President Robert S. Nelsen expressed relief yesterday after the NCAA said the university’s self-imposed sanctions were suffi cient for recruiting violations committed by the men’s basketball team.

A report released by the NCAA Tuesday said the men’s basketball coaching staff “committed major violations,” for 44 impermissible phone calls to 13 prospective student-athletes.

The NCAA committee investigating the infractions found the university failed to record all phone calls made by staff, which led to inaccurate reporting. The violations occurred from August 2006 and spring semester 2008, according to the report.

“There probably wasn’t good communication,” said Nelsen, who also noted that he personally met with the coaches on the matter.

Along with the university’s self-imposed sanctions, the NCAA decided to put the university on probation for the next two years.

The sanctions were implemented

Idalia Gomez, of the Inter-American Press Association’s Rapid Response Unit, is currently investing the escalating crime against Mexican journalists on the border with South Texas.

She came to the university’s Student Union Tuesday along with a journalistic colleague, Jorge Luis Sierra, to discuss the ongoing crisis. Gomez graduated from the Universidad

Autonoma de Mexico and later studied international law and terrorism. She fi rst began at El Norte, a Monterrey-based newspaper, in 1993 and then moved onto the Reforma in Mexico City, a spin-off of El Norte, working on stories linked to judicial affairs.

After spending some time on radio and television she then became involved with the IAPA in 2004. The IAPA, founded in 1942, represents media organizations

across North America, South America and the Caribbean. The

organization’s objectives are to defend freedom of the press and protect the interests of journalists while also promoting responsible journalism.

Gomez now works with 1,500 Latin American newspapers investigating crimes against journalists while also training journalists on how to deal with the violence that has become an unexpected part of their jobs. Tuesday she shared her experiences and discussed the origins of the problem and possible solutions along with Sierra, once the editor El Rumbo in the Valley and a former instructor of Gomez in college.

She has studied the journalistic danger involved in the recent violence phenomenon in Mexico and along the border, and how it affects reporters and their stories. Over 17,000 people have died in the Cartel War, with a number of journalists having been threatened, kidnapped, or killed. Gomez’ main focus is investigation, but also education.

“I have been researching this phenomenon for a long time, where it comes from, what it does to reporters’ stories and the censorship that it is generating,”

THE PAN AMERICANVolume 66, No. 23 April Fools, 2010

Noted journalists analyze border violence SEE NCAA || PAGE 6

NCAA ruling slaps probation on Broncs

Page 2 - Big business might have packed their bags, but they never left

Page 3 - Jobs after graduation becoming scarce

Page 11 - Holiday gift guide Page 14 - Q&A with volleyball player Rebecca Toddy

Alma E. Hernandez / THE PAN AMERICAN

Brian Silva / THE PAN AMERICAN

RELIEF - UTPA President Robert Nelsen speaks to the press Tuesday after the university athletic department was placed on two years probation by the NCAA; it could have been much worse, say administrators.

TOUGH TOPIC - Jorge Luis Sierra (left) and Idalia Gomez discuss the ongoing bor-der violence situation during their visit to campus Tuesday.

By Brian SilvaThe Pan American

By Roxann Garcia and Denisse SalinasThe Pan American

Commentary: Letter to the Editor - Tea bag rebuttal

Campus cats charged with indecent behavior

Big money scavenger hunt is on

Football team returningto UTPA in 2012

Noted journalists analyze border violence

FBI agents revealed the existence of an ongoing investigation into the University of Texas-Pan American on Friday, with a report into the validity of university credits. The results are a blockbuster.

“Thousands of students will be affected by the fi ndings,” according to an excerpt from the FBI report called Fraudulent Credits. “All credits found to be invalid must be repeated, including for those students who have since graduated.”

Before the report was released, UTPA administration met with the FBI at a undisclosed location to develop a plan of action to rectify the situation. Over 3,600 students who attended the university in the past two years are said to be affected.

“In a meeting with university offi cials we laid out a plan to re-establish credibility in the system of higher education, course and credit hours found invalid will be recalled,” said Jason Cruzo, the lead investigator on the case. “Students, who earned credits at the University of Texas-Pan American from May 2008 to the current semester, are subject to the recall of unqualifi ed credits. The recall will affect both current and graduate students that earned credits during the given period. Students will have to complete an undetermined number of extra credits at their own expense to be allowed to graduate and/or keep their degree.”

The news has hit the university community like a bombshell.

“I am shocked,” said Zaria Canteras, who graduated in 2008 with a degree in engineering. “I worked hard for my degree, and I have established myself in my position with a great company. I feel like the rug has been pulled out from under me.”

Canteras works for a Fortune 500 company, but will be required to resign from his current position as lead implementation manager as the position requires a degree by law.

Numerous other students will be contacted via mail and told of the current plan to reschedule graduation dates and guide graduate students to retake required courses.

“I am shocked. I worked hard for my degree, and I have established myself in my position with a great company. I feel like the rug has been pulled out from under me.”

-Zaria Canteras

Exxon, Lead Implementation

Manager

Uh oh! Loss of credits to cause havoc By Erin MenendezThe Pan American

SEE BORDER || PAGE 6 SEE CREDITS || PAGE 6

After an extraordinary year, The Pan American has achieved fi rst place for the highly sought after Overall Excellence award at the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association conference. In addition, Student Publications’ Panorama magazine received second place for their Overall Excellence award.

These two awards represent an incredible achievement that stand as a testament to each staff’s

dedication to excellence. It is no easy task to assemble such a quality publication, but can only be put together by a quality staff. Their dedication and commitment to success is something to be very proud of.

On the broadcast side, the Bronc TV/Radio program took 17 awards home from the conference. For a new program this is an extraordinary achievement.

These journalism honors tell the tale of a Student Publications organization that is striving toward

excellence in their respective fi elds. To be the top in the state among fellow universities and colleges is one of the greatest honors that can come from the TIPA conference. The service of providing the students of UTPA with superb access to information about their university should be lauded. It is an industry that is commonly overlooked for its steadfast service to freedom of information. Achievements of this magnitude are to be worn with pride, and we take this one moment to humbly boast.

Letter to the Editor

April 1, 2010 2

Anthony Salinas / The Pan American

Brian SilvaEditor in Chief

Newspaper, magazine take top honors

The Pan American accepts letters of 300 words or less from students, staff and faculty regarding recent newspaper content, campus concerns or current events. The Pan American reserves the right to edit submissions for grammar and length. The Pan American cannot publish anonymous letters or submissions containing hate speech or gratuitous personal attacks. Please send all story ideas to thepanamerican@gmail.com.

Individuals with disabilities wishing to acquire this publication in an alternative format or needing assistance to attend any event listed can contact The Pan American for more details.

The Pan American is the offi cial student newspaper of The University of Texas-Pan American. Views presented are those of the writers and do not necessarily refl ect those of the paper or university.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

**Delivery**Thursday at noon

1201 West University, CAS 170 Edinburg, Texas 78539Phone: (956) 381-2541

Fax: (956) 316-7122

April 1 , 2010 Vol 66, No. 23

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Brian Silva / brian.silva2@gmail.com

NEWS EDITOR

Roxann Garcia/ nevaeh09@msn.com

MULTIMEDIA EDITOR

Kristen Cabrera / kristenmichellecabrera@yahoo.com

ARTS AND LIFE EDITOR

Andrielle Figueroa / j27ig@yahoo.com

SPORTS EDITOR

Sara Hernandez/ sarahdzm@hotmail.com

PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR

Alma Hernandez / alma.e.hdz@gmail.com

SENIOR DESIGNER

Roy Bazan / rbazanzz@utpa.edu

ADVISER

Dr. Greg Selber / selberg@utpa.edu

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSOCIATE

Anita Reyes / areyes18@utpa.edu

ADVERTISING MANAGER

Mariel Cantu/ spubs@utpa.edu

WEBMASTER

Jose Villarreal / josemvillarrealcs@gmail.com

From the Editor

Your blurb on healthcare on Thursday March 24, 2010 is full of liberal lies and inconsistencies. You claim that those opposed to the healthcare reform (that was shoved down our throats) are racists and violent. I’m not saying that every single Tea Party member is immune to racism, but neither is any other human being on the planet, but your claims are just unfounded.

