Gladwell: Success lies in effort

OPINION
ON CAMPUS
A&E
COMMUNITY
Kelly says goodbye to the Mesa
Journal, p. 2
Junk food abuse and
how it affects you, p. 4.
Senior Athlete, Carlos
Guillen, p. 5
Family Business of the Year
awards to be presented, p. 6
If Texas secedes, can Norris be
president?, p. 2
Honors convocation
brings in big names,
p. 3
La Esperanza, p. 5
MJ wins big at TIPA, p. 6
A look back at the year in
sports, p. 5
The
Mesa Journal
... the Award-winning newspaper of The University of Texas of the Permian Basin...
Go Falcons!
Friday, May 1, 2009
Volume 27~ Issue 14
Local bands battle it out onstage
By RENAE LUDRICK
Interim Assistant Editor
UTPB rocked out on Friday,
April 17 at its annual Battle of the
Bands contest held in the Library
parking lot. The event featured
eight local bands all competing for
a grand prize of $1,000. Students
began arriving at 6:00 p.m. to hear
the bands for a concert that was
going to last all night long.
The event, sponsored by
Program Board, drew in a large
crowd of UTPB students, as well as
visitors from the community, all
wanting to hear great local music.
The bands competing included:
Brown Sneakers, Day Break
Americana, Head Spun, Fight for
the Name Dirt Leg Barrio, Dead
Bang Go, Kingsbury Run and My
Soul Descent. Most of the bands
featured current UTPB students or
alumni and had previously competed in the years before.
The purpose of the event is to
provide a way for UTPB to be
involved in the community and to
provide another concert for the
students.
"This is a great way for the community to be involved, the bands
are from Midland and Odessa and
usually have members that once
went to or still go to UTPB. Plus,
the students here really like the
event. Its something different for
the school to do, that almost everybody can enjoy," Program Board
Concert Chair Wilma K. Rodriquez
said.
After listening to the bands play
for over three hours the judges
declared Brown Sneakers the winners. Brown Sneakers competed
last year but lost by one point. As
the 2009 winners, Brown Sneakers
can come back next year to defend
its title.
Senate
campaigns
yield results
for new
Senators
By RENAE LUDRICK
Interim Assistant Editor
photo by Romey Elguezabal
The band, Headspun, performed at the annual Battle of the Bands on the UTPB campus, Friday,
April 17. The purpose of the event is to provide a way for UTPB to be involved in the community and to provide another concert for the students.
Student Senate elections are
always important. Each class division and department elects senators, who become representatives
of the university. This year’s senate elections appeared even more
intense than usual, as candidates
vie for upcoming positions of
President and Vice-President,
along with the usual Senate seats.
J.P. Garcia, the past year’s
President of Student Senate will be
leaving UTPB to pursue medical
school.
Taking over as President is
Adri Andrade, who has big plans
for the 2009-2010 school year.
“I want to see Senate grow, since
it helps the student body in so
many ways. The most important
thing for Student Senate to do is to
let the student body know that we
are here for them to help them.
And Senate does that in so many
ways already, I want to come up
with new ways to do that as well,”
Andrade said.
Over the summer, Student
Senate will be working hard at
forming new committees and
assigning committee leaders to
plan new and revised popular
events for the 2009-2010 academic
year. Student Senate welcomes
suggestions and ideas for new
events.
Gladwell: Success lies in effort
By RENAE LUDRICK
Interim Assistant Editor
On Thursday, April 14, the JBS
Leadership Institute sponsored a
lecture by best-selling author of
Outliers
Malcolm
Gladwell.
Gladwell addressed a packed
audience in the UTPB gym after
enjoying a few moments in the
West Texas sun.
"We haven't seen the sun in
New York City since about
October, so it was nice to be
reunited," Gladwell said.
University President Dr. Watts
introduced Mr. Gladwell.
"We have a challenge to help
make all of our educational systems more productive and effective and leading towards a better
future for all. There are concrete
actions steps that West Texas community can take to make our communities more successful and our
speaker will lay out a few of those
points," Dr. Watts said.
According to Gladwell, success
lies in effort, and he presented the
audience with the challenging
question his book is based on: to
what extent do people in a given
community capitalize on their
abilities?
