TiGER NEwS - Benedict College

2Friday,May 6, 2011Tiger NewsNewsDAVID H. SWINTON CAMPUS CENTERTiger NewsEDITORIAL STAFFSamantha NormanKenneth EvansAngel WilliamsTimeka AshQuiton IngramMicheal Locke-BerryJamar TilleryShaunte BrunsonMarquette BanksVeronica BrownEditor-in-ChiefManaging EditorNews EditorOpinions EditorSports EditorAssociate Sports EditorLife & Arts EditorAssoc. Life &Arts EditorLayout EditorPhoto EditorThe David H. Swinton Campus Center will be renovated to make room for a larger dining hall, anew snack area and a beauty and barber shop. COURTESY OF BENEDICT COLLEGESwinton Center to berenovated during summerCollege Bookstore tomake way for largerDining Hall kitchenBy TAMARVA BUTLERTiger NewsWhen students return to Benedict Collegein August, they can expect to see a new andimproved David H. Swinton Campus Center.College officials said they plan to expandthe cafeteria, add a new food court and abeauty and barber shop over the summer.Work is expected to be completed by thestart of the fall semester.Brenda Walker, Benedict’s vice presidentof business and finance, said the expandedcafeteria will seat 600 people. The Tiger Cafewill be gutted so workers can add space to thecafeteria.Workers will also expand the kitchen,using the space where the College Bookstore iscurrently, and modernize equipment.To make room for the expansion, theCollege Bookstore will be moving to the cornerof Haskell and Oak streets.JETER, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1The candidate’s portfolio is the second step.Each candidate must create a portfolio thatcontains an essay, their service learning andcommunity service involvement, and threerecommendation letters from faculty members.The third step is the pageant, where thecandidates compete in six categories. Thepageant winner is chosen by a panel of judges.The winner is not announced, but the winnerreceives the most points.The last step is the student election, wherethe students vote for the candidate of theirWant to contributeto the Tiger Newsas a writer orphotographer nextyear?Email us atBCTigerNews@gmail.com forinquiries anddetails.THE BOTTOM LINE- The renovations will take place during thesummer and are expected to be completeby the start of the fall semester.- The College Bookstore will be moving tothe corner of Haskell and Oak streets tomake room for a larger Dining Hall kitchen.- A new beauty and barber shop will beadded on the second floor.- A new food court will be added on thefirst floor.Walker said a new food court will belocated in the lower level and a new Beauty andBarber Shop will be constructed on the secondfloor.College officials said the game room will beremodeled, as well.“I think it’s something we need,” Walkersaid. “I think it will serve the studentpopulation well.”choice. A candidate cannot become Miss Benedictsolely based on her votes in the studentelections.In each level of the process, the candidatescan gain anywhere from 50-100 points.With the system Benedict currently has inplace, Davis said the likelihood that the electionwas rigged is “impossible.”“Devin had the most pageant experience,” hesaid, “but everything starts at zero. People saywhat they want.”Davis added the Miss Benedict election isnot the only election that causes controversy.“It happens for the other elections,” he said. “Itcould have gone either way.”STAFF WRITERSDante E. Mozie Instructor/AdviserWillease N. Williams Instructor/Associate AdviserDr. David H. SwintonPresident and CEOJasmine HarvinChris Moye’Cyetah HarrisTamarva ButlerDaynette DeLoatchReginald PryorBENEDICT COLLEGEColumbia, S.C.Charles P. Austin Sr.Dean, School of Humanities, Arts and Social SciencesEmmie DavisInterim Chair, Department of English, ForeignLanguages and Mass CommunicationDr. Alex GorelikCoordinator, Mass Communication ProgramThe Tiger News is produced by the Production Print Iclass in the Department of English, Foreign Languagesand Mass Communication. The Tiger News strives tobe fair, balanced and objective in all of its content. Thisnewspaper serves the Benedict College community.We welcome questions, story tips and opinion pieces.Please send them to BCTigerNews@gmail.com.Opinion pieces must be no longer than 400 words.PAIGE, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1the reasons why he Indiana University.was selected as this Before he wasyear’s commencement appointed secretaryspeaker.of education, Paige“I believe that he will served as the superintendentof thebe able to provide thisyear’s graduating class Houston Independentwith a world view of School District fromeducation, opportunitiesand perspectives,” tenure, he was named1990-1994. During hisJoiner said.by Houston MagazinePaige, the first black as one of “Houston’s 25secretary of education, Most Powerful People”will also receive the in 1994 for his involvementin the city’sHonorary Doctorate ofHumane Letters. growth and success.