The congressman who was allegedly spit on, failed to recognize the man he originally claimed spit on him. Right now, Andrew Breitbart and Michelle Malkin are offering $100,000 as a reward for evidence of anyone calling Congressman John Lewis a “nigger.”

Don’t you think that at an event with hundreds, if not thousands, of cameras, one of them would have caught such an insult? The MSM would be playing it over and over. By the way, I’ve attended several Tea Party events

and I have Never heard such things, we don’t condone such immature and insulting behavior.

You are correct, this is not just about the healthcare, this is about the government taking over more of the private sector and bureaucrats telling people what they can and cannot do regarding their health and other things.

I’m a member of the Mcallen Tea Party Association and I invite everyone to learn more about us. The people I’ve met at the MTPA have been nothing less than kind, strong, hard working conservatives from both parties who are tired of too much government intrusion and want nothing more than to bring our Country back to The Constitution.

Andrea Casas

Illustrated Opinion

Bronc Radio/TV1st place - TV sports writing - Lilli Lopez2nd place - TV advertising - Stephanie Becerra

Panorama:1st place - Daniel Flores - Feature Photo

The Pan American:1st place - 2-Person Photo Essay Daniel Flores and Alma Hernandez

THE GALLERY3rd place - Overall Literary Magazine Excel-lence - The Gallery

THE PAN AMERICAN1st place, Overall Newspaper Excellence - The Pan AmericanHonorable Mention, Best Multimedia Pack-age - Sara Hernandez, Kristen Cabrera, Kevin

Stich, “The Press Box”Honorable Mention, Best Online Interactiv-ity - Kristen Cabrera, Jose Villarreal, Brian Silva, “panamericanonline.com”Honorable Mention, Best Online Breaking News – Kristen Cabrera

PANORAMA2nd place overall design - staff2nd place overall general excellence - staff

BRONC RADIO/TVHonorable Mention - Radio Public Affairs - Dulce DanielHonorable Mention - Radio PSA - Hector ZapataHonorable Mention - Radio Sportscast - JD Salinas and Alex PenaHonorable Mention - Radio Feature Story - Isaac GarzaHonorable Mention - Spot News - Stephanie

Becerra3rd Place - Spot News -Damian Silva and Hector Zapata2nd place - Radio Documentary - Veronica Gonzalez 3rd place - Radio Documentary - Veronica Gonzalez3rd place - Overall Radio Newscast - Lilli Lopez, Nancy Alvarez, Hector Zapata3rd place - TV Sportscast - Otter OrtizHonorable Mention - TV Non-Feature Story - Stephanie Becerra and Naxi Lopez3rd place - TV Documentary - Alex PenaHonorable Mention - Overall TV Newscast - Bernie Corpus and Stephanie Becerra2nd place - TV Feature Story - Bernie Corpus and Elizabeth RobainaHonorable Mention - General Website Excel-lence - Bronc Radio/TV

The University of Texas-Pan American received a $20,000 check from Doctor’s Hospital at Renaissance in Edinburg in support of a biomedical ethics conference happening April 13-16.

The conference, Promoting Ethics and Values in Health Care and in the Practice of Medicine in the Rio Grande Valley, is being put together by The Pan American Collaboration for Ethics in the Professions (PACE), which was established in 2008. The goal of the conference is to bring together medical experts from around the United States with students and the community to talk about numerous ethical issues that arise in medical practice, health care, and biomedical research.

“You have to invest in your community in order for it to invest in you,” said Dr. Carlos Cardenas who presented the check to UTPA President Dr. Robert Nelsen at a press conference March 24. “There’s no

question that when you look at building communities, building infrastructure and economic development… all the different forces that help to make the community great, there are several pillars. Of those pillars, the ones that are the strongest are education, education, and education.”

However, he says, education is not just about sitting in class.

“Medicine is not just about science; it is about the care of people in communities,” he said, adding that this community is a unique one with a unique culture.

The conference will address issues that are important to the Valley through panel discussions, presentations, and academic papers. Topics include chronic illnesses, access to care, immigration, economics, natural disasters, and assisted death.

“I went to a liberal arts school in north Texas, and I remember taking

April 1, 2010 3Renaissance check foots bill for April conference

Campus cats become condemned critters By Kristen CabreraThe Pan American

By Pamela MoralesThe Pan American

By Naxiely LopezThe Pan American

By Naxiely LopezThe Pan American

SEE CATS || PAGE 7

SEE CLOUD || PAGE 7SEE DARFUR || PAGE 7

SEE HOSPITAL || PAGE 7

FESTIBA speaker updates crowd on Darfur

Finding popular worded opinions

Alma E. Hernandez / THE PAN AMERICAN

DARFUR IN CRISIS - Dr. Lako Tongun speaking at this year’s FESTIBA, estimates that more than 300,000 people have been killed in Darfur, Sudan, since 2003.

Earlier this week 12 university cats were rounded up and charged with public indecency and lewd behavior after witnesses reported seeing them engaged in explicit sexual behavior on campus.

“The lewd and unabashed behavior of the university’s feline population has gone on long enough,” Police Chief Michael Kind stated. “It is with these

arrests that we set a precedent for cat conduct around campus.”

Various reports dating back to when the four-legged fi ends fi rst settled on university grounds in 1985 show complaints of “loud high-pitched noises” similar to baby cries throughout the day. The report also lists 57 eyewitnesses who recounted catching the animals in the act in broad daylight. Charlotte Renudo is among those on the list, and is disgusted by what the university has

allowed to happen for so long.“Its ridiculous,” the 28-year-old

education major said. “As soon as I turn the corner that [inappropriate activity] is in my face, not to mention that annoying sound ringing in my ears. I don’t understand why it has taken the university so long to do something about it. They are just public nuisances and should all be put behind bars.”

Yet local animal physiologist Dr. Fran Scowers doesn’t entirely believe

that their natural animal instincts are at the root of the problem. He suggests a different tack.

“I believe that Copy Cat Syndrome is the real culprit behind these acts,” said the Edinburg native. “Sufferers of CCS have a need to reenact what they are exposed to. With explicit themes and acts in movies, music videos,

In a new twist on the famous word-association test, Grant Benham, associate professor of psychology at the university, is trying to fi nd what’s on people’s minds. Benham, who’s been at UTPA for eight years, developed a survey experiment called the Word Clouds Project that entails a non-traditional method of research.

“I was looking for a creative venture that would simultaneously allow me to say something about the human condition,” he said.

The idea was derived from a Pew Research Center study that asked individuals what word described the 2008 presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain. The top three words for Obama were “inexperienced,” “change” and “intelligent.” For McCain, the words were “old,” “patriotic” and “Bush/Bush-like.” According to Benham, these words are considered to be “visual representations of the frequency with which certain words are used.” The more a word is used, the more it is noticeable and therefore, peeking out of the cloud of endless

Dr. Lako Tongun may not know his exact age, but he knows fi rsthand the confl icts happening in Sudan.

Tongun, who was born and raised in the southern part of that African nation, is now an associate professor at Pitzer College in California. He was invited by the University of Texas-Pan American to speak at this year’s Festival of International Books and Arts (FESTIBA) on the topic of world revolutions. The weeklong event completed its fi fth year last week, aiming to improve literacy in South Texas and raise awareness of important issues around the world.