Gladwell structured his speech
similar to the style of his book, by
using anecdotes to help make his
points of success and shortcomings.
"His anecdotes were entertaining and his points about effort
were right on target," said Dr.
Carol Traut.
During the lecture, Gladwell
examined three key factors which
are restricting the ability of capitalization in communities: poverty,
the stupidity factor, and attitude.
According to Gladwell, attitude is
the most important of these factors.
"When given an opportunity to
master something, embrace it -and do not give up. Something is
to be learned in the application of
effort," Gladwell offered.
Following the lecture, Mr.
Gladwell answered questions
from the audience, joking that he
was much more entertaining
answering questions than speaking. Mr. Glad addressed questions
continued on page 5
photo by Romey Elguezabal
On Thursday, April 14, the JBS Leadership Institute sponsored a lecture by best-selling
author of Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell. Gladwell addressed a packed audience in the UTPB
gym after enjoying a few moments in the West Texas sun.
2
Opinion
The end of another year,
the beginning of a (more)
beautiful newspaper
If Texas secedes,
can Chuck Norris
be president?
, The Mesa Journal
Of course, the Mesa Journal has
always been beautiful, at least to me.
Maybe you have to be kind of a
strange, newspaper lover to appreciate the crispness of a newly delivered bundle of papers, or to delight
in the chance to create something
that thousands of people will read...
or throw away, or use as packing
material.
At any rate, I have been the editorin-chief of The Mesa Journal for
almost exactly one year now, and the
last twelve months have hit me pretty hard with things like premature
senioritis, personal issues (who
Kristen Gipson
doesn’t get them in the spring
Editor-in-Chief
semester? Am I right? Why is it
that everything weird happens in the spring semester?) that have kept
my head consistently reeling, and, of course, the usual durm und strang
associated with being a college student. Nevertheless, I love it.
I love my job, and I love being a college student. I love this paper. It’s
like giving birth to a baby, regularly every two weeks, only without the
labor pains or the strange food cravings. Okay, there may be strange
food cravings. Nothing makes me prouder than to watch my newspaper and my staff receive awards that mark them as being the outstanding journalists and business managers and photographers that they are.
It’s time for my baby to grow up, though. In my next year of editorship, I can promise that you will see a more polished look from The Mesa
Journal to accompany our usual coverage of important events that matter to you, the college student (and faculty and staff). The MJ has always
had the potential to compete with other newspapers, and this year’s
fruitful results at the annual TIPA convention has only confirmed what I
have always known about this paper, and what you should all know, too.
We’re going places. And we’re doing it in style.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Renae Ludrick
Interim Assistant Editor
The state that was its only country may be…its own country again? As
millions of Americans participated in TEA (Taxed Enough Already) parties
on April 15th, Governor Rick Perry danced around the idea of secession with rhetoric hinting at the possibility of future secession stating, "But if Washington continues to thumb their nose at the American people, who
knows what may come of that."
Never mind the fact that while at his speech, the Governor’s office was coordinating receiving the very
funds Perry was speaking out against. Some might call this "hypocrisy." To Perry, it’s just another day in
Austin. Such behavior is not at all surprising anymore to anyone who has followed state politics since Perry
took over. In fact the best way to know what Perry is going to do is to expect the opposite of what he says.
Perry gained national attention from Rush Limbaugh (if that still counts as a reputable credit) and Glenn
Beck and also a brief blitz of attention on YouTube; not bad for a governor who isn't always recognized in his
own state. The national attention is exactly what Perry was hoping for since he really has no intention of even
seriously threatening to secede.
Rather the event was just the beginning of a campaign tactic to help stir up Perry supporters before Senator
Kay Bailey Hutchinson announces her official campaign. Perry has the title of being the longest-governor-tohold-office-ever and Sen. Hutchinson shouldn't have any trouble kicking Perry and his boots out of Austin.
Now starts the campaigning (at least from the Perry camp).
After a two-year presidential marathon campaign, voters are a little sick and tired of bumper-stickers and
lame speeches. Why can't there be a law which restricts campaigning to a strict set of dates? Wait; there
is….allow me to restate my question. Why can't politicians follow the law?
Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself and not taking into account the entertainment factor of elections. No,
I don't mean speeches, political rallies and the like. If Perry has already used seceding before an "official" campaign date….what’s going to happen during the actual election? Maybe Chuck Norris can throw his hat in
the election and run for President of Texas. Oh wait, he already did. So far the Hutchinson camp has been
extremely quiet which can only mean she is plotting something far bigger than seceding to gain a few votes.
Time can only tell what that will be.
So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, good-bye
Kelly Wingert
Staff Writer
Well, the end of this very long
semester has finally come. I don't
know about you, but I thought it
would never get here. This has
been one of the busiest and most
stressful semesters I have experienced in college yet. I'm not sure if
that is because I am a senior now
and the work got more intense or if
I am just suffering burnout and
didn't put my best foot forward.
Either way, I'm happy to see it
come to an end.
There is one downside to this
semester ending. Due to increases
in school work, commitments, and
generally going in a different
direction this editorial will be my
last as a Mesa Journal staff member.
I am getting closer to graduation
and need to be more focused on
school and what I plan to do afterward.. There is a lot going on right
now and sadly the newspaper no
longer fits in my schedule.
I have enjoyed my time with The
Mesa Journal. Writing for a newspaper is not something I ever saw
myself doing. Coming into UTPB,
I needed some assistance so I
applied for a scholarship through
The Mesa Journal. I did not get it;
however, the newspaper advisor
offered me a position as a staff
writer, so I decided to try it out. I
quickly learned to love my job.
The Mesa Journal staff is amazing. They have become some of
my best friends at UTPB. Over the
past few semesters we have devel-
Falcons Speak:
"Well I don't
really watch
Star Trek, but it
looks like its going
to be awesome."
Pauline Botchway
Psychology
Junior
oped a nice relationship. We are
more than just co-workers; we are
a family. There is the needed level
of professional respect and
responsibility; however, we love
joking with each other and having
fun. I believe the paper is as efficient as it currently is because the
staff works well together but also
enjoys each others company. It
would be completely different if
the staff members could not get
along with each other.
I will probably not realize how
much I am going to miss The Mesa
Journal until next semester. It will
be so different not coming to the
office daily and consistently seeing my friends. I guess I will have
to come visit them at times. I
enjoyed my learning experience
and hopefully have picked up a
few writing tips along the way.
I want to wish everyone a good
and safe summer. I hope you
enjoy whatever amount of time
you have off from school. To my
staff members, I will miss you
guys. Please keep the paper running smoothly and enjoy the rest
of your time. To the readers, I
hope you have enjoyed reading
the rants and rambles of my editorials and I do hope you found
my contributions to the newspaper interesting.
I wish you all the best of luck
in the future.
There are Trekkies on every campus, but with the
newest Star Trek movie coming out soon, there’s only
one question to ask: Are you excited about the movie?
"It looks
amazing, I'm
not a Trekkie, I'm
more of a brown coat.
I loved what they did
with Cloverfield, and
I'm excited about this
movie.”
previews and
I know that the guy
who plays Capt.
Kirk was in
Princess Diaries
II."
"I am
extremely
excited. I've been
greatly anticipating
ever since I read it
was coming out,
and it was going
into production.”
Adam Villarreal
English
Sophomore
Kimberly Miller
English
Sophomore
Felix Rodriguez
Bio/Chem
Senior
The Mesa Journal
e-m
mail: mesajournal@utpb.edu
Staff
Editor-iin-C
Chief: Kristen Gipson
Interim Assistant Editor: Renae Ludrick
Staff Writer: Kelly Wingert, Dianne Leyva
Layout & Design: Kristen Gipson
Photographer: Romelia Elguezabal
Business Manager: Kenneth Bitner
Advisor: Dr. Nichole Rougeau-Vanderford
General Information:
The Mesa Journal is a student publication that provides information, commentary, and entertainment for The
University of Texas of the Permian Basin community. Editorial statements and advertisements do not necessarily reflect the opinion of UT Permian Basin adminstration.
Letter Policy:
All contributions, in good taste, will be edited for grammar, spelling, length (250 minimum), libel, profanity, and
personal attacks. All letters must contain the author’s name, major, academic classification, and contact information. This information can be withheld upon request. Electronic copies of articles and letters are preferred.
