab­ ment uses floral motifs as a charac­ working class through industrial­ lishing guilds and cooperatives for teristic,” said Museum Curator H.

42 GUMBO MAGAZINE FEATURES

Parrott Bacot. “You cannot say it during the movement. For the ex­ of the Art School at Newcomb is unique to the movement, but it hibit, a private collector loaned a College, sketched on paper with is a lavish use of the motif. Stickley magazine stand, crafted watercolor the St. Tammany Par­ “Those rugs are all handmade by Leonard and George Stickley, ish Pines in 1915. and dyed with natural materials,” c. 1910. Another individual Many of the artists were adept Bacot said. “The use of Oriental loaned a rocking chair from the at using more than one medium. carpets only became popular at the same factory. With the rise in A longing Cecile Owen, an artist at beginning of the Arts and Crafts printed materials in the early 20th Newcomb who was active in Loui­ Movement around the 1860s.” century, the stand was functional for hand­ siana from 1910 to 1920, painted The carpets influenced the move­ as an accessory piece. a chinaberry tree in watercolor on ment, not as a product, but a A shelf clock from the British made ob­ paper c. 1915- complement. United Clock Company in Bir­ The Arts and Crafts Movement Working with Bacot on the ex­ mingham, England was crafted of jects sparked brought to the forefront the cre­ hibit was the guest curator Dou­ copper, brass and oak, c. 1890- ation of handmade objects for glas Wink, a known collector of 1900. It is highly rectilinear as are a revived widespread use and enjoyment. this movement for over 20 years. many of the Arts and Crafts ob­ interest in The exhibit highlights the objects’ “I like the use of floral motifs, jects made in Britain. beauty, while also discerning its whether it is stylized or realistic, The glasswork in the move­ the Arts and purpose. whether it is used as the shape of ment captivates the eye with col­ The movement came to a close the object or as the decoration,” ors, shape and even iridescence. Crafts move­ with the beginnings of the stream­ Wink said. The purpose of using On display were glass works from lined, modernistic Art Deco style floral motifs was to be useful, Louis Tiffany, a major producer ment during around 1925. Art Deco basically while at the same time beautiful. within the movement, and predominated world style through “It was a point in history when Frederick Carter. the 1980s, the 1950s. A southern example in the A longing for handmade ob­ people cared about what they pro­ which is still duced,” Wink said. “It is amazing show was from Biloxi potter jects sparked a revived interest in to me how the Arts and Crafts George Ohr. He crafted an irides­ continuing. the Arts and Crafts movement movement spread between Europe cent brown bowl, c. 1895, with a during the 1980s, which is still and America so quickly without metallic glaze on crimped red clay. continuing. the advantage of modern day tele­ A sampler of the museum’s ex­ The museum’s exhibits can be phones or faxes.” tensive collection of New Orleans- seen from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. week­ Furniture and desk accessories made Newcomb pottery, which is days; 10 a.m. to noon and 1 a.m. were featured as prime examples of known for soft blues and greens, is to 4 p.m. on weekends. Admission the utility of an Arts and Crafts on permanent display. The is free to the public. product. Newcomb potters used floral The museum will be presenting Stickley Furniture, based in themes, primarily those indig­ the exhibit, “Jim Blanchard’s Fayetteville, N.Y., built its reputa­ enous to the South in their works. South Louisiana: Nineteenth Cen­ tion on mission-style oak furniture Ellsworth Woodward, founder tury Architecture” from March 27 through May 31, 1994

Furniture and desk accessories were featured as prime examples of the utility of an Arts and Crafts product.

SPRING 2 1994 43 Pete Tattersall Photos by Salem Chenafi The varsity is providing LSU students with an option comparable to Tipitina’s

itself as the hot spot for live music. we get bands before they hit it big, Closer to home, however, T he like Blind M elon, an d it gives Varsity Theatre, at th e North people a chance to see them before Gates of LSU, is doing a good job tney get too big,” she said. establishing itself as another , . Heymann believes the widen- choice bar in Louisiana that at- t ing popularity of The Varsity is at tracts quality music. Though least partly due to word of New Orleans is. a melting pot many LSU students shrug off the "After people have played here, of musical styles. Any night of the drive to Tips to see their favorite they give positive feedback about week those interested can find artists, the increase of big-name The 'Varsity and more people w ant whatever type of live music they bands stopping to play at The Var­ to play here,” she said. are in the mood for, from zydeco "The Varsity is sity en route to the Crescent City Cary Bonnecaze, LSU graduate and blues to Tex-Mex, funk and offers LSU students an influx of and drummer in the local band Cajun. Bands come from far and one of the quality music at a loc al joint. Better than Ezra, said The Varsity wide to play in one qf the d ark, premier new “For the most part, we look at is one of the premier new music humid, shoulder-to-shoulcter the road-shows and try to find clubs in the South. packed bars that cater to the live- music clubs in bands th at have "a name behind “W e’ve always told people music crowd in America's most city.laid-back them and a record company be­ about it. There’s nor many that the South." hind them, said Glenn Prejean, compare to it... Tennessee, Mis­ But when music lovers and who books bands for The Varsity. sissippi, parts of Texas, Louisiana players alikeplayers think of the most "The reason why most bands stop ... it’s the place to go as far as popular venue in New O rleans, here and at Tipitina's is because acoustics, professionalism, P.A. inevitably Ti pitina’s comes to they are on their way to system and especially the local mind. Beitthe location or the at- Tipitina’s,” Prejean said. support. Th e re 's usually a large mosphere, Tip’s has established Caroline Heymann, a senior turnout for most bands that play general educa- there. tion majo r and “The main thing about bartender at Tipitina’s is the atmosphere and T h e V a rs ity , the reputation it has. Often b ig said, “W hat’s bands will play at Tipitina s when so nice about they could play at bigger places, The Varsity is like the New Orleans Music Hall, it brings in di­ but they still want to pla y a t verse bands for Tip’s,” said Bonnecaze, who has diverse crowds. played at both Tipitina’s and The It caters to a lot Varsity. of different Cynthia Murphy, a microbiol­ people’s musi­ ogy senior, has enjoyed bandsat cal t aste, which both The Varsity and Tip's. She is nice because thinks Tipitina’s has a lot moredi- it s more fun to versity, but said The Vars ity go out and l is- brings in good bands to the college ten to live mu- town of B aton Rouge. But, sic than just to “Tipitina’s seems to bring a differ­ A crowded house is usually a given when The Varsity go ent flavor of people," Murphy holds retro nights. out." "Sometimes said. Heymann said she prefers to see sistently be relied bands at The Varsity, but she on to bring in a thinks T ip’s has more character. fairly good “Tipitina’s is tradition, and we c rowd. (The Varsity) have just esta blished " I think o urselves and we’ve got a while to Counting Crows go.” Heymann said. She thinks and Hopper musicgoers are prejudiced towards Grass both put Tipitina’s. on very g ood “When you go to the Varsity shows," Graves you can see the stage. At Tipitina’s, said. you can’t see the stage unless During foot- you’re halfway to the front or un­ ball season The less you’re upstairs, and even then V arsity broad­ it’s hard to see from the balcony. casts Monday W e ’ve got a better set-u p " she Night Football said. games on their John Hebert, production direct- big screen. Graves tor at KLSU, said he likes The Var- said the turnout sitywhen they have good acts. "I for their particularly liked it when Danzig Superbowl party and The Sunday's came, and a long this year was im- The Varsity Theatre is a main haunt for many LSU students. time ago they had the alterna- pressive. "Fifteen tive band Alien Sex Fiend." dollars for all you can eat a n d following evening. The upstairs of Hebert said d rink, and a chance each quarter to Tipitina s was closed for a private The Varsity and Tipitina's are win $ 1 2 5 b ro u g h t o u t a g o o d party, but more than 700 people; comparable, and even though he crow d," Graves said. jammed in downstairs to see the likes the atmo- sphere at Tipitina Prejean thinks it show. Likewise about 725 people he prefers the Varsity because is only a mat- er of time before The Varsity is turned out at t h e Varsity. The of its proximity to campus. "I've The Varsity fully crowds were similar, but as usual also seen bands at The Ti- ger establishes itself. "The Varsity is Tipitina’s attracted a bit more di- and The Bayou and it's one of the best set-ups for live music fortunate verse crowd whereas The Varsity is been interesting, but they are in the state, if not the Southeast. frequented almost exclusively by mainly bars and The Varsity is I've been to clubs in New York, enough to be LSU student s . strictly music. As far as big bands L.A., Austin... and the clubs where “It seems that in the past bands go, I like The Varsity," Hebert said. most of these bands are playing have bypassed Baton R o uge be­ Frankie aren't anywhere near as nice, or on the same cause of not having a place like Reed, who works at the Union compatible for the audience. From The Varsity to go to,” Bonn ecaze Bookstore, enjoyed one of the the bands stand- point and the circuit as Kaid. “I’m g lad now that t he disco-retro nights offered by audiences standpoint you can't people of Baton Rouge have a pro- The Varsity. get a better fessional venue that bands can "It room than The Varsity," Prejean Tipitina's, so come to and play and enjoy them­ was fun, and the later it got said.Apparently there are three selves." the bigger the things needed to draw big bands. it has been T he general consensus seems to crowd was," Reed said. Money, a good place to play, and the be that Tipitina’s is still on top but She wasalso im pressed w hen fact that the band is passing through s The Varsity is taking strides to- TheBluerunners played at the the region. The Varsity is fortunate successful in ward catching up. T his is illus- Varsity.Andy Wohlgenant, a basic enough to be on the same circuit as trated by The Varsity's willingness sci-ences senior, enjoyed seeing Tipitina's, so it has been successful pulling in to pay top dollar, as much as theCajun in pulling in some solid acts. Already $10,000, for bands like Blues ban d Beauso leil at The Var- sity. band “They Beausoleil were at really The Var-g o o sity. d , " it attracted top bands some solid Traveler or Living Colour. For Wohlgenant said, adding that The including Sprin Doctors, Toad theWet now The Varsity remains a bit Varsity could improve by bringing Sprocket, Public Enemy and Ice-T, more than a fledgling but not in more regional acts. and old favorites such as Los Lobos, acts. quite a tradition in the Southern Trent Graves, an LSU student Fabulous Thunderbirds and music scene. It’s got plenty of time who works security and helps out Yellowman. This February the popular to mature though. After all, it only behind the bar at The Varsity, said Boulder-based band, The Samples, got started in 1991, and Tipitina's retro nights are not as popular as played at Tipitina's on a Thursday has been around since the they once were but they can con- night and then at The Varsity the early '70s. O u r T o w n

Y es, V irginia, it's m o re 8y Chris Lu Jaunie

th an just a R ed Stick.

Baton Rouge can be a weird place. In you're superhuman enough. live blues and a slightly different crowd. it is LSU, a major university that is 2. Tabby's Blue Box Heritage Hall Women singing about being wronged by known nationally as being a hard "party" (1314 North Blvd). Few a brave LSU their husbands and things. Remember school. Yet outside of campus, Baton student have ventured out to Tabby's. the bar scene in Thelma & Louise? Well, Rouge has a notorious reputation with But for those who have, the musical treat is unsurpassed. it’s not like that. LSU students for having very few fun They play 'em like Rob- ert Johnson 9. The Gator Bar. Also known as things to do. On holidays and lull week- used to. 3. The Thirsty Erlene’s Alligator Hilton, it is a double- ends the tumbleweeds blow through Tiger Tavern (140 Main St.). Not the wide trailer on Bayou Manchac off Old campus as everyone takes off to go home one in Tigerland, but the one downtown Perkins Road. On Sundays they serve or to New Orleans, the city where things built into the ground. A real bar for free jambalaya, gumbo , and etouffe at 11 really happen. real bargoers. From the looks of it, p.m., allowing the Gator Bar to stay LSU students are convinced there is you would never believe fra- ternities open until 2 a.m. Some of the best hole- nothing to visit in Baton Rouge except a sometimes throw parties here. Cold beer in-the-wall atmosphere around. Sur­ bar. Well, there is some truth in that. and the occasional unprofes- sional live prise, you may see more of your friends Drinking socially in the local bars is a big band. A little bit like New Orleans, sort than you imagine. Ask for Ms. Erlene to part of student lifestyle, at least with of. 4. The Bayou appear in person. most of us. Strange thing is, most people (124 W. Chimes). Even if Sex, Lies, 10. The Varsity (3353 Highland). tire themselves out on the same bar, their and Videotape had never filmed there, W ho cares about the national economy security blanket, and then complain this place would still be the gathering w hen there’s Disco Retro? This venue is about how boring everything is. ground for society's rogue gal- lery. perhaps the only oasis for live music on a So there’s nothing to do. It's boring Anyone can go here. Plenty of pool grand scale in Baton Rouge. Just about here. How many times have you heard tables, good music, and ultracool bands any live b and that performs here will one of your friends or even yourself such as fIREHOSE, Paw, and Billy l ook slightly amazing. grumble this? For the unadventurous Goat performing. It may change your Other points of interest. Having thrillseekers out of ideas, we have taken life. 5. Pastime Lounge (252 South been around 30 years, The Bengal (2286 the liberty to provide you with a list to Blvd.). A true lounge with '70s wood paneling, it is one of the Highland) and Southdowns (4205 prove you wrong, so to speak. Some are few places in the universe where Perkins) are two of the oldest bars in Ba- off-the-wall and may even seem silly, but you can still get Schlitz on tap. The ton Radge and still draw college stu- judge not until you try. pizza is quite good, too. 6. The dents. You can laugh with your parents Ten bars you should not be without. Happy Note (5240 Florida). It once had about your experiences there. Because bars seem to be the most popu- orange shag carpet and glit- tery things lar choice, we'll begin with several you hanging from the ceiling, but is still a true Aragon (2160Highland),formerly should not miss in Baton Rouge. These walk back in time. You find all types, places are deemed "cool" by most na- from the sorority girls to bar flies. And tives. So if you must give in to the their cocktails are quite beer feelig, consider visiting one of the simply the strongest fol- lowing: 1. around. 7. Ivar's Sports Bar & Grill The (2954 Perkins). A relatively new bar Chimes (3357 Highland). Lo- cated at the and a sports bar at that. But a great place North Gated of LSU, it is an obvious choice torelax, munch on the to some, but there are people who still have popcorn, and play that stupid trivia game never heard of this place. With excellent that's burgers, a divine house salad, and the widest so addic- tive. 8. Phil Brady's Bar & Grill selection of imported beer in the city, the (4848 Government). Another bar for distance Chimes can quickly become a habit. Ask travelers, but well worth it. Look closely, for the Guinness on tap and drink a yard, if or you will definitely drive past it. Great

Xanthus, is a unique gay establishment offering great dance music and atmo­ sphere. Lately it’s been attracting a lot of straight people as well. Chris' Bar Cafe (1952 North Blvd.) is probably one of the city's best kept secrets, and like the Happy Note, a bar for serious patrons. With a reputation for drinks that will catch fire if too near an open flame is the Patio Lounge (8743 Jefferson). Jim, their bartender, has been there since the dawn o f time. Interesting conversation, and sometimes WAFB’s rep o rter/cook Vernon Roger can be seen there. Con- sider as well AAA Bar & Grill, George's (serving a very fine burger), W here else can you see old favor­ second floor of the Union is small Rick's Cafe Americain (for live ites l i k e but usually contains beautiful ex­ jazz), Gino's Italian Restaurant Night of the Living Dead and The hibits. You can breeze by between (for ex- pensive live jazz), Jerk? How about new fa- vorites classes or while you' re checking Library Joe's and Slinky's like Like Water for Choco- late or the mail. In May you can see Paul on Chimes Street next to the Steven Soderbergh's King of the Hill? Dufor's A Legacy of Glass at LSU Bayou,Grill. and O Sammy's f course, BarBaton & A good place to get your dose of take place. Rouge doesn't just offer bars. culture. Or, if you like, have a super O n e o f More c ulture. A night of ful­ There are several alternatives, cheap ($1.50) night with a movie fillment might be found in dinner some a little bizarre -- but at the University Cinema 4. That's t h e f e w and a night at the Baton Rouge then that's what makes life so even less than renting a video from Symphony (One American Place), fun. Gentlemen's Blockbuster p l a c e s in the Baton Rouge Little Theater Clubs. Poorly named, as or Alfalfa. Museums & Art. What (7115 Florida), o r the C ab aret most men in these places t h e u n i ­ Theatre (3116 College). The better way to impress that first date are hardly gentlemen. Strop than with some Impressionism? Cabaret Theater is a quaint perfor- v e r s e club is the more appropriate Baton Rouge offers a few museums mance house much like an old- term, and, casting aside all that promise to kill an afternoon w h e r e style cabaret on College Drive the sleazy joints on Airline intel- ligently. Out on with table and chair seating where Highway, two clubs stand out. Essen and I-10 near the Louisiana y o u c a n guests can watch nifty live plays The Gold Club is the first and Archives is the Rural Life Museum and spoofs. The Cabaret serves ex- only club of its kind in East (765-2437). The Louisiana Arts & s till g e t otic coffees and non-alcoholic Baton Rouge Parish. Women Science Center (100 River Rd.) in drinks while presenting comedies, dancing in things you usually Catfish Town holds a vast display Schlitz on musicals, and some drama on tie your shoe with. Go in the of relics from southern culture and Wednesday through Saturday eve- t a p . afternoon (they open at 3 p.m.) beyond and is worth spending a nings. For the weirder tastes, try for a cheaper thrill. Just make lazy after- noon on. If you feel like the Cabaret's experimental night sure you're 21 and carrying a stargaz- ing, give the A & S Center's on Tuesdays. Or call the Union sufficient amount of dollar Plan- etarium a call (502 North Box Office first (388-5128) to see bills. O ut on A irline H ighw ay Blvd., 344-0535). Not so educational if any grand performances are be- by the city limits is the other but equally fun is the Cars of Yes- ing given at the LSU Theatre. strip club known as Southern teryear (12139 Airline), which If dram a is your forte, the Ba- Kumfort. Not as expensive, isfilled with ... guess what. tonRougeLittleTheater offers not as classy, but no one will The Union Art Gallery on the quality performances of plays such care after the first hour. Movies. as Neil Simon's California Suite While you're (in May) waiting for and The Home Alone King and I 3 to come out (this sum­ you may as mer). For well check out drinkers, some quality bar is in­ films at the cluded. Essen Cin- Coffee­ ema 6 or the houses. If Union The- you desire atre. Why these to s i p a two? Because mo c h a theycloseset are the latte and things to "art be pro- found houses" in Baton a b o u t Rouge (like life, try the Prytania High- land in New Or- C offees leans) that ( 3 3 5 0 offer some of the best Highland). cinemaaround. T h e i r COVER

is actually fun . open 2 4 hours on the weekends. Festivals. The city and LSU Bowl cheaply (about $7) until you throw plenty of shindigs through­ fall down. If the bowling fever strikes out the year. Look for the Earth earlier, check out our very own Day Fest, KLSU’s Groovin’ on Union. They have pool tables, video the Grounds, the famous St. games, and ping- pong tables, too. Patrick’s Day Fest near Zee Zee If you enjoy simply watching Gardens, Cannabilooza, and the athletic events, LSU Athletics is Baton Rouge Blues Fest, usually always in season with something during the spring and summer. to watch, whether it be football, Downtow n Baton Rouge. basketball, baseball, track, or During the day downtown Baton something else. Games are cheap Rou ge can be quite interesting. for students and usually pretty ex- Try Cafe Presto, the Black Forest citing. At least, people cheer now Cafe, or S ouper Salad for lunch, and then. Animal Farm. Did you then walk around the junky shops know that filled with t hings you may find there is a zoo right here in the nowhere else. The battleship Capitol City? If you thought Mike's U.S.S. Kidd is a floating museum cage was impressive, well...in the of sorts for you to explore. And northern parts near Baker is the when was the last time you visited Baton Rouge Zoo (3601 Thomas). the State Capitol Building? Relive Clean and well-kept, it is open 7 those fourth-grade memories and days a week from find out the Capitol is cooler than 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call you think. W hen you get to th e 775-3877 and ask to speak to Babar. top, don’t forget to thespitover Water parks. Now that rail. If heights frighten you, there sum- mer is approaching Blue is the medieval-looking Old Bayou Water Park (18142 Perkins) Megan Reseter, playing miniature golf at Celebration Station. Governor's Mansion nearby as will soon be in full swing. Although well. You'll find it pleasantly not cappucino machines destroy the not open year round (which is too as tourist-oriented as the regular Krups model you got for Christ- bad, since it doesn't get deathly There are G overnor’s place. mas. The muffins and cheesecakes cold in Louisiana too often), the Athletics. The L SU lakes are are also noteworthy. Cultural park offers those cool water slides several blessed with a safe, well-made bike events such as poetry readings (one of them looks like snakes) path. A walk around the lakes can and art shows take place here alterna- that you loved as a kid. Better than be just the thing in the afternoon. regularly. With nice classical music driving to Texas for Waterworld. You can pretend you're skiing in in the background, it t i v e s , Opens for the summer May 28. the summer with a pair of rented is Timekillers. If just getting some so m e Rollerblades from Hudson B ay o r also a great place to get some time to yourself or with a few the Backpacker. Or call up the stu d y in g good friends, there are safe splaces a little Bike Shop near LSU and take on done. Ad- equate substitutes: Bean in Baton Rouge that can give you an invigorating mountain bike Tree and Perks. Out on College bizarre solitude. The LSU Indian Mounds trail, like the levee, over the week- Drive is a little place called Coffee have been a longtime fa- vorite of -- b u t Call that has a reputation for being end. For even more students to study, take a quick tan, activity try Cel- ebration Station. the Cafe du Monde of Baton Rouge. or just exist on an even plane with t h e n There you can tackle miniature With a style reminiscent of the the spirits. The Missis- sippi River putt-putt golf, ride 1950s, Coffee Call is open 24 hours that's levee is virtually de- serted at all go-carts, practice at the bat- ting on the weekends, and they serve times so be careful, es- pecially after cages, or sneak in a game of Mortal freshly made beignets, hot choco- what dark. If you're with a friend, though, Kombat while your date is in the late and cafe au lait. OTB. In the it's a good place for a walk, a run, makes restroom. Hot dogs and other junk Esplanade Mall is the Off-Track a bike ride or a picnic. Catch an food available. If you ever Betting Facility where you can occasional barge or tugboat l i f e get the urge to bowl a few games at watch dozens of horse races from all docked nearby. You can get on board 3 a.m. after around Loui- siana via numerous so f u n . if you pretend eating a large portion of Louie's hash television screens. Bet as little as $2 you know where you're going. browns, there is a place for you. and watch the old men in fedoras. continued on page 80 Don Carter's All Star Lanes stays With a group of friends, this place YOU SAIDIT IT

S A I D I T

BR'S N IG H T SCENE?