Tongun, whose area of expertise is in African and Third World politics and economy, gave a lecture March 23 titled Darfur: Crisis and Genocide. He focused on the mass killings happening in the western region of

Sudan known as Darfur. “More than 300,000 people have

been killed since February 2003,” he said. “There are more than 250,000 refugees, and 2.5 million more are internally displaced.”

According to the United Nations, internally displaced persons are people on the run in their own country. Unlike refugees, they remain within the boundaries of their government, even though that government might be the cause of fl ight.

Tongun, who was given his name and an approximate age by the UN after becoming a Sudanese refugee in 1962, says this is the case in Darfur.

He explained that there is an identity crisis happening in Sudan, where the government is composed of military regimes that identify with the Arab world, while 60 percent of the population sees itself as African. Tongun went on to say that the main

Naxiely Lopez / THE PAN AMERICAN

PAY DAY - Doctor’s Hospital at Renaissance presents a $20,000 check to Dr. Robert Nelsen at a press conference March 24. The money will fund a biomedical ethics conference in April.

ADVERTISEMENTS April 1, 2010Page 4

Advertisements Page 5April 1, 2010

after the conclusion of an internal investigation by the university and UTPA has worked with NCAA offi cials since the beginning of the process.

The sanctions basically amount to a series of reductions: the number of scholarships goes down from 13 to 12 and there will be decreased recruiting opportunities including fewer phone calls to prospective student-athletes allowed.

But it could have been worse, as the key facet of the NCAA ruling was that the university’s self-imposed sanctions for its violations would suffi ce.

Athletic Director Chris King, who’s been at the university since September, expressed relief in a statement released by the university Tuesday afternoon.

“I’m looking forward to putting this investigation behind us,” he said in the statement.

The conclusion of the NCAA investigation comes at the end of a rocky period for UTPA athletics. Tom Schuberth, who was the men’s basketball coach

during the period when violations took place, was not rehired by the university at the conclusion of last year’s basketball season, after three seasons at the helm. DeAnn Craft, the women’s basketball coach, also suffered the same fate at the end of last year’s season.

The non-renewal of the hoops contracts occurred under the watch of Interim Athletics Director Ricky Vaughn, after former director Scott Street resigned. King replaced Street.

Last summer former interim president Charles Sorber expressed displeasure with the state of the athletics department. He made it clear he was not happy with its leadership, but that restructuring was occurring to produce an improved department in the end.

When asked about the past year’s troubles, Nelsen reaffi rmed that he was pleased that this point marks a moment to move forward.

“It puts us on more solid ground,” Nelsen said. “I’m glad it’s all over.”

NEWS April 1, 2010Page 6

BORDERcontinued from Page 1

NCAAcontinued from Page 1

CREDITScontinued from Page 1

Gomez noted. “This allows me to train journalists and college students in demanding that Mexican authorities solve these cases.”

Gomez has investigated a number of journalist deaths near the border since starting with IAPA. The incidences have risen signifi cantly since President Felipe Calderon began the war on drugs at the start of his presidency in 2006. Reynosa has experienced an upsurge in problems over the past 18 months, joining the hot spot Ciudad Juarez on the sad list of affected areas.

“To know when the violence actually began, you have to go as far back as 20 years ago,” the investigative journalist stressed. “This was happening because no one at the time was taking action against the cartels. We were allowing them to conduct business right under our noses without the thought of it escalating to this.”

When crime methods are effective in forcing communities, authorities, and media to submit, it produces more of these methods. Gomez said the situation of self-censorship to ensure safety of journalists has happened so rapidly that the change for the worse has gone unnoticed by many people. She also suggests that American demand for recreational drugs has not helped matters at all.

Until last year, journalists were under the impression that nothing would happen to them, she continued. The year 2008 was recorded as the most violent in history with 2009 showing a spike in cruelty and injury to innocent citizens. In 2010, some

observers feel that the numbers might decrease as the war reaches a climax, with exposure of the violence increasing, along with prosecutions of perpetrators.

One case in particular Gomez investigated involved an accountant who wrote for a local paper in Tabasco, Mexico. The young writer mentioned a shooting that had taken place in an article he had submitted. Shortly afterward he was kidnapped and found later at a ranch, dismembered.

Gomez has also experienced fi rsthand what can happen to a reporter investigating the dangerous subject. She recalls a time when she was in Mexico driving home and noticed a car swerving and forth in front of her. She immediately phoned Mexican authorities and as soon as the chance presented itself, she sped in front of the mysterious vehicle and drove off.

Another experience involved Gomez walking to a friend’s home when she noticed an armed man following her. She quickly raised her phone to her ear and pretended to talk loudly with a friend, suggesting that she was right outside the house. The man quickly retreated and she returned to her vehicle and went home.

“What helps me is that I am so lucky to know my country well. I know what to ask, who to ask and where to ask,” said the 17-year veteran. “I’ve been in this business for so long, I know how to manage these situations.”

One of the problems in ending

The report reveals the extensive exploration began in 2008 and which took over 18 months. Findings determined the South Central Regulatory Institution (SCRI) that is responsible for reviewing university credentials is inept, as fraudulent federal forms have been discovered and legal proceedings have begun.

When UTPA offi cials were contacted for comment, the request was declined.

The university is required to repay the federal government in excess of 3 million including penalty fees for those courses and credits found useless, as the SCRI is a branch within the university system.

Pan American students who have received federal Pell Grants, will now need to be refunded due to federal guidelines of unqualifi ed credits. Students who paid cash for these courses, will also be credited. Please see a listing of available credits at your designated counselor’s offi ce.

Further information can be obtained via the FBI hotline at 1-ube-anf-ulld.

the crisis has to do with economics. Corruption is fi rmly entrenched in many Mexican institutions, including the police and military, making it diffi cult to know which side supposedly trustworthy offi cials are on.

“There was no service ethic upon these individuals; it was easy to move towards the other side,” she commented. “The labor conditions are not enough to keep them focused on societal issues.”

The government, she continued,

became comfortable for years as the responsibility to keep order was lifted. Fear was generated in Mexico as the government justifi ed militant authorities conducting operations on the streets that violated human rights. The journalists under fi re need to continue to try and expose wrongdoing from offi cials, while fi nding new ways to bring the story to citizens despite the danger.

“Coverage in Mexico and the U.S. is not enough; everything is changing

too quickly,” Gomez said. “We need to cover from different angles, more so than what we are used to.”

The prominent journalist suggests a social compact between the media and the country to defend human rights and fi ght against organized crime. Solving some of the structural problems of the Republic, like corruption and economic woes, might help too,

“It isn’t about who is behind it, it’s a social problem,” Gomez said.

NEWSApril 1, 2010 Page 7

DARFURcontinued from Page 3

CATScontinued from Page 3

HOSPITALcontinued from Page 3

CLOUDcontinued from Page 3

music and even video games, it’s no wonder the cats on campus act the way they do…they are just copying their surroundings.”

Scowers explained that this is not the fi rst instance of CCS to be taken into the media. In the early part of the last decade, 346 teenagers around the country were injured trying to perform stunts they saw on the MTV show “Jackass.”

“These cases provide clear connections between the involuntary need to mimic one’s social surroundings and has no

discriminations between classes,” Scowers said. “Luckily sexting has not caught on with the species due to their lack of opposable thumbs.”

Renudo however doesn’t think CCS can explain other popular complaints that have swamped UTPA PD; their fl agrant, vagabond rudeness and overpopulation.

“I can’t peacefully sit outside without the mongrels coming up to me and begging for food,” said the Edinburg native. “Some even hold up signs that have been obviously altered to say ‘do’ instead of ‘don’t

feed the cats.’ Others send their kittens to go out and do the dirty work. It’s just sickening.”

Conversely, engineering major Alyssa Garcia said she is worried for the welfare of the kittens.

“Half of the cats on campus are always pregnant,” she claimed. “The mothers shouldn’t be having sex and making kittens if they can’t own up to the responsibility of taking care of them. It’s a shame because of their disgusting disregard for decency their children must suffer for it.”