Mission Statement:
The Mesa Journal is designed to inform, entertain, educate, and heighten awareness of students, faculty, and
administrators at The University of Texas of the Permian Basin. Staff members will be responsible journalists by
maintaining high ethical standards with fairness, accuracy, and balance.
"I've seen the
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Do You Have an Announcement You Would
Like to Put In The Mesa Journal?
Let Us Know by
e-mailing us at
mesajournal@utpb.edu
It’s the end of another year!
Congratulations to the Spring 2009 graduates.
To The MJ’s Kelly Wingert, thank you so much
for being part of the MJ family. We wish you
luck in everything you do, and are grateful to
have had you with us for the past two years.
On Campus
Friday, May 1, 2009
The Mesa Journal,
3
The Road Less Traveled
Cigarroa, president, and others honor outstanding students
By DIANNE LEYVA
Staff Writer
Hispanic to lead a major academic
health center and to administrate a
major university system in the
United States. He is also the first to
administrate a split liver transOn Thursday, April 9, within the
plant. Dr. Ciggaroa spoke of the
walls of the UTPB gym, the hard
impact of the UT system on thouwork and dedication of many
sands of families and shared the
was celebrated. The 33rd Annual
inspiration “The Road Not Taken”
Honors Convocation is an event
by Robert Frost has created within
in which UTPB is able to “honor
him.
students for extraordinary suc“Life is not always easy, it may
cess” President
b e n e f i t
Dr. David Watts
mankind if
TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood, you take the
said.
Applause
And sorry I could not travel both road less
filled the gym as
traveled.
And be one traveler, long I stood
students rose to
One must
receive awards And looked down one as far as I could have
the
and recognition
willingness
To where it bent in the undergrowth.
for the scholarto look into
from “The Road Not Taken”
ships their dilithe woods,
gence
had
and
seek
by Robert Frost
helped
them
possibilities,”
obtain.
Cigarroa said.
The audience consisted of parCigarroa also spoke of the
ents and was honored with the
importance of an inspirational
presence of previous faculty, like
staff, and concluded his speech
former UTPB Engineering prowith :
fessor, Dr. Thomas Hyde
“Live life with an open mind,
Among those present was the
not influenced by cynicism, excel
Chancellor of the UT system, Dr.
with integrity , and know that
Francisco Cigarroa. His accomnothing is impossible if the end
plishments include being the first
point is the benefit of mankind.”
photo by Romey Elguezabal
Student Senate President, John Paul Garcia, UTPB President David Watts, and UT system
Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa hand out awards at the 2009 Honors Convocation.
Shoot, score, graduate
Athletics Banquet honors dedication of athletes and congratulates graduates
By DIANNE LEYVA
Staff Writer
"I encourage those leaving to
embrace change, education is the
ability to learn more knowledge
isn't enough a positive attitude is.
It will help you find success,
embrace the challenge and
achieve your dreams with dignity
and grace" said athletic director,
Dr. Steve Aicinena as he welcomed those who had recently
joined the program and gave the
seniors a farewell at the end of
the year Athletics banquet.
The Athletes ceremony took
place in the MCM Elegante, on
April 20, 2009. The athletes
enjoyed their meal, and were congratulated on their performance
and dedication.
"The banquet was very interesting. It was exciting to see all of
the athletes together," soccer
player, sophomore Farid Sapien
said.
Each coach presented
his/her athletes with plaques and
certificates for their participation
in the program.
"It was nice, the food was good
and the speeches were short and
sweet,” one cross country runner
said.
For many, it was the end of athletic careers; for others, a new
beginning, one in which they
would seek to become professionals in the sports which have
been a part of them. "It was a sad
day, because it was my last banquet, but it was very nice." senior
Carlos Guillen observed.
The seniors received a watch for
the four years they dedicated to
the UTPB athletic program.
Pictures and one last banquet concluded their four years of sweat,
tears and dedication, but only to
lead to a new stage in their lives.
LOOKING FOR AN
APARTMENT NEAR UTPB?
Southwest Oaks
is the place for you.