Luis Carlos Ewald — ELOP student. Coming to Baton Rouge, I did not re­ ally expect to have as much fun as I used to in Brazil where I’m from. But I met good friends and other Brazilians with whom I go party and to bars. I really like Baton Rouge night scenes.

Shannon Gibson — freshman, marketing The Baton Rouge night scene is somewhat dull. Considering that there is only one major night club (Club Orleans) that African-Americans can go, at­ tend and really have a fun time, the weekends are somewhat limited. There are not many functions that go on on campus and some people tend to go out of town to look for entertainment. If there were more activities for African-Ameri­ cans, I think that the night scene here would be great.

Melissa M. Sanderson — sophomore, speech pathology. It doesn’t compare to New Orleans but it does its job to provide a get-away from schoolwork.

Lindsey Hancock — freshman, education. Baton Rouge nightlife is really diverse. Although everyone seems to mi ­ grate out to the bars of Tigerland, I’ve found that the Texas Club is defi­ nitely home for me. No, those cowboys can’t do the Texas Two Step, but they’ve taught me a lot of new fun dances ... Cajun style.

Nguyen Mark Duong — senior, construction. I’m having fun in Baton Rouge, but unfortunately parties don’t last all night and bars shut down at 2 a.m.

SPRING 2 1994 49 ENTERTAINMENT

Louisiana has many festivals throughout the year for you to "come pass a good time.'

By Chris La Jaunie

Louisiana, in its good-time the Festival International de from Vietnam among others as southern tradition, probably has Louisiane, a huge celebration of musicians of all types gather to more celebrations and festivals French Louisiana and interna­ perform for six days. Bagpipe play­ over the course of a year than any tional music and art that takes The local ers perform on the sidewalks. other state in the country. Every place annually around the end of fairs and Dancers frolic in the streets, some­ month somewhere in Louisiana April in downtown Lafayette. A festivals times involving their audience. there is a small town or a big city small city that sits in the heartland That doesn’t mean there are no with something cultural going on. of Acadiana, a land rich in French such as the down-home connections, how­ Festivals are a favorite of college heritage and Louisiana tradition, Crawfish ever. Cajun dancing, Southern students, who have a chance to Lafayette is considered the perfect Festival in gospel, Creole zydeco, and even “get away” from campus life and setting for this cultural event. tastes of New Orleans funk, blues indulge in local delicacies, drink, Many people even prefer this to Breaux and jazz flavor the stages and the music and fun. the Jazz Fest because it is less com­ Bridge or streets. With Mardi Gras past us, the mercialized, less expensive and less the Straw­ But the Festival Internationale upcoming New Orleans Jazz and crowded. The festival exposes the de Louisiane is not just about mu­ Heritage Festival this April 22 to cultural connections between the berry sic. There is an abundance of other May 1 at the New Orleans Fair­ French heritage of Louisiana and Festival in cultural displays. Craftsmen sell grounds is of course one of the the Francophone, or French- Ponchatoula authentic exotic crafts such as Af­ speaking world. Its focus is much rican war masks and jewelry. Inter­ major events to look forward to, allow small eclipsing most other festivals. But tighter on what is being cel­ national chefs offer samples of in­ if you’re tired of braving the mas­ ebrated: music, dance, art, theater, towns to teresting cuisine. Visitors can sive New Orleans crowds to cel­ crafts and cuisine. celebrate/ sample foreign theater, drama and ebrate, or don’t want to spend the Artists and musicians from all their indus­ film. In all it is one of the most fas­ large sums of money the Jazz Fes­ over the world come to the festi­ cinating festivals of the year. Just tival commands (admission to the val to perform. People have the try and be sure to bring plenty of time and festival grounds, plus about $10- opportunity to see jazz from Bel­ heritage. energy with you. This will be the 30 for tickets to the main perfor­ gium and France, Spanish fla­ festival’s 8th year, taking place this mances), there are alternatives. menco, African tribal drums, April 19 to 24. Admission to the One of the new festivals begin­ Breton-Celtic music, Russian festival and all performances are ning to gain wide recognition is bluegrass, and traditional music free to the public.

50 GUMBO MAGAZINE ENTERTAINMENT

The local fairs and festivals such as the Crawfish Festival in Breaux Bridge or the Strawberry Festival in Ponchatoula allow small towns to celebrate their industry and heritage. Wildlife, Creole and Cajun food, music, and local harvests such as sugar­ cane and rice are celebrated annually. These celebrations offer a look at Louisiana rural life, arts, food and just all around fun. Many of them have grown to be quite famous with tourists. Here are some of the ones in 1994 you might want to catch:

French Quarter Festival, New Orleans April 8-10 Annual Alligator Day, Hammond Aug. 17 Catfish Festival, Winnsboro April 9 Shrimp Festival, Delcambre Aug 17-21 Strawberry Festival, Ponchatoula April 9-10 Baton Rouge Blues Festival August American Legion Strawberry Fest, Gonzales April 15-17 Buffalo Festival, Baker Aug. 27-28 Cajun Music Festival, Eunice April 17 LA Shrimp & Petroleum Festival, Morgan City Sept. 1-5 Italian Festival, Independence April 22-24 Duck Festival, Gueyan September Cajun Heartland State Fair, Lafayette May 5-15 Cajun Heritage Festival, Cut Off Sept. 10-11 Cochon de Lait Festival, Mansura May N LA Cotton Festival & Fair, Bastrop Sept. 18-24 Crawfish Festival, Breaux Bridge May Frog Festival, Rayne Sept. 23-25 North LA Folklife Festival, Monroe June Alligator Festival, Luling September Dairy Festival, Kentwood June 4 Potpourri Festival, Port Allen Oct 9-10 Com Festival, Bunkie June 4 LA Art dr Folk Festival, Columbia Oct. 12-13 Peach Festival, Ruston June 10-19 Rice Festival, Crowley Oct. 14-15 Jambalaya Festival, Gonzales June 11-12 French Louisiana Heritage Festival, Metairie Oct. 21-23 Blueberry Festival, Mansfield June 17-19 Louisiana Yambilee, Opelousas Oct. 26-30 Crab Festival, Lacombe June 24-26 French Food Festival, Larose Oct. 29-31 Festival Des Cadiens, New Orleans June 26 Sunshine Festival, Donaldsonville November Freedom Festival, Houma July 1-4 Cracklin Festival, Port Barre Nov. 11-13 Seafood Festival, Mandeville July 2-4 Pecan Festival, Harahan November Catfish Festival, Des Allemands July 9-10 Christmas on the River, Baton Rouge December Oyster Festival, Galliano July 15-17 A Creole Christmas, New Orleans December Marshland Festival, Hackberry July 30-31 Christmas in the Country, St. Francisville Dec. 2-4 Summer Music Festival, Lafayette Aug. 12-14 Christmas Festival, Nachitoches Dec. 3

There are festivals throughout the year other than these listed for you to “come pass a good time.” For more information get a free 1994 Louisiana Fairs and Festivals Guide from the Louisiana Department of Tourism (504-342-8119). [Or contact the festival’s marketing office at (318-232-8086) for more information) . An aerial view of the Festival International de Louisiane. ENTERTAINMENT

By Andrew Smiley Photo by Miranda Kombert

Ever heard of Big Daddie and DJ for the duo. His mixes include Boss Man? Well, if not, you are tunes ranging from A1 Green, Sly about to. All the way from New Stone, and Freddie Pendergrass Orleans, sporting a clean look and with the beat from “Trigger Man” a fresh sound, these two LSU stu­ by The Showboys. That song pro­ dents are the next rap sensation. vides the basic beat for most Their style of rap, called bounce rap. bounce music because of the Lenny has had plenty of expe­ quick tempo, originated in the rience in the music business. He Crescent City. Big Daddie and began as a DJ in the hip-hop Boss Man’s first single has already group Innocent and Guilty, also sold 10,000 copies and their full- based in New Orleans. Lenny de­ length album is due out in the scribes his music as fun for the spring. With influences like L.L. crowd and easy to dance to. Cool J, Heavy D, and Tribe Kevin delivers the lyrics. As the Called Quest, their album, which rapper for the group he speaks targets the college crowd, will un­ about his own experiences of being doubtedly be a hit. a college man and the world The crowds at the shows have around him. He hopes to be able similar musical taste to the per­ to apply the skills he learns as a formers themselves. And, when business management major and Big Daddie and Boss Man deliver produce works by other artists. their most popular song “Ya Kevin and Lenny have started Heard Me!” everyone knows how their own record label called to join in. It has become obvious Saphyre Records, under which that jazz ain’t all that comes they produced their first single bouncing out of New Orleans. and will produce their new album. The first and most notable of While some rap groups have the originators of bounce music is “straight-out-of-the-gutter” looks MC T. Tucker. His song “Where or gangster-style clothing, Big Dey At?” was the song that Daddie and Boss Man sport a brought this style of music into comfortable look including de­ the spotlight. signer jeans, Polo shirts, and Nike According to the February 18, high tops. 1994, edition of The Times-Pica- Lenny and Kevin are currently yune, “The sound that Tucker was involved in another group, Death the first to record has mush­ Squad. Their sound is a mix of roomed into a fast-selling deriva­ hip-hop and bounce rap styles. tive of rap that, in New Orleans, There is an album in the works outsells the hottest of the national with this group, but schoolwork rap records. And it is gaining a and bounce music come first. With influ­ friends, but it got them the public­ foothold across the South and in Big Daddie and Boss Man usu­ ences like ity they needed to begin playing in parts of the Midwest.” This type ally perform with a few other L.L. Cool J, local clubs in New Orleans. They of rap got its name because of its groups and are on stage for about Heavy D, do several shows a month in their fast beat that is easy to dance to. half an hour. During those 30 and Tribe home town, but have also started Called Also called chant rap, it allows for minutes, though, they really get Quest, their to play at Club Dreams in Baton audience participation with the the' crowd pumped, since the mu­ album ... Rouge and at Vibes and Visions performers. sic encourages the audience to will un­ across the river in West Baton Kevin Netters (Big Daddie) chant along with the music. doubtedly Rouge. They own all the equip­ and Lenny Saizan (Boss Man) are “Ya Heard Me!” was originally be a hit. ment needed to play, and use the both juniors at LSU. Lenny is the arranged for a party with some sound systems provided at the

52 GUMBO MAGAZINE in.Netters and Lenny Saizan, also known as the bounce rappers Big Daddie and Boss Man, are pumping up the crowds with their popular single, "Ya Heard M el"

clubs. Lenny, an electrical engi­ good enough to help with the ex­ "This “Ya Heard Me!” and will probably neering major, hopes his studies penses that college life involves. type of rap carry the album entitled Bouncin’ Both guys in the group wanted to the Bank. The album will be out will give him the expertise neces­ got its sary to set up a large sound system to thank the students and others around April and will include the so they can play anywhere. who bought the single and who go name single “Ya Heard Me!” plus eight The tour which they recently to the shows. If you listen to because of to 10 other songs that will bounce finished took them all over Louisi­ KLSU you might be able to catch its fast beat you out of your head. Be looking ana and parts of Mississippi. It is one of their songs during the rap that is easy and listening for Big Daddie and hard to retain a music career and show or on Saturated Neighbor­ Boss Man in local record stores go to school at the same time, but hood, the local music show. Para­ to dance and clubs, and they will see you at Kevin admits that the money is dise Records also sells the single to." the bank.

SPRING 2 1994 53 NEWS

health.” Recognizing the current Here’s scientific evidence that antioxi­ dant nutrients taken at higher than LSU professor William Pryor's research RDA levels may “help prevent coronary artery disease, certain forms of cancer, cataracts and other diseases,” Pryor recom­ mends that all adults take, in addi­ To Ib u r tion to a multi-vitamin, the fol­ lowing tablets daily: 200 to 400 is helping others live longer, fitter lives. International Units (IU) of vita­ min E, 200 to 400 milligrams of vitamin C, and 15 to 25 milli­ grams of beta-carotene. Many college students might disregard these recommendations, Health thinking that they are aimed to­ By Kara Nelson ward people their parents’ age. But Pryor stresses all of this applies to college-age students. He said, when you’re in college, you think you’re invincible, but these health problems affect people of all ages. Researchers recently found that, in the arteries of many seven- and eight-year-olds killed in acci­ dents and therefore available for autopsy, there was a significant build-up of arteriosclerotic plaque. At a very early age, many children develop unhealthy eating habits. Their diets include too much fat and cholesterol and not enough antioxidant nutrients. So, it is

Dr. Pryor hard at work, with antioxidant vitamins on hand. photo by Salem Chenafi never too early to take measures to reduce the risk of disease later in Research grants awarded to Dr. heart disease. Since cancer and life. William A. Pryor total approxi­ heart disease kill 75 percent of all Pryor’s research applies to col­ mately $22 million to date. He has Americans, this research has re­ lege-age students, but perhaps been quoted in Time, Newsweek, When you're ceived much attention from the even more so to LSU students. The New York Times, USA Today, in college, medical community and the me­ “The Baton Rouge/New Or­ The Times o f London, The Los An­ dia. Many people are now taking leans corridor along the Missis­ geles Times, and Readers Digest. He you think special antioxidant vitamin sippi is a high-cancer area. I per­ is the author or editor of over 20 you're supplements that seem to be the sonally believe it is due to lifestyle books that have been translated latest craze in the vitamin indus­ factors more than to industrial into many languages. invincible, but try. pollution,” he said. “In Louisiana, Now you’re wondering, “What these health Pryor recommends that all we do three things more than the does this famous researcher have to adults take a vitamin-and-mineral general population. We smoke do with me?” Well, not only is he problems tablet once a day that supplies the more. We drink more. And we eat a professor here at LSU, but his Recommended Dietary Allowance more fatty foods. Ideally all three ground-breaking research with an­ affect people (RDA). of these things should be changed, tioxidant vitamins could help you of all ages. But Pryor’s view of vitamins but, in addition, we do need the live a longer, healthier life. goes beyond their ability to help antioxidant vitamins more than Research has shown that higher prevent deficiency diseases. He the average person.” intakes of antioxidants, such as vi­ thinks that, by recommending Still on the cutting edge of re­ tamins C and E and beta carotene, higher antioxidant intake, we will search in his field, Pryor is cur­ can reduce the risk of cancer and see their potential to “optimize rently working on the develop-

54 GUMBO MAGAZINE NEWS

ment of an Oxidative Stress Status process seems to be more difficult several calls from representatives of (OSS) test as a potential predictor than they had anticipated, but venture capital companies inter­ of cancer risk in individuals. Some Pryor is encouraged by some re­ ested in getting involved in its de­ factors that increase oxidative cent patterns in the data that he "In Louisiana, velopment. stress include disease, aging, finds “tantalizing.” Pryor is especially concerned worry, radiation, water toxins and “Whenever you see fine struc­ we do three with improving the health and tobacco smoke. ture in the data it’s more confusing lifestyles of poverty-stricken indi­ There are different ways of but ultimately more revealing,” he things more viduals. They are less informed measuring oxidative stress, but his said. than the about current nutritional research current research focuses on mea­ Pryor will continue to work on and often have special medical suring the amount of ethane in ex­ the development of the OSS in the general problems for which they are not haled air. This is significant be­ months to come. He believes that, always able to get medical atten­ cause higher oxidative stress makes when successfully completed, the population. tion. more fat oxidation, and more fat OSS will have a significant role in Pryor wants to see that the por­ oxidation releases more ethane. clinical medicine much like the We smoke tion of the population that is the This project, funded by Claude test that measures a person’s cho­ more. We poorest nutritionally is able to get B. “D oc” Pennington, is being lesterol level. vitamin supplements. He hopes done in collaboration with Johns “I envision OSS as an instanta­ drink more. that eventually people will be al­ Hopkins in Maryland and in­ neous snapshot of a person’s re­ lowed to purchase vitamins with volves the voluntary participation sponse to some of the oxidative And we eat food stamps. of cancer patients who are under­ stress that they’re under,” Pryor Pryor entered college at the going radiation therapy there. said. more fatty University of Chicago with the in­ Pryor and his associates record the And, apparently he is not alone foods." tent to go to medical school but amount of ethane present in in his optimism for the future of got as far as his first freshman breath samples given by several OSS. Since he published the chemistry class and “fell in love”... cancer patients immediately after theory of OSS (in four different with chemistry, that is. So, he sessions of intensive radiation. The journals), his office has received traded his plans to be a physician continued on page 78 W illiam Pryor paves the way for disease prevention. photo by Salem Chenafi

SPRING 2 1994 55 SPORTS

Everyone in Louisiana knows that sports are a big part of LSU. But what most people don’t know is while they are standing in line for men’s athletics, some women of LSU are jumping, passing and diving their way into school, con­ ference and national record books. Some women of LSU are jumping, passing The women’s track team has and diving their way into school, conference been national champions for the past seven years. That’s right, and national record books. seven National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) titles in as By Kristine Calongne many years. But it doesn’t stop there. The team has won six in­ door and seven outdoor South­ eastern Conference champion­ ships, along with just about every other major title. LSU was even represented in track and field events at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona by five stu­ dents and graduates. Ester Jones won a gold medal in the 4-by-100 relay. LSU also had 11 women com­ pete in the World Championships in Germany last year, and the Ti­ gers finished the ’93 season with a long string of records in all events. Brad Messina, sports informa­ tion director (SID) for track, said the team has won more titles than any other women’s track program. “They have just dominated for the past seven years,” he said. “They’ve won everything.” In fact, Messina said they not only won the NCAA title last year, but they also won the outdoor competition so decisively, that the second and third place schools could have added their scores to­ gether and still not totaled the points that LSU had. The indoor track season, which consists of smaller tracks and shorter races than outdoor, runs January 21 to March 11. Then the outdoor picks up and ends in June with the NCAA Championship meet in Boise, Idaho. But can this team, after seven national titles, be expected to win again? Simply put, yes. They have been picked by College Track Gymnast Jennifer Landry photo by Miranda Kombert Magazine to finish number one

56 GUMBO MAGAZINE SPORTS

again this year, and Messina said the team looks even better than it did in 1993. This year’s team is composed of seven returning women and seven newcomers. Among the newcom­ ers is freshman Karen Boone from Texas. According to Messina, Boone’s high school track team finished fourth in the Texas State Champi­ onships last year. And when LSU discovered she was the only mem­ ber of the team, they really became interested. “She’ll probably take over the reins of the former champions,” Messina said. Head Coach Pat Henry agrees. Henry, who has been at LSU for seven years, said, “We have a good nucleus of returning NCAA talent, along with very good younger tal­ ent too. With that combination, if we can stay healthy and work very hard, we can do well again.” If the Tigers can continue to romp in the conference that Henry refers to as “the premiere confer­ ence of track,” there is little doubt that they will achieve further suc­ cess in the NCAA. Then, there’s the swimming team. The SEC is tough in this sport, too, and LSU finished in photo by Jeremy Grossman fifth place in the conference last Julie Lewis goes after the ball in an LSU v. USL game. season. They were ranked 22nd in the nation, and are hoping to dards in order to be invited to the pected to move into second or move further up this year. NCAA championships. This keeps third place in 1994. Again, the According to Corey Walsh, the competition individual, then SEC is stiff competition, with five SID for swimming and diving, when points are totaled, there is an The conference teams ranked in the there are 10 dual meets in a season. overall school winner. wom en's top 10 in the nation. At each meet, LSU competes Last year, both the swimming The women compete in four against one other school in 13 dif­ and diving teams consisted of a track team events — uneven bars, balance ferent events. But Walsh said the number of All-Americans, includ­ has been beam, floor exercise and vault. regular season is not nearly as im­ ing sophomore Lucy Findlay, who There are individual and overall portant as the SEC champion­ won three SEC events and placed national winners, with points given for ships, which every school com­ in seven NCAA events. champions each to determine the team’s rank. petes in. Walsh calls her “one of the best for the past Adam Young, SID for the “The top four winners in each swimmers LSU has ever had” and gymnastics and volleyball teams, event are given a numerical value predicts this year’s team to do well seven said there are 12 members, 10 of for their place,” Walsh said. “At at the NCAAs, in spite of the fact years. whom can participate in all the end, the numbers for each that many of the members are new. events. At a typical meet, only school are totaled up, and that’s But don’t forget about the gym­ four women are required to take how rank is determined.” nastics team. Head Coach D-D part in all events, so the team ro­ Walsh said each competitor Pollock’s team was ranked fourth tates. must meet certain qualifying stan­ in the country last year and is ex­ continued on page 7 7

SPRING 2 1994 57 NEWS

Campus Safety has updated its methods in the last decade to properly dispose of hazardous materials at LSU By Jay Casey photos by Salem Chenafi

LSU generates approximately borne chemicals) gets above a cer-1 you do have large and varied 40 tons of hazardous waste a year. tain level and if that level consti­ amounts of hazardous materials That’s over 2 pounds of hazardous tutes a problem.” that must be disposed of in a safe waste per student — enough for He said strange chemical and timely manner,” Earp said. LSU to be classified as a large- smells, usually more of a nuisance The buildup of old chemicals in quantity producer by the Environ­ than a threat, are just one small labs on campus is an ever-present mental Protection Agency (EPA). example of many problems inher­ problem posed by job turnover and But Mike Hooks, assistant ent in the control and manage­ graduation. Hooks said individuals safety officer of Campus Safety, ment of hazardous materials on a will often leave a closet or storage the department which handles campus as large as LSU. room full of unidentified, aging or waste generated by the university, “We are a high-profile, sci­ impure chemicals and the arrival of said any extremely hazardous ma­ ence-oriented research institute someone new in that area requires terials on campus are in small coupled with an agricultural col­ a cleanup. quantities and their accessibility to lege, and when you put all that “For the last year I’ve tried to the majority of the LSU commu­ together you’re going to find that proactively seek out these areas be­ nity is low. fore they become an Labs and research ar­ emergency,” Hooks said. eas on campus are the “We plan to clean up most common location little by little and, eventu­ of potentially dangerous ally, the university will be materials. This is why the clear.” day-to-day work of Cam­ “It’s not really a great pus Safety generally con­ environmental issue, but sists of responding to if a professor sends a complaints about strange freshman student worker odors lingering in places over to the chemical such as Choppin Hall, closet to get something CEBA or the School of out and he has to move Veterinary Medicine. Pe­ the substance or is just cu­ culiar smells are a com­ rious and opens it, it mon occurrence for could be dangerous,” he buildings that have a said. large number of labs and Hooks said ordering chemicals. smaller quantities of “(These odors) are al­ needed chemicals and ways going to be a part of curtailing the storage of that type of study,” said chemicals over long peri­ Eugene Earp, director of ods of time would help al­ Campus Safety. “But the leviate the problem. question is whether or The many different not (the presence of air­ 58 and potentially dangerous