After four years of living at the

university, Garcia said has gotten used to the vulgarity of the cats and just ignores them.

“I just pass right by them as if they don’t exist,” she said. “It’s not like I can do anything about it, they’re not going to change. So I just stay away from corners where I know they usually hang around and if they do come up to me begging I just say ‘No, thank you’ and walk away. People should learn to just ignore them and go one with their own business.”

Scowers disagreed with Garcia and stated that the best course of

action to take against the felines is more practical as well as benefi cial.

“In reaction to the arrest of the 12 cats, The Feline Rehabilitation Center of the Valley and I have constructed a program to cure the cats of CCS and eventually release them back into society to be productive members,” he outlined. “It is titled ‘Cat Catch and Release.’”

The program is scheduled to start in mid April with a full staff of 28 animal physiologists, rehabilitators, councilors and veterinarians. Their fi rst patients will be the Infamous 12.

confl ict in Darfur is between two groups of people - a nomadic Arab group and African farmers.

“They used to have good relations in the past,” he said. “But it changed after the governemnt tried to step in and regulate the land.”

He says Sudanese officials used the nomadic Arab group to form a militia called the Janjaweed, which in translation from Arab means Devil on Horseback, specifically to attack civillians, in this case African farmers.

“The purpose for the government in doing that, is they want room for deniability,” he said. “They want to claim ‘it’s not us doing that, it’s the militia.’”

Tongun said one of the reasons the government has been able to facilitate the attacks is due to the lack of media coverage - an issue of recent local import in the form of self-censorpship by Mexican reporters who are in fear of retribution from narco traffi ckers

such as the Zetas.“The government did not allow the

world press in to the country,” he said. “Instead, reporters were rerouted to Chad, a neighboring country. There, they were able to speak to some refugees and evetually get some information on the situation.”

In 2005, the UN set up a commission to investigate allegations of genocide in Sudan. Representatives from fi ve countries were sent to investigate, but Tongun says they were not allowed to move freeily within the region. Their conclusion was detailed in a 176-page report staying that acts of genocide were committed, but noting lack of enough evidence to conclude that the government had pursued a policy of genocide.

The commission also found that “government forces and militias conducted indiscriminate

attacks, including killing of civilians, torture, enforced disappearances, destruction of villages, rape and other forms of

sexual violence, pillaging and forced displacement, throughout Darfur.”

On March 4, 2009 the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir for war crimes and crimes against humanity, but again ruled that there was insuffi cient evidence to prosecute him for genocide. Because the ICC does not have a police force, Al-Bashir remains a fugitive. As long as he remains in Sudan or in countries that are not obliged by the ICC to arrest him, he is free. In fact, he is running for re-election in April.

UTPA History Professor Dr. Tamer Balci personally invited Tongun to the university. Balci was once Tongun’s student in graduate school, and says that it is important for students to learn about ongoing troubles around the globe.

“We learn lessons from every confl ict,” he said, added that residents in the Valley have one brewing next door.

my fi rst bioethics course,” Cardenas said. “Bioethics was in its infancy, and it was usually taught by a professor in religion, or a professor in humanities.”

Today, advances in technology and science have brought about more controversies regarding ethics in medicine.

Cardenas says he can think of no other time in the Valley’s history when this could be more important, suggesting that the focus is to “bring thought leaders from other parts of the country to visit our area, where they can see it fi rsthand, and work with people who know what it is to deal with chronic disease, what it means to deal with chronic poverty, the cycles of poverty, and end-of-life issues that are so important in our community.”

Nelsen agrees. “The Valley is historically

underserved when it comes to medical care,” he said, noting that this is a good way for the university to give back to the community.

According to Dr. Thomas Pearson,

associate professor of philosophy and conference organizer, the money will be used to help pay for all the conference’s relevant expenses.

“We’re bringing fi ve keynote speakers, and a portion of the money will help pay for their accommodations, as well as food for the conference,” he said. “The keynote speakers will work closely with the students in the classrooms and labs. They’ll also be working with the community on issues that are important to this area.”

Over 400 people are expected to attend, including physician and medical ethicist Dr. Ira Kodner from Washington University. He is director of one of the only comprehensive programs in ethics and human values at a university in the United States. Lawrence Gelman, physician and CEO at Doctor’s Hospital at Renaissance, is expected to attend as well.

“I say over and over, ‘Mano a Mano,’” Nelsen concluded. “And that’s what we are.”

Norma Gonzalez / THE PAN AMERICAN

CANDIDATES - President and vice president candidates Brian Silva and Erika Perez present their platform at the presidential debate March 25 in the Quad.

word possibilities.The 10-minute survey has questions asking

for a favorite food, opinion on abortion, among others Just like with the Pew study, the responses must be the fi rst word that comes to mind. Generally, the responses are meant to stand out “amidst the cloud of words” and possibly describe the feeling that relates to certain age groups, nationalities and genders.

“I am hoping to cast as wide a net as possible so that people with different backgrounds and different perspectives can be represented,” Benham clarifi ed.

Since its launch three weeks ago, 200 individuals have responded. Benham’s goal thus far is 1,000 and he hopes word clouds “evolve as more people respond.” There isn’t an exact date for completion of the survey or an actual

hypothesis, only the interest in studying the power of one-word responses that describe current issues.

Among the growing number of individuals taking the survey is Amy Claudio, a junior in education. Claudio said she likes the whole concept of having to respond to questions with just one word. She also said that other students should take this survey and look into the results out of curiosity.

“It’s really interesting,” she said. “I’d take another survey with different words.”

To take this survey, Benham encourages participation at wordclouds.questionpro.com,

which will then direct the individual to a Facebook page for more samples of word clouds.

“I’m also interested to see whether using Facebook helps to spread the survey nationally and internationally,” he said.

Grant Benham

THE PAN AMERICANTHE PAN AMERICAN April 1, 2010 April 1, 2010 Page 9Page 8

THE PAN AMERICANTHE PAN AMERICAN April 1, 2010 April 1, 2010 Page 9Page 8

April 1, 2010 10

It’s Miley! “Last Song,” a story with love, music and a teary plot line, opens in theaters March 31. We would expect nothing less from a film inspired by a Nicholas Sparks novel. Too bad critics have been panning Cyrus’ acting skills left and right.

David Byrne and Fatboy Slim teamed up for “Here Lies Love”; the album is due to come out April 6. The project has songs with artists like Santogold, St. Vincent and Tori Amos.

Applegirl002, a South Korean girl has done a cover of Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face” and Beyonce’s “Irreplaceable” using her instruments - four iPhones and a handful of apps. Her channel can be found on YouTube.

“Real American Stories” is the new Fox News show that will be hosted by Sarah Palin. Problems have already come up on the participation of rapper LL Cool J, who claims to have no involvement.

Scavenger hunt paid for by student, tuition feesBy Andrielle Figueroathe pan american

Easter is just around the corner and with a break Friday, and a campus-wide event has given students a feel for child’s play. The campus will be furnished with hundreds of brightly colored and other inconspicuously painted eggs to treat students to an event titled Scavenger Funds.

The festivities began March 31 and will end April 5. The increase in tuition funds this academic year has created a heap of money that the school did not expect. In turn the university has decided to give back to students; Scavenger Funds has found a way to do so in a creative manner.

The event was thought up by Anita Banar of Student Financial Aid Services.

“Students will be able to fi nd maps on tables in the Student Union, and then those maps will give them clues

as to where these eggs are hidden,” Banar explained.

These are not the average Easter eggs, however. Each one has a ticket inside that can be exchanged for cash or prizes. The smallest amount of money will be $50 and the largest will be $1,000, while some students will fi nd coupons good at local restaurants and for gaming equipment and shopping sprees.

Financial Aid Services has spent a lot of time mapping out the search, so it will not be easy to fi nd these special eggs.