Ask about our free rent specials
1 and 2 Bedrooms
Flats and Townhomes
with a Beautiful Pool
and Courtyard living
4651 Oakwood Drive
432-363-8091
photo by Dianne Leyva
Athletes smile for the camera at the 2008-2009
Intercollegiate Athletics Award Dinner, held April 20 at the
MCM Elegante. Senior athletes also received watches for
the years they dedicated to the UTPB athletic program.
Congratulations to this year’s athletes, especially the graduates, and good luck in the year of 2010!
photo by Dianne Leyva
G
o
F
a
l
c
o
n
s
!
4
On Campus
, The Mesa Journal
Friday, May 1, 2009
JUNK FOOD ABUSE
How curly fries can ruin
finals week
By KRISTEN GIPSON
Editor-in-Chief
“FREE PIZZA!”
Those were not the words that
preceded the grand opening of a
pizzeria, but what regularly
crowds UTPB students into the
student union… or the gym… or
anywhere, really, in the hopes of
scoring a high-energy, low-cost
meal.
Tests and essays typically lead
to prolonged studying, which
leads to the occasional all-nighter,
which leads to eating high-sugar
or high-caffeine junk food to
make up for lack of sleep.
Freshman Kevin Yancey describes
the vicious cycle as being almost
inescapable.
“I eat fast food almost daily, not
primarily due to stress, but to lack
of time.
Then, I’ll do the
Starbucks iced coffees and the
Monster energy drinks. The eating of the junk food necessitates
the energy stuff, because you’re
not getting anything healthy in
the fast food. Then, every couple
of weeks, I have to stop and
detox,” Kevin said.
Other students agree
that, when time is so
short that it must be
budgeted to the halfhour, it is difficult to
make a case for healthy
living, especially when
junk food is so readily
available and affordable.
“I don’t have time to
sit down and plan a
menu and meals and go
grocery shopping to
prepare healthy food,”
Graduate
student
Marshalla Hutson said.
“There are vending
machines everywhere
you
turn
around.
During the week, I pretty much subside on coffee and Cheese-Its.”
Students fight the
battle with junk food all
year round; however,
it’s during important
weeks like finals week
that it comes apparent
that this is a battle that students
Senior Moments
aren’t
always
able to win.
Without the vitamins and minerals that are found
in
healthy
foods—fruits,
vegetables,
whole grains—
students are likely to feel sluggish, tired, and
weak. They are
also much more
susceptible
to
getting
sick,
which can ruin
study plans.
“Vitamin
Water does not
constitute nutritional
sustenance,” Hutson
said. “A friend of
mine was trying
to get seven
papers done, and
he had seven
Redbulls in one
photo by Romey Elguezabal night.”
Caffeine, contrary to popular belief, is not a
Stephanie Villarreal
By DIANNE LEYVA
Staff Writer
Telemundo, she did not expect the
surprise. Super Latina commends
outstanding Latinos and Stephanie
received a big-screen message from
her family in Dallas and a laptop
computer which will accompany
her to Texas Tech Medical School in
Biology major
Stephanie Villarreal has
always known that
medicine is her passion.
However, her moment
of truth came on an
ordinary day.
"I was watching television, and an advertisement for St. Jude
came on and I just started crying. I realized I
want to help and I have
the tools to do it."
Stephanie was commended on her outstanding student performance at the Honors
Convocation. She is a
senior with a 4.0 GPA.
"They invited me to
the reception, and I was
surprised there by
Super
Latina."
Although
Stephanie
had already been interviewed
by
Super
Latina, which airs on
Lubbock, TX.
Stephanie chose Tech because
it provides a program which
allows her to transfer back to the
Texas Tech Health center here in
Odessa after she completes her
first two years of
medical
school.
Although she has
done different internships, she is not set
on a particular practice; however primary care is her first
choice.
"I want to be the
one people go to first,
their first line of
defense"
said
Villarreal.
Her last months
have been bittersweet: "I am happy
that I have accomplished so much, but
I am sad to go."
