The Rustorian - Rust College

October 2011
The Rustorian
Page 1
The Rustorian
Volume 48 • No. 1 “By Their Fruits Ye Shall Know Them” October 2011
President Beckley, Mayor DeBerry inspire students,
faculty, staff at Opening Convocation for new year
By Nekesa Oliver
Staff Writer, The Rustorian
As the time neared 2:40
p.m. on Tuesday, Sept.
13, the freshman class of
2011 and other students
gathered in the Morehouse
Doxey Auditorium for
the
145th
President’s
Opening Convocation.
Students came dressed for
success and ready to accept
the challenge that President
David L. Beckley would
propose to them.
On stage were the
President’s Council, the
honorable Mayor Andre
DeBerry, SGA President
Marcus Bradley, Miss Rust
Valencia Rogers, retired
honorees, and a host of
other staff members.
The program was filled
with encouragement and
optimism. Mayor DeBerry
greeted
students
and
inspired them to continue
the nourishment of their
education at Rust, while
Bradley and Rogers added
the reminder of taking
opportunities and striving
for leadership and success.
The new edition of the
A’Cappella choir, led by
Dorothy Jones, made a great
first performance singing
two excellent selections,
“Rocking Jersualem” and
“Great Day.” This increased
the energy of the students as
President Beckley made his
way to the podium.
The President welcomed
the Freshman class of 2011
with great expectation and
positive things to say. He
challenged the students to
focus on using what they
have and not what they
lack. He described their
tenure at Rust College
as a temporary bump on
the road to success.
“Success against all odds…
remember why we are here
and what we stand for,” said
President Beckley.
Rust College A’Capella Choir performed at Convocation.
From the applause and the
new passion students have
for singing the Alma Mater,
you could tell that the
speech was well received.
Rust College
Founders’ Day is
November 12, 2011
Lyceum Series continues to bring culture and class to campus life
By Benita Jackson
Editor, The Rustorian
The Rust College Lyceum Series is a number of
events throughout the academic school year used to
introduce students and the
community to the best in European and African American cultural expressions.
The Lyceum Series was
founded in 1996 by Rust
College President Dr. David
L. Beckley. In 1999, Patricia Pegues was appointed
as the chair of the Lyceum
Series committee.
With the exposure to different cultures, the diversity
of the campus has improved
drastically. In previous
The Sankofa Exhibit was at the Smith Multi-Purpose Building.
years, Rust has brought in
international performances.
The Lyceum Series successfully brings in at least
one graduate of Rust College or someone from the
state of Mississippi to participate in the program.
Although attendance at
any Lyceum Series event
is not mandatory, students
show up for the cultural
experiences. Pegues believes, “If students allow
themselves the opportunity
to attend, their lives will
be changed forever, for the
positive. The Lyceum Series
changes your life because
it’s a reality to let you see
what you can become.”
To put the Lyceum Series together it takes the ef-
‘Sistahs’ was presented in the Doxey Auditorium in September.
fort of a complete committee to bring ideas together.
John A. House, assistant
professor of Speech and
Theater, attends many festivals where he encounters
other authors and performers and makes recommendations to the committee.
“Artists also call, mail,
and email me to make contact to be apart of the Lyceum Series events here at
Rust,” said Pegues.
For more information
about the Lyceum Series,
contact Pegues in her office
in the McCoy Administration Building on the Rust
College campus.
Page 2
The Rustorian
The Rustorian
Editor
Benita Jackson
Assistant Editor
Cervetra Williams
Staff Writers
Nekesa Oliver
Ravenico Stephens
Dionyal Spencer
Teresa Hughes
Contributors
Robert Alexander
Antoinette Anderson
Tremelanie McFadden
Christine Ambia
Photographers
Cervetra Williams
Edward King
Imani Freeling
Advisor
Dr. Kenneth E. Jones
Department of Mass
Communications
Dr. Debayo R. Moyo, chair
The RUSTORIAN is a student-produced newspaper
published monthly during
the school year by the Division of Humanities, Dr. Sylvester Oliver, chairman.
The Rustorian invites editorial contributions from the
Rust College community
and other individuals on any
topic, view or issue.
All submissions must be
typed and signed, and must
include author’s name, address and phone number.