“There will be an assortment of maps. Students can pick and choose one that parallels with their daily routine,” Banar stated. “If you spend most of your time in the MAGC building then you would take the map for the surrounding area.”

Many egg snatchers have already claimed their prizes, one being graphic design major Juanita Lopez. The 22-year-old found her

golden egg just outside a building.“I have a long break in between

classes where I spend my time in the library, and there I discovered a map,” Lopez explained. “I found my prize next to the bike rack on the west side of the building.”

Lopez’s loot was a ticket for $500 in cash.

Now there are only three more left in the race, so make sure you follow the clues precisely. Each map has a set of guidelines and riddles, to separate those who are willing to take on the task and others who are not.

Many of the hints involve math equations and odd hiding spots;

Banar says they hoped to stimulate the minds of students when creating clues.

“We would like all students to participate in this event and just have a good time,” Banar said. “Remember there are 500 eggs placed all over the campus, make sure to find one while you still have the chance.”

Students can fi nd maps in the Student Union and

can redeem their tickets by sending an e-mail to banara@utpa.edu.

“I have a long break in

between classes where

I spend my time in

the library, and there

I discovered a map. I

found my prize next to

the bike rack on the west

side of the building.”

Juanita LopezGraphic design major

Freshman Juliza Sanchez of San Benito is always on Facebook. She also has MySpace, Twitter, Photobucket, YouTube and Livejournal accounts that consume most of her day.

“It’s actually really hard to keep track of all my profi les and friends online,” the sociology major stated. “I get mobile updates and I have a smart phone, but I just need more time in the day to balance everything out and let more people know what I’m doing all the time. I think it would be awesome to have classes teaching us how to do this professionally.”

The University of Texas-Pan American has taken this into account and constructed a new bachelors degree, Virtual Narcissism, in the Communication Department. The coursework for the new major will consist of specialized classes dealing with online social networking skills

and shameless self-promotion. This includes new classes such

as Comm 1222, Photo Uploading; Comm 2445, MySpace Photo-angle Techniques; Comm 3345, Braggart Writing for Bloggers; Comm 3338, Instant Status Upload Procedure; and Comm 4344, Video One-man Show Producing.

“The idea is this,” department chair Tim Motothy said. “It’s for the students to dive into the new media and thoroughly express themselves while entertaining the globe with their semi-mediocre everyday life adventures and supposed charisma.”

With such YouTube breakout icons like ‘Smosh’ and ‘Fred,’ the department hopes to produce heavy-hitting egocentrics to blog about their importance on the Internet and generate high numbers of followers.

“It’s an entrepreneurial market,” stated professional YouTube vloger Jonathan Weissler via e-mail; his YouTube show has garnered

over 800,000 hits and has 45,000 subscriptions. “You’re taking yourself, your life, your personal persona and splashing it all over the world for everyone to see, enjoy and approve of. It’s kind of an invigorating experience.”

Many students are excited to be a follower just as much as an online starlet. Denise Zapata of Edinburg is currently following 958 people, shows, and corporations on Twitter.

“It’s a great place to get coupons,” said the 22-year-old criminal justice major. “And fi nd out whether or not your favorite celebrities are home, or even where your ex-boyfriend is going out that night. I don’t understand why more people don’t put their exact locations and actions out on the Web more often!”

The degree is in its infancy on a probationary basis. There is a registration cap on the number of students who can sign up for classes. Currently 99 students have signed up

out for the initial allotment of 100 spaces, and many of those, including Zapata, are current students outside the College of Arts and Humanities who have switched majors entirely.

“I’m really excited to participate in the new major,” said Zapata, who was a pre-med/biology major and National Merit Scholar before the news broke. “I can’t wait to get my face out there and have thousands and thousands of new friends following all my actions and me. Who needs privacy or a medical degree? Celebrity status is what I really want to go for.”

The explosion of new media and social networking sites online has made the UTPA Communications Department the 25th public school in the country to create such a degree. UCLA was the fi rst to announce the implementation of an ‘Online Networking degree geared to the public satisfaction of a voyeuristic society,’ as stated in a press release last month.

Students react to new Virtual Narcissism degree available soonBy Kristen Cabrerathe pan american

“My ex-girlfriend told me she was pregnant, when she wasn’t. That completely freaked me out.”

“A girlfriend of mine called me up and used a guy’s voice in order to freak me out, telling me he was right outside my window. I hung up the phone all scared!”

Daniel C. ClarkEdinburg

Age: 21

Major: Philosophy-BusinessClass: Freshman

Monica HerbertMcAllen

Age: 21

Major: Rehab StudiesClass: Junior

Cesar OlivarezEdinburg

Age: 22

Major: BusinessClass: Junior

“Years ago people in Mexico freaked out about this mountain that was supposed to be moved by the government. Everyone thought that it was going to happen, they were going crazy about it, but not me. I’m too smart for that.”

ARTS AND LIFE Page 11April 1, 2010

Pat & RowleyIllustrated by Anthony Salinasthe pan american

The student art show “Virtues” has been on display at the Clark Gallery since March 24 and will be closing Friday.

The exhibit includes works that illustrate the concept of virtues through petite sculptures and wearable art. Some of these pieces have been created through traditional handwork and others were made with the help of digital technology.

Art students at UTPA have used a Dimension 3D printer in order to bring their creations to life. The medium used to create jewelry with this machine is called acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic. A design is submitted through specifi c software and the machine melts plastic, contained in an auto-loading cartridge, to a semi-liquid state and the design is formed one layer at a time.

“It’s interesting to see the plastics and how they’re molded versus the raw metal,” says Hilda Del Rio, a graphic design major. “It gives it a more contemporary look and feel.”

Other pieces do include metal and leather mediums; one artist even used dried beef in their jewelry and sculptures.

“The meat one is interesting,” said senior graphic design major Jason Rodriguez.

Still, the jewelry hasn’t convinced all spectators that it is actually functional.

“I like a lot of the jewelry but I can’t imagine anyone actually wearing it,” says Frank Saldivar, a sophomore art major. “It’s really unconventional. I enjoy it.”

“Virtues” will be open to the public at the Clark Gallery at the Fine Arts Building until Friday.

By Cecily Saldanathe pan american

Student exhibit uses third dimension with metal, meat

Duo illustrates Border life through arts

According to Hispanic Market Weekly, an estimated 89.2 percent of the Rio Grande Valley’s 1.2 million people are Hispanic. A majority of that percentage was undoubtedly born or raised here. With that comes a sense of taking for granted the area in which they were brought up.

F o r t u n a t e l y, Steven Schneider, an English professor at The University of Texas-Pan American, along with his wife, Reefka Schneider, highlight faces of the forgotten of the Rio Grande Valley in their bilingual book “Borderlines: Drawing Border Lives,” or “ F r o n t e r a s : Dibujando las vidas fronterizas” in Spanish.

Work for the book, which celebrates its offi cial release today, began in 2001 when the couple fi rst relocated to the Valley from Nebraska.

“When I moved here, I immediately met up with a group of artists that arranged for a model each week so I got to begin drawing what I called then, ‘Faces of the Rio Grande Valley,” Reefka Schneider said.

Shortly after, a serious injury sustained in a car accident prevented her continuing the craft for about a year. When she was finally able to work again, Schneider only worked from photographs because

it allowed her the freedom to take time off from drawing.

“I was in a lot of pain. There’s something in dealing with difficulty, pain, and struggling that somehow can even bring out the depths of dignity of a person. It’s hard to express,” she recalled. “In some way, I kind of used these people to express what I was experiencing.

It was also an expression of compassion for them.”

As her condition improved, so did her mood. Portraits of happy musicians and a smiling bootseller started to appear in the growing collection.