But Villarreal has
deeply appreciated
the faculty support:
"I am grateful to the
faculty. They have all
helped me in different ways."
photo by Romey Elguezabal
Pizza Math :
14 in. OneTopping
Pizza
+12 Garlic Knots
(432)366-2000
4007 JBS Parkway
(across from the university)
$9.95
With this coupon
harmless substance, though it
can be in small doses. It is, in
fact, a quick-acting and potent
drug, which, ironically, produces a response in our bodies
almost identical to the response
our bodies have to stress.
It
raises blood pressure, causes a
jittery feeling, and usually stimulates the nervous system to a
degree that caffeine abusers
have a very hard time sleeping.
Then again, who needs sleep,
when you have more important
things to do?
“We talk about having allnighters all the time,” Hutson
said. “There are going to be
chips, cokes, Redbulls, caffeine,
and, whatever you say, pizza
isn’t healthy.”
School is important for students, but it’s more important to
remember that the most important thing to nourish during
finals week is one’s brain, which
is impossible to do on a diet of
refined sugar, caffeine, and
questionable cheese by-prod-
continued on page 5
TEX Prep to be offered
at UTPB this summer
IRIS FOSTER
Public Information Officer
A total of 100 7th, 8th, and 9th
grade students from ECISD,
MISD, and surrounding counties
will be able to participate in
UTPB's first offering of the Texas
Pre-freshman
Engineering
Program June 22-August 7 from
9:00 a.m. until 3:25 p.m. with free
breakfast and lunch served.
The purpose of the Texas
Pre-freshman
Engineering
Program (Tex PREP) is to provide
students who have demonstrated
mathematical ability with the academic and intellectual competencies to succeed in high school, college prep courses, and in college
programs in science, technology,
engineering and math (STEM.)
Students follow the curriculum
provided by Tex PREP and
endorsed by the Texas Education
Agency(TEA). The TEA also provides one elective credit after
completion of the course which
can count toward high school
graduation. Students are exposed
to effective procedures for solving engineering and design problems using mathematics, computers, basic measuring systems, and
devices, computational tools, and
statistical concepts. The lab intro-
duces Tex PREP students to the
engineering profession while
demonstrating the roles and
responsibilities associated with it.
Students need a recommendation
(included in the application
forms) from a mathematics
teacher and the second recommendation from an administrator,
counselor, science, or English
teacher.
Tex PREP has unique features that include introduction to
engineering (taught by engineering faculty), computer science, the
"INFINITY" engineering program
for secondary public school students, and mathematics taught by
teachers from various school districts. Hands-on projects like
building hovercrafts and trebuchets will be supervised and
guided by engineers. Career presentations will be conducted by
professionals in the STEM field.
Optional field trips are also
included.
There is no cost for this
"engineering camp," but space is
limited and students will be
accepted on a first come, first
served basis. For more information about the application process
contact
Rey
Lascano
at
lascano_r@utpb.edu,Mary
M a r t i n e z a t
martinez_m@utpb.edu,or Brittany
Brooks at brooks_b007@utpb.edu.
Incoming
Freshmen:
Want a scholarship? Check out The
Mesa Journal by calling 552-2659 or
coming by the Student Union (MB
2138) for more information.
Entertainment
Friday, May 1, 2009
Senior Athlete
Carlos Guillen
By DIANNE LEYVA
Staff Writer
ue playing soccer for the
Sockers, a semi-pro team in
Midland,
Texas.
"I look forward to playing
for them."
Guillen fell in love with soccer
"A lot of people do not like it, at age four, while watching his
because they have never played. father play. Soccer is a part of
But anyone can do anything with his family. His father played
their hands. It's really hard to do it forward and his uncle and
cousin play
with your
professionalfeet.
It
ly.
Carlos
t a k e s
moved
to
s k i l l . "
Odessa, TX
Senior,
f r o m
athlete
Guadalajara,
C a r l o s
Jalisco at age
Guillen
ten.
shares his
Balancing
passion for
soccer, work
soccer and
and school are
the bitternot
easy:
sweet feel"It takes a
ing of havlot of dedicaing played
tion and perhis
last
severance;
season for
you have to
the UTPB
focus on your
Falcons.
goals in life."
“I'm
Carlos said.
bummed
Carlos spends
out, but I
his spare time
have been
playing FIFA,
to a couple
photo by Dianne Leyva indoor soccer
of tryouts
and pick-up
for Pro."