Send your letters or
comments to:
The Editor,
The Rustorian
150 E. Rust Avenue
Holly Springs, MS 38635
(662)252-8000
ext 4558/4557/4553
Fax: (662) 252-8869
Email:
rustorian_@hotmail.com
rustorian@rustcollege.edu
w w w. r u s t o r i a n . c o m
Sharron Goodman-Hill hosts WURC radio show.
Straight Talk Live is on the Air
By Ravenico Stephen
Staff Writer, The Rustorian
Spot Light...
Straight Talk Live is
back for its twelfth year on
the air and looking to be an
even more sucessful show.
Straight Talk Live is
a public affairs show
that airs on WURC
every Thursday with the
host Sharron Goodman-
Hill, Rust College Mass
Communications instructor.
The station is located on the
campus of Rust College and
is well known throughout
the Holly Springs area.
Some of the students help
with the production of the
show but very few students
October 2011
on campus seem to know
much about it. GoodmanHill took the opportunity
to better inform students of
what the show is about and
what to expect this year. The
show provides information
and news about happenings
in the surrounding area and
issues of concern.
Straight Talk Live has
had four different hosts
before
Goodman-Hill
began hosting in 2005.
Goodman-Hill says she
enjoys the radio atmosphere
and although there is
hassle with productions its
worth the time and effort.
The show provides a
chance for Rust College
students,
faculty
and
staff to be heard and their
concerns addressed, along
with informing people of
the guests who will visit
Rust College. GoodmanHill says she would like for
more talk to go on to during
the show, with more people
calling in and expressing
their ideas and being heard.
She says although the show
does receive calls there once
was a time when there were
more calls being received.
On Oct. 20, Goodman-Hill
will have Jonnie Dupree
on the show. Dupree is
the mayor of Hattiesburg,
Miss. He is campaigning to
become the next governor
of Mississippi and is
the Democratic Party’s
nominee. The election is
on Nov. 3rd. GoodmanHill is looking forward to
having Dupree on the show
in hopes that many listeners
will tune in and call in.
Straight Talk Live can be
heard on WURC 88.1.
“Mr. Perry’s approximately
101 employees traveled
with him but we mainly
worked with him during the
weekends,” Willis added.
Willis said that she traveled
over 800 miles with Perry
and her son for the job.
“We had to make sure
each cast member received
three
meals;
breakfast
on time, and finish lunch
before the plays started.
Due to a contract agreement
that’s all I can say, but for
me it was the experience
and joy of working for Mr.
Perry,” Willis recalled.
Another
opportunity
Willis experienced was
in 2010 when she worked
for the Premier Dr. Ewart
F. Brown, minister of
Tourism and his lovely wife
Lisa Raye of Bermuda.
“I was surrounded by
50 top chefs. We would
show them how to prepare
a dish one time and they
automatically had it down
to a science. There were
also multiple entertainers,
and
we
served
850
people,” Willis added.
Willis
stated
that
this
particular
event
allowed her to see how
the rich and famous live
on the other side.
Willis is a Business
Administration/Education
major,
who
started
her
catering
company
Gwendolyn Simply Divine
Desserts in 1986. She
caters weddings, reception,
family
reunions,
and
custom designs cakes.
Business major Gwen Willis counts celebrities among catering clientele
By Teresa Hughes
Staff Writer, The Rustorian
Gwendolyn Willis is seen here advocating for women’s health.
Rust College senior
Gwendolyn
Willis
of
Michigan City, Miss. caters
to the common man as well
as the rich and famous.
“Writer, actor and producer
Tyler Perry contracted
my son, world renowned
chef
Jernard
Wells,
and I between October
2009
through
August
2010,” said Willis. October 2011
The Rustorian
Page 3
AKA’s ‘pink’ - a socializing event COPE Center maintains firm focus on freshmen
By Dionyal Spencer
Staff writer, The Rustorian
The lovely ladies of the
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Theta Upsilon, chapter hosted their second successful Pink Social on Sept.
21 at Rust College in front
of the R.A. and Ruth M.
Brown Mass Communication Building, which houses
the Shaw Cafeteria.
The ultimate goal of the
Pink Social is to allow students to socialize and meet
new people. This also allows old students to embrace new students and
new students to embrace
old students by having fun.
“The Alpha Kappa Alpha
Sorority Inc. Pink Social allows everybody in the school
to get to know each other
and socialize,” explained
Destini Jones, a member of
Alpha Kappa Alpha.
