The memories of the 2007-08 school term will be etched into the hearts of those students who have reached the end of their undergraduate career and will embark on their life’s journey. From Louisiana’s gubernatorial election to the presidential election to the launch of the Office of Student Media’s podcasts and blogs, Southern University students have seen and experienced it all.
10. STUDENT MEDIA DEBUTS PODCASTS, BLOGS
The Student Government Association Election season has never been more lively and talked about than this year thanks in most part to the podcasts, which allowed students, alumni and the DIGEST online readers an opportunity to listen to the debates. “We’re not just stopping with the debates,” said Amber R. Perry, an English and political science senior from Independence. “In the fall we plan to podcast the motivational speaker’s series, the State of SGA, interviews with SGA officials and out takes from EGO Magazine interviews.” As of date, the podcasts have been accessed over 500 times.
9. STATUE STOPS TRUCK FROM GOING OVER BLUFF
An unidentified woman who had an epileptic seizure by Southern University Laboratory School was miraculously able to keep control of her trunk until she crashed into the pelican statue-stopping her from diving off the cliff and into the bluff. “She was conscious but dazed. She was able to walk,” said Errol Taylor, an investigator with the Baton Rouge Fire Department.
8. STRIFE IN KENYA HITS HOME
Political strife and civil war in foreign countries, for most people, is only seen through the eyes of a television screen. But this was not the case for Fulbert and Grace Namwamba, Southern professors who were vacationing in Kenya during the winter break. “We live here,” said Grace, indicating the United States. “But we still maintain our residence in Kenya. We have a farm…And we always look forward to it every December to go and relax and get away from the hustle.” After days of contacting friends, relatives and the government, the Namwamba’s were escorted safely out of the country.
7. STUDENT DEATH
The Southern University student body was shocked to learn that one of its own, 19-year-old Corey Rhodes died unexpectly in his apartment. Friends that knew him poured their hearts open about the kind and generous nature of Rhodes. Jackie Rhine, junior psychology major from Jeanerette had only good things to say about his roommate. “He was real smart. He was very energetic, opinionated and kind. The way he talked to people-he was respectful to everybody.”
6. ANOTHER FIRST – JINDAL WINS GOVERNOR’S RACE
Not since Reconstruction has Louisiana’s governor’s mansion has it seen a non-white face as its inhabitant. In the second consecutive gubernatorial race, Louisiana voted for its first female governor-Kathleen Blanco and now its first Indian American governor, Bobby Jindal. In one of his first acts as governor, Jindal said he wanted to change the state’s corrupt image. “Our people don’t want to be amused by our politics anymore. We don’t want to be entertained,” said Jindal to the Associated Press.
5. SU FOOTBALL RETURNS, TENNIS & SOFTBALL WIN SWAC
The Southern University Jaguars upset the Grambling Tigers not by winning Bayou Classic, but by beating the undefeated SWAC record titleholders. “They thought nobody in the SWAC could beat them but they hadn’t played Southern yet, so we had to come out and show them who we are,” said Southern’s offensive MVP player Coates. Jeffrey Conyers, head coach of both the men’s and women’s tennis teams has something to be proud of; the men are undefeated in the SWAC and the women had an undefeated regular season. The same goes for the softball team who won the SWAC West title.
4. ECONOMY TAKES PLUNGE
With the combination of a slumping housing market, high gas prices, high interest rates on credit cards and loans and skyrocketing unemployment, it was only a matter of time before the nation’s economy spiraled down. To combat another Great Depression, President George W. Bush, along with Congress have introduced an economic stimulus package to help alleviate the crisis. According to the Internal Revenue Service’s official website, taxpayers who filed a 2007 federal tax return will receive “up to $600 and $1,200 for married couples.”
3. BLACK MAN, WOMAN FIGHT FOR DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION
Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are making history by being the first black and woman with a real chance of being the next President of the United States. Despite the bitter divide between Obama and Clinton supports, the bulk of Southern students are supporting the Illinois senator. “There’s no such thing as presidential training,” said Niiobli Armah, former Student Government Association President 2006-07. “Obama displays excellent leadership skills and sound decision making capabilities.”
2. GAS PRICES HIT THE ROOFS-OR TANKS
According to USA Today, the national average for gas is now $3.51 a stark difference to prices twenty-seven years ago when prices were at an all time high if $3.20. The U.S. Energy Information Administration projects that gas prices will jump another 40 cents before the end of 2008. Gas prices have put a cramp in the general public’s travel plans. Airplane tickets have skyrocketed to defer the cost of gas and many airlines are now charging for the second piece of luggage. Riding the bus, which used to be the alternative to driving one’s car, has also seen as rising cost.
1. ANOTHER SU LEADERSHIP SEARCH
For the second time within a three-year span, Southern University is in the process of replacing its leadership, this time the number two position – the Baton Rouge chancellor. With the departure of Dr. Edward Jackson beginning June 30th-he went on sabbatical and has been replaced by Margaret Ambrose as interim chancellor-the university has narrowed the search down to sixteen, then six candidates. Earlier this year, a forum was held for students to voice their concerns about the chancellor search. Jerry Jones, senior political science major from Alexandra wants the next chancellor to be a progressive with new ideas. “We can’t keep going in the same direction with the same leadership. With inside leadership, you get inside ideas. We need to think outside the box.”
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Top 10 Year-In-Review
May 26, 2008
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