Although, his soccer career has games in parks.
ended at UTPB, Carlos will contin-
The Mesa Journal ,
5
A Look Back At:
The Year in Sports
The year in sports has
brought UTPB’s athletes
many highs and lows.
Let’s take a look back at
our outstanding athletes.
Right: The graduating senior athletes are presented
with watches at the yearend awards banquet.
Bottom: The cross-country
team poses for a picture at
their last practice session.
photo by Dianne Leyva
photo by Romey Elguezabal
Right: Soccer team gets feisty as they wrestle the ball away from their opposition.
Around Town:
Bottom: UTPB’s women’s volleyball plays,
before the new courts are put in.
La Esperanza
By KRISTEN GIPSON
Editor-in-Chief
If you're looking for a bland,
light meal, La Esperanza, is not
the place for you. The Mexicanthemed restaurant is located in
West Odessa, in a shopping center that, at first glance, probably
seems like a dive. However, the
interior of the restaurant is spacious and clean, with plenty of
seating area for large families.
Entrees are served with huge
portions of rice and beans, along
with delicious helpings of
favorites like enchiladas, fajitas,
and a well-balanced salsa and
chips, served with every meal.
The prices are reasonable for the
size of the portions at the restaurant, and while the staff is friendly
and helpful, it may be necessary to
speak up for a refill on drinks.
photo by Romey Elguezabal
Bottom left: Men’s baseball player steps up to
bat.
Bottom: Fans get excited for the Falcons at the
Homecoming game.
La Esperanza
Location:
1511 N. West County
Road
photo by Romey Elguezabal
Hours of Operation:
Saturday-Thursday:
8 a.m.-9 p.m.
Friday and Saturday:
9 a.m.-10 p.m.
photo by Dayamy Leyva
photo by Romey Elguezabal
Now hiring an assistant editor. Put in an
application at MB 2138 (in the Student Union) or
call 552-2659 for more info.
Food Abuse, continued from page 4
photo by Kristen Gipson
La Esperanza is located at 1511 N. West County Road, and features a wide variety of Mexican and Tex-Mex style foods for a
reasonable price, especially considering the large portions. If
you’re in the mood for something new and interesting, La
Esperanza is a good bet for a satisfying meal.
ucts.
“They could increase the
length of our semesters and
decrease our tuition,” Hutson
offered as a solution. “Then we’d
have more time to do what the
professors want us to do, and
more money to buy healthy
food.”
A more likely alternative:
packed lunches, better time man-
agement, and support. Students
who study together should consider having review sessions that
facilitate better eating, like reviewing at restaurants that provide balanced meals, or taking turns
bringing fast, no-cook foods (think
fruit and vegetable trays) to study
sessions.
Gladwell, continued
from page 1
like how his theories of capitalization can be applied to the local
community. Throughout the lecture and Q&A session, education
was a recurring theme, and at the
heart of Gladwell's capitalization
theory.
"At the absolute center of the
capitalization issue is education.
Education needs to be front and
center in a society. Educators
need to reorder social priorities
and put education in a privileged
position. Once that is done, we
can take on secondary issues"
Gladwell said.
6
, The Mesa Journal
Campus
News
The Mesa
Journal
Is Looking for a
Fresh
Perspective.
Now Hiring:
An Assistant
Editor
Call 552.2659
for more
information.
Are you hosting
an upcoming
event on campus? Send the
MJ an e-mail
headed
“Upcoming
Event”
and we’ll put it
right here on the
in the campus
news section.
Community
Friday, May 1, 2009
Say ‘Aloha’ to summer, sand, and
scholarships at Student Senate Luau
By RENAE LUDRICK
Interim Assistant Editor
Student Senate hosted a Luau
on Thursday, April 16 at the UTPB
swimming complex. The event
featured a "mock"-tail bar,
Hawaiian chicken and other tropical foods.
Student Senate likes to put on
the event as an easy way for
Senators and student body to
meet:
"The main purpose of the event
is to meet and greet (your) senators, and an opportunity for senators to campaign during elections.