“Dr. Paige is deservingof this award Association of SchoolAlso, the Americanbecause of all of the Administrators namedcontributions that him National Superintendentof the Year inhe’s made, includingbeing recognized for 2001.outstanding leadership, Paige, the firstacademic performance, school superintendentimproving achievementfor reducing of education, wasto serve as secretarydropout rates and enhancingtest scores for President George W.appointed by formerstudents,” Joiner said. Bush in 2001 andAccording to the served as the nation’sU.S. Department of education chief untilEducation website, 2005. Paige collaboratedwith Bush to pro-Paige received hisbachelor’s degree from duce the No Child LeftJackson State Universityin his home state which requires statesBehind Act of 2001,of Mississippi. He to create standards andthen went on to earn assessments to measureboth his master’s and student performance.doctoral degrees from

TIGER NEWS FRIDAY, MAY 6, 2011 3Your Campus Calendar | May 6-11Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday22nd AnnualSchool of HonorsCapstoneCeremony4 p.m.,David H. SwintonCenterSpringCommencementCeremony9 a.m.,Charlie W.Johnson StadiumGraduates arerequired to moveout of theirdormitories bynoon.End-of-the-Year Institutebegins andlasts throughThursdayFaculty and StaffHonors Program11 a.m.,Antisdel ChapelFaculty and StaffDevelopmentActivitiesSNAPSHOT | “One Day Without Shoes”Students from Benedict Collegejoined a national campaign April5 aimed at drawing attention tochildren who grow up withoutshoes. As part of the campaign,which is called “One Day WithoutShoes,” the students walked toFive Points wearing either socksor no shoes at all. TE’AMBERTHORNTON/SPECIAL TO THETIGER NEWSHBCU ROUNDUP | N.C. CENTRAL UNIVERSITYNCCU’s new GPA policy seeks to curb expulsions14 percent of N.C.Central’s studentbody are at risk fordismissalBy APRIL SIMONBlack College WireStudents at North Carolina Central Universitymay feel the effects of the new grade pointaverage policy as early as this month. The newpolicy states that students may face dismissalfrom the University if they do not achievea cumulative GPA of at least 1.9 before the2011-2012 school year. Fourteen percent of thestudent body is at risk for dismissal.In accordance with Chancellor CharlieNelms's proposal, this number is set to increaseto 2.0 before fall 2012.An announcement from the provost sent viae-mail last semester stated that poorly performingstudents must raise their grade point averagesby the end of spring semester or be barredfrom re-enrolling in the fall.This policy replaces the old standard, whichwas based on a sliding scale equation dependingon the number of credit hours attempted versusGPA earned."We're doing away with the range and havingacross the board GPA requirements forall students," said University Registrar JeromeGoodwin.Academic advisers are gearing up to dealwith the 519 students who may be facing expulsionthis semester, as well as potentially an additional288 by next year.Students and advisers have been instructedto work together to create individualized strategiesand plans to ensure that student gradescomply with the new standard.Deans and department chairs are expected tohelp advisers develop procedures for counselingstudents.Some of the strategies that students may beinstructed to employ may be increasing hoursspent in study, meeting regularly with academicadvisers, seeking outside tutoring, reducingwork hours if employed and seeking help forfamily issues or child care that may be affectingtheir performance.If students still face dismissal, there isrecourse. Students may appeal a suspension.The appeal would entail appearing before theadministration with a concrete plan that wouldacknowledge the student’s short-comings andspecifically outline ways the student will improvehis or her performance.With the dean's permission the student maybe allowed to continue at NCCU, under closesupervision.Students who do not provide adequateevidence that they will be able to improve theirGPAs, and are