Students gathered around
the beautifully decorated
table where refreshments
were sold, consisting of
baked cookies, cupcakes,
water, and freeze pops to
raise money for their chapter
while also taking donations
of can goods and nonperishable items for the needy.
The hosting of the Pink
Social gave Rust College
students the opportunity
to view Greek social life
as each Greek organization laughed, strolled, and
hopped among each other.
“I like how everyone
is standing around chilling,” freshman Odalys
Acosta expressed.
Students were given the
opportunity to express
themselves
individually
See AKA’s, page 5
By Cervetra Williams
Staff writer, The Rustorian
Dr. Juanita M. Jones says
that the COPE. Center is a
place for Rust College freshmen to get help. The COPE
Center is also a place to
help with student retention.
COPE. stands for Counseling, Outreach, and Problem solving for Excellence.
Jones said, “With the
planning ahead process for
the freshmen, when they arrive, their week will be organized and fun but nevertheless, very educational.”
“By assisting the freshmen with any questions
and concerns, they are
greeted with a big beautiful
smile and given a positive,
uplifting answer.
What is the COPE Center? Excellence, says Jones,
and their motto, “Working with People in Preparing for Change” is highly
implemented. The center is
not just a place for first-year
experience students but the
entire Rust College family.
Other services provided are:
Academic Advising, Career
Placement, Peer Advising,
Domestic Violence Counseling, Substance Abuse
Awareness and Education,
Suicide Prevention/Intervention and Stress Management. The COPE. Center is
open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Mondays through Fridays.
Jones also added that the
COPE Center works handin-hand with Shaw Hall and
the Royal Ambassadors’
Advisors in the financial
aid office. Shaw Hall is the
place where freshmen also
receive assistance with their
classes and advice for the
OWLs. By working together, Shaw Hall and the COPE
Center can have a definite
number of incoming freshmen. They also work with
them from the beginning
to the end of their duration here at Rust College.
The first-year experience division and Student
Support Services (SSS)
Dr. Juanita Jones
report from Mrs. Chiquita
Walls, who is the director,
directly to Jones. Asked
how the incoming freshmen
are accounted for, Jones
states, “Ms. Scott is able to
give a guaranteed number of
incoming students by knowing who has fully completed
their applications, paperwork and paid a deposit.”
The freshmen who are Rust
College ready and committed are the ones up for
the challenge and success.
So if you are ever stressed
or need advice, the COPE
Center is the place for you.
Campus Features
How to balance a
campus life
By Robert Alexander
Contributor, The Rustorian
From the parties to the
Greeks, and live basketball games, some will say
campus life is the best.
Many students are excited
about the current academic
year at Rust College.
They are finishing up
their second month of college at Rust. Some gave
good feedback about how
they feel. “I’m enjoying
myself so far so I’m happy,” said Cody Thompson,
a freshman, from Holly
Springs, Miss. To be successful you must have balance in everything you do
to achieve your goal. You
need to make time in your
schedule to take care of your
goals first. There’s a time to
study and a time to party.”
Michael Reed, a junior
mass communication major
from Chicago, Ill., said, “I
balance my time by setting a
time to go to sleep and wake
up on time.” Reed said he
knows when to do his class
work and when to party,
“plain and simple.”
Some staff gave advice to
the incoming students. John
Verge, the residential advisor
in Davage–Smith Hall, said
freshmen should “be themselves and stay focused.” Pearly Jones, a counselor
of students in Shaw Hall,
said it’s good to see students strive to be successful
and finish college.
On and off
campus living
By Antoinette Anderson
Contributor, The Rustorian
Is campus life better than
off campus life? Campus
living is the life for many
college students, but now
more students at Rust College tend to take interest in
living off campus.
For some students living
on campus is not as great
as living off campus. They
would rather be independent and live on their own,
and also have freedom to do
whatever they want.
Robert Alexander, a mass
communication major from
Chicago, Ill., said living on
campus one may tend to be
involved in more activities,
but living off campus would
be better as far as living
conditions are concerned.
Alexander said he knows
many students who live off
campus and they love it.
According to Gabrielle
Harvey, a biology major,
also from Chicago, living
ter. But Harvey would like
more security on campus
and more planned activities for students.
“I enjoy the freedom I
have living off campus. I
can have company when
I want and for as long as I
want,” said Corey Simpson,
on campus is easier when
trying to make it on time
for class, and one also gets
to know other students bet-
a mass communications
major, from Chicago, Ill.