GUMBO MAGAZINE NEWS

substances handled by the pro­ presence on campus. gram set LSU, and other universi­ “But, such chemicals will prob­ ties with similar research bases, ably never completely disappear apart from many companies in the from campus because they are es­ private sector. sential to some types of upper-ech- “The great number of varying elon research,” Earp warned. chemicals handled by and turned Earp said the mission of Cam­ to spent waste product by LSU dif­ pus Safety is to protect the LSU fers from the waste product of a community while meeting all EPA single large refinery where and Louisiana Department of En­ amounts may be higher but only vironmental Quality requirements one or two products have to be for the handling of potentially controlled,” Hooks said. dangerous materials. “You name it, we handle it,” “We are going to do everything Hooks said, “From toner in the that is reasonable and practical,” copiers to ‘polyethel death’ (poly­ he said. “That is the attitude we ethylene glycol). have.” “I’ve seen stuff in small bottles Earp cautioned, however, that that would kill you as soon as you protection does not mean Campus looked at it,” he laughed. Safety is staffed by what he catego­ One substance Campus Safety rizes as “environmental wackos” was concerned with in the past is — a term he reserves for individu­ F. Douglass Powell Sr., the safety program picric acid. While not particularly als who refuse to realistically ap­ coordinator, prepares chemicals for disposal. toxic, it took on widespread politi­ praise the problems of waste con­ cal implications because of its ten­ trol on such a vast scale and in a dency to become unstable and ex­ modern industrial society. "We are a cals in the most expedient man­ plosive after a long period of stor­ Such attitudes can sometimes high-profile, ner.” Expediency often included age. create a no-win situation for safety science- such unfortunate alternatives as Earp said when a secondary personnel who must walk a fine placing hazardous substances in school student in Iowa was injured line between the expectations of oriented solid waste receptacles, where they upon opening an old bottle of pi­ those advocating environmental research would find their way into landfills, cric acid, a furor reverberated like concerns at any cost and those institute or simply pouring unwanted a shockwave across the country. In who are charged with the mainte­ chemicals down the most conve­ short, no one wanted the stuff nance of the waste products of in­ coupled with nient drain. around anymore. dustrial technology and research. an agricul­ Earp reported that such actions When large amounts of picric “A lot of them are running tural college, were “representative of the cavalier attitude that seemed to exist at acid were found at LSU, Campus around and they simply froth at and when Safety was presented with the the mouth. Many of them just LSU and other state universities problem of disposal since the vola­ take off on tangents and they re­ you put all concerning the disposal of hazard­ tile substance cannot be trans­ ally don’t know where they’re that together ous wastes as late as 1980.” ported. The answer was to neutral­ coming from,” he said. you're going Perhaps nothing typifies this at­ ize the compound as it came to Awareness to the environmen­ titude better than the 1993 discov­ them in small amounts. tal impact of university-generated to find that ery of agricultural chemicals which “Picric acid at LSU was used in hazardous waste has only come to you do have were buried at a construction site a lot of procedures and areas, most the forefront in the last decade. It large and in the sorority/fraternity area of likely in the biological sciences,” was just in 1979, the year Earp campus sometime in the past. Hooks said. “It may have been came to LSU, that Louisiana law varied Hooks said the assumption is used in the past as a stain because makers passed legislation to regu­ amounts of that the chemicals were probably it will stain something perma­ late the waste disposal methods of hazardous buried there in the ’60s or early ’70s when much of the present day nently yellow.” the state’s universities. These laws materials that Other hazardous substances were designed to reverse the envi­ sorority/fraternity area was still ag­ that have been the focus of Cam­ ronmentally harmful side-effects must be ricultural area. pus Safety in the last decade are the resulting from such practices. disposed of in The discovery necessitated the carcinogens benzene and carbon “Before that time,” Earp has a safe and removal of a quantity of dirt from tetrachloride. Substituting less cited in a recent report, “LSU, like the contaminated area as well as dangerous chemicals in student other Louisiana universities, dis­ timely the removal of any accumulated labs significantly reduced their posed of hazardous wastes/chemi­ manner." water. Encompassed in the expen-

59 NEWS

water. Encompassed in the expen­ acquired a new, state-of-the-art Hazardous waste is stored for sive cleanup operation was a bat­ storage facility with twice the ca­ up to 90 days until it is taken away tery of tests to make sure the site pacity of its predecessor, which to be properly destroyed by local would not pose a problem in the was little more than an old barn private firms. But hazardous waste future. begged and cajoled from the Agri­ is broken down into regulated and Though not excusing such ac­ cultural Department in 1983. It is non-regulated categories. Regu­ tions, he stressed that disposal of designed to help the relatively lated wastes are more stringently such materials in a similar manner small Campus Safety staff — five, controlled by EPA guidelines, was going on in many places including one secretary — better while non-regulated wastes, such around the country. manage the job of waste retrieval as agricultural chemicals, face less “It was not understood how to and disposal. severe restrictions because the ex­ properly handle these materials Expediency The old structure, wryly re­ tra costs for such programs would and that’s what you did. You went often ferred to by Earp as “The Edifice,” fiscally damage the U.S. agricul­ out and dug a hole and you threw included came complete with dirt floors and tural industry. the chemicals in, you covered it up animal stalls when it was taken Hooks said that while some and it was forgotten about,” such over by Campus Safety. During non-regulated material does not Hooks said. unfortunate the decade of its operation, safety have to be disposed of within 90 “I would not say that you are alternatives measures were taken to improve days, they normally dispose of it going to see that anywhere else on the structure’s viability for the with the other waste. campus. It was never found any­ as placing storage of hazardous materials. Rolf Williams, of the Hazard­ where on the main campus. That hazardous But time, weather, growth of the ous Waste Emergency Response was a agricultural research area. substances campus around what was initially section of the Department of En­ That was why it was found there. a somewhat isolated location, and in solid vironmental Quality, said he has “I doubt we’ll ever turn one up the final indignity of termites seen a big improvement in Cam­ again,” he said. waste forced the university to provide pus Safety during the last 13 years. Earp said one should not indict receptacles, better and safer accommodations. “There is adequate storage previous treatment of hazardous where they The new facility, located in an space and they clean up properly, wastes because it occurred in an open field off Nicholson near the according to our guidelines,” he era marked by low environmental would find LSU golf course, is equipped with said. concern and virtually no govern­ their way features such as explosion-proof Earp said the new facility is a mental regulations or subsidies. into land­ light fixtures and a rise heat detec­ positive move, a step in the right “There was simply nothing tion system (as opposed to a vapor direction for dealing with the real­ available to them to get rid of the fills, or detection system) designed to de­ ity of hazardous waste production materials at the time,” he said, simply tect fire immediately and send an and disposal on campus. A reality s “They did the best they could.” pouring alarm directly to the LSU police that necessitates an on-going mis­ Before the turnabout at the be­ station. There is also a chemical sion to protect the LSU commu­ ginning of the 1980s, Hooks said unwanted identification station in the facility nity from the by-products of its universities were consistently chemicals complete with a ventihood, a glass own research and quest for knowl­ passed over when many environ­ down the enclosure designed to isolate a edge mental occupational safety regula­ chemical being tested. tions were created because of the most ^misconception that little went on convenient in terms of waste generation on drain. university campuses. But this atti­ tude was altered due to a growing environmental outlook. The issue of liability for producers is now an important incentive for proper disposal of hazardous materials. “In the past 10 years, universi­ ties have come from nearly zero to almost being on the cutting edge of the field,” Hooks said. LSU, under the direction of Campus Safety, has been a part of this trend. In the summer of 1993 LSU The old storage facility came complete with dirt floors and animal stalls when it was taken over by Campus Safety. PROFILE

A t and around the w orld

G l i s s a n t

By Muriel Placet

One of the greatest writers and poets of the late 20th century has been among us on campus for the past few years. The Encyclopaedia Universalis, referring to his works as some of the most important written in French, asked over 20 years ago, “How could we not situ­ ate Edouard Glissant in the front rank of all intellectual and literary production of the late twentieth century?” In 1994, this question need no longer be asked as Glissant, director of the Center for French and Francophone Studies at LSU, has been recognized by a large number of authors, poets, scholars and readers as an eminent author and thinker. Despite the fact he is in con­ Edouard Glissant, poet and author. Photo by Salem Chenafi stant demand worldwide as a lec­ turer and special guest of colloquia, the center organized an interna­ in cooperation with the program Glissant has been teaching French tional colloquium on “The Planta­ of Francophone Studies of the and Francophone Literatures as an tion System” in- April 1989 to University of Southwestern Loui­ LSU Foundation Distinguished broaden knowledge and awareness siana. It was the first time Cajun Professor in the Department of of the diversity of cultures in the storytellers from Louisiana and His latest French and Italian since Septem­ world. Among the guest lecturers Creole storytellers from ber 1988, and he has been ex­ was Patrick Chamoiseau who was novel, Tout- Martinique had a chance to meet tremely active as director of the the 1992 recipient of the renowned and to perform together at LSU Monde, won Center for French & Francophone French literary prize, Prix and USL. Studies. The center, established in Goncourt, for his last novel Texaco enthusiastic According to Sherylane Lloyd, 1983, promotes research and (Gallimard). Glissant’s assistant, the center is a teaching in language, literature and One of the highlights of the reviews and a great research tool for students and culture, and offers a new perspec­ center’s activities took place in vast and faculty since it provides them with tive on literary production from April 1990 when Glissant invited a large library, located in Prescott the Francophone, or French- the poet Jayne Cortez, from New eclectic Hall, which contains more than speaking, world. The center, York, and the Caribbean poet 3,500 books. readership. whose main goal is to contribute to Derek Walcott to LSU for two Glissant’s play Monsieur a real and enriching diversification days of poetry readings. Walcott Toussaint, which was published in in the humanities, makes a point of won the Nobel Prize of Literature 1961, was produced by the LSU recognizing the presence of all lan­ two years later. Theatre Department in April guages in the world. In November 1991, the center 1990 and directed by native-Nige- Under the direction of Glissant, hosted the second Poetry Readings rian Femi Euba, a guest artist-in-

SPRING 2 1994 61 PROFILE

residence for both the LSU The­ France. He holds a Doctorate in several foreign languages includ­ atre and the Department of En­ Letters and Social Sciences from ing German, Spanish, Portuguese, glish. This play, which was one of the Sorbonne. He was awarded a Italian, Russian, Bulgarian, Swed­ the first plays in the history of Doctorate Honoris Causa from ish, Polish, Czech, Hebrew, Caribbean theater to be written on York University in Toronto, Dutch, Yiddish, Slovak and En­ the early 19th century Haitian Canada in 1989 and a Doctorate glish. revolution, was widely acclaimed. Honoris Causa from the Univer­ In 1989, Glissant was the first In 1977, the critic Robert Kanters sity of West Indies in Trinidad in Francophone writer from outside declared in L ’Express, “Edouard 1993. France to be invited as the guest Glissant’s play is superb, it is The 1950s marked the begin­ lecturer of the 12th Puterbaugh Shakespeare redone from life: ning of an eminent literary career Conference on writers of the grandeur of subject matter, tragic with collections of poems like Un French-speaking and Hispanic sense of build-up, flash of a poetic champ d ’iles (1953), La Terre world, at the University of Okla­ He cel- language cast in strong and origi­ 1 inquike (1954) and Les Indes homa for a two-week series of lec­ nal forms.” (1956), which was followed in tures and conferences exploring Last November, Glissant was ebrates a 1958 by Glissant’s first novel La his works. This symposium led to the special guest of the Fifth Lezarde for which he won the the publication of a special issue of Crossroad of European Litera­ Renaudot Prize, one of the most new reality the review World Literature Today tures, held in Strasbourg, France. coveted literary prizes in France. (vol.LXIII, Fall 1989), a literary The speech he gave for the open­ This novel was translated into En­ quarterly of the University of ing conference of this European and glish as The Ripening in 1985. Oklahoma. literary event was published the Being associated with the Black Among the several colloquia on same day in the French national conception African Renaissance, an interna­ Glissant’s work, the most impor­ newspaper Le Monde. In his open­ tional literary movement for the tant is probably the one which ing speech, Glissant revealed his recognizance of the African pres­ took place in Portugal in October global vision of the world as a to­ of the ence in the Arts, Glissant estab­ 1990. It was an international tality. He celebrates a new reality lished himself as a writer and a colloquium organized by the Uni­ and conception of the world in world in poet of great importance on the versity of Porto, Portugal, and the which all intolerances and gener­ intellectual scene of the 1950s. He University of Pau, France, which alizations are overcome and there was one of the organizers and brought together 42 scholars from which all is no domination by any culture, speakers of the First International 12 different countries. language or conception of others. Congress of Black Writers and Art­ The year 1993 will certainly be Glissant, arguing for a planetary intoler- ists in Paris in 1956 and of their remembered as the consecration of consciousness, says, “We have one Second Congress in Rome in Glissant’s work. His latest novel, world made by many cultures. We 1959. He also contributed to the ances and Tout-Monde, won enthusiastic re­ cannot forget a single one. If we literary journal Presence Africaine views and a vast and eclectic read­ do, we have really lost something.” and was appointed to the editorial ership. This book, which blurs the A culture has to preserve its own generali- board of Les Lettres Nouvelles. He conventional distinctions between identity and specificities in order returned to his native land in 1965 genres such as novel, essay, autobi­ to survive. But, in order to share zations are and founded the Martinican Insti­ ography, poetry, etc., offers a new the global experience, it also needs tute of Studies, an institution de­ multi-dimensional vision of the to recognize that not only does it voted to research and teaching. He world and seems to have recon­ influence the world, it is also influ­ overcome. also founded Acoma, a review of ciled its author with the general enced by the world. Glissant said humanities and social sciences. public who had always considered one culture does not have to un­ From February 1982 to Sep­ him a “difficult” writer. That is derstand another in order to live tember 1988, he directed the re­ not to say that Glissant has sud­ with it, and it does not have to nowned cultural magazine Le denly become a popular writer as reduce it to an ideal transparency Courrier de TUnesco ( The Unesco opposed to the “difficult” one he in order to accept it. Courier) which is published in 36 has been regarded as for a long Born in 1928 in Martinique (in languages worldwide. time. But a vast readership finally the French West Indies), Glissant As a professor, Glissant has recognized Glissant’s non-reduc- attended the Victor Shoelcher taught at the Martinican Institute tive and anti-essentialist vision of High School in Fort-de-France in of Studies (1967-79), at the the world as an enriching way to his native land and studied phi­ Sorbonne University-Paris IV relate to (and in) the world today. losophy at the Sorbonne Univer­ (1984-86) and at the University of The large success of his last novel sity and anthropology at the 'Geneva, Switzerland (1986-87). led Glissant to be invited as a par- Mus^e de l’Homme in Paris, His works have been translated in continued on page 78

62 GUMBO MAGAZINE PROFILE

Interview With The Author

By Salem Chenafi

Edouard Glissant, the author of there are a lot of metissages in the manity. the recently published novel Tout- United States, not so much as ra­ SC : For Tout-M onde you are M on de (roughly translated as cial ones but rather as cultural receiving unanimous acclaim and “Whole-World”) keeps striving to ones. This can be explained by the widespread critical attention, but free us “from the horrors o f forced fact that here creolization is ex­ for almost four decades your identities, from all the pretenders pressed through musics, films and thoughts, somehow revolutionary, of race and ethnicity”(Zf N o u vel plays and, therefore, there is no have been constant and have ex­ Observateur). need to think about it in a more pressed the same concern about SC: You often say that your philosophical way. I think that our world. Do you consider your­ work as a writer consists o f evoking philosophical and intellectual self a pioneer? the relation between geographical meditations would add something EG: No. I think that every­ places, cultures and imaginary as­ to this phenomenon of where in today’s world there are pects of the world. Would Tout- creolization. people who have the same intui­ M on de have been different if you SC: So, you are basically saying tions of the world situation but had not lived in Louisiana these that all the peoples are undergoing they don’t know it. When I say or past five years? a process o f creolization? write something and then, later on, EG: Yes absolutely. Actually EG: Absolutely. In today’s I find in a Peruvian or an Italian one part of my novel concerns world, all cultures are in direct and newspaper the same idea that I Louisiana in the sense that the state striking contact with one another have expressed I’m amazed. I’m is very close to the Caribbean. Both as a result o f today’s communica­ finding out that this idea I thought have the same system o f plantation tion means and techniques, the original and personal was expressed and a colonial architecture, the media and the possibilities o f trav­ by others in a different way and in same population from African ori­ eling which are more important a different place. gin, the same background of than ever. For the first time in the SC: Are you teaching your own French language, the presence of history of humanity, all cultures work to your students at LSU? the Creole language and cuisine. I are in constant and immediate re­ EG: Here at LSU, I teach have also noticed some similarities lation to each other. Any event will Francophone literatures, but I between jazz and Caribbean musics. have an impact on us whether we teach them in relation to French Also living in Louisiana allowed want it or not, whether we are literature. I do teach my own me to discover the bayou, this sort aware of it or not. What we know work, first as an example o f of vastness of water with trees about the world changes us. I think francophone literature and sec­ emerging from it. I was not ac­ it is better if we become aware of ondly because my students often quainted with this kind of land­ these changes because the phe­ ask me to do so. But more than scape and it had a real impact on nomenons of creolization are ex­ anything else I wish to share with me. As a consequence, Tout- tremely important to us if we want them the idea that a new concep­ M onde gained by my staying in to reflect on the relation between tion o f literature is emerging. I Louisiana. cultures and wish to build and ac­ think that literature has changed a SC: You talk a lot about cept the future of humanity. lot since World War II and that creolization in your works. Is it SC: How can the whole world the world has become the main merely a metissage (a mixture of become aware of its on-going object o f literature today. There is race, culture and language on a metissage? a process of globalizing the con­ global scale)? EG: It is necessary for any cul­ cept o f literature, and I try to teach EG: Not really. Experience has ture or any community to stop be­ it here as well as the passion for lit­ shown me that there can be ing closed in upon itself and to erature which should not only be metissage without a clear awareness cease considering its identity as the an object o f study. I believe litera­ of creolization which, itself, is the only valid and valuable one. We as ture to be one o f the art forms that awareness o f the values produced cultures and people should not lose best allows us to accept, to envi­ by metissage. Metissage does not our identities or dilute ourselves in sion and to imagine what I call the always go together with the aware­ the whole world but we have to be “chaos-world,” this conflictual but ness o f creolization and vice-versa. more open, which had not really marvelous encounter of cultures, For instance, it seems to me that been the case in the history o f hu­ peoples, languages, etc ...

63 FEATURES THIS OLD SCHOOL The campus of today's "Great University" was originally on a plantation site.

By Melisse Campbell It is difficult to imagine LSU Land was sought near the old wth wide open spaces of grass, trees campus, but costs were prohibi­ would run down in it,” Munson and swamps. It is even harder to tive. However, the 1,200 acre said. “We used to swim, or either envision it without buildings, Gartness plantation, three miles take a bath, I don’t know which. pavement or people. But over 75 south of Baton Rouge, was for sale “The two Indian Mounds be­ years ago, that is what our campus for $82,000, Fiser said. longed to me and my brother. The looked like when the state bought Col. Thomas Duckett Boyd, one on the north, we named him it to build a “Greater University” president of LSU, thought this Lew and the other one Brooke. in 1918. would be a good location for the “We never did do any digging “At first, they were only think­ university. On April 25, 1918, (in the Indian Mounds). Our grandfather wouldn’t let us dig in ing of expanding for the agricul­ Boyd purchased a 60-day option "It was tural school. They were thinking with a $500 personal check on Dr. them. of keeping the university where it J. M. Williams’ property. the most “Where the Greek Theater is, then was, which was an old Army One man remembers the land, well there was a little pond down post,” said John W. “Jack” Fiser, a before there was a university. am azing there. We used to go down there 1946 LSU graduate. Fiser worked and swim in that,” he said. “I would follow the plows out building for 12 years as editor of LSU here on the Parade Ground. They He and his brother fished in Alumni Publications, retiring in would plow up the ground and I program the pond and caught crawfish in a 1984. would find Minie’ balls and a lot of ditch where the football stadium is While Fiser was working with arrowheads,” Lew W. Munson you ever located. the alumni, he realized there was said to Pamela Dean, director of 'O n May 22, 1918, the univer­ no modern history of LSU and he the T. Harry Williams Center for saw, three sity held a barbecue on the Indian began researching it. The only Oral History Collection. or four Mounds to rally support for its ex­ available published history of the Munson and his older brother, pansion project. university dated to before the Brooke, lived five years with their new build­ “The barbecue was served by move to the new campus. grandfather, William Ruffin uniformed cadets and coeds from The history of the new campus Munson, the overseer on the ings al­ Louisiana University. Water, but­ is directly related to the old cam­ Gartness Plantation. Munson said most every termilk and sweet milk were the pus, which was in downtown Ba­ the plantation property was used drinks. The only stimulant was ton Rouge on Third Street. The for farming and there was a swamp year." black coffee. Significance may campus had become crowded in where the lakes are now located. have been attached to the fact it the second decade of the 20th cen­ The Munson brothers lived in a was the first ‘dry’ barbecue in the tury. There was no room for ex­ wood frame house where the elec­ history of Baton Rouge. This was pansion because the university was trical engineering building is now the assertion of old timers,” The bordered on three sides by the city, standing. There was an eight-foot New Orleans Times-Picayune re­ the Mississippi River and the Uni­ sugar kettle behind the house ported in their May 23, 1918 edi­ versity Lake, which is now called which caught water. tion. Capitol Lake. “When it would rain, the water Gov. Ruffin G. Pleasant, an

Aerial photo of the LSU campus taken in 1 9 2 9 from above the Mississippi River looking east. Gumbo File Photo