Also, it gives students one last
school sponsored party before the
end of the semester and a way of
giving back to the students"
Student Body President, JP Garcia
said.
This year gift bags were given
to students during a raffle at the
end of the night. The bags included a variety of luau-inspired gifts
ranging from beach towels to
scholarships.
"Dr. Lara donated two $500
book scholarships and the
Admissions office donated five
$500 tuition scholarships just for
the event" Senate Treasurer Kelly
Combs said. As a way to get more
students in the pool, a scholarship
was given to the first person who
"jumped" in the water.
The luau is in its second year,
and based on its popularity will
be a long-standing tradition at
UTPB.
"The luau serves as a great way
photo by Romey Elguezabal
Student Senate hosted a Luau on Thursday, April 16, at the UTPB swimming complex. The luau
is in its second year, and based on its popularity will be a long-standing tradition at UTPB.
for students to wind down right
before finals. And is also another
chance for Senate to do something
for the students.
“Students have a chance to get
to know their senators, voice any
concerns and really get involved in
what is going on around campus.
This event will be going on for
many more years" Student Senate
President-elect, Adri Andrade
said.
MJ wins big at TIPA
By KRISTEN GIPSON
Editor-in-Chief
The Mesa Journal staff returned
from the Texas Intercollegiate
Press Association’s (TIPA) annual
conference this year with 9 awards
in tow, including first place for ad
design, multiple placings for page
layout, front page layout, special
section and sports page layout,
spring and
summer
Schedule
Spring
honorable mention for news story,
third place in critical review, third
place in sports feature photo, second place for sports column, and
an honorable mention for editorial
cartoon.
The event was held in Dallas,
and the staff spent time in panels
and discussions about newspaper
journalism, photo journalism, and
business management.
Last regular class day May 1
Final exams May 4-7
Commencement May 9
Maymester
Registration, first day of
class, last day to
add a course
May 11
Last day to drop a course
with a refund, last day to
drop a course without creating an academic record
May 12
Last day to drop or
withdraw
May 20
First Summer Session
photo by Romey Elguezabal
Family Business of the Year
Awards to be presented
IRIS FOSTER
Public Information Officer
Registration
Nov. 3 - May 29
Tuition and fee payment
deadline for students who
registered
May 29
Classes Begin
June 1
Last regular class day
July 1
Second Summer Session
Classes begin
July 6
UTPB's Jan and Ted Roden Center
for Entrepreneurship will present
the first annual Permian Basin
Family Business of the Year award
Friday, April 24, during a noon
luncheon at the University's Center
for
Energy
and
Economic
Diversification (CEED). The actual
awards will be handed out at 12:30
p.m.
Representatives from 17
area chambers of commerce assisted UTPB's Roden Center in securing 30 nominations of familyowned establishments from as far
away as Marfa. The finalists were:
Doc's Reverse Units and Rental
Tools, Inc. of Monahans, Fabela's
Restaurant of Odessa, Friaco's
Custom Jewelry of Monahans,
Harkey Family Funeral Services
of
Monahans,
Saulsbury
Industries of Odessa, Super
Burger of Monahans, Thomas
Funeral Home of Midland, and
Tumbleweed Laundry of Marfa.
Nominations are already
being accepted for outstanding
family-owned businesses for the
2010 award by visiting this link:
http://bus.utpb.edu/the-jan-andted-roden-center-for-entrepreneurship/permian-basin-familybusiness-award/.
For more information
about this new award, please
contact Dr. Leslie Toombs, Pinkie
Roden
Chair
of
Entrepreneurship,
at
toombs_l@utpb.edu.
photo by Romey Elguezabal
The Mesa Journal staff, from bottom left, clockwise: Renae
Ludrick, Kristen Gipson, Kenneth Bitner, Kelly Wingert, and
Romey Elguezabal. Not pictured: Dianne Leyva.
WE ARE
LOOKING
for an assistant
editor for
Fall 2009
Call 552-2659 or come by
the MJ office (MB 2138)
for more information.
Our Expansion program, a
small company, is looking for
Payroll Specialist.
Please contact us for more
details.
Requirements Should be home & have
access to the internet weekly.
Email Tammy Wilson at
Twilson12345@live.com for
further information about the
job