Christina Taylor, a math maSee Living, page 5
Page 4
The Rustorian
October 2011
Extreme Makeover Home Edition, a new ‘Rankin Circle’
By Tremelanie McFadden
Contributor,
The Rustorian
When discussing the
remodeling of the Mississippi Industrial College
Homes (MICH), better
known as “Rankin Circle,”
in Holly Springs, Miss.,
only one word can describe this long awaited
process, upgrade!
Rankin Circle is a low income-based apartment complex. To many Holly Springs
residents, the complex projects the image of an unhealthy environment. Some
view Rankin Circle as a drug
zone with drug dealers, drug
users, and gang members.
“I remember being scared
to even drive through Rankin
Circle in the day or the night
time,” said Holland Ma-
son, a resident of a nearby
neighborhood. There have
been murders and numerous crime altercations that
have taken place in Rankin
Circle, such as the 2001
murder of Patrick Smith.
Some of the most notorious
drug lords of Holly Springs
are from this neighborhood,
according to Officer Michael Perkins of the Holly
Springs Police Department.
In November 2010, the
Patton & Taylor Construction Company began the
task of remodeling MICH,
planned to be completely
finished this November.
According to Jim McNeese, the company superintendent, this is one of the
more difficult jobs the company has undertaken. MICH
received a $4 million grant
from the state of Missis-
sippi to fund the rebuilding
expenses. Kendria Winfield,
the MICH property manager
since September 2010, feels
the upgrade will give the residents a more positive outlook on the neighborhood.
“When dealing with apartment complexes that have
lots of children around we
usually experience theft and
vandalism of the construction site, but surprisingly
nothing has been missing
or vandalized the whole
time we’ve been here,” said
McNeese. The city of Holly Springs has been a huge
help in getting the job done
on time including everyone
from Mayor Andre DeBerry, Micheal Crittle, and the
Holly Springs Utility Department, McNeese added.
Clemmie McFadden, age
88, has been living at the
MICH complex since they
first opened in 1971. McFadden explains how boys
used to hang out around
the complex very often
and cause conflicts.
“I would witness bickering,
arguments,
and
sometimes violence at
least three to four times a
week,” said McFadden.
After putting up gates
surrounding the entire complex, installing cameras in
every building, and enforcing strict rules such as a curfew, this neighborhood is a
much safer living environment, McFadden added.
News from the local area
Students dismayed at the closing of nearby Piggly Wiggly store
By Benita E. Jackson
Editor, The Rustorian
Piggly Wiggly in Holly
Springs, Miss. closed its
doors on Friday, Sept. 30,
and students at Rust College
are already feeling the effect.
One of the closest grocery stores to the college
campus students could easily walk to Piggly Wiggly
to pick up food, snacks, and
drinks. It’s a much easier
access and students do not
have to ride to the store unless they are doing a large
grocery trip. But those who
don’t have a vehicle on
campus don’t mind making
the short walk to the store.
Some students like to
shop at Piggly Wiggly because of the cheaper prices
they have compared to
Wal-Mart. Others like the
selection of items that
they can find in Piggly
Wiggly compared to
the other local grocery
store or even the dollar stores.
Yvette Edward Curry, a mass communication major, says that
she is upset about the
closing of Piggly Wiggly because the meat
selection at Piggly
Wiggly is better than
other local grocery stores in
Holly Springs, and is better
priced than Wal-Mart.
The thought of spending more money on any
product is enough to make
students consider how they
are already on limited budgets. Students often rely
on parents back home to
send them money via services like Money Gram
and Western Union. Western Union is commonly
used and is located at Piggly Wiggly. But with the
closing of the store Western Union becomes out of
reach to students who don’t
have transportation.
Computer science junior,
Patrice Jones, said “Now
I have to go all the way to
Wal-Mart to receive money
that family member back
in Chicago send. This
is going to be a hassle
because I could walk
to Piggly Wiggly but
walking to Wal-Mart
is out of the question?”
The strain of the closing of this store may
be hard for students to
overcome unless another grocery store replaces it soon.
Another
student,
Travonte Franks says
that he wouldn’t mind if
they would replace it with
a Kroger so he can use his
Kroger card for discounts
and his EBT card as well
to save even more money.