64 GUMBO MAGAZINE FEATURES

LSU alumnus and former football sity, which is similar to LSU, had Fiser said. “The buildings that he star, was in attendance. Pleasant been designed by the team. built at this place were built to said if they could get the money The second of four architects, stay. Actually, they’re hard to get together, the legislature would pass Theodore C. Link, who built St. down, when you’re trying to get a bill and he would find the money Louis City Hall and Union Sta­ them down. to purchase the land. tion, chose the 14th century Ital­ “You never spent an hour on The following day, nine men ian Renaissance architectural mo­ the campus in the daytime with­ from Baton Rouge signed a note tif. out hearing jackhammers and for $50,000 from Louisiana Na­ “That’s what I always thought saws,” said Fiser, even though he tional Bank. The property was of when I was here,” Fiser said. started at LSU 10 years after con­ purchased and the remaining bal­ Link had also planned a lake be­ struction began. “It was the most ance was mortgaged. tween the stadium and the levee amazing building program you The appropriations bill, in with a boat dock and a roped off ever saw, three or four new build­ which the money for the university swimming area which was not dug. He and ings almost every year. was “found,” passed with only to­ Fiser said there was no real Uni­ “There used to be room for a ken opposition. After it became versity Lake when the area was his brother lot of touch football games,” Fiser law, the property was transferred bought. The campus was prima­ said. “There was a lot of green to LSU on August 15, 1918. rily a swamp which had to be places.” A supporter of the university drained. He said a lot of the build­ fished in The actual move to the new expansion was John M. Parker, ings are now standing where there campus took place in the summer who was elected governor in 1920. was literally no dry ground. of 1925 and classes began that fall. One of his campaign planks was to Construction of the new cam­ the pond The university faced many dif­ develop a “Greater Agricultural pus began on March 29, 1922, ficulties when it began the process College.” He also advocated a 2- with the first building, a concrete and of moving three miles away. Fos­ percent severance tax on the natu­ and brick dairy barn. The struc­ ter Hall was not yet equipped to ral resources of the state to fund the ture was 13,000 square feet. serve three meals a day. It limited building projects, as he knew the In 1923, the focus was on agri­ caught itself to a cold lunch, and the caf­ university would need financial cultural buildings, such as the eteria on the old campus served support. dairy barn, the hog barn, the stock crawfish the hot meals. Therefore, the stu­ After Parker was elected, it be­ exhibit building, the stock judging dents still lived on the old campus came apparent that the university pavilion and the residence for the and would ride the train south of should stay intact as one unit, cre­ agriculture dean. New Pentagon in a ditch town for classes. It was too far to ating a “Greater University,” Barracks were built for housing, walk, and since most students did rather than splitting the two cam­ and Foster Hall was the cafeteria. not have cars, they paid 15 cents puses. “I went out there quite often where the for a round trip on the three daily “As a matter of fact, LSU had when they were building, just to shuttle runs of the Y&MV Rail­ been very controversial through all see what was going on,” Munson football road. its history, up till then,” Fiser said. said. The men moved to their new “You can say that there was almost By late 1924, Atkinson Hall, dormitories in April 1926, when no permanence about it. A lot of Hill Memorial Library, Coates stadium is the cafeteria began full meal ser­ people always wanted it closed or Laboratory, the two Boyd halls, vice. wanted it moved elsewhere.” and “Agriculture Row” consisting located. Women were still housed on There was a master site plan for of Prescott Hall, Stubbs Hall and the old campus and took most of the new university. The buildings the John M. Parker Auditorium their classes there until the begin­ that were built prior to World War had been built. ning of the 1930s. The upper- II were mapped out on the pro­ The first 12,000 seats of Tiger class women were the first to begin posal, but it did not go quite as Stadium, which is only one side of commuting between the two cam­ planned since there were a succes­ what is standing today, were ready puses. sion of architects. for the athletic contests in the fall On April 30, 1926, LSU was The Olmsted Brothers of of 1925. The Memorial Tower officially dedicated with formal Brookline, Mass., laid out the plan was also completed at this time. ceremonies extending through for the site. They were mainly a State funds provided by the May 2, 1926. It was the 114th an­ landscape firm and did not pre­ new tax contributed to most of the niversary of Louisiana statehood scribe the building structures. construction. During this era, on April 30 and the 123rd anni­ They were considered “the out­ contractor George Caldwell con­ versary of the signing of the Loui­ standing architects of college cam­ structed many of the buildings. siana Purchase on May 2 puses,” Fiser said. Stanford Univer­ “He was a great contractor,”

SPRING 2 1994 65 FEATURES

OLDEST LIVING GRADUATE

By Melisse Campbell

early in the morning to take exer­ in a telegram confirming that Rees cise or to answer roll call. I didn’t was “in the top 10 percent.” like it so I quit, or maybe they quit “I really think he was stretching me, I don’t know,” Rees said. the record a bit, but I believe he Since Rees could not live in the figured, ‘Here is this cotton-pick­ Pentagon Barracks when he was ing boy knocking at the doors of out of the military, he lived on Harvard. He is way out there, why campus in what was known as the Rees had not let him in?’,” Rees said. “Pest House” his senior year. It Rees graduated from Harvard was a two story frame building oc­ to spend Law School in 1915 and was mar­ cupied by students called “ho­ ried in 1924 to Consuelo boes,” who lived in the rooms two days Broussard, who attended LSU above the entomology lab. from 1918 to 1919. They have six taking four Grover Joseph Rees is 102 years “We were out of the military,” children, 33 grandchildren and 21 old. He graduated from LSU in Rees said. “And I suppose we were trains and grandchildren, 14 of whom are the class of 1912 and is, as far as called hoboes because we looked also LSU alumni. can be determined, the oldest liv­ like hoboes, we didn’t give a darn a ferry in “So you see, she is the matri­ ing graduate of this university. how we dressed.” arch and I am the patriarch of a Rees, a native of Breaux Bridge, For four years, Rees worked order to large tribe,” Rees said. had to spend two days taking four while he attended LSU. One sum­ Rees worked at Gulf Oil Cor­ trains and a ferry in order to attend mer he delivered the campus mail attend LSU. poration for 38 years. During his LSU. He switched trains in Port and became acquainted with Col. last 10, he was the Counsel for Barre, Melville, Brusly, and Port Thomas Duckett Boyd, president Gulf Oil Corporation in South Allen. The ferry across the Missis­ of LSU. America and Europe with their sippi River was the final leg of Later, when Rees was in Massa­ law department. Rees’ arduous journey in 1908 to chusetts registering for Harvard Rees is presently living in the old campus in Baton Rouge. Law School, he discovered the Breaux Bridge with his wife. Today, it would have only taken stipulation that new students must him an hour by car. be in the top 10 percent of their Interview courtesy of the T. Rees was interviewed by graduating class. He was not aware Harry Williams Center for Oral Pamela Dean, director of the T. of this, however, until he arrived. History Collection, Pamela Dean, Harry Williams Center for Oral Col. Boyd responded to Harvard director. History Collection. During his in­ terview, Rees shared his thoughts about LSU on the old campus when he was an undergraduate 85 years ago. The “Ole War Skule,” a nick­ name for the university, stems from a military tradition that dates back to its founding in 1860 as a military academy. For nearly a century, Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) was compulsory for the university’s male students. When Rees attended the “Ole War Skule,” Captain Lewis S. Sorley, commandant of cadets, “tried to make a West Point out of LSU,” Rees said. “We country boys, including myself, didn’t like to be called

66 GUMBO MAGAZINE SPORTS

of students have discovered the thrill of adventure sports.

Story and photos by Chris Granger

It’s not too late to seek refuge 10,000 feet and free-falling for There are clubs and local orga­ from that race made for rats. Be­ about 30 seconds. It can mean nizations, for those just beginning cause those routines of daily life — climbing the side of a rock that is to mix natural adventure with work, school, exams, traffic, bills, nearly 3,000 feet high, something sports — LSU Sailing Club, LSU relationships, and more exams — hard to imagine for those used to Team Mountainbike, LSU Union can quickly make one go insane. seeing the 30 feet Indian Mounds Leisure Classes, Red Stick Fly Everyone needs to put these on campus. And it could also mean Fishers, and Ascension Skydiving, out of their mind now and then taking a canoe and just letting it are just a few examples. and just have fun. drift to wherever the currents lead These groups are a great way to But having fun doesn’t neces­ while listening to the soothing get out and meet people with simi­ sarily mean going through the sounds of spring. lar interests. And they are a great same weekly rituals of going to the So here’s a secret that a growing way to receive group discounts. bars to drink your troubles away. number of students have already For example, the fly fishing Nor does it mean getting out for a discovered — there are numerous club has more than 100 members, few games of football on the Pa­ “adventure sports” clubs at LSU all of whom share a common love rade Ground or swimming laps at and around the Baton Rouge area. of fishing mixed with traveling the Rec Center, while dreaming of These groups are an avenue to and making friends. This group actually swimming outside, the getting out and seeking various ad­ offers group discounts to cabins way it was originally meant to be ventures full of explorations, risks and streams as far away as Mon­ done. and personal growth, as well as tana. Instead, having fun can mean some clean, old-fashioned, rather “There’s a correlation between jumping out of an airplane at modern-fashioned, fun. the more active our daily lives have

SPRING 2 1994 67 SPORTS

from airplanes instead of just ride ners who’ve never stepped foot in them, wind surf across the desert outside of a city to the experienced instead of on a small lake, ride bi­ outdoorsman. cycles through rough, rocky terrain Bush said he understands most instead of on straight and narrow students get tied down with work sidewalks. And more people are and school, so there are day trips also starting to like the idea of which travel within two to three climbing rocks. hours of LSU. It relates to all that back -to - “I’ve never had a bad time on basics stuff, a reflection of the any of the trips. I’ve also never people who are burned out from known of any student having a bad the non-stop achieving, buying, time,” said Bush, who has been winning at all costs, suing, working working with this division of LSU till you die lifestyle. for nearly three years. “The new generation of kids The costs for these trips are today are less concerned with nominal — the biggest expense is climbing the corporate ladder, so helping to split the cost of gas. they put more of their energy “If students want to know somewhere else,” Warner said. where to go on their own for any “And these energies are being fo­ outdoor type trip which involves cused on doing more challenging any of the programs we offer, we outdoor-type activities.” give out information on it state by Warner explained that instead state,” he said. There’s no cost ... of just seeking a few seconds of for this information. Additionally, fun, the new generation of out­ the center has a variety of rental door sports requires more energy, equipment such as two- and four- increased skill and a strong desire man tents($5 to $7 per day), back- to challenge the body like never packs($4 per day), sleeping before. bags($2 per day), lanterns and So instead of looking rugged, stoves($4 each per day), and ca- these sports actually encourage noes ($10 per day). And these costs people to get out and be rugged. can be even less thanks to package "Rock climbing has gained much more respectability as a sport." A good way to become in­ deals designed for lengthy trips volved with some of these activi­ and excursions which could re­ become and the increased outdoor ties is by first calling Recreational quire rental of all the supplies of­ activity people seek,” said Mark Sports. fered. "T h e n e w Warner, a clinical psychologist This organization, set up sev­ Bush said the closest place whose specialty is sports psychol­ generation eral years ago for students, offers around Baton Rouge to go white- ogy. “People get bored with just o f kids trips and lessons in white-water ca­ water canoeing is eight hours away jogging or swimming, so they tend to d a y a re noeing, horseback riding, fishing, in northern Alabama, and some of to look for higher stimulation.” mountain biking, scuba diving the better places to do any canoe­ less c o n ­ And much evidence supports and hiking trips, both in Louisiana ing is a day’s drive away in the Warner’s opinion. c e rn e d and the surrounding states. They Ozark Mountains of Arkansas. Ad­ Just watch segments on ESPN with climb­ offer numerous outdoor classes ditionally, the best regional loca­ and the Discovery channel to see ing th e and trips each semester. tion to do any substantial hiking is what people are doing these days “When I first got here we had at Tunica Hills, which lies on the c o rp o ra te other than baseball, football and very few trips,” said Mike Bush, a state line of Mississippi and Loui­ basketball. MTV has even been on ladder, so student worker with Recreational siana. this new band wagon, with their th e y p u t Sports. “Now if it’s not bad The Backpacker on Jefferson own version of an adventure sports m o re o f weather we go on trips all the Highway offers additional infor­ show hosted by Dave Cortez, the time.” mation on adventure sports and th e ir e n ­ personality many may recognize These trips range from white- sells equipment for the serious or from the Burger King commer­ e rg y s o m e ­ water canoeing in northern Ala­ novice outdoor explorer. They also cials. w h e re bama to simply canoeing in Alliga­ have a large selection of maps of The new sports shows grow e ls e ." tor Bayou south of Baton Rouge. state and national parks located with every episode. More and more The programs are designed for throughout the country. These people on these shows like to jump every experience level, from begin­ maps describe in detail what out­

68 GUMBO MAGAZINE SPORTS

door activities are permissible on wanted to do it again already, be­ necessarily into risk itself, but this their land. fore I even hit the ground.” type of sport offers a different One of the more risky and also Ascension Skydiving, located emotional and physical challenge more unusual adventure sports is off I-10 at the second Gonzales that is different compared to regu­ parachuting, which is growing in "I exit, schedules jumps every week­ lar everyday sports,” Budden said. popularity every year. end depending on weather condi­ “You travel to some really “It doesn’t ever get old,” said jum ped tions. beautiful locations, and meet a lot Aaron Dever,a senior majoring in and let go Some of the jumps are from of friendly people,” he said. Zoology. “I’ve known people who 10,500 feet and the free fall can The only sport shop in the Ba­ have over 2,000 jumps. I know and once last for nearly 45 seconds. ton Rouge area which has any sub­ one guy who is 80 years old and my chute “If you're not scared on your stantial information on where and he’s still jumping.” first jump then something’s how to begin is The Backpacker. The closest place to Baton opened I wrong. So people can just come They also sell the equipment nec­ Rouge to skydive is 12 miles away wanted to out to simply check it out and just essary to begin.The best way to in Gonzales, and the group that see if they want to jump at all. I’ve begin is to call The Backpacker runs it is Ascension Skydiving. do it again only heard of one person going up and ask for information on where in the air and decide then not to and when classes are offered. The cost of the first jump is already, $160, which includes a lesson. jump,” Dever said. The costs for these classes vary Successive jumps are $50 each un­ before I Another risky sport which has from $25 to $75 and they usually til a graduation level of 15 to 18 grown dramatically, but which is include instructor, gear, and travel jumps have been reached. Once even hit less accessible to LSU students, is fees to the climbing areas. They the student has graduated the cost the rock climbing. typically last for one to two days. goes to $25 per jump. Lyles Budden, a 45-year-old The cost in actually buying all “On my first jump I couldn’t ground." engineering major, is a frequent the gear, including ropes and believe what I was about to do,” rock climber who said this sport shoes,is around $300. said Mike Meyers, a senior in his­ requires a strong personal drive, Budden said the closest places tory, who has just completed his desire to test one’s inner self, and to rock climb are in northern Ala­ 12th jump. “I jumped and let go ability to travel long distances. bama, which is eight hours away and once my chute opened I “Most young people are not and Fredricksburg, Texas, located 77 Canoes for rent on Alligator Bayou. continued on page

SPRING 2 1994 69 SPORTS

The Tiger baseball team ’s form ula for success

is a com bination of exceptional recruiting and coaching,

dedicated players and loyal fans. By Paul Poteet

______|onsistent success can’t be fans sent the message of confi­ squad. Among the returning bought. It requires hard work, dence, not doubt. That more so lettermen are the Tigers’ three dedication, and sacrifice. It re­ than anything may have been the leading hitters, Todd Walker, quires the intangibles that can’t be turning point in this program, not Russ Johnson, and Jason Will­ taught but that good teams always only in 1993, but the turning iams, as well as the club’s top two have. If any team at LSU has em­ point in this entire program.” "We got beat pitchers, Brett Laxton and Scott bodied these characteristics of suc­ LSU baseball has indeed ar­ Schultz. cess over the past few years, it has rived. From an unknown band of (after) “The guys that are returning been the Tiger baseball team. southern hardballers to a nation­ are going to have to set the pace for Perhaps one incident best char­ ally recognized powerhouse, base­ having an everybody else,” Bailey said. acterizes the remarkable transfor­ ball at LSU has evolved into the Junior second-baseman Todd mation that LSU baseball has un­ most consistently successful col­ enormous Walker knows what it means to dergone since the arrival of head lege baseball program in America. “set the pace.” Last season, he led coach Skip Bertman 10 seasons Under Bertman’s guidance, the lead... and the team in batting average (.400), ago. It is a story of faith and sup­ baseball team has garnered two runs (72), hits (100), RBIs (76), our fans were port told by assistant coach national championships (1991 doubles (21), triples (3), home DeWayne “Beetle” Bailey again and 1993), six College World Se­ still there. runs (12) and slugging percentage and again. ries appearances in the last eight (.652). He went on to be named a “It was a Saturday in which seasons, four straight Southeastern They stood to consensus first team All-American we’re playing the South Regional Conference titles, and five con­ and the College World Series Tournament here, we’re unde­ secutive 50-win seasons. their feet and Most Outstanding Player. Walker feated in the tournament and we The Tigers’ success has been a has also been named the 1994 Pre- get beat [after] having an enor­ result of exceptional recruiting and they gave Season Player of the Year by Col­ mous lead against Kent State,” coaching. “There’s a certain belief lege Sports and a 1994 pre-season Bailey said. “When we concluded system that we have here,” Bailey that baseball All-American by Collegiate Base­ our team meeting, our kids were said. “From the moment a kid ball and BaseballAmerica. A main­ team a shocked, they were floored. We signs with us, he understands our stay at second base, Coach Bailey turned around to walk back to the goals.” Bailey credits the coaching standing calls Walker “one of the premier third base dugout to get our gear staff, saying, ”My boss is the best in college baseball players in the and our fans were still there. They the nation — bar none. We expect ovation." country and should be a first stood to their feet and they gave to be a good team every year, this round draft choice.” that baseball team a standing ova­ year notwithstanding.” Short-stop Russ Johnson will tion. I just turned to Coach The Tigers have reason to be also be an integral part of the Ti­ [Bertman] and said, ‘Coach, we’ve confident of future success. They gers’ offense this season. Johnson, arrived. I didn’t believe it would return 15 lettermen from last a junior, started all 71 of LSU’s happen, but we’ve arrived!’ Our season’s national championship games in 1993 and was the Tigers’

70 GUMBO MAGAZINE SPORTS

second-leading hitter, batting .355 and Collegiate Baseball. This sea­ Yarnall, Jeff Harris, Brian Wind­ with eight homers and 58 RBIs. son, Laxton has been named by ers, Bhrett McCabe and Jeff He was also second on the team in several magazines as a pre-season Hampton. hits, runs and steals. Johnson was All-American. He looks for the Ti­ “This is a young staff. A lot of a freshman All-American in 1992 "It was a gers’ success to continue. new freshman are going to have to and a second-team All-Louisiana “This team has a real positive fill in. It’s going to be tough,” said selection last season. This season, change outlook on the season. We have a senior pitcher Sean Teague. Johnson has been named a pre­ long road to the World Series again “The talent of the younger guys season All-American by Baseball coming to a but I think we have a good chance coming up is definitely outstand­ America. of making it back,” Laxton said. ing. We’ve got some guys that Jason Williams is another solid big school As the number -two pitcher in throw hard and some guys that infield player for the Tigers. Last the rotation, Scott Schultz is an­ have great secondary and third season, as a freshman, Williams like LSU. All other young hurler that the Tigers pitches, change-ups and took over the starting role at third are counting on this season. He curveballs. It’s a matter of whether base and finished the year as LSU’s the players appeared in 23 games last season, they can step into a college game third-leading hitter. Williams also and coaches posting a 7-3 record while work­ and get guys out,” commented se­ earned honorable mention Fresh­ ing 66 innings with 52 strikeouts, nior pitcher Matt Malejko. man All-American recognition have been 33 walks, and 3 saves. Schultz The bullpen isn’t the only place from Collegiate Baseball after bat­ hopes to regain the form that where the Tigers are inexperienced ting .329 with two home runs and willing to help made him a freshman All-Ameri­ this season, as the outfield, first 34 RBIs. Williams should con­ can in 1992. base, and catcher positions all fea­ tinue to be a solid fielder and bat­ me out and “I think that overall we have ture new faces. ter for the Tigers this season. more depth pitching-wise than we Vying for positions in the out­ Assistant coach Rick Smith said make me a have [had] in the past,” Bailey field will be Ryan Huffman, Chris this year’s team appears to be solid said. “It’ll be interesting to see who Pearce, Chad Cooley, Kevin defensively and offensively. He better ball­ steps up,” he added. Ainsworth, Nathan Dunn, and sees pitching as the major question player." Hoping to “step up” on the Tom Bernhardt. Huffman and mark. mound this season are pitchers Cooley are the only two players “We need someone to step up Adrian Antonini, Matt Malejko, with any experience from last sea­ and solidify the third and fourth Antonio Leonard-Cattolica, Jay son. positions,” said Smith prior to the Chittam, Brian Daugherty, “I feel really good about this start of the season. He pointed Damon Sims, Jeff Naquin, Jeremy year’s team. We have a lot of out, however, that the top two Tyson, Sean Teague, Patrick young players that are going to pitchers for the Tigers, Laxton and Coogan, Eric Berthelot, Eddie have to step up a little bit [in or- Schultz, are perhaps the continued on page 79 best 1-2 combination in the nation. Coach Bailey agreed, saying, “Our num­ ber one and number two on the mound are as good as anybody’s in the coun- The The Dally Reveille try.” Laxton and Schultz have done a lot to garner such praise from their coaches.

Laxton posted a 12-1 photo by Raul de la Cruz/ record in helping lead the Tigers to the national championship as a fresh­ man. He also posted a Southeastern Conference best 1.98 ERA on the year, as he worked 109 innings with 98 strikeouts and 47 walks. He was named Na­ tional Freshman of the Year by both Baseball America Jason Williams swings during the opening game against Northwestern.

SPRING 2 1994 71 illustration by Michele Myatt OPINION

Research involving fetal tissue has A Pro-Life provided hope for millions who suffer Choice from debilitating diseases.