T h r o u g h o u t this time, Steven Schneider decided to try his hand at writing about the fi gures in her work. Over the course of fi ve or six years, the published poet chose 25 of her drawings to write poems about.

“These poems and her drawings speak to certain issues here along

the border, including literacy, poverty, the importance of cross-cultural dialogue…because, really, we’re one people living on two sides of the river,” he said.

Hitting a somber note,. Schneider remembers no border wall at the start of the project.

“One of the last poems in the book is called, ‘Es una mentira.’ (‘It is a lie’ in English) This is a woman in Nuevo Progreso and she’s telling us, ‘You know, the border wall is an artifi cial barrier. The border was always a

river,’” he explained. “It speaks to many of the lies made up about the border. What we’re trying to do in our book is to present the real lives of real people; the human side of the border that often gets overlooked in the headlines about drugs and violence and crime.”

Last year, the artsy couple’s exhibit, featured in the Festival of International Books and Arts (FESTIBA) at UTPA, drew the gaze of famed writer Sandra Cisneros, author of “The House on Mango Street.”

Cisneros offered a testimonial, which is now one of four displayed on the back of the book.

“Ordinary folks rendered with love, compassion, and intimacy at a time in history when love, compassion, and intimacy are in short supply on borders, especially when it comes to the Tex-Mex border,” Cisneros said.

Steven Schneider will read from “Borderlines: Drawing Border Lives” on Wednesday, April 7 as part of Pan American Days. The event, which will take place in the Schilling Room of the UTPA library, is open to the university community. A signing will take place after the reading.

The book can also be found at the University Bookstore, local Barnes & Noble stores, and Amazon.com.

By Victor Ituartethe pan american

Steven SchneiderEnglish professor

“One of the last poems in

the book is called, ʻEs una

mentira.ʼ It speaks to many

of the lies made up about

the border. What weʼre

trying to do in our book

is to present the real lives

of real people; the human

side of the border that

often gets overlooked in

the headlines about drugs

and violence and crime.”

MOTHER-DAUGHTER LOVE - Steven Schneider and wife Reefka use their talents to show emphasis on the Border culture. Their work will be shown in the Schilling Room in the UTPA Library April 7.

Courtesy of Reefka Schneider

THE PAN AMERICANPage 12 April 1, 2010

Values of family, courage, and storytelling were crucial components that acclaimed author Stella Pope Duarte brought to life at a book reading at the UTPA library March 24 for FESTIBA, a week celebrating culture and encouraging the arts and literature.

Duarte is author of “Fragile Night,” a collection of short stories, plus novels “Let Their Spirits Dance,” and “If I Die in Juarez,” and this year’s astonishing addition, a short story collection called “Women Who Live in Coffee Shops and Other Stories.”

Her array of rich cultural stories stem from her life growing up in the Sonorita Barrio of South Phoenix, yet her depictions of a do-it-yourself attitude and trust in faith and fate as part of a Hispanic heritage mirror the same values of those raised in the Valley. When praised by various audience members for her wholesome and understanding persona, the author offered an unforgettable piece of insight without missing a beat.

“We all have a frequency of energy inside, that’s why sometimes when you meet someone, ‘te cai muy bien’ (you get along well) and your energies connect,” Duarte said. “There is no coincidence, everything really does happen for a reason.”

During the presentation, Duarte’s words unraveled like silk off the spindle as she related excerpts from her novels, which weave tales of

undying love, adolescent woes, family trials and tribulations, and tests of courage and morale. The author, also a counselor to troubled youth as well as a teacher of English, ESL, and methodology, claims there is a story to be found everywhere and giving voice to those who are too afraid to tell theirs is what serves as motivation to her.

“I’m attracted to helplessness, as you can tell with ‘If I Die in Juarez,’ Duarte said. “I love to give voice to somebody who isn’t being heard because everyone has a story to tell.”

The author and counselor indeed had many stories to tell from the pieces she read aloud, making direct, almost s o u l - s e a r c h i n g eye contact with her captivated a u d i e n c e , removing her reading glasses every time she had a personal philosophy to share. One of these is about what her father taught her about strong self-will, a reoccurring theme in her stories, and a reoccurring theme in the Hispanic culture.

“Not everybody who should love you will love you,” she noted. “Now

what’re you going to do about it?”Duarte’s father was also the man

who encouraged her talents as a writer and encouraged her career when he had a prophetic dream in 1995 of her utilizing her talents. Two years later, Duarte published “Fragile Night” through the Bilingual Review Press.

“If someone would have said you’re gonna publish,” Duarte refl ects, “I would’ve cracked a rib laughing.”

Yet, Duarte, now a highly distinguished voice of Hispanic culture, has been nominated for and

received an abundance of awards for her published works. She has twice been awarded the creative writing fellowship from the Arizona Commission on the Arts for “Fragile Night,” the 2009 Arizona Book Award for “Best in Popular Fiction” and two gold medals for Multicultural Fiction as well as honorable mention in the 2009 International Latino Book award for “If I Die in Juarez.” She won fi rst prize for the 34th Annual Chicano/Latino Literary Prize from the University of California for “Coffee Shops” and the Arizone Highways Fiction Award in 2003 for “Let Their Spirits Dance.”

In 2004, she copped the Barbara Deming Memorial Fund Award for an excerpt from “If I Die in Juarez.” The author has been personally recognized by receiving the Excellence in Latino Arts and Culture Award in 2003, and in 2005 the Outstanding Alumni of the Year by the American

Association of Community Colleges.Duarte has an obvious knack for

writing and telling her stories in a way that connects to people as human beings that love unconditionally, humble themselves in the face of tragedy, learn to learn from every experience, and seek a shoulder to lean on in times of hopelessness.

“I don’t care how noisy this world is – it cannot match the invisible world in here,” Duarte said, pointing to her heart and a book she held. “If you have no one to talk your soul out to, someone who won’t judge, you have nothing.”

The author proved to be that nonjudgmental and inspirational figure for many in the audience such as art and English major Beatrice Guzman.

“I felt she was validating what I had been doing for the last two years: writing and painting about my community,” said Guzman. “Coming

from a Mexican family, it has been hard for me to fi nd support in following my need to create art. It has been hard since no one in my family has done it before.

“One of the things I learned from Ms. Duarte is that sometimes the people who are supposed to love or support you will not. She said ‘Then what are you going to do about it,’ the responsibility turns to me.”

Media and Marketing Librarian Virginia Haynie Gause, a coordinator and attendee of the book presentation, feels confi dent that readers such as Guzman would identify with Duarte’s characters and hopes the author’s visit inspired potential writers.

“Her stories are diverse and universally appealing, especially to Mexican Americans,” Gause said. “And when someone reads them maybe they’ll think, ‘Oh gee, I could’ve written that about my relative’ and maybe they will. Maybe they can be the next Stella.”

By Monica Yvonne Solisthe pan american

Virginia Haynie GauseMedia and marketing librarian

“Her stories are diverse

and universally appealing,

especially to Mexican

Americans. When someone

reads them maybe theyʼll

think, ʻOh gee, I couldʼve

written that about my

relativeʼ and maybe they

will. Maybe they can be the

next Stella.”

LET THEIR SPIRITS DANCE - Stella Pope Duarte leads a book reading March 24 in the UTPA Library. Duarte’s upbeat energy and bubbly persona captivated those in attendance.

Courtesy of Virginia Gause

Author’s novels, short stories gain recognition at UTPA

The University of Texas-Pan American theatre department released its annual budget report Monday, which showed that in 2009 the program’s productions grossed a total of $17 from ticket sales and donations. The UTPA budget offi ce has instated a committee to review the report, which had the inscription “holy shit!” written across it, in order

to assess ways in which to best deal with the waning program.

Recently, suggestions from the newly-formed committee have included “throwing a giant tarp over it,” “going all ‘Hamlet 2’ on everyone’s asses” and “blowing up the facilities like that slick scene in ‘The Punisher’ (2004) where there’s that fl aming skull.”