The closing of this store
will not only affect the students of Rust College but
the community as a whole
will be affected. Jobs will
be lost, access to the grocer-
ies will be limited, and even
access to other needs will be
limited. The closing of this
business might also lead
fewer customers for other
business in the area where
Piggly Wiggly was located.
If people only visited other
business because going to
Piggly Wiggly reminded
them to go by there, not having Piggly Wiggly there will
decline business.
Yet the plus is there for
store like Big Star and WalMart, because that is one less
business they are in competition with. This could potentially increase their sales
with people of the community and the students of Rust
College having to find some
where else to fulfill those
needs that were once covered by Piggly Wiggly.
October 2011
The Rustorian
Graduate school recruiters seek serious-minded talent
By Teresa Hughes
Staff Writer, The Rustorian
A diverse
selection
of graduate schools, law
schools, and even the Untied
States Coast Guard were
represented at Rust College graduates day held in
the McMillan multipurpose
gymnasium on Sept. 12.
Recruiters
presented
interesting arguments as
to why students should
choose their program, and
students took note.
For instance, Dr. Osaeuohien Amienyi, interim dean
of the School of Radio and
Television, Arkansas State
University, said that their
in-state tuition is at its lowest ever, and there are even
some assistantships available to qualified students.
However, others argued
that the overall cost itself
to attend their program
was the best reason students should enroll.
“Students can compare
notes and when they do they
will find that our school of
law has the cheapest tuition starting at around nine
thousand dollars,” said Peter C. Alexander, professor
of law, Southern Illinois
University School of Law.
Political Science/ Prelaw major Noah Moore of
Jackson, Miss. said that
Widenar Law School influenced him the most.
“The representative was
highly educated and intelligent, and told me that sometimes people chose law as a
profession just for the prestige; instead of using that
profession to better their
community and those that
look like them,” he said.
Graduate schools that
sent representatives included Washington State
University, Arkansas University, Central Michigan
University, Jackson State,
and Richmont University.
Law schools represented
were Florida Coastal, the
University of Mississippi,
Southern Illinois, Roger Williams University, and Widenar law amongst others.
Page 5
AKA’s, from page 3
and as a whole by dancing,
representing their states or
where they are from, eating, and laughing. The Pink
Social left students feeling
refreshed and full of sweets.
Living, from page 3
jor, enjoys the off-campus
living; “I have more freedom.” However, the only
problem with living off
campus is the daily commute to and from school,
and the cost of living off
campus, said Taylor. “But
before you move off campus these are things you
have to consider.
Page 6
The Rustorian
October 2011
Halloween
Dont’s
Halloween arrives on
a Monday this year. So
some will choose Sunday evening to trick or
treat. But regardless of
the day or time, consider
this. Don’t...
• forget that Monday
is a school night, so
study.
• engage in excessive
celebration you’ll
regret.
• eat so many treats
that you make yourself miserable.
• eat or drink anything you haven’t
inspected first.
Otherwise, BOO!!
Think before
you wear it
Fashion in the 21st
century is an eclectic fusion of fresh contemporary designs mixed with
time-tested traditions.
Too often, however, we
are tempted to go out of
this world or off the chart
in an attempt to dress to
impress. Remember to
think before you wear
it. Ask yourself, would I
want to be caught dead
in this?
Observing your
faith
Rust College is affiliated with the United
Methodist Church, and
we have an excellent
chapel on campus to
prove it. But we come
from many different denominations and many
different faiths.
There are lots of
places in the local area
where you can express
your brand of faith. So,
take advantage of the
hospitality and go.
Director Weatherall says big things expected from the band this year
The Big Bang Boom!!!
By Catrina Kirkwood,
Contributor, The Rustorian
The Rust College band
will be joining up with
Alumni band members
from the 1970s and 1980s
during Founders’
Week
Nov. 11-13. It’s been
years since Rust College
brought back the band.
Band Director Maurice
Weatherall said the majorettes are ready to show what
they got, “flag girls who are
ready to wave their school
pride, and musicians ready
to sound the alarm.”
In majorette auditions,
Weatherall came by to drop
a word of wisdom to the
girls. “If you are just going through the motions
and trying to join a team
that performs all over, it’s
not going to work with this
band,” Weatherall said.
Majorette
April
Burden, a secondyear veteran, said,
“Expect more performances out of
us and watch the
pride
we
have
for our school.”