By Morcie Fisher

President Clinton’s recent lift of area of Parkinson’s disease. Over of the patients have shown slight the ban on federal funding for fetal 1.5 million American women and improvement, while a great num­ tissue research has provoked more men suffer from this progressive ber have shown a dramatic in­ questioning of the moral and ethi­ disease in which brain cells slowly crease in ability. In fact, of the 100 cal implications of this line of deteriorate. Researchers found patients with Parkinson’s world­ study. The legislation, signed in that aborted fetal tissue trans­ wide who have had these trans­ June 1993, ended the Reagan-Bush planted into the brains of plants, nearly all have experienced ban that, while prohibiting federal Parkinson’s patients produces the considerable improvement. funding for research on fetal brain hormone dopamine, which allevi­ New research is also providing tissue derived from abortions, also ates some of the symptoms of the encouragement in attacking caused private research to signifi­ illness such as frequent tremors Alzheimer’s, Juvenile Diabetes, cantly decrease. Research involving and loss of motor control. Leukemia, spinal cord problems, fetal tissue has provided hope for The Buffalo News of September AIDS, and other diseases. The millions who suffer from debilitat­ 17, 1993, cited a case where a findings in all areas are growing ing diseases such as Parkinson’s, nurse “who could not previously daily. Embryonic tissue is being Alzheimer’s and diabetes. Despite care for herself, was able to dress, used in detecting and attempting the fact that this research has been cook and use public transportation to treat more than 4,000 defects going on for over 10 years by pri­ after the transplants.” that arise in fetuses before birth. vately funded groups, its approval Under private funding, medi­ So along with helping those indi­ on a national level has again cal research on Parkinson’s disease viduals who are currently experi­ brought abortion under the spot­ has been conducted at Yale Uni­ encing life-challenging illnesses, it light. versity and at the University of is also aiding those unborn, cor­ With all the angry debate that Colorado. Both colleges found fe­ recting anatomical malformations has surrounded this topic, there is tal tissue transplantation success­ before conception. And this is just nothing more encouraging than ful. Although no one who has un­ the beginning. The accomplish­ the successful findings of fetal tis­ dergone the surgery has fully re­ ments in this area are, with each sue transplants, particularly in the covered from the illness, nearly all new study, becoming more and more widespread. Scientists are

SPRING 2 1994 73 OPINION

finding that human fetal cells Like the man, they would rather strikes me as a real moral prob­ can be used in the production and drown with their ideals than ac­ lem.” testing of vaccines, most notably cept the possible life-saving ve­ The bottom line is that there the polio vaccine. Aborted fetal tis­ hicles available. They are failing to will always be abortions. Since sue studies have led to reformed see the many ways “God pro­ 1988 there have been over 1.6 mil­ prenatal care of the fetus, helped vides.” Even those that examine lion reported annually. Twelve assess risk factors in medication this issue on a spiritual basis can percent of these abortions occur given to the mother during preg­ find that there is more than one because of birth defects in the em­ nancy, and produced a strong ba­ way to uphold lives. So whether bryo — birth defects that are now sis for detecting abnormalities. you are a strict conservative, a Research­ prevented by fetal tissue research. moderate liberal, or just a plain ers found In actuality, this research could With that said, I would like to ole’ guy, there is a light, so to lead to a decrease in the amount of share a story, as I have found that speak, at the end of this darkened that abortions because the problems in all of my searches for deeper un­ controversy. aborted that once spurred women to have derstanding, the simpler ways WHERE WE’VE BEEN abortions are no longer work best... In 1988, a panel of 21 non-fed- fetal tissue un treatable. There once was an old man eral consultants ranging in fields trans­ It is also important to realize who lived in a city. One day this from medicine to religion came planted that fetal tissue not sent to labs is city experienced a great flood. As together to assess the positive and either thrown away or incinerated. the old rain began to fall a family negative aspects of fetal tissue re­ into the Whether the tissue is used as a part drove by with all of their belong­ search. Although most agreed that brains of of research is basically a choice of ings and yelled to the old man this testing did create “a set of either allowing available resources man, “Come with us! A flood is morally relevant considerations,” Parkinson's to be used or discarding them. coming!” But the old man, unwill­ they also confirmed its “significant patients Waxman also said, “What we ing to leave his house said, “No, medical goals” and voted 17 to 4 produces are talking about is a fetus that is God will provide.” Later, as the for the bill’s passage. Nevertheless, dead, not a fetus that is alive. A water covered the ground, sur­ under the Reagan Administration, the hor­ fetus that is dead and has no op­ rounding all the land, a boat the bill was vetoed. In 1991, the mone portunity for life. The abortion drifted by. The people shouted, U.S. Senate Committee on Labor has already taken place.” As Presi­ dopamine, “Come, we will bring you to and Human Resources proposed dent Clinton stated while running safety,” Still unwilling to yield the the Research Freedom Act, which which for office, “This is a medical re­ man replied, “No, no. God will aimed at lifting the ban on feder­ alleviates search issue, not an abortion is­ provide.” Hours later the water ally funded research about fetal tis­ sue.” There is no “life” being up­ had risen to the rooftop where the sue in transplants. The legislation some of the held by opposing scientific devel­ man was now sitting. A helicopter went on to outline necessary safe­ symptoms opments and research in this area. flew by and hovered over the guards that would prevent any We do know though, that embry­ of the house. “Hey buddy, come with us, “exploitative” or “unethical” use of onic tissue can be used in positive you’ll surely drown — let us throw the tissue. Despite the obvious illness such ways. These ways include saving, a rope!” “Thank you, but no,” the benefits, Bush vetoed the bill, as frequent nurturing and protecting human old man adamantly replied. “God deeming it “unacceptable” and “a life. will provide.” Sadly the waters practice inconsistent with our tremors WHY FETAL TISSUE? continued to rise and the old man, nation’s deeply held beliefs.” and loss of Many opponents argue that the who held strongly to his faith, Herein lies the debate. The motor use of aborted tissue is unnecessary died. Later in heaven he asked neverending struggle between ide­ and that tissue retrieved from mis­ God, “Why did you fail me?” ology and realism. If “the nation’s control. carriages and ectopic pregnancies “What? Fail you?” God asked. deeply held belief’ or the “ideal” would be just as valuable and less “ I sent you a car, a boat, and a he­ being upheld is the sanctity of life, problematic. However, there are licopter ... What more did you how realistic is it then for us to to­ risk factors involved when grafting want?” tally abandon the extreme good such material and, more impor­ So how does this story tie in that can come from fetal tissue re­ tantly, miscarriages usually signal with fetal tissue research? Well, search? some defect in the embryo. So al­ many feel that studies involving Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Ca- though retrieving tissue from fetal tissue, especially those that lifi), U.S. House Energy and spontaneous abortions causes less are linked with abortions, are Commerce Health subcommittee emotional strife, it does not pro­ highly immoral. “Pro-lifer’s” insist chair, remarked before the lifting duce a consistent amount of usable that the “baby fetus” is the only of the ban, “to withhold the gift of tissue and therefore blocks conclu­ life that should be considered. life from people who are suffering sive scientific results. Further, fetal

74 GUMBO MAGAZINE OPINION

tissue is more beneficial than adult rushing to donate blood. dress. With the growth in genetic cell tissue because it reproduces at Opponents of this research in­ engineering a fear has risen that a faster rate and is less likely to be sist that women’s innate maternal aborted fetal tissue might become rejected. instincts will compel them to “har­ a vessel to create new “super ba­ WHERE TO NOW? vest” the tissue as a service to the bies.” Because fetal-to-fetal trans­ Regardless of the inclusive evi­ country. Skeptics also believe that plants are becoming more wide­ dence that this research is benefi­ the lift of the ban will encourage spread, many believe future ex­ cial, there are still the nagging those in the science and medical periments could surpass conven­ “what ifs” posed by adversaries. field to exploit women for their tional uses, such as treating birth Some (mainly men) hold that valuable embryo. On this subject defects, and become a tool for women will run out and have Massd said, “Doctor’s using tissue molding “designer children” — abortions because they are encour­ as a 'cash crop' to 'harvest tissue' that is, children who have been aged by the idea of nurturing soci­ seems to me implausible.” meticulously planned to be perfect ety through the use of this aborted Embryonic It’s not only unlikely this re­ in every way. Some fear that not tissue. Believe it or not, this is a search will lead to the manipula­ only will parents be able to learn of central argument raised in opposi­ tissue is tion of women, it's also illegal. So and perhaps prevent possible ab­ tion to the studies and was the being used before I delve any further into the normalities in their unborn chil­ main concern of both the Reagan various predictions circling this dren, they will also be able to and Bush administrations. in detect­ biomedical research, I would like choose specific traits, such as the Although questions about ing and to point out that certain federal color of their eyes. But this “what medical research are a given, espe­ regulations have been made to could be” is not enough of a real­ cially when the experimentation attempting tightly regulate fetal use, thus an­ ity to override the actual benefits involves ethical questions, a reso­ swering many of the ethical ques­ of what is happening now. Besides lution can be found in a closer to treat tions in a broad sweep. First of all, the fact that it is criminal to use scrutiny of the facts. ‘“W hat could more than any type of payment in exchange aborted tissue in this way, as Masse happen’ speaks to the caution and for fetal tissue is prohibited. Sec­ said, “ This idea is very farfetched fear around this issue,” said 4,000 ondly, a woman’s decision to abort — stuff of science fiction. No, Michelle Masse, director of the defects that must be made prior to her decision make that horror fiction.” Women and Gender Studies De­ to donate the fetus. Also, a women FACING REALITY partment at LSU. arise in who decides to donate her tissue Speculative fears should not Dr. Karen Holbrook, associate fetuses cannot specify the donee. govern public policy. Thanks to dean for scientific affairs at the In short, if a woman can’t re­ the lift of the ban on fetal tissue University of Washington Medi­ before ceive compensation, it’s over­ research, they will not. In 1994, cal School, expanded on this point whelmingly ignorant to foresee a the government will spend $14.2 birth. in a speech delivered to the U.S woman getting pregnant and hav­ million to encourage medical re­ Senate Committee on Labor and ing an abortion so she can donate search with fetal tissue. This re­ Human Resources. her fetus to a total stranger. Be­ search is relieving suffering and “These fears are speculative, cause abortion is not illegal, there saving lives. No, we do not live in and they should not govern Fed­ will be plenty of fetal tissue out a moral vacuum and science and eral biomedical research, as long as there. No one would need to have medicine cannot escape such scru­ certain guidelines are developed to an abortion simply to supply fetal tiny. By the same token, we can­ safeguard the ethical use of human tissue for medical research. not afford to overlook the reality fetal tissue.” The “what could hap­ The bill also oudines that “the of the findings and place ourselves pen” is the very thing that in the timing and method of abortion in a moral box, especially with the past kept the public from under­ should not be influenced by the answers fetal tissue research has standing and seeing the progres­ potential uses of fetal tissue.” This provided. This is a “pro-life” issue. sion of fetal research and is still provision reassures that doctors That’s exactly what this research is blockading social acceptance. and scientists won’t begin placing about — saving lives. It goes back The aforesaid worries are ex­ the extraction of the aborted tissue to the old man in the flood. We tremely off base. Let’s look at or­ over the rights and safety of the have a life-saving vehicle that is gan transplants. Do you see a mass woman involved. I must also note working. The choice has been outpouring of females rushing to that the fetal tissue used comes made legislatively to move on­ hospitals throughout the country from aborted fetuses usually 7 to 8 ward. It is our choice to see, un­ to help all who are sick and needy? weeks old and is of no use after 12 derstand and acknowledge its There is an extreme need for blood weeks. progress. throughout the nation and yet you There is one more area of hy­ don’t see anyone, female or male, pothesis that I would like to ad­ continued on page 79

SPRING 2 1994 75 CONTINUED

MARDI GRAS the Messiah. Between the Feast of would send their sons to France to be educated. It was continued from page 3 5 the Epiphany and Mardi Gras, then thought to be fashionable. The celebrations con­ into the church calender in or­ some 200 private balls are thrown tinued with regularity until about 1805, when, under der to continue its hold on the Ro­ in New Orleans. Mardi Gras balls Spanish control, the city banned Mardi Gras and man people. dated back to as early as 1718, masking in particular, fearing a revolt under the dis­ Louisiana, once part of when they were called a Soiree du guise of a celebration would take place. Yet by 1819, France’s largest New Colony, Roi, or King’s Party. Parades and carnival was secretly in partial swing again, with combines elements of the Roman festivities were strangely hidden people throwing plays, concerts, and balls. By 1827 tradition with French heritage into during the day, coming out to cel­ the citizens of New Orleans successfully petitioned its celebration. The pre-lenten fes­ ebrate only at night lit by special that masking be legalized again. It has continued to tival was greatly favored by the torches called flambeaux. grow in popularity to the present day. people in France after the Renais­ King Cake, also known as the Throws. The colorful beads and dubloons tossed sance, much so the king himself at Twelfth-Cake, was originally made at Mardi Gras didn’t always exist. The first throws times would personally direct the to honor the three kings. It was an were just to throw - not for anyone to catch. In the carnival. The name mardi gras is old Roman custom to select a king early 1800’s the custom of throwing handfuls of French for fa t Tuesday, so named by the chance drawings of beans. flour, sometimes at each other, was common at Mardi for the tradition of parading a fat This carried over into the Middle Gras (unfortunately, small black children were com­ ox through the streets of Paris on Ages, where the English would mon targets - an attempt to make them “white”). In Shrove Tuesday, or the Tuesday of hide a bean inside the cake on the 1840’s the throwing got out of control as people shriving - confession. Twelfth Night and the person who replaced the flour with lime and dirt. Violence It is a festival celebrated in received it would be crowned King erupted as the throwing of lime reached a climax in many Roman Catholic countries of the Bean. He would then por­ 1845: no parades could perform, for ruffians, under all over the world. France’s festival tray one of the kings. Later English the guise of Mardi Gras masks, took over the streets is also named Mardi Gras, al­ celebrations (before the modern fighting and throwing lime. Some even carried clubs though the name is different for inclusion of pancakes) selected a to beat those who resisted having lime thrown on some other countries. In Germany Queen as well, chosen by drawing them. The result was another temporary ban on street it is called Fastnacht. In England it a pea in the cake. In Latin America masking. is called Pancake Day, so named people put a small figure inside The formation of day parades in 1872 eventually for the eating of pancakes (the En­ representing the Christ Child. A led to the custom of beads and trinkets. Dubloons, glish version of the King Cake) on year of good luck was said to ac­ first introduced in 1884, are also a favorite of Mardi that day. Mardi Gras is a legal holi­ company its finder. Gras. The beads of today, eye-catching and relatively day in Alabama, Louisiana, and In New Orleans on Twelfth harmless, contain no lime. Florida. Though cities in Louisi­ Night of 1871, the Revelers led Everyone has their favorite parade, but three ana such as Lafayette and Houma their escorts to a fancy King Cake krewes in particular are worth noting. celebrate their own Mardi Gras, in which a golden bean was hid­ Comus. While many unofficial krewes of both the one in New Orleans is the larg­ den. A woman named Miss Emma Creole and white members existed in the 1800’s, the est and most well known. It is also Butler drew the bean, and became first “select” krewe of only white Saxon men formed one of the oldest. Although the the first queen of a carnival ball. in 1857 with much controversy. The Mistick Krewe first recorded carnival was not un­ The King Cake is credited as being o f Comus performed their first night parade with the til 1827, many believe that as soon instrumental in establishing the theme The Demon Actors in Milton’s Paradise Lost. as Bienville founded New Orleans custom of having a ruling queen, a This started the tradition of annual Mardi Gras in 1734, the men under his com­ tradition followed by all Carnival themes. The parade of Comus was then the largest mand had their first Mardi Gras. krewes in New Orleans. Although and most grand parade of Mardi Gras, unrivaled un­ Carnival. The entire celebra­ originally very plain, New Orleans til the creation of Rex in 1872. Comus continued to tion of Mardi Gras is known as King Cakes today are brightly be a main attraction at Mardi Gras, despite its racial Carnival, taken from the Latin decorated and flavored with every­ background, until recendy. Councilwoman Dorothy came vale, or “farewell to the thing from apples to chocolate and Mae Taylor attempted to desegregate the Krewe of flesh.” It was originally celebrated cinnamon. In Louisiana people Comus, which led to its disbandment in 1992. by exclusive secret societies. Carni­ like the idea of continuation by Zulu. The Zulu parade of today takes place the val traditionally begins on January making the finder of the baby buy morning of Mardi Gras and is one of the most antici­ 6 with the Feast o f the Epiphany 12 the next King Cake. This tradition pated parades of the festival. Spectators seek the Zulu days after Christmas, or Twelfth of perpetuating King Cakes con­ coconut, the most prized throw of the parade. The Night (Shakespeare immortalized tinues until Shrove Tuesday, year 1918 saw an interesting and entertaining addi­ it with his play Twelfth N ight) Masks and Costumes are long­ tion to Mardi Gras - the Zulu King. He was invented thrown by the Twelfth Night Rev­ time traditions in New Orleans. by the Zulu Aid and the Pleasure Club, an association elers. Twelfth Night is the night This started as an imitation of of about 80 black men. With a ham bone for a scep­ the three kings visited the Christ early French theater and opera, ter, the Zulu King was intended to be satirical. He child and understood him to be when wealthy Louisiana colonists traditionally sits on his float’s blue cloud. continued on page 79

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DIFFERENT SPORTS off, but it’s really just a laid back club Hooper Road Park east of Plank Road. continued from page 69 that caters to beginners who really want This trail has about four miles of trails to get into off-road biking,” said the and there are plans to increase them to 12 hours away near Austin. president of LSU Team Mountainbike, about 10 miles. “Climbers used to be looked at as be­ Anthony Nolan. The club has about 35- All of these are just some of the newer ing a group of misfits, but now they have 40 members. New people are always in­ generation of sports which have quickly gained much more respectability and vited to attend their meetings which are grown in recent years. And all of them popularity as a sport,” he said. held every other Wednesday at 4 p.m. in offer their own version of mixing the He also said the sport of rock climb­ Dodson Auditorium. outdoors with athletics. ing has split into two directions, basic Another mountain bike club in the “Today, more people are single and rock climbing and sport climbing which area is the Baton Rouge Mountain Bike have more time and money to spend on involves climbing indoors on walls. Association. themselves,” Warner said. “And thanks “A good way to begin is to look Besides riding around the campus to improved safety and modern improve­ through Climbing Magazine, it has good area there are few places to ride off road ments such as plastics on kayaks, these articles on basics dealing with tying on trails set aside for riders. The club sports have become cheaper and more knots, climbing techniques, equipment, helps bring people together to ride on accessible than ever before.” . and the best places to go to,” Budden trails within the Louisiana and Missis­ Granted these sports aren’t as easy to said. sippi region. pick up as a quick basketball game at a One adventure sport which probably “There are about seven places within friend’s house, but they offer newer ways has grown more than any of the others is a two hour radius of Baton Rouge where to get out and enjoy the outdoors in a mountain biking. Stores that sell these there are some trails set off for mountain way like never before. bikes report they have tripled their sales biking,” Nolan said. “And students can The combination of simply doing within the past two years. And this is the call most any bike shop in town to find something new and out of the ordinary, first year that mountain biking will be in where they are.” traveling out of town to places with fresh the World Olympics. The cost for mountain bikes varies mountain air and cool flowing rivers, Biking is more accessible, less costly considerably. Decent beginner bikes can meeting friendly people with common and there is a club on the LSU campus range anywhere between $130 to $400. interests, and challenging one’s personal which has helped make it more popular. One of the more primitive and iso­ limitations is what can be expected from “The name of the club scares people lated trails to ride in the area is on trying them. ber until December, and LSU has 12 it’s hard to get top quality players for the scholarship players. Six women play at a future when the program is down. But WOMEN IN SPORTS time, with a rotation schedule determin­ our coaches are doing a good job,” continued from page 57 ing who plays. Bonnette said. The gymnastics team has performed The Lady Tigers Basketball Team is The women’s tennis team is another well enough during the past few years to one women’s sport that gets a good bit team composed of players from other attract athletes from all over the world. of attention. But Sue Gunter, head countries. SID Shelby Holmes said this “We have members from Canada, coach for the past 12 years, has seen her year’s team includes a senior from Ven­ Puerto Rico, Oklahoma and Maryland,” team go from being in the national top ezuela, as well as two Brazilians. Young said. “We even have two former 10 three years ago, to being 10th in the The tennis team plays from February teammates who were in the Olympics SEC. until late April, when the season comes to representing Canada.” It’s just a slump, like we’ve seen in a close at the SEC Tournament. The Young is also proud of the diversity of certain other LSU sports, but that hasn’t nine women on the team coached by the LSU volleyball team. He said Brazil, stopped the Ladies from exhibiting some Tony Minnis. They play about 21 California and Texas are represented on terrific talent — talent such as that of matches a season, and at the start of this that team, along with Louisiana. Junior Guard Cornelia Gayden, who year were ranked number 14 in the na­ The volleyball team won the South­ holds the LSU and SEC records for tion. eastern Conference in ’89, ’90 and ’91, three-point goals. Gayden is also the sec­ Finally, there is the golf team. SID and went to the Final Four in ’90 and ond-highest scorer in the SEC, with an Bess Catanese said the team is made up ’91. As of 1992, the Tigers were ranked average of 22.7 points, and the third best of five women who play under the coach­ 12th in the nation, and are hoping to rebounder, with an average of 9.1 re­ ing of Karen Bahnsen. The team plays move up and take a shot at the tide in the bounds per game. four tournaments in the fall and five in coming years. Mike Bonnette, SID for the basket­ spring, each for an individual and a team Over the past few seasons, the team ball team, said there are 15 scholarship score. has accumulated a number of All-Ameri- players and one walk-on on the team. As always, the SEC Tournament pro­ cans under Head Coach Scott Luster. Bonnette admitted things were tough vides tough competition, and the team Last year, the team won the National In­ this year but said he has not lost faith in also competes in the NCAA East Re­ vitational Volleyball Championship. the players and coaches. gional Tournament and the NCAA Volleyball season runs from Septem- “We struggled most of the year, and Championships.