“Well, the situation is this: UTPA got t’ get paid, son,” budget director Juan Claudio Gonzalez said. “The theatre program really needs to step it

up. Just add explosions to everything. Hey, it worked for Michael Bay.”

One change being considered is a “BYOB” policy that would allow attendees to bring ice chests full of beer or liquor into the theatre. Jack Stanley, a professor of communication, playwright and active voice in the program said that the department is open to any and all suggestions to help carry UTPA theatre performances into the next decade.

“The program is open to any and all suggestions to help carry UTPA

theatre performances into the next decade,” he said.

Many are concerned over the report as it shows a lack of interest in the arts from the UTPA community.

“I’m not sure how this could’ve happened, considering that in 2008 – our highest grossing year ever – we made $73.43,” Elva I. Galvan said. “I don’t even know how to explain the 43 cents. Our ticket prices were all whole numbers.”

Already added to the list of productions for Fall 2010 are live-

action renditions of the blockbusters “Twilight” and “Avatar.” The theatre department is also discussing doing live-action 3-D performances, although it hasn’t quite worked out what that actually means.

“Yeah, that’s our biggest challenge considering that life is already in 3-D,” Stanley said.“As for the latest James Cameron joint, we plan to bring in real Banshees (fl ying creatures in ‘Avatar’) for the production. This will bring a new level of reality to shows. Stuff needs to get blowed up, real quick.”

� eatre transitions into more pyrotechnics, 3-D e� ectsBy Kevin Stichspecial reporter

THE PAN AMERICANApril 1, 2010 Page 13

Are you ready for some futbol? Rio Grande Valley style? Good, because on May 20, the soccer Game of the Cen-tury will be played in tiny little Valley View.

“Yes, they’re coming,” said Miguel Puente, director of business develop-ment of the Rio Grande Valley Bravos.

The U.S. Men’s National Team is set to face Mexico in preparation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

But this time, it’s the Rio Grande Valley’s chance to experience the ri-valry between the two most emblem-atic national teams in the CONCA-CAF (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football) area after a last-minute deci-sion made by both national teams and the RGV Bravos staff.

The two squads will compete May 20 at Valley View Stadium in Hidalgo, home of the RGV Bravos since the team was founded as part of the United Soccer League in November 2008.

The game will mean the preamble to the three fi nal games for both teams, after which offi cial team rosters for the World Cup will be released. The U.S. will face Czech Republic, Turkey and Australia at home, while Mexico will travel to England, Netherlands and Italy after playing its last home game against Chile in Mexico City.

Now the local soccer fans have the chance of a lifetime.

“This game at the Rio Grande Valley will be of great relevance for the team because we would like to head to the last three games of the preparation with an almost-fi nalized roster,” said Sunil. K Gulati, president of U.S. Soccer.

For the Mexican team, the match will mean rewarding followers both in Mexico and nearby.

“It’s very important for Mexico to leave the continent facing a team of high caliber like the United States,” said Justino Campean, president of the Federacion Mexicana de Futbol in a press release earlier this week.

In regard to why the organization committee waited until the last minute to release information about the game, Puente mentioned that the news had not been revealed to the media because of the relevance that it would have on soc-cer fans of the area. A no answer could have resulted in great disappointment from the public if the project had not been fi nalized. The event wasn’t con-fi rmed until the end of last week.

The match is expected to start at 7 p.m. and due to the low capacity of the facilities, prices for the tickets will range from $80 to $150 and will be sold on a fi rst-come fi rst-served basis as the doors open at 5 p.m. that day.

By Sara HernandezTHE PAN AMERICAN

Administration gives Bucky wings14April 1, 2010

Valley View to host U.S.-Mexico match before World Cup

NEW AND RENOVATED - The new model of the UTPA mascot, Pegasus, is meant to symbolize strength and bravery. The fi nal version of Bucky will be more muscular and will wear plate armor.

A bronc symbolizes strength and natural companionship and is repre-sented well by the athletic program at The University of Texas-Pan Ameri-can. But one minor change will give the mascot a little extra bit of symbol-ism.

In the fall of 2010, UTPA’s bronc will be getting its wings. The adminis-tration agreed that a mythical creature known for its elevation should pro-vide hope for new heights in achieve-ment for the athletic program.

Athletic director Chris King sug-gested at a meeting held last week in the UTPA Ballroom that the re-vamped mascot will give the ath-letes new aspirations.

“Wings symbolize fl ight and I think that if the bronc were to get wings, it will be like a Pegasus fi g-ure and show others the strength and bravery that our athletic pro-gram has,” he said. “I believe that the whole mascot will be changed in order to look more well-built, with muscles and some armor…and the wings will defi nitely be big!”

A sketch of the new and improved mascot has been passed around cam-pus to show athletes the representa-tion they will work with to compete at their best.

Sara Hernandez, a junior hurdler from Brownsville, feels that this just the push the athletes need to succeed.

“This is a great idea,” she said. “I feel very proud of the university to do something like this because it would be very cool to go to a com-petition with my track gear and

show the other schools our buffed-up bronc with wings! Since I com-pete in the hurdle competitions, the wings will give me more fl ight to be at the top of the rankings.”

Oscar Garcia, a sophomore from Edinburg majoring in biology, thinks the bronc should undergo even more changes.

“If they are going to remodel the mascot, they should change the school’s colors too. It should be white and blue to go with the whole theme of Pegasus,” Garcia said. “Maybe the name should be changed too but in all, I think this is an awesome idea! It would be cool to say that I’m a Pegai,” he said.

The origin of Pegasus, the winged horse of days gone by, comes from the Greek word pegai, and UTPA is con-sidering the suggestion.

“During the meeting, we not only talked about modifying the bronc but we also talked about changing the name as well,” King said. “Since it is inspired by Pegasus, we did some research and found the word ‘pegai’ relating to the name of Pegasus. When the modifi cations are made, UTPA may just be a home for the Pegais. We can say that we are Pegains.”

Another meeting will be held April 9 at 10 a.m to fi nalize the innovation. There will also be a suggestion box in the front of a statue of the old-school Bronc, located at the front of the school’s Visitors Center.

The university community is en-couraged to drop by the athletic de-partment and give feedback on the monumental mascot ideas, or call 381-2221.

The smiles and spirit fl owed deep into the night last week in the univer-sity courtyard as students celebrated the announcement that The University of Texas-Pan American will reinstate the long-formant football team.

After the crowd waited nearly three hours for a decision from the univer-sity, at 10:30 p.m., president Robert S. Nelsen and athletic director Chris King, along with a panel of selected faculty members, emerged from a closed-door meeting to announce that UTPA would be back on the gridiron starting in 2012. The school last fi elded a team back in 1950 when it was known as Edinburg Junior College.

“It took awhile but I’m glad we fi -nally got this thing pushed through,” Nelsen said. “It’ll take a while before we start seeing the benefi ts of this football

team, but it’ll be completely worth it.”Much of the debate surrounding the

idea regarded fi nances, given the tight budget the univer-sity has had to deal with the last two years. Also an issue was where the sta-dium for the team will be built. Nelsen cleared up perhaps the most pressing is-sue himself.

“There wasn’t any real argument about it, we all want-ed a football team, we just didn’t know if we could pay for it,” he noted. “So we decided that the best possible way to pay for this was to use student fi nancial aid.”

Under the payment program, students would fi ll out their FAFSA as usual but instead of receiving fi nancial aid checks,

they would go directly to the football pro-gram. The payment plan did not seem to bother most students.

“I’m not really concerned about los-ing my fi nancial aid. We got football!” said sophomore Jesus Sa-las, carrying a sign that read: “We don’t need no stinkin’ money…We got football!”

Fellow student Adan Salinas echoed the sentiment.