Drum major Allen Thurman expressed his expectations
for this band. “We have a
good core, now it is time
to add dedicated members and show people what
this band program is capable of producing.” Davage-Smith Hall, up to par or off by far
By Ravenico Stephens
Staff Writer, The Rustorian
The men of Davage-Smith
residential hall at Rust have
issues with their living arrangements and conditions. One issue that seems
to trouble everyone is the
condition of the restrooms
and how well they’re being taken care of, pertaining to cleanliness.
Biology major Troy
Smith, from Conway, Ark.,
said, “They could hire a
later cleaning crew for the
building instead of the early
cleaning crew that they do
have.” Residence assistant
Ahmaad Adesola admitted to
the issue and has been work-
ing to keep the restrooms
clean, but Adesola said the
residents have to help out
as well. Another major issue
was the recent removal of
the microwaves used by the
residents. The microwaves
were taken out of the dormitory because they were
not kept clean, according
to Anthony Scott, a social
work major, from Memphis,
Tenn. There is no information as to when they will
be returned but the student
residents hope sooner.
The fines in DavageSmith are also an issue that
comes along with living
in the dormitory.
Students say the rules
are too strict and could
be easier in order for
them to have a better college experience. Juan’te Verge, the hall
director, said, “Instead of
giving out fines, the school
should try some kind of
community service.”
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October 2011
The Rustorian
Page 7
Enrollment of international students show significant decline
By Christine Ambia
Contributor, The Rustorian
The number of international students enrolled
at Rust College has decreased this academic year,
according to the registrar, Clarence Smith.
Forty eight students were
enrolled this year compared
to 93 students last academic
year. Smith, who also is a
member of the Mississippi
Association for International Education, involved
in the campaign to promote Mississippi as a state
for international students
to consider for education,
Forty eight students were
enrolled this year
compared to 93 students
last academic year.
said Rust received a lot of
applications this year, but
most of the prospective students ran into visa application problems and were not
able to join this year.
Rust admits students
from all over the world
with largest numbers from
Kenya, The Gambia and
Ethiopia. This year alone
Smith handled over 200
applications for admission.
“Most of them were unable
to obtain the required Visa
for travel. The stricter immigration law accounts for
the majority of those who
did not enroll,” said Smith.
The decrease in enrollment can also be attributed
to the loss of financial aid
tuition discount which international students at Rust
received until last year.
Work Study Coordinator Bernetta Scruggs, said,
however, that the college
has other scholarships for
international students.
The United Negro College
Fund offers scholarships to
students, and these funds are
available to international
students to apply for as well.
The college also offers
financial aid through workstudy after a student has
completed one full year
of matriculation.
Fanta Suwaneh, a biology major from The
Gambia is grateful for the
work-study program.
“It would have been
harder for me if I didn’t
receive anything from
the institute, work- study
gives me a peace of
mind,” said Suwaneh.
Poetry Corner
Fear
By Dionyal Spencer
Dear Fear, they defined you as distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc.,
whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid.
I defined you as car accidents, relationships, failure and dying
Missing the bus or loosing a fight and momma and daddy getting a hold of that tail
Or having sex and living with an unknown disease
Allowing myself to get involved in a relationship that is full of secrets and lies.
Depending on a father that has deceived me and my siblings as a whole
Living by myself with kids in a broken home,
Having to explain to them it’s not their fault that daddy isn’t home.
Standing on the corner selling dope to gain money for the needs of my family as a whole
Having the thought of our first black president being assassinated by a racist man
Crying day and night to overcome the pain that lies within from worldly hurt,
Crying “Momma why you have to leave me on this earth alone” while she lays in a casket cold
Allowing me and my siblings to be anything less than what God has called us to be.
Brutally beat down because of my race, and the seat I have taken on the bus from a long day of work
Or maybe it’s the dream that I told, that leaves me dead
because of the white man who shot me as I stood on the balcony of Lorraine hotel
Picking cotton and answering to this man who holds a name of “Master”
Lying in a ship full of people like me chained down, with the smell of vomit
Why does this fear live inside of me?
I question this everyday only to understand
That I’m a black man, black woman, black child
And this fear has lived in me since the year of 1619.
Page 8
The Rustorian
October 2011
8th ‘Great Debate’ deals with weighty issues of privacy, access and control
By Benita Jackson
Editor, The Rustorian
The Department of Mass
Communication hosted its
8th Annual Great Debate on
Friday, Oct. 7. The debate
is held each academic year
by Sharron Goodman-Hill’s
Mass Media Law class.