SPRING 2 1994 77 CONTINUED

ANTIOXIDANTS causing cancer, heart disease and has been awarded over 14 national continued from page 55 other diseases associated with ag­ and international medals and hon­ for the life of chemical research, ing. Free radicals can increase with ors for his research. a career that attracted him because exposure to sunlight, ozone, to­ Pryor said he has had a great it involves “problem solving in an bacco smoke, car exhaust and career at LSU. abstract sphere but with practical other environmental pollutants. “I have nothing but praise and applications.” Today, however, he To say that Pryor was one of gratitude for the way I’ve been does regret not getting his MD in the pioneers in free radical research treated,” he said. addition to his Ph.D., because be­ is an understatement. In 1966 he He enjoys teaching and has had ing a licensed physician would wrote Free Radicals, the first text­ “a wonderful group of students have allowed him to do some of book written in this field. And in over the years.” the research oriented toward hu­ 1967 he organized a conference But he has noticed some of the mans that he cannot do now, ex­ with the American Chemical Soci­ changes LSU has gone through cept through collaboration. ety. He invited every well-known since he has been here. Pryor got his Ph.D. at Berke­ free radical chemist on the conti­ “LSU has been very supportive ley in 1954 when, in chemistry, nent; there were only 16. Since of the kind of research I do, but the “big thing was research involv­ then, however, interest in free I’m concerned about the future for ing even-number electron reac­ radical chemistry has greatly in­ LSU. LSU is badly underfunded as tions.” But since he is a self-de- creased. compared to comparable universi­ scribed “up-the-down-staircase- “Now it’s so vast that nobody ties such as the University of Ten­ kind-of-guy,” he chose not to knows all of the people involved nessee. We receive about $1 for jump on the band wagon and, in­ anymore; it’s gigantic,” he said. every $2 they get in state appro­ stead, looked for his own niche in Pryor is a Boyd Professor in the priations,” Pryor said. other areas of chemical research. Departments of Chemistry and He said when a significant He finally found that niche in the Biochemistry at LSU and in the number of the visible researchers field of free radical chemistry Institute for Environmental Stud­ now on campus retire, LSU will, which, at that time, was a new and ies. He holds appointments in the under present circumstances, have relatively small area of research. LSU Pennington Biomedical Re­ a hard time attracting professors Free radicals are highly reactive search Center in Baton Rouge and seriously interested in research: chemical species that are produced the Biochemistry Department of “I’m wondering if LSU will be as in the body during normal me­ the LSU Medical Center in New good a place for the young people tabolism. These chemical species Orleans. He is also the Director of behind me as it was for me; a lot of may damage biopolymer mol­ the Biodynamics Institute, a bio­ the glamour is going to go.” ecules (DNA, proteins, lipids), medical research unit at LSU. He

PROFILE continued from page 62 -ticipant in numerous literary tides on Glissant, This 755 page sor Glissant, the importance and and cultural programs on radio bibliography is a marvelous re­ the diversity of the Francophone and television in France and the search tool for scholars and read­ literatures of the West Indies. He Caribbean in the fall of 1993. Nu­ ers. Glissant’s complete works of also made me realize the deep merous articles have been written poetry will be published by intertwinings of different litera­ on Tout-Monde, and on Glissant’s Gallimard in May 1994 and he is tures of the Americas,” said Valerie entire “oeuvre’ — works — in the writing a book on William Loichot, a Ph.D student in the international literary and cultural Faulkner who is, as he puts it, “the French Department. press. greatest writer of our century.” Frederic Pallez, a Ph.D student, Also this year, Glissant’s bibli­ Debra L. Anderson, one of said, “Edouard Glissant intro­ ography by Alain Baudot, a scholar Glissant’s students, wrote her dis­ duced me to some very important from York University (Canada) sertation on his works, entitled authors like Segalen, Guattari and who worked on this project for “Decolonizing the text: Deleuze. His ideas about his new about 20 years, was published. Part Glissantian Readings in Caribbean conception of the world had a sig­ I of this volume of bibliographical and African-American Litera­ nificant impact on my own re­ references lists 386 references of tures.” (LSU, fall 1992). . search and writing of my disserta­ texts written by Edouard Glissant There is no question that he has tion.” (novels, essays, collections of po­ had a great influence on his stu­ ems, articles, etc.) and part II notes dents. 961 entries of texts, essays and ar- “I discovered, thanks to Profes­

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BASEBALL “We’ll probably platoon it at first. made our schedule. He did a number on continuedfrom page 71 Lanier will probably go against left- us,” joked Coach Bailey. “O ur schedule handed hitting and Berardi against this year is going to be ranked in the top der] for us to contend for the national righties. They’re both consistent catch­ five [in difficulty]. It’s very tough. championship,” Cooley said. ers and they’ll do fine,” said Smith be­ Coach Bertman doesn’t back away from Manning first base this season is fore the season. anybody.” Jeramie Moore, a transfer from Enter­ This year’s team appears to be a mix If past success is any indication of the prise State J.C. in Alabama. of returning starters and inexperienced future, then 1994 should be a great year “I knew coming in that this was the talent. for the LSU Baseball Team. “W e’ve re­ premier baseball program in the nation. “We had so many new guys when we ally grown in the past 10 years. O ur fans It’s everything I expected it to be. It was opened in the fall for our fall practice understand their role in supporting the a change coming to a big school like that we thought seriously about putting team,” Bailey said, adding, “we were LSU. All the players and coaches have name tags on everybody,” Bailey said. third in fan attendance in the country been willing to help me out and make me “Hopefully we can have a nice mix of last year.” a better ball-player,” Moore said. seasoned veterans and some youthful en­ Will this trend continue? Yes, ac­ Behind the plate, Adrian Antonini’s thusiasm,” Smith said. cording to Bailey. move from catcher to pitcher has led to The Tigers will be forced to find the “O ur attendance is going to go competition between Tim Lanier, Wade right chemistry in short order because through the roof this year. This place is Bagley, Scott Berardi, Kevin W ard and their schedule doesn’t allow for many going to rock every single game we play. Brian Hughes for the catcher position. mistakes. “I’m looking for the guy that You ain’t seen nothing yet!’

SPIRIT LSU Trivia Quiz. Periodically, the continued from page 2 5 M A R D I G R A S questions will be placed in LSU Today continued from page 76 ganization for $1,500 to $5,000, de­ and the first student to answer all four Rex. The year 1872 was an im­ pending on the trees location. A plaque correctly will receive a prize. At the end portant year for Mardi Gras. This was placed near the oak with the of the semester, there will be a grand year the Russian Grand Duke sponsor’s name and proceeds went to­ prize winner. Alexis Romanoff visited New O r­ ward life-time maintenance of the oak. Also, efforts are being made to leans for the celebration. His visit In 1994, “Adopt a building and breed a rose in LSU colors. Obstacles prompted local New Orleans grounds” is under way. Memos have such as buying rights and a lengthy businessmen to create the King of been sent to each building coordinator breeding process have slowed down the Carnival, or Rex, and adopt the of­ asking for student, faculty and staff par­ blooming of the new hybrid. But the ficial carnival colors: emerald for ticipation in developing a maintenance committee will do everything it can to love, purple for sincerity, and gold plan for the facilities and their surround­ form another symbol of LSU pride. for loyalty. An obscure song that ing grounds. In The Glory Days, knowledge of happened to be a favorite of the Students can also declare pride in the LSU alma mater and fight songs Duke’s, I f Ever I Cease to Love, be­ their university every time they drive were required. The university served as came the official song of Mardi their car by purchasing an LSU license parents away from home which made Gras (Supposedly the Grand plate. The cost of the plates is $26 in ad­ the rules strict but tradition thick. Duke had been entranced by ac­ dition to regular car license tag fees. Part W hat it all comes down to is that times tress Lydia Thompson’s singing of of the proceeds go toward scholarship have changed. Now there aren’t as the song in a production of funds. many rules so students are more inde­ Bluebeard). King Rex of that year Next semester, a 30- to 40-foot pendent. Fewer rules do not mean the became the first day parade, an Christmas tree will be placed on either university doesn’t care, it just means answer to the growing demand the parade ground or the promenade in that the university no longer serves as a from Mardi Gras celebrators un­ front of the tower, marking the birth of a parent. Therefore, if you’re a student able to attend krewe balls. He new tradition. There will be a tree light­ who feels like an ID number, you’re rules Shrove Tuesday for the day, ing by the Chancellor with the LSU going to have to accept that it is your riding down St. Charles Avenue. choir and Santa. responsibility to meet people, learn tra­ Rex is the only king who does not “It is important for students to know dition and become part of LSU. We wear a mask. Mardi Gras comes to about the tradition of LSU in order to don’t have to start enforcing old tradi­ a close at midnight. feel like a part of the university,” Gurie tions again, but, according to Crane, said. Therefore the Steering Committee, we need to keep in mind that LSU which is the faculty involvement with would be a different school if we could “Rekindle the Spirit,” has formed the just get people to be responsive

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RELIGION better Buddhist,” she said. whichever G(g)od one follows. continued from page 17 William Fields is a counselor in But everyone is pursuing a dream convert me. Once I was sitting Junior Division and is very popu­ of a good life through good educa­ near the Free Speech Alley, relax­ lar with students. Perhaps unbe­ tion, while having fun in the pro­ ing after class. A man came up to knownst to most students who cess. Perhaps this is the link that me and tried to convert me. Well, have sought his professional advice unites all the believers, no matter if I wanted to change, I would and sympathetic ear, Fields is a what they hold in their heart have changed. I realize there’s free­ Buddhist. dom of religion in this country. “One of the reasons I decided There is also freedom of religion to explore Buddhism was my dis­ within Buddhism. Buddha said, ‘if illusion with the Catholic Church. you don’t understand me, you I question the strict dogma and I shouldn’t follow me.’ If you don’t tend to look at what the Church is understand anything the Buddha saying rather than its intentions,” taught and still call yourself a Bud­ Fields said. dhist, it would be a dishonor to the “I studied Buddhism for a Buddha. month at a local Buddhist Center. BATON ROUGE “I have friends who are Ameri­ I found the atmosphere there continued from page 48 can Christians or Vietnamese friendly and relaxing compared to The workers won’t even notice. Catholics. We get along fine. Per­ the Catholic Church where there Perhaps more interesting is Cat­ haps now in this society, religion had always been too much pres­ fish Town out by downtown Baton no longer matters so much when it sure to be good and make sacrifices Rouge. The city has put a consider­ comes to making friends,” she in this life to gain the kingdom of able amount of work into this area, said. Heaven in the next. In Buddhism, with nice results. There is a modern- While Van proudly calls herself you have lots of lives to improve art looking dock with colorftil steel a Buddhist, Varuna de Silva, a yourself and to eventually attain structures that goes out a little into third-year Architecture student enlightenment,” he said. the Mississippi River. There are also from Sri Lanka who served as “The main adjustment for me walkways and fountains to check out, president of International Cultural has been experiencing a different as well as the Louisiana A & S Center Center and International Student faith in a very like-minded com­ Museum. Association in 1992-1993, no munity — like-minded being You may even go to the shopping longer does so. Christian. My family is very Ro­ mall to kill some time (come on, you “I used to call myself a Bud­ man Catholic. They look on Bud­ did it in high school). There are sev­ dhist, but now I call myself a stu­ dhism as a passing fancy and they eral in Baton Rouge, Cortana Mall dent of Buddhism because right hope that I will ultimately return being the largest — though not for now I don’t follow all the rules for to Catholicism. That is unlikely, long. Watch for the gigantic mall be­ Buddhist laymen in my daily life though,” he said. ing built on Siegen across the inter­ and I don’t want people to take me “I do get invited to Christmas state from the Siegen Village Cinema as an example of a Buddhist,” said parties and I do go. I never in­ 10. Or cheat a little and drive down de Silva. fringe on other people’s enjoy­ 1-10 to nearby Gonzales for the huge “Here it is easy to get away ment of Christmas, as some of Tanger O utlet Mall. from Buddhist religious practices. them truly do enjoy the holidays. All right, are you feeling any bet­ You don’t see temples, you don’t Besides, I have wonderful memo­ ter about Baton Rouge? In your quest see statues of the Buddha. Unless ries of Christmas. A memory for entertainment, remember that the you make a very conscientious ef­ book, that’s what Christmas is to answer may he right under your nose. fort, it is easy to drift away. me now. You’ve actually got it quite good, you “In Sri Lanka, I used to be very “Well, ultimately all is one. just have to look a little. So venture critical of Christianity because of Christ is Buddha, Buddha is forth, try something different, and my very strong Buddhist beliefs. Christ. So it’s everybody’s birth­ don’t dare complain about “boring Now even if I don’t agree with day.” Baton Rouge” until you’ve given it a other religions, I am much more Perhaps it is nice to realize that half a chance tolerant and respectful of them. people of different religions are so I’ve learned that it doesn’t matter alike in so many ways. Everyone what religion you belong to as has to walk, breathe, go to class long as your life doesn’t harm and sweat over. exams. Everyone yourself or society. In fact, I think has fun. Everyone laughs at jokes. this new tolerance has made me a There are good days and bad days

GUMBO MAGAZINE ORGANIZATIONS

ORGANIZATION NEWS

AIESEC is an international student organization that exchange ideas. attempts to find internships for international commerce This past year marked the organization’s 4th annual or business students. Their main focus is to find places for Professor of the Year Award. The award was presented to foreign students in Louisiana. They will also send a local Dr. Gerald Knapp at a special banquet. The club actively student abroad to intern overseas. participated with the engineering counsel and with career - Darren Cooper day. APM prides itself in their big buddy program which THE AGRICULTURE STUDENT COUNCIL is designed to help freshman and sophomore students builds leadership and character and promotes unity with studies and to get them to CEBA to see the differ­ among students in the College of Agriculture, said Barrett ent engineering departments. Lyons, former president. Last year, the National APM organization voted the ASC represents the Agriculture Student Association LSU’s chapter #1 in the region and #4 in the nation. This which consists of every ag student. Every club within the spring 14 new members were initiated. College of Agriculture has a representative in the council. -Yvette Hamilton The council is in charge of student projects and fund ALPHA TAU OMEGA fraternity was founded lo­ raisers, such as the Block and Bridle rodeo, at which they cally in 1919 as Theta Kappa Beta and in 1940 became worked concessions. known as ATO. According to President Kevin Smith, During the spring, the council cleaned the quad once a ATO participates annually in philanthropic fund raisers month and worked concessions at the Livestock Show to such as Tri-Delta’s Frats at Bat, Delta Gamma’s Anchor raise funds. Splash, and Greek Week, as well as collecting clothes to In March, two to three people represented LSU at the donate to the poor. Western Agriculture Association Conference. Members of ATO also enjoyed Viking Party in Octo­ President Aaron Foret said, “I wanted to be president ber, and will travel to Florida in April for formal. because I wanted to give back to the school.” ATO offers its members a broad range of opportuni­ - Kappi Buller ties to be involved both on campus and in the commu­ ALPHA GAMMA RHO is an agricultural fraternity nity. that aims to shape young minds. “Our goal is to simply - Rebecca Maher make better men,” President Ryan Perry said. AMERICAN ADVERTISING FEDERATION OF AGR was active in the community this spring helping LSU is here to help students learn and define the differ­ the College of Agriculture stage its rodeo, picking up trash ent areas of advertising said President Bryan Jameson. on campus in litter cleanups, and in social functions such Meetings are held twice a month in which guest speakers as South Seas. give tips on how to network and get jobs in advertising. AGR is a small fraternity and Vice president Perry Last fall the Ad Club traveled to the Advertising Talley said, “We all stick together.” Women of New York Career Conference for three days -Cole Schober in New York. They attended seminar sessions on ALPHA LAMBDA DELTA, an honor society, sent copywriting and media planning. They also toured two officers and the club advisor, Mrs. Elva Bourgeois, to McCann-Erickson New York which specializes in world­ the ALD Programming workshop last fall. wide advertising. In mid-March the chapter held meetings with poten­ From March 17 to 19,1994, the Ad Club went to the tial members and they will hold their annual spring induc­ 47th Annual Alfonso Johnson Memorial Student Tour tion of new members on April 17, 1994. in Dallas. On April 15, they plan to attend Career Day Each year the chapter gives scholarships to sophomores in Atlanta sponsored by the Adanta Ad Club. During the and seniors based on academic achievements. According tours, they will participate in workshops. The Ad Club to Bourgeois, the Student Government Association has also hosted a panel discussion on Opportunities for Mi­ approved the chapter using $250 from the SGA Scholar­ norities in Advertising. ship program for a sophomore scholarship. -Afiya Jones -Chance Victoriano THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ZOO ALPHA PI MU, an honorary industrial engineering VETERINARIANS was formed approximately 15 years organization, is the only nationally accepted one of its ago to expose veterinarian students to zoo medicine and kind. President Pam Delvaux said the club functions “to future opportunities available to them as graduates. Each promote the betterment of the field of industrial engi­ year the members tour either the Baton Rouge Zoo or the neers.” She said the clubs goals are to provide inspiration Audubon Zoo and host one guest lecturer. for young students and to provide a common ground to Members also volunteer in the LSU Raptor and Wild-

SPRING 2 1994 81 ORGANIZATIONS

life Rehabilitation Unit by providing hands-on nurtur­ Becky Roberts, president, said they are looking for­ ing and medical care to raptors, birds of prey and other ward to their banquet on April 21 in conjunction with wildlife. These animals are admitted through the LSU Chi Epsilon at which scholarships and awards will be Small Animal Clinic as a result of some injury, nest dis­ given out. turbance, or are orphaned immatures. Advisor Dr. -Chance Victoriano Sheldon Bivens said the unit is an “award-winning unit” THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF LANDSCAPE and is actively seeking additional operating dollars as a ARCHITECTURE is a student chapter of a national or­ result of increased admission activity, expansion of the ganization of landscape architects made up of profession­ unit’s activities and state funding cut backs. als and associates. The members meet once or twice a The annual Veterinarian School’s Open House helps month to plan their many service projects and social create community awareness about the unit. gatherings. - Judy Nordgren In January they had a workshop on graphics that was AMERICAN CHORAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIA­ open to the public. They also attend national confer­ TION OF LSU is new on the scene. Though it was es­ ences put on by the professional chapter of ASLA. tablished two years ago, this is its first year being recog­ Advisor Van Cox explained before this conference the nized as ACDA. members have a contest in which the students design a “The purpose of ACDA is to promote choral music T-shirt with the conferences’s logo on them and the best locally,” said President Jean Pierre Daigle. This year they one gets printed for all the members to wear at the con­ explored new musical ideas in choral music and tried to ference. The members pay their way to such conferences reinstate publications of Bach no longer in the library. and events by having fund raisers such as their annual The ACDA attended the American Choral Directors plant sale. Association Southern Regional Convention in Knox­ -Katey Collura ville, Tenn. The majority of the members participated in THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF INTERIOR DE­ the national convention held in San Antonio. SIGNERS, a student chapter of the professional ASID, -Afiya Jones educates interior design majors on the aspects of interior THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITEC­ design and job opportunities in this field. TURE STUDENTS is a pre-professional club for those The club brought in numerous speakers to talk to in the architectural field. It is a student chapter of the members about the interior design business and what professional AIAS that is made up of professional archi­ owners expect from entry-level interior designers. tects and associates. The club also had many fund raisers, such as pastry The AIAS had many social activities this spring. Feb­ sales and T-shirt design contests to earn money for next ruary 20 to 25 was architecture week. During this week year’s president to attend a national conference of the the club scheduled many lectures, and planned and ASID in Austin. served at the receptions held for the lecturers. This April, the club is planning to help the profes­ Also, there were many contests on paintings, sculp­ sional chapters with Design Days which educates people tures and architectural-concept pieces. on what benefits interior designers can provide. The AIAS club also held two formal dances this se­ President Melissa Centanni said the club also has its mester. share of fun, such as a crawfish boil in March. -Katey Collura -Katey Collura AMERICAN NUCLEAR SOCIETY,Inc. at LSU, AMERICAN VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSO­ has been holding fund raisers to send members to the CIATION, LA typically holds one meeting each month annual meeting of the American Nuclear Society this at which professionals in veterinary medicine speak June in New Orleans. about opportunities within the field. This semester the club held a spring crawfish boil, a In April, the association will hold a fun run as a fund garage sale, and has been offering a tutoring service in raiser which includes a 5K race and an additional mile mathematics, physics and engineering. race for runners and their pets. The association also plans President John Collins said the club plans to sponsor to host a softball tournament for members and faculty. a souvenir booth at the New Orleans meeting to pro­ The AMVA National Symposium was held March 17 mote LSU and to raise funds for future events. to 20, 1994, and 45 members attended the symposium. -Chance Victoriano -Chance Victoriano AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL OF LSU is a hu­ hosted its annual regional conference March 17-19. All man rights organization that welcomes all interested stu­ Louisiana schools were invited and, as part of the con­ dents. The organization follows the 1948 United ference, a steel bridge and canoe contest was held. Nation’s Declaration of Human Rights. Last semester the society held a barbecue for members The main focus of AI is to improve conditions for and faculty, and members also participated in an envi­ prisoners, monitor government’s role in human rights, ronment panel discussion. and work to free “prisoners of consciousness,” people

82 GUMBO MAGAZINE ORGANIZATIONS

who have been imprisoned based on their political posi­ ing on a faculty-student forum where both groups tion, race, religion, gender or ethnicity. Coordinator will be able to offer comments and suggestions. Nummedal said the prisoner must not have advocated -Chance Victoriano violence for AI to become involved in their case. BETA BETA BETA is a biological honor society Membership meetings are held monthly at the LSU that strives to expose undergraduates to research. Union. In addition, the AI attempts to inform the stu­ “Desires to cultivate intellectual interest in natural dent body of international human right issues, such as sciences and to promote a better appreciation of the cleansing in Bosnia, each month in front of the Union. value of biological study is our goal,” said President ORGANIZATIONS - Judy Nordgren John Young. ARTS AND SCIENCES SGA works closely with the Professors from the Department of Life Sciences LSU High School Recruitment Program and talks to offer club members the chance to research in their students about attending LSU. labs. The Dean of Basic Sciences also informed mem­ The organization also works with the Alumni Advi­ bers about research grants for undergraduates for this sory Council which sets up an Alumni Career Panel Dis­ summer. cussion to help students decide what to do with an Arts They held their annual initiation banquet for new and Science degree. In April they plan to have a panel members this year. The club also visited behind the discussion, “Banking as an Arts and Science Student,” in scenes of the Aquarium of the Americas and had a so­ which bankers with Arts and Science backgrounds will cial with the Basic Sciences Student Government As­ talk to the students. sociation called T.G.I.F. BBB went on a canoeing trip A Peer Counseling Program Hotline was imple­ last fall. mented to help students with scheduling and degree au­ -Afiya Jones dits for registration. They set up a Graduate School Li­ BETA GAMMA SIGMA is an honorary business brary for Arts and Science majors prepping for the fraternity which has been on the LSU campus for 50 LSAT, GRE and other achievement tests. years. Carline Joseph, president, said the club func­ The club’s biggest project is the Honors Convocation tions to support and share information with others in held every spring at Hill Memorial Library to award the field of business. honorary teachers and students. In the past, initiation has taken place in April. But, -Afiya Jones Advisor Nate Bennett said, “in order to give new THE ASSOCIATION OF SCULPTURE STU­ members more time spent in the club we held initia­ DENTS was designed for sculpture majors or students tion in January this year,” and 31 new members were enrolled in a sculpting class. inducted. President Bryan Watts said “the purpose of the AOSS -Yvette Hamilton is to establish a core group of people interested in the BIOLOGICAL AND AGRICULTURAL EN­ same subject — sculpture. It is... generally aimed at gen­ GINEERING STUDENT UNION is the new name erating funds for activities outside and inside of LSU.” of the organization for biological and agricultural en­ AOSS, with 15 to 20 members, meets twice a semes­ gineering students. It used to be under the American ter. It holds one meeting in early fall to plan its annual Society of Agricultural Engineers. Some of its mem­ Beaux Arts Ball, and one every spring to plan its annual bers hold membership in The American Society of trip, which is usually to Houston or New Orleans. Agricultural Engineers and Engineering organiza­ The association’s most anticipated affair, the Beaux tions. Arts Ball, is an annual costume ball hosted at the Baton The club held its annual Jambalaya Dinner to get Rouge Gallery during the Halloween season for the Art acquainted with new members last fall. The week Department in general and AOSS members. before Thanksgiving they held their annual Sweet The ball awards prizes for the best costumes and aids Potato Sale and sold almost 5,000 pounds of sweet members of the association in fund raising for its annual potatoes in four days. They also hold a crawfish boil trip, purchasing needed equipment for the department, to relieve anxiety from finals every semester. maintaining the facility, and financing next year’s ball. The BAESC set up tables at the LA State Science - Anjanette Blunt Fair. “Six students in the club attended an ASAF con­ BASIC SCIENCES STUDENT GOVERNMENT ference in Chicago where they played an active role ASSOCIATION is planning to hold its April “Basic Sci­ in ASAF’s integration of Biological Engineering,” ences Blowout,” complete with a crawfish boil and ac­ said President Jonathon Scott. DEQ Environmental tivities designed for faculty and students to interact. Education. Their biggest project of the year was a Po­ The association tries to extend a helping hand to stu­ tential Employer Education Program to educate en­ dents entering the curriculum. They hosted “Big gineering employers about the club’s unique biologi­ Brother” help session last semester to provide an oppor­ cal and engineering curriculum. tunity for new students to speak to upperclassmen. -Afiya Jones President Brett Whitfield said the association is work­