facing expulsion, may be counseledto leave the university.This may take a variety of shapes, but oneoption for students may be to transfer to a communitycollege for a year or two.After reaching the required transfer GPA,then students would be allowed to reapply andpotentially re-enroll.Goodwin stressed that the institutionalpolicy will have a positive effect on NCCU."By increasing our academic standards, it's agood thing for the student, for the institution,"Goodwin said. "It sends a very positive messageto the community at large and to employers.When they (employers) see that we are veryserious about increasing our standards, they arenow more motivated to go after our students.""Enhancing student academic success entailsmore than raising expectations and makingstructural changes," Nelms stated in his 2008 InstallationAddress. "We must improve the qualityof student life. NCCU students deserve a morecomprehensive array of cultural, intellectual,social and leadership opportunities."Many students don't see raising GPA requirementsas an insurmountable feat."It might be hard if someone had somethingmajor come up," says Rosalina Ramirez, a Spanisheducation junior. "But it shouldn't be thatdifficult if they just do their work."The university maintains that raising standardsfor students will push them to attain theirgoals — not just now, but throughout their lives."We don't want to get rid of anybody — thisis good, tough love," said Goodwin, smilingbroadly as he swept his arms as though embracingthe campus. "I know our students can dobetter.”ELECTIONS, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1Other students, such as Roshonda Dixson, a sophomoreBiology major, are satisfied with Jeter’s election.“From what I have observed, Devin is laid back, wellroundedand let’s not forget gorgeous,” Dixson said. “Sheparticipates in things that you wouldn’t expect your averageMiss Benedict candidate to participate in.”Dixson said she was also happy that Frazier and Jenkinswere elected to their positions, adding they will be a perfectteam.“Women in power, you can’t go wrong with that,” Dixsonsaid.IMPORTANT DATESMay 7 -- Last day for non-graduates in residence halls (you must leave by 6 p.m.)May 8 -- Last day for graduates in residence halls (you must leave by noon)May 23 -- Residence halls and Welcome Center open for Summer Session IMay 24 -- Summer Session I classes beginMay 30 -- Memorial Day (College will be closed)

TIGER NEWS FRIDAY, MAY 6, 2011 5“This experience brings the BenedictCollege family together in a positivemanner.”- Travis LawtonSophomore Music majorABOVE: Members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha SororityInc. pose during Greek Paraphernalia Day. VERONICABROWN/TIGER NEWSLEFT: Senior Pharod Brown talks to the crowd during theWild-Out Wednesday event. VERONICA BROWN/TIGERNEWSBELOW: Benedict College football players stand on thesideline during the Spring Football Game. VERONICABROWN/TIGER NEWSFAR BELOW: The Tigers set up for a play during theSpring Football Game. VERONICA BROWN/TIGER NEWS

6Friday,May 6, 2011Tiger NewsSportsBENEDICT FOOTBALLBenedict College hosts Pro Day for seniors, juniorsBy SAMANTHA NORMANTiger NewsThe Benedict College football team hosted anannual Pro Day event that gives upperclassmenthe opportunity to be reviewed by NFL scouts.During this event, the senior prospects areevaluated and take a series of physical tests, whilejunior prospects take a pre-draft written assessmentcalled the Wonderlic Test. This 12-minute,50-question test is used to assess players’ problemsolving skills in a range of positions and situations.Pro Day is a special opportunity given toBenedict College players because this event isn’tsomething that’s offered at all colleges. Withstrong networks and associations in the NFL,Head Coach Stanley Conner was able to makethis an annual event for his junior and seniorplayers.“We are fortunate for the relationships wehave with the NFL, because all schools do nothave a Pro Day,” Conner said. “Every day wemust remember we are fortunate for an event likethis.”Kareem Dunlap, a 2010 Benedict alumnusand an NFL prospect, said Pro Day is a greatevent that gives exposure for Benedict’s footballteam.“Everything looks good for me at this point,”he said. “And I was able to speak with manyteams, so my goals look achievable, thanks toGod.”Prospects such as Dunlap prepare for thisevent much as possible.