“I don’t use my fi -nancial aid for what I’m supposed to use it

for anyway,” he admitted. “I mean, last semester I spent it all on a trampoline and a four-wheeler…and some beer.”

In fall of 2011 the football depart-ment will begin recruitment for a team by looking at both local and regional

high school teams. The hope is to pro-vide many players who are not picked up by other colleges a chance to con-tinue their pigskin careers.

“In all realness, we’re gonna get beat really badly by other colleges,” Salas said. “But I mean at least now we’ll be able to see Texas and Notre Dame play in our town for free!”

There is still debate over where to build the stadium but sources say that expanding the track fi eld is a defi nite possibility. Building a completely new stadium for the team could be too cost-ly. The president announced that the best plan right now is to evacuate all students from on-campus housing to make room.

Still, as the night broke into the early hours of the morning and the celebra-tions died down, a new feeling of Bronc pride lingered over the university and will more than likely continue until the opening kickoff in 2012.

UTPA football program to kick off in 2012

By Neena HernandezThe Pan American

“Iʼm not really con-

cerned about losing my

financial aid. We got

football!”

Jesus Salassophomore

By Benny SalinasThe Pan American

EXCLUSIVE

Photo illustration by Jennifer Tate / THE PAN AMERICAN

With hard work and extreme focus, The University of Texas-Pan Ameri-can women’s tennis team toughened up to beat McNeese 4-3 in their home match but lose the next day during the senior’s last home match.

After a 4-0 upset in their March 22 match against the University of New Orleans, Coach Chris Taylor was pleased with how the match against McNeese turned out.

“I am so proud of how the girls fought. I felt we played some excellent doubles at 1 and 2,” he said. “It was a battle out there on those courts and I am so proud to see what we have been working on doubles came to fruition in a tough match like that.”

For the doubles competition, the No. 1 spot was taken by Luisa Cantu and Megan Bedeau who defeated Ral-ista Pirdopska and Victoria Martinez 9-8(8). Nina Ciric and Reetta Raty were in the No. 2 spot and defeated IIona Serchenko and Kwynn Biggs 8-6. In the No. 3 spot Tea Tvrkovic

and Inga Efi menko defeated UTPA’s Sara Burton and Andrea Salvetova 8-3.

Cantu, a senior from Victoria, Tamps, Mexico, majoring in interna-tional business, was satisfi ed with the results that came from her team.

“We’ve been working on doubles a lot and I think that showed at the courts,” she said. “I played very well, we were able to pull it out in the dou-bles and we played a great match. It gave me confi dence to go into my singles.”

Taylor commented that his veterans have been coming through lately.

“Sarah and Luisa showed their ex-perience as seniors and played some of their best tennis to put us up 3-0,” he said.

In singles, Cantu defeated Pirdop-ska 6-1, 6-2. Serchenko beat Ciric 6-1, 6-4. Biggs bested Raty 6-3, 6-4. Burton topped Efi menko 6-0, 6-2, and Tvrtrovic took down Salvetova 6-4, 6-3. The women had a close match as Megan Bedeau defeated Victoria Martinez 6-1, 7-6(4) with the deciding point giving UTPA the win.

“Megan has been in that situation many times before. Maria [Graduate Assistant Coach Klokotzky] and I had the confi dence that she would be able to close out the match for us,” Taylor said.

Raty wasn’t happy with her single’s competition and felt there were some touch-ups that needed to be made when she plays next.

“Nina and I played pretty good to-gether but I could have done a little better in my singles. I was playing a little worse than the last match against New Orleans,” she explained. “I need to work on my returns, they are shaky. I just need to be more consistent.”

The following match took place yesterday. It was the last home game for the women’s tennis team and also the last for the seniors. The women slipped from their win with McNeese and lost to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 4-2.

The women only competed in the singles. Mirna Cicak defeated Cantu 6-2,6-3. Doris Kuselj defeated Ciric 6-4, 6-2. Bedeau picked up a win against Adrienne Kovacs 6-1, retired.

Bianca Discordia defeated Raty 6-3, 6-4. LeAnne Mascall defeated Burton 7-6(3), 6-0 and Andrea Salvetova de-feated Nadia Fimalter 6-4, 6-2.

“No one likes to lose,” said Taylor. “But we can certainly walk away from knowing that we played some good tennis. I think we let a few points slip away from us in some key situations but overall we hit the ball well today,”

“Losing is not the best feeling but sometimes you just got to accept that the other player is better than you, Cicak played well. I feel like I played well and I’m very happy with my per-formance.” Cantu said.

Taylor expressed words of appre-ciation to his senior girls.

“Despite taking over the pro-grams so late in the season, I have embraced the opportunity to get to know these girls—my seniors espe-cially. They are quality girls on and off the court, and I count it a privi-lege that they call me coach,” he said.

Next up for the women is a match against Prairie View A&M in Hous-ton April 10.

Norma Gonzalez / THE PAN AMERICAN

March 4, 2010April 1, 201015

By Neena HernandezThe Pan American

Track improves at Rice, heads to Texas Relays

The University of Texas-Pan Amer-ican men’s and women’s track and fi eld teams participated in last week-end’s 28th Annual Victor Lopez Bayou Classic hosted by Rice University.

Distance runner Omar Doria and thrower Jesus Alvarez highlighted the men’s side of action while freshman Michelle Zamora and junior Wen-dy Wells showed well for the Lady Broncs.

“We did very well. I think we’re making signifi cant improvements across the board,” Bronc head coach Dave Hartman said. “Being com-petitive against schools that we once weren’t defi nitely pleases us.”

Doria placed 14th in the 5,000-me-ter with a time of 1:55.20 Friday and topped that performance the following day in the 800 meters, running 1:55.20 for an 11th-place fi nish.

His 14th place fi nish may not im-mediately stand out, but for Doria, given it was his fi rst-ever 5K on track, it is a learning experience that he will use to get better.

“I just was not used to it. I was up there with top guys but during the last laps I slowed down my pace,” said the graduate student from Edinburg. “I know when I try it again later I’ll have a better understanding going into it knowing what it is like.”

Sophomore Andrew Lopez notched a 13th-place fi nish in the 800 with a time of 1:55.64. In the shot put event, Alvarez’ 45-2.5-feet throw earned him 12th place while junior McAllen native Oscar Barrera came in at 14th with 42-9.5 feet. Barrera also attained seventh place in the hammer event, throwing 153-5 feet.

On the women’s side newcomer Zamora recorded fi fth place in the 10,000-meter run with a time of 43:04.76

Perhaps the biggest story of the event was the return of Weslaco native Wells to the fi eld after an absence of more than three years due to injuries. Wells threw for second place in the women’s javelin event with a toss of 42.03 meters.

“She looked really good coming back,” Hartman said. “We’re still early in this outdoor season so we look at the outcomes with a level of optimism. We understand that our focus is set more toward May.

Hartman admits his team is starting to see outcomes improve as far as time and distance are concerned.

UTPA is in Austin today for the Clyde Littlefi eld Texas Relays host-ed by The University of Texas. The Broncs will take 16 athletes on the trip.

“This is some of the best compe-tition we will face in the country,” he said.

By Alvaro BalderasTHE PAN AMERICAN

ONE LAST TIME- Luisa Cantu is one of four seniors that played their last game at the Orville Cox Tennis Center yesterday; the other seniors are Megan Bedeau, Sarah Burton and Nina Ciric. The Lady Broncs lost 4-2 to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

Lady Broncs fi nd no place like home

•BaseballHBM 6-5 UTPAHBM 11-4 UTPATAMU-CC 17-1 UTPA•Women’s GolfUALR Women’s Golf Classic 18th/18

•Women’s TennisUTPA 4-3 McNeese StateTAMU-CC 4-2 UTPA

•Men’s Tennis UTPA 6-1 TAMU-CC

Bronc Results of the Week

the pan american April 1, 2010Page 16