SPRING 2 1994 83 ORGANIZATIONS

THE BRAZILIAN STUDENT ASSOCIATION Center. The money raised was donated to the Boy’s recently became an organization independent of the uni­ Club of Baton Rouge. versity. Last semester, the group participated in the In­ CK will be sponsoring the annual La., Miss., ternational Expo. Tenn.District Convention, which is made up of CK The club held Mardi Gras socials and are planning a groups from 10 colleges in these states. World Cup Soccer celebration in June. Lou Nunez said The Kiwanis Club, a national business organization,

a Festa Junina, to be held in early June at the ICC, will ORGANIZATIONS sponsors CK on the collegiate level and several KeyClubs include food, square dancing and games. in American high schools. “It is a family-oriented celebrations with plenty of ac­ - Wayne St. Pierre tivities for the children,” Lou Nunez said. COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING COUNCIL held - Angie McManus its annual Engineering Olympics this February. The CAMPUS CRUSADE FOR CHRIST members Olympics is supported by local industry and consists of were among the 2,000 students brought together for the a variety of fun and competitive games, including a vol­ Dallas Christmas Conference in early January. The five leyball tournament. It aims at promoting cooperation day conference which featured guest speakers also helped among members of the different branches of engineer­ to unify the club. ing. CCC extends an open invitation to all LSU students. Mrs. Shea Dunigan, advisor, said the council is cur­ The club will be participating in charity fund-raisers rently working on establishing a scholarship program. such as car washes and bake sales throughout the spring President Jason Conley said they are also working on semester. establishing a semester break internship program for en­ - Scott Berardi gineering students to allow them an opportunity to make THE CARRIBEAN STUDENT ASSOCIATION their break more productive. has a theme of “great friends and lots of fun.” -Chance Victoriano President Randye Peters said “although the group is T H E COLLEGIUM is a social organization for hon­ small, with 15 active members, we find plenty of ways to ors students. Its primary purpose is to help honors stu­ enjoy our culture and share it with others.” dents of different colleges get to know each other. The Member Maria Smith said the groups’ involvement club is involved with campus cleanup activities such as in the International Expo last fall was such a success that classroom painting. They have also adopted their build­ the club has planned an exclusive mini-Carribean expo ing, the Honors Center, and made a pledge to keep it for March. The expo featured native food, artifacts, and clean. poetry and dialect readings. This spring, the group will be helping with Spring - Angie McManus Testing and will begin recruiting honors high school stu­ C H I EPSILON is a national civil engineering soci­ dents for LSU. They will also be starting a newsletter ety. Members met frequendy throughout the year to dis­ this semester. cuss who is eligible to enter the organization. Last No­ -Jackie Maloney vember, CE celebrated the LSU charter’s 25th anniver­ CONSTRUCTION STUDENTS ASSOCIA­ sary with a reception for both alumni and actives. T IO N is composed of four different associations: CE member Rebecca Roberts enjoyed the reception AGA- Association of General Contractors and said, “It’s neat to see people who have already made ABC- Association of Builders and Contractors it in the engineering field.” HBA- Home Builders Association -Cole Schober AIC- Association of Industrial Contractors CHI SIGMA IOTA is an honorary professional or­ Each association meets once a semester. Students are ganization for people in the field of counseling. welcome to join one or all of the associations. The members of CSI were recognized in October for “We hold several fund raisers each year, normally to their leadership capabilities at the Louisiana Counseling raise money for the Baton Rouge 4-H club,” said Fritz Association convention in Baton Rouge. “Our goal is to Inglade, president. The associations keep students up to develop leadership, as well as a commitment to excel­ date by having trade representatives at each of their lence,” President Murphy Toerner said. meetings. Guests are often contractors from the indus­ While serious about their role as leaders, they man­ trial or commercial contracting industry in Baton Rouge. aged to have a few laughs at their “Kiss the Pig Contest” -Lisa Beth this February. THE DAIRY SCIENCE CLUB OF LSU strives to -Cole Schober promote the dairy business, as well as to recruit people CIRCLE K’s theme for 1993-94 is youth. Local into the Agricultural College. The club participates in youth organizations will be the beneficiaries of their ser­ various competitions, such as the Outstanding Chapter vice projects. Award and the UG Paper Contest in Dairy Production, The club helped prepare and serve over 10,000 pan­ and are ranked in the top five almost every year. cakes at “Pancake Day” held in the fall at the Assembly Joey Register, president, is also the national officer of

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the National Dairy Science Association. He said the club in 1934. Tri-Delt has the #2 GPA among sororities and participates in the 4-H Jr. Dairy Exhibit, a social event has won numerous contests on campus, including first at local high schools in which the club members host place on Homecoming decorations and second place judging contest for grooming animals. In addition, it overall Homecoming. The Tri-Delts won second place also participates in a Future Farmers of America contest, overall intramural sports and first place in co-rec foot­ which is similar to the 4-H show. ball with Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, as well as first Other special events hosted by the DC include its place in softball. annual Foreign day to show elementary school students Tri-Delts active member Amanda Bolz is SGA Vice how to milk cows and to familiarize them with other president and serves on Leadership LSU. Ryn Rutledge farm animals; Spring Livestock Show and Rodeo; Junior was a member of the Homecoming Court and Dairy Show and Junior Dairy Exhibitor’s Social; Agri­ KarenBreaux is the Captain of LSU’s Golden Girls. culture Week; LSU Farm Day, Black and White Show; Nicole Ayo, Shannon Walker, and Amy Russo are all and the Dairy Science Club/Dairy Alumni Spring Ban­ members of LSU’s cheerleading team. Other organiza­ quet. tions where Tri-Delts can be found include LSU Am­ - Anjanette Blunt bassadors, Scotch Guard, Greek Steering, Mortar Board DATA PROCESSING AND MANAGEMENT and ODK. ASSOCIATION is for students interested in the field of -Ashley Cowling computers and data processing. “The club members DELTA GAMMA sorority’s national philanthropy, meet with data processing faculty in which they help the Sight Conservation and Aid to the Blind, has received a students recognize the importance of computers,” said helping hand from the sorority over the past year. advisor Darlene Lanier. Last fall an “Art of the Eye” fund raiser was held at Electronic Data Systems, Exxon, and the Federal Re­ the Louisiana archives building to benefit the philan­ serve Bank of New Orleans are a few of the organizations thropy. that sent guest speakers to the club’s meetings. This semester DG hosted Anchor Splash, a swim­ DMMA helped Boy Scouts earn their Computer ming competition among fraternities, and a Spring Pic­ Merit Badges. They had several socials such as a pizza nic with a jambalaya dinner. Both fund raisers were for party, golf tournament and a crawfish boil and they also the Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired. participate in intramural sports. The club gives an an­ -Chance Victoriano nual scholarship and also attended one of the local pro­ DELTA KAPPA EPSILON - the Zeta Zeta Chapter fessional chapter meetings of DPMA. of DKE fraternity - has been on LSU’s campus for about -Afiya Jones 70 years and was the first fraternity house on campus. DELTA DELTA DELTA sorority was founded on DKE was founded at Yale University on June 22, 1844. Thanksgiving Eve at Boston University in 1888. The DKE members feel that the small numbers of actives Delta Omega chapter of Tri-Delt was founded at LSU in the chapter, about 40, enables them to become very

The executive staff of the Graphic Design Student Association, Jennifer Toye, Priscilla Duty, Darren Evans, and Andrea Caillouet after a meeting. photo photo by Brian Baiam onte

SPRING 2 1994 85 ORGANIZATIONS

close brothers. The DKE’s participate in a campus blood ETA KAPPA NU is an electrical engineering society drive every semester. that holds periodic informational meetings for engineer­ George Bush, Dan Quayle, Dick Clark, and Gerald ing majors. Ford were members of other DKE Chapters. The organization meets twice a semester so electrical -Ashley Cowling engineering majors can gather and help each other. The DELTA SIGMA RHO is an honorary debate club members can assist each other with courses and profes­

which actively participates in contests around the nation. ORGANIZATIONS sor selection. The club initiates new members every se­ Last fall, DSR members participated in debate tour­ mester and also recognizes and awards members for out­ naments at Southern University and at St. Mary’s Uni­ standing academic achievement. versity in San Antonio, placing third in both contests. Members of the club must be electrical engineering Heidi Brough, advisor, said, “We have exceptional majors and maintain a 3.0 GPA. students who are gifted in debate.” - Ken Meyers -Cole Schober ETA SIGMA PHI is an organization for students DELTA TAU DELTA sponsored the “Delt Speaker who are exceptional in the fields of Greek or Latin. Last Series” with Robin Sawyer, an expert on date rape, as fall they attended a lecture by Associate Professor of part of LSU’s Substance Abuse Awareness Week last Oc­ Classics Stephen Schierling. In March some members tober. judged high school students in their knowledge of classi­ “We had a great turnout, over 300 students at­ cal studies at Junior Classical Week. tended,” said John Ragsdale, former vice president. - Cole Schober DTD and the Deke fraternity are cosponsoring “Soft­ THE FAITH AND CULTURE SOCIETY “pro­ ball Slugfest,” along with various sororities, to benefit the vides an academic voice to traditional European and Big Buddy program and the Parker House on April 23. Western Christianity," said President Linda Robinson. - Angie McManus The club gets together occasionally to discuss Judeo- THE ENGLISH GRADUATE STUDENTS AS­ Christian subjects and have Christian poetry readings. SOCIATION OF LSU are a liaison with the English The Faith and Culture Society had many speakers graduate faculty and sit in on their meetings. They wel­ visit this year. In November, Eric Von Kuehnelt- come new students and bring their problems to the Leddihn, a well-known Austrian scholar, spoke on the graduate faculty. “The EGSA helps graduate students role of women in Christian tradition. and continuing grad students with procedures to com­ Dr. William May of the Pontifical Institute of Fam­ plete their respective programs,” said President Nancy ily Studies in Washington D.C. gave a speech called Dixon. “Splendor Versitatis,” which was a summary of the new The organization is run under co-presidents Nancy papal encyclical. Dixon and Rob Hale. They had a bake sale to raise Dr. William Campbell, an economics professor at money for travel and social funds. They also hosted a LSU, spoke at a celebration in November in honor of St. barn dance, crawfish boil and garage sale. EGSA helps Cecilia, the patron saint of music. He discussed the rela­ host the Readers and Writers Awards Banquet for out­ tionship between music and economics to a crowd of 40 standing graduate students and faculty. They publish a faculty and students. monthly newsletter, Bon Temps. In February, there were two speakers, Father Joseph -Afiya Jones Howard of Loyola College and Prep, and Dr. Joseph THE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT Graham of the University of St. Thomas in Houston, CLUB of LSU is planning to take a field trip to a — who spoke on abortion and euthanasia. dump? The EMC will be visiting the superfund site just -Katey Collura off of Route 61 during the spring semester. THE FILIPINO STUDENT ASSOCIATION con­ President Donald Hull, a senior in environmental sists of mostly graduate students and was organized pri­ management, said the group will also be taking educa­ marily for social and academic interaction among Fili­ tional trips to industries such as the Environmental Pro­ pino students. tection Agency and the Department of Environmental The association, with no more than 20 students, Quality. helps Filipino citizens back home get registered in LSU “The main reason we take these trips is to push our and settled into living arrangements. Though the asso­ curriculum on them [the industries] so that jobs will be ciation does no fund raising, it participates in the LSU a lot easier to come by,” he said. International Expo and other organized meetings. They The club will be attending rodeos where they will sell also hold an annual gathering for the Filipino commu­ programs to raise money for the organization and will nity in Baton Rouge. continue helping the Baton Rouge Green, which is re­ - Anjanette Blunt sponsible for the roadside work on I-10 and 1-12, FOOD SCIENCE CLUB of LSU will be sponsoring throughout the semester. a crawfish boil during the spring semester. The boil will -Scott Berardi be in conjunction with a meeting held by the Gulf Coast

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Section of International Food Technologies in New Or­ anti-defamation by running ads in The Daily Reveille. leans. They sponsored a local psychologist, Kimen Harding, to Members of the group will also be participating in speak on topics from homosexual and heterosexual rela­ various fund-raising activities in order to raise money for tionships to family relationships. scholarships awarded in the Food Science Department at President Heather Neville said the “tabling” activities LSU. are very important to the club. This year they’ve had a

The club promotes the Food Science Department by ORGANIZATIONS host of tables set up around campus where new member­ serving as judges at career science fairs for high school ship sign-up is available, meeting announcements are and elementary students. posted and numerous pamphlets on homosexuality can -Scott Berardi be picked up. This year the club decided to hold a for­ GAMMA BETA PHI’s LSU chapter and Chancellor mal dance called “The Prom You Never Had.” Class­ Bud Davis co-sponsored the 1993-94 “Rekindle the room painting was also on the organizations agenda. Spirit” program in an attempt to get students more in­ -Yvette Hamilton volved on campus. The honor organization helped to THE GRADUATE WOMEN’S CONSORTIUM paint rundown classrooms on campus and also held sev­ sponsers social and professional programs of interest to eral campus and city cleanups. LSU women graduate students from all departments. It The group plants trees at different elementary and offers women a vehicle to “network and make profes­ high schools as part of Baton Rouge Green, an urban re­ sional advancement,” Treasurer Linda Cameron said. forestation program. Members also continue to work Last fall a distinguished panel was coordinated for the with the Parker House, a shelter for neglected children, annual workshop, Surviving Graduate School - What and will be volunteering for the Special Olympics this Your Mother Never Told You About Graduate School. spring. The panel included Dr. Cathy Castille, Student Health -Jackie Maloney Center Counselor; nutritionist Dr. Maren Hegsted; Bar­ GAMMA SIGMA DELTA is the honorary society of bara Woods, a Ph.D candidate in speech communica­ the Agriculture College. “Our purpose is to promote tion, spoke on mentoring. The event focused on educat­ scholarship and productivity in all aspects of agricul­ ing the students about the graduate school system and ture,” said Dr. Donald Robinson, president. Along with university. Some 30 women attended the workshop. recognizing outstanding students, teachers, and research, The Women’s Consortium joined in a cooperative they participate in Science and Engineering Fairs for event by participating in International Women’s Day, high school in the area. held March 8th at the LSU Union. This offered educa­ Once a year they plan an afternoon lecture spotlight­ tional literature to all those interested. ing a world-renowned speaker in the agriculture field. -Judy Nordgren -Lisa Beth THE INDONESIAN STUDENT ASSOCIA­ GAMMA THETA UPSILON, an international TION, a social organization designed to help integrate honor society for geography, was formed in the 1920s to exchange students from the Pacific rim, also helps people promote scholarship and geographic awareness in com­ in the Baton Rouge community discover the various so­ munities throughout the world, said Anne Moshner, cieties that make up Indonesia. advisor. National Geographic has sponsored the institu­ Member Chairul Nahri said there were nearly weekly tion of this organization on college campuses through­ parties and activities that helped him feel more at home. out the nation. Actin President Riyanto Rahardjo said members of­ This March the members will be helping in the Loui­ ten play basketball together in the Gym Armory, have siana run off for the National Geographic-sponsored Na­ crawfish boils and play volleyball. tional Geography Bee, which will be in Washington Last November, the group participated in the Inter­ D.C. and be hosted by Alex Trebek. The bee is run much national Expo. This April they will have a mini expo at a like the National Spelling Bee except the contestants local elementary school to educate children about the must answer geography questions. people of Indonesia. President Karin Lorenz said the society celebrated the - David Mitchell National Geography Awareness Week, recently declared JUKO KAI, an LSU club sport, teaches this ancient by President Clinton, with a career day for the society’s martial art to both novices and experienced artists, said members last November. To be a G TU member, one has President Jason Doirin. to have had at least two classes in geography and main­ With 40 members, the club teaches the four disci­ tain a 3.0 GPA. plines of Juko Kai: Juko/Ryu Jujutsu, shorin/Ryu Ka­ - David Mitchell rate, Aia Jutsu, and self defense. Except for Aia Jutsu, THE GAY AND LESBIAN STUDENT ASSOCIA­ which is quick-draw sword play, the discipline teaches TION participated in the Sexuality Update Week and the punches, kicks, blocks, throws, joint blocks, and came out a winner in the 2nd annual Condom Olym­ pressure points of a samurai art as old as Karate. pics. The organization also launched a new campaign on The secretary said because the art is designed to in-

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flict damage, competition is not possible. However, he honor society, had its induction ceremony in conjunc­ also said the art’s combativeness does not exclude the up­ tion with the school’s Hall of Fame banquet. Sixteen lifting effects the art has on personal attitude. new members were added. On the second floor of the Gym Armory, Shihan, Membership requires full time enrollment in the master, Donal Shove and others teach the art for all lev­ Mass Communication School and a top 10 percent rank els of experience. in their junior or senior class. - David Mitchell The national group of about 20,000 members has 94 ORGANIZATIONS KAPPA ALPHA THETA sorority was the first chapters in various universities. A convention of mem­ Greek letter fraternity known among women. President bers is held each year. Jennifer Stromeyer said, “Theta stands for sisterhood, “A benefit is the recognition of abilities, it provides scholarship and service.” contacts and looks good on resumes.” said advisor A new six-week program was introduced for initiates W hitney M undt. in October. The chapter also had a Halloween party as a -Darren W. Cooper service projectand helped hearing-impaired children KAPPA SIGMA hosted the Chancellor’s Leadership carve pumpkins. Breakfast during the 1993 fall semester. This event Other activities in the fall included volunteer work­ brought together representatives from each fraternity ing at the Baton Rouge Food Bank and painting class and sorority, along with Chancellor Davis and his staff. rooms. Every year, KS participates in various activities in­ During the spring, KAT had a spring date party and cluding Baton Rouge Food Bank, Earl K. Long hospital participated in Song Fest and Crawfish on the Clover, blood drive, Baton Rouge Big Buddy program and the which was to raise money for the group Court Ap­ University Lake Clean-up. pointed Special Advocates. “A chapter who can boast of the contributions of its - Kappi Buller individual members is a chapter that has built a strong KAPPA DELTA was awarded a “Chapter Achieve­ foundation of leadership,” said Mike Johnson, public ment Award” and was recognized for its “Shamrock relations officer. Project” at the national convention held last summer. -Sharie Richard The “Shamrock Project” is KD’s annual sale of KAPPA ZETA sorority was founded October 4, jambalaya during the St. Patrick’s Day parade that raises 1990. It is the only integrated sorority on LSU’s campus, money for the Louisiana Council for the Prevention of and received the MLK award in January 1991. Child Abuse. -Rebecca Maher KD also donated over $1,000 to the Baton Rouge THE KOREAN STUDENT ASSOCIATION’S Rape Crisis Center during Charity Marathon. primary objectives are to help Korean students in their During December, KD collected toys and donations transition to an American way of life and to inform oth­ from local businesses and held a silent auction at the ers of the Korean culture. Governor’s mansion in order to raise money for the The organization usually participates in the Interna­ LCPCA. tional Expo and provides facts and food from Korea. In -Misty Elliott addition, the organization, with about 20 members, KAPPA KAPPA GAMMA sorority participated in helps new students find housing, transportation, and fall rush, Greek Charity Marathon, and an annual Keep also provides academic services. Throughout the semes­ Safe Program last fall. The women also hosted Big ter the association has various parties and sporting events Buddy Day, a mini-olympics for children that live in the such as tennis, soccer and softball games. projects. President Young Oh said the goal of the club is “to During the spring, KKG, with approximately 30 know each other, to help each other.” members, held the annual Spring Formal and the annual -Ken Meyers fund raiser, Kappa Classic Golf Tournament. Another LAMBDA ALPHA, a national honor society that fun tradition was a dinner for professors which are held promotes scholarship and the science of anthropology, once every semester. educates the public about the four disciplines of anthro­ - Kappi Buller pology, linguistics, cultural anthropology, physical an­ KAPPA OMICRON NU is an honor society for stu­ thropology, and archaeology. dents studying home economics. The organization, with Vice president Lori Buck said the society not only 31 active members, meets on the third Thursday of each exposed members to schoarship opportunities through month. publishing but also gave budding anthropologists a In February, guest speaker Rhonda Atkinson moti­ chance to show the community what anthropology is vated members about making their goals a reality. about. KON held a fund-raiser pancake breakfast last fall. Member Heidi Jane Beall said anthropology is not - Angie McManus just digging in the ground for artifacts but is “a quest for KAPPA TAU ALPHA, the mass comunication an understanding of mankind, which no other field ex-

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plores to such an extent as this.” Perspective Speaker Series, Coffee 2051. The Interna­ Buck said the society staged an artificial dig for school tional Committee hosts its annual International Expo children of Howell Park Elementary last October. LA which showcases food, dance, music and customs plans to have similar activities with other schools and around the world. “Live music, comedians, and game groups. shows are provided by the Pop Entertainment Commit­ - David Mitchell tee,” said Advisor Jo Ann Doolos.