“I prepared in Atlanta where I was able togo to a training center,” said Dunlap, addingthat he was able to work out with former DallasCowboys player Quincy Carter and other NFLathletes.All of the prospects for Pro Day did well, buta few players stood out with great performances.In the 40-yard drill, senior Ricardo Wallenfinished in 4.3 seconds, Dunlap finished in 4.4seconds and Marquis Gibson finished in 4.5seconds.Seniors performed well in other Pro Daydrills, including Patrick Riley, with a broad jumpof 10 feet, 2 inches; Marquez Gibson, with a verticaljump of 36 inches; and Kenyon Littles, witha vertical jump of 35 inches.Gipson excels on, off baseball field‘I feel like my hard work ispaying off,’ Gipson saidBy SAMANTHA NORMAN and REGINALD PRYORTiger NewsWhat a season for Brandon Gipson.The third baseman/catcher earned the SIAC Conference Player of theWeek award five times, with two home runs, a triple and three doubles inthe last five games. Gipson also has an impressive on-base percentage of.692, with nine stolen bases on 10 attempts.Defensively, Gibson is ending the season with a .966 fielding percentage.He also earned NCAA Division II South Region Player of the Week honorsand was named Black College Baseball Player of the Week earlier thisseason.“I feel lucky and it is an honor to be recognized for my achievements,”Gipson said. “I feel like my hard work is paying off.”Viewed by some as the favorite to win the SIAC Player of the YearAward, Gipson said he wants to be drafted or offered a contract to playMajor League Baseball.“It would an honor to be drafted, because it has been something I havebeen working for and wanted all my life,” Gipson said.Gipson is not only a great athlete, but he has also performed well in theclassroom. He’ll graduate Saturday with a 3.4 grade point average.“I’m a student before I’m an athlete,” said Gipson, a senior Business Managementmajor. “You must have good grades because they represent you.”Gipson tries not to procrastinate, in addition to balancing baseball withacademics.“I set aside times to do work, and when I get an assignment, I knock itout right there and try not worry about it later on,” Gipson said.Third baseman/catcher Brandon Gipson ends the regular season with animpressive array of awards and honors. LAMAR LEWIS/SPECIAL TO THETIGER NEWSTigers destroy Golden Rams in doubleheaderSenior first baseman/outfielder Corey Bryant rounds first baseduring the Albany State game April 17. SAMANTHA NORMAN/TIGER NEWSBy SAMANTHA NORMANTiger NewsNot even a strong thunderstorm couldstop Benedict from punishing AlbanyState, topping them with an 11- 4 victoryApril 17 at Capitol City Stadium.Senior third baseman/catcher BrandonGipson went up for three at-bats and hitthree, with two doubles and a home run.Senior pitcher Eric Cordova threw aone-hitter for the team and gave them ahome run, as they cruised to a 5-1 winover Albany State in the second game April17.On April 18, Benedict celebrated SeniorDay with a 12-9 victory over Albany State.The Tigers had a good start with a 3-0lead over the Golden Rams. With the scoreat 4-4 in the sixth inning, junior pitcherLamar Lewis came in the game with basesloaded and gave up no runs to the opposingteam.In the bottom of the sixth inning,senior utility player Jasson Read hit a goaheadsingle that kept the Tigers ahead ofthe Rams.“Read gave us the drive we needed sothat we didn’t have to look back,” Gipsonsaid.SIAC REGULAR SEASONSTANDINGSEAST DIVISION SIAC OverallBenedict 14-1 30-10Claflin 11-4 21-20Albany State 10-5 23-21Paine 6-9 17-24Morehouse 4-11 11-25Clark Atlanta 0-15 4-28WEST DIVISIONStillman 12-0 22-17Tuskegee 11-4 16-15Miles 10-5 22-15Kentucky State 6-6 7-30Lane 3-12 4-28LeMoyne-Owen 0-15 3-23

7Friday,May 6, 2011Tiger NewsOpinionsEDITORIALFreshman Institute a good idea for Benedict CollegeThe first year of collegecan be thrilling for somefreshmen and a bit frighteningfor others.Some of these students will beaway from home for the first timein their lives. Others will also be thefirst in their family to attend college.But regardless of your background,it’s important for all freshmento begin their college careersin good standing.In order to fulfill this goal,Benedict College will begin a newprogram called the Freshman Institute.Slated to begin in the fallsemester, this enrichment programwill give freshmen academic supportfrom faculty, staff, administration,students and alumni.According to a letter written byFreshman Institute Dean Dr. RonnieHopkins in a special edition ofthe Tiger News, he