This year’s debate had
two different topics and
four tea Team one and two
debated the topic, “Should
students be suspended or
expelled through evidence
obtained through secret
surveillance? The second
topic, “Should the government be allowed to obtain
private email without a
warrant?” was debated by
teams three and four.
The judges were Professor Rev. Dr. Kenneth
E. Jones, Rev. Ed Moses,
Asbury United Methodist
Church, and Patrick Washington, superintendent for
Benton County Schools.
The debate was attended
by several faculty members,
staff,
students,
and a few parents.
During the debate students were to deliver an
opening statement, no longer than eight minutes, a
rebuttal, followed by question and answers from both
teams, and closing statements. The “pro” team
led off the debates and the
“con” team followed.
On the first topic,
the con team, consisting of
Blake Henry, team captain,
Cameron Jones, Terrell
Barry, Roosevelt Ford, and
Alonzo Williams, won. The
second debate was won by
the pro team, consisting of Illysse Daniels, team captain,
Corey Simpson, Ravenico
Stephens, Kierra Donnell,
and Markeeta Cohen.
The topics that were debated were important questions in our society. The
issue of the government
viewing personal email has
been argued before and has
appeared in court a number
of times. The same is for
hidden cameras capturing
questionable behavior and
being used to punish those
caught in the wrong.
One point ruled in the great
debate for the topic of hidden cameras was that there
was no difference between a
college campus having hidden cameras and a mother
having a “nanny cam” videotaping her babysitter.
For the government viewing private email without
warrant, a significant point
was that often when the
government has been taken to court for these cases,
they often withdraw their
motion, which gives the
impression that the government knows that what they
are doing is wrong.
In order for the debate
to happen, students had
to properly prepare by researching their topics, finding evidence to support the
side that they were arguing,
whether it was for (pro) or
against (con). Many students had to go against what
they truly believed was
right in order to make the
debate a success.
After the results were in
Goodman-Hill thanked all
who were in attendance. She
also gave gift baskets created by Pearly Jones, Shaw
Hall, to the judges. She gave
a goodie cup to John A.
House for helping with the
debate which he shared with
Hortensia Dean, former instructor of Mass Communications at Rust.
Rust students enjoy one last groove at
Thursday night ‘Blues’ Extravaganza
By Cervetra Williams
Staff writer, The Rustorian
On every Thursday evening, from 6 to 11, Holly
Springs, Miss. hosts an annual Bikers Blues show,
which includes most local artists and Memphians.
These are some of the most
exciting times in which the
citizens of Holly Springs
get to enjoy themselves out
of their own homes, in town
square. They get to listen
to some good down home
blues, look at the many
motorcycles on display and
sample dishes from some of
the area vendors.
Rust College student Patrice Jones, a junior majoring
in computer science says,
“These activities give me a
reason to leave the campus,
interact with some of the local people and enjoy myself
without having to watch my
back around every corner.”
The town’s people are very
friendly, welcoming and
caring. There are not just the
Holly Springs people there
but the mayor, firemen, police, and the Rust College
students, faculty, staff and
sometimes President Dr.
David L. Beckley.
While the artists perform,
there is a dance area located
in the center of the crowd,
where people of all sizes
show their signature moves.
If you’re not dancing in the
middle circle, you can walk
to the very back and get
a snack: corn dog, funnel
cakes, polish sausage, regular and hot franks, and grilled
bologna just to name a few.
You can even get refreshing lemonade, water or ice
cold pop. If you’re really
enjoying yourself, the liquor store is on the first
block right before you get
to the blues alley. Rust Col-
lege prospective graduating
senior, business administration major Shavondra
Walker says, “The blues extravaganza helps the community of Holly Springs
and the Rust College families become one.”
The Blues Show and the
Rust College Radio WURC
work together and produce a wonderful show. At
the end of the night people
have enjoyed themselves,
danced, laughed and eaten.
To go home with a great
spirit from a family oriented
event warms the soul.
Sad to say that Sept. 29
was the last Thursday for the
annual Bikers Blues event.
“We’ll just wait for next
year in July to come so that
everyone can do the same
thing all over again,” said
junior mass communications
major Yvette Curry.
“Hoping the same, plus
more artists will come
and broadcast their talents for the town is all
that’s on the mind of most
of Holly Springs.”