LAMBDA CHI ALPHA fraternity has had the top ORGANIZATIONS Lively Arts Committee provides the performing arts, grades of all fraternities for the past two-and-a-half years. and the Recreational Committee provide horseback LCA’s three-on-three intermural basketball team was riding, canoeing, hiking and other outdoor activities. the champion, and played against North Carolina’s Committee membership is open to all full-time students. intermural champion tema. -Afiya Jones LCA is also planning a golf tournament to raise THE MEXICAN STUDENT ASSOCIATION money for a local charity, and they had a Big Buddy fish­ participated in the International Expo last November ing trip last fall. with a ceremony equivalent to Halloween. President There were 18 new initiates this semester. Joaquin Atoche said the group set up an alter at - Suzette Morrill Carribean Colors complete with crosses and mexican THE LOUISIANA HOME ECONOMICS ASSO­ handcrafts. CIATION, soon to be renamed Louisiana Pre-profes- During the spring, MSA combined with the Latin sional/Graduate Student Member Scetion of the Louisi­ Student Association for a presentation in the Union. ana Home Economics Association, has been elected Best Educational videos were shown and Mexican food made in the State for the last two years and has scored the high­ by authentic mexican recipes was served in the Planta­ est in quality points for the Standard of Excellence com­ tion Room. petition. Also, they have been winners in competitions - Angie McManus approximately five times within the last 15 years. THE MOSLEM STUDENT ASSOCIATION is Advisor Elva Bourgeois said, “The Home Economics composed of six executive members, both students and Association is open to all, but was founded for human staff. They meet about once a month for the organiza­ ecology students. We lead scholarly achievement. This tional meeting and also gather every Friday at 1:30 for chapter represents excellence in fulfilling the ultimate weekly prayer in the Islamic Center. At their meetings goals of the Home Economics Association.” members engage in debates on topics that concern Mos­ LHEA, with 25 members, hold one fund raiser every lems. The association also occasionally hosts guest lectur­ fall, and one service project every fall and spring. They ers who speak on controversial matters pertaining to attend a State Leadership Workshop in the fall and a Moslem people. State Convention in the spring. They plan to sell wrap­ Last spring the Moslem Student Association hosted ping paper as a fund raiser this year, and donate care Bosnian official Abdullah Thabit to speak on his packages to adopted members of the Parker House, a country’s political situation. The event helped the Mos­ home for abused women. lems raise a much needed $25,000 for those people that Last fall the orgaization assisted prisoners from St. were injured in Bosnia. Gabriel’s Women’s Prison with selling stuffed animals -Ken Meyers the prisoners made while in prison. They also assisted in MU SIGMA RHO is an honor society for juniors the advertising of the event to assure its success. and seniors in the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, and Ba­ - Anjanette Blunt sic Sciences possessing at least a 3.5 GPA. LSU UNION GOVERNING BOARD AND PRO­ President Jheri Blazier said MSR was originally set up GRAM COUNCIL has two divisions, a policy-making to gain a Phi Beta Kappa chapter at LSU. The chapter body and a student program activities coordinator. They was set up, but MSR still exists and is the only one across meet every week. The Program Council is broken into the United States. nine committees, including Art Advisory Board, Black MSR’s annual banquet will be held in late April Culture Committee, Fashion Committee, a Films Com­ - Angie McManus mittee, Ideas and Issues Committee, Lively Arts and Rec­ THE NATIONAL SOCIETY OF PERSHING reation. RIFLES is LSU’s military flag corp organization. The so­ The Art Advisory Board helps select the exhibits dis­ ciety is a local chapter of the National Organization of played in the Union Art Gallery. The Black Culture Pershing Rifles, which celebrated its 100th Anniversary Committee emphasizes the culture of contemporary Af­ last March 12th. rican-Americans by planning and producing programs to The organization opened the Disney Extravaganza show the cultures heritage. The Fashion Committee held last fall at the Centroplex where it performed a 25- plans several fashion events and the Films Committee member salute to retired servicemen that attended the programs weekly films in the Colonnade. event. It also participated in the annual LSU Livestock The Ideas and Issues Committee selects and plans and Rodeo program where it was part of the opening

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ceremony. PHI GAMMA DELTA, also known as FIGI, partici­ The LSU chapter of Pershing Rifles celebrated its pated in several philanthropic events last fall. 52nd Anniversary March 14th. The fraternity hosted a blood drive at their house and -Ken Meyers collected 40 units of blood. They also volunteer at the THE PANAMANIAN STUDENT ASSOCIA­ Baton Rouge Food Bank, as well as donate food. With TION is primarily a social support group for LSU Pana­ many other fraternities and sororities, FIGI took part in ORGANIZATIONS manian students, according to President Pilar the Charity Marathon to benefit Children’s Hospital Arosenmena. and the United Way. The association, with a membership of 20 to 25 stu­ Out of the 110 members, many are also part of Stu­ dents, meets monthly for social gatherings such as bar­ dent Government and LSU Ambassadors. becues and parties. Arosenmena said, "these gatherings This spring FIGI will also be hosting the annual are part of our support system.” South Seas party and donating funds to various charities. As participants in the LSU International Expo last -Jackie Maloney fall, the PSA showed an educational video on Panama; PHI KAPPA PHI is one of the oldest honor societies offered samples of cultural foods; displayed Panamanian in the United States. The LSU chapter is the 43rd out of products, arts and crafts; and gave away souvenirs. 267 chapters world wide. Students holding a 3.7 GPA -Judy Nordgren their senior year, and a 3.8 their junior year are eligible PHI BETA LAMBDA is a professional business as­ to join. PKP accepts students from all disciplines. sociation open to all majors at LSU. One very important They hold several meetings a year, as well as an award aspect of PBL is the organization’s emphasis on commu­ banquet to recognize outstanding students and faculty. nity service. Each year one student is nominated to the National Members worked with the Baton Rouge Food Bank Boards for an opportunity to recieve a scholarship for in March, helping sort and package food. graduate school. Members also attended the state fall conference in -Lisa Beth October and the state spring conference in March. Plans PHI KAPPA PSI, a social fraternity, emphasizes lead­ for the rest of the semester include helping to repaint ership and responsibility to the community. some classrooms. Last October, PKP sponsored “Jazzercise,” a fund - Angie McManus raiser for cancer research in the Baton Rouge area. They PHI DELTA KAPPA meets on a monthly basis to also participated with other greek organizations in Song discuss topics of interest concerning education. Mem­ Fest this March. bers are part of a select professional teaching organiza­ President Mark Miller said PKP looks forward to par­ tion. Dr. James Wandersee was the keynote speaker at ticipating in the LSU greek system and strives to improve the initiation ceremonies. the system in the process. President Sheila Pirkle considers initiation to be an - Cole Schober important event in which people are provided access to PHI LAMBDA UPSILON is an organization of an organization which shows community leadership. about 35 students majoring in chemistry, biochemistry -Cole Schober and chemical engineering. PHI DELTA THETA is a “fraternal organization They often take field trips to chemical plants and have based on the principles of friendship, sound learning, speakers from the faculty and from large corporations. and moral rectitude,” President Scott Niolet said. Faculty members discuss their research, and industry Last fall, PDT worked at a Sand Sculpture charity speakers discuss future jobs and different alternatives for event for the Baton Rouge Food Bank. All alumni of 50 those interested in chemistry. years or more were honored at the “Golden Legion” They do many of their fund raisers by selling model awards this March. Also in March, Kappa Kappa kits to chemistry students. Gamma sorority joined PDT in Song Fest. -Michael Paine -Cole Schober PHI MU ALPHA SINFONIA is a fraternity of PHI ETA SIGMA is the oldest freshmen honorary about 30 members that focuses primarily on singing. society in the country. It was established on the LSU One activity that the group enjoys doing every semester campus on May 22, 1932. The advisor, Archie Lejuene, is singing to all the sororties at given time. said the club honors and gives extended recognition to In April, PMAS will sponsor the American Musical scholarly freshmen students with a 3.5 GPA or above. Festival, and an Aids benefit in which they will provide The organization holds an induction ceremony each most of the entertainment. They also plan to attend the semester. The members are encouraged to help with tu­ National Assembly of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. toring and also help with spring testing. This year the John Archer, president, said they were working on re­ club distributed pamphlets across campus on ways to cording about 10 songs. Each song is an original work, improve study habits. either by a member of their chapter or from a neighbor­ - Yvette Hamilton ing chapter. Archer was not sure when it would be pro-

90 GUMBO MAGAZINE ORGANIZATIONS

duced, but he hoped it would be soon. terested in mathematics. -Michael Paine The club normally has about 10 members and meets PHI ZETA, an honorary society in veterinary medi­ every few weeks to give math students a chance to talk to cine, sponsers a research-emphasis day in which veteri­ and get to know each other. Members are able to help nary undergraduate and graduate students submit re­ each other with tutoring and also professor selection. search abstracts, in hopes of getting an award for either Last spring the organization hosted a guest lecturer by

first, second or third place. ORGANIZATIONS a notable math professor selection. PZ selects students in the top 25 percent of their class Last spring the organization hosted a guest lecturer by in their fourth year, and the top 10 percent of their class a notable math professor from Columbia University, in their third year, with recommendation. also it participated in the annual LSU Spring Rally for -Lisa Beth high school students. PI BETA P H I sorority is a service organization with -Ken Meyers about 139 members. PI SIGMA EPSILON’s Beta Xi chapter compiled In March they had a basketball tournament for the and sold the “Girls of LSU” calendar in mid November. fraternities. The proceeds went to their national philan­ The Beta Xi chapter also coordinated the Corporate thropy, Arrow Mount School of Arts and Crafts. Olympics that will benefit the Special Olympics of Loui­ Every month PBP donates to the Battered Women’s siana. Program. This spring the members of Pi Phi participated -Robert Fogleman in a program called Hospital Helpers, in which they visit PI TAU SIGMA, the honorary mechanical engineer­ long-time patients of hospitals. Every year they also work ing society, is a service organization for the department. with the Community Network Incorporated which is a They accept undergraduate students with a 3.0 or bet­ group of slightly mentally disabled adults. They get to­ ter, or students in the top 25 percent of their class. gether and have ice cream socials and dinners at the PBP During the year they plan to hold several fundraisers, house. and their future plans are to build a display case in Also they have many parties and functions within CEBA. their sorority, such as exchanges with fraternities and -Lisa Beth TGIF parties. They also had a Father/Daughter day and POLITICAL SCIENCE GRADUATE ASSOCIA­ a chapter retreat this spring. T IO N is a professional one which serves as a liason be­ -Katey Collura tween the student members and the political science de­ PI EPSILON TAU, founded in 1947, is a petroleum partment, said President Mark Johnson. Membership engineering society. meetings are issue oriented and called according to de­ Every semester they order books directly for petro­ mand. leum engineering students so they can buy them at prices The association has two representative positions on closer to cost, according to Joe Craig, executive vice the department faculty committee which address such president. topics as graduate curriculum and admission policies. PET also sponsored a team for the College Bowl, and Some 40 students, earning either master’s or Ph.D had initiation for new members in February. degrees, are currently enrolled in PSGSA. - Suzette Morrill - Judy Nordgren PI GAMMA EPSILON and the American Diabetes PRE-DENTAL SOCIETY is composed of students Association hosted “Cajun Casino Night” at the Ramada interested in going into the field of dentistry, but is open Inn on November 19,1993 to benefit research funding to students of all majors. They hold meetings every three for diabetes. weeks and often have guest speakers from different fields “We are expecting legislatures, the Governor, mem­ of dentistry. bers of the National American Diabetes Board of Trust­ “Once a year we take a trip to the Dental School in ees, and high profile members of the Baton Rouge com­ New Orleans. It’s a great opportunity for students inter­ munity,” said Nickole Rushing, chairperson for the ested in going to dental school to take a look around,” event. President Scott Johnson said. At their annual awards banquet on December 3, -Lisa Beth 1993, Pi Gamma Epsilon gave away a $3000 scholarship PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION STUDENT AS­ that was awarded at last spring’s educational seminar. SOCIATION functions as a liason between faculty and The educational seminar was designed to inform high public administration graduate students. The organiza­ school students considering attending college what life tion also helps students network with alumni in the field, is like on campus. At the seminar, students met with and sponsors workshops to show members what can be business and community leaders who presented lectures. done with their degree. PASO held a Christmas social -Robert Fogelman last December and will be having a crawfish boil this PI MU EPSILON, a math club and honor society, is spring. composed of undergraduate math majors or anyone in­ -Angela Wingate

SPRING 2 1994 91 ORGANIZATIONS

THE ROLEPLAYING AND WARGAMING SO­ a 2.7 overall GPA, and a 3.0 in science classes. CIETY of LSU is an organization where students and SGE offers free tutoring during midterm and final nonstudents gather together to play the mind game exams, in addition to sponsering informal lecture series Dungeons and Dragons. for all sciences. The society, which meets once a week, has been play­ -Rebecca Maher ing the game since 1975 and has about five or six groups. SIGMA LAMBDA ALPHA is a national organiza­

The members of the group gather together around a ORGANIZATIONS tion which recognizes outstanding students in the field table and each person assumes a role and participates in of landscape architecture. This honor society inducts an adventure. The group ventures off into “many differ­ students with the highest GPA usually the top ten per­ ent worlds” in hopes of not being eliminated. cent of any one class. This usually includes three or four It’s said that some matches can last over eight hours. students per semester. Awards and scholarships are given -Ken Meyers at the department banquet. According to Dennis Abby, SIGMA ALPHA is a professional and social sorority advisor, members include, “future leaders in the field of for students either majoring in agriculture or interested landscape architecture.” in the subject. -Rebecca Maher Each semester the organization cleans a two mile SIGMA LAMBDA CHI is a national organization stretch of Jefferson Highway and helps clean the Quad. for both construction management students and profes­ This fall, the sorority hosted a Halloween party at the sionals. This honorary society accepts members with Louisiana School for the Deaf. For Christmas the group high cumulative GPAs as well as those who excel in donated presents to area churches. classes in their major. The Epsilon chapter at LSU This spring they will be giving an Easter party at the intiates approximately ten members both in the spring LSD. and in the fall. Sigma Alpha also recruits incoming freshman and -Rebecca Maher helps them with their schedules. SIGMA NU participated in Alcohol Awareness Week SA just celebrated its fourth birthday at LSU. this past fall. They hosted a “dry” mixer and set up an -Jackie Maloney information table outside of the Union. SIGMA ALPHA EPSILON fraternity participated The fraternity also took part in the Charity Mara­ in LSU’s 1993 Greek Homecoming celebrations and thon, where sorority and fraternity members paid entry competitions, one of which was decorating the fraternity fees to participate in activities. The proceeds went to house. various charities. During the spring, some members helped paint a Sigma Nu also hosted a “Bingo with the Boys” night, classroom. President Sean Preau said, “As president, I am with proceeds going to the Louisiana School for the in charge of liasons between the chapter, alumi and the Deaf. university, internal finances, and maintaining a sense of -Jackie Maloney brotherhood.” Preau felt that painting a classroom was THE SOCIETY FOR HUMAN RESOURCE one way to help out. MANAGEMENT, LSU chapter, has won the National SAE also hosted an Annual Founders’ Day this Superior Merit Award five years in a row. Along with spring, in which an alumni dinner was given and pledges their recruiting drive in the spring they will conduct an­ were initiated. other professional conference on the proposed topic - Kappi Buller “Status of Affirmative Action.” SIGMA CHI fraternity is one of the largest fraterni­ This chapter also has social functions such as craw­ ties on campus. Their charter at LSU began on Novem­ fish boils and dinner meetings. Their primary goal is to ber 5, 1925. Besides building a Haunted House every spur individual excellence. According to President Mark year as a fundraiser for the Red Cross, they hold two Goodson, “In our organization there is no second place, blood drives. our chapter is striving to be number one.” New initiate, Paul McClung, said, “W e have a very -George Spaulding strong National Charter. Being initiated into the Sigma THE SOCIETY OF WOMEN ENGINEERS Chi brotherhood has been an opportunity to meet great works closely with Zonta, the battered Women’s Clinic friends.” in Baton Rouge. The society raised money for the clinic -Lisa Beth by co-hosting a Halloween party last fall with the Soci­

SIGMA GAMMA EPSILON is a national oreaniza-O ety of Mechanical Engineers. tion which recognizes outstanding students in the field SWE sent members to the regional student confer­ of earth sciences. ence in Houston last semester to learn about the latest The Delta Iota chapter at LSU consists of graduate technological advances in engineering. and undergraduate students majoring in both physical SWE hosted the regional conference at LSU this geology and petroleum engineering. Requirements for March. membership include fifteen hours of earth science, with -Jackie Maloney

92 GUMBO MAGAZINE ORGANIZATIONS

THE SOCIOLOGY CLUB, with around 35 mem­ Freshman Survival Kits as a fund raiser. The kits were de­ bers, usually meets once a month. Occasionally guest livered to dorms and off campus. speakers, such as sociology professors and social workers, In December, the association held a Senior Gift Pro­ talk to the club about job opportunities. gram for the Middleton Library Endowment Fund. The club sponsors many social gatherings and fund­ Also, a jeep raffle will be drawn on graduation day. raisers. They will also hold their annual crawfish boil in SAA plans to have a dedication ceremony for LSU’s May, during which different awards will be given. The ORGANIZATIONS graduates on May 20, 1994. Fred Frey award, in memory of the founder of sociology - Kappi Buller at LSU, is a cash prize given by the sociology faculty to TAE KWON DO CLUB OF LSU is affiliated with the best three papers written by sociology majors. the Charles Dingman School, a local heart and fitness There is also the College Supply Book Store award center. The literal translation of the Korean, Tae Kwon given to the top student in each year. Do, is “the way of the hand and of the foot.” According -Katey Collura to Dave Koenig, three-year member, “(TKD) is a Korean SPECIAL LIBRARIES ASSOCIATION consists of martial arts that’s a few thousand years old and is prima­ 24 graduate students interested in libraries. They meet rily a fighting style based on alot of kicks.” every third Friday with two other similar groups. The club is instructed by Pat LeBlanc, a second-de- The SLA often has recent graduates come in to dis­ gree black belt, and it is one of the few clubs on campus cuss interviewing and what Baton Rouge companies are that still practices in the Gym Armory. Every semester looking for. Last fall they also had an information bro­ they participate in tournaments on a statewide level. ker come speak to them about information research. “We offer it as practical knowledge of the art itself as Last spring they attended a one day workshop in New well as for self defense,” Koenig said, adding that the Orleans, “Navigating the Internet.” Members listened to club, with 30-35 members, is open to everyone, no mat­ speakers, worked with computers, and learned how to ter what level of experience. use Internet. - Anjanette Blunt -Michael Paine TAU BETA PI is one of the university’s oldest honor STUDENT AFFILIATES OF THE AMERICAN socities for engineers. It prides itself i being the only CHEMICAL SOCIETY is the “most involved organi­ honor society open to all disciplines of engineering. TBP zation in the College of Basic Sciences,” said President was founded in 1889 at Lee High University. TBP is run Ronald Coats. They have 45 members and meet every completely by students. other Monday. Somewhat inactive the past two semesters, TBP Speakers often talk to members about jobs in the hopes to revive in the fall. chemical industry. The society often does school dem­ - Suzette Morrill onstrations, trying to get students from 10- to 18-year- TAU KAPPA EPSILON - The Beta Phi chapter of olds interested in chemistry. In fact, last fall they did Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity - was founded at LSU in demonstrations for 318 students in one week. 1949. The very first TKE chapter was founded at Illinois In the spring, the SAACS went to the Southeast Re­ Wesleyan University at Bloomington. gional Meeting met other organizations much like theirs. LSU’s TKE chapter has 26 members and many are At this meeting students had the opportunity to orally active on campus as well as off. Some TKE actives are present some of their undergraduate research to fellow members of SGA and College Republicans. Twice a year students. SAACS of LSU is one of the few chapters in the chapter visits the Louisiana School for the Deaf and the United States that has won Outstanding Student Af­ plays basketball with the children. Former President filiates Chapter for the past two years. Ronald Reagan is a TKE alumni, but not from the Beta -Michael Paine Phi chapter. THE STUDENT FINANCE ASSOCIATION con­ -Ashley Cowling ducted a recruitment function earlier this spring. In ad­ THE UNITING CAMPUS MINISTRY is open to dition to social functions, SFA plans to bring in several students who are interested in sharing ideas, discussing guest speakers this spring to talk on different professional their views, gettinginvolved with religious matters, and fields that involve finance. participating in philosophical and psychological studies -George Spaulding on social issues. THE STUDENT ALUMNI ASSOCIATION is a Randy Nichols, a Methodist preacher, said, “I am al­ service organization that forms a bridge for campus and ways here to help students and to have one-to-one talks.” alumni activities,” said Laurie Adams, advisor. Every Suynday evening the ministry holds a program The association, with 40 to 50 members, is directed and meal, often with a speaker and a film. Also, a com­ at recent graduates and alumni; however, a majority of munion and breakfast service is held every Thursday the emmbers are undergraduates. morning. SAA decorated its building for homecoming, which Among the fall activities were camping, canoeing, a is something done every year. The association also made Halloween party, and a retreat, “The Real Jesus.”

SPRING 2 1994 93 ORGANIZATIONS

“At the retreat we viewed different social and spiritual tivities such as Mystery Date, bus trip and Semi-Formal. perspectives, and different denominations,” said Jim This spring, Zetas were busy with Pancake Breakfast Combes, a UCM committee member. in March with donations going to the national philan­ This spring the organization worked in a soup thropy The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Kitchen in New Orleans and also went to Mexico, a The chapter also distributed “Don’t be a fool” self-ex- work and cultural trip which is an annual event. amination cards to educate women about early detection - Kappi Buller of breast cancer. Zetas also enjoyed crush party in Feb­ ZETA PHI BETA sorority is based on the principles ruary, Formal in March, and are planning a crawfish boil of scholarship, service ad sisterhood. grub in April. The LSU chapter, Rho Epsilon, has been busy with According to Vice president Margaret Boyle, Zeta community affairs, fundraisers, social events, and cam­ placed first in Runaround, third place in Homecoming pus projects such as annual auctions, dances, car washes, decorations, and first place three years in a row in canned-food and clothes drives, elementary school schol­ Airband - a Charity Marathon lip sync contest. arship competitions, and other functions relevant to the President Melissa Miller said ZTA is “the greatest welfare of the citizens of the community as well as to the leadership experience of my life, opening my eyes to the successful continuance of the chapter itself. concerns of both women and the community.” ZPB also participates in services on a national level -Rebecca Maher such as Foster Home Care, Youth Conferences, Voca­ ZOOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY GRADUATE tional Guidance Clinics, The Welfare, Education and STUDENT ORGANIZATION primarily functions to Health Services, and Stork’s Nest. help collect money for their members to attend national “Zeta is a fine organization although we may not al­ conventions to present research. The group raises money ways be in the limeliht. Our members are few, but we by renting lab kits to first year biology students and sell­ work hard to improve the community and to be recog­ ing t-shirts. This semester they also supplied class notes nized here at LSU,” said Vice President Danyel Mitchell. for undergraduates taking Zoology 1202. Last semester, ZETA TAU ALPHA began this year by pledging 48 ZPGSO sponsored a jamalaya dinner to acquaint the new girls- the largest pledge class on the row. Fall activi­ new members with the faculty. This spring, they will be ties included service projects such as a Halloween party having a crawfish boil. for the Association for Retarded Citizens, and social ac­ - Angela Wingate photo photo by Jeremy Grossm an Master Shih-Min Hsu leads the Tae Kwon Do club's,practice. ORGANIZATIONS

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