said the goal ofthe Institute is “Transforming theFirst-Year Experience to Create anEffective Learning Community.”He later said in his letter that the Instituteseeks to improve the overallstudent performance, graduationand retention rates for students.Dr. Janeen Witty, Benedict’sVice President of Academic Affairs,said in a letter printed in the TigerNews that the Freshman Institute“seeks to impact the academic, civic,spiritual, social, emotional andintellectual development of firsttimefreshmen.”But Freshman Institute officialsalso want students to have fun asthey learn.In a creative effort to motivatestudents to improve their academicperformance throughout the year,the College’s school and departmentswill compete against oneanother in a “sports league” calledthe Benedict College Association ofAcademics. The schools will serveas conferences, while the departmentswithin these schools willserve as teams of 40 students each.The schools and departmentswill participate in weekly gamesand will compete through academicand non-academic behavioraleffort games. Feedback will begiven regularly in order for teamsto improve their performance academically.Ultimately, the teamswill progress to a playoff system tocompete for a championship.Awards will also be given outduring the “regular season” and theplayoffs for honors such as “MostValuable Player” and “Most ImprovedPlayer.”Upperclassmen have an opportunityto work with the FreshmanInstitute as peer tutors, studentsuccess trainers and undergraduateteaching assistants. All of the jobsare paid and give students an opportunityto be role models to incomingfreshmen.The Freshman Institute will be agreat addition to Benedict College,as this program will mold freshmenstudents into leaders and achievers.Freshmen who take their work seriouslywill enter their sophomoreyear with great pride, knowing theycan succeed academically.EDITORIAL CARTOON | CATLIN JOHNSONSTUDENT SOUND-OFFWhat kindsof stories andcolumns wouldyou like to see inthe Tiger Newsnext year?E-mail us atBCTigerNews@gmail.com withyour ideas.The future of humanityIt is often said that the future of humanitylies not within us in some ways, but inour children. It is the responsibility of everyhuman being to contribute to the progressionof those who will come after us, fromthe babies that are now crying for a diaperchange and the children bringing homefinger paintings from school to the onessitting in detention.We should take an intimate look withinourselves to measure our priorities, andas we do so, we should effectively design aplan for the future in which our childrenare instilled with enough knowledge andwisdom at younger ages.And in an attempt to secure the samekind of social foundation for followinggenerations, we also need to ensure thatour children have the ability to resist thetemptation of greed.As soon as the children are matureenough to comprehend various concepts,it is our responsibility to spend less timesinging “Mary Had A Little Lamb” to ourchildren and begin teaching them moreabout the world as we know it to be. Theworld is not sugar sweet, so why bring ourchildren up to believe that it is, to only havethem brutally assaulted by reality whenthey have their first real-world experiencedemonstrating the fact? We should beteaching our children the importance offamily, dedication, diligence and education.For without these important life lessons, itPREME MOBLEYGuest Columnistwill be tough for them.Teaching our youth about all of thesethings is important because, if the basis ofknowledge and support hasn’t been securedwithin the home, a child is less likely tosee the need to pass on a legacy of culturallyrich information to his or her childrenwhen they grow older, especially during thestage when children openly crave information.It will appear to these individuals thatteaching children about family, for instance,is a personal choice, rather than a moralobligation.I not only believe that people will acceptthe moral responsibility of keeping theball rolling from generation to generation(instead of dropping it as past generationshave), but I would also think that mostpeople would come to enjoy educatingour youth. I don’t say this because of thefact that we know that we have to teachthem, but because we take pride that we asindividuals, as well as a global community,are contributing to the cause of saving thefuture of humanity – our children - fromsocial and cultural peril.Mobley is a senior English major.

TIGER NEWS FRIDAY, MAY 6, 2011 8CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2011The Graduating Class of 2011 poses with Benedict College President and CEO Dr. David Swinton and the College’s First Lady, Patricia Swinton. PHOTOCOURTESY OF FLOYD INGRAM and BENNIE BROWN/SPECIAL TO THE TIGER NEWSWe thought it would be appropriate to give the final word of our last issue of the semester to the graduating seniors on the TigerNews staff.This semester, we’re proud to recognize our five graduating seniors. We congratulate and thank them for their hard work and service.Congratulations to all graduating seniors! We wish you all well on your next adventure in life!MARQUETTE BANKS | LAYOUT EDITORIt seems like yesterday when I first came to Benedict College as a freshman,not knowing what to expect being 13 hours away from home and onmy own.Until now, I’ve never realized how my experience at Benedict has preparedme to not only face my challenges in life, but overcome them.And looking back, I also take pride in what I’ve accomplished here, suchas chartering the Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity Inc.chapter in 2010, receiving the Reserve Officer Training Corps ScholarshipVERONICA BROWN | PHOTO EDITORand being commissioned as a U.S. Army officer.There’s too little space to say everything I want to say, but my experienceat Benedict has been a success, even though there were things we didn’t likeas students.I leave my fellow students with this quote from motivational speakerEric Thomas: “If you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, thenyou will be successful.”When I first came to Benedict College, I was amazed at how small theschool was. I felt like I was back in high school, but the only thing that wasdifferent was the dorms.I knew from my freshman year that attending college was going to havea major impact on my life. When I got here, I knew that it was going to takehard work and dedication to succeed. I was told, “Don’t wait until everythingis just right. It will never be perfect. There will always be challenges,obstacles and less than perfect conditions. With each step you take, you willgrow stronger, be more confident and achieve greater success.”After all the challenges and hard work, I made it to my senior year. It wasa fight and a struggle, but I made it.At Benedict, I learned that anyone can be a “power for good.” I’m aproud member of the BCTV Production team as a photographer, I’minvolved with the Yearbook class, the Tiger News and the Benedict CollegeGospel Choir, where I serve as a member of the Executive Board. Throughall of these activities, I want to be seen as a leader because I want to inspirepeople to have confidence in themselves.I leave these words of advice: “When you leave Benedict College, don’tforget where you came from.” And never be afraid to seek help when youtruly need it. After all, we don’t enter college as geniuses, and we don’t leavecollege as geniuses. We leave as learners determined to succeed.MICHEAL LOCKE-BERRY | ASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITORAs I complete this long journey at Benedict College, it has been a remarkablelearning experience for me.It was also different for me in many aspects, especially the fact that I attendeda historically black college.With every semester, changes came slow, as new computer software waspurchased and new instructors in my field of study arrived.I will always remember the ups and downs of graduating from Benedict,but my biggest goal is passing the torch down to motivated and inspiredstudents who will take this program’s future beyond anyone’s expectations.SAMANTHA NORMAN | EDITOR-IN-CHIEFI never imagined that graduation day would sneak up on me like this.My freshman year seems like it was just yesterday.When I arrived at Benedict College as a freshman, I had butterflies in mystomach because I was terrified of the unknown. As time passed by, though,I was able to overcome those butterflies, as well as the many trials and tribulationsthat I’ve faced along the way.They say that in college, you meet your lifelong friends. But I truly believethat I have met a family of friends, faculty and staff that will be with mefor a lifetime. While at Benedict, I was a member of two organizations thatwill forever be a part of me: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. and Phi BetaLambda.It was an honor to serve as editor-in-chief of the Tiger News and I wishthe paper great success in the future. I have a dream that one year, the newspaperwill be consistent with having an issue regularly for the student body.There were a number of professors that made my experience memorable,and I thank them. I would mention names, but the list would never end.It may be time for me to leave Benedict, but I will always return andhelp those behind me in any way possible.Thank you, Benedict College, for allowing me to ignite my fire, becausethis was the beginning of my explosion into the world.ANGEL WILLIAMS | NEWS EDITORAs my journey here at Benedict College winds down, I can honestly saythat I’m not the same person I was when I entered as a freshman back in2007. Since then, I have grown mentally, emotionally and spiritually.Over my four years here, I’ve been through my share of ups and downs.I have tackled many challenges head-on, even though I didn’t believe inmyself at first. But I’m a stronger person because of the things I’ve gonethrough.As I leave Benedict, I will always remember these three principals: service,education and progress.It’s almost time to close this chapter in my life and start a new one. Withthat being said, I offer this piece of advice to students: There is never anunteachable moment. So, whatever you go through, it’s for a reason. Makesure you learn from it and apply it.Also, remember that when it comes to the things we want in life, wedon’t always get it when and how we want it. God has a plan for us all. Patienceis a virtue.